Invisible sensor tech supports world-first sleep disorder trial

A world-first sleep disorder diagnosis and monitoring trial will be conducted using invisible sensor technology developed at RMIT University.

The trial is part of a new partnership between Australian research and technology company Sleeptite, RMIT and Flinders University.

Researchers will test Sleeptite's non-invasive sensor monitoring technology, REMi, and investigate its capability as a validation tool for sleep disorders.

REMi is the result of an industry-university collaboration that saw fundamental research taken from RMIT labs and translated into a commercial outcome.

Launched in March, the technology is designed to non-intrusively monitor aged care residents.

Sensors on the surface of a mattress provide real-time insights into residents' position, posture and sleep health status.

The technology will be put to the test by experts from the Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute Sleep Health team at Flinders University in collaboration with the Functional Materials and Microsystems Research Group at RMIT.

Group co-leader, Professor Madhu Bhaskaran, said the team was excited to take their collaboration with Sleeptite into important new areas of research.

"The flexible and stretchable sensors developed at RMIT are part of what makes REMi unique - and it's this nearable and unfeelable technology that will enable sleep studies to be carried out in far more natural settings," Bhaskaran said.

"We look forward to discovering new avenues of partnership for this platform technology, and the opportunity to build deep collaborations to take this world-first system beyond aged care."

Sleeptite CEO Cameron van den Dungen said the new research harnessed REMi's potential to provide sleep diagnostic information outside of an aged care setting.

"I am so excited to see further scientific research show how the Sleeptite REMi platform can be used as a sleep diagnostic tool to determine sleep disorders such as sleep apnoea," van den Dungen said.

Conducted at Flinders University's Adelaide research centre, the REMi Sleep Diagnosis Evaluation Trial is expected to last six months and will include:

further sensor capability testing of the REMi sensors;

identifying key sleep-related parameters;

establishing relationships between sensor signals and sleep measurements; and,

developing an algorithm that will recognise sleep quality.

The trial will involve 30 participants and will be evaluated against polysomnography (PSG) results, which are considered the industry gold standard.

Flinders University Project Lead, Associate Professor Andrew Vakulin, said the research aimed to develop and validate sleep measurement metrics and algorithms using the REMi sensors, and to further enhance their capability to provide informative data.

"Sleep, exercise and healthy eating are essential for a healthy life, and missing out on sleep - including with an untreated sleep disorder - can have serious long and short-term health consequences," Vakulin said.

"Our research aims to prove that the Sleeptite REMi sensors give a reliable measure of sleep quality and sleep disorders, which will ultimately lead to new apps to help consumers improve their sleep health."

The trial was made possible due to funding received from the CRC for Alertness, Safety and Productivity.

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This story has been published on: 2021-06-29. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
South Africa: West Rand officials released on R50 000 bail

Three former senior West Rand District Municipality officials, arrested for allegedly irregularly depositing R400 million into the collapsed VBS Mutual Bank, have been released on R50 000 bail.

The trio appeared briefly in the Pretoria Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday. They were on Monday arrested by members of the Hawks Serious Corruption Investigation at several locations in Gauteng.

The three, the former Municipal Manager Moroashike David Mokoena, 60, former Chief Financial Officer Romeo Mohaudi, 33, and former Manager: Income and Expenditure Mzwandile Reginald Mkhize, 36, collectively face 20 counts of corruption and two of contravening the Municipalities Financial Management Act (MFMA).

The deposits into the bank were in contravention of the law and municipal finance regulations.

In a statement, the National Prosecuting Authority said Mokoena caused the West Rand District Municipality to invest more than R347 million with VBS, and the various investment policies of the West Rand Municipality from time to time, in contravention of the MFMA.

Mohaudi caused R50 million to be invested with VBS in contravention of the MFMA and the investment policy adopted by the Merafong Municipality.

In order to facilitate the investments, the three received corrupt gratifications from VBS officials in the form of motor vehicle finance facilities, mortgage bond facilities and several payments.

In terms of the regulations, each municipality must adopt an investment policy which sets out, among other things, the procedure for the invitation and selection of competitive bids or offers in accordance with the supply chain management (SCM) process in terms of the SCM regulations supported by municipal policy.

The West Rand Municipality adopted a Banking and Investment Policy which restricts the municipality when placing deposits with banks. It prescribed that such deposits be placed with banks registered in terms of the Banks Act. The VBS was not registered under this Act.

The West Rand Municipality was therefore prohibited from placing any deposits, inclusive of any investment deposits, with VBS, the NPA said.

The accused were released on R50 000 bail and the matter was postponed to 22 October 2021 for pre-trial management. The state hopes that a trial date will be agreed upon at the next appearance.

Meanwhile, charges against former Merafong City Local Municipality CFO Matthys Wienekus, 64, were withdrawn when he briefly appeared before the same court on Tuesday.

Wienekus was arrested by the Hawks and charged with contravening the MFMA for his role in depositing R50 million with VBS Mutual Bank against the prescripts of the MFMA and the municipalitys investment policy.

He is among 64 witnesses that are scheduled to testify against the three former West Rand District Municipality officials.  SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa: President Ramaphosa to address Generation Equality Forum

President Cyril Ramaphosa will this afternoon lead South Africas participation at the Generation Equality Forum (GEF) in Paris to highlight the countrys commitment to gender equality.

The GEF is a global gathering to accelerate gender equality actions and marks the 25th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.

Held from 30 June - 02 July 2021, the hybrid forum will be convened by United Nations (UN) Women and co-hosted by the governments of Mexico and France, in partnership with co-leaders from the Global South and Global North, civil society and the private sector.

The Generation Equality Forum kicked off in Mexico City in March and will culminate in the Paris meeting which is expected to be attended by Heads of State, as well as high-level representatives from every sector in society to showcase commitment announcements for gender equality with concrete, tangible action from governments, corporations and civil society.

President Ramaphosa will deliver a pre-recorded message on rebuilding an equal economy during the opening ceremony of the GEF Forum on Wednesday.

On 1 July 2021, South Africa, led by the President, will also participate at the virtual session of the Generation Equality Forum: Economic Justice and Rights (EJR) Action Coalition to discuss global commitments and actions to be taken by stakeholders to promote economic justice and rights for women, the Presidency said in a statement.

United Nations (UN) Aids Executive Director, Winnie Byanyima, will moderate the engagement and the Executive Director of UN Women, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, will open the meeting.

Other dignitaries joining the event include Prime Minister of Spain Pedro Sanchez, President of Liberia George Weah, Vice President of Tanzania Philip Mpango, International Labour Organisation (ILO) Director-General Guy Ryder, and American philanthropist Melinda Gates.

The Presidency said South Africa will leverage the momentum of the Paris meeting to highlight the countrys commitments to gender equality and amplify its domestic priorities at the global level.

The country will also use the opportunity to recognise the importance of intersectional youth leadership and provide feedback on the work of the multi-stakeholder forum.

South Africa is a co-leader of Generation Equality Forums Action Coalition on Economic Justice and Rights (EJR), and the President will use the engagement to articulate strong support for the jointly developed global acceleration plan, which has a catalogue of commitments to support women in the care economy, ensure decent work for women, create access to and control of productive resources including financial inclusion, and promote gender-responsive inclusive economies, the Presidency said.

The country has participated actively in the negotiations for the Global Acceleration Plan (GAP) of the Economic Justice and Rights Action Coalition, which presents a clear action plan of commitments and actions that stakeholders must take to advance economic justice and rights.

Economic Justice and Rights Global Acceleration Plan

During the engagement, EJR Action Coalition members will also launch the Economic Justice and Rights Global Acceleration Plan, to give leaders of the action coalition an opportunity to state their commitments reflecting clear actions to be implemented over the next five years.

The set of innovative and multi-stakeholder Action Coalitions (ACs) includes gender based violence (GBV); economic justice and rights; bodily autonomy and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR); feminist action for climate justice; technology and innovation for gender equality; feminist movements and leadership, the Presidency said.

The Action Coalitions also work hand-in-hand with a global Compact on Women, Peace, Security and Humanitarian Action.

The GEF in Paris will also present the final Global Acceleration Plan for Gender Equality, including the six Action Coalition Blueprints, and drive all stakeholders towards identifying, defining and laying the roadmap for implementing bold, game-changing commitments, the Presidency said.  SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa: Pandor calls for affordable COVID-19 vaccines at G20

International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, has reiterated South Africas support for international efforts to tackle the health and socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minister said the country regards access to affordable vaccines for all as one of the immediate priorities.

Pandor was speaking at meetings of the Group of 20 (G20) taking place in Matera, Italy, on Tuesday.

The Minister arrived in the Italian city on Monday and was representing South Africa at several meetings of the G20 Ministers.

She further said South Africa and India, in the context of the World Trade Organisation, are leading efforts to get a waiver on the intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines.

Every effort must be made to support the rollout of vaccines to all. Defeating the virus is our common interest, as no one is safe until everyone is safe, she said.

In addition, according to the department, South Africa shared the concern expressed by other G20 members regarding the impact that the global health pandemic is having on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals set by United Nations (UN) member States.

The department said ensuring sustainable development in the current global environment would require concerted engagement in the UN system and other multilateral structures such as the G20.

This includes promoting access to vaccines, post-COVID recovery, debt sustainability and liquidity, economic growth, and the improvement of the social well-being and infrastructure through increased trade and investment as well as the fair and equitable movement of goods and services.

According to the department, the Minister said G20 countries must continue to work together to deliver a free, fair, non-discriminatory, transparent, predictable and stable trade and investment environment, and to keep our markets open.

Speaking in a meeting focussing on development, Minister Pandor said the global health pandemic is exacerbating poverty, inequality, unemployment and has a disproportional impact on women and youth.

The Minister also spoke about illicit financial flows from Africa, which drain our economies of much-needed domestic resources to fund sustainable development.

On the margins of the G20, the Minister met with her counterparts from the Netherlands and Spain, Minister Sigrid Kaag and Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya respectively, for bilateral talks focussing on matters of mutual interest.

The G20 is the international forum that brings together the worlds major economies.

The G20 members are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union. Spain is also invited as a permanent guest.  SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa: Higher learning institutions to administer COVID-19 jabs

The Department of Higher Education and Training has made available its Post School Education and Training institutions to be part of the comprehensive health facilities to administer COVID-19 inoculations.

Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, said the institutions of higher learning, including universities and colleges are geographically located in all provinces and localities, which renders them easily accessible to communities for inoculations.

These institutions will play a rapid response role in ensuring that the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out is fast tracked as per the Department of Health phased plan, Nzimande said in a statement.

Nzimande will on Thursday visit the University of Pretoria (UP) vaccination centre, where he will receive a briefing from the University of Pretoria and Higher Health on the management of COVID-19 cluster outbreaks.

The Minister will also use the opportunity to receive his second inoculation at the UP vaccination centre, to further demonstrate his solidarity with educators who form part of the current cohort to be inoculated.

Nzimande received his first COVID-19 vaccination last month at Edendale Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.

The Minister will on Thursday be joined by the University of Pretoria management, led by Professor Tawana Kupe and Higher Health CEO, Professor Ramneek Ahluwalia.  SAnews.gov.za

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Hong Kong: 2 imported COVID-19 cases identified

The Centre for Health Protection today said it is investigating two additional COVID-19 cases involving a man and a woman who arrived from the UK and Bangladesh.

Meanwhile, the centre was notified of two confirmed COVID-19 cases in the UK involving a 43-year-old woman and a five-year-old boy.

They left Hong Kong on June 18 for London on Cathay Pacific flight CX251. Their specimens collected on June 21 tested positive for the virus and both of them remain asymptomatic.

The centre is following up on the cases with the UK health authority and epidemiological investigations are ongoing.

As a prudent measure, Horizon Suites in Ma On Shan where the patients had stayed will be put under a compulsory testing notice. People who had been there for more than two hours from June 5 to 30 have to undergo testing by July 2.

A total of 41 cases were reported in Hong Kong in the past 14 days, including 39 imported cases and two import-related cases.

For information and health advice on COVID-19, visit the Government's dedicated webpage.

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South Africa: Ekurhuleni warns of RDP sale scam

The City of Ekurhulenis Human Settlements Department has warned the public against buying Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) houses from people who are claiming to be representatives of the department.

It has come to the attention of the department that there are scammers working as a syndicate which is misrepresenting the Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Human Settlements Councillor Lesiba Mpya, the city said on Wednesday.

The department has learnt that there are fake advertisements that are doing rounds under the pretence of being issued by the office of MMC; the MMC who in turn arranges to sell RDP houses.

MMC Mpya has distanced himself from this illegal act and has urged the public to report such incidents to the police.

We urge the public to continue reporting all housing fraud to the Citys Anti-Fraud and Corruption hotline on 0800 102 201, he said.

The city said the public should note that people cannot sell their RDP house in the first eight years of occupancy, after which it must be offered to the State first.

In the event that one is offered an RDP house without the seller having the necessary documentation (title deed and permission), the suspects should be reported to your local Human Settlements Department and the police. The seller must have written consent from the Human Settlements Department.

Once a house is sold, a letter of authority from the deeds office must be attached to the sale agreement. There is no charge for title deeds, the city said.  SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa: Firearms Control Bill public participation extended

Police Minister Bheki Cele has extended the public participation process on the proposed amendment of the Firearms Control Bill by a further 21 days.

This as the Civilian Secretariat Police Service (CSPS) continues to receive input from the public, which were largely opposed to the amendment, the Ministry said in a statement.

Since the Bill was published in the Gazette for comments on Friday 21 May 2021, the Minister said it had received over 100 000 written submissions.

The Firearms Control Amendment Bill, 2021, replaces the Firearms Control Amendment Bill, 2015 that was submitted to Cabinet in February 2015.

The Ministry in the statement said the comments received by and large oppose the repeal of the provisions pertaining to self-defence, and the collectors of firearms and ammunition. The provisions also relate to private collectors, the reloading of ammunition, the restrictions on the number of firearms and ammunition that sport shooters and hunters may possess and the reduction in the licensing period.

On Monday, 28 June 2021, Cele extended the legislative process that seeks to mold the Firearms Control Bill through public participation for 21 working days. This period will commence from 5 July to 2 August.

The Ministry said the decision came after the CSPS received several requests for information with particular interest in the Witwatersrand School of Governance, 2015, and the Firearms Committee 2016 Research reports, which formed the basis of the amendments.

In the spirit of fairness and transparency, a decision was taken to make these Research reports available and afford all members of the public an opportunity to have proper insight into the reports and provide informed comments when contributing to the strengthening of the Bill.

It is prudent to note that these research reports were not the only source of information, which informed the provisions of the amendments, but consideration of Policy decisions and crime statistics were utilised as well.

The Police Ministry again urged South Africans to make their input to the Firearms Control Amendment Bill, 2021 which can be accessed on the Civilian Secretariat for the Polices website www.policesecretariat.gov.za  SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa: NPA internship programme targeting young law graduates

As Youth Month comes to an end, the National Prosecution Authority (NPA) hosted a virtual public webinar to raise awareness about an internship programme targeting young law graduates and people aspired to follow a career in prosecutions and contribute to serving justice for victims of crime.

The Aspirant Prosecutor Programme within the National Prosecutions Service (NPS), assists law graduates in gaining practical prosecutorial experience.

The programme runs for 12-months, and after completion, enables competent candidates to be appointed at entry-level prosecutorial positions in the NPA.

The programme helps to ensure that qualified prosecutors provide additional prosecutorial capacity in the lower courts.

Speaking during an information sharing session on Wednesday, Deputy National Director of Public Prosecutions Advocate Rodney de Kock said the NPA is open to doing things differently, and the whole strategic approach they are following is to be innovative.

I often argue that the way in which you introduce innovation into an institution, particularly an institution like the prosecution that has had its challenges over the last few years, is to ensure that we bring young people with new ideas into the institution, De Kock said.

He also assured the graduates that when joining the prosecution, they are not going to make photocopies.

In the prosecution we want to ensure that we value you, we value your contribution, and as young people, we want you to bring your ideas into the prosecution, and this aspirant programme is designed to do that. We will put you into a court and you will prosecute, and you will use the skills that youve have developed to be able to do your work, De Kock said.

To be considered for the programmes, the graduates are expected to meet the requirements, including a South African LLB Degree (Bachelor of Laws) or equivalent foreign qualification, certified by SAQA, which must include Law of Evidence, Criminal Law, Criminal Procedure, Civil Procedure, and Interpretation of Studies courses.

Alternatively, final year LLB students with the courses listed, provided they would have completed the degree before commencement of the programme requirement for one to be considered; and the applicant must be a South African.

Chief Prosecutor, Advocate Daphney Rangaka, said the training is conducted by designated NPA officials at the designated magistrates courts.

All aspirant prosecutors will receive a monthly stipend for the duration of the programme. The applicable salary level will depend on the amount of relevant experience that the candidate has, but will be within the indicated range, for example, those who have completed articles will be assessed as having more experience and therefore, may be placed at a higher salary than those who have not, Rangaka explained.

Recruitment process

An advertisement for the internship programme is placed in selected media, NPA website www.npa.gov.za or www.dpsa.gov.za, and on social media platforms, including Facebook and Twitter @NPA_Prosecutes.

Rangaka urged applicants not to submit the applications, unless the advert is placed.

Programme outcome

Successful applicants receive a minimum of six weeks classroom aspirant prosecutors tuition, and thereafter they receive practical in court training, where they conduct real cases in courts, demonstrating their competences and skills.

Aspirant Prosecutors learn about court ethics and rules of court during trials and outside. During trials, aspirants learn about court proceedings from the court composition, opening statements/putting a charge, examination in chief (presenting the states case), cross-examination, address on merits, mitigation and aggravating processes.

In administration, aspirant prosecutors are taught how to prepare a docket before trial and also what to do with the docket after trial. Further, aspirant prosecutors are taught how to compile monthly returns, the Advocate explained.

She added that aspirant prosecutors are assessed on a continuous basis to determine their competencies, and before the expiry of the programme, final assessment is conducted on each aspirant prosecutor.

Only those that are found to be competent may be appointed into entry level prosecutor posts in the NPA.  SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa: KZN boosts capacity to deal with COVID-19

With the country experiencing the third wave of COVID-19, the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government has employed about 15 000 staff members on a contractual basis to help boost its capacity to fight its spread.

These posts include professional nurses (General); professional nurses (Specialty); staff nurses; nursing assistants; administration clerks; cleaners and porters; physiotherapists; radiographers; clinical psychologists; audiologists; optometrists and data capturers.

These brave warriors in this war have had to team up with our pre-existing cadre of healthcare workers, and continue to mount a formidable fight to curb the spread of COVID-19. We are eternally grateful to all of them for the courage and determination that they have consistently shown, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala said on Wednesday.

The Premier was addressing members of the media in Durban on the infection trends in the province, vaccination and the general state of readiness to deal with the third wave. This media briefing comes after the country was moved to Adjusted Alert Level 4 on Monday as announced by the President on Sunday.

Five districts in the province are on the resurgence including Ethekwini, Uthukela, Umgungundlovu, Amajuba and Umzinyathi.

It is now a race against the third wave for us in these districts, Zikalala said.

The latest COVID-19 statistics show that the province registered 483 new cases, bringing the total number of reported cases to 352 401.

The province has 10 532 active cases, while it has registered 10 689 deaths due to the virus. The number of recoveries currently stands at 330 316 people.

We have reassessed our bed capacity to accommodate patients. The province currently has 2 494 isolation beds, as well as 1 411 quarantine beds that are dedicated to COVID-19.

These beds will be repurposed if and when the need arises. All in all, our four field hospitals have a total of more than 682 beds, the Premier said.

Hospitalisation due to COVID-19

As of 28 June 2021, the province had 878 patients admitted in both public and private healthcare facilities. Of those admitted, 143 patients (16%) are in the intensive care unit (ICU), while 168 are on oxygen.

The department has established bed monitoring centres (bureaus) in all districts, which monitor bed utilization and bed availability. To ensure accuracy of the statistics in this regard, all information is collated and updated on a daily basis, Zikalala said.

All field hospitals such as Ngwelezane, Justice Gizenga Mpanza (formerly Stanger), Clairwood Hospital, as well as the Pietermaritzburg Royal Show Grounds; have been fully fitted with oxygen, consisting of 361 points.

The upgrading of oxygen regulators has been completed at some of our regional hospitals, such as Edendale, RK Khan, Madadeni and Prince Mshiyeni Memorial Hospital. Our system has been further boosted by the installation of a web-based Oxygen Cylinder Management and Ordering System. This enables us to ensure that oxygen is ordered timeously, and to avoid the shortages, which can be a matter of life and death, the Premier said.

The province is also in regular and direct contact with the contracted oxygen supplier, Afrox, to ensure that any threats to the supply of oxygen are identified and resolved early.

We are confident that the oxygen capacity; oxygen management systems; as well as the contingency measures that we have put in place to avoid shortages, will see us through these tough times.

We must emphasise though that, although our capacity to implement an effective response is there, it can only be threatened by us lowering our guard and failing to play our part to curb the spread of COVID-19. It is vital that we protect our systems, so that they are not compromised through negligence, the Premier said.  SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa: KZN intensifies vaccination drive

The KwaZulu-Natal provincial government is administering the COVID-19 vaccine to an average of 12 000 people per day.

We are intensifying vaccination of the elderly, and also increasing capacity in our rural areas. We urge all the qualifying categories of people at this stage to register on the database, KwaZulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala said on Wednesday.

As of 28 June 2021, the province has vaccinated 416 967 senior citizens, 68 748 educators, as well as 130 546 healthcare workers.

The total number of senior citizens who are currently registered on the Electronic Vaccination Data System currently stands at 553 279, from a target of just over 955 000 that we need to vaccinate, the Premier said.

He was addressing members of the media in Durban on the infection trends in the province, vaccination and the general state of readiness to deal with the third wave.

The number of vaccination sites that we have now prepared for the Pfizer vaccine is 359; whereas for educators, we have prepared 102 vaccination sites. All in all, we currently have 152 active sites for both vaccines. Umkhanyakude and Ethekwini Districts have completed their allocated doses earlier than other districts. The vaccine doses will be available again from today, Zikalala said.

The Premiers media briefing comes after the country was moved to Adjusted Alert Level 4 on Monday as announced by the President on Sunday.

As we continue to race against the onset of the third wave, we urge all fellow compatriots to play their part by behaving responsibly, and avoid conducts that may lead into acquisition and spread of the virus. We will be going corner by corner, and district by district, to vaccinate our people as more vaccine doses become available, he said.

The latest COVID-19 statistics show that the province registered 483 new cases, bringing the total number of reported cases to 352 401.

The province has 10 532 active cases, while it has registered 10 689 deaths due to the virus. The number of recoveries currently stands at 330 316.

Deploying law enforcement to enforce lockdown regulations

The province has directed the Justice, Crime Prevention and Security Cluster (JCPS) to review its plans and come up with a clear programme for the next 14 days and possibly beyond to enforce lockdown regulations.

Already the Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (ProvJOINTS), which is a structure that integrates all law enforcement agencies, has met to respond to the new developments. The new plan is informed by experience and areas that previously have had challenges in terms of non-compliance with the regulations, the Premier said.

The plan will focus on residential areas, where there is generally a high movement of people, with operations being conducted throughout the province.

Already, work is taking place in areas that have been identified as hotspots; but we will now be beefing-up the teams and our operations. Disturbingly, in the month of June 2021, more than 1 763 people were arrested for violating the National Lockdown Regulations.

A vast majority of those are people who were arrested for not wearing masks, as well as for cases of failure to confine themselves to their places of residence during the stipulated times, the Premier said.

The following are among some of the plans for the heightened enforcement of the Adjusted Alert Level 4 regulations:

Targeted enforcement operations in hotspot areas;

Intelligence-driven operations targeting illegal movement and sale of alcohol;

Multi-disciplinary roadblocks targeting various crime categories;

Enforcement of the law to ensure adherence to regulated hours;

Enforcing compliance with regards to the wearing of masks; and

Enforcement of sanctions for other forms of non-compliance.

The province will commence with the vaccination of police and other security personnel on Monday.

This is an important move that will protect fellow officers. We know that some criminals will want to exploit the plight of our people during the Adjusted Alert Level 4, the Premier said.  SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa: IEC welcomes Electoral Court judgement

The Electoral Commission has welcomed the decision of the Electoral Court to postpone eight by-elections scheduled for today.

The Electoral Court this morning authorised the postponement of the by-elections for a period not exceeding 120 days from the date of the order.

The Court also granted the Electoral Commission leave to approach the Court for further relief should it be necessary.

The Electoral Commission took the decision to seek the courts approval to postpone the by-elections this week following the implementation of Adjusted Alert Level 4 lockdown restrictions which prohibit almost all public gatherings including political gatherings, the Electoral Commission said in a statement.

The Electoral Commission will continue to assess the prevailing conditions including the level and scope of restrictions imposed in terms of the Disaster Management Act to determine an appropriate date for the by-elections to be held, the Commission said.

The Electoral Commission will engage with the relevant provincial MECs for Cooperative Governance other key stakeholders including political parties and candidates who are registered to contest the by-elections in this regard.

Todays by-elections were to have taken place in the Eastern Cape, KwaZuluNatal, Northern Cape and Western Cape across 48 voting stations and involving 71 305 registered voters.

They were to have been contested by 40 candidates from 14 political parties and three independent candidates.

The eight postponed by-elections are as follows:

Eastern Cape: Ward 03 in the Makana Municipality  EC104.

KwaZulu-Natal: Ward 98 in the eThekwini Municipality  ETH; Ward 05 in the eDumbe Municipality  KZN261.

Northern Cape: Ward 01 in the Sol Plaatje Municipality  NC091.

Western Cape: Ward 51 in the City of Cape Town Municipality  CPT; Ward 63 in the City of Cape Town Municipality  CPT; Ward 01 in the Cederberg Municipality WC012; Ward 02 in the Swartland Municipality WC015.

- SAnews.gov.za

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Securing decent living standards for all while reducing global energy use

Securing decent living standards for all while reducing global energy use.

Fundamental changes in our economies are required to secure decent living standards for all in the struggle against climate breakdown, according to new research.

Governments need to dramatically improve public services, reduce income disparities, scale back resource extraction, and abandon economic growth in affluent countries, for people around the world to thrive whilst cutting global average energy use in half.

Without such fundamental changes, the study warns, we face an existential dilemma: in our current economic system, the energy savings required to avert catastrophic climate changes might undermine living standards; while the improvements in living standards required to end material poverty would need large increases in energy use, further exacerbating climate breakdown.

The study, led by the University of Leeds and published today (30 June 2021) in Global Environmental Change, examined what policies could enable countries to use less energy whilst providing the whole population with 'decent living standards' - conditions that satisfy fundamental human needs for food, water, sanitation, health, education, and livelihoods.

Lead author Jefim Vogel, PhD researcher at Leeds' Sustainability Research Institute, explained: "Decent living standards are crucial for human well-being, and reducing global energy use is crucial for averting catastrophic climate changes. Truly sustainable development would mean providing decent living standards for everyone at much lower, sustainable levels of energy and resource use.

"But in the current economic system, no country in the world accomplishes that - not even close. It appears that our economic system is fundamentally misaligned with the aspirations of sustainable development: it is unfit for the challenges of the 21st century."

Co-author Professor Julia Steinberger, from the University of Leeds and the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, added: "The problem is that in our current economic system, all countries that achieve decent living standards use much more energy than what can be sustained if we are to avert dangerous climate breakdown."

By 2050, global energy use needs to be as low as 27 gigajoules (GJ) of final energy per person to reach the aspirations of the Paris Agreement of limiting global warming to 1.5 C without relying on speculative future technologies, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. That means current global average energy use (55 GJ per person) needs to be cut in half, while affluent countries like the UK (81 GJ per person) or Spain (77 GJ per person) need to reduce their average energy use by as much as 65%, France (95 GJ per person) by more than 70%, and the most energy-hungry countries like the USA (204 GJ per person) or Canada (232 GJ per person) need to cut by as much as 90%.

A major concern, however, is that such profound reductions in energy use might undermine living standards, as currently only countries with high energy use accomplish decent living standards.

Even the energy-lightest of the countries that achieve decent living standards - spearheaded by Argentina (53 GJ per person), Cyprus (55 GJ per person), and Greece (63 GJ per person) - use at least double the 'sustainable' level of 27 GJ per person, and many countries use even much more.

On the other hand, in all countries with energy use levels below 27 GJ per person, large parts of the population currently suffer from precarious living standards - for example, in India (19 GJ per person) and Zambia (23 GJ per person), where at least half the population is deprived of fundamental needs.

It appears that in the current economic system, reducing energy use in affluent countries could undermine living standards, while improving living standards in less affluent countries would require large increases in energy use and thus further exacerbate climate breakdown.

But this is not inevitable, the research team show: fundamental changes in economic and social priorities could resolve this dilemma of sustainable development.

Co-author Dr Daniel O'Neill, from Leeds' School of earth and Environment, explained: "Our findings suggest that improving public services could enable countries to provide decent living standards at lower levels of energy use. Governments should offer free and high-quality public services in areas such as health, education, and public transport.

"We also found that a fairer income distribution is crucial for achieving decent living standards at low energy use. To reduce existing income disparities, governments could raise minimum wages, provide a Universal Basic Income, and introduce a maximum income level. We also need much higher taxes on high incomes, and lower taxes on low incomes."

Another essential factor, the research team found, is affordable and reliable access to electricity and modern fuels. While this is already near-universal in affluent countries, it is still lacking for billions of people in lower-income countries, highlighting important infrastructure needs.

Perhaps the most crucial and perhaps the most surprising finding is that economic growth beyond moderate levels of affluence is detrimental for aspirations of sustainable development.

Professor Steinberger explained: "In contrast with wide-spread assumptions, the evidence suggests that decent living standards require neither perpetual economic growth nor high levels of affluence.

"In fact, economic growth in affluent or even moderately affluent countries is detrimental for living standards. And it is also fundamentally unsustainable: economic growth is tied to increases in energy use, and thus makes the energy savings that are required for tackling climate breakdown virtually impossible."

"Another detrimental factor is the extraction of natural resources such as coal, oil, gas or minerals - these industries need to be scaled back rapidly."

Lead-author Jefim Vogel concluded: "In short, we need to abandon economic growth in affluent countries, scale back resource extraction, and prioritise public services, basic infrastructures and fair income distributions everywhere.

"With these policies in place, rich countries could slash their energy use and emissions whilst maintaining or even improving living standards; and less affluent countries could achieve decent living standards and end material poverty without needing vast amounts of energy. That's good news for climate justice, good news for human well-being, good news for poverty eradication, and good news for energy security.

"But we need to be clear that achieving this ultimately requires a broader, more fundamental transformation of our growth-dependent economic system. In my view, the most promising and integral vision for the required transformation is the idea of degrowth - it is an idea whose time has come."

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Further information

The paper, Socio-economic conditions for satisfying human needs at low energy use: an international analysis of social provisioning, is published in Global Environmental Change on 30 June 2021.

DOI: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2021.102287.

The research team included:

Jefim Vogel (Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, UK).

Julia K. Steinberger (Institute of Geography and Sustainability, Faculty of Geosciences and Environment, University of Lausanne, Switzerland; Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, UK).

Daniel W. O'Neill (Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, UK).

William F. Lamb (Mercator Research Institute on Global Commons and Climate Change, Berlin, Germany; Sustainability Research Institute, School of Earth and Environment, University of Leeds, UK).

Jaya Krishnakumar (Institute of Economics and Econometrics, Geneva School of Economics and Management, University of Geneva, Switzerland).

The study was initiated by the "Living Well Within Limits" project, led by Professor Julia Steinberger.

The research of Jefim Vogel and Julia Steinberger was funded by the Leverhulme Trust.

For further details to request interviews, please contact Ian Rosser in the University of Leeds press office at I.rosser@leeds.ac.uk .

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South Africa: Committee warns against deviations, expansions in public sector

The Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa), Mkhuleko Hlengwa, has warned about potential abuse of government supply chain systems through the use of deviations and expansions policy to dodge thorough procurement processes in the public sector.

The warning follows a Scopa hearing held with Eskom on Tuesday, regarding deviations and expansions of contracts at the entity.

The committee raised concerns that these should not be the norm or used for short cuts in procurement.

We take exception on the issue of deviations and expansions which has become a norm at Eskom. This must be the last resort and applied in exceptional circumstances when every necessary option has been tried. There is a concerning trend we have been observing on the abuse of this process to circumvent due and thorough processes, Hlengwa said.

Hlengwa said the presence of deviations and expansions in law and statutes did not make this practice a norm, and warned officials against creating self-made crisis and emergencies in order to resort to deviations and expansions.

"We need to be convinced that there was no other recourse than to apply to the National Treasury for deviations," he said.

The chairperson said the committee will schedule more engagement with Eskom to continue deliberations on the subject of deviations and expansions.

The committee welcomed cooperation from the National Treasury and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to provide more details.

Scopa also received an investigation report from the Eskom board into allegations of racism, breach of process and nepotism against the Group Chief Executive Officer Andre de Ruyter, which found that the allegations could not be substantiated.  SAnews.gov.za

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South Africa: Progress made in COVID-19 jabs in education sector

More than 238 000 educators, as well as support staff in the basic education sector, have received their COVID-19 vaccine in the first week of the rollout.

According to figures from the Department of Health, 238 315 educators and staff have now been vaccinated in the sector since last Wednesday.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the Department of Basic Education expressed confidence that all the eligible people identified for the vaccination programme will receive their Johnson & Johnson vaccine as planned.

The Minister of Basic Education Angie Motshekga has been visiting provinces to assess progress on the rollout of the vaccine.

She has also used this time to encourage teachers and support staff to get vaccinated as part of the countrys response to the pandemic.

Last week when we received the first 300 000 doses, we requested provinces to plan for the roll-out of the 300 000 vaccines. Now the Department of Health has assured us that all the vaccines we requested have arrived and that there will not be any shortages, the Minister said.

The basic education sector has identified 582 000 educators and staff to be vaccinated by 8 July 2021.

The number of people vaccinated is set to increase significantly when all provinces intensify the programme following the delivery of additional doses to sites and the early closure of schools for the June holidays.

We are confident that Thursday and Friday will help us to ramp up because we will not have learners to look after as they close today. So teachers should come in their numbers to get vaccinated. Of course all safety protocols must be followed, Motshekga said.

The department has urged all educators and staff to follow the schedules in each district in order to ensure the smooth rollout of the programme.

I really want to encourage our teachers to take this opportunity to vaccinate. We have to try make our schools safer places so that we dont infect learners and that they dont infect us but also make sure that as educators and staff we are protected. We have lost a number of educators and we dont want to lose anyone of us, the Minister said.

Motshekga is expected to monitor the vaccination programme in the Eastern Cape, together with Education MEC Fundile Gade on Thursday.  SAnews.gov.za

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NSF-funded study will examine college tenure and promotion process, challenge assumptions

Tenure and promotion processes are critical to the integrity of America's research enterprise - they determine who gets to continue their careers and whose careers and aspirations come to a screeching halt in the case of tenure denials. At the core of the college tenure and promotion system is the notion that those who are the most deserving are promoted. But, is that truly the case?

A new study aims to examine the college tenure and promotion process in academic careers in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) and challenge some basic assumptions regarding merit as the sole driving force. A $2 million award from the National Science Foundation (NSF) will support the three-year project, helmed by researchers at the University of Houston and Hampton University. Lehigh University is among eight partnership organizations who will be working to shed new light on the role of research productivity and extraneous factors in determining who gets to stay in coveted tenured positions and who has to retool or restart their career.

Over a three-year period, the team - including Lehigh site collaborators Jackie Krasas, Professor of Sociology and Deputy Provost for Faculty Affairs, Marci Levine, ADVANCE Center Director, and Kristen Jellison, Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and ADVANCE Center Faculty Director - will investigate what drives tenure and promotion outcomes, with a particular focus on external review letters, and tenure clock extensions. Common for parents in academic settings, tenure clock extensions allow new parents an extra year before submitting their tenure portfolios. More recently, many universities, including Lehigh, have allowed for COVID-19 tenure clock extensions, providing faculty the opportunity to extend their mandatory tenure review years by one or two.

Very little scholarly research has been done to examine critical questions around external review letters, which are provided by arm's length reviewers and a vital factor in determining tenure and promotion decisions. The team will extend social psychological theories of language use to diversity research. They posit that candidate and letter writer characteristics unrelated to candidate scholarly productivity shape the linguistic content and length of external review letters, thus introducing a source of bias into tenure and promotion processes.

"We know that women faculty and faculty of color, particularly women of color, are underrepresented more the further up the ranks of the professoriate one looks," says Krasas. "While strides have been made to understand implicit bias in faculty recruitment and hiring, there is a less robust body of scholarship that looks closely at the details of the tenure and promotion process itself because it is a highly confidential process. With the cutting-edge computational science work at University of Houston, this work can now be done on a large scale and without compromising confidential processes."

Krasas, Levine and Jellison will work with the larger team to generate analyses that look for emerging tenure and promotion patterns that span the nine institutions over several years.

"Partnering in this research study really helps extend the impact of ADVANCE," says Levine. "After the analysis, we hope to educate and examine our campus promotion and tenure review apparatus--the deans and chairs, promotion and tenure committees, the faculty senate, the policies, criteria and instructions to reviewers. We will determine what, if any, changes need to be made regarding the role of external review letters within an equitable promotion and tenure process."

This work is part of the ongoing efforts of Lehigh's ADVANCE team to support diversity, equity, and inclusion in tenure and promotion processes.

"There are many factors affecting why women faculty and faculty of color are underrepresented in the rank of full, tenured professor," says Jellison. "One such factor is the disproportionate service burden that is placed on underrepresented faculty who spend more time than their majority colleagues on service. This work can include formal service, like committee work or directing campus programs, and informal service, like helping underrepresented students who see them as role models and call on them in times of need."

Such service, say the Lehigh researchers, is often invisible in tenure portfolios. External, as well as internal, reviews may not see the excellence, leadership, application and implementation of scholarship by those invested in their institutions or disciplinary transformations. ADVANCE is engaged in ongoing discussions with campus leadership to examine how to value and reward the substantive, and often transformative, service leadership efforts of faculty in a way that supports their career advancement.

"If we want our institutions to have robust programs that support student and faculty success, then we need to value the faculty effort that is given to make those programs thrive," adds Jellison.

Lehigh joins University of Houston, Hampton University, University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, University of Alabama, Louisiana State University, Texas A&M University, Worcester Polytechnic Institute and Rice University as part of the project.

The long-term goal of the project is to provide an evidence base for evaluating the validity of external review letters and mechanisms for minimizing bias against faculty members from underrepresented groups in order to broaden participation in STEM and beyond.

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Grant awarded to determine if meningitis and sepsis increase Alzheimer's risk

The role of peripheral and brain infections in the development of Alzheimer's disease is the focus of new research at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), funded with a $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

"If we can prove the theory that infection is one of the factors that triggers Alzheimer's disease, and specifically sepsis and meningitis, we can pay more attention to these diseases and possibly be able to avoid the onset of dementia for people in the long term," said co-principal investigator Tatiana Barichello, PhD, assistant professor in the Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth.

Principal investigator on the preclinical study is Rodrigo Morales, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Neurology at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth.

Morales and Barichello will seek to identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with the role of infection in the development of Alzheimer's disease with the hope that doctors would be able to identify patients who may have an increased risk of developing the disease based on a prior diagnosis of sepsis or meningitis.

Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. The symptoms progress and grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Factors in development of the disease include genetics, age, family history, general lifestyle and wellness choices, and illnesses and health conditions including heart disease, stroke, and concussion.

Morales said one potential link between infections and the development of Alzheimer's disease is the activation of the peripheral immune system. Immune response in the brain or peripheral compartments may activate resident immune cells in the brain. Although this event may be beneficial, chronic immune activation or severe acute events may lead to different clinical conditions at short or long terms.

"Imbalance in the immune system may also increase the production of certain proteins that may initiate Alzheimer's disease," Morales said.

Another link is the permeability of the blood-brain barrier. "The blood-brain barrier acts as the defense mechanism for the brain allowing certain substances to enter the brain and keeping other substances out, but during an event like an injury or infection, that barrier is compromised, which allows those substances that might be harmful to the brain to enter it. These substances can lead to the buildup of inflammation in the brain, which in turn can lead to the development of Alzheimer's disease," Morales said.

The study will use different approaches to analyze the potential role of infection in Alzheimer's disease. This include the use of transgenic mice, human samples, and novel in vitro techniques. One of them is the protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) technology.

Barichello and Morales are excited to work with a team of researchers across several different departments at McGovern Medical School on the project.

The PMCA technique being used was developed by Claudio Soto, PhD, professor of neurology at McGovern Medical School and director of the George and Cynthia Mitchell Center for Research in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders, and has been used previously to study several other diseases including Parkinson's disease.

Other McGovern Medical School collaborators on the study from the Department of Neurology include Louise McCullough, MD, PhD, professor and chair and the Roy M. and Phyllis Gough Huffington Distinguished Chair of the Department of Neurology; Paul Schulz, MD, professor; and Akihiko Urayama, PhD, associate professor. Rodrigo Hasbun, MD, MPH, professor of infectious diseases in the Department of Internal Medicine is also a collaborator.

Morales, Barichello, Soto, McCullough, Schulz, and Urayama are faculty members of The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center UTHealth Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences.

Felipe Dal Pizzol, MD, PhD, from the Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense in Criciuma, Brazil, will also collaborate on the research.

The study was funded by the National Institute on Aging, part of the NIH (grant RF1AG072491).

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Hong Kong: Legal officer secondment set

The Department of Justice signed a secondment agreement with the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank yesterday for the secondment of a legal officer to the banks legal department for 12 months starting August 23.

The department said it is grateful to the bank for providing the secondee an opportunity to work in and learn from its operation, noting that local legal talent will expand their knowledge of the operation of international organisations and broaden their horizons through learning from international law experts.

Participation in the work of international organisations will also facilitate the Hong Kong legal communitys sustainable growth, and the development of Hong Kong's position as a leading international legal and dispute resolution services centre, the department added.

Meanwhile, the Hague Conference on Private International Law has confirmed the arrangement for a Department of Justice counsel and a lawyer from the private sector to commence their six-month secondment in September 2021 and February 2022 respectively, under a memorandum of understanding signed in December last year.

The department also noted that the secondment programmes of local legal talents to the International Institute for the Unification of Private Law and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law are expected to start in the near future.

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RTHK: EU, Britain reach truce in 'sausage war'

The threat of a "sausage war" between the UK and the European Union was averted on Wednesday, after both sides agreed to delay the need for checks on chilled meat shipped to Northern Ireland.

UK Brexit minister David Frost called it a "sensible extension" to the previous grace period and a "positive first step", but said a permanent solution for post-Brexit trade to the province was still needed.

"Northern Ireland is an integral part of the United Kingdom and its consumers should be able to enjoy products they have bought from Great Britain for years," Frost added.

In Brussels, European Commission vice president Maros Sefcovic warned that "we are not issuing a blank cheque" and that "this solution is of temporary nature".

"This extension will allow stakeholders, and especially supermarkets in Northern Ireland, to continue to adapt the supply chains to the post-Brexit situation -- something yet to be completed," he said.

London angered Brussels by threatening to unilaterally extend a grace period for implementing the checks, sparking European threats of reprisals, including targeted tariffs.

But the rhetoric cooled in recent days after the UK government submitted a formal request for an extension.

Brussels and London jointly announced Wednesday that the grace period would be extended until September 30.

The UK formally left the European single market and customs union on January 1, nearly four years after the public voted to leave the EU in a landmark referendum.

It has proved fiendishly difficult to agree trade arrangements for Northern Ireland as the province, separated from the British mainland by the Irish Sea, has the UK's only land border with an EU country -- the Republic of Ireland.

EU officials have been anxious to ensure that goods crossing that border post-Brexit meet the bloc's standards and customs requirements.

But the Irish border is hugely politically sensitive, as keeping it largely open was a requirement of the 1998 peace deal that ended decades of sectarian violence over whether Northern Ireland should stay under British control.

Britain and the EU signed a last-gasp trade deal on December 24, with a separate "protocol" governing trade from mainland Britain -- England, Scotland and Wales -- to Northern Ireland.

The protocol places customs controls on certain goods crossing the Irish Sea, which pro-British unionist communities fear puts Northern Ireland's place in the UK under threat, an issue that has triggered unrest.

An EU official told AFP that the three-month extension would be used to discuss a broader agreement on animal and plant products.

"We do not intend to continue with rolling extensions of grace periods," the official said.

"Northern Ireland deserves stability and predictability, and the best way for that is to have a permanent solution, mutually agreed," they added. "These three months will need to be used wisely."

Brussels "will be tough" if the UK fails to honour its commitments in the Brexit deal, the official warned. (AFP)

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Eel products in the EU and the UK need better regulation

Growing in popularity, unagi kabayaki - grilled freshwater eel in soy sauce - can be found on the menu of many Japanese restaurants, and is stocked by Asian shops and in specialist supermarkets. But new research tracing the DNA of eel fillets used for this dish has found that fraudulent food labelling is rife, with a third of the products violating EU regulations on the provision of food information. With certain species of eels now endangered, the researchers say that accurate labelling on these products is vital if the global eel trade is to be sustainable.

The European eel is a critically endangered species with trade strictly regulated, and import and export banned across the EU's external borders. While the researchers found little evidence of illegal trade in European eel in the products they examined, the prevalence of fraudulent labelling suggests that EU, and current UK, labelling requirements are insufficient.

"Only through DNA analysis were we able to demonstrate that more than ten percent of the unagi kabayaki fillets were prepared from species other than that indicated on the label" said Florian Stein, the lead author from the Technische Universitat Braunschweig in Germany. He added, "In times when eel trafficking is considered to be one of the biggest wildlife crimes and consumer awareness regarding the source of their products in general is increasing - the level of evident labelling fraud is alarming."

The origins and labelling of 108 unagi kabayaki products for sale in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France and the UK were investigated by the researchers. Being prepared fillets covered in sauce, it was impossible to identify the species without molecular analysis. Taking DNA and cross-referencing this information with a global database meant that researchers could pinpoint the species involved and check the accuracy of each product label.

The researchers found that none of the products purchased in Europe were produced in Europe, all were imported from China and Taiwan. Each product contained the fillets of one type of eel, but in total four species were detected across the sample group, only one of which is found in Chinese waters. 73 samples were American eel, 33 Japanese eel, and a single sample of European eel and Indian shortfin eel were identified.

"The presence of eels originating from various parts of the world points at the global nature of the eel trade", said Vincent Nijman, Professor in Anthropology at Oxford Brookes University in the UK, and one of the authors of the paper.

"American eel is transported from the east coast of the US to southern China, where it is turned into eel fillets, these are then exported to the Netherlands from where they end up in UK supermarkets. At the same time, in another shop, also in the UK, you can buy similar looking fillets that are actually Indian eels imported from Germany, that also were processed in China but which originated from perhaps the Philippines".

The research paper says it is vital that the EU and the UK achieve straightforward labelling requirements that include the scientific name of the species, and that this is made mandatory for prepared and preserved fish products.

Andrew Kerr, Chairman of the Sustainable Eel Group in Brussels, who was not involved in the research, noted, "Eel is essentially a wild fish and finite - control is therefore an essential requirement for a sustainable global trade. Accurate and fully traceable labelling are in everyone's long term interests."

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Fecal records show Maya population affected by climate change

A McGill-led study has shown that the size of the Maya population in the lowland city of Itzan (in present-day Guatemala) varied over time in response to climate change. The findings, published recently in Quaternary Science Reviews, show that both droughts and very wet periods led to important population declines.

These results are based on using a relatively new technique involving looking at stanols (organic molecules found in human and animal faecal matter) taken from the bottom of a nearby lake. Measurements of stanols were used to estimate changes in population size and to examine how they align with information about climate variability and changes in vegetation drawn from other biological and archaeological sources.

By using the technique, the researchers were able to chart major Maya population changes in the area over a period starting 3,300 years before the present (BP). They were also able to identify shifts in settlement patterns that took place over the course of hundreds of years that are associated with changes in land use and agricultural practices.

They discovered, moreover, that the land had been settled earlier than previously suggested by archaeological evidence.

New tool provides surprising information about human presence in Maya lowlands

The evidence from faecal stanols suggests that humans were present on the Itzan escarpment about 650 years before the archaeological evidence confirms it. It also shows that that the Maya continued to occupy the area, albeit in smaller number, after the so-called "collapse" between 800-1000 AD, when it had previously been believed that drought or warfare caused the entire population to desert the area. There is further evidence of a large population spike around the same time as a historical record of refugees fleeing the Spanish attack of 1697 AD on the last Maya stronghold in the southern Maya lowlands (Nojpeten, or modern-day Flores in Guatemala) - something that had not been known before.

Estimates of ancient population size in the Maya lowlands have traditionally been obtained through ground inspection and excavation. To reconstruct population dynamics, archaeologists locate, map, and count residential structures, and they excavate them to establish dates of occupation. They compare population trends at the site and regional levels. And they then use techniques such as pollen analysis and indicators of soil erosion into lakes to reconstruct the ecological changes that took place at the same time.

"This research should help archaeologists by providing a new tool to look at changes that might not be seen in the archaeological evidence, because the evidence may never have existed or may have since been lost or destroyed," said Benjamin Keenan, a PhD candidate in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at McGill, and the first author on the paper. "The Maya lowlands are not very good for preserving buildings and other records of human life because of the tropical forest environment."

Maya population size affected by both droughts and wet periods

The faecal stanol from the sediment in Laguna Itzan confirms that the Maya population in the area declined due to drought at three different periods; between 90-280 AD, between 730-900 AD and during the much less well studied drought between 1350-950 BC. The researchers also found that the population declined during a very wet period from 400--210 BC, something which has received little attention until now. The population decline in response to both dry and wet periods shows that there were climatic effects on population at both climate extremes, and not only during dry periods.

"It is important for society generally to know that there were civilisations before us that were affected by and adapted to climate change," said Peter Douglas, an assistant professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and the senior author on the paper. "By linking evidence for climate and population change we can begin to see a clear link between precipitation and the ability of these ancient cities to sustain their population."

The research also suggests that the Maya people may have adapted to environmental issues such as soil degradation and nutrient loss by using techniques such as the application of human waste (also known as night soil) as a fertiliser for crops. This is suggested by a relatively low amount of fecal stanols in the lake sediment at a time when there is archaeological evidence for the highest human populations. One explanation for this is that human waste was applied to soils as fertilizer and therefore the stanols were not washed into the lake.

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About this study

"Molecular evidence for human population change associated with climate events in the Maya lowlands" by Benjamin Keenan et al. was published in Quaternary Science Reviews. The research was funded by the Eric Mountjoy Fellowship, McGill startup funds, and an NSERC Discovery Grant.

DOI: https:/ / doi. org/ 10. 1016/ j. quascirev. 2021. 106904

About McGill University

Founded in Montreal, Quebec, in 1821, McGill University is Canada's top ranked medical doctoral university. McGill 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 attracts students from over 150 countries around the world, its 12,800 international students making up 31% of the student body. Over half of McGill students claim a first language other than English, including approximately 19% of our students who say French is their mother tongue.

https:/ / www. mcgill. ca/ newsroom/

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Newly discovered proteins protect against progression of diabetic kidney disease

Elevated levels of three specific circulating proteins are associated with protection against kidney failure in diabetes, according to research from the Joslin Diabetes Center that will be published 30th June in Science Translational Medicine.

"As well as acting as biomarkers for advancing kidney disease risk in diabetes, the proteins may also serve as the basis for future therapies against progression to the most serious types of kidney disease," said Andrzej S. Krolewski MD, PhD, senior author on the publication, senior investigator at Joslin Diabetes Center and professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School. This would likely include the delay and prevention of end stage renal disease (ESRD), which is the most serious and advanced stage of diabetic kidney disease.

The study marks a move towards looking for markers associated with protection against, rather than increased individual risk, for the rapid progression of diabetic kidney disease. This should more directly derive potential targets for slowing progression since it is based on the thinking that individuals with slow progression will have protective factors of some sort.

"Our research became possible only recently," said Dr. Krolewski. "We were able to search for these markers thanks to the development of high-throughput proteomic platforms. More importantly, the availability of biobank specimens that we established many years ago in the Joslin Kidney Study was critical."

According to the report, the researchers profiled levels of just over 1000 proteins in the plasma samples that were taken at baseline in the original study. All of them had diabetes and moderately impaired kidney function. They used two cohorts of individuals with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes that were followed for between 7 and 15 years.

The main aim was to identify proteins that were elevated in individuals with slow or minimal decline in kidney function over the follow-up period. Notably they did validate the initial findings in a further cohort of individuals with type 1 diabetes.

Working through potential candidate proteins, they found three proteins that appeared to offer protection against progressive decline. These were fibroblast growth factor 20 (FGF20), angiopoietin-1 (ANGPT1) and tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 12 (TNFSF12).

In each case elevated circulating levels reduced odds of progressive kidney decline and progression towards ESRD. The combined effect of having elevated levels of all three proteins translated to very low risk for ESRD.

"The protective effects of these proteins seem to be independent, which suggests that there are multiple mechanisms involved. They may be causally related to the disease process or represent as-yet unidentified pathways involved in progressive renal decline," said first author Zaipul Md Dom PhD, a research fellow in the Dr. Krolewski's laboratory

The authors go further to look at the current biological knowledge relating to the individual proteins and kidney disease, identifying a number of potential mechanisms that might explain their protective effects. According to Dr. Krolewski these are potential new routes for research that they will follow.

Dr Kevin Duffin, co-author on the publication, and chief operating officer at Eli Lilly, Diabetes and Diabetic Complications said: "Our study identified specific circulating proteins that were depleted in diabetes patients with kidney disease who progressed to ESRD. These results suggest a personalized medicine approach might be possible for treating patients with low levels of the protective proteins. We think that administering protein therapeutic mimetics or treatments that enhance circulating levels of these depleted proteins might be the future."

Dr. Krolewski added: "We have already started to develop protocols on how to measure concentrations of the protective proteins in clinical settings. We hope that these proteins can then be used to identify patients at risk of progression to ESRD, who can then be treated with new therapies."

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Other contributors to the research include Eiichiro Satake, Jan Skupien, Bozena Krolewski, Kristina O'Neil, Jill Willency, Simon Dillon, Jonathan Wilson, Hiroki Kobayashi, Katsuhito Ihara, Towia Libermann, and Marlon Pragnell. The contributors are based variously at the Joslin Diabetes Center, Harvard Medical School, Jagiellonian University Medical College, Eli Lilly and company, the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and JDRF International. Competing interests are reported in the Science Translational Medicine report.

Funding for the study was provided by JDRF, National Institutes of Health, Novo Nordisk Foundation, Sunstar Foundation, Foundation for Growth Science from Japan, Uehara Memorial Foundation, Japan Society for the Promotion of Science and NIH Diabetes Research Foundation. Full details are available in the Science Translational Medicine report.

Corresponding author: Andrzej S. Krolewski MD, PhD (andrzej.krolewski@joslin.harvard.edu)

Reference: Md Dom et al. Circulating proteins protect against renal decline and progression to end-stage renal disease in patients with diabetes. Science Translational Medicine 2021, 13: eabd2699

DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.abd2699

About Joslin Diabetes Center

Joslin Diabetes Center is world-renowned for its deep expertise in diabetes treatment and research. Joslin is dedicated to finding a cure for diabetes and ensuring that people with diabetes live long, healthy lives. We develop and disseminate innovative patient therapies and scientific discoveries throughout the world. Joslin is an independent, non-profit institution affiliated with Harvard Medical School, and one of only 16 NIH-designated Diabetes Research Centers in the U.S.

For more information about the Joslin Diabetes Center, visit http://www. joslin. org or follow @joslindiabetes | One Joslin Place, Boston, MA 617-309-2400

This story has been published on: 2021-06-30. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
SLAS Discovery's July special edition 'Drug discovery targeting COVID-19' now available

Oak Brook, IL - The July edition of SLAS Discovery is a Special Edition featuring the cover article, "Development of a High-Throughput Screening Assay to Identify Inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 Guanine-N7-Methyltransferase Using RapidFire Mass Spectrometry" by Lesley-Anne Pearson, Charlotte J. Green, Ph.D., De Lin, Ph.D., Alain-Pierre Petit, Ph.D., David W. Gray, Ph.D., Victoria H. Cowling, Ph.D., and Euan A. F. Fordyce, Ph.D., (Drug Discovery Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK).

In January 2021, a survey of immunologists, infectious-disease researchers and virologists found that 90% of respondents believe SARS-CoV-2 will become endemic, continuing to circulate in pockets of the global population for years to come. Even as vaccines are becoming more widely available, there are people who either do not respond to the treatment or are not suitable for vaccination. There is a critical need to develop small molecule inhibitors for this pathogen.

The cover article highlights the work of the Drug Discovery Unit at the University of Dundee (Dundee, Scotland, UK) reporting on the development of a high-throughput biochemical assay to assess the impact of small molecules on the methyltransferase activity of SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 14 (nsp14). This enzyme is responsible for the N7-methylation of the cap at the 5' end of viral RNA and is critical in helping coronaviruses evade host defenses. The label-free MS-based assay developed was used to screen a library of 1771 FDA-approved drugs. The chemical hits that were identified may serve as starting points for drug discovery programs aimed at delivering therapeutics for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The July issue of SLAS Discovery includes four articles of original research.

These include:

Development of a Novel Label-Free and High-Throughput Arginase-1 Assay Using Self-Assembled Monolayer Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry

A Solid Supported Membrane-Based Technology for Electrophysical Screening of B0 AT1-Modulating Compounds

Characterization of Transport Activity of SLC11 Transporters in Xenopus laevis Oocytes by Fluorophore Quenching

High-Throughput Phenotypic Assay for Compounds That Influence Mitochondrial Health Using iPSC-Derived Human Neurons

Other articles include:

Development of a High-Throughput Screening Assay to Identify Inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 Guanine-N7-Methyltransferase Using RapidFire Mass Spectrometry

A High-Throughput Radioactivity-Based Assay for Screening SARS-CoV-2 nsp10-nsp16 Complex

Label-Free Screening of SARS-CoV-2 NSP14 Exonuclease Activity Using SAMDI Mass Spectrometry

A Quantitative Bioassay to Determine the Inhibitory Potency of NGF-TrkA Antagonists

Access to July's SLAS Discovery issue is available at https:/ / journals. sagepub. com/ toc/ jbxb/ current .

For more information about SLAS and its journals, visit https:/ / www. slas. org/ publications/ slas-discovery/ Access a "behind the scenes" look at the latest issue with SLAS Discovery Author Insights podcast. Tune in by visiting https:/ / www. buzzsprout. com/ 1099559 .

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SLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening) is an international professional society of academic, industry and government life sciences researchers and the developers and providers of laboratory automation technology. The SLAS mission is to bring together researchers in academia, industry and government to advance life sciences discovery and technology via education, knowledge exchange and global community building.

SLAS Discovery: Advancing the Science of Drug Discovery, 2019 Impact Factor 2.195. Editor-in-Chief Robert M. Campbell, Ph.D., Twentyeight-Seven Therapeutics, Boston, MA (USA).

SLAS Technology: Translating Life Sciences Innovation, 2019 Impact Factor 2.174. Editor-in-Chief Edward Kai-Hua Chow, Ph.D., National University of Singapore (Singapore).

This story has been published on: 2021-06-30. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
NTU launches two new programs to develop human resource talent with Institute for Human Resource Professionals

Nanyang Technological University, Singapore (NTU Singapore) is collaborating with the Institute for Human Resource Professionals (IHRP) to launch two new MiniMasters programmes to develop talent in human resources (HR).

The MiniMasters in HR Thought Leadership aims to strengthen HR practitioners' business, digital, and financial acumen, while the MiniMasters in Strategic HR Performance equips non-HR practitioners who are keen to take on a HR function in their organisations or to transit into a HR career with emerging HR concepts and ideas.

The two new programmes will be offered by the Nanyang Business School (NBS), and form part of NTU's university-wide MiniMasters, a platform launched in 2020 to provide working adults and NTU alumni alternate and flexible pathways to upskill, boost their employability or pursue their intellectual enrichment through continuing education and training.

The IHRP is set up by the tripartite partners: the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) and Singapore National Employers Federation (SNEF) to professionalise and strengthen the HR practice in Singapore.

As HR professionals play a key role in organisations, there is an urgency for a dynamic talent and work model that is capable of equipping them with future-ready skills quickly, especially against the backdrop of a rapidly changing digital landscape and in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The memorandum of association for the programmes was signed by Professor Christina Soh, Dean of NBS, and Mr Mayank Parekh, CEO of IHRP, in a ceremony at IHRP today.

It was witnessed by NTU Deputy President and Provost, Professor Ling San and Ms Goh Swee Chen, Chairperson of IHRP, was the Guest-of-Honour for the event.

The first run of the programmes will commence in November this year, with class sizes of 35 to 40 participants. Taught by NBS faculty, the programmes will be delivered in a mixed format, combining online classes over Zoom and lectures in-person. IHRP consultants will be engaged for a capstone module for the MiniMasters in Strategic HR Performance.

This new collaboration leverages NBS' academic quality, as well as IHRP's expertise and industry partnerships to provide participants with relevant experience and insights that will help them build a future-ready workplace.

Professor Ling San, NTU Deputy President and Provost said: "The collaboration between NTU and IHRP will allow us to employ our innovative pedagogy, which melds rigorous academic theory with real-world business practice, with IHRP's extensive network of resources to equip our course participants with the essential HR skills to progress in the workplace with confidence. Leveraging the expertise of both partners in designing the new MiniMasters also results in industry-relevant programmes that employers value in today's ever-changing workplace. The new MiniMasters expands NTU's range of unique interdisciplinary offerings, and facilitates the participants' transitions into further education, including the University's numerous Masters programmes."

Mr Mayank Parekh, Chief Executive Officer of IHRP, said: "Traditional HR practices are rapidly evolving - impacted by technology, generational shifts and more recently by the public health challenge. Many organisations are seeking to build new capabilities in digital, business acumen and workforce reskilling. This partnership between NTU and IHRP brings a combination of academic and professional standards that will accelerate learning in emerging areas coupled with career growth and opportunities for both HR and non-HR practitioners alike. University-industry collaboration in HR will help bring about innovative programmes and solutions that equip our professionals to be effective enablers of workforce transformation."

Giving professionals a HR headstart with dynamic course material

The Minimasters in HR Thought Leadership caters to current HR practitioners who are keen to strengthen their business, digital and financial acumen to better contribute to their organisational effectiveness at the leadership level.

For this programme, a sequence of five graduate courses will give participants a broad exposure to strategic management, finance fundamentals, Business ethics, and newer topics such as Analytics Technology in Business and Digital Marketing.

Meanwhile, the Minimasters in Strategic HR Performance aims to offer non-HR practitioners who are keen to equip themselves with emerging concepts and ideas so that they are not only positioned to help their organisations perform HR practices better but also, more importantly lead their teams to deliver such functions more effectively.

Participants will complete five graduate courses to gain a broad exposure to strategic HR in the digital age, strategic rewards, talent sourcing, acquisition and development. Following this, they will then be able to put their new knowledge and skills to the test by carrying out a capstone project to perform a HR diagnosis of a company.

Opening doors to further upskilling

Besides enhancing the competencies of new and seasoned HR professsionals, the programmes will create new developmental and professional pathways for them. In addition to improving their career prospects, participants would also have an option to transfer their earned course credits if they enrol into other MSc or NBS programmes in the future.

Participants who complete the MiniMasters in HR Thought Leadership will attain the NBS MiniMasters Certificate from NTU and be qualified to apply for the IHRP Senior Professional certification.

More than 450 participants have benefited from the four MiniMasters offered by NBS in the areas of General Management, Business Finance, Marketing Management and Business Analytics, since August 2020.

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This story has been published on: 2021-06-30. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
RESILIENCE, a project to reduce the prevalence of heart failure in cancer survivors

Cancer patients are a vulnerable population prone to develop cardiovascular complications. Among other factors, some anticancer therapies can induce adverse cardiovascular effects. Every year, more than 3 million Europeans receive anthracyclines alone or in combination with other anticancer agents. Anthracyclines are a frequently prescribed anticancer agent that can induce an irreversible toxic effect on the heart may lead to chronic heart failure in ?5% of the cases. It is estimated that in Europe the prevalence of chronic heart failure secondary to cancer therapy-related cardiotoxicity is ?1 million people. The trade-off between cancer and chronic heart failure is a massive psychological burden. For healthcare systems, the growing incidence of chronic heart failure has devastating consequences.

The two major unmet clinical needs related to anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity are the lack of therapies to prevent or cure this condition, and the lack of markers to identify the problem in its early stages. RESILIENCE (REmote iSchemic condItioning in Lymphoma patIents rEceiving aNthraCyclinEs) will tackle these challenges aiming to reduce the burden of cardiovascular disease in cancer survivors.

RESILIENCE is a multinational project funded by the European Commission through the H2020 "Health, Demographic Change and Wellbeing" programme. Eleven partners from six EU countries (Spain, France, The Netherlands, Portugal, Germany, Denmark) will work together under the coordination of the Spanish National Centre for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC). RESILIENCE consortium is a multidisciplinary group, including experts in cardiology, haematology, cardio-oncology, and medical imaging. The consortium includes internationally renowned institutions and leaders with a history of participation in trials both in the field of haematology and cardiology. Different stakeholders caring for cancer patients are represented in the consortium: doctors, nurses, technologists, companies in the imaging industry, scientific societies and, importantly, patient associations.

The project received a six million EUR grant to perform a randomised clinical trial testing the role of "remote ischaemic preconditioning" as an intervention to prevent the development of anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity. To this aim, more than 600 patients recently diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma (NHL) scheduled to undergo chemotherapy with anthracyclines will be enrolled in 17 hospitals across the six EU countries. Patients will be randomly allocated to "remote ischaemic conditioning" (one weekly session during the four-month span of chemotherapy) or to a sham intervention (control). Cardiac function will be evaluated throughout the duration of the study. "Remote ischaemic conditioning has been shown to be extremely effective in preventing anthracycline-induced cardiotoxicity in large animal models of the disease, and this project is the translation of this therapy to patients at risk for developing cardiac complications," says Borja Ibanez, the Principal Investigator-Coordinator of RESILIENCE. The investigator explains that "the hypothesis behind this study is that remote ischaemic conditioning, an intervention consisting of repetitive brief episodes of arm ischaemia induced by inflating a blood pressure cuff for five minutes, followed by pressure relief, can diminish side effects. The substances released by the arm in response to this intervention reach different organs (the heart in this case) and make them more resistant to injuries, such as the exposure to anthracyclines." Remote ischaemic conditioning has been tested in many trials before, although in different conditions, such as myocardial infarction or stroke. This is the first time that this intervention is tested in a large, randomised trial of cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy with anthracyclines.

Another unique aspect of the RESILIENCE project is the use of state-of-the art cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging provided by an industrial partner 1, to evaluate the impact of the intervention on cardiac function and composition. Patients enrolled in the trial will undergo three CMR studies before, halfway and after the four months of chemotherapy. By executing a comprehensive imaging study, the team will be able to validate a novel CMR-based marker of early cardiotoxicity, previously identified by some members of the consortium. The CMR protocol will also include another validation of a revolutionary CMR acquisition technique that can massively reduce the time of a CMR exam, from 45 minutes to less than one minute. This methodology will be tested for the first time in a multicentre international environment.

Dissemination is a key aspect of the RESILIENCE project, which seeks to reach not only the medical and scientific communities, but also the public and patients. Besides its presence in medical fora, the project will be active on social media to reach beyond classical boundaries. A dedicated Mobile App will be developed to increase patient engagement. Among other activities, the project includes multinational meetings bringing together consortium members, world leaders in the field of Cardio-Oncology, industry, specialised press and patients enrolled in the study. These meetings will take place at the European Society of Cardiology (ESC) headquarters in Sophia Antipolis. The ESC is a member of the consortium through the Council of Cardio-Oncology and will play a key role in the dissemination and communication activities of the project.

In RESILIENCE, patients will participate actively via direct contact with investigators, giving input on pre-defined measures of the study, and as full consortium members in meetings. Natacha Bolanos, European Manager of Lymphoma Coalition Europe (LCE) 2 says: "we will guarantee that the patients perspectives are always considered in any activity of this unique project."

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References:

1 Philips, the industrial partner of this project, will provide the latest technology for the development of the project.

2 Lymphoma Coalition Europe (LCE) is a worldwide non-profit organisation consisting of network of lymphoma patient groups with deep penetrance in most of European countries through local members.

This story has been published on: 2021-06-30. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
New articles for Geosphere posted online in June

Boulder, Colo., USA: GSA's dynamic online journal, Geosphere, posts articles online regularly. Locations and topics studied this month include the central Appalachian Mountains; fossil pollen in Colombia; the precision and accuracy of model analyses; the Bone Spring Formation, Permian Basin, west Texas; and the geochronology of modern river sediment in south-central Alaska. You can find these articles at https:/ / geosphere. geoscienceworld. org/ content/ early/ recent .

Spatially variable syn- and post-Alleghanian exhumation of the central Appalachian Mountains from zircon (U-Th)/He thermochronology

Luke C. Basler; Jaclyn S. Baughman; Michelle L. Fame; Peter J. Haproff

Abstract: To assess spatial and temporal patterns of Phanerozoic orogenic burial and subsequent exhumation in the central Appalachian Mountains, we present mid-temperature zircon (U-Th)/He (ZHe; closure temperature [T C] = 140-200 C) dates for 10 samples along a 225 km, strike-perpendicular transect spanning the Appalachian Plateau, Valley and Ridge, Blue Ridge, and Piedmont physiographic provinces in West Virginia and western Virginia. Ranges of single-grain ZHe dates exhibit an eastward younging trend from 455-358 Ma in the Pennsylvanian Appalachian Plateau to 336-209 Ma in the Valley and Ridge, 298-217 Ma in the Blue Ridge, and 186-121 Ma in the Piedmont. Within the Pennsylvanian Appalachian Plateau, detrital ZHe dates are older than corresponding depositional ages, thus limiting postdepositional burial temperatures to less than 160 C. These ZHe dates capture predepositional mid-Paleozoic cooling signatures, indicating provenance from either recycled Taconic or Acadian basin strata or mid-Paleozoic Appalachian terranes. Across the Valley and Ridge and western Blue Ridge provinces, reset Permian detrital ZHe dates feature flat date-effective uranium correlations that suggest rapid Alleghanian cooling initiating prior to 270 Ma. ZHe dates within the Valley and Ridge are more than 100 m.y. older than previously reported regional apatite fission-track dates, reflecting a protracted period of stable post-Alleghanian thermal conditions within the foreland. By contrast, post-Triassic single-grain ZHe dates in the interior Piedmont document rapid postrift cooling, likely resulting from both the relaxation of an elevated geothermal gradient and exhumation from rift-flank uplift. The spatial discontinuity between stable synrift thermal conditions in the Valley and Ridge and rapid cooling in the Piedmont suggests that rift-flank uplift and cooling were concentrated outboard of the foreland within the Piedmont province.

View article: https:/ / pubs. geoscienceworld. org/ gsa/ geosphere/ article-abstract/ doi/ 10. 1130/ GES02368. 1/ 602754/ Spatially-variable-syn-and-post-Alleghanian

Constraints on the paleoelevation history of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia from its palynological record

Peter Molnar; Lina C. Perez-Angel

Abstract: We attempted to make an objective assessment of whether fossil pollen assemblages from the Sabana de Bogota require surface uplift of ~2000 m since 6-3 Ma, as has been argued. We relied on recently published elevation ranges of plants for which fossil pollen has been found in sites 2000-2500 m high in the Sabana de Bogota. The elevation ranges of fossil plants do not overlap, suggesting that those ranges may be too narrow. By weighting these elevation ranges by percentages of corresponding fossil pollen and summing them, we estimated probability density functions for past elevations. These probability distributions of past elevations overlap present-day elevations and therefore do not require surface uplift since deposition of the pollen. Fossil pollen assemblages include pollen from some plant taxa for which we do not know present-day elevation ranges, and therefore, with a more complete knowledge of elevation distributions, tighter constraints on elevations should be obtainable. The elevation of the oldest assemblage, from Tequendama, which lies at the southern edge of the Sabana de Bogota and is thought to date from 16 to 6 Ma, is least well constrained. Although our analysis permits no change in elevation since the pollen was deposited, we consider 1000-2000 m of elevation gain since 15 Ma to be likely and consistent with an outward growth of the Eastern Cordillera.

View article: https:/ / pubs. geoscienceworld. org/ gsa/ geosphere/ article-abstract/ doi/ 10. 1130/ GES02328. 1/ 602755/ Constraints-on-the-paleoelevation-history-of-the

Reconstructing the tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Early- Middle Jurassic Tlaxiaco Basin in southern Mexico: New insights into the crustal attenuation history of southern North America during Pangea breakup

Mildred Zepeda-Martinez; Michelangelo Martini; Luigi A. Solari; Claudia C. Mendoza-Rosales

Abstract: During Pangea breakup, several Jurassic extensional to transtensional basins were developed all around the world. The boundaries of these basins are major structures that accommodated continental extension during Jurassic time. Therefore, reconstructing the geometry of Jurassic basins is a key factor in identifying the major faults that produced continental attenuation during Pangea breakup. We reconstruct the tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Jurassic Tlaxiaco Basin in southern Mexico using sedimentologic, petrographic, and U-Pb geochronologic data. We show that the northern boundary of the Tlaxiaco Basin was an area of high relief composed of the Paleozoic Acatlan Complex, which was drained to the south by a set of alluvial fans. The WNW-trending Salado River-Axutla fault is exposed directly to the north of the northernmost fan exposures, and it is interpreted as the Jurassic structure that controlled the tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Tlaxiaco Basin at its northern boundary. The eastern boundary is represented by a topographic high composed of the Proterozoic Oaxacan Complex, which was exhumed along the NNW-trending Caltepec fault and was drained to the west by a major meandering river called the Tlaxiaco River. Data presented in this work suggest that continental extension during Pangea breakup was accommodated in Mexico not only by NNW-trending faults associated with the development of the Tamaulipas-Chiapas transform and the opening of the Gulf of Mexico, but also by WNW-trending structures. Our work offers a new perspective for future studies that aim to reconstruct the breakup evolution of western equatorial Pangea.

View article: https:/ / pubs. geoscienceworld. org/ gsa/ geosphere/ article-abstract/ doi/ 10. 1130/ GES02309. 1/ 602756/ Reconstructing-the-tectono-sedimentary-evolution

Age and tectonic setting of the Quinebaug-Marlboro belt and implications for the history of Ganderian crustal fragments in southeastern New England, USA

Gregory J. Walsh; John N. Aleinikoff; Robert A. Ayuso; Robert P. Wintsch

Abstract: Crustal fragments underlain by high-grade rocks represent a challenge to plate reconstructions, and integrated mapping, geochronology, and geochemistry enable the unravelling of the temporal and spatial history of exotic crustal blocks. The Quinebaug-Marlboro belt (QMB) is an enigmatic fragment on the trailing edge of the peri-Gondwanan Ganderian margin of southeastern New England. SHRIMP U-Pb geochronology and geochemistry indicate the presence of Ediacaran to Cambrian metamorphosed volcanic and intrusive rocks dated for the first time between ca. 540-500 Ma. The entire belt may preserve a cryptic, internal stratigraphy that is truncated by subsequent faulting. Detrital zircons from metapelite in the overlying Nashoba and Tatnic Hill Formations indicate deposition between ca. 485-435 Ma, with provenance from the underlying QMB or Ganderian crust. The Preston Gabbro (418  3 Ma) provides a minimum age for the QMB. Mafic rocks are tholeiitic with trace elements that resemble arc and E-MORB sources, and samples with negative Nb-Ta anomalies are similar to arc-like rocks, but others show no negative Nb-Ta anomaly and are similar to rocks from E-MORB to OIB or backarc settings. Geochemistry points to a mixture of sources that include both mantle and continental crust. Metamorphic zircon, monazite, and titanite ages range from 400 to 305 Ma and intrusion of granitoids and migmatization occurred between 410 and 325 Ma. Age and chemistry support correlations with the Ellsworth terrane in Maine and the Penobscot arc and backarc system in Maritime Canada. The arc-rifting zone where the Mariana arc and the Mariana backarc basin converge is a possible modern analog.

View article: https:/ / pubs. geoscienceworld. org/ gsa/ geosphere/ article-abstract/ doi/ 10. 1130/ GES02295. 1/ 602757/ Age-and-tectonic-setting-of-the-Quinebaug-Marlboro

Precision and accuracy of modal analysis methods for clastic deposits and rocks: A statistical and numerical modeling approach

Pierre-Simon Ross; Bernard Giroux; Benjamin Latutrie

Abstract: Quantifying the proportions of certain components in rocks and deposits (modal analysis or componentry) is important in earth sciences. Relevant methods for cross-sections (two- dimensional exposures) of clastic rocks include point counts or line counts. The accuracy of these methods has been supposed to be good in the literature but not necessarily verified empirically. Natural materials are inappropriate for assessing accuracy because the true proportions of each component are unknown. The precision of modal analysis methods has traditionally been evaluated from statistical models (primarily the normal approximation to the binomial distribution) but again rarely verified in practice because it is also extremely difficult to obtain different slices through the same material at outcrop scale. Here we create a set of numerical models of red and blue spheres with different proportions and sizes and cut 60 slices through the models, on which we perform point counts and line counts. We show that both of these methods are indeed able to retrieve the correct volumetric proportions of components, on average, when enough fragments are counted or intersected. As already known, precision is controlled by component abundance and the number of points counted or clasts intersected. However, we show that other important factors include differences between slices, which are relevant for our unequal-size models, and the proportion of voids, matrix, and/or cement in the rock. We present empirical precision charts for clast counts and line counts based on our models and make recommendations for future field studies.

View article: https:/ / pubs. geoscienceworld. org/ gsa/ geosphere/ article-abstract/ doi/ 10. 1130/ GES02374. 1/ 602758/ Precision-and-accuracy-of-modal-analysis-methods

Progradational slope architecture and sediment distribution in outcrops of the mixed carbonate-siliciclastic Bone Spring Formation, Permian Basin, west Texas

Wylie Walker; Zane R. Jobe; J.F. Sarg; Lesli Wood

Abstract: Sediment transport and distribution are the keys to understanding slope-building processes in mixed carbonate-siliciclastic sediment routing systems. The Permian Bone Spring Formation, Delaware Basin, west Texas, is such a mixed system and has been extensively studied in its distal (basinal) extent but is poorly constrained in its proximal upper-slope segment. Here, we define the stratigraphic architecture of proximal outcrops in Guadalupe Mountains National Park in order to delineate the shelf-slope dynamics of carbonate and siliciclastic sediment distribution and delivery to the basin. Upper-slope deposits are predominantly fine-grained carbonate lithologies, interbedded at various scales with terrigenous (i.e., siliciclastic and clay) hemipelagic and gravity-flow deposits. We identify ten slope-building clinothems varying from terrigenous-rich to carbonate-rich and truncated by slope detachment surfaces that record large-scale mass wasting of the shelf margin. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) data indicate that slope detachment surfaces contain elevated proportions of terrigenous sediment, suggesting that failure is triggered by changes in accommodation or sediment supply at the shelf margin. A well-exposed terrigenous-rich clinothem, identified here as the 1st Bone Spring Sand, provides evidence that carbonate and terrigenous sediments were deposited contemporaneously, suggesting that both autogenic and allogenic processes influenced sediment accumulation. The mixing of lithologies at multiple scales and the prevalence of mass wasting acted as primary controls on the stacking patterns of terrigenous and carbonate lithologies of the Bone Spring Formation, not only on the shelf margin and upper slope, but also in the distal, basinal deposits of the Delaware Basin.

View article: https:/ / pubs. geoscienceworld. org/ gsa/ geosphere/ article-abstract/ doi/ 10. 1130/ GES02355. 1/ 600740/ Progradational-slope-architecture-and-sediment

Introduction: Active Margins in Transition--Magmatism and Tectonics through Time: An Issue in Honor of Arthur W. Snoke

Allen J. McGrew; Joshua J. Schwartz

Abstract: The evolution of active margins through time is the record of plate tectonics as inscribed on the continents. This themed issue honors the eclectic contributions of Arthur W. Snoke (Fig. 1) to the study of active margins with a series of papers that amply demonstrate the broad scope of active margin tectonics and the diverse methods that tectonic geologists employ to decipher their histories. Taken together, this set of papers illustrates the diversity of boundary conditions that guide the development of active margins and the key parameters that regulate their evolution in time and space.

View article: https:/ / pubs. geoscienceworld. org/ gsa/ geosphere/ article-abstract/ doi/ 10. 1130/ GES02422. 1/ 600741/ Introduction-Active-Margins-in-Transition

Detrital zircon geochronology of modern river sediment in south-central Alaska: Provenance, magmatic, and tectonic insights into the Mesozoic and Cenozoic development of the southern Alaska convergent margin

Cooper R. Fasulo; Kenneth D. Ridgway

Abstract: New and previously published detrital zircon U-Pb ages from sediment in major rivers of south- central Alaska archive several major episodes of magmatism associated with the tectonic growth of this convergent margin. Analysis of detrital zircons from major trunk rivers of the Tanana, Matanuska-Susitna, and Copper River watersheds (N = 40, n = 4870) documents major View article: https:/ / pubs. geoscienceworld. org/ gsa/ geosphere/ article-abstract/ doi/ 10. 1130/ GES02270. 1/ 600742/ Detrital-zircon-geochronology-of-modern-river

Low-temperature thermochronology constraints on the evolution of the Eastern Kunlun Range, northern Tibetan Plateau

Chen Wu; Jie Li; Lin Ding

Abstract: Signals of uplift and deformation across the Tibetan Plateau associated with the Cenozoic India-Asia collision can be used to test debated deformation mechanism(s) and the growth history of the plateau. The spatio-temporal evolution of the Eastern Kunlun Range in northern Tibet provides a window for understanding the intracontinental tectonic evolution of the region. The Eastern Kunlun Range exposes the Cenozoic Kunlun left-slip fault and kinematically linked thrust belts. In this contribution, integrated field observations and apatite fission-track thermochronology were conducted to constrain the initiation ages of localized thrust faults and the exhumation history of the Eastern Kunlun Range. Our analyses reveal four stages of cooling of the Eastern Kunlun Range. We relate these four stages to the following interpreted tectonic evolution: (1) an initial period of early Cretaceous cooling and slow exhumation over the early Cenozoic, which is associated with the formation of a regional unconformity observed between Cretaceous strata and early Cenozoic sediments; (2) rapid Oligocene cooling that occurred at the eastern domain of the Eastern Kunlun Range related to the southern Qaidam thrusts; (3) extensive rapid cooling since the early-middle Miocene in most of the eastern-central domains and significant uplift of the entire range; and (4) a final pulse of rapid late Miocene-to-present cooling associated with the initiation of the Kunlun left-slip fault and dip-slip shortening at the western and eastern termination of the left-slip fault. Early Cenozoic deformation was distributed along the northern extent of the Tibetan Plateau, and overprinting out-of-sequence deformation migrated back to the south with the initiation of Miocene-to-present deformation in the Eastern Kunlun Range.

View article: https:/ / pubs. geoscienceworld. org/ gsa/ geosphere/ article-abstract/ doi/ 10. 1130/ GES02358. 1/ 600735/ Low-temperature-thermochronology-constraints-on

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GEOSPHERE articles are available at https:/ / geosphere. geoscienceworld. org/ content/ early/ recent . Representatives of the media may obtain complimentary copies of GEOSPHERE articles by contacting Kea Giles at the address above. Please discuss articles of interest with the authors before publishing stories on their work, and please refer to GEOSPHERE in articles published. Non-media requests for articles may be directed to GSA Sales and Service, gsaservice@geosociety.org.

https:/ / www. geosociety. org/

This story has been published on: 2021-06-30. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
A white dwarf living on the edge

Maunakea and Haleakala, Hawai'i - Astronomers have discovered the smallest and most massive white dwarf ever seen. The smoldering cinder, which formed when two less massive white dwarfs merged, is heavy, "packing a mass greater than that of our Sun into a body about the size of our Moon," says Ilaria Caiazzo, the Sherman Fairchild Postdoctoral Scholar Research Associate in Theoretical Astrophysics at Caltech and lead author of the new study appearing in the July 1 issue of the journal Nature. "It may seem counterintuitive, but smaller white dwarfs happen to be more massive. This is due to the fact that white dwarfs lack the nuclear burning that keep up normal stars against their own self gravity, and their size is instead regulated by quantum mechanics."

The discovery was made by the Zwicky Transient Facility, or ZTF, which operates at Caltech's Palomar Observatory; two Hawai'i telescopes - W. M. Keck Observatory on Maunakea, Hawai'i Island and University of Hawai'i Institute for Astronomy's Pan-STARRS (Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System) on Haleakala, Maui - helped characterize the dead star, along with the 200-inch Hale Telescope at Palomar, the European Gaia space observatory, and NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory.

White dwarfs are the collapsed remnants of stars that were once about eight times the mass of our Sun or lighter. Our Sun, for example, after it first puffs up into a red giant in about 5 billion years, will ultimately slough off its outer layers and shrink down into a compact white dwarf. About 97 percent of all stars become white dwarfs.

While our Sun is alone in space without a stellar partner, many stars orbit around each other in pairs. The stars grow old together, and if they are both less than eight solar-masses, they will both evolve into white dwarfs.

The new discovery provides an example of what can happen after this phase. The pair of white dwarfs, which spiral around each other, lose energy in the form of gravitational waves and ultimately merge. If the dead stars are massive enough, they explode in what is called a type Ia supernova. But if they are below a certain mass threshold, they combine together into a new white dwarf that is heavier than either progenitor star. This process of merging boosts the magnetic field of that star and speeds up its rotation compared to that of the progenitors.

Astronomers say that the newfound tiny white dwarf, named ZTF J1901+1458, took the latter route of evolution; its progenitors merged and produced a white dwarf 1.35 times the mass of our Sun. The white dwarf has an extreme magnetic field almost 1 billion times stronger than our Sun's and whips around on its axis at a frenzied pace of one revolution every seven minutes (the zippiest white dwarf known, called EPIC 228939929, rotates every 5.3 minutes).

"We caught this very interesting object that wasn't quite massive enough to explode," says Caiazzo. "We are truly probing how massive a white dwarf can be."

What's more, Caiazzo and her collaborators think that the merged white dwarf may be massive enough to evolve into a neutron-rich dead star, or neutron star, which typically forms when a star much more massive than our Sun explodes in a supernova.

"This is highly speculative, but it's possible that the white dwarf is massive enough to further collapse into a neutron star," says Caiazzo. "It is so massive and dense that, in its core, electrons are being captured by protons in nuclei to form neutrons. Because the pressure from electrons pushes against the force of gravity, keeping the star intact, the core collapses when a large enough number of electrons are removed."

If this neutron star formation hypothesis is correct, it may mean that a significant portion of other neutron stars take shape in this way. The newfound object's close proximity (about 130 light-years away) and its young age (about 100 million years old or less) indicate that similar objects may occur more commonly in our galaxy.

MAGNETIC AND FAST

The white dwarf was first spotted by Caiazzo's colleague Kevin Burdge, a postdoctoral scholar at Caltech, after searching through all-sky images captured by ZTF. This particular white dwarf, when analyzed in combination with data from Gaia, stood out for being very massive and having a rapid rotation.

"No one has systematically been able to explore short-timescale astronomical phenomena on this kind of scale until now. The results of these efforts are stunning," says Burdge, who, in 2019, led the team that discovered a pair of white dwarfs zipping around each other every seven minutes.

The team then analyzed the spectrum of the star using Keck Observatory's Low Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (LRIS), and that is when Caiazzo was struck by the signatures of a very powerful magnetic field and realized that she and her team had found something "very special," as she says. The strength of the magnetic field together with the seven-minute rotational speed of the object indicated that it was the result of two smaller white dwarfs coalescing into one.

Data from Swift, which observes ultraviolet light, helped nail down the size and mass of the white dwarf. With a diameter of 2,670 miles, ZTF J1901+1458 secures the title for the smallest known white dwarf, edging out previous record holders, RE J0317-853 and WD 1832+089, which each have diameters of about 3,100 miles.

In the future, Caiazzo hopes to use ZTF to find more white dwarfs like this one, and, in general, to study the population as a whole. "There are so many questions to address, such as what is the rate of white dwarf mergers in the galaxy, and is it enough to explain the number of type Ia supernovae? How is a magnetic field generated in these powerful events, and why is there such diversity in magnetic field strengths among white dwarfs? Finding a large population of white dwarfs born from mergers will help us answer all these questions and more."

###

The study, titled "A highly magnetised and rapidly rotating white dwarf as small as the Moon," was funded by the Rose Hills Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, NASA, the Heising-Simons Foundation, the A. F. Morrison Fellowship of the Lick Observatory, the NSF, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

ABOUT LRIS

The Low Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (LRIS) is a very versatile and ultra-sensitive visible-wavelength imager and spectrograph built at the California Institute of Technology by a team led by Prof. Bev Oke and Prof. Judy Cohen and commissioned in 1993. Since then it has seen two major upgrades to further enhance its capabilities: the addition of a second, blue arm optimized for shorter wavelengths of light and the installation of detectors that are much more sensitive at the longest (red) wavelengths. Each arm is optimized for the wavelengths it covers. This large range of wavelength coverage, combined with the instrument's high sensitivity, allows the study of everything from comets (which have interesting features in the ultraviolet part of the spectrum), to the blue light from star formation, to the red light of very distant objects. LRIS also records the spectra of up to 50 objects simultaneously, especially useful for studies of clusters of galaxies in the most distant reaches, and earliest times, of the universe. LRIS was used in observing distant supernovae by astronomers who received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2011 for research determining that the universe was speeding up in its expansion.

ABOUT W. M. KECK OBSERVATORY

The W. M. Keck Observatory telescopes are among the most scientifically productive on Earth. The two 10-meter optical/infrared telescopes atop Maunakea on the Island of Hawai?i feature a suite of advanced instruments including imagers, multi-object spectrographs, high-resolution spectrographs, integral-field spectrometers, and world-leading laser guide star adaptive optics systems. Some of the data presented herein were obtained at Keck Observatory, which is a private 501(c) 3 non-profit organization operated as a scientific partnership among the California Institute of Technology, the University of California, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Observatory was made possible by the generous financial support of the W. M. Keck Foundation. The authors wish to recognize and acknowledge the very significant cultural role and reverence that the summit of Maunakea has always had within the Native Hawaiian community. We are most fortunate to have the opportunity to conduct observations from this mountain.

This story has been published on: 2021-06-30. To contact the author, please use the contact details within the article.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- Foton Motor recently revealed via an investment information platform that it is carrying out preliminary cooperation with Huawei for autonomous driving business. Meanwhile, both parties are discussing technologies related to smart cockpit, Ethernet, and radar as part of preparations for seeking collaboration projects in the future.

Photo credit: Foton Motor



In April 2019, Foton Motor and Huawei entered into a strategic partnership to co-work on a host of businesses including in-car computing, intelligent network, smart connectivity, intelligent energy, intelligent manufacturing, cloud-based services, and cloud computing, aiming to build a 5G-enabled intelligent system for commercial vehicles.

Under the agreement, the two companies planned to jointly develop intelligent driving computing platform for production commercial vehicles, including heavy-duty, medium-duty, and light-duty trucks, pickups, buses and vans. Besides, they will team up on design and R&D of Level 3 mass-produced autonomous cars, and co-explore Level 4 self-driving solutions.

Moreover, the Beijing-based commercial vehicle manufacturer also formed partnership with Neusoft REACH for autonomous driving technologies in December 2018. Both parties agreed to cooperate on many typical scenarios for autonomous cars, such as highway and V2X (vehicle-to-everything)-based formation of autonomous car fleets by leveraging their know-hows in vehicle control, environment perception, sensor fusion, high-precision positioning, and vehicle-infrastructure communications.

Last month, Huawei once again reiterated its resolution not to build cars, saying this long-term strategy has been clear in 2018, and nothing has changed.

According to the statement, Huawei has chosen BAIC BJEV, Changan Auto, and GAC Group as its strategic partners, supporting them in developing their own sub-brands. The vehicles armed with Huawei's autonomous driving solution are allowed to bear the HI logo (standing for Huawei Inside) after being authorized by Huawei.
Shanghai (Gasgoo)- On June 28, Aulton, a Shanghai-based battery swapping station operator, kicked off the operation of its city-level battery swapping service network in Chongqing, according to a post on the company's WeChat account.

Photo credit: Aulton



The launch of the operation came after 100 battery swappable Eado EV460s, which were made by Aulton's strategic partner Changan EV, were handed over to Chongqing Taxi Operation Association. Using Aulton's battery swapping facilities, the taxi drivers can get their car batteries swapped within only one minute, so that they will have more time to serve users.

Aulton said it has formed a city-level battery swapping service network in Chongqing as of June 2021, which embraces 20 battery swapping stations, and the number will be increased to 60 by the end of this year. By 2023, the company aims to deploy a total of 200 stations in the city with the capability to serve over 30,000 new energy vehicles (NEVs).

According to Aulton, its new-generation battery swapping stations were put into operation in Chongqing in April this year, only nine months after the company started operating its first battery swapping station for the city.

As of May 2021, Aulton has operated 316 battery swapping stations in over 20 cities across China. Besides, it has formed partnerships with up to 14 automakers, including Changan Auto, BAIC Group, SAIC Motor, FAW Group, GAC Group, and Dongfeng Motor, and has so far co-developed 22 battery swappable EV models with the partners.
Update: 30-06-2021 | 11:29:15

Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith on June 29 agreed to closely coordinate to promote cooperation between the two nations more comprehensively and practically.

Vietnamese President Nguyen Xuan Phuc meets Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith in Hanoi on June 29

During their meeting in Hanoi, President Phuc congratulated Thongloun on his election as General Secretary of the Lao Peoples Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of Laos.

Thonglouns selection of Vietnam for his first overseas trip after taking office demonstrates the importance the Lao Party and State attach to the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, helping to create new momentum for their close-knit, faithful and trusting ties, he said.

The Vietnamese President expressed his belief that the Lao people will successfully realise the Resolution adopted at the 11th National Congress of the LPRP and the 2021-2025 socio-economic development plan.

For his part, Thongloun congratulated Vietnam on the success of the 13th National Party Congress and the elections of deputies to the 15th National Assembly and all-level Peoples Councils for 2021-2026.

He also lauded great achievements the Vietnamese people have recorded in the process of national construction and development, and international integration, which, he said, have served as a source of encouragement for the Lao revolutionary cause.

Reviewing mutual support in the COVID-19 combat, the two leaders pledged to continue their joint efforts to cope with the pandemic, soon recover socio-economic activities and promote sustainable development.

Thongloun said the great material and spiritual support of the Vietnamese Party, State and people have significantly contributed to Laoss successes in pandemic containment over the past time.

President Phuc also appreciated the Lao sides donation of 300,000 USD to aid Vietnams COVID-19 fight, saying it reflects the fraternity between the two nations.

The two leaders expressed their delight to see the Vietnam-Laos relations thriving further despite impacts of COVID-19. Political ties have been consolidated as both sides have been striving to maintain high-level delegate exchanges and meetings, particularly after the successful organisation of the National Party Congresses and the election of new leaders in the two countries. These have contributed to help the countries find orientations and dynamics for bilateral cooperation in all areas in the new term.

The two leaders also showed their determination to effectively implement signed agreements and remained committed to strengthening partnership in security and defence, economy, trade, investment, agriculture, and education and training; and promoting locality-to-locality cooperation.

They agreed to coordinate in organising celebrations of the 60th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 45th year since the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation next year.

On this occasion, host and guest discussed cooperation between the two nations at multilateral forums, especially the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Greater Mekong Sub-region, and collaboration among Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

The Vietnamese President congratulated Laos on being elected as Vice President of the 76th United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), reflecting the increasingly growing prestige and position of Laos on the international arena.

Thongloun invited Phuc and his spouse to pay a visit to Laos at an appropriate time. The Vietnamese leader accepted the invitation with pleasure.

The Lao leader and his entourage left Hanoi in the early afternoon of June 29, wrapping up their official friendship visit to Vietnam./.

VNA
The death of the dinosaurs 66 million years ago was caused by the impact of a huge asteroid on the Earth. However, palaeontologists have continued to debate whether they were already in decline or not before the impact.

In a new study, published today in the journal Nature Communications, an international team of scientists, which includes the University of Bristol, show that they were already in decline for as much as ten million years before the final death blow.

Lead author, Fabien Condamine, a CNRS researcher from the Institut des Sciences de lEvolution de Montpellier (France), said: We looked at the six most abundant dinosaur families through the whole of the Cretaceous, spanning from 150 to 66 million years ago, and found that they were all evolving and expanding and clearly being successful.

Then, 76 million years ago, they show a sudden downturn. Their rates of extinction rose and in some cases the rate of origin of new species dropped off.

The team used Bayesian modelling techniques to account for several kinds of uncertainties such as incomplete fossil records, uncertainties over age-dating the fossils, and uncertainties about the evolutionary models. The models were each run millions of times to consider all these possible sources of error and to find whether the analyses would converge on an agreed most probable result.

Guillaume Guinot, also of the Institut des Sciences de lEvolution de Montpellier, who helped run the calculations, added: In all cases, we found evidence for the decline prior to the bolide impact.

We also looked at how these dinosaur ecosystems functioned, and it became clear that the plant-eating species tended to disappear first, and this made the latest dinosaur ecosystems unstable and liable to collapse if environmental conditions became damaging.

Phil Currie, a co-author of the study, from the University of Edmonton (Alberta, Canada), said: We used over 1,600 carefully checked records of dinosaurs through the Cretaceous.

I have been collecting dinosaurs in North America, Mongolia, China, and other areas for some time, and I have seen huge improvements in our knowledge of the ages of the dinosaur-bearing rock formations.

This means that the data are getting better all the time. The decline in dinosaurs in their last ten million years makes sense, and indeed this is the best-sampled part of their fossil record as our study shows.

Professor Mike Benton from the University of Bristols School of Earth Sciences, another co-author, added: In the analyses, we explored different kinds of possible causes of the dinosaur decline.

It became clear that there were two main factors, first that overall climates were becoming cooler, and this made life harder for the dinosaurs which likely relied on warm temperatures.

Then, the loss of herbivores made the ecosystems unstable and prone to extinction cascade. We also found that the longer-lived dinosaur species were more liable to extinction, perhaps reflecting that they could not adapt to the new conditions on Earth.

Fabien Condamine added: This was a key moment in the evolution of life. The world had been dominated by dinosaurs for over 160 million years, and as they declined other groups began their rise to dominance, including the mammals.

The dinosaurs were mostly so huge they probably hardly knew that the furry little mammals were there in the undergrowth. But the mammals began to increase in numbers of species before the dinosaurs had gone, and then after the impact they had their chance to build new kinds of ecosystems which we see today.

Paper:

Dinosaur biodiversity declined well before the asteroid impact, influenced by ecological and environmental pressures by Fabien L. Condamine, Guillaume Guinot, Michael J. Benton & Philip J. Currie in Nature Communications.
Light display in Guangzhou salutes CPC

Chinadaily.com.cn) 19:58, June 30, 2021

A spectacular red-themed light show has become the latest hot tourist attraction in Guangzhou, Guangdong province, celebrating the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China. It will run until Sunday. [Photo by Zheng Erqi/chinadaily.com.cn]

A spectacular light show has become the latest hot tourist attraction in Guangzhou, Guangdong province.

Crowds of residents and tourists have been attracted every night when the lights decorating the bridges and major buildings  including the city's iconic Canton Tower  are on.

A statement released by the Guangzhou bureau of housing and urban-rural development, the show's sponsor, noted that the lights are on between 7:30 pm and 10:30 pm nightly.

Chen Yunxi, an office worker in Guangzhou's Tianhe district, said the show is really beautiful and helps polish the city's reputation at home and abroad.

The red-themed show, which runs until Sunday, celebrates the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, which falls on Thursday. The CPC has become a large Party with more than 95 million members and has led the Chinese people to realize national independence, development and prosperity.

The show also reflects the long history, humanity and profound culture of an open and inclusive city whose history spans more than 2,200 years. Guangzhou is today one of China's major transportation hubs and a major commercial center.

The show is expected to help stimulate patriotic enthusiasm and a sense of national honor for local residents and tourists.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Hongyu)
UNDERSTAND CHINA: The CPC is the holistic interest party of the people

People's Daily Online) 14:30, June 30, 2021

It's hard to truly and fully understand a country without first appreciating the nature of its own political system and unique path towards development. On this topic, People's Daily Online has got you covered with our series of multi-faceted and in-depth conversations with foreign and domestic thought leaders on the subject of domestic and international politics, discussions that can hopefully help to clear some of the air between China and those who may still have a false impression of the country and its people.

In this episode, we spoke to British scholar and political commentator Martin Jacques. Martin Jacques is the author of a global best-seller entitled When China Rules the World: The End of the Western World and the Birth of a New Global Order. His interest in East Asia began in 1993 after taking an extended holiday in China, Singapore and Malaysia. Throughout the following year he travelled extensively in Asia, including China, which provided him with a chance to develop a better understanding of China than most ordinary Western citizens.

We then sat down with Zhang Weiwei, who served as a senior English interpreter for former Chinese leader and architect of China's reform and opening-up, Deng Xiaoping. Mr. Zhang is now the director of the China Institute of Fudan University. In a conversation in his office, Zhang shared his views on the rise of China and the reasons behind some of the ideological biases towards China that have since become prevalent in many Western countries.

Check out the full episode to see what remarkable insights Zhang Weiwei and Martin Jacques exchanged with each other on the topic of better understanding China.

(Web editor: He Zhuoyan, Du Mingming)
"Red Building" reopens to public with CPC history exhibition

Xinhua) 08:45, June 30, 2021

BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The renovated site of the "Red Building," once the main campus of Peking University and a key location in the history of the Communist Party of China (CPC), reopened to the public on Tuesday.

Visitors to the building in Beijing will be able to enjoy a themed exhibition celebrating the 100th anniversary of the CPC's founding.

The exhibition features 1,357 cultural relics and employs new-media technologies such as holograms to demonstrate the Party's early revolutionary activities in Beijing.

Built from 1916 to 1918, the building was named after its red brick walls and tiled roof. It witnessed several of China's major historical events, including the New Culture Movement and the May Fourth Movement, both of which greatly contributed to the early spread of Marxism in the country and the founding of the CPC.

In history, the Party's pioneers, including Li Dazhao, Chen Duxiu and Mao Zedong, carried out revolutionary activities in the building.

The room 119 in the southeast corner of the building's first floor, which is now the director's office of the Peking University Library, served as a former working site of Li Dazhao, where the communist complied prominent articles and introduced Marxism theories into Chinese universities.

From 1918 to December 1922, Li Dazhao once worked in the office which covers about 50 square meters. After the May Fourth Movement, several symposiums were held in the office to carry out debates on the theoretical problems of Marxism and to establish a research society on Marxist theories.

In 1920, Li Dazhao met the Comintern's representative to China in the office room to study the establishment of the CPC. In October 1920, Li initiated the establishment of an early organization of the CPC in Beijing, named "the communist group."

"The integration of the exhibition and the architecture helps to tell the history more thoroughly," said Hong Maien, chief designer of the exhibition.

Qin Suyin, an expert in scene restoration, said that there are over 550 original cultural relics on display, including the original version of "My View of Marxism," written by Li Dazhao and published in September 1919 on "La Jeunesse," a magazine considered at the center of the New Culture Movement in China.

In a room on the first floor of the "Red Building," a replicated scene shows students of Peking University preparing banners and slogans for the parade in the May Fourth Movement.

One student visitor said that reviewing past events within such a historical setting is a good way for visitors to learn the history of the Party.

"We young people should keep in mind the revolutionary history of the CPC and treasure the good life we have today," he said.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
WHO officially declares China malaria-free

Xinhua) 08:49, June 30, 2021

Photo taken on Jan. 22, 2020 shows an exterior view of the headquarters of the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland. (Xinhua/Liu Qu)

GENEVA, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday officially granted China a malaria-free certification as a token of celebration of the country's successful elimination of the disease after 70 years of its struggles against malaria.

From 30 million malaria cases in the 1940s, China brought down that number over the last decades, to finally achieve no cases in the last four years, the WHO said.

"Today we congratulate the people of China on ridding the country of malaria," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

"Their success was hard-earned and came only after decades of targeted and sustained action," he added.

China's efforts against malaria started in the 1950s, as the disease was rampant in the southern part of the country, close to other hotspots in mainland Southeast Asia.

The "523 Project" -- a research program launched in 1967 -- allowed Chinese Nobel Prize winner Tu Youyou to discover artemisinin, one of the most effective antimalarial drugs nowadays, according to the WHO.

Over the last two decades, China ramped up its efforts and reduced the number of cases in the 1990s from 117,000 to 5,000 annually by providing staff training, laboratory equipment, antimalarial medicines and new methods to control mosquito propagation.

The "1-3-7" strategy -- one day to report a case, three days to confirm a case and seven days to prevent further spread of the disease -- was also a tool of success and is still used nowadays for travelers coming from malaria-infected countries.

No cases were reported in China in the last four years, warranting the malaria-free credential by the WHO.

"Over many decades, China's ability to think outside the box served the country well in its own response to malaria, and also had a significant ripple effect globally," said Pedro Alonso, director of the WHO Global Malaria Programme.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
Microwave makes space station feel like home

(China Daily) 09:01, June 30, 2021

A staff member takes videos of the screen image showing three Chinese astronauts onboard the Shenzhou-12 spaceship entering the space station core module Tianhe at Beijing Aerospace Control Center in Beijing, capital of China, June 17, 2021. [Photo/Xinhua]

The three astronauts in the core module of the Tiangong space station may have escaped Earth's gravity, but one chore has followed them into orbithousework.

The jobs of cooking and cleaning never let up, but technology is helping keep them well fed and their temporary home tidy.

In what passes for a kitchen in their cramped quarters, the astronauts have a microwave oven specially designed for use in space, which was carried by the space cargo craft Tianzhou 2 on May 29.

Other appliances include high-tech vacuum bags that safely store waste and kill bad odors.

But eating is the first order of business for hungry space station residents.

"The oven was designed to provide healthy food for astronauts in the core module of the space stationto help them prepare nutritious and satisfying food," said Li Feng, an engineer with the Galanz Group's research and development department.

The microwave in the module has been modified to cope with conditions experienced during the mission. "During the rocket's liftoff, the oven needed to withstand high-frequency turbulence. It's expected to work continuously for 10 years in space," Li said.

The oven has a more efficient magnetron, the internal device that generates microwaves, and a special power supply to reduce its weight. "We had to optimize the product's structure and improve its mechanical strength by adopting innovative technologies because the space station has extremely strict restrictions on the specifications and weight of facilities and supplies," Li said.

There are around 120 kinds of food available for astronauts' meals on the space station.

More than 20 varieties of food, including zongzi (traditional Chinese sticky rice dumplings), spiced bean curd, fried noodles with shredded pork, bamboo shoots and brown sugar glutinous rice cake are all on the menu, according to Zhoushan Daily, a newspaper in Zhejiang province, where the meals were packaged.

Other Chinese produced high-tech innovations are in the module to help make the astronauts' lives more comfortable.

Guangdong Taili Technology Group, which specializes in vacuum technology, has developed special bags to deal with trash. "In view of the weightless environment, vacuum storage bags are a necessary convenience," said Wang Zhenchang, chief engineer at the Taili Group.

Soiled clothes, food packaging and other waste items are classified and carefully collected in a device designed for the purpose, Wang said. Garbage containment is a serious health issue in space as bacterial pathogens floating in the air can threaten the astronauts' health.

Finally, to keep things organized, there's the "space pen".

In a video of the astronauts working in the cabin of Shenzhou XII, which carried them to the module, a pen floating in the air attracted the attention of netizens.

The so-called space pen, which can function in zero gravity and extreme temperatures, from-40 C to 100 C, was made in China by a private company, Creative Wealth, in Shaoguan, Guangdong.

The pen's cartridge uses ink with a high viscosity and a pressurizing device to enable the astronauts to record information quickly. The pen, the first of its kind to be made in China, was also used during the Shenzhou X mission.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Hongyu)
China will stick to and continuously improve its political party system

People's Daily) 09:08, June 30, 2021

Photo taken on June 26, 2021, shows the exterior of the Museum of the Communist Party of China in Beijing. (Peoples Daily Online/Chen Xiaogen)

On the occasion of the centenary of the Communist Party of China (CPC), the State Council Information Office of China recently issued a report on the countrys political party system, which demonstrated Chinas determination and efforts to uphold CPC leadership, develop socialism with Chinese characteristics, and improve its political party system.

The report, which looked back on how the system has been created, developed and improved, and elaborated on the distinctive characteristics and strengths of the system in political and social life, will effectively help people understand that Chinas political party system is the result of a historical process as well as a structure of enormous strength, creativity and vitality.

A countrys political party system is a major component of its political framework and makes a critical contribution to democracy. The system best suited to a country is determined by its history, traditions, and realities, the report pointed out.

The system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC is a new type of party system growing from Chinas soil, and plays a unique role in building consensus, optimizing decision-making, coordinating relationships among parties and maintaining political stability, stressed Xi Jinping, general secretary of CPC Central Committee.

Following the principles of long-term coexistence, mutual oversight, sincerity, and sharing the rough times and the smooth, the CPC and eight other political parties in China have created a multiparty cooperation system in which the CPC exercises state power and the other parties participate fully in the administration of state affairs under the leadership of the CPC.

Besides, the CPC has worked in solidarity with other political parties and non-affiliates, and traveled an extraordinary and glorious journey together, registering remarkable achievements in multiparty cooperation.

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC in 2012, China has further consolidated the ideological and political foundation of multiparty cooperation, and perfected the framework of the party system under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core. Chinas political institution and political party system are exerting more extensive and stronger influence.

Chinas political party system embodies the essence of Chinese traditions, reflects the intrinsic requirements of socialism and conforms to Chinas realities and its needs in state governance. As a basic component of Chinas political system, it contributes to Chinas development, national rejuvenation, and social progress, and is of great benefit to the peoples well-being.

To govern a country, ensure safety and order in society require building sound systems. Chinas political party system creates a unique political model, and is essential to the task of modernizing Chinas governance system and capacity.

The countrys political party system, as a combination of Marxist political party theory and its realities, truly, extensively and in the long term represents the fundamental interests of all people and all ethnic groups and fulfills their aspiration, avoiding the defects of the old-fashioned party system which represents only a selective few or the vested interest.

It unites all political parties and people without party affiliation toward a common goal, effectively preventing the flaws of the absence of oversight in one-party rule or power rotation and nasty competition among multiple political parties.

Moreover, it pools ideas and suggestions through institutional, procedural, and standardized arrangements and develops a scientific and democratic decision-making mechanism, steering away from another weakness of the old-fashioned party system, in which decision-making and governance, confined by interests of different political parties, classes, regions and groups, tears the society apart.

Over the past seven decades and more, this system has grown and matured. It provides Chinese ideas for the world in terms of modern party politics, and offers a new model for global political progress.

The political party system fits Chinas reality and fine traditional culture of the pursuit for the common good, inclusiveness, and seeking common ground while shelving differences, and is a great contribution to political civilization of humanity, according to Comrade Xi Jinping.

China will, as always, learn and draw from the positive experiences of other countries, but will not imitate other political party systems mechanically, or impose its own on any other country. China respects the right of other countries to choose a political party system best adapted to their own realities. Based on equality and mutual respect, China is willing to strengthen cooperation and mutual learning with other countries, promote democracy on the international stage, and eventually build a global community with a shared future for mankind.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
Hong Kong holds exhibition to mark Chinas scientific achievements in past century

People's Daily) 09:12, June 30, 2021

An exhibition showcasing Chinas scientific achievements in the past 100 years was recently held in Hong Kong, sparking heated response from all walks of life of the Hong Kong society.

Photo taken on June 26, 2021 shows the inauguration ceremony of an exhibition on Chinese scientists and the moon sample in Hong Kong, south China. Lunar soil brought back by Chinas moon mission was on display Saturday in Hong Kong. (Xinhua/Wang Shen)

The exhibition, which also displayed lunar soil brought back by Chinas Change 5 spacecraft, was held across the city during a five-day visit by six of the nations top aerospace experts.

The outstanding achievements of Chinas aerospace ignited the patriotism of the Hong Kong compatriots, calling them to devote themselves to developing the country.

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). Over the past 100 years, the CPC has united the Chinese people and led them to achieve remarkable progress, and the development of aerospace technology is a mirror of such progress.

From the Mars probe Tianwen-1 to the operation of the BeiDou Navigation Satellite System, and from the lunar samples collected and returned by Change 5 spacecraft to the successful rendezvous and docking between Shenzhou-12 manned spaceship and the Tianhe core module of Chinas space station, the achievements of Chinas aerospace technology have significantly enhanced the confidence and pride of all Chinese, including the Hong Kong compatriots.

As Hong Kong celebrates the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC, Chinese aerospace scientists have been warmly welcomed on their visits to the special administrative region. It fully demonstrates that as a part of China, Hong Kong compatriots have always shared the dignity and glory with the people from the Chinese mainland, and jointly shouldered the mission of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

Promoting sci-tech cooperation between Hong Kong and the mainland, supporting the special administrative region to become an international center of innovative technologies, giving play to their own unique sci-tech strengths and contributing to economic development and improving peoples living standards both in Hong Kong and the mainland are all part of the implementation of the one country, two systems principle in Hong Kong, said general secretary Xi Jinping of the CPC Central Committee.

In recent years, Hong Kongs scientific world has joined relevant aerospace projects of the mainland for multiple times. An innovative lunar topographic mapping and geomorphological analysis technique developed by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University helped Chinas Change 4 lunar probe select landing site on the far side of the moon, and the universitys Mars Landing Surveillance Camera also contributed to Chinas first Mars probe.

Lunar soil brought back by Chinas moon mission is on display at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Center. (Xinhua/Li Gang)

Taking advantage of the one country, two systems principle, Hong Kong has firmly grasped major opportunities of cooperation in innovation and technology, the Belt and Road construction, and the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area. It is achieving better development while integrating into the development of the country.

The fact that Hong Kong compatriots are sharing dignity and glory with the people of the Chinese mainland, and jointly shouldering the mission of the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation, is a result of the adherence to and improvement of the one country, two systems principle and the long-term stability of the principle.

The law on safeguarding national security in Hong Kong has been enacted for a year. It has led to a major transition from chaos to stability in the special administrative region, and created a sound environment and won a larger space for solving deep-rooted contradictions and problems such as livelihood. Hong Kongs electoral system has been improved, which has laid a solid foundation for patriots governing Hong Kong, ensuring Hong Kongs prospects with good governance.

To make a bright future with concerted efforts is the biggest expectation of the Hong Kong society. As long as the special administrative region adheres to and advocates the leadership of the CPC, constantly improves systems and mechanisms related to the implementation of the Constitution and the Basic Law, and integrates Hong Kong into the development of the country, it will surely write a new chapter of development together with the Chinese mainland.

A strong Chinese nation benefits all Chinese. To achieve the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation is the greatest dream of China in modern times, as well as a cause shared by generations of Chinese people. The dream has never been so close to the Chinese people. Realizing it will also bring broad space for Hong Kong compatriots and bring prosperity and development to Hong Kong. China, opening wide and witnessing drastic changes, is able to offer strong impetus for Hong Kong to better give play to its advantages, expand its development space and tackle deep-rooted problems. In particular, the building of a new development paradigm, the construction of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, and the implementation of the 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-2025) have created not-to-be-missed opportunities for the special administrative region. Finding its position in the countrys development and playing a more active role, Hong Kong is bound to nurture new advantages, make new contributions and achieve new development.

The future of Hong Kong has always been connected with the motherland, and national development has always been the most powerful support for the development of Hong Kong. In the future, the path of common development between Hong Kong and the mainland China will surely become wider and wider.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
China a powerhouse of water transport with international influence: official

09:18, June 30, 2021 By Liu Zhiqiang ( People's Daily

Large container vessels are docked at an automated terminal of Shanghai's Yangshan Deep Water Port, May 21, 2021. (People's Daily Online/Ji Haixin)

China has become a powerhouse of water transport with international influence and is embracing a new journey of water transport construction, Vice-Minister of Transport Zhao Chongjiu told a press conference on June 24.

Chinese ports handled 14.45 billion tonnes of cargo and 260 million TEUs (twenty-foot equivalent units) last year, outnumbering those by any other country in the world. Eight and seven of the world's top 10 ports in terms of cargo throughput and container throughput were in China.

As of the end of 2020, the total transport capacity of Chinese cargo ships hit 310 million deadweight tonnes. The figure was the second highest in the world. China COSCO Shipping Corporation Limited and China Merchants Group are now the largest two comprehensive shipping enterprises of the world in terms of shipping capacity.

According to the vice minister, China has ranked the first in the world for years regarding the capacity of inland water transportation. Last year, over 3.8 billion tonnes of cargos were shipped through inland rivers across the country, and the total mileage of operational waterways had exceeded 120,000 kilometers by the end of the 2020, the longest in the world. The trunk line of the Yangtze River has become the world's busiest water channel with the largest transportation capacity for years.

Zhao introduced that by 2020 China has built nine automated container terminals, and seven other are currently under construction. Besides, the country is also a leading designer and constructor of automated container terminals, as well as a leading manufacturer of port machinery, he added.

Yi Jiyong, deputy head of the Water Transport Bureau under the Ministry of Transport disclosed that China will keep shoring up its weak spots in the infrastructure of inland water transportation. According to him, 5,000 kilometers of inland river channels will be improved or added to the country's river transportation network, and 2,500 kilometers are expected to meet the standard of high-level channels.

Seafarers make a major part of the jobholders in the shipping industry. June 25 marked the Day of the Seafarer. Cao Desheng, director of the maritime affairs bureau of the Ministry of Transport introduced that the China's seafarer group has been constantly expanded over the years. As of the end of 2020, there were a total of 1.7 million Chinese seafarers in service, the highest in the world, including 258,000 females. "Chinese seafarers make 130,000 overseas trips each year, which has laid a foundation for the global development of the Chinese shipping industry," Cao said.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Bianji)
China calls on G20 members to advance partnership spirit

Xinhua) 09:24, June 30, 2021

Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends a conference of the G20 foreign ministers via video link in Beijing, capital of China, June 29, 2021. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi Tuesday called on the Group of 20 (G20) members to promote the spirit of partnership and put forward suggestions for joint efforts.

Wang made the remarks when attending a conference of the G20 foreign ministers via video link in Beijing.

Noting that the global epidemic situation is still grave, and the economic recovery is clearly disparate, Wang said G20 members should uphold unity and cooperation and exert leadership in the global fight against the epidemic.

It is necessary to accelerate the implementation of the results of the Global Health Summit, strengthen cooperation in vaccines, diagnosis and treatment, joint prevention and control, and provide more support to developing countries, Wang added.

He said China has so far provided more than 450 million doses of vaccines to nearly 100 countries, calling on nations with the ability to reject export restrictions or overstocking and make contributions to eliminate the immunization gap.

Wang called on G20 members to uphold multilateralism and contribute to the stability of the international order. He said G20 members should take the lead in practicing true multilateralism and firmly safeguard the global system with the United Nations as the core and the international order based on international law. They should also adhere to openness and inclusiveness, aim for win-win cooperation, and oppose zero-sum games.

"We should persist in openness and integration to provide impetus to the recovery of the world economy," Wang said. He added that G20 members should adopt responsible macroeconomic policies to avoid spillovers of the negative effects of their own actions and ensure the steady operation of the international economic and financial system.

Wang called on G20 members to unswervingly build an open world economy and actively maintain the security and stability of the global industrial chain and supply chain. He also urged the G20 to prevent fragmentation of the international market and politicizing cooperation mechanisms. They should continue to advance structural reforms to achieve a high-quality and resilient recovery, he said.

China and African countries jointly launched the "Initiative on Partnership for Africa's Development" and welcome more nations and international organizations to join, Wang said, calling for actions to improve sustainable development and enhance the resilience of the global governance system.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Hongyu)
CPC always puts people above everything

09:25, June 30, 2021 By He Yin ( People's Daily

A member of a Communist Party of China volunteer group instructs farmers to graft and cultivate camellia seedlings in Yongfeng county, Jian, east Chinas Jiangxi province, May 18, 2021. (Peoples Daily Online/ Liu Haojun)

As the Communist Party of China (CPC) is about to celebrate its 100th anniversary, the international society is also closely observing the worlds biggest Marxist ruling party that has gone through 100 glorious years, governed the worlds largest socialist country for over 70 years and owned 91 million members, trying to find an answer to why and how the CPC works there.

More and more international personages are realizing that remaining committed to serving the people and relying on them in all endeavors, and putting them at the very center is the key to the CPCs success, as well as a source of vitality for this 100-year-old party.

The CPCs efforts to seek happiness for the Chinese people are lauded by foreign political parties and dignitaries, as well as people from all walks of life. They believe the journey of the CPC proves that a political party can achieve anything when it takes peoples interests as its top priority. Speaking for and working with the Chinese people, protecting their fundamental interests, and practically solving the problems of their top concerns, the CPC is sincerely recognized and supported by the Chinese people. Thats why it is able to unite and lead the Chinese people to achieve great strides of national development.

It was written in the Manifesto of the Communist Party by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels that the proletarian movement is the self-conscious, independent movement of the immense majority, in the interest of the immense majority. That explains why the matters of people are a touchstone for the quality of a political party and a regime.

Since the birth of the CPC, it has been a proletarian party. It was born for the people and prospers for the people. It always stays with the people and fights for their interests, which is a fundamental goal of the partys development. General secretary Xi Jinping of the CPC Central Committee said the CPC has no special interests of its own, and puts the interests of the people at first at any time.

In early 20th century, American journalist Jack Belden predicted that the CPC would succeed as the party completely won the support of the people. Since the Peoples Republic of China was founded in 1949, the CPC has taken striving for the wellbeing of the people as its ultimate mission, and constantly enhanced peoples sense of fulfillment, happiness and security. Robert Griffiths, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Britain noted that the CPC is a party thats always close to the people.

CPC hears the voices of the people and draws wisdom from them before making every policy and reform measure. Martin Albrow, fellow of the British Academy of Social Sciences pointed out that one of the secrets to the CPC leading Chinese people to achieve development is that the political party has always been serving the people whole-heartedly. The success of poverty alleviation, as well as the major strategic result of epidemic control came from the CPCs people-centered development philosophy. Kishore Mahbubani, a distinguished fellow of the National University of Singapore believes that the 1.4 billion Chinese people are embracing a new peak of the Chinese civilization under the leadership of the CPC.

The increasingly closer relationship between the CPC and the Chinese people is boosting the confidence of China to overcome all challenges and risks. It is a source of ceaseless energy for the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation.

The CPC will always make it its fundamental mission to strive for peoples wellbeing and its fundamental purpose to serve the people whole heartedly, and rely on them for its historic cause, so as to make more contributions to the progress of human civilization.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
Suspect No.1: Why Fort Detrick lab should be investigated for global COVID-19 origins tracing

(Global Times) 09:32, June 30, 2021

The lab-leak theory, that COVID-19 was leaked from a laboratory, has once again caused a clamor since the beginning of this year, months after the argument was thrown into the trash can of conspiracy theories by an overwhelming number of scientists.

Observers found that things only get more complicated when the origins of the coronavirus - an already difficult scientific issue - is entangled in political manipulation tricks. Combing through more than 8,000 pieces of news reports related to the lab-leak theory, the Global Times found that as many as 60 percent of the coverage was from the US alone.

It is worth noting that many media outlets in the US-led Western world, which hyped the lab-leak theory, are only willing to focus on the Chinese labs though they have been thoroughly investigated by the World Health Organization (WHO), while turning a blind eye to the more suspicious American biological research institutions, such as the infamous US Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Diseases (USAMRIID) at Fort Detrick, Maryland.

The USAMRIID was temporarily shut down in 2019 after a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) inspection. Although this mysterious lab reported the reason for the closure as "ongoing infrastructure issues with wastewater decontamination," the explanation was not persuasive enough. The Global Times found that the lab's failure to control toxins seemed to have alarmed the Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction related institutions in the US.

Resurgence of lab-leak theory

A joint study into the origins of COVID-19 by Chinese experts and the WHO in March dismissed the "lab-leak" conspiracy theory. More evidence pointed to the fact that the virus had probably jumped from bats to humans via another intermediary animal, and it was "extremely unlikely" that it leaked from a lab, the study report said.

Nonetheless, the lab-leak theory has not disappeared; instead, especially from the beginning of May, it has been largely promoted by some US politicians and media outlets as a "plausible science." In an article published on Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists on May 5, without any evidence, science writer Nicholas Wade claimed that "proponents of lab escape can explain all the available facts about SARS2 considerably more easily than can those who favor natural emergence."

Days later, The Wall Street Journal reported on May 23 that three researchers at Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) "became sick enough in November 2019 that they sought hospital care," and they had "symptoms consistent with both Covid-19 and common seasonal illness." The WSJ report quoted a "previously undisclosed US intelligence report."

On May 26, President Biden stated that he had ordered the US intelligence community to "redouble" its efforts to investigate the origins of COVID-19. The US national security adviser Jake Sullivan even claimed on June 20 that China will face "isolation in the international community" if it doesn't cooperate with a further probe into the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic, Bloomberg reported that day.

Pressure from politicians and the media seems to have affected some authoritative medical scientists in the US, including Director of the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), Anthony Fauci. On May 11, after Rand Paul, a Republican to the Senate, accused Fauci of helping the Wuhan lab "create" the virus, Fauci strongly denied the accusation but said he is "fully in favor of any further investigation of what went on in China."

This sudden change in attitude of some US experts is due to the political pressure they have received, a Chinese virologist told the Global Times. "Western media like to ask the experts misguiding questions, like, 'is (lab leak) absolutely impossible?'" said the virologist who requested anonymity.

It's very difficult for experts to answer a question like that, as the possibility, although very little, still exists, the virologist said. "All they can say is, 'it's possible,'" he told the Global Times. Actually, most experts usually add "but it's highly unlikely" after "it's possible," but the media only presents the part which confirms their own bias, he said.

Big data shows the US is pushing the narrative of the COVID-19 lab-leak theory. Among the 8,594 pieces of news report related to "lab leak" that database GDELT collected since 2020, 5,079 were from the US, accounting for 59 percent. Following the US was the UK (611 pieces) and Australia (597 pieces). Almost all the coverage targeted the WIV lab.

While the US is solely focused on Chinese labs, the US seldom pays attention to the fault in its own domestic labs, some of which have even triggered virus-related accidents before. According to an August 2020 article by ProPublica, an independent newsroom that produces investigative journalism, the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill reported 28 lab incidents involving genetically engineered organisms to safety officials at the National Institutes of Health between January 2015 and June 2020. "Six of the incidents involved various types of lab-created coronaviruses," ProPublica said in the article. "Many were engineered to allow the study of the virus in mice."

Weirdly, very few US mainstream media outlets have raised the question whether there is the possibility that COVID-19 was leaked from US labs, said the Chinese virologist. "They dare not ask that," he said.

In an article published on the independent political blog site Moon of Alabama on May 27, the author pointed out that some Westerners' hyping of the Wuhan lab leak conspiracy is similar to the trick the US played in pushing the Iraq War in 2002 - the US claimed "Saddam Hussein will soon have nuclear weapon," which was "obvious nonsense," the author said.

"The 'lab leak' theory is similar to the WMD claim - evidence-free speculation long promoted by a neoconservative leaning administration that was extremely hostile to the 'guilty' country in question," said the author.

The lab-leak theory, therefore, "isn't just about an implausible, evidence free tale of a SARS-CoV-2 lab escape," the author noted. "It is a campaign launched to depict China as an enemy of humankind."

Intl concerns on US bio-labs

The US has many bio-labs in 25 countries and regions across the Middle East, Africa, Southeast Asia and the former Soviet Union states, with 16 in Ukraine alone. Some of these labs have seen large-scale outbreaks of measles and other dangerous infectious diseases, according to media reports.

The international community has frequently expressed concern over US' biological militarization activities in other countries.

In October 2020, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, said that the US research activities in bio-labs in members of the Commonwealth of the Independent States have caused grave concern. The US not only builds bio-labs in these countries, but also tries to do so in other places across the world. However, its research lacks transparency and runs counter to the rules of the international community and international organizations.

Anatoly Tsyganok, a corresponding member of the Russian Academy of Military Sciences and associate professor of Faculty of World Politics at Lomonosov Moscow State University, told the Global Times that biological and bacteriological weapons tests on US territory are prohibited by the US Congress. He said that the US military has been and is still carrying out tests of biological and bacteriological weapons in Georgia.

This is done under the guise of providing sick people with various therapeutic vaccines conducted by the US military and American private contractors at the Richard Lugar Center for Public Health Research, Tsyganok said. Related tests have been exposed by various media outlets.

In December 2015, 30 patients at the research center who were being treated for hepatitis C died. Twenty-four of them died on the same day, and their cause of death was listed as "unknown," according to Tsyganok and Russia news outlet.

Residents of neighborhoods around these labs often complain about health problems.

Bulgarian journalist Dilyana Gaytandzhieva published a story about the Lugar center in early 2018. In her interviews for the report, most residents who lived nearby the labs complained of headaches, nausea and high blood pressure. They also said there was black smoke coming from the lab.

USA Today reported that since 2003, hundreds of incidents involving accidental contact with deadly pathogens occurred in US bio-labs at home and abroad. This may cause the direct contacts to be infected, who can then spread the virus to communities and start an epidemic.

A member of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Armais Kamalov said in an interview with TASS in early June that development of genetically-engineered viruses as biological weapons should be subject to the same worldwide ban as the testing of nuclear weapons. He mentioned US labs in Georgia and Armenia as reference.

"There are a lot of labs, which are bankrolled today by the United States Department of Defense. It's no secret that they are in Georgia, Armenia and other republics. It's surprising that access to such labs is off-limits, and we don't understand what they are doing there," he said.

What had happened in July 2019?

The terrible safety records of American biological labs around the world shows a possibility of a virus escaping from an American lab. Many point to the shutdown of Fort Detrick lab in July 2019.

In July 2019, six months before the US reported its first COVID-19 case, Army laboratory at Fort Detrick that studies deadly infectious material like Ebola and smallpox was shut down after the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention issued a cease-and-desist order. CDC officials refused to release further information after citing "national security reasons."

The USAMRIID in Fort Detrick said in August 2019 that the shutdown was because the center did not have "sufficient systems in place to decontaminate wastewater" from its highest-security labs, the New York Times reported.

What exactly happened at Fort Detrick in the summer of 2019? Some US media previously turned to CDC to get answers, but many key contents in the report had been redacted.

In early June, a Virginia-based Twitter user got the CDC documents on the inspection of the Fort Detrick under The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA). Global Times found that most of the documents were emails between CDC officials at various departments and USAMRIID from 2018 to 2019. Although some of the emails were covered by an ABC-affiliated television station in Washington, the report did not catch much attention.

The emails revealed several violations at the Fort Detrick lab during CDC's inspections in 2019. Four of which were labeled serious violations.

One of these serious violations, the CDC said, was one inspector who entered a room multiple times without the required respiratory protection while other people in that room were performing procedures with a non-human primate on a necropsy table.

This deviation from entity procedures resulted in a respiratory occupational exposure to select agent aerosols, the CDC said.

In another serious violation, the CDC said the USAMRIID had "systematically failed to ensure implementation of biosafety and containment procedures commensurate with the risks associated with working with select agents and toxins."

Other violations included lack of proper waste management where waste wasn't transported in a durable leak proof container, which creates the potential for spills or leaks.

The CDC documents show that it sent a letter of concern to USAMRIID, which resulted in a temporary shutdown of the Fort Detrick lab in 2019.

In an email on July 12, 2019, the CDC said the USAMRIID reported two breaches of containment on July 1 and July 11, 2019, and this demonstrated a "failure of USAMRIID to implement and maintain containment procedures sufficient to contain select agents or toxin generated by BSL-3 and BSL-4 laboratory operations."

"Effective immediately, USAMRIID must cease all work involving select agents and toxins in registered laboratory areas until the root cause investigation has been conducted for each incident and the results have been submitted to FSAP for review," the CDC said.

The FSAP (Federal Select Agent Program) is jointly comprised of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Division of Select Agents and Toxins and the Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service's Division of Agricultural Select Agents and Toxins. The program oversees the possession, use and transfer of biological select agents and toxins, which have the potential to cause a severe threat to the public, animal or plant health or to animal or plant products. Common examples of select agents and toxins include the organisms that cause anthrax, smallpox, and the bubonic plague.

Three days later, the Fort Detrick replied the email by saying that it had submitted messages in response to the immediate action, but the messages were deliberately blotted out.

The message was submitted by a director for Strategic Studies (Countering Weapons of Mass Destruction) at the USAMRIID whose name was also blotted out.

The Fort Detrick's public statement released in August 2019 said the shutdown was due to problems in decontaminating wastewater. But it's not clear whether the statement was consistent with CDC's inspection results.

The management of such high-level labs in general must be very strict with regular inspections. Various systems should be able to ensure that no potential risks can occur, and equipment failure and wastewater leakage certainly should not occur, a Chinese scientist from the WHO-China virus origins tracing team who requested anonymity told the Global Times.

The wastewater problems revealed major loopholes in the management at the Fort Detrick lab, and one has to wonder what else was leaked with the mismanaged wastewater.

"Some highly pathogenic pathogens in the laboratory were likely released. And the US military never told the public about what they were doing," the scientist said.

It is highly likely that researchers at Fort Detrick may have been infected accidentally but showed no obvious symptoms. In this way they could have brought the virus to the outside world, the scientist said.

"Under the circumstances of no obvious symptoms, 9 of the 10 individuals may not have known that they were infected and it's possible that more than 90 percent of the transmission routes had been lost when the virus was finally detected. This is also why the tracing of virus origins is difficult to conduct," he said, noting only serological survey on a large scale could find some of the early infections.

Why not open Fort Detrick lab

Several virologists and analysts interviewed by the Global Times urged the Fort Detrick lab to open its doors for an international investigation, since international experts have already visited the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Many Western politicians and media outlets pinned the blame of the pandemic on Wuhan, saying that Wuhan was where the virus was first detected and where the virus came from despite mounting evidence that it's not the case.

In a recent example in June, a research study run by the National Institutes of Health's All of Us Research Program found evidence of COVID-19 infections in the US as early as December 2019, weeks before the first documented infection in the country.

Wuhan recorded the earliest COVID-19 symptoms from a patient on December 8, 2019.

When asked to give more details on the study, a media person with the All of Us Research Program told the Global Times that the program "has nothing further to add" from the information it had already released.

As for why the virus was first detected in Wuhan, the anonymous scientist said that the virus was difficult to be detected at an early stage, especially in autumn and winter with more cold cases. And it would not attract attention until a large number of people were infected. That's what happened in densely populated Wuhan, the scientist said.

China's public health system is very sensitive especially after the SARS outbreak in 2003, but this is not always the case abroad, especially when the population density is low and the virus does not spread so fast, the expert said.

"The novel coronavirus was first discovered by three Chinese companies at the same time. It is very simple to detect these things, and China has lots of such third-party companies with strong medical detection ability," he said.

Without going back to earlier serum samples elsewhere now, it is going to be difficult to find the source of the virus. The retrospective studies that have been done in China have not found any evidence. It's important for the world to work together now to sort through the evidence and do early serological investigations where necessary, he said.

Zeng Guang, former chief epidemiologist of the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, told the Global Times that laboratory leak is easy to identify, as infections are bound to show signs, whether it is an operational problem or an infection of a lab staff.

The WHO experts assessed the lab-leak hypothesis when they visited Wuhan and found no evidence, and the speculation on its possibility in a Wuhan lab should have ended by now. In the meantime, we should put a question mark on other hypotheses, such as other labs around the world, Zeng said.

Zeng said the US is afraid of WHO's inspection in the same way it was done in China, Zeng said.

The US, the only country obstructing the establishment of a Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) verification mechanism, has systematic problems, Zeng said, adding that the US is afraid that the investigation into its labs would lead to more of its dirt being dug out.

(Web editor: Guo Wenrui, Hongyu)
China warns of human trafficking situation in UK and U.S.

CGTN) 10:08, June 30, 2021

China has called on the international community to monitor human trafficking in the UK and U.S. and push for the problem to be addressed.

Beijing, which has itself been accused of facilitating forced labor in the Xinjiang region, expressed "serious concern" about the situation in America and Britain.

In a statement at the United Nations Human Rights Council, China's representative cited reports that as many as 100,000 individuals a year were trafficked to each country, many of them ending up working in poor conditions in so-called "sweat shops" or as domestic workers.

"China calls on the international community to pay close attention to the human trafficking issues in the U.S. and the UK and help to urge the two countries to take effective measures to tackle the issue," the statement said.

In 2019 more than 4,000 victims and survivors of trafficking contacted a helpline run by the Polaris Project in the U.S., 20 percent up from the previous year.

"Human trafficking is notoriously under-reported," the website notes. "Shocking as these numbers are, they are likely only a fraction of the actual problem."

Demonstrators protest against racial injustice to mark Juneteenth, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, near the White House in Washington, D.C., the US, June 19, 2020. Photo:Xinhua

Earlier this month, leaders of the G7 countries hosted by UK prime minister Boris Johnson, promised to put pressure on China over human rights.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Hongyu)
MWC 21 sizzles with Chinese 5G ware

China Daily) 10:24, June 30, 2021

Aerial photo taken on April 15, 2020 shows people working at the construction site of a 5G base station in Chongqing, southwest China. (Xinhua/Wang Quanchao)

Chinese telecom companies are showcasing their latest 5G technologies at the ongoing Mobile World Congress 2021, a major telecom industry event in Barcelona, Spain, branded as "MWC Barcelona" and "MWC 21".

The three-day event kicked off on Monday amid beefed-up health and safety measures relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a scaled-back attendance.

It is one of the few big trade shows that are aiming for a revival with in-person events this year despite the pandemic fallout, and follows the successful MWC Shanghai 2021 in February.

Yang Jie, chairman of China Mobile, the world's largest telecom operator by mobile subscribers, said in a video speech on Monday that as of May, China boasted nearly 850,000 5G base stations, more than 330 million 5G mobile subscribers, and more than 10,000 innovative 5G industrial application cases.

Yang said 5G applications are shifting from pilot programs to a stage where efforts are needed to scale up the use of the technology.

According to him, China's digital economy accounted for 38.6 percent of GDP in 2020, and the figure is expected to exceed 50 percent by 2025.

At the MWC Barcelona, Chinese telecom gear maker ZTE Corp is showcasing its latest 5G products and technologies, including new solutions around 5G stand-alone network and an all-optical network aiming to build a green, safe and intelligent digital connected network for operators.

Xu Ziyang, CEO of ZTE, said 5G applications, with the large-scale commercial deployments of 5G networks, have entered a period of iterative development. Although challenges like ecosystem construction and business models need to be contended with, the direction of innovation is turning out to be gradually clearer.

"Moreover, we, together with over 90 operators and 500 partners across the globe, have been exploring innovative 5G applications on a wide scope, and extensive use cases in more than 15 sectors were developed with positive outcomes," Xu said.

According to him, the changes brought by 5G and many other new information technologies are taking place in Thailand's factories, Belgium's ports, Austria's farms, and in areas like manufacturing, transportation, power grids and environmental protection facilities in China.

Despite the still raging pandemic, MWC Barcelona attracted 30,000 visitors from 143 countries and regions this year, much smaller than the 100,000-plus crowds seen in past years.

But experts said this year's turnout still signifies an encouraging recovery for the industry that has been hurt badly by COVID-19. Last year, the event was canceled due to the pandemic.

Sihan Bo Chen, China head of the telecom industry association Global System for Mobile Communications Association, said earlier that "5G is shaping the future, and China will continue to be at the forefront of this change".

"Every sector is undergoing deep transformation, and connected progress will stimulate global recovery and help the world overcome the effects of the pandemic," she said.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Hongyu)
Water outage in Metro Manila expected to end as Philippines-China dam project breaks ground

Xinhua) 10:30, June 30, 2021

Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Senior Undersecretary Rafael Yabut (3rd L) and Tan Qingsheng (2nd R), charge d'affaires of the Chinese embassy in the Philippines, attend the groundbreaking ceremony of the Kaliwa Dam project in Rizal Province, the Philippines on June 29, 2021. (Xinhua/Rouelle Umali)

MANILA, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Trina Reyes, 34, who lives in Makati City of Metro Manila, felt joyful as the much-awaited Kaliwa Dam Project broke ground on Tuesday in Rizal province in the Philippines.

For Reyes and the other 13 million Metro Manila residents, unexpected water supply cut-off was their constant headache.

"Life is hard without water because water is everything. We have experienced water shortage, especially during summer, and it is really inconvenient," Reyes, a worker at a call center and a mother of a toddler, told Xinhua.

However, the Kaliwa Dam Project, officially named the New Centennial Water Supply Project on the Kaliwa river, located about 35 km northeast of Metro Manila, would hopefully end Reyes' frequent nightmare of a water outage.

The project, which China Energy Engineering Corporation will construct, would help meet the increasing water demand of Metro Manila by supplying some 600 million liters of water per day. The project is expected to be completed by June 2025.

"Anything that will sustain the water supply in Metro Manila is a welcome development. It feels good to have a steady supply of water in the faucet. The project is a boon to us," said Reyes.

Vince Dizon, Philippine Presidential Adviser on Flagship Programs and Projects, said the commencement of the Kaliwa Dam Project signifies a decades-long dream finally coming true.

He expressed his gratitude to Chinese friends and partners to help turn this dream into reality.

"We can say better late than never. It could not come at a better time when we desperately need an additional water supply for Metro Manila," Dizon added.

Rafael Yabut, Senior Undersecretary of Philippine Department of Public Works and Highways, regarded the Kaliwa Dam Project as one of the flagships of the "Build Build Build" Program under President Rodrigo Duterte's administration.

Yabut said the project will benefit Metro Manila substantially and boost the local economy and livelihood dramatically by creating job opportunities, improving transportation networks, and developing eco-tourism based on preserving the area's beautiful natural environment.

"They're not doing the construction only. (The project) will also help the area. I think this will be a multi-purpose project not only promoting water supply but also, more importantly, the echo-tourism project," Yabut added.

Olivia De Leon, mayor of Morong town where the Kaliwa dam is located, is looking forward to witnessing the project's completion.

"We are looking forward to the success of this big project. Maybe that will be the time when the people, who can have access to safe and clean water, will say that we are the beneficiaries of this dam," De Leon said.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
Communist Party of China has over 95 million members

Xinhua) 11:37, June 30, 2021

Members of the Communist Party of China (CPC) review the oath of the CPC when visiting the site of the Second Plenary Session of the 7th CPC Central Committee in Xibaipo, north China's Hebei Province, June 20, 2019. (Xinhua/Zhu Xudong)

BEIJING, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) has 95.148 million members as of June 5, the Organization Department of the CPC Central Committee announced on Wednesday.

Membership was 3.5 percent up from the figure reported at the end of 2019, and approximately 20 times more than the figure in 1949 when the People's Republic of China (PRC) was founded, the department said in a report ahead of the CPC's centenary on July 1.

In 1921 when it was founded, the CPC had more than 50 members.

Approximately 2.31 million people joined the CPC in the first half of this year, the statement added.

"The continuous increase of members has shown the strong vitality of the Party and the prosperity of the Party's cause," the statement said.

The number of primary-level Party organizations has increased from 195,000 when the PRC was founded to 4.86 million, an increase of about 24 times, according to the statement.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Hongyu)
Chinese researchers study deep-sea life by in-situ experiments

Xinhua) 12:46, June 30, 2021

Photo taken in June, 2021 shows researchers of the Chinese research vessel Kexue (Science) conducting an experiment under the sea. (IOCAS/Handout via Xinhua)

QINGDAO, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese marine scientists aboard a scientific research vessel carried out in-situ experiments in the deep ocean to reveal the adaptation mechanisms of deep-sea life to extreme environments.

The Chinese scientific research vessel Kexue, or Science, returned to Qingdao in east China's Shandong Province recently after conducting sea trials with homegrown equipment, according to the Institute of Oceanology affiliated with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (IOCAS) on Monday.

The IOCAS researcher Wang Minxiao said in previous experiments, deep-sea samples were sent to labs with altered physiological activities due to sudden changes in pressure, temperature and other chemical environments. Scientists were not able to accurately assess actual deep-sea life processes.

Supported by equipment on the research vessel, the IOCAS scientists built an underwater experimental platform on the deep seabed and conducted in-situ experiments, laying a solid basis for revealing the adaptation mechanism of deep-sea life in extreme environments.

In a probe mission, a deep-sea lander continuously detected multiple target objects such as cold seep vent fluid, natural gas hydrate and authigenic carbonate rocks near the vent for a long time. The preliminary results indicate that microorganisms connect with element transformation among the earth's deep lithosphere, hydrosphere near the bottom and dark biosphere.

The data and samples obtained from the experiments will help answer major questions such as the composition of the deep-sea food chain, deep-sea carbon sources and carbon-sink flux, and the origin of life.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
China's top political advisor pledges enhanced China-Laos relations

Xinhua) 12:52, June 30, 2021

Wang Yang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee, meets with president of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, who is also a politburo member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), via video link in Beijing, capital of China, June 29, 2021. (Xinhua/Yan Yan)

BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua) -- China's top political advisor Wang Yang met with Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, president of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) via video link Tuesday, pledging to enhance friendly exchanges between the two sides.

Wang, a member of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China Central Committee and chairman of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC), said that this year marks the 60th anniversary of the establishment of China-Laos ties and China-Laos Friendship Year.

He said the CPPCC is ready to work with the LFNC to deepen exchanges and mutual learning, and will push for further development of China-Laos relations.

Sinlavong, who is also a politburo member of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), warmly congratulated China on the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, spoke highly of China's great achievements, and expressed willingness to continue to deepen cooperation with China in various fields.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
How China's younger generations view Party members

Xinhua) 13:09, June 30, 2021

WUHAN/HOHHOT, June 29 (Xinhua) -- This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). But how do China's younger generations see Party members?

REASSURING, RESPONSIBLE

"Living in China under the leadership of the CPC makes me feel secure. This is my deepest feeling after the COVID-19 epidemic," said Li Jing, a 39-year-old Wuhan local.

Li contracted COVID-19 in 2020. "The city was locked down on Jan. 23 last year and, to be honest, I was very afraid at the time," she said. "But soon, medical personnel were sent from across China to help us, which gave me much reassurance."

"I felt relieved when I was admitted to a makeshift hospital. The Party and the country gave us the confidence and hope to win the battle against the virus," she said.

Li, an illustrator, drew cartoons of the medical staff around her. Her drawings portray health care personnel seeing patients, delivering meals, disinfecting the hospital, performing nucleic acid tests and teaching patients to square dance to help them relax.

Yang Guang, a young deliveryman in Wuhan, thinks the CPC is the embodiment of responsibility.

"I'm from a village in the city of Xiangyang, Hubei Province. During the epidemic, Party members in our village were first responders. They took turns taking temperatures and registering passengers at checkpoints," he recalled.

"It was during the Chinese New Year, and the Party members did a lot of work and hardly rested," he said. "Party members are a group with a strong sense of social responsibility."

SUPPORTER OF CHANGE

Thanks to the CPC, remarkable changes have taken place in the hometown of Hasisarga, a 30-year-old ethnic Mongolian in Saihannur Village, West Ujimqin Banner, Xilingol League, north China's Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region.

"The pastoral areas are vast and remote, so building infrastructure used to take a lot of time. But now, the roads are better and we have easy access to electricity and water. We also have Wi-Fi and 4G internet. It's the best of times," she said.

"These changes have taken place here thanks to the Party's policies on poverty alleviation and rural vitalization," she said.

Hasisarga said cameras have also been installed to help herders keep an eye on their cattle and sheep. Better sheds have been built, which has significantly reduced incidences of frostbite and death in cattle and sheep during adverse weather.

A total of 1,124 people formerly registered as living below the poverty line have been lifted out of poverty in the banner. The average net income of its registered poor people increased to 22,122 yuan (about 3,426 U.S. dollars) last year, up from about 4,050 yuan in 2015.

"We have distinctive foods, beautiful scenery and unique traditions on the grassland, so I make short videos of the magnificent views and our life and share them online," she said.

Xu Xiaomeng traveled more than 850 km to Suzhou City in east China's Jiangsu Province from his hometown in central China's Henan Province 17 years ago. For him, the CPC is like a pilot flying him toward his dream.

"From having to share a room with several workers to owning an apartment, and from being just myself to starting a family, we have now settled down in the city and are leading a happy life," said Xu, 37, head of an art troupe in Suzhou.

Xu established the art troupe in 2010. It is made up of migrant workers in Suzhou and Shanghai. They work during the day and play guitar and sing at night.

The group has released more than 30 songs over the years. The songs are about the changes in their lives and the happiness they feel after becoming city residents is keenly felt.

"These are the results of the CPC's unremitting efforts to deepen reform and opening-up and improve people's livelihoods. We are thankful that the Party and the country have given us, the ordinary people, the opportunity to realize our value and live happy lives," he said.

FAITH IN THE PARTY

"My grandpa's faith in the Party has deeply influenced me," said Wang Linlin, a student at Beijing Foreign Studies University, who wants to become a Party member.

"I grew up under the care of my grandfather, a Party member and a veteran of the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea," she said. "He used to tell me stories about how Party members joined the front line to safeguard peace, risking their own lives," she said.

He told me that my generation was lucky to be born in a time of peace with no worries about food and clothing, she said. "He believed that such good days were brought to us by the Party, and he was very proud of being a CPC member," she added.

"I think it's remarkable that the Party has led the Chinese people to eliminate absolute poverty. Looking at the war that my grandpa saw and the time that we're living in, I'm more than determined to join the Party," she said.

By the end of 2019, there were 22.26 million CPC members aged 35 and under, accounting for 24.2 percent of the total number of CPC members.

Wang thinks that it would be a great honor to become a Party member. "It means joining a group of talented people who have ideals, ambitions and a strong sense of mission, and you should become a more capable person and strive to build a better society," she said.

"In the age of the internet, people are paying attention to the social needs and interests of vulnerable groups. I hope that I can do my part to help more people, to serve them, and make contributions to social development," she said.

(Web editor: Shi Xi, Hongyu)
China's post-gaokao economy boosts tourism, electronics, beauty sector

People's Daily Online) 13:12, June 30, 2021

Tourism, electronic products, the beauty sector and training schools across the country have been seeing their businesses thrive after 10.78 million students took the gaokao, China's national college entrance exam, which ended earlier this month.

After gaokao, students select mobile phones in a shop in Lanzhou, northwest Chinas Gansu province. (Lanzhou Daily/Zhang Dan)

The order volume related to tourist products for college candidates and their peers soared by 78 percent between June 10 and July 30 compared with the same period last year, while hotel orders for this group of consumers increased by more than 30 percent year on year, according to statistics.

Most of the cities where the top 10 domestic popular tourist destinations are located are in northwestern China, explained Feng Rao, head of Chinese tourism website Mafengwo's tourism research center. To attract college candidates, many scenic spots also offer discounted ticket prices.

China's e-commerce platform, Pinduoduo, revealed that following gaokao, sales of mobile phones, computers and other digital products on its platform surged. Of particular note, sales of digital products on the first day of the end of gaokao rose more than 210 percent compared to the previous day.

"Many parents want to reward their children for studying so hard by satisfying their desire for consumption," explained Zhang Zheng, a lawyer with the Tianjin Teda Law firm.

Li Bo, chief director of a beauty salon chain in Beijing, said that more high school students patronized his shop after the gaokao than usual. "Adolescent children are very concerned about their appearance. Now, after the stress of the gaokao, they finally have the time to come here," Li said.

In addition to hairdressing and makeup, recent years have also seen mini-plastic surgeries becoming more popular among college candidates, as they are willing to improve their looks by going under the knife.

Some also focus on obtaining other skills, including driving and programming. "I'm going to learn something about programming during this summer vacation," revealed Shi Mingyang, a college candidate who is not yet sure about what to major in, I've had enough fun. Now I want to learn programming, which will be quite handy in the future."

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
Commentary: People: The ultimate success formula of century-old CPC

Xinhua) 13:16, June 30, 2021

BEIJING, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The root cause and source of the power of a political party that has seen its membership explode from 50-plus individuals to over 95 million lies in its faith and ability to serve the people.

In a world where the crisis of political representation is prompting a populist surge of disgruntlement across the Atlantic, the 100-year-old Communist Party of China (CPC) is upholding its time-honored philosophy of putting the people first, which is the key to both its success and its future.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, said the people are the "supreme and ultimate judge" of the Party's work.

Although political parties vary in their political stances, goals and visions, the performances of all parties can be measured by one universal yardstick -- how effectively they have served the people.

The CPC has not failed the people it represents. The world's largest political party has developed a bond with the Chinese people, a relationship often described as being as inseparable as "fish and water" or "flesh and blood."

Just like Antaeus, the giant in Greek mythology who drew his power from the earth, the CPC has been drawing its inexhaustible strength from the Chinese people.

The Chinese people's support for the CPC stems from its people-centered governing philosophy.

The CPC has no missionary impulse to "conquer the world," as some biased observers have claimed, nor the intention to export its ideology or development model. Its efforts are motivated solely by the betterment of people's lives.

The state is the people, and the people are the state. Standing on the people's side represents the fundamental political stance of the CPC, and it is what distinguishes a Marxist political party from other political parties.

At its conception, the CPC established its original aspiration and mission -- seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. A century on from its founding, the Party's leadership is repeatedly asking all its members to remain true to this principle.

In some Western countries, the ruling parties have been reduced to serving only a few, becoming political organizations "of the 1 percent, by the 1 percent, for the 1 percent." In contrast, the CPC has remained committed to representing the fundamental will of the majority of the people.

Under the leadership of the CPC, China seeks a people-centered modernization that is different from the Western model in which capital is the primary driver and dominant logic. This is best illustrated by China's massive poverty-alleviation campaign and its handling of the COVID-19 epidemic, where such concepts and practices as "No one should be left behind" and "People first, life first" have been demonstrated.

The Chinese people's support for the CPC stems from its uncompromising self-sacrifice.

Born at a time when the Chinese economy -- once the world's largest -- had been crippled by foreign invasions and domestic divisions, the fledgling CPC adopted its stance despite great hardship and danger.

Chinese Communists are willing to sacrifice everything, including their lives, for the interests of the people. Nearly one-quarter of the 171 members and alternate members of the CPC central committees before the founding of New China gave up their lives for the Party's cause, according to a report published by the New China Research think tank affiliated to Xinhua. Data showed that as many as 3.7 million CPC members sacrificed their lives from 1921 to 1949 in striving for the establishment of the people's republic. Many others died anonymously.

This spirit of sacrifice has been carried forth to the present day. Nearly 400 of the over 39 million CPC members and cadres who fought against COVID-19 on the front lines died in the process, according to official numbers.

The Chinese people's support for the CPC stems from their experience of its good governance.

In the early 20th century, revolutions, restorations and warlordism failed to change China's fate because of the absence of participation by the Chinese people. Rising from the chaos, the CPC gained in popularity among the people as it led the country toward national independence and the end of the "Century of Humiliation."

Over the past decades, the CPC has made clear its commitment to its original aspiration and mission by championing the Chinese miracles of economic takeoff and long-term social stability, leading the world's most populous country to stand up, grow rich and become strong.

Fully aware that poverty is incompatible with socialism, the CPC led the Chinese people to initiate reform and opening up, which have changed the fate of the Chinese nation and had profound global implications.

Upholding a people-centered approach, the CPC has transformed China from a country where almost half of the population had to worry about where their next meal would come from into the world's second-largest economy, where every life is equally treasured. From 1949 to 2019, China's per capita disposable income grew at an average annual rate of 6.1 percent in real terms.

The CPC believes in pooling people's wisdom and power. It is the people's support that has helped the world's largest Marxist ruling party to keep endeavoring and improving.

In the 1930s, Edgar Snow visited Yan'an, the then center of the Chinese Communist revolution, where he found a "rock-like solidarity" among the people of the region led by the CPC.

The people-Party unity observed by the American journalist has proven unbreakable. Decades ago, people volunteered to provide food to the revolutionary soldiers and even dismantled their own wooden doors to make stretchers for the troops. Today, they actively respond to the call of the Party and the government to quarantine and vaccinate themselves to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The CPC reviews its history and achievements not to revel in its success but for the purpose of summing up its experience and giving itself the power and courage to move forward and better serve the people.

The Party knows that the biggest risk it faces lies in becoming disconnected and detached from the people. That's why it spares no effort to maintain its close ties with the masses.

(Web editor: Zhong Wenxing, Hongyu)
The most significant achievement of CPC is the public trust: Pakistani expert

People's Daily Online) 17:30, June 30, 2021

A Pakistani expert has expressed his best wishes to the Chinese government and people as the country celebrates the centenary of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

Fireworks are seen above the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, on the evening of June 28, 2021. An art performance titled "The Great Journey" was held in Beijing on Monday evening in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

The most significant achievement of the CPC is the public trust, Zamir Ahmed Awan, a senior fellow with the Center for China and Globalization (CCG) and a sinologist at the National University of Sciences and Technology in Pakistan, told Peoples Daily Online, adding that the CPC earned that trust by devoting itself to the public and looking after the interests and welfare of the people, which was particularly well demonstrated during the outbreak of COVID-19.

Having studied in China in the 1980s and served as a diplomat in the Pakistan Embassy in Beijing from 2010 to 2016, he had frequent interactions with Chinese officials and the public, including party members. In his opinion, most Party members are competent, well-trained problem solvers.

Awan hailed the CPCs role in leading the country towards prosperity. He said that after the reforms and opening up in 1978, the CPC led the country to emerge as the worlds second largest economy in just four decades, and the elimination of absolute poverty and establishment of a moderately prosperous society in all respects can also be credited to the CPC.

(Web editor: Hongyu, Du Mingming)
Scholar explains why China deeply misunderstood: media

Xinhua) 18:37, June 30, 2021

Aerial photo taken on June 28, 2021 shows the Yunwu Bridge of the Duyun-Anshun expressway in southwest China's Guizhou Province. (Xinhua/Tao Liang)

Far too many China "experts" have put focus on changing the country instead of understanding how it works and why it succeeds, said David Dodwell, executive director of the Hong Kong-APEC Trade Policy Study Group.

HONG KONG, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The reason why China has been deeply misunderstood by some observers is that they have tried to change the country rather than to truly know it, especially its lower-level and inland policies, the South China Morning Post recently reported.

In an opinion published Monday on the newspaper, David Dodwell, executive director of the Hong Kong-APEC Trade Policy Study Group, a think tank, said focusing too much on China's megacities can blind observers to the policy experimentation done at lower levels and in the country's interior.

Describing China as a "fiercely diverse" country, Dodwell said that "the Beijing-centricity of most analysis" is the first major reason behind misconception.

The second reason is that far too many China "experts," he said, have put focus on changing the country instead of understanding how it works and why it succeeds.

Most foreigners in China lived along what he called "the thin red line" -- traveling between Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou -- largely ignorant of the size and diversity of life in China's provinces.

Aerial photo taken on June 14, 2020 shows a relocated area by the Gaqu River in Chido Township of Dengqen County in Qamdo, southwest China's Tibet Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Tian Jinwen)

They talked of China as if it could be compared with Canada or Germany, which had economies more comparable in size to Chinese provinces, Dodwell said.

Dodwell noted that those who want to understand China need to acknowledge that Chinese culture and traditions are different and will remain so, and that the thinking of a single homogenized model applying worldwide is unhelpful.

China has developed a distinct model in an effort to lift their people out of poverty and push for a broader prosperity, he said, adding that it is for their own good of Western governments to learn from the strengths of such a model.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Hongyu)
China's UN envoy calls for 'equal footing' in cyberspace

China Daily) 20:06, June 30, 2021

Countries should be able to pursue their own path of internet development without "hegemonism, unilateralism and protectionism" and participate in cyberspace governance on an "equal footing", China's ambassador to the United Nations said on Tuesday.

"It is essential to respect the rights of all countries to independently choose the path of internet development and internet management model, and to participate in the governance of cyberspace on an equal footing. The application of the law of armed conflict in cyberspace should be dealt with cautiously, and arms races in cyberspace should be prevented," Zhang Jun, China's permanent representative to the UN, told a Security Council high-level open debate on cybersecurity.

"We should promote security through the maintenance of peace and prevent cyberspace from becoming a new battlefield," he said.

Countries not only enjoy shared opportunities and common interests in cyberspace, but also face common challenges and assume shared responsibilities, the envoy pointed out.

Nations are increasingly becoming a shared community through weal and woe. They should work together in a joint effort to protect cybersecurity and maintain international peace, Zhang said.

The ambassador stressed that the international community should abide by the purposes and principles of the UN Charter, in particular "the principles of sovereign equality, prohibition of the use of force, non-interference in internal affairs, and peaceful settlement of disputes".

The ambassador underscored the importance of promoting security through exchanges and cooperation and creating a favorable environment for cyberspace.

"Hegemonism, unilateralism and protectionism in cyberspace will only intensify confrontations and poison the atmosphere of cooperation, which should be rejected and opposed jointly by the international community," he said.

The envoy stressed that security should be promoted through improved governance and promote fairness and justice in cyberspace.

All countries should uphold effective multilateralism, establish an open, inclusive and sustainable cyber security governance process under the framework of the UN, Zhang said.

The process should be established with the equal participation of all, formulate international rules for cyberspace that are generally accepted by all countries, and oppose small circles and group politics, Zhang said.

"China expects the new Open-ended Working Group on cybersecurity to make new contributions to maintaining cybersecurity. We stand ready to work with all parties in promoting, under the UN framework, the development of an international convention against cybercrime," the envoy added.

Zhang emphasized that inclusive development and achieve shared prosperity in cyberspace is necessary to promote security.

More proactive, inclusive and coordinated policies to promote balanced development of information and communication technology (ICTs) should be adopted on a global scale, Zhang said.

All countries should vigorously develop new models and new formats such as the digital economy and oppose technological hegemony, he said.

"We should advance the development of digital infrastructure and connectivity, break down information barriers, bridge digital divides, and help developing countries become more digital, connected and intelligent, with a view to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development," Zhang added.

Last year, China put forward the Global Data Security Initiative, focusing on major issues such as critical infrastructure and personal information protection, corporate data storage and retrieval overseas, and supply chain security, which provided a constructive solution for maintaining global data and internet security, the envoy pointed out.

"China is also actively advancing the development of the digital Silk Road initiative and is working with other countries to build a new landscape that is future-oriented, intelligent and interconnected," he said.

The ambassador emphasized that cyberspace embodies the dream of the humanity and bears on people's well-being, peace and security.

"China stands ready to work with all countries to seize the opportunity of the information revolution, foster new momentum of innovation and development, create a new landscape of digital cooperation and cybersecurity, build a community with a shared future in cyberspace, and work together to create a better future for humanity," he said.

(Web editor: Xian Jiangnan, Hongyu)
Sometimes, you need to go no further than your own doorstep to see landscapes of breathtaking beauty and find activities that take you out of your daily routine. For me, this meant a trip to Bern, one of Switzerlands 26 cantons, with the help of Made in Bern, the organisation that promotes tourism in the area. I travelled to the Bernese Oberland and, specifically, Thun-Interlaken-Brienz, a region of forests, mountains and glacier lakes in the centre of Switzerland. The Bernese Oberland is the cantons most elevated region, making it the ideal base for all kinds of excursions.

LakeThoune and Schadau Castle  WorldTempus/Jordy Bellido

Lake Brienz  WorldTempus/Jordy Bellido

On good authority

Before setting out on my adventure, I asked Bucherer to recommend a reasonably priced watch that would be tough enough to wear for a weekend in the great outdoors. Having considered the various suggestions, I chose the Tudor Black Bay Ceramic. Antonio Teixeira, director of the Bucherer store on Rue du Rhone in Geneva, described it to me as a contemporary design and, at under CHF 5,000, excellent value for an in-house movement. Thanks to its great expertise in the watchmaking field, which comes from the various partners with which it collaborates and its almost 150 years of existence, Bucherer was able to give me detailed and precise advice on the product I was looking for.

Tudor Black Bay Ceramic  WorldTempus/Jordy Bellido

Tudor Black Bay Ceramic  WorldTempus/Jordy Bellido

Tudor Black Bay Ceramic

Price isnt the only thing the Black Bay Ceramic has going for it (CHF 4,500). The 41mm case in matte black ceramic gives the watch a strong personality but stays on the right side of showy. The bevelled edges are a particularly nice touch as they create contrasting textures as well as a play of light and shade that add to the watchs character.

Tudor Black Bay Ceramic  WorldTempus/Leana Carlesimo

Hidden under the black dial but visible through the sapphire back, the Black Bay Ceramics in-house movement delivers 70 hours of power reserve. Ideal for spending three days in the Bernese Oberland without having to worry about keeping the movement wound.

Tudor Black Bay Ceramic  WorldTempus/Jordy Bellido

Whether you choose the leather and rubber strap with folding clasp for a dressier look, or the more casual fabric strap with pin buckle is up to you. As I was planning a fairly sporty weekend, I opted for the fabric strap. A wise choice, as it happened, because it didnt make me sweat  not the sexiest of comments, granted, but a real benefit, nonetheless. The cream stripe running down the centre of the strap adds presence and also makes it stand out against the case.

Tudor Black Bay Ceramic  WorldTempus/Jordy Bellido

A breath of fresh air

There is certainly no shortage of things to do in the Haslital valley, one of the Alps largest. Stop off in the charming village of Meiringen, a favourite haunt of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle and his famous fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes, on your way to Gelmerbahn, where adrenalin junkies can board Europes steepest funicular which pitches at 106% as it climbs 1,500 vertical feet. If you dont have a head for heights, keep your eyes closed for the ten-minute ride. Youll be rewarded by the spectacular Gelmersee (Lake Gelmer) and the view of the surrounding mountains at 1,860 metres altitude. If youre as lucky as I was, therell be snow on the peaks and the lake will still have its icy blanket  more Arctic than Alpine. The Black Bay Ceramics snowflake hands fit perfectly into this wintery backdrop. If the funicular wasnt heart-pounding enough, you can also walk across the Handeckfall suspension bridge that rises 70 metres above the canyon floor. Guaranteed goosebumps, especially when theres a gust of wind!

Gelmerbahn  WorldTempus/Jordy Bellido

Gelmersee  WorldTempus/Jordy Bellido

Water, water, everywhere

If heights are not your forte, you can follow the 1.4-km walkway through the Aare Gorge. The sound of rushing water will take your mind off the fact the canyon walls are only a metre apart at certain points. Part of the trail is by way of tunnels through the rock. Choose your travel companion well and let the Super-Luminova hands and hour markers on the Tudor Black Bay Ceramic light the way.

Aare gorge  WorldTempus/Jordy Bellido

Follow the river Aare and it will bring you to Brienzersee (Lake Brienz). Theres plenty to do on the water here, including kayaking. Capsizing isnt a worry when, like mine, your watch is water-resistant to 200 metres. And no I didnt capsize, before you ask, although someone in my group did. We set out at 8am, and while the prospect of getting up early on a Sunday didnt enchant me at first, the experience of paddling through cool waters on a warm, sunny morning made the experience all the more enjoyable.

Jordy sur son kayak  Hightide Kayak School/Ben

If you prefer a more stable vessel, a paddle steamer will ferry you across Lake Brienz to the Grandhotel Giessbach. The hotel, a Belle Epoque beauty that reopened in 1984, couldnt be more perfectly located, above the lake by the thundering Giessbach Falls. Watch the sun sink into the water from the terrace while sipping a speciality cold tea. As befits such an exceptional location, all the paintings that hang inside the hotel are from the Bern Fine Arts Museum.

Grandhotel Giessbach  WorldTempus/Jordy Bellido

West of Interlaken, Thunersee (Lake Thun) also offers numerous sport and leisure opportunities. These include a dinner cruise, setting sail from Interlaken and arriving at Thun, from where youll be treated to a superb view of the Eiger, Monch and Jungfrau, one of the most dramatic mountain groups in Switzerland.

With so much happening on the water during these three days, the Black Bay Ceramic dive watch with unidirectional rotating bezel and screw-down crown couldnt have been a better choice.

Tudor Black Bay Ceramic  WorldTempus/Jordy Bellido

About the trip

Jordy visited the Bernese Oberland. He stayed at the Alpbach Hotel in Meiringen and the Boutique Hotel Bellevue in Interlaken. For information on what to see and do in the region, go to www.madeinbern.ch.

More about the Tudor Black Bay [[Ceramic]]

- In-house automatic MT5602-1U calibre

- Swiss-made

- COSC-certified

- The first Tudor watch to obtain Master [[Chronometer]] certification from the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS), it resists magnetic fields of up to 15,000 gauss.
Taking the train to the city of Aarau, my first order of business was to unpack my travel partner, the Doxa Sub 200 C-Graph with its summery turquoise dial and matching rubber strap. I smile as I remembered the brands slogan Your call to adventure, it seems like the two of us are going to have a lot of fun.

Stadtmuseum and medieval tower  WorldTempus/Sophie Furley

Summer in the City of Aarau

Arriving in the historic city of Aarau, the capital of the canton of Argovie, we are treated to a tour by a historian who takes us around the old town that still has several medieval buildings dating back to the 13th century. We also discover that for a short time  five months to be precise  Aarau was once the capital of Switzerland and the federal government building still stands majestically even if it is now used as an exhibition space.

Federal government building and City of Aarau  WorldTempus/Sophie Furley

The Largest Collection of Swiss Art

After a copious lunch of Swiss German specialties at the Restaurant Murset, we head for the Aargauer Kunsthaus and the countrys largest collection of Swiss art. Housed in an impressive building that was built in 1959 and was extended by internationally renowned architects Herzog & de Meuron and the artist Remy Zaugg in 2003, the building is as equally impressive as its contents.

Aargauer Kunsthaus  WorldTempus/Sophie Furley

The museum has an important permanent collection of works of art and is currently showing a temporary exhibit of Swiss Sculpture since 1945, along with special focuses on artists Sophie Taeuber-Arp and Markus Raetz, which are definitely worth the detour.

Getting lost along the River Aar

The following morning, I decided to go for a quick run along the River Aar to compensate for all the delightful food I had been tasting. Strapping on the Doxa Sub 200 C-Graph, I started the chronograph as I set out. The sun had just come up and the paths were empty as it was still a little early for the dog-walking crowd.

Running  WorldTempus/Sophie Furley

Not really paying attention to where I was going, I branched off down one of the rivers tributaries and then crossed over a bridge to the other side. A couple of kilometres on, I looked down at the Doxa and noticed that I had been running for 25 minutes, so I decided to turn around and head back to the hotel. A little while later, I took a second glance at the Sub 200, noticing that the dial was now indicating an elapsed time of 50 minutes. I stopped and spent a moment admiring the highly legible dial with its luminescent markers when something suddenly caught my attention, the river was running in the wrong direction. Panicked, I pulled out my phone and open Google Maps, only to find that I was 1h30 away from the hotel! Luckily, this was a walking speed calculation, so running back in race-pace mode, I made it just in time to grab a croissant and make the lobby rendez-vous, albeit a little red in the face!

River Dinghy Trip down the River Aar  WorldTempus/Sophie Furley

A Surprise Encounter in a Military Dinghy

Our next excursion was a river experience in a dinghy with Flussfahrten-Aargau who took us down the River Aar in an old military inflatable craft. I was quite relieved it wasnt a full-on kayaking experience as I had done my fair share of sport for the day. But the river did pick up speed in certain places and we had to paddle hard to help steer the boat in the right direction, but it made the experience all the more fun.

Doxa Sub 200 C-Graph  WorldTempus/Sophie Furley

Around 11am, we stopped for a glass of rose on the banks of the river where I took the opportunity to take a few pictures of the Doxa. I suddenly noticed that our captain was wearing an orange t-shirt with blue shorts. He couldnt have been more Doxa-colour-coordinated if he had tried! I asked him kindly if he would mind modeling the Doxa for me so I could get some pictures on the wrist, when he looked at me exclaming: This is a Doxa! Before I could confirm, he ran over to his father, with whom he runs the company, and grabbed his wrist.

Two Doxas  WorldTempus/Sophie Furley

After a lot of excited discussion in Swiss German (of which I understood nothing), it finally transpired that the captains father was also wearing a Doxa. And this was not any old Doxa, this was a military edition from 1969 that was given to him when he was a recruit with the Swiss Nageur de Combat unit (the Swiss equivalent of the US Navy Seals). And if this wasnt enough excitement for me, he told me that he had never taken it off and it was still working famously! We returned to shore and swapped details so I could interview him properly at a later date (stay tuned for a full report in the not-too-distant future).

Doxa 2021 and Doxa 1969  WorldTempus/Sophie Furley

Going Back in Time

No weekend adventure in Switzerland would be complete without a visit to one of the countrys 500 castles. So from the village of Lenzburg we started the ascent to Lenzburg Castle, one of the oldest and most significant hilltop castles with over 1000 years of living history. After a fascinating tour of the different buildings, we were invited to a medieval cooking class where we reproduced a recipe of egg and parsley fritters from the Middle Ages, cooked them over an open fire, and ate them all. Exploring Argovie makes you hungry!

Lenzburg Castle  WorldTempus/Sophie Furley

The Baths in Baden

The last destination on our Argovie tour was a visit to the city of Baden, where we discovered yet another delightful historic old town where the names of the families and the dates of the houses are painted on the outside of the buildings, reminding the inhabitants of all the generations that have lived before them. We didnt have time to partake of the full thermal bath experience, but we did dip our feet in one of the outdoor foot spas, which was delightful after all the walking, running, and climbing. I glanced down at the Doxa for the last time, washed its strap in the therapeutic thermal waters, and placed it back in its box. I wonder where its adventures will take it!

Baden: View of the city  WorldTempus/Sophie Furley

All the details

Sophie stayed at the Hotel Kettenbrucke in Aarau  hotelkettenbrueke.ch  and at the Blue City Hotel in Baden - bluecityhotel.ch. She ate at the Restaurant Murset in Aarau, the Landgasthof zu den drei Sternen in Brunegg, and the Restaurant Grand Casino Baden. For the activities: see aargauerkunsthaus.ch for the art museum and flussfahrten-aargau.ch for the river dinghy trips. For those of you interested in the watch: doxawatches.com.
Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, meets with outstanding Party secretaries of county-level CPC committees selected from across the country in Beijing, capital of China, June 29, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, met in Beijing with outstanding Party secretaries of county-level CPC committees selected from across China Tuesday morning.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, extended greetings and congratulations to the awardees and took group photos with them.

Also present were Ding Xuexiang, director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee, and Chen Xi, head of the CPC Central Committee's Organization Department, both of whom are members of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee.

Approved by the CPC Central Committee, 103 county-level Party secretaries were awarded for remarkable achievements on their posts.

Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, meets with outstanding Party secretaries of county-level CPC committees selected from across the country in Beijing, capital of China, June 29, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)

Chen Xi, head of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee's Organization Department, also a member of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, attends a meeting to award outstanding Party secretaries of county-level CPC committees selected from across China in Beijing, capital of China, June 29, 2021. (Xinhua/Zhang Ling)
Photo taken on June 24, 2021 shows volunteers pay a visit to Party members in difficulty. A Party branch in Xiejiaji district, Huainan city, Anhui province and Party member volunteers from local enterprises visited veteran Party members to offer consolation money and sincere wishes to them. (Photo by Qin Long & Su Qiang/Huainan Daily)

(By Yang Zixuan)


Afghan analyst describes U.S. forces pullout as "hasty and irresponsible" that encourages Taliban to step up attacks

EditorWang Xinjuan Time2021-06-29 15:47:38

Afghan security force members stand at a security checkpoint in Spin Boldak district of southern Kandahar province, Afghanistan, June 26, 2021. (Photo by Sanaullah Seiam/Xinhua)

KABUL, June 25 (Xinhua) -- An Afghan political analyst has described the U.S. forces withdrawal from Afghanistan as "hasty and irresponsible" that encouraged the Taliban militants to step up activities in the militancy-battered country.

"Utterly, the U.S. forces hasty pullout is irresponsible. The hasty and irresponsible pullout of troops has encouraged the Taliban group to step up attacks elsewhere in the country and have captured several districts," Hamidullah Arefi, an observer and editor-in-chief of the state-run English newspaper The Kabul Times, told Xinhua on Friday.

On the excuse of fighting terrorism, the U.S. and allied nations invaded Afghanistan 20 years ago to smash the Taliban, al-Qaida and associated groups but failed to achieve the mission, Arefi noted.

Neither Taliban nor al-Qaida network has been diminished, the analyst said.

A number of radical groups including the Taliban and al-Qaida outfit have existed in the presence of the U.S.-led troops in Afghanistan over the past 20 years.

Arefi made the remarks amid the visit of Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani to Washington.

Heading a high-ranking delegation, President Ghani would be meeting his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden on Friday to discuss matters pertaining mutual interests including Afghanistan's political and military situation after the forces pullout and the intra-Afghan peace process.

Since the start of the U.S.-led forces' pullout from Afghanistan on May 1, the Taliban has intensified activities and according to its spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid the group has overrun more than 70 districts.
German soldiers unload an NH90 transport helicopter from a military transport plane that arrived from Afghanistan at Leipzig Airport, Germany, May 18, 2021. /Getty

The German military late on Tuesday concluded its withdrawal from Afghanistan after almost two decades, finishing Germany's deadliest military mission since World War II.

"Our last troops left Afghanistan tonight after almost 20 years and are on their way home," German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said in a statement. "This is the end of a historic chapter, of an intensive mission which has tested the Bundeswehr (Germany's armed forces) and in which the Bundeswehr has proven itself in combat."

The last of the troops were airlifted out of their base at Mazar-i-Sharif in northern Afghanistan on two German A400 Ms and two U.S. C17s.

U.S. President Joe Biden and NATO announced in mid-April that they would pull out the roughly 10,000 foreign troops still in Afghanistan at the time by September 11, the 20th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center in New York that prompted the mission. Germany's Defense Ministry had announced it planned to pull out its troops by early July.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel visits the German troops base Camp Marmal in Mazar-i-Sharif, Afghanistan, March 12, 2012. /Getty

Germany had the second largest contingent of troops after the United States in Afghanistan, with around 150,000 soldiers deployed over the past two decades. Fifty-nine German soldiers died in Afghanistan, 35 of them killed in combat or as a result of militant attacks.

Britain, Italy and Turkey also have a significant military presence in Afghanistan. Smaller contributors to the force, such as Denmark, Estonia and Spain, have already pulled out their troops.

The security situation in Afghanistan has been deteriorating for several weeks. Fighting has surged since early May when the U.S. military began its final withdrawal of troops, with the Taliban claiming to have recently captured more than 100 of the over 400 districts across Afghanistan.

In early June, China, Afghanistan and Pakistan called for a responsible and orderly withdrawal of foreign troops from Afghanistan to avoid a deterioration in the security situation in the region or giving terrorist forces an opportunity to thrive.

(With input from Reuters, AFP)
By Mao Junxiang

At the ongoing 47th session of the UN Human Rights Council (UN HRC), some western countries have been spreading disinformation and lies about China to achieve their sinister political goal of suppressing China's growth.

The United Nations Commission on Human Rights, the predecessor of UN HRC, had an infamous history of politicizing human rights issues. It was exactly the western countries' blatant practice of political confrontation and double standards in the commission that cost it its political credibility.

Thanks to the united efforts of the international community, especially under the call of developing countries, the UN General Assembly adopted the Resolution 60/251 in March 2006 to form the UN HRC, which was tasked with improving the work of the UN human rights mechanism, overcoming the deficiencies of the Commission on Human Rights, and eliminating double standards and politicization.

However, what certain western countries have said and done at the HRC in the past decade have deviated far from the principles and spirit established by Resolution 60/251. They stir up political confrontation under the disguise of promoting and protecting human rights, which is most keenly reflected in their practice of presumption of guilt when smearing the human rights situation in Chinas Xinjiang, a move thats completely against the principles of justice and impartiality underscored by the resolution. The so-called human rights issue in Xinjiang is a pseudo-proposition created out of thin air by certain western countries and non-governmental organizations, and they use it to practice the presumption of guilt on China and demand unlimited access to Xinjiang for field investigation. How ridiculous!

These western countries also practice double standards against the resolutions principle of non-selectivity. They are usually blind to their own defects, as well illustrated by Canadas attitude toward its genocide of the aboriginal people. In the meantime, they are extremely keen on concerning themselves with human rights issues in developing countries, but are mute, deaf and blind to their allies human rights violations. The British army killed and tortured civilians in cold blood in Iraq and Afghanistan. Since 2001, the US has carried out so-called anti-terrorism operations in more than 80 countries worldwide, and its violence of war is directly responsible for the death of over 800,000 people, including about 335,000 civilians, and for the homelessness of tens of millions. But none of the human rights guardians in the West has ever expressed any concern about that, much less imposing sanctions.

Instead of learning a lesson from the UN Commission on Human Rights, certain western countries have gone from bad to worse in their practice of political confrontation and double standards on human rights issues, and are back-pedaling at the HRC now. The world must be warned that with their repeat of old tricks and action against the historical trend, these countries are a negative force at the UN HRC and in the international human rights cause, which is bound to create many obstacles to the prospects of international human rights development. If the HRC gives free rein to the politicization of human rights issues, its credibility will be damaged again, and that will encumber the future of international human rights cause in the long term.

But the Chinese people have become indifferent to such jarring noises, partly because of our understanding of the history and future of Chinas development, and partly because of our confidence in the Chinese path and system. That certain western countries are sparing no effort in smearing China cannot stop our firm steps forward; rather, that will only open the eyes of more Chinese to the hypocrisy of the Wests human rights diplomacy. Come what may  smearing or slandering, sanctioning or suppressing  China will stay its course with its head high because we know clouds will be blown away and noises will eventually subside into oblivion.

(The author is executive director and professor of the Human Rights Center, Central South University)

Editor's note: This article is originally published on haiwainet.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.
China's Foreign Ministry on Wednesday voiced support for a resolution adopted by the parliament of the Republic of Korea (ROK) condemning Japan's plan to dump contaminated water from its Fukushima nuclear plant into the sea.

"We support the ROK's just position," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin told a regular press briefing, calling for a withdrawal of Japan's decision.

Wang said Japan should return to the right track of full consultation with all stakeholders of the international community and the International Atomic Energy Agency on the matter.

"We are once again telling the Japanese side that the disposal of nuclear-contaminated water is a matter of life and health for the Japanese people and the people of the world, as well as a matter of global marine ecological and environmental safety," Wang said.

He also condemned the Japanese government for inaction over the two months after the dump plan was officially announced in April.
Security Council renews mandate of UN mission in Mali

EditorWang Xinjuan Time2021-06-30 15:28:40

Photo taken on June 29, 2021 shows a UN Security Council meeting on the situation in Mali at the UN headquarters in New York. The Security Council on Tuesday decided to renew the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) until June 30, 2022, and to task the mission with supporting the country's political transition ahead of presidential and legislative elections slated for Feb. 27, 2022. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Tuesday decided to renew the mandate of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) until June 30, 2022, and to task the mission with supporting the country's political transition ahead of presidential and legislative elections slated for Feb. 27, 2022.

Unanimously adopting Resolution 2584, the 15-member organ called on all Malian stakeholders to facilitate the full realization of the political transition and handover of power to elected civilian authorities within the 18-month transition period, as decided during the Sept. 15, 2020 meeting of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

By other terms, the Council called on all parties in Mali to strictly abide by the arrangements in place for a cessation of hostilities and demanded that all armed groups cut all ties with terrorist organizations and transnational organized crime. They must also end the recruitment and use of child soldiers and cease any activities hampering the return of State authority and basic social services.

Further, the Council called for the inclusion within national and regional strategies of programs that address the stigma of sexual and gender-based violence, bring justice to victims and survivors, and support their reintegration into their communities.

In addition to extending MINUSMA's mandate, the Council decided that the mission shall continue to comprise up to 13,289 military and 1,920 police personnel.

Highlighting the growing insecurity and physical violence against civilians in central Mali, the Council also requested that the secretary-general provide recommendations on the force levels and ceiling of MINUSMA's uniformed personnel no later than July 15, 2021 in order to facilitate its future discussions.
South Korean military authorities are trying to figure out how to respond to a three-day test of North Korea's new multiple rocket launchers.

The new MRLs are deemed to be more formidable and have a longer range than the 240-mm MRLs currently aimed at the Seoul area.

With an estimated range of 180 to 200 km, the new MRLs could strike South Korean military headquarters at Gyeryongdae in South Chungcheong Province and U.S. bases in Pyeongtaek and Osan, both in Gyeonggi Province.

The South Korean military is especially worried that they could be set up in caves in the frontline area near the demilitarized zone.

Out in the open, MRLs can be easily destroyed with bombs or missiles once their location is identified, but if they are wheeled out of caves and pulled back in, as North Korea does with its artillery batteries, that becomes much more difficult.

Some military experts are calling for better precision strike weapons. South Korea is seeking to procure short-range ground-to-ground missiles with a range of 100 km, next-generation precision MRLs with a guided system and the Joint Direct Attack Munition or JDAM, as well as GPS-guided bombs that can be carried by fighter jets.

But some experts stress the need for better intercept weapons instead, since MRLs are difficult to locate in advance. These could be missiles like Israel's Iron Dome defense system; American anti-aircraft guns, including the Centurion; and U.S. directed-energy weapons such as the Tactical High Energy Laser.


The official offered details to reporters of how the man had plotted to steal the two paintings -- Picasso's 1939 "Woman's Head" and Mondrian's 1905 "Stammer Mill with Summer House."

During a news briefing in Athens Tuesday, a spokesman said police acted on a tip and arrested a 49-year-old handyman who confessed to the crime. Police had originally believed the burglary had been the work of two people.

Officials in Greece say they have recovered two priceless paintings -- one by Pablo Picasso and another by Dutch artist Piet Mondrian -- stolen from the National Gallery in Athens in 2012.

He said the thief broke into the museum in the early morning hours, and, to mislead the guard on duty, had activated the alarm in one part of the gallery while he broke into another.

He added the thief had originally hidden the paintings in his home but later wrapped them and hid them in a ravine in the town of Keratea, about 20 km from Athens. They were recovered there Monday in good condition.

Speaking at the same news conference, Greek Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said it was a day full of joy and emotion. She explained the Picasso painting is of special value to the Greek people because the painter personally dedicated it to them for their struggle against fascist and Nazi occupying forces during World War II.

She said the painting bears his hand-written dedication. "That is why it was impossible for this painting not only to be sold but even to be exhibited anywhere as it would be immediately identifiable as being stolen from the National Gallery."

The Mondrian painting was a gift to the National Gallery by a Greek owner. Both paintings will be displayed at the gallery later this year when it reopens following extensive renovations.


Health officials are now offering the AstraZeneca vaccine to all adults under 60 years of age, lifting a restriction imposed due to concerns of a rare blood clotting condition that has been blamed for at least one death. Adults under the age of 60 had only been able to receive the two-shot Pfizer vaccine, which is in far less supply than the AstraZeneca shot.

Australia has been largely successful in containing the spread of COVID-19 due to aggressive lockdown efforts, posting just 30,560 total confirmed cases and 910 deaths, according to Johns Hopkins Coronavirus Resource Center. But it has proved vulnerable to fresh outbreaks due to a slow rollout of its vaccination campaign and confusing requirements involving the two-shot AstraZeneca vaccine, which is the dominant vaccine in its stockpile.

At least 150 newly confirmed coronavirus cases across Australia have been traced to a Sydney airport limousine driver who had been transporting international air crews.

Authorities in the eastern state of Queensland imposed a three-day lockdown for the capital, Brisbane, and other neighboring regions that took effect Tuesday evening, while in Western Australian state, the capital Perth entered a four-day lockdown. The cities of Darwin, the capital of Northern Territory state, and Sydney in New South Wales state are already under lengthy lockdowns.

The number of major Australian cities heading into lockdown due to the growing presence of the highly infectious delta variant of COVID-19 has risen to four.

 Delta Variant Gains Ground

The delta variant of COVID-19, which was first detected in India, has now been identified in more than 80 countries and continues to spread rapidly across the globe. Portugal, Spain and Hong Kong have announced new restrictions on travelers from Britain, where nearly 95 percent of its COVID-19 cases are of the delta variant.

The United States on Monday raised its travel advisories to Liberia, Uganda, Mozambique and Zambia and United Arab Emirates to Level 4 -- "Do not travel" -- due to their increasing rates of COVID-19 infections.

Bangladesh is preparing to impose a strict one-week lockdown due to a wave of new COVID-19 infections. The government announced Monday that soldiers, police and border guards will be deployed to enforce the lockdown, which takes effect Thursday and mandates that most of its 168 million residents remain indoors, except for those who work in Bangladesh's critical garment industry or other essential services. Tens of thousands of migrant workers are scrambling to evacuate the capital, Dhaka, before the lockdown goes into effect.

The country reported a record-high 119 coronavirus related deaths on Monday.

 COVID-19 Vaccine Updates

A handful of new studies is providing welcome news in the fight against COVID-19. A new study conducted by scientists at Oxford University suggests that mixing the Pfizer and AstraZeneca vaccines in a two-shot regimen will provide a higher level of immunity against the disease than both doses of AstraZeneca, regardless of the order they were given.

A separate Oxford study shows a third dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine produced a strong immune response. The vaccine, which was developed jointly by AstraZeneca and Oxford, is given as two doses between four and 12 weeks apart. The study involved 90 volunteers in Britain who received a third dose of AstraZeneca after participating in the initial clinical trial last year.

Meanwhile, researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis said Monday in a study published in the journal Nature that the COVID-19 vaccines developed by Pfizer and Moderna may protect a person against the disease for years. The study suggests that people who received either of the vaccines, which were developed through the messenger RNA technology, may not have to receive a booster shot.

Dr. Ali Ellebedy, the study's lead researcher, said a person's immunity is still highly active even 15 weeks after receiving the first dose of either the Pfizer or Moderna vaccine. He said a person's immunity typically declines after one or two weeks after vaccination. Dr. Ellebedy said the study did not consider the one-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine, but he said he expected the immune response from that vaccine to be less durable than those produced by the mRNA vaccines.

As of early Tuesday, there are 181.3 million confirmed COVID-19 infections around the world, including 3.9 million deaths, according to Johns Hopkins. The United States leads both categories with 33.6 million confirmed cases and 604,114 deaths. India is second in the number of total infections with 30.3 million, followed by Brazil with 18.4 million. The positions are reversed in the number of fatalities, with Brazil in second place with 514,092 and India in third with 397,637.


Nation's postal service set to be speeded up

From:ChinaDaily | 2021-06-30 06:55

Most letters and parcels between major cities will be delivered within a day

China's postal service will be speeded up, with most letters and parcels between major domestic cities delivered within one day, the State Post Bureau said on Monday.

The move is part of a national campaign that will cover more than 1,000 cities, the bureau said.

The campaign, to be carried out by China Post, a State-owned enterprise that operates national postal services, will include expanding the postal route network, taking advantage of high-speed railway and air networks for faster transportation, and adding more vehicles to handle more letters and parcels.

Compared with private parcel delivery companies, China Post has the widest network. It can make deliveries to more than 2,000 counties and has particular advantages in serving remote and rural areas.

After the campaign, 60 percent of express delivery services handled by China Post will arrive on the morning of the second day.

The company has 33 cargo planes that can make direct flights to major domestic cities including Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou, Guangdong province, and also reach Seoul in South Korea and Osaka in Japan.

The company also has about 90 interprovincial high-speed railway postal routes, reaching provinces including Sichuan, Jiangxi and Henan. And it has 2,069 more vehicles to transport letters and parcels than in 2019.

China has handled more parcels than any other country in the world for the past seven years.

The campaign is aimed at improving service efficiency in the sector, which has developed rapidly thanks to the efforts of SOEs and private companies. It will also improve China Post's client experience and expand its market share, the bureau said.

The latest figures show that China's postal industry maintained its robust growth in the first five months of the year.

A total of 39.6 billion parcels were handled across China from January to May, a year-on-year increase of 50 percent.

During the period, the sector's combined business revenue exceeded 502 billion yuan ($77.7 billion), up 24.3 percent year-on-year.

The bureau earlier estimated that China will handle 95 billion parcels this year. Last year, the number was 83 billion.

Zhong Nan contributed to this story.
Foreigners see origin of New China and history of CPC

By:Zheng Qian | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-06-29 18:25

A group of foreigners in Shanghai visited the Memorial for the Site of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China on June 28, learning the Chinese history of how the Party was founded and how it has been leading the Chinese people to a better life.

(Foreigners visit the memorial)

The newly opened hall of the memorial witnessed the groundbreaking event of the founding of the Party and aims to express the CPCs devotion to the rejuvenation of China and the happiness of the Chinese people. Marveling at the remarkable history, foreigners took photos and videos of the precious historical materials and shared them on their Wechat Moments.

(An exhibit The Communist Manifesto)

Javier Gimeno, senior vice president of French multinational company Saint-Gobain Group, recorded a long piece of a video showing the Founding Ceremony of the PRC. He said without the strong leadership of the CPC over the past 100 years, perhaps we would not have such a good life today. In his view, the CPC has changed the course of the world. I have been in China for more than 8 years, and I have always seen a very positive revolution in Chinese society and Chinas economy, said Gimeno.

At a dialogue in Xintiandi where all the participants shared their ideas after the visit, Kamran Vossoughi, president and CEO of Michelin China, said, Yesterday before coming here, I asked myself a question: how a political party of a government can last for a hundred years? Today through the exhibition, I have found the answer. In his words, the CPCs achievements impressed him in three points, namely the original aspiration, the mission, and the capacity to adapt.

(The dialogue after the visit)

An exhibition centered on Premier Zhou Enlais important diplomatic collections debuted on the same day in the memorial. The foreign visitors, as the first batch of viewers, were quite interested in the clothes and daily necessities of Zhou in his participation in international conferences.

According to Zhang Yuhan, research librarian of the memorial, two pieces of clothing -- a trench coat and a Chinese tunic suit  are key materials of the exhibition, as Premier Zhou, the banner figure of New China's diplomatic occasions, wore them to the Geneva Conference and the Bandung Conference after the founding of New China.

(The Chinese tunic suit Premier Zhou wore when he participated in the Bandung Conference)

Lingering in front of a group photo of Premier Zhou and global leaders in the Bandung Conference, Gerd Knaust, general manager of Kunlun Jing An hotel, praised the visiting event, Its very easy to follow. Kids of 6 or 7 years old will easily get the idea of where China has come from and why it has 5,000 years history.
Generation Z passionately tell stories of poverty alleviation in China with painting

By:Zhao Chunyuan | From:english.eastday.com | 2021-06-29 23:07

On June 29th, Out of Poverty: Not One Less-Treasure Hunt Games, a publicity campaign of achievements in Chinas poverty alleviation, jointly presented by Bilibili and Fusion Era, was launched at the Memorial of the First National Congress of the Communist Party of China.

On July 2, a series of illustrations called Out of Poverty: Not One Less and the interactive game called Treasure Hunt Games will simultaneously debut on Shanghaifabu, the city governments WeChat account, and Bilibili.

At the event site, vivid stories of poverty alleviation in China were told in the form of a stage play: Eighteen-Cave Village in Xiangxi Tujia and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, located in the northwestern part of Hunan Province, became the first place to advocate precise poverty alleviation; rural teacher Zhang Guimei insisted on spending decades rooted in the mountains of Yunnan.

Inspired by Chinese President Xi Jinpings important views such as Not a single ethnic group, family or person should be left behind, and guided by the conviction that lucid waters and lush mountains are invaluable assets, this Shanghai-made picture scroll takes the form of illustration, a much-loved art form home and abroad, and depicts the vivid scenes of 56 nationalities getting rid of poverty and living a prosperous and happy life in the new era.

The illustrators came from Fusion Era, and they are all active head content creators on mainstream social media platforms such as Weibo, Tik Tok and Bilibili. They are a group from the post-95s generation who have been focusing on creating international current affairs cartoons for a long time and are committed to telling the Chinese Internet stories in the new era.

Fusion Era carried out the creation based on the research of the expert team from the Ethnic and Folk Culture Publishing Center of Shanghai Literature & Art Publishing House.

The series of illustrations follow the example of the classical Chinese picture scroll "Along the River During the Qingming Festival", using an internationally well-received drawing style to depict the great rivers and mountains of China and the living conditions of the people of all nationalities in the country.

The picture scroll is buried with 100 knowledge surprises, and 24 head video uploaders on Bilibili are invited to act as "treasure keepers" to tell moving stories of poverty alleviation to netizens at home and abroad.

Wang Hanzhe (first on left) and Andy Boreham (first on right)

Wang Hanzhe (ID: BOY), a video uploader on Bilibili, has more than 7.2 million fans on Bilibili. He hopes to call on more young people to pay attention to the great cause of poverty alleviation and the century-long glorious history of the Communist Party of China.

Andy Boreham from New Zealand, another video uploader on Bilibili (ID : Andy) has lived in Shanghai for a long time. In April this year, he went to Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region to record the beautiful scenery and food in Urumqi and Kashgar, and presented in a vlog the happy life of people living there. The related videos have accumulated more than 610,000 views on overseas social platforms.

From July 2 to 25, the unlocked contents of the interactive game will be released by the uploaders on Bilibili on their homepages. As the representative of "treasure guardians", the virtual idol of Bilibili, Luo Tianyi, also appeared at the launch ceremony and will lead netizens to explore the grand finale surprise on July 25.
New Braunfels, TX (78130)

Today

Thunderstorms likely. High around 85F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

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Scattered thunderstorms during the evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low 73F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Woburn, MA (01801)

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Intervals of clouds and sunshine. High near 75F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

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Partly cloudy. Low 67F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.
Blue Jays, common grackles, European starlings, American robins and house sparrows are among the species under attack by this ailment.
Cogeco Communications Inc. Announces that Atlantic Broadband Will Acquire the Ohio Broadband Systems of WideOpenWest
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"The Second Amendment protects modern weapons," Judge Roger T. Benitez observed in his landmark Miller v. Bonta ruling striking down California's so-called "assault weapons" ban. He was citing Caetano v. Massachusetts, a 2016 United States Supreme Court decision vacating a woman's conviction for carrying a stun gun for self-defense.

"The Court has held that 'the Second Amendment extends, prima facie, to all instruments that constitute bearable arms, even those that were not in existence at the time of the founding,'" the High Court, citing the Heller case, unanimously held. "In this case, the Supreme Judicial Court of Massachusetts upheld a Massachusetts law prohibiting the possession of stun guns after examining 'whether a stun gun is the type of weapon contemplated by Congress in 1789 as being protected by the Second Amendment.'"

Aside from the obvious, no-nonsense assertions of Founding-era voices such as Tench Coxe ("every terrible implement of the soldier") and James Madison (see "militia" observations in Federalist No. 46), it helps to understand another gun-grabber lie, that the Founders only had single-shot muskets and couldn't have imagined technological advancements leading to more lethal weaponry.

Firearms technology from long before their time included Fourteenth Century multiple-barreled volley guns and a design by Leonardo DaVinci for a rotating triple-barrel breech-loading cannon. The Founding Era had already seen pepperbox revolvers, Kentucky/Pennsylvania rifles, cartridges to combine shot and powder, the British breech-loading Ferguson rifle, the 11-cylinder crank-operated Puckle gun, and the Girandoni air rifle, capable of firing 22 .46 caliber balls and that had actually been used by the Austrian army 11 years before the Bill of Rights was ratified. And the above is by no means an exhaustive list. .....
Srinagar, June 30 : All the charges pressed against Bashir Ahmed Baba by the Indian police proved to be false and it took the Indian courts 12 years to come to that conclusion.

During his 12-year long illegal detention in the western Indian state of Gujarat, Bashir Ahmed Baba often missed the streets and bylanes of Srinagars Rainawari neighbourhood, the place where he was raised. He would dream of returning home one day and walking down his favourite childhood streets as a free man.

Now 44-year-old Baba finds himself in a place he barely recognizes. He talks, almost complains of traffic jams, haphazard building constructions, new roads and flyovers that have come up in his absence across Kashmir. But one thing that he doesnt talk much about is his time in prison.

Last week he was cleared of all charges including the controversial Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).

I spent 12 years in prison because I was accused falsely of a crime I didnt commit. But this too must be a test from Allah or maybe even better. Maybe I was meant to go through something even more terrible. Maybe I would have met an accident and spent the next 12 years in a comma. Who knows, maybe this was Allahs way to protect me, Baba told media while sitting beside his ageing mother at his home.

In February 2010, Baba, then a 32-year-old, left his home to attend a training workshop that was arranged for him by his employer, a German non-governmental organisation that ran a project in India for the medical support of children in rural areas. The venue for the training was Gujarat, the home state of incumbent Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi who at that time led the state as a chief minister. Baba was supposed to return home in two weeks. But six days into his training the anti-terrorism squad or ATS of the Gujarat police picked him and his colleague from their dorm room in Ahmedabad, the capital of Gujarat.

According to Baba, between February 27 and March 13, the ATS kept him under detention and interrogated him until they pressed charges against him. Indias reputed media organisations ran stories about Baba, portraying him as a terrorist who had set out to recruit Muslim men in Gujarat. Quoting unnamed sources, the Indian media also branded Baba as the Pepsi bomber for his supposed skill to make explosives in soft drink cans.

I didnt even know about the crimes they were accusing me of. I was beaten badly. During my detention, I fell sick as well. I was taken to the hospital for treatment. Finally, I was presented in front of a judge. The next 12 years were just about spending time in jail and attending court hearings every now and then, Baba said.

Baba has a diploma in computer applications. Before falling prey to police brutality in Gujarat, he devoted his time to building a computer training centre for the Kashmiri youth. He also worked for an NGO that provided medical help to poor and vulnerable children. In light of his performance at the NGO, he was sent to Gujarat for a sophisticated camp management training.

It was a horrible experience. I had heard about youngsters of Kashmiri being arrested randomly. I could see my future playing out in front of me, he said.

Bashir Ahmed Baba lost precious years of his life to wrongful imprisonment. Babas case is one among several cases in which Kashmiri youth have been imprisoned in Indian cities under terrorism charges. This trend started three decades ago when the Kashmiris intensified their struggle for securing their inalienable right to self-determination in 1989.

The Baba familys finances dwindled because they had to bear the costs of both the terrorism case against Baba and his fathers illness. The familys poor conditions became so visible that one day when Babas lawyer Javaid Khan visited the family he decided not to charge any fee. The veteran lawyer, Baba said, passed a week before he was cleared of all charges.
Members of the local chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution have been doing their part to honor those who came before them.

For Memorial Day, the members played bows on the graves of Revolutionary War patriots buried in Howard County. The members located three of the seven patriots' burial sites, as well as the tombstone of a real daughter of a Revolutionary War patriot. June Beck, the chapters regent, said its important to honor those who put their lives at stake to serve their country.

In this day and age when theres disrespect for anything older than they are, this teaches the utmost respect for those that fell during the Revolutionary War and those that fought in the Revolutionary War or had any part in it, Beck said.

The members located the tombstones for Reuben Ide (died 1856), Isaac Wright (died 1844), and John Owen Gullion (died 1850), along with Mary Forbes Gano Cobb (died 1849), a daughter of a Revolutionary War patriot. Ide, Wright, and Cobb were buried in New London Friends Church Cemetery, while Gullion was buried at Twin Springs Cemetery.

The members still are trying to locate headstones for Abner Clark (died 1847) at Poplar Grove Cemetery, Christian Crousore (died 1865) at Chandler Cemetery, Marion Brown (unmarked grave) at Russiaville Cemetery, and Walker, whose first name is unknown, at Poplar Grove Cemetery.

According to Beck, many of the headstones have disappeared or sunk underground over the years. Still, she said it was important to try to honor the soldiers as not many are buried in Indiana.

The biggest problem was the 13 original colonies were all in the east coast, and so an awful lot of people from those colonies fought in the Revolutionary War. But not very many of them drifted left to be buried in Howard County, she said.

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And when they were buried, Beck said top-quality stone wasnt used for the tombstone; whatever stones were available were used.

One of the qualifications to become a member of DAR is to have a Revolutionary War patriot in the family. For Beck, that was her fifth great-grandfather, Zackquill Morgan, who was the founder of Morgantown, W.V. He died on New Years Day in 1795 at 60 years old and was buried in the cemetery at Pricketts Fort in West Virginia.

His father, Col. Morgan Morgan, and his wife, Catherine Garretson, were the first known white settlers in what became West Virginia. Morgan was thought to have founded the first permanent settlement in that area.

For 13-year member Kathy Kennedy, her patriot was also her fifth great-grandfather, Andrew McMasters, who was from Liberty, N.C. Kennedy visited his gravesite around 15 years ago, and she said it was eye-opening.

His grave was in a field with an electric fence in the middle of nowhere, and he was buried in 1833. His stone was literally the only one left in the cemetery. It was awesome to see, she said.

Beck said its a tremendous pride to have a Revolutionary War patriot in the family, and she thinks more people have them than realize it.

DAR regularly puts on workshops at the Kokomo-Howard County Public Library to help people research their family history to determine if theyre a relative of a patriot. They also provide information about the application process for joining the organization. The next prospective member workshop takes place Oct. 6 at the main branch library, 220 N. Union St., from 10 to 12 p.m. For more information, call Amy Russell at 765-6626-0838 or email arussell@khcpl.org.
KOKOMO, Ind.  During their 43-year marriage, Willie Stroman knew his wife, Gerry, had impacted hundreds of people, not only in her professional life at Indiana University Kokomo, but through community service.

Since her April 25 death, hes had a fuller picture of the difference she made in the world  and its helped his family cope with their unexpected loss.

I meet people every day who tell me, I would not be where I am today if it wasnt for Gerry Stroman, he said. Im proud of it. It has helped me immensely in my grieving process. I keep getting these positive messages about things she has done to help so many people.

Hes pleased to see her impact live on, both in a scholarship and a diversity award given in her name.

She would have been grateful, but she was the kind of person who did things not looking for reward or praise, Stroman said. She had a passion for helping people. What we are seeing now is the result of the fruits of her labor from what shes done in the past.

Mr. Stroman, together with daughter Amber, and grandchildren Jaylen, Amara, and Ke'Ari, established the Gerry Gunnings Stroman Scholarship in her honor with the IU Foundation, to honor her 31-year career on the IU Kokomo campus, in roles ranging from director of the University Division, assistant vice chancellor for academic affairs, affirmative action officer, and chief of staff. She retired in February 2017 and remained an active community volunteer.

At Saturdays Indiana Black Expo (IBE) statewide conference Tanya Bell, president and CEO, presented the family with a $10,000 donation to her scholarship.

Bell said Gerry was an example of someone who worked toward equality for all. As an organization that has given more than $4.6 million in scholarships over the last three decades, she felt giving to a scholarship in her name was the best fit for all.

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We are excited students can benefit from her legacy, Bell said. The impact she had as a servant in our community was so valuable. Gerry was so instrumental to our community with all the work she has done, not just in her roles at IU, but within her community. We knew this was the right thing to do to honor her.

Earlier in June, James Wimbush, IU vice president for diversity, equity, and multicultural affairs, announced that his offices most prestigious honor will now be called the Gerry Gunnings Stroman Distinguished Inclusive Excellence Award, in her honor. He noted that she was the first of only five recipients so far since he began the award in 2017.

The first recipient of the award with its new name was IU President Michael A. McRobbie, for his work to increase diversity during his tenure, as he retires June 30.

Wimbush noted that Stroman had been proud of her award, and he was touched to see it displayed at her services.

She was the epitome of all of the wonderful attributes of someone who cared not just about her own institution, but also diversity and inclusion in the broader community, he said, adding that when there was an event to promote diversity, equity, and inclusion, he could count on her to be there, most likely bringing her family as well.

She was a good friend of mine, he said.

Mr. Stroman has been both pleasantly surprised and honored by the recognitions.

It was great to see that they are showing their love for Gerry, her contributions to the organization, and some of the things she accomplished being part of IU and the community, he said. Shes going to continue to help people get educated.

Contributions may be made to the Gerry Gunnings Stroman Scholarship at the IU Foundation, PO Box 6460, Indianapolis, Indiana, 46206-6460.
Ivy Tech Community College students will feel less impact on their pocketbooks this coming school year, all while being more prepared for class and, eventually, graduation.

Last week, Ivy Tech administrators announced a new tuition model that will allow students to take more classes at no cost and free textbooks for the coming school year. The new initiatives are collectively dubbed Ivy+ and come as answers to the question: What barriers do students have to overcome? According to Ivy Tech Community College Kokomo Region Chancellor Dean McCurdy, the top barrier always is finances.

Thats always at the top of the list. How are they going to pay for this? Among those concerns, obviously, first and foremost, is tuition, McCurdy said.

Tuition freeze

The answer to that, he said, is a tuition freeze for the next two years. The price per credit hour remains at $149.55, the lowest in Indiana.

Banded tuition

In addition, the college is moving to banded tuition, which charges the same tuition rate for full-time students enrolled in 12 credits or more. For example, a student taking 12 credit hours and a student taking 15 credit hours  or even 24  pay the same tuition rate: $2,243.25.

While a full-time student must have 12 credit hours, it actually takes 15 credit hours a semester to graduate on time. McCurdy hopes the new banded tuition model will remove the financial barrier for students, allowing them to take more credit hours at a time and graduate on time.

At Ivy Tech Kokomo, McCurdy said students, on average, take nine to 10-and-a-half credits in a semester.

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To graduate on time, you need about 15, so were trying to get students close to that 15 credit hour mark. We know at least for students who get to that 12, 15 credit hour mark, they graduate sooner. Theyre also more likely to graduate because life doesnt have as much chance to intervene, he said.

Summer-flex scholarship

A Summer-Flex Scholarship also is being offered to students who want to earn 30 credit hours during an academic year but dont take 15 credits in the spring and fall terms. With the scholarship, students will be allowed to make up the remaining credits in the summer. For instance, if a student takes 12 credit hours both in the spring and fall, they can take the additional six credit hours in the summer at no additional cost.

Free textbooks

Another major piece of the changes at Ivy Tech will leave students and instructors smiling: free textbooks. For the 2021-2022 school year, Ivy Tech is covering the cost of textbooks using the federal governments Higher Education Emergency Relief Fund.

While that only covers the coming school year, for the following school years, Ivy Tech will begin including the cost of textbooks in the tuition fee to ensure students know their costs upfront and that theyre prepared for class.

Theres research that shows 65 percent of college students dont buy some or all of their books, and we know theres a lot of research that shows that when you provide those books for a student at community colleges, when community colleges looked at that, they found it was over a 10-percent improvement in outcomes for students just by providing the books on the first day of class, McCurdy said.

According to Sue Ellspermann, president of Ivy Tech, financial aid and scholarships often dont cover the cost of course materials.

Ivy+ makes us the only state institution that is not only freezing the cost of tuition but significantly reducing the cost of attendance at a time when we need many more Hoosiers to earn a quality college credential to launch a high-wage career, Ellspermann said.
Queen Elizabeth has approved the Duchess of Cambridge as the sponsor of a new naval battleship.

Catherines husband, Prince William, revealed the 39-year-old royal will have an enduring relationship with HMS Glasgow, which is currently being built in Scotland, meaning she will "strong and enduring personal connection to the vessel and her crew, often supporting milestones, events and deployments.

Speaking on a visit to the BAE Systems shipyard where the vessel is being built, William  who is on a tour of Scotland with his grandmother, the queen  said on Tuesday (29.06.21): "Today, I'm very pleased to announce that my family's connection with Type 26 will endure for many years to come. Her Majesty the Queen has approved the appointment of my wife Catherine as Sponsor of the superb ship we see taking shape outside  HMS Glasgow. I know that Catherine will be delighted to join you here in Glasgow for the naming ceremony in due course."

The prince also reflected on how much his late grandfather, Prince Philip  who died in April aged 99  would have enjoyed seeing the innovations at the shipyard.

He said: My family's affection for the Royal Navy is well known, and as I saw the work taking place here today, I was thinking of my grandfather, the Duke of Edinburgh. He would have been fascinated and very excited to see such advances in skills and technology being put into practice."

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During his visit, William was taken on a tour by electrical apprentice Cara Shannon and spoke with some other apprentices and graduates in training.

He also attended a ceremony to mark the start of construction on HMS Belfast and officially cut the first plate of steel for the vessel, which is the third Type 26 Global Combat Ship to be manufactured by the shipyard and is designed to help protect the nation.

He said: "It is my great honour to play my own small part in the continued advances of the Royal Navy, by cutting the very first steel for Ship 3  the HMS Belfast of the future.

"She will be only the second ship to have carried this name, her predecessor having conducted her duties with distinction and honour throughout the Second World War. The city of Belfast has always stood alongside Glasgow with a superb heritage of ship building, but now the city can once again become synonymous with Royal Naval power and maritime excellence.

"Catherine and I feel extremely privileged to become part of Team Type 26, and we look forward to following the journey of the ships, and their future crews, in the years to come."
Jordana Brewster agreed to pay her ex-husband $5 million as part of their divorce settlement.

The 41-year-old actress split from her Andrew Form  the father of her sons Julian, seven, and Rowan, five - last summer after 13 years of marriage and terms of the agreement theyve made to divide their assets have now been revealed.

According to The Blast, Jordana has paid out the sum in exchange for the producers share of their marital home in Los Angeles, which she will keep, and neither of them will pay or receive spousal support.

Any income earned by either of them as a result of their personal and professional effort from the date of their separation onwards shall be the separate property of the earning party.

A judge has yet to sign off on the agreement but the pair have been declared legally single and are co-parenting their children.

Since splitting with Andrew, the F9 star has found love again with Mason Morfit and she recently admitted she cant help but mentally plan their wedding.

She said: I still speed up sometimes. Im already planning my second wedding in my head.

"But I stop myself when I get that rushed, buzzy feeling. I stop. I breathe. I write. Mason also calls me on it, which is helpful.

"I found it. I found him. I can slow down. And I do."

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The 'Fast & Furious' star noted neither she nor her husband are to blame for their divorce, as she admitted she has grown over the years and eventually reached a moment where she could "put it all on the line".

She added: Ultimately my divorce wasnt my fault or my ex-husbands fault. At 27, I was not ready to be emotionally open or vulnerable.

"I wasnt ready to really let someone in. At 40, I cracked myself open and put it all on the line.

"With that came the collateral damage of my first marriage, but by risking it all I gained the love of my life.

But she also opened up on the reason for her split from Andrew, and pointed to her former flame's need to focus on his work life.

She explained: "Most of why my marriage didnt work was not my ex-husbands fault. He loves work. He loves being on set, on location.

"I knew this from ages 27 to 32, but it became a problem for me once the kids were older. I wanted a partner.

So, toward the beginning of the pandemic, Andrew and I decided to separate. The combination of being apart for most of the year for many years and growing apart emotionally took its toll.
LA CROSSE, Wis.  President Joe Biden made a stop June 29 in La Crosse to promote his infrastructure plan, pitching to communities big and small that the new bill will work for them. He made the case that the American Jobs Plan will directly benefit rural and working-class America, emphasizing the bipartisan agreement reached is a testament that it will help Americans from all walks of life.

After months of careful negotiation, of listening, compromising together and in good faith moving together, with ups and downs and some blips, a bipartisan group of senators got together and they forged an agreement to move forward on the key priorities of my America Jobs Plan, Biden said. There will be more disagreements to resolve, more compromises to forge along the way, but today the American people can be proud. The Democrats and Republicans, the families here in Wisconsin can be proud. Because this country came together and forged a bipartisan deal ... that delivers for everybody.

He spoke about building infrastructure to address environmental concerns that plague Wisconsin, such as flooding and drinking-water contaminations. He spoke directly on the Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance contamination  a group of toxic chemicals that has been detected in Wisconsin wells.

Its a problem all over the country and I know that youre feeling it right here in La Crosse County, Biden said. Just this spring the state had to provide free bottled water to thousands of people on French Island because they were worried about those chemicals in their groundwater, which were linked to cancer and other illnesses. Well pay for that; well get that done.

Biden touched on the benefits the plan will have on broadband, highways, roads, bridges and more, as well as the jobs the plan is expected to create. He also touched on his tax plan hes proposed to help pay for it, part of which a group of local Republicans and farmers said they opposed at an event the day before Bidens trip because of its impact on family farms. But Biden emphasized that the plan would mostly impact the countrys wealthiest.

I think its time to give working people a tax break, Biden said, a comment that received applause from the group of local workers.

Wis. Gov. Tony Evers said, In order for our recovery to be successful, and President Biden knows this as well, we have to do what I like to call connecting the dots. Which is just to say we have to see how each issue in our state and country affects all of them. Issues from child care to job training, transit, the environment, farming, broadband and more need to be looked at together.

Wis. Sen. Brad Pfaff, D-Onalaska, said, I really like what he said is this  from the bottom out and the middle out. And that is so important; lets make sure that we include everyone in our economy. It connects the dots. It demonstrates that whats happening in Washington, D.C., has a real-world impact here at the local level. And it also demonstrates the fact that in order for us to make sure we can control to grow our economy we need to make sure that we include all different facets of it. Its all interconnected.

The executive director of the Wisconsin Farmers Union, Julie-Keown Bomar, penned an op-ed ahead of Bidens visit in support of the American Jobs Plan for its investment in broadband, roads, flood control and more.

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Help educate those around you about the benefits of the American Jobs Plan, even if you dont agree with every single line item, she said. This is the largest investment in rural areas that most of us will see in our lifetime and it could change the quality of life in big ways.

Biden compared his plan to the 1930s rural-electrification program, saying the new infrastructure program will change the rural world in the same way.

This infrastructure bill signals to the world that we can function, we can deliver, Biden said. We can do significant things, show that America is back.

White House officials issued an internal memo that highlights how the largest investment in transportation, water systems and services in almost a century would boost growth. The memo notes that the total package is four times the size of the infrastructure investment made a dozen years ago in response to the Great Recession and the biggest since Franklin D. Roosevelts New Deal in the 1930s.

This deal isnt just the sum of its parts. Its a signal to ourselves, and to the world, that American democracy can come through and deliver for all our people, Biden said. America has always been propelled into the future by landmark investments.

He said there is a critical need to improve crumbling infrastructure  from overwhelmed power grids to lead-filled water pipes to traffic-clogged roads. He stressed that a plan needs to be ambitious to not only improve American daily lives now but also to combat the growing challenges of climate change.

Were not just tinkering around the edges, he said. Im going to be out there making the case for the American people until this job is done, until we bring this bipartisan bill home.

Biden, making an impromptu stop for ice cream after his speech, received a suggestion to order the rocky-road flavor as a nod to the infrastructure bill. But he quipped, Its been a rocky road but were going to get it done. He instead ordered cookies and cream, and strawberry.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.
ONALASKA  A group of Republican lawmakers and local farmers spoke June 28 regarding concerns they have with the industry, ahead of a visit from President Joe Biden. The president planned to focus on agriculture and infrastructure topics.

The group expressed concerns regarding some new Biden proposals such as the increased taxes on inherited wealth  sometimes known as the death or heritage tax  as well as the effects of environmental regulations, workforce shortages, supply-chain issues, increases in technology costs and more.

Derrick Van Orden, R-Prairie du Chien, a candidate for Wisconsins 3rd Congressional District, said hes taking about seven key issues raised by farmers back to his staff to find solutions.

We have to get politics out of the way and allow these farmers to continue producing food for all of us, Van Orden said.

At the meeting at Morning Star Dairy in Onalaska, farmers from around the Coulee Region shared stories about struggling to hire skilled labor, concerns that unemployment benefits are keeping many from seeking work, and frustrations that a lack in funding for trade schools isnt producing the correct labor to support the advancing industry.

Labor-wise? Its a big challenge, said David Koudelka, who operates a nearby farm-retail business.

Wis. Rep. Loren Oldenburg, R-96-Viroqua, agreed.

Labor, I believe, is a main issue in farming right now that we have to address, he said.

Other farmers said its been difficult to access the supplies they need in time, and that consumer knowledge of agricultural products needs to be improved. The group emphasized the role farmers and the agricultural industry play in protecting the environment, but said the current structure of regulations plays into a broken circle that hurts farmers.

Kevin Hoyer, Republican, La Crosse County supervisor and local farmer, said as a farmer his No. 1 goal is to get the work done right. But hes seen the bureaucratic process to implement some environmental goals be in the way.

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As (farmers) ... we are stewards of the land. I mean, we are going to try and do our best to our best ability to keep good-quality water, said Oldenburg, who is also an area farmer. As a state Legislature, we have to keep addressing these issues and do our best to protect the environment, but also to protect these thriving businesses.

A tax increase proposed by Biden was top of mind for the group, many of whom were part of intergenerational farming families. John Schaller, owner of Morning Star, said that particular measure makes him the most uneasy as he looks to pass his farm on to his son.

In order to keep these family farms going they have to be able to pass it on to the rest of the family, and when they have this death tax in there it makes it nearly impossible or very, very, very, very difficult, Schaller said.

Republicans were critical of the boost to unemployment benefits implemented during the pandemic, which many conservatives have argued is keeping individuals from returning to work. Meanwhile those on the left say workforce issues are the result of low wages and a new outlook on work-life balance among workers, prompted by their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Wis. Sen. Patrick Testin, R-24-Stevens Point, encouraged farmers at the roundtable to bring their workforce-shortage issues to Wis. Gov. Ton Evers.

He said after the pandemic, we should be finding ways to get the boot of government off your backs, as opposed to trying to find ways to put more pressure on.

Republicans expressed hope the country can grow on the trade deals made during the Trump administration.

People do not realize those five countries we made deals with are Wisconsins top-five agricultural exports, said Wis. Rep. Tony Kurtz, R-50-Wonewoc. So it is critical that we keep those trade deals in place. We need to grow on those trade packs because they do benefit those farmers.

After the roundtable discussion officials took a brief tour of one of Morning Star Dairys barns.
(The Center Square) - President Joe Biden spoke in La Crosse, Wis. Tuesday to promote the bipartisan infrastructure bill as his predecessor criticized Republicans for agreeing to the deal.

Biden spoke on the benefits of the bipartisan package on the 65th anniversary of President Dwight Eisenhower signing the Federal Aid Highway Act of 1956, which created the interstate highway system.

America has always been propelled into the future by landmark national investments, Biden said. Investments that only the government has the capacity to make, only the government working together can make.

In his speech at La Crosses Municipal Transit Utility, Biden promoted the potential for the various initiatives in the bill, including broadband internet and clean water.

This is a generational investment to modernize our infrastructure, creating millions of good paying jobsthat position America to compete with the rest of the world in the 21st century because China is way outworking us in terms of infrastructure, Biden said.

Throughout the speech Biden stressed the jobs created by the bill, even branding the bill as a part of his blue-collar blueprint to rebuild America.

Bidens emphasis on job creation and the location of the speech, in the swing state of Wisconsin, appear to have the 2024 election in mind. Biden won Wisconsin by only about 20,000 votes over former President Donald Trump in last years presidential election.

The city of La Crosse has consistently voted for Democratic Presidential candidates since 1988, including Biden in 2020. However, Wisconsins 3rd congressional district, where La Crosse is located, voted for Trump over Biden in last years election.

While promoting the benefits of the bipartisan agreement, Biden also made clear he still wants to see more of his infrastructure proposals enacted.

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Let me be clear: there is much more to do and Im gonna continue to fight for more, Biden said. Im gonna keep working with Congress to pass even more of my economic agenda so we can keep building an economy from bottom up and the middle out.

Biden talked about the human infrastructure he wants passed through reconciliation, like housing and healthcare initiatives. He also stated he wants to pay for it through tax hikes for corporations, mentioning the G-7s proposed 15% global minimum corporate tax.

I have never had a reputation of being someone whos out there trying to just out-tax people, but heres the deal folks: I think it's about time there be fairness in taxes, Biden said.

Republicans preemptively warned of Bidens claims for his infrastructure plans ahead his speech. Spokeswoman for the National Republican Senatorial Committee Lizzie Litzow bashed Bidens plan in a statement Tuesday morning.

Youll hear a lot of spin from Joe Biden today, but heres the facts: Bidens tax plan would raise taxes on family farms and decimate rural communities," Litzow. said. Wisconsin families deserve better than Bidens systemic socialism and the Democrat politicians like those running for U.S. Senate in Wisconsin, who will blindly rubber stamp a radical, liberal agenda.

Bidens predecessor, former President Trump, also had sharp words for the Republicans who are supporting the bipartisan bill in an appearance on The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show Tuesday.

It's sort-of pathetic to watch, Trump said. The Republicans are being used, the Republican senators, now some of the senators wouldnt do that,theyre being used by the Democrats. They want to make it sound bipartisan.

In spite of criticism from both Republicans and Democrats over the deal, Biden ended the speech highlighting its bipartisanship support.

This country came together forged a bipartisan dealthat delivers for everybody, said Biden. We have shown the world and just as importantly weve shown ourselves that American democracy can come through there is nothing, nothing, nothing beyond our capacity when we come together as one nation.
(The Center Square) - As both parties debate the construction of new oil and gas pipelines, the U.S. Supreme Court has weighed in, saying states cannot overturn federal eminent domain permits for those projects.

The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 Tuesday in PennEast Pipeline Co. v. New Jersey that the state of New Jersey was not exempt from federal eminent domain provisions.

In the case, the PennEast Pipeline company received a permit to build a 116-mile pipeline from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. That pipeline went through New Jersey, and the company obtained most of the necessary rights-of-way for construction.

However, when it came time to obtain them from the state of New Jersey, the states government resisted.

New Jersey argued that while other entities are subject to eminent domain, state governments are exempt under the 11th amendment.

The 11th amendment reads:

The Judicial power of the United States shall not be construed to extend to any suit in law or equity, commenced or prosecuted against one of the United States by Citizens of another State, or by Citizens or Subjects of any Foreign State.

The pipeline company argued that federal rules trumped state preferences.

Simply put, state veto power and interstate pipelines are incompatible, as Congress recognized more than 70 years ago in arming pipeline certificate holders with the federal eminent domain power, PennEast argued. As FERC explained, the decision below is both profoundly wrong and profoundly consequential  a combination that cries out for this Courts review.

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The 5-4 decision did not fall along traditional partisan leanings. Justices Stephen Breyer, Samuel Alito, Sonia Sotomayor, Brett Kavanaugh and Chief Justice John Roberts sided with the pipeline company. Justices Neil Gorsuch, Clarence Thomas, Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan opposed.

Roberts in the courts majority opinion pointed to previous federal eminent domain uses in railroads and other infrastructure projects, saying pipelines are allowed the same protection.

When the Framers met in Philadelphia in the summer of 1787, they sought to create a cohesive national sovereign in response to the failings of the Articles of Confederation, the opinion reads. Over the course of the Nations history, the Federal Government and its delegates have exercised the eminent domain power to give effect to that vision, connecting our country through turnpikes, bridges, and railroads  and more recently pipelines, telecommunications infrastructure, and electric transmission facilities. And we have repeatedly upheld these exercises of the federal eminent domain power  whether by the Government or a private corporation, whether through an upfront taking or a direct condemnation proceeding, and whether against private property or state-owned land.

Environmental groups took issue with the ruling, arguing it would lead to more pollution and contribute to climate change.

The science is clear: more fracked gas means more heat waves, stronger hurricanes and more unnecessary deaths from fossil fuel pollution, said Kelly Sheehan Martin of the Sierra Club. Todays disappointing decision allows a fossil fuel pipeline to proceed that will harm communities and public health. But, the fight against PennEast is far from over, and the company continues to face stiff opposition. Governor Murphy can and must say no to this disastrous project.

Other groups praised the ruling as a win for the local economies and the integrity of U.S. infrastructure contracts.

The Supreme Court is upholding rule of law, said Daniel Turner, founder of the energy workers advocacy group, Power the Future. One of the problems with the Biden administrations decisions on ANWR and Keystone, outside of the energy and economic implications, is the idea that companies enter into negotiation with the American government, and then those negotiations are made null and void by the political persuasion of politicians. If anything the Supreme Court is just upholding the rule of law. We cant cancel projects ... infrastructure based on political whims. Of course, the job and energy implications, but just the larger implications of how we negotiate government contracts.

Wouldnt you be afraid if the next administration is going to change laws to punish the industries they dont like?
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Press Release

June 30, 2021 De Lima pays tribute to PNoy, cites his invaluable contribution in strengthening human rights promotion and protection in PH Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has paid tribute to former President Benigno S. Aquino III by recognizing his generous contributions in advancing human rights protection and promotion in the country. De Lima, who was Justice Secretary during the Aquino Administration, said PNoy's contribution to the country's human rights situation should not be put to waste by allowing the culture of impunity and violence reign in the country. "The six-year term of PNoy is highly and justly recognized for marking the country's economic growth, ensuring defense of our territorial rights in the West Philippine Sea, and promoting zero tolerance for corruption. Aside from these, human rights promotion and protection were also strengthened under the PNoy administration," she said. "Sa panahong ito na bumalik na naman tayo sa madilim na kabanata ng ating kasaysayan kung saan talamak ang patayan at laganap ang dahas at pang-aabuso, alalahanin natin ang mga pagsisikap na pinangunahan noon ni PNoy upang isulong ang katarungan at karapatang pantao sa bansa," she added. Aquino was laid to rest last June 26 as loved ones and supporters gathered to pay their final respects. He was buried at the Manila Memorial Park in Paranaque City beside his parents, democracy icons former president Corazon "Cory" Aquino and former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. In recognizing PNoy's contributions in advancing human rights in the country, De Lima recalled some landmark human rights-related legislation signed into law during his term from 2010-2016. She recalled that among these are Republic Act (RA) No. 10353 or the Anti-Enforced or Involuntary Disappearance Act of 2012, RA No. 10364 or the Expanded Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act of 2012 and RA No. 10368 or the Human Rights Victims Reparation and Recognition Act of 2013. It was also during PNoy's administration that the signing of the Implementing Rules and Regulations (IRR) of Republic Act No. 9745 otherwise known as the Anti-Torture Law was signed, led by then Justice Secretary De Lima and Commission on Human Rights Chairperson Etta Rosales. Other human rights-related legislation signed into law during PNoy's term include RA No. 10630 amending the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act of 2006 and creating the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Council under the Department of Social Welfare and Development, RA No. 10766 extending the life of the Human Rights Victims Board, and RA No. 10707 amending the Probation Law. The lady Senator from Bicol likewise said that President Aquino exerted effort to probe political killings, or killings of people with known advocacies and political causes, by issuing Administrative Order (A.O.) No. 35 which she herself drafted and proposed, during his term. "While there was no state-sponsored EJKs during the Aquino Administration, PNoy saw it of great importance to issue A.O. 35 to ensure investigation of the killings of activists and media personnel which were the prevalent cases of EJKs during the Arroyo Administration," she said. "To date, A.O. 35 is the basis of the Department of Justice-led panel's review of the deaths related to the Duterte administration's bloody drug war," she added. It can be recalled that it was also during PNoy's term when former Army Maj. General Jovito Palparan was arrested, who was then convicted of kidnapping and serious illegal detention on September 2018 for the disappearance of University of the Philippines students Karen Empeno and Sherlyn Cadapan. Most significantly, De Lima also noted that PNoy has ratified and endorsed the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC) to the Senate in March 2011. Aquino signed the Instrument of Ratification of the treaty on February 28 of the same year. "This ratification was meant to strengthen Philippine commitment to human rights and accountability to atrocities and the most egregious crimes, such as crimes against humanity, which the Aquino administration highly valued," said De Lima. Moreover, the Senator said PNoy will also be remembered for his tough stance against the reinstatement of death penalty. De Lima said PNoy believed that reviving death penalty "cannot fully deter crime," citing his message which she delivered on the President's behalf before an international audience at the 5th World Congress Against Death Penalty last June 12, 2013 in Madrid, Spain. "In PNoy's message, he said that he believes in a system where each of us, citizens of the country, is empowered to take hold of our destiny which enables us to uplift our family, community and nation," De Lima shared. In the said message, PNoy said that his government's strategy to prevent crimes in the Philippines rests on "an empowered citizenry, a skilled and trusted law enforcement sector, an effective prosecutorial service, and an independent judiciary." "Thank you, PNoy, for all that you have done for our country. Huwag sanang mabalewala nang tuluyan ang mga ginawa mo para sa ating bansa," De Lima concluded.
Press Release

June 30, 2021 De Lima thanks Canadian Senators for amplifying call for her freedom Opposition Senator Leila M. de Lima has thanked Canadian Senator Marilou McPhedran for strengthening her persistent call for her release from her continued unjust detention by the Duterte regime. De Lima, a staunch social justice and human rights champion, also extended her appreciation to Canadian Senators Peter Harder, Leo Housakos, Peter Boehm and other Canadian legislators for taking a stand against injustice by supporting the calls for her freedom. "Thanks @SenMarilou @SenHarder @SenHousakos, @SenBoehm & your @SenateCA colleagues for amplifying the global call for my freedom. You are proof that the world watches, and that democracy can never be defeated," De Lima said in a statement on Twitter. De Lima made the statement after McPhedran posted a short clip on Twitter which shows the latter thanking her colleagues before the Senate of Canada for affirming their support for Motion No. 75 which she filed this month condemning the wrongful imprisonment of the Filipina Senator. "...To @SenHarder & my @SenateCA colleagues for the excellent debate on #M75, which calls on [Canada] to join [p]arliamentarians to advocate for the release of wrongfully imprisoned @SenLeiladeLima. It is our duty to [speak] against democratic repression everywhere. #FreeLeilaNow #SenCA," McPhedran posted on Twitter. As seen on the video, McPhedran told her colleagues that Motion No. 75 "now has opened up a pathway for us as Canadian Senators to join parliamentary colleagues in many countries and interparliamentary associations to support another Senator imprisoned under conditions that are likely impossible for us as Canadian Senators to even imagine." McPhedran added, "Thank you for expressing your concern for this Senator and your respect for democracy and the rule of law." In an earlier statement, McPhedran told her colleagues that she introduced Motion No. 75 as an opportunity to join their voices as independent thinking Senators, along with parliamentarians and other human rights defenders across the world, in taking a righteous stand alongside a persecuted colleague, such as Senator De Lima. "Honorable colleagues, we know that a working democracy requires dedicated persons both in government and civil society to be able to scrutinize governments and hold to account those in power. And these include Senators in Canada and Senators in the Philippines," McPhedran said. Aside from the recent support from Canadian legislators, it can be recalled that the Inter-Parliamentary Union 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, during its 207th session last May 25.
Press Release

June 30, 2021 Lacson: PNP Should Serve and Protect Our Citizens, Not Arm Them

More at: https://pinglacson.net/2021/06/30/lacson-pnp-should-serve-and-protect-our-citizens-not-arm-them/ Before entertaining thoughts of arming civilian "volunteers" to help stop criminality, the Philippine National Police (PNP) should focus on showing it can protect them, Senator and former PNP Chief Panfilo M. Lacson said. Lacson also reiterated the PNP must be stricter especially in issuing Permits to Carry Firearms Outside Residences (PTCFORs) to civilians including senators, congressmen and other ranking government officials. "The PNP should make it a point first to show that it is efficient, professional, and competent to protect civilians on the streets from malefactors - including those with unlicensed guns and irresponsible gun holders that make them a threat - before it issues PTCFORs to deputize civilian 'volunteers' as force multipliers," Lacson, who headed the PNP from 1999 to 2001, said in an interview on TeleRadyo. "Otherwise, the public would wonder if the PNP is that helpless to ask for help from civilians," he added. "Besides, we do not want guns to end up with those prone to road rage and similar incidents." Also, Lacson welcomed the Executive Department's apparent reconsideration and further study of the idea to arm civilians against crime following public discourse on the matter. "I am glad there is some reconsideration and further study on the matter. That is the beauty of public discourse on an issue," he said. In pushing for stricter PTCFOR procedures, Lacson cited his experience when as PNP chief, he was very strict in issuing PTCFORs while imposing only one uniform standard on everyone, without exception. He cited the case of the late Sen. Miriam Santiago, recalling her husband Narciso "Jun" Santiago Jr. asking if the senator could be exempted from going to PNP headquarters in Camp Crame to take the gun safety seminar and written exams required for being issued a PTCFOR. Lacson maintained Sen. Santiago must still personally appear at Camp Crame. "She ended up complying with all the requirements, and even corrected some grammatical items in the written exam. So everyone benefited from it," Lacson said. In the case of the late former President Benigno Aquino III, then a member of the House of Representatives, Lacson said he also applied the same strict standards, with which he eventually complied. "I told him he could go to Camp Crame where he will get the needed assistance. But we should follow one standard. After that we became friends, and when he joined the Senate in 2007, we even became close," Lacson recalled. He said the only time he waived the requirements was for then President Joseph Estrada, who as Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces always faces potential security threats. "Aside from that instance involving the Commander-in-Chief, we were very strict. Out of some 300,000 previously granted PTCFORs, we issued only a little over 1,000 permits under my watch until President Erap was ousted in January 2001," he said.
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.
A Russian official delegation Monday presented to Lebanon project offers covering oil and electricity, as well as the reconstruction of the ports of Beirut and Tripoli, reports say.

The delegation also made business people in the Middle East country for the second time to study the feasibility of repairing two oil refineries in Zahrani and Tripoli and two power plants in other parts of Lebanon, Middle East Monitor (MEMO) reports citing Russian TV (RT).

The delegation, according to the media, met with the Ministry of Public Transport and Works to discuss issues related to the ports, and also met with representatives of the Ministry of Energy and Water to study oil and refinery issues.

A source who attended the meetings, told the Russian media that the delegation which includes the infrastructure company Hydro Engineering and Construction backed by Moscow, will visit the ports in the coming days and then submit a technical offer on Saturday.

In 2019, Lebanon signed a deal with Russias largest oil company, Rosneft, to upgrade and operate storage installations in Tripoli, the Associated Press (AP) reports.

The deal made Rosneft manage storage operations, the US media notes. Lebanon wants to rebuild the grain silos destroyed last year in a massive explosion at Beiruts port.

Nearly 3,000 tons of ammonium nitrate  a highly explosive material used in fertilizers stored at the port for several years, exploded in August causing the death of 211 people and injured more than 6,000, devastating nearby neighborhoods.
US Ambassador Kelly Degnan says Georgian Parliament can suspend appointment of Supreme Court judges

By Veronika Malinboym

US Ambassador to Georgia Kelly Degnan has stated that the Georgian Parliament has the power to suspend the appointment of the Supreme Court judges and uphold the EU-brokered April agreement between government and opposition.I am very pleased that the judges have commented that they are ready to work with everyone to improve the judiciary. The US and international partners have been helping Georgia for the last 25 years, because the rule of law, an impartial judiciary is a prerequisite for NATO and EU membership", Ambassador Degnan said.Kelly Degnan added that both the United States and the countrys other international partners have actively been supporting Georgias improvements in the field of justice as it a necessary precondition for the eventual EU and NATO integration. Earlier this week, 310 Georgian judges issued a joint letter condemning the politically motivated and unhealthy processes that undermine Georgias judiciary.On June 17, the High Council of Justice nominated nine candidates for the Supreme Court . In particular, Giorgi Gogiashvili, Gocha Abuseridze, Levan Tevzadze, Ketevan Meskhishvili, Giorgi Shavliashvili, Revaz Nadaraia, Bidzina Sturua, Eka Zarnadze, Lasha Gochiashvili.According to the EU-brokered agreement of April 19, under the current rule, High Council of Justice should have refrained from appointing judges to the Supreme Court. However, it is indicated that the draft law on appointment to the Supreme Court should be submitted to the Parliament, which will take into account the conclusion of the Venice Commission published in 2019, open voting in the High Council of Justice and the need to substantiate the latter's nominations.There should also be substantial reform of the High Council of Justice for transparency, integrity and credibility, including appointments, evaluations, promotions, transfers, measures and complaints to the Venice Commission and the OSCE / ODIHR and the ODIHR which must be fully performed.
UNICEF in Georgia: Our priority is to have children return to their biological families

By Veronika Malinboym

Representative of the United Nations Children's Fund in Georgia, Amy Clancy has announced that the organizations main priority is reintegration of children back to their biological families, and if that is not possible, they should be transferred to the alternative forms of care, such as foster families.When it comes to the small family homes, this should be our last resort, and can only be used as a temporary measure in order to have children finally return to their homes. It is also very important that children have access to a proper upbringing. UNICEF is ready to provide the relevant assistance in order to prevent children from being separated from their families, Clancy said.On Monday, the Public Defender of Georgia Nino Lomjaria was admitted to the Patriarchates Ninotsminda Boarding School for the first time since 2018, following the accusations of physical and sexual abuse at the facility. The Ombudsman was accompanied by the new head of the facility, Archbishop Iakob, and the lawyer of the Georgian Orthodox Church, Edisher Karchava. Lomjaroa was allowed to Boarding School after she met with Archbishop Iakob on June 17.According to Lomjaria, currently, there are 15 children in the boarding school, while 20 have already left per the decision of the court and have been sent back to their families or placed in family-type care facilities. The Public Defender believes that all of the children should now be relocated to the alternative care facilities as they now have an opportunity to express their will freely.The scandal around Ninotsminda orphanage has escalated after the repeated reports of the abuse against children residing there and the inability of social workers and representatives of the Ombudsmans office to enter the facility for monitoring.
Kenyans could have access to the wealth information of top State officials such as the President should MPs accept to change the law on lifestyle audits.

The Lifestyle Audit Bill, 2021 is a second attempt to remove a restrictive clause that denies the public access to the information on income, assets and liabilities of persons holding public office.

A similar proposal suffered a setback in 2019 after it failed to meet its review timelines. Both bills have been sponsored by Nominated Senator Farhiya Ali Haji.

The Lifestyle Audit Bill, 2021 seeks to scrap section 30 of the Public Officer Ethics Act of 2003 that protects civil servants wealth from public scrutiny.

The law stipulates that all self-declared wealth declaration forms be made available online on the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) website.

The contents of a declaration or clarification (on income, assets and liabilities) under this Act shall be accessible to the public, says the Bill.

Lifestyle audit may be carried out on the immediate family of a public or a State officer if it is established that a property in question is owned by the public or State officer or members of their immediate family, including joint ownership, it adds.

The Lifestyle Audit Bill which is before the Senate also imposes a fine of at least Sh5 million or a two-year jail term or both on State officers who provide false information.

In 2018, President Uhuru called for the Lifestyle Audit of State Officers saying no one would be spared including himself.

All the governors and Cabinet Secretaries will be audited after the two of us (Uhuru and Ruto) before all other Government officials are subjected to the same exercise.

We are aware some of these corrupt individuals have registered their wealth, including cars and houses, in the names of their spouses and children. We will go for them also, Uhuru said.
A man on Monday pleaded guilty to two counts of stealing after he spent money that was sent to him by mistake via a mobile money transfer service.

A Nairobi court heard that on November 3, 2020, Cyrus Nzoka Maithya received Sh16, 463 from an M-Pesa number registered in the name of Harriet Karimi.

Cyrus Nzioka Maithya on November 3, 2020, in Nairobi otherwise in the course of stealing dishonestly received Sh16463 in your Mpesa account knowing or having reasons to believe it was stolen, read the second count of the charge sheet.

While pleading guilty, Mr Maithya asked the court to forgive him, saying he is a father of two who depend on him.

Nairobi Senior Principal magistrate Martha Nazushi gave him a chance to return the money to the owner but he said he had already spent it.

The magistrate slapped him with a 3-month jail term or an alternative fine of Ksh20,000.
The Kenyan government has revised its initial vaccination plan that targeted 10 million adults by June 2022. This follows hiccups encountered during the administration of the AstraZeneca.

In the new plan, the govt says it will vaccinate the entire Kenyan adult population of 26 million people by mid-2022.

President Uhuru Kenyatta made the announcement on Tuesday, June 29 during the 16th Presidential address on the Covid_19 pandemic at State House, Nairobi.

The new plan has been occasioned by the purchase of the first batch of 13 million doses of the single-shot Johnson and Johnson vaccines which Kenya will receive in August.

According to Uhuru, 10 million adult Kenyans will be vaccinated by Christmas this year, with 150,000 doses being administered daily from August.

Our strategy was to vaccinate 10 million adults by June 2022 and approximately 16 million by June 2023. Instead of vaccinating 10 million adults by June 2022, we will vaccinate the entire adult population of 26 million Kenyans by 2022. In fact, by Christmas this year, we intend to have vaccinated over 10 million adults, Uhuru said.

The President also noted that if a vaccine for those under 18 years is approved by early 2022, Kenya will vaccinate a total of 30 million people.

Because the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is administered using a single shot, the speed of rolling out our vaccination programme will be accelerated, he said.

Uhuru mentioned that Kenya had struck a deal to get 13 million shots from J&J for the price of 10 million doses.

At the same time, the Head of State said the govt will set up a Human Vaccine Centre in Kenya to elevate the country as a producer for both human and veterinary vaccines.

Our long-term strategy is to set up a Human Vaccine Centre. I have directed a multi-agency Team to activate this plan and to focus not only on the COVID-19 Vaccine, but on any other human vaccine needed in our region, said Mr. Kenyatta.

The national quest to produce human vaccines here in Kenya will elevate our nation as a producer for both human and veterinary vaccines that we currently supply to Eastern Africa, all the way to Morocco in North Africa.

Kenyatta spoke after the World Bank approved $130 million of additional funds for Kenya to tackle the pandemic.
Weeks after touring Railas Nyanza backyard, President Uhuru Kenyatta is scheduled for a similar tour in Deputy President William Rutos Rift Valley home turf.

News reaching our newsdesk indicate that the President will tour Rift Valley sometime in July to launch various development projects.

During the tour, President Kenyatta is expected to issue title deeds to residents in Trans Nzoia county. In Uasin Gishu and Elgeyo Marakwet counties, Uhuru will launch road projects and inspect ongoing works.

The exact date is yet to be fixed but we have agreed that he will visit Rift Valley in July. It could be mid or end of the month, said Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny.

He will be in Anabkoi constituency in Uasin Gishu, then in Elgeyo Marakwet where he will commission projects. We look forward to hosting him.

It remains unclear whether Ruto will accompany the President during the tour.

Coming at a time when the President and his Deputy are reading from different political scripts, the tour is eagerly awaited by political observers and leaders alike.

Among them is one of Rutos attack dog, Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen. The former Senate Majority Leaders says the Uhurus tour of Rift Valley is long overdue.

R.Valley region under the leadership of DP Ruto has voted for U.Kenyatta 4 times. For 4 years he has been MIA in the region. His visit is long overdue, Murkomen said in a tweet.

We have many questions touching on projects&governance. We shall be there under the leadership of WSR who led us to him. I cant wait.

Meanwhile, Cherangany MP Joshua Kutuny rubbished claims that Uhuru had abandoned the rift valley region and his deputy following his handshake with Raila Odinga.

The likes of Murkomen are now cry babies. They should be telling us all these projects we are seeing in Rift Valley and Mt Kenya are implemented by which government. In North Rift alone, we have projects worth over Sh30 billion, Kutuny told the Star.

Adding: The only projects that have not taken off are those that were interfered with by pro-Tangatanga leaders who wanted kickbacks. The President means well for every part of this country.
Joggers who have been getting robbed along Langata and Mbagathi roads can rest a bit easy after two suspects were arrested Monday morning.

According to the DCI, the middle-aged male suspects were preparing to commit a felony in Langata area of Nairobi when police officers caught them.

As the story goes, the officers and the suspects had just passed by each other when one of the cops noticed something was amiss with the appearance of one of the suspects.

The officer turned back and ordered them to stop but the suspects defied the orders and took to their heels.

Unbeknownst to the thugs, they had just encountered the lanky, young crime busters based at Langata Police Station, whose speed and proficiency in chasing after thugs is unsurpassed, said the DCI.

The so-called lanky crime busters caught up with the suspects a few metres past the Mbagathi bridge. The officers earlier suspicions about the appearance of one of the suspects were vindicated as they discovered he was a man dressed as a woman.

The cross-dressing suspect  24-year-old Peter Omweno Momanyi  was found with his tools of trade: a knife and a chain carefully concealed on his waist.

Police also recovered a machete from Momanyis accomplice, 25-year-old John Muchiri Kimani.

Detectives based at Langata have established that the two are among suspects who waylay fitness enthusiasts who jog along Langata and Mbagathi roads, early in the morning and late in the evening, DCI said.

Members of the public who lost valuables to the suspects are urged to report to Langata Police Station.
630FAO





QU Dongyu calls for new solutions to meet the growing demand for food, while reducing the pressure on natural resources and ecosystems

21 June 2021, Rome/Bern - Opening the 8th World Congress on Conservation Agriculture, the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, urged for new solutions and smarter ways to produce more food with less, and stressed that without a healthy environment, there are no healthy foods.



The three-day virtual Congress, followed by two-day field demonstrations in Bern, Switzerland, is organized by the European Conservation Agriculture Federation (ECAF) and SWISS NO-TILL with the technical support of FAO. Its theme is: The Future of Farming: Profitable and Sustainable Farming with Conservation Agriculture.

"To produce more with less requires us to be truly innovative and environmentally thoughtful," underlined Qu in his welcome and opening remarks. "FAO is supporting its Members in achieving this delicate balance based on local conditions and priorities. This includes Conservation Agriculture, integrated with other good agronomic practices, to prevent soil erosion, and promote biodiversity, biological interactions and efficient natural resource management."

Conservation Agriculture (CA)is a farming system that promotes minimum soil disturbance (i.e. no tillage), maintenance of a permanent soil cover, and diversification of plant species. CA's main benefits include: making the food production system sustainable, and soils healthier; enhancing biodiversity on top and under the soil; carbon sequestration; increased yields; and reduced production costs, time and labour.

During the past 40 years, the world has lost a third of its arable land, about 430 million hectares, due to unsustainable agricultural practices. CA can prevent further losses of cropland while regenerating degraded lands.

Speaking about global challenges, Qu asserted that a key challenge was meeting the growing demand for food, while reducing the pressure on natural resources and ecosystems.

"We see disturbingly high rates of food loss and waste, air pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, the loss of biodiversity, and resulting inequality. We urgently need to do things differently and act holistically to transform our agri-food systems," said Qu.

The FAO Director-General stressed in this respect the need for greater engagement with the private sector to leverage innovations and technological advances in agriculture, and greater use and promotion of digital applications and technologies.

Qu gave as an example that encompasses close collaboration with the private sector, innovation and the application of digital technologies, FAO's flagship Hand-in-Hand Initiative. So far, thirty-nine FAO Members have joined the Initiative, which, supported by a geospatial platform, accelerates agricultural transformation and sustainable rural development toeradicate poverty (SDG 1)and end hunger and all forms of malnutrition (SDG2).

Qu spoke alongside the Chair of the Congress, Gottlieb Basch, President, ECAF; Janusz Wojciechowski, the European Commissioner for Agriculture, EU; Virginijus Sinkevicius, the European Commissioner for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries, EU; Norbert Lins, Chair, Agriculture and Rural Development Committee, European Parliament; Christoph Ammann, Member of the Government of the Canton of Bern and Minister for Economic Affairs, Energy and the Environment; Christian Hofer, Director, Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture; and heads or representatives of development partners and farmers networks, such as the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, International Fund for Agricultural Development, International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, Global Farmer Network, and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Full list here.

Billing CA as a smart investment and a game changer for people and nature, speakers at the opening session of the Congress extolled the vital role CA can play in supporting better food production and transforming current agri-food systems to make them more sustainable, nature-friendly and resilient in the face of climate change and other crises; urged for a faster scale-up of CA practices; underlined the importance of placing farmers at the centre of the agri-food systems' transformation, and providing them with incentives to adopt CA practices; and called for greater collaboration, more comprehensive research on the benefits of CA, and more science and evidence-based agricultural solutions.

FAO and the power of CA

Currently CA is practiced by farmers in almost 80 countries on over 200 million hectares that makes about 15 percent of annual cropland globally. Most of the farmers benefitting from CA are smallholders; 50 percent of areas adopting CA practices are in developing countries.

FAO provides technical supporton the adoption and promotion of CA principles and practices to many Members. This includes designing strategies and policies that provide incentives for farmers to adopt CA systems and invest in sustainable agricultural mechanization; training farmers and service providers on CA principles and sustainable mechanization; implementing location-specific practices and identifying suitable crops to improve production systems that are resilient to the effects of climate change; increasing agricultural production by implementing CA in support of national food and nutrition security-linked priorities.

For instance, with support from FAO and other partners, Kazakhstan is in the top ten countries with the largest area using CA practices.

Elsewhere, FAO is working with CIMMYT and the Africa Conservation Tillage Network (ACT) to promote CA in Africa; and established a close cooperation with the Conservation Tillage Research Centre at China Agricultural University, and a strong partnership on the adoption and promotion of CA with the European Conservation Agriculture Federation (ECAF).

On Wednesday, 23 June, during a special session of the 8th World Congress of Conservation Agriculture, FAO will unveill a new publication - Agri-hire in sub-Saharan Africa: business models for investing in sustainable mechanization- that compares five private sector-driven business models for agri-hire services.



FAO June 30th, 2021





 
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Khannan Grast Samiti /    

Press Note

23-06-2021

NGT Instructs Mines Director to monitor illegal mining on a regular basis

Mining leaseholders to be held answerable for violations

Governments accountability fixed in case of environmental violations.

For years Khannan Grast Samiti has been struggling against illegal mining in Kotputli and nearby areas. They had filed a petition (75/2020) on environmental violations by mining leaseholders in 2020 in NGT. NGT had instructed the government to inspect the complaints filed by Sangharsh Samiti and report to the Court.

NGT heard the matter and also took into account the comments of the Sangharsh Samiti in its recent order on June 23.

A perusal of the government report reveals that:

i. In spite of the direction of the Collector, in compliance with the order of this Tribunal, the authorities as mentioned in the report did not attend the proceedings.

ii. There was regular blasting and the mining was done up to the minimum depth of 125 ft.

iii. The water table has been affected or not, the report is not clear.

iv. There is no report with regard to the compensatory plantation

v. There is damage to the buildings, especially the school buildings due to blasting.

vi. The effect of blasting on human health and building has not been calculated

Honorable Justice Sheo Kumar Singh and the expert member Arun Kumar Verma in their 27 pages order dated 23 June, 2021 has ordered the following :

Accordingly, we direct the Director of Mines to regularly monitor the illegal sand mining and regulating and enforce the relevant guidelines issued in 2016 and 2020 and also direct to take necessary action.

We further, direct the Collector to report with regard to the damage to the school building and other buildings due to blasting in addition to the distance from the human habitation (abadi) and further State Pollution Control Board is directed to report with regard to violation of Environmental Conditions and extent of its compliance and further the damage also.

The Applicant is further directed to submit actual damage caused to the school and human health so that the necessary action may be initiated against the violators of law.

Since there is a violation of Environmental Clearance, thus, we deem it fit that notice should be issued to all the respondents and private respondents also with a direction to submit their reply/counter affidavit within four weeks.

Put up with a complete report on 3rd August, 2021 and list it with connected O.A. 48/2020.

The vehicles involved in illegal mining must be dealt with, in accordance with above guidelines issued in the case of NGT Bar Association and Environmental Compensation must be assessed and realized accordingly

We are also grateful to LIFE organizations lawyer, Mr. Rahul Choudhary ji, for representing us in the court. They were able to convince the court, among other issues, that the large vehicles carrying the mining material loaded stones and sand above the limit, causing loss of revenue to the government and also harming the local environment. The director of mining has been entrusted with the responsibility of monitoring.

We are grateful to the National Green Authority for understanding our issues raised over the years and given the above orders. It is our expectation that the government administration will follow these orders systematically.

Radheshyam Yadav 9829778227, Jagdish Arya, Anchni Devi, Vikram Pichani, Sachin Yadav, Yadram Verma and Vimal Bhai 9718479517

o o

Khanan Grasth Sangharsh Samiti

Press Note | 22nd June, 2021

Notice issued to all mining lease holders

National Green Tribunal directs Rajasthan Pollution Control Board to assess the damages to the villages

The National Green Tribunal heard the case on June 14, 2021, in the case of Khanna Grast Sangharsh Samiti vs. Government of India. In the hearing, the counsel Mr. Rahul Chaudhary, presented the side of the Khanna Grast Sangharsh Samiti. The Govt. Committee had given a report to the Tribunal on the on-site investigation of the complaints filed by the Sangharsh Samiti. On which the Sangharsh Samiti had also filed its reply before the hearing.

It is to be noted that the property was damaged due to mining activity in Shuklavas, Pichni, Pawana, Buchara and Dudhwa villages located in Tehsil Kotputli, District Jaipur, Rajasthan. Due to which the Khanna Grast Sangharsh Samiti filed a suit for compensation in the National Green Tribunal in 48/2020.

After the hearing, Honble Justice Sheo Kumar Singh and expert member Arun Kumar Verma wrote in their order that :-

The issue raised by the applicant organisation pertains live in Shuklavas, Pichani, Pavana, Bhuchara and Dhudhavas villages located in Tehsil Kotputli, District Jaipur, Rajasthan, where the residential houses and agricultural field of individuals, common structures like public health centre, schools, water bodies and water sources 2 are getting affected and being damaged because of uncontrolled mining. There are about 15 mines where the members of the applicant organisation resides, which are engaged in mining activity by use of explosives and also engaged in deep hole blasting.

due to use of heavy machineries, there is imminent danger to life of the citizens residing there and development of cracks because of blasting in the buildings.

.A committee was directed to submit the factual and action taken report. Vide report dated 06.01.2021, it has been submitted that the inspection of the buildings and statement of the Principal and other persons residing in the village makes it clear that there was damage to the walls, cracks on the walls and in one of the house a wall was totally damaged due to the blasting in the mining. It is suggested that DGMS may be directed to calculate the exact compensation and damage. Learned Counsel appearing for Respondent submitted that permission for blasting from the DGMS has not been taken. It is further submitted that since damage, as prayed, has to be paid by the Respondents, Violators of Rules, should also be given anopportunity of hearing.

.Issue notice to all the Respondents to file their reply within four weeks.

. Applicant is further directed to submit the own calculation of damage, individually and by calculating it in a scientific manner so that the exact damage can be assessed.

..The State Pollution Control Board is directed to form a committee consisting of at least two experts for calculation of damage as narrated in the application 3 and reported by the joint committee. Further action taken report be submitted before the date of listing 3rd August, 2021.

[Please check the order for further details or clarifications]

According to the order of the Tribunal, we have sent a copy of the notice and petition to all the respondents. We hope that we will get justice from the National Green Tribunal.

Radheshyam Yadav 9829778227, Jagdish Arya, Anchi Devi, Vikram Pichani,

Sachin Yadav Sarpanch, Yadram Verma,

Khanna Grast Sangharsh Samiti

Vimal Bhai 9718479517

National Alliance of Peoples Movements
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Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Wang Wenbin's Regular Press Conference on June 30, 2021

2021/06/30

CCTV: It is reported that on June 30, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced in its news release to award China a malaria-free certification, which it says is a notable feat for a country that reported 30 million cases of the disease annually in the 1940s. What is China's comment?

Wang Wenbin: We have noted relevant reports. Malaria is a major public health challenge that threatens human life and health. It is good news for China and the rest of the world that China was granted the WHO certification of malaria elimination.

The elimination of malaria is a notable feat of China's health endeavor and another major achievement in China's human rights cause, following the elimination of absolute poverty. The Communist Party of China and the Chinese government have always given top priority to safeguarding people's life, health, safety and well-being, and have adopted various measures and achieved remarkable results. The average life expectancy of Chinese people has risen from 35 years in 1949 to 77.3 years. The main health indicators of the Chinese are generally better than the average level of middle- and high-income countries. With improvement in women and children's right to health, China is recognized by the WHO as one of the ten fast-track countries in women's and children's health.

Eliminating malaria is also a major contribution made by China to human health and the world human rights progress. Chinese scientists discovered and extracted artemisinin from Chinese herbal medicine, the most effective antimalarial drugs available today that saved millions of lives across the world, especially in developing countries. China's "1-3-7" strategy is formally included in WHO's technical documents and adopted across the world. This has facilitated malaria elimination in the world.

President Xi Jinping has stressed the importance of the people-centered approach, and pointed out that "living a happy life is the primary human right". China will continue to commit itself to the health cause and medical cooperation, and make greater contribution to protecting the health and wellbeing of people in China and beyond.

Bloomberg: North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has said a "grave incident" stemming from a quarantine negligence has created a crisis but he didn't provide any detail. Can you tell us if China is providing any help to North Korea in regards to this crisis and if so, what sort of help? And whether China has in the past provided any vaccine to North Korea or will continue to?

Wang Wenbin: China and the DPRK are friendly neighbors linked by mountains and rivers. We respect the anti-epidemic measures the DPRK has put in place based on its national realities and wish it smooth progress in all its endeavors. China and the DPRK have a long tradition of mutual assistance in times of need. China stands ready to positively consider providing help to the DPRK should there be such a need.

CCTV: On June 29, State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attended the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting through video link. Could you share more details?

Wang Wenbin: At the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting held on June 29, all sides held in-depth exchange of views on issues including the pandemic, multilateralism and global governance. State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi, upon invitation, attended the gathering via videoconference and delivered an address titled "Promote Solidarity and Cooperation in Pursuit of Multilateralism". He pointed out that G20 members need to: stay united and work together to lead the way in the global fight against COVID-19; uphold multilateralism and rally more support for the stability of the international order; enhance openness and coordination, and forge greater impetus to global recovery; uphold inclusiveness and sharing, and garner stronger efforts for sustainable development; take a problem-oriented approach, and make the global governance system more responsive.

State Councilor Wang said that over the past one hundred years, the CPC has rallied and led the Chinese people to embark on the path of socialism with Chinese characteristics that suits China and has strong support from the Chinese people. Such endeavors have benefited not only the Chinese people, but also the whole world. At trying times such as the international financial crisis and COVID-19 pandemic, China never gives up solidarity and partnership with other countries. To date, China has provided over 450 million doses of vaccines to nearly 100 countries. China and African countries have jointly launched the Initiative on Partnership for Africa's Development. We welcome more countries and international organizations to join the Initiative.

China's views and proposals have won international recognition. Parties at the meeting stressed the need to uphold multilateralism and strengthen solidarity and cooperation to address global challenges such as the COVID-19 and climate change and to realize sustainable development. The G20, as a prominent forum for international economic cooperation, should play a bigger role.

This foreign ministers' meeting illustrates the leading role of the G20 in dealing with major international crises and improving global governance. It has sent out a strong, positive signal to the world. China stands ready to work with all parties to practice true multilateralism, strive for a successful Rome Summit and contribute wisdom and strength to securing a global victory over COVID-19 at an early date, realizing steady and sustained world economic recovery, and building a community with a shared future for mankind.

Reuters: Amnesty International said that Hong Kong's new security law is a human rights emergency. Do you have any comment on this?

Wang Wenbin: The remarks of the organization you mentioned are malicious, deliberate smears and distortion of facts. I would like to share with you some facts and truth.

Since the Law on Safeguarding National Security in the Hong Kong SAR took effect one year ago, national security has been safeguarded, Hong Kong society has been brought back to the right track, the rule of law and justice have been upheld, and the lawful rights and freedoms of Hong Kong residents and foreign citizens in Hong Kong have been better protected in a safer environment. This is an undeniable fact that any unbiased people would recognize. Statistics show that in 2020, the amount of capital flowing into Hong Kong was $50 billion, and funds raised through IPOs in its stock exchange ranked the second largest globally. The Hong Kong economy grew 7.9% in the first quarter of 2021 year-on-year. A recent report of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) reaffirms Hong Kong's position as an international financial center. The number of overseas media outlets and people working in the press sector in Hong Kong has increased. These facts are a vote of confidence for the national security law and Hong Kong's prospect. No attack or smear can stop Hong Kong's turnaround from chaos to stability and prosperity. The Chinese government is firmly resolved in safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, implementing the policy of One Country, Two Systems, and opposing external interference in Hong Kong affairs. We believe that with the full support of the Central Government and the concerted efforts of people from all walks of life in the HKSAR, Hong Kong will surely maintain lasting stability and prosperity and embrace an even brighter future.

Global Times: It's reported that the Canadian senators on the evening of June 29 local time voted down a motion to label China's treatment of its Uyghur population in Xinjiang as a genocide. Could I have China's comment?

Wang Wenbin: China has presented facts and truth about Xinjiang on multiple occasions. The allegation of "genocide" in Xinjiang is nothing but downright lies, which runs counter to facts and common sense. Its real purpose is to undermine social stability in Xinjiang and hamstring China's development. The rejection of the wrong motion on Xinjiang by the Canadian Senate once again shows that the despicable schemes of a few anti-China forces have been seen through by more and more people of vision, and the hype of "genocide" in Xinjiang is unpopular and doomed to fail.

At present, Xinjiang enjoys social stability and economic development. The people of all ethnic groups in Xinjiang live and work in peace and contentment, enjoying unprecedented rights and dignity. This is a fact that no one can deny. We welcome more foreign friends to visit Xinjiang and see with their own eyes the real situation there. All the rumors will crumble before facts.

China is unswervingly determined to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests, as well as Xinjiang's development, stability and ethnic solidarity. We urge some Canadian politicians to respect facts, stop the clumsy trick of attacking China for their selfish political gains, and stop interfering in China's internal affairs under the pretext of human rights. We also hope that all social sectors in Canada can view the Chinese government's Xinjiang policy and Xinjiang's development in an objective and fair light, and not be blinded by lies and rumors.

China News Service: It is reported that the National Assembly of the ROK adopted a resolution strongly condemning the Japanese government's decision to release Fukushima's nuclear contaminated water into the sea and urging the immediate withdrawal of the decision. Do you have any comment?

Wang Wenbin: We support the just position of the ROK side. Over the past two months since Japan made the unilateral decision to discharge nuclear contaminated water from the Fukushima nuclear power plant into the sea, countries on the Pacific Rim including China and the ROK, and organizations like the Pacific Islands Forum have all expressed grave concerns.

The past two months and more could have been spent to have full consultation with stakeholders, adjust the disposal plan, and rectify TEPCO's problematic management. However, the Japanese side is bent on pressing ahead with preparations for the discharge of nuclear contaminated water into the sea without responding seriously and responsibly to the concerns of the international community.

We would like to tell the Japanese side once again that the disposal of nuclear contaminated water must be handled with the utmost caution as it concerns the lives and health of the Japanese people and people around the world, and the safety of the global marine ecology. Japan should revoke its wrong decision as soon as possible and come back to the right track of having full consultation with all stakeholders of the international community and the IAEA.

Bloomberg: Can you give me a yes-or-no answer on whether China has provided vaccines to North Korea?

Wang Wenbin: I've just made our position clear.

Reuters: The Mekong River Commission has urged China and other Mekong countries to share more operational data of hydropower dams on the Mekong River in order to improve water resource management. Do you have any comment on this request by the Mekong River Commission?

Wang Wenbin: Since November 2020, China has been providing hydrological information of the Lancang River to Mekong countries on a daily basis through the Lancang-Mekong water resource cooperation information sharing platform website and has been offering notification on major changes in discharge volume downstream. The information is completely open and transparent. Chinese authorities for water resources maintain close communication with the five Mekong countries and the Mekong River Commission. We stand ready to work together with Mekong countries to advance water resources cooperation, promote the sustainable development and use of water resources, and contribute through concrete actions to regional peace, stability, development and prosperity.

China Daily: Could you brief us on the website named "China's Diplomacy in the New Era" which was launched on June 28?

Wang Wenbin: A website dedicated to China's Diplomacy in the New Era was launched in both Chinese and English on June 28. The website was jointly created by the China Internet Information Center and the China Institute of International Studies with guidance from the Publicity Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China. The website serves as an official platform to introduce and popularize Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy in a comprehensive and systematic manner. The website focuses on Xi Jinping's important foreign affair activities, remarks, statements and signed articles, as well as literature and studies on Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, with the aim of demonstrating major-country diplomacy with Chinese characteristics guided by Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy.

Since the 18th National Congress of the CPC, with the foresight of a great strategic thinker and a keen appreciation of the laws of human society, General Secretary Xi Jinping has made a comprehensive assessment of the trajectory of the international situation and the historical juncture in which China finds itself, and put forward a series of new ideas, new propositions and new initiatives with distinctive Chinese features, which reflect the call of our times and lead the trend of human progress. Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy has thus been formed and established, pointing the direction and providing fundamental guidance for China's foreign policy in the new era.

Under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping as the core, we in the Chinese diplomatic service have followed the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, and taken firm position to safeguard national sovereignty, security and development interests. We have built up a global network of partnerships, and made Belt and Road cooperation a platform for international cooperation. We have made contributions to the reform of the global governance system and the building of a community with a shared future for mankind.

Actions and practice must be guided by ideas and theories. In this momentous new era, we in the Chinese diplomatic service will continue to follow the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Diplomacy, and take pioneering steps to make greater contributions to national rejuvenation and human progress!
Maryland Air National Guard archive file photo.

BALTIMORE

(June 28, 2021)The Maryland Air National Guard is kicking off a yearlong Centennial Celebration with a ceremony to commemorate the 100 years serving the state and nation. Maryland Lt. Governor Boyd Rutherford will serve as the presiding official of the event, Tuesday, June 29th at Warfield Air National Base.The 104th Observation Squadron, MDANG's first unit and one the oldest is the U.S. Air Force, was federally recognized on June 29, 1921. The 104th Fighter Squadron, which flies the A-10C Thunderbolt II aircraft, continues their lineage as a descendent unit."For 100 years, the Maryland Air National Guard has been a cornerstone of the defense of this nation, and the protection of this state," said Maryland Governor Larry Hogan. "When we need the Guard most, it answers the call every single time-whether it's to protect Marylanders, support humanitarian efforts, or respond to a global pandemic. We could not be prouder of the men and women of the Guard."Over the last 100 years, the MDANG has grown to be nearly 1500 Airmen that are assigned to 17 squadrons and flights across the 175th Wing. In addition to supporting flying operations, those Airmen serve in wide range of career fields, like cyber, civil engineering, maintenance, logistics, intelligence, medical, security, administration, and more.Maryland Airmen have deployed overseas since World War II helping bring their skills and expertise to support the federal mission. They have also supported domestic missions within the state and across the U.S. during floods, hurricanes, civil unrest and cyber-attacks.Over the past year and half, Airmen from the 175th Wing have supported the state's Covid-19 pandemic response at the M&T Bank Stadium helping nearly 250,000 residents get vaccinated, at the Strategic National Stockpile warehouse processing and delivering over 59 million pieces of PPE and other critical medical equipment across the state, distributing thousands of meals to community, and provided 400 vulnerability assessments to state and local websites and IP addresses."We are incredibly proud of our rich and distinguished history answering our nation's call and serving the citizens of Maryland," said U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Paul Johnson, 175th Wing commander. "The future of Wing is bright as our Airmen lead the way by bringing air power to support allies across the globe and protecting our digitally connected world with first-class cyber capabilities."
A long time ago, in two galaxies about 900 million light-years away, two black holes each gobbled up their neutron star companions, triggering gravitational waves that finally hit Earth in January 2020.

Discovered by an international team of astrophysicists including Northwestern University researchers, two events -- detected just 10 days apart -- mark the first-ever detection of a black hole merging with a neutron star. The findings will enable researchers to draw the first conclusions about the origins of these rare binary systems and how often they merge.

"Gravitational waves have allowed us to detect collisions of pairs of black holes and pairs of neutron stars, but the mixed collision of a black hole with a neutron star has been the elusive missing piece of the family picture of compact object mergers," said Chase Kimball, a Northwestern graduate student who co-authored the study. "Completing this picture is crucial to constraining the host of astrophysical models of compact object formation and binary evolution. Inherent to these models are their predictions of the rates that black holes and neutron stars merge amongst themselves. With these detections, we finally have measurements of the merger rates across all three categories of compact binary mergers."

The research will be published June 29 in the Astrophysical Journal Letters. The team includes researchers from the LIGO Scientific Collaboration (LSC), the Virgo Collaboration and the Kamioka Gravitational Wave Detector (KAGRA) project. An LSC member, Kimball led calculations of the merger rate estimates and how they fit into predictions from the various formation channels of neutron stars and black holes. He also contributed to discussions about the astrophysical implications of the discovery.

Kimball is co-advised by Vicky Kalogera, the principal investigator of Northwestern's LSC group, director of the Center for Interdisciplinary Exploration and Research in Astrophysics (CIERA) and the Daniel I. Linzer Distinguished Professor of Physics and Astronomy in the Weinberg Colleges of Arts and Sciences; and by Christopher Berry, an LSC member and the CIERA Board of Visitors Research Professor at Northwestern as well as a lecturer at the Institute for Gravitational Research at the University of Glasgow. Other Northwestern co-authors include Maya Fishbach, a NASA Einstein Postdoctoral Fellow and LSC member.

Two events in ten days

The team observed the two new gravitational-wave events -- dubbed GW200105 and GW200115 -- on Jan. 5, 2020, and Jan. 15, 2020, during the second half of the LIGO and Virgo detectors third observing run, called O3b. Although multiple observatories carried out several follow-up observations, none observed light from either event, consistent with the measured masses and distances.

"Following the tantalizing discovery, announced in June 2020, of a black-hole merger with a mystery object, which may be the most massive neutron star known, it is exciting also to have the detection of clearly identified mixed mergers, as predicted by our theoretical models for decades now," Kalogera said. "Quantitatively matching the rate constraints and properties for all three population types will be a powerful way to answer the foundational questions of origins."

All three large detectors (both LIGO instruments and the Virgo instrument) detected GW200115, which resulted from the merger of a 6-solar mass black hole with a 1.5-solar mass neutron star, roughly 1 billion light-years from Earth. With observations of the three widely separated detectors on Earth, the direction to the waves' origin can be determined to a part of the sky equivalent to the area covered by 2,900 full moons.

Just 10 days earlier, LIGO detected a strong signal from GW200105, using just one detector while the other was temporarily offline. While Virgo also was observing, the signal was too quiet in its data for Virgo to help detect it. From the gravitational waves, the astronomers inferred that the signal was caused by a 9-solar mass black hole colliding with a 1.9-solar mass compact object, which they ultimately concluded was a neutron star. This merger happened at a distance of about 900 million light-years from Earth.

Because the signal was strong in only one detector, the astronomers could not precisely determine the direction of the waves' origin. Although the signal was too quiet for Virgo to confirm its detection, its data did help narrow down the source's potential location to about 17% of the entire sky, which is equivalent to the area covered by 34,000 full moons.

Where do they come from?

Because the two events are the first confident observations of gravitational waves from black holes merging with neutron stars, the researchers now can estimate how often such events happen in the universe. Although not all events are detectable, the researchers expect roughly one such merger per month happens within a distance of one billion light-years.

While it is unclear where these binary systems form, astronomers identified three likely cosmic origins: stellar binary systems, dense stellar environments including young star clusters, and the centers of galaxies.

The team is currently preparing the detectors for a fourth observation run, to begin in summer 2022.

"We've now seen the first examples of black holes merging with neutron stars, so we know that they're out there," Fishbach said. "But there's still so much we don't know about neutron stars and black holes -- how small or big they can get, how fast they can spin, how they pair off into merger partners. With future gravitational wave data, we will have the statistics to answer these questions, and ultimately learn how the most extreme objects in our universe are made."

###

About the collaboration

This material is based upon work supported by NSF's LIGO Laboratory which is a major facility funded by the NSF. LIGO is operated by Caltech and MIT, which conceived of LIGO and led the Advanced LIGO detector project. Financial support for the Advanced LIGO project was principally from the NSF with Germany (Max Planck Society), the U.K. (Science and Technology Facilities Council) and Australia (Australian Research Council-OzGrav) making significant commitments and contributions to the project. Approximately 1,400 scientists from around the world participate in the effort to analyze the data and develop detector designs through the LIGO Scientific Collaboration, which includes the GEO Collaboration. A list of additional partners is available at https://my.ligo.org/census.php.

The Virgo Collaboration is currently composed of approximately 650 members from 119 institutions in 14 different countries including Belgium, France, Germany, Hungary, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and Spain. The European Gravitational Observatory (EGO) hosts the Virgo detector near Pisa in Italy, and is funded by the Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique (CNRS) in France, the Istituto Nazionale di Fisica Nucleare (INFN) in Italy, and Nikhef in the Netherlands. A list of the Virgo Collaboration groups can be found at http://public.virgo-gw.eu/the-virgo-collaboration. More information is available on the Virgo website at http://www.virgo-gw.eu.

The KAGRA detector is located in Kamioka, Gifu, Japan. The host institute is the Institute of Cosmic Ray Researches (ICRR) at the University of Tokyo, and the project is co-hosted by National Astronomical Observatory in Japan (NAOJ) and High Energy Accelerator Research Organization (KEK). KAGRA completed its construction in 2019, and later joined the international gravitational-wave network of LIGO and Virgo. The actual data-taking was started in February 2020 during the final stage of the run called "O3b." The KAGRA collaboration is composed of over 470 members from 11 countries/regions. The list of researchers is available from http://gwwiki.icrr.u-tokyo.ac.jp/JGWwiki/KAGRA/KSC/Researchers. KAGRA information is at the website https://gwcenter.icrr.u-tokyo.ac.jp/en/.

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Thomas Pesquet: A sandstorm! I have seen a few times sand deposited on cars in the streets of metropolitan France, the result of such a weather event, and I knew as a pilot flying to Africa that it could be bad sometimes, but I had never seen one from space!

This one looked massive... I wonder how many tons of sand just flew over dozens or hundreds of kilometres. Mother nature has some strength.

Une tempete de sable ! J'avais deja vu du sable depose sur les voitures en France hexagonale, et dans ma carriere de pilote on m'avait dit que ca pouvait arriver en volant au dessus de l'Afrique, mais je n'en avais jamais vu depuis l'espace. Celle-ci a l'air impressionnante... Je me demande combien de tonnes de sable elle a deplace, et sur quelle distance : une idee @meteofrance ?

Credits: ESA/NASA-T. Pesquet Larger image



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Bee Two Bee was a handy winner in a Preferred 3 for pacers last Tuesday at Georgian Downs, and early tonight he stepped up to the Preferred 2 class for horse and gelding pacers and extended his winning streak to two in a row.

Driver Scott Coulter was in no hurry with the Craig Gilmour-trained favourite who got away last in the field of five. Pedro Hanover and Pretty Handsome scrapped early, however, and as a result they hung up an opening quarter clocked in :27.

Pretty Handsome emerged from that early skirmish with the lead, and he went on to carve out middle splits of :55.4 and 1:24.2. Cyclone Joe applied first over pressure on the leader in the third quarter and Coulter had Bee Two Bee positioned second over as the field headed into the final quarter of the $13,000 contest.

Bee Two Bee unleashed a closing quarter of :27.3 to win by three-quarters of a length over Pedro Hanover in 1:52.3 over a track rated Sloppy with a two-second allowance. Royal Renegade was third.

Sent off at odds of even-money, Bee Two Bee now boasts a 2-1-2 record from 10 trips to the track this season for George Lebers ICR Racing of Pefferlaw. The four-year-old son of Sunshine Beach-Bee Fullof Steinam is a 10-time winner with earnings in excess of $100,000.

To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results  Georgian Downs.
Viewers were treated to a blockbuster finish in Tuesdays $8,100 Open Pace at Century Downs as three horses came storming to the finish line together.

The six-horse affair saw Tiempo Hanover charge to the early lead, and he managed to carve out first-half fractions of :27.2 and :55.4 before coming under attack from the eventual winner.

Dontpokethedragon and driver Michael Hennessy popped off the rail from third and put the first-over press on Tiempo Hanover as the field made its way to the three-quarter pole. Dontpokethedragon led the charge to the three-quarter in 1:23.3 while racing parked, but he eventually cleared and continued to work hard right to the line. Race favourite Icy Blue Scooter followed the favourite, and went stride for stride with that foe right to the finish.

Dontpokethedragons :29.1 closing panel was just enough to earn him the nose decision over Icy Blue Scooter in 1:52.4. Canadian Pharoh rallied from third-over to come up just a neck short in what turned out to be a fantastic finish.

Dontpokethedragon, a four-year-old son of Custard The Dragon-Rummys Command from the Michael Campbell barn, now owns a 6-2-1 record from 10 trips to the track this season. Paul Sanders, J J J Stables and Jim Marino own the career winner of $117,503.

To view results for Tuesday's card of harness racing, click the following link: Tuesday Results  Century Downs.
The global pandemic has seen people being more digitally connected than ever. Despite a year into remote working most of the businesses are still concerned about the security risk of the online world. Over the last few years and specifically during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, enterprises have constantly been bombarded with advanced and unknown threats that they are not equipped to deal with. In order to curb such threats various cybersecurity startups are working towards strengthening the entire digital security system.

There is a need for strategic and informed security strategies for companies to decrease risk and increase awareness for preparing against attacks. It is the dire need of the organizations to think about evolving their current security strategy. Today, enterprises need a 360-degree security framework that protects digital assets, workloads, and endpoints. This framework needs to be banked on proactive security architecture with threat intelligence as its backbone.

Here are the cybersecurity players curbing the threat intelligence amid covid:

WiJungle: WiJungle, a Jaipur-based cybersecurity startup, is the Unified Network Security Gateway that enables organizations to manage and secure their entire network through a single-window In the past years, it has vehemently won the confidence of Indias governmental organizations as well as various verticals of enterprises.WiJungle currently serves government and private giants across industry verticals like hospitality, healthcare, education, BFSI, retail, defense, transportation, ITES, etc. WiJungle the only prominent player in Unified Network Security space has emerged as the Governments New Face of Cyber Security. It is extensively serving more than 15 ministries & PMO in the central government along with numerous state-level organizations.

Seconize: Seconize is a Bangalore-based cybersecurity startup offering cloud-based, AI/ML-enabled, automated security solutions to enterprises that are embracing digitization. These solutions enable enterprises to de-risk themselves in a cohesive, continuous, and consistent manner through proactive risk assessment, identification, remediation, and management across all IT assets with real-time risk posture and zero human error. Their solution automates the analysis of gaps in the regional and global regulatory and compliance requirements.

Prophaze: It is the emerging cybersecurity startup in India. They provide Docker Security using WAF Container, Web Application Firewall for Kubernetes Platform, OWASP TOP 10, API Security, etc. Headquartered in Cochin, Kerala, it is providing cybersecurity solutions to various companies. It is the state-of-the-art web application security for businesses and SaaS providers. They provide enterprises with solutions from beginning to end and offer all the services needed to secure the web applications including application architecture review, testing, onboarding assistance, product deployment, DevOps training, and compliance.

SecLogic: SecLogic is an ISV(Independent Software Vendor)/Global Solution Provider in Cyber Security, Data Center & Edge IT, Digital Transformation & Applications to evolve an organizations digital landscape. Through our flagship solution {SecBox  next-generation cybersecurity orchestration platform), you get more than a score. While our dashboard offers the most accurate insight of risk exposure in the industry, the platform goes deeper by using advanced vulnerability and threat detection technology to assess and quantify risk within all pillars of cybersecurity: people, processes, and technology, for your organization and your third parties.

Technisanct: Technisanct is a big data cybersecurity startup based in India. They intend to fight the issues of cyber threats, spreading of misinformation, privacy and data breaches, negative campaigns using big-data and artificial intelligence. Their team is constantly innovating its flagship tool Integrite to identify threats. They use both manual as well as automation in identifying the latest digital risks that could occur to a brand. As a Cyber Security startup, they offer a wide range of services from penetration testing to litigation assistance.
Bahrain Real Estate Investment Company (Edamah), the real estate arm of the kingdom's sovereign wealth fund Mumtalakat Holding Company, has unveiled its new corporate brand to highlight its bold growth plans for the country's real estate sector and to further connect with its audiences.

The new visual identity was created in partnership with Unisono, a Bahrain-based leader in strategic brand development.

The core visual identity symbolises Edamahs evolution and expresses the creative essence of the brand within a professional and corporate aesthetic.

On its new move, Edamah CEO Amin Alarrayed said: "Edamah is driven by a promise to the people of Bahrain to deliver projects that transform, inspire, and elevate. Our new brand identity reflects the dynamic new phase we are entering and affirms our commitment to our investors, the public, and other stakeholders to Build for Bahrain."

"We are proud of how far we have come, and as we map out our ambitious future plans, we are excited to deliver new projects that inspire and elevate lifestyles. Our innovative, market-led solutions are aimed at promoting economic growth and creating value for local communities through developments that meet the countrys needs," he noted.

The comprehensive brand transformation started with Unisonos signature 'Why' workshop, a series of engaging and collaborative sessions where key stakeholders participated in exercises that helped unearth the brands current challenges, future potential, and true personality.

Unisono Executive Creative Director Liam Farrell said: "After a highly collaborative and strategic process, we are all thrilled to see Edamahs new brand come to life. We would like to thank Edamahs Board of Directors, management team, and the entire staff for trusting us to be a part of their brand transformation."

"This marks the start of a new era for Edamah, and we cannot wait to see what the future holds as it leads the next stage of growth in the Kingdoms real estate landscape," he added.

Edamahs extensive portfolio comprises retail, commercial, and leisure properties across Bahrain such as Bilaj Al Jazayer, a unique destination project reminiscent of Miami Beach; the five-star Jumeirah Gulf of Bahrain Resort and Spa; and Saada, a four-phase mixed-use development that aims to restore Muharraqs ancient connection to the sea.-TradeArabia News Service
Saudi Arabia has witnessed a significant increase in the number of residential mortgages for homes and land in the first three months which surged to 38,285, the highest level in at least five years, according to global property consultants, Knight Frank.

In April alone, a total of 25,700 mortgage contracts were issued across the kingdom, it added.

Knight Frank pointed out that a number of key policy initiatives of the government such as Sakani, which is aimed at boosting home ownership through a landmark housing allocation programme, are underpinning the resilience of residential sales activity, which has seen sales volumes return to pre-Covid levels across the kingdom.

The residential mortgages issued in Saudi Arabia for homes and land in Q1 soared to SR48 billion ( ), it added.

Faisal Durrani, Head of Middle East Research at Knight Frank, said: "The vast apparatus that is Vision 2030 is percolating through to the kingdom's residential market, with rising residential mortgage rates, helping the government to realise its ambitions of higher home ownership rates."

"Indeed at 60% at present, the government has already surpassed its 2020 target by 8% and is well on course to achieving 70% home ownership by 2030," he noted.

Knight Frank pointed out initiatives such as Sakani, which was first launched in 2017 to boost home ownership through a landmark housing allocation programme, plus the Wafi programme that allows off-plan sales, are transforming Saudi Arabia's residential landscape.

Knight Frank highlights that 1.1 million families have benefitted from the Sakani program since its launch five years ago.

"This coupled with the kingdom's tremendous home building programme, which aims to add over 500,000 units to Riyadh's housing stock by 2030 alone - that's just 100,000 units less than Dubai's total current housing stock - means Saudi nationals are able to access the housing ladder in record numbers," remarked Durrani.

"Indeed, at 115,000 transactions, sales volumes between January and May are on par with the same period in 2019 and are in fact 49% higher than January to May 2018. Home buyers and lenders are clearly feeling more confident about life as the post-Covid recovery starts to bed in," he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Leading construction industry experts will discuss 15 years of The Emirates Green Building Council's operations and its contribution to promoting green buildings and the current focus on achieving the Sustainable Cities 2030 vision at the upcoming (EmiratesGBC) congress.

To coincide with the World Green Building Week in September, this years congress takes inspiration from the national theme, Year of the 50th, and will be held under the overarching theme, 15 years of EmiratesGBC: From Green Buildings towards Sustainable Cities 2030.

It will be inaugurated by Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, Honorary President of EmiratesGBC and CEO of Alliances for Global Sustainability (AGS) on September 22.

The upcoming event will provide a platform for international and regional experts to discuss the latest innovations in driving environmental sustainability, and act as a forum for networking and discussion between members and industry and government stakeholders.

"As the world prepares for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in November, the UAE continues to make great strides in its efforts to combat climate change. The 10th congress, which takes places as we celebrate our nations golden jubilee, represents the UAEs commitment to tackling climate change," stated Sheikha Shamma.

"It provides stakeholders across the public and private sectors with the opportunity to discuss our way forward over the next 50 years. We are confident that the deliberations of the congress will further drive the UAE  and the regions  efforts to decarbonise and build sustainable cities," he added.

EmiratesGBC Chairperson Ali Al Jassim said: "As we mark a milestone this year with the event's 10th edition, we are inspired by the words of our nations founding father, the late Sheikh Zayed, who observed: He who does not know his past cannot make best of his present and future, for it is from the past that we learn."

"As the nation strengthens its reserve to combat climate change, cut greenhouse gas emissions by a quarter by 2030, and achieve the goal of net zero carbon emissions by 2050, the congress will look at our achievements, current field of work and future strategies," he added.

The key topics to be discussed include the impact of rapid population and urban growth on building sustainable cities and the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the climate change narrative.

The discussions will also highlight the innovation and vision needed to achieve the goal of net zero carbon cities, said Al Jassim.

A number of webinars will also be held in the run-up to the congress, with a focus on different aspects of a sustainable built environment including embodied carbon, healthy cities and building resilience to climate change, he added.-TradeArabia News Service
Zoom Video Communications has announced it has signed a definitive agreement to acquire Karlsruhe Information Technology Solutions - Kites GmbH (Kites), a start-up dedicated to developing real-time Machine Translation (MT) solutions. The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Kites was founded in 2015 and has academic roots with Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, where co-founders Dr Alex Waibel and Dr Sebastian Stuker are faculty members. Kites talented team of 12 research scientists will help Zooms engineering team advance the field of MT to improve meeting productivity and efficiency by providing multi-language translation capabilities for Zoom users.

We are continuously looking for new ways to deliver happiness to our users and improve meeting productivity, and MT solutions will be key in enhancing our platform for Zoom customers across the globe, said Velchamy Sankarlingam, President of Product and Engineering at Zoom.

With our aligned missions to make collaboration frictionless  regardless of language, geographic location, or other barriers  we are confident Kites impressive team will fit right in with Zoom.

Kites emerged with the mission of breaking down language barriers and making seamless cross-language interaction a reality of everyday life, and we have long admired Zoom for its ability to easily connect people across the world, said Dr Waibel and Dr Stuker. We know Zoom is the best partner for Kites to help advance our mission and we are excited to see what comes next under Zooms incredible innovation engine.

Dr Stuker and the rest of the Kites team will remain based in Karlsruhe, Germany, where Zoom looks forward to investing in growing the team. Zoom is exploring opening an R&D center in Germany in the future. Dr Waibel will become a Zoom Research Fellow, a role in which he will advise on Zooms MT research and development. -- TradeArabia News Service
UAE officials have commemorated the inauguration of the Consulate General of the State of Israel in Dubai as a step towards further strengthening bilateral ties since the signing of the historic Abraham Accords by the UAE and Israel in September last year.

The Consulate General of Israel was inaugurated today (June 30) by Yair Lapid, Foreign Minister of Israel, in the first-ever visit by an Israeli minister to the UAE, reported Wam.

The event also saw the participation of Omar Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications.

In his welcoming remarks, Omar Al Olama said: "As we look to a comprehensive recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic which the UAE and Israel have faced as close partners in scientific and technological innovation we expect bilateral exchange to rapidly expand."

"The Consulate General of Israel in Dubai will provide essential services to Israeli visitors to the UAE and those seeking to travel from the UAE to Israel," he noted.

"Ultimately, the warm ties between the UAE and Israel are slated to grow in many areas, and in the coming period, our two countries will usher in the next phase of bilateral cooperation," Al Olama added.

In the wake of the Abraham Accords of last year, which formally established relations between the UAE and Israel, the two countries have engaged in high-level cooperation in the political, economic, and cultural fields, including in the areas of health, technology, education, investment, tourism, and aviation, as well as diplomatic and consular coordination.
To mark UN Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Day and the vital role that they play in post-pandemic recovery, Emirates is empowering small and medium sized enterprises to get back into the skies and turn their travel budgets into rewards by debuting a Business Rewards incentive for new members who sign up for the programme.

Small and medium sized businesses who sign up for an account to Emirates' Business Rewards corporate loyalty programme from June 27 to July 27 will receive a bonus of 10,000 Business Reward Points, the equivalent of one Economy Class return ticket to selected destinations in Europe.

Emirates currently has over 20,000 small and medium sized businesses enrolled in its Business Rewards programme, and is providing a gamut of benefits including simplified enrolment, easier earning and redemptions, greater flexibility on retaining and using points as well as upgrade opportunities, even on last minute bookings.

With countries easing their entry restrictions, business travel has begun accelerating, and small and medium size enterprises have become key drivers of demand with the flexibility to make travel plans quickly as new opportunities emerge.

Emirates has been supporting small and medium sized business hit by the pandemic. Emirates Business Rewards programme members are taking advantage of the airline's flexible booking policies, which are among the most generous in the industry for stress-free travel planning, in addition to its multi-risk insurance cover. Since the outset of the pandemic, Business Rewards programme members were provided additional reassurance with extensions on their points validity if travel plans needed to be adjusted.

Knowing their travel plans are protected, top destinations for Business Rewards programme members have been frequenting during the pandemic include London, Manila, Paris, Cairo, Milan and Beirut. Dubai also continues to be a key destination regularly visited by Business Rewards members, mainly due to its open business environment throughout the pandemic, world-class infrastructure and thriving start-up ecosystem.

The airline continues to work hard to restore its network and schedules to enable small and medium sized businesses to visit clients and ramp up their business development activities as cities around the world gradually ease travel restrictions.

Businesses of all sizes can also ensure their health and safety expectations are taken care of throughout their journey. Emirates has lead the industry with clear, consistent and properly implemented safety measures at every touchpoint, including a contactless travel journey and digital verification solutions such as the IATA Travel Pass to ensure it remains the preferred airline for business travellers.

Emirates has a long track record of supporting small and medium sized businesses, not only through its Business Rewards programme, but also through its procurement of products and services across the business. Hundreds of small and medium sized businesses in a range of industries from around the world have benefitted from showcasing their products to a global travel audience, providing a boost to their growth plans.

In the UAE, Emirates prioritises SMEs as part of its tendering process, and is actively committed to work with government stakeholders like Dubai SME in identifying businesses and evaluating the performance of active suppliers on a regular basis. As a result, according to the Dubai SME report 2020, which summarises support provided to SMEs, Emirates ranked first among semi-governmental organisations, investing in procurement contracts worth over AED79 million ($21.5 million). It also ranked among the top five organisations supporting small to medium size businesses in Dubai. - TradeArabia News Service
With a surge in demand for pre-owned planes, JET MS  a family member of the Avia Solutions Group, the largest aviation, and aerospace company in Central and Eastern Europe  announces a new range of services to embrace this rapidly growing market.

In what has been described as a very active global pre-owned aircraft sales market, JET MS, the leading provider of base and line maintenance services for business aviation and regional aircraft, are ready to perform pre-purchase inspections  a necessary step before the sale of any aircraft  in accordance with aircraft type maintenance regulations.

Directly in the wake of a calamitous year due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the shortage of newer-model business jets for sale is forcing an upward curve in second-hand aircraft prices. Plus, with this rush towards private aircraft ownership, driven by lock-downs and grounded airlines, and the wish to avoid crowded airport spaces, pre-owned aircraft are increasing in age meaning pre-purchase inspections are in greater demand than ever before.

The value and benefits assured by a pre-purchase inspection are vital components of any second-hand aircraft sale. JET MS is ready to provide all necessary checks required to ensure a satisfactory and successful sales transaction.

From document and aircraft record inspections, airframe reviews, functional airframe systems check, avionics and electronics checks, full exterior paint jobs to full interior technical and aesthetic reviews and upgrades, the JET MS team have the experience and the expertise to ensure a timely turnaround in a thriving market. Either prior to, or post sale, JET MS can be trusted to enhance and upgrade the aircraft exactly to the customers wishes.

When an aircraft acquires a new owner, a strategy for future MRO checks and aircraft maintenance plans, interior upgrades, along with any other modifications needs to be implemented  JET MS is ideally placed within the international MRO market to provide all of the above services.

According to Vytis Zalimas, JET MS CEO: The pandemic has brought many challenges to the aviation and aerospace industries, one of them being the demand for the quick sale of pre-owned business jets that offer real aircraft value to the new owner. JET MS is perfectly placed from within the industry to offer pre-purchase inspections, upgrades, and modifications, both before and after-sale, and to be there to guide the buyer, seller, or broker with advice and solutions that come from many years of experience as a leading global MRO provider. - TradeArabia News Service
United Airlines will expand its Boeing 737 order book by purchasing an additional 200 737 MAX jets, including 150 for the largest member of the family, the 737-10, and 50 for the single-aisle market 737-8.



The new purchase positions United's fleet for growth and accelerating demand for air travel.



"Our 'United Next' vision will revolutionize the experience of flying United as we accelerate our business to meet a resurgence in air travel," said United CEO Scott Kirby.



"By adding and upgrading this many aircraft so quickly with our new signature interiors, we'll combine friendly, helpful service with the best experience in the sky, all across our premier global network. At the same time, this move underscores the critical role United plays in fuelling the broader U.S. economy  we expect the addition of these new aircraft will have a significant economic impact on the communities we serve in terms of job creation, traveller spending and the shipping of goods and services."



The purchase increases United's order book for the fuel-efficient, single-aisle family to 380 airplanes, excluding 30 that have been delivered. As the launch customer for the 737-10, United placed its first order in 2017 by converting 100 737-9 orders to the larger 737-10 variant. Today's agreement also includes the purchase of Boeing 737 MAX training simulator data packages to support United's pilot training programs.



Designed and built in Renton, Washington, the 737 MAX family delivers superior efficiency, flexibility and reliability while reducing fuel use and carbon emissions by at least 14% compared to the airplanes it replaces. The 737-8 seats up to 189 passengers and can fly 3,550 nautical miles  about 600 miles farther than its predecessor  allowing airlines to offer new and more direct routes for passengers.



The largest model in the family, the 737-10 seats up to 230 passengers in a single-class configuration and can fly up to 3,300 miles. The fuel-efficient jet can cover 99% of single-aisle routes, including routes served by 757s.



"We are truly humbled by United Airlines' confidence in the people of Boeing and the airplanes we design and build every day, said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.



Our strong partnership, dating back to United's founding, has helped us grow and weather challenges through the decades. As we look forward to the recovery ahead, we are honoured that United has once again chosen the 737 family's performance, efficiency and flexibility to power their growing network. The Boeing team is excited to be building hundreds of these new jets for United and delivering on a landmark agreement that solidifies our future together for the next decades," he added.  TradeArabia News Service
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Several cases of suicides in Kashmir in the past month and with the pandemic year recording the highest cases of suicides in Kashmir in a decade has raised an alarm. Mental health experts blame the rising cases of suicides in Kashmir on the distressing mental health situation that prevails in the conflict-torn region.

Auqib Javeed | TwoCircles.net

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SRINAGAR  Back to back lockdowns in Kashmir with attendant economic crisis has triggered a wave of suicides in the Valley with mental health experts sounding an alarm.

On June 27, a teenage girl and a woman were hospitalised after they tried to commit suicide by taking some poisonous substance in the Sopore area of North Kashmirs Baramulla district.

In another incident on June 26, a 17-year-old youth died after jumping into river Jhelum from Cement Kadal in the Noorbagh area of Srinagarthe summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir.

The family members of the youth told a Srinagar based news agency that their son identified as Saqib Ahmad Ahangar, son of Abdul Kalaam Ahangar of Kupwara jumped into river Jhelum on Friday evening.

Saqib, an 11th standard student also shot a video before the act and sought forgiveness from his parents for taking this extreme step.

Financial stress

In a pattern, on May 30, a video of a 24-year-old youth from Damhal Hanjipora area of South Kashmirs Kulgam district recording his reason for taking his life sent shock waves across Kashmir.

The cause of his suicide narrated by the deceased before consuming poison was that his father was denied salary for the last 2.5 years by the government of Jammu and Kashmir.

I sacrifice my life for all the teachers who have not been paid for the last two years and I cant tell you how much trouble I have faced to this day which is why I was forced to take this step, he said in the video, which he recorded himself.

He further said that, I am giving my life to solve the problem of all the employees including my father who are still not getting their salaries for the last two years.

As this report was being filed, the Jammu and Kashmir police reportedly prevented a minor girl from taking her life in Central Kashmirs Ganderbal district.

On the evening of June 25, the police said prevented a minor from taking her life after tried to jump into the river Jhelum near Shalhar Dab village.

On May 31, a woman tried to commit suicide by jumping from Budshah bridge, Srinagar into the river Jehlum. However, the suicide was foiled by the Jammu and Kashmir police personnel and CRPF. The lady was bundled into a police vehicle and whisked away.

A video of the incident went viral on social media. The reason for this extreme step, according to the police, are some issues that the woman was facing with her in-laws.

As the cases like these are rising in Kashmir, which is predominantly a conservative society, questions are being raised by many netizens on social media.

Mental health experts in Kashmir said taking ones life adds more problems for the family of the victim and creates societal problems as well.

45 per cent of population in distress

Dr Yasir Rather, a noted psychiatrist and Professor at the Institute of Mental Health & Neurosciences (IMHANS), Government Medical College, Srinagar told TwoCircles.net that people who have suicidal behaviour or attempt suicide have a cognitive distortion known as fortune-telling where they feel like nothing is going to get better in their lives.

Actually in their minds, they start believing that nothing can be fixed. But its a cognitive distortion coming from a mental health illness which needs to be dealt with medically, he said.

Dr Rather believes that suicide isnt just an action committed by an individual, it has a causal factor of underlying mental health illness.

A 2015 study conducted by the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF)  an international humanitarian medical non-governmental organisation said that 45 per cent of Kashmiri population is in distress

And it has been around six years since the study came out. In these years, people have accumulated more trauma. Be it the uncertain conflict situation in Kashmir and now the Covid-19 pandemic for the past 1.5 years, he added.

Dr Rather, however, ruled that the pandemic and lockdown are not the only reasons for suicide.

These are the factors that add to the vulnerability towards suicide in patients with mental health illnesses, he said.

The back to back lockdown in Kashmir has had an impact. Due to a depleted economy, people are experiencing financial stress, employment issues, emotional stressors, change in family ties, domestic abuse, experiencing helplessness. All these factors, as per experts, have contributed towards harming the mental health of the people of Kashmir and creating a risk factor for suicide.

Dr Rather while terming suicide an offshoot of mental health-illness urged the stakeholders including parents and teachers to fix responsibility to prevent suicides from turning into an epidemic.

Highest cases of suicides in pandemic

Kashmir valley has been witnessing an increasing number of suicide cases, according to data compiled by National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB). The erstwhile state recorded a total of 5,943 cases between 1990 and 2019.

As per the information sought under RTI Act, Srinagar-based law student, Badrul Duja, was informed by the J&K Police, in February this year, that from the year 2010 to 2020, Kashmir witnessed 3024 cases of suicide  with the pandemic year of 2020 leading the decade with 457 suicides.

From the year 2010 to 2020, Kashmir witnessed 3024 cases of suicidewith the pandemic year of 2020 leading the decade with 457 suicides, the data revealed.

A top police official said that the police alone cannot stop the rising cases of suicide. The parents, teachers, religious preachers and doctors should come forward to deal with the issue, he said.

Govt inaction worries locals

What worries people in Kashmir is that the authorities have failed to take any concrete steps to stop the suicides and break the chain.

Just deputing a team of NDRF to these rivers can at least help to save lives, a businessman from Srinagars Karan Nagar told TwoCircles.net.

He said the government needs to activate the Police, Doctors and counsellors and rope in the religious leaders to break the chain.

The locals said that Srinagars Cement bridge has become a suicide point for the people. So far, many people have committed suicide by jumping from this bridge, they said.

Former Chief Minister of the erstwhile state, Omar Abdullah expressed concern over the soaring unemployment in Kashmir and increased incidents of suicide among youth.

He said the increased occurrence of suicides in Kashmir is a physical manifestation of the sordid anti-youth policies of the incumbent government pushing already aggrieved educated and skilled youth towards the wall.

The Jammu and Kashmir High Court Bar Association (JKHBA) Srinagar, blames the current suicide attempts on the financial stress of families.

Medical and psychiatric experts believe that the main cause of suicide deaths and suicide attempts is constant financial stress in the families and least physical movement and advise the people to be more interactive with the near and dear ones to overpower the mental stress increased due to covid and financial distress, they said in a statement.
PRESS RELEASE -The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force will continue to provide the unique opportunity for visitors to get an up-close look inside a different aircraft from the collection each month on select days from 11 a.m.  3 p.m.

In honor of the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds performing in the 2021 Dayton Air Show, visitors will be able to look inside the cockpits of the museums two Thunderbird aircraft, the F-16A Fighting Falcon and the F-100D Super Sabre on Friday, July 9. Visitors will have the opportunity to learn more about these aircraft from museum volunteers Col. (Ret.) Frank Alfter, a former F-16 aircraft maintenance and munitions officer, and Col. (Ret.) Jack Wilson, a former F-100 pilot.

On Friday, Aug, 20, visitors will have the opportunity to walk inside the B-36J Peacekeeper. The B-36 made its maiden flight in Aug. 1946. When production ended in Aug. 1954, more than 380 B-36s had been built for the U.S. Air Force. Museum volunteers Lt. Col. (Ret.) John Paul JP Clarke and Ralph Taylor will share more information about this aircraft during the event.

Visitors can look inside the cockpit of the RF-101C Voodoo on Saturday, Sept. 11. The first Voodoo, an F-101A fighter version, made its initial flight in Sept. 1954. The F-101 lineage included several versions: low-altitude fighter-bomber, photo reconnaissance, two-seat interceptor and transition trainer. Visitors will also have the opportunity to speak with Chief Master Sgt. Arthur Pete Petrini, a museum volunteer and former F-101 crew chief.

The schedule of aircraft to be opened each month will be announced in advance on a quarterly basis. For a list of the open aircraft dates, visit https://www.nationalmuseum.af.mil/Upcoming/Events/.

The National Museum of the U.S. Air Force, located at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base near Dayton, Ohio, is the worlds largest military aviation museum. With free admission and parking, the museum features more than 350 aerospace vehicles and missiles and thousands of artifacts amid more than 19 acres of indoor exhibit space. Each year thousands of visitors from around the world come to the museum. For more information, visit www.nationalmuseum.af.mil.
It has been a couple of months since our last report on progress with the restoration of Curtiss SB2C-5 Helldiver Bu.83393 at the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum in Granite Falls, Minnesota, but a lot has happened in the interim. As you will see from the video featuring the museums Brandon Deuel, the restoration team recently trial-fitted the windscreen, canopy sections and turtle decking to the upper fuselage, which marked a significant project milestone. They were able to add the canopy hand cranks during this period to ensure their proper operability. In recent days, the team has removed the turtle decking and moveable canopy sections to allow further work on cockpit control systems. One of the aircrafts engineers, Jay Bosch, has been working on the Helldivers electrical systems, with the main gear bay hydraulic and electrical work now approaching completion. Presently, they are in the process of installing the hydraulic actuators which operate the dive bombers flaps.

Up next, the restoration team will be focusing on further work in the cockpit and fuel bay. Be sure to check out this video which covers some of the latest restoration progress with the Helldiver!

Many thanks to Anna McCosh and the rest of the team at the Fagen Fighters WWII Museum for providing the images and details for this latest update on the Helldiver project!
Since his childhood, Randy Malmstrom has had a passion for aviation history and historic military aircraft in particular. He has has a particular penchant for documenting specific airframes with a highly detailed series of walk around images and an in-depth exploration of their history, which have proved to be popular with many of those who have seen them, and we thought our readers would be equally fascinated too. If Randys last name seems familiar, it is because the U.S. Air Forces present day Malmstrom AFB, near Great Falls, Montana is named in honor of his cousin, Col Einar Axel Malmstrom. Col Malmstrom commanded the 356th Fighter Group during WWII, flying P-47 Thunderbolts, so it seems only fitting that the first of Randys articles will feature an example of the type, P-47D 45-49406 at the presently-shuttered Flying Heritage & Combat Armor Museum in Everett, Washington. We hope you enjoy Randys work as much as we do!

Republic P-47D-40-RA Thunderbolt, s/n 45-49406, constr. no. 399-55945, N7159Z

This particular aircraft rolled off the production line at Republic Aviations plant in Evansville, Indiana during the spring of 1945. Republic delivered her to the U.S. Army Air Forces on June 27, 1945, but she immediately went into storage, remaining there until March 1948 when the U.S. Air National Guard took her on strength. In September, 1954, the Thunderbolt journeyed south of the equator to serve with the Brazilian Air Force (as s/n 4192). Indeed, this Thunderbolt was one of many combat aircraft which the U.S. sent to Latin American countries as part of post-World War II military assistance programs. Essentially a Lend-Lease program, the Rio Treaty of 1947 was an agreement binding republics within the Western Hemisphere together in a mutual defense system. (Some also referred to this arrangement as the Rio Pact or the Inter-American Treaty of Reciprocal Assistance; the treaty became effective on December 3, 1948 following ratification from two-thirds of the member states.)

After 45-49406s retirement from active service with Brazils armed forces in January, 1960 the Thunderbolt became an instructional airframe at Sao Jose dos Campos AB. She later went on display at Campo Grande Air Force Base, Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil (see photo).

However, the aircraft later went on sale in the USA, arriving as a dismantled project in Chino, California during September, 1988. She went through a couple of owners in the following decade, before the late Paul Allens Flying Heritage Collection purchased her in August, 1998. The museum selected WestPac Restorations (co-owned by Bill Klaers and Alan Wojciak), then in Rialto, California, to rebuild the aircraft to concourse, airworthy condition. Her restoration concluded with a successful first flight in Rialto on January 27th, 2006, and she has occasionally performed flying demonstrations at the museums home in Washington State since that time.

The museum had the Thunderbolt painted to represent P-47D-30-RA 44-33133, an aircraft flown by Seattle-born Capt. Ralph C. Jenkins who led the 510th Squadron, 405th Fighter Group of the 9th Air Force based in Christchurch, England. The fighters nose art, Tallahassee Lassie, was inspired by Jenkins wife Tiero (a native of Tallahassee, Florida) and the 510th FSs Willie the Wolf unit patch. The red-encircled swastikas, of course, represent Jenkins aerial victories over Luftwaffe aircraft, whilst the others represent aircraft sitting on the ground which he destroyed with the fighter. Thankfully, Col. Jenkins survived the war and lived a long life. He died peacefully in his sleep aged 98 on May 10, 2017.

Regarding the P-47s technical details, the aircraft was fitted with a Pratt & Whitney R-2800-59 18-cylinder engine. She was armed with eight Browning .50 cal. machine guns  staggered due to the placement of the ammunition belts (note the stainless steel cooling jackets on the gun barrels). The fighter could also carry up to 2,500 lbs. of bombs or 5-in. unguided missiles mounted on wing hard points. Interestingly, the landing gear telescopes in and out nine inches, saving space in the wings. Furthermore, note the windscreen heater tube which leads from the right side of the front of the engine. You can see the engine blow-back on the port side wheel well cover but not much of any on the starboard side due to prop wash. Late in World War II, many U.S. fighters were fitted with an AN/APS-13 UHF tail warning radar system which had a post and loop fixture on the tail fin and a warning light (on the cowl) and an alarm bell (next to the pilot)  you can see the post and loop on the tail fin in some of the accompanying photos in this article. The tail warning radar could detect aircraft in a narrow arc up to 2,500 ft. from behind the aircraft  however when the P-47 flew lower than 4,000 ft. over terrain, the radar had a tendency of picking up reflections from the ground, improperly setting off the alarm. Almost as important, the radar could not differentiate between friend and foe. Another interesting detail you should be able to see on the port side of the cockpit interior are red IFF (Identification Friend or Foe) communications self-destruct buttons.

For videos and photos of this airplane, please visit Randys Facebook page.

About Randy Malmstrom

Randy Malmstrom grew up in a family steeped in aviation culture. His father, Bob, was still a cadet in training with the U.S. Army Air Forces at the end of WWII, but did serve in Germany during the U.S. occupation in the immediate post-war period, where he had the opportunity to fly in a wide variety of types which flew in WWII. After returning to the States, Bob became a multi-engined aircraft sales manager and as such flew a wide variety of aircraft; Randy frequently accompanied him on these flights. Furthermore, Randys cousin, Einar Axel Malmstrom flew P-47 Thunderbolts with the 356th FG from RAF Martlesham Heath. He was commanding this unit at the time he was shot down over France on April 24th, 1944, spending the rest of the war as a Prisoner of War. Following his repatriation at wars end, Einar continued his military service, attaining the rank of Colonel. He was serving as Deputy Wing Commander of the 407th Strategic Fighter Wing at Great Falls AFB at the time of his death in a T-33 training accident on August 21st, 1954. The base was renamed in his honor during October, 1955, and continues to serve in the present U.S. Air Force as home to the 341st Missile Wing. Randys innate interest in history in general, and aviation history in particular, plus his educational background and passion for WWII warbirds, led him down his current path of capturing detailed aircraft walk-around photos and in-depth airframe histories, recording a precise description of a particular aircraft in all aspects.


Chinese naval ship patrols in the Beibu Gulf on June 24.

BEIBU GULF, June 30 -- The 30th joint patrol in the Beibu Gulf, conducted by the Chinese PLA Southern Theater Command and the Vietnam People's Navy, wrapped up successfully on June 25.

China and Vietnam each dispatched two naval vessels to participate in this joint patrol. They sailed for nearly 26 hours, with a total voyage of more than 275 nautical miles. The joint patrol has played an active role in maintaining security, stability and good order in the Beibu Gulf waters and promoting the healthy development of relations between the two militaries.

The patrol fleets of China and Vietnam arrived at the assembly location respectively on June 24. After communication waves correction and welcoming speeches, they started the crossover patrols along the China-Vietnam maritime boundary in the Beibu Gulf.

During the joint patrol, the fleets of the two sides informed each other of the hydrological and meteorological conditions, sea and air conditions, and the heading and speed information, which enhanced both sides resource sharing and maritime communications.

They also alternated command of the fleets to improve the level of coordination and carried out light signal exercises. The patrol signaler of the two navies used light signals of different lengths to make signal transmission and to convey friendly messages.

In addition, China and Vietnam launched a joint search and rescue drill according to the plan. During the drill, the two parties exchanged and shared the information of the distressed vessels location and surrounding meteorological conditions. After locating the target, they immediately started rescue and notified each other of the results.

On June 25, at the end of the patrol line, sailors of the two sides manned the rails aboard the vessels and waved each other goodbye. So far, the 30th China-Vietnam Beibu Gulf joint patrol wrapped up successfully.

The joint patrol tradition started in 2005. Since 2019, it is jointly carried out by the troops from the navy under the PLA Southern Theater Command and the Vietnam People's Navy. So far, they have successfully implemented 30 joint patrols, 14 joint drills, and four naval port calls, which have been conducive to safeguarding the security and stability of the Beibu Gulf waters, strengthening the friendly relations between the two countries, consolidating the traditional friendship between the two militaries, and effectively enhancing mutual understanding and trust.

The Chinese and Vietnamese navies launch a joint search and rescue operation.
With a spike in cases, hospitals are collapsing due to a lack of staff and oxygen. In some cities funerals are the order of the day. Meanwhile, fighting continues between Myanmars military and local militias. Aung San Suu Kyi calls for caution towards the virus.

Yangon (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Another priest has died of COVID-19 yesterday in the Diocese of Kalay, north-western Myanmar. Fr Martin Suan Khan Mung is the third priest to succumb to the coronavirus.

According to Radio Free Asia at least 181 people have died in the diocese in June alone. In areas that saw a surge in cases, like Kalay, funerals are the order of the day.

COVID-19 deaths at home are more common, a source explained, adding that There arent enough doctors and nurses or oxygen at the hospitals  that's why people want to treat their sick at home.

A few days ago, over 20 people died in a single day. And most of them died of COVID-19, a resident noted.

Myanmars military recently imposed strict measures to contain infections in at least 11 cities, requiring people to stay at home and not leave their municipality of residence.

According to official data, 1,312 new cases were reported yesterday, but experts say the figure could be much higher.

Between February and early June, only around 1,500 to 2,000 tests were administered per day.

Since 12 June, daily testing is up again to between 3,000 and 7,000, independent newspaper The Irrawaddy reported. Before the military coup in February, the average was 17,000 tests.

Meanwhile, the countrys health care system is now collapsing. The governments vaccination campaign started in January, but after the coup many doctors and nurses refused to administer the second dose in protest.

Pro-regime media have reported that three variants of the virus have been identified, including the Delta virus, which appeared initially in India.

On Monday, when Aung San Suu Kyi appeared in court for another hearing, she asked about the country's health situation.

Ousted State Counsellor told the lawyers to be careful of COVID-19, reminding us to wash our hands and wear masks, lawyer Min Min Soe said. She also asked to send the same message to the people to be more cautious of COVID-19.

Against this background, violence and fighting continue across the country. A report by the International Crisis Group warns that The regimes heavy-handed, indiscriminate retaliation has displaced tens of thousands of men, women and children.

What is more, The fast emergence of militias, and their capacity to evolve from loosely coordinated groups of local people into more structured, better armed and sustainably funded forces, likely marks a new phase of Myanmars decades-old civil war.
Tomorrow's much-anticipated Vatican meeting comes with many economic, social and spiritual expectations. The Holy See backs an International Conference on Lebanon. Neutrality is a tough issue given the desire not to close diplomatic channels with Hezbollah. From Lebanon as a message to a country based on citizenship and responsibility.

Beirut (AsiaNews)  Anticipation is building in Lebanon, especially among Christians, over the day of reflection and prayer called by Pope Francis for tomorrow in the Vatican in the presence of Catholic and Orthodox patriarchs and Christian leaders.

The event comes with many political, economic, social and spiritual expectations because it involves the identity of a country in crisis, a rudderless government, and an economy on the verge of collapse.

Speaking to L'Orient-Le Jour (LOJ) Fr Fadi Daou, founder of Adyan, an NGO engaged in interfaith dialogue, noted that the salient point will be the speech that the pope will deliver at the end of the day and his reaction to the different approaches by the patriarchs present.

Christian leaders are incapable of adopting a common and unified line, Fr Daou said. The novelty will not come from the patriarchs, whose voices have for months sounded like a broken record, but from what the Pope will say.

The latter might include a role for the Holy See at an international conference on Lebanon, which is something the Maronite Patriarch Beshara al-Rahi has been calling for months.

The countrys various Eastern Churches have responded in various ways to this request as well as to the Patriarchs call for Lebanons neutrality.

Greek Orthodox and Syrian Orthodox bishops have expressed reservations on that matter, preventing the formulation of a joint document for Rome.

This difference of opinion is probably due to the fact that the Orthodox patriarchs are in Damascus and such a proposal might seem hostile to Syria.

The most likely scenario is that the Vatican will recognise the need for an international forum for Lebanon, this according to anonymous episcopal source close to the Maronite Patriarchate.

Speaking in February to the diplomatic corps accredited to the Holy See, Pope Francis expressed the desire for a national and international political commitment to Lebanons stability and recovery.

Doubts remain however over the countrys neutrality, not the least because such a position risks closing diplomatic channels with other parties, especially Hezbollah, which is openly hostile.

The background to this involves a dire situation, with a country imploding, in danger of sinking under the blows of simultaneous social, political and economic crises.

Tomorrows meeting at the Vatican will include social and spiritual aspects, with a request for greater fidelity to the Gospel and the recent consecration of the Middle East region  torn by war and instability  to the Holy Family.

Urging the patriarchs not to drink from the poisoned springs of hatred, the pontiff wants them to live the prophecy of human brotherhood, which is found at the core of his encyclical Tutti Fratelli.

Pope Francis is turning the notion of Lebanon as a message into a country based on citizenship and responsibility, human rights and social justice," a Lebanon that the Vatican wants close to an Arab world open to the West and committed to live the prophecy of brotherhood in the Arab-Muslim world.
by Vladimir Rozanskij

Yesterday there was a meeting between the pope and the delegation of the ecumenical patriarch of Constantinople. The Russian Orthodox have always contested the primacy of Bartholomew. Kremlin: The West wants "Orthodox schism" and to impose a doctrine according to which "even Jesus Christ was a bisexual".

Moscow (AsiaNews) - The traditional visit of the Constantinopolitan delegation to Rome was held yesterday On the occasion of the solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul, led by Metropolitan Emmanuel of France (Adamakis).

Pope Francis called for a new impetus in relations between Catholics and Orthodox, provoking the resentful reaction of the patriarchate of Moscow. Russian Metropolitan Ilarion (Alfeev), head of the Department for External Relations of the Russian Church, declared that "the Russian Orthodox Church will not accept the union of Orthodox and Catholics on the initiative of Patriarch Bartholomew of Constantinople, who claims to rise to the supreme master of the destinies of Orthodoxy ".

Ilarion intervened after an Orthodox new site published a Vatican News interview with the new Metropolitan of Italy Polikarp (Stavropoulos). The interview describes the gestures of the ecumenical patriarch Bartholomew and the Pope as "further progress towards full unity", which it claims is already realized in the conscience of the faithful.

The Russians have always contested the "primatial" authority of Constantinople over the rest of Orthodoxy, and recent years have seen this conflict escalate to the current condition of schism, due to the autocephaly of the Ukrainian Church, which is not recognized by Moscow.

Metropolitan Ilarion then spoke on the Rossija-24 television channel, also broadcast outside Russia, in the program he himself conceived "The Church and the world". In it he reiterated that "the patriarch of Constantinople in recent times has decided that he has the right to take any decision independently, without the agreement of the other local Orthodox Churches and without resolving the many issues that remain open in the Catholic-Orthodox dialogue. He may even sign some papers to say that everything is fine, but for us they are of no value.

In the last decade, the Russians have withdrawn from all Catholic-Orthodox dialogue commissions, precisely in controversy with "Constantinopolitan papism", in the words of Ilarion, for which "they try to import the Catholic model of hierarchy into orthodoxy and administration ". The dialogue has stalled in recent years precisely on the question of the various forms of primacy in the history of the Church, a subject that the Russians do not even want to hear mentioned.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergej Lavrov has fuelled the controversy by accusing the whole West, especially the US, of supporting the "schism between the Orthodox" with various strategies, and of wanting to impose a doctrine that "even Jesus Christ was a bisexual. This is what is reported in an article by the authoritative newspaper Kommersant of June 28, in the section on "Russia and global politics".

Without specific references, Lavrov asserts that in Western schools "there is an attempt to instil in children the belief that Jesus was bisexual, while the attempts of the few balanced politicians to protect children from aggressive LGBT propaganda collide with protests from enlightened Europe." According to the head of Russian diplomacy, "an attack is underway on the foundations of all world religions, and on the genetic code of the great civilizations of our planet".

In support of the minister's statements, on 25 June the Russian Foreign Ministry underlined the joint declarations of the embassies of Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Iceland, Great Britain and the United States in favour of the "LGBT pride month": a defence of human rights included in the United Nations Universal Declaration, which Russia now intends to challenge.
In three months, the Israeli army and forces would have demolished at least 72 houses, causing the displacement of 78 Palestinians, including 15 women and 47 children. In total, over 350 people have been affected in various ways by demolitions. Another thousand awaiting court decisions on expropriations in a new demolition campaign.

Jerusalem (AsiaNews / Agencies) - Israeli forces and groups of Jewish settlers have increased "violent and racist" attacks against Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and East Jerusalem. This is the charge brought by the Palestinian United Nations ambassador Riyad Mansour, in letters sent to the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, to the rotating president of the Security Council (Estonia) and to the president of the General Assembly, the Turkish Volkan Bozkir.

According to Mansour, the "occupation forces" demolished 72 buildings in just three months, causing the displacement of 78 Palestinians, including 15 women and 47 children now homeless. In total, more than 350 people affected in various ways by the demolitions and another 218 Palestinian families, for a total of 970 individuals (including 424 children) are awaiting sentencing in an expropriation case pending in court.

For the Palestinians, Israel continues to use the pretext of security to demolish homes, expropriate land and pursue the policy of expanding settlements along the roads that connect them, effectively preventing the birth of a future united Palestinian state. They also point out that most of the buildings are located in areas designated for the control of the Palestinian civil authority, under the Oslo accords.

The Palestinian diplomat to the UN refers to the announcement made by the Jewish state of a new demolition campaign. Hundreds of demolition orders are expected in different parts of the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, for homes that would be built "without permits". Mansour recalls the study prepared by the Israeli NGO Breaking the Silence, according to which the authorities reject almost 99% of the construction requests made by Palestinians, making it virtually impossible to build a home or develop a community under the law.

Finally, the Palestinian envoy to the UN recalls the violence of the armed settlers, who spread terror and attack the Palestinians, while benefiting from the protection of the army and the occupation forces. These groups are mainly active in Beita, near Nablus, where extremist settler groups operate including Lehava, La Familia, Price Tag and Hilltop Youth. Recently, in the violence between the parties, Ahmed Zaher Bani Shamsa, a 16-year-old boy hit by a bullet in the head fired by Israeli forces, died.

"Palestinian children - underlines Mansour - face a myriad of dangers and grave violations at the hands of Israel, as reflected in the successive reports produced by the Secretary-General". Depriving the little ones of the protection reserved for them under international law, he concluded, is an encouragement to "continue to commit crimes".
Over the past month, the Taliban have gained several strategic positions. In Washington officials have expressed concern over the increasingly high level of violence. More and more people are caught between the Taleban and the Afghan military.

Kabul (AsiaNews/Agencies)  Afghanistan might plunge into civil war once US and allied troops complete their pull-out.

A senior US official, General Scott Miller, said that the country could face very hard times if its leadership fails to unite against the Taliban's advance. This is in line with UN Special Envoy for Afghanistan Deborah Lyonss warning of dire scenarios.

Since the start of the withdrawal, violence has increased enabling the Taliban to capture more than 50 districts out of 370, with several cities encircled, and Taliban forces closing in on the capital Kabul.

The lack of US air support for the Afghan military has favoured Taliban operations whose recent advances were the result of an intensified military campaign, Lyons added.

Those districts that have been taken surround provincial capitals, suggesting that the Taliban are positioning themselves to try and take these capitals once foreign forces are fully withdrawn.

The Taliban also captured Afghanistan's main border crossing with Tajikistan in the strategic northern province of Kunduz.

In the provincial capital, also called Kunduz, refugees complain of the situation. The Taliban are on one side of the war and the government is the other side. We do not know where to take shelter, said one Kunduz resident displaced by the fighting. We do not have electricity, food or water, she added.

According to the Afghan government, its security forces have killed more than 6,000 Taliban in the last month. The Defence minister reported yesterday that the army has managed to reclaim two districts, although fighting continues.

Also yesterday, during a press conference, the US State Department called on the Taliban to respect the agreement it struck with the United States and reduce the level of violence in the country.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the situation remained dynamic and, although the Taliban gains had not changed the withdrawal, set for 11 September, there was still the flexibility to alter its pace and scope.
Meanwhile, Maryland data shows 99% of the state-run psychiatric care beds were occupied as of June 4, and bed occupancy rates in hospital psychiatric units were increasing. The average bed occupancy rate rose from about 68% in both the second and third quarters of 2020 to almost 74% by the last quarter of the calendar year, the latest data available.
I want to be real clear about the judge and those in this courthouse. I am here for this mother and this child. I am not here for politics and I am not here for gain, Sharpton told a crowd of about 70 supporters. It does not take five years to understand what you have done with this family. This family is hurting. You are sitting in the courtroom arguing about your schedule, when is justice on the schedule?
However, the detective and a special agent from the FBI couldnt coax him to say his name throughout the rest of the day. At times, the video showed, Ramos just stared at the investigators after the women asked him questions. He showed no emotion. When the investigators left the room, Ramos seemed to relax and lean his head backwards against the wall  as investigators watched on video all the while.
By the end of March, 6.4 million American households were behind on their rent, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. As of June 7, roughly 3.2 million people in the U.S. said they faced eviction in the next two months, according to the U.S. Census Bureaus Household Pulse Survey.
It is pretty bad when you extol the virtues of Baltimore City by saying that we did not have an uptick in homicides like some other metropolitan areas did and even going so far as to propose that the minor reduction in homicides (348 in 2019 versus 335 in 2020) should be an example for others to follow, as op-ed writer Larry Gibson suggested. I do not feel that there should be any crowing about this supposed achievement. Baltimore had 2,205 murders from 2014 to 2020, an average of 315 per year. These numbers, when taken into consideration with our decreasing population, makes Baltimore one of the deadliest cities in the United States on a per capita basis.
The expungements will apply only to the plaintiffs and members of their households, Walden said, because the lawsuit was specific to the plaintiffs and not a class-action suit. She noted that none of the plaintiffs were arrested during the lockdown, and that the records to be expunged are forms that note officers had contact with them on a particular day.
Restaurants



Cierto Tequila Sweeps 2021 Ultimate Spirits Challenge



Cierto Tequila is an authentic, 100% natural "true" tequila made exclusively from healthy, mature Highland agave in Jalisco, Mexico. In its debut year, Cierto won more medals and awards than any other tequila in history. Los Angeles, California - The Elevated Spirits Company is pleased to announce that Cierto Tequila beat all other tequila brands with an incredible eight (8) expressions selected as top tequilas at the







About The Ultimate Spirits Challenge



The Ultimate Spirits Challenge's primary goal is to create and establish a new and higher standard of evaluation for spirits that provides accurate, meaningful, and useful results in recognizing and promoting the quality of alcohol products. Each product is evaluated blind by panels in multi-stage assessments to remove any inherent or individual bias.



About Elevated Spirits Company



Elevated Spirits Company is the producer of eight all natural, additive-free, authentic luxury tequilas that are widely acknowledged by tequila connoisseurs as some of the best tequilas ever made. The Elevated Spirits portfolio includes Cierto Private Collection Blanco, Reposado, Anejo and Extra Anejo as well as Cierto Reserve Collection Blanco, Reposado, Anejo, and Extra Anejo. These eight agave expressions have been handcrafted by Cierto's fourth and fifth generation master agaveros and have won three hundred and twenty-four (324) international medals, awards, and accolades at spirit competitions around the world.



About Cierto Tequila



Cierto Tequila is an authentic, 100% natural "true" tequila made exclusively from healthy, mature Highland agave in Jalisco, Mexico. Due to its complexity, character, and incredibly smooth taste, tequila experts around the globe have recognized Cierto as the "World's Finest Tequila." In its debut year, Cierto won more medals and awards than any other tequila in history.



Learn more at



Original article - The Elevated Spirits Company is pleased to announce that Cierto Tequila beat all other tequila brands with an incredible eight (8) expressions selected as top tequilas at the 2021 Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC). With these eight new selections, Cierto Tequila has now won three hundred and twenty-four (324) international medals, awards, and accolades. Cierto Tequila is an authentic, 100% natural "true" tequila made exclusively from healthy, mature Highland agave in Jalisco, Mexico. Due to its character, complexity and incredibly smooth taste, experts around the globe have called Cierto the "World's Finest Tequila."The Ultimate Spirits Challenge's primary goal is to create and establish a new and higher standard of evaluation for spirits that provides accurate, meaningful, and useful results in recognizing and promoting the quality of alcohol products. Each product is evaluated blind by panels in multi-stage assessments to remove any inherent or individual bias.Elevated Spirits Company is the producer of eight all natural, additive-free, authentic luxury tequilas that are widely acknowledged by tequila connoisseurs as some of the best tequilas ever made. The Elevated Spirits portfolio includes Cierto Private Collection Blanco, Reposado, Anejo and Extra Anejo as well as Cierto Reserve Collection Blanco, Reposado, Anejo, and Extra Anejo. These eight agave expressions have been handcrafted by Cierto's fourth and fifth generation master agaveros and have won three hundred and twenty-four (324) international medals, awards, and accolades at spirit competitions around the world.Cierto Tequila is an authentic, 100% natural "true" tequila made exclusively from healthy, mature Highland agave in Jalisco, Mexico. Due to its complexity, character, and incredibly smooth taste, tequila experts around the globe have recognized Cierto as the "World's Finest Tequila." In its debut year, Cierto won more medals and awards than any other tequila in history.Learn more at ciertotequila.com.



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Private Space and Personal Time are Priorities Now



CRATE is the ultimate turnkey furnishing solution, providing professional interior design resources and decor for vacation homes, rental properties and luxury villas in Puerto Vallarta and the greater Banderas Bay area. Puerto Vallarta, Jalisco, Mexico - If there's anything we've learned from the last year of transition, it's that private spaces, personal time to reflect and an appreciation for the here and now are all absolutely priceless commodities.



It's no surprise that real estate agents, interior designers and architectural firms alike are tracking a dramatic refocus on outdoor spaces, vacation residences, investment properties and a reinvestment in projects that bring us joy and pleasure in the here and now. After all, there's no time like the present. It's our greatest asset.



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FEATURED PROPERTY: Zen Retreat in Conchas Chinas, Mexico

This month we showcase one couple's journey to create a sacred space in paradise. A place to retreat from the demands of corporate careers, enjoy private time with family and friends, while planning ahead for their pending retirement in the hillside haven of Conchas Chinas, Mexico.



Inspired by our Bohemian Sayulita decor theme and brought to life in soothing neutral tones of oatmeal, biscuit and tan, accented by premium interior paint from the Sherwin Williams 2021 Color of the Year palette, this secluded zen retreat is a place to practice yoga, watch the expansive sun set over the Bay of Banderas and offer daily gratitude for health and happiness in the here and now. Here's how they did it.



"Working with Debra from CRATE Interiors has been effortless. She understood my vision of creating a space that is very zen, peaceful and relaxed yet sophisticated and that's exactly what we created together. The soothing patterns and textures are superb. We had an amazing first visit in our new place!" - J+P, Lofts Owners



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CRATE Interiors offers the only fully turn-key interior dAcor service in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico, representing the widest selection of home furnishings in the Banderas Bay region. For inquiries regarding the CRATE design service, please email info@crateinteriors.com. For portfolio and testimonials, visit CRATEinteriors.com.



Click HERE to read more about CRATE Interiors. - If there's anything we've learned from the last year of transition, it's that private spaces, personal time to reflect and an appreciation for the here and now are all absolutely priceless commodities.It's no surprise that real estate agents, interior designers and architectural firms alike are tracking a dramatic refocus on outdoor spaces, vacation residences, investment properties and a reinvestment in projects that bring us joy and pleasure in the here and now. After all, there's no time like the present. It's our greatest asset."A significant number of our homeowners, clients and investors are making dramatic lifestyle changes and fast-tracking those future goals they thought were years away. We are delighted to be part of this home-coming process!" - Debra Stevenson Peganyee.This month we showcase one couple's journey to create a sacred space in paradise. A place to retreat from the demands of corporate careers, enjoy private time with family and friends, while planning ahead for their pending retirement in the hillside haven of Conchas Chinas, Mexico.Inspired by our Bohemian Sayulita decor theme and brought to life in soothing neutral tones of oatmeal, biscuit and tan, accented by premium interior paint from the Sherwin Williams 2021 Color of the Year palette, this secluded zen retreat is a place to practice yoga, watch the expansive sun set over the Bay of Banderas and offer daily gratitude for health and happiness in the here and now. Here's how they did it.- J+P, Lofts OwnersSee more images from recent spring and summer installs in our newly updated portfolio. Take a look! Every project is a labor of love. Every owner's testimonial is a personal endorsement of the work our crew performs to transform each vacation property, house or condo into a beautiful home. We are grateful for every kind word and each client's complement makes our hearts sing. Let's chat about your design project and create your artful private retreat in paradise. Theres never been a better time to live your best life and celebrate what really matters. Book a FREE design consult and get started today... now that's a CRATE idea!Did you know? CRATE Interiors offers the most complete, truly turnkey furnishings and interior design service in the Bay of Banderas. Save yourself the endless running around, waiting for deliveries, coordinating trade services and managing a full-scale investment project long distance. Our service was created to provide convenience for the same price as shopping on your own. Here's how:DESIGN-FROM-HOME - arrive to a move-in ready condoAPPLIANCES AND ELECTRONICS - purchase, delivery and install at no chargeBLINDS, WINDOW TREATMENTS & SCREENS - preferred pricing on all ordersART & ACCESSORIES - direct from artisans and galleriesFREE WAREHOUSING - lock in your move-in date today90-DAY FINANCING - plan ahead and pay as you goWHITE GLOVE INSTALLS and industrial deep cleaningsSTAGING & PHOTOGRAPHY - your home is always the starPROPERTY INSPECTIONS & VIRTUAL CLOSINGS - we manage your final punchlists like pros!- Bucerias Villa InvestorsTake the first step to creating your sanctuary in paradise. Let's talk about your real estate project and how we add value by saving you time, money and frustration. Schedule your FREE Design Consult today. Then just breathe. We manage your MOVE-IN PROCESS from end to end. This month we offer art hanging and electronics install as a complementary service with every new contract of $25,000 or more.Are you social? Join the design journey and follow our projects on all social platforms. We share daily progress from jobsites and installs on fb and insta stories... don't miss the behind-the-scenes deets of our crew at work.Read the CRATE Ideas blog HERE. Follow us on Facebook Instagram and Twitter for stay-at-home tips, design inspiration and updates on the properties we serve. Engage, comment and share. We love hearing from you!Vallarta Real Estate Guide and Vallarta Lifestyles magazine are now available online in the full edition each month. Don't miss your dose of local news, investment insight and our property feature of the month. Check it out HERE.



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For years, First National Bank Botswana has been operating a Foreign Currency Account (FCA) which is linked to major currencies. Until last month, customers who have this account were only able to physically walk into banking halls for transacting in this account or make online transfers to beneficiaries.

However, as time went on, it became evident that, like most accounts within the Bank, a banking Card was needed for convenience. After months of evaluating customers feedback on the account, FNB Botswana took a bold decision and introduced the first of its kind VISA FCA Debit Card, which is also user-friendly to travelling and abroad customers. Head of Premium Clients at the listed Bank, Michelle France-Mabiletsa explained that the FCA Debit Card forms part of the clients Card package. This Card caters for transactions on the foreign currency account which previously, clients could only access by visiting the branch or via online transfers to beneficiaries.

It gives the client the independence to transact whilst out of the country at International ATMs, International POS and E-Commerce in the currency of their choice, said Michelle, a career banker, who has worked for major listed banks during her career spanning 20 years. Speaking to Botswana Guardian on Tuesday evening, Michelle said, this account is exclusive to customers of the bank, who are existing Foreign Currency Account holders. As things stand, premier and private clients have the requisite requirements of owning the prestigious cards as part of their benefits.

The Card which has been developed behind the scenes for months now, was introduced towards the end of May 2021. More promotional activities for the Card are planned for the coming weeks and months. An excited Michelle told this publication that customers are over the moon.

The market is excited, said Michelle, adding that the Card was a concept that was developed from the clients feedback. She explained that, more uptake is being noticed from customers who are international travellers, have families or children studying abroad, expatriates, among others. Some of our clients who love travelling cant wait to use the card when COVID -19 travel bans are eased, said Michelle, who also holds an MSc on Strategic Management from the University of Derby.

Already some of the FNBB clients who have travelled to neighbouring countries, mostly South Africa, have nothing but praises for the Card. Currently the FCA Debit Card is linked to four major currencies being, the US Dollar, Rand, Great Britain Pound and Euro. However, Michelle explained that, if in future they decide to add any other currency account, they will consider a Card for it.

The other important feature of the Foreign Currency Account is that, it allows account holders to be able to buy foreign currencies when they are reasonably priced and use them at a later stage when the need arise. In this way, this account acts as a form of investment in foreign currencies. Those who have access to digital banking and online platforms are also at liberty to access their accounts. The client should be able to view their FCA accounts through the various digital platforms and also view their cards transactions on same, responded Michelle.

She further told Botswana Guardian that, as an innovative bank, they will be open to add more features to the FCA Debit Card in future, depending on demands and needs of customers. We are here to provide tailor made services and products for clients. We value their feedback, she said, as a matter of fact. Michelle has urged customers to contact the Banks contact centre, Premium Service Suites or inquire from Relationship Managers to learn first-hand on the importance of the Card.


Indian Chief of Air Staff, Marshal RKS Bhadauria (L) meets Bangladeshs Chief of Army Staff, SM Shafiuddin Ahmed (R), during his visit to Dhaka. A PTI Photo

NEW DELHI (PTI): Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria has held extensive talks with the top military brass of Bangladesh in Dhaka to further expand the "all-encompassing" bilateral defence cooperation, officials have said.



The Indian Air Force (IAF) described the visit by the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) as "highly significant" in view of the golden jubilee of the historic victory in the 1971 war for the liberation of Bangladesh.



Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria was on a two-day visit to the neighbouring country from Monday at the invitation of his Bangladeshi counterpart, Air Marshal Shaikh Abdul Hannan, to review the passing-out parade and commissioning ceremony at the Bangladesh Air Force Academy (BAFA) in Jashore.



The ceremony was organised on the occasion of "President Parade 2021".



"The two-day visit was highly significant in view of the golden jubilee of the historic victory in the 1971 war for the liberation of Bangladesh," the IAF said.



"This occasion also marks the first instance when any foreign chief was invited to review the parade as the chief guest -- a re-affirmation of the strong bonds of friendship and trust between India and Bangladesh and their armed forces," it said in a statement on Tuesday.



The visit by the CAS to Bangladesh came over two months after Army Chief General MM Naravane travelled to the country.



Officials said Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria held discussions with the Chief of Air Staff of the Bangladesh Air Force as well as the Chief of Army Staff and Principal Staff Officer of the armed forces division.



The IAF said the focus of the talks was to further strengthen the all-encompassing defence cooperation between the two countries.



Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria also interacted with the High Commissioner of India in Dhaka Vikram K Doraiswami.



There has been a flurry of visits between the two sides in the last six months notwithstanding the coronavirus pandemic.



The year 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Bangladesh and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the first president of the country.



In reflection of the close ties, India is also hosting a number of events to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1971 war that led to the liberation of Bangladesh.



Around 93,000 Pakistani troops had surrendered before the joint forces of the Indian Army and the "Mukti Bahini" on December 16, 1971 that paved way for the birth of Bangladesh.


Buffalo, WY (82834)

Today

Mostly cloudy in the morning then windy with a few scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 79F. Winds NNW at 20 to 30 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms during the evening hours. Skies will become partly cloudy overnight. Low 59F. Winds WNW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Its not really going to affect us because we stopped offering the to-go cocktails to concentrate on our inside operations, Benkert said. If were allowed to offer it, we certainly will, but Im not going to be putting up a fight.
It may not be necessary to trade up to a new TV to take advantage of Next Gen, according to the National Association of Broadcasters. Adapters are expected to be available, the trade group says, and some models of new televisions already have built-in Next Gen capability.
The foundation on Tuesday announced it has received two grants to support the establishment of the memorial in Washington. The Annenberg Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides funding and support to other nonprofits in the United States and around the world, and the John S. and James L. Knight Foundation, a nonprofit that provides grants in journalism and communities, will give a total of $6 million in grants to support the early stages of the memorial.
Taizier Griffin, 18, of Cecil County, left, and Brian Anderson, 19, of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, right, with their attorneys, Malcolm Ruff, second from right, of Murphy, Falcon & Murphy, and co-counsel, State Senator Jill P. Carter, at a press conference to announce a lawsuit against the Ocean City police department over the violent arrests of the two teens earlier this month in vaping incidents. Their arrests on the boardwalk, with two other young men, were captured on cellphone videos that went viral. The attorneys are calling for the officers to be suspended without pay and investigated for criminal charges such as assault. June 29, 2021 p9 (Amy Davis)
Her offense? Daring to stand up to a group of commercial crabbers in 2017 who were trying to convince her to ease limits on crab harvest. After the watermen met with Governor Hogan to complain, she was fired after serving DNR for 28 years. This unwarranted dumping of such a professional for doing her job caused such outrage that there were legislative hearings where DNR officials refused to answer questions on the basis for her firing.
Its personally an affront to me as a Black man to walk around and look at these figures and see them standing tall, looking out as if they were visionaries and they did something that was great. No, they did something that was very hurtful to humanity, Johnson said.
In all, online records show Marylanders have proposed tens of millions of dollars in earmarks to local governments or nonprofits, including $4.5 million proposed by Ruppersberger for a science center in Harford County called Discovery Center at Waters Edge; $5 million to redevelop Baltimores Ambassador Theater into a minority community arts and culture center; $2 million to revitalize the historic Avenue Market in Upton in West Baltimore; and $846,000 to fund a Frederick County center for people undergoing a mental health or substance abuse crisis. The Baltimore proposals were made by Mfume, while the Frederick earmark was requested by Trone.
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 idea of helping people get skills that can lead to jobs came out of conversations with community leaders about what we can do to add value to the community, said Keith Wyche, Walmarts vice president of community engagement and support.
In total, around $1.8 billion in federal assistance from the American Rescue Plan Act is intended to be used to help CPS schools recover from the hardships wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic, including to ensure that students who were disengaged during the crisis are reconnected with their schools and back in the classroom in the fall.
People such as Creed with compromised immune systems rely on others to be vaccinated for full protection against the virus. But the countrys march toward herd immunity has been stymied by people who have declined to get vaccinated. It appears unlikely the country will reach President Joe Bidens goal of giving at least one shot to 70% of Americans by the Fourth of July, as vaccine hesitancy still flourishes in some communities.
Lets get this out of the way: The lake can be cold. You snap on a pair of water shoes on a warm summer day and step gingerly into the clear Lake Superior waters of Madeline Islands Big Bay. Edging ever deeper, though, is a process. You inhale sharply with every step, advancing to your waist, your chest, your shoulders  and finally, full submersion. But once your body adjusts to the shock, the feeling is completely invigorating. Curative. As summer vacation returns with a vengeance, the Midwests best beaches will provide a no-frills escape this year. These arent the Gulf Stream waters, and this certainly isnt the Caribbean. But from the Great Lakes to the 10,000 Lakes, the best beaches of the North Coast are collectively like our Caribbean. So dont let the coastal elites tell you that the Midwest has no beaches. They have no idea. Here, we share 12 of our favorites.
Indeed, it might be easier to say what we know for sure about the Light of Truth. We know that its title is taken from Wells herself, who said: The way to right wrongs is to turn the light of truth upon them. We know Michelle Duster, Wells great-granddaughter, the face and leader of the long-running campaign to get the sculpture built, fundraised her way to its $300,000 price tag. We know it sits on the site of the Ida B. Wells Homes, which, for decades  until the housing project was torn down in 2011, and Congress Parkway renamed for Wells in 2018  was the only serious memorialization of Wells.
Gomez is a storyteller, which is not the easiest way to earn a living, but it satisfies Gomez on many levels. It has enabled him to express himself at various storytelling events here and nationally, making him an important force of that scene, especially as the curator, producer and host of a powerful traveling storytelling show. His 80 Minutes Around the World is dedicated to immigrant stories from immigrants, the descendants of immigrants, the friends and allies of immigrants. Created in response to the previous presidential administrations anti-immigrant policies, it premiered in 2017 at Lifeline Theatre in Chicago and subsequently was performed on stages in Kentucky, New York and local spots. It has played at the Steppenwolf Theatre.
In South Africa, herons and other birds like to congregate in the fields abutting airport runways, and border collies Troy and Buzz are used to chase them off  picture a dog galloping and barking its head off  in an effort to prevent dangerous collisions with the engines of planes landing or taking off. In England, a chocolate lab named Fernie is the classroom dog for elementary school students, and theres a quietly fascinating moment when the teacher demonstrates that Fernie can actually read certain words. (I appreciate that the show calls this what it is: a dog trick.) The teacher holds up a piece of paper with the word sit on it. Fernie sits. Another with the word down, and Fernie goes down. Roll over, same thing. How does this even work? Fernie can recognize the shapes of words, the teacher explains. So in the same way that children become more accomplished readers  they dont have to sound out every letter, they can just look at a word and they know what that word looks like  its exactly the same. He has learned to associate a shape of a word with a meaning.
A: Our enduring strength or what weve understood to be strength is not the full answer. Certainly that helps us to be resilient and helps us to be able to make it on a day-to-day basis, but thats really not the way for us to fully deal with whats on the inside. Understanding what trauma looks like, being able to take a self-assessment and see how trauma shows up in our body, in our relationships, how trauma shows up as anger and fear of how were interacting in the world, how it shows up as hopelessness, thats what I try to do in the book. I show different people that Ive worked with in therapy, people that I know in my clinical practice that have experienced the full spectrum of trauma, and how trauma has shown up in their lives, and hope that people seeing these stories might be able to say, I struggled in this way and be able to recognize the way that trauma might be showing up in their individual lives. Something that I underscore is practicing self-compassion. As Black women, theres so much thats expected of us, so much put on our plates, and the harshness of the world and difficult life experiences can really play in a grueling way in our mental health. I want to really shift that message to one that gives us more grace, gives us more compassion, gives us more permission to think about ourselves and prioritize ourselves. I think thats a really important place to start.
A 16-year-old boy had been standing outside in the 3100 block of West 15th Street when he heard gunshots and realized he had been shot in the foot. Police said the boy told investigators he did not see the person who shot him or know the direction the gunfire came from.
Edmond Harris, 18, is accused of killing Javier Ramos, 46, on March 23 and was taken into federal custody Friday morning. Harris had an initial appearance Friday afternoon where he pleaded not guilty to carjacking, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and causing death through the use of a firearm, Joseph D. Fitzpatrick, assistant U.S. attorney of the Northern District of Illinois, said in a news release.
Dwight police responded to a report of vehicle theft around 10:45 a.m. Monday. They talked to Holliman, who then left in his car, the Dwight Police Department said in a news release. About an hour later, Holliman, suffering from self-inflicted injuries, approached Dwight officers again, the department said. Thats when police found the womans body in the car.
A 68-year-old man from Montgomery was killed around 1:45 a.m. Wednesday when his truck tractor struck the rear of another truck stopped for road construction near Fifth Avenue in Countryside on Interstate 294 south, according to a state police news release. The driver of the second truck tractor, a 54-year-old woman from Pennsylvania, was taken to a hospital with injuries that were not life-threatening, police said.
Two days before the event, six people were shot while waiting for their orders from a nearby sandwich shop, including a 23-year-old woman who died, according to police. Later that evening, 11 more people were shot in the Marquette Park neighborhood while they were standing outside, and a 37-year-old woman died, police have said.
The child endangerment charge was added at the last minute before Romans initial appearance in bond court, at the request of a top-level supervisor, sources have told the Tribune. That charge tied Roman directly to Toledos shooting, alleging that but for Romans actions that night, Toledo would not have been in the area or fleeing police in the first place, and would not have been shot.
The states highest court last year ordered that speedy trial deadlines could be suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ordinarily, defendants can formally demand trial, at which point prosecutors have a specific time frame in which they must bring them to trial or the case is dismissed.
The now-former prosecutor and court reporter also are named in the lawsuit, as is Daley, who at the time was the Cook County states attorney. In addition, Wilson is suing one living former police superintendent, Terry Hillard, and the estate of a deceased former police superintendent, LeRoy Martin. Daley, Hillard, Martin and other top brass covered up a pattern of torture under Burge for years, Wilson alleges in the suit.
In tandem, the Greater Chicago Food Depository revamped and relaunched its Find Food map earlier this month, which includes filter options like open today and within five miles to help people more narrowly identify resources in their communities, spokesman Greg Trotter said. Trotter said the food depositorys map is more accurate and precise than Googles version, which he said does not fully represent all of the available pantries in Cook County.
As daunting as delta is, the best firewall we can put up is obvious. Vaccinations are the biggest reason why Illinois seven-day rolling average positivity rate is now under 1%. On Wednesday, Illinois had 259 COVID-19 cases, compared with a peak of 17,608 last November. And yet, despite that progress, more than half of Illinoisans have yet to be fully vaccinated. The states daily average for vaccinations has dipped from more than 100,000 a day in the sprint to the current seven-day rolling average of 43,219 vaccines administered.
At least a dozen top people have resigned or said theyre on their way out since late last year. City Hall jobs are difficult even during normal circumstances, and the pressure intensified in the past year with the onset of the coronavirus pandemic, followed by bouts of civil unrest. Some of the departures are part of the natural rhythm within a mayoral term, which Lightfoot alluded to during a spring news conference.
We were encouraged in May to see your in-person learning resolution for the fall of 2021 as we want to have our students fully back in-person, the letter states. Given this resolution, coupled with the move to phase 5 statewide, we believed new guidance reflecting these changes would be quickly forthcoming. Unfortunately, to date, that has not happened. While new guidance was issued earlier this month, it did not reflect the reality of conditions needed to conduct full in-person learning or the provisions of the recent Illinois phase 5 designation.
He said he was not aware of evacuations being ordered, but said many businesses clustered near the intersection closed their doors because customers cannot get to them.
You are here: Business

China's recovery has broadened as its economic activities have continued to normalize under the country's effective suppression of COVID-19, the latest report published by the World Bank (WB) said on Tuesday.



The WB forecast China's economic growth will be at 8.5 percent in 2021.

Supported by the ongoing labor market recovery and improved consumer confidence, the WB projected that consumption growth in China would gradually return to its pre-epidemic trend.

On the supply side, China's industrial production growth has stayed above the trend considering its robust manufacturing activities, said the WB.

The WB forecasts that China's trade surplus would gradually decline in 2021, with the current account surplus narrowing to 1.4 percent of its gross domestic product this year.
Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, will attend a grand gathering celebrating the CPC centenary at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing on Thursday.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will deliver an important speech at the event that will begin at 8 a.m.

The event will be broadcast live by China Media Group and on www.xinhuanet.com. It will also be broadcast simultaneously by television and radio stations across China, as well as on news websites and new media platforms.
You are here: China

China's national observatory Tuesday renewed a yellow alert for rainstorms across vast stretches of the country.

From Tuesday afternoon to Wednesday afternoon, heavy rains and rainstorms are very likely in southeast parts of the Sichuan Basin and provincial-level regions, including Guizhou, Yunnan, and Guangxi, the National Meteorological Center said.

The center warned that some areas in Jiangxi, Zhejiang, and Guangxi would experience downpours with up to 180 mm of rainfall in 24 hours.

Some regions will see thunderstorms, strong winds, and over 80 mm of hourly precipitation, the center said.

The center advised local authorities to remain alert for possible flooding, landslides, and mudslides and recommended halting outdoor operations in hazardous areas.

China has a four-tier color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe, followed by orange, yellow, and blue.

The center also renewed a blue alert for severe convection weather, forecasting that parts of Inner Mongolia, Liaoning, Hebei, Beijing, Tianjin, Shandong, Anhui, Jiangsu, Jiangxi, and Zhejiang would experience thunderstorms, strong winds, and hail from Tuesday evening to Wednesday evening.

The Ministry of Water Resources and the China Meteorological Administration also issued an orange alert for mountain torrents. The ministry warned of a high possibility of these torrents occurring in parts of Jiangxi and Guangxi from Tuesday evening to Wednesday evening. They are also likely to occur in parts of Zhejiang, Hunan, Guizhou, and Yunnan.

Local authorities should enhance disaster prevention work such as real-time monitoring and early warning and evacuation, the ministry and the administration said.


Speakers:

Xu Yousheng, deputy head and spokesperson of the United Front Work Department of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee

Zhang Jian, director of the Research Office of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee and spokesperson of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee

Sang Fuhua, head of the Bureau of Non-CPC Political Parties Work of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee

Wang Lianhai, head of the Theory Bureau of the Research Office of the General Office of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference

Chairperson:

Chen Wenjun, head of the Press Bureau of the State Council Information Office (SCIO) and spokesperson of the SCIO

Date:

June 25, 2021

Chen Wenjun:

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. Welcome to this briefing held by the State Council Information Office (SCIO). As the Communist Party of China (CPC) celebrates its centenary, the SCIO issued a white paper today titled "China's Political Party System: Cooperation and Consultation." The white paper reviews the creation, development and constant improvement of China's political party system, elaborates on its distinctive characteristics, and shares China's achievements and experience in developing the system over the years, particularly since the 18th CPC National Congress in 2012. Based on a previous white paper titled "China's Political Party System" issued by the SCIO in 2007, the new one demonstrates new progress in multiparty cooperation in the new era and provides a comprehensive picture of China's political party system.

The white paper, which extends to around 14,000 Chinese characters, consists of a preamble, the main body of text, and a conclusion. The main body is divided into nine parts: China's Political Parties, A Unique Political Creation, Close Cooperation Between Political Parties, China's Political Party System Has Distinctive Characteristics and Strengths, the CPC Consults with Other Political Parties and Non-Affiliates, the CPC Supports Other Political Parties and Non-Affiliates in Conducting Democratic Oversight, the CPC Cooperates with Other Political Parties and Non-Affiliates in Governing the Country, Non-CPC Political Parties and Non-Affiliates Provide Advice on Economic and Social Development, and the CPPCC Is an Important Political and Organizational Platform in China's Political Party System.

The white paper is published in eight languages  Chinese, English, French, Russian, German, Spanish, Arabic and Japanese, by the People's Publishing House and the Foreign Languages Press. It is available at Xinhua Bookstore outlets across the country.

In order to help you gain an accurate and deep understanding of the white paper, we are holding this press conference. We have invited Mr. Xu Yousheng, vice minister and spokesperson of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee; Mr. Zhang Jian, director of the Research Office of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee and spokesperson of the department; Mr. Sang Fuhua, head of the Bureau of Non-CPC Political Parties Work of the United Front Work Department of the CPC Central Committee; and Mr. Wang Lianhai, head of the Theory Bureau of the Research Office of the General Office of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.

Xu Yousheng:

Ladies and gentlemen, good morning. In a few days, we will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the CPC. During its century of exploration and struggle, the CPC has succeeded in applying the basic principles of Marxism to the Chinese context, rallied all the forces that could be united into a united front, and developed China's political party system, which is a system of multiparty cooperation and political consultation under the leadership of the CPC. This system has demonstrated its unique advantages and strong vitality in both the political and social life of our country.

Since the 18th CPC National Congress, the CPC Central Committee with Comrade Xi Jinping at its core, with the aim of developing socialist democracy and realizing the Two Centenary Goals and the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation, has laid out a series of new ideas, new thinking, and new strategies for developing and improving China's political party system. It has also made a series of major policy decisions and plans to ensure standardized consultation between political parties, strengthened participation and deliberation in the administration of state affairs, and improved democratic oversight. By doing this, it has given full play to the important role of China's political party system in helping modernize China's system and capacity for governance.

China's political party system is rooted in the best of Chinese traditions and began during the democratic revolution. The system took shape during political consultations in preparation for the founding of the PRC and has developed in the course of socialist revolution, economic development, and reform. It is improving in the new era of Chinese socialism. The system is a unique political structure created by the CPC, the Chinese people, the non-CPC political parties, and non-affiliates. According to the white paper, China's political party system sprouted from Chinese soil and evolved over time based on China's historical heritage, cultural traditions, and economic and social development.

Under the system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, the essence of people's democracy is that problems should be solved through consultation, and anything that concerns the public should be discussed by the public, through which the people are able to build the broadest possible consensus that reflects the aspirations and expectations of the entire society. The white paper has stressed that based on cooperation, participation and consultation, and by following the principle of unity, democracy and harmony, China's political party system plays an important role in encouraging the people to participate in politics, voice their views, and achieve social integration, democratic oversight and sustained stability. The system embodies the interests of the widest range of social groups, reflects the shared goals of all, promotes sound decision-making and implementation, and ensures effective state governance. It is a major institutional channel for socialist consultative democracy through which the people's position as masters of the country is ensured.

While striving for the goals of achieving national independence, the people's liberation and wellbeing, and the prosperity of the country, the CPC has worked together and shared a common destiny with the non-CPC political parties, forming a new type of relationship featuring cooperation, unity and harmony. In this system, the CPC represents the leadership of socialism with Chinese characteristics, which was confirmed and consolidated in the course of China's revolution, economic development, and reform. It is the choice of history and of the people. The non-CPC political parties accept the leadership of the CPC. They carry out cooperation with the CPC and are close friends to the CPC. They participate in state governance under Chinese socialism, and their basic functions are to discuss and participate in the administration of state affairs, and to engage in democratic scrutiny and political consultation. Non-affiliates, an important force in Chinese politics, perform their duties by reference to that of the non-CPC political parties. The CPPCC is an important political and organizational platform in China's political party system. It offers platforms for the non-CPC political parties and non-affiliates to conduct political consultation, exercise democratic oversight, and deliberate on and participate in the administration of state affairs. The white paper offers a detailed introduction to the subjects, forms, institutional support, and achievements of consultation with the non-CPC political parties and non-affiliates performing their three major duties. It better explains the strengths of China's political party system and provides Chinese ideas to the world in terms of developing political party systems.

Over the past seven decades and more, China's political party system has grown and matured. However, China will not stop exploring and moving forward. The white paper proclaims that China will, as always, learn and draw from the positive experiences of other countries but will not imitate other political party systems mechanically or impose its own on any other country. China respects the right of other countries to choose a political party system best adapted to their own realities. Based on equality and mutual respect, China is willing to strengthen cooperation and mutual learning with other countries, promote democracy on the international stage, and eventually build a global community of shared future.

My colleagues and I would now like to answer your questions.

Chen Wenjun:

Thank you, Mr. Xu Yousheng. The floor is now open for questions. Please identify the news organization you represent before asking your question.
 Flash

Constitutional Court of South Africa on Tuesday sentenced former president Jacob Zuma to 15 months in jail for being in contempt of court.

"Mr Jacob Gedleyihlekisa Zuma is sentenced to undergo 15 months imprisonment," said Constitutional Court Justice Sisi Khampepe.

The highest court in the land said Zuma should hand himself to the police in Nkandla or Johannesburg police station to begin his prison sentence within five days.

"For the station commander or other officer in charge of that police station to ensure that he is immediately delivered to a correctional center to commence serving the sentence," Khampepe said.

Zuma has homes in Johannesburg and Nkandla.

The Court said that if Zuma failed to hand himself to the police, the Police Minister Bheki Cele should within three days take all the necessary steps to make sure he was delivered to a correctional center.

The sentence came after Zuma refused to comply with the order of the court which ordered him to appear and testify at the state capture commission.

The commission was launched in January 2018 to "investigate allegations of state capture, corruption, fraud and other allegations in the public sector including organs of state" in South Africa.

In February, Zuma was given dates to appear at the commission but he refused, accusing the chair of the commission deputy judge Raymond Zondo of bias towards him.

African National Congress (ANC) spokesman Pule Mabe said in a statement that the party was "studying the judgment" calling for calm.

"Without a doubt, this is a difficult period in the movement and we call upon our members to remain calm," Mabe said the meeting of the National Executive Committee this weekend would "reflect on the implications" of the judgment.

The Umkhonto we Sizwe Military Veterans Associations, which is part of the ANC, said it was "outraged" by the "unjustifiable" sentence that had been imposed on Zuma.

"We fully concur with president Zuma that he is unjustly targeted and that the law is being abused for factional political reasons," spokesperson Carl Niehaus said, adding that they were ready to "oppose" Zuma's imprisonment.

Other political and civil society movements continued reacting to the unprecedented judgment.

Official opposition party Democratic Alliance leader John Steenhuisen said the judgment showed that all citizens were equal before the law.

"Jaco Zuma...must now hand himself over to authorities. Today's judgment has struck a crucial blow for equality before the law, without which no democracy can prosper," he said.

Inkatha Freedom Party MP Mkhuleko Hlengwa called for calm.

"We are well aware of the volatile situation at present. We implore the supporters of former president to act with restraint and accept the Constitutional Court ruling," said Hlengwa.

The fourth largest party said the judgment was a "victory for the rule of law, and confirms the fact that no one is above the law."

Civil society organization Corruption Watch welcomed the ruling.

"This is a historically significant moment. For the first time in South Africa, we are seeing a former head of state held directly accountable by way of a prison sentence, for his refusal to submit himself to the commission or to the jurisdiction of the ConCourt in this matter," said Karam Singh, head of Legal and Investigations at Corruption Watch.
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Israeli military said on Tuesday it has concluded a joint training exercise with the United States and Britain involving Israel's stealth F-35i fighter jets.

The drill called "Tri-Lightning 2" was held jointly by the Israeli Air Force, the U.S. Marine Corps, and Britain's Royal Air Force, the Israeli army said in a statement.

The forces carried out various aerial scenarios, including "air-to-air combat, avoidance maneuvering of advanced surface-to-air threats, as well as targeted strikes deep in enemy territory," the statement read.

The exercise was aimed at strengthening the regional strategic cooperation and enhancing the cooperation within the international F-35 aircraft community through quality training, said the statement.

The Israeli government has agreed to purchase at least 50 F-35 jets, of which 27 have been delivered.
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Six people were killed as a passenger ship with dozens of people on board went down in waters off Bali Island of Indonesia on Tuesday and the evacuation has been under way, a rescuer and a senior police officer said.

The ship Yunicee with 41 passengers and 15 crew members aboard sank before reaching its destination of Gilimanuk seaport in Bali on Tuesday evening, head of Operation Affairs of Search and Rescue Office in East Java Province I Wayan Suyatna, told Xinhua via phone.

"We got information about the accident at 7:06 p.m. local time and our personnel immediately headed to the scene," he said, citing that the ship departed from Ketapang seaport in nearby East Java province.

Unfavorable weather conditions were believed to be the cause of the accident. "The waves were very high. The weather was very bad during the accident in the evening," said Suyatna.

"Six people were killed, including three males and three females," head of the Jembrana district police in Gilimanuk, Bali, I Ketut Gede Adi Wibawa, told Xinhua via phone.

The bodies of the victims were brought to the nearby health clinic, the police officer said.

So far 44 people have been rescued safely and six are still missing, said Ketut.
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Chinese nationals in Bangladesh Tuesday received the second Sinopharm vaccine doses under China's "Spring Sprout" vaccine program.

The Chinese "Spring Sprout" vaccine program was launched Tuesday in capital Dhaka and other cities of Bangladesh.

With the joint efforts by the Bangladeshi government and the Chinese embassy in Bangladesh, the official vaccination site has been set up to provide free COVID-19 vaccines for the Chinese nationals in the country.

Sinopharm vaccine was approved by Bangladesh's drug regulator late in April for emergency use.

About 1,000 medical students from Bangladesh's four top leading medical colleges have recently taken their first shot of the COVID-19 vaccine thanks to the first batch of vaccines donated by China.

China's first donation of vaccines arrived in Bangladesh on May 12.

And the second batch of Sinopharm COVID-19 vaccines donated by the Chinese government arrived in Bangladesh on June 13.
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The World Health Organization (WHO) on Wednesday officially granted China a malaria-free certification as a token of celebration of the country's successful elimination of the disease after 70 years of its struggles against malaria.

From 30 million malaria cases in the 1940s, China brought down that number over the last decades, to finally achieve no cases in the last four years, the WHO said.

"Today we congratulate the people of China on ridding the country of malaria," said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.

"Their success was hard-earned and came only after decades of targeted and sustained action," he added.

China's efforts against malaria started in the 1950s, as the disease was rampant in the southern part of the country, close to other hotspots in mainland Southeast Asia.

The "523 Project" -- a research program launched in 1967 -- allowed Chinese Nobel Prize winner Tu Youyou to discover artemisinin, one of the most effective antimalarial drugs nowadays, according to the WHO.

Over the last two decades, China ramped up its efforts and reduced the number of cases in the 1990s from 117,000 to 5,000 annually by providing staff training, laboratory equipment, antimalarial medicines and new methods to control mosquito propagation.

The "1-3-7" strategy -- one day to report a case, three days to confirm a case and seven days to prevent further spread of the disease -- was also a tool of success and is still used nowadays for travelers coming from malaria-infected countries.

No cases were reported in China in the last four years, warranting the malaria-free credential by the WHO.

"Over many decades, China's ability to think outside the box served the country well in its own response to malaria, and also had a significant ripple effect globally," said Pedro Alonso, director of the WHO Global Malaria Programme.
Choteau, MT (59422)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy in the afternoon. High near 80F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low near 55F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.
Intimidation comes in many forms. It could be from the majority voice and accepted norms in the world. It could be an employer or colleague belittling what you are doing. It could be a passing comment by a family member or spouse. It can be from friends or acquaintance through small jokes.

Intimidation could even come in the form of illnesses and diseases, robbing our health. Or even in monetary forms  finances can be shaken, assets turns into liability.

It is easy to freeze, fight or flight. We either just stop moving and growing, try to use intimidation back on those who are intimidating us or simply run away from the situation.

When intimidated

In Nehemiah chapter 6, the people of Israel were faced with lots of ridicule as they were rebuilding the fallen walls. Their work and effort were laughed at. Later on, Nehemiah himself was being threatened  people who were jealous of him wanted to accuse him for an uprising against the king by supposedly exposing his greed for the title.

Nehemiah chapter 6, verse 9 handily provides us the solution to overcome intimidation, They were trying to intimidate us into quitting. They thought, Theyll give up; theyll never finish it. I prayed, Give me strength.

Prayer

There wasnt any magic word or special rituals for it. The first thing we need to do is to pray. There are two important things when we pray. One, who we are praying to. Two, what we pray for.

#1 Who

Praying to God means we are confiding in Him and trusting Him with our problems. Praying acknowledges Gods sovereignty. It shows that we believe He is the omnipotent, omnipresent and omniscient one who is above and has control over all things in this world.

It is important to go to the right person when we have a problem. We dont go to someone who cant solve our problem. We always seek the expert who we think can fix what went wrong. We dont call a plumber when we need to fix our car. Likewise we dont call a mechanic when we need to fix our water pipes.

Who we seek in times of intimidation would determine how successful we are in dealing with that intimidation.

#2 What

The next interesting point to note when Nehemiah prayed to God is that he did not ask for the intimidation to stop. Nehemiah understood what the Bible had prepared us for even before these scriptures were written  that in this world we will continue to experience difficulties.

I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.] (John chapter 16, verse 33)

Since we will continue to face difficulties, in these sense intimidation, it wouldnt make sense to pray it away. As James chapter 1, verses 3-4 reminds us, So dont try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

So what can we pray for when we are intimidated? Nehemiah sets a good example for us to follow. Instead of praying to God to take away the intimidation, he asked God for strength.

Our prayers should not be focused on how big the problem is but on how big our God is. Our God is bigger than any problem in this world. That means He can make us bigger than our problem.

God can give us more than enough strength to not only endure the situation but to come out of it victorious. God can give us overflowing joy to not only be joyful ourselves but to be a joy to others. God can give us wisdom beyond what we need to solve the problem but to also help others solve their problem.

Accompanying actions

As Nehemiah prayed to God for strength, he didnt just pray and wait. With the strength that God gave him, he equipped himself and led the others through the intimidation.

His prayers were always followed by practical actions - We prayed to our God, and set a guard as a protection against them day and night (Nehemiah chapter 4, verse 9). Nehemiah believed that God would come through for them but also knew that they had to play their part.

He reminded the people to do their part and assured them that God will fight for them. Then I spoke to the nobles and officials and everyone else: Theres a lot of work going on and we are spread out all along the wall, separated from each other. When you hear the trumpet call, join us there; our God will fight for us.

(Nehemiah chapter 4, verses 19-20)

If anyone is facing intimidation today, be encouraged that we can come to God asking Him for strength to face it. As we equip ourselves and do our part, we can face the enemies with confidence that our God will fight for us.

The lyrics in Anything is possible by Bethel Music aptly sums up our answer to intimidation -

There is no rival that could ever stand against Your might

Youve always been with us

Every battle Youve already won

Weve already won




The refugee crisis in Iraq and Syria may turn out to be one of the defining crises of our generation. The violence and instability created through the Syrian Civil War, the collapse of order in Iraq, and the rise of ISIS have turned the already rising tide of immigration to Europe into a veritable flood.

The response across Europe and the rest of the world has varied. Arab Gulf states such as the UAE and Qatar have refused point-blank to take in any refugees. Countries such as Australia and New Zealand have decided to take in a limited number, accompanied by a strong vetting process.

Some however, have decided to open wide their gates to this mass migration of peopleswith the most notable (and influential) of these nations being Germany.

The German response

Germany is no stranger to mass immigrationfollowing World War Two it received millions of refugees who had been expelled from their homelands in Eastern Europe.

The difference between then and now is the kind of people who were arriving in their nation. 70 years ago, they were almost exclusively ethnic Germans who spoke the same language and shared the same religion. Today, the immigrants arriving in Germany do not speak any German, are overwhelmingly Muslim in faith, and have virtually no cultural or historical ties to Germany.

Germany's actions in this matter are a social experiment on a grand scalewith no-one seemingly having any real idea if this massive social, cultural, and political gamble will pay off.

Will it work? If history is anything to go by, the answer is a resounding no. At best it is a highly reckless decision, at worst it foolishly shows a scant regard for history.

The intersection of religion and society

The problem facing Germany extends beyond issues of finding long-term housing or employment for these people. Rather, the concern stems from a fundamental inability to understand the role of religion in the social and political life of a society.

In their decision-making process, the German government have naively assumed that the religion of the immigrants coming to their country is of no particular importanceafter all, aren't all religions pretty much the same anyway?

In this case, especially with such a large influx of immigrants, it is a question of huge importance. The fact that the vast majority of the refugees are Muslim has to be taken into account.

It seems that Germany have made the mistake of assuming that, as a religion, Islam is effectively interchangeable with Christianity (or Western Secular Humanism). Not only is this a lazy assumption, it is actually also condescending to Muslims.

While doctrinally there may appear to be some (superficial) similarities between Christianity and Islam, the way they operate within society are entirely different.

Unsurprisingly (as the religion that birthed it), Christianity fits very nicely within secular pluralist democracies. Christians are commanded to obey the governments and leaders appointed over themwhether Christian or non-Christian. This is because, according to Christian doctrine, a Christian's citizenship ultimately is found in the Kingdom of Goda future kingdom not of this world.

Because of this, there is no real conflict for the Christian between the temporal (earthly) and spiritual kingdoms. There is no need for the Christian to dominate the temporal spherebecause ultimately it is not their home.

The Islamic model

Islam operates in a completely different manner. Unlike Christianity, there is no distinction made between temporal and spiritual authority in this sphereit all belongs to Allah.

Islam means 'submission' for a reason; its goal is for the entire world to submit to Allah. That does not necessarily mean that they need to convert to Islam; but it does mean submission to Islamic political authority.

The prophet Muhammad was an excellent exemplar of this philosophy. He was not simply a prophet, but was just as much a political leader, a legislator, and a military commander. Under his oversight, the entirety of Arabia was made to submit to Allah.

Under the oversight of his proteges, the entirety of North Africa, Syria, Iraq, Spain, Iran, and Afghanistan were made to do the same.

This idea of political Islam is fundamental to the entire faith1400 years of history has not changed that. Look at why ISIS has proved to be irresistibly attractive to so many Muslims throughout the world. For all of its issues, they have seen that it is attempting to faithfully carry out the mandate proclaimed in the Qur'an: to submit the entire world to the authority of Allah.

Because of this, Islam as a faith is fundamentally opposed to a Western model of secular pluralist democracy. To suggest otherwise is frankly insulting. If (as Muslims believe) Allah has indeed revealed himself, showing Muslims how to order their political, social, and legal life, why on earth would they want to give that up for the Christian-based values of secular democracy?

In many ways Germany's actions in response to this crisis are noble and generous. However, they are also naive, reckless and poorly thought out. While in the short term they may be seen as working towards solving the unfolding humanitarian crisis, history suggests the long-term effects will cause far more harm than good.
In May, the Teaching Council of Aotearoa New Zealand launched the Unteach Racism programme (www.unteachracism.nz) to identify, confront and dismantle bias and prejudice so education in New Zealand is free from racism.

The programme includes a video of filmmaker Taika Waititi talking to his eight-year-old self about the racism he would encounter at school. He tells himself: I know everyone thinks you stole Tommys shoes  Well, I reckon theyre gonna be pretty bummed out when he finds the shoes tomorrow by the pool.

And I know your English teacher said he wasnt expecting much of your English because, youre not English, but I like your stories. And who knows, one day your storytelling might mean you get to work with some of the worlds most overpaid actors.

And forget about being accused of being a glue-sniffer, or stealing lunches, or that youre brown because you dont take baths. Europeans didnt take baths until like 1962  Youve been made to believe that youre not trustworthy, youre trouble, that you wont add up to much. But youll prove them all wrong. Youve got this, little me. Youve got this! If only you could see how much youre worth.

My friend Wendy recalls the racism she encountered while at school. I was a Maori student  one of very few in my class. I wrote a speech for a speech competition, and the teacher wanted to know who had written it for me. He said, Theres no way she wrote that.

He didnt even talk directly to me, only about me. I was the only Maori student who submitted a speech, and I was the only one accused of cheating. I was sent to the principals office and was told to rewrite my essay. I never pursued any sort of writing after that. Ive never forgotten that feeling, and how affronting that was to me as a person.

Living in a bubble

Dean Pallant, author of To Be Like Jesus: Christian Ethics for a 21st Century Army, is head of Communications for The Salvation Army in the United Kingdom. Before that, he was Director of The Salvation Armys International Social Justice Commission in New York.

Pallant was born in Rhodesia  a British colony. The white-only government declared independence just before his first birthday. Pallant had hardly any social engagement with non-whites. His schools were for whites only until he was 16. The only black African person to come to his Salvation Army church was a man they called the hall boy, an adult male janitor.

Looking back, says Pallant, I can now see I lived in a bubble. A privileged whites-only bubble. I was aware that there were lots of black African people around. I was rarely aware of any tension  we lived separate lives. Racial divisions were taken for granted  Non-whites were not like us.

Pallant points out that there is no biological evidence to justify categorising people according to race. Discrimination based on race is a human creation, and racist thoughts can affect anyone.

He retells a story from Nelson Mandelas autobiography, The Long Walk to Freedom. Mandela was getting on a plane in Ethiopia to fly to Europe in the 1960s, before he went to jail for 27 years for resisting apartheid. The pilot started speaking and Mandela realised the pilot was a black African. Immediately, Mandela says he felt scared. He thought, How can a black man fly a plane? At that moment, Mandela realised his mind had been conditioned to be racist by his culture.

What is it like to experience racism? I dont know, because I live in that whites-only privileged bubble Pallant writes about in his book.

My friend Wendy describes the experience this way: Why arent I smarter? Why am I different? You believe the lie immediately. At home, my father told me I could do anything. But when I got to school, I was told, You cant do that job, you cant go to university. I was told, You speak very well for a Maori. Thats been my experience all my life  and it still continues in subtle ways today. Thats the experience of racism: you doubt yourself as a human being!

Fighting the evil of racism

When I think about racism, I think of retired Salvation Army officer Campbell Roberts, who protested apartheid during the 1981 Springbok Tour to New Zealand, hiding a pair of bolt cutters in his Salvation Army uniform to cut through police barriers.

Roberts recalls, The galvanising point for me was a week before the tour when I was in a prayer meeting that I had agreed to be part of for every game. As I was praying, God said to me, Why are you here talking when people are facing danger and harm in street protests? That is where you should be!

So, the next Saturday, I joined the protest and was asked to hide the bolt cutters in my uniform. I must say it wasnt an act of bravery on my part  I was terrified of getting arrested  but I had a sense that to follow God I had to fight in every way I could against the evil of racism.

The Salvation Armys International Positional Statement on Racism says while many Salvationists have acted firmly and courageously against racism, The Salvation Army acknowledges with regret that Salvationists have sometimes shared in the sins of racism and conformed to economic, organisational and social pressures that perpetuate racism.

Roberts agrees with these words as he reflects on his current service as a community member on the New Zealand Parole Board.

I spend a great deal of time presently in the presence of Maori prisoners who have had such tragic lives, he says, and I have to face the fact that if we as Christians and the Church had been more active in speaking out against racism in New Zealand over the years then a large number of young Maori men and their children wouldnt be facing the difficulties and struggles they are. They are not experiencing the abundant life Christ came to give because of the injustices that were brought on Maori through the colonisation process.

Someone like me

The Bible is unambiguous on this. 1 John chapter 4, verses 20 - 21 (CEV) says, But if we say we love God and dont love each other, we are liars. We cannot see God. So how can we love God, if we dont love the people we can see? The commandment that God has given us is: Love God and love each other!

A few years ago, Dean Pallants wife Eirwen, a medical doctor as well as a Salvation Army officer, wrote a reflection entitled Someone Like Me, in which she observes: When we see another person as other, someone different to ourselves, it can lead us to treat them differently, often without considering what we are doing. We may ignore them, exclude them from our social groups, feel threatened by their difference and fear them, try and change them, blame them as the cause of our misfortunes, or judge them as unworthy. Prejudice and discrimination are at the root of inequality and injustice. Unfortunately, the church has acquired a reputation for acting in all these ways, sometimes a reputation that has been well earned.

She offers the following prescription: My prayer for myself and my church is that we may recognise the someone like me in every person. Let us not view anyone as other or different or alien. It is easier to love your neighbour as yourself when you see them as someone like me. When we do, the image of God will shine more brightly in us, revealing the true God, who is gracious, loving, merciful and welcoming to everyone.

In 2017, Taika Waititi was part of the New Zealands Human Rights Commissions Give Nothing to Racism campaign (www.givenothing.co.nz).

The ambition of this campaign was simple yet powerful: Racism starts small. Sometimes it lives in everyday actions and comments that we laugh off, nod in agreement to, excuse, and therefore accept. But we dont have to. We can stop casual racism from growing into something more extreme. We can give it no encouragement. No respect. No place. No power. We can give it nothing.

As Christians, some of us must do more than give racism nothing. Some of us need to repent of our complicity in perpetuating the sins of racism. We must ask God to change our hearts, to change our attitudes, to change our speech, and to change our actions. We must unlearn racism.
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Mining chemicals play a vital role in the mining process and enhance their productivity and efficiency. The various products of the mining chemicals include grinding aids, flocculants, frothers, collectors, solvent extractant, and others. Among these, the grinding aids segment is the largest segment in terms of volume due to their extensive use in cement manufacturing. The increasing infrastructure and construction activities across the globe is anticipated to drive the global market over the assessment period. Flocculants absorb particles and destabilize them by neutralization and consist of anionic and cationic polymers. Anionic flocculants are used in the production of salts and metallic hydroxides. The flocculants are highly used in water and wastewater treatment. The market is also segmented on the basis of the application as mineral processing, explosives & drilling, water & wastewater treatment, and others. Among these, mineral processing accounted for a major share of the market. These chemicals are widely used in various processes such as open pit & underground, crushing, leaching & absorption, elution & electrowinning, and others. Explosives & drilling application is extensively used for rock penetration and fragmentation. The increasing demand for clean and safe water has augmented the use of mining chemicals in wastewater treatment.

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Market Segmentation

The global mining chemicals market is segmented on the basis of the product, mineral type, application, and region.

Based on the product, the global mining chemicals market is segmented into grinding aids, flocculants, frothers, collectors, solvent extractant, scale inhibitors, and others.

The market is segmented on the basis of the mineral type into base metals, non-metallic metals, precious metals, and rare earth metals.

On the basis of the application, the global mining chemicals market is segmented into mineral processing, explosives & drilling, water & wastewater treatment, and others.

Regional Analysis

The global mining chemicals market is segmented into five regions of Asia Pacific, North America, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East & Africa.

Asia Pacific is the leading region in the global market owing to the increasing mining activities in countries such as China and India.

The high demand for mining chemicals in the limestone grinding is the major driver of the North American market.

Europe is anticipated to showcase a significant growth due to the rising mining activities in Eastern Europe.

The expanding mining sector in Africa is likely to propel the market growth in the coming years.

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Competitive Analysis

Some of the manufacturers operating in the global mining chemicals market are Ashland (US), The Dow Chemical Company (US), Chevron Philips Chemical Company (US), BASF SE (Germany), Exxon Mobil Corporation (US), Cytec Solvay Group ( US), NALCO (India), Air Products and Chemicals, Inc. (US), 3M (US), Cheminova A / S (Denmark), Akzo Nobel NV (Netherlands), SNF Group (US), Nasco (US), Clariant (Switzerland), and Huntsman International LLC (US).
USA (30-06-2021) There are numerous individuals who dont want that their country flag gets to hide in the night or looks dull. Every individual wants to see their country flag flaunting with pride at night and looks attractive during night. After sawing dull flags in the night, individuals get disappointed because they want to see their country flag looks like a star in the night. It has become easier for everyone to shed some light on the flag with the help of advanced technology. The flag pole lights are used by many individuals to put light on the flag and nearby areas to make their flag shining. The flag gets a great level of shining at night with the help of a flag pole light. Individuals can find several advanced lights made to give the best results during the night, but it isnt an easy task for them to find the best flagpole light.



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According to new market research report " Wireless Broadband in Public Safety Market by Technology (WIFI and Cellular M2M), Offering (Hardware, Software Solutions and Services), Application, End User (First Responders, Critical Infrastructures), and Region - Global Forecast to 2026 " , published by MarketsandMarkets , the global Wireless Broadband in Public Safety Market size to grow from USD 20.6 billion in 2021 to USD 69.6 billion by 2026, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 27.6% from 2021 to 2026.

Increasing demand for Wireless Broadband in Public Safety due to COVID-19 outbreak, Mobility growth and increase in mobile connectivity, enhancement in public safety and availability of real-time information and big investments in wireless broadband are major growth factors for the market. Enhancing next-generation technologies and availability of wireless broadband in rural areas provide lucrative opportunities for vendors in the Wireless Broadband in Public Safety Market.

Browse and in-depth TOC on Wireless Broadband in Public Safety Market

183  Tables

48 - Figures

202  Pages

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By offering, Hardware segment to hold the largest market size during the forecast period

A wireless network consists of several components that support communications using radio or light waves propagating through an air medium. Some of these elements overlap with those of wired networks, but special consideration is necessary for all of these components when deploying a wireless network. MarketsandMarkets has analyzed wireless adapter, access point and range extender, modem, routers, switches, and hubs as key hardware elements in the Wireless Broadband in Public Safety Market.

In application, Critical Communication to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period

The public safety vertical is a major adopter of critical communication systems. Public safety is one of the most important responsibilities of any government; it involves protecting individuals from crimes and natural disasters, among other harmful activities. An effective public safety mechanism involves disaster management and coordination between organizations, such as law enforcement and border control, fire fighters, and emergency medical services. Effective communication is imperative for these organizations while dealing with any natural or man-made disaster. Law enforcement and intelligence agencies are responsible for ensuring public safety within countries as these agencies must identify emerging threats, adapt to changing legislative policies, and develop human resources and skills to address evolving threats. Law enforcement agencies heavily rely on critical communication networks as they need to communicate with different agencies during emergencies. Various agencies provide emergency and rescue services and ensure public safety. The purpose of these agencies is to deal with typical emergencies and ad-hoc emergencies as part of their regular responsibilities. Spreading community awareness and running prevention programs to effectively detect, mitigate, and report emergencies are major functions of these emergency solution providers. Critical communication systems are used by these service providers during emergencies, such as natural and man-made disasters.

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North America to hold the largest market size during the forecast period

The Wireless Broadband in Public Safety Market in North America is expected to be the highest revenue contributor during the forecast period. The region accounted for the largest share of the overall Wireless Broadband in Public Safety Market in 2014. Major countries in this region are the US, Mexico, and Canada. Post 9/11, government officials in North America have been taking major steps for improving public safety by investing in wireless broadband technologies. Several initiatives are taken for the growth of wireless spectrums, signifying a wide pool of opportunities in the interoperable wireless network for public safety. In terms of population, the P25 technology is widely employed in North America due to its technical specifications, despite the extensive use of TETRA in RoW. The wide area coverage and greater range of P25 make it the preferred choice in the US markets.

Public safety departments in North America are stringent when it comes to the implementation of critical communication solutions on airports, ports, roads, railways, and metros. Governments in this region have formulated various authorities to set up critical communication networks and network protocols, such as FirstNet and Next Generation 911 (NG911), respectively.

Major vendors in the global Wireless Broadband in Public Safety Market include Aruba Networks(US), AT&T(US), Broadcom(US), Cisco(US), Ericsson(Sweden), Extreme Networks(US), Hitachi(Japan), Juniper Networks(US), Motorola Solutions(US), Huawei(China), NEC(Japan), Netgear(US), Sierra Wireless(Canada), Verizon(US), ZTE(China), General Dynamics(US), Harris(US), Bittium(Finland), Hughes(US) etc.

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Mesotherapy Market Growth & Trends

The global mesotherapy market size is expected to reach USD 1.0 billion by 2028, according to a new report by Grand View Research, Inc. The market is expected to expand at a CAGR of 14.4% from 2021 to 2028. The rise in the adoption of cosmetic procedures, increasing awareness about personal appearance among the middle-aged population, and the growth in the number of cosmetic clinics offering mesotherapy are expected to drive the growth of the market. Furthermore, the non-invasive nature of the procedure and comparatively reasonable costs are the significant factors boosting the market.

The effective cost, rising medical tourism, and the growing awareness of mesotherapy worldwide have further resulted in the rise in the number of professionals and clinics in many countries. The increase in the number of institutes offering courses related to therapy and the efforts of the International Society of Mesotherapy to ensure the right training for its members has led further to effective results and improve the demand in the market in recent years. Furthermore, the manufacturing units are trying to increase awareness and promote the right guidance and training related to the therapy to ensure effective procedures and results.

The rising consumer disposable incomes along with the rise in concern pertaining to aesthetic appearance support the rise in consumer footfall. In addition, the growing aging concerns, varying climatic conditions, lifestyle changes, and stress are contributing to the growing demand for mesotherapy. Moreover, the wide distribution network of the manufacturing companies has enabled the availability of the products in many countries worldwide. Moreover, the growing media and internet penetration further boost the awareness, knowledge, and quick accessibility of products. For instance, the suppliers such as Direct Derma Supplies, Mesotreat, Fillerworld, and Skin Heal facilitate online selling and delivery of products worldwide.

The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic has severely impacted the market. The travel restrictions and lockdown have impacted consumer footfall for procedures drastically. In addition, the challenges in the availability of products due to export and import restrictions are likely to further impact the overall market growth.

Request a free sample copy or view report summary: Mesotherapy Market Report

Mesotherapy Market Report Highlights

The mesotherapy solutions segment dominated the market in terms of revenue share in 2020 as it is the core ingredient required in the majority of the therapy procedures for skin, hair, and body

On the other hand, the mesotherapy devices segment is expected to witness the fastest growth rate over the forecast period as they are deployed in the majority of the procedures to facilitate the penetration of products related to the therapy. The technological advancements in the devices are leading to efficient and quick procedures further propelling the adoption of the therapy

In 2020, the anti-aging segment held a majority of the revenue share owing to the rise in the middle-aged population, the rising disposable income, and the low-cost procedure

Facial rejuvenation is expected to be the fastest-growing segment over the forecast period considering the rise in awareness and adoption. In addition, rising concerns regarding the aesthetic appearance and the growing media and internet penetration are fueling market growth and awareness for anti-aging procedures and products

The dermatology and cosmetic clinics segment dominated the market in terms of revenue share in 2020 owing to the rise in the number of professionals and clinics. The low-cost expense, and quicker and outpatient procedures, and availability of the products have led to higher adoption of solo-practice in mesotherapy

In 2020, Europe held the highest market share owing to the rise in local manufacturers, the growing middle-age population, and the increasing concern regarding aesthetic appearance in the region

In Asia Pacific, the market is expected to witness the fastest growth rate over the forecast period owing to the rising awareness, low-cost procedure, growing middle-aged population, rising disposable income, and availability of products

Access Press Release@ https://www.grandviewresearch.com/press-release/global-mesotherapy-market

Mesotherapy Market Segmentation

Grand View Research has segmented the global mesotherapy market based on type, application, end-use, and region:

Mesotherapy Type Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Mesotherapy Solutions

Mesotherapy Masks

Mesotherapy Creams

Mesotherapy Devices

Others

Mesotherapy Application Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Anti-aging

Facial Rejuvenation

Stretch Marks

Acne & Scar Treatment

Fat Loss

Hair Loss

Others

Mesotherapy End-use Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

Hospitals

Dermatology & Cosmetic Clinics

Others

Mesotherapy Regional Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2016 - 2028)

North America US. Canada

Europe UK. Germany France Italy Spain

Asia Pacific Japan China India

Latin America Brazil Mexico

Middle East & Africa South Africa



List of Key Players of Mesotherapy Market

Mesoskinline

Koru Pharmaceuticals

Fusion Meso

Toskani Cosmetics

Perse Belle

Dermo Aroma

Pluryal

Messoessence

About Grand View Research

Grand View Research, Inc. is a U.S. based market research and consulting company, registered in the State of California and headquartered in San Francisco. The company provides syndicated research reports, customized research reports, and consulting services. To help clients make informed business decisions, we offer market intelligence studies ensuring relevant and fact-based research across a range of industries, from technology to chemicals, materials and healthcare.
LONDON, June 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A state-of-the-art hospital in the Commonwealth of Dominica is anticipated to be completed soon. The 40,000 square foot modern building will have a 75-bed capacity along with essential services, including a trauma centre, emergency care, and ambulatory, laboratory and radiology services. The new hospital will contribute to the transformation of Dominica's healthcare sector while also providing employment opportunities for the community. Like much of Dominica's infrastructure, the hospital is built with resiliency in mind ensuring that it can withstand any category of wind and seismic activity. Aside from the hospital, Dominica is also building multiple health centres, many of which have already been completed or are under construction. These projects are all financed by Dominica's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme. This initiative empowers global citizens to acquire the nation's citizenship after making an economic contribution to a government fundA or purchasing real estate. Recently, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs and Planning, Gregory Riviere, stressed the importance of the programme for being a reliable source of funds for the project: "Of course, there is no way that we would be able to get a loan to build this facility, not in this covid-environment; and grants are not always forthcoming because every country is trying to keep what little they have, and we cannot rely on taxes because in this covid environment we have seen a dramatic decrease in our tax revenues. So, the CBI is a very, very good instrument that we can use to finance those capital projects," he noted. The coronavirus pandemic has emphasised the importance of being in a country that is committed to investing in healthcare. Despite having limited resources, Dominica has ensured its citizens' protection throughout the global health crisis, recording zero deaths since the onset of the virus. This is accredited to the government's efficient management, which has implemented various initiatives to curb the spread of COVID-19. The CBI Programme has been crucial to funding national development across the island in various sectors from housing to tourism and education to healthcare. It currently supports the construction of over 5,000 weather-resistant homes, various eco-resorts, and a primary school, amongst other vital projects. Those who invest in the programme are assured that their contribution is going towards the betterment of their adoptive home and gain a wealth of opportunities as Dominican citizens. This includes increased travel freedom to over 140 destinations, alternative business opportunities and the safety of a stable democracy with strong ties to financial hubs like the United States and the United Kingdom. +447867942505, pr@csglobalpartners.com, www.csglobalpartners.com A
We [told] this citizen to stop following the car, let us do our job, [but he continued] to follow the vehicle, Chute said. At one point the [stolen] car speeds up ... crashes into a bush across the street and strikes a 53-year-old New Britain resident who sustained critical injuries [and] was later transported to an area hospital and pronounced dead.
Regulators directed Eversource and UI to provide residential customers the daily outage credit within 60 calendar days of the day on which restoration is substantially complete, which is defined as 99% of customers whose electricity is back on. Reimbursement for spoilage also must be paid within 60 days of the day on which restoration is substantially complete or within 45 calendar days after a claim is properly submitted.
They want to thank the heroic first responders, search and rescue teams, and everyone who has been working tirelessly around the clock and meet with the families who have been forced to endure this terrible tragedy waiting in anguish and heartbreak for word of their loved ones, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said
We have been working with prosecutors for many months now as part of this tax and financial investigation and have provided a large volume of evidence that allowed them to bring these charges, Jen Weisselbergs lawyer, Duncan Levin, said Wednesday. We are gratified to hear that the DAs office is moving forward with a criminal case.
Bringing Batterson Park back will be done by Hartford public works department, and maintaining it will be a joint effort of Hartford, New Britain and Farmington. Volunteers and neighbors around the park on the Farmington and New Britain border also have established the nonprofit Batterson Park Conservancy to help with upkeep once its restored.
The Center for Advanced Reproductive Services did not inform Monroe-Lynch and knowledgeably obtain her consent about the risks associated with a CMV infection, according to the lawsuit. The couple accused the center of failing to inform them of the risk of infection in choosing a sperm donor whose blood tested positive for CMV antibodies. Monroe-Lynch tested negative.
According to the Department of Labor, the state has regained about 185,000 of those jobs but still has more than 100,000 to go. And it also still has more than 175,000 filers receiving weekly unemployment benefits.
Cleveland Heights Lawyer Caught in Sting Operation Indefinitely Suspended

The Ohio Supreme Court today indefinitely suspended a Cleveland Heights attorney convicted of attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor.

In a unanimous per curiam opinion, the Court suspended Michael Cosgrove. He has been under an interim suspension since July 2019 after reaching an agreement to plead guilty to one fourth-degree felony in Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court.

Undercover Officer Posed as Teen Online

In November 2018, Cosgrove entered an online chatroom and began a conversation with someone he believed to be a 15-year-old girl. During the conversation, he solicited the person he believed to be a minor to have sex and arranged to meet her.

After the conversation, Cosgrove drove to a park where he planned to meet the girl, and discovered he had been communicating with a law-enforcement officer posing as the 15-year-old. He was arrested and indicted on attempted unlawful sexual conduct with a minor, importuning, and possession of criminal tools.

The trial court designated Cosgrove as a Tier II sex offender and sentenced him to two years of community control, which required him to complete sex-offender counseling and serve a portion of his sentence in the NorthWest Community Corrections Center.

Click to Expand

Based on his conviction, the Office of Disciplinary Counsel filed a complaint against Cosgrove with the Board of Professional Conduct. The parties stipulated and the board agreed that Cosgroves actions violated the rules against committing an illegal act that adversely reflects on Cosgroves honesty and trustworthiness and his fitness to practice law.

Supreme Court Considers Sanction

When considering the sanction in a disciplinary case, the Court considers aggravating circumstances that could increase the penalty and mitigating factors that could lead to a lesser sanction.

The board found Cosgrove acted with a dishonest and selfish motive, but also noted he did not have a history of disciplinary violations, cooperated with the disciplinary proceedings, participated in rehabilitation activities, and established the existence of a qualifying mental disorder. The opinion noted that he completed his community-based-correctional-facility program and entered into a three-year contract with the Ohio Lawyers Assistance Program.

The Court stated that for Cosgrove to seek reinstatement he must comply with all terms of his court-ordered community control. The Court also ordered Cosgrove to pay the costs of the disciplinary proceedings.

2021-0208. Disciplinary Counsel v. Cosgrove, Slip Opinion No. 2021-Ohio-2188.

Please note: Opinion summaries are prepared by the Office of Public Information for the general public and news media. Opinion summaries are not prepared for every opinion, but only for noteworthy cases. Opinion summaries are not to be considered as official headnotes or syllabi of court opinions. The full text of this and other court opinions are available online.
Wendy Jo McAlpine was ordained into the ministry of word and sacrament in the ELCA, June 15, 2021. Pictured here are, from left, Bishop Rev. Laurie Jungling, Pastor McAlpine and Michael OHearn, McAlpines mentor through the TEEM program and is also a Pastor of Word and sacrament.
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Lincoln, NE (68508)

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While the Governor is limited in his ability to clarify the code himself, we have been in touch with law enforcement and have made it clear that we expect no Virginians to be penalized for wearing masks due to COVID-19 or other health reasons, Yarmosky said, emphasizing that people have worn masks for health-related reasons before the pandemic.
Bourdain teamed up with writer Joel Rose for a fantastical graphic novel which, set in a not-so-distant LA ruled by master chefs, has people literally go to war for a seat at a table. There's two sides: the Internationalists, who blend food from all over the world for exotic flavors, and the Vertical Farm, who prepare nothing but vegan, organic macrobiotic dishes. But both sides want Jiro, the master sushi chef, to join their factions. Follow it up with the prequel, "Get Jiro: Blood and Sushi."
Under House Bill 2081, it will be illegal to have a gun within 40 feet of polling places on an election day. The law applies one hour before the polls open, while polls are open and ballots are being counted and one hour after the polls close. The law does not apply to law enforcement, any person who is on their private property within 40 feet of the polling place or licensed security guards at the polling place.
Lyndon German Staff writer

Lyndon German is a Virginia native born in Mechanicsville. After graduating from Virginia Commonwealth University in 2016, he went on to work for the Hopewell News, the Progress Index, the Richmond Free Press and Virginia Public Media. He has a passion for news, radio, podcasts and the NBA.
Nestle Purina PetCare has been a vital contributor to King William Countys economy for more than two decades, and this major investment further solidifies its commitment to the community, Northam said in the release. We look forward to supporting this global company and household brand in its next chapter of growth.
The court also directed the Centre to make available additional food grains to states for providing food grains to migrants/unorganised workers. (PTI)

New Delhi: The Supreme Court on Tuesday slammed the Union ministry of labour and employment for its unpardonable apathy and lackadaisical attitude towards the development of a portal for the registrations of unorganised or migrant workers to enable them to reap the benefits of welfare schemes.

Noting that it had directed the ministry on August 21, 2018, to develop and provide the states with a module of the portal for the registration of migrant workers, a bench comprising Justice Ashok Bhushan and Justice M.R. Shah said, When the unorganised workers are waiting for registration and are waiting to reap the benefit of various welfare schemes of the states and Centre, the apathy and lackadaisical attitude by the ministry of labour and employment is unpardonable.

The court noted with dismay that although the Code on Social Security, 2020, had received the Presidential assent in August, 2020, it has not yet been enforced except the provision for the use of Aadhaar

The top court on Tuesday directed the states to implement a one-nation one-ration card scheme by July 31 and asked the Centre to set up a portal for registering migrant workers by the next month-end.

The court also directed the Centre to make available additional food grains to states for providing food grains to migrants/unorganised workers.
Rabi procurement started in the first week of April with setting up of 6,968 purchase centres in all districts barring Hyderabad. (Representational Photo:AFP)

HYDERABAD: A record 92 lakh metric tonnes of paddy worth over Rs. 17,300 crore has been procured for MSP (minimum support price) from over 15 lakh farmers across the state, which is 28 lakh MTs higher than last year Rabi procurement.

Addressing media personnel here on Tuesday, Telangana Civil Supplies Corporation chairman Mareddy Srinivas Reddy said Rabi procurement this year, which concluded on Tuesday, is an all-time high record. He pointed out that since formation of Telangana state in 2014, Rabi procurement has increased by a whopping 594 per cent.

"Earlier, paddy production used to be higher in Kharif than Rabi. This had been the trend all these years. But now, this trend has reversed in Telangana, with Rabi yield surpassing Kharif. Increased irrigation facilities, 24x7 free power supply to agriculture, and Rythu Bandhu schemes of TS government have contributed to higher yield," the civic supplies chairman underlined.

He said in all, the corporation has purchased 4.84 crore metric tonnes of paddy worth Rs. 84,000 crore from farmers in Kharif and Rabi for MSP since formation of the state. He pointed out that during the first Rabi season in 2014, the corporation purchased 13.24 lakh metric tonnes of paddy. It has now increased by leaps and bounds to 92 lakh metric tonnes in Rabi 2021, amounting to 594 per cent increase; reflecting rapid growth of agriculture sector under the TRS regime.

Rabi procurement started in the first week of April with setting up of 6,968 purchase centres in all districts barring Hyderabad. The procurement went on for nearly three months.
The Nagarjunasagar dam is the mega joint project of Telangana and AP on the River Krishna. (Photo: DC/File)

Hyderabad: Tension prevailed at the Nagarjunasagar dam on Tuesday after Telangana state government deployed a large police force to thwart any attempts by the Andhra Pradesh government to stop the generation of hydroelectric power by TS power utilities.

The Nagarjunasagar dam is the mega joint project of Telangana and AP on the River Krishna.

The Telangana state Cabinet had recently decided to take up hydel generation at the projects up to 100 per cent of installed capacity. Both major hydel power stations of Telangana state are located the on Krishna river, namely Srisailam and Nagarjunasagar, which are joint projects of TS and AP.

The AP government has already lodged a complaint with the Union Jal Shakti ministry against the Telangana state government utililsing Srisailam water for hydel power generation despite lower water level in the dam.

The Centre had directed the TS government on Sunday to stop hydel power generation but the staet government on Monday directed its power utilities to generate hydel power ignoring the Centre's orders.

Against this backdrop, the TS government has decided to generale hydel power even at Nagarjunasagar. Suspecting that the AP government would resist this, the TS government on Tuesday deployed heavy police force on the dam for the security of power staff and power plants involved in hydel power generation.

Nalgonda superintendent of police A.V. Ranganath visited the dam and examined security arrangements

It may be recalled that TS and AP police forces had clashed at Nagarjunasagar dam in February 2015 during which a few personnel sustained injuries due to lathicharge on each other to take control of the dam after a row erupted between the states over sharing of Krishna water.
Along with the bypolls in Uttarakhand and West Bengal, the ECI is nearly certain to club the election for Huzurabad in Telangana state. (Representational Photo:AP)

Hyderabad: Sources have revealed that the Election Commission of India (ECI) has made up its mind to conduct the bypoll to the Huzurabad Assembly constituency in the state and declare its results before September 10.

The ECI, which will make its announcement in due course of time, will conduct bypolls in three states  and each one of them is crucial for the respective Chief Ministers.

The decision, and timing, is crucial for Tirath Singh Rawat, who was made the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, replacing Trivendra Singh Rawat on March 10. Rawat was a member of the Lok Sabha from Pauri, when he took oath as the Chief Minister and as per the Constitution, he has to get elected as a state legislator before six months.

The ECI will also in high likelihood club the bypolls in West Bengal, where Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee has to win her own election as an MLA. Though Banerjee led her party to a thumping win in the state against the BJP, and took oath as Chief Minister for a third term, she lost her battle to become a legislator to Suvendu Adhikari in Nandigram by a narrow margin of 1,957 votes.

The results of Bengal elections were announced on May 2, and Banerjee took oath as Chief Minister on May 5. Though the EC and Banerjee have time till November 5 to conduct this election, they may be completed by the end of first week of September, in a bunch.

Along with the bypolls in Uttarakhand and West Bengal, the ECI is nearly certain to club the election for Huzurabad in Telangana state.

Etala Rajendar resigned from the TRS and as an MLA days after he was removed unceremoniously, first from his health ministry portfolio, and then as a minister from the Telangana state Cabinet by Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao. His resignation as an MLA was accepted by Speaker Pocharam Srinivas on June 12, leaving a window for the bypoll to be held till December 12.

The mood in Huzurabad is unimpeachable, strong and clear. People of Huzurabad feel their leader and son of their soil has been wrongly targeted and is being marginalised vindictively by TRS supremo Chandrashekar Rao. It is a fight between the self-respect of Huzurabad for Rajendar, who has represented, fought for and worked for every single family here, versus Chandrashekar Raos vindictiveness. They are keen to give a mammoth mandate to Rajendar, said A.P. Jithender Reddy, BJP in-charge for the bypolls.

A TRS leader, speaking to this newspaper, said, Since the sentiment is high for Rajendar in the constituency, we wanted the elections to be delayed as long as possible. But I learnt that recently Rajendar went and met some senior leaders in Delhi, asking for elections to be held quickly.

Meanwhile, sources at the ground level in the constituency said that about 40 state intelligence officers had been deployed to profile each household for the probable voting behaviour and were conducting surveys. The first of such intelligence reports suggested that the TRS had a huge lead and was likely to win the elections.

A BJP ground worker scoffed at the report of the surveys. Intelligence reports are aimed at pleasing their political bosses. The sway of pro-Rajendar sentiment in Huzurabad is unmistakable.

The last two days also saw a surge in what will be a feature of the campaign  manufacturing and circulation of fake news. The BJP cadre found enthusiasm in the news that spread that Veeramalla Prakash, lawyer and founder member of the TRS, had met Rajendar and declared his support for his campaign.

Speaking to this newspaper, Prakash said, It is an absolute lie. I am a Marxist in ideology and strongly opposed to the BJP. I can never support them.

Huzurabad, unmistakably, will be the nucleus of all political action in the state till September comes.
No ones willing to bell this cat! The dramatis personae are still largely the same, but a stealthy U-turn was in the works, say those in the know at Sanchar Bhavan. The question that isnt being asked yet is whether the government acted in haste when in 2019 it chose to give VRS to thousands of employees of BSNL and MTNL. Two years later that decision has come back to haunt the babus in the department of telecommunications (DoT). The two financially troubled state-run telecom companies are currently struggling to remain operational after this rather drastic surgery which did not work.

There is growing desperation in Sanchar Bhavan and murmurs hint at a section of babus who now want to rehire as consultants the very babus who were retired with a golden handshake! It is now up to the very punctilious telecom secretary Anshu Prakash to take a view on this rather critical call. For now, some sources suggest that its caution thats the leitmotif.

Prakash has directed that no ex-staffer should be rehired until the matter is examined thoroughly. But if BSNL and MTNL have to survive he may not have the luxury of too much time. Of course, there are some whispers about how this situation might actually spur the government to hive off its now not so valuable stake in these telecom behemoths of the past and be able to justify it too. That would however be yet another acrimonious debate in the making.

Remember, the government has just announced recently a further restructuring of another state-owned organisation  the Ordnance Factory Board  which is being split into seven corporate entities despite it having been strategically inviolable for long. Few are likely to question that move as this was an old pending demand of the armed forces.

But at Sanchar Bhavan the issues are different. After all, BSNL and MTNL are a rather different case. Which may partly explain why the telecom ministry is walking on eggshells on this subject.

Bad timing for MoEF expansion

Last year when environment minister Prakash Javadekar green-lit the setting up of 19 integrated regional offices of his ministry across the country, his stated aim was that the ministrys expansion would lead to better coordination and monitoring of the work, without stretching his ministrys staff. His babus had been complaining apparently that they were understaffed and overworked. A rather unusual babu logic for geographic spread.

Months later, the plan is being implemented at a painfully slow pace, which far from improving efficiency has actually led to key proposals piling up, many now found to be still pending. Informed sources say that the ministry has not even managed to fill the staff positions for the newly created regional offices. Given the scramble for jobs of this variety, the only explanation that former staffers can proffer is that the efforts were only half-hearted.

Some new offices in Jaipur, Shimla, Jammu, Kolkata and Gandhinagar have not made even a single appointment so far, after all the initial fanfare! With the plan barely moving, the ministrys workload has now actually increased. The delay in appointing new staff has created more work for the old staff officers, who now have been saddled with work of the new offices that were to have been set up. Only half of the around 500 proposals submitted since last year that require the ministrys approval for projects on forest land are still pending. While this may be a good thing, theres danger lurking on the edges.

But the bigger question is, whether all this rearrangement was really necessary at a time when the nation is reeling under the Covid pandemic and the economy needs a big lift? Those proposals pending with Javadekars babus could have been a big help, some insist, though nature may have unwittingly got a brief reprieve.

Share a babu experience! Follow dilipthecherian@Twitter.com. Lets multiply the effect
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Fort Hood, TX (76544)

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Employment-oriented professional networking site LinkedIn was attacked by hackers, taking away a large amount of user data from the said site and sold them in a hacker forum for a hefty amount of money.

In an analysis report made by Privacy Sharks, over 700 million records of said data, or 92%, was exposed, then later posted in forum for sale.

According to 9To5Mac, the breached data includes several personal and private information such as a user's phone numbers, physical address geolocation data, and inferred salaries.

LinkedIn breach reportedly exposes data of 92% of users, including inferred salaries https://t.co/fOK413Ix5I by @benlovejoy  9to5Mac.com (@9to5mac) June 29, 2021

How did that Happened

According to a report by Restore Privacy, a certain user posted an advertisement in a hacker forum last June 22nd. According to the said post, a total of 756 million records full of LinkedIn data were posted for sale.

READ ALSO: 1.2TB of Private Data Stolen From Facebook, Netflix, Amazon and More up For Sale for $100

The same user even posted a sample data on the same forum thread that includes over a million worth of personal data, which was then analyzed and later on, confirmed to be authentic and tied to its real users after a cross check between the compromised data and other publicly available information.

According to Threat Post, it was unclear where is the origin of the said breached data, but Restore Privacy posted a screenshot between them and the said user, claiming that data, which was sold for $5000, was obtained through exploiting LinkedIn's Application Programming Interface (API).

The said seller also claims that by exploiting said API, personal information from people that were using or logging in the LinkedIn website were harvested.

Once sold, these data can be used for other cyberattacks, including phishing attacks, spamming, and brute-forcing the passwords of any LinkedIn profile as well as any email address.

However, according to Gadgets360, the professional networking site released a statement saying that they did not became the receiving end of a data breach, but rather the data acquired includes information that was scrapped by them as well as information obtained from other resources.

They also said that no private data from their site were compromised nor exposed, and scrapping any data from LinkedIn is a violation of their Terms of Services.

This is not the first time LinkedIn was attacked by cyber criminals have their data breached. Last April 9th, over 500 million accounts were breached and later on posted in a hacker forum for sale.

According to Cybernews, a user posted a four-part folder archive containing the scrapped data, which includes private information, from the said 500 million LinkedIn profiles.

In the same forum thread, the user posted a proof-of-concept sample using another set of breached records of over 2 million LinkedIn accounts.

However, LinkedIn released a statement regarding the alleged cyberattack, saying that the data the hackers had were a mix of data from different websites and companies. They added that there is no breach happened within LinkedIn, and no private information was compromised.

How do you know if you're Account was Breached

Several websites offer services to determine if an e-mail, account name or a password was included in a mass-scale data breach. Cybernews has its webpages dedicated to this service, including one that checks your e-mail or phone number if it is breached.

Another account checking website is haveibeenpwned.com. Now only that it has an E-mail/Phone Number checker, but it also has a domain searcher and a password checker.

Aside from using a leak checker, another preventive measures according to Cybernews includes having to look out for suspicious messages and connection requests, changing the passwords, considering the usage of a password manager, and enabling a multifactor authentication.

READ ALSO: Cyber Attackers Unleashed Cryptomining Malware 'Crackonosh' Masked as Free Games: How to Avoid Virus-infested Free Games
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Shinhan Life CEO Sung Dae-kyu speaks during a press conference in Seoul, June 15. Yonhap



Life insurer joins hands with KT



By Lee Min-hyung



Shinhan Life, which will be launched on Thursday following the merger of Shinhan Life Insurance and Orange Life Insurance, will intensify competition with rivals Kyobo Life Insurance and Mirae Asset Life Insurance as the new insurer seeks to gain an upper hand through the use of next-generation information technology.



The insurance industry is paying close attention to Shinhan's strategy of expanding into the customized healthcare industry as an integrated life insurer.



Shinhan Life CEO Sung Dae-kyu identified healthcare recently as the firm's next growth engine, saying that the integrated insurer will keep increasing investments to achieve sustainable growth.



The three life insurers have sought to obtain licenses to operate a MyData business here. This refers to a project led by the Financial Services Commission targeting financial firms here, allowing licensed MyData business operators to offer customized services by collecting a customer's personal financial data from financial institutions and displaying it all on one platform.



A number of banks and credit card companies have already stepped up competition to take the lead in the market. But competition for the MyData business is not that fierce in the insurance industry at present, because insurers remain less agile in responding to market changes due to conservative views within the industry.



Shinhan Life said Wednesday it has signed a partnership with KT, one of the nation's major telecom companies, to find fresh business models for HowFit, a digital healthcare service operated by Shinhan Life.



Sung also shared the firm's long-term vision of possibly spinning off the business after raising its profile in the local healthcare industry. HowFit is a home-training service using artificial intelligence (AI), which allows users to exercise without any wearable devices and only by using their smartphones.



"We are going to expand HowFit's presence here by partnering with KT, the nation's largest IPTV service operator, and the partnership will enable 9 million IPTV users of KT to access our healthcare service," a Shinhan Life official said.



Kyobo Life Insurance and Mirae Asset Life Insurance are also seeking to take the lead in their own MyData business. Both companies consider healthcare as their next key growth area at a time when the conventional insurance market is quickly reaching a saturation point.



Kyobo Life Insurance Chairman Shin Chang-jae has also been eyeing the firm's aggressive expansion into the healthcare market since last year after launching its healthcare platform, Kare, which helps users predict their health condition.



Last year, Kyobo Life Insurance developed its own AI software to streamline a series of conventional, time-consuming processes when customers subscribe to the firm's insurance products. The AI-powered service can conduct document screening before making insurance payments to customers, according to Kyobo.



The life insurance affiliate of Mirae Asset recently submitted an application for its MyData business to the financial watchdog. The company has yet to select specific business models and plans to share details after receiving an approval from the FSC. But Mirae Asset will also focus on the healthcare-related business to reduce its reliance on traditional revenue sources.




Yogiyo delivery scooters are parked in front of its office in Seoul in this June 2020 file photo. Yonhap



Bidding for food delivery service turns into battle among PEFs



By Park Jae-hyuk



Shinsegae's e-commerce arm, SSG.com, has dropped out of the final bid to acquire Yogiyo from Delivery Hero, turning the race to buy the nation's second-largest food delivery app into a competition between private equity firms (PEFs).



"We thoroughly reviewed the possibility of creating synergy through integrating retail and delivery platforms. However, we decided not to participate in the final bid," an SSG.com spokesman said Wednesday. "We will continue to review various platforms with growth potential," he added.



MBK Partners, Affinity Equity Partners and Permira participated in the final bid, before the German company postponed the deadline for the final bid for a second time last Thursday, according to industry sources.



Along with SSG.com and another PEF, Bain Capital, the three bidders had been on a shortlist for the acquisition, which was drawn up after preliminary bidding June 10. Lotte did not take part in the preliminary bid, maintaining its stance that it is not interested in the cash-intensive deal.



Market insiders have considered the deadline for the final bid to have been less meaningful, because Delivery Hero and the underwriter for the deal, Morgan Stanley, have essentially failed to sell the food delivery app operator through a public tender.



"Morgan Stanley is meeting each potential buyer separately," a source familiar with the issue said. "Delivery Hero will try to postpone the Aug. 2 deadline for the sale, which was a date designated by the Fair Trade Commission (FTC), because it is impossible to finalize the deal within a month. It generally takes several weeks to negotiate clauses in a share purchase agreement."



When Delivery Hero decided last year to take over Baedal Minjok, the nation's largest food delivery service operated by Woowa Brothers, the antitrust watchdog ordered the German firm to sell its Korean operation, Yogiyo, by Aug. 2.



The FTC, however, allowed the company to delay the deadline until February 2022, if circumstances beyond Delivery Hero's control occured.



Weber Shandwick, Delivery Hero's local PR agency, has declined to disclose the specific schedule for the final bid. It also said Delivery Hero has not excluded any bidders in the sale of Yogiyo, emphasizing that its client is carrying out the divestment process in compliance with the instructions received by the FTC.



Such a stance has been viewed among market insiders here as an attempt to attract additional bidders by the antitrust regulator's delayed deadline.





Baedal Minjok delivery scooters are parked in Seoul in this file photo. Courtesy of Woowa Brothers
Kimchi / gettyimagesbank



Some kimchi suppliers launch the campaign to certify eateries serving locally-processed kimchi



By Kang Hyun-kyung



Video footage showing a naked man submerged waist deep in a pool filled with cloudy water and cabbages at an unspecified kimchi factory in China caused an uproar among Koreans in March.



Disturbed by the video, Korean consumers have started to boycott kimchi produced in China and to look more carefully into how the food they eat has been made before it ends up on dining tables here.



Kim Ji-sook, who owns a small eatery selling home-cooked meals to office workers in downtown Seoul, said some of her customers have begun to ask her about the origin of the kimchi she serves in her restaurant.



"I don't lie; I tell them our kimchi was produced in China. But after hearing my answer, they don't eat the kimchi," she told The Korea Times.



She said that the video, highlighting unsanitary kimchi production conditions in an unspecified mainland Chinese plant, was a true game changer shaping her customers' consumption of kimchi. Her restaurant has more kimchi left over than before, triggering an increase in food waste.



Korea imports roughly 300,000 tons of kimchi annually from China. The vast majority of this imported kimchi goes to restaurants. The price of imported kimchi per 1 kg is about a third of the cost of kimchi produced in Korea, making the imported spicy side dish hard to turn down for pandemic-hit restaurant owners desperate to cut costs.



Lee Ha-yeon, president of the Kimchi Association of Korea (KAK), which consists of the heads of over 80 kimchi producers and suppliers, said that blaming restaurants as the main culprit behind the surge in kimchi imports is not constructive.



"The blame game doesn't help," she said. "Kimchi from mainland China is a lot cheaper than kimchi made in Korea. In a capitalist society, it's natural that restaurant owners are tempted to go for a cheaper product."



Lee said the practice of providing free refills of kimchi is the main reason restaurants serve cheap mainland Chinese-made kimchi. "Restaurants allow customers to have free refills of kimchi. As long as free refills continue, I think restaurants will have no option but to keep serving cheaper Chinese kimchi," she said.



KAK has turned to implementing a "realistic" measure to make sure that consumers eat kimchi processed in sanitary conditions at local restaurants.



It launched an ambitious campaign to certify restaurants serving kimchi produced in Korea with local ingredients. KAK members hope that the labeling campaign can lead to an increase in the consumption of Korean kimchi and help struggling local kimchi suppliers see a business breakthrough.



"I think consumers need to understand that kimchi is not free of charge. They need to pay for it if they want to eat safe kimchi," Lee said.





Lee Ha-yeon, president of Kimchi Association of Korea, makes kimchi in this undated photo. Courtesy of Lee Ha-yeon



In the campaign, eateries that serve kimchi made using local ingredients or produced in Korea can apply for a "locally-produced kimchi" label. They are required to submit related documents and pieces of evidence that can prove their claims. Their applications will be thoroughly reviewed by KAK committee members. If all requirements are met, the organization issues certificates to the restaurants.



Lee said that the KAK so far has received applications from some 5,000 eateries all across the country. Among other cities and provinces, she said that restaurants based in South Jeolla Province are the most active in the voluntary labeling program nationwide.



"Restaurants in South Jeolla Province are keen to join the labeling program mainly because they know it will create a win-win circumstance for local farmers, kimchi suppliers and consumers," she said. "The Jeolla region is home to premium salt, as Shinan County is world-famous for its mineral-rich salt used in seasoning cabbage. Farmers in the region produce cabbage, green onions, red pepper and other vegetables that are used as the key ingredients of kimchi. Due to its geographical location in the West Sea, a variety of fish sauces are available there, too."



Lee said that her schedule this week and in July is packed with business trips to provincial cities to present certificates to owners of eateries who meet the locally-produced kimchi label qualifications.



"Our rationale behind the restaurant certification is that consumers can choose certified eateries over non-certified ones that provide mainland Chinese kimchi. This ability to choose will create a chain reaction in non-certified eateries as their owners will feel pressured and will ultimately consider joining the certification program as well," she said. "If this happens, consumers will be able to eat kimchi produced locally in sanitary conditions."





A label certifying locally-processed kimchi
A view of KIAF Art Seoul 2019 / Courtesy of KIAF Art Seoul



By Park Han-sol



KIAF Art Seoul, the largest international art fair here since 2002, will be held at COEX in southern Seoul and also online this fall before launching a partnership with the prominent global fair Frieze starting next year.



The event will be held from Oct. 13 to 17, following the success of other local art fairs, including Galleries Art Fair, Busan Annual Market of Art (BAMA), Art Busan and Plastic Art Seoul (PLAS), which saw record turnouts and sales in the first half of this year amid surging public interest in the art market and a subsequent influx of new collectors.



The organizer, the Galleries Association of Korea, said it saw more than a 30 percent increase in the number of applications submitted by galleries to this year's event compared to previous years. Among nearly 300 applicants, more than 170 selected galleries from 12 countries will showcase paintings, sculptures and media works this fall.



Major participating players from the domestic art scene include Kukje Gallery, Johyun Gallery, Hakgojae Gallery and PKM Gallery. And with Seoul seen as a rising Asian hub in the contemporary global art market, a number of notable international galleries  New York's Gladstone Gallery, Berlin-based Esther Schipper and Peres Projects  will join the fair for the first time.





A view of Frieze London 2019 / Courtesy of Linda Nylind and Frieze




North Korean leader Kim Jong-un said a "grave incident" has happened that could threaten the safety of his people and country in nationwide anti-epidemic efforts, state media reported Wednesday.







Kim made the remarks as he presided over an extended politburo meeting of the ruling Workers' Party on Tuesday, accusing senior officials of neglecting their duties in carrying out measures needed to fight the global pandemic, according to the Korean Central News Agency.







"By neglecting important decisions of the party in its national emergency antivirus fight in preparations for a global health crisis, officials in charge have caused a grave incident that poses a huge crisis to the safety of the nation and its people," Kim was quoted as saying by the KCNA.







"A major factor that hampers the execution of important tasks is inability and irresponsibility of senior officials," he added. "Party-wide fight should be carried out against ideological defects and all kinds of negative factors found among senior officials."







The KCNA did not elaborate on what the grave incident was.







North Korea has claimed to be coronavirus-free but has enforced tight border controls and other antivirus measures since the beginning to ward off an outbreak on its soil.







The North has recently called for "maximum vigilance" against the coronavirus amid concerns over the global spread of the highly contagious Delta variant and pandemic fatigue.







Pointing out "chronic" inability and irresponsibly among senior officials, Kim called for a partywide fight against "ideological defects and all kinds of negative factors" that could be found among those officials.







At Tuesday's meeting, "organizational matters" were also discussed, including the election of new politburo members and secretaries of the party's Central Committee, the KCNA said, without providing details on those newly elected.







The politburo meeting came 11 days after North Korea held a four-day plenary meeting of the Workers' Party, the third of its kind this year. (Yonhap)






The greater Seoul area will hold off on implementing the central government's eased social distancing scheme by one week amid a sharp increase in COVID-19 cases in the region, officials said Wednesday, just hours before the new rules were set to take effect.



The local governments of Seoul, Gyeonggi Province and Incheon had initially planned to raise the cap on private gatherings from four to six people and allow restaurants and cafes to extend their opening hours by two hours until midnight, starting Thursday.



The reversal comes after Seoul registered 375 new cases Tuesday, its biggest daily increase this year, and Gyeonggi registered 240 new cases the same day.













The country as a whole reported 794 cases in an over two-month high amid concern over the spread of COVID-19 variants despite nearly 30 percent of the population having received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine.



As of 3 p.m. Wednesday, 274 additional cases were reported in Seoul, raising the possibility the daily count will again exceed 300, according to the city government. (Yonhap)
Quarantine officials guide travelers at the arrival hall of Incheon International Airport, Wednesday. Yonhap



Vaccinated people visiting South Korea from overseas, except those from 21 high-risk nations, will be exempt from the mandatory two-week coronavirus quarantine starting this week, as officials are easing the entry restrictions to allow more family visits amid the prolonged pandemic.



Starting Thursday, visitors flying in from over 150 countries can skip the quarantine if they have a document issued by South Korean consulates in their country of residence proving that they have been fully inoculated with COVID-19 vaccines, officials said.



Their purpose of visit must fall under the categories of either business, academic, public service or humanitarian, such as family-related affairs. They also need to be vaccinated with either AstraZeneca, Pfizer, Moderna, Janssen, AZ Covishield, Sinopharm or Sinovac.



They still need to take COVID-19 diagnostic tests before and after arrival in South Korea and will have to be quarantined if they test positive.



However, visitors from 21 high-risk countries, including India, Indonesia, Pakistan, the Philippines and several African and Latin American countries, will have to undergo the two-week quarantine due to the rising cases of the delta variant in those countries.



The easing of the quarantine requirement for vaccinated people is aimed at allowing more families to meet, as such gatherings have long been disrupted amid the pandemic outbreak, a foreign ministry official said.



"It's a decision we have made after taking into account the requests from our people here and abroad who have been unable to see their families as the pandemic has persisted for more than a year, and the fact that the vaccination rate is rising," the official said.



The South Korean consulates in Washington, New York, Los Angeles and San Francisco have been swamped with thousands of applications since they opened the system this week, the official said.



"We are checking against any system overload and are doing our best to improve the electronic application capability to speed up the process so as to minimize the inconvenience for people," the official said. (Yonhap)






South Korea signed a "travel bubble" deal with Saipan on Wednesday to exempt fully vaccinated people from mandatory quarantine upon entry into each other's territory.







Saipan, a U.S. commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, is the first partner of South Korea's travel bubble initiative announced in early June.







The agreement was signed in a ceremony here by Seoul's vice transport minister Hwang Seong-kyu and Saipan's governor Ralph Torres. It is expected to take effect in late July or early August after relevant preparations.







Under the agreement, visitors are required to receive full COVID-19 vaccinations, authorized by their health authorities at least two weeks ahead of trips.







They also have to carry official certificates of vaccine shots and submit documents showing the negative result of a coronavirus test conducted within 72 hours prior to departure.







Only those on group trips arranged by travel agencies can benefit from the agreement. (Yonhap)


KOICA President Sohn Hyuk-sang, right, poses with Lotte Scholarship Foundation Chairman Huh Seong-kwan at the latter's office in Seoul, Monday, after signing a MOU to support descendants of international Korean War veterans. Courtesy of KOICA



By Kang Seung-woo



The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) and the Lotte Scholarship Foundation have agreed to jointly support scholarships for the descendants of Korean War veterans overseas. KOICA and the foundation signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU), Monday, under which the two organizations will establish a cooperative system that will recommend and select recipients.



According to KOICA, about 150 descendants of Korean War veterans from the Philippines, Ethiopia, and Colombia are likely to be awarded a total of $67,500 in scholarships.



Along with the scholarship, KOICA has operated other supportive programs to honor those who fought in the 1950-53 war, such as COVID-19 Comprehensive Rapid Program in Ethiopia, a project for vocational capacity building for Korean veterans' descendants in Ethiopia; a project for the establishment of the Human Resources Development Center in the Philippines; and a project to set up a rehabilitation center in Colombia.



The Korea-Colombia Friendship Integral Rehabilitation Center in Bogota, which opened in 2016, is a specialized rehabilitation institution in Colombia, the only Latin American country that participated in the Korean War. The $11.5 million (12.9 billion won) center is mainly used by Korean War veterans, Colombian civil war-wounded soldiers, and injured security police.



The Lotte foundation has also provided scholarships of 400 million won to 800 people from six countries  South Africa, Ethiopia, Turkey, Thailand, Colombia, and the Philippines  since 2017 to support the descendants of Korean War veterans.



"Supporting the development of the countries is also a way to pay tribute to the noble sacrifices of the veterans, and we will continue to cooperate with them in the future," KOICA President Sohn Hyuk-Sang said in a press release.


YouthVoice CEO Kim Jae-soon / Courtesy of YouthVoice





By Nam Hyun-woo







Communicating with other people has been one of the most accentuated cultural keywords in Korean society in recent years, but many still struggle to find ways to communicate with others properly. Kim Jae-soon, CEO of YouthVoice, a non-profit educational organization, says proper communication can start by discovering who you are and learning to express yourself like a teenager, which are virtues that many Koreans have grown oblivious of while living in a highly-competitive society.







"If you live in a highly competitive society, you may lose yourself and adjust yourself to others' standards," Kim said during an interview with The Korea Times. "This is especially so for Korean teenagers who find themselves in a strained academic competition. It is a healthy habit to start with yourself, not others, when you decide something and do something. And that makes you, not the given standard, lead your own life and understand differences that others have."







YouthVoice is a non-profit organization that provides art and media education to teenagers and helps them express themselves after understanding who they are. Unlike other media education organizations, which often focus only on teaching technical ways of using platforms and media tools, YouthVoice focus on messages that teenagers want to deliver with whatever media tools  writing, video clips, drawings, music and others  so they can learn how to express themselves effectively.







According to Kim, when asked to make a documentary film, many Korean students come up with big ideas, such as the isolation experienced by senior citizens or environmental problems. Such subjects may help them win higher scores in documentary competitions, but it remains questionable whether they are truly interested in them.







"We are telling students that you don't have to solve the big problems in society or save the world," Kim said. "Instead, we tell them to start with themselves. Whether it is a small chat with your friend, it is important to you."







In this undated handout photo, a participant of YouthVoice's education program practices hand painting. Courtesy of YouthVoice





Although it describes itself as an educational program, YouthVoice does not have a fixed curriculum which it says would hamper students from finding out what they want, what satisfies them or what they are good at.







"For example, there is a rap class, and the mentor, who is a rap musician, shares his experience of being inspired by signboards in the streets," Kim said. "And the mentor encourages students to explore what inspires them."







There is no fixed curriculum, but Kim stressed that every class should involve three key ideas: exploring individual ideas, expressing them and sharing the experience. He said the sharing part is important, because this will help other students understand that each individual has different ideas and voices, thus enabling people to communicate with each other better.







"When we talk with school teachers about what their students did at YouthVoice classes, the teachers often say they never knew the students had such characteristics," Kim said. "I'm not criticizing school teachers, because it's inevitable for public education to be standardized. Rather, programs such as YouthVoice can complement what public education may miss. I hope similar programs can be part of mandatory schooling."







In this undated handout photo, a participant of the YouthVoice education program practices filming. Courtesy of YouthVoice





YouthVoice kicked off in 2002 as a program under the Daum Foundation, a charity foundation established by internet giant Daum Communication (now Kakao). More than 8,000 students and 75 tutors have gone through the program during its 19-year history.







Last year, YouthVoice was spun off from the foundation to become an independent entity, and the foundation asked Kim to lead the organization, appointing him as chief executive.







Kim said he participated in the program when he was in high school years and joined as an intern at age 27. After working as a staffer for eight years, he said he found the program being offered was stagnant, triggering him to reconsider his career path. It was at that time that the foundation suggested spinning off YouthVoice and he accepted the offer.







"It was a tough choice to make, but I accepted it," Kim said. "Now that I think of it, it was an attempt to be more truthful to myself."







He said YouthVoice's current goal is expanding the program to allow more students to have access, while keeping it as a non-profit organization.







"We decided to be a non-profit organization, because of fears that for-profit activities are bound to create inequality and unfairness even in the field of education," Kim said. "Discovering who you are is an education that everyone needs in their teen years, regardless of their financial background. Our goal is to meet as many as teenagers possible and help them understand who they really are."


The bereaved family members of a master sergeant of the Republic of Korea Air Force, who killed herself after suffering sexual violence by a male colleague, hold a press conference, Monday, to call for a National Assembly investigation into the case at the Armed Forces Capital Hospital in Seongnam, Gyeonggi Province, where the body of the victim has been kept while waiting for a funeral. Yonhap



By Jung Da-min



Calls are growing for a National Assembly investigation into the military over a sexual assault case which led to the suicide of the victim who was a master sergeant of the Republic of Korea Air Force.



Such calls reflect public distrust of the military's own investigation, as allegations of the Air Force's attempts to cover up her accusation against a male colleague have become known to the public.



After the victim was found dead at her residence on May 22, the Ministry of National Defense launched a full-scale investigation from June 1.



According to the defense ministry, Wednesday, a total of 21 service members have been charged so far, including the alleged perpetrator and another colleague who was allegedly involved in a separate sexual harassment incident the victim reported last year. The others have been accused of allegedly persuading her not to report the case, not taking adequate measures to protect her such as separating her from the alleged perpetrator and trying to cover up the case by carrying out a poor investigation.



Four were arrested and six others have been dismissed from their posts.



Although the defense ministry said it is making full efforts to carry out a thorough investigation, the bereaved father of the victim and civic organizations have questioned whether the ministry is carrying out the investigation properly, saying it is taking too long.



The father of the victim held a press conference on Monday to call for a National Assembly investigation into the case, saying he has noticed the limitations in the military's internal investigation. This is a changed stance from the family's earlier position in early June when the military first launched the investigation. At the time, the family members said they wanted the military to solve the issue, saying it is what the victim would have wanted.



Calls for an Assembly investigation into the case are also growing among civic organizations and political parties including the main opposition People Power Party (PPP) and the minor opposition Justice Party.



A civic group also posted a petition on the Assembly's petition website, Tuesday, calling for an Assembly investigation. If the petition gains 100,000 signatures within 30 days, the relevant standing committees of the Assembly are required to review it and decide whether to accept the call.



Regarding the matter, defense ministry spokesman Boo Seung-chan said the ministry respects the bereaved family's stance and would carry out a thorough investigation so that there would be no fairness controversy, but did not reply directly whether the ministry would accept the petition.






Prosecutors indicted a former industry minister and a former presidential secretary Wednesday for their alleged abuse of authority and interference with business in the process of the government's decision to close a decades-old nuclear power plant.







The Daejeon District Prosecutors Office has been looking into suspicions former minister Paik Un-gyu and former presidential aide Chae Hee-bong abused their power in the viability assessment of Wolsong-1, the nation's second-oldest nuclear reactor, to push for its early closure.







The state-run Korea Hydro Nuclear Power Co. (KHNP) decided to close the reactor in late 2019 based on the assessment but a state audit agency said the following year the reactor's economic viability was unreasonably undervalued.







The liberal Moon Jae-in administration has staged a politically controversial campaign to phase out South Korea's use of nuclear energy in favor of renewable sources.







Paik is suspected of conspiring with the then presidential secretary in the process, while Chae is accused of pushing KHNP to shut down the reactor despite the company's opposition.







KHNP chief Chung Jae-hoon was also indicted on charges of dereliction of duty and interference with business.







Prosecutors said the decision based on the "manipulated" assessment caused 148.1 billion won (US$131 million) worth of damages to the company. (Yonhap)


Korea Immigration Service Commissioner Cha Gyu-geun speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at his office in Government Complex Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, June 23. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk









By Lee Hyo-jin







Border management has become one of the biggest challenges for countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, as strict control is needed to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, while the right to essential cross-border movement should also be guaranteed.







Korea Immigration Service (KIS) Commissioner Cha Gyu-geun said that swift COVID-19 response measures have been a major task for the immigration authority over the past 18 months, since the coronavirus was first reported here in January 2020







But now, as many countries around the world, including Korea, scramble to reopen borders in the coming months, the KIS is preparing for a possible surge in the number of inbound travelers. To cope with this, it plans to launch the Korea Electronic Travel Authorization (K-ETA) program, an entry system for people from countries that are eligible to enter Korea without a visa, starting in September. Before the pandemic, Korea allowed people carrying passports from 112 countries to enter the country without having first to get a visa from the appropriate Korean Embassy. Currently, due to the pandemic, people from only 21 of these countries are allowed to enter Korea visa-free.







"The implementation of the pre-screening program is essential at this point in time when the number of visitors from abroad is expected to grow alongside the acceleration of coronavirus vaccination drives worldwide," Cha said during an interview with The Korea Times at his office in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, June 23.







"Under the new measure, passport holders from the list of visa-exempt countries must obtain authorization for their travel in advance (via the K-ETA program), for the safety of the country as well as for their own convenience."







Korea has continuously expanded the number of visa-exempt countries in order to strengthen diplomatic relations and stimulate tourism.







"But allowing foreign nationals into the country without any entry requirements has brought some side effects, such as an increased number of undocumented foreigners and long waits at immigration checkpoints for those who are required to have further interviews at the airports," Cha explained.







The KIS has been operating the K-ETA program as a pilot program since May 3. The optional procedure is currently available to passport holders from the 21 countries, and to "priority entrants such as businesspeople" with passports from the remaining 91 countries whose visa-free entry has been temporarily suspended, due to COVID-19.







During the pilot program, foreign passport holders should apply for the K-ETA program through the K-ETA website or mobile app at least 24 hours before traveling to Korea. If approved via email, their travel authorization will be valid for two years, during which they can visit Korea as many times as they wish. Those who have obtained authorization through the process are exempt from filling out an arrival card when they reach Korea.







"During the four-month pilot program until August, the K-ETA application will not be mandatory and the fee will be waived. However, after full implementation from September, it will become mandatory and travelers will have to pay the application fee. Eligible countries will be gradually expanded from the current 21 countries depending on the COVID-19 situation. You can visit the K-ETA website for more information," the commissioner noted.







Regarding concerns that the pre-screening program may bring about negative impacts on tourism, he said, "Similar policies have been implemented in many countries, such as the United States, Australia and Canada, and no such data indicating that the program has led to a decline in tourists have been reported."







An immigration officer wearing protective gear screens a traveler at a checkpoint in Incheon International Airport, April 8, 2020. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul









One of the most daunting tasks for the KIS during the COVID-19 pandemic has been introducing timely measures to prevent infections among foreign residents here.







The implementation of the re-entry permit system was one of these measures.







"In the first half of 2020, a significant number of foreign residents were found to have re-entered the country after being infected with the coronavirus," Cha said, explaining that strengthened requirements for re-entry were needed in order to prevent infections being brought into Korea.







Therefore, since June 1, 2020, residents of foreign nationality were required to obtain a re-entry permit if they wish to go abroad and then return on the same visa.







"The measure was not welcomed by many foreigners when it was first imposed, so we had to persuade the foreign community by citing the necessity of the policy for the safety of all residents in the country."







Through the re-entry permit system, the KIS succeeded in bringing down the infection rate among re-entering foreign residents by half during the latter half of 2020.







It has also ensured anonymous COVID-19 tests for undocumented residents and has suspended crackdowns on them during this unprecedented health crisis, out of concerns that pushing them to go into hiding would make them more vulnerable to infection and pose a bigger risk to public health.







Korea Immigration Service Commissioner Cha Gyu-geun speaks during an interview with The Korea Times at his office in the Government Complex Gwacheon, Gyeonggi Province, June 23. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk





"Our mission is to design well-structured policies for foreign nationals by maintaining the balance between many conflicting values, such as the protection of human rights and the best interest of the country," Cha said.











A revision bill proposed by the Ministry of Justice easing the path to citizenship for Korea-born children of permanent residents has been at the center of debate since it was announced in April.







Under the revision, if a permanent resident with close ties to Korea  i.e., those whose family members have lived here for several generations, or those with historic or ethnic ties to the country  gives birth to a child here, that child may attain Korean citizenship via an application process.







However, the measure drew a strong backlash amidst a resurgence of anti-China sentiment here, as data showed that the vast majority of eligible applicants (95%) could be ethnic Koreans with mainland Chinese citizenship.







"The policy does not attempt to provide benefits to people of a certain nationality," Cha said, explaining that it instead aims to help children who lack Korean citizenship build their Korean identity and better adapt to life here, while at the same time securing human resources to tackle the country's low birthrate and aging population.







He stressed that citizenship does not only mean receiving certain benefits, but is also about having certain responsibilities. "Under the system, those who obtain citizenship become subject to mandatory military service, like all able-bodied men with Korean citizenship."







The commissioner said that the government does not plan to push ahead with the proposal, saying, "We will continue to gather various opinions about the policy, as making changes to the Nationality Act requires a public consensus."


President Moon Jae-in bumps fists with Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Kim Myeong-su during a meeting with the heads of the major national organizations at Cheong Wa Dae, Wednesday. The presidential office said that Moon shared the outcomes of his recent trip to the Group of Seven Summit in the U.K., Austria and Spain with the attendees. From left are Prime Minister Kim Boo-kyum, Constitutional Court President Yoo Nam-seok, Chief Justice Kim, National Assembly Speaker Park Byeong-seug and Moon. Yonhap
The seventh Korea-U.S. Church Conference was hosted online by the National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) and the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCCCUSA), Friday. Courtesy of NCCK



By Park Ji-won



The National Council of Churches in Korea (NCCK) and the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA (NCCCUSA) adopted a joint statement urging the governments of both South Korea and the United States to work towards declaring an end to the Korean War as well as to hold negotiations to sign a peace treaty on the Korean Peninsula.



In a joint statement released by the NCCK and the NCCCUSA Friday, largely regarded as liberal Protestant church organizations in both countries, the two groups said, "We urge both governments to declare an end to the Korean War and open negotiations to conclude a peace treaty."



Stressing that the May 21 summit between Seoul and Washington was a "disappointment," as it was a meeting mainly to reinforce the military alliance between the two nations, it said, "We are confident that the end of the war and the establishment of peace agreements will be the starting point for resolving a number of challenges, including the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula, and we urge the U.S. to support actively the efforts of the two Koreas to lead the way in accomplishing this."



The release of the joint statement marks the 71st anniversary of the outbreak of the 1950-53 Korean War, and attempts to stimulate the current atmosphere on the Korean Peninsula between the two Koreas and the U.S. towards the resumption of peaceful talks between the countries.



The conference also called for Seoul and Washington to lift sanctions on Pyongyang, so that emergency disaster assistance during the COVID-19 pandemic can be provided to the North. It also urged the U.S. to stop pressing South Korea on the matter of joining the Quad network.



The Korea-U.S. church conference began in 1970 with the theme of the future of Northeast Asia, and was held six times until 2003. This year's 7th conference is the first time the meeting has taken place since then.






North Korea's official newspaper said Tuesday that the site for riverside apartments now under construction in Pyongyang is where a special residence was once located for late state founder Kim Il-sung.







In March, North Korea unveiled a plan to build around 800 "terraced apartments" along the Pothong River running through Pyongyang as "gifts" to "working people, including labor innovators and persons of distinguished services in all sectors, scientists, educators and writers."







State media had not provided details on the site, but speculation had swirled that the area was where a special residence was located until the 1970s for Kim Il-sung, late state founder and grandfather of current leader Kim Jong-un.







On Tuesday, the Rodong Sinmun, the official newspaper of the ruling Workers' Party, said that the riverside houses are being built on the site for the house "that our leader used."







The house apparently refers to a residence that Kim Il-sung was believed to have used from the 1950s to the 1970s. The area is considered in the North most propitious and sacred.







The site had been left vacant since it was destroyed in 2009, though houses were built in its surrounding area.







Kim visited the apartment construction site twice in just a week in March. His first trip drew special attention as he went there without supervising a missile test conducted the same day.







Experts say that Kim's trips to the site appear intended to signal his focus on the lives of the people under his "people-first" policy.







At a rare party congress in January, Kim admitted to the failure of his previous economic plans and unveiled a new five-year development scheme, including the construction of around 50,000 apartments in Pyongyang by 2025. (Yonhap)






Video by Lee Min-young, Kim Kang-min, Yun Da-been



Calls for accelerated action concerning the climate crisis, fueled by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, have been growing steadily. Korea's hosting of an international summit on the environment later this month is expected to serve as an opportunity to show the nation's commitment to and efforts toward containing climate change in accordance with those of the international community, according to the executive director of the event.



The 2021 P4G Seoul Summit is the first-ever multilateral environmental summit to be hosted by the Korean government. It is scheduled to take place on May 30 and 31, and is themed, "Inclusive Green Recovery towards Carbon Neutrality." The upcoming event was originally planned for June 2020, but was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic.



P4G, which stands for "Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030," is an international initiative to accelerate the response to climate change and the implementation of the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Launched in 2017, it is comprised of 12 countries: Bangladesh, Chile, Colombia, Denmark, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Kenya, Mexico, the Netherlands, South Africa, Vietnam and Korea.
















Video by Lee Min-young, Kim Kang-minThis documentary film is supported by the Judith Neilson Institute's Asian Stories project, in collaboration with Hong Kong's South China Morning Post, Indonesia's Tempo magazine, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, and Manila-based ABS-CBN.In July, 2019, two college students who call themselves "Team Flame" first broke the story of the "Nth room," a massive digital sex crime case where perpetrators blackmailed women including underage girls into performing sexually explicit acts on camera, with thousands of users paying in cryptocurrency to watch.What Team Flame started off  an investigation into distribution channels of illicit, hidden-camera videos in the hope of submitting it to a journalism exhibition  ended up revealing a nationwide scandal in Korea that horrified the public.Interactions among those involved in the digital sex crime-ring first began on social media services such as Twitter before conversations were moved to Telegram  an encrypted messaging app. All of the exploitative videos were then distributed by chat room operators on Telegram to paid-up members. The number of users of the Nth Room and the "Doctor's Room," where the sexually abusive content was uploaded, may have numbered anywhere between the tens of thousands to more than a quarter of a million.Meanwhile, we're witnessing a similar phenomenon in other countries around the world  sexual exploitation being transformed into a lucrative business  with the advent of high-speed networks and sophisticated digital devices."There was also an incident in Hong Kong that was very similar to the Nth room case. We got a request from the authorities there asking us how the videos got taken down and deleted, so we shared everything we knew with them. There will be circumstances that are unique to each country, but the crime is fundamentally similar in nature," Seo Seung-hui, director of the Korea Cyber Sexual Violence Response Center, told The Korea Times.Numerous Chinese-language chat rooms similar to the Nth room were also found on Telegram. "We've gained access to four of those chat rooms which are clearly abusive, and one of them has over 30,000 users, and there are thousands more in the other ones," Team Flame said."Videos being circulated in those chat rooms included sexually-exploitative videos from the Nth room as well as others that appeared to have been filmed in China. There were thousands, tens of thousands of illicit videos being shared and distributed."To delve deeper into the evolving digital sex crime cases in Korea and across Asia, The Korea Times has been collaborating with four media organizations  the South China Morning Post in Hong Kong, Tempo in Indonesia, and the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism and ABS-CBN in the Philippines  on a special investigation into this issue over the last seven months.This hour-long documentary explains what happened in the Nth room chat rooms, how girls fell prey to the perpetrators, and how the digital world and social media platforms provide an optimal environment for online sex offenses to take place. We will also be looking into how similar cases are being seen in other Asian countries, and how  and which  social media platforms have become a central hub for criminals in Korea, China, Japan and other parts of Asia.
Courtesy of Loco Steve



By David A. Tizzard




Time to awaken to seriousness of sex crimes by those in power



The Busan District Court sentenced former Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don to three years in prison Tuesday for sexually assaulting two city employees. The court also ordered Oh to undergo 40 hours of sexual violence rehabilitation and banned him from working at child welfare organizations or facilities for the disabled for five years.



Oh resigned as the mayor of the nation's second-largest city in April 2020 after admitting he had "unnecessary physical contact" with a female city employee. Separately, Oh was accused of making unwanted sexual contact with another civil servant in 2018. The court acknowledged that Oh's victim suffered post-traumatic stress disorder resulting from the sexual harassment and that this constituted injury caused by his actions. "This is a workplace sexual assault case in which the accused abused his superior position to commit the crime," the court said.



His lawyers pleaded for leniency, saying the defendant has been suffering from dementia and has cognitive problems. But the court rejected such claims, stating it was clear that the former mayor abused his status and that his actions were not accidental or one-off. The ruling is significant, given that the court acknowledged the victim's psychological suffering as an injury. The ruling must also serve as a public acknowledgement of the seriousness of sex crimes by those in power.



The victims reportedly expressed intentions to appeal the sentence, saying the court considerably reduced Oh's prison sentence to three years in consideration of his advanced age and lack of a prior criminal record. Prosecutors had demanded a seven-year prison sentence. Oh could face a heavier sentence in the appeals court, considering the devastating impact his shameful sex crime wrought on our society. That said, it will be better for him to own up to making a mistake, repent and turn over a new leaf rather than adhere to a lame excuse. That is the least he can do to seek forgiveness from the people of Busan.


Ruling bloc hit for trying to control state inspection agency



Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) Chairman Choe Jae-hyeong resigned Monday, six months before the end of his four-year term. Choe indicated he could run in the presidential election slated for March next year saying, "I will take time and ponder what role I can play for the future of the nation."



His remark triggered a fierce repercussion from the ruling bloc, which warned he would undermine the political neutrality and independence of the state auditing agency if he launches a presidential bid taking advantage of his career as a former BAI head following his resignation. Lawmakers of the ruling Democratic Party of Korea (DPK) have already criticized Choe for having often abused the board's audit and inspection power to promote his own political ambitions.



DPK Rep. Lee Kwang-jae, also a presidential aspirant, denounced Choe as well as former Prosecutor General Yoon Seok-youl as "opportunists who back-stabbed their boss who appointed them." Yoon declared his bid for the presidency Tuesday, after he stepped down as top prosecutor March 4. Of course, it is undesirable for them to resign without completing their terms in order to realize their political ambitions.



Choe may not be able to deflect criticism if he decides to run for president to realize his political aspirations at the expense of the BAI. However, before criticizing him, we need to figure out why Choe wants to make such a decision. He said, "I thought it was inappropriate for me to continue to serve as BAI chairman amid the growing controversy over my position."



Political neutrality and independence are the foundations for the operation of the BAI, although it is an umbrella organization of the presidential office. Yet it is a well-known fact that the Moon Jae-in administration has gone all out to apply the brakes on the BAI's inspections into "politically-sensitive" cases, while attempting to isolate Choe by appointing pro-government figures to key posts in the agency.



Cheong Wa Dae has also tried to control the BAI by naming figures hailing from the BAI as senior presidential staff, including Kim Jo-won and Kim Jong-ho, who served as Moon's civil affairs secretaries after their stints as BAI secretary generals.



The Moon administration has stepped up its attacks on Choe since the BAI started investigating a case regarding the early shutdown of the Wolsong-1 nuclear reactor in 2019. The BAI discovered that the presidential office and the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy played a key role in deliberately underestimating the reactor's economic value to close it down earlier than scheduled in line with President Moon's nuclear phase-out policy. The ministry even deleted 444 computer files to cover up its tracks in manipulating data.



Many DPK lawmakers had already pressed Choe to step down unless he started to share the same philosophy as the Moon administration. This had served as pressure on him to stop conducting inspections into the government and related agencies over their alleged wrongdoings and other violations of the law.



Then presidential chief of staff Noh Young-min even described the outcome of the BAI's investigation into the nuclear reactor case as "unprecedented nonsense" during a National Assembly session last November. Moon and his policymakers cannot avoid criticism for trying to tame the BAI and trampling on its neutrality and independence. That's why Choe quit his job and is probably seeking to run for president, just as ex-prosecution chief Yoon did.


By Ahn Ho-young





Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga visited Washington, D.C., for his meeting with U.S. President Joe Biden, April 16. It was soon followed by President Moon Jae-in, who met with Biden, May 21. Because the two Asian leaders visited Washington at such a short interval, the Korean news media has been busy for some time ferreting out stories to make comparisons between the two visits.



One of the well-publicized stories was the different menu for the summit lunches, a hamburger for Suga and a crab cake for Moon. Of course, there were other differences of far higher importance.



One of them was how the Global Health Security Agenda (GHSA) was discussed among the leaders. The joint statement with Japan made only a fleeting reference to the GHSA, while the joint statement with Korea made a lengthy and substantive reference to it.



Why? Because Korea has been heavily invested in the inauguration and operation of the GHSA from its very beginnings. Korea recognized early on that it was another high priority multilateral initiative of former U.S. President Barack Obama, following his initiative on a Nuclear Security Summit (NSS).



I attended the ceremony to launch the GHSA, which was held at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on Feb. 13, 2014. Several weeks later, Andrew Weber, assistant secretary of Defense for Nuclear, Chemical and Biological Defense Programs, invited me to a business lunch at the Pentagon.



He explained how the United States was preparing for a high-level meeting to be held in Washington in September. Toward the end of the lunch, upon learning that the U.S. had not yet secured a host for the second high-level meeting, I suggested naming the second host country would be important because it would ensure the continuity of the process. Weber agreed and wondered if Korea would be interested. I recommend to Seoul that Korea serve as the second host and Seoul subsequently gave its approval.



The first GHSA high-level meeting was held in Washington on Sept. 26, 2014. President Obama elaborated in his opening statement how the U.S. had tried to fight the Ebola outbreak during the past several months.



Then, he said no nation could meet these challenges on its own, which in fact was the motivation underlying his GHSA initiative. In this context, he made clear that the U.S. would assume a leadership role since it had capabilities that other nations didn't have.



The high-level meeting endorsed 11 action packages to prevent outbreaks, detect threats in real time, and rapidly respond to infectious disease threats. In terms of governance structure, a ten-country GHSA steering group, including Korea and the U.S. among them, was formed to track progress, identify challenges, and oversee achieving GHSA objectives. It was also announced that the second high-level meeting would be held in Korea.



On the margins of the high-level meeting, a side event was held at Blair House, to which I was invited as a panelist. Another panelist was Edith Schippers, the Dutch health minister. I reminded her that Korea would be the second host and suggested that the Netherlands would be perfect as the third host.



I added that the three hosts of the NSS so far would have been the U.S., Korea and the Netherlands, which underscored the importance of concerted leadership among the U.S., Asia and Europe for important global issues. Indeed, the Netherlands would later host the third high-level meeting.



Between the two multilateral initiatives of Obama's, the GHSA, unlike the NSS, survived the change of U.S. government and has continued to develop. One measure of the relevance of a multilateral institution would be to assess its membership changes.



The GHSA started with 29 countries in February, 2014. As of September, 2018, 65 countries representing nearly 6 billion people, along with 9 international and regional multilateral organizations and institutions, and non-governmental sector partners were also part of GHSA.



Much of the GHSA's activities so far have been focused upon evaluating member countries' health security capacity, identifying the gaps and working with them to mobilize resources to address them. There has been noticeable progress in member countries' lab systems, surveillance systems, workforce development and emergency management and response. Based upon such a progress, the GHSA mandate has been extended for another five years from 2019 to 2024.



Throughout all these years, Korea and the U.S. have played important roles as members of the GHSA steering group, which explains why the Moon-Biden joint statement had a lengthy and substantive reference to the GHSA.



After the GHSA's launch, the world experienced daunting epidemic challenges; an Ebola outbreak in Western Africa in 2014, a Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS) outbreak in Korea in 2015, and now the COVID-19 pandemic. The GHSA could not prevent these outbreaks. However, if anything, the initiative proved to have been timely, and its focus on capacity building relevant.





Ahn Ho-young (hyahn78@mofa.or.kr) is president of the University of North Korean Studies. He served as Korean ambassador to the United States and first vice foreign minister.


A busy narrow street in Seoul circa 1910-1920s. Robert Neff Collection



By Robert Neff



In the latter part of the 1890s, the authorities in Seoul began a campaign to curtail or even eliminate the activities of mudangs (shamans) within the city and its vicinity. Shamanism was viewed by many Korean progressives (and, of course, Christians) as a relic from the past and a means for some to exploit the superstitious beliefs of the common people to fill their own pockets.



A mudang, according to one contemporary writer, was considered to be of the lowest social status for "besides an entire lack of character she is supposed to have commerce with the evil spirits" that haunt places and people. It is "through friendly intercession" that the mudang convinces the evil spirits to cease their possession. The writer concluded, that "few women in Korea are more depraved than the mudang."



The campaign was fairly successful.



In June 1896, The Independent (an English-language newspaper in Seoul with a strong bias favoring Christianity) "congratulated the authorities on the faithful manner in which the law had been enforced" and noted the shamans "of Seoul and the vicinity have been pretty well suppressed."



Philip Jaisohn (Seo Jai-pil), the newspaper's editor, called upon the authorities to next target the "blind fortune-tellers and blind devil chasers" whom he felt were "just as bad, as if not worse, than [the shamans], and as a rule they play a larger game of deception among the poor people."





A street in Seoul in the 1890s. Robert Neff Collection



He was not the only one to share these negative views. Years later, the editor of The Korea Review wrote:



"In Korea there are many blind people and not a few of them make a living as exorcists. If an inmate of a house is sick someone will run for a blind exorcist who will come and drive out the evil spirit which causes the disease. But men are not the only ones who ply this curious trade. Any Korean blind woman, no matter what her rank, can become an exorcist. A lady exorcist, as might be expected, is in demand among the upper classes almost exclusively. Korea is the fortune-teller's paradise. Superstition is so prevalent that scarcely any undertaking is begun without first consulting the fortuneteller. Fully as much of this is done among the upper classes as among the lower, for the former can better afford the luxury. Indigent ladies do not hesitate to enter the ranks of the fortune-tellers. It is an easy, graceful, lucrative form of labor and carries with it an element of adventure which probably appeals strongly to some natures."



Despite being a Christian, The Korea Review's editor acknowledged "the p'an-su or blind exorcist" was "the enemy of evil spirits" and was able, "by a superior power," to drive them away.



Jaisohn's (as well as others') call for action was apparently heard. In March 1897, police arrested two shamans and three blind fortune tellers on the slopes of Namsan while they were "offering sacrifices to the devil spirit." They were not the first or the last to be arrested.



In August, of the same year, The Independent reported that a blind fortune-teller living in Jongno took to the street in front of his home denouncing the former chief of police "for the stringent manner in which [he] stopped devil worship in the city." The fortune-teller insisted that he had the power to ensure the ex-police official would receive no more positions in the government.



Noticing the disturbance, a young Korean policeman appeared and told the fortune-teller to go home and be quiet but the blind man refused and instead scolded the young police officer for interfering and then threatened to have him fired  apparently the fortune-teller was "very intimate" with a "certain lady" that could arrange the officer's dismissal.





Isabella Bird Bishop described them as: "[Relics] of the very early days of Korean Buddhism, when men were religious enough to toil at such stupendous works and to represent the male and female elements in nature." Circa 1890s. Courtesy of Diane Nars Collection



The police officer, tired of the disrespect and threats, tried to usher the man away, but the fortune-teller, through "the effective use of his stick" and probably to the amusement of the crowd of on-watchers, managed to fend off the young man's attempts. Finally, the fortune-teller was disarmed and taken to jail  what was to be his fate was only known to the judge and him (if he truly was a fortune-teller).



Anyone who has spent more than a couple of days in Seoul during August can attest that the sauna-like heat and humidity are almost unbearable (especially without air conditioning). Crazy things tend to happen.



One night, in early August 1898, a blind fortuneteller named Whang boldly made his way through the streets of Seoul to a house near the West Gate. He pounded upon the door with his walking stick and demanded entrance. The owner of the house, a young widow, was startled by Whang's sudden appearance and demanded to know why he was disturbing her and her family in the middle of the night.



Whang stepped into her humble dwelling and then solemnly informed her that before the end of the 7th moon (within the month) two of her sons would be dead  victims of a dark malevolent evil that hid within her dwelling. The widow asked how he came by this dire knowledge and he told her that the great stone Buddha in nearby Paju had told him about it in a dream. Whang felt compelled to aid the widow out of the friendship he once had with her late husband. However, compassion was not the only motive; he also wanted the princely sum of $80 to protect her sons and rid the house of the evil presence.





It is said that women once came here so that they would be blessed with a son. Yongmi-ri in Paju in 2018. Robert Neff Collection
The railroad bridge over the Han River in 1900 / Robert Neff Collection



By Robert Neff



At the start of the 20th century, the Hangang Railroad Bridge was the first great engineering project to be completed in Korea, and it may have also been one of the most important. Prior to the construction of this bridge, the only way for the average person to cross the river was to walk across the ice during the winter or, when the river was free of ice, to take a boat or small ferry. Both had their risks.



In 1897, the construction of the Seoul-Chemulpo Railroad began. Its construction was fairly simple for the most part, but spanning the river was the most daunting part of the enterprise.



The idea of conquering the river with a bridge instilled a degree of pride in the foreign community. In December 1897, the editor of The Independent, a local paper that published in Hangeul and English, visited the railroad's offices and seemed relatively pleased: "Judging from the plan, it is going to be a noble-looking structure and will probably be the longest steel bridge in this part of the world. The bridge itself will be six hundred and fifty-five feet [about 200 meters] long but, including the approaches at both ends, it will be over a quarter of a mile [about 400 meters] in length."



In closing, the editor wrote, "What a joyful anticipation it is [sic] going down to Chemulpo on a train."



His anticipation lasted much longer than he expected. The company's bridge expert, William H. Holmes, arrived in Korea in early January 1898, and by the end of the month, according to The Independent, he was "now working on the site where the bridge will be erected" and that "the company will use steel and stone alone in building the trestle work at the approaches of the bridge, instead of timber as was reported."





The railroad bridges spanning the river in March 2021 / Robert Neff Collection



There were to be other changes as well. Two weeks later, the newspaper reported:



"It has been decided to do away with all the trestle-work on the Seoul-Chemulpo Railway. By putting in iron bridges. The trestle-work at either extremity of the Han Bridge will also be done away with, and two additional spans of the bridge have been ordered."



He added that this would will increase the actual length of the bridge from 1,650 feet to 2,150 feet, or 503 meters to 655 meters.



The bridge's spans were constructed in the United States and shipped to Korea  arriving in July 1898 aboard a steamship called the Yarrowdale. Even with these new spans there were problems, especially in the summer.



The Han River was described as "ordinarily a shallow stream" but during the summer months it frequently overflowed its banks, inundating the surrounding countryside and washing away construction.





A steam engine crosses over the frozen Han River, circa 1920-1940. / Robert Neff Collection



In October 1899, Horace N. Allen, the American minister to Korea, wrote to his sons that the officials of the Seoul-Chemulpo Railroad "can't hope to have the bridge completed for a year or two because whenever they get the false work well arranged around the piers, a flood comes along and washes it all away."



After the Seoul-Chemulpo Railroad was sold by the American firm to a Japanese firm, Allen's correspondences were filled with negativity, contradictions and deception. As Patrick O'Donnell notes, even in an official report to the State Department, Allen avoided using the word "sold" and instead used "transferred" to describe how the Japanese firm came to control the railroad.



In a report to the State Department in March 1900, Allen claimed, "no one understands Korea better than the Japanese," due to their extensive surveys and maps. However, later in his report, he noted, "the plans of the American contractor [Holmes] for this bridge having been disregarded, two of the piers built by the Japanese have subsided out of line." As a result, the Japanese officials offered a bonus of 100,000 yen to any contractor who could complete the bridge by June.





Under the bridges, circa 1920 / Robert Neff Collection



However, his letter to his sons, from the same period, loses all of its diplomatic tone:



"The Japanese  have offered a contractor a bonus of Yen 100,000 if he will complete the Seoul-Chemulpo bridge by June. It can't be done. Two of the piers have sunk out of line and must be removed, and the plans of the Americans pursued, which the 'smarty' Japanese would not do. They think they know more than anyone and can't learn."



He ended his rant by complaining that people are still forced to disembark on the south side of the river, board a small ferry, and then resume their journey, after crossing the river's sandbank. He somewhat smugly predicted, "It will be bad in the rainy season."





Under the bridges in 2021 / Robert Neff Collection



Allen wasn't the only one with biased opinions. A railway journal from the same year claimed that when construction of the bridge began, many superstitious Koreans "regarded the structure as a monster much to be feared," but fortunately, had not "yet taken the direction of suggesting its destruction." The journal implied the actual destruction that had happened earlier to Seoul's streetcars, when mobs destroyed a couple of streetcars out of the superstitious fear that they were responsible for the drought plaguing the country. It is true that superstitious fear may have played some part in the attacks upon the streetcars, but the primary catalyst seems to have been an unfortunate accident in which a child was struck and killed by one of the streetcars.



This negative portrayal of Koreans is somewhat softened when, in 1905, Holmes provides some interesting insight as to why he changed his plans. According to O'Donnell:



"Holmes and his associates were astonished to learn that Korea had kept accurate records on the Han River related to high-water and low watermarks, tide elevations, ice flows and other general information that dated back five hundred and nine years. The person who kept the records was known as 'the owner of the rivers.' When he was first introduced to the Americans [as] the 'owner of the rivers,' he was somewhat apologetic to the Americans for the period of time encompassed by the available records, explaining that records kept before 1392 had been destroyed by a fire in that year."





Overlooking the bridge in 1900 / Robert Neff Collection



Apparently the data convinced Holmes to adjust his initial plans. And it wasn't only the meticulous records that impressed him  he found the method by which the Korean laborers leveled the roadbeds as crude and slow, but very accurate.



As for Allen, throughout the spring, he remained somewhat skeptical as to the progress of the bridge. It seems almost as if he was hoping it would fail. In a letter to his sons dated June 10, 1900, he wrote:



"The Japanese are working night and day to get the bridge finished before the rainy season and it looks now as though they would succeed if the rains keep off for three or four weeks."





Overlooking the bridge during the Korean War / Robert Neff Collection



He begrudgingly acknowledged that once the bridge was completed, it would be "a great convenience." The railroad officials generously offered to "place a car at [his] disposal without cost" so that he and his wife could take their baggage from Seoul to Chemulpo, but Allen seems to have declined the favor. "I would rather pay as I do not wish to [be] under any obligations to them. I pay enough in railway fares, however."



The bridge was completed on June 27 (much to the relief of the Japanese officials and contractor) and, after a trial run was held on July 5, began operating a few days later. Allen, the man who claimed it could not be done, does not appear to have been on that first train across the river. Perhaps he was too busy eating crow.



If you want to know more about this early railroad in Korea, I strongly recommend Patrick R. O'Donnell's heavily picture-filled book, " Seoul & Chemulpo Railroad: The First Railroad of Korea ."





The view of the bridges on a cold clear day at the beginning of 2021 / Robert Neff Collection


LG zeroing in on auto parts, EV batteries and OLED panel businesses



By Kim Bo-eun



Forty-year-old Koo Kwang-mo came under the spotlight when he took the helm at LG Group in June 2018. There were inevitably doubts at the time over whether the scion could prove himself as the chief of Korea's fourth largest conglomerate.



In Koo's first three years as chairman, LG took drastic steps, including pulling out of the smartphone business, launching a separate electric vehicle (EV) battery affiliate and separating affiliates considered less central to the group. But the young leader is known to have remained mostly backstage.



In the past few years, LG has scouted dozens of competent outside figures as senior executives of core affiliates, which was a shift from the group's former tendency to have key posts occupied by those inside the company. "Executives of the affiliated companies should be credited for their role in the latest steps that have been taken," an industry official said.



Koo has kept a low profile, with few cases of speaking out in public. His lack of visibility is why questions linger over when he will emerge as a strong, confident leader.



"It will inevitably take time for Koo to settle in as the chairman of the group, given that he is young and needs to accumulate experience," another industry official said.



Regardless, LG appears to be headed in the right direction following a reorganizing of its portfolio by disposing of unprofitable businesses to focus on new drivers of growth.



Big changes at LG in past year



LG ending its smartphone business of 26 years was among the biggest news of the industry earlier this year. The decision came as LG accumulated close to six years of losses amounting to around $4.5 billion, as the electronics giant faced increasing competition from Chinese smartphone vendors. The exit will be completed by the end of July.



LG also separated from the company a number of affiliates considered less central. Koo's uncle, Koo Bon-joon, is now heading the newly-launched LX Group, with units including a trading affiliate and materials manufacturer.



LG Electronics, as well as LG Corp., saw their stock prices reach new highs in December following the news of a joint venture LG's electronics maker would set up with Canada's mobile technology firm Magna International. The new entity, focusing on electric powertrains, launches on July 1. LG is projecting that the joint venture firm will see its sales grow by 50 percent on an annual basis from 2022 to 2025.



LG's auto parts business is set to be strengthened with the launch of the new unit, as it is expected to create synergy with LG Electronics' existing vehicle solutions division and automotive lighting and headlight systems provider ZKW, which LG acquired in 2018. LG also formed a joint venture with the digital mobility firm, Luxoft in March, launching the California-based, Alluto, focusing on in-vehicle infotainment.





President Moon Jae-in speaks at a luncheon with the leaders of Korea's top four conglomerates at Cheong Wa Dae on June 2. From left are LG Group Chairman Koo Kwang-mo, SK Group Chairman Chey Tae-won, Moon, Hyundai Motor Group Chairman Chung Euisun and Samsung Electronics Vice Chairman Kim Ki-nam. Yonhap
The Hyundai booth displays the company logo at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan, Jan. 16, 2018. On Wednesday, the labor union warned it will hold a vote next week among about 50,000 members to decide whether to go on strike. Reuters-Yonhap



Hyundai Motor is moving toward electric vehicles to join the global automotive trend, but its workers at the leading automaker fret over the prospect of less assembly work and want job security in the changing business environment.



Hyundai Motor's labor union is girding for a battle after it failed to narrow differences with the management over the wage hike and working conditions despite 13 rounds of negotiations for this year's collective bargaining agreement.



On Wednesday, the labor union warned it will hold a vote next week among about 50,000 members to decide whether to go on strike, as the management's offer was "not acceptable."



Hyundai's unionized workers didn't stage walkouts for the past two years amid sluggish sales, a rare move for the nation's largest labor union known for its hard-line stance, but market watchers say it may not be the case for this year.



The labor union has demanded the company raise wages and incentives, extend the retirement age by four years to 64 and give domestic factories priorities for future EV production.



Among others, the management has expressed opposition to the labor union's call for a change in the retirement age on concerns over employment flexibility.



Market watchers say job concerns among the aging assembly workers are rooted in part in that EVs are made differently from conventional vehicles.



The transition from internal combustion engine cars to EVs is expected to bring a major shift in the manufacturing processes as EVs require fewer parts and working hours to build.



Instead of a power train composed of an engine, a transmission and other components, EVs run on electric motors, batteries and need more chips, which are mostly supplied outside of the automaker's vertically integrated supply chain.



The number of components used in EVs is expected to decline by 37 percent compared with internal combustion engine cars, and a 10 percent surge in domestic EV production will cut over 4,700 jobs next year, the Korean Automobile Manufacturers Association (KAMA) said in a report.



Though Hyundai's workers agree that an EV transition is the right step, the unionized workers have urged the company to spend more money in expanding local manufacturing base and expressed concerns over its overseas investment plans.



Last month, Hyundai Motor Group, the parent of Hyundai and Kia, said it will pour $7.4 billion into the United States through 2025 to build EVs and develop future mobility solutions.



Industry watchers expect Hyundai, the maker of the Ioniq 5, to begin EV production at its Alabama plant next year to target the growing U.S. market under the Joe Biden administration's EV-friendly policies.



Investors welcomed Hyundai's U.S. investment plan to expand its presence in the key market, but its labor union has called for the company to step up the domestic EV production capacity.



"The company has to strengthen the capacity of domestic factories by expanding investment in new mobility solutions," the labor union said. "Although operations of overseas factories are inevitable due to tariffs, they are enough at the current level."



Another thorny issue is the union's call for raising the retirement age, which has sparked widespread public debates after labor unions of the nation's three automakers  Hyundai, Kia and GM Korea  filed a petition to the National Assembly.



The petition calls for raising the retirement age from 60 to 64, one year before workers become eligible for the national pension, in line with a longer life expectancy in Asia's fourth-largest economy.



"When workers retire at 60, a physically active age, they face greater financial pressure at later ages, and the low birthrate could lead to a shortage of the labor force in the future," the automotive unions wrote on June 11. "If the retirement age is extended in connection with the national pension system, it would help workers have a stable post-retirement life and companies can produce high-valued products with a seasoned workforce."



At Hyundai, about 15,000 employees at its production lines are expected to retire by 2025, according to the union.



White-collar young employees are not on the same page, believing they cannot equally benefit from the higher retirement age as much as blue-collar baby boomers.



Those in their 20s and 30s, commonly called the MZ generation (millennials and Generation Z), worried the extension of the retirement age would rather make it difficult for companies to hire new employees, putting priority on raising performance-based incentives.



"Rather than seasoned workers, companies need employees who can adapt to the changing technology at the right time," a self-proclaimed "MZ generation worker on the production line" at one of the automakers wrote on the presidential petition site on June 15. "If retirement ages are pushed back now, it would make it harder for companies to hire young, smart workers suited for the changing business environment, which would worsen the youth unemployment."



Lee Dong-hak, a senior member of the ruling Democratic Party, says changes to the retirement age need discussions in response to the rapidly aging population, but a generational conflict is inevitable in the auto industry where jobs are declining.



"What is happening in Hyundai Motor exemplifies the whole society," the 39-year-old Lee wrote in a Facebook post. "It is a zero-sum game between the older generation who want to stay longer in the labor market and the younger generation who want jobs."



Experts say the automotive industry has to explore ways to change the employment structure by expanding investment in EV components and training displaced workers for a smooth EV transition.



"Although assembly workers are reallocated to new production lines in line with the EV transition, retraining the workforce is still not enough," Lee Hang-koo, a researcher at the Korea Automotive Technology Institute, said. "As the automotive industry has a wide range of supply chains, the government also has to prepare for the shift in the workforce and come up with job security measures." (Yonhap)


Hyundai Motor employees celebrate the start of production of the Santa Cruz pickup truck at the company's U.S plant in Alabama, June 22. / Courtesy of Hyundai Motor Group



By Kim Yoo-chul



After reports that the "American Jobs Plan" will exclude measures for granting direct subsidies for electric vehicles (EVs), Korea's Hyundai Motor Group (HMG) said Wednesday it will closely consider investing more in technology in the United States.



"HMG's investment plan in the United States that will run through 2025 hasn't been changed. Our investment plan in the United States will be in sync with necessities and needs and this isn't something to be changed just because of some outstanding factors," a company official said.



Biden's jobs plan originally called for a massive $100 billion in direct subsidies for EVs. However, according to a White House fact sheet, the compromise plan excludes such funds. The original plan included ways to slash the price of EVs at the point of sale for vehicle buyers to make buying such vehicles an easier consumer decision.



But it still isn't clear if Biden has a stronger interest in pursuing direct EV subsidies. The recently-announced $973 billion bipartisan infrastructure plan, is calling for $7.5 billion to build a nationwide EV charging infrastructure network.



"HMG is focusing more on the development of some future tech that it identified as 'something next.' In order to expand the portion of combined sales from robotics and UAMs to 50 percent by 2030, HMG will invest more in relevant tech rather than massively expanding its vehicle manufacturing lines in the United States," Lim Eun-young, an analyst at Samsung Securities, said.



Specifically, Hyundai Motor has a stronger appetite to create an urban air mobility ecosystem. It recently acquired a controlling interest in Boston Dynamics.



At the time of President Moon Jae-in's recent visit to the United States, HMG said it planned to invest up to $7.4 billion by 2025 to produce more EVs, upgrade its production facilities and explore more possibilities with intelligent mobility. For HMG, which includes Hyundai Motor and affliate Kia, the investment will help boost the future product lines of both automakers.



HMG, however, added it will closely monitor the "market and government policies" as it aims to prepare its U.S. output facilities for EV production.



"An exclusion of direct EV subsidies may weaken Hyundai's price competitiveness in the United States. But overall, Hyundai Motor could realign its existing vehicle facilities in the U.S. states of Alabama and Georgia as EV-assigned production lines not rapidly but gradually as the EV subsidy issue isn't such an urgent issue for Hyundai," said an industry executive.




GS to seek new growth engine with biopharmaceutical business



By Kim Jae-heun





GS Chairman Huh Tae-soo

GS Group (GS) has joined the bidding process for Hugel, the country's No.1 medical botulinum toxin (botox) maker, as part of efforts to seek new growth engines.



The conglomerate is the latest in a string of business groups that have joined the competition to acquire 44 percent of Hugel. The successful bidder will also be able to claim management rights.



Competitors include retail giant Shinsegae Group.



The American private investment firm, Bain Capital, is the largest shareholder of Hugel, with a 42.9-percent share. It is considering selling the biopharmaceutical firm privately rather than through an open bid.



GS has said that nothing has been confirmed about its acquisition of Hugel, although it has admitted that it is interested in the biopharmaceutical business.



"The biopharmaceutical industry is one of the candidates for future business for GS Group, so we are interested in it," a GS official said.



GS Group's main business is oil refining, and it has reached its limit for growth. At the same time, the world is moving towards the trend of decarbonization and GS has to start looking for new businesses.





Hugel's botulinum toxin (botox) product for export to China / Courtesy of Hugel
The next-generation Galaxy Watch incorporating a new operating system (OS) and a joint platform with Google is set to provide users a more seamless experience between the watch and Android smartphones. Courtesy of Samsung Electronics



By Kim Bo-eun



Samsung Electronics offered a sneak peek into a new operating system (OS) Tuesday that will be incorporated into its next-generation Galaxy Watch to be launched in the coming months, which will have a platform built with Google.



The company unveiled the "One UI Watch" OS at a virtual event held for the World Mobile Congress 2021 that kicked off in Barcelona, Spain, Monday (local time). Samsung was the only participating firm from Korea, with the country's three telecom companies and LG Electronics not taking part this year



The platform developed with Google offers a more seamless experience between the watch and Android smartphones. The new Galaxy Watch will be introduced at Samsung's Unpacked event in August.



With the latest collaboration, Samsung appears to be aiming to catch up with Apple in the global market for smartwatches. Samsung has used its own OS for its smartwatch models but had lacked content compared to the Android app ecosystem.





Patrick Chomet, Samsung's executive vice president and head of the customer experience office and mobile communications business, introduces the One UI Watch OS in a virtual event for the World Mobile Congress 2021 that kicked off in Barcelona, Spain, Monday (local time). Courtesy of Samsung Electronics
This illustration shows the LG and Magna joint venture with logos of each company, Sunday. Courtesy of LG Electronics



Talks are still underway between LG-Magna venture and Apple



By Kim Yoo-chul



In business, chief competitors are basically frenemies, as seen in the complicated Samsung-Apple partnership. Samsung needs Apple as the iPhone designer orders lots of components, while Apple also needs Samsung as it can reliably produce lots of semiconductors for its gadgets.



Unlike the high-profile Samsung-Apple partnership, LG is seeking a "next-level" partnership with Apple, from a mere supplier-client partnership to a substantial client-client partnership, amid the South Korean company's ongoing shift towards electronic vehicle supply chain-focused business-to-business (B2B) segment.



Sources said LG Electronics plans to sell Apple iPhones at the firm's nationwide retail shops branded as LG Best Shop. LG was in talks with Apple to finalize some "outstanding issues" before the release of Apple devices  excluding its computer lineup  at its authorized local distributors in August this year.



Of course, LG Electronics said "nothing has been decided." Sources said LG has no option but to sell Apple's core products here, as it can't afford to lose its edge in mobile marketing activities despite its withdrawal from the handset business.



As LG Electronics will only be granted the right for the sale of Apple products at the company-owned stores with Apple handling and managing warranty policies, LG Electronics' de facto approvals will help Apple better compete with Samsung Electronics for more mobile sales in the Korean market.



In terms of the total market size, Korea is not such an important market for Apple from its viewpoint. But Apple is pushing ahead for improved sales of 5G-embedded devices with Korean carriers as a litmus test before advancing other target markets. LG Electronics' Best Shop has over 400 locations across the country and it is set to complete needed procedures regarding the withdrawal of its mobile business within the next month.



The central point is this possibility follows the upcoming launch of LG Magna e-Powertrain, LG's vehicle component joint venture with Magna International. Given LG's strengths in core electric vehicle (EV) components such as displays, batteries and motors and its long-time reliable partnerships with its tech affiliates, chances are high the LG-Magna venture will win an initial volume of Apple EVs.



"Talks are still underway between the LG-Magna venture and Apple in terms of addressing outstanding issues and differentiation regarding the specifics for the production of first-generation Apple EVs," a top-ranking industry executive said by telephone, Sunday. In April, The Korea Times was the first to report that Apple was "very close" to signing an agreement with the LG-Magna venture.



"Because of the withdrawal of it smartphone business, LG is assigned and asked to fill in the void of its mobile departure. Given its strength in automotive parts, winning even a small volume of Apple EVs would help the company build momentum in assisting the group's top management initiatives at the growing EV-related businesses," another industry executive said.



LG Energy Solution trails only China's CATL for the top spot in EV batteries. LG Display operates "Apple-designated" panel lines in Gumi and Paju, regional cities in South Korea, while LG Innotek supplies camera modules to Apple and onboard cameras for vehicles.






Kia, Korea's No. 2 automaker, will begin an in-house COVID-19 vaccination program for its workers next month as part of antivirus measures for its factories, company officials said Tuesday.







Kia plans to start inoculating employees with Moderna shots at in-house clinics of its plants in Gwangmyeong, Hwaseong and Jeonju on July 30, a company spokesperson said.







The automaker will accept reservations from its 23,000 employees working at production lines, the spokesperson said.







Kia launches its own inoculation program as health authorities allowed local companies to vaccinate their workers through in-house medical facilities around August to boost the nationwide inoculation drive.







Several affiliates under major conglomerates, including Samsung, LG and SK, are set to launch such inoculation programs next month to better protect their workers from the novel coronavirus.







Kia's bigger affiliate Hyundai Motor Co. has shelved its in-house vaccination program due to a lack of medical workers at hospitals in its domestic factories. (Yonhap)


By Raquel CarvalhoThis is the third and final piece in a series of stories on image-based abuse supported by the Judith Neilson Institute's Asian Stories project, in collaboration with The Korea Times, Indonesia's Tempo magazine, the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, and Manila-based ABS-CBN. Elyssa Lopez, Neil Servallos and Sonia Sarkar contributed reporting. The piece contains descriptions of a sexual nature.

Daniel Perry, 17, thought he was talking to a pretty American girl from Illinois. They soon began swapping pictures online  nothing unusual for two teenagers.

The problem was that the girl didn't exist.

Perry, in Scotland, had fallen prey to a gang operating out of the Philippines. After secretly recording a webcam chat with him, the criminals told Perry that unless he paid them off, his friends and family would see the video. At a loss for what to do next, he took his own life by jumping off a bridge in July 2013.

Less than a year later, Interpol-backed operations in the Philippines saw dozens of suspects arrested. There was praise, the raids were dubbed a success  and there seemed to be hope that the family of Perry, an apprentice mechanic in Dunfermline, would find some closure.

But almost eight years on, his relatives have yet to see justice, much like the thousands of survivors of online sextortion who never made headlines.

With cases increasing amid the Covid-19 pandemic, we spoke to survivors in multiple locations, including Britain, Ireland and India, who were deceived and blackmailed.

Sextortion cases typically involve criminals trying to befriend men by posing as an attractive woman on Facebook and other platforms. But those who lure and engage with targets, or the "chatters"  some of whom are hired by gangs  come from a variety of backgrounds, and are sometimes minors.







With illicit operations mostly based in the Philippines, Morocco, and the Ivory Coast, experts say this form of image-based abuse is an emergent international industry shaped by the convergence of technology, money-transfer companies, cryptocurrencies, and ill-equipped authorities.

Striking back

By the end of 2013, it became obvious to the authorities that the issue of sextortion could not be resolved within a single country's borders  a joint international response was required.

The plan was called Operation Strikeback. As laid out in an Interpol document, its genesis was in Singapore that November, when officers from the Interpol Digital Crime Centre first met police representatives from Hong Kong, Singapore and the Philippines.

Other international meetings took place, while investigations unearthed details of at least three criminal groups based in the Philippines that were targeting people overseas. Then things moved remarkably fast.

On April 30 and May 1, 2014, raids were conducted in Bicol, Bulacan, and Laguna provinces and Taguig city in the Philippines, resulting in 58 arrests and the seizure of 250 items, including electronic equipment. Among those arrested was Archie Tolin, who used the alias Gian, and was suspected of targeting Perry and other British nationals.

The operations were, according to Interpol, the result of intelligence sharing between the Philippines, the United States, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, England, and Scotland. Two others followed, one in the summer of 2014 and another in 2016.

But the investigation into Perry's death is still ongoing, according to a spokesperson for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service in Scotland. While a warrant had been issued for Tolin in connection with Perry's death, no further details could be provided.

So what happened after these high-profile operations? And why has Tolin not been brought to justice?







What we learned shines a light on the challenges authorities from different continents face when they try to work together.

Brigadier General Robert T. Rodriguez, director of the Anti-Cybercrime Group of the Philippine National Police (PNP), told This Week in Asia that the Philippine authorities were aware of Perry's case when they took Tolin into custody in 2014.

"During the Strikeback operations, Tolin was arrested due to an offence different from the one associated with the suicide of the Scottish minor," he said, explaining that the police "needed something so that they could get their hands on Mr Tolin".

At the time, he said, the Philippine government was willing to file charges against Tolin relating to Perry's suicide.

"So we requested evidence sharing, documents from the United Kingdom, to build up the case, like his death certificate and the parents' complaint. However, the UK insisted on prosecuting Tolin in Scotland and never provided the police here in the Philippines with those documents," Rodriguez said.
















By Neil Jayson Servallos By Neil Jayson Servallos

The coronavirus pandemic forced Carmen Lirio*, 31, to close down in March 2020 a snack stand she was running in front of a school in the town of Baliwag in Bulacan, a province just outside the country's capital.

She has five children. Unless she found another way to earn money, the entire family would have to rely on her husband's meager salary as barangay tanod or village watchman.

This was the quandary that led Carmen to sell her children online for sexual exploitation. She was arrested in January 2021 over allegations that she had streamed live shows of her 8-year-old daughter and sent naked clips and photos of her 11-year-old son to paying customers abroad.

"[My husband] earns P1,600 ($32) monthly. My baby still needs infant milk formula," Carmen told the Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism (PCIJ) as she attempted to explain how she could do such things to her own children.







PCIJ met Carmen in January at the Women and Children Protection Center (WCPC) inside the police headquarters in Camp Crame, where she was detained. She agreed to be interviewed.



Carmen said she started out doing live shows on the internet and sending her photos to customers in Australia, the United States (US), and the United Kingdom (UK). She did not finish elementary school, but her English was enough for the necessary communication.

"I wrote in my profile that I was looking for help to buy food. They told me they'd take care of it," she said.

One day, a frequent customer seemed uninterested during a call. She got worried. "I asked the foreigner if he wanted a solo show. He said no. He wasn't talking much. I thought to myself, maybe he wanted a child and he just didn't want to say it," she recalled.

"When I told him I had a daughter, he suddenly became jumpy. I sent him videos of my child."

For months until her arrest, she allegedly sold clips of her children doing various performances for fees that ranged from P150 ($3) to P2,500 ($50).

Livestream abuse, where the perpetrators can talk to their victims and instruct them to perform specific sexual acts on camera, are more expensive compared withto taped videos and photos.

1.29M images, videos of child abuse

The Philippines has been tagged as the global epicenter of livestream sexual trafficking of children, based on data from the US-based National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) and the Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center (PICACC).

Cases surged during the pandemic as many Filipinos lost their jobs. Tech companies reported that more than 1.29 million images and videos of child abuse materials came from the Philippines in 2020. This was more than triple the number in 2019 or before the pandemic hit.

From March 1 to May 24, 2020  in the early weeks of the lockdown  the Department of Justice (DOJ) reported 202,605 cases of OSEC or a 265% increase compared with the same period the previous year.





Social networking giant Facebook also found 279,166 images of child sexual abuse and similar content on its site from March to May 2020.



According to a study by the Washington-based International Justice Mission (IJM), the children's own mother or another female relative is often the trafficker in many cases in the Philippines.

Col. Sheila Portento, who leads the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Division of the WCPC, said the mothers often justified their actions by saying they did not inflict harm on their children because there was no physical contact with the pedophiles.

WCPC is the lead unit of the Philippine National Police (PNP) in dealing with OSEC.

Mothers also told their children that "it wouldn't hurt if mommy" touched them upon the instructions of the customers, she said.

"I keep asking myself if they're not terrified of their actions. It seems not. Their moral fiber seems very thin," said Portento.

There were more than a dozen inmates at the WCPC lock-up cell in Camp Crame during PCIJ's visit. Most of them, like Carmen, were mothers who sold their own children for sexual abuse online.

One who was weeping inside her cell, and who was holding a rosary so tightly in her fist, admitted to taking videos of her nine-year-old daughter performing oral sex on her father. Investigators who rescued the child found the video in her storage disks.

She, Carmen, and the rest of the women gathered to pray the Rosary when the sun was about to set at 6 p.m.

The disconnect has left a bad taste in the mouth of the police, many of them also Catholics. An investigator said one of the inmates had a Santo Nino statue  a Filipino representation of Jesus when he was a child  outside the room where her child was being abused.












In this July 17, 2020, file photo, Russian opposition leader Ivan Zhdanov speaks to the media as police raid the offices of Alexei Navalny's Foundation for Fighting Corruption in Moscow. A Russian court has ordered the arrest of a top associate of imprisoned opposition leader, Alexei Navalny, though the man lives outside the country out of the reach of authorities. AP-Yonhap



A court on Tuesday ordered the arrest of a top associate of imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, though the man lives outside the country out of the reach of authorities.



The Nagatinsky District Court said Ivan Zhdanov should be arrested on charges of failing to comply with an earlier court ruling  an offense that carries a prison term of up to two years.



Zhdanov, who lives abroad, dismissed the ruling to arrest him as a ''pseudo judicial procedure'' in a statement posted on his Instagram.



Zhdanov headed Navalny's Foundation for Fighting Corruption, an organization that was outlawed as extremist along with other Navalny organizations by another Moscow court earlier this month. That ruling prevents people associated with Navalny's organizations from seeking public office and carries lengthy prison terms for activists who have worked with the organizations and those who donated to them.



The court's decision was part of a multi-pronged campaign by the authorities to silence dissent and bar Kremlin critics from running for parliament in September's election.



Navalny, the most ardent political foe of Russian President Vladimir Putin, 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 Foundation for Fighting Corruption, started 10 years ago, has relentlessly targeted senior government officials with colorful and widely watched videos exposing their alleged corruption. One of its latest productions, which has received 117 million views on YouTube, claimed a lavish palace on the shores of the Black Sea was built for Putin through an elaborate corruption scheme. The Kremlin has denied any links to Putin.



Navalny also has relied on his offices across Russia to organize anti-Kremlin protests and implement his Smart Voting strategy  a project to support the candidates most likely to defeat those from the Kremlin's dominant United Russia party in various elections. (AP)


Russian President Vladimir Putin attends his annual live call-in show in Moscow, Wednesday. AP-Yonhap



A British warship that Russia says illegally entered its territorial waters near Crimea earlier this month did so to observe in detail how Russian forces would react, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday.



Russia summoned the British ambassador in Moscow for a formal diplomatic scolding after the warship, HMS Defender, breached what the Kremlin says are its territorial waters but which Britain and most of the world say belong to Ukraine.



London has said the destroyer followed an internationally recognized corridor on its way from Ukraine to Georgia and denied that a stand-off with Russian forces took place - even as Moscow said it would bomb trespassing vessels next time.



Russia annexed Crimea - which hosts its Black Sea navy base - from Ukraine in 2014, prompting sanctions from the West.



"This was a provocation, of course," Putin said during a live question and answer session broadcast by state television.



"It was obvious that the destroyer entered (the waters near Crimea) pursuing, first of all, military goals, trying to use a reconnaissance aircraft to discover how our forces would stop such provocations, to see what happens on our side, how things work and where everything is located."



Putin said Russia - which said its forces made warning shots at the British destroyer and dropped bombs in its path - responded in such a way that would only give the other side the information that Moscow wanted them to have.



Putin also said he saw a political component in the incident, which took place shortly after he met United States President Joe Biden in Geneva.



"The meeting in Geneva had just happened, so why was this provocation needed, what was its goal? To underscore that those people do not respect Crimeans' choice to join the Russian Federation."



At the same time, Putin played down the severity of the incident's potential consequences.



"Even if we had sunk the British destroyer near Crimea it is unlikely that the world would have been on the verge of World War Three," he said. (Reuters)




DAZED Magazine recently sat down with the four members of aespa for an interview. There, the girls revealed who their fashion role models are.

Keep on reading to find out who they selected!

On Tuesday, June 29, DAZED Magazine published an interview with aespa, where the girls dished on their all-time favorite wardrobe choices and who their fashion inspirations and role models are. In addition, the interview allows fans to take a deep dive into their style!

aespa Karina Selects Kendall Jenner as Her Fashion Role Model

During the interview, Karina stated that she prefers clothes that are muted and not too flashy. Therefore, she often opts for dark-colored clothes and plain white pieces.

With that being said, Karina revealed that her fashion inspiration is American supermodel and reality show star Kendall Jenner!

Karina complimented Kendall Jenner for her unique vibe and how she feels confident in her skin. However, Karina has stated that while she enjoys learning about Kendall Jenner's style, she does not want to copy her because each person has a unique vibe that complements certain styles.

aespa Winter Selects 3 Celebrtieis as Her Fashion Role Models

Winter's fashion role models all varied in style, which matches the idol, as she stated that she is not limited to one specific style. Winter is the type of fashionista who is open to learning and exploring more looks. It appears the aespa member prefers simple looks, however, and has stated that "less is more."

She stated that she likes the lovely vibe of supermodel Barabara Palvin, the chic vibe of J-pop idol Mikako from FAKY, and the clean vibe from Japanese supermodel and actress Aoi Yu.

aespa Giselle Selects Her Mother as Her Fashion Role Model

For Korean-Japanese member Giselle she stated that her fashion style leans toward casual, street-style clothing. She is fond of mixing high-end items with more simple pieces. Giselle has stated that her favorite items are black leggings and Dr. Marten's boots.

She stated that her fashion inspiration comes from her mother, who used to be a fashion designer. Giselle confessed that she was the reason that she developed such a strong interest in fashion from an early age. The idol also said she is inspired by the weather, her mood, and the energy she feels at the moment.

aespa Ningning Selects Her Mother, Her Grandmother, and Karl Lagerfeld as Her Fashion Role Models

Ningning stated that she has always been interested in fashion ever since she was young and had even dreamt of being a fashion designer. Her interest in fashion has not slowed down now that she is older, and she still enjoys reading fashion magazines and watching fashion shows.

The Chinese idol then revealed that she looked up to her mother and grandmother when she was younger due to how stylish they are. She recalls trying to copy her mother's looks when she was younger because she wanted to look just like her. When asked about her fashion role model, she revealed it is "the one and only legendary fashion designer, Karl Lagerfeld."

Who is your fashion role model? Tell us in the comments below!

For more K-Pop news and updates, always keep your tabs open here on KpopStarz.

KpopStarz owns this article.

Written by Alexa Lewis
DTLAIt may turn out to be nothing, just remarks by a politician in a city replete with remarks by politicians. Then again, Councilman Joe Buscainos brief broadside directed at Los Angeles second-highest elected official may go down as a first, very early strike in what will ultimately be 
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Description

At Liberty Mutual, our purpose is to help people embrace today and confidently pursue tomorrow. Thats why we provide an environment focused on openness, inclusion, trust and respect. Here, youll discover our expansive range of roles, and a workplace where we aim to help turn your passion into a rewarding profession. Liberty Mutual has proudly been recognized as a Great Place to Work by Great Place to Work US for the past several years. We were also selected as one of the 100 Best Places to Work in IT on IDGs Insider Pro and Computerworlds 2020 list. For many years running, we have been named by Forbes as one of Americas Best Employers for Women and one of Americas Best Employers for New Graduatesas well as one of Americas Best Employers for Diversity. To learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion please visit: https://jobs.libertymutualgroup.com/diversity-inclusion We value your hard work, integrity and commitment to make things better, and we put people first by offering you benefits that support your life and well-being. To learn more about our benefit offerings please visit: https://LMI.co/Benefits Liberty Mutual is an equal opportunity employer. We will not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, veterans status, pregnancy, genetic information or on any basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. ** Bilingual (Russian & English) Sales Representative MUST live in CONNECTICUT ** $5K Sign On Bonus for new candidates that have an active P&C or active Life license! *To qualify for the Sign-On Bonus, Applicants must be new (not applied in the past 6 months) and apply by 9/1/2021 and start by 11/1/2021 to qualify. Bonus will be scheduled on day 30 for next period pay out date. There is a 1 year payback clause if your employment is terminated prior to your first year anniversary Do you want to join a Fortune 100 company where youll be rewarded for developing new clients, discovering new markets and providing customers with the products they need? As a Liberty Mutual field sales representative, youll enjoy a diverse, supportive environment, along with a competitive compensation program, including base salary, uncapped commissions and a bonus structure, and comprehensive benefits. Field sales representatives also receive ample opportunities for recognition and rewards, including earning awards, bonuses and recognition trips. In this full-time role, youll also stay ahead of the curve with industry-leading, paid sales training and mentorships with successful colleagues. We encourage you to apply and bring your expertise if youre a: Passionate salesperson : Youll use your knowledge and enthusiastic work ethic to generate prospects and sell Auto, Home and Life Insurance products within an assigned territory

Competitive go-getter : Ready to earn uncapped commissions and bonuses? Youll have your chance while engaging in friendly (and rewarding!) competitions with your sales team and the opportunity to win recognition awards

People person : Using your interpersonal skills and market insight, youll identify and cultivate prospective clients, and tailor products and services to meet the needs of existing customers

Relationship builder : Youll play the long game, building strong relationships within local community and organizations, and maintaining open lines of communication for future sales opportunities Experience Previous employment in sales where you have successfully turned prospects into customers

A state insurance licenseor willingness to earn one with Liberty Mutuals training and supportin Property & Casualty, Life, and Accident & Health Skills Effective written, oral communication and presentation skills

Well-developed persuasion and negotiation skills

Great interpersonal skills and a proven ability to build rapport with prospective and existing customers

Effective time management and organizational skills Knowledge Ability to learn insurance coverage and underwriting guidelines

Familiarity with finding, building and growing leads and customer base Education A Bachelors degree or equivalent



Requirements

See job description.






Description

At Liberty Mutual, our purpose is to help people embrace today and confidently pursue tomorrow. Thats why we provide an environment focused on openness, inclusion, trust and respect. Here, youll discover our expansive range of roles, and a workplace where we aim to help turn your passion into a rewarding profession. Liberty Mutual has proudly been recognized as a Great Place to Work by Great Place to Work US for the past several years. We were also selected as one of the 100 Best Places to Work in IT on IDGs Insider Pro and Computerworlds 2020 list. For many years running, we have been named by Forbes as one of Americas Best Employers for Women and one of Americas Best Employers for New Graduatesas well as one of Americas Best Employers for Diversity. To learn more about our commitment to diversity and inclusion please visit: https://jobs.libertymutualgroup.com/diversity-inclusion We value your hard work, integrity and commitment to make things better, and we put people first by offering you benefits that support your life and well-being. To learn more about our benefit offerings please visit: https://LMI.co/Benefits Liberty Mutual is an equal opportunity employer. We will not tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, disability, veterans status, pregnancy, genetic information or on any basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. 5k Sign On Bonus for new candidates that have an active P&C or active Life license! *To qualify for the Sign-On Bonus, Applicants must be new (not applied in the past 6 months) and apply from 1/15 to 9/1 and started by 11/1 to qualify. Bonus will be scheduled on day 30 for next period pay out date. There is a 1 year payback clause if your employment is terminated prior to your first year anniversary Hiring in: Broomfield / Westminster, Denver & Colorado Springs Do you want to join a Fortune 100 company where youll be rewarded for developing new clients, discovering new markets and providing customers with the products they need? As a Liberty Mutual field sales representative, youll enjoy a diverse, supportive environment, along with a competitive compensation program, including base salary, uncapped commissions and a bonus structure, and comprehensive benefits. Field sales representatives also receive ample opportunities for recognition and rewards, including earning awards, bonuses and recognition trips. In this full-time role, youll also stay ahead of the curve with industry-leading, paid sales training and mentorships with successful colleagues. We encourage you to apply and bring your expertise if youre a: Passionate salesperson : Youll use your knowledge and enthusiastic work ethic to generate prospects and sell Auto, Home and Life Insurance products within an assigned territory

Competitive go-getter : Ready to earn uncapped commissions and bonuses? Youll have your chance while engaging in friendly (and rewarding!) competitions with your sales team and the opportunity to win recognition awards

People person : Using your interpersonal skills and market insight, youll identify and cultivate prospective clients, and tailor products and services to meet the needs of existing customers

Relationship builder: Youll play the long game, building strong relationships within local community and organizations, and maintaining open lines of communication for future sales opportunities Experience Previous employment in sales where you have successfully turned prospects into customers

A state insurance licenseor willingness to earn one with Liberty Mutuals training and supportin Property & Casualty, Life, and Accident & Health Skills Effective written, oral communication and presentation skills

Well-developed persuasion and negotiation skills

Great interpersonal skills and a proven ability to build rapport with prospective and existing customers

Effective time management and organizational skills Knowledge Ability to learn insurance coverage and underwriting guidelines

Familiarity with finding, building and growing leads and customer base Education A Bachelors degree or equivalent



Requirements

See job description.






Position Summary: Operate and maintain transportation vehicles with a focus on safety and client courtesy; perform minor maintenance tasks on the vehicles when necessary; fuel the vehicles; ensure that periodic scheduled vehicle maintenance is completed and reported; document client usage; prepare trip reports; prepare accident and incident reports as necessary; provide safety briefing to clients; and maintaining the overall cleanliness of the vehicle. In order for JusticeWorks to best serve the families and youth in our care, our employees, and our contract providers, we need to be able to fit into their schedules. At times, this may require working non-traditional hours (nights, weekends, holidays). This may also require our staff members to respond to crisis calls, which may require being on-call and work some overtime if necessary. Staff members will work with their supervisor to make the most effective schedule. Duties & Responsibilities: Transport clients utilizing personal vehicle or,

For office which have company vehicles, the Driver is required to use the JusticeWorks vehicle when available.

Operate assigned vehicle in a safe and courteous manner.

Maintain defensive driving.

Provide a communication link between clients and staff.

Assist clients secure children safely in approved safety restraints as needed.

Read and interpret electronic driving directions independently to plan the most efficient route service for clients and read and interpret road signs.

Present safety briefing to passengers prior to each trip departure.

Submit accurate, required client notes within 24 hours of service and complete required reports within assigned time frames.

Keep the vehicle(s) clean inside and outside, free from any items that may be detrimental or harmful to clients.

Maintain accurate, up-to-date records on trip sheets, part time pay sheets, vehicle maintenance, incident reports, accident reports, vehicle condition reports and other records that are required by policy.

Perform minor maintenance tasks on assigned vehicle(s) as required.

Ensure vehicle(s) is fueled prior to transporting any clients.

Respond immediately to accidents or medical emergencies by notifying emergency response providers.

Serve as a positive role model while providing transportation service. Communicate any concerns and/or pertinent information to direct supervisor to share with county stakeholders.

Perform other duties as needed. Requirements: High school diploma or G.E.D. or any equivalent combination of experience and training which provides the required knowledge, skills, and abilities, provided the age and safe driving record requirements are met.

Must be a minimum of 21 years of age.

Valid drivers license, auto insurance and access to a vehicle.

Pass current, applicable clearances, including driving record.

Pass pre-employment, post-offer drug screening.

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The University of Wisconsin-Stout is looking for its next Director of University Housing. The Director of University Housing provides the vision, leadership, and oversight for all aspects of University Housing, including facility, community, staff, and student related functions. The Director works collaboratively with faculty, staff, and students to provide an exemplary residential experience, to administer a Housing Program that is student-success focused and supports the mission of the University of Wisconsin - Stout. The Director will be a dynamic individual who embraces change, understands the role of housing in the student experience, and can effectively lead a large department in an intentional and thoughtful way. UW-Stout offers an exceptional benefits package, including paid vacation and holidays; sick time; a comprehensive insurance plan including health, vision, and dental, and retirement benefits.

To ensure consideration, complete applications must be submitted online by 11:59PM Monday, July 26, 2021 via https://jobs.uwstout.edu/. Screening of applications may continue until the position is filled.

For questions regarding this position or recruitment, please contact:

Search Chair: Justin Krahn

Email: krahnju@uwstout.edu

As an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer, UW-Stout is committed to inclusive excellence and is actively seeking applications from individuals from diverse groups; veterans and individuals with disabilities.

An offer of employment is contingent upon the final candidate passing a reference check process and criminal background check. Must be authorized to work in the U.S. Sponsorship is not available for this position.

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Cuando se trata de salir adelante y tienes la voluntad de ganar, vamos a llamarlo gran potencial de carrera! Imagine being able to get answers to your health plan questions from someone who speaks the same language as you do. Or, the opposite, not being able to get the answers. At UnitedHealth Group, we want our customers to get those answers by speaking to one of our Bilingual Representatives. If you're fluent in English and Spanish, we can show you how to put all of your skills, your passions and your energy to work in a fast - growing environment. Turn on the news on any night of the week and youre likely to hear about the changes that are sweeping through our health care system. Its dramatic. Its positive. And its being led by companies like UnitedHealth Group. Now, you can take advantage of some of the best training and tools in the world to help serve our existing and new customers. Youll take as many as 50-70 calls per day from customers who have questions about their health benefits. As their advocate, youll use your personality and our tools to help them through the health care benefits available to them, including helping them enroll in a new plan. This is no small opportunity. This position is full-time (40 hours/week) Monday - Friday. Employees are required to have flexibility to work any of our 8-hour shift schedules during our normal business hours of 7:00am - 8:00pm CST. It may be necessary, given the business need, to work occasional overtime. Our office is located at 6200 NORTHWEST PKWY SAN ANTONIO TX 78249 We offer 16-18 weeks of paid training. The hours during training will be 8:00am to 4:30pm Monday - Friday. Training will be conducted virtually from your home. Primary Responsibilities: Respond to and resolve, on the first call, customer service inquires and issues by identifying the topic and type of assistance the caller needs such as benefits, eligibility and claims, financial spending accounts and correspondence

Help guide and educate customers about the fundamentals and benefits of consumer-driven health care topics to select the best benefit plan options, maximize the value of their health plan benefits and choose a quality care provider

Initiate proactive outreach to members as needed, which may involve welcoming new members to our health plans, addressing gaps in care, reviewing coverage, and referring & enrolling them to internal specialists and programs based on their needs and eligibility

Contact care providers (doctors offices) on behalf of the customer to assist with appointment scheduling or connections with internal specialists for assistance

Assist customers in navigating myuhc.com and other UnitedHealth Group websites and encourage and reassure them to become self-sufficient This role is equally challenging and rewarding. Youll be called on to research complex issues pertaining to the callers health, status and potential plan options. To do this, youll need to navigate across multiple databases which requires fluency in computer navigation and toggling while confidently and compassionately engaging with the caller. Youll be rewarded and recognized for your performance in an environment that will challenge you and give you clear direction on what it takes to succeed in your role as well as provide development for other roles you may be interested in. Required Qualifications: High School Diploma / GED (or higher) OR equivalent work experience

Minimum of 3+ years of combined education, work and/or volunteer experience

Bilingual fluency in English and Spanish

If you need to enter a work site for any reason, you will be required to screen for symptoms using the ProtectWell mobile app, Interactive Voice Response (i.e., entering your symptoms via phone system) or similar UnitedHealth Group-approved symptom screener. When in a UnitedHealth Group building, employees are required to wear a mask in common areas. In addition, employees must comply with any state and local masking orders Preferred Qualifications: Health Care/Insurance environment (familiarity with medical terminology, health plan documents, or benefit plan design)

Social work, behavioral health, disease prevention, health promotion and behavior change (working with vulnerable populations)

Sales or account management experience

Customer Service Experience UnitedHealth Group is an essential business. The health and safety of our team members is our highest priority, so we are taking a science driven approach to slowly welcome and transition some of our workforce back to the office with many safety protocols in place. We continue to monitor and assess before we confirm the return of each wave, paying specific attention to geography-specific trends. We have taken steps to ensure the safety of our 325,000 team members and their families, providing them with resources and support as they continue to serve the members, patients and customers who depend on us. You can learn more about all we are doing to fight COVID-19 and support impacted communities at: https://www.unitedhealthgroup.com/newsroom/addressing-covid.html Military & Veterans find your next mission: We know your background and experience is different and we like that. UnitedHealth Group values the skills, experience and dedication that serving in the military demands. In fact, many of the values defined in the service mirror what the UnitedHealth Group culture holds true: Integrity, Compassion, Relationships, Innovation and Performance. Whether you are looking to transition from active duty to a civilian career, or are an experienced veteran or spouse, we want to help guide your career journey. Learn more at https://uhg.hr/transitioning-military Learn how Teresa, a Senior Quality Analyst, works with military veterans and ensures they receive the best benefits and experience possible. https://uhg.hr/vet Careers at UnitedHealthcare Employer & Individual. We all want to make a difference with the work we do. Sometimes we're presented with an opportunity to make a difference on a scale we couldn't imagine. Here, you get that opportunity every day. As a member of one of our elite teams, you'll provide the ideas and solutions that help nearly 25 million customers live healthier lives. You'll help write the next chapter in the history of healthcare. And you'll find a wealth of open doors and career paths that will take you as far as you want to go. Go further. This is your lifes best work.SM Diversity creates a healthier atmosphere: UnitedHealth Group is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, protected veteran status, disability status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by law. UnitedHealth Group is a drug - free workplace. Candidates are required to pass a drug test before beginning employment. Keywords: customer service representative, customer service, CSR, UnitedHealth Group, call center, UnitedHealthcare, health care, office, phone support, training class, hiring immediately, #RPO, #JuneJobFair




Organization The Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) is a nonpartisan, nationwide, nonprofit organization of public officials who head departments of elementary and secondary education in the states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense Education Activity, the Bureau of Indian Education, and five U.S. extra-state jurisdictions. CCSSO provides leadership, advocacy, and technical assistance on major educational issues. CCSSO seeks member consensus on major educational issues and expresses their views to civic and professional organizations, federal agencies, Congress, and the public. Summary The Council seeks a CRM Manager who will work in collaboration with the Director of Technology Services to create a vision for, processes, and drive the enterprise-wide digital strategy, aligning the approach with organization-wide strategic objectives. This role is responsible for overseeing Salesforce implementation, working with stakeholders to define optimal processes and customizing the Salesforce Platform. Help staff and members get the most out of Salesforce by making the platform work for the Council's unique business needs. This role will also be responsible for other public-facing digital channels, such as the CCSSO website, championing digital approaches throughout the department and organization and helping to foster a learning culture that innovates with a digital mindset. Essential Functions and Responsibilities CRM (Nonprofit Salesforce System Administrator) Responsible for the day-to-day configuration, support, maintenance and improvement of our database. Working closely with fundraising, program management and marketing staff, the administrator will identify, develop and deploy new business processes. This role is part technical project manager, part administrator, part Salesforce analyst and 100% dedicated to our mission

Serve as primary system administrator for the Salesforce environment

Configures the system, monitoring and troubleshooting any reported issues. Proactively seeks out and identifies needed system changes. Creates custom workflows, reports and dashboards

Focus the organizations use of data towards what best serves the mission

Handle all basic administrative functions including user maintenance, modification of page layouts, generation of reports and dashboards, creation of new fields and other routine tasks

Gather detailed requests for improvements or changes to the system, and implement these changes as appropriate

Automate processes using Salesforce tools such as process builder, approval processes, validation rules, and Nonprofit Success Pack features such as engagement plans and levels

Manage less complex Salesforce integrations - those not handled by a Salesforce Developer or Consultant/Partner

Identify, install and maintain appropriate apps from the AppExchange for event management, mass email, donation handling, and more

Train new users and grow the Salesforce skill set across the organization

Document customizations made in Salesforce

Plan ahead for upgrades, seasonal releases and long-term projects

First point of contact for end-users, managing operational escalations, problems and issues; resolves basic issues and facilitating resolution of issues/problems that require higher level support Website Responsible for CCSSOs online digital experience for commerce and content with a focus on developing leading edge website/mobile design and capabilities

Collaborates with department leaders and appropriate stakeholders to translate CCSSOs programmatic and engagement missions into digital offerings

Assist with CMS and CRM strategy driven by data that enables a deeper customer relationship with a focus on segmentation and personalization

Support ongoing initiatives, programs and fundraising campaigns by:

Designing and laying out web pages that include journey mapping, SEO and re- marketing opportunities

Manage creation of copy and supportive materials to ensure proper call to actions

Conduct research for best practices in website design and layout

Work with developer to implement advanced website development (i.e. FAQ coding, SEO, CSS, layout code)

Manage Google Analytics & Tag Manager

Provide weekly or campaign-based reports, regarding website traffic, audience metrics, and advanced configurations of Google Analytics account Maintain program information presented on website; update deadlines, program application announcements, etc

Education and Minimum Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Public Relations or a related field, from a four-year college or university, or a combination of education and experience which demonstrates the necessary skills and abilities required for the position.

Salesforce Administrator Certification required. Additional Salesforce Certifications preferred.

Three or more years of experience managing Salesforce and ancillary support systems.

Advanced Excel skills; experience using Excel as a data management tool.

Aptitude for learning new programs and commitment to data integrity.

Excellent organizational and time management skills: adhere to deadlines and adapt to changing circumstances; handle high volume while maintaining excellent attention to detail; monitor own work and self-edit.

Ability to problem solve; analyze information and apply expertise and provide solutions

Clear written and verbal communication with demonstrated understanding of communication methods and styles;

Experience developing learning tools/guides for end-users highly preferred.

Able to adapt to changing circumstances and prioritize work accordingly. Self-starter with desire to show ownership and commitment to role.

Must maintain current knowledge and understanding of industry trends, current practices, new developments and applicable technologies regarding the use of technology in associations.



Technical Skills To perform this job successfully, an individual should have advanced knowledge of HTML, XHTML, CSS Design, Javascript, Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign CMS) Expertise in SEO and SEM as well as overall web analytics to drive website traffic as well as Google Analytics. Experience with multiple CMS, such as WordPress, Drupal, and Bluehornet. Experience using Pardot preferred. Physical Demands The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit and talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk and reach with hands and arms. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 10 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus. Work Environment The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually quiet.

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The docket has been released for Thursday's session of Circuit Court.
Cpl. Chet White, 44, of Saline County, was presented the Arkansas State Trooper of the Year Award for 2020.
Mahen Seeruttun a pris la parole lors de partie allouee au  Statement by Ministers  lors de la seance parlementaire du 29 juin 2021 sur les dernieres nouvelles concernant les services financier avec larrivee dune equipe de la GAFI.

Mr Speaker, Sir,

With your permission, I wish to make a statement on the latest developments with regard to the inclusion of Mauritius under the Financial Action Task Force list of Jurisdictions Under Increased Monitoring.

Mr Speaker, Sir,

For recall, in my statement to the House on 24 February 2020, I informed this Assembly about the substantial progress made in relation to the technical compliance with respect to the FATF Recommendations since the Mutual Evaluation Report in 2018 where Mauritius was rated largely compliant or compliant with 35 out of the 40 FATF Recommendations.

I also informed the House that the FATF had identified five strategic deficiencies which Mauritius must implement to improve the level of effectiveness of its AML/CFT regime.

At its Plenary meeting in February 2020, the FATF placed Mauritius on its list of Jurisdictions Under Increased Monitoring and provided Mauritius with an Action Plan to be implemented within a timeframe of around two years.

At this Plenary meeting, Mauritius made a high-level political commitment to implement the Action Plan within the agreed timelines.

Mr Speaker, Sir,

Since the placing of Mauritius on the FATF list, Government has been proactive in tackling these strategic deficiencies, inter alia, through the setting up of an inter-Ministerial Committee, chaired by the Honourable Prime Minister, to monitor closely the progress made in the implementation of the Action Plan.

The Honourable Prime Minister has extended his unflinching support to my Ministry and all relevant institutions in this national effort to strengthen the countrys AML/CFT framework, both in terms of technical compliance and effectiveness.

In this context, Government has invested massively in all supervisory bodies and law enforcement agencies to provide them with all necessary resources.

Mr Speaker, Sir,

The Core Group of the National Committee on Anti-Money Laundering and combatting the Financing of Terrorism, chaired by the Financial Secretary, has been overseeing the work being undertaken by all the implementing agencies and provided strategic guidance as appropriate.

In December 2020, a sub-Committee of the Core Group was mandated to ensure close monitoring of the remaining action plan items.

The sub-committee met the relevant implementing agencies, almost on a daily basis, to ensure that any challenges are dealt promptly and the agencies focused their activities in demonstrating progress made in addressing the FATF Action Plan.

Mr Speaker, Sir,

A first Progress Report was submitted in March 2020 but could not be considered by the FATF in view of the prevailing COVID 19 situation.

Subsequently, on 31 July 2020, Mauritius submitted a revised First Progress Report to the FATF Africa/Middle East Joint Group.

A Second Progress Report was submitted to the Joint Group on 27 November 2020, to demonstrate further progress made in addressing the 5 strategic deficiencies identified by FATF since July 2020.

Mauritius submitted a Third Progress Report to the Joint Group on 02 April 2021 which was considered at the recent June 2021 FATF Plenary.

It is to be noted during all virtual face to face meetings held with the Joint Group and the FATF Plenaries held since September 2020, Mauritius has been commended for its strong political commitment and the sustained progress made in the implementation of the FATF Action Plan.

Mr Speaker, Sir,

At its Plenary meeting held from 23 to 25 June 2021, the FATF has made the initial determination that Mauritius has substantially completed its Action Plan and warrants an on-site assessment to verify that the implementation of Mauritiuss AML/CFT reforms has begun and is being sustained, and that the necessary political commitment remains in place to sustain implementation in the future.

The FATF has highlighted that Mauritius has made the following key reforms, including by:

(1) conducting outreach to promote understanding of ML and TF risks and obligations;

(2) developing risk-based supervision plans effectively for the Financial Services Commission;

(3) ensuring access to accurate basic and beneficial ownership information by competent authorities in a timely manner; and

(4) providing training for law enforcement authorities to ensure that they have the capability to conduct money laundering investigations.

The FATF will continue to monitor the COVID-19 situation and conduct an on-site visit at the earliest possible date.

Mr Speaker, Sir,

It is worth noting that during the ICRG process, Mauritius has worked in close collaboration with the ESAAMLG Secretariat which provided technical support and valuable guidance to the Mauritian Authorities.

Mauritius has also benefited from Technical assistance from the European Union, Germany, UK, France, IMF and UNODC to support the implementation of the Action Plan.

For the period July 2020 to date around 1000 participants from different implementing and supervisory bodies have received training in numerous fields including inter alia Suspicious Transactions Reporting, Risk Based Supervision, Beneficial Ownership, Parallel Financial Investigations, Targeted Financial Sections, Risk Assessment of Non-Profit Organisations and Terrorism Financing.

As far as possible, trainings were conducted online and all physical trainings were conducted in accordance with strict sanitary protocols.

Mr Speaker, Sir,

The positive outcome from the FATF is the result of work undertaken by all the supervisors, law enforcement agencies and different committees who have worked diligently and tirelessly.

This is also the result of the public-private partnership in this national effort.

It is worth noting, that since the placing of Mauritius on the FATF list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring, the different institutions and the private sector have displayed an unprecedented spirit of team work and very strong collaboration, with a common objective to exit the FATF list at the earliest.

This also demonstrates that we are a Government of Action.

In fact, over the past few years, this Government has intensified its efforts and deployed a series of remarkable measures to bring our jurisdiction in conformity with international norms.

Mauritius made further progress in respect of Technical Compliance and is now rated compliant or largely compliant with 36 out of 40 FATF Recommendations.

This demonstrates our unflinching commitment to continue strengthening our AML/CFT system, well before and beyond the FATF list, thereby ensuring effective adherence to all international standards on AML/CFT.

Mr Speaker, Sir,

To conclude, I would like to mention that my Ministry together with the Core Group on AML/CFT and concerned institutions have already developed an extensive work plan in preparation for the submission of the next progress report to the Africa Middle East Joint Group and the forthcoming onsite visit of the FATF delegation.

Let me reassure the House that the Government will continue along this path and will remain committed to leave no stone unturned to complete the delisting process in the FATF list of Jurisdictions Under Increased Monitoring.

This will enable Mauritius to eventually exit the EU and UK lists of High Risk Third Countries.

Thank you Mr.Speaker, Sir
Le ministre des Services Financiers et de la Bonne Gouvernance a ouvert le debat sur son projet de loi le 29 juin 2021 lors de la seance parlementaire.

Mr Speaker, Sir,

I move that the Securities (Amendment) Bill (No V of 2021) be read a second time.

Mr Speaker, Sir,

The Government has been coming up with a number of legislations with a view to enhancing the attractiveness, robustness and soundness of the Mauritius International Financial Centre and ensure that we remain competitive as a jurisdiction of repute and of choice among all the various IFCs in the world.

Last week, the Financial Action Task Force has announced that Mauritius has substantially completed its action plan at technical level.

As a last step to exiting the FATF list of Jurisdictions under increased monitoring commonly known as the Grey List, the FATF will conduct an on-site visit at the earliest possible to verify that the implementation of Mauritius AML/CFT reforms have begun and are being sustained.

Covid-19 permitting, it is expected that the onsite visit would take place before the October 2021 Plenary.

Following this onsite assessment, the FATF will take a decision on Mauritius exiting the FATF grey list at its October 2021 Plenary.

Whilst this is a determining factor for our financial services sector, it is also a signal that we cannot sleep on our laurels.

Our Financial Services Sector, Mr Speaker, Sir, has reached a stage where we need to step up in the International league of IFCs and position ourselves to provide a business-friendly and conducive environment for investments whilst ensuring that we sustain our reputation as a trustworthy facilitator for investments.

It is, therefore, an opportune time to explore and focus on the key segments which can contribute in growing this sector.

Mr Speaker, Sir,

Against a fluid and rapidly-evolving global financial landscape, it has become a priority for us to take bold steps to liberalise the current capital market space to strengthen our position, our relevance and our competitiveness.

It is important to recall that one of the key recommendations of the Financial Sector Blueprint Report issued in 2018 was to further develop the Capital Market sector in Mauritius and to create a conducive environment for new exchanges to come and set up shops in Mauritius.

With this strategy in mind, it is imperative that we recast the existing legal framework and legislate so that we keep abreast with global best practices and remain up-to-date with cutting-edge developments in technology and business models.

Job Creation and Wealth Creation for our People will be natural consequences of this innovative development agenda.

Mr. Speaker, Sir,

The Stock Exchange of Mauritius Ltd (SEM), was established in 1989 under the Stock Exchange Act of 1988.

The exchange is regulated by the Financial Services Commission. Fifteen years later a Securities Act was passed in 2005.

Today, some 60 companies, with a market capitalization of US Dollar 10 Billion are listed on the SEM and 41 companies, with a market capitalization of USD 1.5 billion are listed on the Development and Enterprise Market (DEM).

It is worth noting that over the years we have noticed the considerable evolution of the SEM Official Market which today holds more than 100,000 retail investors and has listed more than 200 securities since its inception.

Although the Stock Exchange of Mauritius has performed very well, however, for the past 30 years there has been only one exchange in Mauritius until 2018, when the FSC granted a license to Afrinex Ltd to set up a new exchange in Mauritius.

Mr. Speaker, Sir

Our objective, is to broaden the operation of approved exchanges in Mauritius in addition to the Stock Exchange of Mauritius Ltd and Afrinex Ltd and also to allow for other clearing and settlement facilities to provide services in Mauritius with respect to the deposit, clearing or settlement of securities transactions.

These amendments will go a long way in promoting the participation of African and global intermediaries in Mauritius.

Leading jurisdictions in the capital market space such as the London Stock Exchange, the Bombay Stock Exchange or Singapore Stock Exchange have lower level of regulation, especially in circumstances where investors are sophisticated investors.

It is, therefore, very important for us to cater for different categories of investors and thereby adapt our regulatory framework accordingly.

Mr Speaker, Sir,

This Bill is bringing strategic amendments to the Securities Act so as to increase our competitiveness whilst at the same time we are

(i) protecting the investors,

(ii) (ii) ensuring that the markets are fair, efficient and transparent and

(iii) (iii) reducing systemic risk.

Mr Speaker, Sir,

I will now enumerate the salient amendments proposed in the Securities Bill and the impetus for bringing forward these changes.

Mr Speaker, Sir,

A key change has been brought to the Securities Act by introducing in its definition part the concept of sophisticated investor in comparison to retail investors.

The Act introduces the concept of retail investors, being investors, other than sophisticated investors, as the FSC may determine, and thereby recognizing foreign funds whose securities are marketed to retail investors in or from Mauritius.

Several amendments were brought to Sections 23, 24, 25, 26, 27 and 28 of the Securities Act to replace references to Stock Exchange of Mauritius Ltd or SEM by any official exchange and to replace the Central Depository and Settlement Ltd by any clearing and settlement facility.

This is a clear signal that the jurisdiction is open to welcome other players in the capital market sphere.

The amendment brought to Section 53 of the Act, to waive the requirements for foreign reporting issuers to be registered with the FSC will also allow Foreign Investment Banks to offer non-broking, non-clearing capital market services to issuers who are listing their securities with securities exchanges without the need for licensing or authorization or approval of any sort from the FSC or the Exchange.

This will align Mauritius with other leading listing jurisdictions like London, Singapore, Luxembourg which do not have any licensing or recognition process for intermediaries who target professional and sophisticated investors.

The amendment brought by Clause 6 of the Bill to amend Section 70 of the Act will allow more Global Business entities to offer securities in a less cumbersome manner.

This will allow more global players to domicile in Mauritius and thus make the market more vibrant and liquid.

The amendment to Section 78 of the Securities Act will henceforth waive the requirement for publication in the press by requiring that the advertisement be made on the website of the issuer and the appropriate securities exchange.

Mr. Speaker, Sir,

Section 86 of the Act has also been amended to waive the requirement for foreign reporting issuers to be registered with the FSC.

This amendment in the Bill will encourage foreign funds to be listed on the securities exchange at lesser cost and enable major global players to be present in the jurisdiction.

The cost factor, Mr. Speaker Sir, has been a matter of explicit focus for us as a competing market centre.

Mr Speaker, Sir,

The licensing of new Securities Exchanges will encourage the growth of the securities market with additional issuers, both local and international, resulting in growth in the pool of investors and enhancement of liquidity in the financial markets.

The recent changes in the Securities (Public Offer) Rules in terms of disclosure requirements in the prospectus for holding companies with subsidiaries is another initiative to facilitate listing on the exchanges.

Mr Speaker, Sir,

Section 101 of Securities Act is being amended to allow for foreign funds listed on other securities exchanges to be automatically recognized by the FSC on the basis of intimation provided by the exchange to FSC.

In particular, funds from leading fund jurisdictions will be allowed to list with securities exchanges in Mauritius without additional level of approval by the regulators

The recent liberalisation of the Brokerage fees is expected to increase competition amongst investment dealers and also attract foreign market players to seek an authorisation in our jurisdiction to further support the development of the jurisdiction as an investment destination.

As I mentioned earlier, Mr. Speaker, Sir, this Bill aims at opening up the jurisdiction to new players.

Consequently, the Bill introduces 2 new schedules to the Securities Act whereby the Second Schedule refers to the 2 Clearing Houses in Mauritius and the Third schedule lists out the name of the 2 Exchanges.

Mr. Speaker, Sir,

To conclude, I would wish to say that capital markets are constantly changing, innovating and accordingly, legislative and regulatory frameworks must also evolve to respond to changing market conditions.

In this pursuit, Mr. Speaker, Sir, Government has never lost sight of the need to keep raising our profile and ranking in terms of making it easy to do business in Mauritius.

The Bill before us today will help consolidate our legislation so that it merits the continued confidence of an investing public and attracts business and listings from across the world.

Our aim, Mr. Speaker, Sir, is to keep crafting effective laws and regulations for our jurisdiction to maintain a dominant position in the worldwide capital and investment arena and pursues its mission of being a magnet for investment into Africa.

By further constructing and improving our capital market, Mr. Speaker, Sir, which is key to a modern economic system, we are placing ourselves in a much better position to serve high-quality economic and social development for the prosperity of our People.

Mr. Speaker, Sir,

I propose to move the following amendments at Committee stage:

(a) to delete the word insurer and replacing it by the word issuer; in clause 6 (a) (ii), in the proposed new paragraph (k);

(b) with a view to harmonise all legislations and ensure that there is no restrictive provision, , a new clause 16 be inserted after clause 15, to amend the National Payment Systems Act 2018 in subsection (1) (b) and subsection (2), by deleting the words the Central Depository & Settlement Co. Ltd under the Securities (Central Depository, Clearing and Settlement) Act and replacing them by the words an Official Clearing and Settlement Facility under the Securities Act; and

(c) To renumber the existing clause 16 being as clause 17

I now commend the Bill to the House.

Thank you Mr. Speaker Sir.
Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that Pennsylvania, which once had the nations fourth-highest population-adjusted case rate, now has the 7th lowest, at 9.7 cases per week for each 100,000 residents. Vermont, Massachusetts, Maryland, New York (excluding New York City), New Hampshire and Michigan top the list. Pennsylvanias rate is more than twice Vermonts 3.9 weekly rate, but less than one-tenth Nevadas 98.1 cases per week per 100,000 residents. Missouri, Arkansas and Wyoming follow Nevada for most population-adjusted cases, all over 80 per week 100,000 people.
But in mid-April, the federal government ordered a halt on the usage of J&J vaccine while it investigated cases of rare blood clots that formed in a handful of women who received the J&J shot. Though the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention eventually determined it was safe to resume usage of the shot it took, the pause lasted 10 days. The pause severely affected public perception of the J&J vaccine and just 3.5 million doses of the vaccine have been administered since the pause ended April 23, according to the New York Times.
By late May, Mugrauer wrote, The investigation confirmed that we were the victim of a ransomware attack, and an unauthorized person might have gained access to clients data. In a follow-up response, the agency said it did not pay a ransom, and this was the first time a breach has happened to Penn Foundation.
A clown-shaped garbage can lid that went missing from the Hellertown Community Pool has found its way home thanks to an ambulance crew that found it next to a tree, according to a post on the Hellertown, Pennsylvania Facebook page. (Monca Cabrera / The Morning Call)
But Christian history shows much direct force as well. In the U.S., slavery was the worst, followed by Jim Crow laws. Other major examples are 500 years of Protestant against Catholic war in Ireland, the Trail of Tears and other near genocides against Native Americans (North, Central and South American), and multiple Crusades to free the Holy Lands from Islamic rule.
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State

Expedite probe into Gurugram deaths: Govt to Delhi police

DIMAPUR, JUN 30 (NPN) | Publish Date: 6/30/2021 12:35:54 PM IST

Nagaland government has called for a speedy probe into the mysterious deaths of two persons from Nagaland in Gurugram on June 24. Additional chief secretary and chief resident commissioner of Nagaland House, Delhi, Jyoti Kalash has written to additional commissioner of police, PERS, SPUNER, New Delhi requesting expeditious investigation into the matter.

Conveying the State governments deep anguish at the incident, which could cost unrest in Nagaland and in the entire Northeast, he requested the additional commissioner of police in-charge of SPUNER to expedite the investigation and bring out the truth behind the mysterious deaths of the two individuals and submit a detailed investigation report to his office for onward submission to the State government at the earliest.

Referring to the video that has gone viral on social media and that reportedly shows visuals of the sequence of events, the chief resident commissioner termed both the deaths as very shocking and disturbing. He said it raised questions over the safety and security of the people from the Northeast who work in Delhi/Gurugram. This was stated in a DIPR release.

As reported, a lady named Rosy Sangma from Nagland allegedly died shortly after her admission at the ICU of Alpha Hospital in Sector -10 of Gurugram on June 24. Shockingly, her nephew Samuel too was found dead at his hotel room shortly thereafter under mysterious circumstances.
International

US calls on Taliban to end violence; resume talks

File photo of Taliban militants.

KABUL, JUN 30 (AGENCIES) | Publish Date: 6/30/2021 1:11:04 PM IST

The United States on Wednesday called on the Taliban to end the ongoing violence and return to the negotiating table as fighting intensifies in the war-torn country of Afghanistan, reports ANI.

As we see media reporting and firsthand accounts of Taliban offensives in different parts of the country and targeted attacks against civilians across Afghanistan, we call on the Taliban to end the ongoing violence and return to the negotiating table, Ambassador Ross Wilson, who serves as Charge dAffaires at the US Embassy in Kabul, tweeted.

This comes in the middle of a surge in violence as the Taliban has increased its activities since the start of the US-led force pull out from May 1.

As the Taliban have taken control of several districts across the country, US intelligence assessments have suggested that the countrys civilian government could fall to the terror group within months of US forces withdrawing.

The top US general there, Austin Miller, warned Tuesday that the worsening violence could lead to civil war, CNN reported citing news reports.

Biden acknowledged the growing challenges last Friday during a visit from President Ashraf Ghani, noting the senseless violence and saying, Its going to be very difficult, but he is not rethinking his plans to withdraw US troops, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday.

According to the New York Times, US officials expect that the exodus of their forces from the country will be completed in less than a week by the national holiday on July 4.

As deadly clashes in Afghanistan continue to intensify, hundreds of more civilians have taken up arms against the Taliban in support of the government forces in several Afghan provinces.

People in over ten Afghan districts have taken up arms against the Taliban in just a week following the back-to-back fall of dozens of districts to the group.

Meanwhile, Biden has announced a series of measures to provide assistance to the South Asian country amid troop withdrawal, including donating three million doses of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine to the people of Afghanistan through the COVAX facility.

Additionally, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is also supporting Afghan efforts to respond to the critical shortfalls in oxygen and medical ventilation support by providing emergency and structural assistance.
Australia's native rodent species previously thought of and declared as extinct more than a century ago was found to have lived on an island in Shark Bay, Western Australia until the present day.

Researchers from Australian National University in Canberra led by Emily Roycroft took DNA samples from the extinct species and found that a small population of Gould's mouse (Pseudomys gouldii) survives in Australia's small island, but was recognized in a different name known as the Shark Bay mouse (Pseudomys fieldi).

Major Threats and Disappearance of Native Rodents

Australia has been a home to some of the most unique wildlife, however, the country also garnered the highest mammal extinction rate in the world, wherein nearly half of these extinctions were made up of native rodents.

Shark Bay Mouse are currently under the protection of Australian Wildlife Conservancy and restricted to islands off the coast of Western Australia. Several factors of their disappearance since 1895 include predation by feral cats and foxes, changes in habitat along with land clearing and competition with other pests such as rabbits.

The Gould's mouse was once widespread in the mainland during European colonization but had eventually gone extinct when animals such as cats and foxes were introduced at the time. Little did they know that these rather robust species with a shaggy fur and large black eyes is actually the same species as the Shark Bay Mouse.

"The species that we thought we'd lost across mainland Australia is still surviving on these offshore islands off Western Australia. They're quite remote so cats and foxes never made it to most of these islands, so it's kind of luck, I think, that they still persist in that landscape," says Karl Vernes at the University of New England in Australia.

Also read: Mistaken to be Extinct, Sea Eagles Spotted in Loch Lomond for the First Time in 100 Years

Tracing Genetic Diversity

Conservationists believe that a population's genetic diversity measures resilience against stressors such as disease and changes in the environment. The larger the mix in genes, the better chance of adapting to the changing environment.

There has been a dispute whether the Australia's rodents were already disappearing way out before Europeans colonized Australia nearly 200 years ago. Dr. Roycroft and the team looked into the genetic diversity of eight extinct Australian rodents collected between 120 and 184 years ago, including the Gould's mouse and unexpectedly found that these species already scurried in the island, in a potentially stable population. Findings show that their genomes were diverse even before European settlement, which indicates that the extinction of their once-thriving population was mainly caused by human impacts than genetic weakness.

Although it was not disproved that the European colonization did not contribute to these extinctions. During the time, extinction was prevalent due to animals such as cats and foxes eating the native wildlife, new diseases and habitat destruction.

Preserving the once thought of as a loss is now considered as priority for wildlife ecologists, believing this finding as a 'second chance' to saving the endangered species.

Also read: 'River Boss': Prehistoric Crocodile the Length of Bus Lived 5 Million Years Ago!
The severe drought in California is forcing hundreds of rattlesnakes out of their natural habitat. According to Len Ramirez, owner of a rattlesnake removal company, these past few days have been the busiest time for his business.

Rattlesnakes everywhere!

Rattlesnakes may be seen on front porches, in potted plants, and under children's play equipment these days since it was rattlesnake season, he said. "This is the busiest I've ever been. Complaints have been received from around the state. The drought, according to Ramirez, may be partially to blame He started a company.

That has been in business since 1985 and has previously experienced surges. While he does not believe the rattlesnake population is expanding, snakes are increasingly making their way into cities in search of shelter from the rising temperatures and the withering landscape. It is not only snakes, either.

A terrible drought has gripped California and other states in the southwest. The circumstances have had far-reaching repercussions that go beyond the dangers of dwindling water supplies and increasing wildfires.

And, when once-wild regions are encroached upon by urban development, The California drought has worsened negative interactions among people, animals, and pests, all of whom are attempting to adapt.

Ramirez believes rattlesnakes are becoming increasingly frequent in the areas where we live, work, and play. He has become a go-to source for snake removal and public education since establishing his firm in 1985, speaking to the media and making safety movies for California's office of emergency services. He removes snakes from homes and public spaces and relocates them to areas where they are not inhabited.

Ramirez saw similar tendencies during California's drought, which lasted from late 2011 to early 2019. But, according to him, things have become worse since "there is so much construction going on, and that's going to displace animals, especially rattlesnakes."

He claims that he has worked tasks that required him to remove more than 60 snakes at once. "Being a good scout before your kids go out to play is something I constantly tell parents since it was rattle snake season," he adds.

Other wild creatures have been observed scouring the suburbs for water, food, and a break from the worsening circumstances as critical water sources run dry. The number of abandoned babies have been documented by wildlife vets.

Wildlife vets have observed an increase in the number of abandoned infants or wounded animals brought into their facilities, as well as an increase in animal sightings, particularly of bears going farther into urban areas told by ABC.

Also read: Snakes Can Store Sperm for up to 5 Years Before Getting Pregnant

The effect of California's drought

Public health officials in California have previously warned people of an increase in viral activity, and experts predict the threat of West Nile transmissions would grow as a result of climate change, particularly in California's coastal areas.

During droughts, bugs that are less dangerous may cause more issues. Ants, cockroaches, rats, and other visitors all require water to thrive, and they generally seek it out in human dwellings when it is unavailable outside.

"Not only does a pest's water supply dry up during a drought, but natural food supplies can also become scarce," says Mike Bentley, an entomologist with the National Pest Management Association. "When there is a drought, pests may often seek shelter in homes or other structures in order to survive."

The drought is not only causing a rise in unpleasant houseguests, but it is also affecting animal behavior. He describes them as "excellent at adjusting to change." "This might mean rats breeding in wall cavities instead of subterranean tunnels and eating trash bags instead of falling fruits and seeds. Alternatively, ants nesting in potted plants and eating on last night's leftovers."

Also read: Avoid These 4 Most Terrifying and Deadly Snakes At All Cost!
Phlebotomy: Overview

Bloodletting has been practiced by humans for thousands of years. First, the Egyptians started it, afterward it spread to the Greeks and Romans before reaching Asia and Europe. Many medical ailments, including fever, headache, loss of appetite, and digestive problems, were formerly treated using this method. In the beginning, because doctors took significant volumes of blood on occasion, it was deemed problematic. Bloodletting has been shown to be an inefficient and, in some circumstances, harmful therapy. It wasn't as common as it previously was towards the end of the nineteenth century. However, in today's Western society, phlebotomy is solely used for medical testing and the treatment of a few particular blood disorders.

Phlebotomy is the procedure of using a cannula to pierce a vein, generally in the arm, in order to take blood. The process is named Venipuncture, which is also used for intravenous treatment. After the procedure, the blood is usually submitted to a laboratory for examination. However, blood is occasionally withheld as a therapy for specific medical problems. Therapeutic phlebotomy is the term for this procedure. Extra red blood cells, abnormally shaped red blood cells, and excess iron in the blood are all removed. Therapeutic phlebotomy is used to treat patients who suffer from the following conditions:

 Hemochromatosis

 Polycythemia vera

 Porphyria cutanea tarda

 Sickle cell disease

 Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Blood Testing Types

One of the most important methods to maintain track of your general physical well-being is to have regular blood tests. Getting tested at regular intervals can help you recognize how your body changes over time and empower you to make better health decisions.

The following are some of the more common blood tests that a doctor might order:

Complete Blood Count (CBC): the presence of ten cell types in white blood cells, red blood cells, and platelets is determined by this test. Hematocrit, hemoglobin, red blood cell count, and white blood cell count are examples of these outcomes. CBC findings are normally provided within 24 hours.

Basic Metabolic Panel: this test detects common electrolytes as well as other chemicals in the blood. Calcium, glucose, sodium, potassium, carbon dioxide, chloride, blood urea nitrogen, and creatinine are just a few examples. Before getting your blood drawn, you may be required to fast for a specified amount of time. Its results are also provided within 24 hours.

Complete Metabolic Panel: this blood test includes all of the parameters listed above, as well as two protein tests, albumin, and total protein, and four liver function tests. ALP, ALT, AST, and bilirubin are some of them. If your doctor wants to learn more about your liver or kidney function, they may prescribe this more in-depth testing. The results are usually ready within a few days.

Lipid Panels: Lipid panels are used to determine how much cholesterol is present in the body. High-density lipoprotein (HDL) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) are two types of lipoprotein (LDL). In this case, your doctor should receive lab findings, within 24 hours as well.

Other blood test types include:

Thyroid examinations

Thyroid hormones, such as thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), are detected in the blood using a thyroid panel.

T3 uptake, thyroxine (T4), and free-T4 index, often known as T7, are other measurements. A doctor might order this test to see if a person has a thyroid problem, such as hyperthyroidism or hypothyroidism.

Sexually Transmitted Infection Tests (STI)

Meanwhile, HIV testing is frequently offered at community health centers and clinics, blood tests are also used by doctors to check for the presence of diseases like herpes, hepatitis, and syphilis. It could take up to two weeks for these results to appear.

Cancer Tests

Doctors may employ a variety of blood tests to check for the presence of cancer. The blood tests that your doctor might recommend are based on the type of cancer that you have. Some of these tests, such as immunoglobulins and tumor markers, are more difficult to come by.

Blood tests for Pregnancy

Blood tests for pregnancy are usually quantitative or qualitative. A qualitative blood test can tell you whether you're pregnant or not. The amount of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) (this hormone is created during pregnancy) in the body can be determined with a quantitative blood test.

So What?!

A number of laboratory tests are becoming available sooner than ever before due to the advancements in rapid testing. However, a home blood draw service is a convenient way for you to have your blood and other medical samples collected at a time that is convenient for you at home or at a place of your choice. The procedure usually includes a fully trained specialist coming to your home or place of business and collecting your laboratory sample. Not only is it a good way for you to get your blood test easily, but it also can prevent the possible risks of you getting out of home and affecting with COVID 19.
First responders in the area believe more than two dozen deaths in a Vancouver suburb are likely linked to the unprecedented heat wave that has shattered temperature records from Western Canada to California in recent days.

In the four days since the heatwave hit, more than 100 individuals have died in B.C., with their untimely deaths connected to the severe temperatures. The number is expected to rise, according to both police and the province's top coroner.

Vancouver Fatality

In a press statement issued Tuesday, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Burnaby, roughly 9 miles east of Vancouver, claimed they had responded to more than 25 "sudden death" reports in the preceding 24 hours.

British Columbia Fatality

According to Lisa LaPointe, the B.C. Coroners Service has been summoned to 233 fatalities since Friday, with a four-day average of 130.

Cause of Death

"While the cause of the majority of the deaths is still under investigation," the statement noted, "heat is considered to be a contributing factor in the majority of the deaths." "A lot of the people that died were seniors."

Rise of Death Count

Since the start of the heat wave late last week, the Coroners Service has seen a substantial rise in deaths where high heat is thought to have played a role.

Hundreds of identical calls were reported in the adjacent town of Surrey.

Related Article: Western Canada Breaks National Heat Records at 116 Degrees



Impact of the Heat Wave

As citizens across the Northwest struggled through the scorching heat that has tied or broken dozens of all-time records, heat-related hospital visits soared, and some people allegedly drowned while attempting to cool down.

Roads buckled, businesses closed, and there were rolling power outages due to the high temperatures.

Police in Metro Vancouver encourages residents to check on their neighbors and loved ones, confirming that scores of unexpected fatalities have occurred.

#DPD urge you to check on your loved ones, elderly neighbours, those with health issues, and anyone who might be struggling to cope in the heat wave. Between Monday morning through Tuesday morning, June 29, police are dealing with 9 sudden or recently discovered deaths. pic.twitter.com/IJEUaSlp7a  Delta Police (@deltapolice) June 29, 2021

On Sunday, the county's Emergency Medical Services fielded a record number of calls.

For individuals who needed a place to cool off, cooling centers with food, beds, and water were set up.

Heat Related Death?

Heat-related deaths have "deleted" frontline resources and "severely delayed" response times around Vancouver, according to the force, which is redeploying "dozens" of officers and asking people to only call 9-1-1 if it's an emergency.

While the circumstances of the fatalities have yet to be determined, Surrey Mounties said they have responded to more deaths than usual since the start of the harsh weather.

Monday was the harshest day of the heat wave, with temperatures in the 40s in several parts of the Lower Mainland.

Extreme Heat Fatality Rate

Extreme heat is responsible for more weather-related fatalities in the United States than any other danger in an ordinary year.

According to NOAA, extreme heat killed an average of 138 deaths each year in the United States from 1990 to 2019. The figure is considerably higher, at more than 600 each year, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

NOAA statistics claim that heat waves have been more numerous, longer-lasting, and more severe as global warming has increased since the 1960s.

Also Read: Megadrought 2021: The Worst Drought Suffered by the US West in 1,200 Years

For more climate and weather updates, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
A couple was fined $18,000 after removing 36 Joshua trees and burying them in a trench to create space for a residence. The fee is intended to deter others from mowing down the rare crooked-limbed plant, which is being evaluated for protection under California's endangered species statute.

In a news statement, Nathaniel Arnold, deputy chief of the California Department of Fish and Wildlife's criminal enforcement section, said, "Most California people who live in Joshua tree habitat appreciate these iconic desert species, more so today than ever because of their deteriorated population condition." "We hope it acts as a deterrence to those who may believe it is OK to cut down Joshua trees for development."

Killing Joshua Trees

Authorities began looking into killing these Joshua trees - which are actually succulents called Yucca brevifolia - on February 11, after a local homeowner saw his neighbors felling hundreds of the plants with a tractor. According to officials and the Los Angeles Times, the neighbor reported it to the fish and wildlife tip line department.

Warned by their Neighbors

The pair were allegedly cautioned by a neighbor not to remove the plants. It is "illegal to damage, transport, transplant, or remove" the western Joshua tree since it is being evaluated for protection under the state's endangered species legislation, authorities added.

According to Douglas Poston, a prosecutor in San Bernardino County, the couple believed Joshua trees under a particular diameter could be removed. The couple owns the property and intended to build a house on it.

Related Article: Nude Sunbathers Chased by Deer Fined For Breaking Sydney Lockdown Protocols



Highly Protected Species

The Los Angeles Times cited Poston as adding, "But that's plainly not correct." "It doesn't matter if it's a foot tall or a 20-foot tall object; it's protected."

Fleeing from Authority

The suspects had fled the area when a state wildlife officer arrived, but "he discovered what was definitely a newly excavated and refilled hole," officials said. The wildlife officer re-dug the hole with a backhoe, where he uncovered the buried Joshua trees.

On June 7, authorities filed a 36-count misdemeanor charge against the pair, accusing them of "unlawfully removing" 36 Joshua trees. According to authorities, taking a Joshua tree may result in a fine of up to $4,100 and/or six months in prison.

According to the press statement, the pair, Jeffrey Walter and Jonetta Nordberg-Walter were "helpful in the inquiry." The pair was placed on a pre-trial diversion program by the San Bernardino County Superior Court on June 11.

Fine and Settlements

Walter and Nordberg-Walter must each pay a $9,000 fine as part of their settlement with the court. A portion of the fee has already been paid, and the pair may be able to get credit for their time by volunteering at Joshua Tree National Park or the Mojave Desert Land Trust.

The couple's case will be dropped if they fulfill all of the pre-trial diversion conditions. Officials added that if they do not meet the standards, prosecutors will pursue the case against them. The pair could not be reached for comment right away.

Joshua Trees

Joshua trees are increasingly vulnerable to a variety of threats. Park employees returned to Joshua Tree National Park after the government shutdown ended in late January 2019 to find damaged trees, graffiti, and pathways. According to a retired park official, the damage was "irreparable for the next 200 to 300 years," according to a former park official.

According to researchers, only.02 percent of the species' current habitat in Joshua Tree National Park would be sustainable due to the climate catastrophe. Joshua trees have died off due to the hot, dry weather, and there are fewer young ones left.

Also Read: Only 3% of the World's Ecosystems Still in Pristine Conditions

For more news update about Environmental Action, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Hundreds of thousands of racing pigeons vanished into thin air on the same day, allegedly due to freak weather.

On Saturday, June 19, up to 250,000 birds were launched in 50 races around the United Kingdom, but only 10% returned in the time allotted.

Thousands of them are still missing, and some have been found as far as Holland and Majorca.

Some have dubbed the day "the darkest day in the sport's history" because of the widespread disappearance.

First Report of Disappearances

The first reports of disappearances came from a race from Peterborough to the North East, in which more than half of the 9,000 pigeons competing went missing.

The same thing happened to Dene Simpson, race controller for the South West Wales Federation of Pigeon Fanciers, and his pals.

A large number of the birds they'd tenderly raised from chicks mysteriously vanished.

'We'd let ours go from Swindon at midday on the same Saturday - it's a 92-mile voyage with the wind behind them, so it shouldn't have taken that long,' said Dene, 38, from Swansea.

Related Article: Mysterious Avian Disease is Killing Hundreds of Birds All Over the US



Many Left, Few Returned

'However, only approximately 200 to 300 birds returned home out of the 1,400 that went out. And subsequently, when we checked on social media, we discovered that many other federations around the UK had had similar experiences.'

Dene, who is in charge of choosing when and where birds are released on race days, as well as interacting with other federations and monitoring the weather, claimed there were no warning signals that something unusual was going to happen.

'The forecast had been cloudy in the morning but with decent visibility - by the afternoon, back home in Swansea, there were brilliant blue skies.'

'Which is why I believe something unseen by the human eye happened, something that interfered with the birds' internal Sat Nav and led them to dramatically deviate from their original route.'

Homing Pigeons

He went on to say that homing pigeons can navigate using the Earth's magnetic field as a guide but that a strange occurrence like a solar storm might have thrown them off.

This might be one explanation for the enigmatic Bermuda Triangle, but the solution is still a mystery.

'There was certainly something unusual going on that day since there were hardly any wild birds in the sky prior. It was completely lifeless up there,' Dene continued.

'I haven't ruled out the possibility of a succession of smaller tornadoes being to blame.'

Dene said a fellow member of his federation, which includes Port Talbot, Pontardawe, and Llanelli, has been informed that one of his pigeons has been sighted in the Netherlands and identified by the tag or 'life ring' around its leg.

'It's terrible for the boys because they've raised these birds by hand and really looked after them,' he continued.

'And, while money is probably the last thing on anyone's mind at the moment, pigeon fancying can be a costly pastime. It must have cost a fortune to lose so many birds.'

Not the First Time

He did note, though, that this was not the first time something like has happened.

'Some of our elder members may recall the same inexplicable occurrence from around 60 years ago, but it was well before my time,' Dene said.

Also Read: Jays Might Be Responsible for Planting Half the Tree Population in England's Woodlands

For more news update about anything wildlife related, don't forget to follow Nature World News!
Oceanfront cities in Florida including St. Petersburg are threatened to experience more flooding in the next 10 years, according to new study. Researchers found that the sea levels in the country are rapidly increasing and expected to rise up to 67 high-tide events by 2033.

The June 2021 study predicted approximately seven days of high-tide flooding in St. Petersburg in 2023, but forecasts suggest that the frequency would increase up to 70 days in 2033, with fair warning that relentless flooding could happen almost every day in some months.

Many coastal locations will begin to experience recurrent high-tide flooding due to the continuously rising sea levels around the United States, particularly along the Atlantic coast.

Associate dean Gary Mitchum of the University of South Florida College of Marine Science along with colleagues from University of Hawaii studies the relationship of the sea level rise with tidal cycles, eventually leading to rapid increase in flood events.

Coastal Cities to Experience Larger Risks

Florida's coastal cities will be in trouble when sea level does continue to rise rapidly in the future. A study on Florida's local land subsidence particularly in the Miami Beach and Norfolk reveals that flooding hazard will be prominent in coastal communities along the U.S. Atlantic coast as the city's foundation gradually wore away.

The 2020 study found that the sinking of buildings in the area such as the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside disaster was brought by sinkholes and human-induced activities like fossil fuel and groundwater extraction.

An investigation of the building's devastating collapse found that subsidence in the land ever since the 1990s played a big role in the crash, killing at least four people and around 160 had gone missing.

Now that sea level rise is expected to accelerate in the following years, the city government and officials hope to reduce the risk as much as possible.

Also read: Floating Paradise: Maldives to Build Floating City to Adapt to Rising Sea Levels

Minimizing Disruption and Preparing for the Worst

"Sea level rise is just one part of climate change. It's a much bigger problem. So, when we talk about these things, we need to think about adaptation and mitigation.", Mitchum said.

Since a natural occurrence cannot be tamed, what a human can do is to plan and adapt. According to Mitchum, reducing the city's carbon emissions can pull down the rate of greenhouse gases and slow down global warming.

As for the possible impacts in buildings and other infrastructures as sea-level rise worsens, Andrea Dutton, a geoscientist at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and former associate professor of geology at the University of Florida said that the time to worry about it is now and it is never too early to design a sustainable plan in reducing its harmful impacts, whether to abandon or completely remove an infrastructure that imposes threat in the future.

The tragic event of the Champlain tower should serve as a reminder of what nature can do when human activities become out of control.

Also read: Rising Sea Temperature Are Causing Skin Disease to Whitetip Reef Sharks in Malaysia
4H Virtual Fair 2020

Celebrating the local county fair!

COVID-19 may have canceled the local fair, but that's not stopping us from celebrating the best of our community with this tribute to Virtual Fairs 2020. Help us highlight the best of the local fair competition by telling us what you would have entered in this year's fair competitions.
GOVERNMENT has made the first move in its clampdown on non-governmental organisations (NGOs), with the Harare metropolitan provincial development co-ordinator (PDC) T afadzwa Muguti ordering civic organisations operating in the capital to report to him.

Muguti has summoned all directors of NGOs and private voluntary organisations (PVOs) to pay a courtesy call to his office, claiming that some of them were operating outside their mandates.

Government has on several occasions threatened to deregister civic society organisations (CSOs), accusing them of dabbling in politics and being hostile to President Emmerson Mnangagwa and his ruling Zanu PF party.

In a circular to NGOs, CSOs, PVOs and faith-based organisations yesterday, Muguti ordered them to submit work plans for the rest of this year. He demanded that they provide him with information on workshops and other operations they would be conducting within the province.

Muguti also ordered the organisations to provide monthly reports and other information on their operations by July 9, 2021.

It has been noted with a high degree of concern that any organisations operating in Harare Metropolitan province, in particular NGOs, have been straying from mandates stated in their respective memoranda of understanding (MOUs), Muguti said in a circular dated June 30 seen by NewsDay.

Suffice to say that such behaviour represents a breach of memorandum of agreement and should not be manifested further.

In view of the foregoing, all non-governmental organisations are hereby directed that operations and clearance of NGOs is now domiciled with the provincial development co-ordinator. All NGO country directors are also invited to a courtesy call with the provincial development co-ordinator and the Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution (Oliver Chidawu) for formalities.

He, however, did not state the constitutional provisions that give him the power to summon the NGOs.

In 2019, High Court judge Justice Loice Matanda-Moyo ruled that district administrators had no business in the operations of NGOs.

Several directors of local NGOs confirmed to NewsDay that they had received Mugutis circular yesterday, but some said they were failing to comprehend his dictates.

As Zimbabwe Coalition on Debt and Development (Zimcodd), we interpreted the PDCs dictates in many ways, Zimcodd programmes manager John Maketo said.

We think there is a sinister agenda behind the PDCs demands, which is to clip the wings of NGOs that are critical to government operations. In the first place, voluntary work cannot be conducted secretively.

We have always been open on how we exercise our duties, hence no need to demand openness. Also, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, it is difficult to plan ahead as there are several disruptions.

Political analyst Fidelis Duri said Mugutis pronouncements risked driving away some major NGOs that were offering humanitarian assistance to improve livelihoods, but do not want to operate in hostile countries.

He said government should name and shame those it alleged were errant NGOs, instead of attacking all voluntary organisations.

Government has always been suspicious of NGOs, most of which are funded by the Western countries, Duri said.

It is important to credit the NGOs for the stability in the country because they have been able to shield the governments shortcomings and contain civil unrest. Without them, the socio-economic turbulence resulting from bad governance would have pushed the citizens to the edge and an uprising.

He said the clampdown was well-co-ordinated for the ruling party to ensure smooth victory in the 2023 general elections in the absence of criticism and observation of how the elections would have been run.

Government recently said it would deregister at least 450 mainly dormant NGOs.

In the State of the Nation Address delivered in October last year, Mnangagwa announced that a law would be crafted to regulate civil society organisations, which he accused of operating outside their mandate, and not in sync with government priorities.

He said Parliament would consider the Private Voluntary Organisation Amendment Bill to revamp the administration of NGOs and PVOs to correct the current anomalies.

Apart from offering humanitarian assistance, NGOs offer employment to a significant number of locals. Newsday


GOD is worthy of praise because he controls everything under the sun hence the need for the nation to come together in prayer against Covid-19 and other ailments, First Lady Auxillia Mnangagwa has said.

She was speaking as the nation marked the second day of a prayer week she called for starting on Monday June 28 to save the nation at a time when it was battling a spike in Covid-19 cases and other ailments.

We prayed since last year because of Covid-19, other ailments and problems facing the nation and I am truly thankful that the country joined me in prayer and fasting. Today we are here again as we continue to pray because this pandemic is still with us.

We are also praying because our youths are being ruined by drugs and alcohol. Some mothers are in the habit of selling drugs to these children ruining their future zvinova zvinorwadza moyo wangu saAmai, she said.

There are also reports of women who are going about stealing newborn children from hospitals. As a nation, we are facing many challenges including issues of children being killed for ritual purposes, yet we are the ones who are supposed to look after these children and protect them so that families remain intact.

Our country is God-fearing, so men, women and all denominations from yesterday (Monday) we started praying and fasting. We once prayed asking for many things and God answered us and God is the only one who can help us and God is in control of everything that happens.

If God says its over, it will be over. As his children we have held his garment with a powerful hand and we are asking him to remember us, she said.

The First Lady has a prayer room at her office at Zimbabwe House where she kneels down in prayer every day before starting her daily business.

We have a prayer room here where we pray every morning in the face of many challenges we face in life. With my team, we do not start work without praying to God because we travel a lot and have a lot of work to do and we ask God to guide us as we go about doing our work out there, she said.

The First Ladys words come at a time when Covid-19 is wreaking havoc across the globe including Zimbabwe where it has killed over 1 750 people since March last year when the pandemic was detected in the country.

So devastating has been the impact of Covid-19 which has caused deaths and job losses among people of many nationalities. The pandemic has resulted in school closures and set off a lot of societal challenges like teen pregnancies, drug abuse and prostitution to name but a few.

Yesterday, visitors to the First Ladys offices were startled to find her kneeling down in prayer with her team, showing that she practices what she preaches.

Journalists who had visited her office on another assignment had to wait for the mother of the nation who was deep in prayer together with a team from her office.

The officers in her office who are her prayer partners, were full of praises for Amai Mnangagwa whom they described as God-fearing and humble.

Mrs Failess Matemba expressed delight with the First Ladys call for divine intervention saying she will continue praying for the nation.

We thank our mother here at work where she encourages us to pray. Every morning we pray in the prayer room which set up and when she spoke of the week of prayer, we seized the opportunity to pray for our country in times of Covid-19 and other challenges.

We also read the scriptures, like Psalms 5:3 which says In the morning or Lord you will hear my voice. In the morning I will order my prayer to you and eagerly watch. God hears our prayers and we come here and pray for him to show mercy on our country Zimbabwe. We pray that he heals our land of Covid-19 which is wreaking havoc. We thank the First Lady for the vision to pray, she said with an expression of hope on her face.

Another officer, Ms Praise Denhere said she felt so happy and thankful to God to have a God-fearing leader like the First Lady.

I feel happy and thankful to God because as Zimbabwe we are a God fearing nation. We were given a mother who also fears God who knows that nothing succeeds without Gods involvement.

Previously, she also called on the nation to join her in prayer and we prayed and fasted which resulted in the numbers of those affected by the virus decreasing. Now there is a new variant and the mother has rallied us to kneel down and cry to God and I believe we will get our answer soon because if we put our trust in God we will succeed, she said.

Mr Courage Chaleka shared similar sentiments. We are thankful for the vision of the First Lady. One writer says prayer is the breath of the soul. We should keep on praying because truly God answers prayers, he said.

It was a marvel to watch the First Lady and her officers clutching their bibles singing and shouting praises to the Lord prompting the journalists to also join in. Herald
One of the sons of former president Jacob Zuma remains defiant that he will die before he witnesses his father walking through prison gates.

Speaking to the media outside Zumas homestead in Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, Edward Zuma maintained law enforcement agencies would have to go through him before getting hold of his father.

My position has been known and I still maintain it. Whatever decisions are taken by law enforcement, they will have to kill me before such a decision is implemented, he said.

If that drastic decision happens to be taken, it means they have to pass through me, meaning I will lay down my life for [former] president Zuma. They will not take him to prison while I am still alive.

Edward insisted he was not reckless in making those comments.

On Tuesday the Constitutional Court sentenced the former president to 15 months behind bars after he was found guilty of contempt of court for failure to comply with an order issued by it to honour a summons to appear before the state capture inquiry.

The only appropriate sanction is a direct unsuspended order of imprisonment, said acting deputy chief justice Sisi Khampepe.

She said: Never before has the judicial process been so threatened. If with impunity litigants are allowed to decide which orders they may wish to obey and which they wish to ignore, then our constitution is not worth the paper on which it is written.

Zuma snubbed the inquiry and attacked the integrity of some of its officials, including inquiry chair deputy chief justice Raymond Zondo. He has five days to hand himself over to authorities to start serving his sentence.

Before then, Edward welcomed supporters of the former president to the familys home. We encourage people to come in their numbers to support [former] president Zuma, Edward said.

Asked whether Covid-19 regulations, which prohibit gatherings, were considered, Edward said they were irrelevant.

We are in a situation of war here. We cannot be considering Covid-19 restrictions. If it means we die, we die. TimesLIVE
CHINESE mining firm, Afrochine Smelting, has appealed for State protection amid mounting resistance by some safari operators and residents objecting the awarding of a special grant to the company in Hwange District in Matabeleland North Province.

The province is endowed with vast natural resources including minerals such as coalbed methane, gold, coal and game.

In April this year, the Government issued Special Grant number 8577 to Afrochine for a period of three years. Special mining grants are authorised by the President. The authorisation gave the Chinese investor permission to explore for coal in the specified area in the Hwange area with a view to undertake mining activities in line with its investment plans.

However, the move is being objected by some stakeholders led by residents and safari operators arguing any mining activities in the area would have massive detrimental effects on safari business and livelihoods.

The Greater Hwange Residents Association claims the areas being targeted for exploration were within the confines of Hwange National Park, one of the largest wildlife sanctuaries in Zimbabwe.

However, the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority, a national body responsible for custody of game in Zimbabwe, says the special grant is not within the protected areas and is not part to the team resisting the move.

In a statement yesterday, Afrochine said permission to explore for coal in the specified area was in line with their investment plans.

Ours is just a small effort towards achieving the countrys economic growth and attainment of an upper middle-income economy status as espoused by Government, with the mining sector expected to contribute US$12 billion, said the company.

We are doing this in terms of the law, including those governing the environment. We are appalled, therefore, that there are fresh attempts by certain forces under the civil society banner to derail these efforts through vexatious litigation or threats of litigation, bullying, harassment and politicking against our investments.

We, therefore, call upon authorities to protect the legitimate interests of investors and provide an enabling environment where capital can thrive, in line with the Zimbabwe is Open for Business principle.

Upon assuming office President Mnangagwa declared the mantra Zimbabwe is Open for Business, an investment theme that has been embraced by many countries and international businesspeople who have started developing interest in investing in Zimbabwe.

Mines and Mining Development Minister Winston Chitando did not respond to a text message seeking comment.

Afrochine said the ongoing war against companies operating in the mining and energy sectors in Hwange was driven by selfish individuals and groupings whose operations have become a well-oiled machine to thwart development in the area and derail the legitimate national economic activities.

Afrochine is a subsidiary of Tsingshan Group, which is building a giant carbon steel plant in Chivhu in Mashonaland East Province. When operating at full throttle, Tsingshan is expected to employ about 4 500 people. The group also operates the countrys largest ferrochrome plant located in Selous, 85km west of Harare.

China remains a major source of Zimbabwes foreign direct investment with companies such as Afrochine among large investors. The Government pins hope on mining and agriculture to provide quick economic turnaround and sustained efforts have been put in place to ensure the sectors provide employment and also produce for the export market.

Treasury has said it will continue to extend incentives to the mining sector as part of efforts to boost mineral production. Recently, Finance and Economic Development Minister, Professor Mthuli Ncube, announced a supportive fiscal mining regime targeted at sustainably growing the industry. The incentives are part of measures to optimise the mining fiscal regime in support of the industry.

These include reduction of corporate tax from 25 to 24 percent, deductibility of royalties for assessment of income tax, reduction of diamond royalties from 15 to 10 percent as well as sliding scale royalty system for gold depending on global price levels. Mining is central to the achievement of National Strategy Development 1 (NDS1) and Vision 2030. Chronicle
Today we celebrate Independence Day with fireworks, parades and barbecues, where we serve classic American foods such as hot dogs, burgers and potato salad. Instead of simply grilling your dogs and slapping them on a bun this year, grab the kids and try this baking method that results in a big bite that one of our young recipe testers couldnt have loved more, saying, Its like a piggy in a blanket, but Hulk-size!
They decided they were going to open up to any kid who wanted to attend, which is a great idea, but they never bothered to see whether the community based organizations had the capacity to handle it or schools had the teachers and assistant principals, he said. Then ... they waited from some time in April until June 30 to decide they had a problem.
There are so many charges that could be brought, or that will be brought, that will span areas not connected solely to Allen Weisselberg or Matthew Calamari, Cohen told The Daily News on Tuesday. He was referring to two of the Trump Organizations top executives, now the subjects of a state criminal inquiry.
To climb the ladder and become a master, slaves had to recruit more slaves, prosecutors and victims said. The slaves were branded with Ranieres initials in their pubic area, though they were not aware at the time that that is what they were being branded with.
The squabble turned physical, and one of the men stabbed the victim seven times, then dropped the knife, cops said. His accomplice picked up the blade and grabbed the victims chain, cops said. Both suspects hopped into a black Honda Odyssey and escaped heading south on 108th St.
A 22-year-old man was grazed in the head, a 21-year-old man was shot several times in the right leg, and a 19-year-old man was shot once in the right leg, cops said.
The truck took him out. He was down on the ground and they were pumping on his chest. He wasnt responding, said a nearby doorman, who didnt give his name.
They were able to use the phony info to successfully steal from a Texas bank and then again to apply for the billions of dollars available for small businesses under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security during the onset of the pandemic, the Sun Sentinel reported.
The Maricopa County Attorneys Office in Arizona announced Tuesday that Vallow is facing one felony count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. Shes accused of agreeing with her brother, Alexander Cox, that at least one of them or another would engage in conduct constituting the offense of First Degree Murder.
This wasnt so much about him being locked up, she told The News. I wanted him to admit what he did. He can go free, but he cant label us as untruthful. My character is important. My reputation is important. I want the women to be seen.
Bill Cosby, the comedian who went from beloved father figure to pariah after at least 60 women said he sexually assaulted them throughout his career, was released from prison Wednesday following a Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision.
Brazil is still struggling to contain a health crisis that has turned into a major catastrophe for South Americas largest country. As the death toll in Brazil surges past 500,000, with no sign of slowing down, the countrys vaccine rollout has been marred by shortages and far-right President Jair Bolsonaro continues to downplay the threat that COVID-19 poses while attacking governors who impose restrictions to curb the spread of the virus.
The whole purpose was to prevent trees from being lost, said Thomas, an employee of the U.S. Coast Guard. What if I saved the trees? What if the other nine I did not spray died and the ones I treated lived?
Residents in a twin building, Champlain Towers North, built by the same developers in the same year, 1981, have had differing reactions on whether to stay or go, with some taking city accommodations and others staying put. Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett has said he would not feel comfortable staying in the sister building, but has not ordered evacuations.
After the incident, Thompson told investigators that Lewis was trying to aim his car at the trooper after crashing into the ditch, but Dustin Peak, a Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent, testified in September that Lewis car was completely inoperable after the crash.
While she still has nightmares about her ordeal, Doe said that shes relieved to know that as a result of my experience the NJDOC has adopted substantial policy changes so no person should be subjected to the horrors I survived.
Hes always thinking of others, the type of person who puts their needs before his own, Liebhard said. If he sees something and concludes that This is just the thing that so-and-so would appreciate, it would arrive at the friends house in short order.
My heart especially goes out to those who bravely testified in both of his criminal cases. I represented a majority of the prior bad act accusers who testified, Allred said in a statement. Despite the Pennsylvania Supreme Courts decision, this was an important fight for justice and even though the court overturned the conviction on technical grounds, it did not vindicate Bill Cosbys conduct and should not be interpreted as a statement or a finding that he did not engage in the acts of which he has been accused.
But despite their efforts, crews must move slowly and methodically because of the dangerous conditions at the site. Rainfall and fires have also complicated the operation and the possibility of a tropical storm in the next few days could make the work even more dangerous.
However, Katz said in his letter that NYC Health + Hospitals representatives met to no avail with FEMA officials from Region 2 several times in April in hopes of resolving the issue. The most recent meeting was on April 30, four days after Criswell was sworn in as FEMA administrator, according to Katz.
Tuesdays chaos began when the BOE announced it had detected a discrepancy in already-released mayoral race tallies, which showed Eric Adams early lead shrinking considerably once voters ranked choices came into play. A few hours later, the BOE abruptly deleted the results from its website, admitted it had forgotten to clear out the 135,000 test ballots from its software and said it would run the count again Wednesday.
They refused to admit the truth when they voted against certifying President Bidens election that night. They refused to admit the truth when they voted against the creating of a bipartisan commission to investigate the attack, the speaker continued. They refuse to admit the truth when they call that day a normal tourist visit. And today, when they will vote against establishing a select committee to investigate that day, they will again refuse to admit the truth.
You can never fully prepare for something like this, Chief Jason Louie of the Lower Kootenay Band, which is a member of the Ktunaxa Nation, told the CBC. It was very impactful when we got the news of the 215 souls that were located in Kamloops. And now its very, very personal.
A total of 57 people  41 passengers, 13 crew members and three canteen waiters  were aboard the KMP Yunice when it went down near East Javas Ketapang port late on Tuesday. The National Search and Rescue Agency on Wednesday said the vessel sank shortly after its journey began.
The case against Ghislaine Maxwell is extremely weak  based on 25-year-old, uncorroborated allegations made only after Epstein died. A jury should reject those flimsy and stale charges. But in the event of a conviction, she should get relief on appeal for the same reason Cosby did  prosecutors should have to live up to the deals they make. As that court explained: A contrary result would be patently untenable. It would violate long-cherished principles of fundamental fairness. It would be antithetical to, and corrosive of, the integrity and functionality of the criminal justice system that we strive to maintain.
At the same time, the city should be providing free high-speed internet and devices for students moving forward. Although schools will be open in the Fall, learning on digital platforms is here to stay. The New York State Constitution says that the government has to provide a free education to our children. Education isnt free if families have to pay $200 every month to access online assignments and online classes on snow days. The city should also compensate families like ours for the thousands of dollars we spent on internet access and devices for remote learning over the last year. Many of us have taken on debt and gone without necessities because of the money we had to spend to access our childrens education.
In her show, Jordana described Dick as struggling with drug and alcohol abuse recently. She said he was evicted from his residence and at one point asked her for $87 to help pay for lunch.
This is a blow not just to Bill Cosbys victims, but to all women who stand up to their persecutors, womens rights attorney Dr. Ann Olivarius said. Time and again women who are victimized are dismissed and belittled. To be told even after sentencing that Cosbys crimes were not crimes is a double whammy. The law should work for women.
The plaintiff said that when she was 4 years old, she met Massey and kept a relationship with him in the hopes of pursuing an acting career. In November of 2018, the girl reached out to Massey about auditioning in a role for a reboot of Cory in the House. In that conversation, Massey was allegedly made aware that she was just in eight grade.
The short marks the second collaboration between The Simpsons and Disneys larger franchises, following Maggie Simpson in The Force Awakens from Its Nap last month.
Im the straight man, Rileys the clown  like a Lucy and Ethel, Paige said. I had these moments where I felt like I wanted to go crazier or harder or be more whatever and Janiczas like, Its really important that like, theres just a subtlety and a quiet power that I need you to have in order for the buffoonery to work. 
In 2015, Duggar, now 33, was accused by multiple women of molesting them years before when he was a teenager. He apologized for his wrongdoing after a 2006 police report revealed that he had been investigated as a teen for inappropriately touching five underage girls. His sisters Jill and Jessa, later stepped forward as two of the victims.
To take part in the FHFC program, for example, landlords had to waive late fees and agree not to raise rent through January 2021, while also pledging not to refuse lease renewals for tenants who fell behind on rent or report them to credit agencies. They also had to agree not to initiate any new eviction filings and suspend any pending evictions for a period of time.
Orange County took the top spot for most warnings and other complaints in Central Florida with 22. Brevard County placed second with six. Seminole had zero, Lake had one, and Osceola had one complaint. Warnings given with required follow-up inspections could lead to a business being shut down if problems remain.
Two policing and use-of-force experts directly questioned the tactics used and the need for lethal force in the fatal deputy shooting of Salaythis Melvin last month outside of the Florida Mall  one of them going so far to call it a terrible shooting  while two other experts were more hesitant to criticize the case because of the gun found on Melvin, though they noted there were many concerning elements.
Gafford is listed as a sexual predator on the Florida sex offender registry, according to the Florida Department of Law Enforcement. He was convicted of sexual battery in Miami-Dade County in 2001, records show.
The district proposed that all teachers receive $2,000 in supplements, which though one-time payments do count toward retirement benefits. They also want everyone to get a $1,000 bonus, some paid by OCPS and others by the state. All teachers also would receive a $25 cost of living increase, its proposal said, with effective teachers getting an additional $100 raise and highly effective teachers getting an additional $150.
Raising taxes on individuals and corporations in this manner will not move us forward as a state and as a nation. In fact, it would take us back to the disastrous economy of the 70s, when Washington  not workers  benefited. High tax rates shift profits toward the government and away from hard-working Floridians. When entrepreneurs are forced to ship more money to the government, it significantly limits their ability to create new jobs, increase wages, and develop innovative products or services.
Frederick Humphries, the former Florida A&M president who died last week, fought more battles for equality of opportunity than any Floridian has ever attempted (As president, he thought of the unthinkable, June 26). He refused to allow his students to feel like they were inferior to Ivy Leaguers and the children of privilege. Hundreds of his law school graduates are fanning out across the state. They pass the Florida Bar in numbers rivaling the University of Florida and Florida State, and many of them must rely on brains and hard work instead of the old-boy network.
The provision is part of HB 7051, which creates minimum training standards for the use of chokeholds, the use of force and de-escalation tactics, as well as the duty to intervene when another officer uses excessive force. Applicants for police jobs will now have to disclose whether they have a pending investigation against them or if they resigned from a prior law enforcement position.
Fireworks return from their pandemic-prompted hiatus at Disney World on July 1. Thats when Happily Ever After goes up at Magic Kingdom again, and Epcot Forever temporarily hits the World Showcase Lagoon. As of Oct. 1, Disney Worlds anniversary date, those parks will unveil two brand-new spectaculars: Disney Enchantment at Magic Kingdom and Harmonious at Epcot.
The line has estimated that because of its allowance of children on board, that it would have about 10% under the age of 12 on its vessels, which would not meet the CDCs threshold for vaccinations. Ships that do meet that threshold, such as Celebrity Edge, which already set sail with its first paying customers when it left Port Everglades last Saturday, do not need to perform a test sailing for the CDC.
They want everybody vaccinated and I think whats happened is as the cruise industry has started going back, the actual cruise guests want to sail with other vaccinated people at least in the first stages, Murray said. I think thats driving some of the process right now, the decision making and the good news is ... theyll have the crews all vaccinated before they get started so Im really happy that weve been able to assist.
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News and commentary on organized crime, street crime, white collar crime, cyber crime, sex crime, crime fiction, crime prevention, espionage and terrorism.
Welcome back pirates! As you make your return to campus The East Carolinian has created a forum that centers around topics within the community where readers can express their experiences and concerns. With the new guidelines set in place by East Carolina University do you feel as these precautions will keep you safe?

Survey
Nico Swart, the general manager of RBM, was killed in an ambush in May on his way to work

( ) said all mining and smelting operations at Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) in South Africa have been halted until further notice and the FTSE-100 company declared force majeure on customer contracts due to an escalation in the security situation at the operations.

"The safety of our people is our top priority, said Rio Tinto chief executive Minerals, Sinead Kaufman, in a short statement.

We continue to offer our full support to the investigating authorities and I would like to acknowledge the ongoing support of the regional and national governments and South African Police Service as we work together to ensure that we can safely resume operations."

There have been a number of violent incidents at RBM, South Africas largest mineral sands producer, over the years. Nico Swart, the general manager of RBM, was killed in an ambush in May on his way to work.

Operations were halted twice in 2018 due to violent protests by contractors, and in late 2019 the Anglo-Australian miner was forced to curtail operations again due to escalating violence in the communities surrounding the operations and after a RBM employee was shot and seriously injured.

The Zulti South project has remained on full suspension since the security and community issues in 2019.

Rio Tinto holds a 74% stake in RBM. In April 2019, the FTSE 100 company agreed to invest US$343mln, its portion of a US$463mln investment, to sustain RBMs current capacity and extend mine life.

RBM, located in the KwaZulu-Natal province, produces predominantly rutile, zircon, titania slag, titanium dioxide feedstock and high purity iron.
The work appears to have unlocked the potential of eight high-graded hydrocarbon reservoirs overlying the Cane Creek opportunity it was initially investigating. This could support 200 wells, giving a potential resource uplift of 125mln barrels of oil equivalent

The companys next steps will be to safely and responsibly drill the State 16-2LN-CC well to its targeted depth

Zephyr Energy PLC ( ) chief executive Colin Harrington said the company may have a wider viable development alternative to the natural fracture play on its flagship project in Utahs Paradox Basin.

His comment followed an in-depth geological analysis of results from the State 16-2 dual-use stratigraphic test well drilled earlier this year.

The work appears to have unlocked the potential of eight high-graded hydrocarbon reservoirs overlying the Cane Creek opportunity it was initially investigating.

The key to tapping their potential would be to develop them hydraulically stimulated resources rather than treating them as natural fracture plays as had been the working assumption before the assessment of the latest well data.

Zephyr believes there is the potential for up to 200 well locations across the eight overlying reservoirs identified.

That equates to a potential, net to the company, of up to an additional 125mln barrels of oil equivalent on a middle estimate (P50) of around 1bn barrels of hydrocarbons in place on the acreage.

But the Rocky Mountains oil and gas specialist went on to add: This estimate of the HSRP [hydraulically stimulated resource] potential is preliminary and highly dependent upon developing better understanding of each zone's reservoir pressure, fluid phase, geo-mechanical properties, permeability and a successful proof of concept hydraulic stimulation and production well.

The contingent resources are classified as 'development unclarified' and are risked for chance of development.

Still, CEO Harrington said he was encouraged by the data.

I am both cautiously optimistic and excited about our initial findings for the overlying reservoirs and the potential for substantially increased resources on the Paradox project, he told investors.

"The results suggest multiple viable scenarios for considerable upside - from the exploration potential of the overlying reservoirs to the hydraulic stimulation of targeted reservoirs, or from a combination of both.

"It's important to bear in mind that while the potential project upside is exciting, the Paradox Basin is an immature play with limited data when compared to offset Rocky Mountain basins, with the only notable production coming from the Cane Creek reservoir NFP and with only very limited prior testing of the HSRP.

That said, the knowledge gained from the development of other basins has the potential to be leveraged and applied in the Paradox, and we are very grateful to Premier for sharing their deep experience and expertise in relation to hydraulic stimulation. Recent advances in the technology and understanding of modern completion techniques may also prove beneficial to future development efforts.

The companys next steps will be to safely and responsibly drill the State 16-2LN-CC well to its targeted depth.

After that, it will obtain further log and geologic data, and test the well should efforts to target production prove successful.

"Given the substantial potential increase in project scale, the Board will also explore the possibility of a multiple well programme in the near-term, as additional drilling could serve to better define and unlock the significant potential value of this asset, Harrington added.

"Above all, Zephyr's Board will always approach the potential Paradox development in a prudent and measured way and only deploy the Company's capital when it sees favourable risk/reward conditions.
The oil producer will work with Causeway Geothermal to carry out tests and analyse the potential

Europa Oil & Gas PLC ( ) said it has entered a Memorandum of Understanding with Causeway Geothermal to assess the potential of the West Firsby oilfield as a geothermal test and commercial deployment site.

The agreement is to utilise existing infrastructure and wells for testing of geothermal solutions at West Firsby with the objective of developing, evaluating and refining elements of Causeways technology while also assessing the potential delivery of sources of heat from West Frisby.

The AIM-listed company said it is in line with its objective to participate actively in the national energy transition.

Located in the East Midlands, West Firsby is late in its productive life with nine wellbores and seven wellheads.

Over an expected two-year period, Causeway and Europa will further analyse the West Firsby dataset, including rock properties, temperature data and well data.

Causeway will also assess West Firsby 's potential for commercial deployment of geothermal at the site.

Teaming up with Causeway to evaluate the conversion of onshore legacy oilfields, such as West Firsby, into 100% clean, reliable, and cheap sources of electricity and heat by harnessing geothermal energy demonstrates our ambition to make a positive contribution to the ongoing energy transition, said Europas chief executive Simon Oddie.

Not only do we believe that the geology, dataset, and infrastructure at West Firsby make the field an ideal candidate for testing, but also that the expertise and skillset the Europa team have built up over decades of operating UK onshore fields are easily transferable to exploiting this clean source of energy.

Shares rose 4% to 1.28p on Wednesday at the opening bell.
The Kepez North area is 23.5% owned by Ariana Resources

( ) announced positive drilling results from the Kepez North area of the Kiziltepe gold-silver mine in western Turkey.

Infill drilling results from the Kepez North vein include: 2.70 metres at 15.26 grammes a tonne (g/t) gold and 90.7g/t silver; 2.60m at 5.75g/t gold and 9.2g/t silver; and 6.05m at 2.34g/t gold and 22.5g/t silver.

New intercepts from surface for the Kepez North scree returned: 4.5m at 10.21g/t gold and 133.8g/t silver, 4.0m at 8.26g/t gold and 107.3g/t silver; and 1.5m at 5.02g/t gold and 51.0g/t silver.

"The Kepez area has always been an enigmatic jewel in the portfolio, said managing director Dr. Kerim Sener.

This new data will lead to a revised resource estimate for Kepez, which now shows the potential for a significant grade boost. The fact that most of the high-grade mineralisation is directly accessible from surface to a depth of about 70m, suggests that the majority of the resource is likely to convert to mining reserves.

Kepez North is 23.5% owned by Ariana.

Sener said the joint venture is looking at ways to expedite the mining of this area.

On the corporate front, Ariana announced yesterday that a second court hearing on its proposed capital reduction plan has been completed as expected.,

A further update on the company's dividend policy will be provided in July, it said.

The proposed capital reorganisation, announced February 8, will enable the company to pay a special dividend following completion of the joint venture with Ozaltin Holding and Proccea Construction Co.
FTSE 100 resisted the Coming Home euphoria after Englands win over Germany, instead focusing on more routine issues such as Fridays US jobs data. Londons blue-chip index dropped 13 to 7,074.

Dixons Carphone sales were kept afloat last year by a boom in computers games and laptops. Revenues rose 2% even though shops were shut during lockdown as online electrical sales jumped by more than 100%.

( ) has halted all mining and smelting operations at its Richards Bay Minerals facility in South Africa due to an escalation in the security situation at the site. Nico Swart, the sites general manager, was killed in an ambush in May on his way to work.

Criminals have stolen 27bn from the UK governments Covid-19 business support loan scheme, MPs have claimed. Between 35-60% of loans may not be repaid because of fraud or credit issues, the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) said in a report.

Among the small caps, Europa Oil & Gas PLC ( ) will work with Causeway Geothermal to analyse the West Firsby oilfield. The pair will explore whether it can be converted to geothermal energy production.

( ) expects to generate significant revenues in the next six months thanks to partnership deals. The esports team organisation reckons it will reach a 1mln subscribed fanbase.

( ) is trading in line with expectations. The recent acquisitions, Businesswise Solutions and General Energy Management, are bedding into the consultancy group well.
Europa Oil & Gas Holdings PLC's ( ) Simon Oddie speaks to Proactive London's Katie Pilbeam about entering into a Memorandum of Understanding with Causeway Geothermal to assess the potential of the West Firsby oilfield as a geothermal test and commercial deployment site.

Oddie also takes the time to explain the Wressle Field update to investors which is now delayed but he looks forward to the upcoming commencement of the proppant squeeze operation at the Wressle-1 well.
The backing of the UK government gives a copper-bottom guarantee

Two tranches of green bonds are expected to be issued in 2021-22

Savers are to be given an opportunity to invest in Britains zero-carbon economy plans through a huge issue of so-called green bonds.

Rishi Sunak will use a speech in the City this week to announce details of the 15bn bond plan, which will be issued by NS&I, the organisation behind premium bonds.

The chancellor flagged the bond issue in the Spring Budget in March and two tranches of green bonds are expected to be issued in 2021-22, The Times reported, the first of which is likely to be worth about 7bn.

Money from the bonds will be directed towards wind, hydrogen and solar power projects.

Other countries, notably Sweden and Germany have already issued green bonds, but the UKs plan is expected to be larger than both.

How popular they prove will depend on the rate of interest, said analysts, but the backing of the UK government will give a copper-bottom guarantee over their safety that is likely to prove popular.

NS&I caused howls of protest when it slashed the rate of interest of its bonds last year, suggesting there is pent-up demand, while savings have been piling up in bank accounts as people have curbed spending during the pandemic.

According to the , savings have risen by 180bn with people still cautious enough over recovery to keep money back in the event the worst happens.

The best rate on an NS&I account currently is 0.15% with income bonds paying just 0.01%.

Boris Johnson is under pressure to deliver on promises made to improve the UKs green credentials, especially with Glasgow hosting the climate summit COP26 in November.

There has been some movement on new projects. Nissan is expected to announce a new electric vehicle battery gigafactory in Sunderland tomorrow that will have government backing worth hundreds of millions of pounds.

Vauxhall, meanwhile, told Sky News that the UK government needs to back up its commitment to switch to electric vehicles with financial backing to build gigafactories.

The French-owned carmaker is in talks with the government about a new plant at its Ellesmere Port site, near Liverpool.

RBC Capital, meanwhile, said it expects there to be strong pension fund demand for any green gilts issued by the UK government.

UK pension schemes invest in gilts to match the offsetting outflows from pension payments made from the scheme and currently, alongside insurers, hold one-third of all gilt issuance, said the broker.

With 2 trillion of assets under management, the UK government also views UK defined benefit pension schemes as an important source in progressing the UK economy towards its goals.

We see a surge for ESG versions of current assets, including demand for green sovereign bonds which exist but have yet to be issued in the UK. We expect schemes gilt ownership to continue to grow as the DB market is still 15 years from its peak.
Here we provide an intro to antibody-drug conjugates, the latest weapon in the fight against cancer

ADC? ABC, surely?

Nope. The latest advance in cancer treatment, actually. Antibody-drug conjugates; heard of them?

Not a Scooby

Well, let me give you the sciency exposition. Then Ill provide the laypersons commentary.

Here we go: Antibody-drug conjugates or ADCs are highly targeted biopharmaceutical drugs that combine monoclonal antibodies specific to surface antigens present on particular tumour cells with highly potent anti-cancer agents linked via a chemical linker.

Erm, thanks

Okay, the above comes from the ADC Review and its the LEAST jargon-filled definition we could find.

Heres how I might explain ADCs over a quiet G&T:

Key to the technology is a chemical linker used to attach a cancer cell killing small molecule drug called a cytotoxin to the larger antibody that has been selected to target the particular form of cancer being treated.

So, if the traditional monoclonal antibody drugs used to treat cancer are the bouncing bombs used by the Dam Busters in the Second World War (effective up to a point), ADCs are state-of-the-art missiles that find the exact target with the correct explosive payload.

Tell me more

There are 10 ADCs currently commercially available making up a market worth US$3bn today. That figure looks set to rise to US$15bn on a risk-adjusted basis by 2025, according to the German investment bank Berenberg, and US$28bn by 2030.

Wow. Anyone we know involved?

The big winners in the market are likely to Lonza Group (SWX:LONN), which currently manufactures around half the approved ADC-based products, and ( ).

What do the Citys financial wonks think?

Key features of ADCs include the ability to use highly potent payload and bystander effect, the ability to kill neighbouring cancer cells regardless of target expression, Berenberg said in a recent note to clients.

We believe these features provide a unique advantage for late-stage, heterogeneous solid tumours that are difficult to treat using other drug modalities.

Enhertu and Trodelvy  two of the new, targeted drugs  have shown impressive efficacy in third-line breast cancer, the German bank pointed out.

The latter is a Gilead product while the former is from the AZ stable (in partnership with Daiichi Sankyo). Berenberg expects upcoming trial results in the coming months to open a US$2bn market for Enhertu.
'ThemeBot' will not be working alone, however, with each stock it chooses then being analysed by a large research team

JP Morgan is launching a climate change fund that uses artificial intelligence to pick which stocks it invests in.

Using natural language processing allows JPM's ThemeBot AI tool to process hundreds of millions of news articles, research notes, regulatory filings and company profiles to identify companies that are focusing on the low-carbon transition.

ThemeBot will not be working alone, however, with each stock it chooses then being analysed by a 90-strong research team who will mull the investment case before fund managers Francesco Conte, Yazann Romahi and Sara Bellenda make the final selection to build a portfolio of 50 to 100 companies.

Called the JPM Climate Change Solutions Fund and charging a fee of 0.70%, it is JP Morgan Asset Managements first thematic fund in the UK and is being accompanied by two more funds, UK Sustainable Equity and Global Sustainable Equity, with fees at 0.75% and 0.70%.

Also this week, rival US giant Investment Management yesterday launched a sustainability-focused open-ended fund in the UK, the Global Balanced Sustainable Fund.

It invests in a multi-asset portfolio and adopts a "multi-dimensional approach to sustainable investing with the purpose of generating positive environmental and social impacts as well as generating financial return", investing in companies that contribute to the realisation of a low-carbon economy with a goal of decarbonising the portfolios core share exposure according to the 1.5C Paris Agreement goal, targeting net zero by 2050.
The companys graphene oxide battery ink cells could be used to power a range of evolving Internet of Things tech, especially in the wearables market, where theres growing demand for smaller, more powerful batteries that can go the distance.

The moisture-powered battery cells can be printed on surfaces like glass or plastic.

Strategic Elements Ltd (ASX:SOR) has achieved a critical development milestone, using its moisture-powered battery to charge a Bluetooth sensor device.

The tech-centric venture builder is working to create extremely small, thin and lightweight battery ink cells that can be printed on glass or plastic and self-charge as they detect humidity in the air or on a wearers skin.

Now, those batter cells have successfully powered a Internet of Things (IoT) sensor kit with temperature and humidity sensors and Bluetooth connectivity.

SORs battery ink cells generated power over a five-hour testing period, facilitating a real-time temperature and humidity data capture and transmitting the information to a laptop via Bluetooth with a seven-second sampling rate.

While the tech is still in the development stage, Strategic Elements is preparing prototypes for further testing in the coming quarter.

Potential game-changer for IoT

Broadly speaking, a printable, self-charging battery cell could support a range of IoT-connected devices with Bluetooth connectivity, but theres one industry in particular where this tech could come to the fore.

As the world of wearable tech  think smartwatches, smart glasses and even GPS shoes  begins to evolve, so too do the batteries used to power the devices.

A Grand View Research report valued the wearable tech market at US$32.63 billion in 2019. However, with a compound annual growth rate of 15.9%, that figure is set to dramatically increase by 2027.

With the growing popularity of the IoT market-leading smart devices to become increasingly connected, theres pressure for wearable tech to have significant, long-lasting battery power.

But because the tech needs to be portable, theres also a need for that power source to be smaller and more innovative than before.

Enter SORs solution: graphene-oxide based battery ink cells.

Batteries, but not as you know them

The battery iteration uses readily available materials  namely graphene oxide and humidity  to power itself, making it a more environmentally friendly alternative to conventional lithium and coin cells.

The minuscule battery ink cells can be printed on a wide range of surfaces and are able to self-charge by generating electricity from humidity found in the air or on skin.

Currently, Strategic Elements is scaling down the battery ink cell size, meaning more batteries can be assembled in the same area to increase power output.

The company hopes to finalise the development and testing of a prototype battery ink formulated for screen printing over the next few weeks.

In addition to this, SOR is working on a battery pack that can generate more than a milliamp of electrical current. A prototype is anticipated around the middle of 2021s third quarter.

Strategic collaborations

To create the self-charging battery, Strategic Elements partnered with the University of New South Wales in July last year, with the Australian Research Council has partially funded the collaboration.

As a Pooled Development Fund, mandated to back Australian innovation, SOR is invested in developing a suite of tech-centric solutions.

The company is currently working alongside giant US Fortune 100 Company to build autonomous robotic security vehicles for the correctional justice sector.

It has also teamed up with the CSIRO and has licensed world-leading CSIRO technology that enables robots to work together in teams.
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FYI Resources (ASX:FYI) is strategically focused on potash exploration and development in Thailand.

FYI Resources high purity alumina project awarded national Major Project Status

FYI Resources Ltd's (ASX:FYI) (OTCMKTS:FYIRF) (FRA:SDL) $269 million high purity alumina (HPA) project has secured Major Project Status and been endorsed as a project of national significance by the Australian Federal Government.

Major Project Status helps companies access extra support, coordination and information services from the Major Projects Facilitation Agency, which acts as a single entry point into the Australian Government regulatory approvals pathway.

The award also opens doors to prospective financing support and provides additional confidence for stakeholders and financers who are invested in the HPA play's development.

Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Christian Porter, approved the WA-based HPA asset's Major Project Status designation.

Investors responded positively to today's award, with FYI shares trading 7.7% higher at 55.5 cents just before market close on Tuesday.
Polymetals Resources Ltd (ASX:POL) is focused on acquiring and then proceeding to explore and develop gold projects in Guinea, West Africa.

Polymetals Resources debuts on ASX, focusing on West African gold projects

Polymetals Resources Ltd (ASX:POL) has officially landed on the ASX, closing out its first day of trading at 15 cents per share.

The company is focused on its portfolio of gold projects in Guinea, West Africa, which includes its subsidiary Golden Guinea Resources SARL's two exploration licences within the Siguiri Basin.

It was admitted to the quotation after raising $5.2 million in the IPO, selling 26 million shares at 20 cents a pop; it has 79.44 million shares with a market cap of $15.9 million and an enterprise value of $10.7 million.



First day on the boards

Polymetals CEO Alex Hanly said the company was delighted with its first day on the ASX.

"Today's ASX listing marks a pivotal moment for Polymetals and a step forward in becoming a leading gold producer," he told Proactive.

"Our licences are strategically positioned within Guinea's underexplored Birimian Greenstone Belt which holds substantial geological potential for the delineation of a large gold inventory.

"I am pleased to report that we have commenced our planned RC 5,100-metre drilling campaign at Alahine, one of our licences, to follow up the many soil gold anomalies and mineralised drill intercepts defined by our previous exploration.

"We were very pleased about the positive response we received to our IPO from a mix of institutional, sophisticated and retail investors.

"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."
Aiming to be a Top Tier gold explorer

Working in highly favorable mining jurisdictions

Johnson Tract asset is very high grade and akin to advanced-stage discovery

What Mining does:

Mining Inc ( ) ( ) has two wholly-owned projects, which are found in the well-established mining jurisdictions of Alaska and Timmins, Ontario, while anagement has a track record of finding, growing, and advancing resources.

The company is a spin-out of the gold assets of Constantine Metal Resources and its shares began trading on Toronto's Venture exchange in September, 2019. Shares also began trading in January, 2020 on the US over-the-counter market.

's flagship asset is the high-grade, polymetallic Johnson Tract gold project in southcentral Alaska, which was acquired as part of a lease agreement with CIRI, a native Alaskan firm. is targeting a potential multi-million ounce, multi-deposit system.

in 2020, published an NI 43 101 maiden resource for Johnson Tract which positioned the property as among the highest-grade undeveloped gold projects in North America. Notably, it is open for expansion. The higher confidence Indicated resource was put at 2.1 million tons grading an impressive 10.9 grams per tonne (g/t) gold for 750,000 gold equivalent ounces.

The Inferred resource was pegged at 600,000 tons of 7.2 g/t for 134,000 gold equivalent ounces. Notably, nearly 80% of the total resource tonnage is in the Indicated category, including 85% of the total gold equivalent ounces.

Under the lease deal, must pay US$10 million over 10 years with a minimum of US$7.5 million payable in the first six years. Upon completing a feasibility study and a positive decision to construct a mine, CIRI has a one-time buy back-in right to a 25% participating interest.

Elsewhere, at the famous 100-plus million ounce Timmins gold mining camp in Canada, has a strategic footprint of 200 square kilometres (km) in an area along the Porcupine-Destor Fault, which has generated over 110 million ounces. The firm wants to apply new exploration ideas to a mature district.

Its main Munro Croesus property area in Timmins now spans 32 square kilometres, or 3,187 hectares, and includes the past-producing Croesus mine that yielded some of the highest grade gold mined in Ontario.

The company's Golden Mile property covers 8,600 hectares on the Pipestone Fault System and lies 9km from Newmont's multi-million-ounce Hoyle Pond deposit, while its Golden Perimeter property covers around 12,000 hectares and played host to around 10,000 meters (m) of past drilling in the 1980s.

How is it doing:

It's been a busy 2021 for so far. On June 23, it announced it had increased the size of its planned drill program at Johnson Tract (JT) to 20,000 meters (m), a 25% uptick from the previously planned 16,000m.

This will be the largest exploration effort in the flagship projects history, the company noted.

The ultimate goal of the 2021 program will be to increase the JT deposit and make new discoveries within the Johnson district. There will also be an emphasis on definition drilling and metallurgical work as part of a future resource update. It said 50% -70% of its current efforts will be on the JT deposit area, and the remaining 30% -50% on other regional prospects.

will also target the Footwall copper zone with step-outs, the GAP target northeast of the JT deposit and the New 2020 VMS zone, which returned positive intercepts last year. Additionally, several prospect zones will be tested, including DC, Milkbone and Kona.

The expansion and ongoing exploration will be funded from the C$1.9 million it recently received from the exercise of 2,709,027 warrants held by key strategic shareholders.

In March this year, said it had reached a 'turning point' after drilling at its Northeast Offset (NEO) target at Johnson Tract, had shown the area to be a distinct mineralized zone separate from the JT deposit.

The NEO target lies between 500 and 800 meters to the northeast of the JT deposit. Two holes were sunk there, which showed, significantly new VMS-style mineralization in one, with highlights including 7.8 meters (m) at 6.1% zinc, 1.6% lead, 0.2% copper, 0.7 g/t gold and 36 g/t silver.

HighGold said it now recognized that the mineralization is far more widespread between the JT deposit and the NEO target within the prospective Dacite Tuff stratigraphy than had been previously understood.

Also in March, HighGold revealed it planned to systematically explore and generate multiple drill targets at its Munro-Croesus gold project in Timmins, Ontario, having consolidated its ground, such that its asset area now spans 32 square kilometres or 3,187 hectares.

And in June this year, the company said it had struck an exploration agreement with the Matachewan First Nation and Mattagami First Nation in the Timmins area in a bid to promote a cooperative, collaborative and mutually respectful relationship for HighGolds exploration activities in areas where the two First Nations members exercise aboriginal rights.

Inflection points:

More exploration results from Johnson Tract, Alaska

Exploration at assets in Ontario

Precious metals moves

What the boss says:

HighGold Mining's CEO Darwin Green spoke to Proactive's Steve Darling following news of the 25% increase to its planned drill program at the Johnson Tract project to 20,000 metres (m).

"We've got a great deposit, it's open to expansion. We're going to keep stepping out on that and growing that with an objective of generating an updated mineral resource at the end of this season's drilling so that will probably come out early in 2022. But in concert with that, we will also be testing other prospects on the property. One of the really neat aspects about Johnson is that the deposit itself clearly sits within a very big, multi-kilometre scale system, he said.

Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com.
Strategy to acquire, license, and commercialize high-quality products

Experienced management team with relationships with key industry leaders

A large product portfolio

What Valeo Pharma does:

Valeo Pharma Inc ( ) ( ) (FRA:VP2), based in Kirkland, Quebec, was founded in 2003 and aims to be a leading Canadian specialty pharma group.

Initially, it specialized in dermatology but divested its skin portfolio in 2014. It is now focused on the commercialization of innovative prescription products in Canada, particularly in respiratory, neurology, oncology, and hospital specialty products.

Through acquisitions, in-licensing and selective product development, the company has brought over 20 products to the market.

Its experienced management has a proven track record of successfully sourcing, developing, and commercializing drugs in a variety of therapeutic areas at all stages of the life cycle in Canada. The firm also aims to be the partner of choice for international companies wishing to enter the Canadian market.

How is it doing:

On April 15, 2021, Valeo announced it had started commercial shipments across Canada of Redesca and Redesca HP, its low molecular weight heparin (LMWH) biosimilar.

LMWHs are injectable anticoagulant drugs used primarily to treat and prevent deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

And on June 22, the company revealed it had now commercially launched its two Health Canada-approved asthma drugs, Enerzair Breezhaler and Atectura Breezhaler, across the country. The rollout should immediately impact its financial performance and accelerate it in fiscal quarters to come.

The company had earlier announced that it had struck a deal with Novartis Pharmaceuticals to commercialize the two therapies.

Under the agreement, Valeo will be responsible for medical and commercial activities for Enerzair Breezhaler and Atectura Breezhaler for an initial eight years, positioning it as one of the leading Canadian respiratory companies.

And on June 30, Valeo reported record revenue in its second quarter, thanks to new product launches, and said it expected the strong momentum to continue into the third quarter.

For the three months to April 30, revenue came in at C$2.65 million, up 27% from the C$2.1 million seen in the same quarter a year earlier, and up 42% from its first fiscal quarter of 2021.

Valeo noted that the products launched over the past year represented 25% of its 2Q net revenues and included revenues from Yondelis, Ametop Gel and anticoagulant Redesca, which was launched in the final weeks of the quarter but still generated "meaningful revenues."

Also in the 2Q, the company upsized and closed a C$6.645 million private placing of non-convertible debenture units, issuing 11.5 million units at C$1.00 each for gross proceeds of C$11.5 million, including the full exercise of the over-allotment option.

The net loss for the 2Q came in at C$1.9 million, up from a loss of C$0.9 million for the quarter to April 30, 2020.

The increase was put down to increased costs as Valeo implemented its new commercial structure to expand its commercial pipeline including the three transformative products - Redesca and Enerzair Breezhaler and Atectura Breezhaler.

The results were also impacted by share-based compensation expenses as Valeo added more senior staff required to position Valeo for revenue growth in 2021 and beyond, it had said.

In April this year, Valeo Pharma revealed that it has entered into a Product Listing Agreement (PLA) with the executive officer of the Ontario Public Drug Program for the listing of Redesca and Redesca HP on the Ontario Drug Benefit Formulary with effect from April 30.

The same month, the company said it had completed its negotiations and entered into a letter of intent (LOI) with the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance (pCPA) regarding Redesca and Redesca HP.

Established in August 2010, Valeo noted that the pan-Canadian Pharmaceutical Alliance conducts joint provincial/territorial/federal negotiations for brand name and generic drugs in Canada to achieve greater value for publicly funded drug programs and patients through the use of the combined negotiating power of participating jurisdictions.

Finally, in January this year, Valeo named seasoned executive Frederic Fasano as its president and chief operating officer (COO), a newly created role.

Fasano has over 25 years of experience in managing strategic affiliates in Canada, Europe, and Latin America, and before joining Valeo, he was president and CEO of Servier Canada, a fully integrated affiliate of Servier Group - the independent, international, and independent pharma group.

Inflection points:

Next set of financials

More products commercialized

More on sales efforts

What the boss says:

In the statement accompanying the 2Q numbers, CEO Steve Saviuk told investors: "Our record second quarter revenues saw growth coming from our existing portfolio along with the first indication of the material impact that our three important product launches will bring.

"Redesca was launched at the end of the second quarter and has quickly become our best-selling product with sales expected to accelerate for quarters to come. Subsequent to the quarter end, we launched Enerzair Breezhaler and Atectura Breezhaler, two innovative asthma therapies.

"As a result of these launches, we expect third quarter revenues to expand by more than 50% over our second quarter.

"Public and Private reimbursement coverage for Redesca, Enerzair and Atectura is on track and is a key component to ensure patients have access to these important medications.

"We are making significant additions to our corporate and commercial structure in order to accelerate our growth and properly support the potential of our world class products. With senior talent joining our leadership team and the expansion of our medical and field commercial teams, Valeo is fast positioning itself as a Canadian leader in our defined therapeutic areas."

Contact the author at giles@proactiveinvestors.com
The proceeds from the placement will be used to expand and accelerate exploration activities at the Cape Ray Gold Project in Newfoundland, Canada.

The issue price of A$0.56 per share represents a 28% premium to the last closing price of Matador.

( ) ( ) (FSE:MA3) has raised A$16 million through the placement of 28.5 million shares at a price of A$0.56 per share.

The issue price of 56 cents per share represents a 27.3% premium to the last closing price of Matador shares on June 24, 2021, of 44 cents per share and a 16.7% premium to the 10-day volume-weighted average price of 48 cents per share.

Matador was able to issue shares at a premium as the new shares were issued under the Canadian flow-through share regimes, which provides tax incentives to eligible investors.

The placement witnessed strong demand from both international as well as Australian institutional investors.

Matadors shares rose as much as 13.7% on Wednesday to touch an intra-day high of 50 cents in early trade.

Use of funds

The company plans to use proceeds from the placement for accelerating exploration activities at the Cape Ray Gold project including:

Increasing diamond drilling from 20,000 metres to 45,000 metres;

Increasing power auger drilling from three rigs to five rigs;

Expanding Heli-mag program from the previous 40 kilometres to 80 kilometres of the strike;

Inaugurating winter exploration program; and

Pre-Feasibility Study and permitting activities.

Support for our exploration strategy

Matador executive chairman Ian Murray said: I would like to thank both new and existing shareholders for their strong support in this Placement.

To have such strong demand highlights the market support for our exploration strategy to systematically test the potential of our Cape Ray Gold Project, in Newfoundland, Canada.

These additional funds now mean that we can materially accelerate our work program, with the aim of advancing the timing of new discoveries.

I would also like to thank Matadors corporate and finance team for working tirelessly behind the scenes to complete the Placement.

Being able to achieve this is a great result for all shareholders as we reduce dilution whilst also raising additional funds.

Flow-through shares

The new shares issued at a premium price are referred to as flow-through shares under the Income Tax Act (Canada), facilitated by Canadian leading flow-through share dealer, Peartree Securities Inc.

The term flow-through share refers to shares issued by a company to an investor under a written agreement with the investor, whereby the company agrees to incur flow-through mining expenditure and to renounce tax deductions associated with those expenditures to the investor.

If the company and the investor comply with the rules of the act, the investors are entitled to a tax deduction and as a result, the flow-through shares are issued at a higher price.
It is the first offtake agreement of its kind for ioneer and means the company will supply lithium carbonate from its Rhyolite Ridge Project, the only known lithium-boron deposit in North America, once it reaches production in a few years.

ioneer is gearing up to supply lithium carbonate from its Rhyolite Ridge project to the subsidiary of a South Korean battery maker.

ioneer Ltd (ASX:INR) ( ) (FRA:4G1) has inked its first binding offtake supply agreement with EcoPro Innovation Co Ltd, a subsidiary of a South Korean battery maker and the worlds second-largest nickel-cobalt-aluminium oxide (NCA) cathode materials manufacturer.

The offtake deal has a three-year term, over which the ASX-listed lithium-boron developer will provide EcoPro Innovation with lithium carbonate from its Rhyolite Ridge project in Nevada, USA.

Across the contracts lifespan, ioneer is poised to supply its offtake partner with between 2,000 tonnes and 7,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate per annum from what it describes as the most advanced lithium development project in the US.

Overall, the offtake agreement should account for as much as 34% of ioneers annual lithium carbonate output over the first three years of production.

All that remains is for ioneer to reach a final investment decision for the offtake deal to go ahead.

Shares have been as much as 9% higher to A$0.37 while the company's market cap at the start of the day's trading was approximately A$644.9 million.

Valuable agreement with world leader"

ioneer managing director Bernard Rowe said: The agreement with EcoPro marks a significant milestone for ioneer and will be a valuable partnership.

It is our first lithium offtake agreement and partnering with a recognised world leader in cathode materials manufacturing is a testament to the quality of our lithium carbonate.

Following a pilot plant tour in mid-2019 and detailed testing of our product samples, we are pleased that EcoPro found that our materials meet its exacting standards and determined that ioneer was the right partner to support EcoPros strategy for producing battery-grade lithium hydroxide.

Equally important is ioneer and EcoPros shared focus on sustainability. EcoPro is committed to the production of technologies that reduce emissions, and ioneer is empowering EcoPro through the production of these critical minerals with a significantly lower carbon footprint.

The offtake agreement

Breaking it down, EcoPro is required to offtake at least 2,000 tonnes of lithium carbonate per annum from Rhyolite Ridge, with an additional and optional 5,000 tonnes per annum subject to both parties reaching a mutual agreement no later than 2022s first quarter.

Offtake pricing will be adjusted quarterly and calculated in US dollars per tonne, based on a price formula agreed to by both companies.

Once Rhyolite Ridge comes into production, ioneer is expected to produce an annual average of around 20,600 tonnes of lithium carbonate, or approximately 22,000 tonnes of lithium hydroxide, along with approximately 174,400 tonnes of boric acid per year over the 26-year mine life.

ioneer hopes to kick off production at the lithium-boron asset in 2023.

Todays binding deal follows an initial offtake agreement and two sales and distribution agreements inked for boric acid production, representing 100% of offtake in year one and more than 85% of boric acid production in years two and three.

EcoPro Innovation president Anthony Kim said: As a trusted and respected company that seeks to improve the quality of life for mankind, we are pleased to partner with ioneer, who share a similar vision.

ioneers lithium carbonate is well suited for conversion to high purity lithium hydroxide with a minimal environmental footprint. The US location of Rhyolite Ridge, coupled with the growing importance of the electric vehicle sector, positions both companies to play an important role in the electrification of transportation in the USA.
The company said the added day will help enhance the outreach to its growing plant-based community

PlantX's Canadian meal delivery service allows customers to order either a three or five days worth of nutritionally-balanced meals

PlantX Life Inc ( ) (OTCQB:PLTXF) ( ) said it has expanded its Canadian meal delivery vertical with the addition of a second shipping day each week.

The company said the added day will help enhance the outreach to its growing plant-based community.

Through its partnership with UpMeals, a Vancouver-based food technology company that provides prepared meals, PlantX's Canadian meal delivery service allows customers to order either three or five days worth of nutritionally-balanced meals.

The second delivery day will apply to the set and forget subscription-based meal program, with meals now being shipped across Canada twice a week.

"Having easy access to healthy, nutritious and fresh meals has never been more relevant and in demand," Julia Frank CEO at PlantX said in a statement. "After the challenging year that we experienced as individuals and as a global community, it is time to slowly recover and enjoy a summer with fewer restrictions, while eating well and feeling amazing and healthy. By increasing access to the PlantX home-delivered meals, we hope to meet our customers' culinary needs and enhance their health and wellbeing throughout this transition period and beyond."

Drew Munro co-founder and CEO of UpMeals also offered his commentary on the increased shipping schedule.

"We are thrilled to see demand for our fresh, healthy and delicious plant-based meals from PlantX customers," he said. "Through our innovative platform, UpMeals produces fresh meals for door-to-door delivery through overnight express shipping so PlantX customers can enjoy healthy meals, entrees and snacks."

Earlier this week, PlantX completed the acquisition of certain assets of Liv Marketplace LLC in a US$3.25 million cash and stock transaction conducted via its wholly-owned New Deli Hillcrest LLC subsidiary.

California-based Liv Marketplace is the exclusive online fulfillment partner and retail distributor of PlantX products within the US and is responsible for building and operating PlantX's 4,515 square foot brick-and-mortar retail store in San Diego.

Contact the writer at georgia@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter @MissInformd
The healthcare firm acquired or closed the acquisitions of seven new clinics over the three-month period ended April 30, 2021

Jack Nathan Health currently has 76 operating clinics in Walmart Canada, and will be opening three additional clinics by late 2021 and early 2022

Jack Nathan Medical Corp ( ) ( ) ( ) saw its revenue rise by 26% to C$1.3 million in its fiscal first-quarter 2022 thanks to new clinics and expanded operations in Canada and Mexico.

The healthcare firm acquired or closed the acquisitions of seven new clinics over the three-month period ended April 30, 2021, including two MediSpas and four operational medical clinics in Ontario Walmart stores.

The firm also inked a deal in March for a flagship 8,200 square foot clinic in Ontario  its largest facility in the Jack Nathan Health Walmart network to date.

As a result of the acquisitions and staffing of its new clinics in Mexico, the company saw its operating expenses rise to $2.8 million compared to $0.8 million and reported an adjusted EBITDA loss of $0.5 million.

The company said, however, that it expects higher revenues in future periods as it boosts its service offerings, increases its footprint and reopens locations closed as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

Jack Nathan interim CEO Michael Marchelletta told investors that the company made significant progress executing its strategy and building a strong foundation to support future growth.

While first-quarter revenues grew over the comparable fiscal 2021 period, the rate of growth was slower than anticipated due to the global pandemic, provincial constraints in Canada, and the timing of acquisitions, Marchelletta said in a statement.

We are active with multiple acquisition opportunities and new business ventures, which could further extend our reach into new markets and geographies. Additionally, we have begun to own and operate clinics in Canada, as this model significantly improves our financial performance and enables us to provide better access to standardized, comprehensive, high-quality healthcare under one roof at Walmart locations," he added.

The group currently has 76 operating clinics in Walmart Canada, and will be opening three additional clinics by late 2021 and early 2022.

Marchelletta noted that the company has big expansion plans with Walmart Mexico: In the beginning of 2021, we had six locations and now have 52 that are operational and corporate-owned. We will be opening 151 new clinics over the next six months, bringing the total number in Mexico to 203. This will transform our business and should lead to top and bottom-line improvements in fiscal 2022 and beyond.

Jack Nathan ended the quarter with a cash balance of $6.3 million.

Contact Angela at angela@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow her on Twitter @AHarmantas
The demonstration will be held in the Whistler, British Columbia area during the afternoon of July 9

The LEC system is the world's first cartridge-based non-lethal firing system for public order, military and law enforcement training, personal defence, and high-action gaming

Micro Systems Inc ( ) ( ) has announced that it will hold the first-ever live demonstration of its Low Energy Cartridge (LEC) system.

In a statement, the company said the demonstration will be held in the Whistler, British Columbia area during the afternoon of July 9 with Executive Chairman David Luxton and the CEO Jeff MacLeod in attendance.

The LEC system is the world's first cartridge-based non-lethal firing system with universal application across four market segments that currently use a variety of dated "non-lethal" or "less-lethal" solutions.

READ: KWESST Micro Systems extends investor relations agreement with US-based Emerging Markets Consulting

These segments include public order (riots and control of dangerous subjects), military and law enforcement training (realistic force-on-force training), personal defence (home, car, boat, RV, camping, hiking), and high-action gaming.

KWESST also announced that Luxton will be a presenter at the 11th Annual Whistler Capital Conference organized by Capital Event Management which takes place in Whistler from July 9 and 11. The conference introduces growth-stage companies to active top-level capital finance individuals through a day of scheduled one-on-one meetings and networking activities.

As for the live demo event that is not open to the general public, investors who wish to attend are invited to send an email to: investors@kwesst.com. Please note that capacity at the demonstration site is very limited. A video of the event is expected to be posted on the company's website during the week of July 12.

Based in Ottawa, KWESST is a leader in advancing the modern networked capability of soldiers and responders with niche applications that make a critical difference for safety and effectiveness.

Contact the author: patrick@proactiveinvestors.com

Follow him on Twitter @PatrickMGraham
"The United States of America is still run by its citizens. The government works for us. Rank imperialism and warmongering are not American traditions or values. We do not need to dominate the world. We want and need to work with other nations. We want to find solutions other than killing people. Not in our name, not with our money, not with our children's blood."

Molly Ivins
Detention of widow of killed St. Petersburg extended once more

 The United press service of St. Petersburg courts

10:43 30/06/2021

ST. PETERSBURG, June 30 (RAPSI, Mikhail Telekhov)  Detention of Marina Kokhal, who stands charged with killing her husband, rapper Alexander Yushko, has been extended once more, until July 30, the United press service of St. Petersburg courts has told RAPSI.

Investigators are waiting for the results of an examination, necessary for the probes completion, according to the statement.

According to the investigation, on July 29, 2020, the woman had a conflict with Yushko and then killed him and dismembered his body in order to further wean it off. Kokhal pleaded not guilty. During the questioning, she said that her husband died from drug overdose. However, the analysis of the victims hair and human tissues showed no drugs.

The St. Petersburg investigators believe the murder of the musician was planned by his wife. They earlier said they found out that shortly before the crime Kokhal got medical drugs at a pharmacy which later used to kill her husband. Moreover, it was revealed that the womans mother was at the scene of the crime, according to the probe.

Yushko known as Andy Cartwright took part in rap battles and released his sole tracks on the Internet.




President Putin signs law on minimum guaranteed income of debtors

 flickr. com/Marco Verch

16:32 30/06/2021

MOSCOW, June 30 (RAPSI)  Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a law banning the foreclosure on debtors monthly income in the amount of the subsistence level, according to the official Internet portal of legal information.

The document establishes the mechanism for the implementation of the right of debtor citizens to ensure the inviolability of their minimum incomes.

In accordance with the new law, they will be able to apply to bailiffs with statements on the preservation of their monthly incomes in the amount of at least the subsistence level, indicating the details of the bank account in which it is necessary to keep the corresponding funds. The bank, in turn, will not be able to foreclose on them, the State Duma has said earlier.

The authors of the initiative are State Duma deputies from the United Russia party led by head of the partys State Duma lawmakers Sergey Neverov.
A Place for All Conservatives to Speak Their Mind.
By SA Commercial Prop News

New 25 hectare Plumbago Business Park development planned alongside the R21 between Johannesburg and Pretoria.



Plumbago Business Park is fast emerging as the premier business park on the Gauteng East Rand node positioned just 5km away from O.R.Tambo International.

Currently under development within the Ekurhuleni Aerotropolis area, the location has been affirmed as a destination of choice for corporate logistics companies. With convenient access to the upgraded R21, and adjacent to Pomona, Plumbago Business Park is located only 5km north and 5 minutes driving time from O.R.Tambo international airport. It has excellent exposure to the adjoining R21, allowing corporate branding opportunities to park tenants.

Plumbago Business Park is developed and owned by J.T. Ross, one of South Africas most established development and property entities, who celebrate their 110 year anniversary this year and bring solid experience combined with a forward thinking approach to the development.

The park is specifically designed to cater for logistics, freight forwarding, and light industrial corporate companies who seek to strategically locate their business and capitalize on the Parks fantastic exposure and access says J.T. Ross development director Graeme Green.

A modern gatehouse designed to accommodate large commercial vehicles will ensure that access and egress from the park is easy flowing and convenient for visitors and staff alike. The gatehouse also accommodates a security control room from where the secured perimeter of the park and the gatehouse area will be monitored on a 24 hour basis.

To date corporate companies, notably Jonsson Workwear, Blue Sky Logistics and John Deere, have elected to relocate their National Distribution Centres to Plumbago Business Park. Construction of these facilities has already commenced and should be completed for occupation during the 3rd quarter of 2012.

With a guaranteed power supply, a number of sites of differing sizes remain to be developed. These sites can be consolidated or subdivided to allow for purpose built premises to suit tenants individual requirements ranging from 1500m to 25 000m. An architectural and landscaping code will further enhance the locations value for tenants.

Understanding modern distribution needs for communication, the developers have also made provision for both Telkom and private fibre optic lines within the park.
The UP Nursing Home Association has urged Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to celebrate National Doctors' Day on July 1 at the government level.

In a letter sent to the chief minister, the association has said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently lauded the role of health workers in the pandemic in his radio programme 'Mann ki Baat'.

The Nursing Association said that there was no need to declare a holiday in hospitals on the occasion but programmes to honour doctors for their performance could be held.

The association also said that health workers who had lost their lives during the pandemic should be conferred the honour of 'martyr'. A memorial should also be constructed in their honour, it added.
Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) H.C. Awasthi retired from office on Wednesday. He handed over the charge to Additional Director General (ADG) (law and order) Prashant Kumar.

The new DGP will soon be appointed in the state.

Meanwhile, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath took to Twitter to laud the services rendered by Awasthi.

He said that the officer had a good record of 36 years of service and had played a good role during the pandemic, as a member of Team 9.

Awasthi had informed his office that he would not like to take a ceremonial farewell and parade on his retirement.
Bidding farewell to Supreme Court judge Ashok Bhushan, Chief Justice N.V. Ramana on Wednesday, citing his statement in an interview, said: "Judges are only known by their judgements. Judgements are the only true criteria for testing the mettle of a judge."

As customary, a farewell reference was organised for Justice Bhushan in the court of Chief Justice.

In his speech, Chief Justice Ramana described Justice Bhushan, who hailed from the Allahabad High Court, as "great human being" whose judgements stood testimony to his "welfarist and humanist approach".

"His presence on the bench and on the committees that I am a member of, has been so very reassuring. Simply because, he is, first and foremost, a great human being. This quality has found abundant reflection in discharge of his duties - both while facing and adorning the bench."

The Chief Justice emphasised that Justice Bhushan's concern for the welfare of every section of the society is reflected in his opinions and writings.

Attorney General K.K. Venugopal, Solicitor General Tushar Mehta, Supreme Court Bar Association President Vikas Singh and other members of the Bar, along with judges of the top court, were present during the virtual ceremony.

Justice Bhushan said the Bar has been very kind and respectful to him, both inside and outside the court, and "I am proud to be a part of this Supreme Court which has upheld rule of law".

"Bar and Bench are part of two wheels, their relationship is like that of sea and clouds. The Judges come from the sea, and merge in the sea after that. It is the Bar which is nursery of the Judges," he said.

Singh said Justice Bhushan never made any junior lawyer feel that he doesn't know the law, and instead, tried to counsel and guide them on their shortcomings.

Mehta recalled that Justice Bhushan always had a "gentle smile" on his face during the court hearings.

Justice Bhushan was on the Constitution bench which delivered verdict in the Ayodhya dispute and the Aadhaar case. He has recently headed a bench dealing with the migrant workers problems during the Covid-19 pandemic and ex-gratia for those who have lost their lives to Covid.

Born on July 5, 1956 in Jaunpur district of Uttar Pradesh to Chandrama Prasad Srivastava and his wife Kalavathi Srivastava, he graduated in Arts in 1975 and obtained his law degree from the Allahabad University in 1979. He enrolled as an advocate in Uttar Pradesh on April 6, 1979. After more than 20 years of successful practice, he was elevated as a permanent Judge of the Allahabad High Court on April 24, 2001.

After a stint as the Chief Justice of the Kerala High Court, he was elevated as a judge of the Supreme Court on May 13, 2016.
Northbrook, IL -- (SBWIRE) -- 06/30/2021 -- According to a new market research report "Critical Infrastructure Protection Market by Component, Solution (Physical Safety and Security (Video Surveillance Systems, Screening and Scanning) and Cybersecurity (Encryption, Threat Intelligence)), Vertical, and Region - Global Forecast to 2026" published by MarketsandMarkets, post-COVID 19, the Critical Infrastructure Protection Market size to grow from USD 133.3 billion in 2021 to USD 157.1 billion by 2026, at a Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 3.3% from 2021 to 2026.



Browse in-depth TOC on "Critical Infrastructure Protection Market"

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Increasing stringent government regulations to increase the adoption of CIP solutions, rising security breaches and attacks pose a threat to physical systems and growing need to secure OT networks to boost the growth of Critical Infrastructure Protection Market across the globe during the forecast period. Moreover, enhancing next-generation technologies and availability of wireless broadband in rural areas would provide lucrative opportunities for Critical Infrastructure Protection Market vendors.



By solution, physical safety and security segment to hold the largest market size during the forecast period



Physical safety and security is the protection of physical assets, such as hardware, programs, premises, and personal data, from physical threats. Ignoring these threats can lead to serious damages or losses to owners and users. Any critical infrastructure requires multiple physical barriers to ensure physical protection. Terrorism and natural disasters remain the biggest challenges for CIP. For example, in September 2019, Saudi Arabia suffered the deadliest attack on its oil facilities named Saudi Aramco. A small army of drones attacked two major oil plants in Abqaiq and Khura, destroying nearly 50% of the countrys global supply of crude oil. Therefore, enterprises need to think beyond traditional perimeter security, clearly define security perimeters, and protect secured areas with entry controls to ensure authorized personnel entry. In November 2018, US president Donald Trump established the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) that co-ordinates security and resilience efforts using trusted partnerships across private and public sectors and delivers technical assistance and assessments to federal stakeholders as well as infrastructure owners and operators. Secure and robust security systems such as high-quality video surveillance systems and perimeter security systems are integrated in premises to monitor ongoing activities in and around the premises. With the inception of video analytics as well as technologies, such as thermal cameras and biometric authentication, video surveillance has improved drastically. Some systems now use micro waves and radio waves to create perimeters that can alert security teams about threats. Video surveillance devices supported by video analytics software help monitor crowds in public areas and enterprises. The increased adoption of video surveillance supported by the facial recognition technology is observed in various application areas, including border control, law enforcement, and government and public utilities. The physical safety and security segment includes physical identity and access control systems, perimeter intrusion systems (RADARs and sensors), video surveillance systems, screening and scanning, and others (facility management systems, emergency response, and disaster management).s



In vertical, commercial sector to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period



The commercial sector includes sensitive areas, such as hospitals, stadiums, theatres, auditoriums, malls, offices, and holy places. Protecting these facilities becomes extremely important for countries' security and economy. People are present in huge numbers in these places. Even with the deployment of CCTV cameras as well as checking passes of people entering premises is followed, it is still not sufficient to ensure proper security. A minor neglect can result in huge losses. For example, on 25th March 2020, Islamic jihadist suicide bombers and assailants armed with guns attacked Gurudwara Har Rai Sahib (Sikh shrine) in Kabul, Afghanistan, resulting in the death of 25 people and leaving many wounded. These challenging environments need to be secured by deploying the right technology and providing the best possible information to decision makers. These critical infrastructures typically cover large areas, and thus, the need to achieve full coverage and better operational efficiencies drives the growth of this vertical.



North America to hold the largest market size during the forecast period



The North American region consists of developed countries that are technologically advanced with well-developed infrastructures. Being the strongest economies in North America, the US and Canada are the top contributing countries to the North American CIP market. North America is the most advanced and adaptable region in terms of the adoption of security infrastructure and technological development.



The North American region comprises the country-wise analysis of the US and Canada. Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) and international collaborations have led to effective critical infrastructure security and resilience in the region. As per the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), 85% of the US' critical infrastructures such as oil and gas, banking and finance, transportation, utilities, electric power grids, and defense are owned by the private sector and the rest is regulated by the public sector. The National Infrastructure Protection Plan (NIPP) enables state, regional, federal, local, and international governments to work within and with their private partners for a networked community to maintain effective risk management and security of the region's critical infrastructure. For example, the energy and power grid sector in the region requires public, private, and regulatory co-operation among DHS, Department of Energy (DOE), and the Department of Defense (DOD) for protecting their Operational Technology (OT) systems from cyber threats. International co-operation among Public Safety (PS) Canada and the US DHS has facilitated real-time collaborations for critical infrastructure cybersecurity issues.



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The North American Electric Reliability Council (NERC) and Canadian Electricity Association (CEA) seek to safeguard critical infrastructures from both physical and cyber threats. The NERC is a not-for-profit regulatory authority to protect the North American bulk electric power system. On 5th March 2019, North America experienced the first ever attack on the country's power grid. The interrupted Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attack hampered the utility and reliability of grids. Therefore, it is necessary to regulate and monitor industrial infrastructures, and perform risk assessments for analyzing potential vulnerabilities in the critical infrastructure system.



Major vendors in the global Critical Infrastructure Protection Market include BAE Systems (UK), Lockheed Martin (US), General Dynamics (US), Northrop Grumman (US), Honeywell (US), Airbus (France), Raytheon (US), Thales (France), Hexagon AB (Sweden), Johnson Controls (US), Huawei (China), Optasense (England), Teltronic (Spain), Motorola Solutions (US), Axis Communications (Sweden), Waterfall Security Solutions (Israel), Rolta (India), SCADAfence (Israel), Tyco International (Ireland), and 3xLogic (US), Sightlogic(US), Accritical Infrastructure Protectioniter Radar (US), etc.



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The most famous mass extinction was the disappearance of non-avian dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous period, 66 million years ago, after ruling the Earth for 170 million years. The best-supported extinction model is the impact of a large asteroid at Chicxulub, Mexico. However, it is widely debated whether dinosaurs were in decline or not before the Chicxulub impact. A study in the journal Nature Communications provides new evidence for an environmentally-driven global decline across dinosaur groups well before the asteroid impact.

We looked at the six most abundant dinosaur families (Ankylosauridae, Ceratopsidae, Hadrosauridae, Dromaeosauridae, Troodontidae, and Tyrannosauridae) through the whole of the Cretaceous, spanning from 150 to 66 million years ago, and found that they were all evolving and expanding and clearly being successful, said Dr. Fabien Condamine, a researcher at the Institut des Sciences de lEvolution de Montpellier and CNRS.

Then, 76 million years ago, they show a sudden downturn. Their rates of extinction rose and in some cases the rate of origin of new species dropped off.

Dr. Condamine and colleagues used Bayesian modeling techniques to account for several kinds of uncertainties such as incomplete fossil records, uncertainties over age-dating the fossils, and uncertainties about the evolutionary models.

The models were each run millions of times to consider all these possible sources of error and to find whether the analyses would converge on an agreed most probable result.

In all cases, we found evidence for the decline prior to the bolide impact, said Dr. Guillaume Guinot, a researcher at the Institut des Sciences de lEvolution de Montpellier and CNRS.

We also looked at how these dinosaur ecosystems functioned, and it became clear that the plant-eating species tended to disappear first, and this made the latest dinosaur ecosystems unstable and liable to collapse if environmental conditions became damaging.

We used over 1,600 carefully checked records of dinosaurs through the Cretaceous, added Professor Phil Currie, a paleontologist at the University of Edmonton.

I have been collecting dinosaurs in North America, Mongolia, China, and other areas for some time, and I have seen huge improvements in our knowledge of the ages of the dinosaur-bearing rock formations.

This means that the data are getting better all the time. The decline in dinosaurs in their last ten million years makes sense, and indeed this is the best-sampled part of their fossil record as our study shows.

In the analyses, we explored different kinds of possible causes of the dinosaur decline, said Professor Mike Benton, a paleontologist at the University of Bristol.

It became clear that there were two main factors, first that overall climates were becoming cooler, and this made life harder for the dinosaurs which likely relied on warm temperatures.

Then, the loss of herbivores made the ecosystems unstable and prone to extinction cascade.

We also found that the longer-lived dinosaur species were more liable to extinction, perhaps reflecting that they could not adapt to the new conditions on Earth.

This was a key moment in the evolution of life, Dr. Condamine said.

The world had been dominated by dinosaurs for over 160 million years, and as they declined other groups began their rise to dominance, including the mammals.

The dinosaurs were mostly so huge they probably hardly knew that the furry little mammals were there in the undergrowth.

But the mammals began to increase in numbers of species before the dinosaurs had gone, and then after the impact they had their chance to build new kinds of ecosystems which we see today.

_____

F.L. Condamine et al. 2021. Dinosaur biodiversity declined well before the asteroid impact, influenced by ecological and environmental pressures. Nat Commun 12, 3833; doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-23754-0
Following article based on the speech by the author as the Chairman of Ceylon Chamber of Commerce at 182nd Annual General Meeting of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce

by Dr. Hans Wijayasuriya

It gives me great pleasure to present the Chairmans Reportat the 182nd Annual General Meeting of the Ceylon Chamber of Commerce.

Private Sector Resilience

The year in review was characterised by the unique impacts of the Covid-19 Pandemic, both direct and indirect, on our Nation, Economy and People. We can be proud that the private sector demonstrated abundantly, its resilience to the harsh and prolonged externalities

It is notable that most listed companies reported positive earnings in recent quarters signaling recovery under the conditions of the new normal. Similarly, asharp recovery in exports stands testimony to the resilience of Sri Lankas export sectors. It is emboldening to see the recovery of both traditional and non-traditional exports and the diversification of the export basket which augurs well for the future.

The challenges faced by Sri Lanka, its government and economy, are singularly un-precedented and we commend the Government on the the structured approach underlying the countrys Economic Revival framework and the maintenance of stability acrossmacro indicators through these exceptional times.The balancing act between growth and debt will however remain a call-outfor precise navigation.

A Shared Vision for Accelerated Post-Covid Revival

Throughout the year in review, the Ceylon Chamber directed a major quotient of its focus and activity towards assisting both the Government and the private sector in enabling an accelerated recovery from the downside impacts of the pandemic.

The Chamber has consistently espoused the view that an accelerated post-covid recovery will be predicated on the effective execution of a Public-Private Shared Vision for Economic Revival and Social Sustenance. This vision is based on the Three founding principles of (i) People Centricity translating to the Primacy for the Protection of Life and Livelihoods (ii) the ambition of aV Shaped Economic Recovery and (iii) the need and appetite for exceptional, bold and innovative measures which include exceptional stimuli for growth regeneration,alongside calibrated controls.

Bringing together the twin aspirations of People Centricity and Economic Revival, the Chambers flagship event the Sri Lanka Economic Summit was aptly themed Road Map for Take-Off  Driving a People Centric Economic Revival

Positioning Sri Lanka as Asias Next Growth Haven

The Chamber recognizes the indelible interplay between the External and Internal Dimensions to the broader vision of economic revival. From among the recovery levers, FDI and Export growth will remain crucial.

In line with the imperative of accelerating the growth of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) as well as Portfolio Investments, the Ceylon Chamber took the pioneering step of convening a Global Investment Forum in collaboration with the Board of Investment and the Colombo Stock Exchange. The Sri Lanka Investment forum was designed to provide a global showcase for Sri Lankas FDI and Portfolio investment opportunities.

The Chamber in the New Normal

During the year under review, the Chamber continued to be focused and impactful in its advocacy of key issues of importance to the membership, affiliated associations and the private sector at large.

The engagement with government has at all times been progressive, and reflective of the chambers dual role as a partner in economic development while being the non-partisan voice of the private sector.The Chamber is singularly appreciative of the opportunity provided to share its views both at a macro and national level, as well as at a level of sectoral detail, with the high offices of His Excellency the President, the Honourable Prime Minister and other government institutions.

The Sector Steering Committees and National Agenda Committees of the Chamber continued to support policy agendas on behalf of the membership. Adapting to the New Normal, the Chamber continued to deliver impact unfaced by the physical engagement restrictions accruing from the pandemic. The Chamber executed successfully, a broad spectrum of Policy and Business Promotion related activities using virtual formats including Virtual Networking Sessions, Training Programmes, Webinars, and Virtual B-2-B meetings.

During the year, the Chamber launched The Council for Start-ups,an entrepreneurship facilitator aimed at providing entrepreneurs with a platform to accelerate business formation andfacilitate broader engagement with the formal private sector as well as the Government.

The chamber also espoused its commitment to SME development agendas through the hosting of an SME forum bringing together regional chambers and SMEs from across Sri Lanka.

The Chambercontinued to be deeply committed to the advocacy of sustainable business practices and hosted the Best Corporate Citizen Sustainability Awards for the 17th consecutive year. The awards programmecontinued to provide a guiding beacon for Sri Lankan corporates with respect to Environmental, Social and Governance best practices.

Sri Lanka Economic Acceleration Framework 2021-26

Sri Lankas economy contracted for the first time since 2001 due to the sharp fall in the economy during the first wave of the pandemic featuring a 16.4% contraction in the April-June quarter. The efficacy of economic revival measures was reflected in the 1.3% GDP growth recorded in the two subsequent quarters of 2020.

The Ceylon Chamber published the Post-Covid edition of the Sri Lanka Economic Acceleration Framework (SEAF). The SEAF 2021-26 envisions the achievement of a growth rate of 7% within 3 years leading to the transformation of the 84Bn US Dollar economy in 2019 to a 127.5 Bn US Dollar Economy in 2026.

The SEAF is the output of 17 committees within the chamber eco-system comprising of more than 100 economists, analysts and sector leaders, and encompasses without limitation the dimensions of quantitative targets, policy reform, sectoral focus, transformation, governance and Reputational and Confidence metrics.

The Partnership Dialogue with Government

Quantum acceleration of the economy will require a synchronisation of public and private sector inputs. The application of policy levers will proxy to needle moving Government contributions to the acceleration of the economy and will deliver disproportionate returns. Efficient and timely execution of Mega Projects would also move the needle.

A parallel call on government would be for a high degree of commitment towards the strengthening of fiscal and monetary disciplines, maintenance of macro stability and the elevation of sector competitiveness alongside a progressive approach to global market access. Staying the course of fiscal consolidation will be pivotal in maintaining positive sentiments of Global Rating agencies as well as in motivating foreign direct investments which together will bolster the sources and cost of capital require to drive growth.

Stakeholder Contribution - Appreciation

The Chamber is deeply grateful to the Officials, Ministries, Departments and Agencies of the Government of Sri Lanka whose collaboration has been invaluable in maintaining a progressive public  private dialogue on matters pertaining to the advancement of the National Economy.

We also recognise the invaluable contribution extended by the Chamber Committee, National Agenda Committees and Steering Committees, towards the multiple agendas pursued by the Chamber. The collaboration extended to us by associate and joint chambers, trade associations, diplomatic missions and partner organisations across multilateral and non-government sectors is also deeply appreciated. We are also grateful to Print, Electronic and Digital media institutions for their invaluable contribution in facilitating our role as the voice of the private sector.

I would like to express my personal gratitude toVice Chair Vish Govindasamy, Deputy Vice Chair Duminda Hulangamuwa andfellow board members, the Secretary General/CEO Manjula De Silva, Deputy Secretary General Alikie Perera, Chief Economist Shiran Fernando and the dynamic Ceylon Chamber Team, for their dedication and unfailing commitment towards furthering the contribution of the Chamber to its Members and the nation at large.

The Journey Ahead

Sri Lanka stands at an important juncture of its economic and social trajectory. We have on one hand the challenge of achieving vertical take-off from the fulcrum of the Covid-19 downturn while on the other, having to navigate an escape from the middle-income trap.

Achieving both these objectives while operating within a very tight fiscal space and perfecting the balancing act between growth and debt is a multi-faceted challenge that the Private Sector and Public sector needs to embrace together.

The call of the hour is therefore to have no forbearance for despondence. As the engine of growth of our nations economy, the private sector needs to be resolute in itscommitment to remobilize an aggressive growth trajectory, and to lead the charge towards an inclusive and people centric revival of the Sri Lankan Economy.
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Bouncing signals off the moon: Amateur Radio Club draws young and experienced 'ham' operators

Amateur radio operators from across the Golden Triangle gathered over the weekend at the Community Counseling Services Administrative Campus, formerly Mary Holmes College in West Point.

By the end of Sunday, at least one operator had made it 7,850 miles from there, to Hawkes Bay, New Zealand, using Morse code.

The farthest radio contact was one of the highlights of a picture perfect weekend for Mississippi State Universitys W5YD Amateur Radio Club annual field day event.

Four months of planning went into putting this together, said Colby Stevens, club vice president. Theres more to it than just fellowship. It takes effort.

Club public information coordinator Caleb Rich said the event assembles individual amateur radio operators as well as amateur radio clubs to set up their portable stations and practice operations in the field.

This gives them an opportunity to see how well their equipment is, or is not, working before any event occurs that may require that emergency response, he said.

Participants in the field day ranged from teens to seasoned veterans who find common ground in the fascinating world of radio communications. Tents and antennas were scattered around the parking lot with teams reaching out across the globe to contact colleagues, since the field day is an international event.

A Methodist pastor from Columbus, Reverend Gene Bramlett has been involved in amateur or ham radio for 10 years.

Its a hands-on hobby, he said. It begins with theory that is perfected through experimentation to become real-time communication.

https://cdispatch.com/news/2021-06-29/bouncing-signals-off-the-moon-amateur-radio-club-draws-young-and-experienced-ham-operators/
RADIO EMMA TOC World Service - Schedule Summary

Programme Contents - a look back at the last 15 months from our World Service shows.

Ways to listen... Radio Emma Toc World Service - programme no. 15 - July 2021

You can listen online - www.emmatoc.com - visit the 'World Service' page.

You can listen to our shortwave or MW or FM broadcasts via our relay partners as follows:

WRMI - Radio Miami International - 9955kHz - covering Latin America (& beyond)

Tues 18:00 EasternTime / 22:00 UTC and Wed 20:00 Eastern Time / 00:00 (Thurs) UTC

WRMI - Radio Miami International - 5950kHz - covering Eastern North America (& far beyond)

Tues 18:00 Eastern Time / 22:00 UTC and Sunday 21:00 EasternTime / 01:00 (Monday) UTC

World FM - 88.2MHz / 107.6MHz - covering Tawa, Marahau & Stoke, New Zealand

Sundays 22:00 NZST / 10:00 UTC and Thursdays 16:30 NZST / 04:30 UTC (alternating with other programmes)

Channel 292 - 9670kHz - covering Europe (& beyond) - broadcasts in July -

Sat 10th 15:00 UTC and Sunday 25th 07:00 UTC

6070kHz - covering Europe (& beyond) - broadcasts in July -

Friday 16th 20:00 UTC

Scandinavian Weekend Radio - 6170kHz / 11720kHz / 1602kHz / 94.9MHz

covering Finland & Europe - Saturday 3rd July 2021 07:00UTC

Happy listening! If you are outside the transmitter coverage areas, why not listen via the broadcasters' online services. Website details for the above stations are listed on our own website www.emmatoc.org/worldserviceindex

If you don't have access to receivers & aerials you can try using an online SDR receiver - ve3sun.com/KiwiSDR - experience the enjoyment of tuning around shortwave from worldwide locations online.

We are happy to issue eQSLs for reception reports sent to - emmatoc1922@gmail.com - & will gladly include for online reports. If using an online SDR, please give us the SDR location.

If any stations wish to relay our programme a download link is available on our website. Please advise us of times & dates so we can publicise in our schedule.

Thank you!
Sedalia Amateur Radio Klub

KSIS AM reports on the Sedalia Pettis Amateur Radio Klub (SPARK) who participated in the American Radio Relay League (ARRL) Field Day on Saturday, an annual event that takes place on the fourth weekend of June.

A handful of club members gathered behind Our Savior Lutheran Church, 3700 West Broadway, for about eight hours of contacting other ham radio operators in the US and Canada.

The club utilized a generator to power their equipment for the day. Most all have base units at home they use on a daily basis.

Paul Withers, former SPARK president, explained the reason behind the exercise.

Amateurs bring our their go equipment basically, their emergency equipment, if something was to happen, if a repeater went down, we could help the police, fire, EMS, EMA, communicate with radio equipment if all their equipment went down, Withers said.

That's what happened in Joplin 2011 when they had the big tornado. Ham radio was there to pick it up, he said.

It's easy to 'get the bug' and delve into the world of ham radio, Withers noted.

The purpose of the club, founded in 1935, is to get people interested and involved in emergency radio. And it's fun, Withers admitted.

You can get into ham radio for as little as $30 up to thousands, he noted. You can start where you want, and spend as much as your wife will allow."

Read the full KSIS AM article, which also contains lots of interesting pictures at:

https://ksisradio.com/sedalia-amateur-radio-club-takes-part-in-2021-field-day/
In theory, the transition will now be genuinely Afghan-owned, Afghan-led and Afghan-controlled. But how much of it will translate into reality?

by Ashok K Mehta

Afghanistan President Ashraf Ghani and Chairman of High Council of National Reconciliation Abdullah Abdullah met US President Joe Biden last Friday at the White House, four days before the accelerated withdrawal of US troops by July 4, leaving behind 650 US combatants and 18,000 contractors for security of the US Embassy and counterterrorism missions. Biden has pledged to support the Afghan Government in diplomatic and humanitarian work as well as financially. Bidens political, diplomatic, military and material support is open-ended coupled with the counsel that Afghans had to determine their own future: the transition in Afghanistan will now be genuinely Afghan-owned, Afghan-led and Afghan-controlled. Nato will coordinate with Turkish troops for Kabul airports security and training of Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF). National Security Advisor Hamdullah Mohib has said Afghanistan does not need US troops but US combat support and logistics. Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has said US will have very effective over-the-horizon counterterrorism capabilities from bases in Gulf and platforms at sea. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has declared that US will be able to deal with any threat to US emanating from Afghanistan from outside, though Taliban continues to maintain links with Al Qaeda in Afghanistan.

What some US officials have said about troop withdrawal is not very inspiring, least of all, CENTCOM C-in-C, Gen Frank McKenzies pessimism about Kabuls capability of withstanding Taliban onslaught. But Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen Mark Milley, sounds more hopeful: that 300,000 ANSF along with militia has the capability to hold fort. Director CIA, William Burns, says that US ability to collect intelligence and react to threats will diminish. Blinken too worries that the security situation would worsen, with Taliban making territorial gains.

On the ground, after May 1, the picture appears grim. US Special Envoy to Afghanistan, Deborah Lyons, informed UNSC that 50 of 398 districts had fallen with fighting in 27 of 34 provinces. Taliban had launched its offensive after May 1, the original Trump deadline for troop withdrawal. Talibans strategy is to encircle a provincial capital  and capture it by taking districts around it. Kunduz province bordering Tajikistan is currently surrounded. It was captured in 2015 and again in 2016, damning a report by US Inspector General that Afghan troops were capable of independently defending provincial capitals. Six provincial capitals including Lashkar Gah (Helmand), Kandahar and Faryab are at imminent risk of falling. Lyons also noted that at places, Taliban won without firing a shot though in Faryab province, 22 elite commandoes under the local hero, Col Sohrab Azmi, were killed while retaking a district. ANSF has suffered huge casualties  157 in one day alone in June, marking an overall increase in attrition of 30 per cent. Despite reports of Taliban undermining morale of ANSF, Afghan leadership is very confident that Kabul will not fall. Taliban are hailing troop withdrawal as victory in war. With a force of 80,000 to 100,000 fighters, it is definitely stronger than at any time since 2001. Taliban says it will not engage in dialogue with Kabul till foreign forces have left the soil of Islamic Emirate and any country providing bases to US will be considered an act of treachery. Taliban is determined to making maximum territorial gains as leverage before joining peace talks during the sensitive stage of transition when defending troops are vulnerable. US intelligence has forecast the fall of Kabul within six to 12 months, maximum two years.

CIA rates chances of Kabul Government surviving for two to three years if no power-sharing Government is formed. A report claiming Taliban can take 12 provincial capitals and hold them for one year certainly inflates their capability.

US Ambassador to UN, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said there is no military solution and any Government established by use of force will not be legitimate and not recognised. CIA had predicted the fall of Kabul within two weeks after Soviet withdrawal in 1989-90.

The Mujahideen attacked Jalalabad with help from ISI but failed to take it. President Najibullah held on for two years and Kabul caved in only when Soviet funding was stopped. What is the actual ground position is always difficult to decipher though at present it is advantage Taliban.

With foreign forces withdrawn, a new chapter will begin in Afghanistan. US withdrawal being unconditional is unarguably irresponsible, putting at risk gains of two decades of democracy. For the intra-Afghan dialogue to resume, the Taliban must be disabused of the notion that Kabul can be won militarily. The presence of 650 US soldiers and over-the-horizon support is considered a sufficient safety net not to invoke memories of Saigon in 1975. My hunch is Taliban will soon mount spectacular attacks in trying to capture one or two provincial capitals and offer to resume talks.

Whether a limited ceasefire will accompany is uncertain. But Taliban must be convinced that a power-sharing option is better than gambling for an unwinnable military solution. Taliban knows none of the regional powers, including Pakistan, will tolerate a military solution and an Islamic Emirate. Talibans Quetta Shura should accept what is being offered on a platter than risk plunging the country into civil war. Although Najibullah did not have a Gorbachev pledge of sustained help like Bidens to Ghani of sticking with you, it was no cakewalk for Mujahideen. India is still warily engaging Taliban.

(The writer, a retired Major General, was Commander, IPKF South, Sri Lanka, and founder member of the Defence Planning Staff, currently the Integrated Defence Staff. The views expressed are personal.)
Lake Charles, LA (70615)

Today

Scattered clouds with the possibility of an isolated thunderstorm developing during the afternoon. High around 90F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 75F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph.
With the onset of the pandemic, Brown and his co-conspirators saw a new opportunity. Brown and the others used the fake identities and companies they had already established in 2017 to apply for the billions of dollars available for small businesses under the Paycheck Protection Program, according to federal prosecutors. They received $24 million.
The main routes to the beach are frequently overwhelmed with traffic, the mayor said. State Road A1A is at its capacity, and neighborhoods off Las Olas Boulevard are frustrated by traffic tie-ups and concerned about the ability of emergency responders to access their homes. An underground transit loop could remove both tourists and beachgoers from western suburbs from street-level traffic. That would provide quicker and more efficient access between downtown and the beach for everyone.
In May, the condo association submitted plans asking for approval of a temporary parking plan in order to move forward. But their request went unanswered for more than a month. The delay, according to the Miami Herald, prompted the condo building manager, to accuse the town of holding us up as the association sought to accelerate the towers overhaul, which included repairs to a concrete slab under the pool deck and planters that experts are now pointing to as an initial point of failure that preceded the building collapse.
Asked if its appropriate to proceed with the fundraiser given attention going to the engineering and construction professions because of the Surfside condominium collapse, Cartaya said, I dont see how that has anything to do with Surfside. Im going to have to end this conversation. He then hung up.
The new shelter director, who was hired without committing to no-kill tenets, claims she is transparent, accessible and accountable. These claims have been eviscerated by her decisions and her actual lack of transparency that continually and severely hinders positive outcomes. The shelter is again at capacity and the director has shut out the community in every possible way. The shelter is closed to the public and limits individual participation in rescue of urgent animals.
The excellent pace of vaccination against the coronavirus during June in Andalucia will suffer a slowdown in July, announced the region's Minister of Health, Jesus Aguirre, speaking on Tuesday (29 June).

In July less than half of the vaccines received in June are expected to reach the Andalusian region, dropping from 3,467,100 to 1,575,920 doses. This will prevent the vaccination of the population group under 30 years of age from being able to advance, which is the one that is suffering the most infections.

"It pains us to slow down the vaccination speed that we currently have, but it has to be done when a sufficient flow of vaccines does not arrive," said Aguirre. He added that work is being done to have the necessary stock and to be able to guarantee the second injection to those who have already received the first from Pfizer or Moderna when it is due. The forecasts are that the cuts in the shipment of Covid vaccine vials will be maintained in August.

The Health Minister specified that 50 per cent fewer vaccines will arrive from Pfizer in July than those received in June. He said that it must be taken into account that 21 days after the first dose, the second must be injected, so it will be necessary to "slow down a little" to ensure the availability of the second jab. Therefore, there will have to be a decrease in the speed of vaccination in those under 36 years of age due to the lack of sufficient vaccines.

The regional governments spokesman, Elias Bendodo, made it clear that the priority of the Spanish government must be to pressure the European Union and pharmaceutical companies so that the supply of vaccines is not reduced.

In July we will receive less than half the doses than in June. You cannot allow that to happen, because that can ruin the work we are doing," said Bendodo.

Before the drop in the supply comes into effect, this week Andalucia received 1,145,940 doses in total: some 750,000 spilt between Pfizer and Moderna, 350,000 from AstraZeneca and 95,900 from Janssen.

AstraZeneca vaccines will no longer arrive for the next few weeks, because the target population that can receive them (people from 60 to 69 years old) already have their doses guaranteed. Also, due to a contamination issue, Janssen vials will not be supplied during July. Instead, there will be 340,400 doses of Moderna that month and 1,235,520 doses of Pfizer.

Given the increase in the transmission rate of the virus among people under 30 years of age, the possibility of bringing forward their vaccination was considered, but this has been ruled out, at least for the moment, given the decrease in the number of vaccines that will be supplied to Andalucia in the next few weeks.
Ten days ago the coronavirus pandemic trend in Spain changed and the cumulative incidence rate, the most reliable indicator of the Covid-19 situation in the country, began to rise.

The increases were a few tenths every day or, at the most, a point or two. But this Tuesday (29 June), those slight increases have been transformed into a full-blown rebound. In 24 hours, and the national Covid incidence rate went from 100 cases per 100,000 population to 106.82 .

And alarm bells have gone off, particularly among those aged under 30 .

On Tuesday, after 16 months of the pandemic, the Ministry of Health started splitting the data down into age groups, and it is not encouraging reading.

The incidence rate in the group aged between 20 and 29 years old stands at 251 cases and in the group between 12 and 19 years old, at 243. It shows that the virus is particularly circulating among young people and adolescents, the population groups that have not been vaccinated.

The outlook, however, is completely different in those older, many who have already been fully vaccinated. There, Covid-19 seems controlled, with the incidence at low levels (51.88 between the ages of 50 and 59; 43.04 between 60 and 69; 17.85 between 70 and 79; and 22.37, in those over 80).

The Ministry of Health notified 7,091 new infections this Tuesday, the highest figure since 7 May (except 10 June, when an adjustment was made). The total of positives cases since the beginning of the pandemic now stands at 3,799,733.

The department also reported 40 deaths, the highest daily figure since 8 June, raising the national coronavirus death toll since the start of the pandemic to 80,829.
The travel trend for seeking out secluded destinations seems to be growing a pace following the pandemic; thanks to a desire to escape the crowds and find the authentic.

Yet if you are anything like me, after so long avoiding crowds and being obliged to keep a distance, I'm ready to have a laugh on my holidays, to reconnect with people, to socialise and to have fun!

Looking for authenticity? Well, when it comes to Ibiza what can be more genuine to white island life than hip hotels, sociable beach clubs and a lively soundtrack?

Safe choice

Ibiza presently looks to be a pretty safe bet for a summer break. With the accelerating vaccine roll-out, relaxation of the mask wearing rule outside, and the relative low level of contagion in the Balearic Islands (at the time of writing, Ibiza has recorded no new cases), it's a good time to take advantage of the good-value air fares connecting Malaga & Ibiza.

Some years ago, I wrote about Ibiza's charming 'agroturismo' farmstead B&Bs, country retreats and boutique hotels hidden amongst aromatic pine forests within the interior of the island. So now it's the turn of the sociable south and east of the island, all within easy access from the airport and Ibiza town.

Ibiza town

Eivissa capital epitomises the alluring mix of age-old island charm with contemporary, cosmopolitan Ibiza. Whilst approaching the island's airport, the skyline of the town becomes instantly recognisable thanks to the UNESCO Dalt Vila, the fortified old town. The ancient architecture gives a few clues that this was once one of the most strategic ports in the Mediterranean.

Now old town is a chic hub of restaurants, galleries and boutiques. It makes for an enjoyable morning stroll, taking in the centuries old cathedral, the castle and medieval city walls. Expect superb views over the town and the port.

The other side of the port, on Botafoc Marina one finds upscale hotels, like the Gran Hotel Ibiza, home to gourmet restaurants, Ibiza's casino and also Open Spa, probably the best wellness facility on the island.

Nightlife is also returning to this small, lively city, both at the beach clubs and at the hotels.

Talamanca bay, just north of Ibiza town, has the upscale Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay, a popular choice for visitors that want that lively Balearic buzz of Ibiza, close to the vibrancy of town, yet within the quieter setting of a Mediterranean bay. Talamanca also retains plenty of typical, local Spanish restaurants.

Playa d'en Bossa

For Balearic beats and an inclusive, friendly vibe, head for the island's most famous beach, Playa d'en Bossa. This year Ibiza won't quite be living up to its usual hedonistic reputation, since some of the biggest parties and concerts have been postponed until next year.

So, this year is the time to enjoy a lively, yet not so raucous Ibiza; the perfect time to hit Playa d'en Bossa. Running south from Ibiza Town, for around three kilometres, it's also the white island's longest beach.

Here are the family-friendly resorts like the Grand Palladium Hotels and iconic beach clubs including the party favourite Nassau Beach Club and the neighbouring relaxed Tanit Beach. Expect mornings to be mellow, perfect for a quiet swim or walk along the sands. From early afternoon the music will begin to spill out from the hotels and beach clubs.

The beauty of Playa d'en Bossa is its diversity. There's a feeling of openness that embraces people of all ages, from couples and families staying at the hip Hard Rock Hotel, the youngsters enjoying the beats at the uniquely styled Ushuaia Ibiza Beach Hotel, as well as the young at heart retirees staying in apartments that line the beach.

Barefoot south coast

If you want to stay close to town but find a more mellow Ibiza, then the south coast is for you. The protected landscapes and wild coast of the Ses Salines Natural Park, the southern tip of Ibiza that reaches out and almost touches Formentera, is the place for laid back, barefoot relaxation. At the heart of this area are the colourful UNESCO salt flats where Ibiza's 'white gold' is harvested.

This is the Ibiza of hidden coves and friendly, lively beach bars. Playa es Cavallet is of course where you'll find El Chiringuito Ibiza, probably one of the island's best known restaurants, (sister to El Chiringuito Marbella).

It's the place for posh bites like Marinated Seabass Tartare Bruschetta and King Crab and Prawn Salad. Stroll a little further down the coast, and such is the beauty of Ibiza's diversity, you'll find a beach popular with LGBTQ+ travellers and the Chiringay beach restaurant, serving seafood and salads in a relaxed inclusive environment.

Head across to the other side of the salt flats peninsula and that's where there are low key spots to enjoy Ibizan sunsets. Experimental Beach at Cap des Falco is one of the best for cocktails on the island.

Casa Jondal on Jondal beach, ideal for quintessential beachside dining, with pared-back simple design and a standout menu from co-founder and chef Rafa Zafra.

Formentera beckons

Formentera is the smallest inhabited island of the Balearics and boasts quite extraordinary beaches and pristine waters. Surrounding the island are meadows of sea grass called Posidonia, which filter the water making it exceptionally clear. Accommodation options in summer on this little jewel can be limited, and expensive, but it's easy to enjoy the unique environment for the day. Regular fast ferries connect Ibiza town with Formentera's port. No need to have a car, as you can rent bicycles, scooters, or even small cars on arrival.

Then explore the magnificent beaches like Ses Illetes, which is evocative of the Caribbean or Maldives. In the southeast the protected coast of pine clad cliffs offers impressive hiking routes, especially near the Far de la Mola lighthouse.

Santa Eularia des Rui

This, the second largest town on Ibiza, brings together the hippy heritage of the island with modern day tourism.

The beaches and coastline here are impressive, with a mix of developed areas and picturesque, untouched coves.

On your way up from Ibiza town, enjoy the large beach at Cala Llonga. There's always something going on, and lots of activities for families too. If you're looking for a secluded spot for lunch, I particularly like Amante Ibiza, set among pines on a sandstone cliff overlooking a picture perfect cove. Modern Spanish and Italian dishes include mini burrata with deliciously refreshing tomato and cherry salmorejo; Iberian squid ink risotto with scallops; and salads including artisan Ibizan goats' cheese - all flavours of a Mediterranean summer.

Accommodation is a mix of rental apartments, family hotels and some flagship properties like the iconic W Ibiza Hotel.

Dining out is all about fish and seafood at the sophisticated, yet relaxed beach restaurants. This area is particularly family-friendly and a good choice if you looking to avoid the livelier beach clubs of Playa d'en Bossa.

Head inland just a little from Santa Eularia and you'll discover the trendy boho market of Las Dalias in San Carlos, fun for homemade crafts and hippy chic fashion.

The charming chapel overlooking the new resorts of Santa Eularia is worth a morning hike to see it and enjoy the views - you can always reward yourself with an afternoon cocktail on the stunning rooftop pool bar of W Ibiza - after all, this is your holiday.
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Reiterating its strong market position and investor confidence, Sohar Islamic  Sohar Internationals Islamic Window, has introduced Escrow Accounts for Omans burgeoning real estate sector.

This financial solution comes in line with Royal Decree No. 30/2018 promulgating the law on escrow account for real estate development and Ministerial Decision No. 72/2019 issued by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Planning.

The Escrow account was promulgated in a move to regulate real estate market and to further provide more protection to investors when purchasing properties. As the country witnesses key legislative reforms with new laws and regulations, as well as the introduction of strict measures to ensure implementation of good governance, Sohar Islamic is keen to contribute and support the governments efforts in providing impetus to the real estate sector.

The introduction of escrow account is key to this objective, as it provides the proper financial tools for developers as well as protects investors by creating trust and transparency.

Commenting on the introduction of Escrow Account, Abdul Wahid Al Murshidi, Chief Islamic Banking Officer at Sohar International said: With several commercial, tourist, and residential projects underway within the Sultanate, Escrow Accounts have become an essential part of the framework to provide stimulus to the sectors growth, as it protects investors by minimizing the risk prevalent in any real estate purchase. This will significantly contribute to the long-term socio-economic development in the country. The newly introduced Escrow Account aims at enhancing confidence of real estate developers, investors, as well as vendors, whilst protecting their interests with an ultimate purpose to support the governments efforts to regulate the real estate sector.

Following the introduction of the Escrow Account, Sohar Islamic was quick on harnessing this capability and signed an agreement with Muscat Hills Joint Development Company to open Escrow account for the Muscat Pavilion Project for Smart Offices in Muscat. Representing Sohar Islamic and signing the agreement was Mr. Abdul Wahid Al Murshdi, Chief Islamic Banking Officer at Sohar International with Dawood Al Hinai and Abdul Rahim Al Kharousi, Co-founders of Muscat Hills Joint Development Company.

In our constant endeavour to provide financing services meeting the social and economic aspirations of citizens in the sultanate, we are happy to tie up with Asawer Real Estate in providing escrow account to the project. With this agreement, Sohar Islamic acts as an escrow agent, which accepts all funds and then releases these funds in accordance with the progress of the project and as per the terms of the escrow agreement, added Al Murshdi.

Opening Sohar Islamics fully Shariah-compliant Escrow Account requires a few easy steps. Once the account is active, it can then be communicated to the potential investors by the developers, which will not only increase the investors confidence, but will also regulate and ensure the developers are paid on time which enhancing the overall experience.

It is important that the developer interested in opening the Escrow Account submits all the necessary documents in any of the bank branches.

Under Sohar Internationals vision and strategy, Sohar Islamic continues to realign itself to provide the right mix of products, people, and systems to help drive its next phase of growth.

Sohar Islamic forms an integral part of all of the banks strategic way forward plans, and the new Escrow account services comes in the framework of enabling all parties to grow and deliver enhanced performance enabling them to win. -- TradeArabia News Service
Digital transformation and energy efficiency and conservation will boost Enovas attainable share of multi-technical service contracts in Saudi Arabias $445 million energy and facilities management market.

This was the observation of Amani Al Moajil, the newly appointed General Manager of Saudi Arabia for Enova, the Middle Easts leading energy and facilities management specialist.

According to Research and Markets and aligned with Saudi Vision 2030s goals for diversified economic growth and environmental sustainability, the kingdoms facilities management market is set to more than double, driven by a staggering 11.1% CAGR between 2020 and 2030.

Saudi Arabias retail, healthcare, hospitality, industrial, and transportation sectors are increasingly outsourcing their energy management solutions. CIOs are further integrating technologies such as real-time analytics, AI and machine learning, cloud, and the Internet of Things.

As Saudi Arabias market for multi-technical services reaches new heights, real-time analytics can help organisations to optimise their costs, employee and customer experiences, business competitiveness, and environmental sustainability, said Al Moajil. Enova is supporting Saudi Vision 2030 goals with the latest energy and facilities management innovations, from energy retrofits to building integrated renewable energy solutions, namely solar PV plants on rooftops and carparks.

In her role, Al Moajil will be responsible for consolidating Enovas growing market position in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through client retention, accelerating the digital transformation and addressing the built environment sustainability challenges. She is one of the Kingdoms first female Saudi national senior leaders in facilities management.

We are seeing strong Saudi interest in energy performance contracts from the public but as well from the private sector, a process that goes beyond a traditional energy audit to the implementation of building retrofits, and delivering energy benchmarking, added Al Moajil. Another driver in the market that shows high market demand is Enovas condition-based maintenance solutions. Maintaining assets based on their needs rather than on a set schedule, optimising cost and improving safety standards.

In the kingdom, Enova is enabling resource management transformation with public and private sector leaders such as the Saudi Standards, Quality, and Metrology Organisation (SASO), Kinan Malls, Chalhoub Group and Banque Saudi Fransi.

Enova is further supporting Saudi market growth with the recent opening of its Hubgrade 4.0 smart monitoring and reporting centrein the Kingdom. Hubgrade 4.0 is an industry-leading platform that provides organisations with real-time analytics, maintenance automation and dashboards, allowing for a full visibility on operational performance.

Al Moajil brings seventeen years of experience in the energy and facilities management industry, most recently as Contract Manager  Project Management Consultancy at Wood, the global consulting and engineering firm. During her tenure, Al Moajil earned multiple awards, including for integrity and financial responsibility. She was also featured globally in Woods communications for Showcasing Inspiring Women Across the Business.

Amani Al Moajil has the industry expertise, professionalism, and leadership skills to lead Enovas fast-growth Saudi Arabia operations, said Renaud Capris, CEO, Enova. She brings a proven track record of providing a high level of service to Saudi Arabias engineering and industrial sectors to enable the digital transformation of the energy and facilities management industry.

Al Moajil holds a Bachelors degree in Computer Science Application at Jubail University College. She is also a Certified Project Management Professional.-- TradeArabia News Service
Bahrain's leading telecom services operator Batelco said its General Counsel and Board Secretary Noora Sulaibeekh has won top honours at this years Middle East Legal Awards. She was declared winner in the General Counsel of the Year  Large Team category.

The awards, held annually by Law.com International, celebrate excellence in the legal field by recognising regional achievements of law firms and legal professionals, and emphasizing their fundamental role within an organisation.

During her years with Batelco, Sulaibeekh played a key role in ensuring the success of Batelcos major projects and supporting the aims of the companys strategy.

She holds a masters degree in International Relations and Sustainable Development Law from Paris-Sorbonne University.

A highly qualified Bahraini lawyer, Sulaibeekh specialises in the telecom, media and technology (TMT) sector, and has over 13 years of international experience.

Batelco said it was committed to supporting the career development of national talents over the years, through programmes designed to enhance their skills and prepare them to take on leadership positions in the future. And Noora is the perfect example to showcase the results of these efforts, it stated.

Commenting on the win, Sulaibeekh said: "It is a great honour to be recognized at the Middle East Legal Awards which are considered a seal of excellence for the regions legal sector. I would like to thank Batelco for giving me the opportunity to apply my skills and for empowering me to learn and lead in this fast-paced industry."

"I would also like to thank my team for supporting me and being my backbone; this award is as much theirs as it is mine," she added.-TradeArabia News Service
Leading global law firm Baker McKenzie has announced the promotion of 67 colleagues to partner.

In addition, in the year to 30 June 2021, the Firm also welcomed 28 new lateral partners across a range of key markets, including London, Palo Alto, Shanghai and Egypt, to reach a total of 95 new partners globally, all of whom are listed below.

Across the Firm's practice groups, M&A and Tax saw the largest number of new partner promotions.

In the Middle East, a noteworthy promotion has been awarded to Delwar Hossain from the Banking & Finance Practice Group based in Baker McKenzies Bahrain office. Further, Hani Nassef has been appointed as a lateral M&A partner, joining the Corporate/ M&A team of Baker McKenzie Cairo earlier on March 1, 2021.

On the promotion of Hossain to partner, Ian Siddell, Head of the Gulf Banking & Finance practice of Baker McKenzie said: As we continue our growth momentum in the region, we are delighted to welcome Delwar as an outstanding addition to the partnership. For over a decade, Delwar has consistently shown himself to be an exceptional Banking and Finance lawyer with deep legal knowledge in Islamic finance, project finance, loans & credit facilities, debt capital markets, restructuring and insolvency. His promotion is a reflection of his incredible leadership skills and first-class legal service to clients as well as our commitment to appreciating and developing the firms internal talents.

Milton Cheng, Global Chair, Baker McKenzie, said: "Congratulations to all of our new partners. I am very pleased to welcome 95 new partners, both home-grown and lateral, particularly against the backdrop of a global pandemic. This indicates our strategy of nurturing the careers of our people and recruiting the best possible talent to join our Firm. It is also notable that our new partners come from offices right across the globe, underscoring our unwavering commitment to being a truly global firm in both our outlook and our presence.

"Our FY21 promotions have been carefully considered to ensure our clients receive the best possible service and that we continue to be a Firm where we have deep technical expertise, unrivalled local knowledge, and of course an incredible global platform. We continue to build on key strengths in areas including M&A, PE and in other complex cross border transactions, tax disputes, multi-jurisdictional investigations, and in the digital transformation space, where we have an industry leading offering that spans our full range of practices." -- TradeArabia News Service
The upcoming RetailME ICONS, the Mena regions first-ever retail power list, will celebrate and acknowledge the most influential people in Mena retail and the pioneers leading digital transformation of the growing industry that generates an estimated $1.02 trillion in sales per year.



Organised by Images RetailME, a retail intelligence media brand in the Middle East, the event will be held at the JW Marriott Marquis Hotel on August 04, 2021.



This is the largest and only credible list of 100 most powerful retail icons from the Mena region. Our aim is to showcase to all the industry players and key stakeholders, who the most important retail leaders are, said Justina Eitzinger, Chief Operating Officer of Images RetailME.



The retail sector is abuzz with a lot of speculation on who will make it to the top 100 and is looking forward to the big reveal in August at the most sought-after event in the retail industry where all the whos who in retail will gather!



The industry has undergone a sea change  in quality, environment, efficiency, customer service and digital transformation. As the sector transforms and re-discovers itself, we take this opportunity to list the most powerful retailers in order to create an industry benchmark that would inspire other retailers to up their game and join the retail revolution being spearheaded by the listed icons as well as help stakeholders to develop a better perception on the biggest names in the regions retail industry.



With an estimated $202 per capita monthly spent, the total annual retail spending by Mena regions 411 million people is estimated to cross $1 trillion per annum.



As the retail industry in the Mena region transforms itself from physical to digital, those who are at the forefront of the innovation and digitisation process, will dominate the industry in the future and it is our responsibility as the voice of and for the sector to acknowledge their efforts and achievements as we move forward, she says.



As Dubai Government has eased the COVID-19 related restrictions on participation, following the successful handling of the situation, I am glad to announce that the event will be held as per the guidance provided by the government with all health and safety measures with attendees that are 100 percent vaccinated, she added.



The RetailME ICONS list  that is currently being deliberated by the Jury, consisting of Laila Mohammed Suhail, CEO, Strategic Alliance and Partnership at the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM); Mohammad Alawi, Partner, Chief Executive Officer, REDS Company; Anurag Bajpai, Head of Consumer and Retail, KPMG Lower Gulf; Amitabh Taneja, Chairman, Images Group; Mohamed Galal, Chairman and Managing Director, Misr Real Estate Assets; Hozefa Saylawala, Director of Sales, Zebra Technologies  will reflect the ground reality and change the popular perception  where some of the unsung heroes will emerge as winners!



The event is taking place at a time when the estimated retail e-commerce sales in the Middle East jumped to $55.40 billion in 2020, compared to $22.20 billion in 2015. Unfortunately, e-commerce sale represents only 2-3 percent of the total retail sales in the Mena region, according to a report published by Go-Gulf.



Ecommerce usage overall sits at around 48 percent of the population, which is relatively low when compared to more mature markets in China, the US and Europe. However, at $817, spending per shopper is quite high, reflecting the increased disposable income that individuals in this region enjoy. E-commerce growth is expected to jump higher in the coming months and years.



Laila Mohammed Suhail, CEO, Strategic Alliance and Partnership, DTCM, said: Every crisis begets opportunity and it has been very reassuring to see the retailers from Mena using this crisis to accelerate their digital growth, diversify their business models and think outside-the-box and push limits like never seen before.



Im glad that RetailME has taken the initiative to put together this comprehensive list of the top 100 retailers as now would be a great time to acknowledge and appreciate their contributions to the industry and wider economy. It has been very exciting putting this list together, debating and discussing with the other jury members on the various classifications, which retailer falls under which category, and just discussing their inventive approaches towards navigating the pandemic in general.



E-commerce growth occurred as a result of the high internet usage by the Middle East populace. Middle East countries like Iran and Egypt have high internet users with 56,700,000 and 48,211,493 users, respectively. There is also a record with Bahrain in 2017, where 98 percent of their population used the internet, sweeping past France and the USA. Middle East countries experienced an annual e-commerce growth of 23 percent from 2018 to 2021.



Mohammad Alawi, Partner, CEO of REDS Company KSA, said: As a keen observer of the regions retail industry, I was delighted to be presented with the opportunity of being in the RetailME ICONS jury. The team collated a lot of data on the retail leaders achievements, innovations, and legacy on the basis of which I, along with my co-jurors, were tasked to select the top 100.



I was pleasantly surprised to learn about all the transformations theyve undergone and how they stepped up in their own respective leadership roles, especially last year, to not just sustain but also thrive, and reinvent retail.



The coronavirus outbreak contributed to the growth of the e-commerce sector in the Middle East, as over 40 percent of respondents of a survey said, they started shopping online more than they did before the outbreak. In Mena, the estimated e-commerce sales in 2021 is about $49 billion. E-commerce in UAE has a total retail sales percentage of 4.2 percent.  TradeArabia News Service
Alsayah Square, a unique, medical and commercial complex built over a 100,000-sq-ft area in the heart of Busaiteen in Bahrain, has announced the opening of its new Mega Mart.

A renowned supermarket, Mega Mart is also the official distributor of British-owned Tesco products. The outlet at Alsayah Square is the largest supermarket in Busaiteen and Mega Marts 15th store in Bahrain

Located in Busaiteen near King Hamad Hospital, the Alsayah Square will provide the residents of Muharraq governorate with a conveniently located community mall offering a unique family-friendly environment inclusive of a medical complex.

It is built over three floors and aims to further add to residents convenience with a leading supermarket, coffee shops, restaurants, banking outlets and much more, said ths statement from Alsayah Square.

The mezzanine and ground floor will include retail outlets while the top-most floor will consist of medical units, providing healthcare services to visitors.

Leasing is still under way for the remaining units and is managed by CBRE, a leading and integrated real estate services company.

Commenting on the occasion, a senior representative at Alsayah Square said: "The opening of Mega Mart has been met with a tremendous amount of excitement. The presence of the largest supermarket in Busaiteen will expand on our promise to provide residents and visitors with a family-friendly shopping environment."

Adding to customers convenience, Alsayah Square provides visitors not only easy access to the supermarket but also an ample parking space, delivering an easy, pleasant and satisfying shopping experience, he stated.

Alsayah Square, designed as a mixed-use development, with the opening of Mega Mart has delivered on a longstanding requirement of the area.

The supermarket boasts of an extensive range of ready - meals, deli and bakery products, handpicked and customized to cater to the needs of the residents that make-up the community.

"We at Alsayah Square are committed to our promise and are actively working towards expanding our selection of retail and dine-in stores with the intent to successfully integrate an atmosphere that will enable visitors to enjoy their every visit," he added.

As a full-service supermarket, Mega Mart covers a total area of 1,700 sq m split generously between two floors giving residents of Busaiteen access to a plethora of well-curated quality produce, local and imported foods along with essential household products, remarked Anil Nawani, General Manager at Mega Mart.

"Its our pleasure and honour to tie up with Alsayah Square located in Busaiteen, the heart of Muharraq, to serve the local community," he stated.

"Mega Mart is a very well-known name in Bahrain, reputed for its great range and pocket-friendly offers along with good-quality meat, poultry, fish, fresh fruits and vegetables. We have recently upgraded our to go menu with all kinds of sandwiches and ready to eat food," stated Nawani.

"Our endeavour is to create and ensure a safe and convenient family shopping," he added.
Dubai-based international airline Emirates is expecting more than 450,000 passengers to travel from, to and through Terminal 3 at Dubai International Airport over the course of the next two weekends on over 1,600 flights.



The busiest days for the airline will be the next two weekends, 2-3 July and 9-10 July, although high passenger traffic is expected to start today, and will run through 12 July.



In addition, close to 100,000 passengers will be arriving into Dubai on Emirates flights to start their summer holidays during that same period.



All Emirates and DXB touchpoints are fully prepared to manage the increase in passenger traffic, with measures and protocols in place designed to enhance safety as customers move through Terminal 3.



This includes robust and consistent cleaning protocols for high traffic areas such as seats and handrails; modern cleaning technologies for surfaces in Emirates' dedicated lounges keeping them germ free for longer; social distancing measures through floor markings, signage and airport employees safely managing the flow of passengers; hand sanitising stations as well as Plexiglas partitions at Emirates check-in desks and in Emirates Lounges, amongst numerous other measures.



Customers are strongly urged to arrive at the airport at least three hours before their flight departure to avoid delays. Passengers are encouraged to build in extra time for their journey with expected heavy road traffic coming into Terminal 3.



Customers are also reminded to review the latest travel requirements to their booked destination, including whether forms, vaccination certificates or negative PCR tests are required on the Emirates Travel Hub, which has the latest information for every country on the airline's route network.



Customers can physically check-in and drop off their luggage at any Emirates counter 24 hours before departure. All passengers physically checking in at the airport are requested to check in no later than 3 hours prior to departure.



Customers who present themselves less than 60 minutes prior to their scheduled flight departure will not be accepted for travel. They can also check in online 48 hours to 90 minutes before flight departure. Those who opt to check-in online are reminded to visit the Emirates check-in counters or contactless kiosks to complete the required travel documentation checks and formalities.



Customers are also advised to make sure they get to their boarding gate on time. Gates open 90 minutes before departure, boarding starts 45 minutes before each flight and gates close 20 minutes before departure. If passengers report late Emirates will not be able to accept them for travel. Check-in and gate closure timings are strictly followed for on-time departures.



A touchless, paperless experience



Emirates customers can look forward to an easier and hassle-free airport experience with contactless check-in, its biometric path and enhanced digital verification of Covid-19 medical information. The airline has sharpened its focus on technologies and services that optimise passenger processing to minimise queues, for a fast-tracked experience that prioritises safety and efficiency.



Significantly reducing wait times, Emirates' contactless kiosks are completely controlled by personal mobile devices without the need to touch the screens; providing another way passengers can enjoy a safe and efficient pre-boarding experience. Along with check-in, customers can choose seats on board, drop off their bags, and even pay for ancillary products like extra baggage.



Customers can also utilise Emirates' biometric path for a contactless journey via 18 check-in desks and 7 biometric boarding gates, with virtually no document checks and less queuing.



Emirates is also leading the way in providing more ways for its customers to fulfil their pre-departure health requirements through digital verification. Customers flying between Dubai and London, Barcelona, Madrid, Istanbul, New York JFK, Moscow, Frankfurt, Charles De Gaulle, and Amsterdam can also now use the IATA Travel Pass to manage their Covid-19 travel documentation, including vaccination and latest PCR test results. The airline is progressing on plans to roll-out the IATA Travel Pass solution across its global network this summer.



In July, Emirates will also connect the Alhosn app with its check-in systems, in addition to its existing integration with the Dubai Health Authority (DHA). Customers will have the advantage of digital retrieval and verification of Covid-19 medical records for a paperless experience regardless of where in the UAE they had completed their vaccination, or Covid-19 PCR and antigen tests.



Emirates will also be reopening its dedicated 540-seat capacity First Class Lounge in Concourse B for its customers on July 1 to cater to the surge in passenger demand, particularly in the premium classes.  TradeArabia News Service
Mauritius will allow international travellers without Covid-19 vaccinations to enter the island nation, subject to undertaking a mandatory 14-day in hotel room quarantine, from July 15.

Travellers from Reunion are also able to enter Mauritius.

Mauritius is opening in phases during 2021 with the first phase from July 15 to September 30 now being extended to both vaccinated and non-vaccinated visitors.

Non-vaccinated visitors from 15 July 2021

Visitors who have not been fully vaccinated are required to book a 14-night in-room quarantine stay in one of Mauritius quarantine hotels before departure. Visitors will stay in their room during this time and meals will be delivered to them.

A quarantine hotel stay is only available for non-vaccinated international visitors and returning Mauritian nationals and can book through a tour operator, travel agent or directly with the hotel. A full list of approved quarantine hotels and entry requirements are available at www.mauritiusnow.com

Fully vaccinated Travellers from 15 July 2021  30 September 2021

Different arrival protocols apply for fully vaccinated travellers with Mauritius launching a unique 14-day resort bubble holiday on the island.

Fully vaccinated visitors will be able to enjoy facilities within their chosen hotel including the swimming pool and beach. If guests stay for 14 days and have negative PCR tests during their stay in the resort, they will then be able to leave the hotel and travel about the island freely for the rest of their stay, exploring the islands many attractions. However, for shorter stays, they may leave the resort earlier and travel back home. Non or partially vaccinated visitors are unable to use a resort bubble package. The approved Covid-19 safe resort bubbles as well as entry requirements for are available on: www.mauritiusnow.com

All travellers must undergo a PCR test between 5 and 7 days before departure and a negative result is required to travel to the island. Travellers will also have a PCR test on arrival at the airport in Mauritius, on day 7 and 14 of their resort bubble or quarantine hotel, as applicable.

The announcement follows the acceleration of the vaccination campaign and the progress made towards herd immunity by the end of September. Tourism employees were prioritised during the vaccine rollout. This has enabled a prompt and safe restart of the Mauritius tourism industry.

The countrys response to the pandemic ranked among one of the best in the world as the Mauritian Government responded promptly with stringent control measures and protocols. The safety of Mauritians and visitors has been a top priority since the outbreak of Covid-19 and the success is a result of a joint effort by the Mauritian Government and the countrys population.

Air Mauritius, Emirates are other global airlines will add additional flight capacity from 15 July which will increase in the lead up to the full reopening of 1 October. - TradeArabia News Service
Oman Air, the national carrier of the Sultanate of Oman, has joined the ranks of several high-profile companies in Oman as a main sponsor of the Ministry of Healths Covid-19 vaccination drive underway at Oman Conference and Exhibition Centre in Muscat.

Staff volunteers from the airline have been on-site since the mass campaign began on 20th June to provide support in several key areas and facilitate the flow of individuals through various stations in the vaccination process.

Close to 60 Oman Air staff are participating in the campaign, which is set to run for three months, divided into three work shifts throughout the day. welcoming the eligible vaccine target group, managing checkpoints and scanning areas, and making sure that procedures are followed correctly are just some of the ways the team of Oman Air volunteers is assisting Ministry of Health and OCEC teams to deliver a successful vaccination campaign.

Hilal Al-Siyabi, Senior Vice-President, People Department at Oman Air, explained how Oman Air employees are consistently a source of pride for the airline through their willingness to volunteer. As soon as the call went out to assemble a team of volunteers for Omans National Vaccination Campaign, our staff responded enthusiastically. The opportunity to play a part in slowing the spread of Covid-19 is a source of pride for many, and reflects their genuine compassion towards their brothers and sisters as well as heartfelt concern for community wellbeing.

Dr. Salim Abdullah Al Flaiti, Director of Venue Operations at the Oman Convention & Exhibition Centre, commented: We are delighted to have Oman Air as a Main Sponsor of the National Vaccination Campaign. Oman Air team has set an example of dedication and hard work during the event and seeing them take part in the nations call, is a clear commitment in delivering a seamless experience. - TradeArabia News Service
Jazeera Airways prepares to launch flights to Turkeys coastal city of Antalya starting from July 2 as well as to the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv starting from July 13. Flights to each destination are scheduled twice weekly.

As restrictions on travel start to ease and vaccinations continue to roll out worldwide, the airline has already announced new services that cater to travellers looking for new touristic destinations to explore as well as cities marked safe from Covid-19.

Jazeera Chief Executive Officer, Rohit Ramachandran, said: Jazeera has a number of unique destinations lined up for travel this summer. Following the launch of flights to London Heathrow, Bodrum, Trabzon, Istanbul, Bishkek and Tashkent, were introducing Antalya and Kyiv for families to enjoy once again their summer vacation and avid travelers to discover new places. Antalya offers them a great getaway over the turquoise coast of Turkey, while Kyiv and the rest of Ukraine presents a history and culture that is waiting to be discovered.

Flights to Antalya land at Antalya Airport (AYT) every Monday and Friday, while flights to Kyiv land at Kyiv International Airport  Zhuliany (IEV) every Tuesday and Friday while the return from Kyiv is scheduled on the following day.

When booking at jazeeraairways.com, fares are inclusive of a PCR test mandated upon arrival at Jazeera Terminal 5 at Kuwait International Airport.

Passengers should review Covid-19 regulations before booking to ensure compliance with local regulations on vaccination and PCR test certificates.

Travel Advisory for passengers returning to Kuwait

Passengers travelling out of Kuwait should ensure they carry their vaccination certificate if they hold a Kuwaiti citizenship, while passengers holding all other nationalities will need to present their vaccination or PCR test certificate. At the time of this announcement, entry into Kuwait is presently limited to passengers holding a Kuwaiti citizenship, their first-degree relatives and domestic workers. Starting August 1, new regulations for entry to have been announced by the Government of Kuwait, mandating that returning residents have valid proof of vaccination. Passengers are requested to review these regulations to ensure they comply with local regulations.

Safety Measures

Jazeera has also implemented many other measures to ensure the safety of passengers since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic. Its expanding fleet of Airbus A320neo aircraft are all equipped with hospital grade HEPA air filters. Every safety and precautionary measure is also a standard today on its aircraft and at Jazeera Terminal T5 in Kuwait. - TradeArabia News Service
Washington, Jun 30 (UNI) Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and US Treasury Secretary Janet L Yellen spoke on the phone and discussed global minimum tax.

"Secretary of the Treasury Janet L Yellen spoke with Finance Minister of India Nirmala Sitharaman. Secretary Yellen discussed that the United States and India have a shared interest in implementing a robust global minimum tax," the Department of Treasury said in a statement on Tuesday.

During the telephonic conversation, the Secretary stressed the importance of partnership with India in the G20 and OECD to seize a once-in-a-generation opportunity to remake the international tax system to help the global economy thrive, the statement added.

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New Delhi, Jun 30 (UNI) Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday lauded GST on its completion of four years and said it has been a milestone in the economic landscape of India.

In a tweet, the Prime Minister said, "GST has been a milestone in the economic landscape of India. It has decreased the number of taxes, compliance burden & overall tax burden on common man while significantly increasing transparency, compliance and overall collection. #4YearsofGST"

The GST system was implemented in the country on July 1, 2017.

As per the Finance Ministry, over 66 crore GST returns have been filed in the country so far.

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Aurangabad, Jun 30 (UNI) The Marathwada region of Maharashtra recorded 384 new cases of COVID-19 and 15 fatalities during the past 24 hours, health authorities informed on Wednesday.

Details from all the district headquarters collected by UNI showed that out of the eight districts of the region, Beed reported the highest 170 new cases and six deaths, followed by Aurangabad which had 91 cases and 3 deaths, Jalna had 11 cases and 3 deaths, Latur had 29 cases and 2 deaths, Parbhani had 25 cases and single death, Osmanabad had 53 cases, Hingoli recorded 5 cases and in Nanded district not a single case recorded.

Meanwhile, during the past 24 hours, 8,085 fresh cases of COVID-19 were recorded across Maharashtra, taking the cumulative total number of infections in the state to 60,51,633.
Washington, Jun 30 (UNI/Sputnik) The Pennsylvania Supreme Court announced on Wednesday that it has overturned on appeal actor and comedian Bill Cosby's 2018 sexual assault conviction.

Cosby appealed the conviction on the grounds that the original District Attorney involved in the case decided that Pennsylvania would decline to criminally prosecute Cosby for the incident, forcing him to provide four sworn depositions in a civil suit without the same legal protections, during which he made several incriminating statements.

There is only one remedy that can completely restore Cosby to the status quo ante. He must be discharged, and any future prosecution on these particular charges must be barred For these reasons, Cosbys convictions and judgment of sentence are vacated, and he is discharged, Justice David Wecht wrote in the Courts opinion.
Damage to Russian economy due to COVID-19 amounted to about $13 6 Billion in 2020 05 Jul 2021 | 10:02 AM Moscow, Jul 5 (UNI/Sputnik) The damage to the Russian economy as a result of COVID-19 amounted to nearly 1 trillion rubles (about $13.6 billion) last year, the Russian public health watchdog Rospotrebnadzor said in a report obtained by Sputnik. see more..

Pope Francis gets colon surgery in Rome - Vatican 05 Jul 2021 | 8:34 AM Vatican, Jul 5 (UNI/Sputnik) Pope Francis underwent scheduled colon surgery in Rome on Sunday, and reacted well to it, the Vatican said. see more..

Biden tells Americans on July 4 that COVID-19 has not been vanquished 05 Jul 2021 | 8:27 AM Washington, Jul 5 (UNI/Sputnik) US President Joe Biden has congratulated Americans on the 4th of July, stressing that vaccination needs to continue in order for the United States to beat the coronavirus, particularly new variants such as the Delta strain. see more..

Death toll in Philippine military plane crash up to 50 - Reports 05 Jul 2021 | 8:10 AM Manila, Jul 5 (UNI/Sputnik) The death toll in the Philippine military plane crash that occurred on Sunday has gone up to 50, while 49 servicemen were injured, ABS CBN reports citing a spokesman of the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP). see more..


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Gibraltar and UK Continue to Plan for No Agreement

The UK-Gibraltar Readiness NNO Board met in Gibraltar for the first time last Monday. The role of the Board is to coordinate preparations between the UK and Gibraltar Governments in the event of a Non Negotiated Outcome.

The UK Minister for the European Neighbourhood and the Americas Wendy Morton MP opened the hybrid meeting which was chaired jointly with UK by the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Joseph Garcia.

A team of officials from the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office, who are here on a familiarisation visit, participated together with officials from other UK departments who joined the meeting virtually.

On the Gibraltar side, the Board included the Civil Contingencies Coordinator, the CEO of the Department of the Environment, the Parliamentary Counsel, the Director of Gibraltar House in Brussels, the Commissioner of Police, the Collector of Customs, the CEO of the Borders and Coastguards Agency , the Captain of the Port as well as the Principal Secretary and PA of the Office of the Deputy Chief Minister.

The Deputy Chief Minister said that it was sensible and prudent, as had happened since 2016, to make plans for no agreement, even though the Government remained fully committed to an agreement on the future relationship of Gibraltar with the European Union.
Meetings with Early Birds and St Martin's Parents

The Chief Minister, the Hon Fabian Picardo, and the Minister for Education, Hon Prof John Cortes, last week met with members of the Parents Association of Early Birds Nursery and St Martins Special School, as part of a series of regular meetings where a wide range of matters have been discussed.

The meeting focused on further developing a Gibraltar Special Needs Strategy to assist persons with special needs and their families through all stages of life and is pursuant to work already undertaken also with the Minister for Health, Care and Equality, the Hon Samantha Sacramento. Specifically, the development of a new Special Needs Coordination and Liaison Office and a new NGO Charity were further discussed. The aim is for both of these initiatives to work alongside each other to enhance and streamline the support provided to individuals and families with Special Needs at every stage and in every interaction with Government.

The main focus of the Special Needs Coordination and Liaison Office will therefore be to have an overview of the provision of services across all Government Departments and to focus on facilitating the access to Government services of people with special needs in a more seamless manner.

The potential NGO Charity also being proposed is being considered as an entity that would act as a one-stop shop for individuals and families to access information and inclusive, innovative programs on almost every aspect of community life.

Further meetings in respect of these initiatives are expected to continue in coming weeks before a final announcement can be made.
Fort Polk, LA (71446)

Today

Generally sunny despite a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 92F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds light and variable.
Halls Sophie Garner-MacKinnon has been named the 2020-21 Gatorade Connecticut Softball Player of the Year, according to a release from Gatorade. Garner-MacKinnon is the first Gatorade Connecticut Softball Player of the Year to be chosen from Hall High School.
Calvert City Man Arrested on Drug, Traffic Charges

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MCCRACKEN COUNTY - A Calvert City man was arrested on drug charges after a traffic stop in McCracken County Tuesday night.A deputy stopped a vehicle driven by 30-year-old Austin Penrod at the intersection of Homewood Avenue and Husband Road.Deputies reportedly found methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.Penrod was arrested and charged with possession of methamphetamine, possession of drug paraphernalia, and speeding 24 mph over the speed limit.He was lodged in the McCracken County Jail.
Kuttawa Man Charged With Burglary

By West Kentucky Star Staff

KUTTAWA - A Kuttawa man was arrested on burglary charges after items stolen from a nearby home were allegedly found in his garage and pickup truck.The Lyon County Sheriff's Office responded Tuesday morning to a home on Chestnut Oak Road, southwest of Kuttawa. The homeowner reported that his detached garage had been broken into and numerous items had been stolen, including two Craftsman cabinets and other items valued at more than $1,000.Sheriff Brent White conducted a canvass of the neighborhood to determine if anyone had seen anything suspicious in the area during the estimated time of the theft.When Sheriff White walked up the driveway of another home on Chestnut Oak Road, 65-year-old John Balthus allegedly attempted to close the garage door, but White reportedly observed one of the stolen cabinets sitting in the middle of the garage floor.One of the stolen items was also located in the bed of a pickup truck parked in the driveway. Most of the stolen property was recovered at the residence, as well as the tools reportedly used to break into the victim's garage.Balthus was arrested and charged with third degree burglary, criminal mischief, theft by unlawful taking over $1,000, and possession of burglary tools.He was lodged in the Crittenden County Detention Center.
Lyon County Sheriff Warns of Roadside Soliciting

By West Kentucky Star Staff

LYON COUNTY - Lyon County Sheriff Brent White is warning the public about people soliciting donations after a Tuesday complaint.Tuesday afternoon, the Lyon County Sheriff's Office learned of a group stopping vehicles at US 62 and KY 93 in Eddyville.Deputies identified three men from Tampa, Florida, who were reportedly soliciting drivers for donations without a KYTC permit.Two of the identified solicitors were wanted from other states. However, neither state would extradite the men.They were ordered to disperse and not return unless lawfully permitted.Deputies said the group claimed they represented a 501C3 religious organization out of Florida, although it couldn't be verified.Sheriff White said everyone should be mindful of what charity they are donating to.He said, "Nobody should be misled nor enticed by emotion to donate to a charity, especially when stopped at an intersection. Legitimate charities do not conduct business this way."
Murray Collision Leaves One Injured

By West Kentucky Star Staff

MURRAY - A two-vehicle collision in Murray on Tuesday left one person injured.The Murray Police Department responded to North 12th Street where 73-year-old Mark Kennedy of Almo told officers he was struck by a vehicle as he turned from Arcadia Circle.The other driver, 21-year-old Justin Tucker of Madisonville, told authorities a vehicle pulled out in front of him, and he couldn't stop in time.A passenger in Kennedy's vehicle, 72-year-old Jackie Kennedy, also of Almo, was taken to the emergency room to treat possible injuries.
Pritzker Signs NIL Law in Illinois

By The Associated Press

CHICAGO - College athletes will be able to make money on product endorsements and hire agents under a plan signed into law by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The move comes as roughly two dozen states have approved or are considering similar plans to allow student athletes to be compensated for their names, images and likenesses.The Illinois law takes effect July 1.While the NCAA has indicated that it would support allowing students athletes to profit from their name and image, it has lagged in changing its longtime rules. Backers of the new law say it's about equity and autonomy for student athletes.
Booker Teases "Big Announcement" This Week

By Kentucky News Network

FRANKFORT - Charles Booker says he has a "big announcement" planned this week.The former state Rep. is holding an event Thursday at the Kentucky Center for African American Heritage in Louisville.While details have not been released, the Democrat has been "strongly considering" a run for U.S. Senate against Rand Paul.Booker tried to make a run against Sen. Mitch McConnell in the November 2020 election, gaining support in the final hours as he went into the streets during racial justice protests. However, Former Marine fighter pilot Amy McGrath beat out Booker in the Democratic primary.
Paul Keeps Up Complaints Over Handling of Pandemic

By The Associated Press

GREENSBURG - U.S. Sen. Rand Paul on Tuesday continued to criticize the government's COVID-19 response, accusing Governor Andy Beshear and Dr. Anthony Fauci of encroaching on personal freedom.In a home state appearance, the libertarian-leaning Republican said Americans should make their own decisions on whether to be vaccinated.We dont really need people who believe in some sort of elitism to tell us what to do," said Paul, who is an eye surgeon, speaking before a luncheon audience. I think weve got pretty good sense.Paul noted that most people age 65 and older have received their vaccinations, saying they figured out it was in their best interest to do so.In a free society, we make these decisions individually, he said.While he acknowledged former President Donald Trump as one of the big leaders" of the national Republican Party, Paul said the GOP has a lot of leaders. He deflected a question about whether he might seek the presidency again, saying he is focused on his 2022 Senate reelection bid.Paul's talk of individuality comes as the Biden administration tries to reach its COVID-19 vaccination goal by sending A-list officials across the country, devising ads for niche markets and enlisting community organizers to persuade unvaccinated people to get a shot.Paul opened his wide-ranging remarks by taking aim at Fauci, the nations top government infectious-diseases expert, and Beshear.He opened his remarks by taking aim at Fauci. Paul, who is an eye surgeon, has sparred with Fauci over the need to wear masks once coronavirus vaccines were available and over how COVID-19 originated. The senator told the rural GOP crowd Tuesday that Fauci was busy being political and elitist, adding: Were smart enough to make our own decisions.The senator lambasted Beshear over his virus-related restrictions on businesses that have since been lifted, saying: In our state, the governor decided that he was king.Beshear has repeatedly said his actions saved lives.The Kentucky Supreme Court is currently reviewing a separation-of-powers case stemming from measures passed by the state's GOP-dominated legislature to limit the governors executive powers. Beshear filed a lawsuit after lawmakers overrode his vetoes of bills reining in his executive authority. Paul called it the most important case before the states high court in decades.Because if the court rules that the legislature cannot limit a governors powers, then you have a governor with unlimited powers," the senator said Tuesday. "And it is incredibly dangerous.After his speech, Paul defended his focus on the past virus-related actions. He said he gets more questions about his clashes with Fauci than any other topic when meeting with Kentuckians.I think its still very present on peoples minds," the senator told reporters. "I think it also was the greatest restrictions of our freedom in a long, long time. Its hard to look for a precedent of where government got so involved in our daily lives over the past many decades.Paul also criticized a push by liberal advocates to change or eliminate the Senates filibuster rules, saying he also opposed such efforts when Republicans led the chamber.We have a danger zone until the election of 2022, he said, adding that removing the filibuster would lead to all kinds of mischief by Democrats  including widespread voting by mail and confiscatory tax policies.He said that having things go at a slower pace can be a good thing.Paul is seeking a third Senate term in next year's election. Charles Booker, a Black former state lawmaker who touts a progressive agenda, has emerged as a leading potential Democratic challenger.Paul made no reference to Booker during his appearance, but said the national GOP political scene will be upended until President Trump decides what he's going to do."And so I think we wait and see," Paul said when asked about a 2024 presidential bid. "But its not something that Im actively thinking, 'oh, this is my next step.' Im not really thinking toward that. It would have to be some extraordinary set of events to come together probably for me to consider it.Asked if Trump remains the leader of the national GOP, Paul said: The Republican Party is a big party, so I think there are many leaders. And former President Trump is one of the big leaders in the party. But its not monolithic.
Tennessee Man Charged with Attempted Murder, Arson

By West Kentucky Star Staff

UNION CITY - A Union City man was arrested Tuesday morning following a fire that occurred on West Jackson Street.KYTN reports that 34-year-old Larry Hussey was taken into custody, after an investigation by the Union City Police Department and a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation Arson Investigator.Union City police were called just after 4:30 am, where firefighters had responded to fire involving an outbuilding and garage.Reports said four people were inside the outbuilding, but all safely escaped through a window.Hussey was charged with one count of attempted first degree murder, four counts of aggravated arson, and six counts of reckless endangerment.He was taken to the Obion County jail.
BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua)  Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, will attend a grand gathering celebrating the CPC centenary at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing on Thursday.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will deliver an important speech at the event that will begin at 8 a.m.

The event will be broadcast live by China Media Group and on www.xinhuanet.com. It will also be broadcast simultaneously by television and radio stations across China, as well as on news websites and new media platforms.

(Source: Xinhua)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-29 18:11:02|Editor: huaxia

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Chinese President Xi Jinping, also general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and chairman of the Central Military Commission, delivers an important speech at the ceremony to present the July 1 Medal, the Party's highest honor, to outstanding Party members at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, June 29, 2021. The award ceremony of the July 1 Medal was held Tuesday morning at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, on Tuesday conferred the July 1 Medal, the Party's highest honor, on model CPC members.

A total of 29 CPC members who have made "outstanding contributions to the Party and the people" received the honor, some posthumously.

This is the first time the medal has been awarded as the CPC is set to celebrate its centenary on July 1.

Over the past 100 years, the Party "has written a splendid chapter in the history of the Chinese nation's development and that of humanity's progress," said Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission.

In the Great Hall of the People, Xi draped the medals around the necks of the recipients, shook their hands and congratulated them.

Xi addressed the attendees after presenting the medals.

ROLE MODELS

Over the past 100 years, generations of CPC members have worked hard and made selfless contributions in the pursuit of national independence and the liberation of the people, as well as in striving for a prosperous and strong country and the people's well-being, said Xi.

Noting that the awardees have been outstanding representatives of CPC members on all fronts, Xi said they embody Party members' staunch faith, fighting and dedicated spirit, integrity and devotion, and loyalty to the Party's fundamental tenet -- putting the people at the very center of their hearts, and wholeheartedly serving the people.

To maintain staunch faith is to stay true to the Party's original aspiration and dedicate everything, even one's precious life, to the cause of the Party and the people, said Xi.

All Party members should trust, love and devote themselves to the Party, he said.

Xi also told CPC members to work diligently, maintain high morale, tackle challenges and continue the fine traditions of hard work and plain living, and to put public interests above personal interests.

The ceremony was presided over by Wang Huning, and attended by Li Keqiang, Li Zhanshu, Wang Yang, Zhao Leji and Han Zheng -- all members of the Standing Committee of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, as well as Vice President Wang Qishan.

Wang Huning read a decision of the CPC Central Committee on conferring the medals.

EVERYDAY HEROES

The recipients of the medals all come from the people and are rooted in the people. They are everyday heroes who have fulfilled their duties and made contributions, said Xi.

They include a veteran of the Red Army and those who fought in the War of Liberation and the War to Resist U.S. Aggression and Aid Korea. They also include a volunteer who has spent decades serving her community, a Uygur village official resolutely fighting ethnic separatist activities, a welder, a weaver, a veteran diplomat and a police detective.

A battalion commander who sacrificed his life defending the Chinese border, a Party official who was sent to a village to fight poverty and died on the front line, and a war hero who worked in obscurity after retiring from the military were awarded the honor posthumously.

Zhang Guimei, the principal of a senior high school that offers free education to girls from impoverished families, called herself an "ordinary teacher" when she delivered a speech on behalf of the honorees after receiving her medal.

"The honor belongs to every CPC member working on different fronts," said Zhang. "What we've done is just what many CPC members are doing every day."

According to figures released last year, the CPC has more than 91 million members.

Xi called on the Party to follow the example set by the awardees, saying every CPC member can make accomplishments for the Party and the people in the great cause of national rejuvenation.

"The new era needs heroes and can give birth to heroes," he said.

At the end of the speech, Xi called on CPC members and officials to boldly advance toward the second centenary goal of fully building a modern socialist country, as well as the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

After the ceremony, Xi and other leaders took a group photo with the medal recipients.

Before the ceremony, Xi and other leaders met with awardees of the titles of outstanding Party members, exemplary Party workers, and advanced community-level Party organizations from across the country, and took a group photo with them.

The meeting on awarding the three titles was held Monday, which was attended by Wang Huning and Zhao Leji. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-29 22:54:47|Editor: huaxia

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A staff member works at a workshop of microwave oven factory of Midea Group, a Chinese home appliance giant, in Foshan City, south China's Guangdong Province, April 1, 2021. (Xinhua/Li Jiale)

BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua) -- China's recovery has broadened as its economic activities have continued to normalize under the country's effective suppression of COVID-19, the latest report published by the World Bank (WB) said on Tuesday.

The WB forecast China's economic growth will be at 8.5 percent in 2021.

Supported by the ongoing labor market recovery and improved consumer confidence, the WB projected that consumption growth in China would gradually return to its pre-epidemic trend.

On the supply side, China's industrial production growth has stayed above the trend considering its robust manufacturing activities, said the WB.

The WB forecasts that China's trade surplus would gradually decline in 2021, with the current account surplus narrowing to 1.4 percent of its gross domestic product this year. 
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 03:22:08|Editor: huaxia

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U.S. President Joe Biden speaks to the press before leaving the White House in Washington, D.C., the United States, on June 29, 2021. Biden will visit Surfside, Florida, on Thursday in wake of the collapse of a residential building there, the White House announced Tuesday. (Photo by Ting Shen/Xinhua)

WASHINGTON, June 29 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will visit Surfside, Florida, on Thursday in wake of the collapse of a residential building there, the White House announced Tuesday.

"They want to thank the heroic first responders, search and rescue teams and everyone who has been working tirelessly around the clock, and meet with the families who have been forced to endure this terrible tragedy waiting in anguish and heartbreak for word of their loved ones to offer them comfort as search and rescue efforts continue," White House press secretary Jen Psaki told reporters aboard Air Force One.

The death toll from the tragedy, which happened last Thursday, now stands at 11, with 150 more remaining unaccounted for, making the disaster on track to become the largest mass casualty event of the Biden presidency so far.

While rescuers are still racing to find the missing ones, affected families have become increasingly devastated as the hope that their loved ones are alive dwindles.

"It's difficult to put into words the devastation that this community is experiencing. Our hearts go out to all the families and loved ones that have been impacted by this event," Deanne Criswell, head of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), said Tuesday during a congressional hearing.

Biden has declared a state of emergency for Florida, directing FEMA and the Department of Homeland Security to provide federal resources and assist local rescue efforts.

The president and the first lady "want to make sure that state and local officials have the resources and support they need under the emergency declaration approved by the President for Miami-Dade, Florida," Psaki said while announcing the presidential visit. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 04:48:32|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, June 29 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President Joe Biden on Monday met with advisers and experts on voting rights after he vowed to further address the issue in wake of Democratic defeat in the Senate on a major bid for related reforms, according to a White House readout released Tuesday.

The group "discussed anti-voter legislation that has been proposed or recently passed by state legislatures, legislation pending before Congress, and recent actions taken by the Department of Justice to protect the right to vote," the White House said in the statement.

"The President and his staff highlighted ways that the Administration will continue working with Congress to pass critical legislation and ramp up engagement with the American people on voting rights," the White House said. "The President also reiterated his unwavering determination to win the fight to protect the sacred right to vote in free and fair elections."

Hyper partisanship has become a stumbling block for passing voting rights reform legislation in Congress, a Democratic priority in light of successive efforts by former President Donald Trump and his allies to overturn the 2020 election results.

Legislation passed in several Republican-leaning states in recent months to limit mail-in voting made Democrats more adamant that they must act to counter what they believed to be GOP efforts to deprive minorities of ballot access.

U.S. senators voted 50-50, strictly along party lines, last week to block the advancement of the For the People Act, a Democratic-sponsored bill aimed at sweeping reforms to voting rights. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 06:43:24|Editor: huaxia

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UNITED NATIONS, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The Security Council on Tuesday renewed the mandate of the United Nations Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) for six months, until Dec. 31, as it continues to monitor the 1974 Disengagement of Forces Agreement between Israel and Syria in the Golan Heights.

Unanimously adopting Resolution 2581, the Council called upon the parties concerned to implement Resolution 338 - which called for a ceasefire in the Yom Kippur war - and stressed their obligation to respect the terms of the Disengagement of Forces Agreement.

By other terms, the Council called on the parties to exercise maximum restraint and prevent any breaches of the ceasefire and the area of separation, where there should be no military activity of any kind, including military operations by Syria's armed forces.

UNDOF is a UN peacekeeping mission tasked with maintaining the ceasefire between Israel and Syria in the aftermath of the 1973 Yom Kippur War. The mission was established by the Security Council Resolution 350 on May 31, 1974, to implement Resolution 338 which called for an immediate ceasefire and implementation of Security Council Resolution 242. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 06:47:39|Editor: huaxia

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Photo taken on June 29, 2021 shows a UN Security Council meeting on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) sanctions at the UN headquarters in New York. Renewing the sanctions regime imposed on the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Security Council on Tuesday also extended by 12 months the mandate of the Group of Experts overseeing their implementation. (Eskinder Debebe/UN Photo/Handout via Xinhua)

UNITED NATIONS, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Renewing the sanctions regime imposed on the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), the Security Council on Tuesday also extended by 12 months the mandate of the Group of Experts overseeing their implementation.

Unanimously adopting Resolution 2582, the 15-member council decided to renew until July 1, 2022 measures set out in paragraphs 1 to 6 of Resolution 2293 pertaining to an arms embargo, travel ban and asset freeze.

These measures require all states to refrain from, among other things, providing weapons to non-governmental entities operating in the DRC.

By other terms, the council reaffirmed that the financial and travel measures described in paragraph 5 of Resolution 2293 shall apply to individuals and entities designated by the related Security Council Sanctions Committee, as set forth in paragraph 7 of Resolution 2293 and paragraph 3 of Resolution 2360.

These measures outline acts that undermine the peace, stability or security of the country, including attacks on peacekeepers with the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, UN personnel and members of the Group of Experts.

In renewing the sanctions, the council decided that these measures shall also apply to individuals and entities designated by the Security Council Sanctions Committee for planning, directing, sponsoring or participating in attacks against medical personnel or humanitarian personnel. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 08:43:08|Editor: huaxia

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GENEVA, June 30 (Xinhua) -- China was officially declared malaria-free by the World Health Organization on Wednesday, following a 70-year fight against the mosquito-borne disease. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 10:16:07|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Political parties, political leaders and friendly individuals in other countries have extended warm congratulations on the upcoming 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

In messages addressed to General Secretary Xi Jinping of the CPC Central Committee or to the CPC Central Committee, they spoke highly of the great achievements and important contributions to the world the CPC has made in the past century, particularly since the 18th National Congress of the CPC.

They also expressed their full confidence that the CPC will embark on a new glorious journey in the next century.

The following is an edited summary of some of these messages.

Political parties in Sri Lanka collectively congratulated the CPC on its centenary, saying that under the leadership of the CPC, China has always been a staunch partner and reliable friend for developing countries.

Communist parties in Latin American countries, including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Cuba, Peru and Venezuela, jointly extended their congratulations on the centenary of the CPC.

They said that under Xi's leadership, the CPC has honored its promise to seek happiness for its people and has been continuously making great achievements, which proves convincingly that building socialism is not only possible, but also absolutely necessary for the well-being of humanity.

The following dignitaries have also sent congratulatory messages:

Yulia Tymoshenko, leader of the Fatherland party and former Ukrainian prime minister;

Muhammad Mohaqiq, leader of People's Islamic Unity Party of Afghanistan;

Talal Arslan, head of the Lebanese Democratic Party;

Humam Hamoudi, president of the Islamic Supreme Council of Iraq;

Abdulraham Al-Saqqaf, general secretary of the Yemeni Socialist Party;

Hafedh Zouari, chairman of the Tunisia-India-China friendship group of Tunisia's Assembly of the Representatives of the People;

Vania Roxana Avila Garcia, vice president of the Permanent Conference of Political Parties of Latin America and the Caribbean;

Martin Schulz, president of the Friedrich Ebert Foundation, Germany.

Patrick Le Hyaric, director of French Communist Party newspaper The Humanity;

Akinobu Ito, president of Japan-China Workers Exchange Association. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 11:33:27|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, June 30 (Xinhua) -- China's national observatory on Wednesday renewed a yellow alert for rainstorms across most parts of the country.

From Wednesday to Thursday morning, heavy rains and rainstorms will sweep southern regions of the Yangtze River, and parts of Guizhou, Yunnan, Guangxi and Tibet, said the National Meteorological Center.

The center warned that some areas of Jiangxi, Zhejiang and Guangxi would experience downpours with up to 180 mm of rainfall.

Some regions will see thunderstorms, strong winds, and over 60 mm of precipitation per hour, the center said.

It advised local authorities to remain alert for possible flooding, landslides and mudslides, and recommended halting outdoor operations in hazardous areas.

China has a four-tier color-coded weather warning system, with red representing the most severe warning, followed by orange, yellow and blue. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 11:35:50|Editor: huaxia

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RIO DE JANEIRO, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) has served as the "backbone" on which modern Chinese identity and society were built, said Brazil's ex-President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, who congratulated the Party on its achievements ahead of its centenary.

"I think the CPC was the backbone that allowed the formation of the notion of 'us'," Cardoso told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.

The two-term president recalled his visits to China during and after his tenures, praising China's experience in combating hunger and poverty.

"China has accomplished what seemed very difficult. First of all, it managed to believe in itself. I think the CPC had the ability to not only get to the heart (of the people) but to satisfy the population's interests; it provided a lot of people with jobs," said Cardoso, who is also a sociologist and honorary president of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party.

China's fight against poverty was no small feat, he said, adding that fighting for life is an obligation of all countries, regardless of their forms of government.

On China-Brazil ties, Cardoso said that the bilateral friendship must be maintained and cultivated, given that China has been Brazil's largest trading partner.

Commending the recent efforts to establish scientific and cultural exchanges between the two countries, he said that mutual understanding is a fundamental part of maintaining peace and prosperity between nations.

"It is positive that there is an exchange of information, culture and collaboration programs. The more you can understand the other, the better," said Cardoso. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 13:34:11|Editor: huaxia

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In their fifth stop, the Global Young Leaders Dialogue members visit northwest China's Shaanxi Province to learn about stories of different periods in China's long history.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 15:06:10|Editor: huaxia

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URUMQI, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The Beijing-Urumqi Expressway, the longest desert-crossing expressway in the world, fully opened to traffic on Wednesday after the last section of the route in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was put into operation.

The expressway linking the Chinese capital Beijing and Urumqi, the regional capital of Xinjiang, has a total length of 2,800 km, with over 500 km passing through desert and no man's land.

Besides Beijing and Xinjiang, the expressway passes through four other provincial-level regions -- Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia and Gansu in the north and northwest of China.

It cuts the road distance between Urumqi and Beijing by 1,300 km, making it the fastest road to cross north China.

Sections of the expressway in other provincial-level regions are already in operation. Due to the harsh natural environment and complex geological conditions, the desert-crossing part of the expressway in Xinjiang was the last to be completed. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 15:20:40|Editor: huaxia

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HONG KONG, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Hong Kong's Center for Health Protection (CHP) reported two new imported cases of COVID-19 on Wednesday, taking the total tally to 11,923.

A total of 41 cases were reported in Hong Kong in the past 14 days, including 39 imported cases and two import-related cases, the CHP said.

Hong Kong launched a COVID-19 vaccination drive on Feb. 26 and more than 3.66 million doses have been administered so far. Some 2.21 million people, or about 32.5 percent of the eligible population, have taken at least one shot of the vaccine, and more than 1.45 million people have been fully vaccinated. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 16:34:11|Editor: huaxia

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The Communist Party of China has not only led the Chinese people to achieve economic miracles, but also made great contributions to the development of mankind, world party leaders say.

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 17:57:15|Editor: huaxia

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by Xinhua writers Zhang Zhongkai, Shang Sheng and Zhou Yuan

URUMQI, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The Beijing-Urumqi Expressway, the longest desert-crossing expressway in the world, fully opened to traffic on Wednesday after the last section of the route in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was put into operation.

The expressway linking Beijing and Urumqi, the regional capital of Xinjiang, has a total length of 2,800 km, with over 500 km passing through desert and no man's land.

In addition to Beijing and Xinjiang, the expressway passes through four other provincial-level regions: Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia and Gansu in north China.

It cuts the driving distance between Urumqi and Beijing by more than 1,300 km, making it the fastest road to cross north China, according to Cao Shouhua, a researcher with the Research Institute of Highway, a think tank under the country's transport ministry.

It is also the fastest land route from Tianjin Port in north China to Rotterdam Port in the Netherlands, facilitating exchanges along the Belt and Road.

Sections of the expressway in other provincial-level regions are already in operation. Due to its harsh natural environment and complex geological conditions, the section in Xinjiang was the last to be completed, taking approximately four years.

The Xinjiang section passes through varied landscapes, including the Gobi desert and grasslands. "It was no easy work," said Long Xing, general manager of the Xinjiang section's major developer, affiliated with the China Railway Construction Corporation.

In addition to extreme temperatures ranging from over 40 degrees Celsius to below minus 40 degrees Celsius, workers had to deal with sandstorms, snowstorms, and a lack of stable telecommunication signals, among other difficulties, Long added.

ECOLOGICALLY, ECONOMICALLY FRIENDLY

The Xinjiang section crosses many areas rich in wildlife, and developers have managed to reduce the project's impact on local wildlife as much as possible.

A total of 62 animal passages have been built throughout the section, according to Wang Xiaozhi, the section's chief designer. The design of a three-layer passage has been specifically developed to simultaneously enable the uninterrupted passage of trains, animals and road vehicles.

The three-layer passages have cost an additional 120 million yuan (about 18.6 million U.S. dollars), but Wang believed that was worthwhile. "We should not impede wildlife's path while building our own."

Locals living along the expressway are the biggest beneficiaries, as easier and faster transport will stimulate local economic vitality.

Delida Yerken, a resident of the Kazak Autonomous County of Barkol in east Xinjiang, said she expects booming tourism in her hometown, with an increased inflow of tourists brought by the first expressway to pass Barkol.

"I'm also planning for a family road trip to Beijing and other cities along the expressway during the holidays," she said. "It brings us closer to other areas." Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 18:06:28|Editor: huaxia

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JAKARTA, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Indonesia has received the 18th batch of Sinovac COVID-19 vaccine in seven large containers on Wednesday, according to the country's health ministry.

The newest arrival of the vaccines in bulk will be directly transported to the state-owned pharmaceutical company PT Bio Farma in West Java province's capital of Bandung for further processing.

Health Minister Budi Gunadi Sadikin told a virtual press conference that it takes about a month for Bio Farma to process them into ready-to-use vaccines.

More COVID-19 vaccines were expected to arrive in Indonesia in the second half of this year, Sadikin added.

Indonesia targets to vaccinate 181.5 million people by March next year to achieve herd immunity. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 18:06:49|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The root cause and source of the power of a political party that has seen its membership explode from 50-plus individuals to over 95 million lies in its faith and ability to serve the people.

In a world where the crisis of political representation is prompting a populist surge of disgruntlement across the Atlantic, the 100-year-old Communist Party of China (CPC) is upholding its time-honored philosophy of putting the people first, which is the key to both its success and its future.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, said the people are the "supreme and ultimate judge" of the Party's work.

Although political parties vary in their political stances, goals and visions, the performances of all parties can be measured by one universal yardstick -- how effectively they have served the people.

The CPC has not failed the people it represents. The world's largest political party has developed a bond with the Chinese people, a relationship often described as being as inseparable as "fish and water" or "flesh and blood."

Just like Antaeus, the giant in Greek mythology who drew his power from the earth, the CPC has been drawing its inexhaustible strength from the Chinese people.

The Chinese people's support for the CPC stems from its people-centered governing philosophy.

The CPC has no missionary impulse to "conquer the world," as some biased observers have claimed, nor the intention to export its ideology or development model. Its efforts are motivated solely by the betterment of people's lives.

The state is the people, and the people are the state. Standing on the people's side represents the fundamental political stance of the CPC, and it is what distinguishes a Marxist political party from other political parties.

At its conception, the CPC established its original aspiration and mission -- seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. A century on from its founding, the Party's leadership is repeatedly asking all its members to remain true to this principle.

In some Western countries, the ruling parties have been reduced to serving only a few, becoming political organizations "of the 1 percent, by the 1 percent, for the 1 percent." In contrast, the CPC has remained committed to representing the fundamental will of the majority of the people.

Under the leadership of the CPC, China seeks a people-centered modernization that is different from the Western model in which capital is the primary driver and dominant logic. This is best illustrated by China's massive poverty-alleviation campaign and its handling of the COVID-19 epidemic, where such concepts and practices as "No one should be left behind" and "People first, life first" have been demonstrated.

Poverty relief assistants Liu Ying (1st L) and He Changle (2nd L), and village officials help carry melons planted by villagers in Dongqin Village, Congjiang County of southwest China's Guizhou Province, Nov. 11, 2020. (Xinhua/Yang Wenbin)

The Chinese people's support for the CPC stems from its uncompromising self-sacrifice.

Born at a time when the Chinese economy -- once the world's largest -- had been crippled by foreign invasions and domestic divisions, the fledgling CPC adopted its stance despite great hardship and danger.

Chinese Communists are willing to sacrifice everything, including their lives, for the interests of the people. Nearly one-quarter of the 171 members and alternate members of the CPC central committees before the founding of New China gave up their lives for the Party's cause, according to a report published by the New China Research think tank affiliated to Xinhua. Data showed that as many as 3.7 million CPC members sacrificed their lives from 1921 to 1949 in striving for the establishment of the people's republic. Many others died anonymously.

This spirit of sacrifice has been carried forth to the present day. Nearly 400 of the over 39 million CPC members and cadres who fought against COVID-19 on the front lines died in the process, according to official numbers.

The Chinese people's support for the CPC stems from their experience of its good governance.

In the early 20th century, revolutions, restorations and warlordism failed to change China's fate because of the absence of participation by the Chinese people. Rising from the chaos, the CPC gained in popularity among the people as it led the country toward national independence and the end of the "Century of Humiliation."

Over the past decades, the CPC has made clear its commitment to its original aspiration and mission by championing the Chinese miracles of economic takeoff and long-term social stability, leading the world's most populous country to stand up, grow rich and become strong.

Fireworks are seen above the National Stadium in Beijing, capital of China, on the evening of June 28, 2021. An art performance titled "The Great Journey" was held in Beijing on Monday evening in celebration of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC). (Xinhua/Peng Ziyang)

Fully aware that poverty is incompatible with socialism, the CPC led the Chinese people to initiate reform and opening up, which have changed the fate of the Chinese nation and had profound global implications.

Upholding a people-centered approach, the CPC has transformed China from a country where almost half of the population had to worry about where their next meal would come from into the world's second-largest economy, where every life is equally treasured. From 1949 to 2019, China's per capita disposable income grew at an average annual rate of 6.1 percent in real terms.

The CPC believes in pooling people's wisdom and power. It is the people's support that has helped the world's largest Marxist ruling party to keep endeavoring and improving.

In the 1930s, Edgar Snow visited Yan'an, the then center of the Chinese Communist revolution, where he found a "rock-like solidarity" among the people of the region led by the CPC.

The people-Party unity observed by the American journalist has proven unbreakable. Decades ago, people volunteered to provide food to the revolutionary soldiers and even dismantled their own wooden doors to make stretchers for the troops. Today, they actively respond to the call of the Party and the government to quarantine and vaccinate themselves to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The CPC reviews its history and achievements not to revel in its success but for the purpose of summing up its experience and giving itself the power and courage to move forward and better serve the people.

The Party knows that the biggest risk it faces lies in becoming disconnected and detached from the people. That's why it spares no effort to maintain its close ties with the masses. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 20:05:52|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Political parties, political leaders and friendly individuals in other countries have extended warm congratulations on the upcoming 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

In messages addressed to General Secretary Xi Jinping of the CPC Central Committee or to the CPC Central Committee, they spoke highly of the CPC's glorious history and great achievements, and conveyed their hope to work with the CPC to build a better world.

The following is an edited summary of some of these messages.

Maithripala Sirisena, chairman of the Sri Lanka Freedom Party and former Sri Lankan president, said that the CPC has been consistent with the people-centered development philosophy, exercised strong leadership, and made remarkable achievements in national governance as well as economic and social development.

Pushpa Kamal Dahal, also known as Prachanda, chairman of the Communist Party of Nepal (Maoist Center) and former prime minister, said General Secretary Xi is a great Marxist statesman, who has guided the Chinese people in their efforts to cast off absolute poverty.

The Belt and Road Initiative and the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind put forward by Xi have made great contributions to promoting world peace and development and to boosting global progress, Prachanda added.

George Papandreou, president of the Socialist International and former prime minister of Greece, said the Socialist International is ready to work with the CPC to deal with global challenges and jointly build a better world.

Sitaram Yechury, general secretary of the Communist Party of India (Marxist), said that the CPC has led the Chinese people to successfully cast off extreme poverty, establish an ever-improving medical and education system and world-class infrastructure, and achieve comprehensive economic and social development.

Ahmed Majdalani, secretary general of the Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, said that the CPC has guided China to create "two miracles" of rapid economic development and long-term social stability, and promoted high-level prosperity and progress in China.

The CPC has also made great efforts for world peace and development, as well as for progress of human civilization, he noted.

Sidi Mohamed Ould Taleb Amar, president of Mauritania's Union for the Republic, said the CPC led by General Secretary Xi has sticked to its original aspiration and mission, led the country in achieving historic achievements that have attracted worldwide attention, and embarked on a new journey toward fully building a modern socialist country.

The CPC supports world peace and development, and attaches great importance to safeguarding the interests of all humankind, which has been fully demonstrated in its solidarity with and support to countries around the world in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, Amar added. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 20:08:47|Editor: huaxia

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TEHRAN, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Health Ministry has authorized the emergency use of the second domestic COVID-19 vaccine, the Pasteur Vaccine, semi-official Tasnim News Agency reported Wednesday quoting Health Minister Saeed Namaki.

Iran on Wednesday reported 11,748 new COVID-19 cases, raising the country's total infections to 3,204,557.

The pandemic has so far claimed 84,264 lives in Iran, up by 137 in the past 24 hours, the Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education said.

A total of 2,876,828 people have recovered from the disease or been discharged from hospitals across the country, while 3,183 remain in intensive care units, according to the ministry.

By Wednesday, 4,436,083 people have received first dose of coronavirus vaccines in the country, with 1,596,507 taking both.

On June 14, Iran announced the emergency use of its first domestic COVID-19 vaccine COVIran Barakat.

Iran reported first cases of the disease in February 2020. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 20:45:22|Editor: huaxia

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Beijing-Shanghai high-speed railway, China's busiest high-speed line linking two densely populated and economic vibrant regions, marks the 10th anniversary on Wednesday. #GLOBALink

Produced by Xinhua Global Service
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 20:57:30|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Some Western media's allegations against the effectiveness of Chinese vaccines lack scientific basis and distort the facts, Singapore's Lianhe Zaobao reported on Tuesday, citing the Chinese Foreign Ministry.

In response to a question about a recent New York Times report which questioned the effectiveness of Chinese vaccines in Chile, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said that such allegations were nothing but a distortion of facts and sensational accusations.

"The Chilean government has stated on many occasions that facts show that the Sinovac vaccine is safe and effective. Chilean medical experts believe that had there not been mass vaccination supported by the Chinese vaccine, the consequences would have been catastrophic," Wang said.

Even Chilean netizens agree that the criticisms against the Chinese vaccine were motivated by bias, and that Sinovac's vaccine has worked well in Chile, he added.

China hopes that relevant media and politicians will respect the facts and the opinions of the Chilean government and people, refrain from misleading the public, and make concrete contributions to promoting the accessibility and affordability of vaccines in developing countries rather than the opposite, the newspaper cited Wang as saying. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 20:57:40|Editor: huaxia

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-- The Beijing-Urumqi Expressway, the longest desert-crossing expressway in the world, fully opened to traffic on Wednesday after its last section in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was put into operation.

-- The expressway linking Beijing and Urumqi, the regional capital of Xinjiang, has a total length of 2,800 km, with over 500 km passing through desert and no man's land.

-- It cuts the driving distance between Urumqi and Beijing by more than 1,300 km, making it the fastest road to cross north China.

by Xinhua writers Zhang Zhongkai, Xu Ruiqing, Shang Sheng and Zhou Yuan

URUMQI, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The Beijing-Urumqi Expressway, the longest desert-crossing expressway in the world, fully opened to traffic on Wednesday after the last section of the route in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region was put into operation.

The expressway linking Beijing and Urumqi, the regional capital of Xinjiang, has a total length of 2,800 km, with over 500 km passing through desert and no man's land.

In addition to Beijing and Xinjiang, the expressway passes through four other provincial-level regions: Hebei, Shanxi, Inner Mongolia and Gansu in north China.

Photo taken on June 30, 2021 shows a vehicle running on the Beijing-Urumqi Expressway in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

It cuts the driving distance between Urumqi and Beijing by more than 1,300 km, making it the fastest road to cross north China, according to Cao Shouhua, a researcher with the Research Institute of Highway, a think tank under the country's transport ministry.

It is also the fastest land route from Tianjin Port in north China to Rotterdam Port in the Netherlands, facilitating exchanges along the Belt and Road.

Sections of the expressway in other provincial-level regions are already in operation. Due to its harsh natural environment and complex geological conditions, the section in Xinjiang was the last to be completed, taking approximately four years.

The Xinjiang section passes through varied landscapes, including the Gobi desert and grasslands. "It was no easy work," said Long Xing, general manager of the Xinjiang section's major developer, affiliated with the China Railway Construction Corporation.

Aerial photo taken on June 29, 2021 shows a view of the Barkol Lake scenic spot along the Beijing-Urumqi Expressway in northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

In addition to extreme temperatures ranging from over 40 degrees Celsius to below minus 40 degrees Celsius, workers had to deal with sandstorms, snowstorms, and a lack of stable telecommunication signals, among other difficulties, Long added.

ECOLOGICALLY, ECONOMICALLY FRIENDLY

The Xinjiang section crosses many areas rich in wildlife, and developers have managed to reduce the project's impact on local wildlife as much as possible.

A total of 62 animal passages have been built throughout the section, according to Wang Xiaozhi, the section's chief designer. The design of a three-layer passage has been specifically developed to simultaneously enable the uninterrupted passage of trains, animals and road vehicles.

The three-layer passages have cost an additional 120 million yuan (about 18.6 million U.S. dollars), but Wang believed that was worthwhile. "We should not impede wildlife's path while building our own."

Aerial photo taken on June 28, 2021 shows a section of the Beijing-Urumqi Expressway in Kazak Autonomous County of Barkol, northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. (Xinhua/Hu Huhu)

Locals living along the expressway are the biggest beneficiaries, as easier and faster transport will stimulate local economic vitality.

Delida Yerken, a resident of the Kazak Autonomous County of Barkol in east Xinjiang, said she expects booming tourism in her hometown, with an increased inflow of tourists brought by the first expressway to pass Barkol.

"I'm also planning for a family road trip to Beijing and other cities along the expressway during the holidays," she said. "It brings us closer to other areas."

(Video reporter: Zhang Zhongkai, Aman, Shang Sheng, Hu Huhu; Video editor: Zhou Saang) 
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 21:11:22|Editor: huaxia

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TEHRAN, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Iranian President Hassan Rouhani said on Wednesday that the U.S. government still follows anti-Iran economic pressure policy adopted by former President Donald Trump, official IRNA news agency reported.

Iran "has been facing an economic terrorism since three years ago. What Trump did against Iran was more a war than sanctions," Rouhani said in a cabinet meeting, adding Trump's successor "continues committing his crimes."

In May 2018, Trump withdrew from the 2015 Iranian nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, and unilaterally reimposed sanctions on Iran. In response, Iran gradually stopped implementing parts of its commitments to the agreement from May 2019. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 21:32:43|Editor: huaxia

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TEHRAN, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Iranian Navy on Wednesday kicked off a military exercise in the Caspian Sea in the north of the country.

The drill, called Sustainable Security 1400, covers an area of about 77,000 square km in Iran's territorial waters of the Caspian Sea, according to the Tasnim news agency.

Supporting units from Iranian Air Force and Air Defense contribute to the war game by carrying out different offense and defense tactics for the protection of the country's maritime borders and safety of shipping routes, according to the report.

The Iranian Navy reportedly deployed corvettes, planes and helicopters, naval drones as well as electronic warfare systems in the exercise. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 21:38:02|Editor: huaxia

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MOSCOW, June 30 (Xinhua) -- While the West blasts China for what it allegedly does in Xinjiang, it remains "conspicuously quiet" as more unmarked graves have been found at indigenous schools in Canada, British writer Tom Fowdy has said in a recent article run by RT.

"The hypocrisy (of the West) is breathtaking and blatant," Fowdy said in the op-ed titled "The silence on Canada's indigenous deaths shame shows there are double standards on global human rights."

The irony is that if these graves had been found in China, with such explicit evidence, it would have been universally decried by all the usual countries as a "crime against humanity" or even "genocide," the article said.

Fowdy, who is a political and international relations analyst with a primary focus on East Asia, said the dominance of the Anglosphere is a reminder that international justice is not uniform, and exists in two tiers.

"The largest and most notorious offenders of human rights historically are given a waiver for their sins, but nonetheless use human rights as an argument to advance their own ambitions towards other countries, often disingenuously or via a means of projection," he wrote. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 22:06:02|Editor: huaxia

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BANGKOK, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Thailand's Phuket on Wednesday reported its first two COVID-19 cases of Delta variant, just one day before the resort island's planned reopening to vaccinated foreign visitors without quarantine from Thursday.

In total, five new infections were confirmed on Wednesday in Phuket, with five others reported Tuesday, according to Kusak Kukiatkul, chief of the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office.

Of the two patients infected with the Delta variant of COVID-19, one came from the capital Bangkok earlier this month and the other was from a neighboring province, the official said.

Over 30 people were considered being at high risk of infection due to close contact with the patients and are currently quarantined, he said.

From Thursday, Phuket will welcome back international tourists without quarantine, provided that they have been fully vaccinated against the virus and tested negative. They can travel to the rest parts of Thailand after staying on the island for 14 nights under the Phuket Sandbox program.

Thai government spokesperson Anucha Burapachaisri said Wednesday that Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha is scheduled to take a field visit to Phuket and chair a meeting with provincial administrations and local private sector on the launching preparation of the program.

The government expected approximately 100,000 foreign tourists to come to Thailand during the July-September period under the Phuket Sandbox program, which may generate an estimated revenue of 8.9 billion baht (about 277.7 million U.S. dollars), Anucha said.

The program is considered as a pilot of Thailand's broader reopening scheduled later this year as the tourism-reliant Southeast Asian country strove to revive the industry and reboot economic growth.

However, Thai authorities warned that the Phuket reopening would be canceled in the worst-case scenarios, where, for example, new infections in Phuket reach 90 cases per week, three districts or more than six villages have local transmissions, or healthcare facilities exceed 80 percent of capacity on the island. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 22:24:31|Editor: huaxia

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RIO DE JANEIRO, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The Communist Party of China (CPC) has served as the "backbone" on which modern Chinese identity and society were built, said Brazil's ex-President Fernando Henrique Cardoso, who congratulated the Party on its achievements ahead of its centenary.

"I think the CPC was the backbone that allowed the formation of the notion of 'us'," Cardoso told Xinhua in an exclusive interview.

The two-term president recalled his visits to China during and after his tenures, praising China's experience in combating hunger and poverty.

"China has accomplished what seemed very difficult. First of all, it managed to believe in itself. I think the CPC had the ability to not only get to the heart (of the people) but to satisfy the population's interests; it provided a lot of people with jobs," said Cardoso, who is also a sociologist and honorary president of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party.

China's fight against poverty was no small feat, he said, adding that fighting for life is an obligation of all countries, regardless of their forms of government.

On China-Brazil ties, Cardoso said that the bilateral friendship must be maintained and cultivated, given that China has been Brazil's largest trading partner.

Commending the recent efforts to establish scientific and cultural exchanges between the two countries, he said that mutual understanding is a fundamental part of maintaining peace and prosperity between nations.

"It is positive that there is an exchange of information, culture and collaboration programs. The more you can understand the other, the better," said Cardoso. (Video reporters: Chen Weihua, Zhao Yan and Yu Lizhen; video editor: Hong Ling)
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 22:34:16|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Leaders of foreign political parties and governments have been extending warm congratulations on the upcoming 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

In messages addressed to General Secretary Xi Jinping of the CPC Central Committee or to the CPC Central Committee, they spoke highly of the great development and progress China has achieved in its various causes since the CPC was founded 100 years ago, especially since the 18th CPC National Congress under the strong leadership of the CPC Central Committee with Xi at the core.

Those achievements, they added, have not only completely changed the future of the Chinese people and the Chinese nation, but also made significant contributions to the cause of human progress.

The following is an edited summary of some of these messages.

Russian President Vladimir Putin extended his sincere congratulations on the centenary of the CPC, noting that China has made great new achievements in such fields as economic, social as well as scientific and technological development, and is playing an important and constructive role in solving major international problems and addressing global threats and challenges.

Inter-party exchanges are an important part of the Russia-China comprehensive strategic partnership of coordination, added Putin, saying he is confident that the United Russia party and the CPC will continue their constructive dialogue.

He also wished Xi new achievements in leading the causes of the party and the country.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi noted that the CPC successfully led China to achieve national independence and lay the foundation for building a modern China.

Under Xi's leadership, the CPC has made a series of major achievements, including the building of a moderately prosperous society in all respects, which have demonstrated the CPC leadership's commitment to delivering on its promises and the Chinese people's firm resolve, he added.

Egypt, he said, is ready to work with China to further enhance their comprehensive strategic partnership and usher bilateral relations into a broader future.

Joao Lourenco, Angolan president and president of the People's Movement for the Liberation of Angola, noted that China has made important contributions to Angola's development in various fields, and especially has provided a great deal of valuable assistance for Angola's fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

He added that his country is willing to work with China to continuously deepen the unity, friendship and cooperation between the two parties and nations.

Denis Sassou Nguesso, president of the Republic of the Congo, said that his country is ready to work with China to consolidate and deepen the existing partnership and friendly cooperation between the two countries, and jointly implement the outcomes of the Beijing Summit of the Forum on China-Africa Cooperation. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-01 00:13:01|Editor: huaxia

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YANGON -- Myanmar released a total of 2,296 detainees across the country on Wednesday, according to the figures released by the State Administration Council's information team.

The detainees, including 1,839 men and 457 women arrested in connection with the protests, were released as a priority batch. (Myanmar-Detainees-Release)

- - - -

BANGKOK -- Thailand's Phuket on Wednesday reported its first two COVID-19 cases of Delta variant, just one day before the resort island's planned reopening to vaccinated foreign visitors without quarantine from Thursday.

In total, five new infections were confirmed on Wednesday in Phuket, with five others reported Tuesday, according to Kusak Kukiatkul, chief of the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office. (Thailand-Phuket-Delta variant)

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JAKARTA -- Rescuers have found seven bodies, rescued 46 people and kept searching for 11 missing persons after a passenger ship capsized in waters off Indonesia's resort island of Bali on Tuesday, rescuers said on Wednesday.

Head of the Bali Search and Rescue Office, Gede Darmada, told Xinhua via phone that the numbers still could change. (Indonesia-Bali-Ship accident)

- - - -

JAKARTA -- Indonesia on Wednesday recorded 21,807 newly-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, marking the highest daily spike and bringing the total tally to 2,178,272, the Health Ministry said.

The COVID-19-related death toll added by 467 to 58,491, the ministry reported. (Indonesia-COVID-19-Cases)

- - - -

DHAKA -- Bangladesh is set to enter a one-week strict COVID-19 lockdown from July 1 as the authorities strive to curb the spread of the pandemic.

More than 160 million Bangladesh people were already put under public transport suspension over COVID-19.

The authorities said they needed to go tough further as more infections were recorded since last week, with exposure sites continuing to increase. (Bangladesh-Lockdown) Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-01 00:51:59|Editor: huaxia

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HONG KONG, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The Office of the Commissioner of the Chinese Foreign Ministry in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) on Wednesday condemned the blatant vilification by the U.S. Consulate-General in Hong Kong of the national security law in Hong Kong in disregard of the truth.

The office also expressed strong disapproval of and firm opposition to such flagrant interference in Hong Kong affairs and China's internal affairs at large in breach of international law and basic norms governing international relations.

A spokesperson of the commissioner's office said that the national security law in Hong Kong punishes a very small handful of criminals gravely endangering national security, and provides a solid legal safeguard for Hong Kong's transition from chaos to stability. Over the past year since its implementation, social unrest caused by rampant black violence has ended, peace has been restored, and the rights and freedoms of Hong Kong people have been better protected in a safe environment.

It is purely out of ideological bias and ulterior agenda that the United States has selectively turned a blind eye to all these facts, laying bare its motive to sow trouble in Hong Kong, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson pointed out that the national security law in Hong Kong stipulates that human rights shall be respected and protected; that the rights and freedoms which the residents of Hong Kong enjoy under the HKSAR Basic Law and the provisions of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights as applied to Hong Kong, shall be protected in accordance with the law, and that the principles of the rule of law shall be adhered to, including the principle of legality, presumption of innocence, the rule against double jeopardy, the protection of the rights of the parties in judicial proceedings, and fair trial.

The United States itself has established a rigorous legal framework for safeguarding national security, and shows no mercy in cracking down on offences endangering national security. It has even abused the national security concept to harm the legitimate rights and interests of businesses and citizens of other countries, the spokesperson said, adding that on what grounds can the United States, with such a poor record, heap groundless accusations upon the national security law in Hong Kong?

The spokesperson pointed out that the legal basis for the Chinese government's governance of the HKSAR are the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the HKSAR Basic Law, not the Sino-British Joint Declaration.

The joint declaration is essentially about China's resumption of the exercise of sovereignty over Hong Kong and arrangements for the transitional period, and all the clauses have been fulfilled. After Hong Kong returned to China on July 1, 1997, no foreign country, including the United States, has the right to meddle with Hong Kong affairs on the pretext of the joint declaration, the spokesperson said.

The spokesperson emphasized that Hong Kong is part of China, and that its affairs are China's internal affairs. The Chinese government is firmly committed to safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development interests, implementing the "one country, two systems" policy, and opposes any external interference in Hong Kong affairs.

"We again urge the U.S. side to reverse course, correct its mistakes, immediately stop interference in China's internal affairs in whatever form, and avoid going further down the wrong path. Otherwise, it would be playing with fire and would definitely get itself burned," the spokesperson added. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-01 02:06:46|Editor: huaxia

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HELSINKI, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Finland's foreign trade in April recovered strongly with a growth of 18.7 percent in the value of exports and a surge of 29.9 percent in the value of imports over last year's same period, announced Finnish Customs on Wednesday.

According to the preliminary statistics of international trade in goods provided by Finnish Customs, in April, Finland's total value of exports was 5.3 billion euros (6.30 billion U.S. dollars), an increase of 18.7 percent over the same period last year. The value of imports was 5.5 billion euros, a year-on-year increase of 29.9 percent.

In the first four months this year, the total value of exports increased by 7.5 percent and the value of imports by 7.2 percent year-on-year.

Finland's trade with China continued to grow steadily. From January to April, exports to China increased by 21.6 percent, and imports from China rose by 15.1 percent.

In April this year, exports to EU countries increased by 22.3 percent. Furthermore, Finland's imports from EU countries increased by 33.7 percent. (1 euro = 1.19 U.S. dollars) Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-01 02:36:50|Editor: huaxia

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A woman reads a book at the Cairo International Book Fair in Cairo, Egypt, on June 30, 2021. The 52nd edition of Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF), held under the slogan of "In Reading, There Is Life," was inaugurated by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Wednesday. (Xinhua/Ahmed Gomaa)

CAIRO, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The 52nd edition of Cairo International Book Fair (CIBF), held under the slogan of "In Reading, There Is Life," was inaugurated by Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly on Wednesday.

The CIBF is held at Egypt International Exhibitions Center with the participation of 1,218 publishers from 25 countries amid strict implementation of anti-COVID-19 precautionary measures.

The Egyptian prime minister said the current session is held in "exceptional circumstances" due to the COVID-19 crisis, "which imposed the necessity of dealing with it and overcoming its negative repercussions."

"Egypt witnesses an unprecedented cultural movement represented in efforts to enrich all aspects of cultural life," Madbouly continued.

The CIBF is organized by the General Egyptian Book Organization (GEBO), which launched this year an online platform for the fair to provide relevant online services and activities and limit the number of daily visitors in accordance with the precautionary measures.

"The online platform represents the most important shift this year in the history of the fair," Haitham al-Hajj Ali, the CIBF chief organizer and head of the GEBO, told Xinhua.

"It provides all services of the fair, including booking tickets online, exploring publishing houses, making virtual tours and holding online sales," Ali added, noting that online ticket booking is meant to limit the number of daily visitors to 100,000 as part of the precautionary measures.

He pointed out that it has been decided to make the fair last for 15 days instead of 12 to allow the largest number of visitors to come and to avoid crowdedness at the same time.

"We will make sure that visitors wear face masks, use sanitizers and maintain all the basic measures stated by the protocol of the Health Ministry, which supervises the implementation of the precautionary measures," the fair's organizer told Xinhua.

The CIBF used to be held in January every year, but it has been delayed this year due to COVID-19 related reasons. It attracted last year some 3.8 million visitors, according to the top organizer.

For her part, Egyptian Culture Minister Inas Abdel-Dayem pointed out that the 52nd CIBF witnesses launching an initiative entitled "Your Culture Is Your Book," besides its first virtual book fair with 3D technology.

She added that a maximum number of visitors has been set for each of the four main exhibition halls and a sufficient distance between pavilions of exhibitors has been implemented to ensure social distancing.

"There has been established a permanent operation room for the fair, as well as a technical support service and an online customer service," the minister said during the inauguration, adding that there will be a special path for elder people and those with special needs during the fair. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-01 04:18:55|Editor: huaxia

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CAIRO, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The archeological unit and the police at Egypt's Cairo International Airport seized on Wednesday 203 ancient coins, which a passenger attempted to smuggle abroad, said the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities.

The coins date back to different eras of ancient Egyptian times, including Greek, Roman and Byzantine eras, the ministry said in a statement.

"The examination and inspection process confirmed the antiquity of the coins and that they are subject to the Antiquities Protection Law," it added.

"All legal measures will be taken in this regard," said the Egyptian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-01 05:50:14|Editor: huaxia

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GENEVA, June 30 (Xinhua) -- China and a group of like-minded countries on Wednesday expressed deep concern over the human rights situation in the United Kingdom (UK), saying that severe systemic racism, racial discrimination, hate speech, xenophobia and related violence have long been existing there.

Delivering a joint statement on behalf of a group of countries, Jiang Duan, minister of the Chinese mission to the United Nations (UN) in Geneva, said that these discriminatory actions are toxic residues of the UK's history of colonialism and trade in enslaved Africans.

Jiang pointed out in the joint statement that a number of UN Special Procedures have expressed their concern, but the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities, which was set up by the UK government, is still trying to deny the facts.

He further mentioned that UK military servicemen on overseas operations have committed killings of civilians but are still at large. The UK is trying to shield them from due accountability by way of legislation.

Also, he said, the migrant detention centers in the UK are operating under poor conditions and the rights of migrants are severely violated.

In addition, he added, the UK spread disinformation and provoked confrontation out of political purposes, using human rights as a pretext to interfere in other countries' internal affairs, and politicized acts as such have seriously undermined international human rights cooperation and are "deeply concerning".

"We call on the Human Rights Council to continuously look into human rights violations in the UK and take necessary steps to monitor actions of the UK government to correct its mistakes," Jiang urged. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-01 06:02:55|Editor: huaxia

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DUBAI, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The Consulate General of Israel in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE), was inaugurated on Wednesday by Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, in the first-ever official visit by an Israeli minister to the UAE since the two countries forged ties last year.

According to the official WAM news agency, The event also saw the participation of Omar Bin Sultan Al Olama, Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications of the UAE.

In his welcoming remarks, Al Olama stated, "As we look to a comprehensive recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic, which the UAE and Israel have faced as close partners in scientific and technological innovation, we expect bilateral exchange to rapidly expand. The Consulate General of Israel in Dubai will provide essential services to Israeli visitors to the UAE and those seeking to travel from the UAE to Israel."

"Ultimately, the warm ties between the UAE and Israel are slated to grow in many areas, and in the coming period, our two countries will usher in the next phase of bilateral cooperation," Al Olama added.

The Israeli diplomat also officially opened the Israeli Embassy in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday. UAE Minister of Culture and Youth Noura bint Mohammed Al Kaabi attended the ceremony.

The ministers reiterated that "with the opening of the Israeli Embassy in Abu Dhabi, we will further drive growth and widen channels of collaboration across all key sectors. In turn, the friendship between the peoples will flourish."

After signing the Abraham Accords in last year, which formally established relations between the UAE and Israel, the two countries have engaged in high-level cooperation in the political, economic, and cultural fields, as well as diplomatic and consular coordination. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 22:09:48|Editor: huaxia

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HARARE, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The Zimbabwean government is tightening the screws on people who have not yet been vaccinated against COVID-19 and will soon launch a blitz on the agricultural sector where traders will be inoculated in a bid to arrest the spread of the pandemic.

The latest decision coincides with the country recording its highest daily COVID-19 infections totaling 1,249 on Tuesday, up from 842 the previous day.

The Herald newspaper reported Wednesday that those in marketplaces, grain marketing depots, and tobacco and cotton auction floors would not be allowed to continue operating unless they had been vaccinated.

Frontline workers have also been given a two-week deadline to have been vaccinated, or else they will not receive COVID-19 insurance payouts.

According to information minister Monica Mutsvangwa, about 20 percent of health care workers have not yet been vaccinated despite the fact that they had been prioritized for the inoculation program targeting frontline workers.

At the onset of the vaccination program, President Mnangagwa warned that those who refused to be vaccinated could lose out on some public services.

As he announced enhanced Level 4 lockdown measures on Tuesday, Mnangagwa once again urged citizens to be vaccinated.

"As we continue to fight the COVID-19 pandemic, I call upon the whole nation to continue observing the WHO protocols, as well as to embrace the free vaccination program that is availed by Government, to protect all our people," he said.

He said a vaccination blitz would be rolled out in the border towns and cities, tobacco auction floors, grain and cotton marketing depots, major construction sites, people's markets and all hotspots.

As of late Tuesday, 544,888 people had been fully vaccinated while 770,709 others had received their first doses.

Also on the same day, Zimbabwe had recorded 48,533 cases, 1,761 deaths and 38,323 recoveries.

The country's largest COVID-19 center, Parirenyatwa Hospital in Harare, this week announced that it had experienced a surge in the number of COVID-19 patients seeking admission.

This had resulted in the hospital discharging patients considered to be not in danger to make room for the new patients.

Under the enhanced lockdown measures which took immediate effect and will run for two weeks pending review, commerce and industry will open from 8 am to 3:30 pm in compliance with a curfew to run from 6:30 pm to 6 am.

The industry was instructed to decongest workplaces to 40 percent with the rest working from home.

Intercity movements have been prohibited except for the production and movement of food and medicines.

Travelers with fake COVID-19 documents face custodial sentences after arrest.

Deportees will also be quarantined for 10 days either at places of their choice or at other identified places.

Ministers and parliamentarians were also instructed to disseminate information on vaccination in their constituencies. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-29 19:43:13|Editor: huaxia

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CANBERRA, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Australia's Health Minister Greg Hunt has declared that the country is on "high alert" with coronavirus spreading in the community.

As of Tuesday afternoon, there had been 30,562 confirmed cases of COVID-19 reported in Australia, and the numbers of locally and overseas acquired cases in the last 24 hours were 25 and seven respectively, according to the latest figures from the Department of Health.

Several capital cities of the country's eight states and territories have been thrust into lockdown to prevent the spread of the virus, with more than 10 million people subject to stay-at-home orders.

Of the new cases confirmed on Tuesday, 19 were in Australia's most populous state of New South Wales (NSW).

"We are obviously on high alert and high watch," Hunt told reporters on Tuesday afternoon.

He announced that Australia has surpassed 7.5 million administered COVID-19 vaccines, which includes over 5.95 million first dose vaccinations, or 28.9 percent of the population, and over 1.47 million second dose vaccinations or 7.1 percent of the population.

"We have over 4.4 million Australians over the age of 50 or 51.3 percent of the over 50s population that have been vaccinated, 60 percent of over 60s, and 68.5 percent of over 70s, our most vulnerable group," he said.

Despite some calls for the international arrival cap to be lowered amid the current outbreaks, Hunt urged states to accept as many residents and citizens into hotel quarantine as they can. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 14:03:09|Editor: huaxia

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KUALA LUMPUR, June 30 (Xinhua) -- S&P Global Ratings said Wednesday that Malaysian banks' path to normalization is likely to be protracted due to the flare-up of new COVID-19 waves and the inevitable disruptions in near-term economic prospects.

They will continue to be an Asian outlier in their recovery path, according to the statement of the rating agency.

It said the six-month blanket moratorium on loan repayments revealed by the Malaysian government should further delay the timeline for banks' return to normal.

"The length of the current national lockdown in Malaysia and the effective containment of the pandemic are key variables in charting the course of the banking sector's asset quality trend," said S&P Global Ratings credit analyst Nancy Duan.

According to S&P, its estimates on credit costs, a measure of loan-loss provisions, show that Malaysian banks will lag recovery timelines of many other regional banks.

"We now forecast Malaysian banks will bear still-elevated, cumulative credit costs of 110-120 basis points (to gross loans) for 2021 and 2022 combined. The industry wide non-performing loans ratio should rise to 3 percent to 4 percent by end-2022, in our view," it said. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 15:11:37|Editor: huaxia

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KABUL, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Ten Taliban militants were killed and 12 others wounded in Afghanistan's eastern province of Wardak province on Tuesday, the country's Defense Ministry reported on Wednesday.

A number of weapons and ammunition were destroyed when Afghan National Defense and Security Forces (ANDSF) supported by Afghan Air Force targeted Taliban militants' positions in three separate locations in surrounding areas in provincial capital Maidan Shar and Alasang area of Chaki Wardak district, the ministry said in a statement.

In neighboring Parwan province, the ANDSF supported by local Public Uprising Forces evicted Taliban militants from Shinwar district on Tuesday, according to the statement.

"Efforts were underway as security forces were involved in an operation on Wednesday to recapture control of Seiagerd district in Parwan," the statement said.

Taliban militants have been continuing heavy fighting against government security forces since the U.S.-led forces starting pulling out from Afghanistan on May 1.

They claimed capturing more than 40 suburban districts.

The militant group has not responded to the report so far. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 15:19:28|Editor: huaxia

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KABUL, June 30 (Xinhua) -- One dozen Afghan provinces, including Kabul province where the country's national capital city is located, remained without power as another power pylon was destroyed by an explosion early Wednesday, national power company Breshna Sherkat confirmed.

The incident took place before dawn in Jangal Bagh locality in eastern Parwan province, north of Kabul, Rohullah Sajed from Breshna Sherkat told local media, adding that a technical team has been sent to the area to assess the destruction.

Afghan technical teams were working to repair and restore the power supply as three electricity towers were destroyed a couple of days ago in the region.

The militancy-plagued Afghanistan has been facing power shortages. The government has imported power from neighboring Iran, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, but the imported energy is still too little to meet domestic needs.

No group has claimed responsibility for the incident. At least 27 power pylons have been destroyed or damaged by explosions along the power grid in recent months. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 19:20:34|Editor: huaxia

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ISLAMABAD, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Two Pakistani soldiers were killed in an attack by terrorists across the Afghan border, the Pakistani military said on Wednesday.

The terrorists fired on a Pakistani military post from the Afghan side of the border in North Waziristan tribal district of Pakistan's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, said a statement from the Inter-Services Public Relations, the army's media wing.

The statement said that the Pakistani troops responded in a befitting manner and two soldiers were killed during an exchange of fire.

Pakistan has consistently been asking Afghanistan to ensure effective border control on their side of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border, the statement said.

"Pakistan strongly condemns the continuous use of Afghan soil for terrorist activities against Pakistan," it added.

Pakistan and Afghanistan share a nearly 2,600-km border. Pakistan is fencing the border with Afghanistan to block the movement of the militants. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 21:32:43|Editor: huaxia

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LONDON, June 30 (Xinhua) -- European Union (EU) citizens living in Britain have until the end of Wednesday to apply to stay or lose their rights, under post-Brexit rules, known as the EU Settlement Scheme, introduced by the British government.

More than 5.6 million applications have been received, but around 400,000 cases are still waiting to be processed, the BBC reported.

The countries whose nationals have made the highest numbers of applications are Poland (975,000) and Romania (918,000).

Of the concluded applications, more than 2.7 million were granted settled status, allowing them permanent leave to remain in Britain, said the BBC.

According to the British Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, those who failed to secure status will no longer be eligible for homelessness assistance, immediately after the deadline.

Those EU citizens living in Britain who failed to apply in time would instantly start to be charged for non-urgent National Health Service (NHS) treatment, said the British Department of Health and Social Care.

Mayor of London Sadiq Khan on Tuesday issued a last-minute plea to European Londoners and their families to meet the deadline.

"I remain hugely concerned that with hundreds of thousands of people caught up in the (British) government's application backlog, many European Londoners face a real risk of discrimination from Thursday onwards," he warned.

From Thursday, any European migrant who hasn't applied will lose their legal right to work, rent housing and access some hospital treatments or welfare benefits in Britain, media reports said, adding that they may even be subject to deportation.

Wednesday is also the deadline for British nationals living in three EU countries -- France, Latvia and Malta -- to apply for residency, according to the reports.

The EU Settlement Scheme was designed by the British government to allow EU, EEA (European Economic Area) and Swiss citizens to apply to continue living in Britain after Brexit.

EU citizens who live in Britain but do not have indefinite leave to remain will have to apply for the scheme by June 30. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-01 01:12:50|Editor: huaxia

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ATHENS, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Greece and China have the willingness to broaden cooperation in many fields, including education, Greek and Chinese officials, academics and business leaders told an online conference here on Wednesday.

"We look forward to broadening our cooperation in the future," said Evangelos Syrigos, Greek deputy minister of Education and Religious Affairs, at a forum hosted by the Athens Business Confucius Institute (BCI Athens).

Both China and Greece, linked with ties of strong friendship, are willing to further enhance mutually beneficial cooperation in education, among other sectors, said Wang Qiang, Charge d'Affaires Minister-Counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Greece.

Greece is welcoming an increasing number of Chinese students in Greek universities in recent years, while many Greeks are learning the Chinese language, a key in understanding and advancing cooperation, Syrigos noted.

To date, the BCI Athens has given the opportunity to at least 3,000 Greek students to learn Chinese, said Alexandros Papalexandris, the institute's co-director. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-01 03:15:25|Editor: huaxia

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Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic (R) meets with visiting North Macedonia President Stevo Pendarovski in Zagreb, Croatia, on June 30, 2021. Croatia on Wednesday reaffirmed its support for North Macedonia's European integration. (Patrik Macek/Pixsell via Xinhua)

ZAGREB, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Croatia on Wednesday reaffirmed its support for North Macedonia's European integration.

Croatian President Zoran Milanovic and Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic met with visiting North Macedonia President Stevo Pendarovski and they both stressed strong support for opening European Union (EU) accession negotiations with North Macedonia as soon as possible.

Milanovic said at a press conference that North Macedonia's accession to the EU will not be easy and that a lot of effort and friendly help is needed.

"Croatia knows very well how much perseverance and hard work is needed to achieve these goals," Milanovic said. "That all awaits North Macedonia, and we will do our best to avoid strays and wanderings." He noted that Croatia has no open issues with North Macedonia.

In 2013, Croatia joined the EU after a decade of negotiations.

In a press statement, Pendarovski said that there is no alternative to the country's full EU membership. He said that North Macedonia and Croatia are connected by deep geographical and cultural ties and that Croatia is one of his country's most important allies.

Both presidents stated that they hope that Slovenia, which assumes the rotating Presidency of the EU on Thursday, will push EU accession negotiations with North Macedonia. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-01 06:19:03|Editor: huaxia

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BRUSSELS, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The European Union (EU) has its landmark climate law entering into force on Wednesday as the Minister of Environment and Climate Action of Portugal Joao Pedro Matos Fernandes signed the text.

The signing ceremony coincided with the conclusion of the Portuguese six-month presidency of the Council of the EU. Slovenia will take over the rotating presidency on Thursday.

The climate law, adopted by the EU member states on Monday, makes the bloc's ambitious target of becoming climate neutral by 2050 legally binding. It also requires cutting of net emission by at least 55 percent by 2030 compared with the 1990 level.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen hailed the milestone on Twitter.

"In 15 days we will propose the laws to make Europe #FitFor55," she said, referring to the task of updating governing regulations in line with the new law. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 10:52:05|Editor: huaxia

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LOS ANGELES, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Teviston, a rural community located about 230 km northeast of Los Angeles downtown, had been struggling against the heat wave amid shortages of running water since the only functioning well broke early this month, local media reported.

Over 700 residents in the community in Tulare County that lies off Highway 99 were relying on limited bottled water for drinking, cooking, bathing and flushing toilets, as temperature soared to 103 Fahrenheit (39.4 degree centigrade) Wednesday, according to ABC 10 news channel.

The Weather Channel forecasted that the temperature would be even higher next week.

The authority is delivering cases of bottled water and five-gallon jugs to its residents. The community's first residents were primarily African Americans from the southern states. Today, the majority of its residents are Latinos farmworkers.

Tanker trucks hauled water from Porterville, 23 miles (37 km) away, to fill Teviston's two water storage tanks, the report said, adding the well's failure can not be fixed as there are no spare parts for the machine.

Frank Galaviz, a board member of the Teviston Community Services District, was quoted by the local media as saying that it may take weeks to get running water back in the community's households.

The California State Water Resources Control Board is trying to build a new well for the community, which would be completed by 2022 or 2023, Galaviz said.

Residents experienced similar shortages when the community's only well collapsed in November 2017.

At that time, Blanca Roman, a housewife from the community, told ABC 30 news channel that she had watched the town's water quality slowly degrade -- going from clear to brown to none at all in eight years.

CalMatters, a nonpartisan and nonprofit journalism platform to explain the California's policy and politics, said in a report published on its official website Tuesday that Tulare's water crisis was not a single case in San Joaquin Valley where the community locates.

Thousands of wells in the valley with over 4 million population are at risk of drying up this summer, which will impact its residents who are more likely to rely on private wells, the report said.

Scott Taylor, general manager of the Lamont Public Utility District, said that his Kern County community with 20,000 people, mostly Latinos farmworkers, had only seven wells.

The State Water Resources Control Board has up to 130 million U.S. dollars to use each year until 2030 to "address funding gaps and provide solutions to water systems, especially those serving disadvantaged communities," said the report, but it could not immediately resolve drinking water crisis in these communities amid extreme drought this year.

In May, California Governor Gavin Newsom also proposed allocating 5.1 billion U.S. dollars for drought preparedness, infrastructure, and response.

Of the funding, 1.3 billion U.S. dollars would be used for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure, but for residents in poor and rural communities like Teviston, the money can't come soon enough.

"We know how difficult it is in the Central Valley to be without water, to have to deal with 100-plus degrees, and many of these families also having to deal with power outages and swamp coolers," said Melissa Hurtado, a Democrat state Senator.

"Rural Californians of the Central Valley face inequities when it comes to water, energy, and health," she said. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 11:12:41|Editor: huaxia

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by Matthew Rusling

WASHINGTON, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The mission to rescue possible survivors from the rubble of a collapsed U.S. condo building has entered the sixth day. But experts said it could take years before the cause of the collapse becomes clear.

As of Tuesday evening, at least 12 people have died and 149 others remain unaccounted for after a 12-story residential condo building collapsed in the southern U.S. state of Florida, according to officials.

Authorities are engaged in a major search and rescue operation, which entered the sixth day on Tuesday, as teams of rescuers carefully sifted through the pile of debris in a bid to locate survivors.

The collapse occurred around 1:15 a.m. (about 0530 GMT) on June 24 at the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside -- a small beachside town that sits around 9.6 km north of Miami Beach.

"Nobody is giving up hope here. Nobody is stopping," Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett said Tuesday at a press conference. "We are dedicated to getting everyone out of that pile of rubble."

SEARCH GOING SLOWLY

The search is going slowly, and some families of missing persons have expressed their frustration to U.S. media.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Alan Cominsky said the process was "methodical" and "strategic." Rescue operations include the use of thermal imaging, sonar, rescue dogs and individuals.

"A search with this type of collapse is extremely difficult," Cominsky said at a press briefing on Friday. "As this equipment comes in, we will use it to assist to move certain pieces of debris. We can't just move it all at one time. It has to be a very slow process."

CAUSE OF COLLAPSE UNCLEAR

Experts said figuring out what caused the collapse will take years, not just days, weeks or months.

Engineers and researchers nationwide are scratching their heads, trying to make sense of the early morning collapse, as well as whether other structures in the state and even nationwide might be in danger of a similar disaster.

Some experts have speculated whether a rise in sea level has led to increasing corrosion from saltwater during tides. The sea level in the town has risen up to 8 inches (about 20.32 cm) over the past four decades due to climate change, according to Brian McNoldy, a climate and weather researcher at the University of Miami, CNN reported.

Other experts speculated about how solid and stable the ground underneath the building might have been, or whether construction standards were up to par.

"If a lot of things were breaking lower down, you would have seen the dust below," Michael Chajes, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at the University of Delaware, was quoted as saying by USA Today.

According to Allyn Kilsheimer, the chairman of the board of DC-firm KCE Structural Engineers, there are as many as 30 theories on what could have caused the condo to collapse. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-07-01 07:06:56|Editor: huaxia

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WASHINGTON, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Former U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld, the main architect of the 2003 U.S. invasion of Iraq, has died, according to a statement by his family released Wednesday. He was 88.

"It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Donald Rumsfeld, an American statesman and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. At 88, he was surrounded by family in his beloved Taos, New Mexico," the Rumsfeld family said in the statement.

The cause of the former defense chief's death was multiple myeloma, according to Keith Urbahn, a spokesman for the family.

Rumsfeld first served as defense secretary in the Gerald Ford administration during the early 1970s, and then headed the Pentagon again under then President George W. Bush in the early 2000s.

While the veteran politician's two stints at the helm of the Pentagon made him both the youngest and the second-oldest secretary of defense, it was the second term that defined Rumsfeld's legacy.

Rumsfeld oversaw two conflicts during his tenure in the position -- Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan conducted less than a month following the 9/11 terror attack on American homeland in 2001, and the Iraq War launched in 2003.

Despite having Bush's support, Rumsfeld ultimately resigned in November 2006 under pressure from both U.S. and other NATO-member retired military leaders over his role in the Iraq War, for which Washington's excuse that Saddam Hussein's regime possessed weapons of massive destruction was never proven on a factual basis.

In his 2011 memoir, "Known and Unknown," Rumsfeld, having retired from public service for over four years, still expressed no regrets over the decision to invade Iraq. "Ridding the region of Saddam's brutal regime has created a more stable and secure world," he wrote.

Many have also urged that Rumsfeld should be held to account for the notorious detainee abuse scandal in the Abu Ghraib prison near Baghdad.

Meant to be classified but leaked in 2004, a report by then U.S. Army Major General Antonio Mario Taguba found that between October and December of 2003, there were numerous instances of "sadistic, blatant, and wanton criminal abuses" by U.S. soldiers and members of the intelligence community against prisoners detained at Abu Ghraib.

In June 2008, Taguba accused the Bush administration, of which Rumsfeld was a member, of committing war crimes.

Despite the criticism that long outlived Rumsfeld's years in Washington, Bush lauded his former defense secretary as an "exemplary public servant and a very good man" in a statement on Wednesday. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-29 20:03:05|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Xi Jinping, general secretary of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee, will attend a grand gathering celebrating the CPC centenary at Tian'anmen Square in Beijing on Thursday.

Xi, also Chinese president and chairman of the Central Military Commission, will deliver an important speech at the event that will begin at 8 a.m.

The event will be broadcast live by China Media Group and on www.xinhuanet.com. It will also be broadcast simultaneously by television and radio stations across China, as well as on news websites and new media platforms. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-29 22:39:21|Editor: huaxia

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DUSHANBE, June 29 (Xinhua) -- The people-centered philosophy and excellent governing capability of the Communist Party of China (CPC) are key to China's stunning achievements in the past decades and will lead the country to new development miracles, a veteran Tajik politician has said.

In a recent interview with Xinhua, 87-year-old Azimqul Nasimov, secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Tajikistan, praised China's achievements in cracking down on corruption, improving the wellbeing of the Chinese people, containing the COVID-19 epidemic and eradicating absolute poverty.

As the CPC marks its centenary, Nasimov said, "we see how China is moving towards its goal with leaps and bounds thanks to the hard-working Chinese people and the leadership of the CPC."

He noted that "China is on the right path, for the benefit of the people and for the creation of a just and fair society by eradicating absolute poverty."

Commenting on bilateral ties, Nasimov said, "China and Tajikistan maintain very good relations."

"There are a lot of Chinese working in Tajikistan," Nasimov added. "The Chinese are here to help us build road transport infrastructure and many other projects."

As a communist, Nasimov said that he is proud of the achievements made by his comrades in China, voicing hope that his party and the CPC will continue to work together to carry out an increasing number of in-depth inter-party exchanges and cooperation, jointly respond to various challenges and promote the progress of mankind. 
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 12:10:43|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, June 30 (Xinhua) -- The root cause and source of the power of a political party that has seen its membership explode from 50-plus individuals to over 95 million lies in its faith and ability to serve the people.

In a world where the crisis of political representation is prompting a populist surge of disgruntlement across the Atlantic, the 100-year-old Communist Party of China (CPC) is upholding its time-honored philosophy of putting the people first, which is the key to both its success and its future.

Xi Jinping, general secretary of the CPC Central Committee, said the people are the "supreme and ultimate judge" of the Party's work.

Although political parties vary in their political stances, goals and visions, the performances of all parties can be measured by one universal yardstick -- how effectively they have served the people.

The CPC has not failed the people it represents. The world's largest political party has developed a bond with the Chinese people, a relationship often described as being as inseparable as "fish and water" or "flesh and blood."

Just like Antaeus, the giant in Greek mythology who drew his power from the earth, the CPC has been drawing its inexhaustible strength from the Chinese people.

The Chinese people's support for the CPC stems from its people-centered governing philosophy.

The CPC has no missionary impulse to "conquer the world," as some biased observers have claimed, nor the intention to export its ideology or development model. Its efforts are motivated solely by the betterment of people's lives.

The state is the people, and the people are the state. Standing on the people's side represents the fundamental political stance of the CPC, and it is what distinguishes a Marxist political party from other political parties.

At its conception, the CPC established its original aspiration and mission -- seeking happiness for the Chinese people and rejuvenation for the Chinese nation. A century on from its founding, the Party's leadership is repeatedly asking all its members to remain true to this principle.

In some Western countries, the ruling parties have been reduced to serving only a few, becoming political organizations "of the 1 percent, by the 1 percent, for the 1 percent." In contrast, the CPC has remained committed to representing the fundamental will of the majority of the people.

Under the leadership of the CPC, China seeks a people-centered modernization that is different from the Western model in which capital is the primary driver and dominant logic. This is best illustrated by China's massive poverty-alleviation campaign and its handling of the COVID-19 epidemic, where such concepts and practices as "No one should be left behind" and "People first, life first" have been demonstrated.

The Chinese people's support for the CPC stems from its uncompromising self-sacrifice.

Born at a time when the Chinese economy -- once the world's largest -- had been crippled by foreign invasions and domestic divisions, the fledgling CPC adopted its stance despite great hardship and danger.

Chinese Communists are willing to sacrifice everything, including their lives, for the interests of the people. Nearly one-quarter of the 171 members and alternate members of the CPC central committees before the founding of New China gave up their lives for the Party's cause, according to a report published by the New China Research think tank affiliated to Xinhua. Data showed that as many as 3.7 million CPC members sacrificed their lives from 1921 to 1949 in striving for the establishment of the people's republic. Many others died anonymously.

This spirit of sacrifice has been carried forth to the present day. Nearly 400 of the over 39 million CPC members and cadres who fought against COVID-19 on the front lines died in the process, according to official numbers.

The Chinese people's support for the CPC stems from their experience of its good governance.

In the early 20th century, revolutions, restorations and warlordism failed to change China's fate because of the absence of participation by the Chinese people. Rising from the chaos, the CPC gained in popularity among the people as it led the country toward national independence and the end of the "Century of Humiliation."

Over the past decades, the CPC has made clear its commitment to its original aspiration and mission by championing the Chinese miracles of economic takeoff and long-term social stability, leading the world's most populous country to stand up, grow rich and become strong.

Fully aware that poverty is incompatible with socialism, the CPC led the Chinese people to initiate reform and opening up, which have changed the fate of the Chinese nation and had profound global implications.

Upholding a people-centered approach, the CPC has transformed China from a country where almost half of the population had to worry about where their next meal would come from into the world's second-largest economy, where every life is equally treasured. From 1949 to 2019, China's per capita disposable income grew at an average annual rate of 6.1 percent in real terms.

The CPC believes in pooling people's wisdom and power. It is the people's support that has helped the world's largest Marxist ruling party to keep endeavoring and improving.

In the 1930s, Edgar Snow visited Yan'an, the then center of the Chinese Communist revolution, where he found a "rock-like solidarity" among the people of the region led by the CPC.

The people-Party unity observed by the American journalist has proven unbreakable. Decades ago, people volunteered to provide food to the revolutionary soldiers and even dismantled their own wooden doors to make stretchers for the troops. Today, they actively respond to the call of the Party and the government to quarantine and vaccinate themselves to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

The CPC reviews its history and achievements not to revel in its success but for the purpose of summing up its experience and giving itself the power and courage to move forward and better serve the people.

The Party knows that the biggest risk it faces lies in becoming disconnected and detached from the people. That's why it spares no effort to maintain its close ties with the masses. Enditem
Source: Xinhua| 2021-06-30 16:17:27|Editor: huaxia

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BEIJING, June 30 (Xinhua) -- Political parties, political leaders and friendly individuals in other countries have extended warm congratulations on the upcoming 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China (CPC).

In messages addressed to General Secretary Xi Jinping of the CPC Central Committee or to the CPC Central Committee, they spoke highly of the CPC's glorious history and great achievements and conveyed their hope to work with the CPC to build a better world.

The following is an edited summary of some of these messages.

Saad Hariri, president of Lebanese Future Movement party and prime minister-designate of Lebanon, said under General Secretary Xi's leadership, the CPC has defended the interests of the Chinese people while building a community with a shared future for mankind, and has promoted the equity and justice of the human society.

Bambang Soesatyo, chairman of the People's Consultative Assembly of Indonesia, said the CPC and the assembly have established a sound relationship of mutual benefits, and will further foster the vigorous development of bilateral cooperation to benefit the people of the two countries and those around the world.

Natalia Kochanova, chairwoman of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly of Belarus, said that the CPC has always been at the helm of China's national development, stood the test of times, and facilitated a giant leap forward in China's economic and social development, which has won the support of all Chinese people.

Sean O Fearghail, speaker of the lower house of the Irish parliament, said that practice has repeatedly proven that the CPC boasts infinite energy, enthusiasm and wisdom in leading the Chinese people to solve major challenges.

Shahzad Waseem, leader of the House in Senate of Pakistan and a senior member of the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf party, said that the concept of a community with a shared future for mankind, proposed by General Secretary Xi, is conducive to promoting the construction of a more open, inclusive and balanced international system.

Aleksandar Vulin, Serbian interior minister and president of the Movement of Socialists of Serbia, said that under the leadership of the CPC, China has become a major country in the world and brought benefits to the development and progress of all humankind. Enditem
Kenya Human Rights Commission, Election Observation Group and their civil society partners recently convened a high-level forum, "National Dialogue Conference on Electoral Justice in Kenya", to demand integrity, accountability and transparency in the country's electoral process.

The recommendations from the conference were patriotic, thought-provoking, progressive and refreshing. The participants urged the IEBC, Registrar of Political Parties, political parties, Inspector-General of Police, the President, Parliament and Judiciary, to mention but a few parties, to do their duty and ensure a credible general election on August 9, 2022.

There was also a call to the citizens to participate and engage in every stage of the electoral process.

From the 2019 National Population and Housing Census statistics, the youth -- which the African Youth Charter defines as anyone aged 15-35 -- make up the bulk of the population. There is an urgent need for Kenyan youth to actively engage in decision-making on national matters, such as seeking solutions to the perennial challenges they face.

Thirty-nine per cent of young Kenyans are unemployed. Although more than a third of them are eligible for work, they cannot secure jobs. However, the political elite have mastered the art of preying on the youth demographic vote for their selfish ends. They promise heaven but don't deliver it.

The surest cure to youth's woes is well-thought out and good-intentioned policies to empower them. As Abhijit Banerjee and Esther Duflo argue in their book Poor Economics, "If the politics is right, good policies will eventually emerge. And, conversely, without good politics, it's impossible to design or implement good policies, at least on any scale".

With the right policies that are youth-centred, hence incorporating youth's aspirations and priorities, we can have a healthy and productive young population that contributes significantly to the socioeconomic development of our beloved country.

ombanedavis@gmail.com.
A student was reportedly shot in the eye at point blank range by police in Swaziland during a protest.

Phiwayinkosi Dlamini from the University of Eswatini (UNESWA) was taking part in a demonstration that brought the towns of Matsapha and Manzini to a standstill as they marched to Sigodvweni Police Station on Monday (17 May 2021).

According to a local media report police fired rubber bullets after some of the 2,000 people who took part in the protest pelted them with stones.

The march was organised by the Swaziland National Union of Students following the death of Thabani Nkomonye, a 25-year-old law student on 8 May. Police said he died in a road accident, but his body was not discovered until 13 May.

A social media campaign believes Nkomonye was killed by police and his body dumped.

The Swaziland News, an online newspaper, reported Dlamini was admitted to the intensive care unit of the Mbabane Government Hospital.

The Swazi Acting Prime Minister Themba Masuku appointed Senior Magistrate Nonhlanhla Dlamini as the Coroner to investigate the circumstances surrounding the death of Nkomonye.
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South Africa's Constitutional Court has sentenced former President Jacob Zuma to fifteen months in prison for defying a court order to appear before the Zondo Commission, which is investigating charges of corruption during Zuma's 2009-2018 presidency. As the court is the highest in the land, Zuma cannot appeal. Nine justices ruled. All agreed that Zuma was guilty; seven favored imprisonment, while two favored a suspended sentence. This is the first time a former chief of state in South Africa has been sentenced to prison. Zuma has five days to turn himself in to the authorities in Johannesburg or Nkandla, his home in KwaZulu-Natal. If he fails to do so, the court has ordered the commissioner of police to arrest him within three days.

Holding accountable a former chief of state through a domestic legal and judicial process in Africa appears to be without precedent. Some chiefs of state have been toppled through coups; others removed from office have been tried by international tribunals. In Zuma's case, he was tried and convicted under South African law and by the South African judicial system through an utterly transparent process. Zuma's conviction underscores that South Africa has the continent's strongest culture of the rule of law and independence of the judiciary, both of which underpin a strong democratic trajectory.

Zuma retains political support, especially in his home province of KwaZulu-Natal. There could be some concern that his supporters might demonstrate or even try to block his arrest. However, South Africa is under a strict lockdown because of the resurgence of COVID-19, making it difficult to assemble a mob.

In 2016, the Public Protector--an office established by the constitution to investigate and remedy improper behavior by government officials--recommended the establishment of a commission to consider allegations of corruption by the Zuma presidency. With no choice, Zuma established the Commission of Inquiry into Allegations of State Capture, headed by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo. Zuma has persistently stonewalled the work of the commission and refused to appear before it, even when the court ordered him to do so. That is the immediate background to the most recent ruling.

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President Cyril Ramaphosa defeated Zuma for the leadership of the governing African National Congress and subsequently for the presidency of South Africa in part because Zuma and his administration were seen as corrupt. But, Zuma, a populist in style, has retained significant support in the country and the party, especially among the poor and marginalized and among his fellow Zulus, the largest ethnic group in the country. Zuma and his supporters have sought to thwart Ramaphosa's efforts at state reform. Zuma's conviction and jailing by an independent judiciary is likely to strengthen Ramaphosa's hand as he goes about implementing reforms.

The bottom line, however, is that Zuma's conviction and jailing provides a powerful example to other African states of holding their rulers to account.

This publication is part of the Diamonstein-Spielvogel Project on the Future of Democracy.

Blog posts represent the views of CFR fellows and staff and not those of CFR, which takes no institutional positions.
analysis

Africa may be on the cusp of a third wave of Covid-19. A WHO briefing dated 20 June suggests the disease is "resurgent" in Algeria, DRC, Liberia and Sierra Leone, and places Benin, Gambia, Guinea, Mali and Senegal on an "alert" list.[i] A report in the Financial Times (23 June) argues a third wave has already started, citing major problems in southern Africa and Uganda (where the president has reported that hospitals are "full").[ii]

Assessing the situation still runs into problems of lack of community testing or genomic sequencing. But is there a more general problem with our basic mental modelling of the disease? Does thinking in terms of waves distort our sense of what we need to do?

Waves would be helpful if we could, for example, see a row of countries falling to Covid-19 like dominoes, say in a line across West Africa from Nigeria to Senegal. Analysts have also considered temporal linearities, by suggesting that countries with experience of Ebola may have been better able to protect against Covid-19. Evidence, however, is lacking. Nothing seems to stand up. Covid-19 has reached everywhere in Africa, but in no apparent order.

The dubiousness of wave thinking is at last underlined by the fact that the worst Ebola-affected countries - DRC, Liberia, and Sierra Leone - are now on the latest WHO resurgence list for Covid-19. If prior experience of Ebola did once help resist Covid-19 the effect has ended.

Ebola did have one clear lesson to teach Covid-19, however, that those attempting to conceptualise the epidemic needed to think locally. Yes, Ebola in West Africa in 2014 did spread from the Guinean interior to the coastal cities, but closer analysis suggests that the pattern was saltatory (jumpy). The disease hopped rapidly from the rural interior to the cities, and then back into the interior, in no apparent order, with some localities being totally by-passed for infection, and others experiencing intense outbreaks. This focused attention on knowing in detail what exactly happened, locally.

In 2014 rural Sierra Leone was divided into 149 administrative chiefdoms. The national records of laboratory-confirmed Ebola cases show that as many as 60 percent of cases were confined to just 14 chiefdoms, and that 39 chiefdoms had no cases whatsoever. Not all these chiefdoms without cases were in isolated locations either. Some were surrounded by a large number of active cases in neighbouring chiefdoms.

Numerical analysis looked for linear patterns and failed to find them. Researchers concluded that the West African Ebola epidemic was characterised by "heterogeneity" - a fancy word suggesting a myriad of local factors (Garske et al. 2016, Krauer et al. 2016). On further enquiry it appears that good or bad luck often played a major part. Outbreaks, in short, required to be analysed in fine-grained detail, case by case. No general story of Ebola infection is there to be told.

Maybe we now need to take this lesson and apply it to Covid-19 in Africa? With Ebola, stringent attempts to exclude infection worked for a time, up until the point some strong-minded or desperate individuals or group broke the rules, and then an outbreak would occur, driven by the inescapable mathematical logic of exponential growth. Maybe with Covid-19 we also need to see it in terms of localities, and local agency, and not in terms of generalities at all? Maybe, in fact, we need to bring the story of infection closer to home?

The Ebola situation was governed by a lack of appreciation of why some families might feel impelled to break the rules. Their intention was almost certainly not to be defiant, but rather due to a lack of awareness of the consequences. This included lack of preparation by the authorities to cope with obvious needs, such as practical provision for quarantine and social distancing. People cannot stay at home, and apply social distancing, unless someone provides food, water and wood for cooking.

Fighting infection then became less like building bunds against a spreading flood, and more like dealing with the likelihood of many fire outbreaks on tinder-dry grassy ground, where no sooner is one flare-up addressed than fire-fighting teams have to rush to another. There is no particular pattern. What counts is having enough teams and resources to deal with outbreaks quickly, before they get out of hand. It would certainly help if householders were among those first jumping up to stamp out the fires.

The solution for Covid-19 in Africa can now be envisaged in these fire-fighting terms. Vaccines will provide a foundation for ending the pandemic but are not a complete response.[iii] Other family-level interventions to reduce transmission are also needed. Masks, ventilation and social distancing are the immediate tools.

People can deploy these tools for themselves, but will they? The answer seems to be only if local agency is fully engaged. Only part of the problem of application is supply logistics. An equally important part is the failure of authorities to appreciate the need to engage people over the social logic of preventing an air-borne disease in the family as much as in the public domain.

With masks and faces the ritual and performative dimensions are as important as having the mask. A better understanding by responders is needed, in specific cultural contexts, of how people see masks, and interpret their use. What Erving Goffman once called the "the presentation of the self in everyday life" would be a useful lens. Epidemic control is largely a matter of how we (the potentially infective agents) see ourselves moving within our daily community settings, and assuming responsibility for others, starting with our responsibilities at home. Goffman (1959) should be on the reading list of all Covid-19 responders, where a degree in household studies, or fashion, might be as useful as a degree in epidemiology!

Sufficient numbers of people will eventually be vaccinated to provide what some epidemiologists term "herd immunity". But this is a catastrophically bad term, and should immediately be replaced with something human, like "collective immunity". Herds only become immune through mass infection and potential high death rates. Humans can increase their immunity by paying attention to their responsibilities to the group (by accepting vaccination and keeping to rules on masks and social distancing).

On vaccine hesitancy

The "go local" message also needs to be applied to vaccination. Vaccinators need to be prepared to listen to neighbourhood voices before they begin their work. People have many reasons to be cautious about vaccination. Some are based on bitter experience of vaccines going wrong (polio in Africa is an example). Others are based on emotional reaction - often forged by feedback in groups. All these reasons require to be thoroughly well understood, and none should be dismissed out-of-hand as the rantings of the ignorant.

We have spent time listening to and documenting some of these objections in Sierra Leone. It is striking how often they are expressed in group or family terms.[iv] For example, "I will wait until I see how my companions react." "Vaccines have been designed by Westerners to reduce the number of my African brothers and sisters in the world." But equally, people seem to respond more positively to vaccine advocacy that stresses collective concerns. "This vaccine prevents you from passing on sickness to others you care about." "We will take the vaccine to ensure that we Africans are not wiped out by the disease."

One of us (EYM) even tried the experiment of talking in terms of the virus's own need to survive, arguing with a hesitator that vaccination helped disease agent and host to reach a compromise. This meant in turn that vaccination would not completely eliminate the possibility a human agent might still spread the disease, so the vaccinated person had to continue to think about protecting others. Talk of accommodation and co-existence (as applicable to malaria as to Covid-19) seemed surprisingly persuasive in turning doubts to acceptance. As humans we seem wired to respond positively to cooperation and compromise. Difficult truths are often more palatable than politicians appear to suppose.

A positive response of a few then begins to translate into a more general shift in perception that indeed vaccination is part of the answer to a collective challenge, especially when tied to other behaviours signalling community support, such as wearing a mask as an expression of social responsibility and group solidarity.

So probably it is now time to drop talk of "waves of infection" and "herd immunity", and instead to embrace a language of human collectivity. "We do this because we care about our community and its survival." This way epidemiology is reclaimed from the experts -words like "heterogeneities" sound grand but explain little - and is returned to the people where it belongs. Infection control begins at home.

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Endnotes

[1]WHO Health emergency and risk assessment, Covid-19 pandemic in West and Central Africa, update as of 20 June 2021.

[2]'Africa's third wave: "What haunts me a lot is the Indian scenario"', Financial Times, 23 June 2021,https://www.ft.com/content/76c37996-490d-42da-9568-44e689b4b662.

[3]See Zamia Stamataki, 'Vaccines are not magic bullets - we'll still have to take precautions', The Guardian, 22 June 2021, https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/jun/22/viruses-wearing-mask-england-vaccines

[4]This point about community responsibilities has also been strongly emphasised by a group of behavioural scientists advising the British government on pandemic response (Bonell et al. 2020).

References

Bonell, C. et al., 2020, 'Harnessing behavioural science in public health campaigns to maintain 'social distancing' in response to the COVID-19 pandemic: key principles', Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health74 (8).

Garske, T. et al., 2016, 'Heterogeneities in the case fatality ratio in the West African Ebola outbreak 2013-2016', Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of Biological SciencesB. Biological Sciences 2016, 372.20160308. Doi.org/10.1098/rstb.2016.0308.

Goffman, E., 1959, The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life. Edinburgh: University of Edinburgh Press.

Krauer, F., et al, 2016, 'Heterogeneity in district-level transmission of Ebola Virus Disease during the 2013-2015 epidemic in West Africa', PLoS Neglected Tropical Diseases10 (7): doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0004867.

Richards, P., et al., 2020, 'Re-analysing Ebola spread in Sierra Leone: the importance of local social dynamics', PloS One, doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0234823.
Abuja  A 13-minute-long video shows fighters from both factions chanting in solidarity. Soon afterward, the Boko Haram fighters pledge their support for the newly appointed Islamic State West African Province (ISWAP) commander, known as "Khalifa Muslimai," meaning, "The leader of all Muslims."

A Nigerian military spokesperson was not immediately available to comment. But security expert Senator Iroegbu said a fusion of both groups could mean more lethal attacks.

"They now have the ability to consolidate their energy," Iroegbu said. "There will be consolidation of leadership, resources, intelligence, which will be more difficult for the Nigerian state to deal with. When they had two factions, you could easily infiltrate an ability to work one against the other."

Boko Haram and ISWAP have been clashing for control of territory for many years.

Boko Haram is known to hold larger bases in northeastern Nigeria's Borno and Adamawa states.

In May, the group's leader, Abubakar Shekau, reportedly blew up himself in order to avoid capture by ISWAP -- although it must be noted that Shekau has been reported dead many times before.

Darlington Abdullahi, a retired high-ranking air force officer, said ISWAP will likely take control of more areas but said the rivalry between the groups is not over.

"They're a more tested set because they're coming from an environment where they've been at war with very strong nations," Abdullahi said. "The battle between the two groups will still continue for a while but on the whole there's more danger for the lives of people around generally."

Abdullahi said government security forces must act without delay or there will be repercussions.

"At this stage is when all elements, all forces should be brought against them because they're still trying to find their footing and trying to get other elements of Boko Haram into their fold," Abdullahi said.

ISWAP is known for often targeting the military and easily recruiting civilians from communities. Experts fear that ISWAP's reign will make the Islamist insurgency much more difficult to control and set back years of progress.
"Why are they not paying us in Ondo State. Do they want us to go back to our vomits?"

Some ex-militants in Ondo State have called for inclusion in pipeline and waterway surveillance contracts awarded to former militants by the state government.

The ex-militants, formerly under the aegis of Sea Wolf Avengers, made the appeal in a statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday by their leader, Deji Ehinmowo.

Mr Ehinmowo expressed displeasure with the exclusion of the group in the surveillance contract.

According to him, in 2017 when Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo was the Acting President, he came to Igbokoda where the youth told him that "our major problem is amnesty and surveillance."

"We told the vice president that we need amnesty and surveillance contract and he directed Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu to immediately address the issue.

"After the governor met with the Federal Government, he advised all the militants to surrender their arms and a meeting was held at the International Culture and Event Centre (The Dome) in Akure on November 9, 2017, where amnesty programme for ex-militants was flagged-off.

"After the programme, we were given 21 days to surrender our arms with a promise that we would be paid stipends as well as expose us to training on skill acquisition programmes.

"At the event, there was also a promise that some of us would be sent abroad to acquire more skills", he said.

Mr Ehinmowo expressed regret that while the former militants had fulfilled their own side of the amnesty deal, the government failed to fulfil its own side of the agreement.

He particularly expressed disappointment that the government had not kept its promises to the group on their inclusion in the amnesty programme.

"We have made several reports and nothing has been done up till now.

"Some militants were disarmed in Edo and they are getting paid. Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike, offered amnesty to some militants in Rivers State and they are being paid.

"Why are they not paying us in Ondo State. Do they want us to go back to our vomits?

"When we talk about amnesty in Ondo State, we in the Ilaje/Ese-odo Federal Constituency, we don't depend on the state allocation, what we depend on is the Ondo State Oil Producing Area Development Commission( OSOPADEC) and Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

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"To our greatest surprise, government is doing empowerment through OSOPADEC for the youths of the region, that is pipeline security surveillance, but excluded us.

"In Ilaje and Ese Odo Local Government areas, we have the old amnesty when militants surrendered arms during the tenure of the former President Musa Yar'Adua which was the first phase of the amnesty.

"We also have the new amnesty. This group under the aegis of Sea Wolf Avengers under my leadership as the most senior general, surrendered arms in the 2017 amnesty programme.

"We are the major camp in the new amnesty programme that submitted arms and ammunition in 2017 in Ilaje," he said.

Mr Ehinmowo said the former militants worked for the re-election of Governor Akeredolu as part of their commitment to ensure the sustainance of the amnesty programme in the state.

"We worked for the re-election of the Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu, and we believe we should benefit from the amnesty programme and the government is supposed to use the surveillance contract to take care of us.

"It is our turn to be empowered with surveillance job. If the state government wants to give it to Ilaje, it should be between the old and new amnesty groups.

"We leant that N300,000 would be given to each camp which would be about N30,000 per slot out of N28 million surveillance contract.

"We are urging the government to separate the old amnesty from the new amnesty.

"We that surrendered arms in 2017, our percentage should be given to us, otherwise, the surveillance will not work", he stated.

(NAN)
Mr Yahaya was appointed as army chief by President Muhammadu Buhari on May 27.

The House of Representatives has approved Faruk Yahaya, a major general, as the Chief of Army Staff.

The confirmation followed the consideration of the report of the committee on defence on Tuesday.

The chairman of the committee, Babajimi Benson (APC, Lagos), presented the report and was considered by the Committee of the Whole.

The committee had, on 15 June, screened Mr Yahaya for the position following his nomination by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The new chief of army staff was appointed by Mr Buhari on May 27 to replace Ibrahim Attahiru, a lieutenant general, who died in an air crash alongside 10 other officers and men of the army, on May 21, while on an official trip to Kaduna State.

The president had sent the confirmation request to in House in compliance with section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act Cap A20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004.

Speaking on the report, Mr Benson said the nominee answered all the questions by the committee.

"Mr Chairman, the COAS came to the committee, and he was grilled on local content in army's procurement, funding of the military, the relationship with civil authorities and the relationship with the parliament.

"The nominee gave apt answers to our questions, having been battle tested hence, we recommend the nominee be confirmed."

The committee of the whole, chaired by deputy speaker Idris Wase (APC, Plateau), approved the nomination.
Britain's foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, made the announcement on Monday at a meeting of the Global Coalition against Daesh in Rome.

The UK government has promised 12.6 million to support efforts to combat terror in the Lake Chad Basin region covering Nigeria, Cameroon, Niger and Chad.

Britain's foreign Secretary, Dominic Raab, made the announcement on Monday at a meeting of the Global Coalition against Daesh in Rome.

"The funds will be used to support both the regionally-led military fight against Daesh, and projects encouraging its fighters to leave the terrorist group," Mr Raab said.

The coalition meeting comes a day before the seventh anniversary of the terror group's proclamation of its self-declared caliphate in Iraq and Syria, and two years since the caliphate's territorial defeat in Syria.

Foreign ministers from more than 45 countries reconvened in person to discuss "deepening cooperation" to combat Daesh and its affiliate terrorist groups, including emerging threats across the African continent.

Mr Raab urged the coalition partners to come together to tackle this "pressing threat and target the longer-term drivers of terrorism."

He added: "The UK is funding a new Conflict, Stability and Security Fund programme for the Lake Chad Basin region of West Africa, where Daesh's affiliate, known as Islamic State West Africa (ISWA), is responsible for significant violence."

According to him, this will support regional military efforts to counter the terrorist groups, as well as efforts to "safely demobilise" suspected low-level members of terrorist groups.

Two years after ISIS territorial defeat, Mr Raab said its hateful ideology has not gone away.

"Worryingly it continues to grow in Africa which is why we must work with our Coalition partners to fight its poisonous propaganda on all fronts," the foreign secretary said.

"We stand shoulder to shoulder with our African partners to tackle the growing threat from Daesh-linked groups across Africa, particularly in the Lake Chad Basin."

The Lake Chad Basin countries have experienced traumatic attacks from Boko Haram and other terrorist groups.

Members of Boko Haram and ISWAP reunited recently and pledged their allegiance to one Aba Ibrahim Al-Hashimiyil AlKhuraishi, whom they unanimously ordained as 'Khalifan Muslimai', translated as "The leader of all Muslims".

This comes barely a month after Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau reportedly killed himself after a violent confrontation with some renegade Islamic State of West Africa Province (ISWAP) top commanders.
Mr Joshua's resting place would be at the church premises.

The Synagogue Church of All Nation (SCOAN) on Tuesday said the passing of its founder , TB Joshua, drew tributes from millions of people around the world.

Gary Tonge, a member of the church, spoke during a press conference Tuesday in Lagos on the programmes for the burial of the preacher.

"It would be recalled that TB Joshua was called to rest on June 5, and his divine call was met with an outpouring of millions of testimonies and tributes from 195 countries," he said.

According to Mr Tonge, July 5 to July 11, is dedicated to a series of laying to rest activities tagged 'Celebrating the Life and Legacy of Prophet Joshua, born (1963 to 2021)'.

He said the event would start with a private candlelight procession at 6:00 p.m.

Mr Tonge said on July 6 to July 7, there would be a tribute service from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. which would be opened to the public but with a limited physical presence.

He said there would be a service of songs and all-night praise starting at midnight.

The international member also said that on July 8, there would be the lying-in-state of the prophet from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

He said the event would be open to the public to pay their last respects to the man of God.

Mr Tonge said that July 9, would be the laying to rest service and interment activities which would begin at 10:00 a.m.

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He said the thanksgiving service would be held on July 11 by 9.00 a.m.

According to Mr Tonge, the SCOAN founder was a man of the people with global influence, therefore, the church is aware that the eyes of the world are upon this event.

He said that SCOAN was working with the Lagos State Government and the ministry of health to ensure that the current public health and security protocols would be observed during the duration of the event.

He, however, appealed to the general public who would not attend due to the current public health challenges to watch the broadcast from the comfort of their homes.

He said the event would be broadcast live on Emmanuel TV, DSTV, GOTV, and streamed on Facebook.

Mr Tonge said the ministry would continue to touch lives as done by the preacher.

He said Mr Joshua's resting place would be at the church premises.

(NAN)
Leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, on Tuesday, gave reasons why he abandoned his trial and escaped out of the country in 2017.

Kanu, who was re-arrested and brought back to Nigeria last Sunday, told the Federal High Court in Abuja that he fled the country to save his life.

He sought permission of the court to speak, shortly after he was docked before trial Justice Binta Nyako by the Federal Government.

Though he did not have any legal representation, Kanu, who was dressed in a black tracksuit, looked healthy and unruffled.

The IPOB leader explained that he did not deliberately abscond from the court to avoid trial.

He said his disappearance was due to the unlawful invasion of his house by security agents, in an operation he said resulted in the death of many innocent people.

The IPOB leader said he went underground to avoid being killed.

He said: "My lord, my house was invaded and people were killed. I would have been killed too if I had not hid myself. That was why I have been unable to attend court.

"I would have been killed the way others were killed when my house was invaded," Kanu added.

At this juncture, trial Justice Nyako asked him to get in touch with his lawyer to brief him about all that have transpired in the case in his absence.

Though the case was initially fixed for October 20, owing to FG's application for accelerated hearing, the court brought the matter forward to July 26 for continuation of trial.

The court further directed the Prosecution to notify Kanu's lawyer, even as it remanded him in custody of the DSS.

Meanwhile, immediately the proceedings ended, security agents discreetly moved Kanu out of the courtroom through a back door, into their waiting vehicle that was stationed behind the court premises.

His appearance before the court came barely 15 minutes after the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, disclosed to newsmen that Kanu was "intercepted" by security agents last Sunday.

Malami, who addressed the press in company of the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba and spokesman of the DSS, Dr. Peter Afunnaya, explained that Kanu's re-arrest followed a collaborative effort between security agencies in Nigeria and the Interpol.

He was however silent on the exact location or country where the IPOB leader was arrested.

The AGF maintained that Kanu would be tried on charges bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, unlawful possession of firearms and management of an unlawful society.

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"He has, upon jumping bail, been accused of engaging in subversive activities that include inciting violence through television, radio and online broadcasts against Nigeria and Nigerian State and institutions.

"Kanu was also accused of instigating violence especially in the Southeastern Nigeria that resulted in the loss of lives and property of civilians, military, para military, police forces and destruction of civil institutions and symbols of authorities", Malami added.

While Malami was still addressing the press, Kanu, was ushered into the courtroom around 1:30pm by heavily armed security operatives from both the DSS and the Nigerian Police Force.

He was masked, with chains on his hands and legs.

The mask and chains were later removed shortly before the commencement of the court proceedings.

Among those that came to court to show solidarity to Kanu included a pro-democracy activist and convener of #RevolutionNow protest, Mr. Omoleye Sowore.

Sowore however arrived the court after the proceedings had ended.

It will be recalled that the trial court had on March 28, 2019, issued a bench warrant for arrest of the IPOB leader after it revoked the bail that was earlier granted to him.

Vanguard News Nigeria
Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has on Tuesday, assured that kidnapping, banditry and insecurity generally would soon become things of the past as Nigeria would soon triumph over them.

Prof. Osinbajo was Special Guest of Honour at a one-day peace and security summit, organised by Kaduna State chapter of Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) which held at ECWA Goodnews church, Narayi, Kaduna.

The theme of the summit was entitled, "Nigeria's Insecurity: The church's response in the 21st century".

The Vice President said Nigeria's socio-economic problems were like that of a woman in a labour room, saying after much pains, there will be celebration by the people when they eventually overcome the hardship.

The Vice President who was represented by the Chaplain, Villa, Pastor Joseph Oluseyi Malomo at the summit,said "we all desired a nation devoid of any form of kidnapping and terrorism.We have heard prophecies of a shining Nigeria, we are longing for the day those prophecies will come to reality. We need to fight the fight of faith because God's plan for the greatness of Nigeria has not changed, it will surely come. We need to pray for Nigeria."

"Many are weighed down because of problems they are going through, we must as Christians keep the Altars of God burning with prayers to overcome these problems.

We must keep faith and see the problems we are going through as bread. God will take us to the promise land of a great nation with great values.We must reject politics of identity and ethnicity. Nigeria is going to be a shining nation, and insecurity will soon end," he said.

A leader from the Middle Belt and Professor of Theology and social ethics, Prof Yusuf Turaki, in his remarks on the occasion, alleged that government knew the kidnappers, bandits and other criminal elements in Nigeria.

Prof. Turaki who was the keynote speaker,said violence has taken over the country to the extent that every segment of the society was overwhelmed by violence.

He disagreed with politicians who are blaming killings in middle belt on farmers/herders clash, saying it was a deceptive narrative to motives of " a repetition of Sokoto jihadists war."

"These are Foreign Fulani who have been allowed to enter Nigeria so that they could help their brothers in Nigeria to kill innocent citizens and wreak havoc on our ancestral lands.These Fulani occupy the lands, carrying AK47, killing people, destroying communities in the middle belt and other parts of the country.And the government knows them, government pays them to destroy ancestral lands. Politicians know the bandits that enter Nigeria, but they will not tell us."

"Politicians have devised a wrong narrative that is deceptive, saying it is farmers/herders clash in middle belt, if it is clash, how comes Fulani are carrying AK47 to kill the people.Nigeria is well blessed with intelligent people but they cannot up till today solve insecurity in the country. Something terrible has befallen our country. God, open the mouths of the people, let them speak the truth and die for the truth."

"What the Fulani are doing now is exactly what Sokoto jihadists did in those old days. They kidnapped and asked people to pay ransom in those days. If you cannot pay, they sold you into slavery or kill you. So kidnapping is not different from what happened during the Sokoto jihadists war. They captured infidels.It is being repeated now in Nigeria," he said.

Earlier in his remarks,Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna state chapter, Rev Joseph Hayab said 4 pastors were killed, while 18 pastors were kidnapped since the banditry began in the state in the last five years .

He said that in 2019, CAN published records of kidnappings where it recorded a total of over five hundred (500) Christians who had been kidnapped.

"On record, CAN had about eighteen (18) pastors kidnapped with four (4) of them killed. Past. Jeremiah Omolara - Living Faith Church, Romi New Extension, Rev. Iliya Anto - Former Vice President of HEKAN Church, Rev. Fr. John Bako Shekwolo - St. Theresa Catholic Church, Ankwa, Kachia Local Government Area and Rev. Hosea Akuchi - Nasara Baptist Church, Guru were killed."

"CAN gathered these records through a questionnaire developed and shared in one of her meeting with hundreds of Pastors and relations of kidnapped victims in over twenty (20) communities that were sacked from their communities as a result of their abductions."

"Data gathered also revealed an approximated amount of money paid as ransom to have people freed within the period, on a survey, to be over three hundred million naira (N 300,000 000) as at 2019."

'Today, the amount has risen to over a billion naira with many victims' dead and even more still in the hands of kidnappers as we speak. When CAN presented the statistics above, CAN was misinterpreted, but a Kaduna state 2020 annual Security report released by government and published by Guardian Newspaper on 10th of March, 2021 vindicated CAN and furthered showed that our record did not capture the colossal damage that the spate of kidnapping has brought to bear on the population."

'The government's report as published stated that 937 people were killed by Bandits and 1972 kidnapped within the period. Another first quarter 2021 security report published by government reported by premium time, on the 30th of April 2021 indicates that 323 people were killed, and 949 people have been kidnapped," he said.

"CAN believes that the second quarter report that we are waiting for from government may have a higher figure than what we already have. Mmanifestly, the trouble with Nigeria's security, like most of our challenges in Nigeria, simply lacks a sincere collaborative effort in solving it."

' To drive home this message, I will make use of an illustration where a story is told of an engineer in a car manufacturing company who designed a world-class car.

The CEO was impressed with the outcome and praised him a lot. While trying to bring out the car from the manufacturing area to the showroom, they realized that the car was 2 inches taller than the entrance. The engineer felt bad that he did not notice that before creating the car."

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'The CEO was confused about how to take it outside of the manufacturing area. But the painter said that they can bring out the car and there will be a few scratches on top of the car which could be touched up later on.The engineer said that they can break the entrance, take the car out and the CEO was not convinced with any ideas and felt like it was a bad idea.

' However, a watchman who had observed all the drama slowly approached the CEO. He wanted to give an idea if they had no problem listening to him. They wondered what this watchman would tell them that the experts could not give. The watchman said: "The car is only a few inches taller than the entrance. So, simply release the air in the tyre and the height of the car will sink and can be easily taken out." At this point, everyone clapped for the brilliant idea."

"The moral lesson to learn from the above is, we should not always analyse the problems from an expert point of view alone. The issues of life are similar.

Let us listen to everyone ready to suggest a way out, not only the "professionals." Traditional leaders, religious leaders, association leaders and even the common people, youths, women and children all have a stake in this matter."

"It is against the above background that the church in Kaduna State thought it wise to bring together pastors and church leaders in this great assembly to jointly deliberate and come out with practicable strategies within Christian teaching and biblical provisions meant to complement the government's efforts in the great task of handling the challenge of insecurity," he said.
The official said when Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the governor of Lagos, and his entourage visited the Lekki toll plaza between 12:30 and 1:30 midnight - few hours after the shooting, they did not spot any bloodstains on the ground.

The Lagos State Head of Service, Hakeem Muri-Okunola, has said there were no bloodstains at the scene of the October 20, 2020, Lekki shooting incident when the state governor visited.

Mr Muri-Okunola said this on Tuesday during his cross-examination at the Lagos Judicial Panel.

The official said when Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his entourage - which included himself - visited the Lekki toll plaza between 12:30 a.m. and 1:30 a.m. - few hours after the shooting, they did not see any bloodstains on the ground.

The Head of Service was earlier summoned by the panel to give evidence for the state on the controversial shooting of protesters by soldiers on the night of October 20, 2020.

At his first appearance before the panel last Tuesday, Mr Muri-Okunola said injuries recorded in the aftermath of the Lekki shooting were predominantly fractures, machete wounds, and minor cuts.

"At the time we were there, most of the injuries were all in the nature of cuts, bruises from machetes' wounds, and stampede. Nobody at the hospitals said they were shot at," he said.

No blood at the gate

Mr Muri-Okunola was cross-examined on Tuesday by counsels to the #EndSARS protesters, Olumide Fusika and Adeshina Ogunlana.

Mr Fusika took on the Lagos State official on his last testimony, saying it contradicts what doctors from Reddington and other hospitals that treated victims of the shooting told the panel.

Mr Fusika, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said the video clip presented by the Head of Service during his last testimony was edited.

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Although the counsel representing the state government, Abiodun Owonikoko, raised an objection to the line of question, the panel allowed the question.

Responding to the question, Mr Muri-Okunola was the video clip presented was the way it was "because cameras were not admitted at a point during the hospital visit."

He added that the government only tendered the "relevant portion of the clip."

Amidst the numerous questions thrown at him by counsels to #EndSARS protesters, Mr Muri-Okunola insisted that at the time the governor visited the hospital, they were informed that there were no persons with gunshot injuries.

Mr Fusika presented records from the hospitals that treated victims of gunshot injuries, asking the Head of Service to react to them.

"Either the hospital misled the governor or the governor misunderstood.

"We were informed by Reddington, Lekki, that the patients were not shot," Mr Muri-Okunola said.

Following a series of questions to which Mr Muri-Okunola maintained the same position to, Doris Okuwobi, the chairperson of the panel adjourned the matter till July 3.
The African wild dog, or African painted dog, is one of the world's most endangered mammals, with fewer than 7,000 remaining, mostly because of human-wildlife conflict.

Situated near Hwange National Park, Zimbabwe's biggest wildlife sanctuary, the Painted Dog Conservation's anti-poaching unit removes and collects more than 3,000 snares a year set up by poachers.

David Kuvawoga, operations manager at Painted Dog Conservation, says that saves a number of animal lives, especially the endangered painted dogs.

"Poachers themselves do not target painted dogs, they target prey for painted dogs, which is mainly kudu and impala. But when they set the snares, they set in tracks where kudus and impala move, and painted dogs who are looking for food move in the same tracks as they track food," he said.

The anti-poaching unit is mainly made up of people from nearby villages who value wildlife, such as 27-year-old Belinda Ncube.

"Anti-poaching is important. I now know the importance of wildlife through anti-poaching. And we are saving animals, those animals which help us to get employed. Like now, I am employed. It's also helping us to get tourists," she said.

July Mhlanga, 53, is one of the artists benefiting from the snares collected from the bush by Painted Dog Conservation's anti-poaching unit.

The artists turn the snares into crafts and sell them to zoos around the world.

"All my kids have gone to school through money I got from crafts-selling, instead of continuously asking money from others, which means there is an improvement of my life," said Mhlanga.

Hillary Madzikanga is a former ecologist with the Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority. He says Africa has less than 7,000 painted dogs, down from more than half a million at the turn of the century. He said people were receiving incentives to kill them because they were considered useless.

"Because of the informed position of science that we realized that they play a critical role in the environment, then persecution stopped. However, the decline had reached such [painted] dogs for the foreseeable future [and] will remain a low species population," he said.

With intensified anti-poaching on the continent, Madzikanga says Africa should have a good number of painted dogs to keep the herbivore populations in check to ensure vegetation is not overgrazed.
After about three years and seven months, the leader of proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr Nnamdi Kanu, was again Tuesday brought before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Kanu had in late 2017 jumped the bail granted him by Justice Nyako.

The self acclaimed leader of IPOB and four others were arraigned before a Federal High Court in Abuja on a six-count criminal charge bordering on treasonable felony in June 2016.

Though they pleaded not guilty to the charge, bail was denied them by the different judges who had earlier tried the matter, including Justice Nyako.

However, Justice Nyako following the deteriorating health of the first defendant admitted him to bail to enable him access quality medical care.

The court had in April 25, 2017 admitted him to bail in the sum of N100 million and three sureties in like sum, one of whom was a serving Senator, Eyinnaya Abaribe.

Kanu's bail was however revoked in March 2019 and a bench warrant for his arrest issued in November 2019, following his long absence in court for his trial.

The court also separated the trial of Kanu from five others earlier arraigned with him to pave the way for the continuation of their trial.

However, Kanu was on Tuesday, June 29, brought before Justice Nyako to continue his trial.

He was brought to court by personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS).

Although the Federal High Court complex in Abuja was completely taken over by men of the Nigeria Police Force, there was no hint that Kanu would be brought to court for continuation of his trial.

A few minutes to his entering the dock, the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami (SAN) had, in an emergency press briefing, told Judiciary Correspondents that Kanu was intercepted by security agents and is being taken to court for continuation of his trial.

Malami, who was flanked by the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mr Usman Baba Alkali, police spokesman, Mr Frank Mba, and his DSS counterpart, Dr Peter Afunnaya, was silent on where Kanu was arrested.

"Self-acclaimed leader of the proscribed secessionist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has been through the collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and security services been brought back to Nigeria in order to continue facing trial after disappearing while on bail regarding 11-count charge against him.

"Recent steps taken by the federal government saw to the interception of the fugitive Kanu on Sunday, the 27th day of June, 2021.

"Nwannekaenyi Nnamdi Ngozichukwu Okwu-Kanu, born 25th day of September, 1967 at Afaraukwu, Abia State is a holder of Nigerian Passport No. A05136827 first issued 17th October 2013 at FESTAC, Lagos," he said.

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The AGF recalled that Kanu was arrested on October 14, 2015 on an 11-count charge bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper importation of goods, among others.

Malami added that Kanu, upon jumping bail, engaged in subversive activities that include inciting violence through television, radio and online broadcasts against Nigeria and Nigerian State and institutions.

"Kanu was also accused of instigating violence especially in the South-eastern Nigeria that resulted in the loss of lives and property of civilians, military, para military, police forces and destruction of civil institutions and symbols of authorities," he added.

However, following his appearance in court, Justice Nyako ordered Kanu's remand in the custody of the DSS.

The remand order was sequel to an application by the federal government's lawyer, Mr Shuaibu Labaran.

Ruling on the remand application, Justice Nyako held that the prosecution should inform Kanu's lawyer of his rearrest and remand in the custody of the DSS as well as the next adjourned date.

The judge subsequently adjourned till July 26 for continuation of trial.
The House of Representatives may embark on summer break on 15 July.

The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Femi Gbajabiamila, has said the House will pass the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and the Electoral Bill, unfailingly before it goes on recess next week.

He also said the House will pass the Supplementary Budget forwarded to it by President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday.

The speaker announced this during the plenary session on Tuesday.

There are indications that the lower legislative chamber will embark on summer recess as from 15 July.

The PIB has been before the National Assembly since 2008.

A public hearing on the bill was conducted in January.

The lawmakers from the northern part of the country had on Monday met leaders from the region on the bill.

The Electoral Bill was reintroduced to the legislature after Mr Buhari declined assent on different occasions.

In March, the report on the bill was laid by the Chairman of the House Committee on Electoral and Political Matters, Aisha Dukku (APC, Gombe).

The House is yet to consider the report on the bill.

The bill also suffered several setbacks in the 8th Assembly.

Mr Gbajabiamila said he will be meeting with the Ad hoc Committee on PIB, alongside the leadership of the House to discuss the grey areas in the bill.

He also said the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Mele Kyari, will be holding a briefing on the bill on Wednesday. He urged lawmakers to attend the briefing.

"It is an important piece of legislation, and we need to pass these two before we leave for the summer break," he said.

"There is so much to do. It is going to be a heavy load, including the supplementary budget.

"Two weeks is a very short time, but we must do this work, we must do it thoroughly."

The spokesperson of the House, Benjamin Kalu (APC, Abia), had also told PREMIUM TIMES that the PIB will be passed before the lawmakers go on holiday.
Governor Bello Matawalle formally defected late Tuesday evening at the Gusau Trade Fair Complex at an event attended by APC governors, ministers and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha

The Governor of Zamfara State, Bello Matawalle, on Tuesday, formally defected to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) after months of speculation and denial.

Mr Matawalle announced his defection late evening at the Gusau Trade Fair Complex at an event attended by APC governors, ministers and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

However, sources said the state's deputy governor, Mahdi Aliyu, and the member representing Talata Mafara/Anka in the State House of Assembly, Kabiru Yahaya, have decided to remain in the opposition People Democratic Party (PDP).

Mr Aliyu was reported to have left the state on Tuesday before the defection ceremony.

Some federal lawmakers from the state who are also members of the PDP had earlier announced their defection to the APC but it is not yet clear whether all the lawmakers joined the governor to the APC.

Matawalle's long walk to APC

Mr Matawalle's departure from the PDP followed months of speculation and snubbing the PDP governor's meetings while hosting APC governors and the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, at Government House in Gusau.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how Mr Matawalle on June 12 dissolved the state executive council as part of preparations for his defection..

The governor, however, rescheduled the defection date, ostensibly for further consultation with Mr Aliyu and some state lawmakers who were reluctant to make the journey to the ruling party with him.

Mr Aliyu, who is a son of a former Minister of Defence, Ali Gusau, was said to be opposed to moving into the APC, arguing that the court awarded the electoral victory in 2019 to the PDP and not just its candidates.

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With Mr Matawalle's defection, APC now controls six of the seven states in the North-west geopolitical zone. Sokoto Governor Aminu Tambuwal remains the only governor of the PDP in the zone.

Mr Matawalle was declared governor on May 24, 2019 after the Supreme Court disqualified all the APC candidates in the state in the general election of that year over the failure of the party to conduct valid primaries.

The apex court ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission to cancel the votes secured by the APC in all the elections and decide the new winners from the remaining valid votes.

APC had swept the poll in the state by winning the presidential, governorship and all the federal and state legislative seats while PDP candidates trailed in the second position.
The lawyer says Mr Kanu's safety is guaranteed under our law throughout the trial and afterwards.

The lead counsel to the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Ifeanyi Ejiofor, has said the arrest and arraignment of Nnamdi Kanu earlier Tuesday was without his knowledge.

"We have just confirmed through a correspondence from the Federal High Court Abuja about the arrest and the extradition of my Client- Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by the Nigerian State," Mr Ejiofor said in a statement on Tuesday evening.

"He was brought before the Federal High Court No 2 Abuja today on an Eleven count charge, though without our knowledge," the attorney added.

He said regardless of the offences or charge against his client, he is still presumed innocent of the allegation under the law.

Mr Kanu, who is being prosecuted on charges of treasonable felony, was re-arrested and returned to Nigeria on Sunday, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said earlier

According to the AGF, the IPOB leader was arrested through "collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and security services."

Although, Mr Kanu is believed to have fled to the United Kingdom, the AGF did not give the details of the exact place of his arrest and the diplomatic collaborations the operation must have involved.

The trial judge, Binta Nyako, ordered the detention of Mr Kanu in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS) at his first court appearance since 2017 on Tuesday.

The judge also granted an accelerated hearing in the trial involving charges of treasonable felony filed against him.

Mrs Nyako ruled that the case earlier scheduled to come up on October 20, be brought forward to July 26 and 27, 2021.

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Speaking in court, Mr Kanu defended himself, insisting that he did not jump bail but only fled the country for safety reasons.

Meanwhile, Mr Ejiofor has said the IPOB legal team will be in court on the date.

"As it is in the public domain, the matter has been consequently adjourned to the 26th Day of July 2021, for continuation of trial," the lawyer said.

"The legal team ably led by my humble self will meet them in court on this date. We insist that he must be given a fair hearing/trial which is his constitutionally protected right.

"His safety as also guaranteed under our law throughout the trial and afterwards, should be enforced.

Our fortified Legal team will be meeting to agree on strategies within the context of the Charge and disposition of the Court. Await further update from us as we progress."
Nairobi  A global development organization says women run more online businesses in Africa, but face greater challenges than online firms led by men.

The International Financial Corporation, which is the arm of the World Bank that helps the private sector and Jumia, the largest online business platform in Africa, said in a new report that the pandemic has hurt sales for women's online businesses by 39%. In comparison, male-led businesses saw sales drop only 28%.

Charlotte Ntim analyzes disruptive technologies for the IFC's gender and economic inclusion group. She says there are more women in high-competition fields like beauty products, where it is hard for individuals to distinguish themselves.

"When you think of selling for example in beauty, just beyond high levels of competition, when you think about with the pandemic and the closure of borders having to get products in from different parts of the world to sell online that presents a whole other challenge," Ntim said. "A lot of the challenges are impacted by the spaces in which we find women."

Jumia, Checkers, Sixty60, Konga, and Kilimall platforms have made Africa's online shopping flourish.

The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) says African online shopping has increased by 18% since 2014, compared to a 12% increase globally.

But the COVID-19 pandemic hit women's businesses especially hard.

The World Bank and Facebook "Data for Good" survey released in June 2020 found that 43% of female-owned firms were temporarily closed, compared to 34% of male-owned businesses.

In South Africa, 52% of female-owned businesses closed. In Nigeria, the number was 44%. In Ghana, 37%.

Ntim says digital and financial gaps continue to hold businesswomen back.

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"There is a huge financing gap globally, it's about a trillion dollars, and you think the fact as well that regardless where you are in the world, women do use the internet less than men and that's is fundamentally related to the cost of access," Ntim said. "Sometimes depending on where they are in the world, there are social norms prevent their use or ownership of even mobile phones for the use of different purposes."

Wacu Mureithi sells hair products online. She has been in the business for four years but she struggled to understand the online behavior of Kenyan buyers.

"The learning curve is very long it takes a while to understand how things work," Mureithi said. "It took me two years to figure it out. You know how people talk about Google voice being the future, how people search for things, how they type? That mentality is a little bit deeper than what you learn in marketing class online is the other way around you have to put yourself in their shoes."

The IFC is urging women not to be afraid of taking out loans and other forms of financing to help them operate their businesses. The financial organization is calling on online platforms to provide training for women-led businesses.
analysis

As an academic working at a university in Kenya, I've witnessed at first hand the massive disruptions to learning caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The situation is not unique to Kenya. Universities in neighbouring Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia are similarly affected.

Kenya has over 70 universities, 38 of them public and 35 private. Over 500,000 students were enrolled in the last academic year. Public universities took the lion's share with over 400,000 of these students.

While public universities are challenged by overcrowding, inadequate numbers of lecturers and degraded facilities, private ones have lower student to staff ratios and have better facilities and equipment.

But all universities have been affected by the pandemic. An entire year of learning was lost due to government closure and universities were forced to quickly transition to e-learning, for which they weren't prepared.

E-learning has its own challenges too. Courses that require student practicals - such as the natural, health and physical sciences - have been heavily disrupted. They rely on the physical demonstration of concepts, for example through laboratory training, fieldwork and academic trips to industries.

Exams also went online. For institutions that attempted this, the outcome was telling. Many students didn't register, couldn't access the portal and failed to upload their scripts. They complained of poor network connectivity, high cost of data and a lack of stable power supply and infrastructure to conduct the exams virtually.

Invigilation was also challenging. My university required students to switch on their webcams and speakers to prevent cheating. Due to these challenges, some universities were forced to offer special exams and even revert to physical examinations.

The COVID-19 pandemic isn't going away any time soon. It's expected that restrictions to learning will continue and that students will have to work from home.

Though Kenya's universities face huge challenges going digital, they must quickly adapt and become innovative so that they achieve their targets with minimal disruptions.

What's needed

There is an urgent need for a fresh approach to the current teaching and learning models. Universities can reduce digital disruptions through delivery of interactive content and accessible courses through learning management systems.

The government should provide tax incentives to allow universities and students to access subsidised data bundles and provide more funds for infrastructure development. This includes good electricity connections.

Universities need to provide effective and efficient digital platforms that support virtual learning. In addition, online modules should be easy enough for students to follow, provide learning guides, offer assignments and give feedback to users.

Finally, the use of basic technology, software and applications - such as WhatsApp, e-mail, Zoom, FaceTime and Blackboard - that allow asynchronous participation and teleconference facilities must be used to improve the e-learning experience.

The challenges

But Kenyan universities face an uphill battle.

In Kenya, internet connectivity is still low. Only 40% of the population uses the internet. A recent survey in 12 universities found just 19,000 out of 500,000 students enrolled for open and distance learning.

Only a handful of universities have well developed IT infrastructure and the personnel to manage such systems.

The country also suffers from frequent power outages. This is aggravated by lack of standby generators or alternative sources of power. With no power, no work can be done. During the online exams in my institution, a prolonged power blackout led to the postponement of an entire examination session.

For online learning to be successful, massive investments are needed in digital platforms, cloud-based systems and automation. The existing IT infrastructure needs an upgrade in capacity. The investments in digital infrastructure should go hand in hand with the retraining of staff.

A huge hurdle in achieving all of this is the funding gaps.

Public universities are grappling with a decline in funding. In the 2021-2022 fiscal year, the higher education budget was reduced by US$37 million.

Government austerity measures, staff layoffs, a freeze on employment and increased student enrolment will further strain the universities' finances. Private universities are equally struggling with lower student numbers.

Universities have to adapt and explore alternative ways of raising funds and cutting costs.

Way forward

The good news is that, though it'll initially be an investment to get the online ecosystem up to scratch, the adoption of online teaching can reduce costs and increase financial resources. For instance, more students can enrol for programmes, thus increasing income for universities.

In developing programmes, it's also important to remember that a one-size-fits-all approach in e-learning will not work. Students come from diverse economic backgrounds and different remote geographic locations. Online platforms should be customised to meet these constraints. For instance, South Africa has many educational sites that allow access to all students. An encouraging step in Kenya is the provision of discounted data bundles to support e-learning.

A blended approach - involving a mix of physical and online learning - could be a good solution. Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University in Kenya, where I work, has implemented a blended learning approach - where traditional classroom training is complemented by online learning. This involved the customisation of the university digital platform with Moodle, an online learning management system. Lecturers and students were then trained on how to use it. I found that it was very beneficial to the faculty and students are performing well.

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For online examinations and assessments, software - like Respondus LockDown Browser - should be used to secure the exam environment. This identifies candidates, detects voices, stops printing, copying, visiting another URL and accessing other applications, and prevents the user from exiting a quiz until it is submitted for grading.

Public-private partnerships should be used so that students can access affordable data and good devices. For instance, the South African government has issued a tender for the mass supply of laptops for students. Universities should also leverage their connections to provide students with subsidised software, laptops and data as seen at the University of Cape Town.

Crucially, higher learning institutions must develop their digital infrastructure. This must go hand in hand with securing stable power sources and backup systems to provide an uninterrupted e-learning environment.

Shehu Shagari Awandu, Head/Chair, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Jaramogi Oginga Odinga University of Science and Technology
It is no longer news that Nnamdi Kanu has been arrested, brought back to Nigeria, presented in court and remanded in prison custody until July 27.

It was a surprisingly quick turn of events for the leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) who since jumping bail in 2017 has been ensconced in the safety of his London home from where he had been spewing vitriol on the Nigerian state and instigated the formation of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), which has been accused of attacking civilians police formations and INEC offices in the South East region.

His rearrest has surprised most Nigerians and even officials in the diplomatic circle. For now, it has not been confirmed where Kanu was arrested and how he ended up back in Nigeria to face the gavel of Justice Binta Nyako.

The last time Nigeria tried to retrieve one of its erring citizens from the UK in a clandestine operation, it did not end well.

It was 1984. General Muhammadu Buhari was Head of State and former Minister of Transportation, Umaru Dikko, accused of siphoning six billion dollars from public funds, was hiding out in London.

Nigerian intelligence agents liaised with their Israeli counterparts to track down Dikko. They scoured London to locate his residence and when they found him, arranged for an Israeli doctor to put him under and intubate him to prevent him choking while being transported. A Nigerian Airways plane was flown to London's Stansted Airport to ferry Dikko home if successfully captured.

The operation hit a snag when Dikko's abduction outside his house was witnessed by his private secretary. She called the police promptly and the police ordered extra vigilance at all exits ports in the UK.

Dikko was bundled into a van where the Israeli doctor intubated him. The doctor and Dikko went into one crate, two Mossad agents went into another. The van was driven by Nigerian intelligence agents to Stansted.

Their attempts to get those crates on board the waiting plane failed. One, the crates were not marked as diplomatic packages and the agents did not have the necessary documentation that identified the crates as such. Because of these lapses, the UK customs were able to search the crates without breaching diplomatic protocols and were shocked to find four men in the boxes.

The fallout of that incident was damaging. For two years the UK cut off diplomatic ties with Nigeria, bluntly rejected a formal extradition request for Dikko that the government letter submitted.

Even though details are still sketchy, it is clear Mr Kanu's reappearance in Nigeria followed a different route. For one, it was successfully executed and that makes a whole lot of difference. Intelligence officials are keeping a tight lid on the details of the operations but what seems clear is that if he had been abducted from the UK, the UK government would have raised alarms over it. They haven't yet.

One thing Nigeria learned from the Dikko affair was that they simply could not afford to fail with such missions that could have serious diplomatic consequences.

There are suggestions that other security agencies might have facilitated the arrest and transportation of Kanu back to Nigeria. That would not be unusual.

"From the Nigerian Government's side of things, Kanu was rearrested following cooperation between Nigerian security services and other security agencies which would presumably include the UK security agencies and the Interpol," a UK-based Nigerian lawyer told Daily Trust. "Nigeria could secure the support of the Interpol to arrest a fugitive, one who has committed an offence in Nigeria but has fled the country. Kanu fits the bill."

Considering that Nigeria and the UK are both member countries of Interpol it means that cooperation can happen between both countries.

However, considering Kanu is also a British citizen, it would be hard for the country to give up one of its citizens, especially considering there is no known extradition trial.

"There is nothing stopping a UK citizen from being extradited to another country so long as the UK has an extradition arrangement with that country," the UK-based lawyer said. "However, we need to know certain things. Extraction between Nigeria and the UK is governed by a legal arrangement called "The London Scheme for Extradition within the Commonwealth." It is an agreement that allows extradition to take place within the commonwealth, of which, as you know, Nigeria is a member. However, such extradition must satisfy certain legal requirements. One of the conditions is that there must be a formal request for extradition; a decision by a UK minister (Secretary of State of Home Affairs) whether the request will be certified; a decision by a judge whether to issue an arrest warrant; the person wanted is arrested; a preliminary judicial hearing is held; then an extradition hearing; and finally, the Secretary of State decides whether to order for extradition. If these steps are satisfied, extradition can take place."

It is clear Nigeria did not follow this route with Kanu as that would have been too long a process. Apart from the Umaru Dikko extradition request, Nigeria has made only one other similar request to the UK.

In 2019, Nigeria tried to have one Bankole Ogunnowo extradited for a series of offences arising out of a purported 'sham marriage' to a British woman of Nigerian descent. After trundling on for a year, largely due to delays on the part of Nigerian authorities to submit the right documentation, a British judge denied the request on the grounds that the documents presented were shambolic and the Nigerian prison system was so horrendous that detention within it would amount to degrading and inhuman treatment.

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What seems to emerge in the murky waters of Kanu's sudden reappearance in Nigeria is that there were no special covert operations involved which could have compromised diplomatic relations.

It would seem that Nigerian authorities, through sheer luck and carefully planning, created a situation that put Mr Kanu in limbo in a place where he was a sitting duck and was picked up to face trial for his alleged crime.

Having jumped bail before and continued to foment trouble from his foreign hideouts, it is clear Kanu will not be going anywhere this time until a court finds him not guilty. The law is an ass and that could yet happen and one of the most wanted men in Nigeria could walk free. But for now, his rearrest is a major score for this government and paves the way for the continuation of his trial that has stalled since he jumped bail in 2017.
Outside the five states that make up the South East geopolitical zone, traders who are of Igbo extraction are controlling critical sectors in 31 states and the Federal Capital Territory, reports by our correspondents reveal.

Reports from the South West, South South, North West, North East, North Central and the FCT, showed that investments of Igbo traders, cutting across all sectors dot the state capitals, LGAs, major towns and villages in other parts of the country.

The South East geopolitical zone is made up of Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu and Imo states. At a time, agitation for secession is being spearheaded by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Igbo traders enjoy peaceful, uninterrupted trading in other parts of the country.

'Igbos own 73% of Abuja property'

In Abuja, Igbo traders dominate the nerves of businesses in the city centre and the area councils.

Reports by our correspondents showed that the Igbo control housing and hospitality businesses just as they exclusively dominated spare parts and building materials trade in Deidei, Zone 5, Apo, Zuba and Mararraba.

During his tenure as minister of FCT, Malam Nasir El-Rufa'i, declared that the Igbo have acquired about 73 per cent of landed properties in Abuja.

"Sixty-eight per cent of the land allocations in the FCT belong to the 19 northern states, but in the actual land ownership, 73 per cent belongs to the Igbo with the most aggressive in land ownership belonging to the indigenes of Anambra State, while Ebonyi lags behind," El-Rufai said in 2007.

Sources in major markets in the FCT said most of the shops are owned by Igbo traders and investors.

An Abuja native in Kubwa, Mr Sunday Gazazhin, said no Nigerian would be comfortable with what Biafra agitators are doing to northerners in the South East.

Gazazhin, who is a youth leader, said Abuja indigenes have sacrificed their land willingly to Nigerians when the same right is being denied to other Nigerians in the eastern part of the country.

An Igbo trader who is a former chairman of Abuja Building Material Market in Deidei, Comrade Anthony Chukwuneke, told Daily Trust that he is in support of Biafra agitators and denied their involvement in attacking northerners in the South East.

When alerted about the Igbo's huge investment scattered in the North, in the event that they seceded, he replied, "The only thing that the Igbo trader should expect, is a special tax imposition against his business".

S/East traders dot 44 Kano LGAs

In Kano, the Igbo are going about their normal business with several investments in the commercial centre of northern Nigeria.

The spare parts and construction products market at Kofar Ruwa is one of the market areas in Kano where the Igbos dominate or play a significant role in the business of the market. While they are not the only tribe involved in the market, they control the highest volume of trade in it.

It was observed, however, that during the sit-at-home order of the IPOB recently, business activities in the market went on as normal.

Similarly, at the popular Sabon Gari Market (Abubakar Rimi Market) in Sabongari area of Kano, the Igbo and other non-indigenous tribes go about their day-to-day businesses peacefully with their hosts.

Daily Trust reports that aside from the major business interest, there is hardly any village in Kano's 44 local government areas that an Igbo man or woman would not be seen conducting his/her business and living amicably with their hosts.

Beyond the markets and other business interests, the Igbo are similarly heavily invested in the multi-billion Naira properties business across the state with a concentration in the Sabongari area of Kano metropolis.

While several individuals of Igbo extraction in Kano approached for comment declined on the basis of the sensitivity of the issues, Daily Trust recalls that the Eze Ndigbo of Kano, Igwe Boniface Ibekwe (Ide 1), had in a recent press release on behalf of the Association of Igbo Traditional Leaders in Diaspora, reaffirmed their "unalloyed support and commitment to the sustenance of a strong and virile Nigeria, where peace, unity, justice and equity prevail."

In Taraba, south-easterners dominate commerce

Igbo traders have dominated the building materials, spare parts, pharmaceuticals and other businesses in Jalingo, the Taraba State capital and other major towns in the state.

Findings revealed that 95 per cent of building materials, spare parts and pharmaceutical shops in Jalingo, Wukari, Takum, Gembu, Zing and MutumBiyu are owned by Igbos.

At Jalingo main mechanic village, almost 95 per cent of spare parts shops are owned by the Igbo. They also form over 65 per cent of the total motor mechanics in Jalingo and other towns in the state.

Similarly, most of the big pharmaceutical shops along Palace Way, Barde Way and other locations in Jalingo as well as in other towns and villages across the state are owned by the Igbo.

Bayelsa's economy under Igbo traders' control

Over 80% of businesses operated in Bayelsa State are owned by Nigerians from the South East region, our correspondent reports.

The Igbo traders see themselves as part and parcel of the state. Finding shows that many supermarkets, filling stations, eateries and clubs as well as other petty businesses are operated by Igbo people.

Checks at Swali Market, the biggest market in Bayelsa State, indicate that people from the South East are operating in the market peacefully with the people of the state.

A popular supermarket in Yenagoa, the state capital, belonging to an Igbo businessman is said to be the pioneer supermarket in the state.

Some Igbo traders' union leaders who spoke with Daily Trust said they have been operating in the state even before the creation of Bayelsa State.

Why we are leading in Akwa Ibom -- Eze Ndigbo

In Akwa Ibom, the Igbo are leading in the food market, household goods and supermarkets, electronics/electricals and auto/mechanical. They are in the majority in the automobile market called the mechanic village in Uyo, among other businesses.

They have continued to thrive even in the face of insecurity that is not just threatening Nigerians, the nation's territorial integrity but also the economy.

The Eze Ndigbo in Akwa Ibom, His Royal Highness, Eze Dr CYC Umeakuka JP, attributed the knack of the Igbo to thrive in business despite insecurity in the country to the peace they enjoy in the state and the hospitable nature of the people.

Umeakuka, who is also the President General of Eze Ndigbo in Nigeria and the Diaspora, said their risk-taking streak was a contributory factor to their success in business.

Igbo businesses thrive in Lagos

Despite the agitation led by the IPOB for an independent nation for the eastern region, businessmen from the area are thriving in Lagos, the commercial nerve centre of Nigeria.

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A visit to major markets in the state indicated that they are doing their business without any hindrance.

Some major markets in the state, such as Alaba International, Jankara, Ladipo, Oyingbo, Computer village are dominated by people from the eastern region.

At Alaba International Market, which is the largest electronics market in Nigeria, they said there is no discrimination against them.

A visit to the Apapa ports also revealed that they are very active in clearing goods. In the hospitality business, a good number of hotels in the state are owned by Igbo businessmen.

Some of the businessmen who expressed confidence in the unity of the country claimed that the president and his men promoted the agitation in the region. They claimed that President Buhari has always shown his alleged dislike for the region through his utterances.

Collinson Oha, an electronics dealer in Alaba International Market, who has lived and traded in Lagos for over 12 years, said the people asking for separation are not happy with the way the government is handling things in the country.

Another trade, Chinozo Ebere, said the agitation in the South East has not affected his relationship with traders and customers from other regions.

However, some of them said if the agitation for Biafra succeeds, they would be willing to continue trading in Nigeria while they relocate the headquarters of their business to the new nation.

By Ismail Mudashir, Hamisu Kabir Matazu, Adamu Umar (Abuja), Clement A. Oloyede (Kano), Magaji Isa Hunkuyi (Jalingo), Bassey Willie (Yenagoa), Iniabasi Umo (Uyo) & Abiodun Alade (Lagos)
About three years after jumping bail, the leader of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, was yesterday re-arraigned before Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court, Abuja, for the continuation of his trial for treasonable felony.

Reliable security sources told THISDAY yesterday that Kanu was rearrested in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia by Interpol following an intensive search for him by the National Intelligence Agency (NIA) in collaboration with its foreign counterparts.

According to the sources, when, following the storming of his parent's compound in Afaraukwu, Abia State, by a detachment of soldiers on 14th September 2017, Kanu 'disappeared' virtually into thin air, the federal government felt concerned. Since both, his Nigerian and British passports were still in the custody of the Federal High Court in Abuja, there were strong suspicions that Kanu got the support of the United Kingdom High Commission in Nigeria for his escape. That was later proved to be the case.

A security source, who spoke to THISDAY last night, said the federal government was further incensed when a global human rights agency sent a letter to the Permanent Mission in New York, asking Nigeria to either produce Kanu or explain his whereabouts.

"Only a few days later, Kanu surfaced in Jerusalem, Israel, with a photograph taken at the 'Wailing Wall' where he granted one of those his stupid interviews," said the source.

The security source explained that whereas Kanu breached all the conditions for which he was granted bail by the Federal High Court in Abuja on 29th April 2017, he orchestrated a campaign of calumny against the country.

"First, he went into hiding, creating the impression that he was killed by soldiers and when he eventually appeared, he became more emboldened in his criminal activities," she said.

Kanu, according to the security source, was able to travel to many countries around the world because he holds a British passport.

"With that, he thought he was invincible. From wherever location, he was operating from (and I can tell you that he has not been to the UK in the past two years), he used the power of social media to cause havoc by making incendiary broadcasts," she said.

With the money Kanu reportedly garnered through fundraising to "establish his phantom Biafran Republic", according to the source, Kanu lived large, and that eventually proved to be his undoing.

"What he did not know was that the security agencies were on his trail. His lifestyles consisted mostly of going out with different women, buying expensive pieces of jewelry, chartering aircraft, and drinks. And because he got many gullible people who were donating to his so-called IPOB, he had so much money to play with such that he even hired lobby groups for his propaganda activities," the security source told THISDAY.

She explained that the security agencies have intercepts of how Kanu formed the Eastern Security Networks (ESN) and how the members became a terror group as well as his directives to IPOB operatives that bordered on incitement to violence. "We know those he collaborated with to instigate the killings against the police in the South-east," said the source who added that it was on Kanu's instruction that certain prominent politicians from the Southeast should be visited with violence whenever they are sighted abroad.

The source cited the specific example of former Deputy Senate President Ike Ekweremadu.

After trailing Kanu for several months and infiltrating his ranks, the security agencies finally pinned him into Addis Ababa where he was arrested by Interpol and then extradited to Abuja last Sunday.

Kanu returned yesterday to the court of Justice Nyako that had in late 2017 granted him bail.

The self-acclaimed leader of IPOB and four others were arraigned before the Federal High Court on a six-count criminal charge bordering on a treasonable felony in June 2016.

Though they pleaded not guilty to the charge, different judges, including Justice Nyako, who heard the case denied their bail.

However, Justice Nyako soft-pedaled following Kanu's deteriorating health and admitted him to bail to enable him to access quality medical care.

The court, on April 25, 2017, had admitted him to bail in the sum of N100 million and three sureties in like sum, one of whom must be a serving senator. This made Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe stand in for him.

However, Kanu's bail was revoked in March 2019 and a bench warrant for his arrest issued in November 2019, following his long absence in court for his trial.

The court also separated the trial of Kanu from five others earlier arraigned with him to pave the way for the continuation of their trial.

But with his arrest and extradition, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, earlier announced yesterday, Kanu was brought before Justice Nyako by personnel of the Department of State Services (DSS), to continue his trial.

The Federal High Court complex in Abuja was completely taken over by a contingent of policemen to prevent a possible security breach by Kanu's supporters.

Few minutes to his entering the dock, Malami, at an emergency press briefing, told judicial correspondents that Kanu was intercepted by security agents and was being taken to court for continuation of his trial.

Malami, who was flanked by the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Alkali Usman; police spokesman, Mr. Frank Mba, and his DSS counterpart, Dr. Peter Afunanya, was silent on where Kanu was arrested.

He said: "Self-acclaimed leader of the proscribed secessionist Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has been arrested through the collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and security services.

"He has been brought back to Nigeria in order to continue facing trial after disappearing while on bail regarding 11- count charge against him.

"Recent steps taken by the federal government saw to the interception of the fugitive Kanu on Sunday, the 27th day of June 2021.

"Nwannekaenyi Nnamdi Ngozichukwu Okwu-Kanu, born 25th day of September 1967 at Afaraukwu, Abia State, is a holder of Nigerian Passport No. A05136827 first issued on 17th October 2013 at FESTAC, Lagos."

Malami added that Kanu was arrested on October 14, 2015, on an 11-count charge bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper importation of goods, among others.

Malami added that Kanu, upon jumping bail, engaged in subversive activities that include inciting violence through television, radio, and online broadcasts against Nigeria and its institutions.

"Kanu was also accused of instigating violence, especially in the South-eastern Nigeria that resulted in the loss of lives and property of civilians, military, paramilitary, police forces and destruction of civil institutions and symbols of authorities."

However, following his appearance in court, Justice Nyako ordered Kanu to be remanded in the custody of the DSS.

The remand order was sequel to an application by the federal government's lawyer, Mr. Shuaibu Labaran.

Ruling on the remand application, Justice Nyako held that the prosecution should inform Kanu's lawyer of his re-arrest and remand in the custody of the DSS, as well as the next, adjourned date.

The judge subsequently adjourned till July 26 for the continuation of the trial.

Tells Court Why He Fled

Meanwhile, Kanu has rationalised his jumping bail, saying he abandoned his trial and escaped out of the country in 2017 following a threat to his life.

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He sought the permission of the court to speak, shortly after he re-arraigned.

Though he did not have any legal representation, Kanu, who was dressed in a black tracksuit, looked healthy and unruffled.

He explained that he did not deliberately abscond from the court to avoid trial.

He said his disappearance was due to the unlawful invasion of his house by security agents, in an operation, he said resulted in the death of many innocent people.

He added that he went underground to avoid being killed.

He said: "My lord, my house was invaded and people were killed. I would have been killed too if I had not hidden myself. That was why I have been unable to attend court.

"I would have been killed the way others were killed when my house was invaded."

Justice Nyako asked him to get in touch with his lawyer to brief him about all that had transpired in the case in his absence.

Kanu's Family Speaks on Arrest, Warns FG

The family of Kanu yesterday told the federal government not to maltreat their son.

His younger brother, Emmanuel, told journalists in Umuahia that Kanu is on the path of truth and has not committed any crime to deserve persecution.

He said the IPOB leader was only demanding freedom for Biafrans, which is their fundamental human right.

He warned the federal government to handle their son with caution, adding that the whole world is watching.

"My brother (Kanu) has awoken the consciousness of Nigerians about the goings-on in the country.

"He stood for the truth, and heaven is on the part of anyone standing for the truth. My brother committed no crime, and the whole world is watching," Emmanuel stated.
The founder of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), Prophet TB Joshua, will be buried on July 9, 2021, in Lagos, the church has disclosed.

The church, which disclosed this at a press conference at its headquarters in Ikotun, Lagos, said the burial would be a week-long celebration of the life and legacy of the Christian leader.

According to Dr. Gary Gonge, who addressed journalists on behalf of the church, "Prophet T. B Joshua was a man of the people with global influence, and we know that the eyes of the world are upon this event."

On security and health protocols given the number of people who may attend the event, Gonge said: "In our abiding commitment to the ideal of responsible corporate citizenship, we wish to assure you that we are working hand-in-hand with the Lagos State Government and the Ministry of Health to ensure that the current public health and security protocols, as well as other general guidelines and regulations of the state and federal government are observed throughout the duration of the events."

He appealed to those who stay at home to watch the broadcast on television from home.

Although the church is silent about the location for his burial, THISDAY gathered that he may be buried at the Prayer Mountain which was where the mission began for him and where Joshua lived until his death.

According to the source, "Workers are still working round the clock to complete the burial site. The prayer mountain is about 10 minutes' drive from the church premises."

Gonge, who was flanked by the Colonel Andy Anieboh, Dr. Ugochi Alika and Mr. Ayodeji Olabiwoninu, said the burial activities will begin with a private ceremony on July 5, which will be closed to the public, but other activities, including the lying in state on July 8 will be open to the public and they will be allowed to view his body before interment on July 9.
The Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) is planning to borrow $3.8 billion to actualise its agenda of acquiring a 20 per cent stake in Dangote Refinery.

NNPC Group Managing Director, Mallam Mele Kyari, said yesterday that the money would be borrowed from financial institutions.

He said some financial institutions had already agreed to fund the acquisition, while the debts would be paid back from the NNPC's earnings from dividends and profits accruing from its investment in the fuel plant.

The 650,000 barrels per day refinery, located in Lagos State, which Kyari said had been tentatively valued at about $19 billion, is expected to come on stream in 2022 and will produce 50 million litres of petrol per day.

Kyari spoke just as the Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Secretary-General, Dr. Sanusi Barkindo, expressed optimism over the overall conditions of the oil market as the cartel and its allies yesterday began a meeting to herald a resolution on whether to further ease crude oil production curbs.

According to Kyari, there is no underhand dealings concerning the extant transaction, as the federal government's presence on the board of the Dangote Refinery will not only secure its energy needs, but give it a strong voice in the running of the asset to guarantee the country's security.

Kyari, in two separate interviews with two television stations, which THISDAY monitored in Abuja, stated that all the borrowing institutions, including Afrexim Bank, are comfortable with the deal, adding that the federal government will not invest a dime in the deal.

He said: "I am not sure Mr (Aliko) Dangote wants to sell his equity in the refinery. I can confirm that it was at our instance that we started this engagement and he did not want to sell these shares.

"There's no resource-dependent country in the world that will watch a business of this scale, bordering on energy security which also has implications for even physical security of our country, and you watch it and you don't have a say.

"We started this process long before Dangote started his refinery project. We are going to take equities in very significant businesses anchored on the oil and gas operations, for example, fertiliser plants, methanol plants, small condensate refineries and so many other businesses that we are dealing with, so that we can expand our portfolio."

Kyari added that the NNPC has a responsibility to ensure a constant flow of fuel, and as a policy, it will continue to acquire stakes in any refinery in excess of 50,000 barrels per day.

"Even for this Dangote Refinery, we are not going to take government money to buy it. That is the mistake that people are making because they think that we are going to take federation money to pay for these refineries.

"We are going to borrow on the back of the cash flow from this business because we know that it is viable and it will work and return dividends and it has a cash flow that is sustainable," he said.

Kyari also reiterated that work had begun on the Port Harcourt refinery rehabilitation, while the Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contracts for Warri and Kaduna will be awarded in July.

According to him, the net effect is to have an environment where Nigeria becomes the hub for petroleum products supply to change the current dynamics of petrol supply even globally, where the inflow of products from Europe will be reversed.

"We will award the EPC contract for the Warri and Kaduna refineries within the next two to three weeks, maximum by the end of July, so that these two processes will run concurrently, so that at the end of the day we will have all the refineries working," he said.

Kyari stated that with the current arrangement, petrol will be delivered commercially, adding that part of the requirements of the lenders is that NNPC must not operate the refineries.

"We must have an operation and maintenance contractor. That means that practically, these refineries will be run by the lenders and the cash flow will be able to support the payments because the bankers have seen that the cash flow will support it," he added.

He stated that five similar initiatives were currently in the offing, of which decisions will be taken within three months, with about 200,000 barrels per day combined capacity of condensates.

Kyari said: "We have signed term sheets with the owners of the refineries. I am not sure Dangote will be very happy with this. We are taking 20 per cent equity of the Dangote Refinery. There's a valuation process because this business is very regulated and very international. No bank will lend money to you to buy equity in any business of this scale if you have not followed the best valuation process.

"The reality today is that we have a valuation of this refinery. I am not sure, but it's about ($)19 billion. I do not have an exact figure. We haven't closed on this, there's an ongoing engagement. There's governance around this that we need to conclude and that includes seeking the authority of the Federal Executive Council."

He said discussions on acquiring a stake in the refinery started as far back as December 2020, adding that no bank with have anything to do with an asset that is over-valued, because they know that costs won't be recovered.

Kyari assured the public of openness on NNPC's relationship with the Dangote Refinery, adding that while crude oil will be sold to the company in naira, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will sort out at what value it will come.

He said the Dangote Refinery would take off spending of freight of about N21, ensure proximity to supply where it can reach anywhere within the country in one day, while dividends will be shared to Nigerians, who are the owners of the corporation.

On the landing price of petrol, he stated that as of two days ago, it was N256 per litre but added that pump price of fuel will not be increased in the next two months as engagement with the organised labour has not been concluded.

He said while the subsidy regime wasn't sustainable, President Muhammadu Buhari was not also keen on taking the product out of the reach of Nigerians.

He added that the president had directed that current volumes which are unaccounted for must be contained to bring down spending on subsidy.

Kyari explained that while there's an expectation in the Appropriation Act that NNPC will make a monthly remittance of at least N120 billion, only one leg of the NNPC's funding of the Federation Account has been affected by its non-remittance of funds, like royalties and taxes are still being generated.

He stated that discussions were being rounded off on the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB), to see that the passage of the legislation is done within the next two weeks.

Barkindo Optimistic as OPEC+ Decides on Production Easing

The Organisation of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Secretary-General, Dr. Sanusi Barkindo, expressed optimism over the overall conditions of the oil market as the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) of the cartel and OPEC allies yesterday began a meeting to herald a resolution on whether to further ease crude oil production curbs.

OPEC stated that the fundamentals have significantly improved in recent months, a hint that a resolution to allow member countries pump more oil may be in the offing tomorrow during the OPEC+ ministerial meeting.

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"The overall brighter picture in relation to the pandemic recovery efforts has led to the significantly improved oil market conditions and prospects for future growth," Barkindo said at the JTC conference.

The 53rd meeting of the body, which held via videoconference to review the latest oil market developments and discuss future prospects, was convened in preparation for the 31st meeting of the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee (JMMC) and the 18th OPEC and non-OPEC ministerial meeting planned for between today and tomorrow.

Barkindo underscored the vital role carried out by the JTC in providing high-quality technical analyses of the latest oil market developments, adding that the research and assessments conducted by the committee will serve as a crucial input to the decision-making process of the cartel.

He stated that the discussions will build on the successful deliberations of the last meeting and lauded the unwavering commitment and tireless efforts demonstrated by the participating countries.

"The Declaration of Cooperation (DoC) participants clearly continue to play an important and valuable role in accelerating the oil market rebalancing process," he stated.

In the last edition of the OPEC's Monthly Oil Market Report (MOMR), OPEC projected global oil demand to rise by six million barrels per day in 2021, while world economic growth was forecast at a rate of 5.5 per cent in the same period.

Usually, the DoC ministerial meetings are supported by the JMMC, which is tasked to analyse oil market developments, monitor the conformity of the DoC voluntary production adjustments and recommend further actions.

"A combination of improving market indicators and the ongoing commitment of DoC countries to restore stability to the global oil market suggests that we are on the right path to recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic, despite lingering uncertainties," Barkindo added.
Washington  The United States and its Western allies are being forced to confront a grim reality in Africa where years of work to blunt the spread of terrorism, whether inspired by al-Qaida, the Islamic State or local groups, has fallen short, and could soon be eclipsed by the need to focus on adversaries like China and Russia.

"Despite all of our best efforts this terrorism continues to spread," the commander of U.S. forces in Africa, General Stephen Townsend, told a virtual defense forum Tuesday.

"The spread of terrorism has continued relatively unabated," Townsend added, noting the fate of future efforts could depend on the U.S. Defense Department's ongoing force posture review, which will determine whether his command will get more troops or resources or be asked to find ways to do more with less.

This is not the first time Townsend has called attention to Washington's struggles to prevent the expansion of terrorist groups and ideologies across Africa.

The U.S. general sounded the alarm last year, telling lawmakers, "Western and international and African efforts there are not getting the job done ... ISIS and al-Qaida are on the march."

Around the same time, U.S. Africa Command began changing its language when talking about terror groups in Africa, speaking of "containing" rather than "degrading" them.

This past November, the Pentagon's inspector general was equally blunt in its final report on U.S. counterterrorism operations in Africa, warning that key terror groups, like the al-Qaida-linked al-Shabab in Somalia and various affiliates of the Islamic State terror group, also known as ISIS or IS, were maintaining their strength if not growing.

However, Townsend's latest assessment comes just a day after the 83-member Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS announced its intent to form an Africa task force to push back against the terror group's expansion on the continent.

It also comes as U.S. military leaders wait for the results of a force posture review, initiated by the administration of President Joe Biden, to determine how Washington can best allocate troops and resources as it focuses more on the dangers posed by the growing great power competition with China and Russia.

Earlier this month, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told lawmakers he would not predict when the review would be complete, but he assured them that the focus "will be to make sure that whether it's in Somalia or some other place in the world, that terrorists don't have the ability to threaten our homeland."

Ongoing US force posture review-"I won't predict when we'll complete that work" per @SecDef Austin

"The focus will be to make sure that whether its in #Somalia or some other place in the world that terrorists don't have the ability to threaten our homeland" he adds

-- Jeff Seldin (@jseldin) June 17, 2021

Somalia

Somalia-based al-Shabab, which boasts as many as 10,000 fighters, has been a particular concern.

Al-Shabab is "the world's largest, best financed, most kinetically active arm of al-Qaida," Townsend warned Tuesday, noting that, left alone, the group could eventually pose a risk not just to the region but to the United States itself.

"We see threats there to African stability. We see threats in #Somalia to regional stability. We even see potential threats there to the US homeland" per @USAfricaCommand's Gen Townsend

re #alShabaab

-- Jeff Seldin (@jseldin) June 29, 2021

And he warned efforts to contain the terror group were not helped by former President Donald Trump's decision to pull all U.S. troops from the country this past December.

"There's really no denying our fairly sudden repositioning out of Somalia earlier this year has introduced new layers of risk and complexity," he said.

"The best way to engage with partners is side-by-side and face-to-face," Townsend said. "We have limited opportunities to do that when we fly in and fly out to do training and advising."

Concerns have only grown, with senior Somali military officials telling VOA additional U.S. restrictions on airstrikes in Somalia -- there has not been a single U.S. airstrike since January 20 -- have only further emboldened al-Shabab, an assessment supported by intelligence from United Nation member states.

US footprint

It remains to be seen how much that will change after the U.S. completes its force posture review, with top officials repeatedly stressing the need to confront China as the biggest "pacing challenge" while also emphasizing the existential threat posed by Russia's military.

"We've given our recommendations to our civilian leaders and we're waiting on them to make their judgments," Townsend said.

Washington's European allies, however, are hoping the U.S. at least finds a way to continue support for the Somali government.

"We are welcomed there and invited by the Somalian government," Vice Admiral Herve Blejean, director-general of the European Union Military Staff, said Tuesday, speaking at the same virtual forum as Africa Command's Townsend.

"The war is far from over and they need some help," Blejean said. "You can really feel the atmosphere of the insecurity there."

Central African Republic

Blejean and other European officials also see a need for the U.S. to stay involved beyond Somalia, especially in response to Russia, which has sent mercenaries from the Kremlin-linked Wagner Group to Libya and the Central African Republic.

"I was in Central African Republic last week. I saw Wagner ... they are everywhere," he said. "They bring nothing to the country except immediate security answers, maybe, at the price of committing a lot of ... violations of human rights and atrocities."

#Russia's #Wagner mercenaries are "dragging Central African forces with them in those wrong behaviors" per @DGEUMS

-- Jeff Seldin (@jseldin) June 29, 2021

"[The Russians] are very happy that they are destabilizing [the situation]," Blejean added.

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The way forward

Other officials and experts worry that whether due to Russian mercenaries, climate change or terrorism, the threat from Africa is only poised to grow, and that it will be worse without help from Washington.

"We're finding an enormous arc of instability," said Portuguese Minister of National Defense Joao Gomes Cravinho. "As the U.S. shifts its focus to the Indo-Pacific, it is very important that through engagement with the European Union, the U.S. should remain a relevant partner."

Former African security officials, like Samira Gaid, who served as a senior adviser to former Somali Prime Minister Hassan Ali Khaire, also see a need for the U.S. to stay.

"The support provided by the U.S. is tangible ... towards defeating the insurgency," she said, expressing hope Washington might take on "more of a leadership role in the security sector among [Somalia's] partners."

Critics of the U.S. approach to counterterrorism in Africa, though, caution that terrorism and instability will just spread if Washington continues to engage in the same way it has for the past several years.

"The U.S. is losing the war," said Jennifer Cafarella, research director at the Washington-based Institute for the Study of War.

"We have marshaled a considerable effort over the last two decades against various [terror] elements," she said, noting there have been short-term victories. "But all of this activity has not actually prevented these groups from adapting and evolving."

Harun Maruf contributed to this report.
Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente on Tuesday hosted a news conference to address new covid-19 restrictions that were announced earlier on the same day.

The move was coincident with the current surge in daily Covid-19 cases and the emergence of new variants globally.

From the longer curfew hours to the slashing of Covid-19 test costs, here are 10 takeaways.

1. Covid-19 restrictions tightened further

Effective July 1, all schools and higher institutions are closed in Kigali including some other parts of the country.

This, alongside other new measures, are part of the resolutions announced Tuesday, June 29 to further curb the spread of the virus.

Since early this month, the cases have quad rippled, from an average of 50 cases recorded in the past four months.

Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente (centre) and other government officials give more details about the new Covid-19 restrictions during the news conference in Kigali on Tuesday, June 29. Photo: Olivier Mugwiza.

"There is no single factor that has led to the current upsurge in cases," said Minister for Health Dr Daniel Ngamije, adding, "It is a collection of factors including a spike in cases in the region, Uganda-based Rwandans who continue to return home, DRC refugees who fled to the country after Nyiragongo eruption."

Ngamije said that all that combined, with the increased laxity among Rwandans are the main reasons for the worrying trajectory.

2. Rwandans urged to collaborate in the fight against Covid-19

In his remarks, Prime Minister Ngirente called on the public to bring together efforts that will ensure the pandemic is slowed down.

"As a country, we need a collective effort to ensure that this pandemic is contained. It should not be on anyone's watch that people are reminded to observe the protocols."

Questioned on what triggered the new measures, Ngirente pointed out that resolutions are entirely based on data.

"It is not the public influence like many would assume. The government has a role to weigh between containing the pandemic as well as the socio development of its citizens."

The premier said that the news conference was an opportune moment to remind Rwandans that the pandemic continues to evolve across the country.

"It is not like during the first time where we recorded cases in some parts of the country. This calls for individual responsibility as we collectively put our efforts together to contain this pandemic."

3. Rwanda to issue digital certificate to the fully vaccinated

Effective July 1, many countries especially in the European market will only facilitate travellers with possession of the digital 'vaccine passport', also commonly known as the Green Pass.

The immunity passport will serve as proof that a person has been vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), or recently tested negative for the virus, or has the natural immunity built up from earlier infection.

In Rwanda's case, Minister Ngamije said the government is ready to issue the certificates only for the fully vaccinated.

"Those who need the 'green pass' will get them, we have all the records," he said.

The vaccination certificate is not a substitute for a travel document and holders must also provide a passport or identity card, depending on their destination.

4. Cost of rapid Covid-19 test reduced

The Ministry of Health together with various partners is in advanced talks to drop the Rapid Covid test from the current 10,000 down to 5,000.

This was confirmed by minister Ngamije in an exclusive interview with The New Times, shortly after the presser.

He attributed the move to the current increase in production per unit cost.

"We now have 5 certified suppliers as opposed to only one when the price was initially set."

The public has previously decried high test costs as one of the reasons that deprive them of voluntary testing practices.

5. Police ready to enforce new Covid-19 guidelines

According to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza, police, alongside other stakeholders, have the capacity of enforcing all Covid-19 preventive measures in ensuring maximum compliance.

The IGP said that while it is not the police's priority to arrest and impose fines on the violators, "Whoever violates these measures will be held accountable."

We have noticed some violations like people visiting each other at home, not wearing masks, no social distancing and violating curfew hours.

"We urge the public to observe the measures as much as possible."

6. Candidates to sit for their exams despite schools closure

During the press conference, the government reassured that students will complete their, rather challenging, academic year.

Candidates will also be allowed to sit for their national exams.

This, officials said while shedding light on new measures that require some schools to close down starting Thursday.

A statement from the Prime Minister's office noted that "But provisions for students sitting for national examinations will be communicated later."

7. Students to be facilitated to return home

Students are set to be facilitated back home under an arrangement led by the ministry of health, the ministry of local government and the police.

A letter signed by Gaspard Twagirayezu, the Minister of State in the ministry of education indicates that boarding students based in Kigali will be the first to return home during the 4-day exercise.

Twagirayezu reminded school leaders to ensure that the timetable is observed.

The Minister of Local Government Jean Marie Vianney Gatabai also called on the returning students to observe the new measures in place.

8. Government warns against violation of self-isolation guidelines

Meanwhile, minister Ngamije gave a stern warning to Covid patients who recklessly continue to violate self-isolation guidelines, citing that it is one of the emerging loopholes of the new cases.

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"This has to be addressed," he said, "The government cannot accommodate all the patients and that is why some patients, especially those who have no symptoms, have been asked to self-isolate from their homes."

However, Ngamije said, we have seen an increase of people who continue to violate these rules, and it should be clear that we are going to impose hefty fines on this practice.

9. Offices ordered to close, markets and malls to operate at reduced capacity

Some parts of the country will, Thursday, only open their offices to employees who provide essential services.

In addition, restaurants will also be allowed to provide take away services, with consumers encouraged to seek open-door venues.

The working capacity in markets was also brought down to 50 per cent, with vendors only selling essential items.

10. Business community remains optimistic despite stringent measures

According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry Beata Habyarimana, the business community should remain optimistic for recovery if collectively they abide with the new measures.

Habyarimana shared sentiments with Eric Gishumba, the Private Sector Federation Vice Chairman, who said that businesses operating at 50 per cent should be a reminder to further comply with the set guidelines.

eashimwe@newtimesrwanda.com

Follow https://twitter.com/EdwinAshimwe
Cyanide is a lethal poison that can kill in a matter of seconds. It does so in a gruesome way with seizures, acute lung injury, nausea and vomiting and survivors may suffer parkinson's disease and other neurological disorders.

It is, however, important in mining gold and its use is heavily managed to the extent that players are given three to five years to leach out the chemical when decommissioning a mine.

Karebe Mining and Equatorial Land Holdings was, however, forced to abandon a mining site after its owner evicted them after a decade leaving behind dangerous chemicals.

The owner, Cheseret Korir refused to renew their lease on the land even though they had agreed back in 2008 they could roll over their tenancy.

But after multiple court cases, Mr Korir was granted his right to enjoy the property. This legal lacuna forced the gold mining company to relinquish their stay and leave the site without full decommissioning and seeping off the cyanide.

Dangerous situation

"A dangerous situation has presented itself whereby we had no option but to remove our assets and staff with the exception of security personnel. The company has been forced to stop all activities on the suit parcels, which includes control of the poisonous tailings dam, which contains significant amounts of the chemical sodium cyanide," David May, Karebe mining managing director said in a letter to Mining secretary John Munyes.

The company says the decision to throw them out of the site they had been operating on for 10 years, providing job opportunities and remitting annual taxes amounting to Sh1.6 billion to the government, was politically motivated.

It was forced to close from March 2019 and July the same year due to court rulings that resulted in job and financial losses for the company.

The company owned by international investors including Dutch government, Europe and US among the local Kenyan investors is a significant player which has produced gold worth to $50 million.

The row attracted top levels of government who tried to intervene including Munyes, who visited the region last year and assured of a peaceful end to the tussle between the mining company, landowners and local leaders, noting that mining sector was a pivotal economic activity in the region.

"We know of pending land cases pitting the Karebe and the landlord. This has rendered many youths jobless, but the government is working to formulate the policies to guide the mining sector in the country to control the extraction of the minerals and in securing the interest of the community," said CS Munyes after assessing the Karebe mines in Chemase.

Political sabotage

But that was just the beginning of their troubles, the company claims political sabotage from local politicians and refusal by the county government to grant them local approvals has frustrated their operations.

The firm relocated from a land site it was leasing from the Korir family to an uncontested land parcel it owned.

The new land bought recently is barely a kilometre from the initial mines where they installed machines and acquired a 25-years operational license from the Ministry of Petroleum and Mining.

But even here it faced even more resistance unable to secure change of use from local officials.

Karebe Gold mining company administrator Martin Kiplimo said since they secured a new license, illegal miners have been blatantly exploiting the area in the unrestored tunnels, under the watch of the powerful individuals.

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When police officers raided the mining tunnels, rival illegal miners linked by powerful politicians were irked by the crackdown.

Nandi Lands minister Dr Philemon Buret and chief officer Dr Solomon Mangira said the company has been involved in protracted land dispute with local residents and denied claims the county government is frustrating the Karebe Company into quitting the area.

Governor Stephen Sang distanced himself from the company's troubles stating the county government does not deal with security and that his administration has been falsely accused of interfering with the investors.

"The County Government of Nandi has indiscriminately supported all its investors, Karebe included. We urge all our investors to operate within the law at all times," he said.
The High Court has struck out a case filed by an online trader challenging a decision by telco Safaricom to block his telephone numbers and freeze his M-Pesa mobile money accounts over allegations that he engaged in fraud.

Justice James Makau said the case was prematurely filed in court because the businessman, Mr Anthony Mwangi Ngigge, trading as Tiindah Online Shop, had not exhausted alternative dispute resolution mechanisms.

Mr Mwangi claimed that Safaricom violated his constitutional rights by blocking his two telephone numbers and two M-Pesa till account numbers over alleged fraud through the NCBA Bank mobile money platform.

Fraudulent transactions

However, Safaricom told court that the freezing of the accounts was caused by a report dated October 23, 2020 from NCBA Bank on alleged fraudulent transactions involving NCBA Loop accounts and Mr Mwangi's telephone numbers.

Through its senior legal counsel for litigation, Mr Daniel Mwanja Nduba, Safaricom said the bank indicated there were fraudulent transactions processed from Loop accounts via bank-to-customer to 250 M-Pesa wallets between October 20 and 22, 2020.

Mr Nduba said Safaricom's risk department investigated the allegations of fraudulent activities or transactions in its M-Pesa system, which revealed that Sh16.2 million had been processed from the NCBA Loop accounts through Safaricom's M-Pesa system using the 250 mobile numbers. Safaricom proceeded to suspend the numbers, which included Mr Mwangi's two telephone lines.

On the basis of its internal investigation and the report, Safaricom also blocked the trader's telephone number and barred him from registering any new telephone numbers using his (personal identification) details.

Similarly, it froze his M-Pesa till accounts trading as Tiindah Online Shop.

Terms and conditions

Safaricom said the relationship between the parties was contractual, subject to the M-Pesa customer terms and conditions, as well as Lipa na M-Pesa transacting till terms and conditions for the ownership and use of the telephone numbers.

Mr Nduba said the dispute ought to have been pursued as contemplated by the parties in the terms and conditions of the business agreement, not through court.

According to Safaricom, its actions were justified and relied on a clause in the terms and conditions that compels it by law to suspend or freeze an account if there are reasonable grounds to suspect that the account had been or was being used to receive or send funds in connection with any criminal or fraudulent activity.

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However, Mr Mwangi said he registered the telephone lines and the M-Pesa till numbers in 2017 for receiving and making payments for his business.

Lost sim card

He said that on attempting to replace his lost sim card in October last year, he learnt from the Safaricom agent in Juja that the Sim cards for the two telephone numbers had been blocked by Safaricom. He also learnt that he had been blocked and restrained in perpetuity from registering, owning or using any new telephone number registered in his personal details.

He sought to withdraw money from his M-Pesa till numbers, only to be informed that they had also been frozen, he said.

He sought an explanation by writing to Safaricom, but the firm ignored and refused his inquiry, necessitating the court case. He stated that he has been unlawfully deprived of the right to own property and without legal justification or cause.
Police on Monday lobbed teargas canisters as female MCAs and civil society groups held a peaceful demonstration in Meru town against Meru Woman Representative Kawira Mwangaza's slur that their nominations were handed "under blankets."

The protesters led by MCAs Ruth Kananu, Secondina Kanana, Gacheri Muthuri, Salome Mutua and Maendeleo ya Wanawake chairperson Kanana Nteere had walked from Kinoru stadium and went around the town, before converging at the grounds.

Carrying placards, the dozens of women who were chanting slogans against the MP, said the utterances demeaned them.

Dislodge governor

Ms Kananu and Ms Mutua had earlier questioned the Sh38 million rescue centre being constructed by National Government Affirmative Action Fund (NGAAF) under Ms Mwangaza, prompting the MP to fire back.

Ms Mwangaza said the two were out to discredit her work since she had announced desire to dislodge Governor Kiraitu Murungi.

"This is the centre (rescue centre) which is being fought... That is why we are seeing reports and komerera (traitors) speaking loudly. They are women leaders who were never elected, they got their seats in blankets, yet have the guts to shout. But I never answer them, I only respond to (Governor Murungi) the one who is recuperating. I am praying for his quick recovery so that we can meet at the ballot," she said.

Ms Kananu said Ms Mwangaza had resorted to disparaging nominated MCAs who had expressed interest in various posts or questioned how money allocated for NGAAF programs was utilised.

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Insult women

"Most of those nominated sought votes but were not elected and were thus nominated. Men are also nominated, what do we say about them? We want to say that those who will insult women will not be voted for, women are the people who build homes," said Ms Kananu.

Activist AnnCate Miriti said it was unfortunate Ms Mwangaza referred to women leaders who supported Governor Kiraitu as komerera (traitors).

Ms Kananu noted that nomination of women leaders was enshrined in the Constitution and political parties nominated qualified individuals to various positions to serve.

"We have people nominated to the Senate, National Assembly and County Assemblies. Others are nominated to serve in government even as CSs and other roles. Our nomination was not done in bed, they are well anchored in the Constitution," she emphasised.

Ms Nteere accused Ms Mwangaza of being a lone ranger who had failed to involve other women leaders in her welfare.

"When we go to various meetings, you do not join us so that we may hear what you have to say. What kind of a leader are you? As women leaders, we are unhappy and are seeking apologies," she said.

Ms Mutua said such talk could discourage young women from seeking leadership positions.
The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has invited teachers' unions for salary review talks, only days after Friday's exit of fiery Knut secretary-general Wilson Sossion.

The commission will from today commence talks with the Kenya National Union of Teachers (Knut), the Kenya Union for Post Primary Education Teachers (Kuppet) and the Kenya Union of Special Needs Education Teachers (Kusnet) over the proposed 2021-2025 collective bargaining agreement (CBA).

TSC has called the talks despite a recent directive freezing salary increases in the public sector. According to the terse invitation letter signed by the commission CEO Nancy Macharia, TSC will table its salary review offer, forming the basis for the negotiations to begin. The unions have already presented their pay demands to the commission.

There are 330,671 teachers on the TSC payroll.

Fractious relationship

The unions have in recent months been demanding for a meeting with the teachers' employer, but TSC had not responded to their demands. The invitation letters, curiously, were dispatched on June 25, 2021, the same day that the long-serving Knut secretary-general resigned just hours before the union elected new national officials.

Mr Sossion has had a fractious relationship with the TSC that resulted in him being deregistered as a teacher.

The protracted fights with TSC, which were fought in the courts as well as on the streets, saw the erstwhile giant union lose its membership from 187,000 to just about 15,000 currently.

In his teary exit speech on Friday, Mr Sossion called on the commission to begin negotiations for a fresh CBA.

Thousands of teachers, especially in primary schools, are not represented in any union after they quit Knut in order to benefit from salary increments and promotions that would leave out union members during Mr Sossion's heady days with the TSC.

Sh54 billion

It is yet to be seen whether they will rejoin the union in order to benefit from future CBAs.

The 2017-2021 CBA that lapses at the end of this month was worth Sh54 billion, but was criticised for having benefited school administrators more than classroom teachers.

Kuppet Secretary-General Akello Misori welcomed TSC's invitation for talks.

The union has this month written twice to the commission calling for urgent talks, pointing out that the current deal was only days to expiry.

The Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC) this month issued a directive freezing wage reviews for public servants over the next two years. Workers' unions have roundly opposed the freeze and threatened to call strikes in protest.

SRC directed that annual salary adjustments in existing salary structures continue to be applied within budget allocation but no additional funding would be provided for implementation of job evaluation results in the 2021/2022 and 2022/2023 financial years.

"We don't talk to SRC directly. I don't think they were talking to us (the unions); they were talking to the public," said Mr Misori, adding that the directive will not affect the negotiations.

The union's executive board met last week and demanded commencement of the negotiations, accusing TSC of insincerity.

"We urge you to expeditiously address this situation by honouring your commitment to negotiate in good faith. In the interest of the industrial peace that we have enjoyed under the CBA framework since 2017, then TSC must give the union a counter offer without any further delay," Mr Misori said.

New CBA

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The budget statement presented in Parliament early this month does not mention a new CBA or consideration for one.

The commission estimates that over the next three years, it will require Sh273 billion in 2021/2022, Sh274.7 billion in 2022/2023, and Sh279.3 billion to pay teachers.

This contrasts sharply with the big leap in expenditure in three years in the approved budget for the commission, from Sh218 billion in 2018 to Sh256 billion that is attributed to the employment of 19,700 teachers and the implementation of the CBA.

The new Knut general secretary, Collins Oyuu, will be thrust straight to the negotiating table, only having assumed office on Saturday afternoon. He pledged, in his acceptance speech, to restore cordial industrial relations with the employer who last year attempted to revoke their decade-old recognition agreement.

"The union is not at war with the government and with the employer; these were personal differences with the former official," he said.
THE Treasury bills were highly oversubscribed despite the central bank limiting the successful bids thus pushing some bills to yield down as investors waiting for a fresh calendar.

The Bank of Tanzania (BoT) put the usual offer of 76.7bn/- while the public tendered 133.32bn/, marking an oversubscription of 73.82 per cent.

At the end of the auction, BoT, accepted 23.5bn/- , which was six times less than the amount tendered last week. Orbit Securities said in its Weekly Market Synopsis on Tuesday that the oversubscription pushing down the weighted average yield of the 364 days tenor lost 43 basis points (bps) to settle at 4.81per cent while the 182 days slightly jumped by 1bps to 3.58 per cent.

"The Treasury bills auction held [last Wednesday] was highly oversubscribed despite the central bank limiting the successful bids while lowering one of the most indicative yields in the economy, the 364 days Treasury yield," Orbit report said.

Also similar to the previous auction, the 35 days and 91 days tenors were cancelled after receiving zero bids. Vertex International said in its Market Review that the auction results for last week bills surpassed their expectations as it was hugely oversubscribed.

"However, that huge appetite drove down the yield on 364 bills. Investors are highly anticipating the new bond issuance schedule for the next fiscal year," Vertex report said. Zan Securities said the auction result underscores a prevalent theme, reduced appetite for relative low yielding bonds.

"Auction results showcase the continued investors' appetite for higher yield bills, which results in a higher return as the 364 days bill," Zan said in its Weekly Market Wrap-Up. The debt investors are currently awaiting the start of the new auctioning for the next financial calendar, which starts with the 20 years bond, next Tuesday since Wednesday is a public holiday-Sabasaba.

"Treasury bills and bonds auctions will be issued on Wednesdays' (alternating in each week) or another day in case of public holidays," BoT said in a statement for the next bonds and bills calendar.
THE government has initiated the process of amending the Cooperatives Act of 2013 to eliminate shortcomings that impede the growth of cooperative entities in the country. Minister for Agriculture, Prof Adolf Mkenda made the remarks on Monday when opening the 36th Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Kilimanjaro Native Cooperative Union (KNCU 1984 Limited), held in Moshi, Kilimanjaro region.

"The government through its relevant authorities is in the process of amending the Cooperative Act of 2013; may I take this opportunity to ask the Registrar of Cooperatives to ensure that the draft concerning the process reaches all cooperatives organisations so that they can comment on how best to improve the cooperative law," said Prof.

Mkenda. He also urged the cooperative stakeholders to review the law and provide feed-backs that would enable to improve the cooperative law and make it more productive as far as the cooperative movements in the country were concerned.

In addition, Minister Mkenda has expressed dissatisfaction with the performance of some cooperative entities a move which he said was a hindrance to improving the national economy through the sector.

"A recent audit report released by the Co-operative Audit and Supervision Corporation (COASCO) show that out of the 43 cooperatives entities audited by the audit institution 12 of them received unsatisfactory certificates; this isn't good for the health of the cooperative movement in the country. "May I take this opportunity to urge all the members of the cooperative unions and societies to make sure that they elect into office competent leaders who could supervise well the cooperative entities", he advised.

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Speaking at the conference, the Registrar of Cooperatives, Dr Benson Ndiege, said that the office of the Registrar of Cooperatives was monitoring closely the cooperative entities in the county to make sure the sector continues to be strong.

"This is why the KNCU (1984) Limited, General Election was adjourned; the aim here is to allow its members to take time and prepare well for the election, a move which will enable them to elect competent leaders. "One of the challenges facing co-operatives entities in the country and which happens to the biggest so far is the lack of good governance concept among some of those entrusted to lead and manage the cooperatives", he noted.

In his presentation during the KNCU (1984) AGM, the Chairman of the Kahama Cooperative Union (KCU), Mr Emanuel Cherehani, said that for the cooperatives to prosper, leaders elected to lead the cooperative entities must be honest, have good ethics while at the same time be creative
Some 9,914 teaching jobs are up for grabs as the government strives to address staffing gaps in schools, with most slots going to secondary schools.

The recruitment is expected to be competitive as there are more than 350,000 registered teachers who are jobless.

The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has advertised for the jobs in today's edition of MyGov.

TSC was allocated Sh2.5 billion in the budget for the year beginning July 1 to hire an additional 5,000 teachers to its stretched workforce.

The employer also has an allocation of Sh1.2 billion for the recruitment of intern teachers but these posts have not yet been advertised.

TSC will recruit 4,000 new secondary school teachers who will be employed on permanent and pensionable terms to support the 100 per cent transition policy.

Competence-based curriculum

Secondary schools are greatly understaffed and will require more teachers in 2023 when the competence-based curriculum (CBC) rolls out in secondary schools and there will also be a double intake.

Additionally, 2,987 teachers will be hired for secondary schools to replace those who have exited the service through retirement, death, resignations or other reasons.

The commission also intends to promote 1,000 primary school teachers and deploy them to teach in secondary schools. This will be a big boost for teachers who have upgraded their qualifications while in service.

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There are 1,000 new vacancies for teachers in primary schools. Although currently understaffed, primary school teachers will be relieved when the last 8-4-4 class exits at the end of 2023 when classes in primary school will go up to Grade 6.

Another 927 teachers will be employed to replace those who have left through natural attrition.

Diploma in education

The employer has set a diploma in education as the minimum qualification to teach in a secondary school. It will also apply to primary schools once graduates from the revamped diploma in primary teacher education join the job market.

Primary school teachers seeking promotion and deployment to secondary schools must be Kenyan citizens serving under the commission and who hold a certificate in teacher education (P1). Additionally, they must have a bachelor's degree in Education with two teaching subjects.

Successful candidates will be appointed at T-Scale 7, Grade C2 under the Career Progression Guidelines for Teachers.

They must have attained at least a C+ (plus) mean grade in the Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) examinations or its equivalent and C+ (plus) in the two teaching subjects or their equivalent.

Applicants must file certified copies of their degree certificates and academic transcripts through TSC county directors within one month from today.

For all the advertised vacancies, candidates have been advised to submit their applications online through the TSC website, www.tsc.go.ke under 'Careers' or teachersonline.tsc.go.ke not later than July 12.
A Chinese-owned and Kenyan-flagged ship carrying the dead body of a Kenyan fishing worker has been denied entry into Singapore waters.

The crew member of the purse seiner Lu Qing Yuan Yu died last week under mysterious circumstances on the job in the high seas, said marine expert Andrew Mwangura.

"It has not yet established how the crew member died but we hope to get more details after postmoterm is done," he said.

The vessel was reported at 1,853 nautical miles off Mauritius heading to Mombasa and it is expected to dock in three days' time, he said.

The Lu Qing Yuan Yu 160 was one of six Kenyan-flagged and Chinese-owned and operated fishing vessels - using the same name but with different numbers, 155-160 - in the Indian Ocean. Crew members aboard the fleet include Chinese officers and Kenyan workers.

The ships are owned by Qingdad Yuntong Pelagic Fisheries Ltd, based in Bruce House, Nairobi, while the operators are Ziegen Enterprises Ltd in the city.

The fleet was authorised by the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission to fish in the ocean starting on January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2031.

Elsewhere in Malindi, a Kenyan-flagged longline fishing vessel, the Ocean Eagle, that ran aground off the town on June 17 was successfully refloated on Saturday.

The 628-tonne ship departed the port of Mombasa on June 11 at around 21:26hrs heading to fishing grounds.

Crew members on board included five Indonesian officers and 15 Kenyan workers.

The incident is being investigated as environmentalists raise concerns about damage to marine life in Kenyan territorial waters.

The vessel is registered to Sajodaerim as owners and managers based in Seoul.
Dependence on relief food because of recurrent food shortages in the North Rift region could be a thing of the past as residents have embraced irrigation to tackle food insecurity.

The Kerio Valley Development Authority [KVDA] is spending at least Sh300 million for irrigation projects in a bid to boost food security as a permanent solution to food shortages in the region.

The projects include Weiwei and Lomut in West Pokot, Chepkuk and Kamusuwet in Elgeyo Marakwet and Napuu in Turkana County.

The authority has also opened honey processing plants in Baringo and mangoe factories in Tot in Elgeyo Marakwet.

Mr Francis Loree, who owns land at the Napuu irrigation scheme inTurkana County, says the project was a stroke of genius to a region that has often been hit by famine.

"We have often suffered the effects of drought. Now, with this plan we finally have a hope of ensuring a steady food supply in the area," said Mr Loree.

Mr Ekwom Ng'asike, also from the Napuu scheme, is a 55-year-old former cattle rustler who turned to farming after his entire herd was stolen.

"The government cannot give us food on a daily basis. We have been relying on relief food for decades and we continue crying of hunger every day," said Mr Ng'asike.

The father of four says other reformed warriors are also part of the quest to make farming a thriving economic activity in the area.

"After venturing into agriculture, the going was not easy because it's a field that I had little knowledge about. At one point I thought of giving up, but I had no other source of livelihood for my family," said Mr Joseph Ekitela, another farmer also in the same scheme.

They are cultivating maize, sorghum, finger millet and various types of vegetables.

"We have enough food supplies, and we can now afford to take our children to school from the revenue we make from the crops. What I have achieved is huge, and I have never regretted diversifying into crop production," said Mr Ekitela.

The Weiwei Farmers Association Chairperson Mark Meut said they are expecting to get 1.2 million kilograms of maize this planting season.

"Right now we sell maize in Nairobi, Kitale, Eldoret, Kisumu, Kakamega, Lodwar and Mombasa," he said.

In Elgeyo Marakwet, Mr Daniel Suter, a farmer at Kasumuwet Farmers association said ongoing initiatives will also help end rampant cases of cattle rustling in the region which has significantly contributed to slow development.

"We have never looked back since going into irrigation farming after losing most of our animals to cattle rustlers and drought. Cereal and vegetable cultivation has proved to be a wonderful investment in the region," Mr Suter said.

KVDA Managing Director Sammy Naporos said the area has the potential to produce enough food for the residents, as well as have enough surplus to sell.

"The irrigation project is one way of solving the conflict between the Pokot and Turkana communities and it will reduce the number of people who depend on relief food. This enhances cohesion, children will now go to school because the food from the farm will be feeding learners, very soon we will be surprised the County turning into being a food basket of this country," said Mr Naporos.

He said that at least 1200 households in West Pokot County are set to benefit from a Sh59 million Lomut irrigation project being undertaken by the Government through Kerio Valley Development Authority [K.V.D.A] to boost agriculture for local residents.

Mr Naporos said that they have set aside 800 acres of land along river Lomut for agriculture to relieve food dependency syndrome after the completion of the project in May.

He pointed out that the components of water intake, search tanks and segmentation tanks are a pipeline of 9 kilometer.

The KVDA boss said the organisation had also provided fishing gear to fishermen to boost fishing activities in Lake Turkana.

He said the lake was abundant with fish resources, which required more exploitation to improve incomes and livelihoods of residents.

He said the authority has also equipped locals with modern farming methods to ensure the area became a food secure zone. He also observed that Turkana North had a potential environment for beekeeping.

"We will introduce beekeeping in the area and then buy the honey from farmers," he said.

Mr Naporos noted that the projects in Pokot Central and Marakwet West have a total of 130 acres with 150 farmers benefiting.

Sigor MP Peter Lochakapong said the irrigation project is a massive one as it will transform the lives of the people of Lomut.

"There is no doubt that this project will change the lives of people in Lomut as they will not rely on rains for growing their crops," said Mr Lochakapong.

The MP said through rain-fed farming, small-scale farmers in Lomut will supply tomatoes, mangoes, watermelon and bananas to markets as far as Chesegon, Masol and Muino , stating that with the coming in of the project farmers will increase their crop variety that will enable them to export to neighboring countries.

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West Pokot Governor John Lonyangapuo said that farmers in the area are earning millions from last season's harvest of maize, sorghum, bananas, fruit and vegetables.

"The project has proved successful by providing food security and sustainable income generation to communities that have experienced recurrent starvation," said Prof Lonyangapuo.

The county chief said the Weiwei irrigation scheme has helped improve the living standards of residents since they are able to sell their produce.

KVDA board Chairperson Jackson Kiptanui said the authority would also equip locals with modern farming methods to ensure the area became a food secure zone adding that the project will go on as planned.

"Weiwei irrigation scheme is doing well as farmers get sh140 million per year from sales. The KVDA projects will not stop," said Mr Kiptanui.

KVDA board member Aden Omar said that the Authority has the most successful schemes in Weiwei in West Pokot County, Napuu irrigation scheme in Turkana County and several others in Elgeyo Marakwet tackling food insecurity and minimising conflicts along the borders in the region.
Residents leave after their houses were destroyed by floodwaters from Patel Dam in Solai Ward, Subukia (file photo).

Mr Patel Mansukh Shantilal, the owner of Patel Dam in Solai, Nakuru County, which burst in 2018 killing at least 48 people, has died at the Aga Khan Hospital in Nairobi.

His farm manager, Vinoj Kumar, confirmed Tuesday morning that Mr Mansukh succumbed to cardiac arrest on Monday.

"We are still mourning the death of Mr Mansukh who died on Monday. He suffered cardiac arrest before he was rushed to the hospital," said Mr Kumar

Solai Location Chief Charles Kiragu also confirmed that Mr Mansukh died after a short illness.

Mr Kiragu mourned Mr Mansukh, saying that the Solai community has lost a man who was a Key pillar in the society.

Generous

According to the chief, the community will remember Mr Patel for his generosity and immense contribution to the economy of the area.

"Our condolences go to the family of Mr Mansukh who was among the few people whom the community depended on. We shall forever remember his generosity to the community," said Mr Kiragu.

Nakuru Governor Lee Kinyanjui, in his condolence message, described Mr Mansukh as a respected farmer, industrialist and a philanthropist.

Mr Kinyanjui said Mr Mansukh was a man who had an admirable work ethic and who successfully ran a farm that employed over 1,500 locals.

"He was a man of immense ability and a rare gift of genuine concern for the community he lived in. He touched the community in a very personal way," said Mr Kinyanjui.

Dam tragedy

Mr Mansukh, the chairman of the Solai Group of Companies, shot to the limelight in 2018 after the Solai dam tragedy. One of his dams burst its banks and water flowed downstream, leaving behind a trail of disaster.

During the tragedy that occurred on May 9, 2018 the raging Patel Dam waters swept across three villages of Solai, Nyakinywa and Energy killing 48 people and displacing over 300 people.

The aftermath of the tragedy saw his son, Perry Mansukh Kasangara, and farm manager Kumar charged alongside seven other people with manslaughter.

Locals also filed a number of suits seeking compensation and restoration of the environment.
Directors of four companies building residential houses on three acres owned by a public health centre in the city have been given 21 days to file their defence in a contempt of court case.

High Court Judge Loise Komingoi heard that the Highridge Public Health Centre, which serves more than 100,000 Nairobians, has been grabbed. The land is valued at more than Sh1 billion.

Justice Komingoi heard from lawyer Thomas Oriwa, appearing with Mr Kassim Akida, that her orders of February 12, 2020, requiring the status quo to be maintained, were violated and construction of the residential houses is in top gear.

"Despite orders of this court that status quo be maintained construction is ongoing," Mr Oriwa told the judge.

He urged the judge to proceed with the contempt of court case, but lawyers of the eight defendants applied to be indulged for 21 days to put in their defence.

Serves over 100,000 residents

A petitioner, Mr Ali Ngoroi, stated in his evidence before the court that the health centre serves more than 100,000 residents of Deep Sea, Masai, Kwa Njoroge, City Park Forest, Mji wa Salama, Githogoro, Muringa and Gachie slums.

Mr Ngoroi has sued Garun Investment Ltd, Alif Homes Ltd Parklands, the County Government of Nairobi, the Chief Land Registrar, the Attorney General, Dayah Construction Company Ltd, Elmi Afrah Properties Ltd and Mr Ahmed Hassan Ismail.

Mr Akida, who is seeking to have the defendants jailed for contempt, says the City County of Nairobi holds in trust all the land on which health centres are built in Nairobi.

"The defendants have, with impunity, flagrantly refused to obey the orders of this court dated February 12, 2020, with regards to any dealings, demolition, developing and or dealing with the land on which Highridge Public Health Centre stands," said Mr Akida.

In the evidence filed in court, Mr Ngoroi says Garun Investment Ltd is the current registered owner of the parcel of land on which the health centre is built.

"Garun Investment Ltd, the current registered owner of the property in dispute, alleges it bought the land from a M/S Golden Crest Ltd," says Mr Ngoroi.

Allocated by Ntimama

Golden Crest claims it was allocated a portion of the property in dispute by then Minister for Local Government William ole Ntimama - now deceased -- on February 6, 1996.

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Mr Ngoroi states the land, which is a leasehold held by the Nairobi City County, was fraudulently converted and issued with a new title deed.

The petitioner says there are no minutes from the predecessor of the city county, the Nairobi City Council, showing the land was surrendered to the government or to any private individual.

"Therefore, the process to transfer the land to the defendants is not only fraudulent, but also illegal," says Mr Ngoroi in the documents.

The petitioner says the purported sale and demolition of the clinic has been in the public spotlight and concerns had been raised in the media.

On June 24, 2019, the court was urged to issue an injunction restraining the defendants from interfering with the land.

"The public who depend on the clinic for health services stand to be greatly prejudiced if the facility will be demolished and private entrepreneurs move in," states Mr Ngoroi.

Justice Komingoi will give fresh directions in the case on September 23.
The construction of the Sh62 billion Nairobi expressway carries other, non-cash costs.

From road closures and diversions to disrupted water supply, the suffering of residents and institutions on the 27.1km double-decker highway continues.

Not a week goes by without key government institutions issuing a public notice of either a section of a certain road being closed or water supplies being disrupted for days.

On Tuesday, as has become the norm every other month since work on the highway began late last year, Nairobi City Water and Sewerage Company (NCWSC) said it will shut down water supply on Waiyaki Way for 24 hours.

"NCWSC will shut down the water supply pipeline along Waiyaki Way from Kabete Water Treatment Works on Wednesday, 30 June 2021 at 6am to Thursday, 1 July 2021 at 6am," the notice said.

The disruption will facilitate the interconnection of the new and old water pipelines at the junction of Waiyaki Way and James Gichuru Road to enable the release of the road section between Nairobi School and the junction to the expressway contractor, NCWSC said.

Areas to be affected include estates on Waiyaki Way, Rhagta Road, Parklands Road and Church Road in Westlands, Highridge and Parklands.

Others are Nairobi School, M.P. Shah Hospital, Muguga Green Estate, Sarit Centre and surrounding estates.

Constant water shortages

NCWSC has appealed to affected customers to use whatever water they have sparingly as it works to restore the supply.

The relocation of water pipes because of ongoing work on the expressway has been blamed for constant water shortages in city estates.

NCWSC Managing Director Nahason Muguna in January said the expressway project has especially hurt major supply chains in the city.

In April and June, residents on Mombasa Road and the entire central business district were cut-off from water supply when pipes were damaged by China Road and Bridge Corporation, which is building the expressway.

In June, the water company said the relocation of water pipes was 90 percent complete and assured the public that normal supply would be restored.

The latest disruption comes just a day after the Kenya National Highways Authority (KeNHA) announced the temporary closure of two Nairobi roads starting on Monday, June 28, to allow for work on the expressway to continue.

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KeNHA Director-General Peter Mundinia said they would close the Capital Centre access on Mombasa Road for 20 days, from June 28-July 17, and the ramp on Waiyaki Way to Forest Road will be closed to motorists and pedestrians for 34 days from June 28 to August 1.

The road work is also likely to affect power supply in various estates.

Toll charges

The elevated road will run from Mlolongo to the junction of James Gichuru Road and Waiyaki Way in Westlands through the city centre.

The dual carriageway will have 10 interchanges, including the SGR terminus at JKIA, Eastern Bypass, Southern Bypass and Enterprise Road.

Moja Expressway, a subsidiary of CRBC, will operate the road for 27 years so the company building it can recoup its money through toll fees.

The toll charges will be dollar-based to cushion the Chinese operator from exchange rate losses.

The fees are projected to generate Sh302.5 billion, offering the Chinese firm an annual profit of Sh3.9 billion.

Motorists will have the option of using the expressway to escape the heavy traffic beneath it at a fee or toll charges.

Kenyans will be expected to pay between Sh100 and Sh1,550 in toll charges, depending on the size of the vehicle and distance covered.

The expressway is a four-lane and six-lane dual carriageway within the existing median of Mombasa Road/Uhuru Highway/Waiyaki Way.

It will also have interchanges - or exits and entry routes - that will act as toll ramps.
A day before the launch of last month's polio vaccination campaign for children under five years in 13 high-risk counties, a nurse at a dispensary in remote Iresaboru, Isiolo County, was pictured wading through floodwaters while holding a cold box containing vaccines.

A recent downpour made it impossible for a county government vehicle that Rashid Abdi had used from the Garbatulla vaccine depot to pass through the flooded roads. He had to be dropped off about 10km from the Iresaboru dispensary.

Children were vaccinated in Garissa, Kajiado, Kiambu, Kitui, Machakos, Isiolo, Kilifi, Nairobi, Tana River, Wajir and Mandera counties.

Unknown to the 24-year-old, the picture taken by a friend would later trend on social media platforms, warming the hearts of many Kenyans, who hailed him for his selfless act.

"I had walked for several kilometres when the picture was taken," Mr Abdi told the Nation.

Mr Abdi previously worked in Isiolo Referral Hospital's pediatric department before he was deployed to Iresaboru in January this year.

At the time of the polio vaccination campaign, his colleague was on leave and he had to traverse flooded villages vaccinating children for five days. He covered 1,100 children.

"When you work in a vast place like this, you have to work extra hard and go out of your way to ensure improved services. This includes walking for many kilometres to attend to patients with terminal illnesses among other complications," he said.

Worthy sacrifice

Though he lost some of his personal effects, including a mobile phone, during the tiresome and challenging exercise, Mr Abdi says it was worth the sacrifice as the vaccine was crucial to the children in remote villages whose mothers could not visit the dispensary because roads had been cut off by floods.

Having grown up in the area and is familiar with the health issue affecting the community, including maternal and infant deaths, the nurse says he was prepared for the difficult task of "going beyond what the call of duty".

When he was deployed to the area, he discovered that poor referral systems were undermining safe deliveries and contributing to high maternal and infant deaths.

In most cases, expectant women, deterred by long distances to health facilities, are assisted by unskilled traditional birth attendants, resulting in complications and even the deaths of mothers and children.

"I realised that if patients could be referred in time, we would beat cases of losing mothers and infants as a result of being handled by unskilled traditional birth attendants," he said in an interview with the Nation.

Iresaboru is among areas grappling with maternal and infant deaths blamed on long distances to health facilities. The nearest health centre is over 49km against the five kilometres recommended by the World Health Organization.

The deaths have also been linked to low education, child marriages, lack of skilled personnel and inadequate health facilities.

Recent statistics show that about 790 mothers die in every 100,000 deliveries in Isiolo.

Community's help

Community health volunteers and the national government administration team helped the nurse ensure that pregnant women started seeking health services and were helped by health workers during delivery.

The volunteers, besides conducting health education at the grassroots, also ensure expectant women attend clinics and their children are immunised against various diseases. The workers are allocated at least 20 households to attend to on a regular basis.

"Apart from visiting the villages, I work with volunteers in handling specific cases and ensuring early referral for safe delivery at health centres," Mr Abdi noted, adding that a directive requiring that no home delivery be done without a professional (health) attendant is in force in the area.

Chiefs and their assistants have been cracking the whip on the reluctant, especially parents shying from taking their children for immunisation.

"The community is quickly embracing the culture and the chiefs are ensuring strict compliance so that we arrest the situation," he added.

The alumnus of Kenya Medical Training College-Nairobi (KMTC) conducts at least five deliveries each month.

County interventions

Isiolo Health Executive Wario Galma said the county had come up with several interventions including the recent purchase of ambulances to take referred patients to sub-county and referral hospitals.

"We have ... enhanced referrals of even expectant women and recently upgraded power supply at the Garbatulla hospital, allowing caesarian sections to be performed," Mr Galma said, adding that maternal deaths had dipped across the county.

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Medics had been deployed to the Garbatulla and Merti sub-county hospitals for improved services, he said.

Amid all the challenges, including insecurity, Mr Abdi is passionate about seeing children happy and among his short-term goals is ensuring 100 percent immunisation and zero maternal deaths.

"From the first day I joined KMTC, I have been passionate about kids. There is a huge connection between me and kids and I want to achieve 100 percent immunisation and safe deliveries. I want everyone's child to get services that I too would want my kids to get," he stressed.

His gesture attracted accolades from the public, with the majority demanding that such selfless workers be recognised by the county government.

"This is just a glimpse of what health workers go through to make sure we access services. The government should ensure better working conditions and recognise such officers for their selfless work," Moses Karanja said on Facebook.

The Ministry of Health in May last year recognised the selfless efforts of nurse David Riungu, 38, also attached to the Iresaboru dispensary, after pictures of him navigating floods to help mothers in labour went viral.
The World Bank has approved an additional Sh14 billion ($130 million) to enable Kenya procure more Covid-19 vaccines.

The lender said on Tuesday that its Board of Executive Directors had approved the additional financing for the Kenya Covid-19 Health Emergency Response Project to facilitate affordable and equitable access to vaccines for Kenyans.

It said the funds will enable Kenya to procure more jabs via the African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (Avatt) initiative and the Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access (Covax) facilities.

It will also support the deployment of vaccines to Kenyans by boosting the country's cold chain storage capacity - including establishing 25 county vaccine stores, strengthening the capacity of 36 sub-county stores, and equipping 1,177 health facilities with vaccine storage equipment.

"This additional financing comes at a critical time when the Government of Kenya is making concerted efforts to contain the rising cases of Covid-19 infections and accelerate the deployment of vaccines to a wider population," said Keith Hansen, World Bank Country Director for Kenya.

"The upfront financing for the acquisition of Covid-19 vaccines will enable the government to expand access to more Kenyans free of cost."

Other activities that will be funded include vaccine safety surveillance, training for health workers, and advocacy and communications activities to encourage Covid-19 vaccine uptake.

"With the increased support for a rapid Covid-19 response, the World Bank is offering the government a flexible approach to select a portfolio of vaccines that best suits local capacities, timings of delivery, and vaccine approvals," said Jane Chuma, World Bank Senior Health Economist.

Second tranche

This is the second additional financing for the Kenya Covid-19 Health Emergency Response Project. Together with the Sh1 billion ($10 million) triggered under the Contingency Emergency Response Component of the Transforming Health Systems for Universal Care Project, the World Bank's contributions to Kenya's Covid-19 response now adds to Sh26.3 billion ($246 million).

Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani revealed in March that Kenya had asked the World Bank for a Sh5 billion concessionary loan to finance the Covid-19 vaccination budget.

He said the total Covid-19 vaccines would cost Sh34 billion. The budget will be split into three, with the first Sh20 billion being a grant from Gavi, a global Vaccine Alliance established in 2000.

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Another Sh9 billion will come from taxpayers through internal sources, while the remaining Sh5 billion will come from the World Bank.

"We have a Sh34 billion budget, Sh20 billion is secured and Sh14 billion is what we need to grapple with. We are at the tail end of securing Sh5 billion from the World Bank. This request has already gone to the World Bank board, so we are actually getting it," Yatani said.

This means that Kenya now has the Sh14 billion to close the financing gap.

The Treasury boss said the loan will come at concessionary rates of about one per cent, and is part of a global package set aside the World Bank to finance vaccines.

Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic, the World Bank Group has committed over $125 billion worldwide to fight the health, economic, and social impacts of the pandemic, the fastest and largest crisis response in its history.

The financing is helping more than 100 countries strengthen pandemic preparedness, protect the poor and jobs, and jump start a climate-friendly recovery. The World Bank is also providing $12 billion to help low- and middle-income countries purchase and distribute Covid-19 vaccines, tests, and treatments.
Laikipia County government has set aside Sh700 million of its proposed Sh8.1 billion 2021/2022 budget to clear outstanding pending bills.

"We are committed to ensuring liquidity into the market. This will involve prioritising payment of pending bills as the first charge by all the departments. We have set Sh700 million for this purpose," the county's Finance Executive Murungi Ndai said.

In a letter written to Mr Ndai dated March 12, 2020, National Treasury Principal Secretary Julius Muia asked the county to resolve the issue of pending bills by forming a committee.

This is after a group of local contractors appealed to President Uhuru Kenyatta to intervene and compel the devolved unit to clear over Sh100 million pending bills.

The irate contractors said they were facing financial constraints after being auctioned due to failure to clear bank loans they had acquired to roll out various development projects at the grassroots.

The entrepreneurs availed documents to the media to prove that they had rendered services to the county government.

"Some of my officers and I risk been taken to jail if we pay unverified pending bills to the contractors. We don't want to pay these pending bills while on our way to King'ong'o prison. I sought the indulgence of the Attorney General and he advised me to conduct scrutiny at the grassroots of all projects before making any payment to contractors," said Mr Ndai.

Huge spenders in the annual budget estimates are health at Sh2.1 billion, infrastructure at Sh1.7 billion, pending bills and public administration at Sh700 million each and county assembly at Sh536 million.

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Other sectors that have taken a big share of allocation are education, water and finance departments at Sh463 million 443 million and Sh391 million respectively. Trade department will get Sh112 million while other county entities will share the balance.

The leasing programme has been allocated Sh280 million to grade and gravel 900 kilometers. Upgrades of key urban centres and markets in the county have been allocated Sh933 million.

Further, Sh23.1 million will be spent to equip youth with skills and construction of culverts to address drainage issues.

Offering of title deeds to Likii and other settlements will cost Sh10 million while Sh24 million will go towards the development of valuation roll.

Mr Ndai said that they opted to prioritize infrastructure and health as economic enablers and key deliverables for the county government.

"Infrastructure upgrade will spur economic activities by attracting investments in enterprise, manufacturing, service provision and tourism," Mr Ndai said.

Nanyuki Teaching and Referral Hospital and Nyahururu County Referral Hospital have been allocated Sh160.7 million and Sh140.7 million respectively.

The Executive has set aside Sh30 million for National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) subsidies while Sh33 million will be spent as stipend for Community Health Volunteers (CHVs).

The county's medical team will be remunerated with Sh1.8 billion during the same period.

The budget includes Sh5.1 billion equitable share, Sh1 billion own source revenue, Sh750 million conditional grant and projected Sh1.116 billion infrastructure bond transaction.
The High Court has temporarily stopped the arrest and prosecution of a lawyer in relation to the sale of a beach resort in Kilifi County and two court cases arising from the transaction.

Court documents show that lawyer Titus Koceyo filed a civil case in Mombasa on behalf of his client, Gention AG, a Swiss-registered company, against Beloilco Holdings Ltd, also Swiss-registered, over a lease agreement related to Black Marlin Resort.

Gention AG leased the property from Beloilco Holdings and was claiming wrongful termination of the lease agreement and consequent general and special damages.

Beloilco Holdings's lawyers failed to file a defence, leading to a request for a default judgment in favour of Gention AG, which was granted and a decree issued to sell the defendants' assets to pay the plaintiff.

Mr Koceyo says that as a result, he instructed an auctioneer to execute the decree.

"The execution of court orders through sale of immovable assets is governed by the Auctioneers Act, the petitioner as an advocate has no role to play in the actual sale or transfer except to issue instructions to the Auctioneers firm to carry execution," Mr Koceyo argues.

Mr Koceyo says the purchaser of the property was arrested and charged in a Mombasa court with conspiracy to defraud Beloilco Holdings.

The case by the Inspector-General of police, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Director Criminal investigations is that the public auction was not conducted in accordance with the law, he says.

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Mr Koceyo also argues that the default judgment and decree were later set aside even, though by that time the property had been transferred to the purchaser.

He also says that Gention AG instructed another law firm to take over the case from him and he has not handled the case file since.

Mr Koceyo says the purchaser later filed a petition in Malindi seeking to retake the property from Beloilco Holdings, who had by then taken possession of it.

The petitioner says that he recused himself from the petition and had no capacity to participate in the proceedings.

Mr Koceyo says the IG, DPP and DCI allege that documents used to file the petition in Malindi were forged and yet the only document he filed was a notice of change of advocates.

The lawyer says that after the purchaser of the property was charged, IG and DCI officers have been calling him to present himself to be charged but he has never been informed of any criminal investigations against him in order to provide his side of the story.

Mr Koceyo says any arraignment on trumped-up charges meant to achieve ulterior motives will irreparably tarnish his reputation and the goodwill he has earned.

Mr Koceyo argues that the respondents' demands that he be charged for rendering a legal service violates his right to liberty and to economic rights to earn an honest living by practising his trade.

Mr Koceyo wants a permanent injunction issued restraining the respondents from arresting, confining, prosecuting and charging him in relation to the two cases and the sale and transfer of the property.

High Court Judge Eric Ogola stopped the IG, DPP and DCI from arresting Mr Koceyo pending the hearing and determination of his application for conservatory orders.
A night guard was hacked to death Monday night when armed gangsters raided a bar in Embu town.

The gangsters struck at around 3am and fatally attacked Mr Ephantus Muthee, leaving him for dead.

During the raid at Florida bar, the gangsters stole beer worth thousands of shillings and escaped with their loot.

Witnesses' account had it that the gangsters ambushed the guard and brutally eliminated him before they forced their way into the bar and looted crates of beers belonging to a local trader Margaret Gikundi.

Bar attendants narrated how they arrived in the morning, only to find the guard lying in a pool of blood.

Ms Gikundi said she was at home when she received information that her bar had been raided and the watchman killed.

"When I got the report, I rushed to the scene and I was shocked to find my guard lying dead and crates of beer missing," said Ms Gikundi.

She revealed that it was the fourth time robbers raided the premises in a span of two years.

Call for justice

She called on the police to ensure the gangsters don't go unpunished.

"Gangsters killed my watchman and stole my property. The raiders committed a very serious crime and they should not be spared," she said.

Family members of the victim were overwhelmed by emotions and wept as the body of the victim was being taken to Embu Referral Hospital mortuary by the police.

Led by Harrison Kariuki, the family members said they learnt of the demise of their father with great shock.

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"My father has been working as a guard for a long time but unfortunately he has been killed by criminals," said Mr Kariuki.

The family members are now crying for justice following what happened to their father.

"Those responsible for the death of our father should be pursued and brought to book," added Mr Kariuki.

Embu West police boss Nick Kipkorir said investigations had been commenced and told relatives of the deceased to be patient.

He assured them that police will not rest until the culprits are arrested and prosecuted.

The residents complained that insecurity is on the rise in the town and accused police of doing nothing to tame criminals on the loose.

"Cases of robberies have been reported in the town and we are living in fear," one of the residents, John Mukundi said.

The residents accused the police of sleeping on their jobs.
Even before the dust settles after a tense by-election in Bonchari Constituency, Kisii County, lawyer Cliff Ombeta has declared interest in the parliamentary seat on a United Democratic Alliance (UDA) ticket.

Mr Ombeta said Tuesday that he dropped his bid to vie for the seat in the mini-poll and agreed to support Teresa Bitutu, widow of Bonchari MP John Oroo Oyioka.

He said they supported Ms Bitutu as agreed and that he therefore shelved his ambition to vie in the mini-poll for her sake.

In an interview with the Nation, however, he said "it is now time for people to pursue their own path.

"Bitutu vied on the UDA ticket but did not succeed. The initial plan was to support her and move on, but we did not cross that river. We must chat our own ways forward," he said.

"I will vie for the Bonchari parliamentary seat in 2022 on an UDA ticket. We are not wasting any time ... we have started campaigning."

UDA office opened

The renowned criminal lawyer noted that he has already started promoting UDA in the region.

He has opened a UDA constituency office in Suneka Township.

Mr Ombeta has also been seen several times in Nairobi, posing for photographs with Deputy President William Ruto, who is associated with UDA.

DP Ruto wants to succeed President Uhuru Kenyatta when he leaves office as expected in 2022.

Competition

In the 2022 election, Mr Ombeta will vie against Pavel Oimeke, who won the seat on an Orange Democratic Movement (ODM) ticket.

The Nairobi-based lawyer will fight for the UDA nomination ticket against Ms Bitutu, who has declared in vying for the seat again on the same ticket.

Ms Bitutu is actively involved in the recruitment of UDA members and has vowed to put up a more spirited campaign compared to the one witnessed ahead of the mini-poll.

ODM's Oimeke wins Bonchari by-election

In the Bonchari by-election in May , Ms Bitutu came third with 6,964 votes.

"The competition was very tough and the circumstances were very difficult. The heavy presence of police and the involvement of county officials disadvantaged me, denying me victory," she said in an interview with the Nation.

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She said she sought sympathy votes following her husband's death but will campaign for her own unique votes in 2022.

"I am inspired. I will perform even better," she said.

ODM wave

The lawyer added that he is already mobilising voters to rally behind him in the next poll.

"My priorities for the people of Bonchari are well cut. I will focus on development," he said, acknowledging that fighting the ODM wave in the region will be an uphill task.

Kisii remains an ODM stronghold as was proven during the Bonchari and Kiamokama ward by-election.

However, UDA has made inroads in Kisii despite being a relatively new party, with several elected leaders eyeing it.

Kisii Deputy Governor Joash Maangi, former South Mugirango MP Omingo Magara, EALA MP Charles Nyachae, Bomachoge Chache MP Alfah Miruka and his South Mugirango counterpart Silvanus Osoro are some of the leaders courting UDA in Kisii.

Others are businessmen Jhanda Zaheer and Don Bosco Gichana.
Two suspects linked to the murder of Nyeri-based engineer George Gikonyo in 2015 were on Tuesday sentenced to life imprisonment.

Nyeri Chief Magistrate Wendy Kagendo found James King'ori and Paul Kinuthia guilty of robbery with violence.

Ms Kagendo said she noted that King'ori had previously been convicted in a similar robbery case adding that in the case determined at the Thika Law Courts, he had been found guilty of killing a complainant after robbing him of his vehicle.

The magistrate ruled that the suspects needed to be kept away from the community.

In her judgment, she found the suspects guilty of the offence after Gikonyo's personal items including his car valued at Sh3.4 million were found in their possession.

The suspects had been arrested after they were intercepted by police in Ruiru.

Gikonyo worked for the Ministry of Energy and was based at the Wambugu Agricultural Training Centre in Nyeri town.

On the fateful day in October 2013, Gikonyo's wife, Faith Njoki, alerted the police that her husband was in danger after a car tracking company notified her that her husband was driving at a speed of more than 120 kilometers per hour and was heading towards Nairobi.

During a hearing, she told the court that it was unusual for her husband, who worked and lived in Nyeri, to travel to Nairobi on a weekday.

On that day, Gikonyo could also not be reached by phone.

Whenn they were intercepted by police, King'ori, who was the driver, was found wearing the deceased's jacket.

In the jacket, the police also found Gikonyo's driving license and some stupefying tablets that he was given before he was strangled to death.

King'ori was arrested alongside Kinuthia who was also in the vehicle. Another suspect, Simon Adukani, was acquitted last week after the prosecution lacked evidence against him.

The victim's body was found in Holwe dam situated along the Nyeri- Karatina highway.

A post-mortem report showed that the victim was given a stupefying drug when he was killed.
Anybody can seek to amend the Constitution by popular initiative, including the President, Solicitor-General Kennedy Ogeto told the Court of Appeal on Tuesday.

Mr Ogeto spoke as seven judges of the appellate court began hearing arguments against the High Court ruling that declared the BBI process illegal.

The judges hearing the matter are Court of Appeal president Daniel Musinga, Roselyn Nambuye, Hannah Okwengu, Kairu Gatembu, Patrick Kiage, Fatuma Sichale and Francis Tuiyot.

The solicitor-general explained issues including how the High Court judges erred and what the Constitution itself states about amendments.

Mr Ogeto, who is teaming up with lawyers George Oraro and Kamau Karori, said the "open attack" on President Uhuru Kenyatta for initiating the popular initiative was unfounded.

"The Constitution states clearly that the popular initiative can be initiated, then the matter be taken to the masses for discussion and eventually a referendum conducted to amend the Constitution," he said.

Structure

Mr Ogeto further said a structured method exists for amending the Constitution.

He said the Constitution is self-contained as it sets how it can be amended.

The Constitution states who should initiate the changes to the supreme law of the land in Chapter 16, he said, adding this chapter guards against the culture of hyper-amendment.

"Since the promulgation of the Constitution there have been approximately 22 attempts to amend it. Twice through the popular initiative and 20 times through the parliamentary initiative," he said.

'Personal opinions'

Mr Ogeto also noted that the judges who stopped the Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission (IEBC) from conducting the referendum said "the purportedly un-amendable and eternity clauses would be determined by the courts on a case to case basis".

In so doing, he said, they arrogated themselves powers they do not have by the vesting courts with the duty of amending the Constitution on a case by case basis.

The court also heard that the High Court judges misdirected themselves in addressing issues not pursued by the petitioners who sought to stop the BBI process.

Urging the Court of Appeal judges to allow a referendum to be conducted, Mr Ogeto also told the court that the High Court judges "elevated personal opinions and preferences over the will of the people".

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He added that the judges disenfranchised nearly four million registered voters under the pretext of nullifying alleged unconstitutional acts by President Kenyatta.

Sovereignty of the people

Mr Ogeto also accused the judges of disregarding clear provisions and effectively amending the Constitution

He further accused the judges of disregarding the decisions of the High Court, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court, which decided on amending the constitution.

"Our plea to this honourable court is that it reverses the extra-constitutional and anti-constitutional step taken by the High Court," he said.

Mr Oraro said the sovereignty of the people in making and amending the Constitution must be respected by the courts.

The High Court judges erred in finding that the President can be sued in his personal capacity, he said.

He urged the appellate court judges to reverse the whole judgment and correct the errors made by the five judges.
A banner outside Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi notifies members of the public of free vaccinations against Covid-19 (file photo).

document

President Uhuru Kenyatta addressed the nation on Tuesday regarding the country's Covid-19 status.

Here is his full speech:

Fellow Kenyans,

1. Today, we mark more than 15 months since we recorded the first Covid-19 case in Kenya. Although our experiences as a people have been different, the last 15 months have been a season of adapting to a new normal.

2. Our former way of life was re-set and we had to adapt to new and unfamiliar routines. To protect our children and secure their future, we took them out of school.

3. Similarly, we had to shy away from places of worship in order to preserve the believers, their families, and their neighbours. For the love of our elderly, we had to forego visits to our elderly relatives in order to show them love. This has been the unfamiliar and uncomfortable new order of the last 15 months.

4. And as a country, we have adapted to the new normal with grace and resilience. Terms that looked remote and far from our reach became our normal - the mention of curfew elicited anxiety and lockdown uncertainty. Over these fifteen months, we have learnt to anticipate Covid-related shock and to forestall its impact with speedy action. On its part, the government has provided swift policy actions and bold decisions whenever a Covid-related threat is detected.

5. But our resilience as a nation against this pandemic is not just a

government affair. The people of Kenya have exercised an

admirable degree of civic responsibility in this fight.

6. Indeed, Kenyans have taken the civic duty of protecting themselves,

their families and country against this pandemic positively. Without

your exercise of civic responsibility and duty, government's swift

action would have amounted to nothing. I THANK YOU.

Fellow Kenyans

7. For the last 15 months, COVID took us into a State of Uncertainty in

unfamiliar territory that was compounded by a series of dilemma's

that pitted a choice between lives and livelihoods.

8. But today, I am happy to note that a path out of this uncertainty

is beginning to emerge. And the emerging path has two sides to it.

The first path is a challenge and the second path is an

opportunity with a promise.Page 3 of 10

9. Let me begin with the path that is a challenge. For the last 15 months,

our efforts of fighting this pandemic can only be described as a

'containment seesaw'. And I call it a 'seesaw' because sometimes

we win on one front and experience a loss on another front.

10. For instance, the highest positivity rate this year was at 26.6% in the

fourth week of March, 2021. This forced us to zone out and lock

down the COVID hotspots of Nairobi, Kajiado, Kiambu, Nakuru

and Machakos. These counties accounted for 70% of all the COVID

positive new cases.

11. The lockdown brought the positivity rate down to 7.8% in May 2021.

And as we eased the lockdown measures in the five zoned counties,

the Western Region of our country and the neigbouring Republic of

Uganda experienced a new wave. Because of the unusual nature of

this virus, our gains in Nairobi, Kajiado, Kiambu, Nakuru and

Machakos, were annulled by the Western attack.

12. Now, Busia, Kakamega, Nyamira, Kisii, Migori, Siaya, Homa Bay,

Kisumu, Trans-Nzoia, Bungoma, Bomet, Vihiga, and Kericho, are on

heightened containment measures from the 17

th June 2021.

13. In fact, out of every 5 positive cases in Kenya a fortnight-ago, 2 were

from the Western Region. And what is worse: this region has

experienced a high positivity rate of 21%, compared to the national

average of 9.1% as at that time.Page 4 of 10

14. This swing between loss and gain in the fight against the pandemic is

what I am calling the 'containment seesaw'. You win on one

theatre of battle and lose in another. And by default, this swing has

created some form of survival instinct in our population.

15. The fight against COVID is both a social and a health challenge as

such we aspire for 'herd immunity' in the health arena; and we seem

to have built what sociology experts call 'herd instinct' in the social

arena. We seem to have built a national consensus on what we must

do to defeat this pandemic and it is steadily working.

Fellow Kenyans,

16. The second path out of the COVID 'Fog of War' for Kenya is an

opportunity with a promise. When we reported the first case of

COVID-19, more than 15 months ago, the idea of a vaccine was a

mirage.

17. One year later, in March 2021, we were able to roll out a National

Vaccine Deployment Plan. Our strategy was to vaccinate 10 million

adults by June 2022 and approximately 16 million by June 2023.

18. But inspired by our 'Acceleration Doctrine', which is about

constantly increasing the speed of achieving our goals, we revised

our Vaccine Deployment Plan.Page 5 of 10

19. Instead of vaccinating 10 million adults by June 2022, we will

vaccinate the ENTIRE adult population of 26 million Kenyans by

2022. In fact, by Christmas this year, we intend to have vaccinated

Over 10 Million adults. According to our experts, we will have built

a capacity to vaccinate 150,000 people every day from August

2021.

20. And this accelerated plan will be aided by a few swift actions and

bold programmes. For instance, we have ordered 10 million

vaccines from Johnson and Johnson, with the first consignment

arriving in Kenya in August 2021.

21. But in the process of negotiating with this company, we managed to

get a lower price. For the price of 10 million vaccines, we have

negotiated for them to deliver 13 million vaccines.

22. And because the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is administered using

a single shot, the speed of rolling out our vaccination programme will

be accelerated. Using these vaccines and others in the pipelines, this

is how we will vaccinate Over 10 million Kenyans by Christmas

2021 and 26 million by end of 2022.

23. And if a vaccine for under-age populations is registered by early

next year, we intend to vaccinate an extra 4 million young adults

by June 2022. With a vaccinated population of 30 million people,Page 6 of 10

this will allow us to begin the journey for 'Herd Immunity' against

this pandemic. And this is our intention for the next 12 months.

24. In that regard, and following consultations with the Council of

Governors, and with the advice of the National Emergency Response

Committee to COVID-19 and the National Security Council, I hereby

issue Public Order No. 4 of 2021, as follows:

I. The hours of curfew are maintained at between 7:00

p.m and 4:00 a.m in the COVID-19 hotspot zone; which

comprises the counties of Kisumu, Siaya, Homa-Bay,

Migori, Busia, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Kisii, Nyamira,

Kericho, Bomet, and Trans-Nzoia up to 31st July, 2021;

II. That for the rest of the territory of the Republic of

Kenya, the nationwide curfew shall continue to be

observed from 10:00 p.m to 4:00 a.m for a further

containment period of 60 days;

III. That excluding the above mentioned Counties, in/person

worship and congregational worship shall continue to be

conducted in keeping with the one-third capacity rule

and in accordance with the guidelines of the Inter-Faith

Council; Page 7 of 10

IV. That the prohibition against political gatherings and all

public gatherings is extended for a further 60 days;

V. That all persons coming into the Country must be in

possession of a negative COVID-19 PCR Certificate,

acquired no more than 96 hours prior to arrival into the

Country; with the PCR Certificate also having been

validated under the Trusted Travel platform for those

travelling by air;

VI. That duly classified and licensed hospitality establishments

must continue to adhere to the guidelines issued by the

Ministry of Health. The establishments must also ensure

the adoption of and compliance with the 'Tourism Safe

Travels' protocols developed by the hospitality sector;

VII. In regard to funerals, cremations and other interment

ceremonies; it is directed that these ceremonies shall be

conducted strictly within 96 hours of confirmation of

death;

VIII. That the attendees, officiators, and facilitators of funerals

or graveside/cremation ceremonies shall be limited to 100

persons in total;Page 8 of 10

IX. That the attendees, officiators, and facilitators of

weddings, celebrations of marriage or traditional unions,

ceremonies of rites of passage, and all other similar events

or ceremonies shall be limited to 100 persons in total;

X. That all hospitals are directed to limit the number of visitors

for hospitalized patients to one visitor per patient per

day; and

XI. That all other rules, guidelines, and protocols not reviewed

through this Public Order shall continue to apply until

otherwise notified.

Fellow Kenyans,

25. I will conclude with two thoughts. First, it is now clear that we cannot

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exclusively depend on foreign partners and their systems to resolve

our health crises. In that regard, we must substantially prepare

ourselves before the next crisis knocks on our doors.

26. My Administration is addressing this matter through a mid-term and

long-term strategy. In the mid-term, we will build in Kenya a 'fill

and finish' plant. The plan being to import the COVID-19 vaccine

unpackaged and finalize the logistics of filling and packaging it in

Kenya. This will save us on time and will make us a supply hub for

Eastern and Central Africa.Page 9 of 10

27. Our long-term strategy is to set up a Human Vaccine Centre. I

have directed a multi-agency Team to activate this plan and to

focus not only on the COVID-19 Vaccine, but on any other human

vaccine needed in our region.

28. The national quest to produce human vaccines here in Kenya will

elevate our nation as a producer for both human and veterinary

vaccines that we currently supply to Eastern Africa, all the way to

Morocco in North Africa.

29. My second thought is about the uptake of the COVID vaccine, once

we begin the mass roll-out in July this year. Some Kenyans have

formed certain theories about vaccination and its effects. Although

vaccination is free-of-charge and no one will be forced to get it, some

education about it is crucial.

30. And I say so because by Mid-2022, we have potential to reach 'herd

immunity' in which the dangers of one infected Kenyan will not affect

a community of people unchecked.

31. But we can also build 'herd instinct' in our communities. If 'herd

immunity' is meant to respond to an attack, 'herd instinct' is meant

to anticipate the attack and stop it. And this can only be achieved

through vaccination and vaccine education.Page 10 of 10

32. To this end, we urge the Inter-Faith Council, working with private

sector partners and other civic associations to take up the vaccine

education and to be a central plank of the upcoming vaccination

drive. This way, we will build the 'herd immunity' and ensure that the

instinct of communities to survive is high.

Have a Good Day.

Keep Safe and be Your Brother's Keeper.

God Bless You. God Bless Kenya
The government has devised a strategy for providing clean and safe electricity to residents of Nairobi's slums.

South B Assistant County Commissioner Michael Aswani Were said the aim is to end illegal power connections in the slums and prevent death by electrocution.

Mr Aswani said the government also aims to to save millions of shillings lost in fraud perpetuated by cartels and brokers colluding with Kenya Power officials.

"The government aims to supply its citizens with clean and safe energy for use at home and in industries. It also intends to end the number of deaths caused by electrocution," Mr Were said.

To make the plan a success, he said, Kenya Power officials will work with community-based groups and leaders from the slums.

Huge losses

Following a rise in the number of faulty transformers, cases of explosions, vandalism and lack of payments for connections in slums, Kenya Power has suffered significant losses.

"Structure owners and tenants are the ones who suffer the most from being exploited by cartels and electricity brokers," Mr Were said.

Last week, Kenya Power officials unmounted and carted away a transformer along Aoko road near South B All Nations Pefa church.

Following the incident, Mukuru-Sokoni and Mukuru-Kisii slums in Nairobi South ward, Starehe Sub-county were plunged into total darkness and local businesses adversely affected.

Last year, the company unmounted transformers from Mukuru-Kwa Njenga, Lunga Lunga, Sinai, Paradise, Kwa Reuben, Kayaba and Mukuru-Hazina slums.

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Transformers along Lunga Lunga and Enterprise roads in Nairobi's Industrial Area were also carted away.

A source at Kenya Power told the Nation that cartels in slums had connected power from the transformers and distributed it to residents in the slums at a fee.

"It is good business since for a single shanty, one parts with between Sh300 and Sh500 for power connection per month. Those operating business like salons and shops using refrigerators pay between Sh800 and Sh1,000 depending on the 'owner' of the power," the source said.

Follow rules

Mr Were advised residents in slums to follow proper procedures when getting electricity supply to their homes.

"The rules must be followed for anyone who wants electricity in the slums. The government does not want people to lose lives due to deaths related to electric power," the administrator said.

Mr Were added that there will be a series of meetings between residents and Kenya Power officials, and urged cooperation for the best outcomes.

The meetings will be launched this week at the county offices at the chief's camp in Hazina slum.
A Samburu court has allowed police oficers to continue detaining a senior chief as they investigate him for alleged robbery with violence.

Baragoi senior chief Thomas Lentoimaga was arrested on June 16 and arraigned, but he did not plead to any charges.

The court then ordered that he be detained at Baragoi Police Station for seven days to allow prosecutors to complete their investigations.

But when he appeared again before Senior Resident Magistrate John Tamar on Monday, prosecutors told the court that they needed to hold him for14 more days.

The chief is suspected of aiding robbery with violence in Baragoi.

This is not the first time a chief in Samburu has been accused of abetting criminal activities.

In 2020, a chief in Samburu East was interdicted for allegedly hosting suspected bandits who had stolen more than 800 goats in Gotu, Isiolo County.

Rift Valley Regional Commissioner George Natembeya in April asked chiefs who are afraid of combatting cattle rustling in their areas to quit.

A furious Mr Natembeya blamed chiefs and their assistants for fueling the crime by collaborating with bandits.

"We are ready to part ways with chiefs who don't cooperate with the government. When stolen livestock is brought to your area, you should know and report immediately," the police boss said.

Mr Natembeya insisted that chiefs must be at the forefront in the fight against cattle rustling considering that they know almost every individual in their locations.

Violence in the region includes killings sparked by ethnic animosity, highway banditry and cattle rustling. A majority of the people in semi-arid and rocky Samburu are livestock farmers.

Cattle rustling has become endemic in the region and is ritualised in raiding activities. Observers say cattle raiding has cultural significance and is thus intrinsic to the lives of people in communities in the region.
opinion

When you conquer a feat deemed nearly prohibitive in the minds of many mortals, you unlock a new vortex into the joys and meanings of life. For Kiligrit, a group consisting of eight men of diverse professions and backgrounds who do not mind conquering their innate adventurous ambitions through hiking, that Herculean endeavor was summitting the mighty Mt Kilimanjaro twice in a span of six months.

In August of 2020, steered by recreative and adventurous pursuits, seven of us successfully reached the peak of the tallest free standing mountain on the planet. The eighth member managed to get to Stella Point but could not go beyond that.

Rising 19,341 feet (5,895 metres) into the African blue sky, we felt, amidst tears and tiresome sighs, at one with the white clouds floating in the troposphere. During that summit night, between gasps for oxygen and burning lungs, I promised myself that would be my last engagement with this imposing creation.

But, as it is with the experience of going through multiple childbirths, I have learnt that a promise that a climb will be the last is never kept.

Upon our return, we had barely revitalised our depleted energies before we were off again trekking different peaks. From Ngong Hills to Mt Longonot. From the Aberdare Ranges to Mt Kenya. We trained every single weekend in preparation for trekking the multifarious climatic zones of Kilimanjaro.

Emboldened by a successful summit of Mt Kenya only 12 days earlier, we set off for Everyman's Everest on January 23, 2021. This was my fourth conquest of Africa's tallest peak.

For the former Colonel (Col) Hussein Farah, a vigorously captivating figure and a retired Kenya Air Force officer who was in charge of flying the late president Daniel arap Moi, and who the porters fondly nicknamed 'Babu', this was his second climb. Retaining the gait of a military band commander, Babu brought mirth to the mountain with his characteristic likeability and youthful demeanor despite his advanced age.

As the chairman of Kiligrit, retired Major (Maj) Hussein Unshur, an icon of discipline in the truest sense, surpassed his reputation of being a man with an indomitable spirit and appetite for adventure. With an unparalleled ability to galvanise the team into action and a laser-focus trait to accomplish the task at hand, Maj Unshur instilled the "win at all costs" attitude in the rest of us. Under his firm orchestration, the group marched forward. This was his third climb.

Retired Colonel (Col) Abdulbari Abdulrahman, who at first glance oozes a deceptive aura of lethargy but in reality possesses a powerful spirit of persistence, was enroute to his second summit. Challenged by his own children who bet on his failure to reach the summit, the retired Colonel used this progenic distrust to channel a power within him that subdued and silenced any urge of giving up.

For my friend and fellow law practitioner Abdikadir Sheikh, the pioneer speaker of Mandera County Assembly and a man gifted with the capacity of sportive spontaneity, this was his fourth trip to the summit. Despite his susceptibility to altitude sickness, the 'Speaker' has never failed to reach the very peak in all his hikes.

Next up, Mohamud Duale, more commonly known by his sobriquet 'Trocaire', derived from the organisation he worked for. Having spent his entire adult life in the humanitarian sector, Mohamud has become an expert in incorporating survival mechanisms and handling all forms of crises in the most calm and composed manner. We called him the 'team doctor,' due to his preparedness in terms of medication and general survival tools.

Omar Adan, nicknamed 'Sholly,' is a gentle giant with an inimitable propensity to help others even at a risk to himself. Hiking with Sholly always worried me. He was ready to jump from one rock to another without even considering the probable repercussions. It was as though a sprightly teenage spirit burst forth out of him whenever he was outdoors.

Finally, Hassan Al Beity Shariff, the spiritual monk of the team. A gifted storyteller, Shariff never lacked a tale to uplift our spirits and break the wordlessness that would dominate our fatigued midst.

This particular climb was different. Unlike the previous leisurely hikes, this one would prove to be an eventful history for each one of us because it had a purpose behind it, a target that steered us all the way to the top, a motive that induced in us a mythic energy. We had declared a mighty promise to climb one of the seven summits to raise funds for the emaciated elders of Kakamega and Isiolo under the care of Mama Ibado Charity. This organisation is the source of livelihood for 650 elderly beneficiaries. Directed by this noble cause and humanitarian responsibility, each one of us packed up, knowing that we were doing this to ameliorate the living standards of senior citizens living in an overwhelmingly impoverished reality.

On the day of departure, before the sun ripened its glow upon the earth, we had assembled at the premises of Bluebird Aviation Limited, an airline run by retired officers Col Farah and Maj Unshur. Dressed in the branded red jackets of Mama Ibado Charity, we performed our morning obligatory prayers and proceeded to pack our bags in the heavy four wheel drive Land Cruiser that was to be our transportation vessel from Nairobi to Tanzania. The Cabinet Secretary for Sports, Heritage and Culture, Ambassador Amina Mohammed, also a director of Mama Ibado Charity, graciously flagged us off on our "Seniors for Seniors Campaign."

Upon arrival at Kilimanjaro's national park at Marangu Gate, we went through an elaborate process of registration and after weighing our luggage, the group trotted through the rainforest to Maranda Camp. Following an estimated five-hour trek through the lush humid rainforest, we were happy to find relatively decent accommodation -- huts with bunk beds, mattresses and pillows instead of tiny tents dotting the open wild, as was the case with our previous trip on the Lemosho route.

Maranda is in the middle of the dense rainforest. The forest and the noises of its wild inhabitants were strangely soothing. This state of happy delusion endured until a cloud of coolness swept across the forest, sending the group to seek shelter and increase the layers of their clothing.

"Charity and giving to the poor increases your wealth," Shariff was assuredly preaching and telling the group gathered in one of the assigned huts from inside his sleeping bag. These sacred and beautiful reminders would tarry throughout our journey.

The infinitely compassionate and kind porters brought basins of warm water to wash and a flask of hot tea. I stood with my mug at the window to watch the clouds lazily drift past and the sun rays break through the clouds, forming a beautiful rainbow across the sky. As I adored this magnificent scenery and relished my tea, I could imagine Chui, our skillful chef, struggling to attain the correct measurements prescribed by Col Farah. The colonel was beyond particular when it came to his tea -- an intricate brew composed of a cornucopia of tea leaves and spices, honeyed to the right taste and plenty of camel milk boiled to produce a brownish color.

The following dawn, as we prepared to traverse the mountain, the guides, with their shining morning faces, were already alert and eager to guide us through the paths of Kilimanjaro. The gracious guides carried all our luggage, sleeping bags, ration and cooking utensils.

We turned our backs to the rainforest and fixated our focus onto the alpine heath and moorland to Horombo Huts at 12,204ft above mean sea level. An hour into the ascent, Mawenzi and then Kibo peak appeared in the distance, giving us a peek into the mountain wilderness we all craved. As we floundered and fumbled to reduce the gap of the long miles ahead, we could hear Col Abdulbari unleash elegiac Somali curses on the mountain beneath his feet: "Balaayo kugudacdey!" which crudely translates to "Woe unto you!" Finally, the day-long trek came to an end in late afternoon.

Early on the third day, the group headed to Zebra Rock at the foot of Mawenzi for the purpose of acclimatisation. Once we were inured for the final assault on the summit, we returned to Horombo to spend the remainder of the day relaxing until the evening rolled in. That night, the thought of the base camp Kibo and the dreadful night trip to Uhuru Peak kept many awake.

Col Abdulbari was singing woeful ballads either in preparation or in lament. I couldn't really tell. The saddle that lies at 14,500ft and divides the two peaks of Kilimanjaro -- Kibo and Mawenzi -- is distinctly dreadful to many. It slows down all biological systems and the altitude sickness associated with it reduces many to infants: mewling and puking all over.

On the fourth day, the arduous ascent took us into and beyond the saddle to Kibo, where the oxygen levels depreciated. Walking became laborious. Body metabolism reduced significantly and the taste of food altered. Even Mohamud, the mountain doctor, who would start dispensing a cocktail of medications including a daily dose of Diamox -- a tablet used to help reduce altitude sickness -- did not have a solution for the loss of appetite and the stomach ailments.

When my five-year-old daughter watched a video I sent home of us walking gingerly in the saddle, she innocently asked her mother why we were walking like penguins. "People walk in a line, pole pole sana," she observed.

We walked through the clouds out into the alpine desert zone. Since the beginning of our odyssey, the esteemed retired military officers bestowed upon me the title 'Jemedari', Kiswahili for 'General'. This attribute came in handy as I began encouraging my companions to repudiate any ideas of backing down and to maintain adequate levels of hydration by drinking at least three liters of water. Mountaineers always find in themselves a reserve of power after great exhaustion.

As the clouds broke and vanished, I had no fear that any of us would fail. From a distance, we could see our destination but the fluidity in our trek was significantly reduced. During this moment, each member began unfolding and discovering a deeply hidden fortitude that was sparked by the memory of why we were doing this in the first place. Several hours later, we reached the base camp at Kibo Huts and dropped into our beddings, too tired to even sleep. The unpleasantness of the voyage hitherto felt as though we just escaped the tentacles of hades, drifted through limbo and were now on our way to a deserved heaven.

At 11pm we began the final expedition to the summit in utter darkness. I have never been as cold in my life. I was wearing more layers than I thought possible. Of particular importance were the beanies and balaclavas to hide our cheeks and keep our heads warm. We carried goggles to shield our eyes from the glare that would later be reflected off the snow at sunrise.

At around 3am (you will know this because the coldest time on the mountain is between 3am and 4am), someone dolefully advised the guide that he was lost and got the confident reply:"I can walk to Uhuru Peak with my eyes closed."

The headlamps bobbing up ahead kept on going higher and higher giving the sky the appearance of nearness. At some point, it was hard to determine the difference between the stars and the headlamps. Dawn seemed an eternity away and the walk a never-ending torture. Gilman's Point, at 18,652ft, gave the impression of stretching away from our weak grasp. Unbelievably, the guides kept belching out merry yarns and melodious songs, trying their best to encourage us and uplift our hopeless spirits.

We continued to pull one leg after the other, each watching where his feet fell. Heads spun in dizziness and visions became blurred but the team pressed on. As the night dragged on, one team member or another would find a reason to call for a stop or to rest. Either to drink tea from a flask carried by the guides or to ask for an additional summit coat. Some would stop to adjust their gloves or add another set of warmers. Some would request to transfer a backpack to the guides or to drink from a bottle which they would meekly request the guides to open for them. At subsequent stops, I kept staring at the full moon that appeared to hover above the mountain and disappear into the crater. My hands were imprisoned in my gloves by the unbearable freezing temperatures, making me lose the ability to take photos.

The occasional bites and constant drinking would be forced into our mouths through an opening in our balaclavas. Although the body was bruised and numb, no one cried, crazed or gave up.

My colleagues would later narrate their experiences consisting of sensations of suffocation, burning noses, frozen water, dehydration, headache, legs that simply went numb and how close they were to giving up. Each team member spoke and gave animated narrations as if we were not together on the same mountain.

At 5:30am we reached Gilman's Point. I have never been happier to sit down in my life. We required no reminders to pray to our Creator and ask Him to open the doors to His bountiful favours. We held our morning prayers as sub-zero winds whipped across the crater ridge and snow particles picked up by the wind pelted us. The purity and rawness of our gratitude to God was supreme.

As if to reinforce our consciousness of the Most High, the eye of heaven appeared from the east to brighten up mortals struggling against incapacitating temperatures of -20C.

We all reached for our sunglasses to protect our eyes from the glare and brightness of the iceberg. We could hear the winds hissing at the summit. It felt like a thousand blizzards descended on us at once. Although the goggles protected our eyes, the pelting loose snow kept coming at us like diamond glints. Gusts blew at staggering speeds of 80 kilometres per hour. The natural flow of the hike was disrupted and one had to summon every last ounce of will in order to avoid falling on the snow banks and staying on the narrow white paths.

"This is the second time that I have ever witnessed this kind of wind in my 26 years working on this mountain," the guide announced resignedly. The chairman, Maj Unshur, was already on his feet clamoring orders to the men to get up and move. There was no request in his voice but a command and all trotted towards Stella's Point.

The narrow path to Stella clung perilously to the iced rim of Kibo's deep, snow-sided crater. We used our walking sticks to prod into the compacted snow, many a times sending the hand into the snow, making the climbers momentarily lose their balance. The route was declared unsafe and the detour meant we had to walk along a rocky outcrop with a metal barrier built precariously along the cliff edge. After several near misses, body sway here and there, and shout outs, the group made it to Stella's Point, torturously pushing on with baby steps to the big prize, Uhuru's Peak.

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At 8:01am we staggered to the billboard announcing that we were at the rooftop of Africa! There was no celebration, high fives or even smiles. Just a swift uplifting silent rush of feeling like we just conquered the limitless reaches of the cosmos.

The group had two distinct motivations to reach the very top of Mt Kilimanjaro. The first was our campaign to raise funds for the emaciated and infirm elders under Mama Ibado Charity's seniors feeding programme; and the second was that the oldest member of our group, retired Col Hussein Farah, would turn 71 in two weeks' time and we decided to use this as his birthday celebration. According to one of the guides who had been working at the mountain for over 20 years, our beloved colonel had achieved heights of hitherto unseen records. He was probably the first person of African descent to have summited the awe-inspiring mountain twice in six months at his age.

We hoisted the Kenyan flag and Mama Ibado Charity banner, took a few photographs and began our descent. The wind rose to the highest pitch of violence, whispering the rumors of the mountain, as though the mountain was sending a message to hurry us off its back before venting out fires from the deep. The gale blast laden with crisp, sharp snow seemed to crush and bruise and stupefy with its multitude of stings, and compel the bravest to turn and flee.

The further we went down through the clouds gathered below, the more the muscles readjusted. Access to a higher brain function was acquired. Four hours later we were at Kibo for a well-earned session of refreshment before staggering to Horombo. Shadowed by Mawenzi, which peered into the sky around us, we spent the night at Horombo Camp, where our sleep-deprived minds fell into a deep, quiet slumber which nearly felt like a total hibernation. On the sixth day we left Horombo to exit the park through Marangu Gate.

At the park headquarters, a parade of guides and porters engaged us in high-spirited celebrations with plenty of dancing and singing as a form of saying farewell to the mountain and its warm-hearted hosts. We sang along to a catchy chorus and left Marangu with their words echoing in our heads.

Clutching to our certificates, we headed for the border town of Loitokitok to cross into Kenya and head to Amboseli Serena Lodge at the border to recuperate and have a well-deserved shower and a celebratory dinner. Colonel Farah got to drink his favourite tea. Around a bonfire, we sat dressed in vibrant kikois and t-shirts, each with a mug of Col Farah's brew.

As we sat there, contemplating on the release back into the life of everyday ordinary interactions and the dissolve into our material connections, all eight of us silently knew that this summit into the thin air of Everyman's Everest would be etched in our hearts until our final breaths.

The celebratory laughter of accomplishment and the gratitude to the creator was infectious. Suddenly, all the animated narrations stopped. Maj Unshur was already putting down plans for our next return.

"Balaayo hakufusho!" which translates to "May the devil climb you!" was Col Abdulbari's response to any suggestions of a return.

As the undeserved Jemedari, I decided to take charge and asked the team to enjoy the Colonel's tea and to postpone the discussion to a later date.

The writer is a law practitioner at Sagana, Biriq & Co Advocates.
An Eldoret court has ordered a Moi-era district criminal investigations officer (DCIO) to return government property worth Sh40 million that was allocated to him in 1995, purportedly with the authorisation of the late President Daniel Moi.

The court ordered that the land, Eldoret Municipality Block 7/272 measuring 0.1449ha on Nandi Road, near Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, be returned to the government.

The property, currently owned by retired DCIO John Futu Mwachai, consists of a main house and servants' quarters valued at Sh40 million.

The Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission (EACC) filed a suit in 2014 asking the court to return the land to the government, saying it should have never been allocated as private land.

EACC detectives told the court that the land is part of a government-owned tract alienated and reserved for public use by government officials.

Illegally allocated

The commission accused Mr Mwachai, who was moved from Mombasa to the Eldoret Divisional Police Headquarters as DCIO in 1993, of illegally allocating himself the property.

After a two-year stint in Eldoret, Mr Mwachai in 1995 purportedly applied for allocation of the plot, claiming that it was vacant, so as to build his personal residential house on it.

Upon his application, a survey and re-planning were allegedly done and the plot was subdivided into two plots - Eldoret Municipality block 7/272 comprising servants' quarters and plot no 7/305 with only one main house on it.

The first property was registered under the name of Mr Mwachai while the second was registered to Daudi Kiptugen, who has since surrendered the title deed to EACC.

The anti-graft agency told Justice Anthony Ombwayo that the property was not available for alienation in any manner, adding that the issuing of the title and other documents to Mr Mwachai and Wilson Gacanja, a second defendant who acquired the other part of the property, was illegal, null and void.

Mr Mwachai, EACC said, used his public office to illegally acquire public property.

The agency also found out that the issuing of a 99-year lease to Mr Mwachai and Mr Gacanja was irregular, fraudulent, illegal and consequently null and void.

In his defence, Mr Mwachai told the court that he acquired the property on the advice of the late Reuben Chesire, a former Eldoret North MP.

Mr Chesire, Mr Mwachai told the court, said the government was under immense pressure from the International Monetary Fund and World Bank to dispose of its excess assets, an invitation he said made him apply for allocation of the property.

Mr Mwachai told the court he took the application letter for the allocation of the plot to then Uasin Gishu district commissioner and the physical planning officer, and that both officers countersigned the letter.

Moi's approval

After getting a nod from the two officers, Mr Mwachai told the court, Mr Chesire took the letter to President Moi, who approved his application and signed it.

"After approval by President Moi, I took the letter to the commissioner of lands at Ardhi House in Nairobi. A search was done and it was confirmed that land was available for allocation," Mr Mwachai said.

He also told the court that upon approval from relevant authorities, he paid Sh57,070 for the land at the commissioner of lands' office.

As evidence, Mr Mwachai presented in court payment receipts to ascertain how he acquired the property, through what he termed as a clean deal.

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In his ruling, however, Justice Ombwayo said the lease letter and agreement dated September 1, 1995 is null and void and it should be cancelled.

In a judgment read by Justice Steven Kibunja of the Eldoret Environment and Land Court on behalf of Justice Ombwayo, who has been transferred to Kisumu, the judge ordered the Lands Registrar to cancel the certificate of lease and all entries on the land register for the property.

He also ordered the director of surveys to cancel surveys for Eldoret Municipality block 7/305 and compile a plan that will register the parcel as land housing government house number ELD/HOU/HG5.

The judge also issued a permanent injunction against Mr Mwachai and his agents, restraining them from leasing, transferring or claiming any form of possession of the property.

The court also directed that the cost of the case be borne by the defendants.
Pillars for the Nairobi Expressway project near Nextgen Mall during Transport Cabinet Secretary James Macharia's tour on December 11, 2020.

The Covid-19 pandemic has seen the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) release their lending purse strings for Kenya in a trend that has seen Kenya net nearly Sh500 billion in a year.

The two Bretton Woods institutions have been announcing one loan approval after another in quick succession at a time when the National Treasury is faced with a serious cash crisis.

The latest loan came on Tuesday when the World Bank board revealed that it had approved an additional Sh14 billion ($130 million) to enable Kenya procure more vaccines via the African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT) initiative and the Covid-19 Vaccines Global Access (Covax) facilities.

It will also support the deployment of those vaccines by boosting Kenya's cold chain storage capacity-including establishing 25 county vaccine stores, strengthening the capacity of 36 sub-county stores, and equipping 1,177 health facilities with vaccine storage equipment.

"This additional financing comes at a critical time when the Government of Kenya is making concerted efforts to contain the rising cases of Covid-19 infections and accelerate the deployment of vaccines to a wider population," said Keith Hansen, World Bank Country Director for Kenya.

"The upfront financing for the acquisition of Covid-19 vaccines will enable the government to expand access to more Kenyans free of cost."

Others financing

This is the second additional financing for the Kenya Covid-19 Health Emergency Response Project.

Together with the Sh1 billion ($10 million) triggered under the Contingency Emergency Response Component of the Transforming Health Systems for Universal Care Project, the World Bank's contributions to Kenya's Covid-19 response now stands at Sh26.3 billion ($246 million).

Earlier this month, on June 10 2021, the World Bank approved another Sh80 billion ($750 million) loan through the Development Policy Operation (DPO). The lender said the billions will be used to reinforce Kenya's resilient, inclusive and green economic recovery from the Covid-19 crisis.

DPOs are used by the World Bank to support a country's policy and institutional reform agenda to help to accelerate inclusive growth and poverty reduction.

The lender said the money from the development policy financing would support policy reforms that will strengthen transparency and accountability in public procurement and promote efficient public investment spending.

In April 2021, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) signed Sh257Bn (US$2.4 billion) loan for Kenya to be disbursed over a 38-month programme under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and Extended Fund Facility (EFF). Already Kenya has received a total of Sh78 billion from this in two tranches of Sh44 billion ($410 million) in May and Sh34.45 billion ($314 million) in April.

The multilateral lender said it is satisfied with the ongoing reforms Kenya committed to implementing as part of its funding conditions that allowed it to approve a second disbursement.

Increased borrowing

The IMF conducted its first review of the financing programme led by Ms Mary Goodman through a virtual mission from April 29 to May 14, 2021.

The remaining part of the loan is expected to be disbursed every six months after IMF reviews.

In May last year, the World Bank again approved another Sh107 billion ($1 billion) budget support operation for Kenya.

The money was to help Kenya close the fiscal financing gap, while supporting reforms that help advance the government's inclusive growth agenda, including in affordable housing and support to farmers' incomes.

As soon as Covid-19 hit Nairobi last year, Kenya stepped on the borrowing gas pedal hard, reaching out to multilateral lenders in a bid to build its war chest in the fight against the Covid-19 pandemic.

The World Bank was the first to open its purse strings, extending an immediate Sh6.8 billion support to the Health ministry for preparations and response, as it retreated to consider a bigger loan.

Then its Bretton Wood sibling, the IMF came in second advancing Nairobi with Sh78.3 billion to deal with the pandemic. At the time, Kenya said it was expecting a major cash shortage due to the containment measures.

After IMF disbursement, the World Bank wired another Sh108 billion to the Central Bank of Kenya (CBK), as both budgetary support and extra resources to help fight the deadly viral infection.

That was not all. The African Development Bank also joined the fundraising effort, sending Nairobi an extra Sh22.5 billion boost as concessional loan. The European Union topped this up with an additional Sh7.5 billion in form of grants.

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In just under 60 days of the pandemic, Kenya had already secured Sh223 billion as part of its Covid-19 war chest.

This was before it launched other fundraising efforts from the commercial lenders at both local and international markets. It did not stop there, it also went out, seeking debt relief from the big lenders.

Credit worthiness

Though IMF loans come cheap and are seen in international capital markets as an endorsement of the credit worthiness of a country, this latest loan from the IMF elicited opposition from Kenyans online who signed a petition asking IMF to stop loaning the country due to misuse of previous funds. Over 235,000 Kenyans had signed the petition.

The loan also comes with structural reforms that are expected to tough on parastatals and various government agencies.

The parastatals lined up for structural reforms include Kenya Airways, Kenya Airports Authority (KAA), Kenya Railways Corporation (KRC) and Kenya Power.

Others are Kenya Electricity Generating Company, Kenya Ports Authority and the three largest public universities - Nairobi, Kenyatta and Moi - among those to be reformed.
Members of Parliament have piled pressure on the National Treasury to stop disbursing money to government agencies and ministries that have not settled all their pending bills.

With the 2019/2020 financial year coming to an end tomorrow, the lawmakers accused the government of inhibiting economic and social development of its citizens by failing to pay those that have supplied goods to government agencies.

Minority leader John Mbadi told the Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs) to use part of the allocation in the 2021/2022 financial year budget to settle all their pending bills.

"Action needs to be taken on these SAGAs who fail to act on pending bills. For how long are we going to talk about pending bills? I don't understand this argument that the SAGAs are saying that money has not been provided to settle pending bills yet they have a budget, they should use part of the budget to settle the pending bills" Mr Mbadi said.

Garissa Township MP Aden Duale said the government should consider pending bills as debt, just like they do to other debts from China and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) which they allocate resources in the budget to pay.

"A pending bill is like a debt, the government must pay its people," Mr Duale said.

Funyula MP Wilberforce Oundo said failure by the government to pay results in stifled economic growth as there is no money circulating in the economy.

"The government is the biggest spender in an economy, if the government is not spending through paying its people, then it means there is no purchasing power among its citizens," Mr Oundo said.

"It is time the national treasury stops payment to MDAs (Ministries Departments and Agencies) and SAGAs who refuse to pay small scale traders," Mr Oundo added.

The lawmakers said majority of businesses have collapsed and major sources of income of semi-skilled Kenyans have also been closed, further piling economic pressure on people.

Nandi Hills MP Alfred Keter said many Kenyans are languishing in poverty due to the failure by SAGAs and MDAs to settle pending bills.

"We have seen in print media where four pages have been dedicated to auction properties due to failure to pay debts.Kenyans are suffering," Mr Keter said.

In a meeting with the National Treasury Cabinet Secretary Ukur Yatani, the Budget and Appropriation committee directed the Treasury to develop a comprehensive database detailing all the pending bills, highlighting what has been done to settle them and what is yet to be done, with an intention to settle them by October "in accordance with the President's directive" that suppliers' payments should not be delayed any further.

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Mr Yatani, during his 2021/2022 budget statement, directed all ministries to pay all their pending bills by tomorrow -- the end of the 2019/2020 financial year.

Data from the Treasury shows that the total pending bills as at September last year were Sh346.2 billion, having risen from Sh334.2 billion in June.

Among the MDAs, the State Department of Infrastructure has the highest pending bills at Sh99 billion, nearly half of its Sh192.54 billion budgetary allocation for the new fiscal year. Of this, payment of Sh31 billion is for compensation to landowners who were moved to pave way for construction of projects.
Nyamira Governor Amos Nyaribo has appointed Dr James Gesami as a special programmes adviser after his bid to nominate him as deputy governor failed.

Dr Gesami's appointment was rejected by both the county assembly's appointments committee and MCAs in February, in addition to a group of residents who rushed to court to file a petition opposing his pick.

Mr Nyaribo's bid to resubmit the name of the former West Mugirango MP and ex-Health Assistant minister for fresh vetting and approval failed after a court in Nyamira blocked him from nominating anyone to that position.

The decision to name Dr Gesami as a special adviser will come as a big blow to the governor's opponents, who had deployed all possible means to ensure that he did not clinch the DG's job.

Gesami has vanished, says agency

Dr Gesami was appointed on a contract for one year in job group 'S', a statement from the governor's office said.

"Mr Gesami will be the adviser in charge of special duties in the governor's office," it said.

Dr Gesami made an appearance at the Nyamira County offices on Monday.

Residents now reckon that a Nyaribo-Gesami ticket will be the gubernatorial team to beat in 2022.

In May this year, High Court Judge Esther Maina halted the vetting of Dr Gesami, who was supposed to appear before the appointments committee at the Nyamira County Assembly.

Big blow

The petition by Patrick Atambo dealt a big blow to Governor Nyaribo, who was keen to have him fill the position.

To comply with the order, the Nyamira County Assembly, through its clerk, wrote to the Executive indicating that it could not proceed with the vetting until the matter is resolved.

Despite the existing orders, Dr Gesami presented himself for vetting but in a letter to him from assembly acting clerk Joshua Orangi, he was informed that the process could not go on.

"The scheduled approval hearing and vetting for your nomination as Deputy Governor of Nyamira County Government has hereby been put on hold until the court directs otherwise," the letter said.

The court order came shortly after the Orange Democratic Party (ODM) wrote a letter to the Nyamira governor approving the nomination of Dr Gesami.

"Pursuant to consultations within the top party leadership on constituting the Nyamira County executive, the party wishes to propose the nomination of Dr James Gesami for the position of deputy governor. We look forward to an expeditious conclusion of this matter," said the letter from ODM national chairman John Mbadi.

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ODM request

In April this year, ODM made its second attempt to have its choice considered, recommending Charles Rigoro.

This is in line with an existing understanding with Mr Nyaribo to have a 50-50 division of leadership between ODM and ANC.

"As communicated in our letter of January 20, 2021 signed by chairman John Mbadi, the party has recommended Mr Charles Rigoro for nomination to the position of DG," said a letter to Duke Masira, the majority leader in the assembly.

The letter, signed by ODM secretary-general Edwin Sifuna and also addressed to Mr Nyaribo and Speaker Moffat Teya said the "details of this understanding are well known by the parties and it is our expectation that the terms thereof be honoured".

"Kindly communicate this position to all members of the majority party and ensure the party's interests are secured," the letter added.

But Mr Nyaribo has often maintained that he will stick to his choice, insisting that Dr Gesami was his only choice and that he will not nominate any other person for the position.

He instead re-submitted Dr Gesami's name to the assembly for fresh vetting and approval.
Mombasa County Finance and Economic Planning executive Mariam Mbaruk has been sentenced to 60 days' imprisonment for contempt of court.

Ms Mbaruk was sentenced in absentia on Tuesday, after she failed to attend court to mitigate before it could sentence her.

Justice Eric Ogola sitting at the High Court in Mombasa directed that the senior county official be arrested and taken to prison to serve her jail term.

"The officer commanding Central Police Station in Mombasa (OCS) to arrest Mariam Mbaruk and take her to serve the sentence at Shimo la Tewa women prison," Justice Ogola ordered.

Justice Ogola noted that he had given Ms Mbaruk ample time to attend court (to mitigate before sentencing) and that he had no option but to sentence her in absentia.

Ms Mbaruk sentencing comes barely two months after the county's Chief Officer-Finance and Economic Planning Aisha Abdi was sentenced for the same duration and offence.

The sentencing follows the conviction of Ms Abdi and Ms Mbaruk for contempt following an application by Coastal Bottlers Ltd which seeks to be paid Sh963,361 by the county government of Mombasa.

In his ruling convicting the two officers, Justice Ogola said the argument by the county government that the delay in paying the company had been caused by verification and transfer of assets and liabilities by the county assets and liabilities committee, was not sufficient reason to delay payment for almost ten years.

"In normal operations of the county governments, such payments are factored in the expenditure budget such that when there is a court order, the accounting officer is able to process the payments without problems," said Justice Ogola.

Justice Ogola noted that once a decree or judgment is obtained against the government, it would require some reasonable time to have it forwarded to its finance and budget departments and auditing officers for scrutiny and approvals for it to be paid.

The court further noted that county departments do not have their own funds to settle decrees or payments and considering structures involved, it might take a long time.

However, Justice Ogola said that in the instant case the county government had exhausted the window of reasonable time as the certificate of costs was issued on May 7 2010 and it has been more than ten years.

"It is not clear why the respondent has been waiting for the verification and transfer of assets and liabilities process so as to pay the applicant but at this point it is important to note that this has been the respondent's excuse since 2018," said Justice Ogola.

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According to Coastal Bottlers Ltd, its case against the then Municipal Council of Mombasa was withdrawn on June 30 2011 and it was awarded costs.

Coastal Bottlers Ltd said it filed its bill of costs which was settled before it was certified and taxed.

The company told the court that it unsuccessfully followed up with the county government in order to know when it (county government) intended to effect payment in order to comply with the court order.

The court heard that it seemed to the company that the county government and its officials had no regard to the court order.

On its part, the county government had opposed the application saying Ms Abdi and Ms Mbaruk were public officers within the ambit of sections 196 and 197 of the Public Finance Management Act (2012), and are not allowed to spend public funds without authorization.

It argued that it has every intention to comply with the order but the delay was caused by verification and transfer of assets and liabilities to the county assets and liabilities committee.

According to the county government, Coastal Bottlers Ltd did not serve any order on the two officers who were not personally aware of the court order.
Contractors working on mega national government projects in Kisumu County are rushing to complete them before President Uhuru Kenyatta's expected visit in August.

The projects were to be launched when the head of State visited earlier this month but most were incomplete.

The President, who said he would focus on big investments, was to launch the rehabilitated Nakuru-Kisumu railway line, the new passenger railway terminus, the Sh16 billion 308km Olkana-Lessos-Kisumu High Voltage Power transmission line by Ketraco, Mbita Causeway, the Sh599 million Uhuru Business Market, the Sh4.2 billion Lake Basin Mall and some roads.

The President did not take his maiden 216-kilometre trip on a train from Nakuru to Kisumu with his handshake partner ODM leader Raila Odinga as had earlier been planned as a section of it was not complete.

The trip would have signalled the official opening of the line for passenger and cargo transport.

During the trip, the President he would return in August to launch the Sh24 billion Koru-Soin dam, which is aimed at ending the perennial flooding of the Nyando Basin, as well as the railway line.

Residents complain

During his trip, accompanied by his Burundi counterpart Evariste Ndayishimiye and Mr Odinga, President Kenyatta launched numerous projects including the Kisumu Ship Yard, the Sh476 million marine school, MV Uhuru I, Sh2.2 billion Siaya Bondo water and sanitation project, Last Mile Connectivity that cost Sh277 million, Kodiaga Nyangweso Wagai Onyinyore Akala road worth Sh1. 4 billion and the Kisumu Africities Convention Centre at Mamboleo.

Two weeks ago, residents of Kisumu expressed concern over the government's commitment to complete the projects.

They said many contractors scaled down operations immediately after Mr Kenyatta and other dignitaries left after Madaraka Day celebrations.

The locals feel sidelined when it comes to development, and said project may be a matter of cleaning house before the visitor comes and going back to normal after he leaves.

Resident Victor Ayoki told the Nation that works that were going on in Kisumu just before Madaraka Day celebrations stalled immediately after the fete.

"I feel the developments were meant to excite visitors who were in town for a couple of days," said Mr Ayoki.

He urged the organisations and donors financing the projects to ensure they are completed.

Rush to complete

A spot check across the county of projects that are to be launched in August revealed that the urgency with which the contractors were working on the sites has increased.

At the Sh809 million Ahero interchange that has dragged for months, machines were seen in operation.

At the 4.5kilometre Sh2.8 billion Kisumu Boys roundabout-Mamboleo dual carriage road, machines roared, with the contractor trying to beat the August deadline.

The road is key to those travelling to Kakamega and Eldoret, as well as heavy trucks transporting building materials and sugar cane to the sugar factories in the region.

At the new Kenya Railways Corporation Kisumu terminus, works are almost complete.

According to the contractor, Mr Noah Ndemo, 80 per cent of the work is done and will have been completed by the end of July.

"There was a setback because of the rains in March but now, with the good weather, we have been moving quite fast."

The remaining parts are the station building, shops and hotels at the go-downs.

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Deliver on time

Kisumu County Commissioner Josephine Ouko, who chairs the County Development Implementation Committee, denied claims that that operations had been scaled down.

Mrs Ouko said they would not allow contractors to be lethargic yet the President issued fresh deadlines that must be met before he returns to the lakeside county.

The administrator said the President's visit heightened the tempo for completion of projects and that they were working round-the-clock to deliver in record time.

"The projects are on course and contractors are on an overdrive. We have less than two months to complete them before the head of State comes. We cannot afford to be complacent," she said and urged residents to support government initiatives.

"We can't lose sight of the vision when it comes to development. Our eyes are on the ball. We will finish projects on time."
A South Sudanese clearing company is seeking to challenge termination of its operations at the Port of Mombasa by two South Sudan government agencies.

AA Global Logistics Ltd wants to have a unilateral decision by the Director General South Sudan Customs Service and South Sudan Embassy in Kenya contained in their letters dated April 29 and May 7, whose effect is to terminate its operations at the Port of Mombasa, quashed.

According to the company, which has also named Kenya Ports Authority as an interested party, the decision by the respondents to terminate its operations at the Port of Mombasa is high handed and capricious.

"To terminate the applicants' operations is flawed in law for lack of any legal basis to warrant the termination," argued AA Global Logistics Ltd in its application seeking leave (permission of the court) to institute judicial review proceedings against the two South Sudan agencies.

AA Global Logistics Ltd also seeks an order stopping the Director General South Sudan Customs Service and South Sudan Embassy in Kenya from implementing their decision as contained in the letters.

Justice John Onyiego certified the application by AA Global Logistics Ltd as urgent and directed it to file a substantive Notice of Motion (application) within seven days.

Through Kirui Kamwibua & Company Advocates, the South Sudan registered company says that the respondents have acted in bad faith in their decision to terminate its operations at the Port of Mombasa.

"The respondents are abusing their powers by acting at whims without any tangible or cogent explanation for their actions against the applicant," argues the company.

In his supporting affidavit, the firm's director Mr Zabadayo Kuol says his company is fully compliant with all the requirements pertaining to company operations.

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Mr Kuol says that the firm was appointed by the respondents as a clearing company and thereafter entered into an agreement with two companies to execute its mandate.

The company's director says that there has been no complaint against the firm since it began its operations in 2019.

"The applicant (company) wrote to the respondents requesting them to rescind their decision as there was no justification for their unilateral decision which amounted to open discrimination, however, the letters elicited no response," Mr Kuol states.

He says that although the company is a South Sudanese entity and the respondents are agents of the South Sudan government, its operations is guided by the Northern Corridor Transit and Transport Agreement which treats member states, among them South Sudan, as a single custom territory, thus the jurisdiction of the court.

"The respondents' actions are very high handed, capricious, abuse of power and executed without any lawful cause thus this court ought to intervene and stop their (respondents) actions," states Mr Kuol.
document

Collaboration on International ICT Policy for East and Southern Africa (CIPESA)

This statement was originally published on cipesa.org on 22 June 2021.

By Jimmy Kainja

Three years after announcing plans to draft a bill on data protection in response to the changing media and technological landscape, the government of Malawi issued a call for public comments on the Data Protection and Privacy Bill, 2021. The proposed legislation is a welcome step in addressing policy and practice gaps in privacy and data protection in the southern African country.

According to the Ministry of Information, with increased digitalisation, personal data collection, processing and storage by public and private sector institutions is on the rise, which warrants greater protection through a dedicated law. As such, the draft bill seeks to "provide a comprehensive legislative framework for the protection and security of personal data, consolidate data protection provisions currently found in various Acts of Parliament, and protect the privacy of individuals without hampering social and economic development in Malawi."

Section 21 of Malawi's Constitution provides that every person shall have the right to personal privacy, which shall include the right not to be subject to (a) searches of his or her person, home or property; (b) the seizure of private possessions; or (c) interference with private communications, including mail and all forms of telecommunications. The bill aims to actualise the constitutional provisions and would apply to "processing of personal data wholly or partly by automated means".

Under clause 5, exemptions apply to the processing of personal data "to the extent it is carried out by one or more individuals solely for personal, recreational or household purposes." Further, exceptions apply to the processing of personal data carried out by unspecified "competent authorities" for purposes of law enforcement, promotion of public health or prevention or control of an epidemic, national security and credit reference bureau business. Without a clear definition of what constitutes legitimate purposes under the various exemptions, data subjects may be subject to violation of privacy.

On a positive note, under Part III, the bill sets out various principles governing processing of personal data. Among these are fairness and transparency; prohibition of processing of sensitive personal data; obtaining consent prior to processing the data of a minor (below 18 years); burden of proof for establishing consent being borne by the data controller; provision of all the necessary information to the data subject prior to data collection; collection based on legitimate purpose, minimisation, limited retention and accuracy; and conduct of a data protection impact assessment prior to processing.

The rights of a data subject outlined under Part IV include correction and deletion, withdrawal of consent, objection to procession, refusal of automated decision making, and data portability. Under data portability, the bill provides for cross-border data transfers, with clause 34 stipulating that data transfers to another country or international organisation are restricted to a recipient "subject to a law, binding corporate rules, contractual clauses, code of conduct or certification mechanism that affords an adequate level of protection".

According to clause 35, protection is deemed adequate "if it upholds principles that are substantially similar to the conditions for processing of the personal data" provided for under the Malawian bill. Among others, adequacy of protection takes into account the availability of enforceable data subject rights; the ability of data subjects to enforce their rights through administrative or judicial redress, and the rule of law generally; the existence of an effective data protection law; the existence and functioning of an independent, competent data protection or similar supervisory authority with adequate enforcement powers; and international commitments and conventions binding on the relevant country or international organisation and its membership of any multilateral or regional organisations.

In the absence of adequate protections, cross-border data transfers may only happen if the data subject is informed of the possible risks and consents, if the transfer is necessary for the performance of a contract, or if the transfer is for the benefit of the data subject.

The penalty for failure to comply with the provisions of the bill or enforcement orders are a fine of 5,000,000 Kwacha (USD 6,200 ) and imprisonment for two years (clause 42). Meanwhile, the penalty for an offence in contravention of regulations issued pursuant to the bill is also a fine of 5,000,000 Kwacha (USD 6,200) and imprisonment for up to five years.

The bill empowers the country's telecommunications regulator, the Malawi Communications Regulatory Authority (MACRA), to oversee the implementation of the data protection law. However, MACRA's proposed mandate raises concerns about autonomy, given that the Authority is reportedly subject to political interference. Also, MACRA has a history of failing to implement aspects of its core mandate, such as evidenced by telecommunications operator compliance with universal service provision obligations.

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Another cause for concern is the National Registration and Identification System (NRIS), which is being used for biometric data collection and its processing has been centralised in Malawi since 2017. The NRIS is linked to voter registration, revenue collection, immigration, SIM card registration, banking, as well as financial inclusion and development programmes. This has made it ever more crucial to have strong regulations to protect personal data privacy. Starting March 2021, the system has been used to support the Covid-19 vaccine rollout. The NRIS has been described as having been rolled out at "breakneck speed", without due regard for human rights. This has been largely attributed to primary focus on social-economic issues, as opposed to digital rights.

The move to enact a data protection law in Malawi, in consultation with the public and stakeholders, is commendable. However, certain provisions such as those relating to exemptions have the potential to undermine privacy and should be revised. Revisions to the bill should also take into account penalties commiserate with offences, and provide for establishment of a truly independent oversight body.

It is also hoped that the data protection bill is passed swiftly and not take decades in the pipeline as was the case with the Access to Information law, whose proposals were first tabled in 1999, only to be passed in 2016, enacted in 2017 and operationalised in 2020.
Minister of Education, Agnes Nyalonje, was sent out of the Malawi Parliament on Tuesday morning for not wearing a school uniform as all other female legislators had done.

All female Members of Parliament entered the August House wearing school uniforms as one way of commemorating the Day of the African Child. It was also one way of advocating for the girl child education.

It was quite fascinating to see female legislators like Susan Dossi, Fyness Mwangojwa and Minister Patricia Kaliati in school uniform. It was therefore surprising that the education minister did not seem to mind the solidarity portrayed by the female MPs towards a campaign of keeping girls in school.

First Deputy Speaker, Madalitso Kazombo, therefore invoked Standing Order 105 after noting that Nyalonje was in the chamber while putting on office wear. The minister complied with the order to match out of the August House.

The Day of the African Child has been celebrated on 16th June every year since 1991 when it was first initiated by the Organisation of African Unity (OAU), now African Union (AU).

The day has among other things been honouring kids who took part in the Soweto Uprising in South Africa in 1976.
The Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr Malami, triumphantly announced the "re-arrest" of the IPOB leader but left out crucial details ending up confusing the public.

Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, was, on Tuesday, brought back to Nigeria to continue facing his treasonable felony trial which he fled from almost six years ago.

"Recent steps taken by the Federal Government saw to the interception of the fugitive Kanu on Sunday," the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, announced triumphantly on Tuesday.

Mr Malami said, evasively, at a press conference that Mr Kanu "has been arrested through the collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and security services."

He did not take questions from reporters yearning to throw more light on the development for Nigerians.

The news hit many Nigerians like a thunderbolt on Tuesday, especially as Mr Kanu's recent history on Twitter shows he has relentlessly tweeted every day up till Monday, except last Thursday and Friday.

Fraught with vague remarks on important issues on how Mr Kanu was brought back to Nigeria, Mr Malami's announcement has raised some questions begging for answers.

Many have also raised concerns about the legitimacy of the procedure adopted in bringing the IPOB leader back to Nigeria due to too little official information on the matter.

At the end of Mr Malami's press conference, which was immediately followed by a court appearance put together to obtain an order for Mr Kanu's detention in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS), what was clear was that the IPOB leader was back in the country after almost six years abroad.

Where, when, and how he was brought to Nigeria remain a matter of speculation.

Below are some of the questions many Nigerians have raised just a few hours after Mr Malami announced Mr Kanu's return to the country on Tuesday.

Where was Mr Kanu "arrested"?

One of the major gaps in Mr Malami's remarks was the the exact location where Mr Kanu was arrested.

For a highly prized suspect like Mr Kanu who has been repeatedly accused by the government of threatening the country's corporate existence and instigating violence that has led to the wanton loss of lives and destruction of property, both public and private, the omission of his place of arrest in the AGF's remark on Tuesday could not have been an oversight.

Mr Kanu, who has dual citizenship (British and Nigerian), is known to have escaped to Israel and later to the United Kingdom after disappearing from public space following the September 2017 invasion of his home in Afara-Ukwu, near Umuahia, Abia State, by soldiers.

The IPOB leader is believed to have been residing in the U.K., although the possibility of him travelling to other countries in the past five years cannot be ruled out.

No word has come from the British government, which has rebuffed the push by the Nigerian government to recognise IPOB as a terrorist organisation. They have not confirmed that Mr Kanu was arrested in the U.K.

Where the IPOB leader was arrested remains a matter of speculation as different places have been mentioned in media reports. Nigerians want Mr Malami to shed light on it.

When was Mr Kanu arrested?

Apart from the exact location of Mr Kanu's arrest, the date of his arrest stated by Mr Malami has also raised questions.

Mr Malami said on Tuesday that Mr Kanu was 'intercepted' on Sunday, June 27, 2021.

But Mr Kanu, an avid user of social media, tweeted via his handle that has for long been identified with him, on that same day.

He tweeted, not just that day, but also on the day before (June 26) and a day after (June 29).

Was he allowed to tweet from custody or somebody else was tweeting for him? If it is taken that his tweet on Sunday was before he was arrested, what about his Monday tweet?

His Monday's tweet was not just bereft of any hint of someone in a custodial condition, it fitted into the pattern of his regular hate campaigns against Nigeria and glorification of his dream "Biafraland".

Mr Malami said the IPOB leader was intercepted on Sunday without stating the location or when he was brought to Nigeria.

How was Mr Kanu arrested or 'intercepted'?

Another question begging for Mr Malami's answer is about how Mr Kanu was arrested.

The minister said Mr Kanu "has been rearrested through the collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and security services", adding in another paragraph that "Recent steps taken by the Federal Government saw to the interception of the fugitive Kanu on Sunday the 27th day of June 2021".

The "recent steps" referred to by Mr Malami remain unclear to Nigerians, leaving many to speculate that the IPOB leader was "abducted" or arrested through some illegitimate methods.

Was it a due extradition process and in which country? Conflicting dispositions of Nigeria and the U.K governments towards IPOB, separatist activities in the Igbo-dominated South-east region and Mr Kanu, are well known.

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The U.K. reportedly played a crucial role in helping Mr Kanu return to the U.K. after he fled Nigeria in 2017.

As recent as April 2021, the Nigerian government through the information minister, Lai Mohammed, described as "disrespectful" to Nigeria the reported plan by the U.K government to grant asylum to "secessionists being persecuted in the South-east."

Trial

While the questions mount, Binta Nyako, a judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday ordered Mr Kanu remanded in the custody of the State Security Service (SSS).

It was his first court appearance after he escaped from the country in 2017.

He is being prosecuted by the AGF's office on charges of treasonable felony, among others, bordering on his group's secessionist campaigns for the actualisation of the Republic of Biafra which will comprise the states in the South-east region and other neighbouring states.

The judge had earlier in March 2019 revoked the bail earlier granted the IPOB leader.

She also separated his trial from that of his co-defendants.

On Tuesday, she adjourned Mr Kanu's trial till July 26.
RUKWA is set to officially launch the Regional Investment Guide next month that intends to woo serious investors.

The remarks were made recently by the Rukwa Regional Commissioner Mr Joseph Mkirikiti at different occasions while addressing councillors special full council meetings held in Namanyere in Nkasi District and small town of Laela in Sumbawanga District Council. He described the impending launch of regional guide as historical occasion.

Mr Mkirikiti further explained that being the home of Kalambo waterfalls in Rukwa guarantees the best environment for investors from across the world. Kalambo which is not only known in Africa as the second deepest single-drop waterfalls, but also as cultural site rich in archaeological resources.

According to RC, the launching of the regional investment guide marks a great step on building the economy of the Southern Highland Zone Region of Rukwa by attracting more investors from the neighbouring Burundi, Zambia and Democratic Republic of Congolese (DRC).

"This is an important guide provided to investors, citizens, and business people with much needed information at hand on available investment opportunities in the region "Also it will help to open up the regional economic opportunities in various sectors such as minerals, fishing, tourism and agriculture" he stressed.

Rukwa is endowed with abundant natural resources which offer a wide range of investment opportunities including arable land for commercial agriculture as well as natural forests.
The House of Representatives yesterday urged the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) to ensure strict compliance with relevant standards, regulations and the Code of Practice for heavy duty drivers and operators of articulated lorries to reduce crashes, injuries and fatalities.

The House mandated that the FRSC's registration processes should be made to compel tanker, tractor-trailer transport operators to define the type of heavy duty vehicles business operation they are engaged in and then register their companies with the commission.

It also mandated the commission to lay down stringent administrative procedures concerning tankers/trailers operations in Nigeria, especially for the first-time articulated vehicles operators, applicants for FRSC registration before they would be enrolled in the New Entrant Safety Assurance Program (NESAP) that required them to pass safety audit.

The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Hon. Ben Rollands Igbakpa.

Igbakpa said that the House was aware that the responsibilities of the FRSC included monitoring, certifying, registering and enforcing compliance with regulations governing safety operations of articulated vehicles in Nigeria.

He attributed the increase in road accidents to the conduct of unprofessional drivers who were not properly inspected before they were licensed by the FRSC.

He lamented that most of the tankers drivers are adolescents and could not even speak or write simple English, yet these persons when issued license would endanger other road users contrary to the FRSC registration process.

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Igbakpa said: "Concerned that every now and then, we see uncertified driving schools spring up and issuing driving certificates at will to untrained learners without any modicum of supervision by the regulatory agencies. These inexperience drivers over time have unfortunately continued to maximise road carnages and properties destruction, due to general lack of enforcement and enlightenment of the necessity to undergo compulsory driving training in a certified driving school."

The lawmaker warned that unless the vehicle licensing processes, as well as the safety requirements for articulated vehicles operations in Nigeria, were rejigged with an innovative and well thought out curriculum for drivers, the incidence of road carnage and property destruction occasioned by the activities of articulated trucks and tankers/trailers drivers would continue unabated and even assume a frightening dimension.
The oil and gas played a less dominant role as the size of the Delta State's economy rose by 51 percent in four years with the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) hitting N4.471 trillion in 2019, from N2.961 trillion in 2015.

The latest Nigerian Bureau of Statistics (NBS) report on Delta State's economy for four years stated that the contribution of the non-oil sector to the state's GDP shot up from N1.74 trillion in 2015 to N2.356 trillion in 2019.

The period under review witnessed a corresponding growth in the gains from the non-oil sector, which played a more significant role in driving overall economic growth in the state.

The Delta State also emerged as the second least poor in the NBS' poverty ranking among the 36 states in Nigeria in 2020, up from being ranked 12th in 2010.

The Chief Economic Adviser to Governor Ifeanyi Okowa, Dr. Kingsley Emu, described the NBS report as a testimonial of the disposition of Okowa's administration to sound policies, meticulous planning and fiscal discipline.

Emu said: "The impressive poverty ranking is the outcome of interplay of factors, including efficient public resource management, sound economic policies, effective sector interventions, social and youth-targeted job and wealth creation programmed."

He said that agriculture has consistently grown by 13 per cent year-on-year and rose from N432 billion in 2015 to N583 billion in 2019, an increase of 35 per cent.

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He attributed the growth in agricultural output to the effect of value chain development coupled with youth agricultural entrepreneurship programmes of the Okowa's administration.

He noted that the construction sector's GDP recorded a sharp rise as the figure for 2015 rose from N38.98 billion to N54.749 billion in 2019.

Emu said: "We have spent in excess of close to N400 billion in terms of contracts awarded on roads and civil infrastructure. We have over 1,500 kilometres of roads awarded and 60 to 70 per cent of them completed. We have over 700 kilometres of drains and over 60 per cent of them completed. We have 21 bridges under construction, six of which have been completed and 15 as work in progress."

He attributed the sharp increase to the trade subsector where the GDP stood at N281.302 billion in 2019, up from N165.265 billion in 2015.

However, the GDP for real estate recorded an 84% growth from 2016 to 2019, a leap Emu attributed to "significant infrastructural development and urban renewal programmes."

He revealed that the GDP from transportation sector has improved consistently since 2013, recording a 40 per cent growth from 2015 to 2019.
George Okoh

Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State has said that the state will reject the planned review of the Land Use Act by the federal government with vehemence, alleging that the plot is meant to grab land for open grazing, cattle routes and grazing reserves.

Ortom spoke yesterday in Makurdi, the state capital, while inspecting ongoing projects by the state.

He said the insinuation of planned review of the Land Use Act of 1978 to give ownership of land to the federal government and to push for takeover of waterways and River Banks by the federal government will not work

The governor stated that the attempt to review the Land Use Act by the presidency would not be acceptable by Benue State, insisting that it was another attempt to grab land from the people for open grazing, pointing out that continued insistence on open grazing and cattle routes connotes a hiding agenda.

He also noted that Livestock Guards cannot be held responsible for any strayed cattle in the course of trying to impound livestock that contravenes the ranching law of the state.

The governor noted that as herders attack and sometimes kill livestock guards and security agents in the course of discharging their responsibilities, force has to be applied to impound the cattle, which could result to some of them straying

He stated that if herdsmen had obeyed the ranching law of the state and complied with its provisions, nothing of such would have happened in the first place, let alone the blame game.

Ortom described the allegation as cheap blackmail, stressing that it was ridiculous for the presidency to continue to look for solution to farmers and herders crisis when ranching is there and had proven to be a global best solution.

He warned that the manner the presidency is trying to impose grazing routes on states will lead to crises
THE Tanzania Ports Authority (TPA) has posted higher revenue collection of 236.8bn/- in the second quarter of this year up from 203bn/- collected during the first quarter, an equivalent to 16.7 per cent increase.

The revenue surge is among the achievements the TPA has recorded during the 100 days of President Samia Suluhu Hassan.

TPA Director-General Eric Hamissi noted that the monthly collection of 84bn/- recorded in May, this year is the highest ever over the last 10 years. Speaking at a forum in Dar es Salaam over the weekend on President Samia's 100 days in the office, Mr Hamissi said from April - June 2021, the Authority has collected 236.8bn/- which is also up by almost 15 per cent comparing to 206bn/- collected during the corresponding period last year.

"Collecting 84bn/- in a month is a milestone, we have never collected that amount of money per month," he said at the forum organised by the Tanzania National Business Council (TNBC).

Mr Hamissi said in her first 100 days, President Samia has provided 165bn/- for completion of the ongoing berths expansion works at Dar es Salaam port.

He further said so far, the expansion for berth 1 - 5 is complete and now they are working on berth 6 - 7 which are also almost complete.

He said construction of the container yard is expected to be completed in August this year.

After completion, the volume of cargo handled at the Dar es Salaam Port is projected to rise by 7.5 million tonnes - to 25 million tonnes in 2025 - compared to the 17.5 million tonnes handled last year.

"For a long time, we have not invested heavily in machinery and equipment at our ports. Within 100 days, President Samia has been able to issue 97.6bn/- so that we can open letters of credit and bring in the required machinery," he said

According to the TPA boss, they have already found a supplier to bring these machines from August 2020 and it was ready to be brought in the country but there was no money to open letters of credit. They expect within three months the equipment will be shipped into the country.

On Dar es Salaam Port efficiency, he said as port's performance is measured by the time it takes to unload and load cargo and in that front there is massive improvement whereby, they can now unload cargoes within 48 hours instead of five days.

"Two major shipping companies -- Mediterranean Shipping Company and Linea Messina have written letters congratulating TPA on being able to unload their cargo for 48 hours, instead of five days. When we bring in the new equipment, we will change the target and set it at 24 hours," he said

The TPA boss said they have also been able to involve stakeholders in improving their services, whereby they have been meeting with various stakeholders.

Last month, he met with truck drivers and gave them inputs that helped reduce congestion at the port.

"We have also opened a call centre to bring us closer to our customers, it will be operating 24 hours a day and we will be receiving information and resolving minor customer concerns," said Mr Hamissi

He added, "We have also revived the Port Improvement Committee (PIC) where there are many stakeholders in it including business people as well as public institutions. Previously, this committee was led by TPA DG but we have decided to change that and the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Transport is the chairman of this committee." He said the purpose of the committee is to bring TPA closer to its stakeholders, where they will be able to discuss challenges related to the port and solve them.

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On his part, Tanzania Railways Corporation (TRC) Director-General, Mr Masanja Kadogosa said the government has released 376.34bn/- for the construction of the 341-kilometre Mwanza-Isaka Standard Gauge Railway (SGR) project.

He said they were researching to help them identify where the railway line will pass.

"The task of identifying the route is at 90 per cent. We have also started to identify the people who are supposed to be compensated to pave the way for this project," he said.

Mr Kadogosa noted that apart from Kwale, they will build some dry ports in Mwanza and Kalema in Bukoba to facilitate transportation of cargo going to Uganda and Lubumbashi in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday put to rest the debate on a new constitution, saying her priority is to stabilize the country's economy.

"Let's give ourselves more time, as we continue building up our economy. I don't say that (the call for) constitution is less important but we still have a lot of things to do as we strive to strengthen our economy," President Samia stated during her meeting with editors at the State House in Dar es Salaam.

"We want to continue bringing in more investors and creating more jobs," she stressed, noting the nation must prioritize economic recovery amid uncertainties brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.

The president was responding to a question from the media over her position regarding the shelved new constitution writing process, which kicked off during the fourth-phase government under former President Jakaya Kikwete.

The proposed new constitution was to replace the current 1977 document. President Samia explained that currently her focus is to unlocky the country's economic potential to raise individual and national income for improving the livelihood.

"I can assure you that during the past three months the results have been immense, for instance, in terms of attracting more investors the number of investments registered from March to June, this year has almost doubled compared to the corresponding period last year," the Head of State said.

Available statistics show that the Tanzania Investment Centre (TIC) has registered 93 big investment projects worth 1.6 billion US dollars (about 3.6tri/- ) between March and June, this year.

This represents a 36.7 per cent rise in investment projects compared to the corresponding period last year, when a total of 68 projects, worth 321 million US dollars (738bn/-) were registered.

The newly-registered investments are expected to create 17,670 employment to Tanzanians as compared to 5000 jobs created during the same period last year. Apart from political will, the sixth-phase government has been walking the talk by ensuring that results occur positively.

The government targets to create a total of 8 million jobs by 2025 as stipulated in the ruling CCM 2020/2025 manifesto. Since President Samia assumed power over three months ago, her emphasis has been on creating a friendly environment for investment and trade with the aim of creating more jobs to improve the lives of Tanzanians.

She further argued that current efforts are also intended to make the country self-reliant, to be able to finance its development projects.

In line with this, she also clarified on the issue of restriction on political rallies, insisting that the country needed to focus on raising her economy rather than wasting time on political rallies.
TANZANIA Bureau of Standard (TBS) has encouraged entrepreneurs to make efficient use of the 45th Dar es Salaam International Trade fair (DIFT) that commenced in Dar es Salaam on Monday.

According to the TBS Marketing Officer, Gladness Kaseka, the bureau will provide various services to entrepreneurs during the two weeks exhibitions organised by Tanzania Trade Tanzania Trade Development Authority (TanTrade) taking place at the Mwalimu Julius Nyerere grounds along Kilwa road.

Some of the services that will be offered by TBS are education on various services, quality assurance and goods certification, registration of business premises for food and cosmetics.

"During the trade fair, TBS will offer registration of business premises to be followed by inspections of food and cosmetic premises before being issued with the permit in one day," she said.

She added, "Visitors to the TBS pavilion will be provided with education on science of measurements and also on laboratory, procedures and cost of testing samples," Ms Kaseka mentioned the other services to be offered including the provision of education on how to purchase standards and important information on goods that are for exports to avoid impediments.

According to her, this years' international trade fair will be used as platform for the people to air their views on standards.

TBS will also inform the public on the new obligation implemented by the bureau on the registration of food and cosmetics that was formerly done by the Tanzania Food and Drugs Authority (TFDA).

The Finance Act No 8 of 2019 mandates TBS to manage registration of food, cosmetics, food and cosmetics godowns, cafes and hotels which was earlier carried out by the former TFDA.

The enforcement of the Act started in July 2019, hence compelled sellers, manufacturers of cosmetics to register their products and godowns.

TBS recently destroyed various cosmetics and food unfit for human confiscated during inspections carried out in different parts of Arusha and neighbouring regions between January and November 2020.
THE Tanzania Petroleum Development Corporation (TPDC) is implementing the Liquefied Natural Gas - LNG project whose construction is expected to kick off in 2023, the House was informed on Monday.

Deputy Minister for Energy, Stephen Byabato said that TPDC had already spent 5.7bn/- to compensate people who had vacated their areas to pave the way for the implementation of the project.

According to Mr Byabato, the project cost is US Dollars 30.5 billion and it was expected to be completed in June 2028.

He was responding to a question posed by Special Seats Member of Parliament Shamsia Mtamba, who said there was no clear information from the government as to when the project would kick off.

"The government had a good plan for the natural gas in the country but until now there has been a dilemma over this robust investment, what is the government statement on this plan," she asked.

Responding, the Deputy Minister said the government through TPDC was continuing with investments in the natural gas sector by encouraging exploration, processing and development of the crucial sector.

"Until now, we have about 11 contracts for exploration and processing of natural gas and we are working with different companies in collaboration with TPDC," he said.

Mr Byabato said until now the natural gas that had been discovered was 57.54 trillion cubic feet and that part of this gas was used in production of electricity by 50 percent and that another gas was used in industries, vehicles and used at homes.
PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan has appealed to the media to adhere to professional ethics and respect country's laws and traditional norms when carrying out their duties.

The President emphatically said despite existing media freedom, the country's media should also consider effects of their work on individual's dignity "If you work professionally by respecting others' dignity, not defaming people, we (government) will not suspend a media outlet," she made the assurance, while speaking to editors from different media house in Dar es Salaam, yesterday.

The President's meeting with editors was a continuation of her arrangements to meet with different social groups, since ascending to power, but also as part of activities to mark her 100 days in office.

Her remarks on the media operations was in response to concerns from editors that there were some media houses, still closed due to suspension imposed by the government.

That was in response to a concern raised by Tanzania Editors' Forum Chairman, Mr Deodatus Balile, that the government had issued directive to its institutions not to advertise with private media.

President Samia dismissed the claims, saying her government allows public institutions to advertise with any private media of their choice.

However, she advised the media to be proactive in searching for advertisements from advertisers, arguing that attracting more advertisement lies upon efforts by individual media.

He also advanced an idea of making the Government's Chief Spokesperson have independent department, unlike current arrangement, where the government chief spokesperson reports to the ministry of Information, Culture, Arts and Sports.

She said the government would sit with media stakeholders to jointly discuss on how to go about it. On other hand, the President directed the Minister for Information, Culture, Arts and Sports, Innocent Bashungwa, and his Permanent Secretary to consider on the issue of having a system of training local journalists in building their capacity.
TANZANIA has over 100 Covid - 19 patients admitted to the country's hospitals, President Samia Suluhu said yesterday, cautioning the public to be wary and take all the necessary precautions.

Among them, she said, about 70 patients have been placed on ventilators and others are undertaking ordinary medical treatment.

"Based on the reports I received the day before yesterday, the country has over 100 Covid-19 patients, whereas over 70 patients are on ventilator machines and others are on ordinary treatment," she noted.

President Samia said as much as the number might not be large but the country needs to take precaution, so that the number does not shoot up.

Besides, the President said the country's experts are working on the kind of vaccines, which the country can acquire and administer to the people through voluntary procedure. President Samia disclosed this during a meeting with editors from various media houses at the State House in Dar es Salaam yesterday.

She urged Tanzanians to resort to all the necessary preventive measures, particularly those being recommended by experts.

"If you think steaming inhalation works for you better, go for it, if it's medicine then be it but what we encourage, is for you to follow experts' advice including washing hands with clean running water and soap, wear face masks and exercise social distancing among other measures," said the president.

She noted that the country has resorted to moving along with the the world, noting that it was learnt that the first wave slightly affected the country because the alert was high.

"The second wave's effects were a bit extreme as compared to the first wave and the third wave is taking a huge toll across the world." She said special team of experts she formed to professionally evaluate the Covid-19 pandemic and come up with recommendations, of which, the team submitted its first report but the same team was later tasked to come up with world outlook and how the situation is being approached worldwide, particularly on vaccination issues and the country's ability to store the vaccines.

The President went on to reveal that the team of experts was given about a month to deliver on the task and it has already presented the report which was tabled in the cabinet last week.

"The process of vaccination in the country will be voluntary, individuals who wish to be vaccinated shall be vaccinated and the same apply to those who don't wish to be vaccinated... no one will be forced to get vaccination," she insisted.

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She hinted that a majority of people from the business community have been vaccinated in different countries and they are going on with their usual businesses. Besides, she said, the country's experts in collaboration with international community have been allowed to carry on with vaccination procedures.

Outlining the procedure for applying for the vaccines, she said developing countries were required to apply through the Covax facility, whereby the deadline for countries intending to procure vaccines in the coming year (2022) was June 15. Countries that could not tender their application will have to wait until 2023.

President Samia said such a requirement pushed Tanzania to rush to file its application, while other issues of identifying the kind of vaccines would be addressed later. According to the president, a good number of international organisations have offered to support Tanzania, yet still it is for the country's experts to advice on the kind of vaccine to be approved for use.

"The countries have secured a sum of 470 million US dollars equivalent to 1.08tri/- for battling Covid-19, which will be distributed into two halves for protection and support the sectors which have been hit hard by the pandemic," noted President Samia.

She said the situation in neighbouring countries and the country's borders is alarming, emphasising people to play their part and mostly the protection of children.

President Samia also challenged the media to play its part effectively to educate the masses on preventive measures to follow to mitigate the impact of the pandemic.
PRESIDENT Samia Suluhu Hassan yesterday reiterated that her government will appoint any Tanzanian based on merit and competence regardless of their political affiliations or age.

Speaking during her maiden press conference at State House in Dar es Salaam, President Samia said young people by definition of Tanzanian policy and law are those aged 15 - 35 years, but her appointees were Tanzanian youth not according to the definition of the policy.

"I have said it before that I would appoint any Tanzanian I see capable of working and has something to contribute in accordance with our national interest. As you have seen my recent appointments, it included individuals from other political parties, journalists as well as economist," she said President Samia was responding to a question from a journalist during her meeting with the media in Dar es Salaam, where one Abdallah Majura asked to know the criteria of various nominations, in which she said reached her list.

During her speech to elders based in Dar es Salaam on 7 May 2021, President Samia equally promised them several things including reviewing the universal pension for the elderly.

She also sought their support and promised to listen to them for the development of the country. But her statement on inclusive government was received with mixed feelings as she would possibly appoint even members of the opposition parties, in her resolve to make everyone contribute to the national development agenda.

She said when planning her team for the interest of economic development she would choose any Tanzanian based on merit and competence regardless of their political affiliations.

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"The changes aim to build and not to demolish, and if the changes affect you or people close to you, understand they were done with good intention," she told them.

In the meeting, President Samia appealed to the media to adhere to professional ethics and respect country's laws and traditional norms when carrying out their duties.

The President emphatically said despite existing media freedom, the country's media should also consider effects of their work on individual's dignity "If you work professionally by respecting others' dignity, not defaming people, we (government) will not suspend a media outlet," she made the assurance, while speaking to editors from different media house in Dar es Salaam, yesterday.

The President's meeting with editors was a continuation of her arrangements to meet with different social groups, since ascending to power, but also as part of activities to mark her 100 days in office. Her remarks on the media operations was in response to concerns from editors that there were some media houses, still closed due to suspension imposed by the government.

That was in response to a concern raised by Tanzania Editors' Forum Chairman, Mr Deodatus Balile, that the government had issued directive to its institutions not to advertise with private media.

President Samia dismissed the claims, saying her government allows public institutions to advertise with any private media of their choice.
It was back to normal in Harare, Zimbabwe, for most informal traders despite a lockdown called by the government last month to contain the spread of the coronavirus, May 15, 2020.

INFORMAL traders at Tichagarika shopping centre and Glen View 8 home industries complex in Harare have equated the government's decision Tuesday to demolish their market stalls to death sentences as vending was their only source of survival.

On Monday, senior Zanu PF officials ordered for all demolitions of businesses and houses to stop as they were "insensitive and human".

However, the residents of Glen View, a high-density suburb, were stunned when heavily armed police and Harare City Council officers descended in the area Tuesday morning, and started pulling down market stalls and other informal trading points.

A similar exercise was carried out in Mbare also in Harare while houses were demolished in Melfort, Goromonzi, Mashonaland East province last week.

The exercise continued Tuesday in Glen View with police failing to control thousands of shocked residents who defied Covid-19 lockdown restrictions to witness the demolitions.

Most of the demolitions were targeted at furniture makers, gas filling, and tuck-shop operators at the Glen View 8 complex, and shopping centres.

"This is where we have been getting our food, rent, and school fees from. What are we going to do, how are we going to survive? This is as good as we are dead, we have been killed," one informal trader at the complex told NewZimbabwe.com.

Most of the traders castigated the government describing it as "ruthless" as it did not care about the welfare of the citizens.

"We do not have good administration in this country. If we had a government which was sympathetic with the people, it could have at least provided an alternative source of income for us because you cannot destroy people's livelihoods without an option.

"People have been suffering for a long time. They just want to live, we do not want this kind of system," another affected informal trader said.

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The residents also threatened to revolt against the government if it continued with the demolitions.

"People are going to react soon if this continues. The authorities are mismanaging the country's resources. Since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic last year, no-one has been assisted.

"They promised to provide us with food aid, but up to now nothing has come our way. We cannot afford even a face mask to protect ourselves from Covid-19. People now need an immediate end and a solution to their suffering."

However, Local Government Minister July Moyo defended the on-going demolitions in Harare saying the authorities cannot continue looking at the "chaos in our cities".

"Government is saying we cannot continue to just look at chaos in our cities if we want investment to come; if we want to reach vision 2030," he said.

Harare City Council communications manager Michael Chideme said the clearance of Glen View 8 complex would allow easy movement of traffic and reduce congestion.

"We were clearing the road to allow the easy movement of vehicles and to reduce congestion at the busy market place. Where people have been given notices, they should do the honourable and move off on their own," he said.
MATERA (Italy) -The international community has no choice but to strengthen the multilateral system if it wants to stop the pandemic and build a safer and better future for all, said Tuesday Head of Algerian diplomacy, Sabri Boukadoum.

The COVID-19 pandemic has indeed unraveled in its path many deficiencies of the international system and its regulatory mechanisms, said Boukadoum during his speech at the G20 foreign ministers meeting in Matera, Italy.

"In doing so, it provides us with the opportunity to reflect collectively on how we can correct the weaknesses and lay down the foundations for a new multilateralism based on concerted and inclusive global governance," he added.

"As many of you have already emphasized, the Covid-19 pandemic has clearly shown us the true meaning of "No one is safe until everyone is safe." So, let's be fully mindful of this fact in shaping the after Covid era, which we hope, will leave no one behind," he said.

In this regard, the FM highlight three areas on which international cooperation needs to focus more:

The first area relates to multilateralism underpinned by global solidarity. The Minister said that the COVID-19 pandemic has unraveled in its path many deficiencies and weaknesses of the international system, including lack of solidarity which is causing currently inequality and disparity in access to vaccines against the Covid-19.

African countries are directly exposed to this prejudice. Without extensive immunization, African economies will continue to be negatively affected by constraints and restrictions. Consequently, poverty and food insecurity levels in Africa are likely to increase substantially, creating a climate with high potential for instability and conflict, said Boukadoum.

He called, in this regard, on the G20 to play a greater role in ensuring equitable access to vaccines between countries by providing vaccines, sharing knowledge and expertise, and by supporting regional initiatives, such as Africa Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT).

The second area relates to multilateralism to ensure a global economic growth. The Head of Algerian diplomacy noted the economic impacts of COVID-19 that have been severe worldwide, including in Africa where they threaten to reverse the remarkable economic growth made over the last 15 years.

Despite its far-reaching negative impacts, the current crisis is accelerating trends such as digitization, market consolidation and regional cooperation, creating important new opportunities, said Boukadoum.

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We have no choice but to seize every opportunity of those. And the timely contribution of our partners, especially the G20, is extremely important to effectively support Africa's economic recovery from COVID-19, he said.

Our partners in the G20 could provide more support to ongoing efforts at the continental level aiming to harness innovation, promote the development of inclusive and sustainable agro-food and rural industry as well as to reduce the digital gap, he added.

"Africa has greatly contributed to the advancement of multilateralism, through the African Union and other pan-continental initiatives that send a powerful message of cross border awareness and solidarity. The Continental Free Trade Area established recently could be a game-changer for the continent's economies," said Boukdaoum in this respect.

These initiatives and others have demonstrated not only African dynamism but also re-shaped the wider narrative about the continent, moving from a focus on security concerns to socioeconomic transformation and Africa's presence and leadership in the world.

"These developments highlight the need for the international organizations to work closely with the regional institutions to support home grown solutions," he concluded.
Abuja  The House of Representatives' Committee on Finance has summoned the Executive Secretary of Petroleum Product Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), Mr. Abdukadir Saidu, over unremitted N1.62 billion Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to the federation account.

The Chairman of the Committee, Hon. James Faleke, gave the directive yesterday during an investigative hearing into alleged $30 billion annual revenue leakage on Tuesday in Abuja.

Faleke said that the directive was necessary to enable the PPPRA boss to explain what actually happened to the N1.62 billion and why it was not remitted to the federation account.

He said that the committee would go through the agency's book from 2012 to date to ensure that it provided the IGR generated since 2012.

He also said that the PPPRA must provide the identity of the person it lent money to, adding that on no account should any withdrawal be made from the revenue account.

Faleke further demanded an explanation on conflicting figures in the consumption of fuel in the country, adding that the NNPC was earlier quoted to have said that daily fuel consumption was 93 million litres while the PPPRA had also said that daily consumption of fuel was 80 million litres.

Responding to the lawmakers question on the daily consumption of petrol in the country, the agency's General Manager for Finance, Mr. Peter Etuk, stated that daily consumption differs.
Various accounts dominated the airwaves yesterday about how leader of Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Nnamdi Kanu, was arrested by Nigerian security agents working in collaboration with the International Police Organisation, Interpol, on Sunday.

While a source said the IPOB leader was arrested in Holland on his way to Ukraine, another source said he was nabbed in Ethiopia.

Online newspaper, The Will, said the Attorney-General of Federation, AGF, and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami(SAN), had written the Ethiopian government through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, alerting them that a wanted fugitive, Nnamdi Kanu, was in their country, seeking its cooperation to help track him down, thus lending credence to speculations that he was arrested in Ethiopia.

Kanu was thereafter intercepted in Ethiopia by joint security operatives of the government and INTEPOL and extradited to Nigeria over the weekend.

Nigeria had contacted INTERPOL for the arrest and extradition of Kanu to Nigeria to face his charges.

Similarly, popular columnist, Farooq Kperogi, had said of Kanu's arrest: "I've known since the beginning of the month that Nnamdi Kanu would be arrested and extradited to Nigeria, but my informant swore me to secrecy, so I kept the information to myself. Today he has been arrested and extradited to Nigeria."

The Police and Department of State Service, DSS, said to have collaborated with Interpol on the arrest of Kanu, kept mum yesterday.

The AGF, who broke news of his arrest yesterday, did not also disclosed how Kanu was arrested and the country he was nabbed.

Arraigned at FHC, Abuja

Barely 48 hours after he was arrested abroad and brought back to Nigeria, the Federal Government, yesterday, docked leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, before the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, who refused to disclose where Kanu was arrested, said he was "intercepted" by security agents, last Sunday.

However, his re-arrest and trial yesterday, drew reactions from groups and individuals, including his family and his group, the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

While his family said nothing untoward should happen to him, IPOB said its leader's arrest is not the end of its agitations.

Igbo socio-cultural and political organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, and Senate Minority Leader, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe, who stood surety for the IPOB leader before he jumped bail, however, kept mum yesterday.

But Malami, who addressed the press in company of Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba and DSS spokesman, Dr. Peter Afunnaya, explained that Kanu's re-arrest followed a collaborative effort between security agencies in Nigeria and the International Police Organisation, INTERPOL.

He was, however, silent on the exact location or country where the IPOB leader was arrested.

The AGF maintained that Kanu will be tried on charges bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, unlawful possession of firearms and management of an unlawful society.

"He has, upon jumping bail, been accused of engaging in subversive activities that include inciting violence through television, radio and online broadcasts against Nigeria and Nigerian State and institutions.

"Kanu was also accused of instigating violence, especially in Southeastern Nigeria that resulted in the loss of lives and property of civilians, military, para military, police forces and destruction of civil institutions and symbols of authorities," Malami added.

Masked Kanu brought to court masked, in chains

While Malami was still addressing the press, Kanu, was ushered into the courtroom around 1:30pm by heavily armed security operatives from both the DSS and the Nigerian Police.

He was masked, with chains on his hands and legs.

The mask and chains were later removed shortly before the commencement of the court proceedings.

FG's lawyer, Mr. Shuaibu Labaran, told the court that Kanu was brought for continuation of his trial on the criminal charge that was pending against him before he jumped bail.

Labaran further moved an ex-parte application for a remand order to be issued against the IPOB leader, even as he applied for accelerated trial of the defendant.

I fled Nigeria to save my life - Kanu

Though he did not have any legal representation, Kanu, who was dressed in a black track suit, sought permission of the court to speak.

Looking healthy and unruffled, Kanu explained to the court that he did not deliberately jump bail.

He said his absence from his trial was due to the unlawful invasion of his house by security agents, in an operation he said led to the death of many people.

The IPOB leader said he went underground to avoid being killed.

"My lord, my house was invaded and people were killed. I would have been killed too if I had not hid myself. That was why I have been unable to attend court.

"I would have been killed the way others were killed when my house was invaded," Kanu added.

At this juncture, trial Justice, Binta Nyako, asked him to get in touch with his lawyer to brief him about all that had transpired in the case in his absence.

Though the case was initially fixed for October 20, owing to FG's application, Justice Nyako brought it forward to July 26 for continuation of trial.

The court further directed prosecution to notify Kanu's lawyer, even as it remanded the defendant in DSS custody.

Immediately proceedings ended, security agents discreetly moved Kanu out of the courtroom through a back door, into their waiting vehicle, stationed behind the court premises.

Bench warrant after bail revocation

The trial court had on March 28, 2019, issued a bench warrant for Kanu's arrest after it revoked the bail that was earlier granted him.

Placing reliance on Section 352(4) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA, 2015, the court equally okayed Kanu's trial in absentia.

Kanu, whose whereabouts was unknown since September 2017, was hitherto answering to a five-count charge FG entered against him and three other pro-Biafra agitators, Chidiebere Onwudiwe, Benjamin Madubugwu and David Nwawuisi.

Shortly after he was declared "missing," trial Justice Nyako, on February 20, 2018, okayed separate trial for the other three defendants.

The IPOB leader who has dual citizenship was before his arrest on Sunday, reportedly sighted at various locations outside the country, including Jerusalem and the United Kingdom.

Kanu who was the Director of Radio Biafra, was initially arrested by security operatives on October 14, 2015 upon his arrival to Nigeria from his base in the UK.

He was subsequently arraigned in court on January 20, 2016, and remanded at Kuje prison in Abuja.

After he had spent about a year and seven months in detention, the trial court, on April 25, 2016, released Kanu on bail on health ground.

To secure his release, the Senator representing Abia South, Enyinnaya Abaribe, an Accountant, Mr. Tochukwu Uchendu and a Jewish High Priest, Emmanu El- Salom Oka BenMadu, on April 28, 2016, signed an undertaking to ensure his attendance in court.

Following Kanu's disappearance after he was released on bail, the court, on November 14, 2018, ordered the three sureties to forfeit the N100million bail bond they each consented to.

All the sureties had since approached the Court of Appeal in Abuja to challenge the ruling.

Kanu's lawyer, Mr. Ifeanyi Ejiofor had equally protested the revocation of his client's bail, even as the court rejected his request for time to file an affidavit evidence to explain why he jumped bail.

Ejiofor had insisted that Kanu's disappearances was occasioned by the unwarranted invasion of his home at Afaraukwu in Abia State by the Nigerian Army.

Charges against Kanu

Meantime, FG had in the charge pending before the court, alleged that Kanu imported Radio transmitter known as TRAM 50L, which was concealed in a container that was declared as used household items, for the purpose of using same to disseminate information about secession plans by the IPOB.

FG further alleged that Kanu, "on or about the 28th April, 2015 in London, United Kingdom did in a broadcast on Radio Biafra monitored in Enugu, Enugu state and other parts of Nigeria within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, referred to Major General Muhammadu Buhari, GCON, President and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as a paedophile, a terrorist, an idiot and an embodiment of evil;

"Knowing same to be false and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 375 of the Criminal Code Act, Cap C. 38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004".

He was alleged to have committed treasonable felony, an offence punishable under Section 41(C) of the Criminal Code Act, CAP C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria. FG alleged that Kanu and the other pro-Biafra agitators were the ones managing the affairs of the IPOB which it described as "an unlawful society".

Kanu was alleged to have illegally smuggled radio transmitters into Nigeria, which he used to disseminate "hate broadcasts", encourag-ing the "secession of the Republic of Biafra", from Nigeria

Mixed reactions

Mixed reactions, however, trailed Kanu's re-arraignment yesterday. On a day that Ohanaeze Ndigbo, the apex Igbo socio-cultural organisation, and Senator Enyinaya Abaribe, who suretied Kanu kept sealed lips, a host of groups and people spoke on the matter.

Ohanaeze Publicity Secretary, Chief Alex Ogbonnia, and Mr Uchem Awom, media adviser to Senator Abaribe, declined comments when contacted.

Those who spoke include Nnamdi Kanu's family; IPOB; IPOB's lawyer; Elder Statesman, Chief Mbazulike Amechi; Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF; Igbo National Council, INC; Coalition of Northern Groups, CNG; and Alaigbo Development Foundation, ADF.

Kanu's arrest has averted civil war - Ohanaeze faction

However, a faction of Ohanaeze Ndigbo said the arrest of Nnamdi Kanu would avert another civil war and bring peace to the South-East.

In a statement by Okechukwu Isiguzoro, its secretary-general, the group said Kanu's refusal to listen to Igbo leaders' advice led him to his present predicament.

The group advised the Federal Government to handle the IPOB leader's case carefully in order to prevent violent revolts from his followers.

"The re-arrest of Nnamdi Kanu the leader of IPOB is the beginning of the end of violent agitations in southeastern Nigeria and a lesson to others that, deviation from the nonviolent agitations and wasting of the innocent blood of the Igbo youths contradicted what Igbos are known for, and self-determination should not be used for purposes of fortune and fame-seeking," the statement read.

"Nnamdi Kanu's refusal to adhere to the advice of Igbo leaders, Elders, and Political leaders is the outcome of what had befallen him, he made a lot of enemies especially those that would have saved him and Federal Government will never lose grip on him again."

Kanu wrongly tried, detained- Ejimakor, IPOB lawyer

Counsel to IPOB, Mr. Aloy Ejimakor, flayed Kanu's extradition, arraignment and detention in DSS custody.

Ejimakor also noted that Kanu's case was a well know case that was already on course before he disappeared to save his life during the invasion of his house by the military, adding that he will seek Kanu's bail.

He said that law Kanu was entitled to a defence counsel which the security agencies that re-arraigned him denied him through the secret trial on Tuesday.

Ejimakor said he will go to ask for Nnamdi Kanu at the DSS office despite the Nigeria situation which has tended to criminalize or make people become afraid of associating with the IPOB leader.

In an exclusive interview with Vanguard,yesterday Ejimakor said: "My reaction is that we will appear for his defence and he is entitled to the presumption of innocence under the Nigeria constitution and just like everybody else, he's entitled to bail as well as to a determination as to whether he actually jumped bail or not in the eyes of the law as was claimed by the Attorney General.

"Our contention is that he didn't. That contention of the AG is subjudice and I don't know why he felt free to comment on what was subjudice.

"So now that Kanu is here he will have the first opportunity since his house was invaded in 2017 to make his case which we have always made on his behalf that he didn't jump bail, that he was forced to flee from imminent danger.

"He possess a political opinion which is protected by law and that political opinion is self-determination. It's protected under Cap A9 Article 20 1&19 of laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

"It's one thing to make an arrest, it's another thing to succeed in getting a conviction, but I have to tell you that since 2015 when this saga of arresting IPOB members and in 2017 when they were declared terrorists, there is no court of law in Nigeria that has made a conviction on any IPOB member based on terrorism or secession or whatever.

"Our contention is that secession is not a criminal offence mentioned anywhere in Nigeria law.

"The reason secession is not a criminal offence is by convention because those that are ruling Nigeria participated in the civil war and when they hear secession they think the person has committed treasonable felony but it's not true, it's not in the penal code, it's not in criminal code and Section 36 of the Nigeria constitution, subsection 12 provided expressly that nobody is to be tried and convicted for any criminal offence that is not written in any Nigeria law.

"You cannot also say that somebody who is demanding for a referendum has committed an offence when he has not committed an offence. Or are you saying that someone who is demanding for a separate country has committed an offence when it's not written anywhere in the law?

"These are the issues that will be ventilated in the court now and that is the silver lining and it's an unfortunate development."

On the alleged extradition of Kanu, Ejimakor said: "I cannot say if he was extradited or brought back through extra legal means. The Attorney General said it was pursuant of cooperation between the Nigeria security agencies and the Interpol.

"Kanu is a naturalized British citizen and if he is to be extradited, I think he is entitled to due process under the British law if at all any of such thing will be entertained by the British court for a British citizen. So as days go by we shall find out the manner of his being brought back to Nigeria.

"His summary trial and detention in the DSS custody was wrong because this is an open case as the Attorney General himself admitted through his press conference. The case is in court.

"It's not a new case, his lawyers are well known and his lawyers were not informed. This is indicative of the unfairness of the system we are struggling against in this country.

"The constitution says you are entitled to legal defence of your choice, it's not a new case and they would have just called one of his lawyers and that would have balanced the arrangement. That again is fundamental unfairness and a breach of the constitution.

"Asking me if I would go to the DSS to ask for him is unnecessary but necessary given the unique situation we have in this country.

"Everybody is entitled to a lawyer, be the person a terrorist or a freedom fighter, everybody deserves a lawyer and lawyers are not supposed to be harassed or put in fear.

"You are asking the question because of the unique situation in Nigeria. I will go for him because it's my duty and as counsel I stand by the rule of ethics to defend every human being on the planet and that is my duty as a lawyer."

Don't manhandle him, Kanu's brother tells FG

Meanwhile, the family of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu has asked the Federal Govern-ment not to manhandle their son because he is an ordinary freedom fighter

His younger brother, Emmanuel Kanu, who spoke in Umuahia said Nnamdi stood on the part of truth and committed no crime to deserve any persecution.

According to him, Nnamdi was only asking for the freedom of Biafrans which is their fundamental human rights, hence, his rights should be respected.

He said the whole world is watching how the Federal Government will handle him.

Prince Emmanuel noted that his brother had awakened the consciousness of Nigerians about goings-on in the country. "My brother stood for the truth, and Heaven is on the part of anyone standing for the truth. He committed no crime, and the whole world is watching."

There has been uneasy calm across Umuahia since the news filtered in.

People were observed discussing the matter in hushed tones with some people still bewildered about the entire scenario while others doubted the substance of the news.

'Arrest of Nnamdi Kanu not the end of IPOB'

Reacting, the IPOB warned that no harm should befall Kanu in government's custody.

A short statement by IPOB's Media and Publicity Secretary Emma Powerful, said: "No problem, he is a human being and Nigeria government is looking to arrest him since some years now.

"However, nothing should happen to his life otherwise we will bring down Nigeria. The arrest of our leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, is not the end of IPOB."

Ndigbo'll react if anything untoward happens to him-- Amechi

Foremost Nationalist and First Republic Aviation Minister, Chief Mbazulike Amechi, warned that Ndigbo would not take it lightly if anything untoward happened to Kanu.

Angered by the alleged report that he was tortured and beaten up by the Nigeria security agents, Chief Amechi said that the Nigeria security agents have no right to torture him for whatever reason.

He warned that Ndigbo should not be treated like slaves in Nigeria because they are part owners of Nigeria and will not run away for any person, leader, or ethnic group, unless they are looking for trouble in the country.

"Nnamdi Kanu has not committed any offence and if anybody thinks that he has committed any offence, let him be taken to court and be given a fair trial. Nobody, I say it again, nobody should beat or maltreat him, otherwise Ndigbo will react.

"This is the time Ndigbo should react to what the Federal Government is doing to him. What is the Federal Government doing to the people in the North who are killing people and sacking them from their communities and all over Nigeria?"

Tread with caution, INC tells FG

In like manner, the Igbo National Council, INC, urged the Federal Government to tread with caution Speaking in Owerri, INC President Chilos Godsent, said the IPOB's leader arrest could spark protests if not well managed.

INC said: "We have read with rude shock the news of the arrest of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of IPOB, and his extradition to Nigeria.

"We wish to advise the Federal Government of Nigeria to tread with caution as the arrest and detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu is capable of heightening the tension in Nigeria in view of the fragile state of the Nigerian State.

"The arrest may trigger heavy protest in many parts of Nigeria if care is not taken in handling the issues."

"INC therefore advises the Federal Government of Nigeria to seek for a more peaceful means to resolve the root causes of the agitations by the various ethnic nationalities in Nigeria seeking for proper structuring of the country and self-determination."

Nnamdi Kanu's arrest not end of Biafran affair -- CNG

However, the CNG has said that Kanu's re-arrest should not be considered as the end of agitation for Biafra, insisting that a referendum must be held to determine all agitations for self-determination in any part of Nigeria.

The CNG, in a statement by its spokesman, Abdul-Azeez Suleiman, said it received the news of the arrest and repatriation of Kanu Nnamdi with mixed feelings of apprehension and appreciation.

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"On one hand, we commend the effort of the Federal Government and the agencies that made this possible particularly the International Police and authorities of the United Kingdom for honouring their obligations with Nigeria.

"On another hand, we remain apprehensive until the full course of justice takes effect.

"Kanu, as we all know, has a pending trial for treasonable felony and jumping bail. In addition, he must now face additional charges of incitement to violence and killings of people of other ethnicities particularly northerners, security personnel as a result of his open incitement.

"More importantly, we don't see Kanu's arrest affecting the issue of Biafra. While he faces trial hopefully, the CNG is insisting that this is the right time to tackle the Biafran issue once and for all.

"Nobody should make the mistake of assuming that the arrest is anywhere near the end of the Biafran affair. We stand our ground that a referendum must be held to determine this and all other agitations for self-determination from any part of the country," the coalition said.

Plot to silence Igbo -- S'East Youth Leaders

To the Coalition of South East Youth Leaders, COSEYL, the re-arrest and re-arraignment of Kanu is a plot to permanently silence Ndigbo.

COSEYL in a press statement jointly signed by its National President, Goodluck Ibem; and Secretary General, Kanice Igwe, also claimed that his arrest was a ploy to provoke Ndigbo.

The statement reads in part: "The arrest and torture of Kanu is an evil plot to silence Ndigbo forever. COSEYL is alarmed over the dehumanizing treatment meted to the leader of the IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu by Interpol and Nigerian security forces.

Though we do not speak for IPOB, it is the right of anyone or group of persons to demand for freedom or to go his or her separate way if he feels that his well-being is not guaranteed.

Nnamdi Kanu and his group have the rights to demand for whatever thing they deserve because it is their fundamental human right.

"Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe was the one who fought and brought Nigeria's independence in 1960. The colonial masters then did not subject him to the kind of torture and dehumanizing treatment meted out to Nnamdi Kanu today by security forces because it was his right to demand for the independence of Nigeria as a country.

"Herdsmen kill, rape and maim indigenes of Southern Nigeria on daily basis and none of them has been arrested or prosecuted. Nnamdi Kanu's arrest is a direct question to Ndigbo: "How dare you speak when we kill, maim and rape your women?"

Nigeria not a failed state, ACF tells Kanu

Mean time, the Arewa Consultative Forum, ACF, has said that Nnamdi Kanu and his collaborators must be made to understand that Nigeria is not a failed state.

In a statement by Emmanuel Yawe, its National Publicity Secretary, the ACF, which said it does know the circumstances of Kanu's arrest, said: "We however know that the man has no respect for the country called Nigeria and has vowed to destroy the country.

"Sadly, he enjoys collaboration of some Nigerians who for some reasons want the country destroyed."

"He also enjoys the support of international arms dealers who know that he has the capacity to cause a war to break out in Africa's most populous country and biggest economy."

"Given the complex international and national issues involved in this case, we call on the government to handle the matter with care.

"The best way out is to keep strictly to the rule of law. Kanu and his collaborators must be made to understand that Nigeria is not a failed state and the rule of law still exists here."

Defend Kanu, ADF tasks Igbo lawyers

On its part, Alaigbo Development Foundation, ADF, said the arrest of the IPOB leader would not stop the agitations by some ethnic nationalities clamouring for self determination, saying that only a Nigeria where justice, equity and fairness reign will guarantee peace and harmonious living.

ADF, therefore called on the international community not to turn its back on the "horror going on in Nigeria".

It described the arrest and arraignment of Kanu as "very unfortunate both for the continued existence of the crisis-riden Nigerian federation and the struggle for the self-determination and emancipation of Igboland from the artificial Nigerian federation.

"The arrest or elimination of Nnamdi Kanu from the scene of the struggle is most unlikely to result in the smashing of the spirit of the longing for freedom of the Igbo Nation or that of other Nationalities that are equally struggling to free themselves from the chaotic Nigerian federation.

"We call on all Igbo lawyers no matter their persuasions, to come together and defend Nnamdi Kanu as well as several other Igbo youths who are languishing in various detention centres and prisons all over Nigeria," the ADF said.

Vanguard News Nigeria
ON Monday, President Samia Suluhu Hassan convened a meeting in Dar es Salaam with editors of different media houses, where several ideas were shared solely for the purpose of seeing into it that journalists work freely in an environment that favours them and the country.

As it might be repeated a journalist investigates, collects, and presents information as a news story. This can be presented through newspapers, magazines, radio, television and the internet.

Journalists are relied upon to present news in a well-rounded, objective manner, without endangering security of the people, State and or defaming an individual.

This is a noble duty any journalist worth his/her salt will always struggle to go for and outside this is pure gutter press- a media that engages in sensational journalism (especially concerning the private lives of public figures) for personal vendetta.

We should realize that Tanzania from independence is a country that has maintained peace in the volatile Great Lakes Region, and we (read government and its people) must guard this at all costs.

We should not take the peace we have in the country for granted, because it would be painful and costly to lose it as a result of reckless journalism.

With the background, President Samia had all the reasons to remind the Media Houses that despite the freedom they have to write and air their sources' views, they should still be watchful and patriotic enough and see into it that peace and tranquility in the country are maintained.

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As media houses, we should not resort to ironing out our differences in public, because any slight mistake as a result of reckless journalism or personal attack against a public figure will definitely degenerate into chaos, which at the end of the day will open a can of worms somewhere.

We should remember that Tanzanians want water in their doorsteps, electricity, good roads, drugs in hospitals, better schools, you name it instead of washing dirty linen in the public through the media.

As media houses, we must set pace and support this course and fight for it to be maintained. It is our responsibility to educate and inform the public that without peace, there will be no development and favourable environment to practice journalism.

It was good as a leader and President of the country, when she stressed to the media to adhere to professional ethics and respect country's laws and traditional norms when carrying out their duties, saying: "If you work professionally by respecting others' dignity, not defaming people, we (government) will not suspend any media outlet."
Dar es Salaam  President Samia Suluhu Hassan's efforts to promote justice delivery are laudable, lawyers have said as they heap praise on the leadership style of the sixth Head of State during her first 100 days in the highest office in the land.

Lawyers, who spoke to The Citizen, cited examples of appointments of Sylvester Mwakitalu as Director of Public Prosecution (DPP), Camilius Wambura as Director of Criminal Investigations (DCI) and Salum Rashid Hamduni as the director general of the Prevention and Combating of Corruption Bureau (PCCB) as apt.

In that regard, they advised President Hassan to amend the laws and related regulatory frameworks, guidelines and procedures to bolster sustainability of the achievements.

The lawyers commended the sixth-phase government on achievements that have been recorded in the first 100 days of President Hassan's administration.

President Hassan was formally sworn in on March 19 succeeding her predecessor, the late President John Magufuli, who had died from natural causes two days earlier - and was buried at his home town of Chato in Geita Region on March 26.

Lawyer Dominic Ndunguru said President Hassan's swift move to appoint new top executives in the justice dispensing stakes has started to bear fruit.

"There was serious outcry against case-framing against innocent citizens - including cases of alleged economic sabotage, in which the victims are automatically denied bail," Mr Ndunguru said.

"But, the new presidential appointments have already resulted in some of the cases being suddenly dropped, with accused persons who had been languishing in remand prison being set free just as soon," he said.

Mr Ndunguru said this has helped decongest the country's prisons and reduced the government's expenditure in taking care of the remandees.

"The Head of State should now focus on amending the laws so as to prevent suspects from unnecessarily being held in remand prisons and encourage the provision of bail to bona fide suspects as a natural and constitutional right of all citizens," he said - stressing that "laws considered unfriendly to the provision of justice should be scrapped or amended accordingly to preserve these achievements for many years to come."

According to him, President Hassan's leadership is also expected to improve the vetting systems for candidates being considered for appointment to the judicial system - making it mandatory that all unqualified candidates are unquestionably dropped. This would uphold the respect of the appointing authority - and that of the Presidency, at the end of it all.

This is if only because it is the appointing authority that will be blamed, and its image tarnished, if and when a leader violates the Codes of Conduct while in public office.

For his part, Advocate Benedict Ishabakaki said the decision by the new DPP Mwakitalu to withdraw some court cases and let go free the wrongly-accused persons - some of whom had spent years behind bars - was long-overdue as it was unnecessary and unjust.

He, therefore, advised the Head of State to build strong institutions which would promote good governance and discourage selfish interests among future public leaders.

"However, laws, regulations and guidelines on criminal cases should be amended to ensure that suspects are arrested and/or arraigned in court only after completion of thorough investigations," he said.

Another lawyer, Mr Jeremiah Mtobesya, said the recent appointment of judges of the Court of Appeal and the High Court of Tanzania will significantly accelerate the hearing of criminal and other court cases, a major judicial shortcoming down the years.

"The new DPP's approach is commendable - especially for cases termed 'unbailable,' as well as dropping some cases whose accused persons were languishing in remand prisons," he said.

He suggested that major amendments be made to the Criminal Procedure Act (CPA), among which would provide for the arrest and/or arraignment of suspects in court only after thorough investigations have been conducted and completed."

In addition to commending the appointments made recently of the High Court and Court of Appeal judges, Mr Mtobesya emphasised the need to increase the numbers of the judges - and also review the Lands Tribunal procedures.

In her maiden speech in Parliament on April 22, President Hassan pledged to cooperate with the Judiciary in strengthening its systems of dispensing justice, including improving court infrastructures, increasing the human resource, and promoting greater use of state-of-the-art information and communication technologies.

"The Judiciary and other related institutions should focus on dispensing justice to citizens," the President stressed - and, more or less in the same breath, promised to continue strengthening the dispensing of justice and overseeing institutions, including the Offices of the Attorney General (AG) and the Solicitor General (SG), the DPP, DCI, PCCB and the Prisons Department.

In another recent development, on June 16, the Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court in Dar es Salaam dropped the economic sabotage case (Number 27/2017) against the owner of Independent Power Tanzania Limited (IPTL), Mr Harbinder Singh Sethi, after he successfully concluded a plea-bargaining agreement with the DPP.

The Kisutu Court ordered Mr Sethi to pay Sh26. 9 billion in compensation to the government after finding him guilty of pocketing $22.199 million and Sh309. 461 billion by deceit.

Mr Sethi paid Sh200 million as the first instalment, and pledged to complete payment in the next 12 months during which his IPTL plant and a parcel of land located in the Kunduchi Salasala area will be held as 'sureties.'

It is significant that all this took place within the first 100 days of President Hassan's administration.

In another recent decision, terrorism charges against 36 'Uamsho' ('Awakening') Muslim clerics were dropped on the same day (June 16, 2021) after the DPP expressed his lack of intention to continue with the case against the accused who had spent seven years in remand prison.

In the event, Clerics Sheikh Farid Hadi Ahmed and Mselem Ali Mselem were the first to secure their freedom from jail.

"It's true they have been set free. I have dropped all the charges against them," said Mr Mwakitalu in a telephone interview.

The clerics were accused of committing terrorism offences between January 2013 and June, 2014, contrary to Section 27(c) of the Terrorism Act, 2002.

Also, the Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court lifted the Certificate of Bail objection imposed by former DPP Biswalo Mganga on former Reli Assets Holding Company (Rahco) chief executive officer Benhardard Tito and two of his co-accused.

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Mr Tito and the co-accused - a former lawyer for the company, Emmanuel Massawe, and a representative of Rothschild (South Africa) Proprietary Limited, Kanji Mwinyijuma - are facing eight charges before the court.

The charges include occasioning the government a loss of Sh1.2 billion; conspiring to commit offences, and abuse of power in a transaction relating to upgrading of the central railway.

The DPP also dropped charges facing 14 suspects of trafficking from rural areas to urban areas of the country for indecent jobs.

In the decision made on June 22, 2021 by the Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court, the suspects were facing 41 charges including human trafficking; tax evasion, and occasioning a loss of Sh31 million to the Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA).

On June 18, 2021, the Kisutu Resident Magistrate's Court dropped economic sabotage case number 124/2019 against Marijani Msofe (alias 'Papa Msofe,' 53) and his four co-accused persons.

The DPP said he no longer intended to continue with the case against Mr Msofe and his co-accused, namely Wenceslaus Mtu (49); Advocate Mwesigwa Mhingo (36); Josephine Haule (38) and Mr Fadhil Mganga (61).

The suspects were collectively accused of obtaining Sh943 million through deceitful means.

Finally, on June 22, 2021, the High Court of Tanzania overturned the decision of the Advocate Ethics Committee to ban a former Tanzania Law Society (TLS) President, Ms Fatma Karume, from practising law on Mainland Tanzania - and ordered that the decision be referred to the Ethics Committee, thus giving her the opportunity to defend herself.
analysis

The recent murder of three chiefs highlights traditional leaders' role in the Anglophone crisis and suggests the conflict is far from over.

On 13 February 2021, a group of armed men stormed the town of Lebialem in Southwest Cameroon, dragged three traditional chiefs from their homes, and shot them dead. The attack was quickly attributed to secessionists rebels calling for an independent state of Ambazonia led by a man nicknamed Field Marshall.

This brutal assassination of three customary rulers was shocking, but not completely surprising. Customary rulers have come under attack since soon after the Anglophone crisis descended into violence in 2017. Several chiefs have been killed in the conflict, while many more have been kidnapped.

Not all secessionist groups agree on targeting traditional rulers. And in fact, not all the violence aimed at chiefs has come from the rebels - they have been victims of government abuses too. But their role and place in the ongoing Anglophone conflict warrants unpicking, especially as the February attack may be a sign of growing animosity towards them or of an evolving rebel focus. What can we learn from this escalation?

A history of chieftaincy

The history - and therefore current place - of chieftaincy in Cameroon's two English-speaking regions is notably different.

In the Northwest region, the role of traditional leaders stretches to pre-colonial times and is well-established. They form a critical function in the social and political functioning of the region and some communities believe them to have a sacred status. To this day, traditional leaders are highly entrusted by the population. In the Southwest region by contrast, chieftaincies were largely created - or at least formalised - under colonial rule. Traditional leaders' roles are more decentralised and they are far less influential than in the Northwest.

At independence in the early 1960s, when Cameroon became a two-state federation, traditional leaders formed a key part of the state government through the House of Chiefs. However in 1975, a few years after federalism was abolished, this body was dissolved. As President Ahmadu Ahidjo centralised power and eliminated the Anglophone regions' autonomy, chiefs became largely symbolic custodians of culture and customs.

Since then, there have been occasional confrontations between chiefs in the Anglophone regions and the government. But for the most part the relationship has been cooperative. With few exceptions, chiefs today are seen as being primarily concerned with their own economic interests and political powers.

The Anglophone crisis begins

This certainly appeared to be the case when the Anglophone crisis began. As peaceful protests by teachers and lawyers in 2016 were violently attacked by the government and escalated into demands for an independent state of Ambazonia in 2017, the chiefs stayed quiet. Even when demonstrators marched to their palaces, they received no response.

Though traditional leaders tend to avoid politics in general, many may have felt they had little choice in this instance. By law, chiefs in Cameroon are auxiliaries of the government and are answerable to a government-appointed Divisional Officer. This is a source of anger for many people, who resent the fact that their traditional rulers are subject to orders from officials with no standing in the community. Whatever the true feelings of the chiefs might have been, their silence was largely interpreted as tacit support for the government in Yaounde. As the crisis became more violent, they became targets.

Targeting chiefs

In January 2018, Chief Johannes Ekebe Niongo of Ngongo village, Southwest region, was found dead in a pool of his own blood. Secessionist groups had recently clashed with the army in the area, and some believed that the rebels suspected Niongo of collaborating with the government. Either way, his murder spooked many other chiefs, some of whom fled to cities or stopped wearing their traditional attire.

Nonetheless, more traditional leaders were kidnapped or killed as the conflict intensified. In July 2018, nine chiefs from the Fako division in Southwest region were abducted and accused of using mystical powers to disrupt the secessionist movement. One died in captivity before the others were eventually released. Speaking about the incident, one separatist said the chiefs were "rising against the people and actions like that cannot be tolerated". The following month, a traditional ruler in in Ndian Division, also in the Southwest, was dragged from a church and shot dead.

In the lead-up to the 6 December 2020 regional elections, there was a fresh uptick in kidnappings of chiefs who had expressed support for the elections or planned to stand. On 5 November, a paramount chief from Northwest region was kidnapped. On voting day itself, several chiefs were abducted in both Northwest and Southwest regions. They were later released, though one leader died while being held.

Most of the violence against chiefs has carried out by secessionists, but they have also been victims of government abuses. In September 2018, for instance, the elite Rapid Intervention Brigade (BIR) attacked and destroyed part of the Royal Palace of Bafut, a tentative UNESCO World Heritage site, claiming it was holding rebel militants. In September 2019, the BIR raided the palace again during a ceremony being attended by 200 people. The soldiers looted the museum and seized some 18th century bronze masks. No secessionist fighters were found on either occasion.

A significant escalation

With a few exceptions, separatist rebels have tended to target local chiefs with kidnappings. Those who have lost their lives in captivity are understood to have died of shock rather than executions. That all changed, however, this February when a group known as the Red Dragons abducted and killed three chiefs in Lebialem. It is suspected that the separatists targeted them for allegedly opposing the ongoing school boycott and refusing to pay proceeds to the fighters.

These brutal murders represent a significant escalation and highlight several aspects of the Anglophone crisis as it currently stands.

To begin with, it suggests a growing disconnect between certain factions of the secessionist movement and civilians in the Anglophone regions. The killing of the chiefs was widely condemned and, a few days after the incident, hundreds of protesters - mostly from Lebialem - marched in the capital Yaounde in protest. The government has tried to exploit this divide by painting the secessionists as reckless guerrillas that are destroying the fabric of local communities, ignoring its own role in escalating the conflict and putting chiefs in a position where they are seen as extensions of the state.

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The recent attack also exposed divisions within the secessionist movement. Among separatists, the targeting chiefs is heavily contested. The faction led by Samuel Sako appears more open to it, whereas those led by Cho Ayaba and Sisiku AyukTabe tend to be opposed. This echoes other disagreements around strategy. When six civil servants were kidnapped and one decapitated earlier this month, some secessionist groups condemned the act, while others praised it. Fissures within the Ambazonia movement have morphed into open disagreement and even internal conflict.

More than anything, however, the killing of the chiefs demonstrates that the Anglophone crisis continues to escalate - despite government claims that is beginning to come to an end.

R. Maxwell Bone is an MPhil Candidate in African Studies at Jesus College, University of Cambridge. He has conducted fieldwork in Anglophone Cameroon. Follow him on twitter @maxbone55. Akem Kelvin Nkwain is a Human Rights Officer at the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, and an LL.M research fellow at the University of Buea. He has conducted fieldwork across Anglophone Cameroon. Follow him on Twitter @NkwainAkem.
analysis

For those living in Boko Haram-affected areas of the Lake Chad Basin region, the risk of COVID-19 is high. The long-standing humanitarian crisis, unequal access to vaccines, the emergence of COVID-19 variants, vaccine hesitancy and the risk of fake vaccines are all to blame.

There are growing concerns, confirmed by the World Health Organization (WHO), of the third wave of infections in Africa getting out of hand. At least 22 countries on the continent so far have experienced surges, with cases increasing by 52% by the third week of June.

The situation is made worse by the 12-year-old Boko Haram insurgency that's caused one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world. It has led to food insecurity and an increased risk of spreading diseases like cholera, typhoid, malaria, meningitis, measles and more.

Of the four Boko-Haram affected countries (Niger, Nigeria, Chad and Cameroon), Chad has the lowest national COVID-19 figures, and new cases are declining. The Hadjer-Lamis and Lac regions - the two areas of Chad affected by the Boko Haram crisis - have had fewer than 60 cases with three deaths and no active cases as of 11 June. However, ongoing insecurity means the risk remains significant. The impact of pandemic protocols also limits humanitarian workers' assistance to communities.

Nigeria's Borno State is hardest hit by both Boko Haram and COVID-19 cases and deaths

In Lac, COVID-19 has affected people's ability to meet their basic needs because of a loss of income and humanitarian aid, and an increase in the price of commodities. In Hadjer-Lamis, severe acute malnutrition is above the WHO's 2% emergency threshold.

In Nigeria's Borno State, the Lake Chad Basin area hardest hit by Boko Haram, there are serious concerns about hunger levels rising to those seen in 2016. The state has both the highest number of confirmed COVID-19 cases and deaths among the three states in Nigeria most affected by Boko Haram as of 28 June.

These problems, coupled with increasing attacks by violent extremists, could weaken the fight against the virus. It may be difficult to convince people facing hunger to have a vaccine, and health workers could encounter security threats when trying to reach people in unsafe areas.

Apart from the complex humanitarian situation, there's also scepticism among local populations about COVID-19 vaccines. This is due to the earlier safety concerns around the jabs, a general lack of trust in governments, arrests and interception of counterfeit injections, and fake news, among others.

In Cameroon, only 11% of the 700 000 COVID-19 vaccine doses received had been used by 5 June

The situation is worse in Cameroon. Only 11% of the 700 000 doses received had been used by 5 June. In Niger and Nigeria by comparison, more than 50% of their vaccines had been administered. Despite vaccine administration standing at more than 50% in Nigeria, there have been campaigns against the injections, notably from political and religious leaders. One of the country's most renowned pastors warned his congregants not to take the vaccine.

Niger is the only Lake Chad Basin country where most people have expressed confidence in the jab and a willingness to have it. According to a COVID-19 vaccines perception report by the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, 93% of those interviewed expressed willingness to accept the vaccine.

According to the report, Nigeriens may be less susceptible to believing misinformation. Unsurprisingly, they listed social media as one of the least trusted sources. Nigeriens are also more likely to have confidence in their government regarding COVID-19 vaccine approval - even more than institutions like the WHO.

Experts argue that vaccine inequality is particularly dangerous for Africa because of the market it creates for fake jabs. Both Cameroon and Nigeria have reported the circulation of counterfeit vaccines, further raising fears among people about having them.

Nigeriens are more likely to trust their government on COVID-19 vaccines - even more than the WHO

The Lake Chad Basin countries have received about 5.2 million doses in total - Nigeria 4 000 000; Cameroon 700 000; Niger 355 000 and Chad 200 000. This covers less than 2% of the region's 266 million people, even at one dose per person. Only 50% of the vaccines had been administered by 17 June. Going further, only 0.83% of the Lake Chad Basin population had received one of two required doses, while 0.11% had been fully vaccinated.

The region's lack of vaccines is part of the larger problem facing Africa. With about 1.3 billion, the continent accounts for less than 2% of global vaccinations so far. One reason is Africa's reliance on the WHO-driven COVAX programme, which was, ironically, designed to promote vaccine equality. COVAX relies on India's Serum Institute, the world's largest manufacturer of vaccines. But jabs slated for poorer countries have been diverted for domestic use.

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Africa has also been slow to deploy vaccines. There have been cases of injections being destroyed or returned because they were near expiry, and countries were ill-prepared to administer them rapidly. In the Lake Chad Basin, Nigeria returned some vaccines received in late March because they couldn't be used with an expiry date of 13 April.

Governments in the region and their partners should improve the logistical capacity to receive, deploy and administer vaccines even before they arrive. Those involved should draw from their experience in handling past epidemics like Ebola and polio.

Targeted sensitisation campaigns on the importance, safety and efficacy of vaccines will help tackle hesitancy. Scientists, health workers, traditional and religious leaders, community leaders and even celebrities in the region have an essential role to play.

Malik Samuel, Researcher, Lake Chad Basin Programme, ISS Dakar

This article is funded by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Netherlands.
Luanda  The Minister of National Defence and Homeland Veterans, Joao Ernesto dos Santos, on Tuesday expressed "deep dismay" over the death of lieutenant-general Joaquim Guilherme Tchiloya, which occurred Saturday in the city of Lubango, Huila province, due to illness.

In a condolence note sent to ANGOP, the government official pointed out that the late retired general was a nationalist who at very early age made himself available for the fight toward the conquest and preservation of independence, peace and national reconciliation, having played with distinction, among others, the positions of commander of the 1st infantry regiment of the Western operational command and 2nd commander of the then 7th military region (Benguela).

"In this hour of pain and mourning, on behalf of the Ministry of Defence and Homeland Veterans and in my own, I bow before the memory of the deceased and present to the bereaved family the expression of our heartfelt condolences for the unfortunate event," the document stresses.
Luanda  The Angolan top model and newly appointed ambassador of Angolan tourism, Maria Borges, met Monday with young people of Luanda's Cazenga municipality as part of the program "Juntos e todos pelo Turismo".

Maria Borges shared with young people her life story from her childhood to achieving stardom in the fashion world.

"Being in a different neighborhood and knowing its reality is very rewarding," she said.

For the model, the focus in this dialogue is to pass on the life experience achieved in the world.

"Right now, as tourism ambassador, I'm going to analyze what can be done to promote the image of the municipality," she said.

Maria Borges underlined the existence of young people with potential in the fashion world who can follow the same steps.

In his turn, the administrator of Cazenga municipality, Tomas Bica, said the visit of the Angolan tourism ambassador aimed to encourage youth and inspire them to reach higher levels.

The model is touring the country between June 30 and July 20, to promote the tourism potential of the provinces of Namibe, Huila, Malanje, Zaire and Luanda.
Luanda  Three Angolan cultural associations have said they are working towards the constitution of a Confederation of National Artistic Organizations up to this year, with the aim to better defend art and its creators.

The Angolan Writers Union (UEA), National Union of Artists and Composers (UNAC) and National Union of Plastic Artists (UNAP) met on Thursday in Luanda to discuss the steps to be given for the creation of the confederation.

Speaking to Angop on Sunday, Antonio Ana "Etona", secretary-general of UNAP, said that national artists, in general, have several challenges, such as being more valued by the society and to have more possibilities or facilities to obtain financial conditions and others, inherent to the development of their activities.

Etona spoke of the need to create more social awareness about the importance of art and culture in the country, from an early age, adding that this can only be achieved with greater togetherness of the national artistic class.

"The Confederation of National Artistic Organizations is expected to be another valid and strong interlocutor that, together with the government and the society, be able to give its contribution for the improvement of the artistic movement and, consequently, the condition of the artist", Etona said.
President Hage Geingob has paid tribute to former Cabinet member Willem Konjore as a person who served the country with dedication as a liberation icon, teacher and man of faith.

In remarks read at Konjore's funeral on Saturday, Geingob said as a leader Konjore did not allow his commitment to his faith to prevent him from actively engaging in the struggle against the colonial apartheid regime in Namibia.

Geingob recalled that Konjore's position as a teacher enabled him to clandestinely mobilise his community to support and join the struggle for liberation.

Konjore died on 10 June in a Windhoek hospital at the age of 75 years. He was accorded a state funeral by the head of state and was buried on Saturday at farm #Gabis outside Karasburg in the //Kharas region.

The president's speech was read on his behalf at the funeral by the minister of mines and energy, Tom Alweendo.

"Konjore both in person and actions is a man deserving great praise for commitment to the Republic of Namibia. His legacy will endure for years whilst the memory of his life will remain with those he left behind forever," said the president in his remarks.

Konjore served as a member of the Constituent Assembly in 1989 and served as deputy speaker of the National Assembly from 2000 to 2005. He was also a member of the Cabinet as minister of environment and tourism and as minister of youth, national service, sport and culture.

Konjore was a pioneer in education in the //Kharas region who started the private /Khoichas Primary School at Vaalgras and made English the medium of instruction as he opposed Afrikaans and the standards of Bantu education.

Konjore was conferred the Most Brilliant Order of the Sun Second Class award by president Hifikepunye Pohamba in 2014 for service rendered to the country.
Italy Ambassador to Tanzania, Marco Lombardi has stressed on the importance of cooperation between Italy and Tanzania in the EU and UN frameworks in the war against trafficking of illicit drugs.

Speaking at the commemoration of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking in Dodoma, the capital city of Tanzania, Tuesday, the diplomat also mentioned the important role played by the Italian 'Carabinieri' in fighting international organized crime.

The Home Affairs Minister, George Simbachawene also attended the event and chaired the event when stakeholders were giving the way forward in tackling illicit drugs.
THE government's desire to create a friendly environment in the mining industry has started to attract financial players, and bringing forth new financing initiatives aimed at boosting the sector's investment and contribution to the economy.

The new dawn was marked by NMB Bank that became the first lender to launch a special mining club to cater for the unique financial needs in the extractive industry, including offering sectoral players soft loans.

The mining club initiative aligns well with the sixth phase government endeavour to support the establishment of a thriving mining sector, which President Samia Suluhu Hassan has supported in many ways during her first 100 days in office.

Through this initiative, NMB Bank targets to increase credit to the mining sector to over 200bn/- by 2025. Already loans amounting to 63bn/- had been extended to the mining borrowers by May this year.

The fresh impetus into the mining sector is good news for over 1.5 million artisanal miners in the country, who have for long been considered not viable for lending by commercial lenders.

Minerals Minister, Dotto Biteko said at the launch of the NMB Mining Club that the NMB mining club is an innovative financial inclusion platform of its kind in the country, adding that it was such creativity, which makes the NMB market leader in many aspects.

He said by showing the way in serving miners better, the bank has created a new revenue avenue in the lucrative industry that currently accounts for over 5.2 per cent of national output (GDP).

He said other banks should emulate NMB and start serious lending to the mining sector for their wellbeing and that of the country.

In the drive, Mr Biteko challenged local lenders to form synergies and provide syndicated loans for financing large-scale mining projects.

"NMB Mining Club is a commendable initiative and top-class creativity to lure new customers and serve the mining sector that has huge business potential for banks. I am grateful NMB has shown us that local lenders no longer fear working with the mining sector," the minister noted.

The Chief Credit Officer of NMB Bank, Mr Daniel Mbotto, said the club, which already has 200 members in the central zone, will contribute towards the attainment of that goal through streamlined and special lending like asset financing.

"We strongly believe mining stakeholders will seize this opportunity and capitalize on the many advantages it offers for their prosperity and productivity of the sector," Mr Mbotto said.

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Apart from offering tailor madebanking services, the novel NMB Mining Club will be a platform for spurring the sector's growth and productivity.

The bank said its prosperity through the networking initiative will be a boon for the country.

"NMB has resolved to support the mining sector by propelling mining activities, which consequently will boost national coffers through royalty payments, service levies and other charges," he explained.

Other major benefits of the club are business education and training programmes, networking exposure, investment and commercial lessons as well as knowledge sharing amongst members.

NMB Mining Club is a network of the bank's mining sector customers and other stakeholders, which is initially earmarked for six areas, starting with Dodoma and Kahama that will be followed by Mwanza, Chunya, Morogoro and Arusha.

The club inauguration-cumworkshop was also organized to highlight the bank's performance and its financial solutions like the banc assurance service offered in partnership with 10 insurers - namely Jubilee General Insurance and Jubilee Life, Reliance, UAP, Britam, Metropolitan as well as NIC, ZIC, Alliance Life and Sanlam.

The head of Business Banking at the bank, Mr Alex Mgeni, called on the government to help them serve artisanal miners by addressing several issues like allowing the lender to use their mining licences as collateral.

On his part, the chairman of the Mining Commission, Prof Idris Kikula said that was possible and the relevant authorities will look into it and advise the government accordingly.
The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has granted an application by Omoyele Sowore, convener of the #RevolutionNow movement, to file a notice of appeal against his bail terms.

The Department of State Services (DSS) had arrested Sowore in Lagos on August 3, 2019, and was later moved to Abuja.

The federal government had charged Sowore with treasonable felony, "insulting" President Muhammadu Buhari and money laundering.

The court had granted Sowore N100 million bail with two sureties who must be residents in Abuja and have landed properties within the federal capital territory (FCT).

The court had held that the sureties must deposit original documents of those properties.

The judge also ordered that one of the sureties must deposit N50 million with the court pending the determination of the case

While barring Sowore from travelling outside Abuja, the judge ordered him to deposit his passport with the court.

Subsequently, Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu set aside the previous order on Sowore's surety depositing N50million, holding that the surety could deposit N30 million.

She also reduced the bail sum of Olawale Bakare, Sowore's co-defendant, to N30million instead of the initial N50m.

But she refused to alter all the other conditions for bail.

Sowore's counsel, Femi Falana, had approached the court seeking an alteration of the previous bail conditions which he said were stringent, and thus, could not be met.

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In the sitting yesterday, Marshall Abubakar, Sowore's lawyer, urged the court to grant an order "extending the time within which the applicant/appellant may file his notice of appeal against the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division in CHARGE NO. FHC/ABJ/CR/235/2019, between Federal Republic Of Nigeria V Omoyele Sowore and 1 other delivered by His Lordship, Honourable Justice ljeoma Ojukwu, on the 21st day of October 2019, the time within which to file same having elapsed".

He also asked to withdraw prayer 2 which is an order "deeming the applicant's/appellant's Notice of Appeal filed against the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja Judicial Division in CHARGE NO. FHC/ABJ/CR/235/2019, between Federal Republic Of Nigeria V Omoyele Sowore & 1 other delivered by His Lordship, Honourable Justice ljeoma Ojukwu, on the 21st day of October 2019, a proposed copy attached herewith as "Exhibit A" and filed separately at the Registry of this Honourable Court as a separate process, as having been properly filed and served on the respondent".

Justice Moore Adumein granted the applicant's motion "to file a notice of appeal at the registry of the federal high court Abuja 14 days from today" and struck out the second request.
On June 10, 2021, a group of supporters of the South African Economic Freedom Fighters opposition party harassed and threatened reporter Ayesha Ismail and camera operator Mario Pedro, with the privately owned broadcaster eNCA, while they tried to cover an anti-racism protest in Cape Town, according to video of the incident shared on social media and Ismail, who spoke to CPJ via messaging app.

In that video, a group of people wearing clothes showing support for the Economic Freedom Fighters can be seen shouting at the journalists to leave the scene. One demonstrator says that the protesters "don't want anything to do with eNCA" and "eNCA must leave... " and another, brandishing a stick, tells the journalists, "We are going to teach you a lesson; come forward here, I am going to teach you a good lesson."

Ismail told CPJ that they left the scene amid the harassment, saying, "I am very sure that if Pedro and I did not retreat from the protesting EFF supporters we could have been harmed."

In a statement, the South Africa National Editors' Forum, an industry body of editors and senior journalists, condemned the intimidation and noted that the EFF has been hostile to eNCA since 2019, when the broadcaster refused to cover the party's conference in solidarity with other news outlets that had not been granted accreditations.

Previously, on March 15, 2021, in Durban, EFF-affiliated students shoved and obstructed eNCA reporter Sli Masikane while she was covering a protest against student debt, according to news reports.

CPJ emailed EFF spokesperson Vuyani Pambo, and contacted him via messaging app for comment, but did not receive any replies.

Melikhaya Xego, the party's chair for the Western Cape, denied that the EFF supporters had intimidated the journalists, saying it was "just unfortunate that there were a lot of people speaking at the same time, but we did not physically touch any journalist from eNCA," according to reports.

Xego added that the party sought to "humble" eNCA after it pulled out of EFF's conference in 2019, saying, "We can't force them not to attend our protests and pressers, but we will not give them any interviews."

Police spokesperson Thandi Mbambo referred CPJ's queries to provincial police spokesperson Novela Potelwa. CPJ messaged Potelwa and repeatedly called her for comment, but did not receive any replies.
The Senate yesterday turned down the request of the Chairman of its Committee on Appropriation, Senator Jibril Barau, for an additional week to present the committee's report on the 2021 Supplementary Bill sent to the upper chamber by the executive arm.

President Muhammadu Buhari had in a letter dated June 15, 2021, and sent a Supplementary Appropriation Bill of N895.842 billion to the Senate for necessary legislative action and passage.

Last Wednesday, the Senate referred the president's request to its Committee on Appropriation for proper scrutiny leading to the preparation of a report for deliberation by the Senate at the plenary.

But at the resumption of plenary yesterday, Senator Barau had told the Senate that more work needed to be done on the Appropriation Bill hence the need for more time for the committee to do a thorough job.

He, therefore, asked the Senate to allow the committee to turn in its report at plenary next Tuesday.

According to him, "We were given the mandate to submit the report today. I want to inform this distinguish Senate that we started work on the bill. We discovered that we needed more time because we feel we must meet the minimum standard set out by the rules of this Senate in processing the bill.

"The expected period we feel we will be able to do this is this week, and submit our report next Tuesday. I appeal that the Senate should permit us to submit our report on Tuesday next."

Responding, the Senate President, Dr. Ahmed Lawal, rejected the request for more time, saying the committee had enough time since last Wednesday to complete its report.

Lawan said: "Chairman, you will not have more than today (yesterday). This is a very straightforward supplementary budget request. So it doesn't need two weeks to work on it. And you remember, we have a lineup of so many important bills to consider in this Senate.

"So you have today to do it and we will receive it tomorrow. Please because I'm sure you had the entire weekend from last Wednesday, almost six days. That should be enough. This is just two sectors."

President Muhammadu Buhari has transmitted a 2021 Supplementary Appropriation Bill of N895.842 billion to the Senate for necessary legislative action and passage.
The federal government has pledged to deepen it support for women entrepreneurs given the fact that they form the 49.3 per cent of the total population of the country.

The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Niyi Adebayo, stated this at the inauguration of the newly-elected president of the Nigerian Association of Women Entrepreneurs (NAWE) yesterday in Abuja.

Meanwhile, former Governor of Niger State, Babaginda Aliyu, further disclosed that empowering women would reduce poverty and enhance food security, which are key factors in attaining the 2030 agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Aliyu, however, added that women must take the rightful position as fundamental resources across the various value chain, particularly in the growing network of women entrepreneurs and industrialist.

He also said the women needed to be equipped with the necessary skills and capacity to increase the access to high value of international market.

The former governor advised that in a quest to reduce the existence of gender inequalities, women must take on leading roles towards realising their rights and access to productive resources.

In her remark, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, however, said women entrepreneurs have to look for opportunities in digitalisation, stressing the important aspect of technology in enhancing the running of entrepreneur activities going forward.
Former Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo, on Tuesday, urged the Federal High Court, Abuja, to make an order setting aside the seizure and sealing of some of his property by the state government.

Okorocha also asked Justice Ahmed Mohammed to restrain the defendants from investigating him or implement the recommendations of the seven panels set up to probe him while he served as the state governor between June 2006 and May 2019 pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

The request was contained in a motion on notice brought by his lawyer, Oba Maduabuchi, SAN, dated and filed on June 25.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Okorocha, Senator representing Imo West Senatorial District, in a suit marked FHC/ABJ/CS/558/2020 filed on May 28, 2020, had urged the court to restrain the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and others from probing him.

While the EFCC is the 1st respondent, the 2nd to 48th respondents are the Attorney General (AG) of Imo and members of the seven panels set up to probe previous administrations in the state.

However, only the EFCC was represented in court on Tuesday.

Maduabuchi told the court that the latest application sought a restoration of the status quo despite the white paper issued by the state government panels.

The senior lawyer said despite the service of the motion on the 2nd to 48th defendants, none of them appeared in court.

According to him, one is not surprised about their absence in court because that has been their attitude.

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"It is surprising that the attorney general of the state, who was served processes in the suit since last year, has not filed anything," he said.

Maduabuchi informed that immediately an order of stay of proceedings against the panels was granted by the court, the state government panels quickly accelerated their proceedings and concluded their findings.

"Copies of the white paper issued by the panels were exhibited in the application," he said.

The lawyer said the anti-graft agency had always been in court and had since filed its defence.

"For the attorney general and the panels, we can go to hell.

"But I know my lord is not completely powerless," he said.

Counsel to the EFCC, G.C. Ofulue, did not oppose Maduabuchi's application.

Justice Mohammed adjourned the matter until July 15 for hearing in the plaintiff's motion on notice.

He also ordered that hearing notices be issued to the 2nd to 48th defendants.

NAN reports that some of the property listed in the motion include: Eastern Palm University Ogboko; Royal Spring Palm Hotels and Apartments, Akachi Road, Owerri, Imo; Imo Broad Casting Corporation Staff Quarters, Orji or Rochas Foundation Collage Orji; Public Building Plot B/2 Otamiri South Extension Layout and Magistrate Quarters, Orlu Road /Corporate Office including market square Kilimanjaro.

Others are Plot 5 Naze Residential Layout and all property contained in pages 226 to 272 of the government white paper on the Florence Duruoha Igwe judicial Commission of inquiry into land Administration in Imo State from June 2006 to May 2019.

Vanguard News Nigeria
Interfaith Dialogue Forum for Peace, IDFP, has stormed Abia State to sensitise religious leaders and traditional rulers on the need to mobilise their followers and subjects for Covid-19 vaccination.

The group, which comprises Christian and Islamic leaders, urged clerics of both faiths to disorientate their adherents against the various conspiracy theories surrounding covid-19 vaccines.

At the workshop presided over by the Co-Chairman of IDFP, Bishop Sunday Onuoha, were Christian and Islamic religious leaders and officials of National Primary Health Care Development Agency.

In a remark, Bishop Onuoha decried various conspiracy theories being propagated against covid-19 vaccines by some individuals hiding under the cloak of religion to brainwash the uninformed.

He said he had taken both the first and second doses of the jab, insisting that it has no adverse health implications contrary to speculations.

The IDFP Co-chair urged members of the public to discountenance various myths being peddled against covid-19 vaccines.

Bishop Onuoha charged religious leaders to help promote covid-19 vaccination among their faithful as part of efforts to stem the spread of the pandemic.

He regretted that the number of people vaccinated against the pandemic in Abia State was not encouraging, urging religious leaders to mobilise their adherents to embrace the exercise.

In his remarks, the Chief Iman of Abia State, Sheikh Aliyu Ukiwo, appealed to Muslim faithful in the state to disregard any conspiracy theory against covid-19 vaccination, and go for the jab, disclosing that he was among the first set of persons to receive the vaccination.

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The Chairman, Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Abia State chapter, Apostle Emmanuel Agomuo, who also said he had been vaccinated, called on Christians in the state to embrace the exercise and help checkmate the spread of the epidemic.

Speaking on behalf of the traditional institution, the paramount Ruler of Abriba ancient kingdom, HRM Eze Kalu Kalu Ogbu (Enachioken Abriba), regretted that some religious bigots are using religion to pursue their selfish ambition.

He noted that religion had never been the problem of Nigeria but "those using religion for selfish reasons".

The monarch promised to collaborate with relevant agencies of government to mobilise his subjects for covid-19 vaccination.

Meanwhile, Secretary to Abia State Government, Mr. Chris Ezem has commended IDFP for its relentless efforts in promoting peace and harmony among practitioners of different faiths in the country.

He urged religious leaders to preach peaceful co-existence among their adherents and promote national unity and stability of the country.

The Co-publicity Secretary of IDFP, Imam Sani Isah, called on Muslim and Christian faithful to embrace one another as brothers and sisters and live peacefully as one people. Other participants at the workshop include leadership of both Christian and Muslim youths and women groups.

Vanguard News Nigeria
Dar es Salaam  The Chief Executive Officer of Tanzania Roads Agency (Tanroads), Engineer Patrick Mfugale died on Tuesday June 29, 2021 while undergoing treatment at Benjamin Mkapa Hospital in Dodoma.

This was confirmed by the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Works and Transport, Joseph Malongo through a press statement.

Malongo said funeral preparations are already underway and a formal statement will be issued to the public after consultation with the deceased's family.

During his lifetime Mfugale oversaw the construction of various bridges, including Mkapa Bridge on the Rufiji River, Rusumo Bridge on the Kagera River, Kikwete Bridge on Malagarasi River, Nyerere Bridge, Kigamboni, Mfugale Bridge (named after him by the late president John Magufuli) and Kijazi interchange in Dar es Salaam.

Mfugale was appointed to the post in May 2011 by retired President Jakaya Kikwete.

Prior to that appointment, he was the Acting CEO of Tanroads and held various government positions.

The late engineer also held various positions in the works ministry as Director of the Regional Roads Department.

Mfugale held a Bachelor of Engineering degree from Roorkee University in India, and a Master's Degree from Loughborough University in The United Kingdom. He was a registered engineer who attended Construction and Economics training, Project and Road Maintenance Training as well as bridge construction and maintenance.

He will be remembered for his precision while at work, a trait that enabled him to oversee the construction of some of Tanzania's most iconic bridges.
The eSwatini government has denied that King Mswati III fled the country, issuing a statement saying: "He continues to lead in working with the government," after earlier reports that the monarch had fled the country due to protests.

Troops were deployed on the streets of Matsapha, the industrial hub on the outskirts of eSwatini's capital on Monday night to deal with protesters calling for end of absolute monarchy in the country.

According to unconfirmed social media posts on Tuesday, people appeared to be fleeing the area, and petrol queues reportedly stretched farther than usual as panicked residents filled their cars.

Unconfirmed reports indicate the internet has been shut down.

Government Statement: Government assures the Nation that His Majesty King Mswati III is in the country & continues to lead in working with Government to advance the Kingdom's goals. pic.twitter.com/P3iFjQ4fvz

- Eswatini Government (@EswatiniGovern1) June 29, 2021

"Yesterday was the worst night ever where a young man was shot point-blank by the army, and some are in hospital as we speak," Lucky Lukhele, spokesman for umbrella democracy organisation Swaziland Solidarity Network, told AFP newswire.

Shops were reportedly looted in Matsapha overnight, according to AFP sources.

Protests erupted in Mbabane, the capital, and around the country over the weekend as residents called for democracy. eSwatini is the last absolute monarchy on the African continent.

The government had banned protests last week, as National Police Commissioner William Dlamini warned that any protests would be dealt with zero tolerance.

There were reports that King Mswati III had left the country, but the claims could not be confirmed.

The king was crowned in 1986, aged 18. His expensive taste, from cars and planes to houses, has angered eSwatini citizens, many who live below the poverty line.

This is not the first time the people have protested against the king -- in 2019, civil servants when on strike, accusing Mswati of taking money from public coffers for his own use.
Tunis/Tunisia  Four more people have died of coronavirus in the governorate of Gabes over the last 48 hours, bringing the toll to 463, reads the latest report of the Local Health Directorate.

105 more infections have also been reported following the release of the 698 tests, Director of Preventive Health in Gabes Yahya Hamdi told TAP.

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the region has recorded 14,389 infections including 14,139 recoveries.

Currently, 246 people are still carrying the virus, including 96 cases in South Gabes and 47 cases in El Hamma.
The movie, directed by Paulinus Ambe, calls on parents to check and control their children's activities while in school.

Occultism is becoming a problem in most school premises across the country. The situation is quite disturbing especially for parents whose children become victims of such practices. The Cameroon film industry is not indifferent to the situation. The Bi France Production through the movie "Lion In Love", presents a situation of occultism amongst students in a university and the impact on their studies and entire life.

Shot in the town of Bamenda, the film Director Paulinus Ambe, for over one hour, 30 minutes, unveils the story of a group of university girls belonging to an all-girl cult. Using their cultic powers, they enticed lecturers for examination marks. These girls did not only practise lesbianism, but also slept with influential men in society while doing everything to cover their evil track. The film producer later reveals an unexpected path for the cult members when the leader of the cult clashes with a pastor. It all started when one of the cult members, Sonia falls in love with a guy who is against the cult laws and happens to be the brother to one of her cult mates, Princess Sky. Sonia is caught between love and power. Princess Sky knows that Sonia falling in love with her brother will bring calamity to the entire cult and will lead to the death of her brother, because Sonia is not supposed to be in a relationship with a man, talk less of having a sexual relationship with him.

There is danger in the air, now that Princess Sky's brother was also deeply in love with Sonia. Sonia is also caught between love and power. Trying to save her brother from the claws of Sonia, princess Sky and another cult mate follow the instructions of the grand master and wage a war against Sonia. But they end up having an encounter with the family pastor at the Johnsons (the family of Sky and Sonia's boyfriend). The fight brings out the grand master to battle with the pastor to help out his disciples. It is a matter of time before the weaker power surrenders to the greater power.
Tunis/Tunisia  Tunisia is attending the Generation Equality Forum in Paris on June 30-July 2. It will be represented by Minister of Women, Family and Elderly Affairs Imen Zahouani who will outline national gender equality commitments over the next five years, the ministry said.

Tunisia is the single Arab country which is chairing an action coalition as part of this international initiative- the Action Coalition on Technology and Innovation for Gender Equality. The coalition brings other countries, such as Finland, Armenia, Rwanda and Chile and is focused on eliminating cyber violence against women, the economic empowerment of women and encouraging girls to pursue technical and technological subjects as part a roadmap for 2021/2026.

Participants among government officials and international organisations will outline their gender equality strategies.
Two students at the Gambia College are seeking financial assistance in order to pay their tuition fees.

These students, who were enrolled at the Gambia College in 2019 under the School of Agriculture, pursuing a highest diploma in agriculture, are about to sit for their comprehensive examination.

Bassin Njie, one of the students who walked into Foroyaa's Office on Saturday 26th June 2021, said the management of the Gambia College has started sending students out of their classes whilst lessons are ongoing. Njie said she was supposed to pay twenty-four thousand dalasis (D24, 000.00) for the whole two-year program but she is yet to pay anything.

Saidou Sabally, the other student, said he has no support at home and therefore, if his condition remains the same, he will end up living his academic journey. Sabally should also pay D24, 000 but he too, is yet to pay anything.

"I have done my certificate program at the college before going to the highest diploma program and still owe the college on that program because I don't complete the payment of that program too," he said. "The management of the college said I am not going to sit for my examination if I don't pay my tuition fee."

Both students said for over two weeks they have been moving from one office to another seeking assistance from individuals and institutions to no avail.

For assistance, Bassin and Saidou can be reached on the following numbers: 5324806 or 3388590.
Janet Rogan, the COP26 (Conference of the Parties) Regional Ambassador for West Africa, has on Thursday 24th June 2021 visited The Gambia where she is expected to engage the government and stakeholders about ways to mitigate climate change.

Rogan is also expected to engage the government on the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) commitments ahead of the COP26 summit.

"Like in the Gambia, there is the possibility of saltwater making its way to the farmlands which will really affect agriculture. We want to see how we can engage governments on how to mitigate climate change in The Gambia and all over the world at large," she said in a press conference on Friday.

Janet said they also want countries to work on adaptation measures and change the way they deal with the forest trees.

"As the regional Ambassador of Africa, I know sitting in the UK will not help as I will now be able to have first information on some of these issues," he said. "We want to mitigate some of the climate change challenges, especially global warming which is still rising, which we need to bring it down. There is also an increase in desertification which supports soil erosion."

Meanwhile, in her engagement with the press, Janet said her visit to The Gambia is to engage stakeholders on climate change issues in this country and how to mitigate them. While in The Gambia, Janet is expected to meet the Vice President, Minister of environment and some members of the climate CSO.

About Janet:

Janet was appointed as Regional Ambassador for the Middle East and North Africa, Eastern Europe, and Central Asia in March 2021. Janet joined the FCO (now FCDO) in 1986. She has served in the Far East, the Balkans, the Middle East, and Africa, and has worked with NATO (as UK Political Adviser) and the United Nations (as a UN Resident Coordinator). She has a wide policy, development, and humanitarian experience across post-conflict and fragile states, and in bringing the principles of the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030 and the global Climate Change Agreements together for wider strategic goals, including COP26.
Police in Bulawayo have arrested two security guards on charges of impersonating police officers.

The arrest of the two officers follows another separate arrest of a 35-year-old woman who also masqueraded as a police officer and solicited bribes from pirate commuter omnibuses operating in the city.

The woman, Vinate Ncube from Cowdray Park was arrested last week while soliciting for bribes from illegal private kombis operating along 6th Avenue in the city centre.

On 26 June, Mduduzi Dube (31) and Fanuel Ncube (29), employed as security guards at an unnamed security company were also arrested at Centenary Park facing charges of impersonating police officers.

"The complainant was approached by the accused persons and was asked why he was not wearing his (face) mask. One of the accused persons showed the complainant some handcuffs and advised him that he was under arrest for not wearing a mask," Bulawayo provincial spokesperson Abednico Ncube told NewZimbabwe.com.

"The two accused persons then asked the complainant how much money he had, and he offered to give them $100."

The police spokesperson said police officers from the cycle patrol unit arrested the accused after the complainant had narrated his story to them.

"The accused persons were later arrested after failing to identify themselves as police officers. We call upon members of the public to agree to go with arresting officers to the police station to finalise legal processes.

"This will give criminals limited grounds of extorting monies from them. Our police officers deal with cases at the (police) station".
The General Manager of Jah Oil Company, Momodou Hydara, has refuted the allegation made by the Mayor of Banjul, Rohey Malick Lowe, that his company is building a fuel station on an old cemetery.

The alleged area is located along Banjul-Kombo Highway where Radio Syd was operating.

Speaking in a press conference on Sunday June 26, Hydara said the distance between the old Muhamadan Cemetery and the new construction site leaves a distance of seventy-five metres (75m).

"The allegation by the mayor is circulating in the social media and very disturbing," he said.

He further narrated steps they have taken to legally secure the land before starting their construction. According to him, late Mamour Jobe, former Inspector General of Police, once requested his company to build a police station by the Old Cemetery which was granted and never changed, even though a new IGP takes charge.

He also said the current IGP has provided them with a sketch plan of the police station to be built.

On Tuesday 24th June, 2021 while inspecting ongoing constructions within her-led council, Mayor Lowe expressed discontent about three ongoing constructions, including Jah Oil's Fuel Station. She said the constructions are taking place without her office's knowledge.

Mayor Lowe also claimed that the place is a known graveyard where people's parents were buried and disassociated herself from any construction done on a graveyard.

Reacting to her office's lack of knowledge, the manager of Jah Oil explained that no rule requires people to notify councils when they want to carry out any constructions.

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Hydara said all the required papers from the Physical Planning, Ministry of Local Government and Lands and National Environmental Agency have been secured before their construction started.

"The former Radio Syd (now Jah Oil new construction) was legally purchased from Constance Wadner Enhorning on the 9th July, 2020 and the transaction was never a government allocation but a sale between a private property owner to Jah Oil Company," Jah Oil Company indicated in a press release.

Hydara also told the press that the owner of the said land was represented by her lawyer, Ida Drammeh, during the buying transactions.

Meanwhile, asked when did their company begin a fully-fledged cement factory production, the manager said plans are in progress towards establishing a cement factory but didn't give any timeline.

Asked about his company's position if further investigation turns out to become true that the site under construction is part of the old cemetery, the manager said they will be surprised considering all the ground works they have done to ascertain that the place is not part of the graveyard.
Some residents of Tallinding and Jeshwang have criticised the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) for changing registration centres without making an announcement.

The electoral commission issued their work schedule for the voter registration indicating venues, dates and time of their respective team movements countrywide.

The centre at Buffer Zone has been moved inside the Ahmadiyya Hospital whereas the one at Kandiba School in New Jeshwang is moved to a mosque.

Some of the centres are doing the registration under verandas of mosques and shops.

The Chairperson of IEC, Alieu M. Njie, said they target to register a million people. The registration process began on the 29th May 2021 and will last for 45 days. So far, the Commission has registered 556,766 voters, as of June 21.

Recently, the turnout at many centres has dropped according to IEC officials on the ground. Foroyaa did a Vox pop in order to know what is responsible for the low turnout. We spoke to supervisors at centres in Tallinding and Jeshwang constituencies as well as residents found sitting in the street.

Buba Sanneh, supervisor of the Buffer Zone centre, said his team has been there since May 29 and would remain there till the end of the process.

Despite the team being called the Buffer Zone team, they are not at Buffer Zone. Instead, they were found at a corner inside the Ahmadiyya Hospital. Foroyaa interviewed some residents randomly who said they are still waiting for IEC to send a team at Buffer Zone to register them. They said they don't know about the team movement to Ahmadiyya Hospital.

"We were at the Buffer Zone, but because it started to become windy and rain started coming, we felt that place was not proper [to be]," he said on Saturday.

Sanneh said the role of a supervisor is to find a suitable place for his or her team.

"This is why we chose to come here (the Ahmadiyaa Hospital). Here (the Ahmadiyya Hospital) is more suitable than there (Buffer Zone). We have a tent but here it is more conducive than there," he said. "The turnout before was impressive, but now it is going down. People are coming bit by bit, but not as I expect it to be."

Sanneh said as of last Thursday, they registered 2646 people. He said he does not issue attestation forms to people who do not bring old or invalid national documents.

"You have to bring an old document that is to show that you were once having it, if not, you come with the documents of one of your parents, if not, for me I don't give it out," he said.

He said he has rejected some people who came with birth certificates bearing the information born to "non-Gambian parents."

Lamin Conteh, a man found sitting at the Buffer Zone, said he did not register yet because IEC hadn't sent a team to Buffer Zone yet.

"I have my documents. I am waiting for them to come," he said.

The reporters interviewed many people at random places in the vicinity of Buffer Zone to ask them about the registration process. Like Lamin, most of them haven't registered as they claimed they were waiting for IEC to dispatch a team to Buffer Zone. Some said they registered at the Talliding Madina centre because they were not sure whether Buffer Zone will have a centre this time around.

Mariama Hydara, a registration staff at the Kandiba School registration centre which has now been moved to a veranda at a mosque in New Jeshwang, said they should be at the school, but because the students are learning they cannot have a crowd there, while the students are learning. She said they had been transferred to the mosque since last Sunday.

"We decided to transfer to the mosque here now," she said. "For yesterday (Thursday) and today (Friday) people are coming one by one. Even at that the turnout has been good."

It was put to her that there were no people to register at the time of the reporters' visit and her response was "currently it is a slow process because since Sunday we have been here and we have been registering people. As time goes on it is going to reduce every day."

In response to the question on whether the change venue has an effect on the voter turnout, she admitted that the change would have an impact on the turnout.

"For us, we are not impacted much, maybe with the other teams," she said.

She said from the previous centre to the centre they are now, as of Friday, they registered 2464 voters.

Lamin Yabo, senior supervisor at Tallinding Madina, said they came there on the 19th June and they will be there till July 11. He said his team registered 4091 people, as of Thursday, from the Tallinding kunjang centre and the Tallinding Madina centres.

"We are not satisfied with the turnout because what we were expecting we are not seeing," he said.

He took time to encourage people to come out and register on time in order to avoid rushing to come in the last days when the crowd is expected to become large.

Musa Touray, a registration staff who spoke on behalf of the Supervisor at the Tallinding Islamic Institute, said the turnout in the first three days was good, but it is not impressive now. They came to the centre on the 12th June 2021 and have registered 712 people in 13 days, as of Thursday.

"Our turnout is very poor," he said.

The centre is at a clinic attached to the Islamic Institute. The registration staff were all found sitting relaxed because there was no one to be registered.

Yankuba Jatta, the supervisor of the Tallinding Duto Koto registration centre, said they came to the place on the 19th June and since then, the turnout has been good. He said every day his centre has registered over 200 people since they came there.

The reporters visited the centre at around 10 am and found some people sitting and waiting to be registered. There was no queue at the centre and the number of people there at the time was 8.

Fatou Barrow, the supervisor of the Tallinding Lower Basic School, said the turnout at their centre is good. She said at her previous centre - Tallinding Bantaba - she registered a little over 3300. She added that they transferred to the centre at the Tallinding Lower Basic School on the 19th June and since then, they registered 171 (Saturday), 164 (Sunday), 193 (Monday), 212 (Tuesday) and 215 (Wednesday). The reporters arrived there at 13:20 and found them on a break. Some people were sitting outside waiting to be registered.

"The people are coming out to register," she said. "We are on a break. We do take our break at half past one."

The registration at this centre is being done inside a classroom.

Nyima Sanyang, supervisor at the Ebo Town Sanchaba registration centre, said her team was previously at the Ebo Town mosque and that they transferred to the new centre on the 18th June. She said some minors wanted to be registered under the pretext that their birth certificates were lost. She said they had to interview them.

"They (the underage) would come to us and say their birth certificates are lost. They will request for attestation (forms) from us," she said. "If we talk to them deeply, we would come to know that they have birth certificates that they kept at their homes, but because they are underage, they would want to be registered using attestation forms."

Sanyang said in some instances, the parents would accompany the underage to explain to the officials that their children's birth certificates were lost. She detailed that in some of the cases, they rejected them when they were not convinced with the answers the 'supposed' child gave.

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Abdoulie Jingaly, the supervisor at the ABC school, said they registered close to two hundred voters on the 24th and 25th June. He said they transferred to the school on the 24th June from their previous three centres - Ebo Town, Kusabiya, Badala and Big Tree - where they registered a little over 2000.

Dawda Sanyang, senior registration officer at Jeshwang Constituency, said the ABC School is a new centre.

IEC officials have stopped issuing attestation to persons who do not have valid documents

"We don't give attestation just like that. You have to show us something to make us believe you are a Gambian," Fatou Barrow said.

The Commission this year added new centres but there are directions to the registration centres like the ABC School in Jeshwang. This centre is the last point of New Jeshwang with no residences after there. The school is a few metres from the river. The centre is located in the school and the registration team is expected to stay there for nine days (24th June to 2nd July). One can only know about the centre when you get to the school gate. There is a white banner placed near the school entrance. When one gets inside the school, you will only come to see the centre after asking the people because the centre is at the backside of the classrooms.

The centre at the New Jeshwang Mosque is situated at the backside of the mosque. There is a white banner hanging at the entrance of the mosque. The centre at Ebo Town Sanchaba is situated under a veranda of a shop.

Efforts to get the views of the IEC have not yet succeeded but readers will be duly informed as soon as we get them.
Those Who Need HelpJune 29, 20The Gambia has over the weekend registered four (4) new cases of the deadly coronavirus, taking the total number of COVID-19 cases ever confirmed in the country to six thousand and sixty-nine.

The cases are one male and three females with ages ranging from 24-34 years.

No new COVID-19-related death was registered, bringing the total number of deaths since March 2020 to one hundred and eighty-one.

This is the 334th national situation report since the confirmation of the first case of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in The Gambia, on the 16th March 2020.

Currently, two people are in hotel quarantine and thirty-three active cases.

Modou Njai, the Director of Health Promotion and Education at the Ministry of Health, said five hundred and forty-five new laboratory test results were received from the Medical Research Council and from the National Public Health Lab.

Of these, Director Njai said four tested positive representing a 0.7 % positive test rate.

He said six (6) new COVID-19 patients were newly discharged from treatment centres, while none got discharged at least 10 days from the day they tested positive but evaded institutional isolation.

"Four (4) COVID-19 patients are currently on oxygen therapy. No new contact has been traced and monitored," he added.
Conrad Mupesa  FARMERS should use proceeds generated from the sale of harvested Pfumvudza/Intwasa programme crops to buy inputs as a way of complementing the Government's efforts to turn around the agricultural sector.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Deputy Minister Kindness Paradza said while the Government had continued to support the agricultural sector through various schemes with farmers in some cases receiving free inputs, farmers were also supposed to play their part.

"His Excellency, President Emmerson Mnangagwa is saying farmers should not squander money realised from the sale of Pfumvudza crops, but buy inputs to prepare for the 2021-2022 summer cropping season," he said.

Addressing farmers at the weekend in Makonde, where he is the local legislator, Deputy Minister Paradza while Pfumvudza inputs were available, it was prudent for farmers to be personally prepared before the onset of rains.

"The nation cannot progress with farmers waiting for freebies from the Government all the time. Since most farmers have reaped more this year through Pfumvudza and generous rains, they should purchase fertilisers and seed as they wait for the Government's allocation."

He urged village heads to spearhead early land preparations and save grass from veld fires which was needed for mulching.

Availability of inputs under the climate-proofed Pfumvudza agricultural scheme had been faced with various challenges including transport and logistics.

Cde Paradza said Government was going to invest in irrigation systems across the country, taking advantage of abundant water bodies to improve food security.

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"The Government has plans to help A1 farmers with already existing irrigation pipes underneath including this community which is close to the Biri Dam.

"The land will not be taken from you but your farms will be part of the irrigation drive that the Government seeks to achieve," he said.

He castigated some village heads and land officers who were illegally parcelling out land for money.

Illegal land allocations and farms invasions were rampant in Makonde and Zvimba districts.

Mhangura legislator, Precious Chinhamo-Masango bemoaned the actions by some village heads particularly in wards 11 and 13 where fights over land had ensued.

Makonde district development coordinator, Mr Benjamin Zivanai confirmed the illegal land allocation and called for action against the culprits.
Police and the army have sealed off a total of 400 business spaces in Soroti City for allegedly violating Covid-19 standard operating procedures (SoPs).

The affected businesses are in Juakali area on Liverpool Road, Cemetery Road and Solot Avenue.

They were closed under the directive of the Resident City Commissioner (RCC) , Mr Robert Adiama, as a measure to contain the spread of Covid-19.

Security forces only allowed a supermarket, Poonam Enterprises, and a health facility to operate.

Mr Adiama said he ordered the closure following Sunday's confrontation with the traders.

"I moved around to monitor how people were heeding to SoPs. Unfortunately, in Juakali, I noticed that people were playing cards, board games (omweso), ludo and mixing up recklessly and freely. They were not wearing facemasks, did not have functional hand-washing facilities nor were they social distanced," Mr Adiama said.

His attempts to educate them were futile as none heeded to his advice, prompting him to issue the directive.

"While I was there, they pretended to social distance and I left but on my way back, I found them in the same way, prompting me to order the closure of the businesses," Mr Adiama said.

The affected businesses include garages, hardware shops, restaurants, supermarkets, kiosks, and welding workshops, among others.

While addressing the Juakali business operators yesterday, Mr Adiama threatened to keep the place closed for the next 42 days or more if the affected traders do not heed to the President's directive.

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On June 18, President Museveni announced several measures aimed at combating the spread of the virus. They included closure of leisure hubs like bars, betting centres, casinos, beaches, gyms, ban on public and private transport, revising curfew from between 7pm and 5:30am, and social distancing of at least 2 metres.

The chairperson of the Juakali Business Association, Mr Issa Kiiza, appealed to Mr Adiama to reopen the premises, saying they would embrace SoPs with immediately.

He promised to hand over those violating the presidential directives to police.

Mr Erukana Obiro, the community liaison officer at Soroti Central Police Station, said they will enforce the law and arrest culprits.

"We shall arrest and charge you in accordance with the law if you violate SOPs because the guidelines are for your own safety not for RCC, police or army alone," Mr Obiro said.

The area chairman, Mr Ibrahim Africa Alioli , said the closure is a lesson to others. "The chaos is always caused by few people who don't have families or anything to care for," Mr Alioli said.

He said two people tested positive for Covid in Juakali recently.
By Fred Wambede

Local leaders and human rights activists in Bukedi Sub-region have expressed concern over the increasing levels of child marriages, especially in rural communities.

The leaders say the vice is being fuelled by the worsening economic distress caused by the restrictions imposed by the government in a bid to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

Mr Sam Mulomi, the district chairperson, said many parents send their daughters into marriage in exchange for cows and goats.

"Majority of the parents are marrying off their school-going girls because of economic hardships. This has become a habit and it has increased levels of child marriages," Mr Mulomi said.

President Museveni ordered the closure of all institutions of learning on June 7 for 42 days as part of the measures to minimise the spread of Covid-19 in the country.

The President said a total of 948 cases of coronavirus had been registered by then in 43 schools from 22 districts.

Appeal

Mr Mulomi said the government should provide financial relief to the poor families if it is to reverse the vice.

"When there is a girl within the family, people will present the number of cows but the parent will refuse if he has some money, so this calls for government intervention," he said.

Dr Elisa Mulwani, the district health officer, said child marriages currently constitute about 20 per cent in the district. "Majority of these mothers who seek antenatal services are young girls, who have been married off by their parents," he said.

Dr Mulwani said they have set up counselling services at health facilities to sensitise parents and youth on the dangers of early marriages and teenage pregnancies.

According to district statistics released last year, nearly 1,833 girls, mostly pupils, were impregnated and some married off in three months.

The figures were contained in a data presented by the district biostatistician, Mr Ali Mugerwa, during a dialogue organised by National Association of Women Organisation of Uganda.

Mr Mugerwa said most of the affected girls are aged between 10 and 19 years, and the culprits are mostly close family members.

"Most of the cases were as a result of defilement by close family members and victims are aged below 19 years," he said.

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Mr Amos Mageni, a lawyer and human rights activist, said the government can only succeed in fighting child marriages if it addresses abject poverty.

"There is a need to address the issue of poverty, which is still too high, standing at 43 per cent in the sub-region. This is the only medication to child marriages, domestic violence and teenage pregnancies," he said.

Mr Mageni said it is unfortunate that the coronavirus pandemic is reversing years of progress towards keeping a girl child in school.

"The government had made several strides in ending child marriages but such strides are being reversed now," he said.

The district senior probation officer, Ms Juliana Muganzi, said they have stepped up efforts to prevent child marriages.

"We also urge women and girls being subjected to such abuses to expose the perpetrators so that they can be arrested," Ms Muganzi said.

Ms Sarah Obore, the coordinator of Mifumi, an NGO working mainly in Tororo and Budaka districts to end violence against women and girls, attributed the increasing child marriages to gender-based violence.

"The rate of violence against women and girls has continued to increase and it needs our collective effort," she said.

Ms Obore said the local governments should support gender responsive legislation, including the Marriage and Divorce Bill.

The regional crime intelligence officer ofNorth Bukedi, Mr John Adilu, said gender-based violence undermines human rights, social stability and security.

"As police, we carry out mass community sensitisation against the vice and also arrest the perpertrators so that we send a strong signal against GBV in communities," Mr Adilu said.
A total of 900 patients, who had contracted Covid-19, have healed from the virus in Soroti Regional Referral Hospital, according to authorities.

The facility, which has handled 1,113 patients since last year, is the designated treatment centre for Covid-19 patients from all the districts of Teso Sub-region.

Dr Wilson Etolu, the head of the Covid-19 Treatment Unit, told Daily Monitor at the weekend that of the 1,113 patients, seven have been transferred to Mulago while 47 have since succumbed to the virus since March 2020.

By Saturday, he said 45 critically-ill patients were on oxygen, 46 were moderate cases, and about 200 mild patients were being managed under home-based care.

Dr Etolu said it is traumatising to see Covid-19 patients die due to lack of oxygen and other basic requirements.

Soroti hospital oxygen plant pumps a total of five oxygen cylinders every two hours. Each person consumes two cylinders in an hour, according to authorities.

The hospital management also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Oxygas in Kyambogo University, Kampala, to supply an additional 30 cylinders of oxygen daily.

Dr Etolu recommends that the government upgrades their oxygen plant to produce at least 50 cylinders per hour to address the shortage.

"Piped oxygen is reliable and cheaper than gas cylinders and it will help to save more lives," he explained.

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It's expensive to buy oxygen and gas cylinders every now and then from the manufacturers but we propose that since there's an oxygen plant at Soroti hospital, let it be upgraded to enable quality production of the gas per hour," Dr Etolu said.

"Our oxygen plant does not rest, it pumps oxygen every minute because almost all patients we have need oxygen," he added.

Teso Parliamentary Group intervenes

Meanwhile, members of Teso Parliamentary Group (TPG), in a meeting convened at the weekend raised Shs70m towards equipping the Covid-19 unit at the hospital.

Mr Patrick Okabe, the interim chairperson for TPG of the 11th Parliament, said they received communication from the hospital through the State minister for Works, Mr Musa Ecweru, that the facility had been hit by shortage of oxygen and other basic requirements for Covid-19 management.

"We had to contribute to supplement government's efforts towards the fight against Covid. We raised a total of Shs70 million. The Vice President, Ms Jessica Alupo, made a contribution of Shs5 million and the Deputy Speaker, Ms Anita Among, donated 10 standard medical beds and 10 mattresses... ," Mr Okabe said.

Mr Musa Ecweru, who represented Ms Alupo and Ms Among, assured the MPs that they would work hand-in-hand to lobby more government donations to the hospital.

He said in a couple of days, the Vice President would be delivering a consignment of 60 beds to be used at the Covid-19 unit.
The Minister of Water Resources, Mr. Suleiman Adamu, has revealed that 61 out of the 774 local governments in Nigeria have been certified Open Defecation Free (ODF).

Adamu also revealed that an estimated population of 46 million out of 200 Nigerian citizens continued to find pleasure in open defecation that is hazardous to the wellbeing of the citizens.

He spoke in Ado Ekiti yesterday during the flag off of the National Youth Volunteer Programme (NYVP) for hand washing and Clean Nigeria Campaign (CNC).

Adamu, who was represented by an official of the Ministry, Mrs. Damilola Akomolafe, described the programme as one of the interventions of the federal government to halt the effect of COVID-19 pandemic on the citizens.

He said: "This programme was launched two years ago and ought to have been replicated in all the 36 states of the federation, but for Covid-19 pandemic that brought about total lockdown of the country last year.

"The programme was conceived to mobilise Nigerian population on the need to maintain proper hygiene for their safety, because statistics revealed that an estimated population of about 46 million in Nigeria still practice open defecation.

"Let me also reveal that 61 local governments out of 774 in Nigeria have been certified Open Defecation Free, with Ifedayo in Osun State being the only one in the Southwest.

"It is mybelieve that the joint efforts now being intensified by governments and stakeholders would raise the awareness of the danger of unclean environment and help to build a more economically prosperous nation."

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The Commissioner, Ekiti State Ministry of Infrastructure and Public Utilities, Hon. Bamidele Faparusi, disclosed that a total of 1,600 volunteers in Ekiti will be trained to spread the campaign across the 16 local government areas.

Faparusi said: "To ensure availability of water to sustain WASH and elimination open defecation, the government of Ekiti State has completed rehabilitation works on Ureje, Ero and Egbe Dams. We have also carried out rehabilitation works on over 200 boreholes across the state while the Ekiti water plants in Erinjiyan and Okemesi Ekiti have been rehabilitated to respond to the people's water needs.

"Our sustained WASH policy has started yielding results. Two of our council areas: Gbonyin and Ekiti West are now ODF. We thank the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari for ensuring the safety of youth in the country, because this programme touches them the more.

"The engagement of 1600 volunteers, 100 from each of the 16 local governments will help to promote community engagements and cleanliness in all our towns and villages and will contribute to the growth of our local economy."

Also contributing, the Chairman, Ekiti State House of Assembly's Committee on Public Utilities, Hon. Kola Michael Arubu, said a bill has just been passed that stipulated fines for practitioners of open defecation.

The lawmaker added that the bill would also regulate hand washing and cleanliness.
Investigations into the murder of Ugandan cabinet minister Katumba Wamala's daughter and driver appeared to take a complicated twist after theieves reportedly stole CCTV cameras believed to have captured the assailants.

Wamala, a high-ranking military man and civil servant was in the car at the time but survived the assassination attempt he says was directed at him. He needed medical attention to remove some of the bullets from his body.

Meanwhile, Ugandan police say the thugs broke into one of the private facilities that had the CCTV cameras and stolen them.

On June 1, Gen Katumba was attacked along Kisota road by gunmen riding on motorcycles in an assassination attempt that claimed the life of his daughter Brenda Nantongo and his driver Haruna Kayondo.

Following the incident, the joint intelligence committee (JIC) led by Brig Chris Damulira and joint operations' committee (JOC) headed by AIGP Edward Ochom said they were reviewing footage captured by private and public Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras in the neighbourhood.

However, on Monday Police spokesperson, Fred Enanga told journalists that one of the CCTV which was in a school was stolen after thugs broke into the school.

"We appealed for public volunteers for private footage. One of the private footage from one of the schools we were following along Ssebaggala road was stolen. What happened with that camera was that the person responsible didn't have keys at that time and asked us to return the following day. Coincidentally, there are thugs who broke into the school that night and items stolen included the CCTV cameras,"Enanga told journalists on Monday.

He explained the thugs were arrested and some CCTV cameras recovered.

According to Enanga the Police cyber unit is trying to recover the footage from the camera.
Uganda President Yoweri Museveni's son Muhoozi Kainerugaba has come out to deny reports he is dead.

Besides being President Museveni's only son, Muhoozi is also a senior officer in the Ugandan army.

At the weekend, there were reports on social media that President Yoweri Museveni was critically ill and flown to Germany for further treatment.

However, it turned out to be false after the Head of State presided over the launch of the World Health Summit Regional Meeting at Speke Resort Munyonyo, on Sunday.

This, however, didn't stop some social media users from coming up with more rumours.

This time, the rumour mongers trained their guns on Muhoozi, claiming he had not only contracted Covid-19 but was either very ill or had succumbed to the illness.

But come Monday, June 28, 2021, Muhoozi, on his official Twitter account came out to deny the rumours.

"Some friends of mine like Alan Kasujja told me that some enemies were declaring me dead, or very ill from Covid-19. I'm very well. This is the third time in my military career that enemies are claiming I'm dead. The funny thing is every time they do that Almighty God blesses me more," Muhoozi said in a tweet.

These reports come days after, Muhoozi who previously served as the Special Forces Commander was appointed Commander of Land Forces and replaced by Brig Peter Chandia who had been his deputy.
Thupeyo Muleya  Beitbridge Bureau

Community members here have pooled resources to rehabilitate ambulances and service vehicles at Beitbridge District Hospital which had become obsolete.

The members -- operating under the name "Friends of Beitbridge Hospital" -- have since delivered three ambulances to the District Civil Protection Committee.

One of the ambulances, a Mazda B2200, was delivered in April while two others -- a Toyota Land Cruiser and a Mazda BT50 -- were handed over to the health institution yesterday.

The first ambulance was fixed at a cost of R13 000, while $152 000 and US$1 650 was used to rehabilitate the Toyota Land Cruiser and Mazda BT50, respectively.

Friends of Beitbridge chairman Mr Walter Mutero said their target was to raise at least R200 000 to fix five ambulances and three service vehicles which have been grounded for over a decade.

"We have come together as the community of Beitbridge and we have partnered businessmen, corporates and community leaders to restore health services at our local hospital," said Mr Mutero.

"In April we brought another ambulance and today we have brought two more ambulances which we have rehabilitated.

"We have launched a raffle, so that we may be able to raise funds to fix all the five remaining grounded vehicles".

He said among the prices to be won at the raffle in August were cell phones, a fridge, and a television set.

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Mr Mutero said those willing to assist the health institution may contact the committee's treasury (Mr Peter Zvenyika) at Border Service Station.

The District Civil Protection Committee focal person Mr Jahson Mugodzwa said the gesture by the community will enhance the committee's response to health-related disasters.

He said other corporates and people around the region should emulate the efforts.

"We do hope that more people will join in and contribute towards this noble cause," said Mr Mugodzwa.

The acting district medical officer Dr Tafadzwa Nyeve said it was very critical for the hospital to have a good fleet of vehicles to service the entire Beitbridge district.

He said the contributions from the community will go a long way in addressing some of the hospital's operational challenges.

The hospital among other issues is short of service vehicles and ambulances.

Before the latest intervention, authorities at Beitbridge District Hospital were relying on one ambulance to service a local population of 250 000 people and an additional of 13 000 in transit daily.

The Herald understands that currently, the institution is operating with a 1990s staff establishment.

As a result, human and material resources to cater for patients being are overstretched due to its location in Sadc, and country's busiest port of entry, and increased annual population growth.
A Bulawayo family lost over US$12 200, R4 500 and a pistol belonging to a burial society to three robbers who raided their home on Sunday evening as police continue to urge the public to desist from keeping large amounts of cash in their homes and business premises.

The incident occurred between 5:30pm and 6pm.

The robbers reportedly gained entry through a gate which was not locked before they attacked the family, demanding US$23 000 cash they alleged was inside the house.

The trio later forced some of the occupants into a bedroom where they opened doors to the wardrobe and took the money and a gun before disappearing.

A report was made to the police who are still investigating the case.

National police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi said, "The ZRP reiterates that members of the public must make use of banking institutions and avoid keeping large sums of cash in their homes or business premises.

"This follows a case of armed robbery which occurred in North End, Bulawayo, on June 27, 2021, where a family lost US$12 242 and R4 500, belonging to a burial society, to robbers."

This year several people have lost cash and valuables to armed robbers who are raiding their homes and premises looking for cash.

Investigations have so far revealed that most of these criminals would be acting on information or a tip off provided to them on individuals and businesspeople with large amounts of cash.

Some of the criminals were arrested while others are still on the run.

During the past few months, police have also been discouraging individuals and the business community from keeping large sums of money at home or in offices.

Recently police have also expressed concern over the increase in armed robberies targeting people either walking on the streets or businesspeople keeping large amounts of cash.

Many criminals masterminding these armed robberies countrywide are suspected to be those recently released from jail on bail pending appeal and have been evading arrest when they break bail conditions by failing to make their scheduled reports to a police station or do not turn up in court.
Sukulwenkosi Dube  Matutu

POLICE in Hwange have arrested four suspects for unlawful possession of 300kg of ivory which they intended to sell.

According to the Zimbabwe Republic Police twitter page the suspects who were travelling in a Toyota Hilux vehicle were found in possession of four elephant tusks.

"On 25 June police in Hwange arrested four suspects in connection with unlawful possession of raw ivory. Detectives received information to the effect that the suspects had 300kgs of ivory which they intended to sell.

"Acting on the information, detectives intercepted the suspects who were using a Toyota Hilux KZTE vehicle at Cross Dete leading to the arrest of the suspects and recovery of four elephant tusks,".
People from all over the country and the world come to observe different kinds of birds at Lake Chivero on the outskirts of Harare and other native habitats spread across the country.

In Zimbabwe, as well as in other countries, birding is a multi-billion-dollar industry, and a vital source of income in many communities.

But rapid urbanisation and pollution are increasingly threatening bird habitats at Lake Chivero and the bird viewing tourism business.

Pollution of wetlands and growing use of chemicals is also threatening bird diversity, with some species increasingly becoming extinct.

The chopping down of trees and poisoning of mice and rodents for food by people has also affected flesh eating birds that end up dying because of poisoning.

The Lake Chivero environment has become a threat to bird life as there is continuous environmental destruction and poisoning of field mice that has affected more than 400 species of indigenous birds in the area.

The Lake Chivero wetland has over 404 known species of indigenous birds under threat because of environmental pollution.

Zimbabwe has over 660 bird species and the country has no endemic birds, but several near-endemics can be found in the globally important eastern mountains Endemic Bird Area (EBA).

A report about two fish eagles which were poisoned at Lake Chivero recently show the gravity of the crisis facing the country's bird biodiversity.

Fish eagles have a symbolic significance as they are featured on the country's major emblems, commonly referred as the Zimbabwe Bird.

One fish eagle died and the other was rescued by Mr Gary Stafford, the founder of Kuimba Shiri Bird Sanctuary, which takes care of poisoned, injured and orphaned birds.

Mr Stafford, who is also the vice president of Lake Users Association, said the two fish eagles were poisoned after eating field mice that was poisoned by people from the local community.

"A fish eagle is important because it is a national bird," he said. "It is also on the endangered list, specially protected and what is really amazing is that it is actually a totem and a cultural bird as well for other people."

Mr Stafford said though they could not manage to save the first fish eagle, the second one came with the same ailments and was quickly diagnosed and saved.

"The first one was brought in and we diagnosed it," he said.

"It was poisoned. We wondered how it was poisoned, but we did not find out in time and unfortunately it died. That bird was brought through by our area manager at Chivero.

"The next one came in two weeks ago with the same ailments and we knew that it was poisoning. We acted immediately, fed it, gave it Enthrapin to try and clear it and the bird survived. We put it into an aviary to make sure that it can fly again."

Mr Stafford said their investigations as to why the birds were poisoned established that the local communities, when they are harvesting maize, put poison to kill the field mice.

He said after killing the mice, they take the intestines out and throw them away.

"The problem is the large amount of field mice that are consumed by other predators such as cats, owls, small hawks and the fish eagle," said Mr Stafford.

"The fish eagles do not just eat fish. They also eat mice and small birds, so the fish eagles have a popular food chain here.

Mr Stafford said the problem was with people who were moving into the area with no consideration for environmental wildlife conservation.

He said the Lake Chivero community had become a threat to bird life as people were chopping down trees, fishing indiscriminately, eating everything they can find and doing agricultural practices that were not environmentally friendly.

"There are birds that are now extinct here through fishing practices," said Mr Stafford.

"The Lake has been oversubscribed with fishermen, some using netting, and birds like the dodo and the cormorants have disappeared completely now. The cormorants have become very rare.

"Those fishing nets are becoming more and more threatening and we have had fish eagles caught up in the fishing nets. We have had other small birds caught up in fishing nets as well, so bird life definitely is under threat in our community."

Mr Stafford said bird life depended on the environment and if people could not take care of the environment they were posing a danger to bird life.

"The trees provide nesting places and habitation for the bird life, but if we allow people to continue chopping down the big trees for firewood, we are not helping the environment, so we have to protect the whole environment," he said.

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Mr Stafford said there was need to create an environmental task force to protect the Chivero area.

"We need to protect the trees that offer a home to the birds because a lot of birds breed in holes on trees," he said.

Zimbabwe offers the best bird watching in the wet season from November to April.

At that time, migratory birds are present, and all species are in full breeding plumage. The scenery is lush and at its most beautiful, but that is not the best time for general wildlife viewing.

Of the 2 355 bird species recorded in Africa, 247 are threatened with extinction: 29 bird species are categorised as critically endangered, in imminent danger of extinction -- according to Birdlife Africa.

Environmental experts say the country must strengthen its birdlife conservation strategies, raise awareness, conduct more research and monitoring work to save bird species that still survive on the natural habitats in Zimbabwe.

Without positive action on the ground, birds in Zimbabwe will soar into oblivion.
ZIMBABWEANS are forking out way above what should be logically reasonable, up to over 100% more than their neighbouring South Africans for similar Covid-19 tests.

Laboratories and some private clinics which are importing testing kits at less than US$5 for a thousand units without paying any duty are charging ordinary people as much as US$75 per test.

Test kits such as the Nantong Diagnosis Covid-19 and Covid-19 Antigen Rapid Test Kit, both in use locally are being imported from China at between one US dollar and US$10 for 1 000 units while testing costs US$50 or more in Harare.

In March 2020, the government through Statutory Instrument 88 of 2020, Customs and Excise (General) (Amendment) Regulations, 2020 (No. 101) announced a rebate on all Covid-19 related equipment, specifically bought to fight the virus, while reducing costs for importing and sale of the goods.

"Subject to this section, and subject to such other conditions or restrictions as the Commissioner may in each case determine, a rebate of duty may be granted on essential goods imported for the fight against corona virus disease (Covid-19)," reads the SI.

Operating without proper checks, some laboratories have since found a new cash cow as test results have become a prerequisite for citizens not only to cross the border but to engage in business and sporting activities.

Covid-19 tests have become made mandatory across the world and Zimbabwe is no exception.

Returning residents as well as foreigners are now all required to present COVID test results upon entry. Private companies have, meanwhile, been encouraged to regularly test employees in another bid by government to contain the virus.

At a certain point last year all companies were ordered to operate only after testing all employees.

But asked whether government had mechanisms in place to prevent overpricing, chief coordinator of Covid-19 Task Force in Zimbabwe, Agnes Mahomva said the "nitty-gritties" of whether laboratories were overcharging citizens were below her as she dealt with higher issues.

"You need to talk to the Ministry of Health, they are on the ground with those nitty-gritty details, mine is high level coordination," said Mahomva.

Ministry of Health spokesperson Donald Mujiri could, however, not be drawn into discussing the matter, directing this reporter to different offices instead.

He referred all questions to the National Pharmaceutical of Zimbabwe (NatPharm) and provided a non-existent phone number.

The Anterior Nasal Swab Antigen Rapid Test kits, being used on civil servants, media personnel and security details for free by government institutions including wherever President Emmerson Mnangagwa visits are going for between US$1.50 and US$2.20 per thousand.

The least that Zimbabweans are forking out for a test kit is US$50 at Haematology Centre, Multitech Diagnostics Services and Cancer Association of Zimbabwe, 72% more than their South African counterparts.

Tests at the OR Tambo International Airport in South Africa were, however, going for R850 by April this year.

Lancet Laboratories, with laboratories in the two countries is charging US$60 locally and R230 (US$16.10) for an Antibody test in South Africa, according to their website.

Some supermarkets in South Africa now offer the nasal test at just R230 (US$14).

The most Zimbabweans have been made to pay is US$70.

The Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) acting director, Rose Mpofu, said government had to act on the pricing model as testing for Covid-19 was now a basic requirement if the fight against Covid-19 was to be won.

"People do complain about the high cost of testing because there are places you cannot go to without having been tested," said Mpofu.

"The cost of testing should come down because it has become a basic need. We are not saying it should come for free but it has to be reasonable taking into account it is now a basic requirement for every consumer.

"We call upon the relevant authorities to try and probe into this situation to ensure that we do not continue to incur these high costs as Zimbabwean citizens."

Mpofu said cases of fake Covid-19 test kits were all emanating from their exorbitant pricing and a deliberate policy to lower the price would go a long way in dealing with the corruption.

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Added Mpofu: "If it is so high that it attracts corruption and we have heard of cases where people acquire fake certificates to avoid the cost of testing.

"If it were fairly priced most people would not even attempt to get a fake certificate because it is also for their own good."

Last year April, an Indian High Court unravelled details of a 61% mark-up on US$3 test kits being imported from China.

Over 50 000 had already been supplied with 24 000 set to land.

The high cost of testing has been blamed for the "relatively low" numbers of people being tested daily in Zimbabwe as compared to neighbouring South Africa.

The government is currently making frantic efforts to contain a potential third wave which has seen a steady rise in Covid-19 positive cases with a new high of 519 in the past 21 days to total 3 234 over the three weeks.

The story is published under the Voluntary Media Council of Zimbabwe (VMCZ) Investigative Journalism Fund with support from the European Union (EU).
Members of the County Assemblies (MCA) have moved to court to challenge a law that stipulates all aspirants seeking elective positions possess among others, a University degree.

The MCAs, under the County Assembly Forum (CAF) banner, join a list of parties seeking to have the requirement scrapped.

The Forum of MCAs wants Section 22 of the Elections Act to be expunged and declared unconstitutional, arguing that it is discriminatory to those without degrees and will make political leadership a preserve of only the elite.

The section states that all candidates for the six elective positions in the country, including MCAs, to have at least a University Degree.

CAF chairperson Ndegwa Wahome said they filed a constitutional petition in the High Court Tuesday last week suing both Houses of Parliament, the IEBC, and the Attorney General.

He said that the matter has been certified as urgent and they are supposed to go back to court on July 7, 2021, for a hearing.

"As county assemblies, we think that law is unconstitutional as it will deny Kenyans the chance to elect leaders of their choice," said Wahome.

Last week, a lobby group, Sheria Mtaani, and an activist, Gloria Orwoba, moved to court to stop the implementation of the new elections law.

The Nyandarua County Assembly Speaker expressed optimism that the matter will have been dispensed with before September when parties are required to submit guidelines and regulations to the IEBC ahead of the 2022 General Election.

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To this effect, he pointed out that they have adopted a multi-pronged approach including lobbying Parliament to have the section of the law deleted.

Elgeyo Marakwet Senator Kipchumba Murkomen is pushing through with a Bill seeking to amend the section and lists ability to read and write as the only requirement for a political seat.

"There are many ways of skinning a cat and we are applying all of them to ensure this unconstitutional law is removed from our legislation," he said.

CAF Secretary General Kipkurui Chepkwony called on sitting MCAs and those interested in seeking the same seat that they need not fear but continue planning and campaigning as they will defeat the legislation.

He argued that the Constitution gives everyone a right to choose whoever they feel like, either a degree holder or non-degree holder, and therefore the public should not be directed on who they should elect.
Khartoum / Darfur  The African Union-United Nations Hybrid Operation in Darfur (UNAMID) will complete its drawdown exercise tomorrow (30 June 2021), as requested by UN Security Council resolution 2559 (2020), which ended the Mission's mandate at the end of last year.

A statement issued by the Mission today points out that "over the past four months, UNAMID handed over 14 team sites to the government, who committed to using them for civilian purposes as in line with the Framework Agreement signed on 4 March 2021. Facilities are to be utilised for health care, education, and other social services, including vocational training and community centres, as identified by community members."

"Good coordination and cooperation with the government of Sudan has been critical for meeting the tight timeline and benchmarks set by the Security Council for the drawdown period. Similarly, it will be important for the government to ensure the protection of the Logistics Base and the repatriation of remaining staff to facilitate a seamless liquidation phase," said UN Assistant Secretary-General M'Baye Babacar Cisse, who was tasked to oversee the drawdown period, manage personnel and asset repatriation, transfer team sites to local authorities, and engage with the government on relevant issues.

The statement points out that "while it is the responsibility of the central government to ensure the safety and protection of the sites, the Darfur state governments remain responsible for ensuring the facilities are being used as intended".

As previously reported by Radio Dabanga, the ongoing insecurity in Darfur, often partly attributed to the vacuum created by the UNAMID drawdown, has meant that the practicalities of the handover of sites and facilities has not always gone as planned.

On June 5, two people were killed and eight others sustained injuries when a former UNAMID site in Shangil Tobaya, Dar El Salaam locality, south of El Fasher in North Darfur was looted.

The site was handed over to the Government of Sudan on May 25. It was the last of 14 deep field sites handed over to the Sudanese government. At the time, the North Darfur government and the Sudanese government's joint task force strongly reconfirmed their commitment to ensure civilian use of the former site.

Since the mission ended its mandate at the end of last year, various former UNAMID sites handed over to local authorities to be used as schools or training centres, have been looted since.

In February, a site in North Darfur's Saraf Omra that was earmarked for use as a vocational training centre was looted and 'levelled' just weeks after it was handed over to the Sudanese government.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres publicly condemned the looting at the time and said: "at a time when community needs in Sudan are increasingly pressing, the site was intended to serve as a vocational training centre; unknown assailants have dashed that opportunity".

Liquidation phase

Today's statement says that so far, UNAMID, as an integral part of its drawdown, provided Darfur communities with 193 vehicles, including 27 water and sewage trucks and 196 generators. The Mission also donated its clinic in Zalingei as well as medical facilities in Nyala and Kabkabiya for use by the local communities.

However, the statement acknowledges that "due to its size, both in terms of personnel and assets, as well as its geographical footprint, UNAMID faced challenges during the drawdown period, but was able to undertake it without major incidents".

As the Mission transitions into its liquidation phase, which is likely to last another year, significant tasks remain such as the transition and handover of the El Fasher camp to the authorities in Darfur, the disposal of remaining assets, the completion of the environmental clean-up and restoration, the disposal of hazardous materials including expired ammunition, and the repatriation of equipment and uniformed and civilian personnel.

As authorized by the Security Council, the Mission in its year-long liquidation phase scheduled to commence on 1 July 2021, will maintain a guard unit consisting of 363 formed police unit to protect UN personnel, facilities and assets inside the El Fasher Logistics Base. In parallel, Sudanese joint forces will continue to be deployed outside the Base, under the direction of the Government of Sudan and in close coordination with the UNAMID Liquidation Team. These forces will have the shared responsibility of securing the perimeter of the base, providing safety and security for UN personnel and ensuring that onward convoys of assets and contingent owned equipment are able to proceed without incidents.

While UNAMID completed its mandate on 31 December 2020 and the drawdown by 1 July 2021 and is now in a full-fledged liquidation phase, the United Nations is not leaving Sudan. UNAMID has coordinated regularly with the United Nations Integrated Transition Assistance Mission in Sudan (UNITAMS) and the United Nations Country Team (UNCT), sharing best practices and lessons learned on its work in Darfur to consolidate and scale up the peacebuilding gains that have been made, the statement concludes.

During UNAMID's 13-year mandate, more than 100,000 military and police peacekeepers were contributed by dozens of countries from around the world. At its peak deployment in 2011, it had nearly 23,000 troops and police.

At the beginning of the drawdown period in January 2021, 7,000 military, police, and civilian personnel remained to be separated and repatriated, with over 6,000 now repatriated.

UNAMID, one of the largest peacekeeping operations in the history of the United Nations, created a security environment in Darfur and will be departing with a history of achievements supporting the protection of civilians, particularly the internally displaced persons, community stabilization and rule of law support, the provision of humanitarian aid as well as supporting the implementation of the peace process. The Mission also worked to empower women; addressed sexual and gender-based violence; protected and promoted human rights; and helped with the fight against COVID-19.

Facts and Figures

Protection of civilians

- 38,000 peacekeeping patrols conducted annually to protect hundreds of thousands of IDPs.

Programmatic activities

- 120 meetings, dialogue forums and peace campaigns with farmers and nomadic herders to mitigate intercommunal violence, promoting peaceful coexistence and facilitating amicable use of scarce shared natural resources.

- 500+ quick impact projects were implemented in Darfur, including 94 water boreholes and water points were established in hotspots.

Community Stabilization

- Rehabilitation of classrooms, construction of prosecution offices, community security and small arms control, provision of solar panels and temporary job creation for at-risk youth.

State Liaison Functions (SLF)

- 46 million USD allocated to SLF in 2 years.

- 10 UN Agencies, Funds and Pgrammes participated in SLF programming.

COVID-19

- $1.9 million USD allocated by UNAMID/UNCT for COVID-19 response in FY 2019/20 - SLF 4

- Training of trainers workshops and sensitization sessions on COVID-19.

- 30+ different types of PPE donated to communities in Darfur (goggles, gloves masks, etc.)

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Police and Rule of Law

- 45 Sudan Police Force stations/posts, 15 prosecution offices, 19 District Courts, 14 prisons and 14 rural courts to support policing services, dispensation of justice and addressed intercommunal conflicts and criminality.

Security Sector

- 1,300+ former child soldiers released who were registered by Sudan Disarmament, Demobilization and Reintegration Commission (SDDRC) in Darfur.

- 11,000 ex-combatants were demobilized and benefitted from reinsertion packages.

Gender

- 54 Women's Protection Networks supported across the five Darfur States which provide real time information as first responders to security threats, including incidents of physical assault, rape, killings and abductions in the field to the security apparatus, for quick response.

- 120 women were brought to Juba peace talks from Darfur.

Drawdown

- 14 team sites handed over in less than 4 months.

- 5 team sites looted, 3 team sites faced criminality.

- 7,000 personnel at start of drawdown. 6,000 separated/repatriated.

- 363 police will remain with Guard Unit during liquidation period.

- 103 SLF activities remained to be implemented in January, 28 core programmatic projects.

- 99 UNAMID staff were embedded with AFPs to support the implementation (during drawdown.

- 5 contingents' COE has been sent/returned to home country (2 Jordanian FPU, Senegalese FPU, Kenyan military police unit).

- 60 trucks of COE leave the Logistics Base/day en route to Port Sudan.
Lawyers representing a Bulawayo man, Rodney Tongai Jindu have approached the Supreme Court challenging a High Court ruling which committed capital punishment for his role over callous murder of two of his friends in 2017.

In August 2018, Bulawayo High Court Judge Nokuthula Moyo convicted Jindu of murder with actual intent in connection with the deaths of Mboneli Joko Ncube and Cyprian Kudzurunga.

Justice Moyo sentenced Jindu to death and since then he has been on death row.

Jindu (27) shot dead Kudzurunga of Queens Park East on January 29, 2017, before burying him in a shallow grave in Burnside's suburb. He later sent a message to the deceased's mother pretending to be Cyprian Kudzurunga and claiming he had suddenly left Zimbabwe.

He also shot Ncube and dismembered his body before setting the deceased on fire before burying him in four shallow graves also in Burnside.

Jindu also confessed he ate the pair's raw livers and cooked their brains.

The court had previously heard that Jindu was mentally ill but following a medical examination he was declared fit to stand trial.

During trial, Jindu also confessed that he was sent by the devil to kill the two men, and further threatened to unleash the evil spirit on prosecutors.

However, Jindu through his lawyer Dixon Abraham of Tanaka Law Chambers has filed an appeal at the Supreme Court citing the State as a respondent.

In his grounds of appeal, Jindu submitted the court-a-quo erred and misdirected itself by convicting him on two counts of murder when there was evidence he was mentally incapacitated.

"There was cogent evidence that appellant was mentally incapacitated to appreciate the implications of his actions at the material time of committing the offence. Wherefore, appellants prays that the appeal be and is hereby allowed," reads part of Jindu's appeal papers.

Jindu wants the judgment and sentence of the High Court to be set aside and be substituted with an acquittal.

The State is still to file its opposing papers.
President Muhammadu Buhari has explained that the impressive performance of the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) at all levels of government was responsible for the defection of Zamfara State Governor, Hon. Bello Matawalle from the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the ruling APC.

Matawalle yesterday formally announced his defection to the APC.

However, the deputy governor of the state, Mr. Mahdi Gusau, who refused to defect with Matawalle, has said the PDP could retrieve its mandate from the governor.

The National Chairman of the PDP, Prince Uche Secondus, has, however, said that the party is confident of winning the 2023 general election, despite the defection of some of its governors to the APC.

Speaking at a rally yesterday in Gusau, Matawalle said that he had been nursing the ambition of leaving his party, PDP, for several reasons.

"I am now the leader of APC in Zamfara State and I am ready to work with each and everyone wishing to contribute to the rapid development of the state," he said.

The APC National Caretaker Committee Chairman and Yobe State Governor, Mai Mala Buni, congratulated Matawalle for defecting to the party.

Buni said Matawalle is now the leader of APC in Zamfara State.

He also announced that the state APC caretaker committee has been dissolved.

"I also want to bring to your notice that as from today, the APC Caretaker Committees of Zamfara State from the ward to the state level have been dissolved," Buni said.

Also speaking at the occasion, former governor of the state, Mr. AbdulAziz Yari welcomed Matawalle to APC, adding that, he was ready to give all necessary support and cooperation for him to succeed.

He said: "I want to bring to the notice of each and every one in Zamfara State that I am not in any way against the defection of Governor Matawalle to our great party.

"I was a governor for two terms; as such, I thank the Almighty Allah for giving me the chance to lead my people for eight years."

Matawalle joined the APC with all members of the state House of Assembly and National Assembly members except a representative from Anka/Talata-Mafara Federal Constituency and the deputy governor, who remains in the PDP.

The rally was attended by governors of Kogi, Niger, Katsina, Kaduna, Kano, Borno, Ogun, Jigawa, Plateau, and Kebbi State; Secretary to the Government of Federation, Mr. Boss Mustapha; and Minister of Humanitarian Affairs among others.

The event scheduled for 2 pm, did not start until after 6.30 pm.

In his swift reaction to the defection, the deputy governor told journalists in Abuja that the PDP should retrieve its mandate from the Zamfara State governor.

He argued that the Supreme Court judgment was clear, stressing that the mandate belongs to the opposition party.

"Judgment was divine. The Supreme Court said that the APC has no votes because of the quarrel and crisis in the party and said that the party that came second should assume office as the governor. So, this is divine; if the PDP desires to reclaim its stolen mandate, the party is free. For me, I will not defect and will continue as the deputy governor and do the job for which I am elected"

The deputy governor also stated that nobody will sack him from office as the deputy governor as he has not committed any offence that could warrant his removal.

"I am not involved in contracts and any financial dealings as a deputy governor. I am free and I have not committed any impeachable offence."

According to him, "This is not the first time that a governor will defect without his deputy. It happened when Wamakko defected to the APC and his deputy, Muktar Shagari, remained a member of the PDP."

Also, reacting to the defection, the president, in a statement issued yesterday by his spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, congratulated Matawalle on his defection from the PDP to the APC, saying the ruling party "is becoming more popular because of its impressive performance record and commitment to good governance."

In a message delivered on his behalf at the defection ceremony by the SGF, Mustapha, President Buhari said: "I'm proud of your timely and wise decision to join the governing party and our doors are wide open to other politicians who believe in our vision to rebuild Nigeria.

"Your voluntary decision to join our party confirms the fact that our agenda for good governance is the only reason why Nigerians are getting attracted to the APC because the other alternative didn't work."

The President used the forum to urge APC Governors and elected lawmakers across the country to continue to work harder to ensure the party maintains its popularity and retains power beyond 2023.

He reminded all elected party officials of the fact that "your performance at all levels will impact significantly on the fortunes of the party", adding that "party leaders should avoid complacency at all times in order to build the APC from strength to strength."

Secondus: PDP will Still Win Presidential Election, Despite Defections

Meanwhile, the National Chairman of the PDP, Secondus yesterday said that the party is confident of winning 2023 general election, despite the defection of some of its governors to the APC.

Addressing a press conference in Abuja, Secondus also accused the APC governors who gathered in Gusau, Zamfara State to celebrate the defection of Matawalle, of celebrating bloodshed of innocent Nigerians that died in the insurgency in the state.

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"They are going after our governors but we are going after the masses of this country. The governors have one vote but we have the people, the masses, the people who are suffering under this government.

"We feel the pains of Nigerians who are suffering, those slaughtered like chicken and killed. We have the majority support of the people and will form the next government at the centre," he reiterated.

"The masses are solidly behind us, the masses are for the PDP and we stand here to state clearly that we shall form this new government coming in 2023 because of the masses and not because of the governors.", the national chairman of PDP said.

Secondus acknowledged that the deputy governor, Gusau and eight members of the Zamfara State House of Assembly did not defect with the governor.

Secondus said clearly that the party will challenge the defection of Matawalle in court as there is no provision of independent candidate in the electoral laws.

"I have never seen where you have economic crises, insecurity crises, then the ruling party goes, poaching governors and 18 governors as published on Social Media will be moving, leaving their states to Zamfara, to celebrate the killings of innocent citizens in Zamfara State, the hunger in Zamfara State. This is a shame and it is laughable," Secondus said.
Police in Nairobi have arrested two people who they suspect have been behind morning robberies in Langata.

One of the suspects identified as Peter Omweno Momanyi, 24, was arrested dressed as a woman alongside his accomplice John Muchiri Kimani aged 25.

These two, according to the police, were arrested after they defied Police orders to stop.

"One of the officers who arrested them had noticed there was something amiss with the appearance of the suspect," the police report read.

Police released photos of the two suspects, which appeared to show a man dressed as a woman. The suspect was wearing a black dress, red top, and had a woman's head-covering.

The arresting officer who is now becoming famous for chasing after his suspects with his speed ordered the two to stop but instead took to their heels.

"Unbeknownst to the thugs, they had just encountered the lanky, young crime busters based at Langata Police Station, whose speed and proficiency in chasing after thugs is unsurpassed. The two were arrested a few metres past the Mbagathi bridge," the report added.

Police recovered crude weapons from them.

Momanyi was found in possession of a knife and a chain, carefully concealed on his waist.

Detectives based at Langata have established that the two are among suspects who waylay fitness enthusiasts who jog along Langata and Mbagathi roads, early in the morning and late in the evening.

The two have been placed in custody as they await arraignment in court on Tuesday.

Earlier this month, police masquerading as joggers shot and killed two thieves who were believed to be part of a gang that terrorizes innocent motorists plying the Southern Bypass.

Events began to unfold after three thieves attempted to rob the police, causing them to open fire and kill two on the spot while one escaped with gunshot wounds.

Kiambu County Commander Ali Nuno confirmed the incident and said that a sword, a panga, and three cell phones were among the items recovered from the scene.

Police suspect the thieves may have robbed other motorists and joggers a day before their deaths.
City Hall has reduced its budget for domestic travel by Nairobi MCAs and staff by Sh17 million in a bid to rein in local traveling expenses.

This follows a report by the Controller of Budget early this month which fingered MCAs for pocketing millions in travel and per diem allowances, some exceeding the cap set by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

Subsequently, in the financial year ending June 30, 2022 beginning next month, Nairobi County Assembly will only have Sh20 million for domestic travel and subsistence, and other transportation costs.

The county assembly had requested for Sh37 million towards the vote head but will now have to budget with Sh20 million with the initial allocation was slashed.

While reading the budget statement last week Thursday, Nairobi Finance and Economic Planning Executive Allan Igambi said the slashed money will now be dedicated to the promotion and/or recruitment of county government employees.

"That the allocation for domestic travel and subsistence and other transportation costs under the office of the Clerk be reduced by Sh17million and the budget be amended accordingly to reflect that," reads the statement in part.

Most of the domestic travels are for retreats and workshops where the county legislators are paid travel allowances and per diems.

When MCAs go out for a retreat, they are entitled to a daily per diem of Sh14,000 in addition to Sh20,000 as transport allowance, among other payments.

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A March, 2021 report by Nairobi Assembly's Liaison committee exposed the MCAs fondness for retreats as opposed to attending committee sittings, with the assembly spending over Sh85 million in allowances to the MCAs last year alone.

According to the report, despite the committee being virtual, members failed to log in denying the committee's required quorum to transact any business.

During the assembly's fifth session, between February 4 and December 3, 2020, the ward representatives went for 45 retreats through the 23 committees at the city assembly.

It also emerged that the committees failed to table retreat reports exposing the assembly to audit queries.

Controller of Budget Margaret Nyakang'o, in the budget implementation review report for 47 counties for the nine months of the current financial year ending June 30, 2021, listed Nairobi together with Meru, Kajiado , Machakos, Siaya, Bungoma and Tana River as the biggest spenders on travel and per diem allowances.

In the first nine months, Nairobi spent Sh297.7 million only on travel despite the tough economic times caused by Covid-19.

The situation was no different in the last financial year ended June 30, 2020 where the county government spent Sh387.2 million on international and domestic trips in the first half of that financial year.

However, domestic travel took the largest chunk of the expenditure at Sh337.9 million with the executive spending Sh232.39 million, while MCAs spending Sh105.5 million.
The African Export-Import Bank (Afrexim) has disclosed its plans to support infrastructural development in Ogun State with an envelope of $200 million.

The fund, according to the bank, will be dedicated towards projects and other developmental initiatives embarked upon by the incumbent administration in the state.

The President and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Afrexim Bank, Mr. Benedict Oramah, made this known when he led management of the bank on a courtesy visit to Governor Dapo Abiodun at his Oke-Mosan Office, Abeokuta, on Monday.

He equally said the bank would partner Ogun in ensuring that the 250-bed Specialist Hospital, Abeokuta, is completed and begins operations soon.

Oramah, while noting that the bank has been investing heavily in the health sector in Africa to develop vaccines and other drugs, declared that Afrexim Bank is also ready to collaborate with the state-owned Gateway Pharmaceuticals in similar direction.

"We are willing to dedicate an envelope of $200m for projects and initiatives here in Ogun State; we will also be happy to see the hospital project. We will be very pleased to look at this asset and see how we can partner with your government. I assure you that we will consider the Gateway Pharmaceuticals in our plans to invest in the health sector," he hinted.

The Afrexim Bank President, who added that the bank would be working with the state government in its quest to make its road infrastructure more accessible for investors, also said that the bank would be interested in the Cargo Airport being built by the state.

"On the highways we are also developing, there is a connectivity we are looking for in terms of how we connect Nigeria to the Benin Republic and others, connecting Ogun to Lagos and of course to the border. It is something that is of interest to us, if there is any road that goes from here to the border, connecting where you stopped, that will be interesting, we can work with you.

"The airport is also hetoropolis, it is something of importance because we even have a project there called The Quality Assurance Testing Inspection Center. This will be critical for implementing this airport, we can assure that it is something we would be interested in developing with you.

"We are willing under the $200million envelope that I mentioned, to provide technical assistance which can be grants. We will look at how we can support to help you develop some ideas, by providing advisory services.

"We can also use our Project Preparation Facility to help prepare projects. For example, this hospital we are talking about, we can use this facility to develop it," Oramah stated.

Earlier in his remarks, Governor Abiodun noted that the Quality Assurance Testing Center would complement the International Cargo Airport, adding his administration would continue to do all it can to make Ogun the destination of choice for investors.

Abiodun said that his administration had in the last few months embarked on the construction of roads across the state, especially the Ijebu-Ode-Epe, Agbara-Lusada-Atan Roads, which according to him, are capital intensive, expressing his administration's readiness to receive support from the bank.

"We have built one and we are building another at great a expense to the state. These roads are federal roads and they are also commercial roads. We invite Afrexim Bank to partner with us.

"Agbara-Lusada-Atan Road is the road that used to be called the Lagos-Sokoto Expressway. That road in its present state is very shameful and we have since intervened. We have awarded the contract of that road and it will be delivered in 15 months' time at a great expense to the state. We will concession and toll these roads on completion in order to be able to recoup the investment. We invite Afrexim Bank to come and look at how to partner with us". Abiodun said.

The governor, who also called on the bank to support his administration's quest to build an international Cargo Airport, said the airport when completed would be a cargo hub for the country and the continent of Africa as a whole.

"Our International Cargo Airport that we are building is our Special Agro Processing Zone. Construction has started. It is our hope that the construction will be completed before the end of next year. We also invite Afrexim Bank to look at how to partner with us because it promises to be a Cargo hub, not just for Nigeria, but for the entire continent.

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"We look forward to seeing the Afrexim Bank to create an MSMEs fund that would be targeted at MSMEs and also create clusters that would allow them to access the lands at a reduced pricing with a phased payment plans. Such fund would allow the MSMEs to have access to the funding they would need to meet their demands.

"The success of MSMEs is very fundamental to any Industrial revolution. We are an industrial state, so, we have been deliberate with our support for MSMEs to the extent that we are creating clusters for them. We are creating these clusters that will allow them to access the lands at a reduced pricing with phased out payment plans so that they can have a land, title documents that they can use in leveraging and starting their enterprises". The governor highlighted.

Abiodun, however, commended the bank's support towards the production of vaccines and drugs in the African continent and its readiness to partner Gateway Pharmaceuticals in similar direction.
Former Tahidi High actor Omosh Kizangila, real name Joseph Kinuthia, is in fire fighting mode.

The controversial actor has denounced a video showing him drunk and staggering.

The Thespian admitted it was him in the video, but was quick to add that it was an old clip and Kenyans were judging him unfairly.

"Some of those videos are old and are just being used to escalate the issue. It is good for people to ask randomly from my neighbours. For example, that video I was coming from bash and random people recorded me," he responded.

"I would like people to come to the ground and maybe even speak to my neighbours or even my family around," he added.

Omosh further revealed he was a new and saved man and that people misinterpreted his recent interview on TV47.

"I am not drinking and I am well. Just that people misinterpreted the interview," Omosh concluded.

During last week's interview, Omosh asked Kenyans for help, just weeks after Kenyans joined hands and helped him financially.

He however claimed the cash he got did not reach Sh1 million and that some people who made financial pledges to him did not follow through, yet he had two wives and many children to feed.

Omosh says he used the money recently donated to him by Kenyans to pay off debts, "Kitu inaniwasha ni mnaniuliza mahali nilipeleka pesa. Nilikua na mashida mingi sana lakini bado mashida haziishangi. Ndo maana nilikua nakusho kama unajisikia, si ati nilikua nalazimisha."
OVER 300 Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and stakeholders have shown interest to take part in the commemoration of Human Rights Defenders Day on Friday in Dar Salaam, occasion to be graced by Prime Minister Kassim Majaliwa.

THRDC Coordinator Onesmo Ole Ngurumwa said recently that, the event was aimed at raising public awareness on the contribution of CSOs to national development.

"CSOs, being among the key stakeholders in national development have demonstrated unwavering resolve and contribute to national development... with improved friendly relations with the government, they support the National Development Plan (2021/22-2025/26) and other development strategies, including voluntary tax compliance," he explained.

This year's theme will be "Chatting Out the Role of Human Rights Defenders/CSOs in the Implementation of the Five-Year National Development Plan (2021/22-2025/26)". Other key areas of concern to be addressed will be advocacy, the rule of law and good governance, livestock keeping and information and communications technology (ICT).

Participants will include human rights defenders, representatives of CSOs, government leaders and judicial officers, development partners, UN agencies, the media and various human rights activists.

The CSOs, which are mainly human rights defenders in the country, are always coordinated by Tanzania Human Rights Defenders Coalition (THRDC).

In the course, the THRDC's national development implementation plan will be handed over to the Prime Minister during the 7th anniversary of Human Rights Defenders Day.

The plan highlights cooperation areas, which include education, health, natural resources, the environment, human rights, access to justice, gender equality, monitoring and evaluation, climate change, women's rights and gender-based violence, water, environmental protection, legal aid, food security, employment and agriculture.

This year THRDC will also recognise and award human rights defenders and members of CSOs, who have contributed to national development in areas of employment, education sector, the health sector, human and human rights.

The 7th commemoration of Human Rights Defenders Day in Tanzania is geared towards important areas through which THRDC/CSOs, human rights organisations and the government will work together as part of the implementation of the national development strategic plan.

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THRDC has prepared various training workshops that will be held before Human Rights Defenders Day to share experiences and enhance cooperation. The workshops will focus on how to comply with tax laws. In doing this, THRDC will partner with AcT2 and WAJIBU Institute of Public Accountability, other CSOs and Tanzania Revenue Authority (TRA).

THRDC has also prepared a blueprint which will enable CSOs to comply with tax laws, regulations and policies governing tax payment across Tanzania.

"The Prime Minister will launch our action plan on the implementation of the five-year national development plan. We have also invited numerous government officials from various ministries and departments," Mr Ole Ngurumwa said.

According to him, various local and international development partners are also invited as it has always been the case before. THRDC appeals to CSOs and THRDC members to prepare themselves to effectively participate in this forthcoming event, which includes showcasing their work through a human rights exhibition.

CSOs/human rights defenders are also invited to continue cooperating with the government and other development partners to effectively contribute to national development and raise their awareness of various laws guiding them.

"Let us continue imparting knowledge and understanding to various stakeholders and people on various activities human rights defenders are involved in. The government and its departments should continue cooperating with CSOs/ human rights defenders to facilitate national development.
MORE than 605 youth have been provided with income generating startup toolkits worth 613m/- to support services provided for Most Vulnerable Children in Tanzania (MVC).

The tools have been procured by PACT Tanzania through ACHIEVE Project with funding from the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) through United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

The working tools that are intended to support the President's Office Regional Administration and Local Government offices (PO-RALG) in the delivery of MVC services include 156 chairs, 57 tables, 1033 steel cabinets and 24 regions and 81 councils implementing PEPFAR supported programmes for orphans and vulnerable children.

Before the procurement of these working tools, ACHIEVE Succeeded to develop a joint plan with PO-RALG, the project is in the last stage to procure additional working tools including 10 laptops, 57 desktop computers, 57 printers/scanners, 1 vehicle and 65 motorbikes all with a total of 472m/- making total of the support for the project in this fiscal year 2021 worth to 1.08bn/-.

Speaking during the handover of working tools, Ilala District Commissioner, Mr Ng'wilabazu Ludigija the funding aims at furthering government priorities in the 2021/22 budget in strengthening the health system to ensure better quality services for the citizens.

He further commended the initiative to development partners like the PACT through USAID funding to help people with skills and tools that will free them from poverty. He urged the beneficiaries to use the tools for intended activities and officials to helpthem access loans and more opportunities.

"As a government, we remain committed to attaining universal health coverage among our purposes, and also urge the 81 councils and government agencies receiving the tools to use them for the intended purpose," he said.

Dc Ludigija also handed over business start-up kits to youth to help them attend vocational training from different training centres under the Vocational Education Training Authority (VETA).

He said through our development vision 2025, as a government they envision the people to be the centre of development that is sustainable coupled with shared growth and inclusion. On his part, USAID Tanzania Mission Director, Mr Andy Karas said both initiatives demonstrate their commitment to support Tanzanian people to access decent work, earn a sustainable income and contribute to the country's economic growth.

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"We remain a committed partner in helping Tanzania build its capacity and promote the resilience of its people system and structures," he said.

PACT Country Director, Tanzania. Ms Marianna Balampama has applauded the cooperation from PO-RALG, the Department of Health, Nutrition and Social Welfare in managing the public service.

USAID Kikazi Kipya is five years (2016-2021) USAID/ PEPFAR funded projects that are enabling Tanzania orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) young people affected by HIV and their caregivers, health m nutrition, education, protection, livelihoods and psycho-social well-being of the household members.

To achieve the goal of ensuring children and youth thrive and survive through sustainable improvement in health and social well-being, KIKAZI Kipya collaborates with civil society organizations (CSOs), the Tanzania government across all levels, local communities and other stakeholders.
Abuja  A Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Professor Yemi Akinseye-George, has warned members of the National Assembly to shun move in some quarters to elevate Islamic laws to the level of general law, because such move would only plunge the country into further crisis.

Akinseye-George, who is also the President of the Centre for Socio-Legal Studies (CSLS), said Nigeria is not only a circular state but that rights to freedom of worship remains sacrosanct.

He was speaking at a consultative meeting on the Proposed National Minimum Standards and Review of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

He said, "In the larger interest of peace and religious harmony in the country, the National Assembly should steer clear of controversial or divisive amendments, which may undermine the integrity of the whole constitutional amendment exercise and will not bring any meaningful improvement in the quality of life of the majority of Nigerians".

The senior lawyer stated that the centre had already revealed "Attempt to enlarge the scope of Islamic law beyond the current provisions of sections 262 and 277 of the Constitution," which clearly provide for the application of Islamic personal law to civil proceedings.

"In our considered view, there is no justification to delete the word "personal" from the phrase Islamic Personal Law. The National Assembly should not create further confusion in the polity by tampering with the secular character of the Constitution. The right of all Nigerians to freedom of worship and freedom from discrimination must remain sacrosanct", he said.

While he observed that there are several laudable proposals for improving administration of justice in the ongoing constitutional amendment process, the law Professor urged the National Assembly to use the process to improve the access of poor Nigerians to social justice and greater economic opportunities by enlarging the scope of justiciable socio-economic rights.

He however called on the governments of Akwa Ibom, Borno, Niger, Taraba and Zamfara states, which are yet to pass the Administration of Criminal Justice Law to do so.

Akinseye-George, who noted that justice dispensation in the country have been badly affected by the recent judicial workers' strike, also appealed to judges in the country to stagger their 2021 annual vacation so as to further inflict more pains on the citizens.
Malawi's former President Professor Arthur Peter Mutharika has allegedly refused to append his signature on United Kingdom Government's decision to stop health funding on Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) to the Southeast landlocked African nation and a former British colony and about a two-dozen other African states.

Mutharika, who is President of the deposed Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) has joined 32 other Former African Heads of State and Government, operating under the banner, African Forum, in strong opposition to challenge UK Government's decision to withdraw 150 million (approximately K150 billion) in funding to tackle these diseases - funding that would have delivered over 250 million treatments this year alone.

"We would like the UK to rescind its punitive decision and continue supporting African countries on heath funding, particularly the Neglected Tropical Diseases which affects a lot of people," said Mutharika.

According to the former African leaders, the UK's decision effectively abandons over 200 million of Africa's poorest and most vulnerable people that it promised to support. Out of the 26 countries affected by these aid cuts, 24 are in Africa including Malawi.

The African Forum membership, therefore, appeal for international solidarity in response to the UK's withdrawal of neglected tropical disease funding.

Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) like blinding trachoma and intestinal worms are preventable and treatable, yet they still affect 1.7 billion people around the world. By preventing children from going to school and adults from being able to work, NTDs trap individuals and whole communities in cycles of extreme poverty.

The cuts will mean exiting from supporting interventions against visceral leishmaniasis - a fatal disease which causes swelling of the spleen and liver, 50% of the global burden of which is in East Africa - loss of funding to tackle diseases like Guinea worm, blinding trachoma and elephantiasis could cause unnecessary setbacks for the poorest communities in Africa.

In a statement, the African Forum of former heads of state have, therefore, called upon the "international community and humanitarian assistance agencies to mobilise the requisite aid resources in an attempt to avoid further loss of life."

"As African countries continue to manage the pandemic, it is essential that national governments can continue work with partners such as the UK to protect and support vulnerable people on the continent," reads the statement in part.

'Mobilise Support'

The Africa Forum says it is prepared to work collaboratively "to mobilise support, particularly regarding to access to medical care and supplies, infrastructure, and quality health education as well as food and nutrition for those living in Africa."

"The Africa Forum feels strongly that such a ferocious calamity should be evaded through the collective efforts at national, sub-regional and continental levels including necessary technical and expert support in the form of early warning by those who have the capacity to do so.

"We commend the determination by the African governments and institutions within the framework of the AU to cautiously minimize the health impact, as well as the social disruption and economic consequences of the pandemics and diseases," further reads the statement.

The former heads of state and government hinted that it is significant to note the partnerships that the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) forged with UNDP and other local and international communities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic including public awareness of the pandemic and importance of whole-of-society partnerships in curbing and recovering from the pandemic.

The Forum, in the statement expresses its great satisfaction of the efforts deployed by the Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs), which is a global partnership working to raise the visibility of NTDs -diseases that affect over 1.7 billion people on our planet, 600 million of whom in Africa.

"The Africa Forum feels strongly that Africa should rise to meet such situations of need and put together mechanisms that will provide rapid assistance and support when such unforeseeable circumstances and situations arise," adds read the statement.

The African Forum of former heads of state and governments pledges that they will continue to work towards preventing or transforming conflicts in Africa because they are, alongside climatic adversities, responsible for the inequitable access to health care resources and creation of famine situations, not only in the conflict affected countries, but also in the neighbouring countries which receive large numbers of refugees.

Malawi, a landlocked country in south-eastern Africa, is endemic for onchocerciasis, schistosomiasis, STH and trachoma. The Ministry of Health implements a Master Plan for NTD control through the NTD programme, while disease-specific control programmes are active in implementing interventions and surveillance. Malawi has made strong progress in LF elimination and has been in the post-MDA surveillance phase since 2013.

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Located in Southern Africa, Malawi is landlocked, sharing its borders with Mozambique, Zambia and Tanzania. The country has an estimated population of 18.6 million (2019), which is expected to double by 2038.

Malawi remains one of the poorest countries in the world despite making significant economic and structural reforms to sustain economic growth. The economy is heavily dependent on agriculture, employing nearly 80% of the population, and it is vulnerable to external shocks, particularly climatic shocks.

The Malawi Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS), a series of five-year plans, guides the country's development. The current MGDS III, building a Productive, Competitive and Resilient Nation, will run through 2022 and focuses on education, energy, agriculture, health and tourism.

In January 2021, the Government launched the Malawi 2063 Vision that aims at transforming Malawi into a wealthy and self-reliant industrialized 'upper middle- income country.
The matter in which estranged wife to Vice President Constantino Chiwenga, Marry Mubaiwa, is being charged with money laundering and attempted murder, was yesterday deferred to September 30.

This came out when she appeared before Harare regional magistrate Mr Stanford Mambanje this week. Mubaiwa once applied for refusal for further remand on the charges arguing that it was over 15 months of her attending court, with the State failing to complete investigations into her matter. She said the State had promised to complete investigations within a month into her arrest, but had failed.

Through lawyer Ms Beatrice Mtetwa, Mubaiwa argued that the State was aware of the complexity of extra-territorial investigations when they made a one month promise. She made the application after the State led by Mrs Netsai Mushayabasa applied for a postponement of the matter to allow police to complete investigations into the matter. Mrs Mushayabasa told the court that there were extra-territorial investigations which needed to be carried out in South Africa.
Cabinet considered an update on the response to the Covid-19 outbreak which was presented by the Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development on behalf of the chairperson of the task force.

Cabinet advises that as at June 28, 2021, Zimbabwe's cumulative Covid-19 cases stood at 46 442, with 37 187 recoveries and 1 736 deaths.

The recovery rate stands at 80 percent, with 96 percent of Covid-19 positive cases being attributable to local transmission. The number of active cases stands at 2 923.

Cabinet noted, with concern that the surge reported the previous week continued, with a total of 3 882 cases recorded during the period under review, compared to 1 239 reported the previous week. This represents a 213 percent increase.

The majority of cases were recorded in Mashonaland West (1 798), Mashonaland Central (1 375) and Midlands (493). The following areas have been designated as hotspots in Mashonaland, West Kariba, Karoi, Makonde, Chinhoyi, Mhangura, Chidamwoyo, Magunje, Chirundu; in Bulawayo Nkulumane Emakhandeni and Northern Surburbs; in Mashonaland Central, Mount Darwin; in Masvingo, Chiredzi; and in Midlands, Kwekwe. Members of the public are strongly discouraged from visiting or transiting through these spots.

Under case management infection, prevention and control, the nation is informed that hospital admissions due to Covid-19 have increased. As of 27 June 2021, there were 353 hospitalized Covid-19 positive cases, of which 40 were new admissions, 97 were asymptomatic, 209 were mild to moderate 44 severe and 3 were in the intensive care unit.

Noting that the frontline staff were given opportunity to vaccinate ahead of others, the nation is advised that a considerable number of frontline workers (20 percent) have still not presented themselves for vaccination.

Given the risk this poses not only to other workers but also to patients, Cabinet has set 14 July 2021 as the deadline for the vaccination of the frontline workers. After this date those who would not have been vaccinated will not receive Covid-19 insurance payouts. For the avoidance of doubt, those vaccinated staff members who test positive will, however, still be eligible for the Covid-19 insurance pay out.

On law and order, Cabinet advises that as the number of Covid-19 cases and hotspots continue to increase, law enforcement agencies have widened their scope of operations to help the Ministry of Health and Child Care contain the spread of the virus. Furthermore, security forces have heightened patrols along the country's borders.

Considering that agriculture is an essential service the nation is informed that the Grain Marketing Board, COTTCO and TIMB normal operating hours will be maintained across the country. Cabinet advises that Government continues to review the situation. His Excellency, the President has already issued further directives in this regard.

Progress report on the procurement and roll-out of Covid-19 vaccines

Cabinet received an update report on the procurement and roll out of the Covid-19 Vaccines, as presented by the Vice President and Minister of Health and Child Care, Honourable CGDN Chiwenga.

As of June 27, 2021 a total of 764 248 people had received their first dose of Covid-19 vaccine and 534 906 their second dose across the country. Cabinet is pleased to report that measures have been put in place to increase the procurement of vaccines. The following quantities of the Covid-19 vaccines have already been procured:

2 000 000 doses of Sinovac Vaccine by end of this week;

1 500 000 doses expected mid-July, 2021;

1 500 000 doses by August 2021; and\1 500 000 doses expected by September 2021.

Cabinet would like to reassure the nation that measures are in place to safeguard health. In addition, the nation is advised that travellers coming from countries with high risk of the Alpha and Delta Covid-19 variants of concern shall:-

Be quarantined in a designated hotel at their own expense;

Have PCR test conducted at their own expense as follows:

Tested on arrival;

Tested on day 3;

Tested on day 5; and

Tested on day 10.

Reports on the 7th 100 Day cycle of the Second Republic

Cabinet received reports on the 7th 100 Day Cycle of the Second Republic from the Ministers of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development; Primary and Secondary Education; Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation; and Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development.

The Minister of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development, Hon SGG Nyoni advised Cabinet that funding of 20 Women's Projects is at 90 percent with funds having been disbursed to 17 projects by POSB. A total of 163 women from three provinces were trained in Business Management.

Each project got $300 000.00 amounting to a total of $6 000 000. 100 Women Empowerment Clubs will be established in all provinces.

The nation is advised that funding for Post Covid-19 Recovery of 50 SMEs is at 84 percent. Forty-six projects were identified and visited under the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID), and 66 projects were identified and visited under Small and Medium Enterprises Development Corporation (SMEDCO).

A total of $89 600 000 was disbursed to 42 projects under SMEDCO SME Fund creating 68 new jobs and 589 jobs were sustained. Under the OFID Programme, 10 projects were approved for funding to the tune of US$411 000.

The Minister of Primary and Secondary Education, Hon C Mathema apprised Cabinet that twenty-five schools out of the annual targeted 200 schools have since been registered. The nation is advised that 345 radio lessons were developed and are being broadcast from an annual target of 750 radio lessons. The development of learner modules is at 50 percent. A total of 16 classroom blocks out of the targeted 100 school infrastructure were completed.

Regarding the development of e-learning platforms, one platform was developed. The platform is now accessible to learners, teachers and parents for use as supplementary teaching and learning materials.

The Minister of Higher and Tertiary Education, Innovation, Science and Technology Development, Hon A Murwira reported that the wetlands masterplan for Zimbabwe was developed and is now in place.

Regarding the agriculture research and development programme, the nation is informed that one industrial cattle pen at Chinhoyi University of Technology is at 90 percent completion, while the commercial milking parlour thereat is 100 percent complete. It is highlighted that the Mapfura beneficiation plant building in Mwenezi is at 95 percent completion. Construction of the Kushinga-Phikelela female hostel is at 95 percent completion.

The Minister of Youth, Sport, Arts and Recreation Hon. K. Coventry reported on the projects under her purview. Pertaining to the equipping and operationalisation of the Mutoko tomato processing plant, in Mashonaland East Province, Cabinet advises that the project is 85 percent complete.

Regarding fitness and wellness for youth and persons with a disability, it is reported that stakeholder identification was completed and the Project will be launched in Bulawayo at a date to be advised.

On the construction of Chambuta Cultural and creative gazebo in Masvingo Province, Cabinet advises that the super structure is 100 percent complete and roofing is at 80 percent level of completion. The nation is informed that skills outreach programmes were conducted in Midlands, Matabeleland South and Matabeleland North Provinces.

It is reported that to date 2 979 girls and 364 boys were trained. 3 percent of those trained under the skills outreach programme are enrolling for full time courses at vocational training centres and 15 percent of the trained have gone for attachments in formal employment.

Update on the 2021 Winter Wheat production and maize marketing season

Cabinet considered an update on the 2021 winter wheat production and maize marketing season as presented by the Minister of Lands, Agriculture, Fisheries, Water and Rural Resettlement, Honourable AJ Masuka.

Cabinet advises that of the 85 000 hectares planned for wheat, 62 879 hectares have been planted for the Presidential, National Enhanced. Agricultural Productivity Schemes/COMMAND/CBZ Agro-Yield and Private Sector Schemes. Plantings are 53 percent above what was planted last year.

The nation is informed that a total of 296 443 t of maize an increase of 306 percent; 29 205 t of traditional grains, an increase of 1184 percent; and 10 198 t of soya beans, an increase of 866 percent have been delivered to date to the Grain Marketing Board. The increase of which is a marked improvement from 2020 deliveries.

On tobacco marketing, Cabinet advises that cumulative sales of 170 866 919 kg were realised this year valued at US$468 926 709, 19 percent above last year.

This was due to the prices which were 13 percent firmer than last year and delivery of better quality of the tobacco. Of the reported 277 cases of illegal sales of tobacco, there have been 144 convictions to date. Total tobacco export shipments have reached 65 474 million kg (to over 50 destinations) as at June 25, 2021, 94 percent of tobacco had been sold under contract and 6 percent under auction. To date, decentralised selling points have handled 43 percent of the tobacco.

Report on the 40th Annual General Meeting and Symposium of shelter afrique: 20 -25 June 2021: Yaounde, Cameroon

The Minister of National Housing and Social Amenities, Hon. D. Garwe reported that the 40th Annual General Meeting and Symposium of Shelter Afrique was held from 20 to 25 June 2021 in Yaounde, Cameroon. Zimbabwe was elected as the first vice chairperson of the Shelter Afrique Bureau and will host the 41st AGM and symposium.

Cabinet approved Shelter Afrique's pledged to invest in Zimbabwe through funding mixed housing construction ranging from 3000 to 10000 units; establishing a building technology plant with a proposed shareholding of 51/49 for Shelter Afrique and Government of Zimbabwe respectively; and establishing a regional office for the SADC region in Harare. Government will provide the requisite land.

Update on preparations for Zimbabwe's participation at Expo Dubai 2020

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, Honourable FM Shava, updated Cabinet on preparations for Zimbabwe's participation at Expo Dubai 2020 which runs under the theme "Connecting Minds- Creating the Future".

Cabinet approved the amendment of Zimbabwe's sub-theme from "Zimbabwe - the Land of a Great People " to "Zimbabwe -- a Land of Great Opportunities"

The nation is informed that the milestones completed to date are as follows: 1) the development of Zimbabwe's Technical Participation Architecture; 2) formulation of the National Coordinating Committee and its respective subcommittees; 3) finalisation of the country pavilion design, 4) development of an online application for companies to showcase their products; 5) development Zimbabwe's Official Website for Expo 2020; and 6) participation in Expo 2020 Dubai Children's Tales from around the World book.

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Cabinet advises that the Zimbabwe pavilion will be the country's main showcase, whose storyline will be expressed through exhibits, audio visuals and amplified by objects.

The pavilion is structured in four main Zones: Our Heritage, Our Land of Abundant Opportunities, Our Human Capital base and Our Future.

Cabinet reports that the private sector will compliment Government efforts for Zimbabwe's participation through provision of products for the World Market Store, Retail Store and content for the country, Women's Pavillion and Side events. The private sector is encouraged to profile its investment projects, develop robust digital marketing platforms for sourcing partnerships and enhancing product and service visibility.

 See full article on www.herald.co.zw

The Small and Medium Enterprises Sector will participate in the World Market Kiosk, through provision of products sourced from all provinces. Furthermore, SMEs, Women in Business and Youth-owned Enterprises will be profiled for marketing in Dubai through print and video content creation.

The nation is informed that Zimbabwe's anticipated legacy from this Expo will be determined by the thoroughness of preparations with regard to the coherent communication of country's strategic and comparative advantages. A draft communication strategy has since been developed. The Ministry of Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services and Agencies responsible for publicity and communication will work closely with contracted creative companies for guidance on content creation and coherent messaging.

Report on the Pan African Postal Union 39th Ordinary Session of the Administrative Council and 10th Ordinary Session of the Plenipotentiary Conference

Cabinet considered and noted the Report on the Pan African Postal Union 39th Ordinary Session of the Administrative Council and 10th Ordinary Session of the Plenipotentiary Conference which was presented by the Minister of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services.

The Conference was held in Victoria Falls from 21 to 25 June 2021. Overally, the Conference was a resounding success in terms of NDS1 goals and demonstrated Zimbabwe's capacity to host a hybrid event at the highest level. Our own Mr. Sifundo Chief Moyo was elected as the Secretary General, the first Zimbabwean and SADC national to secure the position. Zimbabwe's Ministry of Information Communication Technology, Postal and Courier Services will be Chair of the Plenipotentiary Conference for the next four (4) years, including the Extra-Ordinary Session in November 2021. Zimbabwe pledged to contribute to the construction of the Pan African Postal Union Headquarters in Tanzania.

I THANK YOU!
Unvaccinated health workers who contract Covid-19 in the line of duty after July 14 will no longer receive special compensation which the Government has been paying those affected, while the 80 percent who have been vaccinated remain covered if they fall sick.

Information, Publicity and Broadcasting Services Minister Monica Mutsvangwa said after yesterday's Cabinet meeting that the Government had been paying US$1 000 and US$600 depending on grade for each health worker who falls sick but now those who remain unvaccinated are considered a health threat to colleagues and patients.

Last week, Treasury released $75 million towards the compensation.

Of the 4 444 health workers so far infected, 432 have already received their payouts.

The Health Services Board (HSB) has approved the payments to another 2 196 with funds already allocated able to cover about 1 367 workers so further allocations are required.

"Noting that the frontline staff were given an opportunity to vaccinate ahead of others, the nation is advised that a considerable number of frontline workers, 20 percent, have still not presented themselves for vaccination," said Minister Mutsvangwa.

"Given the risk this poses not only to other workers but also to patients, Cabinet set 14 July 2021 as the deadline for the vaccination of the frontline workers. After this date, those who not vaccinated will not receive Covid-19 insurance payouts. For the avoidance of doubt, those vaccinated staff members who test positive will, however, still be eligible for the Covid-19 insurance pay out," she said.

Minister Mutsvangwa said Vice President Constantino Chiwenga -- in his capacity as Health and Child Care Minister -- updated Cabinet on the procurement of vaccines, which is on a positive trajectory with Finance and Economic Development Minister Mthuli Ncube saying last week that adequate funds were available.

Besides the 500 000 doses of Sinopharm vaccines that arrived last Saturday, bringing the total number of doses delivered to 2,26 million, Sen Mutsvangwa said two million doses of Sinovac vaccine would arrive by the end of this week, bringing the total to 4,26 million.

A further 1,5 million doses were in the middle of next month, another 1,5 million doses by August and another 1,5 million doses by September. Vaccination rates are already approaching 25 000 doses a day, roughly 750 000 doses a month, and those in charge have already been talking about taking the rate quickly to over 1 million doses a month.

"Cabinet would like to reassure the nation that measures are in place to safeguard health. In addition, the nation is advised that travellers coming from countries with high risk of the alpha and delta Covid-19 variants of concern shall be quarantined in a designated hotel at their own expense and have PCR test conducted at their own expense on arrival, tested on day three, tested on day five, and tested on day 10."

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Sen Mutsvangwa said Cabinet noted with concern that the surge reported the previous week continued with a total of 3 882 cases recorded during last week, compared to 1 239 new cases reported the previous week.

"This represents a 213 percent increase. The majority of cases were recorded in Mashonaland West with 1 798, Mashonaland Central with 1 375, and Midlands with 493."

She said the public was strongly discouraged from visiting or transiting through hotspots: Mashonaland West now has hotspots at Kariba, Karoi, Makonde, Chinhoyi, Mhangura, Chidamoyo, Magunje and Chirundu; in Bulawayo Nkulumane Emakhandeni and Northern Suburbs; in Mashonaland Central, Mount Darwin; in Masvingo, Chiredzi; and in Midlands, Kwekwe.

Minister Mutsvangwa also noted an increase in hospital admissions owing to Covid-19. As of Sunday, there were 353 hospitalised Covid-19 cases. Of these 40 were new admissions, 97 were asymptomatic, 209 were mild to moderate, 44 severe and 3 were in the intensive care unit.

She also highlighted the intensification of control measures by law enforcement agents anchored on enforcing adherence to the prescribed containment measures as well as heightened patrols along the country's borders.
A Kajiado herder found with a dead dikdik is staring at the possibility of serving a jail term for possession of an animal carcass.

Joshua Ladapash pleaded guilty to possession of the carcass weighing five kilos after he was arraigned at Kibera law courts by Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS) officers.

Ladapash told senior resident magistrate Charles Mwaniki through an interpreter that he was arrested at the scene where the animal was killed by his dogs after arriving too late to rescue it.

He said he attempted to rescue the animal before it was eaten by the dogs but found it already dead and was picked up by KWS rangers who arrived immediately.

The carcass was availed at the court as an exhibit.

It was photographed before disposal and only the photos will be presented in court in future.

Ladapash was remanded at Langata police station pending reading of facts of his offence before sentencing later this week.
Kameme TV sign language interpreter, presenter, and producer Josephine Mwihaki has passed on.

According to a post on Kameme TV's Instagram account, Mwihaki dead on Monday while receiving treatment in a hospital.

Mwihaki, 41, was reported to have passed on following a short illness.

The presenter was rushed to hospital a fortnight ago but was discharged.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by KamemeTv (@kamemetv_kenya)

According to the statement from the TV station, Mwihaki suffered from high blood pressure.

Her situation is said to have deteriorated on Sunday, and she was rushed to hospital.

On Sunday she had complained of severe headache, hours later she died.

The presenter also worked for K24 TV, Kameme TV's sister company.

"Kameme TV sends condolences to her family. We loved you. May God rest you in eternal peace," the TV station announced.

Her friends, colleagues and followers also eulogized her.
opinion

The government's shift to vaccinating non-elderly people is distracting attention from its continuing inefficiency in reaching those most in need of the vaccine.

'Phase 2' of South Africa's vaccination programme started in mid-May. According to the National Department of Health the elderly -- people over 60 -- were to be vaccinated in 'Phase 2A'. Non-elderly frontline workers, prisoners and other people in 'congregate' institutions and people with co-morbidities would then be vaccinated under 'Phase 2B'. The National Department indicated that it expected to shift from Phase 2A to Phase 2B at the end of June. This prioritisation of the elderly reflected scientific considerations about vulnerability.

The shift from Phase 2A to Phase 2B did not require that every elderly person be vaccinated. The proposal was that Phase 2B should commence when the vaccination rate among the elderly reached 70%.

The government has abandoned this sequencing between Phases 2A and 2B even though less than 40% of the elderly have been vaccinated.

First, government ministers announced that non-elderly essential workers would be vaccinated, starting with teachers last week. Then the Acting Minister of Health announced that vaccinations of people aged 50 to 59 would begin on 15 July.

There is widespread support for vaccinating some non-elderly people, even if the government's decisions on who to prioritise seem to be driven by political rather than scientific considerations. But the government's slow progress in vaccinating the elderly population is a massive cause of concern.

There are about 5.3 million elderly South Africans, of whom only about 2 million had received their first shots of the Pfizer vaccine (as of 26 June). A further 700,000 have registered but are still waiting to be vaccinated. To vaccinate 70% of the elderly by the end of July - one month later than the original target - we would need to vaccinate all the registered elderly and about one million of the currently unregistered elderly.

According to the Acting Health Minister on 25 June, South Africa had received about 4.5 million Pfizer doses and is expecting a further 2.1 million in July. This further 2.1 million probably includes the 1.4 million Pfizer doses that arrived on 27 of June, the 191,000 expected from Pfizer on 5 July, and presumably a further shipment of 500,000 sometime in July.

By that time, South Africa had also received 1.5 million doses of the single jab Johnson and Johnson vaccine, of which the first shipment of 300,000 had been allocated to the basic education sector. The remaining 1.2 million doses appear to have been allocated to education and other essential workers, notably the police and military.

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If none of the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is allocated for the national rollout for those aged 60 and above, then we do not have enough Pfizer vaccine available in July to start vaccinating those aged 50 and above without rationing the vaccine away from the elderly.

The graph shows that much of the available supply of Pfizer vaccine in July is needed for the second dose Pfizer vaccinations that are due to start this week (with a six week gap between first and second doses). The blue bar shows the number of vaccines that will be needed in July for second doses.

The red bar shows the vaccines needed to provide first doses to those elderly who have registered, but not yet been vaccinated, by the end of July.

The orange bar represents vaccines needed to reach enough of the unregistered elderly to meet the target of vaccinating 70% of the elderly.

Hitting these targets will use up in July all the Pfizer vaccines that the Acting Minister said would be delivered.

If the elderly really are a priority, then the solution is to channel some of the Johnson and Johnson vaccines away from relatively healthy younger workers to the national programme, ideally to vaccinate the elderly in rural areas. This would free up some Pfizer vaccines for people aged 50 plus in urban areas.

Professor Nattrass and Professor Seekings are based at UCT.

Views expressed are not necessarily GroundUp's.
Tunis/Tunisia  The investigating judge at the Tunis Court of First Instance issued a detention warrant against a suspect in the case of the assault of a minor in Sidi Hassine Sejoumi by police officers.

He also decided to keep the other two suspects at liberty, pending their appearance in court for a second interrogation, according to a statement from the public prosecutor.

The prosecutor decided on Tuesday to launch an investigation against the three officers for torture and abuse of a minor as well as for forgery committed by a public official.

A video that circulated on social media on June 9 showed plain clothes police officers assaulting and stripping a minor in Sidi Hassine Sejoumi.

The assault took place as protests erupted in the area following the death of a man in custody at the local police station on June 8.

A specialised unit under the General Directorate of the National Guard was tasked with investigating the case.
Tunis/Tunisia  Minister of Public Works, Housing and Infrastructure Kamel Eddoukh called, on Tuesday in Tripoli, Tunisian and Libyan partners to set up a common protocol to harmonise the regulatory and institutional frameworks governing investment and remove obstacles faced by investors in both countries.

Speaking at a workshop on "The role of engineering and consulting firms in the success of major projects", held as part of the 4th Libya Construction Expo held in Tripoli, from June 28 to July 1, 2021, the minister invited officials of both countries to put in place long-term strategic plans with clear national, regional and international scope, to boost cooperation between the two countries.

Eddoukh also indicated that his department puts at the disposal of Libyan partners the experience of nearly 400 engineering firms, 2,800 architects and 160 surveyors, all willing to work in joint projects.

For his part, Tunisian ambassador in Tripoli, Lassaad Lajili, affirmed the need for the two countries to create a common fabric of engineering offices, companies and expertise to conquer together the African markets.

Taking part in the debate, CEO of the Housing Estate Agency (AFH), Mohamed El Khames Laabidi exposed the experience of this national company rich of 47 years of activity in the fields of land planning and real estate development. He also said that the Agency is planning to extend its activity beyond the national borders, hoping that Libya will be its first destination.

The experiences of the Agency of Rehabilitation and Urban Renovation (ARRU) and of the Company of Studies and Development of the Northern Coasts of the City of Sfax (SEACNVS) were also exposed by their respective managers.

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President of the Libyan Union of Engineering Professions, Said Bidallah Darssi, indicated that "the creation of cooperation and employment opportunities inevitably passes through major construction and infrastructure projects that give the engineering professions the role that they deserve".

Libyan engineer Mohamed Beit Afia called on the Libyans to benefit from Tunisian experiences in the fight against marine pollution, the environment and urban planning.

Other speakers proposed to establish twinning between Tunisian and Libyan municipalities to prepare the ground for joint infrastructure projects and promote the exchange of expertise.

The "Libya Construction Expo" is held from June 28 to July 1, 2021, in Tripoli, by the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Sfax (CCIS) in collaboration with the Tripoli International Fair.
Tunis/Tunisia  The Tunisian-Libyan partnerships launched during the various events and economic cooperation programmes aim not only at boosting bilateral trade but also at developing industries likely to conquer African markets, Libyan Industry Minister Ahmed Abu Hissa told the press on Tuesday.

Visiting one of the Tunisian stands at the 4th Libya Construction Expo held in Tripoli, from June 28 to July 1, 2021, in the company of Tunisian Minister of Trade and Export Development, Mohamed Bousaid, Abou Hissa announced the launch of preparations for the organisation of an exhibition of Libyan industries in Tunisia, in August 2021.

He recalled that during his last visit to Tunisia, he had learned about the value of Tunisian industries, as well as their competitiveness at the internal and external levels. "We have the ambition to transfer this experience to Libya, a country that needs to develop and rebuild, especially in the regions destroyed by the war, hence the need to establish a partnership with Tunisia, known for its industries and the quality of its products which enjoys an important place with the Libyan consumer.

He said he has begun with his Tunisian counterpart, the implementation of what was agreed between both Libyan and Tunisian heads of government, during their meeting in Tripoli in May 2021.

Mohamed Bousaid, in turn, stressed that the events that bring together professionals from both countries, aim at establishing an effective partnership and complementarity between the two countries.
Tunis/Tunisia  I Watch organisation called on the Public Prosecutor's Office and the Supreme Judicial Council (French: CSM), as well as the General Inspectorate at the Ministry of Justice, to launch an investigation on the latest statements by honorary president the Association of Tunisian Judges (French: AMT) Raoudha Karafi.

The latter revealed in a Radio statement Monday that president of the Court of Cassation Taieb Rached had manipulated the procedures and judicial processes to release Qalb Tounes chairman Nabil Karoui.

The specialised chamber at the Court of Cassation refused to release the suspect, who then submitted another request for release, on the advice of Taieb Rached, to the specialised chamber for military affairs, which annulled the decision to extend the detention period.

Karafi did not rule out the existence of political pressure on justice in this case, especially since the chambers of the Court of Cassation do not usually examine provisional decisions as requests for release.

I Watch said Tuesday that Karafi's statements reveal a potential manipulation of the Karoui case and the involvement of first president of the Court Taieb Rached in bribery cases.

The investigation could shed more light on the case of Taieb Rached, who will be brought before the disciplinary council on July 16, I Watch said.

The CSM is currently looking into the corruption charges against Taieb Rached after freezing his membership in the council. His immunity has also been lifted.

Taieb Rached previously accused former public prosecutor at the Tunis Court of First Instance Bechir Akermi of standing behind this defamation campaign, saying he is partly responsible for the dysfunctions that marred the cases of Chokri Belaid and Mohamed Brahmi.

President of the juridical justice council Malika Mazari had told TAP that a case was submitted recently to the disciplinary board concerning several judges including Bechir Akermi and Rached Taieb.

The CSM had also taken up the case of Bechir Akermi.
Maputo  The Covid-19 positivity rate (the percentage of people tested who are carrying the coronavirus that causes the disease) is on the increase across Mozambique, particularly in the Greater Maputo area, and in Tete and Sofala provinces, warned Sergio Chicumbe, the Director of Surveys at the National Health Institute (INS) on Monday.

Addressing a Maputo press conference, Chicumbe added that the number of Covid-19 patients entering hospitals was now seven times greater than it had been at the start of the month. Nonetheless, the health authorities were not yet considering imposing a "cordon sanitaire" on any Covid-19 hotspot.

The most obvious candidate for a cordon sanitaire would be Tete city. Such a measure would be a local lockdown in which nobody would be allowed to enter or leave the city.

Asked whether mass testing is being considered for Tete, Chicumbe said a new approach was being tried which involved a mixture of the standard PCR (polymerase chain reaction) tests and rapid blood tests (the latter do not indicate whether the person tested is currently infectious, but they show whether he or she has been in contact with the virus).

"This approach has begun in Tete with new technology and later the whole country will benefit", he said.

Chicumbe said there are no specific preventive measures to deal with the Delta variant of the coronavirus, first identified in India, and known to be present in Tete. The preventive measures are the same for all strains of the coronavirus, he said, "but the difference is that this new variant has a high level of transmissibility".

"We must continue to comply scrupulously with the measures of prevention", he stressed.

The Deputy National Director of Public Health, Benigna Matsinhe, said that, since the start of the pandemic, 593,995 people have been tested for the coronavirus, 2,021 of them in the previous 24 hours.

Of the samples tested, 684 (33.8 per cent) were from Maputo city, 358 from Nampula, 298 from Niassa, 242 from Gaza, 193 from Inhambane, 99 from Sofala, 28 from Tete, six from Zambezia and one from Manica. No tests were reported from Cabo Delgado.

1,740 of the tests yielded negative results, and 284 people tested positive for the coronavirus. This brings the total number of Covid-19 cases diagnosed in Mozambique to 75,442.

Of the new cases reported on Monday, 274 are Mozambicans, one is known to be a foreigner (but Matsinhe did not reveal his or her nationality), and in ten cases, nationality has yet to be confirmed.

153 are women or girls and 121 are men or boys. 27 are children under the age of 15, and 14 are over 65 years old. No age information was available for 11 cases.

168 of the new cases were from Maputo city and 47 were from Maputo province. Between them Maputo city and province accounted for 75.7 per cent of these cases. There were also 19 cases from Inhambane, 16 from Gaza, 12 from Tete, 12 from Niassa, seven from Sofala and three from Nampula. None of the tests in Zambezia or Manica were positive.

The national positivity rate on Monday was 14 per cent, a decline on thee 24.4 per cent rate found at the weekend. Earlier rates were 17.4 per cent on Friday, 22.7 per cent on Thursday, and 20.1 per cent on Wednesday.

Positivity rates were much higher in the Covid-19 hotspots of Tete and Maputo. There were only 28 tests in Tete - but 12 of these were positive, which is a positivity rate of 42.8 per cent. The positivity rate in Maputo province was 42 per cent, and in Maputo city 24.6 per cent. Inhambane also had a rate higher than the national average, at 19.2 per cent.

Rates much lower than the average were found in Sofala (seven per cent), Gaza (6.6 per cent), Niassa (four per cent), and Nampula (0.8 per cent).

Matsinhe said that, over the past 24 hours, 16 Covid-19 patients were discharged from hospital (11 in Maputo, four in Tete and one in Sofala), but 33 new cases were admitted (30 in Maputo and three in Matola).

As of Monday, 159 people were under medical care in the Covid-19 treatment centres, a jump from 143 on Sunday. The great majority of these patients - 109 (68.6 per cent) were in Maputo. There were also 17 in Tete, 13 in Matola, 11 in Sofala, three in Nampula, two in Zambezia, two in Manica, one in Niassa and one in Inhambane.

Matsinhe said that 103 of those currently hospitalised are men and 56 are women. 64 of the patients (40.3 per cent) are aged 60 and above, and 52 (32.7 per cent) are aged between 45 and 59. She described the clinical state of 68 of the patients as "moderate". But 86 (54.1 per cent) are seriously ill, and five are in a critical state. 112 patients are receiving supplementary oxygen and the five who are in critical condition are now in intensive care.

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Matsinhe announced that 69 people were declared fully recovered from Covid-19 on Monday (33 in Sofala, 18 in Maputo province, 15 in Nampula and three in Gaza). This brings the total number of recoveries to 71,150, or 94 per cent of those ever diagnosed with Covid-19 in Mozambique.

One more Covid-19 death was reported on Monday, bringing the total death toll in Mozambique to 869. The latest victim was a 62 year old Mozambican woman. Matsinhe said this was the 35th death in June so far, which compares with 21 deaths in the first 28 days of May.

The number of active Covid-19 cases rose from 3,185 on Sunday to 3,399 on Monday. The geographical breakdown of these cases was as follows: Maputo city, 1,518 (44.7 per cent); Maputo province, 695; Tete, 589; Sofala, 169; Inhambane, 141; Niassa, 98; Manica, 69; Gaza, 52; Nampula, 27; Cabo Delgado; and Zambezia, 18.
Acting Health Minister, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, has reassured the citizens of Gauteng that government is working around the clock to ramp up bed capacity to deal with the third wave of COVID-19 infections.

While the Nasrec Field Hospital has been closed, Kubayi-Ngubane said other health facilities have been "activated" to deal with the influx of patients.

"The province had challenges [with field hospitals] and there were limitations in terms of utilisation of the hospitals - that's why they were no longer used because we couldn't justify the cost," she said during a briefing of the National Coronavirus Command Council on Tuesday.

The 1000-bed Nasrec Field Hospital was set up to help alleviate the burden of COVID-19 patients at clinics and hospitals across the province during the first two waves.

In the meantime, the Minister said more work has been done to ensure there is enough bed capacity in Gauteng, which is currently the epicentre of the pandemic.

The province will benefit from the newly opened AngloGold Ashanti Hospital, Jubilee Hospital, Bronkhorstspruit Hospital, and the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital that has recently been extended.

"These hospitals are doing exactly what the field hospital at Nasrec was doing. The information I've been receiving is that they have not been full to capacity," the Minister explained, adding that the 300-bed Jubilee Hospital has not been full beyond 50%.

"We do have the capacity in terms of the general wards and work continues," she added.

In addition, Gauteng is working on providing more resources to recruit more healthcare workers.

She said government was monitoring beds in Gauteng and the entire country and that they are seeing more pressure in the private health sector.

In addition, she announced there are no oxygen supply challenges.

Oxford-AstraZeneca

Meanwhile, the Minister addressed the decision to terminate the usage of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine in light of the Delta variant, which was first discovered in India.

In February, South Africa suspended the rollout of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine after studies showed that it was less effective against the mutated COVID-19 501Y.V2 variant, which was common in South Africa.

The National Institute for Communicable Diseases of South Africa (NICD) said Gauteng remains the epicentre of the resurgence, accounting for an average of 65% of daily new cases.

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In Gauteng, 64% of 244 genomes sequenced from May 2021 are attributed to the Beta variant, while in June 2021 this dropped to 37%. In contrast, during June, 53% of genomes from Gauteng were the Delta variant.

"The growing prevalence of Delta doesn't mean that Beta no longer exists in the country. The decision was correct at that time because the efficacy of AstraZeneca against Beta variant seemed very low. That's why the decision was taken."

This comes after new studies show that two doses of the Oxford-AstraZeneca may be highly effective in preventing hospitalisation due to the Delta variant.

Kubayi-Ngubane said the Alpha and Beta variants are still circulating in all provinces.

Vaccine rollout

The Minister acknowledged the country will not be able to meet the target of vaccinating over five million senior citizens by the end of June.

This is mainly due to vaccine hesitancy, lack of technology for some of these citizens to sign up and the vaccination centres that are located far from people's residences.

However, she said her department was addressing all these issues.

She said there was still an issue around the payment of overtime for those who will be vaccinating on weekends.

The Ministers who serve in the National Coronavirus Command Council (NCCC) were outlining measures to ensure compliance with the regulations in the fight against the spread of COVID-19 in South Africa.
The Ministry of Finance together with Methealth Namibia Administrators this week announced the introduction of SMS notifications for the Public Service Employees Medical Aid Scheme (PSEMAS).

The new technique of notification is part of the on-going PSEMAS Reforms, aimed at curbing possible fraud, protecting member benefits and to improve communication between members, healthcare service providers and the administrator, the Ministry of Finance spokeperson, Tonateni Shidhudhu said in a statement.

"The Ministry has observed that some of the claims submitted are not authentic. The new SMS notification will thus help all parties to ensure authenticity of claims and services rendered to PSEMAS members," he added.

The SMS notification to PSEMAS members will become operational as of 1 July, meaning PSEMAS members will start receiving text messages from 44555 informing them of claims submitted and settled on their behalf to healthcare service providers by the administrator.

"We therefore urge PSEMAS Members to pay close attention to the text messages and to report any suspicious claims to Methealth offices or to Ministry of Finance, Medical Aid Division. PSEMAS members and Services Providers are once again reminded of the consequences of submitting false claims, which might result in the termination of the PSEMAS contract or membership," he added.

Additionally, members are urged to ensure that their cellphone numbers are registered on the PSEMAS System and always up to date in order to ensure uninterrupted communication between members and PSEMAS, he concluded.
Maputo  Mozambique's National Inspectorate of Economic Activities (INAE) has closed two commercial establishments and suspended eight others for violating Covid-19 preventive measures in Maputo city and province.

Speaking to reporters on Monday, the INAE delegates in Maputo city and province, Egas Mazivila and Goxeny Uchouane, said that, between Thursday and Sunday, their staff carried out 328 inspections, 245 in the city and 83 in the province.

They covered restaurants, bottle stores, general shops, and halls where events are held. "We found a snack bar which should already have been closed", said Mazivila. "It was using a licence which was not valid for that type of establishment. The other place we closed was a lounge, which was trying to make money without obeying the licensing criteria and the ministerial decree on Covid-19".

While the government has allowed restaurants to remain open, all bars, kiosks and other establishments whose main purpose is to sell alcoholic drinks, must close.

In Maputo province, said Uchouane, INAE focused on private social events, the closing time for establishments, the maximum number of people allowed to attend events, the ban on dancing in restaurants, and the consumption of alcohol.

The maximum number of people allowed to attend weddings is 20 - but INAE suspended eight wedding parties, "where we found over 150 people", the INAE delegate said.
Abuja  Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) yesterday raised the alarm over the non-implementation of the Nigerian Police Trust Fund (NPTF) Act 2019 signed into law by President Muhammadu Buhari.

The Fund is yet to act on the N1.8trillion needs assessment report presented to it by the Nigerian Police.

A roundtable meeting held in Abuja to review the implementation of the Police Trust Fund and organised by the Rule of Law and Advocacy Center (RULAAC), Open Society Initiative and the Rule of Law Empowerment Initiative also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria, also picked holes in the act which is stalling the implementation of the fund.

This comes as the companies operating in Nigeria expected to contribute 0.005per cent of their net profit as captured in the act kicked against the provision.

Rivers State government had also challenged the 0.005 per cent deduction from total revenue accruing to federation account as contained in the act.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Director, Rule of Law and Advocacy Center (RULAAC), Mr. Okechukwu Nwangwuma, said the roundtable was civil society's intervention which sought to promote transparency and accountability through independent scrutiny and interrogation of the application of the resources of Police Trust Fund (PTF), a source of additional funding for the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

"The Trust Fund is to operate for a period of six years from the commencement of the Act, after which it would cease to exist unless extended for any further period by an Act of the National Assembly.

"The delay in constituting the board - one year after it was signed into law ate up part of the expected lifespan of the board. This June, two years is already gone after the trust fund was signed into law and one year after the board was inaugurated.

"So, we have four more years left in the life span of the Act. How far has the trust fund achieved its mandate in the past two years? How much has the fund received and how much has it disbursed to the police? What has been the impact of the PTF on the performance and conduct of the police in these past two years?" he queried.

The meeting also raised the issue of the N1.8trillion needs assessment request by the police which it had not accessed from the fund.

The document which also had the input of the Ministry of Police Affairs covered funds for arms and ammunition, operational vehicles, police gears and Information Communication Technology (ICT) gadgets among others.

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"A needs' assessment committee set up by the former Inspector-General of Police collated the needs of the police and it amounted to N1.8trillion", a member of the panel said.

The meeting also raised the issue of the opposition to the 0.005 per cent levy by companies doing business in Nigeria.

The Executive Director, Centre for Transparency and Advocacy, Ms. Faith Nwadishi, said corporations were unhappy with the taxation.

"Corporations are not happy with the taxes. They think it's double taxation. They are not happy that 0.005 per cent will be deducted from their profit when they pay income tax and others", she said.

Former Executive Secretary of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Mr. Fola Arthur-Worrey, harped on the need to incorporate the private sector in the management of the fund, as part of amendment to the act and the need to change it to police management fund and not a trust.

"Trust fund is a fund set up for a beneficiary. It's a fund set up for the police and not to be managed by the police", he said.

In his remarks, the Legal Officer, Africa, Open Society Initiative, Mr. Stanley Ibe, lamented the absence of the Police Trust Fund at the event despite their invitation.

"We are in a crisis situation where nobody can doubt that the police needs more funding. We need to ask what manner of police do we want.
Maputo  The General Command of the Mozambican police force has ordered all the provincial police commands to collect and remove from the market razors of the Alshabab brand, reports Tuesday's issue of the independent newsheet "Mediafax".

According to an instruction from the General Command, dated 21 June, razors of this brand could be used by the islamist terrorists operating in the northern province of Cabo Delgado for propaganda purposes. The terrorists are commonly known as "Al-Shabaab", although they do not seem to have any connection with the terrorist group of the same name. In Arabic, "Al-Shabaab" simply means "the youth".

There is an Alshabab razor which can be purchased on the Internet for 91 US cents. The advert for the razor boasts of 'blades made of high quality stainless steel electronically controlled throughout the grinding and honing process to help provide smooth shaving performance and comfort".

The razors are Chinese and can be obtained from the website Alibaba.com. They have been manufactured and sold long before there were any terrorist attacks in Cabo Delgado.

The term used by the General Command is "maquina de barbear", which normally transates as electric shaver. But AIM's internet search turned up plenty of references to Alshahab razors but none to an electric version. However, in Portuguese, "maquinas de barbear" is frequently used merely to refer to the blades.

According to the note signed by the General Commander of the police, Bernadino Rafael, the Alshabab razors are on sale in various markets in the central province of Manica. But it is thought that they may be on sale in many other parts of the country - which is very likely, since they are cheap and readily available from the Internet.

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The police are concerned that there the Mozambican Tax Authority (AT) has no record of any imports of this brand, and they suspect the razors may have entered the country illicitly.

Rafael instructed the provincial police commands to analyse any information related with the Alshabab razors "and other materials associated with propaganda actions of the terrorist group".

He instructed all police units to "strengthen control over the circulation of merchandise in coordination with customs authorities at the control posts".

The police are also concerned with recent attacks on police units in Tete and Nampula provinces "undertaken by small groups of people passing themselves off a victims in order to gain access to the interior of the police stations". Rafael said this recalled the early stages of the terrorist raids in the Cabo Delgado district of Mocimboa da Praia, in October 2017.

He instructed the police to step up vigilance and patrolling, in cities, towns and villages "in order to disrupt and combat and adverse phenomena that threaten public order and security".
The Registrar, Joint Admission and Matriculation Board (JAMB), Prof. Ishaq Oloyede, has accused some higher institutions of mobilising and awarding IJMB/JUPEB certificates to individuals, who did not attend their institutions.

Oloyede alleged that some of the certificates issued by the Interim Joint Matriculation Board (IJMB) and Joint Universities Preliminary Examinations Board (JUPEB) centres for Direct Entry into universities were fakes

He made the allegation in Abuja yesterday, at the 2021 Batch 'B'pre-mobilisation workshop of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) on the theme; "Sustainable Mobilisation Process: The Role Of Stakeholders".

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that IJMB and JUPEB are national educational programmes approved by the Federal Government.

They are qualifying examinations, for candidates seeking Direct Entry admissions into Nigerian and foreign universities, coordinated by some universities with centres across the country.

Oloyede, however, expressed worry over the indiscriminate proliferation of IJMB and JUPEB training centres across the country, some of which he said were compromising the standards.

According to him, many institutions operating the centres still engage in mobilising or awarding IJMB/JUPEB certificates to people who did not attend their institutions.

He alleged that some of the candidates who attended most of the centres did not merit the certificates given to them because they never attended the class but bought certificates with money.

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"I give you one example, you are in a position to know, you run IJMB and JUPEP, how many of these students are actually your students?

"Go on the streets of Nigeria, everywhere you see IJMB, these candidates are not supposed to be attending that, they are supposed to be in higher institutions.

"In Abuja here, you can find up to 100 and they will publicly put it 'IJMB training centre,' this is totally wrong," he said.

The Registrar also commended the introduction of the National Identification Number (NIN) which had helped to curb examination malpractice in its examination conduct.

"This year we use National Identification Number (NIN) and we are very happy because examination malpractice, particularly, impersonation in crimes has reduced.

"And that is why many people are not happy with us, if they have anything to do with JAMB they say something different," he said.

In his address, the NYSC Director-General, Brig.-Gen. Shuaibu Ibrahim, said that the Pre-Mobilisation Workshop heralded the commencement of the Service Year with the constructive engagement of NYSC State Schedule Officers and some of their collaborating partners.

"We will use this avenue to strategise for a smooth process, especially through the resolutions that will be made in the course of our discussions.

"Moreover, the activities lined up for this programme commenced in earnest on Monday with data collation from the various Corps Producing Institutions," he said.

NAN
Dar es Salaam  For the first time in more than a year, Tanzania has released figures on coronavirus, confirming 100 cases since a third wave of infections began. President Samia Hassan says Tanzania has budgeted $470 million to buy COVID-19 vaccine. The actions mark a sharp turn from Hassan's predecessor, the late John Magufuli.

A week ago, Tanzania's health ministry warned citizens that a "third wave" of COVID-19 infection was spreading across Africa.

On Monday, President Samia Hassan announced Tanzania has recorded 100 such cases in recent days, and said 70 patients required oxygen.

She warned citizens to protect themselves from infection.

Hassan said when you look at the number of patients, it's not that high but we must protect ourselves so it doesn't rise. She said the first step her government has taken is to go in line with the world by allowing the vaccine. And it will be voluntarily, she said. Hassan emphasized that a citizen who want to be vaccinated will get the shot and those who don't want it will not be disturbed until they change their minds.

Hassan said $470 million has been budgeted to purchase COVID-19 vaccine and provide economic relief for businesses that were severely hit by the pandemic.

In a message on Twitter, U.S. Ambassador to Tanzania Donald Wright welcomed Hassan's intent to buy vaccine and signaled that the U.S. is ready to help.

Now, are the country's health care services ready to deal with COVID-19? Shadrack Mwaibambe is the president of the Tanzania Medical Association.

He says we have taken lessons from the first and second waves of COVID-19. The country is standing firm and where there are weaknesses, we are continuing to address them he says. Mwaibambe says that's why the president has decided to handle the pandemic using scientific methods like accepting its presence and she's fighting it. The amount of money that is set is enough and she has not diverted it to other areas he says.

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Rights activists say with the government now doing its part, citizens should also follow COVID-19 guidelines. Felista Mauya is the director of empowerment and accountability with the Legal and Human Rights Center.

"We continue to emphasize that citizens and the whole society should continue to observe precautions by washing hands, wearing masks, and observing social distancing," she says. "Mauya added that people should focus on the guidelines and statements that our leaders are issuing following all the health guidelines and we can fight the virus."

President Hassan has yet to announce when the vaccine will arrive, but said Tanzania has joined the COVAX facility that sends doses to lower-income countries.

She said specialists are determining which brand of vaccine will be sent to Tanzania and how it will be distributed.
The President HE Dr. Hage Geingob has appointed a business rescue task force (BRTF) to review business and insolvency legislation, laws, regulations and policies and to make recommendations for legislative amendments in order to rescue businesses in financial distress.

The task force drawn from the public and private sectors consists of individuals with skills and experience in corporate management, banking, legal and insolvency laws, legal drafting, and entrepreneurship. The task force will effectively start working on 1 July 2021 for a period of eight months.

The presidency in a statement issued on Tuesday 29 June, said the need for the task force has been recognized with urgency following the outbreak of COVID-19, and has been framed as a crucial intervention in the economic advancement pillar of the Harambee Prosperity Plan II.

The BRTF will be chaired by Thinus Prinsloo and the other members will include; Vivienne Katjiongua, Puye Haufiku, Sarel Van Zyl, Leone Dunn, Jason Hailonga, Hans Gerdes,Erna Irene Simeon-Kurtz, Rose-Mary Sihova, Amalia Schmidt and Maria Gertze.

Geingob meanwhile said he expects the members of the task force to ensure the efficient and effective rescue and recovery of businesses in financial distress, preserving jobs and entrenching a stronger entrepreneurial culture in the country.

"At the end of its mandate, the task force should provide the government with a framework that can serve as the basis for policy interventions that can contribute meaningfully to business recovery, including an environment that promotes sustainable entrepreneurship," Geingob said.

Geingob's business rescue task force (BRTF) is chaired by Thinus Prinsloo (CEO, Capricorn Group).
Abuja  Barely one week after the Senate confirmed Maj. Gen. Farouk Yahaya as the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), the House of Representatives yesterday also ratified his appointment.

The confirmation followed the consideration and adoption of the report of the Joint Committee on Defence and Army, chaired by Hon. Babajimi Benson.

President Muhammadu Buhari had on June 8, wrote to the House, urging it to confirm Yahaya as the COAS.

The Speaker, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, thereafter referred the request to the Committees on Defence and Army for screening.

In his presentation, Benson said the nominee gave very apt answers to the questions, and the committee was satisfied with its interactions with the nominee during the screening.

He appealed to his colleagues to confirm Yahaya.

When put to a voice vote by the Deputy Speaker, Hon Idris Wase, who presided over the session, it got the support of the majority of the lawmakers.
THE International Monetary Fund (IMF) has vowed to continue working together with Tanzanian experts, to enable the country to secure funds for mitigating effects of Covid- 19 in various sectors of production.

The IMF Director for Africa, Abebe Aemro Selassie said this yesterday when he met President Samia Suluhu Hassan at the Chamwino State House in Dodoma. Mr Selassie, who was delivering a message from IMF's Director General Kristalina Georgieva, mentioned health, water and tourism as among the key sectors that were affected by the global coronavirus pandemic.

The IMF boss assured President Samia of the Fund's bold commitment to support Tanzania in attaining its development goals.

"IMF is ready to work closely with Tanzanian experts on preparing an application for the country to secure funds that will help in mitigating the impacts of Covid-19," Mr Selassie was quoted in the statement issued by the Director of Presidential Communications Jaffar Haniu yesterday.

President Samia told the IMF envoy that a special team of experts she formed to professionally evaluate the Covid-19 pandemic, would team up with the Ministry of Finance and Planning to prepare an application for Covid-19 recovery fund.

The Head of State also acknowledged the IMF for its continued support to Tanzania for the country to meet targets as highlighted in the National Development Plan III.

On Monday, President Samia said the country's experts were working on the kind of vaccines, which the country can acquire and administer to the people through voluntary procedure.

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She revealed the government's ongoing initiatives on Monday when she was responding to questions posed by editors and media practitioners at the State House in Dar es Salaam.

She noted that the country has resorted to moving along with the rest of the world, noting that it was learnt that the first wave slightly affected the country because the alert was high.

According to President Samia, a good number of international organisations have offered to support Tanzania, yet still it is for the country's experts to advise on the kind of vaccine to be approved for use.

"Tanzania has secured a sum of 470 million US dollars equivalent to 1.08tri/- for battling Covid-19, which will be distributed into two halves for protection and support the sectors which have been hit hard by the pandemic," noted President Samia.

She said the situation in neighbouring countries and the country's borders is alarming, emphasising people to play their part and mostly the protection of children.

"The second wave's effects were a bit extreme as compared to the first wave and the third wave is taking a huge toll across the world," she said, urging Tanzanians to resort to all the necessary preventive measures, particularly those being recommended by experts.

President Samia also revealed that so far, Tanzania has over 100 Covid-19 patients admitted to the country's hospitals, among whom, 70 patients have been placed on ventilators.
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has said that it would deploy all lawful means, including strike to protect the rights and dignity of workers of the Kaduna State.

It condemned the alleged killing of student during peaceful protest over hike in school fees at Gidan Waya, Kaduna State by security agents.

NLC also deplored the threat by the Kaduna State governor, Nasir El-Rufai to use Judicial Commission of Inquiry to address a pure industrial dispute, saying it is totally unprecedented in the history of country.

In a statement issued yesterday by the NLC's President, Mr. Ayuba Wabba, the labour union said it would not fold its arms and watch a situation where thousands of workers are sacked with impunity and in clear violation of the clear provisions of the labour laws.

NLC said that workers are not slaves, adding that the labour movement has a mandate to protect them from being maltreated with impunity.

"Workers are not slaves. They have families. They have dependents to take care of. They have rights! Protecting the rights and dignity of workers using all lawful means, including strike actions falls under the mandate of the Nigeria Labour Congress.

"This mandate to protest and protect the interest of Nigerian workers as enshrined in Nigeria's Constitution and labour laws will be robustly deployed again by congress in Kaduna State. This time, it will be total and in defence and protection of the rights of Nigerian workers and pensioners whom Mr. Nasir El-Rufai relentlessly seeks to convert to his foot carpet," it said.

NLC lamented what it described as the deteriorating situation in Kaduna.

"It has been tales of sorrows, tears and blood from Kaduna State, especially as occasioned by increasing waves of kidnapping, banditry, general insecurity, mass sack of workers and killing of students peacefully protesting the hike in school fees at Gidan Waya, Kaduna State. This situation is being encouraged by the neo-liberal policies of the Kaduna State Government," it said.
Health workers test government officials and executives from the private sector for coronavirus ahead of their departure for a national retreat in Gabiro. Rwanda now has a lab to test for the virus at Kigali Military Hospital Kanombe (file photo).

Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente, flanked by senior government officials on Tuesday hosted a news conference to address new covid-19 restrictions.

The restrictions are due to a surge in daily Covid-19 cases and the emergence of new variants.

From the longer curfew hours to the slashing of Covid-19 test costs, here are 10 key takeaways.

1. Covid-19 restrictions tightened further

Effective July 1, all schools and higher institutions are closed in Kigali including some other parts of the country.

This, alongside other new measures, are part of the resolutions announced Tuesday, June 29 to further curb the spread of the virus.

Since early this month, the cases have quad rippled, from an average of 50 cases recorded in the past four months.

Prime Minister Edouard Ngirente (centre) and other government officials give more details about the new Covid-19 restrictions during the news conference in Kigali on Tuesday, June 29. Photo: Olivier Mugwiza.

"There is no single factor that has led to the current upsurge in cases," said Minister for Health Dr Daniel Ngamije, adding, "It is a collection of factors including a spike in cases in the region, Uganda-based Rwandans who continue to return home, DRC refugees who fled to the country after Nyiragongo eruption."

Ngamije said that all that combined, with the increased laxity among Rwandans are the main reasons for the worrying trajectory.

2. Rwandans urged to collaborate in the fight against Covid-19

In his remarks, Prime Minister Ngirente called on the public to bring together efforts that will ensure the pandemic is slowed down.

"As a country, we need a collective effort to ensure that this pandemic is contained. It should not be on anyone's watch that people are reminded to observe the protocols."

Questioned on what triggered the new measures, Ngirente pointed out that resolutions are entirely based on data.

"It is not the public influence like many would assume. The government has a role to weigh between containing the pandemic as well as the socio development of its citizens."

The premier said that the news conference was an opportune moment to remind Rwandans that the pandemic continues to evolve across the country.

"It is not like during the first time where we recorded cases in some parts of the country. This calls for individual responsibility as we collectively put our efforts together to contain this pandemic."

3. Rwanda to issue digital certificate to the fully vaccinated

Effective July 1, many countries especially in the European market will only facilitate travellers with possession of the digital 'vaccine passport', also commonly known as the Green Pass.

The immunity passport will serve as proof that a person has been vaccinated against the coronavirus disease (Covid-19), or recently tested negative for the virus, or has the natural immunity built up from earlier infection.

In Rwanda's case, Minister Ngamije said the government is ready to issue the certificates only for the fully vaccinated.

"Those who need the 'green pass' will get them, we have all the records," he said.

The vaccination certificate is not a substitute for a travel document and holders must also provide a passport or identity card, depending on their destination.

4. Cost of rapid Covid-19 test reduced

The Ministry of Health together with various partners is in advanced talks to drop the rapid Covid test from the current Rwf10,000 down to Rwf5,000.

This was confirmed by minister Ngamije in an exclusive interview with The New Times, shortly after the presser.

He attributed the move to the increase in production of testing kits.

"We now have 5 certified suppliers as opposed to only one when the price was initially set."

The public has previously decried high test costs as one of the reasons that deprive them of voluntary testing practices.

5. Police ready to enforce new Covid-19 guidelines

According to Inspector General of Police (IGP) Dan Munyuza, police, alongside other stakeholders, have the capacity of enforcing all Covid-19 preventive measures in ensuring maximum compliance.

The IGP said that while it is not the police's priority to arrest and impose fines on the violators, "Whoever violates these measures will be held accountable."

We have noticed some violations like people visiting each other at home, not wearing masks, no social distancing and violating curfew hours.

"We urge the public to observe the measures as much as possible."

6. Candidates to sit their exams despite schools closure

During the press conference, the government reassured that students will complete their, rather challenging, academic year.

Candidates will also be allowed to sit their national exams.

This, officials said while shedding light on new measures that require some schools to close down starting Thursday.

A statement from the Prime Minister's office noted that "But provisions for students sitting for national examinations will be communicated later."

7. Students to be facilitated to return home

Students are set to be facilitated back home under an arrangement led by the ministry of health, the ministry of local government and the police.

A letter signed by Gaspard Twagirayezu, the Minister of State in the ministry of education indicates that boarding students based in Kigali will be the first to return home during the 4-day exercise.

Twagirayezu reminded school leaders to ensure that the timetable is observed.

The Minister of Local Government Jean Marie Vianney Gatabai also called on the returning students to observe the new measures in place.

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8. Government warns against violation of self-isolation guidelines

Meanwhile, minister Ngamije gave a stern warning to Covid patients who recklessly continue to violate self-isolation guidelines, citing that it is one of the emerging loopholes of the new cases.

"This has to be addressed," he said, "The government cannot accommodate all the patients and that is why some patients, especially those who have no symptoms, have been asked to self-isolate from their homes."

However, Ngamije said, we have seen an increase of people who continue to violate these rules, and it should be clear that we are going to impose hefty fines on this practice.

9. Offices ordered to close, markets and malls to operate at reduced capacity

Some parts of the country will, Thursday, only open their offices to employees who provide essential services.

In addition, restaurants will also be allowed to provide take away services, with consumers encouraged to seek open-door venues.

The working capacity in markets was also brought down to 50 per cent, with vendors only selling essential items.

10. Business community remains optimistic despite stringent measures

According to the Ministry of Trade and Industry Beata Habyarimana, the business community should remain optimistic for recovery if collectively they abide with the new measures.

Habyarimana shared sentiments with Eric Gishumba, the Private Sector Federation Vice Chairman, who said that businesses operating at 50 per cent should be a reminder to further comply with the set guidelines.
Abuja  The Executive Director, African Agricultural Technology Foundation (AATF), Dr. Denis Kyetere, has insisted that the genetically modified cowpea variety of beans known as Sampea 20-T, is safe for consumption without any known side effects.

His assurance followed the commercial launch yesterday in Kano of the pod borer resistant cowpea which had been on trial in Nigeria.

Kyetere had at the virtual press conference on the pre-launch of the PBR cowpea in the country said the technology had no known adverse effects on human.

He stressed that the new beans variety is as safe as the conventional cowpea, which is grown without any genetic alterations.

According to him, "The effects that are with this PBR cowpea are the same with the conventional cowpea.

"If somebody is allergic to the conventional cowpea, the person will be allergic to this one as well. But it is as safe as the conventional cowpea."

The clarification will help douse concerns about the safety of food grown through genetic permutations.

This came as the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) said the commercialisation of pod borer resistant cowpea by Nigeria represented tremendous progress in applying innovative approaches to advance food security.

The General Development Officer, Biotechnology Specialist, USAID Bureau for Resilience and Food Security Centre for Agriculture-Led Growth, Dr. Faith B. Tarr, said at the unveiling of the new variety that "we celebrate the completion of a critical stage within a continuous, iterative process by which new food security innovations are developed, disseminated, adopted, and used in order to enhance prosperity, resilience, and nutrition."

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Essentially SAMPEA 20-T is a new beans variety bred to resist the notorious insect pest, Maruca Vitrata, that causes up to 80 per cent yield loses on the farm.

The technology was developed by scientists at the Institute for Agricultural Research (IAR), Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria.

Also, the IAR Executive Director, Prof. Mohammad Ishiyaku, said the new beans variety was a significant scientific and economic achievement for the improvement of the production of beans for Nigerians.

Meanwhile, the President, of the All-Farmers Association of Nigeria (AFAN), Mr. Kabiru Ibrahim, said about eight million farmers and their families would benefit directly from cultivating the newly launched cowpea variety.
Local furniture retailer, Nictus embarked on an empowerment programme that supports small local entrepreneurs with capital to fund their manufacturing operations in addition to their products being sold at Nictus Furnishers' Windhoek branch.

The programme, which prioritises entrepreneurs creating their products locally, has been introduced to support local manufacturers who often lack the necessary funds to create products on a larger scale and compete with foreign brands.

Nictus' Chief Executive, Francois Wahl, has described the programme as a collection of efforts that solves many of the hurdles that Namibian entrepreneurs face.

"Now the entrepreneur does not only get their products housed by a recognized brand like Nictus. They are also able to get access to capital that is specific to what their business needs to compete with big names, Wahl added.

One of the first local entrepreneurs to go through the initiative is Petrina Ashipala, the owner of Meme wOmabean Bags, a company that creates a type of furniture known as bean bags.

Ashipala described Nictus' involvement as a lifeline that every entrepreneur needs especially during this Covid times that has shifted how a lot of people do business. She said the partnership will introduce her products to a wider customer base and in turn increase product output, sales volume and overall business growth.

Nictus is a wholly-owned Namibian furniture retailer. The company's owner, Nico Tromp succumbed to Covid-19 over the past weekend. Tromp dedicated over 40 years of service to Nictus.

Petrina Ashipala, owner of Meme wOmabean Bags.
An officer from the Namibian Police's gender-based violence division at Keetmanshoop appeared in the town's magistrate's court on charges of murder and attempted murder on Monday.

Police officer Morgan Plaatjie is alleged to have brutally murdered his ex-girlfriend Yvette Louw on Saturday by stabbing her multiple times with a knife.

The police's crime investigations coordinator in the //Kharas region, deputy commissioner Chrispin Mubebo, said Plaatjie reportedly found Louw with her current boyfriend and their child, and that this led to the deadly stabbing.

Mubebo said Plaatjie was arrested the same night as the incident.

He said Louw had complained in the past about domestic abuse from Plaatjie and had been given a domestic violence protection order against him.

Mubebo said Plaatjie allegedly stabbed Louw's boyfriend as well, but he was not fatally injured.

The case was postponed to 13 August.

Plaaitjie is being held in custody.

Police investigations in the matter are continuing.
The commissioner-general of the Liberia Immigration Service or LIS Col. Robert Budy disclosed in Monrovia that 100 border officers are expected to be armed and deployed to protect the borders of Liberia from external threats.

Col. Budy points to a perceived threat in the region, recalling that there was a threat in Burkina Faso for not too long where 130 civilians were killed and Ivory Coast suffered attacks from 10 jihadists, which led to several Ivorian military officers killed along its borders with Burkina Faso.

Speaking at the Ministry of Information regular briefing recently in Monrovia, the LIS commissioner-general noted that another attack occurred in Grand Bassa hotel, Abidjan when three jihad militants entered the hotel and murdered over 33 persons and leftover two dozens wounded.

He said besides, a group of Liberians led an arrack in Ivory Coast, specifically in the north of Abidjan, but three were killed and one is currently undergoing treatment in Abidjan.

"So you can see that the borders with Ivory Coast are a hot spot for the Liberia Immigration Service; we don't want people going through and infiltrating our borders", Col. Budy said, while pointing that Burkinabes are using Grand Gedah and Rivergee counties in Liberia to enter neighboring Ivory Coast to cause chaos.

He narrates the Burkinabes crossed into Grand Gedeh and Rivergee counties to carry out illegal farming.

"And when they harvest the crops, it does not impact our economy. The crop op is taken into Ivory Coast where they are sold."

Security in Liberian remains fragile since the Mission, UNMIL departed the country in 2018.
Diaspora-based Liberians from Lofa County are demanding the government here to fulfill its constitutional responsibility by ensuring that Mr. Brownie J. Samukai is seated in the Liberian Senate as a way of restoring their rights to full senatorial representation in line with Article 45 of the Liberian Constitution.

"We, the people of Lofa County, are constitutionally entitled to two senators, and we do [hereby] petition you (the government) to fulfill your constitutional responsibility," the group says.

Released under the names of J. Patrick Flomo, Dr. Sakui Malakpa, Stephen Jensen, and Robert Gaygay, the statement accused the government here of allegedly nullifying "the voice of the people of Lofa County by denying them full senatorial representation without explanation nor a declarative statement regarding when this crisis will end."

The group said it believes that the government created this constitutional crisis and bears the full responsibility to resolve it with all deliberate speed.

Mr. Samukai, a former Defense Minister who served former President Ellen Johnson - Sirleaf's administration won the December 2020 senatorial election in Lofa County but has not yet been seated as he faced different court cases, either for election-related challenges or his role in the misapplication of soldiers' personal pension saving funds.

Prior to the election, Samukai and his deputy Joseph P. Johnson had already been convicted by the Criminal Court "C" in the criminal case, and their conviction was subsequently upheld with modification by Liberia's Supreme Court following their trial for misapplying private pension saving funds owned by soldiers of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) during his term as Defense Minister.

However, in a separate action filed by the Movement for Progressive Change (MPC) political leader Simeon Freeman, Justice in Chambers Joseph Nagbe later granted a petition for a writ of prohibition filed against the certification of Senator-elect Samukai, ordering the National Elections Commission (NEC) to disallow Samukai's certification until the disability imposed on the convicted former Defense Minister is removed according to law.

"The Clerk of this Court is ordered to issue the peremptory writ of prohibition, send a mandate to the 1st respondent, NEC, disallowing the certification of the 2nd respondent, J. Brownie Samukai, Jr., until his disability imposed on him by his conviction is removed according to law," Associate Justice Nagbe said in a ruling Tuesday, 4 May.

But the group of Lofaians in the diaspora calls on all Liberians to join the people of Lofa County to urge the government to restore their rights to full senatorial representation in line with the Liberian Constitution.

"Today, it is Lofa County; 25, 50, or 100 years from now, it will be your county if we all do not address this governmental abuse of power," the group said.

The group noted that the question is no longer a partisan question but that of full legislative representation for the county, urging their past leaders to form a united front and to use the influence of their positions, endowed upon them by the people of Lofa County to serve their needs.

"To the past and present leaders of Lofa County who have not spoken out or [sought] redress of the aforementioned concern): We are afflicted and disheartened by your lethargic reaction to this serious constitutional injustice," the group lamented.

Early this year the Supreme Court sentenced former Minister Samukai, his deputy Joseph P. Johnson and Mr. James Nyumah Dorkor to serve a term of two years each in a common jail.

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However, the Supreme Court ruled in the corruption case that the sentences shall be suspended provided that the convicted officials shall restitute the full amount of US$1.147,656m or (pay) 50 percent within the period of six months, and following that, make appropriate arrangement to pay the remaining percentage in one calendar year.

Should the defendants fail on these mandates, the Supreme Court said they shall be incarcerated in a common jail and remain there until the full amount is paid. In its judgment, the Supreme Court said every withdrawal from the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) Pension Account should have been by authorization or consent of the AFL soldiers.

The Court, therefore, said the unrelated expenses of US$1.147,656m on the instruction of former President Sirleaf was without the pale of the law, and the appellants (defendants) are held personally liable for the unauthorized expenditure on the account.
The Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has demand justice following the Sunday's attack on members of the Qamar ul-Islam Society in their mosque at Oluode Aranyin, Ita Olookan area of Oshogbo, Osun State by masquerade (egungun) worshippers.

MURIC Director, Prof. Ishaq Akintola, said on Tuesday in a statement that an elderly man, Alhaji Moshood Salahudeen, was killed while 14 other Muslims sustained gunshot and cutlass-inflicted injuries.

Describing the attack and killing as dastardly Akintola urged the Commissioner of Police, Osun Police Command, to fish out the killer and his accomplices.

"Egungun worshippers killed an elderly Muslim and wounded 14 others in Oshogbo on Sunday, 26 June, 2021. "The Muslims were holding a programme in front of their mosque, the Qamarudeen Central Mosque which is situated at Oluode Aranyin, Ita Olookan area of Oshogbo, Osun State when the masquerade worshippers came from nowhere and started attacking them.

"We appeal to Muslims in the state to refrain from attempting any reprisal attack. We have no doubt that the state police Command will ensure that the culprits will not go unpunished," Akintola said.
The Senate yesterday passed a bill to establish the Federal University of Health Sciences, Otukpo, Benue State.

Also passed was a bill for the establishment of the Institute of Information and Communication Technology, Suleja.

The passage of both bills followed the consideration of two separate reports by the Committees on Health (Secondary and Tertiary); and Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND.

The chairman of the Senate Committee on Health, Senator Yahaya Oloriegbe, said the passage of the bill seeking to establish the University of Medical Sciences, Otukpo, would give legal backing to the institution which is already in existence.

"The Federal University of Health Sciences Otukpo is already in existence but needs legal backing to effectively carry out its mandates", Oloriegbe said.

Senator Nora Ladi Daduut, on behalf of the chairman, Committee on Tertiary Institutions and TETFUND, Ahmad Babba Kaita, said the establishment of the Institute of Information and Communication Technology would offer practitioners knowledge in systems analysis, testing and designs in virtual healthcare application, electronic health record and tele-medicine, and software and hardware development.
-Departs Liberia for France

President George Manneh Weah early Monday, 28 June 2021 departed Liberia for Paris, France to participate in the 2021 Generation Equality Forum.

An Executive Mansion release issued Monday said several heads of state are expected to attend the forum. The 2021 Generation Equality Forum will convene governments, International organizations, civil society organizations, youth, the private sector, and activists.

As Liberia's Feminist - in - Chief, Mr. Weah will address the forum calling on the world to make concrete, ambitious and sustainable commitments towards achieving gender equality.

He is accompanied at the forum by Foreign Minister Dee-Maxwell Kemayah; Defense Minister Daniel D. Ziankahn; Gender Minister Williametta Saydee-Tarr; and Lenn Eugene Nagbe, Commissioner of the Liberia Maritime Authority.

Others on the delegation are Trokon Kpui, Minister of State Without Portfolio, and Daintown D. Pay-Bayee, Chairperson, National Commission on Disabilities.

The three-day Forum will also galvanize a multi-stakeholder ecosystem to advance gender equality to ensure sustainability and accountability.

President Weah is expected to meet France President Emmanuel Macron on the margins of the forum. Their discussions will focus on peace and security and other issues aimed at enhancing bilateral relations.

While the President is away, Finance Minister Samuel Tweah will chair the cabinet in consultation with the Vice President of Liberia and via telephone with the President.
-Senators propose

Lockdown the country, River Gee County Senator Jonathan Boy Charles Sogbie and Senator Nyonblee Karnga - Lawrence, opposition Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) National Chairperson, and Grand Bassa County Senator, called on President George Manneh Weah. They said the move is necessary to contain the rapid spread of the Coronavirus Disease.

In her Facebook post over the weekend, Senator Karnga - Lawrence urged citizens to buy essential food items in preparation for a possible lockdown, stressing that since the newest hit of the virus, there are more deaths in recent times than ever in the past months.

"Prepare your families for a lockdown in a day or two, get food that is not perishable (rice, farina, green plantain, eddoes, sugar, milk, oil, sardines, luncheon meat, butter, cornmeal, oaths) do anything to stay home," she said.

"Let's prevent!! Stop playing politics with deadly virus. The virus does not discriminate, more death news today again we care more about making the right decision than the popular one, lockdown and control the spread," the post indicated.

For his part, Senator Sogbie said the country, especially counties that are not yet hit by the Coronavirus, should be locked down to avoid the continuous spread of the virus.

He lamented that there are more deaths in the country, though there is no statistical evidence to link those deaths to the virus. He however said the possibility of those deaths being COVID-19 is not too far.

According to Sogbie, because of the urgency of the deadly virus, the Senate has accepted the proposal of US$2 million to be included in the draft national budget for the fight against the virus.

Though the Ministry of Health did not provide details of how the money should be spent, Sogbie noted that the monetary value makes sense, adding that nothing is important than life and the government is under an absolute obligation to protect lives and properties.

He continued that through his county, River Gee has not been hit, the virus is conventional and it requires his attention and effort to break the spread of the virus.

"I wrote the plenary of the Liberian Senate requesting for a total lockdown of the country, especially counties that are not being hit. Based on the communication, the Ministry of Health was given an additional mandate to redesign its strategies on [how to] combat the virus. The ministry is looking [into] the concern and soon we expect progress in that direction," he said.--

But former Presidential Press Secretary Jerolinmek Matthew Piah, currently residing in the United States, says lockdown is not a medical solution in the fight against coronavirus here, suggesting instead, the need for millions of testing kits, isolation, vaccination of people, providing treatments and reducing crowds at events, among others.

"... Lockdown is not a medical solution to a medical crisis. It's a kind of quick-fix situation that you envisage, and since people also learn by experience, if I should count on the experience of the U.S., I wouldn't opt well for lockdown," Mr. Piah said on Prime FM Monday, 28 June from the U.S.

"What has been scientifically proven since this medical situation is, the real solution is you, test people, you isolate people, you treat people and then you protect people, that's when the vaccination comes in," Mr. Piah added.

Mr. Piah who served during former President Ellen Johnson - Sirleaf's administration as Presidential Press Secretary when Ebola struck Liberia, has called on citizens here to take the coronavirus matter into their own hands while the government does the needful so that the virus can be defeated.

"When we defeated Ebola, it was because the people chose life over death; it was the communities that took the lead, that took the charge, even though, guided by their leaders. The same is required here," he said

Giving an example about America where he is currently based, Mr. Piah recalled that when the Coronavirus started there, the tough process was instituted with the thought that lockdown was the solution.

According to him, many states moved into lockdown, and yet 600,000 people died and 33 million people got infected because "lockdown is not a medical solution."

Piah's caution against a lockdown comes at a time when there are mixed views from the public over what should be the measures in the wake of the raging third wave of the coronavirus in Liberia.

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Some think schools should be closed, lockdown imposed and the military be deployed in addition to the recent anti - Covid - 19 measures instituted by the Ministry of Health here.

According to Mr. Piah, schools should be closed and students evaluated based on their performances from the first semester to determine whether they can be promoted or not, while preparation is being done regarding vaccination and curtailing the current surge ahead of opening the next school year.

However, Mr. Piah argued that the virus is already in the communities, pondering if during a lockdown somebody will remain in their home for 24 hours a day and if there won't be movement within the communities that can still further the spread of the virus.

"So those are the things you can do when you don't have the scientific solution which is more testing, isolation, treatment, eventually protection through the vaccination. If you don't have that, you try to find means to do it. But does it require a lockdown to do so? I don't think so," he noted.
The United Nations Headquarters based in the United States through the government of Liberia has turned over a check of US$66, 990 to SSG Jefferson Parpie Titus of the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) as a Permanent Disability Benefit.

SSG Titus while serving on the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali became one of the victims of a major bomb blast attack at an AFL Base (Super Camp, Timbuktu).

The attack which took place on May 3, 2017, resulted in the death of one Armed Forces of Liberia soldier, leaving seven others badly wounded. SSG Titus now is a wheelchair user.

Presenting the check to SSG Titus, AFL Chief of Staff, Maj/Gen. Prince C. Johnson, III, lauded the government of Liberia for the engagement with the United Nations in making the soldier's benefits a reality.

The AFL Chief of Staff regretted the permanent disability faced by the soldier as a result of the injury sustained while on a mission. He further stressed that "There is no replacement for life and disability" and expressed gratitude to the soldier for his services rendered to his country and the people of Mali."

In response, SSG Titus expressed joy over the role played by the Ministry of National Defense and the AFL in getting his benefits from the United Nations.

In another development, the Armed Forces of Liberia has bid farewell to the United States of America Defense Attache to Liberia, Lt. Col. Matthew Alden, following two years of his service in Liberia.

Speaking at the occasion, AFL Chief of Staff, Maj/Gen. Johnson recounted the good working relationship between the American government's Defense Attache Office and the Armed Forces of Liberia that resulted in the Liberian military gaining more training opportunities from the U.S. Government.

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The AFL Chief of Staff named the provision of the Gene-Expert Machine to the 14 Military Hospital, the increase in budgetary allotment for the IMET (Int'l Military Education Training), and the continued involvement of AFL in the OBAMGAME Exercise.

Further, Gen. Johnson named the provision of scholarships for personnel of the AFL to attend Military Schools in the United States of America as well as logistical support to the AFL as some of the many benefits Liberia attained from LT COL Matthew Alden's time of duty in Liberia.

In response, the outgoing American Defense Attache, Lt. Col. Alden recounted the good working relationship he had with the AFL and the Ministry of National Defense, stressing that he will continue to seek more avenues to assist the AFL and the Ministry of National Defense.
Prof. Adepoju

The chair of the Man And the Biosphere Programme International Coordinating Council (MAB-ICC) has said that unsustainable land-use practices, teamed with overexploitation of resources and ineffective management of protected areas pose serious threats to the maintenance of both ecosystems and habitats.

Prof. Adeshola Olatunde Adepoju, who is also director-general of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, said most of the world's ecosystems have been critically degraded with negative impacts on biological diversity and peoples' livelihoods.

He made the disclosure on Monday, June 28, 2021, at the start of a five-day Regional Training Workshop on "Green Economy in Biosphere Reserve Methodology (GEBR) and Operations of Man and Biosphere Committees" organized by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Multisectoral Regional Office based in Abuja, Nigeria in collaboration with the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria (FRIN) being held in Monrovia, Liberia.

The workshop brings together participants from Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone.

Professor Adepoju noted the human global population currently stands at 7.8 billion, and predictably, it is expected to reach 8.6 billion by 2030 and 9.8 billion by 2050, adding that these exponential increases in population and urbanization will have implications on the finite natural resources.

He said the concept of Green Economy in Biosphere Reserve is predicated on providing alternative livelihood options, income-generating, and biodiversity-friendly activities for women and youth in particular.

He added that these are people-centered solutions towards more sustainable development whilst highlighting the crucial role people play as both instruments and beneficiaries in the conservation of Biosphere Reserves.

The Nigerian forester continued that the GEBR project was centered on the diversification of the economy through improved and alternative biodiversity-related livelihoods to reduce pressure on the forest due to fuelwood extraction for heating and cooking purposes and build the capacity of communities.

He explained the implementation of the project involved the establishment of selected alternative livelihood enterprises such as fish farming, snail farming, grass cutter domestication, and mushroom production for communities within the biosphere reserve.

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Professor Adepoju noted that the Nigerian Green Economic model was adapted for countries around Lake Chad, culminating in developing a training module on GEBR methodologies and capacity building of five African countries - Cameroon, Chad, Niger, Central African Republic, and Nigeria in 2018.

According to him, out of the experience and technical expertise of the Nigeria Man and the Biosphere Committee, three new biosphere reserves were designated in 2020.

He revealed that the institute recently won a US$20, 000 UNESCO grant towards implementing a project on improving the livelihoods of women and youth through capacity building and empowerment in green enterprises.

The MAB-ICC chair stated that all these would not have been possible with the presence of a solid governance structure and a strong MAB National Committee.

He narrated that it is on this premise that the regional training was conceptualized to train MAB experts and managers of BRs and protected areas in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and Guinea on GEBR methodology.

Professor Adepoju emphasized that the operation of national MAB Committees and nomination of Biosphere Reserve will go a long way to providing technical support for establishing a MAB committee in Liberia and adopting a Liberian model in strengthening the capacity of experts from Guinea and Sierra Leone.https://thenewdawnliberia.com/fci-seeks-more-women-participation-in-forest-governance.
FLY deputy scribe

The Deputy Secretary for Finance at the Federation of Liberian Youth or FLY Ervin Daniel has called on the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission and the General Auditing Commission to investigate and audit the Federation for alleged corruption.

He said such audit will help to restore accountability and transparency in the FLY leadership.

Speaking to this paper over the weekend, Daniel said his quest for audit stems from constant unilaterally withdrawal of funds from the Federation's accounts with disregard to prescribed financial management policy.

"As established by an act of legislation in 1978, FLY as the umbrella youths and students' organization was given the mandate to advocate and champion the cause of young people in Liberia, he said.

According to him, FLY has a responsibility to impact the youth and student communities positively, stressing that officials governing the sacred institution must be transparent and accountable to the general public especially, young people.

Daniel described the alleged mismanagement of funds as inappropriate and counterproductive to the wellbeing of the Federation.

"Interestingly, some of those issues have been orchestrated by some Executive Committee Members who have considered themselves as demagogues and super executives within the young people institution", he noted.
-for "Very High Level of COVID-19"

The United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lifts Liberia's COVID-19 crisis to Level4, indicating that the West African nation has a Very High Level of COVID-19 at the moment.

Accordingly, the CDC issues a travel advisory, cautioning U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Liberia for now.

The advisory posted Monday, June 28, 2021, on the website of the Embassy of the United States near Monrovia says if a U.S. citizen must travel to Liberia, said traveler should get fully vaccinated before coming.

However, the CDC warns that because of the current situation in Liberia, even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk for getting and spreading COVID-19 variants.

Liberia's COVID-19 has been identified as the Delta variant, one of the newest strains of the virus found in India and Britain.

Statistics from the National Public Health Institute of Liberia as of June 26, 2021, put the total confirmed cases in the country at 3,736; Active Confirmed cases1342; 120 deaths, total recoveries 2274, and 117,221 laboratory tests conducted, among others.

"Travelers should follow recommendations or requirements in Liberia, including wearing a mask and staying 6 feet apart from others", the advisory reads.

The CDC generally categorizes the severity of the virus into four levels: Level 1: Low, Level 2: Moderate, Level 3: High, and Level 4: Very High, respectively.

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It did not detail how Liberia moves from the first three levels to Level 4, dubbed as "Very High."

"Travelers should follow recommendations or requirements in Liberia, including wearing a mask and staying 6 feet apart from others."

Liberia, Madagascar, and Guinea Bissau are three countries in West Africa, among countries in Asia, Caribbean, Southern and Latin America ranked at Level 4.

Sierra Leone, Guinea, Nigeria, Ghana, Burkina Faso, The Gambia, Mali, Niger, Senegal and Togo are at Level 1.

Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe of Boni County recently warned in Monrovia that the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) may suspend flights from Liberia in the wake of the serious resurgence of the coronavirus in the country.

Senator Snowe, who chairs the ECOWAS Parliamentary committee on political affairs said the regional body is worried that Liberia has the highest number of infected persons in the region.

"ECOWAS is considering that if you cannot vaccinate your people, they will not travel. Sooner or later, they will ban flights coming from Liberia", he cautioned Monday, June 20, 2021, on a live talk show.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Sameh Shoukry received on Tuesday 29/6/2021 Secretary-General of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA) Khairat Saribay in Cairo.

The minister expressed appreciation for Kazakhstan for founding the conference and for deploying efforts aimed at developing its mechanisms and frameworks.

Shoukry underlined Egypt's interest in cooperating with CICA in the sectors of combating organized cross-border terrorism and crime as well as arm control.

On his side, Saribay expressed eagerness on Egypt's involvement in the conference's mechanisms given its status on the regional and global scales. In addition, it is the only African member state in the entity.

In that context, the Kazakhstani official invited Minister Shoukry to attend CICA's foreign ministers' meeting convening in October 2021. The invitation was welcomed by the minister who said he would hold bilateral meetings building upon the visit of Kazakhstan's president to Egypt in 2016.
Nairobi  The hearing on the case against a High Court ruling that nullified the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) kicked off Monday setting the stage for an epic legal battle that will run until Friday.

Appeal Court President Daniel Musinga, who is presiding over the seven-judge bench called for decorum during the submission of arguments from the appellants and respondents' legal counsel teams who have each been allocated two hours to make their case.

"Counsel and parties let us all conduct ourselves as officers of the court in keeping with the decorum and professionalism expected of us," he said.

Solicitor General Ken Ogeto in his defending the state and President Uhuru Kenyatta pleaded with the Appeals Court to dismiss the High Court ruling, accusing judges in the Constitutional Court of relying on Wikipedia and Google in their ruling.

"The judges did not rely on the law," he said, "they relied on Wikipedia and Google and that is not the law."

Justices Roselyne Nambuye, Hannah Okwengu, Patrick Kiage, Gatembu Kairu, Fatuma Sichale and Francis Tuyoitt are also part of the bench that will render the verdict on the BBI case that was thrown into disarray by the five Judges of the High Court on May 14.

The appeals were filed by the Attorney General, BBI Secretariat, Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) and President Uhuru Kenyatta.

Attorney-General Kihara Kariuki whose submissions were made by the Solicitor General asked the Bench to uphold the fidelity of the Constitution when it finally renders its decision on the case.

He pleaded with Bench to restore sanity and protect the sovereignty of the people.

The Attorney General filed 31 legal grounds of appeal against the BBI judgement.

"Our appeal is nothing more than a plea to this honorable court that for fidelity to our Constitution and simply a call for the restoration of the people's sovereign will. We invite this court to affirm the Constitution as enacted by the people. We also invite this court to affirm that it is not for this court or any other court to re-write our Constitution," he said.

While faulting the High Court ruling that rendered the BBI process null and void, Ogeto was categorical that the five Judges had a personal vendetta against the President and underscored that their Judgement was entirely illegal.

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He noted that the Judges erred in their decision, saying that they deliberately ignored the evidence that was presented before them while insisting that nothing prevents the President from initiating a Constitution amendment process.

"Even so in the present case, the President never played a role that the learned Judges claimed that he did. The learned Judges simply ignored the evidence that was adduced as to who the promoters of the amendment Bill was. It seems to us that the learned Judges were keen on personalized attacks against the President," he said.

Justices George Odunga and Prof Joel Ngugi who were part of the 5 Judge-bench that shot down the BBI process were left out in the appointments for elevation to the Court of Appeal with President Kenyatta noting that the duo have serious questionable integrity.

Ogeto stressed that the five High Court Judges disenfranchised the millions of Kenyan voters by ignoring their endorsement to the popular initiative.

The electoral commission had verified close to four million signatures of Kenyan registered voters who had supported the initiative.

"We invite the Court to uphold the will of the people," Ogeto pleaded.

According to the hearings sequence, the BBI Secretariat will be next in line to make their submissions followed by the electoral body IEBC and the counsel team of President Kenyatta will be the last to submit their case.
Nairobi  The seven-judge bench hearing the Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) appeal has rejected an application by lawyer Charles Kanjama to strike out sections where he was affirming part of the High Court judgment that stopped the process.

Judge Hannah Okwengu however, said Kanjama's appeal shall not be consolidated with other appeals arising from the judgment of May 13 but shall be heard back to back with the appeals by the seven-judge bench on Friday.

"We are not satisfied that there are any sufficient reasons for this Court to review its earlier ruling. The application is therefore rejected," she said.

She explained that "In the ruling that we had given, there were clear directions given, regarding his appeal which was to be heard on Friday which remains the position."

Justices Okwengu, Patrick Kiage and Francis Tuyoitt had on Monday issued a ruling where they retained part of Kanjama's appeal that faulted the five-judge bench decision, which failed to give reasons for declining to enjoin him in the BBI case at the High Court.

In striking out the application, Okwengu termed Kanjama's attempt to revive the matter before the 7-judge bench as an 'academic exercise which will not change the situation'.

She instead referred him to the court's direction, where they ordered him to file and serve a new memorandum of appeal that's limited to the issue of rejoinder at the High Court.

Kanjama, who is seeking to participate in the landmark case as an Appellant acting in the public interest, attempted to get the Court's audience as he claimed that he had not been properly served by the Attorney General and the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC).

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"Even if we are to expect what you are telling us now, that you were not served and we are to review that order to the extent of setting aside the part that relates to the application of IEBC, i don't think it would change matters much, because there is already an order that is restricting you from participating in this appeal, and that order in so much as the AG is concerned you have not challenged it," Justice Okwengu noted.

Attorney-General Kihara Kariuki objected to Kanjama's quest to join the appellate cases because a similar application was rejected by the High Court on March 17 during a hearing of the consolidated petitions challenging the BBI process.

The Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission had also lodged a separate appeal in which it wants the Appeal Court to annul the High Court declaration that the three-member commission does not have a quorum.

In a May ruling, five High Court judges said the Building Bridges Initiative Constitution Amendment Bill, was irregular, illegal and unconstitutional.
Nakuru  The owner of the infamous Solai killer dam that left 50 people dead in May 2018 is dead.

Mansukh Patel died while undergoing treatment at the Agha Khan Hospital in Nairobi after a short illness.

Solai chief, Kiragu Maina said the businessman who owns various companies among them the largest kitchen Salt manufacturer in Kenya, Kensalt Limited, was admitted to the hospital late last week.

The local administrator said the cause of death was still unclear as the old man was still undergoing tests at the hospital.

"The businessman who was about 80 years of age was at his Nairobi when he was taken ill," said chief Maina.

He added that the man who owns a chain of businesses under Solai Group of Companies was still active before falling sick.

"He travels a lot within the country checking his businesses," said Maina.

Mansukh had maintained a low profile despite his immense wealth until May 9, 2018 when a mega dam at his Patel Coffee Estate farm in Solai broke its banks during heavy rains and swept away villages as locals slept.

His son, Perry Mansukh was among nine people arrested and charged with the 50 deaths before being set free by the High Court in Naivasha for lack of evidence.
Nairobi  The Teachers Service Commission (TSC) has advertised 6,000 vacancies for teaching in public primary and secondary schools.

The Commission said this will include 5,000 teaching vacancies in secondary schools, aimed at supporting the government policy on 100 per cent transition of learners from primary to secondary schools.

Of the 5,000 teaching vacancies in secondary schools, 4000 will be new recruitments and the other 1000 posts will be filled through promotion and deployment of practicing teachers in public primary schools.

Another 1000 vacancies have been put out for the recruitment of primary school teachers, with requirements being a P1 certificate and be registered with the Teachers Service Commission.

"Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications online through the Commission's website, not later than July 12, 2021," states a public notice by TSC.

The Commission also advertised 2,897 vacancies for primary and 927 vacancies for secondary schools to replace teachers who exited service.

To fill the position of secondary school teacher, applicants are required to hold at least a diploma in education and be registered by with the Commission.

Public primary school teachers seeking to be promoted and deployed to secondary schools will be required to have a P1 certificate, a holder of Bachelor's Degree in Education with two teaching subjects and must be serving under the TSC.

"Successful candidates under this category shall be appointed at T-Scale 7, Grade C2 under the Career Progression Guidelines for Teachers and shall be deployed to secondary schools where vacancies exist," states TSC.

In the financial year 2021/2022, the Teachers Service Commission was allocatedSh2.5 billion to support the recruitment of additional teachers.

In total, the Commission was allocated Sh281.7 billion to support its annual budget.
Nairobi  Kenya recorded 719 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday raising infections in the country to 183,603.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the new cases were detected from a sample size of 7, 608.

The country's positivity rate stood at 9.5 percent.

Kagwe said 1,088 patients were admitted to various hospitals across the country, including 112 in the Intensive Care Unit.

There were 9 fatalities which were reported late by health facilities, some dating back to late last year.

Total fatalities stood at 3,621.

800 patients were discharged after recovering from the virus, raising recoveries to 125,388.

The Health Minsitry said 1,334,749 Kenyans have so far been vaccinated among them 328,848 who have received their second dose.

Kenya has barely made progress towards attaining herd immunity, the only hope to contain and defeat COVID-19, with statistics from the Ministry of Health indicating only 1 percent of the adult population had been fully vaccinated.

Although the World Health Organization (WHO) has not indicated the specific proportion of the population that must be vaccinated against COVID-19 to begin inducing herd immunity, developed nations have adopted targets above 70 per cent.

The country expects to receive an undisclosed number of doses of the Pfizer vaccine from the United States government from next week.

The majority of African countries received their vaccines under the Covax scheme, and they were largely sourced from the Serum Institute of India.

When India stopped vaccine exports in response to its own urgent needs, manufacturers faced challenges in hastening production.

WHO had indicated in its projections that Africa needed 200 million doses to vaccinate 10 per cent of its population by September 2021.

On Tuesday, Kenya secured Sh.14 billion on Tuesday from the World Bank to boost its efforts in fighting against COVID-19 pandemic.

The funds which were approved by the World Bank Executive Directors were meant to facilitate affordable and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines in the country.

In a statement, World Bank Director for Kenya Keith Hansen said the additional financing is timely and comes at a time the government is making concerted efforts to contain the rising cases of the virus.

"The upfront financing for the acquisition of COVID-19 vaccines will enable the government to expand access to more Kenyans free of cost," he stated.

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"This additional financing will enable Kenya to procure more vaccines via the African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT) initiative and the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facilities. It will also support the deployment of those vaccines by boosting Kenya's cold chain storage capacity, including establishing 25 county vaccine stores, strengthening the capacity of 36 sub-county stores, and equipping 1,177 health facilities with vaccine storage equipment."

Other activities that will be funded include vaccine safety surveillance, training for health workers, advocacy and communication to encourage COVID vaccine intake among Kenyans.

This is the second additional financing for the Kenya COVID-19 Health Emergency Response Project after Sh. 10 billion that was approved under the Contingency Emergency Response Component of the Transforming Health Systems for Universal Care Project.

So far the World Bank has contributed Sh. 26.5 billion to Kenya's COVID-19 response.
Nairobi  Kenya has imposed a mandatory requirement for all arrivals who must now produce a negative COVID-19 certificate.

The directive was one of the measures announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta Tuesday during a televised address to the nation from State House, Nairobi.

All persons coming into the country must be in possession of a negative COVID-19 PCR Certificate, acquired no more than 96 hours prior to arrival into the Country; with the PCR Certificate also having been validated under the Trusted Travel platform for those travelling by air, the president said.

He also extended the night curfew that starts at 10pm to 4am for a further 60 days.

However, the curfew that starts at 7pm to 4 am in the counties of Kisumu, Siaya, Homa-Bay, Migori, Busia, Kakamega, Vihiga, Bungoma, Kisii, Nyamira, Kericho, Bomet, and Trans-Nzoia will continue up to 31st July, 2021;

President has announced his governments plan to vaccinate 10 million people by the end o 2021 and 26 milion by the end of 2022.

The second path out of the COVID Fog of War for Kenya is an opportunity with a promise. When we reported the first case of COVID-19, more than 15 months ago, the idea of a vaccine was a mirage, he said.

He said the Ministry of Health is working on a clear National Vaccine Deployment Plan.

Our strategy was to vaccinate 10 million adults by June 2022 and approximately 16 million by June 2023. 18. But inspired by our Acceleration Doctrine, which is about constantly increasing the speed of achieving our goals, we revised our Vaccine Deployment Plan, he said.

Instead of vaccinating 10 million adults by June 2022, he said, we will vaccinate the entire adult population of 26 million Kenyans by 2022.

Experts have advised that with the accelerated vaccination, Kenya will have built a capacity to vaccinate 150,000 people every day from August 2021.

Kenya has so far vaccinated 1, 334, 749 million Kenyans against the virus.

And this accelerated plan will be aided by a few swift actions and bold programmes. For instance, we have ordered 10 million vaccines from Johnson and Johnson, with the first consignment arriving in Kenya in August 2021, he said.

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President Kenyatta said the government had negotiated for a better price for the vaccines and for the price of 10 million vaccines, it has negotiated for them to deliver 13 million vaccines.

And because the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is administered using a single shot, the speed of rolling out our vaccination programme will be accelerated. Using these vaccines and others in the pipelines, this is how we will vaccinate Over 10 million Kenyans by Christmas 2021 and 26 million by end of 2022. 23. And if a vaccine for under-age populations is registered by early next year, we intend to vaccinate an extra 4 million young adults by June 2022, he said.

Kenya recorded 719 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday raising infections in the country to 183,603 and 3,621 fatalities.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the new cases were detected from a sample size of 7, 608.

The countrys positivity rate stood at 9.5 per cent by June 29.
A banner outside Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi notifies members of the public of free vaccinations against Covid-19 (file photo).

Nairobi  President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced an ambitious plan to vaccinate 10 million people by December 2021 and 26 million by the end of 2022.

He made the announcement Tuesday during a televised address to the nation from State House, Nairobi in which he highlighted various measures to help curb the spread of the virus.

It includes a mandatory covid negative certificate for all arrivals and an extension of the night curfew for a further 60 days.

On vaccination, President Kenyatta said the government had ordered 13 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine by August this year.

He said the Ministry of Health is working on a clear National Vaccine Deployment Plan.

"Our strategy was to vaccinate 10 million adults by June 2022 and approximately 16 million by June 2023. 18. But inspired by our 'Acceleration Doctrine', which is about constantly increasing the speed of achieving our goals, we revised our Vaccine Deployment Plan," he said.

Instead of vaccinating 10 million adults by June 2022, he said, "we will vaccinate the entire adult population of 26 million Kenyans by 2022."

Experts have advised that with the accelerated vaccination, Kenya will have built a capacity to vaccinate 150,000 people every day from August 2021.

"And this accelerated plan will be aided by a few swift actions and bold programmes. For instance, we have ordered 10 million vaccines from Johnson and Johnson, with the first consignment arriving in Kenya in August 2021," he said.

President Kenyatta said the government had negotiated for a better price for the vaccines and for the price of 10 million vaccines, it has negotiated for them to deliver 13 million vaccines.

"And because the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is administered using a single shot, the speed of rolling out our vaccination programme will be accelerated. Using these vaccines and others in the pipelines, this is how we will vaccinate Over 10 million Kenyans by Christmas 2021 and 26 million by end of 2022. 23. And if a vaccine for under-age populations is registered by early next year, we intend to vaccinate an extra 4 million young adults by June 2022," he said.

Kenya recorded 719 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday raising infections in the country to 183,603 and 3,621 fatalities.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the new cases were detected from a sample size of 7, 608.

The country's positivity rate stood at 9.5 per cent by June 29.

Kenya has so far vaccinated 1, 334, 749 million Kenyans against the virus.

"Although vaccination is free-of-charge and no one will be forced to get it, some education about it is crucial. And I say so because by Mid-2022, we have potential to reach 'herd immunity' in which the dangers of one infected Kenyan will not affect a community of people unchecked," he said.

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In the meantime, the Head of State has directed government agencies to plan for a human vaccination production center in Kenya in a bid to reduce foreign suppliers.

"The national quest to produce human vaccines here in Kenya will elevate our nation as a producer for both human and veterinary vaccines that we currently supply to Eastern Africa, all the way to Morocco in North Africa," he said.

The Head of State lauded Kenyans for exhibiting great civic responsibility 15 months since the COVID-19 pandemic struck Kenya.

"Indeed, Kenyans have taken the civic duty of protecting themselves, their families and country against this pandemic positively. Without your exercise of civic responsibility and duty, government's swift action would have amounted to nothing. I thank you," he said.
A banner outside Kenyatta National Hospital in Nairobi notifies members of the public of free vaccinations against Covid-19 (file photo).

Nairobi  Thirteen counties mostly in Nyanza and Western regions, listed as COVID hotspots will continue operating under 7 pm to 4 am curfew until July 31 this year.

The directive is contained in new measures announced by President Uhuru Kenyatta Tuesday as part of measures to contain the virus.

"In fact, out of every 5 positive cases in Kenya a fortnight-ago, 2 were from the Western Region and what is worse: this region has experienced a high positivity rate of 21 percent compared to the national average of 9.1 percent as at that time. This swing between loss and gain in the fight against the pandemic is what I am calling the 'containment seesaw'. You win on one theater of battle and lose in another and by default, this swing has created some form of survival instinct in our population," Kenyatta said.

The counties of Busia, Vihiga, Kisii, Nyamira, Kakamega, Kericho, Bomet, Bungoma, Trans-Nzoia, Kisumu, Siaya, Homa-Bay and Migori have been accounting for 60 percent of the national virus caseload in the last 4 weeks, hence the decision to declare them hotspot zones.

President Kenyatta also extended the ban on political gatherings and any other large meeting for a further 60 days as the government sets to roll out a massive vaccination drive.

The president said the government plans to vaccinate 10 million people by December 2021 and 26 million by the end of 2022.

Other new measures include a mandatory covid negative certificate for all arrivals.

On vaccination, President Kenyatta said the government had ordered 13 million doses of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine by August this year.

He said the Ministry of Health is working on a clear National Vaccine Deployment Plan.

"Our strategy was to vaccinate 10 million adults by June 2022 and approximately 16 million by June 2023. 18. But inspired by our 'Acceleration Doctrine', which is about constantly increasing the speed of achieving our goals, we revised our Vaccine Deployment Plan," he said.

Instead of vaccinating 10 million adults by June 2022, he said, "we will vaccinate the entire adult population of 26 million Kenyans by 2022."

Experts have advised that with the accelerated vaccination, Kenya will have built a capacity to vaccinate 150,000 people every day from August 2021.

"And this accelerated plan will be aided by a few swift actions and bold programmes. For instance, we have ordered 10 million vaccines from Johnson and Johnson, with the first consignment arriving in Kenya in August 2021," he said.

President Kenyatta said the government had negotiated for a better price for the vaccines and for the price of 10 million vaccines, it has negotiated for them to deliver 13 million vaccines.

"And because the Johnson and Johnson vaccine is administered using a single shot, the speed of rolling out our vaccination programme will be accelerated. Using these vaccines and others in the pipelines, this is how we will vaccinate Over 10 million Kenyans by Christmas 2021 and 26 million by end of 2022. 23. And if a vaccine for under-age populations is registered by early next year, we intend to vaccinate an extra 4 million young adults by June 2022," he said.

Kenya recorded 719 new COVID-19 cases Tuesday raising infections in the country to 183,603 and 3,621 fatalities.

Health Cabinet Secretary Mutahi Kagwe said the new cases were detected from a sample size of 7, 608.

The country's positivity rate stood at 9.5 per cent by June 29.

Kenya has so far vaccinated 1, 334, 749 million Kenyans against the virus.

"Although vaccination is free-of-charge and no one will be forced to get it, some education about it is crucial. And I say so because by Mid-2022, we have potential to reach 'herd immunity' in which the dangers of one infected Kenyan will not affect a community of people unchecked," he said.

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In the meantime, the Head of State has directed government agencies to plan for a human vaccination production center in Kenya in a bid to reduce foreign suppliers.

"The national quest to produce human vaccines here in Kenya will elevate our nation as a producer for both human and veterinary vaccines that we currently supply to Eastern Africa, all the way to Morocco in North Africa," he said.

The Head of State lauded Kenyans for exhibiting great civic responsibility 15 months since the COVID-19 pandemic struck Kenya.

"Indeed, Kenyans have taken the civic duty of protecting themselves, their families and country against this pandemic positively. Without your exercise of civic responsibility and duty, government's swift action would have amounted to nothing. I thank you," he said.
The Impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the economy has laid bare the many inequalities that exist in our societies. The United Nations estimates that an additional 96 million people are expected to fall into extreme poverty in 2021, and that women will be disproportionately affected by the increase. This is unsurprising, given that women make up a large share of the globally poor - a phenomenon known as the feminisation of poverty.

In Namibia, according to the Multidimensional Poverty Index Report, multidimensional poverty is higher among households headed by women at 46% compare to households headed by men at 41%.

Women's status in the labour market makes them more susceptible to the impact of COVID-19 for a number of reasons. Firstly, women are overrepresented in industries that have been most hard hit by Covid-19. Most noteworthy is the accommodation and food sector, where women make up 77% of the share of employment in Namibia. This sector was severely affected by the impact of lockdowns, travel restrictions and other regulations needed to slow the spread of the virus, resulting in retrenchments, wage cuts and reduced working hours. The sector continues to contend with knock on effects on tourism from recurring waves both domestically, regionally and globally.

Secondly, women are also more likely to be employed in the informal sector. The National Diagnostic Study of the Informal Sector in Namibia by the UNDP shows that women make up a high proportion of informal employment at 53.6% compared to men at 46.4%. The informal sector is particularly vulnerable as workers are unable to take off from work without losing their income. Workers in this sector do not have the luxury of flexible work schedules and work-from-home arrangements. The informal sector also has fewer social protection systems in place such as sick leave or compassionate leave. As a result, women in the informal sector are forced to continue working, risking exposure to the virus.

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Lastly, women bear a disproportionate burden of unpaid care and domestic work in the home which has increased during the pandemic. They tend to do the lion's share care of home schooling, caring for sick family members, cooking, and cleaning in addition to doing their full-time jobs. This increases what is often called "time poverty", a phenomenon where women have little to no discretionary time. The impact of unpaid care work is even more acute for women who are not in occupations that allow them to work from home as the care work has a direct bearing on their ability to earn an income.

The lesson learnt from the ongoing pandemic is that the gendered impacts of COVID-19 cannot be ignored as they threaten to derail progress made towards achieving gender equality.

Moving forward, it is important that women's status in the labour force and economy in general is elevated. This can be achieved through changing attitudes around gender roles, improving the availability of child-care facilities, widening social safety nets and implementing policies that allow women to participate in the formal economy.

Ruusa Nandago is a social scientist with a passion for creating shared meaning and a drive to inspire shared value. An Economist by profession, Ruusa holds an MCom and BCom Honours in Economics (both cum laude) from Stellenbosch University. She is inspired by the potential of women, when afforded the opportunity to live fully.
Nairobi  Teachers' unions on Tuesday rejected the Teachers Service Commission (TSC) counter offer for the 2021-2025 Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA), saying it has no monetary benefits for teachers.

The Unions including Kenya National Union of Teachers (KNUT), Kenya Union of Post Primary Education Teachers (KUPPET) made the declaration after a 4-hour meeting that had been convened by TSC, at Nairobi's Safari Park Hotel.

With the 2017-2021 CBA lapsing on June 30, 2021, the unions were pushing for the implementation of the new CBA, even as the country transitions to the Competency Based Curriculum (CBC).

"TSC came with a very surprising offer on the table, the proposal was very strong on maternity and paternity leave but will this bring food to the table?" wondered new KNUT Secretary General Collins Oyuu who replaced Wilson Sossion last week.

Oyuu said the proposal had nothing for teachers in terms of remenuration apart from extending maternity leave to 120 days and paternity leave to 21 days.

Having been elected to office just three days ago, Oyuu said he will not accept to be "crucified" by teachers who have high expectations of him.

On his part, KUPPET Secretary General Akelo Misori said the union had made a difficult decision to reject the TSC proposal.

Misori said time was ripe for the commission to review teachers' salaries, saying they have also been subjected to the negative effects of the economy.

"KUPPET is reluctant to entertain a CBA with no monetary benefits," stated Misori.

"TSC must arrange its house in order and within the next 7 days bring a counter offer which is acceptable," added Misori.

In a quick rejoinder, TSC urged teachers to accept the offer, citing the economic situation brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

TSC CEO Nancy Macharia said they put on the table what was available.

She also implored the unions to consider that teachers last year received full salaries even while at home, as opposed to other sectors which downsized or subjected their employees to salary cuts.

"We can't give what we don't have," she said.

KNUT's proposal was 200 per cent while KUPPET had proposed 30-70 percent salary increment.
Nairobi  The Court of Appeal's 7-Judge bench hearing the appeal case on Building Bridges Initiative (BBI) was on Tuesday told that it is Kenyans' prerogative to decide whether there is a need for more constituencies to be created.

The Attorney General's office through lawyer Kamau Karori submitted that the Independent Electoral and Boundaries Commission (IEBC) has no say at all on determining the creation of new constituencies as was ruled by the High Court Judges who shot down the BBI process.

"The Constitution does not give the IEBC the mandate, power or authority to create constituencies to add to the number of constituencies or indeed to reduce the number of constituencies," he said.

The BBI proposes additional 70 new constituencies and an affirmative action clause that could create up to 300 new Members of Parliament.

The 5-judge led by Professor Joel Ngugi in their landmark ruling on May 14 ruled declared that the electoral body is the one tasked with the role of determining boundaries and that the BBI proposal for the creation of 70 new constituencies was against the law.

Karori however, stressed that the Constitution is explicit that the role of IEBC is to only carry out delimitation of boundaries and faulted the High Court Judges for disregarding the Constitution.

"So it was wrong for the High Court to decide that the people will not have the right to determine for themselves the appropriate number of constituencies at this time and where those constituencies should be allocated. It is only the people that can make that determination, just the same way they determined that they want 290 constituencies and they decided where these constituencies will be," he said.

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Article 88 of the Constitution stipulates that IEBC is responsible for the delimitation of constituencies and Wards. Article 899 (2) further states that "IEBC shall review the names and boundaries of constituencies at intervals of not less than eight years, and not more than twelve years, but any review shall be completed at least twelve months before a general election of members of Parliament".

Karori noted that the allocation of the new constituencies to specific counties is not a legal question but a political one that ought to be determined by the citizenry.

In his defense, Attorney General accused the High Court Judges of relying on Wikipedia and Google to dismiss the BBI process.

He pleaded with the judges to validate the exercise and allow it to proceed to the referendum stage where Kenyans will have the final say on the documents fate.

BBI came about after President Kenyatta and opposition leader Raila Odinga in 2018 stunned the nation by shaking hands and pledged to promote unity after a drawn-out 2017 election battle that left hundreds of Kenya dead and thousands others displaced.

President Kenyatta who has had a contentious relationship with the judiciary since the Supreme Court annulled his election win in 2017 forcing a rerun has since accused the five High Court Judges of subverting the will of the people.
Nairobi  Kenya has secured an additional Sh14 billion from the World Bank to boost its efforts in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic.

The funds which were approved by the World Bank Executive Directors will facilitate affordable and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines in the country.

In a statement, World Bank Director for Kenya Keith Hansen said the additional financing is timely and comes at a time the government is making concerted efforts to contain the rising cases of the virus.

"The upfront financing for the acquisition of COVID-19 vaccines will enable the government to expand access to more Kenyans free of cost," he stated.

"This additional financing will enable Kenya to procure more vaccines via the African Vaccine Acquisition Task Team (AVATT) initiative and the COVID-19 Vaccines Global Access (COVAX) facilities. It will also support the deployment of those vaccines by boosting Kenya's cold chain storage capacity, including establishing 25 county vaccine stores, strengthening the capacity of 36 sub-county stores, and equipping 1,177 health facilities with vaccine storage equipment," he said.

Other activities that will be funded include vaccine safety surveillance, training for health workers, advocacy and communication to encourage COVID vaccine intake among Kenyans.

This is the second additional financing for the Kenya COVID-19 Health Emergency Response Project after Sh10 billion that was approved under the Contingency Emergency Response Component of the Transforming Health Systems for Universal Care Project.

So far the World Bank has contributed Sh26.5 billion to Kenya's COVID-19 response.

By June 29, Kenya had recorded 183,603 with 3,621 fatalities and 125,388 recoveries.

Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the World Bank Group has committed over $125 billion worldwide to fight the health, economic, and social impacts of the pandemic, the fastest and largest crisis response in its history.

The financing is helping more than 100 countries strengthen pandemic preparedness, protect the poor and jobs, and jump start a climate-friendly recovery.

The World Bank is also providing $12 billion to help low- and middle-income countries purchase and distribute COVID-19 vaccines, tests, and treatments.
Police in Dedza District have arrested four people for allegedly tampering with an Electricity Supply Corporation of Malawi (Escom) electricity meter unit at Magomero Trading Centre, Traditional Authority (T/A) Chilikumwendo, on June 22 2021.

Escom Public Relations Manager, Innocent Chitosi, confirmed that the police arrested the suspects--Emmanuel Innocent Mawindo, Lawrent Medison, Yohane Kazembe and Austine Maliko--on June 23 2021.

Mawindo, aged 45 years old, stands accused of seeking the help of his maize mill attendant Medison (28), 60-year-old electrician Kazembe and assistant electrician Maliko (33) to load electricity token units into the meter box.

Chitosi said Escom security personnel alerted the police to effect the arrests after a video clip of one of the suspects climbing an electricity pole to reach the meter connected to Mawindo's maize mill, went viral on June 22 2021.

"It's [meter] customer interface unit was faulty and he involved his electrician to load the units by using a keypad on a three-phase meter which was installed on an Escom pole.

The electrician, alongside three other men, used a conjoined wooden ladder to climb on the pole. While at the pole, Austin Maliko (the man who climbed on the pole) opened the meter box and loaded the units," Chitosi said.

He said the suspects will appear in court soon to answer the charge of Disturbing and Tampering with an electricity meter, contrary to Section 45(2)(B) of the Electricity Act. The offences carry a custodial sentence.

Dedza Police deputy spokesperson, Cassim Manda, Sunday (today) said he would only be able to comment on the arrests on Monday, June 28 2021.

Mawindo is originally from Kachule Village, T/A Kachere, Dedza, Medison (Magwaza Village, T/A Kaphuka, Dedza), Kazembe (Thomasi, T/A Njolomole, Ntcheu District) and Maliko (Mthandizi Village T/A Kachere, Dedza).

Escom has since embarked on an anti-vandalism campaign in the Southern Region to sensitise members of the public to the dangers of tampering with the Corporation's equipment and assets.
Luanda  Angola minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Antonio Francisco de Assis Tuesday in Luanda denied reports on alleged fresh wave of deaths of cattle imported from Chad in 2020.

"I can't confirm it. This is not official information from the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries," said the minister to the press on reports circulated on social media.

In recent days, news outlets and some social media have reported an alleged wave of massive deaths this year of part of the 1,500 heads of cattle from Chad.

There are reports that the cattle population have contracted strange disease in the country of origin.

The official, who was speaking on the sidelines of the meeting of the Economic Commission of the Cabinet Council, chaired by the President Joao Lourenco, would not elaborate further detail on the state of the cattle, brought under a bilateral agreement.

Under the terms of the aforementioned agreement between Angola and Chad, in March of last year, the country began to receive the first 5,000 heads of cattle, of the 75,000 planned, as payment for a debt to Angola of USD100 million.

The animals are concentrated in Camabatela highlands , Ambaca municipality, in northern province of Cuanza Norte, as part of a repopulation project of animals in that locality and subsequent distribution throughout the country.

The head of the Provincial Department of the Institute of Veterinary Service told recently Angop that at least 105 of the 1,500 heads of cattle from Chad died in April (one month after arrival) in that municipality, as a result of a disease that was unknown until now.

Joao Alfredo said, at the time, that the affected animals are part of a batch of 1,500 cattle delivered to three local breeders.

According to the source, the death of cattle began shortly after arriving in that municipality, on April 19, after having been in quarantine in Quiminha, Luanda province, where they were subjected to laboratory tests to find out about their health condition.

The first three heads, he added, would have died during transport, and others on the placement farms, allegedly for not adapting to the climate and pasture.
opinion

Sonnie Ekwowusi writes that government is not doing enough to contain the hunger in the land

You may have come across on the internet the reports of two bizarre incidents that speak volumes about the grinding poverty ravaging Nigerians. The two incidents allegedly occurred in 2018. The first incident was how a poverty-stricken mother of six living in Ilesha, Osun State, traded off her eldest daughter for a basket of garri. This mother allegedly went to the market with her eldest daughter to buy garri. After the garri seller had told her the price, she had no money to pay for it. Thereafter she deceitfully told the garri seller that she was leaving her daughter whilst she rushed home to bring the money. Never did the garri seller suspect that this poor mother had ingeniously traded off her daughter for the garri. After waiting in vain for this mother, the garri seller quickly invited the police into the matter if not for anything to avoid being accused of kidnapping the girl. When the police arrived, they ordered the girl to take them home. On getting to this mother's home, the police met her and her remaining children feeding on the garri. Before the police could interrogate her, she opened up and told the police that her family had been starving for days and consequently she had no other option but to trade off her daughter order to avert the death of the whole family. Unworried that the police might arrest her for false pretence and stealing, she pleaded with the police to allow her eldest daughter to join her and sibling in eating the garri because she too had been starving for days. The Police wept. Thereafter they went away. Case closed.

The second incident is similar to the first. A certain poor Warri woman (Warri no dey carry last) was arrested for exchanging her child for a mudu of garri under the pretence of buying garri. This woman went to the market with her child. After the garri seller had delivered the garri to her and was expecting payment, the woman told the garri seller that she was leaving her child behind in order to quickly go to another area in the market and buy other things and thereafter would return and pay for the garri and pick up her child. But after waiting for hours for the woman to return, it dawned on the garri seller that the Warri woman had traded off her child. To cut the long story short, after the woman was arrested by the police, she made the following confession. "It's President Buhari's hard administration that caused it. My family have been starving for a long time. I have five children, I decided to exchange one of them with a mudu of Garri."

The aforesaid incidents may sound apocryphal, but they are negligible compared to the woeful poverty-related stories being told these days in Buhari's Nigeria. I don't think the Warri lady was too uncharitable or inconsiderate in tracing her predicament to President Buhari's failed administration. The truth of the matter is that the economic hardship has led to the death of many Nigerians. I don't know about you but I must tell you that I come face to face with the poorest of the poor in Nigeria almost every day. For example, last week my intervention was needed in a certain hospital in Lagos (name withheld) where a middle-aged housewife was being detained for the inability of her husband to pay the outstanding balance of her hospital bills. The lady underwent a complicated surgery at the hospital. Her husband, a retired civil servant, was only able to offset half of the bill leaving a gargantuan sum of N2.7 million. Sobbing uncontrollably in front of me, this man claimed that God had told him that his wife would survive the surgery and live for a long time because he (the husband) did not steal government money while he was in government service. Moved by his faith, honesty and simplicity, I went to the hospital proprietor and told him to look at heaven and release this daughter of Eve from false imprisonment. He did. The poor lady regained her freedom. Her highly-elated husband took her home. Sad stories of this nature abound in Nigeria today. For the first time in the history of Nigeria she has become a suicidal country. Today Nigeria is ranked fifth in the world among countries whose citizens are prone to commit suicide.

The most tragic is the soaring prices of foodstuffs. When was the last time you went to the market to buy foodstuffs such as garri, rice, tomatoes, yam, egusi, pepper, egg, and so forth? A mudu of garri that sells N600 today could sell N1,400 tomorrow. Ordinary sachet of "pure" water now sells for N10. Meat is no longer affordable. Ditto for fish. A bag of rice now sells between N18,000 to N22,000. Nigerian farmers are in agony. Some of them have lost their farmlands to the ravaging Fulani herdsmen.

President Buhari should look at heaven and have mercy on his fellow Nigerians. Taking care of the sick is a religious duty for all Muslims. Allah will not have mercy on anyone, except those who give mercy to other creatures. What does it profit Mr. President to be junketing to and fro London every three months for expensive medical treatment at the expense of tax-paying Nigerians who are dying of poverty? Meanwhile the World Poverty Clock has named Nigeria the poverty capital of the world with statistics showing that 87 million people live in abject poverty. It is no longer news that Nigeria has overtaken India as the poverty capital of the world. What perhaps is news is that Nigeria's frightening poverty statistics is increasing day by day. About 152 million Nigerians live on less than $2 a day, representing about 70 per cent of the country's estimated population of 200 million.

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It is wicked to think only about one's welfare. Obsessed with his Fulanization policy and the open grazing right, President Buhari hardly spares a thought for poor farmers whose farm lands are consistently being destroyed by the cows of the Fulani herdsmen resulting in acute food shortage. This is sad. Life is live and let live. Whatever a man soweth so he reapest. This world is not our home. We are all wayfarers. Sooner or later all of us would one leave this world in answer to the call of our Maker. In consideration of this timeless truth, Mr. President should lessen the worsening hardships and living conditions in Nigeria before it is too late. First, Mr. President should stop the Fulani herdsmen from destroying the crops and farmlands of farmers. The Buhari government should stop uttering the meaningless phrase, "lifting 100 million Nigerians out of poverty" . Why? Because the phrase is a hoax. It is just a convenient catchphrase to give the impression that the government is doing something.
Monrovia  TipMe Liberia, an electronic payment service provider, has turned over a brand-new jeep in the tone of $25,000 to District 8 lawmaker Acarous Gray for onward presentation to the organizer of a beauty pageant in the district, Progressive Youth Network.

The jeep will be presented to the eventual winner of a pageant that is expected to feature eight contestants.

Speaking at the turning over ceremony, the chief executive officer of TipMe Liberia, Ms. Laureine Guilao, said her institution was glad to partner with the district in hosting an event meant to explore the talents of the young people.

Encouraging the participants, Ms. Guilao said: "TipMe is here to support the process. We think all of you have done a great work. We can't wait to see this event. I wish everyone of you the best of luck."

Receiving the symbolic key of the vehicle, Rep. Gray appreciated TipMe for the gesture and assured the pageant will be free and fair, and the deserved winner will be awarded the crown.

"We are going to change our

app to TipMe to show gratitude for what you have done for our district," Rep. Gray said. The lawmaker stated that the pageant is not about giving awards, but impacting moral values into the contestants.

Rep Gray promised to provide a four-year tuition aid to all eight contestants as a reward for vying for the coveted crown.

Rep. Gray, however, expressed pessimism as to whether the pageant will be held due to the surge in Covid-19 cases in the country.

"The program was planned for last Saturday and was later postponed, we are aware about the rise in Covid-19 in the country, and we must ensure to follow all of the health protocols," Rep Gray said.

He added: "We are a passive representation of the laws we made. Once we made the law, we don't break the law. We want to say to the TipMe family that we have no intentions to endanger the health the situation of our people."

Speaking on behalf of the contestants, Miss Promise T. Davis, who represents McDonald Street, praised TipMe for sponsoring the event. She said her fellow contestants are inspired by the donation of the jeep to the organizing committee.

TipMe, one of the prime sponsors of the pageant, has provided a digital revolution in mobile wallet, online voucher purchases, bill payments services, online international remittance, business services, salary payments, and e-commerce platform to Liberians home and abroad.
Monrovia  The Assistant Minister for Litigation of the Ministry of Justice, Cllr. Wesseh Alphonsus Wesseh, wants the Secretary of the Liberian Senate relieve of his post pending the outcome of a criminal lawsuit against him.

J. Nanbolor F. Singbeh and 13 other defendants were indicted by the State for the charges of economic sabotage, theft of property, forgery, and criminal conspiracy.

Their trial is set for the May Term of Court this year, and Cllr. Wesseh believes it will be prudent for Mr. Singbeh to be relieved from his current position, stating that anything short may dilute the essence of a free and impartial criminal trial, which he believes is not to convict, but to ensure that justice is properly served.

In a communication sent to Senate Pro Tempore Albert Chie, Cllr. Wesseh wrote: "In lieu of the aforementioned, we humbly appeal that you temporarily discharge Mr. J. Nanbolor F. Singbeh, the Secretary of the Liberian Senate from his official functions and duties as secretary of this August body; pending the full disposition of these criminal proceedings, so as not to allow him to influence the trial while serving the government and people of the Republic of Liberia as Secretary of the Honorable Liberian Senate."

He added that anything on the contrary, would be considered a "smokescreen" and deemed under what he termed as the "subterfuge of rendering a free and impartial trial".

His communication also claimed that Justice Minister Cllr. Frank Musah Dean and the Solicitor General of Liberia Cllr. Sayma S. Cephus have recused themselves from the pending criminal case involving Mr. Singbeh, but that hasn't been independently verified by FrontPageAfrica.

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The communication added: "Honorable President Pro Tempore and Members of the Honorable Liberian Senate, the defendants in these proceedings, including J. Nanbolor F. Singbeh who is currently serving as Secretary of the Liberian Senate was investigated by the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC) for economic crimes and theft of property, after which they were jointly indicted by the government of the Republic of Liberia for prosecution."

On June 12, 2020, Mr. Singbeh's lawyer filed a US$300,000 insurance bond filed from the Sky Insurance Company to the Clerk of Court's office, which was accepted promptly to ensure his release on bail.

Singbeh's bail bond, according to court sources, was examined by prosecutors to determine the validity of the bond.

Singbeh and the other defendants were charged after a complaint was filed by two Czech nationals for allegedly taking US$5 million from a company.

The Czech nationals, Pavel Miloschewsky and Martin Miloschewsky, claimed that after expressing interest in the country business sector between June 2013 and July 2019 to establish a firm for the production of crushed rocks and other related activities, they were allegedly defrauded by Singbeh, who had a 30 per cent share in the company.

According to the indictment, Singbeh designed a fraudulent scheme along with the other defendants to withdraw US$5M from the company's accounts at Ecobank and Afriland Bank with the aim of settling salaries and other expenses of the company.
Monrovia  It was a day full of tension and drama on Capitol Hill on Tuesday when Commander Martha Massaley of the Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA) was whisked out of the Chambers of the House of Representatives while being grilled by the Plenary for linking an unnamed member of the 54th Legislature to illicit drug trafficking.

Agent Massaley, who had appeared stronger and highly spirited, was rushed to an unnamed hospital when she suddenly turned frail and unable to stand and sit after she had endured more than three hours of questioning by members of the House on Tuesday.

Prior to the event, she openly apologized to members of the House for her blatant accusation against an anonymous member and pleaded for forgiveness.

She, along with the Director General of the LDEA, Marcus Zehyoue was summoned by the Lower House for her statement she made to a gathering of high school students at a forum in observance of the International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on Friday, June 25, 2021.

Serving as one of the panelists during the event, she was asked to speak on the challenges grappling the LDEA in its fight against illicit drug and what the agency was doing to address these challenges as it strives to reduce the trafficking of narcotics in Liberia.

In her deliberations, she lamented that the war against illicit drug in Liberia was a tough task owing to the involvement of top VIPs like the unnamed lawmaker, who she claimed was caught with bags of marijuana and cocaine powder at a checkpoint and he got away with them.

She said: "I won't call his name before I be held in contempt, and for security reasons. He came driving in his big car. And the female officer stopped the car and said 'Sir, can I just look in that car. She did not know him, but I know him and some of my colleagues know him. And he said even if you search my car and see anything there, you can't do anything about it. So, no need for you to search my car. So, she said yes Chief, but please give me the benefit of the doubt let me just look in the car. When she opened the car, see the bag of drugs, marijuana one bag, the cocaine parlor (powder) there, the heroin parlor (powder) there. when I saw it, I got up, in an attempt to approach him, already we had bitter blood... he pulled off the car."

This sparked outrage among members of the House of Representatives and a day after FrontPage Africa broke the story, Massaley and her boss, Director Zehyoue found themselves in the midst of a very charged Plenary and being bombarded with questions from all angles of the 'sacred' chambers.

The Admittance

However, Massaley admitted to making the allegation but said that she was not referring to any member the current 54th Legislature; rather to a member who served the legislature during 'previous administration." She openly apologized to the lawmakers and beg for pardon.

She said: "I was invited at a school program commemorating the drug week... Unfortunately, FrontPage Africa did not capture what I said previously. FrontPage Africa only captured the scenario I was giving to the students; something that happened as far back in the previous administration. It has nothing to do with this 54th Legislature. I was giving a scenario to the students to make them to understand what I was saying ... So, I am again appealing to this Honorable body for the ugly message that was captured by FrontPage Africa. I extend my sincere apology as we are all human and we can err... so I will again say I am sorry. I am sorry for whatever embarrassment."

Abrupt and Indecisive Ending

Despite her apologies, majority of the lawmakers were not convinced with her clarity. They kept interrogating her to identify the lawmaker in question.

And based on the request of majority members on the floor, House Speaker Bhofal Chambers ordered the tape to be played during the hearing.

Rep. George Samah (District #12, Montserrado County), who was also present at the event when Massaley made the accusation, suggested that the hearing be held behind closed doors to allow her to speak out freely, adding, she might be afraid to speak in open session.

Rep. Mariamu Fofana (District #4, Lofa County) pleaded with her colleagues to accept Massaley's apology and grant her pardon.

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But most of the lawmakers including Reps. Moima Briggs Mensah (District #6, Bong County), Rustonlyn Suacoco Dennis (District #4, Montserrado County), Samuel Kogar (District #5, Nimba County), Ivar Jones (District #2, Margibi County), Clarence Massaquoi (District #3, Lofa County) and Edward P. Flomo (District #13, Montserrado County), among other asked to identify the lawmaker in question.

Rep. Massaquoi requested her to call the names of the person that drove away with the bags of illicit drugs she eloquently described during her deliberations.

Rep. Flomo asked whether Commander Massaley reported the incident to her superior, and if she did, what was his (Superior) response.

However, when LDEA commander attempted responding to the plethora of questions, she complained that her pressure was climbing high and needed to see her doctor. Few minutes later she was rushed out by LDEA officers to a waiting SUV and taken to an unknown hospital, leading the hearing to an abrupt and indecisive end.
Banjul  As The Gambia prepares for Presidential and Legislative Elections in December of 2021, the Honorable Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Rt. Hon. Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis commissioned a visit of the Chairman of the Parliament's Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and African Peer Review Mechanism, Sen. Edwin Melvin Snowe, Jr., to The Gambia to assess the political and security situations of the country and get briefed by ECOWAS' Military Intervention in The Gambia.

Accompanied by the Special Representative of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Amb. Vabah K. Gayflor, Senator Snowe visited the troops on the morning of 29th June 2021 and discussed, among other things, restoration of sustained democracy to the West African Republic.

Briefing the Chair on Political Affairs and Special Representative of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, the Head of the ECOWAS Military Intervention in The Gambia provided an introduction on ECOMIG's mandate; an overview of the Political and Security situations; the scope of ECOMIG deployment, as well as activities, achievements, challenges, and way forward in restoring democracy to The Gambia.

He disclosed that the constitution review process, truth, reconciliation, and reparation processes, as well as the voters registration exercise are activities that are characterizing the political landscape of the country. He emphasized that the contending issue relative to the draft constitution is whether or not the first five years of President Barrow's term should be considered as the start of his mandate. He also disclosed that the TRRC ended its public hearing on 28th May 2021 and is expected to deliver its report in early July of this year.

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Addressing the security situation in the country, the Head of Troops divulged that the security situation throughout the country is relatively calm but remains unpredictable. He reiterated ECOMIG's support for the conduct of operation ZERO CRIME by a taskforce of local security agencies to combat crime, an exercise that has yielded much result. He revealed that at current, the Mission has a total of 1000 men actively deployed across different parts of the country.

Addressing the troops, the Chairman of the Parliament's Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security and African Peer Review Mechanism thanked the troops for the sacrifice and dedication to serve the region. He recalled ECOMOG's successes in Liberia and Sierra Leone and expressed strong anticipation that similar accomplishments will be replicated in The Gambia. He pledged Parliament's unflinching support for ECOWAS operations in The Gambia and wished the troops well as it strives to restore much needed democracy in the west African State.

Recall that in early 2017, The Gambia experienced the first democratic change of leadership since independence, ending 22 years of rule of former president Yahya Jammeh.

After weeks of political stalemate following presidential elections on 1 December 2016, on January 19, 2017, on the first day of his term, President Adama Barrow was inaugurated while in temporary exile in the Gambian Embassy in Senegal; at the time incumbent president Jammeh refused to accept electoral defeat. However, domestic, and international political pressure combined with the threat of military action by an Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG) finally prompted Jammeh to leave the country, paving the way for the return of President Barrow on 26 January 2017.

The ECOMIG mandate has been extended by ECOWAS Heads of States various times and was recently extended to run until December 2021.
Mbarara City has returned back Shs6b to the consolidated fund after failing to utilise the funds for the Financial Year 2020/2021.

While handing over office on Monday, the outgoing city clerk, Mr Theo Tibihika, said they had been able to utilise the locally-raised revenue but couldn't spend Shs6b meant for recruitment of new staff and another Shs5b meant for the Uganda Support for Municipal Infrastructure Development (USMID) projects.

He said when they attained city status in July 2020, they were stopped from any further recruitment of staff because they did not have a city service commission.

"All the local revenue we raised has been utilised. In the nine departments, it is only Shs1.3m that has been unspent only for local revenue. For central government money, it is only money for salaries that is being taken back because we didn't have people to pay," Mr Tibihika said.

He said the USMID money was affected by delays in procurement processes.

"They had given us Shs9b for this ending financial year. We were supposed to start works on Victor Bwana Road, Gult Road and Stanley Road, but the procurement process, which we started in September 2020, ended in May 2021. Even when the best evaluated bidder was got, there were so many appeals, but finally, we settled it and the contract was awarded to Multiplex. We have signed a contract and even paid them advance payment of Shs4b," Mr Tibihika said.

The departments that are most affected by the recruitment process are health at 51 per cent and education that lacks 96 teachers and head teachers.

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Mr Tibihka said the delayed recruitment hindered service delivery.

"This [delayed recruitment] is affecting us, for example, in the planning unit, we have only one officer. In engineering, we are supposed to have seven officials, but we only have three and one is on interdiction. We also don't have health workers," he said.

The city was also unable to spend Shs53m of the Shs1.6b received from the central government for pension and gratuity, which Mr Tibihika attributed to uncleared files .

Mbarara City speaker Bonny Tashobya Karutsay said they would soon constitute a City Service Commission.

"When we received a circular giving us a city, we also sent a request of the vacant placements to be filled and the central government sent the money, but we did not have a service commission. In the new council, we are going to have a service commission, public accounts committee and lands committee. We are now vetting the people for the City Service Commission," he said.

The incoming city clerk, Mr John Matama Behangana, said: "I want to work with the Public Service Commission in Kampala and we get clearance to fill the vacant positions," he said.

The Minister for Local Government, Mr Rapheal Magyezi, said Mbarara's challenge is not unique from other newly-created cities.

"In the meantime, if they [city] have not got a city service commission, the council can pass a resolution requesting for the services of a nearby commission," he said.
By ANDREW NAKHABOYA

Farmers, who grow vegetables at Bumusse Irrigation Scheme in Manafwa District, have decried low prices of their products.

The farmers attributed the drastic fall in prices to closure of weekly markets and the ban on inter-district travel.

The government early this month imposed the restrictions in a bid to contain the surging cases of coronavirus in the country.

In an interview with Daily Monitor on Monday, Mr Fred Wekesa, a farmer, said they currently sell a sack of cabbage at Shs15,000 down from Shs30,000.

"The prices have dropped for instance, we are selling tomatoes at Shs 500 a kilogramme yet we used to sell them at Shs1,500," he said.

However, Mr Gideon Nate Israel, a pump operator and farmer, said despite the low prices, the scheme has improved their livelihoods.

He said before the scheme started, he used to grow cabbages and tomatoes, which would fetch him not less than Shs900,000 a year.

"But now I earn more than Shs1 million just in one season and about Shs12 million in a year. I am doing good business," he said.

Mr John Mukhooli, another farmer, said they have also managed to buy more land and open up new businesses.

"I started with one plot of land but now I have five plots. I also own cows and I have started a bar," he said.

Mr John Wekesa, the Bumusse Village chairperson, said the irrigation scheme has also reduced unemployment levels because it employs many youth..

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Mr Sam Muse, the Bukusu Sub-county chairperson, said the scheme has helped his community members to fight poverty and improve their living standards.

Mr Muse, however, said Covid-19 restrictions have affected the farmers' earnings for the past two years.

He said farmers give back 10 per cent of the money they get in a season for maintenance and sustainability.

"The 20 per cent is saved for future use and 70 per cent is for their daily expenditure," he said.

Backgrond

The Bumusse Irrigation Scheme, which sits on 15 acres of land in Bumusse Village in Bukusu Sub-county, was established in 2018 by the Ministry of Water and Environment to promote commercial agriculture.

The scheme was lobbied for by area woman MP, Ms Mary Goretti Kitutu.

The scheme now provides a stable water supply for growing vegetables throughout the year even in the period of dry spell.

Ms Kitutu said the farmers were zoned in specific projects as part of the government programmes to fight poverty and unemployment.

"The farmers' income levels are much better than they were six years ago. They are now more organised and enterprising," she said.

Ms Kitutu said a total of 2,000 women entrepreneurs in the district are also organised in associations and are growing passion fruits, irish and sweet potatoes, cabbage, avocado, watermelon, among others.

"Other groups are specialised in crafts making, tailoring, catering services but all this in bid to improve on their household income," she said.
analysis

Nobody -- including a former president -- is above the law. This was the unanimous view of many after the Constitutional Court convicted and sentenced former president Jacob Zuma for contempt on Tuesday. However, his supporters say the law is being 'abused for factional reasons'.

Tuesday, 29 June was "arguably the big day for orange overalls in South Africa", said David Lewis, the executive director of Corruption Watch during a media briefing by the Defend Our Democracy campaign.

The briefing was held after the Constitutional Court's ruling which found former president Jacob Zuma guilty of contempt of court after he defied a summons to appear before the Zondo Commission.

Read Daily Maverick's report on the court hearing here:

ConCourt finds Jacob Zuma guilty of 'unprecedented' contempt, seals sanction with 15-month jail sentence

Lady Justice thunders at Zuma as former head of state sentenced to 15 months without option of an appeal

Zuma was ordered to present himself at a police station for transfer to a correctional facility within five days, to begin his 15-month jail sentence.

Lewis described the judgment as "a wonderful lesson in what democracy in South Africa is".

Other speakers at the briefing, including Struggle veteran Rev...
analysis

The decision by the Constitutional Court that former President Jacob Zuma must spend 15 months in prison suggests that the next five, (possibly eight) days could well determine our future as a nation. If Zuma goes to jail, as ordered, it may be the beginning of the end of the Age of Impunity. If he somehow avoids that fate, if indeed the power of politics is more powerful than the power of the law, then we will go down a different path.

It is rare to find a former head of state sentenced by a court to time behind bars. The world's oldest sustained democracy has not done it (although it may do so soon), many other countries have also been unable to do it (though France has been rather harsh to two of the three previous presidents). It seems likely that this is a test that we will pass: on balance it is more likely that Zuma will go to jail than not, despite the loud support he will receive over the next few days from some corners of South Africa. But the other test of this will be in the ANC, and whether it is in fact on...
opinion

The Constitutional Court judgment against former president Jacob Zuma demonstrates that nobody is above the law and that the judicial process is still effective. 'Orders of court bind all to whom it applies,' said the court.

Tuesday, 29 June 2021, was an astonishing day for South Africa and a defining moment for the Constitutional Court as the highest court in the land.

Up to the point of Tuesday's judgment against former president Jacob Zuma, the court in my view had failed to resolve a very important question in law with regard to the need for contempt proceedings in protecting the administration of justice, and also failed to live up to its constitutional obligations as the uppermost protector of the Constitution and the rule of law.

I previously asked the question: "Does the Constitutional Court have the fortitude to defend the rule of law and the judiciary?" Finally, the Constitutional Court showed the courage to rule on a politically sensitive case involving the former president in a matter that has been dragging on for three months, ever since the bench heard the urgent application by the State Capture Commission to hold Zuma in contempt of court and to send him to...
THE family of the Kabbe North constituency councillor, Bernard Sisamu, was left homeless after their house burnt to ashes on Monday at Katima Mulilo.

The Zambezi regional crime investigations coordinator, deputy commissioner Evans Simasiku, confirmed the incident to The Namibian yesterday, saying they still do not know what caused the fire.

"However, investigations are still underway," he said.

During an interview with The Namibian yesterday a very distraught Simamu, said he had lost everything he worked hard to acquired as well as the family memories created over the years.

"I have lost everything. Years of sweat burnt down and I could not do anything about it. However, I am grateful that me and my family managed to escaped unharmed," he said.

According to Sisamu, he was sleeping when he was woken up by his wife's screams that the house was on fire.

"The fire started in the kids room, while my two grandchildren were in the room. My wife who was outside and saw it. She got the kids out of the house. I only managed to take my safe and two guns. Even my car keys are burnt," he said.

Sisamu said on Monday night his family had to seek shelter at his sisters house.

Residents once more expressed disappointment with the Katima Mulilo fire-brigade, saying that properties continue burn down to ashes while they are there, a recent incident being when Shoprite Katima Mulilo complex burnt down to ashes in February this year.

"We wonder why the fire station exist in Katima Mulilo, if a house can burn down to ashes. Shoprite shopping complex even burnt to ashes without a single effort taken by our stationed firefighters. It seems like we only have a fire station building without fire fighters," said Raphael Mbala, former Kabbe constituency councillor.

Mbala said an investigation should be launched to find out why a big town like Katima Mulilo does not have an competent firefighting team, yet residents are paying for such services.

"Someone should be held accountable," he said.

Katima Mulilo council's spokesperson, Chrispin Muyoba, failed to answer questions sent to him.
In what could best be described as victory in the struggle for land reclamation drive by the people of Mulanje, Lujeri Tea Estate has given up a huge hectarage of its land for distribution to about five thousand people who encroached on it.

The estate initially dragged to court Traditional Authority (T/A) Njema, Group Village Headman (GVH) Gladson and some communities for encroaching the land.

The High Court Judge Mike Tembo initiated a mediation between the two parties. The mediation took about five hours right on the land in dispute.

Lawyer for the communities, Charles Kusiwa, confirmed to Nyasa Times on Tuesday that the mediation had resolved the matter, with the estate owners agreeing to give the people the land.

The outcome of the case has excited the Centre for Democracy and Economic Development Initiatives (CDEDI), a human rights watchdog, which has been fighting for the land reclamation in the tea districts of Mulanje and Thyolo.

CDEDI executive director Sylvester Namiwa said this is a clear testimony that the organization has been pursuing a genuine cause and that the mediation gives a ray of hope that soon the landless people of Thyolo and Mulanje will reclaim their stolen land.

"Secondly, the courts have shown their independence by not siding with the oppressors with economic muscle and political connection. This energizes the people to fight on in order for the error that happen in the 1890s to be corrected," said Namiwa.

He said he expects other estates to emulate the example Lujeri Tea Estate has set by releasing part of its land to the landless communities.

"We expect all the estates to release all the idle land and make accessible to the people. Secondly, the locals should have stakes in the tea, macadamia, coffee and tungsten plantations. Thirdly, the British government should publicly apologize for the inhumane treatment our ancestors suffered when they resisted the land grabbing and the forced labour through Thangata system on top of that the remnants should be compensated," said Namiwa.
opinion

For the first time, Africa-focused startup funding has crossed the $1 billion mark. Last year, African startups received a total of $1.3 billion, with over half of the total funnelled into fintech businesses.

From banking to health care provision, startups are proving that technology can provide the solutions to the most challenging of problems.

Brain drain has long been identified as one such issue. The Mo Ibrahim Foundation has labelled it a "bane to Africa's potential", and during a visit to South Africa in 2018, former US President Barack Obama chose to tackle the subject. Obama advised young Africans to drive change at home, and encouraged governments to create platforms for success.

It should be no surprise that Obama used the weight of his words to address brain drain, and since 2018 the situation has not improved. The African Union estimates that about 70,000 skilled professionals leave each year, dramatically impacting public service delivery, especially in the health sector.

For many African countries, there are more doctors and health practitioners in the diaspora than at home. Yet in the age of mobile proliferation, technology is providing the capability to reverse engineer the impact of brain drain.

It is clear that countries around the world have benefited greatly from the knowledge and expertise of many Africans who have migrated for economic opportunities. Nigeria is the primary case study, with the United Kingdom benefitting to the tune of 6,770 Nigerian nationals working in the National Health Service (NHS).

The number of health professionals that are second or third generation migrants from Nigeria working in the NHS is higher still.

And it is not just the UK that recruits Nigeria's medics.Bottom of Form The UAE, Saudi Arabia, the US and many other countries also scout for doctors willing to make the move. According to the health minister, there is one doctor per 5,000 people in Nigeria, compared with the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendation of one per 600 people. The issue is of course not confined to Nigeria, with the WHO suggesting that 57 % of Africans have poor or no access to quality care.

Brain drain undoubtedly has a negative impact on the countries that individuals leave behind, however those that choose to make the move should not be criticised for their decision. Instead, the focus should be on how to address the impact of brain drain and improve the delivery of vital services such as healthcare.

Tech startups like the one I have co-founded, Medics2You, have been designed to leapfrog the existing ecosystem by harnessing the potential provided by the proliferation of mobile technology and artificial intelligence.

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The platform works by connecting patients with a roster of over 18,000 doctors - many from the Nigerian diaspora in the UK - who are available for face-to-face video consultations working to international guidelines, and able to prescribe medication delivered to a patient's door or workplace by local partners.

A study of the sub-Saharan African mobile economy has estimated that there will be over 600 million unique mobile subscriptions by 2025. Nigeria is unsurprisingly one of the fastest growing markets and is already home to the highest number of smartphone users in Africa. A generation of digital natives expect to use their mobile devices to circumvent the limitations of existing infrastructure.

As Obama pointed out, governments and institutions have a responsibility to create an environment that encourages individuals to stay, as opposed to seeking opportunity elsewhere.

However, until this tipping point is reached, the deployment of technology to harness the skills of the Diaspora in vital sectors such as healthcare is an effective solution, allowing individuals to access the care that they need through the power of their smartphone.

A Guest Editorial

Let's see and treat albinos with equality!
THE ruling CCM party's National Executive Committee (NEC) has commended President Samia Suluhu Hassan for her exemplary performance in her first 100 days in office.

The party's key organ also extolled Zanzibar President, Dr Hussein Mwinyi for enhancing economic and political stability in the semi-autonomous Indian Ocean archipelagos.

CCM Ideology and Publicity Secretary, Shaka Hamdu Shaka told reporters shortly after the NEC meeting that the party will write an official letter to Ms Samia in recognition of the daring start to her presidency.

Mr Shaka said NEC members commended President Samia's exemplary performance in office in the areas of good governance, dispension of justice and integrity.

Moreover, the meeting also applauded the sixth-phase President for peaceful takeover of office from her predecessor and smooth running of the government with positive implementation of a number of avenues.

Mr Shaka said President Samia's maiden national budget is a clear indication of her commitment to serve the public, especially the poor as it catered for cross-cutting issues affecting people of all walks of life.

The NEC meeting, which was chaired by President Samia, also resolved to congratulate Zanzibar President, Dr Mwinyi for promoting peace, political stability and spearheading blue economy transformation.

The party's chairperson, Ms Samia in her speech directed NEC members to ensure strict implementation of strategic projects and other listed items as per the 2020 election manifesto.

He told party members that they should not be shy to raise their voices whenever they find out that there are delays or sabotage in the implementation of projects and other government plans, since they have the responsibility to monitor and oversee the government's performance.

As she marks her 100 days in the office, President Samia Suluhu Hassan has won the hearts of Tanzanians with her splendid performance with regards to implementation of mega strategic projects, improvement of business and investment climate and people's welfare.

Speaking to editors on Monday, President Samia expressed her delight in seeing the country stable and persevering amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
Three people have been confirmed dead after drowning in the drying Lake Kijanebarola at Kalungu landing site in Rakai District.

The deceased persons identified as; Kenneth Kyakable, 34, Anthony Katana, 53, and one William, 33, all residents of Dyango Town Council, died in the past couple of weeks.

According to residents, the victims died as they were trying to catch fish on the dry lakeshores, but ended up reaching spots that were still wet, and they drowned in the mud.

Lake Kijanebarola started receding on May 16 at Kalunga Landing Site, creating speculation among locals that the water body had 'migrated' to another area.

A few days later, it emerged that the lake water had led to flooding at other landing sites and wetlands, submerging key roads in the area.

"The deceased are among the many locals who wake up every day and go deep in the swamps of the receded lake, looking for fish," Mr Henry Tumwesigye, the officer in charge of Dyango Police Station said during an interview on Tuesday.

"We have explained to residents about the danger of going into swamps, but they have refused to take heed," he added.

Mr Elisa Wangi Ssemanda, the chairperson Dyango Town Council, said children who are currently at home as a result of the lockdown, are among the many people who converge at the receded part of the lake every morning looking for fish.

"The flood water which had submerged major roads has started to subside, but we are now faced with a problem of lack of water for domestic use. Residents have to trek long distances to access the lake water from other landing sites," he said.

On May 16, fishermen and residents of Kyarulangira Sub County and Ddyango Town Council in Rakai District woke up to the shock of their lives after the water body had receded at Kalunga Landing Site by about two kilometres.

Mr Richard Kalungi Bikande, the Rakai District Environment Officer, said it is underground forces that push water to move, but it usually takes a few months to get back to normal.
The government has reported a significant decline in the reported numbers of Covid-19 infections in the last seven days stretching June 21-27.

The analysis of the statistics indicates a total of 5,174 Covid-19 cases were reported in the period (June 21-27), a figure which is 33 per cent less than 7,770 cases reported in the previous seven days (June 14-20).

Dr Henry Kyobe, the National Incident Commander for Covid-19, told Daily Monitor yesterday that they are still investigating the cause of the decline in reported cases of infections.

But he did not rule out the possibility that the lockdown could be contributing to the decline.

"The decline in numbers of infections could be a true drop or an artefact. We will analyse and inform [the public] accordingly," he said.

However, a deeper analysis into the statistics indicates there was a 21 per cent decline in the number of tests conducted.

Between June 21 and June 27, a total of 42,017 Covid-19 tests were conducted, which was less than the 53,393 samples tested between June 14 and June 20.

Asked why testing declined, Dr Kyobe said statistics on the number of people who are being tested with Rapid Diagnostic Kits (RDTs) for Covid-19 are not being reported.

"We have a concomitant roll out of RDTs that may not be captured in the system. That may explain why some of the cases could be diagnosed outside the Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR) tests [which are usually reported]. But it is also possible that we are having a true drop in cases," he said.

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Dr Misaki Wayengera, the head of Government Scientific Advisory Committee, said it is unlikely that the cases have declined because the rate of hospitalisation for Covid-19 patients is still high.

"It is too early for us to say cases have started to decline. We anticipated that we would start seeing the benefit of the lockdown and reduction in transmission in two weeks," he said.

"Those who are infected are still in their homes and are not coming to the facilities to test because of the destabilisation of testing due to lockdown. The decline could be an artefact because more people who are severely ill are also coming to the hospital," he said.

A partial lockdown in the country started on June 7 with the closure of schools and places of worship and a total lockdown was announced on June 18 following the escalation of cases, hospitalisations and deaths.

Related

Statistics

The latest statistics from the Health ministry since the outbreak of the pandemic indicate the country has registered a total of 79,434 infections, 989 deaths, and 52,382 recoveries.

A total of 1,319,958 Covid-19 samples have been tested. A total of 1,180 Covid-19 patients are being managed in hospitals.
My subject today is about a news item carried by a provincial publication, Emergency Digest.

It had an interesting interview with one "scholar", Dr. Abdullah Gadon Kaya, who expressed deep concern over what he termed the exclusive occupation of a "highbrow" residential area at Zungeru Road behind Kano Airport by "Igbos".

The paper quoted Kaya as saying: "They have their massive gates, security and other facilities that prevent other people, especially the indigenes, from accessing. Government should not allow such to be happening when we can't go to Onitsha, Aba or Enugu and create an exclusive place for Northerners or Muslims like that... We should not have such exclusive places; the government should ensure that there are mosques, and Kano indigenes should be given access to build in such highbrow area". Now, let's discuss that.

How did the Igbo people get the land on which they built this so-called "highbrow" estate? Did they just go there and started building, ensuring that indigenes never also built? That is highly unlikely. Did they drive away the native people, the landowners, from the place as armed herdsmen have been doing throughout the Middle Belt and South with the tacit support of most Arewa people? Highly unlikely; they are not known for conquest expansionism. That is exclusive Fulani hobby, even till date. Did the government of Kano State allocate that parcel of land to them? I am not sure of this possibility, but if ever it happened, the government should be blamed.

What probably happened is what usually happens everywhere the Igbo live in good numbers. As highly successful business people, the typical Igbo wants to provide himself and his family with comfort in his place of abode. He sees an empty portion of land and approaches the owners to buy. They haggle and money exchange hands. He builds. The landowner wants to sell, Igbo man wants to buy. It is not only in Kano, Lagos, or Abuja. It is the same everywhere, including abroad. What is wrong with that?

In the same vein, Northerners are everywhere in Igbo land and the East. I started seeing "Hausa" people in my vicinities from childhood. Nobody harasses them. They live peacefully, doing the cow businesses (mainly) and carrying out menial jobs to make a living. They also bring in food items to sell. No doubt, the Igbo make money in the North. Northerners also scoop billions of naira every year from their transactions in the East. It is a two-way traffic, blackmailers take note!

Whereas the Igbo man makes his money and invests some of it in his place of residence, the "Hausa" man who thrives in his businesses in the East does not believe in comfortable living. They squeeze together in chicken coops, mangers, kiosks and makeshift mosques in their "Ama Awusa" shanty quarters. From generation to generation, they leave no trace of their affluence in their places of abode. Kaya is complaining that Arewa people have not been given similar opportunities in any part of the East to develop highbrow estates as in Kano.

This is laughable. My question for Kaya and those who support his fulminations over Igbo highbrow estate in Kano is this: In what part of Nigeria outside Arewa North are Arewa people known to live in highbrow estates developed by them with their hard-earned money? If anyone can point to such in the South West, South-South and the Middle Belt, then I will agree with them that it is only in the South East that they have been "prevented" from replicating the same feat.

The only place outside Kano, Kaduna and the major cities of the inner North where the Arewa people now live in super highbrow estates is Abuja. Even in the case of Abuja, Northerners were latecomers compared to the Igbo who started investing in Abuja the moment the territory was declared as the future Federal Capital. The Igbo started buying land, building houses and hotels way back in the 1980s and 1990s. It was not until Nasir el-Rufai became the Minister of the FCT in 2003 that Arewa people started owning land in Abuja.

El-Rufai also went on a spree of demolitions of mostly Igbo-owned entire estates, ostensibly to restore the Abuja masterplan, only to reallocate them to accommodate more Northerners. Since El-Rufai, no one else but Arewa Northerners have been appointed FCT Ministers. And there has been this gradual transformation of Abuja into a Muslim city due to the monopolisation of the city's management positions by Sharia-minded administrators.

If you come to Lagos where Northerners live in large numbers, the only place they live in highbrow estates are government-owned estates, particularly in Apapa. They are everywhere in Apapa, but how many mansions can you point to as belonging to the multibillionaire Arewa businessmen who feed fat on their lucrative links to people in power at the Federal Government?

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Going back South, Orji Kalu allocated a place in Lokpanta along the Enugu-Port Harcourt Expressway in Abia State to Arewa people to safeguard them from the Bakassi Boys about 20 years ago. The Arewa community there has expanded with impunity into native community lands despite the outcries of the landowners. In fact, they harbour and conceal their criminal elements and terrorist herders who kidnap for ransom and seek to occupy people's ancestral land if not for the activities of the Eastern Security network, ESN. They cart billions of naira away every year, yet you cannot see ONE decent house there; absolutely no value added by their presence except the mutually-beneficial business transactions.

We will continue this discussion next week. It is time we had this out once and for all.

Vanguard News Nigeria
Counsel to the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mr. Aloy Ejimakor, on Tuesday, flayed the manner of extradition, summary trial and detention in the custody of the Department of the State Security, DSS, of the leader of Indeginous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.

Ejimakor also noted that Kanu's case was a well know case and a matter which was already on course before the IPOB leader disappeared to save his life during the invasion of his house by the military, adding that he will surely seek for Kanu's bail.

He said that by law, Kanu was entitled to a defense counsel which the security agencies that re-arraigned him denied him through him secret trial on Tuesday.

Ejimakor said he will go to ask for Nnamdi kanu at the DSS office despite the Nigerian situation, which he said has tended to criminalize or make people afraid of associating with the IPOB leader.

In an exclusive interview with Vanguard on Tuesday, Ejimakor said: "My reaction is that we will appear for his defense and he is entitled to the presumption of innocence under the Nigeria constitution and just like everybody else, he's entitled to bail as well and he is entitled to a determination as to whether he actually jumped bail or not in the eyes of the law as was claimed by the Attorney General.

Our contention is that he didn't. That contention of the AG is subjudice and I don't know why he felt free to comment on what was subjudice. So now that Kanu is here he will have the first opportunity since his house was invaded back in 2017 to make his case which we have always made on his behalf that he didn't jump bail, that he was forced to flee from imminent danger.

"He possesses a political opinion which is protected by law and that political opinion is self-determination. It's protected under Cap A9 Article 20 1&19 of laws of federation of Nigeria. It's one thing to make an arrest, it's another thing to succeed in getting a conviction, but I have to tell you that that since 2015 when this saga of arresting IPOB members and in 2017 when they were declared terrorists, there is no court of law in Nigeria that has made a conviction on any IPOB member based on terrorism or secession or whatever. Our contention is that secession is not a criminal offence mentioned anywhere in Nigeria law.

"The reason secession is not a criminal offence is by convention because those that are ruling Nigeria participated in the civil war and when they hear secession they think the person has committed treasonable felony but it's not true, it's not in the penal code, it's not in criminal code and section 36 of the Nigeria constitution, subsection 12 provided expressly that nobody is to be tried and convicted for any criminal offence that is not written in any Nigeria law. You cannot also say that somebody who is demanding for a referendum has committed an offence when he has not committed an offence. Or are you saying that someone who is demanding for a separate country has committed an offence when it's not written anywhere in the law. These are the issues that will be ventilated in the court now and that is the silver lining and it's an unfortunate development."

On the extradition of Kanu, Ejimakor said: "I cannot say if he was extradited or brought back through extra-legal means. The Attorney General said it was pursuant of cooperation between the Nigeria security agencies and the Interpol. Kanu is a naturalized British citizen and if he is to be extradited, I think he is entitled to due process under the British law if at all any of such thing will be entertained by the British court for a British citizen. So as days go by we shall find out the manner of his being brought back to Nigeria.

"His summary trial and detention in the DSS custody was wrong because this is an open case as the Attorney General himself admitted through his press conference. The case is in court it's not a new case, his lawyers are well known and his lawyers were not informed. This is indicative of the unfairness of the system we are struggling against in this country. The constitution says you are entitled to legal defense of your choice, it's not a new case and they would have just called one of his lawyers and that would have balanced the arrangement. That again is fundamental unfairness and a breach of the constitution.

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"Asking me if I will go the DSS to ask for him is unnecessary, but necessary given the unique situation we have in this country. Everybody is entitled to a lawyer be the person a terrorist or a freedom fighter, everybody deserve a lawyer and lawyers are not supposed to be harassed or put in fear. You are asking the question because of the unique situation in Nigeria. I will go for him because it's my duty and as a counsel I stand by the rule of ethics to defend every human being on planet and that is my duty as a lawyer."

Vanguard News Nigeria
Abuja  There are Indications that IPOB leader, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, was arrested in a South American country after he was trucked by a Nigerian Lady working undercover with Nigerian security agencies

A source who did not give details of what Nnamdi Kanu was doing with the lady in the South American country, confirmed that Nnamdi Kanu left his London abode where as a British citizen, he has rights and flew to the South American country, thereby falling prey to security operatives.

The source said that on arriving at the popular South American country, the undercover agent ushered him to a hotel which unknown to Kanu was already secured by intelligence operatives.

The IPOB leader was subsequently tranquilized with a suspected high dose of drugs that knocked him off before he was moved into a vehicle and driven to the airport.

Thereafter, the source said Kanu was flown to Nigeria in a private jet which was already on standby for the journey to Nigeria and that he slept all through the journey.

A source said the successful arrest of Nnamdi Kanu by the coordinated efforts of Nigerian Security Agencies led by the National Intelligence Agency and Interpol and his subsequent Movement to Nigeria, was the reason President Muhammadu Buhari's scheduled trip to London for medical check up was postponed.

The planning and execution of the arrest and his movement to Nigeria was said to be 'an Ultra-Secret Intelligence Mission' which many diplomatic and other officials, even in government were not privy to.

Vanguard News Nigeria
press release

The recent judgment of the Lusaka High Court in Zambia in the case of Musukwa and others v RTSA is a disappointing indication of how far there is to go for States in Africa to realise the rights of persons with disabilities. This is even though, to date almost all African states, including countries in Southern Africa have ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (UNCRPD).

Articles 4 and 5 of the UNCRPD provide for the enjoyment of all fundamental human rights for persons with disabilities on an equal basis as others without any discrimination. Zambia ratified the UNCRPD in 2010 and has partially domesticated it through enactment of the Persons with Disabilities Act No. 06 of 2012.

In the Musukwa case, the petitioners, who are deaf persons, approached the Court to challenge the application of Section 62 of the Road Traffic to deny deaf persons driving licences and permits based on their disability. Section 62 of the Road Traffic Act stipulates that a licensing officer can deny a person a licence or permit if they fail to pass a physical test that includes hearing.

The 1st petitioner approached the Court as a deaf person and on behalf of the Zambia Deaf Youth and Women organization as people threatened by the application of the law. The 2nd petitioner applied for a licence and was denied because he is a deaf person and the 3rd Petitioner, who had held a licence previously, was unable to renew his licence, and his current license was suspended until 2030 in unexplained circumstances without being given an opportunity to be heard. Despite passing all physical tests, the licences were denied on the grounds of them being deaf persons contrary to Articles 4 and 5 of the UNCRPD.

The petitioners argued that the law was unconstitutional as it interfered with their right to movement and was a breach of the right to equality and freedom from discrimination protected in the Zambian Constitution as it allowed denial of driving licences and permits solely based on their disability. They also argued that the law was not in line with scientific evidence and international law and best practice, as other countries in the region had no restrictions on allowing deaf people to drive.

The Court, in dismissing the challenge, ruled that the right to freedom of movement was not implicated at all, and that, although discriminatory, the law was necessary to protect the public, and stated that allowing deaf people to drive was dangerous to road safety as they would not be able to hear emergency sounds like hooting. The reasoning of the court, with respect, reflects the medical approach to disability that is characteristic of the "old paradigm", working to exclude persons with disabilities from enjoyment of their rights on an equal basis with others.

The "new paradigm", as a contrast, requires an approach that realises that persons with disabilities have the same rights as everyone else and ought to enjoy them, although their enjoyment might be impacted by their disabilities. An inclusive rights-based approach requires measures to enable persons with disabilities to enjoy their rights and participate in society as other people do.

The ruling is even more disappointing when many other countries in the world are allowing deaf people to drive and reforming their national laws to be in conformity with UNCRPD. Deaf people are allowed to drive in other SADC countries like Zimbabwe, South Africa, Namibia, Congo, Tanzania, Eswatini and Botswana and they may also be issued with SADC driving licenses.

It is also almost universally accepted that there is no greater risk to road safety posed by deaf people driving than those who are not deaf, and that, in fact, it is believed that deaf persons may be safer drivers as their other senses are likely to be heightened. Accident statistics do not show a higher proportion of accidents involving deaf persons, and in most cases, such accidents are not due to hearing impairment but general negligence.

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With most African states, including Zambia, having ratified the CRPD, it is expected that the approach to the inclusion of persons with disabilities in all spheres of life including social, political, and economic activities should change.

This can most effectively be done by the review and abolishment of legal provisions imposing obstacles on people solely based on their disabilities, and the courts should play an important role in this. The judgment represents a lost opportunity for the courts and Zambia as country in particular that has been elected as one of the four Vice Presidents to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Bureau of the Conference of the State Parties for the period of 2021-2022.
Patients in Kisumu County who need blood transfusions are grappling with an acute and persistent shortage.

The situation has been worsened by the Covid-19 pandemic, which has strained healthcare systems across the country.

Winnie Atieno, a patient at Kombewa Sub-County Hospital, is among those affected by the crisis. She needs blood type O- (negative) and is depending on well-wishers.

The hospital is running out of blood and doctors asked the patient's brother, Bush Nyang, to get a donor.

"I had to go to social media to get potential blood donors. I received three pints that were compatible with my sister's blood group," he said.

Another patient, Appoline Odera, is being treated at Aga Khan Hospital and needs blood type O+. Her family and friends took to social media to appeal for help.

Blood bank collapsed

Aga Khan Hospital's director, Dr Patrick Eshiwani, said Kisumu has faced acute blood shortages for the past three years.

"Since the blood bank collapsed in Kisumu, there's no blood. Patients have to depend on relatives for blood donations," he said.

An officer at the regional blood transfusion centre disclosed that the lab had run out of required reagents.

Reagents are used in detecting and identifying a variety of blood group antibodies. This means the blood they receive must be sent to Nairobi to determine the various blood groups.

Kisumu Health Executive Boaz Nyunya said blood shortages are a complex issue.

He noted that the regional blood transfusion centre relies on donors in schools, colleges and universities for supplies.

"We have to mobilise stakeholders from different spheres to get more blood donations and strategise how to manage and store blood," Prof Nyunya said.

US funding

The gradual withdrawal of the US President's Emergency Plan for Aids Relief (Pepfar) funding since 2014 and the government's failure to plug the resulting gap have caused a crisis in regional and satellite blood banks.

Funding for the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service ceased last year.

The shortage of blood in regional and satellite centres has compelled some hospitals to run their own collections. Because the process is costly, hospitals pass on the costs to patients.

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The Kisumu Blood Transfusion Centre has the capacity to store up to 5,000 units of blood but it currently has less than 400 units. Reduced funding has also curtailed outreach programmes.

One of the major contributors to the problem is the suspension of social gatherings due to restrictions imposed by the Ministry of Health to limit the transmission of Covid-19.

"When the coronavirus pandemic hit the country, gatherings (were) banned. We are working on a policy to have individuals donate regularly while observing Covid-19 guidelines," Prof Nyunya said.

WHO's recommended minimum

Last year, Kenya collected 164,000 units of blood against the World Health Organisation's recommended minimum of one per cent of the population (480,000 units).

This is the bare minimum that WHO expects of Kenya's population ratio against a maximum of 960,000 units per year.

Upon WHO recommendations, the government set up six regional blood banks 20 years ago to streamline the blood-collection process.

This led to a more structured collection, screening, storage and distribution of blood by the six banks in Nairobi, Embu, Nakuru, Mombasa, Eldoret and Kisumu.

The plan was heavily financed by Pepfar, which hoped the government would step in when the United States ended its funding.

eojina@ke.nationmedia.com
Abuja  Nigeria's Nnamdi Kanu, the fugitive secessionist leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (Ipob), has been arrested.

Kanu was arraigned on Tuesday after he was arrested in London and brought back to Nigeria on June 26, 2021.

The fugitive, whose activities have led to the deaths of hundreds of security personnel and civilians in Nigeria's south east, had jumped bail and fled the country.

He was charged at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday in a continuation of his trial on charges bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, unlawful possession of firearms and management of an unlawful organisation.

The court ordered that Kanu be remanded pending the determination of his trial.

Jumped bail

Justice Binta Nyako gave the order after counsel to the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Mr Shuaibu Labaran, told the court that the defendant, who jumped bail, had been arrested and produced in court.

Labaran urged the court to order the detention of the Ipob leader pending the hearing and determination of the matter.

Justice Nyako, who granted the plea, adjourned the matter until July 26 when trial will continue.

However, as soon as the judge gave the detention order, Kanu indicated that he wanted to speak.

He told the court that he decided to go underground because his house was raided but he was able to escape.

Kanu said if he had not escaped, he might have been killed like other members of the Ipob group.

The judge, who advised him not to feel uncomfortable to stand trial, urged him to consult his lawyer over his trial.

11 counts

Kanu was first arrested on October 14, 2015 and faced 11 counts bordering on terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper importation of goods, among others.

A judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja revoked Kanu's bail that was granted him on health grounds and issued a bench warrant for his arrest on the same date over his failure to appear in court for hearing.

He has, upon jumping bail, been accused of engaging in subversive activities that include inciting violence through television, radio and online broadcasts against Nigeria and Nigerian institutions.

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Kanu was also accused of instigating violence, especially in south eastern Nigeria, that resulted in the loss of lives and property of civilians, military, para-military, police force and destruction of civil institutions and symbols of authorities.

Fled to UK

He escaped to the UK from where he had been commanding his Ipob members and formed a military wing, Eastern Security Network (ESN).

Kanu founded Ipob in 2014 to resurrect the secession bid of south east's Biafra republic. The initial secession attempt led to a civil war from 1967 to 1970 which resulted in the deaths of more than three million people.

Nigeria's Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr Abubakar Malami, on Tuesday told the nation that Kanu was arrested in London and brought back to Nigeria on Sunday.

He said the arrest followed a collaborative effort between security agencies in Nigeria and the Interpol.

Malami broke the news of the arrest of the fugitive at a joint briefing with the State Security Service (SSS), the police and other security agencies.

The ESN has killed more than 320 security personnel, including military, immigration and prisons officers since February 2021 when the militant wing was launched in the five eastern states of Ebonyi, Anambra, Enugu, Imo and Abia with a combined population of about 20 million people.

ESN members have also burnt three prisons and set free inmates, burnt more 33 offices of the Independent National Electoral Commission (Inec), 67 police stations and many other offices belonging to the federal government of Nigeria.
In the last two decades the government showed its commitment for the enhancement of agricultural productivity through attracting investment on agriculture both from local and foreign stake holders. Legal frame works crafted and institutions are established for the provision of land for investors and licensing. In addition, incentive provision also rendered.

To attract investors the government offers incentives such as duty free importation of goods, tax holidays, access to affordable lease holds of agricultural land and access to finance from the Development Bank of Ethiopia. The Ethiopian Investment Authority in this regard played crucial role with the collaboration of other stake holders involved in agribusiness.

With regard to the provision of land, the Ministry of Agriculture and other pertinent authorities deliver their responsibilities up on their mandates. Ethiopia's Agricultural Sector Policy and Investment Frame Work is the government strategic road map which identifies priority areas requiring investment to drive the country's agriculture growth. So far in the last five years 32 percent of FDI goes to the sector. As it is clearly known subsistence farming is a dominant practice in the high land parts of the country with different agro-ecology zones.

On the other hand, in the low land area sedentary farming seldom practiced. The policy stress agricultural intensification in the high land part and extensive farming which needs investment is to be practiced in the low land areas which targets foreign markets. To this purpose, the Ministry of Agriculture acquired tracks of land for local and foreign investors from regions such as Southern Nation and Nationalities and People's Region, Oromia, Benishangul-Gumuz and Gambella.

Investors based on the agreement involved on the production of cash crops such as sugar cane, cotton, palm oil, rubber tree and bio fuels.

In their business they are provided support in terms of connecting value chains, getting consultation from agricultural research centers, processing work and exportation mechanism by regional governments and if dispute arise, it will be settled by local institutions.

Agriculture investment in addition to engaging in the production and exporting process, it has a capacity to create job opportunities for local people and technology transfer however, there are also some limitations which need remedial actions including benefiting the local people and environment protection.

With regard to ensuring food security so far, the government underlined that the small- scale farming will take the lion share and to date it contributes a lot in supplying food to the local market and to transform the sector utilizing agricultural technology and inputs taken as a viable solution by the government.

Utilizing selected seeds and sawing in line and taking care of the crop in pre and post- harvesttime helps to enhance productivity. On the other hand, inputs such as fertilizer, pest and herbicides though they have their own demerit on the environment, helped to raise productivity. In addition to these, organizing farmers in the cluster form has brought tremendous result because farmers strictly follow up the crop in the earlier time of the crop season and whenever, pest or herbs occur could provide immediate response and save the crop from destruction but as it is rain fed when climate adversity occurs, it is easily shattered with the devastating result.

Currently, the formulated policies stipulate practicing small scale irrigation and harvesting water as alternate mechanism to overcome drought and water scarcity and in some parts of the country the fruit of irrigation farming has been witnessed and scale upping the practice is essential.

As it is known, both subsistence and industrial farming in the country have played crucial role for supplying raw materials to the industries and export earnings. The government underlined expanding both agribusiness and manufacturing and the expansion of industrial parks.

It has various values. In the first place it integrate agriculture with industries and the market,create job opportunities for thousands, attract foreign investors, stimulate export market and ultimately it lays foundation for the establishment of self-sustaining economy which relies on innovation and creativity. There we have to understand that promoting agricultural investment can be an impetus for the expansion of agribusiness which is a sub sector of manufacturing.

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But whenever we think of agricultural investment for extensive farming such venture should never compromise the environment because it has its own draw back on the effort attaining food security itself. Improper utilization of natural resource for farm might devastate vegetation cover and harm underground water and the ecosystem hence, before giving green light for investors to start industrial farming proper impact assessment is essential by pertinent regulatory body.

In addition to this, the investment should bring benefit to the local population in terms of job creation. The other things which need remedial actions are the delay of starting farming after investors took land and clearing the vegetation cover and the excessive use of chemicals which is harmful to the environment.

On the other hand, negligence to supervise in the part of the regulatory bodies after the provision of land to investors should be corrected. Hence, to modernize agriculture sector the ongoing effort to boost investment must be strengthened.
ADDIS ABABA - Ethio-Djibouti Railway Share Company disclosed that it has transported over 3.4 million tons of import and export goods over the last three years since it started operating.

Company Director General Eng. Tilahun Serka told The Ethiopian Herald that the first three- years' operation performance was encouraging and successful.

According to Tilahun, 800,000, 1.2 million and 1.45 million tons of import and export goods and services have been transported in the first, second and third years of its operation respectively. A total of over 3.45 million tons of goods and services have also been transported over the last three years.

As a result, export and import goods have increased as well as its service delivery has been increasing by 25 to 30 percent annually. The last three years' performance was successful, he added.

Most of the train service was a freight carrier mainly from Djibouti to Ethiopia and vice-versa. The company has also been successful in transporting goods such as fertilizer, construction materials, commercial goods, private and Ethiopian Logistics and Shipping Service Enterprise goods and others, he said.

As the rail service continues to grow, it is playing a key role in facilitating the expansion of import and export. To expand its access, the company is bringing new technologies and has been offering transportation service alongside freight, he stated.

He also stated that there is a plan to expand the single-line into two lines as the country's budget capacity allows.

He explained that the trainer effort is important to completely overtake foreign experts in the sector. Various activities are underway to replace them with our own experts.

The commencing of the Ethio-Djibouti Railway transportation service has been playing a significant role in strengthening public-to-public ties between the two sisterly countries beyond the freight service.

Ethio-Djibouti Railway Transport S.C. has nineteen stations and each station has its own controlling system.
ADAMA - Adama Industrial Park has generated 7.7 million USD in the current fiscal year while all of the factory sheds have been transferred to manufacturers, according to the park's deputy executive manager.

The Deputy Executive Manager Gulilat Abebe told the media that the park is equipped with modern sheds built by the government and private firms and it is mainly used by textile and garment industries. The government built 19 sheds in the park whilst additional sheds were made by private manufacturing companies.

Gulilat further noted that construction of additional infrastructures is in progress and the park's sewerage center is also nearing completion. Currently, the park has created 7,000 jobs.

One of the companies operating in the park, Antex Textile Manufacturing, takes the lead in employing 5,000 people.

Antex Assistant Manager Tigist Gemechu said that the company envisions to access the international market through utilizing its full capacity.

"The company is engaged in the production of high-quality textiles and export products up to six times a year."
DEBRE BERHAN - Debre Berhan University (DBU) disclosed that it has provided 19 high schools and one elementary school with 25 programmed computers worth 1.8 million Birr.

DBU Community Service Directorate Director Kasahun Bekele (PhD) told The Ethiopian Herald that the university has provided 25 programmed computer for each school besides providing pedagogical trainings, organizing laboratory and infrastructure.

The computers have full educational package and program compatible with the country's educational system, and this is perfectly expected to help the students address the shortage of laboratory, books and other facilities in the school.

Utilizing this kind of programmed computer will help bring about change in E-learning and help make functional Plasma service and laboratory experience when the schools commence utilizing the facilities.

Teachers from each school have got training on how to operate, manage and maintain the computers if damaged. Such a promising approach plays a decisive role in solving quality education gaps.

The university has also provided nearly 11,000 beneficiaries without including students benefited from the provided computers with various community services.

The university has predominantly been working in providing training and consulting service for various segment of the community in the city and its environs using research findings to address the challenges witnessed with regard to quality education, food security, renewable energy, and echo tourism and health affairs.

"The university has allocated some 3.3 million Birr budget for community services this year. It has striving to realize quality education thought reinforcing the teaching-learning and training process. Regarding this, DBU has provided pedagogical skill training for both primary and secondary school teachers in a manner to enhance teaching skills of the educators," he added.
Ethiopia has allocated 600 million Birr for activities to prevent flooding from the overflow of some basins in the country to help the efforts of pre-flood prevention in 6 selected basins in 7 regions, according to the recent reports of the government.

Accordingly, the heavy rainfalls that caused damages on people and properties around basins last Ethiopian year prompted the government and pertinent institutions to conduct study and undertake flood prevention activities in the 6 basins found in 7 regions.

As an extension to the flood mitigation measures before the falloff of the main flooding season during the next rainy months of this summer, three projects are underway in the town of Dire Dawa which has been the most vulnerable to such natural disasters.

Mesfin Addisu, a disaster risk reduction expert in Dire Dawa, told the Amharic Daily-Addis Zemen that the city of Dire Dawa is one of the most vulnerable parts of the country due to its geographical location and topography. "Thus, various efforts are being made to reduce this risk."

The expert said efforts have been made to alleviate the floods in the city, especially after the catastrophic floods in 2006. He said in the past, little attention was given to the floods in the cities, but currently there is a lot of risk reduction in the cities.

These include flood protection dams, flood mitigation activities including the construction of gabions, ditch sweepers and green development projects, among others. As a result, the risk of floods has largely been reduced and more work is being done in collaboration with the Regional Disaster Risk Reduction Coordination Office, the National Meteorological Service and the National Disaster Risk Reduction Commission with the World Bank.

"Based on weather forecasts from the National Meteorological Service, we are warning the public, cooperating with the surrounding police stations and local administrations, and keeping the public alert and safe."

As a result, there is a growing awareness of the need for the community to stay away from the area during floods. He also said that the state's environmental protection and Haromaya University are conducting research to find a lasting solution to the problem.

According to him, a committee composed of the police, the disaster risk office and others is working to ensure that these communities are not affected by the floods. Research activities are underway to make the area greener in the long run.

Abdulhamid Rashid, a UIDP project engineer under the Office of the Manager on his part said the city administration is implementing projects on three rivers with the support of the World Bank and additional budget to alleviate the problem of flood risk in Dire Dawa.

The first project is being implemented with a budget of 45 million birr and in an area called Ashoa. The area has been a major source of flooding in the past. To solve this risk, he said the current project is the construction of a dam in the area with the budget allocated for the project accounts for 45 million birr and most of the projects have been completed.

He also said the second river that flows through Dire Dawa city is under construction with a budget of 21 million birr. The third project is the Melka River project. This project is being implemented with a budget of 12 million birr. Dire Dawa residents are at risk of flooding every winter. Experts say that this threat is currently being reduced through these projects.

It is recalled that more than 200 people were killed and more than 3,000 were displaced by floods in Dire Dawa in 2006.

Globally, a core group led by the Netherlands and France has prepared a "best practice document" on flood prevention, protection and mitigation to be presented to the Water Directors meeting in Athens in June 2003.

Flood events are a part of nature. They have existed and will continue to exist. As far as feasible, human interference into the processes of nature should be reversed, compensated and, in the future, prevented.

Human uses of floodplains should be adapted to the existing hazards. Appropriate instruments and measures should be developed for all flooding related problems: flooding, rising groundwater tables, sewage network disruption, erosion, mass deposition, landslides, ice flows, pollution, etc.

Flood strategy should cover the entire river basin area and promote the coordinated development and management of actions regarding water, land and related resources.

Mitigation and non-structural measures tend to be potentially more efficient and long term more sustainable solutions to water-related problems and should be enhanced, in particular to reduce the vulnerability of human beings and goods exposed to flood risk.

Considering the evolution and trends, the approach to natural hazards requires a change of paradigm. One must shift from defensive action against hazards to management of the risk and living with floods, bearing in mind that flood prevention should not be limited to flood events which occur often. It should also include rare events.

Transnational efforts should be intensified to restore rivers' natural flood zones in order to reactivate the ability of natural wetlands and floodplains to retain water and alleviate flood impacts.

Structural measures (defense structures) will remain important elements and should primarily focus on the protection of human health and safety, and valuable goods and property. We will have to keep in mind that flood protection is never absolute, and may generate a false sense of security. The concept of residual risk, including potential failure or breach, should there-fore be taken into consideration.

Flood forecasting and warning is a prerequisite for successful mitigation of flood damage. Its effectiveness depends on the level of preparedness and correct response. Therefore, the responsible authorities should provide timely and reliable flood warning, flood forecasting and information.

A specific preparedness to alert, res-cue and safety measures should be planned and implemented at all levels, including the public, by maintaining regular basic information and continuous ongoing training actions. With appropriate and timely information, preparedness, everyone who may suffer from the consequences of flood events should be able to take -if possible- his/her own precautions and thus seriously limit flood damages.

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Solidarity is essential; one should not pass on water management problems in one region to another. The appropriate strategy consists of three steps: retaining, storing and draining (first make every effort to retain rainfall at the spot, store excess water locally, only then let the water be discharged to the water-course). Flood prevention has also to be based on the precautionary principle.

A compensation system should support the victims of flood disasters to re-store their economic basis and their living conditions in due time. Insurance solutions at the private or public level or subsidence by state, which reinforce solidarity, should be furthered.

In flood-prone areas, preventive measures should be taken to reduce possible adverse effects of floods on aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems, such as water and soil pollution. It is necessary to distinguish between different kinds of flooding and the environmental conditions that contribute to the problem.

For instance, there are significant differences between on the one hand sudden flooding in upstream or headwater areas where mitigating risk involves a wide range of innovative small-scale solutions and on the other hand lowland flooding where warning periods and the duration of flood events are longer and large-scale measures have to be taken. Therefore, the effectiveness of the best practices described in part II depends on among other hydrological and environmental circumstances.
It has been years since world nations shown concern and began to respond to the effects of climate change. The climate change resulted in the temperature rise sharply; ice is melting and various cities are inundated with floods. On the other hand, citizens are suffering from the effects of the drought.

Various experts in the field have argued that climate change has cost the world dearly and will continue to do so. The book "Collapse -: How Societies Choose to Fail or Succeed", published by American Professor Jared Diamond in 2005, states: "Communities that do not manage and use their natural resources are at risk of unintended erosion," he said, stressing that conservation and utilization of nature is a matter of survival.

In her commentary: "Climate change is a major threat to global growth," a notable Africa News writer Kizi Asla, stated that By 2050, climate change will deprive 18 percent of the world's gross domestic product, Asia's economy will suffer the biggest setback, China will lose 24 percent, the United States 10 percent and Europe will lose 11 percent of its gross domestic product.

Various international studies have suggested that the effects of climate change on the economy are making millions more vulnerable to poverty. According to the World Bank, more than 132 million people could be living in extreme poverty by 2030 as a result.

Various countries that have been affected by climate change and other crises are beginning to pay special attention to climate change and are pursuing their agenda as part of their policy.

Today, everyone is working on a solution to the global carbon crisis. Efforts are under way, but researchers say that in terms of carbon footprint, it is not working as well as it should.

"If you want to cope with climate change, you can't think without tree above all else," Experts in the field have repeatedly said that forest cover needs to be significantly increased in order to reduce the effects of climate change.

Ethiopia is highly vulnerable to the effects of climate change. It has neither the ability to cope with the effects of recurrent drought nor and climate change. Although reforestation is an important solution to the effects of climate change, Ethiopia's forest resources, which play an important role in economic growth and climate change, have been declining for many years.

It has been years since Ethiopia, which cannot withstand moderate climate change, began implementing a climate-resilient green economy strategy. Much emphasis has been placed on reversing deforestation and deploying the forest to support the country's economy. The country grows seedlings every winter, mobilizing her citizens to increase her depleted forest resources.

Although the people have traditionally planted seedlings following the winter season through government and non-governmental organizations in the area, billions of seedlings have been planted in the past three years, especially under the Green Legacy Initiative of Prime Minister Dr. Abiy Ahmed.

The Prime Minister's Green Legacy is a national idea that is widely accepted and shared by many. Especially, the achievement Ethiopia succeeded by planting over 4 billion trees on the Nationwide "Green Legacy Day" of July 29, 2020, is memorable breaking India's Guinness World Book record in 2017 planted 66 million seedlings in a single day initiating its 1.5 million citizens.

Efforts to plant trees, which are believed to play an important role in maintaining climate balance that include mitigating soil erosion by water and wind, have moved majority of the local communities. So far, the sustainability rate for the national seedling transplant program has been more than 80 percent.

Ethiopia's goal to sustain its economic growth is related to the proper use of natural resources. The green economy strategy is a revolution that resists climate change availing low carbon emissions.

On the one hand, studies suggest that the strategy will create an environment that accelerates development and growth and ensures sustainability. In addition to conserving and benefiting from nature, it has become an effective way to protect against the dangers of pollution and destruction.

According to various scholars and studies, forest resources are one of Ethiopia's potential natural resources and development opportunities. The economic, ecological and social benefits of conserving, developing and using forest resources are significant.

At a time when industrialization, deforestation, and the like are sweeping the world around carbon emissions, the best solution is to plant seedlings. There are no imitation for planting seedlings and benefiting from the outcome. In addition to saving wildlife and wild animals, it also protects against floods, food insecurity, environmental conflicts, and so on.

The planting of sapling is the best medicine for Ethiopia, which is suffering from deforestation. Forests contribute greatly to soil and water conservation, carbon emissions, biodiversity, land productivity, human health, and the socio-economy.

The National Forest Sector Development Program, designed to realize the importance of forests to Ethiopia's overall economy, is believed to ensure the economic and social benefit of the people as well as resilient to climate change.

Given Ethiopia's potential, it has to increase its production of wood products; however, the country imports wood products due to inability to meet its demand for forest products as a result of deforestation.

Paying special attention to the green legacy in the implementation of the green economy will enable Ethiopia to earn foreign exchange by exporting value-added timber and other forest products to various countries. To benefit from this, however, it is important to not only plant and care for tree seedlings, but also to practice forest handling and management in a professional manner.

Planting seedlings also protects erosion of billions of tons of soil caused by deforestation, depletion of agricultural productivity; and Safeguards Rivers, lakes, and dams from siltation. Like Tanzania, Kenya and South Africa, it will help to generate foreign exchange by modernizing the natural forest and making it a tourist destination.

Ethiopia's goal to sustain its economic growth is related to the proper use of natural resources and her focus on forest development in particular is a visionary one. It plans to plant 20 billion seedlings in four years.

This year, 6 billion seedlings will be planted nationwide and one billion seedlings will be given to neighboring countries under the "Let's Dress Ethiopia" program. Djibouti, Somalia, Eritrea, Sudan, South Sudan and Kenya are among the recipients.

Over the years, Ethiopia has contributed not only for itself as a country, but also to the global effort to save carbon emissions by planting billions of seedlings in one day.

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Various international media and scientists are praising and urging Ethiopia to play its part in solving the world's problems by mobilizing its people and giving it the necessary support. They urged Western countries; in particular those take the upper hand in contributing for the climate change; need to work closely with countries such as Ethiopia.

Augustos Santos Silva and Warner Hoyer in a commentary on News Brake on "How to ensure a green road ahead for Africa," also stressed European countries, which have agreed to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 55 percent by 2030, the need to work closely with other countries to achieve their plans.

They emphasized the need to work closely with Africa, which contributes only 4 percent of carbon emissions on the atmosphere, but, which is said to be the main culprit in the crisis.

This idea is shared by many scholars and writers in the field. Tariye Gbadegesi, one of them, in her extensive commentary on foreign policy entitled "A Green Africa Is the Key to a Greener World", said: "If the United States does not work more closely with African countries on climate change, its global leadership role will be in vain."

Instead of waiting for support, Ethiopia, which is playing its part in solving the world's problems, has joined hands to make a historic green imprint for next summer. Its citizens are looking forward to the opportunity to pass on their green imprint, green life and beauty to themselves, their country and their generation, planting seedlings and caring for those who are planted.
ADDIS ABABA - The Ethiopian government announced that it has decided to enact a Unilateral Humanitarian Ceasefire (pause in military activities) with the conviction to ensure better humanitarian access and strengthen the effort to rehabilitate and rebuild the Tigray.

The ceasefire has taken immediate effect as of Monday, 28th June 2021 in Tigray, it was learnt.

As to the statement of the government, the ceasefire has sought to address humanitarian assistance, facilitate farming activities and return of internally displaced persons.

Following the Tigray Interim Administration's request, the Federal Government has declared the unilateral humanitarian ceasefire in the Tigray state of Ethiopia.

"All Federal and Regional civil and military institutions have been ordered to implement the ceasefire in accordance with the directions set out by the Federal Government. It should be understood that this measure taken by the Federal government is in no way designed to allow impunity, as this would severely harm the cause of justice and sustainable peace," it stated.

According to the statement, the Government will ensure full accountability for crimes committed, whoever might be responsible for the atrocities.
As COVID-19 rages

Funeral services are being restricted at funeral homes as the Government of Liberia thru the Ministry of Health issues an addendum to its recent Revised Covid-19 National Guidelines with immediate effect.

The move is part of an effort in tightening health protocol and COVID-19 preventive measures as the covid-19 rages.

This is in addition to the 20 persons attendance regulation already in place across the country.

The Health Ministry gives no detail on what necessitated this addendum in the face of already stringent measures announced, and raises concern that something might have happened at a home funeral or church funeral service.

Liberia's Minister of Health, doctor Wilhemina S. Jallah, signed the addendum, dated June 29, 2021.

It is not clear how Liberians of the Muslim religion, who do not take their dead relatives to funeral homes, but in Mosques for funeral ritual before burial, would respond or comply with the addendum.

However, the additional restriction comes amid daily increase of confirmed COVID-19 cases of the Delta variant, one of the latest strains of the deadly virus.

As of 10:00 pm Monday, June 28, 2021 the Ministry of Health thru the Incident Management System, announced 106 new confirmed cases, four (4) new deaths and 41 new recoveries.

Monday's statistics brings to total, 3,900 confirmed cases in Liberia, including 1,458 Active Confirmed Cases, 127 deaths, and 2,315 recoveries.

Broken down, Montserrado County has the highest number of confirmed cases of 3,188 with 76 deaths followed by Margibi County, 165 confirmed cases with eight deaths; Nimba, 86 confirmed cases with 15 deaths; Bong 84 confirmed cases with eight deaths; and Lofa, 62 confirmed cases with 11 deaths, among others.

Yesterday, the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) ranked Liberia's COVID-19 crisis to Level 4, indicating that the West African nation has Very High Level of COVID-19 at the moment.

Accordingly, the CDC issued a travel advisory, cautioning U.S. citizens to avoid travel to Liberia for now.

The advisory posted Monday, June 28, 2021 on the website of the Embassy of the United States near Monrovia says if a U.S. citizen must travel to Liberia, said traveler should get fully vaccinated before coming.

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However, the CDC warns that because of the current situation in Liberia, even fully vaccinated travelers may be at risk of getting and spreading COVID-19 variants.

The Government of Liberia on Thursday, June 17, 2021 placed restriction on travelers from India, Pakistan and Bangladesh in the last l4 days, country said to be highly infected with the Delta variant that is ravaging Liberia.

However, critics say the travel ban is belated, as travelers from these highly affected countries, particularly India that suffered over one million deaths from new variant of the virus entered Liberia between April and May this year in their numbers when Britain, France and other Western nations immediately imposed restriction.

Health Minister Jallah re-emphasized compulsory wearing of masks in public, social distancing (3 feet) regular hands washing, and use of sanitizers, among other precautionary steps.

Schools and churches are allowed to remain open, but with strict adherence to the measures outline above, while public gatherings at wedding, party, night vigils/wakes and funerals are restricted 20 attendees with social distancing observed.

Banks are mandated to allow 10 customers at a time in the services areas, while customers waiting outside in queue stand three feet apart.

Public transport, particularly taxis are required to carry three passengers in the back seat with one in the front seat to any destination, while tricycles carry two passengers and motorcycles one to avoid close contact.

Doctor Jallah suspends transportation of confirmed COVID-19 dead bodies in and out of Liberia during this latest surge and asks airlines and funeral homes to comply accordingly.
As cases hit 29 in the county

A report reaching the NewDawn newspaper says the Lofa County School System on Tuesday, 29 June shut down the Liberty Daycare, a newly established school in Voinjama after it was found that test results of two kids from the same family returned positive of Coronavirus.

A correspondent for local broadcaster Truth FM told the station's afternoon show State of the Nation on Tuesday that the infected kids were still in school when their test result arrived, indicating that they were positive.

As of Tuesday, the County Health Team in Lofa was said to have recorded 29 confirmed cases of Covid - 19, and that two of them had already recovered while 27 remained active cases.

The father of the two infected kids is said to have been infected with the virus and he may have possibly transmitted it to them.

The report suggests that the kids have already recovered from the virus, but the county school system has immediately shut down the daycare, noting that the report about the kids being infected "actually brought fear" in Lofa.

One of the affected kids is from the first-grade class which is said to have 21 students, while the other is in kindergarten class which is said to have 14 students.

Liberty Daycare is reported to have about 104 students, but nearby is also a bigger school called Akoi Royal Academy that is said to have about a thousand students remains operational along with other schools. The county health team in Lofa is reported to be following up with the students.
Bong County  Liberian returnees residing in Lutheran Global Village, Bong County say they have been abandoned by the Government of Liberia despite many calls for support to their livelihoods.

They told our Bong County correspondent during a recent interview that the government has done nothing about their welfare since they repatriated from Guinea about ten years ago.

According to the administrator of the town, Morris Sulun-ker-menie, they have always engaged the Liberian Refugee Repatriation & Resettlement Commission (LRRC) about the challenges they are faced with, but to no avail

Mr. Sulun-ker-menie said houses in the town were constructed through the support of the Asia Focus Australia, an organization within the Lutheran Church in Australia, and not the Government of Liberia as has been speculated.

"We have been here for ten years now but we have not received anything from the government. We have been calling on them to help us through the LRRC but sometimes they will only say that they got the message, but they can't come to help us" he added.

Mr. Sulun-ker-menie said lives for former Refugees in the area are becoming unbearable as the only junior High school they constructed is currently in a very deplorable condition.

Krubo Kennedy, one of the women leaders of the town, told journalists that life continues to be unbearable for inhabitants of the community as a result of the government's alleged abandonment.

She said their town was also allegedly left out during the distribution of materials, referencing the Covid-19 stimulus package as an example.

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"They can always come and jump over this town, we have been crying on them to help us but no way. Recently when people were taking names for the Covid-19 rice, they left us out. So why are they treating us like this? What wrong did we do to come to our own Country?" she added.

Our correspondent who visited the town over the weekend says many of the returnees escaped to Guinea in search of refuge during the devastating civil war that led to the death of about 250,000 from 1989 to 2003.

When the conflict ended, some of them voluntarily returned to Liberia and had no alternative but to begin a new life in Global Village, Zota District.

Officials at the LRRRC have not spoken to the citizens' concerns about whether or not they have been sending support to them as all efforts to contact them have proven fruitless.

The LRRRC is mandated by an act to coordinate, monitor and supervise all humanitarian activities in Liberia.

The commission is the government's lead agency for repatriation, resettlement, and reintegration. It is also responsible for the general coordination of activities including inter-agency coordination, and organization of sectoral meetings, as well as community mobilization which is a key activity by the commission.

The mobilization of relief assistance to persons of concern and vulnerable, and refugees protection and protection monitoring, are important activities of the commission.
The Cummings Africa Foundation continues its assessment tour of hospitals on Monday as it prepares to make interventions in the fight against the raging coronavirus here.

The foundation visited the St. Joseph Catholic Hospital, where it met with the administrators and medical leadership of Catholic Hospital in Monrovia.

The visit comes days after the Cummings Africa Foundation has embarked on needs assessment visits to few hospitals in Montserrado, Margibi, and Nimba Counties

"The situation is dire, but the Cummings Africa Foundation ( CAF) will do what we can to help address it while our consultations continue this week with other hospitals. Tomorrow we will visit Margibi and Nimba which are also the hardest-hit counties in addition to Montserrado," Cummings who doubles as the political leader of the Alternative National Congress or ANC said Monday.

Cummings: "I want to personally thank our healthcare workers for their sacrifice and commitment to saving lives. What they do in spite of the challenges and dangers, is pure patriotism and our country owes them a depth of gratitude.

To our citizens, do not despair. I know how hard it is to wake up to several deaths news. My wife Teresa and I have had our own share of the shock and sadness, but we cannot lose hope in our ability to defeat COVID.

Please continue to follow the rules. Wash your hands. Wear your masks over your nose and mouth. Avoid crowded places. Visit the nearest hospital when you feel sick. Take the COVID vaccine to protect yourself. Remember the vaccine may not prevent you from getting COVID, but it drastically reduces the severity and your chances of death."

The assessment visits come days after President George Manneh Weah welcomed Mr. Cummings' offer to help the government curbs the spread of the coronavirus here.

"As the COVID crisis worsens with an increase in infections and several deaths being reported, I am pleased to share that the Cummings Africa Foundation will get involved to help resolve this crisis," a statement released over the weekend revealed.

The foundation disclosed that a small team including Dr. Wede Brownell, the Country Director of the Cummings Africa Foundation, Mr. Cummings, and his Chief of Staff Atty. Moriah Yeakula paid a visit to the Fidelity Hospital on 20th Street, Sinkor, Monrovia.

"We were pleased to meet with the administrators and are grateful for their cooperation," the statement added.

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The ANC political leader warned Liberians that COVID is raging but it can be defeated "if we follow the rules and guidelines as provided by Ministry of Health."

He urged that people must continue to wear their masks, wash their hands frequently, stay away from crowds, take the COVID tests and vaccines and go to the nearest health center when they feel sick.

He continued that just as Liberians defeated Ebola together and collectively, they can defeat COVID, saying they must stay safe, follow the rules and also pray for the country.

Recently Mr. Cummings made an international appeal for help as the coronavirus rages in Liberia and also offered to work with the government in whatever reasonable way in tackling the resurgence, which experts say, is the Delta variant.

He said the Cummings Africa Foundation is open to working with authorities at the Ministry of Health to identify urgent gaps in the national response to yield quick interventions.

Cummings in his statement made series of recommendations to the Weah administration to take siege of the health situation which include recast the budget to provide funding for the purchase of beds, personal protective equipment (PPEs), masks, vaccines, ventilators, oxygen, and massive awareness.

Cummings also proposed the need to solicit additional support from Liberians in the diaspora and the donor community; increase the hazard pay of existing health workers and employ more health workers contact tracers and immediately close all schools and ensure the completion of the semester from home, pending the end of the crisis.
The Chairman of the Political Affairs and Security Committee of the ECOWAS Parliament, Senator Edwin Snowe has paid an official visit to the Headquarters of the ECOWAS Military Intervention in The Gambia or ECOMIG, ahead of that country's election in December.

Snowe was accompanied by the Special Representative of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Ambassador Vabah K. Gayflor.

The ECOWAS security envoy discussed among other things the restoration of democracy to The Gambia with emphasis on the upcoming elections in December.

The visit of the ECOWAS Chairman of the Political Affairs and Security Committee was commissioned by the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Rt. Hon. Dr. Sidie Mohamed Tunis.

Briefing the Chair on Political Affairs and Special Representative of the President of the ECOWAS Commission, the Head of the ECOWAS Military Intervention in The Gambia provided an introduction on ECOMIG's mandate; an overview of the Political and Security situations; the scope of ECOMIG deployment, as well as activities, achievements, challenges, and way forward in restoring democracy to The Gambia.

He disclosed that the constitution review process, truth, reconciliation, and reparation processes, as well as the voters' registration exercise, are activities that are characterizing the political landscape of the country. He emphasized that the contending issue relative to the draft constitution is whether or not the first five years of President Barrow's term should be considered as the start of his mandate. He also disclosed that the TRRC ended its public hearing on 28th May 2021 and is expected to deliver its report in early July of this year.

Addressing the security situation in the country, the Head of Troops divulged that the security situation throughout the country is relatively calm but remains unpredictable. He reiterated ECOMIG's support for the conduct of operation ZERO CRIME by a task force of local security agencies to combat crime, an exercise that has yielded many results. He revealed that at current, the Mission has a total of 1000 men actively deployed across different parts of the country.

Addressing the troops, the Chairman of the Parliament's Committee on Political Affairs, Peace, Security, and African Peer Review Mechanism thanked the troops for their sacrifice and dedication to serve the region. He recalled ECOMOG's successes in Liberia and Sierra Leone and expressed strong anticipation that similar accomplishments will be replicated in The Gambia. He pledged Parliament's unflinching support for ECOWAS operations in The Gambia and wished the troops well as it strives to restore much-needed democracy in the West African State.

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Recall that in early 2017, The Gambia experienced the first democratic change of leadership since independence, ending 22 years of rule of former president Yahya Jammeh.

After weeks of political stalemate following presidential elections on 1 December 2016, on January 19, 2017, on the first day of his term, President Adama Barrow was inaugurated while in temporary exile in the Gambian Embassy in Senegal; at the time incumbent president Jammeh refused to accept electoral defeat. However, domestic, and international political pressure combined with the threat of military action by an Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) mission in The Gambia (ECOMIG) finally prompted Jammeh to leave the country, paving the way for the return of President Barrow on 26 January 2017.

The ECOMIG mandate has been extended by ECOWAS Heads of States various times and was recently extended to run until December 2021.
Albertina Nakale

As the health system battles to keep up with the surge of Covid-19 infections, hospitalisations and deaths, rural residents in the Zambezi region have been cut off from vaccination and testing centres, as these much-needed services are only found in Katima Mulilo.

Residents who raised concern are from Impalila, an island at the far eastern tip of Namibia, bounded on the north by the waters of the Zambezi River and on the south by the Chobe River.

It is home to some 2 500 to 3 000 people, spread over 25 small villages.

Transportation from Impalila to Katima Mulilo has always been an issue for these residents, as they have to cross the Zambezi River to reach basic services.

Echoing their worries, Zambezi governor Lawrence Sampofu yesterday said, "All those (including tourists)

who need testing and vaccines have to travel to Katima Mulilo, which is a district hospital. The rest are health centres and clinics. Sometimes, nurses are dispatched to the lodges, who provide transportation to conduct testing," Sampofu said.

Sampofu expressed disappointment, as people are not willing to go for vaccinations because of widespread misinformation and conspiracy theories on social media.

"We are trying to encourage people

to have the vaccines but we cannot

force them. Covid-19 is a danger we have to fight head-on and the numbers are increasing every day," he said.

As of 27 June 2021, the Zambezi region has recorded 1 219 cumulative cases since March 2020.

The region has recorded 24 deaths, while only 2 610 have been vaccinated.

Councillor of Kabbe South, where Impalila is located, John Likando said the mobile testing centres that were identified last month yielded moderate results, given the general resistance from the community.

He blamed social media for the negative impact of false stories.

So far, he said, all borders are open and those vaccinated normally visit Kasane and Kazungula but those not inoculated are reluctant to use the service of the borders.

"At the moment, fishing seems to be the main source of income in the floodplains. Katima Mulilo remains the concentration area of Covid-19 in the region.

"The affected numbers are quite low in the constituency because of no testing centres, meaning people are leaving without knowing their status, and this is dangerous," Likando said.

He noted after the ministry made a follow up on the issue. It was decided that Impalila, Itomba and Mbalasinte have been identified as clinics to do vaccination and more community mobilisation needs to be undertaken.

"Hence, teachers, learners, tourism staff, traditional leaders (indunas) and informal traders are not vaccinated as yet. My office has been working closely with [the] health directorate to encourage voluntary vaccination. There is a danger that any time, the disease will spread like fire, as people are not adhering to Covid-19 regulations and protocol, particularly [the wearing of masks in] public and sanitising. The number at funerals remains so large, which is a hotspot of the spread at the moment in the area," Likando maintained.

At the moment, Namibia remains one of the worst-hit African countries, with a high rate of infections daily.

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There is currently increasing severe pressure on the health system, characterised by a lack of hospital beds, overwhelmed mortuaries and scarce vaccines. The country has halted vaccinations for those who have

already had the first dose.

Another nerve-wracking issue raised in the Zambezi region is the lack

of an intensive care unit (ICU), which has made it difficult for the biggest hospital in the region to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, which is currently sweeping across the entire country.

The hospital lack beds too, as it only has a 16-bed isolation area, where patients in need of intensive care are currently being admitted.

This was confirmed by Zambezi regional health director Agnes Mwilima last week when she was giving an update on the region's Covid-19 situation.

The health directorate is in dire need of a fully-fledged ICU to care for critical patients.
THE bullets which killed a young man in Windhoek three years ago were not proven to have been fired from a gun belonging to a home affairs official being prosecuted over the shooting, a defence lawyer argued in the Windhoek High Court yesterday.

This was part of the oral arguments from defence lawyer Sisa Namandje which were heard by judge Claudia Claasen as the trial of Ministry of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety and Security official Likius Valombola moved towards its last stage.

Namandje argued the state did not prove that a bullet point found in the skull of shooting victim Helao Kapembe Ndjaba during an autopsy after his death had come from the gun with which Valombola fired shots after an altercation in a street at Okuryangava in Windhoek during the evening of 18 May 2018.

Another person with a firearm, perhaps also equipped with a silencer, could have been at the scene and might have been responsible for the shots which claimed Ndjaba's life, Namandje suggested.

On behalf of the prosecution, state advocate Ethel Ndlovu argued that Valombola fired the fatal shots, that he intended to hit someone when he fired the shots, and that he should be found guilty as charged.

Claasen reserved her judgement after hearing the two lawyers' closing arguments, and said her verdict would be given on 8 October.

Valombola (56) denied guilt on counts of murder and discharging a firearm in a public place when his trial began in June last year.

In a written plea explanation, and also in testimony in his own defence about four weeks ago, he said he fired two warning shots about ten seconds apart to scare off a group of young men who were "aggressively and violently" knocking on the side of the car in which he was a passenger, after the car had to stop because another vehicle standing in the street was obstructing its way.

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He also admitted in his plea statement there was a possibility that Ndjaba "may have been accidentally and tragically hit by a bullet from the warning shots I fired".

Ndjaba was struck in the head by two bullets. He died in a Windhoek hospital on 28 May 2018.

Namandje argued that if the court concludes that the bullets which struck Ndjaba had been fired by Valombola, he did not have an intention to kill anybody and should be found not guilty.

He also argued that the state's evidence before the court was "a cocktail of contradictions of various witnesses".

Ndlovu noted that according to a medical doctor who carried out the autopsy after Ndjaba's death, he had been shot twice in the forehead, with the entry wounds situated right next to each other. Those shots could only have been fired in rapid succession, as was testified by the state's witnesses, and not some ten seconds apart as was claimed by Valombola, she argued.

"These were not warning shots at all," Ndlovu said. "They were shots intended to hit someone, and kill someone."

Valombola remains free on bail of N$15 000 while awaiting the judge's verdict.
THE initial indications for the use of the antiviral medication remdesivir in the treatment of Covid-19 have changed.

Doctors are now advised to administer it to high-risk patients with identifiable risk factors presenting early.

Initially, the medication was administered to patients with severe symptoms and those who were on oxygen support requiring ventilation.

This comes after the World Health Organisation (WHO) conducted further studies on the medicine, which showed it does not prevent disease progression, but rather reduces viral replication.

"By reducing the viral load, the idea is to reduce the chances of severe disease," Windhoek-based lung specialist Dr Willie Bruwer says.

He says identifiable risk factors include diabetes, being overweight, certain inflammatory markers and others.

"So, we look at pretty much everything, and then we try to decide who are the ones we think are going to experience possible disease progression, and for those patients we give remdesivir," Bruwer says.

NOT TOO LATE

He says early administration of the medication is important, because when given too late it makes no difference.

"The sooner you give it, the better," he says.

One challenge posed by this indication, he says, is that remdesivir can only be administered intravenously, meaning patients would need to be admitted to a hospital.

However, because they are not severely ill, they are not likely to be admitted.

"Most of those patients don't end up getting beds in the hospital, because they are not that sick yet," Bruwer says.

Namibia initially procured the drug in September last year for emergency use.

At the time of its procurement, its use was controversial as it was not recommended by the WHO.

Namibia has reportedly ordered 3 000 ampules of remdesivir at a cost of more than N$3 million.

While the treatment is available at both state and private facilities, it is expensive.

Lady Pohamba Private Hospital pharmacy manager Nardia Coetzee says a full course of remdesivir treatment requires six 100 mg vials of the drug.

"Depending on the brand it can cost between N$1 100 and N$1 800 per vial," Coetzee says.

It is, however, covered by most medical aid schemes, she says.

Infectious disease specialist Dr Gordon Cupido, who is also the head of internal medicine at the Katutura Intermediate Hospital, says the drug has been controversial, because of a few unsuccessful applications.

It is also not recommended by the WHO, Cupido added.

"Its a drug that's been around for a while. It has been tried on other viruses, such as Ebola, and has proven to be unsuccessful. However, it has shown to be active against this coronavirus.

"But it does not improve survival, it reduces the length of stay in hospital if it is administered early," he says.

Cupido says remdesivir is not a vaccine, nor is it an immune therapy.

He says although these treatments are available, precaution should still be taken to avoid contracting the virus altogether.

"Even with all the medication we use, once you get [critically] sick with this virus, there's a one in three chances you won't make it. Any medication only takes that down a few percentage points. That's why the mortality rate is still very high.

"So the best thing for people to do is not to get infected."

Health minister Kalumbi Shangula reconfirmed that Namibia has used remdesivir and will continue to use it.

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FIRST COUPLE

First lady Monica Geingos has revealed that she and president Hage Geingob were treated with remdesivir when they contracted Covid-19 last month.

The presidential couple has since recovered.

Geingos divulged this information during a discussion on the drop-in audio chat programme 'Clubhouse'.

The discussion was part of her three-week campaign to use her social media platforms to amplify public health messaging on the virus in an effort to challenge misinformation and encourage people to get vaccinated.

Geingos called on the nation to play their part in reducing the number of infections and deaths by "following public health regulations, challenging misinformation, and most importantly, getting vaccinated".
IN the midst of the current Covid-19 third wave, Namibia's oxygen crisis seems to have opened up a market for more people to get into the business of selling oxygen-related products and services to desperate families.

The situation has forced families to start purchasing the products for emergency purposes as well as precautionary measures outside hospitals.

Windhoek resident Dagmar Gruner (30) forked out N$12 000 on oxygen for her father who was critically ill with Covid-19. Gruner and her family desperately looked for an oxygen tank in an attempt to save her father's life.

"It was expensive, but we paid what we had to. It's just what you do when you are in a crisis and you just want to help your loved ones," an emotional Gruner said. She said by the time they acquired the tank, it was too late. Her father had passed away last Wednesday, an hour after they purchased the 4,5 kilogramme oxygen tank for N$12 000.

"We never really got to use the tank because my dad passed away," she said, fighting back tears.

Her father (57) was admitted to the Robert Mugabe Clinic in Windhoek on Tuesday night and was put on oxygen. Gruner noted the clinic did everything they could to help her father.

"We know the oxygen is in short supply so we bought it in case, however the virus did so much damage to him already that the oxygen was not sufficient anymore," she added.

She did, however, mention that her family will keep the tank as a precautionary measure.

Kevin Vries (30), also from Windhoek, also said he was desperate to find oxygen tanks as his parents were also infected with Covid-19 and he did not want their situation to get critical without having bought the tanks.

Vries also added that his 75-year-old grandmother was at a local hospital from 10h00 to 14h00 waiting for oxygen but was informed there was nothing. He and his family started running around and making inquiries on social media for oxygen and found a place in Prosperita that was selling a tank for N$22 000.

They purchased it and this prompted him to start making plans to purchase tanks for his parents.

"The 10 kg oxygen tank I bought for N$22 000 worked, but I think there was a problem with the oxygen flow. It took my grandmother almost a week to recover. The 5,7kg oxygen tank I bought for my parents was purchased at N$11 000 and works way better and faster," Vries added.

"I think it's unfair. This is a pandemic, man. I also own a business so I understand, but this is not the time to make profit. I know some guys who are charging triple the price and that is just being very greedy," he said.

Lucky Asheelo (27) who got two tanks from the same supplier that Vries got his 5,7 kg also said that the prices are too steep.

"The guy I got the tanks from gave me a reasonable price as opposed to some guys who offered me up to N$15 000 for a 5,7 kg oxygen tank," he said.

Asheelo said he bought the two tanks for his parents as a precautionary measure because of the situation in the country. He has not used them yet, but informed The Namibian that they are under warranty.

Chief executive officer and owner of Innovative Surgical Medical Supplies (I-Surgical), Clarence Goagoseb told The Namibian that due to the Covid-19 situation in supplier countries, the prices for the products have increased.

He said some supplier countries, including South Africa and India with large populations, had the power to buy out the products already, thereby making it more expensive for the Namibian market because they are usually the last to buy.

"When the crisis began, we started getting more calls from people ordering at high volumes so we called our suppliers and told them we need more stock. They then told us that prices have changed," Goagoseb added.

Goagoseb said he changed his prices three days before June and before that he used to sell a 5 litre oxygen concentrator for N$13 000 and a 10-litre for N$19 000.

He also told The Namibian the price for the concentrators ranges from N$18 000 to N$35 000.

"The standard 5-litre oxygen concentrator goes for about N$17 800, the 5-litre concentrator with a mobiliser function goes for about N$24 000. The 10-litre without the mobiliser function goes for about N$29 000 while the 10-litre with the mobiliser function sells for about N$35 000," he explained.

Goagoseb said that since the oxygen crisis hit the country, they have seen an influx in customers and orders.

"We used to sell about 10 to 20 units per month. Today alone [Tuesday], we sold 30 units and have 40 units ordered for tomorrow," Goagoseb said.

He further said for the month of June, I-Surgical sold about 160 five-litre oxygen concentrators and about 120 ten-litre oxygen concentrators.

Goagoseb, who said he used to be a nurse at The Roman Catholic Hospital, warned Namibians to familiarise themselves with information from relevant authorities and institutions.

Another supplier, Sven Schulz, said he only sells the ten-litre oxygen concentrators as they can produce the amount of oxygen needed.

"Any critical Covid-19 patient needs between 90 and 94% pure oxygen and this is the ten litre that can produce that kind of oxygen purity," Schulz said.

Hence, he said he cannot sell the five litre concentrators as they do not provide sufficient oxygen to the patient.

Schulz said that he started ordering the oxygen concentrators as his friends were in dire need of it and the pricing of the oxygen in the country was too high.

He said he took the initiative to order oxygen concentrators as he was a doctor and has contacts in India where he gets them from.

He said he also did it to help those in need because according to him, some companies have ridiculously high prices for oxygen.

"At this stage I am working with big corporate companies, churches and charity organisations who are buying these machines from me simply to help the community which is in need at this stage," Schulz said.

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According to Schulz, the lifespan of the ten-litres oxygen concentrators is guaranteed to last 22 000 hours.

He said he sells the 10 litres concentrators for N$15 000, including the flying cost. It takes seven to 10 working days for the product to arrive in Namibia from India.

Managing member of Silivondela Business Solution, Jerry Chikambi, said that they have received more than 40 clients since the country started running out of oxygen.

According to Chikambi, he started the pharmaceutical business two years ago and charges N$24 000 for oxygen concentrators and N$4 000 for nebulisers.

Health minister Kalumbi Shangula said it is very difficult to have a Covid-19 patient who is already showing symptoms to advise them to go out and look for oxygen.

Kalumbi said this on Friday on The Namibian's The Conversation interview.

According to Kalumbi, the ministry is looking at the Katutura Health Centre due to the big numbers of Covid-19 patients coming in.

He said this is to make room for Covid-19 patients and patients who require non Covid-19 assistance for their services to be offered elsewhere.

"We will have multiple areas where patients can be assisted rather than for them to help themselves at home," he said.

He also said that he does not want situations where people die at home.
BETWEEN 2009 and 2019 Namibian authorities were alerted to the fact that over N$40 million in the hands of legal practitioners was from unknown sources - most likely linked to criminal activities.

The authorities were also tipped off that tax evaders had tried to use legal practitioners to avoid paying taxes amounting to over N$22,8 million.

This 10-year data is included in a report prepared by the Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) for the Law Society of Namibia, and provides a glimpse of how legal practitioners potentially support criminal activities.

The feedback was addressed to the chairperson of the society, Meyer van den Berg, and was posted on the FIC's website early last week.

It is the first time such information is made public, following the scuffle among legal practitioners in the heat of the Fishrot corruption scandal.

It is reported that for this period, a total of 38 disclosures were submitted to law enforcement agencies for further investigation of suspicious activities flagged by legal practitioners.

Funds from unknown sources was flagged as the leading potential offence, with 14 such potential offences recorded, involving a total amount of N$40,7 million.

This is followed by tax evasion, with eight potential offences recorded, and corruption, with five potential offences involving amounts totalling N$22,8 million and N$7,9 million recorded.

The Receiver of Revenue in the Ministry of Finance received the highest number of disclosures, followed by the Namibian Police's Criminal Investigations Division.

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UNDERREPORTING

The FIC in its report said it was concerned over the quality of the reports on suspicions raised by legal practitioners.

This was true even for cross-border transactions.

The centre said several irregularities were observed in these reports.

The report stated that, despite legal practitioners being articulate, they offer the financial watchdog poorly spelled reasons for raising suspicions, making it difficult for further investigation.

It is not clear whether this is a deliberate move to frustrate the watchdog.

According to the FIC, legal practitioners do not report adequately and should provide more given the size of their cleint bases.

"Given the sector's volume of clients and transactions, the FIC is convinced it could do more," the report read.

Moreover, the reasons for the legal fraternity's low reporting "are unknown at this stage".

Overall, 51% of the suspicious transaction reports received from legal practitioners were accorded high-priority status, and were escalated for further analysis.

The FIC applies a risk-based approach in determining the prioritisation level assigned to reports received.

Email: [email protected]
THE call for representation is one that echoes through the ages.

The desire to see ourselves reflected in stories that examine, affect, delight and soothe is a yearning that cuts across creed, colour and identity.

As LGBTQ+ Pride month draws to a close, today, as always, it is worth celebrating Africa's LGBTQ+ stories and storytellers.

Banned, boycotted or unsung in their own countries, films like 'Inxeba' (2017), 'Rafiki' (2018), 'Moffie' (2019) and 'Kapana' (2020) have punctuated the last four years with the declaration that Africa's LGBTQ+ storytellers are here, queer and will not be silenced.

"When we witness African stories, we understand that queer people are part of the human race too," says the award-winning star of 'Kapana', Adriano Visagie.

"The representation of queer people indirectly allows for mind liberation. I believe now, more than ever, that it's impossible to attend all marches, and thus representation on screen allows a form of protest."

Set amid secretive rites of passage, an intolerant African city, the South African Border War, and within the braai, smoke and flame of the Namibian capital, these are four African LGBTQ+ films not to miss.

'Inxeba'

Half-drowned in a sea of protest upon its public release, 'Inxeba' (The Wound) takes place during the secretive Xhosa practice of ukwaluka.

At the film's heart is the relationship between two men who return to facilitate the ritual each year, but primarily to spend secret and precious time together. Juxtaposing the hypermasculinity of the circumcision ritual with the complex yearning of the central relationship, 'Inxeba' explores same-sex relationships through the lens of tradition and creeping modernity.

It features multiple award-winning film stars Nakhane and Bongile Mantsai.

'Rafiki'

Though 'Rafiki' sets its story of blossoming romance between two vibrant young women in Kenya, the Kenyan Film Classification Board banned the film due to its "intent to promote lesbianism in Kenya, contrary to the law".

Directed by Wanuri Kahiu and depicting the first flush of romance, discrimination and arrest of its LGBTQ+characters, 'Rafiki' centres around the taboo and challenges of same-sex relationships.

Kenyans eventually got to see the film after Kahiu sued the Kenyan government and the ban was lifted for seven days to allow it eligibility for the Academy Awards.

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The screenings in Nairobi were sold out.

'Moffie'

A retro drama that plays out during the South African Border War, 'Moffie' tells the story of a conscripted young soldier coming to terms with his sexual orientation during the hypermasculine setting of training for and fighting a misguided war.

Based on the autobiographical novel by Andre Carl van der Merwe, the film is a brutal coming-of-age story elevated by lead Kai Luke Brummer, and co-written and directed by Oliver Hermanus.

'Kapana'

Having shown at numerous international film festivals and currently nominated for a number of awards, including Best International Feature Film at Canada's International Black and Diversity Film Festival, 'Kapana' is perhaps the LGBTQ+ African film of the moment.

Telling the story of an insurance broker and a kapana seller who fall in love in a society highly discriminatory against LGBTQ+ people and intolerant of same sex relationships, 'Kapana' stars Simon Hanga and Adriano Visagie as its leads.

"I'll never forget how many queer people were sobbing at the premiere," says Visagie.

"People can relate to 'Kapana', because as much as some of the world has accepted the LGBTQIA+ minority, to some it's but a dream to be themselves."

- [email protected] ; Martha Mukaiwa on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook; marthamukaiwa.com.na
NURSES and doctors at the Oshakati Intermediate Hospital in the Oshana region are scrambling for personal protective equipment (PPE), reusing what they have as the country's third Covid-19 wave surges.

The healthcare workers say they are in desperate need of masks, gloves and gowns.

Nurses at the hospital say they are forced to wear the same masks for days and even weeks at a time.

A nurse, who prefers to remain anonymous, says the hospital has been struggling to acquire PPE for months, and the situation is getting worse as the number of infections grows.

"This has been an ongoing struggle, and the hospital's management seems not to care. They are not doing anything to assist us. We have complained and have written them letters, stating how frustrated we are working during a deadly pandemic without sufficient protective gear.

"We have families to take care of, but our lives are endangered at work. We have to reuse one mask for a whole week. Sometimes we are forced to buy our own masks. The management must act urgently, because they are risking our lives," the nurse says.

The Oshakati Intermediate Hospital earlier this month received an undisclosed number of PPE, however, staff members say this was insufficient, because they are still reusing the available protective gear.

Another hospital worker says they are battling to do their jobs for fear of contracting the virus.

"We do not know whether this is a national crisis, or just at our hospital. Our lives are in great danger, and sometimes we are afraid of attending to the sick people, because we do not have PPE.

"The situation at the hospital is overwhelming.

"We do receive gloves and masks from time to time, but they are just not enough . . . Everyone gets one mask per day, and that's it," he says.

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On Friday, a group of businessmen from Oshakati and the Oshakati Town Council donated masks, gloves and gowns to the hospital.

Rani Trader donated medical equipment worth N$62 000, while the town council donated equipment worth N$10 000.

Officiating at the handover, Oshana governor Elia Irimari said the hospital is in dire need of medical equipment, and that the lives of healthcare workers at the facility are in danger.

"This crisis should not be left up to the government only. Everyone must come on board and assist with what they have, because we are in this together. We cannot afford to risk the lives of our healthcare workers," he said.

Acting hospital superintendent Asumani Kibandwa says the hospital is experiencing a shortage of PPE due to the rising number of Covid-19 cases, and the hospital is receiving an overwhelming number of patients on a daily basis.

"Our Covid-19 ward is full of patients, and we are still receiving more patients. We are trying our best to control the situation and make sure our healthcare workers' lives are protected. The situation of the lack of PPE is beyond our control, because it's a crisis all over the country, it's not only at Oshakati," he says.

He appeals to the business community in the north to come to the hospital's rescue.
THE Ministry of Health and Social Services will know by Friday whether Namibia's current third wave is attributed to the Delta variant as daily new infections and deaths continue to soar.

Health executive director Ben Nangombe said this yesterday, while responding to questions that the University of Namibia is currently processing the genomic sequencing analysis to identify the specific Covid-19 variant heading the current spike in cases and deaths.

Until April, the genomic sequencing tests did not pick up the Delta variant in the samples tested.

Namibia thus far has only been able to confirm the presence of the Beta variant which was initially detected in South Africa.

"Samples have already been collected and sent to the University of Namibia. They are running the samples and we are told that the results will be available on Friday," Nangombe said.

Namibia also sent samples to the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) in South Africa for quality assurance.

Nangombe said the characteristics of the Delta variant are easily transmissible, appear to be causing severe illness and behave differently.

The executive director also said experts cannot say whether Namibia has reached its peak or whether the country is getting there.

"We cannot tell at the moment whether we have reached the peak of the third wave or are still climbing," he said.

The Johns Hopkins University's Covid-19 data states that Namibia currently records 648,87 positive cases per million people and 13,44 deaths per million people.

Since 28 May this year, the country has recorded 34 285 new infections and 660 deaths.

Nangombe was part of a panel discussion after the lady Monica Geingos received her first jab.

Geingos who recently recovered from Covid-19, said she should have taken the vaccine earlier.

NO SPUTNIK FOR NAMIBIA

Meanwhile, Namibia will no longer receive Sputnik V after the suppliers indicated they could not supply it but opted to provide Sinopharm in exchange, Nangombe said.

The country was set to receive 100 000 doses from the Gamaleya Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology, however it will now receive Sinopharm.

"We agreed to that if it comes quickly," he said.

The ministry is rushing to get vaccines into the country, seeing the country has completely run out of Sinopharm, leaving citizens without their second doses.

Namibia is procuring vaccines through various platforms, including the Covax facility, which is set to deliver 40 800 AstraZeneca vaccines early next month.

Namibia is also expecting another batch of 150 000 Sinopharm doses from the manufacturer in China and an additional 120 000 AstraZeneca vaccines through AstraZeneca Europe by mid-July.

Namibia is also expecting 250 000 doses of Johnson & Johnson vaccines from Avatt early in August.

The country has so far administered 141 816 doses, and received 197 200 from China, Covax and India.

This means about 55 384 doses are currently available in the country.

Nangombe previously said the ministry will continue to vaccinate as many people as possible with first vaccine doses, while the majority of second doses would be administered as soon as the next consignment is received next month.

DELTA VARIANT

A report on the Delta variant from South Africa's Department of Science and Innovation shows that it is more transmissible than all other variants, including Beta.

"Preliminary estimates from genomic data and epidemiological studies suggest Delta may be significantly more transmissible than other variants of concern, including Beta (30-60% more transmissible)," the report reads.

It further reads that early evidence from the United Kingdom suggests there may be an increased risk of hospitalisation within 14 days of a positive test, compared to contemporaneous cases with the Alpha variant (risk approximately double).

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Another report by the NICD shows that the Delta variant is 97% more transmissible than the original lineage, while the Beta is only 25% more transmissible.

"Reinfection with Delta is possible following a Beta infection, because the individual's antibody levels may have waned. Preliminary data from the UK suggests that the Delta variant may cause more severe illness," the report reads.

South Africa's Gauteng is currently the epicentre of the resurgence, presently accounting for an average of 65% of the country's daily new cases.

BBC reported that studies done by India's health ministry showed that there is a so-called Delta plus variant - also known as AY.1 - which spreads more easily and binds more easily to lung cells.

"The variant is related to the Delta, an existing variant of concern, which was first identified in India last year and is thought to have driven the deadly second wave of infections this summer in India," the BBC stated.
Delta State Governor, Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa yesterday promised that his administration would partner the federal government towards domesticating the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement

He gave the assurance in a meeting with a federal government Trade delegation led by the Minister for Industry, Trade, and Investment, Mr. Niyi Adebayo, in Asaba.

He urged the federal government to quickly address the issues of the high cost of funds and poor power supply in the country.

He pointed out that there were bottlenecks associated with export trading and urged the federal government to work towards eliminating the constraints to encourage more traders.

The governor commended the minister for the enthusiasm in moving from state to state in ensuring that more states were involved in the trade agreement to boost export and increase internally generated revenue.

"It is of great interest to us and I am glad you are moving from state to state to sensitise them well enough and to enable us collectively take advantage of the agreement to boost trade in the country.

"There is no doubt that in preparing to ensure that more states get into the market, we will welcome this collaboration because it will enhance productivity once we have access to the market.

"We have tended to stay satisfied with crude oil without actually developing it in a way that it becomes more useful to us.

"We are glad that this relationship is coming at this time because it will actually stimulate and expand production thereby creating room for greater employment and people will make more money.

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"When more and more people get employed there is less insecurity because when you take off more people from the unemployment market, you have fewer people available for criminal tendencies.

"We hope that the issue of the cost of fund and power supply will be addressed because it leads to a high cost of production and it will affect producers in such a way that their products cannot compete favourably," he stated.

Okowa also called on the government to ensure that setbacks involved in exports were taken care of because many exporters were already discouraged in doing the business.

Earlier, the minister, who was represented by the Director of Trade in the ministry, Mr. Aliyu Abubakar, said that the AfCFTA agreement sought to create a single market for Made-in-Africa goods with a population of 1.2 billion people and a combined Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of 3.4 trillion dollars.

He said the AfCFTA would eliminate tariffs on 90 percent of tradable goods over five years for developing countries and 10 years for least developed countries.
Call him a mysterious person, you will not be wrong, for nothing can be more mysterious than a man who has held a whole nation to ransom and has remained at large.

Born Nwannekaenyi Nnamdi Okwu Kanu on September 25, 1967 in Isiama Afara in Abia State to Eze Israel Okwu Kanu (JP) and his mother, Ugoeze Nnenne Kanu, Nnamdi Kanu's life has been dogged by activism.

Kanu had teamed up with Mazi Ralph Uwazuruike to form the Movement for the Survival of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB). The group has been campaigning for the creation of a state of Biafra.

Taking a cue from the secessionist movement led by Dim Odumegwu Ojukwu, which led to a civil war from 1967 to 1970, Kanu and Uwazuruike wanted to recreate that scenario and this time, they had opted for civil disobedience rather than armed combat.

However, Nnamdi Kanu, who also holds British citizenship, and Uwazuruike parted ways after Uwazuruike accused Kanu of mismanaging the propagandist Radio Biafra, which he (Uwazuruike) handed over to him.

However while Uwazuruike appeared to have relaxed his activism, Nnamdi carried on by forming the Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) now proscribed by the federal government.

But Kanu was said to have changed his philosophy of non-violent agitation when in 2020 he formed the Eastern Security Network (ESN), a military arm of IPOB.

Kanu was said to have changed his philosophy as a result of alleged persecution by the Nigerian state. In 2017, a Federal High Court began his trial over treason charges.

Kanu was granted bail but fled, flouting his bail conditions. The Nigerian military invaded his country home in an operation called 'Operation Egwu Eke' or 'Operation Python Dance' during which they were said to have killed many IPOB members.

The first engagement of the military to the challenges posed by ESN was when the military tried to dislodge them from their camp in Orlu.

The military action led to a week-long military confrontation and Kanu had to ask the ESN to withdraw to the bush. Since then, the skirmishes between ESN and the soldiers have not ended.

The group, through its armed members, has been accused of being responsible for a series of killings, arson and abduction of innocent citizens in the South East region.

Using his Jewish religious inclination, Kanu has continued to draw many adherents from the region.

More puzzling is why the youth of the region owe much reverence to Kanu than to any leader in the region. Even such leaders are afraid to discuss Kanu to the extent that the mention of his name attracts some sort of apprehension.

The outcome of the recent sit-at-home order given by him to celebrate Biafra Day and those of others before it is an eloquent testimony to the grip he has on the region.

Attempts to speak with the man who started it all, Uwazuruike, were rebuffed. When our correspondent initially contacted him, he said he was in a meeting and would call later. When he was contacted the next day, he said he would not want to discuss anything about Nnamdi Kanu.

However, analysts have said that Kanu's influence has continued to fester because of a lack of clear leadership in the region. They pointed out that Kanu is filling the yawning lacuna created by the leadership vacuum.

An energy expert and commentator on African Affairs, Barrister Anozie Awambu, said the Nigerian state made Nnamdi Kanu to acquire a larger than life image.

According to him, the present government made Nnamdi Kanu a worshipful figure by unwittingly detaining him concerning a cause on which modern Igbo socio-political identity stands - Biafra.

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But an accomplished editor and publisher, Mr. Steve Nwosu, said no enlightened person can believe Kanu. He, however, said it's the belief of the elite in Igboland that his nuances are needed to redress some of the imbalances in the system.

To Dr. Alex Oguamanam, a diaspora-based physician, the richness in Igbo society does not reach the grassroots.

One other worry is the group's source of funds. The Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, had declared that the sources of funds for IPOB had been traced to France and the United Kingdom. But Senior Special Assistant to the president on Diaspora Affairs, Abike Dabiri, was of the view that foreign sources of funds for the secessionist group were more than the two named by the government.

In the bid to trace the root of the organisation's funding, a combined team of security agents invaded the home of IPOB lawyer Ifeanyi Ejiofor. His personal assistant, Samuel Uzo Okoro, also known as Biggy, was shot in the event.
Works to explore the prospects of oil in Lake Kivu could resume soon after the project's Rwf1.038 billion budget received the nod from parliamentarians.

The budget has now been availed to support Rwanda Mines, Petroleum & Gas Board (RMB) to support its efforts to continue exploration activities of gas and oil, according to Omar Munyaneza, the Chairperson of the Committee on National Budget and Patrimony in Chamber of Deputies.

Vital Karangwa, in charge of communication at RMB, told The New Times that exploration activities were supposed to start in June this year.

However, the activities were disrupted by factors including Covid-19 and budget constraints.

Karangwa said exploration known as 2D seismic survey would resume soon.

In May this year, RMB organised a high-level meeting on the upcoming survey in Lake Kivu in Rubavu District.

"The 2D seismic survey is an exploration activity aimed at imaging sedimentary layers of the subsurface area of interest," said Ivan Twahirwa in charge of exploration, energy and industrial processes at petroleum board.

He said that the exercise will help to "know more about the Kivu basin oil and gas potential".

He noted that collaboration and facilitation from stakeholders is crucial to avoid activity interference during maritime operations of seism data acquisition.

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"After data acquisition, raw data shall be processed and interpreted for geological understanding of the petroleum system to pinpoint drilling targets," he said.

Rwandans could start using locally produced cooking gas from Lake Kivu by the end of 2022 thanks to a project that seeks to process methane into compressed natural gas (CNG).

In February 2019, Rwanda inked a $400 million deal with Gasmeth Energy to extract and process methane into CNG for cooking, industrial use and vehicles.

Shema Power Lake Kivu (SPLK) is set to produce 15 megawatts of electricity by June this year, in its first phase of methane gas extraction from Lake Kivu.

Overall, the plant seeks to add 56 megawatts to the national grid after investing $400 million in methane gas extraction.

The project, which started in October 2019, is set to be finalised by December 2022.
document

Debating Ideas is a new section that aims to reflect the values and editorial ethos of the African Arguments book series, publishing engaged, often radical, scholarship, original and activist writing from within the African continent and beyond. It will offer debates and engagements, contexts and controversies, and reviews and responses flowing from the African Arguments books.

NOTE FROM THE AUTHORS: Following our strong critique of the original article on Twitter, an editor of Montreal-based Policy Options, where the article was published, solicited a response from one of us. On receiving the article below, they variously characterized the core points of our critique as 'bordering on defamation', 'a personal attack', 'an attack on the integrity of the authors', and 'an unfair commentary' regarding their knowledge of Canadian foreign policy. Given the gravity of the unfolding tragedy, the authors' choice to ignore it, and the magazine's regrettable emphasis on our good manners over the original article's erasure of crimes against humanity, we chose to withdraw our article.

It is with deep concern and disappointment that we read the recent Policy Options article 'As G7 leaders gather, Canada should not "blindly follow" U.S. lead on Africa' by Ann Fitz-Gerald and Hugh Segal. The article is facile about the ongoing civil war in Ethiopia, while reflecting an unfamiliarity with the history of Canadian foreign policy in the Global South. The article callously ignores the suffering deliberately inflicted on the civilian population in the Tigray region. Further, it caricatures Black Lives Matter - a grassroots movement by Black people opposing the deadly violence of militarized police and other state institutions - into no more than a slogan to justify its position in support of Ethiopian state violence. Finally, the article erases Canada's own history of anti-Blackness and systemic racism.

The conflict in Ethiopia

The authors jettison legitimate critiques of the Ethiopian government and its allies as 'one-sided, diaspora-driven lobbying and media campaigns', espousing the Ethiopian government position. In the face of United States (US) and European Union (EU) pressure to end the conflict and secure humanitarian access, the article calls on Canada to not follow the US and instead lend unquestioning support to the federal government. In light of the dangerously partisan and incendiary narrative Fitz-Gerald and Segal presented, we consider it imperative to respond with the facts of the war in Tigray.

Following a series of missteps and incendiary rhetoric by all parties involved over the last two years, a conflict broke out in northern Ethiopia between the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) of the regional state of Tigray and the federal government of Ethiopia in November 2020. The federal government mobilized rival militia forces from the neighbouring Amhara regional state and enlisted the support of Eritrea. TPLF forces could not match these combined forces, who also had use of armed drones - reportedly from United Arab Emirates.

Three weeks after the outbreak of the conflict, federal troops and their allies took the regional capital Mekelle. TPLF forces fled the towns and resorted to guerrilla warfare. As soon as government forces exhausted their forward thrust, they became vulnerable to scattered TPLF counterattacks. In the ensuing asymmetrical warfare, Ethiopian federal forces together with Amhara and Eritrean soldiers have been targeting civilians for nearly six months since their declared victory in late November 2020.

Rape as a weapon

In a largely rural, conservative society where rape stigmatizes victims, over 800 women reported to have been raped by either federal, Eritrean or Amhara forces. The harrowing details of the victims' experiences should have awakened the conscience of the international community into action. The actual number of victims is likely higher, given that large parts of Tigray remain inaccessible and without medical and other services. In his March 23rd address to the Ethiopian House of Representatives, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed remarked: 'Women [in Tigray] are now violated by men, but our soldiers were violated with bayonets.'

Starvation as strategy

Beyond shortages of supplies in war situations especially in an impoverished region, Tigrayans are being starved by design in a famine that evokes that of the 1980s. Their granaries were looted or burned, farmers were prevented from farming, access to farming implements and fertilizers were compromised and humanitarian access has been denied to many parts of the region. In Tigray, journalists, the World Food Program (WFP), humanitarians and even officials appointed by the federal government have warned of the dire situation. The United Nations has declared a famine in some parts of Tigray and other parts are on the brink. Over 90 per cent of the population is in need of food aid.

Massacres and other atrocities

Human rights and humanitarian organizations have documented several massacres of civilians. The Ethiopian government itself has acknowledged this. The government-appointed Ethiopian Human Rights Commission documented some of them and the attorney general is reportedly prosecuting some perpetrators. There are at least two videos (both verified and geolocated) showing uniformed soldiers shooting scores of Tigrayan civilians at close range. Wanton destruction of civilian property, infrastructure and places of worship, including ancient monasteries and a historic seventh century mosque, have been documented.

Refugees targeted

Before the outbreak of conflict, more than 90,000 Eritrean refugees lived across Tigray including four refugee camps under the care of the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR). The violence that these refugees endured has yet to be fully documented. Within the early weeks of fighting, two camps housing tens-of-thousands of refugees were completely dismantled. The UNHCR declared that it lost track of 20,000 refugees. They are presumed to have been forcibly returned to their native Eritrea, which they fled to escape the brutal dictatorship. Refugees who fled to Sudan, survivors, local and foreign journalists, humanitarians and human rights organizations have been speaking up against the atrocities that continue unabated.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and his allies do not distinguish between their political opponents and the civilian population. The Ethiopian government has dismissed the interventions of African leaders, the EU, and US President Joe Biden. No proposed solution stands a chance without an appreciation for the gravity of the problem and redressing the egregious violations. Meanwhile, at the time of writing, the warring sides were revving up for yet another 'final' bout of fighting - as they have done each time international pressure ramps up.

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The Canadian government has been slow to respond to the cascading problem. Canada has the moral responsibility and the wherewithal to do more to help resolve the conflict. Right now, the violence needs to stop, an immediate ceasefire negotiated, Eritrean troops withdrawn, humanitarian access granted, survivors cared for, and services restored. To this end, Canada can and should do more to promote a peaceful end to the war in Tigray.

Fitz-Gerald and Segal's emphasis on strategic resource exploitation obfuscates the basic facts of the conflict in the Tigray region of Ethiopia. Their article is nonchalantly mum about the ongoing suffering of innocent civilians, yet they invoke Black Lives Matter in order to galvanize support for the Ethiopian government. Referencing a movement against state-sanctioned violence to legitimize state violence against Black people is deplorable.

The choice the editors of Policy Options made to discipline our thought, edit out our wording and mute our response is consistent with a wider pattern of preferentially treating some as authorities beyond reproach and placing different expectation on those who in fact know better.

But that will have to be an issue for a future essay; we cannot afford to indulge in that now while innocent civilians are targeted for rape, massacre and mass starvation. Anyone concerned for Black lives globally should pay attention to the ongoing carnage in Tigray and stand with the innocent civilians subjected to the violence of the Ethiopian state and its allies.
Kampala, Uganda  There is a growing concern amongst the business community that the COVID-19 lockdown measures are a danger to business activities, and if not carefully eased, could make the situation worse going forward.

This is the matter that came up on June 23, at the post East African Community tax and budget dialogue for FY2021/2022 held in Kampala in which participants suggested ways of easing trade during these tough times so as to keep the economy as a going concern.

Jane Nalunga, the executive director at SEATINI Uganda said, EAC countries still operate dissimilar tax policies which defeats the whole essence of the EAC Customs Union which provides for the Common External Tariff (CET) as one of the pillars.

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"There is need to revisit the code of conduct and institute a committee to report on tax harmonisation in the EAC region," Nalunga said.

She added that gaps in the implementation of CET raises the appetite to smuggle goods especially if one country has differing tax rates.

Abel Kagumire, the commissioner for customs at Uganda Revenue Authority and Moses Kaggwa, the acting director economic affairs at the Ministry of Finance partly agreed but said steps were being made to deal with this challenge.

"Tax harmonisation as a region is very important but because we are at different levels of development as partners, it becomes difficult," Kagumire said.

However, he added that, in the spirit of EAC, URA has already partnered with Kenya Revenue Authority to host servers of the regional electronic cargo tracking system to aid tracking of goods from Mombasa through Uganda to Rwanda, South Sudan and DR Congo to facilitate trade in the region.

"Harmonisation means having similar tax principles and laws; we are fairly together with the rest of the EAC," Kaggwa said. He added that Uganda copied the VAT that Kenya implemented and brought it into Uganda, then Rwanda and Tanzania followed suit.

Officials said, as countries implement tax harmonisation, there is need to consider the possibility of having centralised revenue administration, collection.

"When we harmonise our tax administration we shall not compete with each other as EAC member states," Kagumire said.

Non-tariff barriers

In a speech, Patrick Ocailap, the deputy secretary to the treasury and acting permanent secretary/secretary to the treasury said, whereas trade among the partner states does not attract tariffs, non-tariff measures have increasingly been adopted, which have the effect of reducing intra-regional trade.

"We are all aware of the recent barriers that Ugandan goods have faced in accessing some countries," he said in reference to Kenya and Rwanda.

Ocailap said, the EAC Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance, and Investment (SCTIFI) has urged the EAC Regional Coordination Committee (RCC) on Covid-19 to review and harmonise the Covid-19 testing charges, validity, and mutual recognition of the certificates with a view to ensure safe and smooth movement of goods and persons in the region.

He said SCTIFI also directed the Republic of South Sudan and the Republic of Uganda to operationalise the Nimule/Elegu One Stop Border Post (OSBP) by having all relevant officials operating from the OSBP.

It has also directed partner states to use regional structures such as the EAC standards committee to resolve matters amongst themselves other than taking unilateral interventions.

The Republics of South Sudan, Uganda, and Kenya have also been directed to expedite the removal of visa fees among themselves, and directed the EAC partner states to remove all discriminatory fees, levies, and charges of equivalent effect inter alia.

Ocailap said, a meeting of the EAC Council of Ministers has not been convened thus far, but the EAC pre-budget meeting and the Sectoral Council on Trade, Industry, Finance, and Investment has met and made recommendations.

He is optimistic, going by past experiences that the recommendations will be passed by the Council of Ministers.

In this regard, he said, Uganda has proposed to maintain protective rates ranging from 25% to 60%, instead of 0%, 10% and 25% on goods manufactured in Uganda, for a period of one year.

These are majorly products where Uganda has a competitive advantage, and they include; meat and edible meat offals, fresh or chilled potatoes, sausages and similar products, chewing gum, other sugar confectionery (sweets), chocolates, biscuits, tomato paste and sauce, honey, ready to drink juices, ginger, jams, processed tea and coffee.

In addition, they have proposed to extend duty remission for essential inputs used by manufacturers, under the EAC Duty Remission Scheme.

These inputs are taxed at reduced duty rates (0% or 10%) for a period of one year. The normal rates are usually 10% or 25%. This is aimed at reducing the cost of inputs and hence the cost of doing business in Uganda.

Some of these inputs include those that are used in the manufacture of textiles, footwear, and assembly of motorcycles, among others.

The sectoral council decided that equipment used in the manufacture of textiles and footwear which do not qualify for remission of duty under Section 140 of the East African Community Customs Management Act, 2004 be granted a stay of application up to June 30, 2022.

Other tax challenges

The protocol for the establishment of the EAC Customs Union provides for the Common External Tariff (CET) as one of the pillars of the Customs Union.

Established in 2004, the CET was designed to provide a stable, transparent and predictable trade regime, in order to enhance domestic production, attract investment and create a uniform trade policy across the region.

The CET gives a minimum rate of 0% duty levied on imports of raw materials and capital goods; a middle rate of 10% duty charged on imports of intermediate goods; a maximum rate of 25% levied on imports of finished goods and rates of duty ranging from 35-100% for sensitive products.

However, tax experts, private sector and government agreed during the June 23 dialogue in Kampala that not all is well because of the challenges that the CET has encountered over the years.

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Ocailap, said the challenges include; inadequate protection for domestic industries, the lack of a comprehensive and cohesive trade and industrial policy in the region and partner states maintaining a degree of fiscal and policy space to make policies and decisions which have an adverse impact on the CET.

The others are; persistence of non-tariff measures and barriers, multiple memberships of the partner states in different blocs, inadequate institutional and regulatory frameworks at regional level to support the implementation of the CET.

In addition to these challenges, there are external factors - globalisation and increased trade protectionism around the world.

These challenges are not new. Ocailap said, negotiations among partner states are on-going to undertake a comprehensive review of the CET.

So far, he said, the partner states have agreed to use a revised four band structure, rather than the current three band structure, consisting of 0% for raw materials and other inputs, 10% for intermediate inputs, 25% for finished goods not readily available in the region and a higher band above 25% for finished goods readily available in the region.

However, there is no consensus on the rate above 25 % as the proposed rates are 30% or 35%.

These rates of duty align with the overarching policy goals of industrialisation, employment, wealth creation and inclusive growth.

Meanwhile, Ocailap said, the Customs Management Act of 2004 is being reviewed to take into account the developments in trade and the regional development goals and objectives.

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COVID disrupts trade

This development comes at the time statistics from the Bank of Uganda indicates that the country's revenues from exports to Tanzania, which consists mainly of pharmaceuticals products, soaps, plastic items and other consumer goods, increased from US$84.2million in the FY 2018/2019 to US$132.2million in the FY2019/20, while that of Burundi increased from US$44.6million to US$56.18million during the same period under review amidst the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.

This is the first time that Uganda recorded the highest export revenues from the two countries in the history of their bilateral trade. In the FY 2015/16, Uganda's exports to Tanzania earned US$95.5million and that of Burundi was US$50million.

Tanzania, however, enjoys a substantive export benefits to Uganda as it recorded an increase in export revenues from US$401million in the FY2019/2019 to US$446.5million in the FY2019/20.

However, Uganda's revenues from the rest of the east African countries - Kenya and South Sudan - and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) dropped as a result of closure of border points as countries sought measures to contain the spread of coronavirus pandemic.

Uganda's earnings from exports to Kenya dropped from US$533.9million in the FY2018/19 to US$496milllion in the FY2019/2020. In the FY2017/18, Uganda's revenues from exports to Kenya stood at US$678million, the highest ever in the history of trade between the two countries.

However, Uganda's imports from Kenya, which consists mainly of petroleum products, iron and steel and pharmaceutical products widened from US$711million to US$711.7million.

In addition, Uganda's export revenues from South Sudan and the DRC dropped from US$417.5million and US$526.3million in the FY 2018/19 to US$403 million and US$491.5million in the FY2019/2020, respectively. Uganda exports mainly maize, sugar and manufactured commodities to South Sudan.

The country's import bill from South Sudan increased from US$7.3million to US$83.5million, while that from the DRC fell from US$76.8 to US$27.4million during the same period under review.
Kampala, Uganda  Government should prioritise financing human capital development programs amidst projected revenue shortfalls due to COVID-19 lockdown, experts say.

Experts also say, amidst these tough times, the government should also keenly scrutinize loan proposals and ensure proper planning to avoid committing loan projects when not ready for implementation.

Hilda Tumuhe, a research associate at the Uganda Debt Network is among the experts The Independent spoke to.

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"On the domestic debt refinancing, government must devise mechanisms where the monetary policy instruments support investment to production entities and opportunities in Uganda rather than keep offshore and domestic investors in securities shift from lazy to active investors who set up factories, services and actively participates in expansion of Uganda's GDP," Tumuhe said.

This development, according to experts, is in response to the government's planned Shs44.7trillion budget for the next financial year which starts on July 01, but a huge chunk of it is meant to pay debts.

The government, for instance, plans to spend about Shs15.4trillion or 34% of the Shs44.7trillion budget towards debt servicing which includes external debt repayment worth Shs1.8trillion, interest payment Shs4.7trillion, domestic debt refinancing Shs8.5trillion, and domestic arrears Shs400bn.

This share is far higher than the 17% resource envelope allocated to the human capital development, meaning that more money is being channeled to debt serving obligations as opposed to productive sectors such as agro-industrialization, manufacturing and private sector development inter alia among others.

Meanwhile, the government hopes to collect merely Shs22.4trillion as local revenue to fund the budget, with the rest coming from petroleum fund, budget support, and domestic debt refinancing and local revenue for the local governments among others.

Last year alone, Uganda recorded an unprecedented increase in public debt by 35% from Shs49trillion in Dec. 2019 to Shs65trillion as at December 2020. The sharp increase was on the account of borrowing to respond to coronavirus pandemic and other natural disasters such as floods in some parts of the country.

"Despite the fact that public debt is within the sustainable levels, Uganda Debt Network is concerned that the debt is growing at much higher rate than the economy," added Christine Byiringiro, policy analysis and governance at UDN.

"As such, anyone would be concerned about this rapid debt growth, against the GDP of US$35bn in 2020; and missed middle income status target in 2017 and 2020. The country must deal with the key binding constraints, run-away corruption, and execution issues and also look to sustainable debt for Uganda."

Uganda's debt to GDP ratio stood at 49% as at the end of Dec 2020 and is projected to hit the 50% threshold by the FY2021/22, signaling a start of an era of a government's possible loan repayment defaults or a surge in interest for future loans.

Byiringiro said even with the meagre resources, the government should demonstrate being more aggressive against run-away corruption.

She also said the time and cost overruns exhibited in some public projects should be squarely handled so that tax payers have value for money. She cited the 22km Kampala Northern By-pass which has been in construction since 2004 and still remains incomplete.

Fred Muhumuza, an economist who also lectures at Makerere University said during the post budget analysis organised by Ernest and Young on June. 11 that it is time for the government to look keenly into its borrowing so as to have more resources to enhance service delivery.

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He said the government's claim that the country's borrowing is still within the debt sustainable level does not anchor well with the reality on the ground.

"Government may claim that our debt level is still sustainable but at the expense of certain basic services to the citizens because more money is spent on debt servicing," he said.

Ezra Munyambonera, the head of the macroeconomics department at the Makerere University based Economic Policy Research Centre told The Independent in the past that it is time for government with the approval of parliament to strive for a balance between borrowing for infrastructure development and provision of social services.

He said, the government should initiate negotiation with lenders especially China to re-allocate early acquired loans to other sectors which are vital to stimulate economic growth during the post COVID-19 period rather than focus on infrastructure development.
Blame games between Kwale leaders and the national government over compensation for land owners has delayed a Sh20 billion dam project in the county, leaving residents in limbo.

The leaders want locals paid before they relocate to pave the way for construction of the Mwache Dam, while the Ministry of Water and Irrigation says they are spreading propaganda.

The World Bank-funded project in Kasemeni ward, Kinango sub-county was supposed to be a game-changer in Mombasa and Kwale counties, ensuring adequate water supply in an area beset by water shortage for decades.

But almost six years after the financing agreement was signed, things have barely moved as compensation disputes between local leaders and the government take centre stage.

The seven-year project under the Kenya Water Security programme is expected to provide 138 million cubic metres of water for domestic, irrigation and livestock use in Kwale and supply water for domestic use to Mombasa.

Last year, officials from the Coast Development Authority, which is in charge of the construction, said that works would begin in March this year. The dam is expected to harness floodwaters from the River Mwache.

But in an interview with the Nation, Kinango MP Benjamin Tayari said residents were yet to be compensated and work has not begun. The compensation offered by the National Lands Commission was too little, he said.

The project required 1,600 acres of land and will displace about 4,250 residents, whose assets and livelihoods may be affected, as well as their access to natural or economic resources as a result of activities under the dam project.

"We have sat and discussed with other leaders and said that we will not accept the residents to be paid less money yet after the construction, they will still be poor while the water is supplied in Mombasa County," he said

He said he was disappointed that some residents have been offered money even though negotiations are underway on how residents will benefit.

Compensation varies, he said, as some locals are supposed to get Sh400,000 and others Sh500,000 per acre of land. But the leaders want residents to bag at least Sh1,000,000 per acre.

"Being the host community, it is important that they get enough compensation so that they improve their lives as one of the impacts the project will have on the community," he said

This comes as the national government through Water CS Sicily Kariuki has urged politicians to stop spreading propaganda about the dam project and refrain from inciting locals.

Speaking in Kinango recently when she launched the Makamini Dam, another multibillion-shilling water project in Kwale, Ms Kariuki warned politicians against inciting locals.

"Sometimes we put a lot of politics in the land issues just because we have seen that this will be a big project. However, we are pushing this and every time we talk to leaders including the governor we should not mislead the community, telling them that we can change it and increase that market rate," she stated.

In December last year, Kwale Woman Representative Zuleikha Hassan led residents of Fulungani in demonstrating over poor compensation.

The over 1,000 families in 25 villages said they were offered about Sh300,000 per acre and Sh10 per cassava plant, but they wanted to be paid at least Sh100 per plant.

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But Ms Kariuki said the compensation was a scientific process whose figure cannot be changed once complete.

But she said some residents had been paid and had started relocating.

Other dam projects in Kwale are the recently launched Sh1.2 billion Makamini Dam and the Sh300 million Pemba dam that is in its final stages of completion and will benefit over 20,000 households. Both dams are in Kinango sub-county, where water shortages are acute.

Ms Kariuki said that to solve the water problem in the Coast region, the government had set aside Sh40 billion for 66 projects, which at various stages of development.

She added that plans were underway to set up other projects to improve water access for locals, especially in Mombasa and neighboring counties.
Digital technologies can play a critical role in combating genocide denial, experts including the one United Nations have said.

"We have to use genocide education by preventing any atrocity which can happen, we have to educate young people about what happened in Rwanda, Genocide against the Tutsi, and about the holocaust too and use media literacy to halt deniers," said Castro Wesamba, Chief of Office, United Nation on Genocide Prevention the Responsibility to Protect.

He was speaking last week during a webinar on how digital technologies can be leveraged in the battle against genocide denial.

His remarks come at the time genocide deniers, especially in western countries are increasingly using digital technologies to perpetuate the genocide ideology

Wesamba proposes that tech companies work with genocide survivors and other stakeholders in countering Genocide denial.

"As the Genocide against the Tutsi is denied through online platforms, everyone with a brain can see through the deniers false narratives but I'm now realizing how it is important not only to engage these people but also to inform all people about the true story of the Genocide against Tutsi, to prevent reoccurrence," he added.

Other panellists also emphasised the need for education, media literacy and raising collective consciousness in condemning and preventing Genocide denial.

"Social media is a key to admonish Genocide denial... people who use technology in denying must know that it is a crime," Zachary Kaufman, Professor of law and political science at the University of Houston Law Centre said.

In addition, he explained, there was need for international laws on the fight against Genocide denial.

Genocide, he added, was not something people can express their freedom on.

Sara Brown, Executive Director of the centre for Holocaust, Human rights and Genocide education said that with most Rwandans under the age of 25, the young generation must be educated and given accurate information about Genocide against the Tutsi.

The centre is designed to educate, inspire and empower individuals to stand up against injustice.

According to Lonzen Rugira, a Rwandan Researcher and Public Affair Commentator, countering Genocide deniers must be done at every level to foster collective consciousness on both national and international stage.

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"When we are doing this conversation and campaigns, we are avoiding the reoccurrence of the Genocide anywhere," Rugira added.

Rugira pointed out that the young deniers are were positioning themselves as "legitimate" activists

He added that these denials, which are proliferating on social media platforms such as YouTube and Twitter have financers.

We will not accept any "democracy" which mocks Genocide survivors.

The conversations were part of the annual commemoration of the 1994 Genocide against Tutsi.

According to National Commission for fighting against Genocide Ideology (CNLG), more and more deniers were turning to social media to perpetuate the Genocide ideology.

"Social media is becoming the new platform for denial. It is now the main weapon and those who do it are aware that it is the only weapon they have. Genocide denial is equivalent to committing genocide crimes," CNLG statement said in February.
On a chilly Monday evening, Mr James Gakuru, a farmer from Othaya in Nyeri County, parades his macadamia nuts in the streets of Nyeri town waiting for a buyer.

He is one of the many farmers who are hawking their produce for a pittance. From the 600 kilos he harvested, he will fetch between Sh30 and Sh50 per kilo.

"The market is not good at all. We sell the nuts to anyone who cares to buy because we don't have a choice," he says.

He has watched the macadamia trade go from boom to bust in one short season.

In 2019, farmers in Nyeri, Meru and Embu sold a kilogramme of macadamia at over Sh200. Last year, they got between Sh160 and Sh200 per kilo. The buyer was a Chinese firm in Athi River, Machakos County.

Grasping middlemen

Mr Steve Mwangi, who sold his 1.5 tonnes of macadamia at a throw-away price, blames his woes on grasping middlemen.

"The middlemen discouraged the Chinese firm from dealing with us directly," Mr Mwangi says, adding, the traders have appointed themselves agents of the Athi River-based company.

They buy the nuts at very low prices, then resell to the firm exorbitantly, making a killing in the process. Farmers who choose to sell directly to the Chinese company have their produce rejected, he claims.

"I tried taking my produce to the factory in Athi River but they rejected my nuts, advising me to sell it through the agents," Mr Mwangi says.

Covid-19 lockdown

Once the hope for tea and coffee growers of an alternative source of income, macadamia farming has turned into a veritable nightmare. Prices have plummeted due to a global economic shutdown occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic, with export markets in Europe, America and Asia locked down.

Mr Peter Muchemi from Kangaita in Tetu Constituency has been a macadamia farmer for 20 years, a venture he took up after retiring as an employee of the Kenya Farmers Association.

As the business boomed, he contracted 50 farmers to grow the crop. In what counted as his financial breakthrough, from 280 trees, he would harvest 4,000 kilos that would translate to Sh800,000 two years ago.

"I have faced minor challenges along the way but I overcame them easily because the demand and prices for macadamia nuts was constantly rising," he said.

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However, since March 2020, Mr Muchemi has been counting losses and slowly losing hope in this once-lucrative venture. He also blames lack of goodwill by both the national and county governments to support the sub-sector.

Jungle Nuts Chief Executive Officer Patrick Wainaina says factories stopped buying the nuts from farmers after they were unable to sell off their stocks from the previous year.

Meru Macadamia Farmers Association chairman Joshua Muriira says this is the worst season since 2015 when a kilo was selling for a mere Sh40.

Mr Muriira said the effects of the pandemic over the past one year have seen prices tumble from a high of Sh200 to Sh50 a kilo in Meru County.

This season, Mr Muriira harvested about 2,000 kilos and sold each at an average of Sh70 a kilo, earning Sh140,000 as opposed to 2019 when the same quantity earned him Sh400,000.

Appeal to Munya

Recently, the farmers appealed to Agriculture Cabinet Secretary Peter Munya to carry out a survey on the sector and establish whether factories were genuine in their refusal to buy the nuts.

Farmers said they were worried that cartels that used to control the sector before 2015 had resurfaced and were taking advantage of the Covid-19 pandemic to exploit them.

"Over the past three months, middlemen have been buying the nuts at very low prices.

"The Ministry of Agriculture should carry out a survey to establish where they are selling the produce because we are worried that someone could be taking advantage of the pandemic to rip farmers off," said Mr Jackson Kariithi, a farmer in Tigania East.
International Relations and Cooperation Minister, Dr Naledi Pandor, has reiterated South Africa's support for international efforts to tackle the health and socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Minister said the country regards "access to affordable vaccines for all" as one of the immediate priorities.

Pandor was speaking at meetings of the Group of 20 (G20) taking place in Matera, Italy, on Tuesday.

The Minister arrived in the Italian city on Monday and was representing South Africa at several meetings of the G20 Ministers.

She further said South Africa and India, in the context of the World Trade Organisation, are leading efforts to get a waiver on the intellectual property rights for COVID-19 vaccines.

"Every effort must be made to support the rollout of vaccines to all. Defeating the virus is our common interest, as no one is safe until everyone is safe," she said.

In addition, according to the department, South Africa shared the concern expressed by other G20 members regarding the impact that the global health pandemic is having on the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals set by United Nations (UN) member States.

The department said ensuring sustainable development in the current global environment would require concerted engagement in the UN system and other multilateral structures such as the G20.

This includes promoting access to vaccines, post-COVID recovery, debt sustainability and liquidity, economic growth, and the improvement of the social well-being and infrastructure through increased trade and investment as well as the fair and equitable movement of goods and services.

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According to the department, the Minister said G20 countries must continue to work together "to deliver a free, fair, non-discriminatory, transparent, predictable and stable trade and investment environment, and to keep our markets open".

Speaking in a meeting focussing on development, Minister Pandor said the global health pandemic is "exacerbating poverty, inequality, unemployment and has a disproportional impact on women and youth".

The Minister also spoke about illicit financial flows from Africa, which "drain our economies of much-needed domestic resources to fund sustainable development".

On the margins of the G20, the Minister met with her counterparts from the Netherlands and Spain, Minister Sigrid Kaag and Minister Arancha Gonzalez Laya respectively, for bilateral talks focussing on matters of mutual interest.

The G20 is the international forum that brings together the world's major economies.

The G20 members are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union. Spain is also invited as a permanent guest.
press release

Welcome remarks by Kwazulu-Natal Premier Sihle Zikalala during a virtual breakfast engagement with recipients of the Youth Fund, 29 June 2021

Good Morning to you all and thank you heartily for joining us this morning.

To all beneficiaries of the KwaZulu-Natal Youth Fund, I wish to remind you that the ANC-led government and all the people of KwaZulu-Natal have a keen interest to see you all succeed in your business initiatives.

You are a cornerstone of the inclusive, radically transformed economy that we are building brick by brick with the people of KwaZulu-Natal. You carry the hope of restoring the dignity of our people through sustainable and decent job creation. Whatever the odds that you may face, you must never forget that many young people look up to you for strength and inspiration.

It is in this spirit of our invested success in all of you that we decided to call this meeting to hear from you directly on both the successes and the challenges that you are facing as you implement your projects. Although we are meeting virtually as we are faced with the real threat of COVID-19, we hope that you will still be able to use the engagement to network with other entrepreneurs who are in the programme. It is important that beyond today, you continue to engage one another and support each other within the entrepreneurial ecosystem that we seek to build.

As we continue to support the KZN Youth Fund and encourage more young people to apply for support from our government, please remember that your group which is the first to receive funding from us, will always be important because you serve as a standard bearer. Other groups must learn from your struggles and failures how to do things differently. They should also take your successes and replicate them.

Please tell your friends and other young people that the advert or call for the second round of application for youth fund will be released on the 1st July 2021 and it will run for 30 days. This will be on local newspapers and KZN Government social media pages. Applications to be collected and dropped at the Edtea district offices in the province. Application will also be available online.

Circumstances, including the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, have deprived us of the opportunity for regular engagements and feedback. I am aware that enterprises are visited on quarterly basis in order to provide aftercare support, check on enterprise progress and provide additional support where necessary. Legislature oversight committees also perform an oversight on youth enterprises on quarterly basis accompanied by EDTEA and OTP staff. But beyond these measures, we should also plan for more direct engagement with at least the MEC for EDTEA, the MEC for Agriculture and the Premier of KwaZulu-Natal.

With the acceleration of our country's vaccination programme and the better deployment of ICTs, we should now be able to regularise our engagement so that we can be able to address challenges more speedily. I hope that our meeting today will enable us to regularise our engagements and to agree on the frequency of such each year.

Ladies and Gentlemen, you will recall that our province is a pioneer of the Youth Fund initiative in South Africa. This is a provincial flagship program led by the Office of the Premier. The KZN Youth Fund serves as a catalytic funding to business ventures created and owned by young people across the length and breadth of this province. It is also aligned to the Provincial Youth Economic Empowerment Strategy.

In 2019, we began implementing the first tranche of KZN Youth Fund which saw 53 youth enterprises benefiting from the KZN Youth Fund and contributing to about 408 jobs. The total approval was R69 million. The disbursement to youth enterprises began in January 2020. Some disbursements were interrupted by lockdown and picked up after the ease of the lockdown.

We have learned that some business managed to strive during this pandemic while others are still struggling to recover. Today's engagement should give us a better picture on the additional support that is required to rescue these businesses and to strengthen those that are doing well.

We cannot overemphasise that the resources that have been invested in you belong to the people of KwaZulu-Natal. We must work together to ensure that there is a return on investments on the scarce resources that the people of KwaZulu-Natal have entrusted us with. As government, we are unambiguous that the path to support black youth-owned enterprises is the correct one. Our faith in the youth is unshakable. Our belief that SMMEs are catalyst for economic growth and job creation is informed by evidence from successful economies across the globe. In this regard, we continue to have faith in all of you that with your success, you will make your families and the people of our province truly proud.

I do not wish to pre-empt our discussion this morning. But from the reports that we are receiving, it is clear that we need to strengthen the aftercare support. It is clear that as government departments, we need to be better coordinated to offer the kind of support that you need. Our government also needs to improve synergies and collaborate better to enable you to access markets, including procurement from the state where necessary and where appropriate.

While many are consumed by negativity, doom and gloom, it is important that you as entrepreneurs should turn problems into solutions and make profit out of them. It is in the nature of successful entrepreneurs to always translate odds and misfortunes into fortunes and opportunities. Please read as much as possible on the many successful entrepreneurs that Africa and the world has produced and be inspired by them. Many of them, you will realise, were able to beat the odds without much or any support from the state or their governments.

One such entrepreneur that I wish you to read about is 60 year old Strive Masiyiwa, a UK-based Zimbabwean billionaire and philanthropist. He is the founder of the international technology company, Econet Global. You can follow him on social media, including Facebook.

Mr Masiyiwa had to fight his own government in Zimbabwe in courts to get a telecoms licence. He also had to be engaged in similar battles in Nigeria. He started his own business from his savings and kept investing back in his business. If there is one word that he never leaves out when talks about entrepreneurship to the youth of Africa and the world, it is "innovation" and he insists that every entrepreneur must also have at least a website. He insists that you must continue improving your skills and that you must join business associations so that you can be able to learn from others and benchmark yourself.

In his capacity as Chair of the African Union, President Ramaphosa appointed him last year in May to assist Africa to source personal protection equipment (PPE) for the continent. Strive Masiya is one businessman who still shows that you can be a successful entrepreneur without being corrupt or compromising your integrity. He holds a firm belief that the young entrepreneurs on our continent will change the fortunes of Africa.

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Addressing the Desmond Tutu Peace Lecture in October 2019, Strive Masiyiwa remarked that, "We have to start to build businesses. We almost have to start building businesses when we're in high school because if we don't, everything we fought and hoped for is on the line."

Ladies and Gentlemen, before I finish my introductory remarks, allow me to leave you with the following five citations from this Zimbabwean born entrepreneur whose roots are firmly in Africa while he maintains a global business perspective.

In his words,

1. You can only find opportunities if you are looking for them.

2. A vision on its own is not enough. Hard work and dedication is required to make that vision a reality.

3. The opportunity is in the problem. The moment I see a problem, I immediately begin to think about the opportunities that can be created by trying to solve it.

4. If you are working or you are running a business you have to set aside time and money to invest in your continued formal education and skills acquisition.

5. Whether you're a farmer, builder or engineer, the opportunities are equal: Just add a little innovation.

Ladies and Gentlemen, among you in this room are future Strive Masiyiwa's, Don Mkhwanazi's, and Mamkhize's. It can be done, and it must be done. Failure is not an option. Africa and our country needs you and wants to see you all succeed so that we can restore our dignity, our humanity, and our former glory. We stand ready as your government to support your dreams.

Keep safe from Covid-19 and other dangers.

Together Growing KwaZulu-Natal!

I thank you.
Two months ago, Amina Khalif, who was scheduled for a caesarian section, almost died at Hola Referral Hospital.

The procedure was scheduled for 9pm and when the time came, she was asked to buy sutures (thread used to sew the wounds), Betadine solution and Savlon solution.

"The items were not in the hospital. We went searching at a private hospital and another in vain, and none would admit us as they could not perform the procedure," she says.

She went back to the Hola Referral at 2:40am and through the help of a health worker who owns a private hospital, show got the items.

The child was delivered safely but suffered a prolonged mental disorder owing to fetal distress.

It is a day the family will never forget, a nightmare that happened at the most unfortunate moment.

But the ghost is about to get real after the county government slashed Sh107 million from the operations and maintenance budget of the health department.

The proposed cuts come against a background of shortages that have over the years often prompted residents to flee to neighbouring counties for services. Hola Referral has suffered a shortage of drugs for the past eight months

In the 2020/2021 budget, the health department was allocated Sh430 million.

The department has struggled to maintain 10 ambulances that are held in various garages in the county because repair bills have not been paid.

The department has also been on the receiving end of criticism, accused of undermining healthcare services in villages by failing to fund health centres and dispensaries.

On several occasions, the renal unit and the CT-Scan centre have failed to offer services they lacked the equipment and materials vital for operations.

Dialysis patients have more than once been forced to seek services in Mombasa as the referral hospital lacked Heparin, Bi-cart, and acid concentrate.

An inadequate supply of essential drugs for anesthesia and other reagents has also seen health centres register more referrals.

Labs also lacked thermo papers for ultrasound while radiology centres did not have film cartridges.

Other challenges are an erratic supply of drugs by Kemsa owing to unpaid bills, and an inability to service electrical equipment such as generators and other equipment, which has in turn hurt operations of emergency services.

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The most damning incident came barely two months ago when patients starved in hospitals because suppliers refused to deliver food items and routine food was not available.

With the current Sh323 million, the department is likely to suspend more services as it shifts attention from preventive and promotive health to curative and rehabilitative services.

The shift in focus is not realistic with the reduction in the budget, said Daud Dahir, the chairman of civil society groups in Tana River

"It is common knowledge that prevention is better than cure, therefore their priorities as of now are misplaced," he said.

He suggested that the county administration reduce the budget on projects to facilitate a budget focused on services.

With an allocation of Sh1.4 billion, the department will have a recurrent budget of Sh1.1 billion, a development budget of Sh250 million and Sh323 million for operations and maintenance.
Plans to set up Kenya Defence Forces' bases in Turkana County are in jeopardy after Governor Josphat Nanok halted the land acquisition process.

In a major departure from his initial support for the establishment of military bases in the region, Mr Nanok now says President Uhuru Kenyatta should first address the issue of insecurity in the Eastern parts of the county.

"We had agreed as elected leaders to allocate land for the Kenya Defence Forces to set up military camps at various sites across the county. But as a result of rampant insecurity in Turkana East, we want the Commander-In-Chief of the Defence Forces of the Republic of Kenya to tell us the solution to insecurity in the larger Turkana before we give out the land," said Governor Nanok.

In March 2017, the governor was part of negotiations that brought together local leaders and KDF officials, which he hailed as "the most consultative of all land acquisition processes".

A high-level consultative meeting attended by officials from the Ministry of Defence, the Turkana County government and elected leaders, was held in Nairobi on April 8, 2019, where the matter of buying land to set up camps in Lokichar, Lokamarinyang, Lodwar, Lokichoggio and Kibish, was discussed.

Turkana County Secretary Peter Eripete said local leaders and Defence ministry representatives had done a reconnaissance survey to assess the suitability of the proposed sites in the county that borders Uganda, Ethiopia and South Sudan.

The reconnaissance visits, Mr Eripete disclosed, were attended by Colonel S.K Sane for the Kenya Air Force, Col. M.S. Mwacharo representing the Kenya Army and Lt. Col. A. B Ahmed of the Kenya Navy.

During these visits, the socio-economic and environmental impact of setting up the proposed bases, human settlements and grazing areas were also discussed.

A report prepared by the joint technical team captured details such as the sizes of the proposed camps and the exact locations, and was to be subjected to public participation before the land could be handed over to the Defence ministry.

However, Mr Nanok beat a hasty retreat on the military bases after insecurity heightened in Turkana East.

Humanitarian crisis

Three weeks ago, suspected bandits from neighbouring Pokot community attacked villagers, occasioning a humanitarian crisis as more than 2,000 families fled their homes.

The worst-hit villages were Lopii, Lokwamosing, Katanamak, Ng'achuro.

Residents fled with their livestock and settled at Kodekode in Lokori/Kochodin and Kang'irega in Katilu ward.

The attack prompted Mr Nanok to ask the President to assure Turkana residents of their security, noting that the bandits, besides killing and stealing livestock, had disrupted trade, healthcare, church services and learning in the region.

The governor blamed the security situation on premature halting of an operation launched in Tiaty, Baringo County, before all illegal firearms were mopped up.

The governor said the bandits were heavily armed, as they had managed to injure two police officers who were seeking to recover stolen livestock near Lopii village. The rustlers also damaged four police vehicles, including an armoured personnel carrier (APC).

"There are many guns in the hands of the bandits but the police officers here are ill-equipped to face them. We fear for more attacks on Kenyans in Laikipia West, Baringo South, Baringo North, Marakwet East, Turkana East and Turkana South sub-counties," he said.

Petroleum Cabinet Secretary John Munyes, who also comes from the region, said the illegal arms mop-up operation, which was de-escalated on human rights grounds following a hue and cry from Pokot leaders, should resume with immediate effect.

"I will ask my Interior counterpart, Dr Fred Matiang'I, to order the resumption of the security operation so that we restore security along the border of Turkana and Pokot communities. The recent attacks have clearly showed there are still many people with illegal firearms," the CS said.

He appealed to both communities to cooperate with security agencies by naming and shaming instigators of violence.

Illegal firearms

His remarks were echoed by members of Esenyait Group of elders.

"As long as we still have illegal firearms, we will continue to witness cattle raids and banditry. We only need legal guns in the hands of security officers," the group's spokesperson Wilson Kichumnagira said.

Mr Kichumnagira asked the government to invest in schools, terming cattle rustling a "barbaric and retrogressive culture that has only led to loss of innocent lives and hampered development due to insecurity".

Mr Nicodemus Eguman, another elder, said disarmament should be carried out in Suguta Valley, Kapau Silale, Kasarani and Nadome villages, where bandits are capitalising on bad roads to terrorise villagers and security officers.

He said the criminals were well-organised and could be receiving training from somewhere.

Turkana leaders have always pointed a finger at their counterparts from Baringo County, who they accuse of seeking to kick Turkanas out of the border area so as to seize Kapedo and other villages that are rich in geothermal power and hot springs.

Ms Esther Ngibeyo, a resident of Kapedo, blamed insecurity in the region on too many illegal firearms among civilians in Pokot community, as well as the rugged and hilly landscape, which makes it difficult to apprehend the bandits.

"No one can dare venture out to fetch water alone. You have to move in a group and with security escort," Ms Ngibeyo told the Nation.

Kapedo/Napeitom MCA Willy Nalimo said long ago, the village used to be attacked for livestock but residents stopped keeping large herds to avert raids.

Mr Nalimo also believes there are plans to forcibly displace Turkanas from Kapedo and Lomelo locations in what he termed a battle for the Kapedo hotsprings and Silale hills, where the Geothermal Development Authority is planning to set up thermal-electric facilities.

Bandit-imposed curfew

He said locals had ditched traditional pastoralism and embraced education and business activities after losing many lives, as evidenced by many graves in the expansive region.

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A spot check by the Nation revealed most residents now keep less than 20 head of cattle. Most of these practise zero grazing following extensive training by World Vision and other organisations.

Another conspicuous change is that the traditional Manyattas are gradually fading out, with many permanent and semi-permanent houses coming up.

On average, households now keep 10 animals, mainly goats and sheep, which are often sold to raise cash for school fees, food and expansion of business.

The region is further plagued by a bandit-imposed 6pm to 6am curfew.

The locals, however, said if security is restored and all communities disarmed, education and business activities would help cement peaceful coexistence.

"The transport business can give me higher returns, just like many other vehicle owners, but highway bandits shoot at vehicles and set others ablaze," said businessperson, Ms Achila explained.

The county government bears the heavy burden of ensuring those who fled their homes have food, water and access to health services. Through the department of Disaster Management, the devolved unit has distributed 58 metric tonnes of relief food comprising maize, beans and cooking oil to victims of bandit attacks in Turkana East sub-county.

An opinion leader from Turkana East, Mr Joram Ewoton, said locals near the border with Pokot community are still living in fear.

"The villagers don't have firearms as they handed them over during the disarmament operation. Fearing for their security, some are moving to places that don't have adequate pasture and water for their livestock," Mr Ewoton said.
It will now cost the taxpayer more than Sh352 million for a contract that was irregularly procured by government officials and which was to cost only Sh12 million.

Auditor-General Nancy Gathungu in her audit report for the 2018/19 financial year accounts of the Tourism ministry, has flagged the matter, which puts to question the integrity of government officials in entering into such deals.

Documents before the Public Accounts Committee (PAC), which is considering the audit report, shows that Tele-News Africa and Atlantic Region, a private media firm, was contracted in 2004 at Sh12 million by the Ministry of Trade to undertake consultancy services.

The services included advertising and promotion of business opportunities in Kenya on behalf of the government.

What caught the attention of PAC, a National Assembly watchdog committee chaired by Ugunja MP Opiyo Wandayi, is the fact that although the contract ended on June 9, 2004, having been fully paid for the contract period, the firm continued advertising.

To date, the State Department for Trade, which has since been transferred to the Ministry of Tourism, has paid the media firm more than Sh290 million in accumulated interest, with Sh62 million still owed.

Mr Wandayi and PAC members Aden Duale (Garissa Township), Joseph Ngugi (Gatanga) and Wilberforce Oundo (Funyula) wondered how it doesn't prick the conscience of some ministry officials to occasion the taxpayer such huge costs in questionable contracts.

"Does it prick your mind to continue subjecting the public funds to such payments?" Mr Wandayi asked, as Tourism Principal Secretary Safina Kwekwe, appearing before the committee, struggled for answers.

"It disturbs us because it means that further delay in settling the pending bill means an enhanced cost on the taxpayer," Mr Wandayi added.

Loss of public funds

Even as MPs raised their concerns, there is a risk of further loss of public funds through continued accumulated interest and penalties occasioned by the Ministry's officials should the delay to pay the amount persist.

Ms Kwekwe, who blamed her predecessors for allowing the company to participate in the third phase of the programme without a valid contract and budget, said the State Law Office rebuffed the ministry's efforts to block the payments.

"We are equally disturbed because the payments are putting us in a bad light," Ms Kwekwe told the committee on Monday.

"We registered our concerns with the State Law Office but what we were told is to go and pay," the PS added.

The Public Finance Management (PFM) Act bars government accounting officers from entering into contracts without a budget.

The State Law Office had, in 2006, observed that the ministry was obligated to settle the claim since it agreed to participate in the disputed third phase of the programme.

Mr Duale said the payment should have been dealt with a long time ago to save the government from unnecessary costs, even as he questioned the seriousness of some officials in government.

"The lawyers were keen to have the money deposited in their accounts. Did you seek the advice of the counsel seconded to your ministry from the State Law Office?" Mr Duale asked Ms Kwekwe.

Project without valid contract

Mr Ngugi said the fact that the government has gone on to pay in excess of what it contracted to pay, is not only outrageous and an impropriety, but insensitive to the prudent use of "limited" public funds.

"This is wrong because the government is paying for a project that did not have a valid contract. It is not easy to believe that this matter has been pending for all this time," Mr Ngugi said.

Dr Oundo, the Funyula MP, was not amused either: "This sounds very intriguing! Having a Sh12 million figure balloon to over Sh300 million is unimaginable, given the current circumstances where the government is struggling to raise revenue to finance its operations.

"Is this person a Kenyan? That his conscience does not prick him to get paid in this manner for what he has not delivered!"

On June 8, 2020, the PAC directed the State Department to settle all the monies owed to Tele News without further delay.

Mr Wandayi notes that the decision was informed by the dangers of continued cost accruals to the public in case of further delays.

However, Ms Kwekwe said that because the budget cycle for the preparation of the 2020/21 financial year was at the tail end, they had to wait for the year's first supplementary budget.

The amount was not allocated, with Ms Kwekwe pushing for the supplementary II of 2020/21, which is yet to be passed.

Escalated interest

The document by the PS further notes that there was negligence on the part of the Ministry of Trade officials in not adhering to the professional advice of August 2011 by the State Law Office.

The AG had advised the ministry to pay the outstanding amount and negotiate the interest payable, even though there was no formal contract for Phase III.

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However, the ministry failed to accede to the AG's advice, prompting the company, through Maosa and Company Advocates, to seek court redress for the non-payment.

By the judgment of July 24, 2012, the firm was awarded Sh110.06 million, being the initial Sh12 million, plus 26 per cent interest backdated to April 2004.

By dint of the judgment, the court escalated the interest from 3 per cent to 26 per cent.

Interestingly, the judgment was not appealed.

Part payment of Sh65 million was made in July 2013 as interest continued to accumulate. As at December 2016, the outstanding bill had accumulated to Sh210 million.

"We are going to be strict with this issue because you are taking us in circles. The court just gave a blanket figure of 26 per cent. This judgment was not appealed and portends good business for suppliers that you can work for Sh12 million and sit back to see the amount accrue to Sh300 million," said Mr Wandayi.

The audit report notes that had the Attorney-General's advice been followed, it could have saved the government at least Sh198 million in accumulated interest.
The national government has embarked on plans to formulate policies to have widows directly benefit from economic empowerment funds.

This is according to Public Service and Gender Chief Administrative Secretary (CAS) Linah Jebii Kilimo.

The fund will see the vulnerable group benefit from Women Enterprise Fund, the National Government Affirmative Action Funds (NGAAF) and other government kits without hitches.

Speaking during the International Widows Day at the Chonyi Deputy County Commissioner's office at Bandara Salama in Kilifi South Constituency, last week, Ms Kilimo said widows' empowerment will end the discrimination society has subjected them to.

"We are engaging our Members of Parliament to come up with laws that will protect and see them access national funds," she said.

The CAS challenged county governments to come up with policies that will give widows priority.

Scholarship support

"County governments should ensure widows access all funds without hindrances and get bursaries and other scholarship support for their children," said Ms Kilimo.

More than 9,500 widows under the umbrella of Hope and Dreams Organisation in Kilifi County attended the event.

Led by Patricia Loko from Bandara Salama village in Chonyi, the widows decried discrimination from the county and national government in economic empowerment.

Ms Loko said most of them lead miserable lives after being rejected by their families upon their spouses' death, with some being accused of having killed their husbands.

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"Majority of widows were kicked out by their late husband's families and currently lead miserable lives, struggling to fend for their children," she said.

She said the women flock construction and mining sites to seek casual work where they are also exploited.

Special treatment

Prudence Kai, a widow, who founded Hope and Dreams Organisation said many of them suffered from self-acceptance, noting that they need special treatment because of the challenges they face that have left them vulnerable.

"Being a widow has become a human right concern but because of our vulnerability, we have become political tools that politicians only look for during campaigns," said Ms Kai.

She called on First Lady Margaret Kenyatta to initiate programs to support widows.

Ms Kai also said the government should come up with policies that will help widows claim their rights when their husbands die.

"Many women have lost properties upon the death of their husbands and are now helpless since they do not know where to get help," she added.
Displaced people in Adigrat town, in the Tigray region of northern Ethiopia.

The rebel Tigray Defense Forces claimed Mekele and Shire were under their control. Experts warn of a precarious situation after Ethiopia's federal government called a unilateral cease-fire.

The former ruling party in Tigray said it took back control of the regional capital Mekele on Monday after Ethiopia's federal government troops controlled the city for eight months.

The Tigray Defense Forces (TDF) is "in control of Mekele and people are now dancing in the streets," said Million Haileselassie, a DW correspondent based in the city.

The TDF is the military wing of the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) party, which ruled Tigray until being ousted by the federal government in November 2020.

"Residents are celebrating in different parts of the city. Fireworks were seen in the sky, cars and motorcycles honking. I saw people in the streets waving regional Tigray flags, dancing, chanting, and singing," Haileselassie told DW.

The news agency Reuters also reported that after rebel forces surrounded the Martyrs' Memorial Monument, some civilians entered the streets to celebrate.

"The capital of Tigray, Mekele, is under our control," a spokesperson for the TPLF told Reuters.

Some of those gathered chanted "Abiy is a thief!," according to Reuters.

Earlier on Monday, residents reported seeing government soldiers pack up vehicles and withdraw from positions they held in Mekele.

What has happened so far?

Last week, the TDF launched a major offensive that coincided with Ethiopia's highly anticipated national elections, which unfolded in much of the country - though not in Tigray.

Results from polling stations have yet to be announced, but they are widely expected to deliver Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed a formal mandate.

An airstrike last Tuesday in Togoga, a village in Tigray, killed 64 people and injured at least 180. The Ethiopian military said the strike was aimed at rebels.

The aid organization Doctors Without Borders (MSF) reported that three of its staff were found dead on Saturday.

Maria Hernandez, an emergency coordinator; Yohannes Halefom Reda, assistant coordinator; and driver Tedros Gebremariam Gebremichael were in a vehicle when MSF said it lost contact with them.

"We all today share deep sadness, anger and horror and deep condolences for their families," MSF said a statement.

On Monday this week, the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) accused the Ethiopian government of destroying its satellite equipment in the Tigray region.

UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore said on Twitter that the act "violates UN privileges and immunities and the rules of international humanitarian law regarding respect for humanitarian relief objects."

Also on Monday, the Ethiopia government declared an "immediate, unilateral" cease-fire in its Tigray region after the TDF rebel forces entered the regional capital.

The federal government said the cease-fire "will enable farmers to till their land, aid groups to operate without any military movement around and engage with remnants [of Tigray's former ruling party] who seek peace." Ethiopia said the cease-fire would last until the end of the farming season in Tigray in September.

Reuters reported on Tuesday that Eritrean forces were no longer visible in Shire, a town north of Mekele in Tigray region. Many claimed on Twitter that the towns of Shire and Axum had fallen to TDF fighters.

Federal government on the edge

Fighting between federal troops and Tigrayan soldiers began on November 4, 2020, after Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed ordered a military response following attacks on federal army camps in Tigray.

TPLF denied any responsibility and called the accusation a pretext for an "invasion." Abiy rejected calls for peace talks as his army shelled and advanced on Tigray.

He considered military operations "complete" on November 28, 2020.

This week's major turn of events comes after eight months of intense fighting. TDF fighters had launched multiple assaults against federal Ethiopian forces and also clashed with Eritrean Defense Forces.

Ethiopia's federal forces were in control of Mekele, while Eritrea's military, albeit unofficially, had under their control the towns of Shire, Adwa and Axum, which are close to the Eritrean border.

"It may be that the assault of the last few weeks has been quite draining for the [Ethiopian National Defense Forces]," said Clionadh Raleigh, the executive director of ACLED, a real-time data collection site on political violence and protest events.

"There's clearly some dissension between [Ethiopia's and Eritrea's forces], and Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed needed to effectively get over the line with the election before he made any new moves in Tigray."

Kjetil Tronvoll, a professor of peace and conflict studies at Norway's Bjorknes University, described the cease-fire as a capitulation.

"We have to understand that the TDF just entered Mekele and the cease-fire call from the government is more of a declaration of defeat," Tronvoll said.

Political violence expert Raleigh agrees that the TDF "were the superior fighting force and they have been able to best the ENDF," but believes there are other plausible arguments for the federal government to offer a cease-fire.

"It's very likely that the UN and the international community have pushed for some sort of a humanitarian cease-fire. We were hearing about that in the last few weeks, and there wasn't really a lot of discussion about it. And now there's this.

"So it may be a way in which the federal government is trying to put a good face on what's occurred. But it also very plausible because the needs were quite great," Raleigh told DW.

It is unclear whether the cease-fire would be enforced or respected, as the offer came from the interim government in Tigray -- with many of the interim officials reportedly now having left the capital city.

"There should be a cease-fire -- but not [on] the empty words of the federal government today," said Alex de Waal, executive director of the World Peace Foundation at The Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University.

"What's needed is a comprehensive cease-fire as the basis for protecting civilians, ending famine, removing Eritrean forces, and bringing about a definitive political settlement."

Political violence expert Raleigh argues that a possible peace negotiations with the TPLF would be dangerous for the federal government of Abiy Ahmed because "the majority of people [outside of Tigray] don't like the TPLF."

"They found the experience of being effectively run by the TPLF-dominated EPRDF an extremely bad one," Raleigh said, referring to the Ethiopian People's Revolutionary Democratic Front, a political coalition that ruled Ethiopian politics from 1991 to 2019.

Prime Minister Abiy dissolved the EPRDF in November 2019 and merged most of the constituent parties of the coalition, except for TPLF, into a new party called the Prosperity Party.

"[Many] don't believe that the TPLF should be negotiated with or there shouldn't be a transaction of power over what they believe was an illegal start to a war," said Raleigh.

According to Raleigh, the TPLF made Tigray completely ungovernable to prevent the interim government instituted by the federal government from effectively running the region.

"The TPLF has been assassinating several government officials in the last few months ... and are the ones who are being associated with the killing of the MSF staff last week," she said.

Hidden horrors of Ethiopia's war

The brutal war in Tigray has been marked by massacres, widespread sexual violence and other abuses.

The United Nations has also warned that the conflict has pushed hundreds of thousands of people to the brink of famine.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Monday he had spoken with Abiy, winner of the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, and was "hopeful that an effective cessation of hostilities will take place."

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Britain, the United States and Ireland have called for an emergency UN Security Council public meeting, which could happen on Friday.

On the Facebook page of DW's Amharic service, the reactions were mixed.

"If the people don't support, you can't win. The government seems to have lost its goal. It seems that they cannot protect people's safety. It is not easy to control Tigray without respecting the people," wrote Oumer Robie.

Wabbe Shable said: "Good news, congratulations to the people in Tigray, we are also happy." Another user wrote: "One should wait for what is in written to be put into practice."

Free and fair elections?

A local human rights body reported that no major rights violations took place at the 404 polling stations in 99 poling districts that they monitored.

"I don't think it's any coincidence that [the Mekele assault] occurred after the election in Ethiopia," said Raleigh.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed had touted the elections as the most democratic polls Ethiopia would ever see.

Several local and international observer missions reported minor irregularities but claimed it could not affect the overall outcome of the elections.

"In our overall assessment in the places we visited we didn't see major massive, widespread and systematic human rights abuses," said Daniel Bekele, head of the Ethiopian Human Rights Commission.

The commission is a government-affiliated yet independent body. Although it did not receive permission to observe the polls, the rights body still deployed around 100 staff across the country to monitor abuses.

Another opposition political party in south Ethiopia, the Sidama Unity Party, boycotted the ongoing election process. Party leaders are complaining of harassment and ballot rigging.
The Department of Higher Education and Training has made available its Post School Education and Training institutions to be part of the comprehensive health facilities to administer COVID-19 inoculations.

Higher Education and Training Minister, Dr Blade Nzimande, said the institutions of higher learning, including universities and colleges are geographically located in all provinces and localities, which renders them easily accessible to communities for inoculations.

"These institutions will play a rapid response role in ensuring that the COVID-19 vaccine roll-out is fast tracked as per the Department of Health phased plan," Nzimande said in a statement.

Nzimande will on Thursday visit the University of Pretoria (UP) vaccination centre, where he will receive a briefing from the University of Pretoria and Higher Health on the management of COVID-19 cluster outbreaks.

The Minister will also use the opportunity to receive his second inoculation at the UP vaccination centre, to further demonstrate his solidarity with educators who form part of the current cohort to be inoculated.

Nzimande received his first COVID-19 vaccination last month at Edendale Hospital in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal.

The Minister will on Thursday be joined by the University of Pretoria management, led by Professor Tawana Kupe and Higher Health CEO, Professor Ramneek Ahluwalia.
opinion

Abuja  The NIRSAL is working quietly in deepening the agro-business value chain.

When chroniclers of history take stock of the Nigerian story, President Muhammadu Buhari would most likely be remembered as the best farmer-friendly president. The rice revolution and quantum leap in local production of grains, cotton among others attest to a new era of genuine economic diversification through agriculture.

And it's all thanks to the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) ambitious funding of agriculture and introduction of safety nets to ensure strict compliance with the rules governing loans. One of the chief drivers of the growth in agriculture is the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing system for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL). Quietly and sure-footedly, NIRSAL, launched in 2011 and incorporated in 2013 wholly by the CBN, has thrust Nigeria forward like never before in the entire agro-business value chain.

In a world racked by climate change, insecurity, hunger and poverty, delivering and deepening the agriculture value chain is touted as the most sustainable strategy for achieving food security which will ultimately reduce poverty and ship more people out of the breadline. The World Bank, Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), among other relevant bodies have continued to advocate for more people to be mainstreamed into agriculture especially among developing nations. This, they argue can be achieved through structured financing that would reduce loan risks and ensure inclusivity of more players in the value chain.

This is why the federal government's intervention through the instrumentality of NIRSAL is commendable. Founded as a strategic $500 million public-private non-bank financial institution to boost financial flow and investments into fixed agricultural value chains and incentive-based risk system, it simply mirrors what the World Bank represents to global agriculture. It's CBN's tool to de-risk agriculture loans in line with recommendations by global bodies on how to grow agriculture as a counterfoil against poverty and insecurity.

Without food security, a nation has no sovereignty. This is the modern concept of sovereignty, a nation being able to feed her citizens. The Managing Director/CEO of NIRSAL, Aliyu Abdulhameed, has continued to insist that developing the nation's agriculture value chain offers the most veritable pathway to achieving genuine socio-economic advancement for Nigeria, rated globally as one of the top countries in the world with a hefty youth bulge. Nigeria has a healthy youth population with population of persons between 15 and 64 years standing at over 50 percent. This is not a liability. It's indeed an asset waiting to be husbanded in a country with an enviable 34 million hectares of arable land.

Abdulhameed bears a burden but he has in recent years shown demonstrable capacity to navigate through the slippery contours of this burdensome challenge chief of which is to continually meet the core mandate of the agricultural lending agency. Established in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Nigerian Bankers' Committee in 2013, NIRSAL was handed a clear mandate which is to stimulate the flow of affordable finance and investments into the agricultural sector by de-risking the agriculture and agribusiness finance value chain, fixing agricultural value chains, building long-term capacity, and institutionalizing incentives for agricultural lending through its five strategic pillars of risk-sharing, insurance, technical assistance, incentives and rating.

Always self-effacing, Abdulhameed cuts the picture of an effective modern day leader: Not wanting to be noticed but allowing his result to speak for him. And yes, he has results to show. Little wonder, he was recently reappointed by President Buhari to oversee Nigeria's growing agriculture value chain for another five years. An agricultural economist, administrator, risk management expert and chartered manager, Abdulhameed brings to bear his cognate experience and hands-on knowhow honed in both private and public sector. This, no doubt, has helped his pioneering role at the helm as the chief driver of the enterprise which de-risks loans in a sector that has just begun to catch the fancy of more Nigerians.

For his efforts and manifest success at repositioning Nigeria's agriculture value chain, he was honoured recently with the 2021 Global CEO Excellence Awards by the authoritative international CEO Monthly Magazine. He was among 25 world leaders in risk management, enterprise solution providers, financial experts, entrepreneurs and business leaders chosen from across the world. He shared the honour dais with policy-shapers, thought and business leaders like Kan Shi (China), Sven Daniel Koechler (UAE), Dr. Adullatif Al Shamsi (UAE), Philipp Weisser and Michael Lampel (both from Germany), Ruairi Kelleher (Ireland), among others, including winners from United States and other parts of Europe. The award was not only an honour for him, it was a clear attestation to the fact that there are still bright spots and brilliant sparks in Nigeria's public sector space which some Nigerians still rate poor in terms of efficiency and work ethics.

The award is another evidence that the Buhari government has moved agriculture forward. It's a testimony that through the risk-sharing system for agricultural lending, the CBN has stepped out of the rhetoric band of agriculture financing and has moved into the frequency of pragmatism through the Anchor Borrower's Programme and other instruments. The result is that in a state like Kebbi, for instance, a new community of economic boosters, job creators and emerging millionaires is emerging in the agriculture eco-system made up of farmers, off-takers, processors, produce-distributors to last mile, and sundry value-adders in the entire value chain.

Again, the evidence is that most Nigerian homes now feed on Nigerian-produced rice, millet, beans and other grains. The result shows in the gradual revival of the once-dead textile industry with the supply of cotton from farms across the nation to the textile factories. Even the fiercest critics of the Buhari government cannot deny the reality that this government has been outstanding in deepening agriculture, more than any government since 1999. Facilitating over $550 million to various activities in the agriculture value chain for purposes of mechanisation, input distribution, production, processing and marketing of agriculture commodities, NIRSAL is the cream in the nation's agriculture cake.

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Those who have continued to call out CBN for side-stepping commercial banks in its quest to fund agriculture got it wrong. Federal Reserves all over the world finance agriculture, some directly, some through commercial, microfinance and agriculture financial institutions. The CBN has deployed NIRSAL to good use and has through it set an example of a public-private partnership that works.

Latest statistics from the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), puts the current unemployment rate in Nigeria at 33.3 percent, the second highest on the global list. But for employment generated through the agriculture value chain, it could have been worse especially with many Nigerians shipped out of jobs last year due to Covid-19 pandemic.

But Nigeria cannot remain tethered to the inglorious stump of unemployment and under-development. With huge expanse of arable land and growing advances in technology, the nation must make the most of the risk-sharing system for agricultural lending. This nation - just like China, US, India - must rally to create billionaires out of farming. The aggregate net worth of the world's top five richest farmers is in excess of $22 billion. And none of them is from Africa. They are farmers in China (two), US (two) and one from Saudi Arabia. Nigeria ought to be among them. The difference is not in arable land but in financing and technology.

Udemba wrote from Abuja
Baleni Senior Secondary School near Xolobeni is raising funds to build classrooms and other facilities

Parents of learners at a senior secondary school in the rural Eastern Cape are raising funds to build more classrooms and facilities.

The overcrowded school is falling apart, has no tap water or electricity, and only has pit latrines for toilets.

The province has thousands of schools needing construction work or sanitation.

Despite the launch of special initiatives, the Eastern Cape Department of Education has made very little progress clearing this backlog for the past ten years.

Tired of waiting for the Eastern Cape Department of Education, parents of learners at Baleni Senior Secondary School near Xolobeni are raising funds to build more classrooms.

Parents have already built a staff room and four classrooms to accommodate a rapid increase in enrolment. They need more funds to add a new school hall and toilets.

The school has 986 learners in grades 8 to 12. Some classes have more than 70 learners.

The school was originally built in 1977. The floors in the old classrooms are made of wood and have collapsed in some places. Students and teachers have fallen through and been injured.

Deputy principal Thembi Makatisa said she fell through the floor herself one day while she was teaching and students had to help pull her out.

Teacher Langa Sakwe said she saw fear on the faces of the learners when they had to pull her out after she also fell through the floor. "Last week when a learner got injured, the principal had to drop everything and rush the learner to hospital," said Sakwe.

In 2015 parents from the school went to the education department offices in King William's Town, but they say they left with empty promises.

School governing body (SGB) chairperson from 2002 to 2019, Princess Gqwarhu, said parents had written a number of times to the department. "Every year when we send a letter their response will be sending officials to survey the school, then nothing will happen," she said.

In 2020 the matric pass rate was 61%, in 2019 it was 65%. But in 2018 it had been 88%.

Equal Education (EE) representatives visited Baleni in March 2019 as part of a school infrastructure monitoring exercise in the district. EE Eastern Cape Researcher Elizabeth Biney said the province has one of the worst school infrastructure backlogs in the country. They found Baleni Senior Secondary in poor condition and not compliant with the Norms and Standards for Public School Infrastructure.

Classrooms are overcrowded, the ceilings and floors pose a serious danger, and there is no electricity or tap water. Solar panels installed as part of an education department project were never serviced and no longer work. As a result, computers donated to the school cannot be used. The toilets are pit latrines. Seven male teachers share one pit toilet.

Biney said an online presentation to the Eastern Cape Provincial Legislature Portfolio Committee on Education in May 2021 revealed there are still 1,076 schools in the province made of inappropriate material, and 3,157 schools requiring sanitation intervention of which 1,598 only have pit latrines or unacceptable sanitation.

Biney said since the launch of the Accelerated Schools Infrastructure Delivery Initiative (ASIDI) in 2011, only 266 schools made of inappropriate materials had been replaced, sanitation had been improved at 886 schools, and 372 schools had been provided with electricity.

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Similarly, since 2011 only 686 schools have benefitted from the Sanitation Appropriate for Education (SAFE) initiative.

"Moreover, the 2021 National Education Infrastructure Management System (NEIMS) report shows that 90 schools in the province still have no electricity supply, while 2,621 schools have an unreliable water supply."

"This is only what we know from the fragmented information obtained from national data and departmental reports and responses. However, since information on school infrastructure in the province is not publicly and readily available, the situation could be worse," said Biney.

Eastern Cape education department spokesperson Malibongwe Mtima said Baleni SSS is on the SAFE Program in an evaluation stage. He said about R200,000 was allocated for school maintenance in 2021/22.

"The school through the District office has been encouraged to use the maintenance budget for maintenance and repairs," he said.
Live performances at this year's festival have been cancelled for the second year

Live performances at the National Arts Festival, due to start 8 July, have been cancelled due to Covid-19 level 4 lockdown.

Some of these performances will be recorded and presented online.

Free filming has been offered to artists who were part of the Fringe program.

Local businesses in Makhanda expect to suffer from the cancellation of live events.

Live performances at the National Arts Festival have been suspended after President Cyril Ramaphosa announced Level 4 lockdown on Sunday. Events were meant to start with the Festival on Thursday 8 July. It will now be entirely virtual.

National Arts Festival CEO Monica Newton said, "All our curated shows that are feasible for online [broadcast] are being recorded ... Those shows that are not a match for the online space will be delayed and presented live at a later stage."

She said, "The artists who were invited to present work by the Festival will still be paid and so will technicians and crew. The Standard Bank Jazz Festival will also be available online as part of the programme. Fringe artists, who present work independently and are not paid by the Festival, have been offered free filming by the National Arts Festival so that they are able to put their works online too. Many Fringe artists had created work specifically for online already."

"This has been a roller-coaster year for the arts ... The survival of the arts and the South African arts ecosystem is at stake," she said.

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Monika Gaybba, of Independent Property Consultants in Makhanda, said the suspension of live performances would impact local business. She said supporting the Festival digitally will keep the "the flame of creativity and innovation alive".

Alex Osei, of Extension 3, an informal trader who has had a stall at the festival, said, "It was really a hopeless dream to even think that live performances would happen as part of the Festival."

"I really feel for the artists and the venues who so desperately needed the boost of funding, as well as the peripheral business like the B&Bs, and the restaurants who so badly needed some income from tourism."

Nontsikelelo Ngandi, owner of Ntsiki Homestay in Phumlani, who rents out two single and two double bedrooms and provides breakfast, said so close to the festival opening, "things suddenly changed unexpectedly."

Linda Ngamlana, of Lindrish's B&B in Seymour Street and coordinator of Imbokodo Zase Makhanda Homestays, said, "Obviously it's bad news but everybody understands the facts of the escalation of Covid-19 figures. Saving lives is much more important than any other thing."
The Department of Water and Sanitation has urged communities in the Magareng Local Municipality to allow the process of the construction and upgrading of Magareng Water Treatment Plant to be completed.

Department spokesperson, Sputnik Ratau, said the department in the Northern Cape, in partnership with Magareng Local Municipality is currently implementing a R83 million water project in the Warrenton area.

The project commenced in April 2020 and was scheduled to be completed in June 2021.

However, due to community protests for various service delivery issues, including water shortages, the project has been delayed.

The project includes upgrading the capacity of the 9 Megalitres per day (9ML/day) water treatment plant to a 12ML/day capacity.

A new water reservoir is currently under construction as well as the installation of new flocculation channels and sedimentation tanks.

"The upgrade will improve water treatment and production processes to acceptable water quality standards in line with the South African National Standards (SANS241). The project will further reduce water losses from 33% to less than 10%, making available sufficient and sustainable water supply to the people of Magareng Local Municipality," Ratau said.

The community is urged to allow the construction of the Water Treatment Plant to be completed, as "this will address the issue of water shortages and provide the much needed bulk water supply to the community".
analysis

By tracing patterns of entrenched criminality, Caryn Dolley's new book, To the Wolves, attempts to show that gangsters are still working with the police, as they did during apartheid.

Caryn Dolley is an award-winning investigative journalist who has worked for the investigative journalism organisation amaBhungane as well as several print and online publications, including News24 and now Daily Maverick.

Dolley, who began her career covering crime and court cases, has reported extensively on the interconnection between crime, politics and law enforcement in South Africa.

Her new book, To the Wolves: How Traitor Cops Crafted South Africa's Underworld, had its official launch on Tuesday. Dolley discussed her book and how it came to be, in a webinar hosted by Daily Maverick associate editor Marianne Thamm.

To the Wolves is Dolley's second book; her first was The Enforcers: Inside Cape Town's Deadly Nightclub Battles, published in 2019.

In The Enforcers, Dolley explored club security - the "bouncer battles" - in the Western Cape and Gauteng. The book unpacked the connections between Cape Town's criminal underworld and nightclubs through the lens of suspects.

To the Wolves is a continuation of the same topic, but is framed through the...
Airport authorities explained grounds covered so far last Monday in Douala to the local organizing committee.

Preparations towards the upcoming African Cup of Nations 2021 is in top gear as the different stakeholders are putting hands on deck to ensure a hitch-free event. The event that will take place in Cameroon will run from 9 January to 6 February 2022. Against this backdrop, on Monday June 28, the local organization committee visited the Douala International Airport to assess the level of preparedness. The local organization committee, led by the Governor of the Littoral region, Samuel Dieudonne Ivaha Diboua, visited the departments and services which will be involved in the reception and departure of the different delegations during the competition. It was clear that the Douala International Airport will give priority to CAN teams and the different delegations throughout the competition.

On hand to receive the committee was the Director of the Douala International Airport, Jacob Mbargasso, who at each stop explained what has been done and what is left to be done. He was quick to add that all was on the right footing as far as preparation towards CAN was concerned. He reiterated that the different receptions and waiting rooms have received new equipment and proper arrangements, were on going to meet up with required standards. He added that some renovation works were still ongoing and will be completed well ahead of time.

On his part, the Director General of ADC (Aeroports du Cameroun), Thomas Owona Assoumou, took time off to explain some security measures put in place to ensure top safety before, during and after the competition. He said the airport has acquired new equipment to this effect while adding that strict Covid-19 barrier measures were well in place.
The delegation headed by Anne Ndjodo handed gifts to patients at the Mfou District Hospital yesterday June 29, 2021.

The Founding President of the Circle of Friends of Cameroon (CERAC), First Lady, Chantal Biya and the association's members, in words and actions have joined the international community in support for therapeutic education for children affected by Sickle Cell. This comes days after the world observed Sickle Cell Day on June 19, with the aim to raise awareness on the disease. The First Lady, also UNESCO's Goodwill Ambassador for Education and Social Inclusion, yesterday June 29, 2021 sent CERAC delegation with gifts to patients, particularly, children suffering from Sickle Cell at the Mfou District Hospital in the Mefou and Afamba Division of the Centre Region. Heading the delegation was Anne Ndjodo, one of the Vice Presidents of CERAC. She did not only come with various gifts, but also useful information to educate the population on the disease. The event took place in the presence of the Minister of Trade, Luc Malgoire Mbarga Atangana.

CERAC used the event to inform, educate and sensitise the general public and particularly families affected by Sickle cell. While reading the message from CERAC Founding President, the Secretary General of CERAC, Dr Veronique Nganou Djoumessi said it was important to communicate on the disease which is preventable. Through her voice, the First Lady called on young people who are planning to start a family to carry out the laboratory test, notably the blood test to check for the defective form of haemoglobin that underlies Sickle Cell Anaemia.

It was revealed that a man and a woman with the sickle cell status of AS risk having a sickle cell child, for a couple with an SS and AS status the risk of having a sickle cell child is still very much present and even higher when both partners have an SS status.

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To all future parents, CERAC had a message on moral conscience, love and duty. Besides the love that exists between a man and a woman, all couples need to undertake a responsible choice of knowing their sickle cell status for it is a useful precaution to avoid suffering, both for parents and their children. The population was told that prevention offers couples the chance to avoid certain illnesses. "It is the parents' choice to give life. But this choice has a corollary, which is the responsibility of parents to work for the health and education of their children. Let us not make a happy choice a misfortune", the First Lady's message revealed.

Different speakers took to the microphone to laud CERAC for their kind gesture. While thanking the CERAC delegation for their kind gesture, on behalf of the beneficiaries, Edmond Cyril Oudoua said actions carried out by CERAC, with the First Lady at the helm, personally involved in the fight against indifference, exclusion and suffering, the sick have found relief and see hope for a better future.

At the end of the event it was revealed that those with sickle cell must respect a particular lifestyle which comprises of: regular checkups with a doctor, follow treatment and medication as prescribed, practise healthy habits like drinking enough water and eating nutritious food amongst others.
press release

As Pride month draws to a close, the DA will be submitting a Private Members Bill (PMB) which will prohibit conversion therapy for minors - a dangerous practice focused on the LGBTQIA+ community that falsely claims to change sexual orientation for children.

This is in line with the resolution passed last year at the DA Federal Congress, which committed to endorse a bill that will make conversion therapy for LGBTQIA+ youth under the age of 18 illegal.

However, the current legislative framework under the Children's Act does not prohibit conversion therapy on children nor does it consider it an offence. The DA believes minors should not be subjected to this reprehensible practice, and that it should be banned in South Africa just as it is in countries like Canada and Brazil.

Section 9 of the Constitution provides that "the state may not unfairly discriminate directly or indirectly against anyone based on their gender or sexual orientation." It is in the interest of young people and children within the LGBTQIA+ community to be protected against conversion therapy.

The harmful effects of conversion therapy on mental and emotional health have been widely documented, with many mental health bodies around the world, agreeing that it is ineffective, dangerous and grossly unethical.

The SA Society of Psychiatrists have also stated "there is no scientific evidence that conversion therapy is effective in changing a person's sexual orientation. There is, however, evidence that this type of therapy can be destructive."

The DA is committed to challenging human rights violations which seeks to target the LGBTQIA+ community.

Our activism in this space cannot be limited to just the month of June, it is to endure throughout the year and we must find ways to tighten legislative loopholes and change cultures. We are committed to be part of the solution.

Local Government Elections are coming up in 2021! Visit check.da.org.za to check your voter registration status.
opinion

The Constitutional Court judgment that sentenced Jacob Zuma to 15 months of imprisonment was history in the making, and a significant step forward in rebuilding civil society's confidence that the rule of law is firmly on track in South Africa.

Some (but not many) have believed for years that, given our strong Constitution, if the rule of law was meaningfully applied in South Africa, Jacob Zuma would go to jail. That day has finally arrived and with it a resounding message about the strength and independence of our justice system.

Following years of Zuma's illusive appearances in court, many were moved by Acting Chief Justice Sisi Khampepe's words that flowed from the Constitutional Court judgment.

"Contempt of court proceedings exist to protect the rule of law and the authority of the judiciary.

"The vigour with which Mr Zuma is peddling his disdain of this court and the judicial process carries the further risk that he will inspire or incite others to similarly defy this court, the judicial process and the rule of law."

Today, the nation stands a little taller and somewhat prouder. Certainly, the nation is a lot more confident about the river of accountability that appears to be...
analysis

On Tuesday the rioting spread to the capital, Mbabane, where journalists said residents were fleeing the city, causing traffic jams.

The Eswatini government imposed a dusk to dawn curfew and closed schools on Tuesday as violent protests against the autocratic rule of King Mswati III swept across the country for the fourth day.

Security forces clamped down firmly, using live ammunition against protesters, killing one and injuring at least seven, according to activists and opposition politicians. This could not be confirmed.

The government has denied reports on social media that Mswati fled the country on Monday night to escape the violence, and journalists and other observers agreed it was very unlikely he would have left the kingdom.

On Tuesday the rioting spread to the capital, Mbabane, where journalists said residents were fleeing the city, causing traffic jams. A shop assistant in Mbabane told the Reuters news agency: "I can hear gunshots and smell teargas. I do not know how I will get home, there is nothing in the bus rank, there is a strong presence of riot police and the army."

A resident of the commercial capital, Manzini, said security forces flooded the city on Tuesday and most businesses had...
analysis

The Electoral Commission of South Africa postponed eight by-elections due to take place today, Wednesday 30 June, owing to the impact of Covid-19 and the new Level 4 rules.

By-elections scheduled for Wednesday, 30 June have been postponed, the Electoral Commission of South Africa has confirmed. The IEC feels they cannot be held in a free and fair manner due to the Level 4 regulations.

The IEC said the Electoral Court had allowed for a postponement of the eight by-elections, where the DA was due to defend five seats and the ANC three, in Western Cape, Northern Cape and Kwa-Zulu-Natal. The commission had initially approached the court on Monday, 28 June to ask for a postponement, following the ban on gatherings amid rising Covid-19 cases. Half of the by-elections are in the Western Cape, with two contests in the City of Cape Town and the rest in the West Coast District.

Read in Daily Maverick: Alcohol sales and public gatherings banned as South Africa moves to Level 4 lockdown

The prospect of "free and fair" by-elections in the affected wards could be impacted by the regulations, said IEC chief executive Sy Mamabolo when the commission announced it would seek a...
press release

The DA notes that the special Covid-19 social relief of distress (SRD) grant of R350 has not been extended and that only outstanding payments will be made.

That the Minister of Social Development, Lindiwe Zulu, could leave millions of vulnerable people who have come to depend on the grant to provide for their needs in the lurch just as President Cyril Ramaphosa announced two weeks of an adjusted Level 4 lockdown period, is shocking, but not surprising. And this during a period when many businesses are again forced to close their doors by a government that failed to prioritize a successful vaccine roll-out which enabled the rise of the third wave of infections, further decreasing the chances of finding work.

The DA has learned to expect such callousness from an ANC government that has repeatedly put their own interests and those of their cronies and the politically connected over the people of South Africa.

How many people could have been helped had Treasury not prioritised the bailout of SAA and other failing entities over the continuation of this grant, or if Covid-corruption from the government elite was not as rife as the Covid-19 virus itself?

The government has a responsibility to provide relief to the poor and unemployed during this time. The right thing to do would've been to extend the payment of the R350 SRD grant.

Local Government Elections are coming up in 2021! Visit check.da.org.za to check your voter registration status.
analysis

If we fail to halt discrimination now it will work its way through to younger age groups. Of course, there are costs, relatively small, involved with public education, moving away from monolingualism, and getting vaccines to the people or people to the vaccines. But, these are funds that would have to be found at some point if we are to reach anything close to 'herd immunity'.

The authors are at the University of Johannesburg. Kate Alexander holds the South African Research Chair in Social Change and Bongani Xezwi is a Researcher with the Centre for Social Change.

On 26 June, acting minister of health, Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane, expressed concern that "demand [for vaccination] from the 60+ age group is reducing exponentially." She added: "we understand that this manifestation is a combination of high vaccine hesitancy in this group and difficulty accessing the technology to register, as well as the vaccination centres."

At present, there is a huge disparity in levels of vaccination among poorer people and the middle classes, and we demonstrate that in order to raise the overall level of vaccination we must address this inequality. The challenge is principally one of delivery by the government rather than demand from...
analysis

'Can you hear me?': technical glitches plague the Zondo commission of inquiry into state capture as the much-anticipated cross-examination of Norma Mngoma jerks along.

The much-anticipated cross-examination of Nomachule 'Norma' Mngoma (Gigaba) by her former husband Malusi Gigaba's lawyer covered little or no terrain in an over two-hour grilling at the Zondo Commission on Tuesday evening.

Covid-19 lockdown has confined Zondo Commission participants to their computer screens and constant buffering, endless "can-you-hear-me?", "can you hear me now?" and "you are muted" interruptions bogged down proceedings from the start of the day.

Mngoma was due to be cross-examined by her husband's lawyer, Richard Solomon at 3pm but due to repeated earlier technological glitches during the cross-examination of Siyabonga Cwele, former Minister of State Security, from China, Mngoma had to wait till around 5pm.

It was Solomon's mission from the jerky start to demonstrate to the commission that Norma Mngoma was a "pathological liar" as her husband had submitted in response to her earlier explosive testimony.

Mngoma had previously testified that the Gupta family had paid for the couple's lavish wedding (between R4-million and R5-million), had bought her husband a car and had given him tog bags...
Nigerian Biafra Leader Nnamdi Kanu Brought Back to Face Trial

Nigeria's Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, has said that the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, has been re-arrested and brought back to Nigeria to face his trial. Kanu went missing when he failed to appear in court in 2015 and then fled the country in 2017 while on bail. Officials did not disclose where he was apprehended.

Kanu was initially arrested in 2015 on 11 counts including terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms, and improper importation of goods, among others, Malami said. The Nigerian government obtained a court order on September 20, 2017, to designate IPOB as a terrorist group. Kanu has said that he fled the country to save his life.
Zuma Ruling a Tectonic Shift for South African Ruling Party?

A Constitutional Court ruling which found former president Jacob Zuma guilty of contempt of court has sent shockwaves through the African National Congress.

The ruling party called on its supporters to remain calm, noting the event as a "difficult" moment. This comes after Umkhonto weSizwe Military Veterans Association (MKMVA) spokesperson, Carl Niehaus called on people to protest and "not allow President Jacob Zuma to be arrested and imprisoned". The MKMVA further iterated that it was "outraged by the entirely unjustifiable and unjust" sentence handed down to Zuma and alleged that the law was being abused for factional political reasons.

Meanwhile, Amnesty International's executive director, Shenilla Mohamed, said in a statement: "The judgment handed down by the Constitutional Court in the contempt of court matter is an important development for the rule of law. It is a reminder that no one is above the law, no matter who they are or their social or political status." The Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture also welcomed the judgment in a statement that read: "The Commission views the judgment as one of great importance for the rule of law, the principle of equality before the law, the primacy of our Constitution and the protection of our constitutional democracy."
Attacks On Chiefs Show Cameroon Anglophone Crisis Far From Over

On February 13, 2021 an armed group stormed the town of Lebialem in southwest Cameroon, dragged three traditional chiefs from their homes, and shot them dead. The attack was quickly attributed to secessionists calling for an independent state of Ambazonia led by a man, nicknamed Field Marshall.



Most of the violence against chiefs has been carried out by secessionists, but they have also been victims of government abuse. With a few exceptions, separatists have tended to target local chiefs with kidnappings. Those who have lost their lives in captivity are understood to have died of shock rather than execution. That all changed, however when the group known as the Red Dragons abducted and killed the three chiefs in Lebialem. It is suspected that the separatists targeted them for allegedly opposing the ongoing school boycott and refusing to pay them. These killings demonstrate that the Anglophone crisis continues to escalate - despite government claims that is beginning to come to an end, write R. Maxwell Bone and Akem Kelvin Nkwain for African Arguments.
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YEREVAN, JUNE 30, ARMENPRESS. A group of US Senators have addressed a letter to the Senate Appropriations Committee, requesting to finance several demining programs, Voice of America reports.

More than 30 US Senators ask to provide 2 million dollars for demining works in Nagorno Karabakh.

The letter states that the recent conflict in Nagorno Karabakh resulted in enormous levels of contamination by cluster munitions, rockets, and other explosive ordnance. These hazards are still present near homes, and litter farms and streets  presenting a grave humanitarian risk. Further, the removal of explosives is critical to continuing to rebuild infrastructure decimated during the conflict. U.S. funding for demining in Nagorno Karabakh ended in March 2020 and no funding is currently planned. An allocation of $2 million in FY22 will allow ordnance removal efforts activities to scale up and ensure families can return to their livelihoods without fear of explosive threats.

Continued U.S. leadership in demining will promote effective and efficient programs that save lives, promote economic development, facilitate stability, and expand American influence, the letter reads.
YEREVAN, JUNE 30, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian National Interests Fund (ANIF) CJSC was established in 2019 in order to attract foreign investments, boost export and co-finance investments in large-scale projects. Despite operating for not a very long period of time and difficult working environment, ANIF has already implemented several investment projects in different sectors of the economy of strategic significance.

ANIF CEO David Papazian gave an interview to ARMENPRESS, talking about the goal and mission of the Fund, the programs implemented and the future plans.

-Mr. Papazian, tell us about how you joined ANIF. What is the mission of the Fund?

-Since 2018 we have had an important task of strengthening and revitalizing Armenias investment climate, and in some cases, of building some aspects from scratch.

Before the Fund was established, there was no interim structure that would act based on national interests and would at the same time stand by the business. Accordingly, ANIF was established for this purpose at the initiative of deputy prime minister Tigran Avinyan.

In fact, the mission and activity vision of the Fund are quite simple: attracting foreign investments and managing the portfolio of assets of strategic importance in Armenia.

-Lets talk about the Anti-Crisis Fund.

-The Anti-Crisis Fund was created about a year ago. We were able to make investments starting from last November.

We co-finance both new and existing projects, as well as assist in attracting additional funding from commercial banks and international financial organizations. The final goal is to help the business reach a new and improved level of activity.

The final decision to approve deal is made by the Funds investment committee, which includes a list of international experts that have extensive experience in investment and entrepreneurship.

-How would you describe the difference between the Fund and lending institutions?

-There is some misunderstanding in the current business environment, when it comes to adapting to this new culture of investment funds, given that working with investment funds is not widespread in our country. Cooperating with the Fund would imply investing in the capital of jointly-created company, which would lead to the companys growth and expansion and, in turn, increase profitability. In other words, ANIF becomes a new member of the business family thus contributing to its expansion, development and continuous growth.

-Which sectors was ANIF involved in? Could you please mention several successful programs?

-We are interested in investing in all economic sectors, but focus on areas of strategic importance as set by the Armenian government.

We consider investment projects in the energy, mining, agriculture, logistics, infrastructure, financial services, healthcare, IT, manufacturing and tourism sectors. We have a world class board of directors, and before considering our cooperation with a partner in a project we make sure to examine each deal, conduct thorough analysis, and implement a long process of need and risks assessments, after which the proposal is submitted for discussion to the investment committee. When considering our cooperation with a business, we take into account several important factors  the experience and reputation of the private partner, the potential of increasing the benchmark in a given sector, financial projections.

We have recorded very good results in the past two years. We already have a successful cooperation experience with one of the leading energy companies of the world. The first big investment project is the AYG-1 solar photovoltaic power station construction program (200 MWt), and the winner is UAE-based Masdar company. The investment project size is USD 174 million.

In the long-run, we also plan to make investments abroad, which aims at increasing Armenias share of capital in major international companies through ANIF, and which would also position Armenia as a developing and reliable investor.

-We are aware that you have a new program that aims to promote the export potential for Armenian companies. Could you please provide more details on this project?

-Today, ANIF has an important mission of promoting Armenian production and recognition internationally. In this context, ANIF is excited to be involved in developing export development programs. In order to expand the export potential of Armenian entrepreneurs and increase the consumer market, ANIF is organizing a workshop with the participation of international experts. This workshop would allow Armenian entrepreneurs to have the opportunity to discover the advantages of their products and services in the market, to get to know their potential customers and to get acquainted with the secrets behind effective relationship management, which would help them gain knowledge on sales expansion and on modern marketing tools and approaches.

The workshop will be conducted by business development experts Michael Ruckman and Alexey Veretenov. For the past 25 years, Michael has worked as a consultant to banks, retailers, technology companies, telecoms, and even governments in more than 30 countries. Alexey Veretenov has worked in about 60 companies and participated in more than 100 business projects. Alexey has successfully designed and implemented projects in retail and corporate strategy, business transformation management, products and pricing systems, and corporate culture development, digital and physical channels, customer-oriented analytics, and CRM systems.

We think that this workshop is a great opportunity for our local producers and enterprises to exchange experience, as well as to gain new knowledge and skills.

Full version of the interview is available in Armenian.
YEREVAN, JUNE 30, ARMENPRESS. The Parliament of Armenia convened an extraordinary session on June 30 at the initiative of MPs.

18 issues are on the agenda.

The lawmakers will debate and vote on the bill on approving the 2020 state budget performance annual report.

The Parliament will also debate a number of other bills at second hearing.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
YEREVAN, JUNE 30, ARMENPRESS. Member of Parliament of Armenia Naira Zohrabyan proposed the political forces represented in the Parliament to address the international organizations in a joint statement, urging to impose concrete sanctions on Azerbaijan for not returning the Armenian prisoners of war.

During todays extraordinary session in the Parliament, MP Zohrabyan said she had a private talk with the head of the Azerbaijani delegation to PACE in Strasbourg, stating that Azerbaijans position remains intolerable. The position of Azerbaijan continues to be intolerable. Azerbaijan continues not accepting that the captured persons are prisoners of war. And we see that the trial of our POWs continues in the Azerbaijani court, who have been pressed with the heaviest charges by the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, the lawmaker said.

She said the head of the Azerbaijani delegation has stated that a discussion with the Armenian side over the return of captured persons can take place only when Armenia recognizes Azerbaijans territorial integrity together with the occupied territories of Artsakh.

Concrete sanctions must be imposed on Azerbaijan. I propose this Parliament, I have personally applied to the international organizations, but applying by the parliament would be much more influential, to call on applying concrete sanctions against Azerbaijan. For instance, the power of the Azerbaijani delegation at the Council of Europe must be suspended, Naira Zohrabyan said.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
YEREVAN, JUNE 30, ARMENPRESS. On June 29, Consul General of Armenia in Los Angeles, Ambassador Armen Baibourtian held a virtual meeting with the Los Angeles City Council President Nury Martinez, the Consulate General of Armenia in Los Angeles reports.

Ambassador Baibourtian expressed his gratitude to Nury Martinez for her constructive stance and continuous support to all Armenian resolutions. The Consul General also expressed his appreciation for the support of the resolutions adopted by the Los Angeles City Council in 2020 in relation to Armenia and Artsakh during the 44-day war. Furthermore, he also thanked for the impactful press conference that took place in front of the Los Angeles City Hall organized upon the initiative of LA City Councilmember Paul Krekorian, calling to end the aggression against Artsakh.

Council President Nury Martinez, in her turn, expressed willingness to continue her contributions and support for the various issues of the Armenian agenda. The interlocutors also discussed plans for several joint projects.

Nury Martiez has unanimously been chosen to become the President of the Los Angeles City Council in December 2019, having previously served as President pro tempore. She has been a member of the City Council since 2013 and represents the 6th District, which includes the Armenian populated North Hollywood, Van Nuys, Sun Valley as well as Panorama City, Lake Balboa, and North Hills.
YEREVAN, JUNE 30, ARMENPRESS. The general atmosphere in the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) is directed to the issues concerning Armenia, in particular the issue of the return of Armenian captives from Azerbaijan and Azerbaijans recent incursion into Armenias territory, Member of the Armenian delegation at PACE, MP Hovhannes Igityan said during a press conference.

All rapporteurs and representatives of almost all PACE member states believe that its impossible to move forward without the return of captives. When we talk about forming an atmosphere of trust, its clear that this is impossible without the return of captives, the lawmaker said.

The MP noted that Azerbaijans recent incursion into Armenias territory has also been discussed at PACE, during which parallels were drawn with Turkeys militaristic operations in the Mediterranean Sea.

What Azerbaijan does? Firstly, in infiltrates into Armenias territory and then says lets negotiate. We, together with our colleagues, have raised the issue that any negotiation is impossible when military forces are present, the lawmaker said.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan
YEREVAN, JUNE 30, ARMENPRESS. Sergei Kopyrkin, Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Armenia, and Mihaela Stojkoska, UNDP Resident Representative a.i. in Armenia, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to launch a project to support the most vulnerable communities and groups in Armenia, including the displaced people, particularly targeting the bordering regions of Syunik, Gegharkunik and Vayots Dzor. The project worth USD 3.2 million is funded by the Government of the Russian Federation and implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Armenia.

In line with the Armenian governments agenda to fight poverty through inclusive growth, entrepreneurship and job creation, the project targets to build sustainable emergency livelihoods for the vulnerable, including the displaced people and veterans, in the regions of Armenia; support their socio-economic integration through various job creation mechanisms, and maximize the benefits of socio-economic recovery for the host communities and the vulnerable groups through sustainable green energy solutions.

One of the main goals of the project launched today is to contribute to the ability of the Armenian society to overcome post-conflict stress, regain confidence and strength to move forward  to what we, as the key strategic ally attach great significance. This initiative is another step in Russias consistent and systematic support of the comprehensive socioeconomic development of Armenia carried out via bilateral and international mechanisms, said Sergei Kopyrkin.

UNDP in Armenia, with generous financial support of the Russian Federation, will not only cover the immediate needs of the vulnerable communities and groups in Armenia, such as support to livelihoods, housing, jobs, energy and other issues, but also provide sustainable solutions that go beyond the humanitarian assistance and embrace development path, benefitting also the host communities and easing the burden of the Government of Armenia, said Mihaela Stojkoska.

UNDP and the Russian Federation have a track-record of successful partnership in areas of sustainable development, rural tourism, climate change, energy and environment. The current two-year project will be implemented in close collaboration with the RA Ministry of Territorial Administration and Infrastructure.
YEREVAN, JUNE 30, ARMENPRESS. The International and Comparative Law Center (ICLaw) in partnership with the Armenian Legal Center for Justice and Human Rights (ALC) has filed seven new cases to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) requesting to apply interim measures for Armenian prisoners of war taken captive by Azerbaijan in violation of international humanitarian law and the 2020 November 9 trilateral ceasefire statement, the Armenian Weekly reports.

Azerbaijans continued failure to acknowledge the existence of all Armenian POWs is an outrage and yet another example of its depraved indifference to human life, stated ALC chairperson Kenneth Hachikian. It is time for the international community to stop emboldening dictator Aliyev and demand that Azerbaijan comply with its obligations under the 1949 Geneva Conventions.

Having gathered strong direct evidence of identity and continued captivity, ICLaws application for interim measures represents the first step in forcing Azerbaijan to acknowledge the captive existence of these Armenians and ensuring that they have access to international humanitarian organizations while in captivity, including visits by the International Committee for the Red Cross.

As a result of the partnership of two companies based in Yerevan and Washingon, cases of nearly 100 Armenian POWs have been filed to the ECHR. Recently, ICLaw, with the support of ALC, gathered information on 90 additional POWs held by Azerbaijan. The companies will continue to pursue both the freedom and the right to life of all Armenian POWs.
YEREVAN, JUNE 30, ARMENPRESS. Ombudsman of Artsakh Gegham Stepanyan has made a statement over the information terrorism made by Azerbaijan against the people of Artsakh.

The statement reads:

Azerbaijan continues its aggression against the people of Artsakh, exerting psychological pressure on the Artsakh residents through information terrorism. The goal is one: to evict the Armenians from Artsakh by spreading fear, despair and psychological depression among the people of Artsakh.

If before our residents were called and offered to sell shops and apartments, now the "Khankendi / Stepanakert" page has been activated on the Facebook social network, which clearly carries out the orders of the Azerbaijani propaganda. In the last post, the self-proclaimed deputy elected from Stepakert presents the contacts of his non-existent office, as if expecting that the residents of Artsakh will apply to him. This is another manipulation of the Azerbaijani authorities and a double game to appear in front of the international community in the guise of a peace-loving country, and to feed its own society inside the country with Armenophobia.

The content of the page clearly shows that it is coordinated by the state bodies of Azerbaijan and aims to put psychological pressure on the people of Artsakh through information terror, and the comments under the page posts are full of Armenophobia and hate speech against Armenians.

The national security bodies must take the necessary technical measures to silence the spread of the page among our population and to ensure the psychological immunity of our population.

I draw the attention of international organizations to this issue: this is a psychological terrorism carried out by Azerbaijan, a component of a systematic policy of ethnic cleansing against the Armenians of Artsakh.

Dear compatriots, do not give in to Azerbaijani manipulations, do not like the page, as a result of which you will constantly receive misleading information containing deception spread on that page.
YEREVAN, JUNE 30, ARMENPRESS. Caretaker Prime Minister of Armenia Nikol Pashinyan received U.S. Ambassador to Armenia Lynne Tracy.

As ARMENPRESS was informed from the Office of the Prime Minister, Nikol Pashinyan noted that Armenia enters a new phase after the early parliamentary elections, where the high assessments of the international community, including the USA, over the good organization of elections and recorded results are very important. Nikol Pashinyan particularly highlighted the reaction of U.S. President Joe Biden over the elections and the future directions of the U.S.-Armenia cooperation. Nikol Pashinyan noted that one of the results of the bilateral cooperation will be visible in a few days, when the new patrol service will start operation in Armenia. I hope we will continue our cooperation at higher volumes, Pashinyan said, highlighting bilateral partnership in the implementation of reforms in various directions.

Nikol Pashinyan particularly highlighted the role of the USA as an OSCE Minsk Group Co-chair country and highlighted the activities of the format in the comprehensive settlement of Nagorno Karabakh conflict. The caretaker Prime Minister noted that Armenia views the Minsk Group Co-chairs format not only as a mediator in NK talks, but an important factor for preserving regional security. According to Pashinyan, currently there is a situation when Azerbaijan continues its aggressive policy, and Armenia highlights not only the role of the Co-chairs, but also that of the USA for managing that situation.

Ambassador Lynne Tracy noted that the U.S. Administration will continue close cooperation with the Government of Armenia for fostering its reform agenda.

The Ambassador also noted the US administration's commitment to the activities within the framework of the OSCE Minsk Group aimed at the restoration of the negotiation format and a comprehensive settlement of the issue.

Nikol Pashinyan emphasized that fight against corruption remains a priority for the Government of Armenia. Pashinyan also mentioned the judicial reforms as a priority and expressed confidence that it will be really independent.

Nikol Pashinyan and Lynne Tracy also referred to the situation on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. The caretaker Prime Minister noted that the situation has only one solution, which is that the representatives of the Azerbaijani armed forces return to their initiate positions and reminded that he had made a proposal for the solution of the issue.

Pashinyan highly assessed the role of the USA in returning the Armenian POWs from Azerbaijan and added that Armenia is ready to respond to humanitarian steps with appropriate steps.
YEREVAN, JUNE 30, ARMENPRESS. During the online meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (BSEC) member states Armenia assumed two-year coordination of the BSEC Working Group on Energy, ARMENPRESS was informed from the press service of the MFA Armenia.

The delegation led by head of the Department of Multilateral Policy and Development Cooperation Arman Khachatryan represented the Armenian side during the online meeting.

In his speech Arman Khachatryan referred to the aggression of Azerbaijan against Artsakh with the direct involvement of Turkey and foreign terrorists under the conditions of global pandemic and the consequences of the aggression. He presented to the participants of the meeting the overt violations of the trilateral November 9 statement by Azerbaijan, adding that the aggressive and provocative behavior of Azerbaijan continues to jeopardize regional peace and stability. He emphasized that Azerbaijan continues to create obstacles for the international efforts aimed at the elimination of the humanitarian consequences of the war.

The Armenian side also emphasized the inadmissibility of unilateral coercive measures and blockade, which hampers the regional economic cooperation and facilitation of trade, which are the main goals of the BSEC.

Georgia assumed the chairmanship of the BSEC.
The European leading robotics and autonomous systems developer and system integrator Milrem Robotics demonstrates its THeMIS Combat Support tracked unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) with partners Glenair and FN Herstal at the SOFINS Special Operations Forces Network Seminar and Exhibition that takes place near Bordeaux, France, from June 29 until July 1st.



MILREM Themis tracked unmanned ground vehicle fitted with FN Herstal remotely operated weapon station at SOFINS 2021. (Picture source Army Recognition)

The THeMIS Combat Support is an unmanned ground vehicle that can be easily integrated with several third-party technologies, one being the deFNder Light remote weapon system by FN Herstal. The deFNder Light is the lightweight remote weapon station of FN Herstal RWS family. It can integrate all FN Herstal machine guns up to 7.62mm calibre and is capable of extreme elevation and depression angles of operation.

The main purpose of the THeMIS Combat Support is to assist defence forces, especially special forces and special intervention police units in high threat, riot control and counter-terrorist urban environment scenarios. This system includes a stretcher for CASEVAC and enough room to store a squad's gear or extra equipment and weapons.

Milrem Robotics' research and development director, the former member of Estonian Defence Forces, Juri Pajuste explained that the THeMIS could have been used in Afghanistan.

"Because Afghanistan's battlefield was very canalized and we could not take our armour with us, everything a soldier could carry was what we went to battle with. Such a vehicle, even without a weapon system, would add a lot of operating distance, operating time and firepower," explained Milrem Robotics research and development director.

The THeMIS Combat Support can be easily integrated into a Battle Management System together with other aerial and ground unmanned and manned technology to provide commanders with a simple operational interface, enhanced situational awareness and direct and indirect fire support.

This capability will be demonstrated at Sofins together with Glenair and FN Herstal.

The THeMIS UGV has proven itself in Mali during the French lead counter-terrorism operation Barkhane where it was deployed for 12 months. During the deployment, the THeMIS traversed 1200 km in one of the world's harshest terrains of lava rock soil and climates climbing to 50 degrees Celsius in the shade. The UGV was operational for over 330 hours.
Brazilian federal prosecutors have opened an investigation into the deal, citing comparatively high prices and pending regulatory approvals

The deal to buy 20 million doses of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin shot has become a headache for Bolsonaro after whistleblowers went public with alleged irregularities. (AFP)

Rio De Janeiro: Brazil will suspend a $324 million Indian COVID-19 vaccine contract that has mired President Jair Bolsonaro in accusations of irregularities, the health minister said on Tuesday, following the guidance of the federal comptroller, the CGU.

The deal to buy 20 million doses of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin shot has become a headache for Bolsonaro after whistleblowers went public with alleged irregularities. One Health Ministry official said he alerted the president about his concerns.

Bolsonaro, whose popularity has faded as Brazil's COVID-19 death toll climbed past 500,000, has denied any wrongdoing, saying on Monday he was not aware of any irregularities. But thorny questions refuse to go away, and may pose problems for him ahead of next year's presidential vote.

Brazil Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga said at a news conference his team would probe the allegations during the suspension.

"According to the preliminary analysis of the CGU, there are no irregularities in the contract but, for compliance, the Health Ministry chose to suspend the contract," the ministry said in a statement.

Earlier on Thursday, CNN Brasil reported that the ministry had decided to cancel the contract.

Brazilian federal prosecutors have opened an investigation into the deal, citing comparatively high prices, quick talks and pending regulatory approvals as red flags. It is also being probed by a Senate panel investigating the government's handling of the pandemic.

One of the leading opposition senators on that panel filed a formal criminal complaint against Bolsonaro at the Supreme Court on Monday. Senator Randolfe Rodrigues said he wanted the court to investigate "the serious allegations" and to find out why Bolsonaro "did not take any action after being notified of the existence of a giant corruption scheme in the Health Ministry."

Meanwhile, issuing clarification on COVAXIN pricing controversy in Brazil, Bharat Biotech on Tuesday said it followed a step-by-step regulatory approval process during the eight-month period, but the company has neither received any advance payments nor supplied any vaccines to Brazil's Ministry of Health (MOH) as of now.

"In the specific case of procurement of COVAXIN by MOH Brazil, since the first meetings with MOH Brazil during Nov 2020, until June 29, 2021, a step by step approach has been followed towards contracts, and regulatory approvals, during this eight-month-long process. Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) received on June 4. As of June 29, Bharat Biotech has not received any advance payments nor supplied any vaccines to MOH Brazil. Bharat Biotech has followed a similar approach towards contracts, regulatory approvals and supplies in several countries worldwide, where COVAXIN is being supplied successfully," the company statement said.

The Hyderabad-based company clarified that the pricing of COVAXIN has been clearly established between USD 15 to USD 20 per dose for supplies to governments outside India.

"The pricing for Brazil has also been indicated at USD 15 per dose. Bharat Biotech has received advance payments from several other countries at the above price points, with supplies in process, pending approvals," it adds.

As per Bharat biotech, Precisa Medicamentos is a partner in Brazil, providing assistance, guidance and support with regulatory submissions, licensure, distribution, insurance, the conduct of phase III clinical trials, among other things and the Hyderabad-based vaccine maker follows a similar partnership model in all countries, where its vaccines are supplied, as it does not have its own offices in these countries.

The company also revealed that they are conducting a 5,000 subject phase III clinical trial in Brazil, which was recently approved by ANVISA. The trial will be conducted by the Albert Einstein Institute.

"Bharat Biotech and Precisa Medicamentos are conducting a 5000 subject phase III clinical trial in Brazil, which was recently approved by ANVISA. The trial will be conducted by the Albert Einstein Institute," the statement reads.

However, as per the company, COVAXIN has now received Emergency Use Authorizations in 16 countries including, Brazil, India, the Philippines, Iran, Mexico, among others and the company is in process of getting EUAs in 50 other countries worldwide.

"Bharat Biotech is in discussions with WHO to obtain Emergency Use Listing for COVAXIN. The product has been exported to several countries, with additional requests for supplies being received," the company said.
A man stands by fans spraying water vapour deployed by donors to cool down pedestrians in Iraqs capital Baghdad (AFP via Getty Images)

Provinces across Iraqs south have halted work amid scorching temperatures and rolling blackouts after Iran halted a crucial supply of power, pushing the countrys energy crisis to breaking point.

Iraqs electricity minister Majed Mahdi Hantoosh submitted his resignation this week as temperatures soared to 50C in southern districts such as Basra where protests have erupted against the crippling shortages.

It came as cash-strapped Iran, whose gas and electricity supplies often meet as much as a third of Iraqs power demands, drastically curtailed the exports to its neighbour, probably in an attempt to pile pressure on the government for outstanding payments.

Iraq owes Iran billions for gas and electricity. Meanwhile, Iran is suffering its own energy shortages and cuts.

The Iraqi government is in a very bad situation, because of the corruption and random planning and the continued dependence on Iran for its power output

Ayad Khalaf, Al-karkh Distribution Company

An official at Iraqs electricity ministry told The Independent there were as many as 18 hours of power cuts a day on average, impacting homes, hospitals and businesses.

He said there are pre-existing problems but the loss of the input from Iran makes the crisis significantly worse.

The Iraqi government is in a very bad situation, because of the corruption and random planning and the continued dependence on Iran for its power output, Ayad Khalaf, from southern Al-karkh Distribution Company, told The Independent.

The resignation of the minister is not the solution, he added .

Outputs from four cross-border electricity lines from Iran to Iraq were at zero on Tuesday, according to Ministry of Electricity data seen by The Associated Press. The total cuts began this week, a ministry official told the US news agency.

Gas imports from Iran range from 1.5 to 1.8 billion cubic feet per day, Yesar al-Maleki, Gulf analyst at the Middle East Economic Survey said.

Now, we see generation in the south collapsing below 1 (gigawatt), meaning not just these lines are offline but even gas flow is down.

Story continues

Iran feeds gas into Iraq through two pipelines used to power plants in the southern provinces of Basra, Samawa, Nasiryah and Diyala. Generation from these plants has plummeted, suggesting supply from Iran to these plants is also low.

The impact has been immediate.

In Basra, the province requires 4,000 megawatts during the summer but is currently receiving 830, according to AP.

Across federal Iraq, electricity demand goes up to 20,000-30,000 megawatts during summer but this week was only receiving around 12,500 megawatts, Sajad Jiyad of The Century Foundation told The Independent.

Weve never met demand, we have always had blackouts and generators but now it is very severe, says the Iraqi analyst, adding that most places have only four or five hours a day of power from the national grid.

It is the beginning of a summer of discontent that harks back to 2018. I think well have more protests kick off very soon especially if we have another Covid-19 lockdown. If people are stuck at home with no power it will only lead to more anger.

In Basra, residents told The Independent there was no power in areas at all and tensions were simmering.

Most families are relying on private generators if they can afford it, one journalist told The Independent.

An activist who also declined to be named fearing backlash from the state, said: We have protested and protested but no one is listening.

As a precaution several of the worst-hit provinces such as Najaf, Diwanieh and Diyala shortened working hours so they operate from 8am to noon to help citizens cope with rising temperatures. Basra has done the same and local residents told The Independent the governor also announced an official holiday on Wednesday and Thursday due to the heat.

There are concerns that if the crippling shortages continue there will be a repeat of the wave of unrest seen in 2018 which resulted in the resignation of the then government. Those protests also coincided with Iranian power cuts over non-payment issues.

Due to US sanctions, Iraq is unable to directly pay Iran for the imports. Instead, there is a scheme whereby Iraq pays for goods, medicines and other expenses for Tehrans diplomatic mission and Iranian companies working in Iraq. For example, Iraq recently paid for vaccines.

However, Iran has complained that these payments are not happening quickly enough.

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Alice Springs has become the latest city to be thrust into lockdown after a miner who tested positive for Covid-19 spent several hours in the airport there.

The worker left Newmont's Granites Mine on Friday and spent seven hours at Alice Springs airport before flying to South Australia.

In announcing the decision to extend the NT's lockdown restrictions to Alice Springs, chief minister Michael Gunner said: "Like all our other decision we will not take a punt on this.

"We will operate on the assumption that he has Covid-19, and we will operate on the assumption he was infectious while in the Territory."

The lockdown will last for 72 hours from 1pm on Wednesday.

The direction applies to everyone inside the Alice Springs town council boundary, including hundreds of vulnerable Indigenous Australians who live in town camps.

Alice Springs will undergo a snap 72-hour lockdown. Source: Getty (file)

"We are still in a dangerous period, The territory is still under threat," Mr Gunner said.

Alice Springs joins cities in NSW, Queensland, West Australia and the Darwin area in lockdown.

More than 12 million Australians are in lockdown conditions, while millions more around the country are facing looser restrictions and mask mandates.

South Australia avoids lockdown despite new cases

Adelaide has recorded five new Covid-19 cases linked to a miner who returned from the Northern Territory and tested positive.

Despite speculation in the media on Wednesday morning, the state is not going into lockdown, premier Steven Marshall told reporters.

"While this is a very concerning turn of events, we are very relieved this person and this family have been at home since Saturday," Mr Marshall said.

The cases are not considered to be locally acquired and authorites are optimistic spread has not occurred in the community.

The family has been transferred to Adelaide's dedicated facility for positive coronavirus cases.

The other 28 miners who returned from the same NT mine have also been in isolation since arriving in South Australia.

Story continues

South Australia is restricting home visits to a maximum of 10 people and urging people to wear masks in public.

Western Australia also recorded a new case of coronavirus on Wednesday.

with AAP

Do you have a story tip? Email: newsroomau@yahoonews.com.

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Uncertainty about if and when "Ponzi scheme mastermind" Melissa Caddick died is complicating scammed investors' attempts to recoup lost funds.

The self-styled financial adviser went missing in November 2020 hours after the corporate regulator raided the then-49-year-old's home in Sydney coastal suburb Dover Heights.

The Federal Court has since been told she swindled more than $30 million in funds over eight years, leaving investors a shortfall as high as $23.7 million.

Corporate regulator ASIC has sought orders that would have an insolvency practitioner take over Ms Caddick's estate and begin the work of calculating the partial returns available to investors and other creditors.

Doing so would lead to efficiencies and "obviate or at least reduce the need for full-blown" litigations, Farid Assaf SC said on Wednesday.

Ms Caddick's family seeking particular pieces of property would have a forum to make a claim while sparing investors "who have already been through enough" the expense and the stress of more court proceedings.

But besides a March 17 email from a police officer suggesting a coroner may direct an inquest, Nicholas Bender said uncertainty remained about the "elephant in the room" - whether Ms Caddick was in fact dead.

Mr Bender, appointed as a contradictor to make submissions in her absence, said the Federal Court needed to wait for a coroner to make a finding about Ms Caddick's death.

Creditors would then be able to make claims against her estate.

"The other potential scenario is the first defendant may still be alive," he said.

Were that the case, the court was effectively trying her in her absence for unlawfully operating without an Australian financial services licence without any proof she was aware of the proceedings, he said.

Mr Bender urged Justice Brigitte Markovic not take the step of causing Ms Caddick's assets to be sold "at this time" in light of the "unusual circumstances" in the case and his alternate plan.

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That plan involved liquidating Maliver, a company ASIC alleges Ms Caddick used to "disguise the fraudulent Ponzi scheme of which she was the mastermind".

The liquidators could set about assessing creditors' claims, including those against Ms Caddick for her alleged misappropriation of investors' funds destined for the company.

Mr Bender also suggested Ms Caddick's estate may not be bankrupted given the only known creditors were the tax office ($130,000) and issuers of two credit cards.

Judge Markovic had expressed concern about an ASIC plan to effectively pool Ms Caddick's and Maliver's assets to speed up claims.

Jumping over regular steps to make the process simpler could result in more complexity and unravelling, should competing claims eventuate down the track, she said.

Ms Caddick is accused of portraying herself as a wealthy businesswoman with a "prowess in creating wealth".

Using hundreds of pages of faked documents, she convinced trusting family, friends and acquaintances to hand over retirement and investment funds.

In reality, she used investors' funds to buy real estate, motor vehicles, artworks and jewellery, Mr Assaf has said.

She returned $8.5 million - including nearly all of one couple's $900,000 investment.

But one man, who'd known Ms Caddick since he was a child and trusted her with $1.3 million for retirement and investment purposes, wasn't so fortunate.

"He's received nothing," Mr Assaf said.

Mr Assaf said it was plain that Ms Caddick, through Maliver, perpetrated "quite an elaborate fraud"

The only part of Ms Caddick found since her disappearance was her partial, decomposing foot.

It washed up in a running shoe on a beach about 400km south of Sydney in February 2021.

The hearing continues on Thursday.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has taken aim at the prime minister's Monday night call to endorse the AstraZeneca vaccine for under 40s, urging Queenslanders not to listen to him.

Speaking to reporters on Wednesday morning as the state recorded three new cases, Annastacia Palaszczuk said the National Cabinet was not consulted on the move.

"There has been no national cabinet decision about providing AstraZeneca to the under 40s. Let me say that again  there's been no national cabinet decision about providing AstraZeneca to the under 40s," she said.

Id like to ask the prime minister did his Cabinet make the decision?

Queensland has slammed the Prime Minister, urging Queenslanders to ignore him. Source: Getty

In an unusually pointed press conference, Ms Palaszczuk noted the advice in the UK which also recommended an alternative vaccine for those under 40, and implored Queenslanders to ignore the latest change in rhetoric from Scott Morrison.

"I urge Queenslanders to listen to Dr Young, and follow the advice of our chief health officer. Also, we follow the medical advice and the medical advice is very clear," she said.

It comes as the Australian Medical Association refused to endorse the move by the prime minister and criticised the lack of consultation as GPs were not given warning of the change in the Commonwealth position this week.

On Wednesday AMA president Dr Omar Khorshid criticised the federal government's "mixed messaging" on the vaccine rollout.

"I think Australians don't know which way is up when it comes to the national vaccine program," he told the ABC.

"AMA recommends Australians follow the expert ATAGI advice [the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation] and have the recommended vaccine when it's available," the national body says.

PM's call 'puts Queenslanders at risk': Deputy Premier

Queensland authorites lined up to criticise the federal government's sluggish vaccine rollout on Wednesday, saying their requests for additional Pfizer vaccine were denied.

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"We don't know if that's the end of it," the state's health minister Yvette D'Ath complained.

Deputy premier Steven Miles said the Queensland government will only administer vaccines to people that are recommended to them.

"For the prime minister to attempt to overrule the medical advice and provide a vaccine that is not recommended for people under 60 puts Queenslanders at risk," he said.

The state's chief health officer Dr Jeannette Young then took her turn to refute Mr Morrison's Monday night decision.

"We are not in a position that I need to ask young, fit, healthy people to put their health on the line getting a vaccine that could potentially significantly harm them," she said.

"I don't want an 18-year-old in Queensland dying from a clotting illness, who if they got Covid, probably wouldn't die."

Australia's Prime Minister Scott Morrison has come under fire for appearing to make a captain's call without informing GPs or state health leaders. Source: Getty

Contact tracers on top of Queensland Covid outbreak

Queensland recorded three new locally acquired cases of Covid-19 as parts of the state entered their first day of a snap lockdown.

All three are close contacts of existing cases.

"We are considering these as low risks," Ms Palaszczuk said, saying health authorites were confident the three-day lockdown would serve its purpose.

One is the brother of a hospital receptionist while another is a close contact of a Virgin Australia flight attendant who tested positive on Saturday.

The third is linked to a Portuguese restaurant cluster and has been in hotel quarantine.

Brisbane has again gone into lockdown as Delta variant fears take hold. Source: Getty

It comes after the hospital receptionist tested positive for the Delta variant and was in the community for 10 days during her infectious period including holidaying on Magnetic Island. The woman was not vaccinated despite working at a desk outside the Covid ward at the hospital.

Millions of people in southeast Queensland, Townsville, Magnetic Island and Palm Island were plunged into lockdown on Tuesday evening.

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Russian health officials have approved booster shots for those vaccinated against Covid-19 six months after their first dose as the nation reaches a heartbreaking record.

On Tuesday, 20,616 new infections were registered and 652 deaths  the highest daily death toll in the pandemic.

Health Minister Mikhail Murashko told a government meeting Tuesday that the ministry has issued guidelines allowing those who contracted Covid-19 to get vaccinated six months after they recovered, and those who have been immunised to get booster shots six months after their first vaccination.

Russian health authorities have announced that people will be given a booster Covid vaccination after six months. Source: AP

Murashko cited an unfavorable epidemiological situation in Russia and said that after achieving herd immunity and stabilisation (of the epidemiological situation), vaccination (against the coronavirus) will be carried out once a year.

He didnt offer any data supporting the need for booster shots six months after the first vaccination.

Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, however, referenced international and Russian studies showing that immunity in those who have recovered from the virus persists for six months on average and winds down gradually after 9-12 months.

The new guidelines come as infections in Russia soar and vaccination rates lag behind many other nations.

Russia has experienced a spike in Covid cases. Source: AP

Russias state coronavirus task force has been reporting over 20,000 new Covid-19 infections daily since last Thursday, more than double the average in early June.

On Tuesday, 20,616 new contagions were registered and 652 deaths  the highest daily death toll in the pandemic.

Russia has vaccinated only a fraction of population

Russia was among the first in the world to announce and deploy a coronavirus vaccine last year, but has since inoculated only a fraction of its 146 million people.

Murashko said Tuesday that more than 23 million  just over 15 per cent  have received at least one vaccine shot.

Hampered by widespread vaccine hesitancy and limited production capacity, Russias vaccination rates have picked up in recent weeks, after authorities in many regions made shots mandatory for employees in certain sectors, such as government offices, retail, health care, education, restaurants and other service industries.

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But a spike in demand was quickly followed by reports of shortages in a number of Russian regions, and some experts have questioned whether Russia will have enough vaccines to go around.

Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said Tuesday that, to date, 36.7 million sets of four domestically-developed coronavirus vaccines have been released into circulation in Russia, and 30 more million are expected to be produced in July.

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In his only week as an entrant, he won.

"He's in shock right now. I don't think he knows how to feel," Robinson-Curran said. "What I told him is that we would support anything that you want to do. The sky is the limit. But with this, this gives you the financial backing. Whatever you want to do, you can go ahead and you can do that."

When Gov. Andrew Cuomo launched the weekly raffle, he highlighted another benefit  that parents of the winners wouldn't have to worry about paying for college. Robinson-Curran acknowledged that it will help her blended family. Between her and her husband, Michael, they have three children. Her stepson is also going to be a freshman in high school.

As they thought about the possibility of having two children starting college at the same time, Robinson-Curran said she and Michael would discuss the need for savings to help cover those expenses.

Now, with James winning the scholarship, it will help the family plan for the future.

"With this, this allows us to streamline our resources for the other two to really help them get as close as possible to this amazing prize that he won," Robinson-Curran said.
Since the sudden collapse of the 12-story Champlain Towers South last week in Surfside, rescuers have been working to peel back layers of concrete on the pancaked building without disturbing the unstable pile of debris.

Miami-Dade Assistant Fire Chief Raide Jadallah told family members of those missing that the ramp allowed rescuers to use a crane on sections that were not previously accessible. He said that improves the chances of finding new pockets of space in the urgent search for survivors.

We hope to start seeing some significant improvement in regards to the possibility of (finding) any voids that we cannot see," Jadallah said.

In an interview with Miami television station WSVN, state Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis described the ramp as a Herculean effort that would allow crews to leverage massive equipment to remove mass pieces of concrete, which could lead to good results.

Patronis told The Associated Press that the ramp will permit heavy equipment to get closer to areas where debris needs to be cleared. The new equipment includes a so-called nibbler, a massive machine that has a scissors-like tool at the end of a long arm to cut through concrete and rebar.
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP)  Slovenia's president rejected in an interview Wednesday that the increasingly autocratic policies of the country's prime minister could hurt its upcoming European Union presidency, saying the small Alpine state will stay on its traditional liberal course.

Slovenia takes over the rotating EU Council presidency on Thursday. Its right-wing prime minister, Janez Jansa, is in the focus because of his squabbles with Brussels, close alliance with populist Hungarian leader Viktor Orban and crackdown on media  all of which cast doubt on the countrys credibility to lead the 27-nation bloc.

Of course, there are some activities of the government that I dont agree with," Slovenia's liberal President Borut Pahor said in an interview with the Associated Press. I hope this is a chance for the government and the prime minister to focus more on subjects that are vital for Slovenia and the EU.

Slovenia split from Yugoslavia in 1991 after a brief clash with the Serb-led Yugoslav army. In 2004 it became one of the first former communist states to join the EU.

Slovenia will remain a liberal state and I wish that the image of a liberal state would be solidified during the presidency," Pahor said. If the European idea was the first cornerstone of our statehood, democracy is the second one."
The members of the Auburn police and Fire departments would like to take this opportunity to address some issues surrounding the use and possession of fireworks. With the reduction of Covid-19 restrictions, many families are looking forward to getting outside to enjoy the weather and their families as well as to celebrate. Often times these celebrations include the use of fireworks which can be fun if used safely and properly and in consideration of our neighbors. Please follow these safety tips:
Hyundai Motor India on Wednesday announced the roll-out of 10 million cars from its Chennai-based production facility. The newly launched Hyundai Alcazar SUV has become the 10 millionth car to roll out of the production line at HMILs plant in Sriperumbudur.

Hyundai began operations at the Tamil Nadu facility in September of 1998 as its first integrated car manufacturing facility outside of South Korea. Over more than two decades, the facility has seen the roll out of a number of popular models - from first-generation of Santro to Creta, Venue , the recently-launched Alcazar and more. The facility not only serves to cater to the local demand but has also emerged as a major hub for overseas markets. Hyundai is currently the largest exporter of passenger vehicles from the country with over two lakh units of Creta and Venue SUVs having been shipped to foreign markets.

Hyundai production milestones in India 1 million 2006 2 million 2008 3 million 2010 4 million 2012 5 million 2013 6 million 2015 7 million 2016 8 million 2018 9 million 2019 10 million 2021

The launch of the Alcazar SUV in India, before anywhere else in the world, also means that the market here is likely to remain crucial for Hyundai. There is a possibility that Alcazar SUV is exported to overseas markets at a later date from the Chennai facility. That it is this vehicle that became the 10 millionth unit here, therefore, is hardly surprising. "This historic milestone of the 10 millionth car roll-out is a testimony of Hyundais commitment towards the Make in India initiative," said SS Kim, MD and CEO at Hyundai Motor India Limited. "Furthermore, it also showcases our vision of boosting the socio-economic development in the state of Tamil Nadu and making the country more self-reliant."

The Alcazar is basically derived out of the same DNA as the existing Creta SUV. It has been aimed at buyers seeking to upgrade to a bigger six-/seven-seat SUV. It is also more generously kitted in terms of comfort and convenience features.

(Also Read: Hyundai Alcazar first drive review: Best of Creta in a three-row form factor)

With Alcazar, Hyundai is trying to replicate the success of Creta. While there are some certain visual similarities between the two vehicles, the Alcazar is obviously bigger in terms of dimension, alongside sporting a more powerful petrol motor.

In just about a week since bookings for Alcazar were opened, Hyundai announced it has received 4,000 bookings for its new SUV. (Find more details here)
Lowell Observatorys vision for its education program is bold and simple: to be the premier public astronomy destination in the world. The observatory took a critical step toward achieving that goal on Saturday by breaking ground on a new 40,000-square-foot, $37.5 million discovery center.

The Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation Astronomy Discovery Center (ADC) will be six times the size of Lowells current visitor facility and will accommodate greatly increased annual attendance to Lowell's outreach programs, according to a press release.

A few raindrops didnt dampen the enthusiasm of the speakers or onlookers. The 60-minute ceremony included remarks by Flagstaff Mayor Paul Deasy, Coconino County Supervisor Jeronimo Vasquez and Arizona State Senator Wendy Rogers, followed by a ceremonial sod-turning.

The Kemper and Ethel Marley Foundation is the lead sponsor of the ADC, and Trustee Nancy Ball spoke about how her colleagues love of astronomy drove the organizations support of the project. She added, This project will inspire and educate people of all ages, for generations to come, on the beauty and wonder of astronomy.

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PHOENIX (AP)  An indictment released Monday charges an Arizona man with murder and aggravated assault in a string of drive-by shootings earlier this month in metro Phoenix.

The grand jury indictment against 19-year-old Ashin Scott Tricarico mirrors the charges filed previously by prosecutors after his arrest 11 days ago.

He is accused of killing one person and injuring a dozen others. In all, he is charged with 31 felonies.

Thomas Glow, an attorney representing Tricarico, didnt immediately return a message Monday evening seeking comment.

Tricarico is accused of opening fire on cars and pedestrians from his SUV in at least eight separate shootings in three Phoenix suburbs.

Four people were shot, including 67-year-old David Liebler, who was found dead in a pickup truck that had gone off the road and into a canal near a freeway. A 3-year-old child was in one vehicle with her mother when the front windshield and drivers side door were hit, but wasnt harmed.

Investigators said Tricarico told them that he believed people were after him because of his involvement in another shooting.
Like many of the dozens of Venezuelans The Associated Press spoke to this month in Del Rio, 27-year-old Lis Briceno had already migrated once before. After graduating with a degree in petroleum engineering, she couldnt get hired in the oil fields near her hometown of Maracaibo without declaring her loyalty to Venezuelas socialist leadership. So she moved to Chile a few years ago, finding work with a technology company.

But as anti-government unrest and the pandemic tanked Chile's economy, her company shuttered. Briceno sold what she could to raise the $4,000 needed to get to the U.S.

I always thought Id come here on vacation, to visit the places you see in the movies, Briceno said. But doing this? Never.

While Central Americans and others can spend months getting north, most Venezuelans reach the U.S. in as little as four days.

This is a journey theyre definitely prepared for from a financial standpoint, said Tiffany Burrow, who runs the Val Verde Border Humanitarian Coalitions shelter in Del Rio, where migrants can eat, clean up and buy bus tickets to U.S. cities.

They first fly to Mexico City or Cancun. Smugglers promoting themselves as travel agencies on Facebook claim to offer hassle-free transport to the U.S. for about $3,000.
An advance warning had been sounded. A consultant in 2018 found evidence of major structural damage below the pool deck and abundant cracking of concrete beams and walls in the garage area. Afterward, however, the community was assured by a town inspector that the Champlain Towers complex remained in very good shape.

A similar alert arose at the Hyatt Regency when the lobby ceiling collapsed during the hotel construction. The owners learned that many of the atrium connections were weakening. They repaired the roof but missed the lobby skywalks, which later pulled apart, largely because of an engineering design error.

Also in the Hyatt case, seven months passed before federal investigators pinpointed the structural design error. In Florida, federal investigators from Washington are offering their expertise, but it likely will take longer to determine if outside factors like water or weather were involved. A number of local and state agencies will be involved in the inquiry, though its not clear which agency would lead the effort. Separate experts are also being hired by the building owners and the families considering lawsuits. All of this could compound or delay a definitive answer into why the seaside tower crumbled.
Dunker said the plan was to make the smores over a campfire, but since the kindling got wet, the campers made them on the stove, instead. However, they were able to still talk about proper fire safety and food safety while camping.

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Being a food nutrition and health educator, my goal in any given situation is just to make sure people understand that all foods fit into a healthy lifestyle, including the little smores snacks that were making that they can have fun with, Dunker said. Its really just about moving your body in a way that you can have fun with and you can enjoy. Thats my message for all kids all the time, rather than getting caught up in the details of what everybody thinks healthy living should be.

While teaching Camp Renegade kids the proper form and safety when shooting a BB gun, retired extension educator Randy Pryor told them how the camp got its name in the first place.

Pryor said there was a district 4-H camp in Seward that closed in 1978 and was moved to Gretna. He noted Gretna would be harder for local students to travel to, so it was decided a camp would be formed at Fairburys Camp Jefferson, as well, starting in 1979.
Were not passing any laws or turning away anything, he said. We cant pass laws. This is something I feel we can table and wait to see what the outcome becomes. Theres 55 other heritage areas in the country. Most of them are on the east and west coasts. The midwest gets left out of a lot of things and the one thing we have to promote that nobody can take away from us is our history... I want to do whats best for the people of Gage County, our economy and our future.

Angel Cushing of Kansas attended the meeting to warn the board about the risks involved with the Kansas Nebraska Heritage Plan, and argued such plans arent significantly beneficial to local tourism.

I dont buy the tourism line at all, just because in their management plan they have the word 'preservation' used way too many times, she said. These ideas are built on the idea that the current land managers are failing to do their job of preserving and managing their land. Whether its a national heritage area, whether its 30 x 30, whether its a regional council, that premise that the land needs to be preserved and protected from the people that live on it is the wrong way to start a conversation. If you want to do tourism, then do tourism. There should be no words of preservation in that document.
Battalion Chief Kevin Bentz, who led the rescue, said a total of 30 emergency workers helped in the rescue. The difficulty with access made him call in a hazmat team for ventilation support. About a dozen off-duty firefighters also joined in. It was all hands on deck, Bentz said.

This was a low frequency, high risk situation, which could go south fast, Bentz said. We needed to assign our people to what they were good at: shoveling, cutting. I think we did a good job on that.

The crew then brought in a trailer with wood and assembled a box to place around him.

Rescuers multitasked while digging out the man, taking measurements for builders outside to construct the box. After two hours the man was freed using a multiple rope system and rushed to the hospital.

We never know what to expect when we load up, that is why we dont prefabricate our rescue supplies, said Sean Biggins, the Billings fire chief training officer. There is nothing about technical rescue that is fast. We have to be perfect in our response.

Biggins said members of technical rescue team take on several hundred more hours of training for building, water and silo extractions than average fire crews. Some training sessions take place at Western Sugar Co-Op.
It follows on a police accountability package passed last summer that included a statewide ban on the use of chokeholds. Several lawmakers with the People of Color and Indigenous Caucus said ahead of the debate that the bill didn't go nearly far enough, while stopping short of saying they would vote against it.

Democratic Rep. Carlos Mariani, of St. Paul, chairman of the House public safety committee and one of the top negotiators on the bill, agreed it didn't go far enough but urged lawmakers to approve it anyway and to keep pushing for deeper change. He blamed the Senate GOP majority for blocking stronger action.

This is a mighty bill, Mariani said. And yet as meaningful as all these provisions and more are, it also lacks, in my opinion, the necessary weight of accountability to respond to the persistent use of deadly force by licensed police officers that have produced a steady stream of killings of Black and brown people in Minnesota.
Trump Organization lawyers met virtually with Manhattan prosecutors last week in a last-ditch attempt to dissuade them from charging the company. Prosecutors gave the lawyers a Monday deadline to make the case that criminal charges shouldn't be filed.

Ron Fischetti, a lawyer for the Trump Organization, told the AP this week that there was no indication Trump himself was included in the first batch of charges.

"There is no indictment coming down this week against the former president," Fischetti said. "I can't say he's out of the woods yet completely."

Weisselberg, a loyal lieutenant to Trump and his real estate-developer father, Fred, came under scrutiny, in part, because of questions about his son's use of a Trump apartment at little or no cost.

Barry Weisselberg managed a Trump-operated ice rink in Central Park.

Barry's ex-wife, Jen Weisselberg, has been cooperating with the investigation and turned over reams of tax records and other documents to investigators.

Allen Weisselberg has worked for the Trump Organization since 1973.
The move comes at a time when fewer than half of all Montanans are fully vaccinated against the virus and federal health officials are warning of a new more infectious Delta variant of the disease spreading into the state.

Gianforte called on every eligible person to get the vaccine, calling it the states best way forward in combating the virus while simultaneously saying the state of emergency in Montana was over.

I chose to get vaccinated, and I hope you will choose to get your vaccination as well, Gianforte said.

The governor emphasized his push to get the state back to normal, a move he called addressing the states economic crisis. In reality, little will change with the lifting of the emergency. Gianforte had ended the statewide mask mandate earlier this year after putting in place protections for businesses and places of worship against COVID-related lawsuits. He had also lessened most of the restrictions placed on businesses that limited occupancy and hours of operation.

Asked by The Gazette how this move will affect local health officials and schools, especially after the a law signed by the governor took away some of their authority, Gianforte said those officials remain in charge of how they address local health crisis.
Advocates for School Trust Lands filed a notice of appeal recently with the Montana Supreme Court. No other documents supporting the appeal have been filed as of Tuesday. Attorney Roy Andes said he had no further comment.

The 1985 Montana Supreme Court Decision Department of State Lands v. Pettibone found the state acquires a partial water right when water is diverted or developed on state trust lands. In applying Pettibone to its lease agreements, the Montana Department of Natural Resources and Conservation also began claiming partial water rights in situations where the point of water diversion begins on private lands, according to the lawsuit. Typically the water is piped to a stock tank or for irrigation on the state land from an adjoining private parcel.

House Bill 286, which saw significant bipartisan support from the 2019 Montana Legislature, reversed that practice and directed DNRC to rescind roughly 140 partial water rights it had claimed.

The lawsuit contended House Bill 286 harmed the DNRCs ability to negotiate lease terms and diminished the values of state trust lands.
"The history of this litigation has given us reason to be skeptical of the representations by the Legislature and its counsel in this matter," the order states, referencing the Montana Attorney General's Office as the Legislature's counsel. " Here, the Legislature has failed to to bear its 'heavy burden' of persuading this court that it will not simply reissue the same subpoena to McLaughlin should it be dissatisfied with the results of its efforts to obtain the sought-after materials without litigation."

A spokesperson for the Attorney General's Office said in an email Tuesday the ruling "defied common sense."

"Its striking that the Supreme Court is escalating the situation while the Legislature continues to seek negotiation for the release of public records," the spokesperson said. "There is no reality in which the Supreme Court justices can reasonably claim to be impartial and unbiased judges in a case involving their own employee and communications  it simply defies common sense."
Wyoming Gov. Mark Gordon and Secretary of State Ed Buchanan have invited the National Rifle Association to relocate from Virginia to Wyoming, they said in a joint letter released Tuesday.

Though the letter was sent to the gun rights group on June 18, Gordon and Buchanan have not yet heard back from the NRA, spokespeople for the governor and the secretary of state told the Casper Star-Tribune.

The letter cites the states lack of taxes and gun regulations as reasons why Wyoming would be a good new home for the NRA.

We have no corporate tax, no personal income tax, no franchise tax and no gross receipts tax, the letter read.

We have permitless carry, the castle doctrine, anti-financial discrimination laws, permitless purchase and possession for rifles, shotguns and handguns, no registration requirements and several other pro-Second Amendment laws on the books, it continued.

Guns are widely popular in Wyoming, and the Legislature here has pushed multiple bills in the recent past designed to ease gun rules to a even greater degree.
An Indiana man has been sentenced to 60 days in jail, five years of probation and banned from Yellowstone National Park for five years after pleading guilty following a June 21 altercation in the park.

He was also fined $1,550 along with a $50 special assessment fee.

Kyle F. Campbell, 31, of Fairmont, Indiana, reportedly got belligerent after being told by a kayaking guide that his group was too drunk for a scheduled trip from Grant Marina on Yellowstone Lake, according to a park press release.

"Campbell and his group became upset and created a disturbance that led the kayak guide to call security officers and park law enforcement rangers," the Park Service said. "During the encounter, Campbell made threatening comments and gestures toward the officers. He also exhibited signs of being intoxicated and refused to obey officers orders. Campbell continually struggled and kicked at the rangers, resisting arrest, and later injuring himself while banging his head in the patrol car."
CHEYENNE, Wyo.  Prosecutors have charged a man in the death of a 2-year-old boy whose body was found in an apartment complex dumpster in Cheyenne.

Wyatt Dean Lamb, who was the boyfriend of the boy's mother, faces one count of first-degree murder and 10 counts of child abuse in the death of Athian Rivera, according to charging documents filed Monday.

If convicted, Lamb could face the death penalty. District Attorney Leigh Anne Manlove didn't immediately return a message Tuesday asking if she planned to seek capital punishment.

The boy's disappearance on Feb. 19 prompted police and others to search the apartment complex and nearby areas before an officer found Athian wrapped in a sheet, blanket and five trash bags in the dumpster a couple hours later.

His body was still warm. A coroner determined the boy had died two to four hours earlier of blunt force trauma, lack of oxygen to the brain, or both, according to the affidavit filed in the case.

The boy had burns on his inner thighs and numerous abrasions and bruises on his head, back, chest, belly and arms, the coroner noted.

Lamb had been living with the boy's mother, Kassandra Orona, and and her three children in the apartment, Orona told investigators.
Sometimes you just dont know what happened, Tanner said. It was definitely touch-and-go there for a while when he first arrived. I was worried every day that I would walk in and find him dead.

It was one of those times when patience was a virtue.

It took about a month before the bird started to eat a bit more. Due to the damage to the liver, Tanner couldnt offer medication.

All we could do was offer supportive care and give him time, she said.

One day she came out to find that he was sitting on a 4-foot-tall perch. And then he started preening. A little while later, Tanner put the eagle into a flight enclosure where it could begin to stretch its wings again.

When he was ready, Tanner and her partner at the nonprofit, Jesse Varnado, put leather anklets and attached him to a Creance line that allowed the eagle to start flying outdoors to begin building up his endurance.

When we first started, he would get super winded, she said. We would do that over and over again  Over time, he began getting the muscles back that he needed to be ready to go.

All of that time, effort and worry came to a happy end when she set Como free Saturday.
Teton County Search and Rescue is experiencing severe delays because of what is shaping up to be historically bad summer traffic, Teton County Sheriff Matt Carr told the Casper Star-Tribune on Monday. What was once a five-minute response can now take 45 minutes, particularly in the late afternoon to early evening.

Its as bad as weve ever seen it. Theres too many people, and our infrastructure has never been taken care of, said Carr, who has been with the sheriffs department since 1999.

Some of the search and rescue team members are now responding on personal and department-owned electric bikes because the traffic is so severe.

The other day, a group was hiking on a Table Mountain trail when an accident occurred in which a woman suffered an arterial bleed, a life-threatening injury. Fortunately, there was a nurse with her who applied a tourniquet.

She was very lucky that there was a nurse on the scene because we just couldnt get there, Carr said. I think they saved her life.

Because of the severity of the traffic, Teton County Search and Rescue had to call in help from Idaho and contact the U.S. Forest Service for a helicopter to reach the group.
Arntzens blog post criticizes this proposed priority, stating, This outlandish succotash of woke phrases and vague terms clearly reflects an effort to hide the more extensive agenda behind the proposal: financially incentivizing school districts across the country to teach our children fringe thinking like critical race theory.

In an attempt to lend credibility to her concerns, Arntzen enlists the aid of Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen, who issued a binding opinion on May 27 which held that,  the use of Critical Race Theory (CRT) and so-called antiracism programming in many instances is discriminatory and violates federal and state law. Knudsens opinion does little more than state the obvious with regard to acts of discrimination in the classroom or the workplace. The intent, however, couldnt be more clear: It is an effort to force Montanas teachers to shy away from honestly teaching about racism, labeling as fraudulent curriculum lessons which attempt to do so.

Interestingly, the posting in the Federal Register doesnt even mention Critical Race Theory. This attempt to manufacture a controversy is simply an effort to advance the agenda of the previous presidential administration, which welcomed the likes of the Proud Boys and set race relations in America back a generation.
Some criticized the commission's decision. Ben Gange, who had been going to the bar for 40 years, said he thought the commission could have left Silver Dollar open for the Fourth of July.

Angela Grigsby said she'd been coming to the Silver Dollar for about 10 years and that she considered starting a petition to keep the bar open. It was one of the first bars in Mandan that made her feel accepted after she moved from Washington. Grigsby, who is Cherokee, Apache, Irish, English and Spanish, said she didn't feel accepted at some other bars because of her race.

Hanging under the Budweiser sign was a large banner that read "Happy Birthday Angie!" Grigsby said that staff and other patrons signed the banner for her birthday last Friday.

"It's sad, it's really sad," she said. "I mean, it's a staple. Everybody knows Silver Dollar."

Felton said he plans to appeal the commission's 3-2 decision to deny the license.
North Dakota producers have been asking for more flexibility, such as the ability to hay CRP land before Aug. 1, while the hay is still of good quality, and to plant cover crops on land they can't grow a cash crop on, to prevent soil erosion and provide more forage for cattle.

Producers want to graze some failed crops but feel stifled by some of the rules in place, said Sterling farmer Lucas Lang, who serves on the North Dakota Farm Bureau board of directors.

Weve got to get cows out on these crops that are shot, and weve got to do it without the grazing or haying (insurance) penalty, he said.

A shortage of hay is among the biggest concerns producers have relayed to state officials, Lt. Gov. Brent Sanford said.

Its not going to be a good year anywhere, he said. Were asking for flexibility. If theres a total loss, can you take whats there and hay it.

A plan to allow emergency haying of CRP land before Aug. 1 is in the works, Hoeven said.

Producers asked additionally for eased trucking restraints to allow hay to be transported; simplification of the rules on ag programs and assistance in wading through those rules; and assistance in paying for trucking costs.
Noem, a potential presidential contender, drew a distinction between her decision to send the National Guard and other governors who are sending state police officers.

The border is a national security crisis that requires the kind of sustained response only the National Guard can provide, she said in a statement. We should not be making our own communities less safe by sending our police or Highway Patrol to fix a long-term problem President Bidens Administration seems unable or unwilling to solve.

But Democratic state Sen. Reynold Nesiba said the fact Noem is using a donor to pay for the deployment shows it is not a real priority for the state, but instead gives her political cover. He said he was looking into whether using a private donation to fund the deployment is legal.

This could set a dangerous precedent to allow anonymous political donors to call the governor and dispatch the Guard whenever they want, he said.

The federal government usually pays for National Guard deployments to other states. When troops respond to an in-state emergency, they are paid from state government funds, according to Duke Doering, a historian with the South Dakota National Guard Museum. He said he had never heard of a private donor funding a deployment.
On June 21, 1788, New Hampshire became the ninth state to ratify the proposed Constitution. This was an act for the ages because it not only marked the technical implementation of the new law of the land but, in the words of James Madison, written on April 6, 1796, the instrument -- the Constitution -- was nothing more than a draught of a plan, nothing but a dead letter, until life and validity were breathed into it, by the voice of the people, speaking through the several state conventions.

Article VII of the proposed Constitution, written by delegates to the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, provided that the instrument would go into effect as soon as nine of the 13 specially held state ratifying conventions approved it. The ratification debate not only marked the opening sequence in the debate about national politics, representing as it did, the first national election, but introduced the most democratic, deliberative forum for choosing a form and style of government the world had ever seen.

Imagine in our time, an American citizenry, drawn from all stations and orders fully engaged in an exciting and intense debate, in alehouses and coffee houses, newspapers and pamphlets, about a simple, but crucial question of transcendent importance for the future of the nation: Shall the citizenry ratify, that is, approve, the proposed Constitution, or not?
Thats all in doubt after Canadian National Railway made a counter offer for Kansas City Southern. The Canadian National offer is more lucrative for Kansas City shareholders. Canadian National also asked the Surface Transportation Board to allow it to proceed with the merger under the old rules and create a voting trust. That hasnt been decided yet, with the board taking comments.

If Canadian National cant move forward under the old rules and with a voting trust, it makes its offer less appealing. A merger would take longer under the new merger rules.

Canadian Pacific has been gaining support in North Dakota. This week the states congressional delegation sent a letter to the Surface Transportation Board supporting the Canadian Pacific-Kansas City Merger.

Senators John Hoeven and Kevin Cramer and Rep. Kelly Armstrong, all Republicans, argued in the letter that the merger would provide more markets for North Dakota producers by providing access to Mexico. They also said the merger would give North Dakota a more direct route to southern U.S. markets.

If Canadian Pacific can pull off the merger with Kansas City, it will be beneficial for North Dakota. Canada and Mexico are key markets for the state, and having one railroad serving both nations will provide easier access to them.

The Canadian National offer will be difficult to beat. Canadian National offered more and Canadian Pacific didnt up its offer. How much clout North Dakotas support for Canadian Pacific will have remains to be seen.

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The Police Department already plans to train officers in "trauma-informed care," or procedures for arrests and other duties that attempt to minimize the emotional impact of the interaction.

The objective of the training is to give officers the understanding of how to have a "neutralized interaction" with members of the public, said Susan Green, co-director of the Institute on Trauma and Trauma-informed Care at the University at Buffalo, which is a subcontractor for the Buffalo Police program.

Buffalo echoes national debate over changing policing

The discussion over the future of the Buffalo Police Department has taken place against a backdrop of national debate over how to change the way communities are policed.

Nadine Shaanta Murshid, interim associate dean for diversity, equity and inclusion at UB's School of Social Work, believes many of the changes Walton says she wants to enact are needed to address a "systemically racist" criminal justice system in the United States that "needs to be dismantled."
Theyve had ample opportunity to interview anybody and put them in the grand jury, LaTona said. You know, judge, it just doesnt fly at this stage.

LaTona and Harrington also told Roemer that they would be willing to enter into a protective order that would allow only them to read the search warrant documents. LaTona, however, also reserved the right to discuss the search warrant information with Gerace and others as he builds a case.

Tripi jumped on that.

he gets to read them and then gets to verbally transmit it to others. That is totally unacceptable, Tripi said, adding that if the search warrant documents were unsealed, the case would be severely compromised.

The prosecutor, who is working with Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan T. Cullinane, also argued that the indictment charging the defendants and other related court documents already provide the defense attorneys with information on the governments case, making it unnecessary to unseal the search warrants.
A teenager who was charged with murder after a fatal shooting at a Lockport Halloween party told police he was outside the building with a gun, but he denied firing it, according to court testimony Tuesday.

In a hearing Tuesday on the admissibility of the defendants' statements to police, Lockport Detective Robert Holmes related the 16-year-old defendant's version of the incident.

+2 Lockport teenagers indicted in Halloween party slaying Two Lockport teenagers were arraigned Tuesday on an indictment accusing them of murder and assault in a gun attack on a Lockport Halloween party.

"He stated he exited the vehicle and walked up to the door," Holmes testified. "He and (the other defendant) both raised the firearms in their hands. He said he did not shoot, but (the other defendant) did."

Also Tuesday, Lockport Detective Adam Piedmont reiterated his testimony from the Oct. 26 preliminary hearing that the other defendant, who was 17 at the time, admitted firing a gun toward the door of the garage where the party was happening.

Cheyenne Farewell, 20, of Medina, died after being shot shortly after midnight Oct. 17 during the party in an attached garage at 43 S. Niagara St. Five other people in the garage, ages 15 to 21, were wounded.
Erie County Legislator Lisa Chimera sent a letter to the Legislature abruptly resigning from her elected seat on Thursday.

But her absence will not last long; she expects to be reappointed to the same job next week.

New York State retirement system laws prohibit employees on public payrolls from collecting their pensions while they are still on any government payroll. Chimera, a Town of Tonawanda Democrat, worked as a Kenmore-Tonawanda school district teacher for 34 years and retired from teaching last week. But because she is still on the Erie County payroll as a legislator, she can't also collect her teacher's pension.

Her solution: Quit the Legislature for a couple of weeks, then get reappointed to the same job.

"It really is procedural in nature, and it really was the advice of the retirement system," said Chimera, who has spent much of her career working with sixth-grade students with disabilities. "I am choosing to retire as a teacher."
The man who died was from Guatemala and had apparently arrived in the United States only a few months ago, said Andres Pablo Lucas, owner of Brother Farm Labor Contractor that provided workers for the nursery, including the man who died.

The man, whose name was not disclosed, died at Ernst Nursery and Farms, a wholesale supplier in St. Paul, 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Salem, on Saturday amid sweltering temperatures. An Oregon OSHA database listed the death as heat-related.

The employee was working on a crew moving irrigation lines. At the end of the shift he was found unresponsive in the field, said agency spokesman Aaron Corvin.

Speaking in Spanish, Pablo Lucas said when workers gathered together shortly after noon on Saturday, they noticed one of them was missing. They began searching and found his body. Pablo Lucas said he didnt remember the mans name.

Pablo Lucas said the laborers often have the option to start working near sunrise when it is cooler and can stop around midday, but some want to stay regardless of the heat.

The people want to work, to fight to succeed, he said. For that reason, they stay.
HONOLULU (AP)  The entrance fee for a popular Hawaii snorkeling spot will more than double for tourists starting this week.

Beginning Thursday, out-of-state visitors to the Hanauma Bay Nature Preserve in east Oahu will have to pay $25, up from $12. Entry will remain free for residents with valid identification, children 12 or younger regardless of residency and active-duty military members.

Parking rates will remain $1 per vehicle for locals and $3 per vehicle for non-locals.

Demand for entry has been high since Hanauma Bay reopened to the public in December after a nine-month break because of the coronavirus pandemic, Honolulu parks officials said.

When the park reopened, its water was 64% clearer than before the pandemic, Lisa Bishop, president of conservation group Friends of Hanauma Bay, said at the time.

We saw how dramatically Hanauma Bay healed during the pandemic when access to the public was closed. We want to preserve the healing by minimizing human impacts, while at the same time ensuring that there are sufficient resources to maintain the bay and its facilities, said Honolulu City Council Chairman Tommy Waters, who represents the district that includes the bay.
Five of the Islesboro Central School seniors take the ferry from the mainland, while the rest live on the island, which has about 700 year-round residents. So the students were not only isolated by the pandemic but they were also split apart, unable to gather for months, with a three-mile gulf between the island and the mainland.

The Class of 2021 had long been accustomed to doing things together. For Halloween, the class would coordinate group costumes and pile into a school-owned van, driven by an English teacher, to go trick or treating together on the island.

It was a large group, by island standards. In fact, the 13 seniors represented the largest senior class in recent years.

As the reality of the pandemic took hold, the seniors kicked off an email chain to discuss what to do about the trip. International travel was a no-go, so Greece, South Korea and Japan were no longer options.

They thought about scaling it back. Perhaps they could do a regional trip. It would be better than nothing. But even that started to seem far-fetched.

The worlds struggles weighed on them as they tried to justify salvaging an exotic outing against a backdrop of deaths and economic pain.
Montesano said Democrats, who ultimately control the process as the party that dominates the Assembly, are keeping Republican committee members in the loop and are not dragging their heels in the probe. Weve got a good pace," he said Wednesday after the meeting.

As for whether Cuomo will be asked to testify, Montesano noted that Cuomo has publicly pledged to cooperate with the different probes underway. I would say thats up in the air at this point  I wouldnt say absolutely no, " the lawmaker said.

Senate Minority Leader Robert G. Ortt, a North Tonawanda Republican, said subpoenas should have already been issued by the Assembly committee. The delay in issuing subpoenas seems to underscore the point I have made repeatedly: The Assembly investigation seems to be more focused on buying time for the governor than truly holding him accountable and getting the answers that New Yorkers deserve.
Here, some people continue to wear masks, either out of caution or consideration for others. Whether its necessary or not, its an accurate reflection of a level of uncertainty that remains as vaccination rates slow and the threat of the delta variant rises.

Even those who have been vaccinated should use their heads about whether and in what situations to continue wearing a mask. The vaccinations are remarkably effective and the two primary ones  by Pfizer and Moderna  look to be long-lasting and protective against all known variants. But theyre not perfect. Although hospitalization or death is unlikely for those who have had both shots of either vaccine, infection remains a possibility. And wearing a mask in uncertain environments isnt difficult.

The unvaccinated, meanwhile, should see themselves as having been put on notice. The delta variant is much easier to catch and has the potential to cause severe illness, both for that unwise individual and for the friends, loved ones and strangers they may infect.

The country and this region could have been better off already had more people heeded the advice of medical experts and if more Americans had been vaccinated. How much better or worse off we will be in the coming weeks and months depends on the same.
Gwen Goldman got to be a New York Yankees bat girl on Monday night at age 70  a full 60 years after she was turned down because of her gender.
Summers here, and while travel may be a challenging new proposition, it can still be glamorousespecially if youre staying in famed Spanish architect Antoni Gaudis first-ever designed home (now an Airbnb listing). Wherever youre headed, stay in the know with our weekly roundup of headlines, launches and events, recommended reading, and more.

Business News

A condo building in Surfside, Florida, suddenly collapsed last week, leading to the deaths of at least 12 people and leaving 149 unaccounted for as of Tuesday, The New York Times reports. An investigation is currently underway; experts who have examined video footage of the disaster speculate that an initial failure near the lowest part of the building may have set off a progressive collapse due to design flaws or faulty construction of the 40-year-old building. A 2018 report conducted by an engineer hired to examine the building found key vulnerabilities in the structure, such as the corrosion of reinforcing steel, and prompted the planning of a $12 million repair project that had been scheduled to begin soon. There is still no conclusive reason found for the collapse, as rescue teams continue the arduous process of clearing the rubble and recovering lost residents.

Ikea sparked outrage at its Atlanta location last week when management there served a meal in honor of Juneteenth containing food items historically used to stereotype and demean African Americans, specifically watermelon and fried chicken, a local CBS affiliate reports. As a result, 33 employees didnt show up to the workplace on the day the menu was served. Ikea issued an apology and offered a revised menu the following day.

A piece by American contemporary visual artist Julie Mehretu titled Dissident Score sold for $6.5 million through Artsy, Penta reportsa double achievement, marking a new record for Mehretu at auction and the highest-value artwork ever sold on the online marketplace.

This years Amazon Prime Day boosted total online retail sales in the U.S. to a record $11 billion, surpassing the platforms already record-breaking Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2020 revenues of $9 billion and $10.8 billion, respectively. As Deseret News reports, Amazon benefited this year from an extra 50 million subscribers from its Prime services, and cast a halo effect on other large retailers, which, according to the Adobe Digital Economy Index, saw sales jump 29 percent over 2020.

Fresh off its deal to provide virtual model homes for Lennar, Modsy is partnering with LGI Homes. The collaboration makes this the second top-10 homebuilder to work with the e-design platform for digital design services.

Home-staging startup Guest House has announced the completion of a $3 million seed round of funding led by Range Ventures, with participation from 87 Capital, Rucker Park Capital and Ludlow Ventures, among others. With services in Denver, San Diego, Boulder and Colorado Springs, the company enlists interior designers to stage homes for sale while also allowing the public to shop the staged items, which include a curated mix of premium brands and local makers.

Despite incurring net losses each year since its inception, private members club Soho House has begun the process for an initial public offering in New York after filing paperwork with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Reuters reports. The company plans to file under the name Membership Collective Group Inc., using a placeholder figure of $100 million for the offering. The club currently operates 28 locations worldwide for nearly 119,000 members and sells home decor and furnishings through its Soho Home brand.

Apparatus Studio has announced changes at the top, as partners Jeremy Anderson and Gabriel Hendifar have decided to part ways personally and professionally. Hendifar will continue as creative director and head of the studio, and Anderson will remain a co-owner while stepping down from running the studio to focus on his practice as a ceramic artist. The duo launched their practice in 2012 after moving in together and making light fixtures for their new apartment. We do this with immense gratitude for each other, for what you have helped build, and for who we have each become through our relationship, Hendifar said in a statement on Instagram. Apparatus began as a labor of love, and it is with that spirit that we step into this new chapter.

Launches and Collaborations

The Black Artists + Designers Guild has launched the first issue of The BADG Journal, which includes features, essays and artwork united by the theme Celebrating the Black Imagination. Available for purchase (in print and digital versions) via the organizations website, the inaugural edition of the publication focuses on the Obsidian Virtual Concept House. Alongside the journals debut, the group has also unveiled a new online store offering clothing, accessories and more, with proceeds from both new ventures to benefit projects, programming and events focused on achieving a more equitable and inclusive culture for the Black design community.

Crate & Barrel and CB2 have joined together to offer free design services. The new program, called Design Desk, offers customers 3D renderings, 360-degree walking tours and 2D floor plans, as well as pairing them with a personal designer to meet with in-store, at home or virtually.

Direct-to-consumer custom window treatments company Wovn Home and wallcoverings brand Chasing Paper have teamed up for a joint wallpaper collection. Available in both traditional and removable forms, the new line includes three prints (Jaipur, Jacobean and Stripes) in a variety of colorways and will be sold on Chasing Papers website.

Pottery Barn Kids and Pottery Barn Teen have tapped fashion designer Tracy Reese for a new online-only collection of bedroom and nursery decor. The Hope for Flowers line features duvets, quilts, sheets, pillows, rugs and lamps in floral prints inspired by Reeses designs.

The Orchard and Peachy Keen glazed pottery from East Fork, made in collaboration with the Momofuku restaurant group Courtesy of East Fork

Mother-daughter creative duo Fanny and Michelle Haim of Fanny Haim Atelier have announced the launch of their debut collection Natura, available in Holland & Sherry Interiors showrooms throughout the U.S. Crafted from Belgian linen, the new line is designed to represent moments of nature in motion, with embossed patterns inspired by aerial views of estuaries and tributaries, natural rock faces and shifting tides.

East Fork has announced the return of its popular collection of pots made in collaboration with the Momofuku restaurant group, with the Orchard and Peachy Keen glazes once again available for all of the brands pottery forms.

Recommended Reading

Over the past year, tensions reached a boiling point for fledgling cookware company Great Jonesin Business Insider, Anna Silman paints a picture of the mismanagement that led to the businesss implosion and the ousting of one half of its founding duo. Positioned as the affordable, millennial-friendly alternative to Le Creuset and Staubs classic cast iron pieces, the brand was ultimately a feat of well-executed marketing and PR efforts from co-founders and childhood friends Sierra Tishgart and Maddy Moelis. According to the accounts of former employees (who collectively quit the company in one fell swoop last fall), the business lacked critical structure and support underneath the beautiful veneer of its founders vision. None of this really matters. Were selling pots, come on, one former marketing employee says in the piece. Think about your employees, think about the bigger picture. And they couldnt.

Exploring abandoned homes is a hobby shared by architectural designers, Instagram photographers and urban explorers alike, NYT reports. The individuals who venture into these dilapidated, long-forgotten spaces are taking to Facebook and other social media sites to document their findingsantique furnishings, tiger skin rugs, ration cards and photo albums among them.

The Olympic and Paralympic Games are making their return in Tokyo this summer, and the designers and planners have been tasked with creating an event that is both emblematic of its locale and safe for participants and attendees. From individually customizable mattresses to a venue crafted of wood sourced from each of Japans 47 prefectures, Monocle looks at the design behind the Olympics.

Showroom Representation

The work of London-based furniture designer Jennifer Newman is now available in the U.S., with a license to be manufactured and sold exclusively by the Chicago showroom Muzo. Newman founded her eponymous studio in 2007 with the goal of creating made-to-order outdoor designs that would withstand changing climate conditions year after year.

Cue the applause

Coverings, the international tile and stone exhibition and conference, has announced its 2021 Rock Stars. The winners include 16 emerging leaders in the industry, who will be honored at the in-person event and corresponding virtual component scheduled for July 7 to 9 in Orlando, Florida. For the full list of winners, click here.

Call for entries

Plumbing manufacturer Waterstone Faucets has announced its first design contest, seeking the best installation projects across the U.S. and Canada that incorporate the brands products. The company will select winners in four categories: traditional kitchen design, contemporary kitchen design, mudroom or laundry room space, and bar or butlers pantry. Winners will receive a cash prize, a three-piece faucet suite and promotion across the brands platforms. Entries will be accepted through November 30; for more information, click here.

In partnership with the Interior Design Society, home appliance brand Thermador has launched the Diversity in Design Pipeline initiative. The program will support up to five college students in their senior year at an accredited interior design program offering a financial scholarship of $10,000 toward tuition, plus mentorship with an interior designer, invitations to industry events, and a one-year IDS membership. For more information, click here.

Homepage image: Bedding from the Hope for Flowers collection produced in collaboration with Pottery Barn Teen and designer Tracy Reese | Courtesy of Pottery Barn
Cham, Switzerland--(Newsfile Corp. - June 30, 2021) - The "CaizCoin," in literal terms, means something permissible. This is synonymous with the Arabic word jaiz, which means halal, permissible, specific, and legal and antonym of illegal, haram, forbidden and prohibited. This coin is a liberal, distinctive, moral, and unique financial concept of crypto trading. It is aimed to bring an ethical revolution in the financial world of cryptocurrency, as it is far away from the treacherous and fraudulent world of the modern economic arena of opportunism and violence.

Caizcoin

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/7994/89130_d4c10aaa041aa850_001full.jpg

This financial system is focused on fishing in troubled waters, but with Caizcoin, the concept is to provide oxygen to the smaller investments. This innovation has brought a fantastic idea to cryptocurrency to purge all the financial evils like interest, mortgage, and other economic violence means. Caizcoin also has acted strictly over the concept of lust, greed, interest, and exploitation. Moreover, it is only following the true financial spirit in the best interest of its investors. Caizcoin is purely based on justice, truth, impartiality, and the welfare of all its investors and trusted partners.

The second decade of the 21st century has seen the blooming rise in the financial market of cryptocurrency. It was understood that this innovation would greatly help the economic horizons of modern times. Since its introduction, hundreds of cryptocurrencies worldwide and having varied aims and targets were introduced in finance markets. But due to large-scale exploitation, not every currency was able to obtain a valuation.

Caizcoin was introduced with the concept of absolute, intrinsic, and the core benefits of investor benefits. It included an excellent idea of modern Islamic Finance. The company has also carefully planned social responsibility, ledger accountability, blockchain, decentralized, and growth potentials. It is designed to be reliable, ethical, moral, pious, sacred, and fully aligned with the Islamic finance principle.

Story continues

Every credit behind Caiz goes to the young talented group of developers as it will be the for regarding its decentralization and its Muslim orientation. It will not be supported, backed, or developed by any centralized form of blockchain, but instead, its business strategy will focus on the decentralized blockchain. The nature of decentralization makes it more secure and untouchable by financial violence.

The company refers to Caizcoin as an embodiment of goodness which can also benefit the holder. They also believe any individual who invests in Caizcoin will receive the patronage of shariah binding principles that promote justice and welfare. It will also include the concept of zakat (funds donated to charitable causes) to purge the number of investors. The developers have always kept in mind the best websites and online stores for moral growth and teachings. Through Caizcoin, Muslims belonging to the pure concept of Islamic Sharia will be permitted to pay zakat and waqf through their holdings to utilize their funds for the world's poor people. Not only Muslims, but the company actively supports all the individuals involved in public welfare and philanthropic causes.

Social Links:

Instagram: https://instagram.com/caizcoin_official

Twitter: https://twitter.com/caizcoin/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Caizcoin-100282385356919/

Telegram: https://t.me/caizcoin_official

Media Contact Details:

Company Name: Caizcoin

Media Contact: info@caizcoin.com

Company website: https://caizcoin.com/

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/89130
Holiday disarray: Malta refuses to accept NHS app as vaccination proof (Getty Images)

Holidaymakers with trips booked to Malta have seen their plans thrown into chaos as the country is not accepting the NHS app as proof of vaccination.

From Wednesday, travellers from the UK aged 12 and above are only permitted to enter Malta if they have had both doses of a coronavirus vaccine.

But authorities in the central Mediterranean archipelago revealed on Monday that they will only accept printed letters sent by the NHS as proof.

That means tourists planning to use the NHS app to demonstrate their status face being turned away at UK airports or the border in Malta, even if they are fully vaccinated.

They are worried about the spread of the Delta variant

Cathy Ward, British High Commissioner to Malta

The UK Governments website states that letters are expected to take up to five working days to be delivered.

Several affected people have sent Twitter messages to the British High Commission for Malta stating that the policy means their trips cannot go ahead as planned.

Mark Holland, of Hove, East Sussex, wrote: I travel in under three days, and have no time to request a letter.

Children aged five to 11 can travel if they are accompanying their fully vaccinated parents or legal guardian, and must show evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival.

No test is required for those aged under five.

The requirement for UK arrivals for those aged 12 to 17 to be fully vaccinated is effectively an outright ban, as the UK is not vaccinating under-18s.

Katie Crookshank, of London, wrote to the High Commission: We have a 12-year-old girl who is distraught as she now cant be a bridesmaid in August.

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She continued: The reputation of Malta being a family friendly island is being damaged. Why cant they be PCR tested?

British High Commissioner to Malta, Cathy Ward, replied that she was so sorry to hear this.

She added that the Maltese authorities have said the guidance on teenagers is due to the virus now spreading fastest in this age group and they are worried about the spread of the Delta variant.

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There was a surge in demand for holidays in Malta, Spains Balearic Islands, Portugals Madeira and a number of Caribbean destinations after the UK Government announced last week they would be moved to the green travel list on Wednesday at 4am.

The change means people arriving in the UK from those places no longer need to quarantine at home for 10 days.

Price comparison website TravelSupermarket said Malta went from being its 17th most popular country among package holiday customers to number five following the announcement.

Family holidays to Portugal are back on after officials dropped its quarantine policy requirement for children (REUTERS)

A government spokesperson said: As we continue to cautiously reopen international travel, the NHS COVID Pass will be a key service that allows people to demonstrate their Covid-19 vaccination status.

Travel advice for Malta has been clear that from 30 June all arrivals from the UK will need to present full proof of vaccination and, for residents in England, only the NHS Covid Pass letter will be accepted.

"We are actively working with the Maltese Government to ensure digital options for proof of vaccine via the NHS App and NHS.UK are accepted as soon as possible to give citizens a full range of options."

In other travel news, family holidays to Portugal are back on after officials dropped its quarantine policy requirement for children.

In a surprising u-turn, the country reversed its decision to make children over 12 isolate for 14 days.

Portugal previously said only those who were double-jabbed would be allowed to enter. This prevented British families from holidaying there because the UK is not vaccinating under 18s.

However, last night the country announced under 18s travelling with a fully vaccinated parent or guardian would be exempt from the rule.

Instead, children aged 12 and over must show proof of a negative Covid test while under 12s are completely exempt.

Read More

Malta, Madeira and Balearics on green travel list from today

Childrens Commissioner calls for an end to school bubbles

Restrictions on UK tourists ramped up amid Delta variant concerns
A drone attack on air force station in the city of Jammu in Indian-administered Kashmir reflects a shift in terror tactics, according to experts, which leaves Delhi looking at strong countermeasures to tackle the new threat.

Three days after the Jammu attack, investigators are still not sure whether the drone was a crude, commercially available version that had been rigged to drop an explosive charge or was one that could fly longer distances and attack with greater accuracy.

Two low-intensity explosions were reported early Sunday in the technical area of Jammu air force station. One caused minor damage to the roof of a building while the other exploded in an open area.

Since the attack, three more drones were spotted in the Kaluchak area of the region. The drones were flying high and disappeared after briefly hovering over the establishment.

The security establishment says the attacks represent a new threat and a dangerous sign of things to come.

Despite multiple warnings, and the lack of real damage, the attack on the airbase shows how unprepared India was in combating this threat.

'Wake up call'

Experts believe that India should have woken up to the exponential proliferation of new technologies and artificial intelligence long back, and thus makes the task of combating terror even more challenging.

Why were we still asleep? Weaponised drones have been used by terror groups in other theatres for more than four years, Ajay Sahni, a counterterrorism expert and executive director of the Institute for Conflict Management told RFI.

How many wake up calls does this country need to start evolving a process of strategic response?

Others believe that counter-drone technology will have to be deployed to make sure India is able to detect the risk.

Use of drone technology by non-state actors represents a very major jump in the way the insurgency is playing out. This will also entail a new manner of counter insurgency responses across India, said defence analyst Sameer Joshi.

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That non-state actors have caught up quickly was evidenced when Syrian rebels used homemade drones to attack Russian military bases in 2018. A year later, Houthi rebels claimed responsibility for bombing Saudi oil installations using drones.

In 2020, a Turkish-made explosive-laden drone reportedly attacked Khalifa Haftars forces in Libya, in what is believed to be the worlds first case of an autonomous drone attacking humans without being instructed to do so.

Given drone warfare is well on its path to emerge as one of the most important international security developments of this century, security experts say it calls for a more complex response.

The mushrooming number of small, commercially available drones has been modified to give even small terror groups an aerial combat capability and dominance that is traditionally available to modern air forces.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already held a high-level meeting with Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Home Affairs minister Amit Shah and National Security Advisor Ajit Doval on futuristic challenges in the defence sector and equipping the armed forces with modern equipment.

Security has been strengthened around vital installations across Kashmir in view of the threat posed by possible drone attacks.
Calo Des Moro beach Mallorca (Benjamin Bindewald on Unsplash)

The UK and EU are making progress in talks over Britain joining Europes travel green pass system.

Following a European Parliament vote in March, the EU digital Covid certificate is due to launch on July 1 , which the EU commission says will facilitate safe free movement of citizens in the EU during the COVID-19 pandemic to those vaccinated, with a negative test, or with proof they have recovered fron Covid.

A European Commission spokesperson said discussions are ongoing at the technical level and going in the right direction on the UK participating the system - that would open up travel again to all EU countries.

Health secretary Sajid Javid is set to pave the way for the reopening EU travel for Britons with the NHS app - which could be intergrated into the the EUs green pass system

An updated version means it can now serve as a Covid passport set to bypass Angela Merkels quarantine rules.

British travellers can prove they are fully vaccinated, show a negative pre-departure test or that they have had coronavirus in the past 180 days on the app.

People would be able to travel freely throughout the bloc by showing their vaccination or test results at the border.

We are technically ready to be integrated into the EU database that will recognise your digital NHS signature and allow you to demonstrate your Covid status, a senior industry source told The Telegraph.

There are some glitches with private test providers struggling toregister their tests quickly enough but, once those are resolved, all that is required is for the EU to allow non-EU countries to be integrated.

German Chancellor Angela Merkel (PA Wire)

Germany has pushed for British tourists to be banned from the EU regardless of their vaccination status but other states including Spain, Greece and Portugal are so far resisting Mrs Merkels demands to follow suit and impose quarantine on even vaccinated British travellers to combat the spread of the Delta Covid variant.

French president Emmanuel Macron has called for a harmonised response.

Story continues

Last week, EU leaders agreed to step up coordination of travel restrictions over concerns of the Delta Covid variant.

Portugal has introduced a 14 day quarantine for unvaccinated UK holidaymakers as well as Spain, Greece and France.

Malta also introduced the measures shortly after being added to the UKs green list for foreign travel last week.

The EU is expected to launch its green pass at the beginning of next month, but the opening up of major European destinations for Britons will hinge on the expansion of the UK green list and the timing of proposals to exempt the fully-vaccinated from having to quarantine on their return to the UK.

It is hoped the double vaccination scheme will be introduced in August, according to the Department for Transport.

Transport secretary Grant Shapps said on Tuesday that allowing double-jabbed travellers arriving in the UK to avoid quarantine would require time to work through.

However, he has already indicated that the government plans in future to introduce the change for fully vaccinated people returning from amber list countries such as France and Spain.

He highlighted complications of the task which include questions on whether children should be part of the vaccination programme, what to do for people who cannot be vaccinated and how to recognise vaccine status at ports and airports.

As a result of all of this we will announce to the House when were ready to make these decisions in order to bring this system into place, phased most likely for UK residents first, he added.

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Academics / Advising

Screaming Eagles Orientation - Virtual

Come learn more about resources at USI as you begin your academic journey with us!

Screaming Eagles Orientation will be provided virtually using the Zoom platform. These virtual orientations will last around 90 minutes and will provide a great opportunity for new students to meet staff, faculty, current and other new students; to ask questions; and to learn about resources available to help them be successful at USI.

We offer a separate Virtual Parent and Family Orientation session at the same time. This session will focus on meeting staff and faculty and answering parent and family members' questions.

Students will need to make a reservation for these session in myUSI. Students just need to look for the Screaming Eagles Orientation app. When students are making their reservation, they will have the opportunity to sign up parents and family members for their own virtual orientation session.

The Zoom links for these programs will be sent in the confirmation.

More information and additional resources are available at USI.edu/orientation.
He told me, It is the next chapter of my life. He went through hell. His parents passed away. His wife passed away, said Steve Eisenberg, who saw the 52-year-old asset manager last week at the synagogue.

Rosenberg came to Florida to breathe a little bit, said Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar, founder of the Shul of Bal Harbour, the synagogue he joined.

When the building tumbled to the ground, Rosenberg's daughter, Malky Weisz, 27, and her husband, Benny Weisz, 32, had just arrived for their visit on the second floor of Champlain Towers South. As of Wednesday morning, the death toll stood at 16. More than 140 people are still unaccounted for.

Described as a family man and observant Jew, Rosenberg raised funds and launched a young adult center for mental healing in Israel. The new project, called Mercaz Shalom, is at the Mayanei Hayeshua Hospital in Bnei Brak, Israel.

Before his wife died last summer of a brain tumor, he spent three years taking care of her, a close friend said.

He put his life on hold, said Maurice Wachsmann, a friend of Rosenberg's for more than 30 years.

Months after her death came more heartache. His father died of COVID-19 in January, and weeks later his mother died of the same.
At the bar he told her that hed had his eye on her for years and he knew she felt the same way about him and asked her to have sex with him. She refused, telling him that he was married and that sex between a legislator and an aide would be inappropriate, and left the bar.

That December, Gruszynski met with the human resources office and said he had been heavily drinking at the bar that night and didnt remember meeting the aide. According to the documents, he said he had pieced together the evening using bar receipts and an Uber app and that someone (whose name was redacted in the records) told him he had made inappropriate remarks to a staffer.

The records included Facebook messages between Gruszynski and the staffer that took place shortly before she arrived at the Malt House, where he pressed her about where she was and whether they could meet. The staffer tried to put him off, responding with a laughing emoticon and asking him if he needed a ride before finally suggesting they meet at the Malt House.

Gruszynski told interviewers he wanted to apologize to the staffer and had told his wife about the incident. He said he had been drinking heavily since September but after that night he quit. He said he didnt want to be the person he is and began to cry.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 30) The country's daily death toll from COVID-19 is declining, though at a slow pace, a Department of Health official said Wednesday.

From a record high of 123 coronavirus-related deaths per day in April, the Philippines is now logging a daily average of 63 fatalities, DOH epidemiologist Alethea de Guzman said Wednesday.

"Tuloy-tuloy [ang] pagbaba ng ating mga deaths, subalit may kabagalan po talaga," De Guzman said in an online town hall session. "Nakita rin namin na iyong mga lugar kung saan tayo ay nakaka-observe ng pinakamarami o sustained na dami ng deaths ay 'yun ding mga lugar kung saan medyo may kataasan ang ating utilization rates.

[Translation: The number of deaths (per day) kept on decreasing, albeit slowly We also saw that areas with a sustained number of deaths were the same ones that have high healthcare utilization rates.]

She added the situation is "more felt" in the Visayas and Mindanao.

De Guzman said their present goal is to bring down the number of fatalities to the pre-surge average of 29.

The Philippines so far has 1,408,058 infections, of which 1.74% or 24,557 cases resulted in deaths, while 94.7% or 1,333,464 cases were tagged as recovered.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 30)  Senator Manny Pacquiao may be days away from being unseated as acting president of PDP-Laban, a veteran colleague said amid the boxer-turned-lawmakers deepening rift with President Rodrigo Duterte.

I would not be surprised if Senator Pacquiao wakes up one morning in July and he is no longer the president or the acting president of PDP-Laban, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said at the Kapihan sa Manila Bay media forum on Wednesday.

He said this can be discerned from the actions made by Duterte as chairman of the ruling party. Duterte directed Energy Secretary Alfonso Cusi, the party vice chairman, to convene and preside over a national council meeting on May 31, to the dismay of Pacquiao, who said he should have been consulted based on the partys rules.

PDP-Labans national council will meet again on July 16 to set the agenda for the assembly the next day. PDP-Laban Secretary General Melvin Matibag earlier told CNN Philippines the members may decide to elect a new set of officers and discuss their possible slate for the 2022 national polls.

When asked if Pacquiao may be replaced, Matibag said, of course, in an election theres always the possibility that you will lose an election, so its possible.

Drilon, who serves as vice chairman of the opposition Liberal Party, did not give a categorical answer on whether LP will adopt Pacquiao if he leaves PDP-Laban.

Our concentration in the party today is to prepare if eventually, in the eventuality that Leni Robredo runs for president. Pag di siya tumakbo (If she doesnt run)...we are open to alliances, we are open to discussions, he said.

Anything can happen except we have certain principles and platforms, he added.

Drilon said the disunity within PDP-Laban will have serious implications in the 2022 elections and benefit the opposition.

But it takes a lot of work for us to be able to take advantage of it, he said, reiterating the need to have only one opposition candidate against Dutertes anointed bet.

Pointless debate

During his regular public address on Monday, Duterte berated Pacquiao for saying that corruption in government has worsened. He asked Pacquiao to list the government agencies and officials involved in corruption, or else he would campaign against the senator and tell the public hes a liar.

Pacquiao accepted the challenge and initially named the Department of Health as one of the corrupt agencies. The DOH dismissed his allegations.

Senator Koko Pimentel, former national president and incumbent executive vice chairman of PDP-Laban, called for an end to the bickering.

Even the President has said that there is corruption in government, he said in a statement shared to reporters. Wag na lang mag (Lets not just) waste time in debating whether this is times two or times three of a certain level of corruption because that would be a pointless and endless debate.

Meanwhile, Senator Ping Lacson, one of the possible presidential candidates in the 2022 elections, said he hopes Duterte and Pacquiao would mend ties.

Earlier in June, Duterte also hit back at Pacquiao after the senator said he found the President's statements on the South China Sea dispute lacking. Duterte said Pacquiao has a "very shallow knowledge" and should study first. In response, Pacquiao said he disagrees with Duterte's assessment of his understanding of foreign policy and stressed that he was just "voicing out what needs to be said" to protect the country's sovereign rights.
(CNN)  Condo owners in the South Florida tower that collapsed last week were facing assessments for millions of dollars worth of repairs -- with payments set to begin a week after the building's deadly fall.

The Champlain Towers South condo association approved a $15 million assessment in April to complete repairs required under the county's 40-year recertification process, according to documents obtained by CNN.

The documents show that more than two years after association members received a report about "major structural damage" in the building, they began the assessment process to pay for necessary repairs.

Owners would have to pay assessments ranging from $80,190 for one-bedroom units to $336,135 for the owner of the building's four-bedroom penthouse, a document sent to the building's residents said. The deadline to pay upfront or choose paying a monthly fee lasting 15 years was July 1.

An itemized list of planned repairs included new pavers, planter landscape and waterproofing -- addressing some of the issues noted in a 2018 engineer's report, which warned how leaking water was leading to deteriorating concrete. The most costly project was "facade, balcony and railing repairs" for $3.4 million.

The 2018 report, prepared for the condo association, had previously estimated that necessary repairs to the Surfside, Florida, building would cost about $9.1 million. It's unclear whether the issues identified by Frank Morabito, the structural engineer who produced the report, contributed to the disaster.

In an April letter to homeowners, condo association President Jean Wodnicki described the progression of decay at the building, saying, "the observable damage such as in the garage has gotten significantly worse since the initial inspection." She noted that the "concrete deterioration is accelerating. The roof situation got much worse, so extensive roof repairs had to be incorporated."

"Other previously identified projects have been rolled under the main project. New problems have been identified. Also, costs go up every year," the letter states. "This is how we have gone from the estimated $9,128,433.60 cited in Morabito's 2018 report, to the much larger figure we have today."

The big assessment bill came as an unwelcome surprise to some owners of the building's 136 units.

"We struggled with it and everything," said Isabel Aguero, who owns an 11th-floor condo in the part of the building that remains standing. She said she thought most of the line items appeared to be more for aesthetic improvements instead of structural fixes to the building -- such as $722,000 for "hallway and public area renovations."

Aguero and her husband decided to go with the monthly payment and sent in the paperwork on June 23 so the association would start adding $593 to their homeowner fees, they said. Early the next morning, the building collapsed.

The couple bought their condo two years ago with plans to retire there, but they said they hadn't spent much time in it, as their renovations and furniture deliveries were delayed by the coronavirus pandemic.

Their son, Albert Aguero, was in the tower vacationing with his wife and two children when it collapsed. They woke up to a horrific noise and shaking, and "when we opened the door, we realized just how much damage had occurred," he said. "The apartment to the left looked like it had been sheared in half."

He said that there had been work on the building's roof since earlier this year "that would wake us up every morning with drilling." But larger structural construction had not yet begun, according to a statement from the engineering firm that conducted the 2018 report.

Albert said he was distressed reading the warnings in the 2018 report, which he never saw until after the building fell.

"I was pretty angry at that point, angry that innocent lives had to be lost," he said.

Earlier this month, Francesco Cordaro paid more than $95,000 for his portion of the millions in special fees related to the repairs and recertification.

On Thursday, Cordaro and his wife watched on TV from Staten Island, New York, as their apartment building crashed to the ground. They were in Surfside last month had planned to move to South Florida for retirement, he said.

"The ocean view, the size, the location -- I loved everything about that apartment," the 65-year-old said. "All my dreams are shattered."

The couple purchased the unit in January 2019.

"We knew that we were going to have the recertification, but no other specific claims were made at that time about any structural problems," Cordaro said.

He has not hired a lawyer out of respect for the tower's missing residents, he said, but he believes someone should be held financially liable.

"Certainly, someone needs to pay for this," he said. "I don't know who, what, when, but certainly someone has to pay."

Condo association under scrutiny

Since the collapse, the condo association has received scrutiny for the yearslong delay between the alarming 2018 report and the building's overhaul. Its representatives have noted that they were delayed by the pandemic and had to take the time to issue competitive bids for the work.

"We have board members who are living here, had their families living here, and are among the missing, so if they knew there was a hazardous issue, they certainly would have taken care of it," Donna DiMaggio Berger, an attorney for the Champlain Towers condo association, told CNN on Friday.

One official from the town of Surfside had previously assured the association that their building was "in very good shape" in November 2018, meeting minutes obtained by CNN show -- even though he had received the report about structural damage two days earlier.

Rosendo Prieto, who worked as the town's building official at the time, made the comments at a meeting of the tower's condo association more than two years before the building's collapse, according to minutes from the November 15, 2018, meeting.

"Structural engineer report was reviewed by Mr. Prieto," the minutes said, in an apparent reference to the Morabito report. Although Prieto noted that the report "was not in the format for the 40 year certification he determined the necessary data was collected and it appears the building is in very good shape," the minutes say.

A resident of the condo, Susana Alvarez, told NPR that she attended the meeting -- which took place in the building's recreation room -- and remembered a representative of the town saying, "the building was not in bad shape."

Prieto no longer works for Surfside and has not responded to requests for comment from CNN.

Two days before the meeting took place, on November 13, 2018, a member of the condo board, Mara Chouela, forwarded Prieto a copy of the structural engineer's report, according to an email released by the town on Saturday.

And the day after the meeting, Prieto sent another email to Guillermo Olmedillo, the former town manager, saying the condo board meeting "went very well."

"The response was very positive from everyone in the room," Prieto wrote in the November 16 email, which was released by the town Sunday. "All main concerns over their forty year recertification process were addressed."

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Condo owners in Surfside building were facing assessments for $15 million worth of repairs."
(CNN) -- When the United Kingdom emerged from one of the world's longest and most stringent coronavirus lockdowns in April, it did so believing that the worst of the pandemic was over.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson touted the successes of the country's vaccination rollout, and promised a "cautious but also irreversible" roadmap that would culminate on June 21, when the country would lift virtually all restrictions and return mostly back to normal.

But that date was delayed, and normal still feels some way off in the UK.

Despite boasting an inoculation program that has now fully vaccinated nearly two thirds of British adults, the country is heading towards a potential third wave of Covid-19.

Nearly 120,000 cases have been reported in the past week, up by 48,000 on the previous seven days. Schools are becoming increasingly concerning breeding grounds for the virus.

Hospitalizations and deaths are also ticking back up, though so far at a significantly slower pace -- indicating the benefits of the vaccine, but highlighting too the unpredictability of a new era of the pandemic in the UK.

Driving the surge in cases is the Delta variant, first identified in India, which amounts for almost every current infection of Covid-19 in Britain.

Britain therefore provides a vital test case for the world in the closely watched battle between vaccines and variants: the first example of a highly vaccinated major nation tackling a spike of this more transmissible new strain of Covid-19, without imposing new restrictions on the population.

"This variant has the potential to change the shape of the pandemic in your country," Deepti Gurdasani, a senior epidemiology lecturer at Queen Mary University of London, told CNN. "Once this variant enters a population, it's easy to lose control of it."

The impact of vaccines in Britain is clear; those hospitalized and driving the spread are generally younger -- and therefore less likely to have had both doses -- than at previous points in the pandemic.

A study by Public Health England (PHE) found this month that the Pfizer-BioNTech and Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccines are each highly effective -- at 96% and 92% respectively -- against hospitalizations from the Delta variant after two doses.

And an analysis of hospital admissions by PHE found similarly high levels of protection among fully-vaccinated people.

With vaccines now being offered to all those age 18 and over, the country's new health secretary, Sajid Javid, has said he sees "no reason" to push back the new opening-up date of July 19. Johnson said on Monday it is "very likely" the UK "can go back to life as it was before Covid, as far as possible" on that date.

But several countries are taking no chances, imposing strict rules on British travelers in an attempt to keep the variant away. When Germany reopened its borders to fully vaccinated travelers last week, Britain was kept off the list. Hong Kong followed suit on Monday, classifying the UK as an "extremely high-risk" location.

In Britain, a number of experts worry that vital lessons about the Delta variant are being ignored -- and they are urging other countries to watch the UK closely, as Delta becomes the dominant strain of Covid-19 worldwide.

And its stubbornness even in a country where nearly half of the population is fully vaccinated has left experts urging a more holistic approach.

"What we're seeing is the dangers of a vaccine-only strategy," Gurdasani said. "Vaccines are a hugely important part of our response, but we do need to protect our vaccines, and we need to reduce transmission."

'The link is weakened'

The Delta variant is now almost entirely driving Covid-19 transmission in Britain, but the lessons the world can learn from the UK are far from theoretical.

The strain may already account for 1 in every 5 infections in the US, experts say, and officials there are rethinking some measures even for vaccinated people as they brace for the strand to become dominant. German Chancellor Angela Merkel meanwhile warned late last week that the European Union was on "thin ice" in the fight against the Delta variant, with the highly infectious strain threatening to undo the continent's progress in reducing infections.

The speed with which Delta cases can accelerate is perhaps the most glaring message. The most recent seven-day rolling average of daily new infections in the UK is just under 17,000; up from 4,700 at the start of June.

But a rise in infections was expected after 17 May, when hospitality reopened in England and rules on social mixing indoors were relaxed.

Experts are more closely watching what impact those new cases are having on hospitalizations and deaths; and while both are ticking up, the data shows the impact of vaccinations.

"It's very different to what we saw in January to March" during the UK's second wave, said Tim Spector, an epidemiologist and the principal investigator of the PREDICT studies and the ZOE Symptom Study app, which track the status of Covid-19 in the UK.

"Both deaths and hospitalizations (are) still a fraction of what they were for the same level of new cases" at the start of the year, he told CNN.

"We are still hardly seeing anybody who's fully vaccinated going to hospital -- it's a really tiny fraction," he said, adding that vaccines are "definitely breaking that link" between infection and serious disease.

A seven-day rolling average of 222 patients are being admitted to UK hospitals with the coronavirus each day, according to the most recent complete data last week. While that represents a rise compared to April and May, it is a long way from the 4,000 people entering hospitals every day with Covid-19 in January, at the height of the UK's winter peak. Cases, meanwhile, are at about a quarter of that peak.

Vaccines, which were made available to the oldest and most at-risk earlier in Britain, have also led to a change in who health care staff are treating. Throughout the majority of the pandemic, older people have been most seriously affected by Covid-19; but in the first six days of June, only 148 people over 65 were admitted to UK hospitals. More than twice as many adults under the age of 54 were admitted -- 337 -- in the same time period.

"Vaccinations are working -- but you're seeing rises in age groups that are either less protected, or unprotected," Gurdasani said.

Nonetheless, even a more marginal strain on Britain's health care system could have serious consequences. Most doctors think that the NHS will take at least 18 months to recover from the pandemic, which has put staff under strain and created a huge backlog of non-Covid patients, according to a survey of members of the Royal College of Physicians (RCP).

"Our NHS is devastated after two waves, and we have so much care pending -- any amount of excess pressure at this time is not acceptable," Gurdasani added.

People may be unknowingly infected

With the Delta variant taking hold in Britain, experts are also urging the government and the public to change their perception of Covid-19.

The experts point to emerging evidence that people are reporting different symptoms than last year.

"What we're seeing now is many people with flu-like symptoms or even hay fever-like symptoms," said Gurdasani. "We need to really broaden our testing criteria and communicate this to the public. Many people might be getting infected without having any awareness of it."

Some of those symptoms were associated with Covid-19 last year, and other countries have included a wider range of ailments as being possible signs of a coronavirus infection; the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), for example, includes a runny nose, sore throat and fatigue among its 11 official symptoms.

But in the UK, the three official Covid-19 symptoms that should trigger a test have remained the same since early in the pandemic; a fever, cough, or change in one's sense of taste or smell.

That strays from the data on Spector's ZOE app, which asks users to input their experiences with Covid-19 and shares data with King's College London and the NHS. The most common reported symptoms there are now headaches, a runny nose, sneezing and a sore throat.

"We're seeing very different symptoms, and so many people will not realize they are getting Covid depending on the public health messaging," Spector said. "We're not seeing loss of smell now nearly as often as it was previously -- we don't quite know why that is."

'A virus of younger people'

Back in Britain, as the virus shifts in prevalence toward younger age groups, experts are urging focus on a new primary battleground for transmission: schools.

"There is clearly a lot of transmission happening inside of schools -- we don't have mitigation that deals with that," Gurdasani said.

One in 30 pupils at state schools in the UK missed school for Covid-related reasons in the second week of June, the UK's Department of Education said, up from 1 in 83 the previous week. Those reasons include infection or requiring to self-isolate due to close contact with a person who tested positive.

But a mask mandate inside classrooms was lifted in May by the government, and some fear a current lack of restrictions needs urgent review.

"This is now becoming a virus of younger people, and we are letting that happen by not preventing transmission in those settings," said Gurdasani. Recent outbreaks of the Delta variant in schools in Israel -- another country with high vaccinated rates -- has fueled concerns further.

"We need to refocus our entire strategy on reducing transmission," Gurdasani said. "All countries need to have long term focus on masks and ventilation, (and to) clamp down on outbreaks as they occur."

As more information about the variant is gathered, Brits are finding themselves shut out of a growing list of countries. Hong Kong said it would ban flights from the UK from July 1, joining nations in Europe in taking a cautious approach.

Portugal has toughened its quarantine restrictions after British travelers flocked to the country from May, when it became one of the few nations added to the UK's "green list" of tourist destinations.

And German leader Merkel is leading a push to impose similar restrictions across the EU. "In our country, if you come from Great Britain, you have to go into quarantine -- and that's not the case in every European country, and that's what I would like to see," she told Germany's Parliament last week, Reuters reported.

This story was first published on CNN.com, "Britain thinks it can out-vaccinate the Delta variant. The world isn't so sure"
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 30)  The Philippines raised $3 billion (about 145.8 billion) in its third foray into the global capital market this year, the Treasury Bureau has announced.

In a statement on Tuesday, it said the 10.5-year and 25-year global bonds were assigned coupon rates of 1.95% and 3.2%, respectively.

The issuance scored BBB+ and BBB ratings from international debt watchers Fitch Ratings and S&P Global Ratings, respectively.

It also secured a Baa2 rating from Moodys Investors Service, reflecting the countrys issuer rating.

The latest bond offering comes after the countrys largest and first-ever triple-tranche euro-dominated global bond sale, which raised 122.3 billion; and its first-ever zero-coupon samurai bond float, which earned 24.2 billion.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III welcomed the recent deal, noting its success reflects the continuing confidence of the global investor community in the country.

It shows that investors appreciate the Duterte administrations heightened efforts to revive the economy back to pre-pandemic levels while maintaining fiscal responsibility, he said.

National Treasurer Rosalia de Leon, meanwhile, cited the heavy bias toward the 25-year offering.

De Leon said it underscores the enduring attractiveness of the countrys credit even with the challenges resulting from the COVID-19 health crisis, adding that investors perceive the countrys economic revival as imminent, strong and long lasting.

The bonds must be settled by July 6, the Treasury Bureau added.

The government has resorted to borrowing from both local and foreign sources to ensure funding for its pandemic response and relief measures.

The countrys outstanding debt once again hit a record high in April at 10.99 trillion.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 30)  After releasing their tropical-themed album "Taste of Love," K-pop girl group TWICE hopes their fans would feel the summer vibes with their latest tracks.

Eight members of TWICE - one of the most famous K-pop groups - sat down for an exclusive interview with CNN Philippines to share what it's like to be able to contribute in song writing for their latest album.

Dahyun, one of the members who contributed, said they were excited to be able to participate. She added that while they were writing, they kept wishing their fans - known as "ONCE" - would enjoy their songs and hope they gain energy and happiness from these.

"We made our comeback in the summer, so we hope the summer vibes remind you of us. We also hope that our songs can refreshen our ONCE, especially in the Philippines since it's hot there. So hopefully listening to our songs make you feel cooler and fresher," Nayeon said in Korean when asked how they want "Taste of Love" to be remembered.

The group made a June-comeback with a new mini album "Taste of Love." This was immediately followed by their release of their Japanese track, "Perfect World."

The group also expressed hopes to be able write and produce their own songs and album in the future.

"If we have the opportunity it would be great for all the members to try it again in the future," leader Jihyo said.

She added that they hope to go back to the Philippines in the future and hold a concert again. TWICE last visited the country in 2019 for their "TWICELIGHTS" world tour.
(CNN)  The Delta variant of Covid-19 is more contagious than other lineages, and is spreading rapidly in under-vaccinated populations.

While vaccination is a matter of choice for adults, many children  particularly those under the age of 12  cannot get vaccinated at all.

That leaves a lot of uncertainty, especially for parents and caregivers considering summer camps and school.

Children and masking

Should parents be wearing masks around their children? Where should children be wearing masks? At least for now, the answer may depend on where people live.

"I would say right now, if your kids are old enough to wear masks, then they should when they're indoors, at least until we can get our arms around this Delta variant," Dr. Peter Hotez, dean of the National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine, told CNN's Poppy Harlow and Jim Sciutto on Wednesday.

Hotez said that kids are safer in areas like the Northeast, which are seeing lower rates of the variants. Regions where the variant is spreading more are experiencing a "one-two punch" of the variant combined with low vaccination rates.

"This requires parents and really anyone to have some situational awareness of what their region looks like, what their state looks like, what their county looks like in terms of vaccination rates and Delta variants," Hotez said.

That calculation may also involve the individual risk of a child and their family, US Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy said.

"I think it's very reasonable for parents who are living with kids who are unvaccinated, or for that matter, other family members who are unvaccinated, to consider wearing a mask if they're in a high risk area or if their job requires a high degree of exposure," Murthy told CNN's Erica Hill on Wednesday. "The goal is, again, here to create some flexibility so people can make decisions based on their situation and their risk tolerance."

Speaking to CNN's Don Lemon on Tuesday, National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Dr. Anthony Fauci was clear on the point: "If your children are not old enough to get vaccinated, when they're out there in the community, they should be wearing a mask."

Dr. Yvonne Maldonado, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics' Committee on Infectious Diseases, told CNN that vaccinating adults may better protect children, even if the virus is more transmissible.

"It is important for parents and other eligible close family members to be fully vaccinated around children less than 12 years of age to protect them as much as possible against infection with the Delta variant," Maldonado told CNN in an email.

"The vast majority of new infections are occurring among unvaccinated individuals and creating a 'pod' of vaccinated individuals around young children, as well as continuing them to mask and distance in indoor settings and among crowded settings, will be important in keeping them safe."

Protection from vaccines

Children under 12 may not be immunized with any Covid-19 vaccine, which is why the "pod" Maldonado references may be so useful. Still, it is the nature of vaccines that breakthrough infections can occur, particularly with a variant showing increased transmission.

"It is possible that you will see people who are infected get breakthrough infections," Fauci said.

"We haven't formally proven yet how much diminution there is in the likelihood of transmitting it to someone else -- including children -- and that's one of the reasons why you've got to be careful when you're dealing with something like the Delta variant," he said.

But even without breakthrough infections, some children run a risk of falling through the cracks due to their family's vaccination status. Research published this week from the Kaiser Family Foundation shows that, in most households surveyed, vaccination is an all-or-nothing proposition.

More than 75% of adults surveyed who were vaccinated said their whole household is vaccinated, while 75% of unvaccinated adults surveyed said no one in their household is vaccinated.

"I think where pediatricians will stand in the gap is to say when they see an 8-year-old who is not yet eligible for vaccination. We really should take the time in that visit, to ask about vaccination status of the family, so that we can make ourselves available for questions," Dr. Buddy Creech, Director of the Vanderbilt Vaccine Research program, told CNN. "We want parents and individuals to feel good about getting the vaccine themselves and for their children."

Waiting for more research

More concrete guidance on the variant likely may hinge on what research shows about transmissibility and infection with the Delta variant specifically. That research can help parents make informed risk calculations about the variant and their child -- calculations that, Creech points out, parents already make seasonally.

"We make those risk calculations all the time. We recognize it's flu season, or respiratory virus season at large, and we take that risk of our children becoming infected with one of those viruses, even though we know that those viruses are connected with sinus infections, ear infections, pneumonia. And if nothing else, just a fever illness that is uncomfortable for that child," he said.

The increased transmissibility overall may already be affecting younger populations, even if the transmission isn't specific to young people.

"We know as a fact, not conjecture but as a fact, that this virus spreads more efficiently from person to person. And it also leads to more severe disease," Fauci said. "So it is not surprising that we're seeing more younger people not only getting infected but getting seriously ill."

Fauci said that the elderly and immunocompromised still face the highest risk of severe disease. That difference, Creech said, could be key.

"I think the calculations of risk really change, if this goes from a flulike illness that rarely causes complications in children, to something that is more like what we see in our older adults or those with underlying medical conditions. That would be a game changer for how we are attacking this virus."

This story was first published on CNN.com 'What parents need to know about children and the Delta variant'
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 30)  The Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases may adopt some of the recommendations of the local government of Cebu province on quarantine protocols, but only when more Filipinos get vaccinated against COVID-19, its co-chair said.

IATF co-chair and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles told CNN Philippines' The Source on Wednesday that the task force's 10-day hotel quarantine and four-day home quarantine for returning Filipinos will be the standing policy in Cebu.

READ: IATF, Cebu still deadlocked on quarantine rules for returning Filipinos

He also said the special session held last Tuesday was just the first among many other discussions between the national and local governments as the pandemic continues.

"It won't be the last of our meetings. I think this will all be helpful moving forward because remember we also have to start changing the protocols when we start reaching the population protection level in terms of our vaccination rollouts and when we reach the herd immunity," Nograles said.

"Marami sa mga recommendation ng Cebu we will be able to use and apply once we get that confidence level pagdating sa gaano na kalawak ang bakunado dito sa ating bansa," he added.

[Translation: We will be able to use and apply a lot of recommendations from Cebu once we get that confidence level in terms of the number of vaccinated people in the country.]

Aside from Nograles, Health Secretary Francisco Duque III and task force chief implementer Carlito Galvez Jr. stressed that arriving passengers must be swabbed on the seventh day of their quarantine. If the passenger tested negative on the swab test, the person is eligible to finish the remaining four days in home quarantine.

Nograles said the IATF is still looking from a medical and legal perspective the proposal of Cebu to hold a three-day hotel quarantine for Cebuanos and allow the IATF rules to apply on non-Cebuanos.

"We cannot speak and decide for IATF. It has to pass through, and whatever the recommendations are, it has to be sent to the President for his decision," he added.

Nograles said that vaccine experts, technical advisers, and representatives of the World Health Organization were present during Tuesday's session, but they still have to "chew on and digest" the discussion to come up with recommendations to President Rodrigo Duterte.

More than 10 million doses have been administered all over the country to date. The government hopes to inoculate up to 70 million Filipinos by yearend to achieve herd immunity.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 30)  While the country has recorded cases of vaccinated people contracting the coronavirus, the Food and Drug Administration said these breakthrough infections are notably lower among those who have completed two doses.

"Nakikita po natin na meron pa pong nagkakaroon ng COVID pero kakaunting-kaunti na lamang po even after the first dose, and it drastically goes down after the second dose, FDA Director General Eric Domingo said in a briefing on Wednesday.

[Translation: We have observed that vaccinated people still get infected, but the number of such cases is very low after the first dose and drastically goes down after the second dose.]

It takes at least two weeks after receiving the second anti-coronavirus shot for one to be considered fully vaccinated, Domingo noted. Health experts have also reiterated that no vaccine provides 100% protection, but all prevent severe forms of the disease.

How many breakthrough cases has the PH seen?

According to the FDA, around 3.7 million people nationwide have received at least one dose of the Sinovac vaccine. The count is at 2.1 million people for AstraZeneca; 321,362 for Pfizer; and 61,860 for Sputnik V.

Of these inoculated individuals, it said the country has recorded 439 breakthrough cases.

These are people who got infected after only one dose, within 14 days of receiving their second dose, or more than 14 days after.

For those who haven't completed their vaccination, the FDA said 173 infections were tallied from the Sinovac group, 188 from AstraZeneca, five from Sputnik V, and five from Pfizer. From these figures, 22 died  11 each from the Sinovac and AstraZeneca groups  after falling ill with severe COVID-19.

The FDA chief, however, said brands shouldnt be compared as the total number of doses administered are not the same.

He added they have different intervals between the first and second shot. For instance, Sinovac vaccine recipients wait for four weeks, while AstraZeneca vaccinees wait for eight to 12 weeks.

What about those who already received their second dose?

The FDA chief said the number of breakthrough cases plummet in the case of those who have completed their vaccination.

The number is down to 33 for those who got infected within 14 days after their second shot. Broken down into brands, 27 are from the Sinovac group, five from AstraZeneca, and one from Sputnik V.

Meanwhile, the FDA said 35 still caught the virus after more than two weeks of getting their second dose. Thirty-three are from the Sinovac group, and one each from AstraZeneca and Pfizer.

"Pero [But] again, all of these are mild, Domingo said. And 33 out of 1.6 million (individuals fully vaccinated with Sinovac) is a very, very low percentage.

No deaths were recorded among those who have finished their two doses.

Domingo also said only 0.6% of Filipinos have reported adverse events following immunization, and most of these are only mild side effects.

RELATED: No blood clot reports; less than 1% of people had side effects from COVID-19 vaccines in PH

"Nakikita naman natin na mas malaki po ang benepisyo saatin ng pagbabakuna kaysa kung tayo ay hindi mababakunahan [We can see that the benefits of vaccination outweigh the risks]," he said.

This week, the country breached the 10-million mark in COVID-19 vaccines administered, but only around 2.5 million individuals are fully inoculated.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 30) - President Rodrigo Duterte on Wednesday signed a law extending the availment period of estate tax amnesty for two years, or until June 14, 2023.

Republic Act No. 11569 amends the Tax Amnesty Act, which set a June 14, 2021 deadline for the filing of estate tax returns.

The Bureau of Internal Revenue defines estate tax as a tax on the right of the deceased person to transmit his/her estate to his/her lawful heirs and beneficiaries at the time of death and on certain transfers, which are made by law as equivalent to testamentary disposition."

Lawmakers who pushed for the two-year extension said COVID-19 restrictions have made it difficult for taxpayers to settle their estate tax dues even with the amnesty.

Rep. Joey Salceda, chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, earlier noted that the low turnout of people availing of the program also resulted in smaller earnings of only 1.362 billion as of September 2020 out of a potential 6 billion.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 30) - President Rodrigo Duterte thanked the government of Sri Lanka for its assistance to overseas Filipino workers - particularly in their repatriation - amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

In a statement on Wednesday, the Office of the President (OP) said Duterte and his Sri Lankan counterpart, Gotabaya Rajapaksa, had a phone conversation on June 28, where the two leaders renewed their commitment to further boost bilateral ties.

"The President thanked the Sri Lankan government for its assistance in the repatriation of Filipinos amid this pandemic and for the safe return of Filipino seafarers in the MT New Diamond that caught fire off the eastern coast of Sri Lanka in September 2020," the OP said.

The two leaders also discussed other areas of cooperation - including security and defense, trade and investment, labor, migration, and tourism.

Duterte also conveyed the Philippines' interest to strengthen its engagement with Sri Lanka in the United Nations on issues of common concern.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 30)  Valenzuela City Mayor Rex Gatchalian ordered the suspension of the business permit of the company that paid the wages of one of its employees in low-denomination coins.

In a meeting on Wednesday, Gatchalian, complainant Russel Manosa and NexGreen Enterprises proprietor Jasper Cheng So discussed the issue concerning the incident and other matters about the company.

On June 28, Gatchalian met with the complainant and a representative of NexGreen after Manosa revealed that his salary for two days amounting to 1,056 was paid in five- and 10-centavo coins.

Gatchalian said meeting with a company representative "won't cut it" and said he would "get to the bottom" of the issue.

During Wednesday's meeting, So said they didn't mean to give Manosa's wages in coins, and that they were supposed to be donated. But Gatchalian didnt buy So's explanation while Manosa said he believed it was done intentionally.

"Sinadya po yun [They meant to do it]," he told Gatchalian at the meeting.

"Hindi tayo aabot sa ganito kung binayaran niyo ako ng maayos," Manosa said, addressing So.

[Translation: If you had just paid me correctly, we wouldn't be here.]

So apologized to Manosa, which the latter accepted.

But NexGreens troubles didnt end there. During the meeting, it was revealed that the company owes Manosa over 55,000 in non-payment of overtime pay and underpayment of salary, among others.

Apart from this, the mayor's office also said NexGreen "acted in violation of the following":

- Provisions of the mayor's permit

- Article 19 of the Civil Code of the Philippines in relation to Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Circular No. 537 Series of 2006, when it paid its worker his salary in coins of small denomination more than the limit allowed by law

- Provisions of the Labor Code when it failed to pay the correct minimum wage, non-payment of overtime pay, non-payment of night shift differential, non-payment of holiday pay, and

- Provisions of other legislation for non-coverage of SSS, PhilHealth and Pag-IBIG fund.

The mayor said the notice of suspension would be delivered to the company within the day.

"After which you will be given 15 days na i-rectify or itama ang mga mali na nakalagay doon, kung hindi mare-revoke yung business permit niyo," he said.

[Translation: After which you will be given 15 days to rectify or correct what is wrong there, otherwise your business permit will be revoked.]

Gatchalian also said the Department of Labor and Employment would be notified, and certain criminal issues would have to be discussed with the agency as well.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 30)  Should PDP-Laban acting president Sen. Manny Pacquiao leave the ruling party amid his growing rift with its national chairman President Rodrigo Duterte?

PDP-Laban member and Cabinet Secretary Karlo Nograles said Wednesday that being a party member is a personal decision, and anyone is free to stay or leave.

"Without a doubt, PDP-Laban is solidly as one behind President Rodrigo Roa Duterte as our chairman," he said following the two party leaders' stinging word war over the past days.

Speaking to CNN Philippines' The Source, Nograles said the ruling party has a set of mechanisms that must be followed when a member has some issues to raise.

"Any party member naman is free to stay or free to leave. That being said, siguro marami kami sa partido ang nagsasabi lamang na if you are a member of a party, we have rules, regulations, responsibilities and obligations to the party," Nograles said. "At yan ang gusto naming mangyari sa lahat ng ating mga kapartido."

[Translation: Any party member is free to stay or leave. That being said, many of us in the party are saying that if you are a member of a party, we have rules, regulations, responsibilities and obligations to the party. And that's what we want all our partymates to adhere to.]

"Why dont you just use the party mechanisms and not bring it outside the sphere or the realm of the party, kasi lahat naman tayo kapartido (since all of us are partymates anyway)," Nograles added.

On Tuesday, Pacquiao took on Duterte's challenge for him to expose corruption in government after claiming that the current administration is more corrupt than its predecessor.

READ: 'Hindi ako sinungaling': Pacquiao accepts Duterte challenge to expose govt corruption

Malacanang did not state whether Duterte wants Pacquiao out of PDP-Laban but added that the President recognizes the party as that "of the Pimentel family."

Some PDP-Laban members led by vice chairman Alfonso Cusi, previously convened to adopt a resolution urging Duterte to run for vice president next year. Pacquiao said the meeting violated party rules but Duterte has not yet talked to him to address the matter.

READ: Pacquiao camp: Still no answer from Duterte on meeting amid PDP-Laban rift

The boxer-turned-politician is among those being floated as a presidential candidate in next year's polls. Early this month, he also criticized Duterte for his stance on the West Philippine Sea issue but the latter only called him out for his "very shallow knowledge."

Pacquiao and Duterte have not yet formally announced their political plans for next year.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 30)  The Philippines is on its way to economic recovery, the Palace said Wednesday, after a Bloomberg report listed the country as the second lowest out of 53 nations when it comes to bouncing back from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Presidential spokesperson Harry Roque acknowledged that the Philippines' economy took a nosedive due to the ongoing health crisis, but he said it is slowly improving.

"Ang ating economic team ay kampante na tayo ay unti-unting bumabangon at tuluyang bumabangon," he said during a vaccination event in Laguna. "Ang ating polisiya ngayon ay talagang ineensure na di lang mapapababa ang numero ng COVID, kung hindi, maiiwasan din ang pagkagutom."

[Translation: Our economic team is confident we are slowly and continuously improving. Our policy now is not only to ensure that COVID numbers go down, but to also prevent hunger.]

International news agency Bloomberg's Covid Resilience Ranking released on Monday looked into the COVID numbers, quality of life, and new element "Reopening Progress" as the world shifts to rolling out vaccination programs to put a stop to the pandemic.

The Philippines ranked 52nd out of the 53 largest economies with score of 45.3  right before Argentina which got 37.

"India, the Philippines, and some Latin America countries rank lowest amid a perfect storm of variant-driven outbreaks, slow vaccination, and global isolation," the reportsaid.

The United States (76), New Zealand (73.7), Switzerland (72.9), and Israel (72.9) took the top spots on the list.

It scrutinized the nations' vaccination progress, severity of lockdowns, capacity of flights, and number of open travel routes where quarantine isn't necessary for fully vaccinated travelers.

The Philippines has logged 1.40 million COVID-19 cases as of Tuesday, with 24,557 deaths and over 1.33 million recoveries. The country breached the 10-million mark this week in vaccines administered, but only 2.52 million individuals are fully vaccinated out of a population of around 110 million.

The ban on travelers from India and six other countries with high cases of the Delta variant has been extended for weeks now. The entire country has been under varying degrees of lockdowns or community quarantine classifications since the start of the pandemic.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 30)  The Quezon City government announced Tuesday night that it will terminate its contract with the Zuellig Pharma Corporation, the company behind the online vaccination appointment platform eZConsult.

This was after the platform used by Quezon City residents crashed again in the afternoon. Users shared their frustration on social media regarding technical issues they encountered, with some waiting for hours in order to book a slot for their COVID-19 shot.

"We have already given Zuellig [Pharma] ample time to improve their system upon their request and yet their system has crashed again for the 9th time, Mayor Joy Belmonte said in a statement. We don't want to cause undue stress to our constituents who only want to register for vaccination.

This also comes after Quezon City opened 55,450 slots through the platform at 5 p.m. for A1 to A4 priority groups.

Earlier, they reported an upgrade of their system which supposedly could already accommodate up to 50,000 users at a time. However, their system crashed again when we opened new slots, Belmonte said, adding that instead of easing up the process, the system only caused delays in the registration and vaccination process as a whole.

On June 16, Belmonte gave Zuellig Pharma until June 18 to fix its services as residents have complained about challenges in accessing eZConsult since March 27. She has warned the company of contract termination and filing of damages if it fails to meet the deadline.

In an interview with CNN Philippines, Zuellig Pharma Chief Business Officer Jannette Jakosalem said they have upgraded the system and there has been some noticeable improvements. Upgrading will continue to accommodate the needs of the city, she added.

With this development, City Attorney Orlando Casimiro said "the Information Technology portion of the Service Agreement with the city government will be terminated and damages will be claimed against Zuellig [Pharma] because of the delays, inconvenience and frustration that our QCitizens have experienced.

Under Section 9 of the deal, the service provider is liable to pay liquidated damages amounting to one tenth of 1% of the contract price for every day of delay until the project is completed.

The city government is also mulling to file civil and criminal charges against Zuellig Pharma for not meeting its contractual obligation.

For now, residents are encouraged to register through the city government-assisted QC Vax Easy portal.

Those who were able to book vaccination slots for July 1,2,3,5 and 6 may proceed with their appointments, the local government said. It noted that all ongoing bookings are valid until the termination has been finalized.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, July 1)  Vaccine czar Carlito Galvez Jr. on Wednesday said Chinas Sinovac vaccine is performing well and at par with shots made by Western brands.

He made the statement on the heels of calls for the government to purchase COVID-19 shots that have higher efficacy rates.

For one, Senate Minority Leader Franklin Drilon said, when it comes to the life of millions of Filipinos and the future of the country, there should be no price tag. We can buy the most expensive vaccines with high efficacy.

Earlier reports also said that a number of Indonesian medical workers who received Sinovac shots got infected by the virus.

In his statement, Galvez explained that all vaccines being used in the country passed through a rigorous review by the vaccine expert panel (VEP), which is composed of top doctors and vaccine specialists.

We listen and follow the panels assessment on what vaccines to procure to ensure that they are all safe and effective regardless of brands, he said.

In fact, we have seen that all vaccines that have been given Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) by our Food and Drug Administration are performing well in the real-world conditions compared to their clinical trial results, he added.

Citing real-world data provided by the panel, Galvez said the China-made vaccine is 90% effective in preventing severe COVID-19 cases and deaths in Uruguay, and 94% effective in protecting healthcare workers in Indonesia.

Amid concerns on its efficacy against the more transmissible Delta variant, he said the VEP has discouraged concluding early in the matter since studies are still ongoing.

We ensure that all the policies that we craft and implement are science-based and evidence-based, Galvez reiterated.

I will always consider the advice of our experts and not from people who do not want to listen to more prudent and deliberate decision-making," he also said.

The FDA granted Sinovac an EUA in February. Based on its evaluation, it showed 65.3% to 91.2% efficacy rate when used on healthy people aged 18 to 59. For health workers directly exposed to COVID-19 patients, efficacy is at 50.4%.

To date, the Philippines has received over 17 million coronavirus shots from Sinovac, as well as AstraZeneca, Gamaleya, Pfizer, and Moderna.

More than 10 million Filipinos have received their vaccine dose, of which around 2.5 million are now fully protected from the deadly virus.

By the end of the year, the government hopes to immunize up to 70 million individuals.
(CNN)  Abu Dhabi will only allow vaccinated people into some public spaces starting August 20, the government media office for the Emirati capital announced in a statement on Monday.

The Abu Dhabi Emergency, Crisis and Disasters Committee made the decision "after vaccinating 93 percent of target groups in the emirate and to preserve public health."

Public places include shopping centers, restaurants, cafes, gyms, recreational facilities, sporting activities and all other retail outlets not within shopping centers, except those selling essential goods such as supermarkets and pharmacies.

The decision also applies to health clubs, resorts, museums and cultural centers, theme parks, universities and institutes, schools and nurseries.

The decision does not apply to unvaccinated people who were exempt from vaccination through the approved process, nor to children ages 15 and under.

The neighboring emirate of Dubai, with its economy heavily reliant on tourism, will not share the same rules.

The United Arab Emirates has one of the world's highest vaccination rates. The country initially vaccinated residents with the Chinese-made Sinopharm shot but has since introduced other vaccines as well.

Despite the swift vaccine rollout, cases in the UAE have remained at roughly the same level of about 2,000 new cases per day for the past several weeks. Earlier this month, the UAE announced it would offer a booster shot to residents who had previously had two shots of Sinopharm.
(CNN)  The African Union (AU) and Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) have voiced "concern" after it emerged that Europe's digital 'green pass' does not recognize a vaccine that was donated to many African countries through the COVAX initiative.

The European Union (EU) Digital Covid Certificate enables people who have received two doses of a Covid-19 vaccine approved by its medicines regulator, the European Medicines Agency (EMA), to travel freely within the bloc.

But the pass only recognizes AstraZeneca doses manufactured in Europe (branded Vaxzevria) and not those manufactured by the world's largest vaccine manufacturer -- the Serum Institute of India (SII) -- which is branded Covishield.

The EMA told CNN in a statement on Monday that Vaxzevria is only Covid-19 shot from AstraZeneca for which approval was requested -- leading to its authorization in the EU.

"In the EU, the vaccine called Covishield does not currently have a marketing authorization. Even though it may use an analogous production technology to Vaxzevria, Covishield as such is not currently approved under EU rules," the EMA said.

"This is because vaccines are biological products," the agency stated. "Even tiny differences in the manufacturing conditions can result in differences in the final product, and EU law therefore requires the manufacturing sites and production process to be assessed and approved as part of the authorization process."

The EMA statement added: "Should we receive a marketing authorization application for Covishield or should any change to the approved manufacturing sites for Vaxzevria be approved, we would communicate about it."

Entry to Europe not guaranteed

The fact that two doses of the Indian-produced AstraZeneca vaccine does not guarantee travelers entry to the EU means a huge part of the world is excluded from the bloc's current travel policy.

Covishield has been described as the "backbone" of COVAX contributions to low- and middle-income countries.

The AU and Africa CDC urged the EU Commission, in a joint statement on Monday, "to consider increasing mandatory access to those vaccines deemed suitable for global rollout through the EU-supported COVAX Facility."

"The current applicability guidelines put at risk the equitable treatment of persons having received their vaccines in countries profiting from the EU-supported COVAX Facility, including the majority of the African Union (AU) Member States," the joint statement said.

"These developments are concerning given that the Covishield vaccine has been the backbone of the EU-supported COVAX contributions to the AU Member States' vaccination programmes. Furthermore, given that the expressed goal for the Serum Institute of India production is to serve India and lower-income countries, the SII may not apply for EU-wide market authorisation, meaning that the inequalities in access to "Green Passes" created by this approach would persist indefinitely," the statement continued.

SII head Adar Poonawalla said in a tweet Monday that people who have been administered the Covishield shot are "facing issues with travel to the EU."

"I assure everyone, I have taken this up at the highest levels and hope to resolve this matter soon, both with regulators and at a diplomatic level with countries," Poonawalla added.

CNN has contacted the SII for further comment.

An AstraZeneca spokesperson told CNN in a statement on Monday: "We are working closely with the EMA as they develop guidance to support opening of borders and relaxing restrictions, and this includes guidance on inclusion of Covishield as a recognised vaccine for immunisation passports."

Working for a 'fair travel regime'

The EMA told CNN it is not responsible for any decision regarding travel into the EU and traveling conditions associated with Covid-19 vaccination, such as the EU pass. "This is a matter for the European Commission and for individual Member States," the EMA statement said.

CNN has contacted the European Commission but has not received a response.

India's External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar said in a tweet Monday that he had a "good conversation" with EU Commissioner for International Partnerships Jutta Urpilainen where he "underlined the importance of equitable vaccine access and a fair travel regime."

The AU and Africa CDC also noted that AstraZeneca's Covishield vaccine was one of the first available candidates considered safe and efficacious through the World Health Organization's Emergency Use Listing process back in February.
(CNN)  The more transmissible Delta variant has spread to almost every state in the US, fueling health experts' concerns about COVID-19 spikes.

The variant is expected to become the dominant coronavirus strain in the US, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said. And with half the US still not fully vaccinated, doctors say it could cause a resurgence of Covid-19 in the fall -- just as children too young to get vaccinated go back to school.

In Los Angeles County, the pace of Delta's spread has prompted officials to reinstate mask guidance for public indoor spaces -- regardless of vaccination status.

The new, voluntary mask guidance is needed until health officials can "better understand how and to who the Delta variant is spreading," the county's department of public health said.

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine has shown to be 88% effective against symptomatic infections caused by the Delta variant -- two weeks after the second dose. Those who received only one dose have significantly less protection.

And Moderna's vaccine was found in lab experiments to work against new variants such as the Delta strain, the company said Tuesday. Researchers used serum samples from eight participants taken a week after they received their second dose of vaccine.

But the spread of coronavirus is outpacing vaccinations, the World Health Organization said. And the longer coronavirus spreads among unvaccinated people, the more opportunities it has to mutate into more troubling variants.

Now the Gamma variant has been shown to be more resistant to vaccines and antibody treatments. Last week, the WHO said even those who are fully vaccinated should wear masks in places with high rates of Covid-19 spread.

Many states have not reinstated mask mandates for the upcoming school year, including New Jersey -- where masks will not be required "unless the district decides to make it protocol," Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday.

But that could change if the situation gets worse, he said.

How to help kids go back to school in-person, safely

For parents of children ages 12 and up, the time to vaccinate them for school is now, said Dr. Ashish Jha, dean of Brown University's School of Public Health.

"My message is really clear: You should get your kids vaccinated," he told CNN on Monday.

"I have two teenagers, both of whom have gotten vaccinated. The safety profile on these vaccines are really quite extraordinary, and they're much, much safer than getting Covid."

There have been extremely rare reports of myocarditis, or inflammation of the heart muscle, and pericarditis, or inflammation of the outer lining of the heart, after the Pfizer/BioNTech or Moderna vaccines, the CDC says.

Symptoms can include shortness of breath, chest pain or the feeling of a fast heartbeat. "Patients can usually return to their normal daily activities after their symptoms improve," the agency says.

"The known and potential benefits of COVID-19 vaccination outweigh the known and potential risks, including the possible risk of myocarditis or pericarditis," the CDC says.

"CDC continues to recommend COVID-19 vaccination for everyone 12 years of age and older."

The Delta strain has been associated with 2.61 times the risk of hospitalizations compared with the previously dominant strain in the UK.

In the US, hot spots such as Missouri are also seeing increased hospitalizations due to the Delta variant. Those hospitalized now are younger than those hospitalized during the winter Covid-19 surge.

"People in their late teens and even early 20s are being hospitalized and needing the use of ventilators," said Katie Towns, acting director of Springfield-Greene County Health Department.

The risk-benefit analysis between getting Covid-19 vs. getting vaccinated is a "no-brainer," Jha said.

"Getting Covid itself is so much worse," he said.

With some schools starting in early August, parents of children ages 12 and older would need to get their adolescents vaccinated soon to be protected before the school year.

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine is the only one authorized for children 12 and up. It requires two doses, spaced three weeks apart, and the vaccine doesn't fully kick in until two weeks after the second dose.

So it'll take five weeks from the first dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine to be fully vaccinated.

Some vaccines offer years of protection, study shows

A new study suggests the two-dose Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine should keep an immune response up for years -- unlike vaccines for the flu that need a yearly booster.

The human body produces antibodies to attack and neutralize an invader such as a virus, but antibodies typically die off over time. To ensure a long-term response, the body needs to be able to make more antibodies that can specifically respond to certain viruses via B-cells.

Researchers at Washington University in St. Louis found people who got both doses of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine had little factories called germinal centers that make B-cells that should specifically recognize the novel coronavirus, meaning there's a possibility for long-lasting protection, according to a study published in the journal Nature.

Covid-19 -- not the vaccine -- can be dangerous for pregnant women

With many popular myths about Covid-19 vaccines, health experts want to reiterate that the vaccines will not affect fertility.

And pregnant woman are at much greater risk of complications from Covid-19 than the Covid-19 vaccines, said Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

"Tens and tens and tens of thousands of people" have received the vaccine while pregnant and before getting pregnant, Fauci said Monday.

And unlike the vaccines, Covid-19 can be especially dangerous during pregnancy, Fauci said.

"The mother can have an adverse pregnancy event, as can the fetus" with Covid-19, he said.

"The best thing one can do to protect yourself is to actually get vaccinated."
At McCool, Cogswell said, even the elementary and middle school students have an assembly once a month.

They get special recognition, Cogswell said. We recognize their birthdays. When students say where theyre going to college, we celebrate that as well. It truly is a family.

Cogswell said that its special when alumni come back to visit. He has gotten several invitations to weddings, and past students often want to come back and talk with him.

Kids who graduate from here can do anything, Cogswell said. We have doctors and lawyers. I have a kid who is in the Secret Service, and we have a kid who can do lung transplants. On the flip side, we have had great electricians and plumbers. People say you cant do things because youre from a small school. Yes, you can. You can do anything you want.

Cogswell said that his biggest accomplishment isnt about him; it is about the community of McCool.

This community makes believers out of you, Cogswell said. Even though there were challenges, the community fought. They all said we are going to be all right. Weve been in situations where we had to slow growth because we grew too fast. Every challenge that we are given, we are going to rise and meet it.
During the Tuesday morning Loup Power District Board of Directors meeting, Duren said the 62.5-kilowatt charger will put about 25 miles' worth of charge onto an electric car in about an hour. Duren said it will cost 50 cents per hour for the first four hours and then $1 per hour after that.

"There are two cords so we'll be able to charge two vehicles," Duren said.

Duren added that Loup has plans for two more EV charging stations in Columbus -- one at the Holiday Inn Express, 524 E. 23rd St., and another at the Loup Service Center, 1444 45th St.

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"And Super Saver is looking at doing their own project with their new rebuild of their grocery store," Duren said. "They're hoping to get theirs installed by the end of the year, also, and they'll be putting in a DC fast charger."

That charger will charge a car for 100 miles in an hour, Duren said.

In other news, the Loup board has continued to discuss redistricting issues that arose in April.

Following the U.S. Census every 10 years, the Loup Board of Directors -- along with every other political subdivision in the United States -- must redraw its districts according to population.
Kinnison said its a credit to the former business leaders who were part of the club to make the milestone possible.

One reason why the club hasnt set rescheduled its 100th anniversary event is the upcoming change of leadership happening at the end of June, Kinnison said. Stachuras term will end, making way for John Landers with Eye Physicians PC to take over the role.

Stachura said hes optimistic that the service club will hold a celebration later this year.

Im pretty sure we will because we started stuff (last year), he said.

Kinnison joked that even though it should be called the 101st anniversary, the organization will celebrate its century milestone. But with COVID-19 still being an issue, Noon Rotary doesnt want to set something just yet, she added.

In the meantime, Stachura and Kinnison said the Noon Rotary is still looking for members. Last month, Noon Rotary and the Columbus Morning Rotary Club mulled combining the two groups, as a way to combat the dwelling membership for both parties but that didnt come to fruition.

Stachura said the service clubs goal is to grow its membership. He cited the pandemic hurting the numbers as the group lost around 10 members in the past year.
This summer, there will be outdoor outings for residents to enjoy.

Columbus Community Hospital will continue to host Walk with a Doc summer series events during July and August at the Humphrey Medical Clinic.

The Walk with a Doc summer series continues from noon-1 p.m. on Friday, July 9. Those planning to attend the event can meet outside the front entrance of the Humphrey Medical Clinic, 303 Main St. in Humphrey. Everyone who attends will have a chance to win a pedometer, an Echo Dot, wireless earbuds or a barbecue set.

Christi Mastny, APRN, will be leading the program. While participants walk at their own pace, they will have the opportunity to talk with Mastny about their health questions and concerns.

The event will last about an hour. No registration is necessary and no special gear is needed.
"In this time, 2021, most individuals have probably heard of the terms inclusivity and diversity. It's now a very key word," said Delts, who is Black. "But maybe in the year 2019 and before, many HR professionals and some unique groups tend to say, 'Hey, we need some inclusivity.' But we maybe didn't hear that word as often as we have since last year."

He added the BLM movement pushed for more inclusivity.

Brunswick said he hopes the summit can lead to more people getting jobs in Columbus. He added there are plenty of them readily available.

This isnt going away, Brunswick said. We need to address this and make sure our communities and work environments and everything about our society are welcoming as a whole. And we want people to stay.

He said the latter part is vital. Even if folks move to Columbus but they dont enjoy where they work or live, they wont want to stay around for long, Brunswick added.
Biden tells Van Meter, who traveled with the first lady on several recent official trips for the Vogue feature, she thinks the mood of the nation has shifted since President Joe Biden took office.

"During the campaign, I felt so much anxiety from people; they were scared. When I travel around the country now, I feel as though people can breathe again," she says. "I think that's part of the reason Joe was elected. People wanted someone to come in and heal this nation, not just from the pandemic, which I feel Joe did by, you know, getting shots in everybody's arms."

She added she thinks Biden's demeanor affected change. "He's just a calmer president. He lowers the temperature," says Biden.

The President was also interviewed, separately, by Van Meter. Biden says being commander in chief has changed their marriage, and that he finds himself at times missing the freedoms he says they used to enjoy.

"I miss her. I'm really proud of her. But it's not like we can just go off like we used to," the President said. "When we were living in Delaware and married, once a month we'd just go up to a local bed-and-breakfast by ourselves, to make sure we had a romantic time to just get away and hang out with each other."
Musician Karlus Trapp will be the latest featured as part of the Music@Bosler Series. The virtual program will cover Exploring the Roots of Black music in America from 7 to 8 p.m. Thursday, July 8.

During the event, Trapp will take participants on a musical journey through the last 100 years of American culture, meeting important African-American performers along the way.

The journey begins in New Orleans, the birthplace of jazz and home of Louis Armstrong, one of Americas national treasures. Next, participants will travel to Arkansas to visit and learn about Scott Joplin, the King of Ragtime. The journey continues through the Roaring Twenties, the jumping and jiving 30s and 40s, the rocking 50s, the soulful 60s and 70s, and the classic 80s.

The music will evoke a two-step dance down Bourbon Street, the atmosphere of a noisy saloon, a Hi-De-Ho call and response with Cab Calloway, and the calypso folk of Harry Belafonte.

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The program will include musical spotlights on such musicians as Diana Ross and the Supremes, Stevie Wonder and Chuck Berry. Throughout the experience, viewers can hear anew the music that influenced and laid the foundations for the music of today.
Senate Republican leaders issued a joint statement that said Wolf opted to defend the national Democrats party line and kowtow to special interests by crying foul to voter suppression in the media rather than rolling up his shirt sleeves and coming to the table for the people of Pennsylvania.

They said their caucus would focus on a more limited set of changes when the General Assembly reconvenes in the fall.

The governor said hes offering to work with lawmakers to maybe do some things to make our elections even better than they are, as fair and accurate and open as they were these past couple elections.

Wolf also used his line-item veto authority to eliminate $3.1 million in funding in separate budget legislation after Republican lawmakers claimed that it had been earmarked to create an election-auditing bureau under the independently elected auditor general.

Wolf had said there was no such agreement to use the money for an election-auditing bureau, which would have broad authority to subpoena materials and review elections.

April Hutcheson, a spokesperson for Republican Auditor General Tim DeFoor, said the agency will continue to advocate for the restoration of our budget to allow the auditor general to protect the taxpayers.
We explained that the city takes conditions at the Philadelphia Department of Prisons for staff and inmates very seriously. The PDP has been addressing staffing challenges and there has been improvement, spokesperson Deana Gamble said.

Gamble said a class of 23 cadets had graduated from the training academy in May and and were deployed to the prison facilities. She said another class of 20 cadets began training Monday and extensive recruitment efforts were underway.

The department has hired at a much slower rate than officers are leaving, however, Rhynhart said, adding that the situation has become critical and needs to be addressed with urgency. Over the last two fiscal years, the department has hired 119 new officers compared to more than 440 officers who left.

Staffing levels have caused operational issues at the facilities that are under a court order to provide at least three hours of daily out-of-cell time for most prisoners. Prison officials have blamed some of the issues on callouts or workers failing to show up for shifts, and they began offering increased shift differential pay to encourage officers to come to work.

Officials with the union that represents the corrections officers were at the news conference Tuesday. David Robinson, president of AFSCME District Council 33 Local 159, said the prison department has only been able to meet the court ordered out-of-cell time by having night-shift workers start early, but he said that leaves more short staffing and officers sometimes working alone during overnight shifts and creating different dangerous situations.

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That is the reason why Joe Biden should not be allowed to take communion. Some very important people disagree. One of them happens to be Pope Francis, who recently stated, When we receive the Eucharist, Jesus ... knows we are sinners; he knows we make many mistakes, but he does not give up on joining his life to ours. He knows that we need it, because the Eucharist is not the reward of saints, but the bread of sinners.

Its a profoundly beautiful sentiment, but not an encyclical. Its not meant to be a rule. Its a pope trying to show human mercy.

And God bless him for that. But we cant lose sight of the fact that public officials who persist in enthusiastically rejecting a core principle of the church without shame arent just damaging themselves. They are living witnesses to the world that there is no such thing as penitence, and that they will continue to sin because they know they can.

Jesus said, Go and sin no more, He didnt channel Billy Joel and say, Dont go changing, to try and please me. He does indeed love us just the way we are, but that doesnt mean we get to keep trashing his church by doing everything we can to violate her one fundamental precept: Honor the sanctity of human life.
For years, Republicans have opposed organized labor  a hugely powerful Democratic interest group  even though a sizable majority of Americans have approved of labor unions in every poll Gallup has conducted since 1936 (with the exception of 2010, when approval was narrow). Gun control is trickier, but in general, Americans have favored stricter gun laws for decades. For decades, a sizable majority of Americans (around 70%) have thought the rich and corporations dont pay enough taxes. Asked if their own income taxes are too high, about half of Americans consistently say yes  not surprising given that the bottom half of earners pay little to no income taxes. I could go on, but I want to leave you with one simple point. Our politics needs a lot more humility, both from voters and from politicians. We live in a moment when voters and politicians alike often claim to have a monopoly on what real Americans want. Neither group does, because Americans  and theyre all real Americans  never speak with one voice on anything. Thats how its supposed to be in a vast continental democracy. The founders understood that democracy isnt about agreement, but disagreement. The parties and politicians dont represent America. They represent Americans who disagree with other Americans, specifically the ones who make themselves heard. If you dont like how the parties and politicians do that, you need to make yourself heard, too.
Lucky for me, my neighbor was selling and now I get to walk to work, she said.

But achieving her dream has not been easy. The building has been a money pit. The exterior of the building had deteriorated to a great degree. Once it was repaired, the exterior was repainted.

Wright took this opportunity to make her business stand out.

Ill admit that when we started painting, I really thought I had lost my mind, she said. I just kept thinking, Its Pepto Bismol.

But Wright reminded herself to trust the process. Now, the unique pink monochromatic color scheme is bright and catches peoples attention. People shout their approval as they drive by, and Park Hills Mayor John Clark even gave his approval of the bright-pink exterior.

As the family continued to renovate the building, they would think they were nearing completion and then something drastic would happen, such as a leaky roof or broken pipes.

The renovation process, which has taken three years to complete, has been a hands-on and often challenging job for Wright, her husband, kids and mother. Family friend and neighbor Joey has also helped with the work.
Dear Friends,

Lawmakers are on their way back to the State Capitol Building to consider legislation that will provide vital funding for the states Medicaid program, also known as MO HealthNet. Governor Mike Parson called legislators in for a special session that began on Wednesday, June 23 to ensure the Federal Reimbursement Allowance (FRA) program is extended to provide funding to hospitals and health care facilities around the state.

While the House passed an FRA extension multiple times during the regular session, the Senate failed to reach an agreement on a final version of the plan. At issue was the inclusion of pro-life language to limit access to abortifacients and to prevent Planned Parenthood from receiving state funds. Over the last few weeks lawmakers from both chambers have worked with the Governor to develop compromise language that can pass through both bodies.

Governor Parson said, "We appreciate the continued efforts of House and Senate leadership to work with us towards a solution, and we are thankful that we are now in a position that warrants a call to special session."
Wednesday's meeting included eight Western governors, including six Democrats and two Republicans.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said he was pleased to be working with the White House, rather than as sparring partners,'' as he described his state's relationship with the Trump administration. We were debating raking policies'' in forests, Newsom said, referring to comments by then-President Donald Trump that the state should rake its forests to reduce the risk of wildfires.

With climate change, the wildfire seasons are only to get worse, Newsom and other governors said. The hots are getting hotter, the dries are getting drier, Newsom said.

Three Republican governors, Greg Gianforte of Montana, Brad Little of Idaho and Doug Ducey of Arizona, said they were disappointed at their exclusion from the White House meeting.

It is critical to engage governors fully and directly to have a productive discussion about how the federal government can improve its wildfire response and prevention efforts,'' Gianforte and Little wrote in a letter to Biden.

A White House spokesman said the invited governors represented a cross-section of states impacted by wildfires and said Biden will continue to work with governors from both parties on the issue.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that the government can indefinitely detain certain immigrants who say they will face persecution or torture if they are deported to their native countries.

Over the dissent of three liberal justices, the court held 6-3 that the immigrants are not entitled to a hearing about whether they should be released while the government evaluates their claims.

Justice Samuel Alito wrote for the court that those aliens are not entitled to a bond hearing.

The case involves people who had been previously deported and, when detained after re-entering the United States illegally, claimed that they would be persecuted or tortured if sent back. One man is a citizen of El Salvador who said he was immediately threatened by a gang after being deported from the U.S.

An immigration officer determined that the immigrants had a reasonable fear for their safety if returned to their countries, setting in motion an evaluation process that can take months or years.
Some residents felt it was long overdue. Others called the move premature.

In the U.S., the highly infectious Delta mutation currently accounts for 1 in 5 cases. Statewide, the Virginia Department of Health has tied the Delta variant to 48 cases, six hospitalizations and one death  which occurred in Henrico along with half the hospitalizations.

Anderson said these figures are an undercount as not every COVID-19 positive sample is tested for variants. The VDH also doesnt have data available that shows how many of the people who were infected with the variant had been vaccinated.

Rebekah Butterfield, an epidemiologist with Richmond and Henrico, said the local data team is working to collect samples of the rare cases of breakthrough infections  or cases that occur among fully vaccinated people  to sequence and identify possible variants.

That way, if a specific variant was linked to a case of vaccine breakthrough, wed know right away, Butterfield said, adding that this work is in addition to the vaccine and prevention outreach teams focused in areas with low vaccination rates.
How often do African Americans have to save the Democratic Party from its left wing? With Black voters having just thrust a moderate ex-cop to the head of the pack in their primary vote in New York Citys mayoral race, its the second time in just over a year theyve done it.

Making former police captain and Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams the next mayor of liberal New York propels public safety toward the top of Democrats priority list. And it takes air out of the politically poisonous defund the police nonsense floated by a few on the left.

I dont hate police departments, said Adams, an African American who says he was beaten by police in his youth. I hate abusive policing, and thats what people mix up.

The lefts candidate, activist Maya Wiley, is among the mixed up. She wants to slash $1 billion from the budget of the New York Police Department just as shootings spike. It also didnt help Wiley that her family paid for a private security service after her partner was violently mugged.
The surge of shots-fired incidents in Charlottesville  and, to a lesser degree, Albemarle  is at once terrifying, heartbreaking and frustrating.

Terrifying, because innocent people are at risk from unpredictable sources.

Heartbreaking, because some people already have been killed, injured or imperiled.

Frustrating, because police cant seem to get a grip on the threat.

The latest incident (as of this writing) occurred on Sunday afternoon. Assailants fired at an occupied vehicle on Riverside Avenue. The driver tried to get away, and crashed into another vehicle, flipping it over.

The targets vehicle was hit by bullets, as was a residence and a parked car. Miraculously, no one was hurt, either in the crash or from gunfire.

Police say that since Jan. 1, theyve received 185 calls from residents reporting shots fired; 45 of those calls have been in the month of June alone.

The June 27 incident came less than three days after early morning gunfire in the Westhaven complex. Along with several vehicles, two apartments there were struck with bullets, as was an apartment on nearby West Main Street.
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

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Goa: Fishing Community celebrates Sao Pedro Feast

June 30,2021 | Source: Herald Goa

The traditional Sao Pedro feast, which is the feast of Saint Peter, the patron saint of the fisher folk in Goa, has been celebrated in the port town of Vasco on Tuesday amidst traditional pomp and gaiety.The fishing community members at Khariwada, Non-Mon, Pixem-Dongri decorated fishing canoes with colourful balloons, coconut palms, flowers and other decorative items at the jetties of Khariwada the Arabian Sea as part of their annual tradition.At Khariwada fishing jetty, the Sao Pedro celebration was held in the presence of of fishing community, including women. The priest of St Andrews Church, Fr jeremio offerred prayers and blessed the fishing community. He called upon Almighty God and Sao Pedro to protect the fishermen when they venture on the high seas for fishing.The fisher folks said that the fishermen at Khariwada are struggling since the last couple of years for a good catch.
Late in the afternoon, rescue officials sounded a horn for a second time during the days work, signaling an approaching storm with lightning. Workers temporarily evacuated.

Authorities said its still a search-and-rescue operation, but no one has been found alive since hours after the collapse on Thursday.

The pancake collapse of the building left layer upon layer of intertwined debris, frustrating efforts to reach anyone who may have survived in a pocket of space.

Authorities meet frequently with families to explain what they're doing and to answer questions. They have discussed how DNA matches are made to help identify the dead, how next-of-kin will be contacted and explained in extreme detail how they are searching the mound, the mayor said.

With that knowledge, Cava said, families are coming to their own conclusions.

Some are feeling more hopeful, some less hopeful, because we do not have definitive answers. We give them the facts. We take them to the site," she said. "They have seen the operation. They understand now how it works, and they are preparing themselves for news, one way or the other.
The departure of Netanyahu is encouraging. The Arab Joint List has finally joined Israels coalition government; gains include doubling the Palestinian-designated budget. But Palestinians still suffer.

Jeff Halper of the Israeli Committee Against House Demolitions says, Since its inception as a settler colonial movement in the late 19th century, Zionism has relentlessly pursued a campaign to erase the Palestinian presence in Palestine. Halper reports that Israel does that by declaring Palestinian resistance terrorism, and then displacing, marginalizing and ghettoizing Palestinians, besides physically eliminating them. The 2021 Gaza massacre killed more than 200 (59 children).

Since May, Israel has killed five Palestinian teens in one village (Beita); its youth protest the construction of another Israeli settlement. A couple weeks back, a soldier shot 16-year-old Ahmed Shamsa in the head; the ninth youth killed since January.
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What do Denton police officers carry on their belts and in their cars?

Hope Alvarez/For the DRC Sgt. Steve Buchanan discusses the Denton Police Departments equipment updates last week at the Denton Public Safety Training Center.

Correction An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated the placement requirement for police officers' handguns.

While Denton police officers are dressed for the job, they can have at least $10,000 of equipment on them at any given time.

Police officers have a variety of equipment they wear and keep in their patrol cars. Whats required can vary by department, but there are six items Sgt. Steve Buchanan says Denton Police Department officers must carry.

You have to have a handgun, extra magazines for the handgun, some type of handcuffs and our Taser, said Buchanan, the departments field training coordinator. And obviously our radio and a body camera.  Then others would carry the tourniquets, extra sets of handcuffs, flashlights or anything along those lines [that] would be extra equipment.

Some of that equipment is straddled into a utility belt, while other pieces are in their pockets or strapped to the officer. Buchanan said he keeps his handgun at his side by his dominant hand, which is required. Their stun guns must be on the opposite side of their handgun.

The Denton Police Department provided an itemized list of the equipment officers are required to have on them, as well as a few extra items, with approximate prices. At the minimum, their equipment comes out to $10,121 without a handgun, which officers are required to purchase on their own. At most, officers can be wearing $11,623 in equipment without a handgun.

Hope Alvarez/For the DRC Denton police Sgt. Steve Buchanan displays a tourniquet.

The departments license with Axon  a company that manufactures equipment for law enforcement  provides officers with a body camera, stun gun and its holster for $2,750 per year.

The approximate prices for other equipment are broken down as:

a radio and all of its components for $5,250;

body armor that can vary from $1,500 to $3,000;

a $140 weapon-mounted light;

a $125 holster;

$100 handcuffs and a carrier;

a $100 equipment belt;

extra magazines and a holder for $60;

$55 for a tourniquet and its holder;

a $23 pepper spray holder; and $18 minimum for the spray itself.

Much of that equipment is on an officers belt, which Buchanan said doesnt seem as heavy as time passes.

You get used to it, he said. I dont have them, but they actually make suspenders that go underneath your shirt  so it takes some of the weight off of your hips and puts it up on your shoulder.

Besides the stun gun, Denton police also must carry another less lethal device such as pepper spray or a baton. Officers also are equipped with Narcan  the name-brand version of naloxone, which snaps people out of opioid overdoses  once they are trained to use it.

Sgt. Trent Jones, who oversees the Special Victims Unit, said in May those officers carry two Narcan nasal units.

All the new hires that come through me when we have that orientation have Sgt. Jones come in, and we give them the training for it, and they are issued Narcan also, Buchanan said. So every officer has that, and then if they have to deploy it, we resupply them.

The opioid-overdose antidote isnt something Denton police used often last year. The few times they did, Jones said it was when police arrived at an overdose emergency before firefighters/paramedics did. By comparison, the Denton Fire Department said in 2020 it used naloxone 76 times versus the four times Denton police used Narcan last year.

Patrol cars  mostly Chevrolet Tahoes for the Denton Police Department  also must be equipped with certain items prior to an officers shift.

Photos by Hope Alvarez/For the DRC Bright blue seat belts drape across the back seat of a Denton Police Department patrol car.

Lt. Rachel Fleming in an email cited the Police Departments General Orders on what officers must keep in marked vehicles: emergency road flares, five traffic cones, a roll of crime scene tape, a first aid kit, a CPR mask, a fire extinguisher and an evidence collection kit.

The Tahoes are commissioned for police use.

Chevrolet manufactures a [Police Pursuit Vehicle] package for police as opposed to the regular consumer Tahoe, Fleming said in an email. The PPV package is rated for pursuit duty and includes variants such as special suspension tuning, lower ride height, heavy-duty clutched limited-slip rear differential and certified speedometers. The PPV model also includes a beefier braking system and pursuit-rated tires. The engine has been modified to allow for better high lateral-acceleration events along with heavy-duty cooling systems.

One of the stark differences people can see when they look inside the vehicle is the back seat. Gone are the cushioned leather or fabric seats. Instead, the back seats for people who have been arrested are made of plastic, and the seat belt latches near the doors.

Fleming said the Police Department works with Defender Supply in Argyle to fit the patrol cars with specialized equipment such as the push bumper, lighting, sirens, the back seat partitions, console, police radio, computer, fleet camera system and an equipment box.

Hope Alvarez/For the DRC Additional protective gear is stored in the trunk of a Denton police patrol car.

Buchanan is part of the personnel allowed to take their patrol vehicles home. Showing the back of his Tahoe to Denton Record-Chronicle reporters last week, Buchanan pointed out a box full of SWAT gear. A body armor rifle plate that weighs about 30 pounds is among that gear as well as a SWAT entry vest, a helmet and an extra medical kit.

Instead of having to come [to the department] to get all my gear, I keep my SWAT stuff here, and some of it stays in the car  then whatever time of day, I can respond to the scene, Buchanan said.
Denton, TX (76205)

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Brazils much-delayed 5G spectrum auction has been moved a few times. Recent adjustments involved an auction late last year, after which June and July this year were among dates mooted. Now the dates have changed again.

According to TeleGeography's CommsUpdate, reporting a statement by the minister of communications Fabio Faria at Mobile World Congress 2021 in Barcelona, the planned multi-band 5G spectrum auction will now be staged in August this year. The minister revealed this information during a ministerial panel at the event.

The latest delay may have been due to the length of time taken by the audit court Federal Court of Accounts (Tribunal de Contas da Uniao, TCU) in its analysis of the tender terms proposed by regulator Anatel.

As website BNAmericas pointed out in May, there were disagreements about the values and obligations established in the tender terms; there were also a number of questions made to Anatel by TCU about the rules. These rules included the requirement of winners of the 3.5GHz band to spend money on certain government projects; this seems to have been queried by TCU.

At the time these issues seemed to imply a delay until September or later, though August now appears to be the target month. However, the proposal from Anatel that 5G networks must be available in Brazil in state capitals one year after the frequencies are assigned originally mentioned July 2022. If the bidding is delayed, this date will also have to be changed.

The delayed spectrum sale will include frequencies in the 700MHz, 2.3GHz and 3.5GHz bands, as well 26GHz millimetre wave (mmWave) spectrum.

Last June Brazil dropped plans to hold its 5G frequency auction at the end of 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The auction was then scheduled to take place during the first half of 2021.
Pakistans state provider PTCL (Pakistan Telecommunications Company Limited) has contracted Huawei to upgrade its IP Edge and Optical Transport Network (OTN) infrastructure.

The operator states that the transformation is required following exponential growth in traffic on its network. As part of the agreement, Huawei will modernise PTCLs inner-city, long-haul and optical transport networks, increasing their capacity to multiple Tbps.

TeleGeography reports that PTCL has also tapped Huawei to deploy a unified IP Edge network covering more than 130 locations so that it can begin offering next generation IP services.

PTCLs acting CEO Nadeem Khan said: PTCL continues to transform its network with scalable architecture and futuristic technologies, to meet growing bandwidth demand from our subscribers, corporate and carrier customers.
If you ask Washington State swimmer Taylor McCoy how she came to adopt the backstroke as her specialty, she might talk initially about the chicken and the egg. Does she like that stroke because shes good at it? Or is she good at it because she likes it?
Actor Stuart Damon, who for decades played Dr. Alan Quartermaine on the popular daytime soap "General Hospital," has died at age 84.

The veteran TV star died Saturday around 1 a.m. after struggling with renal failure and other "compounding issues" in recent years, his son Christopher Damon told the Daily News.

"It was very peaceful. I was with him at the time," Christopher Damon said, adding that other family members also got a chance to say goodbye the night before at the Motion Picture Television Fund's 20-acre assisted living campus in Woodland Hills, Calif.

He added that his dad relished his three decades on the longest-running American soap opera still in production. He joined the show in 1977 and was on until 2008. He returned for two guest appearances in 2011 and two more in 2013.

"He was grateful  very grateful  to be on 'General Hospital' and have that job for so many years," his son said. "He went to work with no ego. He just wanted to show up, do the best work he could and have fun."

He said his dad was very proud of the 1999 Daytime Emmy he won for his work on a story line that followed Alan Quartermaine's addiction to hydrocodone.
In Alabama, we were becoming encouraged by the downward trend in COVID-19 diagnoses, hospitalizations and deaths. Over the past few weeks, there has been a small, but noticeable upward trend in cases and deaths. This underscores that we have a lot of people in our state who are still vulnerable.

Why are people hesitant about getting vaccinated?

In a poll conducted in the spring, there was reluctance among all groups, not just minorities, regarding the vaccine. About 49% of people who responded said they were somewhat or very unwilling to get the vaccine. People, particularly minorities, reported that they want the choice to get the vaccine rather than to feel like they are being targeted or forced to do so. There are some concerns in the Hispanic/Latino communities about deportation and cost.

However, the biggest reason is that they dont think it has been studied enough, and they will get the vaccine when they feel it is safe. With the number of people who have been vaccinated in the U.S. and worldwide, I think it is really important that we start getting data from our vaccination efforts and providing that information to the public. With the real-world use, we should have much more data than a drug or vaccine usually has before it gets FDA approved to show to the public the efficacy and safety of these vaccines.

I think it is also important to provide people perspective about how long drugs and vaccines are traditionally studied before they are approved for use in the U.S. These surveys rarely if ever ask people how long the vaccine would have to be studied before they felt comfortable taking it, but I think most people would be surprised at the duration of most clinical trialsthey often do not last as long as most people would think. Unfortunately, we dont do a great job of explaining the process very well to those outside of health care.
Other vulnerable people, such as an estimated 2,000 children in social care, also risk falling through the cracks and ending up with no legal status.

For Haselton and many others, its a moment that drives home the impact of Britains referendum to leave the EU five years ago. Although Haselton successfully received her settled status, meaning she can reside permanently in the U.K., she said the whole process has made her feel insecure about the life she built in Britain.

I dont feel settled, she said. Im concerned about the future. I just dont have a safe feeling about growing old here as a foreigner. The sense of home I used to have is gone.

Britains government says some 5.6 million people  the majority from Poland and Romania  have applied, far more than the initial estimates. While about half were granted settled status, some 2 million migrants who havent lived in the U.K. long enough were told they have to put in the paperwork again when they have completed five years of residency in the country.

And about 400,000 people are still in limbo because theyre waiting to hear a decision, said Lara Parizotto, a campaigner for The3million, a group set up after the Brexit referendum to lobby for the rights of EU citizens in the U.K.
Grab is partnering with South Koreas automotive manufacturer Hyundai Motor to encourage the adoption of electric vehicles in Southeast Asia, Singapores business and financial newspaper The Business Times reported.

Both parties will test new business models including battery and electric vehicles leasing, thus lowering the entry barrier for its driver as the cost to own an electric car is high.

Grab had said in an earlier report that some of the concerns that make drivers reluctant to use electric vehicles are their price, lack of charging stations and long waiting time for the battery to be fully charged.

Russell Cohen, Grabs managing director of operations, said that the company hopes governments will have incentive policies and essential infrastructure like charging stations so that electric vehicles will have many opportunities to develop.

Grab and Hyundai have been partners since 2018. In 2019, the ride-hailing firm purchased 200 Hyundai Kona electric cars for its car-hiring service GrabRentals in Singapore.
Vietnam Electricity will borrow EUR74.7 million ($88.9 million) from the French Development Agency to build a hydropower plant in the Central Highlands.

The state-owned utility will use the money to fund around 30 percent of the 360-MW Ialy Hydropower Plant, according to the loan agreement it signed Tuesday.

The plant to be built in the provinces of Kon Tum and Gia Lai and estimated to cost VND6.4 trillion ($278 million) will supply power to the southern region.

Construction is set to begin in the second quarter this year and finish in December 2024.

Hydropower accounted for 23 percent of power generation in Vietnam in the first quarter, second behind coal-fired power, which made up nearly half.
The Vietnamese government has ordered its central bank to study virtual money using blockchain technology over three years amid rising interests in this type of currency.

The State Bank of Vietnam will be in charge of studying and trialing the use of virtual money from this year until 2023 as part of key objects in mastering core technologies, according to a government decision.

The government does not give a clear definition of virtual currency and assets.

For now, cryptocurrencies remain an illegal means of transaction in Vietnam. However, the trading of Bitcoin and the like is popular with many investors using foreign platforms and social media to make money from this asset.

Vietnam has the second highest rate of cryptocurrency usage among 74 economies, according to a survey by market researcher Statista.
Workers leave the factory of footwear maker Pouyuen in Ho Chi Minh City in June 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Quynh Tran.

The World Bank has approved loans worth $321.5 million to Vietnam for two programs to support economic recovery and improve urban governance.

The first, to cost $221.5 million, focuses on policy actions that would make the recovery more inclusive through support for childcare, mobile money, e-governance, and renewable energy, the bank said in a statement.

By improving access to affordable and quality childcare, it would help tackle one of the greatest barriers to womens workplace equality in industrial parks, it said.

Efforts to develop e-governance would lead to the provision of more efficient and comprehensive public services for Vietnamese citizens and firms, while increased uptake of renewable energy would enable the country to prioritize solar power as a greener, less carbon-intensive alternative to coal, it said.

Carolyn Turk, the banks country director for Vietnam, said: "The Covid-19 pandemic has intensified the need for Vietnam to accelerate reforms required to achieve its goal of becoming a high-income economy by 2045.

"The country must not only manage the immediate effects associated with the pandemic, but also build the foundations for a green recovery in the longer term."

The banks statement said the second program would help Ho Chi Minh City promote the use of integrated and transparent spatial information for urban management.

The reforms aimed at streamlining business registration procedures and providing better access to planning information would help improve the citys business environment, it said.

The program would help the city mitigate climate vulnerabilities through improved transparency in climate-informed land zoning, expanded drainage coverage and the expected modal shift from private transport to less carbon-intensive public transport, it added.
Jason Turnbull, deputy managing director and CFO of project developer Masterise Homes, highlighted some achievements of the ultra-luxury branded residence project.

- Why did the launch of Grand Marina, Saigon come at this particular point in time?

I believe we have chosen the right time to land the branded residences segment in Vietnam as the local economy continues to maintain strong growth momentum and more buyers are able and willing to pay for ultra-luxury properties.

Since its launch last year, Grand Marina, Saigon has received great public attention. A large number of customers visited the sales gallery and made their purchase, making this one of the most successful branded residential projects.

Most importantly, Grand Marina has successfully established a new real estate sector in Vietnam - branded residences. This attests to our ability to realize demand for international-standard luxury living in Vietnam.

Jason Turnbull, deputy managing director and CFO of project developer Masterise Homes. Photo by Grand Marina.

- What do you think about the potential of branded residences in Vietnam?

I see great potential. When we decided to bring this concept to Vietnam in Grand Marina Saigon, we believed the market would quickly absorb our products as they cater to high net worth individuals demand for finer living or timeless assets.

After two sales launches, it is confirmed the transaction value of branded residences are totally within the amount families with stable and high incomes in Vietnam are willing to invest. With the need to enjoy the best in life, customers seek to splurge and pamper themselves and their family with world-class services and amenities.

Other customers are driven to Grand Marina by their demand for a valuable trophy asset as a confirmation of their social status. With nearly 100 years of history and by being associated with globally-acclaimed brands, branded residences have proven their resilience against economic downturns and crises, as well as commercial value across the globe.

- What benefits do Vietnam market and customers receive from the strategic partnership between Masterise Homes and Marriott International?

Branded residences are not a new concept, and many Vietnamese have already enjoyed services and amenities that are very similar to those offered in these schemes.

The success of the Grand Marina project is that it has standardized the tangible and intangible values of branded residences in the daily life of Vietnamese customers, which ultimately addresses their needs. The greatest value the customers receive in our branded residences is a truly world-class property that matches their needs and its price, and is true to our commitment.

Besides, our partnership helps elevate the position of Vietnam's real estate market on the world map while creating an opportunity for Marriott International to explore the potential of one of the fastest-growing economies in the world.

- What difficulties does a developer of branded residences face during the project development process?

The biggest challenge is to equip itself with the capability and expertise to go through an extremely rigorous review process to land the partnership with the brand, realize its commitments in the project from construction and development to product handover, and deliver on its promises to customers that focus on truly global living standards.

The aerial view of Grand Marina, Saigon. Photo by Grand Marina.

- What sets the Grand Marina, Saigon project apart from others in the market?

Grand Marina, Saigon is a globally-recognized branded residential project, in which each product has to go through a rigorous review of all aspects from design and construction to development and operation; especially the capability of the development team.

These residences are not simply associated with Marriot and JW Marriott brands; it also represents the values of Marriott International - the world's largest hospitality group. The quality and experience of living here is aligned with truly international standards, something you cannot find in unbranded residential projects. Furthermore, this is the first project in Vietnam that offers the value of global recognition.

This could be extremely important to the local affluent class and nouveau riche, because they aspire to be recognized and respected. Owning an apartment at Grand Marina, Saigon is a testament to their success and status.

Moreover, Grand Marina residents will be members of an elite community, and have an opportunity to expand their network and further build their wealth, while also giving the next generations access to fine values to become part of a global community that nurtures their future growth and development.

Finally, similar to a branded luxury product, Grand Marina, Saigon is valued by its potential customers and prestigious global brands. Its commercial value is globally accepted and determined according to its respective Marriott brand
The first store of TNI King Coffee in California, U.S. Photo courtesy of TNI King Coffee.

Vietnamese coffee chains are moving to establish themselves in foreign markets as part of expansion plans as well as a strategy to deal with increased domestic competition.

Tea and coffee chain Phuc Long has just announced plans to open its first store in California in July.

TNI King Coffee last month launched its first store in the U.S. It has already opened its first outlet in South Korea with a partner.

Highlands Coffee, one of the biggest Vietnamese coffee chains, has started branching out to other markets since 2011. It now has 39 franchised outlets in the Philippines.

Cong Ca Phe has six outlets in South Korea and two in Malaysia, while E-Coffee opened its first store in Laos last year.

The branching out decisions of these brands have happened in the wake of heavy competition in Vietnams cafe chain industry.

In 2019, Highlands Coffee saw its revenue rise 32 percent year-on-year to VND2.2 trillion ($95 million), after having risen at roughly the same rate in 2018. It was followed by popular competitors like The Coffee House, Starbucks and Phuc Long.

In terms of outlets, Highlands Coffee ranks top with 437 at the time of publishing, followed by Trung Nguyen E-Coffee with 414, The Coffee House with 180, Phuc Long with 82 and Starbucks with over 60.

Opening coffee chains in foreign markets, particularly the U.S., is a strategy that Vietnamese chains have been thinking of and preparing for the last 10 years, said branding expert Vo Van Quang.

"They used to have concerns of going from a small country to a big one, but now they have overcome that fear because they see a lot of potential in entering a huge market," he told VnExpress International.

One of the biggest advantages for Vietnamese coffee chains in the U.S. market is that consumers there are not as particular as European ones.

"Most Americans do not have high standards for coffee. They consider it only as a necessity to help them stay awake to work," he said, adding that in other markets like France or Japan consumers are more difficult to please.

Another major advantage is that Vietnamese food and drinks have already established trust in the U.S. as a delicious and healthy alternative to fast food.

"With two million Vietnamese in the U.S., there are now Vietnamese restaurants in every state. Pho and banh mi have become popular dishes among locals there," said Quang, referring to the iconic Vietnamese noodles soup and sandwich.

These types of dishes can be included in the menu of coffee chains to increase their competitiveness, he added.

The potential of foreign markets has had Vietnamese coffee chains thinking big.

TNI King Coffee, for example, plans to launch an additional 19 outlets in the U.S. by the end of this year and targets to hit 100 stores there by next year.

"Opening the first store in the U.S. markets is a strong development step for TNI King Coffee in the global market," said founder and CEO Le Hoang Diep Thao.

The company had earlier talked about having 1,000 stores in South Korea, but mentioned no specific time frame.

Branching out to other markets is a sensible move as local coffee chains have been fighting within a small market in recent years, Quang said, adding: "Recent moves by Phuc Long and King Coffee show that coffee chains have adopted a bigger vision to grow larger abroad."
A DHL freighter seen at an airport. Photo courtesy of DHL.

Express delivery giants like DHL and UPS are increasing their transport capacity to Vietnam thanks to rising demand due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Germany-headquartered DHL Express recently announced a new delivery route from Hong Kong to Ho Chi Minh City using wide-body Airbus A330 aircraft.

There would be six two-way trips a week, each with a capacity of up to 62 tons of cargo, it said.

This is to mainly serve the rising online shopping demand, it added.

It will also upgrade the aircraft used on the Hanoi  Hong Kong route from Boeing 737-400s to 737-800s to serve Vietnams surging exports.

Most consumers are now looking at delivery speed as a key component of their shopping experience, Bernardo Bautista, CEO of DHL Express Vietnam said.

Last year U.S.-based UPS launched its first service to Vietnam from its hub in China to increase delivery speed.

Vietnam does not have a dedicated cargo airline, and industry insiders estimate foreign companies hold an 80 percent aviation logistics market share.

Johnathan Hanh Nguyen, chairman of retail company Imex Pan Pacific Group, recently announced plans to establish a cargo airline at an investment of $100 million.

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.
Five Asian countries including Vietnam are responsible for 80 percent of new coal power plants planned around the world, the Carbon Tracker group said on Wednesday.

China, India, Indonesia, Japan and Vietnam plan to build more than 600 new coal-fired power projects, with a combined capacity of more than 300 gigawatts, the group said, adding most would prove uneconomical and the new plants would put international climate goals out of reach.

Coal use has declined in Europe, the United States and elsewhere, with governments under pressure to cut carbon emissions and keep the global average temperature rise below two degrees Celsius this century. Many investors no longer finance coal. But some emerging economies say they still need the fuel.

Carbon Tracker, an independent financial think tank that analyses the world's transition to cleaner energy, said in a report that 92 percent of planned coal projects in the five Asian countries would not be economical, wasting up to $150 billion.

"Investors should steer clear of new coal projects, many of which are likely to generate negative returns from the outset," said Catharina Hillenbrand Von Der Neyen, head of power and utilities at Carbon Tracker.

The five Asian countries now operate almost three quarters of global coal-fired power plants. More than half of all plants are in China. Carbon Tracker said 27 percent of existing capacity was unprofitable and another 30 percent was only just breaking even.

It said $220 billion of existing coal plants could be left stranded if Paris climate targets were reached, it said.

By 2024, renewable energy sources would be cheaper than coal in every major region, the report said, adding that by 2026 almost 100 percent of global coal capacity would be more expensive to run than building and operating renewable power generation.

The International Renewable Energy Agency said last week the cost of renewable energy sources was undercutting new and some existing coal-fired power plants.
The chairman of AstraZeneca on Tuesday said the firm would try to deliver at least eight million Covid-19 vaccine doses to Vietnam by early August.

At a meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Nitin Kapoor, chairman and general director of AstraZeneca Vietnam, promised to try to persuade the firm to send at least eight million Covid-19 vaccine doses to Vietnam within July and early August, despite an ongoing global vaccine shortage.

He added he would report back to the company to consider reducing the price of Covid-19 vaccine doses for Vietnam.

AstraZeneca would assist Vietnam with producing domestic vaccines and other essential drugs to treat cancer and cardiovascular diseases, among others, he said.

Chinh at the meeting requested AstraZeneca to allow every opportunity for Vietnam to have at least 10 million Covid-19 vaccine doses by early August to serve the nation's free, safe and effective vaccination campaign.

So far, Vietnam has received around 4.5 million Covid-19 vaccine doses produced by AstraZeneca, either through contracts, global vaccine access mechanism Covax or foreign aid.

The country has inoculated about 3.5 million people since March, of whom more than 182,000 have received two shots.

Vietnam seeks to secure 150 million vaccine doses this year to cover 70 percent of its population.
The donation had been announced by Japan's Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi last Friday.

It will be the second donation from Japan after the first batch of 966,320 doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine on June 16.

A majority of the first batch, or 806,000 doses, had been given to Ho Chi Minh City for its mass inoculation program, the biggest in Vietnams vaccination history.

Between June 19 and 27, the city had vaccinated 710,773 people.

The Health Ministry said the vaccine batch from Japan "has arrived at a perfect time to help Vietnam contain Covid-19."

Vietnam aims to procure 150 million doses of vaccines to cover 70 percent of its population this yearat an estimated cost of VND25.2 trillion ($1.09 billion), the Health Ministry had announced earlier.

As of Tuesday, it had received almost 4.5 million doses: 2.5 million of AstraZeneca vaccine doses via the Covax mechanism; more than 400,000 secured through a contract to buy 30 million AstraZeneca vaccine doses by Vietnam Vaccine JSC (VNVC); almost one million doses donated by Japan and 500,000 doses of Sinopharm vaccine gifted by China.

Almost 3.5 million of Vietnams 96 million population have been vaccinated against Covid-19 and 172,994 have got two shots.

Apart from Vietnam, Japan also announced a gift of a million doses to Taiwan and is making plans to give the same to Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia and the Philippines.

As planned, from mid-July, Japan will donate 11 million doses to countries in Southeast Asia and Southwest Asia as well as the Pacific Ocean's islands via the Covax facility.
Most of the cases were recorded in Ho Chi Minh City and its eastern and Mekong Delta neighbors.

HCMC accounted for 43 of the cases, including 19 cases associated with existing coronavirus patients. Another 13 cases are linked to the cluster at Tan Phu Trung Industrial Park (IP) in Cu Chi District, six linked to the cluster at Son Ky market in Tan Phu District, two linked to the cluster at Hoang Hoa Tham market in Tan Binh District, one to the Binh Dien whole market cluster in District 8, and two have unclear sources of transmission.

Its neighbor Binh Duong Province had 24 cases: 10 related to the cluster at a company in Thu Dau Mot Town, two had made contact with a previously confirmed patient, seven linked to a company in Thuan An Town, one linked to a cluster a boarding house in An Binh Ward of Di An Town, one linked to a company in Tan Uyen Town and the authorities are looking into the transmission source of the remaining three.

Mekong Delta's Tien Giang Province had 22 cases, with 15 having come into close contact with previously confirmed cases and seven linked to infected workers of the Trung Luong-My Thuan Expressway that connects HCMC with the delta.

The delta's Dong Thap Province registered 21 cases, 16 of whom are in isolated areas and five had contact with Covid-19 patients.

All 21 cases in the central Quang Ngai Province and 12 cases in the northern province of Bac Giang have been isolated prior to the test results.

The central Nghe An Province got 12 cases comprising 10 associated with existing infections, one linked to the Vinh wholesale market in its capital Vinh Town, and one returning from HCMC and having been isolated.

The Mekong Delta's Long An Province recorded four cases, comprising one having contact with a previously confirmed Covid-19 patient, one linked to the cluster at HCMC's Binh Dien market, and two with unclear source of transmission.

Dong Nai Province that borders HCMC registered four cases linked to a cluster at Hoc Mon market in HCMC's Hoc Mon District.

Bac Ninh Province that borders Bac Giang got two cases that are all associated with previous patients.

The central Phu Yen Province had two cases related to a cluster at Mang Mang market in Binh Kien Commune of Phu Yen Town.

The central Binh Thuan Province registered one case, that of a newborn baby related to a previously confirmed patient.

The northern Lang Son Province got one case linked to Quang Chau IP in Bac Giang, that of a 41-year-old woman.

The case in the northern Hung Yen Province, a 31-year-old man, has no clear infection source.

The case in the central Ha Tinh Province is registered in an isolated area while the one in Ba Ria-Vung Tau Province that borders HCMC was recorded in Long Dien District with unclear infection source. The 29-year-old man is the first local Covid case recorded in Ba Ria-Vung Tau since the start of the pandemic.

Vietnam's latest Covid wave that started over two months ago has seen 13,054 local infections in 49 of its 63 cities and provinces.

The most severely hit are Bac Giang with 5,678 cases and HCMC with 3,548.
Of the new cases, 62 were recorded in HCMC, 21 in the south central Phu Yen Province, four in the north central Nghe An Province, three in the northern province of Bac Giang and three in the south central Binh Dinh Province, which is having local Covid cases for the first time ever.

Among the cases in HCMC, 51 are associated with previously confirmed Covid-19 patients, three linked to the cluster at Son Ky market in Tan Phu District, one to the cluster at Tan Phu Trung Industrial Park in Cu Chi District, one to the church cluster in Go Vap District and six have unclear sources of transmission.

All of the cases in Phu Yen are detected in isolated areas and quarantine zones.

In Nghe An, four cases had made contact with existing coronavirus cases.

The cases in Bac Giang are all found in quarantine zones and isolated areas.

The cases in Binh Dinh are three people returning from central Quang Ngai Province and have been isolated prior to their test results. They have made the very first infections of Binh Dinh since the pandemic hit early last year.
A woman is injected with the AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine at the Phu Tho Stadium in HCMC's District 11, June 24, 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Huu Khoa.

Vietnam suggested Tuesday that the World Bank supports the nations Covid-19 vaccine development and vaccination program with grants and loans.

Health Minister Nguyen Thanh Long made the suggestion at a meeting with Victoria Kwakwa, World Bank Regional Vice President for East Asia and the Pacific, and Carolyn Turk, the World Bank Country Director for Vietnam.

While Vietnam is one of 39 countries with a National Regulatory Authority (NRA) on vaccine regulation that meets WHO standards as also one of 44 countries capable of producing vaccines, there has been little investment for such a field, Long said.

He said a WB loan would help Vietnam build a research and development center for vaccines and other medical products, as well as a vaccine production facility for its national vaccination program and to fight future pandemics.

Kwakwa said Long's proposal was an important one, adding that coordination and cooperation between ministries and other relevant authorities was necessary to quickly mobilize funds for WB projects in Vietnam that have yet to be used up.

Other fund and loan sources should be utilized as well to quickly design such a project for Vietnam's medical field, she said.

On Covid-19 vaccine supplies for Vietnam, Kwakwa said it would depend on the capacity of vaccine manufacturers to deliver the vaccines, adding that the U.S. government already has plans to give out Pfizer vaccine doses to certain countries, including Vietnam.

Vietnam has so far administered nearly 3.5 million shots of the vaccine produced by the British-Swedish firm AstraZeneca, fully vaccinating nearly 173,000 people with two shots.

The country seeks to secure 150 million vaccine doses this year to cover 70 percent of its population.
A man rides his bicycle along the deserted Ta Hien Street, a famous backpacker hub in Hanoi, May 2021. Photo by VnExpress/Ngoc Thanh.

Tourism revenues remained low in the first half of the year as Covid continues to decimate travel demand.

They were down 51.8 percent year-on-year at VND4.5 trillion ($194 million).

The worst affected were Bac Ninh (down 61.8 percent), Ho Chi Minh City (53.6 percent), Hai Phong (46.5 percent), Hanoi (44.3 percent), Da Nang (43.5 percent), and Quang Ninh, home to Ha Long Bay (36.6 percent).

The first wave this year began in late January, just a few weeks before the Lunar New Year, Vietnam's biggest and most important holiday. The second, triggered by new virus strains, began on April 27 and has spread to 50 of the countrys 63 cities and provinces, including some tourist hotspots.

As a result, despite summer being the peak travel season, there are few travelers. Many tourist destinations are closed while others like HCMC have mandated social distancing.

With the country closing its borders and canceling all international flights, there have been no foreign tourists for more than a year.

In 2019, the year before the onset of Covid-19, Vietnam had received 18 million foreign tourists.

The government wants to pilot a vaccine passport scheme for Phu Quoc Island so that tourism could recover soon.
A passenger walks at Dubai International Airport amid outbreak of the coronavirus disease in Dubai, UAE, April 27, 2020. Photo by Reuters/Ahmed Jadallah.

Flights from 14 countries including Vietnam will remain suspended until at least July 21, UAE aviation authorities have said.

Other countries facing the ban are Pakistan, India, Liberia, Namibia, Sierra Leone, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Zambia, Bangladesh, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and South Africa, The Gulf News reported quoting a source from the General Civil Aviation Authority.

There are continued concerns over the latest delta-plus variant of the coronavirus. A mutation of the delta variant considered to be 50 percent more transmissible than other strains, delta-plus is now present in 12 countries, including the U.S., the U.K., Japan, Russia, and China.

The UAE suspended all flights from the 14 countries on June 5 due to its pandemic situation linked to the new virus strain.

The UAE has so far had over 631,000 infections and 1,807 deaths.

Several countries too have been banning and imposing stricter quarantine measures for travelers from Vietnam, which is grappling with a new wave caused by the delta variant first found in India.

Vietnam's containment of Covid was a worldwide success story until late April when a fourth wave began with 13,147 cases recorded so far.
The July 4th weekend means an increase in boating activity on Nevadas waters. Unfortunately, it also means an increase in drinking related accidents as well. Thats why game wardens from the Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW), along with law enforcement agencies from across the state, will be out in force this holiday weekend (July 2-4) targeting boaters operating under the influence (OUI) as part of Operation Dry Water.

Boating is a great way to spend the 4th of July weekend, said Nevada Captain Brian Bowles, Nevadas Boating Law Administrator. But drinking and boating is a recipe for disaster. Our job is the safety of everyone on the water, and if youre putting people in danger by drinking and boating you could be leaving the lake in handcuffs.

NDOW will have boats on every major body of water across the state, and other law enforcement agencies are also adding extra officers to many waterways in other parts of the state. In Southern Nevada, the National Park Service will be working with NDOW at the Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
Ron Fischetti, a lawyer for the Trump Organization, told the AP this week that there was no indication Trump himself was included in the first batch of charges.

There is no indictment coming down this week against the former president, Fischetti said. I cant say hes out of the woods yet completely.

Weisselberg, a loyal lieutenant to Trump and his real estate-developer father, Fred, came under scrutiny, in part, because of questions about his sons use of a Trump apartment at little or no cost.

Barry Weisselberg managed a Trump-operated ice rink in Central Park.

Barrys ex-wife, Jen Weisselberg, has been cooperating with the investigation and turned over reams of tax records and other documents to investigators.
Theyre vying to take on Sisolak, who was elected in 2018 by 4 percentage points. He was the political swing states first Democratic governor in two decades.

Before he was elected to the top office, Sisolak was chairman of the Clark County Commission and worked closely with Lombardo, an elected official who oversees some 5,000 Las Vegas police officers, the states largest force.

The two teamed up after the 2017 mass shooting on the Las Vegas Strip, the deadliest in modern U.S. history that killed 58 people and injured hundreds of others, to launch an online fundraiser for victims that quickly collected more than $10 million.

Lombardo started with the department as an officer in 1988. He was promoted through the ranks for 26 years, becoming an assistant sheriff in 2011 before he retired as a commissioned officer. He was elected in 2014 as sheriff and reelected in 2018.

Former Lt. Gov. Mark Hutchison, who served from 2015 to 2019, will be chairman of Lombardos campaign and introduced him Monday as the strongest conservative candidate who can win the general election.

Joes showed me why hes been elected twice as a conservative, pro-life, pro-Second Amendment Republican in our states bluest county, he said.
In his plea, Ivey admitted that he knew at the time he was not supposed to be in the Capitol under such circumstances; the public does not enter through broken windows. In return for his guilty plea to the Parading charge, the Justice Department dropped the three other charges against him. Ivey has been free while his case has been adjudicated; it is likely, although not guaranteed, that he will be sentenced to probation with no jail time.

Why is this particular case important? It doesnt really tell us anything about the leadership or the worst actors in the Capitol riot. Rather, it tells us about a lot of the other people who ended up in the Capitol that day. In early March, FBI Director Christopher Wray told the Senate that he divided people involved in the events of Jan. 6 into three categories. The first group  the largest group, the group that we need to spend the least time talking about  is peaceful, maybe rowdy, protesters, but who werent violating the law, Wray said. And then:
The highly-transmissible variant of covid-19 Delta, which was first discovered in India, is now present in 92 countries and on track to become the dominant strain worldwide. The spread of the Delta variant has health officials recommending even the fully vaccinated to resume precautions as hospitals fill up with the unvaccinated.

The Delta variant first appeared in the fall of last year and is believed to be behind the incredible surge of cases in India this spring. Research out of the UK where the Delta variant makes up 90 percent of new cases shows that symptoms of the strain are different from those of other strains, aiding in its rapid expansion. The rise in cases in the UK from the Delta variant forced the government to delay reopening the country at least one month.

Delta on track to be the dominant strain in the US

Research suggests that the Delta variant is more transmissible than other variants. It appears to be 60 percent more transmissible than the Alpha variant, currently the dominant strain in the US, which itself is 50 percent more transmissible than the original strain. The Delta variant went from 10 percent of new cases in the US to 20 percent in the span of a week and is expected to replace Alpha as the dominant strain.

The Delta variant is also responsible for a surge of new infections among the unvaccinated and increased hospitalizations. In the US just over 54 percent of the population has received one dose of covid-19 vaccine and over 46 percent are fully vaccinated. However, rates vary widely across the US.

Last week, South Dakota saw the largest rate of increase with a 167 percent jump in cases, only 45 percent of the population is fully vaccinated and just over 50 percent had received one dose. Those who get Delta covid-19 are 2.61 times more likely to end up in hospital than with Alpha. Florida saw the highest number of people hospitalized, 2,891, last week a 10 percent increase on the week before. The bulk of patients admitted to hospital are unvaccinated.

Delta variant force reimposing covid-19 restrictions

Around the world countries are putting pandemic restrictions back in place after relaxing the rules. Major cities in Australia are under lockdown and Germany has imposed travel restrictions on virus-variant zones. South Africa has tightened its covid restrictions for a two-week period and Israel has reinstated its mask mandate for 10 days.

The World Health Organization recently advised those fully vaccinated to mask up, socially distance and practice other precautions. Although the Center for Disease Control and Prevention hasnt changed their advice yet, Los Angeles County has recommended that everyone wear masks in public indoor spaces. Likewise, in Illinois the governor gave the same advice.

No hard restrictions have yet been imposed in the US yet, but if the Delta variant continues to spread unchecked in unvaccinated communities and hospitalizations increase, health officials may need to take steps to slow its advance beyond vaccination.
On 28 June, the California Legislature approved a $262.6 billion budget including an $8 billion package to send another round of Golden States Stimulus Checks. Governor Gavin Newsom has until 1 July to sign the bill releasing the funds to deliver aid to families and undocumented Californians.

The program is one of the measures Governor Newsom had proposed as a part of the California Comeback Plan. The "Golden State Stimulus II will send a $600 check to Californians that didnt receive one in the first round. Families with dependents will also get an additional $500. Undocumented Californians will receive another $500.

Who is eligible to receive a Golden State Stimulus Check?

This is the second time this year that lawmakers have approved a stimulus check for Californians. The first time, residents earning less than $30,000 and other groups including immigrants, who were left out of federal stimulus programs received a payment. Depending on their tax filing, dependent, and income status, recipients either received a check worth $600 or $1,200.

The bill approved on Monday raises the income eligibility cap to $75,000 a year or less. However, those who received a check the first time round will not qualify for a second. Additionally, two groups, adults with dependents and undocumented families, will be able to claim one additional $500 check. Around two out of every three Californians will receive stimulus payments according to state officials.

For those in the state that submitted a 2020 tax return and meet the income requirements, the state has the information needed to send the check. If sticking with the two options the state used when sending the first round of direct payments, those eligible can expect to receive a physical check in the mail or through direct deposit.

When will the Golden State Stimulus checks be sent?

Governor Newsom has until Thursday, 1 July to sign the bill for the "Golden State Stimulus II checks, which he is expected to do. Once the bill is signed, the state will make more information available on when payments will go out.

The first round of stimulus checks sent by the state government was distributed by the California Tax Franchise Board (CTFB). During the first rounds of payments, the CTFB told individuals to wait for up to two weeks for direct deposits and four-to-six weeks for checks.
Former Secretary of Defense, Donald Rumsfield has died at the age of eighty-eight. Born at the height of the Great Depression in 1932, Rumsfeld played a major role in the shaping of US foreign policy throughout the twentieth and early twenty-first centuries.

Just a few days shy of his 89th birthday, his family released a statement saying that It is with deep sadness that we share news of the passing of Donald Rumsfeld, an American statesman and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. At 88, he was surrounded by family in his beloved Taos, New Mexico.

Donald Rumsfeld graduated from Princeton University in 1954, marrying his wife Joyce P. Pierson in December of that year.

Rumsfeld served in the US Navy, later to be elected to the House of Representatives where he represented Illinois 13th district from 1963 to 1969. After leaving Congress, he represented the US as the Ambassador to NATO, then serving as White House Chief of Staff to President Gerald Ford. In 1975, he moved into the private sector, only returning to the government to serve as Secretary of Defense during the Bush-Cheney administration.

The late Secretary was the leader of the Defense Department on September 11th, 2001, and supported the invasion of Iraq. A close friend of Vice President Dick Cheney, the pair advocated that the war was necessary to stop Iraqi leader Saddam Hussien from using weapons of mass destruction.

The war in Iraq claimed the lives of over 4,500 US service members and it is estimated that around 200,000 Iraqi civilians have been killed in the conflict.

He also led the department when reports over the use of torture, and general treatment of prisoners at Abu Grave were released. As photos and videos of what was occurring inside the prison leaked, media outlets including the New York Times, the Boston Globe, and others called for Rumsfelds resignation.

In 2006, Sec. Rumsfeld resigned, leaving behind a complicated and lasting legacy.

Donald Rumsfeld leaves behind a large family including his wife Joyce, who will remember him for his extraordinary accomplishments over six decades of public service.
Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi attends a conference of the G20 foreign ministers via video link in Beijing, capital of China, June 29, 2021. (Xinhua/Yue Yuewei)

BEIJING, June 29 (Xinhua) -- Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi Tuesday called on the Group of 20 (G20) members to promote the spirit of partnership and put forward suggestions for joint efforts.

Wang made the remarks when attending a conference of the G20 foreign ministers via video link in Beijing.

Noting that the global epidemic situation is still grave, and the economic recovery is clearly disparate, Wang said G20 members should uphold unity and cooperation and exert leadership in the global fight against the epidemic.

It is necessary to accelerate the implementation of the results of the Global Health Summit, strengthen cooperation in vaccines, diagnosis and treatment, joint prevention and control, and provide more support to developing countries, Wang added.

He said China has so far provided more than 450 million doses of vaccines to nearly 100 countries, calling on nations with the ability to reject export restrictions or overstocking and make contributions to eliminate the immunization gap.

Wang called on G20 members to uphold multilateralism and contribute to the stability of the international order. He said G20 members should take the lead in practicing true multilateralism and firmly safeguard the global system with the United Nations as the core and the international order based on international law. They should also adhere to openness and inclusiveness, aim for win-win cooperation, and oppose zero-sum games.

"We should persist in openness and integration to provide impetus to the recovery of the world economy," Wang said. He added that G20 members should adopt responsible macroeconomic policies to avoid spillovers of the negative effects of their own actions and ensure the steady operation of the international economic and financial system.

Wang called on G20 members to unswervingly build an open world economy and actively maintain the security and stability of the global industrial chain and supply chain. He also urged the G20 to prevent fragmentation of the international market and politicizing cooperation mechanisms. They should continue to advance structural reforms to achieve a high-quality and resilient recovery, he said.

China and African countries jointly launched the "Initiative on Partnership for Africa's Development" and welcome more nations and international organizations to join, Wang said, calling for actions to improve sustainable development and enhance the resilience of the global governance system.

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[ Editor: WPY ]
The scenery of Yardang landform is seen along Duku Highway in Northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region, June 20, 2021. Duku Highway, deemed one of China's most beautiful roads, recently opened to tourists after completing its yearly "hibernation." The 560-km highway, connecting Dushanzi in the northern area of Xinjiang Uygur autonomous region and Kuqa county in the south, runs through various landscapes including glaciers, forests, and grasslands. Due to snowy weather and road icing, the Duku Highway has a "hibernation period", which generally begins in October and ends in June of the following year. [Photo/Xinhua]

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[ Editor: SRQ ]
A tram with the theme of the 3rd National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) is officially in operation in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province to celebrate the centennial of CPC on June 28, 2021. (Photo: China News Service/ Chen Jimin)

The 3rd National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party was held in Guangzhou from June 12 to 20 in 1923.

A tram with the theme of the 3rd National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) is officially in operation in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province to celebrate the centennial of CPC on June 28, 2021. (Photo: China News Service/ Chen Jimin)

Residents take the themed tram in Guangzhou on June 28, 2021. (Photo: China News Service/ Chen Jimin)

The inside of the themed tram is decorated with historical photos and illustrates. (Photo: China News Service/ Chen Jimin)

A tram with the theme of the 3rd National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party (CPC) is officially in operation in Guangzhou, Guangdong Province to celebrate the centennial of CPC on June 28, 2021. (Photo: China News Service/ Chen Jimin)

The 3rd National Congress of the Chinese Communist Party was held in Guangzhou from June 12 to 20 in 1923.

[ Editor: WPY ]
Screenshot of the article on the U.S. magazine Project Syndicate

In a commentary published by the U.S. magazine Project Syndicate, it says The US must give up on containing China and start accommodating it.

It analyzes that the US flawed approach to China is rooted in an enduring belief in the concept of absolute national security which might have been a reasonable goal for the US in the decades after the World War II when it stood at the helm of a unipolar world order, but it is not realistic in todays multipolar system.

The article also suggests that the US should negotiating a new global compact which accommodates those with different values or systems instead of attempting to contain and confront them.

Click the link of original article for more information:

https://www.project-syndicate.org/commentary/us-and-allies-need-to-accommodate-china-by-andrew-sheng-and-xiao-geng-2021-06

[ Editor: Zhang Zhou ]
Screenshot of the article U.S.-China trade dispute harms Americans published on POLITICO

An article published by U.S. media POLITICO says that the U.S. was harmed by the U.S.-China trade dispute. It mentioned that as U.S. exports to China consistently support around 1 million American jobs, the trade war between the two sides costed the U.S. about 245,000 jobs and 108 billion U.S. dollars in lost GDP, according to a study by Oxford Economics before the COVID-19 drove millions of Americans to file unemployment.

People can not recognize which side suffered more from the trade war, but Moodys Analytics shows that more than 90 percent of the cost of U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods are shouldered by U.S. companies.

The article says that the price of imported Chinese goods has remained stable as the U.S. increased tariffs, which means that U.S. consumers and companies borne the the brunt of the tariff burden.

At last, it hopes that the United States and China return to the negotiating table soon.

Click the link of original article for more information:

https://www.politico.com/newsletters/politico-china-watcher/2021/06/24/us-china-trade-dispute-harms-americans-493351

[ Editor: Zhang Zhou ]
Agriculture Ministry looking for irrigation companies abroad for reconstruction of irrigation systems in south of Ukraine

The Ministry of Agrarian Policy and Food is negotiating with companies from Israel, the United States, France and China regarding public-private partnership in the reconstruction of irrigation systems in the southern regions of Ukraine, Minister Roman Leshchenko said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.

"These are projects with main canals, pumping stations, systems for the sale of both drinking and irrigation water. Now we are negotiating with companies from Israel, the United States, France and China in terms of such a public-private partnership," he said.

According to Leshchenko, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, during a meeting on the state of irrigation of lands with representatives of relevant ministries on June 9, instructed to prepare relevant projects on reclamation systems.

"The logic of the prime minister is that, given the uniqueness of our irrigation system, we need to scale the corresponding project through the prism of the expertise of world-renowned companies that can offer integrated solutions for both drip irrigation and the use of sprinkler machines, the use of main canals, and also the latest technologies of an intelligent water supply system," the minister said.

He said that the Ministry of Agrarian Policy is currently negotiating with world leaders in irrigation, but cannot disclose their details yet.

As the minister said, there is an interest in companies with experience and the possibility of expertise in the implementation of large reclamation projects.
Russian President Vladimir Putin bears full responsibility for the gap between Ukrainians and Russians, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said.

"Ukrainians and Russians are two different peoples. We could live in the spirit of good neighborliness, but in 2014 Russia attacked Ukraine, killed thousands of people and grabbed a piece of territory. Vladimir Putin, who unleashed the aggression, bears full responsibility for the gap between Ukrainians and Russians," Kuleba wrote on Twitter on Wednesday.

The minister said that the position of President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and the Ukrainian people is that no one, except the Ukrainians, will decide their fate.

"When Putin starts the old song about 'external control,' it means only one thing: he dreams that the issues of Ukraine are resolved in Moscow. The position of President Volodymyr Zelensky and the will of the Ukrainian people is clear: this is our country and no one will decide our fate except ourselves," he said.

Kuleba also said that the indigenous peoples of Ukraine are Crimean Tatars, Krymchaks, Karaites.

"The Russians are a national minority whose rights are protected by the Constitution on an equal basis with others. They cannot be an indigenous people, since they have their own state. Alternative inventions are a classic of Russian manipulations," Kuleba said.

Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that it was difficult to talk about a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, since he completely "gave the country under external control."

According to him, "the key issues of the life of Ukraine are resolved not in Kyiv, but in Washington, partly in Berlin and Paris."

Putin also said he was concerned about the "military development" of Ukrainian territory by foreign contingents, which poses a threat to Russia's security.
SkyUp launches flights from Odesa to Thessaloniki from July 6

SkyUp Airlines will launch flights on the Odesa-Thessaloniki (Greece)-Odesa route from July 6.

According to the press service of the company, they will be performed once a week on Tuesdays.

There are currently no direct flights from Odesa to Thessaloniki.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky in a telephone conversation with Pope Francis discussed the situation in Donbas and expressed hope for cooperation in resolving the conflict.

"We look forward to engaging with the Holy See and your support in bringing peace to Donbas. The support of the international community and spiritual leaders is extremely important," Zelensky said, according to the presidential press service.

The President also renewed the invitation to Pope Francis to visit Ukraine.
On Thursday, July 1, at 12.30, the press center of the Interfax-Ukraine news agency will host a press conference entitled "Rising sugar prices destroying processing industries." Participants include President of the Association of producers of confectionery, food concentrates, starch products and coffee Ukraine (Ukrkondprom) Oleksandr Baldyniuk; President of the All-Ukrainian Bakers' Association Oleksandr Taranenko; Head of the Union of Dairy Enterprises of Ukraine Vadym Chaharovsky; Head of the Industry and Infrastructure Committee of the Union of Ukrainian Entrepreneurs Hennadiy Radchenko (8/5a Reitarska Street). The press conference will be available on the YouTube channel of Interfax-Ukraine. Due to quarantine restrictions, the number of seats in the press center is limited. Admission of journalists requires registration on the spot.
The logos of Amazon, Apple, Facebook and Google (Photo : in a combination photo)

Facebook Inc won two big fights with antitrust enforcers - and joined the $1 trillion club for market capitalization - as a federal judge threw out two lawsuits against it this week.



Below are updates on the status of major U.S. and state government lawsuits and investigations regarding Big Tech.



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Two lawsuits against Facebook:



In a stunning defeat, Judge James Boasberg said the Federal Trade Commission - which had sued Facebook in December asking that Facebook be forced to sell WhatsApp and Instagram - failed to show that Facebook had monopoly power in the social-networking market, among other problems. He said, however, the FTC could file a new complaint by July 29.



He threw out a related state lawsuit entirely, saying that the attorneys general had waited too long. They are looking at their options.



Three lawsuits against Google, and a fourth to come:



The U.S. Justice Department sued Alphabet Inc's Google in October, accusing the $1 trillion company of illegally using its market muscle to hobble rivals. A trial date was set for Sept. 12, 2023.



A lawsuit by 38 U.S. states and territories accuses Google of abusing its market power to try to make its search engine as dominant inside cars, TVs and speakers as it is in phones. This was consolidated with the federal lawsuit for purposes of discovery.



Texas, backed by other states, filed a separate lawsuit against Google, accusing it of breaking antitrust law in how it runs its online advertising business.



A group of state attorneys general is readying a lawsuit against Google this summer which would accuse it of violating antitrust law in running its mobile app store, according to three sources familiar with the matter.



Justice Department investigates Apple:



This probe, revealed in June 2019, appears to focus on Apple Inc's app store. Some app developers have accused Apple of introducing new products very similar to existing apps created by other developers and sold in the Apple Store, and then trying to banish the older apps from the store because they compete with Apple's new product. Apple says it seeks to have only the highest-quality apps in the app store.



Justice Department probing Facebook and Amazon:



In July 2019, the Justice Department said it was expanding its Big Tech probes to include "search, social media, and some retail services online" - an apparent reference to Facebook and Amazon.com Inc.



Federal Trade Commission on Amazon:



In its investigation of Amazon, the FTC is likely looking at the inherent conflict of interest of Amazon competing with small sellers on its marketplace platform, including allegations that it used information from sellers on its platform to decide what products it would introduce.


A Palestinian man uses his mobile phone as he stands near the debris of a shop that Israel demolished in the Palestinian neighbourhood of Silwan in East Jerusalem (Photo : REUTERS/Ammar Awad)

Israel demolished a Palestinian shop in the East Jerusalem neighbourhood of Silwan on Tuesday, triggering scuffles between police and protesters who accused authorities of discriminatory enforcement of building permits in the holy city.



Palestinians seek East Jerusalem, which Israel captured in a 1967 war, for a future state. Israel deems all of Jerusalem its capital - a status not recognised internationally - and has encouraged Jewish settlement of predominantly Palestinian areas.



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A bulldozer escorted by Israeli police flattened Harbi Rajabi's butchers shop in the neighbourhood which is overlooked by the Al-Aqsa Mosque, the third holiest shrine in Islam and the most sensitive site in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.



The shop is one of at least eight properties that residents said were slated for demolition. The residents say many have been there for decades, even from before 1967. The authorities have earmarked the land for a park and say the shops and homes have been built illegally.



Mahmoud Basit who runs the butchers told Reuters 14 family members depended on income from there. "We have no other way to support our families," said Basit, who added he would have to look for new work from scratch.



Deputy Jerusalem Mayor Arieh King said "around 20" buildings in Silwan - which Israel refers to by its Hebrew name Shiloach - had received demolition orders. Around another 60 buildings there were in violation of Israeli zoning laws, he told Reuters.



Palestinians in Silwan say it is near-impossible to get building permits. They see the demolitions as designed to drive them from Jerusalem. Disputing this, King said the municipality had approved hundreds of new Palestinian homes in Silwan.



Palestinian medics said 13 people were injured in Tuesday's confrontations in Silwan. Police said two officers were hurt by stone-throwers and that three people were arrested for disorderly conduct and assault.



The municipality had given Palestinians until June 28 to dismantle the structures themselves. King said the land would be cleared to make way for the park and public buildings, adding that Silwan's biblical links made it "an important historical site".



Nader Abu Diab, who also received a demolition order, lives in fear of the knock on the door from municipal inspectors.



"My grandchildren ask me questions and I can't answer them. They're children. What can I tell them? That they're going to demolish our home?" Abu Diab, 55, said.



His brother, Fakhri Abu Diab said he applied seven times for an Israeli permit to expand his home in Silwan "but it was always rejected". He added that over a hundred Palestinians could become homeless if the current round of demolitions continues.



The future of another East Jerusalem neighbourhood, Sheikh Jarrah, was one of the flashpoints at the heart of fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants last month.


A general view of the U.S. Supreme Court building in Washington, D.C., U.S (Photo : REUTERS/Ken Cedeno)

The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled in favor of a consortium of energy companies including Enbridge Inc seeking to seize land owned by New Jersey to build a federally approved natural gas pipeline despite the state's objections, though hurdles remain for the $1 billion project.



The 5-4 ruling, authored by conservative Chief Justice John Roberts, handed a victory to PennEast Pipeline Company LLC, a joint venture seeking to build the 116-mile (187-km) pipeline from Pennsylvania to New Jersey. The justices overturned a lower court ruling in favor of New Jersey's government.



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Other companies joining Enbridge in the consortium include South Jersey Industries Inc, New Jersey Resources Corp, Southern Co and UGI Corp.



The decision enables interstate pipelines to proceed with efforts to seize state-owned lands without a state's consent as long as federal regulators have approved the project. But New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said the ruling does not end the state's fight against the PennEast project.



"We still have other, ongoing legal challenges to this proposed pipeline, which is unnecessary and would be destructive to New Jersey lands," Grewal added, as he urged the federal government "to take another look at this harmful proposal."



Climate activists, Native American groups and some states have increased opposition to pipeline construction across the United States, shutting down some projects including the long-planned Keystone XL crude pipeline from Canada. Few pipeline battles have been fought over eminent domain issues.



PennEast wants the land to build a pipeline to deliver 1.1 billion cubic feet per day of gas - enough to supply about 5 million homes - from the Marcellus shale formation in Pennsylvania to customers in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.



PennEast said it plans to put the first phase of the project - about 68 miles (110 km) of pipe in Pennsylvania - into service in 2022 and is targeting completion of the second phase - the line from Pennsylvania into New Jersey - in 2023.



The court ruled that a 1938 U.S. law called the Natural Gas Act that lets private energy companies seize "necessary" parcels of land for a project if they have obtained a certificate from the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) can be applied to state-owned land. The law effectively gives private companies the power of eminent domain in which government entities can take property in return for compensation.



"Specifically, we are asked to decide whether the federal government can constitutionally confer on pipeline companies the authority to condemn necessary rights-of-way in which a state has an interest. We hold that it can," Roberts wrote in the ruling.



Roberts added that the U.S. Constitution's 11th Amendment, which prevents courts from hearing certain lawsuits against states, does not bar the lawsuit, as the state had argued.



"We are pleased that the Supreme Court kept intact more than seven decades of legal precedent for the families and businesses who benefit from more affordable, reliable energy. This decision is about more than just the PennEast project," said Anthony Cox, chair of the PennEast board of managers.



FERC in 2018 approved PennEast's request to build the pipeline. The company then sued to gain access to properties along the route.



After a federal judge approved the property seizure, the Philadelphia-based 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled in 2019 that PennEast could not use federal eminent domain to condemn land controlled by the state, prompting the appeal to the Supreme Court.

The court, which has a 6-3 conservative majority, was divided along non-ideological lines. Roberts was joined in the majority by two conservative justices, Samuel Alito and Brett Kavanaugh, and two liberals, Stephen Breyer and Sonia Sotomayor.


Washington says it will not 'stand by in the face of horrors' in Tigray

A burned tank stands near the town of Adwa, Tigray region, Ethiopia (Photo : REUTERS/Baz Ratner/File Photo)

Ethiopia and Eritrea should anticipate further actions from the United States if the announced cessation of hostilities does not lead to improvements in the Tigray region, a senior U.S. State Department official said on Tuesday.



Robert Godec, acting assistant secretary of state for the State Department's Bureau of African Affairs, said the Biden administration was far advanced in its assessment of whether to call events crimes against humanity, genocide or war crimes.



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"The administration is in full agreement that horrifying atrocities are being committed in Tigray," he told the House of Representatives Foreign Affairs Committee.



The former rulers of Ethiopia's Tigray said on Monday they were back in control of the regional capital Mekelle after nearly eight months of fighting, and the government which ousted them declared an immediate unilateral ceasefire.



The developments marked a turn in a conflict that has killed thousands of people, displaced more than 2 million and pushed hundreds of thousands to the brink of famine.



Godec said Washington welcomed the Ethiopian government's decision to declare a temporary end to hostilities, but warned that the United States will watch closely to determine whether the ceasefire results in changes on the ground.



"We will not stand by in the face of horrors in Tigray," he said, urging the Eritrean government to immediately join in the cessation of hostilities and calling for a commitment of all parties to a permanent, negotiated ceasefire in the region.



"Every effort must be made to make this ceasefire meaningful, including discussions with all parties to the conflict," said Representative Karen Bass, who chairs the panel's Africa subcommittee.



House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Greg Meeks said that if the disaster in Tigray is not abated, "we could witness one of our closest and most powerful allies in Africa march toward civil war and, eventually, a state collapse."



The fighting has been punctuated by reports of gang rapes and mass killings of civilians. At least 12 aid workers have been killed.



Last week, an Ethiopian military airstrike on a crowded market killed at least 64 people and wounded 180.



Doctors said that children were among the dead and wounded and that Ethiopian troops prevented ambulances from reaching the scene for more than a day. The military said all the victims were combatants.



Representative Michael McCaul, the committee's top Republican, said that in his assessment acts of genocide had been carried out against residents of Tigray and called for targeted sanctions.



Secretary of State Antony Blinken said he raised the issue at a Group of 20 meeting of foreign ministers in Italy.



"I sought robust action to push all parties to commit to a negotiated ceasefire to resolve the conflict in Tigray," he tweeted.


The Amazon logo is seen outside its JFK8 distribution center in Staten Island, New York, U.S. (Photo : REUTERS/Brendan McDermid.)

Amazon.com Inc said on Tuesday it had signed an exclusive rights deal with "SmartLess", a podcast hosted by Hollywood actors Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes in which they talk to other celebrity guests.



New episodes of "SmartLess" will be released a week early and exclusively on Amazon's podcast platform Wondery and Amazon Music, the company said. The episodes will also be available ad-free on Wondery+, the channel's subscription membership.



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The e-commerce titan is a relatively new entrant to the booming podcast space, an area dominated by Spotify Technology which recently signed podcasting deals with major names including Michelle Obama, Joe Rogan and Kim Kardashian.



"SmartLess" was launched late last June and has about 50 episodes with guests including U.S Vice President Kamala Harris, actors George Clooney, Adam Sandler, Jennifer Aniston and Bryan Cranston, as well as musicians Paul McCartney and Billie Eilish.



Amazon declined to comment on the terms of the deal but Bloomberg News reported on Tuesday that the total value was between $60 million and $80 million, citing people familiar with the matter. (https://bloom.bg/3dr52SE)



The deal also gives Amazon the right to partner with SmartLess LLC on any additional podcasts it produces. Wondery will retain exclusive ad-sales rights through the deal, Amazon said.



The e-commerce giant in December acquired Wondery, which houses popular podcasts like "Dirty John", "Dr. Death", and "Business Wars", looking to expand the content on its Amazon Music app beyond just music.


Workers transport Moderna vaccines against the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) shipped from the United States, (Photo : REUTERS/Ann Wang)

Taiwan will discuss easing the import and export of COVID-19 vaccines with the United States when it holds trade talks with Washington this week, which will help in bringing the pandemic under control, President Tsai Ing-wen said on Tuesday.



The two sides are due to resume long-stalled trade discussions on Wednesday as Washington seeks to deepen its support for the Chinese-claimed island, and at a time when Taiwan is dealing with a cluster of domestic COVID-19 cases.



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In an address from her office, Tsai said the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement talks, or TIFA, would include what she referred to as an "important" topic.



"That is to simplify the import and export process of vaccines and other medical supplies. This substantive cooperation will bring important help to our current epidemic situation. I have asked our negotiating team to go all out," Tsai said.



"If Taiwan's epidemic is brought under control and economic fluctuations are reduced, it will be a further contribution to the peace and prosperity of the Indo-Pacific region."



Taiwan is a major producer of semiconductors, a global shortage of which has reverberated around the world, though the island's domestic COVID-19 outbreak has not had a substantial impact on supplies.



The island has received a total of 4.85 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to date, including 1.24 million donated by Japan and 2.5 million donated by the United States. Japan has pledged another 1 million, while Lithuania is giving Taiwan 20,000.



Asked if the large number of doses the United States sent to Taiwan was intended as a quid pro quo to ensure access to semiconductor supplies, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki told reporters: "There should not be that suggestion. I will note that they were being cut off from access to vaccines."



U.S. President Joe Biden's administration has said China has used access to vaccines for political coercion around the world, including "disgraceful" attempts to block democratic Taiwan's ability to purchase them.



China has denied that it tried to cut Taiwan off from buying vaccines from Germany's BioNTech SE, saying it was free to obtain the shots through Shanghai Fosun Pharmaceutical Group Co Ltd, which has a contract to sell BioNTech's vaccine in China, Hong Kong, Macau and Taiwan.



A further 410,000 doses of Moderna Inc's COVID-19 vaccine will arrive in Taiwan on Wednesday, Deputy Minister of the Interior Chen Tsung-yen said earlier on Tuesday, part of its direct order for 5.05 million doses from the company.



Only around 8% of Taiwan's 23.5 million people have received at least one of the two shot regimen against COVID-19, and the government has been under pressure to speed up deliveries of the millions of doses it has on order.



When asked if a government-run research centre is in talks with Moderna to make COVID-19 vaccines, Health Minister Chen Shih-chung said the government "will not give up any opportunity" and is currently reviewing its vaccine manufacturing capacity for international companies.



"We are reviewing related capacity, willingness and division of labour domestically. That will smooth things out in a negotiation," Chen told a daily news briefing, without giving details.



Taiwan's own domestic outbreak of the virus is being brought under control, but it remains wary about a handful of cases of the highly contagious Delta variant in southern Taiwan.



The island reported 54 new domestic infections on Tuesday, down from 60 a day earlier, marking the smallest daily rise since May 15, when the government raised the alert level for Taipei and its neighbouring city in the wake of a sudden spike of domestic cases.


Egypt has the second highest vaccination rate against COVID-19 in Africa following Morocco, the country's Health Minister Hala Zayed said on Tuesday.

The minister made the comments at a cabinet meeting, without giving further details on the number of those vaccinated of the country's 110 million plus population.

Presidential adviser Mohamed Awad Tag El-Din, however, said almost five million citizens have been vaccinated since the inoculation rollout began earlier this year.

The country has designated over 400 centers nationwide to administer the vaccine doses.

The cabinet meeting tackled the latest developments concerning the pandemic situation in the North African country, which has so far recorded a total of 280,700 infections, including 16,125 deaths and 210,482 recoveries, since the outbreak of the deadly virus.

Egypt is administering Sinopharm and AstraZeneca vaccines as millions of jabs of both of them were received over the past six months.

The Egyptian Drug Authority has approved the emergency use of five vaccines: Sinopharm, AstraZeneca, Sinovac, CoronaVac, and Covishield-AstraZeneca.

The cabinet also approved the reduction of fees for issuing vaccine certificates for travellers to EGP 100 ($6.3) for Egyptians and $10 for foreigners.

The move is aimed to ease the burden on Egyptian and non-Egyptian travellers, a cabinet statement said.

Vaccination certificates recognized from the travellers' country of origin and stamped with QR code have become a mandatory requirement for the entry to many countries now.

As for Egypt, all visitors coming from anywhere should provide a negative PCR test conducted 72 hours before departure, or a vaccination certificate showing that they were fully vaccinated 14 days before arrival, with those coming from countries hit by new variants being subjected to a 15-minute molecular test, known as ID NOW.

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Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi called on civil society organisations on Wednesday to take part in the countryside-focused  Decent Life  Initiative.

El-Sisis remarks came during an inspection tour on the equipment, vehicles, and engineering machinery of the various state authorities participating in the presidential initiative to develop the villages of the Egyptian countryside.

The initiative aims to improve the standards of living, infrastructure, and basic services in 4,500 villages, which are home to 58 percent of Egypts 102-million population.

The Decent Life initiative dates back to 2019 when the president charged the Ministry of Social Solidarity with developing Egypts poorest 1,000 villages. Then former minister of social solidarity Ghada Wali said the project would target the most underprivileged sectors and individuals in the most impoverished and remote areas.

Of the 1,000 villages, 143 across 11 governorates were chosen for the trial phase, which include an estimated 4.5 million citizens, with the development costs estimated at EGP 4 billion. The trial phase is now 96 percent complete.

In December 2020, El-Sisi decided to expand the initiative to include 4,500 villages within the framework of the Sustainable Development Strategy: Egypts Vision 2030. The Egyptian countryside will be transformed in three years time, El-Sisi said in January while launching the expanded initiative.

The entire national projects budget has been increased to around EGP 600 billion.

The enormous volume of work required to develop the 4,500 villages means they have been divided into three groups of 1,500 villages each.

The work of developing the initiative's first 1500-village group started in January 2021 with a budget of nearly EGP 200 billion and is due to be completed by the end of FY 2021-22.

El-Sisi stated that priority will be given to national industry when it comes to implementing the initiative.

In an interview with Khaled Abdel-Fattah, official spokesperson and director of the Decent Life Initiative at the Ministry of Social Solidarity, he said that all Decent Life projects now target the creation of village-based jobs, and a presidential directive to give priority to locally-produced raw materials in order to revive local economies and benefit workers in local companies and factories is being implemented.

The president also hailed state bodies, Armed Forces and civil sector for contributing to the implementation of the initiative's projects.

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Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi said on Wednesday that the Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) disease may have a cure and the state can bear its cost, urging for an early detection of the disease during the first year of a child's birth to avoid difficulties.

El-Sisis statement came during his inspection tour of the equipment, vehicles, and engineering machinery of the various state authorities participating in the presidential Decent Life Initiative to develop the villages of the Egyptian countryside.

SMA is a rare and often fatal genetic disease, according to the FDA, for being a hereditary disease that causes weakness and muscle wasting because patients lose lower motor neurons (nerve cells) that control movement.

El-Sisi noted that the best treatment for the SMA disease is until a year after the birth of the child, because after such age things become more difficult, adding that this could be done by postpartum examination.

The treatment cost for each case reaches $3 million, El-Sisi noted.

The number [treating cost] we are talking about is very high. For example, if 10 children cost $3 million each, it means $30 million, which means about EGP 450 million, El-Sisi said, calling on civil society organisations to take part in the treatment cost in cooperation with the Long Live Egypt Fund.

Health Minister Hala Zayed revealed that an account was opened in the Long Live Egypt Fund for fundraising for the treatment of children with SMA.

Zayed announced during El-Sisis tour the start of the presidential initiative for early detection of genetic and hereditary diseases next month, revealing the modernisation of 3 gene therapy centres in the Armed Forces Al-Galaa Hospital, Ain Shams Hospital, and the Nasser Institute.

A partnership contract has been signed to treat SMA, and it will start with treating 10 children starting next week, Zayed noted, adding that there are presidential directives to negotiate with drug manufacturers for the cure to the disease.

She added that there are 204 SMA cases registered until now, including 57 cases under two years and 32 cases that need to be treated immediately.

This comes few days after the struggle of an Egyptian baby, Rasheed Yasser Taha, who suffers from the disease, has been recently trending on social media platforms with a hashtag spreading by tens of thousands of people to help the little boy.

Rasheeds case gained attention when his father released a plea for assistance from the government to help in his sons treatment that cost $2.1 million (EGP 35 million) for the cure. Days later, Rasheeds father announced through his Facebook account the success of the popular fundraising campaign launched through social media in collecting EGP 35 million.

Thank you to everyone who supported Rasheed... because of you, Rasheed will take the injection and, God willing, many children after him! We invite you to start this weeks treatment journey, and come with us, step by step, until we are assured of it, Rasheeds father wrote.

In parallel, another fundraising campaign has been launched for Layal, another baby girl who suffers from SMA, whose mother announced the success of the campaign to collect more than EGP 3 million in two weeks, equivalent to only 9 percent of the total required amount for the treatment injection.

Layals mother expressed her confidence in reaching the desired amount before the deadline expires, especially since her daughter reaches the age of two only in 50 days, after which the injection may not have any effect.

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President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi stated on Wednesday that the 30 June Revolution was not just a passing moment in which Egyptians expressed anger, but rather conveyed their most established and noble constants.

El-Sisis statement came in a written post on his official Facebook page on the occasion of the eighth anniversary of the 30 June popular uprising.

The 30 June Revolution was not just a passing moment in which the Egyptians expressed anger, indignation or resentment, but rather was the finest shouts of expression of the strongest, most established and most noble Egyptian constants, which are belonging to the homeland and loyalty to its land, El-Sisi wrote.

As we celebrate the eighth anniversary of our glorious revolution, El-Sisi said, I send a precious message to all those who sacrificed their lives by rejecting extremism and terrorism, and I say to them: We will not forget you.

The president also paid tribute to the great people of Egypt who proved to the whole world that they are the most patient, most sincere, and resolute in their state and national institutions.

Proving to the whole world the correctness of their choices, heading towards declaring the new republic with their endurance, patience, and ability to do the impossible and defeat the challenge, the president said.

God save Egypt and its people until Judgment Day, El-Sisi concluded.

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A South Cairo Court judge decided on Wednesday to renew the detention of businessman Hassan Rateb for 15 days pending investigations on the accusation of funding former MP Alaa Hassanin in illegal archaeological excavations.

The renewal decision comes a day after investigation authorities ordered the imprisonment of the businessman for a period of four days pending the investigations with him and the rest of the accused.

Also, the court of appeals ordered on Wednesday seizing Ratebs funds and temporarily preventing him from disposing of his assets. This includes cash, stock market shares, bonds and bank deposits.

Rateb's arrest late on Monday came over his alleged involvement in financing a gang of 17 people, led by former MP Hassanin, according to a statement.

The investigations of the Public Prosecution revealed that Rateb funded Hassanin, his brother, and the gang members with millions of pounds to illegally excavate antiquities, the statement added.

Rateb, the former owner of Al-Mehwar satellite channel, is the chairman of Sinai University, Sama Group, and the Sinai Cement Company.

On Saturday, a South Cairo Court judge renewed the detention of Hassanin and three others for 15 days pending investigation into the case.

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A 60-year-old woman was killed and others, including at least one child, were injured when a three-storey building collapsed in El-Dekheila in western Alexandria.

Civil protection personnel have rescued injured victims from the rubble and are continuing to search for others.

The injured have been transferred to Gamal Hamada Central Hospital.

The incident is the second in a week in Alexandria, after another building collapsed in Al-Attarin district on Friday, causing injuries.

Building collapses are not uncommon in Egypt and are usually attributed to violations of building regulations, illegal building extensions, and lax government oversight.

However, the government has pledged resolute measures to end building violations nationwide, especially on agricultural land.

Egypt has seen a significant rise in illegal construction since the security vacuum that followed the 2011 uprising, with many people constructing multi-storey buildings without acquiring the necessary permits or complying with engineering safety standards.

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The Ethiopian army could re-enter the Tigray regional capital of Mekelle within weeks if needed, a spokesman for the Ethiopian government task force said on Wednesday, adding a ceasefire declared on Monday was for humanitarian reasons.

It was the first public statement by any official in Ethiopia's federal government since Mekelle was seized by Tigrayan forces this week.

"Ethiopia is exposed to an attack from outsiders" because of the conflict, Redwan Hussein, spokesman for the Ethiopian government's task force for Tigray, told reporters in apparent reference to Sudan.

On Monday, as the reports emerged of Tigrayan troops reaching downtown Mekelle, the regional capital, the federal government issued a statement declaring a unilateral ceasefire with immediate effect.

On Tuesday, Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) spokesman Getachew Reda told Reuters that the ceasefire declaration was a "joke". Phone lines were down in Mekelle on Wednesday.

Redwan described the ceasefire as a political decision "made for humanitarian cause".

"If it is required, we can easily enter to Mekelle and we can enter in less than three weeks," he said.

The TPLF, an ethnically based political party that dominated Ethiopia's national politics for nearly three decades, has been battling the central government since early November. It made major territorial gains in the past week.

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The World Bank and the International Monetary Fund have announced that Sudan has met the initial criteria for over $50 billion in foreign debt relief, another step for the East African nation to rejoin the international community after nearly three decades of isolation.

The two international financial institutions said in a joint statement Tuesday that Sudan ``has taken the necessary steps to begin receiving debt relief'' which amounts to over 90% of the nation's total external debt _ and will benefit from the relief if it continues on its current path of reform for another three years.

``Debt relief will support Sudan in implementing essential reforms to improve the lives of its people by allowing the freeing up of resources to tackle poverty and improve social conditions,'' the IMF said.

Kristalina Georgieva, the IMF's managing director, hailed measures taken by Sudan's transitional authorities in recent months that led to ``this historic milestone under challenging conditions exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic.''

Sudan's joint military-civilian government that has ruled the African country following a 2019 popular uprising has taken a series of bold steps to try to revive a battered and distorted economy where smuggling is rife. That's included floating its currency, starting to address heavy government subsidies, particularly on fuel, and seeking investment from international donors.

Georgieva of the IMF urged authorities to ``sustain and expand'' the implementation of reforms, adding that the IMF would continue support the government to ``secure a more prosperous future'' for the country.

The announcement by the World Bank and the IMF also included $2 billion in grants, dedicated to combat poverty and support a sustainable economic recovery over three years.

``Today marks an important milestone that will enable Sudan to significantly reduce its debt burden. This is a potentially transformative outcome for a nation of 44 million people that has suffered conflict, instability, and economic isolation for decades,'' said World Bank Group President David Malpass.

Sudan's Prime Minister Abdalla Hamdok also hailed the decision as an ``important milestone,'' that came after ``hard work, dedication and strong partnership with the international community.''

``This is a big day for Sudan and reaffirms that all the efforts and sacrifices of Sudanese people are recognized and rewarded,'' he said.

Sudan's transitional government has sought to reintegrate the country into the international community as it faces daunting political, security and economic challenges.

The country was an international pariah after it was placed on the United States' list of state sponsors of terror in the 1990s. This largely excluded Sudan from the global economy.

Former President Donald Trump removed Sudan from the blacklist after the transitional government agreed to pay $335 million in compensation for victims of attacks carried out by Osama bin Laden's al-Qaida network while the terror leader was living in Sudan. The removal also was an incentive for Sudan to normalize ties with Israel.

The World Bank and IMF said that Sudan's normalization will give it access to critical additional financial resources to strengthen its economy and improve social conditions.

*This story was edited by Ahram Online.

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Rebels killed seven people in coordinated attacks on army positions in the east of the Central African Republic, the UN peacekeeping force in the conflict-ridden country said Wednesday.

The fighters of the Unity for Peace in Central Africa (UPC) rebel group mounted simultaneous attacks on army "checkpoints and camps" in the eastern city of Alindao, MUNISCA spokesman Abdoulaziz Fall told AFP, adding that the "clashes left seven dead".

The peacekeepers forced back the rebels, who fell back three kilometres (two miles) from the two, Fall added.

"Currently the Central African armed forces are in place in the city with us," he said. Around 60 Nepalese peacekeepers had been sent to the city as reinforcements, he added.

The UPC is one of the largest and best equipped rebel groups operating in the country, its members controlling many operating mines. It mainly operates in the east of the country.

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Israel's foreign minister said on Wednesday his visit to the United Arab Emirates was just the start of a road to peace with other Middle East countries, signalling an offer of friendship with Arab states still wary of normalising ties.

Yair Lapid, the first Israeli cabinet minister to visit the Gulf state since the countries forged ties last year, also reiterated Israel's concern about the Iran nuclear deal being negotiated in Vienna.

The trip comes amid unease in Israel and Arab capitals about US efforts to re-enter a 2015 nuclear pact between Iran and world powers, which then President Donald Trump quit in 2018 in a move backed by Saudi Arabia and its Gulf allies.

"This visit isn't the end of the road to peace, it is just the beginning," he told reporters. "Our hand is outstretched... I hope this visit is the first of many and that together with our new friends we continue to make history in the entire region."

The UAE and Bahrain normalised ties with Israel under so-called "Abraham Accords" brokered by Trump's administration, creating a new regional dynamic based on mutual concern over Iran and Islamist groups. Sudan and Morocco followed suit.

Lapid declined to comment on whether Israel was coordinating with Gulf states over Iran, saying he did not want to "embarrass" his hosts by remarking on a neighbour while in the UAE, but noted his country was worried about the nuclear deal.

"What we need to do is to make sure that what we are going to have on Iran is a good agreement," he said, adding that Israel was discussing the matter with the United States.

Gulf states have called for a stronger deal of longer duration that also addresses Tehran's missiles programme and support for regional proxies.

The Vienna talks aim to bring Iran and the United States back into full compliance with the pact that placed restrictions on Tehran's nuclear activities in exchange for lifting international sanctions.

Trump had reimposed harsh US sanctions and Iran responded by violating many restrictions.

During his two-day visit Lapid inaugurated Israel's temporary embassy in Abu Dhabi and consulate in Dubai, where he toured his country's pavilion at the Expo 2020 site where the emirate will host the world fair starting October.

The Abraham Accords have also been billed by the signatories as an economic boon, and on Wednesday Israel and the UAE said they had started talks on a free trade agreement, according to a joint statement carried on state news agency WAM.

The UAE and Israel have previously signed agreements for tourism, investment and cooperation in fields from energy to technology.

Lapid said he expected more deals to be inked between Israel and the UAE which would demonstrate what happens when countries choose cooperation over conflict.

While opening the Dubai consulate, he hailed "the ability to cooperate. To find good partners and work together with them. To connect intelligence to intelligence, ambition to ambition."

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Algerian Finance Minister Aymen Ben Abdel Rahamane was named prime minister Wednesday, the presidency said, following legislative elections earlier this month and as the country seeks to curb a deep socio-economic crisis.

"Aymen Ben Abdel Rahamane has been appointed prime minister and charged with carrying on consultations with political parties and civil society to form a government as soon as possible," the presidency said in a statement.

Ben Abdel Rahamane, 60, replaces Abdelaziz Djerad, who had held the post since late 2019 and presented his government's resignation last week.

Africa's fourth-largest economy is heavily dependent on oil revenues, which have slumped in the face of the global economic slowdown.

Unemployment stands at more than 12 percent, according to World Bank figures.

President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, who had previously expressed dissatisfaction with Djerad and his cabinet, thanked him for leading the government "during difficult conditions", particularly the novel coronavirus pandemic.

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In a historic ruling, South Africa's top court on Tuesday handed the country's former president, Jacob Zuma, a 15-month jail term for "egregious" contempt of court after he refused to appear before graft investigators.

Zuma was told to turn himself in within five days, failing which police will be ordered to arrest him and take him to jail.

The scathing ruling sets a precedent for South Africa -- and a benchmark for the continent -- by jailing a former head of state for failing to respond to a corruption probe.

Constitutional Court judge Sisi Khampepe said "Zuma is guilty of the crime of contempt of court".

"No person is above the law," she said, decrying Zuma's "egregious affront on judicial integrity, the rule of law and the constitution".

Zuma, 79, is accused of enabling the plunder of state coffers during his nine years in office, which ended calamitously in February 2018 when the ruling African National Congress (ANC) forced him out.

Before he left office, he responded to mounting pressure and set up an investigative commission, headed by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo.

The commission hailed the verdict, saying the sentence sends an "important message" that there are "serious consequences for anyone who defies summonses and orders of courts... no matter what the person's status is in society".

- 'Unlawful defiance' -

The panel has encountered years of resistance from Zuma.

He only testified once, in July 2019, before staging a walkout days later and accusing Zondo of bias.

He then ignored several invitations to reappear, in some cases citing medical reasons and preparations for another corruption trial.

He presented himself again briefly in November but left before questioning and then ignored a court order to return to face the panel, forcing an exasperated Zondo to ask the Court to intervene for contempt.

"This kind of recalcitrance and defiance is unlawful and will be punished," Khampepe said.

"I am left with no option but to commit Mr Zuma to imprisonment, with the hope that doing so sends an unequivocal message... the rule of law and the administration of justice prevails."

She said Zuma, as an ex-president, was aware of the law yet placed himself "in blatant violation" of a court order, before declaring "an unsuspended" 15-month prison sentence.

She ordered Zuma to hand himself over to the police in Johannesburg or in Nkandla, a rural town in southeastern Kwa-Zulu Natal province where he has a home, within five calendar days.

Failure to submit himself, the police "must within three calendar days of the expiry stipulated of the period" take all steps to make sure he "is delivered to a correctional centre" to start the sentence, said the judge.

- in 'high spirits' -

In determining the sentence the court also took into account Zuma's "scandalous" attacks on the judiciary which it found "certainly constitute aggravating factors".

Zuma did not immediately react to the judgement, but had in March declared that he was "prepared to go to jail".

One of his daughters, Dudu Zuma-Sambudla, tweeted that her father was in "high spirits" and would serve his time "close to home".

His son Edward Zuma struck a more defiant tone, telling local media "they will have to kill me first".

Zuma's loyal ally Carl Niehaus warned the "ruling can lead to severe political instability" in the ANC and country.

Niehaus told AFP it's outrageous "that someone who has made such a major contribution to the liberation struggle... has to now face a jail sentence."

Most of the graft investigated by the commission involves three brothers from a wealthy Indian business family, the Guptas, who won lucrative government contracts and were allegedly even able to choose cabinet ministers.

"For the first time in South Africa, we are seeing a former head of state held directly accountable by way of a prison sentence," said Karam Singh of the non-profit organisation Corruption Watch.

Zuma's ex-prison mate at Robben Island, Ebrahim Ismail Ebrahim said he was "quite sad that he has to go back to prison". "I was very close to him and we slept next to each other," he said adding Zuma "has to obey" the court ruling.

Zuma is separately due in court in July facing 16 charges of fraud, graft and racketeering relating to a 1999 purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and military gear from five European arms firms for 30 billion rand, then the equivalent of nearly $5 billion.

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Germany has completed its troop pull-out from Afghanistan started in May, the defence ministry announced Tuesday, as the US aims to complete its withdrawal by September 11.

"After nearly 20 years of deployment, the last soldiers of our Bundeswehr have left Afghanistan this evening," said German Defence Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer in a statement. "They are on the way back.

"A historic chapter comes to an end, an intensive deployment that challenged and shaped the Bundeswehr, in which the Bundeswehr proved itself in combat," she added.

On Twitter, the minister offered her thanks to all the 150,000 men and women who had served there since 2001, saying they could be proud of their service.

And she paid tribute to those killed and wounded in service there. "You will not be forgotten," she said.

According to the army, 59 German soldiers have been killed since 2001 in the course of their service in Afghanistan.

The last of the troops were airlifted out of their base at Mazar-i-Sharif in northern Afghanistan on two German A400 Ms and two US C17s.

Before the pull-out began, Germany still had 1,100 soldiers operating as part of the 9,600-strong NATO training and support mission -- second only to the US military presence.

Germany stepped up its pull-out after US President Joe Biden announced he was pulling US troops out of the country after 20 years there.

In April, German's defence ministry had announced it planned to pull out its troops by early July.

Biden aims to have US troops out of Afghanistan by September 11, the 20th anniversary of the devastating Al-Qaeda attacks on the United States.

The international intervention in Afghanistan began on October 7, less than a month after the 9/11 attacks that killed around 3,000 people in the United States.

The country's Islamic fundamentalist Taliban regime had been sheltering Osama bin Laden and his Al-Qaeda movement, which carried out the attacks. Within weeks, US-led forces had overthrown them.

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Taiwan's chief trade negotiator John Deng told the United States on Wednesday that he hopes the two can "gradually" move towards a free trade agreement as they began long-delayed talks, a deal which would further cement Washington's support for Taipei.

The Trade and Investment Framework Agreement talks, or TIFA, stalled after former U.S. President Barack Obama left office in 2016 and his successor Donald Trump's trade representative, Robert Lighthizer, focused his attention on China, the world's second-largest economy.

In Deng's opening comments, reported by Taiwan's Cabinet, he said TIFA could make each other's economies more prosperous and create more job opportunities.

"We hope that through the TIFA platform, the two sides can continue to deepen their relationship and gradually move towards a free trade agreement," he added.

The Biden administration has moved to reaffirm its strong commitment to the democratically governed island in the face of pressure from Beijing to try and assert its sovereignty.

Taiwan has long angled for a free trade deal with the United States, though any such agreement with Taiwan would likely irritate Beijing, which says the island is Chinese territory and does not have the right to state-to-state relations.

The top US diplomat in Taiwan, Brent Christensen, told the opening session the resumption of the TIFA talks was an "essential element of our revitalised engagement on trade".

"I am confident that today's talks will help put the US Taiwan economic relationship on the right path for more cooperation and more progress in the future."

Held virtually, the talks were also attended by Assistant US Trade Representative Terry McCartin and Taiwan's top diplomat in Washington, Hsiao Bi-Khim.

While Taiwan is a member of the World Trade Organization, many countries are wary of signing trade deals with the tech powerhouse fearing objections from China, though Taiwan does have free trade deals with Singapore and New Zealand.

Last year, Taiwan's government lifted a ban on the import of pork containing a leanness-enhancing additive, ractopamine, removing a major stumbling block to a deal with Washington.

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French European Affairs junior minister Clement Beaune said on Wednesday he expected a form of sanctions against Hungary over Hungary's anti-LGBT law.

Beaune also said he was not in favour of kicking Hungary out of the European Union, reiterating earlier comments to this effect from French President Emmanuel Macron.

"I am not in favour of Hungary being kicked out of the European Union", he told RTL radio.

Last week, European Union leaders confronted their peer, Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban, over Hungary's new anti-LGBT law, stressing their commitment to defending gay rights and piling pressure on Budapest to step back.

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Militants in Afghanistan fired across the border at a Pakistani army post in a former local Taliban stronghold, killing two soldiers, the Pakistani military said Wednesday.

The cross-border firefight took place in the district of North Waziristan in the country's northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, the military said in a statement. It did not say when the attack occurred, but said Pakistani troops responded to the fire appropriately, without elaborating.

It was unclear whether there were any militant casualties. The military condemned the continued ``use of Afghan soil for terrorist activities against`` Pakistani troops, saying Pakistan had consistently asked Kabul to ensure effective border control on its side.

North Waziristan served as the headquarters of the Pakistani Taliban until the military secured it in 2015 with a series of operations. However, isolated militant attacks on troops and such cross-border violence have continued, raising fears the Pakistani Taliban were regrouping in the region bordering Afghanistan.

The Pakistani Taliban, also known as Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, are a separate insurgent group from the Afghan Taliban, although Pakistan's militant groups are often interlinked with those across the border.

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The grim toll of the historic heat wave that scorched the Pacific Northwest became more apparent Wednesday as authorities in Canada, Washington state and Oregon said they were investigating dozens of deaths likely caused by temperatures that soared well above 100 degrees.

In Vancouver, British Columbia, police said they had responded to more than 65 sudden deaths since the heat wave began Friday. Authorities in Washington and Oregon were investigating about a dozen deaths.

``Vancouver has never experienced heat like this, and sadly dozens of people are dying because of it,'' Vancouver police Sgt. Steve Addison said in a statement.

The heat wave was caused by what meteorologists described as a dome of high pressure over the Northwest and worsened by human-caused climate change, which is making such extreme weather events more likely and more intense. Seattle, Portland and many other cities shattered all-time heat records, with temperatures in some places reaching above 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 Celsius).

Amid the dangerous heat and drought that are gripping the American West, crews were closely monitoring wildfires that can explode in the intense weather.

While the temperatures had cooled considerably in western Washington, Oregon and British Columbia by Wednesday, the interior regions were still sweating through triple-digit temperatures as the weather system moved east.

The government's Environment Canada agency issued heat warnings Wednesday for southern Alberta and Saskatchewan. Heat warnings also were in place for parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.

In Alberta, ``a prolonged, dangerous, and historic heat wave will persist through this week,'' Environment Canada said in a release.

The very high temperatures or humidity conditions also were expected to pose an elevated risk of heatstroke or heat exhaustion.

British Columbia's chief coroner, Lisa Lapointe, said her office would normally receive about 130 death reports over a four-day period. At least 233 deaths were reported from Friday to Monday afternoon, she said, adding that coroners are determining whether the record-breaking heat played a role. Like Seattle, many homes in Vancouver don't have air conditioning.

The King County medical examiner's office, which covers an area that includes Seattle, said two people died of hyperthermia, meaning their bodies had became dangerously overheated.

In neighboring Snohomish County, three men _ ages 51, 75 and 77 _ died after experiencing heatstroke in their homes, the medical examiner's office told the Daily Herald in Everett, Washington, on Tuesday.

Officials in Bremerton, Washington, said heat may have contributed to four deaths in that Puget Sound city.

The death of a worker at an Oregon plant nursery last weekend was heat related, employee safety agency Oregon OSHA said Tuesday.

The man was from Guatemala and had apparently arrived in the United States only a few months ago, said Andres Pablo Lucas, owner of Brother Farm Labor Contractor that sent the man and other workers to the nursery.

The man, whose name was not released, died amid sweltering temperatures Saturday at Ernst Nursery and Farms, a wholesale supplier in St. Paul, 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of the capital of Salem.

Speaking in Spanish, Pablo Lucas said that when workers gathered shortly after noon Saturday, they noticed someone was missing. They began searching and found his body. Pablo Lucas said he didn't remember the man's name.

The laborers often have the option to start working around sunrise when it is cooler and can stop around midday, but some want to stay regardless of the heat, Pablo Lucas said.

``The people want to work, to fight to succeed,'' he said. ``For that reason, they stay.''

The United Farm Workers urged Washington Gov. Jay Inslee to issue emergency heat standards protecting all farm and other outdoor workers in the state with a strong agricultural sector.

In western Washington, the heat led a utility in Spokane to impose rolling blackouts because of the strain on the electrical grid. About 9,300 Avista Utilities customers lost power Monday, and the company said more planned blackouts began Tuesday in the western Washington city of about 220,000 people.

``We try to limit outages to one hour per customer,'' said Heather Rosentrater, an Avista vice president for energy delivery.

She said the outages were a distribution problem and did not stem from a lack of electricity in the system.

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With the purpose of stimulating the economy and solving the chronic congestion in the capital, Egypt announced the establishment of the New Administrative City (NAC) in East Cairo.

In an exclusive interview, Ahram Online discussed with the President of the University of Hertfordshire (UH)  hosted by the Global Academic Foundation in Egypt  Vincent Emery, the role the private sector plays in Egypts development and why the university opted for the NAC to be the location of its Egyptian headquarters.

Emery also revealed that the Global Academic Foundations investments in Egypt have amounted to EGP 1.6 billion, with an expectation that they will reach around EGP 6 or 7 billion to expand its building footprint and facilities in the future.

Ahram Online: How do you assess the investment climate in Egypt, particularly pertaining to higher education?



Vincent Emery: Currently, Egypt is embracing remarkable development in the education sector, which has prompted many large institutions to invest in all aspects of education  technological, technical, professional, and others. Also, Egypt has recently witnessed a surge in the number of private and international universities, driven by investment in the Egyptian education sector, especially in the NAC, which has greatly contributed to the development of the university and pre-university sectors in an unprecedented way.



The foundations investments in the NAC, which were implemented in cooperation with the UH in the United Kingdom, were consistent with Egypt's strategy and vision for 2030 and pertinent to developing education. The new law that the Egyptian Parliament passed stipulates and stresses on the importance of establishing new foreign universities branches in Egypt to improve the education quality; therefore, the UH saw the law as an ideal opportunity to introduce its foreign education experience to Egypts students.



Furthermore, endeavours are being made by Egypt to become a destination for investments in the field of higher education in the region, which will, in turn, contribute to making the NAC a centre for education and a hub for scientific research in the Middle East.

For instance, new laws were issued recently to reform undergraduate and post-graduate studies at local universities. The government also signed numerous educational protocols that led to a breakthrough in higher education investments, which is manifested through the number of international branches that have already opened in the NAC.

AO: What are the motives that encouraged you to establish a branch of the UH in Egypt? And why did you select the NAC in particular?

VE: Undoubtedly, Egypt has recently made exceptional strides in the educational sector, and this is an important factor that paved the way for foreign universities to consider inaugurating their new branches in Egypt, especially in the NAC.

The recent laws have, in fact, created a positive atmosphere that spurred us to take part in improving the Egyptian higher education sector. Also, our participation comes in line with Egypts initiative to transform the NAC into an educational hub, as well as elevating higher education in Egypt to be on a par with other top universities globally.



Egypt has also recently disclosed its intention to revolutionise its educational system by bringing international experiences home. Therefore, the country has been building new public, private, non-profit, and foreign universities.

As a result, the UH decided to invest actively in Egypt, as it believes that the ranking and reputation of Egypts higher education sector will increase steadily in the coming years. The UH is also convinced that the Egyptian labour market will benefit immensely from the new disciplines that the university will introduce and the new fully equipped generation that it will graduate.



The NAC was chosen for many reasons, it is a city that was built with state-of-the-art infrastructure and conforms to the ideal of a smart city. This will have a major impact on our success in providing a distinguished educational experience.

All of these factors contribute to the UH philosophy in providing both traditional and unique specialisations such that we can keep pace with the demands of the Egyptian labour market and create cadres of graduates that suit the requirements of the regional and local markets.



We certainly take pride in being part of Egypts Vision 2030, with the ambitious development plan set to herald a new educational era in Egypt. Inaugurating branches of international universities in Egypt meets the Egyptian governments aspiration to transform the NAC into a global educational hub that attracts students locally, regionally, and internationally.



It is noteworthy that the NAC is set to be the regional educational hub, rolling out some dynamic and prestigious schools and universities, which will help deliver the country's ambitious vision of establishing and developing an integrated educational system.

AO: How do you see the efforts exerted by Egypt regarding the expansion of investments in human capital, including the education and health sectors?

VE: Egypt has embarked on a development journey across all levels, including its health sector reform. Different measures were adopted in addressing the pandemic. In addition to its ongoing Economic Transformation Program, which has been credited with accelerating government spending on the health sector.

In accordance with the Egyptian initiative to improve human capital, UH-GAFs strategy aims at providing an education that marries the theoretical and academic with the practical in order to keep abreast with the needs and developments in industry, as well as proffer opportunities that cater to its needs.

Moreover, the university enables its students to strike an impressive balance between skills and academic knowledge tailored to the needs of the job markets needs. This balance is attained through some unique educational models and distinguished programs.

In fact, the UHs investments are primarily directed to contribute to reshaping the higher education system in accordance with the Egyptian government s vision to enhance education norms. The UHs strategy aims to graduate a competent, innovative, and entrepreneurial generation that can fill the gaps in the labour market, as well as satisfy the needs of the new industrial and technological sectors in the Egyptian and global markets.

AO: What is the total investment that you intend to pump into Egypt through establishing the UH branch?

VE: The Global Academic Foundation has a clear vision to be one of the largest entities in the Middle East, which hosts several specialised foreign branches in different advanced disciplines that suit the labour market. Therefore, the Foundation is hosting the UH on a 50-acre site in the NAC and has launched multiple faculties to add genuine value to the educational system and entrepreneurship in Egypt. To date, our Investment has amounted EGP 1.6 billion, with an expectation that it will reach around EGP 6 or 7 billion, as we are looking forward to expanding our building footprint and facilities in the future.

AO: From your perspective, how can Egypt improve the education sector, especially since this is a key objective of the UN Sustainable Development Goals agenda?

VE: Unquestionably, Egypt is on the right track when it comes to educational sustainability. Allocating significant amounts of land dedicated to the establishment of higher education institutions in the NAC in general will eventually alter the dominant educational concepts, as Egypt is taking steadfast steps towards establishing smart infrastructure that will uphold future educational mega projects.



Additionally, signing mutual agreements between universities and other educational entities in Egypt and beyond will create cooperative bonds and expand the horizons of students as they pursue their studies. Needless to say, increasing the number of foreign branches will catalyse the competitiveness of the higher education sector in Egypt and ultimately contribute to increasing the international ranking of Egyptian higher education.

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Egypt is expected to resume its initial public offering (IPO) programme for the state-owned enterprises from September through December through initiating two offerings up to three offerings, head of Egypts Financial Regulatory Authority (FRA) Mohamed Omran said.

After getting a robust push from the government in 2019 through offering the Eastern Company, Egypts IPO programme subdued amid the rising threat of the pandemic.

Earlier in April, Minister of Public Business Sector Hisham Tawfik said the programme is scheduled to resume in the third quarter of 2021 and the IPO will include companies that spur the investors appetite without revealing the names or the number of the companies expected to go public.

Omran made his statements during a press conference at the FRA held on Tuesday to showcase the authoritys achievements over the past four years and to announce its strategy going forward.

Omran also noted that the domestic market is expected to witness the first issuance of green bonds for a private sector company on Wednesday with a total value of $100 million, the first of a kind for the private sector in Egypt.

During the conference, Omran revealed that Egypts financial market experienced a significant growth in the issued securities in the primary market over the past four years (2017-2020) to more than EGP 500 billion.

During the same period, securitization bond issuances recorded EGP 56 billion, EGP 25 billion of which posted in 2020 which is the highest securitization value in the Egyptian financial market.

On the Egyptian exchange market (EGX) performance, Omran noted that trading value doubled in 2020 to reach EGP 689.6 billion compared to EGP 333 billion in 2017.

On the other hand, the EGXs capital market value declined in 2020 to about EGP 650 billion, down from EGP 685 billion recorded by end of 2017, according to Omran.

Regarding insurance activity, Omran said that the gross investments in the sector jumped by 26 percent in 2020 to EGP 108 billion, up from EGP 86 billion in 2017.

Meanwhile, the investments of the private insurance funds climbed 36 percent in 2020 to post EGP 83 billion, up from EGP 61 billion in 2017.

Regarding the real-estate sector, Omran noted that the total finances extended by the real-estate companies almost doubled in 2020 to record EGP 3.4 billion, up from EGP 1.5 billion in 2017.

In his speech, Omran stated that Egypts economic reform programmes helped the country to address all challenges it faced over the past few years and contributed to uplifting the performance of Egypts non-financial sector.

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The IMF on Tuesday approved a $2.5 billion loan for Sudan, and with the World Bank sealed a landmark deal that unlocks nearly $50 billion in debt relief for the impoverished African nation.

The announcement came after the International Monetary Fund finalized an agreement with 101 donor countries allowing Sudan to clear roughly $1.4 billion in arrears to the Washington-based lender -- the key hurdle to allow access to fresh aid.

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Egypts government, through the finance ministry, will launch the third stage of the exporters support programme on Sunday, according to Minister of Finance Mohamed Maait.

The third stage is dedicated to repaying the arrears of exporters that are due till the end of June, said Maait.

Maait said that the action comes in implementation of President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisis decision to back exporting companies amid the ongoing COVID-19 crisis.

The programme is a presidential initiative that allows exporters to receive their arrears from the Export Development Fund (EDF) as instant cash repayments.

In September 2020, the government had launched the first stage of the initiative that targeted instant cash repayment of export companies arrears before the end of 2020 at a repay acceleration discount of 15 percent, while it came into effect in November.

Maait said that the companies that are willing to benefit from the programmes third stage need to submit their application as of the coming Sunday 4 July through 29 July in the same conditions of the previous two stages.

2000 exporter companies, which registered in the programmes two previous stages, were handed close to EGP 16.4 billion. Since the launch of all initiatives that target the cash repayments of the exporters arrears in October 2019, the beneficiaries received EGP 28 billion  the biggest support extended to Egypts export sector ever, said Maait.

Nevine Mansour, advisor of the finance minister's deputy for financial policies, said that 2,500 export companies benefited from the other five initiatives, with a total of EGP 5.6 billion disbursed for exports in FY 2019/2020 and EGP 2.4 billion disbursed from July to November 2020.

The cabinet has approved five initiatives since October 2019 to settle exporters arrears through June 2019.

The initiatives included repaying small investors a maximum of EGP 5 million, the repayment of 30 percent of all arrears to exporters, holding a set-off between exporters arrears and the payable tax and custom obligations on them, the repayment of the total arrear sums over four to five years while expanding their investments in return, and the land allocation initiative.

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The Korean Cultural Centre (KCC) concluded the final round of the Quiz on Korea cultural competition on 28 June, which was preceded with an online introductory lecture on the cultural competition that was held on 17 June.

After three hours of questions, Sarah Bakr Ahmed, a dentist, won first place while Maryam Abdelrahman won second place, Nesma Abdel-Alim Mohamed together with Nesma Refa'i won third place.

The 14 contestants who won the preliminary round of the competition took part in the event held at the KCC's headquarters in Dokki amid strict precautionary measures to maintain public safety.

The competition aims to test general information about South Korea in various fields, including Korean history, economy, language, and culture, while at the same time providing an additional incentive for fans of South Korea to continue their interest in Korean culture.

It is noteworthy that the Quiz on Korea is an international competition organised annually for the K-Fans around the world as part of the public diplomacy programme supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea and KBS television.

Oh Sung-ho, director of the KCC, expressed his happiness for the resumption of offline events at the centre after a long period of closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic, noting that the centre is always welcoming K-fans who in fact serve as 'bridges' to promote cultural exchange between Egypt and South Korea.

After honouring the first three winners, Sung-ho granted prizes to all participants in the competition.

At the end of the ceremony, a number of the participants performed artistic shows that demonstrated their passion for Korean culture.

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Egypts Minister of Culture Ines Abdel-Dayem met with Ambassador of Jordan Amgad Al-Adaylah on 29 June to discuss enhancing cooperation in various intellectual and artistic fields, especially in light of the gradual return of cultural activities following a year of COVID-19 lockdown.

The meeting was attended by president of the Cairo Opera House Magdy Saber and head of the Foreign Cultural Relations Sector Sabry Said.

The officials discussed a number of cultural events that the two countries will hold in the days to come, foremost of which is the Jarash Festival and the artistic events and performances carried out by the Egyptian Opera House.

"Art as a soft power is a means of rapprochement between the peoples of the world and a bridge for exchanging diverse visions and creations," Abdel-Dayem during the meeting, highlighting the strength of relations between Egypt and Jordan and the closeness between their peoples.

The minister also reviewed the cultural activities that will be held this year, most notably the Cairo International Book Fair, which is considered an important cultural event in the Arab world and sees the participation of many Arab countries, including Jordan.

For his part, Ambassador Al-Adaylah affirmed Jordan and Egypt's strong desire to enhance and deepen cultural cooperation, expressing his happiness to hold mutual activities that reflect the various aspects of arts and culture in the Egyptian and Jordanian societies.

The two sides agreed to mobilise all efforts to ensure the success of the desired cultural cooperation and characterised the upcoming Jarash festival as a significant event of bilateral cultural cooperation between Egypt and Jordan.

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This week, as part of an ambitious diplomatic scheme to rework inter-Arab relations, President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi made a rare visit of an Egyptian head of state to Iraq. It is the first visit to Baghdad by an Egyptian president in 30 years, the statement issued by the press office of President Al-Sisi noted.



Al-Sisi arrived in Baghdad to take part in a joint summit with his Iraqi counterpart, in the company of the Iraqi prime minister, and King Abdullah of Jordan, arguably one of Egypts closest Arab allies today. The three-way summit of the leaders of Egypt, Iraq, and Jordan is not the first between the heads of these three states. During the past two years, the three have been slowly but surely building a new coalition of the willing, designed to create room for economic and security coordination, largely at Cairos initiative.



Despite worry over Covid-19 the three leaders met in August 2020 in the Jordanian capital. And according to Egypts top diplomat Sameh Shoukri, they plan to soon convene again in Cairo.



We are talking about two things that are happening in parallel. First, we are talking about the economic opportunities available to Egypt and Jordan in the reconstruction of Iraq. Second, we are talking about how Egypt and Jordan can support Iraq, traditionally one of the more important Arab countries but which, during the last couple of decades, has been prey to other countries attempts to build their hegemony, especially Iran and Turkey, said an informed government source.



This is why it was important for President Al-Sisi to go to Iraq despite the fact the security logistics were tough to manage.



Egypt, he added, is not going to Iraq to pick up a fight with either Iran or Turkey but rather to work with Jordan in emphasising the Arab presence there.



Al-Sisis participation in the three-way summit in Baghdad this week, according to Mohamed Ibrahim, deputy director of the influential Egyptian Centre for Strategic Studies, sends a significant message about Egypts commitment to be there for Arab countries.



According to government sources, the message is not directed exclusively to the regions non-Arab neighbours, but is also being sent to those Arab capitals pushing for Israel to get a free ride across the Arab region despite the absence of a fair and sustainable political settlement to the Palestinian cause.



We have promoted peace with Israel since the signing of the Egyptian peace treaty in 1979. But to allow Israel to cut through the Arab region without offering Palestinians even the basics of statehood is something else altogether, said one source.



According to Ibrahim, Egypt is as heavily involved in trying to re-start negotiations that could pave the way towards a peaceful settlement of the Palestinian cause as ever. If we dont do this, we risk instability, he explained.



Government officials say Egypt has been engaged in intense communication with both Israel and the Palestinians since Cairo managed to mediate an end to Israels 11-day war on Gaza. There has been an intense exchange of visits during the past weeks and they will continue, said one. He added that the goal of current communications is to start a reconstruction operation in Gaza which requires coordination between the Palestinian Authority, Israel, and donors.



It is an issue over which Cairo is closely coordinating with Doha. Only this week, explained the official, Egypt managed to get Israel to agree to allow fuel to be delivered to Gazas power plant. It was Qatar that paid for the fuel, and Egypt that secured Israeli permission for its delivery.



Egyptian officials argue the new rapport with Doha is an extension of Cairos approach towards Baghdad: it is designed to serve economic and security objectives. Avoiding an eruption of anger in Gaza over tough living conditions, they argue, is a prime Egyptian objective given the shared border Egypt has with the Strip.



Meanwhile, new diplomatic postings were announced last week. Egypt is sending a new ambassador, Amr Al-Sherbini, to head its diplomatic missions in the Qatari capital, ending four years of limited diplomatic ties between the two countries.



In June 2017, along with three Arab Gulf states  Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Bahrain  Egypt imposed a diplomatic and economic embargo on Qatar, accusing it of financing activities that harmed their domestic security.



Today, Egypt is turning a new page with Qatar after having settled its security concerns, said Ibrahim.



This new page, according to Egyptian officials, will include significant economic cooperation.



During a visit to Doha earlier this month, Foreign Minister Samir Shoukri handed Qatari Emir Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani an invitation from President Al-Sisi to visit Egypt. While the date for the trip has yet to be fixed it should happen sooner rather than later, say government officials.



The rapprochement with Doha could help push forward slowly improving Egyptian-Turkish relations. According to a concerned official, Qatars close alliance with Turkey, and improving relations with Egypt, will help improve relations between Cairo and Ankara.



According to officials managing the Libya file, however, it is unrealistic to expect a major breakthrough in relations with Turkey as long as Ankara remains determined to keep Islamist militias and military troops in Libya.



During his participation in the Berlin II Conference on Libya earlier this month, Shoukri insisted that it is not enough for Turkey to pull out the militias but it must also pull out its own troops in line with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.



Egypt has also invested heavily in upgrading relations with Libya. In June alone, there have been four high-level visits between officials of the two countries aimed at trying to formulate a working plan for the agreements and memoranda of understanding Prime Minister Mustafa Madbouli signed in Tripoli during a trip in April.



In the coming few days, Libyan Prime Minister Abdel-Hamid Dbeibeh is expected to visit Cairo to pursue more cooperation.



Economic and security cooperation will be high on the agenda. While Egypt does not expect to get the lions share of business in the reconstruction of Libya it will participate in sufficient mega projects to allow the return of the close to three million Egyptian expatriate workers forced out of jobs during the peak of political and security tensions in Libya.



Egypt, say officials, is now perceived as a stabilising factor in Libya as it works to stop potential military confrontations between Khalifa Haftar and the LNA in the east, and military groups in the west.



I think it is fair to say that as far as Egypt is concerned there is a need to redefine the objectives of inter-Arab relations in a way that is a lot more pragmatic, argued Ibrahim. The time has come for a different concept of Arab relations. It is not that pan-Arabism is being consigned to the past, just that its definition is crying out for upgrading to meet the interests and challenges of Arab countries.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 1 July, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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With the flood season inching closer without any breakthrough in talks over the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), Egypt and Sudan sent separate letters this month asking the UN Security Council to hold a session to address the issue. Meanwhile, several parties are hinting loudly that there is a possibility of reaching a partial or interim agreement.

The Security Council is capable of defining sound technical principles to run rivers in a way that protects the interest of all parties without causing great damage to downstream countries, said Foreign Minister Sameh Shoukri.

Egypts top diplomat stressed that Cairo cannot accept sustaining any damage from GERD, whether the second filling is completed or not.

We will not compromise our water rights. We will use all the appropriate tools at the appropriate time, he added.

After an emergency meeting held in the Qatari capital Doha at the request of Egypt and Sudan on 15 June the Arab League also called on the Security Council to hold an urgent session on GERD.

Ali Al-Hefni, a former deputy to Egypts foreign minister, pointed that by referring the issue to the Security Council for a second time, Egypt is escalating the issue.

We adhered to African Union-sponsored talks till the end, he told Al-Ahram Weekly, adding that Cairo is now keen to explain its stand and gain diplomatic support from different countries.

Taking the issue to the Security Council was only done after things had come to a standstill under the AU, he explained. The step was taken after deliberations and communications with states that will have a say in the matter. We know who will support us and who will not, Al-Hefni added.

Samir Ghattas, head of the Middle East Forum for Strategic Studies and a former MP, believes the referral to the Security Council has come too late and with little preparation and coordination with the powers that have a say in that matter.

What are we after? A strong resolution that will stop the project altogether according to Article 7 of the charter, or mere recommendations? he asked.

Ghattas says the Security Council is unlikely to propose anything beyond the involved parties return to the negotiating table, and questioned whether there had been adequate consultations with the five permanent members of the council who can veto any resolution.

Egypt requested the first open session on GERD in June 2020. During the session the council urged Ethiopia, Egypt, and Sudan to reach a consensus and warned against unilateral actions.

Two weeks ago, Sudans Foreign Minister Mariam Al-Sadiq Al-Mahdi officially asked the council to hold a session as soon as possible to review developments in the GERD dispute. She asked the international body to urge parties not to take any unilateral actions, and called on Ethiopia not to go ahead with the second filling of the dam since it would aggravate the conflict and threaten regional security.

Al-Mahdi warned that if Ethiopia went ahead with the second filling of GERD, it would endanger the safety of millions of Sudanese citizens. The letter also included details of Sudanese efforts over the past year to reach a legally-binding agreement through the AU-sponsored negotiations that reached a deadlock in April due to a lack of political will by Ethiopia to reach an agreement that meets the needs of the three countries.

Ghattas believes any partial, rather than a comprehensive and legally binding agreement covering the filling of the dams reservoir and its operation, will impact catastrophically on the GERD file, though he does not rule out that Sudan may push for a partial solution.

Sudans foreign minister has tied any partial agreement to four guarantees: commitment to a time limit of six months between the signing of the partial agreement and a final agreement; negotiations picking up from where they left off rather than starting from scratch; effective international mediation led by the AU and including the US, EU and UN, and a clear mechanism to punish any intransigent or procrastinating party.

Such an agreement will allow Addis Ababa to go ahead with the second filling with the blessing of Khartoum and allow it to procrastinate for another six months of AU-led negotiations, or possibly till the next flood seasons when another filling is due, said one diplomat speaking on condition of anonymity.

A meeting of the AU bureau last week left little room for hope that AU-led negotiations will bear fruit. The meeting ended without any recommendations or calls for the three countries to return to negotiations.

That meeting  held virtually  had been expected to discuss developments in the GERD file in depth. Instead, Congolese President Felix Tshisekedi briefly informed virtual attendees about the outcome of previous negotiations. Sudan boycotted the meeting.

Meanwhile, irrigation ministers from Egypt, Ethiopia and Sudan held three-way talks last weekend, their first meeting since tripartite negotiations reached a deadlock in April. No outcome to the meeting was disclosed.

Why are we pushing for AU-led talks or a Security Council role when either of the two main investors in Ethiopia, Saudi and UAE, could play a more effective role? asks Ghattas.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 1 July, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Yesterday was the eighth anniversary of the 30 June, 2013 Revolution, which opened a new chapter in the countrys history on many levels.

It confirmed the commitment of the vast majority of Egyptians to maintaining a modern, civil state where all citizens enjoy equal rights and freedoms.

Before the Egyptian peoples revolt against the Muslim Brotherhoods failed attempt at ruling the country over one year, Egypt was the brink of a bloody civil war, the economy was in tatters, and ties with the outside world had narrowed down to a few countries with a vested interest in weakening Egypt in pursuit of their own regional ambitions.

The late president Mohamed Morsi was merely a stand-in for the Muslim Brotherhoods highest decision-making body, known as the Guidance Bureau, and the popular revolt against him saved Egypt as a nation state. Contrary to their claims before narrowly winning a highly polarised presidential election in early 2012, the Brotherhood revealed their true colours and goals as soon as they took office.

They confirmed they were merely a political group that exploits the Muslim religion to achieve their fundamentalist agenda and the illusion of restoring the so-called Caliphate belonging in a different historic era.

In such a Caliphate, the notion of a nation state does not exist and might even be seen as a violation of Islamic precepts. Thus, non-Muslims or even Muslims who do not accept that fundamentalist interpretation of religion should not be treated as equal citizens with equal rights.

Egyptians, with all their diversity and pride in their long history and civilisation, would never have accepted such an extremist ideology, and would not tolerate the rule of the clergy.

Egypts experience under the extremist Muslim Brotherhood was also a warning to the entire region and neighbouring countries that experienced a similar rise in the influence of political Islamic groups after the so-called Arab Spring and the popular revolts that took place in early 2011.

If it wasnt for the 30 June, 2013 Revolution, Tunisia too would have fallen into chaos following attempts by the Tunisian branch of the Brotherhood to monopolise the scene, advancing their misunderstanding of democracy. Winning an election, even with a reasonable majority, cannot mean suppressing all other opposition, or disregarding universal rights and freedoms.

Only after 30 Junedid the Arab peoples recognise the dangers of political groups raising the banner of religious identity, while hiding their true extremist agendas.

Egyptians who suffered tremendously under Muslim Brotherhood rule due to the sharp deterioration in the economy and many basic services, including electricity, fuel, roads, sewage, education and healthcare, were also keen on ridding themselves of that government in the hope of improving their living conditions.

The Brotherhood had no experience beyond running their own businesses and charities, and were ill equipped to administer a whole economy or the interests and needs of 100 million people.

When President Al-Sisi first took office in June 2014, his priorities not only included combating the terrorism launched by Brotherhood supporters all over Egypt, but also working fast to meet the basic needs of the Egyptian people.

The new Egyptian regime worked hard and non-stop on many fronts to improve living conditions for Egyptians, and equally to prepare Egypt to become a major regional power with a strong economy.

All international reports, including those issued by the IMF, World Bank and major financial institutions, noted remarkable improvements in Egypts economy and infrastructure.

Egyptians now certainly feel confident of their future as they can see new projects rising in every corner, whether in terms of new cities, roads, bridges, ports or airports.

The improvements in healthcare and education, serving millions of Egyptians, have also been widely recognised by both the people at home and international institutions.

Unlike the Brotherhoods narrow-minded attitude to women, seeing them as second-class citizens, the present power structure has given Egyptian women unprecedented rights. Women make up nearly 27 per cent of parliament, and they run eight key ministries and many other high-ranking positions.

On the regional and international fronts, 30 June kick started the restoration of Egypts historically influence. President Al-Sisi and the new regime had a lot of work to do to fix the damage caused by the Brotherhoods divisive rule, both internally, regionally and on the international level.

Egypt now has regained its friends in the Arab world, Europe and the United States, and its positive intervention to solve regional disputes and conflicts has been recognised by nearly the whole world.

Egypts role in combating international terrorism, seeking to restart peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians and reaching a peaceful settlement in the civil wars in Libya, Syria and Yemen is indispensable.

Despite Egypts limited resources, President Al-Sisi was at the forefront of the countries offering help to Lebanon after the massive explosion in the Port of Beirut.

Similar assistance was offered to several Arab and African countries after the outbreak ofthe Covid-19 virus. Egyptians this week are not only marking the eighth anniversary of the historic shift that took place on 30 June, 2013, they are also celebrating the numerous achievements they have made over a very short period of time.

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Egypt was never as close to the edge of the abyss as it was eight years ago. On the eve of the 30 June 2013 Revolution Egypt was on the verge of economic collapse, a process that had begun in January 2011 and continued as the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) tightened its grip on power. State institutions were under threat, with the one exception of the army which stood up to all attempts to undermine the state and sacrifice it for the sake of the pipedream of an Islamic caliphate.



Egypts collapse would not just have been economic. The social fabric of the country, its regional role, and cultural identity were all being shredded.

The MB, like all contemporary Islamists, had no idea of how a state is run. Instead, it set about dismantling the state under the illusion that it could be replaced by a larger version of itself.A report by the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace in September 2013 identified serious concerns about the authoritarian nature of MB discourse and the threat this posed to Egyptian identity, national unity, national security, freedom, and democracy.Under the MB Egypt was on its way to becoming, at best, a quasi-state, at worst, a failed one.Late sociologist Sayed Yassin published an article in Al-Ahram on 28 March 2013, summarising the social climate under the MB. Yassin argued that the policies of despair had cast a shadow over both the public and political elite, poisoning the social climate at a time when the country was facing serious crises that had resulted from the political classes inability to make the right decisions at the right time. Given the failure of the opposition political elite to present well thought-out alternatives to resolve the crises, Yassin called for a firm confrontation of these policies of despair. Due to the failure, or rather incompetence, of the MB to address this since they are the main cause of the situation, the people stepped up with an effective remedy of removing the MB from power.AT A NEWS CONFERENCE on 6 May 2012 in Luxor, MB member Mohamed Morsi, then a presidential candidate, made rosy proclamations: Our reform programme will lift Egypt up within 100 days.Morsi counted five main crises facing the country: traffic, security, bread, rubbish collection, and fuel. He said that the MB was not clambering to be in government, which he characterised as a liability not a prize. He claimed he and his group had made deals with oil companies to pump $200 billion into Egypt which would create giant projects to replenish state coffers, revive the economy, and provide new jobs.The MBs so-called Renaissance Project included increasing the number of tourists from 12 million to 20 million in a short time, and had a declared focus on improving living conditions in Upper Egypt. It weaved its promises into a slogan during the elections: We bring good to Egypt.Yet withing a year of the MB coming to power the economy was on the brink of collapse. There was no sign of the promised Egyptian people did not see the MBs renaissance on the horizon after a year, let alone after 100 days. The public came to understand that the MB had spun a mirage in order to seize power.THE IMMINENT COLLAPSE was gauged by international financial institutions. During the one year of MB rule Egypts credit rating had plunged into negative territory. Five months after the MBs removal from power following the 30 June revolution, when the people took to the streets in unprecedented numbers, Egypts credit rating was back in positive territory.When credit ratings fell again in May 2016, the move was quickly redressed by launching economic reforms and liberalising the exchange rates. Since then, the stable rating of Egypts economy has been maintained, even in the face of the Covid-19 pandemic.Egypts GDP growth rate began to rise, reaching 5.6 per cent before the Covid-19 pandemic. Unemployment dropped to 7.3 per cent compared to 13.3 per cent in 2013. GDP rose from LE1.7 trillion to LE6.4 trillion in 2020, and is expected to reach LE7.1 trillion in 2021. In January 2013, foreign currency reserves had dropped to $13.6 billion. After the June Revolution, foreign currency reserves began to increase. By January 2014 they had reached $17.1 billion, and by October 2016, just before the decision to float the pound, reserves had reached $20 billion. They continued to rise, to $45.4 billion by 2019, then fell back to $39.2 billion as a result of the pandemic. They are now back to $40 billion plus.ECONOMIC IMPROVEMENTS have allowed the state to forge ahead and build what is essentially a new republic.This new state, as envisioned by President Abdel-Fattah Al-Sisi, has no room for slums: Egyptians deserve better than areas of concentrated substandard accommodation which bring with them serious social, economic and security concerns.So began the epic campaign to eliminate slums, starting with the creation of the Informal Settlements Development Fund. Efforts began in areas that posed the greatest threat to citizens, and resulted in Asmarat, Gheit Al-Enab, Tal Al-Aqareb, Ahaleena and Bashayer Al-Kheir. The result of the campaign was an end to a chronic headache, a success that was recognised by UN-Habitat in April 2021when it launched a regional programme for the elimination of slums inspired by the Egyptian example.The new state was also determined to eliminate haphazard construction and expand the land available for housing away from the Nile valley. Accordingly, it set out to construct new urban centres to global standards, including the New Administrative Capital, Alamein, Galala and Damietta Furniture. The goal, according to the New Urban Communities Authority affiliated with the Ministry of Housing and Construction, is the construction of 44 new cities across the country.Simultaneously, the state launched a groundbreaking project to develop the Egyptian countryside, where 57 per cent of the population lives in villages and their dependencies. As part of the comprehensive presidential Decent Life initiative, LE500 billion has been earmarked for improvements to infrastructure, and health and other across rural Egypt.Such development required a radical overhaul of transport networks. The national roads project is unlike anything Egypt has seen before, in terms of both the number of new roads constructed, and the quality and speed of their execution. The project has seen the length of the highway and main roads network increase to 30,500km, compared to 23,500km in 2014.

Another feature of the old state that needed to be erased were the regular power cuts that afflicted domestic households and cause factories to close. Today, Egypt enjoys an electricity surplus which it exports. It is home to some of the largest power plants in the world, and has ventured into the world of alternative energy. On top of this, gas discoveries are leading the way not only towards self-sufficiency, but making Egypt a regional energy hub.The new state understands that the most important pillar on which it stands comprises its citizens, whose health and education are of vital importance. One could not talk about a new state as long as an estimated 22 per cent of its population had hepatitis C. The president launched the 100 Million Health campaign, screening 60 million Egyptians, and the country is now on the verge of eliminating hepatitis C.More presidential health initiatives followed. School children have been screened for obesity and stunting, and ambitious plans are underway to end waiting lists for surgical operations and breast cancer screening. Most notably, the state began to implement long overdue universal health insurance.This focus on the health of Egyptians is reflected in a 183 per cent increase in the budget for healthcare which has grown from LE33 billion in 2013 to LE93.5 billion in 2020.In 2014, President Al-Sisi launched the initiative Towards an Egyptian Society that Learns, Thinks and Innovates. This included the creation of the Egyptian Knowledge Bank in 2014, the largest digital library in the world. As with healthcare, the budget for education reflects the priority the state gives to this sector. The budget of the Ministry of Education has increased by 146 per cent, from LE64 billion in 2013 to LE157 billion in 2020.IN 2020 THE NEW STATE RANKED 19 out of the top 20 economies in the world according to the IMF, and is the second largest Arab economy. In February 2021, the British news website lovemoney.com predicted Egypt will jump to seventh place by 2030.In the field of education Egypt jumped 11 places in the Global Knowledge Indexs rankings of pre-university education. Egypts standing also improved in technical education: it advanced 23 places in one year. In the Quality of Roads Index it jumped 90 places to reach 28th in 2019 after ranking a dismal 118 in 2014.On the Governance Effectiveness Index, Egypt moved up nine places between 2015 and 2020. It also jumped 12 places on the Institutions Efficiency Index, and five places on the Intellectual Property Index. In 2020, the National Project for Digital Transformation also rose in the Digital Inclusion Index issued by the Roland Berger Foundation. Egypt is now one of the top ten fastest growing countries in terms of digital inclusion.DOWN WITH THE RULE OF THE SUPREME LEADER, the chant voiced by millions that heralded the emergence of the new state, encapsulated the publics refusal of the MBs political exploitation of religion and attempts to impose its reductionist version of Islam.President Al-Sisi has underlined the importance of rejuvenating religious discourse and regaining Egypts moderate religious tone and tolerance.





The state has worked steadily to eliminate the possibility of sectarian strife being used to fragment society. It restored all the churches burned down by the MB, removed the burden of the Humayun Decree, and issued Law 80/2016 to regulate the construction and renovation of churches. It also built the largest cathedral in the Middle East, the Cathedral of the Nativity of Christ, in the New Administrative Capital, alongside Al-Fattah Al-Alim Mosque. The president also ended the hesitation of his predecessors in attending Christmas celebrations at St Marks Cathedral in Abbasiya.



In the field of politics, the number of Coptic MPs was 39 in the 2015 elections and 37 in the 2020 elections, compared to 12 in 2011 and 10 in 2010.







FOREIGN POLICY has evolved in line with progress on the home front and now reflects the solid ground on which the new republic stands.



Egypt, which for a long time appeared intent on retreating from a leading regional role and looked almost isolated immediately after the 30 June revolution, advanced rapidly to restore international relations across the globe and recover its standing in international organisations. Countries openly hostile to Egypt for years after the revolution have recently de-escalated their criticisms.



Egypt was able to single-handedly fight terrorism, and is model to follow on this front. It does not allow anyone to threaten its security or that of its citizens. When the terrorist Islamic State group dared to slit the throats of Egyptian citizens in Libya the response was immediate and exacting. When the threat from mercenaries in Libya drew closer, Egypt drew a red line from Sirte to Jufra, a move that helped get Libya back on to a constructive political track.



Egypts return to the African fold has been marked by an increasing warmth in relations with African states. Meanwhile, relations with major world powers have been stripped of any suspicion of dependence. Egypt succeeded in diversifying its sources of armament which surprised everyone.



Egypts ties now are based on common interests and complete parity. Cairos decisions are no longer contingent on any regional or international party. Thus has Egypt returned to being an epicentre for political resolutions of regional issues and crises.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 1 July, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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Speaking to Al-Ahram Weekly, historian Assem El-Dessouki discussed the definition of a revolution as opposed to other forms of social change, identifying the main features of Egypts 1919, 1952, and 2011 revolutions.



From the viewpoint of history, what determines whether an event is called a revolution, an uprising, or a rebellion?

A revolution is a radical political, economic, and social change in society. It is a change that does not take place quietly or in a simple manner but involves violent acts or measures because it means the overthrow of one regime and its replacement with a new one.

Changing the head of a regime alone does not constitute a revolution, as is clear from the 1789 French Revolution. Not only in France, but also across the whole of Europe, a semi-feudal system was in place before 1789 based upon the kings ownership of most of the land. However, a new class was emerging, the bourgeoisie, a class of city-dwellers who did not belong to the aristocracy or landed gentry but owned industrial capital and wanted to protect their interests.

They were determined to overthrow the previous rule. Thus, when you mount a revolution, you are really uprooting a whole tree. When you just trim its leaves, you are carrying out reform but not revolution.



In Egypt, we often talk about the Orabi Revolution in the late 19th century and the 1919 Revolution, but these events did not overthrow the respective regimes. Would it be better to call them uprisings?

Yes, they were uprisings because the Orabi Revolution did not dethrone the then khedive Tawfik and put Orabi in his place, and the 1919 Revolution did not result either in the evacuation of British troops from Egypt or a change of the regime. The British deceived the Egyptian people after 1919 and said that Egypt was a sovereign constitutional kingdom, while in reality the country remained a British protectorate until 1936.

However, we can label the changes that took place in July 1952 a revolution because a group of officers overthrew the then ruler of the country and they did not stop there. Had they done so, they would have simply carried out a coup. Instead, the countrys political, economic, and social situation began to change, its foreign policies changed, and the monarchy was abolished and a republic declared. Egypt started a new era in 1952.

In 1919, the slogan was used that Religion is for God and the Homeland is for All. In 2013, 94 years later, the people went out into the streets and once again asserted this slogan.

Why do we have to have a revolution and why do martyrs have to fall again just to assert simple, clear ideas that people should live together in peace?

There was a predominance of Islamist discourse in the country after former president Anwar Al-Sadat made a famous speech saying that I am the Muslim president of a Muslim country. From this point onwards, sectarian strife began. People started to defend themselves. Generations of Christians chose Christian names for their offspring. They wanted to confront the religious speech of Al-Sadat and say that they were Christians.

In Egypts modern history, both Ali Pasha Mubarak in the late 19th century and Mustafa Kamel, founder of the Nationalist Party at the beginning of the 20th century, were against such strife. During the rule of former president Gamal Abdel-Nasser, sectarian strife did not occur. But the religious discourse that Sadat instigated was responsible for such strife. Thus, we were in need of renewing this slogan from 1919.



Perhaps the credibility of the Muslim Brotherhood among the general public has collapsed, but within the group itself this credibility persists. Are you concerned about the existence of the groups organisational remnants?

On the organisational level, the group is still working and has branches abroad. There are fugitives in Turkey and Germany. However, within Egyptian society itself, there is no longer any mention of the group because people know that they are bigots and use religion in order to rule. Egypts experiences with the group, particularly under Mohamed Morsis rule, made it unacceptable for the Muslim Brotherhood to rule ever again. But there is a concern that the Muslim Brotherhood continues to spread antagonistic propaganda against the current regime.



Both the 25 January and the 30 June revolutions took place fewer than 10 years ago. Should they be included in the school curriculum?

When I was invited by the Ministry of Education in 2014 to participate in writing a history textbook for the final year of secondary school, I said that the book must stop in 2011. The school history syllabus cannot continue up until the present day. This is important, as judgements are still being made.

*A version of this article appears in print in the 1 July, 2021 edition of Al-Ahram Weekly

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In a study of 830 older adults, mixed two-dose schedules of AstraZeneca and Pfizer vaccines produced higher concentrations of antibodies against the coronavirus that a full schedule of the AstraZeneca shot.

The most effective approach  two doses of Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA vaccine - produced levels of antibodies about 10 times higher than two doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, the researchers reported on Friday in a Lancet preprint.

However, the AstraZeneca shot followed by a Pfizer jab induced antibody levels about as high as two Pfizer/BioNTech doses.

Giving the Pfizer shot first, followed by AstraZeneca's, was not as successful. That combination yielded antibody levels higher than two AstraZeneca shots but lower than two doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

There were no new safety issues uncovered in the study.

Matthew Snape, the Oxford professor behind the trial, said the findings could be used to give flexibility to vaccine rollouts but were not significant enough to recommend a broad shift away from clinically approved schedules.

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Top multilateral development banks (MDBs) increased their financial commitment to climate action in 2020 to $66 billion, up from $61.6 billion in 2019, according to the 2020 joint report on MDBs' climate finance.

Some $38 billion, or 58 percent of the sum, were allocated for low- and middle-income economies, the report stated.

The total climate co-finance allocated in 2020, besides MDBs' resources, amounted to $85 billion. Together, they totalled more than $151 billion, with private direct mobilisation of $5.9 billion, according to the report.

To solve the climate crisis, we must mobilise trillions of dollars. Todays report shows that despite the COVID-19 pandemic, MDBs provided crucial support to countries worldwide to build back better for a greener future. MDB climate finance helped leverage important funding from other sources, including from the private sector. At the EIB, we are delighted to report record climate finance for 2020. Despite still much work to do in this area, we saw an important and encouraging step up in our support for climate change adaptation, which in 2020 doubled compared to previous years, said EIB Vice President Ambroise Fayolle.

During the UN Secretary-Generals Climate Action Summit in 2019, MDBs announced their expected joint annual climate action finance to 2025, which include at least $65 billion, with $50 billion of MDB climate finance for low- and middle-income countries  an increase in adaptation finance to $18 billion  and private direct mobilisation valued at $40 billion.

The report said that the MDBs will continue to improve their tracking and reporting of climate finance in the context of their commitments to ensure consistent financial flows to the countries long-term, low-carbon and climate-resilient development pathways, as stated in the Paris Agreement.

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UPDATED: Sisi calls on civil society to participate in developing Egyptian countryside through Decent Life initiative



Ahmed Morsy, , Wednesday 30 Jun 2021



The work of developing the initiative's first 1500-village group started in January 2021 with a budget of EGP 200 billion and is due to be completed by the end of FY 2021-22



Egypts President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi called on civil society organisations on Wednesday to take part in the countryside-focused Decent Life Initiative.



El-Sisis remarks came during an inspection tour on the equipment, vehicles, and engineering machinery of the various state authorities participating in the presidential initiative to develop the villages of the Egyptian countryside.



The initiative aims to improve the standards of living, infrastructure, and basic services in 4,500 villages, which are home to 58 percent of Egypts 102-million population.



The Decent Life initiative dates back to 2019 when the president charged the Ministry of Social Solidarity with developing Egypts poorest 1,000 villages. Then former minister of social solidarity Ghada Wali said the project would target the most underprivileged sectors and individuals in the most impoverished and remote areas.



Of the 1,000 villages, 143 across 11 governorates were chosen for the trial phase, which include an estimated 4.5 million citizens, with the development costs estimated at EGP 4 billion. The trial phase is now 96 percent complete.



##



In December 2020, El-Sisi decided to expand the initiative to include 4,500 villages within the framework of the Sustainable Development Strategy: Egypts Vision 2030. The Egyptian countryside will be transformed in three years time, El-Sisi said in January while launching the expanded initiative.



The entire national projects budget has been increased to around EGP 600 billion.



The enormous volume of work required to develop the 4,500 villages means they have been divided into three groups of 1,500 villages each.



##



The work of developing the initiative's first 1500-village group started in January 2021 with a budget of nearly EGP 200 billion and is due to be completed by the end of FY 2021-22.



El-Sisi stated that priority will be given to national industry when it comes to implementing the initiative.



In aninterviewwith Khaled Abdel-Fattah, official spokesperson and director of the Decent Life Initiative at the Ministry of Social Solidarity, he said that all Decent Life projects now target the creation of village-based jobs, and a presidential directive to give priority to locally-produced raw materials in order to revive local economies and benefit workers in local companies and factories is being implemented.



The president also hailed state bodies, Armed Forces and civil sector for contributing to the implementation of the initiative's projects.







https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/416310.aspx
30 June Revolution conveyed Egyptians' most noble, established constants: Sisi



Ahram Online, , Wednesday 30 Jun 2021



The president also paid tribute to the great people of Egypt 'who proved to the whole world that they are the most patient, most sincere, and resolute in their state and national institutions'



President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi stated on Wednesday that the 30 June Revolution was not just a passing moment in which Egyptians expressed anger, but rather conveyed their most established and noble constants.



El-Sisis statement came in a written post on his official Facebook page on the occasion of the eighth anniversary of the 30 June popular uprising.



The 30 June Revolution was not just a passing moment in which the Egyptians expressed anger, indignation or resentment, but rather was the finest shouts of expression of the strongest, most established and most noble Egyptian constants, which are belonging to the homeland and loyalty to itsland, El-Sisi wrote.



As we celebrate the eighth anniversary of our glorious revolution, El-Sisi said, I send a precious message to all those who sacrificed their lives by rejecting extremism and terrorism, and I say to them: We will not forget you.



The president also paid tribute to the great people of Egypt who proved to the whole world that they are the most patient, most sincere, and resolute in their state and national institutions.



Proving to the whole world the correctness of their choices, heading towards declaring the new republic with their endurance, patience, and ability to do the impossible and defeat the challenge, the president said.



God save Egypt and its people until Judgment Day, El-Sisi concluded.



https://english.ahram.org.eg/News/416330.aspx
KYODO NEWS - Jun 30, 2021 - 07:35 | All, World, Coronavirus

Foreign and development ministers from the Group of 20 major economies on Tuesday pledged to strengthen coordination in fighting the COVID-19 pandemic and to boost investment toward ensuring food security.

In a declaration issued after a meeting in Matera, southern Italy, the G-20 ministers vowed to maintain transparent and nondiscriminatory food trade in line with World Trade Organization rules.

"We...convened here in Matera to contribute to strengthening international efforts to contain the effects of the pandemic on lives and livelihoods and to build forward better," they said in the document, while expressing their "deep concern" over food shortage situations thought to have been exacerbated by the spread of the novel coronavirus around the world.

It was the first in-person meeting of the foreign ministers from the G-20, which represents more than 80 percent of the world economy and three-quarters of global trade, since 2019.

A joint meeting involving development ministers was also held to discuss providing assistance to Africa, leading to the release of the "Matera Declaration" with an emphasis on food security issues.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi said during the foreign ministerial meeting that in addition to providing coronavirus vaccines, Tokyo will assist African countries, which have been hard-hit by the pandemic, in building their health and medical systems.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab were also among those who attended the meeting in person, while Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi joined online.

The event laid the groundwork for a G-20 summit slated for October in Rome.

According to the declaration, the foreign and development ministers underscored the importance of accelerating digital transformation and innovation to ensure sustainability in agriculture while appropriately protecting intellectual property rights and data privacy.

They vowed to speed up the adapting of agriculture and the food system to conditions brought about by climate change, recognizing that the Earth's warming represents one of the factors driving the rise in global hunger.

The ministers also called for actions for the empowerment of women and youth through education and creating opportunities for entrepreneurship, noting the struggles caused by a loss of work opportunities especially in rural areas amid the pandemic.

The world is "not on track" to achieve zero hunger by 2030 as aimed for in the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, the declaration warned.

"With current trends, the number of people affected by hunger would exceed 840 million by 2030. These figures do not take into account the toll of the COVID-19 pandemic that is likely to add more than 100 million people to the total number of undernourished in the world, as people lost their jobs and income, with consequences on their food security," it said.

The topics of discussions also included the compilation of international rules on development finance and ways to reform the Geneva-based WTO, comprising more than 160 members.

The G-20 consists of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Britain, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Russia, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, South Korea, Turkey, the United States and the European Union.

Before the foreign ministers' meeting, some 80 countries joined a meeting on Monday in Rome of an anti-Islamic State coalition hosted by Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio and Blinken.
By Yusuke Yagi, KYODO NEWS - Jun 30, 2021 - 15:54 | All, World, Feature

Once valued by freight shippers as a cheaper option to the sea route between Asia and Europe but then losing customers in the turmoil after the collapse of the Soviet Union, the Trans-Siberian Railway, Russia's main artery traversing the Eurasian continent, is getting a refit.

Improvements are rapidly being made to allow both faster train speeds and bigger freight capacity in a bid to revive the line's leading logistical role in connecting Asia, where countries such as China have emerged as the driving force of the world economy, and Europe.

The renewed attention toward the railway, which is the world's longest at about 9,300 kilometers, also comes as the coronavirus pandemic causes a sharp decline in air cargo capacity, congestion at sea freight terminals, and soaring costs for shipments between Asia and Europe.

In late May, construction was under way in Andrianovskaya, southwest of Irkutsk, one of the major cities of the East Siberian economic region, to shave mountainsides in order to straighten the curve of the railway line.

Dump trucks came and went raising dust as they crossed unpaved roads, and about 60 workers had set up camps nearby. The work is part of a project to increase the average speed of the trains from 60 to 80 km per hour.

Sergei Fursov, an engineer for the eastern Siberian branch of the Russian Railways, said, "Improving speed is indispensable for service expansion. But we also need to reduce the risk of derailments, which tend to happen as trains get faster and longer."

The series of improvements will see the number of freight carriages increased by 20 percent, reaching a maximum length of 1 km. The railway is also working to resolve problems such as train delays and cargo damage -- issues that have been pointed out for many years.

The total freight transport capacity of the Trans-Siberian Railway and the Baikal-Amur Mainline, which traverses eastern Siberia and the Russian Far East north of and running parallel to the TSR, was 144 million tons in 2020, marking a 50 percent increase from 2012.

But under the pandemic, the number of passenger flights connecting Asia and Europe dropped significantly, which resulted in precipitous declines in air cargo capacity. As sea freight charges have also risen, transportation capacity connecting east and west has been under strain.

With the timetable of the Trans-Siberian Railway suffering from overcrowding, much expectation rests on work to completely remodel the Baikal-Amur Mainline as a bypass to expand freight capacity. With a view to exporting coal, oil, and timber along the line to Asia, construction work will proceed toward complete double-tracking by the end of 2024.

The Baikalsky tunnel, the second-longest railway tunnel in Russia with a total length of under 7 km, has been constructed in the mountains two hours from Severobaykalsk in the Republic of Buryatia. The double-tracking work has reached the final stages there.

Vladimir Goncharov, deputy director in the department of construction preparation, said the expansion is aimed at supporting exports of resources especially to countries in Asia.

"We will support the expansion of resource exports to China, Japan and South Korea. It will also be useful for the development of areas along the railway line."

Among companies in Asian countries looking to benefit from the service expansions are two Japanese logistic firms. Hankyu Hanshin Express Co. and Toyo Trans Inc. have begun regular freight services with ships departing from Toyama New Port in central Japan's Toyama Prefecture and docking at Vladivostok, the largest Russian port in the Pacific Ocean and one of the line's terminuses.

The two firms ostensibly operate separate services but use the same shipping freight and train line. The cargo is transshipped to the railway in Vladivostok, bonded until arrival in Poland and transported throughout Europe.

Since the first shipment left port on Feb. 2, the freights have continued, more or less, at a pace of once every two weeks.

A spokesperson for Hankyu Hanshin said there has been steady customer demand and many inquiries.

Isao Takahashi, president of Toyo Trans, said disruption affecting international transportation during the pandemic has resulted in keen interest in the railway as an optional conduit.

"Containers are piling up at major European ports and ships are waiting offshore. There had also been a standstill in maritime routes due to the grounding accident that occurred in the Suez Canal," said Takahashi. "As efforts intensify for decarbonization, we are marketing new international logistic routes."

Aside from making improvements to the Trans-Siberian Railway, efforts are also under way to protect the environment from potential hazards that could result from boosting its capacity.

There is a section where the railroad tracks meet Lake Baikal, a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site dubbed "The Pearl of Siberia." European customers are paying close attention to protection of this cherished natural resource.

In 2019, an emergency response team base was set up along the Baikal Amur Mainline. Regular training will be conducted on ships and recovery vehicles to minimize the impact of freight trains derailing and oil reaching the lake. An official in charge estimates that recovery can be conducted within four hours.

The Russian government also plans to tighten its regulations. Vyacheslav Zdor, director for the center for environmental protection, said, "It is our responsibility to mitigate the environmental impact while developing the railway."
KYODO NEWS - Jun 30, 2021 - 23:20 | World, All

Taiwan and the United States reopened trade talks Wednesday, the first since 2016 during the U.S. administration of Barack Obama, despite objections from China.

After the five-year hiatus, Taiwan and the United States held the 11th Trade and Investment Framework Agreement Council meeting via videoconference with discussions led by Terry McCartin, assistant U.S. trade representative, and Yang Jen-ni, deputy trade representative of Taiwan's Office of Trade Negotiations.

The Office of the U.S. Trade Representative said in a statement that both sides at the council meeting welcomed the resumption of high-level trade engagement and discussed a range of specific trade and investment issues.

It pointed out that the U.S. and Taiwan authorities committed to intensifying engagement aimed at addressing outstanding trade concerns such as market access barriers facing U.S. beef and pork producers.

Taipei and Washington signed the framework agreement in 1994 and established council meetings as the key mechanism for trade and investment dialogue between authorities of the two sides.

However, trade talks under the framework have hit roadblocks since 2007 due to gaps on various issues, such as Taiwan's restriction on imports of U.S. meat containing traces of ractopamine, a leanness-enhancing additive approved for use in livestock in the United States.

Taiwan lifted the ban on Jan. 1 this year, clearing a major hurdle in the trade talks, which Taiwan hopes will lead to negotiations on an economic partnership agreement.

Brent Christensen, the outgoing director of the American Institute in Taiwan, said in his opening remarks of the virtual meeting that President Tsai Ing-wen's administration is committed to advancing bilateral economic relations, including adopting science-based international standards, "even when it requires difficult political decisions."

"As my team and I worked to strengthen and deepen the U.S.-Taiwan economic relationship, we viewed the resumption of TIFA talks as an essential element of our revitalized engagement on trade," Christensen said.

In support of their commitment to intensified engagement, the two sides agreed to convene meetings of several TIFA working groups and other working-level meetings as necessary.

Since Washington switched diplomatic recognition to Beijing in 1979, the United States has maintained an unofficial but robust cultural, commercial and relationship with the island.

Taiwan is the United States' ninth-largest goods trading partner, and the United States is Taiwan's second-largest trading partner. Goods and services trade between Taiwan and the United States totaled $106 billion last year.

Beijing, which considers Taiwan a renegade province awaiting reunification by force if necessary, has voiced opposition to the talks.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian said in a recent briefing in Beijing that "China has all along opposed any U.S. attempt to elevate relations in essence or engage in official interactions with Taiwan in any form," urging the U.S. government to refrain from "sending a wrong signal to separatist elements advocating Taiwan independence."
Bengaluru:

Congress President Rahul Gandhi on Saturday started his four-day tour of poll-bound Karnataka from Hosapete, the Karnataka-Hyderabad region of the state.

At a public rally held in Hosapete, the Congress President welcomed independent MLA B Nagendra to the Congress party.

B Nagendra represents Kudligi Assembly Constituency. Nagendra presented a 1.2 feet long statue of Maharishi Valmiki to Rahul Gandhi.

The statue is said to be made of solid silver, is gold plated and estimated to cost around Rs 60 lakh, although Nagendra didn't divulge the cost of the statue.
Kashmir:

Hours after a CRPF trooper was killed in a foiled attempt by terrorist to enter the paramilitary forces Srinagar camp, militants killed a civilian in Jammu and Kashmirs Beerwah on Monday evening.

Jammu and Kashmir Police said, A civilian was killed in a shootout at Beerwahs Charanga. A search operation has been launched to nab the suspected militants involved in the attack.

In another development, two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists were killed in an road accident in Sopore district.

We have recovered the bodies and sent them for postmorterm. We are trying to identify the two killed in the accident, said a senior police officer posted in Baramulla.

Earlier in the day, CRPF troopers thwarted a major terrorist attack on the Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) camp in Srinagars Karan Nagar. One jawan was killed in the gunfight with the terrorists.

According to police, two militants armed with AK-47 tried to enter the CRPF camp with the motive to cause maximum damage to the force.

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New Delhi:

Congress MP Renuka Chowdhury on Sunday hit back at Prime Minister Narendra Modi over his Ramayana jibe at her in the Parliament last week.

Chowdhury said there was no GST on laughter and she did not need anyones permission to laugh adding PM Modis remarks against her showed his mindset towards women.

She said she received huge support from women across the country after PM Modi passed a snide remark over her laughter.

"There were hashtags like #LaughlikeSurpankha, #Lolisapasse and #LaughLike RenukaChowdhury.

"I am a five-time MP and the prime minister draws a parallel of me with a negative character. But he forgets that the women today have changed and they know how to speak for themselves. This shows his mindset towards women," said Chowdhury.

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New Delhi:

In a horrific incident of brutality, a minor Dalit girl in Madhya Pradeshs Rajgarh was allegedly torched after she resisted rape.

According to the initial reports, the perpetrator was trying to rape the victim but she fought back and resisted.

He was trying to rape me but I resisted. Then he threw kerosene on me and lit the fire, said the victim narrating the horror she faced.

The accused is on the run after the incident and could not be arrested so far, however, the police have registered a case and further investigating the matter.

A case has been registered and teams are looking for the accused, police said.

Rajgarh (Madhya Pradesh): Minor Dalit girl torched, allegedly after she resisted rape, victim says, 'he threw kerosene on me & then lit fire.' Police say, 'case has been registered and teams are looking for the accused.' (11.02.2018) pic.twitter.com/rXITl1Zg3L  ANI (@ANI) February 12, 2018

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New Delhi:

Indian Army doctors saved the life of a pregnant woman who was injured in the terror attack on Sunjwan Army Camp on Saturday.

The woman gave birth to a baby girl through c-section on Saturday night.

I am very thankful to them for saving me and my baby, said the woman.

This wasn't a routine case. As a gynaecologist, it is always our motto that mother should come alone and go with a healthy baby in her lap. It's a very joyful moment for my hospital and our team. The patient is really happy, said the Indian Army gynaecologist who attended the woman.

Yesterday evening, amid all other injury cases, there was a challenging case in which a lady in her advanced pregnancy stage came with a gunshot wound. Am extremely happy and proud that my team took care of both and brought into this world a healthy crying female child, said the hospital commandant.

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New Delhi:

The All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB) is holding a press conference in Hyderabad.

AIMPLB has said that Babri Masjid is an essential part of faith in Islam and Muslims can never abdicate the masjid nor can they exchange land for masijd, gift masjid land. Babri Masjid is a masjid and it will remain a masjid till eternity. By demolishing it never lost its identity.

The struggle of re-construction of Babri Masjid continues and that the appeal of the Supreme Court is being fought rigorously, said the All India Muslim Personal Law Board.

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New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is all set to commence his three-nation tour to the United Arab Emirates, Oman and Palestine on Friday. The visit shall also mark India's first ever Prime Ministerial visit to Palestine.

Ahead of his visit, the Prime Minister on Thursday said that the Gulf and West Asia region is a key priority for India's foreign policy.

"I will be undertaking bilateral visits to Palestine, United Arab Emirates and Oman from February 9 to 12," Modi said in a pre-departure statement.

"I am happy to visit the Gulf and West Asian region for the fifth time since 2015. This region is a key priority in our external engagement," he said, adding India enjoys "vibrant multi-dimensional ties" with its countries.

According to authorities and business leaders, this visit of the Prime Minister signifies the special importance that India attaches to its ties with the oil-rich nation and will help in furthering cooperation in diplomatic, economic and security issues.

On Friday, Modi will leave for Amman from where he will transit to Ramallah on Saturday in what will be the first ever Prime Ministerial visit from India to Palestine.

"I am grateful to His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan for facilitating the transit," he said. "I look forward to meeting him in Amman on February 9.

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New Delhi:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Friday met Jordan's King Abdullah II here and said he had "wonderful" meeting that would further boost India-Jordan ties.

Modi arrived here on the first leg of his tour of three West Asian countries, including Palestine.

"Had a wonderful meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II of Jordan. Our discussions today will give great strength to India-Jordan bilateral relations," Modi tweeted after meeting the King.

During the meeting, Modi told the King that he is looking forward to his visit to India in February end.

The King, meanwhile, described the meeting as the beginning of a new chapter in the bilateral ties.

"The Prime Minister expressed sincere thanks for logistical support extended for smooth facilitation for his Palestine visit," Kumar tweeted.

Kumar also tweeted a picture of Modi hugging the King.

"A warm hug between friends reflecting our relationship! PM @narendramodi had a very cordial meeting with His Majesty King of Jordan immediately upon arrival in Amman. In a gracious and personal gesture, the King invited Prime Minister Modi to his residence for the meeting," he said.

On his arrival here, Modi was received by Jordan Prime Minister Hani Al-Mulki.

This is Modi's first visit to Jordan and also the first visit by an Indian Prime Minister in 30 years. India and Jordan enjoy friendly ties since diplomatic relations were established in 1950, Raveesh Kumar, Ministry of External Affairs Spokesperson, said.

Tomorrow, Modi will leave for Palestine where he is scheduled to hold discussions with President Mahmoud Abbas and reaffirm India's support for the Palestinian people and the development of Palestine.

Modi will be the first-ever prime minister to visit Palestine.

The Prime Minister will leave for the UAE later in the day for a two-day visit.

In the UAE, Modi would hold meetings with Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, the Vice President and Prime Minister of UAE and Ruler of Dubai, and Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi.

He said he will also be addressing the 6th edition of the World Government Summit in Dubai, where India is the guest country.

During the visit, Modi said he will engage with leading UAE and Arab CEOs in Dubai on the vast economic opportunities in India and what more can be done to bolster business collaboration.

On the last leg of his trip, Modi would travel to Oman from February 11-12.

Modi will visit Oman for the first time as prime minister and will hold talks with the Sultan of Oman and other key leaders.

He would also interact with leading businesspersons of Oman on developing stronger economic and business links with India.

More than nine million Indians work and live in the Gulf region, of which about one third live in the UAE alone. In Oman, they constitute the largest expatriate community.

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New Delhi:

Five soldiers and one civilian were killed while several others including an armymens daughter injured after Jaish-e-Mohammed fidayeen terrorists stormed the Sunjuwan Army camp in Jammu on Saturday.

The terrorists entered from the rear side of Sunjwan Army camp where family quarters are located, DGP S P Vaid said.

Around 4:55 am suspicious movement was noticed by the sentry and his bunker was fired upon. The fire was retaliated. The number of militants isnt known. Theyve been cornered in one of the family quarters, DGP S P Vaid told reporters in Jammu.

At least four RPT four persons, including an Army personnels daughter, have been injured, officials said.

The Four militants, have been killed as the operation continues on day two.

Intelligence inputs had warned an attack on the Army or security establishment by Jaish-e-Mohammed in view of the death anniversary of Afzal Guru and Maqbool Bhat on February 9 and February 11, respectively.

Also Read | PM Modi in Palestine LIVE Updates: Modi to meet President Mahmoud Abbas today

Here are the HIGHLIGHTS on Sunjuwan Army Camp attack:

Entire civilised world is engaged in war with terrorists. When we fight it, sometimes we have to face such unfortunate incidents. But we'll continue to fight against it in J&K & neutralise all terrorists: Ram Madhav, BJP National General Secretary pic.twitter.com/IHlZZzmQyC  ANI (@ANI) February 11, 2018

# The nation should stand united behind our security forces, they should be encouraged. Unfortunate that Congress leaders associate this kind of tragedy with politics. Strongly condemn them for doing politics over blood and sweat of our Army persons, says Railway Minister Piyush Goyal

# Operation is still underway. I think it is not right to comment on it while the operation is on. I am sure that our jawans, who are in the operation, will successfully conclude it: Home Minister Rajnath Singh

Kathua: Family of JCO Madan Chaudhary (who lost his life in #SunjwanAttack) in mourning. #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/O3xAQLsGZi  ANI (@ANI) February 11, 2018

#SunjwanAttack Update: Fourth terrorist gunned down by security personnel. Operation continues. #JammuAndKashmir  ANI (@ANI) February 11, 2018

#SunjwanAttack Update: 2 more security personnel and one civilian have lost their lives, taking the death toll to 6. Operation underway. #JammuAndKashmir  ANI (@ANI) February 11, 2018

# Three terrorists have been killed. Army has taken all precautions because every human life is precious and Army does not want a collateral damage. I'm sure we will be able to finish the operation soon, says SD Singh Jamwal, IGP Jammu

#SunjwanAttack: Two Junior commissioned officers and one Non-commissioned officer of the Army have lost their lives in the terror attack. 3 terrorists killed in the operation. Operation underway. #JammuAndKashmir  ANI (@ANI) February 11, 2018

# Army Chief, General Bipin Rawat, visits Jammu.

# It's a condemnable act. This shows the cowardice of Pakistan who can't face India indirectly & sends its people to attack civilians here. There are family quarters around the Camp, so the Army is taking precaution in cordoning the area, says J&K deputy CM, Nirmal Singh

#SunjwanArmyCamp terror attack: Operation underway for last 27 hours (visual deferred by unspecified time) #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/Bzaw3GFx3U  ANI (@ANI) February 11, 2018

#SunjwanArmyCamp terror attack: Operation still underway, 3 terrorists were killed & two security personnel also lost their lives yesterday (visuals deferred by unspecified time) #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/HKsnQiuhF7  ANI (@ANI) February 11, 2018

# Indian Army sends 4 tanks in camp campus.

# Indian Army to blow off buildings where JeM militants are suspected to be hiding.

# One more JeM terrorist gunned down.

# Army deploys armoured vehicles in camp.

# One terrorist shot dead, AK-17, grenades and ammunition recovered.

# Jammu and Kashmir CM Mehbooba Mufti chairs a high-level security meeting in Jammu. Senior officers of Indian Army, CRPF, BSG and Jammu and Kashmir Police takes part in the meeting.

# Indian Army evacuates 19 of the 26 flats in the camp.

# I live in that constituency, complaints have come from there & in a way govt also accepts that number of Rohingyas & Bangladeshis is increasing & that they are a security threat: J&K Assembly Speaker Kavinder Gupta on Sunjwan attack

I live in that constituency, complaints have come from there & in a way govt also accepts that number of Rohingyas & Bangladeshis is increasing & that they are a security threat: J&K Assembly Speaker Kavinder Gupta #SunjwanAttck pic.twitter.com/I07ZKaldDP  ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2018

# Meanwhile, the politics has started to intensify over the attack after a BJP MLC Vikram Randhawa raised the issue of Bangladeshis & Rohingyas living in the surrounding areas of Jammu.

# UPDATE: 2 Army personnel have lost their lives, 4 others, including a daughter of an Army personnel, injured. Operation continues.

# Another aircraft is airborne to airlift para commandos from Sarsawa.

Deeply disturbed by the terrorist attack in #Sunjwan today. My heart goes out to the injured & their families.  Mehbooba Mufti (@MehboobaMufti) February 10, 2018

News from Jammu & the encounter in #Sunjwan is extremely disturbing. Hoping for an end to the encounter without any loss of life among the security forces & their families.  Omar Abdullah (@OmarAbdullah) February 10, 2018

# Home Minister Rajnath Singh spoke to the chief of the Jammu and Kashmir Police and took stock of the situation arising out of the terror attack on Sunjwan Army Camp in Jammu.

# Indian Air Force also springs into action. Para commandos airlifted from Udhampur brought to the campsite.

# One soldier lost his life while two others are injured. Terrorists are holed up in a family quarter and firing with small arms.

#FLASH: One Army personnel lost his life, while two others are injured in Sunjwan Army Camp terror attack #JammuAndKashmir pic.twitter.com/rTlNVRUhxl  ANI (@ANI) February 10, 2018

# A high alert has been sounded in Jammu and security beefed up in and around the city.

# Reinforcements of the Armys special forces and SOG rushed to the spot and cordoned off the whole area amid a fierce gunfight.

# Authorities have ordered the closure of schools in Sunjawan belt of Jammu city in the wake of the terror attack on an Army camp.

# Security forces and police have cordoned off the area around the Sunjwan Army camp. The camp falls under the first Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry in 36 Brigade.

# Gunshots heard inside Sunjwan Army camp

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Jammu:

A senior lawmaker of the National Conference on Saturday raised Pro-Pakistan slogans in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly after BJP members condemned the neighboring country over the terror attack on Sunjwan Army camp in Jammu.

The NC distanced itself from the sloganeering by party MLA Mohammad Akbar Lone which came even as the operation to flush out terrorists from the Sunjwan camp was underway.

As soon as the House assembled in Jammu, the legislators, cutting across the party lines, condemned the terror attack and demanded a statement from the government.

Speaker Kavinder Gupta made some remarks which led to high-pitched sloganeering against Pakistan by the BJP members.

NC legislators Javed Rana, Ali Mohd Sagar, Akbar Lone, Abdul Majid Larmi and others trooped into the Well of the House seeking an apology from the speaker.

Also Read | Sunjwan Army Camp Attack LIVE Updates: Commandos called in, terrorists holed up in a family quarter; two soldiers killed

Meanwhile, the BJP intensified anti-Pakistan sloganeering and in response, an angry Lone stood up on his seat and shouted pro-Pakistan slogans.

The situation in the House then became more chaotic and Speaker Kavinder Gupta adjourned the House at 10:15 am.

Talking to reporters, Lone said he had shouted pro-Pakistan slogans only in reaction to the BJP which, he claimed, had shown that they hate Muslims.

The statement of Speaker Kavinder Gupta shows what they have in their mind, he claimed.

Later, the speaker expunged his remarks.

The NC condemned the slogans, terming them unacceptable.

Party spokesman Junaid Azim Mattu tweeted, Just spoke to chief NC Farooq Abdullah sahib. Dr Sahib and the entire party is of the unequivocal stand that NC MLA from Sonwari Akbar Lone had spoken out of turn and his slogans in the assembly were completely unacceptable to the party.

Mattu said the NC chief stated that Lone should not forget that he belonged to the party which had rejected the two-nation theory.

The party disowns and condemns his remarks, he said. Partys working president Omar Abdullah, in a separate tweet, said he endorsed the party presidents view and the party would not say anything more on the issue.

We need to focus on the unfortunate developments in #SunjwanArmyCamp and not get distracted by misplaced slogans, Omar said in another tweet.

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New Delhi:

Fortis Healthcare promoters Malvinder Mohan Singh and Shivinder Mohan Singh have resigned as directors from the company's board following the Delhi High Court order upholding the Rs 3,500 crore arbitral award in favour of Daiichi Sankyo.

The Singh brothers have jointly tendered their resignation to the Board of Fortis Healthcare, which will discuss it in the meeting on February 13, the company said in a filing to the BSE.

"Malvinder Mohan Singh, Executive Chairman and Shivinder Mohan Singh, Non-Executive Vice Chairman have tendered their resignation from the directorships of the company," Fortis Healthcare said.

The resignation is intended to free the organisation from any encumbrances that may be linked to the promoters, the letter said.

"In light of the recent High Court judgement upholding the plea of Daiichi Sankyo to enforce the arbitration award, we believe this is in the interest of propriety and good governance," it said.

The Delhi High Court had on January 31 upheld an international arbitral award of Rs 3,500 crore passed in favour of Japanese pharma major Daiichi Sankyo, which has alleged that the former promoters of India's Ranbaxy Laboratories had concealed information about proceedings against them by American food and drug department.

A tribunal in Singapore had passed the verdict in favour of Daiichi holding that the former Ranbaxy promoters and brothers, Malvinder Singh and Shivinder Singh, had concealed information that the Indian company was facing probe by the US Food and Drug Administration and the Department of Justice, while selling its shares.

With the resignation of the promoters, the board will be "better enabled and empowered to guide the future direction of the organisation without anyway being hampered by the Daiichi Sankyo judgement and our association at the Board," the letter said.

"The members of the board are also requested to look into all inter-group transactions and distance the promoter group from Fortis Healthcare Ltd in a manner that enables continuity of the operations of the organisation and deliver on its mission of enriching and saving lives," the Singh brothers wrote in the letter.

The high court order paved the way for enforcement of the 2016 arbitral award passed by the Singapore tribunal against the Singh brothers who had sold their shares in Ranbaxy to Daiichi in 2008 for Rs 9,576.1 crore. Sun Pharmaceuticals Ltd later acquired the company from Daiichi.

Daiichi had approached the high court in 2016 to seek the enforcement of a Rs 2,562 crore Singapore arbitral award passed in April 2016, along with an additional claim of interest and lawyers' fees incurred in connection with the proceedings.

The tribunal's award had come after the Japanese company invoked arbitration clause against Singhs alleging that they concealed important information while selling Ranbaxy in 2008.

Daiichi had entered into a settlement agreement with the US Department of Justice, agreeing to pay USD 500 million penalty to resolve potential, civil and criminal liability. The company had then sold its stake in Ranbaxy to Sun Pharmaceuticals for Rs 22,679 crore in 2015.

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New Delhi:

India's financial capital Mumbai has been ranked 12th in a list of wealthiest global cities compiled by New World Wealth. With a total wealth of

USD 950 billion, India's financial capital was named the richest city in India. With a total wealth of USD 3 trillion, New York is the richest city on the global list.

A report by New World Wealth says Mumbai, which is the economic hub of India, is the 12th wealthiest city, followed by Toronto with a total wealth of USD 944 billion, Frankfurt (14th, USD 912 billion) and Paris (15th, USD 860 billion).

Total wealth refers to the private wealth held by all the individuals living in each city. It includes all their assets (property, cash, equities, business interests) less any liabilities. However, government funds are excluded from the figures.

Mumbai also interestingly features among the top 10 cities in terms of billionaire population.

The city is home to 28 billionaires, individuals with USD 1 billion or more in net assets, the report said.

"Total wealth held in the city amounts to USD 950 billion. Mumbai is the economic hub of India. It is also home to the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE), the 12th largest stock exchange in the world. Major industries in the city include financial services, real estate and media," the report said about Mumbai, also known as the Maximum city.

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New Delhi:

In a first, The Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) led a consortium to acquire Abu Dhabi National Oil Cos (ADNOC) 10 per cent stake.

The 10 per cent stake consists of a 40-year offshore oil concession. With this deal the UAE hopes to expand its market in the South Asian region.

The agreement between ONGC Videsh led consortium and ADNOC gives the former, the drilling rights over 40 year period at a participation fee of 2.2 billion dirhams ($600 million)

The other members of the ONGC Videsh led consortium was Indian Oil Corporation and Bharat Petroleum Resources Ltd. The high level event was attended by Crown Prince Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed al-Nahyan and Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The agreement will come into effect from March 9, said ADNOC.

The current production rate of ADNOC is 700,000 barrels per day (bpd) which is expected to reach 1 million bpd by 2021.

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New Delhi:

A Delhi University student on Monday filed a police complaint at Vasant Vihar Police station alleging a man of molesting her on board a crowded DTC bus.

The victim has also uploaded a video of the incident showing the man sitting next to her and apparently masturbating.

I was travelling in crowded bus when a man sitting next to me masturbated. I was left stunned but then I made a video of the incident & posted it on social media to make people aware of the incident, the DU student said.

People don't even consider something like this a form of sexual harassment, she added sharing her traumatic experience.

After recording the video, the girl deboarded the bus in South Delhi and went to the Vasant Vihar Police station to lodge an FIR.

So far, the accused has not been identified in the case but the police suspect the perpetrator could be a local and trying to nab him.

Also Read | Minor Dalit girl torched in Madhya Pradesh for resisting rape

"Had seen her shocking tweet and assisted her in getting FIR filed. That act caught on video was too sick. Worst is no one in bus came to her aid. Had called SHO Vasant Vihar to ensure imm arrest. This man is a danger to society and shud b given strong punishment!," Swati Jai Hind, Chairperson, Delhi Commission for Women said.

This is not the first time when such a nauseating and abominable incident have taken place. Earlier in March last year, a Delhi University student was masturbated on by an unidentified man during a college fest.

The Delhi govt, when elected to power, made big claims of installing CCTV cameras and deploying a marshal in all the DTC buses for womens safety.

However, the incident put a big question mark on the Kejriwal govt and its claims of providing safety and security to the women in DTC buses.
New Delhi:

Defence Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and Army Chief General Bipin Rawat are all set to visit the Sunjwan Army Camp in Jammu on Monday. Defence Minister Sitharaman will first visit the army hospital in Satwari, and then the Sunjwan army camp.

Meanwhile, on Monday morning, an encounter broke out in a CRPF Camp in Karan Nagar district of Srinagar between two militants and security forces.

One CRPF personnel was seriously injured in the attack on the security base, while search operations for the two militants were on. However, the CRPF personnel succumbed to his injuries.

On Monday morning, Sitharaman held a high-level security review meeting to discuss the situation in the state. The meeting, which was attended by three service chiefs, defence secretary, and other top officials, was held at the Army headquarter in South Block.

General Bipin Rawat, who was in Jammu to review the anti-terror operations on Sunday, briefed the gathering on the incident and how the incident happened. Rawat also briefed the Defence Minister on the status of projects being undertaken to upgrade the security of the military bases.

Also Read| Srinagar CRPF Camp Attack LIVE Updates: 1 jawan killed, LeT claims responsibilty

Meanwhile, security forces killed three terrorists holed up in the Sunjwan Army Camp. The Islamic terrorist militant organisation, Lashkar-e-Taiba, took full responsibility of the attack, which killed six people including five Army personnel and one civilian.

On Saturday, terrorists started firing at 36 Brigade camp of the Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry in Sunjwan. An official said, The terrorists entered the family accommodation complex after which quick response teams cordoned off the area and isolated the terrorists, who [were] holed up in a few houses [inside the camp].

On Sunday, the Indian Army launched a clearing operation and fired mortar shells at the vacated residential quarters.

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New Delhi:

A fear of exams has been created among students, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday said, emphasising on the need to make examinations simpler after over 10 lakh examinees skipped the state board tests in the last four days.

The sharp dip in the figure comes in the wake of steps taken by the Uttar Pradesh government against the education mafia that aid in the use of unfair means.

When we said lets conduct a cheating-free exam (then) 10 lakhs students dropped out. This is the figure until now. I dont know what will happen in future, Adityanath said.

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister was speaking at the book launch of Prime Minister Narendra Modis Exam Warrior in its Hindi version.

A fear of exams is being created among students, the chief minister said, adding the book by the prime minister will help address this aspect.

We are observing and we will not leave it at this. It is necessary to think on how exams could be further simplified, he said.

Also Read | Uttar Pradesh Board Examination 2018 : At least 1.8 lakh students absent on first day

The chief minister noted that exams should not be looked like as a challenge but as a part of the daily routine.

He gave an example of a kanwar yatra from Ghaziabad-Haridwar in which, he claimed, over 4 crore people took part last year.

When I took stock of the situation, I was told that several instructions had been given to avoid any untoward incident. The officials said we have stopped the use of mikes, conches and bells, he said.

Adityanath said he asked the officials as to why were they trying to impose a ban on the yatra.

He said the officials told him that its route was passing through sensitive areas and it was difficult to man them.

I said permit people to use mike, conches and bells as per the Supreme Court guidelines. Inspire people so that they themselves welcome the yatra and be part of it, Yogi said, adding that there were no disturbances during the procession.

He asserted that had the government put barriers then it would not have been easy to undertake the pilgrimage.

So, parents and teachers should not impose any kind of barriers on students and provide them with a conducive climate to cope with exams, he said drawing a parallel.

The Uttar Pradesh chief minister claimed that nearly six lakh youths had enrolled for a skill development programme in the last 10 months.

Of these 2.5 lakh youths cleared the tests and more than 1.4 lakh got placement and were earning between Rs 15,000 to 40,000 sitting in villages.

He said that use of technology in 14,000 ration shops in the state was helping to save of Rs 35 crore a month.
New Delhi:

Noted spiritual leader and founder of the Art of Living Foundation Sri Sri Ravi Shankar has expressed surprise over the expulsion of Maulana Salman Husaini Nadwi from the All India Muslim Personal Law Board (AIMPLB).

Maulana Nadwi had met Sri Sri in connection with the Ram Janmabhoomi-Babri Masjid dispute where he extended support for the construction of Ram Temple in Ayodhya. He also hinted at an out of the court settlement by saying, The courts do not join peoples heart as the verdict is always in favour of one and against the other.

Following this statement, Maulana Nadwi was removed from the board of members of AIMPLB.

After his meeting with Maulana Nadwi Sri Sri had said, I appreciate Maulana Salman Husaini Nadwis support for our proposal. His firm stance and courage in this regard are laudable. Crores of people across both communities stand with us for a peaceful resolution.

The case is being heard by a special bench of the Supreme Court and the next hearing is scheduled for March 14.

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Cambridge :

Delhi is a victim of "step- motherly treatment" by the Centre, its Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia has alleged and said that the federal government is confused if it should treat Delhi as a union territory or as a state.

Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal has in the past accused the Centre of "disrupting an elected government" and creating hurdles in its functioning.

It has also been demanding that the share in central taxes and duties for the city should be increased.

"Delhi is a victim of step-motherly treatment by the centre," Sisodia said on Saturday during a panel discussion here on "Cooperative and Competitive Federalism" at the annual India Conference organised by the prestigious Harvard University.

Sisodia noted that this "step-motherly treatment" was also there during the previous governments at the Centre.

However, senior Haryana Cabinet Minister Captain Abhimanyu asserted that federalism has strengthened under the Narendra Modi government.

Implementation of GST Council is the best example of co- operative federalism in a highly complicated environment.

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"This is a great era of cooperative and competitive federalism," Abhimanyu said.

Addressing the problem of air pollution, he said Delhi is another example of cooperative federalism and the states in and around the national capital need to cooperate on this issue.

Abhimanyu said the state governments have a thorough evaluation of investment proposals.

"It's not only ease of doing business, but as a government we consciously make efforts to reduce the cost of doing business," he said.

GST has ended tax arbitrage, Sisodia said, adding that as a result states are coming out with other incentives to attract investment.

"When it comes to Delhi, historically BJP and Congress governments have been treating Delhi step motherly," he said.

The news coming out from West Bengal and Delhi needs to be answered on co-operative federalism.

He accused the centre of favouring state ruled by the same parties.

"On one hand centre says Delhi is a union territory, so we can't be treated as a state. In such case gives us funds that we need for example for e-buses," he said.

Also Read: Delhi Govt files affidavit in HC defending law criminalising consumption of beef

Responding to a question on recent incidents of rape, Abhimanyu said the state government is coming out with a legislation to proposal capital punishment for those responsible for it.

The session was moderated by the Indian Consul General in New York, Sandeep Chakravorty.

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New Delhi:

India is likely to raise with the Trump administration the use of US-made anti-tank guided missiles (ATGMs) by Pakistan Army to target Indian troops along the Line of Control in Jammu and Kashmir, defence ministry sources indicated today.

The Pakistan Army had used the ATMGs during heavy shelling on an Indian Army team along the LoC in Rajouri district of J-K last Sunday in which four army men including a captain were killed, the sources said.

Army sources had said that the Pakistan Army used 120mm mortars and the ATGMs in the Rajouri attack, adding usually Pakistan uses 80mm mortars to target Indian posts along the LoC.

The security establishment here is understood to have been concerned over use of US-made ATGMs by Pakistan considering the expanding Indo-US strategic ties.

We are going to raise the issue with them (the US), said a source.

The defence and security ties between India and the US have been on an upswing. In June 2016, the US had designated India a Major Defence Partner intending to elevate defence trade and technology sharing with India to a level commensurate with that of its closest allies and partners.

The Army last week had clearly indicated that it would take retaliatory action against the killing of four army men.

The sources said that Pakistan has been escalating the hostilities along the LoC and in hinterland in J-K to vitiate the atmosphere ahead of panchayat polls in the state.

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Lahore:

Asma suffered heart attack today morning and she was rushed to Hameed Latif Hospital Lahore where she breathed her last. Doctors tried to save her life but couldnt, senior lawyer Adeel Raja said.

As the news of her death broke, condolences started pouring in from the lawyers, rights activists and politicians terming it a great loss for Pakistan.

She is survived by two daughters and a son. Her daughter Muneezay Jehangir is a TV anchor.

Also Read: India may raise with Washington use of US made ATGMs by Pakistan to target Indian troops

Born in January 1952 in Lahore, Asma co-founded and chaired the Human Rights Commission of Pakistan. She had also been Supreme Court Bar Association president.

After obtaining LLB degree from the Punjab University in 1978, she started her career as advocate high and supreme courts.

She became a champion democracy activist and was subsequently imprisoned in 1983 for participating in the Movement for the Restoration of Democracy against the military dictator of Ziaul Haq.

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After 60 days, the island nation Maldives has allowed tourists from India and other South Asian countries to return to the archipelago. Starting July 15th, travelers can once again visit stand-alone resorts and islands in the country. The announcement was made by Maldivian President Ibrahim Solih, subject to an assessment of the Covid-19 situation in each country, as per reportw

Solih, in a public statement on Tuesday, said that the primary objective of his government is to restart the country's economy amid the extended lockdown restrictions necessitated by the third wave of the pandemic that peaked in May, the reports added.

Solih said that the ongoing curfew hours would be reduced to 8 p.m. to 4 a.m. starting from Thursday. All categories of businesses, including restaurants, gyms and salons, will be permitted to resume operations during non-curfew hours, he said. Requirements for residents to carry a special pass while travelling during non-curfew hours will be stopped. Mosques will be allowed to resume services under social distancing guidelines. Individuals who have contracted and recovered from Covid-19 will be allowed to travel among islands without the need for mandatory quarantine.

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American biotechnology company Moderna said on Tuesday that its Covid-19 vaccine showed promise in a lab setting against coronavirus variants, including the highly contagious Delta variant first identified in India. The results came from vitro neutralisation studies of sera from eight participants one week after they received the second dose of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine, according to reports.

The vaccine produced neutralising titers against all variants tested, including additional versions of the Beta variant, scientifically named B.1.351 which was first identified in South Africa; three lineage variants of B.1.617 which was first identified in India, including the Kappa (B.1.617.1) and the Delta variant (B.1.617.2); the Eta variant (B.1.525) which was first identified in Nigeria; and the A.23.1 and A.VOI.V2 variants first identified in Uganda and Angola, respectively, according to Moderna.

"These new data are encouraging and reinforce our belief that the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine should remain protective against newly detected variants," said Chief Executive Officer of Moderna Stephane Bancel.

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The Covid-19 crisis has heartlessly plunged the world to be doomed into the highest level of inconvenience and the biggest hardship of the whole human civilisation so far. The only tool to vanquish the virus is deep self-discipline of all humans; medical science, along with other research works too, urges accordingly. However, we are evidently obsessed to find only the government disgustingly blameworthy for each action everywhere and every time. Often situation gets narrated that all others except the government are privileged to detach from responsibility and not to feel any duty on it.

Few analysts are even opining the government is intentionally distending the deadliest plague whereas some more romantically remark the government has willingly underworked to curb it. Undoubtedly, the governments effort is not as per the need and the public can always question on. Nonetheless, it cannot be interpreted that it has fully lazed on it. Comparing the reckless rent-seeking attitude reflected through ballooning bills of private hospitals, the ultimate trust of commoners rests on public or state-owned hospitals.

Society has to pay sincere gratitude and extend respect to any professional in such a chaotic time, medical doctors and health professionals who are at the forefront. Besides them, the contribution of security personnel should not be underrated. Journalists, relentlessly striving to update the mass, should be well venerated. Many social activists have contributed worth-praising assistance on different fronts. The government has to well coordinate to uphold them with high morale and mobilise them effectively. The whole society has to commend and salute the circle paying wonderful dedication and devotion for the wellbeing of society and preserving human lives.

Who deserve gratitude?

Since the advent of this pandemic, humans across the globe surfed with a profound change in both works and lifestyles too. Most people have confined and caged self in-house, out of choice or compulsion. Work from home and virtual work systems have transmogrified us into an e-tribe. Baking and academic activities have hugely adopted digital delight. Researchers have revealed that work from home has relatively added performance optimisation and efficiency. A book by Fareed Zakaria, Ten Lessons for Post- Pandemic World, written no later than the climax of the first wave of Covid-19, has prognosticated that working online, against offline, could be equally appealing for many people even in normal post-pandemic life too.

But, there are some professionals whoneither with choice nor with compulsionhave any concession to stay home. They must report to the community for work, now and even later. Medical and health professionals along with security people are working hard to save humans from this brutal bacterial behemoth. Journalists too are in the frontline in a very noble quest. It is never admissible to misbehave, undermine, humiliate and/or indict illogically, try for insubordination and non-cooperation or mimic their meaningful motives. They are discharging such pious duty for society and our comfort. Despite unexpected leisure and quality family time with many of us, health and security professionals have a double-dose busy schedule. Neither they have family time, nor the family has a guarantee of safety, nor can they be certain for a time in the future. In terms of medical doctors, even the retired pool too is asked to join the service. Security people have detached themselves off from families long. Both are contributing to society and human health in mammoth magnitude.

How to express gratitude?

Photo: Freepik/ pikisuperstar

We are safe only owing to their workfare and dedication. In the wake of the horribly low and visibly helpless global situation, they are doing awesome. However, it is shameful and inhuman to note some unethical reactions, i.e. commuting unnecessarily, blatantly deriding the official call made in favour of public and social health, misbehaving with doctors and health professionals, and so on. Presenting arrogance that way in lieu of amity and amicability, what this society is in dire need of, discloses the bubbles of ruinous rudeness and brazen stupidity. Such steps will be sufficiently suicidal ahead for own life. Everyone should assimilate the fact.

According to a research article published in the journal Scientific American Mind on November 6, 2012, by Emma Sepal, an associate professor at Stanford University, natural disasters or other epidemiological catastrophes unite the commoners. In times of crisis, people flourish mutual intimacy. Deep love, trust and mutual harmony should blossom this time too.

Health and non-violence are the main goals of eastern philosophy. Violence is not just causing physical pain or abuse. Harming mental health and casting anti-social behaviour is the most heinous form of violence. It destroys the culture of Basudhaiba Kutumbakam.

When we read history, we bow down to the people who gave their lives for the country. The ground and format of sacrifice for the country were quite different in the past. Author Daniel Yergins book The New Map says that the future now will be challenged with issues such as the environment, climate and global epidemics. Thus, today, the process of sacrificing for the improvement of the country and society has vastly differed. But, the desire and the sacred purpose of getting the society more progress-oriented and secured, owing to their contribution, has not altered. The goal of contribution has remained alike. Passengers have changed, routes have changed, travel style has changed but the destination is the same, the motif has not changed.

As a country evolves from a police state (especially a state interested in border expansion) to a welfare state (caring about the wellbeing and quality of life of the public), the pattern of contribution to the country also undergoes a sea change. At present, that sacrifice is being understandably unleashed by health workers and security personnel. They have risked their lives for the country and society. We should bow down, express great love and immense thankfulness to them.

Lets be self-disciplined and dutiful. Lets pass positive support to security and health workers. Lets respect and co-operate with them. Lets try to keep their morale high. Lets not forget the fact that only their compassion and contribution will keep us safe for the rest of our lives. Lets pay gratitude to the great guards who are here to garrison and ground down this grim and grave danger and save us.
An efficient two-bit quantum logic gate has been out of reach, until now

Research from the McKelvey School of Engineering at Washington University in St. Louis has found a missing piece in the puzzle of optical quantum computing.

Jung-Tsung Shen, associate professor in the Preston M. Green Department of Electrical & Systems Engineering, has developed a deterministic, high-fidelity two-bit quantum logic gate that takes advantage of a new form of light. This new logic gate is orders of magnitude more efficient than the current technology.

"In the ideal case, the fidelity can be as high as 97%," Shen said.

His research was published in May 2021 in the journal Physical Review A.

The potential of quantum computers is bound to the unusual properties of superposition -- the ability of a quantum system to contain many distinct properties, or states, at the same time -- and entanglement -- two particles acting as if they are correlated in a non-classical manner, despite being physically removed from each other.

Where voltage determines the value of a bit (a 1 or a 0) in a classical computer, researchers often use individual electrons as "qubits," the quantum equivalent. Electrons have several traits that suit them well to the task: they are easily manipulated by an electric or magnetic field and they interact with each other. Interaction is a benefit when you need two bits to be entangled -- letting the wilderness of quantum mechanics manifest.

But their propensity to interact is also a problem. Everything from stray magnetic fields to power lines can influence electrons, making them hard to truly control.

For the past two decades, however, some scientists have been trying to use photons as qubits instead of electrons. "If computers are going to have a true impact, we need to look into creating the platform using light," Shen said.

Photons have no charge, which can lead to the opposite problems: they do not interact with the environment like electrons, but they also do not interact with each other. It has also been challenging to engineer and to create ad hoc (effective) inter-photon interactions. Or so traditional thinking went.

Less than a decade ago, scientists working on this problem discovered that, even if they weren't entangled as they entered a logic gate, the act of measuring the two photons when they exited led them to behave as if they had been. The unique features of measurement are another wild manifestation of quantum mechanics.

"Quantum mechanics is not difficult, but it's full of surprises," Shen said.

The measurement discovery was groundbreaking, but not quite game-changing. That's because for every 1,000,000 photons, only one pair became entangled. Researchers have since been more successful, but, Shen said, "It's still not good enough for a computer," which has to carry out millions to billions of operations per second.

Shen was able to build a two-bit quantum logic gate with such efficiency because of the discovery of a new class of quantum photonic states -- photonic dimers, photons entangled in both space and frequency. His prediction of their existence was experimentally validated in 2013, and he has since been finding applications for this new form of light.

When a single photon enters a logic gate, nothing notable happens -- it goes in and comes out. But when there are two photons, "That's when we predicted the two can make a new state, photonic dimers. It turns out this new state is crucial."

High-fidelity, two-bit logic gate, designed by Jung-Tsung Shen.

Mathematically, there are many ways to design a logic gate for two-bit operations. These different designs are called equivalent. The specific logic gate that Shen and his research group designed is the controlled-phase gate (or controlled-Z gate). The principal function of the controlled-phase gate is that the two photons that come out are in the negative state of the two photons that went in.

"In classical circuits, there is no minus sign," Shen said. "But in quantum computing, it turns out the minus sign exists and is crucial."

When two independent photons (representing two optical qubits) enter the logic gate, "The design of the logic gate is such that the two photons can form a photonic dimer," Shen said. "It turns out the new quantum photonic state is crucial as it enables the output state to have the correct sign that is essential to the optical logic operations."

Shen has been working with the University of Michigan to test his design, which is a solid-state logic gate -- one that can operate under moderate conditions. So far, he says, results seem positive.

Shen says this result, while baffling to most, is clear as day to those in the know.

"It's like a puzzle," he said. "It may be complicated to do, but once it's done, just by glancing at it, you will know it's correct."

###
Workforce

Unions seek a new contract at SSA, press Biden to fire Trump holdovers

President Joe Biden reversed much of his predecessor's workforce agenda in the first days of his administration via executive order, but unions at the Social Security Administration are unhappy with the pace of implementation of new policies.

The unions are continuing to press for the ouster of SSA Commissioner Andrew Saul, who was appointed by President Donald Trump to a six-year term and can't be easily fired  at least not yet.

The American Federation of Government Employees wants to return to the bargaining table over its 2019 contract. It was negotiated after Trump issued executive orders limiting official time, restricting union use of federal facilities and easing the process for firing poor performers, in 2018.

After Biden repealed these orders, agencies received instructions to identity affected sections of contracts and "engage impacted unions, as soon as practicable, to suspend, revise or rescind the actions covered" in March.

SSA finalized its review of the contract, identifying sections impacted by the rescinded orders, on June 23, said Mark Hinkle, an SSA press officer.

But AFGE officials say that the agency is conceding too little.

"It was devastating, actually, compared to what we expected. They pretty much ruled out everything," said Barri Sue Bryant, president of AFGE Local 2809, which represents employees at an SSA operations center in Wilkes-Barre, Pa., and member of the SSA General Committee.

Official time, federal time spent on union business, is a top concern for the union. In its review, the agency broke that section of the contract into pieces, ruling that some parts had "minimal" or "moderate" "potential impact" from the repealed policies, while others weren't impacted at all, Bryant said.

SSA ruled that the number of hours of official time allowed were "minimally impacted," she said, while they ruled that restrictions for what activities are allowed on union time weren't impacted.

There's a temporary agreement in place on official time that restores it to levels closer to the 2012 contract. That lasts through Oct. 31, but it's unclear what will happen next.

Union leaders are also concerned about the agency's decision on performance improvement plans, called Opportunity to Perform Successfully. SSA ruled that only parts of that section were "minimally impacted," Bryant said.

The agency ruled that teleworking policies, another key priority for the union, weren't impacted. The agency curtailed teleworking in 2019.

To AFGE officials, the results of this evaluation are indicative of an agency that says it's working to improve labor relations without following through.

"They want a better relationship with us? We've got to have a new contract. It's that simple," said Ralph DeJuliis, president of AFGE Council 220, which represents 29,000 SSA employees in field offices and telephone service centers.

Union leaders say that the repealed Trump policies influenced much of the contract because SSA's bargaining strategy involved "[holding] the executive orders and taking things to the [Federal Services Impasses Panel] over our head on everything," Bryant said. The message was "if you don't agree to this  you'll get less."

The Office of Management and Budget guidance implementing Biden's order doesn't require agencies to either renegotiate entire provisions of the contract or change parts that "were not intended to implement identified sections of the revoked EOs," said SSA's Hinkle.

"We want to work collaboratively with our union partners to meet the needs of the public," and the agency will follow up with its union partners on next steps, he said.

The agency is also working on plans for bringing the workforce back to the office and instituting post-pandemic workforce policies, although some SSA employees are already in the office.

"Our agency's planning process includes ongoing communications with employees across the agency and their representatives, as well as input from other stakeholders," Hinkle said. "We will meet labor obligations associated with these plans once they are approved."

The agency and union are currently bargaining over workplace safety plans the Biden administration instructed agencies to create. The SSA has already implemented its plans.

Both of these examples mirror an uptick in post-implementation bargaining overall, said DeJuliis and Bryant.

At a hearing in April, SSA Operations Deputy Commissioner Grace Kim told lawmakers the safety plan was being bargained post-implementation because pressing health and safety concerns required it to be deployed quickly.

Union officials also say that they haven't seen a marked difference in labor-management progress, despite the change in administration.

"The only thing that's different is their tone," said DeJuliis. "Now they go through the motions, but their actions, the bargaining that we've been to  they don't really agree to anything."

The agency and union established resolution committees to work through unfair labor practice charges and union management grievances, but they're not allowed to discuss items in the contract. That's limited their work, Bryant said.

Supreme Court relief?

The union is continuing to call for Biden to fire SSA's Commissioner Saul and Deputy Commissioner David Black, who've also come under fire from some Democrats in Congress and another union at the agency, the Association of Administrative Law Judges.

Saul has a six-year term ending in 2025. He can be fired by the president for "neglect of duty or malfeasance in office." Black's six-year position is Senate-confirmed, and the president can't remove him without an adverse finding.

Recent court decisions could change the legal landscape of the issue.

A June 23 ruling by the Supreme Court in Collins v Yellen, found that job protections given to the Fair Housing Finance Agency's director, whom the president could only fire for cause before the end of the set five-year term were in violation of the separation of powers and unconstitutional. Biden has already replaced the former director.

In a footnote on the majority's opinion, Justice Samuel Alito noted that the court's ruling doesn't "comment on the constitutionality of any removal restriction" applying to other parts of the federal government, although Justice Elena Kagan pointed out in her concurring opinion that the SSA has a similar leadership structure to FHFA.

"A betting person might wager that the agency's removal provision is next on the chopping block," she wrote.

Rep. John Larson (D-Conn.) said in the wake of the decision in Collins that the firing of Trump holdovers is "not a political move . [t]his is achieving the outcomes of a president who has called Social Security a sacred trust between the American people and their government."

AFGE leaders say the decision is clear.

"It's Saul and Black. We need a whole new administration," DeJuliis said. "These two guys cannot get on board."
FCW Insider: June 30, 2021

The annual 'Best Places to Work' report indicates that almost 60% of the federal workforce teleworked full-time during the peak lockdown period of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Army officials said the Joint Warfighting Assessment exercise demonstrated that while the Army was able to create and share data across a multi-partner environment in a multi-partner network, the constructed virtual environment had its limitations.

The House Appropriations Committee is going along with appears the 2.7% raise recommended by the president, but Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-Va.) and other Democrats say that that isn't enough.

An executive order issued last Friday directs the federal government to ramp up diversity training, rethink the use salary history as a basis for pay determinations and supply gender non-conforming and non-binary and transgender feds with employee credentials that reflect their current names, pictures and pronouns.

Quick Hits

*** In a June 24 memorandum, the Department of the Navy affirmed its data strategy and declared that its Jupiter "will serve as the enterprise data and analytics platform for the DON and be the source of trusted, curated data to the Office of the Secretary of Defense." It also states that "all naval components shall provide authoritative datasets to Jupiter as required, and support the use of data for performance management activities."

*** The National Cybersecurity Center of Excellence at the National Institute of Standards and Technology issued a draft project description for examining the challenges of maintaining computer encryption in a future in which advances in quantum computing have rendered current encryption standards trivial.

"The advent of quantum computing technology will compromise many of the current cryptographic algorithms, especially public-key cryptography, which is widely used to protect digital information," the document states.

*** The House Appropriations Committee plans to increase funding for the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency by almost $300 million over the Biden administration's proposal. Lawmakers are seeking $2.42 billion for CISA. The agency also received a $650 million plus-up in the American Rescue Plan Act.
RAIPUR, India, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Stratview Research announces the launch of a new research report on Aerospace Tubes Market by Platform Type (Commercial Aircraft, Regional Aircraft, General Aviation, Military Aircraft, Helicopter, UAV, and Spacecraft), by Material Type [Titanium & Alloys (Ti-6Al-4V, Ti-3Al-2.5V, Commercially Pure, and Others), Nickel & Alloys (Ti-6Al-4V, Ti-3Al-2.5V, Commercially Pure, and Others), Steel & Alloys {320 Series (304/304L, 321, and Others), 21-6-9, and Others}, and Others], by Sales Channel Type (Direct Sales and Distributor Sales), and by Region (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World), Trend, Forecast, Competitive Analysis, and Growth Opportunity: 2021-2026.

Stratview_Research_Logo

This strategic assessment report, from Stratview Research, provides a comprehensive analysis that reflects today's aerospace tubes market realities and future market possibilities for the forecast period of 2021 to 2026. After a continuous interest in our aerospace hoses and tube assemblies market report from the industry stakeholders, we have tried to further accentuate our research scope to the aerospace tubes market to provide the most crystal-clear picture of the market. The report segments and analyzes the market in the most detailed manner to provide a panoramic view of the market. The vital data/information provided in the report can play a crucial role for the market participants as well as investors in the identification of the low-hanging fruits available in the market as well as to formulate growth strategies.

Aerospace Tubes Market: Highlights

Tubes are the major components used in the fluid conveyance and engine sections, wherein high-temperature resistance with excellent corrosion resistance is critically required. The selection of material is dependent on several parameters including temperature resistance, lightweight, durability, strength, etc. Steel & alloys, titanium & alloys, and nickel & alloys are the three major materials used by the tube manufacturers. Titanium & alloys are gaining traction in the market driven by their enormous advantages over others.

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The flourishing aerospace industry was hit with the B737Max grounding in 2019 causing dishevel in the industry. In 2020; however, the pandemic hit the industry hard, causing unimaginable disruption and losses for the stakeholders. The aerospace tubes market followed suit and logged a massive decline of -24% in 2020, creating a lag of 4 to 5 years in the market (unlike our pre-COVID estimates that suggested healthy growth in the market, aligning with the market's movement at the time).

However, the long-term outlook still seems fruitful, well backed by the industry's buoyant nature and strong fundamentals. The lift of Boeing's B737Max in October 2020, gradual opening of travel restrictions, rebounding aircraft deliveries, and Airbus' significantly healed revenue (reaping profit in Q1 2020 as opposed to grave loss in Q1 2020) are among the few key factors signaling recovery, helping the aerospace tubes market stakeholders to recoup at an excellent CAGR of 8.0% and reach US$ 0.9 billion in 2026.

Click Here to Run Through the Detailed TOC of the Report: https://www.stratviewresearch.com/toc/1667/aerospace-tubes-market.html

Based on the platform type, the aerospace tubes market is segmented as commercial aircraft, regional aircraft, general aviation, military aircraft, helicopter, UAV, and spacecraft. Despite taking a nosedive in 2020, commercial aircraft is expected to remain the largest and the fastest-growing segment of the market during the forecast period. Increasing demand for lightweight yet durable components and parts, market entry of new players, such as COMAC and Irkut, rebounding aircraft deliveries, and ungrounding of B737Max are some of the key factors propelling the demand for tubes in the commercial aircraft segment.

Based on the material type, the market is segmented as titanium & alloys, nickel & alloys, steel & alloys, and others. Titanium & alloys are expected to remain the largest segment of the market during the forecast period. The density of titanium is 40% less than that of steel- or nickel-based alloys yielding a remarkable weight advantage for aerospace structures. It is a desirable material for high-performance metal tubes owing to their tensile strength (better than that of austenitic or ferritic stainless steels), strength, stiffness, and toughness along with high melting point. Owing to their massive array of advantages, titanium and nickel are gaining traction in the aerospace industry.

In terms of regions, North America is expected to remain the largest market for aerospace tubes during the forecast period. The USA is the growth engine of the region's market with the presence of major aircraft OEMs, tier players, raw material suppliers, and part fabricators. Most of the tube suppliers have their presence in the region to address the emergent needs of OEMs and to be the partner for their upcoming aircraft programs or upcoming fuel-efficient variants of existing aircraft programs.

Asia-Pacific is likely to bounce back at the fastest rate, witnessing the highest growth during the same period. The highest growth of Asia-Pacific is mainly attributable to the increasing aircraft fleet to support rising passenger traffic, opening of assembly plants of Boeing and Airbus for multiple aircraft programs, increasing procurement of military aircraft owing to rising defense budget, and upcoming indigenous aircraft, C919.

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The market for aerospace tubes is gradually consolidating as major companies are performing mergers & acquisitions to quickly gain the leading position and to tap growing opportunities in this briskly expanding market. For instance, AMETEK, a leading global supplier of tubes for a wide range of industries, acquired Global Tubes and FMH Aerospace. After the acquisition, AMETEK, Inc. successfully leaped ahead in the market with the added capabilities and expansion of its product portfolio.

The supply chain of this market comprises several nodes including raw material suppliers, tube manufacturers, tube and duct assemblers, tier players, aircraft and engine OEMs, airlines, aircraft leasing companies, and MRO companies. Key players in the aerospace tubes market are AMETEK, Inc., Leggett & Platt, Inc., Haynes International, Inc., Sandvik AB, Plymouth Tube Co., VSMPO-AVISMA Corporation, Senior plc, Kaiser Aluminum, Constellium SE, and Arconic Corporation. Development of lightweight tubes for critical applications, expansion in untapped and growing markets, and execution of mergers & acquisitions are the key strategies adopted by the major players to gain a competitive edge in the market.

Report Features

This report provides market intelligence in the most comprehensive way. The report structure has been kept such that it offers maximum business value. It provides critical insights on the market dynamics and will enable strategic decision making for the existing market players as well as those willing to enter the market. The following are the key features of the report:

Market structure: Overview, industry life cycle analysis, supply chain analysis.

Market environment analysis: Growth drivers and constraints, Porter's five forces analysis, SWOT analysis.

Market trend and forecast analysis.

Market segment trend and forecast.

Competitive landscape and dynamics: Market share, product portfolio, product launches, etc.

Attractive market segments and associated growth opportunities.

Emerging trends.

Strategic growth opportunities for the existing and new players.

Key success factors.

This report studies the aerospace tubes market and has segmented the market in four ways, keeping in mind the interest of all the stakeholders across the value chain. Following are the four ways in which the market is segmented:

Aerospace Tubes Market, by Platform Type

Commercial Aircraft (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Regional Aircraft (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

General Aviation (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Military Aircraft (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Helicopter (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

UAV (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Spacecraft (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Aerospace Tubes Market, by Material Type

Titanium & Alloys

(Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

(Grade Type Analysis: Ti-6Al-4V, Ti-3Al-2.5V, Commercially Pure, and Others)

Nickel & Alloys

(Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

(Grade Type Analysis: Waspaloy, Inconel 625, Inconel 718, and Others)

Steel & Alloys

(Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

{Grade Type Analysis: 320 Series (304/304L, 321, and Others), 21-6-9, and Others}

Others (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Aerospace Tubes Market, by Sales Channel Type

Direct Sales (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Distributor Sales (Regional Analysis: North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and RoW)

Aerospace Tubes Market, by Region

North America (Country Analysis: The USA, Canada, and Mexico)

Europe (Country Analysis: Germany, France, the UK, Russia, and Rest of Europe)

Asia-Pacific (Country Analysis: Japan, China, India, and Rest of Asia-Pacific)

Rest of the World (Country Analysis: Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Others)

Stratview Research has several high value market reports in the composites industry. Please refer to the following link to browse through our reports:

https://www.stratviewresearch.com/market-reports/Advanced-Materials.html

About Stratview Research

Stratview Research is a global market intelligence firm providing wide range of services including syndicated market reports, custom research and sourcing intelligence across industries, such as Advanced Materials, Aerospace & Defense, Automotive & Mass Transportation, Consumer Goods, Construction & Equipment, Electronics and Semiconductors, Energy & Utility, Healthcare & Life Sciences, and Oil & Gas.

We have a strong team of industry veterans and analysts with an extensive experience in executing custom research projects for mid-sized to Fortune 500 companies, in the areas of Market Assessment, Opportunity Screening, Competitive Intelligence, Due Diligence, Target Screening, Market Entry Strategy, Go to Market Strategy, and Voice of Customer studies.

Stratview Research is a trusted brand globally, providing high quality research and strategic insights that help companies worldwide in effective decision making.

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Contact:

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E-mail: sales@stratviewresearch.com

Direct: +1-313-307-4176

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The term flying car is a bit of a misnomer. In order to meet regulatory guidelines, many of the vehicles currently in development are more like manned drones or vertical take-off and landing aircraft (VTOL). But, a prototype that just achieved a major milestone actually fits the flying car description.

A Slovakian company known as Klein Vision recently completed its inaugural inter-city flight between the Nitra and Bratislava airports. At the end of the 35-minute journey, the vehicle's inventor, professor Stefan Klein, clicked a button to tuck in its wings and drove the car home straight from the tarmac.

The company has been working on its hybrid aircraft for more than 30 years. With 142 successful landings and over 40 hours of test flights under its belt, Klein is convinced that his third prototype is ready to leap past the concept stage. As part of its latest breakthrough, the two-seater AirCar reached a cruising speed of 170km/h, slightly below the max 190km/h. Klein says the car has flown at 8200 ft and achieved steep 45 degree turns as part of its maneuverability testing. Unlike VTOL vehicles, the AirCar requires a runway for takeoff and landing.

The current prototype is equipped with a 160HP BMW engine with a fixed-propeller and a ballistic parachute. Klein has even bigger plans for its follow-up. He claims the 300HP pre-production model will receive the CS-23 aircraft certification for normal, utility, aerobatic and commuter aeroplanes from European aviation regulators, along with an M1 road permit.

In reality, getting there could still prove a challenge. The company will have to tread a fine line between a light aircraft and a more substantial vehicle with health and safety precautions built-in. However, there are signs that regulators are coming round to the idea of flying cars. In the US, the Federal Aviation Administration recently granted Terrafugia's roadable airplane a special certificate in the light sport category (S-LSA), making it legal for flight.
ARLINGTON, Texas, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ancora Corporate Training (Ancora), a leader in the field of corporate and career-based training, is proud to announce the launch of its new website (www.ancoracorporatetraining.com). With its modern, streamlined design, the site offers a more engaging user experience and further establishes Ancora Corporate Training as its own separate and distinct brand from Ancora Education, its parent company.

Ancora Corporate Training offers a variety of Professional Trade programs, including welding.

The new site provides a dedicated forum for Ancora to showcase the latest services, news, and information that is of interest to Ancora's clients and prospects. "We are so excited to unveil Ancora Corporate Training's new online home," said Michael Zawisky, President and CEO of Ancora Education. "At the start of the redesign process, we knew we wanted something that spoke directly to Ancora Corporate Training's audience presented in an elegant and intuitive interface. Over the last two years, Ancora Corporate Training has grown beyond our wildest expectations, and establishing this site separate from the main Ancora Education web presence is a crucial step as we continue to grow and increase our market visibility."

Ancora retained LaneTerralever, a globally recognized digital marketing powerhouse, to develop a site that better positions Ancora to serve their clients as well as attracting new business. "It was a pleasure to work with the Ancora Marketing Team again," said Savannah Cook, Senior Account Manager at LaneTerralever. "Our primary goal was developing a website for Ancora that did a better job speaking to the industries they are currently serving, as well as future-proofing the site as Ancora expands into new verticals. The design now plays a much larger role in prospect engagement than in its prior iteration, while still keeping focus on delivering a clean, accessible experience for users."

"Once again, Ancora's Marketing Team, in partnership with LaneTerralever, has knocked it out of the park," said Bill Nance, Ancora's Chief Operating Officer. "Together, they've given us a site that more closely aligns Ancora's public image with our vision for growth in the corporate training vertical. Companies are eager to partner with training firms that are both reliable and professional, and our new site helps solidify Ancora's growing reputation of delivering exceptional training programs tailored to individual client needs."

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Based in Arlington, Texas, Ancora Corporate Training is quickly becoming a dominant player in the corporate training marketplace. Since January 2019, Ancora has partnered with community colleges, government agencies, and Fortune 100 corporations to provide training to thousands of individuals.

ABOUT ANCORA CORPORATE TRAINING

Ancora Corporate Training is a division of Ancora Education, a Texas-based group of private, post-secondary schools in convenient locations throughout Arizona, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas. Ancora Education owned brands specialize in allied health, wellness, nursing, IT, business and management, CDL truck driving, professional trades, security, skilled trades, and art and design. Ancora brands include Ancora Corporate Training, Arizona Automotive Institute (AAI), Berks Technical Institute (BTI), Edge Tech Academy, McCann School of Business & Technology, Miller-Motte College (MMC), Platt College, South Texas Vocational Technical Institute (STVT), and The Creative Circus.

www.ancoracorporatetraining.com

Ancora Corporate Training (PRNewsfoto/Ancora Corporate Training)

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ROLLING MEADOWS, Ill., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. today announced the acquisition of Solon, Ohio-based Stellar Benefits Group, LLC. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Logo (PRNewsfoto/Arthur J. Gallagher & Co.)

Founded in 2003, Stellar Benefits is a full-service employee benefits consulting firm offering comprehensive health and welfare programs for businesses of all sizes, ranging from individual offices to multinational corporations. Ronald Rafal, Alan Greenberg and their associates will continue to operate from their current location under the direction of Tom Lannen, head of Gallagher's Great Lakes region employee benefit consulting and brokerage division.

"Stellar Benefits is a growing, well-run consulting firm with a diverse client base that will enhance our benefits capabilities across Northeastern Ohio," said J. Patrick Gallagher, Jr., Chairman, President and CEO. "We are very pleased to welcome Ron, Alan and their associates to our growing, global company."

Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (NYSE:AJG), a global insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm, is headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Illinois. The company has operations in 56 countries and offers client service capabilities in more than 150 countries around the world through a network of correspondent brokers and consultants.

Investors: Ray Iardella Media: Linda J. Collins VP  Investor Relations VP  Corporate Communications 630-285-3661/ ray_iardella@ajg.com 630-285-4009/ linda_collins@ajg.com

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SOFIA, June 30 (Reuters) - Bulgaria is sticking to its target to adopt the euro currency from January 1, 2024 and plans to start payments in euros without any transitional period once it joins the euro zone, government and central bank officials said on Wednesday.

Bulgaria, one of the European Union's poorest member states, was admitted together with Croatia to the ERM-2 mechanism, a mandatory stage for joining the euro, last July.

According to a draft national plan for Bulgaria's euro zone entry approved on Wednesday, Bulgarians will be able to pay also in the national lev currency a month after the adoption of the single currency.

One of the biggest problems countries face when joining the euro is that they can no longer use the exchange rate as a cushion from any economic shock, but Bulgaria already pegs its lev currency to the euro and plans to adopt the single currency at its current fixed rate.

"The introduction of the euro is planned without a transitional period, and the date of adoption of the euro will coincide with its introduction as an official unit of payment," the central bank and the finance ministry said in a joint statement.

"The conversion will be done by applying the irrevocably the fixed exchange rate between the euro and the lev."

The national plan draft is pending government approval after public discussions, the central bank and the finance ministry said in a joint statement.

Bulgaria meets the nominal criteria for joining the euro zone at present and expects to be compliant when the euro is adopted, despite eventual inflationary pressures as it converges with the richer euro zone economies.

Bulgaria is one of the least indebted EU states. Its fiscal deficit was only 3% of economic output last year, despite increased spending to reduce the impact of the coronavirus on jobs and businesses. (Reporting by Tsvetelia Tsolova, Editing by Nick Zieminski)
Carpenters place plywood flooring at a building site of Mid-Atlantic Builders' 'The Villages of Savannah' in Brandywine

From Urban Outfitters to Chewy, CEOs cant stop talking about the labor shortages theyre seeing both in the US and globally.

The number of corporate calls with at least one mention of labor shortage is surging, according to transcripts collected by Sentieo, a financial research company. Up until 2021, there had been fewer than 60 mentions per quarter of the phrase labor shortage. In the second quarter of 2021, labor shortage was referenced 136 times.

You certainly cant have a conversation with any business person across America, certainly, [and] I think fast coming across the globe, without labor shortages and tightness in markets coming up, said Marie Robinson, executive vice president and chief supply chain officer of food-distributing giant Sysco, on a May 20 analyst call.

A Morgan Stanley research note on June 28 mentioned the trend and suggested that labor market tightness in an increasing number of industries was raising the prospect of further wage increases.

Labor shortages at building sites, restaurants, and hotels

CEOs and other executives on corporate calls described how labor shortages have impacted their operations: delays in construction and approvals for building residential homes, which part of the meat is being sold (deboning dark meat requires more labor), simplified menus to ease the pressures on overloaded restaurant kitchens.

On a June 8 conference call, Patrick Pacious, the CEO of Choice Hotels Internationals, which owns hotel chains like Comfort and Quality Inn, said staffing shortages meant that many of the owners are actually folding their sheets and towels and making the beds in our hotels.

Covid-19 is still a factor in getting workers back

Several CEOs reminded investors that the pandemic's impact is ongoing. Mark R. Belton, CEO of Trifast, a manufacturing company, said on a June 24 conference call that with extended lockdowns in Malaysia, its factory there is currently allowing just 30% of its workforce in.

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The pandemic also has slowed the return of migrant workers. About 40% of laborers in Maharashtra, India, had gone back to their hometowns when Covid-19 hit, said Tikkavarapu Venkata Sandeep Kumar Reddy, an executive director of Gayatri Projects Limited, a construction company.

Wage pressures and a push for more automation

Labor shortages are pushing companies from FedEx to Chewy to raise wages. We invested in higher wages and short-term incentives, which to some degree helped overcome [fulfillment center] staffing constraints, said Sumit Singh, CEO of Chewy, a pet supplies retailer, on the company's quarterly earnings call on June 10.

Several CEOs said their companies were using more automation and robotics to help offset the labor challenges. [W]e are doing everything we can possibly do, whether it is from wages, from technology, from routing and all things associated with it to make sure that we can get our services improved, FedEx president Raj Subramaniam, said on the company's fiscal fourth-quarter earnings call on June 21.

But in some cases even higher pay is not enough. We've raised wages in some places, and in some places, even after raising wages, there's still a labor shortage," said Mark Schiller, the CEO of Hain Celestial Group, a food and personal care company, on a June 16 conference call. "And so we're doing the best we can with the cards that we've been dealt. And so far, we're faring pretty well, but it is definitely putting pressure on the P&L.

Anthony Capuano, CEO of Marriott International, suggested on a June 21 conference call that the competition for hourly labor is wider than it has traditionally been. "[N]ot only are we competing for labor with other hospitality companies. Maybe more so than in any other recovery, we're competing for labor outside our sectorwith retail, for instance.

Hiring as unemployment benefits come to an end

Unemployment benefits also continue to be a topic of discussion in the US, where 26 states will have wound down extended unemployment benefits by the end of July.

On a June 9 earnings call, Steven Spinner, the CEO of United Natural Foods, a large distributor of natural foods and health products, said he doesnt think much of the trucking industry's driver shortage is related to unemployment benefits. Our drivers are sophisticated. Theyre knowledgeable, and theyre working, said Spinner. He expects the mismatch between pent-up demand and the shortage of workers to be temporary.

But business leaders from Capuano at Marriott to the CEO of arcade chain Dave & Buster's said that the extended unemployment benefits have been a factor. Capuano noted that the winding down of emergency unemployment benefits, along with the return of in-person schooling to make it easier on parents who otherwise would be working, will free up some availability of labor."

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DUBLIN, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Chemical Logistics Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Research and Markets Logo

Global chemical logistics market to grow at a CAGR of around 6% during the forecast period (2021-2026).

Chemical logistics refers to the services that help in monitoring procurement, planning and implementation of various supply chain-related activities in the chemical industry.

It also offers management of resource procurement, material flow, transportation, distribution services, warehouse and storage and other value-added services. Chemical logistics can track consumer centers and perform marking and labeling functions for various chemicals and raw materials based on their toxicological and physicochemical nature.

Owing to these benefits, reliable logistics systems are a crucial component of the chemical industry as they are highly responsive, adaptable and necessary for constantly analyzing the market changes.



Significant growth in the chemical industry is one of the key factors driving the growth of the market. Furthermore, the increasing demand for automation and modernized green warehouses in the chemical industry for sustainable business operations is providing a boost to the market growth.

With the growing concerns regarding energy conservation and environment protection, chemical manufacturers are increasingly investing in cost-effective warehousing solutions that combine green practices and smart technology, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), smart sensors and robotics.

The vendors are also providing digital tools to automate chemical logistics and to process data with enhanced productivity, efficiency and convenience.

Other factors, including increasing awareness regarding product security and safety in the chemical industry, along with extensive research and development (R&D) activities and rapid industrialization across the globe, are projected to drive the market further.

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Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global chemical logistics market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What are the key regional markets?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global chemical logistics market?

What is the breakup of the market based on the type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the service?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global chemical logistics market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

Competitive Landscape:



The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined with some of the key players being

Agility Public Warehousing Co.

BDP International Inc.

C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc.

DB Schenker

DHL Group

DSV Panalpina AS

FedEx Corp.

Montreal Chemical Logistics

Schneider National Inc.

Univar Inc.

Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends



5 Global Chemical Logistics Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Type

6.1 Rail

6.2 Road

6.3 Pipeline

6.4 Sea

6.5 Others



7 Market Breakup by Service

7.1 Transportation

7.2 Warehousing

7.3 Others



8 Market Breakup by Region



9 SWOT Analysis



10 Value Chain Analysis



11 Porters Five Forces Analysis



12 Price Indictors



13 Competitive Landscape

13.1 Market Structure

13.2 Key Players

13.3 Profiles of Key Players



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/dzuo5b

Media Contact:

Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

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SAN FRANCISCO, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A new market study published by Global Industry Analysts Inc., (GIA) the premier market research company, today released its report titled "Vanadium Redox Battery - Global Market Trajectory & Analytics" . The report presents fresh perspectives on opportunities and challenges in a significantly transformed post COVID-19 marketplace.

Global Vanadium Redox Battery Market

FACTS AT A GLANCE

Edition: 9; Released: January 2021

Executive Engagements: 449

Companies: 26 - Players covered include Big Pawer Electrical Technology Xiangyang Inc. Co., Ltd.; CellCube Energy Storage Systems Inc.; Dalian Rongke Power Co., Ltd.; H2, Inc.; HydraRedox Iberia S.L.; Invinity Energy Systems PLC; LE SYSTEM CO., Ltd.; Pinflow energy storage, s.r.o.; StorEn Technologies Inc.; Storion Energy; Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.; UniEnergy Technologies LLC; VisBlue A/S; VoltStorage GmbH; VRB Energy and Others.

Coverage: All major geographies and key segments

Segments: Type (Graphite Felt Electrodes, Carbon Paper Electrodes); End-Use (Large-Scale Energy Storage, Uninterruptible Power Supply (UPS), Emergency Power Supply)

Geographies: World; USA; Canada; Japan; China; Europe; France; Germany; Italy; UK; Rest of Europe; Asia-Pacific; Rest of World.

Complimentary Project Preview - This is an ongoing global program. Preview our research program before you make a purchase decision. We are offering a complimentary access to qualified executives driving strategy, business development, sales & marketing, and product management roles at featured companies. Previews provide deep insider access to business trends; competitive brands; domain expert profiles; and market data templates and much more. You may also build your own bespoke report using our MarketGlass Platform which offers thousands of data bytes without an obligation to purchase our report. Preview Registry

ABSTRACT-

Global Vanadium Redox Battery Market to Reach $592.4 Million by 2026

Redox flow batteries differ from other conventional batteries in that the energy storage occurs in a liquid media, and charging and discharging processes can take place within a single cell. This distinguishing feature of redox flow batteries allows energy storage and conversion to be scaled flexibly and separately as per the specific requirements of the application. Similar to other electrochemical energy storage systems, redox flow batteries can also be developed in various different size classes, ranging from few hundred megawatts of power and watt-hours of storage to multi-megawatts and megawatt-hours systems for use as large grid-scale energy storage devices. Redox flow batteries can be effectively utilized for all types of stationary energy storage tasks, though their higher lifetimes result in the lowest levelized cost of energy storage. Currently, there are various types of redox flow batteries that are being evaluated. However, the best known redox flow batteries is the vanadium redox battery.

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Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Vanadium Redox Battery estimated at US$194.2 Million in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$592.4 Million by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 20.9% over the analysis period. Graphite Felt Electrodes, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 21.5% CAGR to reach US$558.6 Million by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the carbon paper electrodes segment is readjusted to a revised 19.4% CAGR for the next 7-year period. This segment currently accounts for a 26.2% share of the global Vanadium Redox Battery market.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at $44.9 Million in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $84.7 Million by 2026

The Vanadium Redox Battery market in the U.S. is estimated at US$44.9 Million in the year 2021. The country currently accounts for a 21.9% share in the global market. China, the world second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of US$84.7 Million in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 25.4% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 18.8% and 20.1% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 19.6% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach US$109.3 Million by the close of the analysis period.

The market is expected to be driven primarily by factors, such as their lower environmental impact in terms of battery disposal and higher energy capacity owing to the presence of larger tanks for electrolyte storage. These batteries contain no toxic or highly reactive substance and pose no fire hazard, making them more environment-friendly as compared to lead-acid and lithium-ion batteries. Vanadium redox batteries are widely used in the sensor components of some critical military equipment, including ammunitions and weapons. However, their higher capital costs and lower energy density are anticipated to impede the market growth over the next few years. Utilities are expected to be a major application market for vanadium redox batteries, attributed to the rising deployment of wind turbines and solar panels, and the continuous adoption and installation of energy storage technologies. Wind energy and solar photovoltaic sectors are projected to witness over 830 GW and 970 GW increase in capacity by 2025, which is likely to drive the adoption of vanadium redox batteries in the coming years. Vanadium redox batteries offer suitability for both grid as well as off-grid connections. In contrast to lithium-ion batteries, vanadium redox batteries can be completely discharged and allow for reuse of the electrolyte. Moreover, the battery's electrolyte is used in an aqueous form that makes the technology inherently nonflammable and safe.

By End-Use, Large-Scale Energy Storage Segment to Reach $491.7 Million by 2026

Global market for Large-Scale Energy Storage (End-Use) segment is estimated at US$162.2 Million in 2020, and is projected to reach US$491.7 Million by 2026 reflecting a compounded annual growth rate of 20.8% over the analysis period. Europe constitutes the largest regional market for Large-Scale Energy Storage segment, accounting for 33.7% of the global sales in 2020. China is poised to register the fastest compounded annual growth rate of 25.3% over the analysis period, to reach US$89.2 Million by the end of the analysis period. More

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A one-stop, programmatic ad platform to amplify brand messaging across Huawei's mobile ecosystem

SINGAPORE, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei's mobile advertising division, HUAWEI Ads, is expanding its business in Singapore by introducing more partner support and diverse ad solutions, aiming to encourage local advertisers to onboard the platform and amplify their brand messages across the Huawei ecosystem.

HUAWEI Ads is a one-stop, programmatic advertising marketplace by Huawei Mobile Services. The platform provides diverse ad solutions and end-to-end support for advertisers to achieve joint business growth in the digital ad environment. Interested advertisers can visit https://bit.ly/HuaweiAdsAPACE to download the HUAWEI Ads media kit and book a demo session to learn more about the platform.

Launched in 2020 in the Asia-Pacific region, HUAWEI Ads is a one-stop, programmatic advertising marketplace tailored for Huawei devices. The service integrates with the underlying algorithms and architecture of Huawei devices, making it the most effective platform to reach Huawei's over 730 million global users across devices such as smartphones, PCs and tablets.

Through HUAWEI Ads, advertisers can choose from diverse ad options for placements within Huawei's native and third-party apps, according to their campaign objectives. Currently, HUAWEI Ads is integrated into more than 10,000 high-traffic third-party apps in APAC. Besides standard display ads, HUAWEI Ads also comes with innovative formats such as custom placements on AppGallery, Huawei's official app store, and new search ads on Petal Search.

The HUAWEI Ads platform supports real-time and programmatic biddings, and precise targeting features such as lookalike audiences and retargeting. This ensures that the advertiser's messages and placements are directed to the ideal users who fit their consumer demographics. Additionally, HUAWEI Ads provides tools such as Smart Bidding and Smart Banners, along with one-click installation links, to give advertisers more control over the ad settings.



In addition, all HUAWEI Ads inventories have integrated with the international standard Open Measure Software Development Kit (OM SDK). This is a set of software tools designed by IAB Tech Lab for facilitating third-party viewability of measurement data. OM SKD-enabled media helps generate uniform ad viewability reports for each ad placed in the app environment, providing HUAWEI Ads advertisers with accurate and consistent third-party independent data to better evaluate their ad performance and ensure fairness and transparency in the programmatic ad marketplace.

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All-round support to nurture business growth

HUAWEI Ads also provides end-to-end support from the onboarding process to ad optimisation for Singapore advertisers in a commitment to build a sustainable digital ad environment. Qualified advertisers and certified agencies in Singapore will be able to enjoy the following benefits:

Free advertising credit for direct advertisers that qualify for the trial programme

Rebates on media spend for eligible and certified agencies

Dedicated support from the local team to guide through the onboarding process

Expert training on ad campaign setup and optimisation

New product beta testing opportunities for certified partners

Advertisers interested in the HUAWEI Ads service can visit https://bit.ly/HuaweiAdsAPACE to download the HUAWEI Ads media kit and book a demo session to learn more about the platform.

SOURCE Huawei Mobile Services
PRAIA, Cape Verde, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a decision on interim measures dated June 8, the United Nations Human Rights Committee called on Cape Verde to refrain from extraditing Mr. Alex Saab to the United States of America and to take all necessary measures to ensure access to appropriate health care [] by independent and specialized physicians of his choice. This decision ordering interim measures is the first urgent step resulting from the registration of a complaint filed by Alex Saab before United Nations Human Rights Committee.



In an interview on June 29, 2021, the Cape Verdean Prosecutor General, Mr Jose Luis Landim, makes a frontal attack on the United Nations, claiming that the UN Human Rights Committee does not have the competence to impose the suspension of the extradition of Alex Saab from Cape Verde to the United States of America.

Such a position is alarming and is a legal, strategic and ethical mistake.

First, this position is completely wrong in law. We would like to remind Mr Landim that Cape Verde has chosen to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights since August 6, 1993 and the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights since May 19, 2000. It must therefore comply with its international obligations in good faith and fully respect the decisions of the expert body responsible for interpreting the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Human Rights Committee. Saying that the Committee does not have the power to request the suspension of an extradition that may expose someone to risks of irreparable harms and of violations of the right to life and right of physical integrity, is an unforgivable legal error totally incompatible with the rule of law.

Second, such a position is a frontal attack on the United Nations and the human rights that are at the heart of the values that the Organization defends. It sends a clear message to the world that Cape Verde can exercise its sovereignty to violate human rights while ignoring the norms of international human rights law to which it has subscribed and ignoring international decisions. In doing so, Cape Verde, after defying the ECOWAS Court of Justice which ordered it to release the arbitrarily detained Alex Saab, after violating Alex Saab's diplomatic immunity as a Special Envoy and an Ambassador to the African Union, is taking a hostile stance towards the United Nations and placing itself on the outside of the international community.

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Third, such a position is a mistake in terms of fundamental ethical values. By requesting the suspension of Alex Saab's extradition pending the examination of the merits of the case, the Human Rights Committee was inviting Cape Verde to show humanity and common sense by considering that the extradition would be detrimental to the physical integrity and life of Alex Saab. The Committee did not take a political position, but a purely humanitarian one.

MEDIA Contact:

Sara Flounders

International Action Center

Https://www.iacenter.org

E-mail: iacenter@iacenter.org

Tel: +1 212-633-6646




HOUSTON, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- IRISNDT is pleased to announce the acquisition of Altura Wind Services LLC. Altura Wind Services has served the wind power market nationwide since 2001, offering a wide array of inspection, cleaning, and maintenance services to a diverse base of renewable and energy customers.

From l to r: Joshua Hallam, Operations Manager, Altura Wind Services; Mike Bazzi, President, IRISNDT U.S.A.; Samuel Hallam, Operations Manager, Altura Wind Services; Chris Weyers, Director, Corporate Development, IRISNDT.

IRISNDT (www.irisndt.com) is a privately-owned NDT, Inspection, and Integrity Engineering company. The company serves a blue-chip customer base in the refinery, petrochemical, chemical, agriculture, and power/renewables sectors around ongoing operational activities and maintenance turnaround projects, as well as initial construction and expansion projects. The company is owned by IRISNDT employees and First Reserve, a leading global private equity investment firm focused exclusively on energy, and has 22 branch locations in the U.S.A., as well as nine in Canada, seven in the United Kingdom, and five in Australia.

In conjunction with this announcement, Altura will become a division of IRISNDT, and Joshua and Samuel Hallam will each assume the role of Operations Manager for the business. Additionally, Altura Wind Services' existing operations will be relocated to IRISNDT's U.S.A. corporate offices in Houston, Texas.

Joshua Hallam, co-owner of Altura Wind Services, said, "We are very excited about joining the IRISNDT family. We have always been focused on delivering safe, cost-effective, and quality services to our clients, and with the support of IRISNDT, we look forward to further developing our business and the values that have built Altura into the company it is today."

Samuel Hallam, co-owner of Altura Wind Services, said, "We are confident that IRISNDT will be a great fit for Altura. With our combined capabilities, Altura will continue to grow its position as an industry leader in the blade repair and inspection segment and continue to expand into other areas of the wind services industry."

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Mike Bazzi, President of IRISNDT U.S.A., said, "We welcome Joshua, Samuel, and their employees to the IRISNDT family. Joshua and Samuel are two strong, proven leaders and entrepreneurs, and they have laid the foundation for IRISNDT to build and expand our business into Wind Services."

Marcel Blinde, CEO of IRISNDT, added, "We believe the Altura team, which shares our culture and commitment to safety, quality, and excellent customer service, will find a good home within IRISNDT. As we move forward in growth mode and continue to enhance our services portfolio in the renewable markets, we will continue to evaluate attractive add-on acquisition opportunities."

Contact:

Mike Bazzi

President, U.S.A. Operations

(713) 209-2710

mike.bazzi@irisndt.com

www.irisndt.com

IRISNDT Logo

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SOURCE IRISNDT
TOKYO, June 30 (Reuters) - Japanese shares dipped on Wednesday as the highly contagious Delta variant spread in Asia, while the benchmark index posted losses for June on concerns over the outlook of the economy.

The market ended the last trading day of the month in the red for a tenth straight month as investors tend to adjust their positions at the month end. The Nikkei average dipped 0.07% to close at 28,791,53, after rising as much as 0.65% earlier in the session, while the broader Topix also changed course to edge down 0.30% to 1,943.57.

The Nikkei index lost 0.24% in June, while the Topix index rose 1%.

Shares initially took cues from an overnight rally in Wall Street on Wednesday, but investor buying quickly succumbed to the Japanese markets' peculiar pattern since September to fall on the last trading day of the month.

Some market players think it could be due to month-end rebalancing by big investors, while others think it is just a coincidence.

"It's just an anomaly. But then again, a lot of people are talking about it, so it does have some effect on the psychology," Masato Kogure, group leader of trade execution at Tokai Tokyo Securities said.

The market flitted within a range, underperforming global shares, as investors weigh the progress in vaccination rollouts against a surge in domestic infections ahead of the Olympics next month.

Among big movers, Sugi Holding tumbled 8.37% after the drugstore chain operator's quarterly earnings fell short of market expectations.

Nitto Boseki slid 4.85% after one of its shareholders announced a plan to sell almost 1 million shares, or about 2% of the outstanding shares of the textile company.

Shares of J. Front Retailing dropped 3.62% after the department store operator cut its profit outlook.

Chugai Pharmaceutical ended up 2.37% after rising as much as 7.9% as it applied for regulatory approval in Japan of an antibody treatment for COVID-19.

Ushio Inc jumped 13.41% after the lamp maker lifted its earnings outlook, doubling its net profit forecast for the current year through March.

(Reporting by Hideyuki Sano and Junko Fujita; Editing by Sherry Jacob-Phillips and Amy Caren Daniel)
COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- L Brands, Inc. (L Brands) (NYSE: LB) announced today that the previously announced offering by its subsidiary, Victorias Secret & Co. (Victorias Secret), of $500 million aggregate principal amount of senior notes due 2029 (the Notes) was upsized to an aggregate principal amount of $600 million and priced with a coupon of 4.625% in a private placement offering to eligible purchasers. The initial offering price of the Notes to investors will be 100% of their principal amount. Additionally, L Brands announced today that the previously announced syndication by Victorias Secret of term loans in an aggregate principal amount $400 million (the Term Loan Facility) has allocated with an initial margin of LIBOR (with a LIBOR floor of 0.50%) plus 3.25%. The Term Loan Facility will have an original issue discount of 1.00%. The offering of the Notes is expected to close on July 15, 2021, subject to customary closing conditions. The Term Loan Facility is expected to close at or about the time of the Separation (as defined below). Victorias Secret is a recently formed company, which L Brands intends to separate from its current business by means of a spin-off to its shareholders (the Separation).



Prior to the completion of the Separation, Victorias Secret intends to use the net proceeds from the offering of the Notes and the initial borrowing under the Term Loan Facility, after deducting discounts and commissions to the initial purchasers of the Notes and estimated offering expenses, to fund a portion of a cash payment to L Brands. Pending completion of the Separation, proceeds from the offering of the Notes will be deposited into escrow for the benefit of the holders of the Notes.

The Notes will be senior unsecured obligations. Upon issuance, the Notes will not be guaranteed. However, from and after the date on which the proceeds of the offering are released from escrow, the Notes will be guaranteed by each of Victorias Secrets existing and future wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries that (i) guarantees its senior credit facilities, (ii) is a borrower under its ABL Facility or (iii) guarantees or incurs any other material debt.

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The loans under the Term Loan Facility will be senior secured obligations of Victorias Secret guaranteed by all of Victorias Secrets existing and future material wholly-owned domestic restricted subsidiaries, subject to customary exceptions to be set forth in the documentation for the Term Loan Facility.

The Notes are not being registered under the Securities Act of 1933 (the Securities Act) or the securities laws of any state and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements under the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. The Notes may be resold by the initial purchasers pursuant to Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act.

This press release is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of an offer to buy the Notes or any other securities or any loans or commitments in respect of the Term Loan Facility and shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, or a sale of, the Notes or any other securities or any loans or commitments in respect of the Term Loan Facility in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale is unlawful. The offering in respect of the Notes is made only by, and pursuant to, the terms set forth in the related offering memorandum. The offering in respect of the Notes is not being made to persons 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.

ABOUT L BRANDS:

L Brands, through its Bath & Body Works, Victorias Secret and PINK brands, is an international company. L Brands operates 2,681 company-operated specialty stores in the United States, Canada and Greater China, in more than 700 franchised locations worldwide and through its websites worldwide.

ABOUT VICTORIAS SECRET & CO:

Victorias Secret is the worlds largest specialty retailer offering a wide assortment of modern, fashion-inspired collections including signature bras, panties, lingerie, casual sleepwear and athleisure, as well as award-winning prestige fragrances and body care. With nearly 1,400 retail stores worldwide and a predominately female workforce of more than 25,000, Victorias Secret boasts the largest team of specialty trained bra fit experts worldwide. Victorias Secret is committed to inspiring women around the world with products and experiences that uplift and champion them and their journey while creating lifelong relationships and advocating for positive change.

Safe Harbor Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995

We caution that any forward-looking statements (as such term is defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) contained in this press release or made by our Company or our management involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, our future performance and financial results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements. Words such as estimate, project, plan, believe, expect, anticipate, intend, planned, potential and any similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. Risks associated with the following factors, among others, in some cases have affected and in the future could affect our financial performance and actual results and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements included in this press release or otherwise made by our Company or our management:

the spin-off may not be consummated within the anticipated time period or at all;

disruption to our business in connection with the proposed spin-off and that we could lose revenue as a result of such disruption;

the spin-off may not be tax-free for U.S. federal income tax purposes;

a loss of synergies from separating the businesses that could negatively impact the balance sheet, profit margins or earnings of both businesses or that the companies resulting from the spin-off do not realize all of the expected benefits of the spin-off;

the combined value of the common stock of the two publicly-traded companies will not be equal to or greater than the value of our common stock had the spin-off not occurred;

Victorias Secret has no history of operating as an independent company, and its historical combined and unaudited pro forma financial information is not necessarily representative of the results that it would have achieved as an independent, publicly traded company and may not be a reliable indicator of our future results;

general economic conditions, consumer confidence, consumer spending patterns and market disruptions including pandemics or significant health hazards, severe weather conditions, natural disasters, terrorist activities, financial crises, political crises or other major events, or the prospect of these events;

the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) global pandemic has had and is expected to continue to have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations;

the seasonality of our business;

divestitures or other dispositions, including a spin-off of Victorias Secret and related operations and contingent liabilities from businesses that we have divested;

difficulties arising from turnover in company leadership or other key positions;

our ability to attract, develop and retain qualified associates and manage labor-related costs;

the dependence on mall traffic and the availability of suitable store locations on appropriate terms;

our ability to grow through new store openings and existing store remodels and expansions;

our ability to successfully operate and expand internationally and related risks;

our independent franchise, license and wholesale partners;

our direct channel businesses;

our ability to protect our reputation and our brand images;

our ability to attract customers with marketing, advertising and promotional programs;

our ability to maintain, enforce and protect our trade names, trademarks and patents;

the highly competitive nature of the retail industry and the segments in which we operate;

consumer acceptance of our products and our ability to manage the life cycle of our brands, keep up with fashion trends, develop new merchandise and launch new product lines successfully;

our ability to source, distribute and sell goods and materials on a global basis, including risks related to: political instability, environmental hazards or natural disasters; significant health hazards or pandemics, which could result in closed factories, reduced workforces, scarcity of raw materials, and scrutiny or embargoing of goods produced in infected areas; duties, taxes and other charges; legal and regulatory matters; volatility in currency exchange rates; local business practices and political issues; potential delays or disruptions in shipping and transportation and related pricing impacts; disruption due to labor disputes; and changing expectations regarding product safety due to new legislation;

our geographic concentration of vendor and distribution facilities in central Ohio;

fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;

the ability of our vendors to deliver products in a timely manner, meet quality standards and comply with applicable laws and regulations;

fluctuations in product input costs;

our ability to adequately protect our assets from loss and theft;

fluctuations in energy costs;

increases in the costs of mailing, paper, printing or other order fulfillment logistics;

claims arising from our self-insurance;

our and our third-party service providers' ability to implement and maintain information technology systems and to protect associated data;

our ability to maintain the security of customer, associate, third-party and company information;

stock price volatility;

our ability to pay dividends and related effects;

shareholder activism matters;

our ability to maintain our credit rating;

our ability to service or refinance our debt and maintain compliance with our restrictive covenants;

our ability to comply with laws, regulations and technology platform rules or other obligations related to data privacy and security;

our ability to comply with regulatory requirements;

legal and compliance matters; and

tax, trade and other regulatory matters.

We are not under any obligation and do not intend to make publicly available any update or other revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect circumstances existing after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of future events even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements will not be realized.

For further information, please contact:

L Brands:

Investor Relations

Amie Preston

(614) 415-6704

apreston@lb.com

Media Relations

Brooke Wilson

(614) 415-6042

communications@lb.com




Associated Press

As shockwaves spread across the country from the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, corporate America took a stand against the lies that powered the mob. Dozens of big companies, citing their commitment to democracy, pledged to avoid donating money to the 147 lawmakers who objected to Congress' certification of Joe Biden's victory on the false grounds that voting fraud stole the election from then-President Donald Trump. Six months later, many of those companies have resumed funneling cash to political action committees that benefit the election efforts of lawmakers whether they objected to the election certification or not.
Middlefield Canadian Income PCC Net Asset Value

Middlefield Canadian Income PCC

Middlefield Canadian Income - GBP PC

(a protected cell company incorporated in Jersey with registration number 93546)

Legal Entity Identifier: 2138007ENW3JEJXC8658

Net Asset Value

As at the close of business on 29 June 2021 the estimated unaudited Net Asset Value per share was 127.38 pence (including accrued income).

Investments in the Companys portfolio have been valued on a closing price basis.

Enquiries:

JTC Fund Solutions (Jersey) Limited

01534 700 000




-- Clear HOI adds another top 10 home insurance provider to platform

-- FinTech tool simplifies and automates homeowners insurance verification process

DETROIT, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Nexsys Technologies, a FinTech company and subsidiary of Rocket Companies (NYSE:RKT) providing a suite of essential digital solutions for mortgage origination and closing, today announced it is partnering with Nationwide to deliver real-time insurance verifications using Nexsys Clear HOI. The groundbreaking tool automates the communication between mortgage lenders and insurance providers, creating a streamlined and automated experience for verifying the existence of a homeowners policy.

Nexsys Technologies is a Detroit-based technology company delivering innovative tech for smarter lending processes. The companys digital real estate platforms bring lenders and providers the network, tools and intelligence they need to make the best possible transactions in real time.

"With Clear HOI, we have been able to innovate and simplify another manual step in the homebuying experience. As more consumers complete transactions online, Nexsys Technologies and Rocket Companies continue developing new technology to digitize and simplify the entire mortgage process," said Mike Lyon, Executive Vice President of Nexsys Technologies. "We are proud to continue building this technology with the addition of Nationwide, along with the increased speed and enhanced client experience that comes along with it."

Prior to the introduction of Clear HOI, providing proof of homeowners insurance was a cumbersome process that required lenders and insurance providers to communicate by phone to verify that insurance was in force. This manual exchange of information often lead to unnecessary delays in mortgage closings, causing headaches and potentially delaying closings. Now, this important step in the transaction has been automated  allowing mortgage lenders to securely pull in evidence of insurance from Nationwide directly into their loan origination systems. This streamlined approach provides significant value to all parties. Since it is completely digital, there less time spent on the phone and more opportunities for team members to focus on supporting their clients.

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"Buying a house can be a stressful time," said Angie Klett, Nationwide's senior vice president of Corporate Development. "This partnership with Nexsys makes the insurance verification process seamless for our customers, making the homebuying process faster and gives them more time to focus on what matters most  living in their dream home. Nationwide continues to implement digital capabilities to meet customers where they are in their daily lives which truly demonstrates that we are a protection company that cares about our customers beyond insurance."

Nexsys Technologies' industry-leading encryption allows for the secure and instantaneous exchange of insurance information. Nationwide will now leverage the Clear HOI integration to quickly confirm a client has provided consent to share their information, communicating it consistently and accurately in mere seconds.

Three of the top five property and casualty insurers have already joined the Clear HOI platform. In addition to Nationwide, participating companies include Allstate, Liberty Mutual, Farmers Insurance and Lemonade.

Nexsys Technologies announced the release of Clear HOI to lenders nationwide in early December 2020. The solution can be integrated into the mortgage company's loan origination system using an Application Programming Interface (API), or they can use an online portal. In addition to Clear HOI, Nexsys offers Clear Sign, an electronic closing (eClosing) platform that connects consumers with notary signing agents for an outstanding digital closing experience.

About Nexsys Technologies

Nexsys Technologies is a Detroit-based technology company delivering innovative tech for smarter lending processes. The company's digital real estate platforms bring lenders and providers the network, tools and intelligence they need to make the best possible transactions in real time. To learn more, visit nexsystech.com.

About Nationwide

Nationwide, a Fortune 100 company based in Columbus, Ohio, is one of the largest and strongest diversified insurance and financial services organizations in the United States. Nationwide is rated A+ by both A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's. An industry leader in driving customer-focused innovation, Nationwide provides a full range of insurance and financial services products including auto, business, homeowners, farm and life insurance; public and private sector retirement plans, annuities and mutual funds; excess & surplus, specialty and surety; pet, motorcycle and boat insurance. For more information, visit www.nationwide.com. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

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SOURCE Nexsys Technologies
Oil edged up on Tuesday after posting a loss on Monday due to demand concerns sparked by the Delta variant of the COVID-19 virus.

Chart of the Week

- Demand for gasoline, distillate, and jet fuel is on the rise in the U.S. as mobility increases.

- For the week ending June 18, the four-week average demand for gasoline was 94% of the four-week average for the same week in 2019, distillate was 98%, and jet fuel was 74%, according to the EIA.

- At their lowest points in 2020, gasoline demand fell to 56% of its corresponding 2019 level, distillate demand to 80%, and jet fuel demand to 31%.

Market Movers

- Total Energies SE (NYSE: TOT) is partnering with Uber to offer recharging points for drivers of EVs in France.

- ExxonMobil workers in Chad continue their strike.

- California Resources plunged by more than 8% after Goldentree Asset Management, which owns 10% of the company, sold shares.

Tuesday, June 29, 2021

Oil edged up on Tuesday after posting a loss on Monday due to demand concerns.

New Covid restrictions. The spread of the Delta variant is raising some red flags, with new restrictions on visits implemented in Hong Kong, Spain, and Portugal in recent days. New flareups in cases have occurred in the UK and Australia, among other places. The Delta variant could pose some oil demand risks, and oil prices have tapped on the brakes as a result.

OPEC+ optimistic ahead of meeting. OPEC+ says that the overall conditions in the oil market have significantly improved in recent months. The group was optimistic as this weeks meetings began, with a decision on whether they will ease the production cuts further expected on July 1.

Related: How Much Oil Can Saudi Arabia Really Produce?

U.S. shale still showing restraint. Despite WTI hitting a two-year high, shale drillers are not rushing back with a wave of new drilling. I'm still confident the producers will not respond to the run-up in prices, said Scott Sheffield, CEO of Pioneer Natural Resources.

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Anger in Texas after huge gas bills from February storm. Utilities across multiple states in the central U.S. are suffering losses related to the widespread blackout in Texas in February. Lawmakers and regulators in Minnesota, Oklahoma, Missouri, Arkansas, and Kansas have called for investigations into market manipulation and are exploring regulatory changes.

EU approved climate target into law. European Union countries on Monday gave the final seal of approval to a law to make the bloc's greenhouse gas emissions targets legally binding. The bloc will cut emissions by 55% by 2030.

VW to end ICE cars by 2035. German carmaker Volkswagen will stop selling combustion engines cars in Europe by 2035, but slightly later for its sales in the United States and China.

California approves 11.5 GW of new clean energy. California approved an 11.5 GW procurement package composed entirely of clean energy resources that will come online in the middle of the decade, marking its largest-ever capacity procurement ordered at once.

Shell buys BPs stake in North Sea gas field. Royal Dutch Shell bought BPs stake in the Shearwater North Sea gas field, raising its stake in the field to 55.5%.

DUCs drop 27%. The number of drilled but uncompleted wells (DUCs) in the U.S. shale patch has declined by 27 percent since the peak in June 2020, the Energy Information Administration (EIA) has estimated.

Biofuels groups urge EPA not to issue waivers. After the Supreme Court handed a victory to oil refiners in their dispute with ethanol groups, the biofuels industry is hoping the EPA will nevertheless keep waivers limited.

Russia struggling to boost oil production. Russia is having trouble reversing an oil production decline it implemented under its agreement with OPEC+. Russia has been producing some 10.42 million bpd of crude oil and condensates since the start of the month, which is lower than Mays average of 10.45 million bpd.

Related: U.S. Shale Producers Stick To Output Discipline

Supreme Court rules in favor of Penn East. The U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of PennEast Pipeline Company in a high-profile case over eminent domain, overturning a lower court decision in favor of the state of New Jersey which sought to protect landowners.

Aramco bets on blue hydrogen. Saudi Aramco (TADAWUL: 2222) outlined plans to invest in blue hydrogen as the world shifts away from dirtier forms of energy but said it will take at least until the end of this decade before a global market for the fuel is developed.

Smaller oil sands keep pumping. Despite the push towards decarbonization, carbon-intensive oil sands operations are boosting cash flow and performing well in the short run.

Qatar: Peak gas around 2040. One of the worlds largest liquefied natural gas (LNG) exporters, Qatar, expects global natural gas demand to peak at some point around 2040. According to Qatars state-owned giant, worldwide natural gas demand still has two decades to grow.

Brazils oil boom continues. Latin Americas largest oil producer Brazil is one of the worst affected countries globally by the COVID-19 pandemic. By March 2021 petroleum and natural gas production was in decline with total hydrocarbon output falling by nearly 3% year over year to an average of 3.6 million barrels of oil equivalent per day. Nevertheless, by April operations began to recover and the countrys economically critical oil output was rising.

Natural gas prices soaring. A historic heatwave in the Pacific Northwest, along with other heatwaves in parts of the U.S., has contributed to a huge spike in natural gas prices. The August contract surged 7.3 cents higher in Mondays session, a rally that analysts at EBW Analytics Group attributed to near-term heat and corresponding strength in the physical market.

Europe natural gas prices also soaring. TTF prices for natural gas shot above $11/MMBtu in recent days. On Tuesday, Russia declined to add more gas to its pipeline system through Ukraine, another bullish spark for European gas markets.

By Josh Owens for Oilprice.com

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:

Read this article on OilPrice.com
TORONTO, June 30, 2021 /CNW/ - Ontarians have much to look forward to and be optimistic about this summer.

Ontario Medical Association logo (CNW Group/Ontario Medical Association)

All the work the Ontario public, essential workers and front-line health-care workers have done during the pandemic, by following public health guidelines and getting themselves vaccinated, is finally starting to pay off. This is why it's more important than ever to continue following the remaining pandemic restrictions.

Ontario's doctors appreciate the sacrifices this has meant for everyone and the devastating losses to many families. But as we approach the first long weekend of summer, more than 75 per cent of adults in Ontario have received one COVID-19 shot and 34 per cent have had two. The number of people being infected by the virus, hospitalized and dying are all dropping.

"Ontario's continuing trend of increasing vaccinations and decreasing hospitalizations should give us hope and optimism for the future," said OMA President Dr. Adam Kassam. "While we race toward a crucial two-dose summer, we are thrilled that Ontarians will be able to spend time with friends and family and reconnect with their loved ones."

The OMA encourages anyone who has not received their first vaccination or who requires a second to do so as soon as possible. This is especially important for youths ages 12-17 whose vaccination rates have been lower than expected. Parents or anyone with questions about vaccines should talk to their family doctor, pediatrician or public health unit, who all have a critical role to play in explaining the benefits of vaccines and administering them.

The possible spread of the highly infectious and more severe Delta variant of the virus remains a concern, although the risks drop as more people are vaccinated. Vaccinations are the way out of the pandemic.

To ensure the third wave of the pandemic is the last significant wave, the OMA urges everyone to continue to follow public health guidelines such as those released by the Public Health Agency of Canada spelling out what is safe behaviour for people who are fully vaccinated compared with those who are partly or not vaccinated.

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Doctors also urge everyone to be familiar with what exactly is permitted when the province moves to Step 2 of its reopening strategy on Wednesday. The OMA is encouraged to see the province continues to move cautiously in its reopening plan and is following the scientific evidence.

"Now is not the time to let down our guards when we have come so far to respond to this pandemic as a community," said OMA CEO Allan O'Dette. "By continuing to follow public health measures and getting vaccinated, you will allow the health-care system to respond to the significant number of patients needing critical services that have been delayed for so long."

It's time to change Ontario's health care for the better as the post-pandemic recovery begins. Complete our survey at betterhealthcare.ca and help shape the future of health care.

About the OMA

The Ontario Medical Association represents Ontario's 43,000 plus physicians, medical students and retired physicians, advocating for and supporting doctors while strengthening the leadership role of doctors in caring for patients. Our vision is to be the trusted voice in transforming Ontario's health-care system.

SOURCE Ontario Medical Association

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TAIPEI, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Brain Shen, Chairman of Information Service Industry Association (CISA), has recently published an article titled "Pandemic's Rage, Digital Transformation's Engage", sharing the overview of the countermeasures on current Taiwan's pandemic situation. The full text is as follows:

Brain Shen as CISA Chairman is dedicated to driving digital transformation for reshaping industries. (CISA photo)

After Taipei City and New Taipei City raised their COVID alert to Level 3, Taiwan has entered into semi lockdown nationwide. Companies and government organizations have switched to WFH or having their on-site staff take turns coming into the office to minimize contact and movement. This has changed the economic model and lifestyle. It has brought the uncertainty of when it will end, but business operations cannot stall.

Contactless lifestyle is becoming the new normal worldwide. Many cases can be seen from B2C services such as booking tickets and hotels, making appointments, making deliveries, and B2C services such as WFH, conference calls, digital payments, chat bots, and robotic process automations.

The pandemic has sped up the digital transformation process. SMEs in Taiwan are facing the challenge of having their employees work from home to ensure continuous operations and building and integrating the online and offline workplace. This will test the competitiveness and resilience of businesses and whether they can overcome this challenge.

To improve operational efficiency, with most of the staff working from home, how best to manage the staff's work hours and grouping, their health management, the new normal of online events, how to showcase products online, conducting online exhibitions, completing the automation of internal approval process, arranging and recording online meetings, VPN, call forwarding, etc. are all digital capabilities that will optimize operations.

To improve customer experience, the following should be understood by SMEs and considered for integration application: logistics management, post sales services, personnel dispatch and materials management, call center management, chat bot integration, e-commerce shopping guides, online questionnaires, social media and application integration.

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In terms of supply chain integration, orders and supply vendors' outsource management and integration, sales forecast and stock up integration, quality checks and data analysis integration, logistics and acceptance integration. Without upper management's assistance, the above cannot be achieved and lost to the competition.

In order for business to continue to operate and maintain the quality of life for citizens, Mr. Shen's suggestions to the Taiwanese authority are as follows:

Speeding up the process for corporations to purchase screening kits and assist corporations to set up screening mechanisms, as well as simplify the procedures (can be implemented as long as nurses are stationed). Amending, adjusting or loosening the related labor laws and supporting measures in response to WFH. Fully assisting corporations to adopt contactless digital transformative solutions.

In order for corporations to carry out digital transformation, the government can optimize the development of the industry's ecosystem by amending the laws and providing proper subsidies. As Winston Churchill said, "Never let a good crisis go to waste." Dangers and opportunities usually go hand in hand. By speeding up digital transformation, corporations can then grow and make profits, as well as win.

About the Author

Brain Shen as CISA Chairman is dedicated to driving digital transformation for reshaping industries. (CISA photo)

About CISA

Information Service Industry Association, Taiwan (CISA) as voice of ICT industry in Taiwan founded in 1983 with 750+ members assists government and industries for use cases. CISA is the founding member of the Asian-Oceanian Computing Industry Organization (ASOCIO) and is a member of World Information Technology & Service Alliance (WITSA) representing the Asia Oceania and the world information industries. (More info: https://www.cisanet.org.tw/eng)

SOURCE Information Service Industry Association, Taiwan (CISA)
TORONTO, June 30, 2021 /CNW/ - PayIt Digital Government, Inc., the leader in digital government services and payments, has announced their official partnership with the City of Toronto. This partnership marks a monumental step forward for PayIt, the City of Toronto and the residents of Toronto. PayIt is looking forward to being part of the landscape of Toronto; simplifying the government experience for Torontians and helping to support the growth of the local tech economy.

Payit Logo (CNW Group/Payit)

PayIt and the City of Toronto will deliver a digital experience and payments platform that allows residents, businesses and visitors to interact with the City in a more modern and convenient way. Starting this fall, Torontians will be able to pay property taxes, utility bills and parking violations all from one online and mobile platform. Permits, licenses and court fines will also be available for payment in phase two of the project's implementation.

"This is a step forward in modernizing our government and improving the customer experience for the residents we serve in a number of ways. Residents, businesses and visitors to Toronto want a simple, consistent and connected interaction with the City and this new service offering will help us deliver just that."

 Toronto Mayor John Tory

Currently, residents have to navigate separate experiences and payment portals to conduct their business. This partnership allows the City to consolidate a number of essential government services into one easy-to-use and easy-to-access web and mobile application.

"Through this new service we can now better meet people's expectations for a modern government and create more value for residents and businesses, similar to how they interact with their banks, retailers and increasingly the public sector  simpler, more convenient and increasingly personalized."

 Deputy Mayor Stephen Holyday (Etobicoke-Centre)

This expansion into the Canadian market comes on the heels of PayIt opening an international headquarters in Toronto and their commitment to building roots in the community.

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"This city is already home to some immense tech talent and we are excited to contribute to this ever-growing pool. It is our plan to use our presence in Toronto as a means to create more highly-skilled tech jobs in the city and to support the continued development of Toronto's tech talent footprint."

 PayIt Founder and CEO John Thomson

In a few short years, PayIt has grown from humble beginnings to serving nearly 80 million people throughout the United States. With clients ranging from the multiple Department of Motor Vehicles to county treasurers to city courthouses, PayIt has grown to become leaders in digital government service delivery. A partnership with Toronto, the fourth largest city in North America, was a natural next step for PayIt.

"Governments are recognizing the need for technology partners across all of North America. Being able to work with the City of Toronto, who already has a track record of innovation and forward-thinking leadership, was the perfect fit for us. We can't wait to get started."

 PayIt Founder and CEO John Thomson

From the City's official release, "The agreement with PayIt will be for a period of three years, plus options for two one-year extensions at the discretion of the City's Chief Technology Officer. The City has calculated a return on investment of $11 million over the five-year term of the contract The digital payment options will provide an improved customer experience to businesses and residents. For example, a typical Toronto family must currently access more than 10 separate channels and portals to manage over 20 residential services and payments throughout the year. Over time, the agreement with PayIt will facilitate the merger of those multiple channels and portals into an integrated digital experience"

"I'm happy to see the work and due diligence that's been done in order to secure a digital payments processing platform for the City. By working with PayIt, we are continuing to move the City of Toronto forward into the digital age and provide an improved customer experience for residents and businesses."

 Councillor Paul Ainslie (Scarborough-Guildwood), Chair of the General Government and Licensing Committee

With the public sector continuing to build partnerships with private sector technology companies, PayIt expects continued growth and expansion throughout the United States and Canada.

About PayIt

PayIt is the leading SaaS provider of digital government services and payments. Through cloud-native technology, PayIt's platform simplifies doing business with government agencies of any size by consolidating hundreds of services and payments into one connected experience for citizens. Within a 90-day launch period, PayIt delivers a platform that allows citizens to handle all of their essential government tasks (i.e. taxes, driving documents, permits, licenses, fines).

This innovative approach to government service delivery has garnered significant recognition in both the public and private sectors:

GovTech 100 (2017-2021)

Fast Company Innovation in Design Award (2019)

StateScoop 50 State IT Innovation of the Year (2019-2020)

NASCIO State IT Recognition finalist (2020)

LocalSmart Awards (2020)

SOURCE Payit

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NEW YORK, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fredrick D. Scott announced the first winner of the #Learn2Earn Cash Giveaway today. The winner, Kimmetra Howard from California, is the owner of Trap Co a custom shoe design company; Howard won $1,000.00 this past Saturday live on the #GetRealWoke Podcast.

#Learn2Earn Cash Giveaway

I am deeply honored and humbled to be able to support our community's business owners and aspiring business owners!

The #Learn2Earn Cash Giveaway is a collaborative initiative between Fredrick D. Scott LLC and The Scott Family Foundation Intl. that will provide immediate and ongoing cash assistance monthly at random, a minimum of $1,000, to the winners of the giveaway through his #GetRealWoke Podcast. To be eligible to participate, a person only need be a member of the #GetRealWoke Podcast LiveChat Community and be watching the #GetRealWoke Podcast at the time of a #Learn2Earn Cash Giveaway announcement. Each time the announcement is made, Fredrick will drop the link to his Podcast Studio in the Community tab of the #GetRealWoke Podcast Page (only LiveChat members will be able to access it), the first three people into the studio will be brought on live, one at a time, to tell the LiveChat community about themselves and what they would do with the money if they are the chosen winner. Once all three participants have had a chance to speak to the LiveChat community, the LiveChat community will vote for who they think should receive the money. The winner will be brought back on live and Fredrick will PayPal them their winnings immediately. Because the LiveChat community chooses the winner each time, there is no limit to how many times a person can be selected as the winner.

"I am deeply honored, humbled and excited to have been able, through the #Learn2Earn Cash Giveaway, to play a small part in the growth and expansion of Trap Co and more, to be able to deploy our family's capital to support our community's business owners and aspiring business owners, Scott said. I am especially excited to be doing our part to provide the programs and initiatives that the community really needs to be able to elevate as a collective and begin to create our own equity, our own opportunities and our own financial stability. I look forward to many many more cash giveaways and the impact that we will make in the lives of the people in our community!

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You can learn more about the #Learn2Earn Cash Giveaway here: https://youtu.be/uF1UU02LeTA

About Fredrick D. Scott:

Fredrick D. Scott is the CEO of The Scott Family Office Intl. A single-family office structure from which Fredrick stewards his family's assets. He is also the Chairman of the Board for the New York Citybased foundation, The Scott Family Foundation Intl., a Civil Society Organization (CSO) and member of the United Nations Global Compact. Fredrick is a private equity investor, business consultant, philanthropist and a contributing writer for Entrepreneur Magazine. Named one of Ebony magazine's "Top 30 Under 30" in May 2010 at the age of 25, Fredrick was, at the time, the youngest African American hedge fund founder in history.

Fredrick is the pioneer of the #GetRealWoke movement. Designed to foster economic stability, viability, and the uplifting of disenfranchised communities of color by providing financial literacy, business development and financial support programs and initiatives through his #GetRealWoke Podcast and The Scott Family Foundation Intl. You can learn more about Fredrick and these initiatives and programs by visiting https://fredrickdscott.com, on Instagram: @getrealwoke and by visiting the #GetRealWoke Podcast at: https://www.youtube.com/getrealwokepodcast

Fredrick D. Scott, FMVA

#GetRealWoke Podcast

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SOURCE Fredrick D. Scott LLC
OTTAWA, ON, June 29, 2021 /CNW/ - The Canada Revenue Agency will hold a technical briefing for media on the new Canada Recovery Hiring Program.

As part of the Government of Canada's reopening plan, this program will support the payroll of eligible employers affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. The program will provide a subsidy equal to the incremental remuneration for a claim period, multiplied by a fixed subsidy rate of up to 50 percent. The program will be available to eligible employers who have experienced qualifying revenue declines so they can hire more workers, increase workers' hours, or increase wages.

Subject-matter experts, including representatives from the Department of Finance Canada, will be available to answer questions during the briefing. A demonstration of the newly launched subsidy calculator will be provided. The briefing is not for attribution and is provided on background.

Date: Wednesday, June 30, 2021

Time: 9 a.m. ET

Location: The briefing will take place via teleconference.

RSVP: Accredited media representatives wishing to participate are asked to register in advance by emailing cra-arc.media@cra-arc.gc.ca. Dial-in information will be provided upon registration.

SOURCE Canada Revenue Agency

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NEW YORK, June 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of MediWound Ltd. ("MediWound" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: MDWD). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

Fighting for victims of securities fraud for more than 85 years (PRNewsfoto/Pomerantz LLP)

The investigation concerns whether MediWound and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On June 29, 2021, MediWound issued a press release "announc[ing] it received a Complete Response Letter (CRL) from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the Biologics License Application (BLA) seeking approval of NexoBrid for eschar removal (debridement) in adults with deep partial-thickness and/or full-thickness thermal burns." MediWound disclosed that following completion of its review of the BLA, the FDA "determined that the application cannot be approved in its present form. The FDA identified issues related to the Chemistry, Manufacturing and Controls ('CMC') section of the BLA and requested additional CMC information." MediWound further disclosed that "[t]he FDA also stated that an inspection of NexoBrid's manufacturing facilities in Israel and Taiwan, are required before the FDA can approve the BLA, but it was unable to conduct the required inspections during the current review cycle due to COVID-related travel restrictions. The FDA stated that it will continue to monitor the public health situation as well as travel restrictions and is actively working to define an approach for scheduling outstanding inspections. In addition, the CRL cited certain observations identified during good clinical practice (GCP) inspections related to the U.S. Phase 3 study (DETECT), and requested the company to provide its perspective on the potential impact, if any, of these observations on the efficacy findings in the study"

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On this news, MediWound's stock price fell $1.57 per share, or 27.84% to close at $4.07 per share on June 29, 2021.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com.

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

rswilloughby@pomlaw.com

888-476-6529 ext. 7980

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SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
NEW YORK, June 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Pomerantz LLP is investigating claims on behalf of investors of CEL-SCI Corporation ("CEL-SCI" or the "Company") (NYSE: CVM). Such investors are advised to contact Robert S. Willoughby at newaction@pomlaw.com or 888-476-6529, ext. 7980.

Fighting for victims of securities fraud for more than 85 years (PRNewsfoto/Pomerantz LLP)

The investigation concerns whether CEL-SCI and certain of its officers and/or directors have engaged in securities fraud or other unlawful business practices.

[Click here for information about joining the class action]

On June 28, 2021, CEL-SCI issued a press release announcing that the Phase 3 study for the Company's Multikine (leukocyte interleukin) immunotherapy candidate missed its primary endpoint for primary (previously untreated) squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

On this news, CEL-SCI's stock price fell $11.39 per share, or 45.41%, to close at $13.69 per share on June 28, 2021.

The Pomerantz Firm, with offices in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, and Paris is acknowledged as one of the premier firms in the areas of corporate, securities, and antitrust class litigation. Founded by the late Abraham L. Pomerantz, known as the dean of the class action bar, the Pomerantz Firm pioneered the field of securities class actions. Today, more than 80 years later, the Pomerantz Firm continues in the tradition he established, fighting for the rights of the victims of securities fraud, breaches of fiduciary duty, and corporate misconduct. The Firm has recovered numerous multimillion-dollar damages awards on behalf of class members. See www.pomerantzlaw.com

CONTACT:

Robert S. Willoughby

Pomerantz LLP

rswilloughby@pomlaw.com

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SOURCE Pomerantz LLP
OSTERSUND, Sweden, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Skanska has signed a contract with Tarrant County College District (TCCD) to construct new higher education buildings in Fort Worth, Texas, USA. The contract is worth USD 105M, about SEK 880M, which Skanska will include in the US order bookings for the second quarter 2021.

This phase of work includes two new buildings totaling approximately 20,900 square meters. The buildings will include labs, classrooms, common areas, and offices for counselling and financial aid. Additionally, the project includes site work and extensive landscaping surrounding the new buildings.

Construction begins in July 2021. The project is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2023.

Skanska is a world leader in construction and project development in select markets throughout the Nordic region, Europe and USA. Driven by the Group's values, Skanska contributes to a better society by providing innovative and sustainable solutions. The Group has about 32,500 employees, and 2020 revenue totaled SEK 159 billion.

CONTACT:

For further information please contact:

Elizabeth Locke, Communications Director, Skanska USA, tel +1 214 763 52 55

Andreas Joons, Press Officer, Skanska AB, tel +46 (0)10 449 04 94

Direct line for media, tel +46 (0)10 448 88 99

This and previous releases can also be found at www.skanska.com.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/skanska/r/skanska-constructs-higher-education-buildings-in-fort-worth--texas--usa-for-usd-105m--about-sek-880m,c3376606

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/95/3376606/1438415.pdf 20210630 US education buildings

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SOURCE Skanska
NEW YORK, June 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

Rosen Law Firm, P.A. Logo

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Virgin Galactic Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: SPCE) between October 26, 2019 and April 30, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important July 27, 2021 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Virgin Galactic securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Virgin Galactic class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2087.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than July 27, 2021. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience or resources. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020 founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

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DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) for accounting purposes, Social Capital Hedosophia Holdings Corp.'s ("SCH") warrants were required to be treated as liabilities rather than equities; (2) Virgin Galactic had deficient disclosure controls and procedures and internal control over financial reporting; (3) as a result, Virgin Galactic improperly accounted for SCH warrants that were outstanding at the time of the business confirmation of SCH, a special purpose acquisition company ("SPAC"), and the Company's then-private predecessor; and (4) as a result, defendants' public statements were materially false and misleading at all relevant times. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Virgin Galactic class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2087.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email pkim@rosenlegal.com or cases@rosenlegal.com for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

lrosen@rosenlegal.com

pkim@rosenlegal.com

cases@rosenlegal.com

www.rosenlegal.com

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SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A.
Taking care: We recognize that this statement comes at a time that is difficult for many and that our efforts to honour victims and families may act as an unwelcome reminder to those who have suffered hardships through generations of government policies that were harmful to Indigenous Peoples. A support line is available to former residential school students and their families for support, emotional and crisis referral services. You can also find information on how to obtain other health supports from the Government of Canada.

Please call the Crisis Line at 1-866-925-4419 if you or someone you know is triggered while reading this.

We encourage all those who need some support at this time to reach out and know that support is always there for you through the Hope for Wellness Help Line at 1-855-242-3310 (toll-free) or the online chat at hopeforwellness.ca, open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

OTTAWA, ON, June 30, 2021 /CNW/ - The Honourable Carolyn Bennett, Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations, and the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Indigenous Services Canada, issued the following statement regarding ceremonies held today at the site of the former Lower Post residential school:

"Today, 46 years to the day after the former residential school closed, the Daylu Dena Council held an important gathering where Survivors shared their experiences at the Lower Post residential school. Those in attendance bore witness to this truth-telling and watched a ceremonial demolition of the school, removing a constant reminder of a very painful past. By removing this painful reminder, the community can look toward the future in anticipation of a new multi-purpose building where everyone feels safe and welcomed.

We want to acknowledge Daylu Dena Council's longstanding efforts to have the former residential school demolished in order to build a new facilityone designed around community needs and that supports healing, where the Kaska Dena community can gather, celebrate and learn. Canada is honoured to work in collaboration with Daylu Dena Council and the Province of British Columbia to support these efforts.

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Today's ceremony comes during a deeply emotional time for Indigenous Peoples, following the recent discovery of unmarked graves and children's remains in the traditional territories of the Tk'emlups te Secwepemc and Cowessess First Nations and others across the country. Some Canadians are only now learning of the trauma that Survivors, families and communities are experiencing because of the intergenerational impacts of residential schools.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission estimated that more than 4,100 Indigenous students died in residential school across Canada. Through the experiences shared by Survivors, we know that there are other cases of unmarked graves across the country, and many more will be located. This is the grim reality of residential schools.

As we reflect, we must acknowledge that this is not a historical event. Survivors, and the families and communities who never knew what happened to their children, are living through this tragedy in the present day, and we must support them. The harms suffered by Indigenous children at Lower Post residential school, and others like it, are horrific and have impacted Survivors, families and communities across generations. We must never forget those innocent children who never returned home and those with us today who are hurting.

We hope that today's gathering and ceremonies are a step toward healing for all those affected and that we can begin to move forward together on a better path.

There cannot be reconciliation without healing and, to heal, we must acknowledge the truth. As a government, reconciliation requires us to do our part to understand the harms these racist and colonial policies inflicted, and to take action to support Indigenous Peoples on the path forward together."

Quick facts

The Lower Post Indian Residential School closed in 1975.

Since 1993, the Government of Canada has worked closely with Daylu Dena Council on environmental remediation of the former residential school site. From 2009 to 2021, approximately $3 million was provided to assess and remediate the site, and an additional $1.1 million was provided to remove hazardous materials and demolish the remaining structure.

The Government of Canada is investing $11.5 million, including $10 million from Infrastructure Canada and $1.5 million from Indigenous Services Canada, toward the community's new multi-purpose building. The Government of British Columbia is investing $1.5 million and Daylu Dena Council is contributing $538,960.

Stay connected

Join the conversation about Indigenous Peoples in Canada:

Twitter: @GCIndigenous

Facebook: @GCIndigenous

Instagram: @gcindigenous

Twitter: @CrownIndigenous, @Min_IndServ

You can subscribe to receive our news releases and speeches via RSS feeds. For more information or to subscribe, visit www.cirnac.gc.ca/RSS.

SOURCE Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada

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WAYNE, Pa., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Tekni-Plex has signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire Grupo Phoenix in a deal that will bolster Tekni-Plex's ability to deliver market-focused, customer-driven packaging solutions, especially in food and beverage markets.

Tekni-Plex Logo (PRNewsFoto/Tekni-Plex, Inc.)

The deal combines Tekni-Plex's 50-year reputation for operational excellence with the consumer-oriented innovation delivered by Grupo Phoenix, supporting and enhancing Tekni-Plex's vision to deploy world-class expertise in the formulation, processing, and manufacturing of materials-based solutions to enhance end user experiences, protect products and brands, and promote sustainable business decisions.

"Grupo Phoenix adds a broad suite of capabilities to our Consumer Products business," said Brenda Chamulak, recently elevated President and CEO at Tekni-Plex. "The acquisition enhances our ability to keep food fresher and longer with sustainable packaging solutions. We are excited to welcome Grupo Phoenix and its innovative products and people to the Tekni-Plex family."

Grupo Phoenix manufactures rigid packaging and specializes in innovative and sustainable custom packaging solutions with capabilities in the United States, Colombia and Mexico and customers in over 30 countries. "We are thrilled to join Tekni-Plex. This deal will allow Grupo Phoenix and our team to continue to grow with our customers. I am especially very proud of our team and excited for the opportunities this will bring. Combining Grupo Phoenix's entrepreneurial and innovation spirit with Tekni-Plex's global footprint and resources is designed to create a first-class scalable platform for continuous growth," said Alberto Peisach, CEO of Grupo Phoenix.

Grupo Phoenix serves as a strategic packaging partner to leading FMCG brands across multiple categories and segments such as dairy, desserts, coffee, beverages, ice cream, soups, spreads, cosmetics and household cleaning, serving over 20 vertical markets. "We started in Colombia and expanded throughout Latin America; then with the unwavering support of our partners, JP Morgan and OEP, who believed in a small family company, we entered the United States market. Our focused business strategy has allowed us to identify consumer trends early and respond quickly to the market," completed Peisach.

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"This acquisition plays to strengths of Dolco, Tri-Seal and Action Technologies business units by expanding the range of solutions we offer our customers, leveraging a broader range of materials for sustainability and approaching challenges with a consumer-driven mindset," said Eldon Schaffer, CEO of Tekni-Plex Consumer Products Division. "This deal also allows us to leverage Grupo's footprint in Latin America and expand our presence in the region," completed Mr. Schaffer.

"Grupo Phoenix brings a complementary culture to our organization. We look forward to welcoming them to our team. The people are high energy, extremely competitive and very focused on bringing market-driven ideas with a consumer orientation," according to Ms. Chamulak.

"We have a great eye for identifying early how consumers shop the perimeter of the store including fruits, vegetables, proteins, dairy products, meats, poultry, fish, as well as the center aisle product, single serve coffee. These will continue to be areas of special emphasis for us," added Jaime Lederman, Chief Operations Officer at Grupo Phoenix. "Finally, Grupo not only has great capabilities in plastics, including PET and PP, but also paper and other sustainable substrates which will be incredibly important to our combined businesses, as we continue our journey to being more material and technology agnostic."

This is the 15th acquisition that Tekni-Plex has completed over the past five years, supporting its strategy to grow its business though transformative acquisitions and strategic add-ons.

The closing of the acquisition is conditioned upon regulatory approval.

Moelis & Company LLC. and Simpson Thacher served as Grupo Phoenix advisors while Ropes & Gray LLP assisted Tekni-Plex.

About Grupo Phoenix

Grupo Phoenix is one of the fastest growing, most innovative sustainable rigid packaging companies in the Americas. Its products target the commercial food packaging, food service and disposable consumer products industries. Grupo Phoenix follows and supplies customers through a distributed network of five manufacturing plants: two in Colombia, one in Mexico, and two in the United States. Visit Grupo Phoenix at www.GrupoPhoenix.com.

About Tekni-Plex, Inc.

Tekni-Plex is a globally-integrated company focused on developing and manufacturing products for a wide variety of end markets, including medical, pharmaceutical, food, beverage, personal care, household and industrial. Tekni-Plex is headquartered in Wayne, PA, and operates manufacturing sites across 10 countries worldwide to meet the needs of its global customers. For more information visit www.tekni-plex.com.

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SOURCE Tekni-Plex, Inc.
Award-Winning Brokerage Launches New, State-of-the-Art Marketing Platform

SHELTON, Conn., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- William Raveis Real Estate, Mortgage & Insurance (WRRE), the top family-owned real estate brokerage in the Northeast, spanning to South Florida, announces Lisa Carpenter has joined its award-winning team as Chief Marketing Officer. Leveraging her extensive global brand marketing experience and complementing the brokerage's position as a top, family-owned luxury brand, Carpenter will oversee the company's marketing department and services, lead generation divisions, and luxury properties. She will be responsible for driving brand awareness, positioning, and affinity with agents, loan officers, insurance producers and clients; optimizing customers' digital journeys; and for top-level strategy and execution of marketing campaigns across the eight-state footprint for WRRE's complete offering portfolio.

Ryan Raveis (Co-President), Lisa Carpenter (Chief Marketing Officer), and Chris Raveis (Co-President) at William Raveis Real Estate, Mortgage and Insurance headquarters in Shelton, CT. WRRE is the number one family-owned real estate company in the Northeast, and spanning to Florida, and the sixth largest independent real estate brokerage in the United States, according to RealTrends.

William Raveis Real Estate, Mortgage & Insurance has hired Lisa Carpenter to join their award-winning team as CMO.

"Our company has a unique value proposition as the only family-owned luxury brokerage offering real estate, mortgage and insurance services under one roof to ensure our clients get the best possible experience. As we expand, we continue to push ourselves to what we can achieve," said Ryan Raveis, co-president of WRRE. "We handpicked Lisa to continue to grow and enhance our marketing efforts across all of our businesses and highlight our differentiating high-tech and high-touch approach. Lisa's experience in global services marketing perfectly aligns with our family business culture and our eye on innovation with personalization."

Carpenter brings more than 20 years of strategic marketing and consumer packaged goods brand experience to this new role. Previously, Carpenter was the Worldwide Marketing Leader of IBM's fast-growing Global Consulting Services business where she was responsible for creating and executing global marketing campaigns, generating lead pipeline, leveraging a strong digital presence, and focusing on exceptional customer service. Prior to IBM, she worked for PepsiCo as a senior brand manager in their beverage division helping launch and grow new brands. She holds a BSE from Princeton University, a Masters in Economics from Stanford University, and an MBA from Harvard University.

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"Raveis is one-of-kind with its incredible executive team, unbeatable company culture, and unmatched passion across the company," said Carpenter. "For 47 years, they have continuously grown with purposeful intent and have established themselves as the best family-owned real estate firm in the country. They have the smarts and grit to continue to aggressively grow their real estate market share while also accelerating their related mortgage and insurance business lines. I'm excited to contribute to the future and vision of this remarkable company."

NEW PROPRIETARY MARKETING PLATFORM AND SERVICES

WRRE's newest suite of state-of-the-art technology and marketing services are designed to make the home-selling process easier and faster. From lifestyle photography and personalized agent videos to property website design and social media support, as well as the all-new Raveis Automated Marketing Platform (RAMP), WRRE created these industry-leading services exclusively for their sales associates.

WRRE recently launched the new, proprietary, all-in-one marketing platform called RAMP, which brings together all of their state-of-the-art marketing tools and technology on one convenient, mobile-optimized platform. RAMP allows sales associates to strategically list and market a home in minutes, read real-time client seller reports with comprehensive analytics, and track impressions, click-throughs and leads seamlessly from their mobile devices. Using next-generation technology, RAMP makes the listing, marketing and sales experience as seamless and effortless as possible.

"We are always reinventing real estate for the better, and RAMP is the smartest and fastest way to turn a listing into a sale," said Raveis. "It reduces a listing's time-to-market, maximizes marketing firepower, and provides full transparency to clients throughout the process."

When William "Bill" Raveis founded the family-owned company 47 years ago, he was the first real estate entrepreneur to identify the agents as their primary customers, understanding that nurturing talent and empowering their agents with the best resources and services to take their business to the next level is imperative for success. Long considered a real estate visionary, Raveis has been at the forefront of innovation, technology and marketing when assessing the future of the industry and the current needs of his company's sales associates and brokers.

ABOUT WILLIAM RAVEIS REAL ESTATE, MORTGAGE & INSURANCE

William Raveis Real Estate, Mortgage & Insurance is the number one family-owned real estate company in the Northeast, spanning to Florida, and the sixth largest independent real estate brokerage in the United States, according to RealTrends. William Raveis, WRRE's CEO and Chairman, founded the company 47 years ago and has turned it into a real estate powerhouse with more than 4,300 talented sales associates across 134 offices in eight states. In 2020, WRRE produced $16 billion in real estate sales, up from $12.2 billion the previous year. WRRE is the only privately held firm offering mortgage and insurance services under one roof to its clients, thereby creating a seamless end-to-end customer experience. For more information, visit raveis.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS:

Marni Lane, marni@kriskeylane.com

Susan Kriskey, susan@kriskeylane.com

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SOURCE William Raveis Real Estate, Mortgage & Insurance
NANJING, China, June 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On June 16th, Yangzhou China Grand Canal Museum officially opened. It is the first modern comprehensive canal museum in China that integrates cultural relics' protection, scientific research exhibitions, and social education. The 9 thematic exhibitions and more than 10,000 pieces (sets) of exhibits in the museum show the "Chinese Wisdom" of China's Grand Canal like an encyclopedia, telling the world the stories of the Chinese Canal.

Yangzhou China Grand Canal Museum officially Opens

On opening day, the special exhibition "A Dialogue between Amsterdam and Venice" was held in the temporary exhibition area of the museum "Major World Canals and Canal Cities". The world-renowned cities of Amsterdam, Venice, and Yangzhou have launched a dialogue across time and space. This special exhibition focuses on canal cities with common canal cultural genes and identities, and connects world canal cities with different cultural and historical backgrounds from three aspects: world heritage, the wisdom of water conservancy, and urban customs.

The Amsterdam Canal Museum also specially produced a video to make an introduction and promotion for this exhibit. The audience can more intuitively understand the similarities between China's Grand Canal and Amsterdam Canal in promoting commerce, cultural exchanges, and establishing national identity.

As the friendly province, Jiangsu shares similar "water" cultural genes with the Veneto Region (whose capital city is Venice): The Grand Canals of the two places traverse the past and present, not only allowing their own locals to harvest valuable world cultural heritage and regional prosperity, but also allowing them to have the commonality of openness, tolerance, and friendly exchanges.

"Though close friends are miles apart, it's no distance if sharing a heart." The canal cities not only continue the prosperity of the past, but also accumulate a rich canal culture and history. These cities have risen due to "communication" and "connection" and uphold the core connotation of the global canal culture: friendly exchanges, openness and tolerance, and mutual prosperity.

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SOURCE Jiangsu Provincial Department of Culture and Tourism
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Visitors will learn that Booth and his small party ended up rowing across the Potomac River to the eastern side of Mathias Point, then south along the Virginia shore to Gambo Creek. The background material notes that Booth accomplice David E. Herold walked from the shoreline to the cottage of Elizabeth R. Quesenberry, someone another King George resident said would likely provide assistance.

But Quensenberry refused the request to help the fleeing pair purchase horses, though she did provide some food to be taken back to the boat. The widow sent for a local man, who arranged for the pair to be taken west to Cleydael, the home of Dr. Richard Stuart.

A historical explanation of that site says that Herold knocked on the door there and requested lodging for the night and assistance for him and his brother, whod broken his leg. It states that Stuart, aware that Lincolns assassin was still at large, turned them away, noting that his house was full, though he did give the pair a meal.

Insulted by the treatment, Booth left Stuart a sarcastic note of thanks and money for the food. Booth paid William Lucas, a free Black neighbor of Stuarts, to have his son Charlie transport the fugitives in a wagon to Port Conway on the Rappahannock River the next day.
It breaks new ground entirely, said Oliver, who teaches at Duquesne University School of Law in Pittsburgh. It sets precedent not just for Pennsylvania but probably other states.

He said the ruling should drive home to prosecutors the risks of suggesting at news conferences, in press releases or verbally in private that they will not prosecute.

They should at least add three words  at this time, he said. If you add that qualifier, which wasnt done in Cosbys case, you should be good to go, Oliver said.

CAN COSBY BE TRIED AGAIN?

Its highly unlikely. The decision on Wednesday bars Cosby from being tried again over Constands complaint, finding it to be the only remedy that comports with societys reasonable expectations of its elected prosecutors and our criminal justice system.

And the accusations raised by dozens of other women, including the five who testified at his 2018 trial, often go back decades and are most likely too remote to prosecute.

Cosby turns 84 next month. However, his lawyer said he remains in good health, except for vision problems that render him legally blind.
Biden set a Sept. 11 deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops. But more recently, American officials have said that pullout would most likely be completed by July 4  and many allies have moved to wrap up their own presence by then as well.

NATO declined to give an update Wednesday on how many nations still have troops in its Resolute Support mission. But an analysis of 19 governments' announcements shows that more than 4,800 of the non-American forces have left.

The U.S. has refused to give troop figures, but when Biden announced the final pullout, between 2,500 and 3,500 troops were deployed. As of February, a total of some 832,000 American troops had served in Afghanistan, while about 25,100 Defense Department civilians had also served there.

The U.S. has also refused to give a clear date for a final withdrawal.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday only that the U.S. withdrawal remains on the timeline that the president announced ... which is to get our troops out of Afghanistan, while having a remaining diplomatic presence on the ground, by September."
SEN. Mark Warner was hailed for playing a key role in the negotiations with moderate Senate Republicans over the $1.2 trillion infrastructure bill that was passed last week by a bipartisan majority. Axios called the Virginia Democrat the moderates dealmaker-in-chief for his efforts at forging consensus on the largest infrastructure package in U.S. history.

We applaud Sen. Warners leadership on this much-needed legislation. After all, if Washington is going to spend a trillion dollars, there should at least be something tangible to show for it.

But the ink was barely dry when President Joe Biden stated that he would not sign the bill without a separate budget reconciliation bill that included most of his other domestic priorities.

They included some of the same provisions that had been stripped out of the infrastructure bill by Warner and his fellow negotiators to make it more palatable to Senate Republicans, who objected to labeling free child care and free community college infrastructure, as well as the bills original $1.7 trillion price tag.
Through hundreds of historical monuments throughout the state, an Omaha author will discuss the history of the Fremont region and Nebraska at Keene Memorial Library next week.

Historian Jeff Barnes will give a presentation titled Making Nebraska: Our (Mostly) Hidden Historical Monuments from 7-8 p.m. Thursday, July 8.

The presentation is part of Barnes Marking My Territory Book/Speaking Tour from April to November based off of his book Cut in Stone, Cast in Bronze: Nebraskas Historical Markers and Monuments.

The Fremont event, which is free and open to the public, is sponsored by Humanities Nebraska. Refreshments will be available for participants, as well as a Q&A after Barnes presentation.

Elisa Cruz, circulation manager at Keene Library, said Barnes has previously had events at the library for members of the public to attend.

Its always kind of nice to have him here, and he just had this book come out about the monuments around Nebraska, she said. And so we got the book in the early spring, and so I reached out to him and he was happy to come.
Suriya Mehmood, a pseudonym to conceal her identity, 35, lies in an Islamabad hospital bed recuperating from third-degree burns. Her niece claims the injuries were due to an accident, but Mehmood said she purposefully triggered the gas explosion that gave her burns all over her body.

Mehmood, a resident of Gilgit-Baltistan, a remote mountainous region in northwestern Pakistan, was admitted to the burns center at the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences (PIMS) Hospital in Islamabad in late May. According to her niece, a sister-in-law left the kitchen stoves gas on and asked Mehmood to make tea. When she first arrived at the hospital, however, Mehmood made a different statement.

The patient told us that she committed the act herself, said Muhammad Rehan, a burn and reconstructive surgeon at PIMS. She said her husband and in-laws regularly beat her and she had had enough of the situation.

Married women from low-income backgrounds have the highest rates of self-immolation or suicide by burning in Pakistan. A study by the PIMS burn center reported a total of 75 female self-immolation patients in comparison to just 18 male patients over a two-year period. Sixty-one percent of female patients were married, and a majority of them hailed from rural backgrounds with restricted access to education.

Systemic poverty, domestic violence, low literacy rates, and limited mental health services all increase the risk to self-destructive behaviors among women in Pakistan. A recent study revealed that the phenomenon, which is relatively rare in developed countries, widely occurs across a belt of countries from Turkey, Iran, and Afghanistan to Pakistan and the rest of South Asia.

Marital conflicts and domestic violence are often cited as triggers. A study measuring self-inflicted burns among 154 patients in Jamshoro, a rural district in the southern province of Sindh, indicated that 63 percent of female patients attempted suicide by burning in comparison to 37 percent of male patients. Most female patients reported family quarrels and marital disharmony as precipitating factors.

Female patients largely suffer from domestic problems such as quarrels with husbands or in-laws, said Ehmar Al-Ibran, head of the burn center at Civil Hospital Karachi, the southern seaport and capital of Sindh. Sometimes they face domestic violence every day, which eventually takes a toll on them.

Islamabad-based psychiatrist Abdul Wahab Yousafzai says that in addition to domestic violence, such patients typically deal with a lack of socioeconomic empowerment, steep parental expectations, and peer pressure.

So many factors are involved, but domestic violence is very prominent, and you can imagine the level of empowerment they have. They have very little say in deciding very personal things, which is extremely distressing, he said.

Research shows that individuals experiencing domestic violence are especially vulnerable to suicidal ideation and attempts.

When women get so desperate and traumatized, they think this is the only option, said Mehnaz Rahman, director of Aurat Foundation, a womens rights NGO in Karachi. There have been cases where women jumped into a lake or canal and committed suicide with their children.

Despite its prevalence, self-immolation is severely underreported in Pakistan due to a colonial-era law that criminalizes suicide. According to the Pakistani Criminal Code, those who attempt suicide can be fined or imprisoned for up to a year.

Pakistan has no national suicide registry, so there is little centralized data on the frequency of self-immolation. The societal stigmatization of mental illness and suicide also hinders reporting and psychiatric treatment for those who need it.

Patients tend to hide what happened when they come [to the hospital] because they are not willing to talk about it, said Rehan. Sometimes because of their families or social pressure, they even end up changing their original statements.

Social taboos around suicide and polarized family reactions also increase the likelihood of patients not receiving the aftercare required once they leave the hospital. A patient whose body has been 40 to 60 percent burned has to be taken care of, said burn surgeon Basit Ali. They need intensive care, and they need support from their families and friends, as well. Aftercare neglect is one of the main reasons some don't survive.

Another issue that clouds the evaluation of a woman who may have self-immolated is the potential of homicidal violence. According to Rahman, some cases that are categorized as self-immolations are in truth murder by close relatives.

Sometimes the victim never gets a chance to give a statement before she dies, said Rahman. And other times there is so much pressure on her that she refuses to tell the truth of what happened.

Based on a survey by the Thomson Reuters Foundation, Pakistan ranks as the sixth most dangerous country in the world for women. In 2020, 2,297 women experienced some form of violence including sexual assault, domestic violence, and acid attacks. The real number, however, is likely much higher because so few cases are reported.

I have seen cases where husbands, mother in-laws, or other family members have thrown acid on them, set fire to them, or thrown boiling water on them, said Ali.

Over the years, Pakistan has ratified several domestic violence laws. In 2013, the Sindh provincial assembly passed the Domestic Violence Prevention and Protection Act. The provinces of Balochistan and Punjab followed suit with similar legislation in 2014 and 2016, respectively. The northwestern province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa passed its long-anticipated domestic violence law earlier this year. The law had been proposed earlier in 2012 but was delayed due to opposition from religious groups.

Despite recent advancements in legislation, ground-level implementation has been scarce. Many womens rights organizations such as the Aurat Foundation are working tirelessly to raise awareness. According to Rahman, the countrys women protection laws are commendable but lack adequate oversight.

Police arent aware of the laws in place. The judiciary is not aware of them, she said. There needs to be a system that creates awareness so that everyone knows about the current laws and how those laws can protect them.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Sunny in the morning then increasing clouds with some scattered thunderstorms later in the day. High around 85F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms during the evening, then partly cloudy overnight. Low 61F. SSW winds shifting to NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Scattered thunderstorms early, then becoming clear after midnight. Low 61F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then becoming clear after midnight. Low 61F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Colorado Springs, CO (80903)

Today

Sunny in the morning then increasing clouds with some scattered thunderstorms later in the day. High near 85F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms during the evening, then skies turning partly cloudy overnight. Low 61F. SSW winds shifting to NNW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
INDUSTRY INSIGHT

Making human error history with automation and lifecycle management

On Dec. 22, 2018, the federal government entered what would ultimately become its longest shutdown in history. In the days and weeks that followed, more than 80 TLS certificates used by government websites expired, resulting in web outages for organizations including NASA and the Department of Justice. With employees furloughed and no one around to renew these certificates, services such as the electronic document filing system and Public Access to Court Electronic Records (PACER) systems were rendered inoperable.

These outages driven by expired web certificates were among the highest profile events to impact the U.S. government, but they were neither the first nor the last. Despite the clear negative impact these outages had, certificate expirations continue to affect government at the local, state and federal levels. Last year, at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the state of California realized that its virus reporting system had been hindered by an expired certificate. This resulted in a backlog of more than 300,000 test results at a time when public health officials were still scrambling to understand the virus and its spread. Even corporate giants on the cutting edge of technology have fallen victim to certificate expirations, including Spotify, Microsoft and Google. It can truly happen to anyone at any time.

Certificates are an integral part of security today, but issues concerning their management continue to plague IT teams. Fortunately, modern security solutions increasingly focus on certificate automation, helping to ensure that outages like these need no longer occur.

How and why outages happen

At their core, the purpose of SSL (properly known as TLS) certificates is to ensure secure communications between two machines. They both authenticate the legitimacy of a website or internal server and validate that data communication between the server and client is secure. If a certificate expires without being replaced, these tasks cannot be accomplished, which can have serious consequences. Without a valid certificate, secure connections fail -- preventing internal systems from doing their jobs and causing broad failures across critical technology systems.

Despite their importance, the sheer volume of certificates in use today makes it easy to understand how a business or government agency could neglect to realize that a certificate is about to expire. For years, organizations tended to manage their certificates manually, often via a spreadsheet or other document. Today, with tens of thousands of certificates in use, such practices are difficult at scale.

Automation is increasingly critical

The impact of an outage caused by an expired certificate varies, but it can easily cost an enterprise hundreds of thousands of dollars per hour. And though it may be harder to assign a specific dollar value to outages impacting government, the implication is clear -- these outages have a major impact and should be avoided at all costs. Situations like a government shutdown or global pandemic cannot always be predicted, making effective lifecycle management and automated management of security assets like web certificates critical.

Fortunately, as the explosion of internet-of-things devices, web pages and other assets in need of certificates has continued, automated solutions have become increasingly common. Automating certificate management ensures that no expiring certificates are overlooked, preventing costly outages and ensuring business continuity. It also enables IT personnel to devote their time and efforts elsewhere. Manual certificate management is both time consuming and -- as history has clearly shown -- prone to human error. With automation in place, staff efforts can be directed to areas of greater need.

As the government expands its adoption of modern technology, certificate automation ensures that agencies can scale appropriately, without worrying about overwhelming their IT teams with new websites, devices or applications. A business might lose money if its website goes down, but if users are unable to access the government services that they rely upon, they may lose faith in the system. Uptime is critical.

Making human error history

When any process is left in human hands, mistakes happen. We even have a name for it: human error. But when it comes to SSL certificates, agencies need no longer fear human error the way they used to. Processes like certificate management are time consuming and require extreme precision, but the rise of automation has helped keep organizations more secure than ever while increasing the efficiency and effectiveness of their IT teams. Whether another government shutdown is on the horizon or another unexpected public health crisis strikes, todays public and private organizations alike can use automation to ensure that they are well positioned to navigate any catastrophe.
What we would expect is it would reduce the demand for ethanol, said Kuhlers. There is less of an incentive for these companies to use ethanol in their gasoline supply.

It doesnt make any sense from my chair on why you can extend RFS exemptions after theyve already passed. If you didnt ask for the exemption in 2016, 2015, and youre asking for it in 2021, I struggle with that  the Supreme Court essentially said you can turn in your homework late.

Justice Neil Gorsuch gave the majority opinion on the decision for the Supreme Court and also used an education example to justify the verdict.

It is entirely naturaland consistent with ordinary usageto seek an 'extension' of time even after some lapse, Gorsuch wrote. Think of the forgetful student who asks for an 'extension' for a term paper after the deadline has passed.

POET Biorefining, which operates a facility in Hanlontown, is optimistic that the Supreme Court decision won't lead to more waivers being accepted. POET's trade association Growth Energy released a statement regarding the decision.
A Mason City man has been charged with homicide by vehicle while operating under the influence after a collision that resulted in the death of a cyclist.

Cody William Skiye, 28, has been charged with homicide by vehicle while operating under the influence, a Class B felony. Skiye was booked back into Cerro Gordo County Jail on Wednesday with a bond amount set at $25,000.

On June 5, Cerro Gordo County Deputies responded to the 22000 block of Thrush Avenue for a traffic collision involving a bicycle.

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The victim was transported to MercyOne North Iowa by the Mason City Fire Department with injuries that required hospitalization. The victim, James Powell, 62, remained in the hospital before he died from his injuries on June 11, according to the Cerro Gordo County Sheriffs Office.

Skiye was operating the 2010 Dodge Ram that was traveling southbound when he struck Powell. Powell's bicycle, also traveling southbound, had proper lighting that was in accordance with the Iowa traffic code.

Skiye was initially arrested for OWI 2nd offense, aggravated misdemeanor, making a false report to law enforcement, no insurance, and operating a motor vehicle too closely to a bicycle.
We head to Mount Brento in Italy to meet some of the best base jumpers in the world.
SIOUX CITY, Iowa (AP)  An Iowa man accused of hiding in the backseat a Nebraska womans car and using homemade chloroform, duct tape and zip ties to abduct a woman has pleaded not guilty to kidnapping and other charges.

Zack Smith, 20, of Bronson, entered a written plea Monday in Woodbury County District Court to charges of third-degree kidnapping, assault while participating in a felony and assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, the Sioux City Journal reported.

Smith was arrested June 3, the same day Sioux City police said the woman from South Sioux City, Nebraska, was reported missing a day after her car was found abandoned with her purse and cellphone inside. Police focused on Smith, who was an ex-boyfriend of the woman.

Under questioning, Smith admitted that he had hidden in the back of the womans vehicle for more than three hours and used a toy replica of a handgun to force the woman into his vehicle, where he blindfolded and bound her and held a towel he had soaked with homemade chloroform over her face, police said.
These grants are administered by the Iowa Department of Human Services and the Iowa Department of Public Health.

The legislation was signed into law by Reynolds in May 2019.

Planned Parenthood and the ACLU of Iowa challenged the 2019 law in Polk County District Court, where Fifth Judicial District Judge Paul Scott ruled the law violated Planned Parenthoods right to equal protection and is therefore unconstitutional. The state had appealed that decision.

The Iowa Supreme Court disagreed with the District Court, stating the law does not violate equal protection rights because the right to obtain an abortion is not affected by this law.

Justice Appel disagreed in his dissent, stating, the Legislature through unconstitutional conditions in these statutes is trying to accomplish indirectly what it cannot do directly: namely, attack abortion rights. This cannot be permitted.

The state Supreme Court ruling comes amid a series of legal cases between Planned Parenthood and Reynolds and other abortion opponents in state government.
CEDAR RAPIDS  Using his words, Iowas Republican U.S. senators are holding President Joe Biden accountable for his earlier commitments to support the biofuel industry and the family farmers who rely on it.

In light of recent reports about his consideration of the demands of Big Oil, Sens. Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley have written to Biden to remind him of his statements during his campaign supposedly supporting biofuel.

Those waivers are a gigantic mistake, Biden said on Iowa PBS in the summer 2019 when asked about the waivers granted by the Trump administration. We should not be exempting, we should be insisting that these major companies in fact meet the criteria.

The letter, joined by the Republican senators from South Dakota and Nebraska, and an earlier missive from Ernst to U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, were motivated, in part by, Ernst said, by rumors about administrative action to reduce or eliminate renewable fuel blending targets for petroleum refiners.
Once coronavirus.iowa.gov is decommissioned later this summer, COVID-19 reporting will transition to a format similar to the state public health departments weekly influenza report, state officials say.

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The announcement comes after public health officials announced plans to cease operations of Test Iowa, the free, statewide testing program, by July 16. Linn Countys drive-through site closed June 24.

In addition to changes of its public-facing COVID-19 website, Iowas public health department will end routine COVID-19 case investigations for all positive reports starting July 1. Instead, the state will focus case investigation on outbreaks and vulnerable settings, including long-term care facilities.

Positive and negative test results, as well as demographics and county of residence, will continue to be reported, according to the memo. In addition, the state will continue to require reporting on long-term care facility outbreaks and will monitor reports and virus activity and follow-up to investigate clusters when needed.

Iowas decision comes after federal officials and several states reduced their reporting frequency, public health officials said in the memo.
The country has been shaken by months of protests fueled by Lukashenkos re-election to a sixth term in an August 2020 ballot that was widely seen as rigged. Authorities responded to the demonstrations with a massive crackdown that saw more than 35,000 people arrested and thousands beaten by police.

Belarus declared on Monday that it would move to suspend a readmission agreement with the EU that is intended to stem illegal migration. The announcement followed Lukashenkos warning that his country will no longer try to stem a flow of illegal migrants from other countries to the EU.

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry also announced a travel ban on unspecified EU officials who were involved in drafting the sanctions against Belarus, said it would recall its envoy to the EU for consultations and asked the 27-nation bloc's representative in Minsk, Dirk Schuebel, to leave the country.

In addition to that, Belarus will suspend its participation in the EUs Eastern Partnership program, which was intended to strengthen cooperation with several ex-Soviet nations.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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It has now been over a year since tens of thousands of associates at Capital One transformed their homes and apartments into offices, Fairbank said in the letter. Despite all that has happened, Capital One has persevered. In fact, we have thrived.

We have taken care of customers, welcomed thousands of new colleagues, and remained financially resilient under stress. We have adapted strikingly well, and we have found that we can be highly effective in a virtual work environment. This way of working felt new and strange a year ago. Today, it feels almost normal.

In the Richmond area, Capital One employs about 13,000 workers at its campus in the West Creek office park in Goochland County, at offices in Henrico County and at a data center in Chesterfield County. It also has two Capital One Cafe banking locations.

Under the new work plan, Capital One employees will work remotely on Mondays and Fridays or from wherever they work best, Fairbank said in the letter. Employees will work at offices on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

We strongly encourage associates [employees] to come into the office and spend meaningful time there in collaboration with their colleagues on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, the letter from Fairbank said.
Before entering a fatality into the COVID-19 database, health workers first wait to receive a death certificate. That process can take weeks, which is why its never clear when a person died of the illness caused by the novel coronavirus by the time it reaches the official COVID-19 records.

The goal of the health department is to trace cases and deaths by a persons official place of residence to give individual localities a better understanding of the pandemics current state at the community level

Health workers often find address information has assigned a case or fatality to the wrong location, most notable via ZIP code data. In Virginia, ZIP codes do not always match communities. For example, someone may have a Danville ZIP code but reside just outside the city limits, making that individual a resident of the county.

When data is submitted from labs, the ZIP code may automatically assign that county resident to the Danville log books.

In these scenarios, the case will be re-assigned to the appropriate locality, which may result in a negative count for the original locality and a positive case count in the re-assigned locality, health officials wrote in the online posting.
They say that there are 150,000 living here illegally, and the 200 people that decide to stop eating should be regularized individually? What would be the result? A week later you get 200, 2,000, 20,000 people who would do exactly the same.

That's not the way to go about it, he told VRT network.

But hunger strikers like Gajendra Gurung, a 40-year-old father of two from Nepal and who arrived in Belgium 11 years ago, want action now.

Just give me a work permit, so I can work and give food to my (children), and they will grow, he said.

Belgium, like so many other wealthy European nations, has had an ambivalent relationship with migration. Since the 1960s, many have been invited to come work and help build states across the continent.

Still, few were fully accepted in society and became the brunt of an often racist backlash when economies took a dip. Many of those on hunger strike now were not part of any legal program but have worked in the gray economy in the nation of 11.5 million where they have no social protection and are often at the mercy of unscrupulous bosses.
Since the early months of the pandemic in 2020, mental health for all of our community has been a concern as COVID-19 has had a detrimental impact on the world, and here locally.

The dedicated professionals at Danville-Pittsylvania Community Services have continued to serve the mental health, substance use and developmental disability needs of our community through the pandemic.

One concern we often hear is that mental health services are not covered  how can I afford the care I need? With the economic impact of COVID, many people have lost jobs or have had their hours reduced and no longer qualify for health care coverage through their workplace.

All health challenges, including those related to mental health and addiction, can severely impact life in many ways, including relationships, school/work, and your physical health. It is so important to address any mental health needs you or your loved ones may have.

In our world today, no one would put off seeking medical care for chest pains or a broken leg, and at DPCS we encourage you to apply the same level of urgency when you or someone you care about are struggling with mental health or substance use issues.
Hope Williams, a rising senior at Rockingham County High School, has been selected for an elite Girl Scout honor.

Shes one of only 22 girls from across the country chosen to serve on the Girl Scouts of the USA Girl Advisory Board. Group members will work together to expand the Girl Scout mission for all young women, scouting administrators said.

Williams, 17, has been a member of the Girl Scouts since she was a first-grader.

I like it, she said of the organization. It brings confidence and helps get you inspired.

Her selection for the Girl Advisory Board was based on her involvement with Girl Scouting, leadership qualities, communications skills and the ability to represent the depth and breadth of the Girl Scout Movement.

Williams won a top honor last year, too. She was selected in 2020 as a Girl Scout delegate to the United Nations.

A planned trip to New York City to meet with other delegates from around the world was shelved because of the COVID-19 pandemic, but Williams was still able to meet with them virtually.

Her UN group hosted a social media session where delegates advocated for gender equality, a movement in which Williams said she believes strongly.
If you have already had COVID-19, you are not immune from getting the virus again, and it is still important for you to be vaccinated, Gunn-Nolan said.

Southern Virginia falls behind the rest of the state when it comes to vaccinations in adults. Martinsville  at 54%  is the only Southside locality with more than half of adults fully vaccinated. Patrick Countys 36% rate for adults is the lowest in the region.

In Danville, 44% of adults are fully protected from the illness. Pittsylvania County has only 42% of adult residents vaccinated.

Those percentages are even lower when factoring in children, because only those 12 and above are eligible for a shot of protection.

Sovah Health is troubled by the low vaccination rates in our communities and are concerned for the potential of future surges, due to the spread of variants, which require more aggressive clinical care and are likely to cause more severe outcomes, Gunn-Nolan told the newspaper. I continue to have conversations with hospitalized patients and their loved ones who regret not being vaccinated.

Often it takes feeling the affects of the disease before a patient will say, If I survive, Ill get my vaccine, she explained.
Recreational safety on the Dan River is a broader conversation for the community as a whole. We are part of that conversation, and were grateful for the leadership of the Dan River Basin Association to begin the process of gathering input from local organizations and municipalities who rely on the river, Norton said.

Asked if Duke could use other methods to replace the cooling function of the dam, Norton said: The natural gas plant currently relies on impounded water supplied by the dam. Determining whether it is possible to supply water another way would require a detailed engineering study and redesign of existing plant systems, if even possible based on the geography of the river.

With the Fourth of July holiday approaching, Cates said accident prevention is key.The message moving forward would be for anyone entering the rivers for any reason to study and be familiar with the Rockingham County Blueway. This is a map that defines the rivers, accesses to the river, hazards along the rivers, etc ..., Cates said. The countys blueway map can be found at www.VisitRockinghamCountyNC.com.

The second message would be for all who enter the river for any reason to wear personal flotation devices, Cates said.
EDEN  When investigators stepped onto the front porch of a residence here late Sunday night, they found two people dead and a third wounded by gunshots.

Rockingham County Sheriffs investigators discovered the double homicide at 160 Dan River Church Road, a modest duplex on the bucolic country lane.

Victims are Alexander Alex Michael Grubbs, 29, of Eden and Jordan Lee Gwynn, 27, of Eden, both residents of the house where they were found, a spokesman for the sheriffs office said in a news release.

Rebecca Fisher Gwynn, 26, also a resident, was listed in critical condition at an area hospital on Tuesday morning, according to the release.

No arrests have been made. And the sheriffs office has not said whether it has identified suspects in the case.

Investigators believe that the group of victims was gathered on the porch at around 9:50 p.m. Sunday when one or more suspects fired shots from the woodline next to the house. The sheriffs office is calling the shooting a targeted crime.

The homicides mark the second multiple shooting in the past eight weeks in Rockingham County. In late May, a gunman shot and killed two motorcyclists in Reidsville and wounded a third.
HIGH POINT  A recent, uncommon visitor to Oak Hollow Lake has area bird-watchers tickled pink.

A young roseate spoonbill  a pink wading bird thats rarely spotted this far north or this far inland  has attracted a flock of birdwatchers to the lake, eager to welcome the feathered friend with open arms.

And open camera shutters.

Theyre very rare here, said Susan Evans of High Point, one of a number of birders who have frequented the lake over the past few days in hopes of capturing a glimpse  or even a photograph  of the tropical bird. The last sighting we know of was in 2018, and that was in Greensboro.

After seeing the spoonbill in the mudflats at Oak Hollow last week, Evans and her fiance took a boat out on the water Saturday and were able to get close enough to the bird to get some stunning photos.

Theyre real docile, not skittish at all, Evans said.

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Meanwhile, other birdwatchers have been gathering on a bridge at the north end of the lake  where Skeet Club Road crosses the water  because the spoonbill has been spotted near there on several occasions.
I remain committed to protecting the sanctity of life and womens health under the rule of law as my highest priority, Republican Attorney General Todd Rokita said in a statement.

The office has argued that the Legislature was acting to protect fetal life and womens health.

Patients have the right to choose not to take the second pill and pursue alternative options to save their pregnancies, the office said in a court filing. Denying patients information regarding alternatives should they wish to continue their pregnancies harms women by depriving them of that choice.

The lawsuit maintains the requirement wrongly singles out doctors providing abortion drugs and their patients. The plaintiffs include Planned Parenthood, which operates abortion clinics in Indianapolis, Merrillville, Bloomington and Lafayette, and groups that operate other clinics in Indianapolis and South Bend.

No other healthcare providers are required to inform their patients about experimental medical interventions, the safety and efficacy of which are wholly unsupported by reliable scientific evidence, and no other patients are required to receive such information as a condition of treatment, the lawsuit said.
A structural field survey performed in 2018 had found major damage below the pool deck, among other problems.

And The Wall Street Journal has reported that design errors may have led to the disaster.

We also know now that the owners of the 136-unit building were just days away from a deadline that required them to begin making more than $9 million in major repairs.

There was something very, very wrong at this building, Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett told CNN. Buildings in America just dont fall down like this. This is a Third World phenomenon, not a First World phenomenon.

Search-and-rescue efforts began almost immediately following the buildings collapse, with teams working around the clock and hundreds of others on standby ready to rotate in.

Relatives of residents have streamed to the site, some to shout messages to loved ones possibly buried deep inside the pile.

We are just waiting for answers. Thats what we want, Dianne Ohayon, whose parents, Myriam and Arnie Notkin, were in the building, told The Associated Press. Its hard to go through these long days and we havent gotten any answers yet.
The Project Gutenberg eBook of John Harper's Insight, by Dick Purcell

This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org . If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.

Title: John Harper's Insight

Author: Dick Purcell

Release Date: June 29, 2021 [eBook #65729]

Language: English

Character set encoding: UTF-8

Produced by: Greg Weeks, Mary Meehan and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net

*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHN HARPER'S INSIGHT ***

John Harper's Insight By Dick Purcell Can the mind breach time? Harper was sure

he had caught a news item that would change his

life. Ironically he caught only a part of it.... [Transcriber's Note: This etext was produced from

Imagination Stories of Science and Fantasy

October 1956

Extensive research did not uncover any evidence that

the U.S. copyright on this publication was renewed.]

They thought he was insane. And with good reason. Here was a man who'd spent his life in a machine shop coming down one morning to say in all apparent sincerity, "I've decided to be a concert pianist."

Jan Grabowski, on the turret lathe grinned and said, "Sure, John. They'll bring in a grand piano and you can practice between cuts."

"They laughed when I sat down to the piano," someone bellowed and there was general laughter and the thing was forgotten.

But later, when he told the boss he was quitting, they looked at each other in amazement. He'd evidently gone mad and that was no laughing matter because they liked John.

Sam Paine, harassed plant manager still found time to be human. When he discovered John was serious, he sat down and gave him half an hour, figuring he could find the quirk and straighten the man out. As they went to his office, he swiftly classified his employee: John Harper33 years oldintrovertedintelligent over and above his job. Harper seemed to be without ambition, though and Sam wondered about this but had never had time to talk with him much.

After the half hour was up, Paine sighed and let him go. Obviously the concert pianist gag was a coverup for something elsesome fancied wrongperhaps plain restlessness.

Alone, Paine went back over the conversation, intrigued by John Harper's strange determination.

"This talk about being a concert pianist is a gag of course, isn't it, John?"

"No, Mr. Paine."

"But manyou're too old to start a thing like that. You never in your life studied music did you?"

"No, sir."

"Then let me tell youfirst, in a thing like that, you've got to have talent. Have you got talent?"

"I don't know."

It had seemed ridiculous, seriously pinpointing things that should have been obvious. "Well let's say you havejust for argument's sake. All righttalent has to be caught early and nourishedlike a seedget what I mean? A man can't start at your age and get any place in a game the experts started in at eight or nineas children."

"You may be right, Mr. Paine, but maybe that doesn't apply to me. Maybe it does, of course, but I've got to find out."

Sam Paine gave up. He told John Harper his job would be waiting when he wanted it againeven gave him an extra week's pay, but that was to salve his conscience because he felt he should bring in a psychiatrist at company expense to see what had gone wrong with Harper. Then he shrugged and put the thing out of his mind. Funny things happen in this day and age, he thought.

The trouble was he didn't really know John Harper. No one did. A bachelor, Harper lived alone, thought aloneand suffered alone. He hated the futility of his life, the work he was doing, the passing of unfulfilled days and nights. He felt a strong pull of destiny he could neither explain nor deny; an unreasoning certainty that he, John Harper was meant for better things; or perhaps a single better thing.

He lived with this certainty while the unfulfilled days and nights piled up. Until the misery became a pain and possibly demanded some sort of recognition by its very existence.

At any rate, the morning of the day he quit his job, he had just awakened to the old familiar dread of the day ahead; a dread almost akin to a physical sickness. He was sure he did not go back to sleep, but he clearly saw, on the floor within range of his eyes, a television set. The picture was bright and cleara famous newscaster with the smile known from coast to coast and the rat-tat-tat voice that was his trademark.

He was beginning his broadcast with the standard opening line: "And now, folkswhat's been going on in the world? John Harper, the great concert pianistthe man who brought long-hair music into the homethe man loved by millions, will"

The voice and the image vanished. Then the set faded, and John Harper lay tense in the bed in his shoddy little room. But a different John Harper now. In an instant he became a dedicated man knowing he had been building up to this moment for years.

This was the incident Sam Paine did not know of; nor did anyone except John Harper himself. He had a little money saved upa few hundred dollarsand he went straight to a music school. His difficulty was that he could not camouflage his ambitionor rather his intentand after stating exactly what he proposed to do, he was turned down by five reputable maestros in a row.

So he gave up seeking instruction and rented a piano. He was fortunately situated in that his room lay at the back of the resident hotel where he lived and the walls were as thick as the building was old and shoddy looking.

He bought some instruction books at a second hand store and went to work. He practiced, plowing doggedly through the intricacies of the notes and scales until his money ran out. Then he got a job washing dishes and practiced all night.

Until he was able to present himself again at a music school where the maestro was, fortunately, both honest and possessed of a conscience. His honesty said, send this man away. But John Harper had just enough pathetic skill and foggy talent that the instructor's conscience dictated the final policy.

"I will teach you," he said. Adding to himself, It will be an act of charity. Nothing more. He would have been astounded, however, had he known that four short months before John Harper had not known even the scale.

John told no one this. He told no one anything. But he applied himself to the piano with a single-mindedness that made a fanatic seem changeable as the wind by comparison.

And soon, Professor Heinrich, he of the conscience, was confronted with something he could not understand. Genius was blooming and functioning before his eyes.

The rest is history. It is told in hushed tones how this sad-faced, middle-aged man with no backgroundhe was called "The Man From Nowhere," by certain romantically inclined criticsgave his first recital in New York City. It was given exactly seven years from the day he told Sam Paine, "I'm quitting to become a concert pianist."

The television networks found him quickly and he rocketed to fame by giving classical music an interpretation that made it understood and loved by millions.

It was said that John Harper gave more musical pleasure to the world in his brief two-year career than had any other genius in a natural span.

But of course, the seven years had taken their toll. The punishment of learning would have killed a far younger and stronger man than John Harper. So, after a tragically brief time at the top of his ladder, John Harper was the subject of a newscast.

By a famous newscaster with the smile famous from coast-to-coast and a rat-tat-tat voice that was his trademark.

But not smiling as he finished his first item. "be buried tomorrow in New York City."

*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK JOHN HARPER'S INSIGHT ***
A Basin man accused of firing a gun into someone's home and threatening the person with homophobic slurs has pleaded not guilty to federal hate crime and firearm charges, authorities said Wednesday.

John Russell Howald, 44, was charged with violating the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act and with the use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence.

U.S. Magistrate Judge John T. Johnston presided in Tuesdays hearing. Howald was detained pending further proceedings.

The indictment alleges that on March 22, 2020, in Basin, Howald tried to injure someone because of their sexual orientation by firing a gun into the persons house, stating that he wanted to get rid of the lesbians (and) gays. The offense included an attempt to kill the individual, Acting U.S. Attorney Leif M. Johnson said.

If convicted, Howald faces up to life in prison on the hate crime charge and a mandatory minimum of 10 years in prison, consecutive to any other sentence, on the firearm charge.

A federal district court judge will determine any sentence after considering the U.S. Sentencing Guidelines and other statutory factors.
Ford owned 15 acres north of Mike Crites property up Turk Road in the hills northwest of Helena at the time of the killing, and court records show the two men were involved in a bitter land dispute in the years leading up to the victim's disappearance and death.

Mike Crites told a friend that he had asked Ford to meet him on June 26, 2011, to discuss the issues, and video footage showed Fords vehicle traveling to a disputed section of road that day. The next day, a friend went to check on Mike Crites and he was nowhere to be found.

Connie Crites said she has no doubt that Ford killed her brother and noted Im pretty sure there was more than one person that either assisted or knew about it. Because of the deadline to file a civil suit, she said, she could not wait for a conviction.

We basically just did that because we dont want to lose the right to do so, she said.

Her wrongful death/survival claim asserts that Ford is responsible for damages including lost earnings, funeral expenses, pain and suffering and other special damages in an amount to be determined at trial.

I never thought we would still be dealing with this 10 years later, she said, adding closure is a long way off.

Editor Jesse Chaney can be reached at 406-447-4074, or find him on Twitter: @IR_JesseChaney.

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Basically I was disappointed in the report, said OConnor, who said Monday that much of what was released by the government was already known. They call it a preliminary report, which hopefully implies more information will be coming in the near future.

He said a report such as this could just set us back to the place we have been for the past 50 years.

It just seems like it is stonewalling by Congress to the American people, just like its been for decades on this, he said. This is one more instance of those in the know refusing to come forward and tell the American public.

Masters said he found it interesting the government acknowledged a limited amount of reporting, "which is mostly their own fault." He said in the past couple of years, the Navy changed protocols that allowed its pilots to report these things.

The report notes the Navy established an unidentified aerial phenomena reporting system in 2019 and the Air Force adopted it in 2020. He said the Department of Defense will over the next three months develop a new strategy for collecting and tracking information on potential sightings.
Blistering heat continued to pound the Helena area on Tuesday, but local health officials warned the worst is yet to come as the National Weather Service put a heat advisory into effect through Friday.

Residents were urged by local hospitals and public health agencies to brace for an expected heat wave beginning Wednesday and rolling through Friday, warning that some forecasts are pushing temperatures into the triple digits.

A heat advisory is issued when the heat index value is expected to reach 100 to 104 degrees within the next 12 to 24 hours. The high temperatures were not as fierce as what was being experienced in Portland, Oregon, where temps, according to AccuWeather, hit 112 degrees Sunday, breaking the all-time record high of 108 set just a day before. But it was worse elsewhere, and the Pacific Northwest is having a dayslong heat wave that forecasters have called historic. Temperatures have hit as high as 116 in the Portland and Seattle areas.

Chris Cassell, lead meteorologist with the National Weather Service out of Great Falls, said the hot temperatures were caused by a high-pressure system that he described as a heat dome, which trapped the warm air.

But as bad as it may seem, the temperatures are even higher to the west and east.
The Nazis were held accountable for their war crimes. I see no difference in locating the priests and nuns and the brothers who are responsible for this mass murder to be held accountable for their part in this attempt of genocide of an Indigenous people.

From the 19th century until the 1970s, more than 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend state-funded Christian boarding schools in an effort to assimilate them into Canadian society. Thousands of children died there of disease and other causes, with many never returned to their families.

Nearly three-quarters of the 130 residential schools were run by Roman Catholic missionary congregations, with others operated by the Presbyterian, Anglican and the United Church of Canada, which today is the largest Protestant denomination in the country.

The Canadian government has acknowledged that physical and sexual abuse was rampant in the schools, with students beaten for speaking their native languages.

Last week the Cowessess First Nation, located about 85 miles (135 kilometers) east of the Saskatchewan capital of Regina, said investigators found at least 600 unmarked graves at the site of a former Marieval Indian Residential School.
As former members of the Districting and Apportionment Commission, we know whats at stake drawing legislative districts and now a new congressional district. We commend Commission Chair Maylinn Smith for her commitment to an open, public and transparent process.

We are proud of our work on the 2000 and 2010 commissions. These commissions drew landmark plans based on the input of thousands of everyday Montanans, creating legislative maps reflecting the rich diversity of our communities across the state. Montana Democrats have a proven history of our commitment to an open process and maps that represent all Montanans at the Legislature.

In 1972 voters approved the new Montana Constitution establishing our independent citizen redistricting commission, due to the Montana Legislatures repeated failure to draw maps guaranteeing our most basic constitutional rights. The will of the people was clear. Now the Legislatures role in redistricting is the same as every other Montanan. They can offer suggestions on how the maps should be drawn, but they have absolutely no power to pass unconstitutional laws dictating how the commission draws the maps.
DECATUR  The Decatur Family YMCA on Tuesday was the backdrop for Gov. J.B. Pritzker to announce new funding for low-income people to get assistance paying for child care. The financing is seen as a tool to restart the post-COVID economy and get people back to work.

When I took office, I said we are aiming to make Illinois the best state in the nation for families raising young children, he said. We are making a series of new investments to make child care more affordable for Illinois families and to deliver more dollars to providers."

The governor's office estimates 80% of families will pay less for child care. The funding is through the Illinois Department of Human Services Child Care Assistance Program.

Beginning on Thursday, families at or below the federal poverty level, or $26,500 for a family of four, will pay $1 a month for child care and capping the cost of child care at 7% of income, which he said is significantly below national averages.

This change is not a temporary, pandemic-related change, Pritzker said. This is a permanent policy change for the state of Illinois.

The Pritzker administration has provided $270 million in funding to child care providers as part of the states federally-funded Business Interruption Grant Program, along with additional money from federal coronavirus relief packages.

Another change is increasing the eligibility for families who qualify for assistance to those whose incomes are 250% of the poverty level, up from 225%. Reimbursements for child care providers who receive Child Care Assistance Payments will also be increased, Pritzker said.

In the worst throes of the pandemic, Illinois dedicated $290 million to 5,000 child care centers and homes in 95 counties in our state, including the Decatur Family YMCA, helping them stay afloat during this challenging year, Pritzker said.

That program will continue with another $280 million funded by federal COVID relief funds, he said.

Department of Human Services Secretary Grace Hou said families can visit illinoiscaresforkids.org to sign up for child care assistance, which will help parents get back to work.

In the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic, the vast majority of child care centers had to close, Hou said. But we needed to protect this extremely important system.

Child care is essential to the economy, said Sen. Doris Turner, D-Springfield, whose sister is a licensed child care provider.

Finding reasonable, reliable child care has never been easy, Turner said. And add to the mix a global pandemic that has caused job losses, pay cuts and other financial crunches, and it's no wonder that parents need assistance now more than ever.

A lack of child care can put parents in the position of choosing between their jobs and caring for their kids, said Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, and with the number of child care centers reduced, and available spots reduced because of fewer workers, the need is acute. Her own daughter has faced that problem, with a six-month wait for a vacancy at a center.

This is so much more than child care assistance, Scherer said.

There are 2,000 job openings in Macon County alone, said Mayor Julie Moore Wolfe, and one reason for those openings is that families can't find child care so they can go back to work.

I am hoping beyond hope that this critical piece helps us heal our economy and recover from the pandemic in Decatur and Macon County, because we've got to get people back to work, she said.

Zamira Manns, a mother of two, recently returned to work after surgery. She said finding child care was an issue and sent the youngest, now 3, to the Decatur YMCA.

The child care center serves kids 2-12, and Manns qualifies for the financial assistance.

I always had family to count on, she said. But after the surgery, I decided I wanted (the younger boy) to advance more.

Manns said she can see the difference in the younger boy's development, and attributes it to the fact that he wants to keep up with the other kids and has the structure of the program at the Y.

Pritzker also announced on Tuesday that $54 million will be devoted to increasing the pay for at-home caregivers for the elderly. The Illinois Department on Aging and Department of Human Services will issue a bonus payment for services rendered by eligible providers between Jan. 1 and March 31, 2021, to make up for the rate increase that was frozen until April 1. Providers will receive an additional rate increase on Jan. 1, 2022, paving the way for employees to receive a minimum wage of $15 an hour.

These are essential workers. These are people that we could not have survived without during the pandemic, and these are people that deserve to earn a few extra dollars per hour, the governor said.

Contact Valerie Wells at (217) 421-7982. Follow her on Twitter: @modgirlreporter

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It is back en vogue for the first lady to be back in Vogue.

After a four year hiatus of first ladies gracing the cover of the fashion magazine, Jill Biden is on the August issue, which goes on sale on July 20. Biden, who posed for the pictures this spring at the White House, wears a navy, floral Oscar de la Renta dress for the cover shot, leaning on the balcony overlooking the South Lawn. The images were taken by photographer Annie Leibovitz.

In the accompanying feature story, Biden tells writer Jonathan Van Meter she is overwhelmed with initiatives she wants to tackle during her tenure.

"When I became second lady -- and there was so much I wanted to do -- I always said, 'I will never waste this platform,' " says Biden. "... And now I have a bigger platform and I feel every day, like .... what could I give up? That I would want to give up? Nothing."

In one of the images of Biden, she is posed seated in the Executive Residence's East Sitting Hall with a pencil in between her teeth, reading glasses on, typing on an Apple laptop.

Biden tells Van Meter, who traveled with the first lady on several recent official trips for the Vogue feature, she thinks the mood of the nation has shifted since President Joe Biden took office.

"During the campaign, I felt so much anxiety from people; they were scared. When I travel around the country now, I feel as though people can breathe again," she says. "I think that's part of the reason Joe was elected. People wanted someone to come in and heal this nation, not just from the pandemic, which I feel Joe did by, you know, getting shots in everybody's arms."

She added she thinks Biden's demeanor affected change. "He's just a calmer president. He lowers the temperature," says Biden.

The President was also interviewed, separately, by Van Meter. Biden says being commander in chief has changed their marriage, and that he finds himself at times missing the freedoms he says they used to enjoy.

"I miss her. I'm really proud of her. But it's not like we can just go off like we used to," the President said. "When we were living in Delaware and married, once a month we'd just go up to a local bed-and-breakfast by ourselves, to make sure we had a romantic time to just get away and hang out with each other."

The Bidens recently celebrated their 44th wedding anniversary. But, the President says they are still trying to manage balancing the job with their personal life.

"We have to figure out a wayand I mean this sincerelyto be able to steal time for one another. I think that's the deal," he says.

A first lady in the pages of Vogue, or on the cover, has -- for the last several decades -- become an American publishing tradition; almost every modern first lady has been photographed for the magazine.

The exception was Melania Trump, whose tenure in the White House was tied to the controversies of President Donald Trump. There have been conflicting arguments as to which side -- Trump's or Vogue editor in chief Anna Wintour's -- was responsible for keeping Trump, a former model, from being featured.

Neither spoke of it publicly, but Wintour was vocal about her thoughts on Donald Trump, using her editorial note in the March 2020 issue of Vogue to endorse Biden for president, pointing to the 45th President's "dishonesty," and "shocking lack of empathy." In a 2019 interview when asked specifically about Melania Trump's fashion, Wintour changed the subject to Trump's predecessor, Michelle Obama.

"She was the best ambassador that this country could possibly have in many ways, obviously, way beyond fashion," said Wintour.

Obama was indeed a Vogue favorite, posing for a first lady-record three covers during her eight years in the White House, her first in 2009, and second in 2012. Obama's last Vogue cover feature was December 2016.

The August issue of Vogue featuring Biden may be her first cover, but she posed with her family inside the March 2020 issue, and was part of a spread on the women in Joe Biden's family in November 2008.

At this time in the arc of her career, however, the stakes are higher.

"I feel like adding more things (to my platform) but I know it's not possible, because you want to stay centered, because you want to do things well. And there's so much to do. There is ... so. much. to. do," she says.

***

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SPRINGFIELD  A former president of the Springfield Board of Education was sentenced Tuesday to 11 years in prison for theft.

Adam Lopez, 38, was accused of stealing more than $1.5 million from clients while a financial adviser for the insurance company Country Financial. Among his alleged victims were his maternal aunt and uncle, who were present during sentencing.

Lopez pleaded guilty in May to felony theft. Under an agreement with the Sangamon County states attorneys office, three counts of financial exploitation of the elderly and a count of financial exploitation of a person with disabilities were dismissed.

Lopez, who served two terms on the District 186 school board, running unopposed in 2013 and 2015. faced up to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, though with no past criminal history, prosecutors asked the judge for a sentence of 15 years.

In an emotional statement before Associate Judge Rudolph Braud, Lopez apologized to those he stole from between April 2014 and September 2018, and to Sangamon County taxpayers for all of the time and money spent on this case.

Lopez faced up to 30 years in the Illinois Department of Corrections, though with no past criminal history, prosecutors asked the judge for a sentence of 15 years. With completion of his sentence, Lopez must serve three years of mandatory supervised release. He also must repay $1,533,778.97 to Country Financial.

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Long said the city has a lot of good opportunities coming, but leaders need to make sure future generations have good jobs and a better quality of life.

Nave also stressed the importance of providing job opportunities and education.

I think our future looks good. Im super excited about the casino coming, all of the development thats coming with that and the growth of our city, Nave said.

Shew expects Bristol will become a big small town and wants to help avoid the pitfalls that can accommodate growth because changes are coming to small towns all over the nation.

Holmes stressed his nearly 10 years of working with local and state government leaders from different areas and parties to build consensus or make progress on issues.

Pollard cited an attention to detail that Mumpower and former Mayor Archie Hubbard brought to issues and said he could bring that same detail-oriented perspective. He also noted projects like the upcoming Hard Rock Resort and Casino and Amazon center provide momentum for the city.

Smith said she moved here two years ago from Richmond seeking a better quality of life and better climate and hoped to help the city.
Jones said he couldnt provide the list  at least not that night, according to his answer.

We have several line items in our budget, and we want $2 million for capital projects, and theres other places that well be spending money, Jones said. But for me to stand here tonight and tell you exactly where that [roughly $8 million] is going to be spent, no one can do that.

Jones question about whether the commission could produce its own list for how it would spend $3.8 million drew no response.

King moved forward with the motion, which easily passed.

The commissioners question about school system spending wasnt the only source of heat that evening. In the public comment period before King made his motion, Bluff City resident Lena Smith and her son, Kevin, both pleaded with the commission not to raise property taxes. They said the community is still reeling from the economic blows of the COVID-19 pandemic, and now was not a good time to ask residents for more money.

Multiple people in attendance also asked the County Commission not to go forward with its proposal to lower the proportion of property taxes and increase the proportion of sales taxes going to all of the various school systems in the county.
BRISTOL, Va.  A Bristol, Tennessee woman was charged Tuesday with malicious wounding and possessing a firearm by a convicted felon in the shooting of a man following an argument last Thursday.

According to Bristol Virginia Police Sgt. Steve Crawford, Breanna Fleenor, 30, approached Ronald Butler, 39, of Bristol, Tennessee, while he sat in his car in the parking lot of Eastridge Apartment Complex on Portsmouth Avenue.

Butler drove to the apartment complex to meet a friend, police said. After realizing his friend had fallen asleep, Butler decided to sleep in his SUV, Crawford said.

Authorities said Fleenor began threatening the victim with a handgun over an earlier altercation regarding some property. Crawford said Butler previously dated Fleenors mother.

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Police said Fleenor then shot into the SUV, hitting Butler once in the shoulder. He was transported to the Bristol Regional Medical Center emergency room and released hours later.
MORGANTON  Western Piedmont Community College recently awarded its 2020 Alumnus of the Year award to Capt. Jason R. Whisnant, who is employed with the Morganton Department of Public Safety.

Whisnant began his education at Western Piedmont Community College where he received an Associate of Applied Science in Criminal Justice while working full-time as a law enforcement and fire professional. He completed a B.S. in Human Services from Gardner-Webb University in 2008 while also becoming the father of two daughters and maintaining full time employment with the City of Morganton.

Whisnant earned his MA in Mental Health Counseling and Education Specialist (Ed.S) from Gardner-Webb University in 2012. Additionally, he is licensed by the North Carolina Board of Licensed Professional Counselors, and is a therapist diagnosing/treating child, adolescent and adult mental health disorders. He has also completed NC State Universitys Administrative Officer Management Program and UNC Chapel Hills School of Government Municipal and County Administration program.
As high-quality milk produced in a sustainable way is growing in demand from consumers, more milk buyers are adopting methods to help their farmers meet that need. A new payment is incentivizing New Zealand farmers to ensure their milk meets the highest quality and environmental standards.

The Cooperative Difference framework has already been used by the Fonterra cooperative and its 10,000 members since 2019 to encourage excellence in on-farm practices surrounding animals, the environment, people and community, milk quality, and co-op prosperity. As of June 1, though, the system is used to introduce a new milk payment parameter.

Since the majority of New Zealands milk is exported, Fonterra calculates the Farmgate Milk Price for its members throughout the grazing season. While the Cooperative Difference payment does not change the total amount of money available to be paid to farmers, the co-op says it will make a proportion available to be redistributed between farmers to better reflect individual farm achievements in line with the program.



In other words, 10 cents per kilogram of milk solids (kgMS) will be determined by a farms progress under the program. The co-op says the payment serves as a recognition for farmers who have already invested in innovative practices early on as well as encouragement for other farmers to take the next steps in meeting changing consumer expectations.

The 10-cent payment per kgMS is broken down into two parts. First, 7 cents may be earned when a farm is certified in the following standards across four of the Cooperative Differences areas:

 Environment: have a farm environmental plan in place. This area also includes following key practices that include growing 80% of a seasons feed, keeping surrounding waters free of dairy effluent, avoiding excessive nitrogen use, and appropriately managing plastics.

 Animals: develop and implement with your vet and animal well-being plan.

 People and community: complete a workplace assessment and meet the foundation standards.

 Co-op and prosperity: full and accurate farm records kept and then submitted.

After that, an additional 3 cents is available for farms achieving standards of excellent milk quality.



Global movement

New Zealand is an important player in the global dairy market, and this level of commitment to sustainable production could influence international as well as domestic markets. One thing thats clear is that sustainability is not only a U.S. concern.

To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2021

June 24, 2021
Combating udder infection is one of the most important tasks a dairy farm can undertake to keep cows healthy, comfortable, and productive. Without knowing what youre up against, though, fighting that battle can be difficult or even impossible.

Thats where mastitis culturing comes in. Its a practice that has become commonplace for a growing number of farms. In addition to allowing data-driven management decisions, the process contributes to overall udder health monitoring, identification of early warning signs, and a more judicious use of antibiotics, said Justine Britten. She consults on milk quality and manages lab operations for Udder Health Systems, which has testing facilities in Washington, Idaho, and Utah.

In a National Mastitis Council webinar, she acknowledged that drawbacks to culturing exist for farmers. These may include cost, turnaround time, and accessibility as dairies sprawl further from facilities. Utilizing a combination of the existing tools can help alleviate some of these problems.



Britten explained how both professional labs managed by veterinarians or other skilled scientists and on-farm labs can be useful to achieving the goals of a mastitis diagnostics program. Of course, a professional lab can ensure more accuracy, but an on-farm lab will likely be faster and more cost-effective for simpler tests.

The obvious advantage of dairy labs is that theyre convenient, Britten said. All samples stay in one place, allowing for quicker, easier results. However, these facilities require attention from skilled, trained personnel. These labs dont just run themselves, she cautioned. It really needs to be managed by an experienced professional or veterinarian.

Often used in on-farm laboratories, bi-plates and tri-plates are good for making a treatment decision on a cow. If its gram-negative or if theres no growth, we recommend not treating, Britten said. Although farm managers can have a hard time with not treating a sick cow, it will often cure on its own, reducing the use of antibiotics on the farm, she added. Gram-positive organisms will more likely respond to treatment.



On the other hand, these plates are not diagnostic, and there may be some cases where identifying the pathogen would be helpful. In choosing a professional milk quality lab as a partner for your dairy operation, Britten encouraged farmers to look into the facilitys quality control measures. The equipment should be in good quality and undergo regular calibrations and other maintenance. Additionally, detailed record keeping is a must to ensure you get the right results for your farm. Bad information can be worse than no information at all, Britten said.

A professional lab can also do a bulk tank culture, which she recommends doing once a month as a snapshot to establish a baseline of overall milk quality. While it wont give you individual cow data, a bulk tank culture will identify target environmental pathogens and can help audit the accuracy of the on-farm lab.



I think its one of the singularly most important things you can do to monitor udder health, Britten affirmed. And she reminded that its a critical test to keep up, even when there appears to be no mastitis problems.





To comment, email your remarks to intel@hoards.com.

(c) Hoard's Dairyman Intel 2021

June 28, 2021
CBA is looking for more engineers to add to the 4,000 it already has. Photo: Shutterstock

Commonwealth Bank of Australia has launched a bold recruitment plan to employ more than 600 software engineers in one of the biggest intakes in recent history.

The bank wants to grow its network of engineers by at least 50 a month for the foreseeable future, appointing specialists across a range of disciplines, including software, data, and test engineers.

The new hires will join the 4,000-strong workforce of software engineers at the bank.

The recruitment drive comes as part of a strategy to operate more like a global tech company as it works to improve customer-facing interactions.

CBA CEO Matt Comyn has been open about the banks acceleration of its digital strategy in recent months, saying the bank aims to provide customers with one of the best digital experiences of any company globally.

Speaking at a CBA 2021 technology briefing, Comyn said the bank wants to remain the countrys clear leader in digital banking.

We recognise customers are no longer just benchmarking us against other financial institutions.

They compare us with the best digital experiences they get from any business in the world.

We intend to be at the global forefront of the digital experience, and be the trusted partner at the centre of our customers financial lives.

He also referenced the banks continued investment in its Customer Engagement Engine (CCE) as an example of its commitment to deliver best-in-class experiences.

The CCE now runs around 400 machine-learning models and ingests about 157 billion data points in real time, in order to make 35 million decisions per day.

Commonwealth Bank will no doubt be putting its money where its mouth is given the talent shortage being experienced in Australia due to the pandemic.

According to ACS Australias Digital Pulse 2021 report, Australia needs an estimated 60,000 additional IT workers every year for the next five years.

Prior to COVID-19, more than 100,000 migrants came to Australia each year under the skilled migration program, which has been shelved due to border closures.

This has forced technology companies to take extreme and expensive measures to find talent, according to some reports.

CBA hopes a new role, called Distinguished Engineer will lure new talent.

The banks Chief Information Officer for Technology, Brendan Hopper, is the first of three new Distinguished Engineers to be appointed by the bank.

Each will be responsible for influencing the strategic planning processes, transforming the banks digital experiences.

The new hires will be working on a range of projects and digital products underway.

Hand-selected from both external and internal channels, the Distinguished Engineers are chosen for their engineering acumen, thought leadership, strategic thinking, and ability to solve complex problems and drive change.

The pace of change is accelerating and we want to be in front of the curve. Our customers will benchmark us not against the other banks, but against best digital experiences, full stop, said Hopper.

To deliver global-best experiences, the bank needs a world-class engineering network, which is why it wants to appoint in excess of two new engineers every day from a variety of disciplines, he says.

The new engineers would help solve customer problems, and, in turn, ensure the bank delivers a best-in-class, global leading customer service experience, Hopper says.

Our network of engineers will help the bank in its ambition to be not only a leading digital player in the banking industry, but deliver digital experiences for our customers that are leading against a global peer set, he says.
Izzat Khanim Javadova, also know as DJ Mikaela Jav

An oligarchs daughter and her husband are stunned to be accused by the National Crime Agency of bringing 14 million of illicit money into Britain despite admitting receiving vast sums from various corporate entities unknown to them, court papers have revealed.

Izzat Khanim Javadova, who performed as the DJ Mikaela Jav at dance parties in London and Ibiza, and Suleyman Javadov face having millions of pounds in their bank accounts seized in forfeiture proceedings next week on the grounds that the money is the proceeds of corruption channelled to them via the Azerbaijan laundromat scheme.

Their lawyers have defended the couple, who have several mortgage-free London properties worth millions of pounds and a vast property empire in Azerbaijan, by insisting that they are innocent of wrongdoing and are highly regarded and upstanding members of society in the UK and in Azerbaijan with no criminal convictions.

They have also told in court testimony how the very affluent pair considered London their favourite city in the world and wanted to remain .. and put down roots in the capital after living here for 10 years.

But the documents also concede that the couple  whose identities had been kept secret until being lifted this week after a long battle by the Evening Standard for court transparency  had received money via companies that may have handled illegitimate and well as legitimate funds.

The method used to transfer the money was not a traditionally recognised method in the West and went through various corporate entities unknown to them, a statement to the court by one of the couples lawyers admits.

In its evidence to court, the NCA alleges that the couple used channels of companies based in locations ranging from the Seychelles and the Marshall Islands to Potters Bar and fronted by men of straw to bring illicit money into London.

It says that the companies were fronted by men of straw and that several of those involved were part of the Azerbaijan laundromat  a scheme under which huge sums made via corruption were moved from Azerbaijan to fund the lifestyles of the countrys elite overseas.

Story continues

Law enforcers have also told the court that fake invoices for huge quantities of steel were one method used to conceal payments received by the couple and that one of the companies involved in moving their wealth also paid private school fees in this country and for young female models to fly to Ibiza.

The NCA alleges in addition that the rental property income declared by them as the source of their bank deposits does not match the far larger sums transferred to their London accounts.

In witness statements to the High Court, however, their solicitor Niall Kelly says that the couple have extensive wealth inherited via previous generations and that the claims against them are unfounded and based on a misunderstanding.

He says their business interests established by their parents include the leading vodka, cognac and champagne factory in Azerbaijan and involvement in poultry/meat industry and supply and construction as well as substantial agricultural interests.

Mr Kelly says the pair also have an extensive property portfolio that has been operating for over 20 years including a substantial business centre located an exclusive area within Baku, two more  substantial properties in the old town rented by two separate hotels, a massive shopping mall in the Azeri capital, and residential rental properties.

He adds that the couple are very affluent and to put it simply did not become wealthy over a short period of time; these businesses were established by the generation before them.

They are highly regarded and upstanding members of society. They found the UK to be top notch and having lived in the UK for around 10 years, they wished to move some of their wealth to the UK. The money was not received underhandedly in the UK but in some of the UKs most reputable banking institutions.

The NCAs case attempts to link them to a wide array of serious allegations of money laundering, dishonesty, misleading UK authorities, dealing with the proceeds of crime, bribery, corruption and various other allegations. However, there is no evidence that directly links my clients to any criminality.

Mr Kelly says that the pair used the Hawala system  an ancient method of shifting wealth from one country to another without the cash itself moving  to transfer money to London, but denies that their intent was to conceal criminal proceeds.

The NCAs case is premised on the fact that the clients used the Hawala system and did not check each entity that the money was transferred through, some of them being entities that may have handled illegitimate and well as legitimate funds, he adds.

The second part of their case is based upon the amount of rental income stated in interview being less than the amounts received in the UK. This is based on an erroneous premise. The amounts received in the UK can be accounted for by commercial property rental payments.

This case threatens to put years and generations of well-established businesses into jeopardy by linking them to criminality and thereby prejudicing the clients and their families.

Mr Kelly adds that the couples business employ more than 500 people and that used the money moved to Britain to fund their lifestyle and for buying a few properties ., as investments.

They considered London their favourite city in the world and having spent so much time in London, they wanted to remain in London and put down roots in London. The action by the National Crime Agency stunned them both, his testimony states.

Mr Javadov and Ms Javadova were named as the London couple accused by the NCA of bringing 14 million of illicit money in Britain after the Court of Appeal rejected a last-ditch bid to keep their identities secret by backing earlier rulings in favour of an application by the Evening Standard for anonymity to be removed.

Ms Javadovas late father Jalal Aliyev was the brother of Azerbaijans former president Heydar Aliyev and the uncle of its current ruler Ilham Aliyev.

A court judgment in this country in 2016 described him as part of a mafia system with the President acting as Godfather .. propped up by a network of spies in which the police and security services would be used to suppress any dissent or commercial interests that posed a threat to the monopoly enjoyed by the family and their friends.

The judgment also quotes expert testimony that Jalal Aliyev has used the courts in order to seize assets and concludes that the Azeri national bringing the case to avoid deportation would be at risk of serious harm if sent home.

It said this was because he is perceived to have slighted powerful members of the Azeri elite who were likely to subject him to brutal, harsh and life-threatening conditions in prison and that he should be allowed to remain in Britain even though he was someone who had benefitted hugely by the corrupt and criminal practices of the Azeri elite.

Less is known about Mr Javadovs family, but his father Gulmammad was Azerbaijans deputy energy minister until his dismissal last year.

In a statement, the couples solicitors said the NCAs case was based on the fact that the Javadovs used an alternative money transfer method to transfer sums from Azerbaijan to the UK and that via that money transfer company, the funds went through various corporate entities which they submit are linked to the Azerbaijani Laundromat.

The statement added: Our clients submit they had no knowledge of the route of transfer; and nor do they have any links to the Azerbaijani Laundromat. As confirmed by our expert evidence ... money transfer customers would not, and could not, be expected to be aware of the precise route of the funds after it had been deposited and any funds arriving in the UK as electronic deposits must have satisfied the UK banks own anti-money laundering requirements.

Therefore an individual cannot be expected to know the route their funds take when they transfer money from one bank to another.

The money was received by reputable banks in the UK and accumulated in our clients bank accounts over many years. The NCAs case is strongly opposed. Our clients have adduced evidence to show that all of the funds in their UK bank accounts was from rental income.

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Standard victory as judge rules 14m laundromat couple can be revealed

London couple used illicit funds from Azerbaijan to send models to Ibiza by private jet and pay school fees
Representative image

Islamabad [Pakistan], June 30 (ANI): Pakistan Information Minister Fawad Chaudhry has slammed the recent Sindh High Court's decision to ban the Chinese app TikTok, saying the country has suffered losses worth billions of dollars due to "judicial activism".

In a tweet, the minister said the country would never be able to come out of an economic crisis unless judicial reforms were implemented, Dawn reported.

"My head is spinning after reading about the decision to ban TikTok and remove the NBP president. What are our courts doing? The country has already suffered losses worth billons of dollars due to judicial activism," the minister said.

On Monday, the Sindh High Court ordered the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to suspend access to TikTok in the country until the next hearing of the case, which is scheduled for July 8.

The court order said that the Chinese app had not abided by "the constant undertakings and assurances" given by it before various courts.

It also said that the platform failed to respect the law and basic injunctions of Islam as well as the culture of Pakistan and "recently started a social media campaign whereby they are celebrating 'LGBT Pride Month'".

In March, the Peshawar High Court had ordered PTA to ban TikTok for "spreading obscenity in society". This order was given after hearing a petition against the social media platform.

Previously, TikTok was banned in October last year for a few days in Pakistan for 'unethical content'. However, the PTA later restored TikTok with conditions and warnings that it adhere to the laws of the country, the platform should not be used for spreading vulgarity/indecent content, and values of society should also not be abused. (ANI)
South Dakotas Republican governor, Kristi Noem, is deploying up to 50 national guard troops to the southern US border, responding to a call from the Texas governor, Greg Abbott, for help dealing with a rise in border crossing, although the majority of migrants have been sent back to Mexico.

Noem said on Tuesday in a statement that she was responding to his request for assistance in responding to ongoing violations of state and federal law by illegal aliens crossing the unsecured border.

Related: Welcome to the US southern border: same country, different planet

Abbott reissued a disaster declaration on Tuesday, which said some border counties were partnering with the state to boost arrests and detention of people for crimes related to the border crisis.

Noem, a longtime supporter of former president Donald Trump, who focused heavily on keeping asylum seekers and other immigrants out of the country, said the initial deployment for guard troops will last for between 30 and 60 days.

The deployment is being paid for by a private donation, which some say is unusual.

Ive never heard of anything quite like this before, said Dan Grazier, a military fellow at the Straus Military Reform Project, which is run by the Center for Defense Information, a non-profit, non-partisan organization in DC that analyzes military matters.

He said the deployment set a troubling precedent and risked politicizing the military.

In a public statement, she said the South Dakota adjutant general, Jeff Marlette, and the South Dakota department of the military were working with their counterparts in Texas to finalize the details of the deployment. The governors office declined to provide further details, citing security reasons.

The Biden administration has failed in the most basic duty of the federal government: keeping the American people safe, said Noem. The border is a national security crisis that requires the kind of sustained response only the national guard can provide. She said the Biden administration seemed unable or unwilling to solve border problems. My message to Texas is this: help is on the way, she said.

Story continues

US Customs and Border Protection said it apprehended 180,034 migrants, mostly single adults, in May. That number is up slightly from 178,854 in April and 172,000 in March, and was the biggest monthly total since April 2000. Many are traveling to the border to seek asylum as their own countries face economic turmoil fueled by the coronavirus pandemic. Others are also fleeing political persecution and gang violence, including many Haitian immigrants worried about President Jovenel Moises effort to remain in power.

Despite hopes that the US will reopen its borders, a large chunk of people have been expelled under a Trump-era policy called Title 42, ostensibly to stem the potential spread of Covid-19. Of the 180,034 people encountered in May, more than 112,300 were turned away, according to border patrol figures. Unaccompanied minors under the age of 18 are exempt from the rule, and are being allowed into the country and into the custody of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Still, Abbott, who is seeking re-election next year, has spent several months saying that the growth of border crossings has caused a boost in crime in Texas, and continues to seek additional state resources to make arrests.

The Washington Post reports Noems spokesman, Ian Fury, said a donation of an undisclosed amount was paid to the state of South Dakota by Willis and Reba Johnsons Foundation. The Tennessee-based non-profit previously donated to Trump and the National Rifle Association.



The military is supposed to be used to further our national security interests and ensure the safety of all citizens, not just the whims of a few private individuals with the means to pay for its services, said Grazier.

Abbott recently said he would reallocate $250m in state funds to pay for a wall on the southern border, and additionally received $459,000 in private donations, according to the Texas Tribune.
Swarajya

If the magnitude of the reportage on the atrocities committed on supporters of a certain political party in the state of West Bengal is true, it is the constitutional duty of the central government to proclaim a partial President's Rule in the state. Killing fields of Kannur has given way to the "Murderpolitik of Bengal". The Supreme Court, the High Court of Calcutta, and the National Human Rights Commission have been flooded with instances of shameful atrocities committed on people, while the state machinery cheers its recent political victory.
FILE PHOTO: Britain's Chancellor of the Exchequer Sunak during an interview in London

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain said on Wednesday it had agreed a partnership for financial services with Singapore as part of its push for post-Brexit trade and investment deals.

"Our financial partnership will help increase investment and trade with Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region and boost collaboration on important areas such as fintech and green finance," British finance minister Rishi Sunak said.

The agreement includes a memorandum of understanding which seeks to reduce burdens for firms operating in British and Singapore markets by recognising that their financial services regulatory regimes achieve the same outcomes.

An MoU on cybersecurity was also part of the agreement which was struck by Sunak and the chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Britain's finance ministry said.

(Writing by William Schomberg; Editing by Alistair Smout)
Saturday, July 3

The Piedmont Farmers Market is open from 8 a.m. to noon at 518 Winecoff School Road. It features lots of local produce, meat, flowers and other products.

Monday, July 5

The Harrisburg Farmers Market is open from 3-6 p.m. at 6960 Harrisburg Depot Road.

Tuesday, July 6

The Rotary Square Farmers Market is open from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. in downtown Concord at the intersection of Union Street South at Corban Avenue.

Wednesday, July 7

Tomatoes and Salsa hands-on workshop will teach how to preserve local tomatoes using a water bath canner as you prepare both tomatoes and salsa. Class will be offered from 12:30-4:30 p.m. Cost is $15 per person. Registration can be done in person on weekdays or online at www.cabarruscounty.us. Checks can be made payable to Cabarrus County and mailed to: Food Preservation Classes, c/o NC Cooperative Extension, Cabarrus County Center, 715 Cabarrus Ave. W., Concord, NC 28027. For more information, call 704-920-3310 weekdays.

Thursday, July 8
Michael Darby has been arrested on multiple drug charges after a months-long investigation by the Kannapolis Police Department.

According to information from police, KPD began an investigation Feb. 3 into narcotics activity allegedly taking place at 509 Denver St. in Kannapolis. The department reportedly received complaints about potential illegal activity at the address.

The house is near A.L. Brown High School.

Following the investigation, KPD obtained a search warrant for the residence and found on site 470 grams of cocaine, 58.8 pounds (26,692 grams) of marijuana, 1,597 dosage units of Ecstasy (MDMA) and $18,789 in cash.

Based on the evidence found at the scene, the police department was able to obtain a warrant for the arrest of Darby, according to the police report.

The arrest warrant for Darby included nine separate charges, including trafficking in marijuana, trafficking in cocaine, trafficking in MDMA, felony manufacture or supply drugs within 1,000 feet of a school, sell marijuana, deliver marijuana, maintain vehicle/dwell/place CS, possession of marijuana paraphernalia and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Or maybe those reactions came out of the absolute certainty that I was damned for being Jewish, consigned to burn in hell. After all, it was, for some people I met, their job to save me from such a fate.

I come from a religious culture that doesnt define a persons identity by belief or faith. Being Jewish is part ancestral heritage, part commitment to a set of premises about how to co-create a just world, part cultural practices that may not have to do with forms of organized worship, and part spiritual experience. I could call myself Jewish based on any one of these elements and be proud to make that claim.

I am.

So when there was yet again some attempt to convert me, to get me to believe that I had to accept a certain belief and profess a particular faith, I felt, I admit, disrespected at best and assaulted at worst. God knows, over the past twenty centuries, Jews have been converted (or killed) at the point of a sword, tied to a stake laid round with wood so they could be burnt alive, or tortured to death. Forcing Jews to abandon their people, their cultural practices, their ideas, and their spiritual identity has not been exceptional.

Jews are hardly alone in living through this sort of thing.
Profile: Ekaterina Almasque, General Partner at OpenOcean

Four years ago, we launched a diversity series aimed at bringing the most inspirational and powerful women in the tech scene to your attention. Today, wed like you to meet Ekaterina Almasque, General Partner at OpenOcean.

A research study by The National Center for Women & Information Technology showed that gender diversity has specific benefits in technology settings, which could explain why tech companies have started to invest in initiatives that aim to boost the number of female applicants, recruit them in a more effective way, retain them for longer, and give them the opportunity to advance. But is it enough?

Four years ago, we launched a diversity series aimed at bringing the most inspirational and powerful women in the tech scene to your attention. Today, wed like you to meet Ekaterina Almasque, a General Partner at OpenOcean.

Todays Woman in Tech: Ekaterina Almasque, General Partner at OpenOcean

Ekaterina Almasque is a General Partner at OpenOcean. She invests in unique technologies enabling our future data-driven economy, such as artificial intelligence, quantum computing, data infrastructure and more.

Before joining OpenOcean, Ekaterina was a Managing Director at Samsung Catalyst Fund in Europe, Samsungs multistage investment arm focusing on cutting edge technologies. She led investments across Europe in companies such as GraphCore, Mapillary, AIMotive, Sentiance, Quobyte, as well as several venture funds.

When did you become interested in technology?

My family was very much into tech, with my father being a professor of robotics and my mother an executive in a high tech enterprise. No wonder technology was a topic of conversation at dinner! This led to me going to one of the top mathematical & science high schools in the country, joining a much broader mathematical community of excellent minds, and choosing to study technology at university.

How did you end up in your career path?

I started a few ventures when I was 17 years old, including software start-ups. My path then meandered between education and working in corporate.

I went to Dresden University as an exchange student, where I was offered a scholarship, and then spent a number of years at corporates like Siemens working on cutting-edge technologies. Eventually, IMD Business School was instrumental in helping me find my true calling in the Venture Capital industry.

Did you receive support from your family and friends?

I was so lucky that both my parents were great role models, and they were always very passionate about science, new technology frontiers, taking risks and entrepreneurship. I have also been lucky to meet so many great people on my way, including my friends and mentors in academia, companies I worked for, and also the larger ecosystem.

Did someone ever try to stop you from learning and advancing in your professional life?

Ive been fortunate to have only ever had encouragement all my life. At Siemens for example, I was placed in the top talent pool of high potentials, where I received several weeks of training per year for developing business judgement and best management practices. Once I had decided to attend IMD Business School, Siemens fully supported and offered me multiple opportunities to rejoin the company, including my dream job at Siemens Venture Capital in the US.

Breaking into the VC industry from 2006 to 2011 was not straightforward, and I had to overcome multiple challenges. Its hard to identify the root of these challenges, but I can see that the path definitely could have been faster and easier. However, I do not regret taking it, and I am happy mentoring other women, especially those with technical backgrounds and good business judgement, to join our industry.

I do what I love most: working with outstanding entrepreneurial teams and helping nurture successful technology companies to shape the foundation of our future data economy.

A day in Ekaterinas life

I am a General Partner at OpenOcean, a VC firm investing in Series A across Europe in technology solutions for the future data economy. I do what I love most: working with outstanding entrepreneurial teams and helping nurture successful technology companies to shape the foundation of our future data economy. We provide strategic guidance, business development, key hires, and ensure that sufficient capital for growth is available for our portfolio companies.

What are you most proud of in your career?

Im most proud of my work supporting the formation and fast scale of companies such as GraphCore and IQM; and my work fostering new software architectures (such as P2P, APIs etc) that enable most of the services as we know them today  for example, I led Java standardisation. I also hold several patents, and launched a software business while still at university.

Why arent there more women in tech?

There is no simple answer. Unfortunately, there are still too few women studying science and technology, and this is a problem we need to address in the early years of education and as part of wider societal reform.

Weve made considerable progress over the last 20 years or so when it comes to workplace equality, but we must make sure that we are supporting women to enter tech professions from a young age.

Could you name a few challenges (or obstacles) women in tech face?

Unconscious gender biases within society do not help, and I am proactively working to advocate for more girls to take on challenging subjects. Women are naturally good at connecting various topics, such as bringing linguistics with mathematics (NLP, which is needed for building voice interfaces, for example). All new areas of technology advancements are multidisciplinary  areas where women naturally can figure out solutions and see through complexity.

Would our world be different if more women worked in STEM?

I do believe that female scientists, software architects, technology entrepreneurs and investors bring a very unique value and point of view. Overall, women would help to build a more balanced digital society with a much longer-term view on how these solutions can create positive impacts. Diverse problems also require diverse perspectives to solve them, and this extends to many other groups beyond just women.

I am passionate about supporting, developing, and investing in women in my work at OpenOcean, and I have seen firsthand the talent and success stories that can come from female-led companies.

Mentoring is one of the best methods we have for inspiring the next generation of powerful women in tech

The discussion about diversity is gaining momentum. How long will it take to see results from the current debate?

Were already seeing results in certain areas and geographies. Still, change in the early education and engagement of girls in science and technology requires much more work  structural changes are needed and this can be a lengthy process. However, there are changes we can all make right now, including fighting against negative bias when we encounter it, and we can all work to lift up, champion, and invest in the women in our own workplaces.

What advice (and tips) would you give to women who want a tech career?

First, not to be discouraged by perceptions. Second, follow your dreams. Third, find people who believe in your dreams and let them help you. Mentoring is one of the best methods we have for inspiring the next generation of powerful women in tech, and its worth reaching out to those in your network to see if they can offer advice and guidance from their experience  many will be happy to help!

More Women in Tech:

For even more Women in Tech, click here
CHAMPAIGN  Willis S. Sanders, better known as "Tuck" Sanders, was fatally injured yesterday morning when he fell beneath the wheels of an Illinois Central freight train in Champaign. Sanders had been employed on the Ivesdale farm of L.E. Smith. He has been working there since April but returns to Mattoon frequently to visit his family. He was returning to Ivesdale from Mattoon and was in Champaign to catch a freight train to Ivesdale, and when endeavoring to swing into an empty box car lost his balance and fell beneath the wheels... MATTOON  The Journal Gazette takes pleasure in announcing the addition to its staff of regular writers, Tom Sims, an extraordinary paragrapher. Sims is a graduate of Vanderbilt University, also of the U.S. Army, also of the School of Editorial Experience. From Vanderbilt he got an A.B. degree, from Uncle Sam he got two service stripes and a wound, and from the School of Editorial Experience the distinction of being one of the country's most quoted paragraphers while writing for the Nashville Tennessean.

MATTOON  The campaign to raise $2.5 million locally to partially finance the new hospital for the area will begin on July 6. George M. Tankey, president of the Area E-7 Hospital Association, made the announcement yesterday. Tankey also announced the appointment of Melvin C. Lockard, president and chairman of the board of First National Bank of Mattoon, as general chairman of the fund-raising campaign. An analysis of needs shows the cost of the new Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center to be $11 million. Tankey noted the new facility will be located between Mattoon and Charleston on Illinois Route 16. It will be community-owned, not-for-profit, tax exempt and not tax supported... MATTOON  The Mattoon school board last night approved pay raises for noncertified personnel, including secretaries, aides, lunchroom personnel, custodians, maintenance staff and bus drivers. A school spokesman said the raises constitute a 5 to 6 percent wage increase... MATTOON  In commemoration of the new U.S. Postal Service, people are invited to visit the Mattoon Post Office tomorrow, Leonard Finnegan, local postmaster, said. Visitors to the post office will be given an envelope imprinted with the old and new insignia of the post office. The envelope also will be available as a first-day cancelation for just the cost of the new eight-cent U.S. Postal Service stamp that will be on sale tomorrow, Finnegan said.
EFFINGHAM  An Effingham man is accused of dragging an Illinois State Police trooper 25 yards down the road as he sped away Sunday from a roadside safety checkpoint, police said.

Marcus Pocrnich, 21, has been charged in Effingham County Circuit Court with two counts of aggravated battery to a police officer, one count of aggravated fleeing and eluding and one count of resisting a police officer causing Injury. Pocrnich also was issued numerous traffic citations.

According to an Illinois State Police news release, a trooper observed what appeared to be a pistol between the driver seat and center console of a vehicle around 12:27 a.m. Sunday at a roadside safety checkpoint.

The release said that during an attempt to gain control of the pistol, a brief struggle ensued between the driver and the trooper, during which the driver grabbed the troopers arm and accelerated, driving away and dragging the trooper approximately 25 yards down the roadway before the trooper was able to free himself.

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After the driver ignored commands to stop, a pursuit involving officers from the state police, Effingham and Jasper county sheriffs departments and Effingham police ensued. The chase ended with the vehicles driver and its occupants taken into custody.

The release stated the trooper suffered non-life-threatening injuries and was treated and released at a local hospital.

Pocrnich was appointed a public defender during a court hearing Tuesday and his bail set at $500,000, meaning he must post $50,000 to be released. A preliminary hearing is set for July 22.

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Its a pricing strategy that has become at least a semiannual occurrence for manufacturers since 2014.

Reynolds also raised its list price by 14 cents a pack on April 5 and by 13 cents on Jan 28.

Cigarette manufacturers are pricing stronger and more frequently, Herzog said.

Philip Morris USA traditional cigarette volumes fell 9.5% year over year, while Reynolds had an overall 9.2% decrease and ITG Brands LLC was down 6.3%.

As of June 19, Philip Morris top market share was at 52.3% with Marlboro at 46.2%.

Reynolds was at 34.7%. Newport, the No. 2-selling traditional cigarette, was at 14.2%, while No. 3 Camel was at 8.6%, No. 4 Pall Mall at 5.6% and No. 5 Natural American Spirit at 3.9%.

ITG was at 7.3%, although ITG has said its market share is closer to 10%. Winston was No. 7 at 1.9%, while Kool is No. 8 at 1.7% and Maverick is No. 9 at 1.5%.

E-cigarette sales down

Meanwhile, sales of electronic cigarettes were down 4.9%.

Sales overall have slumped since February 2020, when the Food and Drug Administration implemented its latest round of heightened regulations on the products.
The bills do not name Hege, the Republican sheriff of Davidson from 1994 until he resigned in 2004. His name was not mentioned during debate about the bill.

However, Hege is apparently the only sheriff candidate in recent memory whom the bills would affect.

He pleaded guilty in 2004 to two felony counts of obstruction of justice after facing 15 felony counts. His convictions, though, were later expunged, meaning they were removed from his record.

Two Senate Judiciary committee members asked Wednesday about the fairness of barring someone with an expungement from running for sheriff while someone who is pardoned or received a pardon of innocence is eligible.

The 2019 version of the legislation moved quickly through three House committees in July 2019 before drawing considerable debate on the House floor.

There were enough concerns about potential loopholes that a motion to send that bill back to Rules and Operations committee passed by a 62-52 vote, with Democrats and Republicans voicing concerns.

Legislators questioned, among other things, how a juvenile conviction for a felony could affect someone who wants to run for sheriff as an adult.
Today is Monday, June 28, 2021. Let's get caught up.

Here's what you should know today: Rescuers remain hopeful about finding more survivors in rubble of Florida condo collapse; U.S. airstrikes target Iran-backed militias in Syria, Iraq; Cardi B, Queen Latifah, Lil Nas X shine at BET Awards.

Keep scrolling for today's top stories, this date in history and celebrity birthdays.

TOP STORIES

Rescuers stay hopeful about finding more survivors in rubble

SURFSIDE, Fla. (AP)  Rescue workers digging feverishly for a fifth day Monday stressed that they could still find survivors in the rubble of a collapsed Florida condo building, a hope family members clung to even though no one has been pulled out alive since the first day the structure fell.

The death toll rose by just four people Sunday, to a total of nine confirmed dead. But more than 150 people are still missing in Surfside.

Families of the missing rode buses to a site nearby from which they could watch teams at work Sunday: firefighters, sniffer dogs and search experts employing radar and sonar devices.
Krawiec said she agreed with that assessment.

Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools doesnt have a specific comment on the pending legislation, spokesman Brent Campbell said on June 23.

What I can say is we will always consult and collaborate with state and local health officials to provide the best guidelines and regulations possible that keep student and staff health and safety at the forefront.

Rep. David Willis, R-Union, said during the June 23 House floor debate that its time to give them the opportunity to take off the masks, to return to class as normal, and to get into a position where they can start to rebuild the confidence and the camaraderie that theyve had with their friends, with their classmates, and with their teachers, and to rebuild those relationships, to overcome the obstacles that we have put on them over the past year.

Rep. Susan Fisher, D-Buncombe, cited concerns that bill sponsors may be minimizing the current statewide presence of COVID-19, including in school settings.

Fisher suggested the best way to help students is for the legislature to provide funding for more school nurses and counselors.

Current status
Education

editor's pick alert top story

Musical at Lincoln Southwest almost didn't happen, but now it's being nationally recognized

Courtesy photo Lincoln Southwests production of Newsies earned a spot on the main stage of the International Thespian Festival. Courtesy photo Lincoln Southwests production of Newsies earned a spot on the main stage of the International Thespian Festival.

Opening night, the culmination of Lincoln Southwest's spring theater season, was three weeks away when the curtain closed in March 2020.

The high school's production of "Newsies," the youthful musical about a New York City newsboy strike at the turn of the 19th century, had been put on pause because of the pandemic.

"It was tough," said theater director Bob Henrichs. "We were 90% complete with everything for the show."

But that wasn't the end of the road. The show must go on, as they say.

So, last August, the school held auditions for what Henrichs called "Newsies 2.0," with a new cast and crew, although returning students were welcome to keep their roles.

Journal Star file photo Artistic director Bob Henrichs talks to performers during rehearsal for "White Christmas" in 2015 at Lincoln Southwest High School.

And despite the challenges of performing a show during a pandemic  including masks and limited audiences  Southwest students finally got to experience that opening night, albeit nine months later.

Now the performance is getting national recognition.

For the third time in the theater department's 19-year history, Southwest was invited to the main stage of the International Thespian Festival, held this past week in a virtual format. Southwest's production of "Newsies" was just one of six high school shows from across the country to be selected.

"It's really the national championship of high school theater," said Henrichs, a communications teacher who started Southwest's theater department.

The International Thespian Festival  a showcase for the best in high school theater  was a summer staple at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln for decades before moving to Indiana University in Bloomington a few years ago when it outgrew the Lied Center for Performing Arts.

This year, however, the festival went virtual. Schools submitted recordings of their productions  some of which were simply casts doing readings over Zoom  instead of performing them in person. Southwest was luckier than some in that it was able to actually perform the show last year and use that recording.

"All we had to do was click send," Henrichs said.

That was the easy part. Getting the show on stage was another thing.

First, there were replacements for all of the graduated seniors who never got a chance to perform the show ("Newsies 2.0" was devoted to them).

Almost half of the 108 students in the cast and crew were either new to the show or in a different role. The work, in essence, had to start all over.

Then came the COVID-19 protocols. When practices began, students had to be checked in for contact-tracing purposes. Masks were mandatory and physical contact was limited. The result: Not a single case of the coronavirus was reported among the cast and crew.

"We very fortunate that while sports were getting shut down, we never had to because we were all so careful," said Emerson Eveleth, who played a newsie named Albert, one of the main dancers in the show. "We didn't want to risk having the show stopped."

COURTESY PHOTO Emerson Eveleth.

By September, the show was ready, but pandemic restrictions meant a performance would have to wait.

When it was finally able to go forward in December, new Lincoln-Lancaster County Health Department measures meant a stripped-down performance: Only immediate family members could attend and masks would have to be worn throughout. No post-show meet-and-greets or parties, either.

"I think (masks) were the hardest thing," said Eveleth, who graduated in May and plans to study theater at Southeast Missouri State.

Months later, the cast and crew would come together again. Henrichs had a surprise announcement: They had made the festival main stage, joining past Southwest productions of "Black Elk Speaks" and "White Christmas."

Southwest is the only Lincoln high school to ever receive the honor and the only one in Nebraska in the past 30 years, Henrichs said.

"There's a reason why Silver Hawk theater is nationally recognized," said Avery Olson, who played Katherine Plumber, a journalist and one of the musical's lead characters in both the spring and winter casts. "(Henrichs) puts a lot of work and care into each show."

COURTESY PHOTO Avery Olson.

Olson said rehearsing in a pandemic was a bit weird at first. She remembers one of the first practices last fall when cast members sat socially distanced in the school's auditorium to recite lines.

"It was hard to hear each other," said Olson, who will be a senior next year. "It was pretty scary because there wasn't anything we could do if our show got canceled. We just had to continue wearing our masks."

Rehearsals can be a time-intensive process, said Eveleth, with the cast and crew meeting for hours a day to perfect the show.

"Some people take for granted how much we put into a show to make it look good," she said.

The pandemic also created financial hurdles for the theater department. With the canceled show in spring 2020 and limited ticket sales in the winter, revenue was lacking, Henrichs said.

But Southwest was able to make up some of that by making some cuts to its spring production  "Mamma Mia!"  and through donations.

On Tuesday night, the cast and crew held a watch party to take in the virtual opening ceremony of the festival, followed by the six mainstage performances.

Eveleth, who aspires to be on Broadway someday, says it gives her goosebumps thinking about the musical and the national recognition.

"The shows that school puts on are truly amazing," she said.

Southwest productions for the upcoming year are already picked out: the play "Almost, Maine" in the fall, a "White Christmas" revival in the winter, and the musical "Drowsy Chaperone" next spring.

Henrichs is hoping to see more people in the seats this time around.

"This whole year with the pandemic, we didn't get to perform for the public. Normally we perform for 4,000 people," Henrichs said. "Most of those audience members are community members, so we're really looking forward to getting back to that."

Lincoln Pius X student shoots for the moon with essay, earns trip to historic NASA launch Amanda Gutierrez's essay, "Dream Big Moon Pod," took home the top prize last month in the high school category of NASA's Artemis Moon Pod essay contest.

School board awards $3.2 million bid for kitchens at new high schools, eyes last practice field turf project The Lincoln Board of Education bypassed its traditional two-reading format to approve the bid for TriMark Hockenbergs to equip kitchens at Northwest and Standing Bear High.

Classroom sizes will increase slightly across LPS under $463M budget Lincoln property owners will pay $1.227 per $100 of valuation  or about a penny less than last year  to fund the general fund, bond debt payments and Educational Service Unit.
Thats something the 25-year-old New York City native has been doing since she was 3.

It was baby ballet classes at first, then I went into the jazz competition world for a hot second, she said. I got a scholarship at the JKO (Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis) School, which is ABTs school. I just kind of climbed up the ladder from there. You go through all of the levels in the school, then you get the studio company apprenticeship, then the corps (de ballet), and now I'm a soloist.

More than 5,000 people are expected to attend Thursdays performance, which was brought to Lincoln by the Lied Center for Performing Arts.

Lied presented ABTs production of The Firebird with Misty Copeland and the St. Louis Symphony in 2018, building on a relationship with one of the worlds premiere dance companies that resulted in Thursdays show.

Its hard to find other ballets that are comparable to American Ballet Theatre, said Bill Stephan, Lieds executive director. Thats why were thrilled to be able to offer it for free to the community. Im sure never before in Nebraska history has a company like American Ballet Theatre been offered to everyone at no charge.
On the other side, defense attorney Todd Lancaster said it was evidence only of an effort to get rid of the body.

"That's all it is. It's not something else depraved with some other heinous intention on the mind of whoever's disposing of that body," he said.

Lancaster said that in Nebraska, mutilation cases that rise to the death penalty have been limited to injuries while the victim still was alive. Not dismemberments after the victim's death, like here.

And he asked the three-judge panel to look with skepticism at statements about torture and killing made months before Loofe's murder.

"The evidence you're going to hear is obviously going to include statements and behaviors and acts done by Aubrey Trail," Lancaster said. "He is not the person that we are determining that these aggravating factors apply to today. It's the state of mind and actions of Bailey Boswell."

Testimony began with FBI Special Agent Eli McBride and photos of the scenes where Loofe's remains had been scattered in ditches in rural Clay County and by afternoon had moved to Michelle Elieff, the forensic pathologist who did the autopsy and concluded Loofe's death was caused by "homicidal means, including strangulation."
Today is Tuesday, June 29, 2021. Let's get caught up.

Here's what you should know today: Temperatures obliterated heat records in the Pacific Northwest on Monday; the search for victims of Florida condo collapse stretches into sixth day; Trump Org lawyers make pitch against prosecution.

Keep scrolling for today's top stories, this date in history and celebrity birthdays.

TOP STORIES

Northwest US faces hottest day of intense heat wave

SEATTLE (AP)  The hottest day of an unprecedented and dangerous heat wave scorched the Pacific Northwest on Monday, with temperatures obliterating records that had been set just the day before.

Seattle hit 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42 Celsius) by evening  well above Sundays all-time high of 104 F (40 C). Portland, Oregon, reached 116 F (46.6 C) after hitting records of 108 F (42 C) on Saturday and 112 F (44 C) on Sunday.
Authorities are investigating an alleged "inappropriate relationship" between an Elkhorn South staff member and a former student, the Douglas County Sheriff's Office said.

Douglas County Chief Deputy Sheriff Wayne Hudson said Wednesday that the Sheriff's Office is actively investigating one person affiliated with Elkhorn South High School but provided no further details.

In a prepared statement, Hudson said deputies are looking into a complaint alleging "an inappropriate relationship  between a staff member and a former student."

Band teachers at Elkhorn South are on administrative leave, and all summer band activities have been suspended.

The leaves and suspension of activities were announced in a statement from the district to band families.

The statement shared with families said: "As a personnel matter, and pursuant to state law, we are unable to respond to questions or provide additional information."

Hudson said the district is fully cooperating and that the investigation is ongoing.

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They used Lego bricks Feldmann inherited from his older brothers Nathan and Michael and the 150 to 200 sets of his own. He estimates theres more than a million at his house, stored in his room, his brothers now-vacated bedroom and a closet. He works in a Hy-Vee deli department and mows neighborhood lawns to raise the funds to buy them.

He and Josh Bodine focused on the structural support of the ship, which tested their patience when the whole frame collapsed and had to be started over. Matthew Bodine excelled at all the details that adorn the outside.

Were all Star Wars fans, so we all knew what needed to be done, Matthew Bodine said. There were a few times where I didnt believe we would actually be able to finish, but for about the last month, we realized that we werent too far off, and that helped us finish it out.

Because its so massive, and because it will need to be transported to the local Lego show and another later in Chicago, they built it in pieces that fit together.

That gave them each room to maneuver as they were putting it together.

The best part of it was seeing over a years worth of work come together when we finally connected all the individual sections, Josh Bodine said.
A crash Tuesday morning in Jefferson County left two people dead.

The accident occurred at about 7:30 a.m. at the intersection of Nebraska 103 and 725 Road near Tri County Public Schools, according to a news release from the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office.

A 51-year-old man driving a Ford Taurus was traveling eastbound on 725 Road when he attempted to continue straight across the intersection with Nebraska 103 and collided with a Dodge Ram heading southbound on the highway, according to the release.

The driver of the Taurus was pronounced dead at the scene. A 16-year-old male passenger in the Taurus was transported to Bryan West Hospital in Lincoln, where he later died.

The driver of the Dodge Ram was not injured.

Authorities think heavy fog may have played a role in the crash, which remains under investigation.

Reach the writer at lstephens@journalstar.com or 402-473-7241.

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Given the timeline set by the prior administration, that if we did not withdraw our troops, U.S. men and women would be facing fire from on the ground and that was not something as the commander in chief, that he felt was acceptable, Psaki said.

Washington signed a peace deal with the Taliban in February 2020. It laid out the promise of a U.S. withdrawal and commitments by the Taliban to ensure Afghanistan does not harbor militants that can attack the United States. The details of those commitments have never been made public.

The Taliban have accused Washington of breaking the agreement, which called for all troops to be out by May 1, the date the final withdrawal began. U.S. officials have said the Taliban have made some progress, but it's not clear whether the insurgent group has kept its end of the deal.

The insurgent group issued orders to commanders against allowing foreign fighters among their ranks, but evidence continues to surface that non-Afghans are on the battlefield.

Still, Miller was insistent that only a political solution will bring peace to the war-tortured nation.

It is a political settlement that brings peace to Afghanistan. And its not just the last 20 years. Its really the last 42 years, he said.
The Islamic Republic of Iran, as it calls itself, is not a republic, but it is Islamic.

Here are two definitions to make the point before moving on to a larger point.

A republic is defined by dictionary.com as a state in which the supreme power rests in the body of citizens entitled to vote and is exercised by representatives chosen directly or indirectly by them. Irans elections put supreme power in religious leaders, not the people. In previous elections when there were public demonstrations in opposition to the government, the people were jailed or murdered by the regime.

Radical Islam is a system of beliefs founded on interpretations of the Koran made by political leadership that seeks to impose those beliefs on its citizens and the rest of the world, by force if necessary. At least thats my definition, based on sermons from hardline mullahs in Iran and elsewhere, along with personal observations about how those beliefs are put into practice.

Obviously not all Muslims agree on everything, especially when it comes to politics. Neither do Christians and Jews for that matter, but Christians and Jews are not known for wanting to eliminate nations they dont like or for forcibly imposing their will on others.
On behalf of the Unionize UNL Steering Committee, I am writing to address the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's voluntary vaccine registry for this fall, which will include a lottery for prizes and will mandate intermittent testing for any students not signed up via the vaccine registry.

Chancellor Ronnie Green warned the UNL community that the threat of COVID-19 is not gone, especially in light of the highly transmissible Delta variant. Green himself stated that having a significant portion of our campus community vaccinated is the best way to protect yourself and to guard against any spread of COVID-19.

If this is the case, then why are we not mandating vaccinations? Other Big Ten schools are. According to the Chronicle of Higher Education, Indiana University and Purdue are requiring all students and employees to be vaccinated by fall. Northwestern, Illinois, and Rutgers are requiring all students to be vaccinated. The University of Michigan is at least requiring that all residential students be vaccinated.

As a UNL graduate student worker and steering committee member of Unionize UNL, I am disappointed that our chancellor would warn our community that we are still in danger while not taking the steps other Big Ten institutions have taken to ensure the safety of our community.
BURLINGTON  A teacher who participated in Jan. 6 protests at the U.S. Capitol over the 2020 presidential election will no longer teach American history at Burlington High School.

Jeff Taff, who is entering his eighth year at the high school, has been reassigned from the upper-level Modern American History course to a freshman-level course known as Social Studies Foundations. Taff also will continue teaching another course, Modern World History, when classes resume in the fall.

Burlington Area School District officials declined to say whether the classroom changes are related to Taffs participation in the violent and deadly Jan. 6 storming of the U.S. Capitol, to protest the election of Joe Biden over Donald Trump as president. According to Taff, his attorney and family, he never entered the Capitol or participated in any of the violence.

Trump and many of his supporters have maintained that there was widespread fraud leading to Biden becoming president, although no proof of such fraud has been found and U.S. courts have consistently sided against Trump since the election.

The district placed Taff on leave and ordered an investigation after learning that he had shared conspiracy theories about the election with students.

The investigator found that Taff did not violate any law or district policy, although the investigator criticized Taffs judgment and professionalism on the job, and urged that the teacher undergo new training and scrutiny. Taffs suspension ended earlier this month.

YouTube video

To this day, Taff refuses to say whether he accepts that Biden won the November 2020 election legitimately.

The $50,000-a-year history teacher announced his new classroom assignments in a video he uploaded to YouTube defending his approach to teaching about the Nazi Holocaust, which was one area in which the school district investigator raised criticism.

Burlington Area School District has stripped me of teaching this class next year, Taff said in the video posted on YouTube on June 23. It can be watched at youtu.be/N54O0DWod00.

Saying that he believes the Holocaust lesson is the districts main reason for pulling him out of Modern American History, Taff cited one confused student who complained about the lesson. Taff also blamed critics who have used social media to air grievances about his teaching methods.

He added: The social justice warriors, in trying to silence the teaching of truth, only help the choir to sing more loudly.

Taff could not be reached for comment on this story.

Reactions

Parents in the Burlington school district are voicing mixed feelings about the districts decision to strip Taff of his American history teaching assignment.

Jon Phetteplace, who has criticized Taff previously and is the parent of a BHS student, said he would prefer that Taff be removed from teaching entirely. Phetteplace, however, said he is glad that the district will no longer permit him to teach American history.

Im hoping that he basically is able to just be quiet, Phetteplace said.

Phetteplace was named in the description of Taffs YouTube video, uploaded to an account titled Jeff Taff. The video description states, Jon Phetteplace goes by the alias Conrad Breadwater on his social media accounts. If you have NO IDEA what has been going on for the past 6 months, here are a few articles about Jon Phetteplaces and others false accusations, followed by links to eight news articles.

Another parent, Adrianne Melby, who has supported Taff, called the districts move unfortunate, saying that she would happily allow Taff to teach American history to her kids.

Jeff Taff is a man of integrity and common sense, she said.

School district spokeswoman Julie Thomas confirmed Taffs new teaching assignments. She also said the changes would not affect Taffs salary of $50,000 a year.

Thomas would not say who will be teaching Modern American History in Taffs place. Burlington High School Principal Eric Burling also declined to say why Taffs teaching assignments are changing.

The districts course catalog says the American history course delves into people who have shaped United States history, while Social Studies Foundations focuses on fundamental foundations of social science.

All Burlington High School sophomores are required to take Modern American History or an advanced-placement equivalent; Social Studies Foundations similarly is required of all freshmen.

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RACINE  The case against a man charged with murder fell apart during a five-day trial. Credibility issues with the chief witness were brought to the surface, and the Racine Police Department was accused of performing a lackluster investigation.

That witness was shown to have lied repeatedly to law enforcement but was still never considered a suspect, despite possibly having had a motive for the murder.

The witness was also acquaintances with an investigator.

Not guilty

Joshua Morris, 32, was found not guilty of first-degree intentional homicide on Monday for the Sept. 2, 2018 shooting death of Lavelle Monroe, then 34 years old.

The defendant was convicted of the two additional charges: possession of a firearm by a felon and first-degree recklessly endangering safety with use of a dangerous weapon for firing a shot into the air.

The defense was able to weaken the states case by demonstrating there were actually two potential suspects in the case: Morris and Alexander Lease, both of whom were seen on surveillance video following Monroe into an alley.

However, when questioned on the stand, RPD Investigator Don Nuttall said he knew Lease personally, claimed Lease was not the type to commit murder, and therefore was never a suspect in the shooting even though Lease may have had a motive for the killing.

Surveillance video showed Monroe in a physical confrontation with Lease shortly before the shooting, potentially making Lease the only person of the two with any kind of motive, the defense argued, since there was no known motive for Morris to have wanted to kill Monroe, who he was friends with.

The gun used in the killing was never recovered.

The murder

RPD officers were dispatched to the 2000 block of Mead Street after someone reported hearing shots fired shortly before 1:00 a.m.

In the alley, they discovered Monroe with multiple gunshot wounds. He died from his injuries at Ascension All Saints Hospital.

Five days later, a warrant was issued for Morris, who fled the state and was not arrested until May 2019.

Credibility issues

Leases story changed multiple times as the investigation continued, even though police said they never considered him a suspect.

When interviewed in the hours after the homicide, Lease said when the shots were fired, he headed to his car and didnt see the shooting. However, a surveillance camera showed Lease following Morris and Monroe into the alley, which Lease later admitted to. He told Nuttall he saw Morris following Monroe, so he followed them both into the alley.

Lease claimed on the stand that he watched as Morris pulled a gun and shot Monroe, who stumbled forward and sort of hugged Morris, who then pushed him back and shot four more times.

When confronted about lying during the initial investigation, an emotional Lease allegedly told investigators during the taped interview that he lied because he was terrified of being the next body in the alley.

Lease lied again in a later interview, saying he was drunk and did not remember the evening.

Lease also claimed he was being threatened to keep him from testifying, even though the state provided no evidence of these threats.

There were other little lies, as well. Lease claimed he had a very short conversation with Morris after the murder, in which Morris claimed to be OK but was trying to put together some gas money to get out of town. However, records showed that the phone call actually lasted three minutes  much longer than Lease had claimed.

Lease also claimed to have panicked during the murder and ran away, but surveillance video showed that was not true.

In addition to the dishonest statements during the course of the investigation, Lease was shown to have a potential motive for the murder while there was no known motive for Morris.

As the defense noted, shortly before the murder, Monroe had a physical confrontation with Lease, slapping and punching him at least three times.

The witness attempted to downplay the confrontation. However, the surveillance video showed another partygoer had to intervene to stop the attack on Lease.

Witnesses and suspects

Despite lying to police and the possibility of a motive, investigators never considered Lease a suspect.

Under questioning, Nuttall told the jury that he had known Lease for many years, and he wasnt the type to commit murder.

The two men met when Nuttall worked as a security guard at the high school Lease attended. Nuttall said their interactions at the time were limited to him telling Lease to get to class.

In the years since that time, Nuttall said he saw Lease around town, but the two did not socialize.

The interview

The taped interview in which Lease told investigators that he witnessed the murder of Monroe was played for the jury. The Racine County District Attorneys Office used the video to demonstrate how emotional Lease was but also to demonstrate that he cooperated with the investigation.

But attorneys defending Morris alleged the video demonstrated the way in which Nuttall was feeding Lease information based on his investigation of the scene.

At one point, the investigator found an unspent bullet and casing on the ground near the building where the party was held. He surmised that Morris racked his gun at the scene and then shot the gun at the ground.

However, when he told his version of events, Lease never said anything about Morris racking the gun or shooting it. It was Nuttall gave him that information. The next time Lease recounted events, he included the racking of the gun and the shooting in the narrative.

Nuttall said he was not leading the witness. He was refreshing his memory.

As for all the lies, Nuttall claimed the witness was just trying to minimize his role in the murder.

One gun seen

Nuttall insisted there was more evidence than just the eyewitness testimony.

He noted that a witness saw Morris with a gun, standing on a corner near the alley where Monroe was shot. The witness testified that Morris pointed it toward the sky and shot off a round.

It was for this action that Morris was charged with being a felon in possession of a firearm and reckless endangerment.

Morris being seen with a gun that night was also used as evidence by the prosecution in accusing him with murder.

Assistant Racine County District Attorney Diane Donohoo told the jurors that trials were about evidence, and they should not speculate on what possible evidence that was never recovered may exist. She then told them there was one gun and one shooter  referencing Morris; whether a second gun was at the scene was to be left unconsidered by the jury.

A sentencing hearing for Morris is set for 1:30 p.m. Oct. 4, court records show.

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Number of Guardsmen in Kenosha per day

On Aug. 24  i.e., less than 24 hours after Blake was shot by Kenosha Officer Rusten Sheskey  there were 125 National Guardsmen on the ground in Kenosha.

By Aug. 25, the night of the Kyle Rittenhouse shootings, there were 250 National Guardsmen bolstering crowd control with the many southeast Wisconsin law enforcement officers that were called into Kenosha.

On Aug. 26, the calmest night of the four since Blake had been shot, there were 500 Guardsmen active in the city. This was the night in which arrests picked up; even as protests became nonviolent, law enforcement moved quickly to arrest individuals and groups who broke off from the main crowd.

On Aug. 27, there were 750 Guardsmen in Kenosha.

On Aug. 28, there were 2,000; 800 of those came from the National Guards of Michigan, Arizona and Alabama, reportedly because Evers was now accepting outside help after having rejected it previously.
STURTEVANT  The Fruit Truck is coming to town and delivering freshly grown fruit to residents from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Thursday at the Fountain Banquet Hall.

The Fruit Truck is a family-owned business based in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, that delivers GMO-free fruit grown in orchards in states including Georgia, Washington and Florida.

The company currently delivers to 14 states across the United States, and specializes in bringing fresh fruit to small communities.

In Wisconsin alone, the Fruit Truck delivers to 21 different municipalities.

We skip the process of going to the grocery store or having fruit sit at a warehouse for a long time, said Mitchell Olson, marketing manager for the Fruit Truck. And we make sure to pick the smaller towns to hit, especially ones that may not have grocery stores.

Customers make reservations online to order boxes of fruit of their choosing. From there, the company schedules routes two to three weeks in advance and then makes a pit stop in the local town.

The company does not take advance payments, asking customers to bring cash, check or Venmo when they pick up their reservations.

On average, customers will buy one or two boxes, said Olson. Each box may cost between $35 to $45 depending on the fruit and pounds per box.

Pregnancy cravings

The Fruit Truck began when founder Irina Kleinsasser was pregnant and she wanted some cherries.

Irina has been working in the trucking dispatch for most of her life, taking interest from her father being a truck driver, Olson said.

One day when her father was en route, Kleinsassar was pregnant and had a craving for cherries. She had her father make a pitstop at a local farm to buy cherries in bulk.

Along with her cravings, she called friends and family members and wrote their names down to distribute boxes of cherries to them. This gesture led to them asking for more, and there Kleinsassars company began.

The delivery process

When the Fruit Truck says its fruit is delivered fresh, there is no kidding around.

The fruit is not sprayed to preserve for delivery year-round; instead, product availability depends on which fruits are in season.

We get our fruit when its actually in season, said Olson. We have seasons and months that are pretty set in stone, based on weather and how the orchards are doing.

For example, peaches are usually in stock from mid-June to July, grapes and apples sell in the fall, and oranges are seasonally sold during Christmas time.

The company also gives care cards to customers to explain the most efficient ways to maintain fruit and have it last longer.

Well even mention what fruit is coming next in the cards, said Olson.

At the beginning of each week, the Fruit Truck sends out four trucks at the same time, and the trucks spend five days in one state.

After their five-day route, theres usually about a two-day break, said Olson.

The trucks stay in the local towns for an hour or hour and a half to distribute to customers. Customers without reservations can show up to pit stops and receive any extra fruit available.

We have a walk-up line, but the only stipulation is that the walk-up line is dependent on how much fruit we have available, said Olson. So, making a reservation is a guarantee.

Olson mentioned that Thursdays Sturtevant pop-up location will have an extra pallet of peaches available for residents without reservations.

The Fruit Truck will have one last pop-up stop in Sturtevant on July 22, if residents cannot make this weeks event.

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In 2018, Republicans ran for Assembly seats in 69 out of 99 Wisconsin districts, allowing Democrats to run unopposed almost one-third of the time. Two years later in 2020, Republicans ran in 92 districts, leaving a mere seven Democrats running unopposed.

Thats part of the Republicans plan to retain control in Wisconsin, a perennially purple state. To break Democrats streak of winning statewide races, the GOP wants to win locally to generate momentum on a statewide scale.

Why are we letting people run unopposed? U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., said at a Republican rally on Juneteenth last month. We want Republicans everywhere on the ballot."
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."
WASHINGTON (AP)  Amazon is asking that the new head of the Federal Trade Commission step aside from antitrust investigations into the e-commerce giant, contending that her past public criticism of the companys market power makes it impossible for her to be impartial.

Amazon petitioned the agency Wednesday to remove Chair Lina Khan from taking part in current probes of the companys market conduct. Khan has been a fierce critic of tech giants Facebook, Google and Apple, as well as Amazon. She arrived on the antitrust scene in 2017, writing an influential study titled Amazons Antitrust Paradox when she was a Yale law student.

FTC officials declined comment on Amazons motion. The agency could be expected to respond formally at some point.

As counsel to a House Judiciary antitrust panel in 2019 and 2020, Khan played a key role in a sweeping bipartisan investigation of the market power of the four tech giants.

President Joe Biden recently installed Khan as one of five commissioners and head of the FTC, signaling a tough stance toward Big Tech and its market dominance. At 32, she is the youngest chair in the history of the agency, which polices competition and consumer protection in industry generally, as well as digital privacy.
Heres the truth: This is an important step forward and its worthy of celebration, Wolf told a news conference on the Capitol steps Wednesday, backed by Democratic lawmakers and public school advocates. But we still have work to do. We still have a long way to go before education in Pennsylvania is fully and fairly funded, adequate and fair funding. We dont have that yet.

Wolf in February asked lawmakers for $1.3 billion in aid to ensure that Pennsylvania's updated school-funding formula is used for every dollar of state aid, while ensuring that no district would see a reduction.

Republicans balked at the price tag.

In an 11th-hour deal to set aside $100 million for the poorest school districts, Republicans got Wolf to agree to repeal his regulation to expand the ranks of lower-wage salaried workers who must receive time-and-a-half pay for any time they work over 40 hours in a week.
The Best Little Floorhouse in Texas Your choice for flooring in Central Texas! Your flooring is more than just the surface you walk on  it's an integral part of your home. With over 35 years of flooring experience, The Best Little Floorhouse in Texas has the resources and knowled
1. Yes. Its a common-sense bill that should be implemented. Pass it without changes.

2. Yes. The bill should pass, but some of its stipulations should be modified or dropped.

3. No. Unless significant changes are made, it doesnt deserve lawmakers support.

4. No. The original bill is dangerous. Democrats should walk out again to block it.

5. Unsure. Its had to say without knowing what final form the bill would take.

Vote

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Over the five-year period beginning in 2016, Wisconsin early stage companies have raised nearly $1.75 billion. There were $276.2 million in early stage investments in 2016, $231 million in 2017, $300.7 million in 2018, $454.4 million in 2019 and $483.7 million in 2020.

Using public reports, filings, surveys and more, the Tech Council tracked a total of $483,663,700 invested in 114 companies. Companies raising the most were Fetch Rewards, SHINE Medical Technologies, NorthStar Medical Radioisotopes and Sunvest, which collectively accounted for about $280 million of the state total.

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Wisconsins 2020 figures saw continued growth in median and average round sizes. Average round size is at an all-time high of $4.2 million (up from $3.8 million in 2019) while the median round size hit $1 million for the first time (up from $700,000). Removing the four 2020 mega-deals brings the average round size down to $1.8 million and the median to $940,000.

Continuing a multi-year trend, 51% of companies raised $1 million or more in 2020. In 2019, it was 43%; in 2018, 38%; and in 2017, 29%.
Wisconsin has 66 unique state parks, and Vernon County is home to one of them  Wildcat Mountain State Park.

The park, which is located on a ridge above the Kickapoo River southeast of Ontario, is open year-round from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. The park has campgrounds for families and individuals, groups and people with horses. All three types of sites can be reserved.

There are two shelters and an amphitheater located in the park. The upper picnic shelter and the amphitheater can be reserved. The lower picnic area (canoe launch area) shelter is ADA accessible, and is available first-come, first-served.

Twenty-one miles of scenic hiking, nature and equestrian trails meander through the park. An observation point overlooks the Kickapoo Valley. The Kickapoo River, Billings Creek and Cheyenne Creek flow through the park.

Like all other state parks, a vehicle admission sticker is required and a state trail pass is required for horseback riders 16 years of age and older.

According to dnr.wisconsin.gov, Wildcat Mountain State Park is an official Wisconsin Watchable Wildlife site.
With the unprecedented tax surplus, I was heartened to see the complete and total repeal of the personal property tax in front of us. This outdated tax has largely gone by the wayside across the country, and it is time Wisconsin join our neighbors in repealing it, Doyle said. He noted, though, that details were missed.

I am glad to have voted for a budget that makes minor improvements to our state. And I am incredibly proud to be part of the elimination of the personal property tax, Doyle said. I hope the budget investments will be enough to get us once and for all out of this crisis. And I hope we will not be dragged back to the floor in a few weeks because the personal property tax repeal was so rushed it will need to be fixed.

Here are other reactions:

Rep. Jill Billings, D-La Crosse

Republican Representatives have passed a budget of missed opportunities, which failed to take advantage of unexpected revenue growth and failed to invest in the areas of most need in our state. Meanwhile President Biden was in La Crosse, speaking on his efforts to seize the opportunity to create a bipartisan $1.2 trillion, eight year infrastructure plan, which includes lead laterals, failing bridges, electric buses and broadband, Billings said in a statement.
NEW YORK (AP)  TV actor Allison Mack, who played a key role in the scandal-ridden, cult-like group NXIVM, was sentenced to three years in prison Wednesday on charges she manipulated women into becoming sex slaves for the groups spiritual leader.
American independence is due in part to African Americans

Like the U.S. Constitution, the final version of the Declaration never uses the word slave. But African Americans loomed large in the first draft, written by Thomas Jefferson.

In that early draft, Jeffersons single biggest grievance was that the mother country had first foisted enslaved Africans on white Americans and then attempted to incite them against their patriot owners. In an objection to which he gave 168 words  three times as many as any other complaint  Jefferson said George III had encouraged enslaved Americans to purchase that liberty of which he has deprived them, by murdering the people upon whom he also obtruded them.

Numerous other white Southerners joined Jefferson in venting their rage at the mother country for, as one put it, pointing a dagger to their Throats, thru the hands of their Slaves.
BISMARCK, N.D. (AP)  A Bismarck energy marketer that sells wholesale electric power announced Wednesday it will purchase North Dakotas largest coal-fired power plant from a Minnesota company that had intended to close it if a buyer could not be found.

Rainbow Energy Center LLC said it reached an agreement to acquire the Coal Creek Station in west-central North Dakota from Maple Grove, Minnesota-based Great River Energy. The acquisition also includes the purchase of associated transmission lines that run from central North Dakota to Minnesota by Nexus Line LLC, an affiliate of Rainbow Energy.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

North Dakotas Legislature this year passed a sheaf of pro-coal measures that include loans, grants and millions of dollars in tax breaks, though it is unclear how those may be utilized.

We have not received any money from the state, Rainbow Energy President Stacy Tschider said on a conference call. We have the capital to fulfill the closure of this deal later this year.
Schools will be getting more money. The education budget bill includes a 2.5% increase in per-pupil funding in the first year and 2% in the second  the largest increase in the key formula in 15 years. It also includes money to attract, train and retain teachers of color as part of an effort to reduce racial disparities.

The transportation bill contains money for two new bus rapid transit lines for the Twin Cities area, connecting downtown Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota with Edina, and downtown with Blaine. It also preserves the Northstar commuter rail line from Big Lake to Minneapolis, which some Republicans wanted to shut down because ridership plunged due to the pandemic. And it includes money for a second daily Amtrak train between St. Paul and Chicago starting in 2024. Theres also money to outfit State Patrol troopers with body cameras. Unpaid traffic tickets and certain other minor violations, which disproportionately affect people of color and the poor, will no longer lead to license suspensions, nor will failure to appear in court for traffic tickets or driving after suspension.
The Declaration of Independence was signed on July 4, 1776, by the Founding Fathers. It stated we were no longer going to be under the control of King George and England. It spelled out all of the wrongs the king had imposed on us. It told what we were going to stand for. Finally, all the representatives of the 13 colonies had to sign the document.

The colonial representatives were standing up for profoundly serious issues. Their signature meant that if our Colonial Army and George Washington failed, they could all hang for treason. No other colony of the United Kingdom had ever dared to break away before. So they knew they could be in deep trouble, but they signed anyway.

The professional English soldiers were invading our land and our citizen soldiers were fighting gallantly against them. It was a long hard-fought war. When they were signing, winning was not achieved. Of course, we know the outcome of the American Revolution, the 13 colonies became the United States, and a government was formed around the Constitution of the United States.

In a few days we will celebrate the Declaration of Independence, the American Revolution, and the forming of our government with our own Fourth of July celebration with family, food, parades and fireworks. Happy Fourth of July. Celebrate with joy.
NEW YORK (AP)  TV actor Allison Mack, who played a key role in the scandal-ridden, cult-like group NXIVM, was sentenced to three years in prison Wednesday on charges she manipulated women into becoming sex slaves for the groups spiritual leader.

Mack  best known for her role as a young Supermans close friend on the series Smallville  had previously pleaded guilty to the charges and began cooperating against NXIVM leader Keith Raniere. Prosecutors credited her with helping them mount evidence showing how Raniere created a secret society of brainwashed women who were branded with his initials.

At her sentencing in Brooklyn federal court, Mack renounced the self-improvement guru.

I made choices I will forever regret, she said, also telling the judge she was filled with remorse and guilt.

I am sorry to those of you that I brought into NXIVM," she wrote in a letter filed with the court last week. "I am sorry I ever exposed you to the nefarious and emotionally abusive schemes of a twisted man.

She reiterated her apologies to the victims in court on Wednesday: From the deepest part of my heart and soul, I am sorry.

Mack wept at times while reading her statement to the court. U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis told her he believed her apology was sincere, but said she deserved a serious sentence for using her celebrity to groom victims as a willing and proactive ally and essential accomplice to Raniere's monstrous crimes.

Under advisory sentencing guidelines, Mack had faced between 14 and 17 1/2 years behind bars, but her defense team argued in court papers that probation or a sentence to home confinement was more appropriate. Prosecutors had agreed that any prison term should be below the guidelines range because of her cooperation.

The NXIVM saga and the story of Ms. Macks descent have been a tragedy for all involved. But that need not, and should not, be the end of the story for Allison Mack, her lawyers wrote in court papers.

A victim, Jessica Joan, rejected Mack's apologies, telling the judge the actor deserved no mercy.

She can blame Keith all she wants but she is a monster cut from the same cloth, Joan said in court on Wednesday. Allison Mack is a predator and an evil human being.

Mack, 38, was once part of the inner circle of Raniere, whose group attracted millionaires and actors among its adherents. Prosecutors said she became a master for slaves she ordered to perform labor, take nude photographs, and in some cases, to engage in sex acts with Raniere.

As authorities closed in on Raniere, he fled to Mexico with Mack and others to try to reconstitute the group there. He was arrested and sent to the United States in March 2018; Mack was arrested a few days later.

Ms. Mack now understands that this was the best thing that could have happened to her at that time, the defense papers said.

Mack provided information to prosecutors about how Raniere, now 60, encouraged the use of demeaning and derogatory language, including racial slurs, to humiliate slaves, the government papers said. More importantly, she provided a recording of a conversation she had with Raniere about the branding, they added.

The branding should involve a vulnerable position type of a thing with hands probably above the head being held, almost like being tied down, like sacrificial, whatever, Raniere told her. The women, he added, should say, 'Please brand me. It would be an honor.' Or something like that.

Raniere was sentenced last year to 120 years in prison for his conviction on sex-trafficking charges. A 41-year-old heir to the Seagram's fortune, Clare Bronfman, was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison in September for her role as Raniere's unwavering benefactor.

Mack was allowed to remain out on bail in home confinement until surrendering to prison on Sept. 29. She left the courthouse on Wednesday without speaking to reporters.
Employees at the Lancaster County mass vaccination site will inoculate their last patient today with a COVID-19 vaccine before permanently closing the doors on an operation that has vaccinated more than 115,000 people across the region.

The move signals a major shift in the local vaccination campaign from one heavily dependent on a single, centralized site toward popup clinics, designed to target difficult-to-reach communities.

Were not done yet, said Dr. Michael Ripchinski, site director and chief clinical officer with Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health. This is just the end of this current phase of vaccinations.

The Lancaster County Community Vaccination Center opened March 10 in the former Bon-Ton store at Park City Center with the capacity of vaccinating up to 6,000 people a day.

That goal was never realized.

The mass vaccination site peaked at 5,831 doses on April 20.

While the site averaged 2,400 doses a day, April was the busiest month. Vaccinators gave shots to more than 5,000 people on six days between April 9 and April 21, according to data provided by Vaccinate Lancaster Coalition, the public-private partnership behind the mass vaccination site.

As of June 23, a week before the closure, the site had administered 235,881 doses of vaccines, according to data provided by Brett Marcy, a spokesman for Vaccinate Lancaster Coalition.

Roughly a third of those vaccinated at the site are not Lancaster County residents.

While the Lancaster center isnt the only mass vaccination site in the region  there are community sites in Adams, Berks, Dauphin, Lebanon and York counties  it is the largest by far. The Adams and Franklin sites are closing next month.

The site in Berks, for example, opened on May 3 with the capacity of vaccinating 1,600 people daily, but peaked at just 274 doses, said Lindsey Miller, chief operating officer for Berks Community Health Center, which is operating the site. As of June 23, the Berks site had administered about 4,200 doses. The site is set to close July 31.

WellSpan Health  which runs eight hospitals in five counties, including WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital in Lancaster County  has operated community vaccination sites in the counties the health system serves.

I dont regret it

The vaccination center in Lancaster hired more than 1,000 employees to work at the site.

Tamara Trout  a causality of the COVID-19 recession  is among them.

Shortly after finding herself unemployed, her job search yielded two offers, one at the center. The decision she had to make kept her up at night, Trout said. Ultimately, she turned down a permanent opportunity as a medical assistant to take the job at the mass vaccination site, wanting to be part of the return to normalcy effort.

This was absolutely the way to do that and I wanted to be a part of that, said Trout, a site vaccinator.

Over the past three months  Trout said  shes witnessed a lot of happy tears.

I dont regret it one day, she said.

The site has been vaccinating about 500 people a day, 20% of whom are walk-ins.

The site has inoculated 10,876 minors, 12 to 17 years old.

Riley and Sawyer Weyman were among those receiving their second dose Friday.

In April, when the virus was circulating among her friends at Solanco High School, Riley Weyman got mildly sick with COVID-19.

I didnt want to go through it again, said the 17-year-old, of Eden Township.

The siblings parents  both teachers  are vaccinated.

It was important for us to model for them, said Irene Weyman.

Aware of the pending closure, Irene Weyman said she had rushed to get her children vaccinated after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approved the Pfizer vaccine for 12 to 15 year olds on May 12.

Everyone who received their first Pfizer dose after June 9 will be referred to a community partner for their second-dose shot. The Pfizer vaccine requires a second dose booster shot three weeks later.

While patients appear to prefer the Pfizer shot over the one made by Johnson & Johnson, overall demand at the site is way down.

Staff were using only about a quarter of the space on Friday.

As of Tuesday, nearly 280,000 residents in Lancaster County were at least partially vaccinated, according to state health department data.

Being part of this has been very overwhelming, in a good way, said Roland Masaad, a site pharmacist.

Its important to increase access

The Community Vaccination Center budget was about $20 million.

But that was based on roughly twice the volume. As with most businesses, employees account for the bulk of the costs.

While the true costs wont be known for several weeks, Ripchinski estimated the price tag will come in under $10 million. The majority of those expenses, Ripchinski noted, will be reimbursed by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

An after-action report is expected once the receipts are tallied.

The next wave in the vaccination effort is expected to look very different. That work has already been undertaken by a coalition of 30 members with various ties to vulnerable communities.

The mass vaccination site has supported a hub and spoke model, which to date has provided roughly 3,300 doses for difficult-to-reach communities in Lancaster County such as those who are low income, rural and homebound.

Its important to increase access, Ripchinski said.

Increasing access in Lancaster County also included free rides to the center. Since March 10, the Red Rose Transit Authority has provided more than 65,000 free rides to the mass vaccination site. David Kilmer, Red Rose executive director, said the lost revenue would amount to roughly $88,000 and was covered by federal CARES Act funds.

Ripchinski, and others, expect the bulk of the vaccination work moving forward to be done in doctors offices, pharmacies and popup clinics.

The best place to talk about whether to get vaccinated is with your trusted provider, Ripchinski said.

If Lancaster County commissioners, partners in the mass vaccination site, were granted a redo, at least one said he would have deployed more pop-up clinics earlier.

Lancaster County Commissioner Craig Lehman described the mass vaccination site, touted by residents and Gov. Tom Wolf, as a success, noting it vaccinated a large number of residents quickly.

But the Democratic leader  the only of the three to respond to an inquiry by LNP | LancasterOnline  was quick to add identifying the accomplishments is a mixed bag.

From a herd immunity perspective, vaccine hesitancy was and is an ongoing challenge, Lehman said in an email. From an equity outcome perspective, it remains to be seen. I have been and continue to be a big supporter of pop-up clinics to be intentional about boosting equity outcomes for hard to reach populations.
YWCA Lancaster will incorporate SafeHouse Lancasters programming into its Center for Racial and Gender Equity in a merger that takes effect Thursday.

Adam Hosey, YWCA Lancaster chief equity officer, said the merge is a pretty natural fit. The organizations co-hosted sexual assault prevention trainings, and SafeHouse Lancaster participated as panelists for YWCAs virtual programs Community Now and Listen, Learn & Lead, he said.

I think most of their founders were ready to move on and be doing similar work but just in different ways, Hosey said.

SafeHouse co-executive directors and founders Kearasten Jordan and Isaac Etter will not take a position with the YWCA. Both been involved in the merger process since it started in March.

Etter will focus on the tech company Identity he recently started, while Jordan is doing a residency at Millersville University.

We wanted to get back to the projects that we were doing beforehand, Etter said. But we also didnt want to see SafeHouse disappear. We also recognize the importance of what we created and the impact that its had so far.

Jordan and Etter formed SafeHouse Lancaster in June 2020 as a response to police brutality in Lancaster city and protests related to George Floyds death, Etter said. SafeHouses mission, according to its website, is to educate and equip young Black and brown people for activism work and be a resource for training and accountability for local ally owned businesses and organizations.

Two SafeHouse programs that YWCA will take on are the Anti-Racists Businesses and Community Group (ABC) and the Everyday Activism Academy. ABC is a teaching group for white business owners to get guidance on anti-racist business practices. Everyday Activism Academy trains young Black and brown people to be activists.

The Y became a really attractive option, Etter said. We could see the fruit of all the work we did last year while having a bigger nonprofit behind us.

Etter said another benefit to the merger is there wont be a lot of program turnover.

Lancaster, I feel like has a ton of programs that come and go, and part of us choosing to go with the Y was that we didnt want SafeHouse to fade and be something that was here and then gone.

Hosey said the SafeHouse programs work to fulfill their mission to eliminate racism and empower women. For YWCA, the merge offers an injection of youthful energy.

Diversifying YWCAs hiring practices to include younger employees such as high school and college-aged students is a priority, Hosey said.

SafeHouse media, resources and training coordinator Tess Feiler is joining the YWCA as a part-time employee to ease the transition.

The biggest positive that were going to see here is the fact that were keeping our core mission alive, Etter said.
A sweltering week is expected to cool down Thursday as a record number of people nationwide are expected to drive to their Fourth of July holiday destinations.

The National Weather Service issued a heat advisory for Lancaster County on Tuesday as the temperature soared into the upper 90s.

The weather service warned the excessive heat could be life-threatening among at-risk populations, such as children, the elderly and those with pre-existing health conditions.

AccuWeather is calling for another very hot and humid day for Wednesday before things cool down Thursday.

An estimated 43.6 million people in the United States are expected to drive to their holiday destinations Thursday through Monday, according to AAA, despite gas prices hovering at $3 or more per gallon. The number of drivers would break the previous record of 41.5 million recorded by AAA in 2019.

Its a hot and humid afternoon in the Northeast. Current AccuWeather RealFeel Temperatures:Scranton: 102 FBoston: 103 FBaltimore: 103 FNYC (Central Park): 106 Fhttps://t.co/6Nh4ElWF5I pic.twitter.com/NI8jxfdCHU  Breaking Weather by AccuWeather (@breakingweather) June 29, 2021

Stormy driving weather

According to AccuWeather, motorists driving in Pennsylvania this afternoon into this evening could run into thunderstorms that could turn severe with hail, downpours and damaging wind gusts.

And while temperatures in Lancaster County are expected to drop into the mid-80s beginning Thursday, the humidity will remain high with a chance of showers and thunderstorms through Monday.

A southward dip in the jet stream and a cool front are likely to shift into the northeastern U.S. beginning on Wednesday, AccuWeather Meteorologist Matt Benz said Tuesday in a post at the weather services website.

That weather system will lead to more extensive cloud cover, and showers and thunderstorms in the Northeast part of the country through the end of the week, according to the post.

Forward speed of both features is somewhat questionable, and at the very least, showers and thunderstorms may linger in the region through at least Friday, with the chance that the downpours linger much longer, Benz said.

Congestion headache

Holiday travelers mixing with commuters leaving work early at the end of the week to get a jump on their Fourth of July plans could cause a congestion headache, warns INRIX. The transportation analytics company, in collaboration with AAA, said major metro areas across the United States could see nearly double the delays compared to typical drive times.

Knowing when and where congestion will build can help drivers avoid the stress of sitting in traffic, Bob Pishue, an INRIX transportation analyst, said. Our advice is to avoid traveling on Thursday and Friday afternoon, along with Monday mid-day."

$3-plus gas

The average cost of a gallon of regular gas nationwide was $3.11 Tuesday, according to travel website GasBuddy.com. The average cost in Pennsylvania was $3.20.

As we approach July 4, it appears the only way forward is for gas prices to continue to rise as Americans insatiable demand for gasoline continues to act as a catalyst, said Patrick De Haan, head of petroleum analysis for GasBuddy. And with hurricane season soon coming into its prime, we have plenty more catalysts for a rise in price, and few that could retrain the situation. Motorists should prepare to dig deeper for the second half of the summer, unfortunately.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Biden administration said Wednesday it is hiring more federal firefighters  and immediately raising their pay  as officials ramp up response efforts in the face of a severe drought that is setting the stage for another destructive summer of intense wildfires across the West.

President Joe Biden announced the moves during a virtual meeting with governors from Western states and as a huge swath of the Pacific Northwest endures one of the worst heat waves in recent memory. Temperatures in Portland, Oregon, soared to a record 116 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday, a fact Biden cited as "a wake-up call to the rest of the public about the realities of climate change.

The truth is were playing catch-up'' on preparing for extreme heat and wildfires, Biden said, calling federal efforts "under-resourced'' compared with the deadly threat posed by climate change and extreme drought.

Thats going to change and we have to do it, Biden told the governors. We cant cut corners when it comes to managing our wildfires or supporting our firefighters. Right now we have to act and act fast.

Recalling horrific scenes from wildfires in California and other states last year, Biden said, Orange skies look like end-of-days smoke and ash.

Biden's plan would ensure that no one fighting wildland fires is making less than $15 per hour and would add or convert to full-time nearly 1,000 firefighters across a host of agencies.

Because of climate change, wildland firefighting is no longer a seasonal endeavor,'' the White House said in a statement. With fire seasons turning into fire years, it is imperative to have a year-round workforce that is available to respond at any time ... and is available to undertake preventive actions" such as cutting down small trees and brush that serve as fuel to fires that are increasing in size and intensity.

Western states have been parched by severe drought and record heat that has burned more than 2,300 square miles (5,900 square kilometers) this year. Thats ahead of the pace in 2020, which saw a near-record 15,000 square miles (40,000 square kilometers) burned, killing dozens of people and destroying more than 17,000 homes and other structures.

Climate change is driving a dangerous confluence of extreme heat and prolonged drought,'' Biden said. Were seeing wildfires of greater intensity that move with more speed."

Biden has expressed dismay at the starting pay for federal firefighters, which is significantly lower than at many local and state fire agencies. Pay for new federal firefighters typically starts at $13 per hour.

The pay raise will come in the form of retention incentives and by providing additional bonuses to those working on the front lines. More experienced permanent firefighters could also be eligible for a 10% retention incentive. Temporary firefighters will be eligible to receive some incentive pay under the plan.

Wednesday's meeting included eight Western governors, including six Democrats and two Republicans.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said he was pleased to be working with the White House, rather than as sparring partners,'' as he described his state's relationship with the Trump administration. We were debating raking policies'' in forests, Newsom said, referring to comments by then-President Donald Trump that the state should rake its forests to reduce the risk of wildfires.

With climate change, the wildfire seasons are only to get worse, Newsom and other governors said. The hots are getting hotter, the dries are getting drier, Newsom said.

Three Republican governors, Greg Gianforte of Montana, Brad Little of Idaho and Doug Ducey of Arizona, said they were disappointed at their exclusion from the White House meeting.

It is critical to engage governors fully and directly to have a productive discussion about how the federal government can improve its wildfire response and prevention efforts,'' Gianforte and Little wrote in a letter to Biden.

A White House spokesman said the invited governors represented a cross-section of states impacted by wildfires and said Biden will continue to work with governors from both parties on the issue.

The meeting with the governors came as the White House released a memo confirming its commitment to a clean energy standard, tax credits and 500,000 charging stations for electric vehicles, among other climate goals as officials pursue a two-track approach on infrastructure.

A memo by climate adviser Gina McCarthy and White House senior adviser Anita Dunn also pledges at least $10 billion to conserve and restore public lands and waters, address environmental injustice and create a Civilian Climate Corps to complete projects related to climate change and clean energy.

The memo responds to criticism from environmental groups and other progressives who are frustrated that many climate-related initiatives were cut out of a bipartisan infrastructure plan announced last week.

We know more work needs to be done, which is why President Biden will continue championing'' the nearly $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill and a separate, larger plan Biden and fellow Democrats aim to approve along party lines, the memo said.

On wildfires, administration officials have pledged to work with Congress to find a permanent fix to increase firefighter pay and convert more seasonal wildland firefighters to year-round workers.

The U.S. Forest Service and Interior Department combine to employ about 15,000 firefighters. Roughly 70% are full-time and 30% are seasonal. Those figures used to be reversed, but have changed as fire seasons have grown longer and more severe.

Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat who has pushed the administration to ramp up its wildfire response, said Congress "can and should bolster these efforts with legislation to lift a cap on overtime pay, create a permanent firefighting workforce and expand work to remove hazardous fuels to lessen fire risk.

"The ongoing infrastructure debate in Congress gives us an essential chance to get this and other wildfire prevention efforts done,'' Wyden said.

The meeting with governors came as Arizona marked the eighth anniversary of a 2013 wildfire that killed 19 members of an elite firefighting team. First lady Jill Biden, visiting a middle school in Phoenix, said her heart, her husbands heart and I know all of your hearts are with the surviving families.



Associated Press writers Keith Ridler in Boise, Idaho, Matthew Brown in Billings, Montana, and Darlene Superville in Phoenix contributed to this report.
State Sen. Doug Mastriano, one of Donald Trumps strongest supporters in Pennsylvania and a likely 2022 candidate for governor, was in Lancaster County at least twice recently, including last Thursday at the Star Barn in West Donegal Township.

There, he appeared at an event for Kathy Barnette, a Montgomery County Republican who is running for U.S. Senate, and Michael Flynn, who briefly served as Donald Trumps national security adviser.

In his remarks, Mastriano called for an audit of the 2020 election and discussed his June 1 trip to Arizona to witness firsthand a partisan audit of votes in that states largest county.

In a video posted to Facebook showing just part of the event, Mastriano talks about the difficulty one faces when God calls on someone for a job they may not feel equipped to do.

Like Mastriano, Barnette and Flynn are ardent Trump supporters. Barnette, like Mastriano, organized buses to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 6, to protest the election certification.

Mastrianno and Barnette did not respond to messages seeking comment.

Tabitha Valleau, of Lancaster, a leader of the conservative activist group Free PA, was at the Star Barn event and had been in Washington on Jan. 6.

One of her Facebook pages shows about a dozen photos from the event, including one of her posing with Flynn, Mastriano, Barnette and several other people.

She also did not respond to a Facebook message through Free PA for comment.

Flynn, the retired U.S. Army general who was forced out of his White House job after he lied to the FBI about his contacts with Russian officials during the 2016-17 transition, is a proponent of the false claim that Trump won last years election.

In a video posted to YouTube a day after the Elizabethtown event, Flynn, speaking to a small group gathered at what appeared to be someones backyard, praised Mastriano and Barnette.

I was in Pennsylvania last night encouraging a state senator by the name of Doug Mastriano to run for governor and hes going to be praying on that. And I believe over the course of the next few months, were going to see that gentleman running for governor in the state of Pennsylvania.

Flynn also said he is in close contact with Trump.

Mastriano has not officially announced whether he will run for governor next year. So far, half a dozen Republicans have entered the race or said they plan to, including Lou Barletta, a former U.S. Representative; Montgomery County Commissioner Joe Gale, Pittsburgh lawyer Jason Richey; and Charlie Gerow, a Cumberland County communications entrepreneur with a long history of working in the conservative movement.

Other Republicans who have said they are interested in running include State Sens. Scott Martin and Dan Laughlin, U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser and Bill McSwain, a former chief federal prosecutor in Philadelphia.
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Mary Trump titled her 2020 book about her uncle, Donald J. Trump, Too Much and Never Enough. Think about the last two words.

However, its the books subtitle  How My Family Created the World's Most Dangerous Man  that I believe is so prophetic and downright frightening.

The nations only twice-impeached president continues to promote his lie that he won the 2020 presidential election. The far-right Trumpites are conducting an audit (aka fraudit) of Novembers election results in Arizona and are planning similar sham audits in other states, including Pennsylvania.

Heres where I believe that a Republican member of Pennsylvanias Legislature could put an end to the farce aimed at the Keystone State.

That legislator is state Rep. Frank Ryan of Lebanon County. After the November election, Ryan headed up a group of state lawmakers who claimed there were more votes cast in Pennsylvania than there were voters. That false claim has been debunked by the Pennsylvania Department of State.

Trump has used Ryans remarks several times in falsely declaring that something shady happened in Pennsylvania. He repeated Ryans assertion to the crowd at a rally on Jan. 6, prior to the attack on the U.S. Capitol. And Trump again repeated the phony claim at a Conservative Political Action Conference meeting in February.

I believe that if Ryan would deliver a public statement acknowledging that he misspoke after the election, then Trumps sycophants would drop their foolish plans for another bogus audit here in Pennsylvania.

Robert Balthaser

Lebanon
G20 Matera Ministerial Is Long on Rhetoric, Short on Solutions

June 29, 2021 (EIRNS)Foreign and Development Ministers of the Group of 20 and representatives of UN agencies met today in a one-day event in Matera, Italy, hosted by Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, in Italys capacity as G20s current rotating president. Several of the ministers appeared in person, but the ministers of China, Russia, Brazil, and others attended virtually. The major emphasis of the meeting, whose unimaginative title was People, Planet, Prosperity, was to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as food insecurity, famine, poverty, and disease, and to promote sustainable development, and sustainable health systemsespecially for Africa. Di Maio said in the closing press conference that the G20 has a special responsibility to help Africa to emerge from a difficult period. It must be done in such a way, he said, that people wont feel the need to flee their countries and migrate to Europe.

The Matera Declaration on Food Security, Nutrition and Food Systems, announces a number of initiatives for addressing the developing sectors most urgent problems, but all are couched in terms of sustainability, respecting biodiversity and gender equality, and adapting agriculture and food systems to climate change. The statement ends with a call for a global mobilization to solve these problems, while it presents no solutions that might actually yield results. The document cries out for the Schiller Institute and The LaRouche Organizations programmatic proposals for building a global health system, bankruptcy reorganization of the global financial system, and reconstruction of the worlds economies with major infrastructure projects.

During the conference itself, there was much rhetoric about multilateralism, loudly advocated by Secretary of State Tony Blinken, who had the audacity to say The United States is leading the multilateral response to the COVID-19 pandemic, especially vaccine distribution, to which Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi tweeted in response that multilateralism is not a high-sounding slogan, let alone gift-wrapping for the implementation of unilateral acts. In his public statements, Wang called for an end to the zero-sum game in foreign relations. For example, he said, in fighting the pandemic it is to everyones benefit that those nations which have vaccines and vaccine capacity lift their export restrictions. Forget about ideology, and get to work on stabilizing vaccine production and supply lines, he said. German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas ignored that advice, complaining that Russia and China are only using their vaccine diplomacy for political leverage in the countries they aid. We must openly discuss the fact that we do not think much of their vaccine diplomacy, he harrumphed.

Michele Geraci, former Undersecretary of State at the Italian Ministry of Economic Development, said in an interview with CGTN that there is a lot of talk about multilateralism, but if it means that each of 200 nations do their own thing, and there is retrenchment, it doesnt work. It hurts production, people-to-people contact, and international education, What is needed is real collaboration, he insisted.

Di Maio and other Italian participants pointed out that in terms of protecting health, Rome is home to a number of international food organizationsincluding the UNs World Food Program, Food and Agriculture Organization, International, and International Fund for Agricultural Developmentand that they and Italy will co-host the July 26-28 Pre-Summit of the World Food Systems, with the Summit taking place at the UN General Assembly in September. As this news service has pointed out, the Rome affair in July is terribly organized as a gathering of stakeholderswomen, youth, climate, biodiversity groups, etc.and that its solutions are supposedly nature-based, not focused on ending famine. This is precisely the Davos World Economic Forum model announced by WEF founder and executive chairman Klaus Schwab last January.
EIR LEAD EDITORIAL FOR WEDNESDAY, JUNE 30, 2021

The Urgent Mission of the Anti-Malthusian Alliance

June 29, 2021 (EIRNS)At the Schiller Institute June 26-27 conference, For the Common Good of All People, Not Rules Benefitting the Few! 37 speakers addressed the most important issues facing mankind today, and defined the level on which solutions can be worked out. This process is glaringly not the approach in the major world institutions at present, which are factionalized between the necessity and prospect of a new paradigm, as against those locked in the old paradigm, with great danger involved for everyone.

This was manifest today in the Group of 20 ministerial meeting in Italy, the 2021 president of the G20, at which foreign and development ministers and diplomats met in personthe first time in two yearsand some virtually. The focus was on the pandemic and food supply crises. Speaking online, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi spoke of the need for coordinated action against the pandemic, saying sternly that the time for thinking in zero-sum game terms is over. There must be real collaboration. In contrast, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas used the occasion to criticize China and Russia for distributing their vaccines to countries as vaccine diplomacy for allegedly political purposes.

Schiller Institute President Helga Zepp-LaRouche pointed out that the gathering in Matera, Italy is one of a sequence of meetings which defines the framework to direct our efforts to make clear to the world, the type of solutions truly required, using the spearhead of the necessity for mobilizing for a world health security capacity. July 26-28 in Rome will be the Pre-Summit on World Food Systems, in conjunction with the UNs three Rome-based agencies, Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Food Program (WFP), and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), which will be followed in September by the Summit on World Food Systems at the time of the UN General Assembly in New York. In October is the G20 heads of state and government summit. The enemy green climate track will hold the UN Biodiversity Conference on Oct. 11-24 in Kunming, China, followed by the COP26 on Nov. 1-12 in Glasgow.

The generic title of todays G20 meeting was, People, Planet, Prosperity, with the most repeated word being multilateralism. U.S. Secretary of State Tony Blinken had the audacity to assert that the United States is leading the multilateral effort to distribute COVID vaccines internationally. However, Chinas Foreign Minister Wang Yi tweeted that multilateralism is not a high-sounding slogan, let alone gift-wrapping for the implementation of unilateral acts. What is required, Wang said, is for nations to stabilize and expand the production and supply lines of vaccines and other necessities. Nations with vaccine capacity should lift any export impediments. Former Undersecretary of State at the Italian Ministry of Economic Development Michele Geraci, characterized the Matera proceedings, saying today specifically that it will be a world failure if multilateralism is taken to mean that 200 nations retrench, and in the face of crises, do not collaborate to address the pandemic, economic tasks, and famine. Geraci, who has been part of prior Schiller Institute colloquies, and who had lived for 10 years in China as a university professor in economics and finance, was giving an interview to China Global Television Network (CGTN).

Thus, todays G20 ministerial, if anything, makes clear the responsibility to rapidly expand the dialogue process of the Schiller Institute, in policy and mobilization.

Helga Zepp-LaRouche spoke today, in particular, of the concept she had put forward over the June 26-27 conference, for the necessity to re-tool the capacity locked up in the military-industrial complex, which, she said, may sound utopian. But if we dont, it will mean perpetuating the endless war policy of the MICIMATT, as former CIA analyst Ray McGovern refers to the Military-Industrial-Congressional-Intelligence-Media-Academia-Think-Tank complex.

The danger of the endless war scenario turning into a final nuclear Armageddon scenario couldnt be made more clear than by considering what is going on this very week in the up-close military exercises taking place simultaneously by NATO and Russia in the Black Sea region and in the Eastern Mediterranean.

Zepp-LaRouche remarked of last weekends Schiller Institute four panels, that the entire conference was guided by the mode of thinking of Nicholas of Cusas coincidence of opposites. Now more and more people are getting it. Forge the anti-Malthusian alliance.


For nearly 20 years, Bagram Airfield was the center of American military power in Afghanistan.

The base is located behind fences and protective walls just an hours drive north of the Afghan capital, Kabul. At first, Bagram was a symbol of the campaign to seek those responsible for attacks on the United States on September 11, 2001. Then, the base became a symbol of its struggle for a way through the resulting war with the Taliban militant group.

Soon, the last U.S. soldiers will leave Bagram.

Andrew Watkins is a senior expert on Afghanistan for the International Crisis Group in Brussels, Belgium. He said, Bagram grew into such a massive military installation that, as with few other bases in Afghanistan and even Iraq, it came to symbolize and epitomize the phrase mission creep. Mission creep is a term that means the slow change over time of the goals of a military campaign.

American officials said last week that more than 50 percent of U.S. forces in Bagram have moved out. The rest will most likely be gone by July 4. The Afghan military will then take over Bagram as part of its continuing fight against the Taliban.

The U.S. withdrawal marks the second time a world power has come and gone from Bagram.



The former Soviet Union built the airfield in the 1950s. The Soviets invaded Afghanistan in 1979 to support a communist government. Bagram became their main base from which it would defend its occupation of Afghanistan. For 10 years, the Soviets fought the mujahadeen - Afghan fighters supported by the U.S.

The Soviet Union negotiated its withdrawal in 1989. Three years later, the pro-Soviet government collapsed, and the mujahedeen took power. However, the mujahedeen soon began to fight among themselves and kill thousands of civilians. That conflict brought to power the Taliban who captured Kabul in 1996.

When the U.S. and NATO took control of Bagram in 2001, they found it in ruins. Rocket- and- gunfire from battles between the Taliban and rival Afghan fighters had severely damaged the buildings. Most of the fencing around the base was destroyed.

After moving the Taliban from Kabul, the U.S.-led coalition began working with their allies to rebuild Bagram. The base quickly grew to a size of about 78 square kilometers.

Bill Roggio is a senior expert on Afghanistan at the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies, a research group.

He said, The closure of Bagram is a major symbolic and strategic victory for the Taliban.

Roggio added, If the Taliban is able to take control of the base, it will serve as anti-U.S. propaganda fodder for years to come.

For Afghans in the Bagram area, the base has been a major supplier of employment. The U.S. withdrawal affects nearly every household, said Darwaish Raufi, the Bagram area governor.

The Americans have also been giving the Afghan military some weapons and other material. Anything else that they are not taking, they are destroying and selling to parts dealers around Bagram. U.S. officials say they must make sure nothing usable can ever fall into Taliban hands.



Last week, the U.S. said it had thrown out 14,790 pieces of equipment and sent 763 C-17 aircraft loaded with material out of Afghanistan. Raufi said many villagers have complained to him about the U.S. leaving just their waste behind.

Michael Kugelman is deputy director of the Asia Program at the Wilson Center, a policy research group in Washington, D.C.

He said, Theres something sadly symbolic about how the U.S. has gone about leaving Bagram. The decision to take so much away and destroy so much of what is left speaks to the U.S. urgency to get out quickly.

Some have compared the U.S. withdrawal to that of the former Soviet Union.

Retired Afghan General Saifullah Safi worked alongside U.S. forces at Bagram. He said the Soviets left all their equipment when they withdrew. He added that they didnt take much with them, just the vehicles they needed to transport their soldiers back to Russia.

Im Jonathan Evans.

Kathy Gannon reported on this story for the Associated Press. Jonathan Evans adapted this story for Learning English. Hai Do was the editor.

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Words in This Story

symbol - n. an action, object, event, etc., that expresses or represents a particular idea or quality

fodder - n. material that is used for a particular purpose

installation - n. something such as a piece of equipment that is put together and made ready for use

epitomize - v. to be a perfect example or representation of something; to be the epitome of something
There are two iconic pieces of signage in Los Angeles. One is big and tall and says "Hollywood," the other is small and red and says "Trader Joe's."

For Angelenos, both are simply a part of the landscape, like the rearing heads of Mexican fan palms or strands of brake lights on the 405. Just as we groan when visitors want a Hollywood sign selfie "Oh, my God. Why?" we gasp when they say they don't live near a Trader Joe's "Oh, my God. How?"

Can it honestly be called "life" if there is no Spiced Cider or two-buck Chuck? No Reduced-Guilt Mac & Cheese, Chocolatey Coated Chocolate Chip Dunkers or Crisp Pasadena Salad With Chicken? Who would choose to live somewhere you cannot buy TJ's peanut butter-filled pretzels or Tempting Trail Mix, which is basically just candy?

It's hard to think of any other market that holds so much sway over its customers, especially a chain with problematic parking and such a frankly bizarre inventory. How did a store that sells 15 kinds of dark chocolate and zero kinds of aluminum foil, a chain that proudly advertises popular items with limited availability, even come into being, never mind becoming wildly successful?

Founder Joe Coulombe will tell you exactly how in his posthumously published new memoir, "Becoming Trader Joe."
The sale and use of fireworks in Cozad began on Thursday, June 24, according to the City of Cozad.

Discharge times during the ten day period in the 100th Meridian community are between 10 a.m. and 11 p.m. except on July 4, when it is extended from 10 a.m. to midnight.

Over in Gothenburg, the sale and discharge of fireworks also began on June 24, according to the Gothenburg Police Department.

During the 10 day period discharge times are allowed from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. and on the Fourth it is extended from 8 a.m. to midnight.

Those living in Dawson County can discharge fireworks ten days before the Fourth of July, from 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. On July 4, discharged is allowed until midnight.

In Gosper County, Elwood follows Nebraska state fireworks laws and they can be sold and used from June 25 to July 4.

Those who reside outside of any municipalities are subject to the Nebraska fireworks laws as well and can be discharged 10 days before July 4, as well as the holiday itself.
A Lompoc man killed Monday in single-vehicle crash just south of Santa Maria following a pursuit with Vandenberg Space Force Base security per
A Santa Barbara man has pleaded not guilty to a charge of gross vehicular manslaughter from a Highway 154 head-on vehicle collision that killed a Nipomo pharmacist in June 2020.

Oscar Pereyra, 62, entered his plea June 18 to the charge of manslaughter with negligence in the collision that killed 31-year-old Michael Kai Liu, of Arroyo Grande, according to court records.

Additionally, Pereyra denied an enhancement for allegedly using his vehicle as a deadly weapon to commit the felony.

Pereyra was charged on March 15, 2021, more than nine months after the crash that killed Liu.

+3 Santa Barbara man charged in June 2020 gross vehicular manslaughter death of Nipomo pharmacist A Santa Barbara man was charged last week with gross vehicular manslaughter in a head-on collision that killed a Nipomo pharmacist along Highw

The collision occurred shortly after 10:30 a.m. on June 5, 2020, when a 2000 Toyota Tacoma driven by Pereyra veered into the path of and collided with Liu's 2009 Hyundai Sonata near East Camino Cielo, according to the California Highway Patrol.
CALmatters is a public interest journalism venture committed to explaining how California's state Capitol works and why it matters. Dan Walters has been a journalist for nearly 60 years, spending all but a few of those years working for California newspapers.
Home Stretch will feature the talents of many Madison-based artists, including Marina Kelly, Bethany Alwa, Quanda Johnson, Bird Ross, and the independent artist collective Solarpunk Surf Club.

Theater artist and UW faculty associate Jen Plants is hosting a front porch bingo game from the heart of Isthmus every first and third Friday of the month until the festivals conclusion. People are encouraged to bring lawn chairs and blankets as they enjoy a brisk game of family friendly bingo.

All events are free to the public. Artists may choose to ask for donations to go towards specific causes

Festival artists are committed to following city, state and federal guidelines issued by the CDC. Most performances will occur outside and do not require masks. Although Dane Countys mask mandate was lifted in early June, it is still recommended that those who are unvaccinated continue to wear masks in public spaces. Events are clearly defined by artists on the festival website, ensuring participants can determine their own comfort level when choosing what to attend.

Home Stretch is labeled as a project in process. New artists and events will continue to be added throughout the summer.
The girls hit it off and not long after (literally 24 hours), Stefani invites Zola to come with her to Tampa to pole-dance for some quick cash. Stefanis making the trip with her aloof boyfriend Derrek (a hilarious Nicholas Braun) and her roommate X (a terrifying Colman Domingo). But just as quickly as Zola accepts the invitation, she learns that X isnt actually Stefanis roommate  hes her pimp. And X has marketed both Zola and Stefani online as sex workers.

Told with sardonic wit and biting precision, Zola narrates the rest of her tale with fourth-wall breaking quips and sharp freeze frames. But the real storytelling lies in Paiges eyes, which glimmer, feign interest, and display palpable fear when necessary. Bravo uses close-ups to communicate these subtleties, and Paige delivers with aplomb. The films script, penned by Bravo and Jeremy O. Harris, brings an earnest authenticity and heightened sense of imagination to the viral Twitter saga.
Scott Manley, executive vice president of government relations for Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, has said previously that the group's members believe the supplemental aid has had a significant effect on their ability to hire workers  which results in some businesses having to turn down contracts or reduce their hours of operation.

Republicans were quick to criticize the governor's decision. Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke, R-Kaukauna, said it is "absolutely mind-boggling to learn our governor thinks we should still be paying folks an extra $300 per month to sit home on their couch."

Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, disputed Evers' assertion that there is no link between the extra money and the state's workforce shortage.

"Every single employer I have talked to is challenged to find workers. Hardworking employees, who have been stretched very thin, tell me that they are getting tired," Marklein said. "From restaurants to manufacturers to city governments to state parks. Every single employer is competing with the governments unnecessary enhanced unemployment checks."
Lawyers for the HR officials said after the staffer shared details of the incident with the Cap Times, they developed a new understanding that the Victim no longer objects to details of the incident being released, as long as she remained anonymous.

The LHRO has determined the legislative policy recognizing the strong public interest in allowing access now outweighs any interest in preserving the confidentiality of the details surrounding the events involving Representative Gruszynski, a letter from the attorneys said.

The information  including an investigation report dated Dec. 17, a statement from the staffer from Nov. 26, and screenshots of Facebook messages between Gruszynski and the staffer  confirmed what the staffer, two of her friends and a Democratic lawmaker told the Cap Times in August.

The staffer said Gruszynski had invited her back to his hotel room and threatened to follow her home after she repeatedly declined his advances on Oct. 30, 2019. Calling his behavior calculated, the staffer insisted it wasnt an offhand joke or a flirtatious comment.

It was an explicit conversation to pressure me to going back with him and having sex with him, she said. Thats what it was and people should know that thats what it was.
Joint Finance Committee co-chair Rep. Mark Born, R-Beaver Dam, countered that Assembly Republicans delivered on their promises to keep spending in check, cut bureaucracy and fund the state's priorities while delivering tax relief.

The GOP budget funds priorities "in a way that's affordable for you and your families," said Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, R-Rochester.

Taking advantage of an unexpected revenue windfall, the budget as written by Republicans includes about $2.7 billion in income tax relief by bringing the state's third income tax bracket  which applies to individuals making between $23,930 and $263,480 per year  down from 6.27% to 5.3%. Estimates from the nonpartisan Legislative Fiscal Bureau show that 74% of the total tax decrease would apply to people earning more than $100,000 per year (about 18% would apply to people making more than $300,000).

"This surplus was built by the people of Wisconsin, by our workforce, by our businesses, by our communities. Thats why were going to focus on sending a large part of that surplus back to those folks instead of growing government," Born said.
The first day on my new job at Wisconsin Farmers Union in June 2018, my 19-year-old daughter was living alone in a remote area during the second 100-year flood to hit Bayfield County in two years. As she came home from work one night, the accumulation of four days of steady rain finally overran the capacity of rural infrastructure to hold back the water and all hell broke loose. Luckily, she made it home despite flooded roads and downed power lines, but we couldnt reach her in subsequent days and were really worried. Two people died in the floods, communications were down, and roads were washed out and closed for months. Some more remote roads were just repaired this year. The reality is rural counties dont have the resources to keep roads fixed when things are normal, let alone when weather catastrophes happen.
The most important responsibility of any governor of Wisconsin is to develop a budget proposal that serves the people of the state, and then to work with legislators to improve that proposal and get it passed.

Gov. Tony Evers did his part when he proposed a 2021-23 budget plan that put an emphasis on strengthening schools and communities that had been hard hit by the coronavirus pandemic and the economic turbulence associated with it. Unfortunately, the Republican-controlled Legislature refused to work with the Democratic governor. Instead they came up with a reactionary counterproposal that is weighted down with tax cuts for the wealthy and threats for the vulnerable.

Evers is going to have to veto some part of this proposal, and there are good arguments for scrapping the whole thing.

That may sound like a hardline stance. In fact, an aggressive approach to vetoing all or parts of the Republican plan is the best way for the governor to defend Wisconsin values against an assault by legislators who are doing the bidding not of their constituents but of their out-of-state campaign donors.
JUNEAU  A 36-year-old Beaver Dam man was found guilty Tuesday of causing a fatal three-vehicle crash the summer of 2019 while driving under the influence.

Dustin Vandergalien, who appeared with his attorney Todd Snow, pleaded no contest to three counts against him: homicide by use of a vehicle while under the influence of a controlled substance, injury by use of a vehicle while under a controlled substance and causing injury while operating under a controlled substance.

Dodge County Circuit Court Judge Martin De Vries accepted the pleas and found Vandergalien guilty. Ten additional counts against him were dismissed but read into the record.

As part of a plea agreement with the Dodge County District Attorneys Office, the state agreed not to argue for more than 28 years in prison.

A young man lost his life and six others were injured due to the careless and reckless operation of a vehicle by the defendant, Dodge County District Attorney Kurt Klomberg said in a press release. This crash was totally preventable, and should not have happened. The defendant, a repeat drunken driver, again chose to drive recklessly after consuming intoxicants. Seven innocent people paid the price. I will be seeking a long term in prison for the defendant.
Ross stated I have no idea when asked who was driving the vehicle, and again responded I have no idea when asked to whom the suspect vehicle belonged. Asked why he was behind a closed business at the late time of night, Ross stated he was coolin. Ross said he did not know where the driver of the vehicle was, that he knew nothing about the vehicle and that he was not driving the vehicle.

According to Ross he walked to the location Helixon found him at after his girl threw him out the car on the interstate while traveling from Chicago to Minneapolis. Asked if anyone else was inside the vehicle, Ross said I have no idea what youre talking about.
JUNEAU  A 29-year-old Watertown man was sentenced to prison on Monday for shooting a gun in a residential area after a fight on Instagram.

Paris Selvie was found guilty in April of a felony charges of possession of a firearm as a convicted felon and second-degree recklessly endangering safety.

Selvie appeared before Dodge County Circuit Court Judge Martin De Vries on Monday and was sentenced to three and a half years in prison and three years of extended supervision.

This criminally reckless conduct will not be tolerated in our community, Dodge County Assistant District Attorney Margaret Kunish said during sentencing, according to a press release from the Dodge County District Attorneys Office.

According to the criminal complaint, Watertown police investigated a report of someone shooting a gun on Howard Street Oct. 11 at 3:40 p.m. Selvie left the area and went to his residence where Watertown Police met him. Selvie told police that he had been at home for most of the day and left once on an errand. He said he hadnt seen the person who was shot at in a long time.
I really like what he said is this: from the bottom out and the middle out. And that is so important, lets make sure that we include everyone in our economy, said state Sen. Brad Pfaff, D-Onalaska.

It connects the dots, Pfaff said, echoing Evers. It demonstrates that whats happening in Washington D.C. has a real world impact here at the local level. And it also demonstrates the fact that in order for us to make sure we can control to grow our economy we need to make sure that we include all different facets of it.

Its all interconnected, he said.

The impact the pending infrastructure plan will have on La Crosse and other local communities will depend on working between state and local governments, officials emphasized, another plug for a unified effort.

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds said that hes confident the work the city is already doing on rebuilding roads and improving other infrastructure will be supplemented by the plan, and will aid local governments juggling the different aspects of supporting a community.


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He says in the civil complaint that while he worked for UW-Madison from November 2017 to December 2018, he had an office at the Vilas Zoo and Schwetz was his supervisor. It was only after Schwetz had no day-to-day supervisory control over him that he reported the incident to Kristin Vehrs  described in the suit as the AZAs executive director at the time  on July 29, 2019.

Four days after that, the complaint alleges, he told Vehrs that hed accepted a job as the Brookfield Zoos director of conservation science. She was the only person outside the zoo who knew of the hire, the complaint says.

The day Dr. Banes started his new job at the Brookfield Zoo, his supervisor informed him that he was concerned about his character and suggested that he had heard concerning things about Dr. Banes from individuals associated with the AZA, the suit says. Nothing had been raised during the entirety of his interview process or before Dr. Banes disclosed to the AZA that Mrs. Schwetz sexually assaulted him at one of its conferences.

A week after that he was fired from the Brookfield Zoo and removed from AZA committee work, the suit says.

Past complaints
Sometimes the Supreme Court protects constitutional rights best when it doesnt establish what lawyers call a bright-line rule applicable to every possible future situation. That was the case last week when the court ruled in favor of a high school cheerleader who had been disciplined for a vulgar outburst on social media and a California man who was arrested after a police officer entered his garage without a warrant.

In Mahanoy Area School District v. B.L., the justices ruled 8-1 that a Pennsylvania school district violated the free speech rights of Brandi Levy when it suspended her from her schools junior varsity cheerleading team. The school acted after Levy, disappointed that she hadnt made the varsity squad, took a photo of herself and a friend raising their middle fingers and posted it on Snapchat. She also used a vulgarity to denounce the school, the cheerleading team and everything.

In agreeing with the U.S. 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals that the school violated Levys First Amendment rights, the court essentially reaffirmed the position it took in a landmark 1969 case that students at public schools have free speech rights so long as their speech doesnt create the risk of a substantial disruption of or material interference with school activities.
Rhetoric aside, the $3 billion tax cut this year could result in a $2 billion spending cut in the following state budget and zeroing out the states reserve fund. Trimming a few positions or raising tuition at University of Wisconsin System schools wouldnt begin to fill such a canyon-sized deficit. Neither would ending all assistance to UW System and closing half the prisons.

While the immediate impact of the proposed tax cut would be to return hundreds of millions of dollars to the wealthiest individuals in the state, the long-term effect will be the loss of about 20% of the states revenue and thus the end of many critical services.

In such an environment of extreme fiscal austerity, every proposal would be met with the same answers: Were broke and We cant raise taxes.

Instead of the GOPs inequitable short-sighted plan, the state could give each taxpayer the same amount, just as the Biden administration did, as a one-time rebate. This would leave sufficient funds to help address other needs such as cleaning up PFAS contamination, funding an increase in school aids  especially for kids with special needs  and other projects that have been on the back burner for more than a decade.
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BOISE  The Idaho Supreme Court ruled in a case last week that some say could have national implications for people who cannot afford to pay fees mandated by courts.

The court ruled against the Elmore County Magistrate Court, finding that it acted outside its jurisdiction when it issued a warrant for and eventually jailed a woman who could not afford to pay court fines and fees.

In an opinion released Thursday, Idaho Supreme Court justices unanimously ruled that the actions against Roxana Beck in 2020 were unconstitutional, a violation of the 14th Amendment. The case drew widespread attention and will affect how courts treat indigent defendants.

The Idaho Supreme Court confirmed what we all want to believe: that the Constitution is there to protect us, most especially the most vulnerable among us, Pete Wood, Becks attorney, said in a news release. This is a significant victory for Ms. Beck and many other indigent Idahoans who have been jailed solely for their inability to pay court debt.

Beck pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in February 2020, and during sentencing she asked the court to make any fines and fees associated with the charge as low as possible. Becks hours at her job at Burger King had been reduced, limiting her paycheck, according to the opinion.
The Magic Valley stayed a little cooler. Twin Falls and Burley hit 95 degrees Tuesday and Jerome maxed out at 97 degrees.

The high-pressure system is not centered right over Boise, Alejandro Flores, a professor of hydrologic sciences at Boise State University, told the Statesman. Had the location of that high-pressure system been a little bit off, we couldve seen the temperatures that we saw in Seattle and in Portland.  Boise got slightly lucky with the location of it.

The dome of hot air isnt the only culprit for the soaring temperatures, according to Russell Qualls, Idahos state climatologist. He told the Statesman that the extreme drought in much of the region likely worsened this heat wave.

Theres a coupling between these dry, drought conditions and the warmer temperatures that were getting, he said.

When sunshine hits Earths surface, he said, soil moisture evaporates, which helps cool the air. With less moisture in the soil, though, that cant happen.

Much of Idaho received a lot of snow over the winter and into March, but the precipitation shut down earlier than normal (and) things began to heat up, Qualls said.

A changing climate
Under advisory sentencing guidelines, Mack would face between 14 and 17 1/2 years behind bars, but her defense team argued in court papers that probation or a sentence to home confinement is more appropriate. Prosecutors had agreed that any prison term should be below the guidelines range because of her cooperation.

"The NXIVM saga and the story of Ms. Mack's descent have been a tragedy for all involved. But that need not, and should not, be the end of the story for Allison Mack," her lawyers wrote in court papers.

A victim, Jessica Joan, rejected Mack's apologies, telling the judge Wednesday that the actor deserved no mercy.

"She can blame Keith all she wants but she is a monster cut from the same cloth," Joan said. "Allison Mack is a predator and an evil human being."

Mack, 38, was once part of the inner circle of Raniere, whose group attracted millionaires and actors among its adherents. Prosecutors said she became a "master" for "slaves" she ordered "to perform labor, take nude photographs, and in some cases, to engage in sex acts with Raniere."

As authorities closed in on Raniere, he fled to Mexico with Mack and others to try to reconstitute the group there. He was arrested and sent to the United States in March 2018; Mack was arrested a few days later.
Burt said that while Microsoft Corp. does cooperate with law enforcement on a broad range of criminal and national security investigations, it often challenges surveillance that it sees as unnecessary, resulting at times in advance notice to the account being targeted.

Among the organizations weighing in at the hearing was The Associated Press, which called on Congress to act to protect journalists' ability to promise confidentiality to their sources. Reporters must have prior notice and the ability to challenge a prosecutor's efforts to seize data, said a statement submitted by Karen Kaiser, APs general counsel.

It is essential that reporters be able to credibly promise confidentially to ensure the public has the information needed to hold its government accountable and to help government agencies and officials function more effectively and with integrity, Kaiser said.

As possible solutions, Burt said, the government should end indefinite secrecy orders and should also be required to notify the target of the data demand once the secrecy order has expired.

Just this week, he said, prosecutors sought a blanket gag order affecting the government of a major U.S. city for a Microsoft data request targeting a single employee there.

Without reform, abuses will continue to occur and they will occur in the dark, Burt said.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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SEATTLE (AP)  The hottest day of an unprecedented and dangerous heat wave scorched the Pacific Northwest on Monday, with temperatures obliterating records that had been set just the day before.

Seattle hit 108 degrees Fahrenheit (42 Celsius) by evening  well above Sundays all-time high of 104 F (40 C). Portland, Oregon, reached 116 F (46.6 C) after hitting records of 108 F (42 C) on Saturday and 112 F (44 C) on Sunday.

The temperatures were unheard of in a region better known for rain, and where June has historically been referred to as Juneuary for its cool drizzle. Seattle's average high temperature in June is around 70 F (21.1 C), and fewer than half of the city's residents have air conditioning, according to U.S. Census data.

The heat forced schools and businesses to close to protect workers and guests, including some places like outdoor pools and ice cream shops where people seek relief from the heat. COVID-19 testing sites and mobile vaccination units were out of service as well.

The Seattle Parks Department closed one indoor community pool after the air inside became too hot  leaving Stanlie James, who relocated from Arizona three weeks ago, to search for somewhere else to cool off. She doesn't have AC at her condo, she said.
He also commented on recent statements by some EU leaders condemning a new law in Hungary that prohibits sharing content on homosexuality or sex reassignment to people under 18 in school sex education programs, films or advertisements.

We are expecting respect. We cannot agree to other EU member countries telling us how we are supposed to raise our Hungarian children. Its a mistake, Orban said.

Talking about the EU's future, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said the V4 supported a quick inclusion of West Balkan nations that are best prepared for EU membership.

He argued their presence would facilitate the EU's security policy related to illegal migration.

Prime Ministers Andrej Babis of the Czech Republic and Eduard Heger of Slovakia stressed the importance of vaccination in fighting the pandemic, especially now that highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus is spreading in some countries. They agreed on the need for a joint plan, for the V4 and for the EU, for giving the European economy a boost following the pandemic-era downturn.

The four countries want to have an active role in discussions about the future of the EU, their government leaders said.

Initiated in 1991, the group is a forum for developing political and economic ties between the four countries and for strengthening their position in Europe.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Likewise, CEP Program Director Ginger Webb and Debora Workman with the CEP made the same presentation to the Board of Education. No action was taken by the School Board.

At a regular Tuesday meeting, the Marion City Council heard this same presentation by Kitty Wilson. Webb, Stevens and Dawna Goode-Ledbetter with the West Marion Community Forum were there as well. At this meeting, city of Marion leaders responded to the presentation by voicing their support but didnt take any formal action.

Mayor Steve Little said the need to address racism in McDowell was very eloquently stated by the Community Engagement Project.

What you have said this evening resonates strongly with all of us, said Little to the CEP leaders. Its a goal we have to keep working on. We cant ever stop working to identify and eliminate racism.

CEP representatives thanked the city of Marion officials for voicing their support of this effort.

Later, Webb submitted some additional comments to The McDowell News for context.
Catholic church catechism #2267 says that the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person, and (the church) works with determination for its abolition worldwide, but somehow the Catholic leaders at the prayer breakfast hailed Barrs fidelity. Probably because the prayer breakfast founder, Leonard Leo, is a right-wing dark money fundraiser whos on record saying stuff like this: We are all in the debt of Donald Trump.

How anyone can square fealty to church doctrine with fealty to Trump is beyond my understanding. But how a church that covered up a pedophile epidemic can then presume to pass moral judgement on Joe Biden  well, that just takes the cake.

Its well known by now that the churchs longstanding impulse was to merely transfer abusive priests to new jobs, and to my best recollection, the bishops conference has never drafted a decree denying Holy Communion to men of the cloth who assaulted kids. (A new editorial in Christianity Today: Bishops for years kept themselves busy moving pedophile priests from parish to parish, diocese to diocese  all the while, presumably, allowing these priests who raped little boys and girls to receive communion.) As I said other day on social media, the church all too often seems to believe that life begins at conception but continues at molestation.
In another sign that coronavirus vaccination rates have plateaued in America, a new poll shows that most adults who wanted a COVID-19 vaccine have already gotten one.

Released Wednesday, the Kaiser Family Foundation (KFF) report shows 65% of adults polled have received at least one dose of the vaccine, up from 62% in May.

But only 3% of those who haven't been vaccinated said they plan to do so as soon as they can. About 14% said they will definitely not get vaccinated.

On Tuesday, Dr. Anthony Fauci warned there could soon be "two Americas"one where most people are vaccinated and another where low vaccination rates could trigger spikes in cases.

"When you have such a low level of vaccination superimposed upon a variant that has a high degree of efficiency of spread, what you are going to see among under-vaccinated regions, be that states, cities or counties, you're going to see these individual types of blips," he told CNN.

"This is entirely avoidable, entirely preventable. If you are vaccinated, you diminish dramatically your risk of getting infected and even more dramatically your risk of getting seriously ill," Fauci said. "If you are not vaccinated, you are at considerable risk."

Nearly 20% of the people who are not vaccinated said they believe the vaccine is too new. A smaller number of people surveyed cited other reasons, like concerns about side effects or distrust in the government.

More than 30% of adults who are not immunized said they would be more inclined to get a vaccine if it's completely approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. All COVID-19 vaccines in the United States are now only approved for emergency use.

The report did uncover one bright spot: When employers encourage vaccination, rates rise. About 73% of workers with employers encouraging COVID-19 vaccination said they have received at least one shot, compared to 41% with employers not encouraging vaccination.

"Getting more Americans vaccinated isn't only up to the government," KFF President and CEO Drew Altman said in a KFF news release. "Even without requiring workers to get a vaccine, employers can play a role by offering paid time off to get vaccinated and encouraging their workers to do so."

The report also found that in most American households, either everyone is vaccinated against COVID-19 or no one is.

The poll shows 77% of vaccinated adults said everyone in their home is vaccinated, while 75% of unvaccinated adults said no one they live with is.

But overall, more people live in vaccinated homes: 50% of adults said they live in fully vaccinated households, while 25% said they're in fully unvaccinated households, the poll showed.

Pfizer, Moderna vaccines may stand guard against COVID for years

The Pfizer and Moderna vaccines trigger an immune system response that could fend off the coronavirus for years to come, new research reveals.

The latest study bolsters growing evidence that most people immunized with the mRNA vaccines may not need booster shots, with one key caveat: That the virus and its variants don't evolve too much beyond the virus' original form.

"It's a good sign for how durable our immunity is from this vaccine," Ali Ellebedy, an immunologist at Washington University in St. Louis, who led the study, told The New York Times.

The study, published Monday in the journal Nature, did not look at the Johnson & Johnson vaccine, but Ellebedy said he expected the immune response for that vaccine to be less durable than that produced by mRNA vaccines.

Last month, Ellebedy and his colleagues reported that immune cells that recognize the virus lingered in bone marrow for at least eight months after COVID-19 infection. Another team found that memory B-cells continue to mature and strengthen for at least a year after infection, the Times reported.

Those findings suggested that immunity might last years, possibly a lifetime, in people who were infected and later vaccinated. But whether vaccination alone might demonstrate the same power was unclear.

After an infection or a vaccination, a specialized structure called the germinal center forms in lymph nodes, the researchers explained. This structure is where B-cells are trained. After infection with the coronavirus, the germinal center forms in the lungs. But after vaccination, the cells' education takes place in lymph nodes in the armpits, within reach of researchers.

Ellebedy's team found that 15 weeks after the first dose of vaccine, the germinal center was still highly active in all 14 study participants, and that the number of memory cells that recognized the coronavirus had not dropped.

"The fact that the reactions continued for almost four months after vaccinationthat's a very, very good sign," Ellebedy told the Times, because terminal centers typically peak one to two weeks after immunization, and then wane.

Other experts agreed.

"Everyone always focuses on the virus evolvingthis is showing that the B-cells are doing the same thing," Marion Pepper, an immunologist at the University of Washington in Seattle, told the Times. "And it's going to be protective against ongoing evolution of the virus, which is really encouraging."

"Usually by four to six weeks, there's not much left," Deepta Bhattacharya, an immunologist at the University of Arizona, told the Times. But germinal centers stimulated by the mRNA vaccines are "still going, months into it, and not a lot of decline [is seen] in most people."

The results suggest that a vast majority of vaccinated people will be protected over the long termat least, against the existing variants. People who survived COVID-19 and were later immunized may also never need booster shots, experts think. However, older adults, people with weak immune systems and those who take drugs that suppress immunity may still need boosters.

Explore further Pfizer, Moderna vaccines may stand guard against COVID for years

More information: The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on Journal information: Nature The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has more on COVID-19 vaccinations

Copyright  2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young speaks to the media during a press conference in Brisbane, Australia, Wednesday, June 30, 2021. Young has advised adults under 40-years-old not to take AstraZeneca because of the blood clotting risk despite the Australian government making the COVID-19 vaccine available to all adults and urged younger adults to wait for the scarce Pfizer alternative to become available. Credit: Darren England/AAP Image via AP

The Queensland and Western Australia state governments on Wednesday advised people under age 40 not to take the AstraZeneca vaccine because of the risk of a rare blood clotting disorder, despite the Australian government making those shots available to all adults.

The state governments' advice to those under 40 is based on British government guidelines, while the new federal government's position acknowledges the scarcity of the Pfizer vaccine and an urgent need to accelerate a slow national rollout.

The disagreement has stoked confusion as around half Australia's population is locked down in Queensland, Western Australia, New South Wales and the Northern Territory due to new clusters, mostly of the delta variant, which is thought to be more contagious.

Australians have a choice of only two vaccines and locally manufactured AstraZeneca is more plentiful.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said younger adults should wait for Pfizer to become available, despite only 5% of all Australians being fully vaccinated.

With only 42 coronavirus cases active in Queensland, AstraZeneca was not worth the risk for younger adults, she said.

"No, I do not want under 40s to get AstraZeneca because they are at increased risk of gettingit is rarebut they're at increased risk of getting that rare clotting syndrome," Young said.

"I don't want an 18-year-old in Queensland dying from a clotting illness who, if they got COVID, probably wouldn't die," Young added.

Australia's adviser on vaccines, Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization, known as ATAGI, recommends Pfizer for people under 60 because of the clotting risk.

AstraZeneca had been recommended for all adults until a 48-year-old Australian woman died from clotting in April. The vaccine was then recommended for people older than 50 until a 52-year-old died in May.

As concerns grew about new infections, the federal government on Monday decided to make AstraZeneca available to all adults and to indemnify against lawsuits doctors who administer it.

Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan said his government took a "different approach" to the federal government.

"Under 40s shouldn't have it," McGowan said, referring to AstraZeneca.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the ATAGI advice continued to be his government's "guiding light."

But ATAGI advised that AstraZeneca could be administered to people under 60 "for whom Pfizer is not available." Conditions included that benefits were likely to outweigh risks and that the decision to take AstraZeneca was informed.

"We deeply respect throughout the course of the pandemic there have been a range of views put forward, but the critical elements are that we have a national vaccine program, which is based on the medical advice and continues to be based on that medical advice," Hunt said.

Hunt declined to say whether Australians younger than 40 should expect doctors would inject them with AstraZeneca.

"I certainly would never step between a patient and a doctor where an informed decision to be vaccinated was made," Hunt said.

Many younger Australians have proved eager to accept the AstraZeneca option.

The central Australian city of Alice Springs on Wednesday was added to the list of places locked down.

A miner had been infected in a gold mine then spent several hours in the Alice Springs airport before flying home from the Northern Territory to South Australia, where he infected his wife and three of his children in the state capital Adelaide, officials said.

Explore further Australia offers all adults AstraZeneca to speed up rollout

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A new study shows that colleges students are experiencing significant grief reactions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper, "College Student Experiences of Grief and Loss Amid the COVID-19 Global Pandemic," was recently published in OMEGAJournal of Death and Dying.

"This study aimed to identify the most common non-death losses and grief reactions experienced by undergraduate and graduate college students amid the pandemic," said author Erica H. Sirrine, Ph.D., director of Social Work at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "What we found is that students across the U.S., even those who may not have experienced a COVID-related death, still reported a considerable number of losses and grief reactions, including avoidance and loss of control. This presents a need for practitioners to provide additional support to college students, especially those who experienced cumulative losses during the pandemic."

Sirrine, a clinical social worker and grief expert, led this research while serving as dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida.

Explore further Coping with loss: We need a national strategy to address grief beyond the coronavirus pandemic

More information: Erica H. Sirrine et al, College Student Experiences of Grief and Loss Amid the COVID-19 Global Pandemic, OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying (2021). Erica H. Sirrine et al, College Student Experiences of Grief and Loss Amid the COVID-19 Global Pandemic,(2021). DOI: 10.1177/00302228211027461
Credit: Unsplash/CC0 Public Domain

Grieving friends and relatives from ethnic minority backgrounds are suffering from a lack of appropriate help to cope with the loss of a loved one, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers say.

And the scarcity of data on the services that are available means providers do not know how support should be delivered to ensure they are suitable for different groups of people.

The researchers, led by the University of Leeds and the University of Sheffield, reviewed evidence on UK bereavement care for ethnic minority communities to determine how easy it was to access, what it looked like, and what the outcomes were.

They say people representing those communities need to be involved when services are developed and delivered to ensure that groups get the support they need.

Senior author and research co-lead Dr. Matthew Allsop, from the School of Medicine, said: "The increased risks from COVID-19 among minority ethnic groups prompted this review. We were keen to understand what research had been conducted that could inform how bereavement care should be delivered for people during the pandemic. We found a stark lack of evidence focusing on people from minority ethnic groups with only seven studies published over the last 25 years.

"The limited studies highlighted multiple challenges faced in accessing bereavement care. There is an urgent need for research and evidence to understand how bereavement support can be developed to ensure they meet the specific needs and preferences of different minority ethnic groups."

The team reviewed feedback about bereavement services between 1995 and 2020, which was provided by bereaved adults and children from UK ethnic minority populations, and people grieving the death of a person from an ethnic minority group. Ethnic minorities include White minorities, such as Gypsy, Roma and Irish Traveller groups.

Services reviewed included hospital-based palliative care teams, hospital based neonatal teams, and community support.

Healthcare workers surveyed included doctors, nurses, chaplains and unspecified participants in UK neonatal units.

Seven studies were included, comprising 721 participants who completed surveys and took part in interviews and focus groups. The review revealed a lack of awareness about bereavement care for ethnic minority communities among health professionals, while access to interpreters was variable, as was availability of psychological support. Two thirds of palliative care teams surveyed did not provide any form of bereavement support.

Support offered was not always needed or suitable for ethnic minority communities, with 17 or 18 participants in one study saying their family was their main source of support. Help from friends, neighbors and religious communities was also common. And one study showed personal faith and support from a religious leader was more important for bereaved people from a black Caribbean background than for people from white backgrounds.

One study revealed that other methods of support, like a memorial service, had a strong Christian theme, which may have precluded those from other faiths or cultures from attending.

Practical legal and financial support was often recognized to be needed rather than specialist interventions. One study showed black Caribbean respondents were more likely to be affected by these concerns than white respondentsand anxiety and depression was more prevalent among the black Caribbean respondents in this study.

One study described the significant financial difficulties experienced by half of the 19 Bangladeshi participants after a death, with trying to meet the costs of transporting the deceased back to Bangladesh given as an example.

Romany Gypsy and Traveller respondents described a cultural practice of not speaking about bereavement within the close-knit community, which researchers say can potentially increase the risk of poor mental health following significant loss or bereavement. Among this group there is reported stigma and shame associated with mental health illness, including bereavement related depression, resulting in a reluctance to seek formal support.

The paper, Bereavement care for ethnic minority communities: A systematic review of access to, models of, outcomes from, and satisfaction with, service provision, is published today in PLOS ONE.

The researchers say healthcare policy makers should now work with ethnic minority groups to design the most appropriate models and formats of bereavement care that meet their needs and preferences. This will improve the understanding of the role of family, friends and existing support systems, and begin to develop the evidence base underpinning current provision. First author and research co-lead Dr. Catriona Mayland, from the University of Sheffield, said: "There is a need to understand the role in bereavement care played by families, friends, faith and community-based support groups. Additionally, it is only by adopting a true partnership approach that we can understand what type, and in what way, bereavement care should be provided. "This will enable better support for those experiencing grief from ethnic minority communities."
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Health authorities in Portugal reported over 2,000 new cases of coronavirus in 24 hours Wednesday, a high in a new wave of infections blamed on the Delta variant.

There were 2,362 reported cases in the country of 10 million peoplethe highest level since mid-February.

More than half were in the Lisbon capital region, official figures showed, with the numbers of hospitalised people also rising.

Latest figures also show that the Delta variant, which was first detected in India, has become the dominant strain in Portugal.

Hoping to halt the spread, the government has reimposed infection control measures like reductions in opening hours for bars and restaurants in the worst-hit towns.

And there are weekend restrictions on travel between the Lisbon region and the rest of the country.

At the European level, Germany on Friday said only its own citizens and residents would be allowed in when travelling from Portugal, and would be subject to a quarantine.

Also Wednesday, Prime Minister Antonio Costa went into isolation despite being fully vaccinated, after one of his aides tested positive.

More than 50 percent of Portuguese people have received at least one vaccine dose and 32 percent have received both.

The country has suffered over 17,000 deaths and almost 900,000 cases since the pandemic began.

Explore further Portugal in reverse as delta variant grips Lisbon, cases up

 2021 AFP
Transmission electron micrograph of SARS-CoV-2 virus particles, isolated from a patient. Image captured and color-enhanced at the NIAID Integrated Research Facility (IRF) in Fort Detrick, Maryland. Credit: NIAID

For the first time in more than a year, we're feeling some hopeor at least cautious optimismthat the pandemic could recede to the background. But experts want us to know that there is still a concern that new mutations of the virus could bring it back, and it might be even stronger.

A major concern right now is Delta, a highly contagious (and possibly more severe) SARS-CoV-2 virus strain, which was first identified in India in December. It then swept rapidly through that country and Great Britain as well, which has led to rising numbers of infections and deaths. The first Delta case in the United States was diagnosed a couple of months ago (in March) and now cases here are rapidly multiplying.

Inci Yildirim, MD, Ph.D., a Yale Medicine pediatric infectious diseases specialist and a vaccinologist, isn't surprised by what's happening. "All viruses evolve over time and undergo changes as they spread and replicate," she says.

But one thing that is unique about Delta is how quickly it is spreading, says F. Perry Wilson, MD, a Yale Medicine epidemiologist. Around the world, he says, "Delta will certainly accelerate the pandemic."

From what we know so far, people who are vaccinated against the coronavirus appear to be safe from Delta, but anyone who is unvaccinated and not practicing preventive strategies is at risk for infection by the new variant, the doctors say.

Here are five things you need to know about the Delta variant.

1. Delta is more contagious than the other virus strains.

Delta is the name for the B.1.617.2. variant, a SARS-CoV-2 mutation that originally surfaced in India. The first Delta case was identified in December 2020, and the strain spread rapidly, soon becoming the dominant strain of the virus in both India and then Great Britain. Toward the end of June, Delta had already made up more than 20% of cases in the U.S., according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates. That number is rising swiftly, prompting predictions that the strain will soon become the dominant variant here.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has called this version of the virus "the fastest and fittest." In mid-June, the CDC labeled Delta as "a variant of concern," using a designation also given to the Alpha strain that first appeared in Great Britain, the Beta strain that first surfaced in South Africa, the two Epsilon variants first diagnosed in the U.S., and the Gamma strain identified in Brazil. (The new naming conventions for the variants were established by the WHO at the beginning of June as an alternative to numerical names.)

"It's actually quite dramatic how the growth rate will change," says Dr. Wilson. Delta is spreading 50% faster than Alpha, which was 50% more contagious than the original strain of SARS-CoV-2making the new variant 75% more contagious than the original, he says. "In a completely unmitigated environmentwhere no one is vaccinated or wearing masksit's estimated that the average person infected with the original coronavirus strain will infect 2.5 other people," Dr. Wilson says. "In the same environment, Delta would spread from one person to maybe 3.5 or 4 other people."

"Because of the math, it grows exponentially and more quickly," he says. "So, what seems like a fairly modest rate of infectivity can cause a virus to dominate very quicklylike we're seeing now. Delta is outcompeting everything else and becoming the dominant strain."

2. Unvaccinated people are at risk.

People who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 are most at risk. In the U.S., there is a disproportionate number of unvaccinated people in Southern and Appalachian states including Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Mississippi, Missouri, and West Virginia, where vaccination rates are low (in some of these states, the number of cases is on the rise even as some other states are lifting restrictions because their cases are going down).

Kids and young people are a concern as well. "A recent study from the United Kingdom showed that children and adults under 50 were 2.5 times more likely to become infected with Delta," says Dr. Yildirim. And so far, no vaccine has been approved for children 5 to 12 in the U.S., although the U.S. and a number of other countries have either authorized vaccines for adolescents and young children or are considering them.

"As older age groups get vaccinated, those who are younger and unvaccinated will be at higher risk of getting COVID-19 with any variant," says Dr. Yildirim. "But Delta seems to be impacting younger age groups more than previous variants."

3. Delta could lead to 'hyperlocal outbreaks.'

If Delta continues to move fast enough to accelerate the pandemic, Dr. Wilson says the biggest questions will be about transmissibilityhow many people will get the Delta variant and how fast will it spread?

The answers could depend, in part, on where you liveand how many people in your location are vaccinated, he says. "I call it 'patchwork vaccination,' where you have these pockets that are highly vaccinated that are adjacent to places that have 20 percent vaccination," Dr. Wilson says. "The problem is that this allows the virus to hop, skip, and jump from one poorly vaccinated area to another."

In some cases, a low-vaccination town that is surrounded by high vaccination areas could end up with the virus contained within its borders, and the result could be "hyperlocal outbreaks," he says. "Then, the pandemic could look different than what we've seen before, where there are real hotspots around the country."

Some experts say the U.S. is in a good position because of its relatively high vaccination ratesor that conquering Delta will take a race between vaccination rates and the variant. But if Delta keeps moving fast, multiplying infections in the U.S. could steepen an upward COVID-19 curve, Dr. Wilson says.

So, instead of a three- or four-year pandemic that peters out once enough people are vaccinated or naturally immune (because they have had the virus), an uptick in cases would be compressed into a shorter period of time. "That sounds almost like a good thing," Dr. Wilson says. "It's not." If too many people are infected at once in a particular area, the local health care system will become overwhelmed, and more people will die, he says. While that might be less likely to happen in the U.S., it will be the case in other parts of the world, he adds. "That's something we have to worry about a lot."

4. There is still more to learn about Delta.

One important question is whether the Delta strain will make you sicker than the original virus. "Based on hospitalizations tracked in Great Britain [which has been about a month ahead of the U.S. with Delta], the variant is probably a bit more pathogenetic," Dr. Wilson says. While more research is needed, early information about the severity of Delta includes a study from Scotland that showed the Delta variant was about twice as likely as Alpha to result in hospitalization in unvaccinated individuals (and vaccines reduced that risk significantly).

Another question focuses on how Delta affects the body. There have been reports of symptoms that are different than those associated with the original coronavirus strain, Dr. Yildirim says. "It seems like cough and loss of smell are less common. And headache, sore throat, runny nose, and fever are present based on the most recent surveys in the U.K., where more than 90% of the cases are due to the Delta strain," she says.

It's unclear whether Delta could cause more breakthrough casesinfections in people who have been vaccinated or have natural immunity from a prior COVID-19 infection, which so far have been rare in general. "Breakthrough is a big question," Dr. Wilson says. "At least with immunity from the mRNA vaccines, it doesn't look like it will be a problem." A Public Health England analysis (in a preprint that has not yet been peer-reviewed) showed that at least two of the vaccines are effective against Delta. The Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine was 88% effective against symptomatic disease and 96% effective against hospitalization from Delta in the studies, while Oxford-AstraZeneca (which is not an mRNA vaccine) was 60% effective against symptomatic disease and 93% effective against hospitalization. The studies tracked participants who were fully vaccinated with both recommended doses.

"So, your risk is significantly lower than someone who has not been vaccinated and you are safer than you were before you got your vaccines," Dr. Yildirim says.

Data on the effectiveness of other vaccines against Delta is not yet available, but some experts believe Moderna may work similarly to Pfizer, since both are mRNA vaccines. There is no information at this point about Johnson & Johnson's effectiveness against Delta, although it has been shown to help prevent hospitalizations and deaths in people infected with other variants.

Will vaccinated people need booster shots to protect against Delta? Once again, it's too soon to know whether we will need a booster modified to target the Delta variantor any other variant. (Nor do experts know with certainty yet if vaccinated people will need an additional shot at some point to boost the overall immunity they got from their first shots.)

There are additional questions and concerns about Delta, including Delta Plusa subvariant of Delta, that has been found in the U.S., the U.K., and other countries. "Delta Plus has one additional mutation to what the Delta variant has," says Dr. Yildirim. This mutation, called K417N, affects the spike protein that the virus needs to infect cells, and that is the main target for the mRNA and other vaccines, she says.

"Delta Plus has been reported first in India, but the type of mutation was reported in variants such as Beta that emerged earlier. More data is needed to determine the actual rate of spread and impact of this new variant on disease burden and outcome," Dr. Yildirim adds.

5. Vaccination is the best protection against Delta.

The most important thing you can do to protect yourself from Delta is to get fully vaccinated, the doctors say. That means if you get a two-dose vaccine like Pfizer or Moderna, for example, you must get both shots and then wait the recommended two-week period for those shots to take full effect. Whether or not you are vaccinated, it's also important to follow CDC prevention guidelines that are available for vaccinated and unvaccinated people.

"Like everything in life, this is an ongoing risk assessment," says Dr. Yildirim. "If it is sunny and you'll be outdoors, you put on sunscreen. If you are in a crowded gathering, potentially with unvaccinated people, you put your mask on and keep social distancing. If you are unvaccinated and eligible for the vaccine, the best thing you can do is to get vaccinated."

Of course, there are many people who cannot get the vaccine, because their doctor has advised them against it for health reasons or because personal logistics or difficulties have created roadblocksor they may choose not to get it. Will the Delta variant be enough to encourage those who can get vaccinated to do so? No one knows for sure, but it's possible, says Dr. Wilson, who encourages anyone who has questions about vaccination to talk to their family doctor.

"When there are local outbreaks, vaccine rates go up," Dr. Wilson says. "We know that if someone you know gets really sick and goes to the hospital, it can change your risk calculus a little bit. That could start happening more. I'm hopeful we see vaccine rates go up."

Explore further Coronavirus delta variant spreading rapidly in the United States
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

A new study has found that many people are still attending hospital emergency departments with problems that could be dealt with by a GP.

Dr. Yaqoot Fatima from James Cook University and the University of Queensland led a study on people who attended a Mount Isa remote emergency department with conditions that could be treated by a GPand questioned them about their choices.

Other investigators also from JCU's Murtupuni Center for Rural and Remote Health included Prof Sabina Knight, Prof Richard Hays, A/Prof Santosh Jatrana and Prof Isabelle Skinner.

"Utilization of ED services is increasing rapidly, with national data showing that around 35 percent of ED attendances are for less urgent problems. In rural communities, the number of people using the ED for less urgent problems is up to 70 percent," said Dr. Fatima.

The researchers analyzed emergency department attendance data in for the year of 2016 and surveyed more than 360 people who attended the ED in that year. Patient records for 400 randomly selected presentations were reviewed for deeper analysis.

Study data suggest that about half of all Category 4 and 5 (lowest urgency) attendances met the agreed definition of GP-appropriate problems. Yet about half of the Category 4 and 5 ED presentations were during normal work hours when GP services would have been available.

The median age of people who used ED services inappropriately was 29 years, and young adults (18-35 years) were the highest users (31.5%)

The top three presenting diagnoses were viral infections, upper respiratory infections and wound care.

Most ED attendances (70%) were on weekdays, peaking on Monday.

Dr. Fatima said younger age, lack of information about local GP services, and perceptions of convenience contributed significantly to seeking ED care. Patients with tertiary education were also less likely to visit an ED for health matters a GP could address.

"Patients made rational and pragmatic decisions based on perceptions of urgency and the availability, accessibility, affordability, acceptability and efficiency of service options," said Professor Knight.

Professor Knight suggested strategies to reduce inappropriate ED utilization should include raising community awareness of how and when to utilize the appropriate service, understanding different models of care, and the need to register with a general practice, particularly for young families.

Dr. Fatima said increasing access to GP services, both same-day and after-hours including telephone consultations, is a priority, but not the entire solution.

"The community needs reassurance that GP clinics are resourced to manage the breadth of primary medical care, including immunization and STI screening, adult health checks, and chronic disease management," said Dr. Fatima.

She said the findings demonstrate that local health services need to work together to analyze the problem and provide a foundation for improving local primary care services.

Mount Isa is a remote mining city in the Gulf Country of Queensland, about 900 km inland from the nearest regional center. The population is about 19,000 within the city and about 31,000 within the region.

About 25 percent of the population identify as Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander, about 10 times the national average. There is also a significant additional fly-in, fly-out mining industry population.

Just over half of patients were frequent users (3 times in a year), including 3.1 percent who had used ED services more than 10 times in a year.

Explore further Sexual health status of Australia's young Indigenous revealed

More information: Yaqoot Fatima et al, Drivers of general practicetype presentations to the emergency department in a remote outback community, Australian Journal of Rural Health (2021). Yaqoot Fatima et al, Drivers of general practicetype presentations to the emergency department in a remote outback community,(2021). DOI: 10.1111/ajr.12706
A large cohort study from the national IVF registry of Sweden, which included almost 125,000 treatments carried out between 2007 and 2017, has concluded that the steady rise in birth rates can be attributed to two emerging clinical trends in IVF: the transfer of embryos at the blastocyst stage of their development and the increasing use of embryo freezing (with the fast-freeze technology of vitrification).

The study results, which now quantify the impact of these two widely adopted techniques, are presented in a poster at this year's online annual meeting of ESHRE by Dr. Zoha Saket from the Sahlgrenska University Hospital in Gothenburg, Sweden. She describes the technique of blastocyst transfer in IVF (with embryos cultured for five or six days), and especially when transferred after freezing, as "an important contributor to the improved live birth rates over time."

The national data analysed for the study showed that cumulative live birth rates increased over the decade from 27% in 2007 to 36% in 2017 per each egg collection cycle. Such "cumulative" rates, it is now accepted, represent the most telling indicator of IVF success, indicating a real life outcome from one cycle of fresh treatment plus any subsequent cycles from the extra frozen blastocysts. The increase in cumulative live birth rate was found to be independent of maternal age, the number of eggs retrieved and the number of previous IVF live births, suggesting that its explanation lay in the treatment itself and not in other predictive factors.

Single blastocyst transfer emerged as an increasing strategy in Sweden over the study period, not leastas followed throughout the worldto reduce the risk of multiple pregnancies. In addition, said Dr. Saket, even when a fresh embryo transfer was performed on day two or three (at the traditional cleavage stage), the culture of all extra embryos to the blastocyst stage would "select" embryos with a better chance of implantation and "thereby increase the chance of a live birth within that [initial] oocyte aspiration cycle."

Indeed, the transfer of blastocysts has been associated in most studies with higher birth rates than cleavage stage embryos. One explanation is that blastocyst transfers have been considered more physiological (as happens in natural pregnancies) and thus provide an additional means of embryo selection.

Dr. Saket said that the rate of blastocyst transfers increased rapidly in Sweden during the study periodfor fresh transfers from 5% in 2007 to 31% in 2017 and for frozen-thawed transfers from 6% to 88%. Embryo transfer at the cleavage stage decreased accordingly, while the increase in the rate of blastocyst transfer followed the trend of increasing live birth rates. Similarly, the introduction of fast-freezing by vitrification a decade ago allowed a higher embryo survival rate than with slower freezing techniques.

Although this was an observational study looking back over time, Dr. Saket said adjustments were made for the most important factors likely to influence results, and these factors did not affect the gradual improvement found in cumulative live birth rate. Furthermore, the increasing use of single embryo transfer over time would indicate that this improvement in outcome was not explained by the number of embryos transferred.

"We have seen a substantial increase in cumulative live birth rate taking place over time," said Dr. Saket, "and this has happened in parallel with an increase in blastocyst transfer, particularly when used with frozen treatments. This development, when observed in parallel with a high and increasing use of single blastocyst transfer, also results in a low multiple birth rate.

"Moreover, as the techniques for embryo culture to the blastocyst stage and for cryopreservation have improved, more blastocysts are available for transfer. And this has important implications for patientsthat a smaller number of egg collection treatments may be needed to obtain a live birth and that the time to achieve it may be shortened. A high rate of single blastocyst transfer will also reduce the risk of multiple pregnancy."

Blastocyst transfer in IVF

An embryo cultured for five or six days after retrieval from the ovary is known as a blastocyst. The transfer of a blastocyst in IVF is said to be more physiological in as much as in natural pregnancy the embryo which implants in the uterus does so at the blastocyst stage. Presently, most national IVF registries show that around 75% of all embryo transfers take place at the blastocyst stage.

Generally, studies show that treatment cycles with blastocyst transfers have slightly higher success rates than those with cleavage stage (day 3) transfers. Development in the lab to the blastocyst stage offers the embryologist an additional means of selection for transfer.

Freezing

Vitrification, a rapid freeze technology which reduces cells to a glass-like state in seconds, has revolutionised freezing in the past few years. The speed of the technology means that ice crystals do not form, which on thawing could have damaged the frozen cells. This is the reason why eggsand not just embryoscan now be frozen without damage and without loss of viability.

This is also the reason why vitrified embryos have high survival rates after thawing. Vitrification of an embryo (or blastocyst) also means that the transfer of a frozen-thawed embryo need not be done in the same "fresh" cycle in which the ovaries were stimulated with fertility hormones, which some studies have shown to be detrimental to implantation and the uterine environment. The huge clinical advantage from freezing means that transfers can be done one embryo at a time, thereby avoiding the risk of multiple pregnancies, a policy enthusiastically pursued in Sweden.

Explore further Large cohort study confirms small added obstetric risk from transfer of longer developed embryos

More information: Poster 0767: Cumulative live birth rate after IVFtrend over time and the impact of blastocyst culture and vitrification
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

India's version of AstraZeneca's coronavirus vaccine is not authorised in the EU due to the possibility of "differences" with the original, Europe's drug regulator said Wednesday.

The African Union has complained that the EU's non-recognition of the low-cost Indian-made Covishield jab might be detrimental to people in Africa where it is widely used.

"Even though it may use an analogous production technology to Vaxzevria (AstraZeneca's vaccine), Covishield as such is not currently approved under EU rules," the European Medicines Agency (EMA) said in a statement to AFP.

"This is because vaccines are biological products. Even tiny differences in the manufacturing conditions can result in differences in the final product, and EU law therefore requires the manufacturing sites and production process to be assessed and approved as part of the authorisation process."

The Amsterdam-based agency added: "Should we receive a marketing authorisation application for Covishield or should any change to the approved manufacturing sites for Vaxzevria be approved, we would communicate about it."

Four vaccines are currently approved for use in the EU: Pfizer/BioNTech, Moderna, AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson. Another four are under "rolling review" for possible approval: Russia's Sputnik, China's Sinovac, Germany's CureVac and Novavax of the United States.

The World Health Organization has however approved Covishield and lamented the fact that some countries were rejecting Covishield's use on vaccination passes.

"This is a great pity because AstraZeneca-Covishield is exactly the same vaccine as AstraZeneca-Vaxzevria, which is accepted as proof of vaccination," said Richard Mihigo of the WHO Regional Office for Africa late Tuesday.

"It is only that AstraZeneca-Covishield is manufactured and distributed in other parts of the world other than Europe."

He urged EU countries to recognise Covishield on vaccine passes.

The EMA statement said it was "not responsible for any decision regarding travelling into the EU", which is the responsibility of the European Commission and EU member states.

In a joint statement released Monday, the African Union (AU) and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention said the rules "put at risk the equitable treatment" of people vaccinated in Africa.

People in some African nations have also complained about the lack of recognition for any of the widely used Chinese vaccines.

 2021 AFP
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

The AIDS Clinical Trials Group (ACTG), the largest global HIV research network, today announced that findings from a sub-study of REPRIEVE (A5332/A5332s, an international clinical trial studying heart disease prevention in people living with HIV) have been published in the Journal of the American Medical Association Network Open (JAMA Network Open). The study found that approximately half of study participants, who were considered by traditional measures to be at low-to-moderate risk of future heart disease, had atherosclerotic plaque in their coronary arteries.

While it is well-known that people living with HIV are at increased risk of cardiovascular events, including heart attacks and strokes, little is understood about the prevalence and extent of atherosclerosis in heart blood vessels and associated biological factors. The Mechanistic sub-study of REPRIEVE was designed to specifically identify factors that contribute to cardiovascular disease among people living with HIV.

"This sub-study of REPRIEVE is seeking to better understand why people living with HIV develop heart disease, even when their HIV is well controlled and they don't have many traditional risk factors," said ACTG Chair Judith Currier, M.D., M.Sc., University of California, Los Angeles. "REPRIEVE is the largest study of cardiovascular disease among people living with HIV and this is an important early report that sets the stage for future important findings."

Today's publication describes baseline data on 755 participants between the ages of 40 and 75 years old, who were enrolled at 31 sites across the United States. The sub-study used coronary CT angiography to assess the amount of plaque in participants' coronary arteries and then correlated those findings with blood samples that measured inflammation and immune activation.

Nearly half the participants (49 percent) had plaque in their coronary arteries, though the plaques were mostly seen in just a few areas of the coronary arteries. The presence of plaque was associated with a higher burden of risk factors, but also with higher levels of inflammation independent of traditional risk scores. In almost all individuals (97 percent), the plaque was mild and did not cause a narrowing of more than 50 percent of the coronary artery. While significant narrowing was rare, about one-quarter of participants (23 percent) had plaque with features that could potentially cause problems in the future (also known as vulnerable plaque).

In the general population, epidemiologic studies have shown that future cardiovascular disease increases with higher ASCVD PCE (atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease pooled cohort equation) risk scores, an index of traditional risk. REPRIEVE recruited participants with low to moderate ASCVD risk and a low average 10-year risk score of 4.5 percent. The clinical significance of mild or even significant plaque in asymptomatic people with low cardiovascular risk is unknown, as is the effectiveness of statin therapy to prevent cardiovascular disease in this population. REPRIEVE will address these important questions by following these participants to determine if the plaque reported in the Mechanistic sub-study of REPRIEVE is clinically significant (whether it is related to future cardiovascular events), whether statin therapy can reduce plaque and markers of inflammation, and if statin therapy can reduce the incidence of heart attacks and strokes.

"Heart disease is a major cause of illness and death among people living with HIV, including those with well-controlled HIV disease receiving antiretroviral treatment," said Steven Grinspoon, M.D., Massachusetts General Hospital. "Until now, our understanding of coronary artery disease among people living with HIV has been very limited. These findings significantly expand our knowledge and provide important insights that will lay the foundation to ultimately help us better support the health and well-being of people living with HIV."

Explore further Noncalcified coronary plaque burden higher in people with HIV

More information: Udo Hoffmann et al, Assessment of Coronary Artery Disease With Computed Tomography Angiography and Inflammatory and Immune Activation Biomarkers Among Adults With HIV Eligible for Primary Cardiovascular Prevention, JAMA Network Open (2021). Journal information: JAMA Network Open Udo Hoffmann et al, Assessment of Coronary Artery Disease With Computed Tomography Angiography and Inflammatory and Immune Activation Biomarkers Among Adults With HIV Eligible for Primary Cardiovascular Prevention,(2021). DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2021.14923

Provided by AIDS Clinical Trials Group
The modeling tool incorporates current case data, population, economic status, current mitigation efforts and meteorological sensing from satellites to project how COVID-19 might spread in and among African countries. Credit: Andrew Geronimo, Penn State

The virus that gives rise to COVID-19 is the third coronavirus to threaten humanity in the past two decades. It also happens to move more efficiently from person to person than either SARS or MERS did. The first African case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in Egypt in mid-February of 2020. Four weeks later, the first lockdowns began across Africa. Steven Schiff, Brush Chair Professor of Engineering at Penn State, who already had established research partnerships in Uganda, saw an opportunity for his team to apply what they were learning from their ongoing efforts to track and control infectious disease and provide countries such as Uganda with more information to help guide policy to mitigate the viral pandemic.

The result was a multi-country collaboration to develop a surveillance modeling tool that provides a weekly projection of expected COVID-19 cases in all African countries, based on current case data, population, economic status, current mitigation efforts and meteorological sensing from satellites. Developed in collaboration with Uganda's National Planning Authority (NPA), the country's senior organization for development and economic planning, the tool's COVID-19 projections use openly available data to provide a projection of cases, as well as lower and upper ranges to help the country decide if mitigation policies need to be implemented or modified.

The researchers published their approach on June 29 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. The project was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health Director's Transformative Research Award, a grant awarded to Schiff in 2018 for his "high-risk, high-reward" approach to predictive, personalized public health (P3H).

Prediction guiding prevention in the face of a pandemic

"When the COVID-19 pandemic began, we had this unusual team of scientists hard at work on implementing P3H in Africa, and we thought that we had much we could contribute toward the fight against this new virus," said Schiff, who founded the Penn State Center for Neural Engineering and serves as a professor of engineering science and mechanics in the College of Engineering and of neurosurgery in the College of Medicine.

The team includes Paddy Ssentongo, assistant research professor of engineering science and mechanics. Ssentongo is originally from Uganda, where he earned a medical degree before moving to Penn State to complete a master of public health and a doctorate in epidemiology. He graduated this year.

"This pandemic has shown us that we need to put more emphasis on global public healthespecially in places with fragile health care systems, including many countries in Africa," Ssentongo said. "If we wait for people to get sick, we're already losing. The best thing we can do is prevention."

The researchers reached across disciplines to bring in expertsfrom epidemiologists to meteorologists to economistson every factor influencing viral spread.

"We pulled together a large team to tackle what was necessary," said Schiff, who is also a researcher in the Penn State Neuroscience Institute. "The team consists of 19 people across four countries, plus many more individuals who contributed through discussions and support."

The complexity of mitigation

Equally important as understanding the number and location of people with active cases, according to Schiff, is understanding the importance of weather, geography and other factors, especially in developing countries where many people live and work in more exposed conditions than do people in industrialized countries.

"If a coastal country closes its borders, landlocked Uganda is likely going to see cases go up because they depend on the coastal countries for importswithout the imports, people will move around and interact more to find work and food," Schiff said, noting that such changes in movement may create shifts in projections of new cases from neighboring countries versus internal cases. "You need information gathered in real-time on the virus, such as testing and lockdowns, as well as the other influencing factors such as the varied economic security of different countries and their health systems. Our strategy synthesizes all of these data across Africa to make surprisingly good projections of the expected number of cases based on how these factors interact and influence COVID transmission in the population."

Abraham J. B. Muwanguzi, paper co-author and manager of the science and technology department at the NPA, also serves as the principal investigator in Uganda on Schiff's NIH grant.

"We're working closely with the Ministry of Health to use the model in analyzing how the COVID trends are moving," Muwanguzi said. "In September and October of 2020, at the peak of COVID cases, the model projected an increase in cross-border cases, prompting the government to close our border. We had fewer cases than projected because we were able to mitigate a predicted source that was captured well in the model."

Muwanguzi also noted that the tool not only helps provide data for mitigation policies, but it also helps the country plan how to use its resources.

"For example, in March and April of this year, the model projected a tremendous drop in cases," Muwanguzi said. "Our hospital centers started emptying outthere really were fewer cases. We could then scale down operations and reappropriate resources to other areas of need."

Yet, on June 18, Uganda entered a 42-day lockdown after the daily number of new cases increased from fewer than a hundred at the end of May to nearly 2,000. The week after the lockdown started, the model projected 11,222 new cases would be reported if no mitigation efforts were put in place.

"Unlike the previous wave where factors influencing the spread were mostly from outside the country, the current wave is influenced by internal factors," said Joseph Muvawala, executive director of NPA, in a column published by New Vision, a national newspaper in Uganda. "With these statistics, a total lockdown was inevitable, irrespective of the known economic consequences; human life is far too precious to lose."

According to Muvawala's column, the projected increases have helped Uganda better prepare their hospital centers by procuring enough supplies and planning to avoid overwhelming hospitals and health care workers.

However, Ssentongo warned, the model is only as good as the data provided to it.

"We hope other countries in Africa will not only use this tool, but also collaborate to make sure they are integrating data in terms of testing and reporting cases," Ssentongo said. "The tool is a roadmap to tell a country how the pandemic is evolving and where the country is going. It's successful if the country sees the projections, implements mitigation efforts and sees a lower number of actual cases."

Global benefit of global collaboration

According to Schiff, their findings clearly demonstrate the advantages of inter-country cooperation in pandemic control.

"This is a crisis that no single country can fully manage on its own," Schiff said.

The researchers plan to continue updating the tool with more information as it becomes available, as well as implement data regarding vaccinations as they become more available in Africa. It is available freely online.

"One of the limitations of doing science is that you can do clever work, publish in a good journal that is reviewed by your peers, but it is still difficult to translate the work into effective policy," Schiff said. "We wanted to implement this tool to do good and help save lives. We could never have accomplished this without the close collaboration with our African colleagues in Uganda. It was critical to make sure this was a framework that people who make policy can use and apply in their workthat's what makes this valuable."

Explore further Virus cases surge in Africa as third wave gains pace: WHO
Gray market care represents a substantial proportion of paid, long-term care for older adults, according to a study published online June 11 in the Journal of Applied Gerontology.

Regina A. Shih, Ph.D., from the RAND Corporation in Arlington, Virginia, and colleagues surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,037 American Life Panel adult respondents to estimate the national prevalence and sociodemographic correlates of gray market utilization, defined as paid providers for aging and dementia-related long-term care who are unrelated to the care recipient, not working for a regulated agency, and potentially unscreened and untrained.

The researchers found that nearly one-third of Americans who arranged paid care sought gray market care for persons with dementia, and nearly two-thirds (65 percent) combined it with unpaid care. Respondents who arranged gray market care had lower odds of currently working (66 percent). Additionally, respondents arranging gray market care and living in rural areas had almost five-times higher odds of arranging gray market care for dementia.

"Gray market care represents a substantial proportion of paid, long-term care for older adults and may fill gaps in access to care," Shih said in a statement. "Better understanding of the use of gray market caregivers for older Americans is important to meet the needs of the nation's aging population."

Explore further Nearly a third of Americans use gray market caregivers to aid the elderly and those with dementia

Copyright  2021 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
A study of children playing outdoors in child care settings found they were most active within the first 10 minutes of outdoor play. Credit: Shutterstock

Physical activity is important for early childhood development. There's a preconceived notion that children are highly active while in childcare when often, they are not.

The good news is that when children are outdoors at childcare, they engage in 10 times as much energetic play (higher-intensity physical activity) compared to when they are indoors! With outdoor environments being preferred to indoor settings as we grapple with COVID-19, it is important to encourage outdoor playnow more than ever.

However, this is more easily said than done. Curriculum objectives in childcare programming focus on preparing children for school, and while these objectives can be integrated with outdoor planning and play, how childcare providers do this varies.

In Ontario, childcare centres are required to provide 120 minutes of daily outdoor play when children are in child care for six hours or more in a day. In contrast, British Columbia requires that programs provide 60 minutes of daily outdoor play. Most provinces and territories do not provide time requirements for outdoor programming.

Research about activity levels

With colleagues, I researched how the frequency of outdoor play periods in childcare influenced children's physical activity levels. We conducted a study in 22 childcare centres in London, Ontario; in half of the centres we shortened the duration of each outdoor play session, but doubled session frequency.

We found that children were most active within the first 10 minutes of outdoor play. In fact, 50 percent of their first 10 minutes outdoors was spent engaging in higher-intensity physical activity, which then dropped to just 10 percent during the remaining outdoor playtime!

Additionally, we found that restructuring outdoor play into shorter, more frequent bouts helped maximize children's physical activity across total outdoor time, while also reducing the time children spent sitting, when compared to the traditional outdoor play schedule.

More frequent outdoor play periods may allow educators to schedule days around excessive rain, snow or extreme heat. Credit: Shutterstock

Adapting to weather

Higher-intensity physical activity has numerous health benefits for young children, including improved cognitive development and bone and skeletal health.

Therefore, if we can maximize energetic play by simply restructuring outdoor play schedules, the benefits are definitely worth it. Breaking up outdoor play sessions can be helpful for early childhood educators who are already taxed with implementing a full curriculum, as they can dedicate the same total time to outdoor play, while maximizing its benefits for their children.

Shorter, more frequent outdoor play periods can also help educators overcome barriers such as weather as such windows may lend themselves to more creative scheduling around excessive rain, snow or extreme heat. Typically, if it's heavily raining for a couple of hours in the afternoon, it is common to cancel outdoor play altogether.

However, scheduling 20-minute outdoor play periods on either end of the rain can help educators work around long periods of rain during their typically scheduled outdoor time. This would ensure children are receiving all of the important benefits of active outdoor play on a daily basis (and not only when the weather allows which is important given the varied weather experienced in Canada!).

For children at home

While these research findings may only be directly applicable to childcare settings (where the majority of young children spend their weekday waking hours), young children tend to be most active during the transition to outdoors. The thrill and excitement that outdoor play provides, coupled with more space and looser rules around movement and noise levels, naturally encourages children to be more active.

As such, if children are at home, it is quite likely that they could also benefit from shorter, more frequent outdoor play periods, which may be particularly helpful for parents if they notice their children are engaging in too much sedentary or screen time during the evening or weekend hours.

Breaking up sedentary and screen time with high intensity outdoor play, if only for 10 minutes, can help boost children's health benefits, while simultaneously preventing any unnecessary consequences from prolonged sedentary or screen time, such as delayed language development or irritable sleep patterns.

Frequent outdoor play is important for young kids. Whether at daycare or at home, breaking up sitting time and taking kids outdoors will help encourage heart-pumping physical activity and provides them with countless health benefits. So this summer, don't discount the benefits of encouraging shorter windows of more frequent play.

Explore further Children in childcare are not getting enough moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article.
Credit: Petr Kratochvil/public domain

Two in five young people experienced mental health problems and one in five had suicidal thoughts during the COVID-19 pandemic last year in Australia, according to a new study.

School closures also saw four in five teenagers report an increase in school-related stress, three in four feeling overwhelmed and needing more support from teachers and four in five thinking the pandemic had a negative impact on their academic results.

The survey by the Murdoch Children's Research Institute (MCRI) found more accessible, affordable, and flexible mental health care options for young people were urgently needed as many didn't have access to adequate support in 2020.

A Mothers' and Young People's sub-study surveyed 267 participants aged 14-17 years between June and September 2020 during Victoria's second lockdown.

MCRI researcher Dr. Ali Fogarty said while feeling flat, irritable, and tired were often normal reactions to the lockdown, these symptoms were more serious for a considerable number of young people.

The study found two in five young people had depression and/or anxiety symptoms and one in five experienced thoughts of suicide, every or most days.

Dr. Fogarty said Australia's mental health system had been under strain for some time and families faced many barriers to seeking help.

The study found two in three young people experiencing mental health symptoms had not spoken to a health professional during the second lockdown. Of the young people reporting depressive or anxiety symptoms, just one in three had talked to a counsellor or psychologist, one in ten had used a mental health phone support line, and just 4 percent had spoken to their GP about how they were feeling.

"Despite high rates of mental health problems, many young people experiencing depression or anxiety did not have access to adequate mental health support," Dr. Fogarty said. "Many were not engaged with support because of waiting times to see school counsellors and psychologists, lack of a private space at home to talk via telehealth and fears and worries about the process of talking to a health professional."

MCRI Professor Stephanie Brown said since the second lockdown in Victoria the impact on mental health and family relationships were continuing.

"With most mental health problems emerging before the age of 18 years, adolescence represents an important time for early intervention to prevent difficulties persisting into adulthood," she said.

Professor Brown said although helplines provided an essential role in helping people in crisis, most young people within our study experiencing thoughts of suicide were not utilising this support, more options were needed for immediate short- and longer-term support and affordable mental health care prioritised.

She said schools and public health campaigns also played a vital role in normalising reactions to stress, alerting young people to avenues for seeking support and reducing stigma associated with mental health difficulties.

"Schools are a critical source of information and support for parents and young people and need to be adequately resourced to support families coping with public health crises," she said.

Professor Brown said importantly the study also found for some young people there were positives that came out of the pandemic.

"More than half of young people found remote learning less stressful than attending school as it was easier to concentrate, they had more quality time with family and spent more time outdoors and engaging in exercise," Professor Brown said.

Two policy briefs were created summarising study results. To view the briefs, visit www.strongerfutures.org.au/mothers-and-young-peoples-study

Explore further COVID-19 pandemic severely impacts mental health of young people
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday said he was opposed to mandatory coronavirus vaccinations for Russians but urged the jab-sceptic population to get inoculated as his country battles a deadly third wave.

Putin was addressing Russians during his annual televised phone-in session, answering questions posed live on air and in recorded videos, with more than two million questions sent in.

The topics touched on everything from rising food prices to relations with foreign powers, but the beginning was dedicated to Russia's most immediate concern: a surging outbreak.

"Preventing the further spread of the epidemic is possible only with the help of vaccination," Putin said.

As the phone-in kicked off, a government tally showed 669 virus fatalities over 24 hoursa pandemic high for the second day in a row.

Russia has since mid-June been hit with a third wave driven by the highly transmissible Delta variant first identified in India, and worsened by a sluggish inoculation drive.

Although free jabs have been available since early December, only around 15 percent of Russia's population had received at least one dose as of Wednesday, according to the Gogov website, which tallies COVID figures from the regions.

The slow uptake prompted Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin earlier this month to order mandatory jabs for service sector employees, with more than a dozen regions in Russia since following suit.

Polls show that a majority of Russians oppose receiving coronavirus jabs, and the widening policy prompted concerns that all citizens would eventually be required to be vaccinated.

But Putin shot that idea down.

"I do not support mandatory vaccinations," he said.

Listen to 'specialists'

He nonetheless called on Russians not to skip the jab.

"It is necessary to listen, not to people who understand little about this and spread rumours, but to specialists," he said.

Putin also addressed concerns about the country's homegrown jabs, with surveys showing that Russians are sceptical of them in particular.

Saying that he had himself received the Sputnik V jab, Putin claimed that Russia's vaccines were better than foreign alternatives.

Throughout the phone-in Putin did not stray far from geopolitics, addressing Russia's relations with Ukraine and a spat with Britain over its warship passing by Crimea last week.

He also quipped that Russia did indeed have hackers, after a broadcaster blamed repeated technical difficulties on cyberattacks.

But the dominant topics were related to domestic affairs, with questions in particular on economic matters.

To support Russia's struggling economy authorities have avoided locking down as they did last spring during the first wave, and Putin was asked Wednesday if he supported reimposing the measure.

He responded that regional authorities were instead promoting localised mandatory vaccinations and other measures to avoid introducing new quarantines.

Euro match looms

Moscow, the epicentre of Russia's outbreak, has ordered businesses to send home at least 30 percent of unvaccinated employees and restaurants to only allow inside patrons who have been inoculated or were infected in the past six months.

The country's second-worst hotspot Saint Petersburg has avoided imposing strict restrictions, however, and on Friday it is due to host a Euro 2020 quarter-final drawing hundreds of supporters from abroad.

Nationwide, infections grew on Wednesday by 21,042, bringing Russia's caseload to more than 5.5 millionthe fifth-highest worldwide, according to an AFP tally.

With 135,214 deaths from the virus, Russia has the highest official toll from COVID-19 in Europeeven as authorities have been accused of downplaying the severity of the country's outbreak.

Under a broader definition for deaths linked to coronavirus, statistics agency Rosstat at the end of April said that Russia has seen at least 270,000 fatalities.

Explore further Russia drops vaccination target amid record deaths

 2021 AFP
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Spain is grappling with growing fallout from end-of-year student holidays to Majorca that have led to nearly 2,000 people nationwide being infected with COVID-19 and thousands more quarantined.

News media headlining the events have reported that angry parents are demanding the release of around 250 young people who have been confined to a hotel on the Mediterranean island.

It all started last week when hundreds of young people throughout Spain tested positive for COVID-19 after they returned from a week's holiday to Majorca to celebrate the end of exams.

The authorities said they are infected with the Alpha strain first detected in the United Kingdom.

The health ministry reported Wednesday that at least 1,824 people have been infected and 5,978 have been forced to quarantine.

A young man from the eastern city of Valencia has been in intensive care since Monday, Spanish media reported.

'Breeding ground'

Fernando Simon, the government's chief epidemiologist, called the holidays in Majorca the "ideal breeding ground to facilitate a spread with multiple origins and big events without control".

At least 12 regions of the country have detected cases linked to the Majorca cluster.

In the Madrid region alone, the authorities reported on Wednesday 778 positive cases and more than 2,886 others forced to self isolate.

Most of the young people did not comply with rules to wear masks during their stay in several hotels on the Mediterranean island, they said.

On Wednesday, 49 of the 86 people travelling from Majorca tested positive for the virus when they landed at Santiago de Compostela airport in northwest Spain, the regional government of Galicia said. These included several who had taken part in the end-of-year student trips.

All the passengers on the flight were now in quarantine.

'Hotel COVID'

In Palma de Majorca, several hundred young people have been confined to their hotel rooms, the regional government said.

Dubbed "Hotel COVID" the Palma Bellver is hosting at least 232 students who "have a direct or indirect link with the student trip to Majorca", the local government said Tuesday.

A quarter of them have tested positive for COVID-19, it added.

The media is running widely with images of these young people holed up in the seafront hotel shouting "we're negative, we want out", or sending the same message written on their towels on their balconies.

Coming under fire are both the authorities and the young people who have not yet been vaccinated and are accused of being reckless.

Police told AFP that they have intervened several times in response to neighbours complaining of students blasting their music, throwing projectiles onto public spaces or hoisting alcohol to the balconies using sheets.

A number of parents have gone to the courts in a bid to remove their children from the quarantine.

Despite the opposition of prosecutors, on Wednesday a judge ordered that students testing negative should have their confinement lifted.

Such students will be able to board a special boat Thursday for Valencia, the authorities said.

The row comes as Spain sees an improvement in its fight against COVID-19 with a broad vaccination drive.

Explore further Student trip sparks virus cluster in Spain

 2021 AFP
SPRING VALLEY, N.Y. (AP)  Six people are facing charges ranging from arson and manslaughter to filing a false instrument and criminal impersonation in connection to a fire at an assisted living facility in a New York City suburb earlier this year that killed a firefighter and a facility resident, authorities said Tuesday.

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh declined to go into specifics at a press conference, but said a father and son, Nathaniel Sommer and Aaron Sommer, were both facing manslaughter, assault and arson charges in connection to the March 23 fire at the Evergreen Court Home for Adults in Spring Valley, New York.

Walsh said the Sommers were arraigned on Tuesday morning and due back in court on July 2. No attorney information was immediately available for them.

Two other men who Walsh said worked in the town's buildings department at the time of the fire were charged with filing false documents and falsifying business records, while a woman who worked at the facility was facing a misdemeanor charge of reckless endangerment and another man faced a misdemeanor criminal impersonation charge.

Asked for more information, Walsh said, We don't want to get into any details until the matter has been presented to the grand jury and perhaps not even until the trial."
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  Republican gubernatorial candidate Kevin Faulconer wants to create more homeless shelters in California as part of his effort to get people off the streets, declaring homelessness in the state an emergency that must be treated like one.

Faulconer, the former two-term San Diego mayor, released a statewide plan Tuesday modeled off his efforts while leading the nation's eighth-most populous city. Expanding shelters would make it easier for law enforcement to clear encampments and to cite or arrest people who don't leave.

Faulconer said under such a plan he hopes to see double-digit decreases in homelessness each year.

I just firmly believe that every human being has a right to shelter, and I also believe that when we provide that shelter you have an obligation to use it," he said in an interview with The Associated Press.

Faulconer announced his plan at stops in Los Angeles and Sacramento, where he joined two lawmakers under a freeway overpass near a pile of trash including food wrappers, clothing and blankets. Tents were set up nearby.

We care about people. We care about them so much that we don't want to let them die in tent encampments in California," Faulconer said.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  The North Carolina General Assembly's annual farm bill received final legislative approval on Tuesday, a measure whose debate centered on a proposed simplified permitting process for hog farms that also want to collect methane gas from waste ponds for energy.

The Senate voted 35-11 in favor of House changes to the measure. Those included removal of a Senate provision that would have altered how the state labor commissioner could act on complaints that workers file alleging discrimination or retaliatory actions by employers.

The bill now heads to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who can sign the bill, veto it or let it become law without his signature.

The measure directs the Department of Environmental Quality to develop a general permit for animal farm operations that allow the owner to construct and operate a farm digester system.
WASHINGTON  The Biden administration said Wednesday it is hiring more federal firefighters  and immediately raising their pay  as officials ramp up response efforts in the face of a severe drought that is setting the stage for another destructive summer of intense wildfires across the West.

President Joe Biden announced the moves during a virtual meeting with governors from Western states and as a huge swath of the Pacific Northwest endures one of the worst heat waves in recent memory.

"This is an area that has been under-resourced, but that's going to change and we have to do it," Biden told the governors. "We can't cut corners when it comes to managing our wildfires or supporting our firefighters. Right now we have to act and act fast."

Recalling horrific scenes from wildfires in California and other states last year, Biden said, "Orange skies look like end-of-days smoke and ash."

Biden's plan would ensure that no one fighting wildland fires is making less than $15 per hour and would add or convert to full-time nearly 1,000 firefighters across a host of agencies.
Ford owned 15 acres north of Mike Crites property up Turk Road in the hills northwest of Helena at the time of the killing, and court records show the two men were involved in a bitter land dispute in the years leading up to the victim's disappearance and death.

Mike Crites told a friend that he had asked Ford to meet him on June 26, 2011, to discuss the issues, and video footage showed Fords vehicle traveling to a disputed section of road that day. The next day, a friend went to check on Mike Crites and he was nowhere to be found.

Connie Crites said she has no doubt that Ford killed her brother and noted Im pretty sure there was more than one person that either assisted or knew about it. Because of the deadline to file a civil suit, she said, she could not wait for a conviction.

We basically just did that because we dont want to lose the right to do so, she said.

Her wrongful death/survival claim asserts that Ford is responsible for damages including lost earnings, funeral expenses, pain and suffering and other special damages in an amount to be determined at trial.

I never thought we would still be dealing with this 10 years later, she said, adding closure is a long way off.

Editor Jesse Chaney can be reached at 406-447-4074, or find him on Twitter: @IR_JesseChaney.

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I, like so many Montana hunters, have been blessed to enjoy a lifetime of world-class hunting and fishing. Its why so many of us live here, and it speaks to the decades of work that Montanans have put into conserving and managing our public wildlife for the benefit of everyone.

But after this legislative session, it is clear that Montana is on a different path; one that disregards science and places the ability for some to profit off of our wildlife as the highest priority. As we have seen in other states, this will mean less opportunity for public hunters, and more exclusive access for those who can pay.

This last legislative session brought numerous wildlife bills that had little to do with fair chase hunting and everything to do with killing and commercialization of our public trust wildlife. Whether it was one of the many bills brought forward to reduce elk populations, declare war on predators or bills that allowed new means or seasons to kill wildlife, they were just wrong.

Already we have seen opinion pieces and statements erroneously linking hunting advocacy groups to the support of long-held unacceptable practices approved this past session, such as baiting, bounties, spotlighting, running bears with hounds and hunting elk in the dead of winter.
The words "bipartisan," "compromise" and "Montana"  all in one story  graced the Billings Gazette's front page Friday.

The story: A deal was reached on a bipartisan infrastructure spending measure that would finance a variety of sorely needed projects in Montana and across the country.

Included, Sen. Jon Tester said, were long-stymied large-scale water projects, as well as airports, roads, bridges and internet access initiatives.

Tester is to be commended for being one of 10 lawmakers from both parties involved in negotiating the compromise, which is, as per Thursday's announcement, supported by President Joe Biden.

The bill "will help create good-paying jobs across the state," Tester said.

Getting to yes was not easy for the negotiators over the past several weeks, and more than once, the deal looked dead on arrival. At $973 billion, the measure is about $1 trillion less than what the president initially proposed  but far more likely to attract Republican votes.
Well, those in Butte who love their fireworks can probably breathe a sigh of relief.

As it stands now, the sale of bottle rockets, M-80s, firecrackers, cherry bombs, Roman candles and other such noisemakers will not be restricted.

It looks like that could change next week, but Butte-Silver Bow Fire Marshal Zach Osborne says it would be after the countys two-week fireworks window closes after July 5.

But in the meantime, residents should be cautious.

Its hot and dry out there, Osborne said, and that will be the holding pattern for the next 10 days.

We are just asking people to have a great holiday weekend but use caution and good judgement on when and where fireworks are being used, Osborne said Tuesday.

In particular, hes asking that folks not set off fireworks in rural parts of the county and when it is windy. Just hold off until the wind dies down.

Some precautions have already been taken.

Last week, Fire Chief Brian Doherty and Osborne made the decision to halt open burning in Butte-Silver Bow County. Campfires are allowed, as long as its in an enclosed pit.
The campaign to site a veterans home in Butte started decades ago.

The early campaigners included Pavlovich, a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a state representative when he introduced a bill in 1993 to get the funding ball rolling. But that money ultimately went to help pay for the Eastern Montana Veterans Home in Glendive, a diversion supported by Pavlovich.

But Pavlovich and a host of others werent ready to quit.

Williamson said Tuesday the foundation hopes additional funding will pay to cover walkways to make them safer for veterans and staff and that a sixth cottage will be built someday to accommodate demand for veterans housing in southwest Montana.

The space [for a sixth cottage] is available and there is definitely the need, as our wait list numbers already exceed the number of available beds, he said.

The state of Montana owns the Southwest Montana Veterans Home and pays for facility upkeep and maintenance. The state pays also for one staff member who works as the facility liaison.

Eduro Healthcare manages the veterans home, which is licensed by the state and federally certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.
Montana regulators are still pursuing the complete removal of 6.7 million cubic yards of toxic coal ash from the waste storage ponds of Colstrip Power Plant Units 1 and 2.

The Department of Environmental Quality announcement comes after six months of negotiations with plant operator Talen Energy. Talen had balked last December at posting a $285 million cleanup bond determined necessary by DEQ to cover costs.

DEQ's first recommendation came in the final weeks of then-Gov. Steve Bullock's tenure.

An agreement produced Tuesday shows the bond reduced by at least $120 million, while DEQ continues its requirement that all coal ash be removed and stored in a dry area. DEQs Moira Davin said the bond was reduced after the company was able to show the cleanup could be done more affordably.

Talens number was $157 million for the remedy, while our original number was $285 million, Davin said. The changes in financial assurance resulted from discussions with Talen during the dispute resolution process where Talen provided additional detail that we needed to refine our number.

The lower cleanup bond concerned environmental groups who sued more than a decade ago over the ash ponds contaminating area groundwater.
The report also said the party recalled an unspecified member of the Politburos powerful Presidium, which consists of Kim and four other top officials.

The reference indicated Kim may replace his Cabinet Premier Kim Tok Hun, who would be held responsible for failures in the governments anti-epidemic work, said Hong Min, a senior analyst at Seouls Korea Institute for National Unification.

There also was speculation that Kim Jong Un may have sacked Ri Pyong Chol, one of his top military officials. North Korean TV video of the meeting showed Ri looking downward and not participating in a vote as Kim and other senior officials on stage raised their hands to indicate their consent on a matter that the broadcast didnt specify.

There is no possibility that North Korea will ever admit to an infection  even if there were mass transmissions, the North will definitely not reveal such developments and will continue to push forward an anti-virus campaign it has claimed to be the greatest, Hong said.

But its also clear that something significant happened and it was big enough to warrant a reprimanding of senior officials. This could mean mass infections or some sort of situation where a lot of people were put at direct risk of infections.
Crabtree was sentenced on June 22 by United States District Court Chief Judge John A. Jarvey. Following her prison term, Crabtree will serve five years of supervised release and pay $100 to the Crime Victims Fund. Acting United States Attorney Richard D. Westphal of the Southern District of Iowa made the announcement.

According to court documents, Crabtree was identified as a drug trafficking suspect in January 2019. While officers attempted a traffic stop on Crabtree for an outstanding warrant based on a parole violation, Crabtree fled by striking into police squad cars that were blocking her path. When apprehended, a glass methamphetamine pipe and digital scale were found on her. A search warrant was executed on Crabtrees vehicle and officers found approximately 70 grams of meth, drug packaging materials, and $3,389.25 cash. As part of the investigation, law enforcement learned Crabtree was involved with the distribution of over 1.5kg of meth. Crabtree pleaded guilty to the conspiracy charge on Jan. 28, 2021, and admitted to being involved in a distribution conspiracy beginning as early as Jan. 1, 2019, and continuing until April 23, 2019, when Crabtree was arrested.
Tourists wearing protective face masks walk with their luggage as they arrive at Malaga-Costa del Sol Airport in Malaga, Spain, June 7, 2021.
Signage is seen at an early voting location ahead of the mayoral election in Harlem, New York City, June 18, 2021.
Northern Marianas College has signed a memorandum of agreement with the Department of Corrections to strengthen the agencies partnership and to formalize the launch of the Department of Corrections Training Academy. The MOA was signed by, from left, NMC Interim President Frankie Eliptico, acting Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, and Department of Corrections Commissioner Wally Villagomez.
Stray dogs gather at Magahaga Highway, formerly known as Tiyan Parkway, on June 27 in Tiyan, Guam.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres on behalf of the CNMI and Vice Minister Seong-Kyu Hwang of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport of the Republic of Korea shake hands after signing a travel bubble agreement in Seoul, South Korea on Wednesday.
Raees and Ameer Cajee, the brothers who founded Africrypt, are on the run because they apparently took money from the wrong man.

They stole from the wrong guy. There is nowhere on Earth they can hide, a source with intimate knowledge of the colourful characters in South Africas underground told MyBroadband.

The man in question is Juan Meyer, a former business associate of Czech gangster Radovan Krejcir, who amaBhungane described as a West Rand gold smuggler and illegal refinery owner.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that there is no way you steal Meyers money and get away with it for long.

This is a man who took on Krejcir for years before it was cool, they said, referring to the breakdown in the business relationship between the two after Meyer was arrested in Sandton in May 2010 while transporting R20-million in gold.

The gold was due for shipment to Hong Kong, Mail & Guardian reported.

In a 10-page affidavit, Meyer stated that Krejcir had set him up. He also implicated Krejcir in criminal dealings, including the bribery of the head of Gauteng crime intelligence. Krejcir denied the allegations.

Meyers connection to Africrypt became public because he launched the application to liquidate the company on 19 April 2021.

He filed the application on behalf of his company, Badaspex (Pty) Ltd, for R41 million.

The application contains claims from several other scorned Africrypt clients to the tune of R25,876,772.50.

A provisional liquidation order was granted on 26 April despite the Cajees attempt to oppose it.

According to Meyers application, his relationship with Africrypt dates back to September 2020 where he met with Raees Cajee and the man who introduced him to the company.

Meyer said that on 26 October 2020, he signed an agreement to invest a minimum of R100,000 with Africrypt.

Between November and December 2020, he made rand deposits to the value of R13.4 million and also transferred bitcoin to the value of R23.7 million.

According to the court papers, Meyer withdrew a total of R4.3 million out of the scheme before it collapsed.

On 13 April 2021, a letter signed by Ameer Cajee told Africrypt clients that the platform had been hacked and their funds lost.

Cajee advised clients against opting for the legal route, saying it would only frustrate Africrypts attempts to recover the funds.

Neither of the two brothers was seen since, and only recently did they make contact with certain members of the press.

Raees Cajee told The Wall Street Journal that they had fled because their lives were threatened.

We dealt with a lot of high-level South Africans, a lot of politicians, a lot of high-level businessmen within South Africa, as well as celebrities, Raees Cajee told the publication.

Some particularly very, very dangerous peoplethat we had not actually known were clientshave started to come out of the cracks.

Meyer has, through his attorney, denied that the threats came from him, ITWeb reported.

According to Meyer, he went to the Houghton Hotel on 8 April 2021 after he was informed that Ameer Cajee was a guest there.

He said that Cajee kept him waiting for 15 minutes outside his rented penthouse, at which point hotel security approached him and escorted him from the premises.

This was after the Africrypt online client portal went offline on 6 April. Meyer said he had not received any communication from the Cajees or anyone else about a withdrawal he had requested.

He said that he received several promises that his money would be paid back until the alleged hack.

After one last email from Ameer Cajee on the evening of 14 April, Meyer said he didnt hear from either of the brothers again.

It shows you  you might be good with tech, charismatic, and very smart, but if you dont at least Google your prospective clients youre setting yourself up for a world of hurt, MyBroadbands source said.

They added that the brothers are just going to make matters worse if they keep running.

They should turn around and come home. Even if they are in the UK, there is nowhere they can hide.

The Cajees have denied that they stole the money and maintain that they were a victim of an attack on Africrypts systems.

Raees Cajee has also said that less than $5 million (R72 million) was lost when their platform was hacked  much less than the $3.6 billion (R51 billion) that was previously reported.

At the height of the market, we were managing just over $200 million, he said.

This is much less than Cajee once boasted about, one investor told MyBroadband. According to the investor, who spoke on condition of anonymity, Cajee once claimed that they were managing assets worth over $700 million.

According to Gerhard Botha, the attorney who represents Meyer and a group of other investors, the current claims against Africrypt total around R140 million ($9.9 million), but this may go up to as high as R500 million ($35 million) when all the claims are in.

The claims therefore exceed the amount that Cajee said was lost.

MyBroadband contacted Meyer, his attorney, and the Cajees for comment. None of them responded to our requests.

Now read: Massive fight to block Mirror Trading International liquidation
South Africans over the age of 50 can register for vaccinations from 1 July 2021 and will be allowed to walk in at a vaccination centre to receive their jab.

This is feedback from Dr Nicholas Crisp, deputy director-general in the national Department of Health, who spoke to Netwerk24 about the next phase of vaccinations in the country.

Acting health minister Mmamoloko Kubayi-Ngubane announced last week that people aged between 50 and 59 would be able to register for the Covid-19 vaccines this week.

These vaccinations are scheduled to begin on 15 July.

Commenting on the programme, Kubayi-Ngubane acknowledged that the government would not meet its target of vaccinating over five million senior citizens by the end of June.

This, she said, is mainly due to vaccine hesitancy, a lack of technology for some citizens to register, and vaccination centres that are located far from peoples residences.

She added that the government was concerned about the number of people over 60 who have registered for a vaccine, which has continued to decrease.

The minister said that this was particularly problematic as this age group is most at risk and yet the majority of people have not been vaccinated.

While these challenges remain, Crisp said the government is ready to move to the next phase of vaccinations.

He provided details for people over 50 who want to register for vaccinations, summarised in the table below.

Vaccinations for people over 50 Question Answer When do registrations for people over 50 start? 1 July 2021 Where must people register? Covid-19 vaccination portal When will vaccinations for people over 50 start? 15 July 2021 Must I wait for an SMS to receive a vaccine appointment? It is preferred that you wait for an appointment, but walk-ins are accepted If I registered at my medical aid, should I still register on the official vaccine portal? Yes Are there enough vaccines available? Yes

Now read: How dominant the Delta coronavirus variant is in Gauteng
There might not be fireworks this Fourth of July, but that doesnt mean St. Helena is skimping on the fun.

The annual bike parade returns this year after being canceled in 2020 due to the coronavirus. The family-friendly parade is an easy one-mile ride from the corner of Harvest Lane and Starr Avenue to Lyman Park.

Participants are encouraged to decorate their bikes, strollers, scooters, and themselves in celebration of Independence Day.

Pre-registration is required at cityofsthelena.org/parksrec/page/4th-july-st-helena.

Residents are encouraged to move the party to their front yards for Front Yard Fourth.

St. Helena Parks and Rec is offering a limited number of Front Yard Fourth Fun Packs, with patriotic items and family activities, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, July 1, and Friday, July 2, at the St. Helena Recreation Office, 1574 Railroad Ave.

There will also be an adult softball home run derby and all-star game on Wednesday, July 7, at Carpy Field.
2041  Report of a reckless driver passing over double yellows near Main/Pope.

2353  Report of people in a Honda CRV going through peoples mailboxes while driving down Crystal Springs Road. They appeared to throw some junk mail out the window near Deer Park Road. Police checked the area and notified the sheriffs office.

Thursday, June 24

1148  A person lost $1,000 to fraud. Police took a report.

1253  A parent asked for help finding her adult daughter. An officer checked the area. The parent called back to say the daughter had been found.

2027  Report of a possible drunk driver in Rutherford.

2252  Police cited a driver for failing to yield to a pedestrian.

2344  Report of a possible drunk driver on Main Street. Police determined the driver was not DUI.

Friday, June 25

0016  A fallen tree was blocking the walking path near the elm tunnel.

0617  St. Helena police assisted the CHP after a car accident on Silverado Trail.
It will revamp small-lot development standards to encourage "cottage courts" with housing clustered around shared public space.

It will set new standards for landscaping, which is integral to living with a less reliable water supply.

A public review draft will be released in the fall, followed by public hearings before the Planning Commission and City Council. Members of the public will have ample opportunity to suggest changes before the ordinance is adopted in early 2022.

Next up is the Housing Element, a key chapter of the General Plan. Planner Aaron Hecock, who's worked for the city eight years, is leading this charge.

The Housing Element must explain to the state how we can accommodate the 254 housing units assigned to us by the Association of Bay Area Governments in the 2023-2031 Regional Housing Needs Allocation  the RHNA numbers. By comparison, our last RHNA assignment for 2015-2022 was only 31 housing units.

This is a tremendous challenge, but its also an opportunity to envision a more sustainable community thats accessible to all income levels and supports our economy.

City staff is inviting our help identifying vacant and underutilized sites that could be upzoned to accommodate housing.
Local

Caring

Napa nonprofit offers free kids' clothing, supplies

Jennifer Huffman, Register Peggy Smith of Expressions of Hope goes through a rack of donated outerwear. The Napa nonprofit offers free clothing and supplies of all kinds for foster youth, foster families and those in the child welfare service system. Expressions of Hope has a resource center and "store" located at the Napa Valley Life Church on Trower Avenue. Jennifer Huffman, Register Peggy Smith of Expressions of Hope with just some of the clothing collected by the nonprofit. The Napa group offers free clothing and supplies of all kinds for foster youth, foster families and those in the child welfare service system. Expressions of Hope has a resource center and "store" located at the Napa Valley Life Church on Trower Avenue. Jennifer Huffman, Register Many, many bins of neatly folded and stored clothing can be found at Expressions of Hope. The Napa group offers free clothing and supplies of all kinds for foster youth, foster families and those in the child welfare service system. Jennifer Huffman, Register New (like these Vans) and gently used shoes can be found at the Napa nonprofit Expressions of Hope. Jennifer Huffman, Register Napa nonprofit Expressions of Hope has a resource center and "store" located at the Napa Valley Life Church on Trower Avenue. Jennifer Huffman, Register All kinds of jeans can be found at Expressions of Hope, a resource center for foster families and youth in Napa.

Need free diapers? Free formula? How about free baby clothes, a stroller, or kids shoes?

If youre a foster parent, adoptive family, or anyone else involved in the child welfare service system, chances are that Peggy Smith has just what you need.

Smith is the director of the Napa nonprofit Expressions of Hope. The group offers free resources for foster and adoptive families, or any family whos involved in the child welfare service system. Expressions of Hope also stocks a store with all the supplies such families could need, like diapers, formula, and clothing.

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This is the third location for the Expressions of Hope resource center and store.

Originally the nonprofit operated out of a storage unit and shipping container.

That was difficult, said Smith. It was hard to help families and hard to display the items.

Expressions of Hope next leased a space inside a commercial building on Soscol Avenue. However, the rent, $6,000 a month, was prohibitive.

Then Tony Valenti, the senior pastor at Napa Valley Life Church on Trower Avenue, asked Smith if she would like to open a resource center at the church.

Her response?

Are you kidding me?

Today, the nonprofit uses several rooms in the church.

One long room is filled with shelves of curated clothing  dozens upon dozens of storage bins of neatly folded and sorted clothing for ages 0 to 21, including shoes (some brand new), coats, and jeans.

Another section has racks of hanging clothing such as dresses and dress shirts. One room has infant and younger children supplies, bins of personal care items, backpacks, and school supplies.

We have boxes of diapers and formula, and baby care items. There are strollers, swings, portable cribspretty much anything theyd need, said Smith.

For other specific needs, Expressions of Hope can also supply gift cards, such as to Target or Walmart.

Theres a huge need for such a resource center, said Smith. Actually, theres a huge need for foster parents, now referred to as resource parents.

Smith noted that half of all Napa County children that enter foster care have to be sent out of the county because there arent enough local foster parents available to take in local kids.

I wanted to make it easier for resource parents, said Smith, who has been a foster parent for 25 years.

Were trying desperately to get some more families and hoping a perk will be that they dont have to purchase anything, because they can get everything they need from the Expressions of Hope resource center.

The nonprofit also offers two support groups per month as well as other benefits, such as respite care for foster families and drive-by meals (during COVID-19).

Expressions of Hope resource center Located at Napa Valley Life Church Open daily by appointment 2303 Trower Ave, Napa, CA 94558 (707) 363-1455 expressionsofhopenapa.org

I want this to be a safe place for families to feel really welcome.

The nonprofit was originally formed back in 2008. It started with creating backpacks for children who are unexpectedly and suddenly removed from their homes for foster care. When that happens, many have just the clothes on their back, explained Smith.

Each backpack had an age-appropriate supply of new underwear, socks, diapers, formula, toiletries, school supplies, and other items to help that child make that sudden transition.

We started with the backpacks, and then we realized there were so many other needs, said Smith. Thats when we expanded the services.

One big difference for the nonprofit came after being featured in CanDo's Napa Valley Give!Guide, an annual booklet showcasing local nonprofits.

People in the community have been generous, said Smith. Expressions of Hope now has three paid employees.

Smith said one common misconception she gets about foster care is that the only way to help a foster child is to be a foster parent. Thats not the case, she said.

There are plenty of other ways to help, such as offering to deliver supplies to a foster family, help set up a bed or dresser at a home for a youth, or sort or wash donated clothing and other items.

Besides spreading the word about the resource center, whats next for Expressions of Hope?

Just finding more ways to support the families providing care, said Smith.

Photos: Free clothing, diapers, supplies for Napa youth in need
More information is available at CityofAmericanCanyon.org/FourthofJuly.

Napa

Residents are invited to watch the Boat Parade, which is being staged by the Napa Valley Yacht Club on Saturday and will take place on the Napa River starting at 10 a.m.

About 25 boats are expected to take part in the water procession, along with kayaks and canoes, according to the club's staff commodore Sally Servidio Craig. Vessels will head north up the river toward downtown Napa, then turn back toward the Yacht Club and on to the River Park neighborhood before returning to the club. Boats will be decorated for the Fourth of July holiday and a contest will be held to choose the best-decorated vessel.

With Napa shelving most July Fourth events for a second summer, the city is seeking volunteers to help decorate the downtown area with patriotic colors ahead of the holiday.
U.S. Sen. Alex Padilla, D-CA, announced a bill Tuesday intended to help protect coastal communities from climate change effects like sea level rise and stronger storms.

The Living Shorelines Act of 2021, which Padilla introduced with Democratic federal legislators from New Jersey and Connecticut, would create a pair of federal grant programs through the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration to study and construct "living shorelines" out of natural materials like plants, sand and rock rather than concrete barriers.

Similar projects, like the San Francisco Bay Living Shorelines Project, are already underway in California, Padilla said.

Nearly 20 local, state and federal organizations and agencies are collaborating on the Living Shorelines Project, which is using eelgrass and oyster beds to create reefs along the bay that are intended to reduce coastal flooding and erosion.

"We are facing a climate crisis and the impacts are being felt in California and across the country," Padilla said in a statement. "Living shoreline infrastructure is already helping states like California utilize wetlands and other nature-based features to buffer communities from sea level rise and extreme weather."
The latest developments around the region related to the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19, as of Tuesday evening include:

Santa Cruz County's first case of the delta COVID-19 variant has been confirmed in a sample collected earlier this month, county officials announced Tuesday.

The patient, a man in his 50s who reported being fully vaccinated, experienced mild symptoms and has recovered since his sample was taken June 10. An investigation into the case is ongoing, but health experts have noted that a handful of such breakthrough cases are to be expected.

The delta variant, which was first detected in India, has been found in more than 80 countries and is believed to be some 60 percent more transmissible than the alpha variant, also known as the UK or B.1.1.7 variant.

Roughly 15 percent of COVID-19 cases in California are delta variant cases and the variant is likely to become the dominant strain in the U.S. as the year progresses, particularly among unvaccinated people.

San Mateo County is focused on getting as many people vaccinated as possible as its COVID-19 vaccination rate has slowed down but continues to increase.
Here's what we know Wednesday morning about the Lava Fire, which erupted last week in Siskiyou County after a lighting strike and so far has burned more than 27 square miles in a rural area of Northern California.

Cause

A lighting strike Friday hit a tree and sparked a small fire in an extremely remote area of an old lava flow east of Weed. Since ignition, the fire has continued to spread and endanger area communities and marijuana farms.

Size

As of Wednesday morning, the fire was 17,591 acres, and was at 19% containment, according to the U.S. Forest Service, which is managing the response. The containment was down from 20% late Tuesday.

Location

Fire is burning 3 1/2 miles east of Weed and 4 1/2 miles southeast of Lake Shastina.

Firefighting resources

Forest Service officials said Wednesday 927 personnel are battling the blaze, and that crews "made good progress on the western edge of the fire, cutting off progression into the communities."

Damages/injuries
Rudy Giuliani is the subject of a US Justice Department inquiry into possible foreign lobbying for Turkish interests, separate from a criminal probe of his activities in Ukraine, according to people familiar with the matter, Bloomberg reported.

For almost a year, the former New York mayor and personal lawyer to Donald Trump has been fielding questions about whether he was acting for Turkey when he pushed the Trump administration in 2017 to drop money-laundering charges against gold trader Reza Zarrab and also reportedly sought the deportation of exiled Muslim cleric Fethullah Gulen. Zarrab later pleaded guilty and implicated Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in a sanctions-evasion scheme, while Erdogan claims Gulen was behind a failed 2016 coup against his government.

The Turkey inquiry, which has not been previously reported, is not criminal, in contrast to the Ukraine investigation, which resulted in the Federal Bureau of Investigation seizing Giulianis electronic devices in April 28 raids on his Manhattan home and office. Though both matters focus on whether Giuliani lobbied the Trump administration on behalf of foreign interests, the Justice Department usually takes a softer approach when it thinks failure to register wasnt intentional.

Robert Costello, a lawyer for Giuliani, said the Justice Departments Turkey inquiry was driven by an October 2019 Washington Post story that, citing unnamed officials, said that Giuliani had insistently sought Gulens deportation in several White House meetings with Trump.

Giuliani never sought the clerics deportation, and he never represented Turkey, Costello said, adding that his clients only interactions with Turkey involved an attempt to get Zarrab released to Turkey in exchange for Andrew Brunson, an evangelical pastor who was being held at the time by the Turkish government.

The Justice Department declined to comment on the matter.

Giuliani has denied lobbying for either Turkish or Ukrainian interests, and the government has not accused him of wrongdoing in either matter. In the Turkey inquiry, if the government decides that Giuliani acted for a foreign interest, it could issue a determination letter requiring him to register as a lobbyist and also disclose all details of contacts he had with U.S. and Turkish officials concerning Zarrab and Gulen.
Armenia President: Certain provisions of current Constitution do not provide best solutions

Armenia acting PM: There have been profound changes in our constitutional awareness

Armenia embassy in Moscow comments on statements of Russia public figure

Major road accident in Armenias Kotayk, rescuers remove victim out of vehicle

China astronauts spend nearly 7 hours in open space

Clashes occur between transgender opponents, supporters in Los Angeles

Black Sea Trade and Development Bank invites expression of interest for open tender for its headquarters

Azerbaijan state oil company denies rumors of accident on its offshore platforms

Turkey to provide Ukraine with corvette and drones

US Embassy: We honor the tremendous partnership between the US and Armenia

7 people killed in Nigeria militant attacks

Deputy Director of IAEA to visit Iran

Tech week Artsakh 2021 conference kicks off in Stepanakert

UN Committee calls on African countries to share experiences in combating migration

At least 29 people killed in plane crash in Philippines

Iranian Deputy FM appoints Ambassador to UK

Biden does not rule out Russia's involvement in new cyber attack

Plane crashes in south of Kazakhstan

89 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia: 5 citizens die

Nikol Pashinyan congratulates Joe Biden on US Independence Day

Armen Sarkissian sends congratulatory message to US President Joe Biden

96 illegal migrants rescued off coast of Tunisia

Yerevan hands over minefield maps to Baku in exchange for return of 15 POWs

Frank Pallone says they discussed US role in Armenian POWs release

ECHR refuses to reopen case on death of Yasser Arafat

Russia reports on destruction of 5 terrorists

Karabakh emergency service: 4 more remains found, retrieved

Armenia opposition member: Azerbaijan is going to take UNESCO to places Baku wants to

2 people injured in Syria

Turkey, Russia exchange Syrian soldiers, militants

Armenia acting PMs latest fabrications on Artsakh not agreed with Minsk Group co-chair countries, says Ashotyan

Pashinyan to Lukashenko: Armenia-Belarus ties will continue as benchmark for interstate relations development

Newborn boy found on Gyumri street

Albania allocates $9.7m to purchase Turkey drones

I Have Honor bloc member: Last snap parliamentary elections will be another period of hell for Armenia, Artsakh

Armenia ombudsman: Azerbaijan authorities conduct is open contempt for entire international community

Caucasus Heritage Watch calls on Azerbaijan to stop destroying Armenian cemeteries

Armenia acting deputy PM Avinyan attends EBRD online meeting

Israel carries out airstrike at weapons manufacturing site in Gaza

Catholicos Aram I addresses Pope Francis on issue of Armenian captives in Azerbaijan

Avagyan: Authorities should ask Russia peacekeeping commander to talk with Azerbaijan to return convicted Armenians

US troops depart from their main Afghanistan base

Armenias Sarkissian to Belarus Lukashenko: Friendship of our peoples will still be basis for increasing cooperation

Two new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh

Zas: Situation in southern Armenia does not comply with CSTO charter provisions

125 new cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Armenia

Biden announces several key nominations

UK teen allegedly kills 2 sisters in deal with the devil

Armenia high-tech industry acting minister meets with Catalonia parliament speaker

Newspaper: Armenia outgoing legislature majority faction MPs are dissatisfied

EU to allocate over 1.5bn to Armenia for five programs

Newspaper: It is known who will head Armenia "I Have Honor" bloc parliament faction

Global food prices soaring at their fastest rate

Hikmet Hajiyev's slip of the tongue - "Zangezur corridor" in exchange of a land route for Armenia towards Russia

Bloomberg: US asks Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan to accept refugees from Afghanistan

Armenian bailiffs killed in Sochi posthumously awarded Order of Courage by Putin

Armenian court to continue examination of appeal against arrest of doctor Armen Charchyan on July 6

Turkey reaches no agreement on Kabul airport issue

French military neutralizes several ISIS leaders in Sahel

Putin, Macron discuss Nagorno-Karabakh

Baku court sentences 2 Armenian POWs to 4 years in prison, 12 captives to 6 months in prison

Bishkek offers Baku to create Council in "5+3" format at level of Presidents of Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan

Ambassador: US ready to provide support to peaceful normalization and reconciliation of Azerbaijan and Armenia

Man detained in Afghanistan for carrying explosives in musical instrument

Armenia government sets up inter-agency commission to eliminate consequences of drought or water scarcity

Armenia Shirak Province deputy governor sacked

Cyprus authorities change rules of entry for tourists

Karabakh emergency situations service: Remains of another Armenian soldier found in Fizuli region

'Armenia' bloc representative: Many police officers from Yerevan voted in Shurnukh and other villages of Syunik Province

'I Have Honor' bloc also applies to Armenia Constitutional Court regarding results of snap parliamentary elections

Mitsubishi Electric president resigns amid document forgery scandal

'Armenia' bloc representative: Petition submitted to Constitutional Court for impossibility of judge's participation

Erdogan: Turkey will maintain its presence in Azerbaijan and take what belongs to it

French government denies concealment of radiation levels in Pacific Ocean after nuclear tests

Boeing 737 cargo crew rescued after falling into water

Digest: EU commissioner to visit Armenia; Armenians discover 97kg heroin, Turkey citizen detained

Old school in Geghhovit village of Armenia's Gegharkunik Province being renovated

Yerevan Police solve loan office robbery case

India confirms 400,000 deaths from COVID-19

Russia FM says there is significant progress in talks over Iran's nuclear deal

Boeing 737 cargo crashes near Honolulu

Sham trial continues in Baku, prosecutor demands sentencing 12 Armenian POWs to 2 years in prison

Armenia acting PM dismisses Vayots Dzor Province deputy governor

Armenian analyst: Armenia needs to understand what it can offer China through One Belt One Road project

Over 100 organizations urges Biden to stop using drones

Armenia Constitutional Court registers Zartonk party petition to invalidate snap parliamentary election results

Attorney: The two grounds for keeping Armenian doctor Armen Charchyan under arrest no longer exist

Dollar still dropping in Armenia

Lawyer Aram Vardevanyan to represent Armenia bloc at Constitutional Court

Armenia acting Deputy PM visits construction sites in Yerevan

YouTube deletes video about hate speech against Armenians posted by Turkey President's spokesperson

Armenia acting justice minister receives Kazakhstan Ambassador

European Commissioner plans visits to Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia

Four new cases of coronavirus reported in Artsakh

IMF sharply raises its forecast for US economic growth to 7%

Fan Yong: We work to draw Chinese investors to Armenia

Body implementing proceedings completes case of Armenian doctor Armen Charchyan, sends it to court

Macron warns of American-style culture dangers

Armenia Shirak Province village veterinarian commits suicide

Facebook to start warning some users that they may have seen extremist content
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will leave for Antalya, Turkey, on Wednesday to hold talks with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu, TASS reported.

The situation in Transcaucasia will become another important topic of talks.

Commenting on the recent "Shushi Declaration," the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, stated that Moscow does not consider it right to confuse the issues related to the settlement in Nagorno-Karabakh [(Artsakh)] conflict with the foreign relations of the countries of the region. She reminded that many efforts are being made in the region to move in a peaceful direction.

Besides, on June 24, the Presidents of Russia and Turkey had a telephone conversation, during which they positively assessed the work of the Russian-Turkish joint center for military operation and ceasefire monitoring in Nagorno-Karabakh.
YEREVAN.  Acting Minister of Justice Rustam Badasyan on Wednesday received the newly appointed Ambassador of Japan to Armenia, Masanori Fukushima, the Ministry of Justice of Armenia informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

According to Ambassador Fukushima, Armenia and Japan should further strengthen their relations, as he sees its potential, especially in high tech and culture as well as in the judicial sphere.

Badasyan, in turn, thanked the Japanese government for its $3.6 million in humanitarian aid provided to Armenia to reduce the effect of the consequences of the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) war last fall, and reflected on the broad agenda of cooperation in the judicial sphere discussed during a meeting with his Japanese colleague.

At the end of their talk, the parties expressed readiness for personal contribution for the benefit of the development of Armenia-Japan relations.
YEREVAN.  Within the framework of the 2021 Mobile World Congress (MWC) Barcelona being held in Spain, Acting Minister of High-Tech Industry of Armenia Hayk Chobanyan met with Timo Harakka, Minister of Transport and Communications of Finland, the Ministry of High-Tech Industry of Armenia informed Armenian News-NEWS.am.

The two colleagues touched upon the challenges caused by the coronavirus pandemic, and the importance of technology in addressing these challenges.

Reaffirming the role of technology in meeting the challenges, Chobanyan pointed to the need for major changes in education in technology, which, according to him, will help fill the gap of highly qualified specialists in this sector.

Also, an agreement was reached to collaborate in the exchange of successful programs implemented by both sides in technology as well as in education, and in the implementation of joint respective projects.
Spring crops in Kotayk Province of Armenia are on the verge of devastation as a result of the current drought in the country.

It has not rained for 1.5 months in the fields of numerous communities in this province, as a result of which the soil has cracked and the crops have dried up.

The farmers told Armenian News-NEWS.am that they had taken a considerable amount of agricultural loans, but were already facing a serious fact.

They note that in the event of a drought, they will not be able to repay even the principal amount of these loans, whereas the insurance companies do not provide compensation to the farmers for the damages suffered due to drought.

The farmers hope that the government will deal with this issue, and at least suspend for some time the repayment of their loans.

To note, there are problems related to drought and irrigation water also in Shirak, Ararat, Armavir, and Gegharkunik Provinces of Armenia.
YEREVAN.  The Court of General Jurisdiction of Yerevan has made a verdict acquitting Aram Harutyunyan, head of the opposition National Accord party of Armenia.

Harutyunyan was charged under the Criminal Code article on making public calls for using violence, and publicly justifying or preaching violence.

As per the aforesaid verdict, Aram Harutyunyan's speech cannot be considered a call to publicly justify violence, and as such, it cannot be considered hate speech either. Such a view of the court is conditioned by the fact that Harutyunyan had spoken as a political player and chairman of an opposition political party, presenting the latters views on political issues of general public interest, and therefore he was under the protection of free speech.

According to the indictment, however, in a video posted on YouTube, Aram Harutyunyan had voiced calls to publicly justify violence against Acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan.
The trial of Armenian captives in the Azerbaijani capital Baku is taking on new shades. The organizers of this disturbing performance use it to give "credibility" to the mind games and slander which are aimed to make more terrible among the Azerbaijani people the image of the enemythe Armenians.

This time the trial and judgment was used in order to "confirm" the "Armenian trace" in the July 3, 1994 explosion in the Baku subway. Accordingly, Zahid Hasanov, a victim in the criminal case against Armenian captives Lyudvig Mkrtchyan and Alyosha Khosrovyan, "testified" that Azer Aslanov, the person who blew up the subway, had been arrested with him, and that they were in captivity together in Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh).

"Me, Sergei, Azer Aslanov, and another hostage were kept in Khankendi [(i.e., Stepanakert)] as a hostage. 5-6 Armenian militants came, took Azer Aslanov to clean the commanders room. Azer returned after 2 hours, then they took him again. Special service bodies of Armenia conducted a special talk with Azer. Azer was instructed in room of Samvel Babayan. One of those, who instructed Azer, was Ludvik Mkrtichyan. They talked for more than an hour. Sergei came and said that Azer did not clean the room. It was found out that they took Azer Aslanov and did not make him clean the room. After the incident, they gave Azer every meal, which he wanted. It was found out that Azer Aslanov cooperated with Armenians. In that year, Azer Aslanov exploded the metro in Baku. After returning from captivity, I heard that Sergei was shot in hostage," Hasanov said, APA reports.

The terrorist attackson March 19, 1994 and July 3, 1994at the Baku subway were being used by the Azerbaijani authorities to put pressure on the Lezgin community of Azerbaijan, "finding" a link between the "organizers" of the two explosions and the Armenian special services. In particular, since those found guilty in organizing and carrying out the two bombings were Lezgins, Baku began to exert pressure on national minorities in Azerbaijan, and some link was "found" with the Sadval separatist movement of the Lezgins.

The trend in Azerbaijan to link national movements to "inimical Armenia" is quite logical and understandable; they were used as a lever of pressure on people who were inconvenient for them. And as a result of these repressions, 30 "accomplices" were convicted, several dozen Lezgin activists were imprisoned, and five people died behind bars.
The draft of the new Penitentiary Code envisages fundamental innovations that will allow to significantly increase effectiveness of the penitentiary system. This is what acting Deputy Minister of Justice of Armenia Armen Hovhannisyan said during a discussion on the draft held as part of todays special session of the dissolved National Assembly.

According to him, it is envisaged to include the stage of institution of a criminal case during the process of preliminary investigation. The draft also specifies the grounds for, goals of and procedures for applying coercive measures, arrest and detention. In addition, the conditions through application of a pre-trial measure are also expanded and optimized, and the types of arrest are revisited, the acting deputy minister clarified, adding that new pre-trial measures will be introduced, including house arrest and administrative oversight.

Moreover, the draft introduces electronic registration of criminal proceedings, as well as the institution of remote preliminary investigation and court proceedings.

If the draft is adopted, it will enter into force along with the new Criminal Code in 2022.
Azerbaijan continues aggression against the people of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) by exerting pressure on the people living in Artsakh through informational terrorism, and the sole purpose is to empty Artsakh of Armenians, spreading fear, despair and psychological stress among the residents. This is what Human Rights Defender of Artsakh Gegham Stepanyan posted on his Facebook page, adding a video. He also stated the following:

Whereas until now the Azerbaijanis would call our residents on the phone and offer to purchase stores and apartments, now there is a Khankendi/Stepanakert page on Facebook which is clearly fulfilling the orders of the Azerbaijani propaganda machine. With a recent post, the self-proclaimed deputy of Stepanakert presents the contacts of his non-existing office, hoping that residents of Artsakh will contact him. This is subsequent manipulation and dual game of the Azerbaijani authorities to present themselves as peace-lovers to the international community and instill Armenophobia in the Azerbaijani society at the same time.

A content-based study of the Facebook page clearly shows that the page is coordinated by the state bodies of Azerbaijan and is aimed at exerting psychological pressure on the residents of Artsakh through informational terrorism, and the comments under the posts are filled with Armenophobic comments and hate speech targeted at Armenians.

The national security bodies need to use the necessary technical resources to make sure the page is not spread among the population. I call the attention of international organizations to this issue  this is psychological terrorism on the part of Azerbaijan and a component of the systematic policy of ethnic cleansing against the Armenians of Artsakh.

Dear fellow Armenians, there is no need to give in to the Azerbaijanis manipulations. Dont press Like on the page. If you do, you will constantly receive deceiving and misleading information via the page.

It is necessary to Report the page as soon as possible so that the page is no longer spread to users.
The International & Comparative Law Center (ICLaw) in partnership with the Armenian Legal Center for Justice & Human Rights (ALC) has filed seven new cases with the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) requesting the application of interim measures for prisoners of war (POWs) taken captive by Azerbaijan in violation of international humanitarian law and the November trilateral ceasefire statement, Armenian National Committee  International reported.

Azerbaijans continued failure to acknowledge the existence of all Armenian POWs is an outrage and yet another example of its depraved indifference to human life. It is time for the international community to stop emboldening dictator Aliyev and demand that Azerbaijan comply with its obligations under the 1949 Geneva Conventions, stated ALC chairperson Kenneth Hachikian.

Having gathered strong direct evidence of identity and continued captivity, ICLaws application for interim measures represents the first step in forcing Azerbaijan to acknowledge the captive existence of these Armenians and ensuring that they have access to international humanitarian organizations while in captivity, including visits by the International Committee for the Red Cross.

ALC has partnered with the International & Comparative Law Center (ICLaw) based in Yerevan, Armenia, to file cases and advocate before the European Court of Human Rights on behalf of nearly 100 Armenian POWs taken captive by Azerbaijan. Recently, ICLaw, with the support of ALC, gathered information on 90 additional POWs held by Azerbaijan. As more information is obtained, ICLaw and ALC will continue to pursue both the freedom and the right to life of all Armenian POWs.
YEREVAN.  A group of motorists are protesting in front of the State Revenue Committee (SRC) of Armenia.

Tigran Hovhannisyan, chairman of the League for the Protection of Motorists, told reporters that three months ago, about individual 100 freight forwarders from among them had applied to the chairman of the SRC. "We asked that the Armenian freight forwarders be allocated a place at the Meghri customs house so that we could transport the Persian cargo to the Armenian trailer trucks and bring it to Yerevan. The Persians themselves ask, they say, they bring [them], bring until the Meghri customs house, then we take [them], make money," he said.

According to Hovhannisyan, they can build such an area with their own means among 100 freight forwarders, but the Armenian government needs to guarantee that they buy land and build their own customs area. "But we have heard that they have applied to some of the oligarchs from among them who participated in the [snap parliamentary] elections [on June 20]," he said, adding that the SRC has not responded yet.

Tigran Hovhannisyan spoke also about the problems of Armenias car importers. "We are confident that we are right. We have come today to warn [the authorities]. And if the issues raised by us are not discussed, if we do not receive an answer, we will be on this street again in 15 days, we will bloc [it], or we will gatherwith trailer trucksin front of the government [building]," said the chairman of the League for the Protection of Motorists.
Perhaps the former foreign minister didnt want to take responsibility for the country in some way. This is what deputy of the My Step faction of the National Assembly of Armenia Hakob Aslanyan told reporters today, touching upon the document to be signed, the statements by ex-foreign minister Ara Aivazian and the current situation in the country.

Well get the country out of this situation. We still havent decided who will be the next foreign minister so that nobody leaves with fear, he said.

As for the statement of Deputy Foreign Minister Avet Adonts that the Armenian authorities have removed the Nagorno-Karabakh issue from the agenda and Nikol Pashinyans sole management sparks unpredictability in foreign policy, Aslanan said Adonts has the right to say whatever he wants.

In response to a question regarding the situation on the borders of Syunik and Gegharkunik Provinces, Aslanyan stated the following: The border issues have been around for 70-80 years. They havent been adjusted since the Soviet era.
US federal law enforcement agencies secretly request Microsoft customer data thousands of times a year, AP reported referring to Tom Burt, corporate vice president of customer and security trust at Microsoft Corp.

In recent years, federal law enforcement agencies have issued between 2,400 and 3,500 secret orders a year, or roughly seven to ten a day, he said.

The fact that law enforcement has requested and the courts have approved the secret surveillance of so many Americans represents a major departure from historical norms, he said.

The relationship between law enforcement and Big Tech has garnered attention in recent weeks after Justice Department prosecutors obtained telephone tapes in leaked investigations of not only journalists but also members of Congress and their staff. Microsoft, for example, was among the companies that filed documents by court order, and due to the suppression order, it had to wait more than two years before disclosing it.

Microsoft President Brad Smith called for an end to the overuse of secret court orders, arguing that prosecutors too often use technology to abuse our fundamental freedoms.
The foreign ministers of Russia and Turkey have agreed to continue to closely coordinate efforts and provide support to Yerevan and Baku to solve the practical issues for settlement of relations, placing emphasis on confidence-building measures. Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov said this during a joint press conference with his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu in Antalya.

Were satisfied with the how the Russian-Turkish monitoring center is operating in the Aghdam region of Azerbaijan. We exchanged views on the specific situation there. We are certain that the unblocking of transport links and the efforts to boost multilateral economic cooperation in Transcaucasia with neighbors, including with the participation of Turkey and Russia will serve for comprehensive stabilization of the situation, he said.

Asked how he would assess Turkeys role in the settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict and President Erdogans recent visit to the occupied Armenian city of Shushi, Lavrov stated the following: As far as Erdogans visit to Azerbaijan is concerned, it was in the context of the relations between Turkey and AzerbaijanToday Cavusoglu and I agreed that the both of us will use our resources to contribute to the reconciliation between Armenia and Azerbaijan and the normalization of relations and to help the Armenians, Azerbaijanis and people of other nationalities to live as good neighbors.

According to him, the partnership between Moscow and Ankara is embodied not only in the regular consultations and the agreements on political stances, but also in the operation of the Russian-Turkish monitoring center which ensures maintenance of the ceasefire regime. "Russia supports Erdogans and Aliyevs proposal to create the three plus three mechanism for promoting the development of the region, including the three countries of Transcaucasia and the three neighbors  Russia, Turkey and Iran. Today we also talked about this and we have good plans. So, I repeat that we are satisfied with the close and effective cooperation over the Armenian-Azerbaijani relations and Nagorno-Karabakh issue, Lavrov stated.
The Surfside building collapse of the Champlain Towers South is a tragedy that has captured news headlines nationally and internationally, as search teams continue to comb the rubble for signs of life or extract remains.

As of Wednesday morning, 16 have been confirmed dead, with 147 people still unaccounted for since the collapse, according to the Miami Herald.

Hundreds of news reporters, photographers, and videographers are at the site covering the event daily. But interviewing anguished family members of those who were inside the building when it collapsed and describing the victims lives can take an emotional toll on even the most seasoned journalists. How do they prepare for such a task?

Joseph B. Treaster, professor of journalism at the University of Miami School of Communication and a veteran journalist with more than 30 years of news experience, is covering the event as a contributor for The New York Times. He has been reporting on the tragedy since the tower collapsed at about 1:30 a.m. on Thursday, June 24.

The intensity of the event takes over for me, Treaster said in a phone interview. And that acts as a kind of buffer. I am scrambling to find out what happened. Im talking to people, victims, families, firemen, the police, government officials, anyone I see. Im concentrating, trying to figure out what happened, getting back to the Times so we can tell the world, he added. I know its worthwhile and that is part of what drives me.

Experience helps. During his more than three decades as a foreign correspondent and domestic reporter for the Times, Treaster has covered hurricanes, volcano eruptions, 9/11, earthquakes, and half a dozen wars. I know its important to get in fast, before the barricades are up, he said. In the first hours of a disaster everyone is shaken. Theyre eager to tell their story. As the days go by, things become more organized and more controlled.

Treaster has not become jaded by tragedy. Sometimes he blinks back tears. He chokes up. But he noted that he catches his breath, puts his head down, and keeps on marching.

I cannot tell you how many horrible things I have seen, Treaster said. Ive seen lots of bodies and heard lots of gun fire, and Ive been terrified many times. But, somehow, I keep going.

Part of reporting on tragedies, Treaster pointed out, is getting in close, feeling the pain and the loss. People need to know how bad things are, he said. You need details that help people halfway around the world understand the enormity and the depth of the loss. You have to help people see it.

Maria Alejandra Cardona, a graduate student in the School of Communication, is a freelance photographer who has covered multiple police shootings, California wildfires, and hurricanes. She spent last Thursday at the Surfside collapse site and took several photographs that appeared in The New York Times.

She states that the notion that journalists must put aside their feelings is a flawed concept.

When the camera is in front of my face it does not mean that I am less human, she said. I feel my emotions very deeply in my soul. If you were to look behind my camera, you would see tears on my face.

But in the face of profound human tragedy journalists also have to show compassion, she said. As she was leaving the scene last Thursday, she stopped by a makeshift memorial near the site and spotted a man lighting candles.

He would light the candle, then cry, she said. She took the picture but did not ask the man his name.

I could not disrupt his moment, she said. He needed to take that moment by himself. There are times when you have to step back and other times when you ask a question.

Boriana Treadwell, a senior lecturer in the School of Communication, spent almost 17 years at CNN working as a writer, producer, and assignment editor. She covered stories including a major tsunami, 9/11, shootings, hurricanes, earthquakes, and the Sandy Hook massacre. As an assignment editor, she often sent correspondents into war-torn countries, organized their coverage, and wrote stories based on what they were reporting.

There is no way to prepare yourself to deal with these tragedies, she said. I always tell my students these are very powerful stories because they are the saddest but the ones that have the most impact.

During her years at CNN, Treadwell watched war correspondents breaking down once the cameras were off. Others were so impacted by the misery around them that they stepped out of their journalism roles to help, she said. One reporterArwa Damon, who had been an international war correspondent for many yearswas so devastated by the plight of children in war-torn Syria that she decided to establish a foundation to help those children, Treadwell noted.

You are a reporter, and you try to stay disconnected but often you cant because you are human, said Treadwell. Two stories really affected Treadwell personally: the Malaysian plane that was shot down in 2014 over Ukraine air space and the Sandy Hook massacre of 20 elementary school children.

I had a friend on that plane, and it really hit me hard, she said. With the Sandy Hook massacre, I had a daughter around the same age as those children. It broke me.

Covering disasters can take a toll, said Treadwell. In her case, after many years in journalism, she decided to leave for the world of academia, training the next generation of correspondents, producers, and photojournalists.
Top N Korea officials sacked after Covid breach

Kim Jong-un says cadres' 'lack of ability and irresponsibility' had hindered important work, accusing them of 'self-protectionism and passiveness'. Photo: AFP

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un replaced several senior officials after a "crucial" coronavirus incident, state media reported on Wednesday, potentially signalling a breach in the country's epidemic defences.



Pyongyang closed its borders in January last year to try to protect itself against the virus that first emerged in neighbouring China and has gone on to sweep the world.



It has not publicly confirmed any cases of the disease at any point, either in state media or in the test statistics it has disclosed to the World Health Organisation.



But analysts said the latest development was a clear indication there had been infections in the isolated North, which is under international sanctions for its nuclear weapons and ballistic missile programmes.



Officials had neglected their duties and caused a "crucial" incident, "creating a great crisis in ensuring the security of the state and safety of the people and entailed grave consequences", Kim told a politburo meeting, according to the state Korean Central News Agency.



It did not specify any details of what had happened.



But Kim added that cadres' "lack of ability and irresponsibility" had hindered important work, accusing them of "self-protectionism and passiveness".



The impoverished country's ramshackle health system and lack of medical supplies would leave it struggling to cope with a major Covid-19 outbreak.



Members of the presidium of the politburo  the highest decision-making body of the ruling Workers' Party  and the politburo were recalled and new ones named at the meeting on Tuesday, KCNA reported, adding that government officials were "transferred and appointed".



The KCNA dispatch "basically means North Korea has confirmed cases", defector-turned-researcher Ahn Chan-il told AFP.



"The fact that the politburo discussed this, and that the KCNA reported about it, signals Pyongyang is probably in need of international aid," he said.



"Otherwise they would not have done this as it inevitably involves acknowledging the regime's own failure in its anti-epidemic efforts."



Park Won-gon of Ewha Womans University in Seoul pointed out that the meeting's attendance was unusually large and said the reference to "grave consequences" meant it was "possible" that the North had confirmed cases.



"It does look like Pyongyang is going through something serious that's related to Covid-19," he added. (AFP)
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Shareholders of Orphazyme AS (NASDAQ:ORPH) and Itau Corpbanca (NYSE:ITCB) have seen the value of their assets decline dramatically over the past couple of years, underperforming the S&P 500 index. Their profitability is not improving, and their financial conditions could be better, so there is not much to be positive about. Furthermore, sell-side analysts on Wall Street have issued lackluster ratings for these stocks.





Therefore, shareholders may want to consider reducing their holdings in these stocks, in my opinion.

Orphazyme AS

Orphazyme AS is a Copenhagen, Denmark-based biotechnology developer of therapies for the treatment of neurodegenerative orphan diseases such as those caused by protein misfolding and aggregation, as well as lysosomal dysfunction.

Shares have declined by 19% over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 by 60%.

Orphazyme AS does not pay dividends.

The balance sheet of the Danish biotech company has a Piotroski F-Score of 3 out of 9, which indicates poor business operations. According to the most recent financial report, the company has nearly $730 million in cash on hand and equivalents against total debt of $70.71 million. GuruFocus has rated the financial condition of the company with a score of 4 out of 10.

The profitability rating ranks extremely low as GuruFocus gives it a score of 1 out of 10. However, it must be said that being at the development stage, the business has yet to produce income from sales.

The share price traded at around $7.86 at close on June 29 for a market capitalization of $274.71 million and a 52-week range of $4.75 to $77.77.

2 Underperforming Stocks to Sell

The 14-day relative strength index of 49 indicates the stock is still trading far from oversold levels despite the sharp decline in the share price.

The company engages in a business which is not going to be easy from an economic standpoint, as there are many biotech companies that are working on treatments for neurodegenerative diseases and few are likely to succeed. Orphazyme only focuses on rare neurodegenerative diseases, which means that once a treatment has finally been developed and has all the clearance for its commercialization, it will have an extremely limited number of patients who will be in need for that.

Story continues

On Wall Street, as of June, the stock has an underweight recommendation rating with an average target price of $8.59 per share.

Itau Corpbanca

Itau Corpbanca is a Santiago de Chile-based regional bank with operations in Chile and Colombia.

Shares have increased by only 6% over the past year and declined by 72% over the past three years through June 29, underperforming the S&P 500 by 35% and 130%, respectively.

Shareholders of Itau Corpbanca used to receive an annual cash dividend, with 43.2 cents per common share being paid in 2020. However, the bank will not distribute any dividends this year.

The balance sheet is not solid, mainly as a result of poor business operations, as the Piotroski F-Score of 3 out of 9 indicates. GuruFocus has assigned a financial strength rating of 2 out of 10 to the company.

With regard to its profitability, which scores only 4 out of 10, all the financial indicators such as net margin, return on equity and return on assets are negative, with the exception of the three-year revenue growth rate, which is 0.8%.

The share price traded at around $4.25 at close on June 29 for a market capitalization of $1.45 billion and a 52-week range of $3.63 to $7.38.

2 Underperforming Stocks to Sell

The 14-day relative strength index of 36 indicates the stock is not so far from oversold levels after the share price tumble.

Itau Corpbanca is serving individuals and small- and mid-tier businesses through a network of 294 branches and 533 ATMs operating across Chile and Colombia. Chile gives the larger contribution to total consolidated assets of the bank ($46 billion as of March 30), while Colombia adds the remaining 15%. Since in Chile there is a widespread use of credit, the risk of non-performing loans increased as Chilean households and businesses became more vulnerable as a result of the Covid-19 crisis.

The liquidity coverage ratio (LCR), a generic stress test aiming to make sure that banks hold suitable capital preservation against short-term liquidity turmoil, worsened significantly in the first quarter of 2021. It fell by 1,550 basis points to 179.5% with regard to Chile and by 1,080 basis points to 116.7% with regard to Colombia.

On Wall Street, as of June, the stock has an underperform recommendation rating.

Disclosure: I have no positions in any securities mentioned in this article.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.


The Daily Beast

YouTube/Rise of the MoorsA cadre of armed men from a militia group called the Rise of the Moors shut down a highway outside of Boston for more than nine hours on Saturday morning after allegedly refusing to comply with police orders and taking off into the woods with guns.The group says on their website that theyre Moorish Americans dedicated to educating new Moors and influencing our Elders. In YouTube videos of the incident, they claimed they were only trying to travel peacefully to their 
Hamilton is the biggest Broadway hit in years, and until the coronavirus pandemic shuttered all of its productions, it was making a lot of money: It has played to full houses since it opened in 2015, and on Broadway it has been seen by 2.6 million people and grossed $650 million.

So why is the show getting $30 million in relief from the federal government, with the possibility of another $20 million coming down the road?

The answer is that, before the pandemic, Hamilton had five separately incorporated productions running in the United States  one on Broadway and four on tour  and, under the rules set up for the governments Shuttered Venue Operators Grant program, which provides pandemic relief for the culture sector and live-event businesses, each was eligible for $10 million to help make up for lost revenue.

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The practice of separately incorporating touring productions is standard in the commercial theater business, and other shows similarly applied for $10 million in assistance for each production running before the pandemic. But Hamilton stands to get the most money because it had the most touring productions.

As of this week, Hamilton has been approved for $10 million each for the Broadway production and two touring productions; it has not yet heard about the other two tours.

Aware that a large amount of federal aid going to a megahit could raise eyebrows, the shows lead producer, Jeffrey Seller, agreed to explain why Hamilton qualified for it, and to describe how the money would be used, as intended, to restore the shows five American companies to financial health. (The show also had a London production that was not eligible for the American relief program.)

Remember when Chrysler and GM were about to go bankrupt? In the same way that the federal government came in to bail out auto companies, its doing the same thing for all of show business with this legislation, he said. Its returning us to health and its protecting the well-being of our employees.

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Seller said that none of the money would go to the shows producers (including him) or its investors, and none would be used as royalties for artists (including the shows creator, Lin-Manuel Miranda).

Instead, he said, the money will be used to remount the shuttered productions, and to reimburse the productions for pandemic-related expenses.

The reopening expenses are varied  a month of rehearsals to get actors, musicians, stagehands and others ready to perform again, as well as longer workshops for new cast members. Plus there are the costs of repairing and replacing equipment, transporting people and sets, hiring COVID safety personnel, and marketing the shows.

And the pandemic expenses, incurred throughout the shutdown, included financial assistance, health insurance coverage, and, in some cases, housing aid for those who had been employed by the productions at the time of the shutdown. Seller said Hamilton had continued to pay health insurance costs for all former employees throughout the pandemic, and had made emergency cash grants as well.

There were more mundane expenses as well, including $784,000 in rent for the shows Broadway theater (yes, Broadway landlords continued to seek rent from producers during the pandemic), as well as warehouse storage for costumes, and flights for cast and crew who needed to get home when the touring stopped.

Hamilton has spent many millions of dollars during a time in which it was earning no income, Seller said. Our goal is for Hamilton to be in the same financial position it was in when we suspended operations on March 12, 2020.

The rollout of the Shuttered Venue Operators Grant initiative, a $16 billion federal aid program designed to help get cultural organizations back on their feet after the pandemic forced many to close, has been plagued by delays and confusion. But the Small Business Administration, which is administering the program, has begun announcing grant recipients, and there are indications that Broadway and its affiliated businesses could fare well.

As of Monday, the administration said that among the entities getting $10 million, which is the maximum available for a single grant, were two Broadway landlords, the Nederlander Organization, which controls nine Broadway theaters (one of which houses Hamilton), and Jujamcyn Theaters, which controls five, as well as the Roundabout Theater Company, a nonprofit that runs three Broadway houses. David Byrnes Broadway show, American Utopia, was also among those getting $10 million.

Nederlander affiliates that run commercial theaters in Los Angeles and Chicago each got $10 million. Three Broadway touring productions managed by NETWorks were given grants  $10 million for Fiddler on the Roof; $9.8 million for Waitress; and $9 million for The Bands Visit.

Even a nightspot frequented by Broadway fans and artists did well: Feinsteins/54 Below got $3.6 million.

 2021 The New York Times Company
NEW YORK (AP)  TV actor Allison Mack, who played a key role in the scandal-ridden, cult-like group NXIVM, was sentenced to three years in prison Wednesday on charges she manipulated women into becoming sex slaves for the groups spiritual leader.

Mack  best known for her role as a young Supermans close friend on the series Smallville  had previously pleaded guilty to the charges and began cooperating against NXIVM leader Keith Raniere. Prosecutors credited her with helping them mount evidence showing how Raniere created a secret society of brainwashed women who were branded with his initials.

At her sentencing in Brooklyn federal court, Mack renounced the self-improvement guru.

I made choices I will forever regret, she said, also telling the judge she was filled with remorse and guilt.

I am sorry to those of you that I brought into NXIVM," she wrote in a letter filed with the court last week. "I am sorry I ever exposed you to the nefarious and emotionally abusive schemes of a twisted man.

She reiterated her apologies to the victims in court on Wednesday: From the deepest part of my heart and soul, I am sorry.

Mack wept at times while reading her statement to the court. U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis told her he believed her apology was sincere, but said she deserved a serious sentence for using her celebrity to groom victims as a willing and proactive ally and essential accomplice to Raniere's monstrous crimes.

Under advisory sentencing guidelines, Mack had faced between 14 and 17 1/2 years behind bars, but her defense team argued in court papers that probation or a sentence to home confinement was more appropriate. Prosecutors had agreed that any prison term should be below the guidelines range because of her cooperation.

The NXIVM saga and the story of Ms. Macks descent have been a tragedy for all involved. But that need not, and should not, be the end of the story for Allison Mack, her lawyers wrote in court papers.

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A victim, Jessica Joan, rejected Mack's apologies, telling the judge the actor deserved no mercy.

She can blame Keith all she wants but she is a monster cut from the same cloth, Joan said in court on Wednesday. Allison Mack is a predator and an evil human being.

Mack, 38, was once part of the inner circle of Raniere, whose group attracted millionaires and actors among its adherents. Prosecutors said she became a master for slaves she ordered to perform labor, take nude photographs, and in some cases, to engage in sex acts with Raniere.

As authorities closed in on Raniere, he fled to Mexico with Mack and others to try to reconstitute the group there. He was arrested and sent to the United States in March 2018; Mack was arrested a few days later.

Ms. Mack now understands that this was the best thing that could have happened to her at that time, the defense papers said.

Mack provided information to prosecutors about how Raniere, now 60, encouraged the use of demeaning and derogatory language, including racial slurs, to humiliate slaves, the government papers said. More importantly, she provided a recording of a conversation she had with Raniere about the branding, they added.

The branding should involve a vulnerable position type of a thing with hands probably above the head being held, almost like being tied down, like sacrificial, whatever, Raniere told her. The women, he added, should say, 'Please brand me. It would be an honor.' Or something like that.

Raniere was sentenced last year to 120 years in prison for his conviction on sex-trafficking charges. A 41-year-old heir to the Seagram's fortune, Clare Bronfman, was sentenced to nearly seven years in prison in September for her role as Raniere's unwavering benefactor.

Mack was allowed to remain out on bail in home confinement until surrendering to prison on Sept. 29. She left the courthouse on Wednesday without speaking to reporters.
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When it comes to fashion, Leah McSweeney is never afraid to pull off some bold looks, and the same can be said about her swimwear. The Real Housewives of New York City cast member recently brought some glamour to the beach, soaking up the sun in a barely-there copper bikini. On July 2, Leah took to Instagram to show off her latest eye-catching swimsuit. The Married to the Mob entrepreneur sizzled while posing in front of a picturesque sunset view in a teeny metallic two-piece. As captured in the
Supplies of critical medical products in the Strategic National Stockpile are still well below federal targets more than 18 months after the coronavirus first emerged in the United States, according to internal data obtained by POLITICO.

The federal government has built up the stockpile significantly over the last year. There are more than 35 times more N95 respirators and 10 times more ventilators available now than at the start of the pandemic. But the nation is still short hundreds of millions  or more  surgical masks, gloves and gowns.

Data from the Department of Health and Human Services show the stockpile targets include 265 million gowns, 400 million surgical face masks and 4.5 billion gloves. But the current inventory includes only 17.5 million gowns, 273 million surgical masks and 525 million gloves, according to an HHS spokesperson. Thats anywhere from 6.6 to 68 percent of the recommended stock, depending on the item.

At the same time, the Biden administration is struggling to fulfill its commitments to other countries to provide supplies to combat the virus, including oxygen for the sickest patients. The U.S. has only been able to fill a fraction of the requests it has received for the gas and the materials needed to administer it, recently shipping out 1,500 oxygen cylinders and other components to India and 1,000 cylinders to Nepal. Nepal had originally requested close to 20,000 cylinders, a senior U.S. official with knowledge of the matter said.

The struggle to procure lifesaving medical supplies underscores the extent to which the U.S. is unprepared for another surge in Covid-19 infections. It also underlines the difficulties facing the Biden administration, and governments and health care providers worldwide, in meeting demand for key medical products in the second year of the pandemic  amid the spread of the highly transmissible Delta variant.

Because we did not have the kind of centralized intelligence to identify, test for and execute rapid containment, the U.S. missed our opportunity to contain the virus. It was very difficult to quantify what the healthcare systems needed to do to be prepared, said Charity Dean, Californias former assistant director of the Department of Public Health. Without a technology revolution  the U.S. will not be prepared for another pandemic. Right now, the system cannot move as fast as the pathogen does.

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A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Human Services said the SNS is working to balance its stockpiling requirements with the ongoing needs of healthcare facilities. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is also helping HHS build up the U.S. stockpile.

Two senior officials working on the federal governments stockpiling efforts said part of the reason the U.S. has not met its stockpile targets for items such as gloves is because the Covid-19 case count has dropped dramatically, and hospitals, public health officials and other health care providers are not submitting requests for help. But the stockpile is designed to help the nation prepare for unpredictable emergencies, and the government, which sets the inventory targets, has not lowered them in the face of the weakening demand.

The scramble to obtain medical supplies in the face of a widespread health emergency has sparked conversations on Capitol Hill about ways to better fund and organize the federal stockpile.

U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider (D-Ill.) and David McKinley (R-W.Va.) introduced a bill in February that aims to address personal protective equipment and testing kit shortages. Earlier this month, Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.), Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) and Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) introduced legislation with the goal of reducing dependency on foreign materials and boosting domestic manufacturing of medical supplies.

Sen. Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) listens to testimony on Capitol Hill in Washington.

The medical supply chain is a very complex global system of which the Strategic National Stockpile is a tiny little part, said Tara OToole, a former homeland security official in the Obama administration. The stockpile cannot possibly in a real world universe keep enough stuff on hand to be able to supply the country's needs for all hazards.

The federal government created the stockpile, originally the National Pharmaceutical Stockpile, in 1999 to counter potential biological, disease and chemical threats to civilian populations. It was eventually renamed the Strategic National Stockpile in 2003, and the Department of Defense was given a role in its management alongside HHS. The stockpile was designed as a stopgap that would allow the federal government to surge supplies to specific areas experiencing disasters or threats, supplementing local procurement efforts. It was not meant to be the sole source for private and public institutions to obtain medical supplies in emergency settings.

Hospitals, public health departments and other health care facilities are supposed to maintain their own stocks of masks, gowns, drugs and ventilators. But during the first months of the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020, they ran out of those basic supplies. The overwhelming number of Covid-19 patients forced both private and public institutions to search for personal protective equipment and therapeutics on the open market.

The supply chain conversations  I was having those in January, but we were flying blind, Dean said. The preparations we should have made in January and February werent made until early to mid March. By that point, the U.S. was behind the curve in accessing critical supply chains.

The federal government activated the stockpile to help fill the states gaps in Covid-19 medical supplies and materials. But it did not have enough supply to meet the strong demand, and federal officials faced obstacles in quickly obtaining more materials on the open market. There were not enough masks, gowns, ventilators and drugs to go around. The companies who manufactured things like gowns and N95 masks did not have the manufacturing capacity to quickly produce the amount of product needed.

A year and a half into the pandemic, the U.S. still does not have a good way to quickly scale production of drugs and medical supplies needed to help supplement the strategic national stockpile, in part because manufacturers operate on just-in-time principals. Those standards are supposed to minimize inventory and maximize efficiency, but struggle to account for swings in demand.

Everybody  shippers, hospitals, pharmacy chains  no one wants to hold inventory. Who is going to pay for those expensive medicines sitting there month after month? OToole said. This is why hospital stockpiles have dwindled.

The federal government is beginning to work with the private sector to ensure manufacturers have the ability to scale production quickly during large-scale disease outbreaks.

The Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority (BARDA) is working with its parent, HHS, to find companies willing to alter their standard manufacturing practices to scale up production of therapeutics and other medical supplies to better prepare for the next pandemic. But expanding manufacturing capacity in the U.S. is not easy, one former Trump administration official who worked with BARDA told POLITICO. It will take years to build facilities, manufacturing lines and hire staff to oversee production, the former official said.

Because 57 percent of adult Americans are fully vaccinated and Covid-19 case rates have fallen drastically in recent months, the federal government believes it currently has enough supply in the Strategic National Stockpile to handle small state requests and to handle a moderate increase in cases due to the Delta variant. But, officials said, if another nationwide surge occurs, the stockpile will only be able to supplement state supplies, not fill the caches completely.

But the Biden administration is also trying to help countries across the globe battling sharp spikes in Covid-19 cases and deaths, and it is struggling to procure and ship supplies overseas. Beyond calls for vaccines, the administration has received urgent requests for oxygen and oxygen components such as cylinders from countries in Africa, the Middle East and Asia.

The U.S. obligated about $18 million in November 2020 to bolster supplies of medical oxygen across 11 countries. But oxygen concentrators  machines that filter oxygen from the air  procured through this funding have only been delivered to Honduras, Guatemala and Haiti. Beginning this month, the U.S. Agency for International Development has provided emergency medical oxygen supplies to Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Dozens of other countries are seeking the same assistance from the U.S.

Under normal circumstances, even before the pandemic, oxygen access was a challenge ... for a lot of countries at the time. There just hasn't been enough attention and investment on the issue, said Robert Matiru, a director at Unitaid, a health initiative that works with the World Health Organization. Many health systems from multiple countries have been challenged not by the fact that they didn't have a baseline capacity but then the surge capacity just overwhelmed them. The demand for oxygen is almost double, triple, quadruple what is normally required.


Maricopa County should never have approved the election machines that were subpoenaed in the audit of the county's 2020 election if such an audit review found the machines couldnt be reused, Arizona Senate President Karen Fann said Tuesday.

Fann cited the county's previous audit efforts to push against the countys decision on Monday that election machines subpoenaed as part of a Republican-led state Senate audit will not be reused in future elections over concerns expressed by officials, including Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, that their security has been compromised.

Maricopa County hired firms to perform audits after the 2020 election and relied on their Logic & Accuracy tests (L & A) to declare equipment safe to use and tamper free, Fann said in the statement. The County can now use those same L & A tests after the Senate audit. If it cant, their L & A tests are invalid. And if their machines cant undergo a forensic audit to verify what happened in an election, then it never should have approved those machines to be used in an election in the first place.

MARICOPA COUNTY SAYS VOTING MACHINES SUBPOENAED FOR 2020 ELECTION AUDIT WON'T BE USED IN FUTURE

Hobbs told county officials in May she would consider decertifying the subpoenaed election equipment if the county moves to reuse the equipment in future elections, saying the machines had been compromised.

If the County intends to re-deploy the subpoenaed equipment, over which the County lost custody and control, for use in future Arizona elections, please notify my Office as soon as possible ... so that we may properly consider decertification proceedings pursuant to A.R.S.  16-442 as to the subpoenaed equipment," Hobbs wrote in a letter to officials on May 20.

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The voters of Maricopa County can rest assured, the County will never use equipment that could pose a risk to free and fair elections, county officials announced on Monday. The County recognizes Secretary Hobbs authority under A.R.S.  16-442 to certify equipment for use in Arizonas elections. As a result, the County will not use the subpoenaed equipment in any future elections.

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Fann addressed the county's decision on election equipment within the context that the Senate requested an audit of the countys 2020 ballots at county facilities with a mutual auditor.

Maricopa County refused, she said, loading up pallets of ballots on a truck, sending out pictures on social media and asking, Where do you want them delivered?

Hardly the behavior of an entity truly concerned about election security, she added.

In April, images spread across social media showing trucks carrying election materials to the state Senate audit's location at Veterans Memorial Coliseum in Phoenix.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The Republican-led state Senate subpoenaed the county election equipment in December, and a judge ruled in February the subpoenas were legal and enforceable, leading to a monthslong political battle over the audit, led by private firm Cyber Ninjas, that has garnered reactions from political leaders across the country, including from the Justice Department.

President Joe Biden beat former President Donald Trump in Arizona by more than 10,000 votes in 2020. Biden edged Trump by 45,000 votes in Maricopa County, where Trump and other Republicans in the state have alleged there was fraud over denials of election officials.

The audit's findings are expected to be released in August, according to Arizona Senate audit liaison Ken Bennett.

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Tags: News, Arizona, 2020 Elections, Donald Trump, Joe Biden, ballot, State Legislatures

Original Author: Jeremy Beaman

Original Location: Arizona Senate president lashes out after Maricopa County ditches subpoenaed machines
Jun. 29A second discrimination lawsuit was filed against the Ashland Family YMCA June 4, with allegations of discrimination based on age, gender and disability.

The complaint filed in Jackson County Circuit Court delineates 17 alleged violations of state and federal law, including discrimination, harassment, retaliation, failure to reasonably accommodate, wrongful termination, failure to pay wages, breach of contract and defamation. The suit seeks $760,320 in compensation for the alleged violations.

Plaintiff Jane Mullowney, 66, a former employee of the Y, filed the case against the institution, CEO Dan Crocker and Human Resources Director Kim Souza.

"The YMCA is committed to providing an inclusive and discrimination-free environment for our staff and guests, and it takes the public's trust very seriously. We categorically deny the allegations made by Mr. Dimitre on behalf of his clients," said lawyer Alexandra Hilsher, spokesperson for the Y in this case. "At the same time, we acknowledge the right of any member of our community to file a lawsuit. We will defend against the lawsuits in the forum Mr. Dimitre and his clients have chosen, not in the press, and we are confident that we will prevail."

Mullowney started working at the Y as a fitness attendant in November 2017 and progressed to personal fitness trainer and yoga instructor.

The Ashland YMCA closed in March 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic and all employees were sent home. Mullowney obtained written guidance from her physician to remain on leave from work until the public health risk diminished sufficiently, due to underlying health conditions, according to case documents.

Two doctor recommendations were sent to Y administration advising that Mullowney should remain home from the fitness center until phase one reopening.

Lawyer Thomas Dimitre said Mullowney was exploring the process to return to work in July 2020 when she received notice she was laid off due to her age and susceptibility to COVID-19.

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"When I called the human resources person to ask her exactly why I was laid off, she told me it was because of my vulnerability to COVID and my age," Mullowney said. "My career has kind of been destroyed due to being laid off in that manner."

Dimitre said the law requires employers to work with employees to identify what jobs their health permits. More than three-quarters of a million dollars in federal paycheck protection loans granted to the Y were intended to keep employees on payroll during the pandemic, he said.

The Y did not notify Mullowney about her rights under the Family Medical Leave Act, Oregon Family Medical Leave, Americans With Disabilities Act or Oregon Fair Employment Practices Act, according to the complaint.

The Y informed the state Mullowney had quit her job and later claimed she was unable to work, which terminated Mullowney's unemployment benefits, according to the complaint.

After being laid off, Mullowney was prohibited from retrieving her intellectual property, including workouts and classes she designed. According to the suit, Mullowney is owed $5,520 in wages for set up and tear down time associated with her classes, for which she was never paid.

A male co-worker was paid for setup time, according to the complaint.

Mullowney had a clean employment record with the Y and no documented complaints.

"I want justice," Mullowney said. "I have been in the industry a long time, I'm a good trainer and I love training, and I feel that I still have a great deal to contribute."

This lawsuit is the second discrimination case filed against the Ashland YMCA in eight months. Nkeruwem "Tony" Akpan filed a lawsuit Oct. 24, 2020, seeking $950,000 for 16 alleged violations including discrimination and harassment based on race, retaliation, failure to reasonably accommodate and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

Dimitre said both cases represent "egregious examples" of two hard-working employees losing jobs because of their identity.

"It's a shame that an organization that touts its community-based values is so malicious toward the community to which it belongs," Dimitre said. "This is just unacceptable conduct by any institution and makes it clear that the YMCA is more interested in retaliation than being a good employer."

In a letter sent to the YMCA board of directors in November 2020, Mullowney said she witnessed some of the racial discrimination Akpan endured, and herself was subject to "ridicule and name-calling" in a closed-door meeting with Crocker, with no evidence of poor performance to support his "harsh evaluation."

The meeting and other examples of administrators failing to adequately support staff epitomize an "avoidance of accountability, absence of trust and lack of commitment to the Y employees and the Y community by the new director," Mullowney said.

"The tone does not reflect the core values of the Y: caring, honesty, respect and responsibility," she said.

The lawsuit comes as Crocker is set to accept a new role Aug. 3 as director of YMCA Association Resources, a regional position coordinating services for YMCA facilities in Oregon, Washington, Hawaii, Alaska and California. Crocker announced the transition Tuesday.

"Navigating the pandemic was difficult for so many organizations and has been one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my 33-year Y career," Crocker said in a message to YMCA staff. "All of you should be proud of how we performed as a team during the last year and a half."

The YMCA board of directors will conduct a search for a new CEO in the coming months, according to a press release.

Contact Ashland Tidings reporter Allayana Darrow at adarrow@rosebudmedia.com or 541-776-4497.
Jun. 30The twin brothers who promised to bring nearly 1,000 jobs to one of Tennessee's economically distressed counties lied about a Pakistani company being behind their venture and used false financial statements and affidavits to secure grants from the state of Tennessee and the Tennessee Valley Authority for a project they never got off the ground, according to a state audit released Tuesday.

Rahim and Karim Sadruddin will enter federal prison Aug. 16 after being sentenced last month to 50 months in jail for defrauding the government with claims they were converting a former automotive factory in Pikeville into the headquarters of the Textile Corp. of America that would create 995 jobs in Bledsoe County.

In a 15-page audit released Tuesday, Tennessee's comptroller detailed the web of lies the Sadruddin twins used to get a $3 million state grant as well as assistance from TVA and a FEMA contract for tarps in hurricane-damaged Puerto Rico. The audit said the Sadruddins used some of the money for their own home and vehicles and took $10,000 of state grant money to make a campaign contribution to their company's attorney, Troy King, who ran unsuccessfully as a Republican candidate in 2018 trying to reclaim the Attorney General job he previously held in Alabama.

Bob Rolfe, the commissioner for the state Department of Economic and Community Development, said Tuesday the Sadruddins defrauded the state, TVA, local officials and the Federal Emergency Management Agency in what he said was the worst instance of fraud in the past decade for his department.

"We've administered over 1,000 grants in the past seven or eight years and this is the only fraudulent grant we are aware of," Rolfe said.

But auditors said the state's economic development agency "did not verify the validity of the information on the grant application before it awarded the grant" and circumvented the requirement for a bank letter as proof that the company had adequate resources to fund the project.

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"There was also a failure to verify the work was completed," the audit said.

Jason Mumpower, the state's comptroller, said the audit "describes a disappointing scheme, and it also highlights the need for improved accountability over state grant money."

"I'm encouraged to note that ECD is taking more steps to verify the validity of the information on grant applications, review supporting documentation more carefully, and ensure it is following its own policies and procedures surrounding grant awards," Mumpower said in a statement Tuesday.

Rolfe said in response to the failed textile mill in Pikeville, ECD has changed its review of foreign direct investments in the state, which account for nearly one third of the major projects receiving Fast Grants like Textile Corp. of America got in 2017 and 2018.

"As the leader of this department, I take full responsibility for what happened," Rolfe said. "The way we would have been able to detect this fraud is if we had physically visited the alleged parent company in Pakistan. So one of the policy and procedure changes that I have implemented is that when we have a project that is a foreign direct investment that is of material size from a grant perspective, either I or one of our senior professionals will go do our homework in-country and visit with that company. If we had done that, perhaps we could have detected that this was a fraudulent situation."

Rolfe said the state has received some restitution from the Sadruddins, although most of the $3 million grant is probably lost now that the brothers are headed for jail and no longer able to earn any income.

Investigators determined the Sadruddins made numerous false statements and submitted fictitious documents to the state in order to obtain the grant, including:

 Claims that Textile Corp. of America (TCA) was a subsidiary of an established textile manufacturer in Pakistan that was the parent company when, in reality, the manufacturer had no business relationship with TCA.

Stating that TCA and the Pakistani manufacturer had 3,480 employees worldwide when, in reality, TCA had no employees.

Submitting a copy of the 2016 audit report for the Pakistani company as evidence that TCA had adequate funds to invest in the $27.1 million dollar project in Pikeville when TCA was not related to the company.

Stating that TCA would hire 995 people. Karim Sadruddin admitted he knew TCA would never hire that many people, and he inflated the number of jobs in hopes of receiving more grant money.

Once the grant was awarded, TCA created and submitted fake invoices, wire transfer documents, and other information indicating that work was being done and contractors were being paid in order to receive grant reimbursement payments from the state.

In the summer of 2017, state officials eagerly welcomed the investment in Bledsoe County, one of Tennessee's most economically distressed counties according to the Appalachian Regional Commission. During an announcement of the textile plant in Pikeville, then Gov. Bill Haslam called the Sadruddins' project "a great example for Bledsoe County and all of Tennessee."

But by the summer of 2018, Rolfe said he began to suspect fraudulent activity by the brothers and alerted the state's Attorney General, which ultimately led to a federal investigation of the Sadruddins.

Even after taking the $3 million state grant and claiming the project was ready to begin, TCA had completed a minor portion of the building retrofit and only 10 sewing machines had been temporarily installed by January 2019, the audit found. No manufacturing jobs were ever created.

Karim and Rahim Sadruddin eventually both plead guilty to multiple charges in state and federal court and have been ordered to pay more than $7 million in restitution, in addition to their 50-month jail sentences.

Rolfe said his agency works to help ensure that grant recipients create the jobs they pledge to provide in Tennessee and when they don't, some or all of the funding must be repaid to the state.

Last year, Rolfe said his department had successfully "clawed back" more than $18 million of grants and the state was suing companies to recover another $11 million of incentives given to businesses by the state.

Rolfe made his comments in response to an earlier audit by then Comptroller Justin Wilson who said ECD "management did not establish adequate controls to mitigate risks" associated with Tennessee's FastTrack grants.

Contact Dave Flessner at dflessner@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6340.
NO BETTER FRIEND: First thing this morning, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin welcomes his German counterpart Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer to the Pentagon with a bit of ceremonial pomp the military refers to as an enhanced honor cordon.

The atmosphere will be warm as the two countries begin to rebuild a close relationship riven by the contentious Trump years in which the former president routinely castigated the NATO ally for its failure to meet the alliance defense spending goal of 2% of GDP and subsequently ordered a withdrawal of 12,000 U.S. troops and the move of U.S. military headquarters from the country as punishment.

Now that President Joe Biden has countermanded the punitive measures, relations are back on an even keel. During a fence-mending trip to Berlin last week, Secretary of State Antony Blinken stood beside German Chancellor Angela Merkel, a frequent foil of Trumps, going out of his way to praise her remarkable leadership.

I think it's fair to say that the United States has no better partner, no better friend in the world than Germany, Blinken said. Germany and the United States share a conviction that we have to find ways to work together and work with others.

WELCOME BUT WARY: Germany sees Biden as sunshine after the rain, but they remain wary that the change of tone from Washington could just be a temporary respite from Trumps combative America First policy.

In an interview with the German magazine Der Spiegel, Blinken was asked point-blank by journalist Rene Pfister the question on the minds of many German officials. There is the fear that the Biden administration might be only a brief return to normal before Trump or a Trumpian figure will take over the White House in '25, he said. Do you share the concern that the U.S. democracy is still in a fragile condition, and Europe should therefore try to stand on its own feet?

We all have to deal with the here and now, Blinken replied. If we demonstrate that our democracies can deliver effectively for people, then I think the approach that we're taking will be sustained. So our obligation is to actually deliver results.

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Blinken faced a similar line of questioning from Ingo Zamperoni of the German broadcaster ARD, who noted, it takes two to tango, and said Germans are not ready to take Blinkens rosy pronouncements at face value. Just by saying that alone, it doesnt mean that allies trust that, because after especially the last four years, a lot of trust has been shattered.

THE NORD STREAM 2 SORE POINT: The biggest bump in the road to better relations with Germany is its deal with Russia to buy energy through the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, which the U.S. says is a tool for Russian President Vladimir Putin to undermine European energy security and threaten the security of Ukraine and other countries in the region.

Blinken argues the pipeline was a fait accompli by the time Biden took office, and the decision to waive U.S. sanctions against German entities, but not Russian, is a bid to convince Berlin to adopt strict rules that would prevent Moscow from using the pipeline a geopolitical weapon.

We're determined to see if we can make something positive out of a difficult situation that we inherited and to do what we can to make sure that the end result is that Europe's energy security is not undermined, Blinken said at a news conference with his German counterpart, Heiko Maas.

Washington has expectations of Germany and that expectations are that we make sure that President Putin cannot misuse the pipeline to exert pressure on Ukraine, said Maas. We are quite aware of this, and we want to make our contribution in that regard.

There are a series of very practical things that we're looking at, that we're talking about, and my expectation is that we'll agree on important measures that, again, can mitigate any damage that could be done, Blinken said in the Der Spiegel interview in which he also warned the waiver granted by Washington could be rescinded.

The goal is to reach an agreement by the time Merkel visits Biden in Washington next month.

BIDEN CANCELLATION OF NORD STREAM 2 SANCTIONS CALLED TERRIBLE FOR UKRAINE AND BOOST TO PUTIN

Good Wednesday morning and welcome to Jamie McIntyres Daily on Defense, written and compiled by Washington Examiner National Security Senior Writer Jamie McIntyre (@jamiejmcintyre) and edited by Victor I. Nava. Email here with tips, suggestions, calendar items, and anything else. Sign up or read current and back issues at DailyonDefense.com. If signing up doesnt work, shoot us an email and well add you to our list. And be sure to follow us on Twitter: @dailyondefense.

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STUCK AT OVER 50%: For the fourth week in a row, the update on withdrawal of U.S. forces from Afghanistan issued by the U.S. Central Command says the retrograde process is more than 50% complete.

In other words, the U.S. military is no longer saying how far along it is in the process because in reality its almost done, well before the Sept. 11 deadline. When the pullout passed the 50% mark at the end of May, CENTCOM began adding a disclaimer to its updates, stating, For operational security and to preserve force protection, we will not be updating the specific percentage of the exit process going forward. Thus rendering the updates useless.

From a military standpoint, its going very well, said Army Gen. Scott Miller at a news conference in Kabul yesterday, noting that so far, the Taliban have refrained from attacking the departing U.S. and coalition partner forces.

One sign the end is near is that Germany has announced all of its forces are out, according to Reuters. "Our last troops left Afghanistan this night after almost 20 years and are on their way home," said German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer late yesterday in a statement. "This is the end of a historic chapter, of an intensive mission which has tested the Bundeswehr and in which the Bundeswehr has proven itself in combat."

CIVIL WAR  CAN BE VISUALIZED: Miller has kept a low profile during his time as the top U.S. and NATO commander in Afghanistan, but now that the end of the mission is near, he has been speaking out about his fears the country is on a trajectory to civil war.

Miller granted an exit interview with ABCs Martha Raddatz Monday, and yesterday he met with reporters at the now nearly vacant NATO headquarters in Kabul, soon to be subsumed into the U.S. Embassy compound.

What were seeing is the rapid loss of district centers, Miller said, referring to the districts that have been falling to the Taliban like dominoes. Civil war is certainly a path that can be visualized if it continues on the trajectory its on, he said. That should be a concern for the world.

TALIBAN STRATEGY PAYING DIVIDENDS: The Taliban have doubled the number of districts they have taken over the past two months from 40 to 80, according to an analysis by the Foundation for Defense of Democracies Bill Roggio.

In many cases, Afghan security forces have turned over district centers, abandoned military bases, surrendered to the Taliban and handed over their weapons, vehicles and other war material without a fight, Roggio writes. The Talibans multi-year strategy of gaining influence in rural districts to then pressure the population centers is paying dividends.

The Afghan governments strategy of abandoning rural districts has played directly into the Talibans strengths. The Taliban has used its mastery of these remote districts as a springboard to take the fight to more populated areas, he says. The Taliban has overrun key districts on the outskirts of major cities and provincial capitals, and is preparing to encircle Kabul because its patient, multi-year strategy is now coming to fruition.

BIDEN DEFENDS SYRIA, IRAQ STRIKES: In a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi and President Pro Tempore of the Senate Patrick Leahy, President Joe Biden is defending his decision to bomb two sites in Syria and one in Iraq Sunday in response to drone and rocket attacks against U.S. forces in Iraq.

I directed the June 27 strikes in order to protect and defend the safety of our personnel, to degrade and disrupt the ongoing series of attacks against the United States and our partners, and to deter the Islamic Republic of Iran and Iran-backed militia groups from conducting or supporting further attacks on United States personnel and facilities, Biden says in the letter. I directed this discrete military action consistent with my responsibility to protect United States citizens both at home and abroad and in furtherance of United States national security and foreign policy interests, pursuant to my constitutional authority to conduct United States foreign relations and as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive.

IRAQ HEDGES ITS BETS, COZIES UP TO IRAN AS US PULLOUT LOOMS

IF YOU ARE IN SOMEONE'S BACKYARD, CAN YOU SAY YOU ARE DEFENDING YOURSELF?: Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota, one of the left-wing members of Congress known as the Squad, questioned Bidens rationale for launching airstrikes in an interview on CNN yesterday.

Omar, a Somali refugee and one of only two Muslim women elected to Congress in 2019, said she has yet to clearly hear what those justifications are and why the strikes were launched over the objections of Iraq, which is hosting U.S. troops.

This is an administration that has said they want to lead the international world as an administration that believes in the rule of law and respects international law. And we find ourselves where we are being rebuked by a country that we say has invited us, that has been asking us repeatedly to leave, Omar told CNNs Jake Tapper. And so the question that should be asked is, why are we still there? Is it OK for us to continue to engage in proxy war with Iran and Syria while our troops are in Iraq? And is it time for this administration to come before Congress to ask for authorization?

We have seen this administration and other administrations talk about the powers that they have in Article 2 in defense, she continued. But what should be considered defense is a question that we need to talk about. If you are in someone's backyard, can you say you are defending yourself?

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The Rundown

Washington Examiner: General who fired Space Force commander rebuked by judge for illegalities

Washington Examiner: Iraq hedges its bets, cozies up to Iran as US pullout looms

Washington Examiner: Trump COVID testing czar testifies coronavirus most likely originated in Wuhan lab

Washington Examiner: House bills aim to dilute Chinese dominance in US telecom

Washington Examiner: Kristi Noem sending South Dakota National Guard to US-Mexico border

Washington Examiner: NSA denies leaking scheme to take Tucker Carlson off the air

Washington Examiner: Opinion: When it comes to Tucker Carlson and the NSA, the burden of proof is on the accuser

Washington Examiner: 'Every soldier is different': 'Stronger' Army to provide gender transition surgeries now

Washington Examiner: Opinion: Army chaplain narrowly evades reprimand for his religious beliefs

Washington Examiner: Opinion: China and Russia's exaggerated partnership

Reuters: German Military Completes Withdrawal From Afghanistan

CNN: Kim Jong Un warns of 'grave consequences' and fires top officials after Covid-19 incident

Air Force Magazine: House Appropriators Release 2022 Defense Budget Draft With Extra C-130s, MQ-9s

USNI News: Panel: Budget Priorities Prompted Navy Cut to Forces to Prevent Hollow Fleet

Signal Magazine: Cyber May Call The Shots In The Next Conflict

Air Force Magazine: US Troops May Return to Somalia After Force Structure Review

Stars and Stripes: Open And Available: U.S. Navy And Partners Proceed With Black Sea Drills Over Russian Objections

Reuters: Dutch Defence Minister: 'Irresponsible' Russian Jets Harassed Frigate In Black Sea

The Drive: U.S. Destroyer Shows Up Right Off Crimea On Vessel Tracking Sites But It Never Left Port

Air Force Magazine: Russia and China Could Team Up to Challenge US Space Superiority, Experts Say

19fortyfive.com: Why Joe Biden Should Withdraw All U.S. Forces from Iraq and Syria

Calendar

WEDNESDAY | JUNE 30

8 a.m.  Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hosts an enhanced honor cordon to welcome German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer to the Pentagon.

9:30 a.m.  Armed Forces Communications and Electronics Association International and the U.S. Naval Institute virtual West 2021 Conference: What is the Promise and Progress of Naval Integration, with Jennifer Edgin, assistant deputy commandant for information at the Marine Corps; Rear Adm. David Dermanelian, assistant commandant for command, control, communications, computers and information technology at the Coast Guard; Vice Adm. Jeffrey Trussler, deputy chief of naval operations for information warfare; Marine Corps Commandant Gen. David Berger; Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Michael Gilday; Adm. Karl Schultz, commandant of the Coast Guard; former Deputy Defense Secretary Robert Work; Rear Adm. Kelly Aeschbach, commander of Naval Information Forces; Vice Adm. William Galinis, commander of Naval Sea Systems Command; Brig. Gen. Arthur Pasagian, commander of the Marine Corps Systems Command; Rear Adm. Carola List, assistant commandant for engineering and logistics at the Coast Guard; Rear Adm. Douglas Small, commander of the Naval Information Warfare Systems Command; and Vice Adm. G. Dean Peters, commander of the Naval Air Systems Command; Lt. Gen. Nina Armagno, director of staff of the Space Force; and Adm. Sam Paparo, commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet. https://www.westconference.org/WEST21

3 p.m. 2118 Rayburn  House Armed Services Subcommittee on Tactical Air and Land Forces Hearing: Fiscal Year 2022 Rotary Wing Aviation Budget Request, with Douglas Bush, acting assistant secretary of the army for acquisition, logistics and technology; Maj. Gen. Walter Rugen, director, Future Vertical Lift Cross Functional Team, Army Futures Command; Frederick Jay Stefany, acting assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development, and acquisition; Lt. Gen. Mark Wise, deputy Marine Corps commandant for aviation; Rear Adm. Andrew Loiselle, director, Air Warfare Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations; Darlene Costello, acting assistant secretary of the Air Force for acquisition, technology, and logistics; Brig Gen. Mark August, director, Air Force Global Reach Programs. https://armedservices.house.gov/hearings

THURSDAY | JULY 1

11 a.m.  Heritage Foundation virtual discussion on "Critical Race Theory in the Military, with Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark.; and Dakota Wood, senior research fellow for defense programs at heritage. https://www.heritage.org/defense/event

11 a.m.  National Press Club Newsmaker Program with House Foreign Affairs ranking member Michael McCaul, R-Texas; and Rep. Al Green, D-Texas urging the Biden Administration to work to free Austin Tice, a freelance journalist that was abducted in Syria in 2012. https://www.press.org/events/npc-headliners

3:30 p.m.  Atlantic Council virtual discussion: Fight and Flight in Modern Air Warfare, with Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr.; Vivian Salama, national security reporter at the Wall Street Journal; Michael Andersson, head of strategic partnerships and international affairs at Saab; and former Undersecretary of State for Global Affairs Paula Dobriansky, vice chair of the Atlantic Council's Center for Strategy and Security https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/event

FRIDAY | JULY 2

1 p.m. 16th St. and Constitution Ave. N.W.  UFO Activists rally on the Ellipse to protest the secrecy regarding extraterrestrial life." https://www.eventbrite.com/e/world-ufo-day-2021



QUOTE OF THE DAY

Civil war is certainly a path that can be visualized if it continues on the trajectory its on. That should be a concern for the world.



Army Gen. Scott Miller, speaking to reporters during a news conference at the headquarters of U.S. and NATO command in Kabul.

Washington Examiner Videos

Tags: National Security, Daily on Defense

Original Author: Jamie McIntyre

Original Location: Austin hosts German defense minister, as Washington resets relationship with Germany
A pilot program of the digital ruble has been announced by the Bank of Russia with a dozen banks involved.

On Monday the Central Bank of the Russian Federation (Bank of Russia) officially announced they had launched a pilot program of their central bank digital currency (CBDC), the digital ruble. The trials are comprised of a dozen different banks that volunteered to partake and filed the proper paperwork with the national bank. To be eligible, the banks had to prove they were technically and technologically ready to prep systems for testing.

Some of the banks included in the pilot program are VTB, Gazprombank, Alfa-Bank, and the nations largest, Sberbank.

The announcement also stated that the development of the prototype for a digital ruble platform will be done before the end of the year and begin testing in early 2022. Olga Skorobogatova, the First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Russia, declared that the digital ruble project is aimed to create new payment infrastructure to improve the availability of payments and transfers, and to reduce their cost for households and businesses.

Skorobogatova went on to stress the importance of a seamless migration between traditional and digital currency. Part of the first stage of testing will be to monitor the emission of the digital ruble among other various operations. If all goes well, additional banks will be added to the pilot project down the line.

Russia joins other national banks in CBDC testing

Russia now joins a small but growing number of nations that are testing digital currencies or planning to test them in the near future. Both the Bank of France and the Swiss National Bank also announced recently that they will trial CBDCs for the wholesale lending market. Three banks have been confirmed as part of the trial, Swiss bank USB, Credit Suisse, and French bank Natixis. On the crypto side of things, testing will be aided by SIX Digital Exchange, R3, and the Innovation Hub.

In May, the Bank of Korea announced its plans to test the functionality of a central bank digital currency of its own. The goal of the testing phase for South Korea is to ensure a CBDC can serve settlement and remittance for the purchase of goods and services. Testing is scheduled to begin in August 2021 and run until June the following year.

Other countries such as China and Sweden are testing CBDC while The Bahamas and Cambodia have already begun using digital currencies nationally.
By Lawrence White

LONDON (Reuters) -Barclays said on Wednesday it will move its investment bank staff in London into its nearby headquarters, consolidating office space in the Canary Wharf financial district.

The British bank said it would vacate 5 North Colonnade, where the investment bank is based, by the end of 2022 and plans to renovate its towering 32-story One Churchill Place building.

Barclays said the move was part of a long-term review of its property footprint, as banks worldwide cut back on real estate amid a shift to more home working during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The bank has in recent years been shifting from scattered locations across countries in which it operates into a 'campus' model of consolidating offices in one place.

In 2018 Barclays opened such an office complex in Whippany, New Jersey, bringing together operations and technology staff from across the Americas.

It also has campuses in Glasgow, Scotland and Pune in India.

(Reporting by Lawrence White; Editing by Dhara Ranasinghe and Alexander Smith)
When Montana homeowners returned to their house last week, they found a bear looking for food inside.

The young black bear had pried open a window June 23, Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks said Monday.

Despite the homeowners efforts to bear-proof their property, the bear was able to pry open a window and enter the house, wildlife officials said in a news release. The people were not home when the bear entered.

The homeowners called wildlife officials, who then trapped and euthanized the bear.

When bears enter a home, Montana wildlife officials will euthanize them because the behavior could be dangerous to humans and the bears.

In Red Lodge, Montana, residents have reported seeing more bears in town and neighborhoods.

Wildlife officials think a drought is impacting berry crops in the area and forcing bears to look for easier sources of food.

The lack of spring moisture could affect berry crops, leading both black and grizzly bears to seek out easy food sources near homes, wildlife officials said. If those bears find nothing to eat around homes and businesses, they will move elsewhere.

Bear break-ins are not common, but they do happen.. In California, a bear walked into a Duarte home when the homeowner opened a door to let his cats inside.

In March, a mother bear and her three cubs peeled the siding off a Kings Beach home and trashed part of the basement. They also broke a gas line.

California wildlife officials have warned that if a bear breaks into your home, you shouldnt confront it.

Most bears will quickly look for an escape route, the California Department of Fish and Wildlife said on its website. Move away to a safe place. Do not block exit points. If the bear does not leave, get to a safe place and call 911.

Wildlife officials say you should follow these tips to deter bears:

Dont leave food scraps in your yard

Have a bear-proof garbage can

Dont put out the trash can until the morning its to be collected

Do not leave food in your vehicle

Do not spray bear spray near your property (It can actually attract bears once dried)

Do not feed wildlife near your home

Remove bird feeders from your yard

Store barbecue grills, pet food and livestock feed in a locked building

Tourists fed grizzly from their car at Grand Teton  and the bear had to be relocated

Bison injures hiker at Yellowstone National Park, officials say. Heres what we know

Moose charging at campsite is shot, killed by camper with a dog, Idaho officials say
By Yew Lun Tian and Ryan Woo

BEIJING (Reuters) -China's President Xi Jinping on Thursday warned that foreign forces attempting to bully the nation will "get their heads bashed", and hailed a "new world" created by its people as the ruling Communist Party marked the centenary of its founding.

In an hour-long address from Tiananmen Square, Xi pledged to build up China's military, committed to the "reunification" of Taiwan and said social stability would be ensured in Hong Kong while protecting China's security and sovereignty.

"The people of China are not only good at destroying the old world, they have also created a new world," said Xi, China's most powerful leader since Mao Zedong, the founder of the People's Republic. "Only socialism can save China."

Xi and the party are riding high as China recovers briskly from the COVID-19 outbreak and takes a more assertive stance on the global stage.

But Beijing faces external criticism over its clampdown in Hong Kong and treatment of ethnic minorities in Xinjiang, and is dealing with a worsening demographic outlook that imperils long-term economic growth.

A survey of 17 advanced economies released on Wednesday by the U.S.-based Pew Research Center showed that views about China have remained broadly negative and confidence in Xi near historic lows.

On Thursday, Xi said that the people of China would never allow any foreign force to bully, oppress, or subjugate them.

"Anyone who dares try to do that will have their heads bashed bloody against the Great Wall of steel forged by over 1.4 billion Chinese people," he said, sparking applause from an invited audience of 70,000 gathered in the massive square in central Beijing. The phrase became the top trending topic on China's Twitter-like Weibo on Thursday morning.

Tang Renwu, a professor of public management at Beijing Normal University, said the tough talk was in response to U.S. and western efforts to "contain" and "suppress" China.

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"Xi's stronger-than-usual response would have the effect of invoking even more patriotic and nationalistic sentiment among the Chinese people," Tang said.

MILITARY MIGHT AND SOVEREIGNTY

China, whose rapid military modernisation has fuelled growing worry among its neighbours and in the West, will build up its armed forces to safeguard its sovereignty, security and development, elevating them to world-class standards, Xi said.

"We must accelerate the modernisation of national defense and the armed forces," said Xi, who is also chairman of the Central Military Commission, which controls the country's armed forces.

Resolving the Taiwan question and realising China's complete "reunification" is an "unswerving historical task" of the party, Xi said.

"All sons and daughters of China, including compatriots on both sides of the Taiwan Strait, must work together and move forward in solidarity, resolutely smashing any 'Taiwan independence' plots," he said.

China, which considers democratically-ruled Taiwan its own, has stepped up efforts to assert its sovereignty claims, including sending fighter jets and bombers close to the island.

Regarding Hong Kong and Macau, Xi said China will "stay true to the letter and spirit of the principle of 'One Country, Two Systems'," under which the two are promised a high degree of autonomy.

However, a sweeping national security law imposed on Hong Kong a year ago has seen Beijing drastically tighten its grip on the once freewheeling financial hub. The traditional July 1 protests marking the anniversary of the city's 1997 handover to Chinese rule were thwarted as police denied permission for a rally, citing coronavirus restrictions.

'GREAT, GLORIOUS AND HEROIC'

Thursday's celebrations began with a flyby of fighter jets and helicopters observed by the nation's leaders, seated at the southern ramparts of the Forbidden City. A 3,000-strong chorus sang seven socialist songs during the event.

The Chinese Communist Party initially recruited peasants and workers but has evolved to embrace markets and entrepreneurship under "socialism with Chinese characteristics" while retaining a Leninist model of authoritarianism.

Party ranks swelled by 2.43 million in 2020, the largest annual gain since Xi became president in 2013, to 95.15 million members now, data released on Wednesday showed.

Xi said the "interests and destiny of all people in China" were tied to the party leadership and any attempt to turn the people against the party was bound to fail.

"The more than more than 1.4 billion Chinese people will never allow such a scenario to come to pass," he said.

A 60-year-old teacher surnamed Wang who was photographing the overflying jets from a park on Thursday said he has much admiration for the party.

"Whether it's chairman Mao, or Deng Xiaoping, or today's leaders, it's not easy for them - if you brought foreign leaders here and show how they manage 1.4 billion people, making sure they all have food to eat and a good life, it's truly not easy."

Xi closed his speech by leading two crowd-rousing cheers: "long live the CCP that is great, glorious and right", and "long live the people who are great, glorious and heroic".

(Reporting by Ryan Woo, Yew Lun Tian, Lusha Zhang, Colin Qian and Gabriel Crossley; Editing by Tony Munroe, Clarence Fernandez and Jane Wardell)
Jun. 29BEVERLY  Rats hanging from pear trees. Rats eating through trash cans. Rats getting inside houses.

Residents who attended a public hearing Monday night at City Hall about  you guessed it, rats  did not paint a pretty picture of what they say is a growing problem in the city.

"I spent all last summer battling these things," Hillcrest Avenue resident Steven Miller said. "It's just so intense. You create a solution and they work right around it."

The meeting was requested by Ward 4 City Councilor Scott Houseman, who said councilors have received many complaints from residents for a number of years about "rodent infestation issues" and the city's approach to addressing them.

"Despite many private and public conversations with and amongst city officials and the public on the subject, the city has made no apparent progress or changes in approach, or budgetary allocations, to deal with the issue," Houseman wrote in a letter to the City Council.

About 30 people attended the meeting, including 10 residents who told of their own battles with rats. Chase Street resident Christine DePalma showed up with a poster board that included seven pictures of rats that she said have been taken in her neighborhood over the last few weeks.

"In a week's time I see more rats in my neighborhood than I do my human neighbors," DePalma told councilors. "I can no longer garden or use my yard. I feel like it's a war on rodents."

Lothrop Street resident Jenna Mayer said she and her husband were so excited to buy their first home last year only to be greeted by rats on the first day.

"I'm literally in fear of my own yard and my own basement," she said. "I moved out of the city to enjoy the space and I can't even use half of it."

Some residents said construction projects are the cause of some of the rat problems. Others pointed to businesses with overflowing dumpsters. Many of the residents live in the neighborhoods in the downtown area between Cabot and Rantoul streets.

Story continues

"I have received more emails and calls and probably worked harder on this issue than any others," said Ward 3 Councilor Stacy Ames, who represents the area. "I can just imagine how difficult it is for everyone to have to reach out to the city and talk about the issue. It's not all that comfortable. I give you all kudos for being here tonight."

But Ames added that the rat problem is a "communitywide issue."

Houseman said he requested the public hearing as a "fact finding" meeting to start the process of examining what role the city should play in addressing the problem. He said he is working with the city solicitor's office to craft an ordinance to control rats in the city.

"What I've been hearing from my constituents is that they've been left to their own devices in dealing with the issue," Houseman said. "I think this is a public health issue and I think city government can and should take a more active role in it."

Mayor Mike Cahill said he welcomed more discussion on what steps the city can take. He said the city requires a pest management plan whenever a building project goes before the Planning Board. There are also requirements to bait and trap rats when National Grid installs new underground lines, he said.

Cahill said the city stepped in to fix rat problems at two houses recently due to unusual circumstances, but cannot do that every time.

"We've been wrestling with this for years in terms of what is the right approach," Cahill said.

Michael Becker, an exterminator from Waltham Pest Services who was invited to the meeting by city officials, said there is no "one size fits all" solution to rat problems. He recommended that residents make sure their trash cans are tightly sealed and that businesses do not have overflowing dumpsters.

"Rats, mice, they've been here forever," Becker said. "I hate to break the bad news to you but they're not going anywhere."

Putnam Street resident Heidi Roberts, who is president of the Friends of Beverly Animals, said she had a rat problem at her house last spring, but said she does not want to use poison to get rid of them.

"We need to be very humane about this," Roberts said. "Rats have a right to live too."

Staff writer Paul Leighton can be reached at 978-338-2535, by email at pleighton@salemnews.com, or on Twitter at @heardinbeverly.
Bill Cosby arrives for sentencing for his sexual assault trial at the Montgomery County Courthouse on September 24, 2018 in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Gilbert Carrasquillo/Getty Images

Bill Cosby's 2018 conviction for sexual assault was overthrown Wednesday.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled 6-1 that Cosby was denied a fair trial.

A 2005 deal Cosby made with former District Attorney Bruce Castor played a part in the ruling.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Bill Cosby was released from prison Wednesday after his conviction for sexual assault was thrown out by Pennsylvania's highest court.

Many were stunned by the decision, including Cosby's spokesperson Andrew Wyatt, who told Insider, "This is amazing news. We're excited and we want to thank the Pennsylvania Supreme Court."

In 2018, the 83-year-old comedian was convicted in the 2004 drugging and sexual assault of former Temple University employee, Andrea Constand. Cosby, who denied having sexual intercourse with Constand, served two years of a 10-year prison sentence.

On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania State Supreme Court ruled that Cosby was denied a fair trial and that the actor's rights were violated when he was told testimony in an earlier civil lawsuit filed by Constand wouldn't be used to prosecute him. It later was.

The ruling came because of a previous deal Cosby made in 2005 with former Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor, who also served as Trump's impeachment lawyer this year.

Under the terms the 2005 deal, Castor asked Cosby to testify in a civil lawsuit filed by Constand in exchange for avoiding prosecution. Pennsylvania's Supreme Court found that Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele, who arrested Cosby, should have followed his predecessor's promise not to charge Cosby.

The justices ruled 6-1 that Cosby was "operating under the reasonable belief" that he faced no risk of prosecution from Castor and so his 2018 conviction should be tossed out.

Under this ruling, the case cannot be retried and Cosby cannot face trial again on these charges. (You can read the court's full 79-page ruling here.)

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Steele slammed the court's decision in a statement provided to Insider, reiterating that Cosby "was found guilty by a jury and now goes free on a procedural issue that is irrelevant to the facts of the crime."

"Prosecutors in my office will continue to follow the evidence wherever and to whomever it leads. We still believe that no one is above the law-including those who are rich, famous and powerful," Steele added in part.

Attorney Eric D. Anderson, a senior trial counsel for Early Sullivan Wright & McRae, told Insider he "was not a bit surprised" by Wednesday's ruling because of a variety of issues that Anderson said were a problem for the prosecution's case, including Cosby's inability to invoke his fifth amendment rights.

"[Cosby] was compelled to have to talk," said Anderson of the 2005 civil suit. "Once that happens you've got a violation. They needed to abide by that promise and completely ignoring it the way they did, that was a big problem."

"Cosby, if he thought there was the possibility of being, no matter how remote, of being prosecuted, could have invoked his fifth [amendment rights] and therefore not testified," Anderson added. "That is why this is not a technicality. You take away someone's fifth amendment privilege, you've taken away a fundamental right that goes all the way back to Magna Carta."

Anderson added that Wednesday's ruling was not based on whether or not Cosby is guilty.

"I think that the confusion that's happening with some people here is they think that [Cosby's] been vindicated as a person and that's not the issue." Anderson said. "The state has to abide by its own rules. If it doesn't, it becomes too easy to start locking up innocent people."

Accusations against "The Cosby Show" star resurfaced in 2014 after a video clip of comedian Hannibal Burress went viral in which he told an audience that Cosby was a "rapist."

Within two years, more than 50 women came forward to accuse Cosby of drugging and sexually assaulting them.

NBC's Kate Snow said none of Cosby accusers who she's stayed in touch with since the original 2018 conviction saw his release coming.

"The sense was that this was an appeal that would fail," Snow told NBC's Lester Holt on live TV Wednesday.

Eden Tirl, one of Cosby's accusers, said in a texted statement to NBC that "from the very beginning, the rigid constructs of the statute of limitations did not provide protection or a pathway for justice for the women who came out against Cosby. The outdated laws are so clearly in play, protecting men in these cases more often than not."

Anderson said while Cosby could now sue the state of Pennsylvania for breaking its deal with him or sue Constrand for breach of confidentiality agreement, he doesn't see why he would do it.

"What are you going to get out of this?" Anderson said, adding that he can't see a way that Cosby can salvage his reputation anymore.

"I don't see anything that he can do besides taking the win, walk away, and call it a day," Anderson said.

Read the original article on Insider
A bloodhound is being called a hero after helping track down a 6-year-old girl who had been missing since May, according to Tennessee officials.

Fred the bloodhound successfully led authorities to a barricaded outbuilding where the girl and her father were located nearly one month after the child was allegedly abducted by her father.

Image: Rutherford County K-9 Deputy Richard Tidwell and bloodhound Fred. (Rutherford County Sheriff's Office)

The girl, who had been removed from the custody of her 34-year-old father in March after they had been found camping out under a bridge, had been missing since May 26, according to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department.

Authorities spent the last several weeks looking for the missing child using thermal imaging airplanes and drones and were able to narrow down a suspected location where they thought they might find her.

That's when Fred was enlisted to assist with the search. Using an item authorities obtained that belonged to the father, Fred was released near the suspected location and tracked the father's scent directly to the outbuilding where both the missing girl and her father were found, according to the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office.

Officers had to force their way in, and they found the girl and her father in the back of the shed, behind blankets that were hanging from a makeshift clothesline, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office said.

"The door to the outbuilding was barricaded and the windows had been covered up with metal. There was no ventilation and air conditioning inside the small outbuilding," according to a statement released by DeKalb County Sheriff Patrick Ray.

"There was barely any food or water for the child," Ray said. "The outbuilding had a strong ammonia smell where the two had been urinating and defecating in a five gallon bucket."

Upon finding the missing girl, Fred "licked her face and she gave him a big hug," said Fred's handler, K-9 Deputy Richard Tidwell.

Since her recovery, the girl has been released to the custody of the Tennessee Department of Childrens Services.

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Everyone was prepared to stay on scene until the little girl was safely located and out of harms way, said Sgt. James Holloway of the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office. It is an honor to serve alongside some of the most dedicated and highly trained first responders in the country.

The father was arrested and charged with child abuse or neglect. He also had warrants for failure to appear and custodial interference, and his total bond is $175,000, according to the DeKalb County Sheriff's Department.

For a job well done, Fred the bloodhound was rewarded with a feast of chicken and pizza crust, according to Tidwell.

I praised him and loved on him, Tidwell said in a Facebook post from the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office. I pulled the chicken reward out of my pocket. He ate the chicken and wanted to meet other people as if to say, Look what Ive done.

CORRECTION (June 30, 2021, 5:25 p.m. ET): A previous version of this article misstated Patrick Rays title. He is the DeKalb County sheriff, not a deputy.
Bill Cosby departs Montgomery County Court on the first day of sentencing in his sexual-assault trial on September 24, 2018, in Norristown, Pennsylvania. Mark Makela/Getty Images

Cosby was released from prison Wednesday after a vote to overturn his sexual-assault conviction.

He was serving three to 10 years for aggravated indecent assault after being convicted in 2018.

The Pennsylvania Department of Corrections said he was released just before 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Bill Cosby was released from the Pennsylvania prison system on Wednesday after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court threw out his conviction earlier in the day, the Pennsylvania prison system told The Associated Press.

Cosby, 83, was serving a three- to 10-year sentence for aggravated indecent assault after being convicted in the 2004 sexual assault of Andrea Constand.

He was released just before 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections.

Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele said in a statement that Cosby "now goes free on a procedural issue that is irrelevant to the facts of the crime."

"I want to commend Cosby's victim Andrea Constand for her bravery in coming forward and remaining steadfast throughout this long ordeal, as well as all of the other women who have shared similar experiences," Steele said in the statement. "My hope is that this decision will not dampen the reporting of sexual assaults by victims. Prosecutors in my office will continue to follow the evidence wherever and to whomever it leads."

Steele added: "We still believe that no one is above the law - including those who are rich, famous and powerful."

Cosby was taken into custody in 2015 after Steele presented evidence that brought charges to the former "Cosby Show" actor just days before the 12-year statute of limitations ran out.

The Associated Press reported that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court said Steele had to abide by the former district attorney's promise not to charge Cosby. There is no evidence of a written pledge by Steele's predecessor.

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The court called Cosby's arrest "an affront to fundamental fairness, particularly when it results in a criminal prosecution that was forgone for more than a decade," and justices said overturning Cosby's conviction "is the only remedy that comports with society's reasonable expectations of its elected prosecutors and our criminal justice system," according to the AP report.

Jennifer Bonjean, Cosby's appeal lawyer, said her client "should never have been prosecuted for these offenses."

"District attorneys can't change it up simply because of their political motivation," she said.

Read the original article on Insider
By Lisa Richwine

LOS ANGELES (Reuters) -Jamie Spears, father of Britney Spears, has asked for an investigation of the pop superstar's claims that she had been mistreated under a legal conservatorship by being denied the ability to make her own medical decisions.

In a court filing late on Tuesday, attorneys for Jamie Spears said he was "greatly saddened to hear of his daughter's difficulties and suffering" and "believes there must be an investigation into those claims."

Britney Spears has been under a conservatorship since she suffered a mental health breakdown in 2008. The "Stronger" singer told a Los Angeles judge last week that she had been forced to take the drug lithium against her will and was prohibited from marrying or removing a birth control device, and that she wanted the "abusive" conservatorship to end.

Jamie Spears is a joint conservator of his daughter's finances and also was in charge of her personal affairs until he stepped down from that position in September 2019. Care manager Jodi Montgomery, a licensed fiduciary, was appointed temporary conservator of personal affairs. Last year, Britney Spears began a legal process to prevent her father from ever returning to that role.

Attorneys for Jamie Spears said in the new filing that he had no intention of trying to reclaim the position and was not involved in her "personal care or medical or reproductive issues."

"Mr. Spears has been unable to hear and address his daughter's concerns directly because he has been cut-off from communicating with her," the filing in Los Angeles Superior Court said.

The attorneys also asked the court to hold a hearing to investigate whether Montgomery should continue to oversee the singer's personal affairs given Britney Spears' court testimony.

Montgomery's lawyer, Lauriann Wright, said in a statement that her client "has been a tireless advocate for Britney and for her well-being" and would present a care plan to the court "setting forth a path for termination of the conservatorship."

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The statement also said the conservatorship did not govern marriage or family planning.

"If Britney needs any assistance with either, Ms. Montgomery has and will be there to provide any assistance needed," the statement said.

In her remarks to the court last week, Britney Spears called her father "ignorant" and controlling. "He loved every minute of it, the control he had. He loved it," she said.

(Reporting by Lisa Richwine; Editing by David Gregorio)
Hundreds of sudden deaths, many of them suspected of being heat-related, have been reported during Canada's record-breaking heatwave, officials say.

Some 486 fatalities were recorded over the past five days in British Columbia alone, a 195% increase on the usual amount over that period.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau offered condolences to families of the victims, many of whom were elderly.

Abnormally high temperatures have been recorded across North America.

British Columbia Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe said on Wednesday: "It is believed likely that the significant increase in deaths reported is attributable to the extreme weather BC has experienced and continues to impact many parts of our province."

She said many of those who died in the heatwave had lived alone in homes that were not ventilated.

Ms Lapointe added that the western province had only seen three heat-related deaths over the past three to five years.

On Wednesday evening, the town of Lytton, British Columbia, was evacuated because of a wildfire - a day after it recorded Canada's highest ever temperature of 49.6C (121.3F).

Mayor Jan Polderman told CBC News: "The whole town is on fire. It took like a whole 15 minutes from the first sign of smoke to all of a sudden there being fire everywhere."

The heat over western parts of Canada and the US has been caused by a dome of static high-pressure hot air stretching from California to the Arctic territories. Temperatures have been easing in coastal areas but there is not much respite for inland regions.

The weather system is now moving eastwards over the Prairie provinces - Alberta and Saskatchewan and parts of Manitoba have been placed under Environment Canada heat warnings.

Janice Houldsworth, who lives in the British Columbia community of Castlegar, told the BBC she had not ventured outdoors for four days. "I've never experienced anything like this in all my 70 years," she said.

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"We have blackened out all the windows, have fans running 24/7 constantly spraying with mist, cold foot baths, and showers and [are] drinking tons of liquid."

Vancouver has started to see the temperature fall since earlier this week as the heat moves inland

In Vancouver alone, heat is believed to have been a contributing factor in the deaths of 65 people since Friday.

At an affordable housing event in Kanata, Ontario, Mr Trudeau described heatwaves as a growing problem, and went on to talk about climate change.

Canada's southern neighbour, the United States, has also seen extreme heat.

In the US Pacific Northwest on Monday, temperatures hit 46.6C (116F) in Portland, Oregon, and 42.2C (108F) in Seattle, Washington, the highest levels since record-keeping began in the 1940s, the National Weather Service said.

In Oregon, authorities say at least 63 people have died from health issues related to the hot weather over the past few days. Forty-five of those deaths were recorded in Multnomah County.

At least 16 people have died in Washington state's King and Snohomish counties.

US President Joe Biden has also linked the heatwave to climate change in a speech.

Can the heat be linked to climate change?

Analysis box by Matt McGrath, environment correspondent

I've heard from scientists who say that in just a few days they'll be able to determine just how much human driven warming has contributed to the searing temperatures seen in British Columbia.

One interesting piece of evidence is the lack of respite that night brings - recent temperatures at midnight in BC have been 2C warmer than the normal summer daytime figure.

Researchers say this combination of day and night-time heat is very dangerous for humans - a study published last year indicated that these compound events are closely linked to emissions of greenhouse gases.

Natural variability and local factors such as sea breezes can raise or limit the impacts of extreme heat. But the bigger picture is the rising thermometer of global heating is impacting all events.

"Every heatwave occurring today is made more likely and more intense by human-induced climate change," Dr Friederike Otto from the University of Oxford told the BBC.

"Climate change is definitely one of the drivers of the intensity of this Canadian heatwave - but it is not the only one and determining how much it impacts it, is a work in progress."

Even if they can't directly attribute this heatwave to climate change, experts say the fingerprints of global heating are all over it.

Map showing the hottest areas in Canada and the US north-west

Risk of fire

Both Mr Trudeau and Mr Biden have warned of an increased chances of wildfires in the heatwave.

On Wednesday Mr Biden met with governors of western US states and fire officials, as the annual North American wildfire season began.

Jodi Hughes, weather presenter at Global News Calgary, told the BBC that firefighters were extremely concerned at the possibility of wild fires, possibly sparked by thunderstorms that could occur as the weather pattern changes.

Many homes in British Columbia do not have air conditioning as temperatures are usually far milder during the summer months.

One Vancouver resident told AFP news agency that hotels seemed to be sold out, as people flocked there for air conditioning, adding: "I've never seen anything like this. I hope it never becomes like this ever again."

Officials in British Columbia have warned residents against leaving their doors open, after a spate of bears wandering into people's home.

In Vancouver, residents have reported car windows cracking and melting, even when they are not parked in the sun.

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Have you been affected by the high temperatures? Share your experiences by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk.

Please include a contact number if you are willing to speak to a BBC journalist. You can also get in touch in the following ways:

If you are reading this page and can't see the form you will need to visit the mobile version of the BBC website to submit your question or comment or you can email us at HaveYourSay@bbc.co.uk. Please include your name, age and location with any submission.
By Arathy S Nair and Shariq Khan

(Reuters) - Chevron Corp is looking to sell two collections of conventional oil and gas fields in the Permian Basin valued at more than $1 billion combined, three sources told Reuters.

U.S. oil futures have soared more than 50 percent so far this year, prompting companies to try to sell assets in Permian basin of Texas and New Mexico, the country's largest oil field. Chevron is looking to sell lower-value assets, while some majors, like Royal Dutch Shell are considering exiting the formation entirely.

Shell is looking to exit the Permian to invest in energy transition, while Chevron wants to invest only in the highest performing assets.

Chevron has retained an investment bank to market some Permian oil and gas fields valued at $879 million, and has additional assets of more than $200 million available for sale elsewhere in the basin, the sources said.

Initial bid proposals were planned for June 10, with a planned July 1 sale date for the larger package. The assets are operated by Chevron and Occidental and span 57,000 net acres with production of about 10,100 barrels of oil equivalent per day.

The company did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Together, the assets Chevron is marketing could fetch as much as $1.2 billion, based upon the strength of oil futures, according to one of the people.

Chevron has been evaluating other assets in the Permian and elsewhere, one of the people said, and could divest older assets over the year as it looks to boost investments in energy transition.

Chevron has previously said it is fine-tuning its oil holdings.

(Reporting by Arathy S Nair and Shariq Khan in Bengaluru, Jessica Resnick-Ault in New York and Gary McWilliams in Houston; Editing by David Gregorio; Editing by Sriraj Kalluvila and Matthew Lewis)
This photograph of an image in court evidence made public on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 from surveillance video shows what authorities say is Jarrod Ramos shooting open the door of the Capital Gazette office on June 28, 2018 in Annapolis, Md. (AP)

New photos from the Capital Gazette newspaper shooting in Annapolis, Maryland on 28 June 2018 have been released as the trial of the gunman got underway.

Jarrod Ramos, 41, has pleaded guilty to killing five people at the newspaper. During a hearing to decide if he will spend the rest of his life in prison or in a mental institution, Mr Ramos defence lawyer told the jury that Mr Ramos had planned the attack for two years and that he believed that the newspaper was out to get him.

Images from the surveillance footage of Mr Ramos entering the newsroom, including using a tactical shotgun to destroy a glassdoor, was shown in the courtroom.

Mr Ramos killed four journalists and a sales assistant in the worst attack on a media outlet in the US.

The jury was shown images of the victims, surveillance footage of the attack, and police body camera video of Mr Ramos coming out from under a desk inside the newsroom and police taking him outside.

Wendi Winters attacked Ramos with a trashcan and subsequently dropped to the floor in a hallway. Gerald Fischman died underneath his desk. Rob Hiaasen was in his cubicle when he died, and John McNamara died in the back of the newsroom. Rebecca Smith died in hospital.

The second stage of the trial started on Tuesday, three years and one day after the shooting took place. Mr Ramos has pleaded guilty but not criminally responsible to the killings, with his lawyer using Marylands version of an insanity defence.

This photograph of an image in court evidence made public on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, from surveillance video, shows what authorities say is Jarrod Ramos shooting open the door of the Capital Gazette office on June 28, 2018, in Annapolis, Md. (AP)

The trial is expected to last 10 days. Defence lawyer Katy ODonnell said the gunman suffers from autism spectrum disorders and compulsive and delusional disorders, in addition to other issues.

Ms ODonnell told the jury that Mr Ramos is guilty of having committed these offences, and his act was willful, deliberate and premeditated. She said he had researched the target, and joined a chess club  expecting to be put away for a long time following the attack.

An employee at the Capital Gazette newspaper is seen during the 2018 shooting that killed five people. (Surveillance footage / Court documents)

But she added that the defence will bring in mental health experts who will argue that Mr Ramos cannot be held responsible under the law because of his mental illness.

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Mr Ramos is guilty, and he is also not criminally responsible, the attorney said.

A photograph of the 12-gauge Mossberg shotgun authorities say was used by Jarrod Ramos in the mass shooting at the Capital Gazette newspaper three years ago is shown in evidence after court on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 in Annapolis, Md. (AP)

Mr Ramos had previously failed in suing the paper for defamation and had made several online threats against the media outlet. He was enraged at the paper because of a 2011 article called Jarrod wants to be your friend about a young woman whom Mr Ramos had harassed online.

He unsuccessfully sued the paper in 2012, arguing that the paper had defamed him after it reported on his conviction for harassment. The suit was dismissed as groundless.

In this courtroom sketch, defendant Jarrod Ramos appears in court on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, in Annapolis, Md. (AP)

Pleading guilty to harassing a former high school classmate, Mr Ramos thought the court had been unjust in dismissing his defamation case against the paper, Ms ODonnell said.

She added that the jury will hear Mr Ramos own version of events and an eight-year backstory eventually culminating in the killings.

We want you to understand the years leading up to this day, Ms ODonnell said. Its chilling because Mr Ramos does not believe what he did was wrong.

The Anne Arundel County states attorney, Anne Colt Leitess, examined the amount of planning that had gone into the attack, asking a detective to show a device called a barracuda, an item used to barricade a door to make sure victims would not be able to get away.

Two devices used as door barricades recovered at the site of the Capital Gazette newspaper during a mass shooting in 2018 are shown in a courtroom Tuesday, June 29, 2021 in Annapolis, Md. (AP)

Ms Leitess also asked the detective about a CD that Mr Ramos had sent the reporter who wrote the article that had enraged him. The CD included his plans to attack the paper when a community meeting was taking place that would include people from outside the newsroom, and it also made clear that Mr Ramos was planning to make orphans of the reporters kids. The meeting had been cancelled.

The prosecution will also have mental health professionals witness to help make their case. A psychiatrist at the Maryland Health Department, Dr Sameer Patel, evaluated Mr Ramos and found him to be legally sane. A forensic psychiatrist and FBI consultant, Gregory Saathoff, who also found Mr Ramos to be sane, will also be called upon.

This stage of the trial has been postponed several times because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

If Mr Ramos is found to not be criminally responsible, he will be sent to a maximum-security psychiatric hospital. Prosecutors are instead pushing for life in prison without the possibility of parole.

Read More

Donald Trump declines request to lower flags for Capital Gazette shooting victims, says Annapolis mayor

Capital Gazette takes swipe at Trump: 'We won't forget being called an enemy of the people'

'You dont want to believe it could happen here': Annapolis residents mourn fatal shooting at Capital Gazette
Claudia Winkleman has compared her naked body to that of ageing rocker Meat Loaf. (Getty Images)

Claudia Winkleman has claimed she looks like Meat Loaf when she has no clothes on, and she's happy about it.

The Strictly Come Dancing star  who turns 50 next January  has said she is embracing her maturity and is content to have a body she compares to that of the 73-year-old Bat Out Of Hell rocker.

Winkleman told Woman & Home magazine: "I can't wait to be 50. I wanted a crochet set for my 21st. I can't wait to get old!

Read more: Homeschooling struggles led to Claudia Winkleman's lockdown book

"I didn't like my 20s, I'd be the one in a nightclub going, 'Guys, I'm not sure this is safe.' I like bridge, I like a heavy-tog duvet, I love a roast and reading books. This is my time.

"My body is falling apart, I look like Meat Loaf naked and I'm alright with that!'

Claudia Winkleman is happy to look like Meat Loaf with no clothes on. (Getty Images)

And it seems ageing rockers are very much the style inspiration for the TV presenter who is famous for her 'Panda eye' signature thick dark make-up.

Winkleman told Women's Health magazine's Going For Goal podcast that she aspires to look like 71-year-old Kiss frontman Gene Simmons and 73-year-old glam rocker Alice Cooper, 73.

Alice Cooper and Gene Simmons are Claudia Winkleman's style icons. (Getty Images)

She said: "I want to look like Gene Simmons or Alice Cooper, so it's not like I want to look young and bouncy and fresh."

And though the former Great British Sewing Bee host has been trolled on social media for her heavy use of fake tan, she insisted that she aspires to look like a "solid piece" of terracotta.

Winkleman  whose mother is the journalist and writer Eve Pollard  confided: "There was a product called Ultra Glow and it was a pat of just brown, just like a solid piece of something that could make you teak.

Claudia Winkleman turns 50 nest year. (Getty Images for Centrepoint)

"My mum used it and I've always forever been in love with, I think it's Guerlain, it's called Terracotta, it's an unbelievable product, the powder.

Read more: Claudia Winkleman reveals the best piece of marriage advice she got from her mum

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"I just put some on my face and suddenly felt  it's a big word but I'm going to say it  alive. That was it, that was my love affair."

Watch: Claudia Winkleman on taking over Graham Norton's Radio 2 show
Coffee shop owners Alaina and Keith Schwartz are going viral for their positive response to graffiti spray-painted on their establishment in Nashville, Tennessee.

Alaina Schwartz told TODAY Food that she and her son spotted the graffiti, which was painted on a fence surrounding the coffee shop's dumpster, as they pulled up to Caliber Coffee Co. on Saturday morning.

Fence with graffiti on it (Courtesy Alaina Schwartz)

"My son who's six was like, 'They did a bad thing. You can't do that,'" Schwartz recalled. However, she and her husband were determined to turn a negative into a positive: After looking at the security footage and confirming that the graffiti was spray-painted by some teenagers, they put out a call on Facebook asking local muralists if they'd be interested in painting over the graffitied area.

Fence with graffiti on it (Courtesy Alaina Schwartz)

"I was like, 'How can we spin this to make it something positive?'" said Schwartz. "We were like, let's make this great  I was like, 'Hey, Nashville artists, we're looking for a mural, we had people attempt to do a mural last night, we're looking for something a little bit different.'"

Schwartz said that she was looking for a "positive or uplifting" piece of art, but the post led to an even more surprising turn of events.

"The next day, those boys came into our shop," said Schwartz. "They came up and they're like, 'Can I speak to the manager?' And my husband, who's up there, was like, 'Yeah, that's me,' and they're like, 'Can we speak privately?' And they look terrified. Super, super scared. They were like, 'We're so sorry.'"

Related: The suspect threw a brick through the front door but there wasn't any money in the cash register.

Schwartz said her husband reassured the boys, telling them that it "wasn't a great choice" but reminding them that "we've all made mistakes."

"My husband's like  'We've all been there, we've all done something we shouldn't have. Thank you for coming in and apologizing.' We were absolutely shocked that they came back," Schwartz said. "And then the boys offered to  make it right. They were like, 'What can we do, can we paint over it?' (My husband) was like, 'If you want to, you don't have to.' And so they came back and repainted over it. It was amazing."

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Fence with graffiti on it (Courtesy Alaina Schwartz)

Schwartz said she shared the story on social media to put out a message of positivity and grace, but was shocked by the online response.

"We were completely floored. We're just a little mom-and-pop coffee shop  So it was really incredible to see that people responded well," she said. "We want to be able to give second chances and celebrate people being brave and coming forward and saying, 'Hey, I've made a mistake.' For us to have that opportunity to extend grace and mercy that we've all needed at different points in our lives for different things is a really great opportunity for us as parents to show our own children, 'Hey, you're going to make mistakes, and it's OK.'"

While the graffiti has been painted over, Schwartz said she and her husband are still looking to find a local artist to paint a mural on one of the business' walls. The pair is also going to add a new fence to their property so that they can work with a charitable organization, Shower the People, a Nashville group who has outfitted a bus with showers and laundry supplies for unhoused people in the city.

"We're going to be partnering with them and adding a fence to the back of our building so that we can offer hygiene kits that will just hang on that fence for anybody to pick up and have what they need," Schwartz said. "And that connection only happened because they saw (our post). These are little connections that are going to make a huge difference. It has absolutely nothing to do with us as a business, but we really believe that we should be not only a business but constantly try to reach out and empower and uplift others."

Related:
Phylicia Rashad Dia Dipasupil/Getty Images

Phylicia Rashad, the actress behind Clair Huxtable on The Cosby Show, is under fire after celebrating her former co-star Bill Cosby's impending release from prison.

After a court overturned Cosby's sexual assault conviction on Wednesday, Rashad, who starred as the wife of Cosby's character on the hit sitcom, celebrated the news in a tweet, writing, "FINALLY!!!! A terrible wrong is being righted  a miscarriage of justice is corrected!"

Her reaction came amid a sea of other tweets decrying the news that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned Cosby's conviction on charges of sexually assaulting Andrea Constand in 2004.

Rashad's tweet immediately drew heavy criticism, with The West Wing star Joshua Malina writing, "Better to remain silent and be thought a rape apologist, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt." Others blasted her reaction as "awful" and the "all time most disapointing tweet" while noting that she was appointed dean of Howard University's College of Fine Arts in May.

"Phylicia's response here is not surprising," reporter Victoria M. Walker wrote, "but it is disappointing, given her role as an academic dean charged with the welfare of her students, some of whom will be survivors."

Rashad previously addressed the allegations against Cosby in 2015, saying "I love him" and criticizing what she described as the "destruction of a legacy."

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Photo credit: The Don CeSar



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With many sites opening up again due to lifted pandemic-related restrictions, now is the perfect time to travel. But if you're looking into staying at a hotel during your vacation, you'll want to choose one that will wow you with its design as much as its amenities. There is certainly no shortage of impeccably designed hotels across the country, so House Beautiful is here to help you decide where to book your next stay. Below, take a look at our list, which includes iconic hotels in New York City, Palm Beach, and Beverly Hills, to name a few.

The Greenbrier, White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia

Photo credit: Molly Carr

Since The Greenbrier opened in 1778, it has welcomed a bevy of impressive guests, including Grace Kelly, the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, and Bing Crosby. Renowned interior designer Dorothy Draper was hired to redecorate and restore The Greenbrier in the 1940s (after it served as a hospital during World War II)and her Hollywood Regency -style creations are still in place to this day, providing visitors with countless Instagrammable spaces! The resort sits on 11,000 acres and boasts 710 guest rooms, 36 retail shops, and 20 restaurants and lounges.

The Colony Hotel, Palm Beach, Florida

Photo credit: The Colony Hotel

Since 1947, the Colony Hotel has exuded the quintessential Palm Beach aesthetic, thanks to its pastel peach exterior and tropical interiors (including Dorothy Draper s Brazilliance pattern on both walls and furnishings!). Thanks to a recent makeover by Kemble Interiors , the Colony has even more design inspiration than ever beforeand we highly recommend seeing it all in person!

Grand Hotel, Mackinac Island, Michigan

Photo credit: Grand Hotel

Although Mackinac Islands Grand Hotel is 134 years old (it opened in 1887!), you would never suspect it, as its vibrant interiorswhich were designed by Carleton Varney in more recent yearsand its grand edifice look as classic as ever. Notable guests of the Grand Hotel include Mark Twain , Thomas Edison, and five U.S. presidents.

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The St. Regis Washington, D.C.

Photo credit: The St. Regis Washington, D.C.

The St. Regis Washington, D.C. previously known as The Carlton Hotelis located just two blocks from the White House, at 923 Black Lives Matter Plaza. Built 95 years ago, this historic hotel is a work of both Beaux-Arts and Neo-Renaissance architecture and was designed by Armenian-American architect Mihran Mesrobian.

The Villa Casa Casuarina At The Former Versace Mansion, Miami Beach, Florida

Photo credit: Ken Hayden

Built in 1930, the Villa Casa Casuarina s architectural design was inspired by the Dominican Republic mansion that Christopher Columbuss son built in 1510. Fashion designer Gianni Versace lived here from 1992 to 1997, and now, its a luxury boutique hotel with 10 lavish suites and numerous restaurants and event spaces. We cant forget to mention the 54-foot long pool thats lined with 24 karat gold and boasts more than one million Italian mosaic tiles, which form a sizable depiction of the Versace logo.

The Beverly Hills Hotel, Beverly Hills, California

Photo credit: The Beverly Hills Hotel

The most well-known component of the Beverly Hills Hotel s interior decor is definitely the many inclusions of CW Stockwell s iconic Martinique patternwhich can be seen on the walls of the Fountain Coffee Room and all of the hallways of the hotel, adding up to 5.5 miles of wallpaper in total! The hotel officially opened in 1912 and was designed by American architect Paul R. Williams.

The Don CeSar, St. Pete Beach, Florida

Photo credit: The Don CeSar

Located in St. Pete Beach, Florida, the Don CeSar opened at the height of the jazz age, in 1928, and has welcomed guests including F. Scott Fitzgerald , Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Al Capone. Since 1975, it has been part of the National Register of Historic Places, and it was also a founding member of the National Trust Historic Hotels of America, which was established in 1989. Best of all, the Don CeSar recently completed a three-year restoration project, just in time for the new roaring 20s!

The Plaza Hotel, New York, New York

Photo credit: Chris Hondros - Getty Images

Just last month, the Plaza Hotel reopened its doors after more than a year of being closed, due to the pandemic. Built between 1905 and 1907, The Plaza is a 21-story chateau-style building designed by Henry Janeway Hardenbergh, featuring a marble base and a mansard roof. For those seeking design inspiration, might we suggest grabbing a bite to eat at the hotels iconic Palm Court?!

The Sands Hotel and Spa, Indian Wells, California

Photo credit: Tim Street-Porter

Interior designer Martyn Lawrence Bullard is the mastermind behind the decor of the Sands Hotel and Spa in Indian Wells, California, including 46 guest rooms that boast a mix of maximalist patterns and textiles. The hotel is housed in a Mediterranean-style structure that was built in the 1950sand it also features a pink exterior thats pretty hard to miss!

Ocean House, Westerly, Rhode Island

Photo credit: Ocean House

Situated on 13 acres, Ocean House opened in 1868 as a Victorian-style waterfront hotel in Westerly, Rhode Island. A new structure (with the same kind of architecture) was erected in 2010, following the demolition of the original hotel. Today, the imposing yellow design boasts over 200,000 square feet (which is more than 50k square feet larger than the original structure) and honors many of the original design elements, but in restored form, including a mansard roof and a floor-to-ceiling fireplace in the lobby.

The Breakers Palm Beach, Palm Beach, Florida

Photo credit: The Breakers Palm Beach

Built in 1925, the Breakers Palm Beach is a Renaissance Revival-style hotel that sits on 105 acres and boasts 538 rooms. The original structure, known as The Palm Beach Inn, opened to the public in 1896 and was built by industrialist Henry Morrison Flagler, who sought to provide travelers from the Florida East Coast Railway (another Flagler creation) with a place to stay. This building was burned in a fire in 1903 and rebuilt in 1904, with rooms starting at $4 a night at that point in time. What a steal!

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ZAGREB (Reuters) - Croatia's anti-corruption police USKOK arrested on Wednesday several people including the director of the state television company HRT, local media including HRT reported.

The police were not available for an immediate comment.

According to HRT, six people were arrested under suspicion of alleged corrupt activities during the previous Zagreb city council administration. Among those arrested was HRT director Kazimir Bacic.

The new Zagreb mayor Tomislav Tomasevic, elected last month, confirmed that the police have kicked off an investigation into Zagreb city council.

(Reporting by Igor Ilic; Editing by Toby Chopra)
Angry that a non-member bore the tattoos and wore the patches of their two motorcycle clubs, six bikers armed themselves and headed to the perceived imposters Indiana home to punish him.

But when they broke into the Dupont residence around 4 a.m., June 22, intent on beating and robbing the man, gunfire erupted, according to state police. Someone opened fire on the bikers, and the bikers shot back.

One of the group, 35-year-old Dustin Lindner, of Georgetown, Kentucky was hit during the shootout, investigators said. Jefferson County deputies found him lying in the yard and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Indiana State Police soon took on the investigation.

Four people have been arrested and charged with murder following the fatal shooting, police said Wednesday: Jason Brewer, 34, Gary Fletcher, 40, David Faulkner, 52, Michael Karnuth, 32.

Jordan Lowe, 26, was also arrested and is facing charges of assisting a criminal, obstruction of justice, and criminal gang enhancement, according to police.

Police did not say if the imposter inside the home faces any charges.

Investigators believe the group of six all belong to The Warlocks and The Pagans motorcycle clubs, and were allegedly upset that the victim had patches and tattoos of those clubs but was not a member.

Both clubs are viewed as outlaw biker gangs by law enforcement, and have long histories of violent crime and drug trafficking.

In late June, 11 members of The Pagans were arrested in New Jersey, the Drug Enforcement Administration announced Monday.

The use of violence, weapons, and intimidation was standard for this criminal organization, and law enforcement made it clear that their behavior would not be tolerated, a DEA official said.

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80-year-old kills wife of 57 years because she had Alzheimers, Nebraska cops say
By Suleiman Al-Khalidi

AMMAN (Reuters) -Jordan's Prince Hamza is among 25 witnesses who have been asked to testify by the defence team of a former confidant of King Abdullah who is on trial on charges of agitating to destabilise the monarchy, the defence's lawyer said on Wednesday.

Mohamed Afif told Reuters it would be up to the court to decide whether to call Prince Hamza, the king's half-brother, as a witness.

"The final decision is up to the court, this is the court's jurisdiction and it has the final word on whether it will summon these witnesses or not," Afif said.

The court will respond to the defence's request in a session on Thursday, Afif said, after submitting a list of 25 potential witnesses on Wednesday.

Among them are Prime Minister Bisher al Khasawneh, two princes, a cabinet minister and several minor royals, he said.

The trial began last week behind closed doors, with authorities saying that the proceedings were secret due to the sensitivity of the case.

The scandal shocked Jordan when it surfaced in March, because it appeared to expose rifts within the ruling Hashemite family that has been a beacon of stability in a volatile region in recent years.

Hamza, the estranged prince at the centre of the trial, was accused of liaising with parties with foreign links to undermine the authority of the king.

He avoided punishment in April after pledging allegiance to the king, defusing a crisis that led to his house arrest.

Charges against the two defendants, Bassem Awadallah and Sherif Hassan Zaid, include agitating to undermine the kingdom's political system, acts that threaten public security and sowing sedition. Both have pleaded not guilty.

If convicted, they could face up to 30 years in prison.

Some legal experts and civic activists have questioned the legality of a trial where the main defendant Prince Hamza has not been charged. They say the special court is not independent of the judiciary and lacks the standards of a fair trial.

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The authorities have said the trial process is fair.

Officials say the prosecution evidence shows that Hamza wanted Awadallah to use his close relationship with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to seek support for Hamza's bid to become king.

Awadallah, who challenged a conservative establishment opposed to his liberal policies and has close ties to senior U.S. officials, promised to lobby on Hamza's behalf in Western capitals and Saudi Arabia, according to the charge sheet.

(Reporting by Suleiman Al-Khalidi; Editing by Toby Chopra and Mike Collett-White)
By Ezequiel Abiu Lopez

SANTO DOMINGO (Reuters) - Dominican authorities arrested a former attorney general on Tuesday over accusations of diverting public funds to a political group that backed the Dominican Liberation Party, (DLP) during his term that ran until August.

Jean Alain Rodriguez becomes the Caribbean nation's first former attorney general to be prosecuted. His arrest is the fourth in "Operation Medusa", an investigation into officials of the attorney general's office in recent years.

Television broadcast images of Rodriguez, surrounded by numerous security personnel, being handcuffed and taken to a cell to wait for the charges to be presented and a judge to formalise the arrest.

"If this isn't persecution, then tell me what it is," Rodriguez said in a recent post on Twitter.

He was denouncing a campaign he said was "based on hate and revenge" after being prevented from boarding a flight to the United States on June 24.

"We'll see each other at the attorney general's office today, Tuesday."

He later posted two pictures of himself in a suit, arriving voluntarily at the office.

Several officials of the 2012 to 2020 administration of former president Danilo Medina, of the DLP, have already been detained in other investigations.

Since the end of last year, one of Medina's brothers has also been held on accusations of diverting public funds while one of his sisters is under house arrest.

Medina has not publicly commented on the operations and Reuters was unable to immediately reach him for comment.

Members of PLD, which ruled the country from 2004 to 2020, demanded the formation of a special commission to investigate alleged irregularities in the raids on Rodriguez and others.

"What is being done with this cornering of the PLD is political persecution," said Gustavo Sanchez, a party spokesman in the lower house of Congress.

Authorities raided several of Rodriguez's properties on Monday night, in addition to 38 simultaneous raids on those of other former officials, on suspicion of offences such as defrauding the state, forgery, electronic crimes and money laundering.

At least eight of the officials, all from Medina's administration, were also detained, authorities said.

(Reporting by Ezequiel Abiu Lopez in Santo Domingo; Writing by Stefanie Eschenbacher; Editing by Clarence Fernandez)
Avril Haines, director of national intelligence, at a Senate Intelligence Committee hearing on April 14. (Graeme Jennings/Pool via AP)

As you approach the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, a sprawling compound in northern Virginia, you could easily mistake it for any other drab office park in the D.C. suburbs. But its from there that Avril Haines, who has been on the job as director for just over five months, will undoubtedly help shape the posture and tone of the intelligence community during the Biden administration. Events will dictate how much and how quickly, however. In national security there is always both continuity and change from administration to administration. On any given day, Haines must deal with the immediate threat of a foreign terrorist attack on the homeland or the three-dimensional chess of the U.S.-China rivalry; she is facing ever-present but always-evolving threats like cyber and ransomware strikes; and theres a growing list of nontraditional threats like the next pandemic, climate change and the fierce competition over emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence and quantum computing.

Haines, a lawyer and former deputy CIA director who once owned and ran an independent bookstore in a transitional neighborhood in Baltimore, sat down with Yahoo News editor in chief, Daniel Klaidman, to discuss the challenges as she sees them. Among the topics: why she believes it is entirely possible we will never know the true source of the COVID-19 pandemic, why in the wake of the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol her office has a legitimate role to play in the fight against purely domestic terrorism, and why the intelligence community simply cannot succeed without a diverse and talented workforce.

This interview has been lightly edited for clarity and length.

Daniel Klaidman: I wanted to start with a couple of controversies that have been in the news a lot lately that relate to the intelligence community.

The first one is clearly something that everyone here cares a lot about, that the whole country and the whole world cares about, which is the question about the origin of the COVID-19 pandemic. After 600,000 Americans have died, and close to 4 million people worldwide have died, there's still uncertainty about the origin of this terrible virus. The intelligence community has been tasked by the president with reviewing very closely the intelligence and to figure out where this thing started.

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As you know, there are these two main theories: that it emerged from human contact with an infected animal or that it leaked from a research lab. Most people talk about the Wuhan Institute of Virology.

Do you have anything to report today on that review?

Avril Haines: No. I mean, you're exactly right that there are two theories that we have postulated as the most plausible, one of them being a lab accident and the other being human contact with an infected animal. At this point, the majority of components [of the intelligence community] effectively look at these two theories and say there's not enough information to choose between them, in effect. There's two components on one side that lean towards one, there's one component that leans towards the other. But honestly, we simply don't have enough information at this stage. The 90-day review is really a direction to redouble our efforts, to think of every possible additional source of information that we could unearth to try to answer this question. So that's what we're doing for the president.

Can you tell us a little bit about how the review is being conducted?

Absolutely, I can give you some sense of it. This is an issue that the intelligence community has been focused on for some time, so it's not as if we brought in a whole bunch of new people to do the work. Within ODNI, the National Counterproliferation Center is taking the lead on this, facilitating work across the intelligence community. We have meetings about whether there are other collection options that we should be considering, bring in outside experts, and even talk to partners and allies to find out if they have any additional information that would be useful. We also test any assumptions weve made, and even do exercises in which we test our hypotheses. This is something we do regularly in the context of intelligence community work, such as when we red cell our work. We will try to think of other ways to look at the problem in order to see whether or not we might be missing something in our analysis.

So it's all about looking at it from different angles, making sure you're not blinded by your assumptions?

Right, exactly. But also trying to identify any new information that could be applied against the challenge, perhaps in new ways. For example, sometimes by simply brainstorming about different ways to approach a problem, you realize that information that you hadn't thought could be relevant and useful to you, might help you answer a critical question. President Biden believes in looking at science, bringing it in as much as possible in the context of our work, and certainly across the community we've seen the value of doing that. This is an area where science is critical, and so among the things that we're doing is working with our national labs, working with academics and thinking through whether any additional expertise or knowledge might be valuable to us as we try to solve this challenge.

Most scientists believe that the origin was likely natural, moving from an animal to a human. Do you think that is still the most plausible theory but you allow for the possibility that there was a leak from a lab? Or do you just not know?

Honestly, two things on that. I think I don't know between these two plausible theories which one is the right answer.

Do you have a feeling about which one is more plausible?

I don't. When you come to the conversation, I think you may have a particular bent. I dont know which one is the right answer. As I've listened to the analysts, I really see why it is that they perceive these two theories as being in contest with each other, and why it's very challenging for them to assess one over the other. Consider that even if it's a lab accident, it could be a scenario, for example, in which a scientist comes into contact with an animal that they're getting a sample from, and gets the virus through that, right? So that's a variation that's weird.

Kind of a hybrid.

Exactly.

So it's really hard. And part of this, too, is proving a negative. You don't know what you don't know. It's true that the vast majority, as I understand it, of these types of viruses have been through natural contact. So statistically, that's why a lot of folks look at it that way. Otherwise, you also look at the fact that it appears to have come from the area in which this lab was doing work on coronaviruses, and you have to look at that option as well. You can make an argument in either direction.

At the end of the day, do you think it's possible that the intelligence community will never have high confidence or a smoking gun of the definitive origin of this virus?

Yeah, absolutely it's possible. I mean, in some ways, we're hoping to find a smoking gun, but it might not happen.

As the governments most senior intelligence officer, what do you then do in terms of the advice and guidance that you give to policymakers who want to know, for all the obvious reasons, how to prevent the next one?

I think the best thing I can do is to present the facts as we know them and to present the analysis that we've done in as unbiased a way as possible. Honestly, I feel very blessed for having policymakers who recognize that we may not have an answer at the end of the day, that we're just going to do our damnedest to try to get to an answer. But what they hope and expect for me, I think, is that I actually present to them what it is that we do and we don't know, and I don't try to make something up in this context for purposes of giving them an answer that I think they might like to have.

On another subject of controversy, the Biden administration and the Justice Department have now said that they will not seize the records of reporters in leak investigations. You're likely going to come under pressure from within the intelligence community, people who want these national security cases investigated, because of the importance of protecting national security, protecting sources and methods and those sorts of things. What will you tell your own workforce about the balance between protecting the First Amendment and the importance of stopping or preventing unauthorized leaks of classified information?

I don't expect there to be a challenge, to be honest. I don't anticipate that. There was a similar policy perspective from President Obama's administration, and I would expect that we would comply with any edict that the Department of Justice or that the president lays out.

The reality is, as you know, there are lots of scenarios in which we, as a prudential matter, because of our values, because of our laws or for other reasons, do not engage in certain activities, such as collection, or adjust the way we do our work. As a society we make decisions about what we think is appropriate. A good example of this is the exclusionary rule associated with the Fourth Amendment. We have taken the decision that under certain circumstances the government may not use evidence that may even prove someones guilt if it was gathered from an unreasonable search and seizure in violation of the Fourth Amendment. And we're saying, because of a societal concern about unreasonable searches in violation of an individuals rights, we believe this is the best way to deter law enforcement officers from conducting such searches.

At the end of the day, we are trying to protect our communities, our democracy, our way of life  and in doing so we need to make sure that we are in fact living up to those ideals, or we will lose the very thing we are protecting. In my experience, the intelligence community understands that.

It's striking that over the last few years we've really moved in such a significant way from foreign terrorism as the primary threat against the United States to big-power competitions and to all of these evolving nontraditional threats that are out there. On China, what is the most worrisome threat that China poses to the United States, in your assessment?

It's a great question, because I think as a general matter we look at China as being the priority, and there's remarkable, frankly, bipartisan consensus on this point across the board. But you have to prioritize. One priority is obviously countering unfair, illegal or aggressive actions that undermine democratic processes, the international order or our values, but without going to war. Frankly, neither country wants to go to war. And yet both countries are worried about the potential for escalation. And that's a space where the intelligence community can be particularly helpful  making sure that there is a better understanding of key tension points in the relationship, including why another country is reacting the way they are reacting, but also ground truth on what they are doing. To do our job, we have to have a decent understanding of each countrys motivations, intentions, moves, etc., in order to avoid mistakes and miscalculations, but also in order to help our policymakers make better decisions as they pursue U.S. interests.

There's a whole series of things that our policy community has identified for us within the China space that are critically important issues. For example, there's countering them from the perspective of unfair trade practices and economic issues. And so, obviously, we spend a fair amount of time trying to make sure that we understand what they're doing, when they're doing it, why are they doing it, that sort of thing.

We also look at Chinese theft of intellectual property, malicious cyberactivity and so on. And of course we spend a fair amount of time on what is often described as a competition between democracy and authoritarianism in today's world. In doing so, China is again a major focus as it pursues global influence countering democracy and, in some cases, human rights values, whether it's in the context of the Uyghurs and forced labor or other areas that we've tried to call out.

Are you ranking these issues? China using its economic leverage for global dominance or undermining democracy around the world? How do you think of the priorities, just in your own mind?

The policy community provides to us what it perceives to be the priorities we should follow, and of course there are a variety of different ways to develop such rankings. But as I noted, neither country wants to go to war, and in some respects we have a similar objective, which is stable prosperity where we can pursue our interests. The challenge is that our vision of what that future looks like and their vision of what that future looks like are very different.

One of the challenges that we see is China's perception of the United States  obviously not our perception of the situation, but China's perception  seems quite clearly to be that they're on the rise, while they perceive us to be on the relative decline. They believe that there's likely to be the most potential for escalation when we pass each other. They also believe that we are trying to contain them. And they increasingly believe, and I think this is really at the heart of our challenge right now, that it is a zero-sum game, despite what we say or what they have been willing to consider in the past.

As a consequence, so much of what's happening is left of boom  it is basically a scenario where you're not actually engaging in military conflict but you're effectively trying to use every lever to pursue and to promote leverage and deterrence against what you perceive as actions that are against your interests. This means bringing together economic, political, military and even our values as part of the play. So if you're in the South China Sea, it may be that they're taking actions that are aggressive but not directly in conflict. They're pursuing both symbolic and real gains that give them greater capacity for military action should they choose to use it and to send a message.

At the same time, they're taking action that relates to trade and to economic levers. So each of these things are interconnected in many ways, and part of the challenge for us is bringing them all together in a way that allows the policymakers to see the bigger picture. And I think the thing that is the golden thread for all of this from the policy side and across the board is just, there's no way for us to really effectively address the challenges that we're facing without partners and allies. And so it's also a question of understanding not just what they're doing vis-a-vis us, but how that's impacting partners and allies and how we can bring together our coalitions in order to actually match those issues.

What about Russia?

Part of the challenge is actually separating out Russia from China, because they really are so different and the implications and the trajectories that they're on are different, and therefore the way we should be responding to them has to be different. And Russia, I would say, is not in the same place, quite obviously. Russia is not on the rise the way China is. I think some people would say it's on the decline, but it is without question both capable of and interested in disrupting the international order the United States supports and benefits from. And while China tends to be deliberate and focused on the long term in their approach to things  and that's kind of a classic caricature of them, and it doesn't mean in every circumstance  but I think Russia's doing a kind of a rugby game, they know where they want to go, what's in their interest, and then they're using every opportunity to push forward on the field.

And so they're actually quite adept, I think, at shifting when they need to play on something that they are interested in. And so I think they're going to do a fair number of things that are disruptive. They have less to lose in many of those scenarios than we do, because we benefit from the international [order], or it helps to promote our prosperity and our allies and partners' prosperity. And so when they take those actions, they frequently are not disrupting an order that is as valuable to them, at the same time that they're trying to gain an advantage. And so in our context we do try to increase the cost. But again, doing it in a way that is not just on a bilateral basis, but actually is with partners and allies. I think that has consistently been the best way to do it.

And as you say, we've responded to things, like [the poisoning of Russian opposition leader Alexei] Navalny, and I actually think they have received some cost as a consequence of that. I mean, I think the sanctions that we did, the fact that we had Europeans with us in doing that, I think there's a fair amount of opportunity for pushback in these areas. But I also think not overreacting in some respects, doing it in a proportionate way, doing it in a deliberate way, is helpful.

Does that dynamic, doing it proportionately in a deliberate way, also relate to the cyber challenge?

Yeah.

Because there's some ambiguity there about their role. And clearly, there have been a lot of attacks lately on our infrastructure, on different economic sectors. How does the intelligence community currently assess connections between the Russian state and these criminal hackers who have been waging this latest onslaught of ransomware attacks, some of which have been linked back to Russian criminals?

Gosh, Dan. I don't know what the public line has been on this. Let me give you a general piece on this, and then I think we'll get to the heart of your question regardless. We have seen an increase in ransomware attacks and in particular towards critical infrastructure over the last few years, and there's consistently a concern, and this isn't just in cyberspace, about Russia not taking action to ensure that criminal actors don't use their territory in order to conduct attacks. There are a series of concerns that one might have in that area. One is if you take  as I do, at least  the proposition that any attack on critical infrastructure in another country is an absolutely fundamentally important issue, and that such an attack can be destabilizing.

And we know that it can be done fairly easily on a cross-border basis. Then it's like so many other things that we've seen in transnational crime, where all of us have a responsibility to set up a framework that allows us to ensure that people are not using our territory from which to conduct those kinds of attacks. And whether it was in the context of terrorism, like aircraft bombings, these are the kinds of things that countries have gotten together and said "no" to. And so that is critically important. Even if they're not directly connected to a criminal organization within their country, one of the challenges is that those countries that are engaging in cyberactivity as a state are also training people on how to do it. And that means that they are even more susceptible to this challenge. I really believe that there's not going to be a way for us to manage this unless we actually work together in order to ensure that folks are not engaging in that activity from each other's countries. From an intelligence-community perspective, I'd say this is something that we're tracking. This is something that we see as being on the rise. This is something that we continue to provide the policy community with as much information on as possible.

Do you think the intelligence community needs any new or additional authorities to monitor U.S. networks? And is that something that you may be talking to Congress about?

Yeah. Let me start with the fact that [National Security Director and Commander of U.S. Cyber Command] Gen. [Paul] Nakasone has talked about the challenge with actually providing analysis, right, on attacks on cyber, where so much of what's happening is inside the United States, because it's on networks and infrastructure that is in the United States and owned by the private sector. And the challenge is in part collecting, obviously, on those targets, because there's a different legal regime that exists.

And also recognizing, as he does when he talks about this, that there are good reasons for many of the different legal regimes. Additionally, from a resiliency standpoint, the private companies who are managing or connected to our critical infrastructure are not subject to legal or cyber hygiene standards, and of course there are things that everyone should be doing to improve their cybersecurity. And in many ways in this space, if one entity in the chain is vulnerable, then everybody's vulnerable as a consequence, to some extent. An additional issue is that there isn't an obligation on the private sector to provide to the government information about attacks that occur on their infrastructure, which is something that Congress is looking at changing.

I am in favor of that. I also recognize that this is not an easy issue, in the sense that private companies are also just worried about protecting their customers information, all things that we need to be thoughtful about. But the fact is that the United States is reliant on our digital infrastructure, that we use it in ways that allow us to take advantage of opportunities, smart energy, policies and efforts, which require us in many respects to connect our electric infrastructure to the digital grid so that you can adjust what it is that you're doing in those spaces in order to save energy. That makes an awful lot of sense, that if you're on a network you're going to be able to do that. But it also means that we're more vulnerable as a consequence. So the more advanced we've become, the more challenging it is to protect. And so that is a piece of the puzzle in addition to the fact that, as I mentioned, the private sectors don't have to live up to certain standards. They don't have to provide us with information, right? All of these things just build.

But bottom line, these disadvantages are built into our system.

Yes.

Will that require some new authorities?

Weve been looking at this question, and Congress has also asked whether there are additional authorities that we need to address the threat. NSA, DOJ, FBI, DHS and others are looking at this question, but in doing so, they will not simply look at whether they need new authorities to collect more information  they will also take into account privacy and civil liberty concerns as they do so, in an effort to pursue what makes sense from a security and a values perspective.

On the SolarWinds cyberattack, there's been some skepticism about how the administration has talked about it. Obviously, we've imposed sanctions, we've kicked out diplomats. But the skepticism is that, isn't this in the realm of espionage and isn't this the kind of thing that the United States does against its rivals on a regular basis?

I think it's virtually impossible for me to answer that in an unclassified way.

In a recent interview, Alejandro Mayorkas told Yahoo News that domestic violent extremism is the greatest terrorism threat we face, greater than al-Qaida, ISIS or other jihadi groups. Do you agree with that? Is he right about that?

Yeah. We've stated that in public and in the annual threat assessment.

Help us understand what the intelligence community's role ought to be in this. Because it's an important question. I mean, should the CIA have a role in combating domestic terrorism that does not have a nexus with foreign terrorism? What's the appropriate role of the director of national intelligence?

Yeah. So I find this issue totally fascinating. And by the way, I really think this deserves more time, for what it's worth, Dan. Because to me, one of the things that will characterize our work over the next few years is this seam between domestic and international. And it just came up in our conversation about cyber.

This is an issue. It's also true for malign influence. It's impossible to really assess what the threat is in malign influence without looking at what is happening domestically. And it's true with counternarcotics. And it's just increasingly true across the range of things as the line between what is domestic and international collapses. We talked about, frankly, in the context of the transition [of administrations], that this was a reality and that we needed to integrate our policy between the domestic and international. It is also true for our threat assessments and how we look at them.

It's really hard. Start with domestic violent extremism, which is where your question originates. NCTC [the National Counterterrorism Center], which is a part of the Office of Director of National Intelligence, has its own statute, which explicitly indicates that domestic intelligence and international intelligence can and should be brought together. It gives them the mandate to do that in order to pull together a whole-of-government national counterterrorism strategy.

And in fact, in the original IRTPA [Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act], you look at the term used in the statute  national intelligence, which originally was proposed to be foreign intelligence, and that got pulled out and national intelligence was used for this purpose, because in the context of terrorism we have learned the lesson that keeping these two things apart is a problem for us, that we actually need to connect the dots in order to understand the whole picture.

And so NCTC has the ability and the legal authority to bring this information together for the purpose of analysis. The challenge is  and I think here is what we appropriately can and should do, in my view  is to provide support to FBI and DHS as they are taking the lead for the U.S. government in approaching how to respond to those issues.

Well, let me give you a specific example here. If there is a purely domestic cell operating in this country that poses a threat, a mortal threat to Americans or to our way of life, would DNI provide resources? Would you get involved in providing analysis to deal with something like that?

Yeah. I mean, so again, we could do so in support of FBI and DHS. And in that context, it's not that we would be tasking collection. We weren't doing any of those things. What we were doing was simply pulling together the information and providing analysis in support of their work. So yes, it can include information about purely domestic issues, but this is all in the small-p political context, which is to say that our work in this area has really been at the third rail for the intelligence community, because historically, this is the space where we tend to be. ... We're providing analysis. It can be perceived as us pursuing purely domestic [intelligence].

Right, but that's the distinction that you see, collection versus analysis?

There is a big difference, yes. Like so many things, it's very challenging to draw very bright-line rules in [crosstalk].

Is it fair to say that the lines are a little blurry and you're in the process of trying to figure that out still?

I would say it's less that the lines are blurry, to be honest, because we have a lot more authority. That's not so much the challenge. The challenge is in clearly articulating, I think, both to the American people and to others, "Here's what we're doing and here's what we're not doing, and this is what we think makes sense, and here's why." And I do think it's virtually impossible to feel as if you're doing your job. Part of our mission is to help the rest of the government work through these issues. And so I also don't want to shy away from it. When there's something that we can do to help those who are trying to respond to these issues, we want to do that so long as it's legal and it's appropriate.

You've talked a lot about the shifting landscape of intelligence, national security. You obviously couldn't have a better example than COVID-19. What are other examples of these new and emerging nontraditional threats, and how do you get the American people, the Congress, the media, to take these threats as seriously as the traditional ones, like international terrorism, nuclear proliferation?

I think there's a panoply of issues that are shifting the landscape in long-term, destabilizing ways that we have to integrate into our short-term work, in effect. And I think that's really the challenge. Climate is a perfect example of this. Climate is an urgent crisis, but it's very hard for a variety of institutional reasons to actually integrate it into your day-to-day work in a fully successful way, which is to say that it's much easier to focus on climate negotiations or what states are doing in their policies. But to actually bring it into your day-to-day work and say, "Here's the impact that the JCPOA [Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, the 2015 Iran nuclear deal] has on climate," things like that, you need to drive it into the space.

Public health is another example. The bio-threat issues are expanding and changing quite rapidly, particularly as it converges with different technologies. Biotechnology is such a revolutionary field that just keeping ahead of understanding how it's impacting all of these other things is critical. And that's a similar problem to the climate one that I mentioned, but it's a different variation on the theme.

In bringing together the intelligence community component heads, I asked them, "What are your priorities looking forward in the next budget cycle?" And it's astonishing the degree to which, in addition to focusing on China and all of our major threats that we talk about in our annual threat hearings, all of us have come to the conclusion that a diverse and talented workforce, investing in science and technology and tools that allow us to be better at what we're doing, our institutions, our partnerships, our resilience, our capacity to integrate this expertise, is what is really important at this critical time in our history. All of those things allow us to be more effective at actually addressing the rapidly changing landscape of threats.

You talk about diversity, inclusion and equity, and you call these mission imperatives that are emerging as one of the top national security issues of our time. What do you mean by that?

I think we cannot succeed unless we get a diverse and talented workforce, unless we are inclusive, unless we are paying attention to equity. We just simply cannot succeed. And so I see that as fundamental. And part of the challenge here is that it's really hard work. It's not just saying it or going to recruiting events. This is something that you have to keep on talking about and thinking about and doing something about every single day. And that's something that I think makes it really one of the fundamental issues of our time, and one that we just cannot underestimate the importance of.

And I'll tell you, we're doing a whole series of things, whether it's in the context of thinking through not just the recruitment grant  ways in which you can actually bring in different parts of the population, starting to talk to them so they understand what we do so that they might be interested in coming in  but also thinking through, How do you retain that incredible talent once it gets in the door? How do you deal with that?

____

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By Oliver Hirt and Pamela Barbaglia

ZURICH (Reuters) - Credit Suisse Group AG is considering centralising the management of its bankers to the world's wealthy, reversing a regional structure put in place six years ago, as the scandal-plagued Swiss bank looks for ways to tighten controls and improve operations, three sources familiar with the matter said.

The banks wealth management business is split, residing in three separate divisions -- the international business, Swiss business and a separate Asia-Pacific unit. Some executives felt that separation had not worked well and combining the businesses into one group would offer benefits, one of the sources said.

By doing so, Credit Suisse would reel in local managers in Asia and internationally, who have enjoyed considerable autonomy, putting them under tighter Swiss control as well as making it easier to cut costs, the sources said.

It would be able to streamline products, while also becoming more attractive to a potential merger partner, one of the sources said. A global entity could work better with the investment bank, two of the sources said.

Credit Suisse declined to comment.

The discussions within Credit Suisse, which have not been previously reported, come after the bank suffered scandals including its ties to collapsed supply chain finance company Greensill Capital and losses from family office Archegos, exposing weaknesses in its risk controls.

The crises hammered the bank's share price, and sources previously said left some executives worried that the bank could be vulnerable to unwanted pressure from activist investors or hostile suitors to change strategy.

Antonio Horta-Osorio, the banks new chairman, kicked off a strategic review in May. Options under discussion include spinning off its local Swiss bank to prepare the rest of the business for a merger, pruning back investment banking or selling its asset management business, sources have said.

FRESH STRATEGY

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The Swiss bank and its board are looking to decide on a fresh strategy as soon as October after an annual strategy meeting in the mountain town of Bad Ragaz, best known for its spas and thermal baths, two sources familiar with the thinking of senior executives said.

Re-imagining the wealth division, seen by analysts and investors as the most prized part of Credit Suisse, illustrates how deep this overhaul is likely to be.

A merged wealth management unit could either combine the Asia-Pacific and International Wealth Management divisions, or further fold in the bank's private banking business for ultra-wealthy customers in its home market, which now sits in its Swiss division, one of the sources said.

A combined unit may get new leadership, the sources said, adding that Horta-Osorio was driving key decisions.

The model would follow a strategy taken by UBS Group AG , which adopted a unified global wealth management structure by combining its businesses servicing American and international clients into one global division in 2018, allowing it to trim costs.

One of the options that Credit Suisse executives have discussed in the past is a merger with UBS, sources have previously said.

In Bad Ragaz, executives did not formally discuss mergers, but the possibility of a tie-up was "the elephant in the room", one source said after the meeting.

(Reporting by Oliver Hirt in Zurich and Pamela Barbaglia in London; Writing by Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi; Editing by Alexander Smith and Elaine Hardcastle)
By Valerie Volcovici and Timothy Gardner

WASHINGTON (Reuters) -A lobbyist for Exxon Mobil Corp said the company supports a carbon tax publicly because the plan to curb climate change would never gain enough political support to be adopted, according to an interview aired on Wednesday.

Britain's Channel 4 network aired the interview of senior Washington-based lobbyist Keith McCoy it obtained from an investigative arm of environmental campaigner Greenpeace UK, in footage that drew the ire of Exxon's chairman and chief executive.

Greenpeace activists posed as headhunters to conduct separate Zoom interviews with McCoy and a former Washington lobbyist for Exxon, Dan Easley.

"There is not an appetite for a carbon tax. It's a nonstarter," McCoy said to the Greenpeace activists. "And the cynical side of me says, 'Yeah, we kind of know that.' But it gives us a talking point."

McCoy did not immediately respond to a request for comment. He said on LinkedIn he was "deeply embarrassed by my comments and that I allowed myself to fall for Greenpeaces deception." He apologized to colleagues at Exxon in that post.

Darren Woods, Exxon's chairman and chief executive, had sharp words on McCoy's comments. "We condemn the statements and are deeply apologetic for them, including comments regarding interactions with elected officials," Woods said in a release.

"We were shocked by these interviews and stand by our commitments to working on finding solutions to climate change," Woods said.

Asked whether McCoy faces disciplinary action, Exxon spokesperson Casey Norton declined to comment saying it was a private personnel matter.

The footage comes a month after Exxon shareholders, frustrated by weak returns and the U.S. oil company's record on climate change, shook up the company when they elected three of four nominated directors from activist shareholder Engine No. 1 to Exxon's board.

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ExxonMobil in 2018 touted its investment of $1 million over two years into a carbon tax advocacy campaign in Congress. Its annual lobbying budget is $12 million.

Exxon Director Ursula Burns said at a Federal Reserve Bank of Dallas virtual event this month that the company's response to environmental criticisms "has not been well done."

McCoy and Easley spoke candidly to the Greenpeace activists on their strategies and positions on a range of issues, including President Joe Biden's initial $2 trillion infrastructure package, which they said they worked on to remove major climate provisions and push back against proposals to raise corporate taxes.

Easley said the Biden infrastructure plan contained clean energy measures that would "accelerate the transition that I think four years from now - it is going to be difficult to unwind them."

Easley, whose LinkedIn page says he started a new job in February, could not immediately be reached for comment.

(Reporting by Valerie Volcovici and Timothy Gardner in Washington; Editing by Matthew Lewis and William Mallard)
Photograph: Kathleen Flynn/Reuters

Lobbyists for ExxonMobil have described the oil giants backing for a carbon tax as a public relations ploy intended to stall more serious measures to combat the climate crisis.

Two senior lobbyists based in Washington told an undercover reporter for Unearthed, the investigative journalism branch of Greenpeace, that they worked to undermine Joe Bidens plans to limit greenhouse emissions and other environmental measures in his infrastructure bill.

Related: US cities are suffocating in the heat. Now they want retribution

One of the lobbyists also admitted that Exxon aggressively fought against climate science and funded shadow groups to deny global heating.

Keith McCoy, a senior director in Exxons Washington government affairs team, was recorded on video in May saying that the company backs a carbon tax as an easy talking point and an advocacy tool because there is not an appetite for a carbon tax and that Republican legislators who oppose taxes in principle will never let it happen.

Nobody is going to propose a tax on all Americans, and the cynical side of me says, yeah, we kind of know that  but it gives us a talking point that we can say, well, what is ExxonMobil for? Well, were for a carbon tax, he said.

Later, McCoy reiterates the point: Carbon tax is not going to happen.

The oil conglomerates and closely allied trade organizations, such as the American Petroleum Institute, finally declared their support for a carbon tax after years of resisting what many environmentalists regard as a key measure to reduce damaging fossil fuel emissions. But the lack of specifics over a cost and a timeframe immediately raised questions about the seriousness of the commitment.

Greenpeace said that Unearthed reporters posed as recruitment consultants looking to hire a Washington lobbyist for a major client and approached McCoy and Exxons former White House lobbyist, Dan Easley, who left the company at the end of the Trump administration.

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In a meeting over Zoom, McCoy admitted that Exxon funded shadow groups that worked to misrepresent and deny climate science in order to sow doubt and stall regulation.

Did we aggressively fight against some of the science? Yes, he said. Did we join some of these shadow groups to work against some of the early efforts? Yes thats true. But theres nothing illegal about that. We were looking out for our investments, we were looking out for shareholders.

But McCory denied that Exxon covered up evidence from its own scientists about global heating caused by burning fossil fuels even though the companys role in misrepresenting the dangers is well documented.

Did we hide science? Did we at some point figure out climate change and then decide to bury the evidence? No.

Although Exxon is not so overtly denying climate science any more, McCoy acknowledged that it continues to work to undermine environmental regulations and policies to combat global heating. He called measures in Bidens American Jobs Plan to cut greenhouse gas emissions insane and described how the company lobbies Congress against them and on other issues.

McCoy said the oil giant was particularly concerned that Bidens infrastructure and environmental plans would be paid for by undoing Trumps corporate tax cuts which Easley described as probably worth billions to Exxon.

McCoy said that Exxon sought to restrict the infrastructure bill to spending on roads and bridges because it would help limit tax increases but also remove environmental measures the company opposed.

If you lower that threshold, you stick to highways and bridges, then a lot of the negative stuff starts to come out, he said. Why would you put in something on emissions reductions on climate change to oil refineries in a highway bill? So people say, yeah, that doesnt make any sense  that shouldnt be in this bill.

Easley said that the oil and gas industry was also lobbying against other environmental measures such as requirements for the federal government to purchase green energy and renewable technologies and retrofitting federal buildings that a future Republican administration would not be able to reverse.

Its gonna accelerate the transition to the extent that I think four years from now its going to be difficult to unwind that, he said.

McCoy acknowledged that at the same time that Exxon was pushing to maintain tax cuts, it was also seeking government funding to get a carbon capture programme off the ground.

So its a delicate balance. Were asking for help with taxes over here and were saying dont increase our taxes over here, he said.

The lobbyist said that among the politicians he targeted was the Democratic senator Joe Manchin whose support is central to Biden getting the infrastructure bill and climate legislation through Congress.

Joe Manchin  I talk to his office every week. He is the kingmaker on this, because hes a Democrat from West Virginia, which is a very conservative state, and hes not shy about sort of staking his claim early and completely changing the debate, he said.

McCoy ticked off the names of other Democratic senators he was working on, including Chris Coons from Delaware, the presidents home state, because he has a very close relationship with Senator [sic] Biden.

As a matter of fact, our CEO is talking to him next Tuesday and having those conversations and just teeing it up and then that way I can start working with his staff to let them know where we are on some of these issues.

The lobbyist described some Republican senators as a captive audience because they are reliant on industry backing.

The Republicans, we have the great relationship with the senators, where we have assets, he said.

McCoy said that meetings with senators might ostensibly be about a global issue, such as Russia or the Middle East, but the conversations are used to ensure backing on issues of concern to Exxon such as taxes and environmental legislation.

There are all these opportunities that you use, and to use the fishing analogy just to kind of reel them in, he said.

Exxons chairman and CEO, Darren Woods, repudiated the lobbyists statements.

Comments made by the individuals in no way represent the companys position on a variety of issues, including climate policy and our firm commitment that carbon pricing is important to addressing climate change. The individuals interviewed were never involved in developing the companys policy positions on the issues discussed, he said in a written statement to the Guardian.

We condemn the statements and are deeply apologetic for them, including comments regarding interactions with elected officials. They are entirely inconsistent with the way we expect our people to conduct themselves. We were shocked by these interviews and stand by our commitments to working on finding solutions to climate change.
Jun. 30Federal prosecutors have appealed a judge's ruling that faulted a Merrimack police officer for the pre-arrest search of a convicted felon that led to the discovery of a holstered handgun during what appeared to be an unfolding domestic dispute.

The search resulted in charges of possession of a handgun by a felon, but that case is now in limbo, with a judge's order suppressing the handgun evidence in an upcoming trial.

U.S. District Court Judge Joseph Laplante ruled that the February 2020 pat-down violated Philip Wetmore's Fourth Amendment rights.

The top federal prosecutor in New Hampshire, acting U.S. Attorney John Farley, has filed an appeal notice with the U.S. First Circuit Court of Appeals in Boston.

A spokesman said the office has yet to file the actual appeal, and Farley could not discuss the case because it is ongoing.

In their arguments before Laplante, prosecutors warned that the ruling would put police in perilous positions.

"It's a fine line for us," said Deputy Merrimack Police Chief Matthew Tarleton. "We always encourage our officers to use their discretion and to be safe, not only for themselves but the community," he said.

The incident involving Philip Wetmore and his girlfriend, Falynne St. John, occurred in February 2020.

An off-duty Merrimack officer had seen Wetmore acting strangely: His car blocked a customer at a gas station, he was shaking and snapping his head, and he drove off and tried to order at a closed Burger King drive-thru.

At the parking lot of a nearby hotel, St. John stepped in front of Wetmore's vehicle as he pulled away. That prompted Officer Jordan Miranda, who had been observing them, to suspect a possible domestic dispute. He activated his blue lights and confronted the two, who appeared to start bickering, according to court filings.

During a court hearing, Miranda said that Wetmore eventually turned his focus toward police and away from St. John. But Miranda said he feared a potential domestic disturbance and eventually conducted a "Terry search."

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Named after a 1968 case from Ohio, Terry searches are limited pat-down searches that an officer is allowed to do if he has reasonable suspicions that a person is armed and dangerous. Police followed the Terry search of Wetmore with his arrest on the weapons charge. A post-arrest search of Wetmore found bags of heroin and methamphetamine.

A federal grand jury indicted Wetmore on the weapons charge.

Laplante initially ruled in favor of the evidence suppression in March. Laplante said the officer was not justified in believing that Wetmore was armed and dangerous.

In May, Laplante upheld his ruling, and Farley's office filed a notice of appeal last month.

Meanwhile, Wetmore remains behind bars. He never challenged his pretrial incarceration and eventually entered a drug treatment program.

mhayward@unionleader.com
HELSINKI (Reuters) - Finland's capital Helsinki will begin giving COVID-19 vaccines to children aged 12 to 15 who are at risk of contracting a severe coronavirus infection, the city said on Wednesday.

Organ transplants, cancers, immunological disorders and Down's syndrome are considered as among the risk factors, according to the Finnish Health Institute.

According to data collected by the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, 71.6% of the 5.5 million Finns have now received one vaccination dose and 22% two doses.

The Nordic nation has recorded 95,742 infections and 973 deaths due to COVID-19.

(Reporting by Essi Lehto; Editing by Alison Williams)
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Search-and-rescue efforts for 121 people missing had been suspended in preparation for the controlled demolition but will resume again, officials said on Sunday.Residents in nearby buildings were told they do not need to evacuate but should stay indoors and turn off air conditioning due to dust, the county mayor said.Ahead of the demolition, a crowd gathered along a nearby street to witness the event. Several people stood quietly with candles in vigil for those who were lost and the still missing.The move to demolish the partially collapsed building was considered urgent because of the approach of Elsa, North Miami Beach City Manager Arthur Sorey said.As of Sunday afternoon, Elsa was off the coast of Cuba with winds of 60 miles per hour (95 kph). After moving across Cuba later on Sunday and Monday, the storm was forecast to approach western Florida on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Members of the South Florida Urban Search and Rescue team look for possible survivors in the partially collapsed 12-story Champlain Towers South condo building on June 26, 2021 in Surfside, Florida. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Elected officials will launch multiple probes into last week's Florida condo collapse.

The Miami-Dade County mayor said her team will look for ways to prevent a similar tragedy.

The county AG also announced Tuesday she plans a grand jury investigation into the incident.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

Elected officials in Florida promised to launch multiple investigations "at every possible angle" into the condominium that collapsed in Florida on June 24.

As of Tuesday, at least 12 people are confirmed dead after Champlain Towers South partially collapsed, with 149 people still unaccounted for.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said her team will meet with engineering, construction and geology experts about building safety concerns and develop construction safeguards "to ensure a tragedy like this will never, ever happen again."

Miami-Dade state attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said Tuesday she plans to request a grand jury to investigate the collapse.

"Few words can describe the shock and horror that the collapse of the Champlain Towers South condominium building has evoked in all of us," she said.

At a briefing earlier Tuesday, Cava indicated she was "very supportive" of Fernandez-Rundle's push for a grand jury investigation and "pledged" her "full cooperation." When asked what the grand jury will look for, Cava said, "like all of us: answers."

"I will do, and my team will do, everything possible to aid them in their efforts to continue that investigation," she said.

It's still not entirely clear what caused part of the 12-story condominium to tumble to the ground, but experts say a structural failure at the bottom of the building could be to blame.

Just two days before the collapse, a pool contractor who visited the building took photos of damage in the garage, showing cracks in concrete, corroded rebar, and wet floors in the pool equipment room.

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The contractor, who remained anonymous, told The Miami Herald he thought the amount of water at Champlain Towers was unusual. A staff member who was showing him around told the contractor he "thought it was waterproofing issues," according to a report from The Herald.

The deepest area of standing water in the building was said to be located near parking spot 78 in the garage, which was directly under the condominium's pool deck. The Herald reported Sunday a 2018 inspection report flagged a flaw in the building's original design, with a lack of proper drainage on the pool deck causing "major structural damage."

Read the original article on Insider
Mark Brutnell, a special agent in charge with FDLE, during press conference where officers revealed how they solved 2007 rape case with the help of public genealogy databases (Screengrab/ Tampa police )

A 14-year-old rape case that hit dead ends in 2007 has been cracked after officials zeroed in on the suspect after scouring through genealogy database websites.

Jared T Vaughn, 44, voluntarily surrendered himself on 16 June in a sexual battery case from Tampa after investigators zeroed down to a probability of 1 in 700 billion of him being the suspect, according to the police.

It has taken 14 years for resolution in this case, but it is something that was important for usThe victim now can have some closure in her life, said assistant police chief Ruben Delgado said in a press conference last week.

The incident happened in 2007 when a student of the University of Tampa was walking back to her dorm after attending the Gasparilla parade. She told investigators the man offered to walk her to the dorm as she was intoxicated. The suspect allegedly raped her and disappeared, WTVT reported last week.

We ran into a few dead ends in the case back in 2007, officer Delgado said. The detectives worked the case just like it was brand-new case with the help of FDLE and the science we were able to develop a suspect.

The cold case was solved after Mr Vaughn voluntarily submitted his sample of his DNA to a public genealogy database, according to police.

In March 2020, the investigators again decided to open the after police solved some criminal cases using the new technology and genetic genealogy testing.

Tampa police aligned with the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) to find matches with the DNA sample of the suspect on DNA databases on GED Match and FamilyTree, two services which are often used by people to research into their ancestry.

The DNA found at the crime scene matched that of Mr Vaughn and detectives obtained a DNA search warrant to get a new sample from him. They travelled up to West Virginia, where , Mr Vaughn now lives.

Mark Brutnell, a special agent in charge with FDLE in the case, said that the method is only used when all the other leads have been exhausted.

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Every other investigative lead has to be exhausted before we do this type of process, he said. If it wasnt for this technology, Im not sure wed be here today.

Our success depends on information found in public genealogy databases, where participants must, and this is important, they must opt in for law enforcement matching, he added.

Detectives also used old-school police work such as conducting interviews and surveillance, police said, to tie the clues together.

The availability of genealogy data has been questioned by experts over the ethical issues of privacy. States like Maryland have even banned police from using the database from solving minor cases.
Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French are reuniting for a new TV comedy special. (Getty Images)

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders are teaming up to front a new TV special celebrating women in comedy.

The comic duo are to host French and Saunders: Funny Women on UKTV Gold, a two-hour special due to air on Saturday, 17 July at 9pm.

French, 62, and Saunders, 63, promised viewers are in for "a proper treat."

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It is the first time the pair have appeared together on the small screen since 2009. They will appear together in Kenneth Branagh's movie adaptation of Agatha Christie's Death on the Nile, coming to cinemas later this year.

The last original episode of their hit sketch show French and Saunders aired on the BBC in 2005 and the two performed a live tour together in 2008.

Read more: Jennifer Saunders turned down OBE so as not to make 'mockery' of honour

French and Saunders met at drama college in London and the two became friends and launched a successful comedy career together in the 80s.

As well as their award-winning sketch show French And Saunders, Saunders is best known for starring with Joanna Lumley  who accepted her own OBE in 1995  in long-running sitcom Absolutely Fabulous, while French has her own hit sitcom The Vicar of Dibley.

Dawn French and Jennifer Saunders began performing sketches as a double act in the 1980s. (Getty Images)

The pair worked together on BBC sit com Jam & Jerusalem which aired on BBC One from 2006 to 2009 and French made an appearance in the Absolutely Fabulous movie in 2016.

Saunders recently revealed the reason the pair decided to turn down an OBE from the Queen in 2001 was because she did not want to make a "mockery" of her own father's honour.

She said: "My father, Robert, was a pilot in the Royal Air Force and was awarded a CBE.

Jennifer Saunders and Dawn French collecting TV Bafta awards in 2009. (Getty Images)

"He got it and he deserved it. He worked really hard and he was a brilliant man and he did an awful lot. But we just jumped up on stage, messed about, and made money.'

Read more: Dawn French has regained weight and doesn't care

"We thought, 'there's a lot of people who deserve these things' and for us to get it sort of made it a mockery.

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"There are people who work for the NHS or do great charity work and we hadn't really done anything. It was silly."

Watch: Jennifer Saunders leads silent stand for theatre agency
PARIS (Reuters) - Women deprived of freedom of speech or the freedom to vote should fight for their rights and know that the United States stands beside them, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris said on Wednesday.

Harris told the Generation Equality Forum at a summit hosted by French President Emmanuel Macron that gender equality was paramount to strengthening democracy.

"Use the tools for democracy, whether that is the freedom of speech or the freedom to vote. And if you do not yet have those freedoms, fight for them and know we will fight alongside you," Harris told the summit by video link.

Democracy was in peril in countries around the world, Harris said.

"If we want to strengthen democracy, we must fight for gender equality. Because here is the truth: Democracy is strongest when everyone participates and it is weaker when people are left out," the vice president said.

Two months after entering office, Harris said President Joe Biden's administration would revitalize Washington's partnership with U.N. Women - a U.N. body dedicated to gender equality and the empowerment of women.

Under former President Donald Trump, the United States led a push at the United Nations against the promotion of womens sexual and reproductive rights and health because it saw that as code for abortion.

Harris struck a different tone.

"When women have access to reproductive healthcare to stay healthy, they can participate more fully and our democracy grows stronger," she said.

Melinda Gates said the Gates Foundation would direct $2.1 billion in new money to strengthening gender equality. More than half would go to sexual health and reproductive rights, while $100 million would be spent on helping get women into positions of power in government and the workplace.

"Women should not only have a seat at the table, they should be in every single room where policy and decisions are being made," Gates said.

(Reporting by Elizabeth Pineau; Writing by Richard Lough; Editing by Giles Elgood)
Google headquarters in Mountain View, California. Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Google's headquarters will reopen to employees on July 12.

The company is planning to reopen its cafeterias, though they will be limited at some locations.

Google is also planning to relaunch its private shuttle bus program.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

Some of Google's famous employee amenities are returning when the search giant reopens its offices next month.

Google told employees earlier this week that California-based workers may return to its Mountain View headquarters starting July 12. Those who show proof of vaccination won't be required to wear a mask in the office, Ruth Porat, Google's chief financial officer, wrote in a memo viewed by Insider's Hugh Langley.

Some employees will be allowed to continue working from home permanently, the company said last month.

Read more: Here's a step-by-step guide on how performance reviews work at Google

But for those itching to get back to the Googleplex, their return after 16 months away will come with a reopened cafeteria and the return of the company's private shuttle bus.

Google's free food is legendary: Prior to the pandemic, the company dished out hundreds of thousands of gourmet meals per day to its legions of employees, free of charge. But the pandemic made people wary of buffet-style meals, and the New York Times reported earlier this year that Google was moving away from buffets in favor of boxed, grab-and-go meals and individually packaged food.

Now, the cafeterias at the Googleplex will be open, although a Google spokesperson told Insider that services and options will be limited at some locations.

The company shuttle buses, which ferry workers from San Francisco 35 miles southeast to Mountain View, will also begin operating again on July 12, though on a "slightly reduced schedule," the spokesperson said.

The buses have been praised as a green alternative to solo commuting. But they've also drawn criticism and outright protests from locals over the years who feel that tech industry elites have contributed to income inequality in the city and have failed to address the region's sizable homeless population.

Read the original article on Business Insider
(Reuters) -Health Canada said late on Tuesday it has recommended that people with a history of capillary leak syndrome not be inoculated with drugmaker AstraZeneca's COVID-19 vaccine.

"Health Canada is updating the product monograph - or label - for the AstraZeneca and COVISHIELD COVID-19/ vaccines to add capillary leak syndrome as a potential side effect, with a warning for patients with a history of capillary leak syndrome to not get the AstraZeneca or COVISHIELD COVID-19 vaccine", it said in a statement.

Capillary leak syndrome (CLS) is a very rare, serious condition that causes fluid leakage from small blood vessels (capillaries), resulting in limb swelling, low blood pressure, thickening of the blood and low levels of an important blood protein.

Health Canada and the Public Health Agency of Canada have been monitoring this condition since it was raised as a potential safety concern by the European Medicines Agency in April, the statement added.

Until June 11, one case of capillary leak syndrome following vaccination with AstraZeneca's vaccine has been reported in Canada, Health Canada said.

Earlier this month, the European Medicines Agency's safety committee said that capillary leak syndrome must be added as a new side effect to labeling on AstraZeneca's vaccine, known as Vaxzevria.

Britain's regulator, the MHRA, has previously said it was considering precautionary advice for people with a history of CLS but does not see a causal link with the vaccine.

(Reporting by Kanishka Singh in Bengaluru; Editing by Raju Gopalakrishnan)
MarketWatch

CIRKEL was founded in 2018 by Japp, a millennial, who early in her career, had noticed a huge gap between the 20-somethings she worked with and baby boomers like her parents, who had decades of experience, but were forced to retire or start secondary careers due to ageist hiring trends. After a mutual friend, Marci Alboher, vice-president of Encore.org, introduced us, I reached out to Japp with a few questions to get her take on how an intergenerational relationship can help us succeed in the new world of work. Hannon: How is the importance of career and professional development changing and why for people 50+ is it increasingly essential?
HONG KONG (Reuters) - For 22-year old Timmin Lam, who is studying in Manchester, the ban on flights from the United Kingdom to Hong Kong this week is the latest in a series of unrelenting measures that have prevented him from travelling home for almost two years.

"I feel trapped in the UK. I really wish the pandemic would improve," he said.

Authorities in the global financial hub said on Monday that Hong Kong would ban passenger flights from the United Kingdom starting July 1 to curb the spread of the Delta variant of COVID-19. [L2N2OA0PS]

Britain has been categorised as extremely high-risk and people who have stayed in the country for more than two hours will be unable to board passenger flights for Hong Kong.

It is the second time that the Chinese-ruled hub has barred arrivals from Britain; the earlier ban was in force from December 2020 until May.

The government said the ban was due to "the recent rebound of the epidemic situation in the UK and the widespread Delta variant virus strain there, coupled with a number of cases with L452R mutant virus strains detected by tests from people arriving from the UK."

Before the ban, restrictions on the UK had been relaxed to allow vaccinated travellers only 7 days of quarantine compared with 21 days. Thousands of students had planned to return home for the summer, and the sudden change has resulted in chaos for many.

"I really wish they had announced this earlier to allow more time for us to arrange and organise things," said Wallis Au, a 20-year-old physiotherapy student in Britain. Au said she had a flight booking to arrive in Hong Kong on July 5 but now would not be able to return before the deadline.

Due to Hong Kong's strict COVID-19 regulations, travellers cannot land in the city without securing a hotel reservation for quarantine. After the ban was announced, parents scrambled to find hotels for their children, but for many it was impossible.

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"Even if I can manage to get an earlier flight - which was a push because everyone was rushing - how could she board without the hotel booking?" said Hong Kong mother Debi Yeung, whose 20-year old daughter is studying in Leeds.

Yeung said she had changed flight dates and hotel bookings several times already because of changing regulations, while her daughter had scheduled multiple COVID-tests ahead of her journey.

"We have given up now," she said. "I don't think there is much more that we can do."

(Reporting by Sharon Abratique; writing by Farah Master. Editing by Gerry Doyle)
Meng Wanzhou leaves her Vancouver home to attend British Columbia Supreme Court

Internal documents from HSBC bank have been released as part of a lengthy extradition battle over the Chief Financial Officer for Chinese telecoms giant Huawei.

Lawyers for Meng Wanzhou are fighting to prevent her extradition from Canada to the US for alleged sanctions breach.

They argue the bank documents undermine the US case.

Her 2018 arrest in Vancouver sparked a major international row, corroding diplomatic relations.

The case is particularly sensitive as Huawei has become a lightning-rod for US-China tensions and competition over technology, and besides serving as CFO, Ms Meng is also the daughter of its founder, a former Chinese army engineer.

Washington has pressured allies, including the UK, not to use Huawei equipment in new 5G telecoms networks amid claims that it could pose a security risk, an allegation strongly denied by the company.

In the extradition case, the US alleges Ms Meng misled HSBC over the true nature of Huawei's relationship with a company called Skycom and this, in turn, put the bank at risk of violating sanctions against Iran. The US case against Meng Wanzhou focuses in part on a meeting with HSBC on 22 August 2013.

News reports shortly before that meeting had raised questions about whether there had been a breach of trade sanctions on Iran by Hong Kong-based Skycom. At issue was whether Skycom, a telecoms equipment seller, was simply a business partner of Huawei's - or a front for it to conceal its activities in Iran.

One part of Ms Meng's multi-pronged attempt to avoid extradition has involved claiming HSBC was not, in fact, being kept in the dark about the true nature of the Skycom/Huawei relationship.

Her Canadian lawyers failed in the UK High Court to gain access to any relevant information kept by HSBC. However, they succeeded in Hong Kong which has led to the latest release of documents. Her lawyers are seeking to have them admitted in Canadian court for the next stage of her extradition hearings, set to take place in August. They argue the information will show that the US record of the case is unreliable.

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People wearing facemasks as a precaution against the spread of covid-19 seen walking past the Hong Kong and Shanghai Banking Corporation (HSBC) in Ankara.

The documents, which Ms Meng's lawyers had opposed making public, consist of hundreds of pages including emails and risk assessments by the bank relating to its work with Huawei. It shows the bank clearly valued the work but was aware of reputational and other risks linked to allegations against eh company. They appear to show questions were asked about the company's activities in Iran, including in the wake of news reports about Skycom. HSBC note in one email that Skycom's director used a Huawei email address and in on one email an HSBC employee says Huawei have said they 'try to comply with all sanctions', adding "I am pretty much reassured on the issue."

Ms Meng's lawyers are claiming the documents show that Huawei's control over Skycom and its business in Iran was not kept from senior HSBC executives and the bank made risk-assessments based on knowledge of the full facts.

Lawyers seeking her extradition say the documents should not be admitted in an extradition hearing but rather relate to the substance of any resulting trial. The judge is expected to rule on the admission of the documents by the end of next week.

"As the case enters its next phase, Huawei remains confident in Meng Wanzhou's innocence. We will continue to support Ms. Meng's pursuit of justice and freedom," Huawei said.
The Biden administration is exploring ways to provide non-detention tracking and services for as many as 100,000 migrant families and 18- to 21-year-olds each year, according to a new government request.

Why it matters: The request for information by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reveals the kinds of options the Biden administration is considering to avoid detaining migrants.

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The administration has gotten flak for using the Trump-era Title 42 public health order to keep families and adults from entering the country on the basis of controlling the spread of the coronavirus.

Axios previously reported the administration planned to eliminate Title 42 by July 31.

Distinguishing 18- to 21-year-olds from the rest of the migrant single adult migrant population, as proposed by the contract request, is unusual.

And beyond families and young adults, the program could be used for "other vulnerable populations," according to the ICE request.

Be smart: A request for information is an early part of the process, and ICE could decide not to award a contract.

Between the lines: Many families who cross the border are released into the U.S. after passing an initial screening for asylum.

Some are tracked with cellphones or other devices, but otherwise, there's little to no enforcement to ensure they show up for their immigration court hearings.

The Biden administration has already tried to deal with the mushrooming migrant numbers by converting family detention centers into rapid-processing centers.

A court order from 2016 prevents kids from being held in detention spaces for more than 20 days  even if they're with their parents.

That makes wholesale family detention a less useful tactic, as most immigration cases can't be completed during that time.

What to watch: The proposed program could provide services to about 100,000 migrants a year in Boston, Orlando, San Antonio, El Paso, Houston, New York, Phoenix, Dallas, San Diego, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, Philadelphia, Denver, Detroit, Washington, D.C., and Baltimore, according to details in the request.

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ICE also is looking for ways to provide low-cost or free legal representation to migrants and ensure school enrollment, as well as provide other resources to help them get situated in the U.S. while awaiting their court hearings.

ICE already has an alternative-to-detention contract with a group owned by the for-profit prison company GEO Group. It can serve 90,000 to 100,000 people daily.

One person familiar with the new request told Axios officials are looking for non-governmental organizations not affiliated with for-profit prisons to run the new program.

By the numbers: The number of border encounters with migrating families remains high compared to past years but has fallen since March.

It's also remained well below the record numbers from 2019 during the past two months.

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During an appearance on CNN Tuesday evening, Democratic Representative Ilhan Omar doubled-down on her comments equating Israel and the United States to terror organizations or state sponsors of terror.

When host Jake Tapper asked the congresswoman whether she regretted making the comparison, she responded, I dont.

I think its really important to think back to the point that I was trying to make. Obviously, I was addressing Secretary of State Blinken. The cases are put together in front of the ICC, the ICC has been investigating, she continued.

In the specific tweet that drew ire and backlash from Republican lawmakers, Omar 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.

A number of Democratic leaders in Congress condemned Omars statement, claiming that it foments prejudice and constitutes anti-Semitism against the Jewish community. The statement, signed by House speaker Nancy Pelosi, majority leader Steny Hoyer, majority whip James Clyburn, and other members, invited Omar to go on the record and withdraw her comment.

A group of Jewish House Democrats, including representatives Brad Schneider, Lois Frankel, Jerrold Nadler, and others, penned a joint letter earlier this month urging Omar to walk back her inflammatory words placing the US and Israel in the same category as Hamas and the Taliban.

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, the letter added.

On June 14, Republican representatives Claudia Tenney, Mike Waltz, and Jim Banks moved to censure members of the progressive squad, including Omar, for their rhetoric defending Hamas and fueling a climate of anti-semitism.

Omar did eventually release a statement clarifying that she did not make a moral comparison between Hamas and the Taliban and the U.S. and Israel.

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I was in no way equating terrorist organizations with democratic countries with well-established judicial systems, she said.

More from National Review
Beginning Oct. 1, criminal defendants in Illinois will once again be able to effectively invoke their right to a speedy trial, the Illinois Supreme Court ordered Wednesday.

The states highest court last year ordered that speedy trial deadlines could be suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Ordinarily, defendants can formally demand trial, at which point prosecutors have a specific time frame in which they must bring them to trial or the case is dismissed.

Wednesdays order restores those time frames, effective Oct. 1.

In addition, the higher court ordered Wednesday that individual county court systems are now able to determine their own social-distancing guidelines or eliminate them entirely, as the pandemic appears to wane.

But it is the speedy trial issue that has caused much uncertainty among attorneys, judges and defendants alike. The restored deadlines will again give defendants significant leverage to take cases to trial.

Some defense attorneys at the Leighton Criminal Court Building have attempted to formally demand trial on behalf of their clients during the pandemic, only to be told by judges that their demands have no teeth due to the state Supreme Courts orders.

A spokesperson for Cook County Chief Judge Timothy Evans office could not immediately be reached for comment on how Wednesdays orders might affect county courts.

mcrepeau@chicagotribune.com
JAKARTA (Reuters) - Indonesia is proposing stricter measures to curb its worsening COVID-19 crisis, including tighter restrictions on movement and domestic air travel, a ban on restaurant dining and closure of non-essential offices, according to a government document.

The proposals, which were seen by Reuters and have yet to be endorsed, were made by the coordinating ministry for maritime affairs and investment.

(Reporting by Agustinus Beo Da Costa; Writing by Stanley Widianto; Editing by Martin Petty)
By Maayan Lubell

JERUSALEM (Reuters) -Jewish settlers have agreed to quit an outpost that has become a flashpoint for clashes with Palestinians who also claim the land, officials said, under a deal aimed at addressing an awkward political test for the new Israeli government.

Under the agreement with Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, the settlers will leave Givat Eviatar outpost in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

But it seemed likely that at least some of the outpost's new buildings would remain, locked and under military guard, an outcome that is certain to anger Palestinian protesters who demand it be removed.

The hilltop settlement near the Palestinian city of Nablus was established without Israeli government permits in May and is now home to more than 50 families.

The Israeli military ordered it to be cleared, presenting an early challenge for the new prime minister. Bennett was once a leader of the settler movement and heads a pro-settler party, putting him at odds with some of his own voter base if the settlers were forcibly evicted.

But his ruling coalition only survives with the support of left-wing and Islamist Arab parties, making sensitive policy decisions on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict difficult.

An official with Israel's Defence Ministry, which administers the settlements, said the Givat Eviatar families had agreed to leave by the weekend.

Troops would stay and a land survey would be conducted to determine if a government-backed settlement can be established there, the official told Reuters.

Settler leader Yossi Dagan said the families would leave on Friday. The structures serving as their homes would be locked, he said, suggesting they would not be dismantled. The Defence Ministry official did not confirm that.

On Wednesday Moussa Hamayel, deputy mayor of nearby Palestinian village Beita, said: "We will continue our popular activities (protests) until the settlement is removed and our land is returned to us." Beita's residents claim ownership of the area on which Givat Eviatar sits.

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Most world powers deem all of the settlements, built on land Israel captured and occupied in a 1967 Middle East war, to be illegal. Israel disputes this, citing historical ties to the land on which they sit, and its own security needs.

U.S. State Department on Wednesday said it was critical to refrain from any unilateral steps that would exacerbate tensions or undercut efforts to advance freedoms. "And this would include establishing outposts which are illegal even under Israeli law," said Department deputy spokesperson Jalina Porter in a briefing.

Israeli soldiers have shot dead five Palestinians during stone-throwing protests since the outpost was set up, Palestinian officials said. The military did not comment on fatalities, but said troops used live fire only as a last resort.

(Additional reporting by Ali Sawafta; Editing by William Maclean and Stephen Coates)
By Giuseppe Fonte

ROME (Reuters) -Italian Prime Minister Mario Draghi on Wednesday halted a refund scheme aimed at promoting digital payments, and partially lifted a ban on firing which was introduced last year at the height of the Italy's COVID-19 pandemic.

The previous government led by Giuseppe Conte launched the refund scheme in 2020, allowing Italians to claim back 10% of all their credit or debit card spending up to a ceiling of 3,000 euros ($3,554.70).

The project, planned to last until June 2022, was aimed at reducing widespread tax evasion in the traditionally cash-based economy.

However, the cabinet decided to suspend the scheme from July 1 until the end of this year, Draghi's office said in a statement, confirming a draft of the decree previously reported by Reuters.

Draghi told ministers the measure was badly designed because it favoured richer households with less propensity to spend, his office said.

The so-called "cashless economy" plan was estimated by the Treasury to cost almost 5 billion euros over this year and next.

A senior lawmaker in the ruling coalition said on condition of anonymity that Rome needed to make savings to fund other measures in the pipeline, such as a reform of jobless benefits, for which the draft seen by Reuters earmarked 1.5 billion euros.

The suspension of the refund scheme, first mooted on Monday after a meeting between Draghi and key coalition figures, has hit shares in Italian payments group Nexi, which were slightly lower on Wednesday after falling 1.2% on Tuesday.

It has also triggered criticism within the ruling, multi-party coalition, especially from the 5-Star Movement.

Separately, the government decided not to extend a ban on firing beyond the current end-June deadline except for workers in sectors hardest-hit by COVID-19 lockdowns.

For workers in textiles, shoemaking and fashion, the ban will continue through October. Companies in those sectors can access a further 17 weeks of a pandemic-related furlough scheme.

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Another 13-week temporary lay-off scheme will be made available to help manufacturing and construction companies.

The government also earmarked 1 billion euros to try to cushion the impact of costlier raw materials on electricity bills.

($1 = 0.8440 euros)

(editing by Gavin Jones and Emelia Sithole-Matarise)
Russia and China are coordinating military exercises to threaten not only Taiwan but also Hawaii, according to a senior Japanese defense official who warned the United States to beware of a Pearl Harbor-style surprise attack.

We have to show the deterrence towards China, and not just China but also the Russians, because, as I told you, that they are doing their exercises together, Japanese deputy Yasuhide Nakayama told the Hudson Institute this week.

Taiwans vulnerability to an invasion from mainland China has become a preoccupation of Indo-Pacific strategists in recent months, as Chinese Communist forces escalate their military drills around the island. Nakayama, who was unusually frank about the need for democratic nations to ensure Taiwans survival, implied that Russia and China are working as allies preparing for a major conflict.

I think the Taiwanese are really concerned, he said. And also, theyre focusing on the two big countries collaborating and [presenting] a lot of threat towards Taiwan."

US AND JAPAN WARN CHINA NOT TO ATTACK TAIWAN

Chinese Communist officials regard Taiwan as a renegade province, one that they have claimed since coming to power in 1949 but never governed. Most countries recognize the regime in Beijing as the official Chinese government and do not have formal diplomatic relations with Taiwan, although the U.S. has maintained a friendly relationship and provided weaponry to help Taiwanese authorities deter an invasion from the mainland.

We have to protect Taiwan as a democratic country, Nakayama said before suggesting that world leaders may have erred during the Cold War by seeming to concede that Taiwan would eventually be reunited with mainland China. Was it right? ... I dont know.

Chinas Foreign Ministry protested his description of Taiwan as a country and alleged that Tokyo is trying to portray China as a threat in order to justify its own military buildup.

This is extremely irresponsible and dangerous, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said Tuesday. The politician in question flagrantly refers to Taiwan as a 'country' on multiple occasions, severely violating principles set out in the four political documents including the China-Japan Joint Statement and its solemn and repeated commitment of not seeing Taiwan as a country. We ask Japan to make crystal clarification, and ensure that such things won't happen again.

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Nakayama emphasized throughout the talk that tensions in the Indo-Pacific have a direct bearing on American security, especially in light of coordination between China and Russia. He drove home the point by raising the specter of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, which provoked the U.S. military intervention in the Second World War.

Seventy years ago, we attacked Pearl Harbor, but now the U.S. and Japan [are] very good allies, one of the best allies all over the world, he said, noting that Russia is conducting naval drills in the Pacific this week. I don't want to remind [us of the attack] 70 years ago, but we have to be careful of the exercising of the Russians. They are taking place [off] the western side of that, Honolulu, I mean, in Hawaii.

Russian officials described their missile and artillery firings in the Pacific as an equipment check. In the course of practical measures, the warships jointly repelled a notional enemys air attack, the Russian Pacific Fleets press office said Wednesday per state media. "The exercise was intended to check the reliable operation of shipborne weapons in a hot climate.

For Nakayama, such operations make clear that Japan and the U.S. have a common problem that needs to be deterred jointly.

Honolulu to Japan, this zone is becoming  [the] Chinese and the Russians come in this zone, he said. So, [for] the United States, the protection line is going to be backwards a little bit.

Washington Examiner Videos

Tags: News, Foreign Policy, National Security, China, Russia, Taiwan, Hawaii

Original Author: Joel Gehrke

Original Location: Japanese official warns US of potential surprise attack on Hawaii  from Russia and China
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP)  New Jersey's yearlong coronavirus-inspired ban on smoking in Atlantic City casinos will end Sunday, just in time for the Fourth of July holiday.

Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday that an order he signed ending a public health emergency contained a sunset provision winding down the smoking ban within 30 days, which is Sunday.

While acknowledging gamblers will be free to light up again starting Sunday, the Democratic governor indicated he would look favorably on a measure lawmakers are considering to permanently end smoking in New Jersey's casinos.

I would be very constructive on that, he said at a coronavirus briefing, stopping short of saying he would sign the legislation.

The governor's remarks came two hours after dozens of casino workers and anti-smoking advocates rallied on the Atlantic City boardwalk to call for a permanent smoking ban.

Casinos are exempted from a state law banning most indoor smoking, while an Atlantic City law limits smoking to no more than 25% of the casino floor.

New Jersey has even prohibited smoking on beaches and public parks, which was not lost on many of the rallying casino workers.

How is it that you're not allowed to smoke on our beaches or our boardwalk, but you're allowed to smoke at my table where I can't walk away? asked Nicole Vitola, a table games dealer at the Borgata. All I want is the same right that every other worker in New Jersey receives.

Janice Green, a dealer at the Tropicana, has worked in Atlantic City casinos for 40 years.

Being in the business so long, I have lung disease, she said. I have asthma because of it. It's under control now, but if you bring smoking back, I'm going to be back on inhalers, and I don't want that.

Murphy ordered Atlantic City's casinos to close in March 2020 during the pandemic, and when they reopened 3 1/2 months later, smoking was banned as a public health measure.

Why is this the only place in New Jersey you can smoke?" said Alvaro Dente, a casino floor supervisor at the Tropicana. Bars and restaurants don't allow it. And the casinos are not losing money.

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Las Vegas casinos also closed in March 2020, and some groups called for a smoking ban when they could reopen less than three months later. But Nevada regulators declined to address the issue.

Onjewel Smith of the group Americans for Nonsmokers Rights said the casino workers at greatest risk from smoking are the mostly Black and brown women, front-line workers. They are the ones putting their lives at risk every day.

The Casino Association of New Jersey, a trade group, opposes a permanent smoking ban, saying it could cause long-term financial implications.

Going completely nonsmoking would place Atlantic City casinos at a competitive disadvantage with other nearby casinos that allow smoking, the group said in a statement.

Such a ban would lead to fewer customers, fewer casino jobs and lower tax revenue, it said.

The casinos say they have spent considerable sums on cleaning and air filtration systems to protect customers.

And a considerable amount of gamblers say that smoking is an integral part of their gambling experience.

But nonsmoker Tom Cushion, who visits casinos once or twice a week, has loved the smoke-free atmosphere for the past year.

You can feel the difference, said Cushion, who lives in Galloway, just outside Atlantic City. That stale, smoky smell  you don't have that anymore. It's time to go smoke-free.

___

Follow Wayne Parry at http://twitter.com/WayneParryAC.
Retired corporate executive Jim Jarratt has won the race to become the next mayor of Granbury, while a council race is headed for a runoff, according to unofficial results posted Tuesday night.

With a small number of mail-in ballots still left to be counted, Jarratt captured just over 51% of the vote in the special election to replace Nin Hulett, who resigned in May after a driving while intoxicated arrest.

The outcome was enough for Jarratt to avoid a runoff against former council member Tony Mobly, who earned 36% of votes counted on Tuesday. Their competitors, retired airline captain Charles Nangle and businesswoman Joanie Keays, each earned less than 10%.

Jarratt, who serves on Granburys Capital Improvements Advisory Committee and worked for companies like Frito-Lay and Johnson & Johnson, will serve until at least November 2022, when Huletts term was set to expire.

We have wonderful people in Granbury and I am absolutely more confident about Granbury than I ever have been, Jarratt told Blue Shark Media during an interview at his election night party. We have people that want change and theyre willing to work for it.

Because Mobly stepped down from his council seat to run for mayor, three candidates vying to replace him were also on the ballot. That race is headed to a runoff, according to the Hood County News.

Steven Vale, who serves on the citys Planning and Zoning Commission, leads with just over 42% of the vote. His opponents, fellow commission member Richard Hoefs and registered nurse Cathy Reid, are separated by just 28 votes, earning 27.96% and 29.93% respectively.

City Manager Chris Coffman told the News that Granbury staff will work with Hood Countys elections administrator and the Secretary of States office to schedule a runoff between Vale and Reid.

Just under 20% of Granburys 7,594 registered voters participated in the special election, with 1,480 ballots cast as of Tuesday night. Mail-in ballots can still be counted as long as they were postmarked on Tuesday and arrive by Wednesday evening.

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Candidates pledged to address the citys growing infrastructure challenges, including a lack of sewage capacity and increased traffic congestion on U.S. 377, the highway that runs through Granbury.

Jarratt will face a looming legal battle over the citys plans to build a new wastewater treatment facility. The new plant would discharge up to 2 million gallons of treated wastewater per day into a tributary of Rucker Creek, which flows into Lake Granbury and the Brazos River.

City officials have said the plant will include state-of-the-art technology and help Granbury meet the demand for housing and retail development in North Texas. Thanks to the lack of sewage capacity, city council members voted to pause development in Granburys eastern section through at least October, a move that could be expanded to the entire city, according to city spokesperson Alex Southern.

The plant has faced continued opposition from Hood County residents, who cite concerns about water quality, harmful algae blooms and impact on businesses. More than 400 households submitted comments to the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality last year, according to Victoria Calder, a leader of opposition group Granbury Fresh.

Earlier this month, the citys permit application earned initial approval from the commission kicking off a deadline for residents to file for a contested case hearing, similar to a civil trial in state district court. If commissioners approve requests for a hearing, it could take years before the dispute is resolved.
At least 15 people, including a journalist and an opposition activist, were killed in Haiti in overnight violence suspected to be revenge attacks after the death of a police officer, officials said Wednesday.

Photographs of reporter Diego Charles lying dead on the ground and of political activist Antoinette Duclair dead in her car circulated on Haitian social media.

"In reaction to the assassination of Guerby Geffrard (the police officer killed), his allies concocted this morning's shootings which resulted in the death of 15 peaceful citizens," national police chief Leon Charles told a press conference.

Charles said an investigation into the violence in the capital Port-au-Prince had been opened "to trace all the perpetrators and co-perpetrators of the crimes committed."

Geffrard, spokesperson for a police union that is in open conflict with the police force, was shot hours before the shooting spree in the same city district.

Charles' statements sparked criticism from journalists and civil rights organizations, who doubt their truth.

"To come out and simply say, 'We know the double murder of Diego Charles and Antoinette Duclair came from this union,' we think that is acting with great haste and above all great casualness," said Marie Rosy August Ducena of the National Network for the Defense of Human Rights, a non-governmental organization.

Locals angered by the violence protested by dumping flaming tires in the road.

The brother of a famous Haitian singer was also among the victims of the shooting.

Prime Minister Claude Joseph's office released a statement expressing his condolences.

"These horrible crimes and these reprehensible actions cannot go unpunished in a democratic society," Joseph said.

- Worsening violence -

Violence has been sharply on the rise in Haiti this year, with gun fights between rival groups prompting many residents of poor districts of the city to flee their homes.

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"We are in a situation where human rights are being denied and life is being trivialized... We cannot continue to count bodies every day," said Ducena.

Journalists also expressed their concerns about the deaths.

"We are dismayed by this murder, which lengthens the list of journalists killed in the past three years," said Jacques Desrosiers, head of the Haitian Journalists Association.

"As they always do, judicial authorities will announce investigations that lead nowhere," said Desrosiers. "We are used to that."

In 2000, Haiti's most prominent journalist, Jean Dominique, was murdered in a case that remains unsolved to this day.

"There was no justice for Jean Dominique, as there will be none for Diego. We are left to fend for ourselves," said Assad Volcy, director of Gazette Haiti, an online news outlet for which Charles worked.

More recently, photojournalist Vladjimir Legagneur went to the now gang-plagued Martissant neighborhood of the capital on a reporting assignment in 2018 and was never heard from again.

Police have still not published the results of DNA tests performed on a body found a few days after Legagneur vanished.

Probes into the killing of two journalists in 2019 also yielded nothing.

Thousands of residents of Martissant have become refugees in their own city, living in sports centers or temporary accommodation in private homes because of the gang violence.

Undermined by insecurity and political instability, Haiti is struggling to emerge from a string of seemingly never-ending crises, which of late have resulted in a surge in kidnappings and gang violence.

amb-dw/ft/bgs/st/to/caw
By Hyonhee Shin

SEOUL (Reuters) - After a South Korean air force master sergeant accused a colleague of sex abuse and killed herself in May, the government is responding to pressure to reform the military justice system, including handing sex crime cases to civilian courts.

Activists and victims say South Korea's powerful military has stood in the way of previous efforts to reduce the power commanders have over the process. But several new changes are being drafted by the ruling party and have the support of the president, defence minister, and some opposition lawmakers.

South Korea has in recent years been hit by a rash of sex crimes against women and children, including hidden-camera crimes, "revenge porn" and online networks that blackmail women and underage girls into sharing sexual and sometimes violent images of themselves. Sex crimes have also been reported in the military, which is one of the largest in the world with over 600,000 troops. Service in the military is mandatory for all able-bodied men.

Activists say the country's military authorities have not done enough to curb abuse and cover-ups, even after a series of deaths and prominent crimes, including the 2017 suicide of a female navy captain who said she had been raped by a senior, led to tighter rules and harsher penalties.

Defence Minister Suh Wook, a former army chief, has apologised for failing to implement those measures and change the military's "exclusive culture," a reference to the cover-ups.

The Joint Chiefs of Staff referred requests for comment to the defence ministry. A ministry spokesman said it will support legal and institutional reform.

Song Ki-hun, a lawmaker who previously served as a civilian prosecutor and military legal officer, said sentencing statistics underscored the need to reform the military's justice system. On average, he said, only one convicted sex offender in the military was jailed for every three civilians sent to prison for the same offence.

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Fewer than 10% of almost 2,000 sex crime cases tried in military courts from 2016-20 resulted in prison sentences, according to court documents.

The documents showed a relative improvement in civilian courts where the percentage of sex crime convictions rose from 26.8% in 2017 to 31.1% in 2020. The increase followed the Supreme Court's guidelines in a 2018 ruling for improved gender awareness and protection of victims.

"Despite some improvement in regular courts and social perceptions, the military just doesn't have that level of gender sensitivity and the macho-like, rank-based environment foments that environment for the sake of protecting their community," Song said.

RESHAPE MILITARY CULTURE

Song and other lawmakers of President Moon Jae-in's ruling Democratic Party have proposed an amendment of the Military Court Act to strip commanders of the authority to oversee military prosecutors and courts, and restrict their ability to reduce sentences.

The party is also drafting a bill to transfer all military sex crime cases to civilian police, prosecutors and courts as a way to make investigations and trials more independent and accountable.

Moon has called for swift passage of the bills, as well as the launch of a mechanism to reshape military culture. Defence Minister Suh and some leading opposition lawmakers have expressed support for the measures, and Song said he expects the bills to pass soon after the bipartisan parliamentary judiciary committee finalises details.

While welcoming the proposed legal reforms, some activists and lawmakers said they would not be enough to protect women without broader changes in the military's culture and centralised command structure.

After the air force master sergeant reported that she had been molested by a colleague in March, her supervisors sought to cover it up and forced her into a settlement, according to her family and military sources. Later, military prosecutors dragged out their investigation for nearly two months, never summoning the attacker for questioning, they said.

"This case showed how insensitive the military was to gender violence," said Bang Hye-lin, a former marine corps captain who now works as an advocate at the Center for Military Human Rights Korea in Seoul.

"But after all, the military is part of society which bears the same problems, and we need to make tremendous efforts including a lot more open debate and civic education to raise awareness and tackle stereotypes."

Song urged a change in the military personnel evaluation system that penalises commanders and senior officers for any incidents that occur at their units, which he believes bolsters the practice of concealing or under-reporting abuse.

"Getting a promotion matters the most in the military, and the system breeds the obsession among them that their units, bases, regiments, divisions and corps must be incident-free," he said.

(Reporting by Hyonhee Shin; Additional reporting by Hee Jung Jung and Daewoung Kim; Editing by Josh Smith and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
Firefighter Anthony MacDougall administers a COVID-19 vaccine to Carmen Limeta at a mobile vaccination site at South Park Recreation Center in Los Angeles. (Irfan Khan / Los Angeles Times)

During a meeting between Mayor Eric Garcetti and his city department heads Monday, a conversation about how to increase COVID-19 vaccination rates among city employees veered at one point to vaccination mandates  including the one being implemented in San Francisco.

Whether L.A. will follow San Francisco's example, however, is unclear.

San Francisco announced last week that all 35,000 of its employees will have to get vaccinated against COVID-19 or risk losing their jobs. It gave them until July 29 to report their vaccination status to the city, and said vaccinations will be required once the vaccines receive full authorization  rather than their current emergency authorization  from the Food and Drug Administration.

Once full authorization is issued, likely in coming months, San Francisco city employees  including police and firefighters  will have 10 weeks to provide proof of vaccination, officials there said. Medical and religious exceptions will be made.

No such decision has been made in Los Angeles, though some officials have begun considering it as they watch vaccination and infection rates carefully and ponder new ways to combat the threat of new variants of the virus.

Vaccinated people are protected against the variants, but unvaccinated people remain vulnerable.

Asked about the conversation among Garcetti's department heads, Alex Comisar, a mayoral spokesman, said it was simply a "conceptual conversation" about "improving vaccine uptake" among city employees.

"A broad range of ideas was discussed and we want to consider all strategies  but there is no imminent decision on a mandate of any kind," Comisar said.

Alison Simard, a spokeswoman for Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Koretz, said the councilman has not ruled out the idea of mandatory vaccination for city employees but is not yet calling for the city to do so. Koretz heads a council committee focused on personnel issues.

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With the rise of new variants, "people who are unvaccinated are still very susceptible and where we are now is not safe enough," Simard said. At this point, "we're looking at options to increase vaccination."

Councilman Gil Cedillo said that mandating vaccination for city workers seems like "something we should be doing" amid the continuing pandemic.

"A mandate is appropriate if it is a condition of employment. Serving the city is a privilege," Cedillo said in a statement. "In order to instill confidence in the people we serve, the public needs to know that the workers are able to serve them safely. We dont want the public to be hesitant to seek services that they want and need because they dont feel safe."

Los Angeles Police Chief Michel Moore told the Police Commission on Tuesday that the discussion during Garcetti's Cabinet meeting was largely focused on department efforts to encourage vaccination among employees, "while also considering alternatives such as a mandated program" like what San Francisco is putting in place.

Moore said he also spoke last week with San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott, a veteran of the LAPD, about the efforts to get San Francisco officers vaccinated.

The LAPD hit a plateau with vaccinations months ago, with just over half of its workforce vaccinated. A similar percentage of city Fire Department personnel have been vaccinated. Those rates lag well below the overall vaccination rates among L.A. County and California adults.

Moore said infections within the police force have dramatically slowed, as they have in the broader population. However, one additional sworn officer was infected in the last week, more than 50 remain out sick with the virus, and two were just hospitalized due to respiratory issues, he said.

"We continue to stress the importance of this pandemic, that it's not over," Moore said.

Moore has not thrown his support behind a mandate but has said that he thinks a mandate for all employees would be better than one applied only to public safety workers such as police or firefighters.

"We should all be in or none," he said.

Some ethicists and policing experts see a mandate for public safety workers making more sense given the employees' regular interactions with members of the public, including those in vulnerable populations  some of whom cannot take the vaccine themselves.

The LAPD is supposed to be producing a report for the Police Commission on the considerations and legal issues related to a vaccination mandate for officers and on the current assignments of unvaccinated officers.

Both the police and firefighters unions have come out in opposition to a vaccination mandate, though both have said they are encouraging their members to be vaccinated and to talk to their doctors about any concerns they may have.

Mike Long, a spokesman for Service Employees International Union Local 721, which represents other city employees, said union officials "haven't been approached with any discussion about a vaccine mandate" by L.A. officials.

He said the union local hasn't staked out a position on a mandate but is committed to following best practices set out by health officials and guidelines from the state and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Times staff writer Emily Alpert Reyes contributed to this report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
Senators Ed Markey and Richard Blumenthal and Representatives Jesus G. "Chuy" Garcia and Steve Cohen are calling on Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg to force the nation's airlines to either issue cash refunds for canceled flights or extend pandemic-related flight credits indefinitely. The lawmakers say denying customers cash refunds during the pandemic and instead only providing them with flight credits that will soon expire is an "unfair business practice."

"At the outset, we reiterate our belief that airlines should offer a cash refund for all tickets canceled during the coronavirus pandemic, whether the flight is canceled by the airline or traveler," the Democratic lawmakers wrote in a letter sent Wednesday. "... Americans need cash in their pockets during this emergency, and it is unconscionable that airlines are largely refusing to return customers' money on a technicality, even as the industry sits on more than $10 billion in unused travel credits."

By law, airlines do not have to issue refunds to passengers who cancel non-refundable tickets. However, the letter noted that many Americans preemptively canceled their flights to protect themselves from COVID, making them ineligible for refunds they would have been entitled to when the airlines later canceled scores of flights due to plummeting travel demand during the pandemic.

"We believe the DOT (Department of Transportation) must take strong action to address these complaints and ensure the return of travelers' money," the lawmakers added. "At a minimum, it is imperative that the DOT does not allow pandemic-related flight credits to expire."

The lawmakers also criticized the "needlessly complex" rules some airlines have instituted for redeeming flight credits. They claim that certain policies, such as not being able to redeem credits for flights operated by partner airlines and forfeiting leftover credits used on flights that ended up being cheaper than the original, can make it difficult for customers to redeem the credits even if they haven't yet expired. "Consumers should not have to jump through hoops or spend hours on hold before having their concerns heard," they wrote.

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"In order to protect travelers, we have attempted to work with the airlines to achieve a voluntary solution to this pressing problem: simply removing expiration dates from any pandemic-related travel credits," the letter reads.

The call for Buttigieg to take consumer protection action follows a letter that Markey and Blumenthal sent to all major airlines in May, imploring them to reconsider their refund policies and extend flight credits given to passengers who canceled flights due to the pandemic.

"It shouldn't be up to the airlines to determine when a passenger feels comfortable flying again," Markey told "CBS This Morning" last month. "It should be up to that passenger."

As CBS News previously reported, flyer complaints over refunds skyrocketed last year  from less than 1,600 in 2019 to more than 89,000. Consumer Reports told CBS News in May it has seen a tenfold increase in complaints about flight vouchers since January.

Seven of the nation's air carriers responded to the May letter through their trade association, Airlines for America, saying the issuing of travel vouchers "was not done with ill intent, but instead underscored the reality that if air carriers had refunded all tickets in the form of cash, many would have been forced to declare bankruptcy."

Airlines for America CEO Nick Calio added, "member airlines offered vouchers and travel credits with terms that were above and beyond government requirements, including for non-refundable tickets or those cancelled by a passenger instead of the carrier. Vouchers had generous initial expiration dates that were later extended, and our member airlines offered other incentives to acknowledge the impact of the global pandemic on its customers, all while also protecting our employees' livelihoods."

In their letter, the four lawmakers called the response "inadequate" and "a refusal to voluntarily address this consumer crisis" prompting their request for DOT to intervene. In addition, the lawmakers claim that the DOT is "uniquely empowered to act upon claims of anti-consumer conduct in the transportation industry."

"As the Secretary of Transportation, you have the authority to 'order [an] air carrier . . . to stop' an 'unfair or deceptive practice or an unfair method of competition in air transportation or the sale of air transportation' after a hearing if it is in the public interest," they wrote. "We cannot think of an airline business practice that could be more 'unfair' than the industry's behavior on refunds and credits during the pandemic, or a matter more in the 'public interest' than protecting travelers' hard-earned dollars."

As vaccination rates improve and COVID cases fall, many Americans remain concerned they will not be able to use flight credits issued during the pandemic before they are set to expire. Shelly McClaskey told CBS News in May that her family may be out nearly $900 because vouchers for flights her family canceled will expire before they are able to use them.

"There should be no expiration date for consumer protection," the lawmakers wrote.

Meanwhile, on Tuesday, United Airlines announced its largest aircraft order ever: 200 Boeing 737 Max jets and 70 Airbus A321neo planes. The airline also announced plans to update the cabin interiors on its entire narrow body fleet by 2026.

Deadline for phone companies to implement robocall blocking technology

After year of remote learning, parents weigh giving kids a break or sending them to summer school

The Royals Report: Queen Elizabeth visits Scotland as Princes William and Harry dedicate a statue to Princess Diana
Jun. 29Leeds' assistant fire chief was killed Sunday evening when an SUV rear-ended his motorcycle in Livermore Falls.

Mitchell Adams, 56, was riding his motorcycle south on Route 133, also known as Park Street, about 5:30 p.m. when he was rear-ended by an SUV driven by 33-year-old Cindle Raymond of Livermore Falls as Adams approached another stopped SUV, according to the Lewiston Sun Journal.

The collision pushed Adams into the rear of the other SUV, driven by 30-year-old Marcus Couch of Rumford, and ejected him. He died at the scene, the newspaper reported.

Neither Couch nor the three children in his vehicle were injured.

The crash remains under investigation.

More articles from the BDN
Jun. 30This week the Buzz is visually celebrating L-A, furiously checking email and owning up to dinging that car down the road.

First up: The new Explore + Discover guidebook.

President Shanna Cox debuted it at the Lewiston Auburn Metropolitan Chamber of Commerce annual awards last week by saying the new book is the first print campaign of its kind that the chamber has done in nearly five years.

"It is part visitor guide, part relocation guide and completely stunning," she said. "It is graphic, it is bright and it showcases all of the assets of our full region."

It's also getting a very warm reception: Requests for free copies came from as far away as California the first day a website mirroring the guide's content  Discoverlamaine.com  went live.

"(The website) has been optimized for search and it will be promoted to the Zip codes that are most searching real estate in our region," Cox said. "And it is a link that you can share to your customers, your staff, your friends, your family, that summer wedding and out-of-town guests. Most importantly, it is a website that shows all of the reasons that you and I are proud to work, live and play in Androscoggin County."

As of Tuesday, Cox said the chamber had received bulk requests for nearly 7,000 guides, most of those headed to three large employers who plan on using them for recruitment, as well as an additional 350 requests from individuals living in states that include Nebraska, Alabama, Georgia and New York.

Mainers check their emails an average 35 times a day, according to a new survey by TaskHusky.

That's more than twice the national average and the highest number in the country.

The survey says it found 76% percent of people here check their email when they're bored, 72% on vacation and 68% after work hours.

At the opposite end of the spectrum is Washington state, checking email an average 9.1 times a day.

Another survey, this one by Gunther Volvo Cars Delray Beach, found 89% of Maine drivers would admit it if they'd scratched or dented someone's car while driving, the fourth highest percentage in the country.

Calling it the honesty index, Arkansas and Utah tied for tops at 91% and South Dakota and Tennessee drove to the bottom at 54%.

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Maine has become the latest state to restrict the use of "no-knock" warrants by police officers to apprehend criminal suspects.

Legislation signed recently by Gov. Janet Mills will limit the warrants to situations where police or people in a surrounding neighborhood might be at risk of death or bodily harm.

Under the new rules, a judge issuing the warrant will be required to verify the circumstances before, and police executing the warrant will be required to wear body cameras.

Attorney General Aaron Frey told a legislative panel earlier this year that he supports limits on no-knock warrants but doesn't want to see them go away completely.

"The availability of no-knock warrants requires a balance of legitimate risk to the physical safety of others against the inherent risks the execution of no-knock warrants create," he said.

The Maine Chiefs of Police Association noted in recent testimony on the bill that no-knock warrants are rarely used but are necessary in certain circumstances.

"To prohibit their use entirely would likely result in injury or death that might have otherwise been avoided," Edward Tolen, the group's executive director, said recently.

Mills has also signed a similar bill that requires local police agencies to develop a set of standards for the use of warrants to apprehend suspects.

The use of no-knock warrants has come under heightened scrutiny since the police shooting of Breonna Taylor in Kentucky.

Taylor, a 26-year-old emergency medical technician, was shot multiple times by police in March 2020 after they stormed her apartment. The warrant was later determined to be flawed.

Since then, at least five states  including Kentucky  have passed laws restricting or banning the use of no-knock warrants, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures.

Legislation to restrict or ban the use of such warrants has been introduced in dozens of other states, the group said.

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Washington Examiner Videos

Tags: News, Maine, State

Original Author: Christian Wade, The Center Square contributor

Original Location: Maine limits use of 'no-knock' warrants by law enforcement
A man accused of destroying media property and breaching the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 was apprehended by federal authorities in Austin earlier this week, the Department of Justice said.

Zvonimir Joseph Jurlina was arrested on Monday and charged with destruction of property in special maritime and territorial jurisdiction and aiding and abetting, as well as an act of physical violence on grounds, the Justice Department said.

Authorities did not say in Jurlina's arrest affidavit where he was arrested in Austin or why he was in the city as he was matched to two addresses in New York.

Jurlina is one of dozens who have been arrested in Texas in relation to the insurrection. The growing list of suspects includes at least 41 Texans.

The FBI used public video that Jurlina uploaded onto YouTube to tie him to the Jan. 6 insurrection at the Capitol.

Zvonimir Joseph Jurlina was arrested on Monday and charged with destruction of property in special maritime and territorial jurisdiction and aiding and abetting and act of physical violence on grounds, the DOJ said.

At roughly 4:50 p.m. on Jan. 6, a crowd made its way to a staging area for members of the media that was outside the northeast corner of the U.S. Capitol. The staging area was on Capitol grounds, the affidavit says.

People in the crowd started to destroy media equipment, including cameras, tripods, lights, shades and remote broadcasting tools. Multiple media outlets, including foreign-based organizations, were included in the attack.

The affidavit says Jurlina kicked and stomped on items that belonged to media outlets, assisted in an attempt to light items on fire, and incited violent acts that caused media members to leave the area.

He also, according to the affidavit, encouraged others to take the items left behind by the media. He took a cordless, orange microphone as a souvenir, the affidavit says.

Capitol riot livestreamed on YouTube

Jurlina live-streamed the insurrection in a 12-part video series on a YouTube channel called "Zykotik."

The Zykotik channel is still public, but videos related to the insurrection no longer show up online. Law enforcement officials downloaded some of the videos before they were removed from the channel.

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Additionally, many of the videos have been uploaded onto a separate YouTube channel, "Sunlight 161," which is dedicated to preserving media from the insurrection, the affidavit says.

More: 41 Texans charged in U.S. Capitol riot so far; many identified through social media, video

In one video, Jurlina cheers as people stomp on a camera attached to a tripod, the affidavit says.

"Yo, I guess we should loot now, right? This is pretty expensive equipment. I'm thinking maybe I should just grab it up and then go to a pawn shop," Jurlina says later in the same video.

Four minutes into the video, Jurlina turns the camera on himself and can be seen holding a microphone with an orange top that has a logo for ZDF, a German-based television broadcaster.

"This is reporter Zykotik coming to you live. We are, haha. This is the real news media network. We have taken over. This is (expletive) America first. This is how we do it," he says in the video, according to the affidavit.

In a video that was posted on Twitter, Jurlina can be seen kicking a piece of media equipment.

Another video posted to the Zykotik YouTube channel shows Jurlina talking about his souvenir.

"I already got the microphone. The microphone's enough," Jurlina said.

Then, another man says a person got a camera.

"Oh, he got a camera? The whole thing? That was probably the guy I told ... I was like, 'Yo... we should just take this. This is pretty expensive (expletive)' I bet you that dude was like, 'Yeah.' That was like... how much do you think? Maybe like (expletive) $5,000 or something," Jurlina says, according to the affidavit.

Authorities used subscriber records, including an email address and an IP address from YouTube and AT&T phone records, to track Jurlina down. Officials also used a drivers license photo of Jurlina to match with the man depicted in the videos.

Jurlina also has a mole on the right side of his face, below the corner of his mouth, that was used to match his photo to the man seen in the footage of from the insurrection.

This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Man accused of destroying media gear in Capitol riot Jan. 6 arrested
Jun. 29WASHINGTON  A bipartisan group of 21 Northwest lawmakers called on President Joe Biden on Tuesday to prioritize a long-running effort to renegotiate a 60-year-old treaty that governs how the United States and Canada share the waters of the Columbia River Basin.

In a letter to Biden, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Sen. Patty Murray and Oregon Democratic Rep. Peter DeFazio led the group urging the president to update the Columbia River Treaty and keep the region's congressional delegation apprised of the negotiations. Efforts to revise the treaty, which was signed in 1961 and went into effect three years later, began in 2013 amid concerns over salmon runs, flood risk and electricity the U.S. sends to Canada under the accord.

"Modernizing this treaty is critically important to protecting our region from flood control risks and ensuring we can continue to lead with clean, renewable, reliable, and affordable hydropower," McMorris Rodgers, a Spokane Republican, said in a statement. "The status quo and lack of communication are unacceptable. It's time for American leadership to step up and reach an agreement that benefits the entire Pacific Northwest in the 21st Century."

The treaty was negotiated more than 20 years after a devastating 1948 flood washed away what was then Oregon's second-biggest city. It provided for the construction of one dam in Montana and three in British Columbia, completed between 1968 and 1973, that together more than doubled the amount of reservoir storage in the basin, providing benefits for both flood prevention and generating power.

Most of the treaty's provisions don't have an expiration date, but half a century after its signing, changing conditions spurred an effort to modernize it. The Bonneville Power Authority and the Army Corps of Engineers  which together form the U.S. entity responsible for the agreement  began a review of the deal in 2011 and recommended a series of changes to the State Department in 2013.

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The recommendations included letting more water flow through the dams in spring and summer to improve fish passage, decreasing the treaty's impact on tribal resources and updating flood management plans. The BPA and Army Corps of Engineers also recommended changing a provision known as "the Canadian Entitlement," which requires the U.S. to send cash and half of power generated downstream to Canada in exchange for the water resources.

The BPA and Army Corps of Engineers have estimated the value of the Canadian Entitlement to be between $229 million and $335 million a year, contending the current treaty gives the U.S. a raw deal. Canadian negotiators have argued the current entitlement is fair and they see no reason for the treaty to exist without that provision. Either country can terminate the treaty with 10 years' notice, but neither has done so.

"We want to get to a good deal as quickly as possible for our economy and families across the Pacific Northwest," Murray, D-Wash., said in a statement. "I hope and expect the Biden administration will work with Tribes and stakeholders to quickly reach a comprehensive renegotiation of the treaty while keeping Congress abreast of its progress."

A State Department spokesperson said Friday the agency doesn't comment on congressional correspondence but promised to consult with lawmakers on the treaty.

"We are working to identify next steps with Canada regarding the Columbia River Treaty regime and will consult with our congressional colleagues on this issue, which impacts many sectors in the Pacific Northwest, including ecosystem protection, flood risk management, and energy," the spokesperson wrote in an email.

The White House did not respond to a request for comment.

The letter's other signers are Reps. Russ Fulcher and Mike Simpson, both Idaho Republicans; Oregon Democratic Sens. Ron Wyden and Jeff Merkley; Rep. Matthew Rosendale, R-Mont.; Oregon Reps. Suzanne Bonamici, Earl Blumenauer, Kurt Schrader  all Democrats  and Cliff Bentz, a Republican; Washington Democratic Reps. Suzan DelBene, Rick Larsen, Derek Kilmer, Pramila Jayapal, Kim Schrier, Adam Smith and Marilyn Strickland; and Washington GOP Reps. Jaime Herrera Beutler and Dan Newhouse.

Sens. Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., and Jim Risch, R-Idaho, did not sign the letter but have made past statements in support of updating the treaty.

------

Orion Donovan-Smith's reporting for The Spokesman-Review is funded in part by Report for America and by members of the Spokane community. This story can be republished by other organizations for free under a Creative Commons license. For more information on this, please contact our newspaper's managing editor.
Missouri lawmakers on Wednesday sent the renewal of a tax critical to funding Medicaid to Gov. Mike Parson, just ahead of a deadline he imposed for enacting drastic budget cuts across the state.

The House passed the bill 140-13 with no debate or changes to the version Senators approved Saturday after a bitter impasse. It also passed a bill cutting Planned Parenthood out of Medicaid, which died hours later when the Senate adjourned without acting on it.

Parson was waiting to receive and sign the tax bill before days end, allowing the state to start the new fiscal year Thursday with the budget lawmakers sent him in May intact.

Were here all day, he said Wednesday morning. And that means til midnight tonight.

The renewal keeps in place a tax on hospitals, nursing homes, pharmacies and ambulance services that allows Missouri to obtain a nearly 2-1 match in federal dollars  generating billions to pay for the health care program for the poor.

Without it, Medicaid faced financial disaster, and Parson threatened budget cuts across state government to make up for the shortfall. The tax would have expired Sept. 30 and now will be renewed for three years.

It would be catastrophic, House Budget Chair Cody Smith, a Carthage Republican, said of failure to extend the levy.

Missouri has had the tax, called the federal reimbursement allowance or FRA, in place for about three decades, and its renewal has been routine. This year, hardline conservatives in the Senate sought to add provisions banning Medicaid coverage of certain forms of birth control, which they called akin to abortion, and block the program from making payments to Planned Parenthood.

In a concession, Parson called for a special session to renew that tax that also allowed discussion of both anti-abortion measures. Ultimately, the Senate last week abandoned a plan to include birth control coverage bans and rejected the Planned Parenthood language, out of concern from both Democrats and most Republicans that it could violate federal laws.

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House Republicans this week made a last-ditch attempt to cut Planned Parenthood out of Medicaid. The House passed the FRA renewal on Wednesday only after spending hours discussing and passing a separate bill to block payments to the provider, which operates the states only abortion clinic as well as 11 family planning clinics in Missouri.

The 109-45 vote was rendered moot when the Senate adjourned Wednesday afternoon. Senate President Dave Schatz and Majority Leader Caleb Rowden said in a statement that any further debate would delay would endanger timely implementation of the FRA tax. The current tax expires on Sept. 30 and its renewal does not take effect until at least 90 days after adjournment.

They announced the formation of an interim committee on Medicaid Accountability and Taxpayer Protection and said they would work with Parson to make the Houses initial action to defund Planned Parenthood permanent.

Parson last week lashed out at the strictest anti-abortion lawmakers and Sen. Bob Onder, a Lake St. Louis Republican whose hardline stance on including the Planned Parenthood ban threatened to derail the FRA renewal.

But he struck a sanguine tone on Wednesday morning. He praised Sen. Paul Wieland, the Imperial Republican who first tacked the birth control language onto the tax bill, and a group of bipartisan female Senators who forced a deal on dropping that provision last week.

I think everybody understands the stakes, he said. Women are at this Capitol just as much as men are, and they should be taking the lead on this. They know more about womens health care than us men do.

In a statement, House Speaker Rob Vescovo, Speaker Pro Tem John Wiemann and Majority Leader Dean Plocher said they had supported both the FRA and anti-abortion efforts.

We are proud of the work done by the House today to approve the FRA renewal so the vital programs that assist many of Missouris most vulnerable citizens can continue to be funded, they said. Were also proud of our members for taking a strong stand in defense of the lives of the unborn as we approved House Bill 2 to prevent taxpayer dollars from going to abortion providers.

Minority Leader Crystal Quade pushed back to reporters.

All it was was a political move, she said.
By Lizbeth Diaz

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) -Mexican authorities on Tuesday were searching for the relatives of a boy, thought to be about 2 years old, who was found alone near a truck that had carried more than 100 migrants in suffocating conditions.

Wearing no shirt, the boy had stood by himself, surrounded by a handful of packaged snacks, half-empty water bottles, clothes from other migrants and black trash bags scattered on the ground.

Lutgarda Madrigal, the attorney for the protection of children and adolescents of Veracruz state, where the boy had been found, said it was still unclear where the boy was from.

"Until now, no one has approached to ask about him," she said in a phone interview. "We're in contact with the consulates of both Honduras and Guatemala." Madrigal added the boy was not injured.

Madrigal said the boy, whose name authorities have not released, would be transferred to a social assistance center for unaccompanied migrant minors in the state capital, Xalapa.

Thousands of children from Central America have crossed illegally from Mexico into the United States without their parents this year, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection data.

Last week, U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris visited a border patrol facility near the U.S.-Mexico border and urged a focus on children and practical solutions to migration.

(Reporting by Lizbeth Diaz in Mexico City; Writing by Stefanie Eschenbacher; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
Search and Rescue teams look for possible survivors and to recover remains in the partially collapsed 12-story Champlain Towers South condo building on June 29, 2021 in Surfside, Florida. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

Mexican rescuers are waiting for local officials to let them to search through rubble in Florida.

Los Topos Azteca arrived in Surfside on Monday, The Washington Post reported.

The group formed as volunteers after the 1985 earthquake in Mexico City.

Visit Insider's homepage for more stories.

A Mexican search and rescue team is among those working to find survivors after a Florida condo building collapsed last week. The team, Los Topos Azteca, has been working on international disasters since 1985, The Washington Post reported.

The search and rescue teams, made up of around 400 people, working at Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, hail from across the globe and are considered some of the most experienced in the world, the Associated Press reported.

Rescuers are working to find 149 people that are still unaccounted for. At least 12 people have been confirmed dead.

The team from Mexico, Los Topos Azteca or Heroes at Home, arrived in Surfside on Monday. The team evolved from a group of volunteers named Los Topos, or "the moles," that formed in September 1985 to handle a massive 8.1 earthquake that rattled Mexico City.

Since then, Los Topos which helped save people from under the rubble during the 1985 earthquake mainly in low-income neighborhoods, has spread out working on natural disasters in Mexico and across the world.

The group has worked on several dozen operations including a 2010 mine collapse in Chile, an earthquake in Haiti, and the 9/11 attacks.

"When you have seen death and have had the opportunity to rescue someone  that instinct inside of you to preserve the human race just awakens," Hector Mendez, a member of the group, told the Post.

However, the team is still waiting for local authorities to authorize them to work on the site, the Post reported.

"We just want to help," Mendez, who rescued three people from the rubble after the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, told the Post.

Israel Defense Forces are another international group helping with search and rescue efforts. The presence of international rescuers shows how far the impact of the building collapse goes.

People missing in the rubble hailed from at least a dozen other countries, and family members from across the globe have been granted visas to come to the site of the collapsed building as officials try to locate more survivors.

Read the original article on Insider
By Katanga Johnson

SURFSIDE, Fl. (Reuters) -Seven Mexican search-and-rescue volunteers who flew to Florida to help after a residential high-rise near Miami collapsed have been barred from the disaster site because of U.S. restrictions.

A number of Mexican search-and-rescue groups called 'topos' - which means 'moles' - emerged from local rescue efforts after the devastating 1985 earthquake that hit Mexico City. Since then, Mexican teams have responded to disasters around the world.

"We pray that we would be granted permissions to access the rubble and help the missing persons," said Adrian Salvador Aguirre Macias, 46, who has volunteered with Los Topos Azteca for 14 years.

"There will be a time when they ask for our help and that is when we will go in calmly, to do what we know how to do."

Miami-Dade County Fire Chief Alan Cominsky, asked during a news conference Tuesday about Los Topos Azteca, said, "I know everybody wants to help, but we need to make sure we have the properly trained individuals to do the job. The Mexican group will be assisting in different ways."

Natalia Barraza of Los Topos Azteca said members of the group had not spoken to Cominsky.

"The fire chief is in charge of the operation and if he said that we will help in some other way, we are at his orders and are willing to help in any way," she said Wednesday. "We will continue to follow up on the necessary paperwork."

(Reporting by Katanga Johnson, Arlene Eiras and Julio-Cesar Chavez in Surfside, Florida; Editing by Rosalba O'Brien)
By Alberto Fajardo

MEXICO CITY (Reuters) - Maria Garcia and Salma Luevano will in September become the first two trans women sworn into Mexico's Congress, with Garcia promising to create a special public prosecutor's office to combat hate crimes against the LGBTQ+ community.

"It's historic in Latin America and perhaps also globally that Mexico today has in its Congress not only one but two trans women," said 36-year-old Garcia, who until a few weeks ago worked as a driver for the ride hailing company Didi.

That Garcia and Luevano, both members of President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's ruling MORENA party, will be seated in the Lower House is a major milestone for a country with a long history of machismo and homophobia.

A total of 117 candidates, or nearly 2% of more than 6,000 candidates in the country's June election who responded to a survey by national electoral institute INE, said they identified as part of the LGBT community.

Garcia said she will propose changes to the judicial system to create a special prosecutor's office to ensure that crimes against the LGBT community are prosecuted.

"This could be an excellent strategy we promote from the legislative branch to address this serious problem Mexico still faces," Garcia said.

According to the National Observatory of Hate Crimes Against the LGBT Community, 54 attacks occurred last year, including violent deaths and forced disappearances.

Another of Garcia's proposals will be to promote changes to the constitution related to sexual orientation, as well as to combat work discrimination.

Garcia said she also wants to introduce an initiative to give tax incentives to businesses that commit to hiring people of all gender identities and sexual orientations.

As she walked in the western part of Mexico City visiting shops, Garcia gave out rainbow stickers with the message: "This business is inclusive."

(Additional reporting by Lizbeth Diaz and Noe Torres; Writing by Anthony Esposito; Editin by Sonya Hepinstall)
Jun. 30People with an interest in New Mexico's future commercial market for recreational cannabis raised concerns Tuesday that proposed rules for producers are so financially burdensome they could exclude native New Mexicans with limited resources.

They also expressed worries about accessing water rights in a drought-ridden state.

Some said not only will established medical cannabis companies have a head start on newcomers in the industry, but established out-of-state companies might, too.

"This bill was created by New Mexicans for New Mexicans," Christopher Collins said during a nearly daylong virtual public hearing Tuesday.

"We can't forget the little guy," he said. "The big corporations are gonna come in. They're gonna dominate."

Tuesday marked the first day adults over 21 could legally possess, use and grow cannabis for personal use in New Mexico under a new state law.

It also was the deadline for people to weigh in on rules proposed by state Regulation and Licensing Department for entrepreneurs who want to produce recreational cannabis for the commercial market. The department has said it will release the final version of producers rules by Sept. 1. Draft rules for manufacturing, testing and selling cannabis products have yet to be released.

Dozens of people spoke during the public hearing Tuesday.

Several, who said they are trying to break into the business as microgrowers, complained about requirements to provide proof of a facility for growing, security measures and water rights even before an application is submitted.

"No one is going to invest in hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dollars into a production facility with the hope of getting a license," said Kevin Lutz.

Potential microbusiness owners also spoke of the difficulty in finding affordable rental spaces to start their operations because landlords do not want to lease to cannabis companies.

Some asked if the state could add a provision to the new Cannabis Regulation Act banning out-of-state companies from setting up shop in New Mexico for at least a year while smaller businesses get started.

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Duke Rodriguez, president and CEO of Ultra Health, New Mexico's largest medical cannabis producer, warned of a possible shortage in the cannabis supply when recreational users can legally purchase products. Ultra Health released a report Monday that said the state's plant limits for growers would lead to a massive shortfall.

Legal sales are expected to launch in early 2022.

Among the rules for cannabis producers is a provision requiring water rights and a sufficient water supply.

Several speakers Tuesday said they fear the new industry will affect farmers and others already vying for a limited supply of water in an increasingly dry state.

Paula Garcia, executive director of the New Mexico Acequia Association, said irrigation ditches are vulnerable to a new agricultural industry.

"It is vitally important that rules are crafted to prevent illegal uses of water and hold license holders accountable for the water they use," she said.

She urged the Regulation and Licensing Department to "address that up front in the application process."
Miami building collapse - CHANDAN KHANNA/AFP/Getty Images

The mayor of Miami has ordered hundreds of buildings older than 40 years to be inspected after the collapse of an oceanfront apartment block that left at least 18 people dead, including two children.

Officials confirmed on Wednesday evening that the children, aged four and ten, were among the dead at Champlain Towers South, a 12-storey, 136-apartment building in the Surfside area of Miami that collapsed last week. 142 people are still unaccounted for.

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava has promised to ensure that no other high-rises in the city are compromised.

There is no state law in Florida that requires high-rise buildings to be inspected regularly.

In Miami Dade, the current rules stipulate that buildings have to be recertified every 40 years. In New York City, by comparison, it is every five years.

Out of the 501 buildings identified by the mayor's office that have not been recertified and need to be visited, only 131 have so far been contacted.

The Miami Dade county inspector confirmed that they had already ordered the closure of parts of one building, with balconies said to be dangerous.

Ms Levine Cava said she was forming a team of experts in areas including engineering, construction and soil analysis.

"They will advise me on issues related to building construction, the chain of custody and requirements for reporting condominium issues and more, so we can look into recommended charges to ensure that tragedies like this one never ever happen again," she told reporters on Tuesday.

An engineer working on Champlain Towers South, which was built in 1981, had warned that there was evidence of "major structural damage" below the building's pool deck. A consultant had been hired to start on a 40-year recertification process.

Miami building collapse - Giorgio VIERA/AFP/Getty Images

Jason Pizzo, the state senator, said that he wanted the law to be changed to enforce stricter and more frequent inspections.

"We do need a statewide look, either by statute, by rule or by policy, and it really needs to incorporate two completely separate things," he said.

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"You have an environmental situation which is completely different than the design and construction, so, what I want to be mindful of is that it's not just the age of a building that may deteriorate over time, but also the geographic location."

Residents up and down the coast of Florida are now demanding to know if their buildings are safe. However, residents of high-rises near Champlain Towers South have not been evacuated, and some have said they are so concerned that they are finding alternative accommodation.

Lawyers expect that the deadly collapse will prompt legislative change to existing building codes, much like Hurricane Andrew in 1992 resulted in stronger regulations across Florida.
BRUSSELS (AP)  A hunger strike by hundreds of migrants living in Belgium without legal permission is putting increasing pressure on a government coalition weighing the wellbeing of those involved against the need to stick to immigration and asylum rules.

The hunger strike started over a month ago in two universities and a Brussels church, by migrants desperate to obtain legal residency papers to continue and improve their lives in a nation where some say they have been working and living for a decade.

To highlight their desperation, some hunger strikers stitched their lips together this week, and are only accepting small amounts of liquids through a straw. Estimates of the number participating range as high as 400 but Migration and Asylum State Secretary Sammy Mahdi has used a figure of about 200.

Mahdi has insisted he is seeking to quicken up and improve the whole application system for people seeking to stay in Belgium but refuses to budge when facing demands by the hunger strikers for their cases to be handled now.

They say that there are 150,000 living here illegally, and the 200 people that decide to stop eating should be regularized individually? What would be the result? A week later you get 200, 2,000, 20,000 people who would do exactly the same.

That's not the way to go about it, he told VRT network.

Belgium, like so many other wealthy European nations, has had an ambivalent relationship with migration. Since the 1960s, many have been invited to come work and help build states across the continent.

Still, few were fully accepted in society and became the brunt of an often racist backlash when economies took a dip. Many of those on hunger strike now were not part of any legal program but have worked in the gray economy in the nation of 11.5 million where they have no social protection and are often at the mercy of unscrupulous bosses.

The French-speaking Socialist and Green coalition partners have called for a more flexible approach that could give the hunger strikers a better shot at obtaining the necessary papers, as tensions heighten among the seven coalition partners that have comprised the government since October.

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Their government program is not specific on how to deal with such a migrant situation.

At the same time, the scenes at the three locations in Brussels look increasingly desperate, with some people unable to stand up because they have become too weak, further increasing the sense of urgency to come up with a solution.

___

Photojournalist Francisco Seco contributed

___

Follow APs global migration coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/migration
The vice president of the Minneapolis City Council says she was "held hostage" while attending a Pride celebration over the weekend, as video shows a large group of protesters blocked her vehicle until she agreed to sign a list of their demands that included dropping criminal charges against rioters.

Andrea Jenkins, who represents Minneapolis 8th Ward and identifies as the first Black openly transgender woman to be elected to office in the U.S., said in a statement Tuesday that it is also time to stop the holding of Black-owned businesses, the neighbors and residents of the neighborhood near George Floyd Square hostage more than a year after Floyd's death on May 25, 2020.

The incident happened Sunday afternoon while Jenkins was attending the Taking Back Pride event in Loring Park, as video shows her sitting in the front passenger seat of a white vehicle being blocked by a group of extreme Black Lives Matter demonstrators, many with their cellphones out recording.

"It might be three days before I get out of here," Jenkins is heard telling someone over the phone while sitting in the vehicle, according to a 23-minute-long video shared to Facebook by activist Donald Hooker Jr.

DEREK CHAUVIN CLOSING IN ON PLEA DEAL ON FEDERAL CIVIL RIGHTS CHARGES: REPORT

Hooker shows the camera a list of "The Peoples Demands" that Jenkins must agree to before shes free to leave. The handwritten note calls for the formation of a "community police accountability commission," to "reopen all the cases of murderers," to "drop the charges for all 646 protesters and other protesters for 2020," and to "make all information on the murder of Winston Smith available." It also demands the resignation of Mayor Jacob Frey and to "leave George Floyd Square alone. PERIOD."

The protesters shouted each demand and asked if they had Jenkins support. She agreed, "Yes," to the first few before shaking her head when protesters called for Freys resignation. The crowd shouted again until Jenkins finally agreed and she asked, "Do you understand English? I already said it."

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Responding to the final demand to stay out of George Floyd Square, Jenkins retorted, "So youre asking me not to do my job." As the group shouted over her, she continued, "I was elected to represent that neighborhood, so what youre asking me to do is to not do my job."

WARNING: GRAPHIC LANGUAGE

A woman in the drivers seat leaned over to say this is not a negotiation.

"We are not asking no more, White lady. We are demanding," a female voice in the crowd shouted to the driver, as seen in a shorter snippet of the incident shared by independent journalist Andy Ngo. "Do your job and drive."

The driver flashed her middle finger at the crowd, but Jenkins pulled her arm down.

Jenkins eventually signed the list of demands, and protesters shouted for her to print her name and date it.

"Black pain, Black trauma, Black anger is real and justified. What is not justified is the inhumane treatment of other humans because they hold elective office," Jenkins said in a statement posted to her Facebook page Tuesday. "On Sunday afternoon, while attending a Pride event in Loring Park, something Ive done on the last weekend in June for the past 20 plus years, I was verbally attacked, berated and held hostage against my will by a large group of angry protesters."

Jenkins said she is a public servant representing some 31,000 people who live in the 8th Ward in south Minneapolis, which she describes as "a beautiful community that was forever changed by the inhumane murder of George Floyd at the intersection of 38th and Chicago." She acknowledges that former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was recently sentenced to 22.5 years in prison after his conviction on murder and manslaughter charges in April in connection to Floyds death.

MINNESOTA LAWMAKERS REACH DEAL ON POLICING MEASURES

She also agreed that the community needs answers after the deaths of Dolal Idd, Daunte Wright and Winston Smith. Wright was shot by former Brooklyn Center police officer Kim Potter during a traffic stop in April. His death, which happened during Chauvins trail, prompted several nights of demonstrations as the Minneapolis area remained on high alert. Smiths death earlier this month also evoked unrest after he was shot and killed following a confrontation with deputies serving on a U.S. Marshals task force.

"I cant tell people how to express their anger, their fears or their pain, but I do know that when your pain impacts others then that becomes problematic," Jenkins said. "I have always believed in open dialogue where people can talk and be respectful of their differences."

While she continues to be willing to sit down with activists, advocates and protesters to understand their policy change demands and recommendations, Jenkins described how she "refused however to be bullied and held hostage to somehow accomplish that."

"Every citizen of this City has a right to bring forward their concerns, but no citizen has the right to detain and coerce anyone to do anything, that includes elected officials," she added. As for calling for the mayors resignation, Jenkins said it will be Minneapolis voters who will determine if Frey stays in office come November -- not her or any other councilmember.

"Additionally, I believe that what has become known as George Floyd Square already is and will continue to be a sacred space and I intend to do all in (my) power to create the type of social justice memorial that reflects that struggle," Jenkins wrote. "However, it is time to stop holding of the Black owned businesses, the neighbors and residents of that area hostage."

City crews have repeatedly attempted to reopen traffic through that intersection in recent weeks, but each time protesters have shown up and rebuilt makeshift barriers after police officers left.

Frey also condemned the incident involving Jenkins Tuesday afternoon.

"Holding elected officials accountable is good. Holding people for hours against their will until theyre compelled under duress to take positions is not," the mayor tweeted. "This isnt a matter of politics or policy. We should all call this behavior out for what it is: fundamentally wrong."

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Reached by the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Hooker told the newspaper he and the group of demonstrators confronted Jenkins to raise concerns about community groups contracted with the city to deescalate tension. The Taking Back Pride event was advertised on social media as an opportunity to decry police brutality and prioritize the voices of people who are Black, transgender or queer.

Neither Frey, Jenkins nor the Minneapolis City Council press office returned voicemails and emails from Fox News earlier Tuesday seeking comment.
A California mother has been arrested on suspicion of murder in the deaths of her three young children, according to authorities.

Sandra Chico, 28, is accused of killing her 1-month-old Milan Rodriguez, 3-year-old Mason Rodriguez and 4-year-old Mia Rodriguez, according to the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department, CBS Los Angeles reported.

There was no forewarning of any kind, Sheriff Alex Villanueva said, according to the station. There was no repeated call for service. DCFS was not involved. There was no allegations of child abuse. This was out of the blue tragedy.

Chico was arrested after deputies said they found her children dead Monday afternoon, according to The Los Angeles Times. She is being held at the Central Region Detention Facility.

Elizabeth Chico said her sister had been showing signs of postpartum depression after giving birth a month ago, the newspaper reported.

All that stress, all that anxiety, it takes over you, she told the Times.

Elizabeth Chico said her sister didnt have a history of abusing her children and the deaths have stunned the family, according to The Los Angeles Times.

Deputies said they responded to a report of two children not breathing Monday afternoon and discovered two boys and a girl at the home, 10News reported.

All three were pronounced dead at the scene and identified Tuesday by the Los Angeles County coroners office, authorities said.

Deputy Eric Ortiz from the Los Angeles Sheriffs Department told 10News that there were no prior reports of abuse or child neglect to the home or the mother.

Chico is being held on $2 million bail and is scheduled to appear at the Clara Shortridge Foltz Criminal Justie Center Wednesday, sheriffs Deputy Trina Schrader said, according to the station.
(Reuters) -Myanmar freed more than 2,000 detainees on Wednesday, among them journalists and others who the ruling military said had been held on incitement charges for taking part in protests, local media reported.

The release was described by some activists as a ploy by the ruling military to divert attention from an ongoing security crackdown.

The army has been under pressure from Western countries and Myanmar's neighbours to release thousands of people detained during protests since it ousted the elected government of Nobel Laureate Aung San Suu Kyi on Feb. 1.

Many of the military's opponents have been held, some convicted, under a law that criminalises comments that could cause fear or spread false news and is punishable by up to three years in jail. Suu Kyi is on trial for a similar offence, among others, and remains in detention.

Military spokesman Zaw Min Tun said most of those freed had been charged with incitement for joining protests.

"A total of 2,296 people have been released. They took part in protests but not in leading roles. They didn't participate in violent acts," he told Irrawaddy new site.

Reuters could not reach Zaw Min Tun for further comment.

Videos posted on social media showed a stream of mostly young detainees pouring off buses from Yangon's colonial-era Insein prison, smiling, waving and embracing family members who wept as they arrived.

Others showed a succession of buses leaving the rear entrance of the jail, with passengers leaning from windows and waving at small crowds that gathered outside.

The military has struggled to impose order since it took power, with daily protests nationwide and paralysing strikes.

Ethnic insurgencies that beset Myanmar for decades have flared anew and civilians angered by a wave of arrests have taken up arms against security forces.

Insein prison chief Zaw Zaw had earlier told Reuters that some 700 people would be released, without giving a reason. He did not respond to subsequent calls seeking comment.

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The news portal Myanmar Now said its reporter Kay Zon Nway was freed after 124 days charged with incitement.

"Like many other political detainees, she was unfairly arrested. She has suffered a lot in prison. But today, I'm glad to see her again in great spirits," Swe Win, Myanmar Now's editor-in-chief said in a text message.

The Irrawaddy said six journalists were freed altogether.

State-run MRTV made no mention of the release in its nightly newscast.

Western countries have demanded political prisoners be freed and condemned the military takeover. Myanmar's neighbours in April sought a commitment from its military rulers to initiate dialogue, end the violence and release detainees.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), a non-profit based in Thailand, said the mass release was engineered to give the impression the military's sweeping crackdown had eased.

"Today's events intend to make it seem like there has been a relaxation in the junta's oppression. This is not the case," it said in a statement.

More than 5,200 people are being held, according to AAPP. It also says 883 people have been killed - a figure challenged by the military leadership, which has blamed the unrest on "terrorists" among supporters of Suu Kyi's party. Reuters has been unable to confirm the numbers.

On Tuesday, the army-run Myawaddy television said authorities had dropped charges against 24 celebrities on wanted lists under the anti-incitement law.

Salai Za Uk Ling of the Chin Human Rights Organisation, a group from Chin state, a centre of opposition to the takeover by the military, said the release was "quite meaningless" and intended to appease the international community.

He said people were still being arrested daily in Chin state and elsewhere in Myanmar. Reuters was not immediately able to confirm his statement.

"We will face this same problem until they stop the unlawful arrests," he added. "People will not feel safe in their homes."

(Reporting by Reuters Staff; Writing by Ed Davies and Martin Petty; Editing by Tom Hogue, Simon Cameron-Moore and Philippa Fletcher)
Myanmar's government on Wednesday will begin releasing thousands of prisoners, including activists who participated in the protests against the country's military, AP reports.

The state of play: Officials confirmed that more than 720 prisoners had been released from the Insein Prison, "which for decades has been the main facility for political prisoners," AP writes. Approximately 2,300 prisoners from across the country will be released.

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Activists as well as journalists who covered the protests will be released.

What they're saying: Deputy Information Minister Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun said that those released are "those are who took part in the protests but did not take part in the violence, who did not commit crimes and did not lead the riots," per AP.

The big picture: A total of 5,224 people have been held following the Myanmar military's coup in February, according to data from the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners.

The group says that 883 people have been killed by the military  a figure that authorities in Myanmar dispute, Reuters notes.

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Myanmar authorities released more than 2,000 anti-coup protesters from prisons across the country on Wednesday, including local journalists jailed after reporting critically on the junta's bloody crackdown.

Myanmar has been rocked by massive protests and a brutal military response since the February coup that ousted Aung San Suu Kyi and her government.

More than 880 civilians have been killed in a crackdown by the State Administration Council -- as the junta calls itself -- and almost 6,500 arrested, according to a local monitoring group.

After authorities announced the release, a crowd of at least 200 people gathered outside the colonial-era Insein prison in Yangon hoping a loved one might be released, an AFP reporter said.

Pressing up against the barricades, many held umbrellas to shelter from light rain, footage on local media showed, with one woman holding a flower.

One man waiting outside the prison for his daughter, a protester, said he was "very proud of her".

"I will encourage her to fight until they win," he told AFP.

By the evening a total of 2,296 protesters had been released from prisons around the country, the junta's information team said in a statement.

As buses pulled out of Insein to take detainees to local police stations where they were due to be released, those onboard flashed the three-finger salute -- a popular protest symbol -- through the windows.

Local media published images it said showed trucks pulling out of the northern town of Myitkyina, also carrying detainees.

Journalist Kay Zon Nway of Myanmar Now was among those freed from Insein, the news outlet said in a statement.

She said she had experienced "many things," in the notorious jail, but added that she would explain later.

United States journalist Danny Fenster is being held at the same prison after being detained on May 24.

There were no foreigners among those released from Insein on Wednesday, a prison official told AFP on condition of anonymity.

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Ye Myo Khant, a 20-year-old photojournalist for the Myanmar Press Agency, was freed Wednesday after a 120-day detention.

"I was reporting when they unjustly arrested me," he said.

While the release will be welcomed by individuals and reunited families, it "will do nothing to blunt popular resistance to military rule", Richard Horsey, senior advisor on Myanmar to the International Crisis Group, told AFP.

"They should never have been detained. We should also remember that some of these people have faced brutal interrogations and torture that will leave lasting damage, visible and invisible."

In February, the junta released around 23,000 prisoners, with some rights groups at the time fearing the move was to free up space for opponents of the military as well as to cause chaos in communities.

Ousted leader Suu Kyi, who has been under house arrest since the coup, asked the people of Myanmar to stay "united" in the face of military rule, her lawyers relayed Tuesday as she reappeared in a junta court.

The Nobel laureate, and daughter of independence hero General Aung San, has been invisible to the outside world bar a handful of courtroom appearances.

Suu Kyi, 76, has been hit with an eclectic raft of charges. She could face more than a decade in prison if convicted on all counts.

bur-rma/lb
The National Education Association, the countrys largest teachers union, is set to debate a pair of resolutions this week that would express the groups public support for Palestinian statehood and condemn Israels ethnic cleansing of Palestinians.

The proposals are two of the more than 30 measures that the group will debate at its annual conference, which runs from June 30 to July 3.

One resolution would call on the U.S. to cut material support and funding to Israel while another proposes that the union spend an estimated $71,500 to promote Palestinian causes through a number of programs, the Washington Free Beacon first reported.

New Business Item 29, which was co-sponsored by more than 50 members of the NEA, would publicize the unions support for the Palestinian authority.

The Arab population of Palestine has again risen up in a heroic struggle against military repression and ethnic cleansing by the Israeli state and extreme nationalist forces in Israeli society, the item reads.

Meanwhile, New Business Item 51 calls for the union to recognize the existence and sovereignty of Palestine and Palestinian children and families and their human right to access a quality education and live freely as outlined in United Nations Declaration of Human Rights.

Some activists have been dismayed to see the union focused on attacking Israel rather than working toward alleviating problems caused by a year of remote learning during the coronavirus pandemic.

Over the past 15 months, students across the country have been shut out of schools, creating learning deficits that will haunt our kids for a generation, Nicole Neily, the president of Parents Defending Education, said in a statement.

The NEAs inflammatory and divisive fixation on political issues is further proof that the education of Americas students isnt a priority for the union, Neily added. My heart goes out to the Jewish members of the NEA whose union dues are being used to promote anti-Semitic lies about Jews and Israel.

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Yet the NEAs proposals are not an anomaly: teachers unions nationwide have issued statements against Israel in recent months.

Three local unions affiliated with the countrys second-largest teachers union, the American Federation of Teachers, issued statements condemning Israel as an apartheid state this month. AFT president Randi Weingarten claimed in an interview earlier this year that Jews are part of the ownership class that works to deny opportunities to others.

During the conference this week the NEA is also set to debate measures on decolonizing curriculum, creating a racial justice task force and opposing police unions, according to the report. The union will also discuss sending a letter to the University of North Carolina to urge the school to grant tenure to Nikole Hannah-Jones, the New York Times journalist who developed the magazines controversial 1619 Project.

More from National Review
Netflix

Between Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs, The Lego Movie, Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse and The Mitchells vs. the Machines, Phil Lord and Christopher Millers animated track record has been just about spotlesswhich means it was only a matter of time before they suffered a misstep. Enter America: The Motion Picture, the duos latest producing effort, which reimagines the nations battle for independence against the British in gonzo absurdist terms. Boasting a great voice cast, a pleasingly muscular, loopy visual style, and a desire to celebrate the countrys core values while playfully critiquing its failures to uphold them, it has all the ingredients of a revisionist-history hit. Yet incapable of generating actual laughs from its crazed premise, its a lark that ultimately sounds far better on paper.

Directed by Matt Thompson (Archer) and written by Dave Callaham (Wonder Woman 1984), America: The Motion Picture (on Netflix June 30) opens with the signing of the Declaration of Independence over a game of beer pong. That merriment, alas, is not to last. No sooner has John Hancock put his legendary signature on the documentexclaiming to his good friend Ben Franklin about the British, These bucktooth fun police can suck it because weve done it, boys! We have declared out independencethan traitorous Benedict Arnold (Andy Samberg) and his redcoat lackeys storm the place, gruesomely assassinating everyone and blowing the building to kingdom come. Having stopped the colonialists from their traitorous mission, Arnold turns his attention to Fords Theatre (its logo that of the famed automaker), where he sets his sights on best friends Abraham Lincoln (Will Forte) and George Washington (Channing Tatum), who are there to enjoy a stage performance by the Red, White and Blue Man Group.

The Pornification of Netflix Continues With Sex/Life

This, of course, makes no historical or rational sense, nor does the fact that Arnold promptly reveals himself to be a werewolf and takes a fatal chomp out of Honest Abes neck, killing the top-hatted idealist. Washington is heartbroken by this turn of events, not least because Lincoln was the true revolutionary destined to attain liberation for his countrymen, while hes just a hard-partying lunkhead whose primary characteristic is boasting hidden chainsaws up his sleeves. Is any of this reading as amusing yet? If so, thats better than it plays on screen, since the proceedings boisterousness doesnt translate into actual cleverness. The only joke is that anything and everything goes (including the Titanic! And I.M. Pei! And Axe Body Spray!), which turns out to be not nearly enough to sustain a 98-minute runtime.

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Nonetheless, America: The Motion Picture soldiers on into ever-wilder territory, all of it jokingly cast as based on actual history. In the face of Lincolns tragic demisewhich compels Washington to revisit their old log-cabin hangout, where he rummages through pictures kept in a box labeled Character Backstorythe future first president decides that he needs a new team to help give birth to democracy. Following the advice of Martha Washington (Judy Greer), with whom he has ecstatic sex after meeting at Lincolns funeral (attended by the likes of Lin-Manuel Miranda, JFK, MLK, FDR, and Teddy Roosevelt), Washington heads to a frat house to enlist the services of Samuel Adams (Jason Mantzoukas), a racist dudebro obsessed with domestic beer. Adams is the proto-red state conservative of Thompsons film, which walks a fine line between reveling in the Founding Fathers gung-ho entitled machismo and making him the butt of its jokes about white male privilege.

The individuals calling out Sam on his intolerance are three of Washingtons subsequent recruits: Thomas Edison (Olivia Munn), whos a Chinese woman persecuted for practicing science; Geronimo (Raoul Max Trujillo), a Native American tracker introduced via a sequence modeled after The A-Team; and Blacksmith (Killer Mike), a Black metallurgist eventually tasked with creating a silver bullet to fell Arnold. America: The Motion Pictures censure of Americas treatment of minorities is of a deliberately modern sort, as is its profane dialogue and anachronistic gags, which range from Washington talking about Netflix passwords (and yet not knowing what a phone is) to horse-loving weirdo Paul Revere (Bobby Moynihan) transforming into a Robocop-ish centaur. Such pop culture shout-outs abound in Thompsons film, which also channels Star Wars via the figure of King James (Simon Pegg)a combination of Darth Vader, the Emperor, and Jabba the Hutt who rides around on a hoverboard and plans to create an airborne weapon of mass destructionand Avengers: Endgame during its rock-em-sock-em finale.

Those nods feel designed to congratulate young viewers for their franchise-movie acumen, but they hardly qualify as inspired, and the same goes for the materials self-consciously enlightened attitude about American history. Theres a have-it-both-ways quality to America: The Motion Pictures handling of its more sensitive subjects, which leaves it in a lame middle ground where the jokes pretend to be pointed but come off as rather toothlessas with a late scene in which Washington goes to YAll Mart (get it?) to buy AR-15s for his revolution, and then cautions everyone that theyll have to return the guns once the fighting is over because theyre really dangerous. Thats about as sharp as the countless throwaway bits scattered throughout the film, from a Lincoln-owned mug that reads Drink N Log, to a hip-hop sequence in which Revere drag-horse-races against competitors a la The Fast and the Furious, to Geronimo joking to Blacksmith that the only way to get through to white Americans about their privilege is to convey it in the dumbest form possiblenamely, a cartoon!

Tatum and his co-stars are game for this ridiculousness, delivering their one-liners (many of which are riffs on Washington and companys famous proclamations) with suitable gusto. But theres nothing much going on in America: The Motion Picture except rat-a-tat-tat silliness that isnt nearly as sillyor as satiricas it needs to be. By the time Axel F plays on the soundtrack (via a recorder), and then an anthropomorphic Big Ben squares off against Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, things have devolved into the sort of dim surrealist nonsense that stoned college kids might concoct while sitting around a dorm room on a hazy Saturday afternoon.

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Game 2 of the Stanley Cup Final is on tap tonight between the Montreal Canadiens and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Let's get to it.

All betting odds courtesy of BetMGM

Well, that was humbling.

I was very happy to pour some of that good old Canadiens juice in my Game 1 betting cup, only for the Lightning to send the cup splattering into the abyss, en route to a 5-1 shellacking, a statement victory for the defending champions.

And a sobering reminder for Montreal (and everyone who had the cojones to bet against the Lightning at home in Game 1) of just how freaking good this team is.

Good luck finding a weakness on the Tampa Bay offense. Good luck getting through their defense. Good luck getting anything past Andrei Vasilevskiy, who is playing like what he is: the best goaltender in the NHL.

It was a bad loss for Montreal, one in which Tampa Bay's top line of Nikita Kucherov, Brayden Point, and Ondrej Palat just totally outplayed the Canadiens' line of Nick Suzuki, Cole Caufield, and Tyler Toffoli. That line will have to play better if Montreal has any chance of winning Game 2, much less the series. Tampa Bay also made Carey Price look human again; it's the first time he allowed more than two goals in five straight starts.

Tampa Bay dropped five goals on Carey Price in Game 1. (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)

Yet, as humbling as that loss must have been, the Canadiens have been here before. Recall, they were down 3-1 to Toronto only to come storming back. This loss was also eerily similar to Game 1 of Montreal's semifinal series against Vegas when the Golden Knights stifled the Habs, 4-1.

We know what happened afterward, too.

Of course, the Lightning represent an entirely different beast than the two teams Montreal came back against. One cannot compare those series to this one, but one can infer that if there was ever a team that could take a rough loss and bounce back, it's the Habs. They've been doing it all playoffs, after all.

Montreal is just 1-8-1 in their last 10 meetings against the Lightning. It's not hyperbole to say that Tampa Bay has owned this team of late. With all that said, however, even with my mind screaming, "Don't do it!" I'm going back to the well here with Montreal.

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Montreal has proven itself capable of making the adjustments necessary to overcome a loss against a (supposed) superior opponent time and time again these playoffs. It hasn't lost back-to-back games since their series against Toronto  not unlike Tampa Bay, which hasn't lost consecutive games since Socrates was out arguing with people in the street (slight exaggeration).

The Lightning are as potent a foe as can be while skating at the Amalie Arena, but I'm counting on Montreal fixing its mistakes, tightening up their defense, and getting their forwards going earlier. Carey Price isn't going to get hammered for five goals again (*gulp*), and with the Habs averaging nearly three goals their last 10 games, I don't think they get silenced two games in a row.

If I'm being honest, that 5-1 Game 1 loss just made this +180 juice more appealing  even though it'll be an undoubtedly bitter swallow.

Full disclosure: I do believe the Lightning will win this series and become repeat champions, but I think they do it in six games. I'm giving the Canadiens Game 2, and another victory in Montreal.

I just have to hope the Canadiens show up to the storm the Lightning will bring with sturdy umbrellas this time around.

Pick: Montreal Canadiens ML (+180)
By Amanda Ferguson and Conor Humphries

BELFAST (Reuters) -Northern Ireland's High Court on Wednesday rejected a challenge by the region's largest pro-British parties to part of Britain's divorce deal with the European Union, saying the Northern Ireland Protocol was consistent with British and EU law.

The court said Britain's EU withdrawal agreement, which effectively left Northern Ireland in the bloc's trading orbit, overrode earlier precedents due to the sovereignty of the British parliament and its status as constitutional legislation.

The parties plan to appeal, said Traditional Unionist Voice leader Jim Allister, one of the politicians who brought the challenge.

The protocol, which is designed to protect the European Union's single market without creating a land border on the island of Ireland, has caused significant disruption to trade since it came into force at the start of the year.

The perception that the Protocol undermines Northern Ireland's place in the United Kingdom has sparked anger in pro-British communities and helped fuel street violence earlier in the year.

Opponents of the Protocol on Wednesday seized on the court's assertion that the Withdrawal Agreement qualified as constitutional legislation and was on par with the 1800 Act of Union that united Britain and Ireland.

As a result, parts of the more recent Withdrawal Agreement effectively overrode elements of the Act of Union, the ruling said.

The head of Northern Ireland's largest pro-British party, Democratic Unionist Party leader-elect Jeffrey Donaldson, said the finding "confirms the protocol damages our constitutional position in the UK".

"If not resolved it will have potential consequences for the future stability of political institutions," Donaldson said on Twitter.

Northern Ireland's most senior Irish nationalist politician, Deputy First Minister Michelle O'Neill, welcomed the court's decision and called for pro-British parties to focus on the practicalities of fine-tuning the protocol.

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"Time to get on with making it work," she said in a Twitter post.

Judge Adrian Colton rejected all five main arguments made by the parties based on both British and European Union law, saying none justified the judicial review of the protocol requested.

Colton also criticized the parties for comparing the role of the EU in Northern Ireland to the Nazi regime's influence on the Vichy government in France during World War Two as "wide of the mark and unhelpful".

Another party named in the case, former Brexit Party member of the European Parliament Ben Habib, said the judge had made a "politically charged decision".

Nobel peace prize laureate David Trimble, one of the architects of the Good Friday Agreement, was also a party to the case.

(Reporting by Amanda Ferguson and Conor Humphries; Editing by Toby Chopra, Alex Richardson and Giles Elgood)
Theres no joy among city EMTs and paramedics over Mayor de Blasios COVID-19 heroes ticker tape parade next week  theyd rather have bonuses or raises for what they went through during the pandemic.

It felt like a joke, like a slap in the face, said Paramedic Liana Espinal, 36, a 13-year EMS veteran from Brooklyn.

I didnt think it was real, Espinal said of de Blasios June 14 announcement of the parade, to be held on lower Broadways Canyon of Heroes on July 7.

We dont want a parade, said Espinal. We want to be able to take care of our families.

I think its bogus. Its BS. Im not going, said Carlos Lizcano, a 28-year veteran paramedic. Lizcano is scheduled to work the day of the parade, but said he wouldnt go even if he had the day off.

This is my silent protest, Lizcano, 49, said. And a lot of my fellow employees feel slighted too by the mayor. What does a parade do for my bills?

EMS workers  who worked mandatory 12-hour tours and saw their caseloads soar during the pandemic  say financial relief would have been a better acknowledgement of their contributions.

While city EMS workers didnt get hazard pay, they say counterparts who work for private hospitals and private ambulance companies did get bonuses.

Adding to the resentment is that EMS unions havent had a new contract with the city for three years.

Lizcano said the mayors intentions would be better served by taking the money to be spent on the parade and giving it out as bonuses.

Dont insult my intelligence. New Yorkers saw what we did, Lizcano said. When it came time to take care of the sick and the dying, it was us. Of course, nurses and doctors in the ER did a lot, but they are also paid more than we are.

Lizcano described days in which his cardiac-arrest call volume for a day equaled that of a normal month.

It felt wonderful to have the community clanking and banging their pots and pans every night, but when the mayor was asked about giving us more money, we were told its not the proper time, he said. Im sorry  now, the federal government has provided money.

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The federal governments latest $350 billion COVID relief package includes $4.3 billion in aid for New York City.

Espinal said before the pandemic, she would respond to three cardiac arrests a month on average, but during the crisis, it seemed like it was almost every day. If it wasnt you, it was one of your co-workers, she said. It was madness. It was constant.

At home, she sent her three children to go live with her mom for safety reasons. Her grandmother is 94 and lives alone, and Espinal had to be careful about visiting her.

We were working a lot and we didnt want them to get sick, Espinal said. It was just really stressful. A parade might seem like a sign of appreciation. But it doesnt help me take care of my family, so its really not appreciated.

Oren Barzilay, president of Local 2507, which represents unformed EMTs, paramedics and fire inspectors, said the views of Espinal and Lizcano on the parade are common in the ranks. He said the union is entering its fourth year without a contract.

When the parade posting came out, our members were laughing at it, he said. Our members are disgusted. We have the lowest-paid first-responder group in the city and they cant even get a couple of dollars for their pandemic work.

In response to emailed questions, mayoral spokesman Mitch Schwartz said negotiations are ongoing with the EMS union. The Mayors Fund to Advance New York City is raising sponsorship dollars to pay for the parade, he said.
The heat wave hitting the northwestern U.S. and Canada has been shattering records, with temperatures 30 degrees Fahrenheit or more above normal. With drought already gripping the West, the intense heat has helped suck even more moisture from millions of acres of forests and grasslands, bringing dead vegetation in many regions to record-dry levels and elevating the fire danger to its highest categories.

With this combination of extreme drought, heat and dry vegetation, all it takes is a spark to ignite a wildfire.

Thats why over 150 fire scientists, including us, along with fire officials across the West, are urging people to skip the fireworks this Fourth of July and to avoid other activities that could start a blaze.

Humans start the most wildfires on July Fourth

For decades, one of the most striking and predictable patterns of human behavior in the western U.S. has been people accidentally starting fires on the Fourth of July. From 1992 to 2015, more than 7,000 wildfires started in the U.S. on July 4  the most wildfires ignited on any day during the year. And most of these are near homes.

With this years tinder-dry grasslands and parched forests, sparks from anything  a cigarette, a campfire, a power line, even a mower blade hitting a rock  could ignite a wildfire, with deadly consequences.

Year-round, humans extend the fire season by igniting fires when and where lightning is rare. And it is these very fires that pose the greatest threat to lives and homes: Over 95% of the wildfires that threatened homes in recent decades were started by people. Farther from human development  beyond the wildland-urban interface  the majority of area burned by wildfires in the West is still due to lightning.

Whether ignited by people or lightning, human-caused climate change is making fires easier to start and grow larger due to increasingly warm, dry conditions. The western U.S. saw these consequences during 2020s record fire season  and the 2021 fire season has the ingredients to be just as devastating.

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Heres how to stay safe

Weve spent years studying the causes and impacts of wildfires across North America and around the globe, and working with managers and citizens to envision how best to adapt to our increasingly flammable world. Weve outlined strategies to manage flammable landscapes and thought carefully about how communities can become more resilient to wildfires.

When asked What can we do? many of our suggestions require long-term investments and political will. But there are things you can do right now to make a difference and potentially save lives.

Around your home, move flammable materials like dried leaves and needles, gas and propane containers and firewood away from all structures. Clean out your gutters. If you tow a trailer, make sure the chains dont hang so low that they could hit the pavement and cause a spark. If you have to mow a lawn, do it in the cooler, wetter morning hours to prevent accidental sparks from igniting fires in dry grass. Dont drop cigarette butts on the ground.

This Fourth of July, skip the fireworks and campfires  instead, catch a laser light show, make smores in the microwave and celebrate by keeping summer skies smoke-free for as long as possible.

Many communities are banning personal and public fireworks and voluntarily canceling fireworks displays because of wildfire concerns.

Adapting to increasingly uncharted territory

The fingerprints of human-caused climate change are all over the current drought, the recent heat waves, and what could become another record-setting fire season. Research highlights how human-caused climate change increases the frequency and magnitude of extreme events, including drought, wildfire activity and even individual extreme fire seasons.

Adapting to longer, more intense fire seasons will require reconsidering some traditions and activities. As you celebrate this Fourth of July, stay safe and help out the firefighters, your neighbors and yourself by preventing accidental wildfires.

This article was updated July 1, 2021, with more scientists joining.

[Understand new developments in science, health and technology, each week. Subscribe to The Conversations science newsletter.]

This article is republished from The Conversation, a nonprofit news site dedicated to sharing ideas from academic experts. It was written by: Philip Higuera, The University of Montana; Alexander L. Metcalf, The University of Montana; Dave McWethy, Montana State University, and Jennifer Balch, Rocky Mountain forests burning more now than any time in the past 2,000 yearsWildfires are inevitable  increasing home losses, fatalities and costs are not

Philip Higuera receives funding from the federally funded Joint Fire Sciences Program, United States Geological Survey, and National Science Foundation.

Alexander L. Metcalf receives funding from the Joint Fire Science Program, the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, USDA Forest Service, and the National Science Foundation.

Dave McWethy receives funding from the Joint Fire Science Program, the USDA NIFA program, and the National Science Foundation.

Jennifer Balch receives funding from NSF, USGS, and the Open Philanthropy Project.
I didnt think I would come home and find my son dead, the father of Shamar Jackson said.

A 7-year-old South Carolina boy was fatally mauled by dogs while searching for his own missing pooch, and now the owner of the vicious animals has been charged.

Lorenzo Cardenas, 41, faces charges of involuntary manslaughter in the death of Shamar Jackson, WBTW reports.

Jackson and his older brother were walking in his neighborhood and looking for their Chihuahua on June 13 when a pack of dogs approached. Jackson was mauled while his brother was able to escape. As previously reported by theGrio, when officers discovered the boy, the animals had ripped off his clothes and killed him. Reports also say the dogs were known as aggressive in the area.

Lorenzo Cardenas, 41, has been arrested in connection with a dog mauling incident that killed Shamar Jackson (Credit: Marion County Sheriffs Office)

They couldnt get away because it was so many dogs coming from different directions, Carnell Jackson, Shamars father, told The State newspaper. I didnt think I would come home and find my son dead.

Im hurt. I want to cry but I cant cry anymore, said the victims uncle, Anthony Parsley. Thats my little fella there. He added the dogs owners did not apologize to the family. The dogs allegedly got loose through a hole in a fence from a neighbors yard, per WBTW.

The Marion County Sheriffs Office-South Carolina announced on Facebook that they are investigating the tragedy.

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It appears the small child was mauled by dog(s) while walking in his neighborhood with his brothers who were able to escape. The investigation continues and we are actively seeking the dogs and their possible owner, Marion County Sheriff Brian Wallace said shortly after the attack.

Five adult dogs and one puppy were seized from a property on Cleo Road. The investigation is active and ongoing, per the departments Facebook page on June 15.

7-year-old Shamar Jackson died after being mauled by dogs (Credit: Marion County Sheriffs Office)

A fundraising campaign was created in the boys name.

An account has been established at Anderson Brothers Bank for those wishing to donate toward the funeral cost for 7-year-old Shamar Jackson. Shamar tragically lost his life earlier this week in a dog attack near Wilbur Road, per the departments Facebook page. Shamar was a straight-A student finishing up the first grade at Lake View Elementary. You may donate at any Anderson Brothers Bank location, simply specify Shamar Jackson Fund.

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Marion County animal control removed six dogs from Cardenas and placed them at the local animal shelter. One of the dogs reportedly escaped and officials are trying to find the dangerous canine.

Cardenas is reportedly being held at the Marion County Detention Center.

One Facebook user commented Please charge the dog owners to the fullest extent of the law. When you own a dog capable of killing a human, you need to be prepared to suffer the consequences if it ever happens.

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A police standoff in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania, came to a peaceful end Tuesday night after over 30 hours of negotiations with a suspect who barricaded himself inside an apartment with two hostages.

Authorities first responded to the scene of the apartment at around noon on June 28 when Derrick Hutcherson, 36, shot a 25-year-old Lower Paxton Township woman with who he had a relationship and a 2-year-old son with, police told local outlets.

Court documents showed law enforcement was called to the complex for a domestic disturbance that day after the victim had asked Hutcherson to leave. At one point, the victim left the apartment as Hutcherson took a child and an elderly woman hostage inside, according to Lower Paxton Township Police Deputy Chief Justin DePasqua.

Hutcherson confessed to shooting the woman during a Facebook Live video he made during the standoff, police said. The woman was reportedly transferred to a medical facility reportedly lost an eye due to her injuries.

MAN WHO ALLEGEDLY APPROACHED COCKPIT AND JUMPED OUT OF PLANE EMERGENCY EXIT FACES FEDERAL CHARGE

At around 7:10 p.m. on Tuesday, the suspect fired multiple shots at officers outside the complex but negotiations continued.

After that many hours we basically spent all of our options, they were gone, and we got to the point where we had to do a dynamic hostage rescue with the Pa. State Police CERT Team, Lower Paxton Police Department Director of Public Safety, Adam Kosheba said.

Both hostages were rescued without harm Tuesday evening following the extended standoff, which lasted 33 hours. Dauphin County District Attorney Fran Chardo would not comment on possible confessions made by Hutcherson but said police interactions during the incident will be reviewed and checked.

Hutcherson was taken into police custody is accused of attempted murder, aggravated assault, burglary, unlawful restraint, child endangerment, reckless endangerment, and illegally possessing a firearm, according to documents filed to District Justice Joseph Lindsey.

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CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The Washington Examiner contacted the Dauphin County district attorney's office but did not immediately receive a response.

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Tags: News, Police, Gun Violence, Pennsylvania, Hostage

Original Author: Kaelan Deese

Original Location: Pennsylvania standoff ends after 33 hours of police negotiations, hostages rescued
Pennsylvania's Supreme Court overturned Bill Cosby's 2018 conviction for sexual assault on Wednesday, finding that an agreement he struck to provide testimony in a civil lawsuit in 2005 and 2006 should have given him immunity in the case.

Why it matters: The 83-year-old Cosby, who was sentenced to 310 years in prison for drugging and molesting a woman in 2004, was released from prison just before 2:30 p.m. local time, a spokesperson from the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections confirmed.

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He has been accused of sexual misconduct or rape by more than 60 women, but none of the other allegations have resulted in criminal charges.

The other side: Cosby's lawyers have long argued that his decision to sit for a deposition in a civil lawsuit in 2005 and 2006 hinged on a promise of immunity from a district attorney at the time, and that it was, therefore, improper to have his statements used against him in a criminal trial, reports NBC News.

"When an unconditional charging decision is made publicly and with the intent to induce action and reliance by the defendant, and when the defendant does so to his detriment (and in some instances upon the advice of counsel), denying the defendant the benefit of that decision is an affront to fundamental fairness, particularly when it results in a criminal prosecution that was foregone for more than a decade," the Pennsylvania Supreme Court wrote in an opinion.

"For these reasons, Cosbys convictions and judgment of sentence are vacated, and he is discharged."

Cosby will be leaving prison within hours, reports ABC News. The court also banned future prosecution on these particular charges.

The big picture: In 2018, in addition to his prison sentence, Cosby was mandated to undergo lifetime counseling, appear on a sex offender registry and report quarterly to authorities.

In May, Cosby was denied parole after refusing to participate in sex offender programs, per AP.

He has never admitted wrongdoing or expressed remorse.

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Jun. 30A day after leaving a game when he got hit by a pitch in his left wrist, Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman Colin Moran remained out of the lineup but was "doing better."

"He's moving around," manager Derek Shelton said via video conference call before Tuesday night's game against the Colorado Rockies. "He's getting treatment ... so, hopefully, as the day goes on, he'll continue to get better."

Moran did not play Monday beyond the first-inning plate appearance in Denver. Phillip Evans manned first base the remainder of that game and started Tuesday's game at first, too.

Moran, who missed 24 games earlier this season with a left groin strain, also missed two games earlier this month because of back tightness. He left a June 9 game when he was hit by a pitch in his right hand.

"The last time he got hit, we gave him a few days and he came in and felt great," Shelton said.

Shelton said X-rays were negative but that he could not predict if Moran could return to the lineup for the series finale Wednesday.

"I think we'll just kind of go by how he is," Shelton said.

Howard reinstated

The Pirates got back their most-used bullpen arm Tuesday, reactivating Sam Howard from the injured list.

A veteran left-hander, Howard led the Pirates in appearances with 33 before being placed on the injured list June 20 because of what the team termed "right knee tendinitis."

Howard spent the minimum 10 days on the IL, being activated as soon as he was eligible.

During the unique circumstances of the 2021 season in which pitchers' arms across the league did not have the benefit of a full workload in 2020 because of the coronavirus-altered 60-game schedule, being shut down for 10 days isn't necessarily a bad thing.

"Having given him a little bit of a blow, he feels better than he did 10 days ago, which is important for us," Shelton said. "It's nice to have him back in our bullpen."

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Howard (4.44 ERA, 1.25 WHIP in 26 1/3 innings) did not allow a hit to a left-handed batter between April 13 and June 18. He also has not allowed any of the 15 runners he has inherited this season to score.

Lefty reliever Austin Davis was optioned back to Triple-A Indianapolis. Davis sat idle for the final eight days of this stint with the Pirates, making his only appearance during a scoreless ninth of a June 20 loss to the Cleveland Indians.

Love baseball? Stay up-to-date with the latest Pittsburgh Pirates news.

Chris Adamski is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Chris by email at cadamski@triblive.com or via Twitter .
Jun. 29Police are looking for assistance in finding a 29-year-old man kidnapped at gunpoint in Aiken.

Jhaz Allison was kidnapped at gun point on Smallridge Street on June 24, according to a report from the Aiken County Sheriff's Office.

Allison's mother, who reported the kidnapping, said one of the suspects who goes by "Doc," approached her asking about the whereabouts of his dog.

Allison's mother stated that "she told him several times that the dog was not at her residence and then offered to let the subject look inside her home; he declined," according to an incident report obtained from the Aiken County Sheriff's Office.

She said she heard her son tell the suspect the dog was at his father's house, according to the report.

Guns were then drawn and the victim was kidnapped, according to police.

The suspects are three Black males and a Black female who were driving a white SUV, according to the report.

Deputies located the white SUV that the kidnappers were driving on June 25 at the Enmarket Gas Station on Edgefield Highway.

Dahkir "Doc" Anderson, Austin Martin and Sharla Hamilton were arrested and charged with attempted murder, kidnapping, possession of weapon during a violent crime, possession with intent to distribute marijuana, cocaine, possession of ecstasy, trafficking methamphetamine, possession of schedule II pills and unlawful carrying of a pistol, according to the report.

The third male suspect has not been identified or located yet, according to Capt. Eric Abdullah.

Allison is "believed to be in danger and has not contacted law enforcement, family or friends," according to the report.

Allison is a 6-foot-1 Black male, weighing approximately 168 pounds.

Police said if anyone has any information that would lead to the suspect vehicle, possible suspects or video, they should contact the Aiken County Sheriff's Office at 803-648-6811.

Citizens can also provide information anonymously through Midlands CrimeStoppers. There are cash rewards of up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest of the person(s) responsible for any crime.

To submit a phone tip, call 1-888-CRIME-SC (888-274-6372).
Jennifer Gauthier via Reuters

Scammers and price gougers are making the most of the deadly heatwave gripping much of the Pacific Northwest, selling used window air conditioners worth around $250 for $2,000 and hawking tiny desk fans for upwards of $200. In British Columbia, Canada, where more than 230 people have died from heat-related illnesses since Friday, air-conditioned hotel rooms are going for up to three times the normal rate. And sweltering residents cant book them fast enough.

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Temperatures in British Columbia, Washington State, and Oregon have hit record highs with temps reaching 115 degrees in areas where fans and air conditioning are rare. In Vancouver, wealthy Canadians and Chinese expats have hastily installed central air conditioning to try to combat the heat. Canadian Tire, Home Depot, and other distributors say they have sold out of units all across the province.

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Facebook Marketplace issued a warning on some of its online salesrooms, warning that anyone selling items to beat the heat for more than their value will be banned from the service, but the over-priced fans and air conditioners are selling out fast, even at inflated prices.

The heatwave, which is expected to peak Wednesday before more reasonable temperatures return, has sent more than 1,100 people to hospitals in Washington State and Oregon where people are filling up movie theaters and shopping malls and anywhere with air-conditioning.

In Vancouver, British Columbia Coroners Service reports what they call a significant number of sudden deaths related to the extreme conditions. People are finding elderly relatives dead in their homes, according to Sergeant Steve Addison who told the Vancouver Sun his department is receiving calls for sudden deaths at an alarming rate as people are showing up in their parents house or relatives house and finding them deceased.

King County Seattle health officer Jeff Duchin blamed climate change for the deadly temperatures. Climate change is a health emergency and reducing greenhouse gas emissions is literally a matter of life and death, he said in a statement.

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The stifling heat has also bucketed the northeastern United States, turning normally mild locales into infernos. In Philadelphia, where air conditioning is also rare, Hunting Park Neighborhood Advisory Committee has started a crowdfunding drive to buy air conditioners and fans for impoverished residents.

We have never seen anything like this, Vince Hlavaty, a medical officer in Washington State told USA Today. I hate to use the word unprecedented but thats absolutely what this is.

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(Reuters) - South Dakota's Republican Governor Kristi Noem said on Tuesday up to 50 National Guard troops from the state were being sent to Texas to help secure the U.S.-Mexico border, in a deployment paid for by a private donation.

The move comes amid a hail of criticism from high-profile Republicans of Democratic President Joe Biden for rolling back immigration restrictions introduced by his predecessor Donald Trump, with the number of migrants arriving at the border reaching the highest monthly levels in two decades.

"The Biden Administration has failed in the most basic duty of the federal government: keeping the American people safe," said Noem, who was a vocal supporter of Trump's hardline immigration policies.

Her office said in a statement the action was "in response to Texas Governor Greg Abbott's request for help to respond to ongoing violations of state and federal law by illegal aliens crossing the unsecured border."

Trump said earlier this month that he would visit the Texas-Mexico border on June 30 with Abbott.

The initial deployment would last between 30 and 60 days and "will be paid for by a private donation," the statement said, without identifying the donor. National Guard troop deployments are normally funded from federal or state budgets.

Noem's office did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment.

Willis Johnson, a Tennessee-based Republican donor, made the donation to pay for the troops, Johnson told Politico. Reuters was unable to contact Johnson for comment.

Each state has its own laws about funding National Guard troops, National Guard Bureau spokesperson Wayne Hall said, referring questions to Noem's office.

(Reporting Eric Beech and Heather Timmons; Writing by Mohammad Zargham; Editing by Kenneth Maxwell)
(Corrects 2nd paragraph to make clear that ICRC did not say all 60,000 people are associated with ISIS fighters; adds new 3rd paragraph)

By Stephanie Nebehay

GENEVA (Reuters) -Hundreds of children are incarcerated in adult prisons in northeastern Syria, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) said on Wednesday, disclosing their plight as inmates for the first time.

The children, mostly boys, have been removed to prisons from al-Hol, a desert camp run by Syrian Kurdish forces for 60,000 people from more than 60 countries, the aid agency said. Most are women and children who fled there after Islamic State's last enclaves collapsed two years ago.

Local authorities have said that many are associated with Islamic State fighters.

"Hundreds of children, mostly boys, some as young as 12, are detained in adult prisons, places they simply do not belong," Fabrizio Carboni, ICRC regional director for the Middle East, told a news briefing.

The ICRC made 36 visits to places of detention across Syria last year, the only agency with such access. It requires private talks with inmates on their treatment and conditions, but its confidential findings are shared only with the authorities.

It has access to some places of detention in northeast Syria - a Syrian Kurdish-controlled area - a spokeswoman said, declining to give details.

The ICRC also renewed its appeal for countries to repatriate their nationals from the al-Hol camp and keep families together, "as international law requires".

Carboni, who has visited al-Hol four times in the past two years, said: "I really can't get used to seeing so many children behind barbed wire."

The ICRC runs a field hospital and provides food and water at the sprawling site. Medical needs remain huge, with a rise in resident children dying last year, including some from preventable conditions, Carboni said.

UNICEF said eight children under 5 years old had died at the camp last August, half from malnutrition-related complications. The other deaths had been due to dehydration from diarrhoea, heart failure, internal bleeding and hypoglycaemia, the U.N. children's agency said.

(Reporting by Stephanie Nebehay; Editing by Alex Richardson)
The Red Tide situation is improving somewhat on the Pinellas side of Tampa Bay.

Water samples taken Tuesday at beaches from Pass-A-Grille to Fred Howard Park showed low concentrations of the microorganism Karenia brevis, which causes the toxic algal blooms, according to county officials.

However, high and medium concentrations were found off Fort De Soto Park beaches. Fish kills were reported and cleaned up from Fort De Soto and the St. Petersburg waterfront in recent days, according to the county. The latest readings were conducted by the the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

A high concentration was reported off the Venetian Isles canal and a medium concentration off the tip of Bayboro Harbor. Low concentrations were found in Clearwater Pass, La Contessa Pier, Madeira Beach, Pass-a-Grille Beach, Coquina Key Drive and the St. Pete Pier.

The commission is also investigating the death of a dolphin found about 8:30 a.m. Sunday, beached near Beach Drive NE and 11th Avenue NE. The carcass was taken in for examination, but a cause of death has not been determined.

The county said a bloom in Old Tampa Bay is not Red Tide, but a seasonal bloom of Pyrodinium bahamense, which can cause paralytic shellfish poisoning.

There also are Red Tide blooms in the Intracoastal Waterway, but the county said there have been no major issues recently.

In the meantime, Pinellas officials reported fewer dead fish for clean-up crews to remove from the coastline. The contracted crews have been scaled back, and government staffers have been handling clean-up duty.

The county has cleaned up nearly 225 tons of debris and dead fish killed by algal blooms. The owner of the old Piney Point fertilizer plant released 215 million gallons of polluted wastewater into Tampa Bay in April, which scientists believe could have helped fuel the algal blooms.

Red Tide resources

Florida Poison Control Centers have a toll-free 24/7 hotline to report illnesses, including from exposure to Red Tide: 1-800-222-1222

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There are several online resources that can help residents stay informed and share information about Red Tide:

Visit St. Pete/Clearwater, the countys tourism wing, runs an online beach dashboard at www.beachesupdate.com.

The agency asks business owners to email reports of Red Tide issues to pr@visitspc.com.

Pinellas County shares information with the Red Tide Respiratory Forecast tool that allows beachgoers to check for warnings.

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has a website that tracks where Red Tide is detected and how strong the concentrations.

How to stay safe near the water

Beachgoers should avoid swimming around dead fish.

Those with chronic respiratory problems should be particularly careful and consider staying away from places with a Red Tide bloom.

People should not harvest or eat mollusks or distressed and dead fish from the area. Fillets of healthy fish should be rinsed with clean water, and the guts thrown out.

Pet owners should keep their animals away from the water and from dead fish.

Residents living near the beach should close their windows and run air conditioners with proper filters.

Visitors to the beach can wear paper masks, especially if the wind is blowing in.

Source: Florida Department of Health in Pinellas County
Russia's Covid-19 death toll reached a record on Wednesday as the country battled the highly infectious Delta variant, even as Europe prepared to launch an EU-wide Covid certificate to boost its devastated tourism industry.

Delta, the most contagious coronavirus variant to date, is fuelling concerns over new waves of the coronavirus pandemic, which has already claimed nearly four million lives worldwide.

Russia reported 669 Covid deaths in the past 24 hours -- a high for the second day in a row, government figures showed.

Those figures came two days ahead Friday's Euro 2020 quarter-final in Saint Petersburg in front of 26,000 spectators, many of them foreigners flying in for the match.

President Vladimir Putin, while he had not called for mandatory vaccinations, on Wednesday urged Russians to get the shot. So far, only 15 percent of the population has chosen get the free jabs, even though they have been available since December.

"It is necessary to listen, not to people who understand little about this and spread rumours, but to specialists," said Putin.

- Australian anger grows -

The Delta variant is fuelling multiple outbreaks in Australia, a country that had largely escaped the mass infections seen elsewhere. Alice Springs on Wednesday followed Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and other cities into lockdown.

There is mounting anger among Australians over the country's slow vaccine rollout, with only about five percent having received it so far. Until now, the authorities have relied heavily on border closures and strict quarantines to curb the spread of the virus.

"It is disgraceful that the situation in Australia has essentially not changed in the last year," locked-down Perth resident Robert Binczyk told AFP.

Cases of the Delta variant, which was first detected in India, have been reported in at least 96 territories, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), which has called on countries to redouble vaccination efforts.

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Just over one percent of Africa's population was fully vaccinated as of last week, the WHO has said. But their appeals to be bearing fruit Wednesday.

International donors pledged over $700 million to South African pharmaceutical giant Aspen to boost production of Covid-19 vaccines and treatment on the under-vaccinated continent.

And the World Bank announced it had boosted its vaccine fund for developing countries by $8 billion to $20 billion.

Although

Delta is soon expected to become the dominant variant in Europe, European Union leaders are banking on mass vaccinations to protect their populations from the death tolls seen in earlier waves of the pandemic.

An EU-wide Covid travel certificate, showing passengers' immunity status, comes into force on Thursday, fuelling hopes that Europe's crucial tourism industry can begin to recover.

France on Wednesday ended most of its capacity limits on restaurants, cinemas, stores and other public venues, despite warnings of a likely fourth wave of cases in the autumn.

- American in Paris -

American tourists armed with vaccination certificates are now starting to return to Paris, to the relief of the hospitality sector.

"It's just a rush of culture and we really missed it," said Padmini Pyapali, enjoying a drink outside a cafe on a tour of France and Greece with five friends.

In Asia, Thailand is also preparing to reopen the holiday hotspot of Phuket to vaccinated travellers, even as the country registered 53 Covid deaths Wednesday -- its highest single-day death toll.

Globally, the economic impact from the plunge in tourism during the pandemic could top $4 trillion, according to a new UN report.

Health authorities in Portugal, where tourism accounted for around 15% of GDP, reported over 2,000 new cases of coronavirus in 24 hours Wednesday, driven by the Delta variant.

And in a stark reminder of the continuing threat from other variants of concern, Spain is struggling to contain an outbreak of the Alpha strain.

- North Korean 'incident' -

It is a spike in Delta and not Alpha in Britain that led authorities there to caution football fans from flying to Rome to support the England football team in Saturday's quarter final.

Supporters who have tickets to the match against Switzerland would face five days of quarantine and therefore miss the game.

In North Korea, which hasn't recorded a single case of Covid-19, leader Kim Jong Un has replaced several officials after a "crucial" coronavirus incident, state media reported on Wednesday.

North Korea is one of the five countries in the world that has yet to start immunising people against Covid-19, along with Burundi, Eritrea, Haiti and Tanzania.

burs-pbr/jj
New draft regulations from Brussels require all 'high risk machinery', which includes lawnmowers, to have independent product safety tests from 2024 - iStockphoto

The export of British lawnmowers to Northern Ireland could be prevented under new EU rules, MPs warned as London and Brussels prepared to announce a ceasefire in their sausage war on Wednesday.

A European scrutiny committee report said the British machinery industry  which exports 9 billion of equipment to Europe  would face new barriers to trade unless the UK changed its rules to match the tougher EU regime.

Companies would face the same costs and obstacles in exporting goods to Northern Ireland even if, for example, lawnmowers met UK standards. They could be blocked from Northern Ireland if they did not meet EU standards, MPs said.

New draft regulations from Brussels require all "high risk machinery"  which includes lawnmowers and robots used in car-making  to have independent product safety tests from 2024.

Current EU rules, transposed into UK law after Brexit, allow tests to be carried out by manufacturers.

The Northern Ireland Protocol introduces checks on British goods exported to the country to ensure that they meet EU standards in case they cross into EU member state Ireland.

Northern Ireland continues to follow almost 300 EU single market rules, which the Government argues are too burdensome and having a chilling effect on GB to NI trade.

The DUP wants the protocol to be scrapped, arguing that it is driving a wedge between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

Tensions have been further stoked by a looming ban on British sausages in Northern Ireland. A protocol grace period for chilled meat preparations such as unfrozen sausages is due to expire at the end of the month, but that has been pushed back for three months.

However, the EU will warn that the three-month sausage war ceasefire is to buy Northern Irish shops time to find alternatives to British producers.

The announcement of an extension prevents an immediate Brexit ban on British sausages being sold in the country.

But EU officials said the situation would not be permitted to become permanent and that, unless the UK agreed to align with EU food rules in a Swiss-style veterinary agreement, British sausages' days in Northern Ireland shops were numbered.

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"The three months is first and foremost for businesses to change their supply chains," said one official.

Unfrozen UK sausages have not been allowed in the EU since Brexit took effect on Dec 31. Tesco, Northern Ireland's largest supermarket, and Marks and Spencer already source their sausages from local suppliers.

EU officials said they did not want to be seen to be giving in to British threats to unilaterally extend the grace period, which Brussels said would break international law and could be punished by tariffs in a potential sausage trade war.

It would have been the third unilateral British extension to grace periods after the UK moved to prevent checks on supermarket supplies and parcels.

The UK had asked for the extension to give negotiations over a veterinary agreement that could prevent the sausage ban "breathing space" ahead of the start of Northern Ireland's marching season.

"The reason why we asked for an extension is to give us breathing space to find a permanent solution," a senior government source said. "It doesn't change any of the fundamentals."

The EU wants the UK to align to its food safety and animal health rules in a Swiss-style agreement, but the Government has rejected that on sovereignty grounds. Britain wants the EU to recognise its oversight as equivalent to Brussels.

On Tuesday night, UK Government sources rejected suggestions that the ban could still come into force if no agreement was reached, pointing out that ministers had made it clear they would never allow a situation in which British sausages could not be sold in the province.

Brussels will also announce plans to change EU law to remove obstacles to the supply of generic drugs to the NHS in Northern Ireland before the end of a different grace period.

Other measures to ensure that guide dogs can easily visit Northern Ireland and drivers have access to second-hand cars will also be set out by Maros Sefcovic, the European Commission vice-president and Lord Frost's opposite number.
New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo raked in a fundraising haul of over $1 million in one of his most public events since becoming the subject of federal and state investigations amid controversy.

The Democrat, who is facing sexual misconduct allegations by several women and backlash for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic, held the $10,000-a-head fundraiser on Tuesday, bringing in over 150 attendants at the event held at the Manhattan Rockefeller Center.

NY ASSEMBLY APPROVES ISSUING SUBPOENAS IN CUOMO IMPEACHMENT INVESTIGATION

Everyone was posing for pictures like nothing was going on, one person who has attended several Cuomo fundraisers told the Wall Street Journal.

At the event, Cuomo is reported to have discussed what he deems are his greatest accomplishments as governor, including raising the state's minimum wage and shoring up the state's infrastructure.

He also "attacked socialists  said they were living in a fantasy land, basically  and he attacked 'defund the police,'" said Adam Eidinger, social action director for Dr. Bronners Magic Soaps, who attended the event.

Most of the attendees were longtime supporters of Cuomo and close allies, including administration officials.

The more than $1 million raised from the event is expected to be reflected in a campaign disclosure report due in July. In January, Cuomo already had nearly $17 million in campaign cash.

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The governor has denied accusations of wrongdoing, although, in response to the harassment claims, he apologized for making anyone feel uncomfortable and had resisted the calls to resign. Cuomo is eligible to run for a fourth term in 2022 and has signaled that he intends to do so.

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Original Location: Scandal-plagued Andrew Cuomo raises over $1M at fundraiser
Pat Toomey (R-PA) speaks during a news conference to introduce the Republican infrastructure plan, at the U.S. Capitol in Washington, U.S., April 22, 2021. REUTERS/Erin Scott

A leading GOP senator is threatening to draft transparency and accountability laws directed at the nations independent central bank after accusing four of the Federal Reserves regional banks of dodging Congressional requests for documents.

Pat Toomey of Pennsylvania, the top ranking Republican of the Senate Banking Committee, wrote to the Feds outposts in Boston, Atlanta, Minneapolis, and San Francisco in the spring asking for documents related to their research into climate change and racial inequity.

Toomey, who has argued that both topics are outside of the central banks purview, claims that none of the four reserve banks provided the documents he asked for.

Congress may need to consider subjecting the [Federal Reserve regional banks] to the same transparency and accountability laws imposed on nearly every other federal agency or organization, Toomey wrote in letters sent to all four banks Wednesday.

The presidents of all four banks offered meetings with Toomey, but the senators office claimed that those offers did not include providing any records.

In responses to Yahoo Finance, an Atlanta Fed spokesperson said that a staff briefing was held in June and a Minneapolis Fed spokesperson said the bank had sent a lengthy written response responding to Toomeys questions. A Boston Fed spokesperson similarly told Yahoo Finance that it had sent a detailed letter to the senators office.

We are aware of Sen. Toomeys concerns, and we look forward to discussing them with his office, a San Francisco Fed spokesperson told Yahoo Finance.

Amanda Gonzalez Thompson, a spokesperson for Toomey, told Yahoo Finance that the senator would welcome a conversation after he receives the documents he requested.

Quasi-government structure

Toomeys letters to the reserve banks floated the possibility of new legislation that could more strictly apply federal public record-keeping laws to the reserve banks.

The challenge lies in the Federal Reserve Systems quasi-government structure; the Feds 12 reserve banks are not federal agencies and operate as independent entities not funded by Congressional appropriations.

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However, those 12 outposts (with presidents who are not elected or confirmed by the Senate) report to a Board of Governors in Washington, D.C. (with governors who are confirmed by the Senate) that is an agency of the federal government.

This means that while the Fed Board is subject to federal disclosure laws like the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), its reserve banks are not. A number of reserve banks have committed to generally comply with the spirit of FOIA.

Toomey may try to codify such a requirement through legislation, but nothing has been introduced so far.

The Pennsylvania Republicans concerns over the Feds structure are a sidebar from his original inquiry into the Feds research on climate change and racial inequity, which he alleges is a breach of the central banks Congressionally-assigned mandates of stable prices and maximum employment.

San Francisco Fed President Mary Daly told Yahoo Finance in May that the bank welcome[s] this kind of debate, but posited that issues like climate change have the potential to impact the economy five to 10 years from now.

Ultimately, we have to be a forward looking Federal Reserve, we have to do our work so that we understand the risks around us so that we can fully achieve the mandates we've been given by Congress, Daly said on May 10.

Brian Cheung is a reporter covering the Fed, economics, and banking for Yahoo Finance. You can follow him on Twitter @bcheungz.

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If the outdoors are too hot for you to handle, chances are your pets feel the same way.

With temperatures shattering records across the nation, particularly in the Pacific Northwest, excessive heat warnings in regions unfamiliar with such blistering conditions may be putting your dog and cat companions at risk of heat-related illness.

While humans are coated in millions of porous sweat glands to help cool off, pets have just a few primarily on their paws, making it harder for them to regulate their body temperature.

Thats why its important to be aware of the signs of heat exhaustion in pets because once they start, heatstroke can worsen quickly in the absence of immediate attention. If left untreated, heatstroke can lead to brain swelling, kidney failure, intestinal bleeding and abnormal blood clots.

What is heatstroke in pets?

Heat exhaustion in pets is also known as heatstroke, which is when their furry bodies reach above normal temperatures. For both cats and dogs, temperatures above 105 degrees Fahrenheit have reached heatstroke territory and could be life threatening.

Heatstroke can occur when pets spend time in extreme heat, dont take breaks from playing to cool off or dont have access to water, according to the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA).

What are signs of heatstroke in pets?

Cats and dogs both show similar signs of heat exhaustion, including excessive panting, drooling, difficulty breathing, vomiting, stumbling, redness of the tongue and mouth, rapid heart rate, poor responsiveness and seizures.

If your pet seems restless while outside as they try to find a cool spot to relax in, it might be time to take them inside, experts say.

Dogs will pant heavily to cool down more often than cats, but felines will also groom themselves excessively to try to lower their body temperature with their own saliva.

Pets that may face higher risks for heatstroke

All pets are vulnerable to heat exhaustion, but some have higher risks than others.

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Short-nosed animals such as bulldogs and Persian cats are more at risk of overheating because they cant release heat by panting as effectively as longer-nosed pets. Similarly, cats and dogs that are obese, older and living with heart or lung disease also have an increased risk, experts say.

Animals with thick fur are also predisposed to heat-related illness.

These pets should never be left outside in the heat and should stay indoors with air conditioning during the summer, the AAHA said.

How to help pets experiencing heat exhaustion

If your pet is showing signs of heat exhaustion, experts say you should immediately take them into a cool building and give them room temperature water, allowing them to drink as they please. You can also spray some water on them and use a fan to help lower their temperature.

But never try to cool your pets down too quickly, University of California, Davis veterinarians say. Using cold or ice water can shrink pets blood vessels in their skin that hamper the cooling process.

Also avoid covering dogs and cats in wet blankets or towels because that can trap heat underneath, blocking the heat from radiating off their bodies.

When your pets temperature reaches about 103 degrees Fahrenheit (you can check using a rectal thermometer), then you can stop all cooling efforts. If their condition doesnt improve in about 10 minutes, then its time to visit the nearest veterinarian office.

Dont forget about hot surfaces

While humans have shoes to protect ourselves from hot sidewalks or other surfaces, pets dont, so experts advise doing a simple test to check if its safe for your cat or dog.

Pet owners should put their hand on a walkable surface for seven seconds, according to VetsNow; if its hard to keep it down without pain, then its too hot for a pet to walk on.

Not only can hot surfaces burn paw pads, they can also heat up pets bodies faster when they lay on them. Experts suggest walking your pets on grass instead of pavement, going outside in the early morning or late evening or applying paw wax to protect and moisturize pads when its hot out.

You can trim your pets hair during the summer to provide some relief from the heat, but never shave your dog, because their coats can protect them from overheating and sunburn, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals says.
On Day 1, when asked about accountability for the catastrophic Surfside condo collapse, too many elected officials at briefings  including Floridas governor  initially responded with some version of the patronizing, Now is not the time.

When asked what would be done to ensure that another collapse of 40-year-old buildings similar to the Champlain Towers South wasnt on the horizon, the answers similarly were void of any clear plan of action.

Condo collapse is an urgent alert that old Florida structures need auditing | Opinion

Lets focus the attention on victims, their families and search-and-rescue efforts, a parade of Florida elected officials urged in front of the cameras, wriggling out of answering key, relevant questions.

But not Miami-Dade Mayor Daniella Levine Cava, the countys top executive.

Accountability for what happened and preventing another horrific tragedy already were on Levine Cavas mind, and she had no issue acknowledging this early on. She showed, equally, genuine concern for victims and their families and engaged state and federal agencies to aid in the search for survivors and beyond.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and County Commissioner Oliver G. Gilbert console people waiting for updates from the Champlain Towers collapse site at a reunification center at 9301 Collins Ave. in Surfside on Thursday, June 24, 2021.

At daily briefings, she has answered media questions with respect, all while forging plans to put preventive measures in place immediately.

She hit the right notes, saying she would order an audit of old buildings and demand repairs and push for a grand-jury investigation into the Champlain Towers collapse.

It isnt just talk. All of those things are in the works.

By Saturday, two days after the collapse, the countys first female mayor had announced that a 30-day building audit would begin immediately for all residential properties taller than five stories that had not completed the 40-year structural-certification process.

Required by Florida law, the process of identifying and making costly repairs to fix structural issues often drags on, as was the case with Champlain, which started the process early, but still needed to come up with millions to fix a myriad of problems.

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And Levine Cava went further.

She called on all Miami-Dade municipalities to swiftly conduct similar audits in their cities.

We stand ready to offer any and all assistance necessary to complete this process, she tweeted.

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After Surfside collapse, Miami-Dade governments check on older buildings, discuss reform

As a result, two Miami-Dade housing complexes have already been flagged in an audit of unsafe structures.

Two Miami-Dade housing complexes flagged in audit of unsafe structures after condo collapse

A catastrophe of this magnitude  12 confirmed dead, 149 still missing  isnt the kind of test leaders want to have to face, but Levine Cava, 65, is in the thick of it.

Although she doesnt want to talk about herself, its important to note that, despite being newly elected to the post in November, shes showing remarkable leadership, not to mention aplomb  and in two languages.

Her Spanish-language skill isnt native. She learned it while living with her parents in Latin America and put it to work while a social worker in Miami. It served her well on the campaign trail, first as commissioner, then during the bitter and partisan race for mayor in which her Republican opponent used red-baiting tactics to portray her as a leftist.

At the days first briefing, Levine Cava marks the timeline.

Here we are, Day 6, she said Tuesday.

Poignant for all that this represents in terms of finding survivors, in reuniting families, in giving closure to days and days of raw grief and the mammoth efforts.

She quickly gets to the important points, then steps away from the limelight to allow experts to elaborate.

Sometimes, its not only what she does, but what she doesnt do.

When a journalist questioned if Gov. DeSantis had taken too long to sign an emergency disaster declaration so that considerable state and federal emergency resources could be made available, she didnt throw the governor under the bus.

Levine Cava had requested the order.

President Biden said that the federal government was ready to help Florida as soon as the governor declared a state of emergency, but he was waiting on DeSantis to act.

I say to the people of Florida, whatever help you want that the federal government can provide, we are waiting, just ask us, well be there, Biden said.

DeSantis order didnt come until the late afternoon, but Levine Cava wasnt going to play politics.

Although she has taken on DeSantis before for lifting COVID-19 restrictions too early, this time she praised the governor and the states help and presence in South Florida, saying she was thankful.

Brava.

People have noticed her leadership.

You show strength, compassion and calm to address this situation, Aventura Realtor Adriana Faerman tweeted to the mayor.

Levine Cava also is modest.

She politely declined to talk to me about her role managing the disaster.

Shes not engaging on the topic of herself right now, because this is not about her, Rachel Johnson, the mayors spokeswoman, explained. Shes not the story.

On this, too, Levine Cava is on point.

What matters are the victims, their families and the safety of her constituents, whose buildings, thanks to her leadership, are being audited without delay.
By John Miller

ZURICH (Reuters) - Switzerland will give 4 million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine that it has reserved to the vaccine-sharing programme COVAX, the government said on Wednesday, to help address a massive discrepancy in shots for the developing world.

Switzerland originally reserved 5.4 million doses of AstraZeneca's vaccine, but the country's medical regulator Swissmedic has yet to approve the shot, on grounds it has not received all necessary data from clinical trials.

The 4-million-dose donation exceeds the 3 million Switzerland had previously announced it was considering giving to COVAX.

"Through the unequal distribution of vaccines we can expect that the pandemic will continue for a long time to come," the government said in a statement.

Switzerland has ordered significantly more mRNA vaccines from Moderna and from Pfizer and its German partner BioNTech, including for 2022 when the country is preparing for the possibility that people will need a booster shot, either as immunity from the first round of shots wanes or as variants evade protection.

"The Swiss federal government is concentrating on mRNA vaccines," it said. "These have proven themselves to be highly effective and tolerable."

In addition to the AstraZeneca shot donation, Switzerland has also given 145 million Swiss francs ($157 million) to COVAX, part of more than 300 million francs it has directed to support the World Health Organization (WHO)-backed Access to Covid-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) aimed at speeding development of pandemic-fighting technologies.

($1 = 0.9235 Swiss francs)

(Reporting by John Miller; Editing by Michael Shields)
GENEVA (AP)  The Swiss executive branch has announced a proposal to purchase three dozen advanced fighter jets from U.S. manufacturer Lockheed Martin, which beat three rivals to land a contract worth more than 15.5 billion Swiss francs ($16.75 billion) over three decades.

The Federal Council, the Swiss seven-member executive, decided Wednesday it will advise parliament to buy 36 F-35A fighters from Lockheed Martin, as well as five Patriot ground-based air-defense system units from U.S. contractor Raytheon, for another 3.6 billion francs, over 30 years.

The purchases are part of a multi-year fleet refurbishment by the Swiss air force called Air2030 because the division's current equipment will reach the end of its service life by 2030, the defense department said in a statement.

Other contenders for the fighter-jet contract along with Lockheed Martin and Boeings F/A-18 Super Hornet were Frances Rafale -- produced by Dassault Aviation -- and the Eurofighter from an Airbus-led consortium.

The decision was made after a comprehensive technical evaluation based on a cost-benefit analysis, the department said, adding the total F-35A costs including procurement and operating costs came in 2 billion francs less than the second-lowest bidder.
Thailand prepared Wednesday to reopen the holiday hotspot of Phuket to tourists quarantine-free, even as the country registered its highest single-day death toll from Covid-19.

High hopes have been pinned on the so-called "Phuket sandbox" -- a model that will allow vaccinated travellers to visit without a quarantine period in an effort to revive Thailand's battered tourism industry.

But the lead-up to its July 1 launch has been plagued with uncertainty amid delays to government approval.

Thailand has been trying to contain a third wave of the coronavirus by imposing restrictions in the capital Bangkok and its suburbs, which have seen the Alpha and Delta variants spreading.

Wednesday saw the kingdom's highest single-day death toll yet of 53.

However, authorities say the Phuket sandbox will go ahead as planned. About 250 passengers are scheduled to land on the island Thursday on four flights, according to Covid-19 taskforce spokesman Taweesin Visanuyothin.

The return of tourists will bring welcome relief for businesses.

Thailand usually welcomes about 40 million tourists every year and about 18 percent of the country's GDP comes from the sector.

But for over a year Phuket's pristine sandy beaches have been unusually quiet and more than 80 percent of hotels have been shuttered.

To prepare for the reopening, two-thirds of Phuket's population have been inoculated.

In the notorious Patong Beach neighbourhood -- once humming with a thriving nightlife scene -- vendors were busy preparing Wednesday for a return to action.

"Everyone and every profession associated with tourism has been affected," said Thewan Phromyang, 49, who leases sun beds to tourists.

"I agree 100 percent with the Phuket sandbox scheme... We don't have anything else to support us other than tourists."

But there will be restrictions in place for those choosing Phuket for their holiday.

Visitors will have to stay on the island for 14 days if they wish to travel elsewhere in Thailand, and they must take three Covid tests during that period.

The number of Covid-19 cases in Phuket also cannot exceed 90 in one week.

bur-dhc/axn
LONDON (AP)  Marlies Haselton has called Britain home for more than 30 years. The Dutch national married a Briton, had her children there, and considers herself part and parcel of the U.K. Until Britains divorce from the European Union, she had never given a thought to her immigration status in the U.K.

Haselton, 55, is among the millions of Europeans who have freely lived, worked and studied in the U.K. for decades, but whose rights are no longer automatically granted due to Brexit. Britains government introduced a settlement plan for the countrys large European migrant community in 2019, and the deadline for applications is Wednesday.

From Thursday, any European migrant who hasnt applied will lose their legal right to work, rent housing and access some hospital treatments or welfare benefits in the U.K. They may even be subject to deportation.

Meanwhile, the freedom of movement that over 1 million Britons have long enjoyed in EU countries is also ending. Those applying for post-Brexit residency permits in France also face a deadline on Wednesday.

Campaigners in the U.K. are worried that tens or even hundreds of thousands of Europeans may not have applied by the deadline. Many older people who have lived in the U.K. for decades are not aware they have to apply, and official figures show that only 2% of applicants were 65 years old or older. Many parents also dont realize they have to apply for their children, migrants rights groups say.

Other vulnerable people, such as an estimated 2,000 children in social care, also risk falling through the cracks and ending up with no legal status.

For Haselton and many others, its a moment that drives home the impact of Britains referendum to leave the EU five years ago. Although Haselton successfully received her settled status, meaning she can reside permanently in the U.K., she said the whole process has made her feel insecure about the life she built in Britain.

I dont feel settled, she said. Im concerned about the future. I just dont have a safe feeling about growing old here as a foreigner. The sense of home I used to have is gone.

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Britains government says some 5.6 million people  the majority from Poland and Romania  have applied, far more than the initial estimates. While about half were granted settled status, some 2 million migrants who havent lived in the U.K. long enough were told they have to put in the paperwork again when they have completed five years of residency in the country.

And about 400,000 people are still in limbo because theyre waiting to hear a decision, said Lara Parizotto, a campaigner for The3million, a group set up after the Brexit referendum to lobby for the rights of EU citizens in the U.K.

These are the people were hearing from a lot, she said. You want to be secure and safe, you want to continue making plans for your future  you can imagine how complex it is not to have that certainty in your life right now when things are about to change so much.

Daria Riabchikova, a Russian woman who applied in February as the partner of a Belgian citizen living in the U.K., said it's been incredibly frustrating waiting four months for her paperwork to be processed. She fears the delay will affect a new job she is about to start.

I feel like a third-rate citizen, despite working here and paying taxes with my partner and living here, and contributing to the past year of struggle with the pandemic," she said. "Now I cant even have my straightforward application processed on time.

Figures are not available to show exactly how many people will have missed the deadline. But even a small percentage of the European population in the U.K. would total tens of thousands of people, Parizotto said. In recent weeks, the 25-year-old Brazilian-Italian has travelled with other volunteers across England to urge European communities working in rural farms and warehouses to sign up before its too late.

One key concern is that the immigration policy could leave a disastrous legacy similar to Britains Windrush scandal, when many from the Caribbean who legally settled in the U.K. decades ago were wrongly caught up in tough new government rules to crack down on illegal immigration.

Many in the Windrush generation  named after the ship that carried the first post-war migrants from the West Indies  lost their homes and jobs or were even deported simply because they couldnt produce paperwork proving their residency rights.

Many Europeans, especially young people whose parents failed to apply, wont necessarily realize they have lost their status right away, said Madeleine Sumption, director of Oxford Universitys Migration Observatory.

For some, it will only become clear later on  for example, when they get a new job or need to be treated in hospital, she said. It may be many more years before the legal, political, economic and social consequences start to emerge.

Britains government has conceded that it will give the benefit of the doubt to people who have reasonable grounds for applying late, but that hasnt eased campaigners worries. Many, including those who secured settled status, no longer feel confident in their future in Britain.

Elena Remigi, a translator originally from Milan who founded In Limbo, a project to record the voices of EU nationals in the U.K. since the Brexit referendum, said many Europeans say they still feel betrayed by how their adopted country treated them.

It is really sad that people who were living here before are now made to feel unwelcome and have to leave, she said. Thats really hard for some people to forgive.

Haselton, the Dutch migrant, said her British husband is mulling moving the family to the Netherlands as a direct consequence of Brexit. She is torn.

I still love this country, it would break my heart if I had to move, she said. At the same time Im not sure I want to stay. When it comes to a sense of feeling that you belong, that isnt something that you can do with a piece of paper.
First responders on the ground at the Miami Beach-area condo that partially collapsed last week have used several tech tools to aid the treacherous search-and-rescue effort.

Rescuers deployed sonar and camera equipment early on as officials scoured the rubble for survivors. Heavy machinery was brought in to remove some bits of the pancaked building materials. Yet, nearly 150 people remain unaccounted for. And officials still have a tedious mission ahead as teams try to avoid falling debris and other unforeseen obstacles.

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Does that mean it is time to send in the robots? It depends. Scouting robots might not be as susceptible to smoke inhalation and can snake through tight corridors in deadly conditions. But they also pose technical challenges, and are not always as helpful as they are designed to be when navigating complex environments at a moment's notice, experts say.

The Miami-Dade Fire Department has at least two robots in its arsenal that the Massachusetts-based robotics company Teledyne Flir overnighted to assist with the Surfside, Fla., rescue effort. The gadgets are designed to operate where it is nearly impossible for humans to go.

"They can also go where humans shouldn't go," said Tom Frost, Teledyne Flir's vice president of unmanned ground systems. "In a collapse situation like this, the pile is structurally unsound and constantly vulnerable to shifting. It's much safer to have a robot crawl deeper into a void than to have a person crawling into that void."

It is unclear if first responders have used the devices, however.

Teledyne Flir's machines have some features that could come in handy as rescuers search through a mound of collapsed concrete. One of its microrobots can be tossed onto unstable rubble and will then roll into crevices humans cannot see or fit into. The company also sent a 50-pound automated machine with an arm to pick up and move around objects.

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Teledyne Flir was formed last month after Teledyne Technologies, a $15 billion aerospace electronics firm, bought out Flir, a 42-year-old software company, in an $8 billion deal. The combined companies develop tech meant for deep sea, space and military missions.

The firm's devices sent for use in the condo incident are equipped with thermal sensors, cameras and two-way radios built to aid during high-stakes missions. The tech was deployed at the World Trade Center collapse in 2001 and has since been used by law enforcement agencies during barricade situations.

The throwable "FirstLook" robot weighs about five pounds, is about the size of a brick and is built to withstand 16-foot drops onto concrete. It looks like a tiny military tank, sits on track wheels and has two arms to climb small obstacles. The arms also enable it to turn itself upright when flipped over, according to the company.

"You can take this robot and throw through a window or throw it on a roof, and get to really hard to access places," Frost said.

The larger robot, "PackBot," is about the size of a suitcase. It is designed to roll over rubble, navigate narrow passages and tote loads under about 40-pounds. They are both built to run semi-autonomously, which means some features are automated, while others require a teleoperator.

Tossable robots are not exactly new. The scouting and surveillance tools have been used by law enforcement and military personnel for years. Still, there are limitations.

Radio signals might not be able to penetrate deeply into the rubble. There might not be any useful places on-site for the robots to go. And robots can get stuck, causing yet another problem.

That is what happened in 2010 when rescuers in New Zealand tried finding 29 miners trapped inside a coal mine. The nation's defense force sent in a camera-equipped robot to search for signs of human life, and it ended up short-circuiting and holding back the mission.

"You don't want a robot to fail in the one spot that would block any other robot or person from getting in," said Robin Murphy, a professor of computer science and engineering at Texas A&M. She worked on robotics-related recovery missions during 9/11, Hurricane Harvey and various other disasters. "We've got to make sure the robots are actually helping."

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PHARR  Former President Donald Trump fired broadsides at his successor and congressional Democrats on a visit Wednesday to an unfinished section of the border wall near the Rio Grande, even as Texas Democrats criticized the trip as an empty publicity stunt.

"Now we have an open, more dangerous border," Trump said to a crowd that included a long list of Republican elected officials from Texas and elsewhere. "More dangerous than it has ever been in the history of our country."

More: 'We get the brunt': How the influx of migrants at the US-Mexico border is playing out in Texas border towns

The former president was invited by Gov. Greg Abbott to listen to the concerns of Texas law enforcement officials and to speak with the rusted bollard border fencing and oversized American and Texas flags waving behind him.

Trump touched on several themes, including several long since debunked, that proved to be among the touchstones of his single term in the White House. He repeated his false claim that Joe Biden did not win the 2020 presidential election..

More: Fact check: Trump lost the 2020 presidential election

Abbott, a Republican who will seek a third term next year, has vowed to use state resources to continue work on the wall, which has been halted by Biden. The governor has been harshly critical of the Democratic administration's 180-degree reversal of Trump's policies for the southern border. At the events in South Texas, the governor continued to drive that theme as he lavished praise upon the former president.

You see an unfinished border, Abbott said as he gestured to the wall behind him. This is Bidens fault because President Biden is not continuing what President Trump began."

"Apprehensions have shot up, leading to an increase in criminals entering the country," he added. It is time we seal this border and close it down.

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PHOTOS: A look at the border ahead of Donald Trump, Gov. Greg Abbott's visit

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Texas Democrats, both in Congress and in the Legislature, denounced the border visit. They accused Trump and the governor of playing politics as more pressing issues go unnoticed.

"The state of Texas has gone through so much this past year," said Democratic Congressman Filemon Vela of Brownsville. "The pandemic, the massive power outages that resulted in so many lives lost, and now an unemployment rate that is double what we saw before the virus."

More: 'Massive failure': Why are millions of people in Texas still without power?

"Instead of prioritizing Texans and making sure we grow our economy and get people back to work, Governor Abbott is creating a distracting media circus with a failed former president."

As Trump made his way to the border wall in Pharr, a group of Texas Democrats gathered outside of the Capitol in Austin to criticize Abbott and other state leaders for what they described as a publicity stunt that distracts from real issues lawmakers should be addressing.

This is a congressional responsibility, not a state responsibility," said state Rep. Celia Israel, D-Austin. "Congress has been absent for a generation now or more, since I was a little girl in El Paso, Texas  not providing real answers and a real pathway to citizenship."

Illegal border crossings slowed during the COVID-19 pandemic that raged during nearly all of 2020. But federal immigration authorities have apprehended as many as 100,000 migrants at the southern border each month since February, according to reports.

Trump arrived back in South Texas for the first time since shortly before leaving office in January on an overcast day with sometimes heavy rains. The trip with Abbott has stirred intense media interest, not only in Texas but internationally.

Trump said under the Biden administration's border policies, crime and smuggling have increased.

Law enforcement officials who joined the former president for the briefing preceding the event at the border agreed.

"Drug cartels of Mexico need to be the No. 1 enemy of law enforcement," said Tarrant County Sheriff Bill Waybourne, adding that the illegal opioid fentanyl is coming across the border in unprecedented amounts and making its way to communities all across the country.

More: Why South Texas might be ripe for border wall message from Donald Trump and Greg Abbott

Brooks County Sheriff Benny Martinez told Trump his law enforcement agency, headquartered about 70 miles north of the Rio Grande, has been overwhelmed by the inflow of undocumented migrants. He also said officers have been discovering many more dead bodies of migrants than when Trump was in office.

We just dont have the resources, Martinez said.

More: Gov. Abbott, legislative leaders reallocated $250 million in state funds for border wall

Come on home, governor, said state Rep. John Bucy, a Democrat from Austin. Lets have a special session and lets talk about gun safety. Lets talk about health care, lets talk about fixing the grid and working on the demand side. And then, if were going to waste tax dollars to be here, we can get something done for the people of Texas.

American-Statesman staff writer Madlin Mekelburg contributed to this report.

This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Donald Trump, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott visit border: Here's what to know
Republican lawmakers are demanding answers from the IRS after it appeared to disqualify a Christian group for tax-exempt status over its biblical teachings.

House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady of Texas and Rep. Mike Kelly of Pennsylvania sent Internal Revenue Service Commissioner Charles Rettig a letter demanding he turn over a trove of records related to groups that were and were not granted tax-exempt status.

At issue is the Texas prayer group Christians Engaged, which was denied 501(c)(3) status by the IRS in May. In a communique denying the group tax-exempt status, IRS Director of Exempt Organizations Stephen Martin said that the organization was denied tax-exempt status because it is not operated exclusively for religious and educational purposes and was engaged in prohibited campaign invention.

You instruct individuals on issues that are prominent in political campaigns and instruct them in what the Bible says about the issue and how they should vote, Martin wrote. These issues include the sanctity of life, the definition of marriage, and biblical justice. These issues generally distinguish candidates and are associated with political party platforms.

TOP FINANCE REPUBLICAN DEMANDS REVIEW OF IRS SECURITY PRACTICES AFTER MASSIVE BILLIONAIRE TAX LEAK

He claimed that the information that Christians Engaged presents and information posted on its website is not neutral, but the lines that have attracted the most attention from Republican lawmakers are where Martin appears to conclude that because certain biblical teachings are tied to the GOP, the group should not be afforded tax-exempt status.

You educate Christians on what the Bible says in areas where they can be instrumental including the areas of sanctity of life, the definition of marriage, biblical justice, freedom of speech, defense, and borders and immigration, U.S. and Israel relations, the denial letter reads. The Bible teachings are typically affiliated with the [Republican] Party and candidates. This disqualifies you from exemption under [tax law].

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While Christians Engaged, which is led by conservative activist and former GOP congressional primary candidate Bunni Pounds, has appealed the IRS ruling with the help of First Liberty Institute, a conservative legal group, Republicans on Capitol Hill are not pleased with the IRSs decision and want answers.

Brady and Kelly wrote that they were shocked to read that the IRS associated certain biblical teachings with the Republican Party as part of its determination and pointed out that some Democrats also have strongly held religious beliefs.

They wrote that White House press secretary Jen Psaki recently described President Joe Biden as a strong man of faith and said his political beliefs should not be seen through a political prism.

Given the strongly held beliefs in biblical teachings by politicians on both sides of the aisle, it is unfounded to conclude that biblical teachings are affiliated with any particular political party, the duo said.

The congressmen wrote that other organizations promoting civic-mindedness and voter participation, such as former first lady Michelle Obamas group When We All Vote, have been granted tax-exempt status. Obamas organization states that its mission is to empower our supporters and volunteers to take action through voting, advocating for their rights, and holding their elected officials accountable.

Brady and Kelly demanded that the IRS provide them with a list of groups that were denied tax-exempt status for being affiliated with the [Republican] party and candidates since 2019 and a list of groups that were granted tax-exempt status and had a mission of increasing voter participation and civic education.

They also requested a briefing by the Tax Exempt and Government Entities Group about the application evaluation process for granting tax-exempt statuses.

Rettig was given a July 9 deadline to respond to the requests.

Nearly a decade ago, the IRS said that its Exempt Organizations unit targeted conservative tea party groups for added scrutiny. In the letter, Brady and Kelly said that the decision is particularly concerning given the agencys prior history of targeting tax exempt groups for additional scrutiny based on their perceived political affiliation.

A senior congressional aide told the Washington Examiner on Wednesday that Ways and Means Republicans are laser-focused on the issue of political bias at the IRS and the weaponization of the IRS  especially considering the White Houses proposal to supercharge the IRS with more authority and funding.

In a separate letter to Rettig this week, more than a dozen other Republican lawmakers, including Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, Sen. Mike Lee of Utah, Sen. Ted Cruz of Texas, and Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, all implored him to review Martins decision regarding Christians Engaged personally and remove those responsible for the decision.

Millions of Americans draw deeply from their religious beliefs to inform how they vote and many religious organizations conduct get out the vote efforts, they wrote. The IRS must objectively analyze applications for tax-exempt status and cannot allow political biases to creep into its decisions.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Christians Engaged, which claims to be nonpartisan, says its goal is to awaken, motivate, and empower ordinary believers in Jesus Christ to: pray for our nation and our elected officials regularly, vote in every election to impact our culture, and engage our hearts in some forms of political education or activism for the furtherance of our nation.

The Washington Examiner contacted the IRS for comment about the two letters that were sent to Rettig but did not immediately receive a response.

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Tags: News, Kevin Brady, IRS, Taxes, Congress, Religion

Original Author: Zachary Halaschak

Original Location: Top Republicans press IRS after Christian group rejected for nonprofit status
Former President Donald Trump at the Lorain County Fairgrounds in Wellington, Ohio, on June 26. Anadolu Agency via Getty Images

Trump canceled a rally in Mobile, Alabama, after the venue scrapped its permit.

The USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park approved the event before knowing Trump would attend.

Park officials said Trump being there would breach venue rules that events must be nonpartisan.

See more stories on Insider's business page.

Former President Donald Trump scrapped plans to hold a July 4 weekend rally in Mobile, Alabama, after being denied a permit for the venue.

It came after local officials worried that the event could be hijacked for partisan political reasons.

Trump had been billed as the keynote speaker at Saturday's Republican Party event at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park.

But, in a letter first obtained by NBC 15 News, park officials said they would not let the event go ahead.

They said the decision came after they learned that it would not simply be a patriotic Independence Day-themed event without strong political affiliation.

"After the request was made, then there was contact with the Republican Party, they contacted us and then it became apparent that it was going to be a partisan political event, rather than just a patriotic event planned for that evening," wrote Bill Tunnell, the park commission chairman, in the letter.

The park houses the USS Alabama, a warship that took part in naval operations during the Second World War. Park authorities have banned political events at the venue since 2012, when former GOP Sen. Rick Santorum held a rally there.

Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall told Al.com that the park officials sought his opinion, and that he told them to be wary of restricting free speech based on the "identity of the speaker."

In a statement to NBC 15 News, the Alabama GOP said Trump had been looking forward to speaking at the event and was disappointed it was not going forward.

Later, a Trump aide contacted NBC 15 and said that the Mobile rally was delayed in order to avoid holding two large events in such a compressed time frame.

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The former president still plans to come to Alabama at some point later this year.

"The response to our rally that was being simultaneously planned in Sarasota has blown away our initial projections and so we made the decision some weeks back to do our Mobile rally in the summer or early fall rather than try to stage two massive rallies on back to back days," the aide said in a statement.

Trump has stirred rumors of a bid to return to power since leaving the White House in January.

Though barred from social-media platforms over his alleged incitement of the January 6 Capitol riot, he has continued to baselessly claim by other means that last year's election was stolen from him as a result of mass fraud.

On Saturday he appeared at his first rally since leaving office, where he railed against critics and opponents in a familiar style.

Read the original article on Business Insider
Donald Trump visited the US-Mexico border Wednesday, pushing anti-immigrant rhetoric and rallying his base by warning that "millions" of undocumented migrants were surging into the country due to the lax policies of his presidential successor Joe Biden.

The Republican former leader's first fact-finding tour since leaving the White House comes as the Biden administration grapples with a migrant surge that Trump blames squarely on an easing of his "tough but fair" policies that were aimed at deterring new arrivals.

"Now we have an open, really dangerous border, more dangerous than it's ever been in the history of our country -- and we better go back fast," the brash billionaire said after receiving a briefing from sheriffs at the Department of Public Safety in the small town of Weslaco, Texas.

"Millions of people are coming in," Trump added later in remarks delivered along the border in Pharr, Texas, part of his recent ramp-up of public appearances.

Migrant detentions reached their highest level in 15 years in March, and Biden critics accused the president of downplaying the situation.

But the numbers are in the hundreds of thousands, not millions, and many migrants are being returned to Mexico.

Trump was accompanied by Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott, who has pledged to finish Trump's wall along his state's border -- but with private donations and not federal assistance.

Trump was also joined by several Republican members of Congress, including conservatives Lauren Boebert and Jim Banks, as they observed an uncompleted portion of the re-enforced metal wall looming over a grassy bluff.

The area is in the Rio Grande Valley, one of the illegal migration hot spots along the 1,930-mile (3,100-kilometer) border.

Trump expressed pride in his efforts to build more than 400 miles of border barrier and to tamp down the number of migrants crossing into Texas, New Mexico, Arizona and California.

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"We did a hell of a job," Trump said.

Most of Trump's new construction involved bolstering or replacing existing wall or fencing, with fewer than 50 miles of it being constructed where none stood previously.

Republican lawmakers have slammed Biden for reversing Trump programs, including his "remain in Mexico" policy, which had forced thousands of asylum seekers from Central America to stay south of the US border until their claims were processed.

"Things have changed so quickly and so dramatically under the Biden administration, it's been amazing and disastrous," Governor Abbott said, using fear-mongering language to portray an area where Americans are being "threatened every single day" by migrants crossing the border.

- 'Destroying our country' -

Critics have also warned of the surge in drug trafficking into the United States, particularly of fentanyl, a powerful synthetic opioid.

Biden last week dispatched Vice President Kamala Harris -- whom he has tasked with overseeing efforts to stem migration -- to the border region where she highlighted the administration's commitment to "orderly and humane" immigration policies.

Harris visited El Paso, but received withering criticism because the border city is hundreds of miles from the epicenter of the migration surge.

Trump, who may yet seek re-election in 2024 but has not announced his plans, has repeatedly knocked Biden for the border crisis.

The Democratic Party has pushed back, saying Republicans were bringing their "clown show" to the border to mislead voters.

Trump, who has been booted from social media and was impeached for inciting the deadly January 6 riot at the US Capitol, is increasingly seeking the public spotlight after months of laying low.

Last week in Ohio, at his first campaign-style rally since leaving the White House, he repeated the lie that he won November's election and that Biden prevailed only through fraud.

Perhaps eager to rejuvenate conservative voters, who polls show still largely support Trump, he returned to the theme in Texas.

"Biden is destroying our country, and it all started with a fake election," Trump said.

"If you don't have good elections, and if you don't have a strong border, you don't have a country."

mlm/caw
ANKARA (Reuters) - Turkey is in talks with Russia and other members of the United Nations Security Council on the extension of a cross-border aid operation into war-torn Syria, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said on Wednesday, less than 10 days before the mandate expires.

Millions of people depend on the humanitarian aid currently funnelled from a single border crossing in Turkey into northwest Syria, an arrangement authorised by the U.N. Security Council. Officials have warned of a humanitarian catastrophe if the mandate is not renewed.

Speaking alongside Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in the Turkish resort of Antalya, Cavusoglu said the mandate, which expires July 10, should be extended. Ankara would continue to work with Moscow on a political solution to Syria's crisis and the maintenance of an existing ceasefire in the north, he added.

(Reporting by Tuvan Gumrukcu and Ece Toksabay; Editing by Jonathan Spicer)
With most Americans staying at home during the coronavirus pandemic, David Cline dreamed up a treasure hunt.

He wanted to bury $5,000 somewhere in the Utah wilderness. His wife told him to think again.

I was thinking of what would be a safe way for people to get outside and enjoy some Vitamin D, Cline told McClatchy News in a phone interview. I came up with this idea of a treasure hunt, and my wife wouldnt let me bury the whole amount that I wanted to do.

He turned to his friend John Maxim, who decided to join him on the venture. Last summer, the duo, who both work in real estate, buried thousands in the Utah mountains and posted a clue  written as a poem on their website  utahtreasurehunts.com  and social media.

They were surprised with the huge turnout astreasure hunters packed parking lots, flooded the hills and even flew drones across the area to search for the prize.

After four days, the treasure was found. It was so popular that the duo decided to try again  with an even bigger prize.

A map shows the area where $10,000 is buried in Utah.

This time Cline and Maxim buried $10,000 in the Utah wilderness near Salt Lake City, Ogden or Provo. They released a new poem on June 19 to help steer people in the right direction.

Begin your search where hikers rest, the poem begins. Majestic slopes all facing west. Through the tunnel of emerald green. Follow the river creek or spring.

A poem was the first clue of the Utah treasure hunt.

The response this year has been even bigger, Cline said. He estimated that hundreds of people started searching for the treasure over the past week.

People from all over the country have traveled to Utah to look for the bounty, including from as far as Hawaii, Las Vegas, Colorado and Atlanta.

Seems that everyone thinks theyre Indiana Jones.

He was messaging me and was so convinced that he knew exactly where it was that he wanted to fly in, Cline said. I was like, Hey man, maybe just partner with somebody here who can go check with you. He said no way, and he flew in from Hawaii.

Search safely, treasure hunters

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Rescue officials are urging people who go treasure hunting to be safe. At least one hiker has already been injured looking for the treasure, according to the Salt Lake County Sheriffs Search and Rescue team.

Officials were called to the Ferguson Canyon overlook Saturday where a family of four had been looking for the treasure. A large rock fell on a 49-year-old mans foot near the overlook, and he wasnt able to walk back down on his own. Nearly 25 search and rescue members had to help the man down the canyon.

Our team ran into several other groups of hikers all looking for the same treasure, most were unprepared to be in the backcountry and asked our team for water on the trail, officials said. Please make sure that youre going into the mountains prepared.

Luckily, the record-setting heat wave that is scorching must of the West has not reached the Salt Lake City-Ogden-Provo area.

Every Friday until the treasure is found, the organizers will release a new clue about the treasure. If treasure hunters tag them on social media, they could sign up to get the weekly clue a day early.

Cline said its hard to know if any of the treasure hunters have gotten close to the bounty because so many of the landscapes look the same.

They have the same trees and rock formations, Cline. So Im not sure. At least a couple have been on the right track.

Treasure hunter gets prison time after digging in Yellowstone cemetery, officials say

Meet the treasure hunter who found Forrest Fenns bounty after years of searching

Treasure hunter gets stuck rappelling Yellowstone canyon, rangers say
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo on Monday said she had spoken with the chief executive of Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co Ltd (TSMC) and that he had asked for help getting access to COVID-19 vaccines.

Raimondo told Reuters in an interview "he asked for help in that regard, he has spoken to high level officials in the White House. We have responded and we definitely want to be a good partner and I do think it's helping."

Taiwan said two weeks ago it will allow officials from Taiwan's Foxconn and TSMC to negotiate on its behalf for COVID-19 vaccines.

Mid-June the United States shipped 2.5 million COVID-19 vaccine doses to Taiwan, more than tripling Washington's previous allocation of shots for the island.

TSMC said in a statement to Reuters that they believed "getting vaccines for Taiwan would help to protect the communities and ensure normal operations."

Taiwan has been trying to speed up the arrival of the millions of vaccines it has on order as it deals with a rise in domestic cases, although infections remain comparatively low.

The request from TSMC, the world's biggest manufacturer of semiconductors on contract, coincides with a global chip shortage that has slowed production of manufacturers around the world, including in the U.S. auto industry where it is forecast the crisis will hit the production of 3.9 million vehicles. Raimondo has a key role in resolving the crisis for U.S. companies.

Although there has been no major impact so far on chip production in Taiwan since domestic cases began rising in the middle of May, some U.S. auto executives have told Reuters privately earlier this month they were concerned COVID-19 in Taiwan could impact the flow of semiconductors to U.S. factories.

(Reporting by David Shepardson in Washington; Additional reporting by Ben Blanchard in Taipei; Editing by Simon Cameron-Moore)
WASHINGTON (Reuters) -The U.S. National Security Agency on Tuesday denied allegations by Fox News host Tucker Carlson that the agency is spying on him in an attempt to force him off the air.

"This allegation is untrue. Tucker Carlson has never been an intelligence target of the Agency and the NSA has never had any plans to try to take his program off the air," the NSA said in a statement posted on Twitter.

Carlson, a conservative talk show commentator and strident critic of the Joe Biden administration, said on his show on Monday night that he "heard from a whistleblower within the U.S. government who reached out to warn us that the NSA, the National Security Agency, is monitoring our electronic communications and is planning to leak them in an attempt to take this show off the air."

"The NSA captured that information without our knowledge and did it for political reasons. The Biden administration is spying on us. We have confirmed that," he said.

The NSA "has a foreign intelligence mission," the agency added on Twitter, and can not target a U.S. citizen without a court order except in limited exceptions.

Carlson said on his show on Tuesday that NSA's statement did not address the accusation that the agency was reading his emails.

Fox News had no comment.

In March, the Pentagon said Carlson "essentially demeaned the entire U.S. military" with a segment that decried increasing numbers of female service members.

In April, the Anti-Defamation League, an international organization that studies hate groups, called for Carlson's removal, saying he "parroted white supremacist and antisemitic conspiracy theories."

(Reporting by Eric Beech; Editing by Heather Timmons, Christopher Cushing and Edwina Gibbs)
By Michelle Nichols

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The United States told the U.N. Security Council on Tuesday that it targeted Iran-backed militia in Syria and Iraq with airstrikes to deter the militants and Tehran from conducting or supporting further attacks on U.S. personnel or facilities.

Under Article 51 of the United Nations Charter, the 15-member Security Council must immediately be informed of any action that states take in self-defense against armed attack.

U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations, Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said the airstrikes hit facilities used by militia blamed for an escalating series of drone and rocket attacks against U.S. personnel and facilities in Iraq.

"This military response was taken after non-military options proved inadequate to address the threat, with the aim of deescalating the situation and preventing further attacks," she wrote in a letter, seen by Reuters.

President Joe Biden wrote a similar letter to Congress on Tuesday. "The United States stands ready to take further action, as necessary and appropriate, to address further threats or attacks," he said.

U.S. troops came under rocket fire in Syria on Monday in apparent retaliation for weekend U.S. air strikes. About 34 rockets were fired in the attack, but there were no injuries, a U.S. military official said on Tuesday.

While the Iraqi and U.S. militaries coordinate closely in a separate battle in Iraq against remnants of the Sunni extremist group Islamic State, Iraq's government and military condemned the U.S. airstrikes against the Iran-back militia.

The United States began airstrikes against Islamic State in Syria in 2014, telling the United Nations it acted because Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government had failed to wipe out safe havens used by the militants to launch attacks on Iraq.

Iraq told the U.N. Security Council at the time that it requested U.S. help because a safe haven for the militants in Syria had made its border "impossible to defend."

(Reporting by Michelle Nichols; editing by Jane Wardell)
LONDON (Reuters) - Britain said on Wednesday it had agreed a partnership for financial services with Singapore as part of its push for post-Brexit trade and investment deals.

"Our financial partnership will help increase investment and trade with Singapore and the Asia-Pacific region and boost collaboration on important areas such as fintech and green finance," British finance minister Rishi Sunak said.

The agreement includes a memorandum of understanding which seeks to reduce burdens for firms operating in British and Singapore markets by recognising that their financial services regulatory regimes achieve the same outcomes.

An MoU on cybersecurity was also part of the agreement which was struck by Sunak and the chairman of the Monetary Authority of Singapore, Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Britain's finance ministry said.

(Writing by William Schomberg; Editing by Alistair Smout)
The University of North Carolina (UNC) Board of Trustees gathered for a special meeting Wednesday and voted 94 to approve the tenure application of Nikole Hannah-Jones, author of the 1619 Project published by the New York Times.

Some demonstrators congregated inside to watch the meeting, which was supposed to be a closed session, as is standard procedure for a tenure vote. However, this information was reportedly not communicated to the student body, so several people were forcibly removed by police, according to the Daily Tar Heel.

Jones criticized the officers conduct with the students in a Twitter statement.

It should have been communicated how this meeting would go, that tenure proceedings are always held in closed session, and an attempt made to de-escalate. Instead Black students were shoved and punched because they were confused about the process. This is not right, Hannah-Jones wrote.

A majority vote confirmed Hannah-Jones to be a tenured professor, with trustees Dave Boliek, Haywood Cochrane, Allie Ray McCullen, and John Preyer voting against her candidacy.

In so (approving the tenure), this board reaffirms that the University puts its highest values first, Trustee Gene Davis, who voted for Joness tenure application, said. The students standing by reportedly erupted into laughter.

The schools board of trustees first denied Joness tenure application in May, citing apprehensions about awarding this designation to someone outside of academia. Without tenure, Hannah-Jones was to join the universitys Hussman School of Journalism and Media as a fixed-term Professor of the Practice and as a Knight Chair in Race and Investigative Journalism.

Last week, Hannah-Jones and her legal team submitted a letter to the university stating that she would refuse to join the UNC faculty under a fixed-term employment contracted unless she was granted the security of tenure. The document accused a major conservative political donor involved with the school of interfering to kill her tenure application. It also alleged that by denying Jones tenure, the school engaged in discrimination that could warrant a federal lawsuit, citing a number of potential legal violations including political influence in violation of North Carolina law.

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The 1619 edition of the New York Times magazine, in which Hannah-Jones played a pivotal writing role, has been criticized by many historians as a very unbalanced, one-sided account that is wrong in so many ways. The projects objective is to inculcate a revisionist re-framing of American history in students, teaching that slavery is intrinsic to the countrys national fabric.

More from National Review
KAIROUAN, Tunisia (AP)  A man wearing a protective suit quickly yet carefully places a black sheet over a COVID-19 victim laid out in a coffin in a courtyard at Ibn Jazzar Hospital in the Tunisian town of Kairouan. He then folds a white sheet on top and sprinkles the body with disinfectant from a small bottle, while loved ones and other hospital visitors cry out Allahu Akbar, or God is great, in Arabic.

Patients in the hospitals overfilled COVID-19 ward are dying daily amid a spike in coronavirus infections in the North African country, with Kairouan and three other regions especially hard hit. At the regional hospital, tensions mount as personnel try to cope with scarce means.

Im shocked, said Sana Kraiem, whose mother was put in a wheelchair in a roomful of COVID-19 patients, like a dog", she described.

They told me they cant free up a bed occupied by a dead person, a distressed Kraiem said in an interview with The Associated Press during a visit this week to the hospital.

The half-dozen rooms devoted to COVID-19 patients each packs in five or six beds. A patient who recently died was seen still occupying one of the beds in each room visited. A special service eventually removes the body.

Over the past month, confirmed virus infections in Tunisia have reached the highest daily levels since the pandemic began, but the vaccination rate remains low, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Tunisia has reported Africas highest per-capita death toll from the pandemic, and is currently recording one of the highest per-capita infection rates in Africa, the data indicates.

The Kairouan region is living through a real horror movie, Mohamed Rouis, the regional health director in Kairouan, was quoted saying in Tunisian media earlier this month.

A temporary hospital has been set up on the outskirts of the city. The army has also bolstered that with a military care facility under a green tent which houses a line of beds with monitoring equipment and respirators. Despite the dire situation, there is no widespread testing for COVID-19 in the poor, rural region.

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The Ibn Jazzar hospitals supervisor, Zohra Hedwej, explained that goodwill gestures by officials end up as frustrating half-measures, such as opening a section for coronavirus patients, without making provisions for medical staff.

We resort to recruiting workers from other departments in the hospital, Hedwej told the AP. Its very difficult to find volunteers because some dont know the level of their (own) physical immunity, others fear for their relatives who have weak immunity. We want a stable workforce that is able to work.

Hedwej said there is such a dearth of trained personnel that sophisticated equipment cant be used at times.

We need labor more than we need new equipment, she said, adding that while equipment comes from donors  who are still needed  there is still a greater need for trained professionals "who can use it and take care of it.

Facing an alarming growth in infections, the Tunisian government on Tuesday extended an overnight curfew and ordered stepped-up vaccination efforts in rural areas. But it resisted calls for a national lockdown because of public frustration at the economic impact on a population that's already struggling with unemployment and economic decline.

Tunisia has reported more than 14,000 virus-related deaths amid its population of 12 million since the pandemic began, with more than 400 infections per 100,000 people in four regions, including Kairouan, where hospitals are over capacity.

___

Bouazza ben Bouazza in Tunis, and Elaine Ganley, in Paris, contributed to this report.
Jun. 29When Pastor Brian Norris saw the need for people to escape the heat this weekend and Monday, he jumped on board to organize a "cooling center" at Living Hope Church.

"A lot of these people we look at as family and friends," Norris said. "When there's a need, we will fulfill that need, whether that be getting food in bellies; if that means getting people in showers; if that means opening up because it's over 110 degrees outside."

Living Hope Church was one of a handful of cooling centers that helped the community's struggling citizens during historic heat temperatures. The cooling center is part of the church's effort to help address homelessness, and at 2 p.m. Monday, about 40 people were getting food bags, clothing, tents, tarps, sleeping bags, backpacks, showers and other refreshments from the center.

The church organizes many programs and events year-round open to all community members at its location at 2711 N.E. Andresen Road, including heating centers when temperatures are low.

The church's cooling center doesn't plan to open today, as the high temperature is expected to reach 91 degrees, according to the National Weather Service in Portland. The only one open today is at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 400 S. Andresen Road, available from 3:30 to 8 p.m.

Amber Barnett, a regular visitor at the church, said she's never experienced temperatures as hot as these, and she worries for the homeless community. Barnett said she woke up to her 2-year-old dog panting on the tent floor, and that's when she knew she had to find shelter.

"There should be day centers like this open more throughout the city instead of just grouped in downtown because the homeless community is spread wide out, and we don't really roam far from our homes, whether that be a tent or a blanket," Barnett said.

Barnett wasn't the only one worried about her pets. Visitor Caleb Bliven, along with his three dogs, said he was grateful for the opportunity to stay cool indoors.

Sarah Beverly Schneider, an organizer for the cooling center, said her parents, Gary and Rae Anne Schneider, worked in collaboration with Living Hope to organize the cooling center and other similar programs year-round.

"We know people are in need, and we want to help make them feel special," said Schneider.
A Norfolk family whose cars and home caught fire under suspicious circumstances is offering a $10,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction of someone they believe to be an arsonist preying upon the neighborhood.

In a post on NextDoor, Patrick and Tiffany McGee encouraged anyone with information that they believe will help the authorities in this investigation to call the Norfolk Fire Marshals Office or police department.

We have always been private people and we are hesitant to continue to engage publicly on this topic  but  we are convinced that bad things happen when good people do nothing  our family will not suffer that fate, the McGees wrote.

The McGee familys home and cars were the latest to fall victim to a cluster of fires at Claremont and Redgate avenues on June 11. The Norfolk Fire Department will not say whether a serial arsonist is responsible.

The department says it has no new updates on its investigation into the string of suspicious fires.

Ali Sullivan, ali.sullivan@virginiamedia.com
The World Bank announced Wednesday it has increased its Covid-19 vaccine fund for developing countries by $8 billion to $20 billion.

In addition, the bank's private financing arm secured a 600 million euro ($710 million) package for a South African vaccine manufacturer to ramp up production, the institution announced.

"Together the actions announced today on vaccine production, deployment and financing will save lives, boost economic recovery and help ensure the people in the developing countries have a chance to prosper," World Bank Group President David Malpass told reporters.

The $20 billion is available through 2022 to finance vaccine distribution as well as cold chains and training health workers, the bank said in a statement.

As of Wednesday the bank had distributed $4.4 billion to 51 developing nations, half of which in the form of grants or low-cost loans.

Malpass again urged advanced nation to step up support for vaccine access in developing nations, including distributing excess doses especially as a greater share of the population in rich countries receive their jabs.

His comments came after the first meeting of a vaccine task force comprised of the leaders of the World Bank, International Monetary Fund, World Health Organization and World Trade Organization.

In a joint statement they said the task force was created to serve as a "war room" to coordinate vaccine delivery in developing countries.

"We are deeply concerned about the limited vaccines, therapeutics, diagnostics, and support for deliveries available to developing countries," the statement said.

"Urgent action is needed now to arrest the rising human toll due to the pandemic, and to halt further divergence in the economic recovery between advanced economies and the rest."

- Vaccines production in South Africa -

Axel van Trotsenburg, World Bank operations chief, said "Significant challenges still remain regarding vaccine deployment and hesitancy. We are taking action on all fronts to tackle these challenges."

Story continues

Since the start of the pandemic the Washington-based development lender has approved more than $150 billion to help address the health and social impacts of the crisis.

Meanwhile, the bank's International Finance Corporation (IFC) joined forces with French, German and US development agencies on a financing package for Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Limited, a leading pharmaceutical company in South Africa.

The resources will allow the company to refinance debt and boost vaccine production, the IFC said in a statement.

The company has contracted with Johnson & Johnson to finish and package the single-dose vaccine.

"Aspen is seeking to play a meaningful role in contributing to the objective of delivering the majority of Africa's needs from production sites located in Africa," said Stephen Saad, Aspen's Group Chief Executive.

hs/bgs
The World Health Organization on Wednesday declared that China has eradicated malaria after more than 70 years of fighting the disease.

Why it matters: China is the first country in the WHO Western Pacific Region to receive a malaria-free certification in more than 30 years. It follows Australia (1981), Singapore (1982) and Brunei (1987).

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A total of 40 countries and territories have been declared free of the disease.

What they're saying: "Today we congratulate the people of China on ridding the country of malaria," said Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general.

"Their success was hard-earned and came only after decades of targeted and sustained action. With this announcement, China joins the growing number of countries that are showing the world that a malaria-free future is a viable goal," he added.

History: China has been working to locate and stop the spread of the disease for decades. In the 1940s, the country reported approximately 30 million cases annually, according to the WHO.

The Chinese government launched the "523 Project" in 1967 to find new malaria treatments. Through this process, Chinese scientists found artemisinin, the key component of the most effective antimalarial drug to date.

By 1990, Chinese malaria cases decreased to 117,000, and deaths were reduced by 95%.

China applied for a WHO certification of malaria elimination in 2020, after four consecutive years of reporting zero cases.

Between the lines: WHO warned that malaria could still return, noting that China's Yunnan province borders several malaria-endemic countries: Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.

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Regarding noise, Courtney said they understood the venue would have to comply with the county noise ordinance.

A presentation from Courtney during the meeting revealed weak points in the application, according to chair Mark Stapleton, contradicting information included in the application.

I am not at all happy about what Ive been hearing and the reason is Im not sure we have all the answers... Theres a nonspecific nature to this application that I am just not comfortable with, Stapleton said.

In the presentation, Courtney said the barn-style structure will cover an 80 by 80 square-foot area, 1,400 square feet larger than what is listed on county documents. The application also states the entrance to the venue will be located on Irish Road, but Courtney said after talking with the Virginia Department of Transportation they had decided to move the entrance to Church Lane.

Courtney said the discrepancy in the size of the building could be the difference between enclosed space and the structure as a whole.

Referencing county requirements for the approval of special use permits, North District Commissioner Philippa Proulx said she felt the application in its current state failed to meet some of those standards.
Eight ways of looking at things

We hold these truths to be self-evident is a phrase much in doubt these days. Which truths, whose truths? Here is what is self-evident at least for me.

1. Donald Trump tried to overthrow our government. If we cant put him in jail perhaps the next best thing would be to convince him to leave the country. Exile in Moscow or Saudi Arabia perhaps.

2. For the Republican Party the only valid vote is a vote for a Republican. That being said, if the Democratic Party could be in power for every election it would. It is what political parties do.

3. We are a nation of immigrants. If there is one political fact you should always keep in your mind, this is the fact.

4. Our economic system is incompatible with life on earth. Global warming and habitat destruction are two aspects of the same thing. We need to rethink how we do business if we intend to survive.

5. The cry of socialism is the way the powers that be keep the rest of us in line. Our system is based on keeping some of us in poverty.
Public health officials trying to combat the confusion and hesitancy have put up billboards where the Amish travel by horse and buggy, sent letters to bishops and offered to take the vaccines into their homes and workplaces, all without much success.

"It's not due to lack of effort," said Michael Derr, the health commissioner in Holmes County, Ohio. "But this thing is so politically charged."

Some health clinics that serve the Amish are hesitant to push the issue for fear of driving them away from getting blood pressure checks and routine exams.

One local business and the organizers of a community event told the health department in Holmes County that it would no longer be welcome if it brought the vaccine to them, Derr said.

Staff members at the Parochial Medical Center, which serves the Amish and Mennonites in Pennsylvania's Lancaster County, encourage patients to get the vaccine, but many have little fear of the virus, said Allen Hoover, the clinic's administrator.

"Most of them listen and are respectful, but you can tell before you're finished that they've already made up their mind," he said.
No one has been pulled out alive from the ruins since the first hours after the building fell. Rescue workers have had to move cautiously amid the precarious pile of debris.

Those first responders are breaking their backs trying to find anybody they can, Gov. Ron DeSantis said Tuesday.

Alfredo Lopez, who lived on the sixth floor of the condominium complex, in a portion that remained standing, bristled at complaints that crews werent working hard enough or fast enough.

When we got out there that night, I could see nothing but ambulances and fire trucks and police cars," he said. "Perhaps they didnt get in there soon enough because they didnt know what the hell was going on, like none of us.

A seven-member search and rescue team from Mexicos Jewish community is using for the first time a $23,000 suitcase-size device that uses microwave radar to see through 40 feet of shattered concrete and can detect signs of breathing and heartbeats. The team has also used dogs to sniff for victims.

We are hopeful for a miracle, said Ricardo Aizenman, one of the rescuers from Cadena International. It's happened before, he said. People can live up to 15, 16 days with only water, drops of water."
With the techniques we have developed, we should be able, at some point, to manipulate molecular signals that control embryo formation, and this should lead to generating embryo-like entities containing all tissues and organs, including the anterior brain, Bernard Thisse said.

That doesnt mean that the researchers will be making their own mice.

The goal is not to make a full mouse. I would not like to do that, Bernard Thisse said. If you want to have a full mouse, you take a male and a female and do it naturally.

In a human, there is no way we want to make a baby. We may want to make something that goes through the same development process and develops organs and tissues and processes that it is amenable to experiment and medical applications, but we do not want to create an individual. We dont want to have a fully developed animal, but something different.

The difference between science fiction and horror movies can be a fine line and often are one and the same. The researchers said scientists, theologians and communities need to continue to discuss the ethics of science that, at some point, will be able to create whole individuals, animals and humans.
A man who broke out of a quarantine hotel in Osaka City last week was apprehended on Wednesday, police have revealed, reports Kansai TV (June 30).

I wanted to see a friend in Nara Prefecture. Yokuku Ryu, 20, told police upon his apprehension.

On June 18, police arrested Ryu, a Korean national of no known occupation, over the alleged possession of kakuseizai, or stimulant drugs in Osaka City. He then tested positive for the novel coronavirus.

The next day, Ryu entered the APA Hotel Higashi Umeda Minami Morimachi Ekimae. However, he could not be reached in his room on the sixth floor beginning on the morning of June 22.

At around 1:00 p.m., a nurse entered his room and found him to be missing. He is believed to have fled through a window after smashing the glass.

On June 25, police obtained a warrant for the arrest of Ryu. At around 9:40 a.m. on Wednesday, police apprehended him at a toilet for Imafuku-Tsurumi Station in Osaka Citys Joto Ward.

A representative of the Osaka police defend the use of the hotel, saying it was necessary for the suspect to receive treatment. As a result, the suspect escaped, so I take this seriously and want to use this case in future investigations, the representative said.
A firm created to take over the personal care division of Japanese cosmetics giant Shiseido has unveiled its business strategy.

The new venture, Fine Today Shiseido, will focus on Asia, with an eye toward online sales and a possible public listing.

The president and CEO of the new company, Komori Tetsuo, held a news conference in Tokyo on Wednesday.

Shiseido has been in the process of selling off its personal care business to UK-based investment fund CVC Capital Partners. The transaction, worth some 160 billion yen, or 1.4 billion dollars, is expected to be finalized on Thursday.

The business covers a range of items, including shampoo and affordable skincare products.

The new company will hire employees currently with the division and will also maintain Shiseido's key brands.

The personal care unit accounted for only about 10 percent of Shiseido's entire sales. The firm says it will look to focus on high-end brands and will also get involved in the operation of the new business.
Bank of America today announced it is making a $1 million anchor grant to Virginia Commonwealth Universitys (VCU) College of Engineering. The grant will support ongoing programs that expand access for students to pursue a technology education, engage thousands of K-12 students in engineering outreach experiences and increase teacher participation in professional development sessions.

This grant is the latest milestone in a partnership to increase access and participation in high-value engineering, data science and computer science education at VCU and partnering institutions. Both Bank of America and VCU Engineering believe it is essential for the academic community and business community to collaborate on many levels to expand technology education pathways and create programs to ensure the success of students from diverse communities.

VCU has created a highly effective program to develop and prepare students for jobs of the future, said Cathy Bessant, chief operations and technology officer at Bank of America. Digital technologies have never been more in demand. Our digital economy necessitates an expansion in career opportunities in computer science and data analytics so that everyone can participate.

The VCU College of Engineering is committed to advancing technology education opportunities for non-traditional students, including first-generation college students and those from communities of color. Anchor grant funds will help scale up initiatives to increase the talent pool of data scientists, engineers, software developers and information security specialists. VCU College of Engineering diversity and inclusion efforts have garnered national recognition, including certification as a top 100 minority degree producer from Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, and a Bronze award from the American Society for Engineering Education (ASEE) Diversity Recognition Program, the highest level awarded in 2019.

We hope this grant from Bank of America is another call to action across the RVA region, where public-private partnerships provide access to the opportunities that a college education can provide, said Barbara D. Boyan, Ph.D., the Alice T. and William H. Goodwin, Jr. Dean of the VCU College of Engineering. Our approach is to work with public school systems, other non-profits, community colleges, the VCU School of Education and local businesses to expand existing educational pathways throughout the K-12 and higher-ed continuum.

This latest grant is part of an ongoing partnership between Bank of America and the VCU College of Engineering that began with a $500,000 grant in 2007 to support the construction of the College of Engineering East Hall and continued with a $100,000 donation in 2020. The university and Bank of Americas Global Technology & Operations team have built a growing partnership focused on inspiring the next generation to pursue careers in STEM. In addition to funding support, VCU faculty and staff, together with Bank of America professionals, team up with local high schools and tech education programs, including CodeVA and the Virginia National Center for Women & Information Technology chapter.

The donation is aligned to Bank of Americas $1.25 billion commitment to advance racial equality and economic opportunity. The initiative focuses on four pillars including healthcare, jobs and reskilling, small businesses, and housing.

We are committed to supporting the communities we serve, and this is a terrific example of how we follow through on that promise, said Victor Branch, Richmond market president for Bank of America. The VCU programs this grant will fund will positively impact minority students of all ages in the Richmond region, helping to get them on an education track that will position them well for career opportunities in technology fields when theyre ready to enter the workforce.

More and more, we are seeing technology education and acquisition of digital skills as essential competencies in a lifetime process of learning, added Dr. Boyan. Recent reports from the Governors STEM Commission, GoVirginia, the Federal Reserve and others highlight the need for programs that have an impact at the student level. Bank of America recognizes the importance of building and retaining a 21st-century, technology-competent workforce in central Virginia. We are glad to have them as our partner.

VCU College of Engineering

VCUs College of Engineering was established in 1996 as a public-private partnership to address the need for engineering innovation in a 21st century economy. VCU Engineerings research collaborations with industry, community and academic partners regularly yield breakthroughs in pharmaceutical engineering; smart cities, sustainability and clean energy; materials development; health care, regenerative medicine, rehabilitation and medical device development; data science and better security for cyber and cyber-physical systems. Its multidisciplinary, entrepreneurial approach to engineering education immerses undergraduate, masters and doctoral students in meaningful research investigations throughout their studies. VCU Engineering is the headquarters of the Medicines for All Institute, an international leader in bringing down the cost of pharmaceuticals for underserved populations. The college and VCUs School of Pharmacy together are home to the Center for Pharmaceutical Engineering and Science and offer the nations only Ph.D. program in pharmaceutical engineering. Visit egr.vcu.edu .

Bank of America

At Bank of America, were guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. Were delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. Its demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News).

###

Reporters May Contact:

Matt Card, Bank of America

Phone: 1.703.987.7427

matthew.card@bofa.com
Families and neighborhoods planning improvement projects may be able to get some help through a new program called AMP for Neighborhoods.

Treynor-based TS Bank partnered with The 712 Initiative to launch the program, which will provide funding for direct homeowner projects, neighborhood block initiatives and down-payment assistance, a press release from TS Bank stated. As lead sponsor, TS Bank donated $3,500 to The 712 Initiative for the AMP program. Other sponsors include Black Hills Energy and Real Property Management, Deb and Pete Petersen.

Its just a way of showing pride of ownership in your neighborhood or community, said Sheryl Garst, CEO of The 712 Initiative.

We couldnt be more thrilled to partner with TS Bank on AMP, Garst said. A home investment is one of the biggest investments in a persons life and can have the greatest impact on their personal success and our community as a whole. We encourage all residents to dream and submit a nomination for themselves or for a fellow neighbor that could use some extra assistance.

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Eligible projects would include things like landscaping, siding, painting, fencing, driveways, sidewalks, windows, roofing and exterior doors, according to the press release.
The information we had been able to find, with comparing the serial number provided and the maker, the horn itself wouldve been dated after the movie was produced, Whitehurst said.

According to him, the numbering issue raised a flag, as did the lack of documentation for the instrument and the ultimate inability to verify whether or not the euphonium was in fact a screen-used piece from The Music Man.

Without having proper documentation, we werent able to confirm it. And with the information we were able to find the manufacturers didnt line up, Whitehurst said.

Per Whitehurst, someone who does verification for their work weighed in on the matter, but he chose not to disclose who the person was or what their specific credentials were. When asked why he chose not to disclose the expert in question, Whitehurst said: (I) would not want to cause more of a stir than there already is.

With that information, Whitehurst said that The Music Man Square decided to not go through with any deal, which the private investor followed suit on.

DeNormandie said he felt blindsided by that decision.
Training has continued but with less reliance on state and federal funding, Stanley said.

Years ago, the funding was there to support that, and now we have to cash-flow all our programs, he said.

The training has progressed from short-term projects to teach a specific skill to a small group of employees at a business to providing ongoing services, Stanley said.

Now, our relationship with our employers is more of a strategic partnership, and our training could last for years, he said.

The relationships extend beyond training to strategic planning with company officials, he said.

As far as economic development, working with companies considering building a plant or office in the area has changed, too, Stanley said.

It used to be mainly about the site  and the developer would just assume the labor force would be there, he said. Now, the labor force is the number one issue by far.

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While its not unusual for workers skills to be somewhat different or lower than those needed at a new employer in the community, Stanley thinks the gap has gotten bigger.

The skill sets needed are changing pretty rapidly, he said.
NORFOLK  To whom it may concern: In regards to the recall of the Phillips Dream Station CPAP machine, I have since contacted my doctors office, my former Durable Medical Equipment coverage provider, the one I thought was my current DME but says now they cant be. I have contacted hospitals
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And when vaccination began, health officials featured community members, including the veteran, getting the shots and talking about the importance of the vaccine.

Mona Zuffante, Winnebago public health administrator, said one of the tribes most elder elders told how she was able to finally meet a grandchild born during the pandemic after getting vaccinated.

Health officials connections in the community also helped. Danelle Smith is a Winnebago Tribe member and grew up in Winnebago. Zuffante is a longtime resident and a Native American. Many health system employees are part of the community.

The tribe opted to get its vaccine directly through the Indian Health Service, Smith said, and never ran out of shots. With its own ultra-cold storage on-site, it could take large shipments of vaccine.

Smith said more remains to be done to reach the 30% of residents who still are not vaccinated. Zuffante said health officials will continue to work with those who are hesitant, taking vaccine to homes or giving shots after hours if need be.

The longer we continue our vaccine campaign, the more receptive (theyre) going to be, she said.
On the other side, defense attorney Todd Lancaster said that was evidence only of an effort to get rid of the body.

"That's all it is. It's not something else depraved with some other heinous intention on the mind of whoever's disposing of that body," he said.

Lancaster said in Nebraska mutilation cases rising to the death penalty have been limited to injuries while the victim still was alive. Not dismemberments after the victim's death, like here.

And he asked the three-judge panel to look with skepticism at statements about torture and killing made months before Loofe's killing that the state was asking them to consider.

"The evidence you're going to hear is obviously going to include statements and behaviors and acts done by Aubrey Trail," Lancaster said. "He is not the person that we are determining that these aggravating factors apply to today. It's the state of mind and actions of Bailey Boswell."

Testimony began with FBI Special Agent Eli McBride and photos of the scenes where Loofe's remains had been scattered in ditches in rural Clay County and by afternoon moved to Dr. Michelle Elieff, the forensic pathologist who did the autopsy and concluded Loofe's death was caused by "homicidal means, including strangulation."
Patrons registering for the first time have until 5 p.m. July 30 to do so in person, she said. Those who register online, by mail or by having an agent deliver their registration form must do so by July 23.

People registering in person will receive their ballots then, while those registering by other means will have ballots mailed after their applications are verified, Heessel said.

Ballots must be in the possession of the clerks office by 5 p.m. Aug. 10 to be counted, she added. Dropboxes are located in North Platte at the courthouses south door, 301 N. Jeffers St., or the County Sheriffs Office parking lot.

Hershey has no current school bonds, according to the State Auditors Office. The districts $5.3 million property tax request for 2020-21 included $136,364 for its Qualified Capital Purpose Undertaking Fund, which addresses safety, environmental and accessibility building needs.

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Davis said Hersheys original 1959 school building, on the west side of the current K-12 structure, houses elementary classrooms and the schools kitchen and cafeteria. Additions were built in 1969, 1980 and 1990.
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Ward was told the fireworks stand would only get about a third of what was initially ordered. Luckily, enough trucks came in to deliver more than that third, but Wards suppliers didnt want to promise anything over the phone.

There is actually a number of items that we normally would get that they didnt have at all. Ward said. Theyre supposed to come in this week, next week, next month  after the Fourth of July, but thats just because of shipping delays. Nothing they (the suppliers) can do about it; nothing we can do about it.

Snap pops  the ones that snap when you throw them at the ground  have been among the fireworks in short supply. Some of those available for purchase may be from last years leftovers.

The short supply of fireworks has been affecting other Nebraska cities and the nation as a whole.

The pandemic led to a container shortage and restricted the size of transportation vessels, National Fireworks Association spokesman Larry Farnsworth told the Grand Island Independent. Smaller ships mean smaller hauls.

Before, a one 40-foot container containing fireworks would cost about $9,000 to ship. Now, shipping one container of fireworks can cost more than $20,000.
I'm excited that we're able to make sure to get our education funded, he told reporters, saying the $8,700 grant is a great place for them to go into their school year starting on July 1st working on their budget. I think that's a positive.

This is a great bipartisan effort to have the largest investment in education in Michigans history, said Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr. of East Lansing, the top Democrat on the Senate budget panel. Im really proud of the work that the governor did to get here and I was proud to support it.

Legislators embraced Whitmer's revised proposal to expand state-funded preschool to 22,000 eligible but unenrolled 4-year-olds and to raise the amount allotted per child.

They added $240 million to hire additional school nurses and counselors and $155 million for Grand Valley State University to disburse up to $1,000 each to K-5 students who are not proficient in reading. The scholarship could be used for instructional materials, tutoring, summer and afterschool programming.

The goal of this program is to provide as many good options to parents as humanly possible, said Sen. Lana Theis, a Brighton Republican who cited learning loss as kids went to school online in the coronavirus pandemic.
La Vista police say they have evidence that may place a missing boy outside his apartment the day he disappeared.

Ryan Larsens DNA has been confirmed on an umbrella that someone found on the grounds of the Southfield Apartments, where he lived, Police Chief Bob Lausten said. The umbrella was Ryans, and he was carrying it the day he disappeared, Lausten said. The weather that day was damp, and a trace of rain was recorded at Eppley Airfield, according to the National Weather Service.

The umbrella was turned into police three to four days after Ryan disappeared, Lausten said.

Ryan, who has autism, slipped away from classes at La Vista West Elementary School about noon May 17. His 12th birthday has come and gone since then.

Authorities already had reason to suspect that Ryan had headed home because surveillance video of someone who appeared to be Ryan placed him across the street from his apartment complex about 1:30 p.m. that day. Lausten said Ryan didnt have a key to his apartment, but a family member was expected home about 2 p.m.
Photo-Illustration: Intelligencer; Photo: Shannon Stapleton/Reuters

The thought experiment that comes to mind about the riot that took place on January 6, 2021, actually requires little thought to play out: What if the mob of people who attacked the Capitol and threatened the lives of lawmakers had been Black? This question is only difficult to answer if you are under some delusion of equality, some imagined American utopia in which Blackness itself is not seen as an inherent threat to the Republic. But if you live in the United States of America, if you saw the police response to the masses gathered in the streets to protest the ongoing killing of Black people at the hands of law enforcement  even when those protesters were peaceful  then the answer to that question is not only clear but horrifying.

Heres a related thought experiment: What if the people writing the history of January 6 were Black?

Even though they effectively control both houses of Congress, Democrats with the power to at least investigate this event and mark it in the official historical record have only reluctantly taken up the cause. A 9/11-style bipartisan commission was nixed owing to Republican pressure, while efforts to form a select committee in the House have been beset by partisan fighting over who should be on it. Marjorie Taylor Greene, the QAnon-curious gadfly who rode into office on the wave of white-supremacist rage that fueled the insurrection, is vying for a seat. Ditto Matt Gaetz, a Trump acolyte reportedly under investigation for sex trafficking, and Lauren Boebert, who has been accused of inciting the riot by tweeting Today is 1776 hours before it occurred.

It would hardly be the first time that reactionaries have managed to whitewash the recent history of this country. The narrative written and repeated about the 2000 presidential race, for example, has largely centered on hanging chads and the Supreme Court. But the election also featured the Brooks Brothers riot, wherein a mob of white men in business attire violently shut down a recount attempt in Miami-Dade County, Florida, to ensure a victory for George W. Bush. It might surprise people, even well-meaning people who have no sympathy for Donald Trumps followers, to learn that the events of January 6, widely held to be unprecedented, did in fact have a clear precedent.

When we decline to fold the January 6 insurrection into the predominant narrative of white supremacy in this country  whether it is conservatives denying the riots significance outright or liberals maintaining that these eruptions of mass rage are not who we are  we are in danger of forgetting its significance. Aside from a very brief window in which the attack on the Capitol was nearly universally condemned by lawmakers, Republicans have downplayed it, while the 24-hour news cycle has been more than content to move on to battles over critical race theory (a subject that, were it taken seriously, would help us to understand what led to the riot). There were people who went from being brave defenders of the House door to revisionists, asserting that the whole thing was a tourist group, Representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland recently told Politico. And that did happen in record time.

If we let the mob participants and sympathizers claim their own version of the narrative, it will be told through a righteous lens, one in which they were defenders of a democracy under threat from radical forces within their country. They will tell stories of their martyrs and someday build statues in their honor. They will cast themselves as patriots who did all they could to preserve the American way of life. They will pass these stories down for generations, and their great-great-grandchildren will take up the fight of their ancestors once again.

They will forge on with a new Lost Cause, while a new generation of Black citizens will bear the weight of witnessing. We will be where we have always been. And our version of history will one day be presented as counternarrative.

As the recurring fights over The 1619 Project show us, the work of recasting American history, moving away from the feel-good story that has been taught to schoolchildren for ages, is always met with resistance. The work of honest accounting never takes place in the present  it is deemed too inconvenient, too divisive  which is unfortunate, because if you take too long, you become beholden to the narrative written by those invested in the perpetuation of their own power. To unravel all that is to ask the powerful to remake their own psyche, to find new sources of their self-worth, and to relinquish their hold over institutions that preserve their status. It is the work of revolution.

Joe Biden and the Democratic Party have no stomach for revolution, but even so they must recognize that a half-hearted effort to investigate the January 6 insurrection will invite repetition. The progression from the Brooks Brothers riot to now shows that the violence and extremism will escalate. And what then? What will they say in the face of a new mob, a new riot, a heavily armed militia, a successful attempt to thwart a fairly contested and counted election? It will require something more confrontational than promises to reach across the aisle. They may not have asked to fight this battle over history, but it is not one they can run from.

*This article appears in the July 5, 2021, issue of New York Magazine.


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Didn't realize until just now how similar they look

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For real, he should cast her in an autobiopic

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Damn I thought it was a before and after

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is that not the same person in those photos?

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meh it will never be as good as midnight coterie

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I wonder how white it will be. I mean, he got Tilda first so that should have given me a clue.



Edited at 2021-06-30 07:28 pm (UTC)

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they look related

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the rest of the cast 

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Glad it'll be a shorter wait between films this time.

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His movies suck, and are white af.



Ooof I just needed to get that off my chest. OK, bye.

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Whos your fav Wes/actor combo? The obvious one for me is Wes/Jason Schwartzman and Wes/Owen Wilson but I have to say I was surprised by how much I liked Bruce Willis in moonrise kingdom. Never been a fan of his acting but he managed to fit right in the Wes-ness of it all. Would also love to see Ralph Fiennes again, M Gustave is iconic and one of his very best roles



Edited at 2021-06-30 07:13 pm (UTC)

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In terms of his recurring actors, Schwartzman has always been a great fit. He's also kept giving Adrien Brody interesting material. The kids in Moonrise Kingdom were so great, too.



In 2012 Willis had both Moonrise Kingdom and Looper, and then it was like he never had to care about a project he was in again.

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bill murray was perfect to me as zissou, its my fav.

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ralph fiennes was just a delight in grand Budapest and prob my favorite



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bruce is sort of a weirdo but he's really good at working with different directors imo

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She was great in Almodovars recent short film, and I think shes a fantastic actress so Ill probably check this out. As for Wes, his films are a little hit or miss for me. I know theres the opinion that his films are too whitebut for me its the fact that there are POC characters in most of his films, but theyre mostly minor or background roles.

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I like tilda but I can't with Wes Andersons schtick.



Edited at 2021-06-30 07:23 pm (UTC)

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Starring Tilda Swinton???? WHAT a shocker!!!

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She was so sexy in that Italian thing with Mathias Schoenaerts, I'm still rattled.

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For the first time in years, the shooting budget line item for spf 300 sunscreen will be vastly larger than the amount for cocaine.

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I love you

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Is Scott Rudin and his potato throwing going to be involved?

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I will see this

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I am really happy to hear this! I love wes Anderson! Thank you for the good news op x

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I used adore Tilda as an actress, but after the shit she pulled during the Doctor Strange press tour now I can't really stand her pretentious ass.

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i havent reD OTHER COMMENTS.. BUT THEY LOOK ALKE YES?

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Episode 81

The Post-Pandemic Reframing of Workplace Safety

Looking into the future, employers must reframe how they think about workplace safety, health and wellness. In this episode, editor Sydny Shepard and Blackline Safety Chief Revenue Officer Sean Stinson discuss the issues on the forefront and how companies can mitigate them.

The pandemic has changed much about the way that we conduct business as well as how we communicate with co-workers, clients and managers. It has introduced new technology to workplaces, more efficient processes to organizations and shown managers that employees are productive even when not in the office.

While businesses have changed or evolved operations to succeed in a coronavirus-filled world, it is important to begin to make plans for the future in a post-pandemic world. Today, Ive got Sean Stinson on the podcast to discuss just that. We have an excellent conversation on how to reframe workplace safety as we ease into a time that reminds us of what our lives used to look like pre-covid-19.

Before we get to that, however, I do want to introduce our guest a little better. You might recognize him from an episode earlier this year on the key indicators of a strong safety culture, but Sean Stinson also serves as Chief Revenue Officer of Blackline Safety, where he oversees teams including data science, product management, user experience design, sales, client success and customer care. He earned a BS in electrical engineering from the University of Calgary in 2002 and has spent nearly 20 years in the safety industry.

So, how do you begin to reframe the way you think about workplace safety, health and wellbeing following the Coronavirus pandemic? Listen to this episode to find out! Download, stream and listen to OH&S SafetyPod on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify and more.

A special thank you to Blackline Safety.

Blackline Safety is a global connected safety leader that helps to ensure every worker gets their job done and returns home safe each day. Blackline provides wearable safety technology, personal and area gas monitoring, cloud-connected software and data analytics to meet demanding safety challenges and increase productivity of organizations in more than 100 countries. Blackline Safety wearables provide a lifeline to tens of thousands of men and women, having reported over 140 billion data-points and initiated over five million emergency responses. Armed with cellular and satellite connectivity, we ensure that help is never too far away. https://www.blacklinesafety.com
The OPEC+ alliance expects a significant overhang of oil supply on the market after April 2022 when the current production cut pact expires, Reuters reported on Wednesday, citing an internal report of an OPEC+ panel it had seen.

In 2022, a significant increase is seen, leading to an overhang of 181 million barrels by the end of the year, the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) of the OPEC+ group said in the report.

While OPEC+ sees commercial oil stocks in OECD nations below the five-year average for the rest of this year, it expects the oversupply to return in the second half of next year, according to the JTCs internal report Reuters has seen.

This assessment of the panel, whose meeting on Tuesday launched this weeks decision-making gatherings of the coalition, suggests that OPEC+ may opt to continue the ongoing deal in some form after April 2022 to ensure a balanced oil market.

Currently, the group keeps around 5.7 million barrels per day (bpd) off the market under an agreement reached in April 2020 and set to expire in April 2022.

OPEC+ is set to decide on July 1 how to proceed with its oil supply management policy in August.

The alliance said on Tuesday that the overall conditions in the oil market had significantly improved in an optimistic assessment of fundamentals and prospects ahead of Thursdays decision.

The overall brighter picture in relation to the pandemic recovery efforts has led to significantly improved oil market conditions and prospects for future growth, OPEC Secretary-General Mohammad Barkindo said at the meeting of the Joint Technical Committee (JTC) on Tuesday.

Analysts largely expect OPEC+ to decide on Thursday to further ease the cuts as of August 1, with most experts gravitating toward a 500,000-bpd increase for the month of August.

Reports emerged on Tuesday that the leaders of the OPEC+ group, Saudi Arabia and Russia, are once again at odds about the easing of the cuts, with Moscow pushing for a more aggressive supply boost and Riyadh preferring a more gradual approach.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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Deliberations on which benchmark presents the best opportunities to trade just never seem to stop. The gradual decline of all erstwhile champions of North Sea output champions has compelled pricing agencies to include newer and newer grades into the Brent basket to ensure the traded benchmarks liquidity.

The recent maintenance of the Forties pipeline system, with the UK grade being the largest stream within the Brent price-setting barrel pool, has rekindled speculation that pricing transparency requires substantial volumes, which can only come about by physically extending the basket. Despite being Europes largest producing oilfield now, at some point assumed to amount to more than third of Norways total output, Johan Sverdrup has been an unlikely candidate to join the ranks of BFOET grades, yet it is indeed the Norwegian grade that is believed to be the prime candidate. The issue of Brent liquidity has haunted reporting agencies for quite some time already. All of the grades making up Dated Brent are either in terminal decline or currently plateauing, meaning that the immediate future of BFOET  Brent, Forties, Oseberg, Ekofisk, and Troll  would be hover around 600kbpd before even dropping lower. Platts, the main source of market information for Dated Brent, has tried to add a delivered WTI quote to its Brent assessments, to little avail. This in and of itself is a deviation from the current Brent logic as all involved quotes are FOB bases, not delivered ones. Moreover, WTI is doubly problematic as it lacks the foreseeable character of North Sea grades whose loading programs are acted upon even before a cargos loading takes place.

Thus, Johan Sverdrup emerged as Europes response to the concept of expanding the Brent basket. Its loadings are as trackable as those of Forties and it also loads on a North Sea FOB basis. What is more, its hedging variants are much reconcilable with the current set of Brent futures and CFDs. Simultaneously, it needs to be said that the new Norwegian flagship-grade for heavy sour barrels is nowhere near Brent in terms of its quality.

Johan Sverdrup is heavy sour crude, having 28API and 0.7-0.8% Sulphur, whilst the average Brent quality would be within the 37-39 API density interval with some 0.3-0.5% sulphur. One might argue that the previous inclusion of grades like Forties has also changed the way the Brent basket is gauged, e.g.: the addition of Forties has paved the way for a sulphur de-escalator, a phenomenon previously unknown to the UK Continental Shelf.

With this being said, what exactly would Sverdrup improve in terms of the Brent basket? Liquidity has been the Achilles heel of Brent. In order to have enough liquidity, price-reporting needs scope and visibility (i.e. regular transactions done on a transparent basis)  some 5 years ago, even before the inclusion of Troll, BFOE exports were well above 1 mbpd.

Today, having included Troll into the basket, the physical availability underpinning the global benchmark is as thin as 550-600kbpd, decreasing across all fields. Leading global pricing agencies have tried to include delivered grades, amongst others WTI barrels coming into Northwest Europe, however, the perturbations of 2020-2021 have uncovered the weakness in such endeavors. Today, when WTI has crept up really close to Brent, US exports into Europe are structurally weak  not only does backwardation kill the structure, the differing regional fundamentals are further the incentive to export.

Related: Qatar: Peak Natural Gas Demand To Occur Around 2040

Were Sverdrup to be added into the Brent basket, it would immediately send the overall tally of physical flows above the 1mbpd mark. On the upside, Phase Two of the Norwegian field is still some way to materialize, meaning that hypothetically BFOETS flows could move into a 1.3-1.4 mbpd by mid-2020s yet the Sverdrup dependence would only increase over time. Oseberg is now producing less than 100kbpd, a fraction of its peak output of 700kbpd in 1994-1997; the other Norwegian giant Ekofisk is now putting out less than a third of its 400kbpd peak. The gradual increase in Sverdrup dependence would weaken the light premium of Brent as Sverdrup has been trading some 1.5-2 USD per barrel lower than Brent since the new grade started producing in October 2019.

Johan Sverdrup did exceed expectations in almost every aspect. Its peak production capacity turned out to be even higher than initially anticipated and following recent assessments was increased to 755kbpd by 2024-2025, i.e. a couple of years after Phase II of the offshore project starts in late 2022.

The first-phase peak plateau surpassed estimates, too, reaching some 530kbpd this year. The recoverable reserves saw an upwards revision, raised by some 200MMbbls to a total of 2.5 Bbbls. All this has led to the project stakeholder dropping the fields breakeven level to some 15 USD per barrel for the full-field development of Sverdrup (some 10 USD per barrel lower the initial assessment). Simultaneously, Sverdrup barrels have joined the scarce ranks of other carbon-neutral grades, as marketed by project partner Lundin Energy, largely thanks to the field being connected to Norways continental grid and thus running on hydropower.



By Gerald Jansen for Oilprice.com

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There is economic life after the pandemic. While the novel coronavirus hasn't been vanquished, oil demand has significantly risen in the past couple of months. According to the IEA, by the end of 2022 demand could have rebounded to pre-Covid levels. Rising prices are causing mild distress in Moscow which fears that the global economic upturn could be slowed. While many uncertainties remain, sources expect Russia to opt for increased production during the OPEC+ meeting in a few days. At the start of the pandemic in April 2021, OPEC+ agreed on historic production cuts of 10 mbpd, which is approximately 10 percent of pre-Covid demand. The oil cartel has gradually increased production by 2.5 mbpd until July to meet the global economic recovery. However, there is still some 5.8 mbpd spare capacity in reserve while the market is running a 3 mbpd deficit.

Russia, therefore, is expected to push OPEC+ to increase production even further as the price of oil continues to climb. Moscow is motivated by two arguments. First, there is some fear that high-cost producers could be incentivized to increase production such as companies in North Americas shale patch. Second, not all Russian energy companies are supportive of the continued Russian Energy Ministrys cooperation with OPEC.

As prices are rising, Russian energy companies are becoming increasingly unwilling to hold back production. Igor Sechin, CEO of Russias largest oil producer Rosneft, is known for his opposition towards production cuts in the OPEC+ context. Although he has remained relatively silent during the pandemic and supported cooperation with Saudi Arabia in general, expect the influential executive to opt for an easing of production restrictions.

In the past tensions arose with the de-facto leaders of OPEC+, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, as there is a significant difference in their respective breakeven points. According to the IMF, Russias breakeven price is $46/bl while Saudis is $68/bl. As prices are comfortably above $70, an agreement could be reached. However, major uncertainties remain which will obscure the decision-making.

Related: Oil Prices Spike On Large Crude Inventory Draw

First, the threat of the return of the Iranian oil industry has been hovering over the market since President Biden was elected and negotiations concerning the nuclear deal restarted. Second, the continued recovery of oil demand is uncertain as the feared Delta coronavirus variant is spreading, including in countries with high inoculation levels. Oil prices have stabilized as a consequence.

The positive news, from the perspective of OPEC+, is that international competitors appear uninterested in pumping aggressively. In the past U.S., shale oil producers were able to quickly ramp up production. Recently they havent been able to meet expectations meaning the rig count hasnt risen significantly. According to Rick Muncrief, chief executive of Devon Energy, the days of needing to grow at double-digit rates, thats behind us. The industry has overbaked too many times. Producers are holding production and instead are focused on increasing profits.

Furthermore, international competitors of OPEC+, such as Shell, Total, and others, are responding slowly to rising prices due to two reasons. First, these companies have to consider their shareholders after a financially difficult year. Improving short-term profits, therefore, is more important than long-term revenue growth. Second, societal pressure in the West and activist shareholders are demanding more from the oil-majors concerning their decarbonization efforts. It is an important consideration as potential multi-billion investment decisions are a heavy burden for companies.

OPEC+ will be having some difficult discussions in the next couple of days as risks remain to global demand growth. Expect Russia to increase the pressure on Saudi Arabia as both have surpassed their breakeven prices. However, also expect restraint when it comes to opening the taps as uncertainties will remain with us for the foreseeable future.

By Vanand Meliksetian for Oilprice.com

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Following a joint statement with China addressing the climate crisis on April 17th, the US submitted a new nationally determined contribution (NDC) at the virtual summit led by Biden on April 22nd and 23rd, increasing their climate commitment, while Xi Jinping and China chose only to reiterate their pledge to be carbon neutral by 2060. The US pledged a new target to achieve a 50-52 percent reduction below 2005 levels in economy-wide net greenhouse gas pollution in 2030. The summit, in spite of some technical issues, has been hailed as a major success by analysts as Canada, Japan, the US, and many others increased their climate pledges. While this may have been the case; however, it seems there was more than just the climate on Bidens agenda.

In fact, Biden used this virtual summit as a platform on which to reassert US leadership, following the isolationist and protectionist posture that characterized the Trump administration. The last four years have damaged Americas international reputation and legitimacy, and Bidens voracious activity in his first 100 days in office has been, thus far, seemingly successful damage control. He has reinitiated Americas participation in several international agreements and reaffirmed its commitment to international institutions. Whilst there remains a lot more work to be done before Washington regains international recognition as a leader on issues such as climate change, these are certainly steps in the right direction to achieve that end.

Sino-US Climate Politics

However, amidst peak tensions with China, Biden shows no sign of softening the hard-line stance that embodied the second half of his predecessors term. This summit can thus be seen as a platform for climate politics, as Biden appeared to one-up Xi, who did not commit to upgrading Chinas climate pledge. Climate change is one of the few remaining areas where cooperation between China and the US appears to be positive. However, increasing tensions and hawkish stances risk ushering climate policy into an arena of competition, particularly as climate politics become increasingly prevalent on the world stage.

Related: Oil Markets To See Deficit Of 5 Million Bpd By End 2021

The competition for who can lead the world on climate change is likely to become a crucial battle throughout the twenty-first century, with climate change taking a progressively vital role in international politics. This kind of atmosphere could go one of two ways: a little healthy competition could spark the urgency required to tackle one of the greatest issues of our time, as nations rush to lead in climate action. However, on the flip side, if the Sino-US climate cooperation turns sour and politics of blaming take over from productive diplomacy, this could have very real policy implications. If the two most powerful nations ever to have existed and the largest emissions contributors do not work together on a solution to climate change, this will encumber the kind of profound change that is needed to mitigate global warming.

Looking forward: An opportunity for collaboration, or grounds for antagonism?

We are yet to see any negative fallout, and this summit may continue to be seen as a resounding success. That said, it is very possible that Biden might cite this in the future, accusing Xi of being soft on climate action policy and further tarnishing their already questionable ethical record. Biden, however, must exercise caution and be careful not to antagonize China on an issue where cooperation is imperative for the future of the planet. Since Trump, the bilateral relationship has reached its lowest ebb since formal ties were established in January 1979 and any morsel of collaboration must be cherished in this increasingly adversarial environment.

America is more divided than it has been for a long time, and just about the only thing that is agreed across chambers is that America needs to be tough on China  perhaps a sign of anti-Chinese sentiment that has appeared to penetrate American culture and society. This makes areas of cooperation even more valuable and as such climate geopolitics must take a backseat, while climate action takes center stage, if we are to usher in an era of much-needed definitive climate action. The stakes are too high to fail in this seismic era, but only time will tell how Biden manages bilateral relations over the course of his administration. These years are likely to be crucial in the grand picture of Sino-US relations.

By Global Risk Insights

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At Junes G7 meeting, U.S. President, Joe Biden, received the backing of the worlds seven largest advanced economies (comprised of the U.S., the U.K., Germany, France, Italy, Canada, and Japan) to set up an alternative to Chinas One Belt, One Road (OBOR) initiative as part of a broad push back against Beijings increasing influence around the globe. Although much of the official comments surrounding the announcement consisted of vague and fluffy statements about human rights, Joe Bidens previous comments about China are much more informative as to what the real thrust of this U.S.-led alternative to the OBOR is.

Most appositely, in correctly grouping China together with Russia in the context of both the Middle East and Asia, Biden stated during the presidential election campaign that he regarded China as a serious competitor to the U.S. and Russia as an opponent. What this means for those countries in the Middle East who side with Washington in the ongoing power struggle with China for dominance across the region, is that even more money is on the table from both Washington and Beijing and there is no country better at playing the two sides off against one another than Iraq. This is the reason why within a very short space of time Baghdad announced that it was allowing huge infrastructure investment from China into Iraq but also cancelling the enormously controversial multi-billion oil deal that it struck with Chinas Zhenhua Oil on 2 January this year. The original Zhenhua Oil deal was for the sale of four million barrels every month for five years by Iraqs State Organization for Marketing of Oil (SOMO) to the Chinese state corporate proxy for which SOMO would receive an initial upfront pre-payment of US$2 billion. The oil was to have been delivered on a destination-free basis, thus allowing Zhenhua Oil to re-sell the cargoes anywhere in the world to anyone it wished. At the time that the deal was announced, it was evident to anyone with knowledge of the Middle Easts oil dealings over the years  including to senior figures in the U.S. State Department - that it was straight out of the Russian power playbook that had seen state oil proxy Rosneft take control of the oil and gas resources of the northern Iraq semi-autonomous state of Kurdistan in 2017.

First, Rosneft offered the Kurdistan government (the KRG) US$1.5 billion in financing through a three to five year prepayment oil supply deal, exactly the same manoeuvre as the Zhenhua Oil deal agreed between Baghdad and China. Second, it took an 80 percent working interest in five potentially major oil blocks in the Kurdistan region together with corollary investment and technical, technology, and equipment assistance. And third, it established 60 percent ownership of the vital KRG oil pipeline into southern Europes port of Ceyhan in Turkey by dint of a commitment to invest US$1.8 billion to increase its capacity to one million barrels per day. From that point, Russia also began to use this leverage to expand its own interests  and those of its chief geopolitical power play partner, China  further into southern Iraq as well.

Related: UK Government Must Keep Investing In Nuclear Power Capacity The real reason for the Zhenhua Oil deal was that Iraq was in desperate needs of funds due almost entirely to the massive endemic corruption in the country that swallows up most of the money flows that should go into the governments budgetary coffers. Iraq had long managed to stay just about afloat financially due mainly to hundreds of billions of dollars coming from the U.S. since the invasion of 2003. However, Baghdads failure to put into place effective measures to even begin to reduce its dependence on neighbouring Iran for ongoing gas and electricity supplies had further strained its already tense relations with Washington by the second half of last year.

These relations took an even greater turn for the worse shortly after Iraq Prime Minister, Mustafa al-Kadhimi returned from a visit to Washington in which he promised to reduce these ties to Iran in exchange for further funding that was required to avert disaster at home. Having banked the emergency funding from Washington that had been secured on the basis that Baghdad would decrease its dependence for gas and electricity imports from Iran, Iraq then signed the longest-ever deal with Iran to continue its imports of gas and electricity. This was met with sharp shrift by Washington, which duly extended its shortest-ever waiver for Iraq to continue with these imports from Iran, and U.S. State Department spokeswoman, Morgan Ortagus, also pointedly announced that new sanctions would be imposed against 20 Iran- and Iraq-based entities that were cited as funneling money to Irans Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) elite Quds Force.

Given the furious response from the U.S., Iraq began to roll-back on the Zhenhua Oil deal, announcing a pausing of it earlier this year, with the official explanation as to why the deal had been paused being ludicrous, even by Iraqs standards, and this is the very same reason that was cited for the cancellation of the deal last week. Basically, the Iraqis have said, the deal was predicated on oil prices remaining at the low end but with oil prices more stable and perhaps rising the deal could not go ahead. Even in Iraq, long-running oil contracts  including prepayment ones  do not consist of a single rigid figure but rather the reference price for the oil sold is based on a rolling mean average, perhaps over the previous three months, or six months, or maybe even a bit longer, which would automatically factor in a rising price trend or a falling price trend as the base price point, so this explanation makes no sense, a senior oil and gas figure with close connections to Iraqs Oil Ministry told OilPrice.com. Instead, it looks like Baghdad is just trying to see if it can start playing its usual game with the new U.S. government from the beginning all over again by sending this signal that it is open to offers from Washington during this suspended relationship period with Beijing,  he concluded.

Related: Oil Markets To See Deficit Of 5 Million Bpd By End 2021

This view appears to be well-founded as there is no basis to believe that the deal with Zhenhua Oil has been cancelled forever (it can be resuscitated at any time, in fact) and Baghdad announced almost at the very same time that it had approved three huge new infrastructure initiatives heavily involving China direct into the heartland of Iraq. Last week it was announced that Baghdad just approved nearly IQD1 trillion (US$700 million) for infrastructure projects in the city of Al-Zubair in the southern Iraq oil hub of Basra. According to the citys Governor, Abbas Al-Saadi, Phase 2 of the projects would be awarded to a Chinese company, and the Iraqi source to whom OilPrice.com spoke last week stated that this participation by China was part of the broad-based oil-for-reconstruction and investment agreement signed by Baghdad and Beijing in September 2019 (which allows Chinese firms to invest in infrastructure projects in Iraq in exchange for oil).

This announcement followed the awarding in the previous week of another major contract to another Chinese company, this time to build a civilian airport to replace the military base in the capital of the southern oil-rich Dhi Qar governorate. The Dhi Qar region includes two of Iraqs potentially biggest oil fields  Gharraf and Nassiriya  and China is due to complete the airport by 2024. This project will include the construction of multiple cargo buildings and roads linking the airport to the citys town centre and separately to other key oil areas in southern Iraq. This, in turn, followed yet another deal announced the week before in which Iraq officials stated that Chinese companies were being approached to build out Al-Sadr City, located near Baghdad, at a cost of between US$7-8 billion, also within the framework of the 2019 oil-for-reconstruction and investment agreement.

By Simon Watkins for Oilprice.com

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The U.S. Administration is supporting a city in Maine that has prohibited storage and handling of crude oil that would be shipped via a pipeline from Canada in a court brief that environmentalists hope would be similar to how the federal government could react to the Enbridge-Michigan saga.

The city of South Portland, Maine, has issued an ordinance that bans the handling and storage of crude that would be imported via a pipeline project, Portland Pipe Line Corporation, operated by Suncor. The Canada-based company has sought to reverse the flow on the Portland-Montreal pipeline to allow exports of Canadian oil to the United States. The pipeline hasnt been fully used in years, although it has been in operation since 1941.

Now the city of South Portland in Maine banned storage and handling of crude that would be imported from Canada and loaded onto marine vessels for transportation and prohibited construction that would enable such loading.

In the brief to the U.S. court of appeals for the First Circuit, the U.S. Administration said that the Maine towns ordinance is not being pre-empted by federal law regulating pipeline safety, the Pipeline Safety Act.

Congress explicitly limited the statutes preemption provision by leaving to the states the authority to prescribe the location or routing of a pipeline facility, the Biden Administration said in the brief, supporting South Portland as appellees against the Portland Pipe Line Corporation.

After President Joe Biden effectively forced TC Energy to cancel the Keystone XL project by revoking a presidential permit for the pipeline in the U.S., the Administration is now siding with a party opposing anotheralbeit much smallerpipeline to import Canadian oil.

Environmentalists hope that the arguments in the case with the Maine Pipeline could mean that the Administration would side with states in other similar cases, most notably the Enbridge-Michigan dispute over Line 5.

The Biden Administrations filing lays to rest the outlandish claim Enbridge Energy and its political allies have repeatedly raised that Governor Whitmers historic decision to shut down Line 5 was not hers to make, said Oday Salim, staff attorney for the National Wildlife Federation.

By Charles Kennedy for Oilprice.com

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Nigerias Senate is expected to see on Tuesday the presentation of the countrys petroleum industry bill, a new regulation on the oil industry that has taken 20 years to draft.

The bill is expected to be presented at the Nigerian Senate today, Reuters reported, quoting the legislations agenda it had seen.

The Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) has been two decades in the making to overhaul the way Nigeria will share its oil resources with international oil companies and aim to attract new investment in oil and gas.

The Senate could also be an obstacle to the final passing of the long-awaited bill, sources told Reuters.

Community leaders in Nigerias oil-rich regions want changes to the latest version of the bill, asking for a larger share of revenues for the community.

Therefore, it is not certain that Nigeria would soon have a new petroleum bill, which could further alienate international oil majors from Nigerian oil assets when fossil fuels are now even more fiercely competing for Big Oils capital plans as majors start shifting more funding to low-carbon energy sources.

Last month, Nigerias National Petroleum Corporation said it had signed a deal with Shell, Exxon, Total, and Eni to develop an offshore oil block that includes the deepwater Bonga field.

The NNPC noted the deal marks a historic moment as it settles long-running disputes between the Nigerian government and international oil companies.

According to the company, the deal could unlock up to $10 billion in new investments in Nigerias oil industry. It could also add 150,000 bpd to the countrys oil production, bringing the total output from the blockOil Mining Lease 118to 350,000 bpd, Bloomberg reports.

Interestingly, for Shell, the deal comes after earlier this year, chief executive Ben van Beurden said that Shell does not see its upstream oil operations in Nigeria as compatible with its strategy to become a net-zero energy business.

By Michael Kern for Oilprice.com
OPEC+ has delayed a meeting of oil ministers scheduled for today to give member states more times to come to an agreement about how they are to proceed with the addition of more production to global supply.

Bloomberg reports the meeting will now take place on Thursday, the same day that the regular meeting was scheduled for. The disagreement, unsurprisingly, is between Saudi Arabia and Russiathe biggest producers in the club.

According to the report, Russia supports a faster ramp-up of production. Saudi Arabia prefers to take things more easily and add production gradually. Analysts, meanwhile, expect OPEC+ to strike an agreement to bring back some 550,000 bpd, which is about a tenth of still shuttered production capacity. This is the median expectation. Some believe the cartel could bring back as much as 1 million bpd, while others suspect the group may leave things as they are.

"The choice OPEC+ now faces is whether to consolidate those gains and allow prices to stabilize, or to let prices rise further, attracting mounting ire from consumers," Standard Chartered analysts said in a note as quoted by Bloomberg this week.

Indeed, India has alreadyand againcalled on OPEC+ to bring more barrels back to the market. The world's third-largest consumer and major importer relies on foreign oil for more than 80 percent of its consumption.

OPEC, for its part, remains cautiously optimistic. A Reuters report from earlier this week cited the cartel as still expecting oil demand to grow by 6 million bpd this year, with the growth particularly strong in the second half of the year as inventories shrink.

On the other hand, the cartel noted that newly emerging variants of the Covid-19 virus were a big risk for demand.

"The current 'wild card' factor is the 'Delta variant' of the pandemic that is resulting in rising cases and renewed restrictions in many regions," OPEC secretary-general Mohammed Barkindo said.

By Irina Slav for Oilprice.com

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The U.S. Supreme Court backed on Tuesday a pipeline development consortium in its legal battle with the state of New Jersey over eminent domain for a planned natural gas pipeline between Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

The Supreme Court was hearing over the last two months arguments in a landmark lawsuit that could have dramatically changed the fate of pipeline projects if the court had sided with the state of New Jersey. But it did not.

New Jersey argued that the PennEast Pipeline Company, a consortium including Enbridge, could not use eminent domain to seize land for the projects construction.

Taking the case to the Supreme Court, PennEast Pipeline Company was looking to overturn a federal appeals court ruling from 2019, which said that PennEast could not use eminent domain to seize land owned by the state of New Jersey for pipeline construction. The federal appeals court argued in 2019 that taking the New Jersey-owned land went against the 11th Amendment, which protects states from certain lawsuits.

Just after the Supreme Court agreed in March to hear the case, the Biden Administration, just like the Trump Administration before that, backed in a brief to the court the arguments of the pipeline company seeking to overturn the lower courts ruling.



Related: High Oil Prices Set Supermajors Up For A Promising Earnings Season

The move from President Joe Bidens Department of Justice to back the pipeline developers in the lawsuit shocked environmentalists who had hoped the Administration would not support any oil and gas pipeline projects.

In a 5-4 ruling on Tuesday, the U.S. Supreme Court justices overturned the federal appeals court ruling and backed the pipeline consortium.

Specifically, we are asked to decide whether the federal government can constitutionally confer on pipeline companies the authority to condemn necessary rights-of-way in which a state has an interest. We hold that it can, conservative Chief Justice John Roberts wrote, as carried by Reuters.

By Tsvetana Paraskova for Oilprice.com

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The zinc price has defied expectations that oversupply would put so much downward pressure on prices that last months $3,100/ton high would be the peak for years to come.

Although the zinc price has drifted off those highs, it is currently just under $2,900 per metric ton for cash and three-month on the LME, zinc prices have remained stubbornly high, despite a complete lack of investor interest.

Zinc price trends

As with aluminum and copper, the Shanghai Futures Exchange has outperformed London this year. However, even the SHFE zinc price has come off this month. Most metals have moved into a temporary sideways market.

The International Lead and Zinc Study Group estimates the zinc market recorded a supply-demand surplus of just 31,000 metric tons in January-April, compared with a surplus of 256,000 tons in the same period last year, according to a Reuters post. That also compares with an earlier April forecast for a 353,000-ton surplus this year.

Reuters puts the tighter-than-expected market down to bottlenecks in Chinas processing sector. The countrys refined metal production slid by 8.2% in May relative to April due to the power curtailments in drought-hit Yunnan province.

Power production from hydroelectric schemes has been hit by a lack of rains impacting both aluminum and zinc smelting this year. Yunnan is home to some 12.5% of Chinas refined zinc production. The rainy season that usually starts in the early summer is expected to alleviate water supply concerns. Reuters quotes a Macquarie Bank analysis that predicts the zinc market will drift back into balance, for both concentrates and refined metal, from late summer onwards.

Drop ahead

Many analysts see this as the start of a prolonged decline in zinc prices stretching through the decade as mine supply increases and a slowdown in Chinas steel production eases demand from the galvanizing sector.

China has been a net importer of refined metal for the last two years. However, the expectation is this will flip to the historic net export position from the middle of this decade. That would add further supply to the global market and downward pressure on prices.

In the meantime, the Chinese National Food and Strategic Reserves Administration is doing its bit. It is releasing stockpiles via auctions, the first for 30,000 tons next month. That will help increase availability and further ease support for prices in the second half of this year.

By Stuart Burns via AG Metal Miner

More Top Reads From Oilprice.com:
Friends brought the Kraft contest to Walkers attention and encouraged him to enter.

He dove into the challenge with gusto.

I have two friends who make music, and I asked them to help me make a rap song for the contest, Walker said. The song is called Dripping With the Mayo. 

The two-minute video, which can be seen on Walkers Twitter page (twitter.com/MenAc3_), features Walker and his co-writers Noah Bollow and Andre Stapleton singing and dancing, all while holding large jars of Kraft Mayonnaise. The song also can now be found on iTunes and Spotify.

Hundreds of entries eventually were narrowed down to eight, Walker said. From there, people could vote via social media for their favorite entry. On his livestream, Walker encouraged people to vote for him, telling viewers he would eat an entire jar of mayonnaise live on his show and, if he won, would take a bath in mayo.

Walker said he didnt know how many votes he had in the end, but he is happy he won. He has since made good on his promise to eat the jar of mayonnaise.
The iPad purchase, which was approved by the school board in May 2020, allowed all students in the district to do remote learning when the district started the 2020-21 school year virtually.

OPS was allocated $86.4 million from the second COVID-19 relief bill. That money needs to be spent by Sept. 30, 2023.

From the third bill, OPS was given $194.1 million. Under that bill, schools must reserve 20% for summer programs and other efforts to address learning loss. The money needs to be spent by Sept. 30, 2024.

The district has not yet spent any of the money from the second or third bill. District officials want the public to weigh in on how to spend the $280.5 million.

District officials have come up with four priorities for how the money is to be spent: academic recovery and acceleration supports; well-being of students and staff; infrastructure for the future; and family and community engagement.

Fateama Fulmore, principal supervisor for OPS, said under those priorities, district officials will have a starting point for their work. But they want to hear feedback from families on topics they think need extra attention, such as tutoring or students mental health.
The addition should allow the church to accommodate the growth that may come from some of those new neighbors.

Im excited about the new space because it allows our parish to continue to grow, said Ben Hirschfeld, who has been a member of the church since 2010. St. Wenceslaus is such a great Catholic community, and this new space, along with our school project, allows the family to grow in the future.

The project included a new organ donated by a parish member. The organ took five weeks to install and features 3,747 pipes.

The pipes range in size from ones as small as a pen to others as long as 32 feet.

Each one had to be individually placed and then individually tuned, said the Rev. Taylor Leffler, an associate pastor at the church.

On Sept. 26, the church will host Jan Kraybill, a Grammy-nominated organist from Kansas City.

Church leaders would like to eventually host guests such as the Omaha Symphony and organists from around the world.

Our hope  and this is what the Catholic church has been for a long time  its so often kind of a home for the arts, Leffler said. Some of the greatest musical pieces ever written, those are written for Mass.
PHOENIX (AP)  Officials in Arizona's largest county plan to stop using voting machines turned over to contractors hired by Republican state senators for a partisan audit of the 2020 election.

The Republican-controlled Maricopa County Board of Supervisors agreed with Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs, who said in May that she had grave concerns regarding the security and integrity of these machines because the county had lost control of them. Hobbs said she would seek to decertify them if the county planned to continue using them.

The Board shares your concerns, county attorney Joseph La Rue wrote to Hobbs on Monday.

The Senate GOP's unprecedented partisan audit of the 2020 election has been condemned by voting rights advocates and election experts who say it's being conducted by biased and incompetent consultants.

Senate Republicans issued a subpoena earlier this year demanding the county turn over vote-tabulation equipment, along with ballots and a variety of other records for the audit. Former President Donald Trump and his supporters had claimed without evidence that his loss was marred by fraud.
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 to equip state Capitol police officers with them.

JUVENILE PRISONS
We want the House to reject it and try again, said protest organizer Toshira Garraway, founder of Families Supporting Families Against Police Violence. We are in a state of emergency. This isn't a situation where we can wait another year so more people can end up dead.

Garraway's fiance, Justin Teigen, a Black man, was found dead in a recycling bin after fleeing from St. Paul police in 2009, in circumstances that remain in dispute. She said in an interview that activists' priorities for additions included lifting the statute of limitations for wrongful death lawsuits against police and mandating that families of people killed in confrontations with police get to see body camera video within 24 to 48 hours. She warned that another police killing could lead to the kind of unrest and destruction that erupted after Floyd's death.

We need to understand that if police don't start being held accountable for their actions, and the hurt and the harm that they've committed against the community, if the state doesn't start holding these officers accountable, it's going to get bad for everybody because people can only take so much pain," Garraway said.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Boswells case is a more modern crime. She and Trail used social media and fake names to meet young women, and posted a video denying involvement in the disappearance of Loofe in November of 2017.

High-tech tracking of their cellphone signals led to the discovery of Loofes body along lightly traveled gravel roads in south-central Nebraska, and surveillance cameras at casinos and motels documented their travels.

In his opening statement, Warner outlined the steps taken by Boswell in the months leading up to the murder. It included setting up three Tinder accounts to arrange dates with women, and, in the hours just before Loofes last, fateful date with Boswell, purchasing items that could be used for dismembering a body. They included a hack saw, tinsnips, plastic sheeting, bleach and duct tape.

Warner recounted prior testimony by three other women recruited by Boswell and Trail via Tinder. There was talk about group sex, becoming the 13th witch in their group and gaining powers by torturing and murdering someone.

But Lancaster, in his opening statements, said the talk of torture and murder was irrelevant because it happened weeks before Loofe met up with Boswell and Trail.
Some Black members of Congress have told me that the law had so much that appealed to both sides that many thought it was the best they were going to get amid rising Republican power.

This time, judging by the administrations description of Bidens proposed initiative, his Comprehensive Strategy to Prevent and Respond to Gun Crime and Ensure Public Safety will focus on firearms, not drugs.

It aims to stem the flow of illegal firearms by using federal tools and resources to crack down, for example, on unlawful weapons dealers who avoid background checks.

Biden also aims to increase programs such as community-based anti-violence programs that have a good record for effectiveness, support law enforcement agencies with federal resources, help reentry programs for the formerly incarcerated and expand summer work programs for young people and violence interventions.

Will it work? I certainly hope so, although experience and a number of crime experts tell me that crime statistics have a frustrating habit of operating largely independent of the best intentions. The debate goes on, for example, as to exactly why crime dropped nationally in the mid-1990s. If politicians had the definitive answer to reducing crime, theyd all do it.
Insurance group, Hollard Ghana, with subsidiaries, Hollard Insurance and Hollard Life Assurance has achieved continent-wide recognition by winning the top award in Africa for financial communications and two other Certificates of Excellence for employee communications and regional excellence at the prestigious 2021 Africa SABRE Awards.



The SABREs are the worlds largest PR awards program which recognizes Superior Achievement in Branding, Reputation, and Engagement across North America, EMEA, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, South Asia, and Africa.



The fifth edition of the awards in Africa was hosted by the African Public Relations Association (APRA) with participants from Nigeria, Cote d'Ivoire, South Africa, Kenya, Ethiopia, Ghana, Uganda, Rwanda, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Eswatini, Zambia, Namibia, United States of America, Cameroon, Malawi, Rwanda, DR Congo, Ukraine, United Kingdom, Bulgaria, France, among others.



The awards include:

1. Hollard Insurances award-winning campaign #MeetArabaHollard #GhanaFirstVirtualInsurer (Launch of Hollard ChatInsure chatbot) won Financial Communications of the year.



2. Hollard Insurance also picked up the Western Africa Certificate of Excellence.



3. The insurance group, Hollard Ghana was also recognized and awarded a Certificate of ExcellenceforEmployee Communications for its internal communications and employee engagement efforts dubbed Building the Hollard in Hollardites.



Commenting on the wins, Group Head, Marketing and Corporate Affairs, of Hollard Ghana, Cynthia Ofori-Dwumfuo said:

We are incredibly honoured to be listed among the creme de la creme of organisations across the world with exceptional brand communications. Our purpose is to enable more people to create and secure a better future and we understand that to achieve this, we must communicate in a relatable manner. Whether we are enabling financial inclusion through digital channels like Araba Hollard, fostering a happy Team Hollard or keeping our partners fulfilled by delivering as expected, we are approachable, real, and mindful with our words. We choose excellence by communicating innovatively. Its the Hollard Way



Thanks to our customers, partners and Hollardites for driving our continuing impact as Ghanas favourite insurer. We dedicate these international recognitions to you all. Many thanks also to Provoke Media, APRA and the SABRE Awards Jury. Ofori-Dwumfuo added.



About Hollard Ghana

The countrys favourite insurance group is Hollard Ghana, with subsidiaries Hollard Insurance and Hollard Life Assurance.



The group combines its deep local knowledge of the market having previously operated in Ghana for 25 years as Metropolitan Insurance with the world-class expertise of an international insurance brand in 18 countries across the world. With feet firmly planted on Ghanaian soil but headquartered in South Africa, Hollard delivers innovative insurance solutions customized to the unique risks Ghanaians face. Hollard offers various life and general insurance products including funeral, personal accident, motor, business, travel, home, and more; and can be reached via the following means: 0501603967 (Hollard Insurance) and 0501533698 (Hollard Life).



Beyond various nationwide office branches and Hollard 2U franchise shops, Ghanaians can find Hollard at Shell Fuel Station Welcome Shops, Melcom stores and online at www.hollard.com.gh and www.jumia.com.ghfor all their insurance needs.











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On World Sickle Cell Day (19th June 2021) the Vice President of the Republic of Ghana, His Excellency Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, announced through his Facebook and Instagram pages that hydroxyurea, a disease-modifying therapy for sickle cell disease (SCD) will now be provided under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) to improve the health of people living with SCD in Ghana.



This announcement followed a meeting he convened on 8th June 2021, with stakeholders including Professor Kwaku Ohene-Frempong, President of the Sickle Cell Foundation of Ghana (Foundation), Hon. Kwaku Agyemang-Manu, Minister for Health, Dr. Lydia Dsane-Selby, Chief Executive, National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), Dr. Patrick Kumah Aboagye, Director General, Ghana Health Service (GHS), Dr. Anthony Nsiah Asare, Special Advisor to the President on Health, and Mr. Roland Hammond-Addo of Novartis.



The Foundation is extremely gratified by the governments decision to cover the cost of hydroxyurea, a global standard treatment for persons living with severe SCD under the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS). This will come as a great relief to thousands of Ghanaians.



In January 2019, when Ghana (represented by the Ministry of Health, GHS, and the Foundation) and Novartis established the Public-Private Partnership to improve the diagnosis and treatment of SCD, the planned initiatives included Novartis plan to make their own hydroxyurea and also to help make it more easily available in the country.



The benefits of hydroxyurea can be significant and, the treatment requires careful management. Therefore, the Foundation, Novartis, and Ghanaian experts developed a treatment programme called Ahodwo Programme.



The term Ahodwo was chosen to convey the relief that hydroxyurea provides for those who suffer from SCD. Teams of more than forty doctors, nurses, and pharmacists from 11 leading SCD treatment centres were organized into the Ahodwo Treatment Group. The group adopted a Treatment Protocol and a system to jointly manage and carefully monitor the safe use of hydroxyurea on a large scale for people with SCD.



With funding and technical assistance from Novartis and Dimagi Inc. (USA) respectively, the Foundation developed a mobile application called Ahodwo Hydroxyurea Dosing App. The App makes it easier for health professionals to register hydroxyurea-eligible people with SCD and jointly manage their treatment.



To provide greater access to hydroxyurea for all who need it at the 11 Treatment Centres, Novartis donated a large supply of hydroxyurea to the Ministry of Health (MoH) for use in the Ahodwo Programme at no cost to the participants. More than 2,800 children and adults living with SCD are currently on treatment in the Ahodwo Programme and an additional 12 Treatment Centres will be added in the next few weeks.



With this major decision of government on behalf of the thousands of Ghanaians living with SCD and their families, the Sickle Cell Foundation of Ghana will do the following:



 Translate policy into action: work the MoH, the GHS, and the NHIA, and to help translate the government policy into an implementation plan;

 Train Healthcare Professionals: work with the Teaching Hospitals, other public and private health institutions to expand the training of healthcare professionals in the safe use of hydroxyurea for people with SCD; and,

 Develop educational materials: develop educational materials and programmes to inform people with SCD, their families and caregivers and the public about hydroxyurea and SCD.



A few facts about hydroxyurea and its use in SCD:



1. Hydroxyurea is not new: Hydroxyurea is an old medicine that has been used for decades to treat several diseases in which the body overproduces abnormal or normal cells.



2. Hydroxyurea has been extensively researched: Hydroxyurea was found to be possibly helpful in the treatment of SCD in the 1980s and, following extensive and definitive research, it was first licensed in the United States in 1998 for treatment of SCD to reduce pain episodes (crises) and other major complications of the disease.



3. We know how it works: Hydroxyurea works in SCD mainly by increasing the production of baby (foetal)

haemoglobin (HbF) inside red blood cells; the higher the Hb F, the less likely it that the cell will turn into a sickle cell.



4. It is not for everyone with SCD: Hydroxyurea is used for people with severe types of SCD, this includes both children and adults.



5. It requires careful monitoring: Hydroxyurea is a strong medicine with a few manageable side effects; so, its use requires careful monitoring with blood tests to ensure safety and must be supervised by trained doctors, nurses, and pharmacists working together.



6. It is not a medicine you should just go and buy : Hydroxyurea is not a medicine that should be simply bought from a pharmacy and taken without careful monitoring and supervision by a trained healthcare professional.



7. It should be taken once a day, every day: Hydroxyurea is NOT a cure for SCD, and it is not medicine to take only when you have acute illness; it must be taken once daily at carefully selected and changing doses to achieve its maximum benefits.



8. It is approved for use in Ghana: In 2018, Novartis, the global medicines company, applied for and obtained approval for its hydroxyurea from the Ghana Food and Drugs Authority, specifically for treatment of SCD.



9. It is the global standard of care: Globally, hydroxyurea has become the most common standard medicine used regularly to reduce the pain and serious illness of people with SCD; it has improved the health and lives of thousands and prolonged the lives of adults with SCD.



10. Thousands have experienced its benefit: A few thousand Ghanaian children and adults with SCD have experienced the benefits of hydroxyurea. It is expected that many more thousands will experience similar relief (Ahodwo) from their pain as a benefit of the decision of our government to provide them hydroxyurea.



The Sickle Cell Foundation of Ghana is a non-governmental and non-profit organization with a Mission to support the development of resources and services to improve the health and quality of life of people with sickle cell disease and related conditions.







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A younger brother of Ibrahim Mohammed also known as Macho Kaaka has been offering pointers as to why his brother was attacked at dawn on Sunday leading to his death on Monday.



In a radio interview with Accra based Citi FM on Monday evening, Zuka Adams, the brother stated that Macho was a social activist who was interested in the wellbeing of the Ejura community in the Ashanti Region where he lived.



He said Macho Kaaka had been recording videos on wrong doings in Ejura and posted them on social media with the hope that the menace will stop.



Through that, he said Macho became very popular in Ejura but received death threats from some people who were not happy with his activism.



He said Macho went ahead and posted a video announcing the death threat against him.



Arrest



Two suspects have since been picked up by the police in connection with the death of Macho, reports Graphic Online's Kwadwo Baffoe Donkor from Kumasi.



Macho Kaaka, 45, a resident of Ejura in the Ashanti Region was reportedly attacked by some people who reportedly were against his social activism and campaign on social media.



Kaaka died on Monday, June 28, 2021 at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi where he was receiving treatment.



The police said the suspects were arrested upon police intelligence and were currently in police custody.



They are Ibrahim Issaka also known as Anyass and Fuseini Alhassan.



They were picked on Monday night [June 28, 2021] around 10:45pm.



According to the Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mr Godwin Ahianyo, the suspects laid ambush in front of the house of the deceased and attacked him when he returned home on Sunday, June 27,2021 at around 1:30am.



They reportedly inflicted machete wounds on him. Sticks were also found at the scene of the incident.



He was first sent to the Ejura Government Hospital and was referred to KATH where he died on Monday.



Meanwhile the police have increased their presence in the Ejura township to ensure peace and safety after they quelled a demonstration by the youth Monday night.



Following the announcement of the death of Kaaka, the youth of the town had wanted to go on a demonstration to demand justice for their compatriot.



Read also: Macho Kaaka: Two arrested in connection with #FixTheCountry campaigner's death



Brother's account



The brother in the Citi FM interview said Macho together with some other family members had gathered in one family members house, since that family member was about marrying.



He said it was when Macho left the place on his way home on a motorbike that he was attacked near his house.



He said they suspected it was "political" opponents of Macho Kaaka who attacked him and added it may not necessarily be partisan opposition political members but it could be members within his own political party - the New Patriotic Party.



He said Macho Kaaka is a member of the New Patriotic Party (NPP) in Ejura.



Below are some of the videos Macho Kaaka posted on social media





Source: Graphiconline.com









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Featured Video
The family of late Ibrahim Mohammed also known as Macho Saaka has debunked claims that their son was a member of the #FixTheCountry movement.



This follows series of reports that Macho was a member of the social activism group that has gain prominence on social media.



However, in an interview with journalists on Wednesday, June 30, 2021, the elder brother of the late Ibrahim Mohammed, Mahawia Ibrahim debunked the claim and called for calm while the security agencies independently conduct their investigations.



He said I have been saying from the very first day Saaka was pronounced dead that the reason for his untimely exit has nothing to do with politics. So I am pleading with Ghanaians to not associate politics with his demise so that the police officers working on the case can independently conduct their investigations so we all will know what the truth really is and bring closure to the matter.



I have heard that people are spreading false information to the effect that my brother is a member of the #FixTheCountry movement but let me state categorically that my brother was not a member of that movement and so I call on people sending those messages across to put an end to it and let the police do their work, he added.



Macho, 45, a resident of Ejura in the Ashanti Region was reportedly attacked by some unknown people in Ejura last Friday.



According to the Ashanti Regional Police Public Relations Officer, Assistant Superintendent of Police, Mr Godwin Ahianyo, the suspects laid an ambush in front of the house of the deceased and attacked him when he returned home on Sunday, June 27, 2021, at about 1:30 am.



He died on Monday afternoon, June 28, 2021, at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) in Kumasi where he was receiving treatment.



Meanwhile, checks with the Regional Police Command indicate that two suspects have since been picked up by the police in connection with the death of Macho.



The police said the suspects were arrested upon police intelligence and were currently in police custody pending further investigation into the matter.

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Tarkwa-Nsuaem Divisional Chiefs have expressed their profound gratitude to President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo for appointing George Mireku Duker as the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources.



The chiefs are happy with the appointment in a statement copied to Peacefmonline.com.



Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal accounts significantly towards the exploitation of mineral resources in the country which has been a strong backbone of Ghanas economic growth. 



Against this backdrop, we are very enthused to state that, this is the first time a legislator of the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Constituency has been appointed a sectorial Minister which reflects the heritage of what Tarkwa is best known for in history. We are very grateful to His Excellency the President for this great honour bestowed on us. Statement read



Below is the full statement



We, the coalition of Tarkwa-Nsuaem Divisional Chiefs expresses our profound gratitude to H. E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of the Republic of Ghana, for appointing our Son, Hon. George Mireku Duker (MP) as the Deputy Minister of Lands and Natural Resources to serve in his government.



Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipal accounts significantly towards the exploitation of mineral resources in the country which have been a strong backbone of Ghanas economic growth. Against this backdrop, we are very enthused to state that, this is the first time a legislator of the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Constituency has been appointed a sectorial Minister which reflects the heritage of what Tarkwa is best known for in history. We are very grateful to His Excellency the President for this great honour bestowed on us.



We also use this opportunity to humbly remind the President that, we are for the development of Tarkwa-Nsuaem and believes that, the MP should be supported by a hardworking and a dedicated Municipal Chief Executive. On this call, we humbly call on Mr. President to re-appoint Hon. Benjamin Kessie since the latter has performed remarkably in a short period of time with a very cordial working relationship with the MP and Nananom. We believe, the combination of the duo coupled with our support will accelerate the needed development in Tarkwa-Nsauem.



Meanwhile, Tarkwa roads are in a very bad state. We are very much aware of the efforts by the Political leadership to fix it. We are also privy to information that, contractor for the Agona-Nkwanta-Tarkwa road is expected on site next month. Therefore, we use this opportunity to plead with Mr. President and all those that matter to ensure that, Tarkwas road infrastructure is properly worked on urgently. We want to remember this government as a government that significantly improved the condition of Tarkwa roads.



In a nutshell, we assure H. E. the President that, we will support Hon. George Mireku Duker and Hon. Benjamin Kesse to deliver the necessary development that befits the good people of Tarkwa-Nsuaem and Ghana at large. Thank you.



Signed.

Nana Kwabena Gyan II

King Maker, Wassa-Fiase Traditional Council

Chairman, Coalition of Tarkwa-Nsuaem Divisional Chiefs.

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An elder brother of the late Ibrahim Mohammed aka "Kaaka", a social media activist who was murdered by unknown assailants, has been arrested by the police.



The suspect, Iddi Mohammed, 48, was picked up at his residence at Ejura today, Wednesday, 30 June 2021.



Another elder brother to the deceased, Maawuya Ibrahim, disclosed this to Class News in an interview.



He said the police stormed their residence and demanded that the suspect accompany them to the police station.



Maawuya said he enquired from the police why they were arresting his younger brother and they said an informant (a woman) in their house had made a statement against him that he was involved in the murder of his brother and, therefore, needs him to assist investigations.



Maawuya noted that said Iddi Mohammed was arrested and taken to the Ejura police station.



Meanwhile, police investigations continue.

Source: classfmonline.com









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Featured Video
Details are emerging about how the Adedenkpo bullion van robbery was carried out.



The daylight robbery led to the gruesome killing of the policeman escorting the bullion van, as well as a lady selling on the street who was allegedly hit by stray bullet, and died.



A Closed Circuit Television (CCTV) footage has been revealing more about the deadly incident on Monday June 14.



CCTV footages on the streets showed how the hoodlums appeared to tail the bullion van, belonging to MON-TRAN.



Six Robbers



The footages showed that six robbers using three motorbikes (two on each bike) followed the vehicle for some time before launching the attack at Adedenkpo, near Jamestown.



At 11:52 am, they were captured around the Bishop Bowers Junction, at Laterbiokoshie on the Mortuary Road on the same route the bullion van was using.



They kept following the bullion van and occasionally appeared to use other vehicles as decoy.



After about 12 noon, the van turned left at the Korle Bu Junction Traffic Light intersection to across the Korle Lagoon Bridge towards Jamestown.



At a traffic stop at Adedenkpo, the bullion van stopped, and the lead motorcycle bypassed the van.



Daring Move



The two other bikes followed, and within a minute, sandwiched the bullion van at a crowded spot and started firing their weapons.



They then succeeded in killing Police Constable Emmanuel Osei, together with a trader, Afua Badu who was selling nearby.



The bullion van driver sustained injuries while two ladies at the back of the van managed to escape unhurt.



The robbers then emptied the bullion van and escaped on their bikes amid indiscriminate firing to scare onlookers.



The footages also showed people in the vicinity running helter-skelter.



Fresh Arrests



About two weeks into the deadly incident, a notorious Guinean armed robber, who is suspected to have killed the policeman in the bullion robbery, was arrested at Kyebi Zongo in the Abuakwa South Municipality in the Eastern Region.



The suspect, identified as Musa Kamara, 26, was arrested together with three other hardened criminals in a joint police operation involving officers from Accra and Kyebi on Saturday, June 26.



According to police sources, the suspects are said to be directly involved in the bullion van robbery.



Musa Kamara, who allegedly wanted to escape, was shot in the knee by the police before being overpowered and initially sent to the Kyebi Government Hospital under heavy police guard.



The three other suspects who were arrested at Kyebi Zongo on Saturday were identified as Collins Addae aka Kekye; Ebenezer Gyimah aka Peace, and another Guinean, Suleman Keita alias 69, a brother of Musa Kamara.



Two Brothers



The two Guinean brothers have been on the wanted list of the Ghana Police for their involvement in the Jamestown robbery on Tuesday, June 15.



They were said to have been terrorising residents of Kyebi, Akyem Tafo, Osiem, Anyinasin, and its environs for some time now.



The tip-off initially led to the arrest of Ebenezer Gyimah at Kyebi Zongo, but he managed to escape while in police handcuff.



However, he and the three others including Musa Kamara, were later arrested on Saturday at Kyebi Zongo.



Musa Kamara, has now been transferred to police headquarters in Accra from the Kyebi Government Hospital and the other suspects have also been brought to Accra.



Police detectives have been dispatched to the Akyem Oda area following intelligence that other suspects in the Adedenkpo bullion van robbery might be hiding there.



Arrest Warrant



Already, an Accra Circuit Court has issued a warrant for the arrest of one Hakam aka Red Devil, who is suspected to have taken part in the Adedenkpo violent robbery.



The suspect, according to a police statement, could be hiding in Tema, Yendi, Kumasi or Accra, and has urged the public to volunteer information leading to his arrest.

Source: Daily Guide









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Featured Video
Samsung Ghana has announced a unique customer service initiative, offering complimentary cleaning services on Samsung air-conditioners and washing machines for customers in Accra. The move, which is seen as a new benchmark for customer service, will be available until 16 July 2021.



Customers who want to take advantage of this amazing free service must register either through Samsungs SNS pages, email [email protected] or book by calling the contact center Toll-Free on 0800 100 077.



Speaking on the initiative, the Managing Director, Lucas Lee said the complimentary service is one of the companys ways of rewarding our customers loyalty.



"At Samsung, it is our constant aim to provide the best customer experience to our consumers. With this initiative, our customers will enjoy speedy and high-quality service. As always, we are committed to providing the very best of Samsung to customers across the country," Lucas Lee said.



Samsung was recently ranked as Number One in the electronics/computer category and third Most Admired Brand in Africa, according to the latest Brand Africa 100 list  the first and most comprehensive Pan-African study and ranking of brands in Africa. This years ranking has proven the resilience of brands such as Samsung, despite a challenging year. Additionally, Samsung was recognised as one of the brands with the biggest response to the Covid-19 pandemic on the continent.



We will always listen to the needs of local markets and create products and services that make life better, concludes Lucas.



How to register

- Email : [email protected]

- Call: 0800 100 077 (Toll-Free)

- Visit Samsung Facebook @SamsungGhana or Instagram @samsungghana





Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament for Ejura Sekyedumase in the Ashanti Region, Alhaji Mohammed Bawa, says he is unaware that Ibrahim Mohammed, aka Macho Kaaka who was viciously attacked and later died at the hospital is a member of the pressure group, #Fixthecountry.



40-year-old Macho Kaaka was killed after receiving series of threats on social media from people were not happy with his activism. The deceased was repeatedly struck in the head with objects until he lost consciousness.



The group - social media users in Ghana who adhere to the hashtag #FixTheCountry in droves by pressuring the government to improve its citizens' lives - subsequently demanded justice following his demise.



In a press release, the #Fixthecountry Conveners claimed that the deceased had been recording videos of misconducts and other issues in Ejura and posted them on social media with the hope that the menace will stop.



As a result, he received threats from supposed bodyguards of the Ejura Sekyeredumase MCE, who claimed Mr Mohammeds activities on social media, were making government unpopular in the area.



But speaking in an interview on NEAT FMs morning show, "Ghana Montie", Hon Bawa pointed out that Kaaka had always been a member of the ruling party and was not too sure of his association with the pressure group as being reported.



I know him to be a member of the NPP, I doubt his involvement with the #Fixthecountry group, he said



Youth On Rampage



According to Peacefm's Senior Reporter in the Ashanti Region, Sampson Nyamekye, following his unfortunate demise, some angry youth who are demanding justice for the murdered social media activist, went on a rampage in Ejura on Monday.



The angry youth burnt tyres on some major streets as a sign of anger. They later stormed the police station on Tuesday morning to inquire about the extent of investigations regarding the murder of their colleague.



The agitated then decided to hit the streets to press home their demand for justice, but were met by Military and the Police personnel.



Police & Military Intervene



A tense standoff between the protesting youth of Ejura Sekyedumase and the military and police team then ensued, resulting in the reported death of two people, with four others suffering severe injuries.







More soon......





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.

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Executive Director of the Child Rights International, Bright Appiah has commended the Education Minister, Yaw Osei Adutwum for his policy proposals aimed at transforming the education sector.



Mr. Bright Appiah, speaking on Peace FM's ''Kokrokoo'', took cognizance of the vision of the Education Minister, therefore reposing confidence in him to enhance youth development in the nation.



He called on the government to support the Minister's policies, which to him, when implmented will help the youth and Ghana at large.



"He has very good plans . . . With his policy direction for education, I will plead with the government that let's support this man to deliver . . . I don't know but I have a belief in him that, at least, even if he's able to even implement about 30 percent of the policies he talks about; I think we can change certain things within our educational system and all that," he briefly said.



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.

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Deputy General Secretary of the National Democratic Congress (NDC0 Peter Boama Otokunor has described the murder of the #Fixethcountry activists Ibrahim Kaaka Mohammed in Ejura as a state sponso-ed attack.



He noted that the country is saddled with impunity borne out of political intolerance, a development he said must stop.



In a tweet, Mr Otokunor said I condemn in no uncertain terms the dastard killing of #FixTheCountry activist, Ibrahim Kaaka Mohammed.



This culture of state sponsored murder and wanton impunity borne out political intolerance must die prematurely. We cannot allow this trend to continue. #justice4kaaka.



His comments come following the gruesome murder of the Macho Kakaa in Ejura in the Ashanti Region over the weekend.



There was a violent clash among the youth of the area who were demonstrating in that town on Tuesday, June 29 following the murder.



This led to the death of two persons with four sustaining various degrees of injury. Former President John Dramani Mahama asked President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, to take immediate steps of the situation in Ejura in the Ashanti Region.



Former President Mahama has added his voice to calls for calm in Ejura but demanded thorough investigations into the firing of live ammunition into the protesting crowd.



I add my voice to calls for calm following the shooting to death of two persons and the injury to many in Ejura today, following the murder of youth activist Ibrahim Kaaka Mohammed.



I have just seen a video of the firing of live ammunition into a crowd by persons wearing military attire, after the burial of the murdered youth activist.



I urgently call on President Nana Akufo-Addo to initiate an immediate de-escalation of the situation in Ejura. There must be a very thorough investigation of both the murder of the youth activist and the security rules of engagement, which resulted in the shooting to death of the two others.



My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims and the Ejura community.









I condemn in no uncertain terms the dastard killing of #FixTheCountry activist, Ibrahim Kaaka Mohammed.



This culture of state sponsored murder and wanton impunity borne out political intolerance must die prematurely. We cannot allow this trend to continue.#justice4kaaka

 Peter Boama Otokunor (@potokunor) June 29, 2021

Source: twitter/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.

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In a forthcoming article in the Michigan Journal of Race & Law, Raymond Magsaysay explores the multifaceted problem of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) being largely left out of recent conversations about overhauling the criminal justice system to address racial injustice. The selection of Magsaysay's article for publication is a distinguished honor as law students rarely have the opportunity to publish full-length articles in legal journals.

In "Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and the Prison Industrial Complex," Magsaysay breaks new ground with an in-depth discussion of AAPIs and mass incarcerationa topic that has received virtually no attention among legal scholars.

"Raymond's article is a wonderful extension of the learning he's done at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School into an innovative and impactful scholarly article," said Dean and Bernard G. Segal Professor of Law Ted Ruger. "It is extremely rare for a current law student at any law school to place an article for publication in another top school's journal, and it speaks to the strength of Raymond's scholarly contribution that the Michigan editors selected his piece from a pool that included many submissions from tenured law professors from around the country. I had a chance to work with Magsaysay as a research and teaching assistant this past Spring, and saw first-hand his extraordinary intellectual curiosity and his ability to take a fresh look at our oldest and most important constitutional questions."

In his article, Magsaysay ultimately reaffirms Critical Race, intersectional, and abolitionist analyses of race and criminalization while directly linking Asian American Jurisprudence to on-going abolitionist critiques of the prison industrial complex.

"This article makes an original and important contribution to abolitionist legal scholarship not only by documenting AAPI people's overlooked entanglement in the prison industrial complex, but also by showing how incorporating AAPIs into abolitionist analysis strengthens calls for transformation," said Dorothy Roberts, George A. Weiss University Professor of Law and Sociology and the Raymond Pace and Sadie Tanner Mossell Alexander Professor of Civil Rights.

"Identifying and addressing this issue, I intercalate AAPIs into powerful, contemporary critiques of the prison industrial complex, including emergent abolitionist legal scholarship," said Magsaysay. "I argue that the model minority myth, an anti-Black racial project, leads to the exclusion of AAPIs in both mainstream and critical studies of crime and carcerality. I also highlight how various AAPI subgroups are stereotyped and criminalized in distinct forms."

Magsaysay begins with a discussion of how criminalized AAPIs' voices and experiences have been erased within both mainstream and critical calls for criminal reform. He highlights the experiences of AAPI youth with the school-to-prison pipeline and points to the limited data on AAPI prison populations to show that AAPIs are caught in the carceral web of mass incarceration.

"Adopting multidisciplinary and multimodal methods, I identify and analyze distinct forms of racial profiling and racialized bullying that drive AAPI students out of schools and into prisons. In particular, I focus on how subgroups of AAPI youth are simultaneously criminalized as whiz kids, gangsters, and terrorists," Magsaysay writes. "In uncovering previously unexamined dimensions of the criminal system, I stress how the exclusion of AAPIs in critical discourse obscures the actual scale of the carceral state, erases complex intra- and interracial dynamics of power, marginalizes criminalized AAPIs, and concurrently reinforces anti-Blackness and other toxic ideologies."

He concludes by proposing abolitionist-informed solutions to the school-to-prison pipeline, such as the implementation of an Ethnic Studies curriculum, and calls on AAPI communities to build more meaningful intra- and interracial coalitions.

"Magsaysay not only makes a forceful case that AAPIs must be considered to fully understand or deconstruct the prison industrial complex," said Amanda Shanor, Assistant Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania, "but also breaks important intellectual ground by theorizing the way in which the invisibility of AAPIs to analyses of the criminal justice system perpetuates anti-Blackness in mass incarceration." Shanor supervised Magsaysay's research on the project.

Explore further Study highlights possible causes of racial disparities in prostate cancer deaths

More information: Magsaysay, Raymond, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and the Prison Industrial Complex (February 24, 2021). Michigan Journal of Race & Law, Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: Magsaysay, Raymond, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and the Prison Industrial Complex (February 24, 2021)., Forthcoming, Available at SSRN: ssrn.com/abstract=3792596
Credit: Satu Koivisto et al, Between earth and water: a wooden snake figurine from the Neolithic site of Jarvensuo 1, Antiquity (2021). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2021.79

A pair of researchers from the University of Turku and the University of Helsinki, respectively, both in Finland, has found a well-preserved ancient carved snake at Jarvensuo 1, a dig site in south-west Finland. In their paper published on the Cambridge University Press site Cambridge Core, Satu Koivisto and Antti Lahelma describe where the artifact was found, its condition, its age and its possible purpose.

The dig site Jarvensuo 1 was discovered back in the 1950s, but little digging was done until recently. Items such as wooden utensils (including a large scoop with a handle whittled to resemble a bear's head) and pieces of fishing gear have been found. In this new find, the research pair have found a life-size carved wooden snake. They describe it as being in excellent condition. It is dark brown and very much resembles a snake as it is traveling or swimming. And its head shape indicates it was meant to resemble a viperan adder perhaps or maybe a grass snake. The figure is approximately 53 centimeters in length and 2.5 cm thick and was made from a single piece of wood. Dating showed it to be approximately 4,400 years old.

The researchers note that the condition of the snake is remarkable, considering it is made entirely of wood and soil in the area is notoriously acidic. The site where it was discovered is next to a lake and is considered to be a wetland.

Credit: Satu Koivisto et al, Between earth and water: a wooden snake figurine from the Neolithic site of Jarvensuo 1, Antiquity (2021). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2021.79

Credit: Satu Koivisto et al, Between earth and water: a wooden snake figurine from the Neolithic site of Jarvensuo 1, Antiquity (2021). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2021.79

The purpose of the snake is not knownit was carved before written records were made, during the Neolithic period, in the last stages of the Stone Age. The researchers suggest it could have served a variety of purposes, noting that it would have worked well as a staff for a shaman as he was engaging in rituals. They also note that previously found rock art from the same time period has at times depicted human figures holding similarly carved objects. And they further note that the climate at the dig site has been changing, warmer temperatures have led to drainage which in turn has led to drying of the soil. They suggest such changes could ruin artifacts at the site that are yet to be found.

Credit: Satu Koivisto et al, Between earth and water: a wooden snake figurine from the Neolithic site of Jarvensuo 1, Antiquity (2021). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2021.79

Credit: Satu Koivisto et al, Between earth and water: a wooden snake figurine from the Neolithic site of Jarvensuo 1, Antiquity (2021). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2021.79

Explore further Evidence found of early hunter-gatherer eating an entire venomous snake

More information: Satu Koivisto et al, Between earth and water: a wooden snake figurine from the Neolithic site of Jarvensuo 1, Antiquity (2021). Journal information: Antiquity Satu Koivisto et al, Between earth and water: a wooden snake figurine from the Neolithic site of Jarvensuo 1,(2021). DOI: 10.15184/aqy.2021.79

 2021 Science X Network
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

As baby toad season winds down in the Roxborough area of Philadelphia, volunteers are still busy helping the frenetic little critters make it alive across Port Royal Avenue.

Ed Wickham likes to use a long, strong-spined turkey feather to brush the fragile, tiny toadlets, as they're called, into a cup, which he empties into a bucket and, later, carries across the street.

"Another volunteer"Olympia Saint-Auguste"came up with this idea for the feather," he said. "Some people use a leaf, or a spoon, or their fingers."

Fans of the common species of amphibian known as the Eastern American toad (Anaxyrus americanus) flock to this Northwest Philadelphia neighborhood early every spring to help creatures driven by ancient instinct overcome the potentially fatal obstacle posed by a busy city street:

Adult male and female toads that inhabit the woods surrounding the Schuylkill Center for Environmental Education must cross busy Port Royal Avenue to get to their breeding ground in the Upper Roxborough Reservoir Preserve.

About two months later, the tadpoles spawned in the reservoir's shallow waters have grown into fully formed toadlets. Less than a fingernail in length, the babies set off for drier ground on the other side of the avenue. Volunteers catch, collect, and release them into the wooded habitat surrounding the Schuylkill Center.

"We are trying to make sure the toads can reach the shallow water to lay their eggs [and give rise to] the next generation of toads," said Amy Krauss, the center's director of communications.

What has become an annual event involving 100 volunteers was organized by animal rights activist and former local resident Lisa Levinson in 2008 and has been overseen by the nonprofit center since 2011. Rescues were interrupted in 2020 by the pandemic; this year's effort to save the toadlets will end on June 30.

"On an average night we get maybe a thousand toadlets," said Wickham, 60, who lives in Norristown and began volunteering with the Roxborough rescues nine years ago. "I love seeing them migrate. I never get bored with it."

On a recent Tuesday evening about a dozen volunteers, including members of the Scouting Venture Crew program's Crew 426, in Ambler, scooped up toadlets on the reservoir side of the avenue.

"It's an awesome activity we can do together," said pharmaceutical research scientist Silveria Rodriguez, of Oreland, who brought along her children Aria, 9, and Damian, 18. They wore hats with clip-on LED flashlights.

"Toadlets are really tiny and hard to spot," said Christina Radley, 28, a Mount Airy resident and self-described full-time volunteer with several environment-related organizations.

"I'm really interested in wildlife rescue and rehabilitation," she said. "I love animals. I don't think toads are icky."

Teeny weeny toadlets may well have more eye appeal to more people than do adult toads. But it's the grown-ups and their mating rituals that have inspired volunteers to staff the barricades during temporary "Toad Detour" shutdowns of the avenue that made national headlines about "toads gone wild" and "toadside assistance in Philadelphia."

Given that Roxborough is very much a Philly neighborhood, the detours are not always met with acclaim.

"Some of the driversoh, boy," Wickham said. "Some will be real nice and say, 'Thanks for doing this.' But a really small number of people will say, 'Oh, come on, you're closing this road off for toads? You've got to be kidding me.'

"We're supposed to be nice, so I don't say anything. I don't want to start an argument," said Wickham. "One time a driver actually took a swing at a volunteer, but didn't hit him.'"

Even those who follow the detour without incident might wonder what, exactly, is at stake. Is Philadelphia running out of toads? Are Eastern American toads an endangered species?

The answer is no and no. But Wickham, a researcher with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said that toads "are special, because we don't have as many of them in the city as there are out in the country, and they are very useful to the environment.

"We have invasive earthworms at the center, and toads eat them," he said. "Their tadpoles eat the algae in the reservoir. We also have mosquitoes in Philadelphia, and toads eat mosquitoes."

Might toads also eat, say, spotted lantern flies? Emerald ash-borers? Cicadas?

Pointing out that he isn't a herpetologist, Wickham said, "Adult toads are carnivores. If they can catch it and it fits in their mouth, they can eat it.",

"Toads have a right to exist and if we can help out, we should," she said. "It's called mercy, and this is a way to put mercy into action."

The project also gives volunteers a chance to observe key events in the life cycle of modern amphibians whose family tree in North America goes back more than 200 million years.

And it's no easy life cycle, either. "The adults come out of the woods, cross the road, dodge the cars, and have to climb the slope to the reservoir to mate and lay their eggs," said Krauss, adding that the toadlets make a similar journey, except in reverse.

No wonder, then, that toadssometimes regarded as poisonous (if only to predators who eat them), as a source of human warts (fake news, for centuries), and as 'witches familiars,' or partners in evil magicnevertheless can inspire affection and even devotion.

Nancy Block, a registered nurse who lives in Chestnut Hill, and her son, Jonathan, a rising junior at Columbia University, are veteran toad project volunteers.

"In April, Jon called me from New York to tell me, 'I saw on Facebook that they're helping the toads cross. Can you take my place?'" said his mother. "I got here right before dusk and saved four!"

Mike Holmquist, a civil engineer from Fort Washington, and his son Lucas, a rising senior at Upper Dublin High School, were first-time volunteers. Both also are members of Venture Crew 426.

"I've gotten about 10 toadlets so far," Mike said. "We're trying to protect the animals [that society] endangered by putting a road through here."

Lucas had three toadlets carefully cupped in his hands. "It helps me to know I'm helping these guys out," he said.

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2021 The Philadelphia Inquirer, LLC.

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
In this Monday, Oct. 28, 2019 file photo, Richard Branson, right, founder of Virgin Galactic, and company executives gather for photos outside the New York Stock Exchange before his company's IPO. In an interview after the Wednesday, June 30, 2021 satellite launch by his separate company Virgin Orbit, Branson said that he has to be "so circumspect" in what he says about Virgin Galactic. "All I can say is when the engineers tell me that I can go to space, I'm ready, fit and healthy to go. So we'll see," he said. Credit: AP Photo/Richard Drew, File

Virgin Galactic's Richard Branson won't say when he'll ride his rocket ship to space or whether he's looking to become the first billionaire to launch aboard his own rocket.

In an interview after Wednesday's satellite launch by his separate company Virgin Orbit, Branson told The Associated Press he has to be "so circumspect" in what he says about Virgin Galactic, a publicly traded company.

"All I can say is when the engineers tell me that I can go to space, I'm ready, fit and healthy to go," Branson said. "So we'll see."

Amazon's Jeff Bezos is targeting July 20 for his rocket company's first launch with people. The Blue Origin flight from West Texas will include Bezos, his brother, a charity auction winner who's shelling out $28 million and a fourth unidentified person.

Unlike Elon Musk's SpaceX, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin are looking to send space tourists on brief up-and-down hopsnot into orbit around the world.

Branson visited Virgin Galactic's New Mexico base before flying to California's Mojave Desert for Wednesday's plane-launched, multi-satellite mission.

Virgin Galactic plans three more test flights to the edge of space this summer and early fall, before launching customers. The company originally put Branson on the second upcoming flight, but has refused to say whether it's moving him up to the next one.

Branson would not comment Wednesday on which flight he'll be onhe wouldn't even say when the next flight might be. He did acknowledge it's "very important" for potential customers to see him strap in for a ride, before opening the doors to the paying public.

The thrill-seeking adventurer, who turns 71 in a few weeks, said he's "not apprehensive at all" about launching into space.

"It's a dream of a lifetime," he told the AP.

Last week, Virgin Galactic got the Federal Aviation Administration's OK to start launching customers. More than 600 people already have reserved a ride to space. Tickets initially cost $250,000, but the price is expected to go up once the company starts accepting reservations again.

Virgin Galactic made its third flight to space in May, with two pilots in the cockpit of the winged spaceship. Like Virgin Orbit, Virgin Galactic uses an aircraft to get off the ground and waits until it reaches high altitude before releasing and firing the rocket.

Explore further Virgin Galactic gets FAA's OK to launch customers to space

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Blood spatter. Credit: University of Illinois at Chicago, College of Engineering

In 2009, famed music producer Phil Spector was found guilty of the murder of actress Lana Clarkson, who was found dead from a single gunshot to her mouth at close range in Spector's California mansion.

During the trial, the attorney argued that Spector couldn't have been the shooter because his white dinner jacket only had a handful blood droplets on it. If he shot Clarkson, the jacket would be covered with blood.

After watching a film about the trial, UIC Distinguished Professor Alexander Yarin was intrigued by the scientific questions it raised. Yarin and his colleagues from Iowa State UniversityAssistant Professor James Michael and Associate Professor Daniel Attinger started researching blood spatter, and their recent papers show how Spector could be the shooter and remain relatively free of blood droplets.

The researchers discovered that the gases released from a gun's muzzle brakes escape in a series of turbulent vortex rings, which causes a phenomenon called "blood back spatter"the blood that travels back toward the shooterto reverse direction away from the shooter.

"At shortrange shooting, the muzzle gasses interfere with the blood back spatter and deflect droplets," Yarin said. "We did simulations with my Ph.D. student Gen Li and found that there are scenarios where droplets can be turned around completely and land behind the victim. Experiments of Dr. Michael confirmed that prediction."

In addition, the researchers noted that a shooter could stand in a certain position or at a specific angle and all backward blood spatter would be turned around, keeping the shooter clean.

"Essentially, I believe this proves that a shooter could have been guilty. There is an explanation for how his outfit could have been basically clean. And the explanation is essentially physically sound," Yarin said.

The researchers plan to continue investigating the blood spatter as they examine a variety of interesting situations and variables.

"We want to go much further," he said. "You have the effect of skin, which may not be that significant, but the effect of surrounding bones can be very significant," he said. A cranial wound, Yarin noted as an example, does not result in an immediate spatter; it is delayed.

"There's a lot of interest in the phenomena associated with these types of wounds," Yarin said. "We would like to study them and understand them better because there might be several waves of gushes of blood and brain matter from such wounds."

Explore further Forensics puzzle cracked via fluid mechanical principles
Currently, all countries where decent living standards are met for most of the population (blue bars) use much more energy per person than what is globally sustainable, i.e. compatible with limiting global warming to 1.5 C without relying on speculative technologies (red line). On the other hand, in all countries with sustainable levels of energy use, significant parts of the population are deprived of decent living standards (yellow bars). Credit: Vogel et al. (2021), the International Energy Agency (2018), Grubler et al. (2018), IPCC (2018)

Fundamental changes in our economies are required to secure decent living standards for all in the struggle against climate breakdown, according to new research.

Governments need to dramatically improve public services, reduce income disparities, scale back resource extraction, and abandon economic growth in affluent countries, for people around the world to thrive whilst cutting global average energy use in half.

Without such fundamental changes, the study warns, we face an existential dilemma: in our current economic system, the energy savings required to avert catastrophic climate changes might undermine living standards; while the improvements in living standards required to end material poverty would need large increases in energy use, further exacerbating climate breakdown.

The study, led by the University of Leeds and published today (30 June 2021) in Global Environmental Change, examined what policies could enable countries to use less energy whilst providing the whole population with 'decent living standards' - conditions that satisfy fundamental human needs for food, water, sanitation, health, education, and livelihoods.

Lead author Jefim Vogel, Ph.D. researcher at Leeds' Sustainability Research Institute, explained: "Decent living standards are crucial for human well-being, and reducing global energy use is crucial for averting catastrophic climate changes. Truly sustainable development would mean providing decent living standards for everyone at much lower, sustainable levels of energy and resource use.

"But in the current economic system, no country in the world accomplishes thatnot even close. It appears that our economic system is fundamentally misaligned with the aspirations of sustainable development: it is unfit for the challenges of the 21st century."

Co-author Professor Julia Steinberger, from the University of Leeds and the University of Lausanne in Switzerland, added: "The problem is that in our current economic system, all countries that achieve decent living standards use much more energy than what can be sustained if we are to avert dangerous climate breakdown."

By 2050, global energy use needs to be as low as 27 gigajoules (GJ) of final energy per person to reach the aspirations of the Paris Agreement of limiting global warming to 1.5 C without relying on speculative future technologies, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. That means current global average energy use (55 GJ per person) needs to be cut in half, while affluent countries like the UK (81 GJ per person) or Spain (77 GJ per person) need to reduce their average energy use by as much as 65%, France (95 GJ per person) by more than 70%, and the most energy-hungry countries like the USA (204 GJ per person) or Canada (232 GJ per person) need to cut by as much as 90%.

A major concern, however, is that such profound reductions in energy use might undermine living standards, as currently only countries with high energy use accomplish decent living standards.

Even the energy-lightest of the countries that achieve decent living standardsspearheaded by Argentina (53 GJ per person), Cyprus (55 GJ per person), and Greece (63 GJ per person) - use at least double the 'sustainable' level of 27 GJ per person, and many countries use even much more.

On the other hand, in all countries with energy use levels below 27 GJ per person, large parts of the population currently suffer from precarious living standardsfor example, in India (19 GJ per person) and Zambia (23 GJ per person), where at least half the population is deprived of fundamental needs.

It appears that in the current economic system, reducing energy use in affluent countries could undermine living standards, while improving living standards in less affluent countries would require large increases in energy use and thus further exacerbate climate breakdown.

But this is not inevitable, the research team show: fundamental changes in economic and social priorities could resolve this dilemma of sustainable development.

Co-author Dr. Daniel O'Neill, from Leeds' School of earth and Environment, explained: "Our findings suggest that improving public services could enable countries to provide decent living standards at lower levels of energy use. Governments should offer free and high-quality public services in areas such as health, education, and public transport.

"We also found that a fairer income distribution is crucial for achieving decent living standards at low energy use. To reduce existing income disparities, governments could raise minimum wages, provide a Universal Basic Income, and introduce a maximum income level. We also need much higher taxes on high incomes, and lower taxes on low incomes."

Another essential factor, the research team found, is affordable and reliable access to electricity and modern fuels. While this is already near-universal in affluent countries, it is still lacking for billions of people in lower-income countries, highlighting important infrastructure needs.

Perhaps the most crucial and perhaps the most surprising finding is that economic growth beyond moderate levels of affluence is detrimental for aspirations of sustainable development.

Professor Steinberger explained: "In contrast with wide-spread assumptions, the evidence suggests that decent living standards require neither perpetual economic growth nor high levels of affluence.

"In fact, economic growth in affluent or even moderately affluent countries is detrimental for living standards. And it is also fundamentally unsustainable: economic growth is tied to increases in energy use, and thus makes the energy savings that are required for tackling climate breakdown virtually impossible."

"Another detrimental factor is the extraction of natural resources such as coal, oil, gas or mineralsthese industries need to be scaled back rapidly."

Lead-author Jefim Vogel concluded: "In short, we need to abandon economic growth in affluent countries, scale back resource extraction, and prioritise public services, basic infrastructures and fair income distributions everywhere.

"With these policies in place, rich countries could slash their energy use and emissions whilst maintaining or even improving living standards; and less affluent countries could achieve decent living standards and end material poverty without needing vast amounts of energy. That's good news for climate justice, good news for human well-being, good news for poverty eradication, and good news for energy security.

"But we need to be clear that achieving this ultimately requires a broader, more fundamental transformation of our growth-dependent economic system. In my view, the most promising and integral vision for the required transformation is the idea of degrowthit is an idea whose time has come."

Explore further Decent living for all does not have to cost the Earth

More information: Jefim Vogel et al, Socio-economic conditions for satisfying human needs at low energy use: An international analysis of social provisioning, Global Environmental Change (2021). Jefim Vogel et al, Socio-economic conditions for satisfying human needs at low energy use: An international analysis of social provisioning,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2021.102287
This photo was taken on March 19, 2017, by the Mars Hand Lens Imager camera on the arm of NASA's Curiosity rover. The image helped mission team members inspect the condition of Curiositys six wheels. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech/MSSS

Why do some science instruments detect the gas on the Red Planet while others don't?

Reports of methane detections at Mars have captivated scientists and non-scientists alike. On Earth, a significant amount of methane is produced by microbes that help most livestock digest plants. This digestion process ends with livestock exhaling or burping the gas into the air.

While there are no cattle, sheep, or goats on Mars, finding methane there is exciting because it may imply that microbes were, or are, living on the Red Planet. Methane could have nothing to do with microbes or any other biology, however; geological processes that involve the interaction of rocks, water, and heat can also produce it.

Before identifying the sources of methane on Mars, scientists must settle a question that's been gnawing at them: Why do some instruments detect the gas while others don't? NASA's Curiosity rover, for instance, has repeatedly detected methane right above the surface of Gale Crater. But ESA's (the European Space Agency) ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter hasn't detected any methane higher in the Martian atmosphere.

"When the Trace Gas Orbiter came on board in 2016, I was fully expecting the orbiter team to report that there's a small amount of methane everywhere on Mars," said Chris Webster, lead of the Tunable Laser Spectrometer (TLS) instrument in the Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) chemistry lab aboard the Curiosity rover.

The TLS has measured less than one-half part per billion in volume of methane on average in Gale Crater. That's equivalent to about a pinch of salt diluted in an Olympic-size swimming pool. These measurements have been punctuated by baffling spikes of up to 20 parts per billion in volume.

"But when the European team announced that it saw no methane, I was definitely shocked," said Webster, who's based at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California.

The European orbiter was designed to be the gold standard for measuring methane and other gases over the whole planet. At the same time, Curiosity's TLS is so precise, it will be used for early warning fire detection on the International Space Station and for tracking oxygen levels in astronaut suits. It's also been licensed for use at power plants, on oil pipelines, and in fighter aircraft, where pilots can monitor the oxygen and carbon dioxide levels in their face masks.

Still, Webster and the SAM team were jolted by the European orbiter findings and immediately set out to scrutinize the TLS measurements on Mars.

NASA's Curiosity rover captured these drifting clouds on May 7, 2019, the 2,400th Martian day, or sol, of the mission. Curiosity used its black-and-white Navigation Cameras to take the photo. Credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech

Some experts suggested that the rover itself was releasing the gas. "So we looked at correlations with the pointing of the rover, the ground, the crushing of rocks, the wheel degradationyou name it," Webster said. "I cannot overstate the effort the team has put into looking at every little detail to make sure those measurements are correct, and they are."

Webster and his team reported their results today in the Astronomy & Astrophysics journal.

As the SAM team worked to confirm its methane detections, another member of Curiosity's science team, planetary scientist John E. Moores from York University in Toronto, published an intriguing prediction in 2019. "I took what some of my colleagues are calling a very Canadian view of this, in the sense that I asked the question: 'What if Curiosity and the Trace Gas Orbiter are both right?'" Moores said.

Moores, as well as other Curiosity team members studying wind patterns in Gale Crater, hypothesized that the discrepancy between methane measurements comes down to the time of day they're taken. Because it needs a lot of power, TLS operates mostly at night when no other Curiosity instruments are working. The Martian atmosphere is calm at night, Moores noted, so the methane seeping from the ground builds up near the surface where Curiosity can detect it.

The Trace Gas Orbiter, on the other hand, requires sunlight to pinpoint methane about 3 miles, or 5 kilometers, above the surface. "Any atmosphere near a planet's surface goes through a cycle during the day," Moores said. Heat from the Sun churns the atmosphere as warm air rises and cool air sinks. Thus, the methane that is confined near the surface at night is mixed into the broader atmosphere during the day, which dilutes it to undetectable levels. "So I realized no instrument, especially an orbiting one, would see anything," Moores said.

Immediately, the Curiosity team decided to test Moores' prediction by collecting the first high-precision daytime measurements. TLS measured methane consecutively over the course of one Martian day, bracketing one nighttime measurement with two daytime ones. With each experiment, SAM sucked in Martian air for two hours, continuously removing the carbon dioxide, which makes up 95% of the planet's atmosphere. This left a concentrated sample of methane that TLS could easily measure by passing an infrared laser beam through it many times, one that's tuned to use a precise wavelength of light that is absorbed by methane.

"John predicted that methane should effectively go down to zero during the day, and our two daytime measurements confirmed that," said Paul Mahaffy, the principal investigator of SAM, who's based at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Maryland. TLS' nighttime measurement fit neatly within the average the team had already established. "So that's one way of putting to bed this big discrepancy," Mahaffy said.

While this study suggests that methane concentrations rise and fall throughout the day at the surface of Gale Crater, scientists have yet to solve the global methane puzzle at Mars. Methane is a stable molecule that is expected to last on Mars for about 300 years before getting torn apart by solar radiation. If methane is constantly seeping from all similar craters, which scientists suspect is likely given that Gale doesn't seem to be geologically unique, enough of it should have accumulated in the atmosphere for the Trace Gas Orbiter to detect. Scientists suspect that something is destroying methane in less than 300 years.

Experiments are underway to test whether very low-level electric discharges induced by dust in the Martian atmosphere could destroy methane, or whether abundant oxygen at the Martian surface quickly destroys methane before it can reach the upper atmosphere.

"We need to determine whether there's a faster destruction mechanism than normal to fully reconcile the data sets from the rover and the orbiter," Webster said.

Explore further A step closer to solving the methane mystery on Mars

More information: Christopher R. Webster et al, Day-night differences in Mars methane suggest nighttime containment at Gale crater, Astronomy & Astrophysics (2021). Journal information: Astronomy & Astrophysics Christopher R. Webster et al, Day-night differences in Mars methane suggest nighttime containment at Gale crater,(2021). DOI: 10.1051/0004-6361/202040030
Credit: Emoke Denes, CC BY-SA 4.0

Growing in popularity, unagi kabayakigrilled freshwater eel in soy saucecan be found on the menu of many Japanese restaurants, and is stocked by Asian shops and in specialist supermarkets. But new research tracing the DNA of eel filets used for this dish has found that fraudulent food labeling is rife, with a third of the products violating EU regulations on the provision of food information. With certain species of eels now endangered, the researchers say that accurate labeling on these products is vital if the global eel trade is to be sustainable.

The European eel is a critically endangered species with trade strictly regulated, and import and export banned across the EU's external borders. While the researchers found little evidence of illegal trade in European eel in the products they examined, the prevalence of fraudulent labeling suggests that EU, and current UK, labeling requirements are insufficient.

"Only through DNA analysis were we able to demonstrate that more than ten percent of the unagi kabayaki filets were prepared from species other than that indicated onthe label" said Florian Stein, the lead author from the Technische Universitat Braunschweig in Germany. He added, "In times when eel trafficking is considered to be one of the biggest wildlife crimes and consumer awareness regarding the source of their products in general is increasingthe level of evident labeling fraud is alarming."

The origins and labeling of 108 unagi kabayaki products for sale in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France and the UK were investigated by the researchers. Being prepared filets covered in sauce, it was impossible to identify the species without molecular analysis. Taking DNA and cross-referencing this information with a global database meant that researchers could pinpoint the species involved and check the accuracy of each product label.

The researchers found that none of the products purchased in Europe were produced in Europe, all were imported from China and Taiwan. Each product contained the filets of one type of eel, but in total four species were detected across the sample group, only one of which is found in Chinese waters. 73 samples were American eel, 33 Japanese eel, and a single sample of European eel and Indian shortfin eel were identified.

"The presence of eels originating from various parts of the world points at the global nature of the eel trade," said Vincent Nijman, Professor in Anthropology at Oxford Brookes University in the UK, and one of the authors of the paper.

"American eel is transported from the east coast of the US to southern China, where it is turned into eel filets, these are then exported to the Netherlands from where they end up in UK supermarkets. At the same time, in another shop, also in the UK, you can buy similar looking filets that are actually Indian eels imported from Germany, that also were processed in China but which originated from perhaps the Philippines."

The research paper says it is vital that the EU and the UK achieve straightforward labeling requirements that include the scientific name of the species, and that this is made mandatory for prepared and preserved fish products.

Andrew Kerr, Chairman of the Sustainable Eel Group in Brussels, who was not involved in the research, noted, "Eel is essentially a wild fish and finitecontrol is therefore an essential requirement for a sustainable global trade. Accurate and fully traceable labeling are in everyone's long term interests."

Explore further Surprising prevalence of endangered European eel in Hong Kong's food supply

More information: Florian Martin Stein et al, Chinese eel products in EU markets imply the effectiveness of trade regulations but expose fraudulent labelling, Marine Policy (2021). Journal information: Marine Policy Florian Martin Stein et al, Chinese eel products in EU markets imply the effectiveness of trade regulations but expose fraudulent labelling,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.marpol.2021.104651
Credit: Save the Elephants

Researchers at the University of Oxford and Save the Elephants have found evidence that African elephants (Loxodonta africana) listen and react to ground vibrations created by human activity.

Elephants' heavy footsteps and their rumbling low-frequency calls are so powerful that they can create seismic wavesvibrations that travel through the ground and along its surface. As a result, elephants have evolved sensitivity to these ground-traversing sound waves, in part because it because it helps them communicate with one an-other across thousands of metres. The animals have an inner ear, as well as pressure-sensitive nerve endings in their feet called Pacinian corpuscles, and scientists believe that these help them detect seismic vibrations.

Now, researchers at the University of Oxford and Save the Elephants have found evidence that African elephants (Loxodonta africana) also listen and react to ground vibrations created by human activity.

The study, published today in the Proceedings of the Royal Society B, shows that when elephants perceive such human-generated seismic waves, they often retreat away from them, apparently as a risk-avoidance strategy. Previous studies have found they avoid the acoustic sounds of bees, tiger growls, human voices, and other elephants' alarm calls. But whether they could also identify and discriminate between different ground-based sounds was unclear.

Conservationists are concerned that man-made noises may interfere with signals that elephants receive from the natural world and impact their survival. A profusion of low frequency noise is a particular concern in Samburu, where this study was carried out, since it is close to an artillery firing range. Elephants may also be sensitive to seismic blasting for oil exploration, which is currently taking place in Kavango in Namibia.

To study how they detect and respond to seismic waves generated from different sources, Dr. Beth Mortimer, a zoologist at the University of Oxford, her colleagues and a team from Save the Elephants played seismic recordings of elephants and human-generated white noise, as well as a combination of both, to wild elephants in Samburu National Reserve and Buffalo Springs National Reserve in northern Kenya.

When the researchers played human-generated noise (alone or in combination with elephant sounds), the wild elephants often froze and appeared to listen vigilantly to the strange sounds. They also moved farther away from the sources of human-generated noise than they did from elephant-generated noise, suggesting they associated the human noises with risk.

Dr. Beth Mortimer, said: 'Human-generated seismic noise is something the elephants were retreating from. That leads us to the conclusion that they're associating it with risk. We don't know whythere could be many reasons that they're choosing to retreat.'

Credit: University of Oxford

Dr. Mortimer said she was surprised to find that the elephants picked up on human-generated noise even when it was combined with elephant sounds overlaid on it: 'I was expecting them to respond to elephant-generated cues only, and for that noise to mask the human sounds. But they picked up on the human-generated part in the combined recording and retreated from it.

'It was a surprising outcome, but very important in terms of showing that they get information from human-generated vibrations. It's not just elephant-generated seismic vibrations that are relevant to them.'

Human-generated noise pollution is ubiquitousand it is only increasing, along with human activity. Dr. Mortimer said: 'The more of it there is, and the louder and closer it is, the more it's going to be affecting the elephants.'

Even in the relative tranquility and remove of protected areas such as the National Reserves, the ground carries human-generated noise from vehicles, generators, gunfire, and other sources, which according to the new study's findings could be enough to disrupt elephants' behaviour.

Dr. Mortimer said: 'We've shown through this study that elephants can detect and respond to human-generated vibrations. We observed the retreat response to such noise, and so we know that human noise poses challenges to elephants because they are so sensitive to ground-based vibrations.'

Ultimately, Mortimer says more research is needed to understand how human-generated vibrations affect their welfare: 'This study helps show that elephants use seismic vibrations for a wider variety of informationnot just communication,' she said. 'We know that seismic vibrations are only going to increase over time, and we need to be aware of how that is impacting elephants.'

Chris Thouless, Save the Elephant's Head of Research said: 'We still know very little about how elephants use infrasound to communicate with each other and to appreciate their environment. They operate in a sensory world that is very different from our own, 'hearing' low frequency noises through their feet. They may detect other elephants, distant thunderstorms, and noises of human activities at great distances. This skill helps them to survive in a complex environment, but man-made noises may overwhelm the more subtle signals from the natural world.'

Key findings from the study include:

Elephants can detect human-generated seismic vibrations, even when such noise is mixed with elephant-generated vibrations

Elephants show vigilant behaviour and retreat from human-generated ground vibra-tions, suggesting they are reacting to it with risk-avoidance

Man-made noises may interfere with signals elephants receive from the natural world and impact their survival.

Explore further Could seismology equipment help to protect elephants from poachers?

More information: Beth Mortimer et al, Noise matters: elephants show risk-avoidance behaviour in response to human-generated seismic cues, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences (2021). Journal information: Proceedings of the Royal Society B Beth Mortimer et al, Noise matters: elephants show risk-avoidance behaviour in response to human-generated seismic cues,(2021). DOI: 10.1098/rspb.2021.0774
About 40% of unhoused individuals in the U.S. had earnings from formal employment, according to new findings from the Comprehensive Income Dataset Project at UChicago. Credit: Nathan Dumlao on Unsplash

More than half of people residing in homeless shelters in the United States had formal earnings in the same year they were homeless, according to a new study that deepens understanding of housing insecurity in the U.S.

Among unhoused individuals who were not in shelters, about 40% had earnings from formal employment. The findings contrast with common perceptions and stereotypes about people who are homelesssuggesting that even consistent work isn't enough to help Americans facing skyrocketing housing costs.

Led by Prof. Bruce D. Meyer, a preeminent scholar of U.S. poverty, the research offers the first highly accurate snapshot of those experiencing homelessness across the country and examines factors such as labor market attachment, geographic mobility, earnings, population characteristics and safety net usage.

"People experiencing homelessness are among the most deprived individuals in the United States, yet they are neglected in official poverty statistics and other surveys," said Meyer, the McCormick Foundation Professor at Harris Public Policy. "As a result, policymakers and others interested in understanding this overlooked and at-risk population have never had complete or reliable information from which to guide decision-making until now."

The new study is the first in a series of planned reports on homelessness from the Comprehensive Income Dataset (CID) Project, an effort to build the most accurate dataset on economic well-being ever created for the United States. To better understand the homeless population specifically, the researchers constructed an unprecedented dataseta census of the entire U.S. homeless population in 2010 linked with individual-level administrative data on government benefits and tax records.

Key findings from the analysis include:

More than half of the sheltered homeless adult population under age 65 worked at some point in 2010, while a still substantial 40% of the unsheltered homeless population worked.

The vast majority of individuals who experience homelessness receive government benefits. Among adults under 65, 89% of those in homeless shelters and 78% of those unsheltered received benefits from SNAP (food stamps), veterans benefits, housing assistance, Medicare or Medicaid at some point in 2010.

Even after spells of homelessness end, financial circumstances for people who experience homelessness tend not to improve for an extended period of timeoften for at least a decade. In every year between 2005 and 2015, less than half of adults under 65 experiencing sheltered homelessness in 2010 had more than $2,000 of annual earnings, and less than a quarter had more than $12,000 of annual earnings.

Individuals experiencing homelessness move across state lines very infrequently. Ninety percent of sheltered homeless adults under 65 live in the same state in which they lived the year previously, and 55% of sheltered homeless adults under 65 live in the same state in which they were born.

Individuals who experience homelessness face relatively high rates of disability. Nearly one quarter (24%) of sheltered homeless adults under age 65 report difficulty remembering or making decisions, twice the rate among a comparison group of non-homeless individuals.

"The sometimes surprising findings that result from our analysis underscore the importance of quality data to create policies to understand and combat social ills," Meyer said. "The social safety net and other programs and policies cannot be well-designed if policymakers do not have accurate information and insights to understand the problem, and instead rely on common assumptions."

The paper was co-authored by Harris doctoral students Angela Wyse and Derek Wu; a Census Bureau demographer, Carla Medalia; and a pre-doctoral researcher, Alexa Grunwaldt.

The Comprehensive Income Dataset is expected to power a new generation of evidence-based policymaking by providing a highly accurate understanding of deprivation and economic disparities in the United States. For more information, visit the CID website.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Bioplasticsbiodegradable plastics made from biological substances rather than petroleumcan be created in a more economical and environmentally friendly way from the byproducts of corn stubble, grasses and mesquite agricultural production, according to a new study by a Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientist.

This new approach involves a "plug-in" preconditioning process, a simple adjustment for biofuel refineries, said Joshua Yuan, AgriLife Research scientist, professor and chair of Synthetic Biology and Renewable Products in the Texas A&M University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Plant Pathology. These "plug-in" technologies allow for optimization of sustainable, cost-effective ligninthe key component of bioplastics used in food packaging and other everyday items.

The $2.4 million project is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office. The research has recently been published in Nature Communications.

Yuan and researchers are submitting next-phase requests for additional project funding.

Efficient extraction and use of lignin is a major challenge for biofuel refineries, Yuan said.

"Our process takes five conventional pretreatment technologies and modifies them to produce biofuel and plastics together at a lower cost."

Yuan's research builds on previous work investigating enhanced extraction methods for lignin.

The new method, named "plug-in preconditioning processes of lignin," or PIPOL, can be directly added into current biorefineries and is not cost prohibitive, Yuan said. PIPOL is designed to integrate dissolving, conditioning and fermenting lignin, turning it into energy and making it easily adaptable to biorefinery designs.

Yuan said the bioeconomy and biomanufacturing sectors are a federal priority as the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy points to bioeconomy infrastructure, innovation, products, technology and data to enhance U.S. economic growth.

The bioeconomy supports some 285,000 jobs and generates $48 billion in annual revenue.

"Innovation is the key to achieving growth and a more widespread use of biodegradable plastics. Lignocellulosic biorefinery commercialization is hindered by limited value-added products from biomass, lack of lignin utilization for fungible products and overall low-value output with ethanol as primary products," he said. "This recent discovery will make significant strides to overcome some of these challenges."

Yuan also touted the research for its environmentally friendly aspects.

"We are producing over 300 million tons of plastics each year," he said. "It's critical to replace those with biodegradable plastics. This work provides a path to produce bioplastics from common agriculture waste like [that from production of] corn and other grasses and wood. We think this research is very industrially relevant and could only help enable the biorefinery and polymer industries to [attain] greater efficiencies and economic opportunity."

AgriLife Research and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences share a commitment to seeking solutions through science to solve environmental challenges. Their research has already found that sustainable products such as mesquite and high-tonnage sorghum can be used as feedstock for biofuel production.

Agricultural byproducts such as corn stubble and other grasses are alternative feedstock sources for biofuel plants, Yuan said. These create potential new revenue streams for farmers as well as the transportation sector that transports harvested feedstock and byproduct crops to refinery operations.

"We have shown that bioplastics from lignocellulosic biorefineries can be more economically beneficial, which opens new avenues to use agricultural waste to produce biodegradable plastics," Yuan said. "The discovery will mitigate global climate changes via replacing fossil fuel and nondegradable plastics by renewable and biodegradable plastics."

Explore further Research uncovers potential sustainable refining method for lignin

More information: Zhi-Hua Liu et al, Transforming biorefinery designs with 'Plug-In Processes of Lignin' to enable economic waste valorization, Nature Communications (2021). Journal information: Nature Communications Zhi-Hua Liu et al, Transforming biorefinery designs with 'Plug-In Processes of Lignin' to enable economic waste valorization,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41467-021-23920-4
Benjamin Keenan, the lead researcher, collecting a lake sediment core on Lake Izabal, the largest lake in Guatemala. Credit: Elisandra Hernandez

A McGill-led study has shown that the size of the Maya population in the lowland city of Itzan (in present-day Guatemala) varied over time in response to climate change. The findings, published recently in Quaternary Science Reviews, show that both droughts and very wet periods led to important population declines.

These results are based on using a relatively new technique involving looking at stanols (organic molecules found in human and animal fecal matter) taken from the bottom of a nearby lake. Measurements of stanols were used to estimate changes in population size and to examine how they align with information about climate variability and changes in vegetation drawn from other biological and archaeological sources.

By using the technique, the researchers were able to chart major Maya population changes in the area over a period starting 3,300 years before the present (BP). They were also able to identify shifts in settlement patterns that took place over the course of hundreds of years that are associated with changes in land use and agricultural practices.

They discovered, moreover, that the land had been settled earlier than previously suggested by archaeological evidence.

New tool provides surprising information about human presence in Maya lowlands

The evidence from fecal stanols suggests that humans were present on the Itzan escarpment about 650 years before the archaeological evidence confirms it. It also shows that that the Maya continued to occupy the area, albeit in smaller number, after the so-called 'collapse' between 800-1000 AD, when it had previously been believed that drought or warfare caused the entire population to desert the area. There is further evidence of a large population spike around the same time as a historical record of refugees fleeing the Spanish attack of 1697 AD on the last Maya stronghold in the southern Maya lowlands (Nojpeten, or modern-day Flores in Guatemala)something that had not been known before.

Fecal records from lake sediment show that Maya lived in the area for longer than previously believed. Credit: Andy Breckenridge

Estimates of ancient population size in the Maya lowlands have traditionally been obtained through ground inspection and excavation. To reconstruct population dynamics, archaeologists locate, map, and count residential structures, and they excavate them to establish dates of occupation. They compare population trends at the site and regional levels. And they then use techniques such as pollen analysis and indicators of soil erosion into lakes to reconstruct the ecological changes that took place at the same time.

"This research should help archaeologists by providing a new tool to look at changes that might not be seen in the archaeological evidence, because the evidence may never have existed or may have since been lost or destroyed," said Benjamin Keenan, a Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at McGill, and the first author on the paper. "The Maya lowlands are not very good for preserving buildings and other records of human life because of the tropical forest environment."

Maya population size affected by both droughts and wet periods

The fecal stanol from the sediment in Laguna Itzan confirms that the Maya population in the area declined due to drought at three different periods; between 90-280 AD, between 730-900 AD and during the much less well studied drought between 1350-950 BC. The researchers also found that the population declined during a very wet period from 400-210 BC, something which has received little attention until now. The population decline in response to both dry and wet periods shows that there were climatic effects on population at both climate extremes, and not only during dry periods.

Diagram showing how fecal stanol molecules are transported from human intestines to lake sediments, where they are then recovered in sediment cores. Credit: Benjamin Keenan et al.

"It is important for society generally to know that there were civilisations before us that were affected by and adapted to climate change," said Peter Douglas, an assistant professor in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences and the senior author on the paper. "By linking evidence for climate and population change we can begin to see a clear link between precipitation and the ability of these ancient cities to sustain their population."

The research also suggests that the Maya people may have adapted to environmental issues such as soil degradation and nutrient loss by using techniques such as the application of human waste (also known as night soil) as a fertilizer for crops. This is suggested by a relatively low amount of fecal stanols in the lake sediment at a time when there is archaeological evidence for the highest human populations. One explanation for this is that human waste was applied to soils as fertilizer and therefore the stanols were not washed into the lake.

Explore further Scientists can measure population change through chemicals found in feces

More information: Benjamin Keenan et al, Molecular evidence for human population change associated with climate events in the Maya lowlands, Quaternary Science Reviews (2021). Journal information: Quaternary Science Reviews Benjamin Keenan et al, Molecular evidence for human population change associated with climate events in the Maya lowlands,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.quascirev.2021.106904
The dead at Alalakh were usually buried in simple pit graves and often with ceramic vessels close to their heads. Credit: Murat Akar, Tell Atchana Excavations

The Bronze Age in the eastern Mediterranean has long been considered by researchers to have been the 'first international age,' especially the period from 1600-1200 BC, when powerful empires from Anatolia, Mesopotamia, and Egypt set up large networks of subordinate client kingdoms in the Near East. These empires fought, traded, and corresponded with one another, and ancient texts from the period reveal rich economic and social networks that enabled the movement of people and goods.

A new study conducted by an interdisciplinary team of archaeologists, geneticists, and isotope experts, and published in PLOS ONE, investigated the movement of people in this period at a single regional center, a Bronze Age city-state called Alalakh in present-day southeastern Turkey. Their results indicate that the majority buried at Alalakh were raised locally and descended from people who lived in the region.

The team's goal was to see if the high levels of interregional connectivity evidenced by the architecture, texts, and artifacts found at the site during 20 years of excavations, sponsored by the Turkish Ministry of Culture and Tourism and Hatay Mustafa Kemal University, could be detected among the population buried at the city.

To do so, they conducted strontium and oxygen isotope analyses on tooth enamel, which can detect whether an individual grew up locally at Alalakh or moved there only during adulthood. The genetic data on the other hand can be used to determine where a person's recent ancestors came from.

Aerial view of Alalakh in the Amuq Plain (Turkey). Credit: Murat Akar, Tell Atchana Excavations

The isotope analysis identified several non-local individuals. However, their DNA showed an ancestry that was local to Alalakh and neighbouring regions. "There are two possible explanations for our findings," said co-lead author Stefanie Eisenmann from the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Human History. "Either these individuals are short-distance migrants from the region or return migrants, people whose parents or grandparents originally came from Alalakh."

Only one sampled individual, an adult woman, was not part of the local gene pool, instead showing ancestry that most closely matched groups in Central Asia. However, her isotopic signatures suggested a local upbringing. "We expected the isotope analysis to show that this person immigrated to Alalakh, since her genetic data was so different from the rest of the population, so we were surprised to see that she was likely native to Alalakh. It could have been her parents or grandparents who made the move, instead," explained Tara Ingman, the other lead-author of the study from Koc University.

Map showing location of Alalakh in Turkey. Credit: Ingman et al., 2021. PLOS ONE.

While different types of mobility were identified, including short-distance, long-distance, and return migration, there were no complete foreigners in the dataset. Most people were born and raised at Alalakh and also their ancestors came from the region.

"There are several ways to explain this. It is possible that far less long-distance migrants were living at Alalakh than we had previously thought. Another possibility is that we haven't found their graves, yet. Perhaps most individuals that came from far away were not buried directly at Alalakh, or in a way we cannot trace," said Murat Akar, director of the excavations.
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Academics believe they have identified a remarkable geological secret: A sunken continent hidden under Iceland and the surrounding ocean,which they have dubbed "Icelandia."

An international team of geologists, led by Gillian Foulger, Emeritus Professor of Geophysics in the Department of Earth Sciences at Durham University (UK), believe the sunken continent could stretch from Greenland all the way to Europe.

It is believed to cover an area of ~600,000 km2 but when adjoining areas west of Britain are included in a "Greater Icelandia," the entire area could be ~1,000,000 km2 in size.

If proven, it means that the giant supercontinent of Pangaea, which is thought to have broken up over 50 million years ago, has in fact not fully broken up.

This new theory challenges long-held scientific ideas around the extent of oceanic and continental crust in the North Atlantic region, and how volcanic islands, like Iceland, formed.

The presence of continentalrather than oceaniccrust could also spark discussions about a new source of minerals and hydrocarbons, both of which are contained in continental crust.

The revolutionary new theory was born from an innovative series of expert meetings held in Durham and is included in a dedicated chapter of In the Footsteps of Warren B. Hamilton: New Ideas in Earth Science (published 29 June 2021 by the Geological Society of America), which Professor Foulger has co-written with Dr. Laurent Gernigon of the Geological Survey of Norway and Professor Laurent Geoffroy of the Ocean Geosciences Laboratory, University of Brest (France).

Speaking about the new theory, Professor Foulger said, "Until now Iceland has puzzled geologists, as existing theories that it is built of and surrounded by oceanic crust are not supported by multiplegeological data. For example, the crust under Iceland is over 40 km thickseven times thicker than normal oceanic crust. This simply could not be explained.

"However, when we considered the possibility that this thick crust is continental, our data suddenly all made sense. This led us immediately to realize that the continental region was much bigger than Iceland itselfthere is a hidden continent right there under the sea.

"There is fantastic work to be done to prove the existence of Icelandia but it also opens up a completely new view of our geological understanding of the world. Something similar could be happening at many more places.

"We could eventually see maps of our oceans and seas being redrawn as our understanding of what lies beneath changes."

The research team is now working with collaborators from across the globe on work to test their theory, which will begin once COVID-19 restrictions allow.

This work could involve electrical conductivity surveys, and the collection of zircon crystals in Iceland and elsewhere. Other tests such as seismic profiling and drilling would need millions of pounds to fund, but such is the importance of this work that funding may well be forthcoming.

Professor Foulger is a world-leading geologist whose research has contributed to mapping the geological composition of the seabed in relation to continental land masses.

This work has important legal and political ramifications, as under certain conditions, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea grants coastal states exclusive rights to the non-living resources of their adjacent seabed if scientists can prove that the seabed is a submerged extension of the continental landmass.

Professor Philip Steinberg, Director of IBRU, Durham University's Centrefor Borders Research, noted, "Countries around the world are spending enormous resources conducting subsea geologic research in order to identify their continental shelves and claim exclusive mineral rights there.

"Research like Professor Foulger's, which forces us to rethink the relationship between seabed and continental geology, can have far-reaching impact for countries trying to determine what area of the seabed are their exclusive preserve and what areas are to be governed by the International Seabed Authority as the 'common heritage of humankind."

Explore further Fragment of continental crust found under southeast Iceland

More information: The chapter, Icelandia, by Foulger, Gernigon, and Geoffroy is part of In the Footsteps of Warren B. Hamilton: New Ideas in Earth Science , The chapter, Icelandia, by Foulger, Gernigon, and Geoffroy is part of DOI: 10.1130/2021.2553(04 ) , pubs.geoscienceworld.org/books  /130412282/Icelandia
In this Aug. 3, 2014, file photo, the water intake crib for the city of Toledo, Ohio, is surrounded by an algae bloom on Lake Erie, about 2.5 miles off the shore of Curtice, Ohio. Researchers are expecting another mild algae outbreak on Lake Erie this summer. They expect it to be the first time in more than a decade that the lake will see back-to-back years of mild algae blooms. That's the good news. But scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say it doesn't mean the shallowest of the Great Lakes is turning the corner just yet. Credit: AP Photo/Haraz N. Ghanbari, File

The toxic blob of algae that turns western Lake Erie a ghastly shade of green each summer and threatens drinking water and fish should be on the smaller side again this year following another dry spring, scientists predicted Wednesday.

Researchers expect this will be the first time in more than a decade that the shallowest of the Great Lakes will see back-to-back years of relatively mild algae blooms. But they caution that it's not a sign the lake is turning the corner just yet.

That's because they say the rosy outlook this year is mainly due to the lack of heavy rains that typically wash phosphorus-laden livestock manure and chemical fertilizers off farm fields and into the lake where it feeds the algae.

"While this is good news, the concentration of phosphorus still remains the same as recent years," said Rick Stumpf, an oceanographer with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. "Until we begin to see reductions in the concentration of phosphorus, the next year with above-average rainfall will have a more severe bloom."

Ohio's leaders have been under pressure to combat the blooms since algae toxins in 2014 left more than 400,000 people around Toledo unable to drink their tap water. Up until now, little progress has been made.

Republican Gov. Mike DeWine is betting on cleaning the lake through an ambitious 10-year plan offering farmers financial incentives to adopt new agriculture practices and creating a network of wetlands to capture and filter runoff from fields.

In this Sept. 15, 2017, file photo, algae floats in the water at the Maumee Bay State Park marina in Lake Erie in Oregon, Ohio. Researchers are expecting another mild algae outbreak on Lake Erie this summer. They expect it to be the first time in more than a decade that the lake will see back-to-back years of mild algae blooms. That's the good news. But scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say it doesn't mean the shallowest of the Great Lakes is turning the corner just yet.Credit: AP Photo/Paul Sancya, File

But those efforts are just getting started. The approach is being watched closely by states struggling with an increasing number of algae outbreaks. Some environmental groups are skeptical, but others that have been at odds with the farming industry are hopeful.

The forecast for this summer released by NOAA predicts the bloom will come in at 3 on its severity indexa mild reading on par with last year. Anything above 5 indicates a severe bloom.

The algae outbreaks have become more frequent and severe since 2008. But if this summer's forecast holds true, three of the last four years will be below a 5 on the ratings scale.

During that time, farmers have been planting more cover crops and using new methods to reduce fertilizer runoff, said Jordan Hoewischer, director of water quality and research for Ohio Farm Bureau.

"It doesn't make sense to give all the credit to the weather on years when there is a smaller bloom and put all the blame on the farmers if there is a big bloom," he said.

The blooms contain blue-green algae or cyanobacteria, which can produce a liver toxin called microcystin that is harmful to people and can be fatal to animals, including dogs. Even in years when there are smaller blooms, they can still produce dangerous toxins.

In this file photo from Sept. 20, 2017, a catfish is visible on the shoreline in the algae-filled waters off North Toledo, Ohio. Researchers are expecting another mild algae outbreak on Lake Erie this summer. They expect it to be the first time in more than a decade that the lake will see back-to-back years of mild algae blooms. That's the good news. But scientists at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say it doesn't mean the shallowest of the Great Lakes is turning the corner just yet. Credit: Andy Morrison/The Blade via AP File

NOAA and other U.S. and Canadian agencies have set a goal of reducing the Lake Erie bloom to a 3 on the index.

Ohio, Michigan and the Canadian province of Ontario also have pledged to reduce runoff of phosphorus by 40% by 2025 from the 2015 amount.

Measurements this year in the Maumee River, which carries much of the farm runoff from Ohio and Indiana into the lake, show that there are still high concentrations of phosphorus, said Laura Johnson, director of the National Center for Water Quality Research at Heidelberg University in Ohio.

The big difference, she said, is it has been very dry, which has greatly reduced the amount of water flowing in the river.

Until significant and consistent reductions in phosphorus amounts are made in the agricultural heavy Maumee River watershed, the blooms will continue to be a problem, said Don Scavia, a professor emeritus at the University of Michigan and a member of the forecast team.

"We cannot just cross our fingers and hope that drier weather will keep us safe," he said.

Explore further Expect another huge blob of algae on Lake Erie this summer

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Credit: Pixabay

What characteristics distinguish people who migrate to a different country for a better income from others in their homeland? The fact that formal education alone is not enough to answer this question has been demonstrated for the first time in the specialist literature by a German-Mexican research team whose members include Prof. Dr Simon Wiederhold (Chair of Economics/Macroeconomics at the Catholic University of Eichstatt-Ingolstadt/KU) and Prof. Dr Jens Ruhose (Assistant Professor of Economics/Labour Economics and Economics of Migration at Kiel University).

"Research to date has reasoned that people emigrate to a different country if they can earn more for their skills there than in their homeland. In the absence of a standardised data basis, up to now specialist literature has equated migrants' level of education with all their economically useful skills  because these are easy to observe on an international scale from censuses," explained Professor Wiederhold. This leads to conflicts, however, between the theory and the empirical results, as illustrated by Professor Jens Ruhose: "Various studies show that it is predominantly people with better educations who migrate from developing countries to OECD countries, even though they would be able to expect higher income gains for a higher level of education at home."

In order to examine this contradiction, the research team led by Wiederhold and Ruhose focused on the example of migration from Mexico to the US. This example was chosen for several reasons. On the one hand, migration from Mexico to the US is the largest migration flow between two countries in the world. A total of 25 million people of Mexican descent now live in the US, including descendants of Mexican immigrants born in the US  this is equivalent to 8.7 percent of the US population. Mexican migration to America in the 1960s tended primarily to be circular migration by men who regularly returned home to Mexico. Since then, the long-term trend has been for entire families to migrate and settle permanently.

On the other hand, the researchers chose to look at Mexico because this country was the first major country of emigration to conduct a representative survey of employees on their occupational skills and the data from this survey is available for research purposes, including detailed information on staff skill requirements. "If you compare the occupational skills of Mexican migrants with those of non-migrants, Mexican migrants to the US tend to have higher manual skills and lower cognitive and communication skills," explained Professor Wiederhold. "This is because pay for manual skills is comparatively better in America than in Mexico, while the exact reverse is true for cognitive and communication skills."

What is important here is that these results are not solely from migrants with a low level of education already working in heavily manual skills-based employment in their homeland. "Compare a Mexican engineer with a Mexican university lecturer, for example  both have a comparably high level of education and high cognitive and communication skills  the engineer is nearly four times more likely to emigrate to the US because he/she has higher manual skills," added Professor Ruhose. At every level of education, therefore, Mexican migrants to the US are seen to have comparatively high manual skills. Furthermore, Mexican migrants are not only employed in agriculture, but also in many other sectors in which manual skills are in particular demand.

The researchers' findings also suggest how immigration and integration policy affects the type of occupational skills migrants have  for example, as a result of obstacles in recognising educational qualifications as well as language and cultural differences that result in lower pay for cognitive and communication skills. Moving beyond this particular example of Mexico and the US, Wiederhold and Ruhose stress that: "Our findings strongly indicate that knowledge of the migrants' level of education alone is not enough to understand migration behaviour and predict trends. Comparable international data on occupational skills offering a better picture of migration patterns is, however, as rare as it has ever been. It is important to collect this data as a building block towards a better understanding of emigration and immigration."

Explore further Arizona work law found to affect US-Mexico migration

More information: Alexander Patt et al, International Emigrant Selection on Occupational Skills, Journal of the European Economic Association (2020). Alexander Patt et al, International Emigrant Selection on Occupational Skills,(2020). DOI: 10.1093/jeea/jvaa032
Word Clouds of Emotive and Neutral Words. Credit: Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona

Politicians use emotional resources in their speeches in parliament depending on the type of debate and use emotive rhetoric strategically and selectively, mainly to attract voters. This is one of the main conclusions of a study published in the journal American Political Science Review (APSR) involving Toni Rodon, a professor with the UPF Department of Political and Social Sciences and member of the Research Group on Institutions and Political Actors, together with Moritz Osnabrugge (Durham University, as first author) and Sara B. Hobolt (London School of Economics and Political Science).

"Our research provides evidence that incentives to attract voters differ systematically depending on the type of debate"

In recent years, much research has been done showing that emotions are important in politics and that the use of emotive rhetoric, based on positive or negative language, is common during election campaigns. Research has also been conducted within political parties regarding the stance adopted and the dissent expressed in parliamentary debates, but when and why politicians use emotive rhetoric in their legislative speeches has been studied less, and is now elaborated on by the authors in their work.

Emotive language usually refers to a style of communication that arouses an emotional response from the listener, thus evoking positive or negative reactions that go beyond the specific meaning of the word or phrase used. So, it can be a powerful tool to convince people of the validity of a particular message, and from the point of view of electoral competition, there is evidence linking emotion-eliciting appeals with the electoral success of certain political formations.

Analysis of two million speeches in the House of Commons and in the Dail Eireann

The analysis included in article covers two million speeches delivered in the House of Commons and in the Dail Eireann, the lower houses of parliament of Great Britain and Ireland, respectively. Specifically, a million parliamentary speeches, i.e., all those that were delivered in the House of Commons between 2001 and 2019, and a further one million speeches delivered in the Dail Eireann between 2002 and 2013.

The authors chose the British Parliament because it is one of the oldest in the world, an ideal institutional environment for studying these kinds of speeches. "We focused on the House of Commons because it is the more powerful of the two legislative chambers in the UK and the debates held there differ in terms of their profile and the size of the audience, which has allowed us to compare emotive rhetoric across different types of debate," the authors assert. In a second stage, the study of the speeches delivered in the lower house of the Irish parliament has allowed confirming and generalizing their findings.

High and low profile legislative debates: Two different styles of discourse

The article which, based on an analysis of how politicians use emotive rhetoric in parliament, contributes to the understanding of political competition and legislative behavior, underlines differences with regard to incentives that legislators have according to the type of debate. "Our research provides evidence that incentives to attract voters differ systematically depending on the type of debate," the authors suggest. Thus, in high-profile legislative debates, parliamentarians have more incentives to use emotive rhetoric to attract the attention of a wider audience, which they capture by using more emotive political content and language.

It could be said that PMQs is the debate to which citizens are most exposed, and this gives incentives for MPs to use more emotive language.

In the House of Commons, this is the case of Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs), a debate held weekly. It is a convention during which the prime minister answers questions from MPs, especially the leader of the opposition. It is the parliamentary highlight of the week, broadcast live and covered extensively by the media.

It could be said that PMQs is the debate to which citizens are most exposed, and this gives incentives for MPs to use more emotive language. Other high-profile debates are the Queen's Speech, which take place annually at the start of each new year of parliament (at which the Queen reads the government's main priorities, and which also involves the prime minister and the opposition leader) or the Dail Leaders' Questions, which are put to the Irish prime minister.

Conversely, in low-profile legislative debates, which are not so avidly followed and generate less expectation, politicians mostly address their colleagues in parliament, and therefore emotional rhetoric is less pronounced.

A new application to measure emotive rhetoric

The study presents a new methodological application to measure emotive rhetoric, and it does so by combining the Affective Norms for English Words (ANEW) dictionary, with word-embedding techniques that enables creating a dictionary specific to the field. Thus, the new tool categorizes emotional and neutral words via ANEW and also identifies new words used in parliamentary speeches to broaden these two categories.

Word Clouds of Emotive and Neutral Words

For example, some of the neutral words incorporated by the authors are "walkway," "diameter," "meters" and "radiators" and some of the emotional words, "appalling," "empathy," "horrific" and "admiration." With regard to areas where we find a higher average level of emotive rhetoric there is "fabric of society," "social groups" and "welfare and quality of life," and the areas where we find a lower level of emotive rhetoric, "political system" and "economy." "Our measurement technique more accurately captures the emotive use of language in a political environment," the researchers assert.

The authors conclude their work with a reminder: although emotive parliamentary speeches may have positive implications, with increased public interest in the activities of their representatives and in politics in general, there is the risk of negative consequences: "Emotive rhetoric may also increase polarization and may favor politicians who prioritize emotional appeals over competent, coherent policy, and can harm the quality of deliberation and at the same time the quality of democratic representation," they warn.

More information: Moritz Osnabrugge et al, Playing to the Gallery: Emotive Rhetoric in Parliaments, American Political Science Review (2021). Journal information: American Political Science Review Moritz Osnabrugge et al, Playing to the Gallery: Emotive Rhetoric in Parliaments,(2021). DOI: 10.1017/S0003055421000356

Provided by Universitat Pompeu Fabra - Barcelona
The four most common occupations of honorees. The streets of Paris and Vienna celebrate artists and writers. Royals and politicians are commemorated in London, while New York pays tribute to 9-11 responders and victims. (The above map and others in high-res can be directly downloaded from the map gallery section of this page http://social-dynamics.net/streetonomics/). Credit: Nokia Bell Labs

A city's street names can provide a glimpse into its cultural value system and a way to quantify cultural indicators, according to a study published June 30, 2021 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Melanie Bancilhon from Washington University in Saint Louis, U.S., and colleagues.

Ever since named streets have existed, they have been used as a form of social engineering, mirroring a town or city's social, cultural, political, and religious values. Building off this concept in what they term "streetonomics," Bancilhon and colleagues used street names as an alternative route to quantify cultural indicators in four influential Western cities: Paris, Vienna, London, and New York.

The authors used multiple open data sources to study 4,932 honorific streets (streets named for a person) across the four cities. Their analysis examined gender bias in street name honorees; when the honorees lived compared to the present; the most celebrated professions for honorees; and whether foreigners were recognized as street name honorees.

Vienna had the highest proportion of its streets named to honor a woman, at 54 percent; London came a relatively close second, at 40 percent. In New York, only 26 percent of all streets are named after women, and in Paris this proportion is even lower, at only 4 percent. Most streets in Paris are named after people who lived in the 1860s, when urban planner Haussman worked with Napoleon III to transform Paris into the capital city of an empire. In Vienna, most of the street honorees lived through the 1900s, when the city was expanding and rebuilding after WWI. In London, streets are named mostly after people who lived through the 1700s and 1800s, following growth after the Great Fire of London and large-scale interventions promoted by King George III. In New York, most streets honor people who lived through the 1950s to 2000s, with 36 percent named specifically for 9/11 victims and emergency responders. In terms of the types of professions held by street honorees, Paris streets honor artists, writers, scientists, and members of the military; Viennese streets also honor artists, as well as members of legal and social occupations. London's streets celebrate the British royal family, politicians, and military professionals predominantly, and New York's streets have consistently celebrated artists, as well as many civil servants honored post-9/11. Vienna was the city with the most streets named after foreigners, at 45 percent, followed far behind by London (14.6 percent) Paris (10.9 percent), and New York (3.2 percent).

The authors note their study has several limitationsperhaps most importantly, the open source data sources used in the analysis are themselves potentially biased. However, the implications of using this type of open data to study urban culture and track changes over time are wide, and suggest many different avenues for future work.

The authors add: "A new text mining approach is able to automatically link streets to information about their honorees, and study how a city's cultural values changed through space and time, revealing how intangible values encoded in street names such as gender biases evolved over the centuries."

Explore further Getting the inside track on street design

More information: Bancilhon M, Constantinides M, Bogucka EP, Aiello LM, Quercia D (2021) Streetonomics: Quantifying culture using street names. PLoS ONE 16(6): e0252869. Journal information: PLoS ONE Bancilhon M, Constantinides M, Bogucka EP, Aiello LM, Quercia D (2021) Streetonomics: Quantifying culture using street names.16(6): e0252869. doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0252869
A recent national survey from University of Illinois Chicago researchers found strong consensus both across and within white and Black populations in the U.S., and transcending political party lines, when freedom of speech, voting rights, respect for institutions, and peaceful resolution of political conflict were considered as key dimensions of what it means to be American.

Conversely, the survey, which also examines views on the role of firearms and political violence in American political life, police funding, the 2020 presidential election and Donald Trump's legacy, reveals considerable disagreement on the use of violence in certain settings.

The online survey was conducted between May 20 and June 1, 2021 by YouGov on behalf of the UIC research group led by Alexandra Filindra, UIC associate professor of political science. It included 1,500 respondents, with 1,000 white and 500 Black participants to serve as a representative sample of the national population for those two groups.

The survey shows the depth of the partisan divide in American politics today, according to Filindra.

"It transcends questions of policy and it goes to the heart of how we understand democracy and our role as citizens. It suggests that we are heading for a collision between our First and Second Amendment rights," she said.

Key findings related to use of violence are:

Almost half of respondents support "stand your ground" laws, with 85% of Republicans favoring an individual's right to respond to danger using arms rather than retreating.

Thirty-seven percent of respondents are in favor of extending the "stand your ground" doctrine to protests, with 75% of Republicans but only 17% of Democrats in agreement.

Twenty percent of respondents think it's appropriate to bring firearms to political protests. Forty percent of Republicans but only 8% of Democrats are in favor. Thirty-six percent of Republican gun owners would bring a gun to a political protest but only 18% of Democratic gun owners would do so.

Other notable results include:

Twenty-four percent of respondents believe that the QAnon group consists of patriots seeking to expose corruption in the deep state. Fifty percent of Republicans, but only 12% of Democrats, share this positive view of the group.

Fifty-three percent of respondents do not think that the Black Lives Matter movement is anti-democratic and only cares about power, but 33% do. While race, education and gun ownership status largely shape how people think of Black Lives Matter, the deepest divide is along party lines with only 8% of Democrats and 81% of Republicans sharing a negative view.

Approximately 20% of respondents said that gun ownership is a sign of good citizenship, but 53% disagree. Thirty-five percent believe that private gun ownership is a threat to democracy, but 44% disagree. These views are similarly spread across race groups, but sizeable differences exist by education attainment and gun ownership status.

Sixty-two percent of respondents support laws that redirect police funds from police to social services.

About 35% believe that Donald Trump was among the best American presidents, while 65% disagree.

Fifty-one percent of all respondents and 83% of Black respondents believe that the 2020 election was conducted fairly and legitimately. Ninety-five percent of Democratic respondents and 17% of Republican respondents say that the election was fair and legitimate.

"We cannot ignore that a non-negligible minority of Americans believes that gun rights extend to the context of political protests, that people should have the authority to shoot at protesters based on their personal judgements of danger, and that a substantial number of gun owners would bring their firearms to a political event," Filindra said. "The free exchange of political ideas, a citizen's right to assemble and to petition government is inconsistent with the public carry of firearms. Weapons do not foster political exchange; they are designed to hamper it."

Explore further How political bias impacts believing sexual assault victims
This 2004 photo provided by the Institute for Exploration, Center for Archaeological Oceanography/University of Rhode Island/NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration, shows the remains of a coat and boots in the mud on the sea bed near the Titanic's stern. OceanGate Expeditions, an undersea exploration company, plans to dive to the sunken Titanic to begin what's expected to be an annual chronicling of the shipwreck's deterioration. The 109-year-old wreck is being battered by deep-sea currents and metal-eating bacteria. The first dive could be as early as this week. Credit: Institute for Exploration, Center for Archaeological Oceanography/University of Rhode Island/NOAA Office of Ocean Exploration

The Titanic is disappearing. The iconic ocean liner that was sunk by an iceberg is now slowly succumbing to metal-eating bacteria: holes pervade the wreckage, the crow's nest is already gone and the railing of the ship's iconic bow could collapse at any time.

Racing against the inevitable, an undersea exploration company's expedition to the site of the wreckage could start this week, beginning what's expected to be an annual chronicling of the ship's deterioration. With the help of wealthy tourists, experts hope to learn more about the vessel as well as the underwater ecosystem that shipwrecks spawn.

"The ocean is taking this thing, and we need to document it before it all disappears or becomes unrecognizable," Stockton Rush, president of OceanGate Expeditions, said Friday from a ship headed to the North Atlantic wreck site.

The 109-year-old ocean liner is being battered by deep-sea currents and bacteria that consumes hundreds of pounds of iron a day. Some have predicted the ship could vanish in a matter of decades as holes yawn in the hull and sections disintegrate.

Since the ship's 1985 discovery, the 100-foot (30-meter) forward mast has collapsed. The crow's nest from which a lookout shouted, "Iceberg, right ahead!" disappeared. And the poop deck, where passengers crowded as the ship sank, folded under itself.

The gymnasium near the grand staircase has fallen in. And a 2019 expedition discovered that the captain's haunting bathtub, which became visible after the outer wall of the captain's cabin fell away, is gone.

This undated photo provided by OceanGate Expeditions in June 2021 shows the company's Titan submersible. The undersea exploration company plans to dive to the sunken Titanic as early as Wednesday, June 30, 2021, to begin what's expected to be an annual chronicling of the shipwreck's ongoing deterioration. Credit: OceanGate Expeditions via AP

"At some point you would expect the railing on the bow, which is very iconic, to have collapsed," Rush said.

The company has outfitted its carbon fiber-and-titanium submersible with high-definition cameras and multi-beam sonar equipment, Rush said. Charting the decomposition can help scientists predict the fate of other deep-sea wrecks, including those that sank during the world wars.

OceanGate also plans to document the site's sea life, such as crabs and corals. Hundreds of species have only been seen at the wreck, Rush said.

Another focus will be the debris field and its artifacts. David Concannon, an OceanGate adviser who's been involved in various Titanic expeditions, said he once followed a trail "of light debris and small personal effects like shoes and luggage" for 2 kilometers (1.2 miles).

The expedition includes archaeologists and marine biologists. But OceanGate is also bringing roughly 40 people who paid to come along. They'll take turns operating sonar equipment and performing other tasks in the five-person submersible.

They're funding the expedition by spending anywhere from $100,000 to $150,000 apiece.

In this April 10, 1912 file photo the Titanic leaves Southampton, England on her maiden voyage. OceanGate Expeditions, an undersea exploration company, plans to dive to the sunken Titanic to begin what's expected to be an annual chronicling of the shipwreck's deterioration. The 109-year-old wreck is being battered by deep-sea currents and metal-eating bacteria. The first dive could be as early as this week. Credit: AP Photo/File

"Somebody paid $28 million to go with Blue Origin to space, not even the moon," said Renata Rojas, 53, of Hoboken, New Jersey. "This is cheap in comparison."

Obsessed with the Titanic since she was a kid, Rojas said she started studying oceanography in hopes of one day discovering the wreck. But it was found the same year, prompting her to pursue a career in banking instead.

"I kind of need to see it with my own eyes to know that it's really real," she said.

Bill Sauder, a Titanic historian who previously managed research for the company that owns the ship's salvage rights, said he doubts the expedition will discover "anything that's front-page news." But he said it will improve the world's understanding of the wreck's layout and debris field. For instance, he'd like confirmation regarding where he believes the ship's dog kennels are.

OceanGate will not take anything from the site, making this expedition far less controversial than the now-scuttled plans by another firm to retrieve the Titanic's radio.

RMS Titanic, the company that owns the wreck's salvage rights, wanted to exhibit the radio equipment because it had broadcast the Titanic's distress calls. But the proposal sparked a court battle last year with the U.S. government. It said the expedition would break federal law and a pact with Britain to leave the wreck undisturbed because it's a grave site.

This undated photo provided by OceanGate Expeditions in June 2021 shows the interior of company's Titan submersible. The undersea exploration company plans to dive to the sunken Titanic as early as Wednesday, June 30, 2021, to begin what's expected to be an annual chronicling of the shipwreck's ongoing deterioration. Credit: OceanGate Expeditions via AP

All but about 700 of the roughly 2,200 passengers and crew died after the ship struck an iceberg in 1912.

The court battle ended after the firm indefinitely delayed its plans because of complications brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. But it's possible that not everyone will approve of this next mission.

In 2003, Ed Kamuda, then the president of the Titanic Historical Society, told The Associated Press that human activity, including tourism and expeditions, needs to be limited. He said the site should be a simple maritime memorial and left alone.

"Let nature take back what is hers," he said. "It's only a matter of time before it's a brown stain and a collection of pig iron on the ocean floor."

Explore further Plan to retrieve Titanic radio spurs debate on human remains

 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Credit: University of Denver

It's easy to catch but often difficult to detect. Some cases are mild, while some are dangerous. Some of us are more capable of fighting it off.

The more Juli Parrish thought about "fake news"the intentional distortion and misrepresentation of informationthe more she saw similarities to the way the coronavirus swept the globe.

When Parrish heard Kareem El Damanhoury, an assistant professor in DU's Department of Media, Film and Journalism Studies, tell the RadioEd podcast in March that fake news is "like another pandemic," the lightbulb went off.

"That specific comment made me think, 'Oh, is fake news a virus?'" says Parrish, a teaching professor and director of the University's Writing Center. "If it's a virus, how does it circulate? What's the treatment? What does it mean to be inoculated against fake news? How does that happen?'"

These are questions Parish has been asking for years, albeit without the medical metaphors. Some answers may be found in "Literacy and Pedagogy in an Age of Misinformation and Disinformation" (Parlor Press, 2021), a publicly available collection of essays and interviews she co-edited with a team of faculty from around the country.

Chapters include the perspectives of academics, high school teachers, librarians, magazine editors, activists and students, addressing the complexity of fake news and offer suggestions for stopping its spreadincluding advice on teaching media literacy.

In an interview with the DU Newsroom, Parrish explains the ways fake news seeps into higher education and how faculty can fight back. This conversation has been edited for clarity.

How do you encounter fake news and misinformation in your work?

In my field (English, composition studies, rhetoric), many of the practices that we have counted on for so long seem not to always work in the face of an entirely new virus of fake news. I think back to teaching undergraduate students how to assess their sources: OK, you look at the author, you look at their credibility, you try to figure out when it was done. But that doesn't account for it being intentional misinformation. What if the source you're looking at has been created by an algorithm in order to deceive you? We may need new practices that allow us to teach people how to understand that complexity.

You've been working with college students for more than 20 years. Have you seen a shift in the quantity of misinformation or the way people might come across it?

For sure. In the book we distinguish a bit between mis[information] and dis[information]. Misinformation is the misrepresentations that are maybe not intentional, that happen when news gets passed from one source to another and then get distorted over time. Whereas disinformation would be the active intention to spread false stuff. We have to be able to acknowledge and recognize some shades of falseness, or we lose our ability to distinguish between the two.

At DU, I feel like we're really lucky because we have smart, capable, curious students, but still, they may not know how to distinguish between a credible news website and a website that looks exactly like a credible news site but isn't.

One of the things that Kareem El Damanhoury emphasized in that podcast episode was the importance of teaching media literacy in college, or before college. And that sounds like what you're hoping to accomplish.

Yes, and I think some of the best parts of the book [introduce readers to] high school teachers, librarians, people who work for activist organizations who are trying to use memes or other circulating pieces of information to make some kind of change. And if part of the problem of fake news is that people get locked into a bubble that really shapes what they learn, when does that start and how is it interruptible? [For] college students, are their bubbles [already] formed?

Tell us more about what's in the collection and what it took to compile it.

Right around the time of the 2016 election, I and my co-editors at Literacy and Composition Studies journal, an open-access, peer-reviewed journal, did a special issue on literacy, democracy and fake news. And we were really looking for people to think about what in our practices, what in our frames of reference and understanding, needs to change in order to be able to address problems of fake news that we saw as rampant at that time. We had over 50 submissions for the journal. We accepted five. And then we thought this is really a much larger project.

There are three kinds of content. Primarily, there are traditional academic essays by scholars in writing studies and information literacy. There are also short essays by practitioners[including] high school teachers and magazine editorswho encounter fake news outside of academics or outside of higher ed. And then there is a set of interviews with people who have a reason to have skills or strategies or practices for combating fake news. So some of that is how to teach information literacy to high school students, or it might be, from the editor of Wired magazine, how do they encounter fake news from the position of the publisher of the magazine, and how do they think about that?

Why was it so important to gather voices from outside higher education?

It could be easy to think that [those of us] inside of English or composition studies who teach first-year writing to undergrads, that we're the prime people to teach better skills, but it's just not true. College students or people in general, they learn from everyone. Without librarians and without people in other fields, whatever we come up with is going to be limited. We can't only rely on our same old practices of assessing credibility, choosing sources and writing good arguments, when we see that the people who are doing the most public and active work aren't always people in higher ed. I think we need those voices to teach us a different vocabulary and a different set of practices to do our work.

Is there anything else that you think is important that people know?

I think that there's a shorthand way sometimes that college professors and/or people of a certain age talk about digital natives, as younger people who have just kind of grown up knowing how to do everything with technology. And I think that assumption gets in the way of us remembering and recognizing that we really have to teach some basics and learn some basics ourselves about getting our information from a digital world. Nobody knows naturally how to decode or operate on the internet. And younger people don't necessarily have that skill built in.

WeI mean faculty and staff, teachers, librarians, journalists, activists, teachers, internet users, readers, writersshouldn't think that we are immune to being part of the problem. And maybe the immunity is what goes back to that virus metaphor. We can't assume we already have all the answers in front of us for identifying, engaging with and intervening in instances of misinformation and disinformation. One of the implicit arguments of the collection overall is this: Mis- and disinformation aren't new, but the ways that they circulate, the ways they are created and sustained by bots and algorithms and software and social media may, in fact, be new. And so we need frameworks for helping one another see and respond to them. Do those new ways rely on time-tested strategies for teaching literacy and notions of critical thinking? Absolutely. But we also need to think differentlyand across disciplinesabout what it means to be literate and to teach literacy now.

Explore further LSU professor relaunches fake news and disinformation resource website
Astronomers have discovered a stellar corpse known as a white dwarf that is roughly the size of Earth's moon. The white dwarf is about 4,300 kilometers across, while the moon is 3,500 kilometers across. The white dwarf is depicted above the moon in this artistic representation; in reality, the white dwarf lies 130 light-years away in the constellation of Aquila. Credit: Giuseppe Parisi

Astronomers have discovered the smallest and most massive white dwarf ever seen. The smoldering cinder, which formed when two less massive white dwarfs merged, is heavy, "packing a mass greater than that of our Sun into a body about the size of our Moon," says Ilaria Caiazzo, the Sherman Fairchild Postdoctoral Scholar Research Associate in Theoretical Astrophysics at Caltech and lead author of the new study appearing in the July 1 issue of the journal Nature. "It may seem counterintuitive, but smaller white dwarfs happen to be more massive. This is due to the fact that white dwarfs lack the nuclear burning that keep up normal stars against their own self gravity, and their size is instead regulated by quantum mechanics."

The discovery was made by the Zwicky Transient Facility, or ZTF, which operates at Caltech's Palomar Observatory; two Hawai'i telescopesW. M. Keck Observatory on Maunakea, Hawai'i Island and University of Hawai'i Institute for Astronomy's Pan-STARRS (Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System) on Haleakala, Mauihelped characterize the dead star, along with the 200-inch Hale Telescope at Palomar, the European Gaia space observatory, and NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory.

White dwarfs are the collapsed remnants of stars that were once about eight times the mass of our Sun or lighter. Our Sun, for example, after it first puffs up into a red giant in about 5 billion years, will ultimately slough off its outer layers and shrink down into a compact white dwarf. About 97 percent of all stars become white dwarfs.

While our Sun is alone in space without a stellar partner, many stars orbit around each other in pairs. The stars grow old together, and if they are both less than eight solar-masses, they will both evolve into white dwarfs.

The new discovery provides an example of what can happen after this phase. The pair of white dwarfs, which spiral around each other, lose energy in the form of gravitational waves and ultimately merge. If the dead stars are massive enough, they explode in what is called a type Ia supernova. But if they are below a certain mass threshold, they combine together into a new white dwarf that is heavier than either progenitor star. This process of merging boosts the magnetic field of that star and speeds up its rotation compared to that of the progenitors.

Astronomers say that the newfound tiny white dwarf, named ZTF J1901+1458, took the latter route of evolution; its progenitors merged and produced a white dwarf 1.35 times the mass of our Sun. The white dwarf has an extreme magnetic field almost 1 billion times stronger than our Sun's and whips around on its axis at a frenzied pace of one revolution every seven minutes (the zippiest white dwarf known, called EPIC 228939929, rotates every 5.3 minutes).

"We caught this very interesting object that wasn't quite massive enough to explode," says Caiazzo. "We are truly probing how massive a white dwarf can be."

What's more, Caiazzo and her collaborators think that the merged white dwarf may be massive enough to evolve into a neutron-rich dead star, or neutron star, which typically forms when a star much more massive than our Sun explodes in a supernova.

This illustration highlights a newfound small white dwarf, discovered by ZTF, that is 4,300 kilometers across, or roughly the size of Earth's moon, which is 3,500 kilometers across. The two bodies are shown next to each other for size comparison. The hot, young white dwarf is also the most massive white dwarf known, weighing 1.35 times as much as our sun. Credit: Giuseppe Parisi

"This is highly speculative, but it's possible that the white dwarf is massive enough to further collapse into a neutron star," says Caiazzo. "It is so massive and dense that, in its core, electrons are being captured by protons in nuclei to form neutrons. Because the pressure from electrons pushes against the force of gravity, keeping the star intact, the core collapses when a large enough number of electrons are removed."

If this neutron star formation hypothesis is correct, it may mean that a significant portion of other neutron stars take shape in this way. The newfound object's close proximity (about 130 light-years away) and its young age (about 100 million years old or less) indicate that similar objects may occur more commonly in our galaxy.

Magnetic and fast

The white dwarf was first spotted by Caiazzo's colleague Kevin Burdge, a postdoctoral scholar at Caltech, after searching through all-sky images captured by ZTF. This particular white dwarf, when analyzed in combination with data from Gaia, stood out for being very massive and having a rapid rotation.

"No one has systematically been able to explore short-timescale astronomical phenomena on this kind of scale until now. The results of these efforts are stunning," says Burdge, who, in 2019, led the team that discovered a pair of white dwarfs zipping around each other every seven minutes.

The team then analyzed the spectrum of the star using Keck Observatory's Low Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (LRIS), and that is when Caiazzo was struck by the signatures of a very powerful magnetic field and realized that she and her team had found something "very special," as she says. The strength of the magnetic field together with the seven-minute rotational speed of the object indicated that it was the result of two smaller white dwarfs coalescing into one.

Data from Swift, which observes ultraviolet light, helped nail down the size and mass of the white dwarf. With a diameter of 2,670 miles, ZTF J1901+1458 secures the title for the smallest known white dwarf, edging out previous record holders, RE J0317-853 and WD 1832+089, which each have diameters of about 3,100 miles.

In the future, Caiazzo hopes to use ZTF to find more white dwarfs like this one, and, in general, to study the population as a whole. "There are so many questions to address, such as what is the rate of white dwarf mergers in the galaxy, and is it enough to explain the number of type Ia supernovae? How is a magnetic field generated in these powerful events, and why is there such diversity in magnetic field strengths among white dwarfs? Finding a large population of white dwarfs born from mergers will help us answer all these questions and more."

Explore further Image: Cosmic neon lights

More information: Caiazzo, I. et al, A highly magnetized and rapidly rotating white dwarf as small as the Moon, Nature (2021). Journal information: Nature Caiazzo, I. et al, A highly magnetized and rapidly rotating white dwarf as small as the Moon,(2021). DOI: 10.1038/s41586-021-03615-y
NEW YORK (AP)  A former CIA operative known for his exploits everywhere from Miami to Nicaragua to Afghanistan has a book deal. Enrique Ric Prado's Black Ops: The Life of a CIA Shadow Warrior will come out next March.

A lot has been said about the CIA over the years," Prado said in a statement Wednesday. "And a lot of it has been (expletive). I wrote Black Ops to clear the name of my agency. I know the untold sacrifices that have been made for this country by devoted men and women who have served anonymously, as quiet heroes. Im eager to share those stories now.

His book, subject to government review, was announced by St. Martin's Press, a division of Macmillan.

Prado spent 24 years in the CIA before retiring in 2004. His assignments ranged from fighting with the Contras in Nicaragua in the 1980s  even after Congress had cut off U.S. support for the Contras  as they tried to overthrow the Sandinista government, to helping lead the hunt for Osama bin Laden, to overseeing SEAL Team Six missions into Afghanistan.
QUEENSBURY  Firefighters responded to a house fire in Queensbury on Tuesday evening that officials say may have been caused by a lightning strike.

The fire call came in just after 5:30 p.m. for a report of a fire at 1 Newcomb St.

West Glens Falls Fire Chief Jeff Dailey said the fire started in the rear garage area on the first floor of the two-story residence.

The fire was contained to that one room, according to Dailey. There was smoke damage in the house, but it is not a total loss. Some tote bags that were stored in the garage were destroyed, Dailey said.

About 50 firefighters from the West Glens Falls, South Glens Falls, Bay Ridge and South Queensbury departments quickly extinguished the fire in about 20 minutes, Dailey said.

The Northeastern New York Chapter of the American Red Cross is assisting three people, according to Dailey.

West Glens Falls EMS also responded to the scene.

Dailey said fire officials have not confirmed that it was a lightning strike. However, he said lightning struck a tree down the road as storms moved through the area.

There were 43 National Grid customers without power in Warren County as of 8:45 p.m.
WASHINGTON  The remains of a Hadley soldier who was killed during the Korean War have been accounted for, the Department of Defense announced on Wednesday.

Army Cpl. Walter A. Smead was a member of Battery A, 57th Field Artillery Battalion of the 7th Infantry Division.

Smead, 24, was reported missing in action on Dec. 6, 1950, after his unit was attacked by enemy forces as they attempted to withdraw near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea, according to a news release.

His remains were not recovered at the time.

They were among the 55 boxes turned over by North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un to President Donald Trump following a summit on July 27, 2018.

The remains were sent to the Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam and turned over to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency laboratory for identification.

Scientists at the DPAA used anthropological analysis and circumstantial evidence to make the determination that it was Smead.

Scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used DNA analysis.
It took awhile, and thats been disappointing how long its taken, staff attorney Eileen Davidson said. You know when you look across the country, I think a lot of places have struggled to create these programs and get them up and running to get the money out.

Samuel Stein, housing policy analyst at New York City-based Community Service Society, said the most vulnerable people are less likely to have internet or an email address and or the time or computer skills to spend hours refreshing a malfunctioning page.

Stein said some translations are poor quality, particularly for Bangladeshi speakers. He questioned why advocates cant simply print out paper copies and help multiple people at once.

In some ways it is simpler but its still far too complicated, he said.

Cuomos administration did not provide the Associated Press with specifics about why theres no paper application option, or exactly why it took so long for the new fund to get up and running.
We are going to saturate the downtown area with as much of a police presence as we can support, Catone said at the press conference.

Catone also confronted what he described as an anti-police narrative that he said has emanated from local politicians and activists and emboldened criminals. He and Lt. Bob Jillson, head of the Saratoga detectives unit, also cited legislative changes like bail reform and raising the age for certain felony crimes as making it harder to arrest criminals.

Noting that he was pissed off, Catone said some local politicians on platforms that painted the police as racist, and he promised to fight back against that claim as strongly as he possibly could.

Promoting such a narrative does nothing more than erode the relationship of the police and community, Catone said.

He called on the broader community to support the police.

It is time for the silent majority we have heard so much about to stand up and be heard, Catone said. We are not a hateful community, we are not a racist police department. You are either with us or you are not, and if you are not, you are part of the problem.
SPRING VALLEY  Six people are facing charges ranging from arson and manslaughter to filing a false instrument and criminal impersonation in connection to a fire at an assisted living facility in a New York City suburb earlier this year that killed a firefighter and a facility resident, authorities said Tuesday.

Rockland County District Attorney Thomas Walsh declined to go into specifics at a press conference, but said a father and son, Nathaniel Sommer and Aaron Sommer, were both facing manslaughter, assault and arson charges in connection to the March 23 fire at the Evergreen Court Home for Adults in Spring Valley, New York.

Walsh said the Sommers were arraigned on Tuesday morning and due back in court on July 2. No attorney information was immediately available for them.

Two other men who Walsh said worked in the towns buildings department at the time of the fire were charged with filing false documents and falsifying business records, while a woman who worked at the facility was facing a misdemeanor charge of reckless endangerment and another man faced a misdemeanor criminal impersonation charge.

Asked for more information, Walsh said, We dont want to get into any details until the matter has been presented to the grand jury and perhaps not even until the trial.
There will be a special election for the 3rd District seat on the Atlantic County Board of Commissioners, and a full recount of the November 2020 election will be required in one at-large commissioners race, after a state appellate court ruled on the two cases Tuesday.

The rulings mean Atlantic County elections officials, already dealing with the requirements of preparing for the states first election with 10 days of early voting by machine in November, will need to somehow find time, funds and staff to handle the extra work.

We are glad to have the rulings so we can plan, said Atlantic County Board of Elections Chair Lynn Caterson. Regardless of timing, these decisions will be very costly for the Atlantic County taxpayer.

The appellate court sent the decisions back to the trial court for final orders, she said.

We will of course do everything the courts rule but must wait for the actual decisions of the Law Division courts to which the cases have been referred before we can begin.

McGettigan will not run for re-election as Atlantic County clerk Atlantic County Clerk Ed McGettigan will not seek reelection, he said Friday, opening the do
Both were charged with being fugitives from justice and taken to the Atlantic County jail, awaiting extradition to Delaware.

Two men who lived in the property in the 100 block of North Georgia said they were awakened by police entering the building. The men said most of the occupants exited the home with their hands up as instructed, but the two who were eventually arrested remained inside, which started the standoff with law enforcement.

I came outside (my room) because (the police) were talking to him and I got worried, one of the men said in reference to the one he was standing next to. Then I get grabbed by some (officer). Theyre passing me through the line (of officers).

The two men were questioned and detained for about an hour before being let go, they said.

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Drones from the Fire Department were also deployed. Fire Chief Scott Evans said the drones were used to survey the area and help police develop strategies to enter the home.

They were particularly helpful with this building, because this building sat in the middle of three other buildings and a courtyard, Evans said. This building sat in the middle of the block. It was surrounded by buildings.
With the start of the school year still eight weeks away, districts say they will be seeking community input and wait to see the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic before making any final decisions on whether students will wear masks come fall.

There is too much time between now and Sept. 1 to determine whether masks will be necessary, Millville Superintendent Tony Trongone said Tuesday. Our plan is for masks to be optional, but nothing formal (will be released) from the district until mid-August.

On Monday, Gov. Phil Murphy told school districts it will be up to them whether students would be required to wear masks next school year. The announcement coincided with the New Jersey Department of Educations release of updated back-to-school guidance for school districts more than a year into the COVID-19 pandemic, and after the state reached its vaccination goal of 4.7 million residents by June 30.

All public school districts in New Jersey are expected to provide full-time, in-person instruction for the 2021-22 school year.

The states latest guidance include health and safety recommendations for a safe reopening including social distancing, facing desks in the same direction and having a COVID-19 response plan.

School districts will set own mask policies for fall, Murphy says Mask policies in New Jersey's public schools during the 2021-22 school year will be left up 
Said immediate past board President Stacey Blacker: I had tears in my eyes as I watched individual reactions to what the rabbi said during his presentation, and I was moved by the people I heard from afterwards.

The reactions are in keeping with how we have embraced the rabbi and his wife, Rachael, and how they have embraced us, said Blacker, 53, of Manahawkin.

Addiction is still something that is thought of as taboo, but if our rabbi and our community can help in any way, its huge, she said.

Some members of the congregation had speculated that the meeting, billed as a community conversation, was arranged so Perice could announce he and his wife, who have been house-hunting in New Jersey, had bought a home, were having a baby or even that he would be leaving his post.

Lawsuit seeks to end discrimination against Orthodox Jews in Jackson Township JACKSON TOWNSHIP  Mordechai Burnstein remembers the Saturdays when a Jackson Township code 

I told them the reason was the complete opposite of leaving, said the rabbi, who also offered reassurance that he and Rachael feel supported, loved and trusted. And congregation members who spoke after him on the call affirmed those feelings are indeed mutual, he said.
New Jerseys prison system is about to begin housing inmates based on gender identity, the result of a lawsuit filed in 2019 by a transgender woman who said she was forced to live in mens prisons for a year and a half.

The new policy goes into effect July 1 and provides greater protections for transgender, intersex and nonbinary people in state prisons, most importantly by housing them based on the gender they identify with rather than by sex assigned at birth. Inmates can provide information about their gender identity at any time during their incarceration, under the policy.

Other protections include single-cell housing while final housing determinations are being made; being able to shower separately from other inmates; the right to have input into housing decisions and to appeal those decisions, and a prohibition of physical examinations to determine an inmates genital status. Pat-down searches or strip searches of transgender women by male officers will be prohibited.

The policy will be maintained for at least one year, according to the settlement.
In the middle of a heat wave, the timing is perfect for the NJBPU to double down on offshore wind, said Environment New Jersey Executive Director Doug OMalley. Offshore wind is our best bet to power our states economy with clean energy.

Many environmentalists expressed support for the awards, as did the Southern New Jersey Development Council and some unions.

There will be solicitations for more farms every two years until 7,500 megawatts are awarded, Fiordaliso said. The goal is to have 7,500 megawatts of offshore wind entering the grid by 2035.

Ratepayers will pay to build the projects, and the money generated by the sale of the energy will be returned to ratepayers under the plan.

According to the BPU, Atlantic Shores project is expected to add about $2.21 to the average residential monthly bill, $20.81 to the average commercial customers monthly bill $172.25 to the average industrial customers bill. These bill impacts will not begin until the project is operational, which is estimated to occur in 2027-28.

Ocean Winds Phase 2 is estimated to add $1.28 per month for residential customers, $11.73 for commercial customers and $99.91 for industrial customers starting in 2028-29.

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TRENTON  Calling New Jerseys history of suspending or revoking liquor licenses at bars that served LGBTQ patrons an ugly moment in the states past, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal formally apologized Tuesday.

Grewal, the states top law enforcement officer, also issued a directive to the state Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control to eliminate 126 actions it took against establishments from 1933 to 1967.

Its the first time the state has formally apologized for the systematic targeting of LGBTQ establishments and amounts to an attempt to right a historical wrong as Pride Month comes to a close this week, Grewal said in a statement.

The discriminatory practice stemmed from post-Prohibition-era regulations that barred liquor license holders from allowing female impersonators on their premises, as well as another rule barring businesses to be run in such a manner as to become a nuisance  a term that included the congregation of apparent homosexuals, according to Grewal.

That lasted until 1967, when the state Supreme Court held in One Eleven Wines & Liquors, Inc. v. Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control that the state could not use its authority to target gay bars only because they serve LGBTQ patrons.
Over the weekend, Sydney was put under a mandatory stay-at-home order for two weeks in response to the risk posed by the Delta variant of COVID-19. This came as a surprise to many, especially those who rightly view Australia as having been among the best in managing COVID-19, with its very low infections, hospitalizations and deaths.

Australia was not the only recent COVID-19 surprise in advanced countries. Israel, long a vaccination leader, reimposed an indoor-mask requirement the prior Friday. Once again, the catalyst was the Delta variant. Then there was the U.K., which, other than India, has been battling longest against Delta. According to government reports, the number of Delta infections rose 46% in just one week. Indeed, whether it is the evidence from there or the reactions of Australia and Israel, four issues should be front and center for many more countries, including the U.S., which need to realize that new COVID-19 risks are likely and do not respect borders.

The ability of the Delta variant to spread fast and deep has surprised many. It is the most infectious variant so far, especially among the nonvaccinated segments of the population. But it also infects the vaccinated, including the doubled-jabbed who, according to U.K. data, made up as much as 20% of those infected with Delta.
Plenty of Catholics were upset, too, including Rep. Ted Lieu, a California Democrat who vocally supports a litany of other issues, like contraception and same-sex marriage, that run counter to the Churchs teachings. Still, he insists he is a Catholic.

You are hypocrites and nakedly partisan, he unironically declared in a series of viral tweets.

He chastised the bishops for not withholding communion from former Attorney General Barr for his support of the federal death penalty and former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich for being divorced and remarried, and then challenged the bishops to deny him communion the next time he attends church.

Gigliotti, according to The New York Times, informed Lieu in a letter that his very soul is in jeopardy and that he would refuse the lawmaker communion if he happened to attend Mass at Gigliottis parish.

Confrontation is a ministry of caring, Gigliotti added.

When it comes to the issue of abortion, Gigliotti cares  a lot. Confronting sin is not for the faint of heart.

Despite the public perception that the potential denial of Holy Communion is an act of partisan retribution by conservative clergy, the bishops actions demonstrate that they care, too.
A Davenport man was sentenced Monday to four years and nine months in federal prison for drug charges, according to a news release from the United States Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

Donell Jamar Hines, 32, is charged with possession with intent to distribute a mixture and substance containing cocaine base, cocaine and heroin.

In September 2019, Davenport police officers found 166 grams of cocaine, 12 grams of cocaine base and 4 grams of heroin while executing a warrant at Hines' residence. They also found a digital scale and a large amount of money, which Hines later admitted was from selling controlled substances.

Hines will serve two additional years as a revocation sentence that was tied to a supervised release for a previous charge that Hines was sentenced for in 2016.
"Unfortunately we are dealing with an individual who feels that all of her decisions are a reflection of Gods will and what God wants. Because of this it will be next to impossible to convince her that she is possibly in error in any way, ever. Any pushback against her or the administration will be seen by her as proof that she is doing Gods will and making difficult and necessary decisions. We are at an impasse."

It's not the first time Alleman parents have expressed concerns about the administration. In June of 2014, about 500 people rallied near the school to protest the no-explanation dismissal of Assistant Principal Michelle Gau. At that time, the school was under largely different leadership.

Many of those unsettled by more removals and departures of long-admired staff say DeJaegher is merely the latest vehicle by which diocesan leadership is exacting its influence.

Several former staffers and Alleman alumni have referred to a refrain they say has been repeated for decades: Alleman isn't Catholic enough for Peoria.

Some see the arrivals of Stroud and Father Matthew Hoelscher, the chaplain, as an effort to make Alleman more conservative  in part by focusing more on religious teachings than on academics. The result, many parents worry, is that an Alleman education isn't what it used to be.
Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds signed into law a measure that would withhold state grants and contracts from businesses or local governments that require customers to show they've received a COVID-19 vaccine. However, an exclusion is carved out for health care facilities, and the law doesn't affect employer requirements for employees.

In the Quad-Cities, both Genesis Health System and UnityPoint Health said they were evaluating when to require the COVID-19 vaccine for its employees.

"Like many other health systems in the United States, Genesis is currently evaluating when it will make the COVID-19 vaccination mandatory for our employees, Andersen, the Genesis official, said in an emailed statement. We continue to encourage all employees to be vaccinated, and approximately 70% have been vaccinated. For employees who have questions about the vaccine, we ask them to speak with their primary care provider."

At UnityPoint Health, the company said it would not mandate the vaccine while it is under emergency-use authorization, but would reevaluate once the vaccines receive the full stamp of approval.

At UnityPoint Health, the health and safety of our patients, communities and team members is at the center of everything we do, spokesperson Ashe Simpson wrote in an email. Like many other health care organizations, as a health care system, its our policy to strongly encourage but not require team members to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. While COVID-19 vaccines are under emergency-use authorization, we will not mandate it. If and when the COVID-19 vaccines obtain FDA approval, as with all developments, our leadership will reevaluate at that time.

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The Kairouan region is living through a real horror movie, Mohamed Rouis, the regional health director in Kairouan, was quoted saying in Tunisian media earlier this month.

A temporary hospital has been set up on the outskirts of the city. The army has also bolstered that with a military care facility under a green tent which houses a line of beds with monitoring equipment and respirators. Despite the dire situation, there is no widespread testing for COVID-19 in the poor, rural region.

The Ibn Jazzar hospitals supervisor, Zohra Hedwej, explained that goodwill gestures by officials end up as frustrating half-measures, such as opening a section for coronavirus patients, without making provisions for medical staff.

We resort to recruiting workers from other departments in the hospital, Hedwej told the AP. Its very difficult to find volunteers because some dont know the level of their (own) physical immunity, others fear for their relatives who have weak immunity. We want a stable workforce that is able to work.

Hedwej said there is such a dearth of trained personnel that sophisticated equipment cant be used at times.
A Davenport man was sentenced Tuesday to 46 months, almost four years, in federal prison for owning an unregistered machine gun, according to a news release from the United State's Attorney's Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

Brenton Mon'Shae Jones, 24, owned a Glock 23 .40 caliber pistol that had a switch attached that converted it from semi-automatic to fully automatic. This meant the Glock could function as a fully automatic machine gun.

Jones will serve an extra year and a half as part of a revocation sentence connected to a supervised release. He has been charged with receipt and possession of a machine gun, receipt and possession of an unregistered machine gun, and felon in possession of a firearm.

Jones was not allowed to own any firearms because of previous felony convictions, including a 2018 conviction of felon in possession of a firearm and possession of heroin with intent to distribute. When Jones owned the machine gun, he was serving a period of supervised release connected to that conviction.
CAMBRIDGE, Ill.  A Kewanee man was sentenced to 13 years in prison Wednesday in Henry County Circuit Court on child pornography and aggravated domestic battery charges.

Jeremy R. DeBord, 39, entered a negotiated plea to two counts Class 3 felony child pornography. He was sentenced to five years in prison to be served consecutively on each count.

Also as part of the plea agreement, he was sentenced to three years in prison to be served consecutively on the aggravated domestic battery charge. That charge must be served at 85%.

He will also have four years mandatory supervised release. Assessments were waived, but he has a fine of $1,000 on each of the child pornography counts; however 171 days in jail at $5 credit per day will apply, meaning he will have $1,145 left. His bond may also apply.

A Class 2 felony charge of child pornography and a Class 4 felony charge of indecent solicitation of a child were dismissed in the plea agreement.

Four counts of misdemeanor domestic battery were also dismissed, as was a Class 3 felony charge of possession of methamphetamine and Class A misdemeanors of violation of bail bond and possession of drug paraphernalia.
A good Wednesday to all. Humid conditions, dense fog, and light rain are on tap for the day as we bid "farewell" to the month of June. As for the Fourth of July holiday weekend, it's looking dry and comfortable.

A National Weather Service dense fog advisory is in effect until 8 a.m. for Clinton and Jackson counties in Iowa. Expect visibility of less than one half mile. If you are driving in the area exercise caution and be alert to rapidly changing conditions.

1. Sticky with scattered showers

Today scattered showers with thunderstorms are possible after 3 p.m. Skies will be cloudy and humid with a high near 80 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 30%.

Tonight isolated showers and thunderstorms are possible until 10 p.m. Skies will be cloudy then gradually becoming partly cloudy with a low around 67 degrees. The chance of precipitation is 20%.

Thursday will see a 20% chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1 p.m. Skies will be sunny with a high near 85 degrees and a low around 60 degrees.

2. List of fireworks shows, other Q-C Fourth of July activities
Brady is wading out of his comfort zone by exploring a run for Illinois Secretary of State, an office being vacated by the retiring Jesse White.

Earlier media reports indicated that the veteran lawmaker had already made a decision to jump in. But Brady vehemently denies that, telling Lee Enterprises this week that he's still "doing his due diligence" in the exploratory phase.

"This isn't about (redistricting) maps. If it was about maps versus public service, I'd probably not even be thinking about this," Brady said. "But if you're true about public service, that comes with a risk that you get out of that comfort zone and you do the exploring of things that I'm doing right now."

Right now, that means traveling the state and networking with activists, county party chairs and donors to see if it's possible to put together a winning coalition first in a GOP primary and, if successful, the general election against a Democrat that'd likely be favored in deep blue Illinois.
Before another week in the news cycle could pass on the majority decision of the U.S. Catholic bishops to move toward enforcing a ban on the reception of Holy Communion by President Joe Biden and other Catholic politicians who publicly support positions in opposition to Catholic teaching, the media was already hard at work. They did not disappoint.

In a front page "below the banner" position on June 24, where it could not fail to grab the attention of the typical reader of your newspaper, there it was: "Report: Clergy abuse overwhelming".

No word about the 2007 study made by a leading insurer of churches and religious institutions which indicated that Catholic priests were no more likely than ministers of other faiths to sexually abuse children, nor that the rate of abuse (as evidenced in their data) for public school teachers and scouting leaders was twice that of priests and ministers. Twice!

Nothing.

No word that 96% of priests didnt abuse. That doesnt sell newspapers. That some of them did is enough to condemn them all. Were talking about the Catholic Church here, after all. Come on, dont you see what were trying to do here?

Instead, the same old story was trotted out, with new names (not previously sensationalized) swapped out for old.
Chadron State College student and military veteran JR Shaffner knew he had to do something when he lost six friends and fellow veterans to suicide. Shaffner is the Assistant Director of Casting Vets, a non-profit agency, in Hot Springs, South Dakota, that helps military veterans recover from the aftermath of combat. Shaffner, a Psychology major, has earned 10 internship credit hours with Casting Vets. After graduating from CSC in 2022, he plans to earn his masters degree and doctorate to continue to help with the issue of veteran suicide.

Casting Vets was founded by Julius Johnson in 2018, a year after he was a patient at the Black Hills Veterans Administration (VA) hospital. The goal of Casting Vets is to assist veterans recovering from PTSD, drug addiction, and homelessness. This includes veterans in the Transition House, a 90-day program where they work and check in regularly with the VA after they are released from the domiciliary.

I found fishing to be a release and helpful to my recovery, Johnson said.

Shaffner joined Casting Vets in 2019.
Yet the pay-to-play transaction also highlights another way that big-dollar donors have insinuated themselves into governmental process to drive decisions. It also shows the lengths to which some GOP governors will go to show their fealty to Trump even as they try to position themselves for higher office.

We dont need this donation and whether its legal or not, its a terrible idea because it looks like our guardsmen are being used as political pawns, said South Dakota state Sen. Reynold Nesiba, a Democrat.

Noem's spokesman Ian Fury said the money would help alleviate the cost to taxpayers of deploying the 50-person contingent, adding that it could legally be accepted into a state fund designated for responding to emergencies and disasters. South Dakota currently has a budget surplus, something Noem has boasted about.

South Dakota state law suggests that's not the way such donations are intended to be used. The law states that the fund can only be used to meet special emergency requirements of the Division of Emergency Management, an agency tasked with preparing the state for natural disasters or other emergencies.
A nonprofit organization served a lawsuit to the Rapid City Area Schools before the Board of Educations Monday night meeting this week.

Conservative nonprofit South Dakota Citizens for Liberty and its lobbyist Tonchi Weaver filed the lawsuit through Jasper Law Office in response to the Boards continued misinterpretation of state open meetings laws. The lawsuit, which also includes RCAS parents Marcy Morrison and Brian Larson as plaintiffs, was filed in Pennington County District Court.

South Dakota Codified Law 1-25-1 provides for public comment at open official meetings in the state. The suit claims the Board has a history of discouraging public comment and is inconsistent in allowing public comment at all open official meetings.

The Districts legal counsel is currently reviewing the complaint. RCAS spokesperson Katy Urban said RCAS has no comment at this time.

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The CFL and Weaver allege the Board was in violation of state statute when it failed to provide a public comment portion at its regularly scheduled Board study sessions. The Board has consulted with its legal counsel and said it does not consider study sessions or meeting retreats as open meetings and that they therefore do not require public comment.
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He said the low resistivity could also reflect deteriorating gypsum, but couldnt say for sure.

Sadeghi said a resistivity test along the backyards of houses on the east side of East Daisy Drive showed that water could be filling mined areas.

He said there arent exact depths, but the water could be between 25 feet to 40 feet underground. He also said he couldnt give any safety hazard interpretations without more information.

Its not just the depth. I have to know how wide the mine is, what is between the top of the mine area and the surface, what is the infiltration rate of water, he said. This is a gypsum mine, and the enemy here is water, so obviously you cannot do too much about it. Its going to rain.

He said the sinkhole that opened in April 2020 was close to where water ran off of the roof on East Daisy Drive and into the ground.
There was a recent change to a question on the ATF 4473 form that you must take seriously. Question 21 (e) asks; Are you an unlawful user of, or addicted to marijuana or any depressant, stimulant, narcotic drug, or any other controlled substance? Warning: The use or possession of marijuana remains unlawful under Federal law regardless of whether it has been legalized or decriminalized for medical or recreational purposes in the state where you reside. There are only 2 correct answers, YES or NO.

Here is where the most critical choice of your future with regards to firearms must be made. If you answer YES because you have a medical marijuana card, the dealer cannot proceed with the sale, and you leave without the gun. If you have a medical card and answer NO you have just committed perjury on a Federal form. The penalty for this offense is 5 years in a federal prison and a $10,000 fine. So youre still not sure if this is accurate information? There have been many cases in a number of states where people have been charged and convicted of perjury and illegal firearms possession. The 9th Circuit Court of Appeals, the most liberal court in the US, upheld a lower court conviction in one such case. Until a future congress makes marijuana legal you have to make a choice, own guns or use marijuana. Once you become a Federally convicted felon you can no longer own the guns you currently have, and never buy one in the future. An exception exists for those who had their records expunged or had their rights restored through the court system.
Its nice to be applauded that your work is good, Shuttleworth said. Its good to know other people like my work, not just me. Its a fun thing having that all happen, I guess I have to keep taking pictures.

Each page has great photos of local birds, plus there is bird art by fourth-grade students at Daly Elementary School.

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They were the first school we did this with, in 2013, Peters said. They did a great job and the teachers did a fantastic job of helping them, they went above and beyond to make sure the kids did a good job. We were really impressed.

Peters said she enjoyed meeting with the young artists.

They were so excited, she said. We sat in a circle outside and they brought their pictures. They each shared about their picture and what they had learned about the bird. They had the birds in their appropriate habitat. It was wonderful.

Sponsors for the 2022 calendar include Ford's Department Store, SBS Solar, MPG Ranch, Bitterroot Drug, Allegra, Florence Ace, Stevensville Ace, Bitterroot Nursery, Windsong Images, Friends of Lee Metcalf Refuge, Robbins Hallmark, Earth and Wood and K & S Greenhouse.
This article appeared in the Ravalli Republics Agriculture Magazine that was included in the Sunday, June 27th edition. The magazine featured the Western Agricultural Research Center in Corvallis.

Planning and implementing a horticultural enterprise can be an engaging, exciting, and stressful time.

There are a lot of important pieces to consider in the design and selection of components of any farm, and those needs can be even more important when building out a perennial cropping system with a high cost of infrastructure and investments at the outset of the budding business.

Dont run off and make quick decisions. Instead spend the time necessary to dig deeply into your new enterprise. Doing the intellectual heavy lifting during the planning stages can save you time, money, and ultimately lead you to good success.

And dont go it all alone. There are a host of resources and support services and organizations ready to help you, provide services and advise, and supply a community of fellow farmers and horticulturalists that are moving collaboratively in the same direction to build the whole industry. Below are some good starting points to contact for additional information.

Helping hands and solid information:
Already in Los Angeles County, the pace of this variant's spread has motivated officials to reinstate mask guidance for public indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status.

Calling it a "precautionary measure," the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health issued the voluntary mask guidance Monday, saying it was necessary until health officials can "better understand how and to who the Delta variant is spreading."

Experts have said that evidence points to vaccines like those from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech providing high amounts of protection against the variant, but LA Public Health Director Barbara Ferrer said it is not clear what the future of the variant will be as it becomes more prevalent.

But not all local leaders are reinstating preventative guidance at this time.

New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced Monday that masks will not be mandatory in the state's school buildings.

With more than two months until schools open, Murphy noted these rules could change depending on how the virus spreads and what the CDC decides.

"This is our best sense of what back to school looks like. It's far more than an educated guess," Murphy said.
The fees would be determined upon completion of a gun harm study from the Pacific Institute on Research and Evaluation, a group that promotes individual and public health, welfare, and safety.

In a preliminary report released ahead of the vote, the institute estimated that gun-related homicides, suicides and other shootings cost San Jose around $63 million annually. A more thorough study is expected to be completed in the fall.

Jaime Bellemare of Brady United Against Gun Violence, the national nonprofit that advocates against gun violence, said there have been other similar laws proposed but San Jose is the first city in the country to have passed one.

One challenge to enforce the law will be in determining how to administer the new liability insurance and fee requirements.

City officials know how many guns were purchased in San Jose since 2001, Liccardo said, but the city has no gun registry and no way to track gun owners.

Earlier this month, city lawmakers passed a new law requiring all retailers to record video and audio of all firearm purchases. San Jose became the largest California city with such a rule.

For copyright information, check with the distributor of this item, San Francisco Chronicle.

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" " Bitters are an essential ingredient in cocktails. They add aromatics, flavor and sharpness to the drinks. Maksym Fesenko/Shutterstock

In our "How to Stock a Beautiful Bar Cart" explainer, Samantha Montgomery, the national brand ambassador for Kentucky's Bardstown Bourbon Company, says bitters are like the "spice rack" of a bar. They're necessary ingredients to "add tang" or sharpness to alcoholic drinks.

To learn more about this versatile  and sometimes misunderstood  component of a great cocktail we talked to Nate Beske, bar manager at the Hewing Hotel in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Beske grew up in northern Wisconsin, where the muddled orange and cherry Old-Fashioned with a topper of Squirt was the drink of choice.

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What Are Bitters?

Bitters, according to Beske, are high-proof spirits infused with fruits, herbs, spices and botanicals used to flavor cocktails. They're usually named for the ingredient responsible for the principal taste  think orange bitters and peach bitters. The alcoholic strength varies but is generally about 40 percent by volume.

There are two types of bitters: digestive bitters and cocktail bitters. When you drink digestive bitters, they help you digest your food, hence the name. These are more popular in Europe than North America, and they're typically sipped straight or on the rocks after a meal. Some of the most common digestive bitters include:

Amaro

Campari

Aperol

Jagermeister

Unicum

Cocktail bitters, on the other hand, are those mixed in cocktails. The flavors are much more concentrated than digestifs so they're rarely served straight. Some of the best cocktail bitters include:

Regans' Orange

Peychaud's

Angostura

Bittermens

The Bitter Truth

" " (L-r) Some of the best cocktail bitters include Regans' Orange, Peychaud's, Angostura Bitters, Bittermens and The Bitter Truth. Corresponding brands

For anyone just getting into mixology or interested in learning about "starter bitters," Beske says angostura is a given. Angostura bitters are the original aromatic bitters and the oldest bitters brand. They were the leaders when the cocktail industry essentially launched in the early 1800s. And it's not just that; angostura bitters are required for classic cocktails like the Manhattan and the Old-Fashioned.

Montgomery agrees and also suggests angostura as a good bitter to start learning with.

"I would start with angostura bitters as they are amongst the oldest, most traditional, and most often called for in classic cocktail recipes, but definitely experiment with others," she says.

"Cherry bark vanilla bitters is the way to go if I want to turn someone on to gin or a good whiskey sour," Beske says. "Hands down, it's the best bitters ever."

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Why Use Bitters?

Bitters are designed to add complexity and depth to cocktails. Aromatic bitters, for instance, are those flavored with herbs, spices and barks, giving them strong aromas. Citrus bitters are high-proof alcohols infused with the peels of citrus fruits. Orange bitters are the most popular. Herbal bitters can add flavors and aromas like thyme, lavender and tarragon.

As far as using bitters in day-to-day bartending, Beske says he prefers the Bittercube brand.

"For instance, in our Moscow Mule, we use Jamaican No. 1, which has flavor profiles of ginger which is the base flavor of the Mule," he says. "Not only does it just impart ginger, but it also offers black pepper and citrus to the cocktail, making for a superior drink."

In fact, the Hewing (and any good mixologist) uses bitters in most of its cocktails. Beske says the flavors push their cocktail program to a higher level. The hotel sells 300 to 400 classic Old-Fashioneds, every weekend.

"We have our own custom blend of bitters from Bittercube (orange bitters, cherry bark vanilla bitters and root beer bitters)," he says. "Those mixed with Piloncillo sugar and our custom blend of Knob Creek and Maker's Mark whiskeys is why people can't stop ordering the Old-Fashioned."

" " The Angostura brand has been a staple since 1824 and is featured in cocktails like the Old-Fashioned, Manhattan and the Vieux Carre. Alexander Prokopenko/Shutterstock

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Demystifying Bitters

But there are more ways than adding a few dashes of angostura bitters to an Old-Fashioned to have fun with bitters. "I personally love a Vieux Carre. The delicate blend of rye, cognac, vermouth, Benedictine, Peychauds and angostura bitters is magical and with a kiss of lemon oils on top, consider it done," Beske says. "This is also my favorite drink to make. It feels like I'm cooking comfort food for someone because it's a drink that hugs you from first sip to finish."

Overall, the mixologist and longtime barkeep wants to demystify bitters. "Don't be afraid of bitters," Beske says. "When adding them to cocktails, [they're] not bitter, but add a level of balanced sweet and dryness."

And while a little goes a long way, don't short yourself on bitters. At-home cocktail enthusiasts shouldn't be intimidated by the flavoring. Instead, take Beske's pro tip to heart: "Don't just throw in a few drops; hold your bitters bottle and go from 12 o'clock to 6 o'clock with the bottle and dash with confidence."

Now That's Interesting Angostura's oversized label initially began as a mistake when the family business entered a contest in the late 19th century. One brother designed a new bottle for the competition while the other brother designed a new label. The two never discussed the new bottle's size. The label turned out to be too large for the new bottle, but they entered the contest anyway, oversized label and all. They lost the competition, but kept the oversized label after a judge told them the bottle would always stand out. And the rest is history.
In a recent event, high schoolers from across the state were invited to Bank of Americas office in Richmond, and a contest was held in which student groups built bridges out of straws and pipe cleaners with the assistance of professors and bankers.

The college has made efforts to reach virtual students during the pandemic. Its website offers a nine-page guide on how to construct four different models of paper airplanes.

It does bring engineering alive, Boyan said of the colleges efforts.

Bank of Americas donation also will fund a summer math program. Minority and first-generation students are less likely to have a robust math education when they arrive in college, Boyan said, and students who struggle with math are more likely to drop out. The summer program is available to all VCU Engineering students and is offered at no extra charge. Students can learn pre-Calculus concepts to ease their way into college-level math.

We just havent been able to give them this kind of pre-college help, Boyan said. Now we can. Thats a big game changer.
Rumsfeld is the only person to serve twice as Pentagon chief. The first time, in 1975-77, he was the youngest ever. The next time, in 2001-06, he was the oldest.

Current Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin saluted Rumsfeld on Wednesday for his boundless energy, probing intellect, and abiding commitment to serve his country.

He made a brief run for the 1988 Republican presidential nomination, a spectacular flop that he once described as humbling for a man used to success at the highest levels of the government, including stints as White House chief of staff, U.S. ambassador and member of Congress.

For all Rumsfelds achievements, it was the setbacks in Iraq in the twilight of his career that will likely etch the most vivid features of his legacy.

Nine months into his second tour as defense secretary, on Sept. 11, 2001, suicide hijackers attacked the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon, thrusting the nation into wars for which the military was ill-prepared. Rumsfeld oversaw the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and toppling of the Taliban regime. Frequently presiding at televised briefings on the war, Rumsfeld became something of a TV star, applauded for his blunt talk and uncompromising style.
PHOENIX (AP)  Jill Biden on Wednesday appealed to Arizona residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19, aiming to counter skepticism by declaring that the vaccines are safe and have been vigorously tested.

Im here to ask all the viewers on these TV stations to please make the choice to get vaccinated because its safe, she said in a speech before an invited audience and TV cameras after touring a vaccine clinic at Isaac Middle School in Phoenix.

Just 40% of eligible Arizonans have been fully vaccinated.

Biden was accompanied by Doug Emhoff, the husband of Vice President Kamala Harris. Biden noted that they usually divide and conquer by making separate visits to clinics, but said, Today our message is so important that we wanted to come to Phoenix together.

She said that Phoenix is the administrations last stop on a monthlong tour to promote vaccinations, but that efforts to promote inoculations will continue.

Its going to keep going and going until we win, Emhoff added.

Emhoff appealed to the parents in the room, saying he sleeps better knowing that his son and daughter have both been vaccinated.
We got it addressed, but we never got it resolved, said former state police Superintendent Wayne Huggins, executive director of the Virginia State Police Association, which is seeking $18.6 million to fund a pay plan that would resolve salary inequities.

Huggins is looking first for help from the $4.3 billion in federal aid that Virginia received under the American Rescue Plan Act. The General Assembly will convene in special session on Aug. 2 to decide how to spend it over the next 3 years.

State agencies submitted their requests to the General Assembly money committees at the end of last week for funding under the federal law.

Northam also has another chance to address compensation for public employees in the final two-year budget he will submit in December, less than a month before his term ends. The governor is likely to have money to work with, thanks to a revenue surplus that could near $2 billion for the fiscal year that ends as Wednesday turns to Thursday.

Gov. Northam values the tremendous work of Virginia state employees, particularly during this unprecedented time, spokeswoman Alena Yarmosky said Tuesday. Thats why he was proud to support a 5% raise for state employees that will go into effect July 1st.
In one case, according to the complaint, Dickinson personally texted a member of the local GOP to arrange for her to sign the petition for someone other than himself to run for Sheriff and then met her at her gym for her to sign.

She and others told the GOP they signed after Dickinson told them the petition was for someone else to get on the ballot.

Investigating further, we discovered several of the other people whose signatures appeared on the Petition had not signed it at all, and they indicated their signatures had been forged, the letter said.

Several of those people had signed a petition for Dickinson to appear on the primary ballot for delegate in June, but not for him to appear on the November ballot for sheriff.

The GOP submitted names of 13 people it said are believed to have signed under false pretenses or had their signatures forged, and asked for investigation.

Petition signatures gathered for Republican and Democratic nominees are kept secret. But the Richmond GOP was able to obtain Dickinsons petitions from the city registrar because hes running for sheriff as an independent.
The United States does not have the qualification to say that it wants to speak to China from a position of strength, Chinas top diplomat Yang Jiechi told Secretary of State Antony Blinken in Alaska in March.

These two commemorations, coming so close together, highlight whats needed for Biden to prove Yang wrong.

In China, Xi will use the celebrations to celebrate the CCP as overseer of everything from private companies to universities, and beyond.

On my last trip to China, in November 2019, Western  and Chinese  businessmen complained party officials were playing a more active role on corporate boards, in contrast to the more open China before Xi took power in 2013. Party officials now also set the tone at universities (where professors must now study Xi Jinping thought).

Of course, this centralization has its rewards. China crushed the pandemic by draconian means, with only 5,000 deaths (if you believe Chinese government figures). The Chinese economy has surged back (despite U.S. sanctions).

And China is pouring money into new technologies in order to surpass U.S. efforts and circumvent U.S. economic decoupling. But tightening party control also can slow economic growth.
Virginias most glaring deficiency was its handling of legacy costs  how well it is meeting retirement obligations for public employees. The commonwealth earned a D average, but shortcomings were worse in seven other states that earned a D-minus (the lowest possible grade). Only seven states were worthy of an A grade.

This five-year snapshot only takes us so far. Our world looks far different than it did at the end of FY 2019 (June 30 of that year). The economy was doing well, with low unemployment. Masks largely were reserved for professional settings, like a health care operating room or a construction site. Social distancing markers were not part of floors across indoor atmospheres, from grocery stores to offices.

But regardless of a historic public health crisis impact on daily life, government budgets always should tell the truth and be premised on integrity. The Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)  an organization representing more than 20,000 public finance officials in the U.S. and Canada  has helped push that message for decades.
If you had told us seven years ago that Mountain Valley Pipeline still wouldnt be finished in 2021, we would have thought you were crazy. Yet here we are, with the project still under construction, regulators still reviewing permit applications and Franklin County still languishing without access to natural gas.

What gives?

It is high time that state and federal regulators expedite their remaining reviews and approvals of this important project, issue the remaining permits and get this pipeline into service.

Without MVP, Franklin County is being held back. The county has lost numerous economic opportunities over the years due to the lack of access to natural gas. This is well known in the community and was a driving force for the countys initial discussions in 2014 with Mountain Valley while we were on the board. The company graciously agreed to provide a tap at the Summit View Business Park  at no cost to residents  to help facilitate our economic development efforts.

Seven years later, were still waiting for the natural gas to flow. Well-funded national advocacy groups have filed lawsuit after lawsuit to tie up this important infrastructure project in the courts, dragging out the regulatory process and triggering delay after delay for construction.
By months end the Roanoke court gave MVP immediate access  reminding landowners one of the burdens of common citizenship is that a persons land is sometimes taken for the common good. West Virginia courts followed suit.

Eminent domain cases typically result in a money judgment or negotiated settlement  so called just compensation. Thus, shackled on the downside of this playing field, most have settled. Less than ten remain set for trial. Only one of the original landowner cases has actually made it to a jury.

Attorneys, appraisers and other experts commonly take their fee from a percentage of the total easement sale, from a security posted by MVP in the court.

The landowner must pay attorneys, appraisers and taxes from the sale proceeds. Rural landowners  often strangers to a metrocentric and, by definition, privileged legal system ruled by jurists of significant government and industry experience  see it as ripe for abuse by those who would capitalize on their misfortune. One asked a prospective attorney in a public forum, You mean for you to get paid, I have to lose?
One could only imagine who John Warner would support for governor this year.

That he shuffled off this mortal coil estranged from a GOP that bears no resemblance to one in which he first was active in the 1950s for Dwight Eisenhower can only mean he would think long and hard before lending his name to those even faintly allied with Trump, among them, Youngkin, whos selective about when and how he invokes The Donald.

Youngkins bio might intrigue Warner: ambitious suburban kid with a Harvard M.B.A. who made a fortune flipping companies. Warner, who made his money the old-fashioned way  through marriage  would also appreciate Youngkins pledge to keep defense-rich Virginia friendly to veterans. Few could match Warner as an advocate for the military.

And how could John Warner begrudge Youngkin spending, so far, $12 million of his own money on his candidacy? Warner saw that big money made a big difference in the Senate race with Mark Warner, a telecom multimillionaire who cut more than $10 million in checks to his campaign.

Mark Warner was far less generous when he stood for governor in 2001, instead building a network of donors that showed broad support for his ambitions. Still, Warner didnt exactly scrimp that year.
The following is taken from the Santa Maria Police Department's calls-for-service log and the Santa Barbara County Sheriff's Office daily arrest log. Those appearing as "arrested" are only suspected of the crime indicated but are presumed innocent.
" " The Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) detector assembly in a tunnel of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at the European Organisation for Nuclear Research (CERN), in Cessy, France. Nine years after the historic discovery of the Higgs boson, the world's largest particle accelerator is trying to find new particles that would explain, among other things, dark matter, one of the great enigmas of the universe. VALENTIN FLAURAUD/Getty Images

What is about 200 times the mass of an electron, exists for about 2-millionths of a second, continually strikes every inch of Earth's surface, and seems to behave in a way that pokes a hole in long-accepted laws of physics?

That would be the muon, a particle first discovered in the late 1930s, which is formed in nature when cosmic rays strike particles in our planet's atmosphere. Muons are passing through you and everything around you at a speed close to that of light. Nevertheless, many of us probably didn't even realize their existence until April 2021, when the particle made the news headlines after researchers at the U.S. government's Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory  more commonly known as Fermilab  released the initial results of a three-year-long Muon g-2 experiment.

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The Fermilab study confirmed previous findings that the muon behaves in a way that's contrary to the Standard Model of Particle Physics, the theoretical framework that aims to describe how reality works at the tiniest level. As this article in Science explains, muons  which exist in a sea of other tiny particles and antiparticles that affect them  actually are slightly more magnetic than the Standard Model would predict. That, in turn, points to the possible existence of other, still-unknown particles or forces.

As one of the researchers, physicist Jason Bono, explained in a news release from his alma mater Florida International University, the team knew that if they confirmed the discrepancy in muons' magnetism, "we wouldn't know exactly what's causing it, but we would know it's something that we don't understand yet."

The initial results, along with other recent particle research, could help build the case for a new physics that would replace the Standard Model. From Fermilab, here's a YouTube video explaining the results and their significance:

"Muons are like electrons except 200 times heavier," explains Mark B. Wise, in an email interview. He's a professor of high energy physics at the California Institute of Technology and a member of the prestigious National Academy of Sciences. (If that doesn't sufficiently impress you, he also served as a technical consultant on particle accelerators for the 2010 Hollywood film "Iron Man 2").

"According to Einstein's formula E=mc2, this means that muons at rest have greater energy than electrons," Wise says. "This allows them to decay to lighter particles while still conserving energy overall."

Another key difference is that electrons are believed to be pretty close to immortal, but muons only exist for 2.2 millionths of a second, before they decay into an electron and two kinds of neutrinos, according to this U.S. Department of Energy primer on the particle.

The muons that are constantly being created when cosmic rays strike particles in Earth's atmosphere travel astonishing distances in their brief existence, moving at close to the speed of light. They strike every inch of Earth's surface and pass through almost everything in their immediate path, potentially penetrating a mile or more into Earth's surface, according to DOE.

" " The centerpiece of the Muon g-2 experiment at Fermilab is a 50-foot-diameter (15-meter-diameter) superconducting magnetic storage ring, which sits in its detector hall amidst electronics racks, the muon beamline, and other equipment. The experiment operates at minus 450 degrees F (minus 232 degrees C) and studies the precession (or wobble) of muons as they travel through the magnetic field. Reidar Hahn/Fermilab

Some have described muons as the key to understanding all subatomic particles, though Wise doesn't go quite that far. "In the search for physics beyond our present understanding you should study all particles," he says. "The muon has some advantages though. For example its anomalous magnetic moment is very precisely predicted which makes it more sensitive to new physics, beyond our present theory that would alter this prediction. At the same time it can be measured very precisely."

Studying muons isn't a simple matter, though. Fermilab is using a 700-ton (635 metric ton) device containing three rings, each 50 feet (15 meters) in diameter, that was shipped by barge and truck to Illinois from its original home at Brookhaven National Laboratory in New York a few years back. The device is capable of generating a magnetic field of 1.45 Tesla, approximately 30,000 times that of Earth's magnetic field.

"It's fascinating that to study something so tiny and short-lived, they need these huge pieces of equipment," Wise explains. "When they are produced at high energy they travel almost at the speed of light and can travel a fair distance before they decay. So you might look for the evidence they leave in a detector."

For example, since muons are charged particles, they can ionize the matter they pass through. The electrons that are produced by this ionization can be detected, according to Wise.

" " A cosmic ray shower, c 1930s. This picture was taken by Carl Anderson (1905-1991), who discovered the muon and the positron. SSPL/Getty Images

Wise says the Fermilab team's recent discover that the particle is slightly more magnetic than physicists expected is significant. "It disagrees with the present theories prediction for the muon magnetic moment (the present theory is usually called the Standard Model). So there is some new physics beyond that in our present theory that is present and changes the prediction for this quantity," Wise says

Like many important discoveries, the Fermilab's finding raises more new questions, and there's much that scientists still want to know about the muon.

"What is the new physics is the question it raises," Wise says. "There are also some other anomalies that are not explained in the [Standard Model] that involve muons. Are they all connected in some way?"

Wise also sounds a note of caution about the Fermilab findings. "It may be there is some systematic effect in the experiment that is not understood and is impacting the interpretation of the measurement," he explains. "Similarly for the theory. So this anomaly could ultimately disappear. It is very important to check such things as much as is possible."

Now That's Interesting As Fermilab physicist Chris Polly notes in this 2020 essay, every particle in the universe  even in the deepest, most seemingly empty expanses of space  is surrounded by an "entourage" of other particles, which continually "blink in and out of existence."
"But things are different now," the psychic said, "and you have all the resources, you have everything you need, and once you start it everything will fall into place and you have people in your life and you know what to do."

"From that minute on, I was like 'I'm going to do it,'" Caspar said.

She did  and for all the tragedy in her life and in the city, she considers herself fortunate. "The timing has been very lucky for us. Just to be able to open slowly is such a gift... I've been able to figure it out step by step."

Inside the bright and colorful 3,000-square-foot bookstore, art from local artists hangs on walls and shelves. A 20-foot mosaic mural showcasing Culver City landmarks sits in front of the coffee bar. The mural was designed and assembled by Piece by Piece, a nonprofit that provides low-income and formerly unhoused people with free art workshops. (Every month, the store highlights a different social cause with reading lists and links to supportive organizations.)

On a recent morning, Patrick Meighan sat cross-legged on an orange Adirondack chairin front of the bookstore,reading Michael Lewis' "The Premonition."
HARTSVILLE, S.C.  Jannie Harriot, the chairperson and charter member of the South Carolina African American Heritage Commission, is a 2021 recipient of the South Carolina Humanities Governors Awards in the Humanities, which celebrate the Palmetto States most ambitious humanities academics and advocates.

Harriot is an educator, a community leader and a titan of cultural preservation.

A native of Hartsville, Harriot earned a Bachelor of Science from Fayetteville (N.C.) State University. After nearly two decades of teaching in public schools and community colleges in the Carolinas, New York and New Jersey, she returned to South Carolina in 1990 and served as executive director of the Allendale County First Steps to School Readiness.

She was instrumental in the 1991 founding of the Butler Heritage Foundation, an organization formed by alumni of her alma mater, Butler High School. Their mission was to restore the closed campus for public use as a community center. After they successfully petitioned the Darlington County Board of Education to deed Butler High School to the foundation for preservation, Harriot served as the founding chairperson.
The announcement was made inside the ReStore on Celebration Boulevard by Edwards as board and committee members watched the reaction of Chavis and her children to the news.

Edwards said Chavis had lived in a hotel for about year before moving into a rental apartment. Edwards said Habitat homes are a way for families to get out from under high rental fees and become homeowners. She said the habitat home mortgage payment will cost about $350-400, including insurance and taxes, per month.

Chavis and her three children, Adrian, 17, Blessan, almost 14, and Nicholas, 10, will move into the 47th house built by Habitat for Humanity in Florence since 1991.

Edwards said an anonymous donor has given $100,000 toward building this home. She said normally that would take care of the cost associated with the home, but since COVID the prices of building materials and appliances have gone up. She is not sure what the final cost will be.

Edwards said they are hoping to make the Chavis home a four-bedroom, two-bath so that each member will have a bedroom.

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In addition to the anonymous donation, Edwards said, the land for the home was donated to the Greater Florence Habitat for Humanity by the city of Florence.
COLUMBIA, S.C.  S.C. Sen. Hugh K. Leatherman Sr. of Florence drew the ire of a member of the South Carolina Senate on Tuesday afternoon.

S.C. Sen. Richard Cash, a Republican representing Senate District 3 that includes roughly the northern half of Anderson County, rose to speak during the Senates discussion over whether to override one of Gov. Henry McMasters vetoes.

Cash implied that he felt like one of his requests for a project was denied after he voted against Leathermans bill to allow the South Carolina Ports Authority to issue up to $550 million in bonds and that he voted against the state budget as proposed by the finance committee of which Leatherman serves as a chairman. He added that he felt that Leatherman had too much control over the process and could influence other votes taken by the Senate.

S.C. Sen. Tom Davis, a Republican representing Senate District 46 that includes most of the southern part of Beaufort County and a portion of Jasper County, rose to Leathermans defense after Cash stopped speaking.

Davis said Cashs characterizations were inaccurate. He said that he had to make a presentation to the Senate Finance subcommittee chair and added that he had criticized and disagreed with Leatherman and still gotten earmarks in the past.
Officers said more than 200 squirrels and many other small mammals were being kept in cages stacked in the living room of the mobile home, with some roaming free inside the home. As of Tuesday evening, Ross and LaFaivre were being held at the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center pending a bond hearing.

Lee County Animal Control officers and staff, county animal shelter staff, and local veterinarians, assisted by members of SCDNRs Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries and Law Enforcement divisions, have been working to secure safe accommodations for the animals confiscated from the property until they can be assessed for potential diseases or other health problems.

Right now, our number one concern is the welfare of these animals, said Emily Cope, SCDNR deputy director of wildlife and freshwater fisheries. Its a very challenging situation to deal with, mainly because of the sheer number of animals that were being kept on this site, and the deplorable conditions that existed there. We are working with Animal Control to determine the best way to move forward on this, and the help weve gotten from local veterinarians has been invaluable.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden came up well short on his goal of delivering 80 million doses of coronavirus vaccine to the rest of the world by the end of June as a host of logistical and regulatory hurdles slowed the pace of U.S. vaccine diplomacy.

Although the Biden administration has announced that about 50 countries and entities will receive a share of the excess COVID-19 vaccine doses, the U.S. has shipped fewer than 24 million doses to 10 recipient countries, according to an Associated Press tally. The White House says more will be sent in the coming days and stresses that Biden has done everything in his power to meet the commitment.

It's not for lack of doses. All the American shots are ready to ship, the White House said. Rather, it's taking more time than anticipated to sort through a complex web of legal requirements, health codes, customs clearances, cold-storage chains, language barriers and delivery programs. Complicating matters even further is that no two shipments are alike.

One country requires an act of its Cabinet to approve the vaccine donation, others require inspectors to conduct their own safety checks on the U.S. doses, and still others have yet to develop critical aspects of their vaccine distribution plans to ensure the doses can reach people's arms before they spoil.
 Brennan Center reports on encouraging 2018 crime data based on preliminary data from largest 30 US cities | Main | Spotlighting ever-increasing overdose casualties amidst the last four decades of the war on drugs 

The title of this post is the headline of this lengthy New York Times review of the high-profile sentencing set to take place at the start of next week. The article includes some original analysis of Pennsylvania sentencing outcomes, and here are some excepts that should be of interest to sentencing fans:

When Bill Cosby arrives at the Montgomery County Courthouse next week to be sentenced for sexual assault, he will find out whether prison is the final stop on his descent from beloved entertainer to disgraced felon. But the judge making that decision, Steven T. ONeill, will confront his own personal pressures, weighty expectations and knotty legal challenges. Chief among them: What to do with an 81-year-old sex offender who could become one of the most famous Americans ever to enter a cell?

At a time when the country is finally reckoning with a culture of predatory sexual abuse by powerful men, Judge ONeill is likely to survey a courtroom in Norristown, Pa., that is filled with many of the dozens of women who say Mr. Cosby drugged and assaulted not just Andrea Constand, but them, too. A large number of these women expect a long prison sentence, one that will put an exclamation mark on the first major conviction of the #MeToo era.

My wound was greatly healed by the guilty verdict in the spring, said Lili Bernard, an actress who says that Mr. Cosby drugged and raped her in the early 1990s. But to see him in handcuffs, that would be like, Wow. We, the victims, deserve that.

Prosecutors have said they will push for the maximum 30-year prison term: 10 years on each of three counts of aggravated indecent assault. But Mr. Cosbys lawyers are sure to fight that, depicting him as a frail old man with failing vision, incapable of assaulting another woman or surviving a long sentence.

And Judge ONeill will have to consider state guidelines that recommend, but do not mandate, appropriate sentence ranges. A New York Times analysis of Pennsylvania court data for the past five years found that offenders convicted of crimes similar to Mr. Cosbys often did not receive the maximum penalty, but were more typically given sentences of two to five years....

Mr. Cosbys spokesman, Andrew Wyatt, confirmed that Mr. Cosby would appeal his conviction, but declined to specify on what grounds.... Mr. Wyatt said Mr. Cosby would ask to remain free on bail, post-sentencing, while he pursues his appeal, a process that could take years. If Judge ONeill were to allow that, he would surely face criticism from the many female accusers looking to find closure in the case.

We will all feel very let down by that, said Victoria Valentino, a former model for Playboy who says Mr. Cosby drugged and raped her in Los Angeles in 1969....

Testimony concerning prior alleged crimes is only allowed in Pennsylvania, as in other states, if, among other conditions, it demonstrates a signature pattern of abuse. But its inclusion is extremely rare, and Judge ONeill never explained why he allowed the five additional women to testify in the trial this year after allowing only one additional accuser to speak at Mr. Cosbys first trial in 2017. That ended in a mistrial after the jury failed to reach a verdict. The No. 1 issue is definitely that big change, of letting in those additional complainants in the case, said Shan Wu, a former sex-crimes prosecutor in Washington. I am sure that Cosbys team are licking their chops.

Experts say judges are often more lenient about bail in cases where the appeal issues are viewed as strong. When someone has a legitimate issue, said Brian Jacobs, a former federal prosecutor in New York who has studied the topic, and theres an argument that certain evidence should not have been allowed that could reduce the chance of a conviction at retrial, then there is an interest in allowing that person to stay out on bail.

Mr. Cosby, who has denied sexually abusing any of the women, is currently free on $1 million bail, though he is confined to his suburban Philadelphia home and has to wear a GPS monitoring device. After Mr. Cosbys conviction, prosecutors had immediately asked for his bail to be revoked, but Judge ONeill said he did not view Mr. Cosby as a flight risk, one of the criteria weighed in such a decision. Legal experts said it was generally uncommon in Pennsylvania for offenders to be allowed to remain free on bail, pending appeal, after a judge had sentenced them to incarceration.

Mr. Cosby was convicted on these three counts: penetration with lack of consent, penetration of the victim while she was unconscious, and penetration after administering an intoxicant. The New York Times reviewed state sentencing data for 121 cases over the past five years in which the most serious conviction was for at least one of those three counts. Mr. Cosby is far older than all of the others convicted. Their median age was 36, though in a few cases, the offender was in his late 60s.

A vast majority of the offenders also received fewer than 10 years, with a median sentence of two to five. But there were several cases in which judges gave maximum sentences of 20 years or more to offenders who had been convicted on multiple counts of aggravated indecent assault, or a single count in tandem with other, lesser crimes.

In some of those cases, the judge eschewed a common practice of making multiple sentences concurrent and instead ruled that they be served consecutively. In another case, the person qualified for a more severe sentence because he was viewed as a repeat offender under Pennsylvanias sex offender laws.

Mr. Cosby had never before been convicted of a crime, and his team is expected to argue that his three counts should be merged into a single count, a decision that would mean that he would face a prison term of no more than 10 years.

Prosecutors have asked that an unspecified number of women who have accused Mr. Cosby of sexually assaulting them be allowed to testify at the sentencing hearing, a move that one of Mr. Cosbys lawyers, Joseph P. Greene Jr., is trying to block. But Ms. Constand will certainly be allowed to speak at the hearing, as will Mr. Cosby, if he so chooses. The person being sentenced usually has the last word.

Mr. Jacobs, the former federal prosecutor, said that even if none of the other women were allowed to speak, he had to believe that the number of accusers who say Mr. Cosby preyed on them for decades would be an important factor in Judge ONeills thinking. One purpose of sentencing in such a high-profile case can be to send a message that might deter others, he said. The judge would have to be conscious of the fact that this is one of the earliest sentences in the Me Too era, Mr. Jacobs said.

Judge ONeill declined to comment for this article. But Dennis McAndrews, a Pennsylvania lawyer who has known the judge since they attended Villanova University School of Law together, said he did not expect Judge ONeill to have any problem navigating the maze of factors in this sentencing. He has been a judge for 14 years, Mr. McAndrews said, and in terms of experience and temperament, he has got all the tools necessary to assimilate and synthesize every piece of information that will come before him.
 The Sentencing Project releases "A New Lease on Life" looking at release mechanisms and recidivism realities | Main | "The Puzzle of Clearance Rates, and What They Can Tell Us About Crime, Police Reform, and Criminal Justice" 

June 30, 2021

Split Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturns Bill Cosby's convictions based on prior prosecutor's announcement of non-prosecution

In a high-profile setting, a split Pennsylvania Supreme Court has today ruled that it was a violate of due process for prosecutors to engage in what one Justice describes as a "coercive bait-and-switch" concerning potential prosecution. Because the defendant at issue is Bill Cosby, there is lots of media coverage of Pennsylvania v. Cosby, No. J-100-2020 (Pa. June 30, 2021) (all opinions available here). The start of the majority opinion (which runs 79 pages) sets up the issue that is ultimately setting Bill Cosby free:

In 2005, Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor learned that Andrea Constand had reported that William Cosby had sexually assaulted her in 2004 at his Cheltenham residence. Along with his top deputy prosecutor and experienced detectives, District Attorney Castor thoroughly investigated Constands claim. In evaluating the likelihood of a successful prosecution of Cosby, the district attorney foresaw difficulties with Constands credibility as a witness based, in part, upon her decision not to file a complaint promptly. D.A. Castor further determined that a prosecution would be frustrated because there was no corroborating forensic evidence and because testimony from other potential claimants against Cosby likely was inadmissible under governing laws of evidence. The collective weight of these considerations led D.A. Castor to conclude that, unless Cosby confessed, there was insufficient credible and admissible evidence upon which any charge against Mr. Cosby related to the Constand incident could be proven beyond a reasonable doubt. Seeking some measure of justice for Constand, D.A. Castor decided that the Commonwealth would decline to prosecute Cosby for the incident involving Constand, thereby allowing Cosby to be forced to testify in a subsequent civil action, under penalty of perjury, without the benefit of his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination. Unable to invoke any right not to testify in the civil proceedings, Cosby relied upon the district attorneys declination and proceeded to provide four sworn depositions. During those depositions, Cosby made several incriminating statements. D.A. Castors successors did not feel bound by his decision, and decided to prosecute Cosby notwithstanding that prior undertaking. The fruits of Cosbys reliance upon D.A. Castors decision  Cosbys sworn inculpatory testimony  were then used by D.A. Castors successors against Cosby at Cosbys criminal trial. We granted allowance of appeal to determine whether D.A. Castors decision not to prosecute Cosby in exchange for his testimony must be enforced against the Commonwealth.

A few of many prior related posts:

June 30, 2021 at 02:08 PM | Permalink

Comments

The majority opinion sounds like a stretch that I am not sure applies beyond this one case. They appear to convert a routine decision not to prosecute based on the information available at the time into a de facto immunity agreement (even though the attorneys never formally entered into one) because the prosecutor at the time saw the decision as final and the defendant's attorneys mistakenly advised their client that he could not assert the Fifth Amendment in his civil case due to that decision.

Even assuming that there was some non-contractual promise that Cosby relied on, it seems like the proper remedy would be exclusion of any inculpatory statements that Cosby made in his civil case rather than retroactively turning the non-prosecution decision into a grant of immmunity that the prosecutor lacked the authority to grant. The concurring opinion gets the issue of remedy correct.



Posted by: tmm | Jun 30, 2021 4:10:31 PM

Thank goodness. Prosecutor's promise controls. Squalid, intentional attempt to prevent him from raising the 5th at his dep.

Posted by: Fluffyross | Jun 30, 2021 6:46:10 PM

Finally. A terrible wrong has been righted. The judge and the prosecuting attorney should be disbarred.

Posted by: restless94110 | Jul 1, 2021 11:21:45 AM

Post a comment
FILE PHOTO: President of the Philippines, Ferdinand E. Marcos,during a national television interview at Malacanang Palace. He sought to squelch rumors that he is gravely ill and ruled out reimposition of martial law. | Location: San Miguel, Manila, Philippines.

By Haley Gilliland

Senator Paul Laxalt was in a classified briefing about political chaos in the Philippines when an assistant interrupted: He had an urgent phone call from Manila. On the other end of the line was Ferdinand Marcos, the countrys president. Marcos wanted to know if it was true that Ronald Reagan wished to see him step down.

It was Feb. 24, 1986, and for the past several days millions of people had swarmed Manilas streets in protest. The immediate trigger was Marcoss victory in a seemingly fixed election, but the ire went much deeper. In the 1970s, Marcos had led a military government of uncommon brutality, disbanding Congress, silencing the media, and using the army to torture and kill thousands of citizens.

Marcos partially restored democratic government in 1981, and, in hopes of unseating him, a popular political opponent, Benigno Aquino Jr., decided to return from exile in 1983. But when Aquino arrived, he was assassinated on the tarmac of Manilas main airport. Amid rising tensions, the country plunged into its worst recession in history.

Through all of this, Marcos and his wife, Imelda, had become exceedingly wealthy by siphoning money from state funds. They amassed dozens of luxury homes whose walls they decorated with pieces  by Cezanne, Manet, Picasso, and Van Gogh  from a museum-worthy art collection. Imelda filled her closets with designer footwear and flaunted extravagant pieces of jewelry, including a 70-carat light-blue diamond worth $5.5 million, at least 400 times her husbands official annual salary, which never exceeded $13,500.

FILE PHOTO: Former Philippine first lady Imelda Marcos blows a kiss to supporters after her son Senator Ferdinand Marcos Jr announced his Vice-Presidential bid during a political rally in Manila October 10, 2015. REUTERS/Erik De Castro

Meanwhile, regular Filipinos struggled to find work in a country with an unemployment rate that had spiked to an estimated 23% when the recession hit in 1984; import restrictions made basic products, such as ballpoint pens and razor blades, elusive. Finally fed up, they surrounded the presidential palace to demand that Marcos cede power to Benigno Aquinos widow, Corazon Aquino, whom they believed to be the rightful winner of the election.

Story continues

Senator, what should I do? Marcos asked Laxalt, who was one of Reagans closest friends, when the two men spoke that night, according to a briefing Laxalt later gave to reporters.

Cut and cut cleanly, the Republican senator from Nevada responded. The time has come.

The following day, Marcos and 90 members of his entourage boarded a U.S. Air Force C-141 transport plane and flew to Hawaii. According to reports in the Guardian and the Washington Post, they carried with them some essential belongings, including $7 million in cash and gems (some of which were transported in diaper boxes), 70 pairs of jewel-laden cuff links, and enough clothes to fill 67 racks. There were also 24 bars of solid gold, engraved: To my husband on our 24th anniversary. But this represented a mere fraction of their assets.

The brazenness of Ferdinand Marcoss grafta haul the Philippine government later estimated at $5 billion to $10 billionwould become legendary, recognized by the Guinness World Records as the greatest robbery of a government. It would also would set off what was arguably the most ambitious geopolitical treasure hunt of all time, as investigators and lawyers scrambled to track down the fortune.

Thirty-five years later, that huntrecounted here based on interviews with victims of abuses under the Marcos regime, their families, and the attorneys who pursued the cashhas taken on political significance. Opponents had hoped Marcoss exile would marginalize him, but family members have since regained political primacy in the Philippines. Theyve played down human-rights abuses, which are now a distant memory for many Filipinos, and have won governorships, senate seats, and congressional posts. Ferdinand Jr., better known as Bongbong, is performing well in polls for next years presidential race. We knew that it would be a long road, says Sherry Broder, an American lawyer who has helped lead the effort to recover the stolen funds. I dont think I anticipated it would be as difficult as its turned out to be.

Broder read of the ousted dictators arrival at Hickam Air Force Base on Oahu in February 1986 with a sense of outrage. Why does Marcos get to come here? Why doesnt he have to go to Paraguay with Mengele? she recalls complaining, referring to the Nazi doctor. Shed moved to Hawaii after graduating from law school in the 1970s, serving as an attorney for the state legislature when it redrafted the Hawaiian constitution, and had pursued some personal injury cases in private practice. Shed been interested in human-rights law and had been following the political situation in the Philippines, but the arrival of Marcos awakened something more ambitious in her: a desire to stop a former dictator from enjoying a comfortable retirement abroad.

Her plan centered on the Alien Tort Claims Act, an obscure statute from 1789 that allowed noncitizens to sue over international law violations in U.S. federal courts. It was rarely used until 1980, when a Paraguayan physician successfully sued a former police officer over the torture and murder of his son. On March 20, 1986, three weeks after the Marcoses showed up, Broder and her husband, an international law professor at the University of Hawaii, sued them under the 18th century law. Their plaintiff was Agapita Trajano, a Filipino woman living nearby.

Sherry Broder. (Photo: Lila Lee for Bloomberg Businessweek)

Over several emotional meetings (as would be recounted during legal proceedings and in court documents), Trajano told them how her son Archimedes, then an engineering student, had attended a 1977 forum at which Ferdinand and Imeldas eldest daughter, Imee, was the speaker. During the event, Archimedes asked Imee, who was head of a youth organization, if she would have received such an appointment if her father werent president. Imees guards hauled Archimedes away; his bloodied corpse was found on the street in Manila two days later. Agapita had a few pictures that showed what had happened, Broder recalls, shuddering. It was very upsetting. She just wanted justice for her son.

While Broder developed her case, she read about a similar one, brought by a Philadelphia lawyer named Robert Swift. Instead of suing on behalf of just one person, though, Swift had convened a group of victims to form the first-ever-human-rights class-action case. She called Swift to introduce herself and was impressed. He was meticulous and seemed to have a grasp of even the tiniest legal details. She suggested they join forces since the lawsuits would probably be transferred to Hawaii, where Marcos was living, and Swift would need a local counsel. Swift, whod served as an Army infantryman in the Vietnam War and later became a Quaker, agreed and took over as the lead attorney.

Even before they had a chance to meet in person, the pair filed their complaint, attempting to serve the former chief of state in his temporary military housing at Hickam. This was no easy task. He was being babysat by someone at the State Department, Swift recalls. So the process server had to give it to the guy at the State Department, and the State Department official served Marcos. Later, the federal employee told Swift hed felt a tinge of sympathy for the deposed dictator after seeing how Imelda stormed around yelling at him most days.

While Broder worked on crafting the legal argument they would present in the Hawaii courthouse, Swift traveled to the Philippines repeatedly, working with local lawyers and activists to meet with martial law survivors. Given the Philippines history as an American colony, some Filipino human-rights victims viewed Swift and Broder warily.

They were angry the case was being lodged in the U.S., and were suspicious that the American lawyers might be motivated by the chance to win a cut of a large settlement. The case also seemed like an extreme long shot, suntok sa buwan or shooting the moon, as activists later described it to academic researcher Nate Ela.

Despite these apprehensions, scores of victims began talking, recounting how military officers had used detainees hands to put out cigarettes, forced them to sit naked on ice blocks in front of an air conditioner, and submerged their heads in toilets full of excrement. Swift recalls talking to someone whose fingernails had been pulled out one by one. I couldnt fathom how the victims could endure it, he says. Some accounts brought tears to my eyes.

FILE PHOTO: President of the Philippines Ferdinand Marcos stands between General Fidel Ramos (R) and Chief Justice Felix Makasiar (L) during the 1985 National Heros Day. (Photo by Andy Hernandez/Sygma/Sygma via Getty Images)

Marcos died in 1989 in a Honolulu hospital, but Swift and Broder continued gathering stories from victims. Ultimately, 9,539 would join their case, which went to trial in September 1992. It took a little over two weeks for a Hawaiian jury to find that Marcos had been responsible for presiding over abductions, torture, executions, and disappearances. The jury ordered that his estate would need to pay damages, the extent of which would be determined during a separate trial. Swift and Broder allowed themselves a celebratory courtroom hug before quickly getting back to work. Now would come the hard part.

To determine how much victims were owed, Broder and Swift would first need to demonstrate how much Marcos was worth. They had little to go on. Marcos was dead, and Imelda and Bongbong werent eager to help. Moreover, Selda, a local nonprofit that was formed to advocate for former political prisoners and had initially helped Swift and Broder put together their case, had soured on the lawyers. Swift was viewed by some Selda members as a representative of imperialist America, explains Etta Rosales, an activist and torture victim who left Selda to form a separate victims group called Claimants 1081, which was more supportive of Swifts efforts. He was seen as an enemy.

Robert Swift. (Photo: Hannah Yoon for Bloomberg Businessweek)

The political situation in the Philippines didnt make things any easier. The Marcos family had regained some popularity among Filipinos who saw the new reformist government as ineffective, and Imelda had returned in 1991 with her children. Now, loyalists were attempting to subvert the American case.

While Swift was on his way to depose Imelda in a suburban home in Manila in 1993, his chauffeured car was pelted with eggs and tomatoes. When he complained that the demonstrators might disturb the interview, the Marcos familys lawyer, an American from Oklahoma City named James Linn, shrugged. You are going to get the Marcos followers wherever you go in the Philippines, he said, according to a deposition transcript. Later that day the electricity failed, and Imelda had one of her maids fan her with a large palm leaf.

Her testimony was inconsistent. She recounted how, before they married, Ferdinand had taken her to a bank by the Pasig River, where he led her into a vault stacked full of currency and precious metals. I could feel he was wealthy. I could get anything, she boasted in the deposition transcript. But in response to a question about her husbands real estate holdings, Imelda insisted on her ignorance. I was not at all interested in his finances, his wealth and his assets, she said.

In the trial to determine damages in 1994, Swift ultimately asked the jury to award the class $1 billionenough to give each victim $100,000, or more than 100 times the Philippine per capita income at the time. If you award $10,000 per individual thats $100 million, if you award $50,000 per individual that would be $500 million. And if you award $100,000 per individual it would be a billion, he explained to the jury. Certainly that is not an unreasonable amount to exact from the estate of Ferdinand Marcos, who bears the ultimate responsibility for these abuses.

It was a big request, and Swift knew it. In response, the Marcos familys lawyer stood before the jury box and said, with rehearsed incredulity: Mr. Swift just asked you for $1 billion! (I did everything I could to keep a straight face and not blush, Swift recalls.)

But when the jury foreman passed the verdict to Manuel Real, the silver-haired judge presiding over the case, Swift noticed a wry smile creep across the judges face. In the space left blank for exemplary damages, the foreman had scrawled $1.2 billion$200 million more than Swift had requested. A year later, the jury would add $766 million in compensatory damages, bringing the total settlement to almost $2 billion, the highest judgment of its kind.

Swift was flabbergasted. I guess I did a better job than I thought, he recalls thinking. While he hoped the scale of the judgments might facilitate a settlement, Swift knew that what he and Broder had at that point was just number on a piece of paper. Transforming it into cash would be another matter.

Youre my savior. Youre sent from heaven to me

Even as the Marcos clan turned spending into a sort of performance artshipping in Moroccan horses for their daughter Irenes wedding, or buying up the entire inventory at a Sothebys auction and then attempting to purchase the apartment where the auction had been heldthey were also savvy about protecting their wealth. By the time he left office, Ferdinand had squirreled away money in Swiss bank accounts, Panamanian shell companies, and foundations in Liechtenstein.

In 1986, just after Marcos fled to the U.S., one of his confidants, Jose Yao Campos, submitted a statement to the Philippine government admitting he set up at least 34 shell companies for the despot. According to reporting by the Wall Street Journal at the time, Campos also turned over 2.2 billion shares of stock and a list of real estate holdings he managed for Marcos that filled nine typed pages. Years later, Imelda confessed to a BBC host that Ferdinand had once chided her for renovating their home, because hed stowed lead-covered gold bars in the drywall. Marcos had been trained as a lawyer, Swift notes, adding, He also was excellent at accounting work.

Just locating the Marcoses assets would have been difficult enough, but to further complicate matters for Swift and Broder, the Philippine courts didnt recognize the judgment granted in the U.S., meaning the lawyers wouldnt be able to target Marcoss property in the Philippines. On top of that, many of the familys most obvious assets were quickly seized by a competing effort in Manila, the Presidential Commission on Good Government (PCGG), which had been launched when Marcos went into exile.

Swift says he and Broder have had to be opportunistic, collecting whatever pieces of property they could find. In 1995, for instance, Broder noticed that a Mercedes-Benz sedan had been sitting unused in the driveway of a Hawaii home where the Marcoses had stayed. The lawyers impounded it and sold it for $30,000 to a collector with a thing for vehicles owned by dictators. (The Las Vegas buyer displayed the Marcoses car, a bulletproof 500 SEL, alongside vehicles that had been driven by Adolf Hitler and Juan Peron.)

Meanwhile, the pool of rivals fighting over the Marcos fortune continued to expand. In 1996 a jury in Hawaii found that $22 billion was owed to the estate of Rogelio Roxas, a Filipino locksmith who claimed to have stumbled on a trove of gold bars and diamonds that Marcos military officers later stole at gunpoint. After that, when Swift and Broder would begin legal proceedings to seize an asset, the Roxas estate would often argue it should get a cut. The lawyers watch and see what Im doing, and then they file on top, Swift says with a sigh.

Such competition forced Swift and Broder to get creative. Later that year, the lawyers received a $1 million settlement related to a Hawaiian property suspected of belonging to the Marcoses: a stucco house that featured sweeping views of Diamond Head and the Pacific Ocean but also a nasty termite infestation. Business associates of the Marcoses, the Tantoco family, claimed to be the homes rightful owners and offered to pay Swift and Broders class to stop pursuing the property in court, which they had been doing in competition with the Philippine government and the Roxas estate.

They figured I was going to get the evidence together, and they would just argue they were entitled to a piece of whatever was awarded, Swift recalls. Instead, he and Broder settled with the Tantocos out of court, leaving the other parties without any evidence to present.

But these were small victories. By 2000, after several failed attempts to settle with the Philippine government and the Marcos estate, Swift says he and Broder had collected only a little more than $1 million. Then he received a call from a Texas oil investor named Alan Meeker, whod read about Swifts class action in the newspaper. Meeker had been searching for land that might allow him access to shale oil near Fort Worth. Hed come across several attractive parcels, but says he couldnt find the darn owner.

Meeker remembered a rumor hed heard years earlier that Marcos had property in Texas. He managed to get Imeldas phone number in Manila and, when he explained why he was calling, Imelda seemed unexpectedly thrilled. Youre my savior. Youre sent from heaven to me, Meeker recalls her saying. Ive been looking for these properties since my husband died.

She explained that Campos, the Marcos confidant, had bought the land on her husbands behalf and then proceeded to steal it when Marcos died.

Im sorry Mrs. Marcos, but I dont understand what you mean, Meeker told the former first lady. How do you steal property?

Well, Meeker remembers her saying, they took all the records. But theyre mine.

On the phone with Meeker, Swift was polite but was skeptical that the Texas land was relevant to his case. After seeing the documents Meeker had collected during his due diligence, however, he came around. I get a call once a week from someone saying they found the Marcos gold, he told Meeker. Ninety-nine percent are rabbit trails that we dont want to go down. But I really think you have something here.

It turned out that several shell corporations in the Dutch Antilles linked to the Marcoses secretly owned 4,500 acres of land in Texas and Colorado, which would lead the Campos family to pay the class a $10 million settlement in 2010. Representatives of the family could not be reached for comment. It was far from the almost $2 billion owed to the human-rights victims, but for the first time it would allow Swift and Broder to distribute money to the class members.

In a newspaper interview at the time, Broder said: This is a lot less than what we had hoped for, and what the victims really deserved. But I think it is precedent-setting. She continued: Its like we finally broke through the glass ceiling of collection in human-rights cases.

In February 2011, Swift flew to the Philippines to personally hand a $1,000 check to each human-rights victim registered in the class action. He spent the next six weeks traveling around distribution points scattered throughout the countrys 7,640 islands. It had been such a struggle to obtain the settlement, he explains. I wanted to make sure the money landed in the right hands.

Upon meeting Swift, some class members lifted their shirts and pant legs to show him their gunshot and amputation wounds. One woman pulled out a photograph depicting a pile of bodies; the military had murdered 11 members of her family and heaped their naked corpses.

Two years later, legal action over the disputed ownership of Le Bassin aux Nympheas, an iconic Monet painting once purchased by Imelda, allowed Swift and Broder to extract a $10 million settlement from Alan Howard, a British hedge fund billionaire whod bought the painting thinking it had a clean title. Swift distributed those funds to the human-rights class in 2014. After the sale of a group of Impressionist paintings owned by the Marcoses, he made another trip in July 2019, distributing an additional $10 million.

While Swift was in the Philippines to make the latest distribution, Imelda Marcos held a massive 90th birthday party at a sports arena in Manila. Afterward, more than 260 of her guests were hospitalized for food poisoning.

I told them: I am going to win, because we are on the side of justice and truth 

Despite the many accusations against Ferdinand Marcos and three decades of effort by activists to hold his family to account, the Marcoses are more popular than theyve been in decades. In 2019, after nine years as governor of Ilocos Norte, the home state of Ferdinand Sr., Imee Marcos was elected to the Senate as a member of the Nacionalista Party, the same conservative-leaning party her father belonged to. Bongbong, also a Nacionalista, ran for vice president in 2016, ironically on a platform of fighting corruption and reducing inequality. He lost but is rumored to be considering a 2022 presidential run.

A recent survey by Pulse Research Asia Inc., a public opinion polling body, put him in second behind Sara Duterte, daughter of current Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte, who has previously stated she wont run. (Presidents in the Philippines are confined to single six-year terms, making Rodrigo Duterte ineligible for reelection.)

Bongbongs supporters tend to be young people, who werent alive to witness martial law, as well as some older people who viewed Marcoss 21 years in office as a sort of Golden Age, when order reigned and crime was low. President Duterte, whos been accused of thousands of extrajudicial killings under the guise of combating the drug trade, has also been a loyal supporter of the Marcos family.

FILE PHOTO: Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. addresses the crowd during his mother, Imelda R Marcos' 90th Birthday Celebration. On Monday, July 1, 2019, in Open Air Auditorium, Rizal Park, Ermita, Manila, Philippines. (Photo:Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

Benjamin Tolosa Jr., an associate dean and political science professor at Ateneo de Manila University, says the Marcos familys wealth, which theyve managed to preserve despite the efforts of Swift, Broder, and others, helps them retain influence. Political opponents say Bongbong used money stolen by his father to run ads during his 2016 vice presidential campaign. Scenes in The Kingmaker, a 2019 documentary about Imelda, show her swanning around Manila in recent years, handing out cash to the excited mobs that surround her car and to children at a cancer hospital. The estimated $10 billion that the family amassed is tragically being used to consolidate the Marcoses power, prevent them from becoming fully accountable, and is now helping them to fully regain presidential power, Tolosa says. Bongbong has said he doesnt know the whereabouts of his dads allegedly hidden assets. In a 2017 press conference, he said that if the Filipino government found anything, it would be welcome to it. Keep in mind that when Ferdinand Marcos was brought to the U.S. all of his records were seized by U.S. authorities and many went missing, says John Bartko, a lawyer for the Marcos family.

In general, the Marcos children are nonchalant about the accusations of torture and corruption against Ferdinand Sr. What am I to say sorry about? Bongbong Marcos said during a 2015 interview on Headstart, a morning TV show, rattling off a list of achievements he attributed to his dad. Will I say sorry for the agricultural policy that brought us to self-sufficiency in rice? Will I say sorry for the power generation? Will I say sorry for the highest literacy rate in Asia? What am I to say sorry about? Taking a similar view, in 2018 Imee told Philippine newspapers: The millennials have moved on, and I think people at my age should also move on as well.

FILE PHOTO: Newly-elected Senator Imee Marcos arrives for the proclamation ceremony of the Twelve winning senators in the May 13 midterm elections Wednesday, May 22, 2019 in suburban Pasay city, south of Manila, Philippines. The Philippine president's allies won a majority of the 12 Senate seats at stake in the May 13 midterm elections while the opposition's shutout heralds a stronger grip on power by a leader accused of massive human rights violations. Senator Imee Marcos is the eldest daughter of the late Philippine dictator Ferdinand Marcos. (AP Photo/Bullit Marquez)

Rosales, the human-rights victim and activist, says that just before her release from detention while the country was under martial law, during which she was suffocated and electrocuted, she warned a military officer that the Marcos camp would lose in the long run. I told them: I am going to win, because we are on the side of justice and truth,  she says. Years later things feel murkier. People dont know about the torture and Marcoss cruelty, because there was no free media at that time, she says. The Marcoses are popular because people forget.

Ruben Carranza, a former PCGG commissioner who now works for the International Center for Transitional Justice, a human-rights nonprofit, points out that the Marcoses were never held directly accountable for the human-rights violations they committed in any sort of legal proceeding in the Philippines, making it easier for them to whitewash their familys history. What Swift and the victims did by filing in Hawaii was a great step, because you want to find justice when you can, he says. But you also want to bring it home when you can, and that didnt happen.

At the moment, Swift and Broder are focused on investment holdings in New York. In 1972, Ferdinand Marcos deposited $2 million in a Merrill Lynch account owned by Arelma Inc., a Panamanian shell company set up on his behalf. At the same time he was declaring martial law, he was protecting his assets, Swift says.

The deposit was small by Marcos standardsthe rough equivalent of a hundred or so gold barsand the money sat, appreciating in value, until the PCGG discovered the account in 2000. Its now worth $41 million.

Swift and Broder first learned about the deposit 20 years ago and have fought the Philippine government to claim it since. The matter has bounced from court to court, plagued by delays and resistance from the U.S., which has sided with the Philippines, as part of an apparent effort to keep the country from drawing any closer to China.

Now, in 2021, the case is again moving forward, if slowly, because of delays related to COVID-19. The waiting is frustrating but familiar at this point; Swift and Broder have been working on the case for 35 years. The possibility of a payout that would help the lawyers recoup some of their costs is a motivating factor. Swift estimates his firm has made a few million dollars in fees from the Marcos cases over the decadesbut argues that is far less than what it might command for similarly complex litigation, and a fraction of what he would have made charging his normal hourly rate of $775. He estimates lawyers for the human-rights class have spent 40,000 hours on the Marcos cases.

Still, some martial law victims have complained about payments to Swift, prompting Rosales to defend him: The financial risks involved have to be considered. Besides, nobody has done this in the way that he has done it. Hes the only one working on it, she explained at an event in the Philippines in 2019. To the laughter of the crowd, she added: Look at him now. Bob used to have a lot of hair.

In his 70s now, Swift says the more powerful reason for his and Broders perseverance is also a simpler one: Hes personally met most of the thousands of victims hes representinga rarity in such a large class action. Hes been to the Philippines 40 or so times, spending months traveling the countrys many islands to make sure the checks reach the right people. Ive shaken hands with them. Ive heard their stories, he says. As soon as the country lifts COVID-related travel restrictions, he plans to return. With Andreo Calonzo

2021 Bloomberg L.P.
Former Haitian president Jean-Bertrand Aristide (C) greets supporters at the entrance of his home in Port-au-Prince, on September 30, 2015

Haitian ex-president Jean-Bertrand Aristide, who is battling Covid-19 at the age of 68, has arrived in Cuba for medical treatment, Haiti's President Jovenel Moise has announced.

On Twitter late Thursday, Moise wished Aristide "a prompt recovery" and said the Haitian embassy in Cuba would provide him with "all the necessary assistance."

The Haitian embassy in Cuba would not confirm Aristide's arrival to AFP, and the Cuban government generally does not comment on these types of visits.

Haitian media has reported that Moise had sought a diplomatic passport for the former head of state for humanitarian reasons.

Aristide became Haiti's first democratically elected president in 1991.

But just months later, that same year, he was ousted in a bloody military coup led by General Raoul Cedras. He returned to power in 1994 when the United States sent in troops to drive Cedras out.

But Aristide was again forced out in 2004 under threat of another armed insurrection, popular demonstrations and pressure from the United States and France, going into exile in South Africa.

He returned to Haiti in 2011.

rd/lp/rsr/jb/mlr/acb
By Gavin Jones

ROME (Reuters) - Italy's co-ruling 5-Star Movement found itself without a leader on Wednesday after a row between its founder, comedian Beppe Grillo, and former Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte who had agreed to take charge of the struggling party.

5-Star is the largest group in parliament thanks to a triumph in 2018 elections, and its travails could have repercussions for the stability of Mario Draghi's national unity government.

Many 5-Star politicians and supporters have been unhappy with some of Draghi's policies and if the party splits up, as now seems likely, a significant number of its lawmakers could move into opposition.

On Wednesday Alessandro Di Battista, who recently quit 5-Star but remains highly popular among its voters, said it should hold an online vote of its members on whether to quit the coalition "after these tragic four months" of Draghi's government.

Draghi does not require 5-Star's votes for a parliamentary majority, but without them he would be fully dependent on those of the right-wing League, with its tough anti-immigrant and sometimes anti-EU positions.

Conte, who previously had no party affiliation, accepted Grillo's request that he take the reins of 5-Star, originally an anti-establishment protest party, after Conte's coalition government collapsed in January.

After spending months resolving internal disputes, Conte was finally ready to present his plans for a remodelled party along mainstream, centre-left lines, only for Grillo to block everything this week, angrily protesting he was being sidelined.

"Conte ... has neither political vision nor managerial skills. He has no experience of organisations and no capacity for innovation," Grillo, who founded 5-Star in 2009, wrote in a blog on Tuesday.

The 72-year-old former comedian said Conte had drawn up an archaic "17th century statute" for the movement he had founded on egalitarian principles based on direct democracy using the internet.

Story continues

However, Grillo's post met with scores of negative comments from 5-Star supporters who accused him of trying to sink the movement he had founded.

Conte, who polls show is Italy's second most popular politician after Draghi, said on Wednesday that Grillo's "autocratic stance" was a "mortification for the whole 5-Star community".

With a reconciliation between the two men looking impossible, senior 5-Star politicians began to take sides, mostly against Grillo.

Vito Crimi, a party veteran and former caretaker leader, was among several senior figures who said they were considering quitting the party.

(Additional reporting by Angelo Amante; Editing by Giles Elgood)
Step 4: Make sure your investments are set up appropriately

The money you put into your 401(k) shouldn't just sit in cash. Rather, invest it so it grows into a larger sum over time.

A good bet, if you're years away from retirement, is to put most of your money into 401(k) funds that are loaded with stocks, as opposed to bonds. Bonds may be a more stable investment, but they usually generate a lot less growth over time than stocks.

Keep in mind that 401(k)s generally don't let you buy individual stocks, so you'll need to select a fund with a stock-focused portfolio.

Step 5: Pay attention to fees

Your 401(k) plan might offer anywhere from a dozen to several dozen different funds to choose from. But not all funds are created equal.

Actively managed mutual funds -- which employ actual fund managers to select the stocks they invest in -- tend to charge high fees, known as expense ratios, that can eat away at your 401(k)'s returns. On the other hand, index funds, which are passively managed, tend to charge much lower fees.
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Star Spangled Spectacular

WATCH NOW: Police officer first Asian-American to serve as grand marshal for Storm Lake's July 4 parade

Tim Hynds, Sioux City Journal Pom Kavan, Storm Lake Police Department Community Service Officer, is shown at the city's police station Wednesday Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Kavan, a 27-year member of the police department, will be the grand marshal for Storm Lake's Star Spangled Spectacular Big Parade to be held Sunday, July 4 at 11:30 a.m..

STORM LAKE, Iowa -- One day this spring, Storm Lake Police Chief Chris Cole invited Community Service Officer Pom Kavan to his office.

Cole had something to tell Kavan: the organizers of Storm Lake's Star Spangled Spectacular wanted her to be the Grand Marshal of the town's Big Parade on July 4. He wasn't sure if she'd be interested.

"I feel very honored that I'm selected," Kavan said.

Being the grand marshal, Kavan was told, is a pretty easy job.

"They said I don't have to do anything, just sit in a vehicle and wave and smile!" she said.

Kavan, who is originally from Laos, will be the first Asian-American Star Spangled Spectacular Grand Marshal, and one of relatively few representatives of the Police Department to receive the honor. The theme for this year's parade is "A Salute to Hometown Heroes."

Tim Hynds, Sioux City Journal Pom Kavan, community service officer for the Storm Lake Police Department, is shown June 23. Kavan, a 27-year member of the police department, will be the first Asian-American to serve as grand marshal of Storm Lake's Star Spangled Spectacular Big Parade. The parade starts at 11:30 a.m. on Sunday.

Storm Lake officials described Kavan as a beloved and familiar figure in the community -- someone who fits the bill of a "Hometown Hero."

"She's very well-respected, very well-known, she is a soft-spoken, professional, classy individual," Cole said. "And she's very humble, and just an awesome human being. She does a great job for us, and we're absolutely honored that she was chosen to be the grand marshal. I think she represents Storm Lake very well."

"She's a respected person in our community, I think she has respect in the position that she holds in the police department. I think she has a good relationship with the community," Mayor Mike Porsch said.

Kavan, 54, joined the Police Department in 1994, first working as an interpreter -- she speaks Lao, English and Tai Dam -- before being appointed community service officer.

Her job duties include some translating (although not as much as in the past), city code enforcement, funeral escorts, unlocking vehicles when the owner accidentally locks themselves out, watching houses when the residents are on vacation, traffic control at accident and fire scenes and other "non-emergency work," she said.

This April, Kavan helped organize a special COVID-19 vaccination event in Storm Lake for the Laotian community; a year earlier, she was involved in a police-sponsored event where free face masks were distributed to residents.

Cole said that Kavan and the department's other community service officer serve as "police liaisons" to the community, helping to bridge the gap between the force and residents, particularly Storm Lake's large community of immigrants.

The population of Storm Lake, the Buena Vista County seat, is far more diverse than most of Iowa -- 18.3 percent of the city's population is of Asian background, according to Census Bureau estimates for 2019, and 37.1 percent of the population is Hispanic or Latino. The student population of Storm Lake is 85 percent nonwhite, according to the Iowa Association of School Boards, and 23 languages are spoken in homes.

Kavan moved to Storm Lake in 1990; she and her family had immigrated to the U.S. from Laos in 1981, when she was 13 years old. The family had lived for a while in refugee camps in Thailand and in the Philippines, which is where they began to learn English.

Kavan's grandfather chose Iowa to settle because some relatives and many other Laotians had already made their home in the Hawkeye State. In the early days, Kavan and her family lived about 40 miles up the road in Spencer, Iowa.

The late Robert D. Ray, Iowa's governor at that time, was a strong proponent of welcoming refugees from Southeast Asia into Iowa following the devastation of the Vietnam War and the related civil wars in Cambodia and Laos during the 1960s and 1970s.

I saw that we really only had two choices: We could either turn our backs as countless others suffered and died or we could extend a hand to help and, in doing so, prevent tragic loss of innocent lives," said Ray, who died in July 2018.

Kavan's family, including her mother, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, were seeking a better life and hoping to leave behind the political difficulties in their homeland. The Laotian Civil War had ended only about six years before they emigrated.

"My family came because of the opportunities, a better life for us, a better education, better opportunities, and freedom," she said.

Buena Vista University physics major relishes array of BVU opportunities STORM LAKE, Iowa  A charter bus rolled east traversing Iowa on U.S. Highway 20 toward Waverly, where the Buena Vista University wrestling team faces a pair of American Rivers Conference foes. Sophomore Axel Hernandez, the teams 133-pound varsity competitor, sat quietly as exits for cities such as Webster City and Parkersburg pass, his head buried in The Romance of Arthur, a history of King Arthur.

Buena Vista students assist with calving, other ag chores on campus in Storm Lake STORM LAKE, Iowa -- Buena Vista University freshman Phoebe Flaskey recently helped Mike Christen position a calf for its birth at BVUs new Agricultural Experiment Station on the north edge of Storm Lake.
Woodbury County Attorney Patrick Jennings read a victim impact statement written by Jessica Kritis, Mia's mother, who said she could not bring herself to appear personally to face the person responsible for her daughter's death, though she said she would be willing to communicate with him while he serves his sentence.

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"I got no good-bye ... just a phone call telling me my pride and joy had been murdered," Jennings read from the mother's statement. "She had no affiliation with the people you were mad at. You killed an innocent girl who had no idea what was going on."

Mia Kritis had lived in Texas with her mother and spent summers in Sioux City with her father. She moved to Sioux City last spring to spend her last year of high school living with her father.

"I had to use what should have been her graduation pictures for her funeral," her father, Christos Kritis, said in a statement that Robinson read in court. "I will work on forgiving, because that's what God would want, but for now, I hate you."
While meeting with two local groups at the Siouxland Chamber of Commerce offices, Grassley argued the political will isn't there to finance Biden's social-spending goals. Some Democratic leaders have pushed for around $6 trillion in spending in the reconciliation bill. Under arcane budget rules, Democrats could pass that bill without Republican votes.

During an hour-long Q&A Wednesday with members of the Sioux City Growth Organization and Summer in Siouxland, the senator talked about infrastructure, electric vehicles, the capital gains tax, drug prices, the future stability of the Social Security system, partisanship and the media, the filibuster and gay marriage.

And he spoke for a few minutes about the topic that seemed to be on everyone's mind: the push-ups, and his exercise regimen more generally.

The 87-year-old Grassley was fresh off an appearance Tuesday evening in Sioux Center, Iowa -- in which he performed push-ups onstage with Sen. Tom Cotton of Arkansas, a former Marine.

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Shortly after arriving at 8 a.m. at the Chamber offices Wednesday, Grassley was asked about the push-ups moments. The first question to come up after he took his seat was, again, about the push-ups.

Most days, Grassley said, he's up around 4 in the morning. Then it's time for a run.
Kavan moved to Storm Lake in 1990; she and her family had immigrated to the U.S. from Laos in 1981, when she was 13 years old. The family had lived for a while in refugee camps in Thailand and in the Philippines, which is where they began to learn English.

Kavan's grandfather chose Iowa to settle because some relatives and many other Laotians had already made their home in the Hawkeye State. In the early days, Kavan and her family lived about 40 miles up the road in Spencer, Iowa.

The late Robert D. Ray, Iowa's governor at that time, was a strong proponent of welcoming refugees from Southeast Asia into Iowa following the devastation of the Vietnam War and the related civil wars in Cambodia and Laos during the 1960s and 1970s.

I saw that we really only had two choices: We could either turn our backs as countless others suffered and died or we could extend a hand to help and, in doing so, prevent tragic loss of innocent lives," said Ray, who died in July 2018.

Kavan's family, including her mother, siblings, grandparents, aunts and uncles, were seeking a better life and hoping to leave behind the political difficulties in their homeland. The Laotian Civil War had ended only about six years before they emigrated.
Mack wept at times while reading her statement to the court. U.S. District Judge Nicholas Garaufis told her he believed her apology was sincere, but said she deserved a serious sentence for using her celebrity to groom victims as a willing and proactive ally and essential accomplice to Raniere's monstrous crimes.

Under advisory sentencing guidelines, Mack had faced between 14 and 17 1/2 years behind bars, but her defense team argued in court papers that probation or a sentence to home confinement was more appropriate. Prosecutors had agreed that any prison term should be below the guidelines range because of her cooperation.

The NXIVM saga and the story of Ms. Macks descent have been a tragedy for all involved. But that need not, and should not, be the end of the story for Allison Mack, her lawyers wrote in court papers.

A victim, Jessica Joan, rejected Mack's apologies, telling the judge the actor deserved no mercy.

She can blame Keith all she wants but she is a monster cut from the same cloth, Joan said in court on Wednesday. Allison Mack is a predator and an evil human being.
Patrick Walker, who works as a concierge for the apartment building, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he heard a barrage of shots.

Walker was at the building's front desk when he heard the shots and saw police come running through the doors. Employees and others in the lobby tried to find safety, he said.

Walker then saw an officer being carried out by his arms and legs, bleeding so bad, he told the newspaper.

Authorities did not immediately identify the officer or the person who was fatally shot.

Anthony Crawford, a U.S. Army veteran, said he was at a nearby cafe when he heard what sounded like semi-automatic gunfire. His heart started racing.

I just took off running, he said.

He said he later saw the wounded officer taken out on a gurney with his face bandaged. He was sitting upright and responding.

He looked like he was doing alright, he said.
RAYTOWN, Mo. (AP)  Authorities found a body Tuesday in the basement of a suburban Kansas City duplex where multiple people were injured in an explosion.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  The Minnesota Legislature worked into the early hours Thursday to try to finish off a $52 billion, two-year budget after working into the early hours the night before to pass a bill that ends Gov. Tim Walz's emergency powers, although a top Republican said the special session could continue for days longer to make sure the governor signed all the bills.

Trust but verify, Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, of East Gull Lake, said at a news conference, quoting a proverb that President Ronald Reagan was fond of using in his dealings with Soviet leaders.

Walz laughed at the comment and said Gazelka didn't need to worry. He spoke to reporters after personally delivering the signed K-12 education funding bill to Secretary of State Steve Simon to make its enactment official, and signed three other budget bills to avert the lingering threat of a partial state government shutdown after the current budget ran out at the end of the day Wednesday.

The only budget bill still awaiting votes early Thursday was a tax bill that needed approval first in the House, then the Senate. The House debate was late to get going, and bogged down amid a partisan fight over the details of unwinding the governor's emergency powers.
BATON ROUGE, La. (AP)  Momentum is building for Louisiana lawmakers to hold an historic veto override session, with Senate President Page Cortez announcing Wednesday that senators are likely to support the effort to try to overturn Gov. John Bel Edwards' bill rejections.
Grove noted public opinion polls that show wide public support for mandating voter IDs and said he would pursue it through a constitutional amendment -- a process in which the governor has no formal role.

This will take election reform directly to the people, the majority of whom support the measure, and bypass the executive branch, Grove said in a statement.

Wolf noted that people currently need an ID if they are first-time voters or using a polling place for the first time.

The question is, are we satisfied that thats enough? Wolf asked at a budget news conference on Wednesday, describing the bill he vetoed as not the voter ID that I think is reasonable. It is selectively discriminatory, and it suppresses the vote.

Under the bill, drop boxes for mail-in ballots would have been limited to being available for only seven days before an election and monitored by designees of the major political parties.

In a veto message issued Wednesday, Wolf said the bill was incurably riddled with unacceptable barriers to voting, including new limits on mail-in voting, what he called an arbitrary signature matching process to verify voters and the drop box rules.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP)  Minnesotas top Democratic and Republican lawmakers reached agreement on the highlights of a public safety bill that includes police accountability measures, a day after former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was sentenced to 22 1/2 years in prison for the death of George Floyd.
LOS ANGELES (AP)  Detectives arrested a mother for investigation of murder in the deaths of her three small children  including a newborn baby  in East Los Angeles, the Los Angeles County Sheriffs Department said Tuesday.

The coroner's office identified the children as Mia Camila Rodriguez, 4, and her brothers Mason Mateo Rodriguez, 3, and Milan Mateas Rodriguez, who was 1 month old. Their autopsies are pending.

Their mother, 28-year-old Sandra Chico, was being held on $2 million bail and is scheduled to appear in a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday, a Sheriffs Department statement said.

The statement said the arrest was based on the detectives preliminary investigation and that no additional information was available.

It was not immediately known if Chico had a lawyer to speak on her behalf. The case had not been presented to the district attorney's office as of Tuesday morning.

The children were found in a bedroom in their home around 12:45 p.m. Monday after a family member called for help, according to Lt. Chuck Calderaro. They were not breathing, and efforts to revive them were not successful.
Thompson, who was sitting on his porch when he was shot, was taken to a hospital, where he died.

Police said they found seven shell casings at the shooting scene. Reports indicated that a vehicle matching the one registered to Trejos father was seen in the area around the time of the shooting. A search of the vehicle turned up a disposable nitrile glove that had DNA from Trejo and one of his associates on it as well as gunshot residue, Killion said.

"It just seems so weird. So random," Shelrina Thompson said Tuesday in a phone interview. "I was just so shocked to get a call saying, 'Your dad's been shot.' Why would anyone want to shoot him?"

Larry Thompson grew up in Kansas City and graduated high school in 1980. He retired at age 56 after working for the Kansas City Water Department, a railroad and a construction company, his daughter said.

In addition to his daughter and one grandson, he is survived by three sisters.
Godfrey argued that his sexual orientation was a motivating factor for his harsh treatment by Branstad, who ran for office alongside a 2010 Iowa GOP platform that opposed equal rights for gays and lesbians. He said the adverse treatment and exclusion continued for years, including budget cuts Branstad targeted at his office.

Branstad testified that he wanted Godfrey out because powerful business interests had complained about some of his rulings awarding benefits to injured workers. He said the salary cut was within his discretion as governor and that he didn't learn Godfrey was gay until later.

Six of the seven justices agreed with the outcome, including two whom Branstad appointed in 2011 to replace justices who were ousted over the gay marriage ruling. Two concurring justices said Godfrey should not have been able to sue under the Iowa Civil Rights Act as a political appointee.

Partially dissenting Justice Brent Appel said he would have deferred to the jury's finding that Branstad knew Godfrey was gay but ordered additional proceedings.

Godfrey said he still cherished the jurors' 2019 verdict, saying they "gave me justice." He said he feels respected in his federal government job and planned to participate in a White House event Wednesday to mark Pride Month.
But Democratic state Sen. Reynold Nesiba said the fact Noem is using a donor to pay for the deployment shows it is not a real priority for the state, but instead gives her political cover. He said he was looking into whether using a private donation to fund the deployment is legal.

This could set a dangerous precedent to allow anonymous political donors to call the governor and dispatch the Guard whenever they want, he said.

The federal government usually pays for National Guard deployments to other states. When troops respond to an in-state emergency, they are paid from state government funds, according to Duke Doering, a historian with the South Dakota National Guard Museum. He said he had never heard of a private donor funding a deployment.

This kind of floors me, when youre talking about a private donor sending the Guard, that doesnt even make sense to me, Doering said.

The South Dakota National Guard is expected to deploy for 30 to 60 days, Noem said, while the other states involved are sending law enforcement officers for roughly two-week stints.
The Nebraska State Patrol released the identity of a 58-year-old man killed in a shooting Tuesday.

The patrol has identified the man as Larry Hunt.

In a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Morrill County Sheriff Milo Cardenas said officers with the Western Nebraska Intelligence and Narcotics Group (WING) with the assistance of Morrill County Sheriff's Deputies had been serving a warrant at a residence at 123 Second Avenue in Bayard. On Wednesday, the patrol released additional details in a press release alleging Hunt became combative with officers. The officers discharged their firearms striking him. Officers provided immediate medical aid to the subject, and Bayard ambulance personnel transported him to Regional West Medical Center.

Nebraska State Patrol Troop E Capt. Kurt Von Minden said a special investigations team, with investigators assigned from throughout the state, has been assigned, as occurred recently when a shooting involving law enforcement officers occurred in Scottsbluff. Neighbors reported seeing Nebraska State Patrol officers arriving via helicopter at a park near the home Tuesday afternoon.

How long the perimeter remains in place and the scene sealed depends on the investigation, Von Minden said. Investigators were mapping the area and collecting evidence.
BERLIN (AP)  Most European troops have already pulled out of Afghanistan, quietly withdrawing months before the U.S.-led mission was officially expected to end  part of an anticlimactic close to the forever war that risks leaving the country on the brink of civil war.
Abbott has pledged a $250 million down payment to resume construction of the wall. Governors in Florida, Arizona and Nebraska have dispatched law enforcement officers to Texas to support local officers and the border patrol.

What frustrates and contributes to the anger many Americans feel toward their government is that solutions exist, but many politicians refuse to apply them. Recent TV interviews with migrants have shown they were motivated to come because they believed President Biden is making it easier for them to be admitted.

Harris recent speech in which she said, do not come, do not come had about as much credibility as Bill Clintons denial of sex with Monica Lewinsky.

There are critics who say this is part of a plan by Democrats to import new voters and make the party a permanent majority. That may be part of it, but I suspect another reason is to undermine the values and traditions that built and have sustained this country from the beginning. There are those secular progressives who speak and behave as if they hate America and would be happy to see it brought down to the level of other countries or destroyed outright. What better way to do this than to dilute those values and traditions by importing foreigners?
Furthermore, the maximum population deviation of 10% for legislative districts could be used to create unequal representation. With an average of roughly 40,000 Nebraskans in each of 49 legislative districts, that discrepancy could benefit less populous areas to the detriment of growing ones  a desire some groups have stated to preserve rural seats against the states demographic tide.

Nebraska is too diverse of a state to be defined by these battles of urban and rural or conservative and liberal.

All voices  and votes  must matter equally in this process, regardless of where residents call home and what party representation, if any, they claim. That spirit must permeate every aspect of redistricting.

Reasons like this are why the Journal Star editorial board has long advocated for transferring the redistricting process from partisan-minded lawmakers to an independent commission as many states  Iowa provides an admirable model  have done. Recent efforts have stalled out, though one bill made it as far as Gov. Pete Ricketts desk before being vetoed.
Ariana Grande is giving away $1 million worth of therapy.

The '7 Rings' hitmaker has teamed up with BetterHelp - an online therapy portal - for a new initiative that she hopes will encourage people to ask for help when they need it and remove the stigma surrounding having counselling.

She announced on Instagram: "Thrilled to be working with @betterhelp to give away $1,000,000 of free therapy! While acknowledging that therapy should not be for a privileged few but something everyone has access to, and acknowledging that this doesnt fix that issue in the long run, I really wanted to do this anyway in hopes of inspiring you to dip a toe in, to feel okay asking for help, and to hopefully rid your minds of any sort of self judgement in doing so!"

The scheme will allow people to receive a free month of therapy and Ariana hopes it will be a "helpful starting point" to encourage fans to use the services in the long term.

She continued: "I hope that youll take advantage of this opportunity and go to betterhelp.com/ariana to be matched with a licensed therapist for one free month.
Tara Reid has frozen her eggs so she has the potential to have kids in the future.

The 45-year-old actress has insisted she would be open to the idea of having children in later life, and has taken the steps to freeze her eggs just in case she decides to go through with the plan.

However, Tara also said she is very comfortable with her life at the moment, and wouldnt be disappointed if she never had children.

Speaking to internationally syndicated columnist Allison Kugel, she said: "Will I have kids? Lets see what is in store for me. Its not a no, and its not a yes. I have gotten my eggs frozen so there is definitely the potential of that. If it is meant to be, it will happen. If not, Im very comfortable where Im at.

Elsewhere in her interview, the American Pie star also said she has forgiven the media for hounding her when she was a young star, after she took time to grow and let go of her anger.
Danny Rivero was one of the first reporters on the scene of the Champlain Towers South condo collapse in the town of Surfside, Florida, not too far from Miami Beach. Hes been there almost every day since, chronicling what is still, technically, a search and rescue mission. The death toll now stands at 12, but 149 people are still unaccounted-for. And Rivero says the initial shock of the event is starting to wear off, turning to griefand anger. This didnt happen for no reason, he says. Even though it came out of nowhere, in a sense, it did not come out of nowhere. There were reasons behind why this happened.

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On Wednesdays episode of What Next, I talked to Rivero, a reporter for the local public radio station WLRN, about the decisions that led up to the disaster, the role of climate change, and what it all means for the state of Florida. This conversation has been condensed and edited for clarity.

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Mary Harris: An important thing to know about Champlain Towers South is that its a condominium. Different people own individual units, and when repairs need to be made to the building as a whole, theyve got to find a way to pay for them collectively. They elect a board to manage these kinds of decisions. All the way back in 2018, the condo board retained an inspector who assessed the stability of the tower. He found a major error in the integrity of the bottom floor of the building. Residents were informed of the problem but spent years negotiating how and whether to fix millions of dollars of damage.

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Danny Rivero: There were structural deficiencies identified that probably went back all the way to the construction of this building. And a lot of it has to do just with the fact that the pool deck was built flat, which is a huge no-no. I mean, even me, as a non-construction person, knows you dont build flat.

Why?

You dont build flat because water accumulates on flat, and then it will seep down and cause structural damage. At least in Florida, you dont build a flat roof. You build a sloped roof so that if it rains, it doesnt pool on your roof and cause leaking. But what this engineer report found is that going back to the very beginning of this building basically, they built a concrete slab that was flat for the pool deck. And what that meant over years and decades is that water, as it accumulated from rain or from storm surges, which happen every once in a while, it was seeping down into that and causing changes at the geologic level. This was accumulating under there and causing issues on the pillars that the building stands on, that the whole property stands on.

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Do we know if residents in the building fought the repairs, said, Maybe this isnt necessary?

We do know, actually. USA Today had a fantastic story out on Monday eveningheartbreaking story too, though, because it really documents, over the course of the last couple years, the condo board had been pushing for residents to get on board for these repairs. And they couldnt get people on the same page. And the longer they pushed it back, the higher the costs got, because the repairsit accelerates if you dont address it. And because it needed to be this collectivized kind of decision, they couldnt reach that kind of decision and they couldnt make the repairs that needed to be done.

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The thing about socialism is that when you collectively own something, you collectively make a decision about it. Well, some of those decisions are going to be very hard.  Danny Rivero

This was in addition to the fact that just having a building on the beach means its subject to harsh conditions because you have all the saltwater and salt air.

Right. We do know that properties that are right on the beach get more corrosion from the salt that comes from the salty air, from the saltwater that intrudes every once in a while from just harsh winds and hurricanes. But at the same time, this is a structural issue that, like I said, likely goes back to the very building of this building. And there is also the inability of the condo board to get residents on board for paying for these repairs.

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The funny thing about this 2018 report is that my understanding is that it wasnt required. The condo board decided to do it, and then they got this information back. Its kind of like careful what you wish for, because the engineer is basically like, You need to shore up the entire building, and then the question becomes whos going to pay for all that.

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This is what the longer-term story here is. You know, its not just about one building collapse and the tragedy, although of course it is. But this is going to force a wholesale reevaluation of how these things are handled, at least in the state of Florida.

Think of condo associations as like small-scale socialism. You all have ownership stock in this thing. You make decisions about it. You have the board, which is kind of like the Politburo. No, really, it is socialism. And the thing about socialism is that when you collectively own something, you collectively make a decision about it. Well, some of those decisions are going to be very hard.

And the board is elected. So if youre trying to keep your seat, you dont want to be making that expensive decision and you might avoid it.

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Exactly. And the big long-term story were going to be dealing with here in Florida is, should boards be given as long a leash as they are given by the state of Florida? They have so much leeway to do what they want and so little oversight by the state or government at any level. At any level. Theyre really up to their own devices.

Crises bring reevaluations of things, and I think now people are openly asking, should condo boards be doing all this when there is kind of an inherent conflict of interest? You know, even if youre elected, youre likely an owner in that condo. You could be putting yourself on the hook for hundreds of thousands of dollars per unit in repairs.

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My understanding is that the city came in, the city of Surfside, to kind of evaluate the engineers report and give an assessment to the condo board and give their opinion. And when they did that, they kind of said this damage isnt that big of a deal, and that might have contributed to the delay. So I agree with you that people have different incentives, but do you think the city itself is going to end up bearing any responsibility for what happened here?

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If Florida has one main driver of industry, this is it. That is what we do. That is the story of Florida.  Danny Rivero

I do think that is going to come into effect at some point. I mean, I dont know who to point the finger at, well see, but clearly the city had a role in all of this too. And if they werent relaying that information with the gravity that they should have been relaying that information to the residents, then thats an issue. If they were downplaying it, thats going to be an issue. There are things coming out, but we still dont have the full, full picture quite yet.

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But the county government has launched emergency audits streamlined within 30 days of any building in the unincorporated county over 40 years old and five stories up. And the city of Miami is doing their own emergency audits, city of Miami Beach is doing their own things, a couple other municipalities. So the governments are reacting to this because there is a lot of fear happening, because nobody wants their building to be part two. Theyre trying to really identify what are the buildings that are most in crisis right now that need to be addressed immediately to stop something like this from happening again.

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Earlier this week, pictures came out of water damage at the Champlain Towers. They were taken just a couple of days before the collapse occurred, by a pool maintenance guy who came and was looking at some of the issues you raised about the flatness of the pool deck and the fact that water was seeping down. Clearly the guy was concerned. He said there was standing water that had seeped all the way down to the parking lot. And you just wonder, what if it had been addressed earlier?

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Its the big what-if, and that is whats causing a panic locally, because there is a shit ton of condo buildings here. And you cant put off these repairs that need to happen. Part of the reason people buy condos is because theyre cheaper. And as soon as you start throwing in Well, you need to pay $25,000 into this repair, that scares the crap out of people. So people have been putting it off.

I cant overstate how big this wrench that this is throwing into our local and regional and state economy, actually. Condos and the development of condos and the mortgage brokers that help get the financing, the insurers that insure, the realtors who sell, the investors who buy and flipif Florida has one main driver of industry, this is it. That is what we do. That is the story of Florida. And I think were seeing a lot of anxiety about this. This is going to force a wholesale reevaluation of the very places where millions of Floridians live.

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So youre really talking about a situation that seems a little bit intractable, where damage is normal in some ways for these buildings because theyre subject to such harsh conditions. There are inspections, but it takes a while for the condo boards to respond some of the time because of the incentives either way. I want to add one more thing to the mix: Can climate change potentially make some of these structural changes worse?

That is the open question, especially for these buildings that really sit on the coast. I dont want to generalize too much, but we do know that buildings right on the coast that get repetitive floodinglike, this area of Surfside does get high storm surge, and they have sunny day flooding, they call it. Surfside is actually the only city, to my knowledge, in the entire United States that actually has a government fund set up for relocation because of climate change. Their government has been actually very proactive about climate change, especially over the last couple years. Its a small town, but they have actually opened up an account where theyre taking some amount of dollars to put into this pot so that down the road, when Surfside becomes uninhabitable, they can actually help move people out of Surfside. So I dont want to say Im drawing a direct line between this and climate change. I will say its almost certainly one of the contributing factors.

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How long do you think youre going to be reporting on this story?

Well probably be on this for the next couple years, just because theyre still sorting through the rubble right now, but theres all these audits going on about these unsafe structures or potentially unsafe structures in Miami-Dade Countywhat are the results of all those? We already have a shortage of inspectors and construction workers here. All these buildings that have been putting off repairs for a long timewhat happens when they all decide at the same time that they want to do work on that? The tentacles of this thing I foresee going extremely deep into everything in the state of Florida.

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And I mentioned earlier that condo building is our states industry. I literally mean that. The state of Florida was basically considered a wasteland until developers figured out that they could sell the dream of Florida. Im not exaggerating on this. Our economy over history has basically been a pyramid scheme of developers and people marketing the dream of Florida, to come down to Florida, its so beautiful, its so carefree. Well, now we have something to care about. This is a serious thing that this tragedy has brought to the forefront, and I think were going to be dealing with it for a very long time.

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President Joe Bidens asylum and immigration policies have, so far, been a bit of a head-scratcher for casual observers. We witnessed the newly sworn-in president sit before the flash of cameras and sign away emblematic Trump-era restrictions on Day One, only to then note that these moves were largely symbolicthe elimination of the infamous Muslim ban, for example, was negated by broader immigration restriction that remained active through March. Bidens decision not to raise Trumps fiscal years refugee cap produced such outrage among his supporters as to get him to reverse course, albeit too late to realistically actually admit anywhere close to the new cap of 62,500 refugees. He set up a family reunification task force that has brought a number of separated parents back to the U.S., and yet Vice President Kamala Harris prompted immediate backlash upon traveling to Guatemala and telling others not to come to the U.S., apparently unconcerned about the fact that seeking asylum is a right protected by both domestic and international law.

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What pattern exists to this seemingly ad hoc array of decisions? Is there a cogent overarching strategy here, or is the Biden administration making it up as it goes along, contending with circumstances as they emerge?

Theres no doubt that some initiatives are purely reactive, such as the use of poorly managed emergency influx facilities for unaccompanied minors after officials failed to properly prepare for an expected increase in asylum-seeking children coming across the border. Still, taken collectively, the administrations actions and pronouncements reveal a long-term, two-pronged vision that makes more sense when you consider immigrations unique attributes as the area of federal policymaking most split between domestic and foreign components. While other high-level areas of decision-making fall more clearly along one trackinfrastructure policy is mainly domestic; defense policy is mainly foreign, and so onimmigration is quite literally separated out into outward- and inward-facing government departments, with the State Department handling visas abroad and the Department of Homeland Security overseeing enforcement and processing on U.S. soil.

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This means that its possible for a single administration to have two distinct and superficially contradictory executive positions on immigration. In Bidens case, this has manifested itself in the dual approach of liberalizing the asylum system at home while making it more difficult for anyone to actually enter it.

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Bidens approach reflects the longtime moderate Democratic id on immigration, which views humanitarian migration as a problem that can be solved humanely, but a problem nonetheless. The view is disorienting because we tend to think of immigration agendas as singular and self-consistent. Donald Trump and his policy mastermind Stephen Miller certainly had a clear hyper-restrictionist throughline to their foreign and domestic initiatives, issuing executive prohibitions on immigration from overseas and closing off the system internally. Their efforts created the so-called paper wall, a mass of executive regulations that proved a formidable obstacle to immigrants and would-be immigrants both inside and outside the country.

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Barack Obama took a decidedly neoliberal attitude, making visa tweaks primarily designed to help high-skilled workers and entrepreneurs while infamously ramping up data-driven domestic enforcement in an ill-advised effort to convince Republicans in Congress to collaborate with him on immigration legislation. When that gambit predictably failed, he switched gears and issued orders narrowing enforcement categories and establishing the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, which offered temporary protections and work authorization to hundreds of thousands of people brought to the United States as children; the move was at once an expression of compassion and a way to give work authorization to a sizable group of U.S.-educated young people at a time when worries about a rapidly aging population were first emerging. In response to increases in the number of asylum-seekers, Obama became the first president to employ the influx shelters and family centers that would engender so much controversy for him and his successors. It was, in his view, a pragmatic approach, characteristic of his pragmatic and market-friendly approach to immigration across the board.

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Bidens approach can be puzzling not only because the agendas are different but, at first glance, seem totally at odds with each other. Domestically, hes signaled a desire to make the enforcement and adjudication systems more navigable and humane and less presumptively labyrinthine and cruel. So far, this has mostly taken the form of undoing the work of his predecessor, a process thats been halting and overly cautious but is moving in a clear direction. Recently, Attorney General Merrick Garland rescinded Trump-era immigration court precedent decisions that made asylum more difficult to win, and DHS gave ICE immigration prosecutors more discretion to drop cases, a move that goes above and beyond simply rolling back the clock to the Obama years. Plenty of aspects of the domestic enforcement system remain abhorrent, like the still-sadistic immigration detention system, but even there the administration is taking tentative steps, including closing a couple of the most infamous private facilities.

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But what is moving much more quickly is Bidens grand external strategy of choking off the possibility of future humanitarian migration to the United States, at least any such migration that the government cant directly control. His much-touted effort to address the root causes of migration aims to utilize aid and investment to remove the sources of popular discontent and danger driving migrants north. For when that endeavor proves insufficient, officials have also moved aggressively on the blueprint of border externalization, coordinating with Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala to deploy troops along their own borders to block migrants from moving north to the U.S. Special Border Patrol tactical units are reportedly training Guatemalan border personnel.

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Meanwhile, on the U.S.-Mexico border, Biden has suspended construction and funding for Trumps physical border wall but is seeking funding for virtual wall infrastructure, hoping to replace steel bollards with less visually intimidating but much more efficient drones, sensors, radar, and other technical implements. Already, Homeland Security quietly began deploying a biometric surveillance app on would-be asylum-seekers. Most glaringly, the administration has kept in place the Trump-issued pandemic-response order (known as Title 42) used to quickly expel migrants without allowing access to the asylum system under an extremely tenuous public health rationale. The asylum system might become more streamlined, charitable, and respectful of due process, but migrants will have to overcome an overwhelming gantlet to enter that system in the first place.

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The reason for this is that Biden sees the writing on the wall when it comes to humanitarian migration. We are already seeing climate migrants arriving at the border, but current numbers dont hold a candle to the volumes of people who will be displaced by future climate catastrophes and seek protection in the United States. With this two-pronged approach, Biden is ensuring that he keeps the pro-immigrant domestic Democratic voter base satisfied with an evidently benevolent local immigration processing and enforcement infrastructure while setting the groundwork to block arrivals he views as unmanageable, the law notwithstanding. The government wont be treating them harshly because theyll never make it to U.S. jurisdiction.

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This strategy isnt unprecedented, and in fact Europe may offer a bit of a preview. The European Unions openness to refugees particularly following the onset of the Syrian civil war engendered a backlash much like the xenophobic wave that crested Trump to the presidency in 2016. The blocs political leaders have responded by working on the integration of refugee populations internally but blocking additional arrivals. The strategy culminated in a deal with Turkey to prevent Greece-bound migrants from completing their journey. While human rights organizations continue decrying the agreement, its been in place for more than five years and largely disappeared from daily political discourse. For domestic political constituencies, even liberal ones, refugees become abstractions as soon as theyre outside your borders.

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Even the seemingly pro-refugee initiatives that the Biden administration has announced, such as the expansion of the Central American Minors program, are designed to maximize its control over how many people can seek humanitarian protections, who actually receives them, and when they do. As civil libertarian Eddie Hasbrouck told me at the start of the administration, Homeland Security has always considered it a horrible defect that people can just show up at the border and exercise their right to petition for protections. The heavy-handed foreign immigration policy is part of an effort to stop that, and get everyone used to the idea that, when it comes to asylum, the main obstacle is getting anywhere near an immigration courtroom to begin with.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned Bill Cosbys 2018 sexual assault conviction on Wednesday in a 61 decision. By a 43 vote, the court also prohibited the future prosecution of Cosby for his crime, forestalling the possibility of a new trial. Because Cosby is, beyond doubt, a sexual predator, Wednesdays ruling may feel unjust. But the fault here does not lie with the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. It lies, rather, with Bruce Castor, the Republican former district attorney who promised not to prosecute Cosby in 2005. Castors dubious dealwhich two justices implied to be corruptformed the basis of the courts conclusion that prosecutors violated Cosbys due process rights. The decision is a dispiriting reminder of the damage that prosecutors can inflict when they wield their power as recklessly as Castor did 16 years ago.

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The story behind Wednesdays decision reaches back to 2002, when Cosby befriended a woman named Andrea Constand through their mutual connections at Temple University. Cosby became a mentor to Constand, and in 2004, she visited him at his home. He offered her three blue pills, which he called her friends; hesitantly, she took them. She then began to feel dizzy and realized she could not move or speak. Before losing consciousness, she saw Cosby fondle her breasts, penetrate her vagina with his fingers, and use her hand to masturbate himself. Later, when she came to, her pants were unzipped and her bra was out of place.

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In 2005, Constand reported her assault to the police. The case fell under Castors purview, since he was then serving as district attorney of Montgomery County, where Cosbys home was located. Following a brief investigation, Castor decided that he could not win a criminal prosecution against Cosby, claiming he believed Constand would not be a credible witness. Instead, Castor told Constand that he had hatched a plan to facilitate a civil suit against Cosby. He put out a press release announcing that, as the representative of the sovereign (that is, Pennsylvania), he had decided never to prosecute Cosby for this alleged crime. By doing so, Castor said he had stripped Cosby of his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination: Since Cosby couldnt be prosecuted for his sexual assault, he could no longer refuse to testify about it. Constand then filed a civil suit. At deposition, Cosby admitted that, in the past, he had given quaaludes to women he wanted to have sex with. The parties eventually settled the case for $3.38 million.

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Fast forward to 2015. Risa Vetri Ferman, who replaced Castor as Montgomery County district attorney, decided to reopen the Constand case. Her own successor as district attorney, Kevin Steele, later charged Cosby with sexual assault. For obvious reasons, Cosby declined to testify at trial. But prosecutors sought to introduce his earlier depositionin which he admitted to giving quaaludes to womenand the court allowed it. The first trial ended with a hung jury, a setback for Steele. In a second trial, though, the jury found Cosby guilty on all three counts of aggravated indecent assault. Although we cant know for sure, it seems likely that his prior admission to drugging women played a role in the jurys verdict.

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The bottom-line decision to overturn Cosbys conviction was essentially unanimous.

Cosby appealed, alleging that the introduction of his incriminating deposition violated the due process clauses of the Pennsylvania and U.S. constitutions. On Wednesday, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court agreed. When a prosecutor makes an unconditional promise of non-prosecution, Justice David Wecht wrote for the majority, and when the defendant relies upon that guarantee to the detriment of his constitutional right not to testify, the principle of fundamental fairness that undergirds due process of law in our criminal justice system demands that the promise be enforced.

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As Wecht explained, courts must hold prosecutors to their word, to enforce promises, to ensure that defendants decisions are made with a full understanding of the circumstances, and to prevent fraudulent inducements of waivers of one or more constitutional rights. Because Cosby reasonably relied upon D.A. Castors public announcement that he would not be prosecuted, and his reliance resulted in the deprivation of a fundamental constitutional right when he was compelled to furnished self-incriminating testimony, his prosecution and conviction violate due process.

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On this, six of seven justices agreed. But on the remedy, they splintered. Two justices argued that prosecutors can now retry Cosby and simply exclude the incriminating testimony he provided in reliance on Castors promise. But a four-justice majority, led by Wecht, disagreed. The majority instead forbade Pennsylvania prosecutors from trying Cosby for this crime ever again. It found that he had been subjected to a coercive bait-and-switch and must receive a remedy that restores him to status quo before the due process violation took root. In other words, Cosby must be freed from the fear of prosecution altogether.

This remedy is strong medicine, but the alternative could create perverse incentives. For instance: A district attorney could promise not to charge a suspect, then leverage that promise to make them confess to their crime. Then the district attorneys successor could then bring charges anyway. Even if the confession were suppressed at trial, prosecutors could use it as a road map to gather evidence they might never have found otherwise. With a simple bait-and-switch, prosecutors could force suspects to surrender their Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in exchange for an empty promise.

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Only one justice, Thomas Saylor, dissented from Wednesdays decision. Saylor argued that Cosby did not actually rely on Castors promise when he chose to testify in Constands civil case. He also asserted that, either way, such reliance wouldve been unreasonable, if not reckless. But Cosbys lawyers said that they would not have let their client testify if they believed prosecutors could charge him in the futurewhich strongly suggests that he did, in fact, rely on Castors promise. Whether that reliance was reasonable is debatable. In holding that it was, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court erred on the side of protecting defendants who lack the wisdom to see through a transparently undependable prosecutorial pledge.

Notably, Saylor also wrote that he was inclined to grant Cosby a new trial on different grounds. Prosecutors brought in five of Cosbys alleged victims to testify about their abuse at trial; the court allowed their testimony to illustrate a similar scheme across victims, since their stories bore many similarities. Saylor wrote that he found this evidence unduly prejudicial toward Cosby, and strong grounds for a new trial. So the bottom-line decision to overturn his conviction was essentially unanimous.

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Shortly after Wednesdays decision came down, Cosby was released from prison. He had served three years of a three- to 10-year sentence. It may be difficult to see justice in a sexual predator walking free. Certainly, his victims deserve better than what happened here. But the Pennsylvania Supreme Courts decision rests on the outrageous behavior of Castor (who recently defended Donald Trump at his second impeachment trial). The circumstances before us here, the majority noted, are rare, if not entirely unique. But there is nothing unique about corrupt prosecutors bending the rules to help high-profile suspects avoid prison. And we can only hope that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court enforces due process in cases involving typical defendants as rigorously as it did for Bill Cosby.
Record-breaking temperatures continue to wreak havoc across the Pacific Northwest, sending everyone scrambling to find ways to manage the heat domeinduced problems.

Cities and towns across the region are opening cooling centers and public spaces to help combat the threat of heat-related illnesses for their residents. On Friday, the Oregon Health Authority suspended COVID-19 capacity limits for swimming pools, movie theaters, and shopping malls, making more space available to those seeking shelter from high-temperatures.

But theres a hurdle for people hoping to get to the cooling centers: Heat damage to public transportation and roadways is making travel more difficult. The pavement along I-5 in Seattle buckled and warped, as the asphalt expanded due to high temperatures. In Oregon, a buckling road sent a shock through a residents house, causing them to believe an earthquake had hit.

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The Seattle Department of Transportation has been dousing the citys three steel drawbridges with cold water in attempts to prevent the metal from expanding.

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I watched the Fremont Bridge get a cold shower this morning and it made a pretty rainbow.  @seattledot #seattleheatwave #wawx pic.twitter.com/Q9Z3xETSrw  MP (@michalperlstein) June 28, 2021

In Portland, streetcar and light rail service was suspended through Tuesday as record-breaking temperatures disrupted the power grid and damaged the systems overhead wires. Portland Streetcars Twitter account posted a picture of the melted cables that it blamed for the disruption to the service, which has been cited as evidence of how the regions infrastructure is not built to withstand climate changes new-normal heat waves.

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In case you're wondering why we're canceling service for the day, here's what the heat is doing to our power cables. pic.twitter.com/EqbKUgCJ3K  Portland Streetcar (@PDXStreetcar) June 27, 2021

The Pacific Northwest is also seeing a surge in hotel prices as residents turn to renting air-conditioned rooms, as many buildings and houses dont have central air. On Monday, every single hotel from Bellingham to Olympia was sold out on Expedia, Priceline, Hotwire, and Travelocity. Stores reported hours-long lines to purchase window units, and utility companies are concerned about the stress on the grid.

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This hotel in Kent typically goes for around $80. Want to book it today? $449. pic.twitter.com/baQYi8p9FD  Bhavisha Patel (@BhavishaPatel) June 28, 2021

The heat wave has been attributed to dozens of deaths, with coroners in the U.S. and Canada noting sharp increases in the number of reports this past week. Between Sunday and Monday, three people drowned in Washingtons lakes and rivers, where deceptively cold waters can shock even experienced swimmers, according to Seattle news station Q13 Fox. In Oregon, emergency rooms and urgent care facilities saw spikes in the number of patients being treated for heat-related illness over the weekend. The states homeless population is particularly vulnerable to the heat, and two men were found dead this weekend along a stretch of road used by unhoused campers. Service providers for the community suspect that heat may be to blame, though no official causes of death have been confirmed.

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Health concerns from the heat extend to pets: A Vancouver animal hospital reported four dog heat-stroke deaths on Sunday. Efforts to protect pets from the high temperatures include distributing cooling vets, bringing pets along to cooling centers, and upping hydration with an interesting concoction: dog water infused with canned tuna.

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Seattle heat wave continues. We've been putting baking sheets and bottles in the freezer to give the bois extra cooling support to get through it. pic.twitter.com/6N5qfVOMQd  Ben Rice (@BenRice_PLG) June 28, 2021

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The heat wave is also altering Fourth of July celebrations in the U.S., as officials enact firework bans across the Pacific Northwest amid arid conditions. On Tuesday, Portland, Oregon, and Clark County, Washington, joined other cities in the region in banning the use of fireworks through the Fourth. Last summer, 44 out of 223 fires in Portland were attributed to fireworks.

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Some people are using the heat to test their culinary skills, frying eggs on porches and baking cookies or roasting surf-and-turf in cars. But a tweet from journalist Morgan Black highlights the destructive power of a hot car in Edmonton, Canada:

This photo shows how hot It can get inside a car. The heat melted a #yeg dash cam (the owner says this brand is supposed to withstand 75 Celsius). #yegwx pic.twitter.com/qkAOgEF4qS  Morgan Black (@morganrblack) June 29, 2021

Although many cities are seeing drastic drops in overnight temperatures, forecasters predict that thermometers will hover about 10-20 degrees above average until at least next Tuesdaya substantial, but insufficient, improvement from the past weekends temperatures of 30-40 degrees above normal. While the heat wave strikes most of us as unusually severe, its likely that well be baking in temperatures similar to these againand soon. Climate scientist Park Williams warns, We could have two, three, four, five of these heat waves before the end of the summer.
On Wednesday, C-SPAN released its 2021 historians survey of presidential leadership, a ranking the network has been producing at or near the end of each presidency since 2000. The survey was sent out to 141 historians, professors, and professional observers of the presidency who then ranked every American president according to 10 characteristics with an aggregate final score.

The big question: How did our last president do? Well, Donald J. Trump, 45th president of the United States of America (as his letterhead in public pronouncements continues to inform us), finished 41st out of the 44 American presidents no longer in office. In other words, he did not disrupt the consistently low rankings of the three presidents who botched the lead-up to and aftermath of the Civil War: James Buchanan (last), Andrew Johnson (second to last), and Franklin Pierce (third to last).

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The good news for Trump is that historians agree he did better than Buchanan, whose disastrous presidency led to a national secession crisis, after which he refused to take a firm stance confronting the nascent Confederacy, instead seeking to write slavery further into the Constitution prior to Abraham Lincolns inauguration. Trump also beat out Johnson, whose racism was infamous even for that era: He so vigorously opposed efforts to grant basic rights to the newly freed slaves that he was eventually impeached, though he was not removed from office. And Trump even scored higher than Pierce, whose drive to enforce the Fugitive Slave Act and nullify the Missouri Compromise pushed the country further toward the precipice of civil war.

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The bad news for Trump is that his is by far the worst initial ranking of the four modern presidents who have been reviewed since the survey beganthough George W. Bush was ranked seventh to last in his initial survey, and has since risen out of the bottom 15. But Trump is currently considered a worse president than Richard Nixon, Herbert Hoover, andas Slate human excrement field presidential scholar Ben Mathis-Lilley predicted might happen in 2017William Henry Harrison, who died after just 31 days in office.

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Historians rank presidents in 10 individual categories. Trumps best category, according to historians, was public persuasion, in which he ranked 32nd. His worst categories were moral authority and administrative skills, in which he ranked dead last. But historians viewed Trump as a better president than several in a number of other categories. Lets take a closer look.

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Public Persuasion: 32 out of 44 for Trump

This is Trumps best category and the one where it felt like historians were potentially most grading on a curve. Sure, Trump won the presidency without any experience in politics in a shocking upset in 2016. And, sure, he came within some 30,000 votes in less than a handful of states of winning reelection. And, yes, he maintains a political stranglehold on one of Americas major parties.

But this guy was elected with perhaps the lowest popular mandate in history, losing the popular vote in each election, finishing with just 46.1 percent of the popular vote in 2016 and an only slightly better 46.8 percent in defeat in 2020.

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In this category, Trump pipped Warren G. Harding (33), who won his one presidential election with 60.4 percent of the vote. Sure, Hardings popularity collapsed after he died in office following revelations around the Teapot Dome scandal and a sexual affair in the Oval Office. But he was apparently very persuasive in his lifetime!

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Trump also finished ahead of Chester A. Arthur (34), who was elevated as vice president and never won an election on his own (OK, fine, this makes sense), and Jimmy Carter (35), who won the popular vote in 1976, but admittedly didnt quite have that Trump showmanship.

Crisis Leadership: 41 out of 44 for Trump

This category roughly matches the final rankings, with Trump finishing fourth to last behind the troika of pre and postCivil War schmucks. Trump just barely finished with a lower score than Herbert Hoover (40), with 26.5 points out of 100 compared with the 31st presidents 26.6. I guess the half a million dead Americans during the COVID-19 pandemic was considered worse than 25 percent unemployment during the Great Depression under Hoover.

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Economic Management: 34 out of 44 for Trump

Heres another category, like public persuasion, where Trump significantly outpaced his final ranking. In this case, its a bit easier to see why. Trump was handed andto his creditoversaw a humming economy that reached the lowest national unemployment rate in decades. (Thats good!) Of course, that unemployment rate exploded after his horrific mishandling of a pandemic caused nationwide economic shutdowns and mass death on a scale never previously seen. (Thats bad.) Trump was, however, able to use his leverage with his own party to support Democratic-sponsored initiatives to pour trillions of dollars into the economy, including via enhanced unemployment benefits and rescue checks that raised the standards of living for millions. (Also good!) Trump, though, really had very little to do with the passage of those packages, which he saw as benefiting him politically and so tacitly endorsed, and indeed he nearly tanked pandemic rescue legislation with his shifting negotiating positions and mercurial demands.

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Seasoned Businessman Trump finishes behind Gerald Ford (33) in economic performance, but ahead of George W. Bush (34), Millard Fillmore (35), and Jimmy Carter (36).

Moral Authority: 44 out of 44 for Trump

Many of the men on this list were enslavers. That Trump wasnt ought to earn him a few relative moral authority points, but it seems he was docked several for becoming the first and only president to refuse the peaceful transfer of power and for seeking to overturn American democracy. That plus all of the sexual assault allegations, open racism and xenophobia against people from shithole countries, many alleged crimes, and a record-breaking two impeachments, among other things, probably edged him toward the bottom of the list. He finishes just below James Buchanan (43), Andrew Johnson (42), and Richard Nixon (41), with Bill Clinton (38) also notable in the bottom of the pile.

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International Relations: 43 out of 44 for Trump

Trump kept the United States out of major wars, sure, but he also abandoned friends and allies in favor of brutal dictators. He beats out Buchanan (44), whose accomplishments in international relations involved letting half of the United States try to become another country.

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Administrative Skills: 44 out of 44 for Trump

This is one of two categories where Trump finished dead last, with a score of 22.8 out of 100. Blame Jared?

Relations With Congress: 42 out of 44 for Trump

Trump finished below John Tyler (41), who was the first president to have impeachment proceedings opened against him and who at various points in his career abandoned both of Congress major political parties at the time, alienating all sides. Andrew Johnson finished last in this category, which seems a bit unfair given that Johnson was only impeached once.

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Vision/Setting an Agenda: 36 out of 44 for Trump

This is another one of Trumps best categories and another where he seems to have been graded on a curve. Heres whom he beat: Harrison (died in office, 37), Harding (died in office, 38), Hoover (name synonymous with the Great Depression, 39), Tyler (nearly impeached and quit both parties, 40), Fillmore (led country toward Civil War, 41), Pierce (really led country toward Civil War, 42), Andrew Johnson (impeached after siding with ex-Confederates in postCivil War America, 43), and Buchanan (really, really led country toward Civil War, 44).

Equal Justice for All: 40 out of 44 for Trump

Again, there were 18 enslavers on this list. In the category of pursued equal justice for all, Trump beat out three of themTyler (41), Johnson (43), and Buchanan (44)along with Franklin Pierce (42), who didnt own slaves but used his term to seek to entrench slavery, leading inexorably toward civil war. Trump is barely edged out by his presidential idol, Andrew Jackson (39), one of the most brutal men in American history whose genocidal actions against Native Americans surpassed all those before and after.

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Performance Within Context of Times: 42 out of 44 for Trump

This category feels sort of like the only ranking that matters, doesnt it? How someone performs in his own unique times and circumstances cant truly be judged against how another president performs in his. The context of the framework and society in which they lived is very important, historians would likely tell us. Under that analysis, Trump drops one spot from his overall ranking to third to last, finishing with 28.3 points. It was Civil Warinspiring Pierce who historians appear to think did better considering the circumstances he was handed.

MAGA!
Two stories appeared in the last week that, initially, did not make a ton of sense. One involved former Attorney General William Barr, the United States foremost enabler of Donald Trumps corrupt behavior and indulgence in conspiracy theories, criticizing Trump for having tried to overturn the 2020 election on the basis of conspiracy theories. The other involved the Toyota Motor Corporation (?) seemingly signaling its approval for that same coup attempt.

Barrs remarks were made in an interview, published by the Atlantic, with political reporter Jonathan Karl. In Karls piece, Barr portrays himself as a beleaguered defender of nonpartisan integrity who in December 2020 almost single-handedly shut down the Trump White Houses effort to nullify election results on the basis of speciously interpreted or nonexistent evidence of voter fraud. According to Barr, Barrs Department of Justice looked into all of the fraud allegations that had been surfaced by Trumps personal attorneys and/or fringe right-wing media figures and determined judiciously that they lacked merit. Then, apparently, Barr walked right into the White House and told Trump what the what was. Thank God (apparently) for William Barr!

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This was confusing because Barr spent nearly the entire duration of his term in office busily launching or canceling investigations and prosecutions on the basis of shoddy, conspiratorial arguments that coincided fully with Trumps personal and legal interests. He used the months before the 2020 election, for that matter, telling the press that he agreed with the presidents claims that massive-scale voter fraud was potentially imminent. Of all the Trump officials whod had previous careers in elite circles, Barr seemed to care the least about his mainstream reputation, berating the media with MAGA talking points from his official lectern and using the DOJ so instrumentally to benefit Trump that some of its top officials resigned.

Yet in his exclusive interview with Karlone of the mainstream political presss leading figuresBarr seemed almost desperate to portray himself as an independent operator whod shut down a deeply troubled president for the good of the country. The Atlantic has been the go-to magazine for Trump veterans, like James Mattis and John Kelly, who want to try to rehabilitate themselves after leaving the administration. But Barr, unlike Kelly or Mattis, had never previously acted like someone who cared about his reputation with the kind of people who know whats in the Atlantic. Last summer, he even had some of them tear-gassed by mounted police officers. (Rude!)

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What, then, was this formerly shameless apparatchik attempting to rehabilitate? The story about Toyota published by money-in-politics gumshoe Lachlan Markay for Axios provides a clue as to what might be going on here. Markays piece was about the corporations whove donated since Jan. 6 to those Republican members of Congress who voted against formally certifying Joe Bidens victory.* A number of companies, after the deadly riot at the Capitol on that day, said they would no longer donate to the congressional election objectors whod triggered the violence by circulating misinformation and encouraging a Stop the Steal rally on the National Mall; Toyota announced at the time that it was assessing its donation patterns in light of the horrific events. That assessment apparently concluded quickly, because Toyota has since donated a total of $55,000 to 37 different Republicans who voted to deny Joe Biden the presidencyfar more money, and to far more election objectors, than any other company.

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Toyota, as a somewhat upmarket non-American brand, presumably doesnt want to associate itself in the public mind with the Q-crazed white nationalist mob that bashed its way into the Capitol. Its behavior, and Barrs, is more easily explained by the desire to return to business as usualthe hope that the general public can be nudged back into perceiving the Republican Party as something besides the party of Trump and the wolf-head shaman guy.

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In this light, Barr isnt trying to salvage his own reputation, but that of the long-running Republican effort to consolidate power via just-nominally-legitimate-enough tactics like extreme gerrymandering, judicial nomination blockades, and money-soaked PAC favor-trading. Thats a project in which he (and Toyota, which has nonunion manufacturing plants in Indiana, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Texas) has long taken part.

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In the Atlantic piece, the timing of Barrs break with Trump over election fraud is credited to a push by thenSenate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell. McConnell is the Rosetta stone that connects and explains the Barr and Toyota stories, in that he was trying to get Barr and others in the party to pull their support for Trump because he believed that the presidents alliances with fringe theorists and violent gangs would not only fail to reverse the outcome of the election, but that they would fail in a way that would damage the GOPs national brand. This fear turned out to be borne out not just by the Republicans double loss in the Georgia Senate races but by the deluge of postJan. 6 donation freezes by corporate PACs.

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McConnells behavior before and after the electionand, by extension, Barrsmakes sense under a framework in which the best of all worlds is a Republican-controlled government that doesnt depend on the erratic and self-sabotaging personality of Donald Trump. Until Election Day, the pair made their best effort to sustain the second-best option, namely a Republican-controlled government that did involve Trump. (McConnell may not want to use his time and resources getting Donald Trump and his criminal friends off the hook for encouraging Russian military intelligence to sabotage Hillary Clintons campaign, or trying to blackmail Ukraine into smearing Joe Biden. But hell do it if he has to; its the political version of getting the toilet plunger.) Once Joe Biden had routed Trump in the popular vote and securely beaten him in the Electoral College, though, McConnell (and Barr) concluded that getting the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers angry about imaginary Chinese Communist ballot interference isnt (yet!) a sustainable way to seize power within the larger context of public opinion and the court system. At that point, they abruptly discovered the importance of the integrity of legal evidence, and set their sights on a post-Trump world in which they would obstruct Bidens agenda for two years, retake control of Congress with the help of aggressive gerrymandering and voter suppression laws, and aim to win the Electoral College in 2024 behind someone less volatile and unpopular than Trump.

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For all McConnells supposed strategic savvy, though, theres a hole in that plan large enough to drive a Trump 2024 campaign tour bus through. In Morning Consults most recent poll, Trumps favorability rating among Republicans was over 80 percent, and nearly 60 percent of GOP respondents said he should play a major role in the party going forward. Trump, meanwhile, is a single-issue guy these days, and that issue is the purported illegitimacy of the Biden presidency. As soon as Karls Atlantic story hit the wires, the ex-president released a statement attacking McConnell and Barr, whom he described as a disappointment in every sense of the word, for their failure to address an exhaustively enumerated list of various debunked 2020 theories. On Saturday, he appeared at a rally in Ohio to endorse a right-wing candidate whos already running against Republican Rep. Anthony Gonzalez because Gonzalez voted to impeach Trump after Jan. 6. (On Tuesday, the Daily Beast reported on a right-wing super PAC thats already started spending big on advertisements targeting Gonzalez and the other handful of Republican Trump critics who are up for reelection in 2022.)

Toyota said in a statement to Axios that it did not believe Republicans should be judged solely based on their votes on the electoral certification, which is actually a nice way of summarizing McConnells position as well. The problem for the car manufacturer, the Senate leader, and everyone else who wants the old normal conservative movement back is that its the exact opposite of the belief held by the only person whose opinion counts.
When Berrak revealed to acquaintances she hadnt slept in days, they told her not to drink so much coffee. When she told her family she was depressed, they told her she should just be happy and shouldnt medicate herself to get through life. When Berrak, a 36-year-old in the Pacific Northwest with diagnosed depression and bipolar II disorder, tried to request accommodations, like working from home, I would be called out for it and have to over-explain myself, she says. (Im referring to her by her first name to protect her privacy.) It was exhausting. The disbelief and dismissal have made her feel like I couldnt trust my own brain, she says.

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Chronic doubt of this kindbeing talked down to, brushed off, or otherwise invalidatedis familiar to many people with psychiatric conditions, and often a defining feature of vulnerable periods of crisis. The phenomenon took place on the national stage last week, when Britney Spears made a rare public statement about her court-ordered conservatorship, which is controlled by her father. Spears lost legal autonomy over her life and finances in 2008 after being committed several times to temporary psychiatric holds. At a court hearing last Wednesday, she described the extent of the arrangement, including being put on lithium against her will and receiving a course of treatment and therapy she characterized as abusive. She described being made to go to an office to see a therapist, even after asking to continue treatment in the privacy of her home to avoid paparazzi harassing her as she left tearful treatment sessions. Its embarrassing and demoralizing, what Ive been through. And thats the main reason Ive never said it openly, Spears said. I honestly dont think anyone would believe me.

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The particulars of Spears situation may be unique, but for many with mental illnesses, being cast as an unreliable and untrustworthy narrator of your own existence and unfit to make even small choices and mistakes is all too familiar. To understand how frequently psychiatric patients face routine doubt and dismissal, I searched for relevant research and studies in academic journals. I couldnt find muchthough its unsurprising that were not paying much attention to the phenomenon of not listening to people. But you dont need a study to know its happening to countless people. I myself have been told I am too healthy and privileged to be mentally ill and that I shouldnt rely on my pills and psychiatry for the rest of my life; as a result, I have always felt guilty while taking medication that helps me feel betteras though there was something wrong with whats best for me. For this piece, I spoke to people who have experienced these situations, too, to learn more about what it has meant for their lives.

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Kat Rendon learned from other people that it was not helpful to be vocal about her mental health crises.

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Rendon, a 24-year-old living in Los Angeles, has received psychiatric care since the age of 15. While in graduate school in New York City, she experienced her first manic episode; she stayed awake for four days and found herself walking around Manhattan barefoot in a nightdress at 4 a.m. I had people tell me, Youre making this up, youre being ridiculous,  says Rendon, who has since been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. It was such a difficult moment. I didnt expect people to be like, What do you mean? and doubting me.

Rendon and several others told me this reaction, repeated across time and people, feeds into a hesitancy to tell people how they feel. Eventually, that resistance turns into a reluctance to reach out at alleven if (or, perhaps, especially if) things get bad. I now have a lot of trouble opening up to people, Rendon says. It puts me in a lonely position.

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I had people tell me, Youre making this up, youre being ridiculous.   Kat Rendon

And that can be a very dangerous place for someone who needs psychiatric help. Sharing feelings is not only a feel-good, cathartic relief; it also allows us to compare our thoughts and thinking patterns with others, which in turn helps us calibrate the relative gravity of our own mental and emotional state. Holding it all in means sacrificing external reference points at the precise moment where they could offer an anchor or refuge from internal turmoil, says James, a 34-year-old in Los Angeles who has struggled with depression and substance use disorder. (Im only using his first name to protect his privacy.)

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Growing up in a household where he was told he couldnt feel depressed, James perfected the mental gymnastics of ignoring his debilitating symptoms while simultaneously suffering under their weight. Its intensely othering. You feel othered from yourself, he says. I thought in the same way a lot of mentally ill people do, that Im broken, or flawed in this deep way. That shame is the kind of thing that can kill a person. Donna Arkee, 31, of Oakland, California, who lives with obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic disorder, told me they feel similarly ostracized by the way people react to their illness. Nobody takes me seriously. What is wrong with me that people think Im a joke when I say, Im mentally ill and its killing me? Experiencing doubt in addition to symptoms has been incredibly painful, they note. It made me feel like a freak. It made me feel like I deserved to be miserable.

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When the external doubt comes from a mental health professional, it can be particularly dehumanizing. During my reporting, I heard stories of psychiatrists speeding to a diagnosis within minutes of meeting someone, or of prescribing certain drugs despite patients protests. Arkee told me that while receiving exposure therapy at a trauma recovery center, a therapist pushed them further than they felt safe going right awayin this case, asking them to touch dirt. Exposure therapy involves edging patients out of their comfort zones bit by bit so that they eventually no longer feel anxious or scared of, say, a little grime and germs. But Arkee, who was convinced they would die if they touched dirt, tried to explain to the therapist that things were escalating too quickly. I was just constantly telling her, No, Im not ready, and she wouldnt listen to me, Arkee says. They started pushing me and what I was capable of doing way too fast and way too hard.

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Its a tricky problem for the field of psychiatry: how to provide objective care while trusting a patient with their own subjective narrativesome of which the treatment itself is designed to free them from. Properly employed skepticism can certainly help medical professionals to understand whats going on; this is especially true for patients who are experiencing delusions, psychosis, or hallucinations. But it can also erode patient-provider trust and lead someone to abandon treatment and never seek it out again. Theres this tension. Were in this position where we often approach patients with a sense of doubt, says Tanmoy Das Lala, a medical student and Ph.D. candidate in New York City who recently completed a formative psychiatry rotation. But if someone makes you feel like shit, youre definitely not coming back, and very often you might not seek care in the future.

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For treatment to work, patients need to feel validated and have a say in how things go. At the time they entered the recovery center, Arkee was spending hours each day on rituals, decontaminating themselves constantly and dressing body parts that touched dirty or unsafe surfaces like wounds, with Neosporin and gauze. But they felt therapists approached the situation with fascination, not seriousness or compassion. I felt like I was being told I wasnt in real pain, they explained. Arkee says they could not help but feel their identity (as a brown person who is often read as a woman) played a role in therapists dismissing their requests for medications to ease OCD and panic disorder symptoms. I felt very dehumanized. Its hard to be told so many ways you dont matter.

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The flip side of this is that when professionals listen closely, offer a diagnosis, and suggest treatment, it can be transformative, Berrak says. For her, getting a diagnosis and a plan that addressed her needs fulfilled a desperate need to be seen, recognized, and understood. It made me feel like it wasnt just something I had to live with, she says.

Last week, Britney Spears pleaded to be allowed down the path toward restored healthto be heard, not ignored; valued, not demeaned; given agency, not leached of control. I apologize for pretending like Ive been ok the past two years, she wrote on Instagram after the hearing. I did it because of my pride and I was embarrassed to share what happened to me. She has our attention. Many more deserve it, too.

To understand more about how the #FreeBritney movement reflects the problems with guardianship and conservatorship, listen to this episode of What Next.
The effort to crack down on the power of Facebook, and Big Tech in general, suffered a loss on Monday when U.S. District Judge James Boasberg dismissed the Federal Trade Commissions antitrust complaint against the social network. (He also tossed a multistate suit led by New York against Facebook, mainly on the grounds that they waited too long to pursue their claims.) Boasberg ruled that the FTCs claims failed on factual and legal grounds. Although his ruling allows the FTC to refile its suit, the decision was immediately seen as significantly hampering the agencys chances of unwinding Facebooks acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp and changing its business practices. But this isnt the deathblow it looks like. The FTC still has ample authority to pursue its lawsuit and attack Facebooks monopolistic conduct. Indeed, the dismissal gives the FTC an opportunity to reframe and broaden its case against Facebook.

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In its December 2020 lawsuit, the FTC alleged that Facebook improperly maintained its monopoly in personal social networking services. The FTC complaint focused on two sets of practices. First, Facebook protected its monopoly by acquiring emerging rivals Instagram and WhatsApp in 2012 and 2014, respectively. These services were growing rapidly on mobile devices, which is where Facebook was vulnerable to challenge at the time. Second, Facebook restricted access to application programming interfaces (APIs) that allow apps and service to be interoperable with Facebooks platform. Specifically, Facebook declined to share APIs with apps and services that competed with Facebooks core functionality or supported rival social networks.

Boasberg granted Facebooks motion to dismiss on Monday, citing multiple deficiencies in the FTCs complaint. Two aspects of his order deserve special attention. First, the judge ruled that the FTC did not present enough factual allegations to show that Facebook has monopoly power in the personal social networking services market, which is necessary for the FTCs monopolization suit to succeed. The judge wrote that the FTCs failure to explain how it computed Facebooks 60%-plus market share made its complaint too speculative and conclusory to go forward. Second, the judge ruled that Facebook has a general right not to share APIs with other firms, including competitors, and held that Facebooks refusal to share APIs is illegal only if the FTC satisfies a restrictive three-part test. According to Boasberg, the FTC had to show that Facebook terminated a preexisting and presumably profitable course of dealing between the monopolist and the rival, already offered APIs to other similarly situated firms, and showed a willingness to forsake short-term profits to achieve an anti-competitive end.

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The judges decision is problematic. First, determining market share is fact-intensive. It is typically not something resolved on the pleadings. Parties are given the opportunity to further develop and refine market shares through judicial discovery. So Boasbergs decision to dismiss was premature and wrong at the early stage of the litigation when he should have assumed that facts alleged in the complaint are true. Second, the judge applied an extremely restrictive interpretation of refusal-to-deal law: When does a monopolist have to do business with its rivals? He said almost never, ruling that Facebooks API sharing policy and practices are legal by relying on pro-monopoly decisions from other lower courts and ignoring or reading older Supreme Court precedents narrowly.

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Despite the loss on Monday, the FTC has viable paths forward in its case against Facebook. Boasberg only dismissed the FTCs complaint, not its case, and allowed the commission to file an amended complaint within 30 days.

The FTC, however, has another compelling option. It could file an administrative complaint and litigate the case in house at the FTC, instead of in federal court.

Why does the forum matter? In his decision, Boasberg purported to apply current legal standards under the Sherman Antitrust Act. His legal reasoning was, at least in part, rooted in case law and judicial hostility to monopolization lawsuits. The Supreme Court has narrowed the substantive anti-monopoly provisions of the Sherman Act in recent times.

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The Federal Trade Commission has changed significantly since the inauguration of President Biden.

If the FTC initiates administrative litigation, it can avoid this body of monopoly-friendly case law and rely on the wider substantive scope of the Federal Trade Commission Acts prohibition on unfair methods of competition. Congress established the FTC in 1914 to address and transcend judicial limitations on the Sherman Act, and so the commission has broader statutory authority in front of its administrative law judge. The Supreme Court stated that, in interpreting unfair methods of competition, the FTC can function as a court of equity and challenge conduct that not only violate[s] the Sherman Act and the other antitrust laws, but also practices that the Commission determines are against public policy for other reasons. As Boasberg noted, the FTC has more extensive remedial power to prevent Facebooks unfair practices going forward if it chooses administrative litigation instead of proceeding in federal court.

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The FTC has changed significantly since the inauguration of President Biden. The commission that filed the suit in December featured a Republican majority. Today, it has a Democratic majority under newly installed Chair Lina Khan. It has already signaled a shift in policy. Importantly, on Thursday, the FTC is poised to restore its full unfair methods of competition authority and withdraw a 2015 policy statement that narrowly defined this power.

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With three like-minded Democrats on the five-member Commission, the FTC has a chance to refine and broaden the lawsuit against Facebook and use it to announce new restrictions on monopolists. It should address the factual deficiencies identified in Boasbergs order by explaining how it computed the 60%+ market share it presented in its complaint and continue its effort to undo Facebooks acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp. But the FTC could go further and articulate a more expansive theory under the FTC Act. Under antitrust law, monopolists are subject to special rules that do not apply to nonmonopolists. Applying this principle, the FTC could hold that Facebook and other dominant firms engage in an unfair method of competition when they refuse to deal with rivals, for instance by not sharing APIs, as a means of maintaining their dominance or extending it into new markets.

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The FTC could also target the surveillance advertising of Facebook (and countless others) through the new administrative lawsuit. Boasberg noted that although Facebooks data-collection and -use practices have been subject to increasing scrutiny, they are not the subject of this action. In a dissent from a 2019 FTC settlement with Facebook over the Cambridge Analytica scandal, Commissioner Rohit Chopra wrote that Facebooks basic business model is built on large-scale and ongoing privacy invasionstargeting advertising based on tracking our activities online and increasingly offline too. The FTC could also use this case as a vehicle for curtailing the surveillance-advertising model of Facebook, Google, and many other digital firms.

Mondays dismissal of its complaint against Facebook is an opportunity for the FTC. The judge may have even done the FTC a favor. Instead of refiling a surgical antitrust suit against Facebook, the FTC could use its broad statutory power to announce rules of fair competition for monopolists and rein in the surveillance advertising that has come to define everyday life.
The good news for Mexicos Green Party is that it emerged from this months midterm elections as a powerful kingmaker. The Partido Verde Ecologista de Mexico, or PVEM, quadrupled its number of seats in the lower chamber of Congress, which is what its ruling partner, President Andres Manuel Lopez Obradors Morena party, needed to gain an absolute majority in the Congress. The Greens also won a governorship in the central state of San Luis Potosi, no small feat.

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The bad news for the party is that it is in hot water with independent electoral authorities for allegedly paying social media influencers to support its candidates in the final days before the vote, when electioneering activities are prohibited. Oh, and the partys governor-elect in San Luis Potosi, Ricardo Gallardo Carmona, is under investigation by federal authorities for alleged money laundering and illicit enrichment.

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But perhaps most importantly, the party has long been viewed by Mexican environmentalists as being green in the same way that AstroTurf is green.

At first glance, the party appears innocuous enough. Its symbol is a toucan, and its official website includes an eclectic selection of videos about DIY cat toys, how to care for indoor plants, the food items that are poisonous for dogs, and ways to recycle dishwater. But the PVEM is really much more than that: Its a political force that keeps gathering strength through opportunistic alliances with stronger, winning parties. It has shown remarkable ideological flexibility by allying itself with the current president, AMLO, and his two predecessors, each from a different party. But its current alliance with AMLO belies the partys professed greenness. AMLOs government holds notorious disregard for environmentalism and bets on the nations oil industry at the expense of investment in renewable energy, in addition to promoting grand projectslike its Tren Maya, or the Mayan Train, a proposed railwaythat are being pushed forward with little regard for their environmental impact.

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The Partido Verdes origins trace back to 1979 and actions that do justice to its name. The party started as a group of neighbors in the southern edge of Mexico City fighting to save green spaces in their community. It became an official party in 1991 and steadily moved into the political arenas center stage. Now the PVEM is the fourth largest political force in Mexico, measured by the congressional representation it obtained on the June 6 elections.

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Being a political party, even a marginal one, can be a good business in Mexico, given the nations lavish public financing system. The PVEM has received some 7.4 billion pesos in federal support since 1997, or roughly $370 million at todays exchange rates, and more in state-level funding and other noncash logistical support.

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Critics accuse the party of becoming a tightly controlled family business, one increasingly mired in controversy. Jorge Gonzalez Torres consolidated the party and was president for 10 years, succeeded by his son, Jorge Emilio Gonzalez Martinez, who ruled for another decade, until 2011. The two have retained power as members of the partys national council. In this way, the Partido Verde is a franchise of the Gonzalez Torres family and a few politicians who have used it to get into public office and also to carry shady business, said Miguel Angel Toro, national director of the government program at the university Tecnologico de Monterrey.

Jorge Emilio Gonzalez Martinez has been a particularly controversial character, a kind of epitome of much of what is wrong with the PVEM. As the partys president in 2004, Gonzalez Martinez was captured in a leaked video seemingly accepting a $2 million bribe for the construction of hotels in the beach resort hot spot of Cancun. Following an investigation, he was cleared of all charges. The Nino Verde (green boy in English), as Gonzalez Martinez was widely called, was known to hire models and escorts for his luxurious parties. In 2011, a Bulgarian model fell to her death from a 19th floor apartment that belonged to Gonzalez Martinez. Federal prosecutors classified it as suicide, and the Nino Verde again came out unscathed. And in 2013, while he was a senator, Gonzalez Martinez was stopped and detained for drunken driving.

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Questionable behavior is endemic in the party, beyond its founding family. Manuel Velasco, a PVEM senator, is being investigated for some $24 million in diverted funds in the state of Chiapas when he was the states governor.

The Green Party symbolically changes color every presidential administration by siding with the political party most likely to win. It turned red, so to speak, through its alliance with the PRI, blue with the PAN, and now brown with Lopez Obradors ruling party, Morena. The key to the Green Partys survival lies in this tit for tat by which it helps the dominant parties retain power while also getting a slice of the cake. As a matter of fact, its not even recognized as a green party internationally. In 2009, the European Green Party withdrew its recognition after the PVEM campaigned for capital punishment.

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The PVEM usually gets a small percentage of the popular vote but wins through the alliances it forges with other parties. In this election, the PVEM joined an alliance called Juntos Haremos Historia (Together Well Make History) with Morena and the Workers Party, PT. The three parties agreed to run for 183 seats together, 50 of which would go to the PVEM if the coalition won. On June 6, the PVEM got about 2.5 million votes, 5.4 percent of all national votes. But its victory really lies in the success of the coalition. The Partido Verde is a very pragmatic party that has no ideology, said Miguel Angel Toro. Its been with parties who are on the right, center, and the left. Critically, Toro says, the big parties overestimate the votes the Partido Verde can bring in, so the party always ends up with more seats than they would have gotten. That gives the Green Party more life than it should have.

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The party also has a history of violating electoral law to lure voters. The PVEM is currently being investigated for allegedly paying influencers to promote it when the period for campaigning in this years midterm elections had ended. The investigation involves 95 people and could force the party to pay fines or lose its registration. Yet this tactic is not new; the PVEM has often relied on celebrities to win popular support. In a 2015 election, the party paid a soccer star up to $50,000 for an endorsement, and in the 2018 presidential elections, it violated electoral law by having celebrities tweet in its favor when campaigning was no longer allowed. The National Electoral Institute has condemned this behavior many times, imposing several fines of millions of pesos on the PVEM for breaking the law regarding campaign expenses and tactics. The party has also kept a close relationship with TV conglomerates Televisa and TV Azteca, which have essentially lent their celebrities for endorsements and given the party hundreds of thousands of spots. Ninfa Salinas Sada, for example, daughter of business tycoon and TV Azteca owner Ricardo Salinas Pliego, was a senator for the Green Party.

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The PVEMs current partnership with Morena will most likely demand loyalty to the presidents national agendawhich cant precisely be called green. The partys leader, Karen Castrejon, claimed before its sweeping success that the Green Party will uphold its values, particularly those having to do with the environment, and will stand against the president if it disagrees with him. The Green Party is environmentalist, and above all the Green Party is with the citizens, she said in an interview with Expansion.

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But Lopez Obradors role in Mexican politics has proved almost messianic, and his influence over his administration is overpowering. A green party cant support the presidents vision and national agenda without compromising its environmental values. Lopez Obrador has been criticized since taking power for undermining the environment by investing millions of dollars in a new refinery project and vowing to rescue the beleaguered state oil company, Pemex, which already has six other refineries operating at about half of their capacity, use highly polluting fuel oil, and are lagging in output. The new refinery, Dos Bocas, is estimated to cost more than $8 billion and is being built over protected mangroves, which it razed. On top of that, Pemex acquired the full stakes of the Deer Park refinery in Houston, Texas, for $596 million as part of the presidents pledge to become self-sufficient in gasoline and diesel.

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AMLOs ruling party is also pushing legislation that harms the renewable energy sector in an effort to favor Pemex and the state utility company, CFE. This administration has changed regulatory rules, canceled energy auctions, and raised what used to be some of the cheapest electricity prices for renewable projects in the world. Now, dozens of renewable energy companies are fighting the changes in court. Antitrust agency COFECE and Greenpeace both won injunctions over actions that threatened new clean energy power plants from moving forward. At its current pace, Mexico is failing to meet its commitments under the Paris Agreementin particular, two goals: generating 35 percent of its energy from clean sources by 2024 and adjusting its target to cut even more emissions by 2030.

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Another one of the presidents flagship projects, the Mayan Train, is particularly worrisome to environmentalists and faces strong opposition from Indigenous groups and activists who are seeking to protect their land in the face of dispossession. In February, a federal judge suspended construction of sections of the railway in the state of Yucatan after local residents complained of a lack of information about the project and demanded a comprehensive study on the trains environmental impact.

The Green Party does push for legislation that addresses climate change, deforestation, pollution and waste management, animal rights, and water rights, and it supported the 201314 energy reform that opened the door to clean energy. But within the party, the lack of political will and the prioritization of corporate interests over public and environmental ones prevent the Partido Verde from living up to its appealing branding. How legislators vote on green issues and reforms depends a lot of times on their relationships with industry lobbyists and what they can gain from them, rather than a strong front in defense of the environment. Thats what eventually blocks or sends proposals to the back burner despite the facts, science, and evidence that support each of them.

The activists, civil society groups, and private sector actors who are spearheading the defense of Mexicos fragile environmentand at times with deadly consequencesare still awaiting the arrival of a truly green party to join their fight.

Future Tense is a partnership of Slate, New America, and Arizona State University that examines emerging technologies, public policy, and society.
Rising food prices and staffing shortages have not stopped a local restaurateur from expanding services in the Smith Mountain Lake community. Napoli Cowboy now has a sister restaurant, Napoli by the Lake, open for business at Bernards Landing.

The new restaurant is one of several new additions at Bernards Landing as the development works to expand its services for the community.

Ray Wilson owns and operates both Napoli Cowboy and Napoli by the Lake with the help of his family. Napoli Cowboy in Wirtz specializes in tastes of Italy hence the Napoli. The Cowboy in the name is represented by the Texas style meals of rib-eye steaks and ribs. The new restaurant, Napoli by the Lake, will have some of the same menu items.

Several restaurants competed for the spot at Bernards Landing that had previously housed The Landing Restaurant. Napoli Cowboys reputation and popularity set them apart.

When it was determined we would be looking for a restaurant to fill the space there was significant interest from area restaurants, said Bernards Landing General Manager Mike Thomas. At the end of the day we thought Napoli Cowboy, which ended up being called Napoli by the Lake, was a fit for us. When you talk about the quality of their food and their service, their tremendous prices and we found out quickly with Ray Wilson and Bradley and Melanie, in some ways yeah its a business partnership but it is also family.

Ray Wilson agrees. He runs his restaurants treating his staff like family and said the Bernards Landing staff has become family. Youll see Bob Barbour, president of Bernards Landing Resort and Event Center, busing tables, doing whatever is necessary, added Wilson
Cross-border commuters and children aged 12-18 will follow temporary rules until mid-August.

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The rules for entering Slovakia from abroad will change, benefiting vaccinated incomers.

Our paywall policy The Slovak Spectator has decided to make all the articles on the special measures, statistics and basic information about the coronavirus available to everyone. If you appreciate our work and would like to support good journalism, please buy our subscription. We believe this is an issue where accurate and fact-based information is important for people to cope.

Unvaccinated people coming to the country after July 9 will be required to register with the eHranica online form and then self-isolate.

Those who have been vaccinated will have exception and can avoid self-isolation but they need to register within eHranica, too. Unvaccinated cross-border commuters and unvaccinated children can expect changes, too.

Anyone fully vaccinated returning to Slovakia from abroad will be automatically exempted from self-isolation and testing because he or she will be able to prove vaccination through a European or national Covid certificate, State Secretary of the Foreign Affairs Ministry, Martin Klus, wrote on Facebook.

Instead of the list of green, red and black tier countries, the Health Ministry and the Foreign Affairs Ministry will prepare a list of high-risk countries that it recommends against travelling to. It will be updated on a weekly basis.

It contains the same countries that were identified as black-tier, or no go states. In the current valid list, Italy was added to the high-risk countries.

How the rules for incomers will change

Starting on Friday, July 9, Slovakia will no longer use its travelling traffic light system.

Related article Hotels, travelling, sightseeing. How to enjoy a holiday in Slovakia Read more

Instead, unvaccinated incomers to Slovakia will have to register with the eHranica online form (children up to 12 and people who transit Slovakia are exempt) and show confirmation of registration at the border check. They will subsequently have to self-isolate. They can take a PCR test five days after their arrival and if the test is negative, end their self-isolation.

Fully vaccinated people will have an exception from self-isolation. They do not have to register every time they enter the country, unlike unvaccinated people. The first registration is valid for six months. They will not be asked to register, but will have to show a certificate of vaccination (EU or national) at the border check.

For people vaccinated with the first dose of the vaccine and people between the ages of 12 and 18, their initial registration on eHranica is valid until August 9. People who have permanent or temporary residence in Slovakia and work in neighbouring countries, in the EU, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland or Lichtenstein and who have visited in the last 14 days only these countries for work have to register with eHranica only once; registration is valid until September 1.

The same applies to cross-border commuters who have residence in the EU, Norway, Switzerland, Iceland or Lichtenstein and in case of Ukraine up to 100 kilometres from an open border crossing and travel to Slovakia to work. One registration is also valid for Slovak citizens who live in the neighbouring countries up to 100 kilometres from an open border crossing until September 1. These people have an exception from quarantine until September 1 but they have to have confirmation from an employer about place of work and RT-PCR test not older than seven days.

A person is considered fully vaccinated if:

in the case of two-dose vaccines: 14 days have passed since receiving the second vaccine shot (but no more than one year);

in the case of one-dose vaccines: 21 days have passed since receiving the vaccine shot (but no more than one year);

in the case you recovered from Covid: 14 days have passed since receiving the first vaccine shot within 180 days since recovering (but no more than one year).

only until August 9: after application of the first dose of vaccines against Covid-19 of one-dose or two-dose vaccine (immediately after the first dose)

The Public Health Authority recommends using the EU digital covid certificate but it is also possible to show confirmations from other countries. The confirmation has to be in the Slovak, Czech or English language.

The rules will also change for unvaccinated children. Those aged 12-18 will have a transitional period between July 9 and August 9, during which they will follow the same quarantine rules applied to their parents (so if their parents are vaccinated, they can avoid self-isolation).

Starting on August 9, vaccinated children will be able to avoid self-isolation.

Children younger than 12, who are not eligible for Covid vaccination for now, will follow the same quarantine rules as their parents.

How to travel to and from Slovakia during COVID-19 Read more

Between July 9 and August 9, cross-border commuters will be required to show a negative PCR test no older than seven days when crossing the borders.

After August 9, vaccinated cross-border commuters will be allowed to avoid isolation (but they need to show a certificate of vaccination). Unvaccinated cross-border commuters will be required to register and self-isolate (ends after receiving a negative PCR test result for a test taken five days after arrival).

More details should be specified by the Public Health Authority (UVZ) in the coming days.

Obligatory self-isolation

All unvaccinated people who enter Slovakia from July 9, 6:00, will have to undergo quarantine, which will end automatically after 14 days if you have no symptoms.

It is possible to shorten the time spent in quarantine if a person is tested no earlier than on the 5th day after arrival with a PCR test. It is not necessary to test children younger than 12; quarantine will automatically end when their accompanying adults test negative. Quarantine is also valid for every member of the household, even if they did not travel. They are able to leave quarantine when other members do.

Quarantine is not obligatory for fully-vaccinated people. A temporary exception, until August 9, applies to youngsters between the age of 12 and 18.

Quarantine is not obligatory for people who cannot be vaccinated from health reasons but they must have confirmation of this along with a negative RT-PCR test result no older than 72 hours.

Groups of people with exceptions  for example, drivers, flight crews, train staff, and funeral service workers  still have to register within eHranica.

Delegations representing Slovakia, MEPs or employees of international organisations have to show a negative RT-PCR test result upon arrival no older than 72 hours.

People taking others to/from international airports in the Czech Republic, Poland, Hungary and Austria do not have to self-isolate. These people are required to fill in the form on the Naletisko.mzv.sk website and show a confirmation of this registration plus a copy of the plane ticket of the transported person on borders. No stops are allowed, apart from those to refuel and the time a transported person needs to board/get out of the vehicle.

The obligation to quarantine also applies to people who enter and leave Slovakia for the purpose of marriage, including close people of the engaged couple. An exception remains for short-time entrance to Slovakia for the funeral of a close person, but an unvaccinated person has to have RT-PCR test result no older than 72 hours.

Students entering the territory of Slovakia who are over 12 years of age and attend kindergarten, primary, secondary or higher educational institutions in neighbouring countries (or, conversely, reside in these countries and attend school in Slovakia) do not have to undergo quarantine if they have a full-time certificate and a negative RT-PCR or antigen test result no older than 7 days. These conditions also apply to an accompanying person, who, in addition to a negative test, must have a certificate of the accompanying person's status. The Public Health Authority emphasises that students can cross borders for active study (that is, full-time teaching must take place; students cannot apply the regime during the period when it is interrupted, such as during the summer holidays).

Entering Slovakia by plane

When flying to Slovakia, there are special conditions to follow. They apply only when flying to Slovakia, not close to neighbouring airports in Budapest, Vienna, etc.

Every person has to fill in a document at https://www.mindop.sk/covid/. The Public Health Authority put together a list of several countries. When arriving from countries that are not on the list, it is necessary to have a negative RT-PCR test result no older than 72 hours. This condition applies to vaccinated people too.

List of the countries from which is not necessary to have negative test: Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Montenegro, China, Czech Republic, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Georgia, the Netherlands, Hong Kong, Ireland, Iceland, Israel, Japan, Jordan, Canada, South Korea, Kosovo, Cuba, Lebanon, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Latvia, Luxembourg, Macau, Hungary, Malta, Moldova, Monaco, Germany, Norway, New Zealand, Poland, Austria, Romania, San Marino, Northern Macedonia, Singapore, Slovenia, Spain, USA, Mexico, Serbia, Switzerland, Sweden, Taiwan, Turkey, Ukraine.

Motivation for getting vaccinated

The change of rules is one way the government wants to motivate people who are hesitant about vaccination to get a jab, Klus continued.

It has been proven by scientists that vaccinated people are less likely to carry the coronavirus, and if they are infected, the course of the disease is less dangerous than in the case of those not vaccinated, he noted.

Health Minister Vladimir Lengvarsky (OLaNO) confirmed in an interview for the Sme daily that unvaccinated people will be able to cross the border only if they show confirmation of registering with the eHranica form and a booked appointment for their PCR test.

If the test result comes back negative, they will be allowed to end self-isolation, he added.

Three-tier border alert system

Slovakia will also change its system of border checks. It will follow a new alert system, divided into three tiers that will determine the intensity of border checks:

Green tier : police will monitor and carry out random checks of incomers on the border crossings or close to the borders; specific hours will not be defined. There will be no limitations for border crossings;

: police will monitor and carry out random checks of incomers on the border crossings or close to the borders; specific hours will not be defined. There will be no limitations for border crossings; Orange tier : police in cooperation with the armed forces will check most incomers to Slovakia at certain hours (truck transport has an exception). Some smaller and less important border crossings could be closed;

: police in cooperation with the armed forces will check most incomers to Slovakia at certain hours (truck transport has an exception). Some smaller and less important border crossings could be closed; Black tier: police in cooperation with the armed forces will check everybody coming to Slovakia from abroad 24/7 (truck transport has an exception). Smaller and less important border crossings will be closed or the cabinet will pick which border crossings can remain open.

Several antigen testing sites will close in the summer. But tests will still be needed Read more

The proposal to remain in the same tier or switch to another tier will be submitted by the health minister to the cabinet session every week.

Starting on July 5, Slovakia will be in the orange tier, meaning there will be intensive border checks at certain times.

Air transport risky

The Health Ministry warns that the possibility of getting infected with the Delta variant increases the risk of travelling my plane.

As a result, it proposes to condition flights with negative PCR test results no older than 72 hours which the passengers would be required to show when entering Slovakia.

Such a measure requires a legislative change through the Transport Ministry that would oblige the air companies to ask passengers for a confirmation of a negative PCR test result as part of the pre-boarding procedures, reads the document submitted for the cabinet session.

Transitting Slovakia is still allowed; however, only select routes are possible to use for transit.

More on coronavirus development in Slovakia

30. Jun 2021 at 11:37 (modified at 2. Jul 2021 at 19:27) | Compiled by Spectator staff
News digest: Summer holiday brings new travelling and testing rules

Vaccination the decisive factor for self-isolation. State will focus on PCR tests. Children start summer holiday.

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Good evening. Check out the main news of the day in less than five minutes in the Wednesday, June 30, 2021 edition of Today in Slovakia. We wish you a pleasant read.

New rules for travelling

Border checks will be more frequent. (Source: TASR)

The rules for travelling and self-isolation for incomers based on the countries they are coming from are changing slightly over a month after becoming effective.

As only a few more than 17,000 people registered with the official online form between May 20 and June 20, 2021, the Health Ministry deemed the travelling traffic light system ineffective.

The new system applied from July 9 should benefit vaccinated incomers. Everybody (including the vaccinated) can avoid self-isolation. Vaccinated incomers will be required to show a confirmation of vaccination when crossing the borders. Those not vaccinated will have to register and then self-isolate. They can take a PCR test no sooner than on the 5th day after arrival, and then end the self-isolation if the result is negative.

Exceptions will be scrapped in the case of people who recovered from Covid and are not vaccinated with at least one vaccine shot.

The rules for cross-border commuters and children aged 12-18 (who are now entitled to the vaccination against Covid in Slovakia) will change. There will be a transitional period between July 9 and August 9, but after August 9, they will be required to self-isolate if they are not vaccinated.

Police and soldiers patrolling the borders will have their own alert system, meaning that the intensity of border checks will depend on the tier Slovakia is in.

State focuses on PCR tests

Antigen testing will be replaced by PCR tests. (Source: TASR)

The beginning of summer also brings the closure of hundreds of mobile testing sites where people could take a free-of-charge antigen test.

Instead, the Health Ministry wants to focus on PCR testing. There will be 120 mobile PCR testing sites around Slovakia with the capacity to perform 30,000 tests as of July 1.

The state will reimburse all tests that it used to pay for in the past, including tests taken after coming from abroad (if people are not vaccinated), tests for people who have symptoms (if the doctor recommends the test), tests for those who come in contact with Covid-positive people, and tests for summer camp participants.

Other PCR tests (if they are required for a mass event, for example) will be paid from people's own pockets.

Those who are fully vaccinated will not be required to get tested.

Other Covid and vaccination developments

The map of districts after July 5, 2021. (Source: Health Ministry)

33 out of nearly 6,000 PCR tests carried out on June 29 were positive, and so were 19 of 26,509 antigen tests performed the same day. 120 people with Covid are currently hospitalised, and no more people died of Covid.

out of nearly 6,000 PCR tests carried out on June 29 were positive, and so were of 26,509 antigen tests performed the same day. people with Covid are currently hospitalised, and people died of Covid. Slovakias districts will follow only very mild measures from next Monday. As many as 46 districts will be in the green tier and the remaining 33 in the yellow tier.

will be in the green tier and the remaining in the yellow tier. The GreenPass app is now available for download. It can be used to save the Digital Covid EU Certificate with the user's confirmation of vaccination, Covid test results or proof of recovery from Covid. Here is how you can obtain your certificate when vaccinated in Slovakia.

is now available for download. It can be used to save the Digital Covid EU Certificate with the user's confirmation of vaccination, Covid test results or proof of recovery from Covid. Here is how you can obtain your certificate when vaccinated in Slovakia. The Veda Pomaha (Science Helps) initiative has pointed out that the symptoms of a person infected with the Delta variant are slightly different than those of other variants. They are similar to an ordinary cold, meaning that people have headaches, a higher body temperature and mucus in their nose.

are slightly different than those of other variants. They are similar to an ordinary cold, meaning that people have headaches, a higher body temperature and mucus in their nose. People should prepare for more intensive border checks in the coming days. On Thursday (July 1), authorities will patrol on the Holic-Hodonin border crossing, and on Friday (July 2) they will check the Petrzalka-Berg border crossing and the Skalica-Sudomerice border crossing.

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Picture of the day

The school year officially ended on June 30, with more than 700,000 children from primary and secondary schools receiving their final school reports. They will return to school on September 2.

The school year officially ended today. (Source: TASR)

Feature story for today

While Slovakia boasts of its rich folklore traditions, music in particular, some feel the country falls behind when it comes to keeping Slovak folk music alive across North America. Until the early 1990s, and despite communism, folk music exchange between Slovaks living overseas and their homeland flourished.

Folk ensembles in North America have been on the decline since, though, and the existing ones are struggling.

Due to poor assistance, Slovak folk music might vanish from North America Read more

In other news

The 20-percent VAT on FFP2 and FFP3 respirators will be reintroduced on July 1. The government originally imposed a zero tax on them in mid-March to make them more available to the public.

will be reintroduced on July 1. The government originally imposed a zero tax on them in mid-March to make them more available to the public. The cabinet gave a green light to two changes submitted by Deputy PM Stefan Holy (Sme Rodina): the amendment to the law on public procurement and the creation of the Office for Spatial Planning and Construction that should take the powers of the construction offices and some competences from the Transport Ministry. The changes still need to be approved by the parliament.

(Sme Rodina): the amendment to the and the creation of the that should take the powers of the construction offices and some competences from the Transport Ministry. The changes still need to be approved by the parliament. Air companies operating the international airports in Slovakia (in Bratislava, Kosice and Poprad) should receive 7.979 million in total as partial compensation for their costs related to the operation of the airports when air transport was stopped due to the pandemic, the cabinet decided at its June 30 session.

operating the international airports in Slovakia (in Bratislava, Kosice and Poprad) should receive in total as partial compensation for their costs related to the operation of the airports when air transport was stopped due to the pandemic, the cabinet decided at its June 30 session. The district court in Bratislava sentenced a 32-year-old Czech to five years in prison for throwing stones at police officers, injuring one, during last years demonstration in Bratislava against pandemic restrictions. As the person pleaded guilty, the ruling is valid.

a 32-year-old Czech for throwing stones at police officers, injuring one, during last years demonstration in Bratislava against pandemic restrictions. As the person pleaded guilty, the ruling is valid. Private carrier RegioJet will dispatch its trains to Croatia every day from July 1 until the end of the summer holidays. Currently, they run three times a week.

will dispatch its trains to until the end of the summer holidays. Currently, they run three times a week. Charge dAffaires of the US Embassy in Slovakia Natasha Franceschi, British Ambassador to Slovakia Nigel Baker, State Secretary of the Defence Ministry Marian Majer and Polomka Mayor Jan Lihan paid tribute to US and British agents who participated in the Slovak National Uprising (SNP) that broke out during WWII. The soldiers arrived in Slovakia in 1944 to coordinate material help for the resistance fighters and protect their pilots, who were shot down by the Nazis.

The American and British soldiers were commemorated in Polomka. (Source: Courtesy of the US Embassy in Slovakia)

More on Spectator.sk today:

MP stopped two legislation proposals on abortion Read more

Every inhabitant of Slovakia produces a hundred kilos of biowaste a year Read more

Pandemic greatly increased demand on free legal advice sector Read more

If you have suggestions on how this news overview can be improved, you can reach us at editorial@spectator.sk.

30. Jun 2021 at 18:30 (modified at 30. Jun 2021 at 22:05) | Radka Minarechova
Southwind Terror continued to do what he does best: win at Cumberland.

Tuesday (June 29) the 11-year-old son of Camluck made his sixth visit to the iconic fairgrounds winner's circle, winning the $5,200 top-conditioned pace of the day in 1:55.1 with regular driver Nick Graffam at the controls.

In fact, Southwind Terror has never lost a race at First Tracks Cumberland and is currently enjoying a five-race winning streak, where is has consistently been the wagering favourite.

How the horse ended up, and stayed in the barn of trainer Christopher Hitchcock is nothing short of a miracle as a search on the USTAs Pathway indicates that Southwind Terror has had over 25 different individual owners in his lifetime.

My brother Mike bought him for our owner Mike Pease from a trainer in Saratoga back in 2019, well before the pandemic, said Chris Hitchcock.

At that time we had 30 horses in the barn, and we worked together. Then, when everything shut down, my brother Mike moved most of the stable to Ohio. I stayed in Maine with a few and got a full time job in the landscaping industry.

Southwind Terror made the rounds in the Buckeye state, first racing at Scioto when they were the first track to reopen. Then the horse got claimed. Over the ensuing year, the horse went to Dayton, then Northfield, then Rosecroft. Over a year later trainer Chris Hitchcock got him back.

Hes not the easiest horse to be around. He can be tough, said Hitchcock. But his caretaker Emma (Libby) does a great job with him. She puts poultice on his feet the night before he races, walks him, grazes him, and feeds him carrots. Grass  lots of grass. When its not too hot he gets turned out after he races. Emma really does a great job with him.

So whats the key to all the success?

Hitchock says matter-of-a-factly, that Every horse has their lucky streak, hes just sharp now. With only four horses in the barn we can give them all the attention they deserve.

Interestingly, a horse that also seems to be getting some attention nowadays is this horses brother Southwind Amazon. Both are 11-year-old sons of Camluck, both were bred and raised in 2010 by Southwind Farms in New Jersey, and both are on a winning streak.

Southwind Amazon is from the Artsplace mare Artoonist and is the co-leading dash winner in North America with 11 seasonal victories and just set the 1:52 all-age track record at Northville in Michigan. Southwind Terror is from the Abercrombie dam Tattoo Hanover, which gives these two star pacers an abundance of the same blood. In addition, they were born just two weeks apart in the same foaling barn in Pennington, NJ.

Hitchcock does not seem to be too concerned about losing him for his $8,000 optional claiming tag. I just wish that I had four more just like him. You have to treat them same if you have 5 or 35  I believe in them getting good care.

In other racing action, it only took three tries for Walter Case, Jr. to return to the winner's circle, something the 10th all-time leading dash winning driver has done over 11,000 times. On Tuesday (June 29), Case, Jr. sprung Trotting For Cash from post 6 and never looked back. Case steered the 4-year-old son of Cash Hall to a 2:01.3 victory for trainer James Dunn and owner Diane Dunn. He paid $12.80 to win.

Following a four year absence, Case had two starts on Saturday (June 26) and came right back to win the opener on Tuesday, where he had three additional drives on the nine race card. Drew Campbell and Nick Graffam both had driving doubles.

Live harness racing from Cumberland is presented each Tuesday and Saturday through July 31, post time is 2:30 p.m. (EDT), with two additional dates added Wednesday & Thursday, Aug. 4 & 5 with 11 a.m. (EDT) posts.

(First Tracks Cumberland)
Entering the fray over COVID-19, the Culpeper County School Board announced Monday night that it will end public-health restrictions July 1 with the expiration of Gov. Ralph Northams last executive order on the novel coronavirus.

School Board member Deborah Desilets proposed the symbolic statement, saying Northams orders have hamstrung schools as to what they can do about masks and social distancing.

After lengthy discussion and debate, the board voted 5-1 to telegraph its intent. Vice Chair Anne Luckinbill was opposed.

School Board Chair Marshall Keene, who referred Tuesday in a social-media post to the infamous governor, was among those supporting the declaration. If the School Board chooses in the future to defy a Northam order, it will discuss that then, he wrote.

Youve got my vote to get rid of masks, Keene said Monday night. He did, however, express concern that the school division and School Board members be legally protected if the state or another party were to challenge its stance in court.

Russell Houck, executive director of student services, noted that the division has always tried to stay current with the regional health districts recommendations on combating the coronavirus.
Insulted by the treatment, Booth left Stuart a sarcastic note of thanks and money for the food. Booth paid William Lucas, a free black neighbor of Stuarts, to have his son Charlie transport the fugitives in a wagon to Port Conway on the Rappahannock River the next day.

The tours history on Belle Grove notes that Early in the afternoon of April 25, 1865, seven horsemen trotted up to the house. . . dismounted, and searched it and the outbuildings while another part of the group had gone to scour the country near the Rappahannock River.

The tours background history notes that the rest of the pursuers rode inland to King George Court House and then to Port Conway.

Notes on the tour explain that Booth and Herold, concealed in a wagon, made it to Port Conway and then were able to convince three former Confederate soldiers to help them cross the Rappahannock River to Port Royal, where pursuing soldiers eventually caught up with them on April 26, and Booth was killed.

Gruber noted that since the Escape of an Assassin trail opened, its been one of the most requested tours, with that keen interest acting as the driving force behind the expansion into King George.
The 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence knew what they were getting into. As we celebrate the 4th of July 245 years later with flags and fireworks, its easy to forget that these patriots risked death to give a new nation life.

If youve never read the Declaration of Independence in its entirety, this is a good time to do that. More than two centuries later, its still a good read. These rebels, who would be accused of treason by Great Britain, wrote the document in a reasoned manner, attempting to convey to the world that their cause was a just one.

At its most basic, its a demand for a divorce, with one party explaining why this marriage cant be saved. Whats fascinating, though, is how the list of complaints about the king of England not only cited justification for the break-up, but also telegraphed the principles the new nation would insist upon in establishing its own governance.

The entire document was a bold statement, speaking truth to power. As it established its own future, this new nation would have to find a way to guarantee free speech, particularly in regard to criticizing government.
How long the perimeter remains in place and the scene sealed depends on the investigation, Von Minden said. Investigators were mapping the area and collecting evidence.

As for how long that will take will depend on the complexity of the crime scene, he said. Theyre all different, but I would anticipate theyll be working well into the night.

In the case of an officer-involved shooting, typically another agency is called in to investigate because state statute requires a grand jury to be convened to examine the actions of the law enforcement officers when a person has died while being apprehended or in custody. Grand jury proceedings are not public, but statute does allow the grand jurys report that is filed with the court to be available for public review.

Cardenas and Von Minden declined to release much detail regarding the events that transpired before the shooting.

I think it would be preliminary, at this point to comment on that, Von Minden said. Its still a very fluid situation and we wouldnt want to comment without being completely accurate on what went on. We want to make sure that when we do comment, we have all the facts in front of us.
Nebraska vendors have from June 25 to July 4 to sell their Independence Day fireworks. Scottsbluff suppliers rely on everything from customer trust to favorable weather to see them through this crucial sales period.

(Customers) know they only have these 10 days, so they load up and celebrate the way they want, Greg Trautman said.

Fireworks vendors shoot for community support Volunteer Rachel Lang organizes displays at the Community Christian School's fireworks truck. Lang was one of several community volunteers.

Trautman co-owns Fireworks Unlimited, with four locations across the area. He said having multiple weekends to sell fireworks led to more foot traffic through all his stores.

The first three days were definitely an increase over past years, and weve been doing this for 20 years, Trautman said.

The recent rain was another plus, as customers would be more likely to purchase fireworks with lessened risk of starting a brushfire, he said.

Another way to bring in customers is to use connections. Many of his wifes teacher colleagues work at Fireworks Unlimited, and their students bring their parents along to see them.

A similar pitch drives sales for Community Christian Fireworks.

Managed by parent volunteers, the stand sells fireworks from a freight truck to benefit scholarships for the Community Christian School.
Sewing different fabrics in intricate patterns to form brightly colored quilts has been a long-standing tradition across the centuries and around the world. This August, the Panhandle will get a glimpse of how that tradition has unfolded throughout the world overtime as a collection of quilts from the International Quilt Museum will be put on display at Legacy of the Plains Museum.

The International Quilt Museum is housed at University of Nebraska-Lincoln and contains thousands of quilts from over 60 countries across four centuries. It began with a significant quilt collection donation to UNL in 1997 from former Nebraskans Ardis and Robert James, who collected 950 quilts from around the world.

According to Carmen Kleager, a member of the Friends of the International Quilt Museum from Scottsbluff, the collection was offered a home in places like New York City, Washington, D.C. and San Francisco. She said even the Smithsonian wanted the collection, but we have it here in Lincoln, Nebraska, because of the generosity of the James family that gave the quilt collection, as well as they have given support to continue, and they gave a lot of support for the building itself.
Johnson added that he would have preferred to stay anonymous but that Noem's office told him they had to at least disclose his name. He declined to say how much he was giving.

America gave a lot of money to get that border wall done, Johnson said. It takes private individuals now.

Noem, a potential presidential contender, drew a distinction between her decision to send the National Guard and other governors who are sending state police officers.

The border is a national security crisis that requires the kind of sustained response only the National Guard can provide, she said in a statement. We should not be making our own communities less safe by sending our police or Highway Patrol to fix a long-term problem President Bidens Administration seems unable or unwilling to solve.

But Democratic state Sen. Reynold Nesiba said the fact Noem is using a donor to pay for the deployment shows it is not a real priority for the state, but instead gives her political cover. He said he was looking into whether using a private donation to fund the deployment is legal.

This could set a dangerous precedent to allow anonymous political donors to call the governor and dispatch the Guard whenever they want, he said.
Davis, now 67, is serving a 25- to 50-year term.

El-Kasaby said the case is a tragedy. He said the state had a chance to help the girl when Domkpo got her away from Davis.

The victim in this case was failed by both her mother and the state, El-Kasaby said.

And by Davis and Domkpo.

Now a young woman, the girl told officials that Domkpo, who is 42, eventually demanded sex from her in return for his intervention.

The victim disclosed Kokou made her give him sex for getting her out of her previous sexual abuse situation, Omaha police detective Melissa McDermott wrote in an affidavit.

Dompko joined the rare but not unprecedented ranks of sexual deviants who rescue victims from one predator only to further prey on them. McDermott wrote that Dompko assaulted the girl multiple times over a year and gave her money and gifts to try to keep her quiet.

Eventually, the girl disclosed what was happening to a school counselor  and Omaha police were contacted.

El-Kasaby took issue with a probation officers characterization that Dompko blamed the girl for his assault of her.
Numerous crimes were committed against the non-Serb population ... including looting, rape and the destruction of religious buildings and cultural monuments, Hall said. Local Bosnian Croats and Muslims were forced into detention centers where they were held in inhumane conditions, tortured and killed, he added.

Stanisic and Simatovic were originally acquitted in 2013 by judges who said prosecutors had failed to prove important elements of their links to the crimes. Appeals judges quashed the not-guilty verdicts in 2015 and ordered the retrial that took place at the U.N. International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals.

The verdicts Wednesday are the final U.N. prosecution in The Hague for crimes committed during the bloody breakup of Yugoslavia.

The court's chief prosecutor, Serge Brammertz, said in a statement that his office would study the judgment and decide whether there are grounds to appeal.

As senior officials in the State Security Service of the Republic of Serbia, Stanisic and Simatovic contributed to the commission of crimes by paramilitary forces and other armed groups in furtherance of ethnic cleansing campaigns against non-Serbs, Brammertz said.

Stanisic's lawyer, Wayne Jordash, said he would appeal.
They tried. Oh, they tried. Republicans spent a decade bashing and voting to dismantle the Affordable Care Act. And what did they get for all their trouble? A 7-2 ruling by a conservative Supreme Court to uphold the health insurance program also known as Obamacare.

For that, Republicans should thank their lucky stars. There would have been unlovely consequences had they succeeded in killing a government program that secured health coverage for 23 million Americans.

Could it be that their attacks and thrusts to repeal the ACA were really just an act? Republicans passed several bills to do in the ACA during the Obama administration, resting assured that the former president would veto them.

After 2016, Republicans controlled the White House and both houses of Congress but still failed to deep-six the ACA. Republican John McCain famously stopped a serious repeal effort with his one vote in the Senate. Though pilloried for that, he had saved his party from having to deal with the inevitable fallout.

Targeting the ACA worked early on politically when the kinks were still being ironed out and the program was hard to explain. Once millions of Americans started experiencing the benefits, the tack turned to promises to put something better in its place.
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STAAR test scores down in LISD, but officials say several factors should be considered
Im glad they encouraged me to wait because I was really able to become secure in myself before putting myself on stage, Loyd said. By the time I did start trying to compete, it was a step that I was willing to take.

By the time she was 15, Loyd was competing in high-level pageants and winning them. In 2017, she was named Miss Rowan County Outstanding Teen, a pageant that feeds into the Miss America pageant system. She went on to compete at the statewide pageant, finishing second runner-up at the Miss North Carolina Outstanding Teen Pageant. She followed that up a couple of years later by being crowned as Miss Charlotte Outstanding Teen in 2019.

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The 2021 Rhododendron Festival, however, marked a first for Loyd in her pageant career: it was the first pageant where she competed in a swimsuit competition.

I had always told myself that I would never do a swimsuit competition, telling myself that I dont feel like I need to be in a swimsuit, she said. But after really working on my physical and mental health, I realized that I wanted to be able to show off this hard work that I put in.

I dont care what anyone thinks of me up there, it was about competing with yourself and I truly felt like I beat myself up there.
Summers is not alone in this thinking. Frederick Foster, a member of the Statesville City Council serving the citys 6th Ward, said now is a time for action. Talk is cheap, I want to see action, he said. As a council were going to have to roll up our sleeves and get busy.

Foster, along with fellow council member Doris Allison, have been working to improve the southern part of Statesville for years.

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(South Statesville) has been neglected for too long, Foster said. Im tired of it. Theres a lot of good people living in that area. We need to get to a point where people dont go to the south end of town to commit crime.

Kutteh agreed that now is the time for action for the community of South Statesville. Were doing our best to resolve the problems, he said. Its time to step up and come up with solutions.

Statesville Police Chief David Addison is asking for the community to speak out and help bring those responsible for Monday nights shootings to justice.

Addison asked for the community to provide more information on the shootings that killed a girl and injured two boys.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court is leaving a pandemic-inspired nationwide ban on evictions in place, over the votes of four objecting conservative justices.

The court on Tuesday rejected a plea by landlords to end the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention moratorium on evicting millions of tenants who aren't paying rent during the coronavirus pandemic. Last week, the Biden administration extended the moratorium by a month, until the end of July. It said then it did not expect another extension.

U.S. Judge Dabney Friedrich in Washington had struck down the moratorium as exceeding the CDC's authority, but put her ruling on hold. The high court voted 5-4 to keep the ban in place until the end of July.

In a brief opinion, Justice Brett Kavanaugh said he agreed with Friedrich's ruling, but voted to leave the ban on evictions in place because it's due to end in a month and because those few weeks will allow for additional and more orderly distribution of the congressionally appropriated rental assistance funds.

Also last week, the Treasury Department issued new guidance encouraging states and local governments to streamline distribution of the nearly $47 billion in available emergency rental assistance funding
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP)  The man who killed five people at a Maryland newspaper was delusional and believed the state's judicial system was conspiring with the Capital Gazette to persecute him and ruin his life, his attorney told a jury Tuesday, trying to make the case that Jarrod Ramos is not criminally responsible for the crimes due to mental illness.

Hours after hearing that, jurors saw photographs of the dead from shotgun blasts in their own newsroom. They saw Wendi Winters collapsed in a hallway after she had just charged at Ramos with a trash can. They saw Gerald Fischman crumpled under his desk. They saw Rob Hiaasen dead in his cubicle. They also saw John McNamara dead at the back of the newsroom. Rebecca Smith died later at a hospital.

Jurors also saw a security video of the attack, as well as an officer's body camera video, showing Ramos emerging from under a desk in the newsroom and police officers later leading him out.

Three years and a day after the attack on the newspaper, the second phase of a trial started for Ramos, who pleaded guilty  but not criminally responsible  to the June 28, 2018 slayings. The plea is Maryland's version of an insanity defense.
Milton, who has cooked at some of the countrys most prestigious restaurants, credits his family with the impact local cuisine has had on him.

I was learning some really, really cool stuff thats still invaluable to this day in how I cook and the things that I can do, but I really started thinking about the food I grew up with because theres so much heart and soul and love to it, Milton said. I really, really set out to do a restaurant thats rooted in Appalachian heritage, Appalachian varietals.

As construction on Hickory continues, Milton cooks at Taste, Wood-Fired Kitchen, an operational restaurant on the property. The open-air restaurant resembling a barn features such menu items as tuna noodle casserole with a twist and Kool-Ade pickles.

One of Miltons goals is to have a commissary kitchen, a commercial kitchen where cooks can prepare and store food, at the inn when it opens.

In creating his dishes, Milton takes inspiration from the farm.

My menus change quite often, Milton said, depending on the produce grown on the farm. Down here [at the inn], itll change almost daily based off of what weve got.
According to the reprimand and court records, Roberto was convicted of misdemeanor assault in the incident, but the charge was later dismissed after an appeal.

In his defense, the doctor told the medical board that he has high expectations for himself and for others around him. Dr. Roberto stated to the committee that he believes he was fully justified in his frustration with the OR staff, but he acknowledges that his actions were inappropriate.

He also said he was continuing counseling to address his anger management.

In January 2019, he received praise on the WCCH Facebook page from the director of the ED/ICCU: "Dr. Roberto is always pleasant and a pleasure to work with. He answers calls from the ED and comes in even when not on call. Always friendly and willing to help in any way. Never refuses a patient when contacted. Staff and providers express their gratitude on a daily basis."

His license to practice medicine is active until May 21, 2022, according to online records.

Jeffrey Simmons can be reached at 228-6611, extension 572, or jsimmons@wythenews.com.
Gee mostly teaches at his house, but for the classes for veterans, he is willing to make an exception.

Veterans are the easiest to teach than anyone I have ever taught, he said. Youd think theyve been hammering all of their lives. For me, hanging out with veterans is helpful because it helps manage stress; its as helpful to me as it is to them.

In a previous class, the students learned to draw out metal and twist it. They also learned to make a hole in metal.

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Navy Veteran Roger Rose of Elk Creek enjoyed making his knife.

I thought it was very informative; Id like to do another one, he said. The camaraderie with other veterans was great, and the instructor took his time and taught us how to do it.

Rose and his wife, Ann, have also enjoyed the art therapy lessons, painting everything from sunsets and trees to waterfalls and snowy landscapes.
ABINGDON, Va.  A Rural Retreat furniture maker is donating one of his handcrafted tables for a raffle at the Abingdon Farmers Market beginning Saturday, July 3.

John OQuinn, who is known for his epoxy resin river tables, said the gift is his way of showing appreciation for the market and the business it has generated for his custom-designed wood products for nearly a decade.

According to Market Manager David McLeish, the raffle also will help attract more customers during a lull between noon and 1 p.m. on Saturdays.

The farmers market is doing really well this season. Were probably running 1,200 to 1,500 customers through the market on Saturdays, said McLeish. And we have new vendors, too.

We just have this little period of time that wed like to bump up.

Customers are eligible to register for the raffle each Saturday in July between the hours of noon and 1 p.m. A winner will be announced at the market on Aug. 7. Raffle tickets are free to customers who shop during the hour.

Vendors are not allowed to participate in the raffle.
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Johnson said his book sets the record straight.

The story dates back to 1926.

Byrd worked for a local farmer named Grover Grubb, the father of three daughters. Byrd had consensual relationships with two of Grubbs daughters, Minnie and Essie May. Minnie became pregnant and gave birth to a daughter in July 1926. An angry Grubb demanded justice. On Aug. 7, Byrd, the married father of three, was arrested and jailed for being intimate with a white woman.

One sister refused to testify against Byrd. As a result, Byrd was charged with attempted assault against the womens 12-year-old sister and jailed. The assault charge was not strong enough for Minnies father and others, some of whom donned masks and womens clothing to conceal their identities before raiding the jail in search of Byrd.

They found him at the jail in Wytheville, where Byrd was shot above the heart and beaten before the mob pulled him out of the jail, tied him behind a car, dragged him 600 yards, carried him by car to the Charlie Brown woods near St. Pauls Lutheran Church and hanged him with a rope.
The problem is that schools are now so expensive thats hard for many localities  and not just rural localities.

Many urban areas are in the same fiscal bind, which sets up the opportunity for a grand coalition between central cities (generally represented by Democrats) and rural areas (largely represented by Republicans).

Making that happen has been harder than it should be. To his credit, Gov. Ralph Northam persuaded the General Assembly last year to use some of the state tax revenue from casinos for school construction.

He anticipates that, after several years of operation, the casinos could generate enough tax revenue to allow the state to issue up to $1.5 billion in bonds for school construction. Thats half the $3 billion Stanley proposed but still not an insignificant amount.

The problem is that it might be 2025 before the state can even do this. Is there any candidate who can come up with a shorter time frame? And whether they do or not, those future revenues for school construction depend on future governors and future legislatures not changing the rules.

Will the candidates pledge to carry this through? And will either endorse Stanleys call for a bond issue or find some way to fund school construction?
Tazewell, Va.  With her hand on her grandfathers Bible, Shanna Plaster took the oath of office as the Northwestern District Supervisor June 24.

The Bible came from her grandfather Edgell, who was one of 19,000 Americans killed in the four week siege of Bastogne near the end of World War II. Her father was less than a year old when his father was killed and the Bible has remained in the family over the years.

Plaster, became just the third woman elected to a supervisors post in the county history said she hopes to be a role model for girls and boys in the program she works with.

My day job is for a nonprofit group called communities in schools. I try to give students a hope for the future. I want to try to make sure each child has a future and a future in Tazewell County, she said.

Plaster takes office immediately after being elected June 15 to fill the time remaining on the term of Travis Hackworth. Hackworth was elected to the state senate in March and resigned his seat on the board with nearly three years left on his term.

Plaster, who ran unopposed for the seat said jobs will be her number one priority and the need for jobs was the main concern she heard from voters while campaigning. She expressed love for the county and a hope she could help make it a better place for people to live and work.

She has been attending board meetings unofficially since starting her campaign and said she felt comfortable and ready to vote on the budget June 29 and other issues moving forward.
The Longview School District gave an update on development of its $111 million budget for the 2021-22 school year at Monday nights school board meeting.

As it stands, the budget features $13 million in COVID-19 relief funds expected in response to the changes made during the pandemic.

The update comes as the district plans to release the preliminary budget before the July 10 statutory deadline. Longview School District Executive Director of Business Services Patti Bowen said the district plans to release the budget document July 9. There will be a budget hearing at 6:35 p.m. Aug. 9 and the budget adoption is currently scheduled for Aug. 23.

The process of getting the tools necessary for the budget has been an obstacle as the state-provided software that was supposed to be released June 15 was not available until recently, officials said.

It was released close to that date but brought back down quickly due to some challenges that they continued to work through which delayed the release, Bowen said Monday. For Longview School District, that was not resolved until late Friday.

Despite the delay, Superintendent Dan Zorn said he expects to meet the deadlines for the budget.
The I-5 sign at the entrance to Spirit Lake Highway, the spelling is again Silver Lake, she wrote in a letter to the board dated Feb. 11, 1987. South Silver Lake Road, is also spelled with two words, always. The area is named for the lake, and apparently was also Silver Lake until the 1953 U.S. Geological Survey Map was issued with what we believe is a typographical error.

Along with her letters to the board, Jean Bruner also submitted a formal application to clarify the name of the town, evidence from phone books and old records showing the spelling as two words as far back as 1893, and a petition with 110 local signatures in support of the town being spelled with two words.

Historically, it has always been Silver Lake and we would like it to be established to eliminate the confusion that has arisen, Jean Bruner wrote to the board.

Bary Bruner said when he recently joined a local Facebook group, he saw people once again using a single word spelling for the town, so he popped in to say its two words, and it generated a lot of discussion.

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Bruner said one woman said she used to work for the postal service, and claimed it was one word in the postal service directory but that mail would be delivered with either spelling.
Staff member Georgina Wilson prepares a drone for the delivery of medical supplies at the service base run by operator Zipline in Ghana in 2019. The US firm has raised new funding for expansion.

US-based drone operator Zipline, which has seen pandemic-fueled growth of delivery of vaccines and medical supplies in Africa and the United States, said Wednesday it raised $250 million as it moves to expand globally.

The latest round valued the California-based startup at $2.75 billion and will be used to fund "expansion into new industries and geographies" including "instant" e-commerce, the company said in a statement.

Zipline, which calls itself "the world's largest automated on-demand delivery service," said it hopes to eventually service residential consumers as it seeks to compete with rival automated services including from Amazon for ultrafast deliveries.

"We have completed hundreds of thousands of deliveries of blood, medicines and vaccines, and today Zipline makes a commercial delivery every four minutes," said Zipline founder and chief executive Keller Rinaudo in the press statement.

"In the past year, we have seen major growth in every market, including the US," he added. "And we're continuing to build on our proven track record and technology to bring instant logistics to more partners, communities and people."

Zipline, founded in 2014, began by delivering medical supplies by drone in parts of Africa and expanded services during the pandemic to distribute personal protective equipment and Covid-19 vaccines in Ghana and in the US state of North Carolina.

During the pandemic, the company experienced record growth, seeing an uptick in demand for contactless service as did similar robotic delivery services.

The growth period saw the company expand to round-the-clock autonomous delivery service in Rwanda, add four additional distribution centers covering 90 percent of Ghana's population and develop new partnerships with medical suppliers Kaduna and Cross River States in Nigeria, Toyota in Japan and Walmart in the US.

The funding round included Fidelity, Intercorp, Emerging Capital Partners and Reinvent Capital, joining existing investors including Baillie Gillford, Tamasek and Katalyst Ventures.

Explore further Zipline's delivery drone system redesign boosts capabilities

 2021 AFP
Credit: CC0 Public Domain

Fake news and misinformation have become commonplace in the political, economic, climatic, and social arenas in recent years and are amplified significantly by social media with important repercussions for political outcomes and our quality of life. As we continue to face the global COVID-19 pandemic, fake news and misinformation in this realm becomes a matter of life and death. Researchers from the U.S. and China writing in the International Journal of Data Science discuss a new approach to detected false headlines.

Xin Wang and Peng Zhao of the Big Data and AI Lab at IntelligentRabbit LLC, in New Jersey and Xi Chen of the Beijing University of Civil Engineering and Architecture have developed an algorithm-based ranking method for mainstream media credibility and tested long short-term memory (LSTM), convolutional neural network (CNN) and Deep belief networks (DBNs) to this end. They suggest that it is vital that we address this problem.

"In the age of social media, the ability to spread false information has increased exponentially," the team writes. "Irresponsible organisations and individuals published misleading information causing catastrophic consequences to society."

The researchers point out that while technology may have fostered the rapid spread of fake news in an unprecedented way, technology is in many ways the only means by which fake news can be tackled effectively. As such, the team has developed an algorithm based on the neural network approach performs with up to 94 percent accuracy and outstrips other approaches. This is critical given that it is difficult to retrieve whole documents reporting fake news especially as they are commonly camouflaged among genuine news content.

The team explains that many news organisations have established fact-checking units or recruited independent teams to manually scour their user output to identify fake news and false claims. There are also well-known services, such as Snopes, PolitiFact, and FactCheck that act as third-party factcheckers for content being shared online. A system that can work ahead of such checking and automatically flag fake news for subsequent manually checking could help guarantee the trustworthiness of a news source and label problem material.

The team adds that they will next develop a decentralised machine learning model that will guarantee the transparent and traceable delivery of news and take us a step closer to ending the era of fake news.

Explore further The end of fake news

More information: Xin Wang et al, Fake news and misinformation detection on headlines of COVID-19 using deep learning algorithms, International Journal of Data Science (2021). Xin Wang et al, Fake news and misinformation detection on headlines of COVID-19 using deep learning algorithms,(2021). DOI: 10.1504/IJDS.2020.115873
Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

Rutgers researchers have developed a machine learning model using a physics-based simulator and real-world meteorological data to better predict offshore wind power.

The findings appear in the journal Applied Energy.

Offshore wind is rapidly maturing into a major source of renewable energy worldwide and is projected to grow by 13% in the next two decades and 15-fold by 2040 to become a $1 trillion industry, matching capital spending on gas- and coal-fired power generation. In the United States, for instance, New York and New Jersey recently awarded two offshore wind energy contracts to help achieve their targets of renewable energy integration.

"We're entering a new age of the offshore wind energy revolution," said senior author Ruo-Qian (Roger) Wang, an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. "The key to support this growth is to develop reliable tools to assess and better predict offshore wind turbine performance in order to improve project planning and support operations and maintenance. The 2019 Hornsea offshore wind farm blackout in England and 2021 Texas power crisis illustrate the urgent need to develop powerful models to estimate and predict the environmental uncertainty of wind power generation."

Rutgers researchers have developed a machine learning model using a physics-based simulator and real-world meteorological data to better predict offshore wind power. Credit: Ruo-Qian (Roger) Wang

Power curve, or the relationship that governs the conversion of weather variables experienced by a wind turbine into electric power, is widely used in the wind industry to estimate power output for planning and operational purposes. But current methods for power curve estimation have limitations, including relying mostly on wind speed and ignoring other environmental factors, and largely overlooking the complex marine environment in which offshore turbines operate.

In their study, the Rutgers researchers designed a sensitivity analysis framework to reveal and predict the major factors contributing to the environmental uncertainty of offshore wind power generation. Driving this sensitivity analysis is a machine learning model, which fuses the outputs from a physics-based simulator with real-world meteorological data collected from a set of buoys deployed off of New Jersey. The buoys are located near at least three future offshore wind projects, which cumulatively are expected to add about 2.8 gigawatts to the U.S. offshore wind capacity by 2024.

"To the best of our knowledge, the proposed modeling framework is the first to investigate the impact of up to seven environmental variables, including wind- and wave-related factors, on offshore wind power generation," Aziz Ezzat, a co-author and assistant professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Rutgers said. "The framework investigates the effect of the variations in the offshore environment on the performance of the state-of-the-art 15 megawatt offshore turbine design, which is envisioned to be installed off of New Jersey and other U.S. states in the near future."

The team's analysis revealed that waves play an important, if not the most important, role in predicting the second moment of wind power, i.e., its variation around the mean generation level. The researchers also found that integrating several environmental variables can significantly improve predicting power output with high accuracy.

"Tested on real-world data from the New York and New Jersey sites, our analysis framework can improve accuracy by up to 91% over the traditional industrial standard for wind power estimation, which relies on wind speed as the sole environmental input," Wang said. "The significantly higher accuracy of our multi-input power estimation model calls upon the research community and practitioners in the offshore wind industry to shift their focus towards multi-input power estimation/prediction modeling tools, especially in complex marine environments."

Explore further US approves its biggest offshore wind farm yet

More information: Behzad Golparvar et al, A surrogate-model-based approach for estimating the first and second-order moments of offshore wind power, Applied Energy (2021). Behzad Golparvar et al, A surrogate-model-based approach for estimating the first and second-order moments of offshore wind power,(2021). DOI: 10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.117286
Engineers have developed a sweat-proof "electronic skin" -- a conformable, sensor-embedded sticky patch that reliably monitors a person's health, even when a wearer is perspiring. Credit: Jeehwan Kim, Hanwool Yeon, et al

MIT engineers and researchers in South Korea have developed a sweat-proof "electronic skin"a conformable, sensor-embedded sticky patch that monitors a person's health without malfunctioning or peeling away, even when a wearer is perspiring.

The patch is patterned with artificial sweat ducts, similar to pores in human skin, that the researchers etched through the material's ultrathin layers. The pores perforate the patch in a kirigami-like pattern, similar to that of the Japanese paper-cutting art. The design ensures that sweat can escape through the patch, preventing skin irritation and damage to embedded sensors.

The kirigami design also helps the patch conform to human skin as it stretches and bends. This flexibility, paired with the material's ability to withstand sweat, enables it to monitor a person's health over long periods of time, which has not been possible with previous "e-skin" designs. The results, published today in Science Advances, are a step toward long-lasting smart skins that may track daily vitals or the progression skin cancer and other conditions.

"With this conformable, breathable skin patch, there won't be any sweat accumulation, wrong information, or detachment from the skin," says Jeehwan Kim, associate professor of mechanical engineering at MIT. "We can provide wearable sensors that can do constant long-term monitoring."

Kim's co-authors include lead author and MIT postdoc Hanwool Yeon, and researchers in MIT's departments of Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering, and the Research Laboratory of Electronics, along with collaborators from cosmetics conglomerate Amorepacific and other institutions across South Korea.

A sweaty hurdle

Kim's group specializes in fabricating flexible semiconductor films. The researchers have pioneered a technique called remote epitaxy, which involves growing ultrathin, high-quality semiconductor films on wafers at high temperature and selectively peeling away the films, which they can then combine and stack to form sensors far thinner and more flexible than conventional wafer-based designs.

Recently, their work drew the attention of the cosmetics company Amorepacific, which was interested in developing thin wearable tape to continuously monitor changes in skin. The company struck up a collaboration with Kim to fashion the group's flexible semiconducting films into something that could be worn over long periods of time.

But the team soon came against a barrier that other e-skin designs have yet to clear: sweat. Most experimental designs embed sensors in sticky, polymer-based materials that are not very breathable. Other designs, made from woven nanofibers, can let air through, but not sweat. If an e-skin were to work over the long-term, Kim realized it would have to be permeable to not just vapor but also sweat.

"Sweat can accumulate between the e-skin and your skin, which could cause skin damage and sensor malfunctioning," Kim says. "So we tried to address these two problems at the same time, by allowing sweat to permeate through electronic skin."

Making the cut

For design inspiration, the researchers looked to human sweat pores. They found that the diameter of the average pore measures about 100 microns, and that pores are randomly distributed throughout skin. They ran some initial simulations to see how they might overlay and arrange artificial pores, in a way that would not block actual pores in human skin.

"Our simple idea is, if we provide artificial sweat ducts in electronic skin and make highly-permeable paths for the sweat, we may achieve long-term monitorability," Yeon explains.

They started with a periodic pattern of holes, each about the size of an actual sweat pore. They found that if pores were spaced close together, at a distance smaller than an average pore's diameter, the pattern as a whole would efficiently permeate sweat. But they also found that if this simple hole pattern were etched through a thin film, the film was not very stretchable, and it broke easily when applied to skin.

The researchers found they could increase the strength and flexibility of the hole pattern by cutting thin channels between each hole, creating a pattern of repeating dumbbells, rather than simple holes, that relaxed strain, rather than concentrating it in one place. This pattern, when etched into a material, created a stretchable, kirigami-like effect.

"If you wrap a piece of paper over a ball, it's not conformable," Kim says. "But if you cut a kirigami pattern in the paper, it could conform. So we thought, why not connect the holes with a cut, to have kirigami-like conformability on the skin? At the same time we can permeate sweat."

Following this rationale, the team fabricated an electronic skin from multiple functional layers, each which they etched with dumbbell-patterned pores. The skin's layers comprise an ultrathin semiconductor-patterned array of sensors to monitor temperature, hydration, ultraviolet exposure, and mechanical strain. This sensor array is sandwiched between two thin protective films, all of which overlays a sticky polymer adhesive.

"The e-skin is like human skinvery stretchable and soft, and sweat can permeate through it," Yeon says.

The researchers tested the e-skin by sticking it to a volunteer's wrist and forehead. The volunteer wore the tape continuously over a week. Throughout this period, the new e-skin reliably measured his temperature, hydration levels, UV exposure, and pulse, even during sweat-inducing activities, such as running on a treadmill for 30 minutes and consuming a spicy meal.

The team's design also conformed to skin, sticking to the volunteer's forehead as he was asked to frown repeatedly while sweating profusely, compared with other e-skin designs that lacked sweat permeability, and easily detached from the skin.

Kim plans to improve the design's strength and durability. While the tape is both permeable to sweat and highly conformable, thanks to its kirigami patterning, it's this same patterning, paired with the tape's ultrathin form, that makes it quite fragile to friction. As a result, volunteers had to wear a casing around the tape to protect it during activities such as showering.

"Because the e-skin is very soft, it can be physically damaged," Yeon says. "We aim to improve the resilience of electronic skin."

Explore further Attachable skin monitors that wick the sweat away

More information: H. Yeon el al., "Long-term reliable physical health monitoring by sweat poreinspired perforated electronic skins," Science Advances (2021). Journal information: Science Advances H. Yeon el al., "Long-term reliable physical health monitoring by sweat poreinspired perforated electronic skins,"(2021). advances.sciencemag.org/lookup  .1126/sciadv.abg8459
The VB 10,000 crane vessel lowered a hulking chunk of the shipwrecked Golden Ray onto a dry dock barge late Saturday afternoon, setting the stage for the removal of yet one more section of the lumbering eyesore from the St. Simons Sound.
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Baylor Scott & White Medical Center in College Station is looking for volunteers to help with a program that provides hospital patients with visits from dogs.

The hospital has partnered with Aggieland Pets with a Purpose to bring therapy pets for afternoon visits with patients. Hospital officials said nurses will select patients for the visits based on their medical conditions and preferences.

The volunteers are needed to help coordinate the visits and assist the patients while the dogs and handlers are in the rooms. Training will be provided.

Kit Darling, president of Aggieland Pets With a Purpose, has been active with support dogs since 2002. Her 7-year-old dog, Tempe, is the only dog in the nonprofit organizations program currently certified as therapy dog, but eight others are going through the training.

Darling said dogs have to go to an obedience class and pass a series of tests before they can see patients. The tests include making sure the dogs wont startle, get excited easily or jump on patients.

The handlers also go through a training course, she said.

Kendall Parker, the hospitals guest services director, said the hospital is looking for adults who can volunteer at least four hours a week for six months.
According to the Brazos County District Attorney's Office, Skylar Burrell, 31, entered the plea Wednesday to six charges of burglary of a vehicle with previous convictions, unlawful possession of a firearm by a felon, evading arrest with a vehicle and theft of a firearm.
These are not numbers, these are children, Morath said, and this represents how well we have supported them in their continued academic growth.

He called out school districts that were slower to return to in-person learning, including in El Paso, saying they saw steeper learning setbacks compared to rural schools that reopened classrooms quickly. In El Paso Independent School District, 64% of eighth-graders fell short of math standards this spring, compared to 20% in 2019, according to state data.

Clay Robison, spokesperson for the Texas State Teachers Association, said the data show theres no replacement for in-person learning. But he also said that giving families opportunities to learn remotely probably prevented more deaths from COVID-19.

We were in the middle of a deadly pandemic and we are sure it saved the lives of some students, it saved the lives of some school employees, it saved the lives of some members of their families and it was necessary, Robison said. Fortunately, most Texas students and teachers lived to learn another day.

Officials with the Houston Independent School District said in a statement responding to the test results that they are planning to address learning loss by adding 15 days of instruction and returning to 100% in-person instruction in the fall.
But Abbotts spokeswoman, press secretary Renae Eze, said the governors veto was legal and well within the power granted by the Texas Constitution to disapprove any bill.

This is not the first time, and undoubtedly will not be the last time, that a governor vetoes government funding for government positions and salaries, Eze said.

Any limitation on that authority directly contradicts the Constitution and decades of vetoes by governors.

Chad Dunn, a lawyer for the Texas Democratic Party, suggested that the Supreme Court might think about what might happen if it lets stand Abbotts veto of one of the three supposedly equal branches of government outlined in the constitution.

Dunn, quoted in The Austin American-Statesman, suggested that if Abbotts veto is allowed to stand, whats next?

If the governor is permitted to zero out the budget of the legislative branch until he gets what he wants, he similarly will be able to eliminate the budget of the judiciary until he gets what he wants, Dunn said.

He warned that history has shown that once an executive gets power, it will be used forever.
Smith Mountain Lake residents will have two opportunities to see fireworks from the water this year. Mitchells Point Marina will put on a second show this year to raise money for Saunders Volunteer Fire Department.

The annual Fourth of July celebration at Parkway Marina to raise funds for Saunders Volunteer Fire Department was canceled earlier this month. Darrell White, president of the departments board, said last week there were issues in planning the department couldnt overcome.

After hearing about the cancellation, Mitchells Point Marina owner Jeff Prowse decided to add another fireworks show to help out the fire department. We love Saunders Volunteer Fire Department, he said. It just seemed like a no-brainer.

In addition to the original fireworks show planned for July 2, a second show has been added on July 4. Prowse said, like in previous years, his July 2 show will be a fundraiser for the Semper Fi Fund that provides assistance to the combat wounded, ill and injured. The July 4 show will be a fundraiser for the Saunders Volunteer Fire Department.

There will be no one taking money during the fireworks shows on either day. Prowse said he encourages anyone who views either of the shows to donate to either the Semper Fi Fund or to the Saunders Volunteer Fire Department.

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Now that I am retired, I discover I have been teaching critical race theory for the last 40 years without knowing it.

I think this is because as an undergrad at UVA it was just assumed that if you were smart enough to get in Mr. Jeffersons University you knew that American political, judicial, educational, and religious systems were riddled with racism, just as they were with prejudice against women, gays, and other groups, including Sally Hemings.

It was the 1960s. It wasnt like institutional racism wasnt visible; if anything, it was so visible many white Americans didnt even see it. Like today.

UVA too had few women and Blacks because you cant just legislate away racism, patriarchy, and homophobia. Thats what institutionalized means: Everything around and within you has always been the way it is. Black people like to sit together in the back of the bus, dont they?

However, Im not as startled to find that CRT is popularly linked to Marxism, because if you dont have good evidence or cogent arguments just trot out that old war horse and the cultural militias will erupt in gunfire.

But does anyone even read Marx anymore? I thought he went out of favor with postmodernism, like Freud with the cognitive scientists.
Since it began work on the 303-mile pipeline though West Virginia and the New River and Roanoke valleys, Mountain Valley has encountered repeated problems with erosion and sedimentation. That has led to lawsuits by environmental groups and delays in a construction project that was supposed to be done by late 2018.

In a May conference call, executives for the pipelines lead partner said they plan to have nearly all of the construction done by September. That will provide time to obtain approvals for water body crossings in order to complete the project by next summer, the company says.

Meanwhile, it remained unclear Monday whether Virginia would require a separate water quality certification for boring under the nearly 100 waterbodies that will not crossed using the open-cut method.

Final approval for that plan rests with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. In May, FERC asked DEQ if it wanted to weigh in on the borings before a decision was made at the federal level.

Melanie Davenport, director of water permitting for DEQ, responded by saying that was a question for FERC, not the state. Virginia already issued a water quality certification for Mountain Valley in 2017, as the precursor to a federal plan that was later thrown out by the federal appeals court.
Thats up to the parents to make the decision about how they want to approach that with their kids. Its not up to the state to set an education standard about it, he said. We should stick to what are the biological facts about sex ed, and that can be handled by working with parents and school boards to determine how and when they want to do it.

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Ricketts said he has not seen anything compelling for why they are doing this at all.

It is not required. Theres no requirement for the state board of education to do this. They dont need to do this. This is something to be handled locally, he said. I have not seen a defense for why you would teach a 12-year-old about anal and oral sex.

Ricketts also noted the statewide standards were crafted without the involvement of key education groups.

The Nebraska Catholic Conference was not included in developing these standards, even though they educate 10% of the kids in our state, he said, and you have groups like Out Nebraska that were part of this, which is a political activist group.

Ricketts said he also has commented on content under the other seven sections in the NDEs draft, but did not provide examples of other topics that caused him concern.
Gifts of the elderly

Schiel knows that caring for older people is different from tending to younger people. Their bodies dont respond the same way. Medications dont work the same way, she said.

Many older people should probably see their primary care providers more often than they do, but it is difficult to coordinate plans and rides to the clinic, she said.

Some adults have difficulty getting out of their homes to see their doctors, especially those who have difficulty with mobility, dementia or are at a higher risk of infection. Sometimes, they live in a rural area, or their vision is impaired, and their family has to arrange transportation to a doctors office, she said.

In her new role, she does physical exams, prescribes medications and more. She can order lab tests and therapy just like when you go to your own doctor, she said. She does geriatric consults, where she meets with relatives of elderly patients to listen to their concerns and answer questions.

Some families might just need help at night, and I can recommend places to call, she said.
We had them in the fridge and we started with those, said Fattore, whose congregation soon started pitching in to help. A couple of hours later, I was at Costco spending $600. Those were the first donations.

In a side room at Fattores church on Tuesday, cases of water were stacked four high, along with a large assortment of energy drinks, bottled iced coffees and bags of chips and other snacks. As volunteers packed coolers to distribute among police and emergency crews in the area, a van pulled up to offload more refreshments.

Theyre coming from another church, Fattore said. I have no idea what theyre bringing.

In the churchs parking lot, Robert Martinez and his crew of three busied themselves frying chicken tenders and Oreos in Martinezs circus-themed food truck.

Martinez said theyd brought enough to feed 350 people.

Once we got the call to come help out and do whatever we can, there was no decision to make, Martinez said. It was like, `Lets go!

The call came from Daniel and her husband, Patrick Daniel, who have a law firm in Houston. Nicolette Daniel said they traveled from Texas to Florida to offer whatever assistance they could to victims families and emergency workers.
With the Delta variant accounting for more than a quarter of Covid-19 cases, there could soon be "two Americas" -- one where most people are vaccinated and another where low vaccination rates could lead to case spikes, Dr. Anthony Fauci warned.

The stark disparity between places with low and high vaccination rates is something Fauci is "very concerned about," he told CNN on Tuesday.

"When you have such a low level of vaccination superimposed upon a variant that has a high degree of efficiency of spread, what you are going to see among undervaccinated regions -- be that states, cities or counties -- you're going to see these individual types of blips," he said. "It's almost like it's going to be two Americas."

But spikes in coronavirus cases are "entirely avoidable, entirely preventable," said Fauci, who heads the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.

"If you are vaccinated, you diminish dramatically your risk of getting infected and even more dramatically your risk of getting seriously ill. If you are not vaccinated, you are at considerable risk," Fauci warned.
They had an opportunity to really engage, Thompson said of Republicans who voted against the bipartisan commission. And they didn't. So they can't now come back and say, Oh, thats not fair.'"

Many Republicans have expressed concerns about a partisan probe, since majority Democrats are likely to investigate Trumps role in the siege and the right-wing groups that participated in it. Almost three dozen House Republicans voted last month for the legislation to create an independent commission, which would have had an even partisan split among members. Seven Republicans in the Senate have also supported moving forward on that bill, but that was short of the 10 Senate Republicans who would be necessary to pass it.

Many Republicans have made clear that they want to move on from the Jan. 6 attack and Trump's role in it. But others have gone even further, with Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia suggesting video of the rioters looked like a tourist visit and Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona insisting that a Trump supporter named Ashli Babbitt, who was shot and killed that day while trying to break into the House chamber, was executed. Others have defended the rioters as they have been charged with federal crimes.
The Bellevue Police Department's newest officer has a lot of training to do.

Mo, an 8-week-old goldendoodle, is joining the department as a certified therapy dog.

The puppy will start working with an Omaha-based trainer next week, said Bellevue Police Sgt. Howard Banks. Mo will train weekly with his soon-to-be handler, Officer Ashley Meyers.

The addition of a therapy dog has been in the works for a few months, Banks said. Department officials looked at breeders and sought advice from other agencies that use therapy dogs.

The dog's main job will be to offer emotional support to officers and residents during traumatic events, interviews or community outreach events.

"We're hoping that Mo is going to be a great addition to our police department," Banks said. "Hopefully the dog can be utilized for emotional support for police officers, to help them have that friendly dog they can pet on and love on. The dog can provide the same thing for citizens."

Mo is named after Will Moden, a Colorado State Patrol trooper who was killed while investigating a crash in 2019. Moden loved helping people and he loved dogs, Bellevue police said.
With the space for dissent shrinking, the online news platform Stand News said it would remove commentaries published on its site before June, stop its fundraising efforts and stop accepting new subscribers.

With the handover 24 years ago, Hong Kong became a semi-autonomous territory, promised independent economic and legal status under a one country, two systems arrangement that led many in the city to expect more, not less democracy despite the Communist Partys lack of tolerance for dissent across the border in the Chinese mainland.

Like millions of others who left the mainland seeking more opportunity in Hong Kong in past decades, 40-something Wang Wai says she migrated there because wages were in the thousands but in China still in the hundreds.

The health care system, education and work to be found in Hong Kong is much better than in China, said Wang, who is married with two children.

Ever since its days as a hub in Britains trading of opium from India for silk, tea and porcelain from China, Hong Kong has mainly been about moneymaking. The city flourished in the years after the 1949 Communist Revolution, as industrialists from Shanghai relocated to the colony, bringing what they could of their salvaged fortunes.
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Biden selling infrastructure deal

EVAN VUCCI, ASSOCIATED PRESS President Joe Biden laughs with guests after speaking about infrastructure spending Tuesday at the La Crosse Municipal Transit Authority in La Crosse, Wis. EVAN VUCCI, ASSOCIATED PRESS President Joe Biden speaks about infrastructure spending Tuesday at the La Crosse Municipal Transit Authority in La Crosse, Wis. EVAN VUCCI, ASSOCIATED PRESS President Joe Biden talks with guests after speaking Tuesday about infrastructure spending at the La Crosse Municipal Transit Authority in La Crosse, Wis. EVAN VUCCI, ASSOCIATED PRESS President Joe Biden speaks about infrastructure spending Tuesday at the La Crosse Municipal Transit Authority in La Crosse, Wis.

LA CROSSE, Wis.  President Joe Biden declared America urgently needs a "generational investment" in its infrastructure, as he looked to sell voters Tuesday on the economic benefits of the $973 billion bipartisan package that still faces an uncertain future in Congress.

Biden traveled to La Crosse, Wisconsin, population 52,000, and toured its public transit center, highlighting projects  including hybrid buses and road repair equipment  that would receive additional funding from the infrastructure bill. He argued that the package, which is held together in large part by the promise of millions of new jobs, is a way for the United States to assert both the principles of democracy and the economic might that can come from dramatic investments in the country's future.

"This deal isn't just the sum of its parts. It's a signal to ourselves, and to the world, that American democracy can come through and deliver for all our people," said Biden. "America has always been propelled into the future by landmark investments."

He said there is a critical need to improve crumbling infrastructure  from overwhelmed power grids to lead-filled water pipes to traffic-clogged roads  and stressed that the effort needs to be ambitious to not only improve Americans' daily lives now but also to combat the growing challenges of climate change.

"We're not just tinkering around the edges," Biden said.

He also made his pitch in personal terms, reminiscing about driving a bus during law school and noting the 1972 traffic accident that killed his first wife and daughter, as he called for improvements to make the nation's roads safer.

The visit to Wisconsin was the beginning of what the White House has declared will be a series of presidential trips to sell the bipartisan bill  and to reassure the nervous Republicans who helped craft it.

"I'm going to be out there making the case for the American people until this job is done, until we bring this bipartisan bill home," said the president, though he allowed that "there will be more disagreements to be resolved, more compromises" to be made.

The process briefly fell into disarray late last week as Biden suggested the deal would be held up until he received a much larger, separate package for infrastructure, jobs and education that would be determined solely by Democrats through Congress' "budget reconciliation" process.

Biden said Saturday that this was not a veto threat, and by Sunday the package appeared back on track. But there were still anxieties on both sides of the aisle.

Some Republicans have questioned the wisdom of signing onto a bipartisan bill if it is linked to a party-line reconciliation bill that will contain a host of additional Democratic priorities. And GOP Senate Leader Mitch McConnell, who has often declared his steadfast opposition to the Biden agenda, has questioned the process.

Meanwhile, a balancing act awaited among Democrats as well: Some more liberal members of the party have urged Biden to push for a Democrats-only bill at least as large as his previously stated $4 trillion goal, while some more moderate members have signaled they'd want a much smaller number. With the Senate deadlocked 50-50, with ties broken by Vice President Kamala Harris, the White House can't afford to lose a single vote.

As Biden trumpeted the bipartisan first version in public, the White House furiously worked behind the scenes to keep it on track.

Senior West Wing aides, including top adviser Steve Ricchetti, met with House Democrats at the Capitol on Tuesday. Others have had calls this week with more than 60 Democratic and Republican members and chiefs of staff and other aides, White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters aboard Air Force One en route to Wisconsin.

Rep. Ilhan Omar, D-Minn., said she and other leaders of the Congressional Progressive Caucus were assured that the strategy remains moving the bipartisan infrastructure and Democrat-only reconciliation bills together.

"They seem to be very firm on that strategy, that the bills move simultaneously together and a realization that that's the only way that we are able to pass" them, said Omar.

Psaki said the White House was going along with the timeline outlined by Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, who has said he wants to have both packages on the floor for debate next month.

An internal White House memo highlights how the administration contends the largest investment in transportation, water systems and services in nearly a century would boost growth. The memo notes that the total package is four times the size of the infrastructure investment made a dozen years ago in response to the Great Recession and the biggest since Franklin D. Roosevelt's New Deal in the 1930s.

It also emphasizes an analysis suggesting that 90% of the jobs generated by the spending could go to workers without college degrees, a key shift as a majority of net job gains before the pandemic went to college graduates.

"This is a blue-collar blueprint to rebuild America," the memo says.

The visit to La Crosse was indeed a blue-collar political play, with faux traffic construction signs that said "American Jobs Plan" dotted across the venue. The president has long connected with working-class voters, while Wisconsin is one of the trio of Great Lakes states  along with Michigan and Pennsylvania  that Biden narrowly reclaimed for the Democrats after they were captured by Donald Trump in 2016.
HERRIN  Jessica Cantrell is remembered by her siblings as a joyful and caring person who often helped others.

Even after her death at the age of the 35 on Nov. 15, 2019, she was able to help out one last time by donating her organs and saving the lives of two people.

According to her family, Jessica was riding a motorcycle in the Kroger Big K Run for the Fund in August 2008 when she was injured in an accident near Pinckneyville. She was a senior at Southern Illinois University at the time.

Her life was spared at the time, but forever changed from her injuries.

Jana Cantrell said her sister had signed up as an organ donor prior to her accident. She said it was about 12 hours between the time they knew their sister was dying and when Mid-America Transplant was able to procure her organs. Her kidneys were transplanted into two people.

Jonathan Cantrell praised the team at Herrin Hospital for taking great care Jessica and her family, and treating them with compassion.

It was easy for us to make the decision (to donate her organs) because Jessica was a loving and caring person, Jonathan Cantrell said. We encourage others to be organ donors. We felt wonderful knowing two people were able to live because of her.
All six defendants are accused of using the internet to entice someone under 17 years old to engage in unlawful sexual activity and traveling to a specific location to engage in sexual acts with a minor.

Some of the defendants allegedly traveled across state lines and/or offered to pay for sex, leading to additional charges. Several of them allegedly had items with them when they were arrested, including alcohol, sex toys, condoms, and candy. No actual minors were harmed during the two-day operation.

If convicted, the defendants each face at least 10 years in prison and could receive as much as life behind bars. Traveling across state lines to have sex with a minor is punishable by up to 30 years in prison. All of the offenses also carry a possible lifetime term of supervised release and fines of up to $250,000.

Pending trial, all six defendants will be held without bond or released on electronic monitoring and other strict conditions, as required by federal law for these offenses.

A complaint is merely a charge against a defendant. Under the law, a defendant is presumed to be innocent of the charge until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt to the satisfaction of a jury.
In a statement emailed to The Southern, Department of Human Services Deputy Director of Communications Patrick Laughlin said Davis, Goins and Smith continue to be employed at the facility near Anna.

The three employees currently remain employed at the IDHS facility. These are charges that were brought previously and dismissed then by the court for lack of probable cause. If the charges being brought again are ultimately substantiated, the Department will take appropriate action at that time, the statement said.

Contrary to DHS, Tripp on Wednesday said the latest, current charges are part of new indictments.

He said probable cause was initially found in a previous case against Smith, but was dismissed by the presiding Union County judge on the same day.

This was taken to the grand jury  three different cases, one for each administrator  and probable cause was found on all counts, Trip said.

He called the departments decision to not place the indicted employees on leave asinine.

I believe the writing is on the wall, he continued. When we start arguing the evidentiary facts of this thing, people are going to be disgusted.
The city of Chicago has ordered more than 200 cameras for its squad cars. In Indiana, the city of Hammond has taken steps to record nearly every vehicle that comes into town.

Not all police like the devices. In the southwest suburbs, Darien and La Grange had issues in years past with the cameras making false readings, and some officers stopped using them.

Unlike other cameras, which monitor traffic flow or issue speeding tickets, license plate readers are designed to record the plate number, make, model and color of every vehicle that passes, and often compare them to the National Crime Information Center or a local police hot sheet, which may list stolen cars, suspended plates and people with outstanding arrest warrants or traffic violations.

Homeowner associations may also tie their cameras into the systems, which is what led to the arrest in Vernon Hills.

One of the leading sellers of such cameras, Vigilant Solutions, a part of Chicago-based Motorola Solutions, has collected billions of license plate numbers in its National Vehicle Location Service. The database shares information from thousands of police agencies, and can be used to find cars across the country.
The Post's report quoted experts who said the timing of the deal raised legal and ethical concerns. Georgetown University law professor Julie O'Sullivan, a former federal prosecutor, told the publication the deal "stinks to high heaven" and should result in an investigation.

"Only a prosecutor with the powers of the grand jury can find out, in fact, whether there was a quid pro quo that existed at the time of the deal," she said.

Several members of the Regents, which oversees Georgia's higher education system, declined to comment on the report.

Perdue has faced questions about his land deals before. In 2005, he signed into law a measure that allowed Georgia residents to avoid taxes on property sold in Georgia if they purchased similar land in another state.

The AJC reported at the time the provision was sponsored by a state legislator who had also served as Perdue's personal attorney, and came shortly after Perdue faced a hefty tax bill for buying 20 acres of land near Florida's Walt Disney World. The changes saved him an estimated $100,000 in taxes.

Perdue's critics say the report is the latest indication the Regents should steer clear of appointing him as chancellor.
Harbour's character in fact is Alexei Shostakov/Red Guardian, a Soviet-built super soldier made to compete with Captain America. Their family was a cobbled-together Ohio sleeper cell. The four of them are quickly split apart, and over a melancholy cover of Smells Like Teen Spirit," the opening credits roll with a montage of U.S.-Russian relations over time, mixed with images mixed of Soviet mastermind Dreykov (Winstone) and his Red Room program of elite assassins  dubbed Widows  all of them plucked from the streets as young girls.

Twenty years later, the long-freed and reformed Natasha  now an Avenger  is well beyond of her painful beginnings. But not as much as she thought. Her belief that she killed Dreykov is spoiled when she reunites in Budapest with her faux-sister from childhood, Yelena (Pugh), who informs her that not only is the Red Room very operational, but Dreykov has created a new, frightful method of control of his Widows. From afar, he can operate their movements and terminate their lives with a few computer buttons.

Natasha and Yelena resolve to topple Dreykov and the Red Room, a mission that requires them to reconnect with their once parents. Once freed from a Siberian prison, Harbour, as the Red Guardian, gives the film a comic lift, playing a cartoonishly washed-up former super soldier who has long receded from even pseudo family life.
And I think partly because Black Widow needs to exist purely by itself, it works. It's absorbing in its own right. Less occupied with driving a universe of movies forward, the almost-standalone film instead digs into slightly darker, deeper realms of the typically bright and shiny Marvel world. Shortland, an Australian director of indies ("Somersault," Berlin Syndrome), grounds Black Widow in a more tactile and murky reality. Essentially a European-set spy thriller with all the shadows of the postwar period (WWII, I mean, not the Civil War), Black Widow is, for much of its running time, closer to Bourne than Thor. And while it marks a farewell to Johansson, Black Widow is given a boost by a number of new faces  Florence Pugh, David Harbour, Rachel Weisz, Ray Winstone (terrific actors all)  who supply some new verve in a movie world that's recently been dependent on many of its longest-running stars.

Black Widow doesn't deviate radically from the Marvel formula. Just as usual, there's a giant contraption in the sky, winks to the Avengers and light banter mixed with battle scenes. But it's often in Marvel movies that the director has his or her best chance to flex their own filmmaking muscles early on, before the set-piece mandates set in. And Black Widow excels early.
But state Sen. Tom Davis, chief of staff for former Gov. Mark Sanford, who supported a similar spending committee more than a decade ago, said that kind of method is less transparent than the current system, under which a project is made public and linked to a legislator and voters can decide if that lawmaker stays in office.

It's your job to stand up here and if you feel passionately about something, make the argument, Davis said, saying the projects got a bad name back when Sanford was in office because lawmakers hid them or traded them for other votes.

Also, the Legislature controls spending under the state constitution, said Davis, a Republican from Beaufort.

I don't trust the process because it hasn't worked in the past, Davis said.

Senators overrode the 10 vetoes they were sent from the House in about 80 minutes.

The House did sustain five of McMaster's vetoes, including one that called for allowing colleges and universities to come up with their own system for accepting students into teaching programs. House leaders said that should be done in a bill, not in a temporary budget provision.
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Capella said, The biggest thing weve done to protect them is we hosted COVID-19 vaccine clinics here in our community and offered the opportunity for all of our residents and all of our team members to be vaccinated.

The interim executive director said incessant cleaning also helped keep illnesses other than the coronavirus down.

We havent had flu cases either. So I have a feeling thats going to stay around for a while. I think residents in assisted-living facilities are probably ... the healthiest people in the world right now, she said.

Capella continued, I think the masks will probably stay for a while, unfortunately, but as far as policies and procedures go, I dont think that those are going to stay around for too long, noting that residents families now have a more heightened sense of how theyre feeling and when to stay away if necessary.

McCollum, who has been employed at Morningside since 2005, said she loves her work.

I just love helping residents and families. Sometimes you have families come in and they know they need to do something, but they dont know what. ... Its just being able to help people, she said.
In Virginia, the Mount Clifton United Methodist Church experienced a similar fate. The church can seat more than 100 but the number of weekly worshippers dwindled to 10 to 15, even before the pandemic.

The small white church built on a hill in the Shenandoah Valley in the 1880s may be rented to another congregation, or it may be put up for sale.

Its a complicated picture overall, but the pandemic was the straw that broke the camels back, said the Rev. Darlene Wilkins, who oversaw Mount Clifton. It just became next to impossible to sustain.

In the United States, the latest challenge for places of worship comes against a backdrop of a decadeslong trend of a smaller share of the population identifying as religious.

Its too early to know the full impact of the pandemic. Surveys do show signs of hopefulness  and also cause for concern.

About three-quarters of Americans who attended religious services in person at least monthly before the pandemic say they are likely to do so again in the next few weeks, according to a recent AP-NORC poll. That's up slightly from the about two-thirds who said in May 2020 that they would if they were allowed to do so. But 7% said they definitely won't be attending.
So far, the Southern Power Fund has awarded $9.7 million to grassroots organizations. Most of the roughly 250 grants were for $40,000, and beneficiaries received wide discretion in how to use the money.

It gets the money out of the hands of institutional philanthropy and into the hands of people who actually know what is happening and are doing the work  in ways that are not restrictive, Henderson said. There were a lot of intersecting crises and many of the organizations we funded were the social safety net that was literally saving peoples lives.

Nat Chioke Williams, executive director of the Hill-Snowdon Foundation, which supports nonprofits fighting for social and racial justice, said inherent in the no-strings approach is the drive by Black-led grassroots organizations to have more say in how to use philanthropic dollars. The foundation gave $75,000 to the fund.

There is resistance of foundations to support social justice, social change, etc., at a level that actually penetrates and does something about the inequities that almost all foundations list in their missions as something they want to change, Williams said. What they often support is more aligned with charity that, despite its best intentions, maintains the status quo and doesnt bring about change.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  The Senate voted unanimously Tuesday to make former lawmaker and U.S. Attorney Peter McCoy the new chairman of state-owned utility Santee Cooper.

Senators wasted no time getting McCoy into his new job, with both the Judiciary Committee and the full Senate voting during Tuesdays special session. The General Assembly may not meet again for a few months.

Gov. Henry McMaster nominated McCo y in April to lead the oversight board of the utility, which provides power for more than 2 million of South Carolina's 5 million residents.

McCoy is well known a the Statehouse. He spent 10 years as a Republican in the South Carolina House, rising to House Judiciary Committee chairman. He ran a special committee that investigated the abandoned nuclear reactors at V.C. Summer north of Columbia. Then during his year as U.S. attorney, he oversaw the prosecution of two executives of SCANA, which had the majority share in the shuttered reactors.

He's already been vetted by the United States Senate and others. I think this is an easy bet, said Sen. Gerald Malloy, a Democrat from Hartsville.
Since the riot, numerous security improvements have been implemented across the prisons system and specifically at Lee, including a $1 million cell door locking system, 50-foot-high nets to limit contraband from being thrown over the fences and systems to detect cellphones and drones, which could be used to ferry in contraband.

Federal communications regulations continue to prevent the full use of the cell signal-jamming technology Stirling wants, however.

The number of maximum-security inmates at Lee has also dwindled from more than 1,300 at the time of the riot to 270, as of this week, according to Corrections officials. Stirling said inmate assaults on each other, as well as on prison staff, have continually decreased in the years since the riot.

I think our staff has been working hard on safety and security, Stirling told AP. And weve been working hard on getting funding for rehabilitation and reentry programs. There are avenues, if people want to better themselves when they come to the Department of Corrections.



Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.

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Jackie Pickinpaugh, director of women's and family services at the Wyoming Rescue Mission, retired Wednesday after almost 18 years of service

She began her time at the mission in 2004 as a case manager and was an important part of the Womens & Childrens Transformation Center start-up team. After several years as case manager, Pickinpaugh became director of Womens & Family Services, where her mothers heart, to love and serve homeless women and children has impacted hundreds, if not thousands, of lives.

Jackie Pickinpaugh is one of the best-kept secrets of Wyoming, Wyoming Rescue Mission executive director Brad Hopkins, said. She represents all that is great about Wyoming, having touched and helped restore countless women dealing with homelessness and hardship. Jackie will be deeply missed. We wish her well in retirement.

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Pickinpaugh was given the Women of Distinction Award by the Women Student Leaders at the University of Wyoming in 2009, recognizing her leadership and accomplishments as a Wyoming woman making a difference for others.
Orona then smoked marijuana with Lamb in their bedroom until about 4:30 a.m., when they both fell asleep.

The next morning, Orona said, Lamb asked her if they had clean sheets. He said he wanted to change the childrens sheets because Athian had vomited earlier, that he would take care of it and not to worry about getting up. Orona told the detective Lamb was being nicer than normal.

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At around 8:30 a.m., Lamb asked Orona to drive her daughter to Goins Elementary School because he was worried she would be late. Orona said this was out of the ordinary, and that even if the girl was late to school, Lamb would walk with her because it was such a short distance.

The three left the apartment, leaving behind Athian and his brother, who were still in bed.

Orona said she and Lamb returned to the apartment at about 8:40 a.m. and smoked marijuana together. Athians brother was awake, but Orona said she did not see Athian and believed he was still asleep.

Orona went back to bed at 9:30 a.m. While she was in bed, Orona said Lamb was going to do chores, and that she heard him opening trash bags at one point.

At about 12:15 p.m., Orona said Lamb woke her up and told her Athian was missing, and that the apartment door was open.
Gov. Mark Gordon and Secretary of State Ed Buchanan have invited the National Rifle Association to relocate from Virginia to Wyoming, they said in a joint letter released Tuesday.

Though the letter was sent to the gun rights group on June 18, Gordon and Buchanan have not yet heard back from the NRA, spokespeople for the governor and the secretary of state told the Star-Tribune.

The letter cites the states lack of taxes and gun regulations as reasons why Wyoming would be a good new home for the NRA.

We have no corporate tax, no personal income tax, no franchise tax and no gross receipts tax, the letter read.

We have permitless carry, the castle doctrine, anti-financial discrimination laws, permitless purchase and possession for rifles, shotguns and handguns, no registration requirements and several other pro-Second Amendment laws no the books, it continued.

Guns are widely popular in Wyoming, and the Legislature here has pushed multiple bills in the recent past designed to ease gun rules to a even greater degree.

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CONSTRUCTION of the new airport terminal in Tobago is expected to resume today, the date of the resumption of Government construction activities.

Work had to be suspended in May as a result of anti-Covid-19 restrictions.

Prime Minister Dr Keith Rowley announced on Saturday the reopening of all construction today after announcing last week Saturday that only Government construction would be open today.
GOVERNMENT is looking to put the framework in place for a new fuel distribution system that will affect gas prices at the pump, but Finance Minister Colm Imbert said yesterday the eventual retail costs ought not to be much different from what prevails now.
WHY do we do the things we do? Whats fuelling our choices?

Both introspective, soul searching questions are at the heart of Lisa-Anne Juliens first novel If You Save Me published by Kwela Books. The novel revolves around four men and a little girl and spans three countries: T&T, the UK and South Africa. It centres arounds Carl, a South African, London-based surgeon who performs living donor liver transplants.
The multimillion-dollar fees paid out to attorneys and firms under the Peoples National Movement (PNM) Government are no longer secret, having been revealed by Attorney General Faris Al-Rawi.

Last month, the AG was adamant that he would not disclose the fees of attorneys who do work for the State.
Trinidadian Akil Inniss, who was stuck in the United States due to Trinidad and Tobagos border closure, will never get the chance to return home as he contracted Covid-19 and died of the virus last month.

Inniss left Trinidad a week before the borders closed in March 2020 to go to New York to seek medical attention.
Sometimes the black sheep is the only one telling the truth.

As I read the Express Editorial dated Sunday July 4, that phrase came to mind.

The editorial chose to defend the Ministry of Healths medical team, unceremoniously attacked the Leader of the Oppositions stance of questioning the competence of the medical team in their response to Covid-19 over the past 15 months.
THERE is much talk about returning to normal after the pandemic. I suspect people envision the frenzied activity that had become a characteristic of modern life; the rushing here and there and getting fundamentally nowhere; the obsession with materialism and its unending push to acquire; and the pursuit of pleasure as a principal purpose producing the superficiality that abounds.
SALEM, Ore. (AP)  The grim toll of the historic heat wave in the Pacific Northwest became more apparent as authorities in Canada, Oregon and Washington state said Wednesday they were investigating hundreds of deaths likely caused by scorching temperatures that shattered all-time records in the normally temperate region.

British Columbias chief coroner, Lisa Lapointe, said her office received reports of at least 486 sudden and unexpected deaths between Friday and Wednesday. Normally, she said about 165 people would die in the Canadian province over a five-day period.

While it is too early to say with certainty how many of these deaths are heat related, it is believed likely that the significant increase in deaths reported is attributable to the extreme weather, LaPointe said in a statement.

Many homes in Vancouver, much like Seattle, dont have air conditioning, leaving people ill-prepared for soaring temperatures.

"Vancouver has never experienced heat like this, and sadly dozens of people are dying because of it, Vancouver police Sgt. Steve Addison said in a statement.
PHOENIX  Nearing the end of this years legislative session, state lawmakers voted to more than triple their own cost-of-living allowance, at least for those who live outside Maricopa County.

The extra cash might lead to more  and better  candidates, lawmakers supporting the increase said.

The 46-14 vote Wednesday followed pleas by several rural legislators who said the $60 a day they get now  and only for the first 120 days of a session  is insufficient to cover the costs of having to find a place to live while near the Capitol. The rate has not changed since 1984.

But the move drew derision from several lawmakers who pointed out that the bill did not go through the regular hearing process.

House Minority Leader Reginald Bolding, D-Laveen, said voting for an allowance boost on the last day of the legislative session that began in January makes it appear to the public like something nefarious is going on.

And Rep. Amish Shah, D-Phoenix, said it was improper for lawmakers to vote on something that will affect their own pocketbooks. He said any increase should have been deferred until after the 2022 election.
PHOENIX  State lawmakers have absolute immunity from being sued by those who are the targets of legislative investigative reports, the Arizona Supreme Court ruled Wednesday.

In a unanimous decision, the justices said ousted Rep. Don Shooter has no legal right to pursue a defamation lawsuit against then-House Speaker J.D. Mesnard for publishing a report by an outside legal team that concluded the Yuma Republican was guilty of violating a zero tolerance policy against sexual harassment. Justice Ann Scott Timmer, writing for the court, said ordering the report and then releasing it is an official legislative function for which lawmakers are constitutionally entitled to immunity.

But the justices said lawmakers lose that immunity when they start publishing press releases about what they do. And that includes writing about and explaining the official report.

A legislator who issues a news release does not perform a legislative function but instead engages in a political act, Timmer wrote. And she brushed aside Mesnards contention that the release was simply designed to explain his decision to ask the full House to expel Shooter, saying that was not necessary.

Wednesdays ruling clears the way for Shooter to now pursue defamation charges against Mesnard, now a member of the state Senate.
Vasquez said hes seeking legal counsel and couldnt say much about the situation, but that other constables have delayed evictions without consequence. He will not resign and plans to continue his duties after the suspension.

The eviction spurring his suspension was of a 43-year-old women and her three kids, and Vasquez said he didnt call the landlord back until he secured housing for the tenant.

The Pima County Constables Office hired a social worker in January to help prevent homelessness. Vasquez said hes been relying on the social worker, Nahrin Jabro, to find alternative housing options for those he has to evict.

I did my job correctly and I utilized the resources that were given to us by the Board of Supervisors, and its just not enough. I shouldnt be punished for doing the right thing. Vasquez said. Its just amazing that the Board of Supervisors couldnt understand that  how compelling the situation is with a housing shortage and a pandemic.

Contrary to the state ethics boards reasoning for the suspension, Vasquez claims the woman being evicted did have a CDC declaration after losing her job. He said Jabro was able to find the woman and her children a hotel room to stay at temporarily.
Sounds sensible. But we would rather short the schools and pay for the purses.

Or for crisis pregnancy centers. For three years, opponents of abortion rights have tried to get the state to fund the centers that try to convince pregnant women not to get abortions. This year, they finally got an appropriation: $1.5 million for each of the next two years.

Thats expected to go to a ministry called The Human Coalition. The group uses geo-targeting to send ads for the crisis centers to women who make internet search on phrases like I missed my period, said Bre Thomas of the Arizona Family Health Partnership.

While the GOP majority included that spending, they rejected Democratic efforts to expand the eligibility requirements for KidsCare, the federal health insurance for children.

As it stands, children in families making up to twice the federal poverty level are eligible for KidsCare in Arizona, and 89% of eligible children are enrolled. The Democrats tried to increase that to 250% of the poverty level, which would provide coverage to another 16,000 or more kids and bringing us closer to competitiveness with states like Alabama, which has a 300% threshold.
I do believe that those in the media should be held accountable for what they post. There are those on both sides of the issue so one side is not telling the truth. I have my opinion and you have yours. I am not trying to force anyone to believe as I do and I expect the same courtesy, that is all," he told the Daily News by text message. He referred to his statement when asked to explain what he believes.

He said he is "not an advocate for violence.

Other posts on his Facebook feed recently have included updates on state budget discussions, conservative memes and posts about businesses on the Kenai Peninsula. He has described on social media not watching football since the first anti American knelt" and posted a question asking: So, anyone else not liking the you must get your vaccine to save humanity commercials?

Gillham told Alaska Public Media earlier this year he would not get a COVID-19 vaccine.

"I dont get the flu shot. If I get sick Ill take an aspirin, he said. I had the COVID. I lost my sense of smell and taste. Thats it. Never got sick.

COVID-19 vaccines have been approved for emergency use during the pandemic, and health officials have been closely watching for any serious side effects.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
RAYTOWN, Mo. (AP)  Authorities found a body Tuesday in the basement of a suburban Kansas City duplex where multiple people were injured in an explosion.

John Ham, a spokesman for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, told The Kansas City Star that the body will be taken to the medical examiner for identification once the Raytown building is secure.

About half the structure was reduced to rubble in Monday night's blast.

Police said in a news release posted on Facebook that there were multiple injuries reported" but didn't provide any details on their severity or the exact number of people hurt. The release also said the cause of the blast was unknown.

Witnesses told KMBC-TV that two boys were conscious and alert when they were wheeled from the scene on gurneys. The station reported that a man also was injured and taken to a hospital for treatment.
Richard Bransons Virgin Orbit delivered satellites from three countries into space Wednesday, its second successful rocket launch from a plane.

The companys modified 747 jet dubbed Cosmic Girl jet took off from Californias Mojave Desert, carrying the 70-foot (21-meter) rocket beneath its left wing. Once the plane was over the Pacific near the Channel Islands, the LauncherOne rocket peeled away, then fired its engine to head to space. The drop occurred at an altitude of about 37,000 feet (11,000 meters).

Camera views showed the package of seven small satellites on the end of the second stage, against the curve of the blue Earth. The satellites are from the U.S. Defense Department, the Royal Netherlands Air Force and Polands SatRevolution company, which is working to set up an Earth-observing constellation.

Virgin Orbit later declared success, saying the satellites were in the proper orbit.

Branson  whose Virgin Galactic company is close to launching paying customers to the edge of space  planted a kiss on the cheek of Virgin Orbit CEO Dan Hart, once the satellites reached orbit.

It's a pinch yourself moment, Branson said. Cheers! Well done, everybody.
Still, he built a network of loyalists who admired his work ethic, intelligence and impatience with all who failed to share his sense of urgency.

Rumsfeld is the only person to serve twice as Pentagon chief. The first time, in 1975-77, he was the youngest ever. The next time, in 2001-06, he was the oldest.

He made a brief run for the 1988 Republican presidential nomination, a spectacular flop that he once described as humbling for a man used to success at the highest levels of the government, including stints as White House chief of staff, U.S. ambassador and member of Congress.

For all Rumsfelds achievements, it was the setbacks in Iraq in the twilight of his career that will likely etch the most vivid features of his legacy.

Nine months into his second tour as defense secretary, on Sept. 11, 2001, suicide hijackers attacked the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon, thrusting the nation into wars for which the military was ill-prepared. Rumsfeld oversaw the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and toppling of the Taliban regime. Frequently presiding at televised briefings on the war, Rumsfeld became something of a TV star, applauded for his blunt talk and uncompromising style.
CHICAGO (AP)  A victim of torture by Chicago police officers under the command of convicted perjurer Jon Burge has filed a federal lawsuit against city officials and Cook County prosecutors, lawyers for Jackie Wilson announced Wednesday.

Wilson claims he was tortured into making a false confession for the 1982 murder of two police officers. He spent 36 years in prison.

To say Im hurt is an understatement, Wilson said during a Wednesday news conference. All I am looking for is justice. All I have ever looked for is justice.

Murder charges against Wilson were dismissed in October 2020 near the end of his third trial for the killing of Officer Richard OBrien. Another officer, William Fahey, was also killed.

Wilsons lawsuit names former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Burge, two former Chicago police superintendents, and several current and former Cook County prosecutors.
During his interrogation, Ramos did not show any repetitive or unusual behavior, Harding testified under cross-examination by David Russell, a prosecutor.

Russell noted a point in the interrogation where Harding was trying to get Ramos to say why he attacked the newspaper, and she said authorities also have issues with media reporting. Harding asked Ramos about an erroneous report in the hours after the shooting that he had mutilated his fingers to prevent authorities from taking fingerprints.

Where do they come up with that stuff?" Harding asked Ramos, who laughed and questioned whether Harding or a law enforcement colleague in the room was the anonymous source who provided the information.

He's able to make that joke with you? Russell asks.

Yes, Harding said.

Ramos also explained food allergies he has and calmly asked for a cheeseburger from Wendy's, which was brought to him during the interrogation.

Separately, the judge in the case criticized a defense attorney, Matthew Connell, after a mental health expert appeared to be reading from a script while answering his questions in court. After sending the expert and the jury out of the room, Judge Michael Wachs discussed the issue with attorneys.
South Florida's warm climate could also help, as they're not exposed to overnight cold.

There are those who have survived despite all the odds, and I have no doubt that part of it is just that will to survive" that even science cannot explain, said Dr. David Shatz, a trauma surgeon who for 12 years was assistant medical director of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department.

Now a professor of medicine at the University of California, Davis, Shatz has been closely monitoring the rescue effort from afar. For years he worked shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the rescuers now toiling at the fallen condo tower.

He also recalled being part of the bucket brigade at the federal building in Oklahoma City, which was brought down by a truck filled with explosives. And he was at the World Trade Center digging through concrete, glass and metal after the 9/11 terror attacks.

With every bit of debris he cleared away, he hoped that underneath would be a person to rescue. But for all its efforts, his team never found anyone alive.

Still, the search must go on, he said. If nothing else, to recover bodies and bring closure to grieving families  and just maybe, for that singular, miraculous rescue.
At the same time, Thomas-Greenfield said, internet freedom must be protected and the same rights that people have offline -- including the rights of freedom of expression, association, and peaceful assembly  must also be protected online.

Estonia, which holds the council presidency this month, organized the meeting. Its prime minister, Kaja Kallas, who presided, said the solution to malicious actors in cyberspace is to ensure that all countries collectively take on the role of guardians.

Estonia holds the strong view that existing international law, including the U.N. Charter in its entirety, international humanitarian law and international human rights law, applies in cyberspace, she said.

Kallas said implementing the framework agreed on by both the government experts and working group is a major goal for the international community, but regional activities are also needed and cyber threats must also be tackled with the private sector, civil society and academia.

Lord Tariq Ahmad, Britains Foreign Office minister of state for South Asia and the Commonwealth, said the United Kingdom wants to go further than the norms, rules and principles of cyberspace agreed on by the government experts and working group.
I acknowledge the wrongfulness of the comments, and I regret the embarrassment they have caused to my court and the judiciary in general, Pratt wrote. I am truly sorry for the remarks and apologize for having made them. I also want to reaffirm my commitment to the impartial administration of justice in full compliance with the Code of Conduct for United States judges.

That code calls for judges to act with impartiality, avoid political activity and not show partisan bias.

The court said it was posting the letter at Smith's direction. Pratt has been on the bench since his appointment by Democratic President Bill Clinton in 1997. He has had a reduced caseload since 2012, when he assumed senior status.

Gabe Roth, executive director of nonpartisan judicial ethics watchdog Fix the Court, brought Pratt's remarks to the 8th Circuit's attention in February, calling them unseemly. Roth said Wednesday that he was pleased to learn of Pratt's apology.

This was the outcome I had hoped for  remorse from Pratt and a promise not to make similarly partisan remarks so long as he serves as a federal judge, he said.
Lamb had been living with the boys mother, Kassandra Orona, and her three children in the apartment, Orona told investigators, according to the affidavit.

Orona and Lamb used the two-burner butane torch to smoke marijuana, she told investigators.

The size and shape of the torch's burners appeared very similar to the shape and size of the burns on Athian, the affidavit said. The boy died two to four hours before he was found of blunt force trauma, lack of oxygen to the brain, or both, the coroner concluded.

Orona told police that Lamb was watching her three children the night before her son was killed while she worked a sandwich shop shift, court documents said.

She told investigators she arrived home at about 3:30 a.m. and was later awakened by Lamb, who wanted her to drive her daughter to school a few minutes away because the girl was running late, according to the documents.

After Orona and Lamb got back, Orona told investigators that she went back to bed. Lamb woke her up just after 12 p.m., saying Athian was missing, according to her account provided to investigators.
Quezada said calls for freedom, justice and equality of Palestinians or arguments that vigorously criticize policies of the Israel government is not the same as anti-Jewish hate.

Those are two very separate and different things, he said.

Boyer, a long-time supporter of Israel, questioned whether there really is any discrimination against the Palestinians.

He said Palestinians were promised not just Gaza but also 97% of the West Bank and East Jerusalem.

But he said the Israeli government could not agree to demands by Palestinian leader Yassar Arafat for a right of return of five million Arab Palestinians to become Israeli citizens. And Boyer said that was unacceptable in a democratic country because there would no longer be a Jewish majority.

And, that, he said, is why they cant vote. It also has led to a series of Jewish settlements on the West Bank.

This isnt Boyers first foray into Israeli policies and international relations.

In 2014, then a state representative, he got the House to go on record as saying that the entire West Bank belongs to Israel, and the 650,000 Jews who at that time already had settled there since the 1967 war reside there legitimately.
PHOENIX  State senators voted Tuesday to kill a host of changes in state election laws as a long-simmering dispute between two Republicans spilled out into the open.

And the result was mutually assured destruction of both their measures.

The fight, playing out on the Senate floor, started when Sen. Michelle Ugenti-Rita, R-Scottsdale, refused to support SB 1241. That proposal contained a wish list from Sen. Kelly Townsend, R-Mesa, of fixes she said needed to be made in how elections are administered.

For example, it sought to set up a procedure for county or state prosecutors to get involved when there is an inconsistency between someones signature on an early ballot and what is on file with the county recorder.

It also dealt with a requirement that people who register to vote in Arizona must cancel their registration in the state from which they moved. And it provided that anyone who votes at a polling place get a paper receipt showing their ballot has been accepted.

But Ugenti-Rita said many of these issues never got a public airing in the Government Committee which she chairs. And she said it makes little sense to make massive changes in election laws now, before the Senate-ordered audit is completed and recommendations are made for necessary fixes to the law.
PHOENIX  It looks like Bruce Babbitt is going to remain the last Arizona governor to have a veto overridden, at least for the time being.

House Speaker Rusty Bowers, R-Mesa, told Capitol Media Services he decided not to ask his chamber to override a measure vetoed last month by Gov. Doug Ducey making technical corrections in state statutes. That was one of 22 measures vetoed a month ago the governor because he was unhappy with legislative progress on the budget.

Instead, the House voted simply to reenact the same language, tacking it on to another bill.

Bowers decision comes less than a week after the Senate voted 25-5 to instead bypass Duceys veto and enact the law despite it. That was more than the two-thirds vote needed for an override.

Sen. Tyler Pace, R-Mesa, who led that charge, acknowledged there is nothing controversial in the measure.

In fact it had been approved unanimously earlier this year. And there was no reason to believe that a reenactment would have failed.

But Pace told colleagues it was important to send a message to Ducey and remind him that, given the constitutional power of legislative override, his word is not necessarily the last word.
He made his second visit to Fort Bliss since it opened in March and said more services and staffing have been added, including case managers who have helped get children released to relatives in the U.S. or placed in licensed facilities more quickly.

In transcripts of interviews done by attorneys and filed in federal court in Los Angeles last week, migrant children described their desperation to get out of Fort Bliss and the other large shelters set up by the Biden administration.

The children were interviewed from March to June by attorneys monitoring a longstanding settlement governing custody conditions for migrant children.

Some of the children said they did not know if anyone was working to reunite them with their families, giving them anxiety. Others did not have enough access to a mental health counselor, had trouble sleeping because lights were kept on at night and were avoiding meals because the food smelled foul. Several said they spent their days sleeping and had been in the facilities, like Fort Bliss, for more than a month.
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.
PRYOR  A pair of road projects totaling about $15.3 million are being planned to improve access to land being developed in MidAmerica Industrial Park.

The Oklahoma Ordnance Works Authority, which operates the park, is working with the Oklahoma Department of Transportation to upgrade U.S. 412 access to the central part of the park by providing a roundabout on 412B to the Igloo Valley, Ridgeline and Coyote Hills areas.

ODOT also is partnering with MAIP to resurface the 5.35-mile 412B from U.S. 412 to U.S. 69. Construction of the roundabout is expected to beginning the summer of 2022, with the resurfacing of 412B to start that fall.

Both projects are scheduled to be completed in September 2023.

At a board meeting this month, OOWA approved a engineering contract valued at an estimated $1,362,000 with Olsson Engineering of Tulsa for the projects. OOWA also is paying $1,870,000 for utility location. ODOTs total construction costs are $15,373,800.

MAIP is riding the momentum of Canoo, which this month announced that it plans to invest $400 million to build an electric vehicle plant that will employ 2,000 people at the site.
In addition, Biden said, hes asking Congress for even more anti-crime money: $300 million in new community policing funds, to go directly to police departments, and a $5 billion fund that would include money for community violence intervention, an alternative to traditional armed policing that is favored by reform advocates.

Biden even sought to turn his long history as a tough-on-crime moderate  an image that brought him under attack in the 2020 Democratic primary campaign  into an asset. Ive been at this a long time, he pointed out.

His police funding proposals were paired with a list of measures to crack down on illegal gun sales and expand background checks for gun purchases, a nod to traditional liberals. But even those were cast as strategies to fight violent crime.

In effect, Biden is taking advantage of the fact that the pandemic has made it possible to seek more federal spending than usual from Congress to combine proposals for traditional police funding with police reforms  and to dare Republicans to oppose them.

Which, to nobodys surprise, Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky promptly did, attacking Biden for making gun ownership in America more burdensome than ever and federalizing and defunding the police.

But the senator missed the point. Biden has nudged his party back to where most of the public is. Both parties want to spend more on policing; only one of them stands for police reform and gun control, as well.
Omar Akbari, an associate professor of cell and developmental biology at the University of California-San Diego, admits that he loses sleep thinking about the next pandemic  and how it could be so much worse than COVID-19.

When COVID first happened, labs quickly tested to see if it could be borne by mosquitoes, he told me. Thankfully, it wasnt. But imagine if it was.

If so, the global death toll could have been tenfold, a hundredfold worse, Akbari said. That is, instead of looking at nearly 4 million COVID-19 fatalities worldwide, as is now the case, wed be looking at as many as 400 million dead.

Its a scary thought, said Akbari, one of the countrys foremost mosquito researchers. Mosquitoes are the ultimate pathogen-transmission machines. Theyre really, really good at it.

A circuitous path led me to his doorstep. I came across a press release from the pest-control company Terminix.

It featured a list of the top cities in the United States that were most interested in finding out more about mosquitoes, based on internet searches last year.
Jay is known as the huckleberry capital of the world. The towns annual Huckleberry Festival includes a carnival (beginning Thursday) and a full slate of Saturday activities. Among activities: contests, a 10 a.m. parade and a 7 p.m. rodeo. The festival will wrap up with a fireworks show at dusk Sunday. For a full schedule, go to the Jay Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

Tulsa Peoples Orchestra and First Friday Art Crawl

The Tulsa Peoples Orchestra will perform as part of Weekends on Main, 7:30 p.m. Friday, July 2, giving an outdoor concert at the intersection of Main Street and Reconciliation Way. This will be during the Tulsa Arts Districts monthly First Friday Art Crawl, but those who want a more pampered experience can purchase a VIP ticket, which includes a reserved table with food from The Tavern. Reserved tickets are $25 each, and seating is limited. To reserve: facebook.com/tulsapeoplesorchestra.

Celtic Throne
Ziggis gets patriotic Ziggis Coffee, 6134 S. Memorial Dr., is offering a special Firecracker Blender, a mix of vanilla soft-serve ice cream with a layer of strawberry puree and a drizzle of blue-tinted white chocolate, topped with whipped cream and popping candy.

The caffeine-free Firecracker Blender is available in all serving sizes, and will be offered July 2-9. ziggiscoffee.com.

O, Canada!Thursday, July 1, is Canada Day, celebrating the confederation that brought together the provinces to create the country that is our neighbor to the north.

Bodhis Bowl, in the Mother Road Market, 1124 S. Main St., will mark the event with its third annual poutine eating contest. Poutine is a signature Canadian food, consisting of fries, topped with cheese curds and brown gravy.

Ten four-person teams will be competing in boat-race style to consume as much poutine as possible.

The event begins at 5 p.m. and will include a beer tasting from Cabin Boys Brewery, drink specials at the Wel Bar, and Labatt Beer from Canada will be available. The competition will begin at 6 p.m.

Tulsa World Magazine summer edition

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With summer ahead, Silver Dollar City Attractions in Branson, Missouri  just a three-to-four-hour drive from Tulsa  offers a family getaway full of adventure.

Now celebrating a 60th Diamond Jubilee, The City offers 40 rides and attractions, a resident crafts colony 100-strong, nine world-class festivals or events and award-winning home-style foods.

Ozark history and legacy come to life in the new Rivertown with a $23 million river rafting adventure, Mystic River Falls  the tallest drop of a water raft ride in the Western Hemisphere, themed after a mysterious river found in the Citys massive Marvel Cave. Other highlights are the new Rivertown Smokehouse and a new cinnamon bread bakery. Guests can eat their way through the park with the just-introduced Tasting Passports  sample everything from BBQ to specialties created by the parks culinary team.

For your thrill seekers, the roller coasters dont disappoint, including the fastest, tallest, steepest spinning roller coaster in the world, Time Traveler, and the wood coaster, Outlaw Run, known for a massive drop and a double barrel roll finale. For more information, go to silverdollarcity.com

And what could be better than a relaxing ride on Showboat Branson Belle? Enjoy a four-deck reimagining of an authentic 1880s paddle wheeler of yesteryear, celebrating a quarter-century on Table Rock Lake. The Showboat Branson Belle offers noon, 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. cruises.

Passengers can explore scenic decks, enjoy award-winning magician Christopher James and a high-energy variety show. Each cruise offers a three-course meal prepared in the Ships Galley. Premium seating with a chef-crafted menu is also available. For more, go to showboatbransonbelle.com

For the water park lovers in your family, White Water features 2 million gallons of fun and 13 acres of water rides, slides and waves. Enjoy the high tide of the 500,000-gallon Surfs Up Wave Pool, float your cares away on the Aloha River or splash with little ones in Coconut Cove. For high thrills, take a 70-degree, 40-foot plunge at a screaming 26 feet per second on KaPau Plummet or brave the side-by-side freefall drop slides at Kalani Towers.

Silver Dollar City Contest

Silver Dollar City is celebrating a 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee with a contest that could bring your family to the 1880s-style theme park in the Ozarks to make memories that will last a lifetime.

For a chance at winning the Silver Dollar City 60th Anniversary Diamond Jubilee Family Adventure Prize Package valued at more than $1,500, send us your favorite family memory of Silver Dollar City or a memory you would like to make. Include a telephone number and an email address, if you have one.

The amazing trip package includes:

Up to six tickets to Silver Dollar Citys 1880s theme park, including lunch and front-of-the-line passes.

Up to six tickets to White Waters 2 million gallons of fun and 13 acres of water slides, rides and waves or another seasonal attraction.

A Showboat Branson Belle cruise for up to six with three-course meal, panoramic views of Table Rock Lake and high-energy show.

One family-sized cabin for two nights at the Silver Dollar City Campground or comparable lodging.

The deadline for contest entries is July 25. Send your story to Attn: Nicole Marshall Middleton, P.O. Box 1770, Tulsa, OK, 74102 or email them to scene@tulsaworld.com. Winners will be announced in the Aug. 8 edition of the Tulsa World Scene section.

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Thats what were seeing happening around the world, he said. Remember, viruses only can mutate if theyre infecting somebody.

If we can slow infections, we can slow mutations.

The question of infection has resurfaced for fully vaccinated people during the rise of the delta variant, as has the idea of donning masks once again.

The COVID-19 vaccines are effective against the delta variant, Bratzler said, but not quite as much. Research indicates that the Pfizer vaccine reduces the risk of infection by 88% in fully vaccinated people but only 36% after one dose. Its unclear what level of protection, if any, is offered by natural immunity after original COVID-19 infection.

Vaccination remains the most effective mitigation strategy, as those who have been vaccinated dont tend to get quite as sick if they contract a new strain, although they could spread the virus to others, Bratzler said.

The future is perhaps more certain for the unvaccinated.

We will see outbreaks among groups of people who are unvaccinated, Bratzler said, noting that the variant already accounts for more than 20% of new COVID cases in the U.S.
Hernandez was arrested on complaints of DUI-alcohol, manslaughter and other traffic offenses after being treated for injuries that were not life-threatening, news reports show.

Hernandez had a blood alcohol concentration of 0.250, more than three times the legal limit to drive, reports show. He had been convicted of DUI in Rogers County in 2007, records indicate.

Hernandezs case was transferred from state to federal court after prosecutors and his attorney agreed that it met the criteria under the U.S. Supreme Courts McGirt decision.

The court ruling determined that criminal cases involving American Indians could not be prosecuted in state court when they occur within the boundaries of the Muscogee Nation.

Holt was a member of the Cherokee Nation.

After Hernandez completes his prison term, he must be supervised by the U.S. Probation Office for five years.

Before Hernandez was sentenced, Holts son spoke about his life since his mother died.

My life has changed forever, Lee Taylor said. I sure hope no other person has to face what our family has had to face for the rest of our lives.

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A woman who admitted to fatally shooting her fiance in Tulsa about a year ago was sentenced to federal prison Tuesday.

U.S. District Judge Terence Kern sentenced Sha-lisa Harlin to serve 14 years and four months in prison, followed by three years of post-custody release.

Harlin, 39, pleaded guilty in January to second-degree murder in connection with the shooting of Dalton Whitlow, 23, on May 22, 2020.

Harlin also agreed to plead guilty to one count of assault with a dangerous weapon in Indian Country and one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Harlin told police the shooting occurred after she found Whitlow and another woman at a hotel in the 3400 hundred block of South 79th East Avenue. Harlin said she believed that Whitlow was having an affair at the time.

While confronting the woman at the hotel, the .25-caliber gun Harlin was carrying discharged, striking no one, after Whitlow attempted to take it from her.

When Whitlow tried to intervene again, the gun discharged a second time, striking him in the head.

He died at a hospital a week later.
When we think about coming out of COVID-19, coming out of this last year, we need more and more supports for our students, she said. The way we wrote the grant was to get some college and career readiness counselors to help  as well as more mental health counselors. When we applied, we applied for funding for two sets of people who could help our students rebound after such a tumultuous year.

Also among the recipients is the Osage County Interlocal Cooperative, a consortium of 13 rural school districts whose attendance areas span portions of Osage, Noble, Washington and Nowata counties. The entity has an office in Hominy and provides shared services for member districts as needed, including professional development, grant writing and mental health programs.

OCIC will receive $522,000 over three years to hire counselors to work with students in six of its member school districts. Along with Pawhuska, South Coffeyville, Shidler and Wynona, the OCIC grant includes two dependent school districts: Osage Hills near Bartlesville and Anderson on Sand Springs north side.

Of the six school districts included in the OCIC grant proposal, only Pawhuska and Shidler had a counselor on staff as of the application deadline.
"It was literally the day after (the Red Cross press conference)," Laub said. "It can be very  I don't want to use the word scary, but that's probably the right word."

OBI has since declared an emergency-level shortage alongside the Red Cross.

The OBI usually operates with four to five days' worth of blood products on its shelves, Laub said. For a situation to be consider an emergency, the available stock must be down to one day or less.

The OBI supply will be further strained due to the timing of this year's July 4 holiday, Laub said. Since the holiday will be observed July 5, donations will be down for two days.

As OBI's supplies decreased, the Red Cross' situation improved little, said Regional Chief Communications Officer Brittney Rochell. The Red Cross has distributed 75,000 more blood products than anticipated in the last three months, and demand for blood products for trauma treatment is up 10% compared to 2019.

"There is that summer dip we always see, since vacations lead to lower donor turnout and schools host a lot of blood drives," Rochell said. "When you add the pandemic, some people are scheduling appointments and not showing up,  but the need for blood doesn't take a holiday break."
He's not too worried about the virus variants or another surge of cases in the state, he said; The problem is that there are individuals who are unvaccinated."

Malik has seen firsthand the regret of unvaccinated patients grow as their condition worsens.

In the last 12 weeks, of all the cases that Ive personally seen in the hospital, every single one of them is unvaccinated, Malik said.

OSDH vaccination data indicated Wednesday that Oklahoma has administered 3.26 million COVID-19 vaccine doses, with 44.7% of residents receiving at least one dose and 38.3% considered fully vaccinated, according to the White House COVID-19 Team's most recent Community Profile Report.

Clarke said Tuesday that the state is accepting physician applications to bolster its pandemic provider program, which allows primary care providers an allotment of vaccines they can distribute in-office to their patients or anyone they like.

"Many residents are still relatively hesitant, but they trust their physicians more to give them the vaccine," Clarke explained.
OKLAHOMA CITY  Lawmakers grilled prison officials on Tuesday about the decision to close the William S. Key Correctional Center in Fort Supply before the end of the year.

Located 13 miles north of Woodward, the 1,105-bed minimum security prison for men will be closed due to a drop in the prison population and costs associated with upkeep of the facility, which was never designed to hold prisoners, lawmakers were told.

Currently, 414 inmates are at the prison, Department of Corrections Director Scott Crow told the Senate Appropriations Committee during a meeting at the Capitol. The prisoners will be transferred to other facilities.

To keep it open, the facility would need $35 million worth of repairs, Crow said.

Public Safety Cabinet Secretary Tricia Everest said she agreed with the Department of Corrections decision to close the prison.

She said that while it is clear that the decision is correct, the public announcement earlier this month and communications with stakeholders were poorly timed and executed.

Many in the community and on staff as well as lawmakers were not aware of the decision.
In support of the project, Siloam Springs deeded 17.25 acres to the GRDA and will further partner to reinforce an existing dam.

The GRDA worked with McLaughlin Whitewater Design Group on the park design.

Materials repurposed from course construction will be used to create a stair-step dam that will mitigate hydraulic conditions and dangerous currents.

Project manager Derek Salmonson of Crossland Construction said the biggest challenge to construction is the Illinois River itself, which can cause flooding to the site after rains.

It can rain a tremendous amount in Rogers and Bentonville, and about 24 hours later my job sites are flooded, he said. (The channel) fills up to like 11 million gallons, and it takes five to seven days just to pump the water out.

Mike Brown, project administrator for the Walton Family Foundation, said an emphasis of the project is to fit in with the natural environment.

When its finished, we want it to look like its always been there, he said. We want everything to remain as natural as possible. We want people to be able to just come out and enjoy nature.
Facebook Inc on Tuesday sued a California marketing company and its representatives as well as a Vietnam-based group of individuals in separate lawsuits for running deceptive and unauthorized advertisements on its platform.

The first lawsuit was against N&J USA Incorporated, Mohit Melwani and Vishaal Melwani, Facebook said in a blog post.

The social media giant said the defendants ran misleading ads that promoted the sale of merchandise including clothing, watches and toys. As soon as someone clicked on the ads, they were directed to a third-party website to pay for their purchase.

But once the payment was completed, users either never got any merchandise or the delivered item was not what they ordered for or it was of a poor quality, Facebook said.

The company also sued a group of individuals based in Vietnam who it said "misled the victims into self-compromising their accounts" and ran over $36 million in unauthorized ads.
Editor's note: The story below is written by Do Ngoc Olivier Dung, CEO of EZLand, in response to Tuoi Tre(Youth) newspaper's 'Ho Chi Minh City Goes Global' contest.

Ho Chi Minh City and its close to 13 million people, eight million motorbikes, world-famous nerve wrecking street crossing at rush hour, fast-paced lifestyle, and noise and smells can be overwhelming similarly to other large cities in Southeast Asia but it is also what makes the city unique and magical.

It is that magic that needs to be conveyed to first-time visitors, tourists or business people. It is also needed for branding and marketing for the city. For that to materialize, many stakeholders need to come together, namely government agencies, the private sector, key players in tourism and hospitality, and the city as a whole.

Visitors will be mesmerized by the beauty of the Saigon River and traditional boats and barges passing by, just to then be put off by the plastic and pollutants floating on the river.

The Saigon River is truly unique yet not enough places and activities are taking advantage of it to offer unique experiences to visitors. Such experiences can be centered on the city's natural beauty as well as the connectivity it can offer.

Ho Chi Minh City is a multicultural city with a rich history combining modern and traditional Vietnamese architecture with old French buildings with great parks, fast modernizing infrastructure, and beautiful tree-lined avenues.

It is today one of the most dynamic business cities in Asia and home to a vibrant entrepreneurship and work spirit fostering constant novelty and innovation.

Visitors can also be exposed to many cultures and religions, from Cho Lon to Buddhist and Indian temples, Caodaism and its French-designed Notre-Dame cathedral, all living in what seems to be a constantly moving flow, a city that never sleeps.

Add to that great local markets with thousands of scents in one of the most diverse and delicious street food and restaurant cultures in Asia, together with a fast-developing and very creative local art scene. Most importantly, the people of Ho Chi Minh City who whether were born here or come from other parts of the country, expatriates or Viet Kieu like myself all help form an amazing mosaic of cultures and are the heart and pulse of this city. It is the people of Ho Chi Minh City who make the city so unique, in good times but also in times of crisis as the current pandemic has shown. It is also their warmth and kindness that can be extended to visitors.

As a personal perspective, Ho Chi Minh City as a city has so much to offer to the world as a place to visit again and again but we need to position it distinctively to the outside world in what makes it unique and exciting. Only then can we make sure that the whole eco-system delivers on its promise.

I believe the 'Ho Chi Minh City Goes Global' contest is exciting and very timely and would encourage everyone to participate with their input and ideas.

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Local authorities in Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City have issued a notification to look for visitors to a local eight-story office building, where a company with 20 new COVID-19 infections is situated.

In the notification, the functional forces requested people who had been to the Bcons building, located at 42/1 Ung Van Khiem Street in Binh Thanh District, between June 14 and 28 to immediately contact their local medical stations for medical declaration and instructions.

The office building reportedly housed 14 different companies.

Eighty-one employees of one of the companies went to FV Hospital in District 7 to be tested for COVID-19 on Monday after one of their co-workers had a rapid coronavirus test result return positive.

Their test results identified 20 positive cases, which were confirmed by the Ministry of Health at noon on Tuesday. All of the infected people had no symptoms.

Seven of them are residing in Binh Thanh District while the remaining 13 come from other districts.

The office building has been temporarily shuttered from 10:00 am on Tuesday.

At the time the functional forces came to lock down the building, 66 employees of different companies were still working inside, while the firm with the 20 infections had asked all of its workers to stay home.

All of the 66 employees were told to remain inside the building and were sampled.

The Ho Chi Minh City Center for Disease Control also sent a medical force to the area to investigate and disinfect the area.

A part of Alley No. 42 on Ung Van Khiem Street has also been sectioned off ever since.

The Ministry of Health reported 94 new COVID-19 infections on Tuesday morning, including one imported case and 62 patients in Ho Chi Minh City, raising the national tally to 16,507, with 6,764 recoveries and 80 deaths.

Since April 27, when the pandemics latest wave broke out in the country, it has documented 13,147 local infections across 50 of its 63 provinces and cities.

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Check out the news you should not miss today:

Society

-- A 64-year-old patient in the northern province of Bac Giang and an 85-year-old patient in Ho Chi Minh City have recently died from coronavirus-related complications, raising Vietnam's COVID-19 death toll to 80, the National Steering Committee for COVID-19 Prevention and Control reported on Tuesday night.

-- Vietnam on Wednesday morning reported 94 new cases of COVID-19 in six provinces and cities, increasing the countrys tally to 16,507, according to the Ministry of Health.

-- Vietnam had administered a total of 3,593,970 doses of COVID-19 vaccine as of 4:00 pm Tuesday, with 91,228 people being vaccinated on Tuesday alone, according to the Ministry of Health. The number of people who have completed two doses is 182,481.

-- People who travel to the southern province of Dong Nai from neighboring Ho Chi Minh City and Binh Duong Province from 0:00 on July 5 are required to have a negative COVID-19 test certificate within seven days, as part of the provinces stronger effort to curb the spread of the pandemic.

-- My Tho City in the Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang has followed social distancing measures under the prime ministers Directive No. 16 from Wednesday until further notice.

Business

-- The Vietnam Electricity Group on Tuesday signed a credit agreement worth 74.7 million euros (US$82.6 million) with the French Development Agency to develop the expanded Ialy hydropower plant in the Central Highland province of Gia Lai, the Vietnam News Agency reported the same day

Lifestyle

-- The 22nd version of the Vietnam Film Festival is scheduled to take place in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue between September 12 and September 16, featuring the best local movies released over the past two years, the Vietnam News Agency reported on Tuesday.

World news

-- Italy reported 42 coronavirus-related deaths on Tuesday against 28 the day before, the health ministry said, while the daily tally of new infections rose to 679 from 389, according to Reuters.

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Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have found a COVID-19 patient with suspected mental illness after he escaped from a treatment facility and returned to his home.

The man, 44-year-old N.M.L., was admitted to Thu Duc COVID-19 Treatment Hospital in Thu Duc City at around 10:00 am on Monday.

L. previously stayed at a separate COVID-19 treatment center for patients with mild or no symptoms.

However, he showed signs of mental illness as he often wandered around the facility despite being reminded by health workers to return to his room.

At 10:00 pm the same day, doctors at the infirmary came to his room for a health check but L. was nowhere to be found.

CCTV footage showed that the patient had walked toward the fence and escaped from the hospital.

After being notified of the case, police officers discovered that L. had returned to his house in Tan Phu District.

He was taken back to Thu Duc COVID-19 Treatment Hospital at 2:00 am on Tuesday.

He is now being treated in the intensive care unit, which is completely isolated from the rest of the infirmary.

The hospital has coordinated with police in Thu Duc City to beef up security within the facility.

It remained unclear whether L. had come into contact with anyone on his way home as he did not cooperate with health authorities.

Opinions of psychiatrists have been sought to determine whether or not the patient has a mental illness.

Vietnam has documented 16,623 COVID-19 patients as of Wednesday afternoon, with 6,764 recoveries and 80 deaths.

The country has recorded 13,262 local infections in 50 provinces and cites, including 3,716 cases in Ho Chi Minh City, since April 27.

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A hospital in southern Vietnam has been isolated since Tuesday after three people there were found positive for the novel coronavirus.

Long An General Hospital in the namesake southern province was forced to close after three individuals, including one patient, one caretaker, and one cleaner, tested positive for the pathogen on Tuesday.

The hospital will be cordoned off for 72 hours, starting 9:00 pm on Tuesday, for a thorough screening of all practitioners, staffers, patients, and caretakers inside, the Long An Steering Committee for Prevention and Control of Human Infectious Diseases stated in a decision issued the same day.

The cleaner, who lives in Cho Gao District of nearby Tien Giang Province, was the first of the three to be diagnosed with COVID-19 thanks to a round of screening tests for hospital employees.

She was subcontracted to work at the hospital via a local housekeeping agency, and had worked in many wards before the detection.

In light of the cleaner's positive test result, the Long An General Hospital expanded their vetting process and found the two others also positive for COVID-19.

Long An Province has recorded 80 domestic cases since the fourth wave emerged in Vietnam on April 27.

Local authorities have sent over 1,000 individuals at high risk of infection to quarantine, plus 5,647 others who were told to practice self-isolation at home.

A total of 13,262 local infections have been recorded across 50 of the nations 63 provinces and cities, including 3,716 in Ho Chi Minh City, in this round.

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A group of traffic police officers in north-central Nghe An Province have been hailed by Vietnamese netizens for helping a two-year-old baby, who got lost and wandered on a national highway at night, to return home.

It happened at 7:30 pm on June 26, when the traffic police officers were patrolling a section of Ho Chi Minh Highway passing through Tan Ky District in Nghe An and saw the two-year-old child walking alone in the middle of the road.

It was already dark at that time, with no street lights and a lot of traffic on that section, said Captain Nguyen Anh Tuan, one of the three traffic police officers.

We looked around but did not see the babys parents anywhere."

The three officers immediately signaled vehicles to slow down and carried the baby to the side of the road, according to Tuan.

As Tuan ran to a nearby house to ask for information about the child, a resident recognized the girl and showed the officer her familys address.

The patrol team then brought the child home under the guidance of the local resident.

In a thank-you letter sent to the traffic police officers, the childs mother said that at the time of the incident, she went out to buy pig feed and let the girl play at home.

You [the traffic police officers] are my familys saviors, the mother said in the letter.

Had it not been for you to find my child in time, she might have been in trouble."

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Vietnam is expected to receive 2.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine supplied by Japan and the COVAX scheme, along with at least one million shots purchased from Pfizer next month.

Japan announced last Friday that it would donate one million coronavirus vaccine shots to Vietnam.

This support is slated to arrive in the Southeast Asian country in two batches on July 1 and 8, the Ministry of Health said on Tuesday.

Japan already supplied Vietnam with one million vaccine shots earlier this month. The doses arrived in the country on June 16.

The two million jabs are AstraZenecas COVID-19 vaccine manufactured in Japan.

The support from the Japanese government and people is very timely and contributes greatly to Vietnams efforts to curb the pandemic, the health ministry remarked.

Vietnam is also anticipated to receive 1.6 million AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine shots from the COVAX Facility, an international partnership created to ensure global equitable access to coronavirus vaccines, in July.

At least one million doses the country purchased from Pfizer will also arrive next month.

Vietnam set a target of securing 150 million vaccine doses and vaccinating two-thirds of its population of about 98 million people this year.

The Southeast Asian nation has received nearly four million AstraZeneca shots from the COVAX scheme, direct purchases via a local company, and Japan, in addition to 2,000 Sputnik V jabs donated by Russia and 500,000 Sinopharm doses gifted by China in the year to date.

A total of 3,593,970 shots have been administered across the country since inoculation was rolled out on March 8.

More than 182,000 people have finished their two-shot regimen.

As of Wednesday morning, Vietnams Ministry of Health has reported 16,507 cases, with 6,764 recoveries and 80 deaths.

The country has detected 13,147 local infections in 50 provinces and cities since a fresh outbreak started on April 27.

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A World Health Organization (WHO) representative has underlined the responsibility of vaccine producers in upholding data transparency as a domestic company is urging the government to approve its jab for emergency use in Vietnam without finishing late-stage clinical trials.

Dr. Park Ki-dong  WHO Representative in Vietnam  sat down for an interview with Tuoi Tre News on Tuesday, at a time when Ho Chi Minh City was implementing its biggest-ever vaccination drive to contain a major COVID-19 resurgence that has been ongoing since late April.

Vietnam has documented over 13,000 local infections in 50 out of its 63 provinces and cities since April 27, when the pandemic's fourth wave erupted, including more than 3,700 cases in the business hub Ho Chi Minh City.

These figures are multiple times those recorded in the previous rounds. The country now adds hundreds of patients on a daily basis.

On the request of Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC, a local company, for the Vietnamese Ministry of Health's approval of its Nano Covax vaccine for emergency use, Dr. Park warned authorities to review related data carefully to align with national regulations and legislation.

He also aired opinions on Ho Chi Minh Citys recent measures to combat COVID-19, emphasizing that vaccine is not a silver bullet.

Regarding the request to validate Vietnams homegrown COVID-19 vaccine Nano Covax for emergency use, the Ministry of Health thinks that it is "hasty, as there is not enough scientific data.'' What is the opinion of WHO about this statement? What conditions must be met for a vaccine to be approved for emergency use?

To date, a number of COVID-19 vaccine products have already been approved for WHO emergency use listing and used in mass vaccinations in many countries.

However, the speed of development does not mean that these vaccines were approved by skipping essential steps of testing and evaluation.

Any vaccine should go through a rigorous evaluation process of efficacy, quality, and safety through multiple steps of assessment including pre-clinical assessment and three phases of clinical trials.

Even for emergency use approval such as for COVID-19 vaccine, all critical steps and necessary criteria should not be skipped.

As of June 25, 2021, 184 vaccines are under pre-clinical development and another 104 vaccines are under clinical assessment stage of development globally.

We understand Nano Covax has just entered clinical trial phase 3. In principle, the manufacturer should generate sufficient scientific data on efficacy, quality, and safety from these clinical trials. The national regulatory authority should review the data carefully once available, in line with the national regulations and legislation.

To support manufacturers and national regulatory authorities in this unprecedented situation, WHO has published documents and guides on clinical evaluation and evaluation standards for COVID-19 vaccines that governments can use as the basis for their own regulatory guidelines.

Currently, some countries around the world, for example Cuba, have administered new vaccine shots in large-scale phase 3 trials as part of their intervention studies on how effective they are in preventing and stopping the spread of the respiratory disease. What should be noted if Vietnam wants to apply similar measures to its domestic COVID-19 vaccines?

The clinical trial phase 3 is usually done on a large scale with more than several thousand participants at multiple study centers before vaccine usage by the public. The study design should be well-developed, reviewed, and approved by a research ethics committee as well as the National Regulatory Authority (NRA) of the country where the trial is conducted.

For COVID-19 vaccines, there are instances where a country may decide on some exceptional ways to address the unprecedented need to control the disease. However, alternative options should be based on careful risk and benefit assessment in the country, and be carefully planned with ethical considerations together with risk management. They should not compromise the critical requirements and evaluation criteria to ensure the safety, quality, and efficacy of a vaccine.

The COVID-19 situation in Ho Chi Minh City is getting complicated. What are WHOs recommendations for the city to curb the pandemic?

Vaccines could be an effective tool to fight this pandemic in the long run. But the role of vaccines in acute outbreak control settings is limited. Most vaccines require two shots and a few weeks after the second shot to protect people. Social distancing, combined with vaccine, is the right approach.

The Vietnamese government has been working proactively together with international partners to secure more vaccines for the country and to ensure its equitable access to everyone.

The government has reinforced the robust outbreak response actions that have proven to work. These include the four-on-the-spot approach (human resources  facilities  response actions  resources) and five-principle strategy (prevention  early detection  quarantine  zoning  stamping out outbreaks).

We understand that the Ho Chi Minh City Peoples Committee has directed the health system to increase the testing capacity up to 500,000 samples per day and health workers have been working round the clock. The committee has been decisive in directing public health measures, including the issuance of its own Directive No. 10 to guide social distancing measures to be applied. We need our people to once again show solidarity and compliance to health measures.

Nano Covax vaccines development and approval request COVID-19 vaccine Nano Covax by Nanogen Pharmaceutical Biotechnology JSC officially entered clinical trial phase 3 on June 11. The vaccine has been developed based on recombinant proteins technology since May last year. On June 22, Nanogen stated that it had filed a request to the prime minister asking to validate Nano Covax for emergency use. On the same day, Nguyen Ngo Quang  deputy head of the Bureau of Science, Technology, and Training under the Ministry of Health  told Tuoi Tre that the request was hasty, as there is not enough scientific data." In response, a Nanogen representative told Tuoi Tre on June 23 that the company faces difficulties in dealing with mechanisms of requesting and granting (licenses) during the process of researching, experimenting and validating through the development phases of Nano Covax vaccine." It is costly for us to invest in researching, producing, and experimenting with a global-scale vaccine. "Meanwhile, authorities say they will only validate [Nano Covax for emergency use] if there is a vaccine shortage, otherwise, it wont be licensed. "It is not inconsequential." On June 26, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh led the governments task force to work with Nanogen. He emphasized Vietnams three-plan vaccine strategy including accelerating vaccine procurement, receiving transferred vaccine technology, and manufacturing homegrown jabs. Vaccines play a decisive role in the fight against the pandemic," said PM Chinh said. "Countries which effectively roll out vaccination will soon obtain normalcy.

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Netflix has announced a new locally-produced psychological thriller, Echoes, from Endemol Shine Australia.

The 7-episode limited series is described as a mystery thriller about two identical twins, Leni and Gina, who share a dangerous secret. Since they were children, Leni and Gina have secretly swapped lives, culminating in a double life as adults: they share two homes, two husbands, and a child.

The series is created by Vanessa Gazy (pictured left, Eden) who is an executive producer and co-showrunner with Brian Yorkey (pictured middle, 13 Reasons Why), Imogen Banks (pictured below, Offspring, Puberty Blues, RFDS) and Quinton Peeples (pictured right, Runaways).

Brian Yorkey said, Im so excited to be embarking on Echoes with Quinton, Vanessa, Imogen, and the Netflix teamand Im eagerly looking forward to what I hope will be many more years of making cool stuff with Netflix. Its a privilege and an unmatched thrill to make a television show that reaches around the world on the instant it launches  and an incredible opportunity not only to entertain and surprise, but maybe even say something that matters about the way we live now.

Vanessa Gazy added, My journey with Echoes started with an Australian initiative led by Executive Producer Imogen Banks to nurture new female voices in television  and now here we are at Netflix! Im so excited to be bringing the show to a wide and international audience alongside the formidable showrunning duo that is Brian Yorkey and Quinton Peeples.

Source: TV Insider
With less than a month to go before the Olympic Games, Japan is considering an extension of its coronavirus prevention measures.

Tokyo and other areas are currently under a quasi state of emergency set to be lifted on July 12, but a recent uptick in coronavirus cases has officials concerned.

According to the Mainichi Shimbun daily, the government is considering extending the measures by two to four weeks, a period that would overlap with the Olympics, which open on July 23.

Under the quasi state of emergency, spectators at events are capped at 5,000, contrasting with a decision to allow up to 50 percent of the venue capacity or a maximum of 10,000.

Last Wednesday, Tokyo reported 619 new infections  the highest figure in about a month  and confirmed 476 more cases on Tuesday.

The 15-day Olympic torch relay scheduled to take place in the capital has now been moved off public roads for the first 8 days.

Two members of the Ugandan delegation also tested positive after arriving in Japan, as the public continues to express concerns.

Yasuhiro Yamashita, the president of Japans Olympic Committee, said it was impossible to completely shut out coronavirus cases upon arrival.

There is just no way there wont be cases arriving in Japan, no matter what we dothats why it is crucial we make sure to catch cases at the airports and enforce strict border controls, Yamashita said.

A government meeting on coronavirus measures is set to be held today.

Source: Japan Today
Tyler, TX (75702)

Today

Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 91F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds light and variable.
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.
Tyler, TX (75702)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 91F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds light and variable.
By Mark Gokavi

Note: University of Dayton professor Robert Brecha, who has been a member of UDs Department of Physics since 1993, taught sustainability courses before a sabbatical and then a two-year appointment as a European Union Marie Curie fellow with Berlin-based Climate Analytics. He is returning to campus in fall 2021 as a tenured professor of sustainability for the Hanley Sustainability Institute.

Two University of Dayton sustainability experts worked on a paper on ocean thermal energy conversion (OTEC) highlighted in a Climate Analytics blog post.

University of Dayton professor Bob Brecha and three others wrote the paper that addressed Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping of the Caribbean islands, the potential for near-coastal deep-water as a resource for OTEC, and an estimate of where OTEC could be advantageous.

One of the other authors is Katie Schoenenberger, until recently the director of student engagement at the Hanley Sustainability Institute. Schoenenbergers title is now director of GIS management and environmental sustainability project development - a joint position between UD's College of Arts and Sciences and Facilities Management. The other authors are Masao Ashtine and Randy Koon Koon.

The authors wrote OTEC is the process of extracting energy from the difference in temperature between surface and deep water, a concept first proposed in the 1880s. The first working power plant using this technology was built in Cuba in 1930, with additional demonstration units built later.

We have used Geographical Information Systems (GIS) tools to determine where water depth and proximity to shore could provide a site for ocean thermal energy conversion installation for all islands in the Caribbean, the post said. But this technology is still the poor cousin in the renewables family, leading many to ask  what is ocean thermal energy conversion and what can it bring to the table to support a 100% renewable electricity system?

The post also points out that Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the Caribbean are bathed in sunshine and wind and surrounded by the ocean, but that their electricity systems are dominated by imported diesel fuel.

Many Caribbean island nations have historically been heavily dependent on imported fossil fuels for both power and transportation, while at the same time being at an enhanced risk from the impacts of climate change, although their emissions represent a very tiny fraction of the global total responsible for climate change, the papers abstract states. SIDSs are among the leaders in advocating for the ambitious 1.5 C Paris Agreement target and the transition to 100% sustainable, renewable energy systems.

In the paper, hourly data were utilized to show the trade-offs between battery storage needs and dispatchable renewable sources such as OTEC in 100% renewable electricity systems in technological and economic terms.

One key point made in the paper is near-shore, open-cycle OTEC with accompanying desalination can enable a higher penetration of renewable energy and lead to lower system levelized costs than those of a conventional fossil fuel system.

The integration of variable renewable energy, like solar and wind, requires controllable (dispatchable) sources of power. Or to be able to store energy. Or both, the paper said. Although battery storage has become much cheaper in recent years, maintaining system reliability is easier if there is also some other source of flexible power generation like hydropower, biomass and waste for electricity, geothermal power, wave and tidal energy  and OTEC.

The authors write OTEC hasnt caught on yet because of relatively high costs and the limitation it can only be implemented in regions where there are year-round warm sea surface temperatures and cold, deep water near a shoreline. Currently there are two operating OTEC plants worldwide  in Hawaii  with more in the planning stages.

The paper also said there are proposals for sea water district cooling  where cool ocean water circulating in the system can be used to cool buildings, providing an efficient and low-cost way to tackle cooling demand without using extra electricity.

The maps above show Martinique and Saint Lucia. The Bathymetry contour (gray/blue) represents the boundary between depths of greater than and less than 1,000 meters. Other contours are equidistant from the coast at 2.5 km (green), 5.0 km (yellow), 7.5 km (orange) and 10 km (red).
The think-tank Carbon Tracker has said that five Asian countries are responsible for 80 percent of new coal power stations planned worldwide

Five Asian countries are responsible for 80 percent of new coal power stations planned worldwide, with the projects threatening goals to fight the climate crisis, a report warned Wednesday.

China, India, Indonesia, Japan and Vietnam are planning to build more than 600 coal plants, think-tank Carbon Tracker said.

The stations will be able to generate a total of 300 gigawatts of energy -- equivalent to around the entire electricity generating capacity of Japan.

The projects are being pursued despite the availability of cheaper renewables, and they threaten efforts to meet the Paris climate deal goal of limiting warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius, the study said.

"These last bastions of coal power are swimming against the tide, when renewables offer a cheaper solution that supports global climate targets," said Catharina Hillenbrand Von Der Neyen, Carbon Tracker's head of research.

"Investors should steer clear of new coal projects."

Experts see phasing out coal, which produces greenhouse gas carbon dioxide, as key in battling a climate crisis whose impacts -- ranging from species extinction to unliveable heat -- are expected to accelerate markedly.

But many countries in the Asia-Pacific region, long reliant on the fossil fuel to power their booming economies, have been slow to act, even as Europe and the United States accelerate their transitions to cleaner energy.

Asia-Pacific consumed over three-quarters of all coal used globally in 2019, according to BP's statistical review of world energy.

- 'Coal no longer makes sense' -

China, the world's biggest coal consumer and greenhouse gas emitter, tops the list of countries planning new coal plants, according to Carbon Tracker.

It has 368 power stations in the pipeline with 187 gigawatts of capacity, the think-tank said -- despite a pledge by President Xi Jinping that China will become carbon neutral by 2060.

India, the second-biggest coal consumer, is planning 92 plants with about 60 gigawatts of capacity, according to the London-based think-tank, which focuses on the impact of the energy transition on financial markets.

Story continues

Indonesia is planning 107 new plants, Vietnam 41, and Japan 14, it said.

Despite climate concerns, governments continue to pursue coal projects due to reasons ranging from lobbying, to efforts to support the industry, and concerns about security of electricity supply, the think-tank said.

But building new plants no longer makes economic sense, as the falling cost of renewables such as solar and wind means they will become cheaper than coal in most parts of the world.

Hillenbrand Von Der Neyen called on governments to use post-coronavirus stimulus spending to "lay the foundations for a sustainable energy system".

"Coal no longer makes sense, financially or environmentally," she said.

sr/qan
Holiday disarray: Malta refuses to accept NHS app as vaccination proof (Getty Images)

Holidaymakers with trips booked to Malta have seen their plans thrown into chaos as the country is not accepting the NHS app as proof of vaccination.

From Wednesday, travellers from the UK aged 12 and above are only permitted to enter Malta if they have had both doses of a coronavirus vaccine.

But authorities in the central Mediterranean archipelago revealed on Monday that they will only accept printed letters sent by the NHS as proof.

That means tourists planning to use the NHS app to demonstrate their status face being turned away at UK airports or the border in Malta, even if they are fully vaccinated.

They are worried about the spread of the Delta variant

Cathy Ward, British High Commissioner to Malta

The UK Governments website states that letters are expected to take up to five working days to be delivered.

Several affected people have sent Twitter messages to the British High Commission for Malta stating that the policy means their trips cannot go ahead as planned.

Mark Holland, of Hove, East Sussex, wrote: I travel in under three days, and have no time to request a letter.

Children aged five to 11 can travel if they are accompanying their fully vaccinated parents or legal guardian, and must show evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival.

No test is required for those aged under five.

The requirement for UK arrivals for those aged 12 to 17 to be fully vaccinated is effectively an outright ban, as the UK is not vaccinating under-18s.

Katie Crookshank, of London, wrote to the High Commission: We have a 12-year-old girl who is distraught as she now cant be a bridesmaid in August.

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She continued: The reputation of Malta being a family friendly island is being damaged. Why cant they be PCR tested?

British High Commissioner to Malta, Cathy Ward, replied that she was so sorry to hear this.

She added that the Maltese authorities have said the guidance on teenagers is due to the virus now spreading fastest in this age group and they are worried about the spread of the Delta variant.

Story continues

There was a surge in demand for holidays in Malta, Spains Balearic Islands, Portugals Madeira and a number of Caribbean destinations after the UK Government announced last week they would be moved to the green travel list on Wednesday at 4am.

The change means people arriving in the UK from those places no longer need to quarantine at home for 10 days.

Price comparison website TravelSupermarket said Malta went from being its 17th most popular country among package holiday customers to number five following the announcement.

Family holidays to Portugal are back on after officials dropped its quarantine policy requirement for children (REUTERS)

A government spokesperson said: As we continue to cautiously reopen international travel, the NHS COVID Pass will be a key service that allows people to demonstrate their Covid-19 vaccination status.

Travel advice for Malta has been clear that from 30 June all arrivals from the UK will need to present full proof of vaccination and, for residents in England, only the NHS Covid Pass letter will be accepted.

"We are actively working with the Maltese Government to ensure digital options for proof of vaccine via the NHS App and NHS.UK are accepted as soon as possible to give citizens a full range of options."

In other travel news, family holidays to Portugal are back on after officials dropped its quarantine policy requirement for children.

In a surprising u-turn, the country reversed its decision to make children over 12 isolate for 14 days.

Portugal previously said only those who were double-jabbed would be allowed to enter. This prevented British families from holidaying there because the UK is not vaccinating under 18s.

However, last night the country announced under 18s travelling with a fully vaccinated parent or guardian would be exempt from the rule.

Instead, children aged 12 and over must show proof of a negative Covid test while under 12s are completely exempt.

Read More

Malta, Madeira and Balearics on green travel list from today

Childrens Commissioner calls for an end to school bubbles

Restrictions on UK tourists ramped up amid Delta variant concerns
Reuters

ISMAILIA, Egypt (Reuters) -The owners and insurers of the Ever Given container ship that blocked the Suez Canal in March said on Sunday a formal settlement had been agreed in a compensation dispute, and the canal authority said the vessel would be allowed to sail on July 7. The Suez Canal Authority (SCA) has held the giant ship and its crew in a lake between two stretches of the waterway since it was dislodged on March 29, amid a dispute over a demand for compensation by the SCA. "Preparations for the release of the vessel will be made and an event marking the agreement will be held at the Authority's headquarters in Ismailia in due course," Faz Peermohamed of Stann Marine, which represents owner Shoei Kisen and its insurers, said in a statement.
People sunbathe at Magaluf beach in Majorca (REUTERS)

The UKs updated green travel list kicks in from Wednesday with holidaymakers returning from island hotspots such as Ibiza, Majorca and Malta no longer having to self-isolate.

Brits were seen touching down at Palma de Mallorca Airport on Wednesday after the changes were made to the traffic light travel list in the UK, meaning travellers no longer needed to self-isolate on their return.

Arrivals from 16 places, including the Balearic Islands and a number of Caribbean islands, will not have to self-isolatre for 10 days as of 4am.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps also revealed there were plans to drop quarantine for fully vaccinated Britons later in the summer.

The full list of destinations added to the green list are:

The Balearic Islands (which include Ibiza, Menorca, Majorca and Formentera), Malta and Madeira, Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Montserrat and Turks and Caicos Islands. Bermuda, British Antarctic Territory, British Indian Ocean Territory and Pitcairn.

The additionsapart from Maltawill be on the green watchlist so if conditions change in any of the countries, they are at risk of being suddenly moved to the amber or red list.

The government advises people not to travel to amber destinations, although it is not against the law.

Those travelling to an amber list country have to be tested before departure and after their return, along with completing a passenger locator form and quarantining for 10 days once back in the UK.

Countries on the red list should not be visited except in the most extreme of circumstances the government says.

Brits arrive at Palma de Mallorca Airport on Wednesday after the Balearic Islands was put on the green list (REUTERS)

The changes kicked in after Portugal, Spain, Malta and Hong Kong have announced new restrictions on UK tourists amid growing concern over the Delta variant.

The Portuguese government imposed a mandatory 14-day quarantine requirement on arrivals from the UK who are not fully vaccinated.

This puts UK holidaymakers in the same risk category as those from South Africa, Brazil, India and Nepal.

Story continues

Jet-setting Brits were setting off on their sun-soaked break as they arrived at Palma de Mallorca Airport (REUTERS)

Professor Adam Finn, who is working from Portugal, where his partner lives, told Sky News that the UK poses more of a risk to other countries at the moment than the other way round.

He said: I think these islands, where theyve been added to the green list, have been added because there are very low, almost absent levels of virus there, so they pose very limited risk to the UK, particularly if people coming back are being tested on the way.

So I think the risk actually is greater for those places  that people coming from this country at this point in time may take the virus with them and infect other people there, but of course that decision lies with them and these are countries that depend on tourism income for their livelihood. So, again, a balance of risk and benefit.

Read More

High Court judge rejects legal challenges to Northern Ireland Protocol

Shamima Begum poses no threat and should come home, says diplomat

Holiday disarray: Malta refuses to accept NHS app as vaccination proof
Iran, which has the world's second-largest natural gas reserves, faces difficulties maintaining and distributing the resource. If the necessary precautions are not taken, there may be an electricity and natural gas shortage in the country in the near future, Daily Sabah reports.

During the last decade, Iran has spent billions of dollars to extract and produce natural gas to meet domestic demand. But at present, due to political, economic and geopolitical issues in production and exports the country is facing a major challenge. The search for natural gas is one of the most important priorities of Irans oil ministry, which plays an important role in maintaining the production capacity of natural gas by discovering and replacing new reservoirs, as well as increasing the country's reserves and promoting Iran's position among gas producing countries.

Iran is one of the world's major consumers of natural gas. The domestic consumption of natural gas is divided into many categories, including consumption of domestic, commercial and public sectors as well as industry, transportation, agriculture and petrochemical feedstock.

Last year, Iran faced a shortage of gas for the first time in the fall, and it used highly pollutant fuel oil in power plants for a while, which led to severe air pollution for several months in various cities across the country. Iran has always faced a gas deficit in the winter, but last year the gas shortage began in the fall. Contrary to Iranian officials' claims of a "significant increase" in gas production, Iran does not appear to have succeeded. And it is important to note that in the next two years, the pressure of the Iranian section of the South Pars field, which is a major supplier of gas to the country, is likely to start dropping.

South Pars

About 70% of Iran's gas is supplied from the South Pars joint field. Energy experts have repeatedly warned of a drop in pressure in the field. This information has already been repeatedly confirmed by the Iranian oil ministry but no action has been taken so far.

In the first week of June, Malek Shariati Niasar, the spokesperson of the Energy Commission of the Islamic Consultative Assembly, announced the results of the investigation carried out to find the reasons behind the pressure drop and the proposed plans to correct the situation. According to Shariati Niasar, the construction of parallel pipelines and the installation of offshore compressors are among the proposed plans to compensate for the pressure drop. According to him, the oil ministry and a group of companies operating in South Pars are following up on the issue so that the field does not face a pressure drop in the coming years.

From 2023 onward, a significant pressure drop is expected to begin in the Iranian part of South Pars and as a result, the production of the field will be reduced by 10 billion cubic meters (bcm) every year. Usually, oil or gas fields enter the second half of their lives when part of their reserves have been extracted, and the natural pressure of the reservoir decreases. To counter the situation, Iran must find a way to maintain the level of production. The pressure on the Qatari sector of the field had eased years ago, as Qatar managed to produce 2 1/2 times more gas from South Pars compared to Iran.

The solution for South Pars, similar to what Qatar has done, is to install 20,000-ton rigs (10 times the current rigs in the Iranian sector) with massive compressors to maintain production levels. The first huge platform was supposed to be built by the French company Total for phase 11 with the next huge platforms to be installed in the coming years, but Total withdrew from the phase 11 contract after the U.S. withdrew from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). Iran does not have the capability to construct such huge structures and advanced, powerful compressors on its own.

More investment

By mid-June, Iranian Oil Minister Bijan Zanganeh told lawmakers that he needed about $50 billion in investment to maintain production in South Pars and other gas fields. Meanwhile, the budget of Iran's national oil and gas companies is financed either from oil and gas sales (14% of total exports) or through borrowing. In 1998, the Parliamentary Research Center reported that the debts of the National Iranian Oil Company (NIOC), along with the National Gas Company, had reached nearly $50 billion. At best, even before the sanctions, Iran exported $60 billion of oil and gas products annually, and the share of the country's national oil and gas companies was about $8.5 billion.

According to the oil ministry, the total value of equipment and assets of the country's oil and gas industry is about $400 billion, and $20 billion is needed annually to repair, maintain and renovate them alone. Thus, the NIOC's revenue does not cover even half of the cost of renovating old equipment, let alone new investment in oil and gas fields.

In another part of his speech, Zanganeh pointed out that 4.5 million Iranians do not have access to the country's gas network. He added that gas exports in Hassan Rouhani's government have doubled and if we want to have additional gas exports, we have no choice but to optimize consumption.

He said the oil ministry does not want to export gas and that the income from gas exports is spent on subsidies. The doubling of the country's gas exports is confirmed by international statistics, but the problem is that Iran itself faces a gas deficit in winter, last year also in autumn, and gas exports are questionable in the current situation. Iran even faced widespread power outages this spring but has not stopped exporting electricity.

Zanganeh went on to say that gas exports were not limited to the oil ministry and had "different political dimensions," all of which should be considered together. He did not elaborate on the political dimension, but Iraq has been Iran's largest gas and electricity customer in recent years but has not paid the Islamic Republic due to sanctions. Iraq reportedly owes Iran $6 billion.

In another part of his speech, Zanganeh added that there is an annual $35 billion gas subsidy in Iran. The latest report from the International Energy Agency says that the hidden gas subsidy in Iran stands at $18 billion. This means that if the Iranian government exports gas instead of consuming it domestically, it will earn $18 billion more. Of course, Iran also has $52 billion in hidden electricity subsidies, and more than 70% of the fuel for Iran's thermal power plants is supplied by gas.

Electricity outage

In recent weeks, rising temperatures in some areas and rising electricity consumption have led to power outages in several Iranian provinces, forcing Turkmenistan and Azerbaijan to import electricity. Of course, rising temperatures were not the only cause of power outages. Decreased efficiency of power plants, burnout of energy infrastructure, loss of electricity in the power generation and distribution network and bitcoin mining were other factors involved in this situation.

Most of the electricity consumed in Iran comes from thermal power plants, and rising gas consumption in power plants as well as in the domestic sector has raised concerns about the future of the country's natural gas production.

Iran's power plants also have a very low efficiency of about 37%, which Zanganeh also pointed out, saying: "If power plants increase their thermal efficiency, they can easily get 1.5 times more electricity with the gas that is provided to them." "They will produce and will not need more gas to produce more electricity, but when the price of gas for power plants is almost zero, why should they invest?

Due to the political situation in Iran, under normal circumstances, it is difficult to attract foreign capital and technology to achieve the goals of natural gas production and consumption in the country up to the horizon of 2040. The continuation of sanctions, the lack of reform in the pattern of electricity and natural gas consumption, along with the infrastructural problems of the Iranian energy industry, are not things that can be expected to be solved in the short term.

The tense and uncertain foreign policy of the Financial Action Task Force (FATF) will continue to contribute to the problems and challenges of the natural gas industry even if the sanctions are lifted after a possible agreement between Iran and the United States after the presidential election. If the problems of the country's natural gas industry are not resolved in the short term, we will undoubtedly see a crisis in the gas and electricity industry in the coming years, and Iran, which was supposed to be a major player in the global gas market and "hub" of electricity trade regions, will be facing a shortage in electricity and gas supply.
A thoughtful, farsighted proposal by German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron calling for a resumption of the European Union-Russia summit met sudden death at the EUs summit in Brussels on Friday. A consensus was impossible to reach and the exchanges revealed a strong undercurrent of opposition to any dialogue with Russia at the present juncture.

Asia Times reports that before leaving for Brussels, Merkel had floated the proposal before the German parliament in Berlin on Thursday morning. It is not enough for the US president to speak to the Russian president. I am very happy about that, but the European Union must also create different formats for discussion, she said. Citing wars in Libya and Syria, Merkel added: We [EU] must define an agenda of common strategic interests, for instance on climate protection, but also in the areas of peace and security.

Merkel had consulted Macron in advance, who promptly endorsed the proposal as he arrived in Brussels for the EU summit on Thursday evening. Dialogue is necessary to stabilize the European continent but it must be firm, as we will not give up any of our values or of our interests, Macron said. He added: We cannot remain on a purely defensive attitude to Russia, on a case-by-case basis, while, very legitimately, we saw a structured discussion unfold between President [Joe] Biden and President [Vladimir] Putin.

Conflicts had been mounting over the EUs relations with Moscow in recent months and feelings were running high in Brussels that foreign policy chief Josep Borrell was cold-shouldered during a visit to Moscow in February. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda took a shot at the French-German initiative, saying: It would be like trying to talk to the bear to save some of the honey. Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte remarked acidly that he abhorred the very thought of sitting in the same room with Putin.

Independent policy from US

To be sure, Macron and Merkel are far too experienced in dealing with Russia not to know that one summit with Putin will not make a peaceful policy. Rather, their intention is to develop a foreign and military policy toward Russia that is more independent from Washington and thereby strengthen the EUs hand in the emergent multipolar world order and create space for negotiations with Russia and China.

Merkel spoke up in the Bundestag from a European perspective that it is not enough to let ourselves be debriefed about talks with the president of the United States, but the EU must be man enough and woman enough to put forward its point of view in direct talks.

Strong words, as they come within a couple of weeks of the Group of Seven, NATO and EU-US summits where the fault lines in the trans-Atlantic alliance could be barely papered over. Make no mistake, the German and French approach to Russia as such is by no means softening. Both are involved in creating NATOs footprints in the Black Sea.

France joined the massive Sea Breeze naval maneuver in the Black Sea on Monday, which is being hosted by the US and Ukraine and involves 5,000 troops, 32 ships and 40 aircraft from dozens of countries. And for the first time, Germany dispatched two Eurofighters from Tactical Air Wing 71 Richthofen to Romania on Thursday, which will patrol Black Sea airspace together with British forces until July 9.

However, Macron and Merkel kept a big picture  the EUs strategic autonomy  when they mooted the proposal to resume the EU-Russia dialogue. They saw that Biden had invited killer Putin to a summit without batting an eyelid because that was precisely what was needed in Americas interests. They feel uneasy that the EU finds itself in a subaltern role.

Macron reacted sharply when the Franco-German proposal on dialogue with Russia was shot down: The aberration today is that were the toughest power vis-a-vis Russia, despite the fact theyre our neighbor. We saw President Biden meeting President Putin a few weeks ago. I told my friends around the table: He didnt ask for your opinion. And you see them meeting together and thats not shocking to you. Were the odd ones.

Washington pulling strings?

Macron added: I have no obsession with a summit with the 27. Ill be frank, I dont need an EU summit to see Vladimir Putin. I saw him several times as president and Ill continue to see him. The known unknown is whether Washington is pulling the strings to kill the Franco-German proposal. In fact, the most vociferous opposition to the proposal came from the countries of Eastern Europe that are known to be Washingtons proxies  especially Poland and the Baltic states.

Significantly, the German-French initiative for a summit with Putin appeared even as the EU leaders in Brussels were unveiling a joint communication on the EUs relations with Russia. Borrell visualizes: Under present circumstances, a renewed partnership between the European Union and Russia, allowing for closer cooperation, seems a distant prospect. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tends to agree: The deliberate choices and aggressive actions of the Russian government over the last years have created a negative spiral.

To be sure, the US cannot be in a forgiving mood after Merkels pushback at Washington over the Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline project. On relations with China, too, Merkel seeks a balanced approach of constructive engagement, which Washington finds frustrating. And Merkel has now made relations with Russia another key template of the EUs strategic autonomy.

But Merkel is not one to be flustered. After the setback on Friday, the German leader took her campaign to the public domain, telling a press conference: The president of the US met for a serious talk with Vladimir Putin, which I did not have the impression was a reward for the Russian president. A sovereign EU, in my opinion, should also be able to represent the interests of the EU in such a similar conversation.

A divided EU

German opinion favors Merkels vision. Her likely successor as chancellor, Armin Laschet, in an interview with the Financial Times last week, also called for Russia to be brought out of the cold, saying the West must try to establish a sensible relationship with Moscow. Ignoring Russia has served neither our nor the USs interests. But the bottom line is that the German-French initiative has caused a divide within the EU, with East European and Baltic countries that are closer geographically to Russia being wary of any loosening of the EUs approach to Moscow. Equally, the German-French initiative will alarm Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova in Russias near abroad.

Simply put, the Franco-German proposal has upset the countries most worried about Moscow. The specter that is haunting them would be that an EU invitation to Putin at this juncture might soften the blocs approach to Moscow, which would inevitably lead to fatigue with Russia sanctions. This means that the bloc will substantially shelve the Franco-German idea for the time being. Meanwhile, the statement issued after Fridays summit called on the European Commission and Borrell to present options for additional restrictive measures, including economic sanctions.
The United States hopes for more stable and predictable relations with Russia but if the latter continues to be aggressive, then Washington will respond, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a newspaper interview published on Tuesday.

"President Biden met with President Putin recently in Geneva and told him very clearly that we would like a more predictable, stable relationship. And if we have that, I think there are areas where we can work together because its in our common interest.," he said.

"On the other hand, if Russia chooses to engage in reckless or aggressive actions, well respond, not for purposes of conflict or escalation, but because we will stand up for our interests and values," Blinken stressed.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken called for empowering multilateral institutions to defeat Covid-19.

"Multilateralism is our best tool for tackling the global challenges we face, whether the COVID-19 pandemic, climate crisis, or building a sustainable economic recovery," Biden wrote on Twitter.

"That's why the United States is committed to supporting effective and accountable multilateral institutions," he said. "We must deliver results -- for our countries, our people, and the world."

Blinken called for efforts to "strengthen global health security moving forward so we can detect, prevent and respond better to future health emergencies."

He pointed to the US promise of $2 billion for Covax, the UN-backed initiative that aims to vaccinate low-income countries, and President Joe Biden's pledge to manufacture and donate 500 million Pfizer doses in addition to 80 million doses from US stocks.
Moscow, the Moscow Region, Chechnya as well as the Belgorod and Tyumen regions are the leaders in getting the vaccination against coronavirus across Russia, Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said on Tuesday.

"Since June 16, we have been seeing a sizable increase in the pace of the vaccination. I want to specifically mention Bashkortostan, the Moscow Region and Moscow. The Chechen Republic, the Moscow Region, the Belgorod Region, Moscow, the Tyumen Region and some others are the leading regions," Murashko told a meeting of the presidium of the governments Anti-Coronavirus Coordination Council on Tuesday.

As of June 28, the number of people vaccinated against coronavirus grew to 23 million people in Russia, reports said.

About 181.5 mln coronavirus cases and about 3.9 mln fatalities have been reported across the world since the beginning of the pandemic. According to the federal anti-coronavirus crisis center, Russia has so far recorded 5,493,557 coronavirus cases, 4,984,037 recoveries and 134,545 deaths. The Russian government set up an Internet hotline to keep the public updated on the coronavirus situation.
The United States does not give up plans for containing Russia, which has an adverse effect on bilateral relations, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Russia's TV Channel One in an interview on Wednesday.

"Nobody  I mean our U.S. counterparts  has given up plans for containing Russia. This cannot but have negative consequences," Kremlin official said.

Peskov said that there were not very many international issues among the questions addressed to the Direct Line program.

"International affairs are possibly of smaller interest to the Russians, as follows from the questions that we have seen," Peskov said. He stressed that Moscow-Washington relations were "system-forming from the standpoint of international stability and strategic stability," adding that "there are some questions on these issues," of course.

Asked if Putin's recent meeting with his US counterpart Joe Biden had influenced the issues that the Russians were concerned about, Peskov said that he did not think it was the main event.

"It was important, but far from the main one. Possibly, the country's development and its emergence from the crisis is more important than world affairs," he believes.

As he dwelt upon relations between Russia and the United States after the June 16 summit in Geneva, the Kremlin official said that "nothing changes so fast."
Kyrgyzstan confirmed 1,965 COVID-19 cases over the past day, the highest case tally since the start of the pandemic, the Central Asian republics crisis center reported on Wednesday.

"Over the past day, 1,965 new cases of the coronavirus infection were recorded, since the start of the pandemic 125,003 cases have been registered (some 1.9% of citizens)," a spokesman for the crisis center reported. This is a record high daily caseload since the pandemic began. The previous record high case tally of 1,600 was confirmed in July 2020.

According to the crisis center, as many as 110,083 people have recovered in Kyrgyzstan (571 over the past day) and another 2,000 have died (eight over the past 24 hours). Amid the growing number of COVID-19 cases, the Health Ministry is urgently equipping hospitals to receive COVID-19 patients.

Kyrgyzstan launched vaccination on March 29, 2020, however just over 100,000 citizens have been inoculated with Russias Sputnik V and Chinas Sinopharm jab. The republic has received a total of 250,000 vaccine doses. Kyrgyzstan has not got 2.6 mln doses under the COVAX program, which were expected to arrive this February.

Kyrgyzstan, home to nearly 6.5 mln citizens, has registered three waves of the COVID-19 spread. The first wave hit the republic in June 2020, when doctors registered between 900 and 1,600 COVID-19 cases. The second wave was confirmed late last year, when the number of COVID-19 cases reached 300 per day. In early June 2021, the Health Ministry officially declared the beginning of the third wave. A state of emergency announced in March 2020 is in effect in the republic.
There is no urgent need to vaccinate children and teenagers against COVID-19, however, if necessary, a special jab for children may be developed, Russias former chief sanitary doctor and First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Education and Science Gennady Onishchenko said on Wednesday.

"Now this issue is being discussed. I believe that there is no urgent need for this - it is my opinion. Among those infected, I do not see the predominance of the child population," Onishchenko said.

"And children need a slightly different kind of vaccine," the former chief sanitary doctor noted, recalling that "there were adult and children's vaccines" against influenza.

Nevertheless, this is an open question with no clear answer, which requires thorough expert discussion, Onishchenko stressed.

"Everything shows that now more and more children are getting infected. As a rule, the majority of the [expert] community is already inclined to do this (to vaccinate children), but this requires a children's vaccine," TASS cited the former chief sanitary doctor as saying.

The Netherlands Association of Pediatricians has released a statement calling for the COVID-19 vaccination of teenagers aged 12-17. Russias COVID-19 jab for children is likely to be registered by September 15-20, according to Director of the Gamaleya National Research Institute of Epidemiology and Microbiology Alexander Gintsburg.
The countries of the OPEC+ agreement in May completed a deal to reduce oil production by 114%, the figure has been stable at this level since February 2021. In absolute terms, they managed to remove 7.47 mln barrels per day (bpd) from the market in May, according to the materials of the OPEC+ technical committee.

At the same time, the OPEC countries fulfilled their obligations by 124%, and the non-OPEC countries - by 93%. In total, they were supposed to cut oil production by 6.55 mln bpd in May.

The deal to cut oil production, which has been in operation since May last year, has been consistently overfulfilled, and in recent months - significantly, due to additional production cuts by Saudi Arabia by 1 mln bpd.

Nevertheless, individual countries do not always comply with their quota and do not cut production according to plan. OPEC+ has a plan, according to which each participant in the deal must compensate for the overproduction of oil. It is currently being extended until the end of September 2021. As of the end of June, countries have to compensate for 3.94 mln barrels.
Russia is doing its best to restore normal relations in the South Caucasus, the countrys president Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday during his annual question-and-answer session.

"Russia played a certain role in the settlement of the conflict [Nagorno-Karabakh conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan]. If we all live peacefully and amicably, then well create conditions for improving people's lives not only in the field of security but also in the current conditions, bearing in mind the normal existence of families, economic and social development," Putin noted.

"True, there are really a lot of problems. There are issues related to the restoration of normal infrastructure, demarcation of the border in order to carry out appropriate work on the state border between Armenia and Azerbaijan, especially where the state border has essentially never existed," he further said.

"This was only the administrative border between the Soviet republics. We are now in the process of this work. We have created a special trilateral group and are doing everything to restore normal relations in the region," the Russian leader added.
Russian President Vladimir Putin is holding his annual Q&A broadcast with Russians on Wednesday where he responds to questions from people across the country.

At the start of the event, he said he had been inoculated with Russia-developed Sputnik V vaccine.

"I thought that I needed to be protected as long as possible. So I chose to be vaccinated with Sputnik V. The military is getting vaccinated with Sputnik V, and after all I'm the commander-in-chief."

The Russian president said he wasn't consulting with his doctors about this, but rather looked at choices his acquaintances made, and went for Sputnik V, as it provided the longest protection against the virus, Putin said.

He also stressed that he is against imposing nationwide mandatory COVID vaccinations.

"I said once as you remember that I dont support compulsory vaccination. And I continue to adhere to the same point of view, " Putin stressed, answering a question whether vaccination against COVID-19 should be voluntary.

Speaking in a live call-in show, Putin said that decisions by local authorities in a number of regions who made vaccination mandatory for some workers should help contain the new wave of infections and avoid a lockdown.

The actions of our colleagues in certain regions are aimed at avoiding the need for a lockdown, when entire enterprises shut down and people are left without their jobs, without their salaries, Putin said.

He noted that about 23 million Russians have been vaccinated against COVID-19, with not tragic outcomes after inoculation being registered.

"By now, more than twenty million, twenty-three million, as far as I know, have been vaccinated. As we see, everything is all right. Thank God, no tragic situations have been reported in Russia after vaccination, like after the use of AstraZeneca or Pfizer," he said.

"This is known very well, specialists have said repeatedly both on television and on the Internet, as well as in all possible media outlets, on all channels that vaccination is the only way to prevent the further spread of the epidemic," the president said.

Russia has such a possibility, since four "high-tech, safe and highly efficient" vaccines have been registered, Putin stressed. "I hope that the prejudice of some of our citizens will be disappearing as the vaccination continues," Putin added.

The Russian leader stressed that it is unlawful to threaten dismissal to those employees, who refuse to get vaccinated because of medical counter-indications.

In his question to the president, a Moscow resident, said that his wife, a secondary school teacher, has medical counter-indications to vaccination because of an old chronic disease but the school director ignores this fact and demands his wife "present vaccination documents by July 15," otherwise she would be fired.

"I can say right away - it is unlawful. If a person has medical counter-indications, no one has the right to demand he or she got vaccinated. I think that the director of the school, where your wife is working, doesnt know about that. I hope he will hear, what I said, and will withdraw these illegal demands," Putin said.

"I hope in the end we will still achieve such herd immunity, which we are speaking about, including thanks to active vaccination process, and schools, higher education institutions, small and medium-sized businesses and our large companies will work as normal," the Russian president said.

Mass vaccination against the novel coronavirus infection of people older than 18 kicked off in Russia on January 18. By today, four COVID vaccines, namely Sputnik V, Epivaccorona, CoviVac, and Sputnik Light, have been registered in Russia.

In Russia, vaccination against coronavirus is voluntary. Compulsory jabs are required only in some regions and for certain groups of citizens, including staff of the services sector.
The U.S. could complete its troop withdrawal from Afghanistan within days, according to multiple US officials, making this a critical week in President Joe Biden's campaign to end America's longest war even as U.S. military officials warn the country could devolve into civil war.

A formal conclusion this week to the U.S. military withdrawal, or retrograde, would mark an astonishingly quick end to a process that Biden initiated in April when he ordered the military to leave by September 11. As many as 1,000 U.S. troops could remain in the country after the formal withdrawal to assist in securing the U.S. Embassy in Kabul and the city's airport, a senior administration official told CNN, and it is now unclear how long NATO troops will remain.

Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said the U.S. withdrawal will not necessarily mean the end of NATO's Resolute Support mission in Afghanistan, despite NATO's decision in April to start and complete its own troop drawdown within a few months.

"It is my understanding with the completion of the retrograde of US forces, retrograde, withdrawal, of U.S. forces from Afghanistan, with accepting, of course, whatever is left behind to protect our diplomatic presence, that that does not necessarily mean the end of Resolute Support," Kirby told reporters Tuesday. He added, "Really, that is a question better posed to NATO."

U.S. officials say there were some 2,500 U.S. troops in Afghanistan, plus hundreds of additional special forces who are not publicly acknowledged, when Biden made his decision in April to withdraw them.
U.S. troops in eastern Syria came under rocket attack Monday, with no reported casualties, one day after U.S. Air Force planes carried out airstrikes near the Iraq-Syria border against what the Pentagon said were facilities used by Iran-backed militia groups to support drone strikes inside Iraq.

Iraqs military condemned the U.S. airstrikes, and the militia groups called for revenge against the United States.

Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby said the militias were using the facilities to launch unmanned aerial vehicle attacks against U.S. troops in Iraq. It was the second time the administration has taken military action in the region since Biden took over earlier this year.

There was no indication that Sundays attacks were meant as the start of a wider, sustained U.S. air campaign in the border region. But a spokesman for the U.S. military mission based in Baghdad, Col. Wayne Marotto, wrote on Twitter Monday that at 7:44 p.m. local time U.S. forces in Syria were attacked by multiple rockets. He said there were no injuries and that attack damage was being assessed.

Marotto later tweeted that while under rocket attack, U.S. forces in Syria responded in self-defense with artillery fire at the rocket-launching positions.

Kirby said the U.S. military targeted three operational and weapons storage facilities  two in Syria and one in Iraq. In its release of videos of the strikes by Air Force F-15 and F-16 aircraft, the Pentagon described one target as a coordination center for the shipment and transfer of advanced conventional weapons.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) will pilot a medical quarantine program directed at migrants in Quang Ninh province in July. Smart bracelets will be one of the technological solutions used.

To prevent the spread of Covid-19 to the community, the guide to medical quarantine for migrants stipulates requirements on medical isolation for those who enter Vietnam via international border gates, including airports, land and port border gates, as well as the organization of implementation tasks.

The guidance covers people entering Vietnam, under regulations of the Vietnamese Government and the National Steering Committee for Covid-19 prevention and control. It also covers the agencies, organizations and individuals related to medical management, isolation and migrants health self-monitoring.The document does not apply to people who enter Vietnam to work for less than 14 days.

To ensure the feasibility of the rules, MOH will use the guide for migrants on a trial basis in Quang Ninh in July before it applies the rules nationwide.

In addition to the apps VHD and tokhaiyte.vn for compulsory medical declaration, and Bluezone, the app that detects close contacts, smart bracelets will be applied by MOH in Quang Ninh from July 1 to July 31.

Before entering Vietnam, migrants have to make compulsory medical declarations via VHD/Bluezone on smartphones or on tokhaiyte.vn website within 36 hours before the departure time at departure border gates, and save QR codes on smartphones. They can also print the QR codes on paper.

If the people entering Vietnam through land or port border gates dont use smartphones and dont have people who make medical declarations for them, they will have to make declarations at the border gate of entry.

After that, migrants must register for hotels for concentrated quarantine, name the places for self-quarantine and the addresses of accommodations during the self-quarantine via VHD app or tokhaiyte.vn.

When entering Vietnam via border gates, migrants will receive and install simcards, install and turn on VHD and Bluezone apps, as well as Bluetooth and GPS. If migrants dont use smartphones, they will receive and wear smart bracelets.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) will pilot a medical quarantine program directed at migrants in Quang Ninh province in July. Smart bracelets will be one of the technological solutions used.

Migrants will be requested to use the tools for 28 days after entry.

As guided by MOH, during the medical quarantine time at concentrated medical facilities, managerial officers at the facilities need to help quarantined people scan QR Codes of the quarantine points at reception (for those wearing smart bracelets, help them scan QR Code); and examine and confirm that they have received the quarantined people listed on tokhaiyte.vn or VHD.

The officers also have the duty of disseminating requirements on Covid-19 prevention and control to quarantined people, requesting them to strictly follow the 5K principle, to watch for faces/voices on VHD three times a day at 7-9 am, 1-3 pm and 7-9 pm, and update medical declarations in case of unexpected health problems.

Six days before completing concentrated quarantine, quarantined people need to update their information on VHD about their locations and means of transport to be used when moving for home quarantine, the places where they will stay during the health self-monitoring time. They must commit to strictly follow prevention measures during that time.

As for those who dont use smartphones, managerial officers at medical quarantine facilities need to help them update information on VHD.

A representative of the Ministry of Information and Communications affirmed that using technology alone is never a sufficient answer, but combined with management regulations and administrative measures, it will be an effective solution to help prevent and control Covid-19.

To assist the supervision of medical quarantine, MIC has asked Vietnams firms to develop technological solutions, including smart bracelets and smartphone apps.

According to the technology center for Covid-19 prevention and control, the smart bracelet was developed by Vietnamese businesses and is ready to support medical isolation management.

There are two kinds of smart bracelets to be used, under concentrated quarantine and after concentrated quarantine, including Bluezone and GPS bracelets.

The former has the expected price of $6 (VND138,000), using Bluezone open source code, and has a battery life of 30 days. It would be used for people who dont use smartphones, such as in factories, or for older people to support medical declarations.

The other will help manage quarantined people in quarantine zones, priced at $35 (VND800,000). It locates the wearers, with warnings about destroying or removing it. It has a battery life of 30 days, and can be recharged many times and can be reused. The bracelet can send alerts to medical workers when people leave the allowed areas or violate the predetermined routes.

"Bluezone combined with GPS bracelets can be used for isolation areas, for isolating a group of people or a family," said a representative of the center.

In addition, the management of medical isolation in concentrated isolation areas is supported by a camera system connected to the monitoring system designated by MIC.

A report found that as of June 24, 580 points had been connected, accounting for 94 percent of total points with connection capability in 58 localities with more than 7,340 cameras.

Van Anh

Vietnam considers tracking bracelets for quarantined persons The Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) wants people to wear a tracking wristband during and after their concentrated quarantine period. The estimated production cost is $35.
As the vaccination rate is picking up, people in Frances western town of Laval, where Tran Thi Phuong Thao lives, are entering a new phase in the pandemic with a renewed sense of hope.

Thao, who has lived in France for more than 10 years and considers this country her second home, is excited to see normal life gradually return.

We are excited to have the first trip abroad since COVID-19 and see services reopen, she said, adding that almost all services have resumed and curfews lifted.

Four adults and a teenager in her family of six have received at least one dose of vaccine against COVID-19.

Her two children, who are in elementary and secondary school ages, are counting down the days before a family trip to Germany and her parents have just returned to France from a vacation in Portugal.

The 14-year-old son of Thao received his first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. In France, people are no longer required to wear masks outdoors.  Photo courtesy of Tran Thi Phuong Thao

Nguyen Thu Ha, a Vietnamese post-graduate student in Emilia-romagna, Italy also sees life more open as vaccination is pushed back.

She is finalising her insurance paperwork to prepare for the vaccination and will travel to Germany to visit her relative after being inoculated.

There are still infections in my area but almost all services started to reopen in late May. There are restaurants and cafes, bars are all open, said Ha.

Unlike Ha and Thao who live in countries with an abundant supply of vaccines, environmental worker Nguyen Thi Ngoan in Hanoi doesnt know exactly when she will get the first jab.

Working in the streets and having contact with many people every day puts us at a high risk of infection. We do have concerns about the transmission and are waiting to be vaccinated, she said, adding that workers like her are provided with face masks, gloves and sanitisers.

Vietnam is grappling with the fourth wave of COVID-19 infections which started in late April with over 12,000 new cases since then. The pandemic has infected nearly 50 provinces and cities in this wave, according to the statistics from the Ministry of Health.

Considering vaccinations as a fundamental measure in COVID-19 prevention and control, the country is pushing the vaccination roll-out which has been hampered by limited supply.

More than 9,000 workers, officers, students and local residents in HCMC are vaccinated on May 24 at Phu Tho Stadium.  VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Vu

As of Monday, Vietnam has administered nearly 3.5 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, with the number of people fully inoculated reaching 173,000, according to the health ministry. These account for about 3.5 per cent and 0.2 per cent of total population respectively.

The New York Timess Covid World Vaccination Tracker showed that the rates of fully vaccinated people in the United Kingdom, the United States, Italy and France are 48 per cent, 46 per cent, 29 per cent and 28 per cent respectively as of Monday.

According to the World Health Organization in Vietnam, more than 75 percent of all vaccines have been administered in just 10 countries.

Although significant progress has been made in global collaboration, there still remains a shocking inequity in the global distribution of vaccines, WHO Representative in Vietnam Dr Kidong Park told Viet Nam News.

As the vaccines are new and the COVID-19 vaccination is an unprecedented mass campaign, it is a challenging task for any government. The Vietnamese Government is mobilising mechanisms to procure more vaccines for Vietnamese people.

It is also supporting development of COVID-19 vaccine domestically, which is encouraging and quite impressive.

Though the country did a great job in curbing the pandemic in the last three waves of infections, it sees vaccinations as an effective tool and weapon to prevent and combat infectious diseases like COVID-19 and has been seeking ways to access all vaccine sources in the world.

Speaking at a recent government meeting Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said since late 2019, the National Steering Committee on COVID-19 Prevention and Control was determined that the then SARS-CoV-2 would persist for a long time and only when vaccines or treatment drugs are made available, could the pandemic be controlled.

A woman in HCMC, now an epicentre of the pandemic, is inoculated against COVID-19.  VNA/VNS Photo Thanh Vu

Vietnam has made a determination to have vaccines as soon as possible, he said.

Since early 2020, the Ministry of Health has been tasked to work with all potential vaccine manufacturing companies in the world to negotiate, buy and import vaccines or receive technology transfer, he added.

Since August 2020, the Ministry of Health has signed a contract to buy vaccines from Astra Zeneca company. At the same time, the Ministry of Science and Technology together with the Ministry of Health were assigned to research and develop locally-made vaccines.

Among the locally-made vaccines, Nano Covax has been in the third phase of human trials with more than 13,000 volunteers joining. The trial is expected to be completed in August, paving the way for vaccine authorisation.

Vietnam affirmed in early June that it would secure a total of 170 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines.

The country also has a plan to purchase copyrights and receive technology transfer for COVID-19 vaccine production as well as co-operate with vaccine manufacturers around the world.

The WHO representative said Governments efforts in financing vaccines, exploring supplies and supporting local manufacturing capacity are very encouraging initiatives.

Park said: Vietnam is one front runner in mobilising social capital from individuals and private sector through the establishment of the COVID-19 Vaccine Fund. These efforts are innovative to ensure sufficient vaccines are available to priority groups.

The national COVID-19 vaccine fund, which debuted on June 6, has received nearly VND8 trillion (US$347.8 million) as of June 29.

He noted that vaccinations was just one of the tools to contain the pandemic.

Good surveillance systems, aggressive contact tracing, large-scale testing, risk-based public health measures and consistent communication to the public are critical," he said.

"The Government is using all these tools to manage the surge of cases in the country.

Though living thousands of miles from her home country, Thao has closely followed the situation.

Despite the complicated developments of the new wave of infection, I feel hopeful to see that the government is doing their best to bring in more vaccines and people are willing to be vaccinated, said Thao.

Source: Vietnam News

More than 400,000 people vaccinated against Covid-19 in HCM City Five days after Vietnams biggest city launched the largest-ever vaccination campaign, more than 400,000 people have been vaccinated, said Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health Nguyen Tan Binh at a press conference yesterday.
Virginia Techs Upper Quad will soon feature a showcase building for the Corps of Cadets.

Demolition has started to pave the way for the Corps Leadership and Military Science Building, a project many years in the making, which has drawn support from numerous generous corps alumni.

The three-story, 75,000-gross-square-foot building is expected to be complete in 2023. It will bring together the corps staff and the university's ROTC programs now dispersed across several locations and will include custom space for the Corps Museum.

The building will also be a hub for the universitys Integrated Security Education and Research Center, a new facility designed to blend science, technology, policy, and ethics across homeland security, national security, and cybersecurity domains.

At its June meeting, the universitys Board of Visitors approved the naming of nearly 30 spaces within the building for donors whose generosity has helped to bring this project to fruition.

I can think of no other building where every single element has a tie to an alumnus or friend of the corps, said Maj. Gen. Randal Fullhart, commandant of cadets. When we say, It wouldnt be here except for all of you, it is really, really true. And we are most grateful.

A virtual groundbreaking ceremony for the building took place on June 22, featuring Fullhart and other university leaders.
A man driving an SUV fatally shot a handgun-toting motorcyclist who advanced toward him on foot following a traffic incident between the two on a Texas interstate, police said.

Fort Worth police said Tuesday that the SUV driver was cooperating with the investigation and hasn't been arrested. Police said detectives have interviewed several witnesses to the Friday incident.

Police said the motorcyclist was driving in between lanes of traffic on the center white line on northbound Interstate 35 when the SUV driver  who didn't notice the motorcyclist  started to change lanes. Police said the motorcyclist swerved and the two didn't collide.

The motorcyclist then passed several cars and parked his motorcycle, stopping all traffic, police said.

Police said the motorcyclist walked back toward the SUV, pointing a handgun at the driver. Police said the SUV driver told the motorcyclist to put down the gun and that there were children in his vehicle.

But police said the motorcyclist kept advancing toward the SUV with the handgun pointed so the SUV driver retrieved his handgun and shot the motorcyclist multiple times.

Police said officers later located the motorcyclist's handgun. The motorcyclist was taken to a hospital, where he died.

The Tarrant County Medical Examiner's Office has identified the motorcyclist as JaDerek Gray, 19. The medical examiner's office said he died Friday of multiple gunshot wounds.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
Kate Rogon hit the sweet spot when she opened The Sweet Station at Eighth Street and Webster Avenue, peddling candy and soda pop to the thousands passing by daily to and from Magnolia Market at the Silos.

Now she has set her sights on vintage clothing and antiques, with the opening this week of Central Goods, a new marketplace at 1701 Franklin Ave.

About 20 vendors will offer home decor, vintage clothing, porcelain signs and antique furniture spread over 7,500 square feet in the former Gradel Printing building.

A soft opening is scheduled Thursday, said Rogon, who this week finds herself in the throes of final preparation for the unveiling.

We began considering locations two years ago, but other buildings were not big enough or did not have the right layout, so we stopped looking, Rogon said. If the right place popped up, fine. If not, it wasnt in the cards.

Eventually, David Gradel made his place available, and Rogon signed a five-year lease hoping that extensions await Central Goods. Rogon said she had noticed for-lease signs on the premises, and contacted a good friend, Kelly Realtors agent Colt Kelly, who made the deal happen.
A Dallas native, Luna grew up in Longview before coming to Baylor to earn bachelor of business administration and law degrees. He and his wife, Genesis, have four children ages 10 months to 7 years and they are members of First Baptist Church of Woodway.

Luna serves as pro bono legal clinic director at Mission Waco, is on the Waco Transit Advisory Board and is on the board of Care Net Pregnancy Center of Central Texas.

His father-in-law, John Devine, has served on the Supreme Court of Texas for 12 years and has been a big inspiration for Lunas career, he said. He said he looks forward to helping others resolve their disputes.

One of the things I would like to do is to start having jury trials every week on the civil side, and I want to start pushing cases to trial that need to be tried, Luna said. I will have a policy that I rule on motions in a timely manner. You are going to get motions ruled on timely from me and you are going to have your case tried. There is no reason why we cant have a civil court trial every week. That is right in my wheelhouse. That is what I am trained to do.
County Judge Scott Felton said McLennan County was among the organizations original members when it was formed in 2002. Quin provided figures showing the pool, formed to assist local governments around the state in getting the best rates possible on electricity through a process known as aggregation, has saved the county about $1.02 million since 2002.

Felton said the pools broad buying power allows it to negotiate favorable electricity rates for members and to mitigate peaks and valleys.

He said reliable energy availability is critical to recruiting business and industry to Texas, and solutions must be found to prevent another disaster such as Februarys, when stress on the grid caused power outages lasting days and broad criticism of the Electric Reliability Council of Texas, which manages the grid and has recently endured a leadership shakeup.

Prospects do not want to come to a state without power, reliable power, and we have faced questions on that subject, said Felton, who serves on the board of the Waco-McLennan County Economic Development Corp., which allocates incentive money to businesses considering Central Texas.
The Russian leader specifically lamented that the incident closely followed his summit with U.S. President Joe Biden in Geneva this month.

The world is undergoing a radical change, he said. Our U.S. partners realize that, and that's why the Geneva meeting took place. But on the other hand, they are trying to secure their monopolist stance, resulting in threats and destructive action such as drills, provocations and sanctions.

Even though the West doesn't recognize Crimea as part of Russia, Putin said the naval incident took the controversy to a new level.

They don't recognize something  OK, they can keep refusing to recognize it, he said. But why conduct such provocations?

Putin insisted Russia would firmly defend its interests.

We are fighting for ourselves and our future on our own territory, he said. It's not us who traveled thousands of kilometers (miles) to come to them; it's them who have come to our borders and violated our territorial waters.

Dmitri Trenin, the director of the Carnegie Moscow Center, warned that last week's Black Sea incident presages a new, riskier level of confrontation.
If it bleeds

I understand that the collapse of a building in Surfside, Florida is important news. In addition, updating the progress being made and methods used by first responders to search for those in the building who may still be alive is worthy of coverage. However, the repetitive interviews of emotionally distraught family members is not newsworthy. It is ghoulish, exhausting and turns news into a melodramatic soap opera.

As research in my discipline  communication  documents, while these interviews may help news outlets expand their audience and thus make more money, they are inappropriate. This rhetorical practice, of course, is hardly new or unexpected. For many years news networks have intentionally exploited the emotional outpouring of people experiencing traumatic events, knowing that this would titillate their viewers  much as people cant look away when there are automobile crashes on a highway. The networks tendency is to stick a microphone in the face of victims and ask them: How does this [the traumatic event] make you feel? This preying on peoples loss and heartache is cruel.
Wolfe wrote, Mary Esther has committed to providing youth with opportunities to foster their independence, become leaders, engage with their communities and develop skills they can use throughout their lives. She has been instrumental in the selection of 4-H families and youth for state and county recognition awards, assisting with funding decisions and programming to further the work of 4-H in the county, and promoting positive youth development through her actions and service.

Thomas Barnes, Association of Iowa Fairs executive director, has known the Pullins since 1997. He praised their involvement with the National Cattle Congress and Black Hawk County 4-H and FFA fairs.

To their credit, they are still involved with both fairs today. Being involved with one fair is enough of a commitment in itself, but serving two fairs is quite an accomplishment, he wrote in his nomination.

In addition to his involvement with the Black Hawk County 4-H and FFA Fair, Ron has many years of dedication to the National Cattle Congress, serving in many capacities. During his service  Mary Esther was right there with him, serving wherever her talents could be best utilized. Together they have touched the lives on many 4-H youth in Iowa, Barnes said.
We know loss can feel so isolating, and we really want to get our name out into the community so families know we are here to support them. I know firsthand how much NFTS can help families experiencing loss, she explained.

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Haley and husband Kaleb lost their newborn son, Matthew, just 33 hours after his birth Jan. 31, 2019. During pregnancy, an ultrasound showed Matthew had a heart defect and other anomalies suggesting a genetic disorder. Haley underwent amniocentesis, and they heard a heartbreaking diagnosis: Trisomy 13, a very rare chromosomal disorder which most infants do not survive.

Knowing what the future held, the couple and their young daughter, McKenna, tried to prepare for their impending loss. Haley connected with a moms group offered by No Foot Too Small.

I wanted to meet other moms who had gone through this kind of loss, and it helped to have people I could reach out to. This loss is a taboo conversation for most people who have not experienced it, and I could ask difficult questions of these moms any time of day or night. It was life-changing for me, said Admire.

During the COVID pandemic, NFTS moms group meetings were held virtually. As restrictions have been lifted, the group will begin in-person meetings at 6 p.m. July 12 at Lark Brewing in Cedar Falls.
Fahrettin Koca says these groups, who were mostly vaccinated with two doses of the Chinas CoronaVac, can choose any available vaccine for their third dose. Turkey is also administering the Pfizer vaccine and will begin use of Russias Sputnik V shots.

Turkey is allowing a third dose for health care workers and people over 50 because two doses of CoronaVac may not be providing enough antibodies after several months. There is little data about CoronaVacs efficacy against the more infectious delta variant.

Koca also announced the current six-week gap between two doses of Pfizer shots will be reduced to four. This will speed Turkeys vaccination plan where more than 34.6 million people have gotten their first shot but only about 18% of the population have been fully vaccinated.



MOSCOW  President Vladimir Putin says he was vaccinated this year with Russias Sputnik V shot, and hes encouraging citizens to get vaccinated amid a surge of coronavirus infections and deaths.

During an annual call-in show, Putin expressed hope the immunization drive could help avoid a nationwide lockdown. Russia on Wednesday reported 21,042 new infections and 669 deaths, a daily record. Similar numbers have been reported daily since June 24.
The extreme heat wave in the Northwest is beginning to subside in Seattle and Portland, Oregon, but much of the West will continue to deal with baking temperatures as millions remain under heat alerts.

Canada and US cities in the Northwest have reported their hottest temperatures on record. More than 52 million people are under a heat warning or advisory from coast to coast.

While temperatures are likely to let up in the Northeast by Wednesday's end, the heat is expected to last in the Northwest well into mid-July, CNN's meteorologist Michael Guy predicted.

"The Northeast will continue to be hot (Wednesday), before a cold front drops temperatures, but also brings the risk for severe storms this afternoon and evening," Guy said.

Portland set an all-time, record-high temperature three days in a row, topping out at 116 degrees on Monday. Seattle hit 108 degrees, breaking the all-time record it set just a day earlier.

Across the border, Lytton, British Columbia, hit 117.5 degrees on Monday -- the highest temperature ever recorded in Canada, and around 48 degrees above what's normal for this time of year.

Kristina Dahl, a senior climate scientist at the Union of Concerned Scientists, says the heat wave is "unprecedented."
Though he still heaps praise on Trumps accomplishments, Pence has worked more recently to forge his own identity, splitting with his former boss in particular over the severity of the deadly Jan. 6 riot, which forced him into hiding but which many Republicans have sought to minimize.

That balancing act came into sharp relief Thursday as Pence delivered a speech at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library in front of a sold-out crowd of more than 800 people during a swing through California that included meetings with donors and a headline speech at a Republican National Committee dinner.

After being booed and jeered the week before at a conservative conference in Florida, Pence appeared to have a newfound sense of swagger as he delivered his strongest rebuttal to date of Trumps continued insistence that he could have unilaterally overturned the results of the last election. Many of Trumps supporters continue to blame Pence for Trumps loss, even though he had no power to overturn the results.

The truth is, theres almost no idea more un-American than the notion that any one person could choose the American president, Pence said, adding that he would always be proud that we did our part, on that tragic day, to reconvene the Congress and fulfill our duty under the Constitution and the laws of the United States.
BURLINGTON  A Burlington School Board member has come under fire after posting to Facebook a comment seeming to belittle the value of lives of those who support former President Donald Trump.

Covid (sic) deaths in the US are occurring now almost exclusively among those individuals who refuse the vaccine, Tom Courtney said in the post. Most of these seem to be trumpers (sic). So Im not sure I see the downside.

Courtney removed the post Saturday, but not before a screenshot was taken and shared to a local group page. Since then, the districts administration building has received several phone calls inquiring as to whether the post is justification for Courtneys removal from the board. Per state law, it is not.

There really isnt any room in Iowa Code to necessarily address these types of things, Superintendent Pat Coen said. Theres not much a board can do to a board member. ... Iowa Code is very weak on board member accountability.

Courtney said Monday that he does not intend to seek another term on the board, nor for any other elected office.
Q. Is Best Buy closing, or going out of business?

A. Not that we can tell.

Q. How does Butler County recycle their Styrofoam?

A. Call the Butler County Solid Waste Commission in Allison at (319) 267-2070.

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Q. What is an email?

A. Emails are messages distributed by electronic means from one computer user to one or more recipients via a network.

Q. What day did you publish a story about the farmer with the cow in his truck?

A. May 26 and May 30.

Q. Floyd County residents are going to court for the right to have the issue placed on the ballot if they can elect their supervisors by district. How many counties in Iowa get to do this?

A. Anyone in any county could start a petition drive to change the way they elect supervisors. To get the issue on the ballot, a group needs 10% of the turnout of registered voters from the last election.

Q. The corner of Ridgeway and West Ninth Street is very congested. Who can I contact to see if they can time the lights in a different manner?
But the crook didn't show up on the day they were to meet. And when Janvier called the real estate agency on the for-sale sign in front of the house, they told me that I was scammed.

He complained about being defrauded to both PayPal and Zelle. PayPal returned his $500, he says, but Zelle refused to credit him for the $2,600 balance he had sent on its peer-to-peer payment app. In response to a query from AARP, Zelle spokeswoman Meghan Fintland said Tuesday it was investigating the issue and needed more time to respond."

Zelle is meant for transactions with people you trust, such as family or friends, since once you authorize a payment, the money is irrevocable, says Fintland, who adds: But these scams are there, too, these too good-to-be-true opportunities. Thats one reason Zelle posts fraud and scam warnings.

"It was hell, I'm telling you, man, Janvier says now. An assistant working at a psychiatric hospital, he says he had borrowed money to come up with the $3,100. Now he says it will take him months to save up that kind of money.

Janvier spoke to AARP's Fraud Watch Network Helpline, 877-908-3360, which is seeing a spike in reports of rental fraud cases.

Landlords are victims, too

The web is littered with fake rental listings, leaving not only prospective tenants aggrieved.

Mel, another Helpline caller, is a restaurateur from Long Island, New York. Twice in recent years he had his rental home's listing on Zillow copied by scammers and reposted on Craigslist, says Mel, who did not wish to be identified with his full name. This spring he listed his two-bedroom home on Zillow for rent for $3,000 a month and a woman contacted him asking if a Craigslist ad listing the same home for $2,000 was real. He told her the Craigslist post was bogus; fortunately, her careful vetting occurred before she sent the scammer any money.

Mel urges consumers to carefully vet properties for rent. Be very thorough, he says. Don't just jump on the first thing that comes up. Don't do impulse renting."

Craigslist did not respond to a request for comment.

Zillow posts warnings about fraud on its website, and a company spokesperson says it goes to great lengths to police activity and fully inform our users of the existence of scams and how to protect themselves. Our customer support team monitors activity on the site in a number of different ways and if a rental listing is found to be fraudulent, it is immediately removed from Zillow."

Money for nothing

Other calls to AARP's helpline:

A woman in Richmond, Virginia, found an apartment listed on Craigslist and Facebook Marketplace and used Cash App to send $1,700 to a phony landlord for a month's rent and security deposit  a total sham.





A woman relocating to Cheyenne, Wyoming, liked a rental on Craigslist, filled out an application and sent $700 using Venmo along with her Social Security number and a photo of her driver's license. In hindsight it seemed sketchy that the man who sent her the lease agreement had her send her money to his cousin."





A woman gave a scammer $998 to secure a rental unit with her boyfriend. Both sent W-2 forms showing annual wages and taxes; pay stubs; photos; and copies of their driver's licenses. Later the couple discovered their contact has nothing to do with the property and in terms of rent was asking much less than the actual owner."

The peak season for moving runs from April to September, so if you're thinking of pulling up stakes  or leasing a summer vacation spot  renters, beware. Every move or vacation promises new beginnings. But you must practice due diligence to deter the heartless criminals who are happy to take your money and personal information  then vanish  before you collect the keys.
Just a few months ago, the possibility of a summer tourism revival for Italy appeared remote. COVID-19 hit here particularly hard, beginning in March 2020, when the country went into a national lockdown. From a tourism perspective, that meant that for more than a year, the great cities of Rome, Florence and Venice  along with the rest of this beautiful country  remained essentially off-limits to most Americans (whove faced their own trials with COVID-19, of course).

Nearly 88 percent fewer Americans visited Italy in 2020 than in 2019, when the country received 5.6 million arrivals from the U.S., according to the Italian government.

But now, as the number of Italian COVID-19 cases has fallen dramatically, Italy has emerged from its most recent lockdown and is welcoming U.S. leisure travelers for the first time since the pandemic began. As of June 21, Americans are allowed to visit without a 10-day quarantine, provided they can show that they are fully vaccinated, recently tested negative for COVID-19, or recently recovered from COVID-19 (see details below).

Thats a big change: Before June 21, travelers from the U.S. needed to show that their visits were essential, book special quarantine-free flights requiring a few rounds of COVID-19 testing, or leap complicated bureaucratic hurdles to enter the country.

What its like to visit now

Italian life is gradually returning to normal, as restaurants are again permitted to serve meals inside and out, cafes can offer up cappuccinos at inside counters, curfews are dropped, and almost everything else is open again. Boutiques and outdoor markets are back in business, and Italians are already escaping to the countrys many beaches to beat the heat. Since June 28, the Italian government has placed all of the countrys 20 regions in the white zone, or low-risk, category  which means they have recorded fewer than 50 COVID-19 cases per 100,000 inhabitants for three consecutive weeks.

But with the restrictions lifted so recently, there are still far fewer tourists than youd see in a normal summer season.

In early June, I visited Rome from my home in Venice, and found the city much quieter than usual. At the typically buzzing Piazza Navona, the historic public square built on the site of an ancient Roman amphitheater, only a handful of people were milling about. (They wore masks, as was the rule a few weeks ago, but face coverings are no longer required outdoors unless social distancing isnt possible.)


High-grade Gold in Basement at West Island - EVN Cue JV

Perth, June 30, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Musgrave Minerals Ltd ( ASX:MGV ) ( FRA:6MU ) is pleased to report assay results from the recent diamond drilling program on the Cue Joint Venture over Lake Austin with Evolution Mining Ltd ("Evolution") in Western Australia's Murchison district (Figure 1*). The results have identified strong basement gold mineralisation at the West Island prospect. The gold intersections are over a 400m strike length below a strong regolith gold anomaly under Lake Austin. The mineralisation is hosted within a differentiated dolerite unit, similar to that hosting the high-grade Great Fingall and Golden Crown deposits 25km to the north of West Island at Cue.The Great Fingall and Golden Crown deposits host a combined 4.4Mt @ 14.1g/t Au for 2.0M oz Gold (Total Indicated and Inferred Resources and past production) (see Westgold Resources Ltd (WGX) ASX announcement 10 June 2020, "Investor Presentation June 2020 - ASX Release", page 15).Musgrave Managing Director Rob Waugh said: "This is a great early result from diamond drilling and a strong endorsement of the joint venture program on Lake Austin. We are looking forward to the re-commencement of diamond drilling in July to further test the extent and grade of the gold system at West Island. Evolution's ongoing commitment is a strong affirmation of the upside potential of the project".Lake Austin Drilling Program ResultsUnder the Evolution Joint Venture (Figure 1), which commenced in October 2019, two phases of regional aircore drilling have been completed on Lake Austin, comprising 436 holes for 48,895m. Assay results for the aircore drilling programs were reported in MGV ASX announcements dated 5 June 2020, 5 December 2020, and 27 January 2021.The aircore drilling defined basement targets for a focused 2,720m, 7-hole diamond drilling program which was completed in May 2021 and tested two regional gold targets, with very encouraging results identified at the West Island target. Four diamond holes were drilled at West Island over a strike length of 400m with all returning significant gold intercepts including:o 11.5m @ 3.2g/t Au from 245m (21MODD006) including:- 3.0m @ 10.6g/t Au from 247.5mo 11.0m @ 3.6g/t Au from 272m (21MODD001) including:- 5.0m @ 5.5g/t Au from 276mo 5.0m @ 2.7g/t Au from 169m (21MODD002)o 0.4m @ 23.5/t Au from 144.7m (21MODD007)All four of the West Island drill holes intersected multiple zones of gold mineralisation (Table 1a), all hosted within a differentiated dolerite unit that extends over multiple kilometres of strike. The intersections are associated with extensive regolith gold mineralisation which aircore has shown to extend for more than 7km of strike. The diamond drilling to date at West Island has only tested a 400m area with early interpretation from structural data suggesting potential for multiple parallel striking gold lodes (Figure 2*). The mineralisation remains open along strike and at depth.In other target areas, many of the current aircore drill holes from the regional program also terminated in anomalous gold, highlighting the possible proximity to basement gold mineralisation and the necessity for further basement drill testing.Following these positive early-stage basement drilling results, Evolution has committed to a further $5 million in exploration over the next 12 months, focusing on more than 7,000m of additional diamond drilling at West Island and other basement targets together with a further 25,000m of aircore drilling to define new targets utilising knowledge developed from the work to date.Results are currently being integrated with existing datasets to define final targets for the new diamond drilling program scheduled to commence in early July. Further aircore drilling is scheduled for late-July.All new diamond drill hole collars and assay results above 0.5g/t are recorded in Tables 1a and 1b*.*To view tables and figures, please visit:About Musgrave Minerals Ltd

Musgrave Minerals Ltd (ASX:MGV) is an active Australian gold and base metals explorer. The Cue Project in the Murchison region of Western Australia is an advanced gold and copper project. Musgrave has had significant exploration success at Cue with the ongoing focus on increasing the gold and copper resources through discovery and extensional drilling to underpin studies that will demonstrate a viable path to development in the near term. Musgrave also holds a large exploration tenement package in the Ni-Cu-Co prospective Musgrave Province in South Australia.


Appointment of Stephen Gardiner as a Non-executive Director

Brisbane, June 30, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Central Petroleum Limited ( ASX:CTP ) ( FRA:C9J ) ( OTCMKTS:CNPTF ) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Stephen Gardiner as a director of the Company effective 1 July 2021.Central's Chair, Mick McCormack said, "I am very pleased to welcome Stephen Gardiner to the Board of Central Petroleum. Stephen joins Central after 17 years in senior executive roles with Oil Search Limited ( ASX:OSH ), most recently as CFO for 8 years before stepping down from that role in March. In the CFO role Stephen was responsible for Oil Search's finance, tax, treasury, audit and risk and investor relations functions. Prior to Oil Search, Stephen had a twenty-year career in corporate finance at major Australian multinational companies including CSR Limited and Pioneer International Limited.I look forward to Stephen's contribution to the Board through his deep understanding of the oil and gas and infrastructure sectors and extensive knowledge of finance and risk. Stephen's decision to join the Board will provide an immediate benefit to shareholders at a time when Central is focused on executing three near-term projects which have significant transformation objectives for the Company. These projects are, first, completing and executing the recently announced sale and investment transaction with New Zealand Oil and Gas Limited (NZX:NZO; ASX:NZO ) and Cue Energy Limited ( ASX:CUE ) for the exploration and development of Central's Amadeus Basin producing assets.Second, progressing the Range Gas Project with Incitec Pivot Limited ( ASX:IPL ) towards a final investment decision (FID) in 2022. Third, progressing the proposed Amadeus to Moomba Gas Pipeline to FID under the MOU with Australian Gas Infrastructure Group and Macquarie Mereenie Pty Ltd. Stephen's experience will also bring to bear valuable insights in progressing Central's other projects such as, the 100% owned Zevon prospect in EP115, the Dukas prospect with Santos ( ASX:STO ) in EP112 and the other prospects and leads in Central's acreage," said Mr McCormack.Mr Gardiner said, "I am looking forward to working with Central's Board and Management in pursuing Central's significant transformation objectives through its near-term projects and pursuing further growth. I am pleased to be joining the Company at a time when the Board has successfully positioned the business to execute existing projects and I will work with the Board to pursue new opportunities in the interest of all shareholders."About Central Petroleum Limited

Central Petroleum Limited ( ASX:CTP) is a well-established, and emerging ASX-listed Australian oil and gas producer. In our short history, Central has grown to become the largest onshore gas producer in the Northern Territory (NT), supplying industrial customers and senior gas distributors in NT and the wider Australian east coast market.

Central is positioned to become a significant domestic energy supplier, with exploration and development plans across 180,000 km2 of tenements in Queensland and the Northern Territory, including some of Australia's largest known onshore conventional gas prospects. Central has also completed an MoU with Australian Gas Infrastructure Group (AGIG) to progress the proposed Amadeus to Moomba Gas Pipeline to a Final Investment Decision.

We are also seeking to develop the Range gas project, a new gas field located among proven CSG fields in the Surat Basin, Queensland with 135 PJ (net to Central) of development-pending 2C contingent resource.


Investor and Analyst Briefing Presentation

Sydney, June 30, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Empire Energy Group Limited ( ASX:EEG ) ( OTCMKTS:EEGUF ) shareholders are reminded that Empire Managing Director Alex Underwood will host an investor and analyst briefing call at 11am (AEST) today to discuss the recent Carpentaria-1 flow test results and the next steps in Empire's Beetaloo Sub-basin work programs.To view the presentation, 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.


Sayona Obtains Court Approval for NAL Acquisition

Brisbane, June 30, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Emerging lithium producer Sayona Mining Limited ( ASX:SYA ) ( FRA:DML ) ( OTCMKTS:DMNXF ) has achieved a major milestone in its Quebec expansion, following court approval for its joint bid with Piedmont Lithium for North American Lithium (NAL).The Superior Court of Quebec (Commercial Division) has granted an approval and vesting order regarding the Company's joint bid with Piedmont Lithium Inc. for the acquisition by Sayona Quebec Inc. of NAL.Welcoming the Court's decision, Sayona's Managing Director, Brett Lynch said: "This is a pivotal point for not only ourselves and our bid partner Piedmont Lithium, but also Quebec and its future as a leading player in the clean energy industry of the 21st century."We look forward to executing our turnaround plan in integrating NAL with our flagship Authier Lithium Project to transform the operation and create a world-scale Abitbi lithium hub, advancing our plans for downstream processing in Quebec."He added: "I would like to thank our teams in Quebec and Australia, our partner Piedmont Lithium and our shareholders, who have supported us throughout the bidding process for NAL and have helped realise this opportunity. It has been a long journey, yet we have now reached a major milestone towards our evolution into a leading integrated producer in North America."Share Purchase AgreementThe Superior Court of Quebec (Commercial Division) has granted an approval and vesting order regarding the Company's joint bid with Piedmont Lithium Inc. for the acquisition by Sayona Quebec Inc. of NAL in the context of the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act (CCAA) proceedings of NAL.The order of the Superior Court of Quebec approves, inter alia,(i) the purchase and sale transactions contemplated in the share purchase agreement entered into between Sayona Quebec's wholly owned subsidiary, incorporated for the purposes of the transaction, and NAL (the Share Purchase Agreement); and(ii) the pre-closing reorganisation steps required in order to implement the transaction.Under the Share Purchase Agreement, at completion of the transaction, Sayona Quebec will acquire all the issued and outstanding shares of NAL, which will keep substantially all its assets. The order of the Superior Court of Quebec provides that the NAL assets will be free and clear of any encumbrances other than certain specific permitted encumbrances.IQ Assigned DebtSayona Quebec, Sayona and Piedmont Lithium have entered into an assignment agreement with IQ (the Assignment Agreement) pursuant to which IQ has agreed to assign its rights and interest, as creditor, in the IQ Assigned Debt, on the closing of the transaction, subject to certain terms and conditions. Consideration payable on closing in connection with the assignment is:(i) cash payment in an amount of C$36,000,000; and(ii) issue by NAL to IQ of 20,000,000 preferred shares of its share capital, having an aggregate value of C$20,000,000.At transaction closure, Sayona Quebec and IQ will enter into a governance agreement (the Governance Agreement) setting out provisions relating to their relationship as shareholders of NAL and to the governance of NAL. These include certain veto rights in favour of IQ, together with rights and restrictions relating to the transfer of NAL shares and property.Under the Assignment Agreement and the Governance Agreement, Sayona Quebec has agreed to an extensive regime of commitments to pursue the establishment of industrial spodumene conversion facilities in the Province of Quebec (the Quebec Content Undertakings).As part of these undertakings, a feasibility study into the development of a spodumene conversion facility will be conducted within three years from the transaction's closure. In addition, subject to certain conditions, NAL has undertaken to convert its spodumene production into lithium hydroxide or lithium carbonate within Quebec from the sixth anniversary until the 10th anniversary of the closure.If these obligations are not achieved, NAL is obligated to redeem a certain portion of IQ's preferred shares at a price equal to their initial value plus interest at a minimal rate of 5% per annum. Sayona Quebec may periodically redeem a certain portion of IQ's preferred shares, upon meeting various Quebec Content Undertakings, for an aggregate amount of CA$1.Piedmont Lithium and Sayona have agreed to guarantee the obligations of Sayona Quebec under the Assignment Agreement and the Share Purchase Agreement. In addition, Sayona Quebec will guarantee the obligations of NAL in respect of the Quebec Content Undertakings described above.As part of this guarantee, IQ may elect that any amount payable in connection with such Quebec Content Undertakings be paid in Sayona shares, subject to obtaining the necessary approvals from Sayona's shareholders at the time of the election.Transaction closure is expected to occur during Q3 2021, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions contemplated in the Share Purchase Agreement and in the Assignment Agreement, including Sayona obtaining any necessary approvals under the ASX Listing Rules and other necessary regulatory approvals (inclusive of any clearances required under the Competition Act (Canada) and Investment Canada Act (Canada)), as well as other customary closing conditions.Upon conclusion of the transactions, Sayona Quebec intends to refurbish NAL's facilities, including technical improvements as well as the upgrading of certain equipment, together with integrating NAL with the nearby Authier project to transform the operation and create a world-scale Abitibi lithium hub.Furthermore, Sayona and Piedmont Lithium are committed to carry out secondary processing of lithium in Quebec within the next six years, in accordance with the conditions set out in the agreements negotiated with IQ as part of the Purchase and Sale Transactions. This reflects Quebec's competitive advantages, including access to sustainable, low-cost hydropower, skilled labour, world-class infrastructure and the drive by both the Canadian and provincial governments to develop the battery metals and EV industry.The Company also advises that it has utilised its Controlled Placement Agreement ("CPA") with Acuity Capital (as announced on 29 October 2019 and 29 April 2021) to raise A$5,800,000 (inclusive of costs) by agreeing to issue 95,000,000 SYA shares to Acuity Capital at an issue price of A$0.061. The issue price represents a 1.4% discount to the five-trading day VWAP of A$0.0619 to 28 June 2021.Funds raised will be applied to corporate development and operating activities.To view tables and figures, please visit:About Sayona Mining Ltd

Sayona Mining Limited (ASX:SYA) (OTCMKTS:DMNXF) is an Australian, ASX-listed (SYA) company focused on sourcing and developing the raw materials required to construct lithium-ion batteries for use in the rapidly growing new and green technology sectors. The Company has lithium projects in Quebec, Canada and in Western Australia.

Please visit us as at www.sayonamining.com.au


CEO's Address to AdvanceTC AGM

Sydney, June 30, 2021 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Our current efforts are focused to up lift the Company's status in the USA by the first quarter of 2022. This will be achieved by success in our following planned programs:1) Achieving our equity funding programs; and2) Achieving our commercialization programs to achieve our financial forecasts.Dr Timo, our Consultant and Partner is to guide on the uplift of AdvanceTC in the US. His current efforts are focused to market and promote AdvanceTC in the US. This effort is helping the Company gain traction and recognition in the US. This can be seen in the Company's current stock liquidity in the OTCQB market.Currently the Company has also started working with our US Lawyer on the programs and requirements to up list the Company to the US. The Company has set a target schedule for this.In a recent live interview, Dr Timo had commented, based on AdvanceTC's fundamental and business strength, the Company market valuation should be above US$1 billion.We had engaged an external valuation company, ROMA of Hong Kong, to conduct the Company valuation and the result will be made available to us by mid July 2021.We will redouble our efforts to accelerate the products commercialization and sales.We are also in finalization stage of signing several business partnership contracts that will contribute greatly to the Company's commercial success.Starzchat and X7U + is targeted to be ready for commercial launch by July/August.Starzchat will have group video conferencing feature ready for use by this week. This unique and highly differentiated product:+ is compatible with MATRIX, the communication app standard used in US Europe and Asia;+ has push to talk;+ has satellite connectivity ( when used with our selected device );+ has group video conferencing feature; and+ has 24/7 SOS ( For our Satellite range models )This product will be ready for trial and acceptance by our strategic business partners from July/August.As planned, we will get product endorsements by our key partners to support our national and global sales campaigns.Once our strategic partners are onboard, we will boost our budgets to accelerate IRIDIUM VOICE and TETRA commercialization. We will target their introductions before the year end.Thank you .About AdvanceTC Limited

AdvanceTC is a premier technology company specializing in the design and development of mobile telecommunication and computing devices. AdvanceTC is listed on NSX Australia (NSX:A88). More information on the company can be found at www.advancetc.com
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DENVER  A suburban Denver police officer who was fatally shot last week by a man investigators say was intent on killing as many officers as possible was remembered Tuesday as someone with fundamental goodness who knew how to love others, whether it was his wife and two teenage sons or a student overlooked at school.

Speaking at a memorial service, Arvada Police Chief Link Strate said he believed Officer Gordon Beesley, 51, hated writing traffic tickets during the time he served as motorcycle officer but found his true calling when he was assigned to work with students as a school resource officer. In that role, he was able to identify those who needed his help the most.

For example, Beesley used to go to work early two days a week to bike to school with a student with a developmental delay whose mother did not want him riding alone, Strate said.

He had a fundamental goodness to him thats all too rare. His goodness stood out from the rest so significantly that you would stop and ask, Why arent more people like Gordon?' Strate said.

Sgt. Brian Thome said that even though he did not seem to have anything in common with Beesley, a tie-dye-wearing vegetarian with an English degree who rode his bicycle to work, the two connected after Thome was intrigued by Beesleys tattoo of what he thought was a wolf. It turned out to be the rambunctious Great Pyrenees-Labrador mix named Buster that he adopted after two other families struggled to care for him.

No one discussed the ambush of Beesley on June 21 during the private service at Flatirons Community Church in the city of Lafayette, which was streamed online. Beesley, back on patrol after the end of the school year, was shot while responding to a report of a suspicious person in Arvadas historic downtown, about 7 miles (10 kilometers) northwest of downtown Denver.

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Ronald Troyke ran after Beesley, yelling at him, and shot him when he turned around, police said. Johnny Hurley, who had been shopping in a store nearby, came out and fatally shot Troyke with his handgun. Hurley, whom police have described as a hero, was shot and killed by a responding officer who saw him holding Troykes AR-15. An investigation into that shooting is underway.

Police have released excerpts from a document written by Troyke that said he planned to kill as many Arvada police officers as he could, seeing his actions as a way to hold police accountable.

Focusing on the tragedy, Thome said, would be a disservice to Beesley. Family and friends recalled his love of music, having fun and being silly, going on outdoor adventures with his family and buying and fixing up bicycles to give to children.

Lead pastor Jim Burgen, recalling what he learned about Beesley from talking to his family, urged people to follow his example.

Go home and love your family better. Love your wife. Dance in the living room. Listen to your kids with understanding this time. Bring fresh flowers home. Play music. Drink wine. Laugh more. Buy a kid a bike. Find the balance between order and mercy, Burgen said.
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The Lower Tansill Dam and Reservoir in Carlsbad flooded prompting evacuation of residents on the 400 blocks of Nelson Street, James Street and Sooper Street.

Evacuees were being asked to assemble at Joe Stanley Elementary School.

Meanwhile, the San Jose Boulevard Bridge was overtaken with water, meaning north and southbound traffic was largely confined to Canal Street.

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At the San Jose Bridge, Carlsbad police Sgt. Josh Calder said motorists should avoid the area

The National Weather Service in Midland, Texas, issued flood warnings for the Pecos River around Carlsbad, below Dark Canyon and Malaga through Wednesday.

Expect water to continue to runoff, said Meteorologist Matthew Johnson.

Eddy County Emergency Management and Eddy County Fire and Rescue were working with local agencies to address the flooding, read an Eddy County news release.

We are experiencing flash flooding in several areas, said Eddy County Public Works Director Jason Burns.

Its coming and going depending on where were at we had several areas farther south (Monday) that were seeing and experiencing flooding over the low water crossings.

Tuesday he said western parts of Eddy County experienced flood waters coming down from Dark Canyon and Rocky Arroyo.

Canal Street at the bridge was not closed, Carlsbad City officials said, though they cautioned that with rising water it could potentially be closed by 4 p.m. to thru traffic.

Rain stopped and sunshine presented itself in some parts of Eddy County Tuesday afternoon. Johnson said additional precipitation forecast for the evening meant possible residual flooding for the Carlsbad area.

Rainfall chances for the rest of Tuesday afternoon were 77%, according to Johnson. As the afternoon progressed into the night, Johnson said the chances were 65% and chances Wednesday were 43%.

Road closures

Black River Crossing on John D Forehand, Black River, Higby Hole, Longhorn Road at the Pecos River Crossing, Dark Canyon from U.S. 62/180 to 137, Washington Ranch Road by Joel Fire Station, Fanning Road, Joy Road from U.S. 82 to Funk Road, Crossbuck Road between Rock Daisy Road, Rockin R Red Road, Bolton Road from U.S. 82 to Richey Road, Lower Tansill and James, San Jose Boulevard at La Tienda, Boyd Drive at Radio Boulevard, the Countys press release read.

In the event that you come to a low water crossing that is overflowing, do not attempt to cross it the water has more force than you think, Burns said.
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MESA, Ariz.  A suspect has been arrested in the fatal shooting of a man at a motel last Sunday, Mesa police said Tuesday.

They said 27-year-old Stevie Jones was identified as an investigative lead and detained Monday.

Police said Jones allegedly fired his handgun at 28-year-old Michael Gonzalez through the glass of a hotel room before following him and firing several more rounds.

Gonzalez was found dead in the motels parking lot.

Jones has been booked into jail on suspicion of first-degree murder and misconduct involving weapons.

Hes being held on a $1 million bond with his next court appearance scheduled for July 6 in Phoenix.

It was unclear Tuesday if Jones has a lawyer yet who can speak on his behalf.

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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

SANTA FE  The uncontrolled emission of an air pollutant in southern New Mexico is endangering public health and contributing to the risk of cancer in nearby communities, a state judge found Tuesday.

In a four-page order, District Judge Marci Beyer granted a preliminary injunction prohibiting a medical plant in Santa Teresa from allowing uncontrolled emissions of ethylene oxide as it sterilizes medical equipment used in surgeries throughout the United States.

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She directed Sterigenics, the company operating the plant, to ensure shipping bays and doors are closed when not in use. Beyer also called for a monitoring program to ensure emissions are limited.

Her order comes after state Attorney General Hector Balderas accused Sterigenics of subverting control technologies in place at the plant by opening shipping bays and doors to release excess gas. His lawsuit accuses the defendants of creating a public nuisance.

We are grateful the Court considered the risks to New Mexican families and agreed that immediate action must be taken to protect our communities with the rule of law, Balderas said in a written statement Tuesday.

The case has attracted national attention.

The U.S. Chamber of Commerce and industry groups have warned that any interruption to the plants work could strain medical supplies across the state and country.

Supporters of the plant estimate it sterilizes 2.5 million surgical kits, preoperative skin products and other medical devices a day.

A shutdown of the supply would be catastrophic, the New Mexico Hospital Association said in a letter to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham, who isnt a party to the lawsuit.

In court filings, Sterigenics says it already closes shipping bays and doors when theyre not in use and that the attorney general presented no evidence that its emissions have harmed the public.

Furthermore, the company says, the plant faces strict oversight by federal and state agencies and is in compliance with air quality regulations.

Judge Beyer, however, found Tuesday that uncontrolled emissions of ethylene oxide pose an imminent and substantial endangerment to the public health and welfare of residents in Santa Teresa and nearby communities, including a significant risk of cancer, and has resulted in substantial deterioration of air quality.

Her order prohibits Sterigenics from allowing ethylene oxide to escape without processing or filtration.

She said evidence in the record demonstrates that uncontrolled emissions of ethylene oxide continue to occur and that there are significantly elevated levels of the pollutant in the atmosphere.

Balderas office filed the lawsuit in December on behalf of the state of New Mexico, seeking damages and other relief.

The plant is about 2 miles from schools, churches and neighborhoods, according to the complaint, and residents of the census tract that includes Santa Teresa have a cancer risk far exceeding the national average.

The Santa Teresa plant is about 6 miles from the border with Mexico and has operated since 1989.
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

Bernalillo County is expanding its mobile crisis teams  the units tasked with responding to some behavioral health calls  by adding teams that are made up of a paramedic and a clinician.

County officials announced the move during a news conference on Tuesday, saying the Fire Mobile Crisis Teams are a collaboration among the city, the Bernalillo County Fire Department, Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office and Albuquerque Police Department.

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The county and the city have had mobile crisis teams made up of a clinician and law enforcement  either an officer or a deputy  since 2018.

Greg Perez, the deputy county manager and fire chief, said the teams are able to respond to calls throughout the county.

He said that in the past month, a new team made up of a firefighter, a paramedic and clinician has been to about 26 calls. He said a second team made up of a deputy, a clinician and a paramedic has been to fewer.

Wed love to have four teams at some point, together with our partners on the law enforcement side to do the MCT teams, Perez said. But well see how it works out and what the numbers show with the two teams that weve got in place now.

He said theyre making adjustments as to when the teams should be on duty based on an analysis of when the most calls come in.

County Commissioner Charlene Pyskoty said that when an officer is dispatched to a scene in response to a mental health crisis  if they make a determination that the scene is safe and does not need law enforcement  they can request a fire mobile crisis team.

The Fire Mobile Crisis Team once dispatched to the scene will work closely to assess basic needs, provide on-site mental health assessment and intervention supports for adults, adolescents and their families in acute crisis stemming from a mental health related issue, Pyskoty said.

Perez said officials have had some talks with the city about the administrations planned Community Safety Department. That department has been described as a third option to the fire and police departments.

Deputy Chief Brian Rose said he has been working with the lieutenant in charge of APDs Crisis Intervention Unit.

Were just a force multiplier, Rose said. Unfortunately, they dont have enough MCTs to handle the response, but those low acuity behavioral health crises that we can handle clears them from those higher acuity cases which require that law enforcement presence.
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New Mexicos students suffered immense educational setbacks during this past pandemic year. Most had no in-person schooling from March 2020 until Aprils reopening, and many had none through all of school year 2020-21. Those with good internet connections and adequate support at home received lessons online, but generally fewer instructional hours and less effective instruction than offered in regular classrooms. The resulting learning losses remain unmeasured, but many students probably have fallen more than a half year behind, while those without internet or other links to school  an estimated one-fifth  will have lost a full year or more.

Whatever the damage may have been on average, it has been more severe for low-income, English-learner and Native American students  the groups deemed at risk. Such students likely have had less access to, and less benefit from, online or hybrid schooling than their more-advantaged peers. Consequently, the education gaps between at-risk and not-at-risk students, already large pre-pandemic, have undoubtedly worsened.

Responding to the Yazzie/Martinez court rulings that at-risk students have been denied a sufficient education, the 2019 and 2020 Legislatures sharply increased the extra allotment per at-risk student in the states school funding formula. Had that at-risk money been devoted to serving the at-risk groups, the performance gap might have started to shrink; but many school districts, financially stressed, chose instead  and were allowed by the state  to use at-risk dollars for such general purposes as across-the-board salary increases. Consequently, the at-risk learning gap was not addressed but was left to widen as the pandemic unfolded.

The dual problems of lost instructional time and relative worsening of conditions for at-risk students call for corresponding dual remedies: making up time and augmenting services for students with extra needs. New Mexico already has two programs for adding instructional time: the Extended Learning Time Program (ELTP), which lengthens the school calendar by 10 days, and K-5 Plus, which supports 25 extra days for participating elementary students. But these programs are optional and have been notably undersubscribed. K-5 Plus will serve only a minor fraction of elementary students in 2021-22. The 2021 Legislature declined to make even the 10-day ELTP extension mandatory. A more potent catch-up strategy  though for now a missed opportunity  would have been to make both the 10-day and 25-day extensions universal, thereby shifting temporarily from a nine-month to an almost eleven-month school year.

But just recouping lost time would not remediate the now-worsened at-risk gap. To reduce that gap, the state would have to direct substantial supplemental services specifically to students at risk  that is, more intensive, better-funded services than regular school programs provide to students not at risk. These extra services might include, for example, extensive individual or small-group tutoring. The already designated at-risk funds could cover the costs of such services if the state, first, stipulated definitively that those funds may be spent only on supplemental services for identified at-risk students, not for anything else; and second, narrowed the present overbroad definition of at risk, which embraces 80% of all students, to focus on students with the greatest unmet needs. To illustrate, concentrating the $300-plus million at-risk dollars appropriated for 2021-22 on, say, the 40% of students most in need would provide over $2,400 extra, on average, for each such student  more than a 30% add-on to regular per-student spending. Such an increment, if sustained, could significantly boost performance in the educationally most challenged groups. Tilting the distribution of resources toward at-risk students in this manner is the key to lessening the learning disparities that preceded and were exacerbated by the pandemic.

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The views expressed are solely the authors and do not necessarily reflect those of the Yazzie/Martinez plaintiffs.
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New Mexicos prison population has dipped significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic due to the combination of an executive order that led to the early release of 532 inmates since April 2020 and a slowdown in jury trials in courts around the state.

In fact, the number of inmates in New Mexico prisons is at its lowest level in the past 20 years, with 5,662 inmates currently incarcerated  a 74% occupancy rate in a system that just a few years ago was concerned about its ability to have enough beds to keep pace with a growing number of prisoners. Pre-pandemic occupancy was 87%, with 7,645 inmates.

What you see across the nation is a policy shift around corrections that refocuses on reduction of population, and the treatment and opportunities for successful reintegration, said Eric Harrison, a Corrections spokesman. You see this national change and our state is sort of shifting policy in that same direction. That is a good thing  with some public safety caveats.

Lalita Moskowitz of the New Mexico American Civil Liberties Union says permanent inmate population reduction is essential and the ACLU is urging the state to reduce mass incarceration in general, advocating for the continuation of executive order measures that allow the early release of some inmates.

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The ACLU also wants to stop people being sent back to prison for technical probation/parole violations that dont include commission of a crime. Indeed, there probably is no good reason to send an inmate back for missing one appointment with a parole officer. But half a dozen in a row? Or testing positive for meth or heroin, especially if that occurs more than once? Probably good indicators that programs for that inmate arent working.

At the end of the day, the question before a judge exercising his or her discretion is to make a considered decision whether the parolee or probationer is a public safety threat  or, in fact, amenable to and willing to undergo treatment and other programs to turn their life around.

Its also worth noting the Corrections Department has an important tool in its statutory toolbox unrelated to the pandemic.

There is a law on the books that allows early release with 12 months of parole eligibility by placing an inmate in a community-based setting under the adult community corrections fund. Wisely, inmates with a firearm offense arent eligible for the program  and inmates with other clearly violent behaviors shouldnt be considered, either. An inmates conduct while in the system should also be a consideration.

Recidivism has been a problem that wont be fixed by letting people out of jail. In fiscal 2017, half the inmates were back in prison within three years of release, according to a legislative analysis. And the staff of the New Mexico Sentencing Commission told lawmakers in 2018 that a larger share of N.M.s inmates were in for violent crimes and drug offenses than in the rest of the country, while fewer were incarcerated for property crime and public order offenses.

Meanwhile, cost per prisoner in the state system was between $104 and $120 a day, so early release of non-violent offenders amenable to rehabilitation is good not just for the person, but also for society and the taxpayer.

It presumably will be up to Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham to determine whether the executive order continues, with or without modification. But it should be done in consultation with Corrections officials, prosecutors and law enforcement  along with such groups as the ACLU advocating for prisoners.

One place to start: A follow-up on the 532 inmates who got early release. Back in jail? On the street? Or working and contributing to society? Its a ready-made case study we shouldnt ignore.

This editorial first appeared in the Albuquerque Journal. It was written by members of the editorial board and is unsigned as it represents the opinion of the newspaper rather than the writers.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  Detectives are investigating after a man was shot and killed Tuesday night in Southeast Albuquerque.

Officers were initially called around 8 p.m. to a possible suicide at a home in the 800 block of San Pedro SE, near Southern.

Gilbert Gallegos, an Albuquerque police spokesman, said the 911 called had found 22-year-old Aaron Nead shot in the head.

He said police found Nead had been shot several other times and homicide detectives were called to investigate.

Earlier Tuesday, police had identified another recent homicide victim.

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Gallegos said 37-year-old Jorge Chacon was the man killed early Sunday morning in Northeast Albuquerque.

In that incident, police responded around 3:30 a.m. to reports of a man being shot at the Osuna Apartments at 5920 Osuna Road NE.

Officers found Chacon fatally shot in the parking lot.
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Copyright  2021 Albuquerque Journal

A coalition of public interest groups that includes Nuclear Watch New Mexico on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against federal agencies over plans to expand the production of plutonium pits  the core of nuclear weapons used to trigger explosions  at Los Alamos National Laboratory and the Savannah River Site in South Carolina.

The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court in South Carolina, asks a judge to keep the government agencies from taking any further action toward plutonium pit production until they comply with the National Environmental Policy Act and President Bidens Jan. 27 executive order requiring that environmental justice be incorporated into the mission of federal agencies.

The lawsuit alleges that DOE and NNSA violated the NEPA by failing to conduct a detailed Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement prior to the decision to more than quadruple plutonium pit production at the two sites.

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Leslie Lenhardt, an attorney with the South Carolina Environmental Law Project, which filed the lawsuit on behalf of the plaintiffs, said during a virtual news conference Tuesday that the recent decision to convert the Savannah River Site into a pit production plant represented a significant change in the approach to bolstering the nuclear arsenal, increasing environmental concerns over the increase in the amount of radioactive waste and how it is transported.

DOE and NNSA made the decision to alter the fundamental framework of this production plan without adequately evaluating the impacts on the environment and on the surrounding communities  particularly in New Mexico and in South Carolina  most of whom are unrepresented and under-served. The burden on these communities with producing radioactive waste is too great without the government reviewing this appropriately under NEPA, she said, later adding, We have to get this case in front of a judge who can mandate that these agencies conduct the adequate NEPA review process that ensures these environmental issues are considered.

Jay Coghlan of Nuclear Watch New Mexico noted that 68% of people living within a 50-mile radius of LANL identify as people of color.

While pit production has taken place in Los Alamos since the 1990s, the Savannah River Site has never done so and would require the construction of a nearly $20 billion plant  the most expensive building ever built, members of the coalition said.

An NNSA spokesperson said its the administrations policy not to comment on current or pending litigation, but provided a statement:

Plutonium pit production is necessary to maintain the current nuclear deterrent, which requires NNSAs science, engineering, technology, and production capabilities to be in place, responsive, and resilient. 80 pits per year is the minimum pit manufacturing capability needed to maintain the current nuclear deterrent long-term. Newly manufactured pits are required to improve warhead safety and security, mitigate risks against plutonium aging, and respond to potential future requirements driven by peer competition.

Coghlan disagreed, saying that expansion of pit production is unnecessary. He said plutonium pits dont need replacing because they have a lifespan of more than 100 years and that there are plenty of them already in the current U.S. nuclear stockpile.

He also disputed NNSAs claim that pit production is being expanded to fortify the nations current nuclear arsenal. He pointed out that the NNSA budget for fiscal year 2020 refers to W87-like pits, indicating the pits to be produced will be for a different type of warhead than currently in the arsenal.

That leaves a lot of room for mischief and begs the question of how heavily modified will future pits be, he said, adding that pits modified from the original design could bring about a whole host of serious issues.

Coghlan also questioned how additional radioactive waste will be handled as pit production is accelerated. The Waste Isolation Pilot Plant in Carlsbad can accept waste from LANL only through 2024, though it has applied for a permit to expand its storage capacity beyond that.

LANLs safety record hasnt been stellar, he said, and there is no clear answer as to what would be done with additional radioactive waste produced at LANL.

We can only conclude that all of these issues and more demand very careful, deliberate programmatic review, which the National Nuclear Security Administration is deliberately and illegally avoiding, he said.

In February, the state Environment Department sued the U.S. Department of Energy over what it says is a continuing pattern of delay and noncompliance with the cleanup of hazardous legacy waste at LANL, posing a health risk to people in surrounding communities.

The lawsuit was filed a day after the NNSA approved a Critical Decision 1 for the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility, paving the way for construction of a multi-billion dollar plant capable of producing 50 plutonium pits per year.

In 2018, Congress tasked LANL and Savannah River Site with producing 80 pits per year by 2030 as the United States works to expand its nuclear weapons capabilities.

In addition to DOE and NNSA, DOE Secretary Jennifer Granholm and the acting administer of NNSA, Charles Verdon, are named as defendants.

Joining Nuclear Watch New Mexico in the lawsuit are Savannah River Site Watch; its director, Tom Clements; the Gullah/Geechee Sea Island Coalition, headquartered in South Carolina; and Tri-Valley Communities Against Radioactive Environment, based in Livermore, California.
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BERLIN  Most European troops have already pulled out of Afghanistan, quietly withdrawing months before the U.S.-led mission was officially expected to end  part of an anticlimactic close to the forever war that risks leaving the country on the brink of civil war.

Germany and Italy declared their missions in Afghanistan over on Wednesday and Polands last troops returned home, bringing their deployments to a low-key end nearly 20 years after the first Western soldiers were deployed there.

Announcements from several countries analyzed by The Associated Press show that a majority of European troops has now left with little ceremony  a stark contrast to the dramatic and public show of force and unity when NATO allies lined up to back the U.S. invasion to rid the country of al-Qaida after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

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In the ensuing decades, the war went from one mission to another. Former U.S. President George W. Bushs administration shied away from nation-building and the United Nations advocated a light footprint. But with the passing years, NATO and U.S. troops took on greater roles developing Afghanistans National Security and Defense Forces and training police. At the wars peak, the U.S. and NATO military numbers surpassed 150,000.

NATO agreed in April to withdraw its roughly 7,000 non-American forces from Afghanistan to match U.S. President Joe Bidens decision to pull all American troops from the country, starting May 1.

Biden set a Sept. 11 deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops. But more recently, American officials have said that pullout would most likely be completed by July 4  and many allies have moved to wrap up their own presence by then as well.

NATO declined to give an update Wednesday on how many nations still have troops in its Resolute Support mission. But an analysis of 19 governments announcements shows that more than 4,800 of the non-American forces have left.

The U.S. has refused to give troop figures, but when Biden announced the final pullout, between 2,500 and 3,500 troops were deployed. As of February, a total of some 832,000 American troops had served in Afghanistan, while about 25,100 Defense Department civilians had also served there.

The U.S. has also refused to give a clear date for a final withdrawal.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday only that the U.S. withdrawal remains on the timeline that the president announced  which is to get our troops out of Afghanistan, while having a remaining diplomatic presence on the ground, by September.

Germany announced the end of its nearly 20-year deployment in a statement and a series of tweets from the defense minister late Tuesday, shortly after the last plane carrying its troops had left Afghan airspace.

Three transport aircraft landed at the Wunstorf air base in northern Germany on Wednesday afternoon. The troops, wearing masks, lined up on the tarmac for a brief ceremony, but the military dispensed with a bigger reception because of the coronavirus pandemic.

We have worked long and hard to stand here today, said Brig. Gen. Ansgar Meyer, the last commander of the German contingent. As your commander, I can say for you: Mission accomplished. You have fulfilled your task.

But the top American general in Afghanistan gave a sobering assessment Tuesday, warning about the recent rapid loss of districts to the Taliban and cautioning the country could descend into civil war.

The German pullout came amid a spate of withdrawals by European nations. Polands last departing troops were greeted Wednesday by Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak. Some 33,000 Polish troops have served in Afghanistan over the past 20 years.

The last Italian troops from Italys base in Herat arrived at the military airport in Pisa late Tuesday. Italy officially declared its mission in Afghanistan over in a statement Wednesday, with Defense Minister Lorenzo Guerini paying tribute to the 53 Italians who died and 723 who were injured over the past two decades.

Going forward, Guerini said Italys commitment to Afghanistan would remain, beginning with the strengthening of development cooperation and support for Afghan institutions.

Georgias last troops returned home Monday, while Romania brought home its remaining 140 troops Saturday, when Norway also pulled out. Troops from Denmark, Estonia and the Netherlands also returned home last week. Spain withdrew its last troops on May 13, Sweden on May 25, and Belgium on June 14. The small contingents deployed by Portugal, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Finland, Albania, North Macedonia and Luxembourg have left as well.

The pullout is nearing its end as security in Afghanistan worsens. Since May 1, when the withdrawal began, the Taliban have overrun district after district, including along major transportation routes. Many have fallen after Afghan soldiers surrendered, often convinced to leave their posts by elders. But elsewhere there have been bitter military battles, with Afghan troops sometimes losing when their positions could not be resupplied.

The U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Austen S. Miller, meanwhile, expressed concern about the resurrection of militias, which were deployed to help the beleaguered national security forces but have a brutal reputation for widespread killing.

A civil war is certainly a path that can be visualized if this continues on the trajectory its on right now, that should be of concern to the world, he said.

At a ceremony last week to mark the official end of the Dutch deployment, Dutch Defense Minister Ank Bijleveld-Schouten underscored the uncertain outlook.

We see reports of the rise of the Taliban, growing violence, also in areas where we were stationed, she said. A lot has been achieved but we must be realistic: The results are not irreversible.

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This story has been updated to correct that Italian troops arrived home late Tuesday, not Wednesday.

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Gannon reported from Kabul, Afghanistan. Associated Press writers Nicole Winfield in Rome; Mike Corder in The Hague, Netherlands; Robert Burns in Washington and reporters from around Europe contributed to this report.
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CARLSBAD, N.M.  One person was found dead in a vehicle driven into floodwaters that covered a closed road in Carlsbad after heavy rain drenched southeastern New Mexico, authorities said.

The State Police was investigating the Tuesday night incident, news outlets reported.

The identity of the person found dead in the vehicle that overturned was not immediately released.

A shelter was opened Tuesday at a Carlsbad elementary school for residents of a neighborhood evacuated because of rising water but most people chose to stay with family and friends.

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The National Weather Service extended a flood warning issued for the Carlsbad area through Wednesday night and said minor flooding was expected.

The Pecos River was expected to crest at 1.5 feet (0.5 meter) above flood stage Wednesday afternoon then fall below flood stage later Wednesday afternoon, the weather service said.

Flooding of numerous city streets and roads in outlying roads was expected, the weather service said.
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WASHINGTON  Federal law enforcement agencies secretly seek the data of Microsoft customers thousands of times a year, according to congressional testimony Wednesday by a senior executive at the technology company.

Tom Burt, Microsofts corporate vice president for customer security and trust, told members of the House Judiciary Committee that federal law enforcement in recent years has been presenting the company with between 2,400 to 3,500 secrecy orders a year, or about seven to 10 a day.

Most shocking is just how routine secrecy orders have become when law enforcement targets an Americans email, text messages or other sensitive data stored in the cloud, said Burt, describing the widespread clandestine surveillance as a major shift from historical norms.

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The relationship between law enforcement and Big Tech has attracted fresh scrutiny in recent weeks with the revelation that Trump-era Justice Department prosecutors obtained as part of leak investigations phone records belonging not only to journalists but also to members of Congress and their staffers. Microsoft, for instance, was among the companies that turned over records under a court order, and because of a gag order, had to then wait more than two years before disclosing it.

Since then, Brad Smith, Microsofts president, called for an end to the overuse of secret gag orders, arguing in a Washington Post opinion piece that prosecutors too often are exploiting technology to abuse our fundamental freedoms. Attorney General Merrick Garland, meanwhile, has said the Justice Department will abandon its practice of seizing reporter records and will formalize that stance soon.

Burt is among the witnesses at a Judiciary Committee hearing about potential legislative solutions to intrusive leak investigations.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said in opening remarks Wednesday that the Justice Department took advantage of outdated policies on digital data searches to target journalists and others in leak investigations. The New York Democrat said that reforms are needed now to guard against future overreach by federal prosecutors  an idea also expressed by Republicans on the committee.

We cannot trust the department to police itself, Nadler said.

Burt said that while the revelation that federal prosecutors had sought data about journalists and political figures was shocking to many Americans, the scope of surveillance is much broader. He criticized prosecutors for reflexively seeking secrecy through boilerplate requests that enable law enforcement to just simply assert a conclusion that a secrecy order is necessary.

Burt said that while Microsoft Corp. does cooperate with law enforcement on a broad range of criminal and national security investigations, it often challenges surveillance that it sees as unnecessary, resulting at times in advance notice to the account being targeted.

Among the organizations weighing in at the hearing was The Associated Press, which called on Congress to act to protect journalists ability to promise confidentiality to their sources. Reporters must have prior notice and the ability to challenge a prosecutors efforts to seize data, said a statement submitted by Karen Kaiser, APs general counsel.

It is essential that reporters be able to credibly promise confidentially to ensure the public has the information needed to hold its government accountable and to help government agencies and officials function more effectively and with integrity, Kaiser said.

As possible solutions, Burt said, the government should end indefinite secrecy orders and should also be required to notify the target of the data demand once the secrecy order has expired.

Just this week, he said, prosecutors sought a blanket gag order affecting the government of a major U.S. city for a Microsoft data request targeting a single employee there.

Without reform, abuses will continue to occur and they will occur in the dark, Burt said.
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PHUKET, Thailand  Starting Thursday, Thailand will welcome back international visitors  as long as they are vaccinated  to its famous southern resort island of Phuket without having to be cooped up in a hotel room for a 14-day quarantine.

Those planning to see the rest of Thailand must stay a minimum of two weeks during which they will be free to roam the island, where preparations include having a major proportion of the local population inoculated for COVID-19. Those passing through en route to other countries can book shorter stays.

After a stay of 14 days or more, visitors will be able to travel relatively freely elsewhere in Thailand  subject to the same health restrictions as Thai travelers.

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The Phuket sandbox program is open to visitors from 63 countries and three territories rated by Thailand as low or medium risk for COVID-19. Requirements beyond nationality are more complicated and involve a fair amount of paperwork, in addition to being subject to changes.

The most up-to-date and detailed information will generally be available from the website of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, at www.tatnews.org, or from the nearest Thai Embassy.

Visas for stays of up to 30 days are not necessary for many nationalities. Airlines with direct flights to Phuket include Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, El Al and Singapore Airlines.

The basic requirements before departure for Phuket include:

 Must have been staying in approved home country for at least 21 days before departure.

 Must obtain a Certificate of Entry from a Thai embassy or consulate.

 Must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before departure. (Travelers under 18 years old accompanied by a parent or guardian are exempted from the need to be vaccinated.)

 Must have a negative RT-PCR test for COVID-19 within 72 hours of departure. (Also required for travelers under 18 years old)

 Must have a minimum $100,000 medical insurance policy covering COVID-19 treatment.

Upon arrival:

 Must have an RT-PCR test for COVID-19 at their own expense on the day of arrival, the sixth or seventh day of stay and the 12th or 13th day.

 Must stay for 14 days at approved SHA+ hotels in order to travel onwards in Thailand. The booking must be confirmed before arrival. SHA+ certifies safety and health standards including having at least 70% of staff vaccinated for COVID-19.

 Must install Thailand Plus and Morchana apps, to track health and location, respectively.

 Must have evidence of negative COVID-19 test results over the 14-day stay for onward travel to other parts of Thailand.
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NEW YORK  Revised vote counts in New York Citys Democratic mayoral primary show Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams maintaining a thin lead, a day after a first attempt to report the results of a ranked choice voting analysis went disastrously wrong.

The mayors race, part of the first city election to use ranked choice voting, was thrown into disarray Tuesday after the citys Board of Elections posted incorrect preliminary vote counts and then withdrew them hours later.

Corrected numbers released Wednesday showed Adams, a former police captain and state senator, leading former sanitation commissioner Kathryn Garcia by 14,755 votes. Civil rights lawyer Maya Wiley was practically tied with Garcia, falling just 347 votes behind in the ranked choice analysis. It essentially allows some candidates to pick up votes from voters whose first choices get eliminated for lack of support.

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The corrected results still dont paint a complete picture of the race. Nearly 125,000 absentee ballots have yet to be counted.

With Adams thin lead, Garcia or Wiley could catch up when absentee ballots are added to the mix starting on July 6. Final results in the primary could be weeks away.

Adams advantage narrowed substantially from an unofficial election-night count that involved only voters first choices. Still, his campaign called the lead significant.

We are confident we will be the final choice of New Yorkers when every vote is tallied, the campaign added.

Garcia said she, too, remained confident in our path to victory but wasnt taking it for granted. Wiley, meanwhile, called the race still wide open.

Following yesterdays embarrassing debacle, the Board of Elections must count every vote in an open way so that New Yorkers can have confidence that their votes are being counted accurately, she tweeted.

The Board of Elections apologized for Tuesdays mistake, which involved the accidental inclusion of 135,000 test ballot images in the vote totals. Wednesdays revised results included about 17,000 more votes than the election-night total, but the board said that was because a small percentage of precincts werent yet counted on election night.

The board insisted the new counts were accurate and said it was now doing more checks and reviews before releasing more data.

We will do so with a heightened sense that we must regain the trust of New Yorkers, board President Frederic Umane and Secretary Miguelina Camilo said in a statement.

Still, critics said the mishap proved that the board was not equipped to handle the new ranked choice system.

Mayor Bill de Blasio called for a complete structural rebuild of the board, which operates independently of his office. The City Councils Black, Latino and Asian Caucus  whose leaders favor putting a repeal of ranked choice voting on the November ballot  noted that its members had warned that the city wasnt ready for the new system.

The concerns they raised continue to be borne out by the facts, the group said in a statement.

Before the new counts were released Wednesday, Adams filed a lawsuit seeking to preserve the ballots and voting machines to ensure an accurate count.

The board declined to comment on the suit.

Garcias campaign said it would pursue the necessary legal steps to ensure that ranked choice votes are fully and accurately counted. The Wiley campaign had no immediate comment.

Lawsuits seeking court oversight of election tallies are not uncommon, especially in close races.

New York City adopted ranked choice voting for primaries and special elections in a 2019 referendum and used the system in citywide races for the first time in the June 22 primary.

Under the system, voters could rank up to five candidates in order of preference.

Since no candidate was the first choice of more than 50% of voters, a computer on Tuesday tabulated ballots in a series of rounds that worked like instant run-offs.

In each round, the candidate in last place is eliminated. Votes cast for that person are then redistributed to the surviving candidates, based on whoever voters put next on their ranking list. That process repeats until only two candidates are left.

Adams lead shrank significantly in Wednesdays figures because he didnt do nearly as well as Garcia among voters whose first choices were Wiley or 2020 presidential candidate Andrew Yang, the other top candidates.

Garcia and Yang campaigned together, and she was the top alternative pick among his supporters. A little more than half of Wileys backers went to Garcia as an alternate choice, while only 20% supported Adams.

In all, more than 117,000 voters didnt rank either Adams or Garcia anywhere on their ballots. Thats 14% of the votes counted so far.

Versions of the ranked choice system have been used in U.S. cities including San Francisco and Minneapolis for years and in statewide races in Maine.

Susan Lerner, executive director of Common Cause New York, which promoted adoption of the ranked choice system, noted that Tuesdays discrepancy was due to human error, not a defect inherent in ranked choice voting itself.

Rob Richie, the president and CEO of FairVote, a nonprofit that advocates for ranked choice voting, said he did not believe Tuesdays flub would have a lasting impact on New Yorkers faith in the ranked choice system.

This certainly, fundamentally, is not anything about ranked choice voting, and it certainly is about the historic challenges that the Board of Elections has faced, Richie said.

The winner of New York Citys mayoral primary will be the heavy favorite in the general election against Curtis Sliwa, the Republican founder of the Guardian Angels.

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Associated Press writer Jennifer Peltz contributed.
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THE HAGUE, Netherlands  A United Nations court on Wednesday convicted two former allies of late Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic of aiding and abetting crimes committed by Serb paramilitaries in a Bosnian town in 1992.

It is the first time that Serbian officials have been convicted by a U.N. court of involvement in crimes in Bosnia.

However, the court said there was not sufficient evidence to convict them of similar crimes committed in other towns and villages in Bosnia and Croatia as the former Yugoslavia violently disintegrated in the early 1990s.

Jovica Stanisic and Franko Simatovic were convicted of aiding and abetting the crimes of murder, deportation, forcible transfer and persecution in the town of Bosanski Samac, and each was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment. The judgment can be appealed.

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Stanisic is a former head of Serbias State Security Service, and Simatovic was a senior intelligence operative with the service.

The trial chamber is satisfied that the accused provided practical assistance which had a substantial effect on the commission of the crimes of murder, forcible displacement and persecution committed in Bosanski Samac and were aware that their acts assisted in their commission, Presiding Judge Burton Hall said.

Hall said that Serb forces and paramilitaries took over the town in northern Bosnia in April 1992.

Numerous crimes were committed against the non-Serb population  including looting, rape and the destruction of religious buildings and cultural monuments, Hall said. Local Bosnian Croats and Muslims were forced into detention centers where they were held in inhumane conditions, tortured and killed, he added.

Stanisic and Simatovic were originally acquitted in 2013 by judges who said prosecutors had failed to prove important elements of their links to the crimes. Appeals judges quashed the not-guilty verdicts in 2015 and ordered the retrial that took place at the U.N. International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals.

The verdicts Wednesday are the final U.N. prosecution in The Hague for crimes committed during the bloody breakup of Yugoslavia.

The courts chief prosecutor, Serge Brammertz, said in a statement that his office would study the judgment and decide whether there are grounds to appeal.

As senior officials in the State Security Service of the Republic of Serbia, Stanisic and Simatovic contributed to the commission of crimes by paramilitary forces and other armed groups in furtherance of ethnic cleansing campaigns against non-Serbs, Brammertz said.

Stanisics lawyer, Wayne Jordash, said he would appeal.

They found one incident in a municipality, and the evidence of that was weak, he said. And to me it looks like a cynical compromise that we have to find some way to convict him to justify putting a man on trial for 18 years.

Prosecutors had alleged that both defendants were part of a joint criminal enterprise among top Serbian officials to force non-Serbs out of parts of Croatia and Bosnia.

Judges said they were convinced the enterprise existed, and that Stanisic and Simatovic knew about it, but said prosecutors had not proven beyond reasonable doubt that they actually participated.

Munira Subasic, leader of a Bosnian survivors group called the Mothers of Srebrenica, welcomed the ruling that there was a Serbian plan to drive non-Serbs out of Bosnia.

Serbia is responsible for the war in Bosnia , there is no way Serbia can find to absolve itself of that, she said.

Earlier this month, appeals judges at the same court confirmed former Bosnian Serb military chief Ratko Mladics convictions for his role in atrocities throughout the Bosnian war, and upheld his life sentence.

Natasa Kandic, a prominent Serbian rights activist and the former head of the Humanitarian Law Fund group, described the verdict as very important because it is the last Hague trial and because the accused and sentenced individuals belong to the most important institution in Serbia.

Iva Vukusic, a historian at Utrecht University, said ahead of Wednesdays hearing that the prosecution of Stanisic and Simatovic, who were originally sent to The Hague to face trial in 2003, has taken too long.

I think this case is really showing us that if international justice wants to be a viable solution, this is not the way to run it, she said in a telephone interview. Its been too long in the making.

Even so, it offered an opportunity to pass the first judgment at an international court on Serbias role in the wars.

Milosevic was charged in a broader indictment with fomenting crimes in the Balkan wars but he died in his cell in The Hague in 2006 before judges could deliver verdicts.

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Associated Press writer Jovana Gec in Belgrade, Serbia, contributed.
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Carlsbad  Thunderstorms in Eddy County this week produced 1 to 3 inches of rain in some places, said Scott Kleebauer, meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Midland, Texas.

That was the reason for the localized flooding, he said.

However, NWS issued flood warnings Tuesday and Wednesday as runoff from rain falling in the Guadalupe Mountains filled arroyos and swept over water crossings around Carlsbad, contributing to the rise of water levels in Lower Tansill Dam and Reservoir and Pecos River.

Carlsbad Mayor Dale Janway said despite concerns that flood water would overtake Canal Street, water remained below the bridge.

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While there were concerns expressed throughout the day about the Canal Street Bridge (next to La Tienda) possibly being shut down due to high waters, the bridge was not at risk of closure, Janway wrote in a public letter Wednesday.

The Pecos River was forecast to see a decrease in water level on Wednesday.

Kleebauer said the Pecos River at Dark Canyon Draw reached 11 feet high Wednesday around 6:15 a.m.

Thats a moderate stage, he said.

The river was forecast to rise above flood stage, 16.5 feet, late Wednesday, per an NWS forecast, and then fall again.

Kleebauer said water levels of 15 feet were considered minor flood stage.

Eddy County emergency personnel monitored weather and road conditions Wednesday at the Eddy County Emergency Operations Center, said Jennifer Armendariz, Eddy County emergency manager.

She said Eddy County Sheriffs deputies and Eddy County Fire Service crews checked roads and water crossings for potential problems, including barricades which were removed or tampered with in dangerous closed areas.

Were hoping for an easier day today, she said of response and preparedness work by emergency crews.

NWS forecasted a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon. Storm chances dwindled to 40% Wednesday night, read the NWS forecast.

Shower chances lower Thursday and Friday with isolated storms, Kleebauer said.

He said rain chances increased heading into Independence Day weekend with a passing cold front.
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ALBUQUERQUE, N.M.  day after New Mexico officially became the 17th state to legalize recreational cannabis, Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham praised industry advocates in the audience for their role in making legalization a reality, and pledged to help create an industry that would include New Mexicans from all over the state.

We are going to provide equity, not just to New Mexicans who are engaged in this economic opportunity, but to whole rural communities that I know are represented here today, Lujan Grisham said during the first day of the New Mexico Cannabis Legalization Conference.

The two-day event at the Albuquerque Convention Center was designed to bring together hundreds of cannabis industry professionals and potential entrepreneurs.

On Tuesday, cannabis became legal for adults in New Mexico over the age of 21 to grow and possess.

Equity and social justice provisions related to cannabis legalization were key battlegrounds during the 2021 regular and special legislative sessions. The slate of bills ultimately signed into law by the governor includes provisions expunging any arrests or convictions for conduct now made legal by the act from state court records, and providing a number of microbusiness licenses designed to allow smaller producers to enter the new industry.

Lujan Grisham said the states approach was designed to include smaller communities outside the Interstate 25 corridor, which often get left out of statewide initiatives.

And all these other brilliant, bright, energetic New Mexicans, generations of families not just in the ag world but in a number of areas, dont have the same opportunities, she said.

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Lujan Grisham was just one in a series of speakers during the legalization conference, which drew hundreds of attendees and several dozen vendors hawking products in the halls. On the first day, state officials, politicians and industry leaders held roundtable discussions and answered questions about the new industry, ranging from details about water rights to licensing requirements.

During an afternoon panel, Rep. Antonio Moe Maestas, D-Albuquerque, acknowledged that the industry is in a transitional phase, in which cannabis is legal but cannot be purchased for recreational use until after state rules are finalized. But Maestas said he believes the process will ultimately yield better results than jumping immediately into the fray. Under state law, the state can allow retail sales to begin no later than April 1, 2022.

We either do everything overnight and its just a free-for-all, or we do it responsibly, methodically, respecting medical cannabis patients, Maestas said.
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The Australian version of the 'Got Talent' show which features Neil Patrick Harris as one of the judges has been canned due to the new wave of Covid-19 cases.

Jun 30, 2021

AceShowbiz - "Australia's Got Talent" judge Neil Patrick Harris will return to the U.S. without filming the show after it was cancelled amid rising Covid-19 cases in Sydney.

The programme had been due to start filming in the Australian city last week (end27Jun21), with new judges Neil Patrick Harris and Alesha Dixon both completing a 14-day quarantine in hotels ahead of the shoot.

But now, following concern about the amount of coronavirus cases in Sydney, bosses at TV network Channel Seven have decided to pull the series - at least for the time being.

"Due to the current COVID-19 restrictions in Sydney, we have decided to postpone production of the new season of AGT to a date to be determined," a Channel Seven spokesperson said. "A studio audience is a vitally important part of this much-loved show, so we have made the responsible but tough call to not go ahead for now."

Neither Harris nor Dixon have commented as yet on the cancellation, but the latter has already returned to the U.K. following the news. Harris is expected to be returning to America in the coming days.

The judges, including radio host Kate Ritchie and actor Shane Jacobson, are "expected to be paid in full" for their time, according to the Daily Mail Online.

Neil Patrick Harris will next be seen in new movie "The Unbearable Weight of Massive Talent". He also joins the cast of the upcoming fourth installment of "The Matrix" and new comedy "8-Bit Christmas".
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The 'This Is Paris' star says she no longer suffers 'very bad insomnia' and recurring bad dreams after telling all about her boarding school abuse in a documentary.

Jun 30, 2021

AceShowbiz - Paris Hilton has stopped experiencing nightmares since filming her documentary.

The 40-year-old businesswoman has said she used to suffer from "very bad insomnia" and recurring bad dreams, which stemmed from the alleged abuse she faced while she attended Provo Canyon School in Utah as a teenager.

But Paris has now revealed that since discussing the abuse allegations in her YouTube Originals documentary "This Is Paris", she no longer keeps having the same nightmares.

She told WSJ. Magazine, "I used to have very bad insomnia, but ever since I did my documentary and I've been doing all of my work for my cause to help the children, it's been so healing that I don't have nightmares anymore."

Paris spoke about her nightmares in her documentary - which was released last year (20) - when she said the bad dream often sees her being approached by two people while she's in bed.

"I always have this recurring nightmare no matter what I do," she explained at the time. "I'm in bed and these two people come into my room and say, 'Do you want this to happen the easy way or the hard way?' I try and just run."

In her initial claims against Provo Canyon School, Paris said she had regular "panic attacks" whilst at the school and alleged she "felt like a prisoner" during her 11-month stay.

The "Simple Life" alum also said she was "cut off" from her parents, and was unable to tell them what was happening because the staff would "rip up" her letters.

"I didn't really get to speak to my family," she said. "Maybe once every two or three months. We were cut off from the outside world. And when I tried to tell them once, I got in so much trouble I was scared to say it again. They would grab the phone or rip up letters I wrote telling me, 'No one is going to believe you.' And the staff would tell the parents that the kids were lying. So my parents had no idea what was going on."
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The 'City of Angels' actor is heading to court for divorce proceedings as estranged wife Desiree has filed legal documents to end their marriage, a month after separation.

Jun 30, 2021

AceShowbiz - Actor Blair Underwood's 27-year marriage is over - his wife has filed for divorce.

Desiree DaCosta filed papers, obtained by The Blast, on Tuesday (29Jun21), a month after the former couple announced a break-up.

"After a tremendous amount of thought, prayer & work on ourselves individually & collectively, we have come to the conclusion to end our marriage that began 27 years ago," the statement read.

"It has truly been a beautiful journey. Our proudest achievements are our three incredible children. Three souls to which God entrusted us. We continue to be awed & humbled by the blessings of parenting. We have always put their best interests first & will continue to do so. We will continue to be the best of friends and co-parents and have the utmost respect for one another as we embark upon this new chapter of our lives, separately."

There will be no child custody issues as their three kids, Paris, Blake, and Brielle, are all adults.

When the couple were still together, the actor opened up in an interview with Oprah Winfrey about the secret to his long term marriage.

"If she had a problem, I want to solve it. I thought that's what was expected of me. Trying to come up with ways to solve her problems gave me a false sense of control, and when I offered up unsolicited advice, I was disrespecting a strong woman who knew how to handle her own life. I was relieved as well; she didn't expect me to always have an answer for her. She wasn't coming to me for a repair."
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The 'Xena: Warrior Princess' actress promises to match up any donations sent by fans to help her former stunt double Dayna Grant pay for surgery following injury.

Jun 30, 2021

AceShowbiz - Actress Lucy Lawless has helped to boost a crowdfunding effort to cover the costs of emergency brain surgery for her former double on "Xena: Warrior Princess".

Stuntwoman Dayna Grant was recently hospitalised in New Zealand after suffering a head injury on the set of an upcoming project.

According to the GiveALittle campaign page, set up by the daredevil herself, she was then diagnosed with an "aneurysm and upper spinal (neck) injuries" and told she needed brain surgery, which would cost around NZ$60,000 ($42,000/30,250).

Lawless heard about the need for cash and decided to offer up her help, promising to match any donations pledged by fans of her shows "Xena or Ash Vs. Evil Dead".

"For every Xena fan or #AshVsEvil Dead fan who donates, I will match you dollar for dollar till we get the job done," the actress tweeted on Sunday (27Jun21). "This woman deserves all the love. Put #XenaLove on your donation and I'll match you!"

On Monday, as the fundraising goal was smashed, Lawless returned to social media and shared a photo of herself with Grant, who had most recently served as her double on the set of forthcoming TV series "My Life Is Murder Aotearoa".

"Thanks for your generosity, Dana will get the emergency brain surgery she needs ASAP (as soon as possible)!" she wrote after posting the image.

By Tuesday, the total raised had sailed over NZ$78,000 ($54,600/39,300), and Grant was left speechless.

She wrote on Twitter, "I'm at a total loss for words. Thank you all SO much for the incredible love and support #XenaLove."

In addition to working as a double for Lawless, Grant has also served as Charlize Theron's stunt performer for "Mad Max: Fury Road", as well as contributing to "Wonder Woman 1984" and the live-action "Mulan" movie.
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During her visit, the 'Keeping Up with the Kardashians' star is reported to have a two-hour tour at the Sistine Chapel with Kate Moss and the supermodel's daughter Lila Grace.

Jun 30, 2021

AceShowbiz - Kim Kardashian is strolling around Vatican City with her bold style. Visiting the home of the pope where visitors are prohibited from wearing clothing that exposes their knees, shoulders or chest, the "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" star stunned in her nearly transparent off-the-shoulder white lace dress.

During her Monday, June 28 visit to the Roman Catholic Church, the 40-year-old reality star donned a sheer, off-the-shoulder white lace cutout dress that exposed skin across her midsection and back. The KKW Beauty founder paired her sexy gown with ankle strap heels and eye-catching gray sunglasses.

Though so, it appeared that the church did not make an exception to the clothing rules for Kim. The CEO of SKIMS could be seen covering up in a long black leather jacket before entering the Sistine Chapel.

Additionally, the daughter of Kris Jenner reportedly enjoyed a private two-hour tour, where she was joined by Kate Moss and her 18-year-old daughter Lila Grace. For the occasion, the supermodel wore a knee-length dress under a buttoned-up silk black blouse, while her teenager daughter sported a long dress and fitted black blazer.

Shortly after photos of her revealing dress circulated online, many critics took to Twitter to share their comments on Kim's "disrespectful" choice of wardrobe. A user wrote, "How disrespectful of Kim Kardashian to show up at the Vatican with that outfit," while another added, "In what universe does this outfit come across as appropriate attire for a visit to the Vatican?"

"Ohboy. Baring her ovaries again," a separate critic penned. The tweet continued, "And in an empowering move, Kardashian basically said screw the patriarchy and went for a shoulder-exposing, ovary-baring dress for her tour around Vatican City." Another user commented, "You want to know how far we've fallen as a civilization? Kim Kardashian wore this to the Vatican. And no one stopped her from going inside," adding a photo of the older sister of Khloe Kardashian.

While it's unclear whether Kim's visit to Italy is for work or pleasure, the TV personality brought along her go-to glam squad, including makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic and hairstylist Chris Appleton, for the occasion. "Glam fam reunited in Rome @kimkardashian @chrisappleton1 #makeupbymario," Mario captioned a photo of the trio in front of the Colosseum.
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Meanwhile, Josh's criminal trial has been delayed to November 30 after his defense team filed a motion in the Western District of Arkansas Court to delay the trial until February 2022.

Jun 30, 2021

AceShowbiz - TLC has pulled the plug on "Counting On" after 11 seasons in the wake of Josh Duggar's arrest in April. The network confirmed on Tuesday, June 29 that it has no plan to work with the Duggars after the scandal."

"TLC will not be producing additional seasons of 'Counting On'," the network said in a statement. "TLC feels it is important to give the Duggar family the opportunity to address their situation privately."

Serving as a spin-off series to "19 Kids and Counting", "Counting On" premiered on TLC in 2015. The spin-off was actually created amid the molestation controversy surrounding Josh.

The eldest son of Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar was accused of molesting five underage girls as a teenager. His sisters, Jill Dillard and Jessa Seewald, later came forward as being two of the victims. They, however, insisted that they already "moved on" and forgiven their brother when the news surfaced. The scandal led to the cancellation of "19 Kids and Counting" that first aired in 2008.

Just month after the cancellation, Josh got into another scandal. According to Gawker, Josh had active accounts on Ashley Madison, a website created to facilitate cheating on your spouse. In response to the reports, Josh issued an apology in which he admitted to having a pornography addiction and cheating on his wife, Anna Duggar.

"I have been the biggest hypocrite ever. While espousing faith and family values, I have secretly over the last several years been viewing pornography on the internet and this became a secret addiction and I became unfaithful to my wife," so he wrote. "I am so ashamed of the double life that I have been living and am grieved for the hurt, pain and disgrace my sin has caused my wife and family, and most of all Jesus and all those who profess faith in Him."

Most recently, Josh pleaded not guilty to charges of receiving and possessing child pornography. He alleged had ad more than 200 images of children on his computer. He was arrested in April before being released from jail a week after.

If convicted, he could receive up to 20 years of imprisonment and up to $250,000 in fines on each of the two counts. Josh is currently awaiting his trial, which has been pushed from July 6 to November 30. The delay arrives weeks after Josh's defense team, led by attorney Justin Gelfand, filed a motion in the Western District of Arkansas Court to delay the trial until February 2022. They argued that the defense needs more time to complete the process reviewing the case evidence with the help of a computer forensics expert.
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Also paying tribute to the Dr. Alan Quartermaine depicter on the ABC soap opera is its executive producer Frank Valentini, who dubs the late star 'an absolute legend.'

Jun 30, 2021

AceShowbiz - Amber Tamblyn is mourning the death of Stuart Damon. Upon learning her former "General Hospital" co-star died at the age of 84, the Emily Quartermaine depicter on the ABC soap opera said she was "brokenhearted" by his on-screen father's passing.

Making use of Twitter on Tuesday, June 29, the 38-year-old actress shared pictures of her and the late actor from their show. Alongside the snaps, she wrote, "Broken hearted to hear of the passing of Stuart Damon."

"He played my adopted dad on General Hospital for 7 years and he was the most kind, wonderful, loving, supportive person. He always made me laugh and made me feel safe on set," she continued. "I love you, Stewy. Rest well now, my friend."

Also offering tribute to Stuart was Genie Francis, who starred as Laura Spencer on "General Hospital". Taking to her own Twitter page, she noted, "I am so grateful to have had this wonderful man in my life. I am very sad today. #StuartDamon #GH."

Meanwhile, "General Hospital" executive producer Frank Valentini penned on his own account, "On behalf of everyone at #GH, I want to extend my deepest condolences to Stuart Damon's family and all who loved him." He added, "Stuart was an absolute legend of our industry and he'll be sorely missed. @GeneralHospital."

Amber Tamblyn, Genie Francis and Frank Valentini offered tributes to Stuart Damon.

Stuart passed away on Tuesday after struggling with "renal failure for the last several years," said his son Christopher in an ABC News 7 interview. Christoper also claimed the soap opera was "his favorite place to be. He loved playing [Dr. Alan Quartermaine ] and was always so appreciative of that role and that job. It was his passion."

Stuart landed the role of Dr. Alan in 1977 and became the show's regular until his character's death in 2007. Alan then appeared sporadically on the soap opera until 2013, sometimes in dreams and even as a ghost.

Stuart, who was born in Brooklyn, New York, began his career on Broadway. He shot to fame after starring as the prince opposite Lesley Ann Warren in 1965 TV movie "Cinderella". His first recurring role on television came in 1968, when he starred as Craig Stirling in "The Champions".
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Speaking about the installment titled 'The Pam and Tommy Sex Tape', host Lux Alptraum claims that the eight-episode deep dive will serve as their feminist take on celebrity sex tapes.

Jun 30, 2021

AceShowbiz - Pamela Anderson and her former husband's infamous sex tape is playing out as the subject of season two of hit podcast "Tabloid".

The 54-minute video, which was reportedly stolen from the "Baywatch" star and Motley Crue drummer Tommy Lee became the Internet's first viral video and was eventually released commercially.

Now the second instalment of "Tabloid", titled "The Pam & Tommy Sex Tape" and produced by bosses at New York magazine and the Luminary audio platform, goes behind the sensational headlines to re-examine the story behind the raunchy footage and its leak, fully investigating years-long claims that Anderson and Lee were secretly involved, though they both sued to block the release.

The eight-episode deep dive is based on a 2014 Rolling Stone magazine piece by reporter Amanda Chicago Lewis, and includes interviews with Pam's then-manager, the electrician rumored to have swiped the tape from a safe at the new husband and wife's Malibu, California pad, and assorted characters involved in sharing the saucy scenes online.

Host Lux Alptraum says in a statement, "Tabloid: The Pam & Tommy Sex Tape is our feminist take on celebrity sex tapes. On one hand, we wanted to find out how a video of the sexiest couple of the era ended up in the bedrooms of thousands of teenage boys. On the other hand, we wanted to take a sharp, analytical approach to the scandalized tone of celebrity gossip mags and reframe them with real-world economics and real people's issues."

The first episode is available now, with subsequent programs dropping every Monday until August 9.

The first season of "Tabloid", "The Making of Ivanka Trump", was hosted by Vanessa Grigoriadis.

Meanwhile, Lily James and Sebastian Stan are currently portraying Anderson and Lee in U.S. streaming site Hulu's upcoming series "Pam & Tommy".
WENN/Instagram/DJDM Celebrity

In an interview, K-Fed's lawyer Mark Vincent Kaplan reveals that the rapper may request evaluation regarding her being prescibed to lithium, which 'regarded as a very powerful psychotropic medication.'

Jun 30, 2021

AceShowbiz - Kevin Federline is among those who wishes Britney Spears well. The ex-husband of the "Sometimes" hitmaker says through his attorney Mark Vincent Kaplan that he is supporting ending the conservatorship if it is what's best for the pop star.

"The best thing would be for their mom to be healthy and happy. And if either of those things aren't true, it doesn't provide for the best setting for custody to be exercised," Mark adds to PEOPLE, referring to his client's sons with Britney, Sean Preston (15) and Jayden James (14). "[Kevin] certainly respects Britney and only hopes the best for her because when the best for her is achieved, it's the best for their kids. The kids love their mother and he wants there to be a healthy and strong relationship."

Weighing in on the "Toxic" hitmaker's revelatory testimony about being under her father's control, the lawyer said, "Britney has not been served well by the conservatorship and it's not consistent with what she wants." He continued, "I think that she should be able to challenge that. And if it's what's best for her, Kevin supports it."

He also believed she needs to be heard. "If she's strong and healthy and wants to be in control of her own life, and can do that in a reasonable, responsible fashion, then more power to her," he insisted.

"If it was necessary, we have to be concerned about whether she's okay," Kaplan added, referring to Britney's claims that she was put on lithium. "And if it's no longer necessary, that's great too. Just want to make sure that all of the considerations, how she's doing are taken into account if she seeks to change the custody order in the post-conservatorship era, if that ever comes."

In a separate interview with Page Six, Mark revealed that Kevin might request evaluation regarding her being prescibed to lithium, which "regarded as a very powerful psychotropic medication." He explained, "So, if the conservatorship were to end and even more so to be terminated without an exit evaluation, I'm sure that Kevin would at least want to know what the conditions were that gave rise to her being prescribed that, and Kevin would probably have to engender some dialogue along those lines at some point in time if that were to occur."

Despite that, Mark revealed that Kevin wanted the best for his former wife. "It was distressing to see her be in distress. Kevin really has no inside information about what goes on inside of the conservatorship, but obviously if Britney is in a healthy and good and strong place, that's great. He wants her to be happy and healthy," Mark said.

Britney testified at a conservatorship hearing in Los Angeles earlier this month. The pop star told a judge that she wanted to terminate the longstanding legal arrangement. Comparing her life under the arrangement to a "sex trafficking" victim, she told the judge, "In California, the only similar thing to this is called sex trafficking, making anyone work against their will, taking all their possessions away credit card, cash, phone, passport."
ABC Celebrity

The 'Cosby Show' alum is set to be released from behind bars after judges at the Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned the previous ruling that declared him guilty of rape.

Jul 1, 2021

AceShowbiz - Judges at the Pennsylvania Supreme Court have overturned Bill Cosby's rape conviction and allowed him to walk free from jail.

"The Cosby Show" star was found guilty in 2018 of drugging and sexually assaulting Temple University staff member Andrea Constand in 2004, and he was sentenced to three-to-10 years behind bars.

However, the disgraced comedian has repeatedly protested his innocence and has been fighting the conviction through the courts, filing his latest appeal in Pennsylvania Supreme Court last August (20).

Cosby's lawyers had argued his second trial was unfair because it allowed five accusers to give "decades-old" testimony that prejudiced the jury against him.

They also took issue with the presentation of a deposition he had given in an old civil suit, regarding his "use of quaaludes and his sexual behaviour," as evidence during the trial, because the actor believed the testimony was immune from prosecution, following a prior prosecutor's decision not to file charges.

On Wednesday (30Jun21), his case was heard by officials, and they ruled in his favour, barring any retrial.

Cosby's first trial had ended in a hung jury.

Constand wasn't the only woman to come forward with allegations of sexual assault against the fallen star - more than 50 other women accused him of misconduct and worse.

Bill Cosby has spent roughly three years at Pennsylvania's State Correctional Institution in Phoenix.

When the pandemic began in U.S. last year, he asked to be released from jail and put under house arrest, citing Covid-19 concerns. However, his request was denied by authorities.
Instagram Celebrity

The former 'Cosby Show' actress is happy for her co-star as he is set to be released from prison after his guilty verdict is overturned by Philadelphia Supreme Court.

Jul 1, 2021

AceShowbiz - Actress Phylicia Rashad has risked the wrath of her peers and fans alike by celebrating the overturning of her TV husband Bill Cosby's sexual assault conviction.

The disgraced comedian was sentenced to three-to-10 years in prison in 2018 for drugging and sexually assaulting Temple University staff member Andrea Constand at his Pennsylvania home in 2004.

Cosby maintained his innocence and filed appeal after appeal, with his case finally heard in Pennsylvania Supreme Court, where judges agreed that his trial had been unfair and threw out his conviction on Wednesday (30Jun21), paving the way for him to walk free.

While many stars reacted in shock and disgust, Rashad, who played his onscreen wife on "The Cosby Show" from 1984 to 1992, took to Twitter to applaud the ruling.

Alongside a photo of a smiling Cosby, she wrote, "FINALLY!!!! A terrible wrong is being righted- a miscarriage of justice is corrected!"

Rashad, who had disabled comments on the post, previously cast doubt on the motives of the more than 50 women, including supermodels Beverly Johnson and Janice Dickinson, who have come forward with decades-old allegations of inappropriate behaviour and sexual abuse against the actor.

Suggesting they simply wanted to destroy the once-beloved comedian's legacy, she told Showbiz411.com back in 2015, "What you're seeing is the destruction of a legacy. And I think it's orchestrated. I don't know why or who's doing it, but it's the legacy. And it's a legacy that is so important to the culture."

"Someone is determined to keep Bill Cosby off TV... And it's worked. All his contracts have been cancelled."
Biotech firms on the shoulders of giants

Chemical & Engineering News

Many of the most promising new molecules to treat diseases come from smaller biotechnology firms, which often lack resources to scale up production when its time for their drugs to go to large-scale clinical trials or the market. Now, a cover story in Chemical & Engineering News (C&EN), the weekly newsmagazine of the American Chemical Society, describes how small biotechs are teaming up with big pharmaceutical outsourcing firms to manufacture their molecules.

Small biotech companies often excel at innovation and are quick to make decisions, allowing them to rapidly move new drugs from the conceptual stage to clinical trials. If the drugs show promise in early trials, these companies are faced with the daunting task of scaling up production to support large-scale phase 3 trials, write C&EN staff. And if the molecule receives approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), multiple metric tons could be needed each year. So many biotechs are seeking large, experienced manufacturing partners to help bring lifesaving drugs to the patients who need them.

The small firm Mithra Pharmaceuticals recently received FDA approval for Estelle, a contraceptive drug containing a natural estrogen with potentially fewer side effects than current products. Mithra partnered with French firm Seqens to produce the compound, with a complex synthetic process that took 4 years to develop at an industrial scale. Recognizing the potential of the new estrogen, Seqens recently spent $35 million on a brand-new facility dedicated to its production. Similarly, Aurinia Pharmaceuticals will use a dedicated plant built by large contract manufacturer Lonza to produce a new drug that received FDA approval earlier this year for lupus nephritis, a dangerous kidney condition. And the tiny biotech Cassava Sciences has teamed up with the giant Evonik Industries to make an experimental Alzheimers treatment for phase 3 clinical trials and, possibly, later commercialization.
CHICO, Calif. - California Highway Patrol said that a crash has blocked all traffic from traveling north and south on Highway 99 outside of Chico.

The three-vehicle crash is at Highway 99 and Cana Highway.

It is unknown if there are any injuries.

This is a developing story. Action News Now will keep you updated with new information on-air and online.
BUTTE COUNTY, Calif. - One case of the Delta COVID-19 variant was confirmed by Butte County Public Health (BCHP) on Tuesday, the health agency said.

Case investigation and contact tracing were completed prior to BCPH learning of the delta variant report.

The county confirmed that the patient was unvaccinated.

The Delta variant is a more transmissible strain of the coronavirus and as it becomes more prevalent in the United States and in California, it is expected to become more prevalent in Butte County, said Butte County Public Health Officer Dr. Robert Bernstein in a press release on Tuesday.
OROVILLE, Calif. - The Oroville Police Department is searching for a shooter after they found a man dead in a car Tuesday morning near Lincoln Boulevard and Wyandotte Avenue.

Action News Now spoke with the victim's family about what happened.

"I was on my way to work and my mom texted me and told me my uncle had been shot, I just still don't believe it," said Matthew Brown, who is the nephew of 33-year-old Jacob Nevin.

Nevin has been identified as the victim of the deadly shooting. Oroville Police said they found the man inside his car near the intersection.

RELATED: Man killed from gunshot wound in Oroville identified

"He was just an all-around good guy we used to ride dirt bikes together and quads. I don't know what happened or how it happened all I know is that he was a good guy," said Brown.

Officials with Oroville Police are calling it an isolated incident and say there is no threat to the public.

Authorities tell Action News Now that they are still searching for the suspect.

If anyone has information about this case, they are encouraged to call the Oroville Police Department Investigations at (530) 538-2448.
Be prepared for the hot temperatures to continue and the threat of mountain thunderstorms returning to our region this week. Temperatures will stay very hot through our extended forecast, but are not expected to be quite as hot as we've been over the last week. The Excessive Heat Warning has now been removed for most of our region, but will continue in portions of Siskiyou and Modoc Counties through 11pm Thursday. A Heat Advisory will stay in effect in Lassen and Plumas Counties through 10pm Wednesday, and Trinity County & western Siskiyou County will be under a Heat Advisory through tonight as well. High pressure centered to our northeast is not as strong as it was early this week, but will be keeping our region hot and mostly dry. Low pressure off the coast of the Pacific Northwest will help to drive onshore flow, and bring modest relief from the heat as the Delta Breeze returns. We also have an area of low pressure to our south that will push some moisture into our far eastern zones over the next few days, and that will bring the threat of thunderstorms to the northern Sierra and southern Cascades each afternoon and evening through this weekend. We have clear conditions over most of northern California this morning, and the vast majority of us will exclusively have sunshine today. The exception is for portions of the Sierra & Cascades closest to the Oregon and Nevada borders, where some clouds and the threat of thunderstorms will be this afternoon and evening. Temperatures are starting out in the 60's to 70's in the valley and foothills, while mountain areas start out in the 50's to 60's this morning. Wind will mostly be out of the south to 15mph, with gusts up to around 20mph this afternoon and evening. Humidity will stay a littler higher today, with our lower values dropping into the 12 to 25 percent range this afternoon. High temperatures are projected to top out in the upper 90's to around 106 degrees in the valley, upper 80's to mid 90's in the foothills and Sierra, and 90's to lower triple digits in the Northern Mountains this afternoon. Fire danger will stay elevated as we have a hot and dry airmass over very dry fuels. The threat of mountain thunderstorms elevate fire danger further closer to the Nevada border.

The trend of hot and mostly dry conditions will persist through our extended forecast, and the threat of thunderstorms will become somewhat more widespread late this week and this weekend. Thunderstorms will be possible along the northern Sierra crest on Thursday, and then will shift further west into the eastern side of the valley from Friday through this weekend. Our temperatures will stay within a few degrees of today's through at least early next week. Make sure you're dressed for the heat, staying hydrated, and staying cautious with elevated fire danger persisting across northern California through our extended forecast.
CHICO, Calif. - Some are ready to mask up again as they are worried about the Delta variant reaching Butte County.

"I am willing to do it to protect other people primarily and also to protect myself, said Chico resident Natalie Alison-Moran. I am not a young person and I could use any protection I can get."

"I don't want to get sick, said Chico resident Raymond Moran. I think it is very important and I am worried about it.

The Delta variant was first detected in India and it is more contagious than other variants.

Butte County Public Health said it could be the dominant strain and might a threat to those who not fully vaccinated.

Uzi Rodriguez is one of those people but tells me he is not too concerned.

"For me personally, I am not too worried about it, said Rodriguez. Me and my family, we are pretty healthy."

About 36% of people are fully vaccinated in Butte County and about 41% are partially vaccinated.

In counties like Modoc County, only about 25% are fully vaccinated and about 32% are partially vaccinated and in Tehama County, about 26% are fully vaccinated and 29% are partially vaccinated.

You can see the trend, more people partially vaccinated or unvaccinated than fully vaccinated.

"Knowing that there is a more contagious variety that has greater health effects, I would think that people would really want to get vaccinated and I am kind of surprised that they are so reluctant to after growing up in a period where we are protected by vaccines, said Allison-Moran.

Right now, reports suggest that both the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines are effective at preventing severe COVID-19 caused by the Delta variant.

Butte County Public Health said the Delta variant is now responsible for about one in every five new infections across the country.
Good morning, North State. Here's what you need to know to start your day on June 30.

As wildfires rage, Biden is raising federal firefighter pay

President Biden to meet with Governor Newsom about wildfires and drought conditions. At 8 a.m. the president will virtually meet the state heads from the White House. The meeting comes just a day after Governor Newsom spoke with CAL FIRE commanders in Siskiyou County.

Lava Fire jumps to more than 17,000 acres overnight

This morning we are tracking four fires burning in Northern California. The largest continues to be the lightning-sparked Lava Fire burning north of weed in Siskiyou County. At last report, the fire had burned 13,300 acres. Containment dropped from 20 to 19%. Crews say the windy weather was a challenge throughout yesterday's fight.

This morning's evacuation orders remain in place for the Lava Fire. They include the Mount Shasta Vista subdivision, county road A-12 and Harry Cash Road. An evacuation center has been set up at Big Springs Union Elementary School. An evacuation warning remains in place for areas along Highway 97, north of Weed. as well as parts of Hoy Road and Big Springs Road.

Tennant Fire in Siskiyou County burns 6,000 acres, no containment

The Tennant Fire is burning near the Lava Fire in the Klamath National Forest. You can see this video captured yesterday as a motel and several cars were scorched by the now 6,000 acre burn. The fire started near Tennant Road and Highway 97 and has grown to 6,000 acres. This map here shows the evacuation orders on the Tennant Fire in the red areas and the warnings in yellow. For more information on evacuations, you can call 211.

76 acre fire burning near Philbrook Lake in Lassen National Forest

300 firefighters are making progress against the Sky Fire burning in the Philbrook lake area in Butte county. Better mapping has reduced the acreage from 80 at one point to an estimated 76 acres. The fire is now 30% contained with full containment projected for Saturday, July 10. Evacuation warnings remain in place for the Philbrook and Snag Lake area.

Paradise Town Council to review 2021-2022 budget

A special meeting of the Paradise Town Council will be held to review the 2021-2022 budget. The meeting is set for 1 p.m. in the council chambers. The council will present and review the budget with public discussion. No actions will be taken until the July 13 regular meeting.
According to sources, Prashant Desai has decided to step down from his position Head- Media, Hero Motocorp after working there for more than two years.

At Hero Motocorp Desai was responsible for leading Media for Hero MotoCorp managing the Offline and Online media for their entire two wheelers category.

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His next move has not been disclosed yet.

Prior to Hero Motocorp, Desai has worked with other ventures such as Vodafone, Mondelez International, MediaCom, MEC, Mindshare, MPG and NDDB.

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Properties/ Real Estate advertising gained the highest traction on Digital, with this category witnessing 93% growth in Digital ad insertions during Jan-May21 over Jan-May20, as per TAM AdEx data. This was followed by Radio, where the category ad volumes rose by 50% during Jan-May21, and Print, where ad space for Properties/Real Estates grew by 42%. Properties/ Real Estate ad volumes were lowest on Television, which saw a growth of 18%.

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Television

Ad volumes of Properties/ Real Estates category on Television grew by 18% during Jan-May21, compared to the same period in Y2020. The Top 10 advertisers accounted for more than 50% share of category ad volumes during Jan-May21, with Baashyaam Constructions leading in the list with a share of 17%. Crown Residences (Baashyaam) topped among the brands during Jan-May21 with 17% share of the ad volumes. The Top 10 brands had 50% share of the ad volumes.

Also read: Personal Healthcare Print ad volumes up 95% during Jan-May21: TAM AdEx

Crown Residences (Baashyaam) also topped among the new brands on Television, followed by Upagna Homes during Jan-May21, compared to Jan-May20. More than 240+ new brands appeared for Properties/ Real Estates category during Jan-May21.

News genre was on top with 69% of the categorys ad volumes, followed by GEC in the 2nd position with a share of 19%. The Top 3 channel genres grabbed 95% of the ad volumes for Properties/ Real Estates category during Jan-May21. With a share of 51%, News Bulletin was the most preferred program genre to promote Properties/ Real Estates on Television. The Top 2 program genres  News Bulletin (51% share) and Religious/ Devotional/ Astrology (9% share) together accounted for 60% of the category ad volumes.

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On TV, Prime Time was the most preferred time-band, followed by the Afternoon and Morning time-bands. Together, the Prime Time, Afternoon, and Morning time bands combined for more than 70% share of the ad volumes. Advertisers of Properties/ Real Estates category preferred 20-40 seconds ad size the most. 20-40 seconds and <20 seconds ads together added 87% share of category ad volumes during Jan-May21.

Digital

On the Digital medium, ad insertions increased by 93% during Jan-May21, compared to the same period in Y2020. Sumadhura Constructions and Lodha Group were the top 2 advertisers of Properties/ Real Estates category with 8% and 4% share of ad insertions, respectively, during Jan-May21. Sumadhura Acropolis was the top brand with 4% share of ad insertions during Jan-May21. The Top 10 brands had more than 25% share of the ad insertions in the category.

Ad Network transaction method topped with 87% share of Properties/ Real Estates ad insertions on Digital during Jan-May21, followed by Programmatic/ Ad Network with 4% share.

Print

Print ad space for Properties/ Real Estates during Jan-May21 grew by 42%, compared to Jan-May20. The Top 10 advertisers and brands added 14% and 13% share of Print Ad Space, respectively. Baashyaam Constructions topped among the advertisers of Properties/ Real Estates, followed by Casagrand Builder. Crown Residences (Baashyaam) was the top brand with 3% share, followed by DS Max with 2% share of the ad space.

More than 3,690+ new brands seen during Jan-May21, compared to Jan-May20. Crown Residences (Baashyaam) was the top new brand, followed by Chaithanya Samarth.

During Jan-May21, English language topped with 40% share of Properties/ Real Estates ad space, followed by Hindi with 32% share. The Top 3 Publication languages together added more than 80% share of category ad space. General Interest publication genre ruled with 97% share of ad space.

South Zone topped in Properties/ Real Estates, with 33% share of the ad space during Jan-May21, followed by North Zone with a share of 30%. Bangalore and New Delhi were the Top 2 cities in overall India for advertising in Print.

Sales Promotion had 24% share of the Properties/ Real Estates ad space during Jan-May21. Among Sales Promotions, Discount Promotion occupied 67% share of the ad space, followed by Multiple Promotion with a 16% share. Among the advertisers using Sales Promotion, Casagrand Builder topped with 8% share of the ad space, followed by Baashyaam Constructions during Jan-May21.

Radio

A significant rise in Properties/ Real Estates ad volume was observed on Radio medium during Jan-Mar21, compared to Jan-Mar20. During Jan-May21, the Top 10 advertisers and brands had 28% and 23% share of ad volumes, respectively. Among the advertisers, Baashyaam Constructions topped with 4% of the ad volumes share in Jan-May21. Crown Residences (Baashyaam) was the top brand with 4% share, followed by Jayanti Nagari IV with almost similar share.

Over 400 new brands were registered in Jan-May21, over Jan-May20 on Radio for Properties/ Real Estate category. Crown Residences (Baashyaam) was the top new brand on Radio medium, followed by Edgewaters (Lilleria Group).

Maharashtra state was on top with 21% share of ad volumes, followed by Gujarat with 15% share. The Top 3 states occupied more than half of the ad pie for the Properties/ Real Estates category.

Advertising on Radio was preferred in the Evening time-band, followed by Afternoon and Morning time-bands. 68% share of Properties/ Real Estates ad volumes was in the Evening and Afternoon time-bands during Jan-May21.

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Seagrams Royal Stag has always inspired the youth by celebrating the spirit of dreaming, achieving and making it large. Reinforcing this philosophy, Royal Stag showcases the inspirational journeys of those who dream big and are fearless in their endeavour to fulfil their aspirations. We are proud to showcase the momentous journey of a young mountaineer, Harshvardhan Joshi who climbed the Mt. Everest & reached the summit in his very first attempt.

Harshvardhan Joshi, though only 25, is a seasoned mountaineer from Vasai, Maharashtra who found his calling for mountaineering at the age of 18. An engineer by profession, Harshvardhans heart was always in mountain climbing. In 2016, Harshvardhan became the youngest Indian to climb Stok Kangri (20K feet) solo.

Harshvardhan continued to follow his dream of conquering Mt. Everest with a passion to succeed. His goal was clear and in order to achieve it, he followed a strict regime of endurance training for last 6 months. As part of his preparation, he also spent more than 5 months every year in different states of the Indian Himalayas, training and scaling 11 summits in the process.

Excited about Royal Stags Make It Large Stories launch, Kartik Mohindra, CMO, Pernod Ricard India, said Royal Stag has always been an iconic brand that motivates people to dream, achieve and make it large in life. Giving life to this belief, we are proud to bring alive the story of Harshvardhan Joshi & his quest to scale Mt. Everest and reach the summit. We, at Royal Stag salute his determination and hope to continue inspiring the youth of today to dream big and make it large.

Sharing details about the expedition, Harshvardhan Joshi said, "I could not think of better partners for my first attempt to scale Mt. Everest than Royal Stag. Their philosophy of Make it large perfectly describes this expedition. With this attempt, I wish to empower youth with the message that no dream is unattainable if you have the right support system by your side and that passion & dedication can truly move mountains!
Vedanta Group, Indias leading natural resources producer, has announced the launch of a unique digital campaign  `Bravehearts  to salute unsung heroes who went beyond their call of duty to help others during the second wave of the pandemic.

The new campaign encapsulates the compelling real-life stories of the unsung Covid heroes, who rose from ordinary surroundings to create extraordinary stories through their humanitarian initiatives.

Speaking about the campaign, Roma Balwani, Senior Director, Communications & Brand, Vedanta, said: Bravehearts is our humble tribute to the unsung Covid heroes who stepped out of their comfort zones to make a difference to the society, thereby spreading a message of positivity and hope. The pandemic has seen the world get together to help out others and we feel their efforts need to be appreciated by one and all.

Vedanta will release short videos as a part of the campaign, depicting and showcasing real-life stories of such `Bravehearts. One such story is of Aakansha Sadekar, who began providing home cooked meals to women and children on the streets, as well as frontline workers in hospitals, who were hit hard during the lockdown. With her focused efforts, Aakansha was able to provide more than 2,50,000 hot meals to those in need within a short span of 60 days.

Earlier this year, Vedanta launched its brand campaign  Atmanirbhar Bharat  which dwellt on ways that the nation can become self-reliant, highlighting Vedantas contribution towards building a New India. The brand campaign focused on how Vedanta contributes to the day-to-day life of a common Indian through its diversified offering, including oil and gas, zinc, lead, silver, copper, iron ore, steel, and aluminium and power
The lingerie brand Victoria Secret has decided to take a step forward for women empowerment and announced their partnership with VS collection that aims at shaping the future of Victorias Secret.

As the brand stands for being 'Sexy' it is also aiming to promote inclusivity to overcome the stereotypical angelic imagery of women and inspiring content, new internal associate programs and rally support for causes vital to women.

Considering the new initiative, the brand has also decided to display mannequins of all body types and venturing into the sportswear segment where they will also bring renowned women from across fields to be the adviser, speaker, and promoter of the brand.

As a part of their rebranding campaign, Victoria Secret roped in well known women like Priyanka Chopra Jonas, Adut Akech, Eileen Gu, Valentina Sampaio, Paloma Elesser, Amanda de Cadenet, and Megan Rapinoe.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Victoria's Secret (@victoriassecret)

On her role on this re-branding campaign, Priyanka Chopra Jonas said, "A new era always brings a sense of freedom, and the opportunity to play a part in shaping the evolution and future success of a heritage brand like Victorias Secret is so exciting to me. As we work together to chart the path forward in a new and impactful way, Im not only looking forward to developing future collections that are inclusive of all people, but I am most excited for new customers and for those who have always been a customer of Victorias Secret to feel represented and as they belong", in an instagram post.

This campaign will be a positive step to overcome the criticism the brand has been facing for racism and body shaming.
Leading Personal Care Brand WOW Skin Science has roped in Karan Punjabi as the Senior Vice President, Strategy and Analytics. With his vast repertoire in the field of finance, data insights and analytics, Karan will be responsible for defining strategic roadmap, building scale and optimization hereby driving fresh revenue and profitability.

Karan, an expert chartered accountant has over 16 years of corporate finance experience. He has also worked as Vice president at Ather Energy and as Chief Financial Officer at Avail Finance. He commenced his career at KPMG and then moved to Flipkart where he served as Director of Business Finance, playing a pivotal role in fundraising.

Karan Punjabi on his appointment, expresses, I am delighted to be an integral part of WOW Skin Science. The brands success story that we see today is the perfect strategic combination of market know-how, consumer behaviour analysis and the brand fitment. WOW has set a benchmark in the industry, a case study for many. I am excited to be part of this team and looking forward to an even more robust upward graph in the near future.

Manish Chowdhary, Co-founder, WOW Skin Science, states, I am pleased to welcome Karan Punjabi to the WOW family. Given his vast experience and his expertise of so many years, Karan will be an asset to our company. His vision is aligned to that of WOW and were looking forward to a great working relationship.
The Federal Council

Bern, 30.06.2021 - The Federal Council is committed to eradicating extreme poverty and hunger in rural areas. At its meeting on 30 June 2021, it decided to renew and increase its contribution to the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). With a contribution of CHF 47 million, Switzerland is supporting IFAD's ambition to double its impact by 2030 by enabling 74 million people living in rural areas to raise their incomes by at least 20%. The focus will be on women and young people.

IFAD plays a crucial role in mobilising and consolidating co-funding for agricultural and rural development. In parallel, it informs and helps develop sectoral policy reforms. Its mission is to transform rural economies and food systems to make them more inclusive, productive, resilient and sustainable.

IFAD as a unique pioneer

IFAD is the only international organisation that combines the status of a specialised development agency with that of an international funding institution. It is also the only one devoted exclusively to the transformation of agriculture, rural economies and food systems.

The organisation invests in agricultural and rural entrepreneurship, supports employment and promotes fair market access for millions of smallholders farmers. Women, young people and other vulnerable groups living in rural areas also benefit from this assistance.

At the end of 2019, IFAD's active portfolio amounted to USD 7.5 billion invested in 90 countries (80% in Africa and Asia). IFAD's actions in 2019 reached 132 million people, of whom 50% were women and 20% were young people; nearly 165,000 rural microenterprises gained access to entrepreneurial development services, 2.6 million people were trained in improved and sustainable farming practices and techniques, and 22 million people acquired access to inclusive financial services.

Switzerland's International Cooperation Strategy and the 2030 Agenda

IFAD's priorities dovetail with the objectives of Switzerland's International Cooperation Strategy 202124. Specifically, IFAD supports entrepreneurship and innovation through private sector engagement. The organisation also actively fights the effects of climate change, helps preserve and valorise natural resources, and promotes gender equality and young people's prospects.

Switzerland's contribution of CHF 47 million to the IFAD programme is in line with the 2030 Agenda, above all in terms of eradicating hunger and promoting sustainable agriculture. This amount represents an increase of 15% over Switzerland's previous contribution.

Address for enquiries

For further information:

FDFA Communication

Tel. +41 58 462 31 53

Tel. Press service +41 460 55 55

kommunikation@eda.admin.ch

Publisher

The Federal Council

https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html



Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html




The Federal Council

Bern, 30.06.2021 - At its meeting on 30 June 2021, the Swiss Federal Council decided to transfer to the COVAX Facility a large part of the 5.4 million or so doses of AstraZeneca vaccine that have been ordered. Switzerland is thus able to make a substantial contribution to global efforts to contain the COVID-19 pandemic. COVAX is an initiative to ensure equal and equitable access to COVID-19 vaccines across the world. Given the very uneven global distribution of vaccine doses, the pandemic is expected to continue for some considerable time across the world.

Switzerlands vaccination campaign continues to progress: so far around 60 per cent of the adult population has been vaccinated once, and over 40 per cent are fully vaccinated. There is also enough vaccine available for children and adolescents to also be vaccinated and to cover any booster vaccinations. The federal government has ordered additional vaccine for 2022; this will also take account of possible variants of the virus.

The federal government is focusing in particular on mRNA vaccines. These are proving to be highly effective and well tolerated. The Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines are based on this technology. However, other vaccines are also to be used, especially for people who have an intolerance to mRNA vaccines.

Since sufficient vaccine is available to protect the population, the Federal Council has decided to hand on four million of a total of around 5.4 million doses of AstraZeneca to the COVAX Facility. This leaves 1.4 million doses of the vector-based vaccine reserved for probable use in Switzerland. They are to be used primarily for people who have an intolerance to mRNA vaccines or have received their first dose of AstraZeneca vaccine abroad, and for those who want an alternative to an mRNA vaccine. The vaccine will be available as soon as Swissmedic, the Swiss Agency for Therapeutic Products, has authorised it and the FOPH and the Federal Vaccination Commission (EKIF/CFV) has passed the vaccination recommendation on the basis of Swissmedics authorisation.

International engagement to manage the pandemic

This year the COVAX Facility plans to make up to two billion doses of vaccine available to the participating countries. Already in February 2021 COVAX distributed the first doses to countries with low and medium incomes. To date a total of more than 88 million doses of vaccine have been delivered to around 131 participating countries.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, Switzerland has been working for a global solution for the equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines. Last year Switzerland provided CHF 20 million in support for the 92 lower-income countries. In addition to this, in April 2021 the Federal Council decided to support access to the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) with a further CHF 300 million, 125 million of which will flow into the COVAX Facility. The aim of the ACT-A is to facilitate access to COVID-19 vaccines, treatments and tests and strengthen the healthcare system in the fight against the pandemic.

The COVAX Facility was initiated by the WHO and other organisations in April 2020, and is operated by Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, the CEPI (Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations) and the WHO. As co-chair of the Friends of the COVAX Facility, Switzerland has played an active role in setting it up.

Address for enquiries

Swiss Federal Office of Public Health

Infoline Coronavirus +41 58 463 00 00

Infoline Covid-19- vaccination +41 58 377 88 92

Publisher

The Federal Council

https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html



Federal Office of Public Health

http://www.bag.admin.ch



Federal Department of Foreign Affairs

https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home.html




The Federal Council

Bern, 30.06.2021 - During its meeting on 30 June 2021, the Federal Council adjusted the ordinance on COVID-19 certificates as a result of the "light certificate" with data minimisation. This will enable the holders of COVID-19 certificates to generate a copy of the certificate without health data from 12 July 2021. The certificate is only available electronically and is recognised solely in Switzerland.

This amendment of the ordinance was prompted by the so-called "light certificate", which now offers the possibility of generating a copy of the certificate with data minimisation in the COVID Certificate app. This copy of the certificate merely shows that a valid certificate exists, but does not contain health data. The data-minimised alternative to the COVID-19 certificate was developed at the request of the Federal Data Protection and Information Commissioner (FDPIC), as third parties could use self-developed apps to view health data such as vaccine or date of vaccination when checking COVID-19 certificates. This is prevented with the "light certificate".

From 12 July 2021, COVID-19 certificate holders will have the option of generating a copy of the certificate without health data. This is recognised as valid proof in Switzerland and can only be issued electronically.

This amendment concerns further provisions of the ordinance, such as the assumption of costs for printing and posting vaccination certificates. The Confederation will cover these costs for fully vaccinated people up to 14 July 2021, after which the cantons can hand over the certificate immediately upon vaccination. If they continue to use the Confederation's central solution for printing and posting, they will be charged for the costs incurred.

Address for enquiries

Communications

Federal Office of Information Technology, Systems and Telecommunication FOITT

Tel. +41 58 463 00 30, info@bit.admin.ch

Publisher

The Federal Council

https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html



Federal Department of Finance

https://www.efd.admin.ch/efd/en/home.html



Federal Office of Public Health

http://www.bag.admin.ch




The Federal Council

Bern, 30.06.2021 - On 30 June, the Federal Council adopted a dispatch on the agreement between Switzerland and the UK on the mobility of service providers (Services Mobility Agreement, SMA). The agreement ensures reciprocal facilitated access for service providers between Switzerland and the UK following the expiry of the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (AFMP).

The Services Mobility Agreement (SMA) between Switzerland and the UK was signed on 14 December 2020 and has been applied provisionally since 1 January. The SMA regulates the reciprocal market access and temporary stay of service providers such as management consultants, IT experts and engineers. It ensures mutual facilitated market access for service providers in Switzerland and the UK after the AFMP ceased to apply to the UK from 1 January. The SMA also contains provisions on the recognition of professional qualifications.

Under the agreement, Switzerland will continue the notification procedure for service providers from the UK for up to 90 days per year. Businesses are already familiar with this procedure. The Swiss economy will thus continue to have rapid access to short-term services from UK companies. The accompanying measures for UK service providers will also continue in full under the SMA. In 2019, around 3,800 businesses from the UK provided services in Switzerland for up to 90 days.

The SMA also opens up the UK market to Swiss service providers through market access commitments in over 30 service sectors. It also gives them further preferential conditions in the UK; for example, Swiss service providers are not required to undergo an economic needs test for access in these sectors in the UK. Service providers from Switzerland are granted access to the UK market for 12 months within a 24-month period. These SMA conditions continue to give Swiss companies extensive access to the UK market for contract-based service provision by natural persons.

The SMA will initially apply for two years. The parties may mutually decide whether to extend it.

The consultation on the SMA ran from 17 February to 30 April. A total of 35 responses were received in the course of the consultation. All those who took part in the consultation came out in favour of the SMA, although in a number of cases they criticised certain aspects of the agreement or requested improvements to the agreement if it were to be extended.

After adopting the dispatch, the Federal Council will submit the agreement to Parliament for approval.

Address for enquiries

EAER Communications

info@gs-wbf.admin.ch,

+41 58 462 20 07

Publisher

The Federal Council

https://www.admin.ch/gov/en/start.html



Federal Department of Economic Affairs, Education and Research

http://www.wbf.admin.ch




Register now for Webinar and Q&A Session Regarding the main brief CHD filed in its case against the OTARD rule allowing base station antennas on homes.



What is the OTARD Rule? Read here



When: Wednesday, June 30, 2:30 pm ET, 11:30 am PT. REGISTER NOW.



We will explain the various arguments that we raised in the brief to simplify them for non-attorneys among us. We recommend you read the brief before the webinar.



We will be joined also by the attorneys who are submitting an Amicus Brief in the case on behalf of many dozens of US safe tech organizations. We will have a 30 minutes public Q&A session.



Speakers: Attorneys Dafna Tachover, CHD Director of 5G and Wireless Harms Project; Scott McCollough, CHD lead attorney in the OTARD case; Petra Brokken from Minnesota Safe Technology; Stephen Diaz Gavin, attorney for the Amicus.
Ask most folks how agricultural commodities are transported to market; theyll probably say truck or train. Some might say ships.
Seventy percent of the Earth is covered in oceans, but humanitys water needs are met by less than one percent of the planets total water in 
Sue Lienau says if you have good beef, youre going to have a great burger, and a panel of judges and her customers could not agree more.

Sue and her husband Ron own and operate Bambinos in Ossian, a small town in northeast Iowa. They were recently named the winner of Iowas Best Burger contest sponsored by the Iowa Cattlemens Association and the Iowa Beef Industry Council.

Sue says the Winneshiek County establishment has been known in the past for its home-cooked lunch specials. Burgers, she says, were saved for evenings.

Farmers have a half hour for lunch, and they know our specials are excellent, so we provide them with a home-cooked meal, Sue says. If people wanted something to eat in the evening, they got a burger. But since we won this contest, we serve burgers all day, every day.

Ron purchased the bar in 1983. A year later, the couple married and started a family that included four boys in five and a half years.

We were hoping to sell when our youngest was in kindergarten, Sue says. Thirty-nine years later, were still here.

Bambinos was the definition of a bar when the Lienaus first owned it, but they started adding food due to customer demand. Sue cooked breakfast items at home because Bambinos did not have a service kitchen at that time. Eventually, a new restaurant was opened, bringing a halt to breakfast but continuing with a lunch-time special.

All four boys worked at the restaurant, and Sue says she is now teaching her grandsons how to wash glasses and help their customers.
Augers should be checked as part of routine maintenance before harvest begins.
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Dougherty County Probate judge's attorneys respond to March terroristic threats charge

Alan Mauldin / Staff Photo: Alan Mauldin Dougherty County Probate Court Judge Leisa Blount, center, is flanked by attorneys Maurice King Jr., left, and Pete Donaldson. Blount, charged in March with terroristic threats and violation of oath by an officer, is seeking a speedy disposition of her case.

ALBANY  Attorneys for the Dougherty County Probate Court judge accused in March of making terroristic threats against a county maintenance employee are asking for a speedy disposition of the case.

The issue revolves around the employee entering Judge Leisa Blounts office on two occasions after office hours when she was working alone in her office. Blount expressed her fear about the behavior of the employee, who apparently did not have any duties in the building at the time, to the Dougherty County Sheriffs Office and county staff.

Maurice King Jr. and Pete Donaldson, who are representing Blount, told reporters on Tuesday that the elements of the case do not merit a criminal indictment and that the charges should be dismissed.

The two Albany attorneys appeared with Blount, who has continued working since charges of terroristic threats and violation of oath by a public officer were filed in late March, at a news conference at Kings office.

The case has been referred to the office of District Attorney Brad Shealey of the Southern Judicial Circuit based in Valdosta for investigation.

This is not a case that meets any criteria that would suggest any violation of any criminal (statute), Donaldson said of the charges, which were filed by the Georgia Bureau of Investigation after the case was referred to the agency by Dougherty County Sheriff Kevin Sproul. We are asking the district attorney in Valdosta to move this case along.

Blount is not filing a civil suit in the matter or seeking damages, but is looking to settle the matter, which should not have resulted in the filing of criminal charges in the first place, Donaldson said.

As a judge, Blount has been placed in a kind of legal limbo because grand jury sessions mostly have been suspended for more than a year, the attorneys said, and it is imperative that she clear her name to continue to enjoy the confidence of the public she serves.

(People) of Dougherty County have a right to know the courts are being operated properly, Donaldson said. As long as this case is out there, there is a cloud in the air. We would like to remove that.

The attorneys also pointed to an investigation by the state Judicial Qualifications Commission, which investigates complaints against judges.

After reviewing surveillance videos and witness statements obtained by law enforcement, the agency wrote that its panel has concluded that the institution of disciplinary action is not warranted at this time. It added that no action will be taken unless new or additional information comes forward.

In an affidavit filed in the criminal case, Blount described the two incidents involving the county Facilities Management Department employee. On around Jan. 25, 2021, the employee used a master key to enter the back door of the Probate Court offices. The employee had no cleaning supplies or cart for removing trash, was not assigned to clean the area and had never entered the Probate Court area to turn out lights since Blount had been serving as judge in April 2020, the affidavit said.

When questioned by Blount, the employee said he was in the building to turn out the lights and did not exit when she told him that she turns off the lights when she leaves, according to the affidavit. He eventually left when she picked up her cellphone. Blount was told by county staff that the employee was not assigned to perform any tasks in the Probate Court offices after hours.

On March 10, at about 5:53 p.m. the employee used a master key to enter the back door of the offices again, Blount said in the affidavit. Blount went to the door of her chambers and asked the employee twice why he was in the office, but he did not answer.

Blount sent emails, included in the court filing, about the incidents and had a meeting with representatives from the sheriffs office and the county. During that meeting, she asked Chief Deputy Sheriff Terron Hayes for permission to bring her pistol into the courthouse for protection.

She told Hayes that she has weapons training in which she was instructed that a weapon is not to be used to scare or injure but in circumstances in which their use is required to be aimed at the targets head or chest. For that reason, she did not carry a weapon because she did not want to have to use it, Blount wrote.

She said, I will protect myself, Donaldson said Somehow that has been turned into a terroristic threat.

Blount never brought a weapon into the building, although judges are authorized to possess a weapon inside a courthouse and no permission is required from the sheriff. The maintenance employee was not present during the discussion with Hayes, the affidavit said. He did not file a complaint in the case.
Alexander City, AL (35010)

Today

Sunny, along with a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High around 90F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Considerable cloudiness. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 70F. Winds light and variable.
Under a cloudy sky, a backhoe operator works to tear down part of the Great Salt Plains Health Center in Cherokee Monday morning.

Monday's Alfalfa County commissioner meeting was brief. Marvin Woodall, Jay Hague and Mike Roach didn't have a long agenda and started with signing the usual documents. They approved payroll warrants, previous meeting minutes, maintenance and operation payment warrants and blanket purchase orders.

Next, the three men signed a service agreement with Prevent A Pest  a local pest control company based in Cherokee.

Following that was the approval of a lease-purchase renewal agreement for FY 21-22 with Security National Bank.

The next agenda item called for the appointment of a Wheatheart Nutrition board member. (Wheatheart Nutrition prepares and serves meals for seniors in eight counties.) However, some details of that position were unclear, prompting the commissioners to take no action this week.

A few weeks ago, the officials awarded a $14,672.68 bid to Luckinbill for jail shower and plumbing work. That bid was the lowest received, but Luckinbill has become unable to honor that quote since then. The other bid previously received was then awarded this week.

Lastly, commissioners signed approval on another certificate of compliance/compliance letter for Oklahoma Medical Marijuana Authority businesses for OMMA for CH Consulting, Inc.
Lake Charles, Louisiana (70615)

Today

Scattered clouds with the possibility of an isolated thunderstorm developing during the afternoon. High around 90F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 75F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
Consider these three statements:

(1) I will judge others not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.

(2) I will treat others as I would have others treat me.

(3) I will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect, and defend the Constitution of the United States.

The first moral statement comes from Martin Luther King, Jr.'s "I Have a Dream" speech at the Lincoln Memorial on August 28, 1963. The second is the Golden Rule, articulated, in one form or another, by every major religion on Earth. The last is part of the presidential oath of office, meant to elevate official duties to moral obligations before God.

Now ask yourself how many elected or unelected members of the American government could honestly affirm all three moral propositions today. Can you name anyone? What if I were instead to ask you to list every member of the American government who intentionally disregards all three of these moral principles? Would you ever be able to complete your list?

In a hundred or so words and with three simple moral duties as our guide, we've gone a long way to showing why the American government has lost its legitimacy and why it has begun resorting to increasingly hostile and threatening rhetoric against its citizens. When the government elevates race above all else that defines a person, the government is overtly racist. When the government uses the criminal justice system to target its political enemies while protecting its political allies, the government denies its citizens impartial justice and equality before the law. When the president of the United States and other government agents bound to uphold the Constitution instead condone viewpoint discrimination, state-sponsored censorship, and the criminalization of gun rights, then the government intentionally breaches its duty to protect the Bill of Rights.

It is much easier for Joint Chiefs chairman General Milley to pin America's problems on "white rage" than to consider that America's leadership has fundamentally failed to hold up its end of the social contract. It is much easier for the White House to initiate a "domestic terrorism" strategy that uses PATRIOT Act surveillance and Homeland Security muscle to target its political enemies than to protect Americans' free speech and freedom of association from government coercion. It is much easier for (p)Resident Biden to argue that the Second Amendment is meaningless due to the government's superior firepower over the average gun owner in the forms of F-15s and tactical nuclear weapons than it is for him to remember, as Lincoln did, that "it is not the Constitution as I would like to have it, but as it is, that is to be defended." Choosing the easier path today, however, is ensuring a combustible American future.

Think of America as a dish broken into pieces on the wood floor. Now, it is possible to grab some friends and exert enough force on all the pieces in tandem so that the plate is momentarily made whole. But as soon as one set of hands twitches or loses strength, the broken plate crumbles back onto the floor. The sounder, more permanent solution is to grab the super-glue and bond all those strewn pieces together as one. When America has broken in the past from war and upheaval, it has also exercised the collective judgment to refashion peace through the glue of social cohesion and common purpose rather than through the permanent imposition of brute government force. Trading the glue of national unity for the threat of punishment and violence turns any society into a ticking time bomb. When government abandons any pretense for moral legitimacy, force becomes its one indispensable tool for controlling the citizenry. Then it's just a question of how many hands the government can afford to pay to keep the social plate from falling back into pieces onto the ground. A government that depends entirely force for its existence is a government with a shelf life.

The social psychologists Jonathan Haidt, Jesse Graham, and Craig Joseph advanced a theory of moral foundations some years back that attempted to explain moral variations across cultures as stemming from the relative accentuation of different innate intuitions "programmed" in the human mind. All humans, they have argued, are predisposed to balance: (1) care / harm, (2) fairness / cheating, (3) loyalty / betrayal, (4) authority / subversion, (5) sanctity / degradation, and (6) liberty / oppression. It is the way in which human tribes and societies magnify one or more of these moral foundations over others that lead to seemingly widely divergent human cultures. In short order, this instinctual understanding of morality led to various attempts to explain how political groups could maintain such varied worldviews, even when their members exist in the same society. In The Righteous Mind, Haidt answered this question by arguing that members of distinct political groups tend to value certain moral foundations over others. The political left is most concerned with the care and fairness foundations. Libertarians, not surprisingly, are inclined to value liberty over all else, while conservatives seem equally sensitive to all six moral foundations.

What happens when the governing institutions of a society function in a way that countermands each of these primal moral foundations at once? Or rather, what happens when government routinely causes harm, cheats and betrays its citizens, abuses its authority, and mocks the pious and religiously faithful? It seems to me that the first five moral foundations immediately become wrapped into Haidt's sixth: the natural disposition of humans to struggle for liberty over oppression outweighs everything else. Because the other moral foundations are denied breathing room in a closed and authoritarian society, the innate human drive for liberty explodes forth to reclaim them all at once. When those passions take hold, the "animating contest of freedom" becomes the natural spring for all other moral considerations. And between a people seeking moral legitimacy and a government that is seen to have none, things fall apart quickly.

Hat tip to Candor7 and the Freepers.

Image via Pixnio.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
The Russiagate cover-up rolls merrily along, with the agitprop media almost completely ignoring a startling instance of the Deep State taking care of its own, even when they are caught red-handed committing grave felonies.

Does the name Kevin Clinesmith ring a bell? He's the FBI lawyer who lied on a FISA warrant in order to be able to spy on the Trump campaign by falsely implicating Carter Page. He was caught red-handed in altering an email 180 degrees.

Lying to a judge is a serious offense for anyone. But for an officer of the court, one who works for the government and has a heightened obligation to serve justice, to lie to a court is a very serious breach. Failure to punish government officials who perjure themselves in order to spy on innocent citizens and a presidential campaign invites the worst kind of abuse. It plants the seeds of tyranny.

Special Counsel John Durham was not interested in punishing Clinesmith severely, but at least he did ask for prison time last December, albeit under six months' worth. But federal judge James Boasberg, the very judge lied to, was sympathetic to Clinesmith and sentenced him to 12 months of probation and 400 hours of community service in January.



Judge James Boasberg.

Judge Boasberg was appointed to the federal Bench by Obama and placed on the FISA court by Chief Justice Roberts. He is reportedly a member of Skull & Bones, the ultra-elite secret society at Yale University.

Now, very quietly, word has spread that Clinesmith will be able to practice law again in just a couple of months.

James Freeman writes in the Wall Street Journal writes about Clinesmith's remarkable full recovery. He correctly describes him as:

the criminal who falsified evidence, which resulted in the surveillance powers of the federal government being turned against a citizen, Carter Page, for participating in a U.S. political campaign.

Freeman notes:

You'll find precious few media reports about it but fortunately Mike Scarcella of Reuters reports: Former FBI lawyer Kevin Clinesmith has agreed to a one-year suspension of his attorney license in Washington, D.C., following his conviction in August 2020 on a felony false-statement charge arising from the internal review of the special counsel's Russia investigation, new bar records show.

He continues:

The penalty is even more modest than it initially appears because the suspension is backdated to his conviction so this abuser of government power will be allowed to practice law again this August. Add District of Columbia Court of Appeals Board on Professional Responsibility disciplinary counsel Hamilton P. Fox, III and his assistant William R. Ross to the disgraceful ranks of swamp creatures like Judge James Boasberg who have refused to punish appropriately this federal assault on liberty.

He states that this leniency "only encourages other government officials to fabricate evidence."

Judge Boasberg didn't even get his facts straight. NBC's Pete Williams reported at the time of Clinesmith's sentencing that

Federal District Court Judge James Boasberg said that while Clinesmith's actions were serious, the warrant application probably would have been approved anyway without his misstatement. Boasberg also serves as the presiding judge of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court.

Freeman says:

The judge was wrong, which suggests that he couldn't even be bothered to read the inspector general's report. There was a reason Clinesmith doctored the infamous email and it was only after his fabrication that another official signed off on the final renewal of the surveillance warrant.

So the message to future Lisa Pages, Andrew McCabes, and Kevin Clinesmiths is, don't worry about breaking the law if you're going after opponents of the Deep State. We'll make sure you get a slap on the wrist.

I wonder what kind of job in the law will await Clinesmith. Judge Boasberg thought losing his FBI job was a big punishment. But I suspect that there is a nice job awaiting a made man who can keep his mouth shut while breaking the law in pursuit of opponents of the Deep State.

There is still a tiny sliver of hope that Clinesmith struck a deal, that Durham has gotten evidence on the record to go after bigger fish. I devoutly wish that to be the case. But I have to say that hope has been fading for quite a while, and now is vanishingly small.

Photo credit: Court photo.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Federal judge Analisa Torres, an Obama appointee, dismissed a shooting case against a reputed gang-banger because the grand jury that indicted him was drawn from a grand jury pool in White Plains with an "underrepresentation of Black and Latinx individuals."

It looks to me that Judge Torres is using an invented term, "Latinx," to invoke an invented right. Via the New York Post:

"The Government has failed to meet its burden by coming forward with evidence rebutting the presumption that such underrepresentation was the result of purposeful discrimination," she wrote Monday. "Therefore, Defendant has established a violation of his Fifth Amendment right to a race-neutral jury selection process."

Underlying the argument is the fact that the indictment was handed down in Westchester County, not in Manhattan, where the alleged crime took place. Manhattan is more heavily minority than Westchester, where AOC grew up. That must be what led Judge Torres to make a "presumption" of motivation to discriminate. Since when do judges presume guilt?

The presumption is particularly unjustified, especially given that:

... in a follow-up letter to the judge, prosecutors said they wanted to "correct the factual record" regarding Scott's indictment in the June 23, 2020, shooting in The Bronx, saying it was the result of a "non-discriminatory exigency" amid the COVID-19 crisis that forced them to seek the charges in White Plains. At the time, they wrote, "grand jury availability was exceptionally limited  generally, and specifically in Manhattan  due to the pandemic." And when prosecutors sought to have Scott indicted on June 30, 2020, "there was no grand jury sitting in Manhattan" and no grand juries were convened between June 26 and July 8, 2020, according to the Monday letter. Scott "posed a sufficiently serious risk to public safety that it was untenable to delay his prosecution until grand juries were more readily available," prosecutors Alexandra Rothman and Jim Ligtenberg wrote. "Accordingly, to indict the instant case expeditiously and to protect public safety, the Government sought an indictment in White Plains, where a grand jury was available," they said.

Fortunately for society, the accused will still face justice, despite Judge Torres's move:

[P]rosecutors revealed that Scott had already been re-indicted by a different grand jury and his new case was assigned to a different judge. Scott, 43, is charged with being a felon in possession of ammunition tied to the seizure of three, .380 Eldorado-brand shell casings following a caught-on-camera shooting in which the victim was shot twice in the leg. Scott is a reputed member of the Bloods gang who allegedly opened fire outside 765 E. 183rd St. amid a dispute with the 36-year-old victim, who lives on the block, law-enforcement sources said.

Photo credit: Twitter screen grab (cropped).

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
The Committee to Support and Defend has initiated a petition to the Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin to "honor his oath" to "support and defend" the Constitution of the United States. The petition "respectfully insists" that Austin immediately countermand orders he has issued since taking office that have eroded military cohesion and readiness. The petition argues that Critical Race Theory is a toxic Marxist ideology with anti-constitutional objectives. Ordering its teaching in the military endangers America's national security, in contravention to Austin's oath to protect and defend the Constitution and the United States from all enemies.



SecDef Lloyd Austin (DoD photo).

The petition is the third scathing criticism of the Biden administration's policies that retired generals and admirals and other military veterans have issued in recent weeks, citing concerns over national security and the dangers to our liberties. In an unprecedented action, over 200 retired generals and admirals issued a letter in May that stated that the United States is facing the "greatest danger to our constitutional Republic since 1776." The letter stated that our nation is in "deep peril" as we fight the supporters of Marxism who are opposed to our constitutional freedoms and liberties.

Last week, the Committee to Support and Defend, led by LTC Allen West (ret.), issued a letter signed by over 1,000 military veterans that stated that as veterans, they are still morally and ethically bound to protect our Constitution and country. They wrote:

As such, we put our nation's leadership on notice. We believe that the hard left turn toward Socialism and Marxism endangers our citizens and the future of this great nationWe are disgusted by the dismantling of the rule of law in our great country. We never thought we would see the return to Vietnam style disdain for public service. Unfortunately, this disregard and disrespect is corrosive and will lead to dangerous situations for citizens and law enforcement.

Now retired military leaders are joining with their fellow citizens to petition the government to end the undermining of our military and calling on Secretary Austin to honor his oath to protect and defend our Constitution and country. In a hitherto unheard of action, retired military leaders and veterans are publicly stating that the secretary of defense is endangering the effectiveness of the U.S. military as a fighting force and is violating his sacred oath to defend our country. Specifically, the petition  which is available for signatures by both veterans and civilians at committeetosupportanddefend.com  "respectfully insists" that the former four-star Army general and commander of Central Command take immediate action to:

Shut down the Countering Extremism Working Group, which is fracturing the cohesiveness of the armed forces

Fire its director, Bishop Garrison, senior adviser for diversity and inclusion, whose programs vilify our Constitution and are an affront to patriotic Americans

Prohibit further Critical Race Theory training and related programs to the armed forces personnel; these are Marxist tactics designed to pit one group against another by falsely teaching that our country is inherently racist, with whites as the oppressor and blacks as the oppressed

Reinstate a brilliant officer, Lieutenant Colonel Matthew Lohmeier  who has warned against actual extremism in the Defense Department  as the commander of the 11th Space Warning Group, and

Restore to service other personnel who have been wrongly accused of "extremism" but who are, like LTC Lohmeier, simply opponents of anti-constitutional ideologies like Marxism.

The first signatory of the petition and founding member of Flag Officers for America (www.flagofficers4america.com), Major General Joe Arbuckle, U.S. Army (ret.), stated:

Critical Race Theory and other such programs were created by Marxists to divide people into groups based on oppressors vs. oppressed. It is designed to sow discord and distrust in each other. This is exactly the opposite of the team building based on the mutual trust essential to military units' readiness and deterrent effectiveness. If allowed to continue the in the Defense Department, CRT and other such divisive programs will do tremendous damage to our military, its mission, and therefore, our Nation. Like me and countless other veterans, Secretary Ausitn has sworn to prevent such harm to our Constitution and country. We call on him to honor the oath and shut down the indoctrination and purging of our armed forces pursuant to Marxist Critical Race Theory.

The open letters from our military leaders and veterans call for action now to save America before it is too late and our treasured institutions are destroyed from within. Military leaders issued a citizens' action plan that citizens can take on the local level. The quickest action would be to sign the petition at committeetosupportanddefend.com to stop the destruction of our military.

To comment, you can find the MeWe post for this article here.
Housewife Imane Sadrati's claims of spousal abuse at the hands of a prominent Muslim set in motion a "Me Too"style campaign rarely seen in the insulated Islamic community.

Sadrati is not an ordinary Muslim housewife. She is married to Hassan Shibly, who had championed himself as a "human rights" advocate in his former top executive position at CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations)-Florida. Their estranged relationship had enjoyed a measure of privacy in the insular Islamic organization.

That was before Sadrati decided to revolt against the Muslim taboo of not discussing personal scandals and turned her divorce into a high-profile media event. Her accusations of twelve years of abuse were shocking enough, but Sadrati's decision to publicly denounce her husband, a nationally recognized Muslim leader, qualified as a public relations nightmare for CAIR's management team.

Many of their fears were well founded. Sadrati alleged in a two-hour NPR broadcast that she lived in a misogynistic marriage and her husband's "physical and emotional abuse" started early in their relationship. Listeners were privy to the worst of the allegations: Sadrati claiming her husband used her as a punching bag and even initiated "violent blows" while she was pregnant.

Shibly was given an opportunity to respond on NPR, portraying himself as more of a victim than his wife. He wrote off his estranged spouse's allegations as "blatantly false" and reverted back to his prominence as an Islamic leader, claiming that nothing good would come of "tale-bearing, gossip, slander, and harming others."

Within fifteen days of Sadrati's broadcast going live, Shibly was forced to resign from his position. His resignation appeared to embolden other Muslim women to come forward  all of whom had their own ugly allegations to impart about having worked with Shibly at CAIR.

NPR interviewed six female employees, in total, and together they portrayed Shibly as a "bully" and "serial predator" who used his power to "seduce" and "sexually harass women." He was viewed as a "blatant pervert," for many years, by several CAIR female employees.

Laila Abedelaziz, who held an executive position in CAIR, claimed that the failure of CAIR male executives to adequately address Shibly's predatory behavior can be traced to the group's fear of generating more discriminatory behavior toward Muslims and attracting more anti-Islamic sentiment in the country.

Shibly's predecessor, Nezar Hamze, whom Shibly has referred to as "my brother for life," didn't fare much better at CAIR. His photo and bio were removed from the website after his association with "terror-related" groups was called into question.

Journalist Joe Kaufman pressed the former CAIR employee about his side jobs in groups with "tremendous terror-related histories," including Islamic Relief (I.R.) and the South Florida Muslim Federation (SFMF). From his view, Hamze says the groups are "law abiding and social service organizations," claiming that Kaufman got his information from anti-Muslim websites.

That said, Israel won't allow I.R. into its country, labeling the group a front for Hamas. And SFMF earns the same dubious reputation as an umbrella organization for radical Muslim organizations.

Nezar Hamze is now gainfully employed full-time and wears a law enforcement uniform, serving as a county sheriff in Broward County, Florida. He appears to have weathered the controversy and remains unapologetic about his association with alleged terror-related groups.

"The mainstream media likes to paint CAIR as a group interested in protecting the civil rights of the Muslim community," Joe Kaufman wrote in Front Page magazine. "The reality is that CAIR is a support network for terror with both foundational and financial links to Hamas." CAIR was named as an "unindicted co-conspirator" in a Hamas terror funding case, according to two federal cases brought by the Justice Department.

NPR, and other liberal outlets, routinely ignore the more salacious details of CAIR's association with terror groups, but the high-profile Shibly divorce fits their leftist narrative of giving voice to an abused Muslim wife.

The broadcast helped launch Sadrati's own informal "Me Too" campaign. Undoubtedly, she influenced other Muslim women to come forward. Now she's demonstrating how religious women can empower themselves  despite previous taboos. She claims that her husband cut her off financially, but she countered the move by establishing a GoFundMe page.

Perhaps CAIR can show the same mental resourcefulness by demonstrating how a self-styled "human rights" organization can clean up its "human rights" violations among its own rank and file.

Image: Pixabay.

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Nearly anyone who follows events in the Middle East believes that the ceasefire imposed on Israel by the Biden administration won't last more than three or four years, if that long, before Hamas's Iranian rockets are once again launched from Gaza.

So why should America be on the hook for rebuilding Gaza when Hamas's next round of indiscriminate rocket attacks and Israel's response with tactical air strikes is inevitable?

Since Israel left Gaza in 2005, there have been either major engagements or minor skirmishes almost every year. The pattern is familiar. Hamas indiscriminately fires Qassam rockets into Israel, kidnaps Israeli soldiers, or organizes a military assault on the border, and Israel responds with artillery, air strikes, or ground assaults, and sometimes all three.

To call the ensuing ceasefires after those engagements "fragile" is an understatement. The most recent one will be not at all different.

Israel agreed to the current ceasefire because of the Biden administration's pressure. It is no secret that Israel sought to further degrade Hamas's fighting capabilities but was restrained from doing so.

Iran will resupply rockets and missiles to Hamas, reflecting a confluence of interest between Hamas's desire to make life miserable for Israelis and Iran's interest in gaining a foothold in the neighborhood.

Those who naively see Iran as being Shiite and Hamas as Sunni do not understand the antipathy the Iranians have for the Israelis. The enemy of my enemy, as the Middle East proverb goes, is my friend.

But the classic case of naivete goes to the Biden administration, for what is built will not only be destroyed; there also is absolutely no way the Americans can guarantee that building materials for humanitarian purposes will not be diverted to Hamas's warfare machine. After all, the Israelis long permitted convoys laden with wire and concrete to enter Gaza, only to see the result in a nest of tunnels designed to infiltrate Israel and kidnap or murder its citizens.

The Biden administration's "bonehead idea" to rebuild Gaza also raises some profound domestic issues. Are there not areas of our major cities riddled with poverty and homelessness in desperate need of rebuilding?

Estimates of the homeless are difficult to obtain, but the Department of Housing and Urban Development in 2019 estimated some 630,000 homeless people, of which some ten percent were veterans, men and women who had sacrificed for this country.

California, because of its halcyon climate, draws the most homeless and the most veteran homeless. The distribution of homeless along Interstate 80 as it runs from Oakland to Berkeley is so prominent that at the intersection of University Avenue, it even has a name  the Seabreeze encampment.

The community comprises makeshift shelters and flimsy tents. It generates tons of waste and is an incubator for disease.

The creative people of Berkeley have discussed constructing a permanent shelter there with quality tents, running water, toilet facilities, and dumpster pickups. It's not a solution, but it would be a dramatic improvement.

All of it costs money, and while there is no doubt about the good intentions of Berkeley's citizens, nothing has happened except for some periodic cleanups of the site.

To the south of the Seabreeze encampment in neighboring Oakland, not far from where Kamala Harris lived as a child, is a large population of homeless, mostly black, with a substantial portion having been displaced by high rents resulting from gentrification. Oakland deals with this by periodically rousting the homeless and destroying what meager possessions and shelter they have. As the number of homeless in Oakland has risen, the city has become less tolerant.

As California has found it too expensive to keep incarcerating people, those people, when released, often have no place to go but to places like the streets of Oakland and Seabreeze.

If the Biden administration wants to rebuild something, there is plenty of need in American cities that won't be destroyed in the next three to four years.

Rebuild Gaza? Why? There is an abundance of rebuilding that is needed in America. Perhaps President Biden could send Kamala Harris to visit her old neighborhood and its environs to get a firsthand view of the rebuilding America needs and actually deserves.

Abraham H. Miller is an emeritus professor of political science, University of Cincinnati, and a distinguished fellow with the Haym Salomon Center.

Image: Norsk Folkehjelp Norwegian People's Aid.

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Just when it appears that life in the United States is returning to pre-pandemic condition (I hesitate to say "normal," because, in my opinion, very little in this country is "normal" anymore), the CDC issues yet another warning about a China Virus variant. As of Tuesday, the CDC lists four "notable" variants on its website, code named Alpha, Beta, Gamma, and Delta. The CDC acknowledges that viruses "constantly change through mutation, and new variants of a virus are expected to occur." But don't get too comfortable with that fact, the CDC warns. "Sometimes new variants emerge and disappear. Other times, new variants persist."

Even though infection and death rates continue to decline, the bureaucrats at the CDC are very, very concerned. "These variants seem to spread more easily and quickly than other variants, which may [emphasis added] lead to more cases of COVID-19. An increase in the number of cases will put more strain on healthcare resources, lead to more hospitalizations, and potentially more deaths."

Scared yet? Well, don't be. It's the same old shtick from the same cast of dullards who have been using fear, ignorance, and intimidation to perpetuate their meaningless careers and destroy their political enemies for the past eighteen months or so. What you should really be afraid of is a variant of the most destructive China Virus of all...one that has been spreading in this country  virtually out of control  since well before the first confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported early last year.

The virus in question has definite connections to China, but it didn't originate in a virology lab or a "wet market" in Wuhan. It's actually been here for decades but has remained relatively dormant until the past few years. Concerned citizens who carefully watched the virus spread tried to warn the general public but were scoffed at and labeled conspiracy wackos and right-wing lunatics. More recently, as the infection rate rose, those who tried to battle the virus were viciously mocked and called racists; white supremacists; Oreo cookies; and a host of other vile, hateful names.

The symptoms vary but are becoming increasingly recognizable: uncontrollable cackling at questions that aren't funny; sleeping with Chinese spies; incoherently babbling to a national TV audience; identifying boys as girls and girls as boys; silently watching as criminals destroy our cities, while ordering the police to stand down; and, in the name of anti-racism, teaching people to hate an entire race based on the color of their skin. There are countless more examples, but you get the general idea.

This horrible disease is most evident in career politicians (usually, but not always, Democrats), bureaucrats, newscasters, and Silicon Valley tycoons. Sadly, the virus has now infected the military, as evidenced by the recent "woke" ramblings of an ignorant tool who sits as chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. But the biggest threat to the general public comes from academics, who use the education system to infect youngsters from kindergarten through college. Students learn to hate their country and respect socialism, the slightly weaker variant of the real virus that threatens our Republic.

The China Virus to which I'm referring is Communism.

Other than the ballot box  which hasn't worked too well lately  there's no vaccine to cure this disease. Herd immunity will eventually prevail, as it always does, but it will be a long road back after the system collapses. Let's hope enough people wake up before that crash actually happens.

Image: tookapic via Pixabay, Pixabay License.

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For lovers of British mysteries, the moment we heard about the tragic building collapse in Florida, we remembered an episode of Endeavour, the series that imagines the dearly beloved Inspector Morse as a young copper in various regions of the U.K. The last episode of series six, Deguello, included an event that exactly parallels what just happened in Miami.

In the episode, a savvy politically connected builder is celebrated for creating a few high-rise buildings for low-income housing. The problems are evident immediately to some residents. Then it collapses, almost exactly like the Champlain Towers in Florida; one third of the building crumbles, killing many people. The visual in the Endeavour episode is almost identical to the scene in Florida but without a nearby coastline.

The N.Y. Post reported yesterday that the original developers were accused of paying off officials for permits. They had allegedly contributed to the campaigns of a couple of city councilmen to insure the necessary permits. Those who built the towers are all dead. While alive, all were charged with various crimes  tax evasion, professional misconduct, and general malfeasance. Were those who purchased the Surfside condominiums ever provided with that information? Doubtful.

The leftmedia are trying hard to find a way to blame Governor DeSantis for the tragedy, but the building is forty years old. That was even before DeSantis's Little League career. There were certainly known maintenance problems, $15M's worth, but repairs had not begun. In 2018, a structural engineer had raised alarms, but apparently no one paid much, if any attention. And now at least eleven souls are dead and a hundred and fifty are missing. While such terrible events have likely happened before over the years, in this country and in other nations, this seems a case of life imitating art.

In the episode of Endeavour, the cause of the collapse turns out to be the cement. The builder knowingly bought cheap and faulty cement made with a sand loaded with salt that over time weakened the steel rebar. The builders had murdered several people over the years to cover up their crime. As in all things, it was all about money  wanting more, cheating and endangering others. But chances are that even they never expected the building to collapse. The money-grubbing criminally inclined rarely consider the consequences of their schemes. They are like small children who have yet to realize the potential result of taking a joyride in Dad's car when they're eight years old. They see no reason to think ahead. Their goal is instant gratification; their disease is a form of psychopathy.

Whatever the facts of the Surfside catastrophe turn out to be, we can be sure that the media will blame those who had nothing whatsoever to do with it. In the fictional TV premonition, the adulterers of the cement are caught, but the politically connected builder gets off scot-free. It's the way the world works. They will blame Trump because he lives in Florida. They will blame DeSantis because he is the current governor and is a Republican. They will never ever blame those actually responsible. It's how they play.

Image via Good Free Photos.

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Asian steel scrap imports fluctuated wildly from territory to territory in 2020, with South Korea and Bangladesh reporting decreases while Taiwan and Vietnam recorded increases.

Japan, Asias largest steel scrap supplier, exported 9.39 million tonnes of the steelmaking raw material last year  over a fifth more than in 2019.



Vietnam became the single largest importer of Japanese scrap last year; at 3.40 million tonnes, this was an increase of 54.7% year on year.



But South Koreas imports of Japanese material fell by 26.6% year on year to 2.95 million tonnes.



Further intrigue emerged in the Asian scrap market in January 2021, with the resumption of large-scale scrap imports in China.



China imported 221,409 tonnes of ferrous scrap in the first five months of 2021, a 2,894% increase from the same period in 2020. Imports from Japan alone accounted for 166,337 tonnes.



Following Chinas return to the international scrap market, Fastmarkets launched a daily price assessment for steel scrap, heavy recycled steel materials, cfr China.





Click to enlarge



Join our industry experts for an exciting forward look into Asias evolving steel market at the Singapore Steel Forum on July 14. Register today at https://events.fastmarkets.com/singapore-steel-forum
In his series Restricted Areas, Moscow-based visual artist Danila Tkachenko looks at the human impulse to use destructive technologies in order to build an utopia, which often leads to failure as documented by these abandoned sites that were once the embodiment of technological progress in the Soviet Union.

Antenna built for interplanetary connection. The Soviet Union was planning to build bases on other planets, and prepared facilities for connection which were never used and are deserted now.

I traveled in search of places which used to hold great importance for the idea of technological progress. These places are now deserted. They have lost their significance, along with their utopian ideology which is now obsolete. Many of these places were once secret cities, that did not appear on any maps or public records. These places were the sites of forgotten scientific triumphs, abandoned buildings of almost inhuman complexity. The perfect technocratic future that never came. Any progress comes to its end earlier or later and it can happen for different reasonsnuclear war, economic crisis, natural disaster. Whats interesting for me is to witness what remains after the progress has ground to a halt.

One day, I went to visit my grandmother who lives in a closed and previously secret city where the first Soviet nuclear bomb was developed, Tkachenko told Lens Culture. While there, I learnt that in the 1960s, there had been a nuclear disaster but it had been completely classified. As it turns out, a vast territory had been contaminated and the people living there developed a variety of chronic diseases because of the accident. The first shot of Restricted Areas was made in this city.

Tkachenko continued: These facilities were created by the stateand not by individuals. I believe that the state thinks much more about its own well-being and safety than of its people. As a result of this mindset, the actions of the state often lead to disasters that affect the entire population, composed of individuals.

One of the worlds largest diesel submarines.

Sarcophagus over a closed shaft which is 4 km deep  was one of the deepest scientific shafts in the world at the time. Northern region, Russia

Amphibious airplane designed for vertical take-off. Called the Bartini Beriev VVA-14. The USSR built only two of them in 1976, one of which crashed during transportation.

Former residential buildings in a deserted Soviet polar scientific town, which was specialising on biological research

Water contamination test at the lake around the previously closed scientific city Chelyabinsk-40 (Russia)

Stages of the space rockets. Kazakhstan, Kyzylorda region

Deserted observatory located in the area with the best conditions for space observation. Kazakhstan, Almaty region

Former mining town which has been closed and made a bombing trial field. In 2003 president Vladimir Putin paid a visit to the location and was taken on the airplane to try the new bomb. The building on the photo shows the cultural center that was chosen as an object for bombing (which was successfully executed)

Dzerzhinsk city (Russia) where rocket engines were being produced in Soviet times. Was a closed city until 1992

Tropospheric antenna in the north of Russia  the type of connection which has become obsolete. There were many of them built in far North, all of them deserted at the moment.

Excavator on a closed quarry

Scientific storage at far North, Russia
Two- Spirits: Will Bean works to remind fellow transgender Natives that it does get better
Andover, MA (01810)

Today

Partly cloudy skies. High around 75F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Google has a lot of really hot news on its plate right now. Theres the Pixel 5a, the Pixel 6, and the finalized version of Android 12. While this is true, the company can still make time to focus on the little things. As spotted by Android Police, the new Google Phone beta makes it easier to search phone numbers that you dont have in your contacts.

The Google Phone beta hasnt rolled out to many people just yet

This beta is still hitting phones gradually, so dont be too surprised if you dont see this feature on your phone just yet. When you are in the Google Phone app, you have the option to search up your contacts. This comes in handy for people who want to quickly search up a friend or family member.

Its a different story if the number youre looking for is not saved in your contacts. With this new beta, when you tap the search bar, you will be able to look up numbers that arent saved in your contacts. This could help in a pinch if you forgot to save a contact.

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We dont know when this will be rolling out on a more broad scale. The number thats being shown in the screenshot is an Indian number. Google might be testing this new beta in India before bringing it to the states.

Google Phone isnt the only Google app to get a recent update

Other changes include Google Discover, the companys news feed. Its just gotten a bit of a visual overhaul. The news results are displayed are now easier to read. Theyre presented in a less cluttered manner. Instead of showing a snippet of the article, the results only show the title, featured image, site, share option, like option, and the settings icon.

Those who use Google Discover should like this change if they dont want to deal with a cluttered feed. The only issue is that its only coming out for people who are on the Android 12 beta. We dont know if this will trickle down to older versions of Android.

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If you really want to experience all of the changes that are coming with Android 12, just remember that it can still be installed on devices as old as the Pixel 3. If you have the 2017 flagship, you can intall the update with no problem. With a quick search, you can find a used Pixel 3 for under $200.

With Android 12 out and about, you can expect more changes to Googles software as the company continues to reinvent the Android platform. Google Discover and the Google Phone beta are just two examples of this.
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Talladega, AL (35160)

Today

Sunny, along with a few afternoon clouds. High 91F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. Low 68F. Winds light and variable.
(ANSA) - RABAT, JUN 30 - A 23 year-old Italian student of Moroccan origin has been jailed for three years in Marrakesh for offending Islam, sources said Wednesday.

The young woman was arrested at the airport in the Moroccan city on June 20 after flying from Marseilles, where she is doing law at university, to join her family who live in Morocco.

The student, who was born in Vimercate near Milan in 1998 and who grew up in the province of Monza, was convicted over a 2019 Facebook post that called a Koran verse obliging Muslims to sacrifice "the whiskey verse".

She was found guilty of publicly offending Islam. (ANSA).


Migrants: Lampedusa, 7 victims in shipwreck, 9 missing And in Canary Islands, 5-year-old found on boat dies

(ANSAmed) - AGRIGENTO, 30 GIU - The death toll has risen to seven in the waters between Lampedusa and Lampione where a migrant boat sunk around sunrise on Wednesday.



Accounts from the 46 survivors said nine people are still missing.



The Italian Coast Guard and the finance police are currently searching the area where the boat sunk.



The seven bodies brought to shore thus far include four women, one of whom was visibly pregnant.



Of the survivors, 19 were transferred to one Coast Guard patrol boat and 27 were transferred to another.



Meanwhile, a five-year-old girl who was found on a stranded boat on the route between West Africa and the Canary Islands died during the night while she was being transported to hospital in a Spanish Army helicopter, said the Canary Islands regional emergency health service.



In addition to the little girl, the helicopter also transported a woman and a man, both of whom are now in hospital.



The woman was described in critical condition while the man is reported to be in serious condition.



Sources told EFE news agency that the rescued migrants had spent at least 17 days at sea on the stranded boat.



Another 32 people who were aboard the boat were rescued by a merchant ship that was in the area where they were found, over 200 miles off the southern coast of the island of Tenerife.



The crew also found the dead body of a man on the boat.



The ship is currently headed to Tenerife with the survivors.



(ANSAmed).




(ANSAmed) - BRINDISI, 30 GIU - Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio called for ensuring humanitarian aid access to crisis zones, in comments he made during the ministerial event on humanitarian aid at the UN Global Service Centre (UNHRD) base in Brindisi, where he spoke together with World Food Programme Director David Beasley as part of the G20 Conference.



"We have taken the opportunity to reiterate an appeal so that, in all the areas of crisis, full and unconditional humanitarian access is always ensured, as it is necessary for carrying out logistics and delivering the necessary humanitarian aid to people in need," Di Maio said.



Di Maio and the delegation heads from the Italian Industry Ministry will attend the departure from UNHRD in Brindisi of a humanitarian aid flight organised with the EU.



"The flight is taking place in collaboration with WFP, some Italian and international NGOs and the Portuguese presidency of the EU, and it will bring first aid supplies to Mozambique," Di Maio said.



"It is a humanitarian initiative that represents a model of collaboration between States, the European Union, the United Nations, and civil society. It is an example of the type of efficient multilateralism that is the priority of the Italian presidency of the G20, and that represents the key tool for facing the main global challenges," he said.



Beasley said UNHRD in Brindisi is "the backbone of UN logistics throughout the world", bringing aid to more than 170 nations.



He said that without Italy's financial and logistical support, none of this would have been possible.



Beasley recalled the "long and fraternal relationship" between WFP and Italy, that "supports us on an economic and infrastructure level".



"Everything starts here in Brindisi to feed millions of people every year," he said.



He said that last year, due to the pandemic, WFP became the "largest airline in the world", sending personnel, equipment and aid around the world.



However, he said the pandemic still isn't over and is "devastating low-income countries; they have been overwhelmed".



He called on all nations to provide increased support and unprecedented levels of funding. (ANSAmed).
Israel: govt-settlers accord on controversial outpost Settlers to leave it temporarily, then verification of the land

(ANSAmed) - TEL AVIV, 30 GIU - The Israeli government of Naftali Bennett managed to achieve, through compromise and without the use of force, the evacuation of dozens of families of Jewish settlers from the controversial Eviatar outpost, which was set up in recent weeks on land that is claimed by two Palestinian villages in the area of Nablus in the West Bank.



The plan, which was drafted by Defence Minister Benny Gantz, foresees the settlers leaving Eviatar by Friday.



For the time being, their residences won't be demolished and will be overseen by a company of army soldiers.



In the meantime, a thorough study will be undertaken to verify the legal status of the land.



The settlers believe it is understood that if the study comes out in their favour, in a few months a Jewish school will be established in Eviatar.



For weeks, Palestinians in the villages of Beita and Yatma (on the slopes of Mount Sabih) have been holding demonstrations against the Eviatar settlers.



On various occasions the military dispersed protesters with force, and five demonstrators have been killed. (ANSAmed).




Spain: Sanchez says no referendum in Catalonia PM tells Parliament: 'PSOE will never accept it'

(ANSAmed) - MADRID, 30 GIU - Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, speaking in the Lower House, said there will be "no self-determination referendum" in Catalonia to establish the future of the region because the Spanish Socialist Workers' Party (PSOE), the leading party in the national parliament, which is also led by Sanchez, "will never accept it".



Sanchez's comments came during a hearing in which he gave an account of the decision to pardon the nine Catalan separatists who were sentenced to jail after the 2017 secession attempt.



One of the main stated objectives of the Catalan regional government, headed by the pro-independence leader Pere Aragones, is that of organising a referendum on secession.



One of the unknowns currently at the centre of the debate on relations between Catalonia and the State is that of understanding how much it will be able to influence the distance in positions among regional leaders and Sanchez regarding the referendum on the attempt to resume "dialogue" that the two, in recent weeks, have said they are willing to go forward with.



In his speech in the Lower House, Sanchez said there is only one possibility that would allow for a referendum: "that those who want it manage to convince the three-fifths of this House to modify Article 2 of the Spanish Constitution and that then this modification is endorsed by citizens with a referendum".



Sanchez added that this circumstance seems improbable to him given that his party is against it. (ANSAmed).






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Car dealership Pendragon has said it expects to swing to a half-year profit thanks to a surge in demand in May and June, but became the latest to warn over a shortage of new vehicles.

The group said it now expects to post underlying pre-tax profits of around 30 million for the first six months of 2021, against underlying losses of 31 million a year earlier.

This is set to see it deliver annual profits in the range of around 45 million to 50 million, up from 8.2 million in 2020, it added.

It said trading had been particularly strong this month and last, with the used car market leading the way and pent-up demand after lockdowns boosting prices.

But it joined rivals in cautioning over the risk from new car supply woes, with order times already lengthening.

It comes after Vertu Motors last week raised concerns over the issue and said delivery times were being hit by delays.

Rival car dealership Inchcape also recently cautioned over the impact of a global shortage of microchips used in vehicle electronics.

Manufacturers pulled back on supplies and orders for microchips after sales fell in the early stages of the pandemic.

Car production has since ramped up again as demand starts to grow, but chip manufacturers have been unable to keep up, causing a global shortage.

Figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT) last week showed that so far this year UK factories have built 429,826 cars, up 105,063 on 2020, but overall output remains down by 22.9% on the same five-month period in 2019.

Pendragon said: There remains continued uncertainty as we move in to the second-half of 2020-21 with potential further disruption from Covid-19, an expected realignment of used vehicle margins and the risk of both new and used vehicle supply constraints.

Whilst the extent of the impact of the well-publicised semi-conductor chip shortage is not yet clear, it is becoming increasingly apparent there is likely to be some restriction of supply during the second-half of 2021, with vehicle order times already being extended.
Americas most iconic youth organizations  the Boy Scouts of America and the Girl Scouts of the USA  have been jolted by unprecedented one-year drops in membership, due partly to the pandemic, and partly to social trends that have been shrinking their ranks for decades.

Membership for the BSAs flagship Cub Scouts and Scouts BSA programs dropped from 1.97 million in 2019 to 1.12 million in 2020, a 43% plunge, according to figures provided to The Associated Press. Court records show membership has fallen further since then, to about 762,000.

The Girl Scouts say their youth membership fell by nearly 30%, from about 1.4 million in 2019- 2020 to just over 1 million this year.

Both groups, like several other U.S. youth organizations, have experienced declining membership for many years. The Girl Scouts reported youth membership of about 2.8 million in 2003. The BSA had more than 4 million boys participating in the 1970s.

Reasons for the drop include competition from sports leagues, a perception by some families that they are old-fashioned, and busy family schedules. The pandemic brought a particular challenge.

In Lawrence, New Jersey, 8-year-old Joey Yaros stopped attending meetings while most in-person gatherings were shut down, and might not go back, even though his father and three brothers all earned the elite Eagle Scout rank. Joey was already struggling with virtual school classes, and the family didnt pressure him to also participate in virtual Cub Scout activities.

If there are den meetings in the fall, well see if he gets back in the swing of it, said his father, high school history teacher Jay Yaros. There are a lot of interesting things for kids to do these days, and scouting doesnt seem to be keeping up.

The Boy Scouts problems are compounded by their decision to seek bankruptcy protection in February 2020 to cope with thousands of lawsuits filed by men who allege they were molested as youngsters by scout leaders. The case is proceeding slowly in federal bankruptcy court as lawyers negotiate creation of a trust fund for victims that will likely entail hundreds of millions of dollars in contributions from the BSA and its 252 local councils.

To provide those funds, some councils may have to sell cherished camp properties, the BSAs president and CEO, Roger Mosby, told the AP.

We understand that this is a difficult and often emotional decision, but in some instances may be a necessary step as we work toward our shared imperatives of equitably compensating survivors and continuing Scoutings mission. Mosby said in a written reply to APs queries.

The pandemic, the membership drop and rising costs of liability insurance have strained BSA finances. A disclosure statement in the bankruptcy case says its gross revenues dropped from $394 million in 2019 to $187 million last year.

In response, the Boy Scouts annual youth membership fee will rise from $66 to $72 on August 1. The BSA also says some councils may merge to consolidate resources.

The Girl Scouts have bureaucratic complications of their own. There is ongoing litigation pitting the national headquarters against two of the 111 local councils based in Fairbanks, Alaska, and Nashville, Tennessee  which refuse to implement a nationwide technology platform.

Despite the varied challenges, Mosby and other Boy Scout officials, as well as the Girl Scouts leadership, insist theres reason for optimism. They say their summer camps are full, special events are sold out, and theyre expecting many thousands of families  some new to scouting, some who left during the pandemic  to sign up now that activities are occurring in-person rather than virtually.

We knew some girls would take a pause, said Girl Scouts spokeswoman Kelly Parisi. But as the pandemic goes in the rear-view mirror, weve seen a substantial rebound... We feel really good going into the fall recruitment.

Membership in the Boy Scouts Longhorn Council, which serves parts of Central and North Texas, dropped by 44% from 2019 to 2020, said its chief executive, Wendy Shaw. But she is buoyed by surging interest this year from families considering their first foray into scouting; the council has scheduled 12 special events for them.

Manny Ramos, chief executive of the BSAs Seattle-area council, said pandemic-related restrictions on group activities were rigorous in his area  a factor in recruiting only 500 scouts last fall instead of the normal 3,000 or more. To maintain interest, his staff held numerous outdoor activities, including winter camping, and now anticipates a large influx of families who skipped scouting last year.

Bryan Koch of Madison, Wisconsin, has been an adult leader for more than a decade as two sons went through Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. He believes the programs have invaluable benefits: teaching leadership skills, offering adventures such as a 78-mile hike at Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico that his eldest son completed as a 14-year-old.

Im a firm believer in what scouting can be, Koch said. It helps us develop more well-rounded and aware young men and women. Thats sorely needed in our country right now.

Yet he says membership in his Boy Scout troop dropped by 30% in recent years as boys and parents turned to other activities.

Theres not really a passive way to go through scouting and get the full experience, Koch said. It takes a lot of time for the scout, for the parents.

Josh Garner has been scoutmaster of Boy Scout Troop 30 in Jackson, Mississippi, for six years; his oldest son will soon be an Eagle Scout. Troop membership has dropped by 25% during his tenure, and even more sharply in the Cub Scout pack thats also sponsored by St. Richard Catholic Church.

Garner said the BSAs national leadership has a lot of baggage right now and needs to devise better recruitment strategies. Yet hed hate to see the organization fold.

Ive watched boys learn all kinds of skills, from welding to giving speeches, he said. Its a fantastic program  too important to a lot of people for it to just go away.
Hitting the campaign trail. Vicki Gunvalsons fiance, Steve Lodge, announced hes joining the race for governor of California.

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The 62-year-old business owner, who describes himself as conservative, declared his candidacy via Instagram on Tuesday, June 29. I was born and raised in California and spent my adult life here, it was a time when people still called California the Golden State, he captioned a video. I raised my children in California, and now I am watching my grandchildren grow up here.

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While his love for his home state is strong, Lodge claimed he can no longer stand by and watch as the bad decisions of traditional politicians impact the community. Its [sic] time for the people of California to regain control of their government, not only at the state level, but in the counties, cities, and school boards, he added. Over the past decade we have seen the consequences of horrible state policies and even worse legislation.  Enough is enough California.

As part of his campaign promise, Lodge asserted that he has the solution to a number of the states social issues, including homelessness, public safety and cost of living. Help me Make California, California Again,' he concluded. I will lead this movement with your help to see California once again as the Golden State she once was.

The former Real Housewives of Orange County star, 59, showed her support in the comments, writing, You got this honey







.

Courtesy of Vicki Gunvalson/Instagram

Gunvalson, who was an original cast member on the Bravo reality series before announcing her exit in January 2020, got engaged to Lodge in April 2019. They were set to tie the knot the following year but their wedding plans were put on hold amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Coto Insurance founder was previously married to Michael Wolfsmith from 1982 to 1991 and to Don Gunvalson from 1994 to 2014.

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Lodge isnt the only reality TV persona whos chosen to get involved in Californias race to recall current governor Gavin Newsom. In April, Caitlyn Jenner declared she would be running for the seat, which Newsom has held since 2019.

Im in! California is worth fighting for, the Olympian, 71, captioned an Instagram post alongside a lengthy statement outlining her ideas for the state shes called home for nearly 50 years.

Jenner, who publicly transitioned in 2015, said at the time that shes spent her life being a compassionate disrupter of societal expectations and hoped to fundamentally fix our state before its too late.

One month after announcing her Republican bid for the political position, the I Am Cait alum explained why her famous family members havent publicly shown their support just yet.

I did speak with all my children, the retired decathlete told CBS This Morning in May. I said, Hey, I do not want one tweet, I dont want you [involved]  this is my deal.'

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The Secrets of My Life author has six children: Burt Jenner and Cassandra Marino, whom she shares with first wife Chrystie Scott; Brandon Jenner and Brody Jenner, whom she shares with second wife Linda Thompson; and Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner, whom she shares with third wife Kris Jenner. Though she talked out the decision with her family members in private, Caitlyn asked them not to be involved whatsoever in public.

I said if anybody asks any questions in the media  because obviously they are in the media  I said just say, No comment,' she added. Address your comments to me.
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JOHNS CREEK, Ga.  Less than a year after severing ties with Police Chief Chris Byers, the Johns Creek City Council swore in Mark Mitchell as the departments new head June 21.

City Manager Ed Densmore, who served 12 years as Johns Creeks first police chief, led the search, enlisting the help of the International Association of Chiefs of Police for the nationwide search.

We chose [IACP] specifically because they offered to do a turnkey selection process, Densmore said. And they were one of the few [third party search firms] that were able to incorporate community feedback using surveys and those types of functions that we were specifically looking for.

Drawing from the city manager, the City Council and survey responses from the community, the organization began compiling an ideal candidate profile. The community survey, conducted through the citys website, drew 456 resident responses, according to Johns Creek Communications Director Bob Mullen.

The IACP screened applications and shared a shortlist with Densmore. At the same time, three panels of five members each were assembled for preliminary interviews with candidates. The first panel, Mayor Mike Bodker said, was composed of citizens who were either nominated by City Council members or who had expressed interest in joining the process. Those candidates were then screened and approved by the IACP.

The second panel included members of surrounding local law enforcement agencies from Forsyth County, Alpharetta, Roswell, Sandy Springs and Brookhaven.

The third and final panel featured Johns Creek government department heads, not including law enforcement.

Each panel interviewed four candidates, drafted a list of pros and cons for each, and submitted their findings to Densmore, Bodker said.

The city manager then met with the candidates several times before extending the offer to Mitchell and submitting his nomination to the City Council on June 7. Densmore said he considered the input from the community survey and from the three panels to form a desired candidate profile. He also registered informal conversations hed had with residents throughout the search process.

It really kind of boiled down to somebody who could restore some of the trust, help with the morale of the department somebody who had a passion for the position, Densmore said. It was somebody who had been in that role before as a chief. Somebody of high ethical standards, somebody who can really show a pattern of being able to work with the community.

For Mitchell, the decision to lead Johns Creek Police was not difficult.

Johns Creek has always had a very excellent reputation in the law enforcement community as one of the top-notch departments in the state, Mitchell said. The more I went through the interview process, the more intrigued I was about the department, the more I wanted to be part of the organization.

Mitchell joins the department with 28 years of law enforcement experience, having served as chief of police for the City of Canton and most recently as the chief of staff for the Georgia Department of Juvenile Justice.

Mitchell said his time with the Canton Police Department taught him a lot about the importance of building trust within the community and gave him the opportunity to put the pillars of 21st century policing into practice.

The phrase 21st century policing comes from a task force formed during the Obama administration that established policing best practices.

The six pillars of 21st century policing Building trust and legitimacy

Policy and oversight

Technology & social media

Community policing & crime reduction

Training & education

Officer wellness & safety

Mitchell said he sees good implementation of the pillars in the JCPD already.

I believe my experience, along with what this department already has, as it relates to that mindset for community, engagement and building partnerships in the community, may definitely be a good marriage, Mitchell said.

The partnerships between the community and police are important, Mitchell said.

We can sit here and talk about community policing all day, Its what were going to do, this is what we can do, and all that, Mitchell said. Weve got to follow through with what we say were going to do, to continue to build that trust and those partnerships because communication is going to be the biggest key.

Trust in the JCPD was damaged in the wake of the former chiefs exit last August. Before quietly settling with the city for $325,000 and resigning, Byers was investigated and found guilty of sexual harassment within the department.

Mitchell said he plans to uphold a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment that was maintained during Interim Police Chief Roland Castros administration.

Thats something we would not tolerate here at the Johns Creek Police Department at all, Mitchell said. So, maintaining that standard, maintaining the professionalism of the organization, and making sure that it doesnt matter who you are, what race, what gender you are. Here in this department, you know that you can come to a safe work environment, a successful work environment, without being harassed in any way.

The road back to positive community relations is a long one, but Mitchell said he is determined to build that bridge.

This is not an overnight thing, Mitchell said. But its a daily thing, a daily reinforcement, daily consistency, because we want our citizens to say, That police department has our best interest at heart. Theyre going to professionally and procedurally treat us justly. And if they make a mistake, theyre going to tell us that they made a mistake But theyre going to also put things in place to fix it.
Owosso, MI (48867)

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Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 90F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph..

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Partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph.
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Quadracopters sighted over military installations

14 drones were launched reportedly from across the International Border and LoC in the recent past. (Representational Photo:AFP)

SRINAGAR: Three more flying objects -- possibly drones -- were spotted over strategically important areas of Jammu on Wednesday. Security forces opened fire at them following which they withdrew, officials said.

The unnamed officials quoted by local newsgathering agencies said that the drones were seen hovering over Miran Sahab, Kaluchak and Kunjwani areas of Jammu where several military bases and sensitive installations are located.

They said that the first "unidentified flying object" at a height of about 1,000 meters was sighted near a place called Goswami Enclave in Kaluchak area at around 4.40 am. The second one was spotted near the Indian Air Force Signal in the neighbouring Kunjwani area and the third at Miran Sahab at around 6 am. All these activities on the third consecutive day were witnessed near defence installations but the alert security personnel quickly swung into action and opened fire at these objects, said an official.

On June 27, the overly sensitive Air Force Station at Jammu had come under a terror attack when two low-intensity bombs believed to have been dropped by drones hit a barracks and an open space in quick succession, leaving two IAF personnel were injured in the explosions that took place within a gap of five minutes.

A day later, the Army averted two separate drone activities in Ratnuchak-Kaluchak belt close to the border with Pakistan in Jammu region and, thereby, as was claimed by it, foiled a possible threat in this extremely sensitive military area. The activity continued on Tuesday when the drone-like objects were seen flying at a couple of places in the same security belt.

The Jammu and Kashmir police and Indian Army officials in Jammu had said on Monday that as many as 14 drones were launched reportedly from across the International Border (called Working Boundary by Islamabad) and Line of Control (LoC) in the recent past.

They said that the areas which witnessed the activity include Jammu, Rajouri, Samba and Kathua districts of Indian-administered Kashmir. Six sorties with weapon payloads were found in Samba sector, three to four in Hiranagar sector and two each in Nowshera-Rajouri and Arnia sectors.

J&Ks director general of police, Dilbagh Singh, said that in the recent past drones have been used to drop weapons and narcotic consignments. He said that the twin blasts at the Jammu Air Force base was a terror attack in which IED payloads were dropped using drones. A security alert for all vital installations in the Jammu region as well as Kashmir Valley was issued on Sunday itself.

In view of the June 27 bombing at the Air Force Station Jammu and subsequent increased activity of illegal unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) or unmanned aircraft systems (UASes) in Jammu region, director general (DG) of National Security Guard (NSG), M.A. Ganapathy, who is also DG, Bureau of Civil Aviation Security and Director General Central Industrial Security Force, Subodh Kumar Jaiswal arrived in Jammu to assess the situation.

Rajouris DC Rajesh Kumar Shavan has, through an order issued on Wednesday, banned the storage, sale or possession and use and transportation of the flying machines (drones). He has also directed those having drones or like objects in their possession to deposit them with the local police station.

However, the government agencies using drones for mapping, surveys and surveillance would get the local police station in-charge and executive magistrate informed, the order says.
ICAI had told the apex court that it is the most conducive time to hold CA exams as COVID-19 spread is now at a substantially low level

Such candidate will be permitted to appear for the next examination for both old and new syllabus, the bench said. (Representational Photo: PTI)

New Delhi: Observing that the scheme provided by the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) is not enough, the Supreme Court Wednesday permitted candidates scheduled to appear for the upcoming CA exams to opt out if they or their family members have suffered from COVID-19.

A three-judge bench of Justices A M Khanwilkar, Dinesh Maheshwari and Aniruddha Bose also made it clear that a candidate need not produce RT-PCR (real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) test if medical certificate issued by registered medical practitioners for his family members is produced along with request for opting out.

A candidate who has suffered COVID-19 personally or any of his family members, so certified by a registered medical practitioner, as a result of which he is unable to appear for exam, or disabled from preparing for the exam, is entitled to exercise the option of opting out. It will not be considered as an attempt. Such candidate will be permitted to appear for the next examination for both old and new syllabus, the bench said.

With regard to candidates affected by lockdown during the relevant period of exam, the apex court said as per ICAI scheme, such candidate will be allowed to opt-out and will not be treated as an attempt and such candidate will be allowed to appear in the next examination.

As regards the logistical arrangements, both infrastructural and human resources-wise, the ICAI shall ensure that there is strict adherence to the SOP notified by the competent authority, including the Disaster Management Authority.

 It is also clarified if any candidate who is attempting exam gets COVID-19 during exam, he will be allowed to opt out and it will not be treated as an attempt. They can give the exam in the next year. He may be permitted to appear in backup exams as per the rules, the bench said.

The top court also said that in case of last minute change of examination centres, it disapproves the suggestion of ICAI that if it's in the same city, the candidate will not be allowed to opt out.

We direct that candidate should be allowed to opt out and it will not be treated us an attempt. Such candidate can appear in backup when situation is conducive, it said.

Senior advocate Meenakshi Arora, who was appearing for one of the petitioners, said that some serious issues have not been addressed in the note filed by the ICAI and it is not in line with what the apex court had observed.

Arora referred to the issue of RT-PCR report and said candidates, who have to travel to different places to appear in the exam, may have suffered from COVID-19 earlier but he or she has not recovered fully.

The apex court was hearing a batch of pleas seeking different reliefs including an opt-out option for the candidates, postponement of the exam, and increase in number of centres this year.

During the earlier hearing conducted through video-conferencing, the bench observed there are instances where the RT-PCR test may be negative but the person shows symptoms of COVID.

The ICAI has recently said that opt-out option will be provided in case the examinee himself or herself or his family members (residing in the same premises) are infected with COVID-19.

The bench had said that RT-PCR report should not be the parameter and there has to be a competent authority having medical experience which can issue certificate to the candidates looking at COVID or COVID related issues.

ICAI had on Monday told the apex court that it is the most conducive time to hold CA exams as COVID-19 spread is now at a substantially low level, offering an opportune moment for chartered accountants to further their professional career.

It had said that the present COVID situation in the country is similar to when this court had allowed ICAI to hold examinations in November, 2020 and there is no reason to believe that it will not take adequate precautions.
The decision to visit union territory was taken after the panel held a meeting at the Election Commission office

The three-member delimitation commission headed by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai was set up in March 2020 for a year. (Photo: PTI/File)

New Delhi: The delimitation commission tasked with redrawing parliamentary and assemblies constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir will visit the Union Territory from July 6 to July 9 and interact with administrative officials, political parties and public representatives there.

The decision to visit union territory was taken after the panel held a meeting at the Election Commission office in the national capital today.

"Here the delimitation commission expects all stakeholders to co-operate in providing valuable suggestions so that the task of delimitation completes on time," informed an official from the ECI.

The official said that District Election Officers and Deputy Commissioners of 20 districts of the Union Territory are tasked to gather first-hand information and input concerning the ongoing process of delimitation as mandated under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.

On June 23, the Election Commission had conducted virtual discussions with its representatives in Jammu and Kashmir and deputy commissioners regarding the delimitation of the 90 Assembly constituencies in the Union Territory.

In the meeting, that was attended by 20 Deputy Commissioners from Jammu and Kashmir, administrative difficulties faced with respect to the assembly constituencies were discussed.

This meeting was held a day before Prime Minister Narendra Modi's all-party meeting with leaders from Jammu and Kashmir where leaders discussed the re-starting of political activity in the Union Territory.

The three-member delimitation commission headed by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai was set up in March 2020 for a year.

Later, the panel got a one-year extension from the Central government on March 3, 2021, after it failed to complete its task last year.

The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019 notified by the government on August 9, 2019, paved the way for the creation of two Union Territories - Jammu and Kashmir, which will have a legislature and Ladakh, without it.

The Act provides that the number of seats in the Legislative Assembly of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir shall be increased from 107 to 114, and delimitation of the constituencies will be determined by the Election Commission.
The new drone policy could include a ban on the use of drones by civilians in many sensitive areas

New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a meeting with defence minister Rajnath Singh, home minister Amit Shah, civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on the drone attack on the Indian Air Force's Jammu Air Base. They also discussed making the drone policy in the country tighter to avoid its misuse. A new policy on drone use by civilians in the country is expected to be released soon. It could include a ban on the use of drones by civilians in many sensitive areas.

"There were discussions on futuristic challenges in the defence sector and equipping the forces with modern equipment and aspects relating to the involvement of more youth, startups and strategic community were also discussed," said sources.

Earlier during the day, defence minister Rajnath Singh is reported to have attended a presentation by top officials of the Indian Air Force about the drone attack on the Jammu Air Base and ways to strengthen security at military air bases across the country.

The drone attack on the air station has emerged as a new security challenge. Even on Sunday and Monday there were reports of drones being spotted near military establishments in the Jammu region.

In recent months terrorists from Pakistan have been increasingly using drones to drop weapons and drugs across the International Border in Jammu and Punjab.

In the first ever drone attack on Indian soil, two drones were used to drop low-intensity improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on Indian Air Force's Jammu air base on the intervening night of June 26-27. The ministry of home affairs (MHA) has handed over the probe into the first-of-its-kind terror attack in the country to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Drones have emerged as the new security threat across the world and analysts have long feared they could be used by terrorists to launch attacks in India, too.

The Islamic State and Iran-based militias have been using drones to carry out attacks in Iraq.

In 2019, drone attacks claimed by Yemens Houthi rebels had hit two key oil installations inside Saudi Arabia that had damaged facilities that processed the vast majority of the countrys crude output.
Insiders claim that though Sidhu announced that he will be meeting Rahul Gandhi

New Delhi: Congress leader Rahul Gandhi and general secretary Priyanka Gandhi did not meet disgruntled Punjab legislator Navjot Singh Sidhu on Tuesday. On Monday, Sidhu's team had said he would meet with the Gandhis in New Delhi. The suspense over the meeting continued all day on Tuesday. When Rahul Gandhi was stopped by reporters outside his residence, he said that no such meeting had been scheduled.

Insiders claim that though Sidhu announced that he will be meeting Rahul Gandhi, a meeting may happen between the dissident legislator and the high-powered committee to sort out issues in the Punjab Congress that has been constituted by party president Sonia Gandhi. They added that maybe the optics of Sidhu meeting Rahul Gandhi may not be good especially when the former Congress president did not meet Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.

The Punjab Chief Minister was in Delhi last week and met the high-powered committee and other leaders of the party. In the last couple of days, support for Captain Amarinder Singh has grown within the party. In a bid to solve the Punjab imbroglio apart from the high-powered committee, Rahul Gandhi also has been meeting several leaders from the state including ministers, MPs and MLAs.

The problem arose in Punjab when Sidhu opened a front against Captain Singh, charging him with not keeping his promises to the people of the state. Sidhu also went on a tirade against the Punjab Chief Minister in all publications and on his social media last week. The utterances of Sidhu have not gone down well with many in the party. The Congress high command is keen to solve the issue as soon as possible.
How to Get Better Sleep

How to Sleep Like a Rock

The AskMen editorial team thoroughly researches & reviews the best gear, services and staples for life. AskMen may get paid if you click a link in this article and buy a product or service.

Product photos from retailer sites.

The old message was that you need eight hours of sleep each night, no matter who you are. The new message? Its more nuanced.

Recent research shows a wide range of true sleep needs in the United States: The American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society officially recommend that most healthy adults get between seven to nine hours of sleep per night. However, there are always exceptions, with some people needing a bit more or less.

So how can you know your own sleep need?

It starts with paying closer attention. Ideally over time you can figure out the usual number of hours you get in a 24-hour period. If you can sustain that number, the next question is, How do you feel when youre getting that number?

I would say the vast majority of people in this country have no idea what their sleep need is, says Donn Posner PhD., president of Sleepwell Consultants and an adjunct clinical associate professor at Stanford University School of Medicine.

The reason? Sleep insufficiency. To get a true read on your natural sleep need, you must give yourself adequate opportunity to sleep. Sleep has to be important, because every living animal on the planet down to insects sleep, and sleep is dangerous from an evolutionary standpoint, so it must confer something essential. Otherwise, we wouldn't be doing it, says Posner, a member of the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and a founding member of the Society of Behavioral Sleep Medicine.

Whats more, a recent Northwestern University study found that deep sleep has an ancient, restorative power to clear waste, such as potentially toxic proteins, from the brain. Waste clearance could be important for maintaining brain health or for preventing neurogenerative disease, according to the studys authors.

That said, insomnia, as a reaction to stress, also played an important part in our evolutionary history, simply because sleep puts us in such a vulnerable position. As a stress response, not sleeping is normal. Its over time that insomnia becomes a problem, one that can sneak up on us.

RELATED: Sleep Apnea: What It Is And How To Treat It

What Is Insomnia?

Possibly the most crucial piece of the sleep puzzle is defining the term insomnia.

To truly understand what it is, you first need to know that there are two types of insomnia, chronic and acute, notes Posner.

Lets start with chronic insomnia. There are a few layers to identifying it:

What it is

Associated symptoms

Frequency

Duration

What It Is: Chronic insomnia is trouble getting to sleep, maintaining sleep or waking too early.

Associated Symptoms: Insomnia really should be thought of as a 24-hour problem, not just a nighttime problem, says Posner. As a result of having trouble falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking too early, insomnia brings on associated symptoms that can show up in different ways such as feeling fatigued, experiencing concentration issues, memory problems, proneness for errors, stomach upset or headaches. If none of those things exists, you don't have insomnia even if you're not sleeping in the middle of the night, says Posner.

Frequency: It doesnt stop there. A troublesome combination of the events above needs to take place at a frequency of more than three days per week.

Duration: Once youre experiencing three or more nights of problems each week, with associated daytime symptoms for more than three months  thats chronic insomnia.

So what about acute insomnia? Same as the above, but for three months or less.

Acute insomnia can be caused by any kind of stressor, good or bad. This includes jet lag, a tight deadline at work, or having a new partner in bed. All of that is normal and what you hope is that when the stressor remits, you adapt to it or you treat it and the insomnia goes away, says Posner.

The problem is once the insomnia is chronic, it is no longer likely to go away when the stressor remits. Its taken on a life of its own. Thats when most people try to self-treat and begin leaning on compensatory behaviors like sleeping in, missing work, and using substances, all of which throw off their natural sleep factors so much that the insomnia keeps going year after year.

When Is It Time to Seek Help for Insomnia?

You should seek help after one or two weeks, says Posner. I've always said we should have a series of public service announcements out there that says, Don't let this linger. We should treat acute insomnia just like an infection.

Normally, insomnia is treated more like pain than an infection.

The root cause is sought out first and things like medication are prescribed on an as-needed basis. But according to Posner, the ideal is to act fast, before you start to develop compensatory behaviors, and head off chronic insomnia before it has a chance to settle.

I'm not trying to scare anybody. When you start thinking about all the terrible things that sleep deprivation will do to you over time, that's really long term stuff, says Posner. You're not developing Alzheimer's this year because you didn't sleep all year long. The idea is not to panic, but also not to let this go.

If your sleep problems are getting in the way of your daily functioning, you should seek medical help, says Rajkumar (Raj) Dasgupta, MD. Dr. Raj is the Assistant Professor of Clinical Medicine at Keck School of Medicine at the University of Southern California.

What to Say to Your Doctor If You Cant Sleep

So what do you do if this is you? Start with your primary care physician, but ask for a referral to a sleep specialist, says Posner. He suggests saying, "I've got a sleep problem and I don't want to just get on sleeping pills. Who are the specialists that you send people to?"

If you want to do the research on your own, you can visit the Society for Behavioral Sleep Medicine or SleepEducation.org to find a behavioral sleep specialist or a sleep center near you. You do not automatically need to undergo an overnight sleep study for insomnia, Posner adds.

Whats important is being assessed by a sleep physician at a sleep center.

How to Maintain a Good Nights Sleep

Wake up on a schedule: For these people who are already sleeping well, the number one way to keep doing that is to wake up at the same time, at least five days a week, says Posner. Wake time is the anchor, not bedtime. Light exposure is how you set your internal clock. This is why when people start getting up at different times, they feel jetlagged; a common issue during COVID when rigid work schedules suddenly became relaxed.

Dasgupta suggests maintaining good sleep hygiene by making sleep a priority during the work week. Catching up on your sleep during the weekend may not be enough to stave off the effects of sleep loss, he says.

Eat regularly: Next is to have the same number of meals at roughly the same time each day. When you're going to bed at night, your brain is going to ask, How many meals were there? Is it bedtime yet? says Posner.

RELATED: What Is a Sleep Divorce?

Exercise around the same time each day: Exercise is the same as meals. It should fall at roughly the same time each day.

Separate night from day: Finally, nighttime should be marked. Two hours before bedtime, keep electronic use to a minimum and use blue light filters, says Posner.

Blue light inhibits the body from naturally falling asleep and further impacts sleep quality, says Dasgupta. He recommends turning off electronics 3060 minutes before bedtime, silencing your notifications, and charging your devices away from your bed so you are not tempted to look at social media or news alerts.

Many people keep their cell phones or televisions on overnight, he says. This can be highly distracting.

At least one hour before bedtime stop working and do quieter activities that relax you. This last part is important. If watching the evening news stresses you out, this is not the time to do it.

How to Get Better Sleep If Youre Having Trouble

Dont Compensate: Once trouble has begun, dont compensate for a bad nights sleep, says Posner.

This is precisely when you need to buckle down; Getting up at your normal wake time is more important than ever. Of course your instinct after a bad nights sleep is to sleep in; the very type of compensatory behavior that causes you to throw off your circadian rhythm. Posners advice: Get up at the same time regardless of how you slept.

Don't Alter Your Schedule: People with chronic insomnia start to say, I had a lousy night last night. I can't get that report done today because I'll probably screw it up, says Posner. But when they go to bed the next night, they have more work on their plate, which stresses them.

Get Out of Bed: If you are lying awake the next night, get out of bed. You should never be in bed more than 20 minutes awake. Dont read, write, eat or watch TV in bed, says Dasgupta.

Instead of dwelling on the fact that you cant sleep, get up and do a relaxing activity someplace else. If anybody is on their sofa watching TV and it's hard for them to stay awake and then they get into bed and they're wide awake, that's called conditioned insomnia, says Posner. Because you've spent so many hours in bed in misery, you've conditioned your bed to become a trigger for sleeplessness.

Watch Your Substances: Your time out of bed does not include turning to any beloved substances. Alcohol might make you drowsy, but it will wear off in the middle of the night and fragment sleep. Nicotine is a stimulant, so try not to smoke two hours before bed or in the middle of the night if possible.

In the morning, caffeine is okay, but remember that it has a half-life of five to six hours. Dont drink coffee after lunch, says Dasgupta. It can lead to tossing and turning all night.

Dont Force It: If you can't sleep, do not try to force it. Your body isnt betraying you. Remember that acute insomnia is a normal response to stress, says Posner. It's a call to arms.

Are Any Products Helpful for Beating Insomnia?

Posner does not recommend any special products, due to the rhythm of insomnia. Remember the definition of three or more days a week, he says. Even chronic insomnia has a pattern of a few bad nights followed by a good one. This will be the case no matter what products you use, which means everything will seem to work sometimes.

Dasgupta shared a similar message. If someone finds that a weighted blanket or special earplugs help them fall asleep, they can feel free to use them! he says. Otherwise, theres no reason someone would require additional products other than a comfortable bed in a bedroom that is cool and quiet.

The most important thing to do is seek specialized help. According to a recent survey by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, more than half of Americans say they have experienced an increase in sleep disturbances since the beginning of the COVID pandemic, yet, only 20% of people indicated that they would contact a sleep center to address a sleep disorder.

Sleep hygiene is like dental hygiene, says Posner. It's brushing and flossing. But once you get a cavity, all the brushing and flossing in the world isn't going to fix the cavity.

Our Favorite Sleep Aids

No one product will cure your insomnia, but there are a few options that people have found consistently helpful over the years, from special drinks to favorite blankets. Here are some of the best options you can use to prepare yourself for a good nights sleep:

Best Sleep Tea

Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Extra

The right tea can help you relax before bed time, and the actual act of drinking it can become a ritual that prepares your mind for rest. We love Celestial Seasonings Sleepytime Extra, which is blended with both chamomile and valerian root (long used as a natural sleep aid). It tastes delicious and helps soothe your body before bedtime.

Promising Review: I drink one of these every night. I have terrible insomnia and it takes me hours to fall asleep. Then I don't stay asleep. I drink this a few hours before bed and I find I fall asleep way faster, sometimes only an hour or two after lying down, which is wonderful. Along with a weighted blanket and a sleep mask, the combo is really helping me sleep and get better sleep. I also don't know if it's related, but I haven't had a cold or anything all year, and it's December now.  P. Ferdinand

$20.28 at Amazon.com

Best Weighted Blanket

Waowoo Weighted Blanket (15lbs)

Why do weighted blankets work? Theres no clear explanation yet, but people have advanced many probable ones: the comforting sensation they provide, the sense of restricted movement, or even the security of feeling tucked in to a greater degree. Still, not all weighted blankets are equal. Waowoos offering provides weight and support without overheating you, thanks to the premium fabrics and multi-layered construction.

Promising Review: This blanket is so nice!!! I tend to get cold easily at night and everyone else likes to keep the house cool, so I needed a big heavy blanky to crawl under when Im freezing. I really didnt expect the material to be this soft. The weight is really evenly distributed, like its sewn into place and will not bunch up over time. I like that the case it came in is reusable for storage too during the hottest parts of summer when it will go under the bed.  Chel

$39.99 at Amazon.com

Best Sleep Mask

Unimi Sleep Mask 3D

Ideally, your bedroom will be a quiet, pitch-black place, since light and sound both keep your brain alert and interfere with your natural sleep rhythms. But we dont live in an ideal world. If you like in a city, chances are good youve got a lot of light bleeding into your apartment, even in the early hours of the morning. The solution is a high-quality sleep mask, and Unimis offering fits the bill. Its glass bead interior keeps your face relaxed, even through long hours of wearing, while the 3D design doesnt agitate your eyes.

Promising Review: Great mask! I have chronic insomnia and this sleep mask feels so luxurious and soft! Even though it is weighted, and I was concerned about it feeling heavy and uncomfortable, it is neither heavy nor hot. It can be easily packed for travel and I dont plan to be without it in the future. Im very impressed with the quality and how comfortable this sleep mask truly is! It is also adjustable and will accommodate most head shapes. I will recommend this sleep mask to my girlfriends and purchase a new one whenever my current one needs to be replaced but this is durable material and I dont anticipate needing to replace it anytime soon!  TEXAS1206

$17.99 at Amazon.com

Best Ear Plugs

Flents Ear Plugs (50 Count)

Light is an obvious obstacle to a good nights sleep, but excess noise is even worse. Late-night construction, loud neighbors, partying college students, a snoring spouse  the list of potential noise sources is endless, which is why its a great idea to keep these Flents Ear Plugs on hand. Theyre extremely comfortable, and quickly mold to the unique shape of your ear, and with a Noise Reduction Rating (NRR) rating of 33, theyll shut out most noises and offer you a blissful silence.

Promising Review: I purchased these ear plugs because I suffer from something called annoying neighbors syndrome. I'm not entirely certain of their activities, but I would liken the sounds coming from below and across from my apartment to that of an auto shop or a construction site, perhaps even an airplane hanger. It's particularly horrendous in the evening. Therefore, I have resulted to ear plugs to ensure I get a somewhat worthwhile night of sleep. The contour capabilities of these ear plugs make them incredibly comfortable to wear and the lime green color is particularly stylish, if looks are important while you sleep.... After inserting the ear plugs and allowing them to adjust, silence befell my bedroom. I was able to sleep free from the obnoxious noises that surround my apartment. My only complaint is perhaps these ear plugs work a little too well. I missed my alarm... by an hour and a half. For a full 90 minutes my phone alarm was ring-dingling away and the ear plugs blocked every bit of noise. After the initial panic of being late for work wore off, I was slightly amused that my neighbors had to listen to my alarm while I, for once, slept through their douchbaggery. These will be the only ear plugs I wear from now on. And I'm considering a louder alarm, so suggestions would be helpful.  Claire

$14.99 at Amazon.com

Best App for Sleeping Better

Sleep Cycle

If you only want one app for better sleep, make it Sleep Cycle. It analyzes your sleep patterns, uses smart alarm technology to wake you up at the ideal moment, and offers a variety of soothing sounds, relaxing bedtime stories (often read by celebrities with great voices), and even data-based insights into your unique sleep patterns, all to help you perfect your sleep schedule and wake up feeling more rested.

Promising Review: Am I a morning person? No, absolutely not. Alas, I have a full twelve hour schedule that requires me to be up and ready pretty early in the morning but actually waking the hell up? My body thinks thats a hilarious concept. Im naturally a very deep sleeper, but Im also a night owl who prefers staying up late, so often times Ill find myself in bed from anywhere between 10:30 pm - 12:00 am and then Ill have to wake up at about 6:30 am so I can properly get ready for school and then work afterwards. As a college student with 17 credits its very hard to not be tired. I decided I needed something to help me wake up easier, since sleeping through alarms or waking up a bleary mess and falling back asleep was just not working for me. I gave this a shot as a last ditch attempt and what would you know? It worked. I just used this app once, last night at the time of writing this and boy am I satisfied. I didnt think it would work on me to be entirely honest, but it did and I woke up feeling a lot better than I wouldve with an alarm jolting me awake. This alarm is gradual and soft and even when its time for you to wake up it doesnt fee invasive and obnoxious. Im looking forward to using it continuously!  canipleasejustsum

Find out more at SleepCycle.com

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SUV

The company claims the newly introduced flagship version of the Cayenne family is not just a monster of a high-performancewith 631 hp (640 PS) and 626 lb-ft (849 Nm), but also a crossover with a track-inspired character. Despite all that, it remains capable of delivering a high degree of utility.Under the hood resides the 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8 engine that has been tweaked for an additional 90 ponies compared to the standard Cayenne Turbo Coupe. Meanwhile, the torque was increased from 567 to 626 lb-ft (769 to 849 Nm), and this can only mean one thing. A faster zero to 60 mph (96 kph) sprint time of just 3.1 seconds, while the jump to 62 mph (100 kph) takes a mere 3.3 seconds, which is said to be 0.6s faster than what the regular Turbo can achieve.And Porsche isnt done with the figures. The Cayenne Turbo GT, which only comes in Coupe body style , will also run the quarter-mile in 11.6 seconds and top out at no less than 186 mph (299 kph). The exclusive perks include the development of a special performance-oriented suspension system, along with a set of high-performance tires. As such, the Turbo GT is now 17 mm (0.66 in.) lower than a Turbo, the suspension is 15% stiffer, and the new tires wrap around 22-inch wheels.Additionally, the companys eight-speed Tiptronic S automatic transmission now has faster shift times. Furthermore, the standard Sport Exhaust system has center-mounted tailpipes, and its titanium build along with the lack of a central muffler, has brought a weight save of around 40 lbs (18 kg).Of course, nothing comes cheap . In the United States, the Turbo GT will be available early 2022 with a starting MSRP of $180,800 (plus $1,350 for delivery, processing, and handling) while at home in Germany, it kicks off at no less than 196,078 (but it does arrive faster, from mid-September this year).
The image, captured by Senior Airman Hayden Legg in mid-June and released last week by the U.S. Air Force (USAF), shows a massive HC- 130J Combat King II flying with two helicopters in towan HH-60G Pave Hawk and an HH-60W Jolly Green II.The trio of machines was conducting a heritage flight at Moody Air Force Base in Georgia when the picture was taken (click the main photo to enlarge). The two helicopters are deployed with the 41st Rescue Squadron, a unit part of the 347th Rescue Group that since the early 1950s specializes in search and rescue missions.The Pave Hawk , made by Sikorski, is a 4-people helicopter that can reach a top speed of 221 mph (357 kph) and fly for as much as 373 miles (600 km). It is primarily used for insertion and extraction and packs machine guns for weapons.This machine, first introduced in 1982, will be replaced by the Jolly Green II with which it is flying in the photo. Also made by Sikorsky, it was first shown in the first months of last year as the HH-60W, nicknamed Jolly Green II in honor of the Vietnam-era helicopters.According to the company making it, the new helicopter is based on the UH-60M Black Hawk, just like the Pave Hawk, but comes with an improved fuel system that doubles the fuel capacity of the machine, allowing for longer mission times.The latest when it comes to sensors, defenses, weapons, and cyber-security is also featured on this new machine.
SUV

In order to make its arrival felt, the Korean automaker took to the Swiss Alps last night to create the largest-ever 3D projection of its kind on a mountain, lighting up the cliff face of a big rock near Lauterbrunnen.Genesis claims that the display was 275 meters (902 feet) wide and 180 meters (590 in) high, and it kicked off with the projection of two lines, synonymous to their design language.Images of their vehicles then appeared on the mountain, at around 30 times the size of an average two-story house, and their logo was then projected, thus marking their arrival in Europe, which starts in Germany, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom.The auto firm wants to revolutionize the whole car buying process and ownership experience, by simplifying everything, with a set of principles that respect every customers time and provide exceptional customer service.We offer a car buying and ownership experience, which is stress-free and saves your time, said Genesis Europes Managing Director, Dominique Boesch. By taking care of the details so our customers dont have to, we give them the most precious luxury  their time. We are making a promise to our customers that we will do things differently.Genesis is about to officially open the order books for its vehicles in Europe. The first ones to arrive will be the G80 executive sedan and GV80 luxury. The lineup will then be expanded to include the G70 premium compact sedan and GV70 premium compact SUV, followed by the G70 Shooting Brake that will debut at the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Granted, when finally coming out with an official announcement about the supercharged version of the all-new 2021 Ford F-150, Hennessey wont be able to brag about delivering yet another worlds fastest and most powerful pickup truck. After all, we already know that even FoMoCo itself hasnt dared rival the mighty TRX with its 2021 Raptor.Still, that doesnt mean F-150 fans shouldnt get more out of their pickup truck if they want. And Hennessey Performance Engineering is always eager to oblige, judging by the sheer number of versions it has developed for the previous iterations. Moreover, just to make sure future clients are a bit more patient with the development team, the company has even shared progress on the R&D it has done so far on the 2021 F-150.According to Hennessey, the superchargers for their tweaked version have at long last arrived in Texas. And the team wasted no time kicking off work on the HPE performance upgrade packages for the all-new fourteenth generation. For now, it doesnt say which specific version is being massaged for more horsepower and torque, meaning its anyones guess if were dealing with reworked variants of the HPE650 and HPE750 Supercharged kits or the brand-spanking-new Venom 800 No matter the answer, the mystery will probably get resolved pretty soon. Until then, the aftermarket expert has prepared a white 2021 F-150 XLT as the R&D benchmark against the baseline stock figures. After some Hennessey magic, it already comes with 563 rear-wheel horsepower (215 hp more than stock) and a 508 rear-wheel lb-ft (689 Nm) torque (138 lb-ft/187 Nm over stock). Impressive, right?
HP

kW

A more track-focused version of the regular MINI Electric, the Pacesetter will take on the Goodwood Hill Climb during the racing weekend, driven Charlie Cooper, MINI Ambassador and grandson of the famous John Cooper, who inspired the JCW Division.The MINI Electric Pacesetter offers a glimpse into JCWs electrified future. It was presented to the world back in March, as the new Formula E safety car, and has the FIA and BMW Motorsport behind it.The zero-emission model that was born on the racetrack is easily recognizable, thanks to its aggressive body kit inspired by the John Cooper Works vehicles. It features front splitters, extended wheel arches, and bigger side skirts made of recycled carbon fiber, enclosed grille, huge rear diffuser, and a large wing with a light bar on it. The car rides on two-tone 18-inch wheels and is bedecked with various decals.The Spartan interior has a single seat, for the driver, basic steering wheel, roll cage, and door pull straps. The infotainment system was removed, but the digital instrument cluster is still present.With a 0 to 62 mph (0-100 kph) in 6.7 seconds, the MINI Electric Pacesetter is actually two tenths of a second slower than the 2021 VW Polo GTI that just debuted. It has 181(184 PS / 135) and 207 lb-ft (280 Nm) of torque produced by the electric powertrain, about the same as the regular variant.Besides the Electric Pacesetter, MINI will have its entire range of cars on display, including the regular Electric , Convertible, Hatch, Countryman, and Clubman.Moreover, rally legend Paddy Hopkirk , who won the 1964 Monte Carlo Rally in the Morris Mini Cooper S Mk1, will be at the stand to sign autographs on Saturday, July 10.
Two motorcycle journalists aimed to answer that question, even if that meant the most uncomfortable, painful, and downright dangerous ride of their life. Zack Courts and Ari Henning from Revzilla asked themselves What if? about the characters trip from Nebraska to Aspen, Colorado, and then set out to answer it.The result is a 30-minute video that rivals the 3-minute sequence in the film in terms of humor and tops it in terms of danger. Zack and Ari built their own mini bike, which they strove to make as close to the movie version as possible: with just 6.5 hp, it rode on tiny 5-inch wheels, had no suspension, and a seat that could barely fit two grown men as long as they didnt mind huddling up close.Ari and Zack didnt mind, mostly because of the cold weather and heavy winds they faced on their nearly 400-mile (644-km) journey. It lasted several days and saw them go through two and a half rear tires, 7 gallons (26.4 liters) of gas, and one round of wind-resistant, battery-heated clothes. Still, they made it to Aspen in one piece.To avoid going on the interstate ( the hoggie was road legal, but it barely did 35 mph/56 kph and was likely to change direction whenever the passenger moved or they were passed by a larger vehicle), the two journos had to take two different sections of dirt road. The already-shoddy brake almost gave way completely downhill, and they were soon forced to use both pair of legs for braking. Furthermore, their entire bodies went numb from the lack of suspension, yet they were still able to complete the stretches quicker than anticipated.In the end, this ultimate (and ultimately dumb) road trip proved that even a movie as ridiculous as Dumb and Dumber is anchored in reality. The scene that takes 3 minutes of screentime in the film, showing the characters making their way from Nebraska to Colorado, in Aspen (which they wrongfully assume is in California) can be replicated in real life, Zack and Ari have shown. But you have to be really dumb to try it and, just as importantly, have a friend to match you in dumbness.
Russia's ISS Progress 78 resupply ship blasted off today at 7:27pm ET and will dock to the station on Thursday at 9:03pm. More... https://t.co/i174ZK82TS pic.twitter.com/oGgR4kJIFn  International Space Station (@Space_Station) June 29, 2021

Russia successfully launched its Progress MS-17 cargo spacecraft on June 29, at 7:27 pm EDT (Eastern Daylight Time), from the Russian space agency Roscosmos Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. A Soyuz rocket was used for lift-off.The cargo ship, called the Progress 78 mission by NASA, is scheduled to dock to Russias segment on the ISS (International Space Station) on Thursday, July 1. You can watch the docking process on NASA TV . This is the 78th mission of this particular Progress ship, hence the number in its name. However, other Progress spacecraft were sent in mission on the ISS, with this one actually being the 169th.Progress 78 is now on its two-day trip on the orbit before it docks at the Poisk module on the Russian segment and will spend a total of five months there. It will relocate this October on Nauka, a multipurpose laboratory module that will launch to space this July. Nauka stands for science in Russian.This will be the last mission of this Progress ship, as later in November, Progress 78 will reentry into Earths atmosphere resulting in its safe destruction, according to NASA.Theres a lot of activity lately involving the International Space Station. ESA (European Space Agency) and NASA astronauts were busy recently installing boosting the power on the Space Station by installing a new solar array.The European Space Agency was also busy getting its European Robotic Arm ready for launch on the ISS . The machine is scheduled for launch on July 15 and will be used on the Russian segment of the Station, which is unreachable for the other already existent robotic arms on the ISS, Canadarm2, and the Japanese Experiment Module Remote Manipulator System.
Those of you looking for some new wheels should really keep an eye out for ongoing Bring a Trailer auctions, which enable dozens of mechanical creatures to find a caring home on a daily basis.For instance, the bike youre looking at here is an impeccable 1997 Ducati 916 thats been owned by a single individual, who rode in its saddle for just 3,000 miles (4,800 km). The Italian beast is out looking for a loving owner as we speak, and the top bidder offers 16 grand to get their hands on this marvel (for the time being). If you think you can best that, you may submit your bid until Tuesday, July 6.The Duc is put in motion by an unforgiving 916cc V-twin behemoth with four desmodromic valves per cylinder and a compression ratio of 11.0:1. This liquid-cooled mill produces up to 109 untamed horses at 9,000 rpm and 66 pound-feet (89 Nm) of torque at 7,000 revs.A six-speed gearbox is tasked with channeling the engines unholy force to the rear hoop via a chain final drive, leading to a top speed of 161 mph (260 kph). Furthermore, Bolognas two-wheeled missile can accelerate from zero to 62 mph (100 kph) in as little as 3 seconds flat. The powertrain goodies are housed inside a steel trellis frame, which sits on 43-mm (1.7-inch) inverted Showa forks up front and an adjustable monoshock at the rear.On the front wheel, stopping power is provided by dual 320-mm (12.6-inch) brake rotors and four-piston Brembo calipers, accompanied by a single 220-mm (8.7-inch) disc and a twin-piston caliper at the other end. Without going into other details, well conclude by saying that youve got every reason to check this graceful Duc out.
The vast majority of moto-loving gearheads out there seem to have a certain affinity for old-school rides produced in the United Kingdom. It goes without saying that Britains most prominent classic two-wheelers come from Norton and the enduring Triumph. Despite troublesome events that plagued the formers history, other manufacturers machines dont even hold a candle to priceless artifacts like the Manx or the iconic Commando.Speaking of Nortons twin-cylinder legend, what were about to tell you will probably make your day. As youre reading these very words, a revamped 1973 MY Commando 850 is searching for a new home on Bring a Trailer. The English showstopper is up for grabs until Monday evening (July 5), but surpassing the current bid may prove to be rather costly.For the time being, the top bidder offers a generous $10,000 to bring this gem into their driveway. Mind you, describing the restoration work performed on the 73 Commando as extensive would be an understatement, so its fairly safe to say this bad boy is worth every last penny. Lets examine whats at hand here.As of 2018, the bikes powertrain was subjected to a complete makeover, which consisted of refurbishing its four-speed gearbox and 828cc parallel-twin mill. Moreover, the overhauled engine received a fresh pair of FCR35 carbs from Keihin and an electronic ignition unit, plus a hydraulic clutch mechanism developed by Barnett.You will also spot a single-seater Corbin saddle replacing the factory item, while rear suspension duties are taken good care of by dual Hagon shocks. In 2019, both wheels were fitted with new bearings and grippy RoadRider tires that hail from Avons inventory.The cockpit carries a premium master cylinder developed by Brembo, Magura levers, and a round bar-end mirror mounted on the left-hand side. After reading this description, its not hard to see why you should really consider adopting this spotless Commando 850
The 6.2-liter supercharged V8 that came from the factory and delivered a massive 650 hp is no longer present, being replaced by an LME 390 ci (6.39-liter) unit. The new V8 works with a pair of turbochargers (these are 68/71 billet units), among others, so it pushes the car well into four-digit output territory (over 1,400 hp is a reasonable expectation).Justin Keith, the owner of the Chevy , wanted nothing short of a drag racing animal, which is why the whole setup is savage, from the TH400 tranny to the Weld beadlock rear wheels shod in Mickey Thompson ET Street Radial Pro rubberthese tires are not street-legal.As a result of all the work, the Camaro ZL1 can now deliver mid-8s passes, so this driver doesn't have to worry about coming across the brand-spanking new Tesla Model S Plaid with its low-9s attitude And when the machine recently hit the US 131 Motorsports Park in Michigan for the Street Car Takeover event, it managed to grab some sweet wins. For instance, the Chevy one-upped what appears to be a 1970 Oldsmobile Cutlass with a Procharger while keeping the audience on its toes (i.e., the two were separated by just 0.02s).Then again, you can't win them all, as a battle against a Fox Body Mustang that had also sold its soul to the turbo devil came to show.We have little data about this hatchback model, but its uber-thin competition seats, roll cage and custom wheels/tires are there for a reason, while the quarter-mile time of the Ford speaks for itself.And while this Blue Oval-dominated run awaits you at the 4:40 point of the clip below (lens tip to Drag Racing and Car Stuff), those other races also involve a Turbo Pontiac Trans Am. So yes, it was a forced-induction party.
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The crisis cannot be deemed resolved because the team that caused the crisis remains in power. In essence, the pre-term elections did not serve the purpose of their conduct, Kocharian said during a post-election conference of his Hayastan (Armenia), the official runner-up in the polls won by Prime Minister Nikol Pashinians Civil Contract party.

This means that we wont have answers [to the questions about] why we lost [the war in Nagorno-Karabakh], why we suffered 5,000 casualties  Do you think that in the absence of answers to these questions we can have internal political solidarity and stability in Armenia? No, we cant, we cant, he told hundreds of Hayastan activists.

My forecast is that we are very likely to have early elections in about one and a half years from now, he added in a speech.

A senior Civil Contract figure, Alen Simonian, dismissed Kocharians claims. His evaluations are based on his wishes and ideas, Simonian told RFE/RLs Armenian Service.

Simonian insisted that the serious crisis triggered by Armenias defeat in the six-week war stopped by a Russian-brokered ceasefire last November is over. The parliament was elected for a five-year term, and I think its wrong to make any other forecast, he said.

Kocharian again questioned the official election results which showed Pashinians party winning about 54 percent of the vote, compared with 21 percent polled by Hayastan. He reaffirmed his blocs decision to challenge them in Armenias Constitutional Court.

Former President Serzh Sarkisians opposition Pativ Unem alliance, which finished a distant third in the polls, also plans to appeal to the court.

Pashinian and his associates have described the elections as free and fair, citing their largely positive assessment by local and international monitors.

Pashinian, who harshly criticized the two main opposition forces during the election campaign, last week expressed readiness to embark on a dialogue with his political opponents, citing extremely serious post-war challenges facing the country.

But in a clear reference to the two ex-presidents, the prime minister also said that they must immediately negotiate with his administration on returning what was stolen from the people or risk a crackdown by law-enforcement authorities.

Kocharian again construed that as a clear sign that Pashinian has no intention to change his confrontational attitudes towards opposition forces and will continue persecuting them. He said his bloc will be in radical opposition to the current government.

We will combine our parliamentary work with a fight in the streets and a fight through the media, he said.

The ex-president already indicated last week that Hayastan will likely take up its 29 seats in Armenias new 107-member parliament if the official vote results are upheld by the Constitutional Court.
Speaking one week after being accused of ordering a physical assault on one of those mayors, Aram Khachatrian claimed that Civil Contracts victory in the snap elections also amounted to a vote of no confidence in them. He also indicated that some of them will face criminal charges soon.

In my subjective view, these people must resign and again participate in [local] elections to understand whether or not people trust them, said Khachatrian. This is the only civilized path.

During the 12-day election campaign Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian pledged to wage political vendettas against local government officials supporting the opposition. Shortly after the announcement of the election results, his chief of staff, Arsen Torosian, effectively demanded that those officials step down.

Armenian media outlets reported in the following days that several provincial governors, including Khachatrian, are summoning pro-opposition village mayors and pressuring them to resign.

Arsen Titanian, the mayor of the Lori village of Odzun, claimed on June 23 to have been beaten up by Khachatrians subordinates inside the provincial administration building after telling the governor that he will not resign.

Armenias Special Investigative Service launched a criminal inquiry into the reported incident, formally recognizing Titanian as a victim. But the law-enforcement agency has not charged anyone so far.

Khachatrian again denied ordering the alleged beating of the village chief supporting former President Robert Kocharians Hayastan alliance, the official runner-up in the snap elections.

The heads of several other rural communities of Lori also backed Hayastan or former President Serzh Sarkisians Pativ Unem bloc during the parliamentary race. They include Mher Gevorgian, the longtime mayor of the village of Gyulagarak and several smaller villages making up a single community.

Gevorgian made clear that although the ruling party scored a landslide victory in his community he will not bow to the government pressure.

Why should I resign? he told RFE/RLs Armenian Service. I was elected by the [local] people. If the people say, Dear Mher, resign, I will resign. If not  I will even run in the next [local] election.

Odzuns Titanian similarly reiterated that he intends to serve out his fourth term in office which ends in autumn 2022.

Khachatrian, who was appointed as provincial governor by the central government, claimed that at least some of the pro-opposition mayors tried to force local residents not to vote for Pashinians party or attend its campaign rallies. They will be held accountable soon, he said without naming anyone or giving other details.

Meanwhile, the Union of Communities of Armenia, which represents the countrys elected local administrations, condemned on Wednesday attempts to get rid of dissident mayors as illegal and undemocratic.

Local self-government bodies are not part of the central executive authority, the unions chairman Emin Yeritsian, said in a statement. They are not changed as a result of parliamentary elections.

Hayastans leadership condemned the government pressure last week.

Individuals linked to the opposition bloc run many towns and villages in southeastern Syunik province. They demanded Pashinians resignation shortly after Armenias defeat in the autumn war with Azerbaijan. At least three of them were prosecuted on different charges in the following months.
Pashinian complained that less than 3 percent of Armenias population has received a first or second dose of a coronavirus vaccine in the last two and a half months.

As of now, we have about 80,000 vaccinated citizens, which is a very small figure, he said at the start of the meeting. We must manage to solve this issue. In order to raise this indicator to a proper level, a lot of work needs to be done, first and foremost in the area of public relations.

Pashinian sought to allay the populations lingering fears of life-threatening side-effects of the vaccines. He argued that none of the vaccinated Armenians has died or had serious health problems so far.

Pashinian said the Ministry of Health and other government agencies must do more to encourage people to get vaccinated.

According to a government statement on the meeting, he set specific vaccination rate targets for the heads of those agencies.

The Armenian government has so far imported more than 200,000 doses of vaccines manufactured by Russia, China and the Anglo-Swedish company AstraZeneca.

The statement cited Health Minister Anahit Avanesian as saying that Armenia will receive soon fresh batches of these and other vaccines. It did not give any numbers.

Despite the very slow pace of vaccination and a continuing lax enforcement of sanitary rules, the daily number of new coronavirus cases reported by the Armenian Ministry of Health began steadily declining in mid-April and fell to the lowest level in a year early this month.

The ministry said on Wednesday morning that 128 people tested positive for COVID-19 in the past 24 hours, down from over 1,000 cases a day repeatedly recorded in the country of about 3 million in the first half of April.

Gayane Sahakian, the deputy head of the ministrys Center for Disease Control and Prevention, warned last week that cases will likely soar again in the coming weeks.
YARNELL, AZ (3TV/CBS 5) - Wednesday marks the eighth anniversary of the deadliest wildfire in Arizona history. The Yarnell Hill Fire claimed the lives of 19 members of the Granite Mountain Hotshots. All but one crew member died in the wildfire south of Prescott after a change in wind direction pushed the flames back toward their position. People all around the state will be spending the day remembering the brave crews who lost their lives.

Flags lowered to half staff

Gov. Doug Ducey has ordered flags at all state buildings be lowered to half-staff on Wednesday in honor of the Hotshots who died. Our governor has called June 30, 2013, one of the most tragic days in state history.

Arizona lost 19 heroic firefighters eight years ago to one of the most devastating wildfires in state history," he said in a statement. "These brave men gave their all in defense of our communities, and their service remains among the greatest ever known to our state. We will never forget their sacrifice. When the Yarnell Hill Fire struck, the Granite Mountain Hotshots defended Arizona communities against the flames without hesitation. They didnt shy away from their duties, and did everything they could to protect those in harms way. Today we remember the heroism of these firefighters, and send thoughts and prayers to their families, loved ones and the entire wildland fire community. We also honor those who are fighting wildfires across Arizona today, and are grateful for their selflessness, bravery and dedication to protecting fellow Arizonans.

Memorial highway

Also in honor of the Hotshots, a stretch of State Route 89 that runs through Yarnell and Prescott is being renamed in honor of the fallen firefighters. It will be called the Granite Mountain Hotshots Memorial Highway. Signs were placed along the roadway Tuesday by ADOT and the City of Prescott.

Hall of Flame displays buggy

The Hall of Flame Museum of Firefighting in Phoenix is now home to Transport Buggy 7A, one of the two vehicles that carried the Granite Mountain Hotshots on many calls throughout the west, including the tragic last day of their lives.

Lew and Marcie Theokas, grandparents of one of the Hotshots, Garret Zuppiger, visited the buggy at the museum on Tuesday. Marcie remembers asking Garrett if he would be fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire. "Oh, c'mon, Grandma. You knew I'd be on this fire," he told her.

"It is a hard day," Lew acknowledged. "But if you talk to any of the friends and family that knew any of these young men you hear the same thing again and again. You hear what a loving person he was, compassionate, outgoing and loyal. All of the same adjectives about all of them. And they all had, in their own way, outstanding lives."

"Whenever you spoke with him on the phone, he wouldn't hang up until he said, 'I love you, grandpa,'" said Lew. They remember Garret as loving and energetic. "He was a wonderful young man, and we miss him," said Lew.

The transport buggy brings back so many memories for the grandparents. "Last time we were behind this piece of equipment, we were getting into the back door to ride in the Hotshot buggy to Garret's funeral," said Marcie. "It has a lot of deep meaning for us I guess you could say," Lew added.

"We miss him," Lew continued. "Of course we miss him. And on that day we miss him more."

Scholarships funded

Three of the firefighters killed -Jesse Steed, Travis Turbyfill and William Warneke - were Marine Corps veterans. Their sacrifice is being honored this week with the announcement of new scholarships in their names. The three $5,000 scholarships were funded through the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.

Preference for each of the scholarships will be given to the children of Marines or Navy Corpsmen from Yavapai County. The Granite Mountain crew, the first certified municipal Hotshot team in the nation, was based in Yavapai County. Those interested in applying for one of the scholarships can do so at mcsf.org by adding Granite Mountain Hotshots to the application form.

Memorial service at park

In 2019, a memorial to the Hotshots was erected in Yarnell. Yarnell Hill Fire Memorial Park features a stage, an amphitheater, and a story wall that tells the tale of the fire. The park's centerpiece is a pile of boulders, where the iconic photo of the Granite Mountain Hotshots forming a human pyramid has been etched into metal. On Wednesday at 4 p.m., the Town of Yarnell will pay tribute to the Hotshots at the park with a ringing of bells, and a reading of the names of the fallen.

Yavapai County Courthouse bell ringing

Also on Wednesday, the Yavapai County Courthouse in downtown Prescott will ring the bell 19 times, beginning at 4:42 p.m. This will be a silent moment of reflection.
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Ex-Garcetti lawyer says mayor intervened after adviser pushed up against her in an elevator
2 children among those found in Surfside condo rubble as death toll rises to 18
FILE - In this Jan. 11, 2017, shows President-elect Donald Trump, left, his chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg, center, and his son Donald Trump Jr., right, attend a news conference in the lobby of Trump Tower in New York. Manhattan prosecutors have informed Donald Trumps company that it could soon face criminal charges stemming from a long-running investigation into the former presidents business dealings. The New York Times reported that charges could be filed against the Trump Organization as early as next week related to fringe benefits the company gave to top executives, such as use of apartments.
Billy Preston (B.P. or Bill) Miller, age 91 of North Tazewell, VA passed away Friday, July 2, 2021 at his home. Born March 16, 1930 in Boissevain, VA he was the only son of the late Ernest and Willie Miller who were from Abbs Valley, VA. Bill was a member of Main Street United Methodist Chur


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This article, Robocalls are out of control. But that could change after June 30, originally appeared on CNET.com.

A big deadline in the fight to beat back those annoying robocalls is coming June 30. As of that date, every major voice provider in the US, including phone companies AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile and cable provider Comcast, will have to implement a technology called Stir/Shaken.

That's good news for everyone whose phone has been jangling with bogus phone calls involving health-related scams, expiring car warranties and fake banks offering nonexistent interest-rate discounts for credit cards. For years, the scourge of illegal robocalls has plagued the public. It's the No. 1 consumer complaint and a top priority at the Federal Communications Commission.

US consumers have received just under 22 billion robocalls in the first five months of the year, on pace to hit over 52 billion robocalls for the year, according to YouMail, a company specializing in blocking robocalls.

Robocalls use automated dialers and recorded messages. To be fair, not all robocalls are bad or annoying. Some businesses and public entities use robocalls to communicate important information. For example, your pharmacy may use an automated recording to tell you your prescription is ready to be picked up, or your kids' school may be alerting you to a snow day. These are legitimate robocalls, and they require that consumers sign up to receive them.

Then there are the illegal robocallers. Because robocalls are cheap to make, they've been exploited by scammers all over the world, who use them to defraud billions of dollars from Americans every year. The problem has gotten so bad that many of us don't answer the phone when it rings, especially if it's an unfamiliar number on the caller ID. All too often, scammers disguise their phone numbers to trick people into answering.

An end to these annoying and costly calls could be on the horizon thanks to the implementation of Stir/Shaken, which will require voice providers to verify where calls are coming from. That's where the FCC's June 30 deadline comes in. To help you get a handle on that and other efforts to stamp out robocalls, CNET has put together this FAQ.

What's Stir/Shaken?

"Stir" stands for "secure telephone identity revisited," and "Shaken" for "signature-based handling of asserted information using tokens." Stir is the technical protocol, and Shaken is the framework by which calls can be tracked in the new robocall mitigation database.

The way it works is that Stir/Shaken technology ensures that calls traveling through phone networks have their caller ID "signed" as legitimate by originating carriers and validated by other carriers before the calls reach you. In short, the technology authenticates a phone call's origin and makes certain the information on the Caller ID matches.

What's 'caller ID spoofing'?

Spoofing is when callers disguise their identity by deliberately falsifying the information transmitted to your caller ID display. Scammers do this to make calls less easily traceable. Also, by using so-called neighbor spoofing, which makes it appear as though the number is a local one you may already know or trust, scammers try to trick you into picking up a call.

Is spoofing illegal?

Under the Truth in Caller ID Act, the FCC's rules prohibit any person or entity from transmitting misleading or inaccurate caller ID information with the intent to defraud, cause harm, or wrongly obtain anything of value. Spoofing isn't illegal if there's no intent to cause harm.

Illegal spoofers can face fines of up to $10,000 per violation of the law.

Spoofing that's intended to hide identity can be permitted under certain circumstances. For example, law enforcement agencies working on cases, victims of domestic violence, or doctors wishing to discuss private medical matters may all be exempt from these rules.

What's the Traced Act? How will that stop robocalls?

The Traced (Telephone Robocall Abuse Criminal Enforcement and Deterrence) Act, was signed into law in December 2019 by President Donald Trump. It basically makes compliance with the Stir/Shaken technology mandatory for all voice service providers.

The law directed the FCC to come up with rules to require voice providers to implement the technology within 18 months.

What's the June 30 deadline about?

The FCC has set a deadline of June 30 for companies that provide phone service to implement Stir/Shaken, the call verification system that'll make it harder for scammers to hide their numbers. Phone companies will also have to publish robocall prevention strategies in a public database.

The program was created in late 2019 by the Traced Act. The FCC released the standards in March 2020, and it set a deadline for service providers to comply by the end of June 2021.

Major phone companies, such as AT&T, Verizon and T-Mobile, as well as cable provider Comcast, have said they're implementing Stir/Shaken. Multiple carriers asked for an extension, but the FCC denied those petitions in March.

Does this mean we'll see a huge drop in robocalls come July 1?

That's the hope. But sadly, it probably won't be the reality. For one thing, some carriers have already been implementing Stir/Shaken. So the deadline won't necessarily mark a hard switchover for most phone companies. It's a technology and framework they've been implementing and deploying for a while.

The second reason is that scammers are always coming up with new ways to make illegal robocalls. The sad truth is that making these calls is cheap and scamming people is lucrative.

"It ends up being a game of whack-a-mole," FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr said in an interview with CNET in May. "So the long-term solution is still difficult. We'll see how much progress we can make."

Will all carriers be required to hit this deadline?

Previously, the FCC had given small providers, those with fewer than 100,000 subscribers, until June 30, 2023, to implement Stir/Shaken. The extension would allow smaller providers to evaluate the implementation costs and plan deployment. But the FCC said in April that there's evidence a large volume of illegal robocalls are coming from a subset of smaller providers, so the agency has proposed bumping up the deadline for these carriers by a full year.

What's the government been doing to stop illegal robocalls?

The Department of Justice, the Federal Trade Commission and the FCC have worked together to combat robocalls. In March 2020, the DOJ won an injunction against two internet telephone providers that allegedly transmitted hundreds of millions of calls to consumers.

What about the FCC?

The agency has stepped up its enforcement, sending cease-and-desist letters to carriers that facilitate scam calls and imposing fines on illegal robocallers. In one case, the FCC fined Texas telemarketers $225 million for spoofing roughly 1 billion robocalls.

Though the June 30 date is the deadline for carriers to implement Stir/Shaken, many carriers have already started using the technology. As these carriers have gotten Stir/Shaken working, it's gotten easier for the FCC to track down carriers that illegally transmit calls. And it could potentially get even easier as all carriers meet the deadline for implementation.

"We need to use every tool we have to get these junk calls off of our networks," acting FCC Chair Jessica Rosenworcel said in a statement in May. "From these new cease-and-desist letters to STIR/SHAKEN implementation to large fines and our robocall mitigation database, we are going to do everything we can to protect consumers from these nuisance calls," Rosenworcel said. "We're not going to stop until we get robocallers, spoofers, and scammers off the line."

Carr noted in an interview with CNET in May that there isn't a silver bullet for stopping these calls. Multiple technologies and policies are needed to address this issue, he said.

"I think combined that's what's going to break the back of these robocallers," Carr said. "If it doesn't, then we've got to continue to innovate and find more technologies that are going to stop this, because certainly the bad actors that are out there have a profit motive to find a way around these systems."

Is there any more movement in Congress to get tougher?

Earlier this month, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, both Democrats from New York, introduced the Deter Obnoxious, Nefarious, and Outrageous Telephone (Do Not) Call Act to increase penalties for individuals and companies intentionally preying on consumers through unsolicited and illegal robocalls.

The bill would:

Clarify violations under the Telephone Consumer Protection Act, which outlaws robocalls.

Allow prison terms of up to one year for willfully and knowingly violating the TCPA.

Allow prison terms of up to three years for aggravated violations of the TCPA.

Double the maximum penalties under the TCPA for falsifying caller ID, from $10,000 to $20,000.

"Americans are desperate to 'hang up the phone' and the DO NOT Call Act is the antidote we need to cut the cord on 'spoofing' scams that target especially elderly New Yorkers," Schumer said in a statement.

Gillibrand added, "This vital piece of legislation will give the FCC the tools needed to combat scammers who grossly violate the Telephone Consumer Protection Act and, all too often, target and defraud senior Americans."
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Donald Rumsfeld, who served as the United States Secretary of Defense from 1975-1977 and 2001-2006, has died, his family announced in a statement on Wednesday. He was 88.

It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Donald Rumsfeld, an American statesman and devoted husband, grandfather and great grandfather. At 88, he was surrounded by family in his beloved Taos, New Mexico, the statement reads. History may remember him for his extraordinary accomplishments over six decades of public service, but for those who knew him best and whose lives were forever changed as a result, we will remember his unwavering love for his wife Joyce, his family and friends, and the integrity he brought to a life dedicated to country.

A statement from the family of Donald Rumsfeld: pic.twitter.com/AlKYxVvqgF  Donald Rumsfeld (@RumsfeldOffice) June 30, 2021

After attending Princeton University and serving three years in the U.S. Navy, Rumsfeld began his career as a Republican representative in Congress from 1963 to 1969, where he was a co-sponsor of the Freedom of Information Act.

He was appointed to head the Office of Economic Opportunity by President Richard Nixon in 1969, and in 1974, he served as President Gerald Fords chief of staff. Rumsfeld became the youngest Secretary of Defense under Ford from 1975-1977, and he held the same position again under President George W. Bush from 2001-2006.

Rumsfeld played a central role in the invasion of Afghanistan and Iraq. Before and during the Iraq War, he was an ardent believer that the country held an active stockpile of weapons of mass destruction, despite insufficient evidence. His tenure during the Iraq War was controversial due to his support of torture and the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal.

In 2011, Rumsfeld published a memoir titled Known and Unknown, which covered his experience in the House of Representatives and serving in the Ford and Bush administrations during Watergate, the Vietnam War and the Iraq War. He was portrayed by Steve Carell in the 2018 Oscar-winning movie Vice, about the career of Vice President Dick Cheney.

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Stuart Damon, who was best known for his role on General Hospital, has died. He was 84.

Hed been struggling with renal failure for the last several years, ABC7 reporter George Pennacchio confirmed in a Facebook post. He was a kind, loving and friendly man. Its something Christopher heard his entire life. It was my honor to know Stuart Damon. May this Prince R.I.P.

Damon devoted over 30 years of his life to playing Dr. Alan Quartermaine on ABCs General Hospital and spinoff Port Charles. With the role, he earned six Daytime Emmy nominations and won in 1999  22 years after joining the cast  for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series.

The New York native was born in Brooklyn Feb. 5, 1937 and later went on to graduate from Brandeis University in 1958. He first took his talents to Broadway in 1959 in the ensemble of First Impressions and then spent over a year in the original production of Irma la Douce.

Bringing his theatrical prowess to the screen, Damons status grew with his performance in CBS 1965 production of Rodgers & Hammersteins Cinderella as the prince. He then jumped to London and appeared in a number of musicals and television shows, including The Champions, Charlie Girl, Man of Magic and The New Avengers.

Through the aughts, Damon stayed in the world of soap operas and joined Days of Our Lives as Gov. Jim Ford and As the World Turns as Ralph Manzo for a number of episodes. His other television credits include Fantasy Island, Naked City, Hotel and Yanks Go Home.

Damon is survived by wife Deirdre Ottewill, who he was married to for 60 years, and their children Jennifer and Christopher.

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Mayor Robin Mouton affixed her signature Tuesday to her first official document.

But the city didnt take it easy on her during her first meeting in the center chair. Instead, the council sat through a relatively-long meeting to discuss water-quality issues and the conversion of a reserve truck into a high-water rescue vehicle, two issues that she ran on during her campaign.

Were off to a good start, she said after the regular meeting concluded  some four hours after then-Mayor Becky Ames announced the mayoral runoff election vote canvass and Mouton was sworn into office.

As rousing cheers rocked the council chambers, Ames pinned on Mouton a City of Beaumont medallion, hugged her and gave up the seat she had occupied for 14 years.

Chambers and an overflow room were packed with more than 150 well-wishers, past and present officeholders and surprise guests like Mayor Mary Dennis of Live Oak, a city in Bexar County near San Antonio, who has known Mouton for years.

A reception in the city hall lobby followed Moutons swearing in. She used her grandmother Ida Herberts Bible. Her pastor, the Rev. Edison Colbert Jr., of Paradise Baptist Church, gave the invocation.

We celebrate a new mayor, a new beginning and we thank the old administration, he said.

At the conclusion of the meeting, Mouton said she feels honored by the community outpouring.

I look forward to serving all the citizens of Beaumont, she said.

One of the citys longstanding issues is water discoloration, which has been caused in part by varying water pressure across the 877 miles of city water pipes and a later-than-usual infusion to help burn away residual chlorine in the system. That work is better done in early spring, said public works director Bart Bartkowiak.

All cities will have brownish water from time to time, he said.

We have hundreds of miles of pipe. Were trying to flush (the brown water) as best we can.

The city is working on directional flushing, which isolates areas where brown water is occurring to check for leaks and open hydrants. That clears out the system before introducing fresh water. However, the unequal pressure also stirs up sediment left in the pipes, he said.

But the city said the water still is safe to drink.

In fact, city water customers soon will receive an annual report on water quality, Bartkowiak said. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality also inspects Beaumonts water quality once every three months, and the city operates its own state-certified lab testing.

We test monthly for chlorine residuals and for harmful bacteria, Bartkowiak said.

Once the citys Loeb well, a second water source that comes from Hardin County, is restored to service next month, the water mix should be 70% from the Neches and 30% from the wells. Hayes said that will help resolve discoloration issues.

The city also will start conversion work on one of its reserve brush pickups instead of sending it to auction. The conversion to a high-water rescue will cost about $70,000, but is much cheaper than buying a surplus military vehicle for that purpose, Hayes said.

The conversion will include a lift to help disabled people get aboard and should have clearance to make rescues in about 30 inches of floodwater.

During Tropical Storm Harvey, city fire trucks dispatched for high-water rescues suffered expensive damage because they are not designed for such missions.

Council is off next week and will reconvene July 13.

Dan Wallach is a

freelance writer.
The Big Thicket National Preserve saw more than 300,000 visitors in 2020, who in turn spent $20.3 million in nearby communities.

The COVID-19 pandemic may have kept people out of large gatherings, instead encouraging them to explore their own backyards. In Southeast Texas, that backyard includes the Big Thicket National Preserve.

The spending had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $26.7 million and supported more than 250 jobs in the area, according to a news release.

The Thicket has employs more than 30 people, preserve spokesperson Megan Urban said, but many more jobs are impacted by visits to the Big Thicket.

We can see over 200 jobs impacted by Big Thicket, she said. That could be anything from hotel clerks, restaurant servers  the service industry does rely on industries like the Park Service for visitors.

As vaccination rates have increased, the preserve also has increased visitors access to the park, preserve superintendent Wayne Prokopetz said in a news release.

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We welcome people back to the park and are excited to share the story of this place and the experience it provides, he said. If we have learned one thing from the past year, it is that our visitors love Big Thicket, and we are excited to see them again on our ranger-led programs in the coming months.

Urban said the preserve over the past five years has seen the number of visitors increase about 150%.

Every month we do visitation counts, and we have seen anywhere between 50 to 70% higher visitation last month from this time last year, she said.

Urban said the park not only spurs investment into nearby businesses, but it also provides another attraction for people who may move to Southeast Texas for a job.

Having a national park service site close to their new hometown is a draw, Urban said. Theres not many places that you can drive 15 minutes and go hiking on a national park site.

Nationwide, more than 237 million park visitors contributed $14.5 billion of direct spending in communities within 60 miles of a national park, supporting approximately 234,000 jobs. According to the NPS report, this contributed a cumulative benefit of $28.6 billion to the U.S. economy.

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NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  Ethiopias government on Wednesday said its military could re-enter the capital of its embattled Tigray region within weeks, calling into question the unilateral cease-fire it declared in Tigray just days ago.

Ethiopia also asserted that soldiers from neighboring Eritrea, who had been collaborating with Ethiopian forces, had withdrawn from Tigray. That could not immediately be confirmed and Eritrean officials did not respond to questions, but the withdrawal would be another major development in the nearly eight-month war.

Redwan Hussein, spokesman for the Tigray emergency task force, spoke to reporters in Ethiopias first public remarks since its soldiers retreated from the Tigray capital and other parts of the region on Monday in a dramatic turn in the fighting.

The Tigray forces that have retaken key areas after some of the war's fiercest fighting have rejected the cease-fire, telling The Associated Press it was a sick joke and vowing to chase out Ethiopian and Eritrean forces.

There will be no negotiations with Ethiopia until communications, transport and other services that have been cut or destroyed for much of the war are restored, the Tigray forces' spokesman, Getachew Reda, told the AP on Wednesday.

We have to make sure that every inch of our territory is returned to us, the rightful owners, Getachew said, adding that Ethiopian forces are still fighting to regain territory and Eritrean forces still control a significant part of the region.

That contrasted with Redwan's comment that the Eritrean army has withdrawn from Tigray. He didn't respond to questions for more details. The United States on Tuesday said it had not yet seen a statement from Eritrea saying it was committed to the cease-fire.

The situation in Tigray remained extremely fluid," the United Nations said, adding that Tigray forces now control the regional capital, Mekele, as well as Shire and the towns of Axum, Adwa and Adigrat.

One aid worker told the AP their organizations internal assessments showed that Eritrean forces had only pulled back to border areas. The aid worker, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation, added that several thousand Tigray fighters passed through Shire on Wednesday morning, saying they were going to Hitsats to the west to fight.

The long-time president of Eritrea, Isaias Afwerki, has long been an enemy of Tigrays leaders, who for years dominated key positions in Ethiopia's government and military before being sidelined by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Witnesses have accused the Eritrean soldiers of some of the worst atrocities in the conflict.

We will do anything in our power to make sure that Isaias will never be a threat again, the Tigray forces' spokesman said. Eritrea shares a long border with the Tigray region along which it and Ethiopia fought a war in 1998-2000.

With the current war likely to continue, the fate of more than 1 million Tigrayans in hard-to-reach areas is in question as Ethiopia and authorities on the ground are accused of blocking access for the delivery of aid. Phone and internet services remain cut.

Ethiopia has said it declared the cease-fire in part on humanitarian grounds, but said it would end once the crucial farming season in Tigray is over, which means September.

Seeking to explain this week's dramatic retreat, Ethiopian Lt. Gen. Bacha Debele on Wednesday said the military had to move forces from Tigray to face bigger threats" and referred to the border, but denied the possibility of a conflict with neighboring Sudan over disputed lands.

Some observers expressed concern that the warring sides wouldn't use this new period to pursue a peaceful resolution in Tigray.

The fear is that the Tigrayan forces are not going to be interested in negotiating, even though they are now in a position of strength, said Ahmed Soliman, a researcher with Chatham House. The (Ethiopian) government might also use this period (of rainy season) to regroup and reinforce in anticipation of future conflict. That would be a missed opportunity.

Speaking to reporters at U.N. headquarters, Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said the Ethiopian governments announcement of a unilateral cease-fire gives us a light glimmer of hope, because we always said there is no solution to any crisis which ... is waged by military means.

There is no solution to this crisis by military means, only a political solution will work, Nebenzia said. How that will translate in what is happening in Ethiopia  is it a temporary lull or is it a road which will pave the way to the political settlement? That is a question to be addressed.

___

Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed.
A Beaumont man has pleaded guilty to a federal firearms violation in the Eastern District of Texas.

George Broussard, 32, pleaded guilty to possession of a firearm by a prohibited person on Wednesday before U.S. Magistrate Judge Keith Giblin, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Nicholas J. Ganjei on Wednesday.

Todays guilty plea is another victory for the Department of Justices Project Safe Neighborhoods program and our effort to help make Beaumont a safer community, Ganjei said in the release. My office, along with the Beaumont Police Department and our other local, state, and federal law enforcement partners, will never stop working to keep firearms out of the hands of violent criminals.

According to court documents, police officers saw Broussard on March 9 in the 3700 block of Magnolia in Beaumont driving a vehicle without a front license plate, the release said

When officers began to follow the vehicle, Broussard tossed a firearm from the vehicle and sped off. Broussard was apprehended and the firearm was recovered, the release said. Further investigation revealed that Broussard had an extensive criminal record including felony convictions for burglary of a building; unauthorized use of a vehicle; evading arrest with a vehicle; theft from a person; aggravated robbery; and two convictions for possession of a controlled substance, all in Jefferson County, Texas. As such, Broussard is prohibited from owning or possessing firearms or ammunition.

Broussard was indicted by a federal grand jury on April 27. He faces up to 10 years in federal prison.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled after the completion of a presentence investigation by the U.S. Probation Office.

Broussard was at least the second man charged as a part of the Project Safe Neighborhoods Program to plead guilty in the few weeks.

Jarrel Jakeem Joseph, 25 of Port Arthur, last week also pleaded guilty to a federal firearms violation for the receipt of a firearm while under indictment

According to court documents, on March 31, police saw Joseph and several other individuals fighting in the 1600 block of Vicksburg Avenue in Port Arthur.

Joseph left the fight on foot and was observed discarding an object, which was found by law enforcement and determined to be a stolen semiautomatic pistol, a previous release from the Eastern District stated. Further investigation revealed that on Oct. 8, 2020, Joseph was placed on probation for seven years after a deferred adjudication of guilt for felony possession of a controlled substance in Jefferson County, Texas. Joseph is prohibited from possessing or receiving firearms as part of the deferred adjudication.

Joseph was indicted by a federal grand jury on May 13 and faces up to five years in federal prison.

Project Safe Neighborhoods is an evidence-based program proven to be effective at reducing violent crime, the release said. Through PSN, a broad spectrum of stakeholders work together to identify the most pressing violent crime problems in the community and develop comprehensive solutions to address them. As part of this strategy, PSN focuses enforcement efforts on the most violent offenders and partners with locally based prevention and reentry programs for lasting reductions in crime.

meagan.ellsworth@beaumontenterprise.com
A man has been indicted for murder in Jefferson County.

A grand jury on Tuesday indicted Gregory Joseph Ager, 28, in Criminal District Court. Court documents show Ager has prior offenses.

Ager was arrested in June on murder charges just hours after police say he was involved in the killing of another man. Beaumont police said around 4:30 a.m. June 5 they received a report of a shooting at an apartment in the 2500 block of Smart Street, The Enterprise previously reported.

When officers arrived, they found 25-year-old Darian Kaimen Banks dead after he had been shot multiple times, according to the Beaumont Police Department.

Officers obtained a murder warrant for Ager, who police say agreed to talk with investigators after he was found. He was arrested on suspicion of murder and taken to the Jefferson County Correctional Facility. Hes was held on a $1.5 million bond, the article said.

This is a developing story. Check back for more updates.

meagan.ellsworth@beaumontenterprise.com
The Texas State University System Board of Regents on Wednesday confirmed Jaime R. Taylor as the 16th president of Lamar University.

Taylor, 55, will succeed Kenneth Evans and assume office on July 12, according to a news release. He was named the sole finalist for the position earlier in June.

Taylor comes to Lamar from West Virginias Marshall University. Since 2018, he served as the schools provost and senior vice president for academic affairs.

Increasing first-year retention and graduation rates as well as aligning academic programs with community and workforce needs were a few of the initiatives Taylor oversaw while at Marshall University.

Taylor previously told The Enterprise that his goals for Lamar include increasing its residential population now that the threat of COVID-19 has lessened; supporting student success; buttressing the universitys online learning capabilities; and jumping into learning about the campus, community and state.

He said he particularly is eager to reach out to the Black student community, noting that Lamars enrollment is 27% Black students and 15% Hispanic.

Diversity enhances everyones learning environment, he said.

Taylor previously served as interim provost and vice president for academic affairs at Austin Peay State University in Tennessee and spent most of his career there as a faculty member in the physics and astronomy department.

A man of science, Taylor earned an associate of applied science degree in industrial engineering technology from Nashville State Technical Institute, a bachelors degree in physics and mathematics from Austin Peay State University and a masters and doctoral degree in engineering science from the University of Tennessee Space Institute.

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ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP)  The man who killed five people at a Maryland newspaper was delusional and believed the state's judicial system was conspiring with the Capital Gazette to persecute him and ruin his life, his attorney told a jury Tuesday, trying to make the case that Jarrod Ramos is not criminally responsible for the crimes due to mental illness.

Hours after hearing that, jurors saw photographs of the dead from shotgun blasts in their own newsroom. They saw Wendi Winters collapsed in a hallway after she had just charged at Ramos with a trash can. They saw Gerald Fischman crumpled under his desk. They saw Rob Hiaasen dead in his cubicle. They also saw John McNamara dead at the back of the newsroom. Rebecca Smith died later at a hospital.

Jurors also saw a security video of the attack, as well as an officer's body camera video, showing Ramos emerging from under a desk in the newsroom and police officers later leading him out.

Three years and a day after the attack on the newspaper, the second phase of a trial started for Ramos, who pleaded guilty  but not criminally responsible  to the June 28, 2018 slayings. The plea is Maryland's version of an insanity defense.

Katy O'Donnell, Ramos' lawyer, told jurors her client "is guilty of having committed these offenses, and his act was willful, deliberate and premeditated. But, she said, mental health experts for the defense will tell them he is not criminally responsible under the law due to mental illness.

Mr. Ramos is guilty, and he is also not criminally responsible, ODonnell said.

Ramos believed that he was being intentionally persecuted, ODonnell said, after the newspaper wrote about a case in which he pleaded guilty to harassing a former high school classmate. Ramos also thought the courts were unfairly rejecting his defamation case against the newspaper, she said.

O'Donnell told the jury it will hear testimony about Ramos' own description of the events as they unfolded on the day of the shooting, as well as an eight-year backstory that led up to the attack.

We want you to understand the years leading up to this day, ODonnell said. Its chilling because Mr. Ramos does not believe what he did was wrong."

O'Donnell said jurors also will hear from mental health experts who have evaluated Ramos and determined he is mentally ill, and doctors who will testify that Ramos is autistic. He also has obsessive compulsive disorder, delusional disorder and narcissistic personality disorder, she said.

O'Donnell explained Maryland's insanity defense law to the jury: The state says a defendant is not criminally responsible for criminal conduct if  because of a mental disorder or developmental disabilities  he lacked substantial capacity to appreciate the criminality of his conduct.

Under the law, a defendant has the burden to show by a preponderance of the evidence that he is not criminally responsible for his actions.

Anne Colt Leitess, the Anne Arundel County state's attorney, deferred her opening statement until after the defense presents its case.

In the afternoon, while cross-examining a county detective who investigated the case, Leitess started delving into the depth of planning that Ramos put into planning the attack.

She asked the detective to show jurors a device known as a barracuda that Ramos used to barricade a back door so that the victims could not escape from the newsroom.

Leitess also asked Anne Arundel County Det. Jason DiPietro about a CD that Ramos sent to the author of the article about him in the newspaper that angered him. It included his plans to attack the newsroom on a day when he believed a community meeting including people from outside the newsroom would be present and his plans to make orphans of a woman's children. The meeting had been canceled that day.

Leitess asked about Ramos' purchase of a lifetime membership to the U.S. Chess Federation, four days before the shooting, in preparation for long incarceration. Police intercepted a letter he wrote to the federation in hopes of having chess materials sent to the detention center where he was confined.

The prosecution also has mental health witnesses who will be testifying.

Dr. Sameer Patel, a psychiatrist with the state Health Department who evaluated Ramos, determined that Ramos was legally sane. Prosecutors also plan to call Dr. Gregory Saathoff, a forensic psychiatrist and a chief consultant for the FBI who also has found Ramos to be legally sane.

Opening statements began one day after the third anniversary of the killings. This trial phase has been postponed repeatedly, in part due to the coronavirus pandemic.

If Ramos is found not criminally responsible, he will be committed to a maximum-security psychiatric hospital instead of prison. Prosecutors are seeking life in prison without possibility of parole.

Ramos, 41, had a well-documented history of harassing the newspapers journalists. His 2012 lawsuit, which alleged that the paper defamed him by writing about his conviction in the harassment case, was dismissed as groundless.
Guiseppe Barranco / Guiseppe Barranco/Guiseppe Barranco/The Enterprise

Port Arthur police have released the name of a 73-year-old man killed on U.S. 69.

Gary Wayne Moore just after 3:30 p.m. Sunday stepped out of his 2018 Jeep Cherokee in the 8400 block of U.S. 69 while he was attempting to retrieve an item that had fallen from the bed of his truck, according to a news release from Port Arthur police.
You are probably familiar with the term rapture, as It commonly associated with the Second Coming of Christ within certain branches of American evangelicalism. To understand why the word rapture is applied to Jesus return, we have to understand what the word really means in a Christian context. The rapture is believed to be the final assumption of Christians into heaven during the end times. During this end-time event, Christian believers who are living, along with resurrected believers, will rise in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. The origin of the term comes from the apostle Pauls first epistle to the Thessalonians in scripture, in which the word harpazo is used, which means to seize or to snatch away. During the rapture, believers of Jesus Christ will be snatched away from earth and go into the air. According to scripture, the event will happen instantly, in the twinkling of an eye.

The word rapture is not used directly in scripture, but it is referenced in 1 Thessalonians 4 and 1 Corinthians 15. During this period, believers who have already died will be resurrected along with believers who are living. They will meet the Lord in the air. Many Christians believe that the rapture is the return of Christ in the clouds to remove all Christians from the earth before Gods wrath in the final days. The rapture is connected with the event of Jesus return because we are told at this moment Jesus will come back to defeat the Antichrist, destroy the enemy and establish His millennial kingdom. Many people associate the rapture with the Second Coming, and while they are similar events, they are separate from each other. Both of these events involve Jesus return and are end-time events. However, we must understand the differences.

The rapture is the idea that Jesus return will happen in two stages. The first stage will be a secret rapture. This is a carrying away of the saved to heaven that will occur at the beginning of a seven-year period of tribulation. At the end of tribulation, the second phase will happen when He will make His final return to earth in glory and triumph. In the first stage of the rapture, Jesus comes for His church. At the end of the tribulation, He comes back with His church. During this event, every eye will see Him. At the rapture, only believers will see Him.

There is great debate in Christian circles about the timing of the rapture. Some believe it happens before the tribulation period, and others believing it occurs after. Some believe it happens during the tribulation period. The biggest debate has less to do around if it happens, but when it will happen in relation to the tribulation. Those who have the pre-tribulation view believe that the rapture will happen before the tribulation period. Those who have the mid-tribulation view believe that the rapture will take place halfway through the tribulation. The post-tribulation belief is that the rapture happens at the end of the tribulation period. For Christians, the pre-tribulation rapture is great hope. Whether we live to see pre, mid or post-tribulation, or die before the rapture occurs, the common link is eternal salvation. This is coming from our faith in Jesus Christ.

Many things are supposed to occur during the rapture, including many signs of deception. Some people will claim to be the Messiah and have all the answers concerning our troubled world. Matthew 24 speaks directly to this. In this passage, Jesus gives warning directly to our generation. Matthew 24:3-8 tells us, Later, Jesus was sitting at a place on the Mount of Olives. The followers came to be alone with him. They said, Tell us when these things will happen. And what will happen to prepare us for Your coming and the end time? Jesus answered, Be careful! Dont let anyone fool you. Many people will come and use My name. They will say, I am the Messiah. And they will fool many people. You will hear about wars that are fought. And you will hear stories about other wars beginning. But dont be afraid. These things must happen before the end comes. Nations will fight against other nations. Kingdoms will fight other kingdoms. There will be times where there is no food for people to eat. And there will be earthquakes in different places. These things are only the beginning of troubles, like the first pains of a woman giving birth. This passage is speaking directly to us, warning of the false prophets that will show up with signs and wonders only to deceive us. We must be on guard and figure out who these false prophets may be.

While we are told not to try to determine the time the rapture will occur, we are cautioned for a reason. We should pay attention to the signs around us. God specifically chose not to reveal the date to us. In Acts 1:7-8, when Jesus was asked about the end times, He replies, It is not for you to know times or periods that the Father has set by His own authority. But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be witnesses in Jerusalem, in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Ultimately, only our Father in Heaven knows the date and the hour. Only He can answer when time has run out.

One of the most important things to gather from the rapture is that during this period, Christians will approach the Judgment Seat of Christ. This is the point when a Christians life is examined. Scripture says, For we must all appear before the Judgement Seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad (2 Corinthians 5:10). This refers to the summing up of a Christians life. Instead of looking at this only as a time of judgment and punishment, we should look at this as a reward. Our lives will determine what will happen when that moment comes, but if we live as Christ has called us to live, only good things will come.
Bangladesh this week canceled plans to build 10 coal-fired power plants because the commodity has become pricey and the country could not find funders for those projects, government officials and analysts told BenarNews.

The South Asian nation may have pitched the decision it announced on Sunday as a deliberate move away from fossil fuels as a source for supplying its energy needs, but the real reason was that no one was willing to finance their construction, analysts said.

In spite of scrapping those projects, they noted, the country still is going ahead with plans to construct at least five other coal-based power plants, many of them controversial  not just because they will be future sources of air and water pollution.

The canceled projects  including a U.S. $2 billion agreement with a Chinese company for the countrys largest electricity project  were scrapped for several reasons, said Mohammad Hossain, director general of the power cell at the Ministry of Power, Energy and Mineral Resources.

In 2010, we planned to meet our growing demand for electricity from imported coal-based plants, as coal was the cheapest option. We proceeded in that direction. But now imported coal is not cheapest for us, Hossain told BenarNews.

Transportation and preservation of coal has been a big challenge for us and those two steps raise costs.

Hossain was referring to projects initially approved after the Awami League party, which rules Bangladesh, won elections in 2009 under Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina. At the time, Bangladesh faced a huge shortage of electricity and planned multi-billion dollar projects to ramp up power production.

Construction had not begun on any of the 10 scrapped projects, because they had not been able to get funding, experts said.

A local news site quoted Nasrul Hamid, the state minister for power, as saying that the scrapped plants failed to come into generation within their stipulated timeframe.

Hossain said they were cancelled because the implementation of these coal projects has been very poor.

Saiful Hasan Chowdhury, spokesman for Bangladeshs Power Development Board, said the 1,320-megawatt coal-fired project in Moheshkhali, the countrys biggest planned electricity plant, was canceled because it had been delayed.

The Power Development Board and the China Huadian Hong Kong Co. Ltd. signed an agreement in May 2018 to build that plant.

We signed an agreement with the Chinese company to jointly implement the 1,320-megawatt coal-fired project in Moheshkhali, Chowdhury told BenarNews.

But its progress was slow. The government finally cancelled [it].

The funding mechanism for the Moheshkhali plant had yet to be sorted out, he said, about the project for which the government had provided land and other administrative support.

No donor agency is interested

However, Md. Abdul Mottalib, managing director of the Coal Power Generation Co. Bangladesh Ltd., which is under the ministry of power, acknowledged that the government could not find financiers for coal-based power projects.

We undertook several coal-fired power plants in Bangladesh with the technical collaboration of foreign companies, Mottalib told BenarNews.

But we could not agree with any financier to invest in [such] projects in Bangladesh. he said.

These projects would never have been implemented, according to Anu Muhammad, a professor at Jahangirnagar University in Dhaka who leads a civil-society movement against coal-based power plants.

No donor agency is interested in investing in [such] projects because coal is harmful for the environment, for human health, Muhammad told BenarNews.

For instance, in May, the Asian Development Bank said it would stop financing coal-fired power plants. The Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank said the same thing last September.

The government actually has been forced to cancel the projects as they failed to find any funders. But the government hid the truth and tried to build its image as pro-environment, Muhammad said.

Environmentally and socially disastrous

Still, Bangladesh is going ahead with building big coal-fired projects for which it has secured funding, Muhammad noted.

These include the Chinese-financed Banshkhali and two-phased Payra projects, the India-funded Rampal coal-fired plant and the Japanese-funded Matarbari. These projects are expected to produce a cumulative 7,500 megawatts of electricity, and their implementation will continue, Hossain, from the power ministry, said.

He said that one of the reasons Bangladesh scrapped the 10 other plants was because the nation chairs the Climate Vulnerable Forum, a partnership of 48 countries considered the most threatened by climate change.

So Bangladesh has the responsibility to get rid of coal which is detrimental to climate change, Hossain said.

But allowing the under-construction coal-fired power plants to go on does not appear to reflect this intent, Julien Vincent, executive director at Market Forces, an Australian non-profit, told Eco-Business, a sustainable development news site.

It is concerning to see several coal-power stations allowed to continue when these projects have demonstrated how environmentally and socially disastrous coal power is, Vincent said.

In addition, Bangladesh produces more power than the country has demand for, M. Tamim, a former energy adviser to a previous government, told BenarNews last September.

The countrys electricity generation capacity was 20,000-22,000 megawatts, which was more than the demand of 11,000 megawatts, so there was no need for more electricity plants, especially coal-fired ones, he said then.

Jahangirnagar Universitys Muhammad said he foresees that some projects that have not been canceled will eventually be scrapped.

In the future, the government would be forced to cancel these big projects, too, as coal is not economically and environmentally sustainable. These projects would be a burden for us, Muhammad said.

Coal-fired plants have been polluting rivers, sea, aggravating air quality, causing diseases. The earlier the government scraps coal-fired projects, the better for the country.
Maksuda Begum holds a picture of her son, Zakir Hossain Shaon, who was killed in the 2016 Holey Artisan Bakery cafe attack in Dhaka, June 29, 2021.

Five years after Bangladeshs deadliest terror attack, the families of two restaurant workers killed at a Dhaka cafe say they have received no justice, condolences or compensation from the government.

Pizza baker Saiful Islam Chowkidar, 41, and his assistant, Zakir Hossain Shaon, 22, were among 29 people who died after five members of a Bangladeshi militant group aligned with the so-called Islamic State (IS) took over the Holey Artisan Bakery cafe on the night of July 1, 2016.

Police originally considered them suspects, not victims.

Overnight, the assailants butchered 20 diners before police commandos raided the venue and killed the attackers the following morning.

Police also shot and killed Saiful, mistaking him for one of the militants, officials said at the time. Shaon died in police custody days later.

I lost my son because of their suspicion, Shaons mother, Maksuda Begum, told BenarNews. Have we no right to justice?

Maksuda lives in a slum area of the city of Siddhirganj, about 22 km (13 miles) outside of Dhaka, where she sells cakes along the side of the road. No government official ever came to offer condolence to the family, she said.

If a rich family experienced such a situation, many ministers would visit to express their condolences. Do we have no right to minimum condolences?

Shaon died on July 8, 2016, at a local hospital, from injuries suffered during the siege, police sources said then.

But Shaons father alleged his son had been beaten in police custody and had not received immediate medical attention following his arrest.

My son was very sick. Blood was coming out of his nose and mouth in the morning while he was shivering, Abdus Sattar told BenarNews at the time, describing how he found his son at a hospital on July 3.

Saifuls body was found inside the cafe following the siege. It was never returned to his family, rights activists said.

His widow, Sonia Begum, told BenarNews that no government officials had communicated with her to express condolences or to discuss possible compensation.

Saiful was the lone earner of my family. I am now facing a huge problem trying to survive with my three children, said Sonia, who was pregnant at the time of the attack.

She praised the cafe owners for continuing to support her family, adding that she also earns money through sewing and receives support from relatives.

Maksuda said she is a diabetic and needs the money to buy medication.

Sadat Mehdi, one of owners of the Holey Artisan Bakery, told BenarNews that the cafe continues to help the survivors of both workers on humanitarian grounds.

We are providing the support to the families because they did not get any assistance or compensation from the government, he said.

Sadat said there were no plans for an organized event at the former cafe site because of restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The owners have moved the cafe from the diplomatic quarter, a posh neighborhood known for its tight security, to another Dhaka location.

Diners compensated

In addition to the two cafe workers and five terrorists, two police officers and 20 diners, including nine Italians and seven Japanese, died as result of the attack.

In a ceremony on March 25, 2018, the government provided compensation to 19 of the 20 diners. Relatives of one of the Japanese victims declined the offer.

Authorities had announced that Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal was to present 15,000 euros (1.5 million taka or U.S. $18,400) in honor of each victim.

You cannot compensate a death, so we call it a financial honorarium. The purpose of the ceremony is to give the message to the world that Bangladesh has not forgotten the Holey Artisan attack, Shamsur Rahman, an additional secretary of the home ministry at the time, told BenarNews.

On Wednesday, a former police inspector general who serves in parliament said the concerns of Saifuls and Shaons families should be considered.

The families of the innocent victims deserve the right of getting necessary compensation, said Nur Mohammad, who serves on the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Home Affairs.

Maksuda, meanwhile, called on Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to support her familys call for justice.

All my hopes were destroyed by the police, she said. We are still crying, five years have gone by, and we did not get any justice or any compensation. We are requesting the prime minister to give us justice, otherwise my soul will not be happy, Maksuda said.

Human rights concerns

Chowdhury Abdullah Al-Mamun, director general of the national police elite Rapid Action Battalion, had little to say about the survivors concerns.

I need to check information of the matter before making any comment, he said.

Saiful and Shaon were not named in charge sheets that police filed in July 2018 against more than 20 suspects linked to the attack.

In November 2019, the Anti-Terrorism Tribunal in Dhaka convicted and sentenced to death seven suspects while acquitting an eighth. More than a dozen other suspects were killed in police operations.

Human rights activist Nur Khan Liton said authorities have treated the families of the slain cafe workers harshly, considering that the two have been cleared of wrongdoing.

A mistake may occur during a major operation, but the government should have supported the families after it was proven that the pair were misidentified, Nur told BenarNews.

The secretary general of rights organization Ain o Salish Kendra, Nur noted that authorities did not turn Saifuls corpse over to his family despite their request.

Until today, no authority officially announced that Saiful and Shaon were not criminals. As per the judicial system, it is proven that they are innocent, so authorities should make an official announcement in this regard, he said.

He also questioned the lack of compensation.

It is not acceptable from the ground of human rights. It was the responsibility of the state to give compensation to the families, he said.
Members of the Abo Group (kneeling), an armed private group for hire in Parang, a town in the Maguindanao province in the southern Philippines, are pictured after turning over their weapons to military and police personal in Cotabato City, March 26, 2021.

Authorities have identified and are seeking to disband more than 150 private armed groups employed by politicians across the Philippines and that potentially could foment violence ahead of the 2022 general election, the interior secretary said Wednesday.

Many of these groups operate away from the political center in Manila, authorities said, including in a Muslim autonomous region in the south where locals will elect their own leaders for the first time next year.

In Mindanao, some parts continue to live under a culture of violence and fear because of the proliferation of private armed groups, Interior Secretary Eduardo Ano said during an online meeting of a national task force that focuses on those groups.

These gun-wielding thugs continue to strike fear among the innocent, spark vicious clashes with rival clans, or push the agenda of the powerful. This must stop altogether, he said.

About 155 private armed groups operate across the Philippines, of which nearly half are highly active, officials said. The government identifies them as organized groups hired by politicians to intimidate or sow violence against opponents.

These guns-for-hire exist because of a long-running gun culture in the Philippines, coupled with the presence of feuding clans in tribal areas as well as rival political dynasties trying to outdo each other, he said.

The Philippine Constitution stipulates that private armies and other groups not recognized by a duly constituted authority shall be dismantled.

Apart from neutralizing these armed groups, the government needed to change the economic factors that created them in the first place, Ano also said.

We must address the reasons why people join and organize these PAGs and why political dynasties keep them, he said, referring to the private armed groups.

Now that the election is near, there could also be a proliferation of armed men, Ano said. As early as now, we must negotiate with political and dominating families to prevent them from inciting the rise of potential PAGs.

Twenty-three people were killed and 50 injured during mid-term polls in 2019, and as many as 50 people died in poll-related violence during the 2016 presidential election, according to statistics from the Philippine National Police.

Political clans, Ano said, must be encouraged to disband the goons under their influence so fair elections could proceed.

We must also apply pressure on not just the members, but also the leaders of these groups by investigating and prosecuting them. This way, we strip these private armed forces of all their excuses and justifications to remain or organize, he said.

The secretary expressed optimism that the government could persuade these groups to surrender or risk being targeted in military and police operations.

Ballot choices

Voters are to go to the polls in May 2022 to choose President Rodrigo Dutertes replacement along with 12 members of the Senate, all 300-plus members of the House of Representatives as well as thousands of officials, who range from governors and mayors to village chiefs and council members.

Also in 2022, the people of the Bangsamoro Autonomous Region in Muslim Mindanao will elect their own set of officials.

The autonomous region is governed today by a transitional council led by former Muslim separatist rebels from the Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF), whose term expires next year.

MILF leader Ahod Balawag Murad Ebrahim, the head of the transitional council, has been appealing for an extension of his term to implement reforms that were delayed, he said, because of the coronavirus pandemic. He has warned of violence from other Muslim armed groups dissatisfied with the progress of peace deal signed between the MILF and Manila in 2014.

While terms of the agreement called for the MILF to decommission all of its firearms, many of its members are known to have kept some, officials said.

Meanwhile, many former rebels and members of armed groups in the south moonlight as private security guards for politicians, leading to violence in some instances. The most jarring case occurred in November 2009 when members of the Muslim Ampatuan political clan massacred 58 members of the rival Mangudadatu clan, their supporters and journalists.

In December 2019, dozens of Ampatuan clan-members were convicted of murder, but more than 50 others  including dozens of police officers and body guards in the employ of the Ampatuans  were acquitted.

Some relatives and members of the Ampatuan clan are back in power and will be contesting local elections next year.


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.

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The Democratic primary for mayor of New York City was thrown into a state of confusion Tuesday when election officials abruptly retracted their latest report on the vote count after realizing it had been corrupted by test data never cleared from a computer system
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Man pleads not guilty to destroying $12K worth of lobsters

A man is facing charges connected to destroying thousands of dollars worth of live lobsters at a Massachusetts seafood market
Circumstances aside, at PALC graduation, the pomp  satisfaction, too  is palpable
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.
A resident of Lenox has filed a report with Lenox Police, and informed U.S. Postal Service officials, after receiving an anonymous hate mail letter sent to her home last week.
Reporter

Heather Bellow, a member of the investigations team, joined The Eagle in 2017. She is based in the South Berkshire County bureau in Great Barrington. Her work has appeared in newspapers across the U.S.
Students walk through a hallway at a high school in Pasadena, Calif. The debate about critical race theory has become circular and maddening because the phrase itself has been unmoored from any fixed meaning, writes New York Times columnist Michelle Goldberg.
A former longshot Massachusetts candidate for the U.S. House has been indicted on charges that he solicited illegal campaign contributions and used campaign funds to pay business debts
A rainbow accentuates the Pittsfield skyline on Tuesday. There will again be chances for rainbows in the sky today, although the threat of rain could keep the color hidden as gray clouds hang around in the area. For a full forecast, turn to Page A10.
Emory University leaders announced Monday (June 28) that the Atlanta university will rename some buildings on the schools campus in an effort to reconcile a legacy of racism, disenfranchisement, and dispossession.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reports that the universitys Longstreet-Means residence hall will be renamed Eagle Hall. Augustus Baldwin Longstreet, president of Emory College from 1839 to 1848 and namesake of the building, was a strong advocate of slavery and secession.

In an email to the campus community, Emory University President Gregory Fenves said, It is inappropriate for his name to continue to be memorialized in a place of honor on our campus.

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The university will also rename Language Hall on its Oxford College in Oxford, GA, in honor of the late Superior Court Judge Horace J. Johnson Jr., who was the first Black Superior Court judge to serve in the Alcovy Judicial Circuit in Newton and Walton counties. Johnson, who passed in July 2020, also helped integrate Newton Countys public school system as a fourth grader in the late 1960s.

Emory also plans to hold memorials for its Atlanta and Oxford campuses to honor the labor of the enslaved individuals who helped build the university. Emory officials also said they will consider adopting an official land acknowledgement statement to recognize the universitys location on the homelands of the Muscogee nation.

On June 17, Emory held a Juneteenth ceremony in which it apologized to a Black medical school applicant who was denied admission in 1959 because of his race.

The recommendations for these actions came from Emory faculty, staff, students, trustees, and alumni, through committees created in response to the George Floyd protests last year. The committees were created to review its diversity and inclusion efforts and recommend ways to address the universitys history.

Fenves also said, By understanding our history and expanding the Emory story to include voices, perspectives, and contributions that were overlooked or silenced, we are creating a deeper understanding of who we are and all we can achieve as a university.
The family of a young Chicago mother of newborn twins, who was allegedly killed by her boyfriend, is speaking out about their tragic loss.

The grieving mother and siblings of Crystal Crockett were at Chicago police headquarters on Sunday (June 27) to speak out.

"My daughter did not deserve this. I want the killer to go to jail forever," Crockett's mother, Kylia Robinson, told WLS-TV.

"Crystal was very happy to be a mom. She was super excited. As soon as she became a mom she hit the ground running," said Crockett's sister Nivea Crockett, according to the news station. "She loved taking care of people. She loved taking care of my grandmother. She worked as a home health aide for my grandfather before he passed and she just loved her job. And she just always loved nursing."

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Crocketts family says the 21-year-old was two years away from earning her nursing degree at Malcolm X College and was thrilled to be a new mom to twins, Iyla and Italy.

"She was a bright soul. Wow. I can't believe I'm even doing this right now. Crystal was an awesome person," said Crockett's brother Creston Robinson. "I talked to her a couple of hours before everything had happened."

Prosecutors say Elijah Clippard, Crocketts boyfriend and father of the babies, allegedly shot the young woman in cold blood in an alley in Chicagos South Side on June 15. Crockett had given birth to the couples baby girls on March 21, but they have never left the hospital and are still in the NICU at Rush University Medical Center.

Clippard was reportedly arrested on Wednesday (June 23) at his South Side residence and is being held without bond on a murder charge after a Thursday court appearance He is expected back in court on July 14.

Crocketts family say they did not know the alleged killer very well and a motive has not yet been revealed publicly by authorities. As a group, the family say they vow to take care of Iyla Italy.

"My daughter was a wonderful person and I'm going to miss her," Crockett's mom said.

The family has established a GoFundMe page to help pay for funeral expenses.
The FBI has publicly released files and photographs from the 1964 murder case that inspired the film "Mississippi Burning" and helped propel the passage of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.

The never-before-seen files lay out the investigation into the murders of Freedom Summer civil rights workers James Chaney, 22, Michael Schwerner, 24, and Andrew Goodman, 20, by the Ku Klux Klan. The bodies of the missing activists were found buried in a partially constructed dam near Philadelphia, Mississippi on Aug. 4, 1964.

The FBI website says, The murders galvanized the nation and provided impetus for the passage of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964.

CBS News reports that the previously sealed materials are available for viewing at the William F. Winter Archives and History Building in Jackson, Miss. The materials include case files, research notes, witness testimonies, and photographs of the victims autopsies and the burial site, according to the Mississippi Department of Archives and History.

RELATED: This Day in Black History: Aug. 4, 1964

Chaney, Schwerner, and Goodman were members of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE) taking part in the Freedom Summer voter registration campaign. The three were investigating the burning of a Black church near Philadelphia, MS, when they disappeared. The FBI found that they were arrested by a deputy sheriff on a traffic charge, who then released them after alerting members of the KKK.

Seven of 18 defendants in the case, including a deputy sheriff, were found guilty in October 1967. None of the seven were found guilty on murder charges, and none of the guilty served more than six years in prison.

In 2005 the case was reopened and a Mississippi jury convicted Edgar Ray Killen, a 1960s Ku Klux Klan leader and Baptist minister, on three counts of manslaughter. Witnesses said that Killen, who went free in the 1967 trial, gathered the mob of Klansmen and directed the killings. Killen was sentenced to three consecutive terms of 20 years in prison, where he died in 2018.
Authorities are investigating if a shooting in Massachusetts of two Black people by a white man was a hate crime after racist messages were found in the suspect Nathan Allens handwriting.

According to the Associated Press, Suffolk County District Attorney Rachael Rollins said investigators came across troubling white supremacist rhetoric that expresses anti-Semitic and racist statements againgst Black individuals" in Allens handwriting.

The 28-year-old has been identified as the man who shot and killed David Green, a retired Massachusetts State Police officer, and Romana Cooper, an Air Force veteran, after emerging from a stolen truck that he crashed into a building on Saturday afternoon (June 26).

Officials described Green and Cooper as innocent bystanders. Allen was fatally shot by police moments later.

RELATED: Georgia Senate Passes New Hate Crime Bill

The shooter walked by several other people that were not Black and they are alive. They were not harmed, Rollins said to reporters Sunday, the AP reports. They are alive and these two visible people of color are not. We will continue to look and see, she said.

Details about what exactly the suspect wrote or where the writings were found were not made available to reporters, but Rollins did say that the investigation is in its early days and that the families of the victims deserve answers and we will find out what happened here.

Green worked in law enforcement for nearly 40 years. Police Col. Christopher Mason says he was shot outside his home.

Trooper Green was widely respected and well-liked by his fellow Troopers, several of whom yesterday described him as a true gentleman and always courteous to the public and meticulous in his duties, Mason said in an emailed statement, according to the AP. From what we learned yesterday, he was held in equally-high regard by his neighbors and friends in Winthrop.

On Sunday, mourners gathered at the scene of the crime, leaving family near the destroyed building, the Boston Globe reports.
The overturning of Bill Cosbys sexual assault conviction was on legal grounds that do not necessarily determine his innocence or guilt, but in actuality center on an agreement made between his legal team and the original prosecutor who forced him to testify in a civil trial.



Cosby, 83, was convicted of sexual assault in 2018, accused of drugging and raping Andrea Constand, a one-time protege of the comedian. He was sentenced to three to ten-years in prison, but always maintained his innocence, going as far as refusing to take classes offered to convicted sex offenders, which could have helped him earn parole.



RELATED: Bill Cosby Released From Prison, Sex Assault Conviction Overturned



However, in a ruling from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, justices felt that the agreement forged by former Montgomery County, Pa. District Attorney Bruce Castor to prevent any criminal prosecution of Cosby in exchange for his civil deposition was in fact binding. It in fact should have prevented him from being prosecuted later, thus triggering a vacating of his conviction.

Seeking some measure of justice for Constand, D.A. Castor decided that the Commonwealth would decline to prosecute Cosby for the incident involving Constand, thereby allowing Cosby to be forced to testify in a subsequent civil action, under penalty of perjury, without the benefit of his Fifth Amendment privilege against self-incrimination, wrote Justice David N. Wecht in his 79-page opinion. Unable to invoke any right not to testify in the civil proceedings, Cosby relied upon the district attorneys declination and proceeded to provide four sworn depositions.



During those depositions, Cosby made several incriminating statements. D.A. Castors successors did not feel bound by his decision, and decided to prosecute Cosby notwithstanding that prior undertaking, Wecht continued. The fruits of Cosbys reliance upon D.A. Castors decision Cosbys sworn inculpatory testimony were then used by D.A. Castors successors against Cosby at Cosbys criminal trial.



In short, the agreement between Castor, who represented former president Donald Trump in his impeachment trial earlier this year, and Cosbys legal team meant that the following prosecutor, Kevin Steele, should not have charged him.

RELATED: Black Twitter Reacts To Bill Cosby's Sudden Release From Prison



But in a dissenting opinion, Justice Thomas G. Saylor disagreed that Castors announcement was necessarily binding.



I read the operative language -- District Attorney Castor declines to authorize the filing of criminal charges in connection with this matter, Saylor wrote, as a conventional public announcement of a present exercise of prosecutorial discretion by the temporary occupant of the elected office of district attorney that would in no way be binding upon his own future decision-making processes, let alone those of his successor.



Attorney Tammy Allison, a federal executive clemency expert, in explaining the details, said that Cosbys overturning stems from the 2005 agreement between Castor and Cosby where he was told there would be no charges against him.



But despite the procedural mistake made by Castor, Allison says circumstances like this do happen in the courts and it speaks to changes that the criminal justice system has long needed.



This is why I personally call out the urgent need for reform in the criminal justice system, said Allison, who is also a former Justice Department senior attorney and former prosecutor. I think it only adds confusion for the public and creates a lack of trust in the criminal justice system.



Dmitriy Shakhnevich, adjunct assistant professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice in New York City says that although there was not necessarily a written agreement between the two parties, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court felt that Steele was obligated to honor it.



RELEASED: Bill Cosby Released From Prison, Sex Assault Conviction Overturned

The agreement that the prosecutors gave was so important that the court said we cant let this conviction stand, said Shakhnevich, who noted that an overturning like this would be extremely rare under circumstances like these. So this was overturned purely on legal grounds, it doesnt mean he was not guilty.



Shakhnevich also said that because of the decision made by the high court, Cosby cannot be retried and that the possibility of prosecutors taking it to the U.S. Supreme Court are slim to none.

RELEASED: Bill Cosby Denied Parole After Serving Three Years In Prison

The basis for the reversal is that its the agreement that governs, so you cant ever try him again, he said. If this was overturned on the grounds that a witness came forward and said they lied on the stand, they could retry the case but if the high court of the state says its a no go then you cant retry this.

Cosby was also accused of sexual assault by dozens of other women, but he could not be prosecuted on those allegations due to state statutes of limitations.
Written by Paul Meara

UPDATE: 4:26 PM ET -- Bill Cosby's spokesperson Andrew Wyatt released the following statement upon collecting Cosby from prison and transferring him to the Cosby home in Pennsylvania. We want to thank the Pennsylvania Supreme Court. This is what we have been fighting for and this is justice and justice for black America. "This is the justice Mr. Cosby has been fighting for. They saw the light. He waived his Fifth Amendment right and settled out of court. He was given a deal and he had immunity. He should have never been charged." RELATED: Bill Cosby released from prison after court overturns sexual assault conviction

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned Bill Cosbys sexual assault conviction on Wednesday (June 30) after finding that a "non-prosecution agreement" had been made with a previous prosecutor on the case, which should have prevented him from ever being charged in the first place. The actor has served more than two years of a three-to-10-year sentence at a Philadelphia-area state prison. Previously, Cosby vowed to serve all 10 years rather than acknowledge remorse over the 2004 encounter with victim and accuser Andrea Constand. The 83-year-old was convicted of drugging and molesting Constand in 2005 at his suburban home. In late 2015, he was charged when a prosecutor presented newly unsealed evidence. He was arrested days before the 12-year statute of limitations was up. RELATED: Bill Cosbys Instagram Account Posts New Message Saying Media Has Misled Public

BREAKING: Bill Cosby is asked how it feels to be home following release from prison earlier today.



"He is extremely happy to be home," a representative answers. "It's really a blessing for him. He says his heart is just beating really fast." https://t.co/c85FI8tmOe pic.twitter.com/G6QfSz0wVU  ABC News (@ABC) June 30, 2021 Breaking News: Bill Cosby will be freed from prison and his sexual assault conviction overturned after the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that he had been denied a fair trial in 2018. He's served three years of a three-to-10 year prison sentence. https://t.co/ScSWZVXFnr  The New York Times (@nytimes) June 30, 2021

At his first trial, the judge allowed just one other accuser to testify before the jury deadlocked. During the retrial, he then allowed five other accusers to testify about their experiences with Cosby during the 1980s. According to the New York Post, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court said that testimony tainted the trial, even though a lower appeals court had found it appropriate to show a signature pattern of drugging and molesting women. In light of these circumstances, the subsequent decision by successor D. A.s to prosecute Cosby violated Cosbys due process rights, the appeals ruling said, according to the NY Times. No other conclusion comports with the principles of due process and fundamental fairness to which all aspects of our criminal justice system must adhere. Prosecutors didnt clarify on Wednesday if they would appeal or seek to try Cosby a third time nor was it clear on when Cosby would actually be released. The question also remains on what legal recourses he will take as a result of the decision.
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Spearfish, SD (57783)

Today

Partly cloudy skies during the morning hours. Thunderstorms likely in the afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 91F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely in the evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms later on. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. Low near 60F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Biblical characters often have an impact far beyond their own story. The names, events, and lineages found in the Old Testament are often explored, or spoken of, in the pages of the New Testament. This can make it difficult to keep track of everyone in the bible, and why they are important to the faith. Aaron is a prime example of this. We often focus on Moses when we read the story of the Exodus. Moses is the man sent by God; Moses receives the law; Moses leads the Israelites to the Promised Land. It is Moses that is listed in the Heroes of faith of Hebrews 11. Aaron, on the other hand, is glaringly absent from this list. Aaron is relegated to sidekick status. He slides into the background.

Is this fair? After all, Aaron accompanied Moses into Egypt and aided in Israels liberation. Aaron co-leads the tribe through the desert and performs miracles and mighty feats of faith. Aaron is no mere sidekick. Below are 6 things that you should know about this important biblical character.

1. Aaron in the Bible Is Moses Older Brother

The book of Exodus begins with the Lords call for Moses to liberate Israel from their Egyptian slavedrivers. Moses, originally, rejects this divine commission. He believes himself to be of no importance, a man of slow speech (Exodus 4:10). After a lengthy discussion, Moses defiantly asks Please send someone else (Exodus 4:13). Not a stellar start for this hero of faith.

It is here where the Lord enlists Aaron, Moses brother (Exodus 4:14). Not much is known about him prior to this point. Yet several lineages detail how Aaron is the first male child of Amram and Jochebed (Exodus 6:20; 1st Chronicles 6:1-3). In fact, of the three siblings - Miriam, Aaron, and Moses - Moses is the youngest. Moses is the baby of the family.

Perhaps this gives rationale for Moses hesitancy to take up the call of God, and why the arrival of Aaron helped Moses accept this divine commission. The arrival of his older brother gave Moses the confidence to step out in faith. Knowing his older brother was there to support him, and speak for him, freed Moses to explore, and accept, the call of God.

2. Aaron Is the First Levitical Priest

At the beginning of the Exodus journey, Aaron is a support for Moses (see Exodus 17). At Mount Sinai, however, Aaron takes on the role of Israels priest. We read about this in Exodus 28. Here God commands Moses to Have Aaron your brother brought to you from among the Israelites, along with his sons Nadab and Abihu, Eleazar and Ithamar, so they may serve me as priests (28:1). From this point on, Aaron adopts a ministry that is uniquely his own. Furthermore, as Aaron is born of the tribe of Levi, this means he is the first Levitical priest on record.

As priest, it is Aaron who instructs Israel on how they are to approach the Lord in worship and prayer. Aaron becomes dressed in priestly garments containing the names of the sons of Israel. Aaron, quite literally, bears the Israelites upon his shoulders whenever he makes a sacrifice before the Lord (28:12). This is a profound image of the priestly role within the community of faith.

3. Aaron Struggles with Insecurity.

Like all biblical characters, Aaron is unabashedly human. Despite being commissioned as priest for the people, Aaron is not perfect by any stretch of the imagination. Several instances of his life testify to an insecurity within him. At one point Aaron speaks against Moses stating, has the Lord only spoken through Moses? (Numbers 12:2). The older brother appears jealous of his younger brothers popularity, and leadership.

Perhaps the largest testimony to his insecurity is in the case of the golden calf (Exodus 32). With Moses delayed at the top of the mountain, Aaron is requested to cast new gods for the people. Without hesitation, Aaron agrees. Was Aaron tired of being in the shadow of his younger brother? Was Aaron desperate to be liked? Whatever his reasons, Aaron casts the golden calf. Furthermore, he usurps the divine name and declares to the people Here are your gods who lead you out of Egypt (32:4). He then leads the people in a festival that includes all types of revelry.

Those who receive a divine commission from the Lord do not leave their flawed humanity behind. People of faith must constantly choose to obey the Lord as opposed to the voice of the crowd around us. Aaron reminds us that even those who have important roles in Gods unfolding plan of salvation need to adopt an attitude of humility, as we strive to remain true to the Lords calling.

4. Aarons Staff Was in the Ark of the Covenant

Grumbling was a common occurrence during the Exodus. As they journey through the desert, Israel grumbles about many things, the lack of food, the scarcity of water, the presence of enemies. At one point in their journey, however, a group of Levites revolt against Moses and Aaron believing that the two brothers have unduly exalted themselves. In response, the Lord instructs the heads of every family to inscribe their names on a staff and place them in the tent of meeting. Whichever staff blossoms would indicate the Lords calling to act as Israels priest. Aarons staff blossoms (Numbers 17:8). This budding staff is then placed in the ark of the covenant.

In total, three items are placed in the ark of the covenant: Manna, The 10 Commandments, and Aarons staff. Each item testifies to an important blessing within Israels Exodus journey. The manna declares Gods miraculous sustenance for the people, the tablets of the 10 commandments contain the divine law which would serve to govern their lives in the Promised Land, and Aarons staff testified to the spiritual priesthood the Lord raised up for the people. The fact that the symbol of Aarons priestly calling is placed alongside the divine Law and the miraculous manna is a testimony to the importance of this man for Israels history and the establishment of their religious sacrificial system.

5. John the Baptist Is the New Aaron"

It can be easy to skip over the many genealogies contained in scripture. Largely they are filled with the names of people we never read about. These genealogies, however, are important to see how God uses particular people and families within the plan of salvation. This is no truer than when it comes to Aaron. The gospel of Luke records that John the baptizer is born to a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly division of Abijah, and his wife Elizabeth, also a descendant of Aaron (Luke 1:5). John stands in the line of the Levitical priesthood.

At his birth, Zechariah declares that John will be the prophet of the Most High; for you will go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him (Luke 1:76). This verse describes Johns prophetic role. Importantly, Aaron is initially described as Moses prophet. The Lord says to Moses your brother Aaron will be your prophet...your brother Aaron is to tell Pharaoh to let the Israelites go out of his country (Exodus 7:1-2). Aaron heralds the salvation inaugurated by Moses.

The significance of this is easily missed today. Many scholars point out that the early church understood Jesus to be a new Moses. This goes back to the passage in Deuteronomy declaring that God would raise us a prophet like Moses to redeem the people (18:18). Jesus often articulates the themes and events of the Exodus, applying them to his messianic mission. It is thus not insignificant that the birth of the new Moses is preceded by the birth of a new Aaron. Just as Aaron was the prophet to Moses, John becomes the prophet who heralds the salvation inaugurated by Christ.

6. Aarons Blessing in the Bible Is Still Used Today

Perhaps the biggest legacy of Aarons life and ministry is the blessing attached to his name. As a Levitical priest, Aaron oversees the religious life of Israel. He does not merely perform the sacrifices; he also blesses the people. Aaron is instructed in the precise words he is to use for this blessing. Aarons Blessing is found in Numbers 6:22-26.

"The Lord Bless you and keep you;

The Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious to you.

The Lord turn his face towards you and give you peace."

This blessing is theologically rich and spiritually encouraging. The profound thing about this blessing is that it is still used today. These verses have found their way into modern praise songs and traditional hymnody. Furthermore, many priests and pastors use this blessing as the benediction for their Sunday services. This blessing is not simply a quaint text of the past. It is a powerful invocation of Gods activity for our lives. Even today these words convey Gods blessing upon the beloved community of faith.

Aaron is not simply the sidekick to Moses. He is a person with a ministry, and an impact, all his own. Yes, he is a flawed person, imperfect, and easily swayed by his own insecurity. Yet more than anything, Aarons life provides a vision of what ministry before the Lord is to look like. From bearing the names of the congregation upon his shoulders, announcing the dawning redemption, to blessing the people with divine words, Aaron is a wonderful example for all who would embrace the call to service, love, and ministry.

Photo credit: Sparrowstock

Reverend Kyle Norman is the Rector of the Anglican Parish of Holy Cross in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. He has a doctorate in Spiritual Formation and is often asked to write or speak on the nature of Christian community, and the role of Spiritual disciplines in Christian life. His personal blog can be found here.
BOISE - Statewide results from the spring Idaho Reading Indicator show that about two-thirds of all Idaho students in kindergarten through third grade were reading at grade level, showing notable progress from numbers in the Fall.

Thats an improvement of about 15 percentage points from the fall, showing that our teachers effectively used results from the start of the school year to identify areas where individual intervention or additional instruction was needed, Superintendent Ybarra said. Now our districts and schools are focused on addressing the effects of any unfinished learning going into this summer and the next school year, making sure students learn to read by third grade so they can read to learn for the rest of their lives.

Administration of the spring IRI was disrupted by the pandemic last year, along with other assessments and school operations, and the 2018-19 school year was the last time that all Idaho K-3 students took the Idaho Reading Indicator assessment in both fall and spring.

Statewide, district and school Idaho Reading Indicator results are available on the State Department of Education website.

The percentage of students reading at grade level was lower this spring than it was in spring 2019, but this is a different cohort of students, facing unprecedented challenges during a pandemic that stretched on for more than a year, Director of Assessment and Accountability Kevin Whitman said.

Final statewide results from the Spring 2021 IRI still showed a drop of about 5 percentage points in the number of K-3 students reading at grade level when compared to spring 2019 (pre-pandemic) results  65.1 percent this year compared to 69.7 percent in 2019. The gap was narrowest in kindergarten (1.8 percentage points) and third grade (3.1 percentage points).

By grade, the percentage of students reading at grade level this spring ranged from 59.5 percent in 1st Grade to 70.1 percent in 3rd Grade. The percentage of students reading substantially below grade level dropped about 9 percentage points, from 24.4 percent overall in the fall to 15.5 percent in the spring. The percentage of students in the middle category of near grade level also dropped, from 26 percent to 19.4 percent.

Across Idaho, 87,538 students took the IRI between May 3 and May 28.

The new online Idaho Reading Indicator debuted statewide in fall 2018 after a successful pilot program in more than 50 Idaho schools in the 2017-18 school year. It measures five foundational reading skills  Alphabetic Knowledge, Phonemic Awareness, Vocabulary, Comprehension and Fluency  to help teachers target their instruction to students individual needs.
BOISE - Idaho Governor Brad Little and Montana Governor Greg Gianforte were left out of a meeting President Joe Biden hosted Wednesday with just eight governors  mostly Democrats  regarding wildfire.

Despite facing severe wildfire seasons, Idaho and Montana are two western states President Biden did not invite to participate in the meeting. The Biden administration invited eight governors, six Democrats and two Republicans.

In response, Governors Little and Gianforte sent Biden a letter today urging him to commit to an active, responsive partnership with states in wildfire response, preparedness, and active land management to reduce fire risk. The Governors pointed to their states investment in active land management initiatives such as the Good Neighbor Authority and Shared Stewardship.

No state in what it faces and how it responds is like another, the Governors wrote. We were disappointed to learn not all western states who face a harsh wildfire season will be at the table.

Stressing the importance of a close, coordinated approach to wildfire response among all levels of government, the governors wrote, We can achieve the best outcomes for the people we serve when the federal government works with states to develop and execute proactive plans that ensure we promptly respond to fires that put communities at risk. We should apply this operating principle regardless of whether a fire starts on private, state, or federal land.

The governors reiterated their commitment to an aggressive initial response to wildfires and expressed hope the president will join them in that commitment.

Addressing the need for active forest management, the Governors said, it is critical we have a federal partner in the White House who is willing to do what needs to be done year-round to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. The federal government must work with states to actively and meaningfully manage our lands to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires.

Governors Little and Gianforte concluded the message to President Biden, writing, We urge you to commit that our federal partners, regardless of whether they are based in our communities or based in an agency in Washington, D.C., will be active, responsive partners to improve wildfire response, wildfire preparedness, and meaningful forest management.

The full letter can be read below:

Dear President Biden:

As our nations western states confront an already severe wildfire season, each western governor faces challenges unique to his or her state and brings to bear unique experiences. No state in what it faces and how it responds is like another.

While we are encouraged to learn you will meet with eight western governors to discuss the federal governments response to wildfires, we were disappointed to learn not all western states who face a harsh wildfire season will be at the table.

It is critical to engage governors fully and directly to have a productive discussion about how the federal government can improve its wildfire response and prevention efforts.

While our states were not invited to participate in your meeting today, our states possess extensive experience and expertise in fighting wildfires, preventing them, and managing our forests. State agencies, working in partnership with the federal government, are on the cutting edge of wildfire response strategies and creative, collaborative forest management practices. Careful investment in and successful implementation of initiatives of the Good Neighbor Authority and Shared Stewardship are two examples.

Federal agencies frequently benefit from working closely with state agencies at the local level, and we need the same teamwork to happen at the national level.

We can achieve the best outcomes for the people we serve when the federal government works with states to develop and execute proactive plans that ensure we promptly respond to fires that put communities at risk. We should apply this operating principle regardless of whether a fire starts on private, state, or federal land.

As the summer continues, our states will work diligently to extinguish wildfires as quickly and prudently as possible to prevent the loss of life and property while continuing to address the land management practices that set the stage for the health of our landscape. We will continue to work toward effective, active land management, and we hope you will join us.

While western states will spend the coming months fighting wildfires alongside federal partners on the ground, it is critical we have a federal partner in the White House who is willing to do what needs to be done year-round to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires. The federal government must work with states to actively and meaningfully manage our lands to reduce the risk of catastrophic wildfires.

The benefits of active land management are clear: healthier forests, communities and lands safer from the risk of severe wildfires, improved wildlife habitat, more recreational opportunities, and more good-paying jobs.

Please know our states stand ready to help other states and the federal government as we confront wildfire season.

We urge you to commit that our federal partners, regardless of whether they are based in our communities or based in an agency in Washington, D.C., will be active, responsive partners to improve wildfire response, wildfire preparedness, and meaningful forest management.

Sincerely,

Brad Little

Governor of Idaho

Greg Gianforte

Governor of Montana
LEWISTON - To help employers meet the continued employment boom in the hospitality, travel and tourism industry, Lewis-Clark State College will debut a new concept for the delivery of its Hospitality Management program.

The hands-on program prepares students for careers in a variety of hospitality areas including hotel and resort management, food and beverage, culinary, travel and tourism, and event planning. The program offers completion through 30-credit intermediate technical certifications (ITC), an advanced technical certification (ATC), two-year associate degree (AAS), or an advanced associate degree.

Starting with the fall semester in August, students entering the program will take the Semester of Exploration. This first semester will include core math and English classes, as well three-credit courses in Introduction to Hospitality Management/Sanitation Management, Culinary Skills I, and Food and Beverage Management.

Following the first semester, students will then choose one of three career pathways to complete their degree. The three include Hospitality Management, Culinary Arts, and Hotel/Resort Management.

The goal behind the new concept is to expose students to the different careers in the field during the first semester and allow them to explore what path they would like to follow for their career. The three focus areas offered by LC State are in demand in the hospitality industry, both locally and around Idaho. With a high demand in culinary arts, LC State has added Magen Goforth, former owner of Brocks and Bravas restaurants in Lewiston, to assist in enhancing the program and teaching culinary arts and hospitality classes.

Industry really wanted to see some changes and some new focus on education, and its been my job to try to make that happen, said Rodney Farrington, an assistant professor in the LC State Hospitality Management program. The need for educated individuals in hospitality and travel and tourism is more apparent now than ever.

Farrington said when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, many workers in the hospitality fields had to find new jobs because of shutdowns. Now that restaurants are open and people are doing more travel with vacations, there is a shortage of workers, especially at the management level.

The best way to start is to educate those people and get them into the industry or back into the industry, Farrington said. Prior to COVID, hospitality, travel and tourism was the No. 3 job industry in the world.

With most hospitality areas opening back up, along with the population growth in Idaho, Farrington said the need is certainly there.

Nampa is one of the fastest growing areas in the United States and Boise and Coeur dAlene continue to grow, he said. Imagine 80,000 people moving to Lewiston and just keeping the same restaurants. Its not going to happen. New restaurants are coming in. This industry will continue to grow. I want to educate our students so the LC student is the prime student that industry is looking for.

Farrington said shortly after he began teaching a few years ago, he was approached by officials from the Shore Lodge in McCall about how to alleviate the problem of a lack of qualified individuals in the hospitality field. He said hes been working  and continues to work  on addressing that issue.

This is all I have done my whole life so I am incredibly passionate about this world, Farrington said of hospitality management. It is an important part of our lives. We all like to go out to eat, be entertained, and go on vacations. We have redesigned our program to be delivered more efficiently to students and industry.

The Semester of Exploration will also take place in the spring and summer semesters of 2022.

For more information on the Hospitality Management program at LC State, visit its website, or contact Farrington at rdfarrington@lcsc.edu or Goforth at mrgoforth@lcsc.edu.
BURLEY  An Oakley man was sentenced Monday to five to 10 years in prison for sexually abusing a child multiple times in 2013 while he was babysitting the girl and her siblings.

Randy Eldun Arterburn, 67, was originally charged in June 2019 with lewd conduct with a child under 16, battery with intent to commit a serious felony and forcible penetration by use of a foreign object.

Arterburn used an Alford plea on the charge of lewd conduct and the other two charges were dismissed by the prosecutor.

By using an Alford plea a defendant claims to be innocent or does not admit to all the elements of a charge, but admits prosecutors likely have enough evidence to find them guilty.

Cassia County District Judge Michael Tribe sentenced Arterburn to a minimum of five years in the Idaho State Department of Correction and five years of indeterminate time, which includes the enhancement penalty.

He was also ordered to pay a $5,000 fine for committing a crime of violence, $100 for a presentence report and $250 for his public defender.

He was given credit for serving 33 days in jail.

Arterburn will also be required to register as a sex offender when he is released from prison.

PHOTOS: Magic Valley Most Wanted
An 8-hour standoff in Eagle ended on Tuesday evening, according to the Ada County Sheriff's Office, when a SWAT team entered the suspect's apartment and apprehended him.

After a report of domestic battery was filed on Monday morning against 33-year-old Dustin Rosenbaum, Eagle police attempted to arrest him on Tuesday, according to Patrick Orr, Ada County Sheriff's Office spokesperson. (Eagle contracts with the Sheriff's Office for its police force.)

On Monday morning, officers were met at the door of an apartment on South 2nd Street "by two people who said Rosenbaum threatened them with a pipe during an argument," read a sheriff's blog post published on Tuesday evening. "They also said Rosenbaum was inside, had a knife and possibly a gun, might be suicidal, and wouldn't leave without a fight."

The two people were taken to safety on Monday, the post said, after which police waited to see if Rosenbaum could be apprehended after leaving the apartment. But he did not leave, and the standoff began after 9 a.m. Tuesday, when police attempted to get him to come out.

Shortly before 6 p.m. on Tuesday, an Ada County SWAT team and a police dog entered the apartment.

Rosenbaum was found in a bathroom, "holding a knife to himself and refus(ing) to go into custody. The K9 dog went in and bit him while a deputy fired and hit Rosenbaum with a less-lethal sponge round designed to incapacitate," according to the blog post.

The post said Rosenbaum dropped the knife  which he did not threaten officers with  and was arrested.

"He was treated by paramedics and then taken to a local hospital for a medical exam," according to the post.

Rosenbaum was charged with resisting arrest and a felony count of domestic assault in the presence of a child, according to the post.

Rosenbaum also had an existing warrant on a felony drug delivery charge and two failure-to-appear warrants stemming from different incidents, according to Ada County records.
The U.S. healthcare system operates differently from many others in the world, characterized by high costs for the individual. In fact, it is because of the higher prices of medications, treatments, and hospital procedures that the U.S. spends more on health care per capita than any other developed country in the world, a 2019 Johns Hopkins report found.

Though expensive, the health care cost is to a large extent covered by the government. In 2019, 29.0% of all health-related spending in the U.S. was paid for by the federal government. A slightly lower share, 28.4%, was paid for by households. State and local governments covered 16.1% of the total cost.

State governments spent $885 billion on health care, or $2,696 per person, in 2018, the latest year for which state and local data is available. Due to different budget priorities and needs, local government health care spending varies considerably by state. Per-capita health care spending ranges from less than $1,100 to more than $3,600.

Idaho spent $1,380 per capita on its residents' health in 2018, the sixth lowest amount of money of all states.

Idaho's health expenditure budget in 2018 totaled $2.5 billion. The state's health budget covers partial Medicaid coverage, state-run hospitals and university medical schools, and other health expenses and programs addressing needs such as community wellness, substance abuse, health inspection, and pollution control.

In 2018, states allocated between 17% and 39% of their total budgets to health care costs. Idaho spent 23.6%, the 11th lowest health spending as a share of all state spending.

In every state, the largest portion of overall health care spending is allocated to public welfare programs. Such programs include Medicare and Medicaid, two government-funded health insurance programs that offer coverage to the elderly, the disabled, and people with low incomes.

Idaho allocated in 2018 92.1% of its health budget to public welfare, the 13th lowest share, or $1,270 per capita. States across the country allocate an average of 66.0% of their total health spending, or $1,778 per person, to public welfare programs.

People living with disabilities and those 65 and older are the ones who most commonly need health care and receive state Medicaid spending. Idaho's 65 and over adults comprise 16.2% of the state's population, the 16th lowest share and compared to 16.5% across the U.S. as a whole. About 13.7% of Idaho's population have a disability, the 19th highest share in the country and compared to 12.7% nationwide.

To identify how much each state spends on your health, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the detailed health care expenditures by state governments provided by the U.S. Census Bureau's 2018 Annual Survey of State and Local Finances. This is how much the government of every state spends per resident. This is how much the government of every state spends per resident.
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The Security Council unanimously adopted a resolution Tuesday extending the U.N. peacekeeping mission in crisis-wracked Mali and said its imperative the military government hold presidential and legislative elections on schedule next February.

The council maintained the ceilings in the U.N. force at 13,289 military troops and 1,920 international police, but it asked Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to make a recommendation on the force level by July 15 in light of the growing level of insecurity and physical violence against the civilian populations in central Mali.

Mali has been in turmoil since a 2012 uprising prompted mutinous soldiers to overthrow the president of a decade. The power vacuum that was created ultimately led to an Islamic insurgency and a French-led war that ousted the jihadists from power in 2013.

A peace agreement was signed in 2015 by three parties  the government, a coalition of groups that seek autonomy in northern Mali, and a pro-government militia.

However, the insurgents quickly regrouped in the desert and began launching frequent attacks on the Malian army and its allies fighting the insurgency. The extremists, affiliated with al-Qaida and the Islamic State militant group, have moved from the arid north to more populous central Mali since 2015 where their presence has stoked animosity and violence between ethnic groups.

In the latest turmoil, Col. Assimi Goita grabbed power in August 2020 by overthrowing Malis democratically elected president. He eventually agreed to a transitional government led by a civilian president and prime minister but on May 24 he ousted those civilian leaders after they announced a Cabinet reshuffle that sidelined two junta supporters without consulting him. Earlier this month, Goita was sworn in as president.

The Security Council expressed grave concern at the continued deterioration of the political, security and humanitarian situation in Mali, including through the persistence of a high level of attacks by terrorist groups in the north and in the center, and the continuation of intercommunal violence in the center. It also expressed concern at the extension of insecurity to the south.

This has led to human rights violations and abuses, violations of international humanitarian law, the loss of numerous innocent lives as well as numerous internally displaced persons and refugees in neighboring countries, people in critical need of assistant and children without access to education due to school closures, the council said.

Council members called on all Malian stakeholders to resume and complete the political transition and handover of power to elected civilian authorities. They also called on Malis transitional government headed by Goita to organize free and fair presidential and legislative elections as well as regional and local elections and a constitutional referendum within the 18-month transition timeline.

The council reiterated that the head of the transition, its vice president and prime minister should not under any circumstances be candidates for the forthcoming presidential election.

French Ambassador Nicolas De Riviere told reporters that Mali remains very fragile, which is why the resolution supports implementation of the 2015 peace agreement, the stabilization of the center of the country, and the absolute priority" of holding elections on Feb. 27, 2022.

Earlier this month, French President Emmanuel Macron announced that Frances military presence fighting Islamic extremism in Africas broader Sahel region, including Mali and neighboring countries, would be reduced but gave no timeframe. Frances Operation Barkhane, which now has more than 5,000 soldiers in the Sahel, will formally end and be replaced by another mission focused on fighting Islamic extremists that relies more on regional partners, Macron said.

De Riviere told the council on June 14 that the U.N. force has only 2,000 peacekeepers and three helicopters available every other week in the center of Mali. He said France wants the U.N. to seriously consider the question of increasing the resources and the troop ceiling.

The resolution extends the forces mandate until June 30, 2022, and says its priorities should be supporting implementation of the 2015 peace agreement, stabilization and restoration of government authority in the center of the country, protection of civilians, promotion and protection of human rights, and humanitarian assistance.
Sometimes you cannot reason with people, and this can be extremely unnerving especially if you love those people. I think Im a pretty fair and logical person, but over the years Ive had to walk away from a number of people and places when rational thinking broke down.

Thats what we are seeing in some cities run by progressive leftists - a complete breakdown in clear thinking. And people are dying in the streets because of it. And still, we do not see mass protests against the madness in San Francisco, Chicago, New York, and on and on.

Tonight on the No Spin News, well analyze that. Also, in another segment, well ask a very provocative question: will Joe Biden go to hell?

See you beginning at six eastern.
Bill OReillys new book

KILLING THE KILLERS:

The Secret War Against Terrorists

To Be Published by St. Martins Press

The latest in the #1 New York Times bestselling series

(New York, NY - June 29, 2021) - Trail-blazing TV journalist Bill OReilly, the best-selling author of the Killing history series, will add KILLING THE KILLERS: The Secret War Against Terrorists to the roster of record-breaking books that he co-writes with Martin Dugard. This will be the 11th book in the killing series which includes the instant #1 national bestseller Killing the Mob. That sensational book has topped the New York Times hardcover nonfiction best-seller for 6 weeks. Sales of the series are approaching 19 million copies worldwide, and have spent more than 336 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. Publication date for KILLING THE KILLERS is set for November 2, 2021.

KILLING THE KILLERS reports on Americas intense global war and manhunt against the terrorist extremists that not only carried out the attacks on 9/11 but also executed hundreds of others both on American soil and globally. The authors trace Americas efforts to defeat Al Qaeda and ISIS worldwide. In addition, OReilly and Dugard have gained access to top secret national security documents as well as interviewed the highest national security officials in the United States. As our country prepares to withdraw from its 20-year war in Afghanistan, KILLING THE KILLERS fully lays out Americas secret war against terrorism. This is a book that everyone should read thoroughly.

KILLING THE KILLERS will be OReilly and Dugards most thrilling and suspenseful book to date. Primed with deeply-sourced information, the authors have created a riveting account that has never been reported.

BILL OREILLYs success in broadcasting and publishing is unmatched. The iconic anchor of The OReilly Factor, he led the program to the status of the highest-rated cable news broadcast in the nation for 16 consecutive years. His website BillOReilly.com is followed by millions all over the world. His No Spin News is broadcast weekday nights at 8pm and 11pm on The First TV, a new media network available across digital platforms including Roku, Amazon Fire, Apple TV, and many others. He hosts The OReilly Update, which is heard weekdays on more than 225 radio stations across the country and streamed on the Pandora app. In addition, he has authored an astonishing 17 number-one ranked non-fiction books, including the historical Killing series; the best-selling nonfiction series of all time with nearly 19 million books in print.

OReilly has been a broadcaster for over 43 years. He has been awarded three Emmys and a number of other journalism accolades. He was a national correspondent for CBS News and for ABC News as well as a reporter-anchor for WCBS-TV in New York City among other high profile jobs. Mr. OReilly received two other Emmy nominations for the movies Killing Kennedy and Killing Jesus. He holds a history degree from Marist College, a masters degree in Broadcast Journalism from Boston University, and another masters degree from Harvards John F Kennedy School of Government. OReilly lives on Long Island where he was raised. His philanthropic enterprises have raised tens of millions of dollars for people in need and wounded American veterans.

MARTIN DUGARD is a New York Times best-selling author of several books on history. His book, Into Africa: The Epic Adventures of Stanley and Livingstone, has been adapted into a History Channel special.
Whether it is the industry or academia, life sciences workers are gradually accepting the fact that lab data digitisation improves processes, simplifies workflows and makes research and development (R&D) more efficient. With increasing advances in machine learning (ML) and artificial intelligence (AI), digitisation in the research environment is set to become an integral part of every laboratory worldwide. But in emerging markets such as India, there are a large number of factors responsible for its slow adoption such as lack of skilled workforce, high maintenance and service costs, limited expertise, data security etc.
Nkgabiseng Motau, CCO and founding partner at Think Creative Africa, was once again selected to be part of the jury for Cannes Lions 2021 and is joining the final jury at Ad Stars 2021 in South Korea, a global festival based in Asia.

Nkgabiseng Motau, CCO and founding partner at Think Creative Africa

What does your role as CCO entail and what does your day at work look like?

What was your career path? Tell us about how you ended up in advertising.

What do you love most about your work?

You were appointed to be a judge on the Cannes Lions Print & Publishing jury, could you tell us about that experience?

In your opinion, what does South Africa bring to the table in the creative industry?

#CannesLions2021: "SA brings a unique cultural sensitivity" - Nkgabiseng Motau Cannes Lions and its official representative in South Africa, Ster-Kinekor recently announced this year's jury. With only one month to go until two years' worth of Lion-winning work is awarded, we touched base with some of the local jury members for a preview of what to expect. First up, Nkgabiseng Motau...

Tell us a bit about some of your most successful campaigns and why they were successful.

What is the future looking like for you in your career?

What other skills and interests do you have besides your work?

What advice would you give to young people looking to break through in the advertising and creative industries?

A giant in the industry, she holds creativity from the South African perspective close to her heart. Motau has been a recurring judge for Loeries, Pendorings, Creative Circle and Cannes Young Lions. She was a Jury Member for the 2020 D&AD Awards and is a member of the ABInbev Braintrust.Here, we find out more about her day-to-day work and what her life looks like behind the scenes...At Think Creative Africa, it often means finding insightful ideas and fighting for them. No day is like the next, and that is what is special about my work. Some days are spent before a screen in back-to-back meetings with the creative team or presenting ideas to clients. Other days are spent on set or in the studio overseeing productions.I attended an art school in Pretoria called Pro Arte which heightened my desire to work in the arts. I wanted a way to participate in the commercial world, but to also express my creativity. I then applied to Vega having heard about it from a friend. Vega really opened doors for me through their programme that placed students in agencies for an internship. The rest is pretty much history, all I needed was one foot in the agency door and the ad bug bit me.I love the ability to see an idea come to life and impact millions of people in our country.The experience was invaluable, a school of sorts. I learned what makes really great work while lending my voice and insight to make sure the best work wins.The diverse nature of our country brings a unique perspective and cultural sensitivity. We are able to tap into so many versions of reality, drawing on our history and our presence to create work that is really universal.Think Creative Africa has achieved so much in a short time. One of my favourite pieces of work is a campaign called Nothing To Hide for a brand called Yalu. The campaign allowed us to take a challenger brand to the battlefield with the Goliath of the financial services industry. The campaign earned over 100% increase in sales, which is an incredible achievement.I hope to build impactful businesses that will change what it means to be a young Black businesswoman in South Africa.I have a podcast called Why Is That in which I explore various topics with field experts.Be relentless. It can be a difficult industry to get into, but its in desperate need of young, free thinkers. If you have the talent and tenacity, there is a place for you.Catch Nkgabiseng and selected Cannes Lions judges speaking at the forthcoming Cannes Lions Trend Talks 22 July, 2021. See footer for more info and bookings.
ConCourt sentences Zuma to 15 months for contempt of court

The Constitutional Court has sentenced former president Jacob Zuma to 15 months in prison after finding him guilty of contempt of court. These charges were brought about when Zuma ignored a court order demanding his appearance before the Zondo Commission in February.
Source: Wikipedia

Wake-up call

No socioeconomic benefits

South Africa simply cannot afford a ticking timebomb of this magnitude.

The study shows that the cost of importing power from Inga would be three times the current cost of generating electricity in South Africa, and would cost over R10bn more per year compared to readily available alternatives. This additional burden would likely fall on the shoulders of ordinary South Africans through increased tariffs and taxpayer subsidies for Eskom.Our study clearly shows that Inga is simply not financially viable for South Africa. The economics of the project just dont add up, so its no wonder financiers have stayed away," says says Ben Bowie, one of the studys authors.The study raises considerable doubt over whether South Africas plans to import power from Inga are likely to proceed, and notes that the South African government has not conducted proper due diligence, including feasibility and socio-economic impact studies.Meanwhile, the schemes prospects worsened in recent weeks following news that the DRC government has granted exclusive rights to develop the Inga site to Australian company Fortescue Metals Group, which plans to harness Ingas hydro potential to produce green hydrogen for export to Europe. This would potentially cut South Africa out altogether, despite a longstanding treaty guaranteeing a portion of Ingas power to South Africa.This should be a clear wake-up call for South African authorities to abandon their ill-advised plans to import power from Inga. South Africa must withdraw from the treaty and embrace abundant local solar and wind resources to the benefit of all South Africans," says Siziwe Mota, Africa director at International Rivers, one of the organisations behind the study.In addition, the study found that Inga would create virtually no new jobs within South Africa compared to the estimated 8,096 full-time jobs for South Africans that comparable investments in solar and wind would create.Women in particular would bear the cost of importing power from Inga, both through direct impacts of the transmission line and increased electricity tariffs. With women already disproportionately affected by the high unemployment rate as well as the gender pay gap, further tariff increases and displacement to make way for the transmission lines will have devastating effects on the lives of poor women in particular. These already vulnerable women would once again be forced to carry the burden of these so-called development schemes, says Trusha Reddy, programme head at WoMin African Alliance, which also sponsored the study.Our country urgently needs energy, which solar and wind can provide more quickly, more cheaply, and at significantly lower risk," says MotaInternational Rivers and WoMin have therefore written to the parliamentary portfolio committees on energy and finance to request an opportunity to present this report to the members of Parliament and calling for the immediate withdrawal of South Africas support for Inga 3.
Amira Abbas, research scientist at IBM

What does your role as a research scientist for IBM entail?

You first worked in the finance industry, so what prompted you to study physics and get a job in the field?

IBM expands quantum computing program to Africa IBM announced the expansion of its' quantum computing efforts to Africa in a new collaboration with the University of the Witwatersrand...

What excites you the most about quantum computing?

What goals and aspirations do you have for yourself?

What achievements have you had so far?

Take us through a day in the life of Amira Abbas

Comment on the importance of science and technology for the current youth and future youth

Quantum computing, The next big...wait, what is it really? Initially, computers were primarily used by academics and for research. Today, one cannot fathom life and work without some sort of computing power...

What words of encouragement do you have for the youth?

Her work at IBM Research Africa is about tackling what we might have seen as previously unsolvable problems and exploring capabilities and use cases of quantum on the continent.Here, Abbas shares more about herself, her achievements, and what made her choose to focus on quantum computing.I feel extremely fortunate because I think I have a super cool role that combines everything I love doing. Im currently a PhD student and my research is directly aligned to the research I do at IBM. In other words, researching for my PhD is my job.Currently, I spend most of my time trying to figure out how quantum computers can help make artificial intelligence (AI) better. Quantum computers are often viewed as supercomputers that can outperform the computers we use today. But, its actually quite hard to figure out where quantum computers can help us, especially in AI.I work with the IBM team in Zurich, Switzerland to try and understand this particular problem. I also work with the team in South Africa to teach more people in Africa about quantum computing. I love this balance of research and community work in my role because it requires very different skills and stimulates me in different ways.I grew up in a city called Durban on the east coast of South Africa. I always loved mathematics and used to get really excited as a kid when I saw crazy equations in movies. I would think to myself I wish I could understand those things and do stuff like that. This curiosity and relish to understand mathematics lead me to study actuarial science, which is notoriously heavy on mathematics and statistics.I then went to work in asset management in Johannesburg for a few years. This was a great learning experience, but I couldnt shake the feeling that something was missing from my life.I tried to develop my skills further and eventually came across the world of quantum physics on YouTube. I immediately fell in love with it and realised what was missing from my life  the study of something that truly interested me.Soon after this discovery, I left the financial industry and went back to study a masters in physics specialising in quantum computing. I am now doing my PhD in quantum machine learning and couldnt be happier.I think what excites me most about quantum computing is all the unknowns and things we still have to discover. As a researcher, its a dream to work in a field with so many open questions  like how can quantum help AI? How can quantum help Africa and Africa-specific problems? Are quantum techniques even helpful and beneficial to us?Additionally, there are lots of low-hanging fruit because the field of quantum computing is relatively young and so lots of discoveries are inevitable.The field itself is also so broad and has attracted a very interesting and diverse community. This makes quantum even more enjoyable - being in a space with cool people and getting to explore fascinating things.I would love to continue to produce high calibre research output in quantum computing.I want to inspire others to see that it doesnt matter where youre from, what university you are at or what your background is  if you believe you can do something meaningful - even in a field as crazy sounding as quantum computing - then you can. It just takes hard work and persistence. So, I just want to keep at it and progress my research career by producing interesting work in the field of quantum computing and AI.In terms of achievements, I think its pretty cool that Im the first African to have received Googles PhD Fellowship award for the category of quantum computing.I have also placed first at global quantum computing hackathon events, such as the Qiskit Europe Hackathon in 2019  Zurich and the Xanadu Quantum Hackathon in Toronto 2019.Recently, I was the lead author on a quantum machine learning paper that made the cover of a Nature Research journal Otherwise, I have also received multiple scholarship awards and invited speaker requests to numerous quantum and women in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics events.My life in a nutshell: Coffee, research, reading, eating and somehow managing to sleep.My family often say that I work a bit more than the average person, but when youre working on something youre passionate about, it never feels like work and it never feels like enough.But on weekends, I try to get out into nature as much as possible. Living in South Africa, I am privileged to be able to experience such wonderful outdoor activities and I love hiking.I always say that science and technology is a lot more like art than people realise. Its crucial to grasp for critical thinking, but you have to find what works for you, and its important as a young person to keep in mind that science and technology are extremely broad  just because you dont understand one thing, doesnt mean you wont understand everything.Its also important for our youth to think about what the future holds, for any country, industry or profession and just how advancements in science and technology will affect that.If we become more aware of the advantages and limitations of science and tech, then we can start to think about how to incorporate these future advancements in our daily lives, and perhaps harness these advantages to improve our lives. As a young individual, the first step is to educate yourself and stay curious and open to new concepts and ideas.Luckily we live in a time where we can have access to high-quality research and ideas through our phones. This is how I came across quantum computing which, for example, has the potential to speed up computations used across finance, logistics, healthcare, and more.We need to foster our skills locally so that our research can contribute to cutting-edge work and allow us to be ahead of the curve, instead of mere consumers of advanced tech/science.Its really easy to develop a mental 'block' against science and technology. Sometimes people become afraid of maths for example if they dont understand it in high school. This was similar to my experience with physics, in fact, physics was my lowest mark in school because I never really understood it. Now Im doing a PhD in physics which I would have thought impossible. The key is to view science and technology as art and find your niche in this very broad space.As for advice, I strongly believe that all it takes to achieve your goals is consistent hard work and a balanced lifestyle. If youre still figuring out what your passion is, or feeling as if something in your life is missing, keep upskilling yourself and try to read more about things you normally wouldnt. Maybe one day you will come across the thing that makes you tick, and then hard work can be pleasurable if youre working on something aligned to your passion.
China's sweeping ban on cryptocurrency mining delivered a blow to an industry criticised for its environmental impact, but emissions from the sector could grow as a result unless other countries follow China's lead, climate and tech experts said.

A small toy figure and representations of the virtual currency Bitcoin stand on a motherboard in this picture illustration taken May 20, 2021. Reuters/Dado Ruvic/Illustration

An environmental crime

Price volatility

Bitcoin's value tumbled last week after China's central bank urged banks and payment firms in the country to crack down harder on cryptocurrency trading, in the latest tightening of restrictions on the sector by Beijing.This was good news for climate activists, who have voiced concerns over the potential for the energy-hungry cryptocurrency mining industry to disrupt international efforts to rein in global warming.Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are created or mined by high-powered computers competing to solve complex mathematical puzzles, which guzzle energy and fuel planet-warming emissions unless they consume electricity from renewable sources.Beijing's recent move has paralysed the Chinese industry - accounting for more than half of global cryptocurrency production - making it far more difficult for individuals in China to trade the digital coins.But by cutting off access to China's power grid, with its plentiful supply of affordable renewable energy, the new restrictions could push miners towards dirtier sources of electricity, warned Pete Howson, a senior lecturer in international development at Northumbria University in Britain."China produces enormous amounts of cheap hydroelectricity, especially in Sichuan province - all of which is now pretty much off limits to bitcoin miners," he told the Thomson Reuters Foundation.Industry experts predict cryptocurrency production will pick up elsewhere as Chinese miners sell off their machines or seek refuge abroad - often in countries with less renewable energy."In both the short and medium term, (the crackdown) will likely increase the emissions related to bitcoin mining," said Alex de Vries, founder of research platform Digiconomist, which publishes estimates of bitcoin's climate impact."Without China, which is the world's largest market for renewable energy in absolute terms, it seems unlikely miners have many opportunities to turn greener," he added.Shota Siradze, who runs a cryptocurrency business in Tbilisi that helps would-be miners set up shop in the former Soviet republic of Georgia, said his phone started buzzing again last week after months of silence, as China's announcement prompted a rush of enquiries from foreign investors."People are writing and calling me, asking to find space to install huge quantities of processors," he said, adding he assumed most prospective clients had just bought servers from China.Earlier cryptocurrency booms in Georgia, which uses mostly hydroelectric power, caused a spike in energy demand and rolling power outages in the breakaway region of Abkhazia, where mining was recently banned.While some Chinese miners are selling up, others are moving out, reportedly heading to Kazakhstan, which relies heavily on fossil fuels for electricity, or Texas, where they could push up utility bills and worsen pre-existing power woes in the southern U.S. state, researchers said."The state is in bad shape to welcome bitcoiners," said Howson at Northumbria University."A few months ago, we saw outages there that left millions of people without power. Hundreds of people lost their lives. They froze to death. Bitcoin will make things a lot worse."Cryptocurrency enthusiasts say a decentralised digital currency is worth the energy cost, which they say is relatively low, compared to other key sectors of the economy.Bitcoin mining is currently estimated to account for about 0.3% of global electricity consumption - more than Austria on an annual basis, but about a third of that used by idle household electronics in the United States each year, according to an index compiled by Cambridge University.Still, industry critics hope China's action will spark a global crackdown."It's really important now that governments take steps to ban the import of bitcoin mining machines," said Howson."Just like the global trade in Chinese tiger parts, bitcoin mining needs to be managed as an environmental crime."More countries might indeed follow China's lead, as concerns about cryptocurrencies are not limited to the environment, said Eswar Prasad, a trade policy professor at Cornell University in New York.Chinese authorities say cryptocurrencies disrupt economic order, and facilitate illegal asset transfers and money laundering. Analysts say Beijing is also worried about potential competition for the digital yuan.Last week, the Bank for International Settlements, an umbrella organisation dubbed "the central bank of central banks", said cryptocurrencies were used for ransomware attacks and financial crimes, adding Bitcoin in particular had "few redeeming public interest attributes".The coin can still count on influential supporters: Also last week, El Salvador's president Nayib Bukele said a law that makes the country the first to adopt bitcoin as legal tender will take effect in September.But more broadly, China's actions are likely to be seen as a blow to the legitimisation of decentralised cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin, which could further hurt the viability of the digital currencies, said Prasad."The key challenge that decentralised cryptocurrencies face is that they have proven to be inefficient and costly mediums of exchange and have, instead, become speculative assets," he said by email."Their lack of intrinsic value will leave them susceptible to enormous price volatility, making it harder still for them to fulfil their ostensible roles as mediums of exchange that are more efficient than existing payment technologies."
Nontokozo Madonsela, group chief marketing officer at Momentum Metropolitan Holdings, is going to be speaking at this year's Nedbank IMC on the topic of 'Jerry Maguire: Leading with Purpose'.

What are you planning to speak about, why, and what are some key talking points you plan to discuss?

What are you looking forward to with regard to the event?

Tell us about your role as group chief marketing officer: Momentum Metropolitan Holdings Limited?

#BehindtheMask: Nedbank IMC speaker Mike Sharman Mike Sharman is a serial entrepreneur, perhaps best known as the founder of Retroviral, which has made more brands go viral globally than any other agency in Africa. He is a speaker at this year's Nedbank IMC...

Last year, you were nominated by PRovoke (formerly the Holmes Report) as one of the most influential in-house communications and marketing professionals in the world for 2020. Congratulations! What did this recognition mean to you?

Any key lessons you can share with aspiring marketers?

Tell us more about your experience and/or any other career highlights to date.

#NewCampaign: Standard Bank's next Through its current What's your next?' integrated campaign, Standard Bank Personal and Business Banking South Africa (PBBSA) seeks to reconnect with its customers in a way that acknowledges that they're unique individuals with their own unique aspirations and ambitions, in an effort to partner with them on their journey to step up to their next'...

Judging Financial Mail AdFocus 2019 Awards



AdFocus 2019 Awards Speaker at the Indie Forum, London  Oct 2019



Booked panellist for Indie Summit, London  May 2020



Nominated by PRovoke (formerly the Holmes Report) as one of the most influential in-house communications and marketing professionals in the world for 2020



Honorary Doctorate in Humanitarianism by the Global International Alliance for leading work that supports women under the Momentum brand

How has the pandemic and subsequent national lockdowns affected Momentum Metropolitan specifically and your work?

Whats really behind your mask - literally and figuratively speaking?

Growing up, what did you want to be?

What do you love most about the creative industry?

What's your typical workday routine?

When you're not busy working, what do you do? How do you socialize these days?

What are you reading/listening to/watching at the moment?

No Rules Rules (Netflix)



(Netflix) Behind Her Eyes (Netflix)

Whats the first thing you plan to do when things go back to normal?

Madonselas career path has been defined by an uncompromising commitment to delivering smart, innovative and memorable marketing solutions across a wide variety of industries, for Standard Bank, British American Tobacco, Coca Cola, the South African Breweries and Hollard.Here, we find out more about whats really behind her maskI will be talking about purpose-led leadership. I intend to share what this means to me and weave in lessons from, which is one of my all-time faves.I selected this topic because leading with purpose is what we all need especially in this time of pain, loss and so much uncertainty. Empathy, humanity and seeing more than the performance metric is what has kept me and my team going.I have heard so many good things about the IMC. This will be my second one to attend, and I am looking forward to hearing from the fantastic speakers that are coming through. I think the range of topics and movies is going to make for some great content for all of us to learn from.Aah, I really enjoy my role. I think selling insurance is harder than banking and FMCG. I am always challenging the team to find ways to inject emotion to an otherwise very cold category, and we are starting to see great results in brand health and other sentiment reports. My role also involves putting out fires as we deal with curveballs that come away through client complaints and other crisis matters.It was an incredible award for me. I am always striving to do work that makes impact. Getting this award affirmed that I am doing so successfully.I would say that marketing requires one to have a thick skin. Our work is always in public display (unlike Excel sheets that accountants work with). We take views, opinions and criticisms from our own peers as well as the public. It is tough to hear that your work is not hitting the right spot, or to be told that someones partner doesnt like the ad.I would also say that you need to balance strategic thinking with creativity. We are going to operate in the grey for a while, so an entrepreneurial mindset is crucial for success.Make reality your friend in regard to shrinking budgets. I think more businesses will continue to cut spend, and marketing seems to always be the one that is sacrificed.Leading a brand turnaround for Standard Bank. Under my leadership, a campaign entitled Whats Your Next changed how the retail bank in South Africa is perceived, with a reported 4.4% improvement in the customer satisfaction index (the largest increase of any South African Bank).Leading the renaming of the MMI group to Momentum Metropolitan. An achievement the group had struggled with since the merger in 2010.Repositioning the Momentum brand, with strategy that has led the brand to being about enabling the journey success. The brand has regained its relevance in the market and been noticed for campaigns like #NoApologyForMySuccess and flipping the M  Womentum to honour women in August.Leading the repositioning of Metropolitan through two campaigns called My People, My Everything as well as #Start2021Stronger.Adjusting to working from home was challenging. We are a very connected team of marketers, and we thrive when we are in the office. So, we had to find a way to keep the energy going even as we work remotely.In terms of actual work, we had to interrogate our plans to be sure that we were doing the right stuff as the whole world shifted. Our agency partners have been amazing. They were quick to find ways to keep the fires burning and not lose momentum.A long-lasting lipstick that is a shade of red or plum. A huge optimistic smile. I really cannot deal with the gloomy/sad energy we are confronted by. It is heartbreaking to see the loss that is around us. I try to bring optimism and an uplifting energy where I can.As a child, I wanted to be a newsreader. My dad used to watch a lot of news and bought newspapers every weekend. So, I would imitate the newsreaders and pretend like I was delivering the news bulletin.What did you study, where did you expect your career to take you, and how does this measure up to your current reality?After matric, I initially registered for B.Com Accounting, intending to qualify as a Charted Accountant. After the first year, I knew that I had made the wrong choice. Following chatting to my mentor, I decided to study marketing, and I havent looked back since.I love my profession. When I look back at my CV, my heart smiles.The idea of using our creativity to solve problems or influence positive behaviour changes is amazing. I said to my team the other day that we are magicians.No one day is the same, as I manage multiple brands with different work rhythms. Generally, I move from meeting to meeting (Zoom/Microsoft Office). I try to squeeze in walks in between when I have gaps, even just for 15 minutes.I enjoy going for walks with friends. That way we exercise and catch up. I also enjoy hosting friends and family at my house.Travel to Italy with my kids.
What can be done

At first sight, the situation looks dire for Africa. The regional office of the World Health Organisation (WHO) recently released a statement saying that 90% of countries in Africa would miss the target of vaccinating 10% of their populations by June 2021.Are these warnings a sign of grim despair? Or are they a call to action?I would argue that they are a call to action.But what actions can realistically be taken by African countries, considering the odds stacked against us?In my view there is a lot we can  and should  do, given that mass vaccination for Africa is not imminent.African countries are at various stages of the pandemic. In formulating national policies, governments must incorporate good practices derived from lessons learnt so far to strengthen their health systems. Critical policy elements should include preparedness and response components.African countries should resort to time-honoured public health practices originating from the continent.Take the astute scientific observations of the 1976 Ebola epidemic in Zaire . This taught us that by knowing the transmission modes we can successfully stop the epidemic from spreading when we break the chain of transmission through isolation of a positive case followed by surveillance. This was successful without any recourse to vaccination.Secondly, good hunters know they can catch prey when they have studied its habits. We know that the virus responsible for Covid-19 is mainly transmitted by air. Like good hunters, we should exploit this knowledge and break the chain of transmission of the virus by viable options at our disposal.For example, we can reduce the source of transmission at the outset by instituting some form of lockdown or quarantining all subjects who test positive for Covid-19. South Africas lockdown strategy showed promising success at at the outset of the outbreak, but did not pan out when it was intermittently relaxed.The practice of social distancing by keeping a distance of at least two metres from one another has worked to a large extent in the west . This may be difficult to practise throughout Africa. This is because overcrowding is common in big cities and in villages there are extended families living in one home.We can also protect ourselves by properly wearing a respiratory mask to cut the risk of transmission. Numerous scientific studies in many parts of the world bear testimony to the utility of wearing a mask in closed spaces, healthcare facilities and crowded places with shared air spaces. However, the usefulness of masks can be compromised by non-availability of non-respiratory types or inadequate training in their proper use, leading to recurring waves.Thirdly, sound public health policy would save lives and reduce illnesses. The practices set out above must be incorporated into existing or new policies on preparation and response to resonate with the WHO International Health Regulations criteria.And all countries should have contingency plans with adequate medicine and life-supporting facilities. One key component is ensuring oxygen supply since the great majority of Covid-19 deaths are due to lack of adequate and timely access to oxygen Fourth, we must introduce surveillance at the most basic levels to permit the early recognition and reporting of Covid-19 cases, through training of community healthcare workers.Citizens must be empowered through education and community leadership to recognise a cluster of cases before the disease has time to spread in institutions or communities. Citizens act responsibly when they are provided with the right information. They will feel that they are contributing towards the national good of public health protection and not just for their own self-interest.Education must be in local vernacular to target the population at risk, including frontline workers and people with medical conditions with increased vulnerabilities. We must dispel misinformation that negates the public health measures through classic information education and communication methods to include role model figures like artists, tribal chiefs and other community leaders.

It is therefore incumbent on all national governments, nongovernmental organisations and educational institutions to inculcate self-isolation, wearing of masks and practising personal hygiene.





The vaccine quest must continue

We cannot give up the quest for vaccines as they have contributed to significant progress in controlling many diseases on the continent. Examples include a reduction in meningitis in the meningitis belt through the MenAfriVac initiative and the eradication of wild poliomyelitis throughout the continent.African governments should explore vaccine diplomacy at all levels. This should include supporting waiving of intellectual property rights and the transfer of technology to expand local vaccine production beyond Egypt, Senegal and South Africa. Coupled with these efforts, we should also promote uses of traditional medicines to relieve the severity of the disease.And national governments must move away from overdependence on the precarious supply of the Covax alliance to proactively pursue bilateral arrangements, foster public private partnerships and procure their own supplies by earmarking the budget.Currently, Covid-19 vaccination highlights the gap between the haves and have-nots and widens the social inequity gap. This theme must be pushed in all international forums to galvanise support for Africa.Mass vaccination for the continent and the rest of world will become a reality when there is a push for global control as has been done for the eradication of poliomyelitis and measles. These are diseases that are indiscriminately transmitted between the haves and have-nots, just like Covid-19.Africa has remained resilient in the face of pandemics before. It needs to rise to the challenge again.This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article
Mid/Senior Conceptual Graphic Designer

Remuneration: R25000 - R30000 per month basic salary Location: Johannesburg, Sandton Education level: Diploma Job level: Mid/Senior Own transport required: Yes Type: Permanent Reference: #BG#GraphicDesigner Company: Cardilogix

Job description

A copy of your CV.

A copy of your portfolio.

A link to your online portfolio or links showcasing your work.

Must have strong conceptual skills and attention to detail.

Strong on running and meeting tight deadlines.

Follow strict CI guidelines.

Must be fully computer literate on Mac in Adobe: Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, etc.

Design the following artwork:Digital flyers, posters, presentations, templates, digital print/magazine, brochures, social media images, emails, etc.

Maintain brand identity across all projects.

Solid understanding of print design.

Produce high quality work by using creative designs.

Conceptualise and design strong messages for campaigns allocated.

Requirements

Must have big brand management

Previous agency experience essential

Preference would be given to candidates with branding agency experience

Portfolio imperative to showcase your work

Minimum 5 years of Graphic Design experience.

A thriving marketing agency seeks to hire a talentedto join their team as soon as possible. This role is based at the clients' offices in Bryanston (non-remote).This is a key role within the agency. You will be a key graphic designer across a number of extremely high profile accounts and will constantly champion excellent creative standards throughout the company.Please only apply if you have the relevant experience as per our job ad. Our client does not have the capacity to train anyone  you need to hit the ground running.Your application will be passed to our team of recruitment consultants and should your skills and experience match the recruitment needs of our client, we will be in touch within a 96 hour turn-around time.Should you not hear from us, please treat your application for this job as unsuccessful. Posted on 30 Jun 10:01
Paid Media Manager - Social

Remuneration: cost-to-company Benefits: Great office space, flexibility, amazing coffee, brilliant colleagues and much more Location: Cape Town, Foreshore Education level: Diploma Job level: Mid Type: Permanent Company: Incubeta

Job description

Works closely with internal country consultants on strategic digital strategies

Closely interacts with international media buying consultancy and account management teams

Must have a passion for digital marketing and want to build a career within the digital space

Minimum two years of experience in buying media via demand-side platforms as well as social platforms

Experience with working on ad-servers - eg. campaign manager, Sizmek, Adform

Experience in management of digital accounts with an ROI focus

Experience in managing digital campaigns with branding and performance-driven goals

Experience with managing digital campaigns for video and mobile

Must know how to work with budgets and how to allocate them effectively across different types of online media

Experience with Google Analytics and how to implement and interpret data

Ability to troubleshoot tech issues within buying platforms and present solutions

Must have the ability to understand and interpret the strategy and execute this within the applicable platforms

Ability to analyze campaigns and implement strategy based on findings

Ability to conduct post-campaign analysis and to present that to country teams/client

Ability to build reporting templates which are suited for client

Outstanding ability to think creatively, strategically, and identify and resolve problems

Ability to work closely with senior team members and consultants to take direction with campaigns

Very diligent  staying on top of the details

Ability to succeed in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment

Strong organisational and time management skills

Excellent written and verbal communication skills

Bachelor's degree or diploma in Marketing

Experience working in a media agency within PPC/Google Ads/Search

Experience within Google Campaign Manager (CM)

Experience with working in an SSP or exchanges

Experience within the affiliate/Lead Generation sector

Experience within Google Tag Manager 360 or any other tag management tool

Good technical communicator - be able to turn complexity into simplicity

Passion for online advertising technology

Autonomous, proactive and resourceful

Self-motivated and driven individual

Cool under pressure

Being able to take direction and working closely with team members and consultants

Being able to share knowledge with team

Employ Strategic Campaign set up with sufficient research and following direction given by country consultant

Working closely with internal and external consultants, account managers and clients to develop and implement media buying strategies

Working closely with CM team to ensure seamless integration with full GMP stack clients

Being able to troubleshoot issues within CM and presenting solutions

Build and traffic campaigns in DSP platforms including desktop, mobile, video - platforms are not limited to just one

Analyse campaign performance and make recommendations for optimization

Regular review of performance of campaigns across revenue, performance and pacing

Ensure campaign delivery against revenue goals and Key Performance Indicators as established with the client and consultants

Daily reporting and monitoring of campaigns to ensure performance goals and revenue objectives are met

To ensure best practice RTB and buying techniques are employed at all times

Being able to interpret data outside of programmatic and delivering holistic overview to client

Ability to check different channel behaviour and impact of various channels on digital campaign performance eg. how does paid search influence performance on display / social

Proactively seek new opportunities within programmatic space

Ensure all correct revenues and media costs are reported on a monthly basis.

Ensure all administration is accurate and up to date

Being able to motivate oneself and to continue self-development

Close daily collaboration with consultants and regional leads to understanding clients goals and needs, communicating campaign metrics and performance to Sales and Client as needed;

Campaign performance analysis and presentation to client manager and/or consultant for all campaigns

First level of troubleshooting and triage on technical and performance-related issues

Provide feedback and support to product management based on usage of NMPi MG proprietary technology platforms to help drive improvements and quality

Work regularly with R&D team on giving real-time product improving feedback as well as collaborating with them on new campaign optimization techniques

Exceptional communication skills both written and verbal

skills both written and verbal Display professional and example behaviour at all times

at all times Specialized knowledge - have worked in a serious, thoughtful and sustained way to master the specialized knowledge needed to succeed in their fields; and that they keep this knowledge up-to-date, so that they can continue to deliver the best work possible.

- have worked in a serious, thoughtful and sustained way to master the specialized knowledge needed to succeed in their fields; and that they keep this knowledge up-to-date, so that they can continue to deliver the best work possible. Competency - Professionals get the job done. They're reliable, and they keep their promises. If circumstances arise that prevent them from delivering on their promises, they manage expectations up front, and they do their best to make the situation right. Professionals don't make excuses, but focus on finding solutions.

- Professionals get the job done. They're reliable, and they keep their promises. If circumstances arise that prevent them from delivering on their promises, they manage expectations up front, and they do their best to make the situation right. Professionals don't make excuses, but focus on finding solutions. Gets the job done with a can do attitude

Displays honesty and integrity at all times

at all times Be accountable for their actions even when making mistakes

for their actions even when making mistakes Show respect for the people around them, no matter what their role or situation.

for the people around them, no matter what their role or situation. They exhibit a high degree of emotional intelligence (EI) by considering the emotions and needs of others, and they don't let a bad day impact how they interact with colleagues or clients.

(EI) by considering the emotions and needs of others, and they don't let a bad day impact how they interact with colleagues or clients. Project a positive attitude at all times towards clients team members and motivate team members when they are less positive.

at all times towards clients team members and motivate team members when they are less positive. Display strong interpersonal skills. Ability to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues; display a strong team spirit.

skills. Ability to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues; display a strong team spirit. Maintain the highest standards of delivery, productivity and effectiveness at all times

of delivery, productivity and effectiveness at all times Organised and detail-oriented

Display focus and dedication at all times

Be approachable and open to constructive criticism

Exceptional time management skills and ability to prioritise a high volume of projects simultaneously in a fast-paced unpredictable environment.

Ability to remain calm and thrive under pressure

Strong problem-solving skills

Display high-level independence.

This includes but is not limited to taking decisions independently while staying within the company guidelines; Proactive attitude; staying self-motivated; being self-reliant; continuous self-development without expecting to be taken by the hand.

Display a hunger for knowledge and a willingness to learn for any situation

Respect, appreciate and contribution towards decision making

Requirements

The paid media manager (social and display) will be spending our client's digital budgets wisely within the real-time bidding (RTB), paid social and paid search environment. Media Managers are required to know where best to buy inventory/online audiences for clients using demand-side platforms/social platforms/paid search platforms and ensuring that client goals and ROIs are met.Media Managers are responsible for maximising our advertisers digital budgets according to their required goals. Simply, Media Managers will be responsible for defining / creating digital RTB, paid social & paid search strategies, implementing this in platforms, and spending a predetermined budget - all to ensure clients digital goals are met & that they see a full return on digital investment. You will need to understand how to buy inventory via various technologies at what price, inventory, audiences and programmatic strategies that will result in a successful campaign that meets the clients overall business goals. This position is one of the few around South Africa and will be a major step in your online career.The media manager is able to independently set up and execute online campaigns for all international customers, in close accordance with the responsible client executive.If you believe that you are the ideal candidate for this position, please send through your cover letter and current CV to Natasha at moc.atebucni@astnelat . Please take note that if you do not receive a response from us within two weeks of submitting your application, consider your application as unsuccessful.We look forward to hearing from you! Posted on 30 Jun 17:09
A "pro-vaccine and pro-science" mom who signed her kids up for Pfizer's experimental mRNA covid vaccine trial in December told Senator Ron Johnson at a public hearing on Monday that her 12-year-old daughter suffered "severe" reactions to the shot and had to be hospitalized for months.



"On January 20th, Maddie received her second dose of the Pfizer COVID vaccine as a participant in the clinical trial for 12 -and -15-year-olds," Cincinnati mom Stephanie de Garay said. "All three of our kids volunteered and were excited to participate in the trial as a way to help us all return to normal life. My husband works in the medical field and I have a degree in electrical engineering. We are pro-vaccine and pro-science -- which is why we agreed to let Maddie and her two older brothers volunteer for the trial."



"She had painful electrical shocks down her neck and spine that forced her to walk hunched over," she said. "She had extreme pain in her fingers and toes, and it actually made them turn white, and they were cold whenever you touched them."



"For the past five months, Maddie has been to the ER nine times, it has been hospitalized three times, for a total of two months in the hospital," de Garay said. "She was totally fine before this, she did the right thing trying to help everybody else and they're not helping her."





12-year-old Maddie was enrolled in the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine clinical trial.



She's now in a wheelchair, has an NG tube, and is suffering from severe memory loss, along with many other issues. pic.twitter.com/4Y4KHR1AXo  Izzy (@izzy_b911) June 29, 2021

Maddie was diagnosed with having an adverse reaction to the vaccine by an ER doctor.



The rest of the doctors she saw were baffled, with one even diagnosing her with anxiety & attempting to admit her to a mental hospital. pic.twitter.com/zOYNYj6qAx  Izzy (@izzy_b911) June 29, 2021

Maddie has been hospitalized & has gone to the ER multiple times since she received the second dose of the vaccine.



No one has bothered to find out what happened to her. She's been ignored by Pfizer, the FDA, CDC, and others. pic.twitter.com/bUiwvTTrAr  Izzy (@izzy_b911) June 29, 2021



After de Garay's story went viral, Twitter responded by censoring her:





Why cant Twitter handle the truth?



The internet could have been a force for good in disseminating useful information between doctors during the pandemic.



Instead, Big Tech censors have now sunk so low that they censor the true stories of sick people who need help. https://t.co/1eNxoZEOmV  Senator Ron Johnson (@SenRonJohnson) June 29, 2021



Here's the full conference:







Maddie's story is not unique.





Initial autopsy results showed the previously healthy boy suffered from myocarditis, an inflammatory heart condition CDC officials have acknowledged is "likely" linked to mRNA COVID vaccines.



SUBSCRIBE #TheDefender: https://t.co/zL66Edfiw5https://t.co/ByRyMuazAQ  Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) June 24, 2021

Laura Mallozzi, whose 18-year-old developed myocarditis two days after second Pfizer vaccine, said she would never have connected dots between vaccine + sons symptoms if she hadnt read about condition in #TheDefender.



SUBSCRIBE: https://t.co/zL66Edfiw5https://t.co/aULEPaHEuf  Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) June 23, 2021

In exclusive The Defender interview, 18-year-old Isaiah Harris + his father described how Isaiah had to be hospitalized within 48 hours of second dose of Pfizer vaccine + subsequently had a heart attack.



SUBSCRIBE to #TheDefender: https://t.co/zL66Edfiw5https://t.co/3UR2mjV5LL  Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) June 22, 2021

Another horrifying story! OSU student, elite athlete + member of ROTC developed severe heart complications following his second dose of Pfizers COVID vaccine.



SUBSCRIBE to #TheDefender: https://t.co/zL66Edfiw5https://t.co/oXQRGDoXNK  Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) June 21, 2021

Simone Scott underwent a heart transplant one month after developing what her doctors believe was myocarditis following her second dose of Moderna. She received the second vaccine May 1 and died June 11.



SUBSCRIBE to #TheDefender: https://t.co/zL66Edfiw5https://t.co/Ne1lq7CLsi  Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) June 15, 2021

EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: 21-year-old NJ student suffered severe heart inflammation after receiving second dose of Modernas COVID vaccine. Justin Harrington, whose school required him to get the vaccine...



SUBSCRIBE to #TheDefender: https://t.co/zL66Edfiw5https://t.co/W9JxP3RMkp  Robert F. Kennedy Jr (@RobertKennedyJr) June 15, 2021



Trust the science!



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BEIJING (AP)  Didi Global Inc., a Chinese ride-hailing service, gained 1% Wednesday in its highly anticipated U.S. stock market debut, giving up most of a early double-digit gain.

FILE - In this April 27, 2017, file photo, visitors walk past a sign for Chinese ride-hailing service Didi Chuxing at the Global Mobile Internet Conference (GMIC) in Beijing. Chinese ride-hailing service Didi says it lost $5.5 billion over the past three years ahead of its U.S. stock market debut Wednesday, June 30, 2021, but it's highlighting its global reach and investments in developing electric and self-driving cars. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein,File)

BEIJING (AP)  Didi Global Inc., a Chinese ride-hailing service, gained 1% Wednesday in its highly anticipated U.S. stock market debut, giving up most of a early double-digit gain.

The Beijing-headquartered company's initial public offering of 288 million shares was priced at $14 a share and opened at $16.65, up 16%. The shares closed at $14.14.

Prior to the IPO, the company said it aimed to spend 30% on technology development, another 30% to expand outside China and 20% on new products.

Didi's U.S. market debut comes a day after the company said it lost $5.5 billion over the past three years, though the company also touted its global reach and investments in developing electric and self-driving cars. Didi operates in 16 countries, though almost 90% of the 493 million customers who used the service at least once in the past year are in China.

The company founded in 2012 by Will Wei Cheng, a veteran of e-commerce giant Alibaba Group, says it aims to become the worlds largest one-stop transportation platform and operator of vehicle networks.

We aspire to become a truly global technology company, said Cheng and president Jean Qing Liu in the prospectus. Liu is a former Goldman Sachs managing director and the daughter of Liu Chuanzhi, founder of computer maker Lenovo Group.

Early investors included Apple Inc., Japans Softbank, Alibaba and Chinese internet giants, Tencent Holding Ltd. and Baidu Inc.

Didi acquired rival Kuaidi in 2016 and Uber Technologies Inc.s China operation the following year, ending a battle in which the American company said it was losing $1 billion a year.

Chinas populous ride-hailing market has gone through abrupt changes as the ruling Communist Party tries to nurture development of technology while keeping control of promising industries.

Founded as a smartphone-based taxi-hailing service, it launched ride-hailing in 2014 and expanded abroad in 2018 by acquiring Brazils 99 Taxis and setting up operations in Mexico.

In 2015-16, regulators tightened control in what state media said was an effort to curb traffic congestion and prevent crime linked to ride-hailing services. Drivers were required to be residents of cities and towns where they worked and to be more closely supervised.

Didi has plowed money into development of self-driving, electric vehicles and other technology. The company launched an electric car last year with Chinese automaker BYD Auto, a unit of BYD Ltd.

Didi lost 15 billion yuan ($2.3 billion) in 2018, 9.7 billion yuan ($1.5 billion) in 2019 and 10.6 billion yuan ($1.6 billion) last year, according to its prospectus. It says Didi had $3 billion in cash as of Dec. 31.
Indigenous rights holder organizations will now have control over the Indigenous Court Workers Program in a move the province says is aimed at reconciliation and improving outcomes in the justice system.

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Indigenous rights holder organizations will now have control over the Indigenous Court Workers Program in a move the province says is aimed at reconciliation and improving outcomes in the justice system.

The Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak, Manitoba Metis Federation, the Southern Chiefs Organization and the Island Lake Tribal Council will now be responsible for administering the program, Justice Minster Cameron Friesen announced Tuesday.

The province previously administered the program.

"We believe these four organizations have the capacity, the knowledge, the expertise, the relationships, the ability to help clients understand the court process and access the resources that they need," Friesen said.

The Indigenous Court Workers Program gives Indigenous people in the justice system support navigating the complexities of the system and connecting with resources.

The workers can attend court with the accused, give support in their first language and help break down complicated legal terms or procedures. They also help connect victims and their families with community-based resources.

The $1 million a year in funding for two years will go directly toward equipment costs, staffing and training for 10 court workers. Funding is provided jointly by both the provincial and federal governments.

The move brings Manitoba in line with other jurisdictions, Friesen said, and there are no plans to have the province take over the program again.

"It is respectful, it is timely. When the two years is up, well re-sign with the federal government and keep going," Friesen said.

Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee said the move is a step forward as Indigenous people are overrepresented in the justice system.

Southern Chiefs Organization Grand Chief Jerry Daniels said discoveries of unmarked graves at former residential schools highlight the importance of transferring responsibility for the program to Indigenous organizations.

"Becoming involved in the justice system is a traumatic experience for individuals and their families," he said.

"The (Indigenous court workers) will also work to create greater cultural awareness between with the people tasked with administering justice, such as judges, Crown prosecutors and defence counsel, thereby creating greater cultural and legal awareness throughout the justice system."

Taking control of the programs will also strengthen the existing restorative justice programs, he said.

While the program is an essential one and serves a vital role, NDP justice critic Nahanni Fontaine said proper funding is lacking. She said the number of court workers has been whittled down over the years and there arent enough to cover the provinces First Nations.

"Youre already starting with not enough money to be able to execute that program properly  $1 million is nothing for four rights organizations to administer that," she said.

"The problem is Im worried theyre setting up organizations to fail because of where theyre already starting the deficit of the Indigenous complement and not enough money."

The Southern Chiefs Organization will hire three Indigenous court workers, said SCO spokesperson Caitlin Reid, but the locations have not been finalized yet, she said.

"We will be collaborating with MKO, MMF and ILTC to ensure ICWs will be spread throughout the courts in Manitoba to ensure greater access and not be overlapping at the various court locations," she said in an email.

The next meeting with the province is on July 15, which is when locations and concrete details will be discussed, she said.

A spokesperson for Friesen said the change is expected to take effect this fall.

 dmay@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @DrewMay_
The Brandon School Divisions 2021 high school graduation season came to an end on Tuesday, with Prairie Hope High School officials hosting their own ceremony in the citys downtown core.

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The Brandon School Divisions 2021 high school graduation season came to an end on Tuesday, with Prairie Hope High School officials hosting their own ceremony in the citys downtown core.

This year, just like BSDs other senior high schools, Prairie Hope staff opted to organize an outdoor ceremony with physical distancing measures put in place to abide by the provinces latest COVID-19 health restrictions.

But since Prairie Hopes class of 2021 only consisted of 49 graduates, each student really got the time and space to drink in their big moment after being dropped off at The Firehouse event venue  formerly known as the Prairie Firehouse restaurant  one at a time.

Graduate Sierra Barker told the Sun she was really impressed with the way Prairie Hope staff dressed up the front of the building, which featured a red carpet, flower arch and decorative trees.

"Its such a surreal experience, honestly," Barker said.

Prairie Hope High School principal Katherine MacFarlane welcomes Tara Roulette and her parents to the institution's 2021 graduation ceremony, which took place outside The Firehouse event venue throughout Tuesday morning and afternoon. Like other local high schools, Prairie Hope officials had to reformat their graduation ceremony at the last minute to fall in line with the province's latest health restrictions. (Kyle Darbyson/The Brandon Sun)

"I thought we were just going to have a diploma sent to us in the mail, but this was actually really nice. They did a good job with the decorations and everything."

Fellow graduate Gursehj Sangha revealed that this small-scale ceremony was a cathartic moment after such a chaotic academic year, where most K-12 students had to endure the shift from in-person to remote learning due to spiking COVID cases.

On top of that, Sangha admitted that she decided to take a year off to focus on her mental health, which pushed her scheduled graduation back from the summer of 2020 to now.

Prairie Hope High School student Sierra Barker celebrates receiving her diploma on Tuesday morning, as principal Katherine MacFarlane cheers her on in the background. (Kyle Darbyson/The Brandon Sun)

"I went back to school in March and I just worked my way through school and I worked through all the courses and it actually paid off," she said. "So its actually a little surprising to be here right now because I made it in such a short period of time."

While Tuesdays ceremony didnt give graduates the chance to deliver a formal speech to the public, certain students took some time to give thanks when talking to the Sun in private.

Darryl Ferland, for example, said he wouldnt have been able to make it this far in his education without the support of his girlfriend Amy, his mother Dianne and other extended family members.

Khadro Abdi Elmi poses for a photo with her sister Ardo after taking part in Prairie Hope High School's 2021 graduation ceremony, which took place outside The Firehouse event venue on Tuesday. (Kyle Darbyson/The Brandon Sun)

"Its kind of a big weight being lifted," said Ferland, who has aspirations of applying for a trades program at Assiniboine Community College.

"It feels good to be done with this part of my life and being able to move on to bigger and better things in the future."

Meanwhile, Margaret McKay went out of her way to thank the Prairie Hope staff, who have been very accommodating of her unique needs as a new mother.

Prairie Hope High School graduate Gursehj Sangha kisses her boyfriend Jordon after receiving her diploma on Tuesday morning in downtown Brandon. (Kyle Darbyson/The Brandon Sun)

"They offered us rides, bus passes were a big thing for me and my baby, and they were just very supportive," she said. "I loved going to school here. It was a really good experience."

Tuesdays ceremony also marked a big milestone for Prairie Hope staff as well, since this is only their second official grad celebration as an independent entity.

After opening its doors in September 2007, this institution was known as Neelin High School Off Campus or BSD Off Campus, and was designed to provide a unique school setting for students who are at risk of discontinuing their education for a variety of reasons.

Margaret McKay celebrates graduating from Prairie Hope High School on Tuesday morning alongside her son Malachi. Prairie Hope officials told the Sun that they honoured 49 graduates at this year's ceremony, which took place outside The Firehouse event venue in downtown Brandon. (Kyle Darbyson/The Brandon Sun)

However, the alternative school received a new name and organizational structure in 2019, and put together its first graduation ceremony under that umbrella the following year.

But now that theyve completed an entire academic year as "Prairie Hope," acting principal Katherine MacFarlane told the Sun that Tuesdays grad ceremony will help solidify this emerging identity heading well into the future.

"This time last year they had just finished selecting the logo," MacFarlane said outside The Firehouse.

"So having your own identity, your own logo and your own name, and then being able to celebrate right out in the open where people can see us, I think thats very special."

 kdarbyson@brandonsun.com

 Twitter:@KyleDarbyson
WINNIPEG  The Manitoba government is enlisting more than two dozen community groups, churches and businesses in the first wave of an outreach program aimed at driving up COVID-19 vaccination rates.

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WINNIPEG  The Manitoba government is enlisting more than two dozen community groups, churches and businesses in the first wave of an outreach program aimed at driving up COVID-19 vaccination rates.

The program, first announced four weeks ago, offers grants of up to $20,000 each to groups that work with people in areas where vaccine uptake is low.

"Accessibility issues, physical location, language barriers, cultural and religious beliefs and practices  all of these things can contribute to making one hesitant," Premier Brian Pallister said Tuesday.

Several organizations and employers in Westman are holding vaccination clinics as part of the program.

They include Maple Leaf Foods, McCain Foods, HyLife, Westman Immigrant Services and Princess Park.

As previously reported by the Sun, Maple Leaf Foods had approximately 100 vaccines administered at its Brandon pork processing plant last month.

An email from a HyLife spokesperson said that the companys Neepawa pork processing plant held two offsite vaccination clinics on May 27 and June 23 as well as an onsite vaccination clinic on June 22.

More than 1,200 doses of the Moderna vaccine were administered to HyLife staff and their families during the clinics.

"This opportunity to receive the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine was provided to our employees on paid work time," the email stated. "We also provided transportation to and from the plant to the offsite clinics."

The email also stated that of the 1,662 employees at the Neepawa plant, 57 per cent are fully vaccinated, while another 21 per cent have received their first dose and are waiting for their second dose. The company expects 78 per cent of its employees fully vaccinated by mid-July.

Westman Immigrant Services executive director Enver Naidoo told the Sun by phone that the organization is expecting to administer approximately 70 doses of vaccine at a clinic held at its building at 1001 Pacific Ave. between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

"This partnership opportunity is a way for Westman Immigrant Services to play a role in getting the message out there," Naidoo said. "The actual vaccination site is a way for us to be a bit more active in bringing our clients together."

He hopes theyll be able to create a space where their clients feel more at ease than at the bigger vaccination sites. To help accomplish that goal, translators and language support will be on hand and a private room will be used for anyone needed extra privacy for cultural or other reasons.

Originally, the organization had considered setting up appointments, but they decided to make it a walk-in process to provide flexibility for clients who might want to come with a friend or family members.

"The goal is really to support the vaccination of as many individuals and families as possible, so I think if we found there were individuals in the community who came for the vaccine that werent our clients, I think that would be a success," Naidoo said.

If uptake is good, Naidoo said hed be interested in organizing more clinics.

A spokesperson for Manitoba Health told the Sun by email that Princess Park is indeed the one in Brandon, but they did not know who was organizing clinics there. Previous clinics held at the park have targeted residents dealing with homelessness.

One group that helps disadvantaged people in the Steinbach area southeast of Winnipeg, where vaccination rates are low, will host a barbecue, during which medical professionals will answer questions.

New Flyer Industries, which manufactures buses, will hold vaccination clinics at some of its workplace sites.

The Hindu Society of Manitoba will host two one-day vaccination clinics. Society president Kirit Thakrar said a language barrier and questions about which brand of vaccine is best have caused some in the community to be hesitant.

The percentage of Manitobans aged 12 and up who have had at last one dose has topped 73 per cent, but growth has slowed in recent weeks.

Pallister said the province needs about 51,000 more people to get a first dose by Labour Day in order to reach a target of 80 per cent, which would help trigger an end to many restrictions on public gatherings and businesses.

While uptake has been very high in some age groups and in many geographic areas of the province, it has been very low in some regions. Three health districts in rural southern Manitoba have had fewer than 40 per cent of people aged 12 and up receive a dose, even though there are large-scale government vaccination sites in the area.

The Progressive Conservative government said it expects to award more grants to community groups and businesses in the coming weeks. The grants revealed Tuesday totalled $390,000.

 Steve Lambert and cslark@brandonsun.com

 Twitter: @stevelambertwpg and @ColinSlark
The Branson Board of Aldermen on Thursday (now postponed to July 28) will consider an ordinance that would require face coverings in public spaces. The aldermen might approve it, disapprove it, or approve an amended version. Would you be in favor of some form of mandatory face covering ordinance in the city of Branson?

You voted:
Economists make for unlikely newspaper opinion columnists. Why? Because it is the job of columnists to hold strong opinions on a dazzling array of important matters. It is the job of economists, by contrast, to simply and diligently go about the business of politely reminding society that we should generally only take courses of actions for which the benefits exceed the costs.

Or, conversely, that we really ought to stop doing things for which the costs outweigh the benefits.

Illustration: John Shakespeare Credit:The Sydney Morning Herald

It further falls to economists to go out into the real world and painstakingly amass the evidence  in careful conjunction with other fields of study like science  to indicate which policy choices will likely yield maximum benefits for society.

Ultimately, the answers to societys thorniest questions, such as the correct course of action on climate change or the appropriate levels of public funding for aged or child care, rest not on opinion but the careful identification of relevant facts, and the weighing of them.
Heres a novel approach to working from home: Those who choose to stay home pay the colleagues who brave the commute to show up in the office.

Its an approach taken by Disco Corp., a Japanese maker of semiconductor equipment. The Tokyo-based company is unusual in that for the past decade it has used an internal currency called Will to create a micro-economy where sales teams pay factory workers to produce goods, who in turn pay engineers to design products. Even office desks, PCs and meeting rooms have a price. When a sale is made, the coin trickles back through the supply chain. Leftover balances are paid in yen at the end of each quarter as bonuses.

When the pandemic hit, Disco didnt have the option of letting all its employees log in from home. Someone had to show up to keep the factories running. So the company set up a system where those working remotely paid a certain amount of Will to be divided among the employees who came in.

As Japan is battling the pandemic, one company has taken a novel approach to getting workers to commute to the office. Credit:Getty Images

Ordering some people to go in while others stay home is unfair, Discos Chief Executive Officer Kazuma Sekiya said in an interview. The company currency offers behavioural incentives and the choice is up to you. Thats the power of Will.
By the time Frozen II rolled around their eldest had turned 16. She knows we wrote Show Yourself in large part for her, because she was going through a really rough time, and I knew that she was feeling different but that she needed to know that she has it, she could find her power and that I trusted that she was going to find it herself. After its first screening in a tiny New York studio, the whole family was in tears. On the car ride home she said you wrote that for me, didnt you? And then we started crying again! Anna (voiced by Kristen Bell) and Olaf (Josh Gad) in Frozen 2. Credit:Disney Plenty of Hollywood bit players have made themselves rich by inventing formulas for movie success  there are only seven stories, its all about the Heros Journey, always save the cat. Frozen came along and rewrote that script. For the better part of a century Disney princesses looked for true love in the form of a dashing hero. In Frozen, the handsome prince turns out to be a creep, and true love is found closer to home. That was what attracted us to the project to begin with, says Robert. That was always inherent in the story, two sisters who started out diametrically opposed but discovered that their salvation and their true love really lay between them.

Perhaps because of their personal backstories, the songs of Frozen and its sequel have lodged themselves in the hearts of countless children. We really wanted to tell real stories with true emotion at their heart, says Kristen. And every little kid whos been told dont cry or every little boy whos been told dont skip, it looks too female or whatever, every kid in some way is being told tamp it down. Thats why Elsa in particular, a young woman with a power that she cant control, offered a new kind of role model for children. I actually think Elsa speaks for every part of us thats ever felt: I dont want people to know the whole me. Which I think is universal, and something that were maybe looking at a little bit more now as a society, but its existed as long as humans have been alive. That feeling, dont let them see the shameful dark parts of me. Elsa has also been embraced by LGBTI people the world over. Did they expect to connect so strongly with those communities? Its always a good bet when you write a musical that thats going to happen, says Robert. So were used to it, and its wonderful. Elsa is this character that appeals very strongly to that community, and also to neurodiverse groups, so many people really see themselves in that character. Addicts, eating disorders, its used a lot in recovery any place where people have been controlled by a part of them that society would find shameful, says Kristen. And its amazing, the way that it has been adopted by the autistic community in particular is really powerful. The stage adaptation of Frozen was written between the two films, and given the originals success it could have been easy not to shake things up. But, once again, this duo arent into sticking to the formula. I think we wrote more songs for this show than we did that are in the movie, says Robert. Theres something like 20 songs in the show and less than 10 in the movie.

A good number of songs were written for the film that didnt make the final cut  you can hear Kristen and Robert themselves singing on nine outtakes and alternative demos on Frozens official soundtrack, sometimes discussing why the songs were shelved. The stage show of Frozen comes to Her Majestys Theatre this month. They only had five months to write the new score for the stage show, so you might have forgiven them for going back to that unused material. Not so. I think we used one little bit of one of them, says Robert. This little hand-clap chant that they sing at the top of the show, thats from our original material cut from the movie, but those songs are from different storylines that we couldnt use again. So everything had to be written anew. We took a lot of the musical DNA from the songs that did work in Frozen and used those motifs, those themes, to build new songs, so that it all felt like it came from the same musical place, says Kristen. The stage version of Frozen will undoubtedly reignite a spark in the hearts of plenty of fans, and might well be the first time many younger audiences step into a theatre. Do the people behind Let It Go, Into the Unknown and Show Yourself hope those viewers take anything special from the experience?
In an 11th-hour media blitz, Mr Howard predicted that voters would deliver a positive verdict on the GST by Christmas, effectively conceding that his leadership was on the line.

After coming to a compromise agreement on the GST with the Australian Democrats, John Howard and Peter Costello hold a media conference. Credit:Peake

Prime Minister John Howard declared yesterday he had put his head on the block to secure tax reform, signalling he will wear the blame if the system introduced today fails to deliver a stronger and fairer nation.

The reason I have done this and I have taken the risk and I have put my head on the block, and accept it, is that I believe it is good for the country, he told Brisbane radio. Ive invested a lot in it, not for some kind of ego trip of my own.

In an interview with The Age, Mr Howard said: If the colleagues want me to lead them into the next election, I will. Im in their hands, completely.

John Howard crosses paths with Australian Democrats leader, Meg Lees, after the agreement over the GST. Credit:Mike Bowers

More than 20 years after first advocating tax reform, five years after saying a GST would never ever be Coalition policy and almost three years after embarking on the great tax adventure, Mr Howard insisted that politics would not be the same in Australia.

A new 10 per cent tax now applies to most goods and services, although basic food, health, education, child care and exports will be tax-free. The GST will replace the 1930s wholesale sales tax.
A young German backpacker who was sexually assaulted by a horse breeder in NSW has told a court she was massaged against her will and once had her dinner given to his dogs because he felt she had spent too long on the phone to her boyfriend.

Gregory Richard Douglas, 68, was convicted last month after a jury found him guilty of 13 sexual and indecent assault offences against five backpackers working in a volunteer capacity on his property at Peelwood in the Southern Tablelands between 2014 and 2019.

Gregory Richard Douglas is awaiting sentencing in the NSW District Court. Credit:Facebook

He convinced or coerced the volunteers  a 27-year-old Japanese woman, an 18-year-old Australian, and three Germans, two aged 18 and one aged 21 - to accept massages within days of their arrival.

At Douglas sentence hearing in the NSW District Court on Wednesday afternoon, one of the German women said she had been excited as a teenager to travel to a new country and work with horses, as it was what she was most passionate about.
Two people, one with a shotgun, can be seen running after bikie Shane Bowdens BMW as he pulled into a driveway seconds before he was gunned down in an execution-style killing on the Gold Coast, CCTV released by police shows.

Bowden, a senior member of the Mongols and reportedly the gangs former national sergeant-at-arms who had defected to the Finks, was sprayed with 21 bullets outside a Pimpama unit in October 2020 after he pulled into the driveway.

The two offenders can be seen running into the garage holding a firearm. Credit:Police Media

Homicide detectives have released CCTV footage of the minutes before the shooting that shows Bowdens BMW pulling into the garage as two offenders run towards him from the street.

One of the offenders can be seen carrying a firearm and running from nearby vacant land and following Bowden into the garage.
The Queensland Land Court has recommended the proposed expansion of a limestone mine near the states central coast be approved, despite numerous concerns raised by local activists.

Land Court Member James McNamara gave the proposed expansion of the East End limestone mine, about 30 kilometres west of Gladstone, his tick of approval on Wednesday.

The East End limestone mine, operated by Cement Australia, is 30 kilometres west of Gladstone. Credit:Glenn Hunt

The mine is operated by Cement Australia  the nations largest manufacturer of cement  which applied for a mining lease and to amend its Environmental Authority (EA) to allow for the mines expansion.

But more than a dozen objections were raised, with the East End Mine Action Group opposing the proposal in the Queensland Land Court, which heard the case in Gladstone in July 2020.
The messaging behind Australias vaccination rollout reached new depths of confusion on Wednesday morning when Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk warned young people to ignore the Prime Ministers encouragement of the AstraZeneca vaccine and to instead wait for Pfizer.

In an attack against the Morrison governments handling of the coronavirus pandemic, Ms Palaszczuk, herself under pressure for failures that triggered a three-day lockdown of south-east Queensland, said Mondays meeting of national cabinet made no decision about opening up AstraZeneca doses for people younger than 60.

She said people should listen to Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young, who declared at Wednesdays COVID-19 press conference that even though the risk associated with AstraZeneca was low for any age group, I dont want an 18-year-old in Queensland dying from a clotting illness who, if they got COVID, probably wouldnt die.

Dr Young reiterated that people aged under 60 should receive the Pfizer vaccine, as per the advice of the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).
The countrys vaccine advisory group, the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI), on Thursday reiterated its preference that the Pfizer jab be used for vaccinating people aged under 60. ATAGI co-chair Christopher Blyth said the AstraZeneca vaccine was not banned for people under 60 and that young people should be discussing vaccination with their general practitioner, as we all should be. But he told the ABC he did not believe that young people should receive the AstraZeneca vaccine at this stage. The nations peak medical group has slammed political leaders for fuelling confusion over the vaccine rollout. The Australian Medical Association said Prime Minister Scott Morrison had mangled the policy change without enough consultation and sparked a dispute with state leaders that would increase vaccine hesitancy.

Tougher line on travel urged Mr Andrews said he would ask national cabinet to dramatically reduce the number of people coming into the country who would enter hotel quarantine. It is better to lock some people out than to lock everyone down, he said. He said there could be about a 75 per cent or 80 per cent reduction in people coming back to Australia.

We have it within our power to dramatically reduce the number of people who are coming back just for these next three or four months until we get a critical mass of people with a jab [and] protection for the community, including the vulnerable, Mr Andrews said. New figures on Thursday showed more than 10,000 travellers entered Australia to visit friends, go on holiday or for business trips in April, putting pressure on the countrys hotel quarantine system while 34,000 citizens remain stranded overseas wanting to come home. He acknowledged such a change would be very difficult for some people who want to come home for the best of reasons. But Mr Andrews said that did not compare to the discomfort lockdowns caused to an entire city. Were called to often make very hard [decisions]. This needs to happen, Mr Andrews said. I think we need to see a very significant reduction in the number of people that are coming back to Victoria [and] coming back to Australia.

Mr Andrews said ensuring that returning Australians were vaccinated would not eliminate the risk of transmission. Loading We could make sure that ... everyone who comes here is vaccinated before they come here, that would reduce their risk of transmission, but it doesnt eliminate it, Mr Andrews told media on Thursday. The problem is not so much the vaccination status of people on the other side of the world, its vaccination status of people right here. The Premier said it would be desperately sad to tell some people that they couldnt come home to Australia for compassionate reasons.

But if youre coming home for those compassionate reasons, it makes it much more likely that there will be an outbreak and well have to lock everybody down, then youve got to make that tough call. The greatest good for the greatest number, and thats exactly what well do. Victoria has declared several Australian jurisdictions red zones, including Greater Sydney, Greater Darwin, parts of south-east Queensland, Townsville, and the Perth and Peel regions in Western Australia. Alice Springs was added to the list at 11.59pm on Wednesday. Red zones dictate that travellers are barred from entering Victoria without an exemption. Victorian residents can come home, but they have to obtain a permit and quarantine for 14 days upon their arrival. Victorias COVID-19 response commander, Jeroen Weimar, said on Thursday that authorities had so far issued 10,400 red-zone permits, and spoken to about 10,000 of those permit holders. Of them, 38 per cent had so far tested negative to coronavirus.

Of course, those numbers shift day to day, Mr Weimar said. He said Victoria Police issued 17 warning notices to people on Wednesday, after officers questioned more than 2000 people at the NSW border and conducted 130 home visits to people who had returned from red zones. Zero local cases Mr Andrews comments came as Victoria has recorded zero new local coronavirus cases. The number of active cases fell to 31 from 34 on Wednesday. No cases of coronavirus were recorded in Victorias hotel quarantine in the 24 hours to midnight on Wednesday.

More than 29,149 COVID-19 test results were processed in the past 24 hours, and more than 19,219 people received their coronavirus vaccine doses. As debate raged over the vaccine rollout, a top health official warned it may not be possible to rein in another outbreak of a similar scale to the states second wave. Victorias Deputy Chief Health Officer, Daniel OBrien, said new infectious variants of coronavirus had proved much more difficult to control. He said Victoria had managed amazingly last year to get a major outbreak under control but did not know if it would be possible to do so next time around.

Loading Therefore you need a layer of defence, Associate Professor OBrien said, citing mask wearing, people getting tested when they had symptoms and using QR check-in codes as examples. He said people were previously considered at risk of catching coronavirus if they had spent 15 minutes face-to-face with a positive case, or more than an hour in the same room. The new Delta and Kappa variants that drove recent outbreaks across the nation posed a risk to people entering a room within 20 minutes of an infected person leaving. With David Crowe, Rachel Clun and Jenny Noyes
Western Australia has recorded one new local case of coronavirus, bringing the tally for Perths northern suburbs cluster to four.

Premier Mark McGowan said the 37-year-old man frequented the same gym as two other positive cases and had been in isolation before becoming infectious.

Perth people wait to be tested for COVID-19 in Joondalup. Credit:Marta Pascual Juanola

The man attended the Mobius Health and Performance gym in Joondalup on Tuesday, June 22, at the same time as the initial Perth case  case 1022  and again on Saturday, June 26, during the same exposure period as case 1023. He was tested and quarantined on Sunday, June 27.

That test returned a negative result. He subsequently developed symptoms, was re-tested yesterday and has returned a positive result, Mr McGowan said.
In a late night press conference on Monday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced the federal government had changed the advice on who can and should receive the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Mr Morrison announced that under-40s could now request AstraZeneca from their GP, with the Commonwealth agreeing to indemnify doctors who administer the vaccine.

The age group was already allowed to receive the vaccine if they wanted it: the move from the Prime Minister to indemnify doctors makes the AstraZeneca vaccine more readily available to people under the age of 40 amid reports of risks of a rare clotting disorder and that risk being higher for younger age groups.

Today on Please Explain, Australian Medical Association Vice President Dr Chris Moy joins Nathanael Cooper to tell us more about the decision to indemnify doctors and the risks associated with the AstraZeneca vaccine.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has wrongly claimed that the federal government was planning to establish mass vaccination centres to administer AstraZeneca vaccines to under 40s.

Speaking to the ABCs 7.30 on Wednesday night, Palaszczuk said Prime Minister Scott Morrison had changed the advice on the AstraZeneca vaccine in order to set up the clinics.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk does not want Queenslanders under 40 to get the AstraZeneca vaccine despite Prime Minister Scott Morrison opening it up to them. Credit:Matt Dennien/Rhett Wyman

I think the Commonwealth was looking at setting up mass vaccination hubs to administer AstraZeneca to the under 40s, she said. I mean this is extraordinary.

A spokesman for the federal government said: That is absolutely incorrect and it is unclear what the Queensland Premier is basing that claim upon.
Scientists are contradicting the latest claims of Environment Minister Sussan Ley who says UNESCO was suggesting Australia can single-handedly lower global greenhouse gas emissions when it slapped an in danger warning on the Great Barrier Reef.

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation last week issued a draft in danger listing for the World Heritage-listed Great Barrier Reef, where repeated climate change-driven bleaching events have killed at least 50 per cent of shallow-water corals.

Environment Minister Sussan Ley railed against UNESCO in an opinion piece on Wednesday. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

UNESCOs draft ruling cited climate change as a major factor and said the Reef Water Quality Report Card 2019 left questions to be answered and it only showed progress towards some targets.

Ms Ley has endorsed her own governments very poor health warning made in 2019 and agreed with scientists that climate change is the greatest threat to the reefs health.
Back in 2003, a young Labor frontbencher, Morris Iemma, was the newly appointed NSW health minister when he held up a mask at a press conference at Prince of Wales Hospital in Randwick. Iemma warned that if the SARS outbreak taking hold overseas was not brought under control, we would all be wearing face coverings in public.

At the time, his mask warning for NSW seemed extreme. Iemmas first health crisis as minister was the deadly SARS outbreak, and NSWs pandemic plan, the one being used today for COVID-19, was developed in preparation for it infiltrating the state.

In control ... Premier Gladys Berejiklian bumps elbows with Treasurer Dominic Perrottet after he delivers the budget. Credit:AAP

Masks were just one aspect of the pandemic plan. We have the power to compel people into diagnosis, treatment and quarantine should it be required  and with stiff penalties for those who do not comply, said Iemmas speaking notes for the press conference on April 27 that year.

The worst-case SARS scenario never eventuated in NSW. But if masks were seen as an extraordinary measure in the early 2000s, no one could have imagined life in NSW two decades later. People are not just locked down; thousands who are deemed close contacts of a new deadly virus are in strict isolation.
Queenslands Deputy Premier has blasted travellers he claimed were putting the state at risk of a coronavirus outbreak by skipping past Australias closed international borders for a business meeting.

Its not good enough that just because you can afford a business-class flight or a charter flight you can breach our closed international borders, Steven Miles said, despite Premier Annastacia Palaszczuks proposal to travel to Tokyo in July to make the final pitch in Queenslands bid to host the 2032 Olympic Games.

Mr Miles said about 40,000 Australian citizens and 6000 permanent visa holders were allowed to leave the country every month, which put pressure on hotel quarantine.

Many of them seek to return, he said. Rejoining the queue, going back through hotel quarantine, putting our community at risk.
Queensland will run out of Pfizer vaccinations within days, with a request for more stock from the federal government rejected.

On Wednesday, Health Minister Yvette DAth warned that some sites were expected to run out as early as Monday.

The Sunshine Coast University Hospital is among vaccination hubs that may have to turn people away.

Ms DAth said accessing additional doses was vital if authorities were to avoid having to cancel vaccination appointments already made.
London: More than half the population would be given a booster shot of the COVID-19 vaccine at the same time as the winter flu jab under world-first plans being drawn up in Britain.

In a development which may eventually be replicated by other countries, health authorities revealed they had started work on a campaign to offer a third dose from September for those most at risk from the disease.

The proposal means tens of millions of people in the United Kingdom could be offered a new round of protection before Australias troubled initial rollout is completed.

The government has not made a final decision on whether to proceed but said it was important to ensure the shield offered by first and second doses was maintained ahead of the northern winter and against new variants.
New York: Bill Cosby was freed from prison and returned home less than two hours after Pennsylvanias highest court overturned his sexual assault conviction, saying he never should have faced charges after striking a non-prosecution deal with a previous district attorney more than 15 years ago.

The split decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on Wednesday (Thursday AEST), came after Cosby had served more than two years of a potential three- to 10-year sentence in a state prison following his 2018 conviction.

Comedian Bill Cosby, centre, and spokesperson Andrew Wyatt, right, outside Cosbys home in Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, just hours after the states highest court overturned his sex assault conviction. Credit:AP

The 83-year-old comedian and actor was released from custody just before 2.30pm local time (4.30am AEST), the State Corrections Department said on Twitter.

Around an hour later, he arrived at his stately stone mansion in Elkins Park, a Philadelphia suburb, before making a brief appearance alongside his lawyers in front of a gaggle of cameras late in the afternoon.
Local

Commissioners consider Victim Assistance program funding request

The rates of domestic violence victimizations are increasing annually, with the problem exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Those issues have domestic violence advocacy programs  like the Williams County Victim Assistance (WCVA) program  preparing for larger-than-normal increases in the number of victims in the coming years.

In the past year, the number of victims served by the WCVA rose to 572. Yet a crucial funding source of WCVA has been cut significantly, from about $107,000 to $44,392 this year, WCVA Director Kim Nossaman told county commissioners in a budget update Monday.

Victims Assistance is an essential service that has helped hundreds of people on the worst day of their lives ... Nossaman said in requesting commissioners consider adding $100,000 to help fund the program.

Victim Assistance is essentially open around the clock, 24/7, 365, for services and is generally the first agency made aware of any crime in Williams County to make contact with the victim, Nossaman said, adding WCVA is required by Marcys Law to follow specific guidelines on how it offers services to victims of crime.

The Victims Of Crime Act (VOCA) grant, along with a 20% match from the county prosecutors office, provides a significant percentage of the offices budget, so a cut to $44,000 is a serious blow to the important work WCVA does, Nossaman said.

Commissioners said it appears funding in the American Rescue Plan Act could be used for the WCVA.

... it says that due to the increase in crime due to the pandemic that we could utilize these funds for these reasons, Commissioner Terry Rummel said.

The unfortunate part with this is that it is not forever. You know, we could get a couple of years out of this, but we have to figure out how to fund this since it is not general fund money. I think this puts a Band-Aid on a problem, but it doesnt fix the problem, Rummel said.

He also expects other local nonprofit social service agencies could be filing similar requests due to reduced funding. He said commissioners need to meet with local legislators to help them address funding issues.

My hope is that the funding could be for the two years and then after that our VOCA funds are back up where they should be and we are pretty much independently running at that point, Rummel added.

Commissioners have tasked the county treasurer and county auditor to study the American Rescue Plan (ARP) to determine how the money can be used.

Both Commissioner Lew Hilkert and Commission President Brian Davis agreed on the need to provide assistance to WCVA.

We see this as an important service to the citizens of the county and as we go through (the regulations for using) ARPs money and how we can use it, we will send as much your way as we can. It is very important that we do that, Hilkert said.

We also have to remember we have a constitutional mandate to fill (this need), Davis said. To some extent, you think you have some choice in the matter, but in reality, we dont really have a choice in the matter. It is great that ARPs funding is a revenue stream that we can utilize short term and I dont believe that this long term is going to be an issue because I just dont believe across the nation that local government is going to topple over. I believe that the federal government will bridge the gap in time, Davis said.

Commissioners said they plan to receive guidance regarding what qualifies for funding through the ARP later this year, and then make decisions on ARP funding perhaps by October.

Nossaman said WCVAs grant cycle begins in October so that timeline works.

In other action Monday, commissioners:

 Held a 17-minute closed, executive session with Darrell Moore, director of Hillside Country Living, to discuss employment. No action was taken upon return to open session;

 Agreed to continue meeting monthly for updates with the county Emergency Medical Services and Emergency Management Agency, and quarterly with the county Department of Job & Family Services.

 Officially rescinded the public health emergency enacted last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic;

 Approved a new resolution (21-0241) for a five-year renewal levy to be placed on the upcoming ballot for The Ohio State University Extension Office. The new resolution revises language in a previous resolution, which was rescinded.
Ryan Ramczyk can't really pinpoint whether he's a few blocks away, around the corner or just down the street. But the New Orleans Saints' star right tackle knows he's approaching being the player he wants to be.
German automaker has established a second corporate venture fund, earmarking $300 million to bankroll startup companies focused on sustainability, advanced manufacturing and future transportation, the company said Wednesday.

i Ventures, based in Mountain View, California, will manage the fund, as well as continuing to disburse money from its initial 500-million-euro fund. The two funds bring BMW's total venture investment pool to nearly $900 million, one of the largest in the global auto industry.

Toyota Ventures, the corporate venture arm of Japan's Toyota Motor Corp which frequently co-invests with BMW, earlier this month launched a second investment fund, totaling $300 million, with a focus on sustainability technology and startups, bringing its total assets under investment to more than $500 million.

BMW, through five-year-old i Ventures, previously has invested in more than 50 companies, including several that have gone or are planning to go public, among them ChargePoint and Proterra.

Its focus continues to be on early to mid-stage startup companies, many of them based in Silicon Valley.

Past investments have ranged from Boston Metal, whose technology enables emissions-free steel production, to Prometheus Fuels, a producer of carbon-neutral gasoline.

Marcus Behrendt and Kasper Sage head i Ventures as managing partners.

The new fund will invest in vehicle and manufacturing automation, data and connectivity, as well as in companies involved in efforts to reduce carbon emissions in every aspect of transportation, including supply chains, Sage said.

Behrendt said will continue to consider co-investments with corporate partners such as Toyota, Porsche and Jaguar Land Rover. BMW i Ventures and Toyota Ventures have jointly invested in five startups, including May Mobility and Nauto.

(Reporting by Paul Lienert in Detroit; Editing by Nick Zieminski)

(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.)
Renault said on Wednesday that would account for up to 90% of the French carmaker's models by 2030, amping up its ambitions in a fast-growing sector where Volkswagen has stolen a march on its rivals.

Unveiling a new plan for (EVs), Renault Chief Executive Luca de Meo said Renault planned 10 new electric models by 2025 and that new, purpose-built electric car platforms would allow it to deliver vehicles at a lower cost.

The previous target was for 90% of the Renault brand mix to be made up of all-electric and hybrid vehicles by 2030. In the new plan, Renault aims to hit its target without relying on hybrid vehicles.

"Today is an historic acceleration of Renault Group's EV strategy," de Meo said in a statement.

Renault's Zoe model, the biggest-selling battery electric car in its segment in Europe for years, is losing ground to models such as Volkswagen's ID.3 compact electric car.

Figures from database EV-Volumes.com showed Volkswagen's share of the EV market in Europe soared to 25% last year from 14% in 2019, overtaking the Renault, Nissan, Mitsubishi alliance, whose share shrank to 19% from 23% in 2019.

De Meo, a former Volkswagen executive who turned the German automaker's Seat brand around, has been tasked with helping Renault turn a new page after a troubled spell.

Former boss Carlos Ghosn was ousted and arrested in Japan in 2018 on charges of financial malpractice, which he denies. Ghosn left behind a sprawling model range with low margins and Renault racked up heavy losses when global demand for cars fell.

De Meo's turnaround plan - which he has termed a "Renaulution" - is to lay off thousands of workers, reduce the range of models, and improve cooperation between alliance partners on vehicle production.

Renault said this month it would combine three of its plants in northern France into a new legal entity, Renault ElectriCity, that will produce 400,000 vehicles a year by 2025.

The firm has previously said it will use purpose-designed electric platforms, known as CMF B-EV and CMF A, to produce small and affordable EVs.

(Writing by Christian Lowe; Editing by David Clarke)

(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.)
Nearly 15 million Covid Safety Essentials catering to over 23,000 orders from over 400 sellers across 5,000 pin codes were sold on udaan, during the second wave of the pandemic. Bengaluru-based udaan which is Indias largest business-to-business (b2b) e-commerce platform witnessed a 5X surge in the demand for items like protective masks, face shields and PPE suits.

As a result of restrictions imposed during the second wave of Covid-19, the supply-chain and distribution ecosystem of were disrupted, said Uday Bhaskar, Head  Lifestyle, Electronics, General Merchandise (Non-food business), udaan.

As India grappled with the second wave of Covid-19, udaan supported with a regular and uninterrupted supply of covid safety essentials across the country. The second wave saw a huge demand of over 11 million protective masks, making it the largest item sold on the platform. During the period, the platform also shipped over 1,00,000 face shields, oximeters, PPE suits and kits, infrared thermometers, and oxygen concentrators among other essential items across more than 750 cities and towns.

During these challenging times, we ensured regular, uninterrupted, and timely delivery of covid safety essentials at best prices to the buyers on our platform, said Bhaskar. This ensured that the end customer was continuously served by our retailer partners, while the economic activity also continued which was extremely important to keep the wheels of the economy moving during this period.

From March onwards till the gradual decline of the second wave, a total of 6 million covid safety essentials were shipped to the states of Assam, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and Bihar. These states accounted for more than 50 per cent of the overall orders for Covid essentials on the udaan platform. Some of tier 2 and 3 towns like Tezpur, Sivasagar, Dhubri, North Lakhimpur (Assam) and Balurghat, Cooch Behar (West Bengal) witnessed high demand for oximeters and face masks. Most of the orders for face shields on the platform came from Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Assam. Highest sales of infrared thermometers were in Andhra Pradesh, followed by Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh. States leading the demand for PPE suits and kits were Andhra Pradesh, followed by West Bengal, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, and Orissa, respectively.

The on the platform benefitted from door-step delivery by placing orders on the udaan app from the convenience of their homes and shops. udaan fulfilled these orders through its strong and reliable supply-chain and logistics network covering 900 cities and 12,000 pin codes.

udaan provides solutions for all business requirements in the b2b space. It enables shopkeepers, kirana, restaurants, street vendors, chemists, offices, small factories, and contractors to source from a large selection of high-quality products at the best prices. It is connecting them to sellers, brands and manufacturers across the country with the convenience of e-commerce.

The platforms SaaS (software-as-a-service) offerings such as the app-based pricing system gives better pricing control. The product listing advertisements and in-app advertisements encourage manufacturers to reach their targeted, specific, and ready-to-purchase retailers on the platform.

udaan said it has built inclusive tech tools for Bharat, catering to the needs of brands, retailers and manufacturers. It provides them with a level playing field to conduct and grow their business.
Walmart-owned e-commerce firm has launched its grocery services in Coimbatore with the opening of its first fulfilment center in the region to meet the growing demand for groceries online. The opening of this facility also bolsters Flipkarts supply chain in the South and will create thousands of direct and indirect employment and entrepreneurship opportunities.

Spread across an area of over 120,000 square feet, the newly built facility will generate direct employment for nearly 1,200 people while encouraging local entrepreneurship. In the initial stages, only a part of the facility will be utilised for which over 500 people will be hired. It will be the only facility for which will be almost entirely run by women constituting 90 per cent of the overall workforce. To enable more women to join the workforce, under its initiative Vividhta, provides workplace policies that support women and their career progression. Flipkart has set up a creche facility at the centre and will offer transportation and meals to all its employees to enable them to work effectively.

Grocery is among the fastest-growing categories within e-commerce and as the countrys homegrown e-commerce marketplace, we are at the forefront of meeting customers essential requirements at their doorsteps in a safe and hygienic manner, said Rajneesh Kumar, Senior Vice-President and Chief Corporate Affairs Officer, Flipkart.

The new fulfilment centre (FC) will further augment Flipkarts capabilities to cater to more consumers, including millions of first-time e-commerce consumers from the South region. Flipkart has also introduced multiple language access for consumers, to provide a native language experience. Interestingly, over 52 per cent of Flipkart consumers are from tier-II and beyond cities, a testament to the growing adoption of e-commerce services.

This will be Flipkarts second grocery facility in Tamil Nadu after Chennai and ninth in the South. This sustained growth in Flipkarts grocery business is also giving a boost to the local food processing industry, supporting Indian agriculture and small and medium farmers.

Flipkarts newly opened facility in Coimbatore will drive economic growth for the local ecosystem while digitally upskilling the employees, said Neeraj Mittal, Principal Secretary, IT, Government of Tamil Nadu. The IT department will continue to provide support to emerging IT based businesses and create conductive policies for their growth.

Flipkart said it is looking to increase diversity across its supply chain to make it more inclusive. Several of its large warehouses across the country have their end-to-end operations for a particular shift entirely run by women. Its sortation centre in Chennai, in particular, proudly runs its Vividhata hubs where groups of women take care of millions of shipments, contributing to a seamless e-commerce experience for customers.

Kumar of Flipkart said that Coimbatore, while being an economic centre also offers a strategic location to serve nearby regions efficiently and the opening of the firms first grocery warehouse in the city serves as a testament to that. He said it has also been possible with the constant support of the state government and its conducive policies which will help generate more job opportunities while ensuring safe delivery of essentials for consumers. This will also significantly boost sourcing opportunities for small and medium farmers in the State in addition to supporting the food processing sector, said Kumar.

Smrithi Ravichandran, Vice President-Grocery, Flipkart, said that customer consumption patterns have greatly evolved over the years with the pandemic accelerating this shift towards organised channels of sourcing essentials, especially e-commerce.

Flipkart has played a pivotal role in bringing the convenience of online commerce to the doorstep of customers across the country with tier-2 towns taking the lead, said Ravichandran. We are elated to launch our grocery services in Coimbatore in the next few weeks with the opening of our first fulfilment centre which will cater to the essential needs of customers from the region, said Ravichandran. Flipkart has leveraged its partnership on-ground and is working with its marketplace sellers, MSMEs and brand partners, to ensure timely availability of essential products for consumers.

Flipkart has 8 Fulfilment Centres in Tamil Nadu, with a total area spread across 1.5 million square feet. and nearly 150 delivery hubs. The Flipkart group has created over 52,000 direct employment in the state. The firm also has its state-of-the-art data center in Chennai to support its robust e-commerce operations.

Over the past few years, the South region has emerged as one of the fastest-growing regions for e-commerce across the country, with lakhs of new customers, sellers and kirana partners taking to e-commerce to meet their requirements while making use of the entrepreneurship opportunities it offers. Flipkart said it is making e-commerce more inclusive for customers, with the Flipkart app now available in as many as 11 Indian languages, including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Malayalam.
Vivek Sunder, 46, the chief operating officer of food delivery giant has quit the company. Sunder will be pursuing personal and professional interests outside the organisation.

The development comes at a time when Japans is planning to invest up to $450 million in Bengaluru-based at a $5.5 billion valuation.

I am writing to let you know that Vivek Sunder, our COO, has decided to pursue interests outside of and will transition out of the organization by October, said Swiggy co-founder and chief executive officer Sriharsha Majety, in a letter, addressed to the employees and which has been seen by Business Standard.

I will be directly overseeing the Marketplace business with immediate effect. We have been discussing this for a while now, and over the course of the past few weeks, have been planning the way forward as well, said Majety.

An alumnus of Netaji Subhas Institute of Technology and IIM-Calcutta, Sunder had been leading Swiggys business operations as COO since July 2018.

Sunder has played a very significant role in the growth story of Swiggy - as a brand, service and as an organization, since joining the firm 3 years ago. He played a pivotal role in expanding the geographical footprint of the marketplace business taking Swiggy beyond more than 500 cities and later rallied the organization to drive a step-change in the unit economics of the marketplace business.

He also played a key role in holding the fort in Swiggys on-ground operations during the Covid lockdown phases, and among his other notable contributions, said Majety.

He said Sunders thought leadership on strategic moves on the supply and operations sides has given the company a solid foundation.

On the organizational side, Sunder has played a key role in infusing large organisation thinking in the company with a constant focus on scalability. He has also played a pivotal role in laying the seeds of practising deep consumer empathy in the way Swiggy looks at its products and offerings. He leveraged it to come up with simple moves that can drive big gains in consumer perception as opposed to technically complex solutions.

He has also represented the company across media, industry forums, and campuses as a Swiggy ambassador, said Majety. Vivek (Sunder) will be missed for his zeal, for always pushing the boundary on consumer thinking and the functional mastery he brought to the table. I thank him for his contributions and wish him all the very best in all his future endeavours.

Prior to Swiggy, he led P&Gs business in East Africa based out of Nairobi. He worked with Procter and Gamble for 20 years in various capacities including Commercial Director in India, Regional Director for a pan Asia team (based in Singapore), Category Leader in the United Kingdom and Team Leader in Thailand.

In Swiggy, he has led the effort to scale the company across cities. He also led the restructure for faster and better decisions so that the company continues to operate as a nimble startup while it scales.
Meddo, a health-technology start-up operating in the ambulatory space, has closed the Pre-Series A round at $6 million, led by SRI Capital, Picus Capital and Alkemi Capital.

Meddo equips OPD clinics with technology-enabled solutions to turn them into full service medical centres complete with ERM systems, diagnostic support, medicine delivery services/support and much more.

The company intends to utilize the funds focused on increasing presence and national footprint - both with more clinics in the NCR region and expansion to other cities. Organic and inorganic expansion by investing in technology solutions that integrate seamlessly with the Meddo offering and strengthen the eco-system. Investing in big-data that would give the company access to trends in the healthcare industry at a micro and macro level, and continuing to double down on patient offerings under Meddo Sure to achieve the vision of complete healthcare cover for patients, and going the extra mile to offer affordable plans that cover all expenses from primary health care (OPD) to hospitalisation (IPD), said the company.

Launched in 2018 by Saurabh Kochhar, ex-Foodpanda and Dr Naveen Nishchal, a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Cygnus Hospitals, the Meddo model reverse integrates independent OPD clinics into the brands fold. With a vision to organise the highly unorganised ambulatory services sector in India, Meddo is the first seamlessly omni-channel healthcare player offering patient-oriented Care in the true sense.

Despite the Covid challenges, Meddo has been growing and expanding its network and service offerings. In the last few months, the venture launched relevant solutions like L1 Covid centres, tele-consultation services, diagnostic solutions and an extremely useful and cost-effective healthcare membership called MeddoSure.

Saurabh Kochhar, Founder of Meddo, said, Meddo Health was conceived with a vision to digitise and organise the ambulatory care space in India on back of innovative technology solutions. Our investors have stood strongly by our side and have shown confidence in our aim to bring much needed inclusivity and structure to the primary healthcare space in India.

Alkemi Venture Capital has been an active investor in the healthcare sector for around 5+ years now, so having them backing us with funds is great validation of the idea and philosophy of Meddo.

We often fail to acknowledge and appreciate the humongous role played by independent clinics (200-300K) in the overall healthcare delivery. Meddo is partnering with clinics on aspects such as technology and operations to make the patient and physician experience more seamless. In the process it is increasing the asset utilization of these clinics - a win win for all stakeholders involved. Today, more than ever, the need is apparent - and Meddo is helping organize this fragmented market. We are excited about being partners with Meddo in this journey, said Alka Goel, Founding Partner, Alkemi Growth Capital.

Within the last two years, Meddo has served and created a customer base of almost 6 lakhs patients, on-boarded over 400 doctors from various super specialities and re-branded close to 250 clinics under the Meddo brand across Delhi/NCR. With a wide and dominant presence in the capital city, Meddo would want to expand its footprint across top 10 cities within the next 18 months.
is set to announce its March quarter (Q4FY21) on Wednesday, amid expectations of narrowing of losses even though subscriber losses and zero IUC regime may dent the top-line. Besides, the telecom operator's average revenue per user (ARPU) is also seen declining around 10 per cent year-on-year (YoY).

The management's commentary on fundraising, tariff hikes, and adjusted gross revenue (AGR) case will be keenly watched, apart from the headline numbers. "VI has not been able to raise money till now despite continually engaging with investors. This fund-raising is crucial for VI considering there has not been any tariff hike as anticipated by Street. We believe that a tariff hike will take place only if VI is able to raise sufficient capital to invest in the network," Edelweiss said.

At the bourses, underperformed (down 13 per cent) in the quarter under review as compared to 3.68 per cent rise in the benchmark S&P BSE Sensex in the same period, ACE Equity data show.

Here's what leading brokerages expect from Vodafone Idea's Q4FY21 numbers:

Edelweiss

The brokerage expects Vodafone Idea's top-line to decline by 17.1 per cent YoY to Rs 9,740 crore, led by a 10 per cent sequential ARPU decline due to interconnect usage charges (IUC) going away and 20 lakh subscriber losses. In comparison, the company had posted a revenue of Rs 11,754.2 crore in the year-ago quarter.

Besides, is seen reporting a loss of Rs 6,258.1 crore for the quarter under review as compared to a loss of Rs 11,643 crore in Q4FY20, although the company's losses in the year-ago quarter also comprised exceptional items of Rs 6,141 crore on items related to AGR dues and one-time spectrum charge.

"Lower numbers of days during the quarter will offset the gains from up-trading for Vodafone Idea. We expect earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, and ammortisation (Ebitda) to increase 0.9 per cent QoQ to Rs 4,325.6 crore, as cost-cutting initiatives will offset the impact of IUC net-revenue loss," the brokerage said.

Emkay

Emkay believes that Vodafone Idea's ARPU should be impacted by zero IUC and should see a dip of 10 per cent to Rs 109, resulting in an 11 per cent decline in wireless revenues. "In terms of headline number, Vodafone Idea is expected to clock net sales of Rs 9,831.7 crore, down 16.4 per cent from the year-ago period while loss may come in at Rs 6,535.9 crore. Ebitda margin is seen expanding 535 bps YoY to 42.6 per cent," the brokerage said.

"Data volumes and total minutes on the network is expected to rise 5 per cent and 2 per cent QoQ, respectively. The absence of IUC revenues shall impact Ebitda -- down 4.4 per cent YoY to Rs 4,189.4 crore -- as the company was a net receiver. The companys data subscriber additions (41 lakh) should be in the positive territory for the third consecutive quarter, with 41 lakh additions, although this is the lowest among peers," it said.

Motilal Oswal

The brokerage, in the result preview note said, "On the ARPU front, the end of IUC charges as per the TRAI order should reduce Vodafone Idea's ARPU by 10 per cent to Rs 107, which should then be partially offset by a 2 per cent ARPU owing to the return of inactive subscribers. The impact on the company's Ebitda, meanwhile, would be limited."

It expects Vodafone Idea to witness 17.6 per cent YoY decline in revenue to Rs 9,690.5 crore while loss is pegged at Rs 6,309.4 crore for the quarter. Ebitda is seen declining 3.4 per cent YoY to Rs 4,232.5 crore and Ebitda margin is seen expanding 641 bps YoY to 43.7 per cent.

JM Financial

Analysts at JM Financial expect around 27 lakh subscriber losses for Vodafone Idea in Q4FY21, higher than the 20 lakh subscriber losses in Q3FY21, to account for the impact of the new Jiophone offer. However, they also expect around 40 lakh mobile broadband subscriber additions for the company, aided by industry tailwinds. In such a scenario, the brokerage sees Vodafone Idea reporting a decline of 12.2 per cent YoY to Rs 10,325.9 crore in revenue, with ARPU at Rs 115. Loss for the quarter is pegged at Rs 5,813.2 crore.

"The new IUC regime is expected to have an impact of Rs 80 crore on Ebitda, albeit reported Ebitda could increase 0.6 per cent QoQ to Rs 4,408.3 crore due to cost-saving initiatives. Ebitda margin is seen growing 543 bps YoY to 42.7 per cent," the brokerage said.
Amidst the prevalence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the on Tuesday said that 798 doctors died during the second wave of COVID-19 across the country of which maximum 128 doctors lost their lives in Delhi, followed by Bihar at 115.

As per the official note by the IMA, the number of doctors who lost their lives in the pandemic in Delhi stands at 128, followed by Bihar at 115 and Uttar Pradesh at 79.

States like Maharashtra and Kerala where the prevalence of the Delta Plus variant of COVID-19 is on a rise also reported deaths of doctors in double digits. Maharashtra reported 23 doctor deaths and Kerala reported 24 deaths.

Pondicherry reported the lowest deaths of doctors by logging one death only.

Hours after Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday praised doctors for going out of their way to extend help to people during the pandemic, IMA President Dr JA Jayalal said that the PM has assured that doctors will be respected, protected and safeguarded.

Like every year, the country celebrated National Doctors' Day on July 1 to honour the contributions of the doctors. The first National Doctor's day was celebrated in the country in July 1991.

"PM Modi ensured that doctors should be respected, protected and safeguarded. He also emphasised the need for vaccination. We're celebrating this year's National Doctors' Day (July 1) in remembrance of the veteran Dr BC Roy. We're so much pleased that PM Modi greeted the medical fraternity for the Doctors' Day," the IMA President had said.

On June 25, the (IMA) informed that 776 doctors lost their lives in the second wave of COVID. According to the IMA COVID registry on June 25---in the state-wise doctors martyrs list, Bihar saw the maximum number of 115 deaths, followed by Delhi at 109, Uttar Pradesh 79, West Bengal 62, Rajasthan 44, Jharkhand 39, and Andhra Pradesh 40.

Meanwhile, India on Tuesday reported 37,566 fresh COVID-19 cases, the first time in 102 days that daily cases dropped below the 40,000 mark, the Union Health Ministry informed. With this, the country's total COVID-19 tally stands at 3,03,16,897, including 2,93,66,601 recoveries and 5,52,659 active cases.

(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.)
will suspend a $324-million contract for Covid-19 from India that has mired President in accusations of irregularities, the health minister said on Tuesday, following guidance by the federal comptroller, the CGU.

The deal to buy 20 million doses of Bharat Biotechs Covaxin shot has become a headache for Bolsonaro after whistleblowers went public with alleged irregularities. One health ministry official said he alerted the president about his concerns.

Bolsonaro, whose popularity has faded as Brazils Covid-19 death toll climbed past 500,000, has denied any wrongdoing, saying on Monday he was not aware of any irregularities.

But thorny questions persist, and may pose problems for him ahead of next years presidential vote.





ALSO READ: India to EU nations: Exempt those who got Covaxin, Covishield vaccines

Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga told a news conference his team would investigate the accusations during the suspension.

According to the preliminary analysis of the CGU, there are no irregularities in the contract but, for compliance, the health ministry chose to suspend the contract, the ministry said in a statement.

CNN Brasil had earlier reported that the ministry had decided to cancel the contract.

Brazilian federal prosecutors have opened an investigation, citing comparatively high prices of about $15 a dose, quick talks and pending regulatory approvals as red flags.

The deal is also being probed by a Senate panel investigating Brazils handling of the pandemic.
Amid a probe into accusations of irregularities against President Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's health minister has announced that the country will suspend a USD 324 million contract to buy 20 million doses of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday with Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga, the head of the Federal Comptroller General (CGU) Wagner Rosario, said that the agency will investigate the process of purchasing the vaccine.

"We suspended the deal as a simple preventive measure, since there are complaints that could not be explained well by the complainant, so we opened a preliminary investigation last week," said Rosario, as quoted by CNN Brasil. "We have put in a reinforced team for the verification. We hope to be very quick in this process, and we hope that in no more than 10 days we will already have an answer for this analysis."

Brazil's Health minister Queiroga said his ministry is going to carry out an administrative investigation to verify all aspects of the issue that are being raised. "As soon as we have more concrete data, we will communicate."

The contract for the acquisition of the Covaxin vaccine was signed by the two sides in February for the import of 20 million doses of vaccine by Bharat Biotech.

According to CNN, the vaccine doses were never sent to Brazil, as the National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) denied import requests for the vaccine.

The negotiation between the Bolsonaro government and Need Medicines -- the Brazilian pharmaceutical company that brokered the deal -- has been under the scanner. As things stand, the contract is being probed by a country's Senate panel investigating the government's handling of the pandemic.

Brazilian President Bolsonaro is being accused of overlooking possible corruption in a deal to purchase coronavirus vaccines. Bolsonaro has slammed the senate committee probing the government's Covid-19 response, saying that it is aimed at undermining his administration.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The on Wednesday made it clear that it is not inclined to either tweak rules or give undue relaxation in the name of Covid to Chartered Accountant (CA) aspirants for the examination commencing from July 5.

A bench headed by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar told a petitioner counsel, "We will not tweak with the rules. You have to appear for the whole group, if you miss a paper, if you take a chance then you take a chance".

Senior advocate Meenakshi Arora, appearing for one of the petitioners, submitted the new syllabus came in 2018. "We are trying to get your sympathy saying we are not attempting to avoid the exam", she added.

She argued that the opt-out option has to be given to those who suffered from Covid, or family members suffered from Covid and added that the Institute of of India (ICAI) note does not capture it.

The bench comprising Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and Aniruddha Bose said it is on opt-out option for candidates, and rest all are on SOP as per authority.

The bench asked the petitioners counsel that there should be a complete option to students whether to opt -- out or not, "and once that option is there what other argument is available to you?"

Justice Dinesh Maheshwari said so far genuine Covid issues are concerned, we are looking into it. "In the name of Covid, we can't expand the scope so much," he added.

Justice Maheshwari emphasized that if a candidate has to appear in the entire group, then he/she has to appear. "Covid has to be treated as an ailment. It cannot be used to tweak the rules," he added.

ICAI has told the that the opt-out option in the CA Exam will be granted for those who "recently suffered" from Covid or have post-Covid health issues.

The top court, in its order, said the opt-out facility is to candidates who suffered Covid or his/her family member had suffered from the disease in the recent past and certified by a medical practitioner and result of which the candidate is unable to disabled to prepare, then they will be allowed to opt out.

"The candidate need not produce RT-PCR report if medical certificate by registered medical practitioner for himself or family member is accompanied with a request for opting out", said the court in the order.

--IANS

ss/dpb

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Some 68.02 per cent of Chile's target population of about 15 million inhabitants, that is 10,340,278 people, has been fully vaccinated against the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19), the Ministry of Health said on Tuesday.

Some 82.18 per cent of the target population has received the first dose, the ministry said in a statement.

In all, 22,471,652 doses have been applied since launched its drive earlier this year, the Xinhua news agency reported.

Minister of Health Enrique Paris urged young people to get vaccinated, "because this way they protect their lives and that of their families and friends."

In the meantime, self-care measures "are still the most effective (way) to prevent new infections," he added.

As of Thursday, it will be the turn of 17-year-old adolescents to get vaccinated, followed by 16 to 12 year olds.

hopes to immunise the entire target population by midyear, as part of its strategy to achieve herd immunity. At the same time, scientists are studying the possibility of applying a third dose of a vaccine to boost immunity.

On Tuesday, the South American country reported 2,648 new cases of Covid-19 and 35 more deaths in one day, raising the total caseload to 1,553,774 and the pandemic death toll to 32,489.

--IANS

int/rs

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
India on Wednesday reported a net reduction of 15,595 in active cases to take its count to 537,064. Indias share of global active cases now stands at 4.69 per cent (one in 21). The country is third among the most affected countries by active cases. On Tueaday, it added 45,951 cases to take its total caseload to 30,362,848 from 30,316,897  an increase of 0.2%. And, with 817 new fatalities, its Covid-19 reached 398,454, or 1.31 per cent of total confirmed infections.

With 3,651,983 more Covid-19 vaccine doses being administered on Tuesday, Indias total count of vaccine shots so far reached 332,854,527.

The count of recovered cases across India, meanwhile, reached 29,427,330  or 96.92 per cent of total caseload  with 60,729 new cured cases being reported on Wednesday.

Now the third-most-affected country by active cases and deaths, second by total cases, and first by recoveries, India has added 334,139 cases in the past 7 days.

India now accounts for 4.69% of all active cases globally (one in every 21 active cases), and 10.06% of all deaths (one in every 9 deaths).

India has so far administered 332,854,527 vaccine doses. That is 1096.25 per cent of its total caseload, and 23.88 per cent of its population.

Among Indian states, the top 5 in terms of number of vaccine shots administered are Maharashtra (36874126), Uttar Pradesh (36063712), Gujarat (29362507), Rajasthan (29312190), and West Bengal (25836860).

Among states with more than 10 million population, the top 5 in number of vaccine shots per one million population are Kerala (463461), Gujarat (459706), Delhi (469315), Uttarakhand (436207), and J&K (376586).

Backwards from here, the last 1 million cases for India have come in 18 days.

The count of active cases across India on Wednesday saw a net reduction of 15,595, compared with 20,335 on Tuesday. States and UTs hat have seen the biggest daily net increase in active cases are Kerala (3163), Assam (649), Manipur (281), Arunachal Pradesh (110), and Tripura (49).

With 60,729 new daily recoveries, Indias recovery rate stands at 96.92%, while fatality rate remained unchanged at 1.31%.

The Indian states and UTs with the worst case fatality rates at present are Punjab (2.69%), Uttarakhand (2.09%), and Maharashtra (2.01%). The rate in as many as 17 is higher than the national average.

Indias new daily closed cases stand at 61,546  817 deaths and 60,729 recoveries. The share of deaths in total closed cases stands at 1.32%.

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 457.7 days, and for deaths at 337.7 days.

Overall, five states with the biggest 24-hour jump in total cases are Kerala (13550), Maharashtra (8085), Tamil Nadu (4512), Andhra Pradesh (3620), and Karnataka (3222).

Among states with more than 100,000 cases, the five with worst recovery rates at present are Maharashtra (96%).

India on Tuesday conducted 1,960,757 to take the total count of tests conducted so far in the country to 410,100,044. The test positivity rate recorded was 2.3%.

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 (18.13%), Maharashtra (14.62%), Dadra & Nagar Haveli-Daman & Diu (14.58%), Kerala (12.69%), and Sikkim (12.19%).

Five states with the highest TPR by daily numbers for tests and cases added  are, Sikkim (23.09%), Manipur (17.78%), Kerala (11%), Meghalaya (7.95%), and Nagaland (7.78%).

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 (1143573), J&K (728119), Kerala (642389), Karnataka (504695), and Uttarakhand (489549).

The five most affected states by total cases are Maharashtra (6051633), Kerala (2910507), Karnataka (2840428), Tamil Nadu (2475190), and Andhra Pradesh (1885716).

Maharashtra, the most affected state overall, has reported 8085 new cases to take its tally to 6051633.

Kerala, the second-most-affected state by total tally, has added 13550 cases to take its tally to 2910507.

Karnataka, the third-most-affected state, has reported 3222 cases to take its tally to 2840428.

Tamil Nadu has added 4512 cases to take its tally to 2475190.

Andhra Pradesh has seen its tally going up by 3620 to 1885716.

Uttar Pradesh has added 172 cases to take its tally to 1705951.

Delhi has added 101 cases to take its tally to 1434094.
The highly contagious Covid-19 Delta variant "now accounts for about 20 per cent of new cases" in France, Health Minister Olivier Veran said.

The Delta variant "is gradually becoming dominant (in France) as it is in all countries in the world" Xinhua news agency quoted Veran as saying to told Info radio on Tuesday.

The same virus variant had represented 9 to 10 per cent of new infections according to official figures released a week ago.

Meanwhile, "its share keeps on increasing in percentage, not in absolute terms, as the total number of cases is decreasing", the Minister added, urging people to remain vigilant.

The overall caseload in currently stood at 5,835,885, with 111,230 deaths.

The seven-day average of daily positive tests is 1,818, sharply down from around 40,000 recorded in early April.

Covid-related hospitalisations have steadily gone down since the country eased restrictions in May.

Currently, 8,846 infected patients were hospitalised, with 1,304 of the critically-ill in intensive care, according to the

--IANS

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Amid a raging controversy in over the procurement of Covaxin, the Indian vaccine maker has clarified that it has not received any advance from the health ministry of that country.

As for Madison Biotech -- a Singapore-based company that has come under the scanner of the Brazilian prosecutors and lawmakers -- said it was a firm founded by its promoter Krishna Ella.

The controversy is around the price of Covaxin ($15 a dose), and the invoice of $45 million raised by Madison Biotech, whose name does not feature in the vaccine supply contract.

said the first meetings with the Brazilian health ministry happened in November 2020 and continued till June 29, 2021. A step-by-step approach has been followed towards contracts, and regulatory approvals, during this eight-month-long process, the company said. The emergency use authorisation (EUA) was received on June 4, it said.

As of June 29, the company has not received any advance nor has it supplied any vaccines to Brazils health ministry, it said in a statement on Wednesday.





ALSO READ: Brazil suspends $324-mn Covid-19 vaccine deal with Bharat Biotech

Elaborating the procurement process for Covid-19 vaccines by several countries, the Hyderabad-based firm said the amount is paid in advance. Once a country indicates its interest to buy vaccines through a letter of intent or a memorandum of understanding, the vaccine maker proceeds to seek an EUA from that countrys regulator. The procurement happens after the EUA. The countrys health department then releases a firm purchase order indicating the volumes to be procured, it said.

In order to secure a firm purchase order from the country, the company proceeds to raise a pro forma invoice to the MOH (ministry of health) towards the supply of vaccine. Based on the invoice, the MOH pays the amount in advance, said. Once the is received, the company proceeds to supply the agreed quantities and within the agreed timelines, it added.



Bharat Biotech has followed a similar approach towards contracts, regulatory approvals, and supplies in several countries worldwide, where Covaxin is being supplied successfully, it said.

The company claimed that the pricing of Covaxin had been established between $15 and $20 per dose for supplies to governments outside India. The pricing for has also been indicated at $15 per dose. Bharat Biotech has received advance payments from several other countries at the above price points, with supplies in process, pending approvals, it said.

Meanwhile, the controversy in is around Madison Biotech raising an invoice and not Precisa Medicamentos, Bharat Biotechs partner in Brazil.

Bharat Biotech said Precisa Medicamentos is Bharat Biotechs partner in Brazil, providing assistance, guidance and support with regulatory submissions, licensure, distribution, insurance, conduct of phase III clinical trials, etc. Bharat Biotech follows a similar partnership model in all countries, where its vaccines are supplied, as it does not have its own offices in these countries, it added.

It did not elaborate on why Madison Biotech raised the invoice and not Presica Medicamentos or Bharat Biotech India.

Bharat Biotech and Precisa Medicamentos are conducting a 5,000- subject phase III clinical trial in Brazil, which was recently approved by ANVISA, the Brazilian regulator.

The company, however, said Krishna Ella, founder of Bharat Biotech, had also founded or acquired 13 other organizations, including Madison Biotech, which he founded in 2020 for the purpose of external R&D and sales and marketing of vaccines. More than 3,000 personnel are employed in six cities across all these organisations. We wish to dispel any notion or implication of any wrongdoing whatsoever, as all these are affiliate companies founded or acquired and operated by Dr Krishna Ella, the company said.
pays great attention to the conduct of peacekeepers and has adopted a zero-tolerance policy for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) related serious misconduct, and the country aims to strengthen mechanisms to ensure prevention and mitigation of these issues, India's envoy to the UN has said.

Speaking at the high-level meeting with the UN Member States on 'Strengthening the Conduct of Peacekeeping Personnel' on Monday, India's Permanent Representative to the UN Ambassador T S Tirumurti said a clean image of the UN peacekeeper was the cornerstone for the success of United Nations peace operations.

India, which is among the largest troop contributing countries to UN peacekeeping missions, is also the only country among the top 20 troop contributing countries that does not figure in the list of SEA-related cases on the UN website.

" pays great attention to the conduct of the peacekeepers. We have adopted a zero-tolerance' policy for sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) related serious misconduct and aim to strengthen mechanisms to ensure prevention and mitigation of these issues, he said.

Tirumurti said prevention lay at the core of India's efforts to combat SEA and serious misconduct issues, and screening, training, and awareness were the prime components of this approach.

India's Center for UN Peacekeeping (CUNPK), which provides training to peacekeepers from as well as partners with countries for the last 20 years, had introduced peacekeeping conduct and discipline related training modules some 10 years ago, he said.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in a video message to the meeting on Monday, said while the UN has steadily made progress on improving training and creating safe ways to report misconduct by UN peacekeepers, the organisation is working to increase transparency, strengthen internal accountability, and emphasise the needs and rights of victims and survivors.

Guterres said the UN Member States were our vital partners in these efforts and thanked those nations that have concluded a voluntary compact, joined his Circle of Leadership and contributed to the Trust Fund for the Victims of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse.

"I now ask all of you to go further. This is key to improving our ability to prevent misconduct, enforce standards, and remedy harm. We must support victims and survivors, as well as children born from acts of sexual exploitation or abuse by United Nations personnel. This includes ensuring that peacekeepers who father children take full responsibility for them, by helping women to make paternity and child support claims, he said.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi joined the Circle of Leadership (CoL) on the prevention of and response to SEA in United Nations operations in 2017.

India signed the Secretary General's initiative of voluntary compact on preventing and addressing SEA issues and has also been supporting UN's Pipeline to Peacekeeping Command Program (PCP) which aims to develop the capacity of future commanders and managers to lead by example and raise awareness of UN standards of conduct among their personnel.

India has made a voluntary contribution of over half a million dollars to the programme in the last 3 years, Tirumurti told the meeting.

Under-Secretary-General for Peace Operations Jean-Pierre Lacroix said the UN and the Member States are making progress in combating the issue of sexual exploitation and abuse, including through strengthening vetting, standardising the approach to training and misconduct risk management.

But the risk of misconduct amounts to a risk to operational success. We must be proactive and understand where we have gaps and build on what is working and what demonstrates potential, he said.

We must continue to address our challenges, such as timely investigations and communications with the Secretariat on actions taken and ensuring sanctions commensurate with the gravity of misconduct including criminal accountability where necessary, he said.

Noting that 89 out of 103 signatories to date of the Secretary-General's Compact on Eliminating Sexual Exploitation and Abuse are troop or police-contributing countries, Lacroix called on all Member States to join the Compact and underlined the need to approach the UN efforts at protection from sexual exploitation and abuse across the United Nations system.

Misconduct is not unique to peacekeeping and requires an integrated one UN' response, he said.

Pointing out that India has invested heavily in pre-deployment training, Tirumurti highlight some of the best practices institutionalised by India, including the identification of suitable peacekeepers for UN deployment.

It is important to ensure that the peacekeepers identified for UN missions have an excellent track record of being disciplined and motivated soldiers and police personnel in their respective organisations. UN peacekeeping is showcased among our personnel as a chance to learn and contribute to India's commitment to international peace & security, he said.

Thematic modules have been included in the training programmes of the personnel, including those that remind trainees of a zero-tolerance policy of the government towards SEA misconducts and highlighting that perpetrators will be held accountable, he said.

Case studies and scenario-based exercises on various misdemeanors by UN personnel in mission areas in different settings have been incorporated into the training of peacekeepers; and necessary systems to ensure accountability at every level during the UN deployment of the peacekeepers, he added.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Five Asian countries, including India, are responsible for 80 per cent of the world's planned new coal plants. These plants will endanger Paris climate goals despite the availability of cheaper renewables, a report by financial think tank Carbon Tracker said on Wednesday.

It warns that 92 per cent of these planned units will be uneconomic, even under business as usual, and up to $150 billion could be wasted. Consumers and taxpayers will ultimately foot the bill because these countries either subsidize coal power or prop it up with favourable market design, power purchase agreements or other forms of policy support.

The report, 'Do Not Revive Coal', said China, India, Indonesia, Japan and Vietnam plan to build more than 600 new units with a combined capacity of over 300GW, ignoring calls from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres for all new coal plants to be cancelled.

He said phasing out coal from the electricity sector is the "single most important step" in tackling the climate crisis.

Carbon Tracker's Head of Power and Utilities, Catharina Hillenbrand Von Der Neyen said: "These last bastions of coal power are swimming against the tide, when renewables offer a cheaper solution that supports global climate targets. Investors should steer clear of new coal projects, many of which are likely to generate negative returns from the outset."

As well as modelling the financials of 80 per cent of planned new coal, the report evaluates the economics of 95 per cent of operating coal plants at the boiler level worldwide: over 6,000 operating units accounting for around 2,000 GW.

It is the third report in Carbon Tracker's annual Powering Down Coal series.

The five Asian countries also operate nearly three quarters of the current global coal fleet, with 55 per cent in China and 12 per cent in India. The report warns that around 27 per cent of existing capacity is already unprofitable and another 30 per cent is close to breakeven, generating a nominal profit of no more than $5 per MWh.

Worldwide, $220 billion of operating coal plants are deemed at risk of becoming stranded if the world meets the Paris climate targets.

The report finds that around 80 per cent of the operating global coal fleet could be replaced with new renewables with an immediate cost saving. By 2024, new renewables will be cheaper than coal in every major region, and by 2026 almost 100 per cent of global coal capacity will be more expensive to run than building and operating new renewables.

Growing competition from renewables, coupled with increased regulation, is likely to drive continued falls in usage, undermining their profitability.

The report notes that economics are highly sensitive to utilisation and just a five per cent annual reduction to the conservative base assumptions in its analysis would see global coal unprofitability almost double to 52 per cent by 2030 and rise to 77 per cent by 2040.

India is the second largest coal power producer with around 250 GW of operating capacity and a pipeline of 60 GW. New renewables can already generate energy at lower cost than 84 per cent of operating coal and will outcompete everywhere by 2024.

It has a target of 450 GW of renewables by 2030 -- more than five times its 2020 capacity -- which will meet 60 per cent of energy demand.

However, the silence from large polluting countries, including China and India, on more aggressive climate measures at the recent Leaders Summit on Climate spoke volumes, suggesting they still have internal priorities that conflict with policies that seek to mitigate climate change.

At the corporate level, just 10 companies account for around 40 per cent of the stranding risk, of which NTPC and the Adani Group in India, and PLN in Indonesia are by far the most exposed.

Of the 10 most exposed companies, seven are headquartered in India.

--IANS

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As the relaxes travel restrictions under its Green Passport scheme, India has requested the members of the 27-nation grouping to individually consider allowing Indians who have taken Covishield and Covaxin vaccines to travel to Europe, sources said.

The sources said India has requested the EU member nations to accept the certificate issued through the CoWIN portal.

The European Unions Digital Covid certificate framework to facilitate free movement during the Covid-19 pandemic is to come into effect on Thursday.

Under this framework, persons who have taken vaccines authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) will be exempted from travel restrictions within the EU.

The individual member states have the flexibility to also accept vaccines that have been authorised at the national level or by the World Health Organisation.

We have requested EU member states to individually consider extending similar exemption to those persons who have taken Covid-19 vaccines in India, that is Covishield and Covaxin, and accept the certificate issued through the CoWIN portal, said a source.

The sources said the genuineness of such certification can be authenticated on the CoWIN portal.

We have also conveyed to EU member states that India will institute a reciprocal policy for recognition of the EU Digital Covid Certificate, the source said.

Upon notification of Covishield and Covaxin for inclusion in the EU Digital Covid Certificate and recognition of Indian CoWIN vaccination certificates, Indian health authorities would reciprocally exempt the EU member state concerned for exemption from the mandatory quarantine of all those persons carrying EU digital Covid certificate, the source said. There have been apprehensions in India that people who took Covishield and Covaxin jabs are unlikely to be eligible to travel to the member states under its Green Pass scheme.

The EU Digital Covid certificate or Green Pass will be mandatory to travel to European countries and the document will serve as proof that a person is vaccinated against Covid-19.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
American biotechnology company Moderna said on Tuesday that its Covid-19 vaccine showed promise in a lab setting against variants, including the highly contagious Delta variant first identified in India.

The results came from vitro neutralisation studies of sera from eight participants one week after they received the second dose of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The vaccine produced neutralising titers against all variants tested, including additional versions of the Beta variant, scientifically named B.1.351 which was first identified in South Africa; three lineage variants of B.1.617 which was first identified in India, including the Kappa (B.1.617.1) and the Delta variant (B.1.617.2); the Eta variant (B.1.525) which was first identified in Nigeria; and the A.23.1 and A.VOI.V2 variants first identified in Uganda and Angola, respectively, according to Moderna.

"These new data are encouraging and reinforce our belief that the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine should remain protective against newly detected variants," said Chief Executive Officer of Moderna Stephane Bancel.

These data were submitted as a preprint to bioRxiv, and have not yet been peer-reviewed.

--IANS

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The ruling Bhartiya Janata Party in has managed to win zila panchayat chairpersons seats in 21 districts even though it did not have the required numbers.

The seats were won, after the rival contestants, either withdrew from the fray or turned their support to the ruling party.

The State Election Commission (SEC), in a late-night release on Tuesday, confirmed the results.

The 17 districts where the candidates got elected unopposed were Chitrakoot, Agra, Gautam Buddha Nagar, Meerut, Ghaziabad, Bulandshahr, Amroha, Moradabad, Lalitpur, Jhansi, Banda, Shravasti, Balrampur, Gonda, Gorakhpur, Mau and Varanasi.

In Saharanpur, Bahraich, Pilibhit and Shahjahanpur, the BJP-supported candidates got a walkover after the opposition-backed candidates withdrew their nomination.

The lone seat that the (SP) won unopposed is Etawah where SP President Akhilesh Yadav's cousin Anshul Yadav won the seat without any contest.

State Election Commissioner Manoj Kumar said that in the remaining 53 seats, polling and counting of votes will take place on Saturday.

The unopposed election of 21 BJP-supported candidates comes amid allegations of opposition, mainly SP, accusing the ruling party of rigging and orchestrating withdrawal of nomination by opposition-backed candidates for political gains.

In 38 districts, including Ayodhya and Mathura, the nerve centres of Hindutva politics, a direct contest will take place between the and opposition-backed candidates.

In Bahraich, SP-supported Neha Ajiz withdrew her nomination paving way to victory for BJP's Manju Singh.

Things took an interesting twist in Shahjahanpur where SP-supported candidate Beenu Singh walked into the saffron camp, allowing the BJP's Mamta Yadav to get elected unopposed.

In Pilibhit, SP candidate Swami Pravaktanand took back his nomination allowing BJP-supported Baljeet Kaur to win.

Pravaktanand was primarily a BJP-backed candidate who won zila panchayat ward elections.

He, however, walked into the SP fold after the did not support him in the chairman's election. However, the BJP managed to convince him and he withdrew his nomination on Tuesday.

In Saharanpur, BJP-backed Mange Ram Chaudhary got a walkover after BSP-supported Jaiveer a.k.a Johnny withdrew his nomination papers.

The development came a day after BSP president Mayawati announced that her party would not support any candidates in panchayat elections.

She cited rigging as the key reason for staying away from the rural local bodies' elections.

--IANS

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The Cabinet on Wednesday approved public private partnership mode for the rollout of project for broadband services in villages in 16 states with viability gap funding of Rs 19,041 crore, Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

Prasad said the decision to involve private players was taken after Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced on August 15, 2020 that around 6 lakh villages in the country will be connected with broadband in 1,000 days.

"The Cabinet has in-principle approved implementation of in 16 states in a public private partnership model with total expense of Rs 29,430 crore. The government of India will only spend the viability gap fund of Rs 19,041 crore," Prasad said while sharing details of the Cabinet decision.

The 16 states are -- Kerala, Karnataka, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, West Bengal, Assam, Meghalaya, Manipur, Mizoram, Tripura, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.

Prasad said till date, 1.56 lakh out of the 2.5 lakh village panchayats have been connected with broadband.

"The PPP model shall be executed in 16 states of India in 3.61 lakh villages," Prasad said.

An official statement said the Cabinet also accorded in-principle approval for extending to cover all inhabited villages in the remaining states and union territories.

"The Department of Telecommunication will separately work out the modalities for these (remaining) States/UTs," the statement said.

The minister said there will be an agreement of 30 years with private players and the entire project will be divided into nine packages.

"No player will get more than four packages," Prasad said.

He said that one package corresponds to a telecom circle area.

"If you calculate the opex and capex of 30 years, then it comes to around Rs 95,000 crore if the government of India had executed it. Compared to this, the government is setting up this architecture for viability gap funding of Rs 19,041 crore," Prasad said.

The viability gap funding is provided in case an entity faces loss for executing a project. The gap between cost of running a project and actual revenue realisation is provided through viability gap funding.

The minister further said that access to broadband in rural areas will improve e-governance, tele-medicine, online education and develop entrepreneurship.

Earlier this week, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman had said the additional Rs 19,041 crore fund increases the total outlay for BharatNet project to Rs 61,109 crore.

Sitharaman had said Rs 42,068 crore has been already utilised for reaching 1,56,223 gram panchayats that are now ready for broadband services as of May 31.

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India is trying to promote a temporary waiver on some sections of the Trade-Related Aspects of (TRIPS) agreement at the World Trade Organization (WTO), which is a move towards equitable access of vaccines and other medicines to everyone across the world, commerce and industry minister said on Wednesday.

Currently, the proposal initiated by India and South Africa is being discussed at the WTO and has been backed by over 100 countries. However, and some other developed nations are not supporting the move. Major pharmaceutical companies have argued that the move can hurt innovation.

It is unfortunate that some countries are putting profits over prudence...today is not the time even for pharma companies to count their dollars, today is the time for the world to work together...It is myopic strategy that some countries are following, Goyal said at a virtual event.

Speaking at the India Global forum, the minister said that India is looking at a greater degree of engagement with countries that are democratic in their political system and can relate and trust as a partner.

Towards this, India is working towards greater engagement with countries that believe in transparent rules-based trading mechanisms. India is currently talking to the UK, Australia, Canada and EU for trade deals, and is keen to speed them up.

We are looking at investments, technology, high quality goods, equipment, machinery. We will be looking at providing high quality technology support to our services & IT sector, he added.
External Affairs Minister on Wednesday said that India has been pushing a lot of projects and said that with more green lending, the country can lead the world in a certain direction.

In conversation with former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair at the India Global Forum 2021 - 'Global Leadership Radical Actions for a Post-Pandemic Era', Jaishankar said: "India, on its part, has been pushing a lot of projects, one in India itself. Today, we have one of the largest solar programmes in the world and we have also been using both bilateral partnership programmes and International Solar Alliance to push green electricity generation, especially in Africa."

"We finance development using soft loans by eschewing lending. We could actually take the world in a certain direction so if we did more green lending...the world will be moving in that direction," he added.

The minister said that the move entails governmental policies and change of public mindsets and highlighted long-needed reforms in India, which had their own challenges.

Meanwhile, speaking on the private sector rising to the challenge of climate change, Blair said: "India is going to carry on great. I mean, by the middle of the century, India, China and America are going to be the three largest economies of all... If we India to grow sustainably, we have got to be there as a partner in helping in it to do so."

On the issue of COVID-19, Blair called it as a "geopolitical issue" and highlighted that the world is still dealing with new variants in countries like India, UK, Brazil and South Africa. He added that "we are likely to get new variants".

"We have to back vaccines, we have to carry out vaccine production and we have to coordinate that vaccine production so that we are creating enough vaccines to, I would like to say, at least the most vulnerable, the frontline health workers and the working populations vaccinated this year and then the job completed by next year," he said, while stressing that the best for this is presenting global cooperation as enlightened self-interest.

Agreeing with Blair, Jaishankar said: "It is the burning issue right now and it will not happen unless enough capabilities which are spread around the world and vaccines is a very good example."

He said that the world has to come together to scale up COVID-19 vaccines and address other challenges at the same time.

"We are still in the middle of a second national wave. At one level, it was a very scarring experience in which the virulence was so great, but on the other hand, we did see the world rally around... That may not have solved the problem, but at least now I would say compared to last year, 2021 was the beginning of the willingness of the world to work together on this problem," he remarked.

The external affairs minister said that the COVID-19 pandemic has taken health right up the priority list, citing African nations working with India to strengthen health infrastructure.

(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 in April-May stood at 8.2 per cent of the Budget Estimates (BE), as compared to 59 per cent in the same period last year.

The government could limit the mainly due to better revenue receipts led by record Goods and Services Taxes (GST) collection and dividends from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI). The deficit was 30 per cent less than last years Rs 4.7 trillion.

Economists, however, fear that the deficit could be high going forward on account of higher outlay on the free food scheme and fertilisers subsidy and other sops announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday as part of an economic relief package.

According to the governments statistics office, in the first two months of the current financial year was at Rs 1.23 trillion, making the amount 8.2 per cent of the BE. The net tax revenue was 15.1 per cent at Rs 2.33 trillion. While Net non-tax revenue was at Rs 1.16 trillion, which is 48 per cent of BE.

The better tax collection was mainly due to growth in GST collection in April and over Rs 1 trillion in May, while the jump in non-tax revenue was on account of RBIs surplus transfer of Rs 99,122 crore to the central government.

Centre has set a target of Rs 2.43 trillion for non-tax revenue receipts, which includes dividend and profit from RBI, banks and other financial institutions.





Without mentioning RBI, Controller of General Accounts (CGA) on Wednesday showed an amount of Rs 99,628 crore under Dividend & Profit as part of non-tax revenue. Tax revenues stood at Rs 1.4 trillion in May, which is very high relative to even the pre-Covid levels of Rs 0.9-1 trillion for the month in 2017-2019, said Aditi Nayar, chief economist, ICRA.

Given the moderate growth of 9.5 per cent embedded in the Centres FY22 BE for gross tax revenues (relative to the provisional actuals for FY21), relative to our expectation of a nominal GDP expansion of 15-16 per cent in the current fiscal, we do not foresee the tax collections falling below the target, even with some eventual reduction in excise duty on fuels, Nayar added.

The central governments spending was under control as the usual subsidy payments for previous year, which happen in April-May did not take place this time, as the amounts were subsumed in the Budget. Therefore, outflow from department of food was lower, said Madan Sabnavis, chief economist, CARE Ratings. The concerns going forward will be higher outlay on free food and fertiliser subsidy as well as other sops, added Sabnavis.

Another factor that helped limit the deficit was the prepayment of the Food Corporation of Indias liabilities of around Rs 1 trillion in FY21, providing a cushion of around Rs 1.5-1.6 trillion.

This should be adequate to cover costs related to the free foodgrain and enhanced fertiliser subsidy of Rs 1.1 trillion, and the aforesaid fresh outlay of Rs 0.5-0.7 trillion for FY22 for the economic relief package, Nayar explained.
Economic lose relevance after a few years and may also become a constraint for growth, chairman of the Thirteenth Finance Commission said on Tuesday, pitching for a "sunset clause" for such statutes.



Kelkar, who has also served as the Union finance secretary, cited the Land Act and Rent Act while illustrating the constraints posed by which were revolutionary at some point of time.

"I see devastating effects... (we need) to build-in a sunset clause for many of our economic laws," Kelkar said.

He was speaking at an event to launch the Vidhi Centre for Legal Policy''s state office in Maharashtra.

Kelkar suggested a system for periodic review of economic laws, howsoever revolutionary they might be when they are passed.

He said the Land Act has adversely impacted productivity in Maharashtra, pointing out that even a farmer cannot lease out a piece of land to another farmer because of the legislation.

Similarly, the Rent Act has led to a "perverse effect" on supply of dwellings and decent living spaces in the financial capital of the country, he said.

Kelkar also pitched for making it mandatory to assess the cost of a legislation through a cost-benefit analysis before Parliament passes it.

He rued that there is a "great deal of passion" to introduce new without understanding its impact on the citizenry, industry and the overall system.

Kelkar also urged both central and state governments to formulate a "litigation policy" to ease the burden on the judiciary by lessening the quantum of matters which reach the courts.

Nearly half of the pending cases in courts involve the government as either the defendant or the litigant, while some are also inter-departmental matters which go to the judiciary for adjudication, he said, adding that a policy on litigation can reduce the burden.

Meanwhile, Kelkar said the country is ripe for third generation of reforms which should focus on the institutional arrangements in the republic, which rests on the judiciary, legislature and the executive.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
on Tuesday sought modification in provisions of Draft Indian Ports Bill-2021 to address the concerns of Coastal States.

In this regard, Odisha, Commerce and Transportation Minister Padmanabha Behera wrote to Union Minister, Ports, Shipping and Waterways, Mansukh Mandaviya.

The letter by Behera read, "My State is in the process of constituting the Odisha State Maritime Board. The Bill for it is now with the Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, now awaiting the assent of the President of India, after being passed by the Odisha Legislative Assembly in February 2021. There is no provision in the Indian Ports Bill, 2021' to include a State Maritime Board which is constituted at a later date by a State enactment. A provision is required to be made for the same."

As per the letter, the inclusion of matters relating to safety and security of ports, prevention and containment of pollution of ports, compliances with the country's obligation under the maritime treaties and international instruments to which our country is a party in the draft Bill are most welcome in our national interest.

At present, Behera in the letter stated that the authority to make regulations for non-major ports for most subjects is the State Maritime Boards/ State Governments of coastal States. The Union Government through the Maritime States Development Council (MSDC) seeks to appropriate this authority of the State through the proposed Bill. "We object to this proposed appropriation of State authority by the Union Government. The proposed provision instead of making India a strong maritime nation, through its centralization of authority, will stunt the growth of port-led development in the nation. Also, this proposal is against the very spirit of cooperative federalism and empowerment of States", read the letter.

"The MSDC has been in existence as a notified advisory body since 1997, focusing on integrated planning and development of ports & inland waterways. The draft Bill proposes to give it a statutory status. While we welcome this step, MSDC should only comprise of Ministers of coastal States and Union Minister for PSW similar to that of GST council. The concerned officials of the Union Government and coastal State Governments may be made invitees to MSDC. The draft Bill mandates centralization of many routine functions to MSDC like conducting enquiry, deciding tariff structure etc. which will be very limiting and less efficient. MSDC's role should continue to be recommendatory and advisory as before", read the letter.

Behera in the letter to Union Minister Mansukh L. Mandaviya requested that important Bills are not hastened and proper deliberations are done with stakeholding States to bring in more effectiveness to this important legislation, which can make India a true powerhouse amongst the maritime nations of the world.

In view of the above, Odisha Minister requested Union Minister Mandaviya's personal intervention in the matter so that the draft Bill is modified to address the concern of the coastal States.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The list of what e-commerce platforms arent allowed to do in India has been growing for some time, but the latest prohibition on flash sales has simply gone too far. If the rules get implemented, the entire business model of com Inc. and Inc. could come unstuck before their investments in a market of 1.4 billion people can grow to a rewarding size.

While a lofty public purpose can always be tacked on as an afterthought to the most draconian of regulations, in this case the fig leaf is thinner than usual. Its hard to see how significantly reduced prices, high discounts or any other such promotions or attractive offers for a period of time limit customer choice, increase prices and prevent a level playing field.

The real driving spirit behind the consumer affairs ministrys new draft guidelines, currently open for public comment, may lie elsewhere. In the garb of checking manipulative behavior by online marketplaces, India is effectively muzzling the two leading U.S. players. Its also tilting the balance in favor of offline commerce, and away from digital startups that are Indias best bet for rebuilding the pandemic-ravaged economy.





ALSO READ: Amazon battles regulators in bid to stay dominant in India's e-comm market

and are dominant, but in a tiny corner. Overall e-commerce is only 4% of Indias $800 billion retail market. Yet theyre supposedly exerting such a baleful influence on the natural flow of goods that they must be reined in by, in effect, instructing not to sell its Made in India Fire TV Sticks  a media streaming device  on its local e-commerce website. Ditto for Its physical wholesale operation in the country may not be able to hawk a shirt on Flipkart, the online marketplace it acquired for $16 billion in 2018. And this is when the American retailer is trying hard to blend in. It plans to triple exports from India to $10 billion by 2027, and will float Flipkart in the local equity market.

The Flipkart purchase was Walmarts most expensive, and perhaps the smoothest moment in its long and turbulent quest to establish a toehold in the country. Soon after the deal, Mukesh Ambani, Indias richest businessman, announced his own ambitious e-commerce plan for linking small independent stores with customers of his then-nascent 4G telecom service. That network now has 420 million-plus subscribers. Ambani is also Indias largest operator of physical stores.

Piyush Goyal, the commerce minister, says that arrogant American firms have blatantly flouted Indian laws. (Amazon and Walmart-Flipkart have denied the charge of abuse of market power in recent court proceedings.) The same reason is being given for the ongoing harassment of Inc.  it is apparently in breach of rules framed for information technology intermediaries.

has vowed to continue its constructive dialogue with the Indian government, and asked for time to comply. But are the rules fair, or do they exceed the remit of the consumer protection and information technology laws framed by parliament? Facebook Inc.s WhatsApp service has gone to court after being asked to make messages on the platform traceable. The social media firm argues that the requirement will destroy its promise of end-to-end encryption and have a chilling effect on privacy and free speech.



ALSO READ: Twitter India head Manish Maheshwari booked for showing wrong map of India

The squeeze on U.S. content firms is guided by political calculations: Twitters India offices were visited by the police after the microblogging site branded a tweet by one of Prime Minister Narendra Modis party leaders as manipulated media. The lawyer nominated as its grievance officer in India  again to meet new government rules  quit in less than two weeks.

The motivation behind targeting U.S. e-commerce players is not as obvious, though even that is ultimately a political project. Safeguarding the interest of consumers or mom-and-pop stores is how the curbs are marketed to the public, though in reality theyre about eventually putting India behind something resembling Chinas Great Firewall. Local tycoons would dominate the market, and while foreign players wont be completely shunned, they may only be able to join the party as junior partners, supplying technology and capital.

Achieving this objective with a stringent foreign direct investment policy is something the Modi government tried two years ago. Both Walmart and Amazon dodged the blow. The time for more of the same medicine has passed. To avoid an open confrontation with the Biden administration, it may be more fruitful to twist existing Indian laws out of shape.





ALSO READ: Facebook, Google to soon publish reports as required by new IT Rules

For instance, it isnt the remit of Indias consumer protection law to check if the many sellers taking online orders for phones during festive-season discount sales are thinly capitalized post boxes. A lot of them came into existence to circumvent a previous policy that e-commerce marketplaces, or their related-party sellers, cant control more than 25% of the inventory on offer. If they're still violating the spirt of that requirement, its not a problem of consumer protection but an anti-competition issue, and should be probed accordingly.

Its not deep-pocketed U.S. e-commerce players that have devastated the neighborhood Indian retailer, but Covid-19. For small shopkeepers to climb out of the debt hole theyve slipped into because of lost revenue and bloated medical bills, they need partners who will help them go digital. Arbitrary rule-making gets in the way. A startup earning a small commission on each online sale will struggle to run a marketplace that has to refund 100% of a disgruntled customers purchase price, especially when no such straitjacket will apply to physical retailers.

But then, consumers and small shopkeepers are just convenient excuses. Behind the smokescreen of shielding their interests, India is slowly creating a protectionist economy that will benefit only a small, select group of firms. After sinking billions of dollars into India, Amazon and Walmart are still not on that shortlist. Maybe they never will be.
On the occasion of National Doctors' Day, Prime Minister will be addressing the doctors' fraternity at a programme organised by the (IMA) on Thursday.

Taking to Twitter, he wrote, "India is proud of the efforts of all in fighting COVID-19. 1st July is marked as National Day. At 3 pm tomorrow, will address the community at a programme organised by IMA."

Earlier on Sunday, IMA President Dr JA Jayalal said that the PM has assured that doctors will be respected, protected and safeguarded and also informed that Doctors' Day would be celebrated in remembrance of veteran Dr BC Roy.

Like every year, the country will be celebrating National Doctors' Day on July 1 to honour the contributions of the doctors. The first National Doctor's day was celebrated in the country in July 1991.

(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 draconian Beijing-imposed national security law, introduced to smother dissent and free speech in Hong Kong, has completed one year on Wednesday, leaving the once British-controlled region in turmoil and chaos.

The law criminalises any act of secession (breaking away from China), subversion (undermining the power or authority of the central government), terrorism and collusion with foreign forces, with punishments of up to life in prison.

According to CNN, the bill was drafted almost entirely in closed-door meetings and even Hong Kong's leader Carrie Lam was not part of those meetings. It came in effect from July 1, months after anti-government, pro-democracy protests that had infuriated the Chinese leadership, who saw them as an open challenge to their national sovereignty.

Though Chinese and leaders assured the public that the law would target a minority of individuals and not diminish freedoms in the semi-autonomous city, at least 117 people have been arrested and 64 charged as of June 27.

As soon as the bill was introduced, people had voiced alarm that the law could be used to stifle dissent. many feel that their worst fears have been confirmed as China has tightened its grip on and subjected the city to its strict laws and censorship.

More recently, Hong Kong's 26-year-old pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily shut its doors due to increasing government clampdown, after most of its staff and executives were arrested by the police. The police also froze the newspaper's bank accounts and threatened others with imprisonment.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian denied the raid had been an attack to press freedom, calling it a "just move" done in "strict accordance with the law."

Public protests have been banned and nearly all of the city's leading pro-democracy figures, including activists and politicians, have either been jailed or forced into exile. Tens and thousands of citizens started emigrating to other countries and even educational institutions have been impacted by the draconian law, CNN reported.

Facing pressure from China, Hong Kong authorities have tried to pass a national security law before, most notably in 2003. However, they had backed down after mass protests. This was repeated once again when a bill was introduced that allowed extradition to China.

That unrest evolved into a massive pro-democracy, anti-government movement which at times grew violent. The city legislature was stormed, a university campus was held under siege for days, a man was set on fire and another shot and critically injured by police. The Chinese government was greatly perturbed by the protests.

When the security law came into effect on July 1, hundreds turned out to protest, clashing with riot police who fired tear gas and rubber bullets, leading to the first arrests under the new law.

Soon after the imposition of the law, schools were ordered to remove textbooks that could violate the law, authorities set up a national security office, allowing mainland Chinese agents to operate in the city for the first time, student activists were arrested for social media posts, and pro-democracy candidates were barred from standing in legislative elections on national security grounds, according to CNN.

This lead to scorn from countries such as the United States, the UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and more. While Washington revoked Hong Kong's special trade status and implemented several sanctions, other countries suspended extradition treaties with

On August 2020, 12 Hong Kong residents were arrested for attempting to reach Taiwan by boat, and detained in the mainland for months without access to lawyers. Several have since been released back to Hong Kong, where at least one was charged under the security law.

The biggest blow came in November, when granted Hong Kong authorities the power to expel elected lawmakers for not being "loyal," or refusing to acknowledge Beijing's sovereignty. Following this, four lawmakers were immediately expelled, prompting all the remaining elected pro-democracy lawmakers to resign in protest.

In January this year, at least 53 former lawmakers and opposition activists were arrested for "subverting state power" as they took part in an unofficial primary election the previous summer, designed to field the strongest pro-democracy candidates in a legislative election that, in the end, never took place, ostensibly due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chinese central government also continued to rejig Hong Kong's electoral framework, passing a law in March that changed the make-up of the city parliament to be dominated by government-appointed or influenced seats.

Under the draconian security law, websites have been blocked on national security grounds, and the film censorship guidelines revised to abide by the law. The annual book fair, to be held this year in July, warned that the police would be called if any exhibits or materials were found to violate the security law, CNN reported.

Even as journalists and activists continue to be persecuted, Hong Kong leaders have come out in support of the law.

"The objective is to maintain long-term stability and prosperity in Hong Kong," said Carrie Lam, the city's leader, several days after the Apple Daily raid. "The enforcement of the National Security Law and its implementation is to maintain national security."

One year after the law, Hong Kong looks very different from the rebellious city of protest it had been for decades. With Hong Kong increasingly being brought under Chinese rule, many local residents are looking overseas.

The threat of arrests and asset freezes has also thrown into question Hong Kong's viability as a base for businesses. Some firms have reduced their presence in Hong Kong due to political pressure.

It would be safe to say that under tightening Chinese control, Hong Kong's future appears to be bleak.

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The Biden administration is developing an executive order directing agencies to strengthen oversight of industries that they perceive to be dominated by a small number of companies, a wide-ranging attempt to rein in big business power across the economy, people familiar with the plans told The Wall Street Journal.

According to the news report, the order, which US President Biden could sign as soon as next week, would direct regulators of industries from airlines to agriculture to rethink their rule-making process to inject more competition and to give consumers, workers and suppliers more rights to challenge large producers.

The order goes after corporate monopolies across a broad swath of industries ranging from banking to airlines, a person familiar with the matter told Reuters.

The goal is to broaden the way policy makers approach business concentration in the US, going beyond conventional antitrust enforcement focused on blocking big mergers.

White House spokesperson Emilie Simons did not comment on specific details, but said the president made clear during his campaign that he is committed to increasing competition in the American economy, including by banning non-compete agreements for workers and protecting farmers from abusive practices. There is no final decision on any actions at this time," she told Reuters.

Businesses and conservative legal groups could challenge the rules in court, as they already have with administration moves to limit oil and gas drilling on federal lands and to extend a pandemic-related moratorium on evicting renters.

Regulatory opponents are hopeful that conservative judges appointed by former President Donald Trump will make it easier to challenge Biden administration rules, according to WSJ.

Former president Barack Obama's administration issued a similar order in 2016 that pushed executive branch agencies to promote competition but it failed to move the needle. The Biden order includes details on how specific government agencies should review deals and competition in industries, one of the sources said.

The White House has recently appointed advocates of antitrust reform to key positions. Earlier this month, Biden named Lina Khan, a prominent critic of Big Tech, as chair of the Federal Trade Commission.

This followed the appointment of Tim Wu, an outspoken critic of Google, Facebook and Amazon, as special assistant to the president on competition policy.
Cheap of masks from has pushed the US manufacturers to the brink as production plunges.

American manufacturer Premium-PPE has seen its monthly mask production plunge nearly 90 per cent from last year's peak, falling to 4 million to 5 million, reported Nikkei Asia.

Taisei Hoyama, writing in Nikkei Asia said that equipment and piles of unsold merchandise filled its factory in the city of Virginia Beach. Its workforce, once boasting as many as 280 people, has shrunk to about 50.

"Selling the mask for less than a penny is not possible," said Brent Dillie, the Chief Revenue Officer.

Premium-PPE is among the US mask makers losing out to Chinese rivals that Dillie and his peers accuse of flooding the market with products priced below cost -- a problem that connects to debates over national security and the cost of self-sufficiency, wrote Taisei Hoyama.

Premium-PPE sold electronic cigarettes before pivoting to disposable masks in March 2020 as the pandemic spread like wildfire in the US. With medical personnel having to reuse masks in the face of a grave shortage, its products flew off the shelves.

Each box of masks declares the products are "Made in USA" in large letters, as a mark of quality. Demand has not vanished, even with the country's progress on vaccinations. But few consumers are willing to spend 10 times as much for an American alternative to a Chinese-made mask, reported Nikkei Asia.

The US has nearly 300 million masks sitting unused in warehouses, and producers are going under one after another, according to the American Mask Manufacturer's Association, which includes small and midsize companies.

The group, chaired by Dillie, sent a letter to President Joe Biden in May asking for the government to buy up this inventory, among other support measures.

Maintaining mask production in the US to prepare for future pandemics is "a matter of national security," the letter said. The group said imported Chinese surgical masks now sell for an average of 1 cent each, said Taisei Hoyama.

The laid bare American reliance on for many medical products, alarming officials and lawmakers on both sides of the aisle.

The US imported 72 per cent of its face masks from in 2019, the Congressional Research Service said. The government institute's report showed large shares of from the Asian country for a broad range of medical supplies. China remains the "world's factory" for many products that are cheap and difficult to differentiate, reported Nikkei Asia.

Washington can respond to dumping of under-priced goods with import restrictions or legislation, but American companies may not have the wherewithal to last that long, wrote Taisei Hoyama.

(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 Echo Wang, Anirban Sen and Scott Murdoch

(Reuters) - Chinese ride hailing company Global Inc raised $4.4 billion in its U.S on Tuesday, pricing it at the top of its indicated range and increasing the number of shares sold, according to two sources familiar with the matter.

sold 317 million American Depository Shares (ADS), versus the planned 288 million, at $14 apiece, the people said on condition of anonymity ahead of an official announcement.

This would give a valuation of about $73 billion on a fully diluted basis. On a non-diluted basis, it will be worth $67.5 billion. The company is expected to debut on the New York Stock Exchange on June 30.

The increase in deal size came after the Didi investor order book was oversubscribed multiple times, one of the sources said.

Investors have been told to expect their orders to be scaled back once allocations are completed on Wednesday, according to a separate source with direct knowledge of the matter.

Didi did not respond to a request for comment.

The listing, which will be the biggest U.S. share sale by a Chinese company since Alibaba raised $25 billion in 2014, comes amid record activity this year as rush to capture the lucrative valuations seen in the U.S. stock market.

Didi's is more conservative than its initial aim for a valuation of up to $100 billion, Reuters has previously reported. The size of the deal was cut during briefings with investors ahead of the IPO's launch.

This suggests increasing investor worries about China's potential anti-trust related crackdown and a more volatile IPO environment globally in 2021, said Douglas Kim, a London-based independent analyst, who writes on Smartkarma.

"But it seems like many investors like this deal, the volatile IPO environment helped to lower IPO price and valuation looks attractive," Kim told Reuters.

Didi's IPO was covered early on the first day of the book-build last week and the investor books were closed on Monday, a day ahead of schedule..

An over-allotment option, or greenshoe, exists where another 43.2 million shares can be sold to increase the deal size.

DIDI HISTORY

Didi was co-founded in 2012 by former Alibaba employee Will Wei Cheng, who currently serves as the chief executive officer. Cheng was joined by Jean Qing Liu, a former Goldman Sachs banker and the current president of the ride-sharing company.

The company counts SoftBank, Uber Technologies Inc and Tencent as its main backers.

Didi is also known for successfully pushing Uber out of the Chinese market after the U.S. company lost a price war and ended up selling its China operations to Didi for a stake. Liu Zhen, the head of Uber China at the time, is Didi's Liu's cousin.

Like most ride-hailing companies, Didi had historically been unprofitable, until it reported a profit of $30 million in the first quarter of this year.

The company reported a loss of $1.6 billion last year and an 8% drop in revenue to $21.63 billion, according to a regulatory filing, as business slid during the pandemic.

Its shares are due to start trading under the "DIDI" symbol.

(Reporting by Echo Wang in New York and Anirban Sen in Bengaluru and Scott Murdoch in Hong Kong; Editing by Greg Roumeliotis, Bill Berkrot and Himani Sarkar)

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
Chinese ride hailing company Didi Global Inc raised $4.4 billion in its U.S. IPO, pricing it at the top of its indicated range and increasing the number of shares sold, the company said.

Didi sold 316.8 million American Depository Shares (ADS), versus the planned 288 million, at $14 apiece.

This would give Didi a valuation of about $73 billion on a fully diluted basis and $67.5 billion on a non-diluted basis.

The decision to increase the deal size came after the Didi investor order book was oversubscribed multiple times, a source told Reuters. The company is expected to debut on the New York Stock Exchange on June 30.

Didi's IPO is more conservative versus its initial aim for a valuation of up to $100 billion, Reuters has previously reported. The size of the deal was cut during briefings with investors ahead of the IPO's launch.

Investors baulked at the $100 billion target given concerns the company's future growth prospects could be curbed by the chance of greater regulation of the ride-sharing sector by transport authorities in the future.

There was also uncertainty over how an antitrust probe into Didi, revealed by Reuters this month, would impact the business. Didi said at the time it would not comment on "unsubstantiated speculation from unnamed source(s)".

The listing, which will be the biggest U.S. share sale by a Chinese company since Alibaba raised $25 billion in 2014, comes amid volatile and record IPO activity this year as firms rush to capture the lucrative valuations seen in the U.S. stock market.

"The volatile IPO environment helped to lower (Didi) IPO price and valuation looks attractive," said Douglas Kim, a London-based independent analyst, who writes on Smartkarma.

Didi's IPO was covered early on the first day of the book-build last week and the investor books were closed on Monday, a day ahead of schedule..

An over-allotment option, or greenshoe, exists where another 43.2 million shares can be sold to increase the deal size.

DIDI HISTORY

Didi was co-founded in 2012 by former Alibaba employee Will Wei Cheng, who currently serves as the chief executive officer. Cheng was joined by Jean Qing Liu, a former Goldman Sachs banker and the current president of the ride-sharing company.

The company counts SoftBank, Uber Technologies Inc and Tencent as its main backers.

Didi is also known for successfully pushing Uber out of the Chinese market after the U.S. company lost a price war and ended up selling its China operations to Didi for a stake. Liu Zhen, the head of Uber China at the time, is Didi's Liu's cousin.

Didi is the dominant player in China, although ride-hailing services by automakers such as Geely and SAIC Motor are picking up market share. In Europe and South America, where Didi is expanding, Uber has a presence.

Like most ride-hailing companies, Didi had historically been unprofitable, until it reported a profit of $30 million in the first quarter of this year.

The company reported a loss of $1.6 billion last year and an 8% drop in revenue to $21.63 billion, according to a regulatory filing, as business slid during the pandemic.

Its shares are due to start trading under the "DIDI" symbol.

(Reporting by Echo Wang in New York and Anirban Sen in Bengaluru and Scott Murdoch in Hong Kong; Editing by Greg Roumeliotis, Bill Berkrot, Himani Sarkar and Shounak Dasgupta)

(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 Oliver Hirt and Pamela Barbaglia

ZURICH (Reuters) - is considering centralising the management of its bankers to the world's wealthy, replacing a regional structure, three sources said, as part of efforts to fast-track an overhaul after a series of scandals.

The Swiss bank and its board are looking to decide on a fresh strategy as soon as October after meeting in the mountain town of Bad Ragaz, two sources familiar with the thinking of senior executives said.

Re-imagining the most prized part of illustrates how deep this overhaul is likely to be, with executives discussing folding the private banking business and other services managing money for the world's rich into one global division, the three sources told Reuters.

Targeting the client managers who deal with its wealthiest clients, many of whom are worth tens of millions of dollars, would scrap a regionalised structure introduced in 2015.

Such a change would reel local managers in Asia and internationally, who have enjoyed considerable autonomy, under tight Swiss control as well as making it easier to cut costs.

declined to comment.

Its larger Swiss rival UBS adopted a unified global wealth management structure by combining its businesses servicing American and clients into one global division in 2018, allowing it to trim costs.

DEFENCE STRATEGY

Credit Suisse executives and board members convened recently in Bad Ragaz, best known for its spas and thermal baths, for an annual strategy meeting.

The executives are concerned that Switzerland's second-largest bank, which has been hit by two scandals this year, could face break-up calls from investors, or that its shrinking stock-market value makes it a foreign takeover target.

A domestic merger with UBS, something that has been discussed in the past, is viewed as a more palatable option, three sources also told Reuters last week.

Managers did not formally discuss mergers at Bad Ragaz, with the possibility of a tie-up "the elephant in the room", one source said after the meeting.

Under the direction of its new chairman Antonio Horta-Osorio, Credit Suisse is looking to overhaul operations and prime its businesses to protect it from investor pressure.

By combining its wealth management businesses, Credit Suisse would be able to streamline products, while also becoming more attractive to a potential merger partner, one source said.

A global entity could also work better with the investment bank, which provides financial services to entrepreneurs and ultra-wealthy families, two of the sources said.

A combined unit may get new leadership, the sources said, adding that Horta-Osorio was driving key decisions on the bank's overhaul and its management.

A merged wealth management unit could either combine the Asia-Pacific and Wealth Management divisions, or further fold in the bank's private banking business for ultra-wealthy customers in its home market, which now sits in its Swiss division, one source said.

Credit Suisse lost more than $5 billion in the rush to unwind trades by family office Archegos and faces legal action for helping clients invest $10 billion in bonds issued by collapsed supply chain firm Greensill Capital.

(Reporting by Oliver Hirt in Zurich and Pamela Barbaglia in London; Writing by Brenna Hughes Neghaiwi; Editing by Alexander Smith)

(Only the headline and picture of this report may have been reworked by the Business Standard staff; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
The is recovering from the pandemic at an uneven pace due to unequal access to vaccinations, with the Delta variant threatening those countries lacking essential medical supplies, the IMF's chief economist warned on Wednesday.

"Right now what we are seeing is highly unequal access to vaccinations, including therapeutics and diagnostics. Therefore, what we're seeing is a diverging recovery, IMF chief economist said during a webinar at the annual meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development.

"The number one issue is how do we get to a point where we have good coverage of populations in terms of vaccination rates everywhere in the world."

Putin rejects mandatory jabs as Russia sees record deaths Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was opposed to mandatory coronavirus vaccinations for Russians but urged the jab-sceptic population to get inoculated, as his country battles a deadly third wave. His comments came as Russia earlier Wednesday reported 669 coronavirus deaths in past 24 hours, a pandemic high of fatalities for the second day in a row, according to a government tally. Kim Jong Un sounds alarm on Covid-19 Kim Jong Uns warning that North Korea faced a great crisis over a quarantine breach is raising more questions about whats going wrong inside his secretive regime. North Korea has recently been bracing its people for a tough road ahead.

(This story has not been edited by Business Standard staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)
By Tracy Rucinski and Eric M. Johnson

(Reuters) - confirmed its largest ever order for and jets on Tuesday, lining up 270 planes in a push for post-pandemic growth with bigger jets for domestic flying.

The order for 200 737 MAX and 70 A321neo jets, worth over $30 billion at list prices, will boost United's domestic capacity by almost 30%, allowing it to better compete for both premium and low-cost travel.

It builds momentum for planemakers seeking to turn the page on the COVID-19 travel slump, at least in the United States, and signals a strong bet on a recovery in hard-hit business travel.

Chief Executive Scott Kirby said it would "accelerate our business to meet a resurgence in air travel".

With the deal, America's third largest airline by revenue will replace most of its regional jets and undertake a sweeping cabin overhaul with more premium seats.

"With a number of startups commencing operations or with plans to, United is putting the U.S. travel industry on notice," said Peter McNally, analyst at research firm Third Bridge.

The order, confirming a detailed breakdown reported by Reuters on Monday, includes 50 737 MAX 8 and 150 MAX 10, accelerating a recovery in the wake of a two-year MAX safety crisis in what market sources called a partial coup for Boeing.

It especially marks a breakthrough for the 230-seat MAX 10, the largest variant which has begun flight tests but until now has struggled to contain runaway sales of the competing A321neo.

But Boeing's victory over in the number of units sold was tempered by Europe's continued grip on a lucrative segment for single-aisle airplanes that need the most range.

That allowed Airbus to secure a quarter of the deal in a high-margin niche where Boeing faces a gap in its portfolio, forcing it to ponder a new jet to replace the longer-range 757.

Boeing appears to be calculating that the United deal will demonstrate that the MAX 10 fits the bill for some three-quarters of missions while it weighs options for a larger new model, analysts said, amid thin demand following the pandemic.

Airbus, meanwhile, continues to pitch the A321neo as a "premium" product.

COST IMPROVEMENT

"This is a great time to acquire capacity cheaply - the aircraft market remains depressed - and this will offer lasting structural cost improvement," said Carlos Ozores, vice-president at aviation consultancy ICF.

Boeing shares slipped 1.4% while United and Airbus traded about 0.6% lower.

Combined with existing orders, United will receive 500 new narrowbody aircraft including 40 in 2022 and 138 in 2023. It said it has flexibility on deliveries between 2024 and 2026 and the option to convert some MAX 10 orders to other variants.

United, which unlike major rivals did not retire jets during the pandemic, said it plans to fly the first MAX 8 with the new interior this summer and the MAX 10 and A321neo in early 2023.

The order includes 25 737 MAX "white tails", or planes canceled by other buyers during a lengthy safety grounding.

The airline, which received $10.5 billion in government aid during the pandemic, devoted a large part of its release to a pledge to create 25,000 unionized jobs as part of the purchase.

United said it expected to earn a pre-tax profit in July, its first since January 2020.

Boeing, required to add MAX simulator training for pilots of earlier 737 models after software problems contributed to fatal MAX crashes, said the United deal includes simulator data.

Airbus said a significant number of newly-ordered A321neos would be assembled at its plant in Alabama.

(Reporting by Tracy Rucinski and Eric M. Johnson; Additional reporting by Tim Hepher, Ankit Ajmera; Editing by Jason Neely, Alexander Smith and Nick Zieminski)

(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 World Bank on Tuesday approved USD 800 million in financing for two programs in Pakistan--the Program for Affordable and and the Second Securing Human Investments to Foster Transformation.

A World Bank (WB) release said that the USD 400 million Program for Affordable and (PACE) focuses on measures to improve the financial viability of the power sector and support the country's transition to low-carbon energy.

"Power sector reforms are critical to resolving Pakistan's fiscal challenges," said Rikard Liden, World Bank Task Team Leader for the PACE program. "Decarbonizing the energy mix will reduce the dependence on fossil fuel imports and vulnerability to price fluctuations because of movement in exchange rates. PACE prioritizes action on such reforms, which must be sustained to address circular debt and set the power sector on a sustainable path."

The release said the USD 400 million Second Securing Human Investments to Foster Transformation program (SHIFT II) supports a federal structure to strengthen basic service delivery for human capital accumulation.

The program will help improve health and education services, increase income-generation opportunities for the poor, and promote inclusive economic growth.

"Strengthening services that build human capital in a coordinated manner between provincial and federal authorities, along with improved targeting of social safety nets, will better support families to recover from the COVID-19 crisis, and pave the way for more robust crisis preparedness in the future," said Tazeen Fasih, World Bank Task Team Leader for the SHIFT II program.

Najy Benhassine, WB Country Director for said, "The reforms underpinning PACE and SHIFT can contribute to facilitating sustainable investments and generate welfare gains for those most in need."

Pakistan has been a member of the World Bank since 1950. Since then, the World Bank has provided $40 billion in assistance.

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Shares of hit a record high of Rs 997.20 as they rose nearly 2 per cent on the BSE in intra-day trade on Wednesday after the Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) permitted the firm to import Moderna's Covid Vaccine with emergency use authorisation in India. In the past two days, the scrip has gained 4 per cent.

At 09:34 am, the stock pared some gains and was trading 0.45 per cent higher at Rs 983.45 as compared to a 0.18 per cent gain in the S&P BSE Sensex. A combined 2.3 million shares had changed hands on the counter on the NSE and BSE so far.

" is supporting Moderna Inc. with the regulatory approval and importation of vaccines to be donated to India. At this stage, there is no definitive agreement on commercial supplies the company said in response to media queries on vaccine import.

Initially, is supporting Moderna with the regulatory approval for the import of 50 million vaccines to be donated to India. At this stage, there is no definitive agreement on commercial supplies. Hence, we are awaiting finalised commercial terms to incorporate this opportunity in our financials, ICICI Securities said in a note.

Meanwhile, in a separate exchange filing, Cipla along with Dr Reddys Laboratories, Sun Pharmaceuticals Industries, Torrent Pharmaceuticals and Emcure Pharmaceuticals announced that the five companies will collaborate for the clinical trial of the investigational oral anti-viral drug Molnupiravir for the treatment of mild COVID-19 in an outpatient setting in India.

Molnupiravir is an oral antiviral that inhibits the replication of multiple RNA viruses including SARS-CoV-2. It is presently being studied by MSD, through a collaboration with Ridgeback Biotherapeutics, in a Phase III trial for the treatment of non-hospitalized patients with confirmed COVID-19 globally.
is heading for its best half since 2009 as the rebound from the pandemic boosts and tightens the market ahead of a key OPEC+ meeting thats expected to lead to an increase in supply.

Futures in New York rose toward $74 a barrel on Wednesday and are up more than 50% this year. The American Petroleum Institute reported that U. S. crude stockpiles fell by 8.15 million barrels last week, according to people familiar, adding to positive sentiment before OPEC+ meets on Thursday.

The alliance will be busy after delaying preliminary talks on the market to allow members more time to resolve differences. The hold-up comes as a Covid-19 resurgence in some regions raises concerns over the demand outlook.

The recovery in key consumers including the U. S. and China has helped underpin a surge in fuel demand and driven prices to the highest level since October 2018. OPEC+ predicts the market will remain in deficit for the rest of this year if the group keeps output steady, while the prospect of an imminent flood of Iranian crude is fading as talks to revive a nuclear deal drag on.

We expect consumption to continue outstripping supply in the near term, said Howie Lee, an economist at Oversea-Chinese Banking Corp. in Singapore. With more people getting vaccinated, demand worries driven by the virus should continue to diminish.

The latest virus flare-up is causing some concerns, however. Cases have spiked in the U.

K. and authorities in Australia are racing to contain outbreaks of the infectious delta variant. Other nations are renewing travel restrictions.

Prices West Texas Intermediate for August delivery climbed 0.6% to $73.42 a barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange at 12:11 p.m. in Singapore after gaining 0.1% on Tuesday. Front-month futures are up about 11% this month. Brent for August settlement, which expires on Wednesday, increased 0.4% to $75.07 on the ICE Futures Europe exchange. The more-active September contract rose 0.4% to $74.60.

The drop in stockpiles reported by the API would be the largest since January if confirmed by Information Administration data due Wednesday. The median estimate in a Bloomberg survey is for a decline of 3.85 million barrels. The API said that gasoline inventories rose by 2.42 million barrels, however.

OPEC+ had been due to convene its advisory body -- the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee -- on Wednesday, but that session will now take place on Thursday. Delegates said it was to allow more time for talks. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak sought the delay because of presidential commitments, according to an official letter.

The alliance is expected to increase output for August by about 550,000 barrels a day, according to a Bloomberg survey. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. forecast a similar boost, but said that even a surprise hike of 1 million barrels a day wouldnt be enough to kill the rally.
regulator on Wednesday extended deadlines for complying with certain regulatory requirements by stock brokers, clearing members and KYC registration agencies in view of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The deadline for maintaining call recordings of orders or instructions received from clients has been extended by one month till July 31, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) said in a circular.

Also, the regulator has given time till July-end to brokers for operating the trading terminals from designated alternate locations.

Further, the deadline has been extended till July-end for submission of client funding report.

With regard to issue of annual global statement to clients, has given relaxation till July 31. This will be applicable only if the client has requested for a physical statement.

Earlier these relaxation were given till June 30.

In view of the prevailing situation due to the pandemic and representation received from stock exchanges and depositories, said it has decided to extend the timelines for compliance with certain regulatory requirements by trading members/clearing members/KYC registration agencies.

As per the norms, KYC (Know Your Customer) application form and supporting documents of clients need to be uploaded on a system of KRA (KYC Registration Agency) within 10 days.

In this regard, Sebi said "till July 31, documents may be uploaded on to the system of KRA within 15 working days".

A 30-day period after July 31 will be given to registered intermediary to clear the backlog.

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The Australian share market finished session higher on Wednesday, 30 June 2021, on tracking an overnight rise on Wall Street and better than expected private sector credit reports. At closing bell, the benchmark S&P/ASX200 was up 11.79 points, or 0.16%, to 7,313.02. The broader All Ordinaries increased 19.50 points, or 0.26%, to 7,584.96.

For the FY21, S&P/ASX200 bourse gained 24%.

Total 6 of 11 sectors ended higher along with the S&P/ASX 200 Index. Telecommunication Services was the best performing sector, gaining 2.66%, followed by materials (up 0.79%), industrials (up 0.5%), consumer staples (up 0.47%), and consumer discretionary (up 0.43%) sectors, while utilities was worst performing sector, down 3.24%, followed by healthcare (down 0.8%), Information technology (down 0.79%), and real estate (down 0.43%) sectors.

The best performing stocks in the S&P/ASX200 were Iluka Resources (up 11.7%), Clinuvel Pharmaceuticals (up 4.7%), Chalice Mining (up 4.7%), Telstra Corp (up 4.4%), and Mineral Resources (up 4.1%), while the worst performing stocks were Nuix (down 13%), AGL Energy (down 10%), Kogan.com (down 9.5%), Appen (down 4.9%), and Collins Foods (down 4.3%).

Australia's biggest telecom firm Telstra Corp rose 4.4% after it has agreed to sell a 49% stake in its Towers business which consists of roughly 8,200 mobile towers, to a consortium including several superannuation funds and Australia's Future Fund. Net proceeds from the sale are expected to be $2.8b with about half of those funds expected to be returned to shareholders in FY22.

Shares of mineral sands miner Iluka gained 11.7% after news that Rio Tinto would be halting its mineral sands mine in Richard Bay, South Africa, due to violence against its machinery and staff. Iluka's seen as one of the prime beneficiaries of Rio Tinto's decision.

In economic news, private sector credit rose 0.4% in May to be up 1.9% on the year.

CURRENCY NEWS: The Australian dollar changed hands at $0.7516, down from levels around 0.758 seen earlier this week.

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EID-Parry (India) lost 3.76% to Rs 429 after the company's consolidated net profit tanked 75.4% to Rs 61.61 crore on 7.9% fall in net sales to Rs 3,907.96 crore in Q4 March 2021 over Q4 March 2020.

Profit before tax tumbled 59.3% to Rs 185.70 crore in Q4 FY21 as against Rs 455.93 crore in Q4 FY20. EBITDA for the quarter ended 31 March 2021 at Rs 321 crore as against the corresponding quarter of previous year at Rs 639 crore.

The consolidated sugar operations reported an operating loss of Rs 21 crore as compared to the corresponding quarter of previous year, where profit stood at Rs 170 crore. The consolidated Farm Inputs operations reported an operating profit of Rs 265 crore as against the corresponding quarter of previous year, where profit was at Rs 372 crore. The consolidated Nutraceuticals division reported an operating profit of Rs 19 crore over the corresponding quarter of previous year profit of Rs 4 crore.

During the financial year, EID-Parry (India)'s consolidated net profit jumped 12.48% to Rs 999.82 crore on 8.51% increase in revenue from operations to Rs 18,587.45 crore in FY 2021 over FY 2020.

S. Suresh, the managing director (MD) of EID-Parry (India) said: "The performance of the company was better than the last year on account of better realisation from sugar and distillery, higher export volumes and various cost control measures. Overall cane crushed during this year is at 39.69 LMT as against 36.72 LMT of LY. During the quarter, the company had exported 41,037 MT of sugar as part of the Maximum Admissible Export Quantity quota."

"As part of debt reduction programme, the proceeds of the 4% stake divested in Coromandel International along with the dividend received from Coromandel International were utilised to reduce the debt of the company. The company continued its focus on sweating of assets by initiating the process oftransferring and installing the assets of Pudukkottai unit at Haliyal, Karnataka. Also, the company closed the Pettavaithalai unit in Tamil Nadu during the year."

"Nutraceuticals division registered a strong profit growth at Rs 19 crore as against profit of Rs 4 crore in corresponding quarter of previous year on account of better performance in the USA operations and increased sales to Europe."

Meanwhile, the board has approved the closure of the wholly owned subsidiary, E.I.D-Parry Europe 8.V, as per applicable laws of Netherlands. E.I.D. Parry Europe BV was incorporated last year and has not commenced any business operation.

E.I.D Parry (India) is engaged in the manufacturing and marketing of sugar, bio pesticides and nutraceuticals.

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Hong Kong stock market finished session lower on Wednesday, 30 June 2021, after latest data showed a moderation in China's economic recovery in June.

At closing bell, the benchmark Hang Seng Index was down 0.57%, or 166.15 points, to 28,827.95. The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index fell 0.87%, or 93.91 points, to 10,663.39. The Hang Seng Index logged a 1.1% decline in June, its first loss since March.

The sub-index of the Hang Seng tracking the commerce & industry sector fell 0.7%, the finance sector fell 0.3%, the properties sector shed 1.02%, and the utilities sector fell 0.23%.

China's official manufacturing PMI edged down to 50.9 in June from 51.0 a month earlier, according to the National Bureau of Statistics. This was the weakest pace of expansion in factory activity since February, amid high raw material costs and port disruptions in the export province of Guangdong.

It remained above the 50-point mark that separates growth from contraction on a monthly basis. New export orders fell for a second consecutive month in June and at a faster pace, likely due to the global resurgence of COVID-19 variants, forcing some countries to re-impose lockdowns.

Hengan International led declines among blue chips, falling 4.4% to HK$52. China Resources Land dropped 3.4% to HK$31.45, while Geely Automobile declined 3.4% to HK$24.45.

Ping An Insurance slid 0.7% to HK$76.05 after it announced plans to acquire stakes in six Raffles City properties from Singapore's CapitaLand for up to US$5.1 billion.

AIA Group advanced 0.8% to HK$96.50 after the insurer agreed to pay US$1.86 billion for a stake in the life insurance arm of the China Post Group. Moody's Investors Service said the acquisition was credit positive as it enhances AIA's market reach in China.

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Housing & Urban Development Corporation (HUDCO)'s consolidated net profit jumped 19.4% to Rs 526.28 crore on 6.4% fall in total income to Rs 1,777.85 crore in Q4 March 2021 over Q4 March 2020.

Profit before tax surged 40.1% to Rs 763.83 crore in Q4 FY21 as against Rs 545.30 crore in Q4 FY20. The Q4 earnings were announced after trading hours yesterday, 29 June 2021.

Sanctions fell 57.52% to Rs 5,288.48 crore in Q4 FY21 as against Rs 12,449.86 crore in Q4 FY20. Disbursements dropped 14.67% to Rs 3,505.81 crore in Q4 March 2021 as compared to Rs 4,108.63 crore in Q4 March 2020. Outstanding Loans slipped 1.01% to Rs 75,786.59 crore in Q4 FY21 from Rs 76,565.44 crore in Q4 FY20.

Gross NPA stood at 4.03% in March 2021 over 3.82% in March 2020. Net NPA stood at 0.50% in March 2021 from 0.19% in March 2020. Total Expected Credit Loss (ECL) skid 6.32% to Rs 2,753.78 crore in March 2021 as against Rs 2,939.67 crore in March 2020.

Meanwhile, the board has recommended a final dividend of Rs 1.425 per equity share for the financial year 2020-21.

The company's board has also approved the matter relating to raising of funds through issue of bonds/ debentures, as may be permitted by the regulatory authorities from time to time during the financial year 2021-22 upto a maximum of Rs 15,000 crore.

During the financial year, HUDCO's consolidated net profit declined 7.59% to Rs 1,578.50 crore on 3.88% decrease in total income to Rs 7,277.73 crore in FY 2021 over FY 2020.

HUDCO, the premier techno-financing public sector enterprise, is in the field of housing and infrastructure development in India. The Government of India held 89.81% stake in HUDCO as on 31 March 2021.

Shares of HUDCO skid 3.35% to Rs 53.35 on BSE. The scrip hovered in the range of Rs 53.30 to Rs 56.20 so far.

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Japan stock market finished lower for second straight session on Wednesday, 30 June 2021, on caution over a recent rise in COVID-19 variant cases across the globe and ahead of the release of key U. S. economic indicators later this week.

At closing bell, the 225-issue Nikkei Stock Average was down 21.08 points, or 0.07%, to 28,791.53. The broader Topix index of all First Section issues on the Tokyo Stock Exchange fell 5.91 points, or 0.3%, to 1,943.57.

Trading volume turnover in the 1st section increased to 963 million shares from 870 million shares in previous session. Trading value turnover increased to 2,347.73 billion yen from 1,968.09 billion yen in previous session.

Total 25 of 33 sectors sub-indexes on the Tokyo exchange ended lower, with worst performers were Iron & Steel (down 1%), Foods (down 0.9%), Precision Instruments (down 0.9%), Electric Power & Gas (down 0.9%), Air Transportation (down 0.9%), Real Estate (down 0.8%), Glass & Ceramics Products (down 0.8%), and Land Transportation (down 0.8%) issues, while top gainers were Services (up 0.5%), Information & Communication (up 0.5%), and Rubber Products (up 0.3%) issues.

Investors were concerned that a resurgence of coronavirus infections will negatively affect economic activity. Participants also kept a close eye on the upcoming release of the Bank of Japan's (BOJ) Tankan business sentiment survey and the release of U. S. jobs data for June due later this week for directional cues.

Shares of air transportation and land transportation issues declined on worries that the highly contagious Delta variant of the coronavirus cases triggered tighter restrictions.

Japan Airlines dropped 0.4% to 2,401 yen and ANA Holdings was down 1.2% at 2,612.00 yen. Tobu Railway slipped 1.3% to 2,872 yen. Central Japan Railway fell 0.6% to 16,850 yen after Mitsubishi Electric Corp. admitted Tuesday to fabricating data regarding its inspections of air conditioners for train carriages.

Automakers shares were lower with Toyota losing 0.3% to 9,710 yen, Honda dipping 0.1% to 3,550 yen and Nissan falling 0.63% to 551 yen.

Ushio shares climbed 13.4% to 2,030 yen, after the developer of industrial lamps revised upward its net profit estimate for the business year ending March 2022.

ECONOMIC NEWS: Japan industrial production slumped 5.9% month-over-month in May, after a final 2.9% gain a month earlier, official data showed on Wednesday, hit by declines in the manufacturing of cars and production machinery to post its largest monthly drop since May last year. On a yearly basis, industrial output surged 22% in May, after a 15.8% rise in April, amid a low base effects last year.

CURRENCY NEWS: The U. S. dollar was stuck in the mid-110 yen level amid a lack of new trading incentives. The Japanese yen traded at 110.47 per dollar, stronger than levels above 110.8 seen earlier in the week.

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Reliance Industries (RIL) announced the signing of an agreement with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) for world-scale chemical projects at TA'ZIZ in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi.

The strategic partnership is for joining a new world-scale chlor-alkali, ethylene dichloride and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) production facility.

Under the terms of the agreement, TA'ZIZ and Reliance will construct an integrated plant, with capacity to produce 940 thousand tons of chlor-alkali, 1.1 million tons of ethylene dichloride and 360 thousand tons of PVC annually.

ADNOC is a leading diversified energy and petrochemicals group wholly owned by the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. ADNOC's objective is to maximize the value of the Emirate's vast hydrocarbon reserves through responsible and sustainable exploration and production to support the United Arab Emirates' economic growth and diversification.

The agreement capitalizes on growing demand for these critical industrial raw materials and leverages the strengths of ADNOC and Reliance as global industrial and energy leaders. The project will be constructed in the TA'ZIZ Industrial Chemicals Zone, which is a joint venture between ADNOC and ADQ.

Established in Abu Dhabi in 2018, ADQ is one of the region's largest holding companies with direct and indirect investments in more than 90 companies locally and internationally.

The agreement continues the momentum of ADNOC's downstream and industry growth plans in line with ADNOC's 2030 strategy. Petrochemical, refining and gas growth projects are currently under construction, with a number of projects also recently completed across the downstream and industry portfolio.

ADNOC is gearing up for growth with TA'ZIZ, the world-scale chemicals production hub and industrial ecosystem based in Ruwais, with investment in excess of AED 18 billion and a number of further growth projects in the downstream and industry sector.

Since 2018, ADNOC has attracted significant foreign direct investment from international partners in the downstream business including refining, fertilizers and gas pipelines.

Reliance Industries, chairman and managing director, Mukesh D. Ambani, said: We at Reliance are excited to enter into a strategic partnership with ADNOC for establishing a world-class and world-scale chemical project at TA'ZIZ in Ruwais. This important milestone further bolsters our long-standing relationship with ADNOC, reaffirming our faith in the global vision of the UAE's wise leadership.

It is also yet another testimony to the enormous potential in advancing India-UAE cooperation in value enhancement in the energy and petrochemicals sectors. The project will manufacture ethylene dichloride, a key building block for production of PVC in India.

This is a significant step in globalizing Reliance's operations, and we are proud to partner with ADNOC in this important project for the region.

Chlor-alkali is used in water treatment and in the manufacture of textiles and metals. Ethylene dichloride is typically used to produce PVC. PVC has a wide range of applications across housing, infrastructure and consumer goods. The market for these chemicals is expected to enjoy steady growth supported by the needs of growing demand, particularly in Asia and Africa.

Production of these chemicals will create opportunities for local industry to source critical raw materials in the UAE for the first time, creating additional opportunities for In-County Value. For example, chlor-alkali will enable production of caustic soda, essential for the production of aluminum.

Ethylene dichloride and PVC have a wide range of applications across housing, infrastructure and consumer goods.

RIL is the largest private sector corporation in India. Its activities span hydrocarbon exploration and production, petroleum refining and marketing, petrochemicals, retail and digital services.

On a consolidated basis, RIL reported 108.36% surge in net profit to Rs 13,227 crore on 9.59% increase in net sales to Rs 149,575 crore in Q4 March 2021 over Q4 March 2020.

The RIL scrip rose 0.44% to currently trade at Rs 2096.60 on the BSE.

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Cipla, Dr. Reddy's Laboratories, Emcure Pharmaceuticals, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries and Torrent Pharmaceuticals announced that the five companies will collaborate for the clinical trial of the investigational oral anti-viral drug Molnupiravir for the treatment of mild COVID-19 in an outpatient setting in India.

Cipla is supporting Moderna, Inc. with the regulatory approval and importation of vaccines to be donated to India. At this stage, there is no definitive agreement on commercial supplies.

Shares of Reliance Industries (RIL) will be in focus. Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) announced that RIL, has signed an agreement to join a new worldscale chlor-alkali, ethylene dichloride and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) production facility at TA'ZIZ in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi. The agreement capitalizes on growing demand for these critical industrial raw materials and leverages the strengths of ADNOC and RIL as global industrial and energy leaders.

Under the terms of the agreement, TA'ZIZ and Reliance will construct an integrated plant, with capacity to produce 940 thousand tons of chlor-alkali, 1.1 million tons of ethylene dichloride and 360 thousand tons of PVC annually

NBCC (India) has been awarded the work order for engagement as Project Management Consultant for undertaking various civil works of Odisha Hydro Power Corporation. NBCC is project Management Consultant for this Project of the value Rs. 206 crore (approx.).

Isgec Heavy Engineering has received a prestigious order for Wet Limestone Flue Gas Desulphurisation System and Flue Gas Conditioning System Package (FGD-FGC Package) from Odisha Power Generation Corporation Ltd. for their2x660 MW TPPIB Thermal Power Station at Banharpalli, Jharsuguda, Odisha.

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The key equity indices hit the day's high in morning trade. The Nifty was trading above the 15,800 mark. Metal stocks resumed their uptrend after a day's pause.

At 10:22 IST, the barometer index, the S&P BSE Sensex, was up 194.89 points or 0.37% to 52,744.55. The Nifty 50 index added 56.55 points or 0.36% to 15,805.00.

In the broader market, the S&P BSE Mid-Cap index gained 0.13% while the S&P BSE Small-Cap index rose 0.69%.

The market breadth was strong. On the BSE, 1872 shares rose and 1001 shares fell. A total of 115 shares were unchanged.

Rising number of delta variant COVID-19 cases in Asia and a border escalation situation on the India-Chinese border weighed on investor sentiment.

COVID-19 Update:

Total COVID-19 confirmed cases worldwide stood at 181,764,498 with 3,937,050 global deaths.

India reported 537,064 active cases of COVID-19 infection and 398,454 deaths, according to the data from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.

Addressing media in New Delhi last evening, Joint Secretary in the Health Ministry Lav Agarwal the overall Covid recovery rate has reached the mark of 96.9%. He said, there are currently 565 districts in the country where the case positivity rate is less than 5%.

Agarwal said, by last evening, India has crossed the 33 crore mark in vaccination coverage. He also informed that in rural areas, the vaccination coverage from 1st of May to 24th of June is 9.72 crore doses which comprises 56% of the total vaccination while in urban areas the coverage stands at 7.68 crore doses which is 44%.

Results Today:

SpiceJet (up 1.16%), Vodafone Idea (up 0.79%), Coffee Day Enterprises (up 0.36%), Dish TV India (up 0.07%), IRCON International (up 1.15%), Sadbhav Engineering (up 3.58%), Sequent Scientific (down 0.09%) and Rajesh Exports (up 0.16%) will announce their quarterly earnings today.

Stocks in Spotlight:

Reliance Industries (RIL) added 0.73% to Rs 2102.50. RIL announced the signing of an agreement with Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC) for chemical projects at TA'ZIZ in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi. The strategic partnership is for chlor-alkali, ethylene dichloride and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) production facility.

Under the terms of the agreement, TA'ZIZ and Reliance will construct an integrated plant, with capacity to produce 940 thousand tons of chlor-alkali, 1.1 million tons of ethylene dichloride and 360 thousand tons of PVC annually.

Indiabulls Housing Finance shed 0.40% to Rs 262.95. The company's board has approved issuance of unsecured and/or secured, listed and/or unlisted, redeemable non-convertible debentures, with or without warrants or any other similar security denominated in INR, or combination thereof, in one or more tranches for an aggregate amount up to Rs 5,000 crore on private placement basis or otherwise.

Isgec Heavy Engineering jumped 4.96% to Rs 738.95. The company has received order for wet limestone flue gas desulphurisation system and flue gas conditioning system package (FGD-FGC Package) from Odisha Power Generation Corporation. The order is for their 2x660 MW TPPIB Thermal Power Station at Banharpalli, Jharsuguda, Odisha. The scope of work includes design, engineering, procurement, fabrication, construction, installation, commissioning, startup, and testing of FGD- FGC Package.

Buzzing Index:

The Nifty Metal index rose 1.23% to 5,290.15. The index declined 1.22% yesterday.

NMDC (up 2.56%), National Aluminum Co. (up 2.20%), Jindal Steel & Power (up 2.08%), APL Apollo Tubes (up 2%), SAIL (up 2.03%), JSW Steel (up 1.65%) and Tata Steel (up 1.45%) were the top index gainers.

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Triveni Engineering & Industries fell 3.15% to Rs 196.80 after the company's consolidated net profit declined 38% to Rs 85.02 crore on 20% fall in revenue from operations to Rs 1188.07 crore in Q4 FY21 over Q4 FY20.

EBITDA fell by 10% to Rs 174.72 crore in Q4 FY21 from Rs 193.91 crore in Q4 FY20. EBITDA margin was at 15% as on 31 March 2021 as against 13% as on 31 March 2020. Profit before tax in Q4 FY21 stood at Rs 133.76 crore, down by 19% from Rs 164.24 crore in Q4 FY20.

The company's consolidated net profit declined by 12% to Rs 294.61 crore on 6% rise in revenue from operations to Rs 4703.35 crore in FY21 over FY20.

Dhruv M. Sawhney, chairman and managing director, Triveni Engineering & Industries, said: "The overall performance of the company during the twelve months ended Mar 31, 2021 has been satisfactory, especially it being a challenging year due to the unprecedented pandemic.

The businesses had largely stabilized by the end of third quarter but surfacing of second wave towards the end of the year has posed further uncertainties. However, it is felt that the impact of the second wave on the industry may be much less pronounced.

Our performance in the sugar season (SS) has been satisfactory. There was a trend of widespread decline in crush and recovery in UP for the SS 2020-21, mainly due to climatic factors but the company has experienced marginal decline, much less than that of the average of the State.

We crushed 8.54 million tonnes of sugarcane with a recovery of 10.98% (gross recovery: 11.86% after adjustment towards B-heavy molasses). The company continues to actively pursue variety substitution programme to gradually reduce overdependence on the star variety Co 0238.

In the engineering business, while there has been a decline in turnover by 15% due to pandemic induced conditions, it has been able to largely maintain the profitability through cost control and efficiencies.

Apart from the traditional market in OEM and after market segment, Power Transmission Business is also focusing on Defence business under Make in India initiative and additionally, it has partnered with global OEMs for precision manufacturing of components for wind gearboxes as well as industrial high-speed compressor gears.

Water business has recently secured an EPC project of Water Sewerage project of US$ 22.80 million (Rs 156 crore) from Ministry of National Planning Housing & Infrastructure of Republic of Maldives funded by Exim Bank of India and additionally, it is participating in many bids of considerable value in respect of EPC and HAM projects."

Meanwhile, the company's board has approved expansion of distillation capacity of the existing and upcoming distilleries located at Muzaffarnagar (UP), Milak Narayanpur sugar unit at Distt Rampur UP and Sabitgarh Distt Bulandshahar (UP), subject to receipt of necessary statutory clearances.

The capex plan will raise total distillation capacity from 520 to 660 KLPD at an aggregate cost of Rs 100 crore (approx.) through low capital cost incidental expansion / debottlenecking through internal accruals. Such expansion will be completed before the commencement of the Sugar season 2022-23.

Triveni Engineering & Industries is one amongst the largest integrated sugar manufacturers in India and the market leader in its engineering businesses comprising power transmission business and water & wastewater treatment solutions.

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The police report of a May 16 incident revealed a Traverse City man suspected of stealing three vehicles in Lake and Osceola counties was killed from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Sen. Debbie Stabenow held the closed-door roundtable discussion at Avon Protection Systems, on 7th Street on Tuesday. Following the meeting, Stabenow fielded questions from local media.
Here is todays ranking of the 10 most-read news stories in China, in economics, finance and current affairs. While these headlines can help give you a sense of whats trending in the Chinese language sphere, Caixin has not independently verified the veracity or accuracy of all of the headlines.

Chinese social media users have been paying close attention to the World Health Organizations (WHO) declaration that China is malaria-free. They also have continued to follow the questions raised over Nongfu Spring products.

1. WHO declares China free of malaria

The WHO announced Wednesday that China has been certified as malaria-free after going four years without reporting a new case of the mosquito-borne infectious disease. In the 1940s, the country was reporting 30 million cases a year.

2. Huawei patents tech to unlock phones based on the movement of users lips

Huawei has patented technology that allows smartphones and other devices to be unlocked by analyzing the lip movements (external source) of authorized users, according to Chinese data technology services company Tianyancha.

3. Ukraine withdraws from Xinjiang statement

Ukraine announced (external source, in Chinese) on Friday the withdrawal of its signature from a joint statement presented by Canada to the Human Rights Council on the situation in Xinjiang.

4. Questions raised over Nongfu Spring products

A sparkling water product produced (external source, in Chinese) by Chinese bottled water giant Nongfu Spring, which is marketed as using peaches grown in Japans Fukushima prefecture, has sparked questions about food safety as well as false advertising.

5. Greek police recover stolen Picasso

Greek police have found (external source, in Chinese) a painting by Spanish artist Pablo Picasso that was stolen from the National Gallery in Greece in 2012. Picasso had donated the painting Head of a Woman to the country in 1949. Police have made one arrest in the case.

Photo: VCG

6. Chinas Covid-19 vaccination drive passes 1.2 billion doses

As of Monday, China had administered more than 1.2 billion doses (external source, in Chinese) of Covid-19 vaccine, according to the countrys National Health Council, including 200 million shots that have been given in the last 10 days.

7. Sinovac vaccine is safe for children and adolescents, study shows

Sinovac Biotech Ltd.s Covid-19 vaccine CoronaVac has been found to be safe (external source, in Chinese) and effective for children and adolescents, according to a report Monday in British medical journal The Lancet.

8. Beijing subway starts accepting the digital yuan

Beijing subway passengers can now pay their fares with the digital yuan (external source, in Chinese), the Beijing Municipal Commission of Transport announced Wednesday.

9. Japan introduces device to detect Alzheimer's from few drops of blood

Japanese manufacturer Shimadzu Corp. has developed a device that helps diagnose Alzheimers (external source, in Chinese) from a few drops of blood, Nikkei reported.

10. U.S. home prices rise at fastest pace in 30 years

According to the S&P national home price index, home prices in the U.S. rose (external source, in Chinese) 14.6% year-on-year in April, the highest rate in more than three decades.

Translated by intern reporter Chen Bingyi

The daily ranking of most read news stories among Chinese people, about China and global affairs, is jointly provided to you by Caixin Insight and HANA Data, an artificial intelligence technology team.

The key indicators calculated on the list are based on mass data sourced from Chinas mainstream social media platforms and online news websites. Click here for a detailed introduction of our methodology.
The U.S. should not shrug off responsibilities and the pullout should not lead to chaos or war, Foreign Minister Wang Yi said at a forum in Beijing

Jul 03, 2021 08:50 PM
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Do you have an athlete in mind that contributes to the team or sport, holds sportsmanship and team spirit, has epic playmaker moments and/or in general makes the the sports fun? If yes, please make your nominations for our edition of Athlete Spotlight.

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Boulder - Barbara Ann Keirana, of Boulder, Colo., passed away on May 12, 2021. She was 87 years old. An out of state celebration of her life will be held at a future date. Barbara's final resting place will be with her husband, Alan Keiran, at Ft. Logan Naional Cemetery in Denver. Howe Mortu
Photo: The Canadian Press Pope Francis speaks from the window of his studio overlooking St. Peter's Square at The Vatican to a crowd of faithful and pilgrims gathered for the Sunday Angelus noon prayer, on June 6, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP, Domenico Stinellis

Indigenous leaders will visit the Vatican later this year to press for a papal apology for the Catholic Church's role in residential schools.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops said Indigenous leaders will visit the Vatican between Dec. 17 and 20 to meet with Pope Francis and "foster meaningful encounters of dialogue and healing."

Manitoba Metis Federation President David Chartrand said he will be leading a delegation of Metis leaders during a private one-hour session with the pope to ask him to come to Canada to express his apologies and his sorrow for what took place in residential schools and to begin the healing process.

"It will have a greater sense of power and truth to his feelings and his pathway to healing if he comes into the soils of Canada, and stands here on our lands," Chartrand said in an interview with The Canadian Press.

Patricia D'Souza, director of communications for the Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, said her organization is involved in arranging a visit to the Vatican and discussions are ongoing.

Chartrand said the Vatican respected the nation-to-nation relationship with Indigenous Peoples and that's why there will be separate one-hour sessions with Pope Francis for each of the First Nations, Metis and Inuit delegations.

He said other delegations will be travelling from Canada to the Vatican to attend a meeting with Pope Francis on Dec. 20.

"'He will speak to the public, probably in St. Peter's  where he'll meet the entire Canadian delegation that will be coming."

Chartrand said the long-awaited apology is still important despite being too late.

"In our culture, Indigenous culture, it means a lot to us that somebody finally acknowledges that they did wrong and they need to fix that wrong," he said. "I don't care how long it takes, the healing will start there."

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops said Pope Francis extended the invitation and is deeply committed to hearing directly from Indigenous people.

The bishops said in a statement he wants to express his heartfelt closeness, address the impact of colonization and the role of the church in the residential school system, in the hopes of responding to the suffering of Indigenous Peoples and the ongoing effects of intergenerational trauma.

The bishops did not say whether the Pope will offer an apology.

Indigenous Services Minister Marc Miller told a virtual news conference Tuesday that any act of healing requires an apology, a full recognition of harm done, which hasnt been delivered by the Catholic Church.

People expect to see Pope Francis deliver that in a full, complete and comprehensive manner, said Miller.

He said the Liberal government will continue to advocate for a papal apology to Indigenous Peoples.

Miller said the country has seen some righteous disgust with the immobilization of the Catholic Church on this matter."

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau visited the Vatican in 2017 and personally asked Pope Francis to apologize for the church's role in residential schools.

On Friday, Trudeau reiterated his call for the pope to come to Canada and apologize on behalf of the Catholic Church.

Trudeau made the comments after Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan announced it had located 751 unmarked graves at the site of the former Marieval Residential School, a few weeks after what are believed to be 215 bodies of Indigenous children were found in British Columbia.

Some 150,000 First Nations, Metis and Inuit children were forcibly sent to residential schools, where many suffered abuse and even death.

The findings in Kamloops and Cowessess have sparked national outrage and grief, and has led to mounting calls for the federal government and church to investigate more potential school burial sites.

In April 2009, Pope Benedict XVI invited members of a Canadian delegation composed of representatives of Indigenous communities and of Catholic dioceses and religious communities, for a private meeting to discuss their experiences with the residential schools.

Following the meeting, the pope expressed his sorrow at the anguish caused by the deplorable conduct of some members of the church and offered his sympathy and prayerful solidarity, but didn't give an apology.

In July 2015, Pope Francis apologized for the grave sins of colonialism against Indigenous Peoples of America in a speech in Bolivia.
Photo: Contributed The Metro Vancouver tenant was running a fan during the record-smashing heat wave, the landlord said they were ?abusing electricity.

A Metro Vancouver renter may be forced to end their tenancy for seeking respite from the historic heat wave that descended on B.C. last weekend.

Cole L. (last name omitted for privacy) is a renter in North Surrey who last week posted a photo of a months notice to end tenancy served to them by their landlord. The letter seems to be the culmination of an ongoing dispute between Cole and their landlord relating to utility usage over the past few weeks. The reason for the notice? That Cole had allegedly significantly interfered with or unreasonably disturbed another occupant or the landlord. Next to this option on the notice of eviction the landlord wrote in brackets abussing [sic] electricity.

It started earlier this month when Cole, who pays $700/month for their accommodation, purchased an air conditioning unit to prepare for the heat wave. Not long after Cole received a letter from their landlord telling them to remove the air conditioner within 24 hours. The letter came despite Cole offering to pay for the increase in utilities the air conditioner would bring.

'No one put any air conditioner/fan in the suite except you'

Cole then says they spoke to a Residential Tenancy Board (RTB) information officer to make sure they would be allowed to use the unit. Cole says the RTB told them the letter from the landlord was unenforceable.

Later, Cole placed a fan in the living room for their roommate. Soon after that, Cole got the eviction notice.

The landlord wrote in the notice that the fan in the living room seemed to be running on all day and night. The notice again cites utility costs as the reason for eviction.

You complained about heat wave but I've been renting my place for many years and no one put any air conditioner/fan in the suite except you, the landlord writes. The suite is facing the east side of the house so it's cooler during daytime. Also this is not included to our agreement to have air conditioning in the suite [sic].

'Comically dishonest'

Cole disputes many of the letters claims calling the notion that no one has ever run a fan in the units comically dishonest. Cole also takes issue with the idea the part of the building they live in is naturally cooler.

The south side, which is blocked by the shadow of the house next to us, receives the most light. The west and east sides both receive the same, Cole wrote to Vancouver Is Awesome. Both relevant sides of the house get equally hot.

Cole says this situation is indicative of what many Metro Vancouver renters are facing.

It really reiterated the social inequity landlords are complicit in perpetrating, Cole said. Not only are we expected to subsidize their income/mortgages etc., But under the smallest threat of a slight loss in profit, they would rather have their tenants suffer in a heat wave.

'A disproportionate rise in renters'

Cole noted the rise in housing prices could lead to a disproportionate rise in renters compared to the population, increased class inequality, and increased infringements on the rights of tenants by their landlords.

Since receiving the notice, Cole has filed a dispute resolution.

The Attorney General and Ministry responsible for Housing described to V.I.A. what would happen next for Cole. Generally speaking, once a tenant has disputed a notice of eviction, the burden is on the landlord to establish they have valid grounds to end the tenancy based on the tenants actions.

The arbitrator would make a decision on the case, and would have to consider the context of the case in its entirety to determine what is reasonable, the statement reads. Disagreements between landlords and tenants can often relate to utility use. We encourage landlords and tenants to make clear what services and utilities are included as part of the rent in their tenancy agreement by putting it in writing.
Photo: The Canadian Press

Pennsylvanias highest court overturned Bill Cosbys sex assault conviction Wednesday after finding an agreement with a previous prosecutor prevented him from being charged in the case.

Cosby has served more than two years of a three- to 10-year sentence at a state prison near Philadelphia. He had vowed to serve all 10 years rather than acknowledge any remorse over the 2004 encounter with accuser Andrea Constand.

He was charged in late 2015, when a prosecutor armed with newly unsealed evidence  Cosbys damaging deposition from her lawsuit  arrested him days before the 12-year statute of limitations expired.

The court said that District Attorney Kevin Steele, who made the decision to arrest Cosby, was obligated to stand by his predecessors promise not to charge Cosby when he later gave potentially incriminating testimony in Constand's civil suit. There was no evidence that promise was ever put in writing.

Justice David Wecht, writing for a split court, said Cosby had relied on the former prosecutors decision not to charge him when he later gave potentially incriminating testimony in the Constands civil suit.

They said that overturning the conviction, and barring any further prosecution, is the only remedy that comports with societys reasonable expectations of its elected prosecutors and our criminal justice system.

The 83-year-old Cosby, who was once beloved as Americas Dad, was convicted of drugging and molesting the Temple University employee at his suburban estate.

The trial judge had allowed just one other accuser to testify at Cosbys first trial, when the jury deadlocked. However, he then allowed five other accusers to testify at the retrial about their experiences with Cosby in the 1980s.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court said that testimony tainted the trial, even though a lower appeals court had found it appropriate to show a signature pattern of drugging and molesting women.

Cosby was the first celebrity tried and convicted in the #MeToo era, so the reversal could make prosecutors wary of calling other accusers in similar cases. The law on prior bad act testimony varies by state, though, and the ruling only holds sway in Pennsylvania.

The justices voiced concern not just about sex assault cases, but what they saw as the judiciarys increasing tendency to allow testimony that crosses the line into character attacks. The law allows the testimony only in limited cases, including to show a crime pattern so specific it serves to identify the perpetrator.

In New York, the judge presiding over last years trial of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, whose case had sparked the explosion of the #MeToo movement in 2017, let four other accusers testify. Weinstein was convicted and sentenced to 23 years in prison. He is now facing separate charges in California.

In Cosbys case, one of his appellate lawyers said prosecutors put on vague evidence about the uncharged conduct, including Cosbys own recollections in his deposition about giving women alcohol or quaaludes before sexual encounters.

The presumption of innocence just didnt exist for him, Jennifer Bonjean, the lawyer, argued to the court in December.

In May, Cosby was denied paroled after refusing to participate in sex offender programs during his nearly three years in state prison. He has long said he would resist the treatment programs and refuse to acknowledge wrongdoing even if it means serving the full 10-year sentence.

This is the first year he was eligible for parole under the three- to 10-year sentence handed down after his 2018 conviction.

Cosby spokesperson Andrew Wyatt called the parole board decision appalling.

Prosecutors said Cosby repeatedly used his fame and family man persona to manipulate young women, holding himself out as a mentor before betraying them.
Photo: SFU

A former staff member at a Simon Fraser University research lab has been granted a conditional discharge and sentenced to one year of probation after pleading guilty to assaulting a female grad student at the facility last year.

Cheng Fu Hsiao, also known as Dennis Hsiao, had originally been charged with assault and sexual assault after the incident at the universitys 4D Labs on March 27, 2020, but the sexual assault charge was stayed at a sentencing hearing in Vancouver provincial court Monday.

According to an agreed statement of facts read out in court, the female grad student had been finishing up work at the lab before access to the facility was scaled back because of COVID-19.

Hsiao  a 37-year-old married father of two  had asked the woman out for drinks several times and questioned her about her boyfriend over the year before the assault, according to the agreed facts.

That did not make her feel comfortable, said Crown prosecutor Louise Gauld.

In the week leading up to the assault, the woman said Hsiao had come to her desk multiple times to get close to her, according to the agreed facts.

Then, about 5:10 p.m. on May 27, 2020, the pair were alone in the lab when Hsiao approached the woman where she was sitting at her desk and told her she would have to leave soon.

He stood really close to her and asked if her boyfriend was with her, according to the statement of facts.

He told her he wished she would come into the lab the following week to keep him company.

He then touched her hair and said, Your hair is so dirty. You should wash your hair. She brushed him off saying, What are you doing? Mr. Hsiao then hugged her from the back and attempted to kiss her on her lips saying, Let me have a kiss. Im too stressed, and ended up kissing her on her right cheek, Gauld said.

Hsiao hugged her a second time and kissed her on the right cheek, and she pushed him away.

What are you doing? You know you are married, the woman had said, according to the agreed facts.

Hsiao then pushed her to the wall just outside the room and tried to kiss her again, saying Let me have a kiss. Im too stressed.

The woman pushed him away and quickly ran upstairs, where she encountered two other female grad students and told them what had happened.

One of them escorted her back to the lab so she could pick up her belongings because she was too afraid of Mr. Hsiao to return alone, Gauld said.

In a joint submission, Gauld and defence lawyer Michael Bloom called for Hsiao to be granted a conditional discharge and one year of probation, meaning Hsiao will not have a criminal record if he abides by the terms of his probation.

Hsiao was also ordered to do 30 hours of community service, write an apology letter and pay his victim $2,200 in reparations for counselling. Under the terms of his probation, he is banned from contacting the woman and from going to the SFU Burnaby campus.
Photo: The Canadian Press Prime Minister Justin Trudeau holds a press conference at Rideau Cottage in Ottawa on Friday, June 25, 2021. Trudeau says Canada will spend $100 million over the next five years on global projects to address the unequal burden women bear caring for others. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Canada will spend $100 million over the next five years on global projects to address the unequal burden women bear caring for others.

He made the pledge in a speech at the Generation Equality Forum being held in Paris this week, seeking to reverse the outsized impact COVID-19 has had on women and girls.

The forum is looking for global commitments to help restore gender-equality gains lost in the last two years as women around the world faced more sexualized violence, and were forced out of the economy at alarming levels, be it from insecure jobs that were the first to be eliminated in shrinking, closed economies, or because they had to stay home and look after children or elderly relatives.

"The pandemic has shone a strong light on what women and feminists knew for decades, and that is that child-care services are vital," Trudeau said, speaking from Ottawa by video link.

Oxfam Canada executive director Lauren Ravon said Canada is the first country to donate targeted funds to the "care economy," a term to describe work, both paid and unpaid, that involves nurturing and supporting others, including children, the elderly and people who are disabled, and leisure and personal services jobs.

Research has shown much of this work is undervalued and underpaid, if it is paid at all, and falls more often to women, people of colour, new immigrants or temporary foreign workers.

"This is a trailblazing commitment by the Government of Canada and I applaud the government for its bold feminist leadership," Ravon said in a written statement.

She said investing in care jobs "drives economic growth, reduces poverty and inequality, tackles sexist norms and supports gender equality."

Multiple studies have shown women were disproportionately hit by the pandemic's economic wounds, losing more jobs and taking longer to recover. Many women were forced to leave the workforce to care for young children when schools and daycares were shuttered, or to take on extra roles caring for elderly parents or sick relatives, or people with disabilities.

International Development Minister Karina Gould says she thinks employers are far more aware now the critical role care work plays in their own business success.

"I think one of the things that came to light with the pandemic is that we actually value care work in a new way that we didn't pre-pandemic," she said. "We kind of took it for granted. Now, there is an understanding, not just by the women and the caregivers themselves as to how important it is, but also to employers, to society at large."

She says the government is investing $30 billion over the next five years to create a national child-care program with better access and lower fees.

Internationally, she says, Canada is calling for proposals on how to spend $100 million over the next five years on projects that help women who are providing both paid and unpaid care work in developing countries.
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Fancesa changes sales policy

ICR Newsroom By 30 June 2021

Bolivian cement producer Fancesa is changing its sales policy. The company will no longer sell exclusively through its authorised agencies, according to Correo del Sur.

At present, almost all of the companys sales in Sucre, Potosi and Tarija are made through authorised agencies. In Santa Cruz, Fancesa cement is sold through the company, agencies and hardware stores while in La Paz, El Alto and Oruro sales are made directly by the cement company.

In the so-called free sale of cement anyone who has infrastructure to protect the product can potentially sell cement. The applicant must request authorisation by letter and make a cash payment before authorisation is granted.

The company is bracing itself for a forecast 25 per cent drop in demand when compared to last year. The new sales policy targets sales of an additional 5m bags to the forecast 8m bag direct sales.

While shareholders did not oppose the new strategy, they recommended that a market study be carried out to identify the pricing policy to make Fancesa cement more competitive.

Published under
UltraTechs Reddipalayam plant reaches a TSR of 25%

30 June 2021

UltraTech Cements Reddipalayam plant in Ariyalur, Tamil Nadu, now meets 25 per cent of its fuel requirement through the utilisation of waste materials from municipal corporations and industries.



The unit has also successfully reduced CO 2 emissions by 2250tpa, according to the company.



The unit sources waste from 11 local municipalities, including Ariyalur, Erode, Kumbakonam, Thanjavur, Perambalur and Karur and also from cities such as Chennai and Kozikhode. The Reddipalayam plant also co-processes plastic waste sourced from the paper industries located across the state.

Published under
Buena Vista, CO (81211)

Today

Sunny skies during the morning hours. Scattered showers and thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. High 81F. Winds ESE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms in the evening. Partly cloudy skies overnight. Low 53F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
Crews abandoned their search for the fifth victim in a Dan River accident; Martinsville Police file charges in a shooting death; Poor maintenance on a dryer sparks a house fire in Danville; Traffic guidelines if you're headed to the river.
Today is our nation's birthday. I along with my fellow veterans who have served our glorious nation are thankful for that opportunity. Our flag and National Anthem are the banners of patriotism. They are without a doubt the two things we can look to in our history that should bind us together as a nation. When I see our flag flying and hear our National Anthem ... (click for more)
Although the current trend by many individuals is to forget earlier events in history in all areas, the previous statement by Spanish-American poet and philosopher George Santayana that Those who do not remember the past are condemned to repeat it in 1905 is eternal.

On December 21, 1924, The New York Times printed the following wireless news release.

HITLER TAMED BY PRISON

Released on Parole, He is Expected to Return to Austria

BERLIN, December 20  Adolph Hitler once the demi-god of the reactionary extremists, was released on parole from imprisonment by Fortress Landeberg, Bavaria, today and immediately left in an auto for Munich. He looked a much sadder and wiser man today than last Spring when he, with Ludendorff and other radical extremists, appeared before a Munich court charged with conspiracy to overthrow the Government.

His behavior during imprisonment convinced the authorities that, like his political organization, known as the Volkischer, was no longer to be feared. (Empasis JHS). It is believed he will retire to private life and return to Austria, the country of his birth.

Cartoonist Gary (G.B. Trudeau republished the article in recent years in his Sunday column with the Bonus Fact. Upon release, Hitler got a BOOK DEAL.

Is Santayanas prediction in 1905 timely in 2021?

(Excerpts from The Little Book of Answers  Author  Doug Lennox  (2003)  MJF Books  New York, NY 1001.)
Homicide rates in Nashville are up 51.2 percent

over

the first six months of the year in 2020. This year 62 persons have

been

killed compared to 41 in the first half of last year and, what is worst, the crime rate is heightened

all across

America, especially in Democratic-controlled cities where Defund the Police efforts have backfired miserably.
Judith Jean Cooper, born on July 8, 1941, passed away on June 25, 2021, due to long term health issues, with family present at her side at Erlanger Hospital.

Judith was preceded in death by her parents, William O. and Oma Jane Cooper and brother, John O. Cooper.

Judith has four children, Christina Hammett, Carolyn Cowley Grant, Sean Cowley and Jennifer Cowley along with eight grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.

Judith, AKA Roxie, was born in Chattanooga and served in the United States Air Force after graduating high school. During her life she worked with non-profits and then for the state of Tennessee until retirement. Roxie studied cultural anthropology in college and had varied interests and hobbies throughout her life including sewing, crocheting, genealogy, astrology, mythology, superhero action movies, reading fiction and non-fiction books, and generally being a nuisance to her neighbors which she took great delight in performing.

A graveside service will be at the Chattanooga National Cemetery on July 1, at 10:30 a.m. The viewing will be private for immediate family and the procession will begin at 10 a.m. from Lane Funeral Home to the cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Disabled American Veterans at www.dav.org as that was an organization she donated to herself.

Arrangements are by Lane Funeral Home, 601 Ashland Terrace, Chattanooga, Tn. 37415, www.lanefh.com, 423 877-3524.
Major legislation combatting human trafficking and strengthening protections for victims of rape and domestic violence are among 203 new laws that will become effective on July 1. According to Senate Judiciary Committee Vice-Chairman Dawn White (R-Murfreesboro), enactment of the new laws continues the General Assemblys ongoing efforts to combat human trafficking and domestic violence in Tennessee provides greater protections for crime victims.

The human trafficking laws taking effect on Thursday include:



Legislation sponsored by Rep. White adding those convicted of one or more predatory sex trafficking offenses to the category of sexual predators who are ineligible for early parole or release before completion of their full sentence;

Legislation sponsored by White removing the statute of limitations for any commercial sex trafficking offense committed against a child on or after July 1, 2021 to give victims which are often traumatized or suffer fear of retaliation more time to report;

Legislation sponsored by Senator Becky Massey (R-Knoxville) requiring law enforcement officers to alert the Department of Childrens Services when they take a minor into custody on charges of prostitution so the child can be placed in a safe home and receive any professional assistance they may need to recover;

Legislation sponsored by Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma) establishing certain considerations regarding the use of deadly force by victims of human trafficking, even if the victims are engaged in illegal activity or in a location they are not legally allowed to be, if they are forced into the situation as a result of their status as a human trafficking victim; and

sponsored by Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma) establishing certain considerations regarding the use of deadly force by victims of human trafficking, even if the victims are engaged in illegal activity or in a location they are not legally allowed to be, if they are forced into the situation as a result of their status as a human trafficking victim; and Legislation sponsored by Senator Paul Bailey (R-Sparta) authorizing law enforcement officers or the district attorney to require the disclosure of wire and electronic communications for evidentiary purposes to crack down on human trafficking offenses organized through social media platforms.

The legislation passed this year continues our efforts to combat this horrendous crime, said Senator White. We must continue to work to protect those who are at risk of exploitation and trafficking and to provide help for victims as they recover.



In addition, the 2021-2022 budget which take effect Thursday as the new fiscal year begins provide over $5 million in funding for key groups fighting human trafficking and supporting victims. The General Assemblys efforts in fighting human trafficking has earnedTennessee Shared Hope Internationals highest rankings for holding traffickers accountable and protecting survivors.



Among key laws to protect rape and domestic violence victims isa new Truth in Sentencinglaw which requires those convicted of rape, sexual battery, and felony domestic assault to serve the full sentences imposed by a judge or jury. The bill was sponsored by Lt. Governor Randy McNally and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Mike Bell (R-Riceville).



The Jim Coley Protection for Rape Survivors Act of 2021, a victim-centered bill that provides more transparency regarding the rape kit backlog process, also takes effect on Thursday. The new law, sponsored by Bell, makes sure the handling procedure of rape kits is responsive, reliable and consistent.



In addition, the new law requires the TBI to develop and implement an electronic system that tracks the location and status of each rape kit and gives victims access to the system through a tracking number. Victims must also be notified 60 days before destruction or disposal of the evidence.



Finally, victims subjected to stalking and domestic violence will be aided by major legislation set to take effect on July 1. The new law, sponsored by Bell, allows a victim of a felony offense of assault, criminal homicide, attempted homicide, kidnapping, or sexual offenses to file a petition for a lifetime order of protection against their convicted offender. It also permits service of ex parte orders of protection for up to one year from issuance.



For a list of key laws that will take effect on Thursday click here.


Maria Coco Alder passed away peacefully on Sunday, June 27, 2021, at a local long term care facility due to various health complications.

She is originally from Rivas, Nicaragua, and spent most of her life living in Guatemala and Honduras with her husband the late George Byron Alder Jr. of Chattanooga. The last 10 years were spent here with him until his death in 2015.

She is survived by her children, Marta S. Alder, and Patricia L. Krizek, and granddaughter, Rachel S. Krizek, son-in-law, James L. Krizek, as well as many siblings in Nicaragua and Miami, FL.

She was a loving mother and dearly loved by so many. She was a dedicated and compassionate human being with a great sense of humor. She was raised Catholic and gave so much of her time during her life to helping the poor, and the homeless that were blind or disabled. She is now home with her Lord and Savior.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at Hamilton Funeral Home on Thursday, July 1, at 1:30 p.m. in the funeral home chapel.

Interment will follow at Forest Hills Cemetery.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, July 1, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. prior to the Chapel service at Hamilton Funeral Home.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given in Maria's honor to St. Jude Catholic Church.

Arrangements are by Hamilton Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 4506 Hixson Pike, Hixson, 423 531-3975.
In a joint effort, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the United States Drug Enforcement Agency have arrested Garrett Willis, 42, accused of trafficking a large quantity of illegal drugs in Nashville.

In recent months, investigators developed information about the potential transport of multiple kilograms of methamphetamine into Middle Tennessee. As the case developed, authorities identified a suspect, and on June 25, arrested Willis and charged him with two counts of delivery of a controlled substance. Authorities also seized 26.5 kilograms of methamphetamine and 23 kilograms of cocaine in Willis possession.

Authorities subsequently booked Willis into the Davidson County Jail, where he was being held on $250,000 bond.
YMCA of Metropolitan Chattanooga today announced it received a $30,000 grant from Truist Foundation to help the YMCA continue its outstanding work through the Language Immersion

Preschool. The grant will help provide access for low- to moderate-income families and improve long-term outcome opportunities for children with high-quality Pre-K programs and interventions.



The YMCA Language Immersion Early Learning Center was developed through data-driven research that demonstrates that cognitive development increases significantly when a second language is introduced to early learners, said Bill Rush, branch executive director, J.A. Henry Community YMCA. Our goal is to build a diversified center that promotes the cognitive, social-emotional and healthy development.



Mr. Rush adds that the grant from Truist Foundation will help reduce the financial barriers for low- to moderate-income families. By decreasing this barrier, children who typically are not enrolled in early learning centers will have access, and early learners who speak Spanish as a primary language will increase their English skills to be ready for kindergarten. Families will gain support from each other as well as the YMCA through our commitment to the family, Mr. Rush said.



At Truist our purpose is to inspire and build better lives and communities, said Johnny Moore, Tennessee regional president on behalf of the Truist Foundation. This grant is an investment in our youngest community members and will provide them with a solid basis to accelerate their future educational success.
In Britney Spears court document transcript from June 23, she told the judge she wanted to sue her family. The Princess of Pop explained that her family did nothing to help her get out of the controlling conservatorship put in place by her father, James Jamie Parnell Spears. It all makes more sense when fans read Britneys mothers (Lynne Spears) memoir. In the book, Through the Storm, the pop icons mom explained precisely how dire their financial situation was when Britney signed with Jive Records. Its no wonder that her family doesnt want to help end the conservatorship.

Britney Spears mother, Lynne Spears on the Today show | Heidi Gutman/NBCU Photo Bank/NBCUniversal/Getty Images

Britney Spears family financial situation in the late 1990s

In her 2008 memoir, Lynne Spears described with agony how difficult it was to come up with the money to get Britney to auditions. However, her husband, Jamie Spears, was insistent.

When we didnt have the money to travel to an audition, Jamie would often pull it out of a hat somehow, Lynne explained.

During Britneys audition with Jive Records in 1997, Lynne wrote that the family was still in the gutter financially, owing more than we were earning. Luckily, the pop icons first agent, Larry Rudolph, paid for tickets to NYC for her audition with Jive Records. Britney signed with the recording company in 1997, at the age of 15.

Britney Spears is joined by her mother, Lynne (left), and her sister, Jamie Lynn | Richard Corkery/NY Daily News Archive/Getty Images

RELATED: Britney Spears Testimony About Jamie Spears Verbal Abuse Sounds Strikingly Similar to her Mother, Lynne Spears Memoir

However, in 1998, only a few months before Baby One More Time launched, the Spears family filed for bankruptcy. They shut down their Total Fitness spa/gym, and the Sherrif even repossessed their car.

That audition was Britneys big break, and she soared to success after that moment. Through the Storm details the financial disarray that Britney Spears family was in before her first single topped the charts in 1999. However, their daughters fame solved all of the financial problems. In 2008, Jamie Spears became the conservator of one of the worlds best-selling music artists of all time.

What does Britneys father, Jamie do for a living?

In 2021, Britney Spears father, Jamie Spears, is her conservator. According to Forbes, Jamie makes $16,000 monthly, along with a $2,000 stipend for office space rent as a conservator. In addition to his monthly salary, Jamie receives direct profits from her performances. In 2014, he received 1.5 percent of Britneys Las Vegas residency revenue, equal to a sum of $2.1 million. The Femme Fatale tour made Jamie $500,000.

RELATED: Britney Spears: 2 Fan Videos Surface Proving She Performed With a Fever and a Rash

However, before his daughters fame, Jamie Spears was a welder-by-trade. According to Lynnes memoir, her husband worked in oil refineries and construction sites. In the eighties, Britney Spears family opened a fitness center in a building on their property. Although the spa and gym did well when it opened, Lynne wrote that Jamies drinking interfered with their finances. His spending was out of control, and she often fought off bill collectors for him.

What does Britneys mother, Lynne Spears, do?

Before Britney rose to fame in the late 90s, Lynne Spears was a school teacher in Kentwood, Louisiana. However, she quit her teaching career to become her daughters traveling companion and run Britneys fan club. In her memoir, Lynne explained that she was paid more working for Britney than as a teacher. She added that she loved teaching but was excited to support her daughter on tour.
Princess Diana lived a famously short life before she died in 1997. Although it has been over 20 years since her death, Diana still fascinates many people around the world.

A lot has been said about Diana as a mother and a wife. However, what was she like as a boss? A former secretary once opened up about what it was like to work for the famous princess.

Photo of Princess Diana from the shoulders up during a dinner in France in 1988 | David Levenson/Getty Images

Princess Diana had the ability to connect with different people

Dianas nickname was the peoples princess because of her ability to connect with people from different walks of life.

While royals traditionally kept a distance between themselves and the rest of the world, Diana was not afraid to hug people she met and got down on childrens levels to talk to them.

Additionally, Diana was more casual with her staff members than other royals were. As her chef, Darren McGrady, told Huffpost, she wasnt afraid to eat with her employees in the kitchen, and she did not have them follow all the proper protocol when greeting her.

Princess Dianas former secretary said she was not an easy boss to work for

Princess Diana with Patrick Jephson | Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty Images

RELATED: Who Was Princess Diana Close to in the Royal Family?

Despite Dianas emotional intelligence, she was reportedly not always easy to work for. Her former secretary, Patrick Jephson, alleged Diana could be quite demanding and meticulous.

Like many significant historical figures, Diana was not always an easy boss to serve, Jephson said in an interview with P World. She was an aristocrat to her finger tips, capable of steely defiance if she felt she had been the victim of injustice. She was also a consummate royal professional who set high standards for herself and her team.

Jephson added, She knew that the publics affection was earned through hard work and placed on all royal people a special obligation to live up to historic expectations of duty and sacrifice. And she was extraordinarily observant, intuitive, organized and quick-witted; I learned very early in my royal career that even a small mistake would be noticed and would often earn her displeasure.

Nonetheless, Jephson also shared that Diana had great traits as well. She often showed gratitude to her employees, for example.

She was equally quick to appreciate hard work and her many handwritten notes of appreciation remain among my most treasured mementoes, Jephson said.

Princess Diana expressed her emotions in big ways

RELATED: Princess Diana Used These 3 Genius Tricks to Outsmart the Paparazzi

As Diana revealed in her famous interview with BBCs Panorama in 1995 that she had problems with the royal familys emotionally reserved ways. Rather, Diana felt many emotions and often let people know about them. Diana even said the royal family thought she was mentally unstable.

According to royal author Lady Colin Campbell, Diana sometimes expressed her frustration in ways that were unsettling for the people around her.

When she was spoiling for a fight, she made sure she got one and that everyone knew about it, Lady Colin wrote in the book Meghan and Harry: The Real Story. She would scream the house down. She would be on the rampage for hours. She would hurl abuse and objects and always reduce herself to tears of frustration and hysteria.
Marvel Cinematic Universe movies usually debut with star-studded events. However, the Black Widow premiere  or the world fan premiere event  went a bit differently. Rather than the actors all gathered together, the few who attended werent even in the same place. And Scarlett Johanssons presence was the most confusing of them all.

Scarlett Johansson plays Natasha Romanoff in Black Widow

Scarlett Johansson of Marvel Studios Black Widow at the SDCC 2019 Marvel Studios Panel on July 20, 2019. | Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney

Johansson first appeared in the MCU in Iron Man 2. Sent in as an undercover SHIELD agent, she later revealed herself to be Natasha Romanoff, a trained assassin from Russia. Over several more films, she becomes an Avenger and saves the world (a few times). But she eventually sacrifices herself in Avengers: Endgame.

Given that her co-stars like Robert Downey Jr., Chris Evans, and Chris Hemsworth all got their own franchises, many fans fought to see Johansson front a Black Widow movie. After nearly a decade in the MCU, she finally got her chance. Black Widow was officially announced in 2019.

Marvel held a Black Widow premiere fan event in multiple cities

Following many shifts in plans (more on that to come), Marvel held a Black Widow premiere fan event in Melbourne, Australia; London, England; and two U.S. cities: New York City and Los Angeles, California. The June 2021 events featured, naturally, a film screening, along with appearances by special guests.

Black Widows director, Cate Shortland, attended the Melbourne event (Shortland is Australian), while English actor Florence Pugh (Yelena Belova) took point at the London premiere. Alexei Shostakov (aka Red Guardian) himself, David Harbour, walked the carpet at the New York screening.

Finally, the LA premiere featured several producers, including Marvel president Kevin Feige himself. While Johansson wasnt at any of the screenings  shes primarily based in New York  a pre-recorded message from the actor was played ahead of the film.

Black Widow was delayed due to the pandemic

Scarlett Johansson filmed top secret footage of the #BlackWidow set to offer YOU the chance to meet her at the premiere! Want to go? Support a great cause and enter to win: https://t.co/IXYGlFaOLU pic.twitter.com/VFQPpESXSP  Marvel Studios (@MarvelStudios) March 5, 2020

Marvel planned to kick off a new decade and a new era (known as Phase 4) of the MCU in 2020. But the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic changed everything. The studio pushed back Black Widows premiere date multiple times, from May 2020 all the way to July 2021.

A big fan premiere event may have been in the cards all along. But Johanssons attendance at at least one such event was expected. In fact, just before closures in the U.S. began in March 2020, Omaze held a contest to choose one person to attend the premiere and meet Johansson. A winner was even selected. But this was all pre-delay.

Black Widow is about more than just Natasha

Scarlett Johansson and Florence Pugh in Black Widow | Marvel Studios/Jay Maidment

Though until this point, Natashas been the only Black Widow Marvel audiences have known, the title doesnt just pertain to Johanssons character. In the movie, which takes place a few years before her death, during the time between Captain America: Civil War and Avengers: Infinity War, she meets up with (at least) two other Black Widows: Yelena and Rachel Weiszs Melina Vostokoff.

While Johansson confirms Black Widow marks the end for her in the MCU, it tees up more action for Pughs character. Its an origin story, but it also pushes into the future, Shortland told Total Film. And Johansson was happy to pass the buck. Its wonderful to feel like youre witnessing something great happening, she said.

RELATED: Black Widow Is an Origin Story  but Not for Natasha Romanoff
Showtime gave Dexter fans the surprise of a lifetime in October 2020, when it announced the show was coming back for a 10-episode limited series. For a while, Michael C. Hall (Dexter Morgan) was the only actor from the original series confirmed for the reboot. But more stars are starting to come aboard. Not only will John Lithgow appear in the revival, but a new report says that one of Dexters actual family members is back too.

[Spoiler alert: This article might contain a spoiler for the upcoming Dexter revival.]

Michael C. Hall in a scene from Showtimes Dexter | Christian Weber/CBS via Getty Images

Harrison Morgan is reportedly in Dexter Season 9

According to the website Dexter Daily, Harrison will be played by actor Jack Alcott. Deadline reported in January that Alcott had been cast as a character named Randall. But Dexter Daily alleges that its a fake name given to him by Hannah McKay, perhaps inspired by her ex-boyfriend Wayne Randall.

Neither Showtime nor Dexter has addressed the speculation at the time of this writing. All we know is that, per Deadline, Dexter will have a meaningful encounter with Randall at some point in the revival.

And as for Hannah, actor Yvonne Strahovski just said for the second time that shes not in the revival. I have a theory that perhaps, um, perhaps uh Harrison has already murdered her and is following in the footsteps of his father, she said in a May appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen. I dont know. I dont know anything.

If the news of Harrisons return is true, thatll make him the third original character confirmed for the show, next to Halls Dexter and Lithgows Trinity Killer. Alcott has not yet commented on the rumors, and emails to his representatives were not returned by publication.

RELATED: Dexter: Everything the Original Cast Members Have Said About the Revival

There are also several new Dexter characters

Picking up a decade after the events in the Dexter series finale, the revival will find him living in the fictional Iron Lake, New York, under the name Jim Lindsay.

As far as what I can reveal about the new show is, I dont want to say much, other than as you can imagine given where we left him his life is completely recontextualized, Hall previously told the website Louder Than War. Hes in a different place leading a different life surrounded by different people. And the fact that Im talking to you from Concord, Massachusetts suggests that its not all going to be sun and sand.

RELATED: Dexter Showrunner Hints at Why He Moved From Oregon to New York

In addition to Hall, Lithgow, and Alcott, the cast of the Dexter reboot includes Clancy Brown, Julia Jones, Alano Miller, Katy Sullivan, Johnny Sequoyah, Oscar Wahlberg, Michael Cyril Creighton, and Jamie Chung, among others.

Were moving forward to an ending that will be  surprising but inevitable, showrunner Clyde Phillips previously told TV Insider. [Dexter] is more grounded than hes ever been, but that dark passenger [inside him] is a voice he cannot deny. This is Dexter. People are going to die.

When does Dexter return?

The Dexter revival will continue to film throughout the summer, with a reported release date of November 2021.

We have about five weeks to go, Hall told Times Radio in June (via Digital Spy). I think the whole shoot would have taken five months. Its basically like were filming it as a 10-hour movie. It will be ten episodes, premiering at least in the States on Showtime on November 7.
The Dorothy Sullivan: Art Is in Its Meaning exhibit will run June 29 to Aug. 28 at the Saline Courthouse Museum in Rose.
In this Wednesday, May 19, 2021, photo, pump jacks extract oil from beneath the ground on the Fort Berthold Indian Reservation east of New Town, North Dakota. On oil well pads carved from the wheat fields around Lake Sakakawea, hundreds of pump jacks slowly bob to extract 100 million barrels of crude annually from a reservation shared by three Native American tribes.
A private family graveside service will be held for Wayne Robnett at the Marlow Cemetery in Marlow, OK. Wayne passed away on June 18, 2021 at the age of 83 in his home in Chickasha, Oklahoma with his family at his side after battling cancer. Wayne was born on June 4, 1938 in Oklahoma City, O
When I was a kid, we spent two weeks each year with my grandparents in their old summer cottage on Long Island Sound. Every night around sunset, my grandfather lowered the American flag, folded it gently, and put it away. He raised it again the next morning.

Even with his attentive care, the flag became tattered by the salt spray and the wind. After subsequent generations failed to handle it with such faithfulness, the flag became threadbare. We eventually stopped flying it. All that remained was an aluminum pole that rattled in the breeze. It finally snapped in a storm.

As we approach this Fourth of July, I am thinking about those tattered and threadbare flags that led to an empty flagpole. I am thinking of the reasons my grandfather, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War, flew the flag with both humility and honor. I am thinking about what the flag represents, the ideals of liberty and justice for all, the idea of our common equality bestowed upon us not by our society but by our Creator. Those ideals have at times in our history become threadbare, putting us in the position of raising flags that no longer carry any meaning at all.

Around Memorial Day this year, another holiday with flags raised high, many Americans learned about the 100-year-old Tulsa Race Massacre, when an entire Black community was terrorized and destroyed. Many of us also reflected on the death of George Floyd and the subsequent protests and demonstrations that rippled across cities and towns last summer. The injustices of a century before lined up with the injustices of the recent past. Both stood as haunting representatives of so many other moments in American history that do not accord with the values our founding documents espouse.

Each act of injustice within our society is like a knife slashing through the fabric of the flag, like a spray of blood that stains those white stripes of freedom. And each remembrance, each protest against injustice is an act of veneration of those same stars and stripes. If the flag flies as a symbol of our nation, then it represents both beauty and brokenness. As we celebrate our nations independence, we need traditions, stories, and a theological imagination that allows us to hold both the beauty and the brokenness with hope for who we are yet becoming.

For Christians, despair and hope, bondage and freedom, brokenness and beauty are familiar tensions. The gospel records of Jesus resurrection invite us to pay attention to the wounded places as well as the possibility of healing. When Jesus appears to his disciples after his crucifixion and resurrection, he draws their attention not only to his embodied self, but specifically to his wounded places: Look at my hands and my feet! (Luke 24:39).

He isnt simply proving that he is not a ghost. It is through attention to his scarsthe places of wounding where he has been healedthat his disciples are to know his resurrected humanity. He turns their attention to the places where his body had been broken and has now been restored and even transformed. He turns their attention to the harm that has been forgiven but not forgotten.

The Japanese tradition of kintsugi demonstrates a similar conflation of beauty and brokenness, and it offers us an image of what the work of repair might look like within our own culture. I was introduced to this art form through Makoto Fujimura, a Japanese American Christian and visual artist. Fujimura has written about kintsugi in multiple places, including his most recent book Art and Faith.

Kintsugi emerged out of Japanese tea ceremonies that were interrupted by earthquakes. When the ground ruptured, the exquisite pottery often fell to the floor and shattered. Artisans took the shattered pieces and glued them back together with gold. They didnt deny the fragmented nature of their artistic practice. Instead, they pieced together the broken places with beauty.

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We need practices of repair within American culture to bring beauty out of our collective brokenness. Christians have an opportunity to lead in this work, as we follow the leadership of our wounded healer. Duke Kwon and Greg Thompson have recently written about the reparationsthe work of repairthat the church is called to when it comes to racism and injustice in America. They name three areas where that repair needs to happen: money, power, and truth. Christians have opportunities to participate in the work of repairing all these areas of historic injustice by living with generosity, humility, and honesty on both an individual and collective level.

As we approach this Fourth of July, this holiday of patriotism and fireworks, parades and family gatherings, how can we tell the truth? How can we hold the beauty of the American ideals alongside the brokenness of our history? How can we participate in the work of repair?

There is much to do. We can participate in local elections and challenges to restrictive zoning laws. We can give to nonprofits and invest in communities that have a history of discrimination. We can teach our children the beauty and brokenness of our national and local stories, both in school and at home. We can practice lament, confess, and come before God in prayer for our future.

We also, like the tradition of kintsugi, can find ways to depict our story. We can reimagine our symbols. If I were a visual artist, I would find American flags that had been thrown away, burned, slashed, and trampled onthe ones typically declared unfit to fly. I would expose those tattered flags to the light as a way to acknowledge the truth of our past. The truth of injustice. The truth of suffering. The truth of separation and harm and murder and racism and discrimination. The truth that threatens to undo the ideals of freedom unless we reckon with it and then lament it and then work to repair it.

And then I would invite my community to mend those flags. To wash them. To stitch them together and let the seams show. To do the work of repairing what has been broken without trying to deny or hide the brokenness. To use beautiful materials and craftsmanship to allow the stars and stripes to fly, not in denial of the ugliness of our past, but with hope and faith in the promise of possibility for our future.

I envision a flag that has endured storms, that once was blood-stained, that was ignored and forgotten for generations. This Fourth of July, I imagine that flag flying again in a place of honor.

When we participate in the work of repairing the wounds of injustice, we participate in the resurrection of Christ. We receive the healing and forgiveness God offers, both personally and collectively. By his grace, when we acknowledge brokenness and seek to repair it, we not only see the pain of injustice. We also are invited into the beauty of healing. And then we are invited to become agents of that healing work.

Like many veterans, my grandfather fought for an ideal of American freedom when he went to war. He bore emotional scars, and he never wanted to talk about those experiences. But I saw the beauty that emerged out of his own brokenness when he folded that flag with care. It wasnt an act of defiance or denial of the bloodshed and horror of the past. It was an act of humility and hope in who we wanted to be and who we one day could become.

Amy Julia Becker is the author, most recently, of White Picket Fences: Turning toward Love in a World Divided by Privilege.
Congregations in Nepal are reeling after a deadly surge in COVID-19 cases this spring threw the Himalayan nation into chaos, overflowing hospitals and crematoriums and leaving the national army to deal with 100 bodies a day in the Kathmandu Valley alone.

The Nepali church has lost more than 130 pastors during a second wave of the pandemic that has pushed reported cases past 635,000 and confirmed deaths past 9,000. Half of those cases and two-thirds of those deaths have been tallied since April.

In the month of May, pastors were dying almost every day, said B. P. Khanal, a pastor, theologian, and leader of the Janajagaran Party Nepal. I have never seen something like that.

Christians comprise a distinct minority of Nepals 29 million people: a 2011 census reports 1.4 percent, while local Christian leaders report 10 percent. Yet according to Khanals database, which tracks the pastor deaths, from February 2021 to today more than 500 pastors and their families have contracted the coronavirus, which multiple times has taken the lives of fathers and sons who co-led churches together.

For example, pastor Robert Karthaks 56-year-old son, Samuel, died days after his respected father. While Robert had the privilege of a proper funeral, Samuels body was taken by the Nepali army which performed his last rites.

Other noteworthy deaths of Nepali pastors, according to Khanal, include Timothy Rai, Ambar Thapa, Man Bahadur Baudel, and Amar Phauja, as well as a Christian attorney and prominent religious freedom advocate, Ganesh Shrestha.

Image: Illustration by Mallory Rentsch / Source Images: Courtesy of NCFN

A vacuum in leadership now faces many churches, said Hanok Tamang, chairman of the National Church Fellowship of Nepal (NCFN).

Some churchesparticularly megachurcheshad already prepared their second line of leadership to replace the pastors who went to be with the Lord, he said. But this is not true everywhere. His fellowship has asked neighboring churches to extend a hand of unconditional help" until replacement leaders can be prepared.

Many young wives have lost their husbands. Some children have lost their both father and mother, and the number of semi-orphans and complete orphans remained still unaddressed, said Tamang. There are so many widows and hundreds of orphans.

The overall pandemic, and particularly this second wave, has hit church finances hard in the mountainous country landlocked between India and China.

Churches have been closed for almost one and a half years now. We have cooperated and complied with the government orders, and so the church has not been gathering, said Dilli Ram Paudel, general secretary of the Nepal Christian Society (NCS). But this has meant that the income of churches has gone down. Many people have lost jobs and they do not have money, so how will they give?

In 2020, the majority of pandemic restrictions affected cities, meaning rural churches could still meet for Saturday services (on Nepals weekly day off). But 2021s second wave not only kept churches shut down in cities but also finally prevented rural congregations from meeting in person. And while urban sites could still convene digitally, the lack of reliable internet and electricity has kept many congregations in villages from meeting online.

Giving in Secret?

Even as they continue to lose their people and leaders, the Christian community in Nepal has reached out to neighbors with food supplies, medical aid, awareness campaigns, and prayer. The NCFN and NCS coordinate efforts, representing more than 9 in 10 Nepali churches.

We know this is an opportunity for the church to serve as much as we can, said Tamang. It has certainly brought us into united action, and we are working together and sharing resources and trying to reach out to our fellow citizens together.

Beyond caste, creed, or culture, everyone needs our help, he told CT. This is an opportunity for the body of Christ to demonstrate the unconditional love of God.

Image: Illustration by Mallory Rentsch / Source Images: Courtesy of NCFN

But the current political situation makes it hard for believers to offer relief to their fellow citizens. (Nepal has tried to crack down on proselytization under 2017 legislation.) Christians are facing a kind of an indirect ban at the hands of the authorities, said Athar Kamal, a Muslim politician from the Nepali Congress Party and a member of the International Panel of Parliamentarians for Freedom of Religion or Belief.

The government is keeping a watch on the Christians, said a Nepali Christian leader who requested anonymity in order to protect his ministry. They should know that we do not have any other agenda except to serve and help people. But they have been very cautious about what we have been doing.

The World Evangelical Alliance (WEA) has issued a call to action and created an emergency fund to assist Nepali pastors through NCFN, its local affiliate, and NCS.

Nepal [has] arguably the fastest-growing church in the world, and largely without the imposition of foreign mission agencies and denominations exporting their models.  And they are committed to serving their poor and suffering in the name of Christ, seizing this opportunity as the churchs finest hour, stated Brian Winslade, WEA deputy secretary general, in his explanation of the campaign. He has visited Nepal six times in the past six years, and counted Thapa, the deceased pastor, as a dear friend.

The WEA invites the world to partner with the church in Nepal in this 21st-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, stated Winslade.

Yet a Nepali Christian leader cautions against too much publicity.

We appreciate the kind gesture and the concern. We need the funds to better help our own community and others, but we do not need the exposure as it can spell trouble for us, he told CT, requesting anonymity due to security reasons. The atmosphere in the country is not right. The anti-conversion law and social bias against Christians is apparent.

For the Nepali Christians who are themselves giving toward the need for food and medical care, they are electing to do so in a more low-profile fashion.

We are helping people and the families of those who died, said Khanal, but we are doing this locally from the funds we have raised here.

Churches serve as community distribution centers, with their members as the volunteers. But we are not able to fulfill the need, said Tamang. Many pastors have not been able to afford hospital costs and therefore came home. We wish we could serve those pastors.

The Why to Pray

At the height of the pandemics second wave in May, crematoriums were packed and overburdened; hospitals were forced to turn the sick away after they ran out of beds, oxygen, and supplies; and COVID-19 tests took up to two weeks to process.

The government was not prepared at all. They have failed in COVID-19 management, Kamal told CT. Most deaths took place within one month of the second wave. The infrastructure was just not there, even though we had a fair warning from the example of India.

While migrants have been blamed for carrying the virus into Nepalthe vast majority of confirmed infections are the B.1.617 variant first discovered in neighboring Indiathey alone cannot be held responsible. The former king of Nepal, 73-year-old Gyanendra Bir Bikram Shah, and his wife, Komal, also tested positive after they returned from India after participating in the Kumbh Mela, a Hindu pilgrimage of millions and largely believed to be one of the triggers for Indias devastating second wave.

When the pandemic hit, Nepal was less than a decade removed from a 2015 earthquake that killed nearly 9,000 people and injured nearly 22,000.

The earthquake caused great suffering, but it was visible and left its mark. It came and left, leaving the damage, said Tamang. But this is an invisible virus that has invaded human society and human bodies.

In a sense, the earthquake brought the family together, but this pandemic has scattered the family and distanced us from our loved ones, said the NCFN leader. We cannot even touch each other or have normal fellowship. One does not know what will happen after 510 minutes.

This uncertainty leaves the Nepali church appealing to prayer. This month, NCS has organized daily prayers from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., along with fasting, while NCFN has organized a national prayer campaign for Wednesday afternoons.

Tamang remains saddened to see pastors remaining in hospitals, some in ICUs on ventilators.

We have a lot of why questions. Our hearts are broken, he said. But we are praying for the restoration of our nation and for recovery.

We are also expecting a third wave now, and dont know where our country is heading to, said Tamang. We need to pray for Nepal. We really need to see Nepal recovered and restored again.
Biden to visit site of deadly Florida condo collapse as thousands donate over $1M to help

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President Joe Biden is set to visit the site of the Champlain Towers South on Thursday, a week after its deadly partial collapse, as thousands of well-wishers donated more than $1 million to help families of the victims.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki told reporters Tuesday that first lady Jill Biden will also travel with the president to thank first responders and meet victims' families.

They want to thank the heroic first responders, search and rescue teams, and everyone whos been working tirelessly around the clock, and meet with the families who have been forced to endure this terrible tragedy, waiting in anguish and heartbreak for word of their loved ones, to offer them comfort as search and rescue efforts continue, Psaki said.

Half of the 13-story Champlain South Towers building collapsed last Thursday and now more than 150 residents remain unaccounted for, CNN reported. Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava also revealed Monday that at least 11 people had been confirmed dead as rescue officials indicate chances of finding more survivors are dwindling by the day.

A fundraising campaign on The Chesed Fund, which has a goal of $5 million, had raised more than $1.2 million as of Wednesday morning, and all the money is expected to go toward helping victims' families as the platform is commission free, unlike more popular crowdfunding sites like GoFundMe or YouCaring.

In response to the terrible tragedy which struck the Miami community, EZS Events has organized this campaign in a combined effort with The Shul of Bal Harbour to create a central fund to be dispersed as needed directly to the victims and families. Please donate generously to this emergency campaign, the organizers of the campaign said in a statement.

This tragedy has shaken the Miami community to its core. News over the weekend of a rising death toll and more missing persons has saddened us greatly, and the clock keeps ticking. Our hopes lay in finding those still missing, but the window is becoming slimmer. As the news continues to unfold, it has become apparent that the needs of the community are growing so while search and rescue efforts continue, we must continue our efforts to raise financial support for those affected, they added.

As the search for answers on why the tragedy happened continueddon, condo documents obtained by CNN and cited in a report Tuesday show that condo owners were hit with a $15 million assessment in April to complete repairs required under the county's 40-year recertification process.

The documents from the Champlain Towers South condo association show that two years earlier, members of the association had received a report informing them of "major structural damage" in the building that needed an estimated $9.1 million to repair. The building's condition, however, continued deteriorating after that, and the bill ballooned.

Condo association President Jean Wodnicki described in an April letter to homeowners that the building needed extensive repairs in parts, noting "the observable damage such as in the garage has gotten significantly worse since the initial inspection." The "concrete deterioration is accelerating. The roof situation got much worse, so extensive roof repairs had to be incorporated," she added, explaining the reason for the recent $15 million assessment.

"Other previously identified projects have been rolled under the main project. New problems have been identified. Also, costs go up every year," she said. "This is how we have gone from the estimated $9,128,433.60 cited in Morabito's 2018 report, to the much larger figure we have today."

More than 300 emergency personnel, including teams from Israel and Mexico, are working around the clock, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has been called in to help search for survivors, The New York Times reported.
Iowa Supreme Court: State can ban Planned Parenthood from receiving sex-ed funds

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The Iowa Supreme Court has upheld a state law prohibiting abortion providers like Planned Parenthood from participating in two federally-funded education grant programs, reversing a lower court decision.

In a decision released Wednesday, the court ruled 6-1 in favor of sections 99 and 100 of House File 766, which were passed by the Iowa General Assembly in 2019.

The sections prohibit abortion providers from receiving funds from the Community Adolescent Pregnancy Prevention Program overseen by the Iowa Department of Human Services and the Personal Responsibility Education Program overseen by the Iowa Department of Public Health.

Justice Dana Oxley wrote the majority opinion, concluding, in part, that the state has considerable leeway in selecting who will deliver a government message, whether the message is a diversity and inclusion program, a drug prevention program, or, in this case, a sexual education and teen pregnancy prevention program.

The state presented three different purposes for the law: to express its preference for childbirth over abortion, to ensure that its state-sponsored sexual education message is not delivered by entities that derive significant revenue from abortion-related activities, and to avoid indirectly subsidizing abortion providers, wrote Oxley.

Even if the programs do not include any discussions about abortion, the goals of promoting abstinence and reducing teenage pregnancy could arguably still be undermined when taught by the entity that performs nearly all abortions in Iowa.

Oxley also concluded that an abortion provider lacks a freestanding constitutional right to provide abortions and thus any conditions premised on providing abortions cannot be considered unconstitutional.

 precluding abortion providers from receiving funding for the educational CAPP and PREP programs has no effect on a womans ability to obtain an abortion, added Oxley.

Where abortion providers have no constitutional right to perform abortions, we conclude the unconstitutional conditions doctrine does not prohibit the state from barring abortion providers from receiving CAPP and PREP funding.

Justice Brent Appel authored a dissenting opinion, arguing that the statutes impose unconstitutional conditions on Planned Parenthood of the Heartland (PPH) by attempting to restrict abortion activities done on their own time and dime.

The legislature through unconstitutional conditions in these statutes is trying to accomplish indirectly what it cannot do directly: namely, attack abortion rights, wrote Appel.

This cannot be permitted. For the reasons expressed below, I would affirm the lower courts grant of PPHs motion for summary judgment on other grounds.

In 2019, the Iowa General Assembly passed a bill that banned abortion providers from CAPP and PREP, with Gov. Kim Reynlds signing the bill into law.

Soon after, Planned Parenthood of the Heartland and the Iowa chapter of the American Civil Liberties Union filed a lawsuit against Iowa, arguing that the new law was unconstitutional.

In May 2020, Fifth Judicial District Judge Paul Scott ruled in favor of Planned Parenthood, placing a permanent injunction on the enforcement of the law.

The Act has no valid, realistically conceivable purpose that serves a legitimate government interest as it is both irrationally over-inclusive and under-inclusive. The Act violates PPHs right to equal protection under the law and is therefore unconstitutional, wrote Scott last year.
Nearly 100 test positive for COVID-19 after Illinois megachurch camp and conference

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Nearly 100 mostly unvaccinated teenagers and adults connected to a camp and conference recently held by the Illinois-based multi-campus The Crossing Church have tested positive for COVID-19, prompting Gov. J.B. Pritzker to reiterate his call for residents to get vaccinated.

Warning of a growing presence of a highly contagious COVID-19 Delta variant in his state by fall, Pritzker said the unvaccinated could pay the price for their complacency.

The lessons here at home and across the world are a harbinger of what could happen here, particularly in low vaccinated areas, if we dont see a higher uptake of the vaccine across Illinois, Pritzker said at a news conference Monday.

This is very real. I implore all residents: If you have friends and family on the fence, share with them the life-saving benefits of these free vaccines and encourage them to remain masked until they are fully vaccinated."

The Illinois Department of Public Health reported that 85 teenagers and an adult staff member tested positive for COVID-19 after attending a summer youth camp held in mid-June in central Illinois. One unvaccinated young adult was hospitalized.

A WGEM report identified the camp as The Crossing Camp held in Schuyler County from June 13 to June 17. Two persons from the camp also attended a nearby conference hosted by The Crossing Church on June 18 and June 19. An additional 11 persons tested positive for COVID-19, and at least 70% of those cases were unvaccinated, according to IDPH.

Although all campers and staff were eligible for vaccination, IDPH is aware of only a handful of campers and staff receiving the vaccine. The camp was not checking vaccination status and masking was not required while indoors. IDPH is reminding people about the importance of vaccination, including youth, as the Delta variant and other variants continue to spread, the agency said in a statement Monday.

IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said that although the "perceived risk to children may seem small," even a "mild case of COVID-19 can cause long-term health issues."

"Additionally, infected youth who may not experience severe illness can still spread the virus to others, including those who are too young to be vaccinated or those who dont build the strong expected immune response to the vaccine," Ezike said in a statement.

The Crossing Church, which hosts approximately 10,000 worshipers weekly across multiple campuses in Illinois, Missouri and Iowa, did not immediately respond to requests for comment from The Christian Post Wednesday.

But a message on Crossing Camps website confirmed the COVID-19 outbreak and announced that an upcoming camp for fourth and fifth graders is postponed as a result.

Due to a recent outbreak of COVID 19 related to Student Camp June 13-17, we have made the difficult decision to postpone our 4th & 5th-grade Crossing Camp. We were so looking forward to spending time with your campers this weekend, but we believe the best way to value and love our students, difference makers, and staff is to delay camp until a safer time, the camp said in a statement. 4th & 5th-grade camp will now be held August 12-15.

The message did not indicate whether or not the church camp would change its current COVID-19 protocols.

The Schuyler County Health Department stated to CNN that officials worked with camp staffers "to provide guidance and mitigate the situation." The Crossing Camp also reportedly followed CDC guidelines related to "cleaning and disinfection of their facility."
Sen. Hawley urges USCIRF to add Canada to Watch List, says religious freedom is 'in peril'

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Republican Sen. Josh Hawley of Missouri has urged the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom to consider placing Canada on its Watch List due to its continued lockdown restrictions, arrests of Christian pastors and seizure of church property.

Hawley called out what he deems as the government's systematic, ongoing and egregious violations of religious freedom, adding that he's deeply concerned that freedom is in peril across our nations northern border."

Some congregations in Canada have seen the forced closure of church buildings, arrests of pastors, in addition to stiff fines and jail time for church leaders over their defiance of authorities' ongoing lockdown orders in response to COVID-19.

Many have contended that secular entities, non-Christian religious gatherings and protesters have also gathered in large numbers but haven't faced similar penalties.

In his letter to the USCIRF, Hawley added, I am troubled that our Canadian neighbors are effectively being forced to gather in secret, undisclosed locations to exercise their basic freedom to worship."

Frankly, I would expect this sort of religious crackdown in Communist China, not in a prominent Western nation like Canada, he continued. Canadian authorities arrest of faith leaders and seizure of church property, among other enforcement actions, appear to constitute systematic, ongoing, and egregious violations of religious freedom.

He asked the Commission to address the situation and consider adding Canada to its Watch List for these violations of religious freedom.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom is an independent, bipartisan federal commission dedicated to defending the universal right to freedom of religion worldwide.

Hawley mentioned Canadian Pastor Tim Stephens of Fairview Baptist Church in Calgary and Pastor James Coates of GraceLife Church in Spruce Grove, Alberta, as examples of faith leaders who've been arrested and jailed for holding worship services in defiance of ongoing COVID-19 gathering restrictions.

Stephens was arrested for holding an outdoor worship service after authorities ordered the church building to close its doors.

Police arrested him earlier this month in front of his tearful eight children after an outdoor worship gathering was discovered by a police helicopter flying above.

Stephens was previously arrested for holding a church service that did not comply with public health orders, including masking, physical distancing and attendance limits.

Coates of GraceLife Church in Canada has also faced arrest for breaking COVID-19 gathering restrictions.

His church was subsequently fenced off by Alberta Health Services to prevent Sunday worship gatherings.

A judge recently ruled that the actions taken against Coates did not violate his religious freedom despite his claim that the government's restrictions were unconstitutional.

Artur Pawlowski, the pastor of Street Church and Cave of Adullam Church in Calgary, Alberta, accused the Canadian government of a double standard in a recent interview with The Christian Post.

Pawlowski asserted that law enforcement repeatedly descended on his church services but allowed mosques to remain "fully operational.

Not one Imam was being harassed or intimidated. And to this day, theres not one Imam or one Muslim that has a ticket, even though we have video evidence and pictures [of] them gathering even recently through the whole Ramadan by the thousands, he added. Pawlowskis YouTube channel includes a video of a gathering of thousands of Muslims that took place on the last day of Ramadan, the holiest month in the Muslim calendar.

Pawlowski had been arrested along with his brother for violating gathering restrictions.

He said he had received 29 COVID-19 tickets, three court orders, two injunctions and two court contempt trials over the past year.

Im not afraid of what I believe in; the Bible is filled with people that have resisted authorities, evil authorities, from the very beginning to the very end, Pawlowski said as he described the mistreatment he has endured due to his defiance to the governments gathering restrictions.

Hawley noted that the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms states that [e]veryone has the following fundamental freedoms, which include the freedom of conscience and religion.

He claimed Canadas actions to enforce overly burdensome and unjustified orders do not live up to the charters praiseworthy statement.

I urge the Commission on International Religious Freedom to take whatever action is necessary to address and rectify this situation, and consider adding Canada to the Commissions Watch List.

Last year, Hawley similarly urged the Department of Justice to bring federal lawsuits to defend the rights of houses of worship under burdened by unjust restrictions.
Trump visits 'decimated' southern border, accuses Biden of 'destroying our country'

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As the southwest border continues to experience a surge in migrant crossings, former President Donald Trump visited an unfinished portion of the border wall in Weslaco, Texas, accusing his successor of destroying our country.

Earlier this month, Trump announced that he was planning to visit the nations decimated southern border. Two weeks after the former presidents plans to visit the border were made public, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott announced Tuesday that President Trump will join me and law enforcement officials for a border security briefing in Weslaco.

Securing the border is not just important to Texasit is vital to America.



TOMORROW President Trump will join me and law enforcement officials for a border security briefing in Weslaco.



Watch on Facebook Live at 12 PM CT. pic.twitter.com/8S625nOqig  Greg Abbott (@GregAbbott_TX) June 29, 2021

Upon taking office, President Joe Biden halted construction of the border wall and abolished the Trump administrations Remain in Mexico policy, which required those seeking asylum to wait in Mexico while their cases were adjudicated. Critics cite those decisions as the cause of the surge in illegal border crossings. Data from U.S. Customs and Border Protection shows that the number of encounters between migrants and law enforcement officials has exceeded 100,000 and has continuously increased, reaching 180,034 in May.

The number of border crossings in May marked a slight increase from the number of immigrants who illegally entered the country in April (178,854) and a substantial increase from the number of crossings in May 2020 (23,237). In all of fiscal year 2020, there were 458,088 encounters between migrants and law enforcement officials. In fiscal year 2021, that number has already reached 929,868, even with four months to go.

Trump and Abbott made remarks in front of a partially completed border wall in the border town of Weslaco, located near McAllen. They were joined by more than two dozen Republican members of Congress. At the event, Trump bluntly proclaimed that Biden is destroying our country before asserting that the situation at the border would look much different if he was still in office.

This wall would have been completed, he said. Within two months, everything could have been completed. It would have been painted, not sitting there rotting and rusting.

Prior to arriving at the unfinished section of the border wall, Trump attended the border security briefing, where Abbott and other local officials focused on the rise in illegal border crossings and the rapid increase in the importation of the deadly drug ... fentanyl. At the meeting, Trump touted his record on immigration, specifically highlighting the construction of hundreds of miles of border wall on his watch.

The former president contrasted the state of border security under his administration with that of his successor, recalling how there had never been a border so secure as it was during his presidency. He lamented that after leaving office with the best border weve ever had in the history of our country, it dissipated within a period of a few months.

Now, we have an open, really dangerous border, more dangerous than its ever been in the history of our country, he added.

We have a sick country in many ways. Its sick in elections and its sick at the border. And if you dont have good elections and if you dont have a strong border, you dont have a country, Trump warned.

Trumps visit to the border comes five days after Vice President Kamala Harris, designated by President Joe Biden as the border czar earlier this year, visited El Paso, which is 790 miles away from what Democratic Rep. Henrey Cuellar has described as the "epicenter" of the border crisis.

Conservatives criticized her visit to El Paso as an attempt to get ahead of Trumps planned visit and an effort to avoid spotlighting the problem since the epicenter of the border crisis is hundreds of miles away in the Rio Grande Valley.

The former president himself took a jab at Harris as he closed his remarks at the border security briefing, noting that were going to the border right now but were going to the real part of the border where theres real problems, not the part where you look around and you dont see anything.

Appearing on Fox News Watters World Saturday, Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, argued that the reason that she didnt go to the Rio Grande Valley is thats where the Biden cages are. Thats where you see cage after cage after cage of little boys and little girls on the floor, no beds, no mats, no cots, side-by-side, one after the other after the other, wrapped in reflective emergency blankets.

What Kamala and Joe Biden desperately wanted to avoid is the TV cameras filming those kids in the Biden cages, so she went as far away as you can go in the state of Texas from where that was to say she went to the border, he added. Cruz also contended that when she went to El Paso ... she had no solutions, she had no answers.

Ahead of his visit to the border, Trump wrote an op-ed for The Washington Times calling on the Biden administration to finish the border wall. According to the former president, Our nation is being destroyed by Bidens border crisis. The United States must immediately restore the entire set of border security and immigration enforcement measures we put into place  and critically, we must finish the wall.

A nation without borders is not a nation at all, he wrote. For the sake of our country, Joe Biden must finish sealing the border, or the American people must elect a Congress that will.

In the absence of action from the Biden administration to address the border crisis, Abbott has taken steps at the state level to secure the border, which he touched upon at the border security briefing.

We launched Operation Lone Star where we deployed 1,000 Texas Department of Public Safety officers as well as Texas National Guard, and they have already arrested almost 1,800 people for criminal violations in addition to about 40,000 apprehensions of people who have come across the border illegally and they have busted 41 stash houses.

Abbott had previously detailed plans to spend $250 million to continue constructing a border wall between the state of Texas and Mexico. As The Christian Post previously reported, the migrant surge has led to overcrowded conditions at border detention facilities, leading to children sleeping on the floor and outbreaks of the coronavirus. Cruz tried to film the conditions at a border facility as a member of the Biden administration stood in his way in an effort to prevent him from capturing footage showing the conditions migrants were living in.
Wis. gov. orders gender-neutral birth certificates for parents who dont identify as mother, father

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Parents in Wisconsin will have the option of choosing gender-neutral terms for themselves instead of mother and father on their baby's birth certificate, Gov. Tony Evers and the state's Department of Health Services announced this week.

The new birth certificates, which will be available starting on Thursday, will include "parent-parent in addition to mother-father. The gender-neutral terminology reflects the governor's push to incorporate trans language in official government documents.

This change reflects my and my administration's commitment to gender-neutral terminology and to recognizing that Wisconsin families are diverse and should be valued and respected, Evers said in a statement on Monday.

I am glad to see this change being made as we continue to update our state policies and procedures to better reflect the Wisconsinites we serve, he continued.

Terminology changes on the birth certificates also include the term "parent giving birth instead of mother.

The new forms will be available in three languages: English, Spanish and Hmong.

Wisconsin DHS Secretary-designee Karen Timberlake said updating birth certificate forms is one important step on the long road to adopting gender-neutral language in all of our external documents.

We are working hard to make Wisconsin a more inclusive, equitable, and just state and this update ensures our LGBTQ Wisconsinites are seen and heard when welcoming a child into the world, Timberlake said in a statement.

The governor also praised the decision on social media.

As we celebrate #Pride, @DHSWI and I are excited to announce that, starting Thursday, Wisconsin parents will have a gender-neutral option for parents. This change reflects our continued commitment to recognizing that every family deserves to be treated with dignity and respect, Evers tweeted.

I'm glad to see this change being made as we continue to update our state policies and procedures to better reflect the Wisconsinites we serve. More on this announcement below ?? https://t.co/N0PdXmHSXz  Governor Tony Evers (@GovEvers) June 28, 2021

Rep. Gae Magnafici, the Republican chairwoman of the Assembly Family Law committee, said the policy "is something that even the best satire writers cannot imagine," the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reported.

"As the Assembly chair of Family Law, a nurse, and a mom, I am insulted. Im calling on Governor Evers to stop downplaying womanhood, stop downplaying motherhood, and stop downplaying settled science," Magnafici said.

UnityPoint Health-Meriter President and CEO Sue Erickson, however, praised this action, arguing that same-sex couples are not reflected on birth certificates.

Families have told us that a birth certificate that doesn't accurately reflect their growing family can take away a piece of the joy when welcoming a new baby, Erickson said in a statement.

We are so pleased that Wisconsin created a more inclusive birth certificate form to reflect the families of our state and community, she added. This change allows all birthing parents to focus solely on their newborn.

This comes after the Biden administration was criticized for using so-called bias-free language in regard to gender and replacing the term mothers with birthing people as part of their push to use trans-inclusive language.

On the first day of June, Wisconsin flew the rainbow pride flag at the state Capitol to celebrate what LGBT activists call "LGBT Pride Month."

For the third year in a row, we kicked off #PrideMonth today by raising the Rainbow Pride Flag above the State Capitol. It's never been more important to celebrate the vibrance, resilience, and contributions of our LGBTQ neighbors who help make our state great, Evers tweeted on June 1.

Evers also signed an executive order on June 1 to direct state agencies to use gender-neutral language in external communications.
USCCB: Eucharist document vote doesn't deny communion for pro-abortion politicians

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A week after voting to approve a Document on the Meaning of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops has clarified that their vote will not lead to a blanket ban preventing pro-abortion politicians from receiving communion.

As The Christian Post previously reported, the USCCB voted to approve the request of the Committee on Doctrine to proceed with the drafting of a formal statement on the meaning of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church at its virtual general assembly meeting, which took place from June 1618.

The document, which was characterized as a rebuke to President Joe Biden and other pro-abortion Catholics and an effort to prevent them from receiving communion, was approved by the bishops by a vote of 168 to 55.

U.S. Bishops approval of the document received swift backlash from pro-abortion Catholic politicians. Following the vote, nearly 60 Catholic House Democrats signed a letter suggesting that the Sacrament of Holy Communion is central to the life of practicing Catholics, and the weaponization of the Eucharist to Democratic lawmakers for their support of a womans safe and legal access to abortion is contradictory.

Shortly after the letter was released, Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., went a step further, writing on Twitter: If theyre going to politically weaponize religion by rebuking Democrats who support womens reproductive choice, then a rebuke of their tax-exempt status may be in order.

The USCCB published a question-and-answer document last week, which includes a statement addressing the concerns about the vote and its implications for pro-abortion Catholic politicians. The statement stresses that the question of whether or not to deny any individual or groups Holy Communion was not on the ballot.

The document being drafted is not meant to be disciplinary in nature, nor is it targeted at any one individual or class of persons, the statement continues. It will include a section on the Churchs teaching on the responsibility of every Catholic, including bishops, to live in accordance with the truth, goodness and beauty of the Eucharist we celebrate.

Additionally, the body of bishops asserted that  ... bishops made no decision about barring anyone from receiving Communion. The Q&A document, however, doubled down on the importance of all Catholics to support pro-life policies: Each Catholic  regardless of whether they hold public office or not  is called to continual conversion, and the U.S. bishops have repeatedly emphasized the obligation of all Catholics to support human life and dignity and other fundamental principles of Catholic moral and social teachings.

There will be no national policy on withholding Communion from politicians. The intent is to present a clear understanding of the Churchs teachings to bring heightened awareness of the faithful of how the Eucharist can transform our lives and bring us closer to our creator and the life [H]e wants for us.

Responding to a question about why the bishops are choosing to issue a statement about the meaning of the Eucharist at this time, the Q&A document maintains that, For some time now, a major concern of the bishops has been the declining belief and understanding of the Eucharist among the Catholic faithful.

As a result, the bishops have launched a multi-year Eucharistic Revival Project, with the statement on the Eucharist acting as the foundation of the initiative.

Catholic Church teaching, as laid out in the Code of Canon Law, declares that those obstinately persevering in manifest grave sin are not to be admitted to holy communion. A 2004 letter from then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger to U.S. bishops proclaims that the Church teaches that abortion or euthanasia is a grave sin.

Ratzinger, who later became Pope Benedict XVI, 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 to vote for it.

Therefore, by this logic, Catholics who openly advocate for the legalization of abortion or liberalization of existing abortion laws are committing a grave sin and should refrain from receiving communion.

At a recent Students for Life of America rally urging bishops to support the statement on the meaning of the Eucharist, Michael New, a research associate at the Catholic University of America, echoed the point made by the bishops in their clarification statement last week, saying that Catholic elected officials who support abortion are not the only group that should refrain from receiving communion.

New cited Catholics who are engaging in any kind of extramarital sexual activity, including the viewing of pornographic materials as well as those who do not attend mass every Sunday and engaged in committing other mortal sins as examples of those who should not present themselves for communion.
Spires, mines and Old West legends in Nevadas oldest towns

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There is more to Nevada than Las Vegas.

My visit to the Silver State started after flying into Reno. After picking up a rental car I embarked upon a three-day road trip across Reno-Tahoe to discover Nevadas oldest towns.

Anchored by the state capital of Carson City, the region sits on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada Mountains near magnificent Lake Tahoe.

I first stopped in Virginia City, a former mining town settled in 1859. In its heyday, it had one of the largest populations anywhere in the Old West. It is estimated that about $20 billion in gold and silver was extracted from mines in and around here.

The streetscape feels like a time capsule, thanks to blocks of historic buildings. Most date to after 1875, when a fire destroyed pretty much everything.

First Presbyterian Church with its simple but elegant carpenter Gothic style managed to survive the fire. The same cannot be said for St. Marys-in-the-Mountains Church (Roman Catholic), which was rebuilt within the original brick walls. The undercroft has an interesting but disorganized museum that includes both religious and secular objects. Next door is St. Paul the Prospector, the first Episcopal parish in Nevada. The church, which features more elaborate carpenter Gothic architecture than the Presbyterians, is in bad shape and raising money for a restoration.

About a half-hours drive away, through other once-prosperous mining towns like Gold Hill and Silver City, is the capital of Carson City. Named after legendary explorer Kit Carson, it is one of the countrys most underrated state capitals.

What looks like the palace of an obscure European principality is actually the Capitol building. Within walking distance is the interesting Nevada State Museum. Other attractions include the Stewart Indian School Cultural Center & Museum, which had the unfortunate luck of opening in early 2020 just before the pandemic, and the State Railroad Museum.

Twenty minutes south in Douglas County is Carson Valley, where cattle, sheep and even wild horses graze against a backdrop of the mighty Sierra Nevadas.

I found myself in the quaint town of Genoa. Dating to 1850, when this was the Utah Territory and Latter-day Saints erected a small trading post on the California Trail called Mormon Station, Nevadas first settlement looks more like a small town from somewhere in New York, Ohio or Pennsylvania.

Local guide Sue Knight showed me everything, including the Genoa Bar. Having opened in 1853, this is Nevadas oldest continuously operated bar. Even teetotalers appreciate the colorful atmosphere. Visitors craving more than a drink should visit the deli in the Genoa Country Store, which is across from the museum and reconstructed stockade at Mormon Station State Historic Park. There is also the postbellum county courthouse-turned-local historical museum.

If you go

Virginia Citys Visitor Center is a great resource. Not only can you purchase tickets for all the attractions, but you can also reserve a walkabout tour from docent Deke DiMarzo, who portrays several characters from the olden days.

Cobb Mansion, where I stayed, is a bed-and-breakfast housed within a circa 1876 Victorian Italianate home. Alternatives include the Silverland Inn & Suites, also in Virginia City, and the new Staybridge Suites in Carson City.

Eat at Virginia Citys Cafe Del Rio, J.T. Basque Restaurant in Gardnerville and The Pink House in Genoa.

Follow @dennislennox on Instagram and Twitter.
Church of England begins review of marriage, sexuality; calls for honest discussion

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The Church of England announced that it is going to begin a formal discernment and decision-making process "about a way forward for the church" in regards to its teachings on sex, sexuality and marriage.

Church leaders are aiming to come to a conclusion on the long-debated issues by 2022.

The announcement came with the launch of the "Living in Love and Faith" resources, which more than 40 people, led by the Bishop of Coventry Christopher Cocksworth, worked on for three years to help people participate in honest discussions, listen to life stories and understand each others views. Part of the resources include a 480-page book that is "thought to be the most extensive work in this area by any faith group in the world."

In the foreword of the book, Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby and Archbishop of York Stephen Cottrell acknowledged and apologized for the huge damage and hurt the church body has caused to LGBT people "where talk of truth, holiness and discipleship has been wielded harshly."

"The supreme and unique beauty of the person of Jesus of Nazareth is found not only in that he is the Truth, but also that his truth abounds in grace and love," they wrote as they called for repentance.

As part of the decision-making process, the bishops plan to present proposals before the Church of Englands General Synod in 2022.

Most pressing among our differences are questions around same-sex relationships, and we recognise that here decisions in several interconnected areas need to be made with some urgency, the book says.

Cocksworth stated that whether the bishops would recommend a synod vote on allowing same-sex marriages within the church body for the first time is only one question among many that they would consider.

He also said some within the church body feel that its doctrine of marriage is ripe for development.

The Rt. Rev. Julian Henderson, bishop of Blackburn and president of the Church of England Evangelical Council, responded to the new resources and said they will look closely at them to see if they align with Scripture.

For us, this is about following Christ by submitting to what Scripture says, just as He did. So we will need to discern which of the materials in LLF do that by evaluating all of the various resources in the light of Scripture. While discussions about these issues are always welcome, the key question is not one of church procedure but whether we think that the teaching of Scripture is right. So we will engage, but this is actually about obedience to Scripture," he said in a statement.

He also offered support to those in the church body who are concerned that the Church of England will embrace same-sex marriage and "depart from historic orthodoxy."

"We will resource you, support you and lead you. We will contend unflaggingly for the faith once for all delivered to the saints. We will uphold what Christians have always believed through history and what the overwhelming majority of Christians globally still believe. These are not matters on which we can simply agree to differ, for reasons the New Testament makes clear.

Last January, an open letter signed by over 2,000 clergy had criticized the denominations transgender affirmation guidance issued a month earlier.

The letter called on the House of Bishops to revise, postpone or withdraw its controversial pastoral guidance issued in December 2018 that allowed Anglican clergy to perform Affirmation of Baptismal Faith ceremonies during church services to symbolize a persons gender transition.

The guidance also encouraged clergy to refer to trans-identified people by their chosen name and preferred pronouns.

The letter explained that while gender dysphoria had been recognized for decades, evidence from the medical and social sciences is often conflicting and poor quality. It stressed that controversial new theories regarding the relationship between biological sex and the meaning of gender had been linked to gender dysphoria.

Although the proponents of the guidance claimed that no new liturgy would be offered, those who opposed contended that it did create a new liturgy since existing wording is now being put to a new purpose.

The Church of England responded to the letter by saying a major new set of teaching and learning resources on identity, relationships, marriage and sexuality, Living in Love and Faith, would be published after serious consideration to their concerns.

Last July, the denomination said the marriage of worshipers who transition to a different gender would still be valid, and clarified that the position extended only to worshipers who were in an opposite-sex relationship at the time of their marriage.
First married lesbian bishop to lead church service to protest ban on gay partners at Anglican summit

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A married lesbian bishop will lead an inclusive worship service to protest a global Anglican leadership event that has banned same-sex partners from attending.

Last year, it was announced that same-sex spouses were not invited to the Lambeth Conference, a global Anglican bishops summit attended by some 1,000 bishops from 165 countries that takes places once every 10 years, and will be held in Canterbury, U.K., this summer.

The Right Rev. Mary Glasspool, assistant bishop in the Episcopal Diocese New York, and Mpho Tutu van Furth, daughter of famed anti-Apartheid activist Desmond Tutu, will oversee a service at a church in Canterbury in July.

Glasspool, the first married lesbian to be made bishop in the Anglican Communion, told The Guardian in an interview that she believed Justin Welby, archbishop of Canterbury and leader of the Anglican church, had gone out of his way to uninvite individual persons in a breach of hospitality.

The LGBT+ community in the U.K. and other places might not understand that they are invited to celebrate at the Christian table, said Glasspool. We need to make it known that everyone is included  all are invited to this particular celebration.

Tutu van Furth, a former Anglican priest who stepped down from the church position after entering a same-sex marriage, told The Guardian that her sermon at the service will reflect Christian welcome and hospitality.

Jesus was always determined to make those who society sees as outsiders be insiders, added Tutu van Furth.

For the past several years, there has been a growing divide in the global Anglican Communion over the issue of sexual ethics, especially homosexuality and same-sex marriage.

The split has been largely found along regional lines, between increasingly theologically liberal churches in developed nations and growing theologically conservative churches in the developing world, especially the continent of Africa.

Last year, Josiah Idowu-Fearon, secretary general of the Anglican Communion, announced that same-sex spouses were not going to be invited to the Lambeth Conference.

Invitations have been sent to every active bishop. That is how it should be  we are recognizing that all those consecrated into the office of bishop should be able to attend, wrote Idowu-Fearon in a blog entry at the time.

But the invitation process has also needed to take account of the Anglican Communions position on marriage which is that it is the lifelong union of a man and a woman. That is the position as set out in Resolution I.10 of the 1998 Lambeth Conference.

Idowu-Fearon went on to state that as a result it would be inappropriate for same-sex spouses to be invited to the conference.

News of the service headed by Glasspool and Tutu van Furth comes amid a YouGov survey which indicated that members of the Anglican Communion, at least in England, were becoming increasingly supportive of same-sex marriage.

In a survey conducted last month, YouGov found that 48 percent of self-identified Anglicans supported same-sex marriage, an increase from 38 percent in 2013, reported the Church Times.

The YouGov poll was commissioned by the Ozanne Foundation, a religious LGBT advocacy group, with respondents not indicating their level of religious practice.
Newsflash: Trump will not be reinstated to the presidency this year

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It is very possible that Donald Trump will continue to have great political influence in the years to come. It is also possible that he will have the health and vitality to run for president again in 2024. It is even possible that he will win. But one thing is sure: Donald Trump will not be reinstated as president this year or, for that matter, any year before 2024. Sorry, but facts are facts.

Remarkably, According to a new Morning Consult/Politico survey, 29% of Republican voters said it is at least somewhat likely that Trump will be restored as president in 2021including 17% who said it is very likely.

For those wanting to dig into the data in depth, the 355 page survey has been posted online.

It states that the poll was conducted between June 4-June 7, 2021 among a sample of 1990 registered voters. The interviews were conducted online, and the data were weighted to approximate a target sample of registered voters based on gender, age, educational attainment, race, 2020 presidential vote, and region. Results from the full survey have a margin of error of plus or minus 2 percentage points.

Are the findings reliable? Should they be taken seriously?

A summary of the poll states that 77% of voters said they believe Americas democracy is currently being threatened, including 82% of Republicans and 77% of Democrats.

This certainly sounds reasonable, and is in keeping with suspicions and concerns on both sides of the electoral divide.

The poll also found that, Only 40% of Republicans said they had at least some confidence in the U.S. electoral system.

This, too, seems reasonable, if actually low.

At the same time, the poll claimed that 13% of Democrats and 17% of Independents also believe it is likely that Trump will be restored to the presidency in 2021. Really?

Could it be that the fearmongering of the left has produced these concerns? Or could it be that Trumps presence is just that ominous, with the threat of his imminent return lurking in the back of peoples minds?

The Daily Mailreported on June 25 that, The Department of Homeland Security is concerned by the theory Donald Trump will be reinstated as president in August and is monitoring extremist online communities for threats of violence, the agency's top counterterrorism official said Thursday.

John Cohen, assistant secretary for counterterrorism, stated that he was responding to the conspiracy theories sparked by reports from the New York Times' Maggie Haberman and the National Review earlier this month, that Trump is telling aides he could be back in the Oval Office by August.

The Mail also stated that, Mike Lindell, CEO of MyPillow, has also been spreading the theory publicly and claims he is the source of the claims.

Is there any truth to these claims? Is Trump himself fueling the fires of speculation? That, I do not know.

What I do know is that some Trump prophets continue to dig deeper holes for themselves, even claiming that God is delaying Trumps return to office in order to give the false impression that they were wrong in predicting his election in 2020.

In the words of Hank Kunneman, People have been saying, Why is the Lord taking so long? Why are the prophets missing it?

And what was Kunnemans answer? It's to make it look like the prophets miss it and for them to have petitions. And it's to expose, but it's to bring forth something at the exact time that will be part of the fulfillment of God. (If this sounds like last gasp, spiritual mumbo jumbo, its because it is last gasp, spiritual mumbo jumbo.)

Unfortunately, as bizarre as it may seem, there are still fervent believers hanging on to the words of these alleged prophets. (Within the last few days, a commenter on my YouTube channel rebuked me, saying, He [meaning me] rejected the prophets [meaning, those who wrongly predicted that Trump would be inaugurated on January 24] and accused the brethren standing for truth of being idolaters. He believed the lying media on the election. They are his prophets. This is a man not worthy of a platform. For a major article in Christianity Today on the failed prophecies and corrective responses to them, see here.)

So, the deceived are still being deceived, false hopes are still being stoked, and the media, especially on the left, continues to feed into the conspiracy theories, ever fearful of the ominous scepter of Trump.

The reality is that claims of election fraud will continue to be investigated, as they should be. Confidence must be restored, and there are valid reasons for concern.

Trump will also continue to snipe from the sidelines, as well as influence the news cycle and the direction of Republican politics.

But under no circumstances will he be restored to the presidency this year (or at any time before 2024).

So, dont get your hopes up and dont hold your breath. Instead, concentrate on making your own life count, get involved, as appropriate, with the current political scene, and whatever you do, remember not to look to Trump (again) as some kind of political saviorespecially with hopes of his return to the presidency this year.
Pakistani court upholds life sentence of Christian man accused of blasphemous text messages

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A Pakistani Christians life sentence for allegedly sending blasphemous text messages was reportedly upheld by a court in Rawalpindi, Pakistan, last week despite his attorneys claim the prosecutions evidence was manipulated and his client was framed for the crime.

Fifty-six-year-old Zafar Bhatti will continue to serve a life sentence, which is 25 years in Pakistan, for violating Section 295-C of Pakistans blasphemy laws, Morning Star News reported.

The sentence for violating Section 295-C usually is death, but the attorney said he was given a life sentence since there was not enough evidence for the death penalty.

Bhatti continues to deny the charge that he allegedly sent text messages derogatory toward Islams prophet.

Bhatti said police tortured him into confessing the blasphemy crime he did not commit, according to religious persecution watchdog International Christian Concern.

He was initially arrested in 2012 and sentenced on May 3, 2017.

Bhatti and his attorney claim he was wrongfully accused of sending the messages from an unregistered number, possibly connected with a woman named Ghazala Khan, who passed away in 2016 from Hepatitis C.

Bhattis attorney believes the judge was under pressure to deliver a sentence.

The trial court judge gave this verdict under immense pressure because the complainant was an office-bearer of the Islamist extremist outfit Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, Bhattis attorney, Tahir Bashir, told the nonprofit persecution news outlet Morning Star News. I believe the verdict delivered this time was also under pressure because theres no direct evidence against Bhatti.

Bashir alleges the evidence was tampered with to frame Bhatti for sending the blasphemous text messages through a SIM card and audio recordings.

When someone calls the cellular company for activation of the SIM card, their voices are recorded, Bashir said. In this case, the SIM used in the alleged offense was activated thrice  the first two times by some people related to Ms. Khan, and the third time by the woman herself. Bhatti never possessed the SIM, but his phone set was mysteriously used to send those blasphemous text messages.

Its quite clear that the convict was trapped in the case through his phone, the attorney said, citing evidence manipulation.

Bhattis attorney remains hopeful the Lahore High Court will eventually accept Bhattis appeal and order his acquittal, despite the disappointing verdict, according to Morning Star News.

The Pakistani government is aware its blasphemy laws are misused and often lead to false accusations. Still, little has been done to achieve reform in this area despite calls from the international community.

Human rights activists have advocated for decades to reform Pakistans blasphemy laws that disproportionately charge religious minorities due to prejudices and are often based on false accusations, according to the U.S. Commission for International Religious Freedom.

Vague provisions found in sections 295 and 298 of Pakistans Penal Code criminalize any speech or act insulting a religion or belief or defiling the Quran, the [Islamic] prophet Muhammad, a place of worship, or religious symbols, USCIRF reported.

A Pakistani couple on death row for false accusations of blasphemous text messages were recently acquitted after nearly eight years behind bars.

International persecution watchdog group Open Doors USA ranks Pakistan fifth on its 2021 World Watch List of countries where Christians face persecution.

With a population of over 208 million people, there are only about 4 million Christians in Pakistan.

Pakistani Christians face persecution due to an extreme level of Islamic oppression. Pakistan is also listed by the U.S. State Department as a "country of particular concern" for tolerating in or engaging in egregious violations of religious freedom.

False accusations of blasphemy in Pakistan, mainly targeting Christians and other minority faiths, are widespread and often fueled by religious hatred or personal vendettas.

Under Pakistan's blasphemy laws, people accused of insulting Islam or its prophet Muhammad can face life in prison, a death sentence or vigilante violence and threats from the community.

Blasphemy accusations can also lead to mass protests and mob violence.
UK-based Methodist Church votes to approve gay marriage, recognize cohabitating couples

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The Methodist Church of the United Kingdom passed resolutions to approve the blessing of same-sex unions and recognize cohabitating couples.

The London-based Methodist Conference announced Wednesday that it has voted to confirm the resolutions at its gathering held in Birmingham.

A report on marriage and relationships, God in Love Unites Us, was received by the Conference in 2019 and the local District Synods were asked to consider the provisional resolutions and report back to this years Conference, a statement detailed.

The Conference received a report on the results of the local conferring which showed that 29 out of the 30 Synods confirmed support for the provisional resolutions.

The conference voted 256-45 to allow its ministers to perform same-sex wedding ceremonies and for churches to be locations for such services.

The Rev. Sonia Hicks, the conference's new president, said in a statement that the debate over the resolutions has been conducted with grace and mutual respect.

As we move forward together after this historic day for our Church, we must remember to continue to hold each other in prayer, and to support each other respecting our differences, Hicks said.

Regarding cohabitation, the conference approved a resolution stating that it recognises that the love of God is present either through informal cohabitation or a more formal commitment entered into publicly.

As a Church we wish to celebrate that the love of God is present in these circumstances, even if that grace is not responded to or even discerned by the people concerned, continued the resolution.

The Church has an important calling, therefore, to point to the presence of Gods love within such relationships, and to encourage people to respond to it in the renewing and deepening (by whatever means) of their commitment.

The Rev. David Hull, chair of Methodist Evangelicals Together, a group that opposed the resolutions, called it a very sad day for the Methodist Church.

It's heartbreaking really to see where we've come and the way in which we've got here, and many of us have wept over it, Hull said in an interview with Premier.

In spite of these votes, there are many, many Methodists who still believe that Jesus offers a unique vision for life  one that is rooted deeply in the Bible, that is better than the world has ever known, better than the world will ever know and that includes this teaching on marriage and relationships.

Others have taken to social media to voice their support of the resolutions.

"I am absolutely thrilled that the Methodist Conference has overwhelmingly voted to allow same-sex marriage in their churches," Jayne Ozanne, a gay Anglican evangelical activist and founder of the Ozanne Foundation, tweeted. "This reflects the significant shift that there has been amongst Christian attitudes in England."
NC gov. vetoes bill banning abortions based on Down syndrome, race and sex

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North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has vetoed a bill that, among other things, would have prohibited abortions from being performed because an unborn baby has been diagnosed with Down syndrome.

Last Friday, Cooper announced that he vetoedHouse Bill 453, also known as the Human Life Nondiscrimination Act, arguing that the bill is unconstitutional. The bill would have made it illegal in the Tar Heel State to perform abortions based on innate characteristics, such as race, sex or genetic characteristics, including any genetic abnormalities.

This bill gives the government control over what happens and what is said in the exam room between a woman and her doctor at a time she faces one of the most difficult decisions of her life, the Democrat governor said in a statement.

This bill is unconstitutional and it damages the doctor-patient relationship with an unprecedented government intrusion.

North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore, a Republican, took exception to the veto.

Gender, race, and disability are protected classes in most other contexts. Why should we allow the unborn to be discriminated against for these same traits? Moore said in a statement.

The message sent by this veto is that some human life is more valuable than others based on immutable characteristics.

According to The Associated Press, the veto will require bipartisan support in the state legislature to override.

Among its provisions, HB 453 prohibited what it described as Eugenics abortions," meaning abortions based on the presumed race and sex of the child or presumed presence of Down syndrome. North Carolina already bans abortions based on the sex of the baby but the vetoed law would have bolstered existing law.

A person shall not intentionally or knowingly perform, induce, or attempt to perform or induce an abortion of an unborn child if the abortion is being sought because of the actual or presumed race or sex of the unborn child or because of the presence or presumed presence of Down syndrome, stated the bill.

Introduced in March, the proposed legislation passed the House of Representatives in May by a vote of 67-42 and passed the Senate earlier this month by a vote of 27-20.

Recently, multiple states have considered banning abortions performed because of a prenatal Down syndrome diagnosis. A number of states have passed those bills, such as South Dakota and Arizona.

In April, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit reversed a lower court decision and released a full-court opinion upholding Ohios Down syndrome abortion ban.

Circuit Judge Alice M. Batchelder, a George H.W. Bush appointee, authored the majority opinion, concluding that the right to an abortion, even before viability, is not absolute.

In [Roe v. Wade], the Supreme Court said, we do not agree with the contention that the womans right is absolute and that she is entitled to terminate her pregnancy at whatever time, in whatever way, and for whatever reason she alone chooses, wrote Batchelder.

Simply put, there is no absolute or per se right to an abortion based on the stage of the pregnancy. The district court erred by so holding, and the plaintiffs cannot succeed on that proposition standing alone or show any likelihood that they could do so.

In January, the U.S. Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals struck down a Down Syndrome abortion ban passed in Arkansas.
Billy Graham trauma chaplains, Christian groups bring comfort to distraught families of 150 missing in Florida tower collapse

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As rescue crews carry on with their search for survivors, trauma counselors with the Billy Graham Rapid Response Team and other Christian groups are ministering to the families of 150 people who remain missing and nine people who have died after a 12-story beachfront condo building in Florida partially collapsed Thursday night.

The fifth body was pulled out of the rubble at the Champlain Towers South Condo in Surfside near Miami Saturday, the Miami Herald reported, adding that police had identified three of the victims as Stacie Fang, 54; Anthony Lozano, 83; and Gladys Lozano, 79.

Among those missing are a retired Miami-area teacher and his wife, Orthodox Jews from Russia, the sister of Paraguays first lady, and many others from South America and Israel, according to CBN News.

Tragic stories of survivors are being reported, which include rescuers saving a child whose parents are feared dead and a mother and child being saved after the mothers leg was amputated to pull her from the rubble.

As the community grapples with the tragedy, crisis-trained chaplains from the BG-RRT are in the area to offer emotional and spiritual care to first responders and the heartbroken community, the ministry said.

Our crisis-trained chaplains are available to listen, and we want all of those who were impacted  including the first responders who are part of the search-and-rescue efforts  to know that God still loves them and cares about them, even in the midst of such pain and sadness, CBN News quoted BG-RRT assistant director Josh Holland as saying.

Rescuers are risking their own lives working below ground and some are being hit by falling debris, Franklin Graham wrote on Facebook. Lets lift these workers up in prayer, asking God to help and protect them. Also pray for every missing person and their family members awaiting word. This catastrophe has devastated so many.

Graham quoted Psalm 46:1, God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Religious organizations, like a synagogue in Skylake, are asking for donations to help the families of those impacted. So far, their online donation fund has raised more than $728,000.

Catholic clergy in Miami have said they will hold mass for all those affected by the collapse of the building.

A reunification center has been set up at the Grand Beach Hotel Surfside, about six blocks from the partially collapsed tower, where families are waiting for any news about their loved ones.

On Saturday morning, 16 South Florida members of the Christian faith-based organization Legendarios arrived at the center with donuts and beverages for the families and police officers. They also formed a prayer circle outside the hotel and prayed together with officers before walking over to the site of the collapse.

The community has come together in tremendous ways. We just wanted to add the prayer part to it, Mauricio Jaramillo, a member of Legendarios, was quoted as saying. Weve talked to a couple of people about whats been going on, not knowing whats happening. Theres a lot of questions. People want answers and we are here to pray.

Local churches and the Shul of Bal Harbour, a synagogue that has at least 13 members among those still unaccounted for, are collecting donations to be dispersed as needed directly to the victims and families.

Their online fundraiser had raised nearly $1 million as of early Sunday. This tragedy has shaken the Miami community to its core.  Our hopes lay in finding those still missing, but the window is becoming slimmer. As the news continues to unfold, it has become apparent that the needs of the community are growing, so while search and rescue efforts continue, we must continue our efforts to raise financial support for those affected, it says.

Meanwhile, town officials have noted that a 2018 report about the Champlain Towers shows that an engineer had flagged a major error dating back to the buildings origin where lack of proper drainage on the pool deck had caused major structural damage, the Herald reported.
Sex trafficking victims can sue Facebook for giving pimps platform to prey on kids: Texas Supreme Court

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Responding to civil actions involving teenage sex trafficking victims from Houston, the Texas Supreme Court has ruled that lawsuits can be filed against Facebook for the conduct of pimps who use the social media site to prey on children.

We do not understand Section 230 to create a lawless no-mans-land on the internet in which states are powerless to impose liability on websites that knowingly or intentionally participate in the evil of online human trafficking, the state Supreme Courts majority wrote in the ruling on Friday, The Epoch Times reported.

Facebook and similar platforms use Section 230 of the U.S. Communications Decency Act, one of the clauses of which states that what users say or write online is not akin to a publisher conveying the same message, to protect themselves from lawsuits over what users post online. However, the same clause that shields online platforms from liability is often used to ban conservative viewpoints.

Holding internet platforms accountable for words or actions of their users is one thing, and the federal precedent uniformly dictates that section 230 does not allow it, the state Supreme Court ruled. Holding internet platforms accountable for their own misdeeds is quite another thing. This is particularly the case for human trafficking.

The ruling comes after three Houston-area teenage trafficking victims filed lawsuits alleging that their traffickers used Facebooks messaging service to prey on them. They sued the California-based social media site for negligence and product liability.

Facebook told Fox Business they were considering next steps.

Were reviewing the decision and considering potential next steps. Sex trafficking is abhorrent and not allowed on Facebook, a spokesman was quoted as saying. We will continue our fight against the spread of this content and the predators who engage in it.

Prosecutors said that Facebook had failed to do more to block sex traffickers from using the platform.

Annie McAdams, a lead attorney for the plaintiffs, called it a groundbreaking ruling, saying this is the first case to beat Facebook on its arguments under Section 230.

While we have a long road ahead, we are grateful that the Texas Supreme Court will allow these courageous trafficking survivors to have their day in court against Facebook, Houston Chronicle quoted McAdams as saying.

We believe trafficking survivors in Texas can expose and hold accountable businesses such as Facebook that benefit from these crimes of exploitation, she added, referring to an anti-trafficking provision under the 2009 Texas Civil Practice and Remedies Code called Chapter 98.

The state law allows legal action against those who benefit from sex trafficking but the plaintiffs cant pursue claims under federal law, Justice James Blacklock of the Texas Supreme Court said, according to Bloomberg.

Facebook appealed to the Supreme Court after it couldnt get the complaints quashed in district court and the 14th Court of Appeals in Texas.
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Dr. Michael Ward reflected on one of C.S. Lewiss most widely admired but least accessible works in an interview with The Christian Post. Wards newest book, After Humanity, guides readers through The Abolition of Man, which Lewis himself described as almost my favourite among my books. Wards commentary explains, clarifies, and contextualizes Lewiss material to make it more accessible to a modern audience.

Recognized as one of the worlds foremost Lewis scholars, Dr. Ward is the author of the best-selling and award-winning Planet Narnia: The Seven Heavens in the Imagination of C.S. Lewis (Oxford University Press), co-editor of The Cambridge Companion to C.S. Lewis (Cambridge University Press), and presenter of the BBC television documentary The Narnia Code.

The following is an edited transcript of The Christian Posts interview with Michael Ward.

Stewart: The title of your book is After Humanity. How did you decide on this title?

Michael Ward: Three reasons. First, it reflects the post-human future that Lewis forecasts in The Abolition of Man. Second, Im nodding to Alasdair MacIntyres great work, After Virtue, one of the most influential philosophical works of the last 40 years. After Virtue is, I argue, very similar, perhaps even indebted to, The Abolition of Man. And the third reason is that, although its not a work of Christian apologetics, Abolition does look in a Christian direction at various times, not least by citing a verse from Johns Gospel as the final quotation in the Appendix. By ending his book on this note, Lewis is suggesting that its to Jesus Christ that people should look if theyre really seeking after humanity.

Stewart: What made this your next major scholarly work after Planet Narnia? Is there a connection between the two?

Ward: I was asked to write a foreword to an edition of The Abolition of Man, which never actually saw the light of day. But that foreword grew and expanded, and by various twists and turns it became a major scholarly undertaking, until it morphed into After Humanity.

As for the connections between The Abolition of Man and Planet Narnia, there are many, but let me mention just two. One is that, in The Abolition of Man, Lewis talks about the human person in three parts: the head, the chest, and the belly. The chest is the liaison officer between rational man (the head) and visceral man (the belly). Its in the chest that passions should be stabilized and sentiments civilized. The chest, being the location of Practical Reason, is what makes us human. And thats why, in Narnia, Peter Pevensie grows up to be a deep-chested man, whereas Shift the ape, the villain of The Last Battle, has a weak chest.

Second, Narnia itself is something of a chest-like region. To the south of Narnia is the baking desert and the hot country of Calormen, where the inhabitants are sensual and cruel. But to the north of Narnia, the land becomes cold and stony: a succession of witches come from there, who do evil not through excess of passion, but through spiritual wickedness. So Narnia itself mediates between these two extremesthe sensual and the spiritualand is therefore a geographical instantiation of the chest-like region. Of course, its all very subtle, and you only pick up on this if you know The Pilgrims Regress, where Lewis uses this north-and-south imagery much more explicitly in an avowed allegory.

Stewart: Its been said that Abolition has even more relevance now than when it was originally presented. How would you say Lewis presciently addresses our current cultural climate?

Ward: Hes arguing that moral law is a premise; its not a conclusion. We have to accept it as a given; we cant argue to it, we must argue from it. Its an objective reality which we didnt make up: we must submit to it, we must surrender to it and grow up within it. Its like a trellis with which you would train a climbing rose.

But if you take the opposite view, that we create moral law according to our own subjective preferences, you can do whatever you likebecause theres nothing that is objectively real in the moral world. No, its just whatever you happen to choose.

Happiness consists in conforming oneself to reality, not twisting reality to suit your own convenience, or your own desires. The common modern-day phrase speaking my truth connects very precisely with this prophecy that Lewis is makingthat well all just determine reality according to our own particular perspective, which leads to moral anarchy and therefore to a post-truth world.

Stewart: In several places, your book mentions scientism. How would Lewis, in Abolition or otherwise, speak to that belief?

Ward: In Abolition Lewis remarks, Nothing I can say will prevent some people from describing this lecture as an attack on science. Of course, hes not attacking science but scientism, which is the reduction of all forms of knowledge to the scientific form of knowledge, where scientific means valueless quantification. Scientism is a corruption of science, whereas science properly understood is a noble undertaking. Many great scientists have been (and are) Christians.

Lewis is arguing that the fact-value distinction that characterizes scientism is a false dichotomy; hes pointing out that the material world examined by the methods of inductive empiricism has a qualitative reality. Nature is not just so much raw matter to be chopped up and moved about to suit our own convenience: rather it has its own integrity that is in a relationship with the integrity of our human nature.

Stewart: The subtitle of Abolition of Man is Reflections on education with special reference to the teaching of English in the upper forms of schools. Does that mean Abolition is a book chiefly about education and aimed at educators?

Ward:Abolition certainly has a lot to say about the importance of education and, in particular, moral formation of the young. But that long and wordy subtitle of the book is, I think, a sort of joke, designed to off-set the alarming title. Lewis is not chiefly concerned with the teaching of English, still less with the teaching of English in the upper forms of schools. His main focus is the objectivity of value and the poison of subjectivism. Hes defending the one and attacking the other. Questions of classroom pedagogy arent his real target. His argument is much broader and deeper than that.

Stewart: With Abolition of Man being a strictly philosophical work, what about After Humanity should interest Christians who arent normally interested in philosophy?

Ward: Well, Christians are hopefully interested in engaging with their non-Christian neighbors. And one of the things Lewis is providing us in the pages of Abolition is just such an engagement. You cant be a Christian human being until youre a human being first. And recognition of objective value is what makes us human: this moral ecology that we all participate in. From a Christian point of view, you would want to argue, like Saint Paul does in the letter to the Romans, that this recognition of objective value is a manifestation of the image of God in man; this is the conscience speaking to us. But you dont have to argue it theologically; you can argue it from another point of view, which is purely philosophical and anthropological.

That kind of common ground between theology and philosophy is one of the main things that Christians should take away from The Abolition of Man. And its one of the things I tried to bring out in After Humanity.

Stewart: How would you compare Lewis the philosopher to Lewis the theologian? Is the one harder to understand than the other?

Ward: I think it would be true to say that Lewis the philosopher is harder to understand than Lewis the theologian. Its important to bear in mind that Lewis studied and taught philosophy at Oxford, but he never studied or taught theology at Oxford. From an academic point of view, Lewis was more serious as a philosopher than he was as a theologian. Thats perhaps why The Abolition of Man is as difficult as it is, which is why it needs this guide that Ive written!

When Lewis is operating as a theologian, hes operating as a well-read Christian who understands spiritual and religious issues and who desires to explain the faith to enquirers and sceptics. So when hes in theological mode in other books, hes naturally operating at a more general, popular levelnot at the high, academic level he operates at when hes in philosophical mode.

Having said that, I should add that, even as a philosopher, Lewis could sometimes operate at a more populist level. Indeed, the first four chapters of Mere Christianity are, you might say, a popularization of The Abolition of Man. So, not all his philosophy is difficult or inaccessible. But Abolition is certainly one of his harder works.

Stewart: How might Abolition have been betteror worseif Lewis had argued for a theistic or a Christian basis for morality?

Ward: Speaking as a Christian myself, it would have been better because it would have gone deeper; it would have taken steps beyond philosophy into theology. As Lewis himself remarks in another place, morality, apart from religion, cannot explain its own claims clearly. (Try any philosophical system of ethics.)

But if Lewis had gone all the way into theology, Abolition would have been worse because it would have left behind all those readers who arent theists and Christians, but who nonetheless want some kind of philosophical justification for objective value. One doesnt need to present the whole of the gospel on every single occasion. You can narrow things down and just take a baby step as it were, just get as far as this anthropological position, arguing for recognition of objective value as the definitively human faculty. Thats a good thing to do; thats worth nailing down. Its not the whole picture, it doesnt clarify things as much as a fully-orbed Christian apologetic would do but its still a worthwhile undertaking. We mustnt make the best the enemy of the good.

Stewart: Youve done a lot of original research for After Humanity. What are some of the new things youve been particularly excited to unearth?

Ward: Some of the most fun things have found their way into the photo gallery. One of them is the original blurb that Lewis wrote for Abolition and which has never been published before. Another is a photograph of the teenage Lewis in uniform as an officer cadet in the British army, alongside his friend Paddy Moorewho, alas, died in the Great War. I put this photograph in After Humanity because one of the arguments that Lewis makes in Abolition is that as soon as we actually have to suffer in order to live up to a moral truth, were not just choosing things that suit us. Sometimes doing the right thing is really hardmight even cause us our death. And this shows us its objectivity. So I think we would do well to remember the moral authority that Lewis speaks with in The Abolition of Man, because as a young man he not only had lost a close friend, but he himself had very nearly been killed in service of his country. And yet, it hadnt shaken his belief in the objective value of self-sacrifice.

There are various other fun things in the photo gallery, but Ill leave readers to discover those themselves.

After Humanity is now available from Word on Fire Academic.
2 injured in church bombing before confirmation ceremony in DRC; 2nd bomber killed by own IED

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At least two people were injured after a makeshift bomb exploded inside a Catholic church in the conflict-plagued eastern city of Beni in the Democratic Republic of Congo on Sunday. Hours later, a suspected bomber was killed by his own improvised explosive device at a busy intersection.

The bomb exploded in the church premises at 6 a.m. on Sunday, according to authorities. A police official told Agence France-Presse that the homemade bomb was "set up for an ambush." The attack reportedly marked the first time a Catholic church had been attacked in the region.

Beni Vicar General Laurent Sondirya told the outlet that the explosion went off before people gathered for a confirmation ceremony and two women were injured.

They were targeting a large crowd because the ceremony would bring together children, their parents and the faithful, Sondirya was quoted as saying.

Blood was seen at the entrance to the church and shards of glass were inside the church after the explosion.

Media reports have not identified the parish where the bomb exploded.

In the second explosion in Beni on Sunday, a suspected bomber was killed at a busy intersection. Photos were shared online showing the blood-soaked torso of the suspected bomber, Reuters reported.

Beni Mayor Col. Narcisse Kashale Muteba put a curfew in place over security concerns.

Im asking the population to take shelter and remain indoors," Muteba was quoted as saying on Congos RTR private radio. "I dont want to see anyone outside. There was no damage, only the transporter of the bomb died on the spot.

While no group claimed responsibility for either of the attacks, militants from the Allied Democratic Forces, a group based in neighboring Uganda that has publicly aligned itself with Islamic State, has been active in the country.

Even though DRCs population is around 95% Christian, violence from Islamic extremism is worsening, especially in the eastern region.

Islamic extremist groups have a clear Islamic expansionist agenda, Illia Djadi, an Open Doors spokesperson on freedom of religion or belief in sub-Saharan Africa, said earlier this year.

It is a reminder of what is happening in other parts of the central Sahel region  groups like Boko Haram in northeast Nigeria, for example," Djadi said. "The ideology, the agenda of establishing a caliphate in the region, and the way they operate is the same, and we can see how they afflict terrible suffering on innocent people."

Between Nov. 20 and Dec. 3, 2020, men from the Allied Democratic Forces killed at least 30 Christians, raped 10 young women and girls, and abducted several others from churches in a string of attacks on five villages in North Kivu province, according to the Barnabas Fund.

Last October, militants believed to be from the Allied Democratic Forces killed at least 18 people and burned down a church and several homes in an overnight attack in Baeti Village in the North Kivu province, Reuters reported at the time.

The Allied Democratic Forces were formed in the mid-1990s, merging several existing rebel groups.

In a 2020 report, the United Nations acknowledged that widespread, systematic and extremely brutal human rights abuses by the Islamic militant group could constitute, by their nature and scope, crimes against humanity and war crimes.

DRC is ranked No. 40 on the Open Doors USA's 2021 World Watch List of countries where Christians face the greatest persecution.
4 Canadian Catholic churches destroyed in 'suspicious' fires on indigenous lands

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Four Catholic churches located in indigenous territory in Canada have been damaged by fires that officials are calling suspicious in nature as the Catholic Church has faced scrutiny since the discovery of hundreds of unmarked graves of indigenous children.

St. Ann's Church and the Chopaka Church, both located in British Columbia, burned to the ground on Saturday, according to The Vancouver Sun. The incidents happened less than an hour between each other.

Chief Keith Crow of the Lower Similkameen Indian Band told the media that both churches were destroyed by fires at about 4 a.m.

The chief said the fires are suspicious and "possibly" linked to the fires that destroyed Sacred Heart Church and St. Gregory's Church in British Columbia's South Okanagan last Monday on the Canadian observance of National Indigenous People's Day.

"I'm angry," Crow was quoted as saying by Canadian Broadcasting Corporation. "I don't see any positive coming from this and it's going to be tough."

Crow told The Vancouver Sun that the fires were heartbreaking, as members of his tribe belonged to the churches.

Luckily, no one was injured and the fire here was contained before it spread to any of the neighbouring homes, said Crow. If youre hurting at this time, please reach out to somebody and make the call. There is a lot of upset people.

Sgt. Jason Bayda with Penticton South Royal Canadian Mounted Police told CBC on Saturday that the investigations into the fires are ongoing. He confirmed that the fires are suspicious but no arrests or charges have been made so far.

In May, the remains of 215 children were found buried under an area on which Kamloops Indian Residential School stood in British Columbia, which closed in 1978.

The residential school, affiliated with the Catholic Church, was part of a nationwide system overseen by government and religious authorities that sought to assimilate the indigenous communities of Canada.

Later in the week, an additional 751 unmarked graves were located near the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan, which had been under Catholic Church administration.

The findings prompted Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to call upon Pope Francis to visit the country and offer an official apology for the disturbing discoveries.

I have spoken personally directly with His Holiness Pope Francis to press upon him how important it is not just that he makes an apology but that he makes an apology to indigenous Canadians on Canadian soil, stated Trudeau to reporters.

I know that the Catholic Church leadership is looking and very actively engaged in what next steps can be taken.

For its part, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops issued a formal apology and committed to walking side by side with Indigenous Peoples in the present, seeking greater healing and reconciliation for the future.

The news of the recent discovery is shocking. It rekindles trauma in numerous communities across this land. Honouring the dignity of the lost little ones demands that the truth be brought to light, stated the CCCB.

We lift up prayers to the Lord for the children who have lost their lives and pledge our close accompaniment of Indigenous families and communities.
Justin Trudeau demands apology from Pope Francis after 751 more graves of indigenous children found

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has asked Pope Francis to visit Canada and apologize after 751 more unmarked graves were found at the site of what was once that countrys residential school under the administration of the Roman Catholic Church to assimilate indigenous people.

I have spoken personally directly with His Holiness Pope Francis to press upon him how important it is not just that he makes an apology but that he makes an apology to indigenous Canadians on Canadian soil, Trudeau told reporters in Ottawa Friday, the day after a preliminary report revealed that an additional 751 unmarked graves were found near the former Marieval Indian Residential School in Saskatchewan, bringing the number to 966, Reuters reported.

I know that the Catholic Church leadership is looking and very actively engaged in what next steps can be taken, Trudeau added.

Last month, the remains of 215 children, some as young as 3 years old, were found buried under an area on which Kamloops Indian Residential School stood in British Columbia, which was part of the Canadian Indian residential school system that was closed in 1978, the BBC reported at the time.

I recognize these findings only deepen the pain that families, survivors and all Indigenous peoples and communities are already feeling, and that they reaffirm a truth that they have long known, Trudeau added in his statement, according to the CBC.

The hurt and the trauma that you feel is Canadas responsibility to bear, and the government will continue to provide Indigenous communities across the country with the funding and resources they need to bring these terrible wrongs to light. While we cannot bring back those who were lost, we can  and we will  tell the truth of these injustices, and we will forever honor their memory, he added.

The school opened under the Roman Catholic administration in 1890 and housed as many as 500 students in the 1950s.

Many students were beaten and verbally abused, and about 6,000 are believed to have died at the school, according to the Los Angeles Times, which also reported that the Canadian government had admitted that physical and sexual abuse was rampant at the schools, and apologized in Parliament in 2008.

Canadas residential school system separated some 150,000 indigenous children from their families, according to The Wall Street Journal, which quoted an inquiry report from 2015 that estimated that 4,100 children died of disease or by accident while in the system and went on to call the school system akin to cultural genocide.

Marion Buller, who served as chief commissioner of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, has suggested that Trudeau needs to do more for the indigenous people.

Its a nice statement. A very well-crafted statement of sympathy and empathy, but theres no action there, CBC quoted her as saying.
Fresh-to-market Picasso leads 20th/21st Century: London to Paris sale series

20th and 21st Century Evening Sales surpass 153 million; Picassos Letreinte makes top price at 14,697,000; new records set for Yayoi Kusama and Stanley Whitney





On 30 June Christies launched 20th/21st Century: London to Paris, a cross-channel conversation between two culturally vibrant cities, live-streamed from Christies in London and Paris, incorporating salerooms in Hong Kong and New York. The series of three evening sales, which showcased the synergy between movements and dialogues between the most influential artists across the past two centuries, realised a combined total of 153,592,611 //  178,321,022. The series opened with the 20th/21st Century: London Evening Sale, which achieved 119,299,545 // 138,506,722, selling 88 per cent by lot and 97 per cent by value. Later, in Paris, the 20th/21st Century: Collection Francis Gross, a dedicated single-owner sale of portraits and post-war art, totalled 22,816,753 // 26,490,250. The 20th/21st Century: Paris vente du soir achieved 11,476,314 // 13,324,000. In London auctioneers Jussi Pylkkanen and Veronica Scarpati, who made her Evening Sale debut, took bids from clients in the saleroom (in line with regional government guidance), through phone banks and via Christies LIVE online bidding channel. In Paris Collection Francis Gross was conducted by Cecile Verdier and the Evening Sale by Camille de Foresta.

Pablo Picasso (1881-1973), L'etreinte, 1969. Oil on canvas. 44 x 57 in (113.6 x 146 cm). Sold for 14,697,000 on 30 June 2021 at Christies in London

20th/21st Century: London Evening Sale The top price of the night was for Pablo Picassos LEtreinte (1969), which achieved 14,697,000. Depicting a couple in an intimate embrace, it was one of two large-scale late Picassos never seen at auction before. Homme au chapeau assis, painted in 1972 and exhibited the following year in the Palais des Papes in Avignon, later fetched 5,880,500. The second highest lot of the sale was Alberto Giacomettis Homme qui chavire, a dramatic variation on the elongated figures created by the Swiss sculptor after the Second World War. Formerly in the collection of the American artist Lillian H. Florsheim, and offered at auction for the first time in more than 20 years, it realised 13,703,000.



Alberto Giacometti (1901-1966), Homme qui chavire. Bronze with dark brown patina. Height: 23 in (59.5 cm). Sold for 13,703,000 on 30 June 2021 at Christies in London

Wassily Kandinskys 1935 Noir bigarre achieved 8,848,795; Ernst Ludwig Kirchners evocative Pantomime Reimann: Die Rache der Tanzerin of 1912, housed in the same private collection since it was acquired from the artists estate in 1985, achieved 7,140,000; and Basquiats 1984 Untitled, an electrifying monument to the human form, sold to a bidder in London for 5,995,000. The sale saw strong results for Bridget Rileys Zing 2, which was last seen in public shortly after it was painted in 1971. A rare work that occupies a pivotal position in Rileys practice, it sold for 3,262,500. Yayoi Kusmas 2009 Pumpkin, a charming sculptural incarnation of the artists most beloved motif, set a new world record for the artist in the medium at 2,662,500. Also selling above estimate was George Condos kaleidoscopic Cubist portrait, Untitled, from 2013, which sold to a bidder in Hong Kong for 2,542,500.

Bridget Riley (b. 1931), Zing 2, 1971. Acrylic emulsion on canvas. 54 x 44 in (132.2 x 112.2 cm). Sold for 3,262,500 on 30 June 2021 at Christies in London

Works by leading Italian Modernists also generated keen interest among collectors across Christies salerooms. Lucio Fontanas Concetto spaziale, Attesa, cruised past its high estimate of 1,800,000 before realising 2,902,500. Later, Salvatore Scarpittas Gonippo, offered for sale for the first time in over half a century and unseen in public during that time, sold for 375,000. Other strong performers included Marc Chagalls dazzling painting of an ethereal bride soaring above Notre Dame, La mariee de Notre-Dame, which fetched 2,782,500; and Isamu Noguchis The Sky, which more than doubled its low estimate at 2,662,500. Rene Magrittes Le domaine dArnheim, a gouache on paper from around 1962 depicting a trio of bird eggs in front of an eagle-shaped mountain, realised 1,522,500, more than double the low estimate. After a spirited international bidding battle at the sales outset, Stanley Whitneys large-scale Light a New Wilderness from 2016 set a new world record for the artist at auction when it sold for 525,000. The sale drew to a close with a bang as Van Goghs Aardappelrooier, from 1885, more than doubled its low estimate at 862,500.







Stanley Whitney (b. 1946), Light a New Wilderness, 2016. Oil on linen. 96 x 96 in (243.8 x 244 cm). Sold for 525,000 on 30 June 2021 at Christies in London

20th/21st Century: Collection Francis Gross During his career, the French advertising magnate Francis Gross assembled not one but two great art collections: one for his company, the Carat group, and another for himself and his family. According to Pierre Martin-Vivier, Deputy Chairman, Post-War & Contemporary Art, his private collection offered at Christies was built on deep knowledge and expertise that reveals a man of great sensibility and sensitivity.

Rene Magritte (1898-1967), La Vengeance, 1936. Oil on canvas. 54.5 x 65.5 cm (21 x 25 in). Sold for 14,552,500 on 30 June 2021 at Christies in Paris

Leading the collection was Rene Magrittes La Vengeance, a major picture-within-a-picture work from the mid-1930s, when Magritte created many of his career-defining images. Bought in 1936 by the Belgian surrealist poet Paul Colinet, the painting entered an American collection in the 1960s before being acquired by Francis Gross in the mid-1980s. Making its auction debut, it sparked a bidding battle before hammering down at 14,552,500. Other impressive results included Pablo Picassos intimate wartime portrait of Dora Maar, Tete de femme, which more than doubled its high estimate at 3,620,000; Alberto Giacomettis bronze bust of the filmmaker, photographer and the artists last model, Eli Lotar, which sold for 3,260,000; and Jean Dubuffets Le Chien manger de cheveux, which realised 1,040,000, more than double the low estimate;

Egon Schiele (1890-1918), The Embrace, 1911. Pencil on paper. 57 x 37.8 cm (22 x 14 in). Sold for 560,000 on 30 June 2021 at Christies in Paris

Also selling above estimate was Egon Schieles The Embrace. Executed in 1911, the drawing of two lovers more than doubled its high estimate at 560,000. Following an international bidding battle, Andy Warhols Roy Lichtenstein, the first of three Warhol acrylic and silkscreen works offered from the Collection Francis Gross, realised 212,500, more than double the high estimate. There was also plenty of interest in Henry Moores bronze Reclining Nude, conceived in 1938 and cast in 1986, which sold for 81,250, more than four times the low estimate. Poissy, les quais (1908) by Albert Marquet tripled the low estimate before also achieving 81,250. 20th/21st Century: Paris vente du soir After a swift change of auctioneers, the Paris Evening Sale got underway with Camille de Foresta at the rostrum.

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The coronavirus vaccine developed by U.S. biotech firm Moderna is effective against the highly contagious delta variant, the company said in a release Tuesday, offering some hope even as the World Health Organization warned that the variant has now spread to at least 96 countries.

Moderna said that blood samples from fully vaccinated individuals produced antibodies against multiple variants and that researchers measured only a "modest reduction in neutralizing titers" against the particularly virulent delta, which was first identified in India.

IN HOUSTON: 153 Houston Methodist workers fired, resigned over COVID vaccine dispute

"As we seek to defeat the pandemic, it is imperative that we are proactive as the virus evolves," Moderna chief executive Stephane Bancel said in a statement. "These new data are encouraging and reinforce our belief that the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine should remain protective against newly detected variants."

The company, whose vaccine uses messenger RNA technology and requires two doses, submitted the data to the bioRxiv preprint server ahead of peer review. Moderna last month also signed an agreement to provide the United Nations-backed Covax initiative, which seeks the equitable distribution of coronavirus vaccines worldwide, with 500 million doses beginning later this year.

As much of the world still awaits coronavirus vaccine supply, the delta variant is tearing through unvaccinated populations everywhere from Britain to the United States to South Africa.

It has reached 96 countries, the WHO said in a weekly epidemiological update Tuesday, a number it warned was probably an underestimate as most nations lack the genome-sequencing capacity needed to identify virus variants.

According to the WHO, delta is 55 percent more transmissible than the virulent alpha variant first identified in Britain last year, a version that spurred infection waves in multiple countries. Now, the delta variant "is expected to rapidly outcompete other variants and become the dominant variant over the coming months," the WHO said.

On Wednesday, France's leading government scientific adviser said in a radio interview that the country was likely to suffer a fourth wave of infections caused by the delta variant, which now accounts for at least 20 percent of new cases there.

IN TEXAS: Jill Biden and Doug Emhoff visiting Texas to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations

But "it will be much more moderate than the previous three waves because the level of vaccinations is different compared to before," Jean-Francois Delfraissy told French public radio, according to a Reuters translation of his remarks.

More than 63 percent of adults in France have received at least one dose of a coronavirus vaccine, the French Health Ministry says, with 41 percent fully inoculated.

Some countries with similarly high vaccination rates, including Britain and Israel, are now grappling with new outbreaks of the delta variant but say that widespread immunization has helped mitigate some of the pathogen's worst effects.

In places such as Africa, however, where about 1 percent of the population is fully vaccinated, the variant is helping give rise to new infections and deaths. According to the WHO, new coronavirus cases in the African region increased by 33 percent over the past week, with covid-19 deaths jumping 42 percent.

In Russia, where vaccine uptake remains stubbornly low, authorities on Wednesday reported a record number of covid-related deaths for the second straight day, following an unprecedented surge in new cases that officials have blamed on the delta variant.

"The Delta variant will continue to complicate timelines for reaching a less disruptive new normal in countries with high vaccination rates as well as those with low rates," said Scott Rosenstein, special global health adviser at the New York-based political risk firm Eurasia Group.

For lower-income nations with sluggish inoculation campaigns, Rosenstein said in a briefing note, "the risks of overwhelmed healthcare systems are the highest they have been since the beginning of the pandemic."

- - -

The Washington Post's Katerina Ang in Singapore contributed to this report.
BERLIN (AP)  Belarus has ordered two German educational organizations to close, part of its retaliation against EU sanctions imposed over a diversion of a passenger jet by the ex-Soviet nation's authorities in order to seize a dissident passenger.

Germany on Wednesday deplored Belarus decision to demand an end to all activities of the Goethe Institute, which promotes German language and culture worldwide, and the German Academic Exchange Service.

This step will contribute to further isolating Belarus internationally, the German Foreign Ministry said. The victims of this decision are Belarusian citizens, who are being denied further opportunities for social and cultural activity.

The ministry renewed its call for Belarusian authorities to enter a serious and inclusive national dialogue and discuss the legitimate demands of the protest movement.

Last week, the European Union slapped new bruising economic sanctions on Belarus over last months diversion of a passenger jet to arrest dissident journalist Raman Pratasevich. The sanctions target the countrys top export items, including potash  a common fertilizer ingredient, petroleum products and tobacco industry exports.

Belarus authoritarian president, Alexander Lukashenko, has denounced the EU sanctions as part of a hybrid war waged by the West against Belarus.

The country has been shaken by months of protests fueled by Lukashenkos re-election to a sixth term in an August 2020 ballot that was widely seen as rigged. Authorities responded to the demonstrations with a massive crackdown that saw more than 35,000 people arrested and thousands beaten by police.

Belarus declared on Monday that it would move to suspend a readmission agreement with the EU that is intended to stem illegal migration. The announcement followed Lukashenkos warning that his country will no longer try to stem a flow of illegal migrants from other countries to the EU.

The Belarusian Foreign Ministry also announced a travel ban on unspecified EU officials who were involved in drafting the sanctions against Belarus, said it would recall its envoy to the EU for consultations and asked the 27-nation bloc's representative in Minsk, Dirk Schuebel, to leave the country.

In addition to that, Belarus will suspend its participation in the EUs Eastern Partnership program, which was intended to strengthen cooperation with several ex-Soviet nations.
It's taken almost 20 years for Marvel fans to get the Black Widow movie many of them have been craving. So it seems oddly appropriate, if unfair, that when it finally arrives, it's virtually stolen from under her.

Not that Scarlett Johansson doesn't bring her A-game to "Black Widow," a big, ambitious prequel that fills in the intriguing blanks of her character's backstory. In a plot reminiscent of the cult hit series "The Americans," Johansson's Natasha Romanoff revisits her youth in a Soviet sleeper cell in the 1990s, when as a gutsy blue-haired tomboy she posed as the young daughter of an Ohio couple who were actually spies named Alexei Shostakov ("Stranger Things's" David Harbour) and Melina Vostokoff (Rachel Weisz). In "Black Widow's" tense, expertly orchestrated opening flashback scenes, the pseudo-family's happy home life is interrupted by a U.S. government raid, which they narrowly escape by way of a spectacular and utterly unbelievable airplane getaway.

Natasha had a little sister in Ohio: Yelena, who, like Natasha, was a precocious KGB trainee, but who was young enough to have believed all the capitalistic hokum about cozy Christmases and close-knit nuclear families. In "Black Widow," the grown-up Yelena is played by Florence Pugh, who delivers a funny, tough and compelling performance in a movie that is clearly meant to launch her character into her own patch of the franchise stratosphere.

There's no doubt that Yelena is worthy of that honor. But it still feels like Johansson has gotten short shrift over the course of several Avengers movies in which Natasha has been little more than eye candy, despite her skills, sober-minded pragmatism and personal roots that intersect with geopolitical history in tantalizing ways. When "Black Widow" catches up with her as an adult, she has just gone into exile after the disastrous events of "Captain America: Civil War"; the Avengers have splintered, and she's ambivalent about her own place in an organization she once opposed. Yelena is a loner for her own reasons: When the two reunite in a Budapest apartment, the sequence resembles an outtake from another TV series, "Killing Eve."

What ensues is a movie that operates on several levels at once, bridging the narratives of "Civil War" and "Infinity War," offering up a steady stream of action sequences involving fights, chases, fireballs and, in between, engaging in some wry humor about sisterly competition and dysfunctional families. "Black Widow," which was written by Eric Pearson, from a story by Jac Shaeffer and Ned Benson, obeys the laws of current movie spectacles, wherein the protagonists toss off blase asides in the midst of yet another run-of-the-mill SUV skidding into a subway station or helicopter prison break in the face of an engulfing avalanche. (See "F9" for the playbook.) In "Black Widow," most of those one-liners come from Pugh, who imbues her dialogue with punchy believability, especially when she's giving her big sister the business. ("Such a poser," she sniffs when Natasha strikes her familiar one-fisted, hair-tossing superhero landing.)

Still, the seen-it-all sarcasm gets old, which is why Harbour's Alexei is such an unexpected kick when he reappears. Goofy, bumbling and blissfully un-self-aware, he's a soldier whose super days are far behind him, a fact that his male vanity won't let him acknowledge, must less accept.

Director Cate Shortland, whose previous films have been intensely observant psychological portraits of isolated young women, brings the right tonal complexity to "Black Widow's" more intimate interludes, although one gets the sense that demands of the Marvel behemoth - the action-centric "whammies" that must appear in every movie with metronomic predictability - never allow those moments to breathe as they should. (Shortland has counted "Thelma & Louise" as an inspiration for Natasha and Yelena's road trip banter.) Ultimately, "Black Widow" shifts the focus from Natasha's fractured but funny parents and sister to her greater mission, which is to murder the man who turned her - and, it turns out, millions of other lost young women - into a killing machine.

"Black Widow" isn't subtle about connecting that mercenary training to grooming and sex trafficking, a feminist sensibility that's reinforced by a mysterious substance that can turn an army of dead-eyed fembots into instant allies. But that not-so-sub-text still threatens to be buried under the rubble of ever-escalating mayhem, which inevitably blasts its way into diminishing and increasingly implausible returns. As gratifying as it is that Johansson has finally gotten the movie her character has long deserved - not to mention a worthy and equally watchable foil in Pugh - "Black Widow" simultaneously feels like too much and too little.

Do svidaniya, Natasha - we hardly knew ye.

- - -

Two and one-half stars. Rated PG-13. At theaters. Contains intense sequences of violence and action, some strong language and mature thematic material. 133 minutes.

Ratings Guide: Four stars masterpiece, three stars very good, two stars OK, one star poor, no stars waste of time.
Click here to read the full article.

This story was originally published by Grist and is republished here as part of an ongoing collaboration.

Picture this: two babies born on the same day, maybe even within the same hour, at the Harlem Hospital Center in New York City. One baby, born to a Black mother, goes home to her family down the street in East Harlem. The second is taken home just a few blocks south to the Upper East Side by her white mother.

Fast forward to these babies adulthoods, and theyve stayed close to the people and places theyve grown to love  but their ability to access things like fresh food, quality pharmacies, well-resourced schools, clean water, and even something as simple as the trees that shade their blocks are drastically different. The way their communities are policed and incarcerated is substantially different, too. As a result, the two people are expected to die roughly 19 years apart, despite living just a few blocks from one another.

A new study and interactive map from researchers at the University of California Berkeleys Othering & Belonging Institute, or OBI, demonstrate a comprehensive attempt to better understand residential racial segregation, the common phenomenon at root of these disparate inequalities, across the U.S. The study finds that, while residential segregation declined modestly from 1970 to 1990, it began increasing in 1990 and has been getting starker ever since. As a result, more than 150 large metropolitan regions in the U.S.  a whopping 81 percent of the total  are more segregated now than they were 30 years ago, according to the study.

Segregation is the invisible undercarriage of every expression of systemic racism in this country, Stephen Menendian, lead author and Director of Research at OBI, told Grist. While segregation might not explain everything with inequality, its the sine qua non of racial inequality, which has a role in all injustices.

The studys sobering results are partially the result of careful methodological choices. Rather than relying on traditional measures of segregation like the so-called Dissimilarity Index, which measures how much movement it would take for two racial groups to become evenly distributed in a given locality, the researchers opt instead to use the Divergence Index, which measures the extent to which the demographics of a given geographic unit diverge from the broader whole of which it is a part: how the demographics of a census tract differ from those of its city, or how those of a city differ from those of a broader metropolitan area. The authors say that this better allows the study to account for Americas increasing diversity (which could lower dissimilarity scores even as segregation itself persists) as well as the increasingly regional nature of segregation.

This methodology finds that the one-time manufacturing hubs of the mid-Atlantic and Midwests Rust Belt disproportionately account for the countrys top 10 most segregated cities, with Detroit  the Blackest city in America  topping the list. Chicago, Cleveland, Milwaukee, and Philadelphia are not far behind. When metropolitan areas, which include cities and their connecting suburbs, are considered as a whole, New York City reigns supreme. While segregation is worst in these places, it has increased all across the country. Since 1990, the metropolitan area of Fayetteville, Arkansas, has seen the greatest increase in segregation, while cities in the West, such as Salt Lake City, Utah, and Santa Cruz, California, have also become significantly more segregated.

Segregation may have picked back up in recent decades, but its roots stretch back much further.

The real driving force behind segregation in the North and West, Menendian explained, was the real estate industry. Real estate companies have historically propagated racist beliefs that Black residents negatively impacted property values, were undesirable neighbors, and posed existential risks to communities and neighborhoods. As the government got more involved in regulating housing in the early 20th century, these ideas made their way into official policy. With that came exclusionary single-family zoning policies in places like Berkeley, California; racially restrictive zoning ordinances in cities like Baltimore, Maryland; and the nationwide practice of redlining, which denied investment to communities of color from Chicago to Miami and everywhere in between.

Segregations hold on the country has led to Black and Latino communities disproportionate exposure to environmental pollutants, which when coupled with poor health care options, unhealthy food options, as well as less access to green space and even safe jobs, culminates in a predisposition to premature death: Today Black Americans are expected to live six fewer years than white Americans.

Another new study by the conservation nonprofit American Forests found that segregation can even account for something as mundane as why affluent U.S. communities have 65 percent more trees than their poor counterparts. Closing that tree cover gap would support 4 million jobs, mitigate 57,000 tons of air pollution, and remove the equivalent amount of carbon from the atmosphere as taking 92 million cars off the road, according to the group. It would also improve health and safety outcomes in poor communities. (Tree cover has been shown to help lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and increase energy levels.)

However, Medendian and his co-authors Arthur Gailes and Samir Gambhir believe that fixes that focus on the symptoms of segregation, such as tree cover inequality, without addressing the deepening segregation itself wont make any substantial differences in disparate life outcomes.

In this particular moment of greater awareness of the extent and reality of systemic racism in the country, its important that we draw attention to what undergirds injustice, Menendian said. Segregation causes the inequalities that lead to police patrolling certain neighborhoods more aggressively, why life expectancies are lower in some neighborhoods than others, why frontline workers are disproportionately residing in certain neighborhoods, and why some people dont have access to clean air or water.

If were going to actually make progress on these inequalities we need not continue focusing on the symptoms, but the causes, he added.
Some of Houston's Black-owned restaurants are paying more than double the typical price for your favorite meats  and now, they're planning to fight back.

Shortages of both oxtails and chicken wings have hit Houston's Black-owned restaurants particularly hard, as many count the meats among their most popular menu items. Wholesale prices for these meats have consistently risen and have yet to decrease. Multiple local Black-owned restaurants that sell oxtails and chicken wings say they are paying outrageous prices to meet the needs of the public.

COMING TO HOUSTON: Houston's new Black-owned food truck park promises diverse cuisine

On a national scale, the United States as a whole is facing a chicken wing shortage, and here in Houston, Black restaurant owners are proposing taking the matter into their own hands.

Initially proposed by Christopher Bush, president of the Black Service Chamber, some local Black-owned restaurants are in the process of organizing a boycott against what they consider price gouging.

What the Black Service Chamber aims to do is focus on the demand for wings and oxtails, changing the scope of the problem. Its main goal is to challenge the supply chain in the food industry. The current per-pound price for oxtail is between $8.99 and $10, and chicken wings are at about $3.99.

istetiana/Getty Images

During 2020, the bells for social justice rang across the nation, and many African American people acknowledged the power of the Black dollar and sought out more Black-owned businesses to patronize. Black-owned businesses saw a significant increase in demand for their goods and services, and that demand has yet to slow down in the food industry.

But the economic fallout from issues like the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the cargo ship blocking the Suez Canal and the winter freeze in Texas have managed to wreak havoc on the supply chain, causing a food shortage.

"From a logistics perspective, youre going to get a lot of different answers on the issue," Bush said. "There are a lot of different factors, especially when considering the winter freeze."

To combat the rise in prices, Black restaurants are organizing data to analyze when the meat is in highest demand and when would be the ideal time to boycott in order to bring those prices back down.

FOOD CENTRAL: Houston Restaurant Weeks returns in 2021 with takeout and delivery options

"If we go back to 2010, oxtails were $3.99 a pound, which was ridiculous, it's scraps. It's fatty and, in my opinion, a borderline disgusting cut of meat. If you compare it to lean and organic products, their prices are astronomical. It begs the question, 'why is oxtail surpassing those price points?'" Bush questions. "Eating healthy is typically expensive, but to eat poorly is normally cheap. It's mind-blowing how something so unhealthy for you is so expensive."

There's important historical context to the origin of oxtail; the meat was the scraps given to slaves that plantation owners didnt eat, and it was throw-away meat for butchers. Bush says that the reality of the meat being so expensive is absurd considering it's not high-value meat.

On the other hand, the price of chicken wings has risen excessively, but the consequence is that the price point of a whole chicken is significantly cheaper than the cost of chicken wings, making the wings themselves a hot commodity.

Tre Thomas, owner of The Station Wing Company and The Station Seafood Company and founder of Catfish Station, said the chicken wing shortage has had a direct impact on his business.

"You know, it's really caused me to get creative. We turned a negative into somewhat of a positive as we started to feature boneless wings," Thomas explains. "It caused us to get innovative, but that's what good operators do."

The consensus among Houston's Black restaurant owners is that the increase in wholesale prices has seemingly racist undertones, as oxtails and chicken wings are most in demand for their restaurants. Thomas shares a similar sentiment. He plans to support the efforts to boycott, not only to bring down prices but to start another conversation about how unhealthy meats like oxtail actually are.

"I'm definitely on board because there's no reason that that meat is that high. It's only because of demand because that oxtail is not expensive, it's not even sought after, but it's sought after in our community. So I think that gives manufacturers incentive to charge, because it's not quality meat."

The owner of Nyammings Fusion Bistro, Victor Allotey, has also dealt with some pushback from customers on price increases.

"It's a very limited supply. The prices of chicken wings have almost tripled and oxtails have more than doubled," Allotey explains. "It forced me to raise the price on the customer a little bit, but you can't raise it too high. A little opposition is to be expected, but customers aren't too frustrated on the prices because they're not always eating out. The prices in the grocery stores are high too."

Allotey isn't wrong, either. Texas-based grocer H-E-B has placed a purchasing limit on chicken wings amid the national shortage.

Despite the impending boycott, Allotey proposed his own idea of community-based economics  a Black-owned farm.

"What I proposed was, if a group of us were serious enough, to acquire some land and create our own 'Future Farmers of America' program where we house and raise livestock and things of that nature."

The boycott is currently in its research phases, as data is being gathered and analyzed from different Houston restaurants to help better strategize the move. Bush says that the boycott is fully capable of happening and it's not a matter of if, but when.

"The goal is to work out what's most effective," Bush said.

The target is to create a longer-lasting reward for restaurant owners, as opposed to just making temporary noise without real action. When asked what would happen if in the future if meats like oxtail were price gouged, Bush simply said, "we would do it all over again."

"We don't want to approach it in a complaining way, and we're not marching in the street. We want to know when the prices are going up and down so that we can find the best strategic time to coordinate across the country with other micro-mediums," Bush said. "We want to do it where it truly affects the supply chain."
The good news just keeps coming for fans of square fish and a certain LuAnn.

Texas Monthly's Shawn Shinneman sat down with Calvin Gin, the entrepreneur who recently acquired 32 Luby's locations across the state, pointing to a second life for the beloved cafeteria chain, and he's got a welcome update for Luby's loyalists.

DON'T SAY GOODBYE YET: Luby's gets new life after selling 32 locations to Chicago-based group

Gin told Shinneman he has no intention of throwing out Luby's well-established menu in favor of something more hip or modern. Turns out, Gin did a lot of on-the-ground (in-the-cafeteria-line?) research before making the leap to purchase the Luby's locations.

Im not sure theres anything I havent tasted, Gin told Shinneman, noting he would especially crave the beets after his visits. I saw the same thing over and over again. I walked away, and I said, heres a great brand that has great people making great food at a great price. Theres got to be a way to make this work.

And the confirmation everyone was waiting for: "Overall, food is not the problem."

Gin was vague on how he plans to bring in new customers but seems to understand why Texans were so devastated about the possible loss of Luby's, even if he is from Chicago.

SUNDAY CHEERS: New under-the-radar Texas law gives beer, wine purchases an earlier start on Sundays

Its great that theres a strong core following today in the stores that were purchasing, Gin told Shinneman. It seems to be a very healthy customer base, and we appreciate all of them, but we need to get more of them.

Ten Luby's locations in Houston are included in the acquisition, which leaves plenty of places to get your cubed Jell-O and pecan pie fix.
After her TikTok about a transparency letter she sent to her bridesmaids, one San Antonio bride-to-be is using her online platforms to share her experience  and opinions  on wedding planning.

Lisa Torres is an auditor based here in the Alamo City, but social media users from across the globe may know her by her online handle, @lisalovesrandom. Her recent TikTok, in which she discusses a transparency letter she sent to her potential bridesmaids, went viral on the platform. The video caused a whole lot of debate about bridesmaid culture and expectations, and even inspired Torres to keep creating content throughout her wedding planning process.

READ MORE: Former KENS anchor Niku Kazori shares details on lavish Texas wedding

In the letter, Torres wrote out the time and money commitments that come with being a bridesmaid, something that she wished she had known before being a bridesmaid herself. Torres says being a bridesmaid not only takes up a lot of time between wedding dress shopping, bridal shower (something shes not even sure she wants), the bachelorette party, rehearsal dinner, and the ceremony itself, but is also a major financial commitment. Although she said she and her friends are all in their late 20s and financially stable, she wanted all the ladies to know that they were getting themselves into.

Whenever I was thinking about how different one wedding can be to another, thats when I realized OK, let me just lay it all out right here, Torres tells MySA. It is time.

Most importantly, Torres gave her besties the option to say no to being a bridesmaid without there being any hard feelings. One friend respectfully declined, which Torres says she totally understood.

The average cost of being a bridesmaid for an American wedding is easily over $1,000, Torres says. The motivation really came from me wanting to be below the average.

READ MORE: Wedding ring swept away in Chicago snow nearly 50 years ago will be returned to San Antonio owner

Torres said she put the incredibly organized letter together one night, and was sure to include details about the wedding attire (including colors and aesthetics); the bachelorette party (which will be held at an all-inclusive resort in Mexico); and her expectations on when her bridesmaids will need to be by her side (depending on whether they live in or near San Antonio, or quite a bit away).

And being the Type A personality that she is, Torres included an FAQ section of sorts in which she disclosed how her wedding party is going down. The wedding party wont have to sit at the head table (instead with their plus-1) and Torres will even pay for her bridesmaids hair and makeup on the big day.

That was my decision, Torres says of her covering the beauty costs. I was just trying to be fair.

Social media users had a variety of opinions, from some criticizing Torres over the expectations of bridesmaids (a culture that Torres has no control over) to others commending her for her honesty. Others offered up suggestions for the letter, such as more detailed information about responsibilities for the maid of honor.

Lisa Torres

Despite the negative attention, Torres has no plans to stop sharing wedding content on TikTok and Instagram. She plans to keep posting about her own wedding-planning up until her big day in May 2022, but says she may even share more insight afterward. Part of that content will touch on how Torres wants her wedding to be on her own terms.

Theres a lot of tradition that I dont want to do, Torres admits. I dont plan on doing the bouquet toss. I dont plan on doing the garter toss. Thats just not my preference.

While she says tradition is important for many brides, she hopes her example can help others understand that its OK to want their wedding day to be exactly as they want it (as long as theyre not being unreasonable).

You can keep up with Torres on TikTok and Instagram.
Odessa Arts will host the Texas Music Office for a free Texas Music Friendly Community workshop 6 p.m. July 8 at the Ector Theater.

Participation in the Texas Music Offices Music Friendly Community program provides Texas communities with a network for fostering music industry development and sends a clear message to industry professionals that certified communities are serious about attracting and developing music industry growth.

Cities that have received the official "Music Friendly Communities" designation from the Texas Music Office include Fort Worth, Austin, San Antonio, Denton, Lindale, Stephenville, Conroe, San Angelo, Nacogdoches, Abilene, McKinney, Waxahachie, Waco, Alpine, Bastrop, New Braunfels, Victoria, Arlington, Denison, Lubbock, Brenham, Dripping Springs, Round Rock and El Paso.

Musicians, venues and the general public are welcome to attend. Register for the workshop for free here.
GREENWICH  As the temperature soared toward 90 degrees on Tuesday, residents of Greenwich sought relief from the heat at the pool and splash pad at Byram Park.

Residents of all ages headed to the park, with some swimming laps, others taking a cool dip and a few just hanging out on the splash pad.
The assistant police chief of the Cut and Shoot Police Department has been arrested on multiple charges in a sexual assault of a child case involving two alleged victims and one reported incident going back 23 years, according to public records and authorities.

Norman Leonard Wilkerson Jr., 57, of Conroe, is charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child and three counts of sexual assault of a child, according to the Montgomery County District Attorneys Office.

Wilkerson is being held at the Montgomery County Jail in Conroe on a $30,000 bond, according to the Montgomery County Sheriffs Office.

The aggravated sexual assault of a child charge relates to an alleged incident from August 1998 involving a child younger than 14, according to court records.

Montgomery County First Assistant District Attorney Mike Holley said there is a second alleged victim Wilkerson is being charged on and the most recent reported incident allegedly happened in 2004.

Wilkerson was arrested without incident at the police department, according to the sheriffs office.

A Cut and Shoot city employee on Tuesday afternoon confirmed Wilkerson was arrested. The employee said city officials were not notified of Wilkersons charges but it was known he was under criminal investigation.

On Wednesday afternoon, a city employee could not speak to Wilkersons employment status with the city.

Police Chief Rudy Gomez, an employee said, was unaware of charges Tuesday afternoon. A call to Gomezs office phone a little after 4 p.m. Tuesday went unanswered as did calls Wednesday afternoon. A city employee on Wednesday afternoon said Gomez would not be back in the office until the following morning.

Calls to Wilkersons phone on Tuesday afternoon went immediately to voicemail.

Cut and Shoot, a city of about 1,100 to the east of Conroe, has a two-person police department consisting of the chief and assistant chief.

Wilkerson appears to have been hired within the last 18 months. The departments former assistant police chief, Henry Menz, died after a short illness in December 2019.

jose.gonzalez@chron.com

twitter.com/jrgzztx
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Michelle Forsythe, Texas State University and Julie Jackson, Texas State University

(THE CONVERSATION) Most people think of the childrens classic Charlottes Web as a story of devoted friendship between a spider and a pig. But it can also be read as a story of a budding engineer  Charlotte  who prototypes, builds, tests and revises her web to solve a problem.

As teachereducators, we use childrens books to make lessons about science and engineering accessible to children of all ages.

Through books, children can experience how engineers use design-based thinking, which focuses on creative and innovative solutions, to solve problems. They can also explore the history of things that they use every day, such as crayons, bridges and cars. And they can expand their image of who can be an engineer or inventor.

Our work suggests that picture books and biographies for young adult readers can be particularly effective for introducing children to the engineering design process. These are the actions  ask, imagine, plan, create, test and improve  that engineers take to design a solution to a problem. They also help children understand engineering habits of mind. These are the traits, such as creativity and persistence, that help engineers successfully solve problems.

Here are five of our favorite science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) books for children, and some of the engineering lessons that they teach.

1. Whoosh! Lonnie Johnsons Super-Soaking Stream of Inventions

Lonnie Johnson was always curious about how things worked. One day, while trying to figure out a way to replace the harmful chemicals found in refrigerators and air conditioners, he connected a pump with a nozzle to his bathroom faucet. When he turned the faucet on, water blasted across the room. Johnson had invented a water gun! Johnson tested and redesigned his new invention until it became the perfect summer toy  the Super Soaker.

This picture-book biography introduces young readers to the prototype-test-redesign process that is central to engineering.

2. Balloons Over Broadway: The True Story of the Puppeteer of Macys Parade

Grab a front-row seat to the story of how Tony Sarg, an immigrant from Western Europe, created one of Americas most iconic holiday traditions  the giant balloons of Macys Thanksgiving Day Parade.

This picture-book biography highlights how engineers draw on imagination and inspiration to improve their designs. After reading, children can use these same traits to create their own Indonesian rod puppets. These puppets inspired Sarg to flip his marionette strings upside-down so that his famous balloons could soar.

3. Wood, Wire, Wings: Emma Lilian Todd Invents an Airplane

Lilian Todd  a self-taught inventor, engineer and contemporary of the Wright brothers  worked to improve airplane designs in the early 1900s. This picture-book biography of her life illustrates how an engineers designs frequently fail. And it uses quotes from Todds perspective  There is no work so discouraging, so exasperating, so delightful  so exhilarating as building aeroplanes  to capture her resilience in overcoming these challenges.

As children often face similar obstacles in their own STEM journeys, Todds story provides a model for how children can prepare for, reflect on and move forward from moments of failure.

4. Milton Hershey: Young Chocolatier

Weve all eaten Hersheys chocolate bars and Hersheys Kisses. However, the road to commercial success for Milton Hershey was circuitous, and he failed many times before he succeeded.

This biography, written for ages 8-12, highlights the power of persistence and the design axiom: Fail often so you can succeed sooner.

5. The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind

This biography, written for ages 10-13, tells how teenaged William Kamkwamba built a wind turbine to produce electricity for his family in Malawi. The story shows how anyone, of any age, anywhere in the world can be an engineer.

This book is a great selection for a family or multi-age book club as it is also available as a picture book, a biography for adults and even a movie. Everyone can pick the version that is best for them and gather in person or via video chat to talk about lessons learned from Kamkwambas dream, determination and design.

Other books

Many books that are already in homes, schools and local libraries can also be used to introduce the engineering design process and habits of mind. We recommend looking for the following story features when choosing a book to explore design-based thinking with children.

First, the story presents a problem in a real-life context. Second, the story describes a design plan or way to solve the problem. Third, a character creates, tests and evaluates a prototype of this design. And finally, a character improves the design and applies the revised solution.

Parents and teachers can find more high-quality STEM books on the National Science Teaching Associations Best STEM Books K-12 or our own expanded list of favorites.

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This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/5-childrens-books-that-teach-valuable-engineering-lessons-162583.
INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Attorneys for the state argue that Indianas economic recovery will suffer irreparable harm unless an appeals court overturns a judges order that the state must continue the federal governments pandemic unemployment benefits programs.

An appeal filed Tuesday by the state attorney generals office disputes a Marion County judges ruling last week that Indiana law requires the state to procure all available federal unemployment benefits for residents.
WEED, Calif. (AP)  A wildfire that has put thousands of people under evacuation orders in Northern California grew substantially, but firefighters had some success against the flames, authorities said Wednesday.

The fire covered more than 27 square miles (70 square kilometers) but crews made good progress on the western edge of the fire, cutting off progression into the communities, Shasta-Trinity National Forest said in a statement.

Containment was estimated at 19%.

All evacuation orders issued by the Siskiyou County Sheriffs Office remained in effect for communities north of the city of Weed, about 250 miles (402 kilometers) north of San Francisco. Residents of other areas were warned to be prepared to evacuate.

Gov. Gavin Newsom traveled to the fire area Tuesday. On Wednesday he and other governors from the drought- and heat-plagued West had a virtual meeting with President Joe Biden.

Biden said his administration is hiring more federal firefighters and immediately raising their pay. Recalling scenes from wildfires in California and elsewhere last year, Biden said, Orange skies look like end-of-days smoke and ash.

Burning in the shadow of the towering Mount Shasta volcano, the Lava Fire was ignited by lightning last week.

An apologetic fire official told a town hall Tuesday that firefighters responded to the initial small fire and left after concluding it was out. It rekindled amid winds and blistering heat because of a scorching high-pressure system over the Pacific Northwest.

While still hot, weather in the region was improving. A small area remained under an excessive heat warning, and in other areas the warning was reduced to an advisory.

The rest of California was free of weather warnings. The San Francisco Bay Area weather office wrote that the monstrosity of a high pressure system had weakened and was moving eastward.

The extent of damage from the Lava Fire was not known, but it did burn through marijuana grows that have proliferated in the region in the last few years, exacerbating a local conflict. Law enforcement has been trying to shut down the grows for operating illegally, and the operators, who are mostly of Hmong and Chinese descent, have claimed racial discrimination.

A man trying enter a grow area during wildfire evacuation Monday pointed a gun at officers and was shot to death, the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office said, adding that the man may have also fired shots.

The Sacramento Bee reported that cannabis farmers claimed local authorities and fire agencies allowed the fire to burn through their properties on Monday.

Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue told the Bee that firefighters stayed out of the area because the growers were hostile.

In the last few days, weve had water trucks the growers had that have been blocking roadways, that have prevented Cal Fire from getting in there to fight the fire, the sheriff said. Rocks were being thrown at fire personnel."

Meanwhile, another wildfire to the northeast, the Tennant Fire, grew to nearly 13 square miles (33 square kilometers).
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Lihong Shi, Case Western Reserve University

(THE CONVERSATION) A childs death is devastating to all parents. But for Chinese parents, losing an only child can add financial ruin to emotional devastation.

Thats one conclusion of a research project on parental grief Ive conducted in China since 2016.

From 1980 to 2015, the Chinese government limited couples to one child only. I have interviewed over 100 Chinese parents who started their families during this period and have since lost their only child  whether to illness, accident, suicide or murder. Having passed reproductive age at the time of their childs death, these couples were unable to have another child.

In 2015, the Chinese government raised the birth limit to two, an effort to reverse declining birthrates and to rejuvenate an aging population. In May 2021, it announced that Chinese families could have up to three children.

The new three-child policy received generally lukewarm responses in China. Many Chinese couples say they prefer not to have multiple children due to the rising cost of child rearing, how it would complicate womens professional aspirations and declining preference for a son.

The childless parents I interviewed told me they felt forgotten as their government moves further away from the birth-planning policy that left them bereaved, alone and precarious in their old age  in a country where children are the main safety net for the elderly.

Having and losing an only child

Chinas one-child policy was a massive social engineering project launched to slow down rapid population growth and aid economic development efforts.

Until the early 1970s, most Chinese women had at least five children. By 1979, Chinas population had nearly reached 1 billion  up from 542 million in 1949. The Chinese government claimed that the one-child limit prevented 400 million births in China, although this calculation has been disputed as an exaggeration.

The birth limit was unpopular at first.

Back then, we wanted to have more children, said a bereaved mother who was in her 60s when I interviewed her in 2017. My parents had an even harder time accepting that we were allowed to have only one child.

To enforce the unpopular one-child policy, the Chinese authorities designed strict measures, including mandatory contraception and, if all else failed, forced abortion.

Those who violated the policy paid a financial penalty, and children from unauthorized births often could not be registered for citizenship status and benefits. Parents who worked for the government  and under Chinas economic system, many urban workers did  risked losing their job if they had more than one child.

Several bereaved mothers told me that they had gotten pregnant with a second or third child in the 1980s or 1990s but had an abortion for fear of job loss.

The one-child policy, while painful, contributed to an age structure that benefited the economy: The large working-age population born before and after it grew rapidly compared to the countrys younger and older dependent population.

This demographic dividend accounted for 15% of Chinas economic growth between 1982 and 2000, according to a 2007 United Nations working paper.

An uncertain old age

Yet Chinas one-child policy also created a risk for couples: the possibility of becoming childless in old age.

Families with an only child are walking on a tightrope. Every family can fall off the tightrope at any moment if they lose their only child, one bereaved mother explained to me.

We are the unlucky ones, she said.

In China, where the pension and health care systems are patchy and highly stratified, adult children are the main safety net for many aging parents. Their financial support is often necessary after retirement.

It is estimated that 1 million Chinese families had lost their only child by 2010. These childless, bereaved parents, now in their 50s and 60s, face an uncertain future.

Due to the countrys longstanding tradition of filial piety, children also have a moral obligation to support their aging parents. Parental care is actually the legal responsibility of children in China; it is written into the Chinese Constitution.

This safety net does not exist for parents who lost the only child the government would let them have.

Help, but not enough

Over the past decade, groups of bereaved parents have negotiated with the Chinese authorities to demand financial support and access to affordable elder care facilities. Those I interviewed said they had fulfilled their obligation as citizens by abiding by the one-child rule and felt the government now had the responsibility to take care of them in their old age.

Eventually, the authorities responded to their grievances.

Starting in 2013, the government has initiated multiple programs for bereaved parents, most notably a monthly allowance, hospital care insurance and in some regions subsidized nursing home care.

However, bereaved parents told me that these programs were insufficient to meet their elder care needs.

For example, adult children often take care of their parents during hospitalization, bathing them and buying meals. Private care aides can charge up to US$46 a day, or 300 yuan, to do these tasks. In regions that now provide government-paid hospital care insurance for childless parents, most plans cover between $15.50 to $31  about 100 to 200 yuan  daily for a care aide, based on my research.

Other people I interviewed worried about the high cost and limited availability of quality nursing homes in many regions. Chinas elder care facilities cannot meet the demand of its aging population, and living in these facilities is not covered by insurance.

Chinas controversial one-child policy is history, but its legacy may depend on how the Chinese authorities treat the grieving parents left in its wake.

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This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/chinas-one-child-policy-left-at-least-1-million-bereaved-parents-childless-and-alone-in-old-age-with-no-one-to-take-care-of-them-162414.
BAYARD, Neb. (AP)  Deputies have shot and killed a man while serving a warrant at his home in western Nebraska, authorities say.

The Nebraska State Patrol said in a news release that 58-year-old Larry Hunt became combative" Tuesday as the Morrill County Sheriffs Office helped a regional drug task force serve the warrant in the town of Bayard.
A man driving an SUV fatally shot a handgun-toting motorcyclist who advanced toward him on foot following a traffic incident between the two on a Texas interstate, police said.

Fort Worth police said Tuesday that the SUV driver was cooperating with the investigation and hasn't been arrested. Police said detectives have interviewed several witnesses to the Friday incident.
EAST ST. LOUIS, Ill. (AP)  A former southern Illinois mayor has been sentenced to two years of probation for lying to federal investigators about referral commissions he received on city contracts.

Former Columbia Mayor Kevin Hutchinson also was sentenced Monday to 40 hours of community service and fined $500 after pleading guilty in March. He resigned as mayor of the Monroe County town after being indicted in February.
BRUSSELS (AP)  The great Brexit sausage fight is going into the freezer for the next three months.

The European Union and the United Kingdom agreed Wednesday not to let a fight over the transport of chilled meats from Britain to Northern Ireland sputter out of control for the moment and further damage already fraught relations, which have been fundamentally changed since the U.K. left the EU last year.

Instead, they delayed until the end of September some post-Brexit trade checks that were to go into effect on Thursday, including those on British sausages, giving London and Brussels extra leeway to find a compromise.

Without Wednesday's deal, the current system of chilled British meats going to Northern Ireland would have banned as part of the complicated EU-U.K. divorce deal that seeks to keep an open border on the island of Ireland, a key pillar of Northern Irelands peace process. But with an open border, the EU has insisted that trade checks must be imposed before British goods reach Northern Ireland so it can protect its single seamless market of 27 member states, which includes Ireland.

We are pleased we have been able to agree a sensible extension on chilled meats moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland," British Cabinet Minister David Frost said.

Britain and the EU have been in a spat over post-Brexit trade arrangements for Northern Ireland, the only part of the U.K. that borders the 27-nation bloc, for months, with London arguing that the terms of planned checks between Britain and Northern Ireland aren't realistic.

The EU's top post-Brexit official, Maros Sefcovic warned, however, that with an additional grace period, we are not issuing a blank check. The solution is of temporary nature in which strong conditions are attached, meaning the U.K. must fulfill political obligations.

Over the past several months, Britain has unilaterally delayed implementing some of the checks, drawing the threat of legal action from the EU.

U.K. Prime Minister Boris Johnson has seized on the potential sausage ban for the Northern Irish, brandishing it as a symbol of how unworkable the arrangements are. Even U.S. President Joe Biden has even been drawn into the spat during the Group of Seven summit in England earlier this month, raising concerns about the potential threat to Northern Irelands peace accord.
HONG KONG (AP)  Hong Kong is still Chinas wealthiest, most capitalist city. Its vistas of skyscrapers and sea framed by dragon-backed emerald peaks are as stunning as ever. But a year after Beijing imposed a harsh national security law on the former British colony, the civil liberties that raised hopes for more democracy among many of its 7 million people are fading.

The June 30, 2020, introduction of the law accelerated a rolling back of freedoms promised to Hong Kong when China took over in 1997.

Already, authorities have banned an annual June 4 candlelight vigil commemorating the bloody 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, and a yearly July 1 pro-democracy protest, citing pandemic social distancing restrictions.

On Wednesday, police rearrested pro-democracy activist Chow Hang-tung on suspicion of inciting others to participate in an unauthorized assembly. Chow, a key organizer of the June 4 Tiananmen candlelight vigils, is one of many pro-democracy figures who have been detained over the past year.

Most of the city's outspoken pro-democracy activists are currently behind bars or have fled overseas.

The rollback of freedoms was punctuated earlier this month with the shutdown of the city's last pro-democracy newspaper, Apple Daily.

The authorities first came for Apple Daily's outspoken billionaire founder Jimmy Lai. He's in jail serving a 20-month sentence and facing charges of foreign collusion to endanger national security.

Last week, some 500 police officers raided the newspaper's headquarters. At least seven of its journalists and executives have been arrested and $2.3 million worth of assets linked to the paper frozen, preventing it from paying salaries and other costs. For its final edition, Apple Daily printed a million copies  more than 12 times its usual print run. It sold out to crowds who lined up at newsstands for hours.

Apple Dailys coverage was often sensationalist, but it also uncovered corruption and won awards for its investigative reporting, Yuen Chan, a journalism lecturer at the City University of London, said in a commentary republished by Hong Kong online news portal Citizen News.

It also was a barometer of Hong Kongs press freedom and freedom of expression, she wrote.

The newspapers closure comes as the Chinese Communist Party celebrates the 100th anniversary of its founding in Shanghai in 1921 by Mao Zedong and others. Over the last year the Chinese government has tightened its grip over semi-autonomous Hong Kong following months of anti-government protests that brought hundreds of thousands of people into the streets.

The demonstrations against proposed extradition legislation that would have allowed suspects to face trial in mainland Chinese courts sometimes turned violent, and encompassed other demands, including calls for greater democracy and investigation into police tactics. Now, protesting or publishing anything that might be construed as a violation of the security law can land them in jail in Hong Kong.

Traditionally, the city has been considered one of the most attractive places for expatriates, thanks to its low tax rates and ease of doing business. It's still a major business and financial hub. But some multinational companies have begun relocating their operations and staff. The American Chamber of Commerce says 2 out of 5 expats it surveyed in May were considering leaving the city. The top concern was the national security law.

In private conversations, many in Hong Kong lament the loss of their freedoms, but life goes on. On the weekends, shopping malls are still crowded. People still line up for hours to get seats in popular dim sum and noodle restaurants or take weekend strolls on scenic Victoria Peak. On the surface, daily life hasnt changed much.

What has changed are the special privileges that Hong Kong was promised for a half-century after control of the territory was handed to Beijing on July 1, 1997  the autonomy of its courts and legal system, civil liberties that included a free press, freedom of speech and the leeway to take to the streets and other public spaces in protest.

With the space for dissent shrinking, the online news platform Stand News said it would remove commentaries published on its site before June, stop its fundraising efforts and stop accepting new subscribers.

With the handover 24 years ago, Hong Kong became a semi-autonomous territory, promised independent economic and legal status under a one country, two systems arrangement that led many in the city to expect more, not less democracy despite the Communist Partys lack of tolerance for dissent across the border in the Chinese mainland.

Like millions of others who left the mainland seeking more opportunity in Hong Kong in past decades, 40-something Wang Wai says she migrated there because wages were in the thousands but in China still in the hundreds.

The health care system, education and work to be found in Hong Kong is much better than in China, said Wang, who is married with two children.

Ever since its days as a hub in Britains trading of opium from India for silk, tea and porcelain from China, Hong Kong has mainly been about moneymaking. The city flourished in the years after the 1949 Communist Revolution, as industrialists from Shanghai relocated to the colony, bringing what they could of their salvaged fortunes.

After the citys garment and electronics manufacturing moved across the border, back into China, Hong Kongs colonial legacy left it well placed to thrive as a financial center for what has become the worlds No. 2 economy. For many in the city, the handover to Beijing was just a welcome switch of flags.

Hong Kong was meant to help lead Chinas ascent as an economic power, enjoying the best of both East and West, as its first chief executive, shipping tycoon Tung Chee-hwa, often would say. It remains home for scores of billionaire business people and many other wealthy Chinese who have invested in choice property after prospering on the mainland.

Despite the massive pro-democracy protests that paralyzed parts of the city in 2019 and the blows to tourism and trade from the pandemic, the citys stratospheric property market has surged still higher.

Even modest apartments under 100 square meters (1,100 square feet) have more than doubled in price since 1997, said Derek Chan, head of research at real estate firm Ricacorp Properties.

Even though prices have soared, the wealthy in Hong Kong are still willing to buy property at these prices, making it increasingly inaccessible for regular residents to buy homes, Chan said.

Such costs have made the city unaffordable for many: the share of Hong Kongers living in poverty has doubled to 1 in 5 since the handover.

Such pressures have added to frustrations as Beijing has tightened the screws.

Even before the handover, China and Britain quarreled over how much democracy Hong Kong should have. When election results made it clear that the public preferred more, Beijing moved to ensure it would stay in control, mandating less.

Hong Kong's last colonial governor, Chris Patten, left the territory declaring that, "Now Hong Kong people are to run Hong Kong.

"That is the promise  and that is the unshakeable destiny, he said as he boarded the Royal Yacht Britannia and sailed away after the handover.

A city of Chinese people accustomed to a free press, rule of law, freedom of assembly had hoped in time to gain more say over how they were governed. Instead, one distant ruler has replaced another.

The weakening of the citys civil liberties is not a good thing, said Wang, who moved to Hong Kong from her hometown in southeastern China's Fujian province. I came to Hong Kong also because it had freedom, and there is rule of law and more democracy. Now it is looking more and more like a city in China."

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This story corrects Chan's job description.

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Kurtenbach, who has lived and worked in Hong Kong and China at times since 1981, contributed to this report from Bangkok.
Michael Conroy/AP

INDIANAPOLIS (AP)  Former Marion County Prosecutor Terry Curry has died nearly two years after he stepped down while undergoing prostate cancer treatments. He was 72.

Curry, a Democrat who won the first of his three elections in 2010 as the top prosecutor in Indianas largest county, died Tuesday, the prosecutors office said.
BAGHDAD (AP)  A bomb exploded in a busy Baghdad market on Wednesday, wounding at least 15 people, Iraq's military said.

The blast occurred when an improvised explosive device placed under a kiosk detonated in the Maridi market area of Sadr City, a suburb in the eastern part of the capital. The military said the wounded had minor injuries and most left hospital soon after receiving treatment.

Slippers were seen among the debris of the explosion as police cordoned off the area. A metal door was perforated by shrapnel.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility but the Islamic State group has claimed similar attacks in the area before.

Security forces launched an investigation to determine the perpetrators, the statement said.

It was the second time this year that a bomb hit a market in the densely populated neighborhood. In April, at least four people were killed in a car bomb attack in Sadr City. That blast was caused by an explosive device attached to a parked car at the market.

Large bomb attacks, once an almost daily occurrence in Baghdad, have slowed in recent years since IS was defeated in 2017.

But attacks persist. In January, over 30 people were killed in a twin suicide bombing in a busy commercial area in central Baghdad. It was the most deadly bombing in three years to strike Iraqs capital.

Roadside bombs continue to target primarily Iraqi security forces outside the capital, especially across northern Iraq where IS militants are known to have hideouts.
JERUSALEM (AP)  Israel has reached a compromise with Jewish settlers who rapidly established an unauthorized outpost in the occupied West Bank last month, officials and the settlers said Wednesday.

Under the agreement, the settlers will leave by the end of the week. The area will become a closed military zone, but the houses and roads will remain in place. A survey will be carried out that the settlers say will prove the outpost was not established on land privately owned by Palestinians. That would pave the way authorization, allowing them to establish a religious school and for some families to return.

The settlers named the outpost Eviatar, after an Israeli killed by a Palestinian in 2013, and say it is home to dozens of families. It posed an early test for Israel's new government, which relies on a fragile coalition including parties that support and oppose the settlers.

Palestinians in nearby villages say the outpost was built on their land and fear it will grow and merge with larger settlements nearby. They have held near-daily protests against the outpost in which demonstrators hurl stones at Israeli troops, who fire tear gas and live ammunition. At least four protesters, including two teenagers, have been killed in the clashes.

The settlers announced a compromise earlier this week at a celebratory press conference, while the government said negotiations were still underway. This time, Israeli officials signaled it was a done deal.

Israeli Interior Minister Ayelet Shaked, a member of Prime Minister Naftali Bennett's pro-settler party, tweeted that the deal is an important achievement" for the settlement movement and thanked the pioneers of Eviatar." Public Security Minister Omer Barlev, from the left-wing Labor Party, welcomed the evacuation of the settlers from the illegal outpost.

Yossi Dagan, head of a settler council in the northern West Bank, said the plan is not the outline of our dreams" but was struck for the benefit of Israeli unity.

Daniella Weiss, the head of the settler group behind the outpost, said the survey would confirm the area is state land but might slightly adjust its boundaries. She expects the religious school will be established by the Jewish High Holidays in September, with living quarters for families connected to the school. It will be more or less fully occupied, she said.

Israel captured the West Bank in the 1967 Mideast war, and the Palestinians want it to form the main part of their future state.

Nearly 500,000 Israelis live in more than 130 authorized settlements and dozens of outposts across the occupied West Bank. The Palestinians and much of the international community view all settlements as violation of international law and an obstacle to peace.

Israel's new government is led by Bennett, an ardent supporter of the settlers who is opposed to a Palestinian state. But it depends on an ideologically diverse coalition that include left-wing factions and a small Arab party opposed to settlements.

Eviatar was re-established in early May, days after an Israeli was killed in a drive-by shooting. Israeli troops have evacuated the outpost three times before, but this time the government decided to negotiate with the settlers, apparently to avoid the media spectacle of troops forcibly dragging away Israeli families.
LAGOS, Nigeria (AP)  A Nigerian leading a movement calling for the secession of part of southeast Nigeria has been arrested and is to stand trial in the capital, Abuja, authorities said.

Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, was arrested and brought back to Nigeria from an undisclosed country to face trial, said Minister of Justice Abubakar Malami. Kanu is due to appear in court next month.

Malami told journalists that Kanu is to face trial for terrorism, treasonable felony, managing an unlawful society, publication of defamatory matter, illegal possession of firearms and improper importation of goods, among others. Kanu fled Nigeria in 2017.

Kanus movement calls for an independent state of Biafra to be carved out of southeast Nigeria, a region inhabited by the Igbo people who are Nigerias third-largest ethnic group.

A similar movement for a state of Biafra to secede from Nigeria that was headed by another Igbo leader, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu-Ojukwu, led to Nigerias civil war in the late 1960s, during which more than 1 million ethnic Igbos were killed, many of them through starvation.

The Igbos, who are mainly Christians, say they are marginalized by Nigerias federal government, especially when mainly Muslim Fulani candidates are elected. Nigerias more than 200 million people are almost evenly divided between Christians and Muslims.

In May, a large contingent of troops and police were deployed to eastern Nigeria to quell growing renewed agitation for a state of Biafra.

President Muhammadu Buhari, a Fulani, caused outrage earlier this month when he posted a tweet that seemed to threaten violence against the Igbos. The Nigerian president referred to the loss of lives and destruction that resulted from the Biafra civil war and threatened to treat the current agitators for an independent state in the language they will understand.

Twitter deleted the presidents post saying it violated its rules against language promoting violence. The Nigerian government responded by banning Twitter in the country. The government is also accusing Twitter of allowing Kanu to use its platform to engage in subversive activities.

The lawyer for the Biafra movement, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, confirmed Kanus arrest and his extradition. Ejiofor has asked authorities to give Kanu a fair trial in line with his constitutionally protected right.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  Louisianas Supreme Court voted to censure one of its own Wednesday, saying a conversation that longtime Justice Jefferson Hughes held with a political operative during a 2019 campaign for a seat on the court harmed public confidence in the judiciary.

Hughes consented to the disciplinary action, according to the opinion and decree, which also calls for him to pay more than $2,000 to the state judiciary commission to cover costs in the investigation.

At issue was a meeting Hughes had with former Hammond council member Johnny Blount, who was supporting appellate court Judge William Crain, in a run for an open court seat in 2019, which Crain later won. Hughes denied an allegation that he offered $5,000 to a former Hammond official to persuade him to switch his support to Crains opponent, Judge Hans Liljeberg, and Wednesday's opinion says that accusation is unsubstantiated."

But Hughes accepted a finding that this discussion left Mr. Blount with the impression that respondent was attempting to change Mr. Blounts support from Judge Crain to Judge Liljeberg."

The ruling said Hughes violated multiple judicial canons, including a prohibition on partisan political activity and that his conduct and subsequent events flowing from it ... and brought the judiciary into disrepute" when Blount took the allegations to The Times-Picayune ' The New Orleans Advocate.

Hughes and Crain both were recused in the matter. The five other members of the court split 4-1 on the ruling. Chief Justice John Weimer dissented, saying the court should have held a public hearing on the case.

Wednesday's ruling said the case against Hughes was mitigated by several factors: Hughes didn't engage in a pattern of misconduct; the conduct didn't occur in a courtroom; Hughes was not acting in his official capacity and he cooperated fully in the judiciary commission's probe.

Hughes was elected to the Supreme Court in 2012. He was re-elected six years later.
CHICAGO (AP)  A victim of torture by Chicago police officers under the command of convicted perjurer Jon Burge has filed a federal lawsuit against city officials and Cook County prosecutors, lawyers for Jackie Wilson announced Wednesday.

Wilson claims he was tortured into making a false confession for the 1982 murder of two police officers. He spent 36 years in prison.

To say Im hurt is an understatement, Wilson said during a Wednesday news conference. All I am looking for is justice. All I have ever looked for is justice.

Murder charges against Wilson were dismissed in October 2020 near the end of his third trial for the killing of Officer Richard OBrien. Another officer, William Fahey, was also killed.

Wilsons lawsuit names former Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley, Burge, two former Chicago police superintendents, and several current and former Cook County prosecutors.

"Jackie Wilson will never be able to recoup the value of his life lost to the living hell he experienced at the hands of his government. While Jackie Wilson extraordinarily deserves and has earned this Certificate of Innocence, others deserve to pay for that they have so unjustly caused both directly and indirectly, Wilsons attorneys Flint Taylor and Elliot Slosar wrote when they filed the lawsuit.

Wilsons 1989 conviction was thrown out in 2018 by Judge William Hooks after allegations that Wilson had been tortured by Burge, who is now deceased, into confessing to a role in the shooting. Hooks was hearing evidence in Wilsons third trial.

Wilsons first conviction was overturned by an appellate court. At a retrial in 1989, he was acquitted of Faheys murder but convicted of OBriens.

Burge has never faced criminal charges for abuse. He was fired from the police department in 1993 over the 1982 beating and burning of Andrew Wilson. Andrew Wilson died in prison in 2007, having been tried and convicted twice in the deaths of OBrien and Fahey.

A spokeswoman for Chicagos law department said the city hasnt been served with the complaint and does not comment on pending litigation, a reaction shared by the states attorneys office.
COEUR DALENE, Idaho (AP)  A man charged in connection with the Fourth of July shootings at a Coeur d'Alene park two years ago has been sentenced to up to 10 years in prison.

Tyler Rambo was sentenced Wednesday for three counts of aggravated assault on a police officer, the Coeur d'Alene Press reported. First District Judge Cynthia Meyer said Rambo would be eligible for parole after serving at least five years.
NEWARK, N.J. (AP)  A man who carjacked a postal worker last year and held a box cutter against her neck, leaving the woman slightly injured, was sentenced Wednesday to nearly seven years in prison.

Wallace Johnson, 32, of Newark, will also have to serve three years of supervised release following his release from prison, according to federal prosecutors. Johnson had pleaded guilty in January to carjacking and assaulting a federal employee.
AUBURN, Maine (AP)  A man who hit a Massachusetts state trooper with a stolen Jeep is in jail in Maine, where he was hiding with a child rape suspect, officials said.

The man faces charges of assault and battery with a deadly weapon, negligent operation and leaving the scene of a personal injury crash, among others, according to the Massachusetts State Police.
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP)  The Minnesota Supreme Court on Wednesday indefinitely suspended the law license of frequent justice candidate Michelle MacDonald, affirming a referee's finding that she violated the state's rules of professional conduct by falsely impugning the integrity of a judge.

The high court also said MacDonald cannot petition for reinstatement for four months, calling it an appropriate penalty for repeating her misconduct by knowingly making false statements about the integrity of the same judge while still on probation in an earlier disciplinary case.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP)  Missouri lawmakers on Wednesday passed a bill to renew a critical Medicaid funding tax hours before the deadline set out by Republican Gov. Mike Parson.

The House voted 140-13 in favor of extending the tax on hospitals, nursing homes and other medical providers, despite a debate over Planned Parenthood funding that threatened to derail the effort.

The tax, which was set to expire Sept. 30, is used to leverage billions of dollars in federal Medicaid funding.

Republican House leaders in a joint statement said they're proud to have passed the tax renewal and fund vital programs that assist many of Missouris most vulnerable citizens.

Republican Rep. Cody Smith, the Budget Committee leader, told colleagues on the House floor that failing to renew the tax would have been catastrophic to the state's budget.

The tax is expected to bring in $1.6 billion directly from the tax in the upcoming fiscal year, which begins Thursday, according to an analysis by the Missouri Budget Project. That would draw down an additional roughly $2.9 billion in federal funding.

The nonprofit Missouri Budget Project analyzes state financial issues with an eye toward their impact on low-income residents.

Parson threatened $722 million in budget cuts if lawmakers failed to pass a bill renewing the tax by Thursday.

The tax renewal is typically uncontroversial, but the Republican-led Legislature failed to pass it during this year's regular legislative session after some anti-abortion lawmakers tried to use the legislation as a vehicle to block Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood, the morning-after pill and intrauterine devices.

Parson called lawmakers back to the Capitol last week to act on the tax renewal.

An effort to ban government funding for Planned Parenthood failed to pass the Senate last week, and the bill headed to Parson's desk also doesn't block that money.

House lawmakers on Wednesday also passed a longshot bill that included language stripping Planned Parenthood funding, but by then senators had already left the Capitol after passing the tax renewal last week.

Senate GOP leaders on Wednesday ended the special legislative session without taking up the measure, effectively killing it.

Democratic House Minority Leader Crystal Quade called the House bill a political stunt" to help Republican lawmakers win primaries and a waste of time for legislation that she had predicted is not going to cross the finish line.

She said debate on the House bill Wednesday was simply talking points for folks to cut commercials.

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This story has been corrected to show that GOP Senate leaders ended the special session Wednesday, not Thursday, and that Rep. Quade was referencing debate Wednesday, not Thursday.
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP)  The man who killed five people at a Maryland newspaper was calm, cooperative, did not seem confused and joked about an erroneous media report following his arrest during an interrogation, police testified Wednesday at a trial to determine whether Jarrod Ramos was legally sane at the time of the attack.

Prosecutors focused on Ramos behavior in video recordings shown in court on the trial's second day. The recordings included excerpts from his eight-hour interrogation, which shows Ramos initially unresponsive to questions but later joking with an interrogator about an erroneous news report.

Officer Wesley Callow, the Annapolis police officer who discovered Ramos with his legs sticking out from under a newsroom desk at the Capital Gazette, described him as very calm as he followed instructions during the arrest.

While Ramos often kept quiet, he maintained eye-contact and responded to questions, Callow testified, as Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess asked him about body-camera footage shown to jurors.

Attorneys also questioned Anne Arundel County Police detective Kelly Harding about Ramos' behavior during his interrogation.

Defense attorneys are contending that Ramos, who already has pleaded guilty in the slayings, is autistic and has multiple mental health disorders. They are arguing that while he did commit the murders he should not be held criminally responsible due to mental illness.

During his interrogation, Ramos did not show any repetitive or unusual behavior, Harding testified under cross-examination by David Russell, a prosecutor.

Russell noted a point in the interrogation where Harding was trying to get Ramos to say why he attacked the newspaper, and she said authorities also have issues with media reporting. Harding asked Ramos about an erroneous report in the hours after the shooting that he had mutilated his fingers to prevent authorities from taking fingerprints.

Where do they come up with that stuff?" Harding asked Ramos, who laughed and questioned whether Harding or a law enforcement colleague in the room was the anonymous source who provided the information.

He's able to make that joke with you? Russell asks.

Yes, Harding said.

Ramos also explained food allergies he has and calmly asked for a cheeseburger from Wendy's, which was brought to him during the interrogation.

Separately, the judge in the case criticized a defense attorney, Matthew Connell, after a mental health expert appeared to be reading from a script while answering his questions in court. After sending the expert and the jury out of the room, Judge Michael Wachs discussed the issue with attorneys.

Why do two of you have matching identical documents? Wachs asked Connell, adding: Youre walking a real fine line, Mr. Connell.

Prosecutors requested her testimony to be stricken. The judge later allowed Dr. Joanna Brandt, a psychiatrist, to return to offer limited testimony about mental health disorders and not criminally responsible cases.

At the end of court Wednesday, Judge Wachs said it remained an open question whether he would strike Brandt's testimony.

In large measure, the case will involve testimony from mental health experts called by the defense and prosecutors.

Defense attorneys say Ramos believed he was being intentionally persecuted after the newspaper wrote about a case in which he pleaded guilty to harassing a former high school classmate. Ramos also thought the courts were unfairly rejecting his defamation case against the newspaper, his lawyers say.

Under Marylands insanity defense law, a defendant has the burden to show by a preponderance of the evidence that he is not criminally responsible for his actions. State law says a defendant is not criminally responsible for criminal conduct if, because of a mental disorder or developmental disabilities, he lacked substantial capacity to appreciate the criminality of his conduct.
HOUSTON (AP)  A grand jury on Wednesday declined to indict a former Houston-area health department doctor who was accused of stealing nine doses of coronavirus vaccine from a damaged vial and administering them to family and friends.

Prosecutors had alleged that Dr. Hasan Gokal, who worked for Harris County Public Health, stole a vial of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine while working at a vaccination site at a suburban Houston park on Dec. 29. His attorney said Gokal was only trying to save lives by using doses that would have been thrown away.

But grand jurors in Harris County, where Houston is located, decided no criminal charges were warranted. The grand jurys decision comes after a judge in January dismissed a theft charge prosecutors had filed against Gokal.

In an interview with The Associated Press, Gokal, 48, said when he was confronted with the possibility that a life saving vaccine could be lost, he made the decision to find eligible people late at night who could be given the expiring doses.

I came as a practicing ER doctor into public health and as an ER doctor, I err on the side of life and thats how I chose to make my decision," he said. It was the right thing to do and it meant saving more lives."

Paul Doyle, Gokals attorney, criticized the decision by prosecutors to pursue charges, saying Gokal's supervisor had approved his plan for the leftover vaccine doses.

There is no other case that I know of in the country where a doctor went above and beyond and was persecuted for it," Doyle said.

Doyle said hundreds of medical professionals and others had written letters, sent emails and made phone calls in support of Gokal's actions.

We respect the decision of the grand jury in this and every case. Evidence, not public opinion, is the guiding principle of our work, the Harris County District Attorneys Office said in a statement.

Harris County Public Health, Gokal's former employer, declined to comment, referring all questions to the district attorney's office.

In January, prosecutors filed a misdemeanor theft charge against Gokal, who was fired after the health department conducted an internal investigation.

A judge later dismissed the theft charge, ruling there was no probable cause in the case. Harris County Court-At-Law Judge Franklin Bynum criticized prosecutors, saying their probable cause complaint was riddled with sloppiness and errors.

After the dismissal, prosecutors presented the case to the grand jury.

While he felt relief and happiness after learning about the grand jurys decision, Gokal said the ordeal has taken a toll on his family, as his wife's health has been impacted and his children's grades suffered.

Gokal said he would still like to work in some capacity in public health but worries the theft accusation has put this in danger. Since he was fired by the county health department, he has worked part time in the emergency departments at two Houston hospitals.

For the time being, Im not going hungry and my family is doing OK," he said.

Gokal said he and his family, including his two daughters and son, have been grateful for the outpouring of support they have received.

So many people reached out, helped in different ways, from GoFundMe (donations) to prayers and messages. Ive been so overwhelmed by that," he said.

In March, the Texas Medical Board dismissed an investigation against Gokal, saying he appeared to have administered doses of the COVID-19 vaccine to patients that were properly consented, in the eligible patient category, and they were given doses that would have otherwise been wasted.

The board also found there were no protocols for Gokal to follow and he relied on state guidance to not waste the vaccine.

In Wisconsin, a former pharmacist who purposefully ruined more than 500 doses of COVID-19 vaccine was sentenced to three years in prison on June 8.

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Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Philip Higuera, The University of Montana; Alexander L. Metcalf, The University of Montana; Dave McWethy, Montana State University, and Jennifer Balch, University of Colorado Boulder

(THE CONVERSATION) The heat wave hitting the northwestern U.S. and Canada has been shattering records, with temperatures 30 degrees Fahrenheit or more above normal. With drought already gripping the West, the intense heat has helped suck even more moisture from millions of acres of forests and grasslands, bringing dead vegetation in many regions to record-dry levels and elevating the fire danger to its highest categories.

With this combination of extreme drought, heat and dry vegetation, all it takes is a spark to ignite a wildfire.

Thats why firescientists, includingus, along with fire officials across the West, are urging people to skip the fireworks this Fourth of July and to avoid other activities that could start a blaze.

Humans start the most wildfires on July Fourth

For decades, one of the most striking and predictable patterns of human behavior in the western U.S. has been people accidentally starting fires on the Fourth of July. From 1992 to 2015, more than 7,000 wildfires started in the U.S. on July 4  the most wildfires ignited on any day during the year. And most of these are near homes.

With this years tinder-dry grasslands and parched forests, sparks from anything  a cigarette, a campfire, a power line, even a mower blade hitting a rock  could ignite a wildfire, with deadly consequences.

Year-round, humans extend the fire season by igniting fires when and where lightning is rare. And it is these very fires that pose the greatest threat to lives and homes: Over 95% of the wildfires that threatened homes in recent decades were started by people. Farther from human development  beyond the wildland-urban interface  the majority of area burned by wildfires in the West is still due to lightning.

Whether ignited by people or lightning, human-caused climate change is making fires easier to start and grow larger due to increasingly warm, dry conditions. The western U.S. saw these consequences during 2020s record fire season  and the 2021 fire season has the ingredients to be just as devastating.

Heres how to stay safe

Weve spent years studying the causes and impacts of wildfires across NorthAmerica and around the globe, and working with managers and citizens to envision how best to adapt to our increasingly flammable world. Weve outlined strategies to manage flammable landscapes and thought carefully about how communities can become more resilient to wildfires.

When asked What can we do? many of our suggestions require long-term investments and political will. But there are things you can do right now to make a difference and potentially save lives.

Around your home, move flammable materials like dried leaves and needles, gas and propane containers and firewood away from all structures. Clean out your gutters. If you tow a trailer, make sure the chains dont hang so low that they could hit the pavement and cause a spark. If you have to mow a lawn, do it in the cooler, wetter morning hours to prevent accidental sparks from igniting fires in dry grass. Dont drop cigarette butts on the ground.

This Fourth of July, skip the fireworks and campfires  instead, catch a laser light show, make smores in the microwave and celebrate by keeping summer skies smoke-free for as long as possible.

Many communities are banning personal and public fireworks and voluntarily canceling fireworks displays because of wildfire concerns.

Adapting to increasingly uncharted territory

The fingerprints of human-caused climate change are all over the current drought, the recent heat waves, and what could become another record-setting fire season. Research highlights how human-caused climate change increases the frequency and magnitude of extreme events, including drought, wildfire activity and even individual extreme fire seasons.

Adapting to longer, more intense fire seasons will require reconsidering some traditions and activities. As you celebrate this Fourth of July, stay safe and help out the firefighters, your neighbors and yourself by preventing accidental wildfires.

This article was updated July 1, 2021, with more scientists joining.

[Understand new developments in science, health and technology, each week. Subscribe to The Conversations science newsletter.]

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/skip-the-fireworks-this-record-dry-4th-of-july-over-150-wildfire-scientists-urge-the-us-west-163561.
ATLANTA (AP)  Two police officers responding to reports of gunfire in one of Atlanta's most famous neighborhoods were ambushed Wednesday, leaving one of them shot and wounded and a suspect dead, authorities said.

When the officers went into an apartment building in the city's Midtown area to investigate, they were immediately approached with gunfire" when the elevator door opened, Deputy Atlanta Police Chief Charles Hampton Jr. said.

The officers returned fire, killing one suspect, police said.

The wounded officer was in stable condition at a hospital and talking to fellow officers and family members, Atlanta Police Chief Rodney Bryant said.

It is only through their training and by the grace of God that these officers did not come upon a more tragic situation, Bryant said.

A bystander reported hearing a barrage of shots and said he later saw an officer, bleeding badly while being rushed from the scene on Peachtree Street, a major thoroughfare in the bustling Midtown district.

Atlanta Mayor Keisha Lance Bottoms, speaking at the news conference with police officials, praised the officers for their swift actions.

These officers were ambushed, the mayor said.

Atlanta police officer C.J. Johnson said law enforcement had asked the public to avoid a stretch of Peachtree Street, where numerous officers and police vehicles converged afterward.

Patrick Walker, who works as a concierge for the apartment building, told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution that he heard a barrage of shots.

Walker was at the building's front desk when he heard the shots and saw police come running through the doors. Employees and others in the lobby tried to find safety, he said.

Walker then saw an officer being carried out by his arms and legs, bleeding so bad, he told the newspaper.

Authorities did not immediately identify the officer or the person who was fatally shot.

Anthony Crawford, a U.S. Army veteran, said he was at a nearby cafe when he heard what sounded like semi-automatic gunfire. His heart started racing.

I just took off running, he said.

He said he later saw the wounded officer taken out on a gurney with his face bandaged. He was sitting upright and responding.

He looked like he was doing alright, he said.

The shooting occurred in a prominent area of Atlanta about one block north of the iconic Fox Theatre and the Georgian Terrace Hotel, where cast members of Gone With The Wind stayed when the movie made its Atlanta premier.

Later Wednesday, Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp wrote on Twitter that he and his family join all Georgians in praying for the Atlanta police officer who was shot in the line of duty today.

Georgia stands with the brave men and women who protect us every day, Kemp added.

The Georgia Bureau of Investigation says it is investigating the shooting at the request of the Atlanta Police Department. No further details were immediately released.

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Martin reported from Marietta, Georgia.
ROME (AP)  Pope Francis has agreed to meet in December with Indigenous survivors of Canada's notorious residential schools amid calls for a papal apology for the Catholic Churchs role in the abuse and deaths of thousands of native children.

The Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops said Francis had invited the delegations to the Vatican and would meet separately with three groups  First Nations, Metis and Inuit  during their Dec. 17-20 visit. The pope will then preside over a final audience with all three groups Dec. 20, the conference said in a statement Tuesday.

The Vatican didnt confirm the visit Wednesday, but the Holy See's in-house news portal reported on the bishops' statement. The Canadian bishops said the trip was contingent on the pandemic and that the delegations would include survivors of the residential schools, Indigenous elders and youths, as well as Indigenous leaders and Canadian bishops.

In recent weeks, investigators using ground-penetrating radar have reported finding hundreds of unmarked graves at the sites of two residential schools for Indigenous children. The discoveries  more than 600 graves in one school, 215 bodies in another  have revived calls, including from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, for the pope to make a formal apology.

From the 19th century until the 1970s, more than 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend state-funded Christian boarding schools in an effort to assimilate them into Canadian society. Thousands of children died there of disease and other causes, with many never returned to their families.

Nearly three-quarters of the 130 residential schools were run by Roman Catholic missionary congregations, with others operated by the Presbyterian, Anglican and the United Church of Canada, which today is the largest Protestant denomination in the country.

The government formally apologized for the policy and abuses in 2008. In addition, the Presbyterian, Anglican and United churches have apologized for their roles in the abuse.

The Canadian bishops didnt mention the demand for a papal apology in the statement, saying only that Francis was deeply committed to hearing directly from Indigenous peoples.

It said he had personally invited the delegations of Indigenous and would use the meetings for expressing his heartfelt closeness, addressing the impact of colonization and the role of the Church in the residential school system, in the hopes of responding to the suffering of Indigenous peoples and the ongoing effects of intergenerational trauma.

A papal apology was one of 94 recommendations from Canadas Truth and Reconciliation Commission, but the Canadian bishops conference said in 2018 that the pope could not personally apologize for the residential schools.

Pope Benedict XVI, who retired in 2013, met with some former students and victims in 2009 and told them of his personal anguish over their suffering. But he offered no apology.

After last months discovery of the 215 bodies, Francis too expressed his pain and pressed religious and political authorities to shed light on this sad affair. But he didnt offer an apology, either.

The Argentine pope, however, has apologized for the sins and crimes committed by the Catholic Church against Indigenous peoples during the colonial era conquest of the Americas. He begged forgiveness during a 2015 visit to Bolivia and in the presence of Indigenous groups, suggesting that a similar in-person mea culpa might be in the offing in December.

The Canadian bishops said they hoped the meetings would lead to a shared future of peace and harmony between Indigenous peoples and the Catholic Church in Canada.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP)  San Jose officials have passed the first law in the nation that requires gun owners to carry liability insurance and pay a fee to cover taxpayers costs associated with gun violence.

The new law was unanimously approved by the City Council on Tuesday, a month after a disgruntled San Jose rail yard employee fatally shot nine of his co-workers and then himself at the rail yard, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Mayor Sam Liccardo praised the measures and said gun owners who do not comply with the new rules shouldnt have guns.

We wont magically end gun violence, but we stop paying for it, Liccardo said in a statement.

The new law is part of a 10-point gun control plan that Liccardo unveiled following the May 26 mass shooting at the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority rail yard.

Officials have not decided how much gun owners will be required to pay in fees. They would be used to cover the direct costs of gun violence to city taxpayers for services that include police response, ambulance transport and gunshot-related medical treatment for victims.

The fees would be determined upon completion of a gun harm study from the Pacific Institute on Research and Evaluation, a group that promotes individual and public health, welfare, and safety.

In a preliminary report released ahead of the vote, the institute estimated that gun-related homicides, suicides and other shootings cost San Jose around $63 million annually. A more thorough study is expected to be completed in the fall.

Jaime Bellemare of Brady United Against Gun Violence, the national nonprofit that advocates against gun violence, said there have been other similar laws proposed but San Jose is the first city in the country to have passed one.

One challenge to enforce the law will be in determining how to administer the new liability insurance and fee requirements.

City officials know how many guns were purchased in San Jose since 2001, Liccardo said, but the city has no gun registry and no way to track gun owners.

Earlier this month, city lawmakers passed a new law requiring all retailers to record video and audio of all firearm purchases. San Jose became the largest California city with such a rule.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  South Carolina's highest court tossed out two fees in Greenville County with the justices saying Wednesday that courts across the state won't accept fees that are actually taxes in attempts to circumvent the Legislature.

The unanimous Supreme Court ruling found illegal a $10 fee increase for each vehicle registered in Greenville County and a $15 fee to improve communications between public safety agencies. Both were approved in 2017.

Three Republican Upstate General Assembly members sued over the new user fees. State law requires the Legislature to approve a new tax, but not a new fee.

User fees have to apply uniformly for a service or public improvement. Lawyers for Greenville County argued their residents get the benefits of better roads and the improvements to public safety communications would increase property values countywide.

The justices rejected both arguments.

While Greenville County residents who use the roads every day may derive more benefit from having the roads maintained in good condition, it is still the same benefit every driver gets, no matter where their car is registered, the justices wrote in their opinion.

They also said the argument about improving property values through better emergency services was irrelevant because all decisions made by governments should do that.

What governing body would attempt  and what electorate would accept  an act that is calculated to damage property value? the justices wrote.

In a concurring opinion, Associate Justice John Kittredge said he understands local governments want to call the methods they use to raise revenue fees instead of taxes, but the courts can't tolerate letting them circumvent state law.

I believe todays decision sends a clear message that the courts will not uphold taxes masquerading as service or user fees,'" Kittredge said.

The two fees make up about $18 million of the $319 million budget the Greenville County Council passed Tuesday night, The Post and Courier newspaper reported.

Greenville County officials did not immediately comment on the ruling.

The lawsuit was filed by Reps. Mike Burns of Taylors and Garry Smith of Simpsonville and Sen. Dwight Loftis of Greenville. All three men are Republicans.
NEW ORLEANS (AP)  A Louisiana Supreme Court ruling means a man will have to continue to register as a sex offender even though his video voyeurism conviction was set aside after he served probation.

The high court, in an order dated Tuesday, refused to reconsider a May ruling in the case of Mark A. Davidson.
WESTPORT, Mass. (AP)  State officials are warning beachgoers that the venomous Portuguese man-of-war has been spotted in the waters off Horseneck Beach in Westport.

The Department of Conservation and Recreation on Tuesday warned the public of the sea creature's presence and said it has posted purple flags at the beach to indicate the presence of dangerous marine animals.
GENEVA (AP)  The Swiss executive branch on Wednesday announced plans to purchase three dozen advanced F-35 fighter jets from U.S. manufacturer Lockheed Martin, which beat three rivals to land a contract worth over 5 billion Swiss francs ($5.5 billion).

The Federal Council recommended that parliament buy 36 F-35A fighters, which came in at a cost of 5.1 billion francs when bids were presented in February. That was well under a cap of 6 billion francs approved by Swiss voters in a referendum last fall, a government statement said.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  A Tennessee man pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal arson charges in connection with damage to the Metro Courthouse that followed protests last year in Nashville.

Wesley Somers, 26, of Hendersonville, entered his plea in U.S. District Court and faces five to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced Dec. 1, the U.S. attorney's office said.
CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP)  A Wyoming man accused of burning a toddler with a butane torch, killing him and disposing of his body in an apartment complex dumpster in February has had his bail set at $1 million.

The bail was set for Wyatt Dean Lamb, the boyfriend of the boy's mother, after he made his first court appearance Tuesday in Cheyenne when he was formally informed of the charges he faces.

Lamb, 27, was not asked to enter a plea to one count of first-degree murder and 10 counts of child abuse in the death of 2-year-old Athian Rivera.

Lamb could face the death penalty but prosecutors have not said if they plan to seek it.

Athian went missing on Feb. 19, triggering a search that ended about two hours later with the discovery of his body wrapped in a sheet, blanket and five trash bags in a dumpster near the apartment where he lived, according to a police investigative affidavit filed in court.

The boy's injuries included numerous abrasions and bruises on his head, back, chest, belly and arms  and burns to his groin consistent with a butane torch found in the apartment where the boy lived, according to a summary of the coroner's findings in the affidavit.

The details about the boys injuries and cause of death were not revealed until this week, when the police affidavit was made public in court.

Lamb had been living with the boys mother, Kassandra Orona, and her three children in the apartment, Orona told investigators, according to the affidavit.

Orona and Lamb used the two-burner butane torch to smoke marijuana, she told investigators.

The size and shape of the torch's burners appeared very similar to the shape and size of the burns on Athian, the affidavit said. The boy died two to four hours before he was found of blunt force trauma, lack of oxygen to the brain, or both, the coroner concluded.

Orona told police that Lamb was watching her three children the night before her son was killed while she worked a sandwich shop shift, court documents said.

She told investigators she arrived home at about 3:30 a.m. and was later awakened by Lamb, who wanted her to drive her daughter to school a few minutes away because the girl was running late, according to the documents.

After Orona and Lamb got back, Orona told investigators that she went back to bed. Lamb woke her up just after 12 p.m., saying Athian was missing, according to her account provided to investigators.

Lamb told police he returned to his apartment after Orona got home from work but returned by taxi later that morning when Orona called and said Athian was missing. Police said they went to an address where Lamb previously lived but that he had moved out in August 2020, court documents said.

And several taxi companies contacted by investigators reported no record of a trip that day to Oronas apartment, police alleged in court documents.

Lamb was arrested and jailed after Athian's body was found but on unrelated charges. He faced bond revocation related to a 2020 charge of felony strangulation of Orona and with misdemeanor property destruction and interfering with a peace officer.

Orona had missed a hearing in that case last summer and had been prohibited from living with Orona, the Wyoming Tribune Eagle reported.

Lambs attorney, Ericka Smith, didnt immediately return a phone message Wednesday seeking comment her client's case.

___

This story has been corrected to show the suspect was the boyfriend of the boy's mother, not a girl's mother.
The Midland ISD Family Support Center has been reaching out to the districts homeless student population, sharing food and hygiene boxes, as well as encouragement, during the summer break.

Every six weeks, liaisons from the Family Support Center reach out to homeless students using any information they have about a students last whereabouts. Recently, the center connected with 19 students, and so far, has conducted more than 50 unique visits. Its an effort driven by a desire to make sure students not only have meals and other critical supplies, but also to encourage them to stay in school.

School stability can decrease mobility, and school is often the one thing in their lives thats stable, said Jill McCall, executive director of Student Services.

McCall and other support liaisons especially seek students with a record of truancy. Homeless students have a high dropout rate, and truant students have a high risk of not graduating.

Graduation is something we help these students grab onto and work toward, McCall said. Truancy can be an indicator of a child at risk of circumstances such as human trafficking.

The kids are glad to see us, said Chalace Phillips, Family Support Specialist and liaison. We improve their quality of life a little bit, and its the little things that have big impacts.

Family Support Specialist and liaison Theresa Barrera noted that students have received books as part of their supplies.

Homeless children are identified in a number of ways:

- They lack a fixed, regular and adequate nighttime residence;

- They might share housing with others because of loss of housing, economic hardship or a similar reason;

- They might live in motels, hotels, trailer parks or campgrounds because of a lack of alternative adequate accommodations;

- They might live in emergency or transitional shelters;

- They might have been abandoned in a hospital;

- Their primary nighttime residence might be a public or private place that is not designated for or ordinarily used as a regular sleeping accommodation for human beings;

- They might live in cars, parks, public spaces, abandoned buildings, substandard housing, bus or train stations, or similar settings;

- They might be migratory children.

MISD currently has about 270 students enrolled who are identified as homeless and more than 350 who are inactive but at some point during the school were identified as homeless.

The Family Support Centers homeless student outreach has not gone unnoticed. The Texas Education Agency recently recognized and commended the centers efforts during a monthly meeting.

For the centers two-person specialist team, aiding students and families isnt a job. Its a passion, Phillips said. Its worth it to help one person, but its so cool to be able to help so many.

Currently, the center serves about 80 families regularly. We dont know their stories, and we dont judge, Barrera said. Were focused on their here-and-now issues. Seeing families in difficult life situations can be trying, but doing this makes my heart grow, she said. I feel what they feel, but helping those in need makes you feel good.

The Family Support Center began operation this year originally as a referral service but has since expanded to provide supplies to students and families in need. All supplies are made possible through donations made either in-person or via the centers Amazon wishlist.

The Family Support center hosts walk-in hours every Thursday from 2 to 6 p.m. at the District Service Center, 615 W. Missouri Ave.

If you or someone you know needs assistance, you can contact the Family Support Center at 432-240-1520 or familysupportcenter@midlandisd.net.
Kamala Harris shone in the Senate when she was asking questions in hearings. That is where the idea that she might have presidential possibilities flourished. Democrats, observing her sure-footedness, were led to think, Here is the next Barack Obama.

But the shine is off Harris and the tarnish is setting in.

When Harris ran for president, the only evidence of that hearing-room confidence was when she attacked front-runner Joe Biden in the Democratic debates. She implied he was the proprietor of old ideas and hinted that he wasnt up to date on matters of race.

So, it was extraordinary that Biden chose Harris to be his running mate. There were other strong contenders among those who had sought the Democratic nomination, and many more who hadnt run for president. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, is the one who should have been chosen: a tough, well-qualified woman of her times.

Biden, in choosing Harris, heard the music of diversity which has been turned up of late. He felt the need to make history and to show that he was in accord with the values of today.

But he must have had some dealings with Harris when he was vice president; observed her in action in the Senate and heard about the difficulty she had organizing her small Senate staff. He must have done the political equivalent of due diligence. And he must have been cognizant of the damage Sarah Palin did to John McCains candidacy in 2008.

Whereas Obama appeared not to think of himself as being of color, Harris clings to it. Her journey intrigues her; Obamas didnt intrigue him. He traveled it with purpose and dignity.

Now it must worry the president to learn, as the rest of us have, that Harris seems to have no ideas. Her public remarks are flip at worst and off-the-shelf liberal at best.

What does she see as the future for America? This isnt laid out or even discernible. We need to know her vision because she is vice president to an old man  the metaphorical heartbeat away.

Harris and Biden have chosen to believe that solidarity at the top is an important message, hence the frequent references in White House announcements to the Biden-Harris Administration. In public, Harris is often at Bidens side. But she often seems to be standing there as his girl Friday, not as the second-in-command.

In his well-reported piece in The Atlantic, Edward-Isaac Dovere hunted for the real Harris and didnt appear to find her. He notes that she asks good, hard questions, like a good prosecutor, but as she dodges reporters, they arent able to ask good, hard questions of her.

It isnt a given Democrats will back Harris if Biden turns out to be a one-term president which given his age, 78, is a reasonable supposition. But ditching her would be hard because it might cost the party its progressive wing and keeping her might cost them as dearly in the center.

Republicans are salivating at the thought of running against Harris. She is the bright sun in their darkening sky.

The immigration assignment seems to have been thrust on Harris. It is unlikely she sought it. She doesnt appear to have grasped it with relish. Save for brief visits to Guatemala and Mexico, she has done and said little.

Harris is finally looking at the chaos on the border herself. She needs to present a better idea than championing what amounts to nation-building in Central America. That has been tried and tried again and failed.

She isnt going to solve the pain inherent in the immigration challenge, but it is a wonderful opportunity for her to give us her view of America, and what we might expect from a President Harris. Another assignment that could be thrust upon her.

Llewellyn King is executive producer and host of White House Chronicle on PBS. His email is llewellynking1@gmail.com. He wrote this for InsideSources.com.
Marion, IN (46952)

Today

Sunshine along with some cloudy intervals. High around 90F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Clear to partly cloudy. Low 69F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
Florida, FL (34429)

Today

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 90F. Winds light and variable..

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Mostly cloudy skies. Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low 71F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 60%.
Florida, FL (34429)

Today

Cloudy in the morning with scattered thunderstorms developing later in the day. High 89F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies. Scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low 72F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.
Canada has had a top half-year point in terms of the numbers of invitations issued to Express Entry candidates.

Express Entry Q2 2021: Canada breaks another record Canada has had a top half-year point in terms of the numbers of invitations issued to Express Entry candidates.

Express Entry Q2 2021: Canada breaks another record Canada has had a top half-year point in terms of the numbers of invitations issued to Express Entry candidates.

Express Entry Q2 2021: Canada breaks another record Canada has had a top half-year point in terms of the numbers of invitations issued to Express Entry candidates. Shelby Thevenot Mohanad Moetaz Aa Accessibility Font Style Serif

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The second quarter of 2021 was another record-breaker in the Canadian immigration world. Canada has invited 44,591 immigration candidates to apply for permanent residence through the Express Entry system.

The number of Express Entry candidates invited this past quarter tops the previous record from the first quarter of 2021, which was 44,124.

Express Entry Q2 2021: A record breaking quarter! Learn about how the second quarter of 2021 was a RECORD-BREAKING quarter.Fill out a free immigration assessment form for assistance: https://www.canadavisa.c

As of June 30, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued a total of 88,715 Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residents, smashing the previous record in 2017.

Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

What is Express Entry?

Express Entry is the name of Canadas online system for managing immigration applications. It is the most popular immigration process. In 2021 alone, Canada has set a target of welcoming 108,500 new immigrants through Express Entry-managed programs, more than any other immigration program.

The Express Entry system is used for applications to three Federal High Skilled immigration programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Canadian Experience Class, and the Federal Skilled Trades Program.

Using this system, foreign nationals can submit a profile to the Express Entry pool to be considered for an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence.

IRCC decides on who gets ITAs by using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS is a scoring matrix. It ranks profiles in the Express Entry pool based on a candidates skilled work experience, education, age, and other factors. Skilled work is determined based on the National Occupational Classification (NOC).

IRCC issues ITAs to the highest-scoring candidates in the pool through regular Express Entry draws. After candidates receive an ITA, they can apply for Canadian immigration directly to the final decision-makers at IRCC. Although in Canada immigration is a shared responsibility between the federal and provincial governments, only the federal immigration department, IRCC, can approve permanent residency status.

Q2: Large draws, low CRS cutoffs

Every single draw since the start of 2021 has been program-specific. Typically, the pattern has been one Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) draw followed by a Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw.

IRCC has been doing this in an effort to admit Express Entry candidates who are most likely in Canada, avoiding hurdles that come with inviting candidates who are overseas. In May, about 95 per cent of CEC candidates were in Canada, according to IRCC data. About 30 per cent of PNP candidates were in Canada during the same time frame.

IRCC held more draws in the second quarter, 14 compared to 10. The department had taken a break from holding draws in the first quarter after inviting every CEC-eligible candidate in the pool.

Furthermore, the draw sizes were greater. Aside from the giant February 13 draw, Canada started holding larger draws in Q2. Some CEC draws went up to 6,000 ITAs starting in April. In late June, a PNP draw breached the 1,000 mark for the first time ever.

With bigger draw sizes came lower CRS cutoffs. Since IRCC was taking more off the top, it allowed CEC candidates in the 300s to start receiving invitations. For CEC candidates, the CRS requirement has been on a downward slope since May. The latest draw only required candidates to have a CRS of 357. Without the February 13 draw, this would have been the lowest CRS requirement of any CEC draw ever.

Express Entry in the next six months

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) candidates have not been included in the draws so far this year. Prior to the pandemic, FSWP candidates received nearly half of all ITAs.

Because of COVID-19, Canada has focused its efforts on providing pathways to permanent residents to immigration candidates who are already in the country. This way people would not run into as many coronavirus-related hurdles, such as service closures and Canadas travel restrictions.

Many FSWP candidates are overseas because Canadian work experience is not an eligibility requirement as it is for the Canadian Experience Class. About 95 per cent of FSWP candidates are overseas, according to IRCC data from May.

Last year, IRCC also took a break from holding all-program Express Entry draws, which include FSWP candidates. This was before Canada had any approved COVID vaccines and travel restrictions were even tighter. After Canada went into lockdown in March 2020, IRCC held the first all-program draw during the pandemic on July 8.

Now, public health measures affecting travellers are starting to roll back. June 21 was a big day for three reasons. One, the federal government lifted quarantine requirements for exempt travellers who were fully vaccinated with a Canada-approved vaccine. Two, the list of exempt travellers expanded to include approved permanent residents. And three, the feds lifted the flight ban on direct air travel between Canada and Pakistan. Although the measure still remains in place for flights from India, it is set to be revisited by July 21.

Furthermore, Canada has already reached a milestone of partially vaccinating more than 75 per cent of its population over age 12. More than 22 per cent of eligible Canadians are fully vaccinated. The government is aiming to fully vaccinate 75 per cent of the eligible population by the end of July.

With all this in mind, we can expect to see some all-program draws in the latter half of 2021. FSTP candidates may also get a draw of their own this year. If not, it will be the first time since 2017 that Canada does not hold at least one draw for these skilled trades candidates. About 56 per cent of FSTP candidates were in Canada this past May. Due to pent-up demand, these candidates outnumbered Provincial Nominee Program candidates in the pool.

Throughout the pandemic, the Canadian government has reiterated the need for immigrants to help support economic recovery. Nearly all Express Entry candidates end up with jobs in their first year after landing, according to an IRCC report. The Express Entry system is specially catered to skilled immigrants who can support Canadas demand for labour  and its working.

Get a Free Express Entry Assessment

 CIC News All Rights Reserved. Visit CanadaVisa.com to discover your Canadian immigration options.
AWS, Microsoft, and Google each have mainframe migration programs. The cloud versus mainframe debate has been running for years, but theres a reason why cloud service providers are nibbling at the mainframe user market, well actually, several reasons.

The global compute market is expected to reach $505.45 billion in 2025 at a CAGR of 8% and 2021 is estimated to have a CAGR of 10.9% over 2020. In comparison, the mainframe market has a CAGR about half of that. This translates to movement away from mainframe to Linux-based systems.

Mainframe users tend to be incumbents with data-heavy and highly critical applications (think banking). Innovation in cloud is faster, isnt it? How do these incumbents fend off disruptors, for example, credit card companies market share versus the significant growth in mobile wallets, shopping cart instalment apps, and electronic payment applications?

Companies placing customer experience strategies first outperform laggards (those placing other strategies first, such as cost) by 80%. Further, coming out of 2020, two-thirds of CEOs said they are more confident in the growth trajectories of their companies over the next three years than they were at the beginning of the year. Therefore, speed of innovation is critical.

There is an increasing shortage of mainframe-skilled workers, while for mainframe development skills and customer-specific application knowledge skills the gap is increasing. The same digital demands around customer experience are driving unrelenting demands on mainframe development. It's estimated only 37% of outgoing mainframe talent has been replaced over the last five years.

As mainframe utilization lessens, the costs associated with running mainframe systems increases, in an already criticality, but at a huge operating cost world.

Targeting from cloud providers is often driven by their particular flavour of cloud being expanded, with solutions like AWS Outposts, Googles Anthos, and Azure Stack that bring the cloud closer to the mainframe rather than the other way around. Organizations are looking to leverage hybrid cloud models like SaaS/PaaS that can enable to scale cost-effectively, with improved application development capabilities. The future will favor solutions that facilitate the adoption of these hybrid models. For this reason, AWS has partnered with Micro Focus and Google acquired Cornerstone. Its hard for IBM to argue the case given that by the end of 2021, IBM will spin off a sizable portion of its managed infrastructure services business to focus on cloud computing.4

Its a tough call for mainframe users. A lot of businesses still rely heavily on their mainframes to power mission-critical workloads. Moving them to alternate platforms without a proper investment of funds, skillsets, and time can be a costly  and a risky process if done incorrectly. Does this mean mainframe users are stuck with it and wont be able to realize the benefits of a cloud everywhere strategy?

Why offload from mainframe

Here are the key reasons to make the move  you might have more!

Digital transformation: More than 85% of Fortune 500 CEOs are planning to or have already begun to accelerate their digital transformation programs after the experiences of 2020/21. Two core reasons are the disruption already experienced, but also the recognized opportunities provide the vision, and it is the digital disruption of new customer experiences that is bolstering revenue streams. For this, agility is required.

Operating costs: The hardware, operating system, database, and third-party application costs associated with mainframes are high, and they continue to increase.

Footprint and power costs: Standards-based hybrid cloud platforms now match the performance of mainframes while using less power and having a smaller footprint.

Availability of skills: Staffing needs are much easier to meet when you run workloads on hybrid cloud platforms. As the mainframe operations workforce gets older, these skills may no longer be available.

Inflexibility: Mainframes have traditionally been run in a hosted IT environmenta structure that makes it very expensive to scale.

Choice of applications: Thousands more up-to-date applications are available on Intel-based servers than on mainframes, offering greater choice to meet IT and business needs.

Utilization: Hybrid platforms utilize a range of virtualization tools that enable you to enhance consolidation of workloads and improve utilization levels.

What needs to move?

No two organizations are the same, each has its own IT landscape and degree and maturity of cloud adoption. The degree and extent of migration benefits can vary from one organization to another. If you are a mainframe user, there would be major nervousness at undertaking a comprehensive lift and shift. A CIO using mainframe would argue certain workloads are better suited to each system. Firstly, hey should frankly ask, what is in my mainframe?" Theres an honesty about recognizing when the last deep assessment of the application library took place. Perhaps Y2K? Mainframe migration should start with looking at what you currently have, understanding the relationships and inter-dependencies.

The identification of the right migration strategy is crucial for the success of modernization. A strategy begins with discovery. What do you have? What is your outlook? Do you have a target destination? After these assessments have been made, start developing the stepping stones to get you to the place you want to go  while mapping it, implementing, and deploying it. A method to think about this is to break it down:

Business discovery: top-line catalogue of what IT services are required for the business

Application discovery: application functions and detailed components to provide the IT services

Influences discovery: detailed information on all elements that provide each component and function

Then consider them in two groupings:

Need to work - Run the current business, day-to-day business needs

Need to win - Innovate and create competitive advantage

Armed with this information, you can determine how to prioritize workload for migration.

How to undertake the migration

Bear in mind that everything on a mainframe has an equivalency elsewhere. For example, on the IBM mainframe, you have the Independent Service Processor, in HPE GreenLake, you have GreenLake Central. If your migration strategy is correctly planned, anything can be migrated. Its a question of addressing the notion of the ease and impact of moving any given application when measured against criticality, interdependencies, and a host of other measures.

Moving off mainframe requires deep and accurate understanding. This article began with the concerted attack on mainframe environments from cloud service providers. But they own the environment, not the how to expertise. What is astonishing is the recent pre-announcement from AWS regarding the launch of the AWS Mainframe Migration category within their Migration Competency. They are claiming this migration expertise through their partners with mature practices and a track record of successful mainframe migrations.

Lets take a closer look at that expertise, Infosys, Deloitte, and Tata are listed as consulting partners, which is fair, but they are not the companies being placed as qualifying for the AWS Mainframe Migration Technology category. AWS pre-announced four partner companies. A quick LinkedIn search tells me that one of them has 38 employees, one was a UK-focused software company until a US acquisition two years ago, a third has 28 employees, and the fourth is Micro Focus  a $9 billion merge-spin from HPE and its pedigree.

Offloading from mainframe requires deep and proven experience. Im biased, but in comparison, HPE has been doing it for 25 years. Its Mainframe Migration Factory Center of Expertise uses proven migration methodology, automated tools, and frameworks for solution design and migration execution. The global team is approaching 500 platform migration projects, mostly of them critical applications, including migrations of up to 85,000 MIPS. And, for those looking to migrate to reduce cost, which is by far the primary driver, the average achieved by that migration base is 70% reduction in TCO, with an ROI averaging less than 24 months.

Where to migrate

Mainframes are known for workloads with a lot of data gravity, latency, application dependency, regulatory compliance, and they lack the agility of the modern cloud experience. Now you can bring cloud speed, agility, and an as-a-service model to where your apps and data are located. Today, organizations can operate with one model and one experience across distributed clouds, for apps and data at the edge, in colocations and their own data centers.

While the hybrid model seems to be the way forward, there are methodologies around how to follow a cloud everywhere model. As we have seen, allocating tasks to each platform relies on an accurate assessment of the workload of a particular business. This approach is more effective that an "all or nothing" embrace of either cloud or mainframe systems and relieves the CIO of wrestling with that decision.

However, today, this is just the beginning of the journey  it's also about going beyond that and being able to consume advanced services.

Mainframe utilization is no different from any other platform. Organizations don't run at 100% utilization every day, all day. With HPE GreenLake, and bear in mind, this is in any cloud environment, on or off-premises, you only pay for what you use. By only using additional capacity when you need it, you dont have to keep that capacity in reserve and pay for it when you dont need it.

It goes beyond that. How about unlocking data value? Organizations can leverage the HPE GreenLake framework, for example, to expose dormant data and move it into into AI and machine learning to see trends and react to what you now know. When we think about turning data into action, it really is about new functionality and new capabilities to do machine learning and AI.

Are cloud service providers wrong?

Are cloud service providers wrong to attract mainframe users? Absolutely not, there are valid reasons to draw users to the cloud-side. Mainframe users by now must be querying what the advantages are, but I would suggest that, with their minds open, and to quote the oft incorrectly-quoted proverb, they can eat their cake and have it  it just happens to be colored green.

See theMainframe to HPE GreenLake " infographic here.

For more information about HPE GreenLake visit www.hpe.com/GreenLake

For further information on how to engage with a Digital Next Advisor contact digitaladvisor@hpe.com

Absolute Reports: Global Mainframe Professional Survey Report 2021, Forecast to 2026

 For Mainframe-Reliant Organizations, A Perfect Storm Is Coming. Forbes Technology Council April 2020

 KPMG Survey August 2020

4wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_mergers_and_acquisitions_by_IBM, 5www2.deloitte.com insights technology focus areas to accelerate digital transformation.

___________________________________

About Ian Jagger
Blume assists customers in removing carbon emissions from the whole freight cargo lifecycle as a supply chain sustainability leader.

FREMONT, CA: Blume Global, a primary logistics and supply chain solution provider, has achieved carbon neutrality thanks to the world's largest internationally integrated multi-modal logistics network.

Blume teamed with the South Pole, a renowned climate solutions supplier and carbon project developer, to examine Blume's carbon footprint and offset 1,805 tonnes of Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions to reach carbon neutrality. Blume invested in a rooftop solar power project in New Delhi and a forest protection project in Kariba, Zimbabwe, to mitigate these emissions.

Blume's carbon footprint reduced as a result of the projects, but that is only the beginning. Blume and the South Pole have collaborated on a greenhouse gas emissions reduction strategy that includes direct and indirect emissions from Blume-owned or controlled sources and emissions from company operations, including travel, commuting, and trash disposal.

Blume Global is not only setting an example by becoming carbon neutral. The organization strives to be a part of every logistics business's supply chain sustainability dialogue, assisting stakeholders in making better, greener freight transportation decisions and demonstrating how to use technology to minimize greenhouse gas emissions in the supply chain.

Blume customers use the domestic reload and street turn solutions to reduce empty miles in the supply chain by arranging container movement to minimize empty repositioning or matching outgoing and incoming transportation requirements. These technologies reduce empty miles by 20-30 percentage, resulting in considerable reductions in carbon dioxide emissions.

"Removing carbon emissions from the supply chain requires orchestrating across multiple companies and departments, which is extremely challenging," said Pervinder Johar, CEO of Blume Global. "We are working to empower the entire supply chain ecosystem  from the smallest dray carrier to the largest shippers  to eliminate waste and reduce fossil fuel consumption. By becoming carbon neutral ourselves, we're leading by example, showing supply chain stakeholders around the globe the importance of creating a greener, cleaner logistics industry."
Vivienne Westwood is a forward-thinking, customer-first business and, as a result, has gone to great lengths to ensure it has a progressive CDP to help serve its customers.

FREMONT, CA: Mapp, the international provider of insight-led customer experiences, has announced it has been appointed by global fashion brand Vivienne Westwood to provide the companys Customer Data Platform (CDP). This platform will drive its digital communication strategy forward while delivering personalized and targeted customer communications.

Vivienne Westwood, one of the last independent global fashion brands, is about more than producing clothes and accessories. With a forty-year heritage, the company is as renowned for raising awareness of environmental and human rights issues as it is for its imaginative designs. The company now has stores in 63 locations worldwide, including a strong presence in the UK, 19 stores in South Korea, and a further 12 in both China and Hong Kong.

The company selected Mapp Cloud as its Customer Data Platform not only because of the technology offered but the high level of support and expertise on hand to drive the digital communication strategy forward. Vivienne Westwood understands the value of its customers and the importance of effectively engaging with customers online as well as offline in its stores. As a result, it has implemented Mapp partner Eyos (formerly yReceipts) to handle its in-store digital receipts. As a by-product of all transactions taking a digital receipt, Mapp Cloud receives valuable store transactional data and has a direct channel for obtaining customer opt-ins. This helps build the personalization story and tailor marketing communications.

Ilaria Morelli, Digital Marketing Manager at Vivienne Westwood, said: Since working with Mapp Cloud we have seen excellent results. We can now unify all our customer data from previously disparate sources and with Mapp Intelligence we are getting insight-led customer data at our fingertips which is driving business change. We look forward to developing our activity with Mapp over the coming months and years.

Vivienne Westwood has a strong business focus on personalized and targeted communications. As a result, it is now using all aspects of Mapp Cloud, including its onsite behavioral tool, to deliver personalized product recommendations and key revenue-driving campaigns such as abandonment. Vivienne Westwood is also taking an insight-led approach to its strategic decisions and, as a result, has implemented the Mapp Intelligence solution to drive actionable retail insights and tailor cross-channel marketing communications accordingly. This aligns the business against KPIs and provides a detailed analysis of channel performance and building tailored RFM models against its customer set.

Victoria Stephens, Customer Success Manager, at Mapp said: As a business, we love working with iconic brands and it has been hugely exciting to leverage the full Mapp Cloud technology for Vivienne Westwood which has accelerated revenues coming through its digital channels. We are continuing to innovate and implement programs that are tailored to Vivienne Westwoods customers based on intelligent insights and have many exciting plans upcoming. Watch this space!
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New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio has heralded this season as the Summer of New York City, in which the five boroughs will come roaring back from their pandemic-induced slumber, but the highly contagious new delta variant of COVID-19 threatens the mayors vision for the city.

Research indicates that being infected with the new coronavirus strain could lead to an increased risk of hospitalization. Experts familiar with the disease are also predicting that this much more aggressive version of the virus, which is spreading twice as fast as other strains, is on track to become more dominant than the original COVID-19 virus. As of June 12, 23% of new COVID-19 cases in New York City have been identified as the delta variant, though the number of new coronavirus cases remain fairly low. However, it is still unclear how deadly the delta variant is, compared to other versions of the virus.

Public health experts now fear that those who have yet to be vaccinated against COVID-19 are at great risk of contracting the new variant and hope people will continue to follow safety guidelines, such as wearing masks and social distancing, even though most legal requirements for masks or social distancing have been relaxed.

It is very concerning, Dr. Robyn Gershon, clinical professor of epidemiology at New York Universitys School of Global Public Health, told City & State. We've come so far for us to slide back again, it's unthinkable to go back to that time with the ambulances every few minutes.

Those most at risk of falling prey to the delta variant are those who have not been vaccinated. If you're unvaccinated, you will get infected, and you will have a higher probability of ending up in the hospital, Dr. Theodora Hatziioannou, a virologist at Rockefeller University, told Gothamist. The vaccinated people might get infected too, but they will deal with this a lot better.

Thus far, 50.7% of the citys population has been fully inoculated against the virus, according to city data, which means that about half of the citys residents are at higher risk of contracting the delta variant. Throughout the state, 53.9% of the population have been fully vaccinated, according to state data.

Vaccines made by Pfizer and Moderna are considered to be highly effective at preventing infection from most COVID-19 variants. Both Pfizer and Moderna have also said that their vaccines are very effective against the delta variant, however, no vaccine is 100% effective and with a much more transmissible strain, more break-through infections of vaccinated people will occur. According to NBC 5 Chicago, Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady reported Tuesday that a recent study showed the Pfizer vaccine was 84% effective against the variant after two doses, as compared to 95% effective against earlier strains in clinical trials.

In Israel, which has vaccinated 59% of its population, it has been reported that vaccinated people became infected with the new delta variant. The country re-implemented its indoor mask mandate on Friday to avoid further outbreaks.

Already the delta variant has made its way to 85 countries since it was first discovered in December 2020. It accounts for 90% of new cases in the United Kingdom and 20% of new cases in the United States.

While there is cause for concern, experts do not believe that the U.S. will see another wave of outbreaks like it did during the winter but they anticipate smaller outbreaks will occur within areas that have lower rates of vaccination. States with lower vaccination rates, such as Mississippi and Missouri, are already seeing a spike in cases caused by the delta variant.

The World Health Organization issued new guidance last week, advising vaccinated individuals to continue to wear masks indoors, social distance and avoid crowds, due to how infectious the delta variant is.

We have to reduce our own exposure, so we get exposed to less virus, which is the infectious dose, and we have to ensure were wearing masks and doing other things to prevent us inhaling particles that will cause us to be sick, Michael Ryan, executive director of WHOs Health Emergencies Programme, said during a WHO meeting on June 25.

It was also noted at the meeting that evidence suggests that the delta variants aerosol droplets contain higher levels of the virus, compared to the original strain of the coronavirus, which may be what makes it more infectious.

On Monday, Los Angeles County health officials recommended vaccinated people continue to wear masks indoors to prevent spreading the virus, despite having relatively high vaccination rates, due to concerns over the variant.

At the moment, neither the city nor New York state have plans to reinstate any COVID-19 restrictions but they are strongly encouraging people to listen to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and to get inoculated against the virus if they havent yet.

Unvaccinated individuals are required to continue to follow CDC guidelines which includes wearing a mask when in public indoors and when unable to socially distance outdoors, Erin Silk, a spokesperson for the states Department of Health, told City & State in an emailed statement. Those who are unvaccinated have the greatest risk of becoming seriously ill, which is why the New York State Department of Health urges all eligible New Yorkers to get vaccinated as soon as they are able.

De Blasio has also said that the city is monitoring the delta variant and new infections closely and will alter its guidance if needed.

Our healthcare leadership believes that the best answer to the variant is just keep deepening the vaccination effort, the mayor said during an appearance on WNYCs The Brian Lehrer Show on Friday. But Brian, we're going to watch it carefully. There's no evidence at this moment that it changes the trajectory. But if anything occurs, when we have to make adjustments, we will make them quickly.

Still, public health experts and epidemiologists fear that the longer it takes for more people to get vaccinated, the more inevitable it is that newer and even more detrimental versions of the virus will emerge and threaten the progress that has been made in containing and mitigating it.
For years, Les Highpublisher of The News Reporter in Whiteville, North Carolinahas been concerned about the state of local journalism in his part of the state. You look at high-poverty, rural areas like ours, on the states Southeast border, and newspapers just dont have the capacity to do the type of investigative and in-depth reporting that we need to do and people deserve, High said. To address the gap in enterprise coverage and support the local newspapers that remain in his four-county region, High founded the Border Belt Reporting Center, an investigative nonprofit. The center aims to finance hyper-local investigations and in-depth reporting, and provide it to local outlets for free. Stories will also run on the nonprofits website. Weve drawn a very clear line, High says. Were not competitors; were partners.

The four counties covered are not quite news deserts: Bladen County has one newspaper, as does Scotland county; Columbus County has two. Robeson County has one local newspaper in addition to The Pine Needle, the student newspaper at the University of North Carolina Pembroke. To Highs mind, its critical that the countys newspapers succeed, and he wants the Border Belt Reporting Center to be part of that success.

The reporting centers approach is driven in part by the demographics of the region. Across the four counties, around a quarter of residents live below the poverty line. They each rank near the bottom in statewide health outcomes. In Robeson County, 48 percent of children are living in poverty. In three of the four counties, the percentage of residents with internet access is at or below 60 percent. Across the four counties, an average of only 18 percent of households are using the internet at the FCCs stated basic broadband speed. Broadband is really expensive, High says. For those who can get it, broadband is probably the best way to access [our coverage] because its free. But at the same time, we can reach print by providing stories to the newspapers.s

At present, the reporting center, which launched in March, has one full-time editor and a reporter who splits her time between the reporting center and The News Reporter; the center also depends on the work of freelancers and plans to continue expanding their team. They also plan to conduct listening sessions within these communities to rebuild trust, particularly among racial minority residents, for whom trust in local news is especially low.

The Border Belt Reporting Centers model is built for a particular community with its specific needs, but High and his team hope that if theyre successful, communities with similar challenges might be able to replicate their model. In a world where a significant portion of nonprofit funding goes to communities where wealth is already concentrated, the Border Belt Reporting Center has gathered support to supplement pre-existing reporting in four high-poverty, rural communities. Not only do they hope to provide local community members with more accountability reporting; they want to keep local papers alive, because they know that access to local print newspapers is especially valuable in low-income communities.

Were looking at specific areas that have a lot of needs, High says. This way, we can really focus on those needs.

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EXPLORE THE TOW CENTERS COVID-19 CUTBACK TRACKER: Over the past year, researchers at the Tow Center have collected reports of a wide range of cutbacks amid the pandemic. Now theres an interactive map and searchable database. You can find it here.

Below, more on recent media trends and changes in newsrooms:

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Lauren Harris is a freelance journalist. She writes CJR's weekly newsletter for the Journalism Crisis Project. Follow her on Twitter @LHarrisWrites.
In recent days, extreme heat has baked swaths of the western part of North America. Portland, Oregon, recorded its highest ever temperature on Saturday, then again on Sunday, then again on Monday. Seattle repeatedly broke its own heat record. So did the nation of Canada; yesterday, Lytton, a village in British Columbia, was as hot as Death Valley. I tried to round up some more startling statistics and anecdotes to include here, but there are so many I couldnt choose between them. In press coverage, headlines have used the word unprecedented a lot. Data teams have visualized the temperatures in striking charts and maps. Stories have spotlighted images of streetcar power cables melting and roads buckling; many others have featured images of people cooling off in fountains, or at the beach. Dr. Genevieve Guenther, the director of the group End Climate Silence, called the latter a subtle form of climate denial. She suggested that editors instead use images of emergency personnel helping heat-exposure victims.

The climate crisis is indeed making extreme heat worse, butas is so often the case with coverage of weather eventsnews organizations havent uniformly done a great job of prominently communicating this context. Readers including Michael E. Mann, a climate scientist at Penn State, criticized as irresponsible a New York Times story that didnt make the climate connection. (The article was subsequently updated; John Schwartz, a Times climate reporter, who didnt write the story in question, acknowledged the climate omission, but called it an increasingly rare occurrence in the papers extreme-weather coverage.) Media Matters for America, a progressive watchdog group, reported that, over the weekend, broadcast and cable TV networks ran thirty-five segments on heat in the Pacific Northwest, only eight of which mentioned climate. ABC contributed half of these mentions, across eight segments; weekend news shows on PBS, NBC, and MSNBC each aired fewer segments and didnt reference climate in any of them. Other stories have buried the climate connection near the bottom rather than foregrounding it.

ICYMI: Permanence and loss at the Capital Gazette

Some observers have aired another familiar gripe about the heat coverage: that if records were being smashed on the East Coast of the US, wed be hearing a lot more about ita function of a long-standing regional bias. (Temperatures are climbing in the east, but not to the same extent.) The situation in the west has been covered extensively by East Coastbased news organizations; to the extent that it hasnt dominated the national news cycle, its had to compete with other worthy stories, not least the condo collapse in Surfside, Florida. Still, the heat is more important than some of the other storiesspeculation about, and noises out of, Trumpworld, for instancethat have eaten up recent TV time. And plenty of coverage that could have referenced the heat prominently hasnt done so. In recent days, much ink has been spilled on friction between President Biden and lawmakers from both parties with whom he has been negotiating infrastructure spending; climate is at the heart of that story, but you wouldnt always know it. Among this weeks Sunday shows, NBCs Meet the Press and ABCs This Week each mentioned the word infrastructure nearly thirty times, without mentioning the extreme heat once. As Jennifer Rubin, a columnist at the Washington Post, put it Monday, The gap between what the mainstream, D.C.-based media covers and what concerns ordinary Americans is never greater than when the media decides to hyperventilate over a process story.

None of this is to say that recent climate coverage has been a monolith. Also on Sunday, CNNs Jake Tapper asked Mitt Romney, the Republican Utah senator, about the link between the climate crisis and drought (albeit not explicitly in the context of bipartisan infrastructure talks); on CBS, John Dickerson had a similar exchange with Jon Tester, the Democratic Montana senator. Stories from the local level to the international level have linked heat and infrastructure talks. On his MSNBC show Monday night, Chris Hayes linked not only heat, climate, and infrastructure, but also the condo collapse: The way we generate energy, the way we use energy, and the way we harden ourselves against climate disaster so that, I dunno, streetcar cables dont melt: those are the things at the center of infrastructure, he said. We are now entering an era in which the pressures on every built structure will be increased by the driving story of the century: the warming planet. Last night, Hayes again criticized Biden for scaling back the climate portion of his bipartisan infrastructure deal in a testy interview with Kate Bedingfield, the White House communications director. Bedingfield accused Hayes of selling Bidens deal short; Hayes replied, Im just a cable news host. Its the planet, and how much carbon it can take in the atmosphere, and the fact that we have hard targets we have to hit. (Biden hopes to pass more climate-specific spending on a party-line basis. Whether and when that will happen is unclear.)

Again, this varied, but generally inadequate, coverage picture, and the debate around it, is a long-term phenomenon. Amid extreme heat earlier this month in Colorado, Chase Woodruff, a reporter with Colorado Newsline, analyzed nearly a hundred and fifty local stories and found that only six of them mentioned the climate crisis; sharing this data point in her climate newsletter, HEATED, Emily Atkin noted that the systemic failure of news outlets to inform their readers about the climate crisis in real time is not new, nor exclusive to Colorado, and blamed the phenomenon on an overabundance of journalistic caution in linking individual weather events to a broader context, and on fear of backlash. Atkins analysis itself drew some pushback: NPRs climate editor suggested that Atkins reference to that outlets cautious approach in 2018 was outdated; a journalist in Colorado who wrote a heat story blamed stretched local-news resources for the omission of nuance about the climate. This is, for sure, a big problem. But we shouldnt kid ourselves that every climate oversight would be fixed merely by better funding for news: outlets that are currently well-resourced are guilty of them now, and some news organizations clearly fear that linking extreme weather to climate will alienate readers. Reporting by Corey Hutchins has shown that dynamic at work among rural publishers in Colorado. Even national outlets fear that factual climate coverage will come across as overly political. Some among them declined to sign a recent statement, coordinated by CJR and The Nations Covering Climate Now initiative, endorsing the phrase climate emergency on the grounds that it smacked of activism.

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Nor should we avoid broad criticisms of climate coverage for fear of upsetting individual outlets and reporters; almost everyone could do better, and too many powerful news organizations still routinely make bad mistakes to be able to call them all out individually. It would be great to get to the point where we can flip the exception and the normand, in recent years, it feels like we have moved closer toward it, with the urgency of climate coverage generally improving. But we arent there yet, and nothing underscores that fact more than the inadequate climate connection across prominent coverage of weather events. It might perhaps help all of us if we stop conceiving of extreme heatand attendant droughts, fires, and so onas discrete events in a single place or region, and cover it instead as an unbounded, global fact of life, focusing, as The Guardians Arwa Mahdawi suggested this morning, less on the unprecedented and more on the emerging precedent. Theres no way of telling that story without the climate crisis.

Below, more on climate coverage:

All the right words have already been said: Writing in her Substack newsletter this week, the journalist Sarah Miller, who has been experiencing high temperatures in Nevada City, California, recalled a recent conversation with an editor who suggested that Miller might write something about climate change, on the grounds that fire season is coming up. Miller replied that fire season is already here, and told the editor that she doesnt have anything to say about climate change anymore, other than that it is making her miserable. What kind of awareness quotient are we looking for? Miller wrote. What more about climate change does anyone need to know? What else is there to say?

Writing in her Substack newsletter this week, the journalist Sarah Miller, who has been experiencing high temperatures in Nevada City, California, recalled a recent conversation with an editor who suggested that Miller might write something about climate change, on the grounds that fire season is coming up. Miller replied that fire season is already here, and told the editor that she doesnt have anything to say about climate change anymore, other than that it is making her miserable. What kind of awareness quotient are we looking for? Miller wrote. What more about climate change does anyone need to know? What else is there to say? The condo collapse: Amid ongoing efforts to explain the Surfside condo collapse, Oliver Milman writes, for The Guardian, about the possible role of climate change in the disaster, and whether the severe vulnerability of south Florida to the rising seas may lead to the destabilization of further buildings in the future; experts told Milman that, in general terms, the integrity of buildings will be threatened by the advance of salty water that pushes up from below to weaken foundations. Chelsea Harvey, of E&E News, also assessed the question: Experts say its exceedingly rare for a structure to become so unsafe without anyone noticing, Harvey writes, but a steady increase in coastal flooding can render whole communities gradually unlivable.

Amid ongoing efforts to explain the Surfside condo collapse, Oliver Milman writes, for The Guardian, about the possible role of climate change in the disaster, and whether the severe vulnerability of south Florida to the rising seas may lead to the destabilization of further buildings in the future; experts told Milman that, in general terms, the integrity of buildings will be threatened by the advance of salty water that pushes up from below to weaken foundations. Chelsea Harvey, of E&E News, also assessed the question: Experts say its exceedingly rare for a structure to become so unsafe without anyone noticing, Harvey writes, but a steady increase in coastal flooding can render whole communities gradually unlivable. Climate and weather: Last week, Sara Fischer and Andrew Freedman, of Axios, shared data comparing the time that cable channels have devoted to weather and climate, respectively, since 2017the gap between the two has narrowed, but theres still more coverage of weather. Some network newscasts still lead their nightly broadcasts with reports of major weather disasters, without ever mentioning climate changes role, Fischer and Freedman note. They also mention a number of new initiatives across the media industry, including Covering Climate Now, that are working to narrow the gap.

Last week, Sara Fischer and Andrew Freedman, of Axios, shared data comparing the time that cable channels have devoted to weather and climate, respectively, since 2017the gap between the two has narrowed, but theres still more coverage of weather. Some network newscasts still lead their nightly broadcasts with reports of major weather disasters, without ever mentioning climate changes role, Fischer and Freedman note. They also mention a number of new initiatives across the media industry, including Covering Climate Now, that are working to narrow the gap. On the subject of CCN: This morning, in collaboration with Covering Climate Now, The Guardian launched Climate crimes, a new series investigating the role of the fossil-fuel industry in the climate crisis. An unprecedented number of lawsuits filed by US states and cities argue that fossil fuel companies should pay for the damage they have helped to cause to the planet. The Guardians series will examine these attempts to hold the industry accountable and investigate the tactics used by the companies to elide their own role in global heating. It will also interrogate the central question that emerges from these lawsuits: is the climate crisis a crime scene?





Other notable stories:

ICYMI: A Return to Independent Eritrean Journalism

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Jon Allsop is a freelance journalist. He writes CJRs newsletter The Media Today. Find him on Twitter @Jon_Allsop.
ATHENS, Greece (AP)  A painting donated to Greece by Pablo Picasso will go back on display at the newly renovated National Gallery in Athens following its recovery more than nine years after it was stolen and the arrest of a 49-year-old construction worker as a suspect.

Authorities said Tuesday that Picassos Womans Head and a work by the Dutch master Piet Mondrian, Stammer Mill with Summer House, were stolen in January 2012 from the National Gallery in Athens.

They were recovered, wrapped in plastic sheets and hidden in a dry river bed outside Athens after the suspect was detained for questioning.

The Picasso work of a female in cubist style was donated to Greece in 1949 with a dedication in homage to the Greek people for their resistance against the German-led occupation in World War II.

This painting is of special importance and emotional value as the great painter personally dedicated it to the Greek people for their struggle against fascist and Nazi (occupying) forces and bears his hand-written dedication, Culture Minister Lina Mendoni said.

That is why this painting was impossible not only to sell but even to put on display as it would be immediately identified as being stolen from the National Gallery. The National Gallery was recently reopened after a major renovation that lasted nine years and was delayed for months due to the pandemic. Mendoni did not say when the recovered works would go back on display.

The suspect is a Greek man who is believed to have acted alone, police said. They were investigating his claim that a third stolen work, a drawing of a religious scene by Italian 16th-century painter Guglielmo Caccia, was damaged and discarded shortly after the 2012 break in.

Police did not give details on how the suspect and paintings were located, but noted that they had been moved to the dry river bed recently, apparently following reports in the Greek news media that authorities were close to making an arrest.

Recovering the works of Picasso and Mondrian is a major success, Public Order Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis said. The police worked systematically, in a collaborative and creative way, and they should be commended for that. At the new National Gallery, the (paintings) will be given the place they deserve.

About the photo: A cubist female bust by the Spanish painter Picasso, left, and a 1905 representational oil painting of a riverside windmill by the Dutch painter Mondrian are displayed by police officers, in Athens during a press conference, on Tuesday, June 29, 2021. Greek police says they have recovered two paintings by 20th century masters Pablo Picasso and Piet Mondrian, nearly a decade after their theft from the countrys biggest state art gallery in Athens. (AP Photo/Petros Giannakouris)

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
FARMERSVILLE, Texas (AP)  Two people were killed and three injured in a natural gas pipeline explosion in Texas, officials said.

The deadly blast happened around 4 p.m. Monday at an Atmos Energy facility in Collin County near Farmersville, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) northeast of Dallas. Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner said the explosion appeared to be an accident but he invited the FBI to assist in the investigation.

It was not immediately known what caused the blast.

Those involved in the explosion were contractors for Atmos Energy, and the Collin County Sheriffs Office said Monday night the contractors were employees of Bobcat Contracting and Fesco Petroleum Engineering. Two of the injured were taken to a hospital.

The workers were servicing a gas line when the explosion happened, Farmersville police Chief Mike Sullivan told WFAA-TV. The Princeton and Farmersville fire departments, Collin County EMS and multiple other local law enforcement agencies responded to the blast.

Our prayers are with those who were affected by the events in Farmersville, Texas, today, Atmos Energy said in statement. Out of respect for their privacy, we are not releasing any names or additional details at this stage, the statement added.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
A group of North Carolina restaurants and an industry group are asking the North Carolina Supreme Court to bypass the Court of Appeals and take up an insurers appeal of a trial court decision that found coverage was owed for COVID-19 business interruptions.

Because this court has never ruled on the scope of the phrase physical loss or physical damage, and because the issue has taken on sudden and widespread relevance for the North Carolina business community, definitive guidance from this Court is urgently needed, states a petition for discretionary review filed last Thursday by attorneys for North State Deli.

North State was the lead plaintiff in a group of 16 restaurants that filed a lawsuit seeking coverage for COVID-related business income losses. It was a rare winner in a battle that has been fought at courthouses across the country in the past year, mostly decided in favor of insurers.

Durham County Superior Court Judge Orlando F. Hudson Jr. ruled on Oct. 7 that the government orders that closed restaurants to prevent the spread of coronavirus amounted to a direct physical loss that was covered by the policy issued by Cincinnati Insurance Co. He granted partial summary judgment in the restaurants favor.

Cincinnati appealed the decision, prompting North State to ask the Supreme Court to skip the intermediate steps and take up the case directly. The North Carolina Restaurant and Lodging Association filed an amicus brief supporting the motion.

The association said hotel room revenues dropped 41% in 2020 from the previous year and restaurants sales were down 29% on average.

In short, expeditious resolution of this litigation will have a ripple effect on resolving coverage disputes  and potentially saving businesses in North Carolina, the brief says.

A litigation tracker maintained by the University of Pennsylvania shows that North State was the only plaintiff to win among sixcases decided in North Carolina so far. Insurers have had similar successes in most states.

Attorney Gagan Gupta, with Paynter Law in Raleigh, said he pleaded North States case differently than many other policyholder attorneys. The lawsuit alleges that the government closure orders themselves caused the physical loss of property, while other attorneys pleaded that damage was caused by SARS-CoV-2 being present on the premises.

North Carolinas closure orders were also different than closure orders in other states, Gupta said. Business owners were prohibited from accessing their properties in North Carolina, while in other states the orders prohibited customers from entering.

Gupta said most of the 16 restaurants he represents were forced to close for at least six months and up to one year. Collectively they have likely lost $15 million in business income, he said, acknowledging that he does not yet have a formal accounting.

Gupta said he has been told that the Supreme Court receives about 30 bypass petitions such as his in a year but grants only three to six of them. He said hes hoping that the significance of the question and the urgent need for businesses to recoup lost income will persuade the justices that a direct appeal is appropriate.

He said it doesnt hurt that Cincinnati Insurance itself supported a petition asking the Ohio Supreme Court to intervene in a similar case that was filed at the U.S. District Court in Youngstown. The Ohio high court in October voted 4-3 to accept a certified question from the federal judge to clarify the meaning of direct physical loss.

Gupta said he doesnt know where the insurer will stand on his petition for direct state Supreme Court review. Attorneys for Cincinnati did not reply to a request for comment.

The University of Pennsylvania litigation tracker shows that appeals in 160 COVID business interruption cases have been filed at federal Circuit Courts of Appeal and 29 have been filed in state appellate courts. None of the appellate courts has yet issued a decision, but some have heard oral arguments.
The city of Akron will celebrate its 47th year of free summer dance performances in Akron city parks through the 14th annual Heinz Poll Dance Festival in late July and early to mid-August.
Beachwood, OH (44122)

Today

Considerable clouds early. Some decrease in clouds later in the day. High 91F. Winds WSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A mostly clear sky. Low 72F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
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Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 29) The Philippines is set to receive one million doses of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines from Japan, with the donated shipment expected to arrive next month, the country's ambassador said on Tuesday.

"One million doses of AstraZeneca vaccines from Japan are expected to arrive in Manila tentatively on July 8," Japan's Ambassador to the Philippines Kazuhiko Koshikawa announced through his social media account.

Koshikawa added that the nation is "working double time" so that the donation reaches the Philippines without delay.

Finance Secretary Carlos Dominguez III revealed in a Senate inquiry earlier this month that the Philippines is among the countries receiving vaccine donations from Japan. The East Asian nation also pledged donations to Vietnam, Indonesia, Malaysia, and Thailand.

Latest government data show that the country had already administered more than 10 million vaccine doses. The government earlier targeted to inoculate up to 70 million Filipinos by the end of the year.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 30) -- The country recorded 4,509 new COVID-19 cases on Wednesday, raising the nationwide tally to 1,412,559, the Department of Healths latest bulletin showed.

Of the total, 48,649 are active cases or people currently sick - with 90.6% experiencing mild symptoms, 4.1% asymptomatic, 1.5% critical, 2.2% in severe condition, and 1.63% having moderate symptoms.

The last time active cases were below 50,000 was in June 23, when 49,862 were reported.

Meanwhile, the death toll rose to 24,662 after 105 more patients succumbed to the coronavirus. The number of COVID-19 survivors also climbed to 1,339,248 with 5,839 new recoveries.

The DOH said seven duplicates were removed from the total case count - including five recoveries.

It added that one case was found to be negative and has been removed from the nationwide tally. It was considered as another recovery.

There were also 49 cases previously reported as recoveries that were reclassified as deaths after final validation.

The DOH noted that all laboratories were operational last June 28, but six laboratories were not able to submit their data to the COVID-19 Document Repository System. Based on data in the last 14 days, the six non-reporting laboratories contribute, on average, 1.6% of samples tested and 2.2% of positive cases.

The daily positivity rate or percentage of people who tested positive stood at 11.3% based on 35,816 tests done on June 28. The World Health Organization recommends that positivity rates must be below 5% as higher numbers may mean high transmission.

No new cases among Filipinos abroad were reported on Wednesday, according to the Department of Foreign Affairs. To date, there are 20,773 infections among overseas Filipinos with 1,229 deaths and 12,261 recoveries.
Metro Manila (CNN Philippines, June 30)  The country's COVID-19 case total of over 1.4 million is the highest among all countries in the Western Pacific region, according to the World Health Organization.

The WHO on Wednesday tallied 1,408,058 infections in the Philippines - a day behind the Department of Health's count of 1,412,559.

The WHO said the Philippines' case total puts it at the top spot among 24 countries that reported COVID-19 infections in the Western Pacific. The tally is nearly double the cases confirmed in Japan, which ranked second with over 798,000. Malaysia ranked third with 745,703 cases, followed by the Republic of Korea with 156,961, and China with 118,503.

The entire region has a total of 3,553,482 confirmed COVID-19 cases with 54,580 fatalities, the WHO added.

A Bloomberg report has also placed the country at the second to the lowest spot among 53 nations in economic recovery. Bloomberg's Covid Resiliency ranking looked into the COVID-19 numbers, quality of life, and new element "Reopening Progress," as the world shifts to rolling out vaccination programs to put a stop to the health crisis.

The Philippines ranked 52nd out of the 53 largest economies with a score of 45.3 - right before Argentina which got 37. Despite this bleak report, Malacanang said the country is bouncing back.

The Palace announced new quarantine classifications this week - with Metro Manila remaining under general community quarantine (GCQ) with "some restrictions," along with Rizal and Bulacan. Laguna and Cavite are in the same category but with "heightened restrictions." Researchers earlier supported the extended GCQ status due to the threat of the highly contagious Delta and Delta Plus COVID-19 variants.
The Central Pennsylvania Festival of the Arts is hosting several music performances at the Presbyterian Church in State College from July 8-10, even though the rest of the festival will remain virtual.

The performances of varying genres start on July 8 with the Tussey Mountain Moonshiners, Below Centre, Kristi Jean and Her Neer Do Wells, followed by a performance by Callanish.

On July 9, the performances begin with Ramalama, JT and the Denicats, Natascha and the Spy Boys, and The River Drivers.

July 10, the final day of performances, starts off with AAA Blues Band, Poetry in a Time of Pandemic hosted by poet Julia Spicher Kasdorf, a performance by Jon Rounds, and finally a performance by Bill Carter and the Presbybop Quartet.

Wristbands can be purchased for $10 and are valid for all three days, according to an Arts Fest spokesperson.

Audiences are welcome, but there is a maximum capacity of 250 people allowed into the church, the spokesperson said.

MORE BOROUGH COVERAGE

+2 Penn State skateboarders react to State Colleges intended skate park installation Penn State skateboarders can rejoice as State College will soon build a new skate park where
Gov. Tom Wolfs administration arrived in State College Wednesday morning to reveal the amount of funding local restaurants will receive through the COVID-19 Hospitality Industry Recovery Program.

Wolfs officials met with Kim Wheeler, the SEDA-Council of Governments executive director, and Centre County Commissioner Mark Higgins at RE Farm Cafe at Windswept Farm to announce the grants.

With $145 million to disperse throughout Pennsylvanias hospitality industry, Wolf allocated part of the relief funding to the local restaurants and hotels of State College. The businesses chosen to receive the first round of grants include:

Penn Kebab

Icy Snow KTV Inc.

Lions Den

Brazilian Munchies Food Truck

The Naked Egg Cafe

RE Farm Cafe at Windswept Farm

Cozy Thai Bistro

Fraser Centre Residential LLC

Nittany Budget Motel

Yogurt Express

Juanas

The Stevens Motel

Carnegie Inn & Spa

The Waffle Shop

Cafe 210 West

Collegiate Subs Inc.

Kimchi Korean Restaurant

Bagel Crust

Sharkies Bar & Thrifty Bottle Shop

Chopstick Express

Pho 11 Vietnamese Restaurant

Champs Downtown

Irvings Bagels

Crazy Boil

Xian Grill

Margaritas Pizzeria & Italian Cuisine

The businesses selected to receive the second round of funding include:

Phyrst

Taste Buds Kitchen

Green Bowl

Yallah Foods LLC

Cafe Wow Inc.

MORE BOROUGH COVERAGE
The National Weather Service issued a severe thunderstorm warning Tuesday for the Centre County area including State College, according to a University Park alert text.

The warning will be in effect from 9:30-10:15 p.m. Tuesday.

Hazardous wind gusts up to 60 miles per hour and damage to roof, siding and trees can be expected.

On Interstate 80, this includes areas between the Snow Shoe and Lamar exits, from mile markers 154 to 170 and mile markers 73 to 85 on Interstate 99.

MORE CAMPUS COVERAGE
Many job advertisements for remote work are now coming with an asterisk: Coloradans need not apply.

Please Note: Job cannot be performed in the state of Colorado, reads an active online advertisement for a remote sales solution architect at Concentrix. Disclaimers like that are becoming more common now after a Colorado law requiring employers to disclose salary ranges went into effect earlier this year.

The goal of the Equal Pay for Equal Work Act, which was passed in 2019, was to crack down on sex-based wage discrimination. In addition to mandating businesses announce employment advancement opportunities, job openings, and the pay range for openings, it also authorizes fines between $500 and $10,000 per violation  a move that appears to be causing companies to try and get around it by seeking employees in only 49 states.

IBM intends this job to be performed entirely outside of Colorado, read another recent advertisement for a 13-month residency program. Work location is flexible if approved by the Company except that position may not be performed remotely from Colorado, blared a job posting by Johnson & Johnson.

The Colorado Department of Labor and Employment reportedly opened an investigation into a complaint against a company whose remote work job posting disqualified Coloradan applicants, Scott Moss, the director of the departments division of labor standards and statistics, told the Washington Examiner without revealing which company was being investigated. He said on Friday that the investigation was nearing closure.

Colorado has offered guidance that stipulates employers need not include salary ranges for remote roles that will be performed entirely outside the Centennial State or for remote jobs posted by a company that doesnt have any employees in Colorado.

"So there's no reason, and its puzzling, for entirely out-of-state employers to limit their own talent pool by excluding Coloradans, just to avoid being covered by a law that already doesn't cover them," Moss said.

However, salary information would have to be posted for remote roles if a company has any presence in the state. The law has caused a bit of confusion in the pandemic-era remote work landscape, but Moss said salary-posting compliance isn't hard.

He said in a statement that "it doesnt require totally rewriting job postings, only adding into job postings just one phrase or sentence with an expected pay range and only a general description of benefits. Thats probably why all employers weve found to be in violation promptly fixed their posting, and major employers we spot-checked before and after the law took effect did start posting pay information, without the prod of a complaint or investigation."

Some companies, such as alcohol delivery company Drizly, have gotten around the mandate by offering two separate job postings, one targeting remote workers in Colorado and another aiming to reach potential workers in all of the other states.

Doing so requires considerable additional time and effort, the company told Vice. However, we believe that this approach best allows us to avoid confusion for candidates outside of CO and ensure that Coloradans have the same opportunities as everyone else to learn about and apply for remote work positions at Drizly.

The law does give a bit of flexibility to employers about how to craft salary ranges. It stipulates that compensation ranges must extend from the lowest amount of money to the highest amount that the business in good faith thinks it could pay for that position. Employers are allowed to end up paying the individual who is hired outside of that set range as long as the estimate was done in good faith.

The new law has faced some legal headwinds. The Rocky Mountain Association of Recruiters filed a lawsuit against Moss of the Department of Labor and Employment, arguing that regulations associated with the law are a First Amendment violation. This week, though, a federal judge ruled against halting the enforcement of the act.

In response to the myriad remote work advertisements that single out Colorado, a website was created that catalogs the companies and job openings that seek workers from states other than Colorado. Openings from dozens of companies are featured on ColoradoExcluded.com.

The Washington Examiner reached out to Johnson & Johnson, Concentrix, and IBM for comment but did not receive responses by the time of publication.
Gov. Jared Polis on Wednesday signed into law bills that aim to support workers and communities reliant on jobs in coal mines and factories and bring a Front Range rail project one step closer to reality.

After attending a ribbon-cutting ceremony in Manitou Springs earlier in the day, Polis stopped at the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers office in Pueblo to put his signature on House Bill 1290.

The state stimulus legislation from House Majority Leader Daneya Esgar, D-Pueblo, Rep. Perry Will, R-New Castle, Senate Majority Leader Steve Fenberg, D-Boulder, and Sen. Bob Rankin, R-Carbondale, puts $15 million toward a 2019 just transition plan devised to assist communities and workers whose coal-related industries and jobs "are subject to significant economic transition."

But House Bill 1314, sponsored by then-Speaker of the House KC Becker, D-Boulder, said the plan would be funded with gifts, grants and donations. Programs funded with gifts, grants and donations generally see little if any money.

HB 1290 follows up on that bill by putting $8 million toward goals developed by an advisory committee made up of lawmakers, public officials, representatives of coal communities, labor unions and utilities that drafted the states Just Transition Action Plan.

The bill sends the other $7 million to the Department of Labor and Employment for a workforce assistance program designed to directly help coal workers with apprenticeship programs, financial planning, tuition reimbursement, job search assistance and on-the-job training, among other things.

While in Pueblo, Polis also added his signature to Senate Bill 238, a measure that moves the long-time goal of a passenger rail line running up and down the Front Range one step closer to reality.

Under the bill from Esgar, Senate President Leroy Garcia, D-Pueblo, Sen. Rachel Zenzinger, D-Arvada, and Rep. Matt Gray, D-Broomfield, the state will set up a special district charged with "planning, designing, developing, financing, constructing, operating, and maintaining" a passenger rail line from New Mexico to the Wyoming border with stops up the Front Range.

The special district is set to be overseen by a board made of up appointees made by Polis as well as each of the transportation planning organizations along the line, along with non-voting appointees from Denver's Regional Transportation District and potentially representatives of BNSF Railway, Union Pacific Railroad, Amtrak, and communities in Wyoming and New Mexico, who will be designated by the governors of those states.

The bill gives the board the authority to ask voters in the newly created district to raise sales taxes up to .8% in order to finance the project, though lawmakers anticipate funding from the federal government as well.

The introduction of the bill in April coincided with promising news from Amtrak, which listed service from Pueblo to Cheyenne, in its 15-year plan. Meanwhile, lawmakers in Washington from both sides of the aisle and the Biden administration have coalesced around a $1.2 trillion infrastructure package, which is set to include $66 billion for rail projects such as Colorado's.
This year our dine and drink business locations throughout the Gorge have suffered with closures. You can help support your favorites by purchasing take out and gift cards. Many of these business will offer curb-side delivery and some will deliver to your home. Lets keep the Gorge going strong!
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I've been a reporter and editor at Missouri community newspapers for 35 years and joined the Columbia Missourian in 2003. My emphasis at the Missourian is on local government and elections. You can reach me at swaffords@missouri.edu or at 573-884-5366.

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As businesses eye a return to the office, many are settling on a mixed approach to remote and in-office work. For those outside of the workplace, this creates challenges in re-creating serendipitous and ad-hoc interactions  the digital equivalent of a tap on a colleagues shoulder, or watercooler chat.

With the launch today of Slack Huddles  first discussed as a prototype last October  Slack hopes to lower the barrier to start conversations in its app with audio-first meetings reminiscent of Clubhouse, Discord and other voice-based tools.

Slack Huddles provides a more casual and informal approach to meetings that video apps tend to lack, Slack CEO Stewart Butterfield said in a presentation Monday. Just like email is not a great means to base all of your internal communication on, the formats that we have for meetings  blocks of 30 minutes, everyone in the conference room, or a screen of little rectangles and video feeds of peoples faces  that cant possibly be it, he said.

[It means] moving from a world where meetings have to be structured, to where they can be more ad hoc and spontaneously emerge and get some of that serendipity back in the conversations," he said.

Slack With Slack Huddles, Slack users can start an audio meeting with colleagues in either channel conversations or with direct messages by clicking a headphones icon.

Slack users can start an audio meeting with colleagues in either channel conversations or with direct messages by clicking a headphones icon in the left-hand sidebar. Once started, participants can share their screen to discuss a shared document, for instance. Its also possible to start an audio chat room with external participants, Slack said.

[Slack Huddles] provides Clubhouse-like functionality inside of chat rooms and allows it to better compete with alternatives like Discord, said Irwin Lazar, president and principal analyst at research and advisory firm Metrigy.

However, he expects Slack Huddles to be more of a niche feature, as most Slack customers already have a meeting app that they've integrated into Slack such as Google Meet or Zoom, for example. Slack will need to educate customers on when it makes sense to use Slack Huddles versus other meeting apps (or Slack's own video meeting capabilities), Lazar said.

A variety of, mostly consumer-focused tech companies have sought to replicate Clubhouse, including Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn. Collaboration start-ups such as Tandem also provide audio room functionality aimed specifically at workplace use.

Slacks Slack Huddles is available to all paid teams as of today.

Asynchronous video messages



Slack also announced new capabilities to create and share voice, video, and screen recordings with co-workers. That means, for example, that colleagues operating in different time zones can share ideas and communicate more easily at a time thats convenient for everyone. Recorded videos will offer live captioning, as well as automatically creating searchable text transcripts.

The message recording feature will be available for paid users in the next few months, the company said.

In addition, Slack offered an update on the integration of technology the company acquired last year with the purchase of corporate directory startup Rimeto. A new product feature, Atlas, will be available to customers on the Slack Business+ and Enterprise Grid payment plans.

Atlas is currently available to customers in the US and Canada ahead of a broader roll out coming soon, will provide access to more detailed employee profiles, including company org charts, employee start dates, and more.

I really like the idea of Atlas bringing more knowledge of employees into Slack, allowing people to learn about each other and find appropriate people in their organizations, said Lazar, likening Slacks move to Ciscos acquisition of Accompany (a relationship intelligence platform) in 2018 and Microsoft's integration of LinkedIn into its Teams collaboration app.
Apple gets a lot of things right, but doesnt seem to want to get this: The company is refusing to embrace the new world of remote work in favor of its own somewhat inflexible hybrid working policy. Does it want to keep its employees?

Where has the puck been?

Apple, above most companies, should know that there really is no point looking to where the puck has been; you have to head toward where it is going.

The companys focus on privacy and security across its platforms shows it knows exactly where that is  distributed, highly flexible, agile work environments where collaboration takes place across borders, time zones, and languages.

Zooms decision to purchase Kite and its in-meeting language translation AI shows it is building for that future  placing it once again way ahead of FaceTime.

The problem is that while building some of the future for everybody elses workplace, Apple seems to want to return to the pre-pandemic status quo at home. The companys announced intention to support hybrid working models also insists on attendance in the office three days a week, ostensibly to boost a culture of collaboration.

Many staff have protested that this plan is inflexible and urged the company to adopt a more modern approach to the future of work. Apple doesnt seem to want to listen.

We believe that in-person collaboration is essential to our culture and our future, Deirdre OBrien, senior vice president of retail and people, said in a video recording, according to The Verge.

She argues that the base of Apples success reflects work that has taken place under old workplace models. In other words, Apple is looking at where the puck has already been.

Thats not how it needs to be now, but how it used to be. It doesn't take a futurologist to see which direction the company is looking.

Where the puck is going

No one can predict the future, but we can make good guesses about it based on the direction of travel. While its true that many businesses and governments are attempting to force employees back to the office even though the pandemic isnt truly over, its also true that for many  though by no means all  the Pandoras box of how much better a work/life balance can be and how personal autonomy drives feelings of well-being and productivity has been opened.

The pandemic drove tens of millions of workers from across the planet back to their homes, and while some businesses stumbled, many, including Apple, thrived.

Making slightly autocratic demands for presence so soon after workers have proved their loyalty, commitment, and determination to achieve business success merely on the off chance of a creative conversation round the water fountain is ill reward, many will feel.

So where does the puck go on this?

Apple, as must any company insisting on a return to a normal that no longer seems desirable, should expect its staff to vote with their feet. Thats going to mean an exodus of talents shifting their Cupertino connection to work for other firms more prepared to permit agile working habits. This will be great news for the many companies with an interest in tech that have announced their intention to support fully remote, or autonomously hybrid workplace models.

Where will that puck land?

What this may mean is a slight renaissance across the tech industry as some of the worlds best staff, most of whom joined Apple to do their best work, suddenly begin attempting to deliver the best of themselves outside the company.

Because doing so is best for them. It also means recruitment agencies will be digging deep to tempt existing Apple employees to work at companies more willing to embrace fully remote working practice. Many of those they touch may be workers who would never have considered looking elsewhere before, such is and was their loyalty to the iPhone company.

Recruiters will be rubbing their hands with glee at the prospect of substantial sign-up bonuses for some of these staff.

I hope Apple thinks different soon.

Please follow me on Twitter, or join me in the AppleHolics bar & grill and Apple Discussions groups on MeWe.
Singapore begins vaccinations for non-residents from today

Singapore will be opening up vaccination drives for non-residents from June 30, two days earlier than planned, the countrys health minister Ong Ye Kung said in a Facebook post.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) stated last week that they will be able to administer up to 80,000 daily vaccine doses during their accelerated plan. Photo courtesy: Twitter/@parrysingh

As our supplies are not in shortage now, we will open up booking for non-Singaporeans two days earlier than planned  on 30 June. This will better help sustain a strong momentum of vaccination.

Singapore has been using mRNA vaccines, Pfizer BioNTech and Moderna, for inoculating its citizens, and it plans on administering the first COVID-19 vaccine shot to most of its population by the end of July after successfully securing more supplies.

The Ministry of Health (MOH) stated last week that they will be able to administer up to 80,000 daily vaccine doses during their accelerated plan.

"We expect to add another 500,000 new first dose appointments in the next few days for slots from now till mid-July, with additional slots in the subsequent weeks," they added.

The move to vaccinate non-residents lines up with the city-state's efforts of opening up much like regional rival Hong Kong has done.
Singapore low-cost airline Scoot launches new aircraft on Bangkok route

Singapore-based budget carrier Scoot has expanded its service with the addition of its new single-aisle Airbus A321neo aircraft, as it made its inaugural flight from here to Bangkok as TR610.

The aircraft features 236 seats in a single-class, 3-3 configuration.

With a larger passenger capacity of 236 seats, 50 more than the A320neo, and more fuel-efficient engines, the single-class A321neo will allow Scoot to improve its operating economics and unit costs. Photo courtesy: Wikimedia

TR610 departed Singapore at 3:24 pm on Monday and reached Bangkok at 4:55 pm on the same day. The return flight TR611 also departed Bangkok at 5:40 pm on Monday and arrived in Singapore at 11 pm the same day.

Subsequently in August, Scoot will deploy the A321neo on its Singapore-Cebu and Singapore-Ho Chi Minh City routes.

With a larger passenger capacity of 236 seats, 50 more than the A320neo, and more fuel-efficient engines, the single-class A321neo will allow Scoot to improve its operating economics and unit costs.

The new aircraft also underscore Scoots commitment to offering customers a more comfortable and improved travel experience, through features such as premium black leather seats, amply-sized overhead compartment bins, ambient lighting technologies that reduce jetlag, improved air quality, and reduced noise emissions, an official statement read.

Campbell Wilson, Scoots CEO, said that investing in new-generation aircraft and operating a young, fuel-efficient fleet is a cornerstone of Scoots strategy to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

"Combined with our recent achievement as the worlds first and only low-cost carrier to attain the highest Diamond status in the APEX Health Safety powered by SimpliFlying global audit of airlines, Scoot is on a firm footing to recover and re-establish ourselves as the low-cost carrier of choice in the region for post-pandemic travel, he added.

Scoot now has 29 single-aisle aircraft in its operating fleet  21 A320ceo, five A320neo, and three A321neo, with 28 A320neo and 13 A321neo remaining on order.
06/30/2021

Photo (c) courtneyk - Getty Images Royal Caribbean is doubling down on safety as the cruising industry opens back up. Effective immediately, any guest age 16 or older departing from a U.S. port will be required to be vaccinated. Effective August 1 through December 31, anyone 12 or older will have to meet that same standard.

One exception to the mandate covers travelers setting sail from Florida ports. They are not required to be vaccinated, but it is encouraged. Floridians have Gov. Ron DeSantis to thank for that. In April, he signed an executive order preventing any business -- cruise lines included -- from asking customers if they had been vaccinated against COVID-19.

Royal Caribbean is feeling good about its chances. It said guest surveys indicate that 90% of its passengers will already be vaccinated when they board. However, the company is not taking any chances. During July and August, it will be launching six simulation cruises with no passengers to test safety protocols. Those cruises were approved Tuesday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and will depart out of Florida, New Jersey, Texas, and Washington state.

Cruising and travel insurance

The additional requirement of having unvaccinated travelers covered by travel insurance may turn a few heads. The insurance policies the cruise line will require must cover any guest over the age of 12 and contain coverage of at least $25,000 per person in medical expenses and $50,000 per person for quarantine and medical evacuation that is connected to a positive COVID-19 test result.

You may be wondering if this level of travel insurance coverage might be a good idea even if youre not traveling with Royal Caribbean. Brian OConnell, a senior analyst at InsuranceQuotes.com, told ConsumerAffairs that all travelers should be thinking along these lines.

Even though the U.S. Centers for Disease Control has relaxed COVID restrictions, with vaccinated Americans no longer having to wear masks (unless theyre in public transport, or at a medical facility or nursing home), its still a good idea to buy travel insurance, he said.

The fact is, events are still unfolding even as the travel environment improves -- things could change fast. Thats especially true for trip cancellation insurance, which accounts for 95% of all consumer travel insurance.

Better coverage to counteract pandemic chaos

While U.S. states like Florida and Texas may be taking a more lenient approach to pandemic-related protocols, OConnell noted that many foreign countries in Europe, Southeast Asia, New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and some Middle Eastern Countries still have restrictions that require good travel insurance -- and in some cases, a vaccine passport.

The level of travel insurance that consumers should consider depends on a few key factors. As an example, OConnell suggested that seniors and those with higher health risks may want to opt for better coverage, especially if theyre traveling outside the U.S. to an area where their health care provider isnt available.

Overall, travelers still need travel insurance, especially in the age of COVID, OConnell said. In the current chaotic scenario, insurance that covers trip cancellation, trip delays, and trip medical coverage is almost mandatory for travelers. Those who want to travel will pay the freight.

What travelers should look for in travel insurance

According to OConnell, the most significant change travelers will see in travel insurance, for the time being, is how insurers treat COVID-19 coverage.

The biggest shift we see is that travel insurance wont continue to cover anything COVID-related. You may see some insurers offer COVID insurance policies, but those policies will come at a higher cost and with fees and conditions attached. By the November/December holidays, they may be gone for good, he said.

On the flip side, travelers are likely to see a shift against no questions asked (NQA) cancellations  which is different from before the pandemic when insurers were more amenable about covering NQA insurance.

If youre planning on traveling in the near future, check out ConsumerAffairs' complete guide on travel insurance here.
Jabil.sharepoint.com scored 40 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team

This CoolSocial report was updated on 21 Nov 2015, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want.

This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the jabil.sharepoint homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if jabil.sharepoint has a Facebook fan page). This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the jabil.sharepoint homepage on Twitter + the total number of jabil.sharepoint followers (if jabil.sharepoint has a Twitter account). The total number of people who shared the jabil.sharepoint homepage on Delicious. The total number of people who shared the jabil.sharepoint homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. The total number of people who shared the jabil.sharepoint homepage on StumbleUpon.

Basic Information

PAGE TITLE Sign in to Office 365 DESCRIPTION KEYWORDS OTHER KEYWORDS account, sign in, your work or school, your work or, work or school, your work, email address



The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The title found in the head section of the homepage.

Domain and Server

DOCTYPE HTML 4.01 Strict CHARSET AND LANGUAGE UTF-8 DETECTED LANGUAGE English English SERVER Microsoft-IIS/8.5 (ASP.NET) OPERATIVE SYSTEM

Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) Operative System running on the server. Type of server and offered services. The language of jabil.sharepoint.com as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Character set and language of the site.

Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world.

Referring domains for jabil.sharepoint.com by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines.

Facebook link

FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND

A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. The type of Facebook page. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. The URL of the found Facebook page. The total number of people who like website Facebook page. The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days.

Twitter account link

TWITTER PAGE LINK NOT FOUND
Lg.mohonmaaf.com scored 42 Social Media Impact. Social Media Impact score is a measure of how much a site is popular on social networks. 2/5.0 Stars by Social Team

This CoolSocial report was updated on 16 Apr 2013, you can refresh this analysis whenever you want.

The total number of people who shared the lg.mohonmaaf homepage on Delicious. The total number of people who shared the lg.mohonmaaf homepage on StumbleUpon. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared, liked or recommended the lg.mohonmaaf homepage on Facebook + the total number of page likes (if lg.mohonmaaf has a Facebook fan page). The total number of people who shared the lg.mohonmaaf homepage on Google Plus by a google +1 button. This is the sum of two values: the total number of people who shared the lg.mohonmaaf homepage on Twitter + the total number of lg.mohonmaaf followers (if lg.mohonmaaf has a Twitter account).

Basic Information

PAGE TITLE National InterConnection Exchange - Looking Glass DESCRIPTION KEYWORDS OTHER KEYWORDS show ip bgp, show ip, ip bgp, looking glass, looking, glass, show ip bgp dampening



The description meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage. The title found in the head section of the homepage. The URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is the address of the site. CoolSocial advanced keyword analysis tool is able to detect and analyze every keyword on each page of a site. The keywords meta-tag found in the head section of the homepage.

Domain and Server

DOCTYPE CHARSET AND LANGUAGE DETECTED LANGUAGE English English SERVER Apache OPERATIVE SYSTEM Linux Linux

Type of server and offered services. Character set and language of the site. Represents HTML declared type (e.g.: XHTML 1.1, HTML 4.0, the new HTML 5.0) The language of lg.mohonmaaf.com as detected by CoolSocial algorithms. Operative System running on the server.

Site Traffic trend during the last year. Only available for sites ranked <= 100000 in the world.

Referring domains for lg.mohonmaaf.com by MajesticSeo. High values are a sign of site importance over the web and on web engines.

Facebook link

FACEBOOK PAGE LINK NOT FOUND

The total number of people who tagged or talked about website Facebook page in the last 7-10 days. The description of the Facebook page describes website and its services to the social media users. The URL of the found Facebook page. Facebook Timeline is the new layout of Facebook pages. The type of Facebook page. A Facebook page link can be found in the homepage or in the robots.txt file. The total number of people who like website Facebook page.

Twitter account link

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Corsicana, TX (75110)

Today

Partly cloudy in the morning followed by scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 88F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds light and variable.
Surfactant producer Verdant Specialty Solutions has announced that Dan Magee has joined the company as chief financial officer.

Related: Richard Jones to Leave Coty

With nearly 30 years of experience, Magee is a finance executive and strategist with experience implementing capital management solutions, financial controls and systems that drive organizational growth with expanded profitability.

Verdant CEO John Foley said, "We are pleased to welcome Dan Magee to the Verdant team. He is a consummate financial executive who will play a pivotal role in guiding and executing our strategy, planning and growth."
For evidence that the universe is a simulation, look no further than the placebo effect and related mind-over-matter phenomena. Being able to make physical changes in the real world just by imagining it? Come one, what kind of made-up-sounding shit is that? But then again, the mind itself is the manifestation of electricity and chemicals spinning around inside some meat. So maybe it does make sense. We don't know.

6 Americans Are More Susceptible To Pain Placebos

They say everything's bigger in America. Guns, beers, trucks, and the placebo effect as well, according to a study of 84 clinical trials, spanning 23 years, from around the globe. Evidence of increased placebo response to antidepressant and antipsychotic medications inspired scientists to analyze whether the same held true for pain drugs. Jeffrey Mogil, head of McGill University's pain-genetics lab, found that it does, but only in the United States.

Pina Messina/Unsplash Clinicians dub this "American exceptionalism."

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No, real drugs haven't gotten worse, as is apparent by the prevalence of opioid-addled soccer moms stumbling from minivans. But the efficacy of sham treatments rose precipitously in America over the past two decades: In 1996, a given drug produced 27% more pain relief than its fake counterpart. But by 2013, that figure fell to just 9%. And with less than a 10 percent difference, you're better off browsing the bulk candy aisle next time you run out of Tylenol.

Ironically, this runaway placebo effect may be due to the increased sophistication of modern studies. Global trials haven't increased as much in scope or size. But America's "Go Big" attitude has produced larger, longer, more expensive, and elaborate clinical studies, which may increase participants' expectations of a drug's effectiveness. And some trials may offer friendlier, more attentive nurse care, which you might find lacking in smaller studies where you're lucky to coax a smile from your nurse. Additionally, the constant bombardment of drug adverts on TV (illegal in most other places) may sway a populace that's unable to resist a good commercial.
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
One of the most intriguing concepts in Scripture is the establishment of the 12 tribes of Israel. I find it amazing how we see a connection from the old covenant to the new covenant of Christ. We see 12 tribes established out of the line of Israel, then we see 12 disciples established from a variety of backgrounds. Each of these tribes had a significant role and responsibility for the nation of Gods people. As we acknowledge the Lords plan for His people, we can gain a greater understanding of what each tribe is known for.

Who Are the 12 Tribes of Israel?

The 12 tribes of Israel came from Jacobs 12 sons. Each tribe was named after one of Jacobs children or grandchildren. I love how when we look at the story of Jacob, we see the Lord still choosing to use his broken family for a greater purpose. Jacob was tricked into marrying Leah, then married her sister Rachel, then the women waged war over who could produce children to the point of giving their servants Bilhah and Zilpah to their husband. Out of these four women in a damaging life situation, came the 12 tribes of Israel. Below is the order of the sons of Israel (Jacob), the meaning of their names, and what each tribe is known for.

Reuben: It is because the LORD has seen my misery. Surely my husband will love me now (Genesis 29:32) The tribe of Reuben had territory east of the Dead Sea. They were never blessed like they could have been because Reuben sinned against his father with Bilhah (Genesis 35:22).

Simeon: Because the LORD heard that I am not loved, he gave me this one too (Genesis 29:33). The tribe of Simeon had territory far west of the Dead Sea. Because Simeon and Levi took out their anger in violence trying to avenge their sister Dinah, they were punished by being scattered (Genesis 49:5-7)

Levi: Now at last my husband will become attached to me., because I have borne him three sons (Genesis 29:34.) The tribe of Levi was the group of priests in Israel. Levi was also punished because of his violence with Simeon and told that his tribe would be scattered. Levi was different from any tribe because they were the priests. They were not counted in the census of Israel (Numbers 1:49). Aaron (Moses brother) led the Levitical priests. The Levites were set apart for a special purpose to serve their lives in ministry to God.

Judah: This time I will praise the LORD (Genesis 29:35). Judah was a very redemptive character because although he did not want to kill Joseph, it was his idea to sell Joseph into slavery (Genesis 37). Then, he was the brother who would not leave Benjamin (Genesis 44). The tribe of Judah was significantly blessed by Jacob. He gave Judah the blessing of royalty because Jesus, the Savior would, come from the line of Judah (Matthew 1:3). Judahs territory was the southwest region.

Dan: God has vindicated me; he has listened to my plea and given me a son (Genesis 30:6). The tribe of Dan is described as providing justice for the nation (Genesis 49:16-18). Dan was located east on the Mediterranean.

Naphtali: I have had a great struggle with my sister, and I have won (Genesis 30:8). The tribe of Naphtali produced freedom and beauty (Genesis 49:21). The tribe was located north of Galilee.

Gad: What good fortune! (Genesis 30:11). The tribe of Gad was said to be attacked by raiders but they would attack them back (Genesis 49:19). Gad was located east of the Jordan River.

Asher: How happy I am! The women will call me happy (Genesis 30:13). The food of Asher is said to be rich (Genesis 49:20). This tribe was located northwest on the Mediterranean.

Issachar: God has rewarded me for giving my servant to my husband (Genesis 30:18). The tribe of Issachar was located just southwest of Galilee in northwest Israel. Jacob describes him as a rawboned donkey lying down and says that they will do forced labor (Genesis 49:14-15).

Zebulon: God has presented me with a precious gift. This time my husband will treat me with honor, because I have borne him six sons. The tribe of Zebulun was located on the northeast side of Israel. They were blessed to live close to the seashore and be a haven for ships (Genesis 49:13).

Manasseh: It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my fathers household (Genesis 41:51) This is the oldest son of Joseph: God has taken away my disgrace (Genesis 30:23). The tribe of Joseph was split into two names after his sons (Genesis 48:13-22). Manasseh was given the most land and was placed over the Jordan River.

Ephraim: It is because God has made me fruitful in the land of my suffering (Genesis 41:52). This is the second-born son of Joseph. His land was situated south of Manasseh and west of the Jordan River. Ephraim however was blessed with Jacobs right hand instead of his older brother. Jacob went against tradition by giving Ephraim the greater blessing. He gave Manasseh and Ephraim the ridge from the Amorites.

Benjamin: But his father named him Benjamin (Genesis 35:18). Behind the Name defines Benjamin as meaning, son of the south or son of the right hand. Benjamins tribe is described as a ravenous wolf and conquerors. (Genesis 49:27) The land of Benjamin is situated south of Ephraim and the Jordan River and north of Judah and the Dead Sea.

Why Did God Choose 12 Tribes of Israel?

When we talk about our God being the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, they are known as the Patriarchs of the faith. We had three men with one calling to make a great nation for the glory of God. The 12 tribes were chosen first because they were from the line of Abraham, and secondly because they were the start of the nation of Israel. Bible Study shares, The meaning of 12, which is considered a perfect number, is that it symbolizes God's power and authority, as well as serving as a perfect governmental foundation. It can also symbolize completeness of the nation of Israel as a whole.

When we think about the purpose of the tribes of Israel to become a nation that outnumbers the stars. We connect to the disciples who were to spread the gospel throughout the world. Both instances were connected to the building of the family of God.

What Happened to the 12 Tribes of Israel?

The 12 tribes of Israel eventually split into a northern and a southern region. Clarence L. Haynes from Crosswalk shares, When the nation split into the two kingdoms after Solomon's death, Judah remained faithful to David.

The Bible Odyssey shares, The southern kingdom consisted only of the tribes of Judah and Benjamin and thus became the kingdom of Judah, with Jerusalem as its capital. The northern kingdom consisted of the remaining tribes and was called Israel.

Bethlehem, where Jesus was born was located in Judah. Due to the attacks from outside nations, the only two official countries left today include Israel and Judah. Many of the lands that belonged to the tribes have been overtaken by others. As you have likely seen in your lifetime, the conflict continues today of outside nations design to take the land that was given to the people of God.

Why Is it Important for Christians to Know about This Today?

It is important that Christians know about the history of the founding fathers of our faith. Yes, the Jewish people respect the original 12 tribes, but ultimately, so do we since our Savior came from the Jewish people. The Messiah came from the line of Judah. We celebrate the work and honor the history of Israel. It is vital that we stand beside Israel and support them as a nation because the Bible commands it. In the Abrahamic Covenant, God promises to bless those who bless Israel and dishonor those who curse them (Genesis 12:3). As we explore the history of the 12 tribes of Israel, we can learn about the ultimate redemption plan of our Savior Jesus who would one day come from this nation.

Photo credit: Getty Images/John Theodor

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
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Is there room in Hutchinson's downtown for light manufacturing?

Stephen Wiblemo / Staff photo by Stephen Wiblemo Midwest Industrial Tool Grinding Inc. of Hutchinson is considering expanding its operations out of its current facility on the northeast side of town and into the former Shopko building. Before that can happen, though, City Council must consider its downtown plans.

The question of what will happen to the former Shopko building in downtown Hutchinson may soon be answered.

Local manufacturer Midwest Industrial Tool Grinding Inc., which makes standard and custom-cutting tools, is interested in using the building for expansion. The deliberation prompted Hutchinson City Council to discuss on June 22 the first reading of an ordinance change that would allow light manufacturing with a conditional-use permit downtown.

"We are running out of space in our current facility," said Eric Lipke, MITGI president. "We are looking at options for expanding, and it seemed like an option that fit really well."

MITGI reached out to the Hutchinson Economic Development Authority and city staff to field the idea before moving forward and discussing with the building's owner about potentially purchasing the building should rezoning be approved. The building was sold to a broker at auction earlier this year but remains unused.

Dan Jochum, Hutchinson's director of Building, Planning and Zoning, reported to City Council there had been no interest in using the space for retail since Shopko closed in 2019.

"Big box in general has declined," he said, noting a smaller variety of stores.

When the building was up for auction in April, Jochum received numerous calls from interested parties, but none mentioned big box stores. Interested parties mentioned secure storage and RV storage.

"To me, that was not a great use," he said. "That does not create a lot of jobs."

Another popular topic among interested callers was light and high-tech manufacturing, a field of manufacturing not often associated with noise, dust and smoke stacks, Jochum said.

"You don't really notice it's manufacturing from the outside," he said.

The Hutchinson Planning Commission recently voted 3-2 to recommend the change to city ordinance that would allow light manufacturing downtown with a permit. While the change could fill empty space and attract more downtown activity to promote nearby businesses, some worry the change could negatively impact the character of the area. Jochum reiterated that the ordinance change would affect all of the C-3 downtown zoning district.

Jeremy Jones / This Hutchinson zoning map shows the C-3 district managing downtown Hutchinson. City Council is weighing whether or not to allow light manufacturing in the area for entities able to acquire a conditional-use permit from the city. This Hutchinson zoning map shows the C-3 district managing downtown Hutchinson. City Council is weighing whether or not to allow light manufacturing in the area for entities able to acquire a conditional-use permit from the city.

"I don't think there are a lot of buildings that would be sufficient to have this type of use," he said, classifying Shopko as an exception. "I don't see this like our entire downtown will be taken over by light manufacturing."

In a memorandum to Hutchinson City Council, Hutchinson Economic Development Director Miles Seppelt supported the ordinance change. He said MITGI would bring considerable economic vitality downtown.

"The presence of 70-plus high-paying jobs will provide a strong boost to downtown businesses," he said.

Lipke confirmed Seppelt's figure, adding those jobs would come as part of normal expansion when MITGI has a new facility, with the potential for more.

"We'll certainly employ a lot more people," he said.

Tom Wirt, a member of the Planning Commission who opposed the ordinance change, wrote to City Council, speaking as a small business owner and small business consultant. He asked council members to consider the city's branding study, which found Hutchinson is viewed as a "place to go" for shopping and good restaurants. He said the ordinance change could limit the growth of activities that would make downtown more attractive, a destination for visitors, and a stronger center for local businesses. He also worried what could happen if operations at the facility grow and demand more space, or the manufacturer has to move and leaves the building closed once again.

Morgan Baum, the owner of a business close to the Shopko building, also spoke during the council meeting.

"It will be right in my neighborhood. I will look at it every day. I'm excited about the idea of bringing 70 new jobs to downtown Hutchinson," she said, but encouraged City Council to make filling the Shopko building an exception, and not the rule for the future of Hutchinson's downtown.

She said she wanted downtown to be maintained as a place for vibrant arts, parks and restaurants, and not an industrial center in 10 years.

The first reading of the change was approved by the City Council, but no change to the ordinance will be voted on until a second reading at a future City Council meeting. If the ordinance is ultimately approved, the city will have the power to grant or deny permits for light manufacturing, and list certain requirements for anyone seeking such a permit to maintain characteristics it determines necessary for the area.

Hutchinson City Administrator Matt Jaunich said if a business says it cannot meet the requirements, it's "tough luck."

Council Member Chad Czmowski felt the possible new tenant of the former Shopko building would make it look better than it looks now.

"You look at their current building and you could eat off the floor in there," he said, adding the manufacturer has been a "great corporate partner."

"It's stellar," said Council Member Mary Christensen, calling the manufacturer "home grown."

"I think it's a win. It's not like you're going to have five semis rolling in and out of there every day, either," she said.

Lipke said MITGI does not have noise outside or exhaust floating into the air.

"It's clean, it's quiet, it's bright," he said. "We do a lot of things to mitigate anything that might be considered noisy or unpopular with manufacturing. ... Nobody can tell a whole lot of what we're doing driving by our building."
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Kochs' building renovation was energized by a vision for downtown

STAFF PHOTOs BY BRENT SCHACHERER Frank and Brittany Koch and their sons pose for a photo in their second-floor apartment at 126 Sibley Ave. N. Brent Schacherer / STAFF PHOTO BY BRENT SCHACHERER Among the changes Frank and Brittany Koch made to their building was transformation of their dilapidated deck and courtyard into a welcoming outdoor area. They built a new deck and added an artificial turf lawn to the space. Frank Koch found the original door for the hotel in the basement of their building and rehabbed it, and its now used at the entrance to their second-floor apartment. PHOTO COURTESY FRANK KOCH The Kochs remodeled kitchen. PHOTO COURTESY FRANK KOCH Frank and Brittany Koch posed for a photo during the remodeling of their second-floor living space. PHOTO COURTESY FRANK KOCH An in-progress photo of the renovation of Frank and Brittany Kochs kitchen. PHOTO BY BRENT SCHACHERER A new deck and courtyard updated with artificial turf offer a completely different perspective at Frank and Brittany Kochs building on North Sibley Avenue. PHOTO COURTESY FRANK KOCH The deck and courtyard area at the Kochs' downtown building was badly in need of updating, which they completed this year. Opening up the space and adding lighter colors was part of the transformation of the Litchfield Chiropractic Center. PHOTO COURTESY FRANK KOCH Wood paneling, neutral tones and the narrow hallway to patient rooms were some of the things Frank and Brittany Koch wanted to change during their remodel of Litchfield Chiropractic Center.

Growing up, Frank Koch said, he didnt think much of Litchfields downtown.

His family ate at the American Legion and Pizza Ranch every once in a while, but other than that, downtown was not an attraction, especially not for a school-age kid.

I don't have a lot of, like, memories of hanging out in this cool little downtown or like going to the ice cream shop or something like that, Koch said. There's just like this kind of vacant area. You drive through it all the time, but you never really notice anything.

But he did have an idea of what a fun downtown could be, because of the trips his family took when he was younger, to places like Red Lodge, Montana. That city of about 2,000 residents had a cool downtown, with restaurants and shops that felt inviting and exciting, even to a pre-teen and teen.

It was the kind of place to which Koch believes Litchfields downtown can aspire. And it was that image that motivated him and his wife, Brittany, to spend the time and money on reinvigorating a downtown building that was part of their purchase of Litchfield Chiropractic Center in 2015, in hopes that others would see the potential and make their own investments.

I just have that vision in my head of what Litchfield could be, you know, he said. So I think that was always my thing is, like, this would be awesome. We live upstairs, we have our clinic downstairs, and then hopefully throughout our years, more stuff will happen.

Their buildings transformation has been a sort of template, or at least inspiration, for many with buildings in Litchfields downtown historic district. The Kochs have offered tours of their space at 126 Sibley Ave. N.  with a thriving chiropractic clinic on the main floor, living quarters for their now-family-of-four upstairs and backyard courtyard complete with a lawn of artificial turf  to nearly anyone whos interested.

COMING HOME

Koch grew up in the Manannah area and attended Litchfield Public Schools, graduating in 2005 and heading off to college.

He returned for Watercade in 2013 and ran into his old chiropractor, Steven Bachman, and the two discussed the possibility of Koch doing an internship at Litchfield Chirpractic. Moving back home wasnt something Koch had considered before then  he was planning to buy a chiropractic practice in Montana  but he eventually changed his mind.

I had my heart set on being a chiropractor (but) Litchfield wasnt high on my radar, Koch said. I wanted to go to Montana and fish and ski  Im glad I didnt do that.

The practice was a good fit for Koch and his wife, Brittany, also a chiropractor, and they bought it in 2015. Along with the practice came the building on North Sibley Avenue in which it was located.

While it was a good building, Koch said, he knew right away there were things he wanted to change about the clinic areas wood paneling and dark-neutral color scheme that gave more of a 1970s or 1980s vibe than one of the new millennium.

But by opening up the clinic space and adding brighter colors, Koch figured he could create the good energy he wanted for the space. Additionally, he had a vision for the buildings second floor.

I noticed a lot of potential in the regard of, we could live upstairs, and we could practice down here, Koch said of the main floor. There was great storage underneath. (The building) was really nice, because it had a cool little courtyard and backyard area. So that was a big plus for me.

Once he had a purchase agreement, Koch said, he began working on the upstairs. While Brittany was finishing chiropractic school, he lived with his parents as he began remodeling the upstairs living quarters. In a short time, he decided just to gut pretty much the majority of it.

That was our first big project, he said with a smile.  We wanted to get the upstairs, mainly so I could leave my parents basement and get our own place.

DOING THE WORK

The list of changes was long, but it didnt intimidate Koch, who had some experience in construction and remodeling. Having grown up on a farm and also working part-time for several different tradespeople through the years, he believed he had the skills and know-how to handle much of the work himself.

I have a little bit of knowledge on quite a bit of stuff, Koch said. Im not a master of a lot of those.

First, he needed to get an idea of just what the project would be.

We tore open a couple of walls upstairs, got the ceiling opened up, just so we (could) see what needed to be replaced and upgraded, Koch said. And then, yeah, we kind of had a decision to do it the right way, right away.

The Kochs, with help from family and friends, tore out the lath and plaster in the front half of the building, removing old insulation and stripping everything from the inside before reinsulating, taping and drywalling, as well as redoing the floors  a project that Koch called pretty straightforward.

Remodeling the main floor for the chiropractic clinic took about five weeks, which was accomplished with some hired help, really, freemium stuff, Koch said. The upstairs undertaking and the courtyard took much longer, however, with some of the work not actually completed until early this year.

Still, Koch believes that approximately six-year span wasnt bad, considering the work that needed to be done.

I have to sit back and think about that sometimes, because it seemed like a long process, but then I look and, we just remodeled a whole building, Koch said. Its a big feat. Ive been in every nook and cranny of this place. Now, its fun to sit back and think, this actually turned out exactly how we wanted it.

In its early years, the building was a hotel, and some of the elements of that operation remain in the Kochs remodeled second floor, including wood trim and the Hotel door he found in the basement and restored, which now serves as the entrance to their living quarters.

Koch said he didnt really have an appreciation for the historic nature of the building when he began contemplating his remodel. In fact, at one point he replaced windows on the main floor without first getting the permit required by the Heritage Preservation Commission, which oversees appropriateness of alterations to buildings in the downtown historic district.

That interaction led Koch to later serve on the HPC, and his appreciation of building history has increased  though he believes its important to balance historic architecture with the cost of maintaining it.

I thought it was kind of cool when he started looking into that, like what it was and some of the features upstairs, Koch said. I found that interesting, so we kind of integrated some of the, the historic relevance into our place now.

INCENTIVE TO CHANGE

Taking what was old, holding on to some of its history, and giving it a renewed vibrance has been exciting for the Kochs  even as it may have been tiring and frustrating while they made their way through the remodel. But Koch says that some of the places hes visited with quaint downtowns with restored buildings motivated him.

That cool downtown vibe really attracted me, Koch said. I guess thats kind of what pulled me through some of the pain and misery of remodeling.

And if the vibe isnt enough, Koch said, the economic incentive  both for individual building owners and for the downtown business district as a whole  should be a motivation for others.

Ive had this conversation many times with people, Koch said. It really is dependent on what youre dealing with.

Right now, I think it is very helpful that the real estate economy is crazy, and its a great opportunity for someone to say, I can buy a house or a rental property and commercial real estate a lot more affordably, and just put some money into it, he added. You couldnt build this building even for $400,000 right now, not an apartment and a whole building. So I think that helps put it in a different perspective.

That perspective, along with the energy created by recent efforts by organizations such as the Litchfield Downtown Council  decorative lighting, benches and bike racks  and work by state Rep. Dean Urdahl on securing funding for grants to small town downtown improvements, give Koch hope that Litchfields downtown will become the kind of place it wasnt when he was growing up.

Just those little things, the lights, those kind of ornamental things kind of give you a perspective, he said. You know, now theres some people that own buildings in downtown that have big visions with them. I see a lot of potential in downtown Litchfield, and Im excited.
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Microsofts June security update is light on details but heavy on possible long-term impact to network environments. It updates a patch fixing an issue for a DCOM Server security feature bypass (CVE-2021-26414). What exactly is it fixing? A Japanese security bulletin offers some hints.

According to the bulletin, an attacker would first exploit a vulnerability by directing a DCOM client to connect to a specially crafted server in some way, typically by sending a phishing email to a user to gain a hold on the system. Next, the attacker will use that information to access and then compromise the DCOM server.

The patch fixes and strengthens the authentication used between DCOM clients and servers. Specifically, it phases in stronger authentication ( RPC_C_AUTHN_LEVEL_PKT_INTEGRITY ) on the DCOM client. This level of integrity ensures that none of the data transferred between the client and server has been modified.

What is DCOM?

Distributed Component Object Model (DCOM) is a Microsoft technology for communication between software components on networked computers. Many of us dont truly understand it, nor can we diagnose DCOM errors in our event logs that dont appear to have major impact to our networks. This technology is a protocol for exposing application objects using remote procedure calls (RPCs). As a result of CVE-2021-26414, changes are needed for RPCs to harden them to ensure they are protected against a security feature bypass vulnerability.
Authorities are requesting personal data from major tech companies at three times the rate of a few years ago, according to new figures that found Australians are the worlds tenth most-surveilled populace. And the surveillance is only increasing, with multiple audits showing questionable access of citizens data by police and other authorities.

The most invasive countries in terms of social media requests

Australian authorities lodged 195 requests for user data per 100,000 people, according to a new Surfshark analysis of 3.1 million requests made by the governments of 66 countries to Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and Apple between 2013 and 2020.

That reflected an overall increase of 213% since 2013. And, while US authorities made 1.1 million of those requestsranking fifth with 334 requests per 100,000 populationEuropean countries actually dominated the Top 10 list, with Malta (765), Germany (353), the UK (336), France (315), Ireland (302), and Luxembourg (246) reflecting the surveillance culture on that continent.

Singapore, with 373 requests per 100,000, was ranked the second-most-intrusive government, whilein a likely reflection of a government that already collects massive volumes of information about its citizens directlyChina ranked last, with just 362 requests over the eight-year period.
The true cost of ransomware extends beyond the ransomware payment. Case and point: In early 2021, CNA Financial Corp., one of the largest insurance companies in the U.S., paid a $40 million ransom to hackers after an attack left their data compromised and the company locked out of their network. The ransom  a staggering number compared to the average ransom payment of $220,298  was paid after two weeks of negotiations between the hackers and company leaders.

Cybercriminal activity has become more sophisticated and innovative in recent years. As noted in our 2021 Threat Report, attacks have shifted as ransomware has become more targeted, better implemented and much more ruthless, with criminals specifically targeting higher value and weaker targets. Simply put, businesses have become preferred targets because they can and will pay more to get their data back.

In most cases, ransomware isnt the beginning of a compromise. Ransomware causes visible disruption, and so its typically the end state where the criminals cash in after an extended period. By the time IT teams realize there is ransomware on the network, the criminals have been watching, listening, and tampering, often for weeks or months before being discovered. During this time, they may have gained access to company financials and have developed a comprehensive understanding of what they can get away with and the ransom amount to demand. In the case of CNA, for example, hackers originally asked the company to pay $60 million to gain access back to their networks, before negotiations started.

In reality, a ransom is only one cost; there are many more costs associated with a cybersecurity breach that businesses need to consider, both financial and reputational. According to a new report from Webroot on the hidden costs of ransomware, 40% of victims who suffered ransomware attacks had to devote 8 or more hours to remediate. If a company doesnt pay up, data might be disclosed publicly or otherwise misused. Worse, depending on what kind of data has been compromised, the consequences of exposure could include costly fines for violating privacy regulations like General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Californias Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA). These fines can start at $100 per customer per record lost and increase up to flat percentages of revenue. Other ransomware fallout includes downtime and lengthy time to recover.

The fact is most organizations, no matter the size or industry, are ill-prepared for a cybercrime incident and few understand the implications of these hidden costs. The U.S. Department of Justice reported that since 2016 more than 4,000 ransomware attacks occur each day. Governments and companies are working together to break down cybercriminal infrastructure, but the need to protect against it has never been greater.

Organizations that fall victim to ransomware attacks and pay up are believed to be fueling a cycle in perpetuity, emboldening cybercriminals to continue. However, for many firms, its part of a back to business strategy to get up and running again as fast as possible. Many organizations now have insurance to cover the cost of a ransom, so it is common to find senior leaders willing to negotiate, pay and quickly get into recovery mode. And once an agreement is made, hackers often keep their word and turn over or destroy files as outlined, allowing both parties to essentially move on and walk away.

Yet, there are knock-on effects: 46 percent of businesses that experienced ransomware said their clients were also impacted, and 38 percent said the attack harmed their brand or reputation, according to the report from Webroot on the hidden costs of ransomware.

The question is not if an organization will be attacked, but when. Organizations and individuals with training, security measures, backups, and a plan can form a united defense against cyber threats that protects the overall financial and reputational risk to business, no matter what threats may lurk in the shadows. Creating this resilient approach is key in a time when ransomware is pervasive and the hidden costs of ransomware have the potential to outpace the ransom itself.
The entire state remains under a heat advisory until Wednesday night with heat index values up to 104 degrees possible Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

A heat advisory is issued when the combination of heat and humidity makes the temperature feel like it is anywhere from 95 to 99 degrees for two or more consecutive days, or 100 to 104 degrees for any amount of time, the weather service said.

The latest forecasts indicate theres a 30 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly after 2 p.m. Tuesday. The high will be around 96 degrees, with a slight breeze. There could be more rain overnight, with mostly clear skies and a low around 73 degrees.

The highest heat index values are expected to hit Connecticut during the afternoon and early evening Tuesday.

The state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection said the air quality index for Connecticut on Tuesday is moderate to unhealthy for sensitive groups.

The weather service said there is a low chance that some areas might reach a heat index value of 105 degrees, which would lead to an excessive heat warning being issued for that area.

Those with chronic health issues and older adults are at increased risk for heat illness, including heat stroke. Homes without air conditioning or fans can quickly become much hotter than the temperature outdoors, the weather service said.

To reduce risk of heat illness, the NWS urges residents to limit outdoor work. For those who have to work outdoors, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends frequent breaks in shaded or air conditioned areas.

Anyone who feels overcome by heat should quickly get to a cool, shaded spot. Heat stroke is considered any emergency. Anyone suffering symptoms should call 911 immediately.

There are splash pads and cooling centers open across the state to help people stay cool. Anyone in need of a cool place to rest can call 211 to find the nearest center.

The heat and humidity will continue Wednesday, as well as another low chance of some areas seeing an excessive heat warning should index values reach 105 degrees. There is also a slight risk of severe thunderstorms Wednesday afternoon and evening, with the potential for strong gusts of wind. The forecast indicates a high near 97 degrees, dropping to a low around 70 by night.

Showers and a thunderstorm are possible Thursday, with a high near 82 degrees. Showers are likely Thursday night, with a low around 64 degrees.

Rain is likely Friday, mostly before 2 p.m., with mostly cloudy skies and a high near 75 degrees. By night, the temperature drops to a low around 60 degrees. There will be a roughly 50 percent chance of showers.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP)  South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said Tuesday she will use a donation from a Republican donor to fund a deployment of up to 50 South Dakota National Guard troops to the U.S. border with Mexico.

Noem joined a growing list of Republican governors promising to send law enforcement officers to Texas as the GOP ramps up a political fight with President Joe Biden over border security. The issue has drawn a host of prominent GOP figures: Former President Donald Trump was expected to travel to the border this week and Republican governors from Arkansas, Florida, Nebraska and Iowa have all committed to sending law enforcement officers for border security.

Noems spokesman Ian Fury said the governor decided to fund the deployment with a private donation to help alleviate the cost to South Dakota taxpayers, but declined to provide estimates on the cost of the deployment, citing security reasons.

Willis and Reba Johnsons Foundation made the donation directly to the state, Fury said. Willis Johnson, a Tennessee-based billionaire, is the founder of an online used-car auction called Copart. He regularly makes large contributions to Republicans, including $200,000 to the Trump Victory Committee last year.

Johnson said he approached Noem about making a donation after hearing about Texas Gov. Greg Abbott's border barrier push. He figured Texas has plenty of money so he decided to help Noem, who governs a state with a significantly smaller budget. He also said he had no plans to donate to other states to send law enforcement officers to the border.

Johnson added that he would have preferred to stay anonymous but that Noem's office told him they had to at least disclose his name. He declined to say how much he was giving.

America gave a lot of money to get that border wall done, Johnson said. It takes private individuals now.

Noem, a potential presidential contender, drew a distinction between her decision to send the National Guard and other governors who are sending state police officers.

The border is a national security crisis that requires the kind of sustained response only the National Guard can provide, she said in a statement. We should not be making our own communities less safe by sending our police or Highway Patrol to fix a long-term problem President Bidens Administration seems unable or unwilling to solve.

But Democratic state Sen. Reynold Nesiba said the fact Noem is using a donor to pay for the deployment shows it is not a real priority for the state, but instead gives her political cover. He said he was looking into whether using a private donation to fund the deployment is legal.

This could set a dangerous precedent to allow anonymous political donors to call the governor and dispatch the Guard whenever they want, he said.

The federal government usually pays for National Guard deployments to other states. When troops respond to an in-state emergency, they are paid from state government funds, according to Duke Doering, a historian with the South Dakota National Guard Museum. He said he had never heard of a private donor funding a deployment.

This kind of floors me, when youre talking about a private donor sending the Guard, that doesnt even make sense to me, Doering said.

The South Dakota National Guard is expected to deploy for 30 to 60 days, Noem said, while the other states involved are sending law enforcement officers for roughly two-week stints.

Abbott this month announced plans to build more barriers along the border. Abbott's new push has been criticized as political theater, but he defended the plan, saying the number of border crossers remains high. The governor said he will use $250 million in state money and crowdsourced financing for the barriers, although the timeline and cost for the push are unclear. It also faces potential court challenges from the federal government.

Meanwhile, Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson on Tuesday authorized a 90-day deployment of up to 40 National Guard troops to the border. His office said the deployment is not being paid for by a private donor.

Iowa has sent about 25 State Patrol officers to the border under a national interstate mutual aid network called an Emergency Management Assistance Compact. Under the compact, Texas has agreed to reimburse Iowa for the expense of the state troopers, though Iowa is paying expenses for the state troopers initially. The Iowa National Guard also has 24 soldiers providing assistance to law enforcement at the border under a federally-funded activation in response to a Trump administration request in October 2020.

A spokesman for the Nebraska State Patrol, which has sent 25 troopers to Texas, said it has not received any private donations for the deployment.

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.

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Associated Press reporter Andrew DeMillo contributed to this report from Little Rock, Ark.
CT State Police / Contributed

BRANFORD  The wife of a local police captain was killed in a utility terrain vehicle crash in upstate New York last weekend, police said.

Troopers from the Troop D barracks in Oneida, N.Y., responded to a report of a rollover UTV crash around 5 p.m. Sunday in Lyme, N.Y., which is about two hours north of Syracuse on Lake Ontario.
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BROOKFIELD  Barbara Nicolini is channeling the smells and tastes of her Milanese childhood ahead of her at-home bakerys grand opening on July 1. She wants to bring the delicacies of Italy to her Connecticut home.

The Brookfield resident, who moved from Milan, Italy, eight years ago with her husband and young son, has decided to start her own business after years of baking cakes and other treats that shed bring along to birthdays and special occasions. With a cottage food license and requisite insurance now secured, shes ready to get cooking.

Moving to the U.S. from Italy knowing little English, Nicolini gradually made Brookfield her home. Yet, she was surprised by how few pastry shops there were. She was used to seeing them everywhere.

Now, her dream of opening an Italian bakery in town is coming true in her own kitchen. Nicolini is calling her store Barbaras Delights, and will be taking orders online and by phone. She plans to offer a rotating weekly menu, but will generally include staples like her sourdough bread and sourdough focaccia. For her first week, she has her decadent breads on the menu.

Nicolini said she plans to add cookies and tarts in the coming weeks, and is advertising cakes upon request as well.

A few people have already called in orders, which she said shes pleased about.

For pick-up on the first day of business, Nicolini is asking for orders to be submitted two days in advance, so that she has time to get the breads ready.

Nicolinis grandmother was the one who taught her to love baking, but the pandemic rekindled her passion, allowing her the time and space to take some pastry-making classes and begin a sourdough starter. She also started seriously considering opening her own business.

I always loved to bake. Always. Even when I was a teenager, I had my group of friends and I was the one that, every Sunday, was bringing the cake, Nicolini said.

In the summers, her family would head to Lake Lugano near the border of Switzerland for several months, where they had a villa. There, on hot, slow days, Nicolinis grandmother would beckon the young girl into the kitchen to bake beating eggs, delicately folding dough, and sliding pans into and out of the oven. Within the hour, the house would be filled with the rich scent of breads and cakes, Nicolini said.

Im fascinated because its like magic. With just [a few] ingredients flour, sugar, butter, eggs I can bake anything I want.

And Nicolinis Instagram is filled with the results of that magic: plump breads, vibrant fruity tarts, crisp crostatas, and delicately powdered biscotti cookies. Shes never used a boxed cake recipe, and said she wouldnt even know which one to choose in the store.

She said shes specifically excited about offering tarts on her future menus, which are almost nonexistent in American stores. Nicolini makes them using a specific technique from Milan that doesnt require a pan, allowing her to shape them however she wants.

Its pretty cool because there are infinite possibilities, she said.

In staying true to her roots, Nicolini uses Italian flour in her bakery items, and said she often traverses multiple local stores in order to get everything she needs on her list.

Im looking for the right taste, she said.

She wants it resemble the Italian flavor profiles she grew up with.

All the products are completely different from Italy here, she said. I need to go shop to shop to get everything I need.

Nicolini hopes to open an actual storefront one day like the ones she grew up with in Milan. But until that day comes, shes focused on bringing her Italian baked goods to Brookfield from her own kitchen, with her 3-year-old daughter keeping her company while she works during the summer.

If you cant go to Italy to buy your pastries, let Italy come to you, she said. Let my Italian delights come to you.
Many people spend hump day working away in their offices, counting down the days to the weekend. Doug Hendrix instead found himself 2,500 feet in the air on June 16 enjoying the sunny weather and skydiving from a plane not once, not twice, but 100 times.

Setting a new state record for the most skydiving jumps in a single day, Hendrix, of Storrs, started his day at the Ellington Airport. His plane took off at 5:15 am. Nearly 13 hours later, around 6 p.m., he landed from his final jump  his 100th  and called it a day. The previous unofficial skydiving record in Connecticut was 61 jumps in a 24-hour period.

Basically I wanted to do it because I love doing new things, challenging things, said the veteran skydiver. Hendrix, who has been jumping about nine years, is an instructor and demonstration jumper with Connecticut Parachutists and part of an eight-member formation team. Back when he was an engineering student at the University of Connecticut, he was president of the schools skydiving team.

I dont have exactly the same feeling as I did on my first skydive, where I was feeling a little bit scared and overwhelmed but it is still a lot of fun and I have been doing different things while skydiving to keep it exciting.

Hendrix had previously hit a personal best of 30 skydive jumps in a day, but packing his own parachute each time made for a physically-demanding day and cut down the number of jumps he could do. This time, while jumping solo, it was a team effort and he had people helping him with five parachutes that he rotated through.

I had five packers on the ground. One of the packers would pick up the parachute I just dropped on the ground and pack it back up to use again, he said. At the same time, another packer would help strap a new parachute onto him.

Armed with a team of supporters and helpers on the ground cheering him on and assisting him with his gear, Hendrix was able to do the 100 jumps, which he did as a fundraiser for the Ellington Fire Department. Hendrix does not have a final tally yet but estimates he has already raised several thousand dollars. He said he is grateful for all the support, especially the four Ellington businesses and the many individuals who donated to the effort.

I want to give a shoutout to everybody who donated or bought a raffle ticket. We were trying to make it a community-building event and I appreciate everyone buying in, he said. We had about 40 to 50 people from the neighborhood stop in on the day of the event to cheer me on. That was much appreciated and it was great to see everyone there.

Asked about his preparations, Hendrix said skydiving does require some physical fitness, but is not really that physically demanding. Instead, he worked on mentally preparing himself by visualizing the jumps and overall experience.

It was certainly mentally taxing as it was the same thing over and over again, he said. It was important for me to stay hydrated and fed throughout the day. My ground crew did a great job to make sure I was eating and drinking enough.

The flight from the ground to where he did his jumps was about 3.5 minutes long, and it took him about a minute to get to the ground. During the 13-hour day, he took a few breaks for himself and the pilot to recharge and refuel.

It worked out to be an average of once every seven minutes I was jumping. It was about a minute to the ground, and then basically I had to drop my parachute and pick up a new one and then get back on the plane, he said.

Andrea Valluzzo is a freelance writer.
ANSONIA  When the Ansonia Police Department moves into its new police station on Sept. 2, Chief Andrew Cota wont be joining them.

Cota notified Mayor David Cassetti on June 25 that he will be resigning by Aug. 12, capping a three-decade career in law enforcement that saw him rise up through the ranks to eventually lead the department.

Cota said he decided to leave in order to pursue a position booking security and off-duty police for private use.

Ive been on the job 30 years, I was looking to do something different, Cota said.

Cota first became an Ansonia police officer in 1991. Back then, the patrol officer had to write incident reports by hand, he said. But over the decades, as he went from a patrol officer, to sergeant, to lieutenant and finally, police chief, hes seen the technology advance to include laptops and printers in patrol cars.

Another law enforcement tool, DNA evidence, was in its infancy when he started. Now it is a crucial tool for solving cases.

Community relations with the police have also changed, driven by calls for increased police accountability and transparency.

While Cota said he didnt resign based on recent scrutiny towards police behavior, he did say it weighed on him.

Its a consideration. Having that pressure on you, it feels like everything were doing is wrong, he said. Its tough. It becomes stressful, But my entire adult life since I was 21 years old, Ive been a police officer. Its time for me to try something different.

Connecticut passed a police accountability law in 2020. The law mandates greater restrictions on police. Some of the laws changes including no longer allowing officers to ask motorists for permission to search their cars, requiring police to intervene in the event another police officer uses excessive force and creating an independent body to review police conduct.

However, Cota stressed that his officers are connected with their communities in the city.

Our officers have been involved, and its not just me doing it, its our officers that are out on the street, he said. Theyre talking to people. They were involved in the forums, and getting out there, he said.

Cassetti said he was surprised by the news, but said he fully supported the outgoing police chief. Now hes searching for someone to fill his spot.

Im in the process of getting together a candidate that the Police Commission could interview for his replacement, Cassetti said.

He said he was hoping to have the new hire in place by Aug. 15.

Cota said that just because hes leaving doesnt mean he wont miss the job. He grew up in Ansonia, and likes how he was able to connect with people from all walks of life. And not just when they needed his help, either.

You walk out to the community, people see you in the grocery store, theyve said Hey, how are you doing? So I miss that. But mostly, I miss the people I work with, Cota said.

He said he hopes whoever replaces him continues his approach to community relations. The department attends community forums, and also hosts softball games for children.

But says that his experience as a police officer will serve him well in his next endeavor, especially his personal rule for dealing with those he works with.

Treat people fairly; treat them with respect, he said.
DENPASAR, Indonesia (AP)  Rescuers on Wednesday were searching for 11 people missing in rough seas overnight after a ferry sank near Indonesias resort island of Bali. Seven bodies have been recovered and 39 people were rescued, many of them unconscious after drifting in choppy waters for hours.

The KMP Yunice sank about half an hour after leaving East Javas Ketapang port late Tuesday, Bali Search and Rescue Agency chief Gede Darmada said. It was bound for Balis Gilimanuk port, a 50-kilometer (30-mile) trip.
WASHINGTON (AP)  At the invitation of Donald Trump, Indiana Rep. Jim Banks recently led a small group of House Republicans to the former presidents New Jersey golf club, where they dined on beef tenderloin, posed for photos and briefed him on strategy for the 2022 midterm elections.

Banks tweeted a picture of himself and Trump grinning widely while flashing a thumbs-up after the session in June. It was entirely focused on the future of the Republican Party, he said.

Whatever that future may hold, the 41-year-old Banks is working aggressively to play a prominent role in it. A politician with mountaintop ambition, he is rising in the ranks of the House Republicans  and in the estimation of the mercurial Trump.

Banks' overnight trip to Trump's Bedminster resort punctuated a political journey from a county council seat in small-town northeast Indiana to prominence in Congress in little more than a decade. It also served as a testament to the conversion Banks underwent from Trump critic to unapologetic supporter.

Recently selected to lead the Republican Study Committee, a powerful voting bloc that includes most members of the House Republican conference, Banks is now tasked with crafting a policy agenda that bridges mainstream, Reagan-era conservatism and Trumps grievance-driven populism. If successful, its a project that could catapult Banks higher in the House leadership.

On Wednesday, Banks was invited to join Trump for a tour of the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas Rio Grande Valley, where the former president was expected to rail against illegal immigration.

Jim understands theres no future for the Republican Party without Trump supporters. But he also understands traditional movement conservative principles need to have a future, said Luke Messer, a former Indiana congressman who retired in 2019 after a failed Senate run. He is trying to work both halves of that equation and his colleagues recognize his talent.

Like other Republican strivers, including New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, the No. 3 ranking member of the House GOP, his evolution was swift.

Banks supported special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into the Trump campaign's potential ties to Russia and once said that America deserved better after a video emerged of Trump discussing sexually grabbing women without their consent.

He now says Trump's 2016 election was a "gift" that could make Republicans a majority party for a long time to come.

While Banks has proved politically adroit in dealing with Trump, his colleagues also say he grasps policy as well.

There are some members of Congress who excel in the political arena and dont do as much in the policy arena, and vice versa. But Jim is one of the rare people who do both, said Rep. Mike Johnson, R-La., who served a previous term leading the group Banks now does.

Figures such as Banks have a long history in Congress. So long, in fact, that a 19th century nautical term has historically been applied to their ilk.

He's a trimmer, said Ross Baker, a political science professor at Rutgers University, who studies congressional history. It means a guy who trims his sails depending on which way the wind is blowing. In his case, he is a serial trimmer.

Banks describes it differently.

I was very skeptical, Banks said of his early views of Trump. But, Banks said, he won me over more and more every single day by doing what he said he was going to do.

Banks' critics use another term: political expedience.

Everything Jim Banks does is based on how it will help him politically, said Gary Snyder, a Republican-turned-Democrat who writes a politics newsletter in Indiana. The two were close earlier in Banks' political career before a falling out when Snyders wife ran against Banks as a libertarian in 2016.

Hes cunning and manipulative. But he plays the game very well, Snyder said.

Banks beginnings trace to a trailer park in Columbia City, Indiana, near Fort Wayne. His father worked as an axle-maker for the Dana Corp., while his mother cooked in a nursing home. The family was largely apolitical, Banks has said, though his parents did vote for Democrats. Like much of Indiana, by the time Banks was elected to Congress on the same night Trump won the presidency, his father had become a convert.

My dad could not have cared as much about (my election) as he did about Donald Trump becoming president, Banks fondly recalls at GOP dinners in Indiana.

Banks, the first in his family to go to college, got his initial taste of politics when he joined the Indiana University College Republicans. That's where he met his wife, Amanda. Afterward, he went to work for now-former Indiana Rep. John Hostettler, then honed his political instincts working on mostly unsuccessful campaigns in Ohio, Indiana and Colorado.

You always learn more when you lose, Banks said. He later got a real job working for a construction business before he and his wife had the first of their three daughters. His political ascent began when he became GOP chairman of Whitley County and later secured a spot on the countys council.

He launched a bid for the Indiana state Senate two years later. Party insiders quickly took note.

A veteran state representative had signaled interest in the vacant seat, and Banks said he would only run if the legislator did not, the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette reported. Behind the scenes, however, Banks was working to outmaneuver the potential rival. Banks asked Snyder, then a blogger, to convey a message: stand down or face a tough primary.

I basically went to the guy and said, Jim wants you to step aside. Hell help you run for state representative instead. And thats basically what happened, said Snyder.

Later in the race, Banks would tip Snyder off to the actions of another rival, asking Snyder to write negative blog posts about the candidate, according to emails provided to The Associated Press.

One email passed along a list of mocking instances in which Banks' opponent used poor grammar. Another asked Snyder to write a critical post noting that the rival was sending campaign materials to people with government email addresses, giving the appearance of inappropriate co-mingling of political and official business.

Banks said the campaign was a long time ago but he did not deny the account. His former opponent, Tom Wall, said the two made amends long ago.

I like the guy. I pray for him all the time, said Wall. Dont tell him too much of this or his head will swell too much, but I am so proud of him when I see him on Fox News.

Like many politicians with an eye on higher office, Banks also saw value in a military credential. In his early 30s, Banks was accepted into the Navy Supply Corps, a program focused on supply chain management. He was commissioned as a reserve officer in November 2012.

In 2014, after his third daughter was a born, Banks deployed to Afghanistan for eight months. Amanda Banks was appointed to fill his state Senate seat. During his deployment he tweeted photos of himself meeting Republican Sens. Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Ben Sasse of Nebraska.

When Banks returned, a film crew was on hand to catch the family's reunion. The footage was used in political ads after he formally began his campaign for Congress three weeks later. His combat boots were put on prominent display at his kickoff event.

A lot of families go through that over and over again, a lot more than my family did, said Banks, who disputed any suggestion that politics were a factor in his decision to join, calling it "offensive to anyone who has served."

He won a tight primary race with the help of the conservative group Club for Growth, which spent more than $250,000 on ads. The hard-line House Freedom Caucus spent $100,000 supporting his bid, though he ultimately chose not join the group.

Nearly half of the campaign cash he has raised since has come from trade associations and corporate political actions committees, a source of money that winnowed after Banks' voted against certifying Joe Biden's presidential election victory on Jan. 6, when a mob of Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol.

Banks says corporate money is no longer needed in the party of Trump.

For most of my time in Republican Party politics, we've heard the mantra that Republicans are the party of Big Business, he said. That paradigm has shifted. Now Joe Biden and Democrats' top donors are Wall Street and big tech companies and Republicans' donors base are small-dollar working-class voters.

Banks has cultivated a close relationship with House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy of California. And he played a prominent public role building the GOP's case for ousting Rep. Liz Cheney, a Wyoming congresswoman who was booted from her No. 3 spot in the House leadership in May.

The reason you and I are talking about Liz Cheney, Banks told Fox News is she has failed in her mission as the chief spokesperson of our party.

But he's also won over other influential members in the House Republican caucus.

Im a serious legislator and I appreciate other people who are serious legislators, said Rep. Mike Rogers, of Alabama, the top Republican on the House Armed Services Committee. We have some people in this town who all they want to do is chase TV cameras  and thats not Jim."

Banks' rise echoes that of another Indiana congressman who parlayed his leadership of the Republican Study Committee to reach broader prominence: former Vice President Mike Pence.

Jim Banks wants to be influential, said Andy Downs, a professor of political science at Purdue University Fort Wayne. If Jim Banks decides that his (House seat) is an office from which he wants to do things, hes in a position to be influential for decades to come.

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This story has been corrected to fix the spelling of Lindsey for Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Gov. Ned Lamont blocked Rep. Sean Scanlons push this year for a major state income tax cut for Connecticuts middle class.

But Scanlon made sure  through the new state budget Lamont signed last week  that Lamont wont be forgetting it any time soon.

The two-year budget will force the administration to conduct Connecticuts first tax fairness study in seven years, something that fiscal moderates and conservatives have blocked on several occasions since 2014.

And should new federal income tax relief for the middle class expire as planned after this year, the budget also directs Lamont to at least develop his own plan to ease state tax burdens on low- and middle-income households.

Our world changes every year, but our world has changed a lot between 2014 and 2021, said Scanlon, a Guilford Democrat, who added that no one knows how badly the coronavirus pandemic skewed things over the past year.

If I had to guess, that [next] study will show the problem is far worse than it was seven years ago, he said, and I hope that is a call to action.

The 2013 General Assembly first ordered the Department of Revenue Services to provide a tax incidence analysis by December 2014  and then to prepare a follow-up every two years.

An incidence analysis studies which groups pay taxes and how those burdens are shifted. For example, renters effectively pay some or all of their landlords property taxes.

The report also noted that Connecticut relies heavily on regressive taxes  levies that charge the same rate to all households, regardless of income. Examples include property, sales and gasoline taxes.

The analysis found Connecticuts poorest households in terms of adjusted gross income  about 725,000 filers earning up to $48,000 per year  effectively spent 23.6 percent of their pay on state and local taxes.

By comparison, the middle-class paid about 13 percent, while the top 10 percent of earners paid 10 percent and the top 1 percent paid about 7.5 percent.

But while that report prompted many statements of concern from state officials, legislatures and governors would not permit another study, voting four times between 2015 and 2019 to postpone another analysis.

Some fiscal moderates and conservatives have dismissed the study on grounds that the data now is simply too old.

Yale Law School Professor Anika Singh Lemar, who teaches at the schools community and economic development clinic, supports regular updates, noting that otherwise you risk making policy in a vacuum.

Given the highly restrictive zoning rules many communities use to prevent construction of apartment complexes in Connecticut, Lemar also believes the next tax fairness study could show more tax burdens shifted onto renters.

We, right now, have a very tight housing market, she said. Its hitting renters because youve essentially made it illegal to build multi-family housing in your state.

The last of the four times the tax fairness study was postponed involved 2019 legislation signed by Lamont. And Scanlon said the administration pushed for yet another postponement in the most recent budget debate.

While the tax incidence study provides useful information on the burden of taxes by income strata, it is a substantial undertaking and is most useful at a time when more significant tax policy changes are under contemplation, Melissa McCaw, the governors budget director, said Wednesday.

Lamont insisted that the new state budget not include any major tax hikes and blocked progressive proposals to impose new income tax surcharges on wealthy households and a digital media ads levy on online giants like Google and Facebook.

But because of the economic chaos of the pandemic, Lamont also questioned whether Connecticut could afford to commit to a big state tax cut for the middle class.

About 4 percent of the new $46.4 billion biennial state budget, roughly $1.8 billion, is being supported by temporary federal pandemic relief that expires in 2024.

Scanlon wanted to give low- and middle-income households $600 per child  up to a maximum of $1,800  off of their state income taxes. This would cost Connecticut about $300 million per year, according to the legislatures nonpartisan Office of Fiscal Analysis.

Lamont blocked that on two grounds.

We came out of a year from hell, Lamont said while discussing the new state budget on June 10, one day after the regular 2021 General Assembly session adjourned.

The governor agreed that Connecticuts tax system, especially the over-reliance on the property tax  hits the middle class hardest.

But he quickly added that hes trying to jump-start an economy that gained few new jobs over three decades  before a pandemic that wiped out 292,000 positions.

According to the Department of Labor, the state has regained about 185,000 of those jobs but still has more than 100,000 to go. And it also still has more than 175,000 filers receiving weekly unemployment benefits.

Ive got to make sure we stay competitive and can grow, the governor added, because a growing economy is one of the best ways to hold down taxes in general.

The governors second reason for opposing a state income tax cut for the poor and middle class was that Congress recently gave them a federal tax break. The American Rescue Plan Act specifically set the federal child tax credit between $3,000 and $3,600 per child for this year only. Normally the limit is $2,000 per dependent.

Connecticuts congressional delegation has pledged to fight to make that upgrade permanent, but there is no guarantee that will happen.

And Scanlon ensured the new state budget forces Lamont to prepare for that possibility. It specifically orders the administration to at least develop a plan to create a child tax credit within the state income tax  if and when the enhanced federal benefit expires or is reduced.

Many advocates for tax reform dismiss Lamonts argument that the temporary federal relief is sufficient, arguing that tht Connecticuts poor and middle class were getting hammered economically even before 2020.

Between 2010 and 2019, pre-pandemic, Connecticut was the only state to see an increase in the child poverty rate, said Emily Byrne, executive director of Connecticut Voices for Children.

The New Haven-based policy group has been one of the strongest advocates for a state child tax credit to assist the struggling middle class.

Given the disastrous impact of the coronavirus pandemic and recession on children and families  compounded by the fact Connecticut has one of the greatest income and wealth gaps in the country and over a decade of stagnant wages for the majority of its workforce  it would not be surprising to learn that child poverty grew even more these past two years, Byrne added.

Lamont, a Democrat from Greenwich, has his own checkered past when it comes to promises to help Connecticuts middle class.

When he ran for his first gubernatorial term in 2018, his Republican opponent, Madison businessman Bob Stefanowski, made the fiscally dubious pledge to eliminate the state income tax, which effectively pays for half of the budgets General Fund.

As a shield, Lamont vowed to deliver dramatic state income tax cuts to the poor and middle class by expanding a credit that offsets households property tax costs.

He subsequently reneged on that pledge, and since being elected has said he opposes cutting state taxes on the poor and middle class if it means raising taxes on the wealthy to pay for it. The governor has said this approach will make Connecticuts economy less competitive with that of competing states and prompt wealthy families to move.

The Recovery For All Coalition, a team of labor and faith-based groups, lobbied Lamont frequently this past spring to address growing income and wealth inequality. The legislatures Black and Puerto Rican Caucus also has argued Connecticut is doing too little to address longstanding racial inequities in access to education, health care, affordable housing and economic opportunity.

Puya Gerami, director of the coalition, said last week that this debate over Connecticuts extreme inequity is just getting started and will absolutely persist throughout the 2022 gubernatorial campaign.

Lamont has deflected questions about whether he will run again , but many Democratic insiders expect him to seek re-election.

We cant wait any longer for justice, Gerami said, adding that the 2022 contest will be fundamentally, a debate about what kind of state Connecticut ought to be.
It was the end of an era for Hartford HealthCare Wednesday, as the system announced it was the last day for its mega site vaccination clinics  including those at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield and Central High School in Bridgeport.

But that doesnt mean the system is halting its effort to immunize people against COVID-19, said Keith Grant, HHCs senior system director for infection prevention.

Were definitely not done, he said. Instead, the system will shift to a community-based approach to vaccination, emphasizing urgent care clinics and other locations, such as churches and community centers.

Grant was one of several HHC officials who spoke Wednesday at a press conference at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford, which also had served as one of the mega sites. He and others said these sites were essential in getting people vaccinated quickly so that the pandemic could be contained.

There was a point when these clinics were administering 1,600 shots a day, said Jeffrey A. Flaks, president and CEO of Hartford HealthCare. This week, he said, the system reached the milestone of having given 500,000 doses of vaccine. It has also administered 1.2 million COVID tests.

These arent statistics, Flaks said. These are people. These are lives we have touched.

St. Vincents Medical Center in Bridgeport is part of Hartford HealthCare, and it operated the mega sites at Sacred Heart and Central. Of the nearly 500,000 doses of vaccine given by Hartford HealthCare, 58,409 of those have been given at the systems Fairfield County locations.

The mega sites played a huge role in managing the pandemic early on, said Dr. Corina Marcu, associate vice president of medical affairs for HHCs Fairfield region, which includes St. Vincents.

The vaccine became available right around when the second wave (of COVID) peaked, she said. We needed to vaccinate a lot of people in a short period.

But, in recent weeks, demand at the mega sites throughout the state slowed, Marcu said. The number of daily vaccinations had decreased significantly, she said. It didnt make sense to have the mega sites.

As part of the new, community-based approach, HHC will offer clinics at five Fairfield County urgent care clinics, in Monroe, Trumbull, Shelton, Stratford and Fairfield. Those clinics are expected to be operating by early July.

The hope is that these smaller, community-based clinics will draw in young people who havent gotten their shots yet and others who might have been turned off by the sprawling mega sites, said Syed Z. Hussain, medical director of the urgent care centers, occupational medicine and employee health for HHCs Fairfield region.

We are offering people to come in as a walk-in, he said. No appointments are needed. We are targeting the younger population from 18 to 25. Those are the people who are kind of dragging their heels.

In addition, the health system is working with local health departments to identify neighborhoods where the vaccine is most needed. Bill Hoey, St. Vincents vice president of mission integration, said hes had some good results hosting clinics at churches, community centers and similar organizations.

Some communities have even launched their own efforts. Also on Wednesday, city of Bridgeport officials announced that the citys health department was launching a medical response unit, which will provide non-emergency medical services  such as vaccine and testing opportunities  to Bridgeport residents.

Hoey said that, even with the mega sites closing, getting people vaccinated against COVID remains a key goal of health providers. Were not moving away from our vaccination efforts, he said. Were just trying to make them more efficient.
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Elizabeth City, NC (27909)

Today

Mainly sunny. High 89F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A mostly clear sky. Low around 70F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
Mrs. Martha Lyndell Wilbanks, age 84, of Chatsworth passed away Thursday, July 1, 2021, at Chatsworth Health Care. She is survived by her husband, Damon Wilbanks of Chatsworth. No public memorial services have been planned at this time. Cremation services were provided by Peeples Funeral Hom
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Gold Price Outlook:

Gold prices havent been able to stage a significant recovery after their steep drop post-Fed.

Support has been found around the 50% Fibonacci retracement of the 2020 high/low move, which may prove to be a significant level of interest as the calendar turns to a new month, a new quarter, and the second half of the year.

According to the IG Client Sentiment Index , gold prices have a bullish bias in the near-term.

Not Much to Like Right Now

Last week, in the wake of the June Federal Reserve policy meeting, it was noted that gold prices have since entered a window of time where US real yields have begun to rise. Shifts in the US Treasury yield curve, on balance, suggesting a period with stronger short- and intermediate-term rates, has been consistent with a stronger US Dollar. As things stand now, its once again an uphill climb for gold prices as investors seeking higher yielding and more growth-sensitive assets.

Since then, gold prices have hit a fresh monthly low, while the US Dollar has continued to rally and US equity markets have reached fresh record highs. In a sense, nothing has changed for gold (or markets generally) one way or the other. It may be the case that the best outcome for gold prices is if the COVID-19 delta variant becomes a wall of worry for markets to climb, an excuse for stimulus to keep flowing in an otherwise growing economy.

Gold Volatility and Gold Prices Back in Sync

Historically, gold prices have a relationship with volatility unlike other asset classes. While other asset classes like bonds and stocks dont like increased volatility  signaling greater uncertainty around cash flows, dividends, coupon payments, etc.  gold tends to benefit during periods of higher volatility.

GVZ (Gold Volatility) Technical Analysis: Daily Price Chart (June 2020 to June 2021) (Chart 1)

Gold volatility (as measured by the Cboes gold volatility ETF, GVZ, which tracks the 1-month implied volatility of gold as derived from the GLD option chain) was trading at 15.85. Last week it was noted with the relationship between gold prices and gold volatility still out of sync, questions remain about gold prices ability to sustain a significant rebound. Gold prices hit a fresh monthly low yesterday.

However, the relationship is starting to stabilize again. Now, the 5-day correlation between GVZ and gold prices is -0.93 while the 20-day correlation is -0.47. One week ago, on June 23, the 5-day correlation was -0.86 and the 20-day correlation was -0.75.

Gold Price Rate Technical Analysis: Daily Chart (March 2020 to June 2021) (Chart 2)

Gold prices havent done much over the past week aside from hitting a fresh monthly low, but stability has prevailed as the month, quarter, and first half of the year come to a close. Gold prices remain within the descending channel measured against the August 2020 and January 2021 swing highs. Support remains around the 50% Fibonacci retracement of the 2020 high/low move at 1763.57. Failure here at the start of July would suggest a deeper pullback towards 1740 by the end of the month (where time meets the rising trendline from the May 2019 and March 2020 swing lows).

Gold Price Technical Analysis: Weekly Chart (October 2015 to June 2021) (Chart 3)

As noted last week, it is now no longer applicable to apply a longer-term bullish view on gold prices; the outlook is decidedly neutral at present time. The threat of a more significant breakdown looms, and without more progression back above the descending trendline from the August 2020 and January 2021 highs, then it stands to reason that the technical structure is unfavorable.

IG CLIENT SENTIMENT INDEX: GOLD PRICE FORECAST (June 30, 2021) (CHART 4)

Gold: Retail trader data shows 84.26% of traders are net-long with the ratio of traders long to short at 5.35 to 1. The number of traders net-long is 0.11% lower than yesterday and 2.53% lower from last week, while the number of traders net-short is 20.02% higher than yesterday and 26.89% higher from last week.

We typically take a contrarian view to crowd sentiment, and the fact traders are net-long suggests Gold 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 Gold price trend may soon reverse higher despite the fact traders remain net-long.

--- Written by Christopher Vecchio, CFA, Senior Currency Strategist
Madison, SD (57042)

Today

Mostly sunny skies. High near 95F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early followed by scattered showers and thunderstorms later during the night. Low 66F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
@ChescoCourtNews on Twitter

Michael P. Rellahan has been a staff reporter and editor at the Daily Local News since 1982. He has covered all kinds of news over the years but is now assigned to report on court and legal news, as well as Chester County government news and politics.
West Chester

West Chester Police look to hire more minorities and women
One of my most vivid recollections as a teenager was the funeral service of Sir Winston Churchill in the winter of 1965, when his coffin was carried in a gunboat that sailed down the Thames.

Our wartime leader had planned the commemoration himself with military precision under the title 'Operation Hope Not'.

Like thousands of others joining a series of events across the United Kingdom, I, and my school, attended a service marking his passing.

Like thousands of others joining a series of events across the United Kingdom, I, and my school, attended a service marking his passing

The Boys' Brigade, the Girl Guides, the Scouts and the Royal British Legion in my home town of Kirkcaldy paid their respects. The Union Flag was unfurled. The National Anthem sung, and Land Of Hope And Glory came later. It was a high moment of Britishness: the UK coming together, under one flag, to mark the death of a leader who had led our country to its finest hour.

But as the line from Flower Of Scotland, Scotland's anthem, has it, 'those days are passed now'. In Scotland today, the SNP is in government, the ties of Britishness are weaker, a constitutional crisis lies ahead and many see the separation of Scotland and England as inevitable.

But now, half a century on, I remain as convinced as ever that the case for Scotland in Britain is as sound as ever  not because of ceremonies or any nostalgia for war or empire or flags  but on a fresh patriotic, principled and patriotic argument that I believe can keep our country united.

Fake

I know that, in many parts of England, there is scepticism about Scotland's desire to remain in the UK. Given that most people in England only ever see Scotland represented by Nicola Sturgeon or SNP Westminster leader Ian Blackford at Prime Minister's Questions, it's easy to see why.

But the picture of Scotland which the SNP presents  and would like England to see  is closer to fake news than reality. While much has changed since the day in 1965 when millions stood to mark the passing of Churchill, the most important ties that bind us together have endured and continue to do so.

Around 30 per cent of Scots are wholly committed to independence, come what may. Another 30 per cent are wholly committed Unionists, equally determined to stay put. Then there are the remaining 40 per cent  1.5 million people  and it is this 'Middle Scotland', as we term them, who will decide whether the Union lives or dies.

A majority of Middle Scots backed the SNP in last month's Scottish election and many currently say they will support independence.

Not surprisingly, perhaps, they feel more Scottish than British. They prefer Nicola Sturgeon to Boris Johnson and the Scottish Parliament to the UK parliament. But they have yet to be fully convinced of the case for independence  and many who have changed their minds over recent years are willing to consider changing their mind again when they know the facts.

I know that, in many parts of England, there is scepticism about Scotland's desire to remain in the UK

For Middle Scotland thinks differently from out-and-out nationalists. They are comfortably Scottish and British. They don't want to wipe out every British connection from their lives. They are patriots who love our country, not nationalists who see life in terms of a permanent struggle between the 'us', Scotland, and 'them', the rest. They are waiting to see if there is some way for Scotland to continue as part of the UK.

And there's a good reason why it can. Around 50 per cent of Scots have relatives in England or the rest of the UK. And whether it's on the screen, in sport or in our everyday lives, the British link matters more than many will admit. Take soaps. More Scots watch EastEnders coming out of London than watch River City, the Glasgow-based rival.

Even more Scots watch Coronation Street, which has almost twice as many viewers as Scotland's offering.

Glamour

The Scottish-only Nine news programme from Glasgow was billed as the alternative to the BBC Ten O'Clock News from London  but few watch it, despite its multi- million budget.

And when it comes to watching our favourite sport, many Scots find themselves more drawn every week to the glamour of the English Premier League.

It's true that Scots will tell you they have more affinity with the North and Midlands and Wales than the South-East. But when it comes to the values we share in common  tolerance, liberty, fairness and social responsibility  most people acknowledge there's much more that unites the two nations than divides us. And none of this makes Scots less proud of our country.

But while most Scots want to remain Scottish and British, Scottish Nationalists have made it their mission to force Scots to choose Scotland or Britain.

And the story of the last decade of public life in Scotland has been a nationalist movement, in power, attempting to force people into that choice.

'Scotland or Britain', one prominent nationalist public relations guru wrote: 'You pays your money, and you make your choice.'

What this means is that if you're for Scotland, you can't be for Britain. The implication is clear: if you are for Britain, then you'll be seen as anti-Scottish. The SNP's aim is to show that England and Scotland are inexorably moving apart.

The wilder fringes of the Nationalist movement have taken this to absurd and sometimes shocking lengths.

Some time ago, protesters descended on Scotland's most famous confectionery firm, Tunnock's, to protest that the biscuit maker had added the Union Flag to branding for its exports.

You might write this off as ill-thought-through posturing. But the impact can be insidious. Culture wars are not just fought by waving flags, erecting statues, or demolishing them, or even by aggressive speeches by politicians or with banners aloft in marches through towns and cities.

Culture wars are fought through zealots insinuating symbols of 'us' and 'them'  and images of 'insiders' and 'outsiders'  into our everyday lives, finding enemies where none exist.

So how should we respond to this effort to separate us?

For some, the way is clear. It is to raise the Union flag, charge into battle and fight fire with fire.

To combat Scottish nationalism with so-called 'muscular unionism'.

But fighting Scottish nationalism with British nationalism only sets up the fight the SNP wants: a competition between Britishness and Scottishness that forces Middle Scotland to take sides and pushes them towards the exit door.

Instead, a far more positive, patriotic argument will defeat the forces trying to pull our country apart. The strength of our Britishness is best measured not by summoning up ancient symbols, but bringing to life values we share in common: of solidarity, cooperation, reciprocity and empathy with one another. And the challenge is to build a tolerant and inclusive country founded on all that we have in common.

So we should see Scottishness and Britishness not at war with each other, but as complementary. Indeed the uniqueness of the United Kingdom is that it is multinational and includes plural identities  black and British, Muslim and British, Scottish and British  and we should celebrate this cultural diversity as a proud centrepiece of our kingdom.

Change

Boris Johnson does not want to be remembered as the man who 'took back control' but then lost control of Britain. So he must change, too. Not just in Scotland, but in many other parts of the United Kingdom, the Westminster government feels remote and distant from people's lives.

Despite the huge success of the vaccination programme, the Covid crisis also exposed the cracks in the relationships between the centre and our regions and nations.

Therefore, when the crisis is finally over, we need a review of the way we govern ourselves, the first for 50 years, set up by the Prime Minister and reaching into every community in the land.

And he will find that the vast majority of Scots  even large numbers of those who vote SNP  want better cooperation between Scotland and the UK. More than half regret that the First Minister and Prime Minister don't seem to want to cooperate with each other. Three-quarters of Scots say that we need more cooperation not less  the figure is as high when it refers to health, security, the economic recovery and jobs.

Indeed, there is now widespread all-party support for him using perhaps the greatest power his office has: the power of convening Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland and the regions of England to address those issues where UK-wide coordination is essential, and where we need to mobilise all our country's resources for good.

If we can show the UK can work better, it will be easier to expose the contrast with what Scottish independence would actually mean  for the pound, the border with England, tax and economic stability.

Culture wars are fought through zealots insinuating symbols of 'us' and 'them'  and images of 'insiders' and 'outsiders'  into our everyday lives, finding enemies where none exist

Two-thirds say the best way for Boris Johnson to make the Union case is showing that cooperation is the way forward in every area of policy  from defence to tackling poverty and creating jobs  and there is no greater illustration of the almost unanimous support for the NHS.

It is administered separately in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, and regionally in England, but it is seen as a great British institution that does its best  as with vaccinations  when all nations work together.

Remember Danny Boyle's rousing crescendo of his British story at the 2012 Olympics with the invocation of the work of nurses, doctors and health professionals as a representation of all that is good about Britain?

Future

For millions, the NHS is compassion in action, embodying virtues of empathy, solidarity and reciprocity that we British hold dear: the very values that make us want to cooperate and share across the UK.

The high era of Britishness that marked the death of Churchill may have passed, and we cannot build the future if we wallow in nostalgia.

But it was Churchill who, in his last speech in the House of Commons, reminded us of the qualities that we British share in common and concluded that the greatest British attribute of all was our belief in fair play.

And that is something that remains as important to us today as it did then. It is by bringing to life the best of British values that the future of the United Kingdom will be resolved and built anew.
With the latest skincare must-haves, and not one but TWO chances to win fantastic prizes, this week's Checklist round-up of top beauty and fashion tips is not to be missed...

Dress to impress

As one of the leading independent retailers of luxury fashion, Choice know a thing or two when it comes to cutting-edge style.

With brands including Moncler, Canada Goose, Mallet, Dsquared2, Kenzo and Marc Jacobs, Choice Store brings an elevated experience to your wardrobe needs.

Their buying teams only work with the best fashion houses in the industry and are always on the lookout for brands that bring a little something different to the table, but never compromise on style.

Both the men's and women's ranges cater for every occasion, be it a night out on the town or a meeting while working from home. So whenever you want to look your best, Choice can help you out.

The Info: Click here to find out more and see Choice's latest offers.

Envy-inducing skin in a flash

A futuristic face mask that claims to transform skin, you say? Never!

But it's true! CurrentBody Skin LED Light Therapy Mask is the latest innovation in beauty technology which can help users tackle everything from acne to redness, and even fine lines - and all without leaving the house.

The device works by using red and near infra-red lights designed to help stimulate the production of new collagen in your face. Studies have shown this can help improve skin tone and texture, calm redness, as well as boosting oxygen in your skin cells. The result? Skin looks plumper, younger and downright gorgeous.

Using the award-winning, original LED mask isn't as complicated as it may initially appear, either. It's made with a flexible silicone which you can mould to fit your face and allow the light to penetrate your skin more effectively.

Simply pop it on for 10 minutes five times a week and it could reduce the appearance of fine lines by as much as 35% in as little as a month!

The Info: Click here to find out more and use code CBMAIL to claim a free CurrentBody Skin LED Mirror worth 50 with your LED mask purchase.

WIN! An Avant Skincare gift box worth 380 From chemical-rich anti-ageing potions to organic lotions which smell fantastic but do little else, it's not always easy to find effective products that do our skin and the planet good. Avant Skincare quickly realised that what we all want is skincare that combines all of these qualities for us so we can enjoy nature-enhanced goodness that actually delivers without any downsides. So, with the help of their expert team of dermatologists, they launched Bio Activ+, a non-invasive, organic skincare line that delivers visible results from the comfort of your own home. From the regenerative overnight facial oil to the ultra fine line moisturiser, every Avant product - from the Bio Activ+ range and beyond - has all the ingredients clearly printed on the packaging along with an explanation as to how each of them work, so you can see and understand what your skin needs. And to further their dedication to all things natural, all Avant Skincare packaging is made from 100% recycled fibres and is 100% recyclable. Fully embracing skincare-to-share, Avant has developed a wide range of products that are designed to be effective for everyone. The brand marks a tipping point in the skincare industry where neither product nor brand is bound to gender, skin colour or ethnicity, but simply to what the skin needs. Fancy treating yourself to this skincare revolution? You could win a FREE Avant Skincare gift box worth 380. See how below. The Info: Click here to find out more. PLUS, click here for your chance to win the Avant Skincare gift box.

Give your smile the Hollywood factor

A dazzling white smile is something we all crave - and now you can achieve it without paying out a fortune at the dentist.

L.A Pacific Enzyme Whitening Toothpaste is the world's first enzymatic tooth whitening range, clinically proven to whiten smiles in as little as 60 seconds*.

Packed with lots of beneficial ingredients, such as anti-oxidising and anti-bacterial aloe vera, which also serves to soothe gum irritation, this vegan toothpaste boasts whitening and cleaning power while caring for your gum health too.

Thanks to its multi-action formula, the enzymes in this toothpaste interact with sugars around your teeth to naturally produce low levels of hydrogen peroxide, whitening teeth with zero sensitivity while doing no harm to your enamel. This reaction also neutralises the sugars, leaving teeth beautifully clean.

But what also helps this hit product leave you with pearly whites is its unique blend of opalescent crystals. These leave a thin film that has a blue hue on your teeth, which has the added bonus of making your teeth positively glow when you grin.

L.A. PACIFIC toothpastes are made using 100% biodegradable sugarcane tubes as well as being paraben and sulfate free.

The Info: Click here to find out more.

*Independent clinical tests conducted University of Indiana, March, 2019

Beauty without the needles

There are countless beauty treatments out there to help you achieve the flawless skin of your dreams. But many of them involve injections which aren't for everyone.

STORY, an aesthetics clinic that normally specialises in injectable beauty treatments, realised this and has come up with a new way to carry out some of the most-loved treatments - all without a needle in sight.

To do this, they use plasma (the ionised gas, not the component in your blood). Via STORY's innovative Plasma Shower Treatment, plasma can be used to help beneficial products penetrate the skin without the need for injections or pain, beautifying it from within - the dream!

The device works by gently tapping the skin, which disperses the ionised gas and thereby opens up the skin's pores. Through this method, popular treatments such as mesotherapy (where vitamins are normally injected into the skin) and other skin rejuvenators can be absorbed by the skin more naturally. Plus it can improve the skin further by directly increasing collagen production - win-win.

So, whether you're looking to banish acne-prone skin, tackle fine lines or simply want glowing skin for a special event without needles, STORY's Plasma Shower could be your answer.

The Info: Click here to find out more, book your Plasma Shower session or free skin consultation.

WIN! AGAIN! A year's jewellery subscription worth over 450 from Victoria London Looking for some gorgeous new bling without the hefty price tag? Often, paying less for jewellery means making a compromise, be it poor quality pieces that fall apart after a week or metals that turn your skin green. But Victoria London Jewellery is changing that. They cut out the middle man and work directly with jewellery designers, meaning they can sell unique and beautiful quality pieces without bumping up the price. There are different ways to shop with Victoria London, too. Visit the site today and take your pick of amazing designs you won't find anywhere else. Or, you can upgrade your experience to become a Victoria VIP member - Victoria London's all new subscription service. As a VIP, you will benefit from 50% off retail prices along with free delivery. You'll also get an exclusive preview of the latest designs before anyone else. But most importantly, you can have one, two or three new items chosen especially for you and delivered straight to your door every month. And, in our exclusive competition, you could win a year's subscription for FREE and enjoy 450's worth of stunning new jewellery. The Info: Click here to find out more and use discount code CHECKLIST10 for 10% off the entire site including your first subscription box. PLUS, click here your chance to win a year's jewellery subscription.

A facelift in a jar!

Has the stress of lockdown left you feeling haggard and tired looking? You're not alone.

Many of us are looking to leap back into normal life looking our best, but finding that magic product to cure all ills is no mean feat.

However, if firmer, younger and smoother-looking skin is what you dream of, Marine Miracle Creme could be your saving grace.

Made by award-winning beauty and skincare brand Transformulas, this 'facelift in a jar' has become a firm favourite with celebs, influencers and beauty lovers worldwide, helping them rejuvenate tired complexions while protecting skin too.

The secret is in its ingredients, which are sourced and inspired by the sea. Rich in vitamin C and E, sourced from giant sea kelp, this silky, whip-light formula deeply hydrates and nourishes skin, leaving it looking fresh, firm but also protected from harmful airborne pollutants. Moisture is also locked in all day long thanks to algae and sea salt extracts.

Current fans of Marine Miracle Creme have found this wonder product has made a decade of difference to the skin with regular use, and it claims to show visible results in as little as 28 days. Sign us up!

The Info: Click here to find out more.

A potential alternative to finding your inner calm

Heard people raving about CBD and not sure what it is?

CBD oil, or cannabidiol, is a non-hallucinogenic extract of the hemp plant which many people believe has remedial properties, including better skin and eased anxiety.

Flawless CBD are the UKs No 1 CBD distributor and retailer of CBD products. Since 2018, they've taken pride in ensuring all their products are compliant with regulations and tested with sufficient lab reports with full transparency from seed to shelf.

They sell a range of CBD products including Orange County CBD. Made using the highest quality CBD, extracted from GMO-free hemp and manufactured in certified, state of the art facilities, this particular brand is available in oils, gummies and e-liquids, offering lots of different ways for people to explore the potential benefits of this increasingly popular supplement.

The Info: Click here to find out more and use discount code DM20 to get 20% off.

Aesthetic medicine training with Londons leading medical school

Whether you're launching an aesthetic medicine business of your own or are considering the beauty industry as a career route, know that it's important to train with the best if you want to deliver a safe, trustworthy service your clients can rely on.

If this applies you, the Centre for Medical Sciences & Research can help.

As the capital's leading medical school and experts in aesthetic medical training, they offer a wealth of different courses that are crucial for those in the beauty industry.

From fat dissolving, botox and plasma lifts to dermal fillers, there are lots of specialisms you can pursue - regardless of whether you have prior medical training or not.

Every course is taught by professional trainers from medical backgrounds, with plastic surgeons, doctors and nurses making up the teaching staff; each and every one able to bring their valuable expertise to every session, so you know you're learning from the best.

The Info: Click here to find out more and check out the classes available.

Be confident with your hair

A lot of people struggle with hair loss, which can be really damaging to one's confidence.

However, there are solutions out there that could help you stop hair loss in its tracks - and maybe even regain a full head of hair.

Fortes Hair & Skin Clinic is one of the UK's leading clinics in hair transplant services.

This central London-based clinic, led by Dr. Saaed who has over 20 years of experience in the medical world, offers the latest surgical and non-surgical treatments in hair restoration.

With a team committed to excellence in patient treatment and care, Fortes specialises in hair transplants, trichology, aesthetics and skin.

Whether you need help with your facial hair, eyebrow or scalp hair, the expert Fortes team will ensure a bespoke plan tailored to your needs. They offer a variety of treatments, ranging from traditional surgical hair transplants to non-surgical treatments like medicines and PRP, a three-step process to stimulate hair growth.

Whatever your need, you will be formally assessed by surgeons to help you find the most appropriate and effective treatment for you, so you can get your confidence back quickly.

The Info: Click here to find out more.

If you've enjoyed reading this article and are interested in more inspiration in everything from food and drink, health and wellbeing to family life, why not follow Checklist on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram @ChecklistSocial, or sign up to the newsletter? Checklist is dedicated to providing the best free online competitions too  discover amazing new services and products when you visit the website today.
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A couple who tried to get married six times finally tied the knot just hours before Sydney was plunged into lockdown.

Nikki Fitzhenry, 32, a school teacher from Melbourne, married her partner Joel, 30, after they travelled to the Harbour City early to ensure their Blue Mountains wedding would go ahead following the Covid outbreak and lockdown in Victoria earlier this month.

But in an ironic twist of fate, Nikki found out about Greater Sydney's 14-day lockdown just moments before she walked down the aisle.

'I had a lot of resolve this time around, so wasn't stressed, I knew we would make it to the date,' she told FEMAIL.

Joel and Nikki Fitzhenry got married in the Blue Mountains on June 26 just hours before Greater Sydney was plunged into a two-week lockdown

The wedding, on June 26, was the seventh date the couple had picked for their ceremony after their first venue in Victoria burned down in the 2020 bushfires and then Covid hit

The bride and groom were looked after by their bridal party on the day and were blissfully unaware of the looming lockdown

The couple had previously planned weddings at two other venues and picked seven dates - with every attempt to tie the knot failing.

The first venue in the Kangaroo Valley burned down in the 2020 bushfires, and then the Covid pandemic hit.

The pair had to book and reschedule because of Covid restrictions before deciding to halve guest numbers in an attempt to get their wedding over the line.

'We are so overwhelmed by the love we have been shown,' Nikki said

Nikki and Joel then found it difficult to locate a venue that was available for their reception this year after the cancellations that took place in 2020 flooded the market.

In February, the couple booked a venue in Berambing in the Blue Mountains for June 26 after deciding they 'just wanted to be married' and couldn't wait until 2022 when venues became more readily available.

They remained confident as parts of Sydney became hotspots and were locked down in the days before the wedding.

Nikki revealed she found out about the 6pm lockdown as she prepared to walk down the aisle

She said her heart dropped when she found out because she thought the reception wouldn't be able to go ahead. But NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian gave the green light for weddings to proceed on the first lockdown weekend

Nikki's bridesmaids kept her distracted on the morning of her big day, making sure everything was running as smoothly as possible.

'The first I knew of the 6pm lockdown was when I was about to walk down the aisle,' she revealed.

'James, our photographer, told me and my heart dropped.

'There was a sad moment where I thought I would only be able to attend my ceremony, that the party would have to be cancelled.'

But as more information filtered down to the bride, she felt a wave of relief wash over her.

'The venue told us they had checked and the party could go ahead. Gladys (The NSW Premier) was letting weddings happen if they fell on the first lockdown weekend,' Nikki said.

Joel watching Nikki walk down the aisle moments after the pair learned of the Sydney lockdown

The couple feared more setbacks would mean they wouldn't be able to marry until 2022

'It was the perfect day in the end and I am so glad we were able to spend it with so many of our family and friends.'

Some of the 50 invitees were locked down in Sydney's eastern suburbs, the epi-centre of the June outbreak, and couldn't make it.

Other guests flew in from Melbourne despite knowing they would need to self-isolate for two weeks once they arrived home.

'We are so overwhelmed by the love we have been shown,' Nikki said,

The wedding pictures perfectly capture their special day at Suza Rosa.

But they cut their guest numbers and travelled to NSW weeks before their wedding to ensure it would go ahead following the recent outbreak and lockdown in Melbourne

Nikki's bridesmaids took the stress out of her day and didn't worry her with the details of the lockdown

Mr and Mrs Fitzhenry are now in isolation in Melbourne where they will stay for two weeks instead of heading to Cairns for their honeymoon

The lockdown orders that were passed after an emergency meeting following the spread of the Delta variant allowed weddings to take place in Sydney, the Blue Mountains, the Central Coast and Wollongong on June 26 and 27. But they are now on hold until the end of lockdown at 11.59pm on July 9.

Funerals are still allowed for the duration of the 14-day lockdown but are limited to 100 mourners and the four-square metre rule.

The newlywed Mr and Mrs Fitzhenry are now in isolation in Melbourne where they will stay for two weeks instead of heading to Cairns for their honeymoon as planned.
Princess Diana, one of the most famous and most photographed women in the world, frequented glamorous galas and jetted around the globe - but her evenings were also spent eating beans on toast and watching EastEnders, a former British Red Cross worker has revealed.

Edith Conn, 72, met the Princess of Wales at a British Red Cross event in 1991 at Manchester Art Gallery where Diana opened up about her love of home comforts.

As the Duke of Cambridge and Duke of Sussex prepare to honour their mother with a statue on what would have been her 60th birthday, Ms Conn, who was president of the humanitarian charity's Greater Manchester branch, recalled meeting the princess.

Ms Conn said: 'She told me how highly she thought of the Red Cross and the wonderful work we do. And then we just chatted really.

Edith said Princess Diana told her how highly she thought of the Red Cross and chatted about their work. Pictured: Edith and Princess Diana

Eileen, who remembers everyone being excited, said they were fortunate to have Princess Diana (pictured) involved in their work before she tragically passed away

'She was so approachable because she was so relaxed. When someone is relaxed, you relax with them, and it just made the whole experience better.'

She added: 'I said "Ma'am, what do you do now? Do you have anywhere to be?

'And to my surprise she said "I'm going home tonight. I'm having beans on toast and watching EastEnders!" I thought that was so funny.'

Eileen Nicol, now 87, was chairwoman of the British Red Cross-run Activenture holiday camp for children with disabilities in Sussex and met Diana in 1985.

Eileen Nichol penned a diary entry (pictured) about Princess Diana's visit to Activenture in Sussex, dated 30th July 1985

Edith Conn, now 72, received a letter from the Princess of Wales in 1993 (pictured), after asking the palace for a photo to put in a Red Cross brochure

A diary entry written by Ms Nicol, which has been released by the charity, revealed the princess's affection for the youngsters and how Diana, then just four years into being a member of the royal family, confessed to hating wearing a hat.

She penned her account of meeting with Diana in 1985, describing her as 'charming' and 'full of compassion'.

Still a supporter of the Red Cross, Eileen has released her diary alongside a letter the royal sent in 1993 to mark Diana's 60th birthday today.

British Red Cross have released two documents to mark Princess Diana's 60th birthday. Pictured: Diana visiting Sussex in 1985

Eileen said Princess Diana got down to the ground to speak to each child and asked her about not wearing a hat in the rain. Pictured: Diana visiting Sussex in 1985

The entry, dated 30th July 1985, reads: '[The Princess] was charming. She has so much compassion for the children'.

'She spoke to every one of them and got right down on the ground to look at a collage and to speak to the little ones.

'It rained, but that didn't seem to matter.'

'She asked me how I got away with not wearing a hat. She hates hers. She wanted to know how to raise the money for the holiday. She had certainly done her homework.'

Speaking about the visit today, Eileen added: 'I remember everyone being very excited. She spoke to every one of us and she spoke so well.

'The children loved her, and she loved the children. She told me she wishes she had my job. It truly was a marvellous day.'

When asked why she believes her impact and legacy on charity is important to remember, Eileen added: 'Her impact was worldwide. She's known in every country, for her compassion, her smile and her love of children.

'We were so fortunate to have had her involved with our work before she sadly passed away'.

Alongside the entry, the Red Cross has also released a letter from the Princess of Wales written in 1993 has also been released to show just how deeply humanitarianism and helping others meant to her.

Alongside the entry, the Red Cross has also released a letter from the Princess of Wales written in 1993 has also been released to show just how deeply humanitarianism and helping others meant to her. Edith Conn, now 72 and President of the British Red Cross Greater Manchester branch, met Diana, Princess of Wales, while representing the British Red Cross at an event at the Manchester Art Gallery in 1991.

The letter was sent to Edith a couple of years later, after she wrote to the palace asking for a photo to put in a Red Cross brochure promoting the annual charity ball.

She received such a personal and heart-warming letter back. It read: 'As Patron of Red Cross Youth, I have had many opportunities to see for myself the work of the British Red Cross in this country and overseas. I have always been greatly encouraged by the splendid efforts of volunteers and staff in providing help for those most in need.

'The work of the British Red Cross is just as important today as it has ever been. Increasing demands on resources and ever-changing needs at home and abroad mean that the Red Cross must work to increase the level of its voluntary income. That is why your support today is so important.

'I wish you all a most enjoyable evening. Your generous help will enable the Greater Manchester branch to provide even more help for people in need. With many thanks, Diana, October 1993'.

'Having met her two years earlier, this letter did not surprise me,' Edith said.

Princess of Wales with a landmine survivor in Angola 1997

When asked about her thoughts on the continuation of Diana's legacy on the British Red Cross and charity in general, Edith said: 'I think her legacy is one we should hold on to because of her humanity.

'She was ahead of her time. Her work with removing the landmines and the stigma around HIV/AIDs would resonate today with young people because young people are, I believe, much more aware of these kinds of atrocities and the subsequent damage.'

Princess Diana became patron of the Red Cross Youth in 1983. She also took particular interest in the Red Cross' work overseas. Some of Diana's most notable humanitarian work was around anti-personnel mines.

She famously travelled to Angola in January 1997, a trip organised and supported by the British Red Cross. Diana's visit to Angola brought unprecedented attention to the landmine issue and sparked international discussion.

Mehzebin Adam, Curator at the British Red Cross said: 'Throughout her life, Princess Diana was a dedicated humanitarian who championed causes in the UK and overseas.

'From making connections with young people in her role as Patron of the Red Cross Youth, to campaigning against landmines, she was one of our most dedicated supporters, using her public profile to make positive change.

'The impact of her work is not only remembered on what would have been her 60th birthday, but continues to have a lasting impact today'.

To learn more about Princess Diana's involvement in the Red Cross and help us continue her legacy by supporting our vital work, visit: redcross.org.uk/princess-diana
A Canadian expat has complained about the freezing weather in Australia after moving Down Under from the 'third coldest city in the world'.

Isabelle Mae has been living on the South Coast of New South Wales since the beginning of 2020 after relocating from Winnipeg, the capital city of the province of Manitoba.

According to AccuWeather, Winnipeg is one of the world's coldest cities. The city has experienced some of the most 'bone-chilling' conditions imaginable, with temperatures dropping as low as minus 47C (minus 54F).

The average temperature of the coldest month is January, with temperatures dropping as low as minus 16.4C (3F), while the warmest month is July 19.7C (67F).

In a now-viral TikTok video, Isabelle filmed herself rugged up in a woollen coat with a hoodie as she sat on a sofa next to her dog Dutch inside their Australian home.

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Canadian expat Isabelle Mae has complained about the freezing weather in Australia after moving Down Under from the 'third coldest city in the world'

'I moved from the third coldest city in the world in the middle of Canada to Australia. Why is it so cold? We're so cold,' she said.

'Okay, it's 10C but the houses are not well insulated here.'

Her video has since been viewed more than 165,000 times, with many agreeing with her statement, saying homes in Australia are 'not built for cold climates'.

'My house is tiles, solid walls, high ceilings - it's perfect for summer but a nightmare when it drops to freezing temperatures,' one wrote.

Another Aussie said: 'Australian homes - outside 10 degrees, insider minus two degrees. Summer nighttime, outside is 20 degrees, inside is 40 degrees.'

Isabelle said spent first year in Australia living in Cairns but admitted she preferred the country's winter over summer

One woman added: 'It's winter and since it doesn't snow in like 99 per cent of the country, our houses aren't built to keep warmth in.'

While another explained: 'Australian houses have surprisingly terrible insulation. And most houses don't have double glazed windows.'

Speaking to Daily Mail Australia, Isabelle said she found it cold in Australia because the 'level of insulation is vastly different'.

'I find that houses here are sometimes colder inside than outside, and people tend to stay bundled up in their layers inside,' she said.

'Whereas in Canada, all buildings are kept at warm temperatures so you usually take off most of your layers when you're inside. I don't know why, but I really don't like wearing socks when I'm not wearing shoes, but I think I'm going to have to learn.

'It's also a much wetter cold, Winnipeg is a very harsh dry cold, but once you're inside you feel fine. The cold here tends to linger more.'

Isabelle said she initially came to Australian in 2015 where she spent one year living in Cairns in tropical Far North Queensland before moving back to Canada.

'I found Cairns to be breathtakingly beautiful and there's a lot about Cairns that I miss. However, I think I prefer the culture down here in on the South Coast and I'll take the 5 to 10C here over the 40C there,' she said.

Isabelle said she returned to the country at the beginning of 2020 - and has since been living in New South Wales.

'I love Australia! I'm hoping to stay here for the rest of my life,' she said.

In a second video, Isabelle responded to a group of people who criticised her for complaining about the cold weather in Australia.

'I just wanted to take a second to say thank you to all the people who informed me that the reason it's cold is because it's currently winter in Australia and that I can be less cold by turning on the heater,' she said in an amusing response.

'I genuinely didn't know about seasons or heaters [in Australia]. In Canada, we have one season, it's winter and we all live in igloos so there's no heaters.

'Thank you so much, you've changed my life.'

Australia's east coast shivered through the longest May cold streak in half a century, with temperatures plunging to single digits in major cities (stock image of a frosty paddock near a small country town of Tumut in New South Wales)

According to AccuWeather, Winnipeg is one of the world's coldest cities. The city has experienced some of the most 'bone-chilling' conditions imaginable, with temperatures dropping as low as minus 47C (minus 54F) (stock image of Assiniboine Park in Winnipeg)

Her video was viewed more than 7,800 times, with many quickly seeing the amusing side to her response.

'You now have an Australian sense of humour,' one wrote, while another said: 'Love the sarcasm... Glad to see you have the Aussie sarcasm down pat.'

Her observation comes after millions of Australians weathered a record-breaking cold start to winter this year.

Australia's east coast shivered through the longest May cold streak in half a century, with temperatures plunging to single digits in major cities.

The unseasonably cold snap was caused by icy polar air from Antarctica creeping its way over the Southern Ocean past Tasmania and Victoria and onto New South Wales, the ACT and Queensland.

In some areas the mercury plummeted well below freezing, reaching -7.5C at Glen Innes in Northern NSW and -9.5C at Perisher in the state's Alpine region.
Shoppers are blown away after they discovered a $25 artwork from Kmart turned out to be an authentic print created by an Indigenous Australian artist.

The 'New Beginnings' framed canvas, created by Yorta Yorta artist Holly McLennan-Brown, has just landed in stores across the country.

Many customers spotted the surprising detail behind the artwork explaining the story about the 22-year-old contemporary Aboriginal artist, who creates paintings to showcase the beauty of her culture.

Shoppers are blown away after they discovered a $25 artwork from Kmart turned out to be an authentic print created by an Indigenous Australian artist

Many customers spotted the surprising detail behind the artwork explaining the story about the 22-year-old contemporary Aboriginal artist Holly McLennan-Brown, who creates paintings to showcase the beauty of her culture

Hundreds of shoppers have shared their excitement over the Australian-made artwork in what is believed to be a Kmart first.

'Honestly the best thing Kmart has done,' one shopper wrote in a Facebook group.

Another said: 'I love this! I got really mad at another store the other day because they were selling 'Aboriginal inspired' art made in China with no acknowledgement or recognition of the artist! Good on Kmart for doing the right thing.'

One woman added: 'Very pretty! Good on Kmart for supporting indigenous artists.'

Many applauded the retailer for giving an Indigenous artist the opportunity to showcase her beautiful artwork.

The 'New Beginnings' framed canvas, created by Yorta Yorta artist Holly McLennan-Brown, has just landed in stores across the country

Holly created New Beginnings after she was inspired by the Cummeragunja Walk Off in 1939

Meanwhile others said they couldn't wait to display the painting in their homes.

'I need this in my life. It's stunning,' one said.

Holly created New Beginnings after she was inspired by the Cummeragunja Walk Off in 1939. Up to 200 Yorta Yorta people walked off the Cummeragunja Aboriginal Mission and crossed the Murray River into Northern Victoria to establish a strike camp.

This was the first mass strike of Aboriginal people in Australia protesting poor living conditions and management of the Mission. They were looking for a new beginning.

In the artwork, the journey lines through the middle symbolise moving forward together and gathering to share stories of family, animals and identity. The stars are a positive affirmation that every new day is fresh and full of opportunities.

Holly said she hopes this contemporary representation of New Beginnings invokes your personal connections, reflecting the beauty of our past, present and future.
An American expat living in Melbourne has revealed he had never heard of a 'hook turn' before moving to Australia and struggles to navigate the tricky intersections.

In a recent TikTok video, Adam Foskey, from Georgia, US, listed things he had never heard of including fairy bread and the term bottle-O.

But it appeared the hook-turn intersections found in Melbourne have been the most troublesome addition to his daily life.

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An American expat living in Melbourne has revealed he had never heard of a hook turn before moving to Australia and struggles to navigate the tricky intersections

The intersections ask for cars to turn right from the far left lane so the tram tracks can be left clear for the popular public transport network

'It's where if you want to take a right turn you have to do it from the left-most outer lane,' he explained.

'It's not at a lot of intersections but it is confusing and I personally don't like driving through them,' he said.

But Australians revealed hook turns also confuse them as they are only in Melbourne.

'Australian here and I have never done a hook turn,' one woman wrote on the post.

'Everyone outside of Melbourne is confused by hook turns,' wrote another.

'You have triggered every other state and territory by mentioning hook turns like they are a regular thing,' laughed another.

Hook turns are well sign posted when applicable in the southern city.

Traffic must wait as far left as possible until the light in the direction they are turning changes to green, this leaves busy intersections free for trams

Hook turns were on the top of the American's list of 'things he had never heard of before coming down under

How to perform a hook turn? Hook turns are unique to Melbourne. Hook turns were developed to help clear busy city intersections and allow trams to move freely. You must make a hook turn at intersections that have a Right Turn from Left Only hook turn sign, according to Vic Roads. A hook turn is a right hand turn you make from the left hand lane. To do a hook turn you must follow these steps. 1 - Approach and enter the intersection from the far left hand lane and have your right indicator on. 2 - Move forward to the other side of the intersection, keeping as near as possible to the left of the intersection and clear of any pedestrian crossings. 3 - Stay stopped until the traffic lights on the road you are turning into have turned green. 4 - Turn right into the road. SOURCE: Vic Roads Advertisement

Vic Roads said the rule is down to the unique driving conditions found in Melbourne, namely the city's large tram network.

The intersections mean traffic isn't held up by cars wanting to turn right, leaving the tram lines clear for the popular public transport.

This reduces delays to the city's commuters.

Adam also revealed he had never heard of fairy bread, quokkas or a bottle-O in the viral video.

Recently he made a list of things invented in Australia that he can no longer live without including Tim Tams.

'I just want to run through a few things which were invented in Australia that I can't live without,' he said in his distinct accent.

The blue and green cars in this graphic are turning right. The rest of the traffic is able to flow through the intersection uninhibited

An American expat living in Melbourne has revealed the Australian inventions he can no longer live without, including TimTams, Wifi and Google Maps

'First thing we have is wifi and on behalf of everyone globally, thankyou Australia,' he says in the recent video.

'Secondly we have Tim Tams, specifically the all chocolate ones. I love sweets so y'all know I love these,' he said.

The expat, who has previously shared viral videos about his life in Australia, also added Google Maps to his list.

'Without this there would be no way I would be able to navigate some of these Australian streets, especially some of these intersections,' he said.

The last thing on his list was McCafe which he claims 'changed the entire McDonald's game'.

And people agreed with his list, especially 'number two, Tim Tams'.

He included Google Maps and Wifi on his list of inventions he can't live without

He also said McCafe, which was invented in Australia 'changed the face of McDonalds

'Yum, double coated Tim Tams are the best,' one person wrote.

While another offered frozen caramel Tim Tams up as the king of the biscuits.

Others laughed at the list.

'It is hilarious that we invented wifi but you can't get good wifi in most of the country,' one woman said.

Another fan offered up their own list of 'must have' inventions from Australia.

Including medical penicillin, The inflatable slides on the side of aircraft and the cochlear ear implant.

Recently the American expat shared the unwritten rules of Australia, much to the delight of his fans.

He said there are four habits he advises all overseas residents to form if they want to fit in with 'true blue' Aussies.

They include holding onto the handrail on trams, having a go-to coffee order that you always place and walking on the left-hand side of paths and escalators.

Mr Foskey also recommends following an AFL team or at least understanding the sport so you can get involved with the annual Grand Final parties, which he said are 'always a good time'.

The most important lesson Mr Foskey said he has learned is to always hold on to something while riding the tram around Melbourne.

'I had to learn this the hard way. We rounded this corner at 90 miles an hour, next thing I know I'm sprawled on the floor with 10 other people,' he said.

Mr Foskey's observation is grossly exaggerated as statistics from network operator Yarra Trams show trams move sluggishly around the Victorian capital at an average speed of just 16 kilometres per hour.

Mr Foskey said he has learned to hold onto tram rails (left) and have a go-to coffee order (right) since moving to Melbourne

Next, he encouraged viewers to stick to the left side while out and about in the city.

'It'll just help traffic flow,' he said.

Mr Foskey then urged viewers to choose a favourite AFL team because Australians are more than likely to ask who you support.

'Also try to keep up with the AFL throughout the year because the Grand Final parties are always a good time,' he said.

Finally, Mr Foskey said Australians drink 'a lot of coffee' so it's best to have a usual order to save time in the queue.

'Mine's an iced long black,' he said.
Krispy Kreme have sent foodies into a frenzy after releasing chocolate and caramel glazed doughnuts.

The popular doughnut chain released the two new flavours on Tuesday after teasing they had 'something new glazing' over their Instagram, inspiring foodies.

But not all foodies were impressed by the new sweet offering with one woman giving the four-pack of treats a score of just 6.5 out of ten.

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Krispy Kreme have sent foodies into a frenzy after releasing chocolate and caramel glazed doughnuts

These flavors don't really excite us,' the foodfindsgeelong blogger said in a post.

'Chocolate- Surprisingly this isn't as chocolatey as we were expecting, it's okay but pretty meh,' she said in her brutal appraisal.

'Caramel - Definitely better than the chocolate but it kind reminds me of like any average caramel iced donut flavor, still good but wish it was salted,' she said.

The average score and scathing comments came after the foodie revealed she was thrilled to see the doughnut company bring out new flavours.

'I'll start by saying how much I love glazed doughnuts so this review could be bias,' she laughed.

The four packs, which contain both caramel and chocolate flavoured doughnuts, can be found at 7eleven stores as well as Krispy Kreme stores.

But not all foodies have been left convinced by the two new flavours

And the scathing reviews continued by the foodie's fans in the comments.

'The chocolate looks like a poor mans polish job on car...How can it be called glazed when it looks somewhat naked?' one man wrote.

'The chocolate one looks old AF?? Are they meant to look like that?' one woman asked.

The doughnut giant announced the new flavours on Tuesday, exciting their fans.

'Very well done Krispy Kreme,' one woman said on the company's post.

Some said the caramel was better than the chocolate but still lacked something special

Others said the new creations, released this week, were delicious in every way

'Finally some new flavours. I'll be picking these up this week,' another man added.

'I will take one for the team and nip out and try one. Doughnuts are an essential service aren't they?' another person joked.

Others were hoping for the return of their favourite flavours, like blueberry and mud cake when the company teased the announcement hours earlier.

'This isn't what I expected or hoped for, but I'm not mad,' one woman said.

248 people liked the review left by the Geelong Food Finds team, while tens of thousands liked the company's own announcement of the new flavours.
The owner of one of Melbourne's busiest sandwich bars has revealed the secret to making the perfect toastie - and it all comes down to using two types of cheese.

Every morning from Tuesday to Sunday, a crowd gathers at a hole in the wall in Fitzroy to get their fill of the Italian and Japanese flavoured 'sangas' lovingly crafted by Leo Thompson and his team at Nico's.

The 30-year-old chef's tried and tested toastie method involves layering white tin loaf bread with scarmosa cheese and some kind of cheddar, topping the two with pickled jerk beans and a dash of hot sauce, then toasting the lot on a frying pan.

At Nico's, Leo said they use nori seaweed sheets in 'just about every sandwich' - an addition that never fails to raise eyebrows among first-time customers.

Every morning from Tuesday to Sunday, a crowd gathers at a hole in the wall in Fitzroy to get their fill of the fresh 'sangas' crafted by Leo Thompson and his team at Nico's (pictured)

Leo's tried and tested toastie method starts with layering white tin loaf bread with scarmosa and some kind of cheddar

'But it tastes sick, it's definitely my favourite "different" addition to our sambos,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

For something more simple, Leo suggests a 'straight up' toastie packed with cheddar and lashings of Kraft peanut butter.

'That will always be a childhood favourite of mine,' he said.

The 30-year-old chef opened the takeaway sandwich bar as a pop-up in February, but it proved so instantly popular that it has become a permanent fixture on the corner of Kerr and Brunswick Street, the city's trendiest thoroughfare.

In the five months since opening in February, Nico's has become a Melbourne institution known for its fresh Italian and Japanese flavoured sandwiches

Leo says the secret to a good toastie is cooking it on a frying pan

Melburnians come from miles around to enjoy Nico's drool-inducing creations

How to make the perfect toastie, according to experts Ingredients - White tin loaf bread - Scarmosa cheese - Cheddar cheese - Grandma leg ham - Pickled jerk beans - Hot sauce Method Cook the lot on the frying pan. Source: Nico's Sandwich Deli Advertisement

Melburnians come from miles around to enjoy Nico's drool-inducing menu, which includes an original made with vine ripe tomatoes and buffalo mozzarella, and a comforting chicken schnitzel thats sure to sooth even the heaviest of hangovers.

But the undeniable standout is the Cuban, a stack of smoked pork belly with Grandma leg ham, salad creme, Emmental cheese, dill pickles, apple cider reduction and American cheddar.

Fans flood Instagram with praise for the sangas, leaving comments like 'these are too good', 'scrumptious' and 'epic feed today'.

But neither Leo nor his co-owners Tom and Marc ever expected to be such an instant hit.

'I think it gave us all a bit of a shock!' he said.

'Sandwiches are a real "thing" right now, so I think it was a combination of working our a***s off, good timing, great location and maybe a little craziness.'

He added: 'We are just stoked that people are enjoying what we do.'

Leo believes the rough and ready shop front that wouldn't look out of place in New York neighbourhoods like Bushwick or Williamsburg is part of the allure of the blossoming brand.

Fans flood Instagram with praise for the sangas, leaving comments like 'these are too good', 'scrumptious' and 'epic feed today'

Leo believes the rough and ready shop front that wouldn't look out of place in New York neighbourhoods like Bushwick or Williamsburg is part of the allure of the blossoming brand

'Everything that happens at the shop we do ourselves, from the food to the Instagram account. Sometimes its a little rough around the edges but I think thats what people enjoy,' he said.

Leo is also keen to continue the casual air on which the deli operates.

'I like to think its a good vibe coming into Nico's. Something I hate in hospo is when a place makes you feel like you shouldnt be there because of how "trendy" it is,' he said.

'I want everyone to feel like they can eat a Nico's sandwich. Our staff are also legends, and they really make the shop a good time, friendliest crew in Melbourne.'

Nico's on Kerr Street in Fitzroy serves coffee from 8am to 3pm and sandwiches from 10am to 3pm.
A new mum has been left homeless after a wax melt burner from B&M exploded and caused a massive fire that destroyed her flat.

Vikki Henvey, 33, was at a friend's BBQ when she received a text from her neighbour saying her second floor flat in Kingston upon Thames, Greater London on fire.

Full-time mum Tilly and baby Tilly, six months, found two fire engines putting out the blaze which had already ripped through her two-bed home, and firefighters said the 2.99 wax melt burner was to blame - even though it wasn't lit at the time.

Bizarrely, it is thought sunlight through a window reflected off a mirror, and re-ignited an extinguished candle inside the melt holder.

It heated up and exploded - setting fire to her hallway, which spread flames through every room in her home, but thankfully nobody was hurt, and firefighters were able to carry dog Bruno from the flames, saving his life.

Vikki Henvey, 33, and her baby daughter Tilly-May have been left homeless after a wax melt burner from B&M exploded and caused a massive fire that destroyed her flat in Kingston upon Thames, Greater London

A wax burner similar to the one that created the fire in Vikki Henvey's flat. Firefighters said the 2.99 wax melt burner was to blame - even though it wasn't lit at the time

Vikki said: 'It's just honestly been a nightmare. I can't believe it's happened. I had a wax burner in every room of the flat so it's really scary.

'I'd been at my friend's BBQ for about an hour and a half when my next door neighbour texted to say my flat was on fire and I obviously panicked because my dog was inside.

'I drove home and saw two fire engines outside with a fireman holding my dog who was literally black from the fire - he's normally a brindle colour.

'He was covered in burns but they got him out just in time - we nearly lost him.

The mirror that caused a fire in Vikki Henvey's flat by reigniting an extinguished candle by reflecting sunlight

The damage caused by the fire in Vikki Henvey's flat. Flames spread to every room and she is now staying at a local Travelodge while searching for a new home for her family

'There was all this smoke coming out of the windows and then the firefighters took me upstairs where I saw all of the damage and I just literally broke down.

'The firefighters said that if it had happened at night then there's no way that we would have got out as the fire was by the front door and we live in a second floor flat.

'My last property got burgled and we lost everything, and now this has happened and it's like I have to start all over again once again. It's just devastating.'

Vikki purchased the wax melt burner for 2.99 from her local B&M store back in May 2021 and used it regularly in recent weeks.

The fire started near the front door and firefighters told Vikki that if she'd been at home, there's no way she would have been able to escape

Vikki with her daughter Tilly-May Grzybkowski 6 months old at their damaged flat. The new mother was out at a BBQ nearby when a friend texted her to tell her smoke was pouring from her home

She lit the wax burner the night before the fire for about an hour and blew out the tealight candle - which sits inside the holder and melts the wax - before going to bed.

The next day, June 13, she headed out at lunchtime with baby Tilly to her friend's home for a BBQ about 15 minutes away from the flat.

Vikki's dog Bruno stayed at home in the hallway behind a stairgate where the wax burner sat on top of a wooden table adjacent to a large mirror.

She said firefighters told her they believe sunlight was reflected, relighting the tealight candle and causing the ceramic holder to overheat and explode, spreading the flames.

The explosion appears to have set the wooden table alight, before spreading through the flat and igniting the flammable furniture.

A wax burner similar to the one that created the fire in Vikki Henvey's flat. The Essence Ceramic Oil Burner is described on the B&M website as being able to 'provide a constant and pleasant aroma at home'

Vikki will have to cover the cost of her damaged belongings at the rented flat (pictured) because she didn't have insurance

Smoke danmage on the hall ceiling at Vikki Henvey's rented flat. She said she is suffering from trauma and having nightmares since the incident

The explosion appears to have set the wooden table alight, she said, before spreading through the flat and igniting the flammable furniture.

Vikki said: 'A fireman said to me that they don't even have to be on - he said where they overheat over a certain amount of time, they can then actually explode.

'I've lost everything in the flat. All of the stuff that isn't fire damaged is all ruined from the smoke and fire hose. It stinks of damp up there - everything is black.

'My bed and all of Tilly's baby stuff all has to be chucked.

'The lights have all melted and the hallway ceiling has now caved in so I can't even go back into the property now.'

Vikki said that all her daughter Tilly's belongings have to be thrown away after being damaged by the fire

Since the fire, Vikki has been paying 49 a night to stay in a local Travelodge while searching for a new home for her and her family.

She has recently signed a tenancy for a new house but will have to pay for all new furniture as she had no renter's insurance for her belongings.

Vikki, who is suffering with trauma, said: 'I've been having really bad nightmares. I'm waking up every night soaked in sweat.

'It's really freaked me out knowing we could have died if it had happened in the night.

'Bruno is only a baby too - he's 11 months old and now has panic attacks every evening for about two hours before he settles.

Vikki Henvy pictured with her daughter Tilly outside the property where she lived in a second floor flat. She fears that she would have struggled to escape if the fire had happened at night

Vikki purchased the a wax melt burner (similar to the one pictured) for 2.99 from her local B&M store back in May 2021 and used it regularly in recent weeks

The shattered remnants of the wax melt burner from B&M which firefighters said exploded and caused the blaze at Vikki's flat

'Every little noise wakes him up and makes him growl, which then wakes Tilly up - it's just a nightmare.

'Hopefully he'll settle soon and get out of it but it's been over a week now and nothing has changed.

'With none of my furniture insured, we've lost everything. I never thought to insure my stuff - I just didn't think anything like this would ever happen to me.'

The Essence Ceramic Oil Burner is described on the B&M website as being able to 'provide a constant and pleasant aroma at home'.

A London Fire Brigade spokesperson said: 'Firefighters were called to a fire at a first floor flat on Fassett Road in Kingston on Sunday 13th June.

'Part of the hallway of the flat was damaged by the blaze. Firefighters rescued one dog from the property. There were no reports of any injuries.

'The Brigade was called at 1517 and the fire was under control by 1607. Two fire engines from Surbiton and Kingston fire stations were at the scene.

Damage to the woodwork in the hall caused by the fire. Vikki said she's been struggling to sleep after the incident, which her dog Bruno luckily survived

The mirror that caused a fire in Vikki Henvey's flat by reigniting an extinguished candle by reflecting sunlight

Part of the hallway of the flat was damaged by the blaze at a first floor flat on Fassett Road in Kingston on Sunday 13th June

'Any product for your home which uses a candle is a risk, so just like stand-alone candles, tea-lights and incense sticks, we would always advise caution when using them.

'Candles are one of the most common causes of fire, and they should never be left unattended. If you're leaving the room and especially if you are going out or going to bed, blow them out.

'Any item which requires a candle should ensure it can be placed firmly in a heat-resistant holder and kept on a stable surface where it won't be knocked over. You should also keep them away from flammable items such as curtains and bedding.'
A student was stunned when she was slammed for sharing a video of her proposing to her boyfriend of three months - as even women and 'feminists' claimed she had 'stolen his job'.

Ukabed Sheybani, 24, only met her now-fiance Cherno Ameri on Tinder in March but claims she quickly realised the relationship was 'something special' so was determined to propose.

The young bride-to-be from Karlstad, Sweden, proudly shared footage of herself leaving her boyfriend speechless as she got down on one knee to pop the question with a ring while a pal filmed the romantic moment.

However Ukabed was 'shocked' when her video was inundated with negative comments from those claiming her choice to propose rather than wait for Cherno to do it was 'embarrassing' and made her appear 'easy'.

Ukabed Sheybani, 24, only met her now-fiance Cherno Ameri on Tinder in March but claims she quickly realised the relationship was 'something special' so was determined to propose and got down on one knee during a trip to Istanbul

Ukabed Sheybani, 24, from Karlstad Sweden, was shocked by the reaction she received online after she proposed to her boyfriend, Cherno Ameri, 25, in Istanbul

The couple were shocked by people's reactions to the non-traditional propsal with people claiming that Ukabed came across as 'easy and embarassing' for being the one to pop the question

The student, who is studying to be a social worker, admits she became 'mad' as she couldn't understand how most of the negative comments came from women - many claiming to be feminists.

But Ukabed believes you either believe in equality or not and that proposals are just another aspect of life where there needs to be gender equality.

Cherno says he was eager to accept the proposal, which took place at a restaurant in Istanbul, Turkey, where the couple were celebrating his birthday with friends.

The clip, posted on Ukabed's TikTok has racked up more than 10 million views and more than 25,000 comments.

Ukabed said: 'I don't think it's a big deal. I thought it was normal - lots of people do it. But this video got a lot of views, which shocked us.

'I appreciate we got a lot of positive comments, but we also got comments that said, "I'm not feminist when it comes to this".

Happy couple: Ukabed said she was determined to pop the question to her boyfriend before he did because she knew he was equally keen to get engaged

Sealed with a kiss: The young bride-to-be from Karlstad, Sweden, proudly shared footage of herself leaving her boyfriend speechless as she got down on one knee to pop the question with a ring while a pal filmed the romantic moment

Cherno proudly shows off his ring: He said he was delighted to accept his girlfriend's proposal, but online critics claimed that she had 'stolen' his job

Ukabed, pictured with Cherno in Istanbul, said she wanted to be the first one to propose, and he knew this too

'That really struck me as odd - how can you choose when you're going to be feminist?

'There were also people saying that it was his job to propose to me, and I'd taken the role from him. That shocked us - we believe in equality.

'I was really shocked by the negativity. We didn't think it was a big deal.'

Despite the criticism, the couple also received supportive messages from 'at least 20' women who had also gotten down on one knee to propose.

Ukabed said: 'Some of them told me they'd done it years ago, and they were happy and had no regrets about it.

Cherno, who runs a quilt business, accepting an engagement ring from his girlfriend. He said: 'It was a very big surprise for me. I couldn't have imagined she was going to do it and do it two days before my birthday.'

Will you marry me? Cherno said that he was planning on popping the question to Ukabed on he his birthday, but she beat him to it two days beforehand

'That made me happy but I still felt sad when I saw all the negative comments.

'Why would people react like this? Why can't they be happy that I'm happy?

'How can they judge my life when they don't know anything about us? It made me mad.

'I got angry when I saw comments saying, 'You're so easy' or 'Girls don't chase, they attract.' I felt like saying 'What do you mean? Do you believe in equality or not?'

'Other people were telling me it wasn't normal. It was mostly women who were posting these negative comments.

'I'd never really spoken up about gender equality before as it's a normal thing. Both women and men should be equal and have the same opportunities in life.'

Despite the negativity online, the couple are more than happy with how things have turned out.

Ukabed said: 'I'd do the same thing again, people can't affect me. I do what I want.

'We met on Tinder in March. This relationship was something special, it means so much to me.

'He still gives me butterflies everyday. He treats me like a queen. So why not get engaged?

'We don't have a wedding date yet, we're going to be together for a while. But the proposal is something I really wanted to do, and I knew that if I didn't do it, he would.

'I really wanted to be the first one to propose, and he knew that too.'

Cherno, who runs a quilt business, said: 'It was a very big surprise for me. I couldn't have imagined she was going to do it and do it two days before my birthday.

'I had wanted to propose on my birthday, but she proposed two days before at the party. I'm so happy she asked me.'

Several commenters were blunt in voicing their disapproval of the unconventional nature of the proposal.

One commenter said: 'When it comes to this, I'm not a feminist.'

Another TikTok user commented: 'Yeah, this is a no. I'm sure if he hasn't proposed, it is for a reason.'

Another commenter disapprovingly said: 'How to say you're easy without saying you're easy.'

One commenter expressed sympathy for Cherno and said: 'Girl don't do that, I kinda felt for his embarrassment. Let's keep the traditional way where the guy asks the girl.'

Another commenter wrote: 'Let's stop normalising things starting with this. It's just embarrassing.'

However, just as many people came to the couple's defence and applauded their approach to relationships.

Shia Storey commented: 'Damn the girls in these comments are so insecure. Non-traditional proposals are the best.'

ImMalkah said: 'This is the issue with society, stop living by other people's expectations, have your own life and make your own decisions and you'll be happier.'

Aubrey Renshaw commented: 'Girl yes!! So happy for you. To the GIRLS saying y'all would rather die, glad it's not you then. Sit down please.'
Queen Maxima donned a stylish get up during an event in Hilversum today.

The royal mother-of-three, 50, was joining her husband King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, 54, as he met with organisationS working with the Orange Fund Growth in the town located in the north of the country.

The Dutch Queen donned a pair of peach high-waisted trousers and a golden top for the occasion, where 22 participating organisations of the fourth edition of the Orange Fund Growth Programme received certificates from the king.

Maxima and Willem-Alexander - who is Prince of Orange - are both patrons of the Orange Fund Growth Programme, which was funded in 2002, as a royal wedding gift.

The Fund supports charities around the Netherlands that tackle social welfare.

Queen Maxima, 50, joined her husband King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands, 54, as he met with organisation working with the Orange Fund Growth in the town located in the north of the country today, pictured

For her outing, Maxima donned a high-waisted pair of peach trousers, with a golden top and matching accessories

Maxima put her best foot forward for the event, donning a stylish and colourful look.

Her high-waisted peach trousers highlighted her long legs, while her golden top put the focus on her trim waist.

The top had long balloon sleeves with a boat neck collar and was tightened at the waist with a statement belt in a matching colour.

Ever a fan of colour-coordination, Maxima's gold heels matched her top and her clutch bag to perfection.

The couple looked stylish, Willem-Alexander sporting a blue suit with a crisp white shirt and orange dotted tie and Maxima in her golden top, pictured

Known for her love of colour coordination, Maxima matched her top with a pair of golden swede heels and a golden clutch bag, pictured

She held back on accessories, wearing her watch and her wedding ring on her left hand, and no necklace.

She put the focus to her ears with a statement pair of earrings which reflected the gold undertones of her top.

Her blond locks were styled in a neat, straight blow-dry, and looked natural, with some sun-kissed highlights.

The mother-of-three sported an everyday make up for the occasion, with just a dash of foundation and bronzer, and a brown smoky eye brightening her hazelnut pupils.

Her healthy glow was complimented with a muted pink lip.

Her husband Willem-Alexander looked smart as the couple headed to the event, in a blue suit, crisp shirt and pink tie.

Willem-Alexander placed a loving hand on his wife's shoulder as the couple arrived for the event

The Orange Growth Fund spans the whole country but rewards local initiatives, such as youth mentoring projects of community-driven programmes.

Maxima and Willem-Alexander are both patrons of the Fund and are closely involved with its goings-on.

They often attend the the opening or closures of programmes under the Fund, and Maxima hands out the Appeltjes van Oranje awards at Noordeinde Palace every year to the three projects that have stood out the most.

While today's event saw Maxima join her husband for the occasion, last week, the mother-of-three led her own solo engagements.

On June 24, she sported another golden look as she headed to the Eye Filmmuseum to learn about the institution's educational programmes and exhibitions.

Maxima styled her blond locks in a natural straight blow-dry, and accessories with a pair of statement earrings matching her top

Beaming in her sunny get up, Maxima was wearing a matching hat and gloves for the occasion.

The museum, which just opened its new streaming platform Eye Film Player also got the royal go ahead for Eye on Screens, in which images from Eye's film collection can will be seen on outdoor screens at stations, squares and shopping centers throughout the Netherlands for two years.

She paired the dress with matching accessories, including a small purple clutch bag and a pair of mustard gloves and a matching pair of swede heels.

Ever prepared, she was holding a mustard shawl with matched the dress in case she needed to wrap up from the chill.

The mother-of-three made sure that her golden jewellery complimented the dress and was wearing a lavish pair of golden drop earrings with a purple gem.
A white influencer who has had 18 surgeries to look like K-pop star Jimin has revealed they've received death threats after saying the 'identify as Korean'.

Oli London, 31, from London, first hit headlines in October 2018 after news broke that they had spent over 75,000 on surgeries to look like Jimin from Korean boyband BTS.

Speaking to TMZ, Oli, who identifies as non-binary, said they've been told to kill themselves, while others have threatened to 'gun them down'.

The influencer has spent five years and 100,000 ($150,000) on surgery - most recently sharing a video from their hospital bed after undergoing eye surgery, a face lift, brow lift and temple lift.

A white influencer who has had 18 surgeries to look like K-pop star Jimin has been slammed online after saying they now feels Korean after getting 'the eyes'

They influencer (pictured) explained how they have been trapped in the wrong body for eight years - adding that's the worst feeling in the world

The influencer took to Twitter and came out as both non-binary and transracial' (pictured)

Taking to the comments section, one person penned: 'You could have just moved to Korea and got a citizenship. This seems so disrespectful to me'

Oli, who came out as both non-binary and transracial,' earlier this week explained: 'Hey guys. I'm finally Korean. I've transitioned. I'm so, so happy. I've completed my look. I'm finally Korean guys, I have the eyes, I've just had a brow lift as well. I'm so happy.

'Finally, I've been trapped in the wrong body for eight years and that's the worst feeling in the world when you're trapped and don't feel like you can be yourself. But finally, I'm Korean, I can be myself and I'm so, so happy.'

However, it wasn't long before the post was met with a very mixed response, with some going so far as to accuse them of 'ultimate cultural appropriation.'

'You could have just moved to Korea and got a citizenship. This seems so disrespectful to me,' wrote one, while a second commented: 'You CAN change your gender. you CANNOT change your race.'

A third, who experienced bullying at school, took issue with the comment and explained: 'I grew up as an asian in a non asian country. Getting bullied for the way I look especially my eyes. Finally I'm somewhat happy with how I look.'

'And you really just said you're Korean because you got surgery to make your eyes as stereotypically Asian as possible? Feels weird.'

A fourth noted: 'He really just said Im finally Korean, guys, I have the eyes.....'

In a video from their hospital bed, the influencer said: 'I'm finally Korean guys, I have the eyes, I've just had a brow lift as well. I'm so happy'

Some went so far as to accuse them of 'ultimate cultural appropriation' (pictured)

However, others instead defended the influencer and congratulated them on their journey.

In response to the negative comments, one person responded: 'Or is it the absolute show of utmost respect? The man has gone through all this to be like the people he respects and loves?'

A second wrote: 'So glad you are finally feeling who you always should be Im on this journey with my now daughter she has felt the same trapped in the wrong body speedy recovery.'

It comes after Oli, who stated their pronouns were 'they/them/Korean/Jimin,' shared an Instagram post on June 16, took to Twitter and penned: 'It feels so good to finally come out as a Korean non-binary person after being trapped in the wrong body and wrong culture my whole life.'

'My new official Korean name is Park Jimin HueningKai Taeyong Imnida...I'm officially KOR/EAN.'

After a backlash from social media users regarding the claim to a different nationality, they added: 'I am Korean whether people accept it or not this is how I identify, this is what makes me happy. This is who I am. It's in my DNA.'

Speaking exclusively to FEMAIL previously, they commented on the trolling and said: 'It is sad during Pride Month, a month that celebrates diversity, equality and love that WOKE people would use my coming out and sharing my non-binary Korean identify, something that took me many years to understand and accept and took me enormous courage to share with the world - and use it as a platform to bully, degrade and dehumanise me and the LGBT community.

Oli London first hit headlines in October 2018 after news broke that they had spent over 75,000 on surgeries to look like K-pop star, Jimin from Korean boyband BTS (pictured)

Last week, they revealed that they would now be using the pronouns 'they/them/Korean/Jimin,'  the latter being a reference to K-pop star Park Jimin (pictured)

They received a backlash online after writing a post which read: 'I'm official KOR/EAN' (pictured)

One person wrote: 'I am a person belonging to the non-binary umbrella, and this offends me A LOT, being Korean is a nationality, not a gender, you are making fun of all the non-binary umbrella, the neo pronouns and the entire lgbtqa + community! really stop please' (pictured)

They continued: 'While I recognise that a lot of people don't understand how I identify, and may find it unusual - being Korean and feeling Korean is part of who I am and how I feel. And I will never allow a single woke person, bully or troll to take that away from me.'

'I have gone through extreme lifestyle changes to become who I am today and have lived in Korea, I eat Korean food everyday, use Korean skincare, have plastic surgery to look Korean and I speak the Korean language - all of this shapes me as a person and my identify as a non-binary Korean person.'

On Twitter, they posted an image of 'my new official flag for being a non-binary person who identifies as Korean,' which featured the same shapes as the Korean flag but with the rainbow colours of the LGBTQ pride flag.

But several social media users found the flag and the influencer's claims to a new nationality offensive, with several accusing them of disrespect towards South Korea.

They wrote: 'This is my new official flag for being a non-binary person who identifies as Korean' (pictured)

The influencer penned: 'I will unveil my new Korean face very very soon stay tuned' (pictured)

Taking to the comments section, one person penned: 'Playing with a flag from another country? Man. That is serious. Every flag has a history about it and he has the audacity to change it' (pictured)

'I am a person belonging to the non-binary umbrella, and this offends me A LOT, being Korean is a nationality, not a gender, you are making fun of all the non-binary umbrella, the neo pronouns and the entire lgbtqa + community! really stop please,' wrote one.

A second commented: 'Playing with a flag from another country? Man. That is serious. Every flag has a history about it and he has the audacity to change it.'

A third added: 'You may fetishize koreans but you'll never be a Korean.'

In a recent YouTube video last Monday, they explained: 'I do identify as Korean. This is my choice, my decision. It's not hurting anyone.'

Speaking to FEMAIL, they added: 'I believe Pride Month is about love and celebrating our differences and these trolls sadly stop at nothing to try and cause me harm and pain.'

'Just three weeks ago trolls even targeted my Instagram account, getting Instagram to lock me out of my account and declare me dead. All because I love and cherish Korean culture.

'These same woke people who preach about tolerance are the same people who send me death threats everyday, make up false rumours and threaten me or tell me to take my life.'

'Despite all this and the difficulties I endure at the hands of these radical woke trolls, I will always celebrate who I am and identify as Korean and embrace the Korean culture. And I will always have a deep and profound respect for Korean culture and the Korean people, who I love and adore with all my heart.'
When Kim Sears appeared at Wimbledon earlier this week to cheer on husband Andy Murray, her eyes might have been glued to the court, but hair obsessives were admiring her artfully tousled waves and perfectly placed highlights.

Because Kims new do perfectly epitomises the summer 2021 aesthetic  long hair that is gorgeous yet artless, colour that looks like its a combination of grown-out and sun-kissed, a style thats more casual than contrived  its all basically about being done in an undone way.

And as celebrity stylist Richard Ward, who looks after the Duchess of Cambridges hair, explains, like many trends were seeing, its the direct result of the pandemic and the ensuing lockdowns. While fashion forecasters might have predicted we would be glamming up to the nines at the first opportunity, actually the opposite is true. Or at least, even if we have made an effort, this summer we really dont want it to look as if we have. The secret to achieving the undone do is artifice, the illusion that we havent just stepped out of a salon.

Three top stylists shared their advice for embracing this summer's 'undone' trend, as Kim Sears (pictured) gains admirers of her artfully tousled waves and highlights at Wimbledon

The crux of this is that people have got used to a more natural look, says Richard. Previously, theyd never given themselves the opportunity to see what their hair could do. They booked in for their cut every eight weeks, and often had their colour done more regularly than that. But lockdown has changed that. Women are more comfortable with their hair being longer than it might have been in the past, and with seeing those darker roots coming through.

That said, this summers look is effortless in the same way as the no-make-up make-up look is effortless i.e. it actually requires serious amounts of make-up and a lot of time. Just because its called undone doesnt mean you dont have to work at it, says George Northwood, who is so known for his perfectly imperfect styles  as showcased by the likes of Alexa Chung, Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Rachel Weisz  that his haircare range that launched earlier this year is called Undone.

Theres a real art to making something look like you havent made an effort with it.

With the help of Richard, George and Jonathan Andrew, global brand ambassador for Fudge Professional, heres the Femail guide to the undone do.

WANT LONG HAIR? TRY CUTTING IT!

Richard Ward believes Kims long, thick hair is all her own. Shes always had that incredible hair, he says. Social media is packed with pictures of real-life Rapunzels who got used to the length in lockdown and decided that actually they really rather liked it. But if youre not naturally blessed with long locks, Jonathan Andrew has some tips for making the most of what youve got.

Contrary to what you might think, the key to longer, thicker hair is regular haircuts. Jonathan says: When people are trying to grow their hair, they say take as little off as possible. They only have half an inch off, when really the damage at the ends is just symptomatic of the damage that goes through the mid-lengths, which means that the hair is more likely to break.

Ideally, find a stylist where there is mutual trust, and make an agreement that they will only take that half-inch off, but that youll go back in eight weeks time, rather than three months, to have another half-inch off. Its the simplest, easiest way to get hair longer, thicker and healthier.

Celebrity stylist Richard Ward, who looks after the Duchess of Cambridges hair, said the key to longer, thicker hair is regular haircuts. Pictured: Kim at Wimbledon

If you dont want to play the long game, there are always extensions. People worry extensions are going to ruin hair, says Richard. And while that might have been the case in the past, the newest ones  tape extensions  where a section of your own hair is sandwiched between two wefts attached to each other with surgical-grade tape  dont damage hair at all.

They can be perfectly colour matched  a colourist will identify your hair shade, then colour the individual extensions so theyre indistinguishable from the real thing  and re-used.

Vicky Demetriou, a hair extensions specialist, says business is booming. One of her most requested looks at the moment is wavy, mermaid-long hair. Its all dishevelled curls that look like theyve been just washed and air-dried. Its the sort of thing that can look a real mess, but if you take time and care over it, looks wonderful.

However its worth bearing in mind that all extensions need regular maintenance, so you will have to see a stylist roughly every six weeks to have them removed and repositioned. Whether your length comes naturally or is down to extensions, a good maintenance and protection plan is vital.

A good conditioner is essential, says Jonathan. But I advocate making the effort to do a weekly deep condition. After youve washed your hair, take double the amount of conditioner youd usually use and coat your hair in it thoroughly. Use a clip or a scrunchy to tie it up, then run a hand towel under hot water, wring it out and wrap it round your hair. Take it off when its cold, but leave the conditioner in for as long as you can before rinsing it out. This sort of regular treatment will really help.

Products to try: Dizziak Deep Conditioner, 22, dizziak.com; Pantene Strong & Long Keratin Reconstruct Hair Mask, 2.47, superdrug.com; Its A 10 Miracle Hair Mask, 29, itsa10haircare.co.uk; Fudge Professional Damage Rewind Conditioner, 13, beautybay.com.

Jonathan Andrew said there's no defined line between the darker and the lighter parts of Kim's hair (pictured), as they both have this olive-golden tone

NOW GO FOR THAT CAREFREE COLOUR

Kims colour is almost like a natural balayage look with darker roots and lighter ends, says Richard. But its not entirely natural. Its been tweaked, and were seeing this a lot at the moment.

Instead of going for a full head of highlights that go from root to tip, its all about a new, less-groomed, grown-out look.

As Jonathan points out, theres no defined line between the darker and the lighter parts of Kims hair: Its really well done in the way its blended. You dont see the difference between the two tones.

If you want this sort of look for yourself, it means either letting your colourist know you want a balayage colour that will grow out and look natural, or asking a colourist to smudge the line between the two colours.

The choice of shades is also important. You need a correlation between the two colours so it doesnt look two-tone, says Jonathan. The lighter and the darker shades in Kims hair are complementary as they both have this olive-golden tone.

The finishing touches come from the highlights at the front, which make it look very natural as this is the area most likely to be bleached. Those few individual pieces that are coloured from root to tip really break things up and frame the shape of her face.

STYLISHLY UNSTYLED So lets say that youve got the length and the colour. How do you get the style? Start with a good blow-dry, which in a salon can easily take an hour, so take your time. What makes Kims hair look great is the volume and separation, says Jonathan. I recommend putting the effort into the blow dry. George says start your blow dry by spritzing hair with a volumising spray, then tipping your head upside down and rough drying it to get volume into it. Then flip your head the right way up for a thorough smoothing blow-dry. George said a large barrel tong (pictured) can be useful for recreating Kim's hair style Then its time to tong. You want quite a large barrel tong, says George. Wrap the hair around it. Leave the root out and the ends out, no need to be too precise. To finish it off, use a styling cream, or serum. Put a little bit into your palm and then rub it all over the fronts and backs of both hands, says Jonathan. Then start at the bottom and work out and upwards so youre conditioning the mid-lengths. And his trick for getting rid of any flyaways along the parting is to hold the hairspray a little bit above the parting and spray a thin layer across the top. Finally, use the rounded side of the can to smooth hair on both sides of the parting. And thats how you get the undone do. Advertisement

richardward.com, georgenorthwood.com, fudgeprofessional.com
As Pride Month winds down, IKEA Canada has unveiled a series of couches  specifically, 'Love Seats'  that celebrate the LGBTQ+ community.

Each of the one-of-a-kind couches features a slipcover inspired by different Pride flags, from the transgender flag to the pansexual flag to the lesbian flag, and while they won't be available to purchase, customers can see them touring stores in Canada starting this month.

The very whimsical seats were each created by artists active in the community, and they've already earned quite a bit of attention on social media  and though the internet seems to be divided in opinion, many fans are begging IKEA to make some of them available for purchase.

It comes weeks after IKEA bowed to an online mob of woke activists and suspended advertising with new British TV channel GB News because it didn't fit with its 'humanistic values'.

Happy Pride! As Pride Month winds down, IKEA Canada has unveiled a series of couches  specifically, 'Love Seats'  that celebrate the LGBTQ+ community

Unique: Each of the couches features a one-of-a-kind slipcover inspired by different Pride flags, like this one inspired by the progress flag

Statement-maker: The very whimsical seats, like this one inspired by the bisexual flag, were each created by artists active in the community

Fluffy: This one is inspired by the asexual flag with black, gray, white, and purple ruffles

On Cloud 9: One of two couches inspired by the trans flag, this one looks like the sky

The Love Seats represent 'a wide spectrum of gender and sexual identities' in the 2SLGBTQ (two-spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer).

'Two-spirit' originated in Canada and is less commonly used in the US, but is used by some Indigenous people in North Americans to a third gender.

'The Love Seats serve as a platform upon which members and allies of the 2SLGBTQ+ community can feel safe to share their love stories with the world  whether those stories are about self-love, romantic love, family love, chosen love, or community love,' reads the press release.

The hand-crafted love seats are not available to buy, but serve as works of art.

'Each Love Seat was designed in collaboration with a community member and inspired by the colours and personal meaning of the corresponding flag,' explained Claudia Mayne, Director, Marketing Communications at IKEA Canada.

Dramatic: Among the pieces are a black couch inspired by the two-spirit flag. 'Two-spirit' originated in Canada and is less commonly used in the US, but is used by some Indigenous people in North Americans to a third gender

Casual: There's also one inspired by the pansexual flag with a patchwork of pink, yellow, and blue

One-of-a-kind: The yellow, white, purple, and black nonbinary flag inspired this couch

Options: This white, pink, and blue number is one of two trans couches

The Ikea backlash: Angry customers ask how chain justifies having stores in Saudi Arabia - where you can be executed for being gay - but boycotted new British TV channel GB News because it didn't fit with its 'humanistic values' Andrew Neil pledged his new 24-hour news channel will tackle cancel culture and will not be 'yet another echo chamber for the metropolitan mindset' as it launched last month. GB News is aiming to reach those who feel 'unheard' by the media. It is the first new British news network in 24 years - since BBC News 24 launched in 1997. Although foreign channels have launched in the UK in that time, such as Al Jazeera English, this is the first new network specifically for UK audiences. Ikea was last month accused of 'breathtaking hypocrisy' after joining a boycott of GB News  despite opening stores in Saudi Arabia where homosexuality can be punished by death. The Swedish retailer faced a fierce customer backlash after it bowed to an online mob of woke activists and suspended advertising with the channel, saying that it was not in line with its 'humanistic values'. Ikea, the world's largest furniture company, was one of ten organisations to pull its adverts from the broadcaster last week following an online campaign led by Left-wing pressure group Stop Funding Hate, which started vilifying the channel months before it went on air last Sunday. Ikea said it was investigating how its advertisement appeared on GB News, adding: 'We have safeguards in place to prevent our advertising from appearing on platforms that are not in line with our humanistic values.' But the move spectacularly backfired as consumers lambasted the company for operating in Saudi Arabia, where it has opened stores in the cities of Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran. Homosexuality is illegal under sharia law in Saudi Arabia and punishable by death, while women cannot apply for a passport or travel outside of the country without their male guardian's approval. Ikea's Riyadh store is just five miles from Deera Square  known as Chop Chop Square where public executions take place. 'I'm gay and Ikea has outlets in Saudi Arabia where homosexuality is illegal and people are killed for being gay,' said Mark Wilkes, 60, a corporate headhunter from North London, in a message to Ikea on Twitter. 'Does this align with your "humanistic values"?' Dr David Jeffrey, a politics lecturer at Liverpool University, sent this message to the firm: 'How does having stores in Saudi Arabia, where being gay is punishable by death and women aren't allowed to live their lives freely, align with your "humanistic values"?' David Waddell, a senior BBC producer, wrote: 'Ikea has stores in Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, the Philippines, Russia and Egypt. But an Ofcom-regulated news channel in the UK is a step too far for its "humanistic values." ' Ikea rowed back on its decision to suspend advertising on GB News, saying it was 'simply too soon to make an informed decision' on whether to advertise with the broadcaster. Advertisement

'Each designer had the freedom to create a one-of-a-kind piece of art. This partnership is our way of helping artists in different communities express themselves on a large platform in a way thats been tricky during COVID-19.'

Among the pieces are a black couch inspired by the two-spirit flag, which includes a rainbow striped billow and a black feathered pillow.

There's also one inspired by the pansexual flag with a patchwork of pink, yellow, and blue; one inspired by the trans flag with a white background and pink and blue drawings; one inspired by the asexual flag with black, gray, white, and purple ruffles; and one inspired by the lesbian flag with pink and orange watercolor.

Some of the more standout pieces include a bisexual flag couch, which features 3D pink, blue, and purple hands and the words 'When you change or to and, nobody believes you.'

The progress flag couch is covered in a rainbow array of flowers, while a second trans couch looks like a blue ski with clouds and a pink, white, and blue rainbow.

Rounding out the collection are couches inspired by the yellow, white, purple, and black nonbinary flag and a pink, white, purple, black, and blue one inspired by the genderfluid flag.

Collaborators who designed the chairs include Ali Haider, Charlotte Carbone, Madison Van Rijn, and Bianca Daniela Nachtman.

'We want people of all sexual orientations and gender identities to feel at home at IKEA and everywhere,' added John Williams, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Leader, IKEA Canada.

'This year's Love Seats collaboration aligns with our commitment to create community for, and uplift the voices of, our 2SLGBTQ+ co-workers and customers, so that they feel welcomed, respected and appreciated for who they are.'

The seats are also all featured in a new campaign, which includes photos and videos featuring members of the community sharing their stories.

They will also on display at select IKEA locations across Canada throughout the summer beginning June 24, 2021.

The designs have certainly been earning attention on Twitter since they were unveiled last week, though reactions are mixed.

One Twitter user used a meme to joke about discussing the sofas with a therapist, while others imagined what a 'Straight Pride' couch would look like.

Some took issue with one or two designs in particular, with the bisexual flag sofa getting a bit of hate.

'Why they gotta do the bis dirty like that,' tweeted one.

'I'm bisexual so i can say this: why is the bisexual ikea couch the ugliest of the pride couches?? feels biphobic im going to be a lesbian now,' wrote another.

But while several people found some of the designs a bit out-there, others actually wished they could buy some of the pieces.

'The Ikea pride collection is so insanely cool???' reads one viral tweet.

'Sorry but I am simply going to NEED all of these,' replied another person in agreement.

'I want this so badly but I can't see where to buy them.

'Looks like it's more of an art project, which is cool for Pride month but I'm sad I can't buy it,' wrote one more, sharing one of the trans couches.

'The pansexual flag inspired love seat is to die for,' another fan chimed in.

'God that rainbow one is so good,' added another.

Earlier this month Ikea was accused of 'breathtaking hypocrisy' after joining a boycott of new British TV channel GB News  despite opening stores in Saudi Arabia where homosexuality can be punished by death

Some said they were 'obsessed,' described them as 'so cute,' and gushed that they 'would do anything to own' to own their favorites.

Some said the over-the-top nature was the point, with one tweeting: 'Pride merch done right, I love the subtlety.'

It comes after the brand was met with furious backlash when it pulled adverts from new TV broadcaster GB News last month.

Andrew Neil, the chairman of GB News, has said he launched the channel because 'the direction of news debate in Britain is increasingly woke and out of touch with the majority of its people'.

This pink, white, purple, black, and blue one is inspired by the genderfluid flag.

Home sweet home: One inspired by the lesbian flag has pink and orange watercolor

Real people: The seats are also all featured in a new campaign, which includes photos and videos featuring members of the community sharing their stories

Artists: Collaborators who designed the chairs include Ali Haider, Charlotte Carbone, Madison Van Rijn, and Bianca Daniela Nachtman (not pictured)

See them live: They will also on display at select IKEA locations across Canada throughout the summer beginning June 24, 2021

Ikea was one of ten organisations to pull its adverts from the broadcaster last week following an online campaign led by Left-wing pressure group Stop Funding Hate, which started vilifying the channel months before it went on air last Sunday.

The superstore said it was investigating how its advertisement appeared on GB News, adding: 'We have safeguards in place to prevent our advertising from appearing on platforms that are not in line with our humanistic values.'

But the move spectacularly backfired as consumers lambasted the company for operating in Saudi Arabia, where it has opened stores in the cities of Riyadh, Jeddah and Dhahran.

Huh? The designs have certainly been earning attention on Twitter since they were unveiled last week, though reactions are mixed, with quite a few users cracking jokes

Want! But while several people found some of the designs a bit out-there, others actually wished they could buy some of the pieces

Homosexuality is illegal under sharia law in Saudi Arabia and punishable by death, while women cannot apply for a passport or travel outside of the country without their male guardian's approval.

Ikea's Riyadh store is just five miles from Deera Square  known as Chop Chop Square where public executions take place.

'I'm gay and Ikea has outlets in Saudi Arabia where homosexuality is illegal and people are killed for being gay,' said Mark Wilkes, 60, a corporate headhunter from North London, in a message to Ikea on Twitter. 'Does this align with your "humanistic values"?'
A hilarious Instagram account has revealed a series of funny takeaway reviews and sassy responses from owners - including one who advised a customer to get a Covid test after branding food 'tasteless'.

Takeaway Trauma, which has racked up more than 118,000 followers on Instagram, shares screenshots from review websites such as JustEat and TripAdvisor, where customers across the UK post frank comments about their dining experience.

While many of the low-reviews are understandable, for reasons such as the food arriving late, cold or not at all, they appear to have still riled up the owners of the establishments being reviewed who have accused the reviewers of 'lying' or 'trying to get free food'.

One reads: 'Hi Lilly, your food was delivered in 40 minutes. The driver gave it to you in your drive where you were found throwing up. Hope you got in ok.

Another says: 'Shannon, please stop complaining because you want freebies and didn't want to pay. Learn to tell the truth. You made order, rang up 20 minutes after to say you wanted a refund but the food was already no the way. You then started to get abusive on the phone. Next time I'll send out a Bafta award'.

Here, FEMAIL reveals the funniest and most awkward responses...

Bafta award! A hilarious Instagram account has revealed a series of funny takeaway reviews and sassy responses from owners - including one who advised a customer got a Covid test after branding food 'tasteless'.. One reads 'Shannon, please stop complaining because you want freebies and didn't want to pay. Learn to tell the truth. You made order, rang up 20 minutes after to say you wanted a refund but the food was already no the way. You then started to get abusive on the phone. Next time I'll send out a Bafta award'

Takeaway Trauma , which has racked up more than 118,000 followers on Instagram, shares screenshots from review websites such a TripAdvisor, where customers post frank comments about their dining experience. One reads: 'Hi Lilly, your food was delivered in 40 minutes. The driver gave it to you in your drive where you were found throwing up. Hope you got in ok'

A lion never loses sleep over a sheep's opinion! While many of the low-reviews are understandable, for reasons such as the food arriving late, cold or not at all, but they appear to have still riled up the owners of the establishments being reviewed who have accused the reviewers of 'lying' or 'trying to get free food'

You lie! One owner got straight to the point in accusing the customer of lying about their dinner

'Enjoy the rest of your life': One frank owner said they were shocked at the bad review after the customer enjoyed 'eight dishes'

R u killing me! Another owner said they drove eight miles to drop off takeaway at 1am to an ungrateful customer

To the point! Another owner advised getting a Covid test after a patron said the food was 'tasteless'

Teeth marks! One traumatised customer said that the chicken was 'extremely cold' and their naan came with teeth marks

Ring up and apologise! One owner said the reviewer should apologise after reviewing before the food arrived

You didn't get a cuddle that night! Another reviewer they're fish was overcooked and tiny to a very sassy response

Let's see you cook next time! While customer Joe said he loved the cocktails his comments about the food got a particular reply

Did you have a bad day? One dessert shop owner said the customer complained after ordering an item not on the menu

We use big chicken! One confused customer said their meat couldn't be chicken due to it's size to a very sassy reply

Next time we'll hire a racing driver! One Takeaway shop said the customer was 'too far away' for a quick order

We will give you free food! One restaurant said the driver had 'eaten their order' and told the customer to come in

No one is coming to smash your home! One dramatic customer said they had been ordering from a place for a year - despite it only being open five months

Would you like that ice cream hot! A milkshake restaurant offered to boil their milkshake after complaining about cold food
The likelihood of a baby contracting COVID-19 may depend how much the virus is spreading in the community, a new study suggests.

Researchers found that infants were more than 10 times more likely to test positive for coronavirus if they lived in areas with high rates of transmission.

Additionally, only six percent of all babies hospitalized had other commonly occurring respiratory infections - showing that mitigation measures such as masks and social distancing prevented the spread of other viruses.

However, few babies needed intensive care, and the team, from New York University Langone Health, says the findings suggest that babies tend to fare very well against the disease.

Of those newborns, just three, about 10 percent, were diagnosed with COVID-19. Pictured: A staff member attends to a baby with novel coronavirus at Wuhan Children's Hospital, March 6

While children can contract COVID-19, they are less less likely to become seriously ill from the disease compared to adults.

Additionally, fewer than 0.1 percent of deaths from COVID-19 in the U.S. have occurred in children under age 17.

For the study, published in the journal Pediatrics, the team looked at infants less than 90 days of age admitted to NYU Langone Health hospital from March 2020 to December 2020.

Among the 148 infants included in the study, 22 of them - or 15 percent - tested positive for COVID-19.

Additionally, just two of the babies with the virus needed to be admitted to intensive care unit (ICUs), but luckily both were dismissed home

What was most telling was that where an infant lived was one of the biggest indictors of whether or not they would test positive.

Nearly one-third, 31 percent of babies, who contracted COVID-19 lived in communities with high infection rates.

By comparison, only three percent lived in areas with low community spread.

'Thirty-one percent was a pretty impressive number but in line with what had been published in other case series,' co-principal investigator Dr Vanessa Raabe, an assistant professor in NYU Langone's Departments of Medicine and Pediatrics, told DailyMail.com.

Researchers also found that six percent of the hospitalized infants were infected with other commonly occurring viruses, whether or not they had COVID-19.

'This is an indicator that the measures we were taking with social distancing and masks prevented a lol of the other respiratory illnesses we see,' Raabe said.

For future studies, Raabe would like to look at COVID-19 rates among infants going to the emergency room and going to their regular doctor as well as comparing infection rates in communities with different vaccine rates.

'I think including those in future research will be key to understanding the full spectrum of COVID-19 in young infants,' she said.

She adds that she hopes the findings leads to pediatrician keeping COVID-19 on their radar and offer a silver lining to parents whose children fall ill.

'A lot of these kids do very well. They leave hospitals after a short period of time, they do very well with inhaler and don't usually go to the ICU,' Raabe said.

'So if you hear this diagnoses, don't panic. Kids generally do very well even if diagnosed with COVID-19.'
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The grim toll of the historic heat wave in the Pacific Northwest became more apparent as authorities in Canada, Oregon and Washington state said Wednesday they were investigating hundreds of deaths likely caused by scorching temperatures that shattered all-time records in the normally temperate region.

British Columbia's chief coroner, Lisa Lapointe, said her office received reports of at least 486 'sudden and unexpected deaths' between Friday and Wednesday. Normally, she said about 165 people would die in the Canadian province over a five-day period.

'While it is too early to say with certainty how many of these deaths are heat related, it is believed likely that the significant increase in deaths reported is attributable to the extreme weather,' LaPointe said in a statement.

Many homes in Vancouver, much like Seattle, don't have air conditioning, leaving people ill-prepared for soaring temperatures.

'Vancouver has never experienced heat like this, and sadly dozens of people are dying because of it,' Vancouver police Sgt Steve Addison said in a statement.

Oregon health officials said more than 60 deaths have been tied to the heat, with the state's largest county, Multnomah, blaming the weather for 45 deaths since temperatures spiked Friday.

More than a dozen deaths in Washington state have been linked to the heat, a number that was expected to rise.

CANADA: A Salvation Army EMS vehicle is setup as a cooling station as people lineup to get into a splash park while trying to beat the heat in Calgary, Alberta, on Wednesday

WASHINGTON: Katherine Milton, who is experiencing homelessness, cools off under a homemade cooling-off station and mist system that a neighbor set up in their front yard for people, especially those without homes, to use during the scorching weather of a heatwave in Seattle

WASHINGTON: Carlos Ramos hands out bottles of water and sack lunches as he works at a hydration station in front of the Union Gospel Mission in Seattle, where temperatures have soared well above 100 degrees Fahrenheit

OREGON: People rest at the Oregon Convention Center cooling station in Portland amid this week's devastating heat wave

WASHINGTON: Firefighter Sean Condon, left and Lt Gabe Mills, check on the welfare of a man in Mission Park in Spokane, Washington during the heat wave, June 29

The heat wave was caused by what meteorologists described as a dome of high pressure over the Northwest and worsened by human-caused climate change, which is making such extreme weather events more likely and more intense

The sweltering temperatures are being caused by a heat dome of static high-pressure hot air which traps the heat in one location

The King County medical examiner's office, which covers an area that includes Seattle, said two people died of hyperthermia, meaning their bodies had became dangerously overheated.

In neighboring Snohomish County, three men - ages 51, 75 and 77 - died after experiencing heatstroke in their homes, the medical examiner's office told The Daily Herald in Everett, Washington, on Tuesday.

The heat wave was caused by what meteorologists described as a dome of high pressure over the Northwest and worsened by human-caused climate change, which is making such extreme weather events more likely and more intense.

Seattle, Portland and many other cities shattered all-time heat records, with temperatures in some places reaching above 118F (46C).

Amid the dangerous heat and drought that are gripping the American West, crews were closely monitoring wildfires that can explode in the intense weather.

In Lytton, British Columbia, there were several reports of buildings on fire on Wednesday after the region recorded Canada's highest-ever temperature for three days in a row.

While the temperatures had cooled considerably in western Washington, Oregon and British Columbia by Wednesday, the interior regions were still sweating through triple-digit temperatures as the weather system moved east.

The government's Environment Canada agency issued heat warnings Wednesday for the provinces of southern Alberta and Saskatchewan.

Heat warnings also were in place for parts of states such as Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana.

In Alberta, 'a prolonged, dangerous, and historic heat wave will persist through this week,' Environment Canada said in a release.

The very high temperatures or humidity conditions also were expected to pose an elevated risk of heatstroke or heat exhaustion.

The wild temperatures are stretching from the US west coast up to Canada where records have now been broken for three days in a row

British Columbia's chief coroner, Lisa Lapointe, said her office received reports of at least 486 'sudden and unexpected deaths' between Friday and Wednesday. Normally, she said about 165 people would die in the Canadian province over a five-day period

CANADA: In Vancouver, British Columbia, police have responded to more than 65 sudden deaths since Friday. Pictured: People try to beat the heat at a beach in Chestermere, Alberta, June 29

WASHINGTON: In King County, where Seattle is located, two people died of hyperthermia, and in Snohomish County, three men died from heatstroke in their homes. Pictured: A display at an Olympia Federal Savings branch in Washington shows a temperature of 107F, June 28

CANADA: A Salvation Army EMS vehicle is setup as a cooling station as people lineup to get into a splash park while trying to beat the heat in Calgary, Alberta, on Wednesday. Environment Canada warns the torrid heat wave that has settled over much of Western Canada won't lift for days

CANADA: Kais Bothe relaxes in the cool in the city hall pool, as temperatures hit 37 degrees Celsius in Edmonton, Alberta, on Wednesday

Officials in Bremerton, Washington, said heat may have contributed to four deaths in that Puget Sound city.

The death of a worker at an Oregon plant nursery last weekend was heat-related, employee safety agency Oregon Occupational Safety and Health Administration said on Tuesday.

The man was from Guatemala and had apparently arrived in the U.S. only a few months ago, said Andres Pablo Lucas, owner of Brother Farm Labor Contractor that sent the man and other workers to the nursery.

British Columbia's chief coroner, Lisa Lapointe, said her office would normally receive about 130 death reports over a four-day period but she has received 233 reports from Friday to Monday

The man, whose name was not released, died amid sweltering temperatures Saturday at Ernst Nursery and Farms, a wholesale supplier in St Paul, 20 miles north of the capital of Salem.

Speaking in Spanish, Pablo Lucas said that when workers gathered shortly after noon on Saturday, they noticed someone was missing.

They began searching and found his body. Pablo Lucas said he didn't remember the man's name.

The laborers often have the option to start working around sunrise when it is cooler and can stop around midday, but some want to stay regardless of the heat, Pablo Lucas said.

'The people want to work, to fight to succeed. For that reason, they stay,' he said.

In western Washington, the heat led a utility in Spokane to impose rolling blackouts because of the strain on the electrical grid. Pictured: A rainbow appears as a child plays at Miller Park's water park in Yakima, Washington, June 28

WASHINGTON: A person uses an umbrella for shade from the sun while walking near Pike Place Market in Seattle on Tuesday

WASHINGTON: John Ford (left) a worker with the Port of Seattle, paints near a railing at the Bell Street Cruise Terminal

WASHINGTON: People wear hats to shield from the sun as they walk near Pike Place Market in Seattle on Tuesday

The United Farm Workers urged Washington Gov Jay Inslee to issue emergency heat standards protecting all farm and other outdoor workers in the state with a strong agricultural sector.

In western Washington, the heat led a utility in Spokane to impose rolling blackouts because of the strain on the electrical grid.

About 9,300 Avista Utilities customers lost power on Monday, and the company said more planned blackouts began on Tuesday in the western Washington city of about 220,000 people.

'We try to limit outages to one hour per customer,' said Heather Rosentrater, an Avista vice president for energy delivery.

She said the outages were a distribution problem and did not stem from a lack of electricity in the system
At least 42,000 more Americans could die of COVID-19 if half of all unvaccinated individuals contract the Indian Delta variant.

As of Wednesday, 66.3 percent of U.S. adults have received at least one dose of the jab, meaning around 70 million people still have not, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The variant currently makes up 26.1 percent of cases in the country and has also wreaked havoc across the UK, accounting for 99 percent of all new infections.

In the UK, of the more than 92,000 people who have contracted the Delta variant, 53,822 were unvaccinated, per data from Public Health England.

Of the unvaccinated group, 67 people died, a death rate of 0.12 percent.

If just half of unvaccinated American adults - over 35.3 million people - were to contract the variant, and die at the same rate, then that would be 42,300 U.S. deaths from the variant, a DailyMail.com analysis found.

It comes a new poll found that most unvaccinated Americans are unmoved by the variant's existence with just 15 percent reporting that the Delta variant's existence makes them more likely to get the shots

Nearly 75% of Americans believe the Delta variant, which originated in India, poses a serious risk to unvaccinated or all Americans

The majority of Americans believe the Delta variant poses a risk to the country, but those most likely to be effected by it are largely unmoved.

In a new survey, conducted by Yahoo News/YouGov, 72 percent overall they believe the strain was dangerous.

Specifically, 27 percent of Americans said they believe the Delta variant poses a threat to all Americans, and 45 percent believe it does so only to unvaccinated Americans.

However, those have not received their COVID-19 do not seem to mind the perceived threat of the variant.

Only 15 percent of unvaccinated Americans reported that the Delta variant's existence makes them more likely to get the shots with around 10 percent saying that they are less likely to get vaccinated.

The Delta variant is a more contagious strain of the virus that was first identified in India.

It is believed to be at least 40 percent contagious than other strains of the virus and recent study found it doubles the risk of hospitalization.

The variant is largely responsible for the massive swell in COVID-19 cases that ravaged India this past spring and has caused infection in the UK to spike by 75 percent in just one week.

The Delta variant originated in India, and cause a massive outbreak in the Spring before many in the country had access to the vaccines

In the UK, officials recorded more than 20,000 for the third day in a row

There were 26,068 infections on Wednesday - the highest daily total since January 24, when there were 30,004 cases - increasing 61.6 per cent in seven days from 16,135.

This is a 1,200 percent increase from 2,000 cases recorded in late April, when the Delta variant first took hold.

However, deaths remained low with 14 were recorded on Wednesday, which is down 26 percent from the 19 recorded last Wednesday.

It has since made it's way across the globe, and into the United States.

At least 41 American states have experienced at least one case of the virus, according to the CDC.

Dr Anthony Fauci, the nation's top infectious disease expert, said last week that he predicts the variant will become the dominant strain in the U.S. in the coming weeks.

Many unvaccinated Americans are also in certain pockets on the U.S. particularly in the U.S. south and the northwestern plains.

In the south, Mississippi has the lowest percentage of its population at least partially vaccinated at 36 percent.

Nearby Louisiana (38 percent of population at least partially vaccinated), Alabama (40), Tennessee (42), Arkansas (42), and Georgia (43) have struggled to get their residents jabbed as well.

First Lady Jill Biden visited Mississippi and Tennessee last week, promoting the vaccine and hoping to sway the state's unvaccinated populations to receive the shots.

Northwestern states like Wyoming (39), Idaho (39) and North Dakota (44) find themselves struggling as well.

For comparison, 54 percent of American adults nationwide have received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine, and northeastern states like Vermont (74), Massachusetts (70) and Connecticut (67) are even approaching herd immunity.

Dr Fauci warned that the U.S. may soon be divided into 'two Americas' as the disparity grows between vaccinated and unvaccinated regions and the Indian 'Delta' variant continues to spread.

In an appearance on CNN's Don Lemon on Tuesday night, he said he is 'very concerned about' seeing the country split in two - one half where the majority of residents are vaccinated against COVID-19 and the other half where they are not immunized, leading to a rise in cases.

'When you have such a low level of vaccination superimposed upon a variant that has a high degree of efficiency of spread, what you are going to see among under-vaccinated regions, be that states, cities or counties, you're going to see these individual types of blips,' Fauci said.

'It's almost like it's going to be two Americas.'

An Associated Press analysis of available government data from May shows that 'breakthrough' infections in fully vaccinated people accounted for fewer than 1,200 of more than 853,00 hospitalizations.

What's more, only about 150 of the more than 18,000 COVID-19 deaths in May were in fully vaccinated people, which translates to about 0.8 percent, or five deaths per day on average.

The data shows the value of the COVID-19 vaccine and are an indication that deaths per day - now averaging 300 per day - could be practically zero if everyone eligible was immunized.

'Nearly every death, especially among adults, due to COVID-19, is, at this point, entirely preventable,' said CDC director Dr Rochelle Walensky said at a press briefing last week.

States in the U.S. south and the great plains have much lower vaccination rates than their peers, leaving them especially vulnerable to the Delta variant

Currently, it is believed that breakthrough infections account for under 0.1 percent of new COVID cases.

Breakthrough cases are often less severe, though, as antibodies supplied by the vaccine help combat the worst effects of the virus.

Cases and deaths in the United States have plummeted in recent months, as more and more Americans get vaccinated.

The nation is recording about 80,000 new cases a week at the moment, a large drop from the peak of the pandemic in January, where more than 1.75 million cases were recorded in a week.

The U.S. also has not recorded more than 1,000 deaths in a single day in more than three months.
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The nation's top infectious disease expert warned that the U.S. may soon be divided into 'two Americas' as the disparity grows between vaccinated and unvaccinated regions and the Indian 'Delta' variant continues to spread.

In an appearance on CNN's Don Lemon on Tuesday night, Dr Anthony Fauci said he is 'very concerned about' seeing the country split in two - one half where the majority of residents are vaccinated against COVID-19 and the other half where they are not immunized, leading to a rise in cases.

'When you have such a low level of vaccination superimposed upon a variant that has a high degree of efficiency of spread, what you are going to see among under-vaccinated regions, be that states, cities or counties, you're going to see these individual types of blips,' Fauci said.

'It's almost like it's going to be two Americas.'

Several U.S. counties in the South and West have been seeing an increase in cases, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Health officials say low vaccination rates are the problem and that the virus is transmitting rapidly in undervaccinated regions of the U.S.

The states are also all reporting a rise in cases linked to the Delta variant, which accounts for 26.1 percent of all COVID-19 infections, up from 20.6 percent last week.

Some states have reported that more than half of all new cases are associated with the strain.

But studies have shown that two doses of the the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and the AstraZeneca vaccine are 88 percent effective against the Delta variant and lab experiments showed the Moderna vaccine generates neutralizing antibodies against the strain.

'This is entirely avoidable, entirely preventable,' Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, told CNN.

'If you are vaccinated, you diminish dramatically your risk of getting infected and even more dramatically your risk of getting seriously ill. If you are not vaccinated, you are at considerable risk.'

It comes as CDC director Dr Rochelle Walensky said on Wednesday that fully vaccinated Americans are 'safe' from variants and do not need to wear masks.

'If you are vaccinated, you are safe from the variants that are circulating here in the United States,' she told NBC's TODAY and said it is 'exactly right' that vaccinated people do not need to wear masks.

Dr Anthony Fauci told CNN on Tuesday (pictured) that he is 'very concerned' the U.S. is being divided into 'two Americas,' one where most people are vaccinated one where most are not

It comes as counties in the South and West - such as in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Wyoming (marked in red) - reported between 100 and 500 cases per 100,000 in the last week, compared to the national average of 23.9 cases per 100,000

CDC director Dr Rochelle Walensky said on Wednesday that fully vaccinated Americans are 'safe' from variants and do not need to wear mask

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A recent CDC report found that U.S. counties, primarily in the South and the West, have been seeing an increase in COVID-19 cases over the past seven days.

Areas in states such as Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Wyoming are reporting between 100 and 500 cases per 100,000 people in the last week,

This is much higher than the national average of 23.9 infections per 100,000.

All five states have vaccinated fewer than 35 percent of their total populations, which is lower than the national average of 45.6 percent, CDC data show.

Health officials say this is causing not only the virus to circulate rapidly, but for variants - like the highly infectious Delta strain - to take hold.

Former FDA commissioner Dr Scott Gottlieb warned earlier this week that America is likely to see constrained outbreaks of the Delta variant in certain communities rather than widespread outbreaks.

'It's not going to be as pervasive,' he said in an appearance on CBS' Face the Nation on Sunday,

'It's going to hyper-regionalized. There's certain pockets of the country where you're going to have very dense outbreaks.'

Arkansas has seen an average of 300 cases per day in the last week, an increase from 200 the last month (orange), and 56% of all cases and, in Mississippi, there has been 18% increase in the seven-day rolling average of cases from 111 to 132

All five states have fully vaccinated 35% or fewer residents, lower than the national average of 45.6%, and only three counties between the five have fully vaccinated more than 50%, with Fauci saying most of these cases are entirely preventable

Known as B.1.617.2, the Delta variant has been labeled as a 'double mutant' by India's Health Ministry 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.

Gottlieb says he believes that the massive surge in cases in the UK is a foreshadowing of what's to come in the U.S.

'I think as you look across the United States, if you're a community that has low vaccination rates and you also think that there was low immunity from prior infection, so the virus really hasn't coursed through the local population, those communities are vulnerable,' he told Face the Nation.

'So, I think governors need to be thinking about how they build out health care resources in areas of the country where you still have a lot of vulnerability.'

Only three counties in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi and Wyoming have fully vaccinated more than 50 percent of residents.

In one of the states - Arkansas - officials report that only has 35 percent of the total population have completed their vaccine series.

Arkansas has seen an average of 300 cases per day, an increase from 200 the last month, and health officials say the Delta variant is to blame.

Currently, 56 percent of all cases in the state that undergo genetic sequencing are linked to Delta.

Health experts say low vaccination rates will help the Indian 'Delta' variant spread, which currently makes up 26.1% of American cases, up from 20.6% two weeks ag

Former FDA commissioner Dr Scott Gottlieb said on Sunday (pictured) he expects outbreaks of the Indian 'Delta' variant to rise in areas with low vaccination rates

'That tells us that the variant is spreading widely and that it's spreading quickly,' Dr Jennifer Dillaha, the Director of Epidemiology for the Arkansas Department of Health told Action News 5.

'My concern is that if people are not immune to it, then this variant will find them and infect them and cause illness.'

Governor Asa Hutchinson of Arkansas said hospitalizations are up 30 percent and encouraged residents to get vaccinated.

'The Delta variant is a great concern to us. We see that impacting our increasing cases and hospitalizations,' Hutchinson told Face the Nation.

'We've got to make sure we do everything we can to get the word out, which we have. We have used incentives that have not been very successful. We've obviously done marketing for our vaccines. We are educating, doing everything we can.'

In Mississippi, health officials said there a growing number of cases linked to the Delta variant.

According to WAPT, state epidemiologist Dr Paul Byers said there have been at least 60 cases associated with the variant since the fist infection was identified a few weeks ago.

The state is currently averaging 132 COVID-19 infections per day, an 18 percent increase from 111 from earlier this month.

However, less than 30 percent of the population is fully vaccinated.

'The vaccine is still effective against it, but remember that a vaccine is not 100 percent,' Byers said.

'And when you have an individual in congregate settings in very close contact and put in a place with highly infectious variants, there is a possibility of transmission.'

About 59% of the Los Angeles population is fully vaccinated, but the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health recommended that residents in the county be vaccinated against the variants

Almost 42,000 more Americans could die if half of all unvaccinated adults contract Indian 'Delta' Covid variant By Mansur Shaheen for DailyMail.com At least 42,000 more Americans could die of COVID-19 if half of all unvaccinated individuals contract the Indian Delta variant. As of Wednesday, 66.3 percent of U.S. adults have received at least one dose of the jab, meaning around 70 million people still have not, according to data from the CDC. The variant currently makes up 26.1% of U.S. cases and has also wreaked havoc across the UK, accounting for 99% of all new infections. In the UK, of the more than 92,000 people who have contracted the Delta variant, 53,822 were unvaccinated, per data from Public Health England. Of the unvaccinated group, 67 people died, a death rate of 0.12%. If just half of unvaccinated American adults - over 35.3 million people - were to contract the variant, and die at the same rate, then that would be 42,300 U.S. deaths from the variant, a DailyMail.com analysis found. It comes a new poll found that most unvaccinated Americans are unmoved by the variant's existence with just 15 percent reporting that the Delta variant's existence makes them more likely to get the shots. Advertisement

Meanwhile, in Los Angeles, 59 of the population is fully vaccinated.

But on Monday, the county's Department of Public Health recommended that residents begin wearing masks again due the spread of the Delta variant, despite admitting small risk posed to fully vaccinated people.

'While COVID-19 vaccine provides very effective protection preventing hospitalizations and deaths against the delta variant, the strain is proving to be more transmissible and is expected to become more prevalent,' said Dr Barbara Ferrer, director of the Department of Public Health.

'Mask wearing remains an effective tool for reducing transmission, especially indoors where the virus may be easily spread through inhalation of aerosols emitted by an infected person.'

The variant currently makes up 14.5 percent of of coronavirus cases in the state with 123 confirmed cases in Los Angeles County.

Of the county cases, 110 were among unvaccinated people and three were in partially vaccinated people, according to the Los Angeles Times.

Fauci said that, as of now, he does not see the CDC changing its mask guidance for fully vaccinated individuals.

'For now, the CDC recommendations stand that if in fact you are vaccinated - fully vaccinated - you are protected, and you do not need to wear a mask outdoors or indoors,' he told CNN.

Walensky also clarified why the CDC was not changing its mask guidelines despite the World Health Organization (WHO) recommending all people, vaccinated or not continue to wear masks and practice social distancing.

'We know that the WHO has to make guidelines and provide information to the world,' she told TODAY.

'Right now, we know as we look across the globe that less than 15 percent of people around the world have been vaccinated and many people of those have really only received one dose of a two-dose vaccine.

'There are places around the world that are surging and so as the WHO makes those recommendations, they do so in that context.'

The virus is wreaking havoc in the UK too, where officials recorded more than 20,000 for the third day in a row

There were 26,068 infections on Wednesday- the highest daily total since January 24, when there were 30,004 cases - increasing 61.6 per cent in seven days from 16,135.

This is a 1,200 percent increase from 2,000 cases recorded in late April, when the Delta variant first took hold.

However, deaths remained low with 14 were recorded on Wednesday, which is down 26 percent from the 19 recorded last Wednesday.

If half of unvaccinated American adults contract the Delta variant, and the variant causes death at the same rate in the U.S. as it did in England, an estimated 42,000 unvaccinated Americans could die from the variant, according to a DailyMail.com analysis.

In the UK, of the more than 92,000 people who have contracted the Delta variant, 53,822 were unvaccinated, per data from Public Health England

Of the unvaccinated group, 67 people died, a death rate of 0.12 percent.

If just half of unvaccinated American adults - over 35.3 million people - were to contract the virus, and die at the same rate then that would be 42,000 American deaths from the variant, the analysis found.

The death rate could be even higher in America, though, due to decreased access to health services in the states and a generally more unhealthy population.

MODERNA SAYS ITS COVID-19 VACCINE WORKS AGAINST VARIANTS INCLUDING THE DELTA STRAIN IN LAB TESTS

Moderna Inc says its COVID-19 vaccine works against coronavirus variant, including the rapidly spreading Indian 'Delta' strain.

The company tested blood sampes of eight patients one week after they'd gotten their second and final dose of the vaccine.

In laboratory settings in which the blood was mixed with variants, the two-dose shot generated high levels of neutralizing antibodies against all mutants tested.

'These new data are encouraging and reinforce our belief that the Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine should remain protective against newly detected variants,' CEO Stephane Bancel said in a press release.

'These findings highlight the importance of continuing to vaccinate populations with an effective primary series vaccine.'

Antibody levels only fell by 2.1-fold against the Delta variant (fifth from the right), much less than among other variants, and fell the least against the Kent 'Alpha' variant (second from left)

For the study, published as a pre-print on bioRxiv.org, the team looked at how well blood samples performed against 16 virus variants, including the original strain.

Researchers took samples from eight people who participated in Phase I clinical trials in 2020 one week after their second dose.

Next, the blood sera was exposed to each variant.

Results showed the vaccine worked the best against the Alpha variant, known as B.1.1.7, which originated in the UK, with minimal changes in neutralizing antibodies compared to the original strain.

All other variants showed a decrease in neutralizing antibodies but not enough to lose protection.

Against the Beta variant which originated in South Africa and the Gamma variant, which originated in Brazil, levels of neutralizing antibodies fell by 6.9-fold and 3.2-fold, respectively.

However, against the Delta variant, levels fell by just 2.1-fold, which was less than seen among all other variants.
Many doctors have claimed that the only way to get the COVID-19 pandemic under control in the U.S. - especially in the face of highly infectious variants - is to not only vaccinate adults, but also children.

And so, thousands of parents have stepped up and have volunteered their babies, toddlers elementary schoolers and teenagers to undergo vaccine clinical trials.

For some parents, the idea of enrolling their children in the studies on kids being conducted by Pfizer and Moderna seems unnecessary because 0.1 percent of all COVID-deaths have occurred in those under age 17.

For others, they told CNN the decision to join the trials was an easy one.

One family said they volunteered all three of their children because they believe vaccinating youngsters is the only way to reach herd immunity.

Another set of patents said their son made the choice himself to enroll in the clinical trial because he wants to go back to school in-person, attend birthday parties and go on summer vacation.

The Bui family of Louisiana enrolled all three of their children's - Ellie, 6; Christian, 3; and Sloan, 1 - in Pfizer's trial because they believe it's the only way to reach herd immunity. Pictured, left to right: Ellie, mom Erin Biro, Sloan, Christian and dad CJ Bui

The parents said their children did not have side effects after receiving their first injections. Pictured: Erin Biro holds her daughter Sloan as she is injected next to her son, Christian

Children under age 17 only account for 0.1% of all COVID-deaths and are much less likely to fall ill with the virus than adults

One set of parents, Dr CJ Bui and Dr Erin Biro, decided to enroll all three of their children after seeing the state of COVID-19 patients entering hospitals during the early waves.

Bui, a pediatric neurosurgeon at Ochsner Medical Center in Jefferson, Louisiana, volunteered to help other wards when the hospital became overwhelmed.

'[It was sobering] seeing how bad it can be for adults, young adults' he told CNN.

'I've seen a healthy 30-something-year-old die a miserable death.'

This month, Ellie, six; Christian, three; and Sloan, one; Bui of Jefferson, received their first shot in the Pfizer-BioNTech clinical trial.

Bui and Biro said they encouraged to sign their children up for the trial after seeing how sick COVID-19 patients got during spring 2020. Pictured: Biro holds her son Christian as he is given an injection

Ellie received her dose on June 8 while Christian and Sloane were given their initial jabs on June 21.

'We both saw how terribly Covid affected patients,' Biro, their mother, told CNN.

'We felt strongly about participating in the research - obviously for the opportunity to have our kids vaccinated [and] to continue to move the needle forward in the battle against Covid.'

Children will receive doses of the vaccine 21 days apart from one another and researchers will look for side effects and other potential reactions - but the study is double-blinded.

That means the parents don't know whether or not he child received a dose of the vaccine or a placebo.

Six months after participants get their second injections, the trial will be 'unblinded' and those who received placebos can get the Pfizer vaccine.

None of the Bui siblings experienced side effects, their parents told CNN.

They add that they believe vaccinating children is the only way to reach herd immunity, which is when enough people are protected against the virus so it doesn't spread.

'It's really going to be impossible to get to herd immunity [without children getting vaccinated],' Bui, their father said.

Another set of parents said both of their sons made the decision themselves to take part in Modern's clinical trial, with their nine-year-old son Christian ultimately being chosen. Pictured: Christian receives a shot of Moderna vaccine or placebo at University of Maryland

Another family, the Mugeras of Maryland, said they were also impacted seeing how quickly the health of COVID-19 patients can decline.

Dr Charles Mugera, an internist at Anne Arundel Medical Center, told CNN it's also clear that when vaccinations increase in a community, cases decline.

'We have seen not only deaths, hospitalizations and infection go down, but transmissibility has gone down because we're vaccinated don't transmit the disease,' he said.

'So it becomes very clear that for this pandemic to end, we have to not only protect ourselves from severe disease but (also) get the children vaccinated.

'Because even though the children have not been perceived as being at risk for death and severe disease, they transmit it.'

So he and his wife, Dr Kabuiya Ruth Mugera, a pediatrician asked their two sons - Gerald, then age 11 and now 12, and Christian, age nine, if they would take part in the Moderna vaccine trial.

The boys' mother 'explained how it works, what it does, how it protects you, and how you get your life back. You can travel. Go back to having birthday parties. Go back to school [in-person],' Mugera told CNN.

'That crystallized in their minds very quickly that this is the path to normalcy.'

Only Christian was selected for the trial because it was easier for his blood to be drawn, and he has received both doses.

His parents says he had some side effects including a sore arm after the first dose and a fever after the second dose - both both went away within 24 hours.

According to to Mugera, ever since enrolling in the trial, Christian's new mantra is: 'We're going to save the world. We're going to change the world.'
People who were not fully vaccinated account for 95 percent of all COVID-19 deaths since March in Wisconsin.

Officials from the state's Department of Health and Human Services (WDHHS) told Fox News that 412 of 433 coronavirus deaths over the past four months were among unvaccinated residents.

'As you know, the science is clear; vaccines work in the real world. They save lives,' a WDHHS spokesperson wrote in an email.

'And if you are fully vaccinated, you are protected. All three vaccines have been tested and proven to be safe and effective.'

'Take a look at the COVID-19 data and you will see that cases, hospitalizations, and deaths have been declining since vaccines were authorized and we started getting shots in arms.'

Only 21 of 433 COVID-19 deaths recorded in Wisconsin since March have been among vaccinated people, as state officials urge more of the population to get the vaccine

Health officials are now urging Wisconsinites to get vaccinated in order to continue the drop of cases and deaths.

It comes as the Badger State recently reached 50 percent of its population being at least partially vaccinated against the virus.

Officials from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) believe that nearly all COVID-19 deaths are preventable as long as Americans get vaccinated.

COVID cases both in the state of Wisconsin and around the nation are falling as the vaccine becomes more common.

The state is currently averaging 18 new cases a day over the past week, a stark decrease from the over 500 a day average at the pandemics worst point in winter.

Wisconsin is also only recording an average of one new COVID-19 death every day.

Officials revealed say percent of Wisconsinites have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, with more than 46 percent being fully vaccinated.

The state hit the 50 percent mark on June 28, and is now among the 28 states who have crossed that threshold.

The story of Wisconsin matches with what has happened nationwide as well.

More than two-thirds of American adults, and 54 percent of the total population, have received at least one shot of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Around 57 percent of adults - and 46 percent of the total population - is fully vaccinated as well.

Since the vaccine rollout got underway, and reached its peak around the U.S. in April, cases and deaths across the country have fallen.

Currently, the nation of over 300 million people is averaging just over 10,000 cases and around 500 deaths every day from the virus.

America is sitting a large unused supply of vaccines as demand for the shots has decreased in recent weeks, though.

Health officials are urging more Americans to get vaccinated, even saying that doing so could prevent all deaths in the nation.

'Nearly every death, especially among adults, due to COVID-19, is, at this point, entirely preventable,' said CDC director Dr Rochelle Walensky last week.

Analysis by the Associated Press found that unvaccinated American's accounted for 99 percent of COVID-19 deaths recorded in May.
State subsidy in Britain has had a bad rap since the wasteful 1970s.

Yet it is easy to forget that had British Leyland not been supported then there might be no Mini or Jaguar Land Rover today, or if Rolls-Royce had not been rescued in 1971 then aerospace would have been obliterated.

Indeed, while the UKs former EU partners have lavished assistance on aerospace in the pandemic (as has the US) the UK has adopted a hair-shirt approach, requiring carriers including BA owner IAG and Virgin Atlantic to sink or swim.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng wants to save the remnants of Sanjiv Guptas imploding Liberty Steel empire including the Stocksbridge plant, a producer of greener, speciality steels

As part of the EU, Whitehall was more rigorous in enforcing state subsidy rules and competitive bidding than its Continental counterparts, to the detriment of industries such as train making.

It should come as a blessed relief that the UK is now seeking to control its industrial destiny with a nimble system of state subsidies.

Sensibly, constraints are built into the new system in the shape of an advice unit within the Competition and Markets Authority.

The assumption is that the subsidies largely will be used to back green projects and support levelling up.

Among early candidates will be that most basic of industries: steel-making.

Business Secretary Kwasi Kwarteng is determined to keep alive the remnants of Sanjeev Guptas imploding Liberty Steel empire including the vital Stocksbridge plant, a producer of greener, speciality steels.

Another candidate for extra support could be the Rolls-Royce small modular reactors, flexible nuclear power units, which could create jobs, secure the finances of the nations premier engineering group and contribute to carbon reduction.

The freedom to help was a hard-won prize of Brexit. Using it frugally, rather than carelessly, will be the key.

French lessons

The great Marks & Spencer sandwich crisis in Paris, caused by over-zealous French enforcement of food hygiene and customs arrangements, is shocking enough.

Even more worrying is the sight of an unmasked Jamie Dimon, JP Morgan Chase supremo, cosying up to President Emmanuel Macron.

With his re-election prospects in the balance, Macron, a former Rothschild banker, knows better than most the value of financial services to an economy.

There remains resentment in France at the way the UK has vacuumed up so much of Europes activity, with South Kensington a home-from-home for French traders in London.

The new JP Morgan Paris HQ is designed to host 800 people and that includes 265 pre-Brexit staff and a further 440 expected to be recruited or transferred from London by year end.

Dimon is playing both sides. Macrons goal is to entice euro derivatives trading and settlement to Paris. He is pushing on an open door in that a much-wanted financial services standstill between London and Brussels looks elusive. To Britains advantage are the economics and risk factors.

A deeper market in the Square Mile improves liquidity and pricing and will militate against Balkanisation of enforcement.

It is not exactly as if Dimon has given up on the UK. JP Morgan employs some 10,000 people in London plus many thousands more in back office work in Dorset.

Dimon has chosen Britain for the launch of Chase, its digital bank in Europe, which has just snapped up UK fintech asset management start-up Nutmeg.

Fresh data from Tech Nation shows that the UK has 100 tech firms worth more than $1billion, putting it third in the world behind the US and China, with fintech leading the charge.

It is critical that the City, which powers 7pc of GDP and the tax system, is not weakened by Brexit. Macrons demarche looks as much political as economic.

Hot-wired

The pandemic has been transformational for Dixons Carphone. A huge uplift in online penetration, great demand for electricals and electronics for home working and play have fundamentally changed the outlook.

It allowed it to look through the black hole from flawed mobile contracts and closure of the Carphone chain and generate cash flow of 438million.

Furlough and business rates have been returned to the Exchequer, and the dividend restored.

And there is no sign the appetite for electronics, gaming and the like is over. Chief executive Alex Baldock has guided a notoriously volatile retailer to safety.
Women endure sexism in all walks of life. But in the male-dominated word of mining it has emerged in the most sinister form.

Shocking allegations of rape, sexual assault and harassment at mining camps across Australia have sparked calls for a parliamentary inquiry into the mistreatment of women.

While other industries can focus on hitting gender targets and bringing more women into the boardroom, mining bosses are battling to make female employees feel safe at night.

Shocking allegations of rape, sexual assault and harassment at mining camps across Australia have sparked calls for a parliamentary inquiry into the mistreatment of women

Last week senior executives at five mining giants, including FTSE 100-listed BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, held an extraordinary press conference in which they apologised to victims of rape and harassment and backed calls for an official inquiry into the problem.

The show of solidarity in Perth was supported by Western Australia's premier Mark McGowan, who backed a review and promised to try to get it started as soon as possible.

Stressing their 'zero tolerance' approach to workplace rape, assault or harassment, the mining companies have vowed to do everything in their power to make the industry safer for women.

This includes investing in more surveillance cameras and street lighting, and developing a new smartphone app which tracks workers' movements and can be used to call for help if they feel threatened.

An industry code of conduct is also being drawn up for mine camps across Western Australia to stamp out abuse of women, who still make up less than a quarter of the workforce.

And, in a clear sign of the scale of the crisis, bosses in this beer-loving country are considering plans to emulate the booze curbs announced recently by BHP.

Mining behemoth Rio Tinto confirmed that it was among those weighing up tougher alcohol restrictions, which are likely to be deeply unpopular among its workforce.

Paul Everingham, chief executive of lobby group the Chamber of Minerals and Energy of Western Australia, has been spearheading the drive to tackle sexual harassment which he admitted is 'prevalent' in the industry.

This month, a BHP worker was charged with the rape of a female colleague in the mining camp near the company's enormous South Flank iron ore operation in Pilbara (pictured)

He said: 'The resources industry has got a zero tolerance policy of workplace rape, harassment, or assault of any kind.

'Wherever it has happened previously we are very sorry that it has happened and we apologise for any hurt or distress that it has caused.

'We now need to work our hardest to make sure people are safe at all times on our sites and that if an incident does happen they feel comfortable coming forward and reporting it.'

One approach, he said, is tackling excessive alcohol consumption among mine workers, which has been at the root of some of the most disturbing claims.

'Some people love to have a beer and we've got to weigh up how much of a risk factor alcohol consumption is,' he said.

'On oil and gas sites offshore, alcohol is not permitted.

'And our members are reviewing their acceptance or otherwise of alcohol consumption because it's definitely a risk factor.

I can see the industry certainly moving closer much more towards lower consumption of alcohol.'

This month, a 35-year-old BHP worker was charged with the rape of a female colleague as she returned to her accommodation in the Mulla Mulla Village, the camp near the company's enormous South Flank iron ore operation in Pilbara.

She had reportedly rejected advances from male colleagues at the mine camp's 'wet mess', a dining area where workers often meet for drinks after her shift.

Prosecutors allege the man entered the woman's hut  or 'donga'  while she was heavily intoxicated and raped her while she was barely conscious.

Last week it emerged that a second 'fly in, fly out' BHP employee has been charged with raping a colleague in Pilbara while they were off-duty in Perth.

Fortescue Metals Group also revealed it is assisting police with an investigation into the attempted rape of a female worker at one of its mines in Pilbara.

Zero tolerance: Western Australia's premier Mark McGowan has backed official inquiry into the mistreatment of women in the mining industry

Female workers have also come forward to describe a toxic 'Wild West' culture at mining camps, with widespread binge drinking and sexual harassment of women.

There have also been claims of men trying to pay cleaners to have sex with them.

According to a major report published last year by the Australian Human Rights Commission, just under three-quarters of women in mining have experienced harassment over the last five years.

Speaking to the Australian Broadcasting Corporation, one female worker said it is 'sickening' how common sexual harassment and assault was in the mining camps.

But Mick Buchan, the leader of the Construction, Forestry, Maritime, Mining and Energy Union in Western Australia, said that the mining giants are partly to blame for this crisis.

He believes poor living conditions and gruelling working hours at the mine camps have fuelled excessive drinking and anti-social behaviour.

This, he said, urgently needs to be addressed as part of any inquiry into sexual harassment in the industry.

He said: 'The evidence shows that sexual discrimination and harassment occurs across every single mine site in Australia. But this is not a problem unique to the mining industry.

'It is a problem within our whole society, and it gets amplified where any group of people are taken away from the connection and influence of their community and their family.'

He added: 'The mining companies will give out platitudes about needing to tackle sexual harassment and their support for an inquiry.

'But the truth is they've been putting profits before people by actively undermining the stability and quality of community on their mine sites for the last decade to save a few bucks.'

BHP said it has brought in more security guards and patrols, and introduced a chaperone service to escort staff back to their accommodation. It is also investing more than 160million in further upgrading camp rooms and beefing up security.

This will include installing swipe card entry doors on 'dongas', more CCTV cameras, and security lighting.

Brandon Craig, head of BHP's iron ore operations in Western Australia, said: 'BHP is working hard to make our company safer and more inclusive, and prevent harassment and assault.'
America is in the midst of an opioid epidemic, and treating the problem is big business.

Nearly 50,000 people die each year from opioid overdoses, while a further 1.7m in the US suffer from disorders after taking prescription pain relievers.

The problem started in the 1990s when pharmaceutical giants prescribed opioids on a big scale, but the medical community failed to foresee that patients would become heavily addicted.

High demand: FTSE 250 pharmaceutical firm Indivior makes the drug suboxone which is given to people who have started addiction treatment

The US Department of Health has declared war on the crisis and one of the best ways to combat the problem is to promote overdose-reversing drugs.

One company that makes such treatments is Indivior, which is listed on the FTSE 250 in London but based in Virginia. Its suboxone is given to people who have started addiction treatment.

The opioid problem has got even worse during lockdown and as a result the company has upgraded forecasts and now expects to generate revenue of 534million this year, up from a previous estimate of up to 451million.

The update will have come as a relief for Indivior and its investors. Last month it suffered a revolt at its annual meeting when 38 per cent of votes cast went against its pay report.

Stock Watch - Pendragon Car dealer Pendragon expects to swing to a half-year profit thanks to a surge in demand in May and June, but has warned of a shortage of new vehicles. It expects to post underlying pre-tax profits of around 30million for the first six months of 2021, against underlying losses of 31million a year earlier with annual profits predicted to be 45-50million, up from 8.2million last year. It said trading had been particularly strong this month and last, with the used car market leading the way and pent-up demand boosting prices. Shares rose 0.41 per cent, or 0.08p, to 18.5p.

Shareholders objected to the decision to maintain bonuses for former chief executive Shaun Thaxter, despite him being jailed for his role in the US opioid crisis.

Under Thaxter Indivior made misleading safety claims about suboxone to win endorsement from doctors. Shares were up 6.4 per cent, or 9.3p, at 154.6p.

But the FTSE 100 index was treading water for a second straight session, down 0.7 per cent, or 50.08 points, at 7037.47.

All eyes were on the Opec meeting today in what has so far been an excellent year for the oil industry as economies around the globe roar back to life.

As a result Brent crude prices have risen from $50 per barrel in January to hit $75 and the chatter is that prices will touch $100 a barrel before the end of the year for the first time since 2014.

Opec is expected to decide to raise output by 500,000 to 1m barrels a day at the meeting, according to RBC Capital Markets.

The coalition will answer the call to put more barrels on the market, the analysts report.

The oil industry is undergoing rapid change as concerns over climate change lead to actions that will cut fossil fuel consumption.

But many investors want to see producers ramp up exploration and refining projects.

BP was down 0.3 per cent, or 1p, at 315p, while Shell dipped 0.1 per cent, or 1.4p, to 1399p.

Another notable faller was Serco which will lose Track and Trace work as the virus begins to fade away.

Labour party leader Sir Keir Starmer said the Test and Trace system had failed in Sercos hands, but the Government has repeatedly stood by chief executive Rupert Soames and Serco, handing it contract extensions.

Soames said: Our view is that the use of Test and Trace will reduce substantially in the second half, but its likely something will continue into next year though.

Government will likely want to keep a residual capacity, but I dont think thats going to cost a substantial amount of money. Serco fell 1.3 per cent, or 1.8p, to 135.7p.

Elsewhere on the FTSE 250, Morrisons was on the charge as brokers speculated that a fresh bid from Clayton Dubilier & Rice was imminent.

The supermarket rejected the first bid which valued it at 5.5billion, because it said undervalued the company.

One broker said: Word is a fresh bid is coming this week. Lets see if it can get the board to the table this time around.

Morrisons largest investors, including hedge fund Silchester, have so far declined to comment on any potential deal. Shares were up 4.5 per cent, or 10.7p, to 246.7p.
The City watchdog has blasted firms that are supposed to oversee fund managers such as Neil Woodford.

In a scathing review the Financial Conduct Authority said Authorised Fund Managers (AFMs) suffered from governance weaknesses and conflicts of interest.

Though the FCA's report did not shame any AFMs by name, it comes in the wake of the Woodford fund implosions that resulted in thousands of ordinary investors losing their savings.

Loose canon: The Financial Conduct Authority's review comes in the wake of Neil Woodford's (pictured) fund implosions that resulted in thousands of ordinary investors losing their savings

Woodford's AFM was Link Fund Solutions, which was supposed to make sure capital requirements were met and was ultimately responsible for the funds.

All UK funds have an AFM, who is separate from the manager and must ensure the fund complies with FCA rules.

Link is being sued by savers who say it should have kept Woodford (pictured) on a shorter leash.

The FCA said AFMs failed to focus on risks posed to investors by 'inappropriate or poor value' funds.

Some referred to funds as if they were solely operated by the third-party manager, the FCA said, and did not mention their own responsibilities.

Sheldon Mills, at the FCA, said: 'Some firms are not sufficiently meeting FCA standards and we want to see significant improvement.

'We expect firms to look at the key findings on governance structures, conflicts of interest, operational controls, and the other areas highlighted and take action.'

Conflicts of interest were raised when Woodford's flagship Equity Income fund collapsed in 2019.

Investors accused Link of failing to keep a close eye on his management of the fund, as he broke rules on how much should be invested in listed firms, and tried to dodge rules by listing some shares on the obscure Guernsey exchange.

While savers said Link should have spotted this behaviour, industry sources said it could be tricky for an AFM to criticise a manager when it was that same manager who was effectively paying its wages.

Ryan Hughes, of AJ Bell, said: 'Some findings from the FCA will be of concern, particularly a lack of adequate oversight, a lack of in-depth understanding and a lack of evidence around robust governance procedures.

'It is exactly these kind of challenges that have been discussed at length regarding Woodford.'

The watchdog's review said some findings were also applicable to in-house AFMs.
Nissan has unveiled plans for a huge factory in Sunderland to make batteries for electric cars.

The Japanese firm already makes the Leaf vehicle at the plant, which opened in 1986, but this would be a significant expansion - and the deal includes the North East car factory producing a 'next-generation' crossover.

Bosses say the gigafactory will produce around 100,000 batteries per year.

On the charge: Nissan has unveiled plans to build a battery 'gigafactory' at its plant in Sunderland where it currently produces the Leaf electric vehicle (pictured)

And other models, including the Qashqai and Juke, will continued to be produced in Sunderland, say reports.

More than 1,600 jobs will be created in Sunderland and an estimated 4,500 in supply companies under an investment of 1billion.

The gigafactory would be the first in the UK by a major car maker. Britishvolt, a start-up backed by Emirati and Scandinavian investors, is separately plotting a 2.6billion facility in Blyth, Northumberland, that would produce 300,000 batteries a year.

The factories will be crucial to plans to phase out the sale of petrol and diesel cars by 2030, with the Government seeking to encourage similar proposals from other companies.

Nissan said its Electric Vehicle (EV) Hub will be a world-first EV manufacturing ecosystem

This is the first image of the electric crossover that will likely be produced at the Sunderland car plant that will be powered by batteries produced at the new gigafactory

Bosses at Nissan have agreed the plans after assurances of support from the Government, on top of its own 420million investment.

It is thought the plant could open in 2024, creating thousands of jobs. Nissan said Sunderland has played a pioneering role in developing the electric vehicle market.

It said: We will continue to electrify our line-up as part of our global journey towards carbon neutrality.
It's an unassuming office in a quiet industrial estate in the town of Harlow. But based on the 2nd floor of this red-brick building in Essex is the company at the heart of distressing delays in the nations probate system.

For two years, bereaved families have endured long waits when applying to take control of their loved ones estate after they die.

Delays in probate applications mean families have to wait to access their lost loved ones finances  and hold the sale of property in their estate.

Piling up: Stacks of boxes can be seen through the window of Exela Technologies's office in Harlow, Essex

It has now emerged that work outsourced to this private firm in Essex in a 4.5 million contract is the root of many delays.

A report shown to Money Mail reveals a string of frustrating errors made at the Exela Technologies office, where staff are tasked with scanning wills and uploading digital copies onto a system to be processed.

Money Mail visited the site yesterday in search of answers and saw hundreds of boxes stacked up high inside offices.

Dozens of Exela employees were spotted coming in and out, and laughed when asked about the backlog.

When someone dies, the executor of a will is required to apply for a legal document known as a grant of probate to take control of their estate.

This is not always required if an estate is small or property is jointly owned, but more than 200,000 applications are made every year.

Government hands job of detecting bogus wills to 'bulk scanning' firm to save cash Lawyers and the civil servants' union warned against outsourcing this work when news of the money-saving exercise emerged... read more here.

And until probate is granted, the executor cannot give out promised inheritances or allow family members to sell any property.

It used to take around two weeks to obtain a grant of probate by post. But in 2019 a new online system was introduced to speed up the process, but instead led to delays.

Online applications are now taking between five and six weeks on average, but many families say they have had to wait as long as six months or more.

Since January, solicitors have been told they must submit the vast majority of their clients probate applications using the new system.

Executors are also encouraged to use the online system via the HM Courts and Tribunal Services (HMCTS) website.

Necessary documents, including the will, must then be posted to Exela in Harlow.

Heartache: Delays in online probate applications mean families have to wait to access their lost loved ones finances - and hold the sale of property in their estate

The firm was awarded the multi-million pound two-year contract by the Government in April 2018, and it has since been extended.

The company is charged with scanning the will and uploading it onto the new system. Most digital applications will then be sent to civil servants.

Teething problems with the new system in early 2019 led to a backlog, while proposed plans to hike probate fees - which were later shelved - caused further delays as families rushed to get applications in before charges increased.

Farewill Legal Services says there is now a three week wait for wills to be scanned while some wills arent being uploaded correctly.

June Yap, of Farewill, says: While it is understandable that there would be teething problems when the online system was new, we shouldnt be seeing the high number of errors, stops and subsequent delays we are today.

The hold-ups are also putting house sales in jeopardy.

Justin Flanagan managing director of Charles Eden estate agents says he is acting for two different couples who are buying properties tied up in the probate system. The buyers are all ready to go and were right up to the point of exchange but were still waiting on probate.

One couple desperate to move is elderly and they dont want to lose the stamp duty savings. They have had to move into a second lot of temporary accommodation while they wait for probate to complete, he adds.

Retired police officer Derek Harper had to wait 11 months for probate after Exela failed to properly scan his mother Kathleens will.

He applied for probate last July, but heard nothing until November when an email said parts were missing from her will.

Derek, 63, who lives with his wife Sylvia in Cyprus, replied immediately and pointed out that the will was double-sided.

The probate was granted earlier this month after Money Mail approached the Ministry of Justice for a comment.

The Public and Commercial Services Union warned against the privatisation before the contract went to Exela.

Solicitors say many applications are also being stalled by HMCTS staff querying applications. Yet the internal report by Farewill found seven out of ten of its applications were unnecessarily stopped for further checks.

The Governments latest figures show online applications that have been stopped are taking almost double the average five week wait time.

An HMCTS spokesman says: Our scanning service has helped us to keep running, with online applications now being granted in less than a week.

Exela Technologies did not respond to requests for a comment.

f.parker@dailymail.co.uk
Joe Biden entertained his son's business associates in the vice president's office, including Mexican billionaires Carlos Slim and Miguel Aleman Velasco.

The then-vice president also flew Hunter and his partner Jeff Cooper on Air Force 2 to Mexico City in 2016 where Hunter arranged to meet Aleman's son for meetings over a 'flippin gigantic' business deal.

The revelations, laid bare in photographs and emails on Hunter's abandoned laptop, are the latest in a growing body of evidence calling into question the presidents claim that he never spoke about business with Hunter.

In the light of shocking documents uncovered by DailyMail.com from the laptop, the president now faces serious questions  not just whether he knew about Hunter's controversial business dealings, but also whether he was involved in facilitating them himself while vice president.

The White House continues to fail to respond to any of our questions.

Joe Biden entertained Mexican billionaires Carlos Slim and Miguel Aleman Velasco - his son Hunter's business associates - in the vice president's office in 2014

While Hunter and Cooper were working on their business plans, they managed to get the billionaires Slim, Velasco and Magnani a private 'meeting' with then-vice president Joe Biden in the VP's office. Photos on Hunter's laptop dated November 19, 2015, show the six men smiling at a meeting in Joe Bidens DC residence. Emails show the men also met Joe at the White House

In the light of documents uncovered by DailyMail.com from the laptop, the president now faces serious questions  not just whether he knew about Hunter's controversial business dealings, but also whether he was involved in facilitating them himself while vice president

Hunter and Biden family friend Jeff Cooper hatched a plan in 2013 to invest in multiple businesses in Mexico and Latin America, using their relationship with the Mexican billionaire Aleman family whose late patriarch, Miguel Aleman Valdes, served as president of Mexico.

Cooper, an attorney who worked with Hunter's late brother Beau Biden on asbestos claims cases and donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Biden political campaigns, was particularly excited by the venture's prospects, writing to Hunter in February 2013: 'This is setting up to be flippin gigantic brother.'

The prospects for profit only grew when Hunter joined the board of Ukrainian gas company Burisma the following year.

He and Cooper sought the help of Valdes' grandson, airline CEO Miguel Aleman Magnani, to forge a relationship with the richest man in Latin America, Carlos Slim, in an attempt to cash in on the privatization of the giant state-owned oil company Pemex for Burisma and themselves.

While Hunter and Cooper were working on their business plans, they managed to get the billionaires Slim, Velasco and Magnani a private 'meeting' with then-vice president Joe Biden.

Hunter and Cooper attended. Photos on Hunter's laptop dated November 19, 2015 show the six men smiling and hugging in the meeting in Joe Bidens vice presidential residence at Number One Observatory Circle, Washington DC. Emails also show the billionaires met with Joe at the White House. It is unclear what, if anything, Joe Biden discussed with the Mexican billionaires at their meetings and phone call.

The White House has repeatedly failed to answer any of DailyMail.com's questions related to the president and his son.

It appears there may have been multiple White House meetings, as over a year earlier Hunter emailed White House photographer David Lienemann to ask for photographs of the Aleman family with his business partner and father.

'Do you have pictures from the lunch I had in dad's office (I think on 2/26) with Miguel Alleman Sr. And Jr. And Jeff Cooper? If so let me know and I can send someone to pick them up,' Hunter wrote in 2014.

In May that year Cooper even asked Hunter if he could get the pictures signed for the Mexican billionaires.

'Any luck on getting those other pics from the WH [White House]-Aleman visit? Or getting a few signed for Miguel and his dad?' the attorney wrote.

The same month, Hunter excitedly sent his business partner and fellow Burisma board member Devon Archer a Forbes article titled 'How Oil Reforms Could Trigger Mexico's Biggest Economic Boom In A Century'.

By the end of the year, their efforts were ramping up. Cooper wrote to Hunter and Archer in December 2014: 'I met with Miguel [Magnani] last night. He has set up mtgs with the Secty of Energy and the CEO of Pemex for Jan 12. Is there any chance that anyone from Burisma could attend?'

Then in January 2015, Hunter laid out Burisma's plans in detail in an email to Cooper, Archer and Magnani.

] In January 2015, Hunter laid out in detail Burisma's plans to take part in the privatization of Mexican state oil firm, in an email to his business partners Cooper, Archer and Magnani

Jeff Cooper, an attorney who worked with Hunter's late brother Beau Biden on asbestos claims cases and donated hundreds of thousands of dollars to Biden political campaigns, was particularly excited by the venture's prospects, writing to Hunter in February 2013: 'This is setting up to be flippin gigantic brother'

Hunter worked with Joe Bidens vice presidential secretary Kathy Chung to arrange a phone call between Carlos Slim and the VP in October 2015

It appears there may have been multiple White House meetings, as in 2014 Hunter emailed White House photographer David Lienemann to ask for photographs of the Aleman family with his business partner and father

He proposed the Ukrainian firm pay about $350,000 to access an oil 'data room' run by the Mexican Department of Energy, and laid out the structure of the proposed oil venture.

'The first partnership will be the Aleman entity. This will consist of whomever Miguel determines is necessary to his family's team,' Hunter wrote. 'I believe the current idea is that the Aleman Group will include a U.S. entity that is currently controlled by Jeff and Hunter.

'I (in full disclosure) will most likely be granted equity (commensurate with Devon) from the Burisma side. I am also currently 50% of the equity of the U.S. Entity that conceivably would partner with the Aleman group.'

Cooper and Hunter were working business angles beyond oil. In one email from February 2015 Cooper describes a plan to pitch a payroll systems company they invested in, ePlata, to Pemex, Slim's massive Mexican telecoms company Televisia, Walmart, Uber, and even the Mexican government.

'Don't forget Burisma and the non-Mexi folks too,' Cooper added in his email to Hunter.

'This shiznit is global, cabron.'

Joe Biden's brother Jim also tried to cash in on the potential for bumper profits from Mexico's huge privatization plans, but was apparently late to the party.

In May 2015, he emailed Hunter breathlessly that he had a 'very real deal' involving Slim and a US oil pipeline.

'Have a very real deal with Pemex ( Carlos slim) need financing literally for a few days to a week,' he wrote.

'Have the seller (refinery /slims) and buyer major being delivered from pipeline in ( h/ USA) Nothing is simple but this comes very close. As always the devil is in the detail!

'Any interest on the long skirts part? Need to know if there is any interest asap. Love you, u Jim.'

Hunter and his associates had already been planning to snare Slim as a business partner for years.

In a 2010 email a staffer at Hunter's consultancy firm Rosemont Seneca suggested the then-richest man in the world as a potential client for a new 'Global Risk' advisory firm they were planning.

'I think once we get past the test/beta phase of say 4-5 $250k projects, we target getting 5-8 clients who will pay us $1m-5m annually,' the staffer, Neil Callahan, wrote in October 2010.

'I don't think any of those clients will be your typical Hedge Fund  it's going to be Private Investors (i.e., Carlos Slim), SWFs, Select Corporations (i.e., Chevron, AON) and maybe a mega Hedge Fund.'

In a 2010 email a staffer at Hunter's consultancy firm Rosemont Seneca suggested the then-richest man in the world, Carlos Slim, as a potential client for a new 'Global Risk' advisory firm they were planning

In 2012 a friend of Hunter working for lobbying firm Blue Star Strategies, reportedly now under a Justice Department investigation for its dealings with Burisma, suggested Slim as a potential buyer of a gambling company Hunter was partnered with.

'Below is an article from today's press about Slim getting into the business in Mexico. It sounds like a potential good exit strategy for your investment,' Blue Star staffer Gabriel Zinny wrote to Cooper in April 2012.

The article's headline was: 'Tycoon Slim taps online gaming market in Mexico'.

By February 2015 Hunter was plotting with Cooper to pitch their latest venture, payroll processing company ePlata, to Slim and his son, Carlos Slim Jr.

'Just wondering who is the best first major partner outside Interjet. Obviously Slims provide that if we could actually sell them on the idea and not have them just take it and create their own,' Hunter wrote to his business partner.

His dealings with the Mexican billionaire became more involved that year. In March, Hunter wrote to Magnani to arrange a meeting with Slim and his son.

'What dates for Carlos and Carlos were you thinking?' he wrote. When Magnani gave him some options, the then-vice president's son replied: 'I'll get you some dates later today. How are you? Wish i was back in Acapulco. Showed my Dad pictures and he wants to visit.'

'He is welcome when ever he wants!!!!!!!!!' a jubilant Magnani responded.

Hunter arranged a video conference with Slim in October  and it appears Joe Biden may have been involved in a second meeting or call.

'The meeting will be on Friday in Mexico City if you can do a video conference in,' Hunter's Rosemont Seneca partner Eric Schwerin, wrote on October 5 2015.

A White House assistant responsible for the vice president's diary, Kathy Chung, then emailed Hunter two days later with a list of dates from October 21 to November 6. Hunter replied: 'Can we confirm 10/30 for Slim.'

'Yes,' Chung responded.

It is unclear what Slim's ultimate involvement was in any dealings with Hunter, Burisma or Joe Biden, or what was discussed at the meetings.

In February 2016, Hunter wrote an email to Magnani revealing that in the midst of their Mexican oil deal, his father was flying him and his business partner on Air Force 2 to Mexico City, where he and Cooper would be sitting in on a meeting with the country's president.

In 2012 a friend of Hunter working for lobbying firm Blue Star Strategies, reportedly now under a Justice Department investigation for its dealings with Burisma, suggested Slim as a potential buyer of a gambling company Hunter was partnered with. 'Below is an article from today's press about Slim getting into the business in Mexico. It sounds like a potential good exit strategy for your investment,' Blue Star staffer Gabriel Zinny wrote to Cooper in April 2012

In May 2015, Joe Biden's brother Jim emailed Hunter breathlessly that he had a 'very real deal' involving Slim and a US oil pipeline. 'Have a very real deal with Pemex ( Carlos slim) need financing literally for a few days to a week,' he wrote

Cooper and Hunter were working business angles beyond oil. In one email from February 2015 Cooper describes a plan to pitch a payroll systems company they invested in, ePlata, to Pemex, Slim's massive Mexican telecoms company Televisia, Walmart, Uber, and even the Mexican government

Magnani gave him some options, Hunter replied: 'I'll get you some dates later today. How are you? Wish i was back in Acapulco. Showed my Dad pictures and he wants to visit.' 'He is welcome when ever he wants!!!!!!!!!' a jubilant Magnani responded

Joe Biden flew to Mexico on February 25 to 26, 2016 for trade talks with then-president Enrique Pena Nieto.

'We are arriving late tonight on Air Force 2 to MX City. We will be there for Thursday - I'm attending meeting w/ President N w/ Dad. Jeff is with me on lane [sic] and we will be with us all day,' Hunter wrote to Magnani on February 24, 2016.

DailyMail.com obtained a copy of Hunter's laptop hard drive from former Steve Bannon podcast co-host Jack Maxey

The then-US vice president took Hunter and his business partner, who were setting up 'gigantic' business deals in Mexico, on the official trip despite recent concerns over Hunter's potential conflicts of interest in his commercial dealings.

Two months earlier, the New York Times published a prominent story about Joe Biden visiting Ukraine to push for a corruption crackdown while Hunter had been revealed as a board member of Ukrainian gas firm Burisma, and its owner, Mykola Zlochevsky, was under investigation for alleged corruption.

By February 2016, Hunter's Burisma colleagues had become disgruntled with Magnani, believing he had failed to deliver on greasing the wheels of their Mexican oil deal.

Hunter was reproachful to the Aleman heir in his email ahead of their Mexico city trip  and shockingly frank describing his disappointment that Magnani had failed to follow through on what Hunter understood to be a quid pro quo of favors, involving access to the vice president and stays in Magnani's villa.

'Would love to see but you never respond. I am really upset by it. You respond when it's something you need. You are the most generous person I know but WTF,' Hunter continued.

'We have so many great things to do together and I want you at the plane when the [sic] the VP lands with your Mom and Dad and you completely ignore me.

'I've looked at what your family has done and want to follow in that tradition and you always say you will help but I haven't heard from you since I got you a mtg for Carlos and your Dad.

'We have been talking about business deals and partnerships for 7 years. And I really appreciate you letting me stay at your resort villa...but I have brought every single person you have ever asked me to bring to the F'ing WHite House and the Vice President's house and the inauguration and then you go completely silent - I don't hear from you for months.

'I don't know what it is that I did but I'd like to know why I've delivered on every single thing you've ever asked - and you make me feel like I've done something to offend you.'

Joe Biden flew to Mexico on February 25 to 26, 2016 for trade talks with then-president Enrique Pena Nieto. 'We are arriving late tonight on Air Force 2 to MX City. We will be there for Thursday - I'm attending meeting w/ President N w/ Dad. Jeff is with me on lane [sic] and we will be with us all day,' Hunter wrote to Magnani on February 24, 2016

Family photos on Hunter's laptop dated March 2017 show him, his lover and brother's widow Hallie Biden

Hallie's her two children Natalie and Hunter joined the vacation and were seen on a yacht and at a palatial villa in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. It is unclear if the location was Magnani's holiday home

One of Magnani's earlier asks to Hunter was to transfer the Mexican's stake in their real estate firm Rosemont Realty to Magnani's uncle.

On November 20 2014 Cooper wrote to Archer and Hunter: 'Miguel again reiterated that he would take a discounted buyout on his Rosemont investment as long as it could happen quickly. He will then turn that money directly over to ePlata.'

The lawyer added: 'He wants us to try to bring a Burisma exec with us on our trip He says the Pemex CEO was extremely excited about their potential involvement and has 'a perfect project' for them.'

The same day as Hunter's terse February 2016 email to Magnani, his partner in his consultancy firm, Eric Schwerin, wrote to a staffer at Rosemont Realty asking him to make the transfer to the Mexican heir's uncle.

'Miguel would like to transfer the ownership of his interest to his Uncle. I don't believe any money is changing hands - he just wants to assign them to his Uncle going forward,' Schwerin wrote.

The same day as Hunter's terse February 2016 email to Magnani, his partner in his consultancy firm, Eric Schwerin, wrote to a staffer at Rosemont Realty asking him to make the transfer to the Mexican heir's uncle. 'Miguel would like to transfer the ownership of his interest to his Uncle. I don't believe any money is changing hands - he just wants to assign them to his Uncle going forward,' Schwerin wrote

On November 20, 2014 Cooper wrote to Archer and Hunter: 'Miguel again reiterated that he would take a discounted buyout on his Rosemont investment as long as it could happen quickly. He will then turn that money directly over to ePlata'

At the time, Magnani had financial problems brewing that would culminate in a bankruptcy of his airline Interjet in 2019. By last year the firm had racked up $549.3 million in debt, according to a report by Mexican publication La Jornada.

Family photos on Hunter's laptop dated March 2017 show him, his lover and brother's widow Hallie Biden, and her two children Natalie and Hunter, on a yacht and at a palatial villa in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico. It is unclear if the location was Magnani's holiday home.

DailyMail.com obtained a copy of Hunter's laptop hard drive from former Steve Bannon podcast co-host Jack Maxey.

John Paul Mac Isaac, the owner of the computer store where Hunter abandoned his laptop, gave a copy of its hard drive to Donald Trump's lawyer Rudy Giuliani in September last year.

Giuliani reportedly leaked documents and photos from the drive to the New York Post, and also gave a whole copy of the drive to Trump's former advisor Bannon and his podcast co-host Maxey.
France has passed a law that will allow lesbians and single women to get in-vitro fertilisation for the first time, which is currently reserved for heterosexual couples.

The law, presented by French President Emmanuel Macron's government, was approved by the National Assembly in a 326-115 vote on Tuesday, allowing single women and lesbians access to medically assisted reproduction.

The move had been long-awaited by LGBTQI+ rights groups, who have been pushing for the reproduction measure since France legalized same-sex marriage in 2013.

The wide-ranging bioethics law will expand access to fertility treatments such as artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization (IVF), currently reserved only for infertile heterosexual couples.

France has passed a law that will allow lesbians and single women to get fertility treatment for the first time. Pictured: Crowds at the annual Gay Pride march in Paris, France, on Saturday

Health Minister Olivier Veran said French authorities are getting ready to apply the new law as quickly as possible, so that the first children could be conceived by the end of the year.

Medically assisted reproduction is widely available to all women in 10 European countries including Britain, Spain and Belgium, but in France it has for years fed into a broader debate about gay rights and the commercialisation of healthcare.

'We're here to vote on a law underpinned by freedom, equality, solidarity and dignity,' Coralie Dubost, a lawmaker from the ruling La Republique en Marche party, told the assembly.

The measure is part of a broader bioethics bill that also ends anonymity for sperm donors, who will have to agree to having their identity revealed if their children ask to know their biological father when they turn 18.

But the new law does not address France's ban on surrogacy arrangements, in which a woman carries and delivers a baby for someone else.

The vote marks the end of a two-year debate in parliament. The conservative majority in the Senate repeatedly rejected the measure, but the lower house of parliament, where Macron's centrist party has a majority, had the final say.

The law will expand access to fertility treatments such as artificial insemination and in vitro fertilization (IVF). Pictured: Annual LGBTQI+ pride parade in Paris on Saturday

The law, presented by French President Emmanuel Macron's government, was approved by the National Assembly in a 326-115 vote on Tuesday

Under existing French law, IVF is available only to opposite-sex couples, and only for reasons of infertility or the risk of transmission of a disease or medical condition to the child or either parent.

In France, fertility treatments are free but many women have previously gone to Belgium and Spain for treatment, which can be very costly.

Matthieu Gatipon, spokesperson of the Inter-LGBT association said, welcomed the 'long-awaited progress' after the law was finally passed in parliament.

'We are satisfied that this is getting done... but this has been a painful birth,' he said, expressing frustration that it took so long to get to the final vote of the law.

Gatipon said it has been hard on French women, who had to delay for years their plans to have a baby, and others who had to pay expensive fees to go abroad to countries where such procedures are available.

Armel Balogog, a journalist who describes herself as bisexual and is in a relationship with another woman, welcomed the new law.

'Let me tell you how much it means for me to live in a country where I can legally have a child with the woman I love,' she tweeted after the vote.

Health Minister Olivier Veran (pictured) said French authorities are ready to apply the new law as quickly as possible, so that the first children could be conceived by the end of the year

Balogog said only regrets that transgender people were 'forgotten' by the law.

The law did not meet demands that transgender women be allowed to donate sperm for use in fertility procedures before their gender reassignment.

Magali Champetier, a lesbian mother, told La Depeche newspaper that her partner went to Spain to conceive two children and said the law comes as a 'relief'.

'I had to get married and wait a year before I could become the child's legal parent. This [law] will remove that stress, and moreover the procedure will be free, unlike the treatment abroad,' she said, according to the BBC.

An IFOP poll showed that two thirds of French people support the new legislation and many people took to Twitter to share their joy after the vote.

One person wrote: 'Finally! France has done it! IVF for single women and same sex couples. Also funded by the government'

Another penned: 'Some great news out of France! Merci.'

The move had been long-awaited by LGBTQI+ rights groups. Pictured: Participants dance on Republique square statue during the annual pride march in Paris

LGB Alliance tweeted: 'We sometimes forget how far we have to go in securing LGB rights, even in relatively LGB-friendly countries.

'Lesbian couples in France are finally to be entitled to IVF treatment. Dutch & many other EU lesbians acquired this right decades ago.'

One woman said: 'My lesbian friends in France have had to travel to Belgium for IVF treatment so they can have a child - I was really shocked when I found out it was illegal in France.

'Covid border closures have made it all a million times harder for them this last year too.'

France legalized same-sex marriage in 2013 under then-President Francois Hollande, following months of mass protests by conservative and Catholic groups.
Police in Northern California shot and killed a man they say opened fire at them when trying to drive through a wildfire evacuation zone to get to a marijuana farm, officers said.

Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue told The Sacramento Bee that the officers were trying to stop the man from driving into the Mount Shasta Vista subdivision of Weed, California, on Monday, because of the 13,330-acre Lava Fire in the area that has caused thousands to evacuate.

'They made contact with the driver. And at some point, the driver exhibited a firearm, a handgun, and pointed it at the officers,' LaRue told the Bee. 'Based upon preliminary information, it appears that there might have been a couple rounds fired from the suspects firearm.'

Police in Northern California shot and killed a man who pointed a gun at them when trying to drive through a wildfire evacuation zone to get to a marijuana farm, officers said

The officers killed the man, who has not been named. None of the cops involved were injured. Community members told the Sacramento Bee that he was a Hmong man in his late 30s and that his family had been notified about the shooting.

The area to which he was driving was converted into a huge network of marijuana farms mostly run by Hmong and Chinese families, although it is unclear if the man who was shot owned one of those weed plots.

While the county has banned large-scale marijuana cultivation, thousands of pot greenhouses have sprung up anyway.

Police attempts to shut down their farms were met with claims of racial discrimination, and the families are pursuing a federal civil rights lawsuit.

The Hmong arrived in areas like Minnesota, Wisconsin and California after the Vietnam War. They fought for the U.S. after being recruited by the CIA in Laos to fend off communist forces. After the war, many Hmong refugees settled in the Central Valley, given their agricultural background.

In recent years, some Hmong farmers moved north from central California to work in marijuana growing operations.

Monday's shooting occurred as the Lava Fire grew rapidly and the sheriff's office issued evacuation orders for the communities of Lake Shastina, Juniper Valley and Mount Shasta Vista. The flames spanned nearly 21 square miles (54 square kilometers) Tuesday, although there have not been reports of any injuries or deaths.

The total number of people forced to flee the area was unclear. The Sacramento Bee reported that nearly 3,000 people live in Lake Shastina and as many as 8,000 others live in the area to tend to the thousands of marijuana grows.

'All evacuation orders are still in place at this time,' the sheriff's office posted on its social media accounts on Tuesday. 'We do not know what structures have burned down and the status of many areas.'

The fires were spurred by lightning on June 24 and is burning brush and timber in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest north of the town of Weed, about 250 miles (402 kilometers) north of San Francisco.

Nearly 500 firefighters were battling the flames in rough and rocky terrain.

They faced a tougher fight because the region was experiencing a heat wave with temperatures ranging between 100 and 110 degrees.

It comes as an unprecedented heat wave in the Pacific Northwest broke temperature records in Seattle and Portland, Oregon, this week and moved inland Tuesday. Climate change is making such extreme weather events more likely and more intense.

The officers killed the man, who has not been named. His age and ethnicity have not been released either, but community members told the Sacramento Bee that he was a Hmong man in his late 30s

Monday's shooting occurred as the Lava Fire grew rapidly and the sheriff's office issued evacuation orders for the communities of Lake Shastina, Juniper Valley and Mount Shasta Vista
Jared Kushner and Kellyanne Conway were engaged in a years-long 'blood feud' for most of former President Donald Trump's time in office.

Kushner lumped Conway into a category of 'overconfident idiots' working for his father-in-law, while Conway tried to throw Kushner under the bus during the height of last summer's George Floyd protests, journalist Michael Bender wrote in his forthcoming book.

DailyMail.com was provided with exclusive details of the Kushner-Conway power struggle from Frankly, We Did Win This Election: The Inside Story of How Trump Lost.

'They're fighting over who loves me the most,' Trump had told the author in 2017 when asked about his team's infighting.

Jared Kushner (left) and Kellyanne Conway (right) were engaged in a years-long 'blood feud' for most of former President Donald Trump's time in office

Bender wrote that Kushner had started to dislike Conway during the 2016 campaign and he even told colleagues that he would have fired her had the race lasted two more weeks.

Instead Conway made history as the first female campaign manager to win a presidential race.

With it looking like she was heading to the White House Kushner started laying the groundwork to box her out if Trump suddenly decided to put her in charge.

He described his role, Bender wrote, as protecting the soon-to-be president from 'overconfident idiots.'

Kushner referred to her as one of Trump's 'enablers.'

Kushner was concerned that Trump's management style left him vulnerable to, as Bender described, 'brash promoters like Kellyanne.'

Conway didn't care much for this treatment and found ways to undermine Kushner, especially at critical moments.

Kellyanne Conway is photographed in March 2021 after Trump's departure from the White House

Michael Bender wrote that Kushner (right with Ivanka Trump) had started to dislike Conway during the 2016 campaign and he even told colleagues that he would have fired her had the race lasted two more weeks

During the height of last summer's George Floyd protests, when Trump wanted to make a bold statement against rioters he discussed his plans to walk to St. John's church with Conway.

A section of the historic church's basement had been lit on fire the night before when demonstrations got out of hand.

When speaking to Conway about what would become his infamous Bible photo-op, she asked the president if he planned to bring a coalition of evangelical and black supporters with him.

DailyMail.com was provided with exclusive details of the Kushner-Conway power struggle from Frankly, We Did Win This Election: The Inside Story of How Trump Lost

She then reminded Trump that it was Kushner who said he would reach out to black leaders after Floyd had been killed by Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin.

'I thought those calls were being made already,' Conway said - setting up Kushner to take the fall when criticism began pouring in.

Trump took the walk, not with black supporters and evangelicals, but with members of his cabinet, staff and military brass.

Later in 2020, however, the relationship superficially improved.

As the 2020 campaign was struggling, Trump floated the idea of moving Conway to his Virginia campaign headquarters to oversee strategy.

Trump was mulling similar roles for former White House strategist Steve Bannon and also Nick Ayers, who served as chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence.

Conway wasn't big on the idea, Bender wrote, because she viewed the center of power, even during a campaign, to still be the White House.

She also didn't want to leave Trump surrounded by the people she considered 'COVID deniers,' namely Chief of Staff Mark Meadows and Presidential Personnel Office Director John McEntee.

With Trump mulling moving Conway to the campaign, Kushner was suddenly, as Bender described, 'over-the-top nice to her.'

Conway tried to throw Kushner under the bus during the height of last summer's George Floyd protests, journalist Michael Bender wrote in his forthcoming book. When speaking to Conway about what would become his infamous Bible photo-op, she asked the president if he planned to bring a coalition of evangelical and black supporters with him

'It was a disorienting turn of events for staff who witnessed the exchanges during White House meetings. Others described it as nauseating,' Bender wrote.

During one session when Kushner referred to something Conway said as 'brilliant,' she demurred as a way to get back at him.

'What I said was pretty basic and obvious,' Conway said. 'But I'll give you a nudge when I say something brilliant.'

And Conway had, as the book makes clear, come in with far more political experience than Kushner.

Conway moved to D.C. as a college student and began doing polling work - what she was known for before being tapped to run Trump's campaign - during law school.

Kushner, on the other hand, showed up in Iowa in February 2016 and didn't know how the state's famous caucus worked.

The Iowa GOP's process is much simpler than the one Democrats use - with Iowans simply attending caucus meetings, where they listen to speeches from the candidates or candidate surrogates and then vote.

As Bender's book describes, as Iowans approached Kushner and his wife, Ivanka Trump, asking how to caucus for candidate Trump, 'the two New Yorkers traded blank stares.'

While Ivanka Trump had recorded a how-to-caucus video the day before, she had merely read a script.

She then asked Kushner what to do.

'I have no idea,' he replied.

He then pulled out his phone and opened the web browser, typing out: 'H-o-w d-o y-o-u c-a-u-c-u-s?'
A woman who allegedly mowed down and killed a much loved police officer has handed herself in.

Queensland Senior Constable David Masters, 53, was hit and killed while trying to stop an allegedly stolen Hyundai Kona SUV with tyre-deflating road spikes on the Bruce Highway near Deception Bay, north of Brisbane early Saturday.

The burnt out car was later found 25 kilometres away.

The alleged driver, Skye Anne Wallis, 33, handed herself into Caboolture Police station on the Sunshine Coast late Tuesday night.

The Caboolture woman was later charged with murder, arson and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Senior Constable David Masters (left), pictured with wife Sharon and son Jack died while on duty early Saturday morning

Skye Anne Wallis, 33, handed herself into police on the Sunshine Coast late Tuesday night

Wallis will appear in Caboolture Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Alleged passenger Kari OBrien, 24, was arrested at her home in the Moreton Bay region and charged with murder on Sunday.

She was not present when her case was heard in Caboolture Magistrates Court on Monday.

O'Brien's matter will return to court on August 2.

Senior Constable Masters leaves behind his childhood sweetheart wife Sharon and their son Jack, who have been shattered by his sudden death.

Jack was hoping to follow in the footsteps of his cherished father.

Pictured: Senior Constable David Masters with his wife Sharon and their son Jack, who dreamed of being a cop like his dad

'One of Jack's wishes was to join the police force and work with his dad, and sadly, that'll never happen for Jack,' Queensland Police Union boss Ian Leavers told Sunrise on Monday.

'It's just one of those things which should never have happened.'

He also said the officer's friends and colleagues at Deception Bay were 'doing it really, really tough. They've lost a good mate'.

'Our thoughts are with Dave's family and we're just hoping that some sense can come out of this into the future,' he said.

Senior Constable David Masters was trying to stop an alleged stolen vehicle with road spikes when he was allegedly hit

Pictured: Alleged passenger Kari O'Brien, 24, who was arrested on Sunday and charged with murder, arson and unlawful use of a vehicle

Senior Constable Masters' death has rocked Queensland Police and the community he worked in.

'This is devastating news for our police family and we are offering support to all officers and staff,' Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said on Sunday.

'Sadly, this incident demonstrates the dangers our officers face when working to keep our community safe each and every day.

'I spoke to his colleagues and spent some time with them at Deception Bay and they had nothing but wonderful words for Dave  hard-working, capable, a beacon at the station, much loved by everyone at the station and across the community.'

The Bruce Highway was closed for almost eight hours on Saturday.

'My sincerest condolences go out to the officer's family, friends and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time,' Queensland Commissioner Katarina Carroll said following the incident (pictured, Mr Masters)

Senior Constable David Masters, 53, died on the scene when he was hit by a white Hyundai Kona SUV while trying to deploy a tyre-deflating device on the Bruce Highway

Queensland Police Union General Secretary Mick Barnes struggled to fight off tears as he spoke about his friend.

'It's one thing to turn up to these scenes in the hours of darkness but when you realise that it's one of your friends  David lived for the job and he was dedicated and loved the outdoors, loved these horses  hence he was in the mounted unit,' he said.

Queensland Police thanked the community for their public assistance during the investigation.
A startling graph showing how the Bondi cluster has compared to other outbreaks in New South Wales and why there's a glimmer of hope the lockdown could be ended after two weeks.

The Bondi cluster grew to 141 cases on Tuesday, with numbers likely to rise to over 151 - the peak of the Northern Beaches cluster over the Christmas break last year.

Deakin University's chair of epidemiology Professor Catherine Bennett said high testing rates, which peaked at 67,000 tests on Tuesday, as well as lockdown have helped contain the spread of the current outbreak.

A graph outlining all Covid outbreaks in New South Wales showed each cluster has had the same or similar duration from discovery to ending.

Since the pandemic began last March, Sydney has suffered through 18 clusters - which had all been brought under control after an average of 21 days.

A graph outlining each Covid outbreak NSW has ever experienced has showed each cluster has had the same or similar duration from discovery to ending

Since the pandemic began last March, Sydney has suffered through 18 clusters - which had all been brought under control after an average of 21 days

The Avalon cluster started just days before Christmas, prompting a lockdown of the Northern Beaches on day four of the outbreak as 80 active cases were identified.

Cases continued to rise before eventually subsiding at the day-18 mark when the cluster reached 148 infections.

By day 27 of the outbreak, only three more people tested positive to Covid.

Sydney's other significant outbreak was the Thai Rock restaurant in Wetherill Park last July, which dragged on for 26 days.

The consistency of both outbreaks gives hope that the Bondi cluster will follow the same pattern and could potentially record its last case in the second week of July.

However, this could be harder to achieve due to the highly contagious nature of the Delta variant.

'This isn't a sleeper variant  when you look at the pattern of spread, it seems that most people are passing it on to more than one person,' Professor Bennett told the ABC.

'Not only are more close contacts more likely to be infected, but they're also more likely to see cases amongst those casual contacts. And what we do know about Delta is that it seems to give you a high viral load a little bit quicker.'

Professor Bennett said it's likely the state will be able to contain the current cluster in about three weeks thanks to lockdown and the surge in testing numbers.

'If you haven't picked up any more previously unrecognised clusters or branches in the next week, then it's all about control and just making sure that you're comfortable that everyone seen at an exposure site pre-lockdown has been identified,' she said.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced another 19 Covid cases on Tuesday ahead of residents of Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour regions entering their fourth day of a lockdown on Wednesday.

The stay at home orders remain in place until at least July 9.

Ms Berejiklian has warned infection numbers could spike in the next few days because of the increasing transmissibility of variants of concern like the Delta strain.

That means some restrictions will likely remain in place, even after the current cluster is eradicated and the lockdown ends, she added.

NSW needs to get 80 per cent of its adult population vaccinated before having a conversation about what 'Covid-normal' may look like, the premier said

19 Covid cases were recorded on Tuesday ahead of residents of Greater Sydney, Central Coast, Blue Mountains, Wollongong and Shellharbour regions entering their fourth day of a lockdown on Wednesday

'When you know that you've got such a transmissible variant ... you do need to look at what life looks like because what we want to do is prevent ever having to go into lockdown again.'

NSW needs to get 80 per cent of its adult population vaccinated before having a conversation about what 'Covid-normal' may look like, the premier said.

That's five million people receiving 10 million jabs. More than two million doses have been administered in NSW so far.

Some 149 people have contracted the coronavirus locally since June 16, when the first case was reported at Bondi in Sydney's east.

Seventeen of Tuesday's new cases were linked to previously confirmed cases, with the source of the other two still under investigation.

Both work in Sydney's eastern suburbs, the epicentre of the outbreak.

However, only seven of the new cases were in isolation for their entire infectious period, causing the number of exposure sites to balloon again.
Police have seized a red Mazda hatchback they believe could solve the mystery disappearance of a woman missing since April.

Maryam Hamka, 36, was last seen leaving a Woolworths supermarket in Brunswick, in Melbourne, about 5.30pm on April 10.

Detectives opted to seize the 2015 Mazda 3 as part of the investigation.

Anyone who may have seen the vehicle, which has damage to the front left guard, between April 13 and April 15 to contact investigators.

Police have seized a Red Mazda as they continue to investigate the disappearance of Melbourne woman Maryam Hamka (pictured)

A man was seen driving the vehicle to and from Brighton several times during those dates, according to 3AW.

The missing womans former partner, Toby Loughnane, 45, who lives in Brighton, was arrested for unrelated matters to Ms Hamka's disappearance.

He appeared in the Melbourne Magistrates Court to answer charges of allegedly assaulting Ms Hamka between December 1 in 2020 and April 15.

Loughnane remains in police custody and has not been charged with any crimes relating to Ms Hamka's disappearance.

On April 10, Ms Hamka told her family she was going to visit a friend in Brighton but she hasn't been seen since.

Detectives previously scoured her car and home after Ms Hamka was reported missing on April 15.

Ms Hamka was last seen leaving a Melbourne Woolworths store in Brunswick at about 5.30pm on Saturday, April 10

Detectives have seized a Mazda 3, a 2015 model, as part of their ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Melbourne woman Maryam Hamka (stock image)

Her phone is switched off and Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper said serious concerns are held for her safety and her family is distraught, despite their sometimes problematic relationship.

Detective Inspector Stamper told reporters it was not unusual for her to be out of contact with her family for several days - but relatives became increasingly concerned as the days passed after April 10.

They have been unable to reach her, and she has not been active on social media.

'They have serious concerns, as we do, for her welfare,' Stamper told reporters in April.

Ms Hamka is 165cm tall, with a thin build and long black hair, brown eyes, and an olive complexion.
Melbourne has been named the heroin capital of Australia after sewerage water tests revealed a high concentration of the drug in Victoria, with levels soaring above any other state in the country.

A report by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission (ACIC) found Victoria had the highest traces of heroin detected in the wastewater its capital city and regional areas in December 2020.

Samples were taken from 11 wastewater sites in Victoria during December 2020 and February 2021, with heroin use skyrocketing to historically high levels.

A large gathering is pictured outside a safe injecting room in North Richmond in Melbourne's inner-east. Locals have complained about groups congregating in high numbers outside the facility not wearing masks

Witnesses reported as many as 20 people congregating in a park for a birthday party near the inner-city injecting room

Testing also showed regional Victoria led the nation in oxycodone use.

The illicit drug ketamine was included in the testing program for the first time and the results showed it is used more in Victoria than anywhere else in the country.

The analysis found opioid use increased after the first Covid-19 lockdown hit Melbourne, but levels have since declined and stabilised as the state endured a second wave of restrictions in July last year.

The National Wastewater Drug Monitoring Program reports on drugs of concern across the most populated parts of the country, covering 57 wastewater sites and approximately 13.1 million people.

'Understanding drug consumption at a population level supports effective allocation of resources to priority areas,' ACIC CEO Mr Michael Phelan told the Herald Sun.

The report comes after methamphetamine and heroin-addled drug addicts sparked fury last year in an inner-city Melbourne neighbourhood by shooting up in public, defecating in the street and gathering in large groups despite the city's strict COVID-19 lockdown rules.

Residents in North Richmond reported used syringes being discarded on sidewalks despite the suburb having its own safe injecting room where drug users can shoot up under supervision.
A fatal house fire which killed a 14-year-old boy could be linked to a street fight earlier in the evening, police claim.

A mother and her five children managed to escape the inferno as it ripped through the Montana Way home in Macquarie Fields in Sydney's south-west.

But the body of the teenager was reportedly found under a bed in the burnt out shell of his bedroom at the rear of the house.

Now detectives are investigating if there is any connection between the earlier brawl and the deadly blaze which erupted at 1.35am on Wednesday.

A teenage boy died but a mother and her five children managed to escape the inferno as it ripped through the Montana Way home (pictured) in Macquarie Fields in Sydney's south-west.

Fire chiefs were also trawling through the ashen remains to see if there was any trace of accelerant having been used to start the fire.

'Investigations are continuing,' said a NSW Fire and Rescue spokesman.

The boy is believed to have been trapped in his second floor bedroom when the heat and flames cut off any hope of escape.

'We had a very, very intense fire with flames coming out of the windows several metres,' Fire and Rescue Deputy Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said at the scene.

'Being upstairs would have been very unpleasant.'

Firefighters attempted to enter the house, but the smoke and intensity of the blaze were too strong for them to get past the front door.

Crews fought the blaze from outside and were able to enter once the blaze was brought under control.

The boy's identity is being withheld until he is formally identified and a post mortem is carried out later this week.

The home was declared a crime scene, as officers from Campbelltown City Police Area Command launched their investigation into the fire.

Any connection between the fight and the fire will be part of the probe.

Detectives are investigating if there is any connection between an earlier street fight and the deadly blaze which erupted at 1.35am on Wednesday. Seen here is the street where the fire erupted

Campbelltown City Commander Superintendent Julian Griffiths added: 'It is being made aware to the investigators and will be encompassed into the scope of the investigation.'

Neighbours revealed how they woke to terrifying screams as the fire took hold in the middle of the night.

'I was in bed, I heard a lot of screaming and yelling, looked out the door and the house was on fire,' one local told the Daily Telegraph. 'My neighbour was screaming, "Get the kids out, get the kids out"'.

The mother and children who escaped were woken up and alerted to the fire by a smoke alarm, said Deputy Commissioner Fewtrell.

He added: 'One of the best defences people have in a fire is a working smoke alarm.'
An investigation into who released CCTV of Matt Hancock kissing his aide should take 10 minutes and be 'the easiest leak inquiry in history,' according to an expert.

Insiders told the Times that all staff with access to the leaked footage are being interviewed about how the bombshell video left the Department of Health.

The clip captured Mr Hancock kissing and embracing married mother-of-three Gina Coladangelo on May 6, in breach of his own social distancing rules.

The former Health Secretary resigned from his role a day later, and left his wife Martha, with reports suggesting his relationship with Ms Coladangelo is 'serious' and 'not just a fling.'

An investigation was later launched by the government to uncover how the damning footage reached the public domain, and was later published by the Sun.

Insiders told the Times that all staff with access to the leaked footage (above) are being interviewed about how the bombshell video left the Department of Health

The clip captured Mr Hancock kissing and embracing married mother-of-three Gina Coladangelo on May 6, in breach of his own social distancing rules. Pictured: The office

Insiders who contribute to security provision in other government departments yesterday claimed it would be simple to find the source of the leak because all employees leave behind a digital trail.

They said: 'You can see everyone who has looked at each digital file.

'It would take about ten minutes to work out who it was... it should be the easiest leak inquiry in history.'

According to the Times, the company contracted to manage security at the Department of Health is called Emcor UK.

They secured a 22million contract in 2018 to provide 'total facilities management services' to 39 Victoria Street in Westminster, where Mr Hancock and Ms Coladangelo were filmed.

The latest comes amid claims that the CCTV which led to the former Health Secretary's downfall was moved in an effort to 'stitch him up.'

A senior Department of Health source believes the camera was deliberately pointed at the office door Mr Hancock was passionately kissing Ms Coladangelo against on May 6.

The former Health Secretary resigned from his role a day later, and left his wife Martha, with reports suggesting his relationship with Ms Coladangelo is 'serious' and 'not just a fling.' Pictured: Mr Hancock inside his Department of Health office

The Whitehall probe into how the footage was leaked will consider if and why the camera was moved during a refurb or by a whistleblower who wanted to expose the cheating minister and his lover.

But a senior Government source said today they are sure it was part of a plot to sink Mr Hancock, telling the Evening Standard: 'We all think Matt Hancock was really stitched up on this'.

Security expert David Videcette, a former Scotland Yard detective, says the camera would have been there to watch the former health secretary's 9th floor balcony, which also contained his fire exit.

But Mr Videcette believes 'someone repurposed the camera', raising the prospect that it was either physically or remotely turned 180 degrees towards the door where the colleagues were caught kissing.

He tweeted: 'The CCTV camera that caught Matt Hancock kissing in his office was there to monitor a balcony & should have been pointing in opposite direction.

After allowing a month to elapse, the whistleblower approached lockdown sceptics and asked them to help sell the incendiary footage to the media

Mr Hancock resigned as Health Secretary less than 48 hours after pictures emerged of him in a passionate embrace with Gina Coladangelo, pictured together above

'The decisions to use this space as his office have been idiotic. But the point here is this - someone repurposed the camera'.

He added: 'The implications of that from a security point of view is huge.'

It raises the prospect that someone may have known that the lovers canoodled against the office door and turned the camera to get the evidence that saw Mr Hancock leave his job and his wife on Saturday.

A Department of Health and Social Care investigation will now consider if the camera was swivelled around, and if so, who did it.

Documents seen by The Daily Telegraph say a Scotland Yard security review said that a CCTV camera in his office should have a 'limited field of vision' to 'ensure privacy'.

It says: 'The building has several balconies and terraces and it is proposed these will also need to be covered by security cameras.'

And a source told the newspaper that on two occasions Mr Hancock has had work done to extend his office, including expanding into an anteroom at the end of 2020, which will be looked at by the Whitehall probe launched yesterday.

Sources familiar with the ninth-floor office in Victoria Street in central London say alterations were carried out twice while Mr Hancock was health secretary, once to carve out the ante room from his office and then to extend the anteroom towards the end of last year.

Sajid Javid has taken over the office, and has had the CCTV camera above the meeting table taped up and disabled.
US Air Force volunteers have retrieved 460 bags of partial human remains from the wreckage of a military transport plane that crashed in Alaska 68 years ago, killing all 52 people aboard.

Saturday's recovery effort saw crews comb the Colony Glacier on Mount Gannett in Alaska to gather further remains from a November 1952 crash. It saw a C-124 Globemaster slam into the mountain, killing all 41 passengers - who were a mixture of Army and Air Force personnel - as well as 11 Air Force crew.

A previous recovery effort saw 43 sets of remains identified, with investigators hopeful that Saturday's discoveries could help identify the other nine passengers whose bodies were never found, and bring closure to their families.

Servicemen and women combed ice, rocks and tree branches during their efforts, and also brought back 100 bags of personal items belonging to those killed in the crash, according to a press conference held on Tuesday.

The jet is believed to have struck the mountain at high speed, scattering its fuselage over several acres.

Its wreckage was only discovered in 2012, with retrieval efforts beginning shortly afterwards.

It has been combed by Air Force men and women from Mortuary Affairs Operations, which is based at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware.

The remains and personal effects have been taken there for further analysis in an attempt to identify them.

Lead planner Captain Briana Quintana said the remains and objects were in a good state because of the cold and remote area where the plane had crashed.

She said: 'They're being preserved pretty well in the ice.'

Previous recovery missions from the C-124 Globemaster unearthed the remains of 43 of the victims who were identified using DNA, dental records or fingerprints, officials said Tuesday at a news conference to discuss results of this years effort.

Katherine Grosso, a medical legal investigator with the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, said crews working on Colony Glacier, which is nearly 50 miles east of Anchorage, have noticed it is 'really dynamic, that it changes rapidly, daily.'

'As we participate in this mission from year to year, we find that not only does the pitch of the glacier change, but the type of material that you find on it changes,' she said.

They saw a lot of silt, mud and miniscule bits of rock, which makes fragments of remains difficult to find, she added.

'It's required a little bit more of finesse to be able to recover those,' Grosso said. However, 'were still finding that were able to recover quite a bit of material.'

Among the personal items found on the glacier from the wreckage were two playing cards, the seven and queen of spades; a pair of shoes; a 1944 map of what looks like the Anchorage area; and two chess pieces.

These were chosen for display at the news conference because they showed the everyday items that military members on board moving from Washington state to Anchorage would have, though there was no personal identifiers on them, said the deputy planner for the mission, Capt. Lyndi Minott, also stationed at Dover.

Also found was a camera, but there was no film inside. Minott said they found film on the glacier, but it didnt contain images.

Of all the personal items recovered this year, the camera struck a chord with Minott

'Thats only because my father takes a lot of photos and loves to document our lives,' she said. 'To have a personal effect like that found was an emotional experience.'

The Alaska National Guard first found wreckage from the plane in 2012 during a training mission. Since then, military officials have set up annual trips to recover remains of the crew and passengers of the plane.

It was travelling to Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage from Fort McChord in Washington state when harsh weather caused it to crash on Nov. 22, 1952. By the time a search party arrived about two weeks later, the plane was covered by deep snow and couldn't be located.

Next year will mark the 10th anniversary of the wreckage being spotted at the toe of Colony Glacier, 12 miles downhill from where the plane hit Mount Gannett.

When asked how long the military will continue to search for remains, Quintana, this years mission leader, said, 'I can say with some confidence that as long as we are finding remains out on the glacier and we have people yet to identify and bring home, we will keep looking.'
Four Microsoft employees have accused founder Bill Gates of being an office 'bully' whose catchphrase was 'that's the stupidest f*****g idea I've ever heard' and claimed he pursued sexual affairs with employees and journalists.

Gates' reputation as a hot-tempered boss began not long after he launched tech giant Microsoft with childhood friend Paul Allen in 1975, Insider reported Tuesday. A spokesperson for the billionaire has denied he mistreated employees.

Gates, 65, came under scrutiny after he and Melinda Gates announced their divorce in May and reports emerged of his alleged extramarital affairs and concerns over the nature of his relationship with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

A former Microsoft executive who spoke on condition of anonymity told Insider that 'having a meeting with Bill was just an opportunity to get yelled at, so I tried to avoid that.'

Other sources who spoke to Insider described his catchphrase as 'That's the stupidest f**king idea I've ever heard' and said he was known for swearing at his employees.

Four Microsoft employees have accused founder Bill Gates of being an office 'bully' whose catchphrase was 'that's the stupidest f*****g idea I've ever heard' and claimed he pursued sexual affairs with employees and journalists. Gates is pictured in New York City in May

Bill Gates, left, is pictured with Jerrold Kaplan and Mitchell Kapor at an annual conference in Naples, Florida in 1988. Gates was allegedly often inebriated at tech events and after-parties and 'got drunk pretty easily'

Gates would allegedly track his employees by memorizing their license plates, according to the outlet.

Some Microsoft workers who spoke to the outlet, however, defended Gates with one saying he 'yelled at everyone the same' and that she appreciates his candor but conceded that his management style could intimidate some employees.

'He doesn't know how to joke really or how to connect with people,' said another former executive, who described solo meetings with Gates as awkward.

'If he told you he liked your hair, he wasn't trying to flirt with you. He just actually liked your hair.'

A current Microsoft employee told Insider: 'He's just an awkward human being as far as social interactions go.'

Maria Klawe, a former Microsoft board member from 2009 to 2015, said 'a person like Bill Gates thinks the usual rules of behavior don't apply to him' and accused him of being unreceptive to suggestions about improving diversity.

Klawe said that Gates behaved as if he was the 'smartest person in the room' and that diversity was not something Gates 'was interested in hearing about.'

She said that when female executives would suggest diversity initiatives, Gates would allegedly respond with: 'Are you trying to effing destroy the company?'

The spokesperson for Gates told Insider that Klawe's allegations are a 'gross mischaracterization.'

Gates' relationships and encounters with employees have long been a topic of discussion surrounding the billionaire, according to the outlet.

Maria Klawe, a former Microsoft board member from 2009 to 2015, right, said that 'a person like Bill Gates thinks the usual rules of behavior don't apply to him'

Klawe said that Gates behaved as if he was the 'smartest person in the room' and that diversity was not something Gates 'was interested in hearing about'

Melinda Gates herself was an employee at Microsoft, having been hired as a product manager in 1987, when the billionaire first asked her out months after flirting with her at a conference dinner.

In 2006, Bill Gates allegedly asked a female Microsoft employee out to dinner in an email after attending a presentation she had given, The New York Times reported.

'If this makes you uncomfortable, pretend it never happened,' Gates wrote in the email obtained by The New York Times.

A Gates Foundation employee told the outlet that the billionaire asked her on a date while they were at a cocktail party in New York.

'I want to see you. Will you have dinner with me?' Gates allegedly told the woman.

In the 1992 biography Hard Drive: Bill Gates and the Making of the Microsoft Empire, author James Wallace revealed Gates had an alleged affair with a married woman 13 years older than him when he was 27 years old.

Gates' alleged affair was with the wife of an Osborne Computer executive who lived abroad, according to the biography.

Melinda Gates herself, pictured, was an employee at Microsoft, having been hired as a product manager in 1987, when the billionaire first asked her out months after flirting with her

A photo shows Bill and Melinda Gates while they were dating before getting married

An Osborne Computer executive who knew about the alleged affair told Wallace that 'Bill had a real fondness for older women then.'

Adam Osborne, who developed the first commercially successful PC known as Osborne 1, allegedly demanded that Gates stop seeing the wife of his employee.

'Gates told Osborne to mind his own business,' Wallace wrote.

Gates himself told BBC that he would hack his school's scheduling software to ensure he would be the only boy in class.

'I was the one who benefited by being able to have the nice girls at least sit near me. It wasn't that I could talk to them or anything, but they were there,' Gates said.

Wallace told Insider that, while Gates attended Harvard University in 1973, he would allegedly visit strip clubs in an area of Boston once referred to as the Combat Zone because of its notorious strip clubs, porn theaters, and prostitution.

Gates had an alleged affair with a married woman 13 years older than him when he was 27 years old

Gates himself admitted to frequenting the area, centered on Washington Street between Boylston Street and Kneeland Street, in a 1994 interview he did with Playboy magazine.

'Just because I went there doesn't mean I engaged in everything that was going on,' Gates said.

'I ate pizza, read books and watched what was going on. I went to the diners.'

Wallace claimed to Insider that Gates' penchant for socializing with women remained even after he started dating Melinda Gates in 1987.

Gates was allegedly known to invite friends to swim naked at his bachelor pad in Laurelhurst where he 'rounded up' dancers from local all-nude nightclubs, Wallace said.

'I don't know if he physically transported them or if he just told them where to show up,' Wallace told the outlet.

Robert X. Cringely, who wrote a popular computer gossip column for InfoWorld, told Insider that Gates was allegedly often inebriated at tech events and after-parties and that he 'got drunk pretty easily.'

'All of us will have been at some affair where Bill was clearly impaired. He was happier' drunk, Cringely said.

Gates, then 33, took a helicopter to Les Arcs ski resort in the French Alps for an international sales meeting for Microsoft in the summer of 1988 where he was allegedly caught lying on top of a woman on the lawn.

The pair were 'just snuggling' after Gates joined his employees for drinks in a Swiss chalet and partied until the early morning, Dan Graves, a former Microsoft export manager, told Insider.

After he started dating Melinda, Gates allegedly struggled to commit to her and she was allegedly aware of his 'womanizing,' the outlet reported. The couple even broke up for at least a year early in their relationship.

'Bill wanted to be married, but he didn't know whether he could actually commit to it and have Microsoft,' Melinda said in an interview for the Netflix docuseries Inside Bill's Brain: Decoding Bill Gates.

Bill Gates is pictured in a 1977 police mugshot when he was arrested for bad careless driving in Albuqerque, New Mexico

Even after marrying Melinda, Gates told Time magazine in 1997 that he still went on annual vacations to the Outer Banks of North Carolina with his ex-girlfriend Ann Winblad, the software entrepreneur whom he had dated from 1984 to 1987.

Bill and Melinda Gates' personal affairs have been managed by Watermark Estate Management since at least 2001, which would allegedly arrange Gates' annual beach trips with Winblad.

Meanwhile, Gates is reported to have taken meetings with Epstein including a flight to Palm Beach on Epstein's private plane.

Gates' spokesperson told the outlet that Gates had 'absolutely no business partnership or personal friendship' with Epstein, and any meetings between the two were about philanthropy.

'It is extremely disappointing that there have been so many lies published about the cause, the circumstances and the timeline of Bill Gates's divorce,' the spokesperson said.

'The rumors and speculation surrounding Mr. Gates are becoming increasingly absurd and it's unfortunate that people who have little to no knowledge are being characterized as 'sources.''

Bill Gates, not pictured, still went on annual vacations to the Outer Banks of North Carolina with his ex-girlfriend Ann Winblad, pictured, the software entrepreneur whom he had dated from 1984 to 1987, even after marrying Melinda Gates

Bill Gates, and Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen, are pictured in 1987. Allen said in his memoir that Gates tried to dilute his equity in the company because he was 'unproductive' while dealing with his first bout of cancer

Gates' relationship with Epstein reportedly dates back to 2011, but it became a point of contention for the couple in September 2013, the Daily Beast reported.

Melinda Gates reportedly told friends she was furious about their alleged friendship and wanted nothing to do with Epstein but sources said Bill Gates allegedly visited Epstein's house numerous times.

Bill Gates even reportedly talked about his 'toxic' marriage to Epstein who allegedly gave Gates advice on ending his marriage, according to the Daily Beast.

Wallace claimed to Insider that 'there were some big-name journalists who knew about this behavior' over the years.

However, they 'never reported on it because they knew Microsoft would have taken away their access,' he said.

Gates allegedly even gained a reputation for hitting on female reporters who covered industry conferences such as Comdex, Wallace said.

'The journalists said that it was their understanding that they weren't the only ones either,' he added.

Stories about Gates have allegedly been kept quiet over the years but 'the halo broke' when Melinda divorced Gates, a Microsoft employee told Insider.

'Anyone who had stories could bring all those stories out,' the source said.
Shamima Begum poses no threat to security and should be allowed home to live in the UK, a former diplomat has claimed.

Peter Galbraith - who was the US Ambassador to Croatia - said Ms Begum has 'absolutely rejected the Islamic State' and should be sent home from the al-Roj camp in northern Syria.

Ms Begum was 15 when she and two other east London schoolgirls travelled to Syria to join the so-called Islamic State group in February 2015 and marry jihadis.

Now 21, she is challenging the Home Office's decision to remove her British citizenship and has asked a specialist tribunal to consider whether she was a victim of trafficking when she travelled to Syria.

The Home Office says she is a threat to national security and should not be allowed to return to the UK or be a British citizen. They claim she is not stateless because her parents are from Bangladesh.

Shamima Begum (pictured) poses no threat to security and should be allowed home to live in the UK, a former diplomat has claimed

Mr Galbraith told The Daily Telegraph: 'I've talked to Shamima  she is part of the group of women who have absolutely rejected the Islamic State  I know enough about her to feel quite confident that shes not a dangerous person.'

Mr Galbraith said he was key to securing the freedom of a Canadian woman in the same camp not long ago. After fleeing, the woman was able to contact the Canadian embassy from the Kurdistan region of Iraq, he claims.

Typically, countries must submit requests to Syrian Kurdish authorities to have their nationals returned to them prior to release, Mr Galbraith said.

He stressed the case of the Canadian woman - who cooperated with US law enforcement during certain inquiries - is the exception.

He added: 'There are other women who have rejected the Islamic State, I dont know if there are many who have been so helpful to law enforcement and, in her case, the identification of people including Americans who have committed major crimes.'

Peter Galbraith - a former US Ambassador to Croatia - said Ms Begum (pictured) has 'absolutely rejected the Islamic State' and should be sent home from the al-Roj camp in northern Syria

Earlier this month, Miss Begum's lawyers told the Special Immigration Appeals Commission (SIAC) at a hearing that the Home Office had a legal duty to investigate whether she was a victim of trafficking when her citizenship was revoked.

It came days after Begum was interviewed and claimed she only left the UK to join ISIS in Syria, because she 'didn't want to be left behind' by her friends and insisted she only supported the ISIS fanatics because she was 'naive'.

Her British citizenship was revoked on national security grounds shortly after she was found, nine months pregnant, in a Syrian refugee camp in February 2019 having married a Dutch jihadi and had three children, all of whom died.

Samantha Knights QC said that 'the counter-terrorism unit had suspicions of coercion and control' at the time Ms Begum left the UK, which she argued 'gives rise to the need to investigate the issue of trafficking'.

In written submissions, Ms Begum's legal team said the Home Office failed to consider whether she was 'a child trafficked to, and remaining in, Syria for the purposes of sexual exploitation and forced marriage'.

Ms Begum also wants to challenge the removal of her British citizenship on the grounds that it made her 'de facto stateless' and that the decision was procedurally unfair.

Ms Knights told the court that Ms Begum is currently held in the al-Roj camp in northern Syria where conditions are 'dire'.

'Ms Begum ... is in a fundamentally unsafe environment in a camp run by the SDF.

'Physical violence is common and psychological trauma is endemic,' Ms Knights said.

She added that Ms Begum was 'living in a situation of serious and present danger' and asked SIAC to consider her proposed new grounds of appeal in November.

Begum was 15 when she ran away with two other schoolgirls - Kadiza Sultana, 16, and Amira Abase, 15 - (all pictured at Gatwick airport) to Syria to marry a Dutch jihadi in 2015

David Blundell QC, representing the Home Office, said: 'Ms Begum should not be permitted to amend her grounds again'. He argued in written submissions: 'It is significant that the allegation is not that Ms Begum was trafficked, but rather that she 'may have been' trafficked.

'Ms Begum herself has never stated that she has been trafficked, despite having given numerous media interviews and provided instructions to her solicitors on a number of matters.

'The absence of a claim that she has in fact been trafficked means this ground proceeds on an uncertain factual basis.

'It is entirely speculative.'

The Home Office also argues that Ms Begum's case should be put on hold until a separate case before SIAC, which is due to be heard next March, has concluded.

Shamima Begum, 21, has insisted she does not need to be rehabilitated during an interview at al-Roj prison camp in Syria

Miss Begum (pictured) claimed she joined the Islamic State because she didn't want to be the 'friend that was left behind' in a documentary about her life in a Syrian refugee camp

Begum, who left Britain to join Islamic State when she was 15 in 2015, remains in the camp stripped of her UK citizenship.

In her latest interview there, she told journalist Andrew Drury: 'I don't think I was a terrorist. I think I was just a dumb kid who made one mistake.

'I personally don't think that I need to be rehabilitated, but I would want to help other people be rehabilitated. I would love to help.'

Explaining why she had stopped wearing her traditional Islamic dress, she said: 'I wear these clothes, and I don't wear a hijab, because it makes me happy. And anything in this camp that makes me happy is like a lifesaver.'

She added that she liked rapper Kanye West's music, was following news of his divorce from reality TV star Kim Kardashian and watched re-runs of Friends in the camp.
A black police chief has blasted his city's decision to defund its police department by $17 million despite a 90 per cent increase in murders after warning that violent crime is already out of control

LeRonne Armstrong, the police chief of Oakland, California, on Monday decried a decision made by city leaders in a 6-2 vote to divert a proposed $17 million increase from the Oakland Police Department's budget over the next two years despite a rise in violent crime and shootings.

He said: 'I'll start off today by saying that I'm challenged by the decisions that were made on Thursday around the budget for the City of Oakland particularly for the Oakland Police Department

'I first want to say that I believe strongly that Mayor (Libby) Shaft put forward a budget that was designed to preserve public safety for the entire city both law enforcement and violence prevention. These are not two separate things

'We work together we've always worked together and the success of this city will not be just law enforcement it won't be just the Oakland police department

'It will be the Oakland police department it will be the department of violence prevention and it will be most importantly community

'But today we find ourselves in a crisis. We find ourselves reeling from a weekend of violence, where we've seen four homicides over a three-day period.'

Chief Armstrong added: 'It now has us currently at 65 homicides for the year. It's a 90 percent increase compared to last year.

'Our shootings are up over 70 percent this year. Our robberies are up 11 percent this year - 1300 robberies in this city already this year.

'Our car-jackings are up nearly 88 percent so we see clearly that crime is out of control in the City of Oakland, and our response was for less police resources

'But when city council members - the majority of them that voted to defund this police department - that additional 17 million that was reduced from the police department's budget will have a impact.'

The chief spoke as his law enforcement department's budget was set at $674 million.

That is about $9million more than the previous year. However, the increase is drastically less than the proposed $27 million from an effort led by Democratic Mayor Libby Schaaf. And last year's police funding accounted for 20% of the city's budget, while this year's budget equates to 18%, according to the Washington Examiner.

LeRonne Armstrong, the police chief of Oakland, California, on Monday lambasted the city council's 6-2 vote to defund the police by $18.5M

Crime is spiking in Oakland and the city is now at 65 homicides in 2021 so far, a 90percent increase from the same period last year

A group of women were seen twerking on top of an ambulance in Oakland on June 19 while emergency services responded to a fatal shooting

Just two weeks ago, multiple women were seen twerking on the top of an ambulance in Lake Merritt in Oakland while paramedics attempted to make their way through to the scene of a shooting in which one person was killed and at least seven others were wounded.

The ambulance was stopped in its tracks by the crowd which was said to be around 1,000-strong as people gathered to celebrate Juneteenth after it was declared a federal holiday.

And last month, Bishop Michael Barber of the Oakland Catholic Diocese was robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight.

'So we see clearly that crime is out of control in the city of Oakland and our response was for less police resources,' Chief Armstrong said.

Armstrong said that despite the cuts the department will be adding 60 officers over the next few months, but will lose 65 due to attrition and may require compulsory overtime to make up for it.

He said: When you hear the statement from those that say nothing will change  that is not true. Yes it will. The impact will be immediate with a slower response time to emergency calls for service, the 911 surge units that were used to respond to violent crime . . . will have less resources, less officers responding. That is going to have an impact, its going to have a delayed response.

Armstrong said that the budget cuts will cause major delays in response times and require mandated overtime for cops

Armstrong added that the burden will have an even greater detriment on marginalized communities, like deep east Oakland, from where most emergency calls come.

He said he supported the ideas behind many of the proposed measures, but warned residents would suffer due to falling cop numbers while the replacement schemes are implemented.

Still, some lawmakers say the cuts are not enough and wanted a 50 percent decrease, or about $150M, from the police budget.

Councilwoman Nikki Fortunato Bas told ABC7 that the cuts are 'historic' and will be used to direct funds to social service agencies and other crisis response groups.

'We'll be standing up a program called MACRO for alternative crisis responders, to handle mental health issues,' she said. 'We will be having our department of transportation handle issues that police typically handle, blocked driveways, auto tows.'

Over $300,000 taken from the police budget will also go the Youth Employment Program, an advocacy group that aims to keep young people off the streets.

Following the council vote, Mayor Schaaf lauded the council's intentions of bolstering violence prevention and social services as a means of approaching public safety. However, she warned that the police budget cuts will harm the department and hamper response times.

'It will force our officers to work even more overtime shifts, which are expensive and unsafe for officers and residents alike,' she said in a press release, adding that the decision 'cuts 50 police officers who respond to Oaklanders 911 calls and enforce traffic safety. It also cuts much-needed future academies, which will significantly reduce police staffing and delay response to Oaklanders in their time of crisis.'

Armstrong paused and began to tear up as he recalled a scene on Saturday night when a young man died and a woman shouted at him from out a window and said, 'do something about it.'

'Without the resources it makes it challenging to make Oakland safe and more families find themselves dealing with trauma find themselves dealing with putting the pieces together,' he said. 'When the yellow tape is gone and when the streets are cleaned up there is still hurt.'
Melbourne columnist and former radio star Jon Faine has hit back at his detractors following a furious online response to an opinion piece he wrote about Sydney's Covid lockdown.

The former ABC Radio host published a column detailing his two opinions of the city's outbreak, from the perspective of 'good' and 'bad' Jon.

On Tuesday, Sydney 2GB morning radio host Ben Fordham joined angry locals, branding the respected Melbourne journalist a 'dope'.

Former ABC Radio host Jon Faine published an article detailing his two opinions of Sydney's two-week lockdown, from the perspective of 'good' and 'bad' Jon

Sydney radio star Ben Fordham branded respected Melbourne broadcaster and journalist Jon Faine a 'dope'

'Good Jon' is a dope, 'Bad Jon' sounds deranged  both of them can get stuffed,' Fordham barked.

Faine had one word for Daily Mail Australia in response to Fordham's on-air rant.

'Who?'

Poll Are you sick of states treating Covid as a competition? Yes No I don't care Are you sick of states treating Covid as a competition? Yes 210 votes

No 9 votes

I don't care 25 votes Now share your opinion





The furore kicked off after sections of Faine's opinion piece, which appeared in The Sunday Age, were picked up on social media and quickly spread across mainstream news.

'Bad Jon' wrote that while he 'sincerely hopes no one dies... (Sydney's) two-week lockdown will prick their self-righteous balloon'.

He hoped it would 'put an end to the partisan, condescending and patronising nonsense that has been raining down on Victorians for months'.

Faine, who retired in 2019 from his Melbourne morning radio program with the ABC after 23 years, told Daily Mail Australia he believed most people jumping on the bandwagon to slam him had not even read his piece.

'(I'm) happy to leave my piece to speak for itself,' he said.

'If people read the entire piece instead of selecting out a line or two out of context they might just understand what it is saying.'

'Bad Jon' wrote that while he 'sincerely hopes no one dies... their two-week lockdown will prick their self-righteous balloon'

Faine said it would 'do Sydney some good to be knocked off their high perch'. Pictured: Deserted Sydney in lockdown on Sunday, June 27

Ben Fordham's extraordinary attack on Jon Faine 'Imagine being so bitter and twisted that you publicly admit that you get a kick out of seeing Sydney in trouble,' Ben Fordham told listeners. 'He talks about himself as 'Good John' and 'Bad John'. 'Good John' is a dope, 'Bad John' sounds deranged  both of them can get stuffed.' Advertisement

On Wednesday, the fallout from his media rivals continued.

The Australian's Janet Albrechtsen penned a scathing opinion piece that accused Faine of suffering from a dangerous case of sour grapes.

'The unstated precis of Faine's thesis was: Damn Sydney. Damn you for managing Covid differently, doing it better for so long,' she wrote.

The piece, which appeared in the Murdoch publication on Wednesday, accused Faine of being a 'purveyor of outrage'.

'Instead of trying to persuade people with sound arguments, Faine opted to divide, preying on people's base instincts,' the piece stated.

Although Albrechtsen - who sat on the ABC board for five years while Faine worked there - conceded her ex-colleague did have a few 'sensible points' about the Federal Government including 'playing politics over Covid when it suits, and its feeble handling of the vaccination program'.

Faine told Daily Mail Australia on Wednesday he had not read Albrechtsen's article and he stood by his previous defence of his own piece.

Former Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Janet Albrechtsen

Faine had written that he was 'torn in (his) reactions' to Sydney's lockdown plight.

In his near 1,000 word opinion piece, the veteran journalist began by expressing pity for Sydneysiders and wished them well.

Melburnians know all to well the hardship of lockdowns after enduring four of their own - one of them spent day-after-day watching the death count rise to more than 800.

While the piece has been largely dusted off by Melburnians bored with tired notions of media-hyped rivalry, it has been savaged by bored Sydneysiders now cooped-up in their own lockdown nightmare.

Critics accused Faine and The Sunday Age of relishing in the suffering of millions.

Journalist Bridie Jabour said she couldn't believe there were Melburnians genuinely seeming to 'wish Covid on Sydney'.

Critics have accused Faine and the Melbourne-based paper of relishing in the suffering of millions

Several admitted to niggling feelings of schadenfreude (taking pleasure from another person's misfortune), when hearing updates out of Sydney each day

'What sort of lunatic not only desires a lockdown on a whole city but actually commits those mean spirited thoughts to print? Save your projections for your therapist I suggest,' another online critic said.

Another, a barrister from Victoria, said: 'Mock and criticise the governments and leaders. Go hard. I will be. But to say that our fellow Australians in NSW 'deserve' this, or that it 'serves them right' is contemptible.'

In spite of all the backlash, many dedicated former listeners and fans said Faine had succinctly summed up their own conflicting feelings in response to the Sydney cluster.

Several admitted to niggling feelings of schadenfreude (taking pleasure from another person's misfortune), when hearing updates out of Sydney each day.

'Thank you Jon, on behalf of all of Melbourne. I've been horrified by Gladys & Morrison sniping about Victorian lockdowns and the NSW gold standard approach. While wishing them well, a bit of Victorian schadenfreude is in order,' one said.

Another wrote: 'I have to admit to having these thoughts too, Jon. I'm not proud of it, but you've summed it up perfectly.'

Since the beginning of the pandemic, 910 Australians have died and there have been nearly four million fatalities globally.

Of the victims in Australia, 820 were in Victoria. There have been no deaths linked to the latest outbreak in New South Wales.
Three months ago Scott Morrison was looking forward to the country living with coronavirus and treating it 'like a bad flu'.

But now 12 million Australians are locked in their homes as state premiers remain determined to use draconian restrictions to eliminate all cases from the community.

Over the past five days, leaders in New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland and the Northern Territory have imposed crippling lockdowns with 204 cases nationwide while South Australia and the ACT mandated masks without any Covid-19 infections.

The situation is a far cry from the vision Mr Morrison outlined in a press conference on February 5 when he suggested lockdowns may not be needed in three months' time.

'Right now, a breakout of a case has a particular context. Three months from now, when vaccinations are occurring, where there is a downward pressure on the risk of serious, serious illness, then the risk is different. And so it is about trying to recalibrate,' he said in his Parliament House courtyard.

A month after that, Mr Morrison gave the same message in a speech at the Australian Financial Review Business Summit in Sydney.

'With sufficient vaccination of the population, we can start treating Covid like a bad flu,' he said.

'And if we can continue to manage new strains of the virus, this changing risk profile will allow for controls to be further relaxed, as we recently discussed at National Cabinet.'

Unfortunately for the Prime Minister - and the whole country - his two biggest fears came true.

Not enough people have been vaccinated and the new Indian Delta variant has spooked state premiers because it is much harder to manage than earlier strains.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said on Wednesday it was 'impossible to control'.

Furthermore, most Australians have shown no appetite to live alongside the virus, instead favouring strong border controls and voting for pro-lockdown state premiers like WA's Mark McGowan.

As a result, Mr Morrison hasn't spoken in any meaningful detail about returning to normal, instead giving gloomy warnings that restrictions will be in place for months or even years.

Some 12 million Australians are locked in their homes as state premiers remain determined to eliminate all cases from the community. Pictured: Residents in Perth wear masks

'What will be the next variant, and what will that mean for future plans,' he said on Monday night.

'I would like to tell you there's a higher degree of certainty that exists, but I wouldn't be levelling with the Australian people.'

The principal reason why Australia's leaders are not talking about a roadmap to normal while the rest of the world is opening up is because the vaccination rollout has been so slow.

As of Tuesday, only 7.1 per cent of Australian adults had been vaccinated, the lowest portion of all the 38 wealthy nations in the OECD group.

By contrast, 60 per cent of Israelis, about half of Britons and Americans and more than a third of Singaporeans have had two doses of the jab.

Australia's rollout was derailed by supply issues and changed health advice which recommended AstraZeneca for over 60s only due to very rare blood clots.

GPs have an oversupply of AstraZeneca doses but have been unable to get them into arms because people don't want them, while demand for Pfizer cannot be met.

Queensland ministers warned on Wednesday that some of the state's vaccination sites would run out of Pfizer stock on July 5.

Dr Jamal Rifi, who owns Belmore Medical Centre in western Sydney, told the ABC on Tuesday: 'People talk about hesitancy or reluctance, it's well beyond that. It's a refusal of patients to have the AstraZeneca.'

George Street in The Rocks is empty in Sydney on Tuesday as the city endures a two-week lockdown

Even New Zealand, which only uses Pfizer, is now ahead of Australia, with 10.7 per cent vaccinated.

Mr Morrison has insisted the supply issues and changing medical advice were 'beyond the government's control'.

But Labor leader Anthony Albanese has slammed Mr Morrison for not signing more vaccine deals last year.

'The government put all its eggs in the AstraZeneca basket and now the chickens have come home to roost,' he said on Monday.

Australia currently only has access to Pfizer and AstraZeneca while France, Germany and Italy have four vaccines and the US, UK and Canada have three.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the government has always followed the advice of medical experts when signing vaccine deals.
Pharmacies and workplaces are set to start delivering Covid vaccine jabs in a major military-style escalation of the government's rollout program.

High street chemists will join GPs at the pandemic frontline along with big banks, mining companies and other private businesses under the new strategy by Covid vaccine czar, Lieutenant-General John Frewen.

He was brought in by Prime Minister Scott Morrison three weeks ago to turn around the stalled vaccine rollout which has so far seen just 7.1 per cent of the Australian population fully vaccinated.

Pharmacies started rolling out the jab earlier this month when Foote's Pharmacies in Boonah became the first in Australia to deliver the vaccine on June 6.

Pharmacies started rolling out the jab earlier this month when Foote's Pharmacies in Boonah became the first in Australia to deliver the vaccine on June 6. Seen here is Pharmacy Guild of Australia's National Executive Director Suzanne Greenwood receiving her first dose at the pharmacy

Queensland now has 49 regional pharmacies included in the program with plans to include another 207 across the country outside of Tasmania and the ACT.

Western Australia and Northern Territory will join the expanded scheme on July 12, with pharmacies in New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia on July 19.

Australia is currently running last in the list of OECD countries for its vaccination rate and four capital cities - affecting 11million people - went into lockdown this week as fresh outbreaks wreak new havoc nationwide.

Brisbane was put in a snap lockdown on Tuesday, joining Sydney, Perth and Darwin, as cases numbers rise across the country.

Australia is currently running last in the list of OECD countries for its vaccination rate and four capital cities - affecting 11million people - went into lockdown this week as fresh outbreaks wreak new havoc nationwide. Pictured here are people queueing for at Melbourne Exhibition Centre vaccination hub

Getting jabs in arms is seen as vital to Australia emerging from the repeated lockdown cycle but the rollout has been hindered by the lack of supplies of the Pfizer vaccine and mixed messages on the safety of the AstraZeneca vaccine.

Now Lieutenant-General Frewen wants to streamline the system to increase efficiency by maximising the use of available channels to deliver jabs.

'It's not about ripping it apart and rebuilding it, it's about optimising it to make it go faster,' the Lieutenant-General told The Sydney Morning Herald.

'I know across business, there are sectors who would be keen to do that themselves; they're currently not empowered to do that.

High street chemists will join GPs at the pandemic frontline along with big banks, mining companies and other private businesses under the new strategy by Covid vaccine czar, Lieutenant-General John Frewen (pictured)

'The mining sector, banks  lots of them are saying, "Let us get on with it and we'll get out of the way of the public health system".'

Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox welcomed any move to speed up a return to normality and said businesses were keen to play their part in the vaccination rollout.

But he wants to see the new indemnity scheme for doctors delivering the AstraZeneca jab, introduced by the federal government on Monday, to be extended to business as well.

He told Daily Mail Australia: 'We need to change tack and look at ramping up the vaccine program by being open to new approaches such as allowing employers to effectively turn their workplaces into vaccination centres.

Getting jabs in arms is seen as vital to Australia emerging from the repeated lockdown cycle but the rollout has been hindered by the lack of supplies of the Pfizer vaccine and mixed messages on the safety of the Astra Zeneca vaccine. Seen here are staff preparing vaccines atthe Homebush vaccination hub in Sydney

'We do this with flu vaccines very successfully. Surely the time has come to allow experienced nurses to administer the vaccine without a doctor looking over their shoulders.

'For this to happen, businesses need proper and clearly defined indemnity to protect against the risk of an employee experiencing serious adverse reactions.

'There are existing indemnities for doctors and pharmaceutical companies but these indemnities do not appear to extend to employers.'

The plans have also run into criticism from pharmacists - who already deliver flu jabs - for not going far enough.

Australian Industry Group chief executive Innes Willox welcomed any move to speed up a return to normality and said businesses were keen to play their part in the vaccination rollout. Seen here isa queue of people at a NSW vaccination centre

The Pharmacy Guild of Australia says the scheme could include almost 4000 pharmacies which have already been deemed suitable.

Just 20 NSW pharmacies will be included, out of a possible 1250, while 68 have been greenlit for South Australia, 49 in western Australia and 15 in Northern Territory.

'Instead of being patient-centric, it's GP-centric,' PGA president Trent Twomey told The Australian.

'We never had this approach when we had the rollout of the GPs. The commonwealth government just activated all the general practices.

On Wednesday, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian (pictured) said she wanted businesses involved as vaccination centres when supplies allowed.

'This is not rocket science for us. This is supply-chain logistics and community pharmacies do this every day.

'We order medications, we get them shipped, and we meet the orders of prescriptions that come before us.'

On Wednesday, NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she wanted businesses involved as vaccination centres when supplies allowed.

'We need to have enough vaccine points when we have the supply,' she said. 'We need to get the vaccines in arms as soon as possible.'
A headless body has been found by police in woodland, sparking a huge investigation into the death.

Emergency services raced to the scene near the coastal town of Salcombe, Devon on Sunday following reports of a corpse found by a member of the public.

The death is 'unexplained' and a police source has confirmed that the body was found without a head.

A large police presence remains in the town days after the discovery with roads surrounding the scene cordoned off.

A Special Ops tent has been erected next to the woods as a forensic team continue their investigation.

Emergency services raced to the scene in woodland near the coastal town of Salcombe, Devon on Sunday following reports of a headless corpse being found by a member of the public

The police Devon Rural Communities Officer is understood to be meeting with officials in the town.

The discovery has cast a shadow over Salcombe, which is full to overflowing with tourists, staycationers and second home owners.

The investigation sparked suggestions the body could be linked to a notorious murder in 1975.

Local woman Patricia Allen and her two young children Jonathan and Victoria disappeared 46 years ago from their family home.

Her husband Anthony John Allen, who did not report his family missing, always maintained his innocence and claimed Patricia had left him after discovering he was having an affair with local restaurant owner Eunice Yabsley.

The death is 'unexplained' and a police source has confirmed that the body was found without a head

Although Allen had been the prime suspect at the time of the shock disappearance it was deemed that there was not enough evidence to charge him.

But the case was reopened in 2001 after police discovered the man who Allen claimed had taken Patricia and his children to America had suffered a serious stroke in 1972, leading to him being convicted of the triple murder and being jailed for life.

Their bodies have never been found although it is believed Allen dumped them at sea.

But a senior police source said with certainty that the body which has been found is definitely not that of Patricia Allen.

The investigation sparked suggestions the body could be linked to a notorious murder in 1975. Local woman Patricia Allen (pictured) and her two young children Jonathan and Victoria disappeared 46 years ago from their family home

'The body that has been found is definitely 100 per cent not that of Patricia Allen,' they said.

A spokesperson for Devon and Cornwall Police yesterday added: 'Enquiries remain ongoing into an unexplained death after a body was found in a wooded area near Bennett Road, Salcombe, on Sunday June 27.

'A number of enquiries will be carried out in Salcombe over the coming days, and it is likely that the local community will continue to see a high level of police activity.'

On Sunday afternoon flash flooding hit South Devon, with water pouring down the steep cliffside in the woods above Salcombe's Cliff Road.

Then at about 5pm a body was found in the woodlands not far from the Salcombe Harbour Hotel.

The woods below Devon Road and above Bennett Road are popular with dog walkers. They are now cordoned off.

Anyone with information is asked to email 101@dc.police.uk or call 101, quoting reference number 0700.
A young woman has broken down in tears after New Zealand closed its travel bubble with Australia five minutes before she was due to check in for her flight.

Chels Badger, 26, was stranded in Perth after the New Zealand government paused the quarantine-free travel exemption for travellers from all Australian states and territories on Saturday night.

The university worker flew to Western Australia for her father's funeral but an outbreak of Covid-19 cases across the country meant she then couldn't get back home to Auckland.

'I can't,' she wrote next to a TikTok video of her wiping tears from her eyes after finding out her flight was cancelled.

'New Zealand just shut its borders to Australia five minutes before I was supposed to check into my flight to Auckland.'

Ms Badger said her partner flew back to Auckland for work after the funeral but that she stayed in Perth for five more days.

'Im grieving at the moment, and its incredibly difficult to be away from my partner and my home on NZ,' she told Daily Mail Australia.

Ms Badger is originally from Perth but moved to New Zealand in January 2020.

She said she stayed behind in the WA city to spend more time with friends and family.

'It was not a leisure trip and it most certainly was not a holiday either,' she said.

Chels Badger, 26, was stranded in Perth after the New Zealand government paused the quarantine-free travel exemption for travellers from Australia five minutes before she was due to check in

The university worker flew to Western Australia for her father's funeral and said the trip was not a holiday

'When I returned to Australia, I was very aware of the risk that I could get stuck there but since Perth hadnt had cases for a long time I just really didnt expect for the bubble to be paused.'

The earliest flight she could find back to Auckland was on July 8 and Ms Badger said she fears she could be locked out of New Zealand for longer if the travel bubble suspension is extended.

The pause is scheduled to end on July 6 but could be extended further if the deadly Delta variant of Covid-19 continues to spread across Australia.

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern shut down travel between Australia and NZ on Saturday night after an outbreak of coronavirus cases across the states and territories. Pictured are family and friends reuniting after the travel bubble between the two countries began in April

About eight million Australians are under some form of lockdown restrictions after cases broke out in Brisbane, Sydney, Brisbane, Darwin and Perth.

Anyone living in the Perth or Peel regions are under stay-at-home orders from 12.01am on Tuesday for four days, and are only allowed out for essential reasons.

Gyms, shops, bars, restaurants and places of worship will be forced to close and all social gatherings are banned, with no one allowed to leave the metropolitan area for all but essential reasons.

Masks are also mandatory in all indoor settings outside the home.
The National Security Agency has denied Tucker Carlson's claim it is spying on his show in a bid to get him taken off the air.

The Fox News host said on Monday night that a whistleblower had approached the show the day before and informed them of the espionage.

'It is not just political protest the government is spying on,' Carlson told his viewers.

'Yesterday we heard from a whistle-blower within the US government who reached out to warn us that the NSA, the national security agency, is monitoring our electronic communication and is planning to leak them in an attempt to take this show off the air.'

The NSA refuted Carlson's remarks in a statement posted to Twitter on Tuesday, writing: 'This allegation is untrue. Tucker Carlson has never been an intelligence target of the Agency and the NSA has never had any plans to try to take his program off the air.

'NSA has a foreign intelligence mission. We target foreign powers to generate insights on foreign activities that could harm the United States. With limited exceptions (e.g. an emergency), NSA may not target a US citizen without a court order that explicitly authorizes the targeting.'

Moments later Carlson doubled down on his accusations on his show - calling the NSA's statement 'infuriatingly dishonest' and arguing that it did not directly refute what he'd alleged.

The National Security Agency released a statement (pictured) on Tuesday denying Tucker Carlson's claim it is spying on his show in a bid to get him taken off the air

Carlson told his viewers on Monday night that he was being spied on by the NSA. He said a whistleblower had information which could only have come from his own texts and emails. Carlson said the spying was 'scary' and demanded it stop

Tucker addresses Psaki's refusal to deny his claim the NSA is spying on him in order to "intimidate" his show and discusses his "very heated" phone call earlier today with top NSA officials in which they refused to say whether or not they read his personal communications: pic.twitter.com/BMiFzbg92t  Benny (@bennyjohnson) June 30, 2021

During Monday night's show Carlson pointed the finger directly at the Biden administration, and accused them of spying on him and his show to try and stem his criticism of the government.

'They did it for political reasons,' he said.

'The Biden administration is spying on us. We have confirmed that.'

On Tuesday night he played a clip of White Press Secretary Jen Psaki responding to a question about Carlson's claims on Air Force One.

Psaki replied: 'Well, the NSA as you are well aware and everyone is aware and everyone on this plane is aware is entities that focus on foreign threats and individuals who are attempting to do us harm on foreign soil. So that is their purview, but beyond that, I would point to the intelligence community.'

Carlson reacted to Psaki's comments by saying: 'The Biden administration ignored the story. They did not deny the story. They can't. They know it is true.'

He went on to say that his team had reached out to NSA Director Gen Paul M Nakasone, but was denied access to him.

Carlson claimed he was blocked from speaking with NSA Director Gen Paul M Nakasone (pictured)

Then minutes before he went on air Tuesday, Carlson said the NSA 'sent us an infuriatingly dishonest formal statement with an entire paragraph of lies written entirely for the benefit of its lackeys at CNN and MSNBC.

'Last night on the show, we made a straightforward claim: The NSA has read my private emails without my permission. That is what we said.

'Nakasone, in tonight's statement from the NSA, does not deny that. Instead, it comes with this, in part "Tucker Carlson has never been intelligence target of the agency".

'Okay, glad to know, but the question remains: Did the Biden administration read my personal email? That is the question that we asked directly to NSA officials when we spoke to them about 20 minutes ago in a very heated conversation. Did you read my email?

'And again, they refused to say again and again, and refused to explain why they couldn't answer that simple question. We can't tell you and we won't tell you why we can't tell you.

'And the message was clear, we can do whatever you want. We can read personal texts, emails and send threats your way to brush you back if we don't like your politics, we can do anything.

'We are our own country and there is nothing you can do about it. We are in charge, you are not. Orwellian does not begin to describe the experience. It was like living in China.

'Now that the Biden administration has classified tens of millions of patriotic Americans, the kind who served in the military and fly flags in front of their homes, as potential domestic terrorists, white supremacist saboteurs, we're going to see a whole lot more of this kind of thing. A whole lot more.'

Carlson then welcomed civil rights attorney Harmeet Dhillon, asking her why average American citizens like himself are unable to find out whether they've been targeted by 'some bureaucrat and spy agency'.

'Well you should be able to find out Tucker,' she said, adding that she was 'not surprised' by his experience trying to get answers.

Former President Donald Trump responded to Carlson's allegations in an interview with The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show on Tuesday, saying: 'I think it's true.'

Trump suggested that the NSA may have targeted Carlson because he was among those questioning the validity of the presidential election last fall.

'It's totally believable, if you look at the whole thing with what's going on - I think it's true. They're trying to suppress the vote, they're trying to suppress going into elections to find voter fraud, they want those people suppressed. They don't want anything to do with that because the election was totally fraudulent,' he said.

Tucker Carlson says a whistleblower told him that he is being spied on by the NSA and that he filed a FOIA request for information:



"The Biden administration is spying on us. We have confirmed that." pic.twitter.com/LY2vmDLFTK  Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) June 29, 2021

The NSA headquarters are pictured in Fort Meade, Maryland. Carlson has claimed that the NSA is spying on him, and described it as 'incompatible with democracy'

On his show Monday night, Carlson said he knew the whistleblower's information was correct because they had insider knowledge, that could only have come from accessing his communications.

'The whistle-blower who is in a position to know repeated back to us information about a story that we are working on that could have only come directly from my texts and emails,' Carlson said.

'There's no other possible source of that information. None.'

The 52-year-old presenter - one of Fox's biggest stars - has for several weeks been claiming that the FBI infiltrated and actively orchestrated the January 6 riots.

His claims have been denied by the FBI, but Carlson insisted that the government was infiltrating all aspects of life.

'This morning, we filed an employer request asking for all information that the NSA and other agencies have gathered about the show,' Carlson said Monday. 'We did it mostly as a formality and contact of the press office of both NSA and the FBI you don't expect to hear much back, that's the way that usually goes.

'Only Congress can force transparency on the intelligence agencies and they should do that immediately.'

Carlson said that his team have filed a FOIA request to try and find out why the NSA was spying on them

Carlson said that the NSA's behavior was unacceptable.

'Spying on opposition journalists is incompatible with democracy. They are doing it to us and again, they are definitely doing it to us, they are almost certainly doing it to others.

'This is scary and we need to stop it right away,' he concluded.

The Justice Department under former Attorney General Eric Holder in 2015 announced revised guidelines for obtaining records from the news media during criminal leak investigations, removing language that news organizations said was ambiguous and requiring additional levels of review before a journalist could be subpoenaed.

The updated policy was a response to outrage among news organizations over Obama administration tactics seen as overly aggressive and hostile toward newsgathering.

Jeff Sessions, Holders successor appointed by Trump, announced in 2017 a renewed crackdown on leaks of national security information to the media.

The actions of Sessions and his own successor, Bill Barr, are under intense scrutiny for their role in spying on reporters from several media organizations.

This month The New York Times, Washington Post and CNN revealed that they had been informed by the Department of Justice that some of their reporters' records had been seized during former President Donald Trump's tenure.

As president, Trump was vehement about finding out who in government was leaking information to the press.

On June 14 the Justice Department's top national security official announced he was resigning from his position following revelations that the department secretly seized records.

John Demers will leave his position by the end of the month, a Justice Department official told The Associated Press. The New York Times reported the departure was planned months ago but now comes as the agency is facing backlash over the secret seizures.

It comes amid questions about what Demers knew about the Justice Department's efforts to secretly seize the phone data journalists and from House Democrats as part of the Trump-era aggressive investigations into leaks.
A police car has been captured side-swiping another vehicle while making a last-minute turn before speeding off with its lights flashing.

The collision between the Queensland police wagon and the Suzuki Swift in Ipswich on June 29 was filmed on Dashcam.

Footage shows the officers quickly turning their lights on at 4:50pm just seconds before entering the busy Brisbane and East Street intersection.

The police car, in the far right lane, suddenly take as sharp left turn across the face of the silver hatchback which was travelling straight.

Dash cam footage has captured the moment a Police ute cuts off a car (pictured), shattering it's headlight and bending the bonnet

The Suzuki driver had no time to stop before the police car shattered their front right head light before slowing down to assess the damage.

Glass and plastic from the vehicle's front was strewn across the road and the bonnet of the Swift was bent upwards on impact, standing no chance against the large ute.

The police officer continued down the road and pulled up about 150 metres away, as the Swift pulled to the side of the road with its hazard lights on.

While the law states that vehicles must give way to emergency services when sirens are on, the driver of the Suzuki barely had any chance to realise what was happening before the collision took place.

Queensland Police told Daily Mail Australia that a senior officer attended the crash and breath tested both drivers who returned negative results.
Kim Jong un has sacked senior officials over what he called a 'crucial' lapse that had caused a 'great crisis with grave consequences,' in an apparent reference to a Covid-19 outbreak.

The North Korean dictator recalled the country's Politburo and berated high-ranking Communist officials on Tuesday, signalling that the country's Covid defences had been breached.

He lashed them for neglecting their duties and 'creating a great crisis in ensuring the security of the state and safety of the people and entailed grave consequences.'

Kim - whose own health has been speculated about after losing a considerable amount of weight - added that cadres' 'lack of ability and irresponsibility' had hindered important work, accusing them of 'self-protectionism and passiveness'.

There has been speculation Kim's noticeable weight loss - estimated to be up to three stone - is due to him contracting Covid.

The official Korean Central News Agency did not elaborate on what the dictator was referring to and it is not known how many senior officials have been sacked or what has happened to them.

North Korea has so far claimed to have had no coronavirus infections, despite testing thousands of people and sharing a porous border with China - the source of the disease.

Experts say the claim is highly dubious and have warned that any outbreak could easily overwhelm the isolated country's poor health infrastructure.

Kim Jong blasted senior officials at a Politburo crisis meeting over what he called a 'crucial' lapse that had caused a 'great crisis with grave consequences,' in an apparent reference to a Covid-19 outbreak

Kim, who is thought to have lost a considerable amount of weight recently, berates officials at the meeting of the 2nd Political Bureau of the Party Central Committee at the 8th congress of the Workers' Party of Korea at the Party Central Committee Headquarters in Pyongyang

The Communist officials are seen scribbling away in their notepads as they receive a lashing from the dictator

The impoverished country's ramshackle health system and lack of medical supplies would leave it struggling to cope with a major Covid-19 outbreak.

Members of the presidium of the politburo - the highest decision-making body of the ruling Workers' Party - and the politburo were recalled and new ones named at the meeting on Tuesday, KCNA reported, adding that government officials were 'transferred and appointed'.

The KCNA dispatch 'basically means North Korea has confirmed cases', defector-turned-researcher Ahn Chan-il told AFP.

'The fact that the politburo discussed this, and that the KCNA reported about it, signals Pyongyang is probably in need of international aid,' he said.

'Otherwise they would not have done this as it inevitably involves acknowledging the regime's own failure in its anti-epidemic efforts.'

Park Won-gon of Ewha Womans University in Seoul pointed out that the meeting's attendance was unusually large and said the reference to 'grave consequences' meant it was 'possible' that the North had confirmed cases.

Slim Kim: Korean leader Kim Jong Un has faced fresh speculation about his health as he appeared noticeably slimmer. In recent state media images, Kim appeared to have lost a large amount of weight as his face is thinner and the strap on his fancy watch is tighter.

Emaciated: Pyongyang has been looking to shore up loyalty to the authorities, with state television last week showing a resident of the capital expressing concern and saying everyone was 'heartbroken' over the 'emaciated' condition of Kim, who has lost significant weight recently

Pictured: Kim Jong Un's watch strap shown in North Korean state propaganda this week appeared to give away his weight loss, compared with photos from December 2020 and March 2021 show his watch strap was done up looser to accommodate his thicker wrists. Photos earlier this month showed there was more strap showing after the buckle and did not look as tight

'It does look like Pyongyang is going through something serious that's related to Covid-19,' he added.

Ever since the pandemic began, North Korean state media have highlighted anti-coronavirus measures and officials have exhorted citizens to remain vigilant.

At a military parade in October, Kim himself tearfully thanked his people for their efforts and said the North had not seen a single case of the 'evil virus', although analysts have long doubted the assertion.

And Pyongyang's coronavirus defence has come at a high price.

Its self-imposed and strictly enforced blockade has left it more isolated than ever: trade with Beijing - its economic lifeline - slowed to a trickle while all international aid workers have left.

Kim addresses party officials at their Pyongyang HQ on Tuesday

Kim told them that they 'lack of ability and irresponsibility' had hindered important work, accusing them of 'self-protectionism and passiveness'

Kim is surrounded by officials writing down his words during the party meeting

Several UN relief groups confirmed to AFP that the Needs and Priorities document - a key report that summarises the humanitarian situation in the country and forms the basis of UN appeals - will not be published this year.

And this month, Pyongyang admitted it was tackling a food crisis, sounding the alarm in a nation with a moribund agricultural sector that has long struggled to feed itself.

Earlier, Kim warned his people to prepare for the 'worst-ever situation'.

Pyongyang has been looking to shore up loyalty to the authorities, with state television last week showing a resident of the capital expressing concern and saying everyone was 'heartbroken' over the 'emaciated' condition of Kim, who has lost significant weight recently.

Analysts say Pyongyang is using Kim's appearance as a way to glorify him by portraying him as a 'devoted, hardworking' leader as the country struggles to tackle its food crisis and other challenges.

Party officials hold up their hands in a gesture of loyalty to their leader Kim

Film crews are seen at the front of the meeting hall, as Kim made the rare decision to go public with the crisis talks

But others have suggested that his weight loss could be down to a bad bout of coronavirus.

There was rife speculation last year that Kim had died after months when he didn't appear in any pictures or on state TV.

It was later claimed by One America News Network that the tyrant had contracted Covid-19 after receiving surgery from a Chinese doctor.

In recent months, Kim has issued a series of lengthy letters to regime organisations such as the Youth League and the trade union federation exhorting them to pursue 'loyalty and patriotism'.

At the same time, authorities have mounted a campaign against 'criminal' youths tarnished by foreign influences that are 'dangerous poisons' to state ideology, according to KCNA.
Annastacia Palaszczuk wasted no time taking aim at Scott Morrison during her Wednesday morning coronavirus press conference, slamming the prime minister over the slow vaccination roll out and his lack of direction on hotel quarantine.

After confirming Queensland had recorded three new cases of the highly-contagious Delta variant, she turned her attention to Mr Morrison.

Ms Palaszczuk highlighted the changing recommendations around the AstraZeneca jab, the lack of regional quarantine centres and told Queenslanders to ignore the federal government advice and instead listen to her state's chief health officer.

She even resorted to drawing on reports from the BBC in the UK and quoted health advice from the Australian Medical Association and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation to contradict the prime minister.

Ms Palaszczuk's comments quickly sent shockwaves around the country with many questioning the accuracy of her claims amid fears they could jeopardise already low vaccination rates.

Annastacia Palaszczuk wasted no time taking shots at Scott Morrison in her Wednesday morning coronavirus press conference after the state's latest outbreak

Australia's Covid-19 vaccine program has been heavily criticised by citizens and ministers alike after a report found the nation has recorded the slowest rollout of 38 OECD nations

Prime Minister Scott Morrison was blamed for failing to introduce quarantine centres and for the bungled vaccination roll-out

Vaccinations

Ms Palaszczuk rejected the Morrison Government's decision to make the AstraZeneca vaccine available to under-40s despite it previously being designated for people 60 and over.

The Prime Minister unveiled after an emergency national cabinet meeting on Monday night an indemnity scheme for GPs to administer the vaccine to younger Aussies.

'If you wish to get the AstraZeneca vaccine, we would encourage you to... go have a discussion with your GP,' he said Tuesday.

'AstraZeneca is there for people to get vaccinated. There are many points of presence, over 5000 GPs alone where you can get that done.

'If people are concerned, as I'm sure they are, as I am, that I'd be encouraging them to go out and get that vaccination.'

Ms Palaszczuk on Wednesday rejected that premise, saying there had been nothing agreed with the states and urged Queenslanders to follow the earlier advice and only seek the Pfizer vaccine if they are under 60.

'We want Queenslanders to get vaccinated. But there is some clear guidelines that have been put in place by the chief health officer, ATAGI, and the AMA,' she said.

'There has been no national cabinet decision about providing AstraZeneca to the under 40s. Let me say that again - there's been no national cabinet decision about providing AstraZeneca to the under 40s.'

The Queensland Premier confirmed the state recorded three new community transfers of the Delta variant on Wednesday as the Delta variant sweeps through the country

Two women walking in Brisbane during Brisbane's Covid-19 lockdown on Wednesday which is set to end at 6pm Friday

Ms Palaszczuk was criticised on Tuesday for calling for a reduction in the number of Australians returning home from overseas

AstraZeneca and Blood Clots

The recommendation from the federal government remains for people under 60 to get the Pfizer jab, but Monday's announcement left the decision in the hands of citizens to decide if they want the AstraZeneca.

Palaszczuk instead told Queenslanders to ignore that advice and reiterated the link between the AstraZeneca jab and blood clots despite statistics showing only ....

'In Queensland, we always follow the advice of the chief health officer. So, I urge Queenslanders to listen to Dr Young, and follow the advice of our chief health officer,' she said.

The Queensland Premier also referenced a BBC article that suggested alternative vaccines would be offered to people under 40 due to links between the jab and blood clots.

'I also draw people's attention to reports by the BBC in the UK, which says under-40s to be offered alternatives to AstraZeneca vaccine,' she read from a piece of paper.

'It says here most adults under the age of 40 will be given an alternative to the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine due to a link with blood clots.'

This article states immediately following the excerpt she read that 'it's not clear if the vaccine is the cause' of the blood clots.

The BBC story says blood clots 'do appear to happen slightly more often in younger adults' but that the benefits of the vaccine far outweigh risks for everyone else, according to advice from the UK regulator.

According to the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation there is a 3.1 in 100,000 chance of people under 50 getting blood clots from the first AstraZeneca dose.

The mortality rate is about 4 per cent, meaning there is a one in two million chance of dying as a result.

There have been 64 cases of blood clots in Australia.

The ill-fated journey of the 19-year-old woman who sparked Queensland's three-day lockdown

A nurse conducts a Covid test at the Gold Coast on Wednesday during the area's first day of lockdown

A man and his son play on Main Beach at the Gold Coast on Wednesday during south-east Queensland's lockdown

Less than six per cent of Australians are fully vaccinated. Pictured is Australian swimmer Cate Campbell getting the jab in May ahead of the Olympics in Tokyo

Non-Australians Entering The Country

Deputy Premier Steven Miles also launched an extraordinary attack on Mr Morrison, over international border, claiming 20,000 non-Australians arrived in the country last month.

He quoted Australian Bureau of Statistics which showed 71,060 non-Australians entered last month.

'The federal government's own data says thousands of people are allowed to travel here who aren't stranded Aussies,' he said Wednesday.

'We know that more than half are on short-term temporary visas.'

'600 from the UK, 500 Chinese nationals, 300 Indonesians, 250 from the United States, 200 people from the Philippines, 150 from South Africa.'

The ABS data says Australia on the whole had 2,400 UK citizens enter, 1,900 Chinese, 1,400 Indians and 1,100 Americans.

Miles says 3,330 people arrived on temporary visitor visas, with 4360 entering on other temporary visas.

ABS data says 3,300 foreigners arrived on temporary visitor visas and 4,600 on temporary other visas.

'We have no idea how many are vaccinated, we do know that many will have covid-19,' Miles said of the statistics.

He also accused the government of censoring the information and reiterated that 'the borders are not closed.

'They have directed the ABS to stop reporting this data. From next month onwards we won't know how many are in breach of our closed borders,' he said.

'The borders are open for the Prime Minister's corporate mates but not citizens.'

Children ride bikes along Surfers Paradise, Gold Coast on Wednesday during day one of south-east Queensland's three-day lockdown

A vaccination clinic at Slacks Creek, Brisbane on June 29, as south-east Queensland entered a three-day lockdown

Overseas Arrivals

Ms Palaszczuk was criticised on Tuesday for saying the numbers of Australians returning home from overseas should see a 'massive reduction' to deal with the ongoing threat of the Delta variant.

The Queensland Premier on Wednesday said that while she maintains Queensland needs to 'reduce our caps of people coming in', she said vulnerable Australians should get an exemption.

'I absolutely believe that vulnerable Australians - it should be going through the federal government, and very a purpose dedicated facility called Howard Springs to deal with our vulnerable Australians,' she clarified.

'I maintain we need to reduce our caps of people coming in. It's people coming in from overseas or leaving Australia and coming back for a whole range of purposes - it's overseas arrivals bringing this Delta virus into our state.'

Ms Palaszczuk said Tuesday that 'hotel quarantine is just not the answer' and reiterated her point on Wednesday of stopping Aussies from coming home.

'The reason why we're having lockdowns in major cities is because the overseas arrivals are bringing the virus here,' she said.

'The risk is real and we need to contain the virus. We need to protect Australia. We need to protect Queensland.'

Her deputy, Stephen Miles, said overseas arrivals were an 'unacceptable risk' and the Queensland Government would move to 'dramatically cut' them.

'Our international borders are supposed to be closed. But every week, thousands of people are allowed to travel,' he said.

This is despite NSW taking 42,330 returning travellers in May compared to Queensland's 35,080.
An awkward photo of two of AFL's fiercest rivals forced to share a chartered flight while fleeing lockdown has summed up a city divided.

West Coast Eagles and crosstown rivals Fremantle Dockers fled on Tuesday after Perth and the surrounding Peel area was plunged into a four day lockdown late Monday night due to new community coronavirus cases.

All but two of the 18 AFL teams are now based in Victoria as large swathes of the nation battle to control fresh virus outbreaks.

Western Australian based players were given little notice to pack and farewell loved ones before heading the airport, where they spent several hours waiting on buses on the tarmac before boarding a chartered Virgin flight.

But it's the photo of Eagles and Dockers players on the plane showing the difference in body language and minimal communication with each other that has fans talking and gone viral online.

Rival AFL players from Fremantle Dockers (left) and West Coast Eagles (right) were on the same chartered flight to Victoria on Tuesday

The photo shows Dockers players keeping to themselves on one side of the aisle listening to music and checking their phones as Eagles chatted among themselves on the other while preparing for take-off.

'That moment when ' West Coast captioned the photo.

Many Eagles fans were quick to comment of how awkward the photo appeared, reigniting the bitter rivalry between the crosstown rivals.

'Ha, a plane divided by a city, a town , a whole vibe,' one fan commented.

Another added: ' Tough times, West Coast had to ride with the livestock.'

Some die-hard Dockers fans were also unimpressed their team were sharing a plane with their fiercest rivals.

'I would be putting a barrier up,' one commented.

One woman added: 'I cant even bring myself to like this post with all that blue and yellow in it!'

Western Australian based players including Eagles star Nic Naitanui (pictured) fled Perth's four day lockdown

Other fans weighed into on the stark contrast in body language between the Eagles and Dockers, despite being seventh and ninth respectively.

'Notice most Dockers have headphones whilst Eagles talking amongst themselves... maybe Eagles boarded after dockers? Just looks odd,' one added.

The West Coast Eagles are currently priced by Sportsbet at $15 to win their fifth premiership.

The Dockers are yet to win a premiership since joining the AFL in 1995 and are priced at $101, despite being within one win of the top eight.

'So whats it like to win a premiership?,' an Eagles fan quipped.

Another added: 'Let's hope what the Dockers have had for 30 years isn't catching.'

West Coast Eagles players (pictured) chatted amongst themselves on one side of the plane compared to the minimal interaction between Fremantle players on the other

Other eagled-eyed fans were quick to point out that several players from both sides weren't wearing masks correctly.

The Dockers take on Carlton on Saturday night at a venue yet to be confirmed while West Coast play the Sydney Swans in Geelong on Sunday.

The Eagles are hopeful of returning to Perth after Sunday's game and host North Melbourne at Optus Stadium next weekend.

'Unfortunately, we cant be sure what will happen next, or what capacity will be permitted at Optus Stadium  this remains an unknown until the current outbreak is contained and the situation assessed,' Eagles boss Trevor Nisbett said in a statement.
An evil slaver convicted of crimes against humanity has walked free again after claiming their will be no one to care for his three autistic children if he remains in jail.

Kandasamy and Kumuthini Kannan face up to 25 years in jail after being found guilty of using and possessing a slave in Melbourne.

But on Wednesday, only Kumuthini was taken into custody after the pair claimed they still had no-one to look after their three autistic children.

The court heard Kumuthini dominated her 'pathetic' husband Kandasamy (pictured), who enjoyed a walk in the fresh air (pictured) while awaiting sentencing. He now claims he's autistic

Husband and wife Kandasamy and Kumuthini Kannan attend the Supreme Court of Victoria on Wednesday. The evil slavers face 25 years behind bars for keeping an elderly woman captive

Game over: Wicked slaver Kumuthini Kannan attends the Supreme Court of Victoria in what could be her last day of freedom for some time

Justice John Champion on releasing the slaver on bail 'I gotta say it's unbelievable that we get to this point, which surrounding a date that was well known from the point of which the jurors brought down verdicts in this matter. 'We get to this point is just stunning to me. That these children - there is no plan in place to care for these three children in the event that your clients go into custody. 'It's not for this court to be bringing people to court to explain all of this, it's just, I can't express my displeasure strongly enough that this situation hasn't been remedied before today. 'I am extremely angry that the situation has developed ... the court expresses its utter displeasure that we're in this situation once again.' Justice Champion said he would release Kandasamy has his barrister had argued earlier he ought not be jailed at all. 'The same circumstances do not apply to (Kumuthini) so her bail will be revoked,' he said. Advertisement

The wicked couple had used the same argument to obtain bail in April after being found guilty of slavery.

Furious Supreme Court of Victoria Justice John Champion told guards to lock the female slaver up, but release her husband until their sentencing on July 21.

Kumuthini had been painted as the evil ringleader of the slaving efforts, who had dominated her pathetic husband.

On Wednesday, Kandasamy's barrister John Kelly SC told the Supreme Court of Victoria his remorseless client not only did not accept the jury verdict, but he planned to contest it on appeal.

'He doesn't accept the jury's verdict. No he doesn't. And we will receive instructions no doubt in due course to explore the Court of Appeal the soundness or otherwise of those two verdicts,' Mr Kelly told the judge.

In a day of drama, Mr Kelly further claimed his 57-year old client had been diagnosed with mild autism in the months since the jury returned its verdict in April.

The condition, he argued, would make the slaver's life in jail tougher, which he submitted ought earn him a lighter sentence.

The slaver had also developed a 'major depressive illness' that doctors' claimed was brought on by the verdict itself.

'The autism, albeit mild, has been of long standing in his case although undiagnosed,' Mr Kelly said. 'And it is something in and of itself that renders him vulnerable in jail.'

In a series of gut-churning submissions, Mr Kelly described his client as a man of good character.

'They are not heartless people. Mr Kannan is not a heartless person,' he told Justice Champion.

Mr Kelly, whose phone went off midway through his submissions, claimed his client's case was 'unique' and he should receive a softer sentence due to his 'exceptional circumstances'.

'The appropriate penalty ultimately for Mr Kannan is one of imprisonment - albeit release on a recognisance release order for a period of up to five years,' he said.

Such an order effectively amounts to a prison term served out entirely in the community.

Husband and wife Kandasamy and Kumuthini Kannan are pursued by a cameraman outside the Supreme Court of Victoria on Wednesday

Kandasamy Kannan continued to roam the community free as a bird despite being found guilty of holding a woman as a slave for eight years

Kumuthini Kannan had been allowed to roam free as a bird after convincing the judge she had no-one to look after her children. She attends court on Wednesday

The court heard the couple again use their autistic children as a vehicle to justify their freedom.

The pair had remained free in the community since their guilty verdicts after convincing the court they needed to get home to their teenage kids.

In April, the court heard the Kannans had been so confident they would walk free they had not even discussed how their children might be cared for should they be immediately taken into custody.

So bold, they had not told the children they had been attending court for the past three months.

The couple brought in forensic psychologist Dr Jeffrey Cummins in support of their bail application, who told Justice Champion the Kannan children needed their parents despite one being aged 18 and the twins aged 16.

On Wednesday, Kandasamy's barrister continued to use their condition to justify the release of his client.

'Imprisonment will result in children being left to fend for themselves as best they can without parental supervision or support,' Mr Kelly said.

'The fact here is that exceptional circumstances are conceded (by prosecutors) in relation to the two younger children.'

Mr Kelly said while he was not suggesting they would be left without support, the removal of their parents would have a devastating impact on them.

'It is only in rare, exceptional cases where the court can take into account the impact of a sentence on a third party, but this is such a case and it's one of a number of reasons that marks this case as unusual or unique,' he said.

Kumuthini Kannan had allowed her slave to starve to the point of near death before calling her an ambulance

Kumuthini Kannan was found guilty of being a slave driver. She would slash her servant with a knife if she was not satisfied with her work, a jury heard

Police believed Kumuthini Kannan (pictured) had held her captive like 'Harry Potter'

The Case Against The Kannan Slavers Kandasamy and Kumuthini Kannan had kept the Indian woman as a slave before she was discovered with no teeth and emaciated with sepsis. They had claimed she was treated 'like a king'. The couple were both charged with intentionally possessing a slave and intentionally exercising the right of ownership over a slave between 2007 and 2015. The pair claimed they had been framed and became embroiled in an elaborate extortion attempt. The Supreme Court of Victoria heard the couple had been heard by police discussing the allegations over phone taps. 'It seems the suggestion is a letter would be produced which would suggest an extortion attempt had been made to extort 10 laks, the equivalent of $18,000 or $19,000 in order to drop the allegations,' Prosecutor Richard Maidment told jurors. The court heard their victim had no teeth when found by police in 2015. When asked why by police, her keeper claimed she had pulled them out herself and ate only mash. The woman had been enslaved after two previous visits with the family. The slave was found after she became sick and Kumuthini called her an ambulance. Paramedics found her shivering in a pool of urine in the bathroom. Advertisement

During their trial, which went for more than a month earlier this year, Kumunthini had been painted as the evil slave keeper, who dominated over her pathetic husband and their slave.

The arrogant female slaver had smiled broadly just minutes before learning her fate upon verdict in April, still supremely confident the jury had swallowed her lies.

The jury of 12 delivered its verdict after deliberating for just over a day.

Kumunthini's slave had told police she had beaten her with a frozen chicken, tossed boiling water on her legs, splashed hot tea in her face and poured curries over her head.

But Justice Champion heard he could not take any of that into account when sentencing the couple.

Kumunthini's barrister, Dr Gideon Boas, submitted on Tuesday his client was not convicted of torturing the woman and that no jury would ever find 'beyond reasonable doubt' that any such torture had ever occurred.

Dr Boas, who was scathing of the slave's evidence throughout the trial, again referred to her evidence as 'manifestly flawed'.

A remorseless Kumunthini had burst into tears upon hearing the guilty verdicts in April.

She held her head in her hands and slumped her head into her husband's shoulders as he too was found guilty.

Kumunthini had been a beacon of arrogance throughout the epic trial, often smiling while her elderly victim gave harrowing evidence.

On Tuesday, Crown prosecutor Richard Maidment QC told the court the Kannans had neglected their slave severely in her last three months of captivity.

The elderly woman was found by paramedics in 2015 in a pool of her own urine and weighing just 40kg.

'In effect, she was starving to death,' Justice Champion said. 'She was in appalling condition.'

Traumatised and with serious medical conditions, the woman spent more than two months in hospital recovering - and for much of that time nobody knew her real identity.

The wicked slavers face their fate in Melbourne on Wednesday

Kumuthini Kannan and her husband Kandasamy will leave their children in the care of others after being found guilty of slavery

Evil Woman: Kumuthini Kannan heads into court in what are expected to be her final moments of freedom for some time

'She was in a bad way when she was found, we accept that,' Dr Boas said.

But he submitted her condition 'fell short' of becoming an aggravating factor that might earn his client a harsher sentence.

The court heard the couple had decided to keep the woman captive after she overstayed her holiday visa.

'They were in a sense all trapped unless they were all prepared to fess-up,' Mr Maidment said.

Yet four weeks later, the couple packed their bags and left the woman caged inside the family home while they enjoyed a family trip back to India.

In closing the Crown case in April, Mr Maidment said the couple's payments to the woman had amounted to just $3.39 a day in exchange for childcare, washing, cleaning and preparing meals.

The court heard the woman had been effectively stranded in her captive home, unable to even use a bus or call for help from her family back in India.
One major employer is now going to allow its 10,000 staff to decide where and when they want to work as bosses across Australia struggle to recruit the best talent.

Professional services giant Deloitte's chief human resources officer Tina McCreery said traditional nine to five working hours could soon be a thing of the past.

'Flexible working is critical to increasing engagement and productivity, supporting work-life balance and employee wellbeing, and recruiting top talent,' she said.

'The choice of what it means to "be at work" will rest with employees so they can be at their best and work in a way that suits their client, their team and their individual circumstances.'

One major employer is now going to allow its 10,000 staff to decide where and when they want to work as bosses across Australia struggle to recruit the best talent

Under the firm's DeloitteFlex policy, its 10,000 employees in Australia will have 12 flexible working options including leave for cultural holidays, caring for a loved one and volunteering.

Adam Powick, Deloitte's chief executive, said virtual meetings negated the need for staff to come into the office everyday.

'There is no one size fits all working week any more and no requirement to be "in the office" for any set amount of time,' he said.

'While some clients need face-to-face connection, others have pivoted strongly to more virtual ways of working.'

Employment flexibility isn't being universally embraced with billionaire apartment tower magnate Harry Triguboff last month sparking outrage when he described as 'parasites' bosses who allowed their staff to work from home.

But Mr Powick said staff were at their best when they had more choices about work.

'Our culture is centred on meaningful connections and relationships, but we also recognise that people are more productive when they have flexibility and they are able to appropriately balance virtual and in-person work.'

Employers are increasingly having trouble recruiting staff with a new Bankwest Curtin Economics Curtin report showing there are now just 2.9 people are average were applying for every advertised job.

Professional services giant Deloitte's chief human resources officer Tina McCreery said traditional nine to five working hours could soon be a thing of the past

Before the pandemic in February in 2020, ahead of the first Covid lockdowns, there were 4.4 unemployed people for every vacancy.

The number of people vying for every job is now well below the long-term average of 3.8 with unemployment last month falling to 5.1 per cent, a level lower than before the pandemic, with a record 13.1million people now in work.

'This tightening of the labour market has led to skills shortages being one of the hottest topics of conversations around the coffee table, as businesses continue to voice challenges finding workers,' the report said.

Treasury is expecting the jobless rate to fall to 4.5 per cent by 2023, a level unseen since November 2008, during the Global Financial Crisis.

The closure of Australia to foreigners until at least mid-2022 also means employers don't have the choice of skilled migrants they had before the pandemic.
Australia's most vulnerable and desperate are being directed to a homeless man for help despite more than $36 million in taxpayer money allocated to getting people off the streets.

Lanz Priestly, 76, has been named as a vital contact on two government websites set up to help those without food or shelter.

Mr Priestly, who was declared the 'Mayor of Martin Place' after becoming the face of a 'tent city' in Sydney's CBD in 2018, only found out about the listing after being inundated with desperate phone calls for help.

'I found out about it from the people that started ringing me saying I was referred to you by this website.' Mr Priestly said.

Mr Priestly's grassroots organisation's Blanket Patrol and Street Kitchen, which rely on volunteers, have been listed on the Australian Government's 'Recovery Service Connect' along with the 'Ask Izzy' website directing people to services.

Homeless man Lanz Priestly (pictured) has been listed as a direct contact for the homeless on two government websites, despite receiving no taxpayer funding

Mr Priestly (pictured right) relies on grassroots help and volunteers to help those who are hungry and live on the streets

'I haven't given the details to anybody so I haven't given permission for anyone to list us on any of their websites,' he told Daily Mail Australia.

Mr Priestly said he was shocked to discover he had become the government's 'go-to' person for homeless people despite not receiving any funding from the millions allocated to the sector.

'I'm glad that people that need help can get help, on the one hand,' he said.

'On the other hand, I'm wondering why the hell they cant get help off the government that collects taxes on the basis that when you're up, you pay taxes so that when you're down, the government will support you.

'The numerous NGO's that purport to provide services and collect not only tax-deductible donations, but also receive government funding to provide the services that people are asking us for; these organisations that still purport to be providing the services - where the hell are they?'

The 'Blanket Patrol' and 'Street Kitchen' rely solely on community contributions and volunteers (pictured) to help the homeless Australia-wide

The NSW State Government announced in June, 2020 that $36 million would be spent getting rough sleepers into permanent homes in what was described as the biggest investment to tackle street homelessness in the state's history.

Mr Priestly said he wondered where the money had gone with both front-line government websites in question filled with outdated resources and referral services that lead to a dead end.

With no real support provided, he described many recommended referral services included as a 'piss-take'.

'One of the hidden dangers is you've got this merry-go-round where you go from one service to the next to the next and pretty soon it starts effecting peoples mental health,' he said.

The listing of the Blanket Patrol (pictured) on the Services Australia 'Recovery Connect' website directing those in need to the unsupported organisation

A listing on the Government's 'Ask Izzy' website (pictured) has seen homeless man Lanz Priestly inundated with calls for help for desperate members of the community

Mr Priestly said if organisations assisting the homeless aren't prepared to be 'first responders' then they should 'get the hell out of the ring'.

'With homelessness, I've looked aghast for the last couple of decades and said well, for as long as they deal with homelessness after people become homeless they will never solve homelessness,' he said.

'And then I realised there's an industry out there and a whole lot of bureaucrats that depend on homelessness existing and continuing to exist in the case of the NGO's for their growth, and in the case of the bureaucrats, for their jobs'.

Daily Mail Australia has contacted the Federal Government for comment.

The Blanket Patrol is not government funded and works to deliver blankets to those in need living on the streets

Mr Priestly was a successful corporate project manager working for a major Sydney cosmetics brand but now spends much of his time living on the street.

The father-of-12 began helping the homeless in 1964 with his brother in the park near their workplace, offering them food, blankets and helping them to find housing.

Mr Priestly began living on the streets in 1991 to understand the situation homeless people find themselves in.

'I want to know what's working from the point of view of the guys on the streets - because they've had absolutely no say in the programs that are run to help them,' he said.

In 2017 he and about 38 people had been sleeping safely on mattresses under the awning of the old Westpac building in Martin Place, in Sydney in a makeshift tent city before they were moved on.

Mr Priestly also has had his fair share of run ins with law while living on the street which have lead to a string of conviction for petty crimes and assaults.

To volunteer or contribute to Blanket Patrol or Street Kitchen, you can go to their dedicated Facebook page.
Alice Springs will go into a 72-hour lockdown after a mine worker infected with Covid-19 visited the airport.

Chief minister Michael Gunner said residents of the town would have to stay at home from 1pm on Wednesday after it was discovered the worker, aged in his 30s, spent time at the Alice Springs airport on Friday June 25 from 9am to 3.50pm.

Mr Gunner said the Tanami mine worker got a test on Saturday after he flew home to Adelaide which returned a negative result.

He was tested again on Tuesday and returned a positive result while his wife and three of their four children have also tested positive and are in isolation at a dedicated quarantine facility in South Australia.

Alice Springs will go into a 72-hour lockdown after an infected mine worker visited the airport (pictured people exercise during lockdown in Darwin)

ALICE SPRINGS LOCKDOWN Alice Springs will go into a 72-hour lockdown from 1pm on Wednesday Residents can leave their home for four reasons which include for essential shopping, work, medical reasons or to give care, and for exercise for one hour a day within 5km of your home Residents can exercise with one other person or their household contacts Lockdown came after no new infections were recorded Mine worker believed to be infectious sparked lockdown after visiting Alice Springs airport on June 25 Masks will be mandatory outside people's homes Advertisement

Mr Gunner said while it was 'unlikely' he was infectious during the time he was at the airport, the state would be treating the situation as if he was.

'We will operate on the assumption that he was infectious while in the Territory,' he said.

Alice Springs residents will be able to leave their homes for four reasons including medical treatment or to provide care, to buy essential goods, essential work and to exercise for one hour a day with one other person or the people they live with.

Exercise will be restricted to be within 5km of a person's home.

Masks will also be mandatory outside people's homes.

The announcement comes despite no new cases being recorded in the Northern Territory on Wednesday.

Mr Gunner said the lockdown applies to everyone living inside the town and council boundaries.

'We know that there are specific communities around Alice that rely on the town for groceries and medicine,' he said.

'We are now going to go through the process of declaring those areas as lockdown areas. This is so you are able to travel in and out of Alice for essentials. Do not panic. You will get your food. You will get your medicine.

'But if you usually live outside of Alice Springs, like in a community but you are visiting in Alice right now, stay in Alice. Stay there, do not go home right now.'

Chief minister Michael Gunner said residents of the town would have to stay at home from 1pm on Wednesday after it was discovered the worker spent time at the Alice Springs airport on Friday June 25 from 9am to 3.50pm

Alice Springs residents will be able to leave their homes for four reasons including medical treatment or to provide care, to buy essential goods, essential work and to exercise for one hour a day with one other person or the people they live with

The chief minister said those in the entire state needed to be cautious as they were still 'under threat' from the virus.

'To everyone in Alice Springs, I know this is really challenging. The reason we are doing this lockdown is the size of the exposure window and vulnerability of the local population. I will take no risk with that,' he said.

'To all Territorians. I woke up this morning hoping this was a day for good news and there is some good news, there is zero cases today but we are still in a dangerous period. The Territory is still under threat.'

Northern Territory Chief Health Officer Dr Hugh Heggie confirmed it was the Delta strain of the virus.

The family only came into contact with one other person since the miner returned to Adelaide on Saturday, which South Australia Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier said means her state does not need to go in to lockdown.

Meanwhile in SA, restrictions have been extended across the state including mask wearing and people being encouraged to work from home.

Residential gatherings have been restricted to 10 people, there are still rules against standing while drinking at licensed venues, and no dancing is allowed.

At this stage, there will still be a limited crowd of people at Adelaide Oval for the Crows vs Lions game on Saturday.
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In under seven weeks, four tourists were caught in the crossfire of two shootings in the heart of Times Square  and police blamed both incidents on sidewalk CD peddlers.

But on Tuesday, several of the unlicensed vendors returned to the scene of the crimes, armed with stacks of discs as they defended themselves against a new wave of controversy.

The group, all young men claiming, dubiously, to be rap artists selling their own music, insisted they and all the other CD hawkers who hustle in the area had nothing to do with the shootings.

'We are all CD guys and we have no idea who did that,' a Bahamian immigrant living in Queens, identifying himself as Swaggy Jeff, told DailyMail.com. 'The city needs to stop pinging every crime on CD guys. We're not bad guys. We're artists and we all have our own music. We have families to feed just like everybody else.'

He was selling an album titled 'Cash McDuck' for $5, but had no takers, and didn't press too hard as two NYPD cops stood next to him at the corner of 45th Street and 7th Avenue  just feet from the recent shootings that police say started with arguments between gun-packing CD vendors.

Illegal CD peddlers returned to Times Square on Monday after being blamed for two separate shootings in the span of just seven weeks

DailyMail.com spoke to a group of CD vendors - all young men claiming, dubiously, to be rap artists selling their own music - who insisted they and all the other CD hawkers who hustle in the area had nothing to do with the shootings

'We are all CD guys and we have no idea who did that,' a Bahamian immigrant living in Queens, identifying himself as Swaggy Jeff, told DailyMail.com. 'The city needs to stop pinging every crime on CD guys. We're not bad guys'

The group that was selling CDs on Tuesday afternoon told DailyMail.com they're all getting a bad rap for the recent crimes, but said they don't know the alleged perpetrators and doubt it had anything to do with CD sales

Marine Samuel Poulin (left), who was visiting from Northville in upstate New York to attend a baptism, was struck in the back by the stray bullet allegedly fired by a CD vendor on Sunday

A reward flyer for information about the gunman in Sunday's shooting is seen in Times Square

Sunday's shooting occurred shortly after 5pm under the Marriott Marquis sign, when police say a vendor fired into the air. U.S. Marine Samuel Poulin, who was visiting from Northville in upstate New York to attend a baptism, was struck in the back by the stray bullet, which caused pedestrians to scramble for their lives in the heart of Times Square.

It was just last month, also in broad daylight, that another vendor opened fire, hitting three innocent bystanders, including a four-year-old girl who was struck in the leg, a 24-year-old woman hit in her thigh and a 44-year-old woman shot in the foot, police said.

Farrakhan Muhammad, 31, is pictured at his Supreme Court arraignment for shooting two people in Times Square when aiming to shoot his brother on May 8

The gunman charged with the May 8 shooting, 31-year-old Farrakhan Muhammad, was apprehended days later in Florida after fleeing the city, while the suspect in Sunday's shooting remains at large.

The shootings come as the city is welcoming tourists back to one of its most famous landmarks, after the pandemic shut down Broadway and the normally thriving area into a haven for pot smoking, vagrants and street hustlers.

'It's like a war zone with all the gun violence these days,' said Jovan Williams, 43, a photographer snapping photos of tourists for money. 'It's a shame because Times Square is supposed to be the safest place in New York to be, with all the surveillance cameras, lights and police. And it's happening just as the city is starting to fill back up.'

Mayor Bill de Blasio responded to the most recent shooting by 'flooding the zone' with cops, who were present with guns in their waistbands on virtually every street corner.

Surveillance footage shows the moment a man opened fire in Times Square on Sunday night

The New York Police Department is asking for the public's help in identifying this man, caught on surveillance footage shooting at someone and fleeing from the scene

Mayor Bill de Blasio responded to the most recent shooting by 'flooding the zone' with cops, who were present with guns in their waistbands on virtually every street corner

NYPD officers stand guard outside a store in Times Square on Monday

The shootings come as the city is welcoming tourists back to one of its most famous landmarks, after the pandemic shut down Broadway and the normally thriving area into a haven for pot smoking, vagrants and street hustlers

At least for the short term, it made tourists feel safe.

'We hear there was a shooting here, but I see cops everywhere, so I feel pretty safe,' said Scott, 42, a tourist from Northern California visiting Times Square with his wife and three children on Tuesday night. 'I wonder how long the city could keep this up.'

His wife Jennifer wasn't aware of the shootings and said with a nervous smile that, 'I came here because I didn't know that happened.'

One of the cops stationed in Times Square told DailyMail.com that it's embarrassing to see violence erupt in the heart of Manhattan.

'Times Square is the most protected area in the city,' the officer said. 'For shootings to happen back-to-back, it looks horrible. It's embarrassing.'

He said rising gun violence is at least partly attributable to the fact criminals feel safe walking around with guns. They're no longer worried they're going to be searched because cops aren't enforcing the sorts of low-level crimes that could lead to the discovery of concealed weapons, he said. That includes aggressive panhandling.

'The city used to have a unit that handled illegal vendors, but they did away with that,' the officer said, referring to Mayor Bill de Blasio's announcement last year that the NYPD would no longer enforce street-vendor regulations.

'They're not pushing for quality-of-life offenses because they don't want confrontations that can lead to force. When you use force, it doesn't look pretty on tape.'

'The laws have changed so much that people now feel comfortable carrying firearms,' he continued. 'If it's not a violent crime, they're going to be let go.'

Ed Mullins, president of the Sergeants Benevolent Association, mocked the mayor's decision to beef up policing in Times Square, calling it nothing more than a temporary fix.

'After May's shooting, the mayor said he was beefing up patrols in Times Square,' Mullins told DailyMail.com. 'Apparently, he didn't, and we now had another shooting in Times Square. The flooding of cops to any particular area is nothing more than gift wrapping to hide the fact of what's really occurring. Nobody talks about why this is happening. You have to address the real problems, enforce the laws, have District Attorneys prosecute them, and have bail that actually works.'

The group that was selling CDs on Tuesday afternoon told DailyMail.com they're all getting a bad rap for the recent crimes, but said they don't know the alleged perpetrators and doubt it had anything to do with CD sales.

'I don't see why you out attacking the CD guys,' one of the men argued. 'Since the pandemic, it's been slow. If we make $50 a day, we'd be happy. That's why we're so upset. The police want to pin this on us and annihilate our money.'

Pictured: NYPD Officer Davis tells the vendors to leave Times Square on Monday

Police sources say some of the vendors who present themselves as rappers are frauds, selling blank or garbled CDs, some containing malware

Some other legal vendors in the area say the CD guys deserves the added scrutiny

Guardian Angel supervisor Arnaldo Salinas, 59, stands guard over Times Square on Monday

But police sources say some of the vendors who present themselves as rappers are frauds, selling blank or garbled CDs, some containing malware.

And some other legal vendors in the area say the CD guys deserves the added scrutiny.

'The CD people are fighting with each other, fighting for money,' said Patrick Marlenga, 46, selling I love New York t-shirts and stuffed toys at a stand in Times Square. 'They're aggressive and they're forceful. There is no friendship with the other vendors.'

Marlenga was working nearby when both of the recent shootings occurred.

'I heard the shot then saw people running away,' he said of Sunday's incident. 'I'm scared. It's not safe here. In eight years here, I never see anything like this happening. You never know what's going to happen next.'

Crime rates in every category are up from last year.

As of June 27, 826 people had been shot for the year, up 36.3 percent over the same period last year. There have been 718 shooting incidents, up 42.7 percent.

On Monday, the mayor said he was increasing police presence in the area.

'Now, we've seen patterns in Times Square that we are going to address very, very aggressively,' he said in a news conference, introducing his new Times Square Safety Plan.

The plan includes the deployment of 50 more officers to the area 'to make sure that anyone who goes to Times Square knows they're safe.'

The plan, which went into effect immediately after Sunday's shooting, includes the deployment of 'dozens' more police officers, some of whom will be plainclothes, to engage with street vendors.

They would ensure the vendors are not engaging in 'aggressive panhandling,' NYPD Chief Rodney Harrison said, and would make sure they are not threatening pedestrians.

It would be in addition to the officers the NYPD previously deployed to the area last month, de Blasio said.

'We are going to flood the area with additional police officers,' De Blasio said, adding later: 'There's no question in my mind this is going to work.'
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A historic heat wave continues to cripple the Pacific Northwest where more than 230 people have died in four days in Canada and 220,000 people face blackouts in Oregon and Washington as temperatures surpass a record 121 degrees.

The National Weather Service said that although the extreme heat wave in the Northwest has peaked, dangerous temperatures are likely to remain through the end of the week.

Excessive heat warnings remain in place for 12 million people in areas of Oregon, Washington, the Northern Great Basin and Northern Idaho, as well as portions of northwest Nevada and northern California.

Officials say a dozen deaths in Washington and Oregon may be tied to the intense heat that began late last week.

The historically scorching temperatures are the result of a high-pressure jet stream known as a 'heat dome,' which is essentially trapping the hot weather in place.

Meanwhile the eastern coast is also dealing with high temperatures, reaching the mid-to-upper 90s throughout the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Record temperatures have been recorded in New England.

Firefighters in Northern California are also working to battle a lightening-caused 'Lava Fire' - the smoke from which could help lower the heat in the region, experts said.

President Joe Biden is due to host a virtual meeting with governors from western states to discuss the threat of wildfires spurred on by the heat wave.

Federal officials say the fire season is already outpacing last year's - the worst on record in California.

On Tuesday, the cities of Portland and Bend, Oregon, banned all fireworks for the July 4 holiday, citing fire danger following the hot, dry weather.

The temperature in Lytton, which is about 155 miles east of Vancouver, reached 121 on Tuesday, according to the Canada's weather service

The wild temperatures are stretching from the US west coast up to Canada where records have now been broken for three days in a row

The sweltering temperatures are being caused by a heat dome of static high-pressure hot air which traps the heat in one location

Canada has been particularly badly hit by the unprecedented hot weather.

The country set a record all-time high temperature Tuesday in the town of Lytton, British Columbia, for the third day in a row, its weather service said, with temperatures rocketing to 121F (49.5C) in Lytton, BC.

Canadian officials have called the heat wave an 'unprecedented time' and it has been suspected that the extreme heat has contributed to the staggering number of deaths in British Columbia since Friday.

Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe said the coroner's service typically gets around 130 death reports over a four-day period but there were at least 233 deaths reported from Friday through Monday. There have also been 65 deaths alone in Vancouver since Friday that have been directly linked to the weather.

On Monday, temperatures in Lytton, British Columbia reached 117.5 degrees marking the hottest temperature ever recorded in Canada. That temperature was around 48 degrees above what's normal for Canada in late June.

The temperature in Lytton, which is about 155 miles east of Vancouver, reached 121 on Tuesday, according to the country's weather service, Environment Canada.

MAPLE RIDGE, BRITISH COLUMBIA: Beachgoers sit in the water at Alouette Lake to cool off during the scorching weather of a heatwave on Monday

CHESTERMERE, ALBERTA: People try to beat the heat at a beach on Tuesday

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON: Isis Macadaeg, 7, plays in a spray park at Jefferson Park during a heat wave on Sunday

NEW YORK: A woman lays in the Sheep Meadow in Central Park in New York on Tuesday as New Yorkers brace for heat and humidity

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON: Firefighter Sean Condon, left, and Lt. Gabe Mills check on the welfare of a man in Mission Park as temperature reach over 100 degrees on Tuesday

MAPLE RIDGE, BRITISH COLUMBIA: People headed to Alouette Lake to cool off during the scorching weather of a heatwave

WEED, CALIFORNIA: Flames from the Lava Fire burn along a ridge near U.S. Highway 97 and Big Springs Road north of Weed on Monday

According to CNN, temperature readings in downtown Vancouver were 98.6 degrees on Saturday, 99.5 on Sunday and 101.5 on Monday.

'Vancouver has never experienced heat like this, and sadly dozens of people are dying because of it,' police sergeant Steve Addison said.

Other local municipalities in Canada have said they too have responded to many sudden death calls, but have yet to release tolls.

Meanwhile in Washington, the King County Medical Examiner's office said two people died due to hyperthermia, meaning their bodies had became dangerously overheated.

The Seattle Times reported they were a 65-year-old Seattle woman and a 68-year-old woman from Enumclaw, Washington.

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND: People play on the beach and in the Chesapeake Bay as they try to escape the heat at Sandy Point State Park on Tuesday

CHESTERMERE, ALBERTA: People are seen trying to beat the heat with umbrellas and tents

RATHDRUM, IDAHO: 'We just needed to take a break,' says Robert Peluso of Blanchard, as he and his dog Bailey cool off in the creek at Rathdrum's City Park on Tuesday

And the Snohomish County Medical Examiner's Office on Tuesday told the Daily Herald in Everett, Washington, that three men - ages 51, 75 and 77 - died after experiencing heat stroke in their homes. They were from Everett, Granite Falls and Marysville in Washington.

The heat may have also claimed the life of a worker on a nursery in Oregon, the state's worker safety agency, known as Oregon OSHA, said on Tuesday.

The man who died was from Guatemala and had apparently arrived in the United States only a few months ago, said Andres Pablo Lucas, owner of Brother Farm Labor Contractor that provided workers for the nursery, including the man who died.

The man, whose name was not disclosed, died at Ernst Nursery and Farms, a wholesale supplier in St. Paul, 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Salem, on Saturday amid sweltering temperatures. An Oregon OSHA database listed the death as heat-related.

'The employee was working on a crew moving irrigation lines. At the end of the shift he was found unresponsive in the field,' said agency spokesman Aaron Corvin.

SALEM, OREGON: People shared screenshots of their weather apps to show just how hot their home city was

NEW YORK: People cool off in a public swimming pool on Tuesday in the Astoria neighborhood of New York City. The Big Apple is under a heat advisory with temperatures in the nineties but with humidity making it feel much hotter

PORTLAND, OREGON: People flocked to the Oregon Convention Center's makeshift cooling station in Portland when the temperature reached 117F

PORTLAND, OREGON: A woman writes on a notebook as people rest at the Oregon Convention Center cooling station in Oregon, Portland on Monday

PORTLAND, OREGON: A woman brought her dog to the Oregon Convention Center's cooling station as temperatures hit 115F

PORTLAND, OREGON: Friends and their pets stayed cool at the Oregon Convention Center, with Portland breaking temperature records for the third day in a row on Monday

Speaking in Spanish, Pablo Lucas said when workers gathered together shortly after noon on Saturday, they noticed one of them was missing. They began searching and found his body. Pablo Lucas said he didnt remember the mans name.

Pablo Lucas said the laborers often have the option to start working near sunrise when it is cooler and can stop around midday, but some want to stay regardless of the heat.

'The people want to work, to fight to succeed,' he said. 'For that reason, they stay.'

About 9,300 Avista Utilities customers in Spokane lost power on Monday and the company said more planned blackouts began on Tuesday afternoon in the city of about 220,000 people.

'We try to limit outages to one hour per customer,' said Heather Rosentrater, an Avista vice president for energy delivery.

She said about 2,400 customers were without power as of shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday, mostly on the north side of the city, and those customers had been alerted about the planned outage. About 21,000 customers were warned Tuesday morning that they might experience an outage, she said.

Avista had to implement deliberate blackouts on Monday because 'the electric system experienced a new peak demand, and the strain of the high temperatures impacted the system in a way that required us to proactively turn off power for some customers,' said company president and chief executive Dennis Vermillion.

'This happened faster than anticipated.'

Rosentrater said the outages were a distribution problem, and did not stem from a lack of electricity in the system.

Meanwhile states on the east coast are also sweltering in high temperatures, with excessive heat warnings issued for central and northern New Jersey, northern Delaware, and southeast Pennsylvania.

Highs of 97 degrees were have been forecast for Wednesday in New York, but a cold front and thunderstorms are expected to see temperatures fall by Thursday.

CHICAGO: Kids play on a water fountain in downtown as they try to escape the heat on Tuesday

WASHINGTON D.C.: Young girls splash through a waterfall at a park on Tuesday as a heatwave moves over much of the United States

WASHINGTON D.C.: People cool off in the fountains at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall on Tuesday. Temperatures in D.C. will climb into the mid 90s on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the heat index near 100

WASHINGTON D.C.: People put their feet in the fountains at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall on Tuesday

WASHINGTON D.C.: Boy Scouts cool off in the shade on the National Mall on Tuesday

BOSTON: Young people splash in water as they cool off in the Boston Common Frog Pond on Tuesday. New England is dealing with hot weather conditions Tuesday as temperatures climbed into the 90s

NEW BEDFORD, MASACHUSSETTS: Elijah Garcia, 7, takes shelter from the sweltering heat, by playing at the sprinkler station at Ben Rose Park on Tuesday

According to CBS News, the 'heat dome' phenomenon affecting the Northwest is such a rare occurrence that it may only happen once in 1,000 years. And it comes less than two weeks after another historic heat wave wreaked havoc on the U.S. Intermountain West, Desert Southwest and California with hundreds of record highs.

'It's a desert heat  very dry and hot,' David Phillips, a senior climatologist for Environment Canada, told AFP. The 'heat dome' poses lethal health concerns, Phillips said, adding that the last major heat wave in Canada left nearly 70 people dead in 2018.

'And it's not just a one-day wonder. It's a seven-day kind of thing,' he said. 'We are the second coldest country in the world and the snowiest. We often see cold snaps and blizzards but not often do we talk about hot weather like this. Dubai would be cooler than what we're seeing now.'

Temperatures will begin to cool across much of the Pacific Northwest from Tuesday, to cooler 80F and 90F weather. That is still well above the 60F-70F temperatures the famously wet and lush region is used to seeing at this time of year.

Environment Canada has issued alerts for British Columbia, Alberta, and parts of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon and the Northwest Territories, saying the 'prolonged, dangerous and historic heat wave will persist through this week.'

The U.S. National Weather Service issued a similar warning, urging people to 'stay in air-conditioned buildings, avoid strenuous outdoor activities, drink plenty of water, and check on family members/neighbors.'

The scorching heat stretching from the Oregon to Canada's Arctic territories has been blamed on a high-pressure ridge trapping warm air in the region.

However, climate change is causing record-setting temperatures to become more frequent. Globally, the decade to 2019 was the hottest recorded, and the five hottest years have all occurred within the last five years.

A study published in the academic journal Science Advances in 2018 found connections between extreme summer weather and a fundamental change in how the jet stream behaves because of human-caused climate change.

'The analysis we have presented here indicates that anthropogenic warming will likely lead to future increases in these events under business-as-usual burning of fossil fuels, keeping in mind our assumption that the historically defined fingerprint remains valid in the future climate,' the study reads.

The National Climate Assessment, a scientific study by 13 U.S. federal agencies, found in a 2018 report that heat waves grew from two to six annually since the 1960s while heat waves have grown 45 days longer, as noted by The New York Times.

Temperatures in the U.S. cities of Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington reached levels not seen since record-keeping began in the 1940s: 115 degrees Fahrenheit in Portland and 108 in Seattle Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Cities across the western United States and Canada opened emergency cooling centers and outreach workers handed out bottles of water and hats.

In Eugene in Oregon, organizers were forced to adjust the final day of the U.S. Olympic track and field trials, moving afternoon events to the evening.

WEED, CALIFORNIA: A bulldozer operator works on a fire line as vegetation burns nearby at the Lava Fire on Monday north of Weed

SISKIYOU COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: Smoke from the Lava Fire billows over Mount Shasta

SISKIYOU COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: Smoke from the Lava Fire billows over Mount Shasta

WEED. CALIFORNIA: With Mount Shasta in the background, a firefighter cools down hot spots on Monday

The extreme heat, combined with intense drought, also created the perfect conditions for fires to break out near the California-Oregon border.

The lightning-caused Lava Fire, burning west of Mount Shasta, had spread over 13,300 acres of 'extremely dry vegetation,' the Washington Post reported. The fire was only 20 percent contained by Tuesday morning.

The blaze came as the nearby weather station, Mount Shasta City, noted record temperatures of 101 degrees on Monday, National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Petrucelli told the outlet.

The fire rapidly grew through Monday afternoon as crews continued to battle the blaze through Tuesday. The fire threatened homes near the town of Weed and forced the evacuation of at least 8,000 residents, The Los Angeles Times reported.

According to the Washington Post, 'smoke from the Lava Fire and cloud cover from monsoonal thunderstorms could help to dampen the heat this week.'

'Effectively, the price for slightly cooler temperatures late next week could come at the cost of deteriorated air quality, or the increased chances for lightning and all the fire concerns that come along with it,' the National Weather Service office in Medford wrote Monday in a forecast discussion.

The inferno was one of 48 large fires in 12 states on Tuesday, the Washington Post noted. There have been a whopping 30,414 fires so far this year marking the most fires by late June since 2011.

The American West continues to face a historic drought running the risk of wildfires burning through exceptionally dry vegetation.

Earlier this year, Lake Oroville, a reservoir formed by the Oroville Dam impounding the Feather River in northern California, was seen with a dry and cracked riverbed - a sobering reminder of the massive drought that ran from 2012 to 2016.
Seven people have been killed and 11 are still missing after a ferry sank in rough seas near Indonesia's resort island of Bali late on Tuesday.

Rescuers on Wednesday have been desperately searching for the 11 people still missing after the KMP Yunice sank about half an hour after leaving East Java's Ketapang port on Tuesday.

At least seven bodies have been recovered and 39 people have been rescued, many of them unconscious after drifting in choppy waters for hours, according to the agency.

Two tug boats and two inflatable boats have been searching for 11 missing people since Tuesday night, battling waves up to 13 feet high in the overnight darkness.

Rescuers (pictured: Indonesian navy personnel_ on Wednesday have been searching for 11 people still missing after KMP Yunice sank after leaving East Java's Ketapang port on Tuesday

The ship was on a 30-mile trip towards the island's Gilimanuk port, according to Bali Search and Rescue Agency chief Gede Darmada. Pictured: A relative embraces a survivor of the sinking ferry KMP Yunice at an evacuation point in Banyuwangi, East Java

Passengers who survived the sunken ferry KMP Yunice pray and perform a ritual as they arrive at Gilimanuk port in Bali after being rescued

Jembrana district police chief, I Ketut Adiwibawa told MetroTV that 6 people were killed in the incident. The survivors were taken to both East Java's Ketapang and Bali's Gilimanuk seaports. pic.twitter.com/aSFkZwRcdE  Nuice Media (@nuicemedia) June 29, 2021

At least seven bodies have been recovered and 39 people have been rescued. Pictured: Survivors weep as they arrive at a port in Banyuwangi, East Java

The ferry had carried 41 passengers, 13 crew members and three canteen waiters on board, the National Search and Rescue Agency said on Wednesday.

The ship was on a 30-mile trip towards the island's Gilimanuk port when it went down at around 7pm local time, according to Bali Search and Rescue Agency chief Gede Darmada.

It had been travelling across a narrow strait from Java Island when it went down near the Gilimanuk port.

'We are still searching for the missing,' said Bali search and rescue chief Gede Darmada.

'Last night, the rescue was hampered by low visibility and high waves.'

It is currently unclear what caused the ferry accident.

It had been travelling across a narrow strait from Java Island when it went down near the Gilimanuk port. Pictured: Officers record the passengers manifest of sinking KMP Yunice ferry

Family and relatives of the passengers on the sunken KMP Yunice arrive at the evacuation center late on Tuesday

The ferry had carried 41 passengers, 13 crew members and three canteen waiters on board. Pictured: Indonesian Navy personnel sail on a rubber boat during a rescue operation for victims of the sinking ferry KMP Yunice

Two tug boats and two inflatable boats have been searching for 11 missing people since Tuesday night. Pictured: Officers prepare to transferred dead victims of sinking KMP Yunice to their relatives in Gilimanuk Port, Jembrana

Rescuers carry the body of a victim of the sinking ferry KMP Yunice on a stretcher into a car in Banyuwangi, East Java early on Wednesday

A relative gives bless to a survivor of sinking KMP Yunice ferry after being evacuated in Bali's Gilimanuk Port, Jembrana

Kombes Syamsi, head of Bali Police's public relations, said be suspected that the ferry had sunk after being carried away by the current, according to CNN Indonesia.

He said: 'I think the chronology obtained in the field, he was carried away by the current and then immediately tilted, immediately sank.

'Right, the current in the Bali Strait was fast, he was carried away by the current and the ship tilted and immediately sank.'

The KMP Yunice has a length of 56.5 metres and a width of 8.6 metres, and features red, blue and white stripes.

It is unclear what caused the ferry accident. Relatives and rescuers wait for the survivors of sinking KMP Yunice in Gilimanuk Port, Jembrana, Bali

Officers record the passengers manifest of sinking KMP Yunice ferry in Gilimanuk Port, Jembrana, Bali

Survivors of sinking KMP Yunice ferry being recorded after being evacuated in Gilimanuk Port, Jembrana, Bali, Indonesia on Wednesday

Passengers that survived after the KMP Yunice ferry went down off Bali are worshiped by the Balinese Hindu religious leader

Ferry tragedies are common in Indonesia, an archipelago of more than 17,000 islands, where ferries are often used as transport and safety regulations can lapse.

In 2018, an overcrowded ferry with about 200 people on board sank in a deep volcanic crater lake in North Sumatra province, killing 167 people.

In one of the country's worst recorded disasters, an overcrowded passenger ship sank in February 1999 with 332 people aboard. There were only 20 survivors.

And more than 300 people are estimated to have drowned in 2009 when a ferry sank between Sulawesi and Borneo.

A police records several survivors of sinking KMP Yunice ferry after being evacuated in Gilimanuk Port, Jembrana

An officer records the passengers manifest of sinking KMP Yunice ferry in Gilimanuk Port, Jembrana, Bali

Survivors of sinking KMP Yunice ferry blessed by their relatives after being evacuated in Gilimanuk Port, Jembrana on Wednesday
A man has been rushed to hospital with a knife wound to his chest after an argument with three other men spilled onto a suburban street during a Covid-19 lockdown.

The man was taken to Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a serious but stable condition after neighbours reported seeing the dispute spill out of a home on Illowra Street, The Gap in Brisbane's north-west about 11.30am on Wednesday morning.

One witness said one of the other men started waving a 30cm kitchen knife in the air and threatening the alleged victim with the blade.

A man has been rushed to hospital with a knife wound to his chest after an argument broke out during lockdown on Illowra Street (pictured) in The Gap in north-west Brisbane

The witness said the knife broke during the confrontation, Westside News reported.

Two other men were treated at a nearby home and taken to the same hospital in a stable condition, a Queensland Ambulance Service spokeswoman said.

The two men allegedly abused ambulance staff while being treated by paramedics.

'It all happened so quick. It was three guys against one guy, one jumped the fence and then the fight moved across the road,' one neighbour said.

The man was taken to Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital in a serious condition. Two other men were treated at a nearby home and taken to the same hospital in a stable condition

Another neighbour claimed one of the residents living at the home had become aggressive when challenged about their dog's behaviour.

'Their dog is quite aggressive and always escaping. I asked them about it and one of them was hanging off the fence, very aggressively, and shouting at me,' the neighbour said.

A Queensland Police spokesman said no-one had been charged or arrested in relation to the dispute.
An anti-masker who claims she is exempt from wearing a face-covering because she suffers asthma has filmed a fiery confrontation with police officers on a NSW train.

The commuter was confronted by two cops for failing to wear a mask while travelling on an intercity train in Newcastle on Tuesday afternoon, video shows.

In the footage, the woman angrily claims she was exempt from the rule designed to stop the spread of the highly infectious Delta Covid variant.

'I have an exemption. I don't need to show you my exemption. I have asthma. I'm an asthma sufferer. I don't wear a mask - ever,' the passenger insisted.

The commuter was confronted by two NSW Transport Command police officers on Tuesday afternoon. She insisted she had an exemption - asthma - and then the confrontation got heated

'You are antagonising me, now give me my bag! You are ANTAGONISING ME, I HAVE ANXIETY - AND ASTHMA - now give me my bag.'

When one of the policemen said he needed to take the commuter's details, the anti-masker angrily responded that she wasn't obliged to provide them.

The second officer then picked up the woman's Nike bag, said 'come with me' and marched off the train.

The anti-masker became increasingly upset as she followed the officers onto the train platform, demanding her 'f***ing bag' be returned to her.

'You are antagonising me, now give me my bag! You are ANTAGONISING ME, I HAVE ANXIETY - AND ASTHMA - now give me my bag!'

The woman claimed her exemption from the requirement of wearing a simple piece of cloth on her face was a 'personal thing' with her doctor.

She then taunted one of the officers as he marched down the platform with the woman's bag, asking him if he felt like a 'big man'.

'You are doing the wrong thing,' she yelled, while filming the policeman.

'Crimes against humanity are so big right now.'

The anti-masker taunted the officer as a 'big man' for taking her Nike bag away from her

The police officer marched off the train with the woman's bag. The woman was then seen attempting to seize it back

Under the public health orders, NSW residents over the age of 12 are required to wear a face mask on public transport, including outside greater Sydney.

The only exemptions are for people who have a physical or mental condition that makes wearing a mask unsuitable.

It is an offence to refuse a police officer's lawful request for a person's name and address under the Law Enforcement Powers and Responsibilities Act (LEPRA).

A NSW Police spokesman said police are aware of the video and are conducting inquiries.

The video was shared on social media by anti-mask activist Juliana Priya, who said she was an acquaintance of the woman who confronted the police.
Capitol Gazette shooter Jarrod Ramos is pictured in his mugshot

Shocking photos from Capitol Gazette shooting in 2018 were revealed in court on Tuesday during the trial for the gunman who pleaded guilty to killing five people at the Maryland newspaper.

The defense attorney for Jarrod Ramos, 41, told the jury during a hearing to decide if he spends the rest of his life in prison or a mental hospital that he had 'planned the attack for two years' and had delusions the newspaper was 'out to get him.'

The moment when Ramos burst into the newsroom of the Capital Gazette in Annapolis on June 28, 2018, with a tactical shotgun was caught on surveillance footage, images from which were shown in the court room.

The photos, provided to news outlets, show Ramos shooting out the glass front door of the Capital Gazette and an employee running for his life.

During the horrific shooting, Ramos killed four journalists and a sales assistant before being arrested in one of the worst attacks on a media outlet in the United States that sent shock waves through the country.

This photograph of an image in court evidence made public on Tuesday from surveillance video shows what authorities say is Jarrod Ramos shooting open the door of the Capital Gazette office on June 28, 2018

In another photo, an employee is seen running for his life during the horrific attack

The tactical shotgun Ramos used during the shooting is pictured

Two devices used as door barricades recovered at the site of the Capital Gazette newspaper during a mass shooting in 2018 are shown in a courtroom on Tuesday

The shooting victims are pictured from left: John McNamara, Wendi Winters, Rob Hiaasen, Gerald Fischman and Rebecca Smith

The jury was also shown photos of the victims, security video of the attack, and an officer's body camera video that shows Ramos emerging from under a desk in the newsroom and police officers later leading him out.

Wendi Winters collapsed in a hallway after she had just charged at Ramos with a trash can. Gerald Fischman died crumpled under his desk. Rob Hiaasen died in his cubicle while John McNamara died at the back of the newsroom.

A fifth victim, Rebecca Smith died later at a hospital.

Three years and a day after the attack on the newspaper, the second phase of a trial started for Ramos, who pleaded guilty - but not criminally responsible - to the June 28, 2018 slayings. The plea is Maryland's version of an insanity defense.

At the opening of his trial, which is expected to last 10 days, his lawyer Katy O'Donnell said he suffered from, among other things, autism spectrum disorders and compulsive and delusional disorders.

O'Donnell told jurors her client 'is guilty of having committed these offenses, and his act was willful, deliberate and premeditated.'

She admitted that he had spent two years preparing for his attack, had scouted out his target and even taken out a chess club membership in anticipation of being locked up for years afterwards.

But, she said, mental health experts for the defense will tell them he is not criminally responsible under the law due to mental illness.

'Mr. Ramos is guilty, and he is also not criminally responsible,' ODonnell said.

Ramos had a troubled relationship with the Capital Gazette after having unsuccessfully attacked it for defamation and threatened it several times online.

In this courtroom sketch, counter-clockwise, starting at top, Anne Arundel Circuit Judge Michael Wachs; court official; David Russell, Assistant State's Attorney; Anne Colt Leitess, Anne Arundel County State's Attorney; defendant Jarrod Ramos; defense attorneys Katy O'Donnell, Matthew Connell and Elizabeth Palan appear in court on Tuesday

Anne Arundel County State's Attorney Anne Colt Leitess talks to reporters in 2019 after a judge delayed Ramos' trial

He was furious at the paper for an article published in 2011 entitled 'Jarrod wants to be your friend,' in which the newspaper recounted the ordeal of a young woman he had harassed on the internet.

Ramos had a well-documented history of harassing the newspaper's journalists. His 2012 lawsuit, which alleged that the paper defamed him by writing about his conviction in the harassment case, was dismissed as groundless.

Ramos had pleaded guilty to harassing a former high school classmate and thought the courts were unfairly rejecting his defamation case against the paper, ODonnell said.

O'Donnell told the jury it will hear testimony about Ramos' own description of the events as they unfolded on the day of the shooting, as well as 'an eight-year backstory' that led up to the attack.

'We want you to understand the years leading up to this day,' ODonnell said. 'Its chilling because Mr. Ramos does not believe what he did was wrong.'

O'Donnell said jurors also will hear from mental health experts who have evaluated Ramos and determined he is mentally ill.

Anne Colt Leitess, the Anne Arundel County state's attorney, deferred her opening statement until after the defense presents its case.

Lynne Griffin of Bethesda cries after saying a prayer at a makeshift memorial outside of The Capital Gazzette newspaper in Annapolis on June 29, 2018. Griffin was a journalism student of slain Gazzette columnist and editor Rob Hiaasen

People look on during the dedication ceremony for the Guardians of the First Amendment Memorial in Annapolis, Maryland, on June, 28 2021 - three years after the attack

Maryland police officers patrol the area after multiple people were shot at at The Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis in 2018

Police secure the scene of a shooting at the building housing The Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis in 2018

In the afternoon, while cross-examining a county detective who investigated the case, Leitess started delving into the depth of planning that Ramos put into planning the attack.

She asked the detective to show jurors a device known as a barracuda that Ramos used to barricade a back door so that the victims could not escape from the newsroom.

Leitess also asked Anne Arundel County Det. Jason DiPietro about a CD that Ramos sent to the author of the article about him in the newspaper that angered him.

It included his plans to attack the newsroom on a day when he believed a community meeting including people from outside the newsroom would be present and his plans to make 'orphans' of a woman's children.

The meeting had been canceled that day.

This June 24, 2021 photo shows a memorial in Annapolis that is being dedicated was dedicated to the five people who were killed in a mass shooting at the Capital Gazette newspaper three years earlier

A makeshift memorial is seen at the scene outside the office building housing The Capital Gazette newspaper in Annapolis in 2018

The pictures of five employees of the Capital Gazette newspaper adorn candles during a vigil across the street from where they were slain in the newsroom in Annapolis in 2018

Leitess asked about Ramos' purchase of a lifetime membership to the U.S. Chess Federation, four days before the shooting, in preparation for long incarceration.

Police intercepted a letter he wrote to the federation in hopes of having chess materials sent to the detention center where he was confined.

The prosecution also has mental health witnesses who will be testifying.

Dr. Sameer Patel, a psychiatrist with the state Health Department who evaluated Ramos, determined that Ramos was legally sane. Prosecutors also plan to call Dr. Gregory Saathoff, a forensic psychiatrist and a chief consultant for the FBI who also has found Ramos to be legally sane.

Opening statements began one day after the third anniversary of the killings. This trial phase has been postponed repeatedly, in part due to the coronavirus pandemic.

If Ramos is found not criminally responsible, he will be committed to a maximum-security psychiatric hospital instead of prison. Prosecutors are seeking life in prison without possibility of parole.
The company behind the famed Playboy brand has snapped up Australian lingerie label Honey Birdette for a whopping $443million.

PLBY Group announced overnight they had bought the risque brand founded in Brisbane in 2006 by Eloise Monaghan which sells lingerie and sex toys.

The brand, which now has 60 stores including some in the US and UK, is known for pushing boundaries with its racy advertisements that have raised the eyebrows of many parents wandering past shop fronts with their impressionable children.

The successful lingerie company is set to make $97million in revenue and $37million in earnings for the 2021 financial year.

The company behind the iconic Playboy brand has snapped up Australian lingerie powerhouse Honey Birdette (pictured) for a whopping $443million

PLBY Group, which is the parent company of Playboy announced overnight they had bought the risque brand founded in Brisbane in 2006

Ms Monaghan said she was extremely proud her brand had been sold to Playboy, which was founded by the late Hugh Hefner.

'When I founded Honey Birdette 15 years ago, my ambition was to build a brand for women, by women; a brand that would serve as a platform for confidence and sexual and body empowerment,' she said in a statement.

'Today is a momentous and proud day for the Honey Birdette team as we enter into partnership with one of the world's most iconic brands and the lifestyle platform it represents.'

PLBY Group CEO Ben Kohn said he'd been 'enormously impressed' by Ms Monaghan and the team at Honey Birdette.

'We strongly believe in the power of brands and are thrilled by Honey Birdette's potential to become a multibillion-dollar luxury lifestyle franchise,' he said.

The brand which now has 60 stores including some in the US and UK is known for pushing boundaries with its racy advertisements that have raised the eyebrows of many parents

Earlier this month some mothers took to Facebook to detail their horror at the advertisements put up by Honey Birdette around shopping centres.

Huge screens of scantily clad women in provocative poses have been seen in local malls that families often visit, prompting one mother to start an online poll asking if other parents had concerns about the brand's advertising.

Much to the disappointment of the mother, more than half said they had no issue with the brand's marketing.

Another mother started a petition to have the videos played on screens outside the brand's stores taken down, labelling the company's advertising as 'soft porn'.

Last year a flight attendant blasted the lingerie label for the 'sexualisation' of air hosts in its raunchy new advertising campaign.

The lingerie brand was founded in 2006 by Eloise Monaghan (pictured)

The advertising campaign features models dressed as cabin crew fawning over a woman dressed in lingerie.

A flight attendant, named only as Amanda, penned a blog post for feminist website Collective Shout, saying the images objectify female flight attendants.

Amanda claims there has been a 'long history of sexualising flight attendants' with the Honey Birdette ad campaign perpetuating this.

'Airlines have been known to have height, weight and age restrictions for flight crew and have required strict uniform standards for female flight attendants, including the requirement to wear high heels,' she wrote.

Last year a flight attendant blasted the lingerie label for the 'sexualisation' of air hosts in its raunchy new advertising campaign

Amanda said the campaign makes her feel 'objectified'.

But Ms Monaghan hit back and told the Courier Mail Collective Shout would stoop to any level to slam the lingerie company.

'(They will) twist anything to progress their "handmaid's tale" agenda for the progressive women of Australia,' she said.

Ms Monaghan said the group had a 'prehistoric views' of female freedom and accused the group of hating women for loving their own, beautiful bodies.

'They hide it under a veil of concern for kids. It's actually quite disgusting and repressive,' she said.
'Ponzi scheme mastermind' Melissa Caddick is likely dead but uncertainty about when that occurred is causing issues for scammed investors trying to recoup lost funds, a court has heard.

The self-styled financial adviser went missing in November 2020 after the corporate regulator sought to freeze her assets and wind up her company Maliver.

The Sydney woman, 49, is accused of faking documents to swindle more than $30 million in funds, including those invested by trusting family and close friends.

She returned $8.5 million, but liabilities now outweigh assets by between $15 million and $23.7 million, the Federal Court has been told.

'Our submission is... it is plain that Ms Caddick formed and used Maliver as a vehicle to perpetrate quite an elaborate fraud,' Farid Assaf SC, for corporate regulator ASIC, said on Wednesday.

'Ponzi scheme mastermind' Melissa Caddick (pictured middle) is likely dead but uncertainty about when that exactly occurred after her sudden disappearance in 2020 is causing issues for scammed investors trying to recoup lost funds

The Federal Court heard how Sydney woman Melissa Caddick stands accused of faking documents to swindle more than $30 million in funds from investors - many are concerned they will never see their money returned

'(Maliver was used) to disguise the fraudulent Ponzi scheme of which she was the mastermind.'

ASIC says the 'quite exceptional facts' of the case mean the court could and should make orders effectively creating a 'single insolvency regime' in which the remaining assets are pooled now.

Maliver was effectively a facade for Ms Caddick's earlier swindling, leaving one available pool of assets that could be more quickly distributed to investors and creditors, Mr Assaf said.

But Justice Brigitte Markovic expressed caution in light of Ms Caddick's 'indeterminate status'.

The only part of Ms Caddick found since her disappearance was her partial, decomposing foot, which washed up in a running shoe on a beach about 400km south of Sydney in February 2020.

Asked to address 'the elephant in the room', Mr Assaf said he must accept 'on the balance of probabilities, Ms Caddick is deceased.'

But apart from appointing receivers to take control of her property, there was no one who could practically represent Ms Caddick's interests without a clear date of death, Mr Assaf said.

Bankruptcy law requires a date of death for a trustee to be appointed.

The date of death could be determined by a coroner but it was still unknown if an inquest would be held, the court was told.

Justice Markovic said she understood the benefits of allowing one receiver to sit over all of the assets of Ms Caddick and her company.

But jumping over regular steps in an effort to make the process simpler could result in more complexity should competing claims - such as on her estate - eventuate down the track.

'The shortest route must be the one where there are no hiccups along the way that must later be unravelled,' she said.

Sydney woman Melissa Caddick (pictured left) is accused of faking documents to swindle more than $30 million in funds, including those invested by trusting family and close friends

The distinctive Asics shoe - later confirmed to be Melissa Caddick's - was located at a beach south of Sydney in February

The Dover Heights property Melissa Caddick called home was purchased for $6.2 million in 2014 and could be now worth up to $10 million, according to real estate experts

Ms Caddick is unrepresented in the proceedings.

A contradictor, appointed to make submissions in her absence, told the court he wouldn't oppose an order that Caddick had unlawfully operated without an Australian financial services licence from 2012 to 2020.

The court was told Ms Caddick convinced customers of her 'prowess in creating wealth' before sending regular but entirely fictitious portfolio evaluations.

In reality, she used investors' funds to buy real estate, motor vehicles, artworks and jewellery,' Mr Assaf said.

One man who'd known Ms Caddick since he was a child, trusted her with $1.3 million for retirement and investment purposes.

'He's received nothing,' Mr Assaf said on Wednesday. The hearing continues.
Prince Charles has made a generous donation to victims of Tropical Cyclone Seroja and the Perth Hills bushfires in Western Australia.

The Lord Mayor's Distress Relief fund, which supports those who lost their homes during both natural disasters, received two donations from the Prince of Wales.

The fund raised $7.6 million for cyclone victim's and the bushfire appeal raised $16.4 million. The size of Prince Charles' donation was not disclosed.

Cyclone Seroja destroyed home's (pictured) in Western Australia's mid-west In April this year, with the first payments being given to those who lost their homes rolling out

The Prince of Wales (pictured) made two handsome donations to the relief funds, contributing to the pool available for disaster victims

Prince Charles' donation will go towards assisting the people most affected by the natural disasters, with the first 34 payments issued on Tuesday.

During the cyclone, residents across WA's mid-west were told to take shelter during what Premier Mark McGowan described as a cyclone 'like nothing we have seen before in decades'.

The Perth Hills bushfires destroyed a reported 86 houses and burned almost 11,000 hectares in total.

Perth Lord Mayor Basil Zempilas praised the prince's donation, as well as the generosity of the Western Australian community.

The Perth hills bushfires (pictured) tore through homes in February this year, and the Lord Mayor's Distress Relief fund has raised over $16 million for victims of the fire

'We have already seen the people of Western Australia, businesses across Western Australia and the eastern states respond with warmth, generosity and donations to assist those affected by these twin disasters in WA this year,' he said.

'The Prince of Wales has provided a very generous donation to the LMDRF.

'It is an honour and a privilege to accept this donation and I thank His Royal Highness and the office of The Prince of Wales for working with us to make this happen'.

People affected by the disasters are still able to apply for assistance via Appeals WA.
A Wisconsin county's Republican Party chapter came under fire after its chairman posted a racist meme saying having a job, a good credit rating and being able to read were all signs of white supremacy.

Ed Hudak shared the post on his personal Facebook page on June 22, then shared it on the Winnebago County Republican Party's page on June 23.

It showed a photo of a white man in a t-shirt, with the caption: 'Know the warning signs of white supremacy.

'1. Full time employment, 2. Literacy, 3. Professional or technical degree, 4. Regular church/temple attendance, 5. Auto insurance, 6. Good credit rating, 7. No criminal record.

Hudak tried to claim the post was a commentary on critical race theory, whose teaching in schools is currently prompting widespread discussion across the US.

But his statuses prompted outrage from both liberals and conservatives.

'When you see a county Republican party posting something just so explosive with outright racism you have to ask why is this up there,' Wisconsin Democratic Party Chair Ben Wikler told WISN 12 News.

Wisconsin Republican county chair Ed Hudak shared this post on his personal and local GOP party's Facebook page, sparking furious condemnation and claims of racism

Hudak has claimed the post was a commentary on critical race theory, and has refused to comment further

The meme has since-been deleted, but Wisconsin Public Radio published screen shots that include some of the comments. In one, a Facebook user named Carrie Anne wrote, 'WTF? This is absolutely inappropriate. I am a Republican and this is not OK to post. Very ashamed that you would post this.'

In a series of responses, the Winnebago Republican Party wrote, 'Explain how this is inappropriate,' 'You had better educate yourself on Critical Race Theory,' and 'You should be shaking because this is the kind of racial theory that has invaded our universities and now our local school. When you study the Critical Race Theory the post above is how it plays out in our society and schools.'

Nico Blueford wrote in a comment, 'This is very inappropriate. Do other minorities not have any of these things?' and Dale McNamee wrote, 'It's racist as hell.'

Critical Race Theory teaches that racism against minorities is embedded in every aspect of life. It's been used in academics for decades, but has recently drawn the ire of conservative politicians who say it's being used to indoctrinate children and paint white people as inherently oppressive.

Hudak told a reporter from WISN 12 News that his post was a commentary on Critical Race Theory, but Facebook would not permit him to expand on it. He didn't explain what he meant by that, but directed the reporter to read his replies to Facebook criticism.
A New Yorker who moved to Miami for a fresh start after losing his wife to cancer and both his parents to Covid-19 within the past year is now missing in the rubble of the Champlain Towers collapse.

His daughter and her husband - who were visiting - also are missing.

Harry Rosenberg, 52, had initially purchased the condo in Surfside last month as a retreat to visit with children and grandchildren.

His daughter Malky Weisz, 27, and her husband, Benny Weisz, 32, had just arrived from New Jersey for the sabbath, and were visiting Rosenberg on the second floor when the condo collapsed.

In the pile of rubble, family and friends have spotted a heartbreaking remnant of his life at Surfside from afar: his white couch.

Harry Rosenberg, 52, (pictured) went missing after the Champlain Towers collapsed in Surfside, Florida. Rosenberg's new home came with the promise of a fresh start after losing his wife to cancer and both his parents to Covid-19

The home in Surfside (pictured) was to be a retreat for Rosenberg to visit with children and grandchildren, which his daughter and son-in-law were doing when they traveled from New Jersey to join him for the Sabbath

As of Wednesday morning, the death toll stood at 16. More than 140 people are still unaccounted for.

'He told me, 'It is the next chapter of my life,' said Steve Eisenberg, who saw Rosenberg last week at synagogue.

'He went through hell. His parents passed away. His wife passed away,' Eisenberg added.

Elsewhere in the building, a woman also sought a fresh start in Florida after falling ill and recovering from COVID-19.

Another man was visiting Florida to attend the funeral of an old friend who died after being infected, and a Colombian family was in Miami to get the vaccine.

Rosenberg 'came to Florida to breathe a little bit,' said Rabbi Sholom D. Lipskar, founder of the Shul of Bal Harbour, the local synagogue he joined.

Described as a family man and observant Jew, Rosenberg raised funds and launched a young adult center for mental healing in Israel.

The new project called Mercaz Shalom is at the Mayanei Hayeshua Hospital in Bnei Brak, Israel.

Before his wife died last summer of a brain tumor, Rosenberg spent three years taking care of her, a close friend said.

When the building tumbled to the ground, Rosenberg's daughter, Malky Weisz, 27, and her husband, Benny Weisz, 32, had just arrived for their visit on the second floor of Champlain Towers South

As of Wednesday morning, the death toll stood at 16. More than 140 people are still unaccounted for

'He put his life on hold,' said Maurice Wachsmann, a friend of Rosenberg's for more than 30 years.

Months after her death came more heartache.

In January, Roseberg's father passed away from COVID-19, and weeks later his mother died of the same.

'It was extremely difficult,' Wachsmann said. 'He did everything for his parents. Family first, before everything.'

Rosenberg decided to move to Florida, first renting smaller apartments and finally buying last month the larger condo in Surfside, north of Miami Beach.

Last week, Rosenberg traveled to New York for the baby-naming ceremony of his second grandchild and rushed back to Miami to prepare for his daughter and son-in-law's visit.

In his short time in Florida, Roseberg was already known by many in the community.

Fellow members of the synagogue and his family are now anxiously awaiting any news from the scene.
Rescuers are racing against time to comb the rubble of the collapsed Miami Condo amid fears storms could hit the city in days and hinder the search and rescue team's efforts.

The possibility of thunderstorms and heavy rain in the coming days means that Florida's search and rescue resources could be further stretched.

It has prompted authorities in Florida to ask the federal government for another rescue team to help with the search of the Champlain Towers, Kevin Guthrie of the Florida Division of Emergency Management said on Tuesday.

Already, intermittent bad weather has caused temporary delays in the search.

Rescuers are racing against time to comb the rubble of the collapsed Miami Condo amid fears storms could hit the city in days and hinder the search and rescue team's efforts

Authorities in Florida have asked the federal government for another rescue team to help with the search of the Champlain Towers

Mr Guthrie said the new team, which would likely come from Virginia, would be on hand if severe weather hits the area in coming days and allow crews that have been working at the site for days to rotate out.

The National Weather Service in Miami have warned that thunderstorms and heavy rain showers could reach the city on Wednesday.

Forecasters are also warning there is a change of showers and thunderstorms on Friday and the upcoming weekend as well as early next week.

Authorities said it is still a search-and-rescue operation, but no one has been found alive since hours after the collapse on Thursday.

Mr Guthrie said at a news conference: 'There are two areas of (possible storm) development out in the Atlantic, heading to the Caribbean.

'We have eight urban rescue teams in Florida. We talked about doing a relief. We have all the resources we need but we're going to bring in another team. We want to rotate those out so we can get more resources out.'

The National Hurricane Centre says two disorganised storm systems in the Atlantic have a chance of becoming tropical systems in the coming days, but it is unclear at this point whether they would pose a threat to the US.

Charles Cyrille of the Miami-Dade County Office of Emergency said 900 workers from 50 federal, state and local agencies were working seamlessly on the search.

Charles Cyrille of the Miami-Dade County Office of Emergency said 900 workers from 50 federal, state and local agencies were working seamlessly on the search

Elected officials have pledged to conduct multiple investigations into the sudden collapse of the 12-storey Champlain Towers South in Surfside last week.

Another victim was recovered on Tuesday, bringing the confirmed death toll to 12, with 149 people still unaccounted for.

Miami-Dade County mayor Daniella Levine Cava said that she and her staff will meet with engineering, construction and geology experts, among others, to review building safety issues and develop recommendations 'to ensure a tragedy like this will never, ever happen again'.

State attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said she will pursue a grand jury investigation to examine factors and decisions that led to the collapse.

Governor Ron DeSantis evoked a well-known military commitment to leave no one behind on the battlefield and pledged to do the same for the people still missing in the rubble.

Mr DeSantis said at a news conference on Tuesday: 'The way I look at it, as an old Navy guy, is when somebody is missing in action, in the military, you're missing until you're found. We don't stop the search.'

Search and rescue workers carry equipment onto the rubble of the collapsed Condo

Also on Tuesday, the White House announced that President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden would travel to Surfside on Thursday.

Work at the site has been deliberate and treacherous. The pancake collapse of the building left layer upon layer of intertwined debris, frustrating efforts to reach anyone who may have survived in a pocket of space.

Several members of an Israeli rescue team worked partly on hands and knees on Tuesday over a small section of the rubble, digging with shovels, pickaxes and saws.

They removed debris into buckets that were dumped into a metal construction bin, which was periodically lifted away by a crane. The crane then delivered an empty bin.

Late in the afternoon, rescue officials sounded a horn for a second time during the day's work, signalling an approaching storm with lightning. Workers temporarily evacuated.

Miami-Dade fire chief Alan Cominsky said the work has been extremely difficult, but 'we're out here 110%'.

He said: 'These are the times that are the most difficult. We are here to do a job. We are here with a passion. Hopefully, we have some success.'

Meanwhile, it has emerged that weeks before the building collapsed, the president of its board wrote a letter saying that structural problems identified in a 2018 inspection had 'gotten significantly worse' and owners needed to pay a hefty price to get them fixed.

The April 9 letter from Champlain Towers South Condominium president Jean Wodnicki hinted at an ongoing debate over the repairs and a reluctance by some condo owners to pay for major work that would cost at least 15.5 million dollars.

'A lot of this work could have been done or planned for in years gone by. But this is where we are now,' she wrote in the letter, which was confirmed to The Associated Press by a spokesman for the condo board.

Ms Wodnicki noted that costs had increased since an October 2018 report by engineering firm Morabito Consultants first identified key issues with weakening concrete, and she predicted they would only grow more if put off any longer.

'Indeed the observable damage such as in the garage has gotten significantly worse since the initial inspection,' she wrote. 'The concrete deterioration is accelerating.'

'It is impossible to know the extent of the damage to the underlying rebar until the concrete is opened up. Oftentimes the damage is more extensive than can be determined by inspection of the surface.'
Darwin residents have responded to their city's Covid lockdown by drowning their sorrow with as many as 70 cars swarming a bottle shop.

Footage shot outside a BWS in the Northern Territory capital showed a long line of waiting customers that stretched for hundreds of metres.

'Chief (Minister Michael Gunner): Darwin will go into a hard lockdown... The people of Darwin:' a woman named Annie captioned the video.

Chief: Darwin will go into a hard lock down for 48 hours. The people of Darwin: Posted by Annie Rose on Saturday, June 26, 2021

Thirsty drinkers lined up for hundreds of metres in their cars to stock up on alcohol in Darwin after a lockdown was declared on Wednesday

The drive-thru BWS bottle shop was packed in Darwin on Wednesday after the extended lockdown until Friday at 1pm was announced

Darwin will remain in lockdown until 1pm on Friday after the orders were extended a further 72 hours after a positive case was recorded in the community.

Mr Gunner said his tough action was to avoid a larger outbreak that would require even longer stay-at-home orders.

Darwin residents took the call as a decision to rush to the nearest bottle shop, with many making a bee-line to the BWS in Nightcliff.

The line extended up a street, blocking other perpendicular roads.

Cars were stopped all the way up to a set of traffic lights at the end of the street, with several buses caught in the resulting traffic jam.

It's not known if the bus drivers were also waiting to secure alcohol for lockdown.

After the lockdown was declared by NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner, local residents headed to their nearest bottle shop to stock up on alcohol (pictured, a man with a slab of beer)

Scores of shoppers were seen outside the BWS in Nightcliff, Darwin after a lockdown from declared (pictured a woman leaving BWS with an assortment of alcohol)

Annie's video was shared more than 3,000 times, with many people tagging their friends asking if they were in line.

'That's nearly every Friday afternoon,' one person joked.

Darwin's desire for liquid courage did not lessen as time went on, with later photos of the shop showing masked-up Territorians hauling booze out the door.

One woman walked out with an assortment of wine and champagne, with another man looked very pleased with himself clutching a slab of Tooheys Extra Dry.

Numerous tradies were also spotted entering the drive-thru to make a few ice cold purchases.
A scorned woman who posted a topless photo of her ex-boyfriend's new partner online in a failed extortion bid has avoided a stint in jail.

Stacey Burton, 22, walked free on Wednesday from a Melbourne court despite trying to extort a $5,200 ransom out of her love rival.

She had flown into a jealous rage after the father of one of her two children, Codie Carter, moved on with another woman.

Stacey Burton, 22, (pictured) flew into a jealous rage after the father of one of her two children, Codie Carter, moved on with another woman

The young woman from Ballarat in country Victoria sent a message to the new girlfriend with the warning that her friends would see 'more than your ugly f**kin' head' on social media

In sentencing Burton to a three year community corrections order with 300 hours of unpaid work, County Court of Victoria Judge Mark Gamble said his sentence was just.

'I simply do not consider it is necessary or appropriate to send this young woman and mother to prison at this stage,' he said.

'That view may well change were she to re-offend during the currency of the community corrections order or otherwise fail to comply with any of the other conditions.'

Burton had threatened the woman for seven months before following through and posting the image to Snapchat in October 2019.

She deleted the post half an hour later, but the damage was done and screenshots of the post spread like wildfire.

'All the boys will be messaging her. People are screen-shoting her,' one follower posted almost immediately.

Judge Gamble said Burton needed to be 'justly punished' for her criminal conduct.

'This has been a difficult sentencing task,' he told Burton.

Burton had pleaded guilty to making an unwarranted demand with menace and intentionally distributing an intimate image.

Judge Gamble said he was reluctant to jail Burton because it would likely expose the young offender to more experienced crooks.

'There is no greater community interest and protection than to rehabilitate young and still malleable offenders,' he said.

Stacey Burton (right) posted a nude image of her on-again-off again partner Codie Carter (left) after she failed to pay a ransom

Burton followed through with her threat in October 2019, but thought better of it and deleted the post half an hour later - but it was too late

During Burton's pre-sentence hearing last month, her barrister Naomi Low claimed Burton demonstrated genuine remorse for her actions by deleting the image shortly after she posted it.

But prosecutors called 'hogwash' on Burton's crocodile tears, claiming she threatened to post the image again a year after pulling it down.

Judge Gamble condemned Burton for her offending, but said her youth, limited criminal history and the current Covid pandemic had saved her from jail.

The court heard Burton had offended in a similar fashion in her youth and had escaped on a good behaviour bond.

Burton, from Ballarat in country Victoria, had initially sent a message to her ex-partner's new girlfriend in March 2019 warning that her friends would see 'more than your ugly f**kin' head' on social media.

'Give me my money back that Codie owes me,' Burton also wrote.

The court heard the image had been supplied to Burton by her on-again-off-again lover himself.

Codie Carter and Stacey Burton

Police caught up with Burton in January 2020, but she continued to carry out her vendetta.

The court heard Burton sent the woman abusive messages, including 35 on one day, through Facebook and Instagram.

In one message, she called the victim a 'mutt' alongside a photo of her and Mr Carter.

The court heard Burton's children would likely have been palmed off to her mum if she was locked up.

She had already lost her job with VicRoads after news of her crimes became public last month.
A US-based Australian business student is en route to see her dying father after a charity stepped in to pay for her flights and bypass interstate Covid-19 restrictions.

Anna Coffey, 32, flew to Sydney from New York last week after her 80-year-old father John suffered a stroke and went into palliative care in a Melbourne hospital.

The Columbia Business School student, who is fully vaccinated and has tested negative to the virus, needed to get exemptions from New South Wales and Victoria health departments.

NSW Health told her the 'travel time' by car to Melbourne was too far - and she would instead be forced to shell out $7,500 for a private plane.

Anna Coffey was told she needed to fork out thousands of dollars for a private jet to travel from Sydney to Melbourne to see her beloved dad (pictured, left) before he dies

Ms Coffey has not seen her family (pictured together) since the pandemic began in November, 2019

Ms Coffey raced home a week ago upon getting the heartbreaking news her 80-year-old father John (pictured together) suffered a stroke and is in palliative care at a Melbourne hospital

But Angel Flight Australia, a charity involved in co-ordinating non-emergency medical flights, came to her rescue in a plan confirmed on Tuesday night.

Chief executive Marjorie Pagani said Ms Coffey was released from hotel quarantine at about midday on Wednesday and was now aboard a Baron G58 bound for Melbourne.

'They just departed from Bankstown Airport about 10 minutes ago en route to Essendon,' she said.

Pictured: Ms Coffey was given the chance to see her dying father in Victoria one last time after a charity offered to pay for her flight from Sydney to Melbourne to get around quarantine rules

She is expected to land at Essendon Airport later on Wednesday afternoon.

Angel Flight Australia orchestrates about 50 compassionate flights a year, many often reuniting parents with sick children.

Although it is the other way around in this case, Ms Pagani immediately recognised she fit the criteria to be offered a compassionate flight.

'This young lady has already spent a fortune getting home to Australia and then to be asked to find another $7000 to $8000 is a lot,' she said.

'There aren't many people that can charter a flight on a private matter. We have pilots standing by all the time to do compassionate flights.

'I'm so glad we could help out and get it done so quickly.'

Ms Coffey will even be offered a return flight should she need it.

Charity Angel Flight organised a private charter to fly her out of Sydney and into Melbourne tomorrow. Pictured: An Angel Flight plane

'At this stage, she's just keen on getting there and seeing her dad. Things could turn worse,' Ms Pagani said.

'As soon as she's ready, she can let us know where she wants to go after that.'

Ms Coffey had feared she would not make it to Melbourne in time to be reunited with John if she was forced to complete the required 14 days in Sydney quarantine.

Ms Coffey, who hasn't seen her family since the start of the pandemic, called the restrictions 'inhumane' with compassionate exemptions only granted for the very rich.

Last week, US citizen Mark Kilian was reunited with his dying father at a Gold Coast hospital after spending eight days in quarantine and hiring a $15,000 chartered jet to fly up from Sydney.
The woman who allegedly mowed down and killed a much-loved police officer had a taser with her when she handed herself into police on Tuesday night.

In a press conference held on Wednesday Detective Superintendent Craig Morrow of Queensland Police also revealed how the 33-year-old woman, Skye Anne Wallis, came to surrender to police.

'When she presented at the police station last night she was in possession of what you could describe, in simple terms, as a taser,' Detective Morrow said.

He said that Ms Wallis' surrender had been 'negotiated' after police contacted a family member of the woman who lived in the UK.

'They called us back last night and gave us the name of a solicitor to negotiate her surrender, which is what happened,' he said.

Det Morrow also said Wallis was hospitalised shortly after her arrest, complaining of glass in her eye.

'She had previously removed pieces of glass from her eye and thought she still had pieces of glass in there,' he said.

He said it was believed Ms Wallis thought the glass was from the accident last weekend.

Senior Constable David Masters (left), pictured with wife Sharon and son Jack died while on duty early Saturday morning

Skye Anne Wallis, 33, handed herself into police on the Sunshine Coast late Tuesday night

Detective Morrow said police believed other people had been on the Bruce Highway at the time of the incident and appealed for any drivers with dashcam footage to come forward.

The Caboolture woman has been charged with murder, arson and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Queensland Senior Constable David Masters, 53, was hit and killed while trying to stop an allegedly stolen Hyundai Kona SUV with tyre-deflating road spikes on the Bruce Highway near Deception Bay, north of Brisbane early Saturday.

The burnt out car was later found 25 kilometres away.

Wallis appeared in Caboolture Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

Alleged passenger Kari O'Brien, 24, was arrested at her home in the Moreton Bay region and charged with murder on Sunday.

She was not present when her case was heard in Caboolture Magistrates Court on Monday.

O'Brien's matter will return to court on August 2.

Senior Constable Masters leaves behind his childhood sweetheart wife Sharon and their son Jack, who have been shattered by his sudden death.

Jack was hoping to follow in the footsteps of his cherished father.

Pictured: Senior Constable David Masters with his wife Sharon and their son Jack, who dreamed of being a cop like his dad

'One of Jack's wishes was to join the police force and work with his dad, and sadly, that'll never happen for Jack,' Queensland Police Union boss Ian Leavers told Sunrise on Monday.

'It's just one of those things which should never have happened.'

He also said the officer's friends and colleagues at Deception Bay were 'doing it really, really tough. They've lost a good mate'.

'Our thoughts are with Dave's family and we're just hoping that some sense can come out of this into the future,' he said.

Senior Constable David Masters was trying to stop an alleged stolen vehicle with road spikes when he was allegedly hit

Pictured: Alleged passenger Kari O'Brien, 24, who was arrested on Sunday and charged with murder, arson and unlawful use of a vehicle

Senior Constable Masters' death has rocked Queensland Police and the community he worked in.

'This is devastating news for our police family and we are offering support to all officers and staff,' Police Commissioner Katarina Carroll said on Sunday.

'Sadly, this incident demonstrates the dangers our officers face when working to keep our community safe each and every day.

'I spoke to his colleagues and spent some time with them at Deception Bay and they had nothing but wonderful words for Dave  hard-working, capable, a beacon at the station, much loved by everyone at the station and across the community.'

The Bruce Highway was closed for almost eight hours on Saturday.

'My sincerest condolences go out to the officer's family, friends and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time,' Queensland Commissioner Katarina Carroll said following the incident (pictured, Mr Masters)

Senior Constable David Masters, 53, died on the scene when he was hit by a white Hyundai Kona SUV while trying to deploy a tyre-deflating device on the Bruce Highway

Queensland Police Union General Secretary Mick Barnes struggled to fight off tears as he spoke about his friend.

'It's one thing to turn up to these scenes in the hours of darkness but when you realise that it's one of your friends - David lived for the job and he was dedicated and loved the outdoors, loved these horses - hence he was in the mounted unit,' he said.

Queensland Police thanked the community for their public assistance during the investigation.
An 'arrogant' cafe patron has been fined $5,000 after he claimed the 'Constitutional Act of Britain' meant he was exempt from wearing a mask.

The 36-year-old was approached by officers in a Harriet place coffee shop in Darwin's CBD on Wednesday after he failed to wear a mask.

The customer was consequently fined $5,056, with Northern Territory police warning the general public against such 'arrogant behaviour'.

Darwin is currently in lockdown until Friday after a gold mine worker tested positive to Covid, with 150 close contacts expected at exposure sites across the city.

An 'arrogant' cafe patron has been fined $5000 after he claimed the 'Constitutional Act of Britain' meant he was exempt from wearing a mask. Pictured: People outside another Darwin cafe during lockdown

NT Police have reminded the general public that wearing a mask out of the home is a legal requirement under the Chief Health Officer Directions. Pictured: Shoppers in Darwin

'We are in the middle of a very serious situation now in the NT, and this kind of arrogant behaviour is not acceptable', said Incident Controller Acting Commander Sachin Sharma.

When approached by officers, the man bizarrely claimed he didnt have to wear a mask under the Constitutional Act in Britain.

Britain famously does not have a written constitution.

NT Police have reminded the general public that wearing a mask out of the home is a legal requirement under the Chief Health Officer Directions.

The fine for not wearing a mask stands at $5,056 for an individual and a whopping $25,280 for a business.

Police have increased the number of enforcement patrols in lockdown areas and said residents should expect to be asked their reason for leaving home.

The infringement comes after the owners of a Illawarra cafe, south of Sydney, refused to wear masks the day before the area was plunged into lockdown.

Wearing a mask outside of the home is a legal requirement in locked-down areas of Alice Springs under the Chief Health Officer Directions. Pictured: People exercising in Darwin

NT Police have increased the number of enforcement patrols in lockdown areas in Alice Springs and said residents should expect to be asked their reason for leaving home

Police were called to the Village Fix cafe in Shellharbour after customers noticed three staff members were not complying to mandatory face mask orders during service on Saturday.

Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said during a press conference on Sunday there was 'an absolute resistance of the cafe owner and those people at front of house to wear a mask.

'It is clearly irresponsible. The community, when you look at social media, was certainly against that stance taken by the cafe.

'In fact, police had to issue infringement notices and I will follow that up in the coming days to make sure that they comply.'

Face masks were mandatory for hospitality staff in Illawarra even before the lockdown across all of Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast, and Wollongong kicked in at 11.59pm on Saturday.

Police were called to the Village Fix cafe in Shellharbour (pictured) after customers noticed three staff members were not complying to mandatory face mask orders

Back in the Northern Territory, Alice Springs has entered a three-day lockdown after a mine worker infected with Covid-19 visited the airport.

The man spent nearly seven hours at in the airport before travelling to Adelaide on June 26.

ALICE SPRINGS LOCKDOWN Alice Springs will go into a 72-hour lockdown from 1pm on Wednesday Residents can leave their home for four reasons which include for essential shopping, work, medical reasons or to give care, and for exercise for one hour a day within 5km of your home Residents can exercise with one other person or their household contacts Lockdown came after no new infections were recorded Mine worker believed to be infectious sparked lockdown after visiting Alice Springs airport on June 25 Masks will be mandatory outside people's homes Advertisement

The mine worker, aged in his 30s, had initially returned a negative Covid test, but later tested positive along with his wife and three out of their four children.

The family are currently in isolation at a quarantine facility in South Australia.

Northern Territory's Chief Minister Michael Gunner said while it was 'unlikely' the miner was infectious during the time he was at the airport, the state would be treating the situation as if he was.

'We will operate on the assumption that he was infectious while in the Territory,' he said.

The 72-hour lockdown began on 1pm on Wednesday despite no new cases recorded across the territory in the last 24 hours.

Mr Gunner said the lockdown applies to everyone living inside the town and council boundaries.

Alice Springs residents will be able to leave their homes for four reasons including medical treatment or to provide care, to buy essential goods, essential work and to exercise for one hour a day with one other person or the people they live with.

Exercise will be restricted to be within 5km of a person's home, with masks to be mandatory outside the home.

The chief minister said those in the entire state needed to be cautious as they were still 'under threat' from the virus.

'To everyone in Alice Springs, I know this is really challenging. The reason we are doing this lockdown is the size of the exposure window and vulnerability of the local population. I will take no risk with that,' he said.

'To all Territorians. I woke up this morning hoping this was a day for good news and there is some good news, there is zero cases today but we are still in a dangerous period. The Territory is still under threat.'

Alice Springs has entered a three-day lockdown after a mine worker infected with Covid-19 spent nearly seven hours at the airport before flying to Adelaide on June 26

The 72-hour lockdown began on 1pm on Wednesday despite no new cases recorded across the territory in the last 24 hours. Pictured: Masked pedestrians in Darwin's CBD

Northern Territory Chief Health Officer Dr Hugh Heggie confirmed it was the Delta strain of the virus.

The family only came into contact with one other person since the miner returned to Adelaide on Saturday, which South Australia Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier said means her state does not need to go in to lockdown.

Meanwhile in SA, restrictions have been extended across the state including mask wearing and people being encouraged to work from home.

Residential gatherings have been restricted to 10 people, there are still rules against standing while drinking at licensed venues, and no dancing is allowed.

At this stage, there will still be a limited crowd of people at Adelaide Oval for the Crows vs Lions game on Saturday.
The 'Big Bird Bandits' who allegedly stole a $160,000 costume from a Sesame Street- themed circus in Adelaide have been unmasked as mullet-sporting hipsters as they faced their first court appearance.

In bizarre scenes outside court, Tasman Binder, 22 and Cody Alain Milne, 26, wore their best outfits as they sashayed down the steps - being asked by reporters if they 'knew where Sesame Street is'.

The pair, who were then picked up by a moustache-sporting mate who referred to his old car as a 'limo', are accused of stealing the big yellow bird from a circus in Bonython Park on either Sunday April 18 or Monday April 19 this year.

The character was returned to the circus during the early hours of April 21, with an apology note - signed off 'the Big Bird Bandits' - stuffed inside its beak.

The duo fronted Adelaide Magistrates Court on Wednesday, each charged with an aggravated count of dishonestly taking property without consent, and were granted bail.

Cody Alain Milne, 26, (pictured left) from Norwood, and Tasman Binder, 22, (right) from Murray Bridge, faced Adelaide Magistrate Court on Wednesday - and put on quite a show

The hipsters - who both wore white turtle neck sweaters, a gold necklace, oval-lensed sunglasses, and blazers - put on quite a show as they departed the courthouse.

The outfits were remarkably similar to those worn by Bruce Willis and Billy Bob Thornton in the action classic Bandits.

With a group of supporters and a vehicle waiting for them out front, the pair shot an in-sync glance at each other, slid on their glasses, then strutted to the car.

The driver, who appeared to be wearing a fake black moustache, ordered reporters to 'back away from the limo'.

As the pair jumped inside the vehicle, the driver, struggling to operate the manual vehicle, made a few botched attempts to reverse before finally speeding away.

Just hours later, Mr Milne and Mr Binder took to their Instagram accounts to joke about the media coverage they had attracted.

In his story, Mr Milne shared a photo of himself sitting in bed, covered in a tiger blanket with a big bird sleep mask wrapped around his head, and a mug in his hand.

In yellow font, he captioned the photo: 'Coming down with the bird flu'.

Other photos in his story showed snaps of him and his co-accused leaving court, and a clip of the pair laughing hysterically while watching a new report about themselves on television.

He also changed his Instagram bio to include 'Danger in the sheets, Sesame in the Streets.'

Mr Binder (pictured) and Mr Milne are each charged with an aggravated count of dishonestly taking property without consent

The Big Bird costume was found dumped at the circus (pictured) days after it went missing, with a note stuffed inside its beak

Meanwhile, Mr Binder shared a photo of the duo standing on the courthouse stairs, writing; 'Little photo shoot allegedly.'

During the hearing, the prosecution supported changes to their bail conditions, including lifting a curfew and removing a ban on the friends from communicating with each other.

'They're friends. I don't think it's going to impede the case,' the prosecutor said, the Herald Sun reports.

Magistrate Karim Soetratma permitted the changes, however, said a clause banning the pair from the circus could remain as it is no longer in the state.

In April, after the costume was allegedly taken, the circus was forced to pull the lovable yellow personality from his regular appearance during show intervals, leaving thousands of fans devastated.

Mr Milne shared a photo of himself sitting in bed, with a big bird sleep mask wrapped around his head and a mug in his hand hours after leaving court

Two days later, police found the outfit dumped by an electricity box in the southwestern end of the circus, with a handwritten note inside its mouth.

'We are so sorry!!' The note read.

'We had no idea what we were doing or what our actions would cause.

'We were just having a rough time and were trying to cheer ourselves up.

'We had a great time with Mr Bird, he's a great guy and no harm came to our friend.

'So sorry to be such a big birden! Sincerely, the big bird bandits.'

The two men were arrested and charged two days later.

Mr Binder and Mr Milne are due to face court again in November.
A frosty exchange between a sleepy state health officer and a prominent journalist spilled over into a shouting match at a press conference on Wednesday.

A visibly annoyed Nicola Spurrier, South Australian Chief Public Health Officer, refused to answer questions from Chris Kenny when the Sky News presenter challenged her over an ambitious target of at least 80 per cent of the public getting vaccinated before lockdowns could end.

Professor Spurrier tersely told Mr Kenny she wasn't here 'to have an argument with you' - then ignored his follow-up question, preferring instead to answer a bizarre question about whether a dog could catch Covid.

South Australian Chief Public Health Officer Professor Nicola Spurrier admitted being 'tired' when she lashed out at Sky News commentator Chris Kenny and ignored his question about vaccination rates on Wednesday

Sky News commentator Chris Kenny was pushing the SA Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier on whether the target of 80 per cent public vaccination rates were necessary given Covid-19 was having a mild impact on people outside vulnerable demographics

Prof. Spurrier attracted widespread ridicule earlier this month when she allowed a full crowd of fans to attend an AFL game at the Adelaide Oval, and have players fly in from a then locked-down Melbourne but said those attending should avoid touching the ball for fear of getting the virus, and advised ducking if the ball was kicked into the stand.

On Wednesday she was challenged by Mr Kenny over why the state was pursuing a seemingly futile eradication strategy of the virus, rather than adopting the approach of other countries in getting the vulnerable vaccinated and then living with the virus.

Professor Spurrier interrupted the train of questions, saying she wanted to answer them one at a time because 'I've had very little sleep'.

She said a vaccination rate of more than 80 per cent would be required to prevent the need for ongoing lockdown measures as the Indian Delta variant has a 'biological advantage' and 'is more difficult to control'.

A Covid-infected nurse who worked at two busy hospitals in Sydney has 100 close contacts already identified, with wards now blocked off from visitors

Mr Kenny challenged the view that it was necessary to vaccinate 80 per cent of public before public health experts stopped threatening economically damaging lockdowns, a figure previously given by NSW premier Gladys Berejiklian.

'Doesn't that seem unreasonably high, given that no country has got to that level, we may not ever get to that level, and because of the very mild health threat the disease poses to anyone outside those vulnerable groups?' he said.

Prof. Spurrier bristled at the question before responding: 'I really find it quite surprising to be at a press conference and have somebody suggest that there are very minor consequences to Covid 19.

'We still have many many people dying around the world and we've also had four deaths here in Australia.'

Kenny countered that 'there's not been one community transmission that has led to death in this country all year.'

That was enough for a visibly irritated Professor Spurrier to hit back.

'Excuse me, I'm here to provide information to the South Australian public, not to have an argument with you over a minor point.'

New South Wales Health confirmed a student nurse, 24, worked at the Royal North Shore hospital for five days while potentially carrying the virus and also did shifts at the Fairfield hospital. Pictured: Covid testing in Sydney

Kenny said vaccination rates and the triggers for lockdowns could not be described as a 'minor point' and asked another follow-up question.

This time the SA Chief Health Minister refused to answer and took a question from another person about the infected family of a miner who have gone into isolation and which has a pregnant dog.

'This family, they have a very nice dog. But the dog is pregnant, so I have a team looking after the dog,' she said.

South Australia recorded five new Covid-19 cases on Wednesday, originating with a miner who contracted the virus and passed it onto his family. Because the family self-isolated the State did not go into lockdown

Figures released by NSW Health show how the virulent strain of the Covid-19 virus grew from one confirmed case at Bondi on June 16, to a cluster there, then began to rapidly spill into suburbs across Sydney and beyond

Is an 80% vaccination rate for the public achievable? Claims no country has reached 80 per cent Covid vaccination are technically correct. While 83 per cent of the people in England have had at least one dose, the rate of people fully vaccinated (with two doses) in the United Kingdom is 49 per cent. In the United States 54 per cent have had at least one dose, but the rate of people fully vaccinated is just 49 per cent. Australia is performing poorly, below the world average. Here 24 per cent of us have had at least one dose, but just 4.8 per cent are fully vaccinated. India's rate of full vaccination is 4.1% cent, while New Zealand's is 7.8%, Indonesia's is 4.9% and Japan's is 11%. Source: Oxford University Advertisement

New South Wales is five days into a hard two week lockdown and recorded 22 new Covid-19 cases overnight, bringing its total to 171 active cases.

One hundred patients and staff at two Sydney hospitals are in isolation after a 24-year-old unvaccinated student nurse tested positive to COVID-19. She worked at Fairfield Hospital and Royal North Shore Hospital while infectious.

Queensland has 18 cases, and Victoria 34, the Northern territory has nine cases and Western Australia four.

It was the second time in this month that South Australian Professor Spurrier has made headlines over her public statements regarding Covid.
A woman has died and another is in critical condition after a horror truck crash at Melbourne Airport.

Emergency crews rushed to the intersection of Terminal Drive and Centre Road where a car and a truck had collided at about 2.40pm on Wednesday afternoon.

Confronting aerial images from the scene shows a crumpled car partially stuck underneath the heavy vehicle, with emergency workers trying desperately to retrieve those trapped inside.

A woman has died and another is in critical condition after a horror truck crash at Melbourne Airport (pictured)

Emergency crews rushed to the intersection of Terminal Drive and Centre Road where a car and a truck had collided at about 2.40pm on Wednesday afternoon (pictured)

The driver of the car, who was pronounced dead at the scene, is yet to be formally identified.

A woman who was the passenger is now fighting for life after suffering 'life-threatening' injuries in the terrifying smash.

She was taken to hospital after being freed from the wreckage by emergency services.

The truck driver was not injured in the collision and is now being questioned by police about what caused the accident.

'The exact circumstances surrounding the collision are yet to be determined and investigations are ongoing,' Victoria Police said.

The truck driver will also undergo mandatory drug and alcohol testing.

With crash investigators now on scene, authorities are warning of significant traffic delays. Pictured: A passenger arriving at Melbourne Airport

A large number of emergency service vehicles can be seen arriving at the shocking scene.

With crash investigators now on scene, authorities are warning of significant traffic delays.

'Anyone dropping off or picking up loved ones from the airport must use the 10 Minute Wait Zone off Mercer Drive,' Melbourne Airport Tweeted following the crash.

'The diversion is due to a collision and we appreciate your understanding.'

Centre Road is still closed in both directions, with only one lane leading to the Tullamarine Freeway and the airport.

Police are urging anyone who may have witnessed the crash to immediately contact Victoria police.
Robbers held up a television crew at gunpoint during an interview with the director of violence prevention in Oakland amid the city's huge wave of violence, police have said.

The attack took place outside City Hall on Monday just hours after the police chief blasted his city's decision to defund its police department by $18.5million despite a 90 per cent increase in murders.

The NBC Bay Area news crew was interviewing Guillermo Cespedes at around 3pm when two armed men tried to take their camera, the Oakland Police Department said.

Robbers held up a television crew at gunpoint during an interview with director of violence prevention Guillermo Cespedes (pictured) in Oakland

A scuffle broke out and a private security guard who was contracted by the news agency, pulled out a gun and told the robbers to leave.

The suspects fled without the camera and no one was hurt, police said, but the two attempted robbers have not been arrested.

Hours earlier, police chief LeRonne Armstrong decried a decision made by city leaders in a 6-2 vote to divert a proposed $18.5million increase from the Oakland Police Department's budget over the next two years despite a rise in violent crime and shootings.

He said: 'I'll start off today by saying that I'm challenged by the decisions that were made on Thursday around the budget for the City of Oakland particularly for the Oakland Police Department

The suspects fled without the camera and no one was hurt, police said, but the two attempted robbers have not been arrested

'I first want to say that I believe strongly that Mayor (Libby) Shaft put forward a budget that was designed to preserve public safety for the entire city both law enforcement and violence prevention. These are not two separate things

'We work together we've always worked together and the success of this city will not be just law enforcement it won't be just the Oakland police department

'It will be the Oakland police department it will be the department of violence prevention and it will be most importantly community

'But today we find ourselves in a crisis. We find ourselves reeling from a weekend of violence, where we've seen four homicides over a three-day period.'

Chief Armstrong added: 'It now has us currently at 65 homicides for the year. It's a 90 percent increase compared to last year.

LeRonne Armstrong, the police chief of Oakland, California, on Monday lambasted the city council's 6-2 vote to defund the police by $18.5M

'Our shootings are up over 70 percent this year. Our robberies are up 11 percent this year - 1300 robberies in this city already this year.

'Our car-jackings are up nearly 88 percent so we see clearly that crime is out of control in the City of Oakland, and our response was for less police resources

'But when city council members - the majority of them that voted to defund this police department - that additional 17 million that was reduced from the police department's budget will have a impact.'

The chief spoke as his law enforcement department's budget was set at $674 million.

That is about $9million more than the previous year. However, the increase is drastically less than the proposed $27 million from an effort led by Democratic Mayor Libby Schaaf. And last year's police funding accounted for 20% of the city's budget, while this year's budget equates to 18%, according to the Washington Examiner.

Crime is spiking in Oakland and the city is now at 65 homicides in 2021 so far, a 90percent increase from the same period last year

A group of women were seen twerking on top of an ambulance in Oakland on June 19 while emergency services responded to a fatal shooting

Just two weeks ago, multiple women were seen twerking on the top of an ambulance in Lake Merritt in Oakland while paramedics attempted to make their way through to the scene of a shooting in which one person was killed and at least seven others were wounded.

The ambulance was stopped in its tracks by the crowd which was said to be around 1,000-strong as people gathered to celebrate Juneteenth after it was declared a federal holiday.

And last month, Bishop Michael Barber of the Oakland Catholic Diocese was robbed at gunpoint in broad daylight.

'So we see clearly that crime is out of control in the city of Oakland and our response was for less police resources,' Chief Armstrong said.

Armstrong said that despite the cuts the department will be adding 60 officers over the next few months, but will lose 65 due to attrition and may require compulsory overtime to make up for it.

He said: 'When you hear the statement from those that say nothing will change  that is not true. Yes it will. The impact will be immediate with a slower response time to emergency calls for service, the 911 surge units that were used to respond to violent crime . . . will have less resources, less officers responding. That is going to have an impact, it's going to have a delayed response.'

Armstrong said that the budget cuts will cause major delays in response times and require mandated overtime for cops

Armstrong added that the burden will have an even greater detriment on marginalized communities, like deep east Oakland, from where most emergency calls come.

He said he supported the ideas behind many of the proposed measures, but warned residents would suffer due to falling cop numbers while the replacement schemes are implemented.

Still, some lawmakers say the cuts are not enough and wanted a 50 percent decrease, or about $150M, from the police budget.

Councilwoman Nikki Fortunato Bas told ABC7 that the cuts are 'historic' and will be used to direct funds to social service agencies and other crisis response groups.

'We'll be standing up a program called MACRO for alternative crisis responders, to handle mental health issues,' she said. 'We will be having our department of transportation handle issues that police typically handle, blocked driveways, auto tows.'

Over $300,000 taken from the police budget will also go the Youth Employment Program, an advocacy group that aims to keep young people off the streets.

Following the council vote, Mayor Schaaf lauded the council's intentions of bolstering violence prevention and social services as a means of approaching public safety. However, she warned that the police budget cuts will harm the department and hamper response times.

'It will force our officers to work even more overtime shifts, which are expensive and unsafe for officers and residents alike,' she said in a press release, adding that the decision 'cuts 50 police officers who respond to Oaklanders' 911 calls and enforce traffic safety. It also cuts much-needed future academies, which will significantly reduce police staffing and delay response to Oaklanders in their time of crisis.'

Armstrong paused and began to tear up as he recalled a scene on Saturday night when a young man died and a woman shouted at him from out a window and said, 'do something about it.'

'Without the resources it makes it challenging to make Oakland safe and more families find themselves dealing with trauma find themselves dealing with putting the pieces together,' he said. 'When the yellow tape is gone and when the streets are cleaned up there is still hurt.'
ere called to Brick Lane in Tower Hamlets at around 6.40pm last Friday

Police have launched a manhunt after a five-year-old boy was grabbed on his way home from school in east London

Officers were called to Brick Lane in Tower Hamlets at around 6.40pm last Friday after a man allegedly followed the boy and tried to grab his hand.

The pupil was with two other family members and the trio managed to escape to a friend's home before alerting the police, according to the Met.

An image has now been released of a man who police wish to speak to in connection with the attempted abduction.

He is described as being of Asian appearance, aged in his 20s or 30s and wearing a navy jumper, black jeans, black trainers and a black hat at the time of the incident.

An image (above) has been released of a man who police wish to speak to in connection with the attempted abduction on Brick Lane in east London at around 6.40pm last Friday

The boy was not physically harmed and officers are providing support to his family.

Police are also increasing patrols in the area over this week, including during the school run.

In a statement, the Met said: 'Police were called at 18:42hrs on Friday, 25 June following a report that an unknown man had approached a five-year-old boy as he walked along Brick Lane.

'The man is alleged to have followed the boy before trying to grab him by the hand.'

The force continued: 'The boy was not physically harmed in the incident but it would have been scary for him and those with him. Officers are continuing to provide support to his family.

'An investigation is ongoing and detectives have been pursuing a number of lines of enquiry, including a comprehensive search of CCTV cameras in the area.

A street view of Brick Lane in Tower Hamlets, where the incident took place. Police are increasing patrols in the area over this week, including during the school run (file photo)

'They have identified a man who they wish to speak to urgently and have released an image in the hope that the public can help to identify him.'

It added: 'Officers are not aware of any reports of similar incidents in the area, but in order to provide reassurance to the community, there will be an increased high visibility police presence at key times in the coming week, including school drop off and pick up periods.'

Anyone who can identify the man is asked to call police on 101, tweet MetCC quoting 6617/25JUN or get in touch anonymously via Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
Claims that Prince William and his staff planted a story about Prince Harry's (pictured together left, top right) mental health were cut from a documentary at the 11th hour yesterday after warnings that they were defamatory. Omid Scobie, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex's biographer, had suggested palace sources briefed newspapers over concerns about Harry's state of mind following an interview he gave. Harry had spoken with journalist Tom Bradby in 2019 where he admitted to a rift with his brother for the first time (pictured bottom right: In the same programme, Meghan revealed to Bradby that she was 'surviving, not thriving'). And Mr Scobie has now said a negative spin was subsequently put on that interview by palace sources. The claims were due to be aired in ITV's prime-time documentary 'Harry and William: What Went Wrong?' which was broadcast last night. But at the 11th hour the claim was cut from the show. Kensington Palace is believed to have contacted the producers in relation to a 'number' of details. One of these was a clear rebuttal of Mr Scobie's suggestion that William had expressed a 'concern' about his brother's mental health, which the author had no evidence to support. William is a dedicated campaigner on mental health issues and would take a dim view of any suggestion that he or his staff would brief about that.
A British Airways flight to Sao Paulo was forced to return to London while over the Atlantic.

The plane left Heathrow at 3.49pm yesterday but landed back at the airport at 12.26am after more than eight hours in the air.

It had been intended for the Governador Andre Franco Montoro International Airport in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

A British Airways flight to Sao Paulo was forced to return to London while over the Atlantic (stock image)

It is thought that the BA247 flight was a freighter service and experienced a technical issue.

Pilots then made the decision to turn around and return to Heathrow.

A spokesman for British Airways has since confirmed to MailOnline: 'Safety is always our priority, and after an indication of a minor technical issue our experienced pilots made the decision to return the freighter service to Heathrow as a precaution.'

A spokeswoman for Heathrow Airport declined to comment on the incident.
This is the shocking moment a shark leapt out of the water and bit off part of a mans foot as he parasailed in the Red Sea.

The footage which was shot on Friday, shows the tandem parasailer, a 37-year-old Jordanian man, hovering above the water in Aqaba when the shark suddenly emerges and bites him on the leg.

The man lost part of the back of his foot in the attack which also severed tendons, tore muscles and broke several bones.

He was taken to the Prince Hashem Military Hospital, in the port city, where he had an operation on his right foot. His condition was described as stable.

This is the shocking moment a man parasailing off the coast of Jordan was bitten by a shark

The 37-year-old man lost part of his foot and had several tendons severed when the shark lunged out of the sea and bit him near the port city of Aqaba on Friday

Mohammad Qatawneh from the Aqaba International Dive Centre told local media that although shocking, attacks by sharks in the Gulf of Aqaba are rare.

He told Jordan News: 'The shark attack garnered a lot of media attention. Truthfully, it scared a lot of people, but this is something that can take place anywhere.

'In Karak, for example, there are snakes and scorpions, but in the end, they're not dangerous enough to scare people away.

'I've been diving for 20 years and this is the first time I've heard of a shark attack.'

He added: 'There are many types of sharks. We have reef sharks, guitar sharks, and many other types but none are dangerous.'

Mohammed Khalil Al Zabada of the College of Marine Sciences told Gulf News: 'Sharks are found in all the seas of the world, and in the Red Sea there are many types of sharks, but their presence in the Aqaba region is very rare.'

He said sharks are not normally found in shallow water off the Jordanian coast.

The victim was para sailing on a boat outside the port of Aqaba, Jordan. The shark jumped and grabbed the man's foot before he was lifted into the air by the powerboat

The man lost part of his foot after being attacked by an unidentified shark. Pictured here is an Oceanic white-tip shark. This species of shark has been linked to previous attacks in the Red Sea

The man was attacked in the Jordanian Red Sea resort of Aqaba by an unidentified shark

Nayef Al Bakhit of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority said an investigation into the incident has been launched.

He added: 'The committee will issue a detailed statement about what happened as soon as they complete the investigation.'

Several other people have been attacked in the Red Sea by sharks within the past year, although those incidents were further south, off the Egyptian coast.

In October 2020, a 12-year-old Ukrainian boy and an Egyptian tour guide were attacked by a shark at the Ras Mohammed national park in Sharm El-Sheikh.

The boy lost an arm while the guide had a leg amputated when they were savaged by an Oceanic Whitetip shark.

Two months later a 42-year-old German woman was bitten by a whitetip shark near Marsa Alam in Egypt.
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A Victorian train carriage which has been left to rot in a field for nearly 100 years has now gone up for auction for 100,000.

The Great Western Railway First Class carriage, which dates back to 1855, was towed behind a family's traction engine for use as their living quarters in the early 20th century.

After many years of travelling, the carriage was left abandoned in a New Forest field in Hampshire and covered up in a makeshift shed in around 1930.

However it was finally unearthed around 90 years later by a family member who decided to clear the land.

The Victorian Great Western Railway First Class carriage, which dates back to 1855, has been unearthed in a field in the New Forest, Hampshire

A step inside the Victorian carriage, which has been left to rot in a field for nearly 100 years, reveals a wooden door and wall

The glass on the carriage was smashed by vandals when it was unearthed and a large amount of wood was rotten or missing

Pictured: A Great Western Railway carriage which was built in the UK and was one of 12 vehicles ordered for the second railway in New South Wales, Australia, after it was established by the Hunter River Railway Company in 1853. The original first class carriages were built of teak and were fitted with padded seats, carpets, and windows with shutters. The carriage is a similar design to the model which is set to go under the hammer in July

It took three years for the owner, who remembered the carriage being used as a store as a young boy being, to remove the trees and cut through the brambles and the decades of scrap metal and rubbish.

When he finally unearthed to carriage he asked local train enthusiasts around to examine it - which eventually led to its identification.

As a GWR First Class carriage it originally included servant quarters at either end with racks to store luggage on.

In the 1980s, there was also a person who lived in the carriage when they were homeless, the owner recalled.

The carriage, which is estimated at 5,000-10,000, will now go up for auction at Charterhouse during a two-day sale on July 8 and 9 in Sherborne.

Auctioneer Richard Bromell said: 'Over the decades I have seen the weird and the wonderful but never did I think I would be asked to look at train carriage in the middle of a field.

'Normally we are asked to sell model railways carriages so this is a first for me as an auctioneer in 36 years.'

The carriage, which now requires major restoration and repair, originally included servant quarters at either end with racks to store luggage on

It took three years for the owner to remove the trees and cut through the brambles and the decades of scrap metal and rubbish. The roof of the carriage survived as the previous owners had placed corrugated iron sheets on it to protect it

The Victorian train carriage was finally unearthed after a family member of the previous owner decided it was time to start clearing the land

The carriage is largely original, although it now requires major restoration, repair and conservation.

The roof survived as the family placed corrugated iron sheets on it to protect it and the bronze fittings remain in place, including the door handles stamped GWR SWINDON.

However the glass was smashed by vandals when it was unearthed and a large amount of wood is rotten or missing and the floor is collapsing.

Now the carriage is the only item remaining in the field to be cleared.

The Great Western Railway was given approval to be built in 1835 in order to provide transport links from Bristol to London.

The line, which was created for speed and efficiency, was designed by engineer Isambard Kingdom Brunel - the third child of Marc Brunel, a French emigre engineer.
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The search for the remains of US soldiers who were killed after a Second World War bomber plane which was gunned down by enemy fire near Paris crashed in a farmer's field in Sussex has begun, as American veterans dig up the area to finally take their fallen compatriots home.

A B-24 Liberator with the 489th Bombardment Group dubbed 'Johnny Reb' was shot up by anti-aircraft fire during a bombing raid on a German airfield near Versailles on June 22, 1944, and managed to limp back across the English Channel before it started losing height off the Sussex coast.

Seven of the 10 crew on board managed to bail out of the stricken plane, but three - pilot Lieutenant William Montgomery, Sergeant John Crowther and engineer Sergeant John Holoka Jr - were killed as it crashed in a field near Arundel Castle. It is believed they were trying to fix the bomber.

Sergeant Crowther's body was found and repatriated, but nothing was found of the two others except Lieutenant Montgomery's identity bracelet. The crash site was largely forgotten about 2017, when farmer John Sellers - who witnessed the crash as a boy - contacted the authorities.

Seventy-seven years after the crash, US veterans with the American Veterans Archaeological Recovery (AVAR) have teamed up with academics at the University of York in an effort to recover any human remains from the site so that they can be repatriated back to the United States.

Project leader Stephen Humphreys, CEO of AVAR, said he hopes the mission will bring closure to any surviving family members back home as well as provide an opportunity for veterans on his team to build archaeology skills.

The former US Air Force captain said: 'We can't divulge a lot of specific information about the aircraft but I can tell you that the aircraft did crash in 1944 in a farmer's field.

Seven of the 10 crew on board a B-24 Liberator dubbed 'Johnny Reb' managed to bail out of the plane on its journey back to England, but three - pilot Lieutenant William Montgomery, Sergeant John Crowther (pictured together front right) and engineer Sergeant John Holoka Jr - were killed as it crashed in a farmer's field near Arundel Castle

Archaeologists and American Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency staff work to recover the remains of an American bomber crew, whose aircraft crashed at a site in Arundel in 1944

Handout photo issued by the US Air Force of a Consolidated B-24 Liberator taken in the 1940s

US veterans with the American Veterans Archaeological Recovery (AVAR) have teamed up with the University of York in an effort to recover any human remains from the crash site so that they can be repatriated to America

The bomber that crashed near Arundel was part of the 489th Bomb Group, which flew B-24 Liberators out of RAF Halesworth, Suffolk, for several months in 1944

A B-24 Liberator with the 489th Bombardment Group was shot up by anti-aircraft fire during a bombing raid on a German airfield near Versailles on June 22, 1944, and managed to limp back across the English Channel before it started losing height off the Sussex coast. Seven of the 10 crew on board managed to bail out of the stricken plane on its perilous journey back to England, but three - pilot Lieutenant William Montgomery, Sergeant John Crowther and engineer Sergeant John Holoka Jr - were killed as it crashed in a farmer's field near Arundel Castle

'That farmer took a deep interest in both the crash and in the story of those airmen and was a big part of preserving this site within the local community for the last 77 years so that this site would be here for us to come in and do this recovery mission in 2021.

'So our mission is to actually recover the remains of those service members who were lost when this aircraft crashed in 1944, have them identified... and hopefully give closure to some families if we can.'

The bomber that crashed near Arundel was part of the 489th Bomb Group, a unit of the United States Air Force that flew tactical missions in support of Allied ground forces in northern France during the Allied invasion of Europe in 1944.

After training in the United States, the 489th was stationed at Halesworth, Suffolk between April and November 1944 and flew 106 operational missions in their B-24 Liberators. Twenty-six aircraft were lost in combat - including the so-called Arundel Bomber - and a number of aircrew became prisoners of war.

From its first combat mission was to Oldenburg, Germany on May 30, 1944, just prior to the D-Day landings, the crews of the 489th carried out saturation bombing of Nazi-occupied territories before the final Allied breakthrough in July 1944 - and dropped food and ammunition into France and Holland.

The 489th's final mission was on November 10, 1944, when the group was then redeployed to the US for training for the Pacific theatre of the war with Japan. However, many of the aircraft and personnel were reassigned to other bombing groups in the 8th Air Force.

The site in West Sussex where the Liberator is believed to have crashed sits on green farmland less than a mile from Arundel Castle.

Handout photo issued by the US Air Force of a Consolidated B-24 Liberator taken in the 1940s

The site in West Sussex where the Liberator is believed to have crashed sits on green farmland less than a mile from Arundel Castle

The four-week excavation at the site involves a digger removing piles of soil from a wide trench and carefully depositing it on tarpaulins ready for examination

Despite its condition, the pilots and crew managed to nurse the aircraft back to the English coast, but for reasons unknown it crashed in a farmer's field near Arundel, West Sussex

The dramatic event was witnessed by a young boy who lived at the farm, and who would go on to ensure that the site was preserved over the subsequent decades. A memorial to the airmen sits at the edge of the field - a small memento to the lives lost marked with two star-spangled banners.

The four-week excavation at the site involves a digger removing piles of soil from a wide trench and carefully depositing it on tarpaulins ready for examination.

The team then sets about painstakingly sifting through the earth in search of anything from the crash.

Mr Humphreys added: 'So obviously this is a fairly traumatic crash site but still there will be human material and human remains that survive so that is what we are attempting to recover.

'And personal effects, a number of items that would have been carried by those airmen at the time, those can help us to pinpoint where in the wreckage we might be able to find those remains.

'It's all about making the details of the excavation as precise as we possibly can so that we can be as precise as we need to be in terms of being able to say where those individual finds came from out of the ground while we're looking for those airmen.'

The dig is being run as part of Operation Keeping Faith, a partnership between the the US Government's Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and American Veterans Archaeological Recovery, a company giving veterans the chance to work on archaeological sites to gain experience and boost mental wellbeing

Archaeologists and American Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency staff work to recover the remains of an American bomber crew

The dig is being run as part of Operation Keeping Faith, a partnership between the the US Government's Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency and American Veterans Archaeological Recovery, a company giving veterans the chance to work on archaeological sites to gain experience and boost mental wellbeing.

Mr Humphreys said: 'On my team we have the full range of individuals from people who are veterans and who want to go out and do something cool and learn a new skillset, but we also have veterans who already have degrees in archaeology and who do this as a career and of course this is great training for them in the pursuit of that career.'

Mark Khan, a veteran who served in Northern Ireland, helped get the project off the ground after meeting military aviation researcher Andy Saunders at an archaeology conference in Dorking. They discussed the plane crash and as an Arundel resident, Mr Khan was keen to take it further, including extensive research.

He told the West Sussex County Times: 'The farmer's dad was a young lad at the time, living in the cottages nearby, so when it crashed he was quickly at the scene. He wrote a first-hand account and there has been extensive research.

'It is a very evocative story. The bomber was based at Suffolk and was on a mission to Versailles. It was hit over the target and damaged by flak. They lost most of the flying controls but nursed it back in the bomber stream.

'They followed a one-way system so they couldn't go straight back to base. It was a tremendous feat of airmanship.

'As it neared the English coastline, the pilot gave the order to bail out. As it flew on over Arundel, something happened that caused the aircraft to crash, we don't know what, and the three remaining crew were killed.'
This is the moment a mother and son were tearfully reunited after they were abducted and sold into slavery by human traffickers 31 years ago.

Tao Xiaobing had never given up hope of finding his mother and was finally able to trace her back to the city of Bijie in the Chinese province of Guizhou and set up Saturday's reunion.

Tao was just three when he and his mother Zhou Jiaying were abducted and sold to a family in the province of Shandong by neighbours from the same village, Chinese news site Baidu reported.

Tao Xiaobing (left) was miraculously reunited with his mother (middle) in the city of Bijie in the Chinese province of Guizhou on June 26

A few months later, the mother managed to escape at a moment when she was unguarded and her captors were not expecting it. She managed to go home to Bijie, but she was unable to take her young son with her.

When she raised the alarm and returned to the house where they were forced to work, she found that no one was home and villagers kept telling her to 'go away'.

To make matters worse, local officials appeared to have little appetite to help solve the disappearance at that time.

Three-year-old Tao and his mother Zhou Jiaying (pictured hugging having been reuinited) were abducted and sold to a family in the province of Shandong in 1990, by neighbours from the same village, according to the news site Baidu

The mother and son were reunited after Tao (pictured on the floor) tracked his mother down with the help of volunteers from Guizhou, Shandong and Xi'an

As soon as it was confirmed that Ms Jiaying, her son Tao rushed to the address in Guizhou Province to reunite with his mother (pictured)

Despite visiting the location several times over the years, she never had any luck in finding her son, who continued to work in slavery looking after the children and elderly in the family where he was being held captive.

He was eventually freed from servitude and adopted by a couple in Shandong Province, but the new couple were also not interested in helping him find his mother because they feared losing their new son.

Tao said that his new parents were afraid that he would return to her if he ever tracked down his biological mother.

A few months after being kidnapped, mother Zhou Jiaying (left) managed to escape, but was not able to take her young son with her

While hugging her long-lost son, Zhou said: 'Thank you everyone for helping me find my child'

He said that despite that, he always thought of his mother and wanted to try to find her while he was going through university, but did not know where to start looking.

Years later, Tao felt that the time was right and tracked his mother down with the help of volunteers from Guizhou, Shandong and Xi'an.

He said that by this time he had married and had a family of his own, which had strengthened his desire to overcome the obstacles and find his real mother.

After being informed of his suspected mother's whereabouts a DNA test was arranged, and as soon as it was confirmed, Tao rushed to the address in Guizhou Province to reunite with his mother.

While hugging her long-lost son, Zhou said: 'Thank you everyone for helping me find my child.'

According estimates from the Global Slavery Index, on any given day in 2016 there were over 3.8 million people living in modern slavery in China - a rate of 2.8 people in every thousand in the country.
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Incredible colourised photos from the Battle of the Somme have provided a glimpse into the brave sacrifice of British and Commonwealth troops ahead of tomorrow's 105th anniversary of the start of the horrific carnage.

In one picture, a German prisoner assisted wounded British solders as they made their way to a dressing station after they fought on Bazentin Ridge on July 19, 1916.

Another image showed Australian gunners who stripped off in the summer heat, serving a 9.2 howitzer during the Battle of Pozieres which took place during the Battle of the Somme.

The torrential rain of October 1916 which brought an end to the British Somme offensive were brought to life in colour as horses were pictured drawing carriages through the mud.

The series of images were colourised by electrician Royston Leonard from Cardiff who was inspired by the courage of the troops in what was one of the bloodiest battles in human history, leaving a million men dead.

'I got the idea for this set after hearing stories about my grandfather who was there in World War One for almost four years,' said Royston.

On 1 July 1916 tens of thousands of British, French and Commonwealth troops went 'over the top', pouring out of their trenches and running towards the German lines, confident the enemy had been destroyed by artillery. Thousands were mowed down by German machine gunners, who had hunkered down and survived the artillery onslaught. By the end of the first day, British forces had suffered 57,470 casualties, of whom 19,240 were killed - the bloodiest day in the history of the British Army

A soldier smokes a cigarette as he leans over the duckboards to tend to another man who is either dead or injured in July 1916. By the spring of 1916, things were looking grim on the Western Front. The French Army had already suffered 190,000 casualties at Verdun, with no sign of victory in sight. In desperation, they turned to their British allies to break the deadlock. An Anglo-French assault 125 miles north at the Somme, they reasoned, would relieve German pressure at Verdun, or 'the Mincing Machine', as fatalistic French soldiers called it.

Australian gunners stripped off in the summer heat, serving a 9.2 howitzer during the Battle of Pozieres which took place during the Battle of the Somme. When the survivors were relieved on July 27, an observer called E.J Rule, recounted: 'They looked like men who had been in Hell... drawn and haggard and so dazed that they appeared to be walking in a dream and their eyes looked glassy and starey.'

Stretcher bearers recover dead and wounded after fighting. The British suffered 420,000 casualties, including 125,000 deaths, during the intense fighting. Another 200,000 French troops and 500,000 Germans were either killed or wounded in action. It is estimated 24,000 Canadian and 23,000 Australian servicemen also fell in the four-month fight.

Indian bicycle troops at a crossroads on the Fricourt-Mametz Road, Somme, France. Fricourt was one of the first villages to be captured during the Somme offensive. The stronghold formed a salient in the German front-line and was their main fortified village between the River Somme and the Ancre. By the end of the first day's fighting on July 1, the village was surrounded on three sides and during the night, the German garrison withdrew. British troops went in at noon the following day to capture the village

A map showing the situation on July 1, 1916, the start of the Battle of the Somme, up to November 19, 1916, when the battle ended

'The photos show how hard life was and how the men were just trying to live in the terrible conditions that were on the Western Front for both sides and trying to make the best of it.

'They show how life was at every moment and remind us just how cruel war is, but at the same time these men carried on and made the most of it.

'New machines were made for the air and ground, but also mixed in were new ideas for peace and the way forwards to a better world. It would take another war to learn these lessons and finally bring peace to Europe.

'Even in the middle of hell you can see the hope of better times, but in some images it is just hell - man's hell made of blood, death and steel.'

British artillery bombard the German position on the Western Front during the Battle of the Somme. The British and French joined forces to fight the Germans on a 15-mile-long front, with more than a million-people killed or injured on both sides. The Battle started on the July 1, 1916, and lasted until November 19, 1916. The British managed to advance seven-miles but failed to break the German defence. On the first day alone, 19,240 British soldiers were killed after 'going over the top' and more than 38,000 were wounded. But on the last day of the battle, the 51st Highland Division took Beaumont Hamel and captured 7,000 German prisoners. The plan was for a 'Big Push' to relieve the French forces, who were besieged further south at Verdun, and break through German lines. Although it did take pressure off Verdun it failed to provide a breakthrough and the war dragged on for another two years.

The Australian Army at the Battle of the Somme. The Australian Imperial Force, a mixture of Gallipoli veterans and new volunteers from home, arrived at the Somme in late July. Their major contribution was in fighting for the village of Pozieres between 23 July and 3 September. The 1st, 2nd and 4th Australian Divisions suffered more than 24,000 casualties there, including 6,741 dead.

Canadian soldiers returning from trenches during the Battle of the Somme, November 1916. The Canadians suffered more than 24,000 casualties during the battle. On the first day of the battle the First Newfoundland Regiment were nearly completely wiped out when they part of a third wave of troops to attack German lines at Beaumont Hamel. More than 700 of the Newfoundlanders were cut down by German machine guns, with many wounded left writhing around in No Man's Land throughout the night. By the following day, just 68 of the regiment's 801 members were able to answer at roll call

New Zealand troops on the Western Front smile for the camera from their trench. Following a period of R&R after the disaster at Gallipoli, the newly formed New Zealand Division set off for France in April 1916, first to the Flanders region to gain trench experience, where they spent three months guarding the 'quiet' sector of the front at Armentieres. They deployed to the Somme in September where a nightmarish landscape of destruction on a scale never before seen was to greet them. Eighteen thousand troops went into action, nearly 6,000 were wounded and 2,100 were killed

Gibraltar blockhouse in Pozieres on August 28, 1916. There was a large German pillbox at the end of Pozieres village, named 'Panzerturm' by the Germans, and dubbed 'Gibraltar' by Australian troops - apparently for its likeness to the British territory on the Mediterranean known as the Rock. Some remains of the bunker can still be seen today. The Battle of Pozieres took place in northern France from July 23 to September 3, 1916. The costly battle, as part of the Battle of the Somme, ended with the British in possession of the plateau north and east of the village, in a position to attack the German bastion of Thiepval from the rear. Official war correspondent C.E.W. Bean wrote that Pozieres ridge 'is more densely sown with Australian sacrifice than any other place on earth.'

Troops rising from the trenches to battle. The Battle of the Somme was the bloodiest of the First World War and lasted for 141 days. On the first day alone, more than 19,000 British soldiers were killed and 38,000 were wounded.

Troops in the trenches along the Western Front during the Battle of the Somme. Trench warfare was harsh on all sides, with disease and cramped conditions making it particularly grim for the men. Officers were allowed some respite in dugouts, while the troops had to sleep under whatever shelter they could find, often just a blanket pulled over their heads

A wagon hauling artillery is caked in mud as it transports supplies across the Western Front in October 1916. Eight million horses, donkeys and mules who died on all sides during the First World War. They were the only viable option for covering the harsh terrain as track vehicles which would be deployed in WWII were still in their infancy and very expensive

Troops of the Public Schools Battalion are seen during a meeting on the front. The battalion, one of many Pals battalions which volunteered together, was drawn exclusively from former public school boys as part of Kitchener's Army. However, they were later taken over by the British Army officialdom and many of the 'young gentlemen' who were needed to take up officers' commissions were deployed into other battalions. It retained its name as the Public Schools Battalion when it served at the Somme, but by this stage there were many non-public school oldboys in the ranks.

Bringing up bombs at the Battle of Bazentin Ridge. Ridiculed by one French commander as 'an attack organised for amateurs by amateurs', it turned out to be a success for the British who were able to reach the strategic area of High Wood within a few days

An early model British made tank called C-15, September 1916. Still in their design infancy and plagued with mechanical errors, only 32 of the 49 tanks shipped to The Somme took part in the initial assault and only nine made it across no-man's land. But their introduction signalled a new, deadly era in modern warfare that would swing the pendulum in the Allied forces favour in the harsh, deadlocked trenches of Northern France.

Troops in the mud at the Battle of the Somme. Though the Battle of Passchendael, officially known as the Third Battle of Ypres, is remembered for its horrific weather and mud, the Somme was also horrendously wet throughout much of the fighting, making the conditions even more hellish for the men as they suffered interminable bombardments

A German prisoner is assisted by wounded British solders as they made their way to a dressing station after they fought on Bazentin Ridge on July 19, 1916. The Battle of Bazentin Ridge, fought from July 1 to November 18, was a British victory led by General Henry Rawlinson which was part of wider efforts to force Germans out of defensive positions in an area known as High Wood. The Fourth Army suffered 9,194 casualties, while the Germans suffered 2,300, while another 1,400 men were taken prisoner

Pack mules loaded with supplies are walked through the muddy track towards the front in October 1916. The Battle of the Somme - the first day of which caused the biggest single loss of life in British military history - became synonymous with the sucking mud in which troops fought, and often died

Sikh soldiers in Paris in 1916. More than a million Indian troops served in the conflict, of which 62,000 died and another 67,000 were wounded. The Indian Army fought along the Western Front and in campaigns in Africa

The Battle of the Somme is one of the most infamous battles of the First World War and took place between July 1, 1916, and November 18, 1916.

After 18 months of deadlock in the trenches on the Western Front, the Allies wanted to achieve a decisive victory.

There were heavy casualties on both sides. By the end of the first day on July 1, 1916, British forces had suffered 57,470 casualties, of whom 19,240 were killed. This represented the largest losses suffered by the British Army in a single day.

There were a total of one million casualties from both sides during the five month long battle - the Allies did gain some territorial gain but this was minimal compared to the scale of human loss.
High Covid death rates in the North West has caused the life expectancy of men and women in the region to decline by a combined 2.8 years, a study has found.

A report published today by the University College London found a high Covid mortality rate and deprivation contributed to a decline in life expectancy in the North West region, which was larger than the average in England.

Life expectancy dropped across England last year by an average of 1.3 years for men and 0.9 years for women, but it decreased even more in the North West, where it fell by 1.6 years for men and 1.2 years for women.

The report also found that people in Manchester were 24 per cent more likely to die from Covid than the rest of England.

Researchers calculated that 307 men and 195 women per 100,000 in Greater Manchester died from Covid between March 2020 and April 2021.

This was higher than the rest of England where 233.1 men and 142 women per 100,000 died from the virus in the same period.

Professor Sir Michael Marmot, director of the IHE, said the figures are 'jaw-dropping'.

The area's high death rates and 'particularly damaging long-term economic and social effects' will damage health and widen health inequalities unless action is taken, he said.

His report proposes that the government should invest in jobs, housing, local services and education to tackle these long-term problems.

It comes are the North West battles the biggest Covid outbreak in England, fuelled by the Indian 'Delta' variant.

The region recorded 21 deaths in the week up to June 18 - more than any other area of the country - according to figures released yesterday by the Office for National Statistics.

Separate data from the Department of Health shows that the region was responsible for 3,720 of the 14,608 infections recorded in England on Thursday.

The average life expectancy for women in Greater Manchester was 81.7 years, while men were expected to live to 78.1. This is lower than the national averages of 83.4 years for women and 79.8 years for men

Data gathered by the Institute of Health Equity shows that Greater Manchester as a whole had higher Covid death rates than England from March 2020 to March 2021, apart from the number of women dying in Stockport and men dying in Trafford, which were below the national average

Compared to similar metropolitan countires, Greater Manchester had the third highest Covid mortality rates. The West Midlands recorded 266.5 deaths per 100,000 people, followed by Greater London (265.1) and Greater Manchester (261)

So far, the North West has recorded more Covid deaths (18,056) than any other region of England, but it is closely followed by the South East (17,338).

Those areas are followed by London (15,636), the West Midlands (13,545), Yorkshire and the Humber (11,033) and the East Midlands (10,181).

The East (13,432), South West (6,800) and North East (5,986) have recorded the least deaths to date.

The IHE researchers found that the Covid-19 deaths in the North West are linked with deprivation.

The area is home to high numbers of people from ethnic minorities, which studies have shown die disproportionately from Covid compared to white people.

Factors including multi-generational housing or crowded conditions and having to continue working from a place of employment are experienced by lower income groups and lead to much higher risks of mortality.

Multi-generational housing can lead to higher deaths from the virus, as more people live in one household, increasing the risk of older family members catching the virus.

The researchers found that the average life expectancy for women in Greater Manchester was 81.7 years, while men were expected to live to 78.1. This is lower than the national averages of 83.4 years for women and 79.8 years for men.

The North West region as a whole had slightly better figures, with men living until they were around 78.3 and women living for around 82 year. But this is still lower than the national average.

The experts also found that the more deprived an area was, the higher mortality rates it recorded overall.

The graphs shows that the more deprived areas recorded the highest mortality rate from the virus, as well as other conditions. Other leading causes of death are dementia, Alzheimer's and heart disease

So far, the North West has recorded 18,056 Covid deaths, which is than any other region of England. The area recorded 21 deaths in the week up to June 18 - more than any other area of the country - according to figures released yesterday by the Office for National Statistics

The North West was hit the hardest by the second wave and was put under special restrictions during the pandemic. Most recently, the former Health Secretary Matt Hancock implemented extra testing and vaccinations.

The researchers found that Greater Manchester as a whole had higher Covid death rates than the national average from March 2020 to March 2021, apart from the number of women dying in Stockport and men dying in Trafford, which were lower.

Compared to similar metropolitan counties, Greater Manchester had the third highest Covid mortality rates, with 261 deaths per 100,000 people. This was lower than the West Midlands (266.5) and Greater London (265.1).

The North West was also above the national average for Covid deaths, but not as high as those area, with around 220 dying per 100,000 people.

Professor Sir Michael Marmot, director of the IHE, said the North West's high death rates and 'particularly damaging long-term economic and social effects' will damage health and widen health inequalities unless action is taken.

Sir Marmot, who is known for his work on how social factors impact health, said if the Government is serious about levelling up health inequities, then equity of health and wellbeing must be at the heart of Government and business strategy rather then narrow economic goals.

He said the North West has experienced the highest rates of Covid-19 deaths in the country and 'particularly damaging long-term economic and social effects' due to prolonged lockdowns.

He told the Guardian: 'As the UK emerges from the Covid-19 pandemic it would be a tragic mistake to attempt to re-establish the status quo that existed before - a status quo market in England, over the past decade, by a stagnation of health improvement that was second worst in Europe, and by widening health inequalities.'

Sir Marmot said the findings for Greater Manchester could be applied to other poor areas.

'It's pretty bad for life changes to live in poorer parts of London too. Levelling up shouldn't only be about the Midlands and the Northeast and the Northwest. Deprived partds of London need attention as well,' he said.

Andy Burnham, the Mayor of Greater Manchester, said: 'The Covid pandemic has exposed and amplified the reality that many of our residents have lives, jobs and homes which worsen their health.

'The pandemic has brutally exposed just how unequal England actually is. People have lived parallel lives over the last 18 months.

'People in low-paid, insecure work have often had little choice in their level of exposure to Covid; and the risk of getting it and bringing it back home to those they live with.

'Levelling up needs to start in the communities that have been hit hardest by the pandemic. To improve the nation's physical and mental health, we need to start by giving all of fellow citizens a good job and good home.

'We are grateful to Michael Marmot for showing how Greater Manchester can improve the health of our residents and we hope the Government will back us with the resources and powers to put better health at the heart of our recovery.'
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A blistering heatwave in Canada has caused dozens of deaths amid sweltering record temperatures after a high-pressure heat dome settled over the west of the country.

More than 230 deaths have been reported since Friday in British Columbia amid the 'unprecedented' weather which has led to 'disastrous consequences' for hundreds of families, the region's premier John Horgan said.

The country's temperature records have now been broken for three days in a row, with the latest soaring to 121F in Lytton on Tuesday. Before Sunday, temperatures had never surpassed 113F in Canada with the last record set in 1937.

Authorities say there has been a huge spike in deaths, many related to the extreme weather conditions, with 65 unexpected deaths linked to the heat in Vancouver alone since Friday.

The coroner's service in British Columbia normally expects to see around 130 deaths in four days, but the figure has risen to 233 between Friday and Monday.

The chief coroner said he expects the numbers to rise as the figures are updated, with many of the fatalities among elderly people or those with underlying health conditions with heat an underlying factor.

Canada's weather service said 'words cannot describe' the extreme heat and pointed out that British Columbia's record now exceeds the highest temperature ever recorded in Las Vegas.

The heatwave is stretching down to the US with Washington and Oregon also experiencing record temperatures while California is suffering from forest fires.

The 'once in 10,000 years' event is being caused by a heat dome, which means the warmth extends high into the atmosphere and impacts pressure and wind patterns.

A mountain of hot air is trapped by high-pressure conditions, further heating its and compressing it like a lid and wedging the high pressure between areas of low pressure, pushing cooler air away.

A man cools off at a misting station during the scorching weather during a record heatwave in Vancouver, British Columbia

Beachgoers sit in the water at Alouette Lake to cool off in Maple Ridge, British Columbia, as Canada experiences its highest ever temperatures

The sweltering temperatures are being caused by a heat dome of static high-pressure hot air which traps the heat in one location

Smoke and flames are seen during the Sparks Lake wildfire at Thompson-Nicola Regional District, British Columbia, amid the extreme weather

The downtown Vancouver skyline glows red shortly during sunset on Tuesday after Environment Canada issued a heat warning

SPOKANE, WASHINGTON: Firefighter Sean Condon, left, and Lt. Gabe Mills check on the welfare of a man in Mission Park as temperature reach over 100 degrees on Tuesday

The wild temperatures are stretching from the US west coast up to Canada where records have now been broken for three days in a row

The temperature in Lytton, which is about 155 miles east of Vancouver, reached 121 on Tuesday, according to the country's weather service

After multi-day stretch of incredible heat across British Columbia interior--including 121F degrees today in Lytton, the highest temp ever recorded in Canada or on Earth north of 50N--multiple large pyrocumulus plumes suggestive of intense wildfires have quickly developed. #BCwx pic.twitter.com/Jv5eOFKleT  Daniel Swain (@Weather_West) June 30, 2021

What is a heat dome? The current heatwave in Canada and the US is being caused by what meteorologists describe as a dome of high pressure over the Northwest. A high-pressure ridge traps thick layer of warm air in one region like a lid on a pot. They are more likely to form when the waters are cool in the eastern Pacific and warm in the western Pacific because the temperature difference creates dense and tropical winds that blow eastwards. The warm air then gets trapped in the jet stream and ends up in this case on the west coast of the US and Canada. Andrea Bair, the climate services program manager for the National Weather Service's western region, told National Geographic: 'When you get high pressure over the West, it keeps that warm air over the West. 'A heat dome is basically that trapping dome. The heat event itself is the heat wave, lasting several consecutive days and nights that are well above normal.' The heat dome then sustains the heatwave but it is unusual to experience it this early in the year. Advertisement

CBS meteorologist Jeff Berardelli said: 'Statistically speaking, there is a one in 10,000 chance of experiencing this.

'If you could possibly live in that spot for 10,000 years, you'd likely only experience that kind of heat dome once, if ever.'

Cpl. Mike Kalanj of Burnaby Royal Canadian Mounted Police said the detachment responded to 25 sudden-death calls in a 24-hour period starting Monday. The deaths are still under investigation and many of the deceased were seniors, he said.

The record-breaking heat wave could ease over parts of British Columbia, Yukon and the Northwest Territories by Wednesday, but any reprieve for the Prairie provinces is further off.

In Vancouver, the police department said it had redeployed dozens of officers and asked the public to call 911 only for emergencies because heat-related deaths had depleted front-line resources and delayed response times.

'Vancouver has never experienced heat like this, and sadly dozens of people are dying because of it,' Sgt. Steve Addison said in a news release. 'Our officers are stretched thin, but we're still doing everything we can to keep people safe.'

As of mid-afternoon Tuesday, he said, police had responded to more than 65 sudden deaths since the heat wave began Friday.

'The vast majority of these cases are related to the heat,' Addison said, adding that on a typical day, Vancouver police respond to between three and four sudden-death calls.

Ingrid Jarrett, CEO of the British Columbia Hotel Association, said residents in parts of the Lower Mainland, Victoria and the Okanagan region have been booking air-conditioned rooms so they can continue working and also get some sleep.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police told the outlet that many of those who have died have been senior citizens.

In Vancouver, the police department said it had redeployed dozens of officers and asked the public to call 911 only for emergencies

A lifeguard watches over Kits Beach, which has become popular on scorching hot days, in Vancouver, British Columbia

'We are in the midst of the hottest week British Columbians have ever experienced, and there are consequences to that, disastrous consequences for families and for communities,' British Columbia Premier John Horgan told a news conference.

'How we get through this extraordinary time is by hanging together,' he said.

He urged 'checking up on those people we know might be at risk, making sure we have cold compresses in the fridge or we're staying in the coolest part of our homes, and making sure that we're taking steps to get through this heat wave.'

On Monday, temperatures in Lytton, British Columbia reached 117.5 degrees marking the hottest temperature ever recorded in Canada. That temperature was around 48 degrees above what's normal for Canada in late June.

The temperature in Lytton, which is about 155 miles east of Vancouver, reached 121 on Tuesday, according to the country's weather service, Environment Canada.

CHESTERMERE, ALBERTA: People are seen trying to beat the heat with umbrellas and tents

CHESTERMERE, ALBERTA: People try to beat the heat at a beach on Tuesday

MAPLE RIDGE, BRITISH COLUMBIA: People headed to Alouette Lake to cool off during the scorching weather of a heatwave

Kids cool off at a community water park on a scorching hot day in Richmond, British Columbia on Tuesday

People look for ways to cool off at Willow's Beach during the once in a millennium heat dome which has caused record temperatures

The city of Vancouver, British Columbia, is seen through a haze on a scorching hot day on Tuesday as records were broken again

According to CNN, temperature readings in downtown Vancouver were 98.6 degrees on Saturday, 99.5 on Sunday and 101.5 on Monday.

'Vancouver has never experienced heat like this, and sadly dozens of people are dying because of it,' police sergeant Steve Addison said.

Other local municipalities in Canada have said they too have responded to many sudden death calls, but have yet to release tolls.

Some Vancouver locals said they had never experienced such temperatures before.

'It's never this bad. I've never seen anything like this,' said a Vancouver resident who only gave her name as Rosa.

'I hope it never becomes like this ever again. This is too much.'

Others lamented that some residents were more vulnerable to the heat than others.

'I feel for those people whether they're the elderly demographic or people who live on the downtown eastside of Vancouver who don't have a cool spot to live or sleep,' said river swimmer Graham Griedger.

PORTLAND, OREGON: People flocked to the Oregon Convention Center's makeshift cooling station in Portland when the temperature reached 117F

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON: Isis Macadaeg, 7, plays in a spray park at Jefferson Park during a heat wave on Sunday

WEED, CALIFORNIA: A bulldozer operator works on a fire line as vegetation burns nearby at the Lava Fire on Monday north of Weed

The heat dome is also affecting the US west coast, with temperatures in Portland and Seattle reaching levels not seen since record-keeping began in the 1940s: 115F and and 108F in Seattle Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Vancouver on the Pacific coast has for several days recorded temperatures above 86F (or almost 20 degrees above seasonal norms).

'We are in the midst of the hottest week British Columbians have ever experienced, and there are consequences to that, disastrous consequences for families and for communities,' British Columbia Premier John Horgan told a news conference.

He urged 'checking up on those people we know might be at risk, making sure we have cold compresses in the fridge or we're staying in the coolest part of our homes, and making sure that we're taking steps to get through this heat wave.'

Environment Canada has issued alerts for British Columbia, Alberta, and parts of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon and the Northwest Territories, saying the 'prolonged, dangerous and historic heat wave will persist through this week.'

The heat wave has forced schools and Covid-19 vaccination centers to close in the Vancouver area, while officials set up temporary water fountains and misting stations on street corners.

Stores quickly sold out of portable air conditioners and fans, so several people without cooling at home told AFP they hunkered down in their air conditioned cars or underground parking garages at night.

Cities across the western United States and Canada opened emergency cooling centers and outreach workers handed out bottles of water and hats.

The extreme heat, combined with intense drought, also created the perfect conditions for several fires to break out over the weekend, and one blaze on the California-Oregon border had already burned about 1,500 acres (600 hectares) by Monday morning.

'Dubai would be cooler than what we're seeing now,' David Phillips, a senior climatologist for Environment Canada, told AFP on Monday.

Officials said a dozen deaths in Washington and Oregon may be tied to the intense heat that began late last week. The rest of the United States is also facing unprecedented heat waves, with record temperatures recorded in New England.

In Washington, the King County Medical Examiner's office said two people died due to hyperthermia, meaning their bodies had became dangerously overheated. The Seattle Times reported they were a 65-year-old Seattle woman and a 68-year-old woman from Enumclaw, Washington.

SALEM, OREGON: People shared screenshots of their weather apps to show just how hot their home city was

PORTLAND, OREGON: People flocked to the Oregon Convention Center's makeshift cooling station in Portland when the temperature reached 117F

PORTLAND, OREGON: A woman writes on a notebook as people rest at the Oregon Convention Center cooling station in Oregon, Portland on Monday

PORTLAND, OREGON: A woman brought her dog to the Oregon Convention Center's cooling station as temperatures hit 115F

PORTLAND, OREGON: This man looked fed-up with the heat, and occupied himself by watching his phone at a cooling center

PORTLAND, OREGON: Friends and their pets stayed cool at the Oregon Convention Center, with Portland breaking temperature records for the third day in a row on Monday

PORTLAND, OREGON: People rest at the Oregon Convention Center cooling station in Portland on Monday

And the Snohomish County Medical Examiner's Office on Tuesday told the Daily Herald in Everett, Washington, that three men - ages 51, 75 and 77 - died after experiencing heat stroke in their homes. They were from Everett, Granite Falls and Marysville in Washington.

The heat may have also claimed the life of a worker on a nursery in Oregon, the state's worker safety agency, known as Oregon OSHA, said on Tuesday.

The man who died was from Guatemala and had apparently arrived in the United States only a few months ago, said Andres Pablo Lucas, owner of Brother Farm Labor Contractor that provided workers for the nursery, including the man who died.

The man, whose name was not disclosed, died at Ernst Nursery and Farms, a wholesale supplier in St. Paul, 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Salem, on Saturday amid sweltering temperatures. An Oregon OSHA database listed the death as heat-related.

'The employee was working on a crew moving irrigation lines. At the end of the shift he was found unresponsive in the field,' said agency spokesman Aaron Corvin.

Speaking in Spanish, Pablo Lucas said when workers gathered together shortly after noon on Saturday, they noticed one of them was missing. They began searching and found his body. Pablo Lucas said he didnt remember the mans name.

Pablo Lucas said the laborers often have the option to start working near sunrise when it is cooler and can stop around midday, but some want to stay regardless of the heat.

'The people want to work, to fight to succeed,' he said. 'For that reason, they stay.'

The heat wave has forced schools and COVID-19 vaccination centers to close in the Vancouver area, while officials set up temporary water fountains and misting stations on street corners.

Stores quickly sold out of portable air conditioners and fans, so several people without cooling at home told AFP they hunkered down in their air conditioned cars or underground parking garages at night.

BRENTWOOD, TENNESSEE: Avery Williams, right, 20, who was visiting Spokane from Brentwood, TN, wipes his face down and drinks water with his sister Camille, 16, lower left, as they escape the heat with their mother Heather Brentwood, not pictured, on Tuesday

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND: People play on the beach and in the Chesapeake Bay as they try to escape the heat at Sandy Point State Park on Tuesday

About 9,300 Avista Utilities customers in Spokane lost power on Monday and the company said more planned blackouts began on Tuesday afternoon in the city of about 220,000 people.

'We try to limit outages to one hour per customer,' said Heather Rosentrater, an Avista vice president for energy delivery.

She said about 2,400 customers were without power as of shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday, mostly on the north side of the city, and those customers had been alerted about the planned outage. About 21,000 customers were warned Tuesday morning that they might experience an outage, she said.

Avista had to implement deliberate blackouts on Monday because 'the electric system experienced a new peak demand, and the strain of the high temperatures impacted the system in a way that required us to proactively turn off power for some customers,' said company president and chief executive Dennis Vermillion.

'This happened faster than anticipated.'

Rosentrater said the outages were a distribution problem, and did not stem from a lack of electricity in the system

Residents in parts of the United States and Canada have been flocking to cooling stations set up in cities like Portland and air conditioning units and ice have been flying off the shelves across the region.

Fireworks have also been banned across multiple Oregon counties ahead of the July 4 weekend, amid fears they could trigger devastating wildfires.

The historically scorching temperatures are the result of a high-pressure jet stream known as a 'heat dome,' which is essentially trapping the hot weather in place.

CHICAGO: Kids play on a water fountain in downtown as they try to escape the heat on Tuesday

NEW YORK: People cool off in a public swimming pool on Tuesday in the Astoria neighborhood of New York City. The Big Apple is under a heat advisory with temperatures in the nineties but with humidity making it feel much hotter

NEW YORK: A woman lays in the Sheep Meadow in Central Park in New York on Tuesday as New Yorkers brace for heat and humidity

WASHINGTON D.C.: Young girls splash through a waterfall at a park on Tuesday as a heatwave moves over much of the United States

WASHINGTON D.C.: People cool off in the fountains at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall on Tuesday. Temperatures in D.C. will climb into the mid 90s on Tuesday and Wednesday, with the heat index near 100

WASHINGTON D.C.: People put their feet in the fountains at the World War II Memorial on the National Mall on Tuesday

WASHINGTON D.C.: Boy Scouts cool off in the shade on the National Mall on Tuesday

BOSTON: Young people splash in water as they cool off in the Boston Common Frog Pond on Tuesday. New England is dealing with hot weather conditions Tuesday as temperatures climbed into the 90s

NEW BEDFORD, MASACHUSSETTS: Elijah Garcia, 7, takes shelter from the sweltering heat, by playing at the sprinkler station at Ben Rose Park on Tuesday

According to CBS News, the 'heat dome' phenomenon is such a rare occurrence that it may only happen once in 1,000 years. And it comes less than two weeks after another historic heat wave wreaked havoc on the U.S. Intermountain West, Desert Southwest and California with hundreds of record highs.

'It's a desert heat  very dry and hot,' David Phillips, a senior climatologist for Environment Canada, told AFP. The 'heat dome' poses lethal health concerns, Phillips said, adding that the last major heat wave in Canada left nearly 70 people dead in 2018.

'And it's not just a one-day wonder. It's a seven-day kind of thing,' he said. 'We are the second coldest country in the world and the snowiest. We often see cold snaps and blizzards but not often do we talk about hot weather like this. Dubai would be cooler than what we're seeing now.'

Temperatures will begin to cool across much of the Pacific Northwest from Tuesday, to cooler 80F and 90F weather. That is still well above the 60F-70F temperatures the famously wet and lush region is used to seeing at this time of year.

Environment Canada has issued alerts for British Columbia, Alberta, and parts of Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon and the Northwest Territories, saying the 'prolonged, dangerous and historic heat wave will persist through this week.'

The U.S. National Weather Service issued a similar warning, urging people to 'stay in air-conditioned buildings, avoid strenuous outdoor activities, drink plenty of water, and check on family members/neighbors.'

The scorching heat stretching from the Oregon to Canada's Arctic territories has been blamed on a high-pressure ridge trapping warm air in the region.

However, climate change is causing record-setting temperatures to become more frequent. Globally, the decade to 2019 was the hottest recorded, and the five hottest years have all occurred within the last five years.

A study published in the academic journal Science Advances in 2018 found connections between extreme summer weather and a fundamental change in how the jet stream behaves because of human-caused climate change.

'The analysis we have presented here indicates that anthropogenic warming will likely lead to future increases in these events under business-as-usual burning of fossil fuels, keeping in mind our assumption that the historically defined fingerprint remains valid in the future climate,' the study reads.

The National Climate Assessment, a scientific study by 13 U.S. federal agencies, found in a 2018 report that heat waves grew from two to six annually since the 1960s while heat waves have grown 45 days longer, as noted by The New York Times.

Temperatures in the U.S. cities of Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington reached levels not seen since record-keeping began in the 1940s: 115 degrees Fahrenheit in Portland and 108 in Seattle Monday, according to the National Weather Service.

Cities across the western United States and Canada opened emergency cooling centers and outreach workers handed out bottles of water and hats.

In Eugene in Oregon, organizers were forced to adjust the final day of the U.S. Olympic track and field trials, moving afternoon events to the evening.

WEED, CALIFORNIA: A bulldozer operator works on a fire line as vegetation burns nearby at the Lava Fire on Monday north of Weed

WEED, CALIFORNIA: Flames from the Lava Fire burn along a ridge near U.S. Highway 97 and Big Springs Road north of Weed on Monday

SISKIYOU COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: Smoke from the Lava Fire billows over Mount Shasta

SISKIYOU COUNTY, CALIFORNIA: Smoke from the Lava Fire billows over Mount Shasta

WEED. CALIFORNIA: With Mount Shasta in the background, a firefighter cools down hot spots on Monday

The extreme heat, combined with intense drought, also created the perfect conditions for fires to break out near the California-Oregon border.

The lightning-caused Lava Fire, burning west of Mount Shasta, had spread over 13,300 acres of 'extremely dry vegetation,' the Washington Post reported. The fire was only 20 percent contained by Tuesday morning.

The blaze came as the nearby weather station, Mount Shasta City, noted record temperatures of 101 degrees on Monday, National Weather Service meteorologist Mike Petrucelli told the outlet.

The fire rapidly grew through Monday afternoon as crews continued to battle the blaze through Tuesday. The fire threatened homes near the town of Weed and forced the evacuation of at least 8,000 residents, The Los Angeles Times reported.

According to the Washington Post, 'smoke from the Lava Fire and cloud cover from monsoonal thunderstorms could help to dampen the heat this week.'

'Effectively, the price for slightly cooler temperatures late next week could come at the cost of deteriorated air quality, or the increased chances for lightning and all the fire concerns that come along with it,' the National Weather Service office in Medford wrote Monday in a forecast discussion.

The inferno was one of 48 large fires in 12 states on Tuesday, the Washington Post noted. There have been a whopping 30,414 fires so far this year marking the most fires by late June since 2011.

The American West continues to face a historic drought running the risk of wildfires burning through exceptionally dry vegetation.

Earlier this year, Lake Oroville, a reservoir formed by the Oroville Dam impounding the Feather River in northern California, was seen with a dry and cracked riverbed - a sobering reminder of the massive drought that ran from 2012 to 2016.
Neighbours have recalled hearing the haunting screams of the teenage boy who was killed in a house fire at a friend's home in southwest Sydney on Wednesday morning.

Tahma Jones, 14, was sleeping over at the house in Macquarie Fields when the property went up in flames during the early hours.

Earlier, on Tuesday night there had been a brawl outside the house and police were investigating whether there was any link between that and the fire.

A mother and her five children managed to escape the inferno as it ripped through the Montana Way home, but Tahma, who had snuck out of his grandmother's house to visit his friend, remained trapped on the top floor.

One man, who lives in the neighbourhood, said he heard screaming and crying ringing down the street as the residents begged for help rescuing the boy.

'People were screaming: 'There is somebody in there! There is somebody in there!'',' he told 9News.

Neighbour Brianna said it was terrifying watching the tragedy unfold.

'It was scary. They were all crying and scared for their friend,' she said.

Fire chiefs were also trawling through the ashen remains to see if there was any trace of accelerant having been used to start the fire.

'Investigations are continuing,' said a NSW Fire and Rescue spokesman.

Devastated family and friends broke down in tears outside the charred home on Wednesday after learning of the teenager's death.

'He was the most respectful, beautiful boy, he always looked out for my son,' Gloria, whose son was friends with Tahma, told the Daily Telegraph.

'A lot of people in Macquarie Fields knew him, he was a gentle soul  Im so shocked and heartbroken.'

The 14-year-old boy died but a mother and her five children managed to escape the inferno as it ripped through the Montana Way home (pictured) in Macquarie Fields in Sydney's south-west

Friend Courtney Webb said he had the 'brightest spirit' and she is finding it difficult to come to terms with the news.

'He was the most loving sweet, kind-hearted person. I'm so shocked this happened to him,' she said.

Tahma is believed to have become trapped in the second floor bedroom when the heat and flames cut off an escape path.

'We had a very, very intense fire with flames coming out of the windows several metres,' Fire and Rescue Deputy Commissioner Jeremy Fewtrell said at the scene.

'Being upstairs would have been very unpleasant.'

Firefighters attempted to enter the house, but the smoke and intensity of the blaze were too strong for them to get past the front door.

Crews fought the blaze from outside and were able to enter once the blaze was brought under control.

The home was declared a crime scene, as officers from Campbelltown City Police Area Command launched their investigation into the fire.

Emergency services raced to the scene, but the house had already been gutted by flames

Any connection between the fight and the fire will be part of the probe.

Campbelltown City Commander Superintendent Julian Griffiths added: 'It is being made aware to the investigators and will be encompassed into the scope of the investigation.'

Neighbours also revealed how they woke to terrifying screams as the fire took hold in the middle of the night.

'I was in bed, I heard a lot of screaming and yelling, looked out the door and the house was on fire. My neighbour was screaming, "Get the kids out, get the kids out"',' one local said.

The mother and children who escaped were woken up and alerted to the fire by a smoke alarm, said Deputy Commissioner Fewtrell.

He added: 'One of the best defences people have in a fire is a working smoke alarm.'
This is the moment the baby daughter of murdered Briton Caroline Crouch arrived to live with her maternal grandparents, which has been movingly described as an 'oasis of joy in the desert of their sorrow'.

One-year-old Lydia was fast asleep as she was carried out of a silver car in a baby seat by a family friend of her grandparents, Susan and David Crouch, and taken into their home on the picturesque island of Alonnisos. She will stay with them until a permanent decision is made on her future.

Around an hour later, Susan was seen gently cradling Lydia in her arms as she stood on the veranda of her home, while friends and neighbours visited regularly throughout the day to lend their support, vowing to 'embrace' the youngster as one of their own.

Susan and David Crouch, 78, have been given temporary custody by a Greek court of Lydia while her father, Charalambos 'Babis' Anagnostopoulos, languishes in prison after confessing to murdering her mother Caroline.

This is the touching moment the daughter of murdered British mother Caroline Crouch arrived to live at the home of her maternal grandparents. Pictured: Caroline's mother with Lydia

Caroline Crouch's mother Susan is pictured with the family lawyer Athanasios Harmanis on her journey to collect Lydia from mainland Greece

After suffocating Caroline at their Athens home on 11 May, Anagnostopoulos placed Lydia beside Caroline's dead body as part of his elaborate hoax that she had been killed in a botched burglary.

Lydia arrived at Susan and David's home late on Tuesday. Until then she had been staying with Anagnostopoulos's parents; his father, Constantinos and mother Georgia at their Athens home.

After arriving at Susan and David's Alonnisos home, their lawyer Athanasios Harmanis said: 'For Caroline's parents, little Lydia will be an oasis of joy in the desert of their sorrow.

'Caroline's parents, and especially her mum Susan will be occupied with looking after the child and this will help her mind not to constantly think over and over again about the tragic events that have taken place.'

He added: 'Caroline's parents want Anagnostopoulos to receive an exemplary punishment. They want him to stay in prison for as long as possible. But at the same time, they want her to have a relationship with his parents, who will be free to visit as much as they like.

'This child will receive all the love that it needs and more.'

Susan was seen gently cradling Lydia in her arms as she stood on the veranda of her home, while friends and neighbours visited regularly throughout the day

Susan and David Crouch were given temporary custody of Lydia after her father, Charalambos 'Babis' Anagnostopoulos, confessed to murdering her mother Caroline (pictured)

Members of the media have now been ordered to stay away from Susan and David's home so that they can take Lydia out for walks and be allowed to live a normal life with the toddler.

Lydia was handed over to Susan by her paternal grandmother Georgia on Tuesday morning at a secret location on the Greek mainland.

According to reports, it was described as 'highly emotional' as both grandmothers wept. Georgia also spent considerable time explaining to Susan Lydia's care needs such as her feeding time and health issues she has suffered from since birth.

As Lydia begins her new life on Alonnisos, where Caroline spent most of her's, friends of Susan and David vowed to rally around the youngster so that she can have a normal an up brining as possible.

Local resident Harikleia Theodorou, a close friend of Susan said on a Greek TV channel: 'Alonnisos will embrace Lydia. Everyone stands by Caroline's parents and we will make sure that Lydia has the same happy childhood that her mother did.'

She added: 'The child will be reborn in Alonnisos.'

Meanwhile, in response to a set of questions given to him by Greek media, Anagnostopoulos said: 'I'm happy with the custody decision because I know Caroline's mother loves Lydia very much and will raise her properly on Alonnisos.'

A final decision on Lydia's future is expected in September with the Crouch family lawyer confident that Susan and David will be given permanent custody.

It comes after Athanasios Harmanis, the lawyer for the Crouch family, said yesterday that Susan would be able to see Caroline again 'in the eyes' of Lydia.

After accompanying Susan to collect Lydia, he said: 'Both Susan and David are delighted that Lydia will be with them.

After suffocating Caroline on 11 May, Anagnostopoulos (pictured) put Lydia beside Caroline's dead body as part of his elaborate hoax that she had been killed in a botched burglary

'For Susan, when she looks into Lydia's eyes, she will see Caroline, and this will bring her and David a lot of comfort and some joy to their immense suffering.'

Mr Harmanis revealed that the last time Susan and David saw Lydia in person was in September 2020, when she visited Alonnoisis with Caroline and Anagnostopoulos for a holiday.

Since then, they have not been able to see her in person because of the Covid-19 pandemic.

He added that Susan would ensure that Anagnostopoulos's parents could continue visiting Lydia, because 'the more love she gets the better'.

Under a court order, they have been given the right to visit five days a month between 10am and 2pm in Alonnisos but Mr Harmanis revealed that they would be able to come more often than this.

He said: 'We said from the start that the perpetrators parents have a house in Alonnisos and will be able to see the child as much as they want. If they want to see here, they will have an open door The more love the child gets, the better.'

Mr Harmanis added: 'Caroline's parents will consult experts to help raise the little girl given the trauma she's suffered. They are prepared for this responsibility.

'Susan is a young, strong and very good person.'

The youngster will live on the Aegean Sea island of Alonissos with Caroline's parents Susan and David, 78, a retired gas executive who was born in Liverpool.

It is also the island where Caroline spent most of her life and where she met Anagnostopoulos while she was still a teenager.

Lydia was handed over to Susan by her paternal grandmother Georgia on Tuesday at a secret location on the Greek mainland. Pictured: Caroline and Anagnostopoulos with daughter Lydia

Lydia will live in Susan and David's retirement home on the island, where they will be helped by domestic staff and friends to raise her.

Harmanis said being brought up on the island rather than in Athens will shield Lydia from being known as the 'child of the murderer'.

He told The Sun: 'In Alonissos she would be the daughter of Caroline whose life was unjustly cut short.'

Pictures and video footage from around 9am yesterday showed Anagnostopoulos's mother Georgia holding Lydia as she took her to be with her maternal grandparents.

She was gently placed into a car and then taken to a secret location, where according to reports she was handed over to Caroline's mother, Susan, away from the media.

Footage broadcast on Greek television later showed a white car with Susan inside it boarding a ferry from Alonnisos to mainland Greece on her way to collect Lydia.

Earlier this week, a Greek court ruled that they should be granted temporary custody of the child and all legal responsibility for her was removed from Anagnostopoulos, who is not expected to face trial for another 18 months.

He had wanted custody of Lydia to be shared between the two families.

Pictures and video footage from around 9am yesterday showed Anagnostopoulos's mother Georgia holding Lydia as she took her to be with her maternal grandparents

A final decision on Lydia's future is to be made within the next two months with Greek courts likely to award permanent custody of her to Susan and David.

The custody battle comes after Anagnostopoulos confessed that he killed his wife Caroline before staging an elaborate hoax to make it appear that she had been killed in a botched burglary.

He had previously spent weeks of falsely playing the role of a grieving husband and surrounding himself with Ms Crouch's family and devastated parents.

While David has now spoken out a number of times about Caroline's killing, Susan has remained tight lipped.

The only insight into her heartbreak is contained in a police statement on May 13, two days after Caroline's killing when she was not aware that Anagnostopoulos was the perpetrator.

In the statement, seen by MailOnline, Susan recalled Caroline's idyllic upbringing on the picture postcard island of Alonnisos, where she enjoyed diving, acting and was considered a model student.

She stated: 'Caroline's childhood years were in Alonnisos. 'This is where she went to school, where she made friends and where she met Babis, whom she later got married to.

'Caroline was a very good child, an excellent student and she took part in all kinds of activities. She was holding her school's flag for Greece's national day, she went to the scouts, she went diving and she loved acting and doing a lot more activities.'

As Lydia begins her new life on Alonnisos, friends of Susan (pictured at Caroline's funeral) and David vowed to rally around Lydia so that she can have a normal an up brining as possible

She tells police that she moved to the island with David and Caroline so that they could have a more 'beautiful life'.

She added that the last time she spoke with Caroline was on the night of 10 May when her daughter had called her to see if she was suffering from any side effects from the coronavirus vaccine.

Just hours later Caroline was found brutally murdered in the early hours of 11 May.

Susan recalled: 'The last time we talked on the phone, on Monday evening, it was the day I had taken the coronavirus vaccine and she called to see how I was doing. She didn't seem to be preoccupied with anything. We said goodnight and hung up.'

She also revealed in her statement how she came to know that Caroline had been murdered after some friends arrived at her house to tell her what had happened.

She added: 'I made some phone calls myself and that's how I got to know about what had happened.'

Referring to the horrific events that led to Caroline's death, Susan stated: 'What happened in the house I don't know, and I don't want to know about it because it hurts too much.

'Thank God Lydia is all right.'

Meanwhile, grieving father David has said he wanted to 'blow the head off' Caroline's killer husband Anagnostopoulos.

Anagnostopoulos (pictured) confessed that he killed his wife Caroline after spending weeks of falsely playing the role of a grieving husband and surrounding himself with Ms Crouch's family

David, 78, revealed that his grief rapidly turned to fury after he found out police had taken Anagnostopoulos from her memorial service to confront him with evidence proving he was the killer.

'When I found out later, my one regret was that I hadn't known when he was here,' he told The Sun.

'I would have blown his f***ing lying head right off his shoulders and willingly taken the consequences.'

David said he and wife Susan learned of Caroline's May 11 death from neighbours on Greek island Alonissos.

He said: 'I'll never forget how I felt. It was as if an icy hand had reached inside my chest and gripped my heart. It was the worst day of my life.'

He said he believed there was 'some foundation' to rumours in the Greek press that the killer pilot was also linked to drug smuggling.

He said Caroline had a strong 'sense of right and wrong' and would have threatened to leave him had she found out he was involved.
Sajid Javid mocked Labour's Angela Rayner today after she repeatedly got his name wrong and confused him with London mayor Sadiq Khan.

The new Health Secretary called out the opposition deputy leader after she called him 'Sadiq Javid' in separate interviews following his appointment at the weekend.

Although the two men are both the sons of bus drivers who came to the UK from Pakistan, their political views and personal careers are very different.

Mr Javid is a Conservative former banker who was born in Rochdale and raised in Bristol. Mr Khan is a former human rights lawyer and Labour moderate who was born and raised in Tooting, south London.

After the verbal slips were highlighted by the Guido Fawkes blog, Mr Javid tweeted: 'I know were both sons of Pakistani bus drivers, but were different people. Its Sajid JAVID & SADIQ Khan.'

Spot the difference: Mr Javid (left) is a Conservative former banker who was born in Rochdale and raised in Bristol. Mr Khan (right) is a former human rights lawyer and Labour moderate who was born and raised in Tooting, south London.

The new Health Secretary called out the opposition deputy leader after she called him 'Sadiq Javid' in separate interviews following his appointment at the weekend.

After the verbal slips were highlighted by the Guido Fawkes blog, Mr Javid tweeted: 'I know were both sons of Pakistani bus drivers, but were different people. Its Sajid JAVID & SADIQ Khan.'

The two men have previously been supportive of each other. Mr Javid congratulated the Labour mayor after he won his first election in 2016.

And at the weekend Mr Khan returned the favour. Appearing on the BBC's Marr show, he said: I'ts always good to see this small club of children of bus drivers doing really, really well, and I wish him all the best.'

Mr Javid's father arrived in England from Pakistan in the 1960s with just a pound in his pocket.

The future politician was born in Rochdale and raised in Bristol, went to a state school and studied economics and politics at Exeter University.

He was a vice president at the US bank Chase Manhattan at the age of 25 and later moved to Deutsche Bank, rising to senior managing director before he left in 2009.

He left behind a career in finance and became MP for Bromsgrove in 2010.

.@AngelaRayner I know were both sons of Pakistani bus drivers, but were different people. Its Sajid JAVID & SADIQ Khan.  https://t.co/Vk951WhBxq  Sajid Javid (@sajidjavid) June 29, 2021

Mr Javid's late father Abdul, who died in 2012

The new Home Secretary first entered politics in 2010 as the MP for Bromsgrove. He lives with his wife Laura (pictured) and their four children in Fulham

He held roles in the Treasury from 2012 until he was made culture secretary in April 2014, later going on to become business secretary in May 2015 and housing secretary in July 2016.

After being made home secretary in April 2018, Mr Javid talked openly about how he experienced racism at an early age and 'could have had a life of crime' after growing up on 'Britain's most dangerous street'.

He was a tough-talking home secretary, whose hard stance on jihadi bride Shamima Begum's pleas to be allowed back in the UK boosted his popularity among some Tories, but horrified others - particularly after Ms Begum's newborn son later died in a Syrian refugee camp.

Mr Javid made it to the final four in the race to replace Theresa May as Tory leader in 2019, but dropped out and subsequently endorsed Boris Johnson, who later made him chancellor.

He was forced out of No11 in a power struggle with Dominic Cummings in Fevruary 2020, but returned to the Cabinet at the weekend.

He lives with his wife Laura and their four children in Fulham.

Upbringing: The son of a bus driver Amanullah (far left) is proud of his life in South London (pictured in his mother's arms) and is now the first Muslim Mayor of London

Lawyer Mr Khan wooed his fellow-lawyer wife Saadiya over Filet-O-Fish in a Croydon McDonalds and nights at a nearby cinema.

Mr Khan is London's first Muslim mayor, and has comfortably won back-to-back elections in 2016 and early this year.

Like Mr Javid his parents also came to the UK from Pakistan in the 1960s

However despite his heritage he suffered death threats after being elected from Islamists who hate him for being too liberal, especially because he voted for same-sex marriage when a Labour MP.

Photographs of his childhood show his family standing proudly outside their council home and another shows him waving a union flag and wearing a crown on the day of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee in 1977.

He is Labour's first mayor in London since Ken Livingstone, who he used to help advise, but has fought to distance himself from Red Ken's politics and also former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn. He sees himself as a sees himself as a liberal left-winger.

Despite death threats from Islamists over his liberal views - including support for gay marriage -his family always observe Ramadan, including fasting, and he has made the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca.

Lawyer Mr Khan wooed his fellow-lawyer wife Saadiya over Filet-O-Fish in a Croydon McDonalds and nights at a nearby cinema. They married in 1994 and have two daughters.

Ms Rayner's team was furious after Jim McMahon, who ran the by-election campaign, complained about photographs used in a campaign leaflet, showing her in leopard-print trousers, heavy boots and a bright coloured hoodie in Hartlepool on March 21 (pictured)

The faux pas are the latest verbal gaffe from the deputy leader of the Labour party.

Last October she was forced to apologise for branding a Conservative MP 'scum' during a heated debate in the Commons on the Covid-19 crisis, but stopped short of retracting the jibe.

Tory backbencher Chris Clarkson demanded an apology in a public letter after he suggested that the Labour frontbench was viewing the pandemic as a 'good crisis' to be exploited.

However, the hard-Left Corbynite then heckled Mr Clarkson, who asked: 'Excuse me, did the honourable lady just call me scum?'

The exchange prompted an intervention from a furious Commons Deputy Speaker Dame Eleanor Laing who said she would not accept such comments in the chamber 'under any circumstances'.

Ms Rayner has now apologised for branding Mr Clarkson 'scum' but stopped short of a retraction in a terse response to a request to comment.

Outraged Tory MPs are calling on Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer to reprimand his deputy over the ill-judge remark.

But she clashed with her own party leader earlier this year as he attempted to carry out a reshuffle of his struggling front bench team.

Sir Keir's attempt to quietly remove her as party chairman as a scapegoat for the electoral catastrophies in Hartlepool, the Tees valley and the West Midlands blew up and arguably helped increase her power within the party.

She can only be removed as party deputy leader by members in a vote.

Her supporters accused the Labour leader's 'snobby' and 'sexist' top team complaining about her wearing leopard-print trousers, stomper boots and a hoodie on a visit to Hartlepool before the crucial by-election the party lost.

Her supporters claim she was written off as a 'working class oik and a bit thick' instead of an asset who connects with working class voters.

Ms Rayner's team is said to have 'hit the roof' over the complaints about her outfits, which have won some praise, especially her love of bovver boots such as Dr Martens, which she has worn regularly for official visits, party conferences and at the Commons' despatch box.
The House voted Tuesday night to remove the bust of Chief Justice Roger Taney and statues of Confederate President Jefferson Davis and others who supported the Confederacy from the U.S. Capitol.

Democrats were unanimous in their support for the bill and were joined by 67 Republicans, with the bill passed by a vote of 285-120.

The 120 GOP members who voted against the bill said it was a bid to whitewash history, accused the Democrats of being 'animated by Critical Race Theory' and opposed swapping the bust of Taney with Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall because he voted for Roe v. Wade.

The vote came after House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy accused Democrats on the House Floor of trying to hide their party's 'shameful' racist past.

'Let me state a simple fact. All the statues being removed by this bill are statues of Democrats,' the Republican leader said, adding that he planned to vote in favor of the legislation. 'I think the bill should go further. Maybe it's time the Democrats change the name of their party.'

McCarthy said the bill showed that the Democrats were 'desperate' to prove that their party has progressed from their 'days of supporting slavery, supporting Jim Crow laws or supporting the KKK.'

The Democratic House majority has been proactive since last summer's protests over the death of George Floyd in removing symbols of the Confederacy from prominent locales.

Last June House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced she would be removing portraits of four former House speakers who sided with the south to mark Juneteenth.

'They were all Democrats,' McCarthy also pointed out Tuesday.

The vote on Tuesday means that a bust of Roger Taney, the U.S. chief justice best known for an infamous pro-slavery decision, as well as statues of Jefferson Davis and others who served in the Confederacy, will be removed from the U.S. Capitol.

Taney ruled in Dred Scott v. Sandford in 1857 that slaves were not United States citizens and could not bring lawsuits into federal courts.

The House voted Tuesday to remove the bust of Chief Justice Roger Taney (left and right), the U.S. chief justice best known for writing the infamous pro-slavery decision Dred Scott v Sandford in 1857, where he said black Americans are not U.S. citizens

Lawmakers passed a bill which will also remove the statue of Confederate President Jefferson Davis (center) from the Capitol

House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy taunted Democrats on the House floor Tuesday, rubbing their noses in their party's racist past prior to a vote on a bill that would remove statues and busts of those who supported the Confederacy from the U.S. Capitol

A similar bill last year passed the House but failed to gain traction in the Senate. Backers are hoping for a different outcome now that President Joe Biden is in the White House and Democrats control the Senate.

Rep. Hank Johnson, a Georgia Democrat, said the Confederate statues send a message to black people that their lives are not valued because those being honored 'stood for the proposition that you were less than human.'

'It's personally an affront to me as a black man to walk around and look at these figures and see them standing tall, looking out as if they were visionaries and they did something that was great. No, they did something that was very hurtful to humanity,' Johnson said.

The Taney bust would be replaced with one of Thurgood Marshall, the first black justice to serve on the nation's highest court.

Republican Rep. Glenn Grothman said he was against the bill because Marshall was a key vote in the Roe v. Wade decision, which legalized abortion nationally in 1973.

'I will always look at him as ... the guy who kind of put the foot on the gas and legalized late term abortion,' Grothman said, according to CBS News .

Alabama Rep. Mo Brooks said before the vote that he'd be voting the bill down because he believed it represented 'cancel culture and historical revisionism.'

Republican Rep. Matt Rosendale of Montana parroted points made by former President Donald Trump when he voted against the bill.

'The South lost, and our Union is strong today, and the great victory of our constitutional government in the Civil War over slavery and secession should be celebrated,' Rosendale said, according to Newsweek.

'Unfortunately, Democrats, animated by the Critical Race Theory concepts of structural racism, microaggressions, and a United States based solely on white supremacy, have chosen to remove statues that underscore the failures of our pre-1861 Constitution. Make no mistake, those who won the West and George Washington are next,' Rosendale added.

Taney's bust will be replaced with one of Thurgood Marshall, the first black Supreme Court justice. Here he's pictured in 1958 while working as chief counsel for the NAACP

During last summer's George Floyd protests, Trump claimed slave-owning founding fathers, like Washington and Thomas Jefferson, would be cancelled by liberals next.

House Republican Rep. Barry Loudermilk said he voted against the bill because he believed the Democrats rushed it procedurally.

'My opposition to this bill isn't because of the goal that we're trying to achieve, but it's the way that the majority continues to skirt procedure in this body,' the Georgia GOP lawmaker said, according to NPR. 'For the second consecutive Congress, this bill was rushed to the floor without a hearing or a markup in the Committee on House Administration.'

The 2-foot-high marble bust of Taney is outside a room in the Capitol where the Supreme Court met from 1810 to 1860.

It was in that room that Taney, the nations fifth chief justice, announced the Dred Scott decision, sometimes called the worst decision in the court's history.

The Supreme Court held that Scott as a black man was not a citizen and therefore had no right to sue, and found that legislation restricting slavery in certain territories was unconstitutional.

The vote comes against the backdrop of larger reckoning in the U.S. with racism, one that's prompted a reassessment of statues and other symbols that valorize those who upheld white supremacy.

Protesters decrying racism last year targeted Confederate monuments in multiple cities, leading to many being taken down. But many others remain in places of honor, including at the U.S. Capitol.

ROGER B. TANEY: AUTHOR OF THE 1857 DRED SCOTT CASE THAT SAID BLACK MEN WEREN'T CITIZENS Congress on Tuesday night voted to remove Confederate symbols from the Capitol. They also approved a measure to put a bust of Thurgood Marshall in the place of former Chief Justice Roger B. Taney. Taney, the fifth Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, penned the majority opinion in the 1857 Dred Scott v Sandford case that ruled black men were not American citizens and therefore couldn't sue the American government. Scott was born into slavery in 1799 and was moved around the country by his owner Peter Blow until he died in 1832. Army surgeon Dr. John Emerson then bought Scott and took him to Illinois, which by that time was a free state, and also the Wisconsin territory where the Missouri Compromise outlawed slavery. The Missouri Compromise, passed in 1820, was federal legislation that stopped northern attempts to prohibit slavery's expansions by making Missouri a slave state and Maine a free state. Emerson and his wife Irene kept moving Scott and his wife Harriet around the country until his death in 1843. Scott tried to purchase his freedom from Irene when she settled in St. Louis, Missouri, but she declined. So Scott filed a lawsuit in 1846 against Irene in a bid to win his freedom, and over the next 10 years the case made its way through the courts. In 1856, the Supreme Court was presented the case. The justices knocked down Scott's lawsuit in a 7-2 vote. Taney wrote the final majority opinion which applied to all black Americans at the time. 'A free [people] of the African race, whose ancestors were brought to this country and sold as slaves, is not a "citizen" within the meaning of the Constitution of the United States. 'When the Constitution was adopted, they were not regarded in any of the States as members of the community which constituted the State, and were not numbered among its 'people or citizens.' Consequently, the special rights and immunities guarantied to citizens do not apply to them.' Scott eventually claimed his freedom in 1857. Taney also wrote that the Fifth Amendment protected slave owners' rights against the Missouri Compromise, saying it was unconstitutional and that 'the federal government did not have the power to prohibit slavery in its territories'. His opinion essentially set the stage for the Civil War. In 1861, he swore in Abraham Lincoln as president. Advertisement

Three other statues honoring white supremacists - including former U.S. Vice President John C. Calhoun of South Carolina (pictured) - would also be immediately removed under the legislation

'We cannot achieve true equity and a sense of welcome in public spaces if we continue to honor individuals who rose to prominence upholding slavery and other examples of systemic racism,' nine environmental groups, including the Sierra Club and League of Conservation Voters, wrote in a letter to lawmakers urging them to vote for the bill.

Three other statues honoring white supremacists - including former U.S. Vice President John C. Calhoun of South Carolina - will also be immediately removed under the legislation.

Longer-term, the architect of the Capitol would be instructed to identify any other statues depicting those who served in the Confederate States of America for removal from public display.

The statues will go back to the states that sent them.

The statue of Davis, for example, would be returned to Mississippi and that of Alexander Hamilton Stephens would be returned to Georgia.

Davis served as the Confederacy's president and Stephens was its vice president.

Each state gets to submit two statues for display in the Capitol.

The statue of Alexander Hamilton Stephens (pictured), who served as the Confederacy's vice president, will be returned to Georgia

When the donated statue arrives, it is placed in a location selected by the Joint Committee on the Library, a group of 10 lawmakers from both chambers that oversees works of fine art in the building.

Republicans note that some states are already working to replace some of about a dozen statues that would be potentially removed under the bill.

North Carolina, for example, is replacing a statue of Charles Aycock, a former governor and white supremacist, with that of the Rev. Billy Graham. But the process is painfully slow.

'It's Congress's responsiveness to the state's request that actually delays the process,' said Republican Rep. Rodney Davis of Illinois.

Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said he would vote for the bill, but made it a point to emphasize that 'all the statues being removed by this bill are statues of Democrats.'

That prompted Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif., to question whether Republicans were aware of the 'whole history of the civil rights movement.'

She said that when black people fought to enter the Democratic Party, many Americans left to join the Republican Party.

Some Democratic lawmakers offered to work with Republicans on speeding up the approval process, but they want to forge ahead in the meantime.

Rep. Zoe Lofgren, the Democratic chair of the House Administration Committee, said the Confederate statues honor 'traitors to their country.'

She denied that removing them would be erasing the nation's history.

'On the contrary, we must never forget our nation's shameful periods of slavery, segregation and racism,' Lofgren said.

'Now, that history belongs in a museum. You know, we need to remember our history,' she said. 'It doesn't belong on a pedestal.'

THE 120 REPUBLICANS WHO VOTED AGAINST REMOVING THE TANEY BUST AND CONFEDERATE STATUES Robert Aderholt, Alabama Rick Allen, Georgia Kelly Armstrong, North Dakota Brian Babin, Texas Jim Baird, Indiana Andy Barr, Kentucky Jack Bergman, Michigan Stephanie Bice, Oklahoma Andy Biggs, Arizona Dan Bishop, North Carolina Lauren Boebert, Colorado Mike Bost, Illinois Kevin Brady, Texas Mo Brooks, Alabama Vern Buchanan, Florida Ken Buck, Colorado Larry Bucshon, Indiana Ted Budd, North Carolina Tim Burchett, Tennessee Kat Cammack, Florida Jerry Carl, Alabama John Carter, Texas Madison Cawthorn, North Carolina Ben Cline, Virginia Andrew Clyde, Georgia Tom Cole, Oklahoma James Comer, Kentucky Rick Crawford, Arkansas John Curtis, Utah Scott DesJarlais, Tennessee Bryon Donalds, Florida Jeff Duncan, South Carolina Neal Dunn, Florida Ron Estes, Kansas Pat Fallon, Texas Randy Feenstra, Iowa Drew Ferguson, Georgia Michelle Fischbach, Minnesota Scott Fitzgerald, Wisconsin Chuck Fleischmann, Tennessee Scott Franklin, Florida Matt Gaetz, Florida Lance Gooden, Texas Paul Gosar, Arizona Kay Granger, Texas Garret Graves, Louisiana Sam Graves, Missouri Mark Green, Tennessee Marjorie Taylor Greene, Georgia Morgan Griffith, Virginia Glenn Grothman, Wisconsin Jim Hagedorn, Minnesota Andy Harris, Maryland Diana Harshbarger, Tennessee Vicky Hartzler, Missouri Kevin Hern, Oklahoma Dusty Johnson, South Dakota Jim Jordan, Ohio John Joyce, Pennsylvania Fred Keller, Pennsylvania Trent Kelly, Mississippi David Kustoff, Tennessee Darin LaHood, Illinois Doug LaMalfa, California Doug Lamborn, Colorado Jake LaTurner, Kansas Debbie Lesko, Arizona Luke Letlow, Louisiana Barry Loudermilk, Georgia Frank Lucas, Oklahoma Blaine Luetkemeyer, Missouri Tracey Mann, Kansas Thomas Massie, Kentucky Brain Mast, Florida Lisa McClain, Michigan Tom McClintock, California Patrick McHenry, North Carolina David McKinley, West Virginia Dan Meuser, Pennsylvania Carol Miller, West Virginia Mariannette Miller-Meeks, Iowa Alex Mooney, West Virginia Markwayne Mullin, Oklahoma Troy Nehls, Texas Dan Newhouse, Washington Ralph Norman, South Carolina Troy Nunes, California Jay Obernolte, California Burgess Owens, Utah Steven Palazzo, Mississippi Gary Palmer, Alabama Greg Pence, Indiana Scott Perry, Pennsylvania Bill Posey, Florida Tom Rice, South Carolina Mike Rogers, Alabama Hal Rogers, Kentucky Matt Rosendale, Montana David Rouzer, North Carolina John Rutherford, Florida Maria Elvira Salazar, Florida Austin Scott, Georgia Pete Sessions, Texas Jason Smith, Missouri Adrian Smith, Nebraska Michelle Steel, California Elise Stefanik, New York Greg Steube, Florida Claudia Tenney, New York Glenn Thompson, Pennsylvania William Timmons, South Carolina Mauree Turner, Ohio Beth Van Duyne, Texas Jackie Walorski, Indiana Michael Waltz, Florida Bruce Westerman, Arkansas Joe Wilson, South Carolina Rob Wittman, Virginia Steve Womack, Arkansas Lee Zeldin, New York Advertisement

The statue in Congress of Joseph Wheeler, a cavalry general in the Confederate army, would also be removed

One statue already gone from the Capitol is that of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, which was removed from the National Statuary Hall Collection last year at the request of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam.

When House Speaker Nancy Pelosi became House speaker the first time, she had Lee's statue banished to the crypt.

A state commission decided that Lee was not a fitting symbol for the state.

Just two weeks ago Congress approved a bill establishing Juneteenth as a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, an unexpected breakthrough for supporters of the legislation.

Democrats see a similar chance to address longstanding frustrations about the statues in the Capitol and are putting Republican lawmakers on the spot by calling a vote.

Last year, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said he supported continuing the practice of states replacing the statues on their own.

'They can trade them out at any time ... a number of states are trading them out now,' McConnell told reporters.

He also referred to the House legislation as 'nonsense' that would 'airbrush the Capitol.'

However, Republicans joined Democrats in the final weeks of Trump's tenure to override his veto of a defense policy bill that allows for the renaming of military bases that honor Confederate leaders.

Trump repeatedly emphasized his opposition to changing the names of the bases as he leaned into culture war issues during his 2020 re-election campaign.

While McCarthy shamed the Democrats for their historical links to racism, at Trump's Ohio rally Saturday a number of his supporters carried Confederate flags.

Ohio was a Union state.
Comedian Lee Hurst has had his Twitter account suspended after he 'incited violence' against Chris Whitty.

The former They Think It's All Over panellist had his page shut down after he said thugs who attacked the Chief Medical Officer had not done enough.

His comments came after the epidemiologist was jumped on by yobs in St James's Park in central London on Sunday night.

Footage emerged on Monday of them following Prof Whitty and putting him in a headlock as he walked home.

Mr Hurst, 57, who says he is a 'proud covidiot', yesterday launched a tirade against the top scientist on social media.

But his posts were quickly seized on and reported to Twitter and the police for 'inciting hatred'.

And today his page showed a white notice which said 'Twitter suspends accounts which violate the Twitter Rules'.

The former They Think It's All Over panellist said whatever happened to the Chief Medical Officer 'was not enough'

Today his page showed a white notice which said 'Twitter suspends accounts which violate the Twitter Rules'

Mr Hurst told his 18,000 followers on Tuesday morning: 'Whatever has happened to Chris Whitty is not enough.'

He later put: 'I'm not putting any caveats into the Chris Whitty story. Fk him and his #FullPay, care home murdering scummy pals.'

And he added: 'If there was no video footage of Chris Whitty we would have been told he was beaten up.'

Prof Whitty was followed and put in a headlock by two thugs as he walked through St James's Park on Sunday night.

He was also targeted by lockdown sceptics who demonstrated outside his London flat on Saturday afternoon.

The first attack was widely condemned by politicians and public figures, with Boris Johnson branding it 'despicable harassment'.

Mr Hurst faced a swift backlash to his tweets, with anti-hate firms and social media users slamming him for inciting hate against Prof Whitty.
Tests showed she would have been over four times the alcohol limit for driving

A mother-of-two died after downing vodka shots and snorting cocaine during an eight-hour binge at a friend's house party, an inquest has heard.

Zoe Whelan, 30, was found dead on the floor at Lynsey McDonald's home in Stockport, Greater Manchester, on December 4 last year.

Tests showed Ms Whelan, who had traces of her cocaine in her system, would have been more than four times the alcohol limit for driving.

Police arrested the party host, Ms McDonald, over the tragedy but it is not known whether any further action has been taken against her.

At an inquest in Stockport, the coroner recorded a conclusion of drink-and-drug-related death, saying Ms Whelan suffered from 'cardio-respiratory depression' caused by alcohol combined with cocaine and the anti-anxiety drug Pregabalin.

Ms Whelan's father Lewis Wells told the hearing: 'She was a bubbly girl who was very active. She loved her horses and would often take her two children to the stables.

Zoe Whelan (pictured left and right), 30, died at Lynsey McDonald's home in Stockport, Greater Manchester, on December 4 last year

'She was very caring. I miss her so much, it has broken my heart. I will never forget her.'

He added: 'I saw her every day of her life. I did everything for her. She was making plans for Christmas and had already bought some of the children's presents.

'Bringing up two children on her own was very demanding for her, but she coped.'

The tragedy occurred after Ms Whelan first went to the home of Ms McDonald where she met another friend Gemma Smith and others.

Ms McDonald told the hearing: 'I had friends and family over at my house as it was my sisters birthday. Zoe came to mine around 6.30pm but the party was interrupted by the police attending at around 10.30pm.

'Zoe said she was going home but she didn't and in the early hours of the morning, we had a drunken video call around 1.30am from Gemma.

'They wanted me to go around but I couldn't as my children were in bed. She did not take any drugs at mine, I did not see her take any. There was Gemma and then two other guys who arrived as the police told people to leave.

'She said she was going home but when on video call, she was at Gemma's.'

Ms Smith said: 'People were allowed to help themselves and Zoe helped herself. We had cocaine on the side, we only had a few lines and Zoe asked for it.

'Zoe was really intoxicated, at one point she was falling over and couldn't stand up, so we took her upstairs for a lie down. She was falling over at around 2am. I had a lot to drink as well, but I was not as drunk as her.

Ms Whelan's father Lewis Wells said: 'She was a bubbly girl who was very active. She loved her horses and would often take her two children to the stables' (pictured: Ms Whelan)

'I didn't think it was right how intoxicated she was and she was not asking to go home. Instead she staggered up the stairs and we just put her in bed. I walked her upstairs with someone, I cannot remember whom. We just laid her on top of the covers. I cannot remember the position she was in.'

She continued: 'I then went back downstairs then and had a few more drinks and carried on chatting. I regretted not going to check on Zoe and I didn't realise what had happened until one of the guys shouted from upstairs to come up.

'She was not responsive when I went upstairs. I called the ambulance and they advised to start chest compressions. No one else went to check on her that I am aware of. When we found her dead we rang the ambulance straight away. I wasn't aware she had been unwell. I am broken.'

At an inquest in Stockport, the coroner recorded a conclusion of drink-and-drug-related death, saying Ms Whelan (above) suffered from 'cardio-respiratory depression'

Another guest, former lifeguard Ashley Rigby, said: 'I was 5/10 drunk but Zoe was 10/10 drunk and she couldn't stand up. She was the most drunk I have ever ever seen anyone in my life. Her speech was slurred. Gemma was 7/10 drunk.'

Toxicology tests showed Zoe had 336 micrograms (mg) of alcohol in her blood stream. The alcohol limit in blood for driving is 80mg. She had also had traces of cocaine, Pregabalin and cannabis in her system.

Detective Inspector Rebecca Mills of Greater Manchester Police told the inquest: 'Heavy drinking had been going on and three small snap bags of empty cocaine powder were found which had been disbarred and consumed. Zopiclone tablets we're found in Zoe's pocket but had not been consumed.

'In Gemma's bag there was unused snapbags. Class A drugs and alcohol had been consumed on the premises. Gemma was arrested because I was concerned she had supplied Class A drugs which could have caused her death.

'The two males were not arrested. I am satisfied there was no suspicious circumstances - I pass on my condolences to Zoe's parents.'

Coroner Lauren Costello said: 'I am satisfied Gemma and Zoe were drinking heavily with spirits in high volume.

'Zoe was very intoxicated, she was slurring her words and unable to stand up. A decision was made for her to stop drinking and she was helped up to bed. I am satisfied all parties had consumed alcohol which has significantly impacted there recollection of what happened.

'Three empty snap-bags of cocaine were found at the premises and it was clear Zoe had taken cocaine. She was also 4x the legal limit for driving from alcohol.

'I am satisfied the alcohol combined with the cocaine and pregabalin caused her to suffer cardio-respiratory depression. I am also satisfied she took the drugs on her own accord.

'I am so sorry and I send my condolences to the family and friends to Zoe who was a wonderful mother and friend.'
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Cambridge University has resumed in-person graduation ceremonies for the first time since February 2020 - before the first national coronavirus lockdown.

Students from 29 colleges will graduate over four days at the 18th-century Senate House, in ceremonies known as General Admission to Degrees.

The prestigious institution said that the ceremonies, starting on Wednesday, have been carefully orchestrated in accordance with social distancing rules for higher education institutions.

They were organised in consultation with the university's safety advisers and Cambridge City Council.

Students from Cambridge University celebrated finishing their degrees today after Cambridge University resumed in-person graduation ceremonies for the first time since February 2020

Students from King's College at Cambridge stood in socially distanced lines as they prepared to received their degree certificates

A group of students beamed with joy as they celebrated their graduation from Cambridge University today

Professor Nicholas Marston at King's College, greets students ahead of their graduation ceremony in Senate House

Other measures include strict limits on numbers inside the Senate House at one time, maximum ventilation with face coverings worn indoors and students queuing outside before graduating.

Family and friends who would normally attend have been invited to watch the ceremonies, conducted in Latin and in full academic dress, on a private livestream link.

The university said it recognised the 'importance of celebrating the remarkable achievements of our students in a fitting manner that keeps most of the elements of the traditional ceremony while incorporating the necessary precautions'.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) Professor Graham Virgo said: 'Our students have worked incredibly hard and shown resilience and responsibility in their approach to the Covid-19 restrictions.

'I congratulate them all on their successes, and wish them well for the future.'

Ceremonies normally take place at intervals throughout the year at Cambridge University.

The prestigious institution said that the ceremonies have been carefully orchestrated in accordance with social distancing rules for higher education institutions

Students sfrom 29 colleges will graduate over four days at the 18th-century Senate House, in ceremonies known as General Admission to Degrees

Hundreds of graduates at Cambridge University stood outside with their face as they prepared for the ceremony inside century Senate House

The prestigious institution said that the ceremonies were organised in consultation with the university's safety advisers and Cambridge City Council

While many universities have postponed in-person graduation ceremonies until 2022, Cambridge is not the first university to resume them.

The University of Worcester held in-person graduation ceremonies earlier this month.

Oxford University said on its website that it took the 'difficult decision to postpone degree ceremonies between May 2020 and August 2021 due to Covid-19'.

It said that 'given the improving situation with regard to the pandemic, we plan to host ceremonies from September'.
British holidaymakers with trips booked to Malta have seen their plans thrown into chaos after the country announced it is not accepting the NHS app as proof of vaccination.

From Wednesday, travellers from the UK aged 12 and above are only permitted to enter Malta if they have had both doses of a coronavirus vaccine.

But authorities in the central Mediterranean archipelago revealed on Monday that they will only accept printed letters sent by the NHS as proof.

That means tourists planning to use the NHS app to demonstrate their status face being turned away at UK airports or the border in Malta, even if they are fully vaccinated.

To request an NHS vaccine letter, you have to fill out a form online, which you can only do two weeks after your second jab.

The UK Government's website states that letters then take 'up to five working days' to be delivered.

From Wednesday, travellers from the UK aged 12 and above are only permitted to enter Malta if they have had both doses of a coronavirus vaccine

However, Maltese authorities have now revealed that the NHS app will not count as proof of vaccine

This means that Britons hoping to go on holiday in the next few days will be unable to go to Malta - even if they have booked flights.

The reason for the rule change is unclear, though travel websites suggest the Maltese government fear the QR code on the NHS app can be easily forged.

Malta was set to be added to the UK's green list from June 30 - meaning that Britons would be able to travel to the island and return without needing to self-isolate.

Several affected people have sent Twitter messages to the British High Commission for Malta stating that the policy means their trips cannot go ahead as planned.

Mark Holland, of Hove, East Sussex, wrote: 'I travel in under three days, and have no time to request a letter.'

Children aged five to 11 can travel if they are accompanying their fully vaccinated parents or legal guardian, and must show evidence of a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before arrival.

No test is required for those aged under five.

The requirement for UK arrivals for those aged 12 to 17 to be fully vaccinated is effectively an outright ban, as the UK is not vaccinating under-18s.

Katie Crookshank, of London, wrote to the High Commission: 'We have a 12-year-old girl who is distraught as she now can't be a bridesmaid in August.'

She continued: 'The reputation of Malta being a family friendly island is being damaged. Why can't they be PCR tested?'

British High Commissioner to Malta, Cathy Ward, replied that she was 'so sorry to hear this'.

To request an NHS vaccine letter, you have to fill out a form online, which you can only do two weeks after your second jab. The UK Government's website states that letters then take 'up to five working days' to be delivered

She added that the Maltese authorities have said 'the guidance on teenagers is due to the virus now spreading fastest in this age group and they are worried about the spread of the Delta variant'.

There was a surge in demand for holidays in Malta, Spain's Balearic Islands, Portugal's Madeira and a number of Caribbean destinations after the UK Government announced last week they would be moved to the green travel list on Wednesday at 4am.

IN FULL: The UK's new travel green list All changes will come into effect from Wednesday, June 30 at 4am: Anguila

Antigua and Barbuda

Australia

Balearic Islands

Barbados

Bermuda

British Antarctic Territory

British Indian Ocean Territory

British Virgin Islands

Brunei

Cayman Islands

Dominica

Falkland Islands

Faroe Islands

Gibraltar

Grenada

Iceland

Israel and Jerusalem - to be moved to the Green Watch List

Madeira

Malta

Montserrat

New Zealand

Pitcairn Islands

South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands

Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha

Singapore

Turks and Caicos Islands The UK Government will move the following countries to the red list from June 30: Dominican Republic

Eritrea

Haiti

Mongolia

Tunisia

Uganda Advertisement

The change means people arriving in the UK from those places no longer need to quarantine at home for 10 days.

Price comparison website TravelSupermarket said Malta went from being its 17th most popular country among package holiday customers to number five following the announcement.

Within minutes, flight prices to the popular holiday destinations had tripled, with tickets for a return flight to Ibiza on July 3 and July 10 leaped from 149 to 314 while journeys on the same days to Majorca leaped from 153 to 478.

The Transport Secretary also said the Government will allow those who are double-jabbed to holiday in amber list countries without having to quarantine on their return - but this is still weeks away, with the rule not likely to come in until July at the earliest.

But the announcements drew criticism from some airlines, with easyJet saying it 'simply isn't ambitious enough', while Virgin Atlantic chief Shai Weiss also criticised the decision to leave the US on the UK's amber list, saying: 'Today's announcement fails to go far enough.'

Meanwhile, Sean Doyle, CEO of British Airways, told the BBC: 'We cannot afford another missed summer. There are jobs at stake, Britons separated from family members and we cannot afford to allow the success of our vaccine programme to be wasted.'

It came as others across the beleaguered travel sector voiced similar concerns. The Airport Operators Association chief executive Karen Dee said the Government's 'overly cautious' approach would continue to have 'major financial impacts' on the sector.

'Any extension of the green list is welcome, however small, but we also have to be realistic: this is not yet the meaningful restart the aviation industry needs to be able to recover from the pandemic,' she said.

CBI chief UK policy director Matthew Fell added: 'While welcome, these limited movements on green list countries won't be enough to salvage the summer season for the international travel sector.

'International connectivity extends far beyond tourism and underpins our whole economy. The UK's successful vaccine rollout means we should be in the vanguard of safely restarting international travel.'

Meanwhile, the holiday company On the Beach said it would not be taking new bookings for July and August while so much uncertainty remained about countries on the watchlist.

Chief executive Simon Cooper said: 'Booking a holiday to these destinations is not a guarantee that you won't have to self-isolate when you return home.

'While this uncertainty continues, we will continue to not sell holidays for July and August until we have greater confidence these holidays will go ahead with minimal disruptions.'

It comes as six countries including Tunisia and Haiti will be put on the UK's travel red list - meaning only UK citizens and those with residency status can travel from here and must stay in quarantine hotels for 10 days.

Israel and Jerusalem, which have been on the UK's travel green list since its inception, will be added to the 'green watch list'.

Others in this category - which signals that a country might be moved to the amber list in the near future - include Antigua, the Balearic Islands, Barbados and Grenada.

People with two jabs 'won't have to isolate for 10 days if they come into contact with Covid sufferers from July 19' People who are fully vaccinated won't have to isolate for 10 days if they come into contact with Covid sufferers from July 19, reports claim. Under current Covid rules, those alerted by Test and Trace that they have been in contact with someone who tested positive for the virus must self-isolate for 10 days. However, Downing Street is reportedly hoping to overhaul this measure and instead require those with two jabs to take lateral flow tests each day for the same period. This follows a successful pilot scheme which has been in place since April, the Sun reported. From July 19 - the long-awaited 'Freedom Day' - those who test negative during the 10 days will reportedly be able to leave the house. Advertisement

And in another blow France and Germany launched a joint push to make Britons quarantine on arrival in the EU despite Boris Johnson hailing the 'real opportunity' of opening travel to double-jabbed holidaymakers.

It comes as Boris Johnson faces mounting pressure to speed up the nation's exit from lockdown as Tory MPs, businesses and teachers call on the Prime Minister to 'go quicker'.

The PM said at PMQs at lunchtime that he 'devoutly hopes' that 'freedom day' will go ahead as planned on July 19.

He told MPs the UK's vaccine rollout means 'we have a higher wall of vaccination than virtually any other country in the world' and that means the Government can proceed 'with our cautious but we hope irreversible unlocking of the UK economy.

However, the PM is facing demands to bring forward the easing of rules, especially after it emerged Chris Whitty backed the July 19 date, telling the Cabinet it should aim to 'get as much open this summer as possible before winter'.

The Chief Medical Officer reportedly signalled his support for lifting the remaining coronavirus curbs next month as he briefed Cabinet ministers on Monday.

Mr Whitty said the winter period is likely to be 'much more difficult' but sources claimed he had been 'cautiously optimistic'.

Anti-lockdown Tory MPs are adamant that the Government should have relaxed all remaining rules on the original June 21 date for the final stage of the PM's lockdown exit roadmap.

One Conservative MP told MailOnline: I think we should be going quicker. The data were good enough to open up completely on June 21 and nothing I have seen has shifted that opinion.

Most people are vaccinated now and those who are younger have a much lower risk of anything untoward happening. It is time to open up the economy. There are so many other harms that we have heard about, particularly for younger people.

Another Tory MP echoed a similar sentiment as they said the data showed vaccines have 'had the effect of breaking the link' between infections and hospitalisations so the picture now looks 'very positive'.

The rate of growth in hospital admissions has been falling for the last nine days, despite hospitalisations continuing to rise

Just one in 100 NHS beds are currently being taken up by Covid patients in England  fourteen times fewer than at the start of the second wave. Graph shows: The percentage of all hospital beds available to the NHS being taken up by Covid patients on June 22 this year (red bars) compared to on December 14 (blue bars), the last time infections were above 20,000 and rising

The Government has insisted delaying 'freedom day' to July 19 will give the vaccine rollout more time to administer life-saving jabs to all UK adults.

Ministers have struck a significantly more bullish tone in recent days on ending restrictions with senior Government figures stressing the nation must now learn to live with coronavirus.

Hopes of a return to normal life have further increased after it was revealed that ministers are set to shelve plans for the mandatory use of 'Covid certification' after July 19.

Meanwhile, it has been claimed that fully-vaccinated Brits will no longer have to self-isolate for 10 days after contact with a positive Covid case, with the quarantine requirement replaced with daily testing.

And in a third piece of good news, school 'bubbles' are to be scrapped in a bid to stop a surge in Covid-related pupil absences.

However, that change is not due to come into force until the start of the next school year in September.
The Canadian socialite who shot dead a police chief on a beach in Belize has reportedly been released from jail in Belize after a friend posted her $30,000 bail.

Jasmine Hartin, 32, is believed to have had her release secured by Wendy Auxillou, who said the mother-of-two had been 'thrown to the wolves'.

The lawyer, who is understood to be Hartin's family friend, condemned Hartin's apparent treatment and claimed that she is 'being psychologically and emotionally abused'.

Auxillou said a friend of Hartin's family had asked for her assistance and she has now posted the $30,000 bail by supplying the title to a property she owns as collateral, according to The Times.

The former partner of Lord Ashcroft's son Andrew had previously been out on bail but was re-arrested and charged with assaulting a hotel worker last week.

Jasmine Hartin (pictured), 32, is believed to have released from jail after lawyer Wendy Auxillou, who said the mother-of-two had been 'thrown to the wolves', posted her bail

Auxillou (pictured) said a friend of Hartin's family had asked for her assistance and she has now posted bail by supplying the title to a property she owns as collateral

She was then sent back to Central Belize Prison after the manager of the resort where she had lived with Andrew decided he was no longer willing to cover her bail money following the incident.

While previously out on bail, Hartin was also turned away by security when she tried to access her family apartment at the Grand Colony resort to see her young twins.

It has not been specified whether Auxillou is part of her legal team, which is being led by high-profile attorney Richard 'Dickie' Bradley as Hartin awaits trial over the 'accidental' shooting of Superintendent Henry Jemmott.

Auxillou claimed to MailOnline that Hartin has been denied access to her children and been locked out of her home.

And according to The Times, Auxillou said: 'In the beginning, people viewed her as some type of rich entitled kid, basically.

'After what transpired with her being locked out of her house and kept away from her kids and all that, she's now being viewed with a bit of sympathy.'

It has not been specified whether Auxillou is part of Hartin's legal team, which is being led by high-profile attorney Richard 'Dickie' Bradley (pictured)

The former partner of Lord Ashcroft's son Andrew is awaiting trial for shooting Superintendent Henry Jemmott (pictured), a father-of-five, with his own service pistol last month

Authorities at the Central Prison received confirmation of Hartin meeting requirements for bail and she was released as of 3pm yesterday, according to Breaking Belize News.

Her conditions for bail reportedly include daily reports to the police station, a daily curfew, not leaving the jurisdiction, not interfering with witnesses, and maintaining good behaviour.

Hartin's legal team is being led by high-profile attorney Richard 'Dickie' Bradley, after an apparent split with Godfrey Smith - the former attorney general of Belize who was hired on her behalf in the hours after Jemmot's shooting.

It comes after Hartin's mother Candace Castiglione claimed that her daughter's treatment amounted 'persecution from the Ashcroft family'.

MailOnline has contacted Lord Ashcroft's office for comment.

Hartin had previously been out on bail as she awaited trial over the 'accidental' shooting of Henry Jemmott, but was then sent back to prison.

She was charged with assaulting a hotel worker during a clash with her former partner and appeared in court in San Pedro to plead not guilty to assault, but was remanded in prison.

The court heard she had attempted to push Sandra Grisham, the general manager of the Alaia, however, Hartin representing herself, pleaded not guilty and denied attacking anyone.

Frank Habet, a manager of a resort, then withdrew her bail funds saying he was worried he would lose his 60,000 Belizean dollars ($30,000) if Jasmine Hartin did not show up for trial.

While on bail before, Hartin was turned away when she tried to access the Grand Colony resort to see her twins. Videos showed Hartin chasing Andrew (pictured) into the Alaia Belize hotel

He said he decided to pull the plug after the accused mother was turned back by security on Tuesday when she tried to access her family apartment at the Grand Colony resort to see her young twins.

Frank Habet said: 'Miss Hartin appeared at Grand Colony resort behaving in a disorderly and abusive manner and creating great disturbance at the hotel in the presence of guests.

'I now think Miss Hartin is quite capable of not showing up for trial and I therefore wish to immediately withdraw my cash deposit.'

Videos showed Hartin, 32, chasing her partner Andrew Ashcroft into the neighboring Alaia Belize hotel, which the couple ran together before the Jemmott shooting.

Hartin took the videos on her own cell phone and could be heard repeatedly asking Ashcroft why he allegedly wouldn't give her access to Ellie and Charlie, four.

The incident prompted Habet, the general manager of Grand Colony - another Ashcroft-operated property  to demand back his $30,000 cash deposit and cancel a further surety of $30,000.

'Ms Hartin appeared at Grand Colony Resort behaving in a disorderly and abusive manner and creating great disturbance at the hotel in the presence of guests,' Habet wrote.

Hartin (pictured) was then charged with assaulting a hotel worker and sent back to prison after a former associate said he was no longer willing to cover her bail money following the incident

'I now think Ms Hartin is quite capable of not showing up for trial and I wish to immediately withdraw my cash deposit and revoke the surety form I signed as I simply cannot afford the financial loss should this occur.'

Hartin had been released on bail of $1,000 Belizeans dollars before being transferred by boat to the Supreme Court in Belize City - where she then learned about Habet's sudden u-turn.

Hartin is currently awaiting trial for shooting Superintendent Henry Jemmott, a father-of-five, with his own service pistol last month.

Jemmott, a highly-rated officer tipped as a future leader of his country's police force, was struck behind his right ear by a 9mm round from his own Glock 17 service pistol.

According to a criminal complaint he had been 'socializing' and drinking alone with Hartin on a secluded hotel pier in Ambergris Caye, a tropical island haven for millionaire expats.

A security guard heard a 'loud bang' at 12:45am and police arrived to find Canadian national Hartin 'covered in red substance as that of blood' and Jemmott, 42, floating dead on his back 30ft from the shore.

An expended shell casing was still lodged inside the gun which was found on the Mata Rocks hotel pier along with a magazine, live bullets and a pool of blood.

After spending the weekend behind bars, Hartin gave a statement saying the off-duty officer was showing her how to handle his firearm as the pair drank and hung out.

Last week, Hartin (pictured) re-told her version of events that led to Jemmott's death, saying the gun went off unexpectedly in her hands as she tried to re-insert a clip and hand it to him

In her exclusive interview on Thursday with DailyMail.com, she reiterated her version of events, saying the gun went off unexpectedly in her hands as she tried to re-insert a clip and hand it back.

'Henry was my friend. It was an accident, I didn't flee the scene. The first thing I did was call the police myself,' she said.

'There's literally not a day that goes by when I don't cry and my frigging chest doesn't hurt and ache for his kids, for his family, for him.'

She also revealed for the first time that the reason she was practicing with the gun was because an unnamed man had tried to rape her at a party six days earlier.

Three days after Jemmott's death Hartin was charged with manslaughter by negligence after prosecutors opted against murder or full-fledged manslaughter on the strength of her witness statement insisting it was an accident.

The offense carries a maximum prison sentence of nine months or a fine of around 10,000 Belizean dollars ($5,000 in US money).
A Texas father has shot a 'peeping Tom' who was seen performing a sex act outside the window of his 10-year-old daughter's bedroom, police have said.

The husband and wife, who have remained anonymous, heard their daughter scream from her room at 10pm on Sunday after she saw the man lurking outside their house in Houston.

The girl's mother told KTRK-TV: 'She looks over at the window and this guy is at her window. He took my daughter's innocence away.'

A Texas father has shot a 'peeping Tom' who was seen masturbating outside the window of his 10-year-old daughter's bedroom (pictured), police have said

After they were alerted to the apparently intoxicated stranger, the couple, who are licensed gun owners, headed outside on 15000 W. Little York to confront him.

The father ordered the man to lie down on their yard until police arrived but he did not comply and fled across the street to a Valero gas station.

There, the girl's mother held him at gunpoint as the father headed inside the gas station to ask them to call 911.

The father ordered the man to lie down on their yard until police arrived but he did not comply and fled across the street to a Valero gas station

The husband and wife, who have remained anonymous, heard their daughter scream from her room at 10pm on Sunday

But the suspect then started wrestling with the mother for her gun, disarming her and pointing it back in her direction.

The husband immediately ran outside and fired at the man out of fear for the safety of his wife.

The mother said: 'We didn't want this guy to get shot. We were waiting for police to detain him because I'm pretty sure if he did this to my children, he's doing it to a lot of other children out here

The husband immediately ran outside and fired at the man out of fear for the safety of his wife. Pictured: officers at the scene

After they were alerted to the apparently intoxicated stranger, the couple, who are licensed gun owners, headed outside on 15000 W. Little York to confront him

We are praying for the suspect and we are also praying for his family.'

Harris County deputies said the man was shot by the father three times.

He was taken to hospital where he is in a critical but stable condition.

The case is being investigated by the Harris County District Attorney's Office.
Mrs Zurick was a dog breeder and trainer who once worked for Princess Anne

Husband John Frederick Zurick died in hospital days later after shooting himself

Princess Anne's dog breeder hid a shogun from police before shooting his estranged wife dead on Boris Johnson's family estate and turning the gun on himself after she moved in with a new partner, an inquest heard.

John Zurick, 67, shot Deborah Zurick, 56, twice in the back with a shotgun before shooting himself at their cottage on the Exmoor estate of Stanley Johnson - the Prime Minister's father.

The pair, who were respected breeders of working clumber spaniels, separated in November 2019 after Mrs Zurick began a relationship with a man in Ireland.

Mrs Zurick survived cancer and 'drifted apart' from her husband amid his problems with drink. After they separated, Zurick began to drink heavily again and weeks before the murder he was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving in the nearby hamlet of Winsford.

During his arrest and transport to a police station Zurick attempted to self-harm and spoke of wanting to kill himself.

His firearms licence was revoked and police seized nine licensed firearms with Zurick telling officers there were no other weapons on the premises.

However, he then shot dead his estranged wife with a secret shotgun on February 22 last year after she returned to her former cottage to pick up some items and take some dogs away with her.

He then turned the gun on himself after texting a friend: 'Debs is dead, I will be in a moment, so sorry.'

John Zurick, 67, shot Deborah Zurick, 56, twice in the back with a shotgun before turning it on himself at their cottage on the Exmoor estate last year

The inquest, which opened last year, previously heard that Southampton-born Zurick was estranged from his wife. Pictured: Debbie and John Zurick with their dogs

Paramedics were called to the cottage, on the Prime Minister's family estate but were unable to save Mrs Zurick (pictured)

Mrs Zurick survived cancer and 'drifted apart' from her husband amid his problems with drink

Mrs Zurick returned to the property accompanied by her friend Elizabeth Murphy after appearing 'nervous' about the trip the day before.

In statements read by the coroner, Ms Murphy said after arriving at Nethercote Cottage in Winsford, Mr Zurick, a leading gundog trainer and acquaintance of the Princess Royal, made the pair a cup of tea and was visibly upset.

Mr Zurick then had a private conversation with his wife behind a closed door, before Mrs Zurick came out and told Ms Murphy the encounter was 'intense,' and that they should leave and return the next day.

Mrs Zurick then said she needed to walk the dogs and her husband said he would go with her, the inquest heard.

Her friend remained in the cottage and made herself a coffee, adding that she never saw Mr Zurick with a gun at the time.

Soon after, she saw an 'agitated' Mr Zurick 'flinging open' the door with a shotgun over his arm before saying: 'I've shot Debbie, and you can f*ck off.'

After rushing to check on Mrs Zurick, her friend pleaded with her estranged husband, who was standing in the doorway, to call an ambulance, but was told to 'f**k off' again.

The inquest heard Mr Zurick then grabbed hold of Ms Murphy and pushed her into an office in a wooden outbuilding.

Ms Murphy said Mr Zurick then returned with screws and put them in to lock her shut, but after realising there was a second window - he opened the door, dragged her by the wrists and shoved her in stables used as kennels.

She said while trapped she saw Mr Zurick place tubes into the exhausts of a car, but after revving the engine for a few minutes said: 'That didn't work, I'm going to shoot myself.'

The inquest heard Mr Zurick came back and told Ms Murphy: 'Please tell everyone I'm sorry. If I can't have her no one can.'

A picture posted on the couple's social media showing Boris Johnson meeting their dog, also called Boris

Princess Anne previously expressed her sadness after learning the dog breeder who worked for her, Deborah Zurick, had been shot dead in the cottage where Boris Johnson grew up (pictured second right with the Queen's daughter is John Zurick)

Ms Murphy thought she heard a muffled bang, then after waiting approximate 20 minutes escaped through an open window, eventually finding Mrs Zurick 'flat on ground on her back.'

Paramedics and armed police soon arrived to the property and Mrs Zurick was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Zurick was found by police in an outbuilding, believed to be used as a kennel, sat up against a wall and with a sawn-off shotgun in his lap.

He was flown to Derriford Hospital with a shotgun wound to the head but was eventually declared dead on February 27.

Tony Williams, senior coroner for Somerset, concluded that Mrs Zurick had been unlawfully killed and Mr Zurick's death was due to suicide, following the inquest on Wednesday.

'Deborah Zurick was shot twice in the back by John using a shotgun and subsequently he turned the gun on himself,' Mr Williams, referring to a ballistics report, said.

'As to Deborah's death, there was no evidence that suggested self-defence or accident, only that John intended to end Deborah's life in the most calculated way.

'John then deliberately discharged the shotgun with the intention of ending his life.'

The inquest heard Mrs Zurick would have died a short time after suffering the shotgun wounds during the incident on February 22.

Avon and Somerset Police would have prosecuted him for murder had he survived, the hearing was told.

Mrs Zurick met her husband when she was 12 at her father's gun shop.

The pair then married when she was roughly 19 - initially having what one friend described as a 'loving relationship.'

Both dog trainers and breeders, the couple regularly attended game shoots and organised training days for spaniels and their owners at their Somerset home.

Throughout the couple's marriage though, it was heard Mr Zurick battled with alcohol issues, sometimes consuming up to three bottles of wine a night.

He initially stopped drinking after concerns were raised by his wife and friends but he was arrested for drink driving in January 2020.

And after attempting to self-harm and making suicidal references while in custody, he immediately had his gun licence revoked.

Officers were called to the property after reports of a hearing a gunshot in Winsford, Somerset

Winsford borders Exmoor National Park and is home to a 12th century pub, The Royal Oak Exmoor

Mrs Zurick had also told friends she felt 'unsupported' by her husband after being diagnosed with cancer some years prior to her death, and that she felt the relationship had deteriorated.

Evidence from a friend of the couple, Heidrun Humphries, was also read to the inquest.

Mrs Humphries described how Mr Zurick had 'an issue with alcohol' and Mrs Zurick had confided that he was verbally abusive to her when drunk.

In late 2019, Mrs Zurick - described as 'the driving force' of the dog breeding and training business - told Mrs Humphries that she was leaving her husband and moving to Ireland to be with a man who lived there

When collecting the firearms belonging to the pair, a statement given by an officer at the scene said all guns were accounted for on Mr Zurick's licence and that besides a decorative fireman on the wall - he saw no other weapon.

However, the inquest heard Mr Zurick had previously told Robert Mitchell, a local gamekeeper, that he still had two shotguns in the house which police were not aware of and had ammunition.

Mrs Zurick was honorary secretary of the Working Clumber Spaniel Society (WCSS) for more than 20 years and her husband was a member of the society's ruling committee.
Jacinda Ardern has left her colleagues in stitches but left her struggling rival speechless with a sharp comment implying she is a 'Karen' in New Zealand parliament.

The Kiwi leader turned a Tweet by opposition leader Judith Collins against her in a debate over hate speech, in which the Nationals leader asked 'Will calling a middle-aged white woman a "Karen" now be a crime under Jacinda Ardern's law?'

After Ms Collins, also known as 'Crusher', said Ms Ardern was 'wrong' to stop debate on hate speech, the Kiwi Prime Minister was ready with her razor sharp rebuttal.

Jacinda Ardern blunted her counterpart Judith Collins saying new hate speech legislation wouldn't be strong enough to protect Collins herself from being called a 'Karen'

Ms Collins (pictured), also known as 'Crusher', suffered a stinging rebuke in the NZ Parliament

'Mister speaker, I disagree with that statement and I also disagree with the member's statement on Twitter that somehow it will become illegal to call someone a Karen,' she said.

'That is absolutely incorrect, and I apologise, that means these laws will not protect that member [Collins] from such a claim.'

While Ms Ardern's comments weren't a direct attack on her rival, the debate chamber knew exactly what she had implied and erupted in laughter.

A 'Karen' is a term referencing a certain type of middle-class white woman who considers herself highly and is entitled.

Ms Collins quickly stood to reply, but backed down admitting what she had planned to say would be 'cruel'.

She again raised the 'Karen' issue on Twitter on Wednesday evening.

'Apparently insulting women for either being named 'Karen' and/or for being middle aged white women is fine, under Jacinda Ardern's new law.'

Another Kiwi MP, Karen Chhour urged Ms Ardern to apologise to all of New Zealand's Karens.

'My question is whether the nation's Karens will be deemed a protected group?' Ms Chhour asked.

The New Zealand government, led by Ms Ardern, plans to include religious groups and LBGTQI communities in strengthened hate speech legislation - but not 'Karens'

'Would, for instance, erasing Karens by carelessly merging them with the nation's Judiths amount to hate speech?

'If the Prime Minister can't explain why a scenario as basic as this would not be actionable under the laws she's proposing then she should dump the law and apologise to every Karen from the Cape to the Bluff.'

The New Zealand government, led by Ardern, plans to include religious groups and LBGTQI communities in strengthened hate speech legislation.

It proposes a new criminal offence for inciting violence against certain groups, and a maximum penalty of three years in prison and a $50,000 fine.

But derogatory terms such as 'Karen', with connotations that a woman is demanding or entitled, will not be included.
Southwest Airlines is offering its staff double pay if they pick up extra shifts over the Fourth of July weekend to help the company avoid flight disruptions amid a huge demand for flights.

The airline company has been forced to cancel or delay thousands of flights this month due to storms and technical issues.

Over the weekend, Southwest Airlines cancelled hundreds of flights as severe thunderstorms hit major airports in Denver and parts of Florida.

While acknowledging Southwest Airlines staff have become 'frustrated' with the issues, the airline hopes the increased pay will encourage them to work from July 1 to July 7 in an effort to thwart any staffing issues over Independence Day weekend.

Southwest Airlines is offering its staff double pay if they pick up extra shifts over the Fourth of July weekend to help the company avoid flight disruptions amid a huge demand for flights

'We have heard from many of you who are frustrated with our network reliability and irregular operations created by summer storms across many parts of the country,' Alan Kasher, Southwest's executive vice president of daily operations, wrote in a memo to staff seen by CNBC.

In the memo, which was posted Monday and entitled 'We Need Your Help This Holiday Travel Week', Kasher said: 'To address the situation for the short term, we will be incentivizing our Ops Employees during this busy holiday travel week by increasing overtime pay from July 1 through July 7.

Flight attendants will get double pay for picking up the extra shifts over that week, , Sonya Lacore, Southwest's vice president of inflight operations, wrote to in a separate memo to staff on Monday.

The airline is also offering double pay to ground and cargo operations employees, spokesperson Brian Parrish told the publication.

It comes as a near-record number of travelers could hit the skies for the Fourth of July holiday weekend, with 3.5 million passengers projected to fly - up nearly 164 percent from last year.

If the projections hold, the number of fliers this year could bump up against the all-time record of Independence Day air travelers. That record was hit in July 2019 - well before the coronavirus brought air travel to a halt.

It comes as a near-record number of travelers could hit the skies for the Fourth of July holiday weekend, with 3.5 million passengers projected to fly - up nearly 164 percent from last year. Pictured: Travelers queue at Denver International Airport on June 16

In 2019, 3.9 million passengers took to the skies for the weekend of July 1 to 5, according to AAA.

The travel projections come as COVID-19 vaccination rates climb and people who have been stuck inside for nearly a year are eager to get out of the house and do something besides stare at the same four walls.

Still, with airlines having cut back their schedules and staffing dramatically in the wake of the virus shutdowns, many now are having trouble staffing back up and bulking their schedules to meet the sudden demand.

Kasher said that the staffing issues facing Southwest airline are a short-term problem and while they were prepared for an increase in travel demand, irregular operations caused by technical issues and weather have disrupted the plans.

He said in another memo to staff: 'We were prepared for this increase in travel demand with the aircraft and staffing we planned for the summer, and this increase is welcome news after our business suffered last year.

'However, irregular operations disrupt even the best plans and can make it difficult to recover the operation quickly.'

The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association said on Monday that it did not come to an agreement with Southwest Airlines on the offer of double-time pay or an incentive agreement for the pilots to pick up more flying.

Many experienced airline pilots were fired last year as airlines struggled to stay afloat during the pandemic.

The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association said the offer of double pay for pilots was 'inadequate' and a 'temporary patch at best' to a longer-term problem, reports the Wall Street Journal.

Over the weekend, Southwest Airlines cancelled hundreds of flights as severe thunderstorms hit major airports in Denver and parts of Florida (file photo)

And that problem is that there is a training backlog which means there are not enough pilots to fill the Southwest airlines' summer schedule.

'It has been clear (since spring!) that our operation was on track for a brutal summer caused by overselling a schedule that they absolutely cannot fill,' The Southwest Airlines Pilots Association told its members on Monday.

It comes as the Southwest Airlines service was suspended earlier this month for the second time in less than 24 hours due to 'technology issues' that led to cancellations and delays of nearly 50 percent of its flights.

The airline company hasn't responded to requests for comment but tweeted shortly before 4pm that it's 'in the process of resuming normal operations' after a system issue 'created flight disruptions throughout our network.'

'We know many Customers still require assistance and are working to address those concerns as quickly as possible,' a post on the official Southwest Twitter account read.

A day earlier, a technical glitch in a weather information system delayed 1,519 flights and cancelled 45 flights.

It comes as a near-record of 3.5 million passengers are projected to fly on the July Fourth weekend.

But Southwest Airlines is not the only company struggling with staffing issues.

American Airlines said last week it will cut hundreds of flights over the next three weeks to avoid overloading its operation as demand for summer air travel rises faster than expected.

Bosses warned a surprise surge in demand for post-COVID travel could see 3,000 AA flights canceled by the end of July.

American Airlines aircraft at Boston's Logan International Airport on Monday. As the country's largest airline it was hit with some of the worst losses during the pandemic

The airline said Tuesday that the cuts could average 50 to 60 flights a day the rest of June and between 50 and 80 a day in the first half of July. That is potentially more than 1 percent of its schedule.

On Tuesday, the airline had scrubbed 130 flights and more than 200 others were delayed by afternoon Central time, according to tracking service FlightAware.

Americans have returned to the skies far more quickly than large airlines were expecting as COVID-19 numbers drop and quarantine rules are lifted amid widespread access to vaccines. That sudden surge in demand has caught carriers by surprise, ABC News reported.

US airlines suffered their worst year in history in 2020 - losing a combined $35 billion. American, which is the world's biggest airline by fleet size and passenger numbers, accounted for more than a quarter of that loss, falling $9.5 billion into the red.

Last year's large-scale dismissal of experienced airline pilots to save cash has now led to a severe shortage of AA staff who can fly its Boeing 737 jets, which form the backbone of the airline's domestic fleet. It shed 1,200 of its 15,000 pilots, but is now urgently trying to rehire more of those highly-skilled airmen and women.

Travel is bouncing back fast in America after a year of unprecedented lows. Airlines who struggled during the pandemic are now scrambling to meet the sudden resurgence in demand

Many experienced airline pilots were fired last year as airlines struggled to stay afloat during COVID, which saw travel bans imposed - and many others left too frightened to take to the skies.

A spokesman for the Allied Pilots Association, the union which represents American's 15,000 pilots, told DailyMail.com on Monday last week that the airline is suffering a major staffing shortage after furloughing 1,600 pilots during the pandemic.

However, American denied that a pilot shortage due to furloughs was a factor in the cancellations, saying that the company's pilot training remains on track, and that all recalled pilots will complete their required training by the end of June.

Instead, the airline said that 'unprecedented weather' at its hubs in Dallas and Charlotte had spurred the cancellations by pushing many crew members to hit federal limits on work hours.

'The first few weeks of June have brought unprecedented weather to our largest hubs, heavily impacting our operation and causing delays, canceled flights and disruptions to crew member schedules and our customers' plans,' an American spokeswoman told DailyMail.com.

'That, combined with the labor shortages some of our vendors are contending with and the incredibly quick ramp up of customer demand, has led us to build in additional resilience and certainty to our operation by adjusting a fraction of our scheduled flying through mid-July,' the spokeswoman added.

American Airlines will cut hundreds of flights over the next three weeks amid a pilot shortage, as demand for travel rises faster than anticipated (file photo)

As the industry comes roaring back, United Airlines Chief Executive Officer Scott Kirby warned that the United States could be facing a pilot shortage in the future, as more pilots who earned their wings in the military during the Cold War retire.

'The military produces far fewer pilots today than in the Vietnam and Cold War era,' he told Axios, 'and it's hard to become a pilot, a commercial airline pilot if you're not going through the military.'

Overall, American says it plans to cancel around 1% or 950 flights for the first half of July as it struggles to adjust to a new uptick in demand as the coronavirus pandemic recedes, according to the Wall Street Journal.

The majority of cancellations were for the A320 and 737 aircraft, and American said it anticipates cancelling 50 to 60 flights per day for the remainder of June and 50 to 80 flights per day in July, with total of up to 3,000 the airline told ABC.

An American Airlines 737 MAX. A pilot shortage for the aircraft may be the possible reason behind the airline's decision to cancel flights

'We made targeted changes with the goal of impacting the fewest number of customers by adjusting flights in markets where we have multiple options for re-accommodation,' American said in a statement.

Many of those pilots put on leave after demand for air travel collapsed at the start of the COVID outbreak are now in huge demand among airlines.

The number of jets themselves have also increased, with the Boeing 737 MAX once again approved for service after two deadly crashes saw it taken out of service, according to One Mile at a Time.

As air travel saw a sharp drop-off during the pandemic, many airline employees were offered early retirement and a buyout, leaving vacancies that have yet to be filled, ABC reported.

Companies that provide catering, fueling and wheelchair services have also been short staffed, causing disruptions across American's operations, according to the Journal.

The cuts, an American spokesperson said, are intended to give the airline more flexibility and are intended to be focused in areas where there are other flights that can accommodate customers, the Journal also reported.

Despite the cuts, American is still scheduling far more flights than its competitors, with a July schedule roughly 20% larger than either Delta or United Airlines.

The logistical challenges come as air travel demand is approaching pre-pandemic levels, with the TSA reporting more than 2 million passengers on June 11.

It was the first time since March, 2020 that the agency had screened that many passengers.

On the same day in 2019, for example, the TSA screened around 2.7 million passengers.
HomeServe's boss has claimed Britain faces a shortfall in tradespeople because of Brexit and school leavers shunning apprenticeships.

Richard Harpin, whose firm HomeServe oversees tradespeople comparison site Checkatrade, said there was a major skills gap that could not keep up with 'major demand' following coronavirus lockdowns.

He told BBC Radio 4's Today programme 80 per cent of homeowners want to improve their properties this year, but won't be able to unless the shortage of tradespeople is solved.

Mr Harpin said 'EU migrant workers going home' because of Brexit was mostly to blame.

He said coronavirus lockdowns had created a 'phenomenon' whereby thousands of homeowners wanted to improve their space this year, now Britons are both living and working in their houses.

HomeServe founder and CEO Richard Harpin (pictured) blamed Brexit and a lack of apprentices for the major skills gap

'We can only do that if we've got sufficient trades to do those home improvements,' Mr Harpin said.

Today is the EU settlement scheme deadline, meaning EU workers who have not applied could soon be forced to leave the country.

'If migrant workers havent registered then they have to leave so it is really important that we find a way to get them back,' Mr Harpin added.

Those granted settled status will be allowed to stay in the UK for as long as they want and can also apply for British citizenship.

Mr Harpin suggested two solution to the skills shortage: adding trades such as bathroom fitters and kitchen installers to a list of shortage occupations, meaning more EU nationals will be granted settled status; and encouraging school leavers to take up apprenticeships.

'We need to get more school leavers into formal apprenticeships rather than going to university,' he said. 'There is funding out there from the Government. We need that to increase from 3,000 and 4,000 up to between 5,000 and 7,000.

'Our research among Checkatrade trades says if we can do that then a significant proportion of them will take on their first apprentice and we can start addressing that home grown skilled work talent.'

Demand for new workers soared in May at its fastest rate since January 1998 as large parts of the economy started to re-open following months of lockdown.

Mr Harpin told BBC Radio 4's Today programme 80 per cent of homeowners want to improve their properties this year, but won't be able to unless the shortage of tradespeople is solved (file image)

The reduction is partly due to uncertainty lingering after the pandemic, and a fall in candidates from the European Union after Brexit (file image)

Figures from auditing giant KPMG and the Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) showed employers are in the market for both permanent and temporary staff.

But many are struggling to find the right people. Amid a spike in demand not seen for 23 years, the supply of staff is falling at its fastest rate for four years.

The reduction is partly due to uncertainty lingering after the pandemic, and a fall in candidates from the European Union after Brexit.

'With demand spiking, the skills and labour shortages that already existed in the UK have come into sharper focus  and Covid has only made them worse,' said REC deputy chief executive Kate Shoesmith.
A Tory councillor who shared a Facebook meme saying 'white slaves were sold for centuries' is facing a misconduct hearing.

Pauline Culley may be found to have broken Darlington Borough Council's code of conduct after posting the picture online last year.

She shared a post depicting white women being restrained by Arabic men to her profile at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement last summer, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

The image had black text over it which read: 'All our ancestors sold slaves, took slaves or were slaves. You're not special.'

Pauline Culley shared a post (pictured) depicting white women being restrained by Arabic men to her profile at the height of the Black Lives Matter movement last summer, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service

Mrs Culley (pictured) may have broken Darlington Borough Council's code of conduct

Opposition councillors blasted Mrs Culley for suggesting the suffering of black people was insignificant.

The councillor, who has served on the authority since 2014 and chairs the South Durham Conservative Group, later deleted her account.

Text on the meme also said: 'Black people owned and sold slaves. Asian people, native people and Middle Eastern people owned and sold slaves.

'Everyone's ancestors participated in slavery, it wasn't exclusive to white people. Stop trying to make people feel guilty for things they didn't do.'

Liberal Democrat, Labour and Green groups lodged a joint complaint which sparked the inquiry.

Green Party leader Matthew Snedker said people were 'appalled' by the post.

A post on Darlington Labour's Twitter page read: 'It is disgraceful that an elected member would see fit to post such appalling content'

Others said the post made the council seem less approachable on issues of race equality. A post on Darlington Labour's Twitter page read: 'It is disgraceful that an elected member would see fit to post such appalling content and it is very concerning if she is not able to see an issue with this post.'

Mrs Culley was 'very reluctant to give her opinion on the post', according to the authority's report, but later said it was factual and she had not added an opinion on its content.

She said she did not think it was racist or offensive.

Mrs Culley told MailOnline: 'I am of course pleased with the decision of the panel, but disappointed that Council officers had to waste so much time and money because of a political attack that was orchestrated by the Labour Party.'

MailOnline has approached the council for comment.

If the complaints are upheld the council's standards panel could write a formal letter to Mrs Culley or call for a motion to censure her.
Far-right police, soldiers and civilians in Germany have held military exercises to prepare for 'Day X' - when they believe they must seize power to save the country, shocking new evidence has revealed.

New photos show members of the secret group Nordkreuz, or Northern Cross, dressed in camouflage and carrying weapons as they lug equipment through forests, fast-rope off bridges and clamber through underground tunnels.

The images were retrieved from a hard drive, along with maps and plans, which was was obtained by investigative reporter Dirk Laabs. It is not clear who gave him the drive.

It contains plans for Day X, a date when Nordkreuz claims the German state will collapse and the far-right will seize power to re-establish order.

Laabs spoke to PBS Frontline to reveal the trove of intelligence, telling the US broadcaster that these were 'big training drills' which involved professional 'soldiers who would train civilians.'

'So, it was really thought-through. It was a military operation,' Laabs added.

A member of Nordkreuz is seen wielding an assault rifle in photos retrieved from a hard drive along with maps and other neo-Nazi dossiers

Members of the far-right group are seen taking part in military drills in the woods

Marko Gross, a police sniper and former parachutist, formed a parallel group called Nordkreuz and acted as their de-facto leader. He received a 21-month suspended sentence last year for possession of illegal weapons

Men practice shooting sniper rifles as part of their training in Nordkreuz

The group spawned from an online chatroom which was set up by a member of Germany's elite special forces, the KSK, for servicemen with far-right sympathies.

But it grew extreme and turned into something more menacing after Angela Merkel welcomed thousands of refugees from the Middle East and North Africa in 2015.

Marko Gross, a former paratrooper and police sniper, created a parallel group called Nordkreuz and acted as its de-facto leader.

Far-right plot to takeover Germany on Day X with '200 body bags ordered and plans drawn up to takeover military bases' Nordkreuz, based in the northeastern state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, came onto the police radar in 2017. The group of around 30 former police and military serviceman were preparing for Day X - when they believed that public order would collapse. It is not clear what exactly would precipitate this fall into chaos but the group were particularly concerned about the influx of refugees from the Middle East and North Africa during the European migrant crisis of 2015. The BfV, Germany's domestic terror agency, believed they were preparing for the day with 'enormous intensity.' They had drawn up lists of 25,000 political opponents, including their addresses gleaned from police computers, ordered 200 body bags, along with quicklime, and had stockpiled weapons and ammunition stolen from police armouries. All of the Nordkreuz members were trained marksmen. According to the investigative reporter Dirk Laabs, the group had a document which contained instructions on what to do on Day X. This included details on where they should meet, code words, the channels they would use to communicate and the signs they would show to pass road blocks when the day arrived. Laabs said he spoke to other witnesses who said they had meetings where they talked about how they would take over military units on Day X. Advertisement

Laabs obtained private message exchanges between the members who were sharing memes which included on which showed a Nazi soldier shooting hostages in WWII and implying that the same should be done to migrants.

'We can really see that these guys are hardcore neo-Nazis. You know, it's a lot of racism,' the reporter told PBS.

In Germany, the dissemination of neo-Nazi material is a criminal offence.

Laabs also uncovered a Day X dossier which was being passed out to the members of Nordkruez with military instructions for what they should do, where to meet, code words, the channels they would use to communicate and the signs they would show to pass road blocks when the day arrived.

The investigative reporter said he spoke to other witnesses who said they had meetings where they talked about how they would take over military units on Day X.

Police learned about the group in 2017, finding that Nordkreuz had identified attack sites, some of which they had already reconnoitred.

In 2019, Germany's domestic intelligence agency BfV revealed that Nordkreuz had compiled a list of political opponents and ordered 200 body bags and quicklime in preparation for Day X.

They said that all of the members of the group were trained marksmen and included one active member of the elite forces unit of the state police force of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania.

The BfV said that the men, communicating via the encrypted messaging app Telegram, were preparing for Day X with 'enormous intensity,' and had used data from police computers to make a list which contained 25,000 names and addresses.

They mostly belong to local politicians from the major parties, the Christian Democrats, Social Democrats, Greens and Left party. All of the politicians were considered to be 'pro-refugee.'

There were also federal politicians on the list including then-Foreign Minister Heiko Maas, former President Joachim Gauck and Bundestag Vice President Claudia Roth.

Martina Renner, who sits on a committee in the German parliament which investigates extremism, told PBS: 'They had organised trainings, sniper trainings, urban combat training, those kind of things. And yeah, that it was a typical terrorist structure.'

Authorities believed there were around 30 active members of Nordkreuz.

In 2017, raids were carried out on members who were found in possession of Nazi memorabilia, lists of 'enemies' and tens of thousands of bullets  the vast majority of which were stolen from police armouries.

A band of men from Nordkreuz dressed up in camouflage suits as they practise manoeuvres in the woods

A pair of men wearing military uniforms take part in the exercises

Members of the secret group Nordkreuz (Northern Cross) dressed in camouflage and lugging professional gear through a forest

The men take up positions in the woods as if on the look-out for an enemy

Their professional-style exercises included dangling over a rive from a harness attached to a bridge

Gross was among those with weapons stashed at his home.

In August 2017, police seized two dozen weapons and 23,800 rounds of ammunition, some of it stolen from police and military stockpiles.

Another raid in June 2019 turned up 31,500 rounds of ammo and an Uzi submachine gun. He was then arrested.

He received a 21-month suspended sentence last year for possession of illegal weapons.

State prosecutors told Laabs that they didn't have enough evidence to bring terror charges.

The investigative reporter claims that if Gross had been an Islamic extremist that a harsher sentence would have definitely been meted out.

Nordkreuz grew out of an online chatroom set up for former servicemen

Members of the group are seen tramping through the woods in camouflage military gear

Gross has previously told reporters that Nordkreuz was just 'prepping' in case of social disorder.

'The scenario was that something bad would happen,' Gross told The New York Times in May. 'We asked ourselves, what did we want to prepare for? And we decided that if we were going to do this, we would go all the way.'

Gross denied that he had ever associated with anyone who was a neo-Nazi.

The extent to which the group would 'go all the way' is the subject of ongoing investigations.

Of the roughly 30 Nordkreuz members, two others, a lawyer and a former police officer, are being probed by federal prosecutors on suspicion of plotting terrorism.

Gross is a witness not a suspect in that ongoing terror probe.
A 13-year-old boy who was taught to use a gun by ISIS fighters aged eight is locked up at a prison for 'Caliphate Cubs' and says he wants to come 'home' to Britain.

Abdullah, who says he is a fan of Chelsea and McDonald's, claims he grew up in London with his family, who are originally from Pakistan.

When he was eight, his mother and father took him to live under the Islamic State in Syria, along with his younger sister and two brothers. They are all now dead.

Most of his family were killed at Baghouz, the final stronghold of ISIS which was obliterated by US airstrikes in the last days of the so-called 'caliphate' in March, 2019.

He is now being kept at the Kurdish-run Hori Centre, a rehabilitation facility for boys accused of carrying out atrocities on behalf of ISIS, in the northeastern town of Tal Marouf.

Abdullah is one of scores of children ISIS sought to indoctrinate as 'Caliphate Cubs' to further their twisted ideology in a similar model to that used by the Hitler Youth

Life now for Abdullah consists of nine hours a day locked up in the Kurdish-run Hori Centre Boys Prison in northern Syria (pictured)

Abdullah first lived in Raqqa before his family, along with the rest of Islamic State, were driven back to the final ISIS stronghold of Baghouz. His family were killed there and he has since been living at the Kurdish-run Hori Centre in northeastern Syria

Abdullah, who speaks good English with a slight accent, said he had been in Syria for less than a year when he was taught how to use an AK-47 assault rifle.

He claims to have never used it, but that ISIS wanted him and other children to do so.

Abdullah is one of scores of children ISIS sought to indoctrinate as 'Caliphate Cubs' to further their twisted ideology in a similar model to that used by the Hitler Youth.

He said: 'The first day I go to school they learn me how to use the weapons.

'And then I tell my mum, I can't do these kind of things, and then my mum tell me go to second school. And the second school they learn me like the Quran and this kind of thing.

'I'm from London, originally from Pakistan but I have a passport for London.

'I don't remember (how old I was when I came here), in Baghouz there was a lot of airstrike, and this kind of thing, and I forgot a lot of things.'

So much so, that Abdullah, who likes to draw Japanese-style cartoons, said he does not even know when his own birthday is.

He said: 'I don't remember (when my birthday is), before I know, but I forget.

'In London when I was celebrating my birthday, we were eating cake and this kind of thing. But here we can't do anything.

'Yeah, of course (I miss my mother).

'She got killed in Baghouz, I never saw her. A lot of people told me she got killed. I have two sisters, one is bigger than me, and one is smaller than me, and I have two brothers.

'The bigger brother he got killed in al-Shaddadi, and smaller than me he got killed with my mum and my sister.

'My older sister got married and that man, I was living with that man, and then he got killed. He was ISIS.

Abdullah's dormitory where he lives with other boys at the centre in northern Syria

Abdullah, who likes to draw Japanese-style cartoons (pictured), said he does not even know when his own birthday is

'He got killed and then the first thing, the people told me you've got to come out from Baghouz because it's not a good place for me.

'They don't have a future (ISIS) they killed themselves.

'In Baghouz, I see one man he killed himself (by blowing himself up). I saw snipers, there was a lot of these kind of things.'

Life now for Abdullah consists of nine hours a day locked up in the detention centre where the Kurdish Democratic Union Party (PYD) hope to rehabilitate the youngsters.

But speaking about the UK, the teenager  whose mother is understood to have burned the family passports to show allegiance to ISIS  said he missed computers and fast food.

He said: 'I want to go (back to) London, London is the best.

'I have PlayStation and Xbox in London. I like Chelsea. Usually, I like Xbox, and these kind of things, but here we can't do anything because it's prison.

'9pm, they shut the doors, and then they wake us at 6am and we make sport (sic) and then we eat breakfast and after 1pm we eat and then we sit and I talk with my friends.

US air strikes rain down on ISIS last stronghold at Baghouz in March 2019

Surrendering suspected ISIS members sit on the ground as US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces troops take them prisoner

ISIS were backed into the town of Baghouz by US forces in the spring of 2019 where they made one last final suicidal stand before they were defeated

'I'm here one-and-a-half year. I was living in Raqqa (Syria) for like one year, it was better than Baghouz, we got house and internet, we have a car. But there was no McDonalds.'

Journalist Andrew Drury travelled to the region and spoke to Abdullah in early June filming for his upcoming movie 'Danger Zone'.

Drury, who also interviewed British ISIS bride Shamima Begum on the trip, said the UK government and public need to face up to this issue.

He said: 'People have seen Shamima and some of them want her to rot, but what do you want for this little boy? Who was only eight years old when he went out there, should he rot too?

'The female prison officer told me all the children in there have done and seen some very bad things under the ISIS regime, but like Abdullah most of them weren't even 10 years old before they were asked to hold an AK-47.'

MailOnline has contacted the Foreign Office for comment.
Shania Collins, 19, who has a seven-month-old son, passed away following an incident in Aberdeen, Scotland

The death of a mother-of-one in police custody is being probed by a sheriff.

Shania Collins, 19, who has a seven-month-old son, passed away following an incident in Aberdeen, Scotland.

It is believed she became unwell and suffered a heart attack after being arrested with a 29-year-old man, a fundraising page said.

The page set up in her memory alleged that Ms Collins was the victim of abuse.

Devastated friends paid tribute to her and 1,215 was raised online to help her heartbroken family cover funeral costs.

A tribute added: 'No parent should ever have to bury they're child before them but unfortunately in this case it has to happen.

'With a very heavy heart we are hoping if anyone can help no matter how small the help is everything will help to give her the send off she deserves.'

A fatal accident inquiry will now be held at Aberdeen Sheriff Court where the full circumstances of her death in December 2020 will be examined.

The inquiry is mandatory because the mum-of-one died in legal custody.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: 'Road Policing officers stopped a vehicle for alleged road traffic offences in the Hythie area of Aberdeenshire around 11.55am on Tuesday, 22 December.

'A 19-year-old woman took unwell shortly after and was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary by Ambulance, where she is described as being in a critical condition.

'Enquiries are ongoing.'
Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar is being called a 'Muslim Supremacist' and a 'rabid anti-Semite' for saying her Jewish colleagues 'haven't been equal partners in justice,' adding that she didn't regret equating the U.S. and Israel with Hamas and the Taliban.

GOP Rep. Andy Biggs had tweeted, 'Ilhan Omar is a rabid anti-Semite who has no problem smearing Jews, even in her own party. Shameful and un-American.'

Republican Sen. Tom Cotton asked, 'Why is Ilhan Omar still on the Foreign Affairs Committee?' he asked, sharing the Tapper clip. 'Why is she on any committee?'

Feminist Muslim writer Asra Nomani tweeted, 'This is what a modern day Muslim Supremacist looks like. Nomani shared the video and added, 'Her wound is bigger than their wounda wound collector in the Oppression Olympics.'

Omar spoke to CNN's Jake Tapper, who asked her if she understood why the language she's used about Israel was perceived to be anti-Semitic by Jews.

'I have welcomed any time my colleagues have asked to have a conversation, to learn from them, for them to learn from me,' Omar responded. 'I think it's really important for these members to realize that they haven't been partners in justice,' she added.

Rep. Ilhan Omar (right) said Tuesday that her Jewish colleagues 'haven't been equal partners and justice' and said she didn't regret equating the U.S. and Israel with Hamas and the Taliban during an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper (left)

Republicans including Rep. Andy Biggs (top) and Sen. Tom Cotton (bottom) attacked Omar in tweets following her appearance on Tapper's show

'They haven't been equally engaging in seeking justice around the world,' the Minnesota Democrat continued. 'And I think I will continue to do that.'

Omar added that it was important to her 'as someone who knows what it feels like to experience injustice in ways that many of my colleagues don't' to be a voice in finding accountability.

The 'squad' member's latest dust-up with Jewish colleagues came earlier this month when she asked Secretary of State Antony Blinken where victims of alleged war crimes could pursue justice if the U.S. is against the International Criminal Court taking up the cases of Palestinians and Afghans.

'We have seen unthinkable atrocities committed by the U.S., Hamas, Israel, Afghanistan, and the Taliban,' Omar wrote in a tweet sharing a video of the exchange.

Linking the U.S. and Israel to the Taliban and Hamas created an uproar, including among Jewish Democratic lawmakers.

Previously, Omar had sparked fury when she talked about how the U.S.-Israel relationship was 'all about the Benjamins.'

'We have seen unthinkable atrocities committed by the U.S., Hamas, Israel, Afghanistan, and the Taliban,' Omar wrote in a tweet sharing a video of her questioning Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The comment sparked fury, including among Jewish Democrats

Secretary of State Antony Blinken listens as Omar questions him about where victims of crimes against humanity can take their complaints

Omar responded 'I don't' when Tapper asked if she regretted her most recent controversial comments.

'I think it's really important to think back to the point that I was trying to make,' she said.

'Obviously, I was addressing Secretary of State Blinken. The cases are put together in front of the ICC. ICC has been investigating. I know that some of my colleagues don't lend legitimacy to the ICC, but I tend to think that people around the world who have experienced injustice need to be able to have a place where they can go,' she argued.

'And, as a country that helped found the ICC and supported it, I think that it is really important for us to continue to find ways in which people can find justice around the world,' Omar added.

More broadly she said she understood why some of the things she said would be interpreted as being anti-Semitic.

'No, I hear that,' she told Tapper when the journalist pressed the point.

'I have obviously clarified and apologized when I have felt that my words have offended. And it's really important, right?' she said.

Omar, who is Muslim, also argued that she hasn't been afforded the same courtesy.

'As I have explained to my colleagues, they have engaged in Islamophobic tropes. I have yet to receive an apology,' she said.

She argued that it should be a two-way street of understanding.

Omar walked back her Tuesday comments in a thread of tweets Wednesday first assuring critics that, 'I know that many of my colleagues - both Jewish and non-Jewish - deeply share that commitment to fighting injustice'

'I think, when we are engaging in a space where we don't know how our language will be received, it is important for us to be open-minded. And I think I have always been someone who is humbled, someone who understands how words can be harmful and hurtful to people,' Omar said. 'And I have always listened and learned and behaved accordingly and showed up with compassion and care.'

In 14 tweets she sent out Wednesday, Omar walked back the comments she made on Tapper's show.

'I am someone who has survived war and experienced injustice firsthand, who is alive today because I was welcomed into this country as a refugee,' she began. 'I know that many of my colleagues - both Jewish and non-Jewish - deeply share that commitment to fighting injustice.'

She then said that both Jewish and non-Jewish colleagues share a commitment in fighting injustice.

'I also know that the Black community and the Jewish community have historically stood side-by-side in the fight against injustice and throughout our history we have faced efforts to divide us based on our differences,' she continued. 'In this moment, we must stand in solidarity because what unites us is so much greater than what unites us.'

She talked about how the 1960s civil rights movement wasn't 'Black people working in isolation.'

'It took a multiracial, multi-religious coalition of freedom fighters, including Jewish leaders like Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, Kivie Kaplan, and Arnie Aronson, organizing in solidarity,' she continued. 'Heschel in particular was a deep inspiration to Martin Luther King and a moral leader of the movement.'

Rep. Ilhan Omar sent out 14 tweets on Wednesday in an effort to clean up comments she made on Tapper's show the night before

She said that the 'values of fighting injustice and inequality' are part of the Jewish faith - and the Muslim faith.

Omar also named a number of Jewish groups that are engaged in civil rights, 'even amidst threats to their safety.'

'These threats are not a thing of the past. It is not lost on me that today people go shoot up a synagogue because people think orgs like [Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society] are helping refugees like me come to this country,' the Minnesota Democrat said.

'Most of my colleagues across Congress may not be refugees themselves, but fleeing war and persecution only to find a refuge in the United States of America*is* the Jewish-American experience. This binds us,' she continued.

'That is why it is so important for us to build solidarity in the here and now, to make clear that the threats we face can only be solved if we see racism, anti-Muslim hate, and xenophobia as inextricably linked to antisemitism,' the lawmaker added. 'That is the work we have tried to do in Congress.'

She pointed out that she is a member of the Black-Jewish caucus.

'As a refugee and survivor of war, I see it is as a core responsibility to fight *all* injustice and engage *all* my colleagues in finding mechanisms of justice for the oppressed,' Omar said.

'Building solidarity is a painstaking processespecially in a country and media environment as polarized and contentious ours is now. But we know it is the only path forward,' she continued.

'It is when we build community with one another, when we cut through all the efforts to keep us afraid and angry, that we see our destinies as tied. Thats the work Ill continue to do, and I hope youll join me,' the congresswoman added.

So far, the backlash to the interview has been coming from Republicans.

Democratic Rep. David Cicilline said Tuesday night critics were, again, taking Omar out of context.

'There they go again right wingers in Washington are once again claiming Rep.Omar said something she didnt say, and trying to create a controversy where there is none,' the Rhode Island lawmaker tweeted. 'Its pathetic that they are (once again) demonizing a young woman of color to score political points.'
Shock jock Howard Stern managed to shock his loyal fanbase this week, when he announced he is taking the summer off under his new contract with Sirius XM, which is believed to be worth $500million over five years.

On his show Monday, Stern, 67, seemed to imply that he negotiated a clause in the December contract negotiations to give him a break from the end of June through early September, during which time the subscription radio service would air re-runs of 'The Howard Stern Show.'

Soon after, fans took to social media to gripe about the announcement, saying Stern should honor his commitment to the show, or they will cancel their Sirius XM subscriptions.

Shock jock Howard Stern enraged his fans when he announced on Monday he would be taking a two months summer vacation under his new contract with SiriusXM

One fan wrote on Reddit Tuesday: 'Howard Stern just announced per his new contract there will no be any new shows after this week until September.

'At first he tried to claim they always do this during the summer, then pivoted and said the summer off was part of the new deal he made,' the Redditor wrote, asking why Stern could not just take two weeks off for vacation, rather than the whole summer.

'No that would be too fair to his customers,' he continued.

'I pay $20 a month for Sirius XM and I am not paying $40 for re-runs. All Stern fans should do this.

'If I knew the deal would be like this I would have rooted for Howard to retire.'

One person took to Reddit following the announcement to demand Howard Stern fans cancel their SiriusXM subscriptions in protest

Others also expressed their frustration with the announcement.

InaShensh responded to the original poster's comment that he wonders 'how many subscribers will cancel for the summer,' to which Moremintjelly said there would be half of SiriusXM's subscribers 'right in the trash.'

And user Thos19 wrote: 'It s****. But it bothers me more that he refuses to fill in the gap with any original content.

'Heck, why not replay a block of shows unedited from July 1, 1990 - 2000 to August 31, 1990 - 2000?'

Doubledown830, meanwhile, joked that he couldn't 'wait until he comes back and tell us about all of his crafting and mod podge he's been doing all summer,' and Metaldude4life said it 'must be nice to work three days a week, get paid over a million a show, work in your basement from Florida, take a vacation once a month, have people pay t listen to you and now take the summer off.

'King of all media??' he continued, referring to Stern's moniker. 'More like King of all vacation days.

And on Twitter, a user named Sawyer Montoya wrote: 'Howard Stern is getting paid $17M to take the summer off while subscribers pay for reruns? WTF?'

'Stern already takes every fourth week off during the year. Thats not enough? Just retire and move to Vegas with Ronnie the Limo Driver,' a contributor to his show.

Other Redditors responded to the post, expressing their frustrations with Stern's announcement and deriding the radio show host for his decision

Sawyer Montoya wrote on Twitter that Stern already takes every fourth week off over the course of the year and is being paid $17 million to take the summer off

Stern signed a new contract with Sirius XM in December to extend his show for another five years.

Not much is known about the terms of the contract, but, Page Six reports, it is believed to be worth more than $100 million a year, which would mean he is getting nearly $17 million for his two months of summer vacation.

DailyMail.com has reached out to SiriusXM for comment.

Stern typically spends the summer months in the Hamptons with his wife, Beth, Page Six reports, with one unidentified source who knows the couple telling the outlet: 'He's not the shock jock out here, he's just Howard.

'He doesn't want to party, he wants to stay home,' the source said. 'He and Beth are more interested in rescue animals, art, photography and living a happy, healthy life.'

Stern and his wife, Beth, typically spend their summers in the Hamptons. They are pictured here at a New York Knicks game in January 2020

Stern rose to fame in 1986 when his radio show first gained popularity as a nationally-syndicated show. He has broadcasted on Sirius XM since 2006, and has described himself as the 'King of All Media' since 1992 for his successes outside radio.

He hosted and produced late night television shows, pay-per-view events and home videos, and wrote three books, two of which sold over one million copies.

He has become controversial for some comments he made over the years, including saying some of the girls running from the Columbine High School shooting were 'really good looking girls.'

'Did those kids try to have sex with any of those good-looking girls?' he asked on his show, about the shooters. 'They didn't even do that? At least if you're going to kill yourself and kill the kids, why wouldn't you have some sex? If I was going to kill some people, I'd take them out with sex.'

In 1992 he also mused that the 'closest I came to making love to a black woman' was when 'I masturbated to a picture of Aunt Jemima on a pancake box,' and in March 1995, when Selena's fans reeled from her shooting he made fun of them, playing gunshots over Selena's music the day before her funeral and mocking Selena's fans with a fake Hispanic accent.
NXIVM victim India Oxenberg says she received a letter from Allison Mack just days ago where she dropped the cult persona, denounced leader Keith Raniere and admitted wrongdoing - but she believes the 'slave master' should still pay for what she did.

Oxenberg, who is the daughter of Dynasty star Catherine Oxenberg, spoke to ABC News on Wednesday ahead of Mack's sentencing for her role in the NXIVM cult.

Mack - best known for her role in Smallville - is facing 17 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges she manipulated women into becoming sex slaves for Raniere.

During her sentencing, Mack is expected to seek credit for cooperating against Raniere and taking responsibility for helping him create a secret society of brainwashed women who were branded with his initials.

Oxenberg, who joined the group in 2011 at the age of 20 before leaving in 2018, says any reduced sentence would be an insult to NXIVM victims.

She has previously said Mack was her 'master' while she was in the cult.

India Oxenberg, who is the daughter of Dynasty star Catherine Oxenberg, spoke to ABC News on Wednesday ahead of Mack's sentencing for her role in the NXIVM cult

Allison Mack, who is best known for her role in Smallville, is facing 17 years in prison after pleading guilty to charges she manipulated women into becoming sex slaves for Keith Raniere

'Her worst quality is that she dehumanized people, she was inhumane. That's hard to come back from,' Oxenberg said of Mack.

Oxenberg said she was 'surprised' to receive a letter from Mack just days ago regarding her involvement in the cult.

She did not divulge the contents of the letter.

'I was so surprised, I didn't not expect that. It was so sad because it was the first communication that I've seen from her that actually kind of felt like her,' she said.

'It wasn't the cult persona. I felt sympathetic but it was also very clear to me that this was someone who really did struggle with empathy.

'I do believe that she has been able to see that she did wrong and hurt people and that she has denounced Keith Raniere - that is what I prayed for.'

Oxenberg, who was among those who testified during Raniere's trial, has previously revealed that she was the first woman to be branded in January 2016 as two fellow cult members held her down by her hands and feet.

She also alleged she was raped by Raniere and groomed by him for years.

Her mother, Catherine, tried to rescue her daughter from the cult for several years before she was finally successful in 2018.

India Oxenberg's mother, Catherine, (right) tried to rescue her daughter from the cult for several years before she was finally successful in 2018

Oxenberg, who was among those who testified during Raniere's trial, has previously revealed that she was the first woman to be branded in January 2016 as two fellow cult members held her down by her hands and feet

Oxenberg said she has suffered panic attacks and nightmares in the lead up to Mack's sentencing while writing her victim impact statement.

Mack, who had been on house arrest in California since her guilty plea, is facing up to 17 years in prison.

She wrote a letter to judge ahead of her sentencing in which she apologized for her role in NXIVM and said following Raniere was the biggest regret of her life.

She urged the judge to show leniency given she cooperated with prosecutors by providing an audio tape of Raniere talking about branding his recruits that helped convict him.

'It is now of paramount importance for me to say, from the bottom of my heart, I am so sorry,' Mack said in her letter.

'I threw myself into the teachings of Keith Raniere with everything I had. I believed, whole-heartedly, that his mentorship was leading me to a better, more enlightened version of myself. I devoted my loyalty, my resources, and, ultimately, my life to him.

'This was the biggest mistake and regret of my life.'

She also apologized to the victims she and Raneire lured into the sex cult, calling her former master a 'twisted man.'

'I am sorry to those of you that I brought into NXIVM,' Mack wrote.

Clare Bronfman, the group's bookkeeper Kathy Russell, NXIVM co-founder Nancy Salzman and her daughter Lauren Salzman were also charged (pictured clockwise)

'I am sorry I ever exposed you to the nefarious and emotionally abusive schemes of a twisted man. I am sorry that I encouraged you to use your resources to participate in something that was ultimately so ugly. I do not take lightly the responsibility I have in the lives of those I love and I feel a heavy weight of guilt for having misused your trust, leading you down a negative path.'

A transcript of the tape, which was included in a pre-sentencing court filing made public last week, showed Raniere and Mack discussing the branding ceremony.

'Do you think the person who's being branded should be completely nude and sort of held to the table like a, sort of almost like a sacrifice? I don't know if that, that's a feeling of submission, you know,' Raniere asked.

He also suggested filming the branding to be used as 'collateral' in a bid to stop women leaving the cult.

Raniere went on to describe how the woman should be in a 'vulnerable position' for the branding.

'Laying on the back, legs slightly, or legs spread straight like, like feet, feet being held to the side of the table, hands probably above the head being held, almost like being tied down, like sacrificial, whatever,' he said.

'The person should ask to be branded. Should say, please brand me it would be an honor, or something like that. An honor I want to wear for the rest of my life, I don't know.

'And they should probably say that before they're held down, so it doesn't seem like they are being coerced.'
One survivor of the condo collapse in Miami is speaking out for the first time about her harrowing ordeal almost a week after the Surfside building fell apart, speaking to a 'supernatural' feeling that may have saved her life.

Maria Iliana Monteagudo, 64, moved in to her condo in December, using $600,000 in cash to buy the place after her divorce.

Monteagudo says she moved there because she 'liked the apartment, nice view, nice building.'

One woman is describing her harrowing escape from the Surfside condo that collapsed last week (search and rescue mission pictured)

Maria Iliana Monteagudo, 64, moved in to her condo in Surfside back in December, using $600,000 in cash to buy the place after her divorce (search pictured)

Monteagudo ultimately found another way around the obstacle and ended in a parking lot while fleeing the collapsing building

Another victim was recovered on Tuesday, bringing the confirmed death toll to 12, with 149 people still unaccounted for

'Nobody told me anything bad about it. I bought the apartment blind. Everybody omitted the reality,' Monteagudo said in an interview with The Washington Post.

That all changed early Thursday morning, when she awoke to an uncomfortable feeling.

'Its like something supernatural woke me up. I felt something strange, and I thought, "Oh, I forgot to close the sliding door to the balcony, and the wind is making the noise,"' Monteagudo said.

When she attempted to close the door, however, is when she realized something was not right.

'I tried to close the sliding door, and it felt like the building was moving. The door wouldnt close,' Monteagudo said.

Monteagudo then heard a crack before seeing a line about two fingers wide run down her ceiling.

'Then it started getting wider and wider as I watched,' Monteagudo said. 'Something said, you have to run. You have to run immediately.'

Monteagudo heard a crack before seeing a line about two fingers wide run on her ceiling

From there, Monteagudo quickly prepared to flee the building, changing into a dress and sandals and grabbing her purse, keys and credit cards

From there, Monteagudo quickly prepared to flee the building, changing into a dress and sandals and grabbing her purse, keys and credit cards.

'I blew out the candle that I light every night for Guadalupe of Mexico ... just in case,' Monteagudo said.

She then made a dash for the stairs and started going down quickly when she heard a noise between the sixth and fourth floor of the building.

'I thought if its coming down, and its coming down, down, down like a domino effect,' Monteagudo said, worrying that she would get crushed by the collapsing condo.

Monteagudo was forced to climb a wall after escaping the building before a security guard instructed her to jump over a gap several feet wide

'I kept going, screaming, "God, help me, please help me. I want to see my sons, I want to see my grandsons, I want to live, please help me, God,"' Monteagudo continued.

The woman managed to escape through a door, only to find herself ankle-deep in cable-infested water, where she encountered a security guard.

'He told me, "Mama, mama, lets go, this is an earthquake,"' Monteagudo said. 'I said, "No, its not an earthquake, its the building falling down."'

Monteagudo was forced to climb a wall before the guard instructed her to jump over a gap several feet wide, though she chose not to jump.

'I saw a piece of column, and I put a foot on it, and I climbed over and found myself in the middle of the street,' Monteagudo said, emerging in the visitors parking lot.

Elected officials have pledged to conduct multiple investigations into the sudden collapse of the 12-story Champlain Towers South in Surfside

She was devastated to lose precious keepsakes like wedding and birthday photos, but relieved to survive.

Meanwhile, she can't help but think about others in the building, like an 80-year-old woman who lied across the hall.

'I thought that she was with her son that day. I called her daughter-in-law. She disappeared,' Monteagudo said. 'She hasnt been found. I feel so bad. I told them I felt so bad. I cry a lot, I feel so guilty.'

She's also angry, hinting that many people knew the building at problems before Thursday's disaster.

'A lot of people knew there were problems in that building,' she said. 'This is a disaster that somebody could have stopped before it happened.

'I just cant believe it. I dont know what will happen to me now,' she added.

Elected officials have pledged to conduct multiple investigations into the sudden collapse of the 12-story Champlain Towers South in Surfside last week.

Another victim was recovered on Tuesday, bringing the confirmed death toll to 12, with 149 people still unaccounted for.

Miami-Dade County mayor Daniella Levine Cava said that she and her staff will meet with engineering, construction and geology experts, among others, to review building safety issues and develop recommendations 'to ensure a tragedy like this will never, ever happen again'.

State attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said she will pursue a grand jury investigation to examine factors and decisions that led to the collapse.

Governor Ron DeSantis evoked a well-known military commitment to leave no one behind on the battlefield and pledged to do the same for the people still missing in the rubble.

Also on Tuesday, the White House announced that President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden would travel to Surfside on Thursday.

Meanwhile, it has emerged that weeks before the building collapsed, the president of its board wrote a letter saying that structural problems identified in a 2018 inspection had 'gotten significantly worse' and owners needed to pay a hefty price to get them fixed.

The April 9 letter from Champlain Towers South Condominium president Jean Wodnicki hinted at an ongoing debate over the repairs and a reluctance by some condo owners to pay for major work that would cost at least 15.5 million dollars.

'A lot of this work could have been done or planned for in years gone by. But this is where we are now,' she wrote in the letter, which was confirmed to The Associated Press by a spokesman for the condo board.
A Nebraska mother is facing up to 102 years in prison for sexually assaulting two of her daughter's friends during a sleepover at her home in 2017 and 2018.

Christina Greer, 38, was sentenced to 64 to 102 years in prison Monday for luring a 12-year-old and 13-year-old boy with alcohol and weed edibles, before she sexually assaulted them in her home, court documents show, according to the Omaha World-Herald.

Her daughter was 11 at the time.

In March, a Sarpy County jury had found Greer guilty of three counts of first-degree sexual assault of a child, six counts of felony child abuse and two counts of witness tampering.

Christina Greer, 38, (pictured) was sentenced to 64 to 102 years in prison Monday for luring a 12- and 13-year-old boy with alcohol and weed edibles, before she sexually assaulted them in her home, court documents show

In March, a Sarpy County jury found Greer (pictured) guilty of three counts of first-degree sexual assault of a child, six counts of felony child abuse and two counts of witness tampering

In court Monday, Greer (pictured) sobbed through her statement, saying she is 'so ashamed and sorry' for what happened

Police initially arrested Greer after a report was made that she was having sex with one of the boys from September 2017 to December 2017.

A Sarpy County sheriff's deputy testified that he interviewed a 13-year-old boy who admitted to having sex with Greer on three occasions at her home near the Chalco Hills Recreation Area.

Another boy came forward in January 2019 with similar allegations, and that August, a child enticement charge was added to Greer's list of charges

Due to defense requests, Greer's trial was delayed several times.

'Having sex with an adult female is thought of, 'That's the cool kid of the group,'' said Sarpy County Deputy Attorney Phil Kleine.

'It's just not the case in these situations. They've been bullied, transferred schools multiple times. It's just unfortunate they have to continue to deal with it,' Kleine added.

Police initially arrested Greer (pictured) after a report was made that she was having sex with one of the boys from September 2017 to December 2017

A Sarpy County sheriff's deputy testified that he interviewed a 13-year-old boy who admitted to having sex with Greer on three occasions at her home (pictured) near the Chalco Hills Recreation Area

Another boy came forward in January 2019 with similar allegations, and that August, a child enticement charge was added to Greer's list of charges

In court Monday, Greer sobbed through her statement, saying she is 'so ashamed and sorry' for what happened.

Greer said that as a mom, it's her duty to protect her children, admitting she 'failed.'

'Now our victims are 15, 16 years old,' Kleine said. 'One of them just got a driver's license. Now they're going to have to deal with this rest of their lives.'

'Any relationship will have trust issues due to what she did to them,'

Because they are minors, neither the boys nor the woman's daughter have been identified.

When Greer's daughter testified in court, she stated that her mother had initially told her not to tell anyone about the assaults at their home because Greer would get in trouble and lose her kids.

Greer's daughter testified she heard her mother and one boy in her bedroom kissing.

Another teen testified that the daughter said the boy was having sex with her mom at the time, Kleine said.

After three hours of deliberation, the jury finally delivered their verdict.

'We're immensely pleased,' Kleine said. 'It's been three years, a harrowing experience for the families, for the victims.'

'It's been a roller coaster of emotions. Just immensely proud of the victims in this case to be able to stay on course and still testify,' Kleine added.
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War medals awarded to Princess Margaret's lover Captain Peter Townsend have gone on sale for 200,000.

The Battle of Britain fighter shot down 11 enemy aircraft in more than 300 operational sorties during the Second World War, and became the first RAF pilot to bring down an enemy aircraft on English soil.

In 1940, the 'ace' bailed out of his Hurricane twice - once when he was forced to ditch the stricken aircraft in the English Channel, and then after he was hit in the foot by cannon fire.

Group Captain Townsend was awarded the Distinguished Service Order and the Distinguished Flying Cross with Bar for his wartime service. He went on to be appointed equerry to King George VI in 1944 and comptroller to the Queen Mother's household in 1953.

From his Royal appointments he met and struck up a relationship with Princess Margaret. But their romance was doomed, as the Queen's sister could not marry him because he was a divorced man - an episode in royal history that featured in the Netflix series The Crown.

Gp Capt Townsend sold his medals to benefit a children's charity in 1998 after discovering them in the back of a drawer. They now belong to a private collector who has put them up for auction with Dix Noonan Webb.

RAF ace Captain Peter Townsend shot down at least 11 enemy aircraft in over 300 operational sorties during the Second World War, including the Battle of Britain - and became the first pilot to bring down an enemy aircraft on English soil

Wartime medals awarded to Princess Margaret's lover Captain Peter Townsend have gone on sale for 200,000

Princess Margaret and Group Captain Peter Townsend, equerry to King George VI, leaving Windsor Castle, April 1952

Gp Capt Townsend was born in Rangoon, Burma, in 1914 and was brought home to be raised in Devon. He joined the RAF in 1933 and was commissioned as a pilot officer two years later. Pictured: The pilot's log book

They have a pre-sale estimate of between 160,000 to 200,000. His RAF logbooks are also being sold with his medals.

Christopher Mellor-Hill, an associate drector at Dix Noonan Webb, said: 'We are very pleased to be offering these extremely important medals on behalf of a collector.

'Peter Townsend had not one but two illustrious careers. During the Battle of Britain, Townsend epitomised the very spirit of Churchill's famous 'Few' and rapidly became a household name.

'Then his Royal connections brought him to prominence in the 1950s, and now as a result of the hugely successful Netflix series The Crown, he is known to a new generation today.'

Gp Capt Townsend was born in Rangoon, Burma, in 1914 and was brought home to be raised in Devon. He joined the RAF in 1933 and was commissioned as a pilot officer two years later.

He commanded No 85 Squadron from May 1940 until June 1941. He was given command of No 605 Squadron, a night fighter unit, and was appointed commanding officer at RAF West Malling in Kent.

In later years he wrote the classic Battle of Britain memoir Duel of Eagles whilst his well-regarded 1978 autobiography Time and Chance tells the story of his eventful personal life.

He commanded No 85 Squadron from May 1940 until June 1941. He was given command of No 605 Squadron, a night fighter unit, and was appointed commanding officer at RAF West Malling in Kent. Pictured: The pilot's log book

He died in France in 1995 aged 80. His medals are being sold in London on July 21. Pictured: The pilot's log book

He died in France in 1995 aged 80. His medals are being sold in London on July 21.

Margaret's relationship with the dashing but divorced equerry was described by Time magazine as 'the most controversial Royal romance since Edward VIII and Wallis Simpson'.

Their wish to marry had sparked tumult drawing in the Palace, the Church of England, public opinion and Sir Anthony Eden's Government, which had threatened to strip the Princess of Royal privileges if she insisted on the union.

However, a series of letters has revealed for the first time that it was not the Queen who blocked the marriage but Margaret herself, who simply got cold feet.

The letters, part of a dossier of recently declassified Government documents, were written to and from Prime Minister Eden, and feature in a new Channel 4 documentary.

In the first, dated August 15, 1955, Margaret admitted her doubts about the relationship to Eden himself.

'I have no doubt that during this time - especially on my birthday - the press will encourage every sort of speculation about the possibility of my marrying Group Captain Peter Townsend,' she wrote. 'But it is only by seeing him that I feel I can properly decide whether I can marry him or not.'

When Princess Margaret announced her decision to break off her engagement to Group Captain Peter Townsend, it was widely believed that the Queen had persuaded her to put duty before love. However, a series of letters has revealed for the first time that it was not the Queen who blocked the marriage but Margaret herself, who simply got cold feet. (Above, Townsend with Margaret in 1947, before romance blossomed)

The letters, part of a dossier of recently declassified Government documents, were written to and from Prime Minister Eden, and feature in a new Channel 4 documentary. In the first, dated August 15, 1955, Margaret (above) admitted her doubts about the relationship to Eden himself

In a second letter, dated two months later, Eden told Commonwealth leaders that 'Her Majesty would not wish to stand in the way of her sister's happiness'.

Royal author Penny Junor said: 'I think this throws a whole new light on the affair. We've always believed that she didn't marry Townsend because she was prevented by the Government, by the Church of England and by her sister. But this very much suggests that she didn't love him enough.'

In fact, the documents also show 'how hard the Queen tries for Margaret,' according to historian Kate Williams. 'It gives us a different view of the Queen as someone who did try to put her sister's happiness as a top priority,' she said.

It was at the Queen's Coronation, on June 2, 1953, that Margaret, then 22, inadvertently confirmed her relationship with the former Battle of Britain RAF pilot, who had been an equerry to her late father.

At a party after the ceremony, she was seen to casually brush a bit of fluff from Townsend's jacket - an intimate gesture which raised eyebrows.

In tackling the potential ramifications of the relationship, the Queen faced an unenviable decision: compromise her position as head of the Church of England, which did not sanctify divorce, or deny her sister's future happiness.

On October 31, 1955, after reuniting with her fiance amid a press frenzy, Margaret announced: 'I have decided not to marry Group Captain Peter Townsend. (Pictured, l to r: Princess Margaret, Princess Elizabeth and Group Captain Peter Townsend at Ascot in 1955)

'She was still very new in the job and she was being asked to make a choice between duty and family,' Junor said.

Unable to sanction the marriage, the Queen stalled. 'She could see there was a loophole,' she added. 'When Margaret reached the age of 25, she no longer needed the Queen's permission to marry. So I think she urged her sister to wait.'

Townsend, in the meantime, was posted to Brussels. Two years later, as Margaret's 25th birthday approached, it was decision time and the couple needed permission from the Government if the marriage was to go ahead.

According to the documents, the Prime Minister struck a deal in which Margaret could keep her title and civil list allowance but lose her position in the line of succession.

Some have queried whether that compromise was enough for Margaret. It certainly did not persuade her that she wanted to marry him.

On October 31, 1955, after reuniting with her fiance amid a press frenzy, Margaret announced: 'I have decided not to marry Group Captain Peter Townsend.

'Mindful of the Church's teaching that Christian marriage is indissoluble, and conscious of my duty to the Commonwealth, I have resolved to put these considerations before any others.'
SAGE adviser Professor John Edmunds, an epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, has called for all children to be vaccinated before the UK leaves lockdown, despite deaths hospitalisations and deaths flatlining.

A doomster SAGE adviser has called for all children to be vaccinated before the restrictions in schools are lifted, despite hospitalisations and deaths remaining flat in the face of rising case numbers.

Britain is currently on track to give all adults at least one dose of the vaccine by the end of July, according to officials, but it could take three more months just to give one jab to the 14million under-18s in the UK.

The vaccine rollout is expected to drop to 150,000 first doses a day in the next few months because of shortages in the supply of Pfizer and Moderna's jabs and because the AstraZeneca vaccine is not being given to young people.

Professor John Edmunds, an epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, insisted today that the 'safest time' to lift measures at schools  including mask wearing, Covid bubbles and mass testing  would be after all children have had a jab.

The SAGE adviser, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said secondary school children at the very least have to have at least one jab before the measures can be eased.

He said without a nationwide rollout to children, there would continue to be 'disruptions' affecting children at school and a risk that pupils pass it to their parents and grandparents.

Vaccines are already being rolled-out to children aged 12 and over in the US, Israel and Europe. Pfizer's jab has been approved in 12- to 15-year-olds in the UK but ministers have yet to push ahead with plans to vaccinate the age group amid safety concerns.

Professor Edmunds's comments come as another SAGE expert, Professor Stephen Reicher, warned Britain would be 'repeating the same mistakes' as last summer by pushing ahead with reopening.

It comes despite No10 doubling down on its commitment to end all curbs by July 19. Boris Johnson yesterday told a cabinet meeting that Britain would have to live with Covid in the same way it does flu.

And Professor Chris Whitty yesterday told a cabinet briefing Britain would be able to go through the final stage of lockdown easing as planned because deaths and hospitalisations remain flat, despite surging case numbers.

Daily Covid hospitalisations (green) are starting to creep up as a result of the Indian variant outbreak but the speed at which they are rising week-on-week has already started to slow (red line)

Just one in 100 NHS beds are currently being taken up by Covid patients in England  fourteen times fewer than at the start of the second wave. Graph shows: The percentage of all hospital beds available to the NHS being taken up by Covid patients on June 22 this year (red bars) compared to on December 14 (blue bars), the last time infections were above 20,000 and rising

But Professor Edmunds told BBC Newsnight: 'At some point we do have to dismantle all of these measures that we've put in place.

'I think, for me, the safest time to do that is when children have been vaccinated, certainly secondary-school-aged children at least. That's the safest way.

Just one in 100 NHS beds now taken up by Covid patients in England compared to one in six at start of second surge in December Just one in 100 NHS beds were being taken up by Covid patients in England last week  fourteen times fewer than at the start of the second wave, according to official figures that highlight the power of the vaccines. MailOnline analysis of the latest NHS England figures show that out of the roughly 87,000 hospital beds at the health service's disposal, fewer than 1,000 were being taken up by people suffering from coronavirus (1.1 per cent) on June 22. The low inpatient numbers are made more impressive by the fact average daily infections have risen to more than 20,000 due to an outbreak of the ultra-infectious Indian variant. Professor Chris Whitty told a meeting of the Cabinet yesterday that hospitals will be able to cope fine after Freedom Day because of the protective ring the jabs have thrown around the population. The last time Britain was recording more than 20,000 daily cases and the outbreak was rising was in the second week of December, at the cusp of the second wave. At that time one in six hospital beds across the health service in England (15 per cent) were being used by people struggling with the virus. Now, even the worst hit region  the North West  is only seeing 2.4 per cent of its beds full with Covid patients. Covid occupancy is lowest in the South West, where fewer than one in 220 beds are occupied by people with the virus. Britain's positive test rate is also much lower than in the winter wave  down from five per cent in December to just two per cent now. Advertisement

'If we can show it's safe, and I think we are still gathering data from where vaccine has been used overseas, in Israel and the US and elsewhere, I think that's going to be the way we can put this epidemic behind us and children can move on.'

He continued: 'Until we do that there'll be other sorts of disruptions, whether they're related to mass testing or whether it's related to exclusions of bubbles.

'I think all of these measures do have to go and I think children are looking on and thinking, "Well, vaccinated adults can get on with their lives, so why can't I?".

'We do have to give that serious consideration between now and September.'

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 Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) which advises them on the inoculation drive.

Earlier this month 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.

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'.

It comes as Professor Reicher, a social psychologist at the University of St Andrews and member of the SAGE subcommittee on behavioural science, said infections needs to be at a lower point if restrictions are not to be reimposed come Autumn.

He told Times Radio: 'My fear is that we're on line to repeat the mistakes of last summer  if you remember, the Prime Minister told us it was our patriotic duty to go to the pub, that people should go to work or they might lose their jobs, we had eat out to help out.

'The consequence was we never got infections low enough to be able to deal with the disease and so when conditions changed in the autumn, when schools went back and people went back to work and universities went back and the weather got worse and we went inside, so infections spiked.

'And I think this time round, we should learn from that and we should get infections low to a point where we we're in a much better place in the autumn, where we don't have to reimpose restrictions.

'So I think the real question is how can we do that without inconveniencing people too much?'

He said test and trace was still not working properly or contacting people quickly enough, and pointed to the lack of support for people to self-isolate.

He added: 'It seems to me that if we got right the basic public health moves to suppress infection, we wouldn't be talking about a high reservoir of infection which can then spike very quickly when conditions change.'
Boris Johnson's car convoy has hit a police officer as the Prime Minister left Downing Street for PMQs.

It happened this morning and saw a Met member of staff, who was standing on the street, be struck by the 999 vehicle.

The collision was between the officer and a range rover which follows the Prime Minister's car.

Pictures of the scene appeared to show the 4 x 4 also hit the wing mirror of a parked police vehicle.

London Ambulance Service were called after it happened just before 11.54am and saw it go to the scene.

The struck officer was treated by medics at the scene and appeared to be generally unhurt although a bit shaken.

A source confirmed to MailOnline that a police officer was clipped by a wing mirror as the PM's convoy left Downing Street. They were offered medical attention 'on a precautionary basis'.

The police officer was hit by the convoy but after treatment was able to remain on duty

Damage to a marked police car suggested that it had been hit by the convoy as well

The collision happened at 11.51am and saw London Ambulance Service go to the scene

A spokesman for the Met told MailOnline: 'A police vehicle was involved in a collision with an officer on foot at Downing Street at 11.51am.

'LAS attended. The officer was checked over and did not require hospital treatment. He remained on duty.'

A photojournalist known only as PoliticalPics, who had been on the scene, tweeted: 'Policeman gets hit by Boris Johnson police back up car as he leaves for PMQs, walks away shaken but looks OK.

'Boris had two of his three vanity snappers snap him as he left for PMQs this morning just so the tax payers get value for its 300k a year cost!! It's getting very silly the in house snapper b*** session.

A medic checked over the officer outside Downing Street after the accident happened

The Prime Minister's car is also protected by two unmarked Range Rovers with protection crew

'It looks like the policeman hit by Boris back up police car hit the wing mirror.'

The Prime Minister is flanked by a team of protection officers who come from both the UK Special Forces and the Metropolitan police.

It is a job which yields handsome rewards and can pay a salary as high as 100,000 a year.

When the Prime Minster travels in his car protection officers flank the vehicle in the unmarked Range Rovers.

Previously there had been motorcycle outriders who had gone ahead, but these were stopped when David Cameron came to power.

A London Ambulance Service spokesperson told MailOnline: 'We were called at 11.54am today to reports of an incident on Downing Street.

'We sent an ambulance crew. They treated a person at the scene but did not take them to hospital.'
Millions of cases of Covid-19 could be missed unless the official symptom list is expanded, experts have warned.

Scientists are urging the UK Government to follow other countries and broaden the range of symptoms that forms the criteria for self-isolation or a PCR test.

Currently only three symptoms - a high temperature, new cough, or loss or change to sense of smell or taste - are listed by the NHS.

People only have to self-isolate or get a PCR test if they get one of these three symptoms, but latest data suggests other symptoms, including headache, fatigue and sore throat, are just as common.

Today a group of top scientists have published an article in the British Medical Journal saying that limiting testing to people with these three core symptoms could miss or delay identification of many Covid cases.

Dr Alex Crozier and colleagues including Professor Calum Semple, a leading Government scientific advisor, said this could hamper efforts to halt the spread of the virus as non-traditional symptoms often manifest earlier.

At the beginning of the pandemic, the NHS listed a high temperature and a new, continuous cough as the main Covid symptoms. They added a loss or change to smell or taste to the list in May 2020, but no further symptoms have been added since then

The US Centers for Disease Control website lists eight more Covid symptoms than the NHS, including difficulty breathing, fatigue and muscle or body aches

They argued that Britains fight against the pandemic would be improved by expanding symptoms used as the basis for self-isolation and PCR tests.

Experts including Dr Crozier, from University College London, said: Many patients do not experience the UKs official case-defining symptoms, initially, or ever, and other symptoms often manifest earlier.

What are the symptoms of Covid, according to the NHS? The NHS has listed a high temperature along with a new and continuous cough as the main symptoms of the virus. It subsequently added a loss or change to smell or taste as a symptom of the virus, following pressure from Covid campaigners. Most people who catch Covid and show symptoms have at least one of these, according to the NHS. But other studies have also shown that a headache, sore throat and fatigue are just as common. Less common signs include loss of appetite, skin rashes, hives, muscle pain and diarrhoea can all be symptoms of Covid. The US recognises 11 symptoms, which also include a headache and runny nose. Around a third of people with the virus are asymptomatic and can unknowingly pass it on to others. Source: NHS Advertisement

Limiting the symptomatic testing to those with these official symptoms will miss or delay identification of many Covid-19 cases, hampering efforts to interrupt transmission. The UK is currently carrying out more than one million tests a day, around half of which are PCR and half of which are rapid lateral flow tests.

Dr Crozier, from University College London, said combinations of symptoms could be used to help identify more ases sooner without overwhelming testing capacity The US Centres for Disease Control lists 11 more symptoms than the UK, and the World Health Organisation includes nine more.

Yesterday data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS) revealed the most commonly reported symptoms of Covid-19 are cough, headache and fatigue.

Their survey found 61 per cent of people who tested positive reported symptoms.

Of these, 42 per cent had a cough, 39 per cent reported headache and 38 per cent reported fatigue, according to the ONS.

Muscle ache was reported by a quarter of people and 32 per cent reported having a sore throat.

Meanwhile one in three reported fever and around one in five reported loss of smell or taste.

A separate study - the Zoe Covid Symptom study - recently reported that a headache, sore throat and runny nose are now the most commonly reported symptoms.

BBC presenter Andrew Marr - who caught Covid even after being fully vaccinated - first reported symptoms like a cold including sneezing, sore throat and a slight headache.

He took a PCR test which confirmed he had Covid-19.

Two days after his symptoms started, he began to feel seriously ill and started to show traditional Covid symptoms including fever and loss of smell.

While it is entirely possible that he was first displaying symptoms of a cold and then Covid, it is likely that the initial symptoms he had were non-traditional symptoms of Sars-CoV-2 - the virus which causes Covid-19.

In his article describing his illness, he wrote: Early symptoms of this new strain, first identified in India, are very, very similar to those of a light cold - and it is incredibly infectious, so beware.

If in any doubt at all, take a PCR test, he wrote.

Yesterday, 26,068 new cases were recorded  a rise of almost 70 per cent in a week, and the highest figure since late January

But there is growing confidence in Government that the vaccination rollout has severely weakened the link between infections, and hospitalisations and deaths

Daily hospitalisations due to Covid were running at 263, up by just 6.4 per cent in the last week and far below the January peak of 4,579 in a single day

Chief medical officer Chris Whitty told the Cabinet this week that the rise in Covid cases was not putting unsustainable pressure on hospitals in England, as shown

Gloomy SAGE adviser calls for lockdown curbs to remain until ALL children are vaccinated A doomster SAGE adviser has called for all children to be vaccinated before the restrictions in schools are lifted, despite hospitalisations and deaths remaining flat in the face of rising case numbers. Britain is currently on track to give all adults at least one dose of the vaccine by the end of July, according to officials, but it could take three more months just to give one jab to the 14million under-18s in the UK. The vaccine rollout is expected to drop to 150,000 first doses a day in the next few months because of shortages in the supply of Pfizer and Moderna's jabs and because the AstraZeneca vaccine is not being given to young people. Professor John Edmunds, an epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, insisted today that the 'safest time' to lift measures at schools  including mask wearing, Covid bubbles and mass testing  would be after all children have had a jab. The SAGE adviser, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said secondary school children at the very least have to have at least one jab before the measures can be eased. Advertisement

It comes after it emerged tens of millions of Britons could be offered a third Covid jab in as little as two months under fresh guidance issued by No10's top advisers last night.

The Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) said the booster scheme should start in September and could see 23million over-50s, vulnerable Britons and NHS and care home staff offered another dose.

Extra vaccines would be rolled out in two stages  prioritising those most at risk of Covid  and patients are expected to be offered whichever jab they were originally inoculated with. However, officials have not ruled out a potential 'mix and match' vaccine schedule.

It will coincide with the annual influenza inoculation programme, which health officials say will be vital this winter amid warnings of a difficult flu season.

The interim advice has been drawn up to ensure the NHS is prepared for any possible booster campaign in the autumn, while officials await more data on whether a third jab will be needed.

Ministers are expected to make a decision on whether to go ahead with the programme in the coming weeks.

Newly appointed Health Secretary Sajid Javid said he 'welcomed' the new guidance, which could 'help us ensure we are ready in our preparations for autumn'.

And Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, England's deputy chief medical officer, said it would keep Britain on the 'front foot' in the fight against Covid.

JCVI sources said data suggested Covid jabs spark immunity that lasts for at least six months in the 'majority' of cases, but there are fears this could fade later in the year which could trigger a spike in hospitalisations and deaths.

An Oxford University trial looking at booster doses suggested a third shot six months after the second could restore peak immunity against Covid.

It comes after Professor Chris Whitty reportedly told a Cabinet meeting yesterday that England is on course to lift the remaining Covid restrictions on July 19 'Freedom Day'. And Boris Johnson sounded increasingly bullish that restrictions would be lifted as planned at PMQs today saying Britain has 'a higher wall of vaccination than virtually any other country in the world'.

The UK today recorded more than 20,000 cases for the third day in a row, but deaths from the virus continued to drop in a sure sign the vaccines are working. But scientists today warned England could face a spike in Covid cases in the coming weeks because of the Three Lions' success at the Euro 2020s, although this is not expected to translate into a surge in hospitalisations and deaths.

Just one in 100 NHS beds were being taken up by Covid patients in England last week  fourteen times fewer than at the start of the second wave, according to official figures highlighting the power of the vaccines.
USMC Private First Class Travis Owens (pictured) and several partners were allegedly planning on using explosives, rocket launchers and automatic rifles in attacks

An active duty U.S. Marine was under federal investigation after he allegedly plotted to harm people - including members of the DNC and minorities - with various weapons, seemingly drawing inspiration from Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh.

USMC Private First Class Travis Owens and several partners were allegedly planning on using explosives, rocket launchers and automatic rifles in their plotting.

One of those partners were linked to the Atomwaffen Division, a neo-Nazi group that has called for an armed overthrowing of the American government.

The allegations came to light after The Daily Beast obtained an FBI search warrant affidavit in the case.

The FBI commenced their investigation in August 2019 after receiving a tip about conversations taking place in the 'Right Wing Death Squad' Facebook Messenger chat.

The group allegedly had a cache of weapons at their disposal, such as the guns allegedly in possession of group member mechanic Jason DJuan Garfield (pictured)

The group allegedly made references to the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing (pictured)

The FBI says the chats involved three central figures all from Arkansas: James Wisdom, mechanic Jason DJuan Garfield and Owens, who was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri.

Garfield sometimes went by pseudonyms, such as 'Moon Man' and 'Jugger Bugger.'

The affidavit said the language in the chat 'was consistent with racially motivated extremism ideology, to include aspirational violence against religious and racial minorities.'

In one exchange, Wisdom allegedly told Garfield, 'We can take care of druggies anytime. We need to get rid of Jews ASAP though.'

Garfield allegedly replied, 'Do both at the same time. Clean up the white community and show them whos controlling and manipulating and our numbers go up We dont have the time to do one goal at a time.'

Wisdom allegedly responded, 'I'm aware. Doesnt mean we need to be too hasty though. We need at least a rudimentary plan and proper resources before we try anything big.'

The group allegedly touted things like a 'new world' and said 'SP**CS AND NI***RS NEED TO HANG FROM TREES,' according to the warrant.

Garfield allegedly said, 'Racism isnt real, whites are the only humans.' He also allegedly threatened to kill Arkansas state Sen. Stephanie Flowers.

'Just f*****g McVeigh the DNC,' Garfield also allegedly wrote, referencing Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh.

Garfield allegedly sent multiple messages detailing weapons he had in his possession

Pictured: Another image of Garfield, who was ultimately sentenced to 78 months in prison for illegal gun possession

McVeigh was a former U.S. Army soldier responsible for the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, which left 168 people dead and almost 700 injured.

Wisdom allegedly replied, saying 'You know what to buy' while discussing 'knockoff Panzerschreck [rocket] launchers.'

Owens was allegedly destined to be the supplier, with Wisdom telling him that he wanted a fully automatic assault rifle that was used by Special Operations forces.

'Travis, hook me up with some goodies from the armory. Ill pay you $100 worth of McChickens,' Wisdom wrote, per the affidavit.

Owens allegedly couldn't come through, though, replying: 'Lol I cant do that with how the security is now in the military. [Its] ridiculous to get your issued M16A4 service rifle.'

Owens did allegedly revel that he had access to another weapon for an attack: C-4 explosives.

Garfield was ready too, allegedly writing on August 16, 2019: 'I have access to 300k lbs of anhydrous ammonia. Just need a container to store it.'

'Nice. I have combat engineers as friends with access to c4,' Owens allegedly responded.

'BOMBS AWAY MR. MCVEIGH,' Garfield responded, according to the affidavit.

Pictured: An allegedly image of Garfield's handgun, which seems to include a reference to Hitler's birthday

Another image seems to have a neo-Nazi reference on a handgun allegedly possessed by Garfield

Owens allegedly replied, 'Yes kill them all. I have access to so much hahaha we can make it rain bullets for days.'

Garfield, who at times appeared to have some urgency, once wrote that he was 'tempted to act soon.'

According to the affadavit, he sent photographs in October 2019 showing a handgun with hand-drawn dates, symbols, and markings. One of the markings appeared to be a reference to New Zealand mosque shooter Brenton Tarrant.

Other markings included anti-black messages and '42089,' which may have been a reference to Hitler's birthday.

Pictured: A police mug shot of Timothy McVeigh is displayed June 12, 2001 at the Oklahoma National Memorial museum in Oklahoma City, one day after his execution for the deadly bombing that killed hundreds

It's not clear why the investigation stalled, but it doesn't appear any terrorism act was ever carried out by the three men.

In April 2020, Owens was kicked out of the Marine Corps after the investigation was revealed.

'Participation in supremacist or extremist organizations or activities is a violation of Department of Defense and Marine Corps orders and will lead to mandatory processing for separation following the first substantiated incident,' SMC spokesman Capt. Andrew Wood told The Daily Beast.

'The Marine Corps is clear on its stance as it relates to racial hatred or extremism: There is no place for either in the Marine Corps.

'Our strength is derived from the individual excellence of every Marine regardless of background. Bigotry and racial extremism run contrary to our core values.'

In May 2021, Garfield was sentenced to 78 months in prison for illegal gun possession.

A DOJ spokesperson told The Daily Beast that no charges have been field against Wisdom or Owens.
Furious drivers have blasted an 'unbelievable' 99 'deposit' charge for using pay-at-pump stations.

Supermarkets and energy companies have quietly imposed the collossal new pre-authorisation fee at selected pumps before it is rolled out nationwide.

The fee will replace the 1 pre-authorisation charge and affect both diesel and petrol users regardless of how much fuel they want to purchase.

This is due to 'amendments to the rules' by credit card companies Mastercard and Visa, according to Tesco.

The grocery giant was slammed by shoppers threatening to boycott Tesco after the fee was piloted at its Stevenage Broadwater Superstore.

Tesco faced a fierce backlash from customers threatening to boycott the store after it was revealed they would be charging a 99 pre-authorisation 'deposit' at pay-at-pump stations - but the change is happening at all pumps, not just those run by the grocery giant

A pay at pump station in Tesco. The supermarket is to introduce a 99 pre authorisation fee

But a Tesco spokesman told MailOnline this is the only pump where they have imposed the fee so far, while another source said Sainsbury's have already begun using the fee at 60 pumps across the UK.

Morrisons refused to comment on the new charge and referred questions about it to the British Retail Consortium.

A motorist on Twitter hit out at the new charge as 'unbelievable'.

The user, called 'NiceConvos' on Twitter with a Scotland flag in their name, said: 'Have you heard about the new rule when you buy fuel and pay at the pump by card?

'Unbelievable!! You know how they charge you 1 and then charge the amount that you used and the pound often stays pending for a few days? They will hold 99 soon and then charge you!!'

Motorists took to social media to slam the new hike in charges

Drivers across the UK have flooded social media with similar complaints, saying the new charge is unfair.

One motorist described the new rules as 'horrendous' for people living on a shoe-string.

Why has the 99 Pay-at-Pump 'pre-authorisation fee' been introduced and how does it work? The 'pre-authorisation' system aims to stop people who don't have enough funds from filling up their vehicles and to stamp out theft. It will be replacing the 1 fee currently charged at most pumps. To use the stations customers will need to enter their PIN. A 'pre-authorisation' check will 'ring-fence' a sum of cash up to 99 to ensure the driver has enough funds. Motorists will then be charged for the amount of fuel they purchased. The remainder will usually immediately be refunded once they have finished filling up. Advertisement

'TidyTops' on Twitter said: 'If you don`t have minimum of 99 in your bank account you won`t be able to buy fuel - new rules are horrendous. I for one have a bank account with no overdraft, so what happens to us.'

All supermarkets and energy suppliers will be imposing the holding fee soon, with an amount up to 99 being ringfenced in customers' accounts for a short time until the unused sum is immediately released.

Tesco said in a statement: 'Under new rules implemented by Mastercard, Visa and American Express, we must now request authorisation from your card issuer for up to 99.

'Once you've finished filling up, the final transaction amount is sent to your card issuer, and the remainder of any unused funds up to the maximum filling amount will be released back to your available balance.

'We'll only ever charge you for the value of the fuel you've actually purchased.'

For customers whose bank balance is below 99, the card provider 'should respond with the lower amount they will allow, and the fuel pump screen will show the value you can fill up to'.

However it admitted some card issuers may not be able to do this and advised drivers to use another payment card - if they have one.

Asda tried the same scheme in 2018 but scrapped it following a similar outcry from drivers, saying at the time that 'we always want to do the right thing for our customers'.

Reports at the time said the attempt was down to 'a new European-style rule change by Visa and Mastercard'.

On the current changes, Mastercard told MailOnline: 'The funds never leave anybody's account and they are available for use immediately afterwards.'

Drivers are furious after hearing about a new 99 'deposit' fee for using pay-at-pump stations

The spokesperson added that Costco pumps have been using the system for 18 months and that the UK is an 'anomaly' because it is used all over Europe.

Mastercard added in a statement: 'We are working together with banks and petrol stations to improve the way payments are made at Pay At Pump sites.

'The new process is designed to ensure more peoples cards can be used at the pump.

'When you pay at pump using your card, a temporary hold of up to 100 is applied to your account prior to pumping the fuel.

'You may see this initially on your banking App, but immediately after the fuel is dispensed the precise sum is withdrawn from your account, and any remainder of the held funds are released for use.

'Should cardholders experience any issues or have any questions regarding this new process they should contact their bank.'

The levy has technically existed since 2017 when Visa and Mastercard changed the rules, but none of the supermarkets imposed it.
California horse racing officials reportedly worked in secret to improperly exonerate embattled Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and his Triple Crown-winning colt, Justify, after it tested positive for a banned substance in 2018.

Confidential court records obtained by The Washington Post include emails, memorandums and other materials showing the California Horse Racing Board's efforts to circumvent the group's own rules  and in some cases, rewriting them  to benefit Baffert as Justify was becoming just the second horse ever to win the Triple Crown with an undefeated record.

As was revealed by the New York Times in 2019, Justify tested positive for the banned substance scopolamine, an anti-nausea medication, which allegedly has performance-enhancing qualities. The failed drug test occurred in April of 2018 after Justify won the Santa Anita Derby, and had it been revealed at the time, the violation would have prevented the colt from running in the first leg of the Triple Crown, the Kentucky Derby.

California horse racing officials reportedly worked in secret to improperly exonerate embattled Hall of Fame trainer Bob Baffert and his Triple Crown-winning colt, Justify, after it tested positive for a banned substance in 2018. Baffert, 68, is currently under fire over another one of his thoroughbreds, Medina Spirit, that tested positive for a prohibited amount of the anti-inflammatory steroid betamethasone after winning the Kentucky Derby in May. Medina Spirit could still be stripped of its Derby victory by race officials. Baffert has claimed that the positive test was the result of an anti-fungal ointment that contained a small amount of the steroid

The California Horse Racing Board (CHRB) delayed any ruling in the matter and eventually voted unanimously to dismiss the case in August of 2018, claiming that the positive test could have been the result of contaminated food. Since then, Mick Ruis, the trainer and owner of the 2018 Santa Anita Derby's runner-up, sued the CHRB in hopes of vacating Justified's victory. Ruis ultimately agreed to settle with the CHRB, although no monetary damages were assessed, according to the Post.

Baffert, 68, is currently under fire over another one of his thoroughbreds, Medina Spirit, that tested positive for a prohibited amount of the anti-inflammatory steroid betamethasone after winning the Kentucky Derby in May. Medina Spirit could still be stripped of its Derby victory by race officials. Baffert has claimed that the positive test was the result of an anti-fungal ointment that contained a small amount of the steroid.

The New York Racing association has banned Baffert from entering any horses in races within the state until an investigation is completed, and Churchill Downs, home of the Kentucky Derby, has suspended him through the 2023 season.

In July, a 23-page analysis of Ruis's lawsuit was sent to the CHRB by a California deputy attorney general.

Baffert pictured alongside 2018 Triple Crown Winner Justify ahead of its Preakness victory

According to the Post, the synopsis claims state lawyers were concerned about the agency's response to the failed drug test. One state lawyer reportedly wrote that a court 'could find that the CHRB abused its discretion and acted in a manner that was arbitrary, capricious, or entirely lacking in evidentiary support.'

In response to the Washington Post story, Baffert's attorney, W. Craig Robertson III cited the CHRB's 2018 decision.

'There is nothing new here,' he wrote.

California's medical equine director, Rick Arthur (pictured), told the Post that he was only 'disappointed' by the CHRB's secrecy, but thought the board handled the case correctly'

A CHRB spokesman told the Post that it would not comment, citing the pending litigation.

Rick Baedeker, who was the executive director of the CHRB before retiring last year, denied giving any preferential treatment to Baffert.

Similarly, California's medical equine director, Rick Arthur, told the Post that he was only 'disappointed' by the CHRB's secrecy, but thought the board handled the case correctly.

'The way this case was handled was not a favor for Bob Baffert,' Arthur said. 'The way this case was handled was out of respect for Justify.'

Both Baedeker and Arthur told the Post that any perceived delay in deciding Justify's case was unavoidable, and was not intended to accommodate Baffert's desire for the colt to run in the Kentucky Derby. As Arthur explained, the proper procedures involved with a failed drug test simply take too long and do not allow for a quick resolution.

'This horse was going to run at the Triple Crown,' Arthur said.

It was a recommendation from Arthur to the CHRB that may have helped Justify beat the failed drug test in 2018.

A year earlier, the Association of Racing Commissioners International urged that scopolamine be reclassified, making it a minor violation that wouldn't require disqualification.

Jockey Mike Smith and racing horse Justify enter the winners circle at the 143rd Preakness Stakes on May 19, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland

The CHRB did not adopt the recommendation at the time, but did so in 2018 in the case of Justify.

'The new classification simply makes more sense pharmacologically,' Arthur wrote in his recommendation.

Arthur, serving as a CHRB advisor on drug testing, cited the ARCI's reclassification of scopolamine in making his recommendation on Justify.

'I believe there is some precedent in criminal law when a law is changed from a felony to a misdemeanor how they should be prosecuted even before the new law becomes effective,' Arthur wrote.

Furthermore, Arthur may have given Baffert advanced notice that a ruling on Justify's sample wouldn't be ready before the Kentucky Derby in 2018. He also told the trainer that the positive test could be blamed on food contaminated by Jimson weed.

'I told [Baffert] there would be nothing from CHRB before the KY Derby, unlikely before the Preakness and possibly not until after the Belmont,' Arthur wrote. 'I told him I thought there was a good indication that these were feed contamination.'

Hoppertunity gallops in preparation for the Breeders' Cup Classic at Santa Anita Race Track on November 1, 2016 in Arcadia, California. In 2018, Hoppertunity tested positive for scopolamine, an anti-nausea medication, which has performance-enhancing qualities

After Justify won the Kentucky Derby on May 5, Arthur recommended that a leafy substance at Santa Anita Park be tested for Jimson weed  a possible contaminate  but stressed in an email that the results should be revealed after the Preakness, which was less than two weeks away.

Baedeker did acknowledge that the investigation was taking longer than normal at the time.

'We might have gone to the board sooner, but obviously because of the high-profile nature of this thing we were making sure we had everything buttoned up,' he said, as quoted by the Post.

Ultimately the plant samples obtained at Santa Anita Park turned out to be milkweed.

rainer Bob Baffert of Medina Spirit, raises the trophy after winning the 147th running of the Kentucky Derby with Medina Spirit, his seventh career Kentucky Derby win. Since then, Medina spirit has tested positive for a steroid, and its Derby win could be vaccated

Eventually, the owner of a feed operation favored by Baffert claimed he found some Jimson weed in product that was sent out over a month earlier, adding that there was no way to tell if it was eaten by Justify. The sample submitted by the feed company owner turned out to be Jimson weed.

Later, on June 9, Justify won the Belmont Stakes to claim the Triple Crown, and the good news for the colt didn't stop there.

In August, the CHRB presented a two-page memo claiming that an 'extensive investigation' found the positive test was the result of 'an environmental contamination.'

Deputy Attorney General Robert Petersen wrote in a subsequent case assessment in July of 2020 that punishing Baffert 'would have been unfair' because of what he called 'an oversight by CHRB staff.'

Peterson also wrote that 'there is no evidence to suggest a nefarious motive' by the CHRB.

Peterson did not respond to the Post's interview request.

The CHRB agreed to settle Ruis's case, but was not required to pay the plaintiff any of the $400,000 in damages he was seeking, according to the Post.

The three-person Santa Anita's Board of Stewards said the CHRB investigation 'followed the law' but went on to say that it would have ruled differently, disqualifying Justify and Hoppertunity, another Baffert horse that tested positive ahead of the 2018 Santa Anita Derby.

Ruis's lawyers are now pushing to rescind the settlement 'because the stewards refused to make a decision on the merits.'

'I remain convinced that justice has not yet been served and that hopefully the courts will resolve the matter,' Darrell Vienna, Ruis's attorney told The Post.
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced a bill Tuesday that would require the feds to publish detailed breakdowns of political employees inside the government by race, gender, ethnicity and sexual orientation.

The New York 'squad' member from the left flank of the House Democratic Caucus touted the diversity legislation, which requires the government to provide the 'greatest level detail possible' on the information about the federal workforce.

She said the bill, which she named the Political Appointments Inclusion and Diversity (PAID) Act, would 'shine a light on who is at the table in our government and who is not.'

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, D-N.Y., has introduced legislation requiring detailed government reporting on political appointees by race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and other factors

Under her legislation, the federal Office of Personnel Management would require reporting on the government's appointees which 'shall include self-identified data on race, ethnicity, tribal affiliation, gender, disability, sexual orientation, veteran status, and whether the appointee is over the age of 40 with respect to each type of appointee.'

Ocasio-Cortez trumpeted the bill in a statement. 'To meet the needs of the American people, our political appointees need to reflect America. The Political Appointments Inclusion and Diversity Act would shine a light on who is at the table in our government and who is not,' she said.

'By publicly reporting on the demographics of appointees we will see where efforts need to be improved to ensure that our policymakers are not only talented, but diverse and representative of everyone in our country.'

Her bill to require reporting on diversity comes as the Biden administration has touted its own efforts to install diversity into the workforce through political appointments

Assistant Secretary of Health Dr. Rachel Levine became the first openly transgender federal official to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate

Office of Management and Budget acting director Shalanda Young speaks during a Senate Budget Committee hearing to discuss President Joe Biden's budget request for FY 2022 on Tuesday, June 8, 2021

Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg speaks during an event to commemorate LGBTQ+ Pride Month in the East Room at the White House on Friday, June 25, 2021 in Washington, DC. President Biden Holds an Event to Commemorate LGBTQ+ Pride Month, Washington

Ocasio-Cortez touted the bill on Twitter

The also pushed it on twitter, saying the data 'will help ensure that our policymakers are representative of our country. To meet the needs of the American people, our appointees need to reflect America,' she said.

The bill calls on the government to provide 'the greatest level detail possible without allowing the identification of individual appointees,' while also allowing individual employees with the option 'not to specify' with any categories they get asked about.

It extends to the Executive Office of the President as well as myriad agencies like the office of the U.S. Trade Representative.

The government would be required to provide the information in summary form  not ID any individuals by name who fit the categories.

It comes at a time when the Biden administration has regularly touted its own diversity efforts, including the first Senate confirmation of a transgender person to a top post.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki, asked Wednesday about any potential retirement by Supreme Court Justice Stephen Breyer, mentioned that Biden had pledged to nominated a black woman to fill any Supreme Court vacancy  'something that would be history-making,' she said.

'If there's an opportunity, he remains by that commitment,' she said.

Biden pledged to make his cabinet the most diverse in history, and according to a February analysis by NPR achieved the goal.

Last week, as Biden met with Senate Republicans and Democrats to hammer out an infrastructure deal, AOC blasted the group for sidelining minorities.

'The diversity of this bipartisan coalition pretty perfectly conveys which communities get centered and which get left behind when leaders prioritize bipartisan dealmaking over inclusive lawmaking (which prioritizes delivering the most impact possible for the most people),' she wrote, as Fox News reported.
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An abandoned mansion that was previously owned by The Stepford Wives director Bryan Forbes has been uncovered in a series of haunting images by an urban explorer.

Explorer and welder William Jones, 31, from West Sussex, decided to enter the Seven Pines mansion, which is located in the village of Virginia Water, Surrey, after it was brought to his attention by his fellow urban exploring friends earlier this year.

The property was once the residence of the late British film director Bryan Forbes and his wife Nanette Newman, who bought their home in 1955 for 7,000.

Following the director's death in 2013, his wife remained at the house for another three years before finally choosing to leave the residence in 2016.

The abandoned mansion which is located in the village of Virginia Water, Surrey, was once the home of The Stepford Wives director Bryan Forbes

Upon entering the property, explorer and welder William Jones, from West Sussex, discovered a spacious living room which contained dusty books and litter strewn across the floor

The property, which has been left abandoned since 2016, also came with a spiral staircase that was fitted with a metal railing

Pictured: Nanette Newman with her late husband Bryan Forbes who bought the sprawling Surrey home in the 1950s

The mansion was previously owned by Bryan Forbes (left), who directed the 1975 film The Stepford Wives (right), and his wife Nanette Newman, who bought their home in 1955

Images taken by the urban explorer revealed an open plan living room filled with dusty books and empty shelves.

Another room inside the sprawling mansion featured a spacious living room complete with a fireplace and wooden flooring.

During his exploration of the property, Mr Jones also discovered an open plan kitchen that came with tiled flooring, a central island and a gas stove.

A step upstairs revealed a vibrant bathroom fitted with patterned orange tiles and two small windows.

Mr Jones also located a cinema room in the basement, a spiral staircase and six bedrooms inside the property.

He said: 'The famous staircase drew me to the house. It was amazing to look down from the top.

'The cinema room in the basement was fantastic and there was so much space inside the place.

The urban explorer discovered a corridor that was fitted with bookshelves and which came with an orange carpet

Another room inside the sprawling mansion revealed a spacious ground floor strewn with pieces of paper on the floor

During his exploration of the property, Mr Jones also discovered an open plan kitchen that came with tiled flooring, a central island and a gas stove

Another room inside the famous property came with wooden flooring and a number of cushions strewn across the floor

A step upstairs revealed a vibrant bathroom fitted with patterned orange tiles, two small windows and a toilet

Along his travels inside the property, Mr Jones also found graffiti along the walls of the staircase (left) and a fireplace (right)

Another room inside the property in Surrey featured wooden cupboards and drawers, a tiled blue floor and windows

The urban explorer also found a swimming pool in the basement and graffiti art in a bedroom corner closet

'The bright yellow toilet was also amazing. It was like it was from another era completely. The house must have had at least six bedrooms. It was a huge place.'

A redevelopment company bought the house and the land it sits on for an undisclosed amount and plan to replace the mansion with new properties.

Born in Stratford, East London, in 1926, Bryan Forbes trained as an actor at the drama school RADA before serving in the military for three years.

Following a number of minor acting roles he set up a production company with his friend Richard Attenborough in 1959, and went on to become one of the the nation's most respected directors.

He directed a number of iconic films, including 1961's Whistle Down the Wind, which he later described as his most popular film, and the original version of The Stepford Wives in 1974.

His varied work was recognised in 2004 when the director was awarded a CBE for services to the arts and the National Youth Theatre of Great Britain.

Mr Forbes counted the late Queen Mother amongst his friends and worked with some of the UK's most high-profile stars, including Roger Moore, Elton John and Michael Caine.

The director was married to actress Nanette Newman, who he wed in 1955 after divorcing his first wife Constance Smith.

The couple had two daughters, TV presenter Emma Forbes and journalist Sarah Standing.

Mr Forbes also wrote a number of novels, with his last, The Soldier's Story, being published in 2012.

He died surrounded by family members at his home in Virginia Water, at the age of 86 following a long illness.
In a recent memo, Google CFO Ruth Porat that California-based employees that they can return to their offices on a voluntary basis starting in July

Google staff can return to their California offices in July, and won't need a mask if they are vaccinated, according to an internal memo.

'I know it has been a long 15 months for many of us,' Chief Financial Officer Ruth Porat, wrote in the memo, first obtained by Business Insider.

'In California, we are fortunate that there is light at the end of the tunnel  statewide vaccination rates are high, community spread is minimal, and the state hit a major milestone on June 15 with its official reopening.

'Due to these and other factors... we are opening up voluntary access to our California offices.'

Employees at Google's San Francisco headquarters can opt to return to their offices on July 12, and those working in Southern California will be allowed to return to their offices in two waves, starting on July 13.

The return will not be mandatory until September, but even then, about 20 percent will be allowed to work from home on a permanent basis.

The state is seeing just two new COVID cases per 100,000 residents, according to the California Department of Health, and has administered nearly 41.5 million vaccines as of June 29.

Porat said the buildings have been outfitted with new air flow technologies and the cleaning crews on-site are following heightened protocols at the Google Headquarters in San Francisco and at its offices in Southern California

Any vaccinated Google employee who decides to return to the tech giant's offices will not be required to wear a mask, according to Porat's memo, but those who are unvaccinated and would like to return to the offices will be required to wear masks and complete weekly COVID-19 testing.

'This is purely voluntary,' Porat wrote, 'you still have the option to work from home until September 1' and most independent contractors and vendors will still be required to work from home.

Any employee who would like to get a vaccine would be able to use the company's new vaccine navigation hotline, Porat added, and social distancing will not be required.

But, she said, the buildings have been outfitted with new air flow technologies and the cleaning crews are following heightened protocols.

'While things may look and feel a bit different for a while, the core of what makes being together in the office so special- the people, the serendipity, the innovation - will still very much be present,' Porat wrote.

Last month, CEO Sunday Pichai (pictured) also announced that the company would allow about 20 percent of its employees to work remotely full-time

The memo comes just one month after CEO Sundar Pichai announced that the company will allow approximately 20 percent of its employees to work remotely full-time.

He said the company was adopting more lenient policies, like letting employees transfer office locations or work completely remotely based on the employee's role and team needs.

'Before the pandemic, we had thousands of people working in locations separate from their core teams,' he said in an earlier memo. 'I fully expect those numbers to increase in the coming month as we develop more remote roles, including fully all-remote sub teams.'

Any employee who would like to work remotely full-time would have to apply within their product areas, Business Insider previously reported, and it will be up to their managers to decide whether to grant it.

Employees who decide to transfer location or work remotely, though, would have their compensation adjusted according to their location.

'Taken together, these changes will result in a workforce where around 60 percent of Googlers are coming together in the office a few days a week, another 20 percent are working in new office locations and 20 percent are working from home,' Pichai said.

Google employees are allowed to work from home until September, under the company's plans, after which point they would be expected to come into the offices at least three times a week.

Dallas has the highest number of staff back in office buildings and San Francisco has the lowest, according to data obtained by DailyMail.com. New York, largely considered the country's business hub, is 10% under the national average

The data shows how each city's office occupancy has slowly started to recover since last March. Dallas, Austin and Houston were all storming ahead until the start of March, when Texas was hit with an energy crisis and power went out across the state. They recovered swiftly but liberal cities like L.A., San Fran, New York and Chicago are all still behind

So far, fewer employees have gone back to work in liberal cities like New York, San Francisco and Los Angeles, when compared to others in Texas, Illinois and Pennsylvania, according to a recent study by Kastle Systems - a building management company based in Virginia which has monitored key swipes on 2,600 buildings, for 41,000 businesses, since last April.

It showed Dallas has the highest number of staff back in person with 49 percent swiping their cards to gain office entry in the second week of June, followed by Austin (48.7%) and Houston (47.7%).

The national average is 31.5% and New York, LA, San Fran and Philadelphia are all beneath it.

Only 21% of staff in New York City have gone back, and just 18% of staff had returned to their offices in San Francisco.

Mark Ein, Chairman of Kastle Systems, told DailyMail.com that the discrepancy may be due to the availability of public transit, as people in Texas are more often driving to work then taking the subway.

Equally, he said, it could be people in cities like New York and California - both Democrat states - have been led by the more restrictive lockdowns there.

San Francisco is an anomaly because it takes in Silicon Valley, where a large proportion of people worked remotely before the pandemic began.

'The first explanation is industry composition - northern California has been at the lower end because those cities have a higher percentage of tech industries that were more set up to enable people to work from home before the pandemic.

'Then there's public transportation. In the heart of the pandemic, people didn't want to go o on mass transit so cities like New York were at a much lower level [of occupancy].

'Then there is general community attitude and public sector response to the pandemic; areas of the country with more restrictive lockdowns like northeastern cities have lower levels of occupancy than places like Texas, which have been less restrictive

'The last thing I think is just how hard cities were hit by the pandemic  New York was hit really hard at the very beginning. They wanted to lockdown and people were hesitant to go to the office,' Ein said.

No one has recovered to pre-pandemic levels but Dallas is closest at 49 percent. Before the pandemic, the city showed a 99.7% occupancy rate in offices.

CEOs want to see their staff in the office full time, according to a recent study, with 83% answering yes in a recent poll. But 90% of workers said they want to work from home

Meanwhile, executives at large companies are debating whether to allow their employees to work from home permanently.

JP Morgan Chase's CEO Jamie Dimon, said he wants at least 90 percent of staff back in the office, with only 10 percent or so continuing to work from home. In the case of his company, that account for 25,000 people around the world working remotely, and some 200,000 working in the office.

Morgan Stanely's CEO James Gorman, meanwhile has made some of the straightest remarks yet.

In May, he made it plain to the staff from the bank's Times Square office: Get back by Labor Day or there'll be tough conversations.

'I'll be very disappointed if people haven't found their way into the office...then, we'll have a different kind of conversation.

'If you want to get paid New York rates, you work in New York. None of this, "I'm in Colorado and work in New York and am getting paid like I'm sitting in New York City". Sorry, that doesn't work,' Gorman said.

'Make no mistake about it - we do our work inside Morgan Stanley offices, and that's where we teach, that's where our interns learn, that's where you build all the soft cues that go with building a successful career that aren't just about Zoom presentations.

'When will that occur? My leadership style has been very deliberate. I went from one day a week from July to Labor Day last year, two days Labor Day until the end of the year, three days the beginning of this year until March and now I am at four days.

'If you can go into a restaurant in New York City, you can come into the office. We want you in the office,' he said.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is putting down similar rules for his staff, as is Twitter. Twitter, at first, looked like one of the most flexible workplaces with its announcement that staff would be able to work from home forever if they want to.

The company has long has a pay localization scheme though that is part of CEO Jack Dorsey's plan to decentralize the business.
This is the moment a drunk man wielding a metal pole is Tasered by police at a train station in Birmingham after England's win against Germany.

Footage shows the 43-year-old waving around a bollard before being zapped by British Transport Police (BTP) officers and falling to the ground at around 8pm yesterday.

The video, filmed on a mobile phone, captures one cop repeatedly shouting 'put it down, put it down now' as the man grabs a post at the top of an escalator in Birmingham's New Street station.

As he raises it above his head the officer discharges the high-voltage weapon, causing the man to immediately collapse behind a row of chairs.

Police said the man was arrested after he drunkenly started smashing up train station furniture with a metal pole.

Footage shows the 43-year-old man waving around a bollard before being Tasered by British Transport Police (BTP) officers at Birmingham's New Street Station last night

Police said a 43-year-old man was arrested after he drunkenly started smashing up train station furniture with a metal pole (pictured: file photo of Birmingham's New Street Station)

Towards the end of the video, the two officers can be seen rushing over to detain the suspect as he lies incapacitated on the ground.

They then tell him to 'face the floor' while handcuffing him.

The clip has been viewed over 10,000 times in less than 24 hours after being obtained by the Birmz is Grime blog.

In a statement released today, a BTP spokesman said: 'Officers at Birmingham New Street station received a report of a man damaging station furniture with a metal pole at 7.57pm yesterday.

'Officers approached the man, drew their tasers and repeatedly requested that the man drop the pole.

'He refused to do so and began moving towards officers with the pole. As a result, the taser was discharged.

The video, filmed on a mobile phone, captures one cop repeatedly shouting 'put it down, put it down now' as the man grabs a post at the top of an escalator

As he raises it above his head the officer discharges the high-voltage weapon, causing the man to immediately collapse (pictured above) behind a row of chairs

'A 43-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of criminal damage, threatening officers with an offensive weapon, and being drunk and disorderly.

'He was taken to hospital to be checked over, subsequently discharged and is now in police custody.'

The footage emerged as it was revealed that police officers in the UK are facing new restrictions over the use of tasers.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) has been conducting a review amid concerns about the disproportionate use of stun guns.

Police have reportedly deployed the weapons on 32,000 occasions in the year to March 2020 - double the number from two years earlier.

Towards the end of the video, the two police officers can be seen rushing over to detain the suspect as he lies incapacitated on the ground
A female army sergeant took her own life after detailing her mental health battle in a pink diary during lockdown, an inquest heard today.

Lisa Brydon, 42, who died from carbon monoxide poisoning, was said to have 'served her country with distinction' during a 13-year career in the British Army, which included tours in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and smashed the window but Ms Brydon was pronounced dead at a car park in Cardiff.

An inquest heard Ms Brydon had sent text messages and emails to her friends, sister and ex-partner in the days leading up to her death - and said: 'I just want to sleep this whole nightmare away.'

The inquest heard that she struggled with depression and PTSD from her childhood, her military experiences, as well as relationship, financial, and employment problems.

Her ex-partner, Lisa Sayers, told the hearing that the couple split up in February 2020 having been in a relationship for 18 months, but continued living in their Cardiff home during the initial weeks of the first Covid-19 lockdown until April last year.

Former army sergeant Lisa Brydon, 42, was tragically found dead in her car in Cardiff an inquest has heard

Lisa had been a dedicated soldier attached to the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and the SAS and served in Iraq and Afghanistan before being medically discharged

Ms Sayers said she had called the police on several occasions when Ms Brydon alerted her to potential attempts to end her own life over the following months.

Ms Brydon was found dead in Cardiff on June 9 last year.

She had previously received help from charity Change Step, Help for Heroes and the Poppy Factory.

Officers searched her home in Adamsdown, Cardiff, and found a pink notebook with a list of 'catalysts' for her mental health problems.

The inquest heard Ms Brydon wrote about her PTSD, separation from her girlfriend, loss of her job, debt, living in a house share and lack of support in lockdown.

She left instructions in her notebook and said: 'The debt, the heartache and the PTSD is just too much for me.

'No amount of help will ever fix me.'

Her family say Lisa had attempted suicide five times since lockdown began at the end of March and had been 'failed' by the authorities

The inquest heard Ms Brydon had been struggling with PTSD before her death and lost her job four months earlier.

She had joined the army at just 22-years-old and worked her way to become a sergeant.

The inquest heard she had been in active service in Iraq and Afghanistan and a highlight of her career was being posted to a specialised military unit.

She was medically discharged in 2013 and went on to work in HR.

The inquest in Pontypridd, South Wales, heard Ms Brydon had repeatedly attempted suicide in the months leading to her death on June 9 last year and had been in contact with a crisis team.

She told friends: 'I can't fight this black dog any more. I just wanted peace.'

The inquest heard she struggled without 'face to face' support in lockdown and felt more 'isolated and alone than previous occasions.'

A post mortem was carried out and toxicology reports found antihistamines, antidepressants and high levels of carbon monoxide in her system.

Her medical cause of death was given as carbon monoxide toxicity.

Ms Brydon's sister, Tracy Curry, told the inquest Ms Brydon saw things that 'affected her' after joining the Army in 2000.

But she said Ms Brydon had 'enjoyed her time' as a servicewoman and said she believed her sister had suffered from depression since childhood.

Pontypridd Coroner's Court was told Lisa was found to be deceased in her car on June 9, and a note was found at her home address indicating her intentions'

'She then started working in HR, but don't think she enjoyed it and missed the banter and camaraderie of the Army,' she said.

'I think she missed the Army life and this impacted on her mental health.'

Ms Curry said her sister had 'reached rock bottom' after her relationship ended and was signed off work with PTSD.

She added that 'being in lockdown got on top of her'.

Coroner Nadim Bashir recorded a conclusion of suicide at the Pontypridd inquest.

He said Ms Brydon showed 'bravery and courageousness' during her career when she was posted to the specialist military unit.

He said: 'That was an immense achievement in a short military career.'

Andrew Lawson, of the Ministry of Defence, passed condolences to the family.

He said: 'She served her country well and we are very sad to her of her loss.'

Anyone seeking help can call Samaritans free on 116 123 or visit Samaritans.org
A mother has been arrested on suspicion of murdering her three young children, including a newborn baby, who were found not breathing in their East Los Angeles home.

The coroner's office identified the children as Mia Camila Rodriguez, 4, and her brothers Mason Mateo Rodriguez, 3, and Milan Mateas Rodriguez, who was one month old. Their autopsies are pending.

Detectives with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Office have not said how the siblings died, but family members told local news outlets their mother, 28-year-old Sandra Chico, smothered them and then tried to commit suicide.

No official motive has been released, but Chico's younger sister said the mom-of-three had been struggling with post-partum depression after the birth of her youngest son.

Sandra Chico, from Los Angeles, is facing murder charges in connection with the deaths of her children, including daughter Mia Camila Rodriguez, 4, pictured

Chico's daughter and two sons, Mason Mateo Rodriguez, 3 (left), and newborn Milan Mateas Rodriguez (right), were found not breathing inside the family's East LA home on Monday

A relative called 911 for help after finding the children unresponsive inside this residence in the 600 block of Ferris Avenue

A makeshift memorial of flowers, candles and stuffed animals is pictured on Tuesday outside Chico's home

Chico was being held on $2million bail and was scheduled to appear in a Los Angeles courtroom on Wednesday to be arraigned on three counts each of murder and assault on a child causing death, according to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office.

The children were found in a bedroom in their home in the 600 block of South Ferris Avenue at around 12.45pm on Monday after a family member called for help, according to Lt. Chuck Calderaro. They were not breathing, and efforts to revive them were not successful.

Neighbors placed flowers in front of the home to remember the children. Arturo Cerezo, an uncle, arrived as Chico was being detained.

'She would do anything for those kids,' he told KNBC. 'That's what's so hard to understand. What happened?'

Multiple family members said that Chico had been battling mental health issues.

Elizabeth Chico, Sandra's younger sister, told Los Angeles Times that the mom-of-three had exhibited symptoms of post-partum depression after giving birth to baby Milan a month ago.

Elizabeth, however, stressed that despite struggling with stress and anxiety, Sandra adored her children and never expressed any intention of harming them.

Relatives, including Chico's younger sister, said the mom-of-three had been struggling with postpartum depression after the birth of her youngest son a month ago. The children's grandmother said Chico never left the house

A Los Angeles County Sheriff's official works on the scene of the triple homicide. Authorities said the family had no history of child abuse complaints

A tricycle is seen in the yard of Chico's home. Neighbors said her two older children often played outside and seemed happy

'They were her everything,' she said. 'Those kids were her world.'

The children's paternal grandmother, Rosalba Flores Castillo, said in Spanish Chico was unwell and never left the house.

'I won't criticize her,' she said. 'I wish her well. She is also a victim of her illness, which is depression.'

Multiple relatives asked the public to reserve judgement on Chico's actions.

'I'm getting messages from a lot of people saying that they're judging my sister-in-law. They're telling her that she was a bad mother,' Cerezo, the children's uncle, told ABC7. 'But the only thing I ask is don't judge. I know it's hard, but don't judge.'

Neighbors pay tribute at the makeshift memorial honoring Chico's slain children on Tuesday

Residents watch near the scene after three young children were found dead in a bedroom at a residence in East Los Angeles

Authorities have said there was nothing to suggest that there were any problems in the family.

'There was no forewarning of any kind,' Sheriff Alex Villanueva said. 'No repeated calls for service ... no allegations of child abuse. This was out-of-the-blue tragedies.'

Neighbor Victor Ohm told FOX 11 he previously saw the kids playing in the yard whenever he left to get groceries.

'It's heartbreaking,' Ohm told the TV station. 'They were happy kids.'

Chico's family have launched a GoFundMe campaign to help pay for the children's funeral services.
Britain and Brussels have agreed to a truce to avoid a 'sausage war' over exports of chilled meats to Northern Ireland - but it is only temporary.

The UK and the EU announced this afternoon that a deal has been done to ensure sausages and other products can still be sent from Great Britain to Northern Ireland.

Lord Frost, the Cabinet Office minister who is responsible for Brexit matters, said a grace period on the exports will be extended to September 30 - a move which he described as a 'sensible' step.

But the two sides remain deadlocked on how to permanently fix post-Brexit border problems in Northern Ireland.

Lord Frost said the extension of the grace period is a 'positive first step but we still need to agree a permanent solution'.

Lord Frost, the Cabinet Office minister, said a grace period on the exports will be extended to September 30, describing this as a 'sensible' step.

The grace period allowing chilled meats to cross the Irish Sea was due to expire tonight after months of arguments about how to improve the implementation of the Northern Ireland Protocol.

The protocol was agreed to as part of the Brexit divorce deal but it has caused significant disruption to trade and inflamed community tensions since it was rolled out.

It was designed to avoid a hard border with Ireland by effectively keeping Northern Ireland in the EU's single market for goods.

But unionists are demanding it be scrapped because it creates a trade barrier in the Irish Sea between Northern Ireland and the rest of the UK.

The prohibition on chilled meats is just one element of the protocol, with shipments of chilled meats from all third countries into the EU single market banned.

Boris Johnson had threatened to unilaterally extend the grace period, something which would have triggered retaliatory action from the EU  a trade conflict which has been dubbed the 'sausage war'.

Lord Frost said in a statement: 'We are pleased we have been able to agree a sensible extension on chilled meats moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland - one that does not require rules in the rest of the UK to align with future changes in EU agrifood rules.

'This is a positive first step but we still need to agree a permanent solution - Northern Ireland is an integral part of the United Kingdom and its consumers should be able to enjoy products they have bought from Great Britain for years.

'This is a very clear sign that the Protocol has to be operated in a pragmatic and proportionate way.'

Lord Frost said the chilled meats issue 'is only one of a very large number of problems with the way the protocol is currently operating'.

He said that 'solutions need to be found' which 'protect the Belfast (Good Friday) Agreement, safeguard Northern Ireland's place in the United Kingdom, and protect the EU's single market for goods'.

If an extension had not been agreed then chilled meat exports from Great Britain to Northern Ireland would technically have been banned.

European Commission vice-president Maros Sefcovic said earlier this week that he was confident a solution could be found on the chilled meats issue

The extension means that Northern Ireland consumers will be able to continue to buy chilled meat products from Great Britain.

The UK Government remains frustrated at the EU's approach to fixing the protocol while Brussels is adamant that Britain knew what it was agreeing to when it signed the original Brexit divorce deal.

The UK Government said it had submitted 'a dozen papers' to the European Commission setting out how various protocol-related issues could be resolved.

Ministers have previously complained that Brussels has not properly engaged with the proposals.

Maros Sefcovic said the package of measures showed a willingness to find lasting solutions to the issues caused by Brexit in Northern Ireland.

The European Commission vice-president said: 'On our side there is goodwill, we see it as positive momentum and we hope it will be matched by the same goodwill and creativity on the UK side.

'Because I think that we can resolve all the problems on the table only if we would act jointly.'

Labour's Baroness Jenny Chapman, shadow minister for task force Europe, said: 'An extension to the chilled meats grace period is welcome. Nobody wants to see British products being blocked from entering Northern Ireland. This would be totally unnecessary and only add to current tensions.

'However, Boris Johnson must not waste this extension, the Government must stop playing games and instead use this period to come up with a long-term solution to the flaws in the deal he agreed with the EU.

'It is obvious the UK and EU need to get their heads together in the coming weeks and work out a veterinary standards agreement that will solve this issue, bring long term assurances to the people of Northern Ireland and benefit food exporters across the UK.'
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Los Angeles is cracking down on its sprawling homeless encampments with a new ordinance banning camping under freeways, parks or near schools, and can't take over sidewalks.

The motion, which was passed by 12 votes to three by Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday and faces another vote on Thursday before it can come into effect, would also seek to ban tents from blocking sidewalks.

It aims to allow regular LA citizens to reclaim their city which has been taken over by the tent cities during the past five years when homelessness has doubled to around 15,000.

Pictures taken on Wednesday show rows of tents lining the Ocean Front Walk down Venice Beach as homeless encampments have become a common sight across the city.

As well as tents being pitched up, homeless people were also seen sleeping on mattresses sprawled across the sand ahead of the new measures, which has been billed as a humane approach to get people off the streets.

The encampments on the famed Venice Beach have only grown amid the Covid-19 pandemic, with signs posted on trees warning of a July 2 clearance of all homeless encampments ahead of the July 4th weekend.

Los Angeles is cracking down on its homeless encampments with a new ordinance banning camping under freeways, parks or near schools, and can't take over sidewalks. Pictured: Encampments on Venice Beach's Ocean Front Walk on Wednesday

Amid preparations for the crackdown, pictures also showed officers from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) arresting a man, who is believed to be homeless, along the Ocean Front Walk on Wednesday

Pictures taken on Wednesday show rows of tents lining the Ocean Front Walk down Venice Beach as homeless encampments have become a common sight across the city

The motion, which was passed by 12 votes to three by Los Angeles City Council on Tuesday and faces another vote on Thursday, would seek to ban tents from blocking sidewalks. Pictured: Encampment on Venice Beach on Wednesday

The homeless encampments on the famed Venice Beach (pictured) have only grown amid the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic

Amid preparations for the crackdown, pictures also showed officers from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) arresting a man, who is believed to be homeless, along the Ocean Front Walk on Wednesday.

The details of the arrest, which came ahead of the vote to pass the ordinance on Thursday, are not yet known. MailOnline has contacted the LAPD for comment.

Council members voted Tuesday to instruct the city attorney to draft an ordinance that is expected to face another vote on Thursday.

If the measure doesn't receive unanimous approval on Thursday, it will face a second vote later in July before it can take effect.

'(Residents) want to be able to use their parks and their sidewalks and their libraries,' Councilman Paul Krekorian, who coauthored the proposal, told the LA Times.

'They want to be able to go into the entrance of their business. They want to be able to know that when they pull into a parking lot, they don't have to worry about running someone over when they're going through the driveway.'

If the measure doesn't receive unanimous approval on Thursday, it will face a second vote later in July before it can take effect. Pictured: A man sweeps the pathway in front of a homeless encampment at Venice Beach on Wednesday

Signs have been posted on trees on Venice Beach warning of a July 2 clearance of all homeless encampments ahead of the July 4th weekend

As well as tents being pitched up, homeless people were also seen sleeping on mattresses sprawled across the sand ahead of the new measures, which has been billed as a humane approach to get people off the streets

Los Angeles Police Department officers detain a homeless man along the Ocean Front Walk in Venice, California on June 30, where an initiative begins offering people in homeless encampments a voluntary path to permanent housing

However critics slammed the move as 'reckless', and demanded to know where the homeless people were expected to go after they were moved on from their current camps.

The measure would limit people from camping on sidewalks in ways that prevent wheelchairs users from traveling on them - a violation of the federal Americans with Disabilities Act. It will also prevent sleeping, lying or storing possessions near public areas such as schools, parks, libraries, freeways, and homeless shelters.

The ordinance before the City Council is billed as a humane approach to get people off streets and restore access to public spaces, and it wouldn't be enforced until someone has turned down an offer of shelter.

It would severely limit the number of places where homeless encampments have been allowed to grow and become a common sight across the city.

'There are right ways and wrong ways to disrupt the status quo and improve conditions on the street,' Councilmember Mark Ridley-Thomas, coauthor of the measure, said in a statement.

'I am governed by a fundamental position: Before the unhoused are restricted from occupying public space, they should be ... offered a suitable alternative for housing.'

People rummage through items at a homeless encampment along the Ocean Front Walk in Venice, California, on Wednesday

The measure severely limit the number of places where homeless encampments have been allowed to grow. Pictured: A man sleeps near tents at a Venice Beach homeless encampment on Wednesday

The new motion only bans camps in certain areas, and limits the involvement of law enforcement. Pictured: A man sleeps near tents at a Venice Beach homeless encampment on Wednesday

The ordinance is considered to be a more balanced approach than an unpopular motion, introduced by Councilmember Joe Buscaino in November. Pictured: A homeless encampment at Venice Beach on Wednesday

The ordinance is considered to be a more balanced approach than an unpopular motion, introduced by Councilmember Joe Buscaino in November, which suggested a city-wide ban on all homeless camps.

But an advocate for the homeless said the measure is loosely written to allow broad interpretation for enforcement and will make most of the city off-limits to people living on the street.

'Draconian is definitely the correct word,' said Pete White of the LA Community Action Network. 'I think its impossible to comply.'

White said that an ordinance that limited where people could park RVs and sleep in cars overnight left little more than 5 per cent of streets available for parking.

Homelessness has become a crisis of 'epic proportions,' the measure says. It remains near the top of political agendas across the state.

The new motion only bans camps in certain areas, and limits the involvement of law enforcement. It will also require a 14 day notice that camping is barred in a particular location and seek to have homeless people comply voluntarily.

It will also require a 14 day notice that camping is barred in a particular location and seek to have homeless people comply voluntarily. Pictured: A homeless encampment at Venice Beach on Wednesday

A cyclist rides past a tent for the homeless on Venice Beach in California, on Wednesday

The substitute motion, co-introduced by Councilman Paul Krekorian, (pictured) is being looked at as a more humane alternative to an anti-camping ordinance proposed by Councilmember Joe Buscaino in November

A homeless camp under the 405 freeway in Los Angeles. Freeways would be one of the areas camps are banned from under the ordinance

L.A City Council districts include Hollywood, Venice, Echo Park, Sherman Oaks and Skid Row, one of the most famously troubled neighborhoods in all of America.

Homelessness has DOUBLED in LA in past five years as the city struggles to combat the humanitarian crisis Los Angeles has been ravaged by its homeless crisis for the last decade, with the number of homeless people rising steadily from around 40,000 in 2011. In the last year, homelessness increased by 12.7 per cent in LA County because there aren't enough homes people can afford, according to the Los Angeles Homeless Services Authority. More than 63,000 people are homeless in LA County, the authority reports. The issue is most visible in downtown LA, where hundreds of people live in makeshift shanties that line entire blocks in the notorious neighborhood known as Skid Row. Tents regularly pop up on the pavement outside City Hall and encampments are increasingly found in suburban areas under freeway overpasses. In 2015, City Council members and Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that they would declare an emergency locally. However the proposal was abandoned because the mayor wanted a statewide declaration from then California Governor Jerry Brown, who refused the request. Four years ago, LA voters then approved a tax hike and $1.2 billion housing bond to channel investments into helping solve the homeless crisis. That bond money has so far been used to build more than half of the 10,000 new housing units planned countywide over 10 years - but housing is still in short supply. In 2018, LA declared a shelter crisis, which reduced construction hurdles around developing emergency beds on public land. Then in 2019, County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas and City Councilman Joe Buscaino put forward a proposal calling on Governor Gavin Newsom to declare a state of emergency over the crisis - a call that never materialized. Advertisement

Three council members-Mike Bonin, Nithya Raman and Joe Buscaino, who is running for L.A mayor- voted against the measure, saying they wanted a map to know where they city's 20,000 homeless would actually go.

'This is not compassionate or progressive, it's reckless. In fact, some of the most progressive cities in the state of California have a form of anti-camping ordinance,' Buscaino said of the substitute motion.

'This is a law that impacts every resident of this city and right now. I feel like I'm making a decision on this law without the information I need to understand the impacts of this law,' Councilwoman Raman said.

'If we don't have the 20,000 beds where are people left to go?' Councilman Bonin asked.

Councilman Ridley-Thomas said the city's homeless population needs public housing alternatives before they are restricted from occupying public property.

Under the measure, officials will be instructed to develop a strategy that would include offering overnight shelter, interim housing or permanent housing to people who had been staying in areas where camping will be restricted, KTLA reported.

Ridley-Thomas said the measure would ensure that city officials craft a 'street engagement strategy' within 30 days that would limit interactions between law enforcement and homeless people, except in cases when a major crime is being committed.

'If we truly want to make a significant impact in addressing the moral crisis of our time that is homelessness, the solution does not lie in criminalizing our unhoused neighbors for occupying public spaces, it lies in scaling up sustainable solutions to transition Angelenos safely indoors, while also ensuring that our streets remain clean and accessible -and this first begins with a 'Right to Housing,'' Ridley-Thomas said in a written statement.

A report released earlier this year by the University of California in Los Angeles found homeless rates had increased by 50% in five years.

It found the economic fallout of the pandemic has left many more low-income residents on the brink of housing insecurity.

Official figures suggest there are about 15,000 chronically homeless people in L.A. County.

When 'couch surfers' and others who bounce in and out of homelessness, are included, that figure balloons to 66,000.

Dan Flaming, president of the Economic Roundtable, has projected that figure will nearly double in the next four years.

'That would be catastrophic for us,' Flaming told ABC7 in January.

According to figures from the Los Angeles Police Department provided to the Venice Neighborhood Council, the violent robberies in the Venice Beach neighborhood are up 177% from last year.

The same period has also seen a 162% increase in cases of assault with a deadly weapon involving a homeless person.

'Violent and property crime have increased in neighborhoods surrounding these dangerous encampments, and yet we continue to delay action on this common-sense ordinance while the city literally burns around us,' Councilman Buscaino said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has boasted he could have sunk Britain's HMS Defender last week and got away with it because the West would not risk going to war as 'they know they can't emerge as winners'.

Speaking on Wednesday Putin also claimed that a U.S. reconnaissance aircraft was operating in sync with the HMS Defender last week when the ship sailed through the Black Sea in what he described as a 'provocation' to test Moscow's response.

His comments came the day after the Royal Netherlands Navy confirmed that its De Zeven Provincien class frigate HNLMS Evertsen, which has been sailing with HMS Defender, was harassed by Russian fighters on Thursday last week.

Moscow said one of its warships fired warning shots and a warplane dropped bombs in the path of Britain's Defender on June 23 to force it from an area near Crimea that Moscow claims as its territorial waters. Britain insisted its ship wasn't fired upon and that it was sailing in Ukrainian waters.

Asked if the events with HMS Defender could have triggered World War III, Putin responded that the West wouldn't risk a full-scale conflict.

'Even if we sank that ship, it wouldn't put the world on the brink of World War III because those who do it know that they can't emerge as winners in that war, and it's very important,' Putin said during his annual live call-in show when Russians ask him questions.

The Dutch navy said the encounter involving their frigate and Russian fighter jets occurred last Thursday (June 24), the day after Russia claimed to have dropped the bombs to deter Britain's HMS Defender.

'The planes repeatedly harassed the Evertsen between about 3.30pm and 8.30pm local time,' the Royal Netherlands Navy said in a statement.

'They flew dangerously low and close by, performing feint attacks. The fighters were armed with bombs and so-called air-to-surface missiles, intended to fire at a target from the air. After hours of intimidation, disruptions to electronic equipment of the Evertsen also took place.'

Both ships are currently part of the British aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeths multinational strike group, which is also known as Carrier Strike Group 21, or CSG21. Like the UK and the US, the Netherlands is a NATO member.

Among the Evertsen's weaponry is a 40-cell Mk.41 vertical launch missile system, 32 surface-to-air missiles, 32 Evolved Sea Sparrow Missile, 8 Harpoon anti-ship missiles and 2 twin MK32 Mod 9 torpedo launchers with Raytheon MK46 Mod 5 torpedoes, a 127mm dual-purpose gun, Browning M2 12.7mm machine guns, 7.62mm machine guns.

Putin claimed that the US aircraft's apparent mission was to monitor the Russian military's response to the British destroyer.

'It was clearly a provocation, a complex one involving not only the British but also the Americans,' he said, adding that Moscow was aware of the U.S. intentions and responded accordingly to avoid revealing sensitive data.

The Russian leader lamented that the move closely followed his summit with U.S. President Joe Biden in Geneva earlier this month. 'Why would they make such provocations?' he said.

Putin insisted on Wednesday that Russia would firmly defend its territory.

'We are fighting for ourselves and our future on our own territory,' he said. 'It's not us who traveled thousands of kilometres (miles) to come to them, it's them who have come to our borders and violated our territorial waters.'

In response, Prime Minister Boris Johnson's spokesman said on Wednesday that the Defender acted in accordance with international law and was conducting innocent passage through Ukrainian territorial waters.

The spokesman said: 'I've said all along this Royal Navy ship was conducting innocent passage through Ukrainian territorial waters in accordance with international law.'

Putin said that even if Russia had sunk Britain's HMS Defender (pictured off the coast of Georgia on June 26, three days after the Black Sea crisis) the West wouldn't risk going to war because 'they know they can't emerge as winners'

Moscow said one of its warships fired warning shots and a warplane dropped bombs in the path of Britain's Defender on June 23 to force it from an area near Crimea that Moscow claims as its territorial waters. Britain insisted its ship wasn't fired upon and said it was sailing in Ukrainian waters. Pictured: A map showing details of the Black Sea crisis

The De Zeven Provincien class frigate HNLMS Evertsen, which the Dutch navy said was harassed by Russian fighters last week. In a statement, the Royal Netherlands Navy said the jets 'flew dangerously low and close by, performing feint attacks'

The episode was the latest to raise tensions between Russia and the West since Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014, a move not recognized by most countries but one that gives it access to a long Black Sea coast.

The US Defense Department had no immediate comment Wednesday on Putin's claim that one of its aircraft was with the British ship last week.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has goaded Britain again over its HMS Defender warship. Pictured: Putin delivers a speech during a Moscow meeting with the country's Olympic athletes ahead of the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games

Russian officials have warned that if a Western warship enters the waters again, the military could fire to hit. Since it annexed Crimea, Russia has chafed at NATO warships visiting the area as destabilizing.

Britain has insisted the Defender was making a routine journey through an internationally recognized travel lane and remained in Ukrainian waters. The U.K., like most of the world, recognizes Crimea as part of Ukraine despite the peninsula's annexation by Russia.

Pictured: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson outside 10 Downing Street on Wednesday. His spokesman said on Wednesday that the warship acted in accordance with international law

On the same day, US Navy's Arleigh Burke class destroyer USS Ross (DDG-71) was shown on ship tracking services as sailing with a Ukrainian patrol boat just five miles off the coast of the contested Crimean Peninsula in the middle of the night.

The US Navy denied that the ship was every near Crimea, and it is believed it could be an instance of deliberate spoofing of maritime tracking data.

Putin on Wednesday emphasized that Moscow is concerned about NATO troops coming to Ukraine for training, reaffirming that a permanent Western military presence on the Ukrainian territory would challenge Russia's vital interests and represent a red line.

He also reiterated, as he often does, that there is a close kinship between the Russian and Ukrainian peoples, but accused the Ukrainian leadership of being hostile towards Russia. Putin expressed doubt about the value of a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, describing him as a Western pawn.

'Why meet Zelenskyy if he has put his country under full foreign control and key issues for Ukraine are decided not in Kyiv but in Washington, and, to a certain extent, Paris and Berlin?' Putin asked.

Earlier this year, Russia beefed up its forces near Ukraine and warned Kyiv that it could intervene if they tried to use force to reclaim the areas in the east controlled by Russia-backed separatists since conflict there erupted in 2014. Moscow later pulled back some of its troops, but the Ukrainian authorities said that the bulk of them have remained close to the border.

The Type-45 destroyer was involved in an international incident after using an international shipping lane that went close to the Ukrainian peninsula, which is illegally occupied and claimed by Russia

In a video released by Putin's regime, three shots each with two shells are seen fired as warning shots, by which time HMS Defender is visible but at a long distance away

Last week, a top-secret Ministry of Defence dossier containing 50 pages of classified information about the Russian threat to HMS Defender ahead of its provocative trip and British military plans for Afghanistan was found by a member of the public at a bus stop in Kent.

The dossier, which included emails and PowerPoint presentations, originated from the office of a senior official at the MoD and were passed to the BBC by a member of the public after they made the discovery early on Tuesday (June 22) morning - a day before the Black Sea crisis.

One document showed that the Royal Navy's Type-45 destroyer was ordered to sail close to disputed territorial waters off the coast of Russia-annexed Crimea in eastern European to make a show of support for Ukraine in the expectation that Moscow could respond with force.

On June 23 more than 20 Su-24s and two coastguard ships shadowed the warship as it sailed about 12 miles off the coast.

The Russian Ministry of Defence said a patrol ship fired warning shots and a jet dropped bombs in the destroyer's path, but the UK Government rejected this account and denied that any warning shots had been fired.

Another document contained in the dossier found at the bus stop in Kent reportedly details plans for a possible British military presence in Afghanistan after the US-led NATO operation there ends - but admits that there will be a possible loss of British life.

Pictured: Pictures purportedly showing HMS Defender being intercepted by the Russian border services in the Black Sea, provided by the Russian Ministry of Defence

The Government launched an urgent probe into the matter, with an MoD spokesman telling MailOnline last week that an employee had reported the loss of sensitive defence papers.

In a statement, the MoD also insisted that HMS Defender conducted 'innocent passage through Ukrainian territorial waters in accordance with international law'.

A spokesman said: 'The Ministry of Defence was informed last week of an incident in which sensitive defence papers were recovered by a member of the public. The department takes the security of information extremely seriously and an investigation has been launched. The employee concerned reported the loss at the time. It would be inappropriate to comment further.

'As the public would expect, the Ministry of Defence plans carefully. As a matter of routine, that includes analysing all the potential factors affecting operational decisions. HMS Defender conducted innocent passage through Ukrainian territorial waters in accordance with international law.'

The document supports claims that the Black Sea passage was an attempt to rile the Russian government, which used live ammunition to deter a NATO warship for the first time since the Cold War.

It reflects the growing risk of military incidents amid soaring tensions between Moscow and the West on issues from Russian aggression towards Ukraine, her involvement in the war in Syria and the use of chemical weapons in Salisbury in 2018 to allegations of cyberwar and election hacking.
President Joe Biden on Wednesday temporarily raised pay for federal firefighters to ensure that none are making less than $15 per hour.

He announced the pay boost - and other moves to fight wildfires - during a virtual meetings with governors from Western states.

'Come on man, that's unacceptable to me,' Biden said of firefighters pay.

And he said there will be more to come.

'But a one time boost is not enough, these courageous women and men take an incredible risk of running toward the fire, and they deserve to be paid and paid good wages,' he added.

He told governors they would be meeting annually to discuss the threat of wildfires.

'The threat of western fires this year is as severe as it's ever been,' Biden said. 'We can't cut corners when it comes to managing our wildfires and our supporting our firefighters, and this briefing is going to be an annual event.'

President Joe Biden temporarily raised pay for federal firefighters to ensure that none are making less than $15 per hour

President Biden and some of his Cabinet secretaries held a meeting with Western governors to talk about the threat of wild fires

President Joe Biden shakes hands with Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm next to Interior Secretary Deb Haaland as he arrives for a meeting with western governors

Wednesday's virtual meeting, which also included cabinet officials, is designed to show that the White House is treating wildfires - which have grown by at least 100 incidents each year since 2015 - are as much of a national emergency as hurricanes, a senior administration official said on Tuesday.

'We're playing catch up. This is an area that has been under-resourced. But that's going to change,' Biden said.

Extreme heat in Western and Northwestern states have accelerated drought conditions and intensified the risks of wildfires.

The National Weather Service has issued excessive heat warnings for nearly the entire Pacific Northwest, northern Great Basin and parts of California and Nevada.

More than 58.4 million people live in areas affected by the drought, according to the US Drought Monitor, and a record 49.7% of the west is now in the highest categories of 'extreme' and 'exceptional' drought levels.

Biden has expressed dismay at the starting pay for federal firefighters. New federal firefighters typically make $11 per hour to $14 per hour and they are overtime eligible, according to the Interior Department.

'That's going to end in my administration,' Biden said during a visit last week to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for a briefing on natural disaster prevention efforts. 'That's a ridiculously low salary to pay federal firefighters.'

Western states have been parched by severe drought and record heat that has burned more than 2,000 square miles (5,300 square kilometers) this year. Thats ahead of the pace in 2020, which saw a near-record 15,000 square miles (40,000 square kilometers) burned as well as more than 17,000 homes and other structures destroyed.

A fire prevention crew hauls away sections of a tree they cut down near Redwood Estates, Calif., in 2019

NSW Rural Fire Service crews fight the Gospers Mountain Fire in 2019

Smoke from the Maria Fire billows above Santa Paula, Calif., in 2019

Firefighters battle a fire, as a wind driven wildfire continues to burn in Canyon Country north of Los Angeles in 2019

The pay raise will come in the form of retention incentives and by providing additional bonuses to those working on the front lines. More experienced permanent firefighters could also be eligible for a 10% retention incentive. Temporary firefighters will be eligible to receive some incentive pay under the plan.

The U.S. Forest Service and Interior Department combined to employ about 15,000 firefighters. Roughly 70% are full time and 30% are seasonal.

The meeting with governors also detailed plans to extend seasonal hiring of firefighters, hire additional firefighters and add surge capacity by training and equipping more federal employees and military personnel to support wildland fire fighting efforts.

U.S. wildfire managers had been considering establishing more full-time firefighting crews to deal with what has become increasingly a year-round problem in the West and pushing to make the jobs more attractive by increasing pay and benefits.

This year's wildfire season may serve as an ominous backdrop as Biden and Democrats seek billions of dollars from Congress to blunt climate change, offering real-time examples of the need for more taxpayer investment.

It will also put pressure on the large number of lawmakers from both parties from western states like California, Arizona and New Mexico to shed partisan politics and pay for more firefighters and increased mitigation efforts.
A total of 45 schools across just one county have been named on a website for anonymous accounts of sexual assault survivors.

Current and former students across the UK are speaking out about harrowing incidents of rape, sexual assault, abuse and violence.

But research shows 45 schools in Oxfordshire have been named on the Everyone's Invited website which was set up by Soma Sara in March.

Pupils were urged to share their stories of assault and harassment and they also regularly named the school or college.

A total of 45 schools across just one county have been named on a website for anonymous accounts of sexual assault survivors including Headington School (pictured)

The Oxford Mail sifted through more than 50,000 testimonies to discover those relating to Oxfordshire - many of which allegedly took place at prestigious private institutions.

The allegations include rapes at house parties, stealthing (deliberately removing a condom during sex without your partner's knowledge) and coercion, to sexual harassment and assault on public transport.

Most of the accounts detailed abuse between classmates but some called out teachers.

One testimony made by a pupil at Headington School read: 'A teacher at my all-girls school said 'your essays need to be like your skirts, long enough to cover the essentials but short enough to keep us interested'.

'Everyone was really uncomfortable but when we told another teacher she laughed and said it was just a joke and the incident never got investigated.'

'Assume sexual harassment is happening in schools': Ofsted advises teachers to be more vigilant Schools must 'assume' they have a sexual harassment problem and will fail inspections if they cannot show that they are tackling it, Ofsted has said. The watchdog has launched a historic crackdown on sex abuse in schools after hundreds were accused of presiding over a 'rape culture' by the Everyone's Invited website. In rules published earlier this week, inspectors will demand to see how head teachers are preventing peer-on-peer abuse  both at school and online. By 8am on inspection day, they must provide records and analysis of sexual harassment or sexual violence, as well as sexist bullying. Ofsted said: 'Inspectors will expect schools and college leaders to assume that sexual harassment, online abuse and sexual violence are happening in and around their school, even when there are no specific reports, and to have put in place a whole school approach to address them.' The rules, published in the official handbook for inspectors, will be in place from September. It is likely to lead to some otherwise good schools failing their inspections if they are slow to respond. Advertisement

Donna Stevens, chief executive of the Girls' Schools Association (GSA), which governs the school, said they are taking this issue seriously and talking with pupils, parents and staff about historic incidents in order to bring about positive change.

Another student from another county school revealed she experienced a number of male teachers looking up her skirt which has made her 'too scared' to walk up the school stairs without holding down the hem.

A spokesperson for the school said they assessed the comment and believe it is in relation 'to a request for the skirt uniform to be of a certain length' as part of their dress code and uniform policy.

Incidents described on Everyone's Invited often took place outside of school premises, at parties or other social gatherings.

However, there are a significant number which detail harassment and assault in school settings or the sharing of nude images between classmates.

And the shocking scale of the problem stretches well beyond the school gates.

An epidemic of sexual violence has also been exposed within the UK's further education sector with Everyone's Invited releasing the names of 119 universities mentioned in testimonies.

Stories of sexual assault, violence, and harassment were also shared by students at University of Oxford and Oxford Brookes.

There were 57 testimonies mentioning the elite University of Oxford - making it one of the top five most referenced UK universities on the website.

One student shared her horrifying experience of stealthing, writing: 'I went on a date with a boy not from the university in first year.

'He was a few years older than me. Ended up getting very drunk.

'He took me back to college and we had (I think?) consensual, but unpleasant sex (I was just pinned down).

'I do know that he removed the condom while we were having sex. I found it in the bin and he refused to confirm that he'd been wearing one when I messaged him.

'The next morning he told me he 'was not leaving my room until we had sex'.

'I kept changing the subject and eventually he got bored and left, without sex.'

A spokesperson for University of Oxford explained that students and staff affected by sexual violence or harassment are given 'extensive' support.

They added that while the university does not comment on individual cases, students are always offered expert, professional support from a number of sources for any welfare and academic issues that arise.

A number of students at Oxford Brookes (pictured) also shared their testimonies about abuse on and outside the premises of the university

Pupils were urged to share their stories of assault and harassment from across the UK and they also regularly named the school or college. Pictured: A woman and child walk past placards attached to the fence outside James Allen's Girls' School in London during protests last month

A number of students at Oxford Brookes also shared their testimonies about abuse on and outside the premises of the university.

One woman wrote: 'During my first night of freshers, I was sexually assaulted by my new flatmate who I had only known for a few hours and met that day.

'He led me into his room and tried to get on top of me. He grabbed my ass and tried to kiss me, tried to lift up my top and grabbed my boob multiple times over my jumper.

'Every time I pushed him off and would repeatedly say 'no' and 'stop' but he did not listen.

'I told my friend who was in my flat and she told her mum, who reported it that day to the university.

'I heard nothing from the university and I had to share a flat with him for the rest of the year.'

Another student revealed how they had a testicle 'forcefully dragged' across their face as 'banter' in a room full of only men during a pre-training briefing.

A spokesperson for Oxford Brookes confirmed that the safety and welfare of the students is of the 'utmost importance', and their priority is to ensure any victims get the help and support they need and ensure any accusations are investigated.
The Department of Homeland Security said it will be on 'heightened alert' this July 4th weekend for white supremacists looking to exploit states' rollback of COVID-19 restrictions and attack a range of possible targets, officials told DailyMail.com.

The warning comes as officials say they've been monitoring a spike in online chatter that could indicate white supremacist-motivated attacks.

Homeland Security issued a National Terrorism Alert System (NTAS) Bulletin, which it it said it won't release to the public at this time, but ABC News obtained it.

'In recent weeks, domestic violent extremists (DVEs) motivated by various violent ideologies have continued to advocate violence and plan attacks,' the bulletin said, according to ABC News.

'As of 16 June, racially or ethnically motivated violent extremist-white supremacists (RMVE-WSs) were sharing downloadable links to a publication discussing targeting mass gatherings, critical infrastructure and law enforcement officers,' it said.

The Fourth of July weekend will likely have the highest number of large gatherings in 15 months, with more than 30 states rolling back nearly all of its COVID-19 restrictions.

Secretary Of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas speaks during a press conference at El Paso International Airport, on June 25. The DHS said it will be on high alert this July 4th weekend

Law enforcement, pictured here on patrol Times Square on June 28, are sharing information across all levels from local to federal to protect against potential domestic terrorist attacks during the July 4 weekend

There were 183 domestic terrorism prosecutions filed by U.S. Attorney's offices around the country from October 2019 to October 2020, according to Department of Justice figures.

That's the highest number in at least 25 years - and compares with 69 in 2017 and 63 in 2018 and 90 in 2019.

Meanwhile, a May 2021 FBI report said there were 32 domestic terrorist-related deaths in 2019, which was the highest since number since 1995. Of the 32 deaths, 24 people were killed in attacks committed by white supremacists, according to the report.

'Today's terrorism-related threat landscape is more complex, more dynamic, and more diversified than it was several years ago,' Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas said before the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee on May 12.

With large groups expected to congregate all over the country this weekend, gun violence increasing and domestic terrorism surging creates 'the perfect storm,' a senior law enforcement official told ABC News.

'It's a very volatile moment and it's about to be a more target-rich environment.'

To prepare for potential attacks, a DHS spokesperson told DailyMail.com the DHS is focusing in on disinformation, conspiracy theories and false narratives spread through social media and other online platforms.

'DHS is committed to sharing information with our partners to ensure the safety and security of all communities across the country. We encourage the public to remain vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to local and state law enforcement, and the FBI.'

Last month, Homeland Security issued a similar bulletin alerting the public of the heightened threat environment and encouraging the public to stay vigilant and to report any suspicious activity to law enforcement.

Fireworks explode over the Lincoln Memorial during the Fourth of July celebrations in Washington, DC, July 4, 2019

On June 15, the federal government issued the first-ever National Domestic Terrorism Strategy, and Biden administration highlighted the government's approach.

According to a March assessment of domestic terrorism, the two most lethal elements are 'racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists who advocate for the superiority of the white race' and 'anti-government or anti-authority violent extremists, such as militia violent extremists.'

'The U.S. Government will also work to find ways to counter polarization often fueled by disinformation, misinformation and dangerous conspiracy theories online, supporting an environment that fosters healthy democratic discourse,' the National Domestic Terrorism Strategy says.
Aaron Wright, 42, is charged with aggravated assault and burglary after he allegedly broke into his ex-wife's home and shot her four times while their four children slept nearby, just hours before they were scheduled to appear at a custody hearing Monday

A Texas man is accused of cutting the power to his ex-wife's home before breaking in and shooting her four times while their four children slept nearby - just hours before the pair was scheduled to appear for a custody hearing.

Surveillance video from around the time of the incident on Monday shows Aaron Wright, 42, walking up to the house at 3.08am before running away a few minutes later.

The video showed his girlfriend also with him. She hasn't been named.

Authorities said that Wright, accompanied by his girlfriend, approached his ex Andrea Wright's home before he used a power box on the side of the house to shut off the electricity - disabling its alarm before breaking in through a rear window and shooting her.

After the shooting, two of the children ran to a neighbor's house to report what had happened.

Andrea Wright survived the shooting but will require multiple surgeries, her boyfriend said

'They came over and saw us out here, a daughter and a son, and we took them in the house to protect them from whats going on,' a neighbor, Richard Carlson, told KPRC-TV.

Aaron and Andrea Wright had been scheduled to appear at a custody hearing Monday for their children, who are aged 7, 9, 11 and 13, and investigators said the father may have feared losing custody over the kids.

Andrea Wright survived, and the Harris County Sheriff's Office reported on Monday that she was in stable condition. The children were unharmed.

A Gofundme was set up to help pay for her medical expenses, and her boyfriend, Jimmy Bolton said that she will need multiple surgeries, KTRK reported.

Surveillance footage showed Aaron Wright and his girlfriend approaching Andrea Wright's home around the time of the incident, and then running away a few minutes later

Wright allegedly used an electricity box on the side of the house to shut off power in the home to disable its security system before breaking in

Andrea Wright's boyfriend, Jimmy Bolton, said she would need multiple surgeries. 'She is going to have a long road to recovery,' he posted on Facebook

'She is going to have a long road to recovery,' he posted on Facebook, along with photos of Aaron Wright appearing to show up at the house.

Wright, meanwhile, is charged with aggravated assault and burglary with intent to commit another felony.

Police said they found and arrested him at 10.30am, but did not specify where.

The girlfriend has not been named or charged in the case, although authorities said they are investigating, according to KTRK.

After he was released on bond Tuesday, he said, 'I would never do anything like that.'

In court on Tuesday Wright's bail was set at $175,000. He cannot own a firearm, and he was ordered to wear a GPS tracker and stay 200 feet away from his ex-wife, Andrea Wright's home, reported.

Because Wright appeared to use 'planning' and 'technique' when he broke into the home the judge said she set $100,000 bail for burglary and another $75,000 for aggravated assault.

The Harris County Sheriff's office recorded three calls to Andrea Wright's home since March regarding Aaron Wright, including for a terroristic threat and a suspicious vehicle. Bolton posted photos of him appearing to show up at the home

The Harris County Sheriff's office reported at 11.30am Monday that it had taken Wright into custody

Wright's bail was set at $175,000 and he was ordered to wear a GPS tracker and stay 200 feet away from his ex-wife's home

After he was released on Tuesday, Aaron Wright denied the shooting, telling KTRK reporter Shelley Childers: 'I didn't open fire. I would never do anything around my kids, and I would never do anything like that, ever.'

The couple, who filed for divorce two years ago, reportedly had a tumultuous relationship, with Andrea Wright getting a temporary protective order against him in March, 2020, according to records.

She tried getting it extended in November, 2020 but it was denied.

The Harris County Sheriff's office recorded three calls to her home since March, including for a terroristic threat and a suspicious vehicle, according to KTRK.

Carlson alleges Aaron Wright had previously broken into his ex-wife's home shortly after she moved in.

'That's our judicial system, unfortunately,' another neighbor told KTRK. 'I think there needs to be some changes to keep people like that away from people, you know, from her. Her ex-husband, who she knows is a violent person.'
Movie legend Brigitte Bardot has been found guilty of libel after using Nazi-related language to describe the head of France's hunting federation as a 'sub-human'.

The former sex symbol, who is now 86, caused outrage when she wrote that Willy Schraen, 51, was a 'glaring example' of the kind of 'terrorists' and 'cowardly sub-humans' who kill animals for sport.

The term 'sub human'  untermensch in German  was widely used by the Nazis to describe enemies whom they considered racially inferior, and so worthy of extermination.

Denis Delcourt-Poudenx, a barrister for France's Hunting Federation, on Tuesday told judges sitting at the judicial court in Arras, in northern France, that Bardot's remarks were 'particularly violent' as they had 'odious and disturbing Nazi connotations.'

Movie legend Brigitte Bardot (pictured in 1959) has been found guilty of libel after using Nazi-related language to describe the head of France's hunting federation as a 'sub-human'

Bardot had attacked Mr Schraen using a strongly-worded editorial on her animal rights website in October 2019.

The court found Bardot guilty of libel, and ordered her to pay a fine equivalent to 4,200, and to pay Mr Schraen 850, and a further 850 in legal costs.

Mr Delcourt-Poudenx said Bardot's conviction should send out 'a strong signal to stop insulting hunters'.

Bardot, who was given 15 days to remove the offending words from her website, was criticised by prosecutors for her 'persistent delinquent action'.

They pointed out that she has five previous convictions for making defamatory and discriminatory remarks.

Francois-Xavier Kelidjian, Bardot's lawyer, said she admitted the remarks were 'perhaps crude,' but she regretted the 'lack of debate around the subject of hunting', which was 'a major concern of the French'.

The former sex symbol, who is now 86, caused outrage when she wrote that Willy Schraen (pictured), 51, was an 'example' of the kind of 'cowardly sub-humans' who kill animals for sport

Bardot is a close friend of Jean-Marie Le Pen, the founder of the National Front (FN) party, who has been convicted for anti-Semitism, racism, and Holocaust denial.

Despite her glamorous image, Paris-born Bardot has five criminal convictions for inciting hatred, mainly against Muslims for halal slaughter, and Jews for their preparation of kosher food.

Bardot faced a lawsuit in 2019 for inciting racial hatred after calling French people from Reunion Island 'degenerate savages'.

The activist said she was furious that many of those living on the overseas territory in the Indian Ocean were cruel to animals.

'The natives have kept their savage genes,' Miss Bardot wrote in an open letter to local governors on the island, which has a population of almost a million.

She was particularly angry about Hindus on Reunion 'sacrificing goats', and said that those on the 'demonic isle' were also cruel to cats and dogs.

Bardot said Hindus who took part in 'Indian Tamil festivals beheaded goats, and then threw their entrails into the sea, attracting sharks', who in turn threatened swimmers.

She also referred to 'the cannibalism of past centuries' and described those from Reunion, who are predominantly Catholic, as 'a degenerate population still immersed in barbaric ancestral traditions'.

The court found Bardot (pictured in 2007) guilty of libel, and ordered her to pay a fine equivalent to 4,200, and to pay Mr Schraen 850, and a further 850 in legal costs

Just one year earlier, she also slammed the #MeToo movement, claiming that most of the actresses who complain of sexual harassment are just looking for publicity.

'The vast majority are being hypocritical and ridiculous,' she told the French magazine Paris Match.

'Lots of actresses try to play the tease with producers to get a role. And then, so we will talk about them, they say they were harassed,' she added.

'I was never the victim of sexual harassment. And I found it charming when men told me that I was beautiful or I had a nice little backside.'

She also denounced gays, modern art, politicians and immigrants in her book called 'A Cry in the Silence', published in 2003, saying they had destroyed French culture.

She has openly supported France's far-Right FN party, which is now called the National Rally, as well as the Yellow Vests movement that has been responsible for widespread rioting across France.

She quit the movie industry in 1973 and now runs an animal sanctuary in the French Riviera resort of St Tropez, where she first shot to stardom in the 1950s with films such as And God Created Woman.
Sir Keir Starmer has savaged Boris Johnson over a leukaemia victim whose family slammed Matt Hancock for breaking Covid rules the same week their son died.

Ollie Bibby, 27, died of leukaemia on May 5, the day before the former health secretary Matt Hancock was pictured kissing his aide in his central London office.

Sir Keir described the case in the first Prime Minister's Questions since Mr Hancock resigned and asked why Mr Johnson did not sack him, instead allowing him to resign two days later.

The Labour leader told Mr Johnson Mr Bibby's mother Penny was 'livid' she had not been able to see her son in the days before his death, while 'the man who made the rules' failed to follow them.

Mr Johnson then accused Sir Keir of focusing on the 'Westminster bubble', a response Mrs Bibby told the BBC left her feeling 'dismissed'.

She said: 'Boris Johnson just dismissed the question, he avoided answering it entirely, which made us feel like we're not important.'

Sir Keir said: 'Ollie died, like so many other people in this pandemic, with his family and friends unable to spend time with him.

'When he was in hospital he begged to see his family, but following the rules only one member of his family was allowed to see him.'

Mr Johnson responded by saying he shared 'the grief and pain of Ollie and his family' and 'that is why we had a change of health secretary the day after the story appeared'.

Boris Johnson then accused Sir Keir Starmer of focusing on the 'Westminister bubble', a response Mr Bibby's mother Penny told the BBC left her feeling 'dismissed'

He added: 'That is why actually what we are doing as a Government instead of focusing on stuff that is going on within the Westminster bubble we are focusing on rolling out that vaccine at a rate that will make sure people like Ollie and his family do not have to suffer in the future.'

Sir Keir (pictured) described the case in Prime Minister's Questions

Mrs Bibby said the Prime Minister was 'going on about vaccinations' without offering any hope to families whose loved ones were alone on their death beds.

Sir Keir said it was not 'appropriate' for Boris Johnson to refer to the 'Westminster bubble' in response to the case of Mr Bibby, adding: 'Before Prime Minister's Questions this morning I spoke to Ollie's mum about the awful circumstances she and her family have been through.

'She told me Prime Minister that every day she watched the press conferences and she hung onto every word that Government ministers said so she would know what her family could and couldn't do, and then they followed the rules. This is not the Westminster bubble.

'She told me that for her and her family this case isn't closed and she speaks for millions of people. I ask the Prime Minister to withdraw that when he gets up, it's the wrong response to Ollie's case.

Mr Hancock rang his wife Martha last Thursday night to tell her their 15-year marriage was over after he was caught on CCTV kissing Miss Coladangelo (pictured), a university friend who he appointed as a non-executive director at the Department of Health

'I can't help concluding that the Prime Minister didn't ask relevant questions on Friday morning either because he didn't want to know the answers or he knows full well there's more to come out.'

Sir Keir said Mr Johnson 'muttered nonsense' to this suggestion, with the Prime Minister adding: 'We have a new Health Secretary in place and have had one since the day after the stories appeared and that was entirely right and the right response to the situation.'

Mr Johnson said the Government is aiming to 'get on' with the rollout of the vaccines, adding: 'To allow the people of this country to work forwards towards freedom day, which I devoutly hope will come on July 19.'

Mr Bibby, from South Benfleet in Essex, had begged to be allowed to see his family in the weeks before his death.

He had been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, a cancer of the white blood cells, in 2016, and was in remission before in returned in 2020.

He needed a bone marrow transplant and in March was admitted to University College London Hospital (UCLH), where he stayed for seven weeks until he died.

He was left in a room on his own with only one visitor a week, suffered from anxiety and depression and 'felt like he was being punished for being ill', his family said.

The family have been left traumatised after security guards were aggressive and nurses questioned Mr Bibby's parents' right to be with their son as he lay dying.

And Mr Bibby's brothers were only able to see him twice in the seven weeks he was there.

A spokesperson for UCLH said it would like to offer the family 'our sincere condolences'.

'We are confident that Ollie received appropriate care and treatment and that regular visits were allowed in line with hospital guidance.'

Mr Hancock rang his wife Martha last Thursday night to tell her their 15-year marriage was over after he was caught on CCTV kissing Miss Coladangelo, a university friend who he appointed as a non-executive director at the Department of Health.

The couple have three young children and Mr Hancock is said to be determined to maintain a strong bond with them as he builds a new life with Miss Coladangelo, who has three children of her own with Oliver Tress, founder of fashion and homeware firm Oliver Bonas.

He blames himself for everything  this is no-one elses fault, a friend said. For now, his children are his priority and he is going to take some time away'

Mr Hancock tried to cling to his job last Friday, when he was backed to stay by Mr Johnson.

But he changed his mind after taking counsel from senior Conservatives, including his mentor George Osborne, who warned that his departure was inevitable and that prolonging it would end his political career.

Accepting his resignation on Saturday, the Prime Minister left the door open to a return, telling him: I am grateful for your support and believe that your contribution to public service is far from over.

Security officials at the Department of Health are investigating why a CCTV camera was installed in Mr Hancocks office and how footage came to be leaked to the media.
A preacher who was arrested and fined for breaching Covid-19 rules by giving a sermon in the street during the first lockdown has lost a legal bid to overturn the 400 penalty.

Andrew Sathiyavan, 46, was charged 432 after preaching the Christian gospel in Sutton, south London, on Easter Sunday last year.

Footage shows officers confiscating Mr Sathiyavan's wooden cross before handcuffing him and bundling him into a police van.

He contested the fine at City of London magistrates court on June 18 but the judge ruled police were right to arrest him.

He was handed an additional 100 fine, plus 300 costs and a 32 victim surcharge.

Andrew Sathiyavan (pictured above), 46, was charged 432 after preaching the Christian gospel in Sutton, south London, on Easter Sunday last year

Footage shows officers handcuffing Mr Sathiyavan (left) and bundling him into a police van (right). One initially told him the amplification he was using was causing a disturbance

Mr Sathiyavan was evangelising on a busy high street when three officers approached and asked him to stop.

One initially told Mr Sathiyavan he had to stop preaching because the amplification he was using was causing a disturbance - not for breaching Covid-19 regulations.

In the footage, Mr Sathiyavan can be seen asking an officer if he is 'breaking the law by preaching the gospel'.

The officer said: 'We are not saying you are breaking the law, but it is causing anti-social behaviour.'

But a third policeman then told Mr Sathiyavan that he was 'breaching Covid laws' because he was there 'without a purpose'.

He added: 'You are not exercising, you are not going to work, so you can get a fine.

'Under Covid laws you are allowed to be outside if you are going to the shops, exercising or going to work. You are doing neither. You are preaching and that is unacceptable.'

Mr Sathiyavan responded: 'So you are arresting me for preaching.'

The officer replies: 'No, no one is going to arrest you.'

But he was eventually arrested after refusing to move on, arguing he had a right to preach the Christian gospel.

In the footage, Mr Sathiyavan (pictured holding a wooden cross) can be seen asking an officer if he is 'breaking the law by preaching the gospel'

Deputy District Judge Minhas agreed with The Crown's argument that he could have live-streamed his sermon from home (pictured: Mr Sathiyavan being arrested in Sutton last year)

Contesting the fine, Mr Sathiyavan said he helps homeless people and needs to be out in person to support these groups.

But Deputy District Judge Minhas agreed with The Crown's argument that he could have live-streamed his sermon from home.

The same preacher was reportedly arrested and fined 400 for breaching Covid rules in Solihull, West Midlands, in November last year.

But a judge is said to have later waived his fine and conviction due to insufficient evidence of wrongdoing.

He is now appealing the most recent ruling and also plans to launch legal action against the police over both incidents.

Mr Sathiyavan said: 'Gospel preaching is my work.

'I tell people about the good news of Jesus Christ, which preachers have done for centuries in this country.

'I seek to reach people living in fear and without hope. In this instance the police escalated the situation for no reason. I was treated like a criminal.'

Officers seen confiscating the preacher's wooden cross. Mr Sathiyavan was evangelising on a busy high street when three officers approached and asked him to stop

Mr Sathiyavan pictured being taken into a police van following the incident in Sutton, south London, on Easter Sunday last year

The preacher then claimed: 'In a separate incident when I was preaching in Birmingham, I was followed, harassed, arrested and then strip searched in custody by the police.'

He added: 'I have no alternative but to appeal and pursue legal action against the police. I don't want Christians and preachers to be treated as I have been.'

Andrea Williams, chief executive of the Christian Legal Centre, said: 'The treatment of Andrew Sathiyavan was disturbing.

'This is a man who spends his life reaching and serving the poorest and most marginalised in our society - the people who fall through the cracks and are left behind by the system.

'This man has a heart for the poorest in our society and for trying to reach out to them found himself locked up in a cell.

'The police presence on Sutton High Street caused a greater risk to public health than if they had allowed Andrew to continue preaching.

'The inconsistencies in the policing on these issues during the pandemic has been stark. Christian preachers seem to be easy targets and other groups favoured.

'We will stand with Andrew as he now appeals and pursues legal action.'

MailOnline has reached out to the Met and West Midlands Police for comment.
Police in Northern Ireland are investigating a claim that teenager Noah Donohoe was abducted and murdered.

The 14-year-old, from Belfast, went missing after leaving home in June last year and was found dead six days later in a storm drain.

Detectives looking into his death believed he had suffered concussion after banging his head and were treating the case as 'not suspicious'.

But lawyers for the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) today confirmed to a preliminary inquest into his death that an investigation is ongoing into the claims.

It is alleged that a prisoner has come forward claiming his cellmate had confessed to the schoolboy's murder.

The claim was first reported in the Sunday World newspaper, who said the inmate had given investigators a 'detailed written account'.

Northern Ireland's police force said they were investigating claims a prisoner has come forward alleging his cellmate confessed to killing Belfast teenager Noah Donohoe in June last year.

Counsel for the coroner, Sean Doran QC, raised the matter as a further potential line of inquiry at the preliminary hearing on Wednesday.

He said: 'The reason that matter has been put on the agenda is that just very recently, this past Sunday, there was an article in The Sunday World.

'I'm not going to go into detail, but the article was titled Prisoner Claims His Cellmate Admitted To Killing Tragic Teenager Noah Donohoe.'

He said the matter had been referred to the PSNI for consideration, with their representatives confirming an investigation is ongoing.

Barrister for the police, Donal Lunny QC, told the court: 'There's not a great deal more I can say at this juncture.

Barrister for the Donohoe family, Brenda Campbell QC, said the claims had caused them 'great anxiety'. Pictured: Noah's mother Fiona arrives at Laganside Courts in Belfast for a pre-inquest review hearing

'I can confirm the PSNI are investigating the matters which you mentioned.'

Barrister for the Donohoe family, Brenda Campbell QC, said the claims had caused them 'great anxiety'.

'It's an anxiety not just because of the content, but it's an anxiety associated with what's being done about it and whether or not it's being properly investigated,' she added.

Ms Campbell sought clarity that the investigation is being treated as a criminal matter rather than a coronial matter.

She said: 'It's a matter of concern to the family that on the one hand we are told that an investigation is ongoing, but on the other hand there were quotes in yesterday's Irish News from the PSNI that appeared to suggest that really this is a coronial matter and not a police matter.

The 14-year-old, from Belfast, went missing after leaving home in June last year and was found dead six days later in a storm drain

'Of course, given the nature of what was said in those reports at the weekend, it very much must be a police matter, and must be a police investigation.'

She highlighted a quote from a PSNI spokesperson that appeared in the Irish News on Monday, that said: 'The disappearance and death of Noah Donohoe is subject to an ongoing coronial investigation.

'The Police Service of Northern Ireland is conducting the investigation on behalf of the coroner so it would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.'

She said the allegation 'must be acted upon by the police as a serious and significant police inquiry.'

'It must be done with some urgency, because of course, if there is an ongoing line of police inquiry then that does impact on the proceedings before this court,' she added.

Noah, a pupil at St Malachy's College, was found dead in a storm drain in north Belfast last June, six days after he went missing.

The disappearance of the 14-year-old prompted a huge search operation involving hundreds of volunteers from the community in north Belfast and beyond.

Noah had cycled from his south Belfast home through the city centre, before entering the storm drain.

He had been due to meet friends.

The next pre-inquest hearing has been scheduled for September 16.
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Tens of millions of Britons could be offered a third Covid jab in as little as two months under fresh guidance issued by No10's top advisers last night.

The Joint Committee on Vaccinations and Immunisations (JCVI) said the booster scheme should start in September and could see 23million over-50s, vulnerable Britons and NHS and care home staff offered another dose.

Extra vaccines would be rolled out in two stages  prioritising those most at risk of Covid  and patients are expected to be offered whichever jab they were originally inoculated with. However, officials have not ruled out a potential 'mix and match' vaccine schedule.

It will coincide with the annual influenza inoculation programme, which health officials say will be vital this winter amid warnings of a difficult flu season.

The interim advice has been drawn up to ensure the NHS is prepared for any possible booster campaign in the autumn, while officials await more data on whether a third jab will be needed.

Ministers are expected to make a decision on whether to go ahead with the programme in the coming weeks.

Newly appointed Health Secretary Sajid Javid said he 'welcomed' the new guidance, which could 'help us ensure we are ready in our preparations for autumn'.

And Professor Jonathan Van-Tam, England's deputy chief medical officer, said it would keep Britain on the 'front foot' in the fight against Covid.

Immunity gained from Covid jabs last for at least six months in the 'majority' of cases, but there are fears this could fade later in the year which could trigger a spike in hospitalisations and deaths.

An Oxford University trial looking at booster doses suggested a third shot six months after the second could restore peak immunity against Covid.

No10's top scientists are considering a Covid 'booster' vaccination programme from September. Pictured: A woman receives her jab in Doncaster

Just one in 100 NHS beds are currently being taken up by Covid patients in England  fourteen times fewer than at the start of the second wave. Graph shows: The percentage of all hospital beds available to the NHS being taken up by Covid patients on June 22 this year (red bars) compared to on December 14 (blue bars), the last time infections were above 20,000 and rising

The rate of growth in hospital admissions has been falling for the last nine days, despite hospitalisations continuing to rise

In other Covid news:

Britain today recorded another 26,068 Covid cases but deaths dropped to 14 in a sure sign vaccines have broken the link between infections and severe disease;

Thousands of Scottish Covid cases were linked to Euro 2020 today as its infections surged higher than in the second wave  amid fears the competition could also spark a surge in cases in England;

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson hinted school bubbles will be ditched from July 19 'Freedom Day' after the number self-isolating at home quadrupled in a fortnight to 375,000;

Thousands of delighted Britons touched down in Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca after holiday destinations were moved to the UK's 'green' list meaning no quarantine when they return home;

NHS Covid app forced pubs and restaurants to close after thousands of workers were sent home by Test and Trace amid soaring Covid cases in the UK.

It comes after Professor Chris Whitty reportedly told a Cabinet meeting yesterday that England is on course to lift the remaining Covid restrictions on July 19 'Freedom Day'. And Boris Johnson sounded increasingly bullish that restrictions would be lifted as planned at PMQs today saying Britain has 'a higher wall of vaccination than virtually any other country in the world'.

The UK today recorded more than 20,000 cases for the third day in a row, but deaths from the virus continued to drop in a sure sign the vaccines are working. But scientists today warned England could face a spike in Covid cases in the coming weeks because of the Three Lions' success at the Euro 2020s, although this is not expected to translate into a surge in hospitalisations and deaths.

Just one in 100 NHS beds were being taken up by Covid patients in England last week  fourteen times fewer than at the start of the second wave, according to official figures highlighting the power of the vaccines.

The JCVI interim guidance published today sets out a booster programme that would proceed in two stages from September.

In the first part, more than 15million over-70s, care home residents and NHS and care home workers would be offered a third jab. And in the second stage this would be expanded to more than 17million over-50s and those who live with people who are vulnerable to the virus.

There are no plans to offer third jabs to younger age groups this winter because most will only have received their second dose by the end of summer, meaning they are likely to still have high antibody levels to combat the virus.

Over-30s were invited for their second doses on June 7, with over-18s also asked to come forward almost two weeks later. There is a gap of at least eight days between doses.

Who could be first in line for a third jab? How will the vaccines be dished out? Millions of Britons could be offered a third Covid vaccine in September, No10's top scientists have revealed. The Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation's (JCVI) advice published tonight paves the way for the programme to go ahead. But they have not recommended it takes place and say advice could 'change substantially' in the coming weeks. Who could be offered a third Covid vaccine? All over-50s

Frontline health and social care workers

People who are vulnerable to the virus

Adults living with vulnerable people How might the booster programme work? Should the 'booster' programme go ahead, it will see third doses dished out in two stages. In stage one third jabs will be offered to: All over-70s

Over-16s who are vulnerable to the virus

People living in care homes for older adults

Frontline health and social care workers And in stage two third jabs will be offered to: All over-50s

Adults aged 16 to 49 who are vulnerable to flu

Adults living with suppressed individuals such as those receiving cancer treatment Advertisement

NHS chiefs are already preparing for the programme to ensure they have enough jabs available should ministers give the green light to the plans.

At least four other countries including the US are also considering booster programmes, but they are also yet to make a decision.

Professor Wei Shen Lim, the JCVI's Covid chairman, said: 'The JCVIs interim advice is that, should a booster programme be required, a third Covid-19 vaccine dose should be offered to the most vulnerable first, starting from September 2021 to maximise individual protection and safeguard the NHS ahead of winter.

'Almost all these people would also be eligible for the annual flu vaccine and are strongly advised to have the flu vaccine.

'We will continue to review emerging scientific data over the next few months, including data relating to the duration of immunity from the current vaccines.'

He added that their final advice on the booster programme 'may change substantially'.

Professor Van-Tam, deputy chief medical officer for England, said scientists aimed to be on the 'front foot' in the fight against Covid.

He said: 'We want to be on the front foot for Covid booster vaccination to keep the probability of loss of vaccine protection due to waning immunity or variants as low as possible. Especially over the coming autumn and winter.

He also called on Britons to get their flu jabs, adding: 'Fewer or no restrictions will mean that other respiratory viruses, particularly flu, will make a comeback and quite possibly be an additional problem this winter.

'So we will need to ensure protection against flu as well as maintaining protection against Covid.

Health Secretary Sajid Javid said a booster programme will 'protect this freedom'

Newly appointed Health Secretary Sajid Javid welcomed the interim advice, and said he 'looked forward' to receiving the committee's final recommendation in the coming weeks.

'Our first Covid vaccination programme is restoring freedom in this country, and our booster programme will protect this freedom,' he said.

'We are working with the NHS to make sure we can rapidly deliver this programme to maintain protection for people in the winter months.'

Dr David Elliman, a consultant in child health who was not involved with the interim advice, said their recommendations could change substantially before September.

'The advice seems very sensible IF we are going to offer boosters to all adults,' he told the Science Media Centre.

'However, that begs the question as to whether they are needed and, if so, should they be given.

'At the moment there is little clinical or laboratory evidence that boosters are needed and JCVI has understandably not committed itself yet.

'If a booster is needed, exactly how much benefit would it give and would it justify the resources?'

An Oxford University study involving 90 volunteers found a third dose may spark enhanced protection against Covid variants  which may be able to evade previous immunity.

Laboratory tests on 90 volunteers  aged 40 on average  found Covid-fighting antibody levels increased 'significantly' after the third dose compared to the second.

The researchers also recorded higher levels of T-cells  a type of white blood cell that plays a role in fighting off infections.

Its lead scientist Professor Andrew Pollard, who also helped develop the AstraZeneca vacine, said the third shot could be used if the South African 'Beta' variant  which makes vaccines less effective  starts to take off in the UK.

But he called on the Government to shelve plans to give Britons a third dose of the vaccine, pointing out that in many areas of the world people were still waiting to get their first jab.

'At this level of high protection in the UK, to give third doses now when others do not have first doses is not acceptable,' he said. 'We need to make sure other countries are protected.'

Britain secured 60million additional doses of the Pfizer vaccine in April, which it said would assist with any Covid booster programme.

This graph shows the number of cases recorded every day in Scotland (purple bars) by the date the test was taken. Experts say this is more reliable because it is not affected by fluctuations in the number of tests that can be processed daily. The graph also shows the daily average for the number of positive tests (green line). Scotland's cases are doubling every six days at the moment and are higher than the peak of the second wave

Scotland's Covid hospitalisations have remained flat, however, since cases began to rise (daily hospitalisations are the blue bars, and the average is the blue line). Just 32 people are being admitted to hospital in Scotland with the disease every day, which is almost double the amount last month but still low when compared to previous waves. For comparison, in the darkest days of January there were 195 admissions a day

Scotland's deaths have also remained flat (blue bars show the number of deaths every day, and the blue line shows the average). Scotland currently averages about two deaths a day, compared to 62 at the peak of the second wave

There are growing fears that England's Covid cases could follow the same trajectory as Scotland's following their 2-0 win against Germany yesterday. The above graph shows cases are already rising in the country (blue bars show the number of new cases a day, and the blue line shows the average)

But, like in Scotland, England's hospitalisations are also still flat. The country is currently averaging around 200 a day, a slight rise from 186 last week. But this remains far below the peak of the second wave in January, when there were more than 3,500 hospitalisations a day. Vaccine-triggered immunity is keeping hospitalisations low

England's deaths are also still flat-lining (blue bars show deaths by date of death, and the blue line shows the average). England is currently recording around 10 deaths a day, compared to more than a thousand in the darkest days of January

Gloomy SAGE adviser calls for Freedom Day to be delayed until children are jabbed A doomster SAGE adviser has called for all children to be vaccinated before the UK ditches its remaining lockdown curbs, despite hospitalisations and deaths remaining flat in the face of rising case numbers. Britain is currently on track to give all adults at least one dose of the vaccine by the end of July, according to officials, but it could take three more months just to give one jab to the 14million under-18s in the UK. The vaccine rollout is expected to drop to 150,000 first doses a day in the next few months because of shortages in the supply of Pfizer and Moderna's jabs and because the AstraZeneca vaccine is not being given to young people. Professor John Edmunds, an epidemiologist at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, insisted today that the 'safest time' to reopen fully would be after all children have had a jab. The SAGE adviser, from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, said secondary school children at the very least have to have at least one jab before Britain can irreversibly leave lockdown. He said without a nationwide rollout to children, there would continue to be 'disruptions' affecting children at school, including mass testing and bubbles, and a risk that pupils pass it to their parents and grandparents. Advertisement

It comes after the UK recorded another 26,068 infections today  the highest daily total since January 24, when there were 30,004 cases  increasing 61.6 per cent in seven days from 16,135. Britain recorded 610 deaths on January 24, 44 times today's fatalities.

Department of Health bosses also posted just 14 deaths, falling 26.3 per cent on last Wednesday's figure of 19, in a clear sign of the vaccine effect in the face of climbing cases.

The UK has breached 20,000 cases a day for the last three days, earlier seeing its previous highest figure since January on Monday, when it recorded 22,868 infections.

And fears are mounting that England's Covid cases could spike in the coming weeks because of the Three Lions' success at Euro 2020, after Scotland's spiralling outbreak was linked to the tournament.

Scotland's daily case numbers are doubling every week and public health chiefs have already linked nearly 2,000 infections to fans watching football matches  two-thirds of whom travelled to London to watch the crunch tie with England earlier this month.

Public Health Scotland revealed today that there were a record 3,887 positive tests in the last 24 hours, the highest number north of the border since the pandemic began.

There are now growing fears that England's infection numbers will follow suit, particularly now that the national team have qualified for the final stages of the tournament.

Hundreds of thousands of Three Lions fans were seen celebrating in and around pubs across the country yesterday with scant regard for social distancing.

Experts told MailOnline that it is highly likely this will spark an uptick in cases in the coming days, which will only get worse the further the team progresses in the competition. The next game, against Ukraine, is on Saturday.

Professor Lawrence Young, a virus expert and molecular oncologist at Warwick Medical School, told MailOnline: 'You can't help but let the whole thing be rather tinged with fears that this will result in a surge in infections. People are just letting their guard down and I think a degree of complacency is creeping in.'

But thanks to the highly successful vaccine rollout, the key metrics ministers will be looking at is hospitalisations and deaths - which have stayed flat even in Scotland as cases skyrocket.

Just 32 people are being admitted to hospital in Scotland with the disease every day, which is almost double the amount last month but still low when compared to previous waves. For comparison, in the darkest days of January there were 195 admissions a day.

Daily Covid hospitalisations are currently half of SAGE's forecasts fore June 22, which predicted there would be around 531 admissions a day

Booster jabs: Your questions answered Who will get the booster jabs? The guidelines from the Joint Committee on Vaccination and Immunisation (JCVI) say they should be offered to all over-50s, frontline health and care workers and younger adults with underlying health conditions who would normally get the flu jab  a total of 32 million adults. Why are the boosters needed? Scientists want to ensure the most vulnerable adults have maximum protection against the virus if there is a fourth wave this winter. They are conscious that the immunity provided from two doses could wane after six months. When would the jabs be given? The booster programme would get under way this September, starting with the over-70s, care home residents and then frontline health and care staff. The over-50s would get them later on, assuming the JCVI decides they need them. Younger adults may get booster jabs further down the line. Would they be given at the same time as flu jabs? Probably. Officials hope to ensure that as many people as possible are protected against both viruses and having a single appointment for both vaccines would drive up uptake. Patients would most likely get a jab in each arm. Will boosters be needed annually? Health department officials dont yet know. It may be that only the over-50s or even the over-70s require an annual jab. The results of vaccine trials will provide a clearer picture. Advertisement

The NHS Covid app today sparked chaos for pubs and restaurants already hit by severe labour shortages, after thousands of staff were sent home by alerts telling them to self-isolate amid soaring case numbers  with bosses demanding a test and release scheme instead.

Employees must stay at home for up to ten days after coming into contact with a positive case even if they test negative for Covid. Hospitality chiefs want this changed so that anyone who receives a negative result can go back to work.

A single Wetherspoons in Weston-super-Mare this week had 75 members of staff forced to stay at home after coming into contact with positive cases, while Hawksmoor steakhouse in London received 25 test and trace notifications within four weeks of reopening.

It comes as new figures revealed fewer people who contract the disease are falling badly ill, with just one in 100 NHS beds being taken up by Covid patients in England last week  fourteen times fewer than at the start of the second wave, according to official figures that highlight the power of the vaccines.

The low inpatient numbers are made more impressive by the fact average daily infections have risen to more than 20,000 due to an outbreak of the ultra-infectious Indian variant.

Small businesses are particularly struggling under the deluge of app notifications, with one restaurant in Liverpool revealing it lost a quarter of its workforce over the weekend on top of an existing labour shortage caused by Brexit and employees quitting over lockdown.

The nature of the NHS Covid app - which tells people to self-isolate if they have been in 'close contact' with someone who later tests positive - means hospitality staff walking around busy venues are particularly likely to receive notifications.

Close contact means being within two metres of a person who tested positive for the virus for 15 minutes or more or within one metre for one minute or more.

Dave Critchley, executive chef and director at Lu Ban restaurant and bar in Liverpool, told MailOnline: 'We lost five people over the weekend at minimal notice after they were pinged by the app.

'When you are only a small business anyway losing five members of staff meant we had lost a quarter of our workforce.

'It was already a monumental task to take on this year to make up all the money we lost from last year because we've still got last year's rent and bills to pay.

'And this is at a time when staff problems are the worst they've ever been because of Brexit and people going into different jobs during lockdown.'

Industry body UKHospitality is urging the government to change the rules so staff can return to work after a negative tests.

The rules currently require a period of 10 days self-isolation after the day of coming into contact with the positive case - regardless of whether they then test negative.
Surveillance cameras captured the moment a journalist chased his former girlfriend into her pharmacys office in Brazil and opened fire because he was unhappy with the way their relationship had ended.

Jose Marcondes, 46, shot Nadia Vilela, 33, three times before he shot himself in the head in Tangara de Serra, Mato Grosso, on Monday afternoon.

Marcondes was rushed to a local hospital where he died following surgery. Vilela survived the attempted execution and is currently in a stable condition in hospital.

On Wednesday, the online newspaper that Marcondes founded, Muvuca do Popular, slammed his 'cowardice' adding that 'for all his kindness and warmth to those around him, his outsized jealousy did not stop him from trying against his ex-partner's life.'

The couple had dated for just a month before Vilela broke it off it April. Marcondes had reportedly visited her at the pharmacy she worked at on Monday with the hopes of rekindling their relationship.

Local media outlets reported that Marcondes stood outside the pharmacy waiting for a customer to leave.

Security cameras show him entering the drugstore and speaking to Vilela, before he stepped around the counter went into her office.

Nadia Vilela, the owner of a pharmacy in Mato Grosso, Brazil, gestures as her ex-boyfriend journalist, Jose Marcondes, pulled out a gun moments before he shot her three times and then shot himself in the head Monday afternoon. Marcondes, who founded online news portal Movuca do Popular, was upset that she did not want to resume their relationship, which ended two months ago after they dated for a month. He was rushed to a local hospital and underwent surgery but died. Vilela has had two operation and is listed in stable condition

Brazilian pharmacist Nadia Vilela was shot three times by her ex-boyfriend on Monday

Jose Marcondes founded online news portal Muvuca do Popular and also dabbled in politics. His registration to run for governor of Mato Grosso was rejected by the Superior Electoral Court in 2014. He did appear as a write-in candidate and received only 0.1% of the vote. In 2020, Marcondes ran for councilman in Cuiaba under the Liberal Party ticket and only got 223 votes

He took a seat at her desk and the pair appeared to argue before the 46-year-old journalist brandished his weapon, sending the pharmacist running for her life.

Marcondes then shot Vilela, a mom-of-one, three times.

Vilela could be seen crawling through the pharmacy before a female pedestrian helped her off the ground in front of the entrance. The wounded woman the approached a man who had just parked his vehicle across the street from the pharmacy and rushed her to Santa Angela Hospital.

Meanwhile, Marcondes shot himself in the head.

He was taken to Hospital das Clinicas where he was intubated due to the loss of brain mass, but died after undergoing surgery almost six hours after the shooting.

Vilela, who has a 10-year-old boy, underwent mouth and chest surgeries as a result of her wounds.

She remains hospitalized at Santa Angela Hospital and as of Tuesday was listed in stable condition.

Jose Marcondes stood behind a barrier and engaged ex-girlfriend Nadia Vilela in a conversation at her pharmacy on Monday afternoon in Brazil before he walked with her to her office and tried to shoot her dead

Jose Marcondes was seeking a second chance from Nadia Vilela after she ended their relationship two months ago. The pair dated for a month

According to the Mato Grosso Civil Police, Marcondes and Vilela had dated for a month before she ended the relationship about two months ago. However, Marcondes insisted that they resume their relationship.

Those close to Vilela recommended she seek an order of protection, but she never went to the police because she did not think Marcondes would harm her.

Marcondes founded online news portal Muvuca do Popular and also dabbled in politics.

His registration to run for governor of Mato Grosso was rejected by the Superior Electoral Court in 2014. He did appear as a write-in candidate and received only 0.1% of the vote.

In 2020, Marcondes ran for councilman in Cuiaba under the Liberal Party ticket and only got 223 votes.

A wounded Nadia Vilela crawls through her pharmacy moments after she was shot three times

Nadia Vilela crawls out of her pharmacy in Mato Grosso, Brazil, on Monday moments after she was shot by her ex-boyfriend

Nadia Vilela (pictured wearing blue jeans) rushes towards a vehicle before she was taken to a hospital

Online news portal Muvuca do Popular sought to distance itself from him.

'The newsroom of Muvuca do Popular, composed mainly of women, was surprised with a fateful news. The site's founder, Jose Marcondes Neto, popularly known as Muvuca carried out an act of cowardice by committing an attempt at femicide against his ex-girlfriend, Nadia Mendes Vilela, where the communicator fired four shots at the pharmacist and then shot at himself,' the outlet said via a Facebook statement which was signed off by seven female staffers.

'For all his kindness and warmth to those around him, his outsized jealousy did not stop him from trying against his ex-partner's life. Well, that's how violence against women works.'
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Melinda Gates has made one of her first public appearances since her shock divorce announcement from Bill to reveal the Gates Foundation will spend $2.1 billion on gender equality work - weeks after her husband was accused of preying on female Microsoft staff.

Melinda, 56, appeared on stage at the Generation Equality Forum in Paris Wednesday to call for the need to 'lift up women' and make one of the largest single commitments the foundation has made in more than two decades.

Dressed head to toe in white and with her wedding ring notably absent from her left hand, Melinda appeared to be sending a clear message to her estranged husband.

Melinda has long pushed for gender equality to be a key priority for the Seattle-based foundation, while Microsoft founder Bill, 65, has instead prioritized polio eradication and the development of vaccines in recent years.

The 56-year-old's renewed push for women's rights comes as Bill has been rocked by numerous claims he behaved inappropriately toward female employees during his time at Microsoft, ever since the couple announced early May that they are divorcing after 27 years and three children together.

Multiple reports have surfaced claiming the billionaire pursued extramarital affairs, while questions have also arisen over his friendship with late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Melinda Gates appeared without her wedding ring at an event in Paris weeks after her divorce announcement from Bill

Melinda revealed at the Generation Equality Forum in Paris Wednesday the Gates Foundation will spend $2.1 billion on gender equality over a five year period

'What I know is that if you lift up women, if we lift up women and make sure they can use the voices they already have in all places of power and they have their full power and influence in the world those women and girls will lift up everybody else,' she told the audience Wednesday.

'Women should not only have a seat at the table, they should be in every single room where policy and decisions are being made.'

Melinda said the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation will direct $2.1 billion over the next five years to advancing global gender equality, working out at around $420 million each year.

The pledge includes $1.4 billion for health and family planning, $100 million for helping women get into positions of power in government and the workplace and $650 million to focus on economic empowerment.

In a statement ahead of her appearance at the event, Melinda said 'the world has been fighting for gender equality for decades, but progress has been slow.'

She added that it was time to 'reignite a movement and deliver real change.'

Several donors are expected to make similar pledges and commitments to gender equality at the event.

Vice President Kamala Harris also spoke at the event via video link as she insisted that the US will 'fight alongside' women who do not have the freedom of speech or the freedom to vote.

The Gates Foundation donates about $5 billion a year to different causes through its philanthropic work but the focus of its future commitments had been unclear following the split of the power couple.

Gates Foundation CEO Mark Suzman told the Wall Street Journal the new spending on gender equality had been approved by both Bill and Melinda.

Melinda and Bill seen after receiving the Commander of the Legion of Honor in Paris in 2017. The couple announced they were getting divorced in May

The couple are pictured with their three kids Jennifer (center), Rory (right) and Phoebe (left) in 2019. Since news of the split broke, Gates has been rocked by claims of inappropriate behavior during his time at Microsoft

While Melinda is the 'primary face and voice' of the foundation's gender-equality work, 'Bill is very deeply engaged as well,' he said.

'This is an issue which has been growing and growing in importance for us.'

Gates doubled down on his commitment to the cause in a statement to the Journal.

'Prioritizing gender equality is not only the right thing to do, it is essential to fighting poverty and preventable disease,' he said.

However, the pledge comes as Bill's treatment of and behavior toward women has increasingly fallen under the spotlight since Melinda filed for divorce last month.

Maria Klawe, a former Microsoft board member from 2009 to 2015, told Business Insider this week that diversity was not something Bill 'was interested in hearing about'.

When female executives would suggest initiatives to improve diversity at the company, he would allegedly respond: 'Are you trying to effing destroy the company?'

A spokesperson for the Microsoft founder told Insider Klawe's allegations are a 'gross mischaracterization.'

The latest allegations come after Bill confessed last month that he had an affair with a female Microsoft worker back in 2000 while he was married to Melinda.

A report from the Wall Street Journal claimed he had an 'inappropriate' sexual relationship with a female staff member in 2000.

Bill was CEO of the company at the time. It is not clear what position or level of seniority the employee was.

Melinda called for the need to 'lift up women' as she appeared alongside Finland's Prime Minister Sanna Marin (center) and French businesswoman and politician Elisabeth Moreno (right)

Melinda's commitment to women's rights and gender equality comes as Bill continues to be rocked by claims he behaved inappropriately toward female employees during his time at Microsoft

The affair stayed a secret until 2019 when the employee wrote a letter to the board detailing what had happened and allegedly asking that Melinda read it.

The company opened an investigation into the claims.

While the investigation was still ongoing in March 2020, Bill shocked the business world by announcing he was resigning from his position on the company board.

The same day Bill stood down from the board of Berkshire Hathaway, run by his friend Warren Buffet.

Last week, Buffet announced he was resigning from the board of the Gates Foundation.

Bill's spokeswoman confirmed he had an affair almost 20 years ago with a staff member and that the relationship ended 'amicably.' She denied the affair was connected in any way to his abrupt departure from the board.

Meanwhile, two female Microsoft employees also claimed he asked them out on dates and was known to have pursued several women at the tech giant during his marriage.

The New York Times reported two separate instances where he asked female employees out on dates.

In one case, he is said to have asked out a Microsoft employee in 2006 after watching her make a presentation.

'If this makes you uncomfortable, pretend it never happened,' Gates emailed the employee, according to the Times.

A couple of years later, Bill then asked out an employee with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.

Her wedding ring was notably absent from her left hand, following the Gates' announcement in early May that they are divorcing after 27 years together

Melinda has long pushed gender equality to be a key priority for the Seattle-based Gates Foundation, which donates about $5 billion a year to different causes through its philanthropic work

French businesswoman and politician Elisabeth Moreno (right) listens to Melinda as she announced the pledge Wednesday

The pair were in New York for a work trip, when he told her: 'I want to see you. Will you have dinner with me?'

The woman told the Times the approach made her feel uncomfortable, but she laughed it off.

There was no expectation that the women would suffer professional repercussions for spurning his advances, the Times reported.

It's not clear whether Melinda was aware of her husband's advances on other women.

However, she was aware of and unhappy with the handling of sexual harassment allegations against Michael Larson, one of Bill's key lieutenants and the manager of his personal fortune, the report said.

In 2017, a person wrote to Bill and Melinda to complain that Larson was harassing a female staff member at a bicycle shop part-owned by a venture capital firm Rally Capital, owned by the former married couple.

The woman reached a settlement in 2018, signing a non-disclosure agreement and receiving a payout.

Bill's spokeswoman denied Gates ever mistreated employees in a statement to the Times.

However, Melinda was reportedly unhappy with the outcome and ordered an independent investigation.

According to the New York Times, Larson was placed on leave during the investigation but was reinstated and still looks after Gates' vast fortune.

Bill's friendship with billionaire pedophile Epstein has also increasingly come under the spotlight in recent weeks.

The two men's friendship began in 2011, three years after Epstein had pleaded guilty to soliciting prostitution from a minor.

There is no suggestion that Gates did anything wrong.
The family of a British schoolboy who died from an allergic reaction to dairy in a pasta dish while on holiday in Italy remain haunted by the 'worst day of their lives' six years on.

Cameron Wahid, seven, suffered a severe anaphylactic shock from eating spaghetti made with milk at a restaurant in the town of Ravello on the Amalfi Coast, where he was spending half-term with his family in 2015.

His parents Cassandra and Rizwan Wahid, both 43, warned staff that Cameron could not have any cheese or dairy products.

But the waitress did not understand their request and assured them the pasta Cameron was served was safe.

Cameron Wahid (pictured), seven, suffered a severe anaphylactic shock from eating spaghetti made with milk at a restaurant in the town of Ravello on the Amalfi Coast, where he was spending half-term with his family in 2015

After finishing their meal, the family got back on their tour bus.

It was there that Cameron collapsed and went into shock in front of his parents and younger brother Aidan - before suffering a cardiac arrest in the main square.

Mrs Wahid, who works as a nurse, managed to give her son an EpiPen, but it was too late.

The schoolboy died three days later on October 30, 2015, in a hospital around 35 miles away in Naples.

Now, Cameron's parents are calling for lessons to be learned from his death.

Mr Wahid has started working as an ambassador with Allergy UK, Britain's leading charity providing support to people with allergies.

He said this week: 'Cameron's allergy had always been severe, but we were so careful with him and scrupulous with what he ate.

'Prior to his allergic reaction, we were assured by the waiting staff that the food was safe for him.

'To see him going into anaphylactic shock and suffering like that was undoubtedly the worst experience of our lives.

'He was such a lovely little boy, and always brightened up our days.'

After his tragic death, the family went on to fight a long legal battle against the La Margherita Villa Giuseppina restaurant.

Restaurant boss Ester Di Lascio was found guilty of culpable manslaughter by an Italian court in Salerno in September 2019. She was handed a two-year suspended jail sentence.

Di Lascio did not properly highlight the possible allergic reactions caused by ingredients in dishes on the restaurant's menu, the court found.

The pasta Cameron ate was served with a tomato sauce that had been prepared with milk by chef Luigi Cioffi, who was later cleared of any wrongdoing.

His parents Cassandra and Rizwan Wahid, both 43, warned staff at the Ravello (file image, pictured) restaurant that Cameron could not have any cheese or dairy products

The family from East Grinstead in West Sussex were awarded 288,000 (Euro 325,000) compensation by the court.

Mr Wahid added: 'We feel his death was avoidable and we are still struggling to come to terms with him not being here anymore.

'We know nothing will bring him back, but we want to help stop others from suffering the pain we continue to feel.

'People need to know how serious allergies can be, and we will continue to work in raising much-needed awareness.

'We are grateful that the case is now at an end, and want to thank everyone for all the support we have had.

'For us, everything has been about using the criminal trial process in Italy to ensure that justice was obtained for Cameron, which we have done, as well as to establish facts and ensure lessons are learned so that others don't have to suffer like we have.'

Daniel Matchett, the specialist international serious injury lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the family, said: 'The past few years have been incredibly difficult for Cameron's family, after having to see him die from an allergic reaction which could and should have been prevented.

'Cassandra and Rizwan were always very careful with controlling Cameron's allergies, and losing him has had such a devastating impact on them.

'While they cannot turn back the clock and change what happened, Cassandra and Rizwan want to make people aware that allergies are potentially life-threatening to help ensure that no others go through what they have.'
Hamilton, the once constantly sold-out Broadway show, is receiving $30million in federal aid, with the possibility of getting another $20 million - despite grossing $650 million since it debuted in 2015.

The Broadway hit is receiving the money under the government's Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program, a $16billion federal aid program designed to provide the nation's culture sector and live event businesses with pandemic relief, according to the New York Times.

Under the program, each of the show's five productions - the one on Broadway at the Richard Rodgers Theater as well as four touring productions - were able to apply for $10 million to help make up for lost revenue.

It is set to return to Broadway on September 14.

'Hamilton' has earned about $650 million since it first premiered, starring producer Lin Manuel Miranda as the titular character, in 2015

There were five productions of the show across the country before the pandemic struck last year, each of which were eligible for $10 million grants under the federal government's Shuttered Venue Operators Grant Program

Other shows also applied for the pandemic relief, the New York Times reports, but because Hamilton had the most productions before the pandemic shuttered Broadway, it stands to earn the most money to reimburse expenses that occurred during the pandemic and relieve some of the financial burden of its reopening.

'Remember when Chrysler and GM were about to go bankrupt?' Jeffrey Seller, the show's lead producer, asked the Times, rhetorically.

'In the same way that the federal government came in to bail out auto companies, it's doing the same thing for all of show business with this legislation.

'It's returning us to health and it's protecting the well-being of our employees,' he said.

Lead producer Jeffrey Seller, seen here at the Australian premiere of 'Hamilton' in March, told the New York Times none of the money it receives in federal aid would be used to reimburse expenses that occurred during the pandemic and relieve some of the financial burden of its reopening

He said none of the money would go to the show's producers or investors, and none would be used as royalties for the artists, including Lin Manuel Miranda, the show's creator.

Instead, he told the Times, the money will be used to reimburse the production for pandemic-related expenses, such as health insurance coverage for its employees throughout the pandemic, and, in some cases, housing aid for those who had been employed by the show when Broadway was forced to close last March.

The show also had to spend $784,000 on rent for the Richard Rodgers Theater, and warehouse storage for costumes.

And the show even paid for flights for its cast and crew who had to get home when the production stopped.

Now, Seller said, the production is also facing new expenses as it prepares to re-open on September 14, including one month of rehearsals to get actors, musicians, stagehands and others ready to perform again, as well as longer rehearsals for new cast members.

'Hamilton has spent many millions of dollars during a time in which it was earning no income,' Seller said. 'Our goal is for Hamilton to be in the same financial position it was in when we suspended operations on March 12, 2020.'

'Hamilton' will return to the Richard Rodgers Theater in New York City on September 14. The theater also earned some money from the federal grant program, and continued to charge the production $784,000 during the pandemic, Seller said

Some 13,000 people applied for the grants, seeking a total of $11 billion, and on Monday, the Small Business Administration announced two Broadway landlords were each getting $10 million in federal aid

The Shattered Venue Operator Grant initiative was approved by Congress last year, and is overseen by the Small Business Association.

Some 13,000 people applied for the grants, seeking a total of $11 billion, the Times reports, and on Monday, the administration said that among the groups getting $10 million, were two Broadway landlords - the Nederlander Organization and Jujamcyn Theaters.

Nederlander oversees nine Broadway theaters, including the Richard Rodgers Theater where 'Hamilton' takes place, and Jujamcyn Theaters controls five.

The Roundabout Theater Company, a nonprofit that runs three theaters, also received $10 million, the Times reports, as did David Byrne's Broadway show 'American Utopia.'

Nederlander affiliates in Chicago and Los Angeles, meanwhile, received $10 million each, and three Broadway touring productions also earned grants, including $10 million for 'Fiddler on the Roof,' $9.8 million for 'Waitress' and $9 million for 'The Band's Visit.'

In May, Governor Andrew Cuomo announced that he would permit Broadway to fully reopen its doors in September, in accordance with the state's health and safety guidelines.

'Broadway is at the core of our New York identity, and a big part of our economy which employees countless performers and show creators, and beginning this September, the show will go on,' Cuomo said.

'Visitors from all around the world have come to New York to experience the arts and culture and see iconic performances on Broadway, and sadly, the pandemic put this unique New York experience on pause.

'Thankfully, as we continue to monitor the data and reopen our economy, we are now on track to allow full capacity performances on Broadway to resume beginning this September, bringing back this beloved world-famous attraction.'

Soon after, 'Hamilton' executives announced the show would reopen to the public on September 14, and Sellers said he would require his cast and crew to be vaccinated against the coronavirus before then.

The theater is also requiring patrons to wear masks at all times, according to its website, and sign a COVID waiver.
The headless body of a missing pensioner has been found by a dog walker in Devon woodland two weeks after she vanished from her London home.

Police have launched an investigation into the 'unexplained' death of Mee Kuen Chong, 67, after her body was found in Salcombe on Sunday.

Mee, who is also known as Deborah, was reported missing from her Wembley home on Friday, June 11.

Devon and Cornwall police have described the death as 'unexplained' following the discovery in a wooded area near Bennett Road, Salcombe.

Police said: 'A number of inquiries will be carried out in Salcombe over the coming days, and it is likely that the local community will continue to see a high level of police activity.'

Police have launched an investigation into the 'unexplained' death of Mee Kuen Chong (pictured), 67, after her body was found in Salcombe on Sunday

Police sources said the body had been decapitated.

The police investigation will switch to her London home 220 miles away from where the grey-haired pensioner was found.

One woman staying in a holiday home near the scene, who gave her name only as Diane, said a lot of people were 'frightened' following the discovery.

She said: 'I don't think many people know much about it yet - but it has frightened a lot of people. For Salcombe, something like this is really shocking.

'We've been coming here for years, and it's the kind of place where you can just let your kids wander down to the shops, and feel safe about it.

'And that woodland, you get people walking their dogs there all the time, at any time of day - even when it's dark. It is really frightening.'

Homeowner Chris Allen, 55, who lets out his house on Devon Road to holidaymakers, described the incident as 'macabre', and said there was 'a weird feeling' among people on the street.

One woman staying in a holiday home near the scene, who gave her name only as Diane, said a lot of people were 'frightened' following the discovery. Pictured, the police cordon

He said: 'It just seems really strange that we have been given so little information so far. We all seem to know so little.

'This area is very popular with holidaymakers - we're actually letting out our house next week. So there is definitely a weird feeling about it all.

'It's all just rumours at the moment - but if it's true that the body was found without a head, that's very macabre.

'Police have asked us if we have seen or heard anything suspicious over the last couple of weeks - which implies the body might have been there for a while.

'But if that's the case, it seems strange that it wasn't found sooner - there are so many dog walkers that walk through there every day.'

Mr Allen added: 'We're not even sure who it was that found the body.

'I have spoken to a few people who actually live around here, but you must get around 30 or 40 dog walkers going through that part of the woodland every morning.'

The police investigation will switch to her London home 220 miles away from where the grey-haired pensioner was found. Pictured left and right, Ms Chong

In a social media post on June 15, Brent Metropolitan Police service said: 'Police need your help to locate MEE (DEBORAH) CHONG who has been reported missing from her home address in Wembley. If seen please call 101 ref 21MIS016922.'

The disappearance prompted a social media response from people concerned for her welfare.

Two weeks after the initial police post, Harrow police shared a fresh appeal on June 24, posting: 'Police need your help to find 67 year old Mee Chong who is missing from her home in Wembley.'

The incident has so far been described as an 'unexplained death' and a police source has confirmed the body was found without a head.

A spokesman said: 'Enquiries remain ongoing into an unexplained death after a body was found in a wooded area near Bennett Road, Salcombe, on Sunday June 27.

'A number of enquiries will be carried out in Salcombe over the coming days, and it is likely that the local community will continue to see a high level of police activity.

The incident has so far been described as an 'unexplained death' and a police source has confirmed that the body was found without a head. Pictured, the scene

'We thank them for their support and if anyone has any information please email 101@dc.police.uk or call 101, quoting reference number 0700 of Sunday 27 June.'

Det Supt Ben Deer said: 'The investigation is ongoing at the scene. It's being treated as unexplained at this time and we remain open minded.'

He said police do not know when she died, her movements between June 10 and when she was found on June 27 - or the circumstances leading up to her death.

He said: 'We are looking to understand her movements between June 10 and June 27 when she was found.

'We would appeal for witnesses and we would look for anyone to come forward with information quoting crime reference number 700 on June 27th by ringing 101 or contacting us on Crimestoppers.'
The killers of The Only Way Is Essex star Lauren Goodger's ex-boyfriend's brother are linked to gangs in London, cops have revealed.

Officers say the answers to the unsolved murder lie 'within certain groups of people in London' and have offered a 10,000 reward for information from independent charity Crimestoppers.

The revelations come one year after Stephen Morrison, 30, was stabbed in a carpark in leafy Epping, Essex.

The killers of The Only Way Is Essex star Lauren Goodger's ex-boyfriend's brother Stephen Morrison are linked to gangs in London, cops have revealed

Stephen's brother, Joey Morrison, is an ex-boyfriend of The Only Way Is Essex star Lauren Goodger (pictured, with Joey)

Stephen, the brother of Goodger's ex Joey, managed to drive from the scene towards a nearby Shell garage where he collapsed in the forecourt

The brother of Goodger's ex Joey managed to drive from the scene towards a nearby Shell garage where he collapsed in the forecourt.

Tragically the dad died in hospital after the attack which unfolded shortly before 8pm on Tuesday, June 23, 2020.

Now, a year after his death, Stephen's family has issued an emotional appeal urging anyone with information to come forward.

Stephen's mum, Lorraine Morrisson, said: 'There must be someone out there who knows what happened to Stephen that day and we are asking them to please help us.

'He was always so bubbly and I always say he just breezes in like a tornado - he was that lively. He always saw the bright side of life.'

'Stephen didn't deserve to die; he had so much more to offer.

'He's not going to see all the milestones in his son's life; he's not going to see him leave school - he's not going to see him get married, go to college, go to university and he's not going to see his son become a father - and that matters. And Stephen mattered.

'It's a very, very big loss for us and we just miss him so much.'

Charlotte Morrisson, Stephen's sister, added: 'He was always there for me. Having four brothers, he was the one who always looked after me. It's not until after he's gone that you realise how happy he was.

'It's been hard, I try and keep strong for everyone else.'

Forensic markers are placed on the garage forecourt, as a murder investigation into Stephen Morrisson's death continues

A water bottle and discarded medical equipment appears to have been left by the incident

The Shell petrol station on Wake Arms Roundabout, in Epping, Essex, where Stephen Morrisson was stabbed to death on June 23, 2020

Julie Gowen, of Essex Police said: 'I believe the answers to Stephen's murder lie within certain groups of people in London.

'These people - and the people around them - know exactly what happened on that day. They know who killed Stephen.

'Over time, loyalties change, ties are broken and people make mistakes - that will happen and, due to the focus we have on this case, we will not miss anything and we will leave no stone unturned.'

She added: 'We have now secured a 10,000 reward from Crimestoppers. That means that you can give information anonymously if you want to.

'The information you have, no matter how small or insignificant you think it is, could be the key to our investigation

'So I am asking the people who know what happened to please come forward and give Stephen's family justice.'

Essex police have arrested 14 people in connection with his death, nine are still under investigation and five have been told they face no further action.

Following his death the victim's other brother - the rapper Jon Morrisson, 33 (pictured) paid tribute to his sibling after his death in June 2020

A tribute from older brother Jon read: 'Rest in peace my brother my friend my twin stevo I'm gonna miss you bro'

Following his death the victim's other brother - the rapper Jon Morrisson, 33 - posted on Instagram: 'Rest in peace my brother my friend my twin Stevo I'm gonna miss you bro.'

His other brother, Joey Morrison, is an ex-boyfriend of The Only Way Is Essex star Lauren Goodger.

The pair split after two years with Goodger entering a relationship with Joey while he was in jail in 2016.
The director of Victoria and Albert Museum's (V&A) East Bank site has said he wants to foster the next generation of Alexander McQueens with the new project.

Gus Casely-Hayford also said the ambition of V&A East is to champion diversity, the local community, and young people.

The project is creating two interconnected sites in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, east London - a brand new museum at Stratford Waterfront and a collection and research centre at Here East.

Mr Casely-Hayford said: 'We are shaping a new creative campus and social space, and by working closely in partnership with our local communities, will highlight the cultural dynamism, youth and creativity of east London.

Director of Victoria and Albert Museum's (V&A) East Bank site Gus Casely-Hayford said the ambition of V&A East is to champion diversity, the local community, and young people

'We want to amplify the role museums play as a platform for discovery, hope and conversation in our rapidly changing world, to help foster the next generation of Alexander McQueens.'

The project has consulted with more than 20,000 local people and they have appointed design collective Resolve as the first Youth Workers in Residence, and they will run workshops with local young people to better understand their relationship with the area.

They have also launched the V&A East Youth Collective Programme, a six-month paid advisory opportunity for east Londoners aged 16-25 to help directly shape the new institution.

The project's first acquisitions include a monumental portrait by artist Kehinde Wiley of east Londoner Melissa Thompson; the Daria gown by fashion designer Molly Goddard, who has created outfits for Beyonce and Jodie Comer's character Villanelle in Killing Eve; and a ceramic vessel by Nigerian-born and London-raised artist Ranti Bam.

The project is creating two interconnected sites in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, east London - a brand new museum at Stratford Waterfront and a collection and research centre at Here East (pictured: Mr Casely-Hayford with an artwork newly acquired 'Portrait of Melissa Thompson' by Kehinde Wiley)

Tim Reeve, the V&A's deputy director and chief operating officer, said the 'catastrophic impact' of Covid-19 has 'made this project more urgent as a driver for cultural tourism, economic recovery, creative opportunity and as a major new creative resource for east London and the UK'.

He added: 'Despite the challenges of Covid-19, construction is well under way on both V&A East sites, with the assembly of the steel frame at V&A East Museum, and the formation of the unique public spaces at V&A East Storehouse.

'Together, they will open up the national collections in ways never possible before, enabling us to reach new audiences in one of the most creative and culturally diverse parts of the UK.'

The original V&A was established in South Kensington in 1852 and is deemed the world's leading museum of art and design.

They have also launched the V&A East Youth Collective Programme, a six-month paid advisory opportunity for east Londoners aged 16-25 to help directly shape the new institution

The new V&A East Storehouse, which plans to open at Here East in 2024, will provide an immersive visitor experience and rehome 250,000 objects and 1,000 archives from the V&A's 2.3 million collection.

A 10-minute walk away at Stratford Waterfront, a five-storey museum will showcase current leading artists, designers and performers and provide a space for exhibitions, festivals, immersive installations and live performances.

The Here East design is led by New York-based practice Diller Scofidio + Renfro while the Stratford Waterfront has been designed by Dublin-based architects O'Donnell + Tuomey.

Designer McQueen, who became a major figure in the fashion industry and UK culture, took his own life in 2010.
The parents of a ten-week-old girl who died from a serious head injury have today appeared at the Old Bailey charged with her murder.

Lily-Mai Hurrell Saint George was found unresponsive at a flat in Haringey, north London, with 19 rib fractures, a broken leg and severe bruising in January 2017.

She died two days later at Great Ormond Street Hospital on February 2, 2018.

Lauren Saint George and Darren Hurrell, both 24, today appeared at the Old Bailey via video link from Highbury Corner Magistrates Court.

Lily-Mai Hurrell Saint George was found unresponsive at a flat in Haringey, north London, with 19 rib fractures, a broken leg and severe bruising in January 2017. She died at Great Ormond Street Hospital on February 2, 2018

They are both charged with murder and causing death by neglect, but did not enter any pleas.

Lily-Mai was born prematurely and spent the first two months of her life in Barnet Hospital, before she was discharged into her parents care on January 25, 2018.

Saint George, of Enfield in north London, and Hurrell, of Alvaston in Derby, spoke only to confirm their identities.

They were released on conditional bail, with a plea hearing listed for September 29.
Allen Weisselberg cut an awkward figure as a guest judge on his boss's reality television show.

It was a rare public appearance for a senior Trump Organization executive more used to signing checks in the background than discussing pet massages with Donald Trump in the second season of The Apprentice, when two teams were tasked with running dog grooming businesses.

'That was your 15 minutes of fame,' said his old college friend Marty Weinbaum an accountant in Florida, according to a 2016 profile in the Wall Street Journal.

Neither of them realized that 17 years after the TV appearance Weisselberg would emerge as the key to a three-year investigation of the Trump Organization and its executives.

The Trump Organization's chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg (left) appeared in episode seven of the second season of The Apprentice. On Thursday he is expected to become the first executive charged in the New York District Attorney's long-running investigation into the company and could hold the key to whether the former president himself will face charges

Prosecutors are believed to have been probing company perks in an effort to 'flip' Weisselberg into giving evidence against his boss. But on Tuesday, the 73-year-old was spotted in his Mercedes driving to work at Trump Tower as usual

Weisselberg started at the family business in 1973 looking after the books for Trump's father Fred. 'He plays an integral part in the Trump Organizations growth and continued financial success,' said Ivanka Trump in 2016

Prosecutors have been spent months investigating whether Weisselberg and other employees illegally avoided paying taxes on company perks, including everything from private school tuition to cars and apartments.

Their strategy appeared to be to 'flip' Weisselberg, turning him into a witness against his boss, the former president.

Cars, apartments at school tuition: The perks at the center of New York prosecutors' investigation of the Trump Organization Charges against the Trump Organization and one of its most senior executives are expected on Thursday. The Manhattan district attorney has spent months investigating whether chief financial officer Allen Weisselberg avoided paying taxes on company perks. Some of the details are believed to have emerged from documents saved by his daughter-in-law Jennifer Weisselberg after an acrimonious divorce from his son Barry. The perks reportedly include: Some $500,000 paid to Columbia Grammar & Preparatory School for two of Weisselberg's grandchildren An apartment in an Upper East Side townhouse, used by Weisselberg's son and daughter-in-law during their divorce A rent-free apartment in the Trump property at 100 Central Park South, worth hundreds of thousands of dollars, where they lived before that Prosecutors are also scrutinizing whether taxes were properly paid on cars leased through the Trump Organization Other members have staff have said they were given tickets to the U.S. Open at Flushing Meadow each year Advertisement

But this week he was spotted climbing into his car and driving to company HQ at Trump Tower, suggesting he remained the loyal employee he has been for decades.

That career began in 1973 when the recent graduate of Pace University began doing the books for Trump's father Fred.

As he rose through the ranks to become one of Trump's most trusted lieutenants his life gradually became more entwined with the Trump Organization, living in one of his boss's properties and finding a job for his son within the company.

His list of roles illustrates how Trump put him at the center of key initiatives or parachuted him into troubled ventures.

In 2000, he was named chief financial officer and vice president of Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts in Atlantic City, New Jersey, after an accounting scandal.

And he was put on the board of the Miss Universe Organization, one of Trump's pet projects.

Insiders described him as essential to the running of the company.

'He plays an integral part in the Trump Organizations growth and continued financial success,' said Ivanka Trump in a statement for a Wall Street Journal profile before the 2016 election.

'He is deeply passionate, fiercely loyal and has stood alongside my father and our family for over [three] decades.'

A year earlier, he offered a revealing insight as he was quizzed by a lawyer representing students who claimed they were defrauded by Trump University, who described him as 'Mr. Trump's eyes and ears for his investments.'

He replied: Am I his eyes and ears? From an economic standpoint.'

So close did he become that when trump stepped aside to become president he entrusted Weisselberg with running the company alongside his sons.

Much of his life by then had already become entwined with the Trump Organization.

He and his wife moved in a Trump-branded property after raising their family.

And his son Barry has worked for the Trump Organization for the past 21 years as manager of Central Park's Wollman ice-skating rink.

His comfortable role in the shadows - with the exception of that Apprentice cameo - came to an end in February 2019 when he was publicly named during a hearing on hush money payments made to porn star Stormy Daniels, who claimed to have had an affair with Trump.

When Trump stepped aside from his company to become president, he entrusted his chief financial officer with running the Trump Organization alongside his sons

Former President Donald Trump was seen at his New York Trump Tower building on Tuesday afternoon, amid reports that prosecutors in New York were preparing potential charges against executives or the Trump Organization

Allen Weisselberg's wife Hillary leaves their New York home and walks to a nearby market. She made no comment when asked about how she feels that her husband is likely to be indicted.

As he gave evidence about the arrangements, Michael Cohen, Trump's fix it man, told Congress that he did not work alone in arranging the payments.

Instead he claimed Weisselberg had helped devise a strategy to mask payments to Cohen as he was reimbursed for the pay-off.

'Allen Weisselberg made the decision that it should be paid over the 12 months so that it would look like a retainer,' he said.

He offered a copy of a $35,000 check, signed by Weisselberg and Donald Trump Jr. as evidence.

As company chief financial officer and the signatures on checks - Trump confidant Corey Lewandowski said he 'knows of every dime that leaves the building' it in a book he coauthored 'Let Trump Be Trump' - he would be an important witness under any circumstances.

But it was his son's acrimonious divorce that ultimately put him in the crosshairs of investigators.

In April, they took possession of documents from the apartment of Jennifer Weisselberg, his former daughter-in-law.

She had previously described how she kept boxes of financial records from her divorce. And witnesses on that April day said she wheeled a valet cart with boxes and a laptop computer to to a black Jeep with tinted windows waiting outside her apartment.

They are believed to include information about apartments and tuition paid for by the Trump Organization for the couple's two children, as investigators probe whether the perks were properly declared for tax purposes.

'For me, when the government calls you, it's your civic duty and there's nothing wrong with telling the truth. It wasn't really a choice; they called me,' she told CNN.

'I'm happy to be as honest and transparent and just be forthcoming because I don't have anything to hide.'
Donald Trump on Wednesday called on Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley to resign so he can be replaced by 'someone actually willing to defend our military'.

The president said Milley's greatest fear is 'upsetting the woke mob' and slammed him for 'begging me not to send in the military' when 'Black Lives Matters rioters were threatening to destroy Washington D.C.'.

Trump also attacked him for 'making up' a story that Milley yelled at him in the Situation Room when he asked him to take charge of dealing with the protesters.

In his statement on Wednesday, Trump said: 'Gen. Mark Milleys greatest fear is upsetting the woke mob.

'When Black Lives Matter rioters were threatening to destroy Washington, D.C., he practically begged me not to send in the military to stop the riots.

Donald Trump on Wednesday called on Joint Chiefs Chairman Mark Milley (right) to resign so he can be replaced by 'someone actually willing to defend our military'

'Milley later issued an embarrassing and groveling apology for walking at my side to St. Johns Church, which far-left rioters almost burned to the ground the day before.

'Instead of denouncing the rioters, he denounced himselfa humiliation for our Military. A year later even the Fake News had to admit that their Lafayette Square narrative was a giant lie. Milley, once again, looked like a fool.

'To further ingratiate himself with Biden, progressive Media, and the Radical Left, Milley went to Congress and actually defended Critical Race Theory being shoved down the throats of our soldiers.

'This Marxist, racist anti-American propaganda has no place in our MilitaryI banned these training programs, now Biden and the Pentagon have resumed them. As soon as possible, Congress must defund this racist indoctrination.

'Gen. Milley ought to resign, and be replaced with someone who is actually willing to defend our Military from the Leftist Radicals who hate our Country and our Flag.'

On Monday, an excerpt from Michael Bender's new book Frankly, We Did Win This Election: The Inside Story of How Trump Lost, claimed that Trump and Milley got into an obscenity-laden row during the BLM protests last summer.

'I said you're in f***ing charge!' Trump yelled at Milley when he asked the military to step in.

'Well, I'm not in charge!' Milley shouted back, according to Bender, further stoking Trump's fury.

'You can't f***ing talk to me like that!' Trump responded.

The president said Milley's greatest fear is 'upsetting the woke mob' and slammed him for 'begging me not to send in the military' when 'Black Lives Matters rioters were threatening to destroy Washington D.C.'

Milley hit back against growing criticism over teaching critical race theory in the military and said recruits should be 'open-minded and be widely read' during a hearing on the Defense Department's 2022 budget

That led to pronouncements about the legal role of the military in domestic affairs at a time when protesters were breaking out throughout U.S. cities, sometimes clashing with law enforcement.

''Goddamnit. There's a room full of lawyers here. Will someone inform him of my legal responsibilities?' Milley said  in comments he made to others, according to Bender.

'He's right, Mr. President,' Barr injected. 'The general is right.'

Trump ramped up his criticism of Milley following an interview Friday morning when he called him pathetic.

'They didn't talk that way when I was around, I can tell you. They didn't talk that way or I would have gotten rid of them in two minutes. In particular Navy and Milley, just sad, pathetic statements,' the former president continued.

Milley, Navy Secretary Thomas Harker and Naval Operations Chief Admiral Michael Gilday testified this week regarding the fiscal year 2022 budget for the Department of Defense.

Trump announced he would nominate Milley to take the United States' top military office in December 2019, he was confirmed in July 2019 and sworn in September 30, 2019.

Joint Chiefs served for four years, meaning Milley will remain in his post until September 30, 2023, a few months before the end of Biden's third year as president.

Milley, during a House Armed Services Committee hearing on the budget Wednesday hit back against growing criticism over the military teaching critical race theory.

He said recruits should be 'open-minded and be widely read.'

General Milley was grilled by Republican Congressmen who claim the U.S. military is becoming more 'woke' as military institutions like the U.S. Military Academy adopt the teaching of critical race theory.

Embattled Florida Representative Matt Gaetz asked Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, who is black, during the hearing Wednesday about his thoughts on the military teaching critical race theory, but Milley insisted that he also respond to the question.

Democratic Representative Chrissy Houlahan later yielded some of her time to allow Milley to respond.

He did not endorse critical race theory but strongly condemned those who say it shouldn't be taught.

'What is wrong with understanding - having some situational understanding - about the country for which we are here to defend?' Milley asked before the House of Representatives Armed Services Committee.

'And I personally find it offensive that we are accusing the United States military, our general officers, our commissioned and noncommissioned officers, of being, 'woke' or something else, because we're studying some theories that are out there.'

Tucker Carlson calls Mark Milley a 'stupid pig' who 'knows who to suck up to' for defending critical race theory Fox News host Tucker Carlson has leveled harsh criticism at General Mark Milley, calling the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff 'stupid' and 'a pig' after he staunchly defended teaching critical race theory to military officers. In his opening monologue on Thursday night, Carlson responded to Milley's testimony in Congress this week, where Republican lawmakers grilled him over claims the US military is becoming too 'woke'. 'He got the job because he is obsequious,' Carlson said of Milley. 'He knows who to suck up to and he's more than happy to do it. Feed him a script and he will read it.' Milley said in his testimony: 'I do think it's important for those of us in uniform to be open-minded and be widely read. I want to understand "white rage" and I am white. I want to understand it. What is it that caused thousands of people to assault this building and try to overturn the Constitution of the United States of America?' Carlson raged in response: 'Hard to believe that man wears a uniform. He's that unimpressive. What is white rage? It's one of those diseases that only affects people with certain melanin levels.' 'It is a race-specific illness. That is what Mark Milley learned from reading about it, that's why he's making the soldiers read about it too. They need to know!' Carlson added. The conservative pundit went on to play an additional clip of Milley's testimony, in which he said: 'I've read Karl Marx, I've read Lenin, that doesn't make me me a communist. What is wrong with having some situational understanding of the country which we are here to defend? It's offensive that we are accusing our military, our general officers, our noncommissioned officers who are coming up, of being "Woke."' 'He's not just a pig, he's stupid,' said Carlson, laughing. 'He reads communists to understand communism, but it's interesting he doesn't read white supremacists to understand white supremacy. Why not go to the source?' 'Because Mark Milley would be fired instantly if he read those books. And getting fired is the one thing he doesn't want. So he reads about white rage as if it's totally real. It's a medical condition. And by the way, since it's a medical condition, at what age can you catch white rage?' added Carlson. 'Thanks Mark Milley, we appreciate your contribution to our generation's scientific racism. By the way, have you read anything recently about winning wars? Apparently not,' he continued. Carlson's remarks drew strong backlash from Democrats and liberal pundits, with CNN host Brianna Keilar firing back: 'he pretends white rage doesnt exist. He is white rage!' Advertisement

At this, Gaetz could be seen from his chair shaking his head and appearing to scoff in disapproval at Milley's defense.

'I want to understand white rage, and I'm white and I want to understand it,' Milley said.

Fox News host Tucker Carlson tore into Milley, calling the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff is 'stupid' and 'a pig'.

In his opening monologue Thursday night, Carlson responded to Milley's testimony in Congress this week by saying: 'He got the job because he is obsequious. He knows who to suck up to and he's more than happy to do it. Feed him a script and he will read it.'

'Hard to believe that man wears a uniform. He's that unimpressive. What is white rage? It's one of those diseases that only affects people with certain melanin levels.,' Carlson continued in his angry rant.

'It is a race-specific illness,' he continued. 'That is what Mark Milley learned from reading about it, that's why he's making the soldiers read about it too. They need to know!'

The general stressed during the hearing Wednesday the need for greater understanding of the driving forces behind the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by Trump's supporters, which included white supremacists groups, who tried to stop Congress from certifying Joe Biden's election win.

'What is it that caused thousands of people to assault this building and try to overturn the Constitution of the United States of America? What caused that? I want to find that out. I want to maintain an open mind here,' Milley said.

Milley's response came after a Republican congressman, Michael Waltz  a former Army Green Beret  produced a letter from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point acknowledging teaching about critical race theory.

The theory maintains that racism is ingrained in U.S. law and institutions and that legacies of slavery and segregation have created an uneven playing field for black Americans.

Controversy surrounding the theory has mushroomed into a national debate over how - and which version of - U.S. history is taught in schools.

'This came to me from cadets, from families, from soldiers, with their alarm, with their concern, about how divisive this teaching is,' Waltz said, adding it was rooted in Marxism.

Milley tried to respond to Waltz directly but only got the opportunity later, when a Democratic lawmaker gave him a chance.

He noted that university graduates should be aware of all kinds of theories and that just because he read about Marxism didn't make him a Communist.

'I've read Mao Zedong. I've read Karl Marx. I've read Lenin. That doesn't make me a communist, he told the lawmakers.

'I do think it's important, actually, for those of us in uniform to be open-minded and be widely read,' Milley said.

Milley's comments came a week after 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.

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.

At the hearing, which was ostensibly on the Navy's budget, 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.

'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.

Admiral Mike Gilday, the chief of Naval operations, stood his ground last Tuesday's House Armed Services Committee hearing on Capitol Hill when he was questioned on his inclusion of the controversial book How To Be An Antiracist on a recommended reading list for sailors

'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.

The 2019 book is popular with proponents of critical race theory

'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.'

Last month, Republican Senator reignited the attack against the 'woke' military by sharing a 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 Texas senator triggered online fury after questioning the role of what he called an 'emasculated military' and comparing it with a video that appeared to show a rugged, shaven-headed Russian recruit parachuting into combat.

'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 himself from accusations that he was unloading on serving U.S. troops.

'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.'

His comments highlight fears America's armed forces are being softened by 'woke' principles and follows similar criticism of a CIA advert.

The latest controversy features an American video telling the story of Cpl. Emma Malonelord, a serving soldier who describes how she came to choose a life in the military.

The colorful, animated recruiting video describ es how she defended freedom by attending LGBTQ marches and grew up to join the U.S. Army.

It achieved notoriety when Cruz tweeted out a TikTok clip, that opened with the Russian soldier leaping out of a plane before cutting to the animated story of Malonelord.

'Holy crap,' he wrote in a tweet.

'Perhaps a woke, emasculated military is not the best idea....'

Cruz's words quickly went viral, unleashing an angry torrent of accusations that he was trolling his own country's American armed forces and had been suckered by an adversary's propaganda.

And veterans expressed fury that he could criticise the Army and target a real-life serving soldier.
For the second year in a row, Los Alamos County, New Mexico - famed as the birthplace of the atomic bomb - tops the list as the healthiest community in the nation.

The small New Mexico county was crowned the healthiest community by U.S. News and World, which assessed nearly 3,000 county and county equivalents in 84 metrics across 10 key categories, including population health, public safety, equity, food and nutrition, and infrastructure for it's Healthiest Communities project

The project is meant to explores how communities across the country are working to improve the health of their residents, and provides residents and policymakers data that can lead to better health outcomes.

U.S. News collaborated with the University of Missouri Extension Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems (CARES)  a research institution skilled in understanding natural resource systems, public health risks and community health assessment  to collect and analyze data and county-level data were collected from well-recognized and validated sources including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Census Bureau, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Below are the Healthiest Communities Ranking of 2021:

1. Los Alamos, New Mexico

Los Alamos, New Mexico sits in proximity to federal lands including the Valles Caldera National Preserve

Los Alamos is most famous for being the birthplace of the atomic bomb during World War II

With a population of just over 12,000 people and located on a plateau in the mountains, Los Alamos County is among the smallest counties by area in New Mexico.

The town is most famous for being the birthplace of the atomic bomb. J. Robert Oppenheimer developed the bomb at the Los Alamos National Laboratory (LANL) as part of Project Y during World War II.

The county sits in proximity to federal lands including the Valles Caldera National Preserve.

Listed as an urban, high-performing economy community, Los Alamos got an overall score of 100 and performed best in housing, population health and infrastructure.

Residents of Los Alamos have an 83.4 year life expectancy, compared to the national median of 77.5 and an 89 percent high school graduation rate, just about matching the national median of 89.3%

The median household income in Los Alamos is $121,324, well above the national median of $51,758.

2. Douglas County, Colorado

Located between Denver and Colorado Springs, Douglas County is part of the Denver-Aurora-Lakewood, Colorado, metropolitan statistical area. The county of 351,154 people contains multiple state and regional parks, including the 4,000- acre Roxborough State Park.

Listed as an urban, high-performing economy community, Douglas County got an overall score of 98.6 and performed best in economy, infrastructure, and population health.

66.3% of the population has an advanced degree, compared to the national median on 29.8% and the county has a 2.3% unemployment rate, compared to the national median of 3.7%

100% of the county population has access to broadband, compared to the national median of 92.4%

3. Falls Church City, Virginia

With a population of 14,617 Falls Church City is located less than 10 miles from the White House and witnessed many of the nation's most historic moments, including the reading of a copy of the Declaration of Independence from the steps of The Falls Church, the citys namesake, in 1776.

Falls Church broke off from Fairfax County to become an independent city in 1948, enjoying county-level status under state law.

Listed as an urban, high-performing economy community, Falls Church earned an overall score of 95.0 and performed best in population health, education and economy.

Only 4% of the economy is without health insurance, compared to the national median of 10.6% and has a 3.2% poverty rate compared to the national median of 14.2%

4. Loudoun County, Virginia

Loudon County is situated in the states northern corridor where Virginia meets West Virginia and Maryland

Once a largely agrarian community, the 516 square-mile county is now one of Virginias wealthiest and most populous counties.

Loudon County is situated in the states northern corridor where Virginia meets West Virginia and Maryland.

Listed as an urban, high performing economy community, Loudoun County got an overall score of 93.7 and performed best in economy, population health and education.

Only 6.9% of the population has no health insurance, compared to the national median of 10.6% and the per-pupil expenditures totaled $17,349 compared to the national median of $12,523

5. Broomfield County, Colorado

Located between Denver and Boulder in central Colorado, Broomfield County has a total population of 70,465

Located between Denver and Boulder in central Colorado, the city and county of Broomfield has dozens of parks, more than 250 miles of walking and biking trails, and thousands of acres of open space, according to usnews.com

The 33 square-mile county has a total population of 70,465.

Listed as urban, high performing economy community, Broomfield County got an overall score of 92.6 and performed best in infrastructure, economy and population health.

7.3% of workers commute 60 minutes or more compared to the national median of 6.8% and the county has a 12.5% smoking rate compared to the national median of 21.1%

6. San Miguel County, Colorado

San Miguel County is named for the river of the same name and has a population of 8,179.

Listed as a rural, high performing economy, the county got an overall score of 89.2 and performed best in food and nutrition and environment infrastructure.

The life expectancy in San Miguel County was 104.7 years, compared to the national median on 77.5 years and the voter participation rate was 83.8% compared to the national median of 66%

7. Pitkin County, Colorado

With a population of 17,767

Pitkin County is listed as a rural, high performing economy community with an overall score of 88.2 and performed best in environment, population health and infrastructure.

4.7% of workers commute 60 minutes or more compared to the national median of 6.8% and 11.7% of the population has no health insurance compared to the national median of 10.6%

8. Howard County, Maryland

Howard County is listed as a urban, high-performing economy community with an overall score of 88.09 and performed best in economy, education and population health

Population of 325,690

Howard County is listed as a urban, high-performing economy community with an overall score of 88.09 and performed best in economy, education and population health

Howard county has a 92% high school graduation rate compared to the national median of 89.3% and resident have an 83.4 year life expectancy compared to the national median of 77.5 years.

9. Morgan County, Utah

Population of 12,124

Morgan County is listed as a rural, high-performing economy community with an overall score of 88.06 and performed best in equity, population health and community vitality.

The county has 7.4% diabetes prevalence compared to the national median of 10.5%

10. Routt County, Colorado

Population of 25,638

Routt County is listed as a rural, high-performing economy community with an overall score of 87.6 and performed best in infrastructure, environment and population health.

The median household income is $77,443 compared to the national median of $51,758

11. Carver County, Minnesota

Carver County, bordered on the south by the Minnesota River Valley and near the Twin Cities, offers residents access to both the states urban center and plentiful natural amenities and has a population of 105,089

Carver County is listed as an urban, high-performing economy community with and overall score of 87.5 and performed best in economy, education, population health

The county has 28.3% obesity prevalence compared to the national median of 35.5%

12. Sublette County, Wyoming

Population of 9,831

Sublette County is listed as a rural, high-performing economy and got an overall score of 86.3 and performed best in environment, equity, public safety.

The county has a 96.6% high school graduation rate compared to the national median of 89.3%

13. Teton County, Wyoming

Home to Jackson Hole, and Grand Teton National Park, Teton County has a population of 23,464

Teton County is listed as a rural, high-performing economy community with an overall score of 86.1 and performed best in environment, infrastructure and public health.

The life expectancy in the county is 89.5 years compared to the national median od 77.5 years.

14. Fairfax County, Virginia



Formed in 1742, the county is home to President George Washingtons plantation house, Mount Vernon, the most visited historic estate in the country and has a population of 1.1 million

Fairfax County is listed as an urban, high-performing economy community and got an overall score of 86.06 and performed best in population health, economy and infrastructure.

The county has 81.7% voter participation compared to the national median of 66%

15. Hunterdon County, New Jersey

Population of 124,371

Hunterdon County is listed as an urban, high-performing economy community that got an overall score of 86.01 and performed best in education, economy and population health.

The county has 28% obesity prevalence compared to the national median of 35.5%

16. Hamilton County, Indiana

Population of 338,011

Hamilton County is listed as an urban, high-performing economy community that got a score of 85.6 and performed best in economy, infrastructure and population health.

The county has a 4.6% poverty rate compared to the national median of 14.2%

17. Delaware County, Ohio

Population of 209,177

Delaware County is listed as an urban, high-performing economy community with an overall score of 85.2 and performed best in economy, education and population health.

The county has a median household income of $106,908 compared to the national median of $51, 908

18. Sioux County, Iowa

Population of 34,855

Sioux County is listed as a rural, high-performing economy community that got an overall score of 85.1 and performed best in infrastructure, population health and equity.

6.6% of the county population have no health insurance compared to the national average of 10.6%

19. Ozaukee County, Wisconsin

With a population of 89,221, Ozaukee, or 'people living at the mouth of a river' gets its name from Native Americans who lived in the region before the first white settlers arrived in the mid-1800s.

Ozaukee County is listed as an urban, high-performing economy community that performed best in population health, infrastructure and economy.

The county has a 6.6% diabetes prevalence compared to the national median of 10.5%

20. Morris County, New Jersey

Morris County, New Jersey is located 30 miles northwest of New York, with a population of 41,845

Located 30 miles northwest of New York and has a population of 41,845.

Morris County is listed as an urban, high-performing economy community with an overall score of 84.7 and performed best in education, economy and population health.

The county has a 94% high school graduation rate compared to the national median of 89.3%

21. San Juan County, Washington

Population of 17,582

San Juan County is listed as a rural, high-performing economy community that got an overall score of 84.5 and performed best in food and nutrition, community vitality and population health.

The county has an 11.6% smoking rate compared to the national median of 21.1%

22. Dallas County, Iowa

Population of 93,453

Dallas County is listed as an urban, high-performing economy community that got an overall score of 83.9 and performed best in infrastructure, economy and education.

The county has a 5.2% poverty rate compared to the national median of 14.2%

23. Nantucket County, Massachusetts

Nantucket County, which was once one of the nations major whaling ports, now thrives on tourism, with its population swelling in the summer and has a population of 11,399

Nantucket County is listed as a rural, high-performing economy community that got an overall score of 83.87 and performed best in population health, public safety and education.

The county has a 70.5% home ownership rate compared to the national median of 72.9%

24. Elbert County, Colorado

Population of 26,729

Elbert County is listed as a rural, high-performing economy community that got an overall score of 83.5 and performed best in community vitality, equity and economy.

The county has a 2.1% unemployment rate compared to the national median of 3.7%

25. Dukes County, Massachusetts

Comprised of 11 islands off the Massachusetts coast and within sight of Cape Cod, the overwhelming majority of Dukes County residents live on the largest island, Marthas Vineyard and has a population of 17,332.

Dukes County is listed as an urban, high-performing economy community that got an overall score of 83.49 and performed best in education, infrastructure, and community vitality.

51.4% of the population has an advanced degree compared to the national median of 29.8%
Fast food franchises are doling out bigger bucks as they continue to battle with the government handouts to recruit workers.

The combination of state and federal unemployment benefits have made it more attractive for some to stay on the sidelines during the pandemic, though the federal benefits are beginning to expire around the country.

Until then, fast food franchises are pulling out of all of the stops to push a hiring frenzy in the industry.

Axios reports that one McDonald's in Arlington, Virginia, is offering a $500 sign-on bonus for new employees.

Wendy's is offering $100 signing and referral bonuses to new hires, in addition to same-day pay.

Chipotle is increasing the pay of restaurant workers to an average of $15 an hour.

In Ohio, White Castle has started to boost hourly pay from $11.50 to $15, according to The Columbus Dispatch.

Federal unemployment benefits are supposed to end by Labor Day across the country, but in some states, they're ending early.

CBS New York reports that Maryland and Tennessee are among the states set to see them expire next, on July 3.

Wendy's is among the fast food chains offering new benefits to get employees in the door

Some employers (such as this fast food chain) are offering same-day or next-day pay

A hiring sign is seen in front of a McDonald's branch, as many restaurant businesses face staffing shortages

'Everybody is trying to figure out what they need to do to get people in the door,' president of Employment Solutions Columbus Charlie Carter said.

The changes come as the hospitality industry is currently facing a severe labor shortage.

In April, there were 349,000 job openings in the food-services industry according to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics leading some restaurants to raise their wages in an effort to attract workers.

In March 2019, the average weekly payment to an unemployed person was $348 when combining federal and state unemployment payments. That nearly tripled to $938 in April 2020. Now they're still $638 -a-week - $300 more than they were before. It means, someone who was working 40 hours a week before the pandemic now gets nearly $16-an-hour to do nothing at home, which is more than double the federal minimum wage of $7.25

Meanwhile, the unemployment rate sat at 5.8 percent in May - well above the 3.5 percent achieved by Donald Trump at the height of his presidency, just before COVID hit.

McDonalds said recently that it wanted to hire 10,000 employees at company-owned restaurants and would raise pay at their locations.

Entry-level employees would earn at least $11 to $17 after the increases while supervisors would earn an hourly minimum of $15 to $20.

Non-managerial employees at company-owned stores earlier this year earned an average of nearly $12 an hour with supervisors earning $16 to $18 an hour.

Part of the reason for the ongoing labor crisis is because of the ongoing COVID-related unemployment benefits being offered by many US states - some of which pay considerably more than an entry-level job would.

Nearly 15 million people claimed some form of unemployment insurance benefits in late May, up from about 2 million before the pandemic.

In eight states, the unemployed can earn at least $600 per week in benefits. Massachusetts offers the most generous benefits

Massachusetts and Washington are the most generous states, offering those on unemployment benefits up to $850-a-week, although those handouts will end in September as the economic recovery gathers pace.

In March 2019, the average weekly payment to an unemployed person was $348 when combining federal and state unemployment payments.

That nearly tripled to $938 in April 2020, when Trump passed CARES - a temporary economic plan that boosted weekly unemployment payments by $600 and also gave employed people one-off stimulus checks. It expired in last summer.

The number of Americans applying for new jobless aid rose 37,000 to 412,000 two weeks ago for the first time in two months, the Labor Department said

Now, the average weekly unemployment check is $638 - still $300 more than before the pandemic, and it'll stay that way until September 6 at least.

It means, someone who was working 40 hours a week before the pandemic now gets nearly $16-an-hour to do nothing at home, which is more than double the federal minimum wage of $7.25.

Dozens of US states have already ended, or are in the process of ending those benefits to encourage people back to work, with the latest hold-outs set to end their COVID unemployment programs on September 4.
A man attempted to board a flight to Dubai using a fake boarding pass, then pretended to be a passenger who had already boarded.

Yann Ilunga, 25, was supposed to meet a 'lady friend' at a hotel in the United Arab Emirates, but his plans were halted when he was found with a doctored boarding card.

Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, heard that he had altered the airport code on the electronic ticket on his mobile phone from Heathrow (LHR) to Manchester (MAN).

The boarding pass which he doctored belonged to a female friend who was flying from London.

He failed to get through security and then tried to use personal details of another passenger.

Yann Ilunga, 25, from Liverpool, was supposed to meet a 'lady friend' at a hotel in the United Arab Emirates, but his plans were halted when he was found with a doctored boarding card

Ilunga, of Liverpool, was then given a duplicate card after 'hoodwinking' check in staff.

His boarding pass was proved to be a fake when he attempted to board the flight at the gate and had to show his own passport.

Ilunga pleaded guilty to one count of fraud by false representation and was today handed a suspended sentence.

Prosecuting, Peter Warne told the court that on February 9 of last year, Ilunga arrived at Manchester Airport and made his way to the security gate.

He said: 'He had a doctored pass on his mobile phone that he used in an attempt to board the flight, but the security system picked up that something was wrong.

'The pass had been doctored from a boarding pass of a female friend who was flying from London. That attempt didn't go through security.

'He tried to show the security officer his phone with the pass on it, but that didn't work either.

'He was asked to return to the Emirates desk to query why the boarding card wasn't working.'

The court heard that the ticket was supposed to cost 800.

Ilunga met another passenger, who was able to get through security, at the check-in desk.

Minshull Street Crown Court, Manchester, heard that he had altered the airport code on the electronic ticket on his mobile phone from Heathrow (LHR) to Manchester (MAN)

He then returned to the check-in desk and 'pretended he was the other man' in order to board the flight, the court heard.

Ilunga claimed his original boarding pass had been 'mislaid' and managed to obtain a legitimate oone.

He went to the security gate, where he tried again to scan his boarding pass.

Mr Warne said: 'As his boarding card was a duplicate, the computer system would not allow him through security.

'He tried to hoodwink another member of the security team and showed him the card he had rescanned, and he was allowed through.

'His efforts were uncovered at the boarding gate. He was asked to produce his passport and the name didn't match the name on the boarding card.

'He made another attempt to board the plane by showing the fake pass and also gave the wrong seat number.'

Ilunga was arrested and the other passenger was taken off the flight and interviewed but wasn't prosecuted, it was said.

Ilunga was said to have two previous offences on his record for avoiding train fares.

Mitigating, Nick Ross said a probation report described that the offence was borne out of 'poor planning, third rate actions and lack of consequential thinking', going on to describe the actions as 'foolish'.

Mr Ross said: 'The defendant was due to travel to Dubai for a few days holiday with a lady friend and he purchased the ticket for her.

He failed to get through security and then tried to use personal details of another passenger, but his fraud was discovered when he was asked to show his passport at the gate

'This legitimately allowed her to travel on the day in question from Heathrow.

'The plan was that they would meet up in Dubai and spend a few nights in the hotel.

'On that day there was inconvenient weather and he couldn't travel by train to London and so was determined to secure himself a free ticket.

'He was doomed to fail  he should have given up and walked out of the airport the right way.'

He said his client told him: 'I can't believe I have done this, I'll never do anything like this again.'

Sentencing him, Recorder Mark Ford QC said: 'You did not desist in your attempts to board, even when the fraudulent instrument was identified as being something not enabling you to enter the aircraft.

'You continued to act in a dishonest and persistent fashion.

'It seems to me there was a significant security issue here, quite apart from the potential disruptive nature of your actions.'

Ilunga was handed five months imprisonment which was suspended for two years, 10 days of rehabilitation activity requirements and 140 hours unpaid work.
Harvey Weinstein's lawyers have said that Bill Cosby's sexual assault conviction being overturned 'reaffirms our confidence' that the disgraced movie producer will be cleared too.

Attorney Arthur Aidala told DailyMail.com that Wednesday's decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court showed that courts could 'come to the correct decision' if allowed to.

Aidala said that he was sure that the Appellate Division in New York, where Weinstein lodged his appeal against his conviction and 23 year jail sentence, will be overturned because of the 'abundance of issues that cry out for a reversal'.

Weinstein, 69, was found guilty in February 2020 after a two month trial in what was seen as a landmark case in the #MeToo movement.

Apart from Cosby, 83, Weinstein was the most high profile person found guilty in court following the wave of allegations of sexual misconduct against powerful men.

Harvey Weinstein's lawyers tell DailyMail.com that Cosby's overturned conviction 'reaffirms our confidence' that Weinstein will be cleared as well

Bill Cosby arrives at his home directly after his release from prison on Wednesday.

Cosby walks to address the media after arriving home Wednesday from his release

Cosby's attorneys had raised a concern on appeal about the decision by the trial judge to allow five other accusers to testify about their experiences with Cosby in the 1980s.

Attorney Arthur Aidala said that the decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court showed that courts could 'come to the correct decision' if allowed to

The women were brought to the court to establish what prosecutors said was a pattern of behavior on Cosby's part.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices voiced concern not just about sex assault cases, but what they saw as the judiciary's increasing tendency to allow testimony that crosses the line into character attacks.

However, the court did not formally rule on the issue of the character witnesses, because a separate legal question, on Cosby's prior non-prosecution deal, rendered the question moot.

In Weinstein's case, the judge also allowed women whose character allegations did not directly relate to the charges to testify under a similar arrangement as in the Cosby trial.

In a statement, Aidala said: 'In reversing the conviction of Bill Cosby, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court has demonstrated, once again, that no matter who a defendant may be and no matter the nature of the crime, courts can be relied upon to follow the law and come to the correct decision.

'This decision also reaffirms our confidence that the Appellate Division in New York will reach the similarly correct decision in Harvey Weinstein's appeal, considering the abundance of issues that cry out for a reversal'.

Weinstein was convicted of one count of criminal sexual act on former production assistant Mimi Haleyi, for which he could be jailed for up to 25 years.

He was also found guilty of one count of third degree rape in relation to Jessica Mann, who was an aspiring actress at the time.

Weinstein, 69, was found guilty in February 2020 after a two month trial in what was seen as a landmark case in the #MeToo movement

Among the other women who gave evidence against Weinstein, even though he was not criminally charged for their allegations, was Sopranos actress Anabella Sciorra

Among the other women who gave evidence against Weinstein, even though he was not criminally charged for their allegations, was Sopranos actress Anabella Sciorra.

She alleged that Weinstein barged into her apartment in the winter of 1993-1994 and raped her despite her telling him to stop.

Weinstein is currently serving his sentence at the Wende Correctional facility in upstate New York.

Earlier this month a judge approved his extradition to Los Angeles where he faces nearly a dozen sex crimes.

LA prosecutors have accused him of 11 felony counts of sexual assault, including forcible rape, against five women dating back to 2004.

He has pleaded not guilty to all the allegations.

Weinstein's appeal to his New York conviction ran to 166 pages and cited a number of 'errors' that meant the trial was unfair.

The document said that the trial was 'tainted by a single juror who demonstrated a strong and disqualifying bias in favor of the prosecution' because she was writing a book about sexual harassment of younger women by older men.

The document also claimed that the testimony of women like Sciorra unfairly influenced the jury.

Could Cosby ruling impact Weinstein case? Disgraced mogul has already filed appeal challenging the character witnesses prosecutors brought forth at trial

At the heart of Wednesday's ruling from the Pennsylvania Supreme Court is a non-prosecution deal that Cosby made with prosecutors nearly a decade prior to his arrest.

By removing his right to protect himself against self-incrimination in criminal court, the deal forced Cosby to testify in a civil case brought by Andrea Constand, and Constand won a reported cash settlement of $3.38 million.

But the deposition Cosby gave in the civil trial was unsealed in 2015 and used as evidence to criminally charge Cosby by District Attorney Kevin Steele, who succeeded the prosecutor who agreed not to prosecute Cosby.

Justice David Wecht, writing for a split court, said Cosby had relied on the former district attorney's decision not to charge him when the comedian gave his potentially incriminating testimony in the Constand's civil case, which was then used against him in violation of the non-prosecution deal.

Cosby seems to crack a smile as he arrives home after being released from jail

The court ruling on Wednesday called Cosby's arrest 'an affront to fundamental fairness, particularly when it results in a criminal prosecution that was forgone for more than a decade.'

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court did not rule on Cosby's second issue of appeal, the question of whether it was appropriate for prosecutors to bring 'prior bad acts' character witnesses at trial, a move that Weinstein's prosecutors also used.

Even though Cosby was charged only with the assault on Constand, the trial judge allowed five other accusers to testify that they, too, were similarly victimized by Cosby in the 1980s in cases that were never prosecuted.

Prosecutors called them as witnesses to establish what they said was a pattern of criminal behavior on Cosby's part -- a decision they justified by saying there was a 'signature' element to the alleged crimes.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court justices voiced concern about what they saw as the judiciary's increasing tendency to allow testimony that crosses the line into character attacks.

State law allows 'prior bad acts' testimony only in limited cases, including to show a crime pattern so specific it serves to identify the perpetrator, for example in the case of a serial killer who leaves a unique signature of evidence.

But the court declined to say whether five other accusers should have been allowed to testify, considering it moot given the finding that Cosby should not have been prosecuted in the first place.

Even though Cosby was charged only with the assault on Constand (above), the trial judge allowed five other accusers to testify that they, too, were similarly victimized

In New York, the judge presiding over last years trial of movie mogul Harvey Weinstein, let four other 'prior bad acts' accusers testify.

Weinstein was convicted and sentenced to 23 years in prison. He is now facing separate charges in California.

His attorneys have already filed a sprawling 106-page appeal arguing that he did not receive a fair trial. One of their arguments is that the parade of character witnesses unfairly influenced the jury.

Legal experts expressed a range of reactions to Wednesday's ruling in the Cosby case.

Ari Melber, the chief legal correspondent for MSNBC, called the ruling 'bizarre' and 'controversial.'

'This is absolutely wild, this is one of those rulings that may be technically legally valid... but it is a wild and at times bizarre road to get to this point,' he said in on-air commentary.

Tamara Lave, a law professor at the University of Miami School of Law, took an opposing view, praising the ruling as 'fantastic.'

'Whatever you think about whether he did or didn't do it, everybody should rejoice in the decision of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court,' Lave told DailyMail.com in an interview, slamming Cosby's prosecutors for 'shocking behavior.'

'They prosecuted the Constand case using statements Cosby made because a prior prosecutor set it up so he couldn't invoke his 5th Amendment rights, and then bring in this parade of character witnesses,' she said.

Lave questioned the propriety of using 'prior bad acts' witnesses at trial, a controversial practice that is normally barred under the rules of evidence, but has gained popularity in sexual assault cases under certain exemptions.

'In my opinion, it's very problematic evidence that deprives people of a right to a fair trial,' Lave said of the use of character witnesses.
A Texas grandmother battling COVID-19 at a hospital died after suffering extensive burns from a defibrillator that burst into flames and caused an explosion as medics were using the device to try and revive her.

Denise Jill Asaro, 69, was being treated at HCA Houston Healthcare in Kingwood when she experienced a medical emergency requiring resuscitation.

The defibrillator being used to revive the patient caught fire for an unknown reason.

Investigators have speculated that the defibrillator may have ignited an oxygen tank, causing the small explosion.

Denise's niece Kristi Robbins told ABC13 her aunt suffered horrific burns to her entire upper torso and will have to have a closed casket during her funeral service next month.

'Who would ever expect your relative to be burnt to a crisp in a hospital,' Robbins said.

Denise, a married mother-of-two and a grandmother, died less than a week after her husband, David Asaro, 70, succumbed to the coronavirus.

Less than three weeks prior, the couple lost their son, Aaron Asaro. He was 47.

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COVID patient Denise Jill Asaro, 69 (right), died at a Texas hospital after a defibrillator caught fire and caused an explosion. Her husband, David (left), succumbed to COVID just days prior

The fire and blast took place at HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood on Saturday

According to a recent Facebook post from Denise Asaro's sister-in-law, the couple and their son were among 10 family members who had contracted the illness. All three were said to be unvaccinated.

Asaro's youngest son, Aaron, passed away on June 2. Her husband, David, died on Father's Day.

Niece Kristi Robbins said her aunt suffered horrible burns to her entire upper torso

The hospital has released a statement, describing Denise Asaro's death as 'tragic.'

'The hospital and its medical staff take this matter very seriously,' the statement read.

'We have begun an internal investigation and are working with local authorities to assist with their investigation. Our current focus is on supporting the family.'

It is unclear if Denise died from the original health emergency, or the injuries she sustained in the explosion.

An autopsy will be conducted to determine Denise Asaro's cause of death.

Police have launched an investigation into the woman's death. They are looking to determine whether a spark from the defibrillator ignited the oxygen in the room.

Defibrillators can cause fires when there is a high oxygen concentration near to the patient when the device is used, and the defibrillator paddles cause an electrical arc, according to the Anaesthesia Patient Safety Foundation.

Although such cases are very rare, the Foundation notes a previous case where a member of staff disconnected a breathing system from a patient but left the oxygen flowing, causing a fire when the defibrillator caused an arc.

In that case, the patient was slightly burned and died of a cardiac arrest.

The American Heart Association's guidelines on resuscitation warn: 'Severe fires have been reported when ventilator tubing is disconnected from the tracheal tube and then left adjacent to the patients head, blowing oxygen across the chest during attempted defibrillation.'
The White House on Wednesday distanced President Biden from Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar after she stood by her comments comparing the US and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban.

'Any attempt to draw an equivalency between the United States and our close ally, Israel, with a terror groups like Hamas or the Taliban, is false and unacceptable,' Press Secretary Jen Psaki said at her briefing on Wednesday.

Psaki did however defend Omar and insisted she did not mean her comments, but said: 'Those are certainly not comments that weve made from here.'

Omar has face furious criticism after she appeared on CNN with Jake Tapper and said she didn't regret the comparison she made earlier this month.

GOP Rep. Andy Biggs had tweeted, 'Ilhan Omar is a rabid anti-Semite who has no problem smearing Jews, even in her own party. Shameful and un-American.'

The White House on Wednesday distanced President Biden from Democratic Rep. Ilhan Omar after she stood by her comments comparing the US and Israel to Hamas and the Taliban. 'Any attempt to draw an equivalency between the United States and our close ally, Israel, with a terror groups like Hamas or the Taliban, is false and unacceptable,' Jen Psaki said

Rep. Ilhan Omar (right) said Tuesday that her Jewish colleagues 'haven't been equal partners and justice' and said she didn't regret equating the U.S. and Israel with Hamas and the Taliban during an interview with CNN's Jake Tapper (left)

Republicans including Rep. Andy Biggs (top) and Sen. Tom Cotton (bottom) attacked Omar in tweets following her appearance on Tapper's show

Republican Sen. Tom Cotton asked, 'Why is Ilhan Omar still on the Foreign Affairs Committee?' he asked, sharing the Tapper clip. 'Why is she on any committee?'

Feminist Muslim writer Asra Nomani tweeted, 'This is what a modern day Muslim Supremacist looks like. Nomani shared the video and added, 'Her wound is bigger than their wounda wound collector in the Oppression Olympics.'

Omar spoke to CNN's Jake Tapper, who asked her if she understood why the language she's used about Israel was perceived to be anti-Semitic by Jews.

'I have welcomed any time my colleagues have asked to have a conversation, to learn from them, for them to learn from me,' Omar responded. 'I think it's really important for these members to realize that they haven't been partners in justice,' she added.

'They haven't been equally engaging in seeking justice around the world,' the Minnesota Democrat continued. 'And I think I will continue to do that.'

Omar added that it was important to her 'as someone who knows what it feels like to experience injustice in ways that many of my colleagues don't' to be a voice in finding accountability.

The 'squad' member's latest dust-up with Jewish colleagues came earlier this month when she asked Secretary of State Antony Blinken where victims of alleged war crimes could pursue justice if the U.S. is against the International Criminal Court taking up the cases of Palestinians and Afghans.

'We have seen unthinkable atrocities committed by the U.S., Hamas, Israel, Afghanistan, and the Taliban,' Omar wrote in a tweet sharing a video of the exchange.

Linking the U.S. and Israel to the Taliban and Hamas created an uproar, including among Jewish Democratic lawmakers.

Previously, Omar had sparked fury when she talked about how the U.S.-Israel relationship was 'all about the Benjamins.'

'We have seen unthinkable atrocities committed by the U.S., Hamas, Israel, Afghanistan, and the Taliban,' Omar wrote in a tweet sharing a video of her questioning Secretary of State Antony Blinken. The comment sparked fury, including among Jewish Democrats

Secretary of State Antony Blinken listens as Omar questions him about where victims of crimes against humanity can take their complaints

Omar responded 'I don't' when Tapper asked if she regretted her most recent controversial comments.

'I think it's really important to think back to the point that I was trying to make,' she said.

'Obviously, I was addressing Secretary of State Blinken. The cases are put together in front of the ICC. ICC has been investigating. I know that some of my colleagues don't lend legitimacy to the ICC, but I tend to think that people around the world who have experienced injustice need to be able to have a place where they can go,' she argued.

'And, as a country that helped found the ICC and supported it, I think that it is really important for us to continue to find ways in which people can find justice around the world,' Omar added.

More broadly she said she understood why some of the things she said would be interpreted as being anti-Semitic.

'No, I hear that,' she told Tapper when the journalist pressed the point.

'I have obviously clarified and apologized when I have felt that my words have offended. And it's really important, right?' she said.

Omar, who is Muslim, also argued that she hasn't been afforded the same courtesy.

'As I have explained to my colleagues, they have engaged in Islamophobic tropes. I have yet to receive an apology,' she said.

She argued that it should be a two-way street of understanding.

Omar walked back her Tuesday comments in a thread of tweets Wednesday first assuring critics that, 'I know that many of my colleagues - both Jewish and non-Jewish - deeply share that commitment to fighting injustice'

'I think, when we are engaging in a space where we don't know how our language will be received, it is important for us to be open-minded. And I think I have always been someone who is humbled, someone who understands how words can be harmful and hurtful to people,' Omar said. 'And I have always listened and learned and behaved accordingly and showed up with compassion and care.'

In 14 tweets she sent out Wednesday, Omar walked back the comments she made on Tapper's show.

'I am someone who has survived war and experienced injustice firsthand, who is alive today because I was welcomed into this country as a refugee,' she began. 'I know that many of my colleagues - both Jewish and non-Jewish - deeply share that commitment to fighting injustice.'

She then said that both Jewish and non-Jewish colleagues share a commitment in fighting injustice.

'I also know that the Black community and the Jewish community have historically stood side-by-side in the fight against injustice and throughout our history we have faced efforts to divide us based on our differences,' she continued. 'In this moment, we must stand in solidarity because what unites us is so much greater than what unites us.'

She talked about how the 1960s civil rights movement wasn't 'Black people working in isolation.'

'It took a multiracial, multi-religious coalition of freedom fighters, including Jewish leaders like Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, Kivie Kaplan, and Arnie Aronson, organizing in solidarity,' she continued. 'Heschel in particular was a deep inspiration to Martin Luther King and a moral leader of the movement.'

Rep. Ilhan Omar sent out 14 tweets on Wednesday in an effort to clean up comments she made on Tapper's show the night before

She said that the 'values of fighting injustice and inequality' are part of the Jewish faith - and the Muslim faith.

Omar also named a number of Jewish groups that are engaged in civil rights, 'even amidst threats to their safety.'

'These threats are not a thing of the past. It is not lost on me that today people go shoot up a synagogue because people think orgs like [Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society] are helping refugees like me come to this country,' the Minnesota Democrat said.

'Most of my colleagues across Congress may not be refugees themselves, but fleeing war and persecution only to find a refuge in the United States of America*is* the Jewish-American experience. This binds us,' she continued.

'That is why it is so important for us to build solidarity in the here and now, to make clear that the threats we face can only be solved if we see racism, anti-Muslim hate, and xenophobia as inextricably linked to antisemitism,' the lawmaker added. 'That is the work we have tried to do in Congress.'

She pointed out that she is a member of the Black-Jewish caucus.

'As a refugee and survivor of war, I see it is as a core responsibility to fight *all* injustice and engage *all* my colleagues in finding mechanisms of justice for the oppressed,' Omar said.

'Building solidarity is a painstaking processespecially in a country and media environment as polarized and contentious ours is now. But we know it is the only path forward,' she continued.

'It is when we build community with one another, when we cut through all the efforts to keep us afraid and angry, that we see our destinies as tied. That's the work I'll continue to do, and I hope you'll join me,' the congresswoman added.

So far, the backlash to the interview has been coming from Republicans.

Democratic Rep. David Cicilline said Tuesday night critics were, again, taking Omar out of context.

'There they go again right wingers in Washington are once again claiming Rep.Omar said something she didn't say, and trying to create a controversy where there is none,' the Rhode Island lawmaker tweeted. 'It's pathetic that they are (once again) demonizing a young woman of color to score political points.'
A pair of police sniffer dogs led Ecuadorian authorities to two containers where $333million worth of cocaine was hidden in between cans of tuna that were bound for Spain.

Ecuador National Police Commander Tanny Varela said narcotic cops confiscated 7.2 tons of cocaine during a search Sunday at the Guayaquil Maritime Port before the freight containers were scheduled to be loaded onto a ship.

The bust was the largest ever made by authorities at the Pacific coast port.

A narcotics agent with the Ecuador National Police and one of the two sniffer dogs who helped authorities stop a shipment of cocaine worth $333 million from being shipped to Spain on Sunday

The Ecuador National Police pulled off the biggest cocaine bust in the history of port city of Guayaquil on Sunday when agents found 7.2 tons of the Type-A party drug in two freight containers that were loaded with tuna cans

The drug trafficking organization used several symbols, including a cloverleaf, as well as single names and initials to differentiate the more 6,000 bundles of cocaine that were loaded into 105 bags

'We have dealt a blow to criminal organizations in their illegal economy with (a loss of) $333million, since a kilo of cocaine in Europe has an approximate cost of $55,000,' Varela said.

Police found 19 bags containing 1.3 tons of the Type-A party drug that were split into 1,111 bundles while inspecting one of the cargo bins.

Agents searching the second container found 86 bags with 5.9 tons of cocaine that divided into 5,124 packages that weighed 5.9 tons.

The bust of 7.2 tons of cocaine was the largest ever made by the Ecuador National Police at the Guayaquil Maritime Port

The cocaine bundles were marked with different logos, including some that read AIR, MTRX, B-J, and Dubai. Others contained an image of a cloverleaf

To date, Ecuadorian narcotic police officers have confiscated 74 tons of drugs. At least 32 tons of cocaine have been seized off containers at eight ports this year

The cocaine bundles were marked with different logos, including some that read AIR, MTRX, B-J, and Dubai. Others contained an image of a cloverleaf.

Varela said that containers were property of a company that ships tuna to Spain.

She said that authorities in March had seized a freight container that had a total of two tons of cocaine concealed with other products that were headed to Europe.

To date, Ecuadorian narcotic police officers have confiscated 74 tons of drugs.

At least 32 tons of cocaine have been seized off containers at eight ports, surpassing the 23 tons that narcotics agents pulled off containers in all of 2020, according to Infobae.
A balding man wearing Givenchy shorts was among five people arrested by police in a major drug bust across Sydney on Wednesday morning.

Police attached to Strike Force Cattanach carried out pre-dawn raids across inner city and Sydney's south-west following a 10-month investigation into an alleged criminal syndicate involved in supply of ice.

Police seized ice, cannabis, meth, prescription medications, cash and electronic devices during six search warrants in Ultimo, Glebe, Leumeah, Rosemeadow and Douglas Park.

It's alleged the syndicate was involved in the supply of almost 18kg of pseudoephedrine - a crucial chemical for making meth - and 4.5kg of ice between January and June this year with a combined street value of more than $1 million.

Police arrested five people as part of a major drug bust across Sydney after a 10-month investigation

Three men and two women were arrested during the police sting and are now behind bars.

A 46-year-old woman and 50-year-old man were charged with multiple drug offences following their arrests at Leumeah in Sydney's south-west.

Police will allege the woman was involved in the supply of 13kg of pseudoephedrine.

She appeared at Campbelltown Local Court where she was refused bail to reappear at Central Local Court on July 7.

The man wearing Givenchy shorts will appear in Campbelltown Local Court on Thursday.

Police will allege in court the man was also involved in the supply of 13kg of pseudoephedrine, along with 4.5kg of methylamphetamine.

A 33-year-old man and 31-year-old woman were also arrested in inner-city Ultimo.

The woman was charged with 14 offences including three counts of supply prohibited drug, six counts of supply prohibited drugs

Police will allege she was involved in the supply of 18kg of pseudoephedrine and 1kg of meth.

Police seized ice, cannabis, meth, prescription medications, cash and electronic devices during six search warrants

The man was charged with nine offences including; six counts of supply prohibited drug (indictable quantity), supply prohibited drugs on an ongoing basis, organises/conducts/assists drug premises and possess prohibited drug.

The pair will appear in Central Local Court on Thursday

Another man, 31, was also arrested at Douglas Park in Sydney' south-west outskirts.

He was charged with multiple offences and appeared i Picton Local Court, where he was refused bail to reappear on July 14

Investigations under Strike Force Cattanach are continuing.
The leak of CCTV footage exposing Matt Hancocks affair could have been part of a politically motivated plot to oust him spearheaded by a highly successful' businessman and anti-lockdown campaigner who was angry about his handling of the pandemic, it emerged today.

In a dramatic twist, it was claimed that an entrepreneur had allegedly offered the compromising images to prominent political journalist Isabel Oakeshott because he 'relished his part in exposing Hancocks hypocrisy - five days before they were published.

It raises the prospect that the leak of the footage  which showed the former health secretary breaking his own social distancing rules  could have been motivated by opposition to his stance on Covid.

The source of the images has been the subject of fevered speculation since they were first published at the end of last week.

The CCTV footage, apparently from a camera inside Mr Hancocks private Department of Health office, showed him kissing his adviser Gina Coladangelo at a time when hugging anyone from outside your household was banned.

It had been speculated that the images came from a rogue security guard or whistleblower employee at the department who had access to the footage and then contacted the national newspaper that published them directly.

But last night political journalist and broadcaster Ms Oakeshott revealed she had been sent a grainy shot of the CCTV clip by an anti-establishment figure with a dim view of politicians in general and a particular disdain for the architects of the lockdown policy.

Writing in The Spectator, she described this person as a highly successful entrepreneur who would have relished his part in exposing Hancocks hypocrisy. But she said she mistakenly dismissed the footage as fake and that the contact who offered it agreed that the original seller was probably a chancer.

The leak of CCTV footage exposing Matt Hancocks affair could have been part of a politically motivated plot to oust him, it emerged last night

Political journalist Isabel Oakeshott, left, who is in a relationship with leader of Reform UK, formerly the Brexit Party, Richard Tice, right, feared that the footage may have been fake or doctored - and her partner agreed

Miss Oakeshott is in a relationship with Richard Tice, a founder of the Leave Means Leave campaign. There is no suggestion of any wrongdoing by Mr Tice, who leads Reform UK, a party that campaigns to restore pre-Covid freedoms.

He revealed last night he had examined the clip after Miss Oakeshott passed it to him but he believed it was doctored.

Mr Tice said: The footage was doctored, there is no question. If you look closely you see a pair of hands when he is not touching her. Its not his hands.

We saw that and thought something is not right. The footage came to Isabel and we both agreed it wasnt right. The affair is clearly right but there is something not right about that footage.

Victoria Newton, Editor of The Sun, has also described how the scoop came to them, describing the mole as a 'whistleblower' - but not linking them to any anti-lockdown movement.

She wrote in the New Statesman: 'The news desk had been contacted by an angry whistle-blower. They claimed to have irrefutable evidence that the married Secretary of State for Health was breaching his own lockdown rules by having an office affair with an aide. My first thought was  bloody hell, what a story, it cant be true.

'The source told us they had footage of Matt Hancock kissing his glamorous adviser Gina Coladangelo on 6 May in his Westminster office. A quick check of the government rules that Hancock himself had devised and demanded that the nation follow showed that kissing someone from another household was most definitely not allowed'.

Ms Newton was the person who called Mr Hancock, which led to him telling his wife and children he was leaving.

She said: 'I wont divulge details of the call, but I told him we had the story and that I was running it because the public interest was so strong'.

In a dramatic twist, it was claimed that a highly successful anti-lockdown entrepreneur had allegedly offered the compromising images of Hancock and adviser Gina Coladangelo (pictured left) to a prominent political journalist five days before they were published

The footage originally came from an email account on Protonmail, a service that offers end-to-end encryption. It is understood it was first offered for sale five days before the story was published in a national newspaper.

It raises the prospect that the member of staff who leaked the clip may have used a politically motivated intermediary to sell it in a bid to cover their tracks.

Last night the company responsible for security in the building on Victoria Street confirmed for the first time it was helping the Department of Health and Social Care with its probe into the leak. But Emcor UK  which has provided security for sensitive buildings including the top-secret Porton Down laboratory  refused to say if any of its staff had been questioned or suspended.

The pool of security staff who had access to the CCTV footage in the Department of Health is thought to be small and there is likely to be a digital record of those who viewed it and may have been able to surreptitiously record it on their phone.

MPs and security experts have called for a police inquiry into the security breach amid concerns that the Whitehall investigation will not have the power or expertise to uncover the truth.

It raises the prospect that the leak of the footage  which showed the former health secretary breaking his own social distancing rules  could have been motivated by opposition to his stance on Covid

Labour MP Chris Bryant said yesterday it was preposterous that the investigation was being conducted by the Department of Health, which has no aptitude in this field, no experience and no powers  its bizarre.

He added that he had no confidence the probe would uncover the truth and demanded a full parliamentary inquiry.

The investigation, which is being supported by Whitehall specialists from the Government Security Group at the Cabinet Office, will look at whether the CCTV camera installed in the private office at least four years ago had been tampered with.

Cameras used in the building are produced by Hikvision, a Chinese firm banned in the US over concerns that it could be used by Beijing as a spying tool.

The company denies the claim, saying there is no evidence that its data is relayed to China.

Former Met counter-terrorism detective David Videcette, who has uncovered documentation about cameras in the building, said yesterday the police should get involved if criminal offences are uncovered.

A spokesman for Scotland Yard confirmed that it is not investigating the matter.

r.camber@dailymail.co.uk
interpreters who helped British forces but are still stuck in the country

The last 200 British Black Watch soldiers are now set to fly home 'within days'

The last British troops in Afghanistan are to leave 'within days' after American forces brought forward their withdrawal date to mark US Independence Day.

More than 200 Black Watch soldiers will fly home, ending the UK's 20-year deployment which started after 9/11.

Before leaving they will take part in a flag-lowering ceremony alongside US forces to honour the 456 British troops killed there since the campaign began.

Thousands of British personnel have also been wounded in battle against the Taliban. More than 38,000 Afghan civilians have been killed and 70,000 injured.

The UK's ambassador Sir Laurie Bristow is expected to attend the event in Kabul. He is staying on in Afghanistan after the troops have left.

The last British troops in Afghanistan are to leave 'within days' after American forces brought forward their withdrawal date to mark US Independence Day. Pictured: M Company, 42 Commando Royal Marines, during operation against Taliban forces in Barikyu, Nothern Helmand Province of Afghanistan

Their departure follows the pull-out of Italian and German troops this week. Other Nato countries have been bringing their forces home over the past month.

US President Joe Biden had set the 20th anniversary of the Twin Towers attack on September 11 as the deadline to bring all American troops home but military officials said yesterday the date had been brought forward to this weekend.

The withdrawal of the Black Watch  the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland (3 Scots)  comes after intelligence reports suggested the Taliban could depose Afghanistan's elected government within months.

Commenting on the loss of districts around the country to the Taliban, America's top general there, Austin Miller, said: 'A civil war is certainly a path that can be visualised if this continues and that should be of concern to the world.'

The Taliban's resurgence, which has included attacks against civilians, is a matter of grave danger for hundreds of interpreters who helped British forces but are still stuck in Afghanistan.

The last Union flag of Great Britain flying above the skies of Helmand Province, Afghanistan, is lowered by Captain Matthew Clark and Warrant Officer 1 John Lilley in October 2014

The Daily Mail's award-winning Betrayal of the Brave campaign has given hope to civilian workers facing reprisals. They want to start new lives in the UK but face an anxious wait while the British Embassy processes their applications.

Father-of-four Abdul, one of those waiting to see if he can move to the UK, said: 'It looks like the British are leaving us to face this uncertainty alone. We thought they'd be here until September but the timetable has changed again.

'Life is very dangerous now. I live in a district controlled by the Taliban and I've had to pull my children out of the local school because of the threat to them. There are insurgent checkpoints everywhere. It is a very frightening time.'

Another interpreter Sam, 34, whose brother was murdered on the doorstep of his home by the Taliban, said: 'The militants are stronger than they have been for years and they still want revenge on us for working for the British.

'It seems our friends and protectors have decided it is too dangerous for them to stay here. The danger to us is also higher while our cases are being processed.'

Thousands of British personnel have also been wounded in battle against the Taliban. More than 38,000 Afghan civilians have been killed and 70,000 injured

The first of what the interpreters call 'Freedom Flights' flew 35 families to the UK last week. Up to 3,500 Afghans will be offered the chance to relocate.

Some 500 Turkish troops at Kabul airport will assume security responsibilities when British and American troops leave. Some US Special Forces personnel will remain to support them.

Boris Johnson is expected to announce security plans for the British Embassy and the UK ambassador next week.

After details of the earlier US departure emerged yesterday, defence sources indicated British troops would be pulling out 'within days'. For security reasons, no precise details are being released.

The Ministry of Defence said last night: 'The UK is involved in ongoing discussions with US and international allies regarding the future of our support to Afghanistan.'

Last night, the former head of the British Army Lord Dannatt insisted British soldiers upheld their reputation in battle against the Taliban after 'errors of near biblical proportion' had handed the militants every advantage.

He said: 'I am very saddened by what appears to be happening in Afghanistan as it looks like a rapid implosion in security could occur.

'I would never say it was not worth it but the present situation makes it so much harder to argue that British troops did not die in vain. Sadly their tactical endeavours and their sacrifices did not achieve strategic stability.'

He added: 'The campaign has been very expensive for us in blood and treasure.'
White House press secretary Jen Psaki doubled down on her claims the Republicans are responsible for defunding the police during her briefing on Wednesday.

Psaki was asked a follow-up on remarks she made Monday that GOP members essentially wanted to swipe funds from law enforcement across the country by voting against President Biden's $1.9trillion American Rescue Plan.

Fox News' Peter Doocy asked her: 'You mentioned at the last briefing that you think Republicans wanted to defund the police because they did not support the American Rescue Plan. Which Republican ever said that they did not like the American Rescue Plan because they wanted to defund the police?'

Psaki responded by saying: 'Well, first let me just note that the president ran and won the most votes of any candidate in history on a platform of boosting funding for law enforcement. Republicans spent decades trying to cut the COPS program.

'There's record of that. That doesn't require anyone having new comments. And then also stood in the way of crucial funding needed to prevent the laying off of police officers as crimes increased. That's a simple statement of fact.'

White House press secretary Jen Psaki doubled down on her claims the Republicans are responsible for defunding the police during her briefing on Wednesday

Fox News' Peter Doocy asked her: 'You mentioned at the last briefing that you think Republicans wanted to defund the police because they did not support the American Rescue Plan. Which Republican ever said that they did not like the American Rescue Plan because they wanted to defund the police?'

Doocy then retorted and said: 'I understand what you're saying there, however, there are lots of examples of Democrats explicitly saying they want to defund the police. You've got Congresswoman Cori Bush, Congresswoman Ayanna Pressley, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar, are there any examples of Republican members of Congress saying they want to defund the police?

'I think most people would argue that actions are more important than words, wouldn't you say?' Psaki said.

On Tuesday night, Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz mocked Democrats for trying to blame Republicans for wanting to defund the police as 'chutzpah'

Doocy then pressed the point again and asked when Republicans specifically said they wanted to wipe funds for cops.

'Again, I think actions speak louder than words, Peter, so if you oppose funding for the COPS program, something that was dramatically cut by their prior administration and many Republicans supported, and then you vote against the bill that has funding for the COPS program, we can let other people evaluate than what that means. It doesn't require them to speak to it or to shout it out, their actions speak for themselves'.

On Tuesday night, Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz mocked Democrats for trying to blame Republicans for wanting to defund the police as 'chutzpah'.

'I gotta say, it's remarkable that the White House is now apparently employing comedians,' he told Fox News' 'Hannity' Tuesday night. 'You know, there's an old Yiddish word for that: chutzpah.

'For them to come out and claim that it's Republicans who want to defund the police, that's like an arsonist showing up at the fire and blaming the firemen,' Cruz said.

'That's like the Chinese blaming the Americans for the Wuhan virus. That's like OJ [Simpson] saying he's gonna help find the real killer.'

The left-wing rallying call to defund the police grew after the May 2020 murder of George Floyd by Minneapolis policeman Derek Chauvin, and was embraced by progressives such as Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez.

But it has frequently been greeted with incomprehension and resistance, even within Democrat groups.

On Monday, Psaki said that the Republicans were the drivers of the move to defund the police because in March they voted against the $1.9trillion proposal even though it included $350billion for state and local governments that could be used for local police.

It was signed in March, despite every single Republican in Congress voting against it.

Doocy on Monday had asked Psaki how Cedric Richmond, one of Biden's advisors, could claim that Republicans defunded the police by not supporting the American Rescue Plan.

'But how is it that that is an argument to be made when the president never mentioned needing money for police to stop a crime wave when he was selling the American Rescue Plan?' Doocy asked.

Psaki replied: 'Well, the president did mention that the American Rescue Plan, the state and local funding, something that was supported by the president, a lot of Democrats who supported and voted for the bill, could help ensure local cops were kept on the beat in communities across the country.

'As you know, it didn't receive a single Republican vote.

'That funding has been used to keep cops on the beat.'

'Defund the Police' has become a widespread rallying cry, especially in response to the death of George Floyd. But polls show that it is not a popular or well-understood concept, and the Biden administration is trying to move away from it. Pictured: Demonstrators are seen marching around McCarren Park in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, on June 7, 2020

Psaki added: 'I think that any local department would argue that keeping cops on the beat to keep communities safe when they had to - because of budget shortfalls - fire police is something that helped them address crime in their local communities.'

New York City in August cut $1billion from its $6billion policing bill.

Austin, Texas cut its police budget in August by 35 percent, with 5 percent taking immediate effect.

Seattle cut the police budget by 20 percent in December.

City councils have cut police budgets in nearly two dozen other cities, although mostly because the pandemic has battered municipal finances.

Defunding the police has not received widespread support, with both Barack Obama and Joe Biden saying they do not support the idea.

An Ipsos/USA Today poll released in March found that only 18 percent of Americans support defunding the police, and 11 percent support abolition.

About 57 percent support fully funding their own local police department, while 43 percent support redirecting some of that money to social services.

Biden's senior advisor Cedric Richmond is blaming Republicans for 'defunding police'

At the weekend Richmond, a senior advisor to the president, railed against Republicans on Fox News Sunday.

'Let's talk about who defunded the police,' he said.

'When we were in Congress last year trying to pass a rescue plan  I'm sorry, not the rescue plan but an emergency relief plan for cities that were cash-strapped and laying off police and firefighters  it was the Republicans who objected to it.

'And in fact, they didn't get funding until the American Rescue Plan, which our plan allowed state and local governments to replenish their police departments and do the other things that are needed.

'So look, Republicans are very good at staying on talking points of who says defund the police, but the truth is, they defunded the police, we funded crime intervention, and a whole bunch of other things.'
The unvaccinated limo driver and his wife at the centre of Sydney's latest Covid outbreak have emerged from isolation feeling 'on top of the world', as the rest of the city suffers through a gruelling two-week lockdown.

Contact tracers believe the 60-year-old Bondi man caught the Indian Delta variant of the virus while transporting Fed Ex air staff to hotel quarantine on June 11 - four days before it spread.

Police launched a probe after it was revealed the driver had refused the AstraZeneca vaccine because of a family history of blood clots and had not been tested daily, but found that he had not breached any health orders.

On Wednesday, the man and his wife left their eastern suburbs home for the first time since testing positive on June 16 to visit the grocery store and Bondi Post Office.

The Sydney Airport driver (pictured) and his wife have left home isolation for the first time in two weeks

The outbreak sparked a two-week lockdown in Sydney. Pictured: Cars line at a Covid-19 testing facility at Bondi Beach on June 26

When the Daily Telegraph asked the wife whether she had any side-effects from the highly-infectious strain of Covid-19, she said she was fully recovered.

'I'm feeling on top of the world,' the woman said.

'It's my first day out of the house and I'm enjoying myself.'

The driver denied claims by NSW Health that he was patient zero of Sydney's outbreak - insisting he caught it at Belle Cafe in Vaucluse instead - but his wife would not give their side of the story when asked by the publication.

'What is there to talk about?' she said. 'If people want to talk, let them talk. It's none of their business.'

His claim was dismissed on Saturday by NSW chief health officer Dr Kerry Chant, who said their investigations had found no evidence to support his story.

On Saturday evening, Sydney was plunged into a two-week lockdown. The Bondi cluster grew to 171 on Wednesday.

The infected limo driver believed to be 'patient zero' claims vividly remembered another customer in his 30s sat near to him at the Belle Cafe in Vaucluse (pictured) who was violently coughing and sneezing

Sydney was plunged into a two-week lockdown on Saturday evening. The number of positive cases grew to 171 on Wednesday. Pictured: A woman in Sydney amid lockdown

The driver previously said was wearing a mask at all times while working as a driver transporting air crew from the airport to hotels.

Health orders require those working around the hotel quarantine system to be tested for the virus daily, and the driver admitted he had not been tested on his days off.

The infection was caught when testing resumed when he returned to work - but he had already been out in the community for several days before getting the positive test result.

During that time, he had fleeting contact with a man in his 50s in Myer at Westfield Bondi Junction who latest tested positive.

Later that week, a woman in her 70s returned a positive test while sitting outside Belle Cafe after the driver walked past her to get inside.

The driver told ACA reporter, Lauren Golman (pictured) that he is very scared and concerned about the growing public backlash

The unnamed driver (pictured) isolated at home for 14 days as he fights his Covid infection. Was too scared of public backlash to show his face on TV

On Saturday, Police Commissioner Mick Fuller revealed the investigation had now been dropped due to a lack of evidence.

'[On Friday] I advised we had sent the case for urgent external legal advice due to the significance of this outbreak and the community concern,' he said.

'I can now confirm we have received advice that there is insufficient evidence to establish that either the limousine driver or his employer breached any public health orders.'

On Nine's A Current Affair last week, the driver said he feared for his life after he was blamed for sparking the current outbreak.

The unnamed driver told ACA he was too scared of the public backlash to show his face on TV to defend himself.

'He tells me he has a family history of blood clots and he didn't feel comfortable getting the vaccine,' ACA reporter Laura Golman told host Tracey Grimshaw on Thursday evening.

'He says he has been working with his doctor, they talk regularly, they tried to come up with a plan but at this stage he is too afraid to have the AstraZeneca vaccine.'

NSW Health dismissed the driver's claims that he caught the virus from a cafe in Vaucluse. Pictured: People walking past a sign for a Covid-19 testing clinic at Bondi Beach on Saturday

Two weeks after the limo driver was infected, Premier Gladys Berejiklian (pictured) announced that Sydney would enter a two-week lockdown on Saturday

Although the driver was in an apparently high-risk occupation on the frontline with international workers, vaccination was not mandatory, but strongly recommended.

There was no explanation why he hadn't been vaccinated with the Pfizer jab instead, but Golman stressed the driver was not an anti-vaxxer.

Golman added: 'He has not received any kind of pressure or encouragement to have the vaccine. I'm not sure if he has had conversations with his employer.'

Despite his daily close contact with flights crews, the driver believes he was actually infected with the deadly Delta Covid variant by a customer at Belle Cafe.

He told the show he vividly remembered another customer in his 30s sat near to him at the cafe on June 12 who was violently coughing and sneezing.

The cafe become an exposure site at the start of the outbreak.

Golman said he had not been given daily Covid tests on his days off and his infection was only picked up when he returned to work and testing resumed.

By then, he had seemingly been spreading the disease around the community for days.

People who transport airline crews or returned travellers are now required to wear a mask and have at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine. Pictured: An unusually quiet Martin Place in the city's CBD

Until this point, he insists he had been following all the rules and regulations.

'He claims he was wearing a mask, he was wearing gloves,' said Golman. 'He has been doing so since the outbreak of the pandemic early last year.

'He says he sanitises his car in between passengers. He wants to look after his own family - he has a wife and daughters and three grandchildren.

'He wants to keep everyone safe, not to mention the wider community.'

Since the incident, people who transport airline crews or returned travellers are required to wear a mask and have at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine.

If a worker does not comply, employers can be fined up to $11,000.
A man behind the 1980s 'Grim Reaper' AIDS campaign has called for a similar approach to 'shock' those hesitant to get the vaccine into getting the jab.

Siimon Reynolds created the famous 1987 ad warning Australians about the grave dangers of HIV and AIDS.

Mr Reynolds co-founded Photon Group - now known as Enero - the agency behind the Morrison Government's vaccine rollout campaign.

He said it was 'crazy' the government hadn't drilled in to Australians the importance and urgency of getting vaccinated against Covid.

Mr Reynolds said Australians needed to be scared into getting the vaccine as soon as possible rather than waiting.

Siimon Reynolds said it's 'crazy' the government hasn't drilled in to Australians the importance and urgency of getting vaccinated against Covid

'I would definitely do  maybe not the Grim Reaper  but I would definitely do a hardcore version to wake people up that this thing could easily be around for another year, could be around for another two,' he told Mumbrella.

Mr Reynolds said the government's Covid rollout campaign hasn't been successful because it failed to inform and persuade.

'The problem with the government advertising now is that it's only informing. It's only making statements. It's not tugging the heart in any way,' he said.

'It's not affecting us emotionally. It's not particularly persuading in any way other than someone reading off an autocue.'

Mr Reynolds said like with AIDS in the 1980s, many Australians are becoming complacent about the pandemic because they don't know anyone who has had Covid.

'How many people actually know someone who's got COVID in Australia? Not many. As a result of that, everybody's just not believing that it's going to be particularly a problem for them,' he said.

Siimon Reynolds, creator of the 1987 'Grim Reaper' commercial about the dangers of AIDS, says the federal government needs to adopt similar tactics to raise awareness of how to combat coronavirus

In the Grim Reaper AIDS awareness television commercial men, women, and children were portrayed as human pins lined up to be struck down by a giant bowling ball

Mr Reynolds called for similar shock ads for Covid in Australia in the early days of the pandemic in March last year.

As he does now, he believed Australians were not taking the pandemic seriously enough and needed a blunt message.

'You have to be blunt, simple and dramatic if you want to change Australians' minds and hearts about Covid-19,' Mr Reynolds told Daily Mail Australia at the time.

'We must hammer home the key messages again and again, and paid media advertising is the most effective way of doing that.

'There should be a major ad campaign in digital media, online, newspapers, radio and TV - every single day.'

Most of the official information the Australian public is receiving about coronavirus comes from long, sometimes confusing press conferences staged by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and the leaders of states and territories.

A row of Grim Reapers lines up along bowling alleys ready to kill AIDS victims with giant balls. In the Siimon Reynolds TV commercial men, women and children were killed indiscriminately

Lifeless bodies are strewn over a bowling alley after being knocked down by the Grim Reaper in the controversial television commercial created by Siimon Reynolds

This has not changed in the past 15 months and the messages are not being heard or are being ignored by large segments of the community.

'The only way a whole country can get the message is through short, sharp ads,' Mr Reynolds said. 'Not long press conferences and press releases.'

'Many people, particularly younger Australians, are not even seeing the government press announcements. It's not enough.

'They need to be woken up with a slap in the face that only powerful advertising can do.'

Mr Reynolds has previously admitted his AIDS campaign, which was shot for just $300,000 and 'broke a lot of rules', was controversial - but said it succeeded.

He likened the current awareness of coronavirus to that of HIV in the mid-1980s, when there was a perception the only people vulnerable to that virus were gay men and intravenous drug users.

'It is similar to the original AIDS situation because a section of the population are not taking coronavirus seriously, and others aren't sure how to protect themselves from it,' he said.

'At first, only gays and IV drug users were being killed by AIDS,' said actor John Stanton in the Grim Reaper commercial. 'But now we know every one of us could be devastated by it'

Siimon Reynolds (pictured with TV host Kathryn Eisman in 2017) created the famous 1987 advert warning Australians about the grave dangers of HIV and AIDS

Mr Reynolds said it was vital the community received its information from one source, selling the same message, every day.

'If we rely solely on ever changing daily government messages the confusion and misinformation will remain,' he said.

This situation has remained, with state premiers and the federal government giving separate, often conflicting, advice on Covid and now the vaccine.

The Morrison Government is this week under more pressure over its vaccine rollout after state leaders warned against younger people taking the AstraZeneca shot.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said any adult can now receive the jab once they talk to their GP about the risks of extremely rare blood clots.

But some state premiers and chief health officers warned against ignoring advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation.

It is not recommended for people under 60 to receive AstraZeneca, with Pfizer the preferred vaccine for that age group.

Australian Medical Association president Omar Khorshid said the federal-state spilt caused confusion.

'Unfortunately the prime minister's thrown a little bit of a hand grenade into our vaccine program,' he told Sky News.

The federal government provided doctors with legal protection to vaccinate adults of all ages, sparking a rush of younger people keen to have any vaccine.

Hundreds of people are lining up to get Covid vaccinations, but the rollout is still months behind schedule and many people are hesitant to get the jab

Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said she did not want people under 40 to receive the jab.

'I don't want an 18-year-old in Queensland dying from a clotting illness who, if they got Covid probably wouldn't die,' she said.

Victorian Health Minster Martin Foley said the health department received confirmation of a change in commonwealth policy to expand the vaccine rollout.

'The last thing we need is confusion around vaccines. What we need is certainty and consistency and confidence in the vaccination program,' he said.

WA Premier Mark McGowan also wants people in his state to follow ATAGI's medical advice.

'That is the advice we have and that is the national advice from the immunisation experts,' he said.

'Clearly, the commonwealth has taken a different approach.'

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said there was no disagreement on the medical advice despite states discouraging under-40s from taking AstraZeneca.

Federal Health Minister Greg Hunt said there was no disagreement on the medical advice despite states discouraging under-40s from taking AstraZeneca

Mr Morrison announced on Monday GPs would be granted indemnity to administer the jab.

'If you wish to get the AstraZeneca vaccine, then we would encourage you to go and have that discussion with your GP,' he said.

South Australia avoided going into immediate lockdown but reinstated restrictions after recording five local cases linked to a returned mine worker.

But the NT extended its lockdown to Alice Springs because the man and his four family members spent seven hours at the airport before returning to Adelaide.

NSW recorded 22 new local coronavirus cases with Sydney and major regional centres remaining in lockdown.

There were three new cases in Queensland where the southeast of the state, Townsville, and two nearby islands are also locked down.

WA recorded one new infection on the first day of Perth and the Peel region's four-day lockdown.
Researchers in Germany have developed a drone that can locate humans by their screams.

Rather than a terrifying 'Terminator'-like scenario, the autonomous devices would be used to assist first responders in rescuing hard-to-find survivors after a natural disaster.

The engineers recorded themselves making sounds someone in jeopardy might create, like screams, bangs and claps.

Then they trained the drone's AI algorithm to recognize those noises, while filtering out the hum of its rotors and other background noise.

Scroll down for video

A prototype drone has been programmed to recognize 'impulsive' noises humans in crisis might makelike screams, claps and kicksand locate survivors of human disasters. It's algorithms can also filter out background noise, like bird calls, the howl of the wind or the motor of the drone itself

Besides their military use, drones are increasingly being seen as a tool for search and rescue units.

The University of Washington is working on a drone that uses smell to locate survivors, like a bloodhound, The Washington Post reported, while the Aerospace Corporation is developing drones that can identify dogs and share their location with rescue teams.

'During disasters, such as earthquakes or shipwrecks, every minute counts to find survivors,' researchers at Fraunhofer FKIE in Wachtberg, Germany, said in a statement.

Drones 'can better reach and cover inaccessible and larger areas than rescuers on the ground or other types of vehicles... [and] could be equipped with state-of-the-art technology to provide quick situational awareness, and support rescue teams to locate victims during disasters.'

Macarena Varela, lead engineer for the 'hearing' drone, told The Post that an unmanned aerial vehicle 'can cover a larger area in a shorter period of time than rescuers or trained dogs on the ground.'

A researcher mimics the sound of a person in distress to draw the drone's attention. Drones can cover larger areas than rescuers, dogs or other vehicles, researchers say

The drone completed several successful open field tests, locating its target 'within a few seconds' of picking up a researchers' cries.

'If there's a collapsed building, it can alert and assist rescuers. It can go places they can't fly to or get to themselves,' said Varela, who unveiled the prototype last week at the Acoustical Society of America's annual conference, which was held virtually this year.

The engineers first developed a database of 'impulsive' noises humans in crisis might makelike shouts, claps and kicks and trained the drone's artificial intelligence algorithm to recognize them.

They also tried to establish sounds for the drone to filter out, like bird calls, the howl of the wind or the motor of the drone itself.

The drone is equipped with small, digital microphones - akin to the ones found in smartphones and hearing aids - to keep the vehicle lightweight.

Varela's team completed several successful open field tests, with the drone locating its target 'within a few seconds' of picking up a researchers' cries.

The drone is equipped with small, digital microphones akin to the ones found in smartphones and hearing aids to keep the vehicle lightweight

To better detect victims from a distance, the engineers plan to add a higher frequency microphone.

The drones' AI will have to do better than humans, though, as research shows people have trouble differentiating between screams of fear and those of joy.

In a report published in March in the journal PeerJ, psychologists at Emory University found volunteers were good at differentiating the causes of some kinds of screamslike anger, pain, or surprisebut were lousy at determining if one is a shout of joy or of terror.

That could be because the acoustical elements used to communicate fear are also present in 'excited happy screams.'

'The acoustic features that seem to communicate fear are also present in excited, happy screams,' explained lead author Harold Gouzoules.

'In fact, people pay good money to ride roller coasters, where their screams no doubt reflect a blend of those two emotions.'

The team asked 182 participants to label 30 screams from Hollywood movies as conveying one of six emotions.

For the most part, the subjects were able to correctly identify shouts of anger, frustration, pain, surprise and fear.

But screams of happiness were often confused with peals of terror.

Screaming doesn't just break social norms, the authors said, it 'requires a lot of vocal force and causes the vocal folds to vibrate in a chaotic, inconsistent way.'
Archaeologists in Antigua have uncovered what they believe to be the shipwreck of a 18th-century French warship that was used by American colonists in the Revolutionary War.

Their theory is that it's the remains of the Beaumont, a 990-ton French ship constructed in 1762.

The boat was resting in the muck at the bottom of Tank Bay, just eight feet under the surface.

A hydrographic survey of the Nelson's Dockyard several years ago first tipped researchers off that a vessel was mired in the seabed.

More recently, diver Maurice Belgrave reported seeing the large 'rib' of a ship at the bottom of the bay.

But it wasn't until last week that archaeologists confirmed the wreck was more than 130 feet long and matched the specifications of the 18th century French naval vessel.

If the archaeologists are correct in their assessment, it would be the only shipwreck with an intact hull built by the French East India Company, according to the Antigua Observer.

A wreck located just eight feet below the surface in Antigua's English Harbour matches the description of the Beaumont, a 1762 warship that was later sold off and used during the American Revolution

Chartered by King Louis XIV in 1664, the French East India Company was intended to compete with the English and Dutch trading companies operating in Southeast Asia.

As an imperial merchant ship intended to travel from France to regions in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, the Beaumont would have been heavily armed, National Parks Authority archaeologist Christopher Waters told the Observer.

The Beaumont only served France for two years, though, before it was sold off to an unknown private individual and renamed the Lyon.

At some point after, the Lyon was used by colonists during the American Revolution until it was captured off the coast of Virginia by the HMS Maidstone, a British naval ship.

Pictured: Timbers from the shipwreck believed to be the Lyon. Analysis of the wood will help determine when and where it was cut, offering more clues about the ship's identity

What happened to the ship after that is cloudy, though a vessel matching the Lyon's description was listed in a 1780 map of Nelson's Dockyard in Antigua's English Harbor.

'We know it was brought here,' Waters said. 'We just don't know what happened to it. But it was very badly damaged and probably never left English Harbor again.'

Waters says evidence for the ship being the Lyon is 'compelling,' if only circumstantial.

'The fact that it's massive is incredibly special and unique in itself. Most wreck sites are small merchant ships,' he told the paper.

If the ship is indeed the Lyon, it would be the only shipwreck with an intact hull built by the French East India Company, chartered by King Louis XIV in 1664 to compete with the English and Dutch East India Companies

He compared the wreck to the Mary Rosea British warship lost in the mid-16th century and discovered near the Isle of Wight in 1971'in terms of its size and the stories we may be able to tell of it.'

Pleasure ships and fishing boats have sailed right over the wreck in Nelson's Dockyard for more than 200 years.

The mud that kept it hidden also helped to preserve it, the Observer reported.

'It's amazing it could have lain there undiscovered for so long. I have snorkeled out there many times, used sonar equipment and missed it every single time,' Waters said.

But over a six-day expedition last week, a team led by University of the Antilles archaeologist Jean-Sebastien Guibert used side-scan sonar and a magnetometer to locate the wreck described by Belgrave.

The hull they found, now marked off by orange buoys, is certainly big enough to be the Lyon, Guibert told the Observer.

'I have been working in the French West Indies for 15 years and it's the largest wreck I've ever seen,' he said. 'I did not expect it to be so big.'

The wreck in Antigua's English Harbour is marked off by a series of orange buoys

The researchers first focused on determining the wreck's dimensions to see if they aligned with the Lyon.

Next they will analyze timber from the ship to figure out where and when it was cut.

Only wood and ballast have been found to dateit's likely the ship was stripped of any valuable equipment or artifacts before it sank or was intentionally sunk.

'There's no gold, I promise you,' Waters said in an accompanying video.

Besides its size, there are several other points in favor of the wreck being the Beaumont, aka the Lyon.

In addition to the map placing a French vessel in the harbor, there are no records of a British ship in the dockyards at that time.

'The British were very good at keeping records about what happened at the dockyard and we haven't found anything relating to it,' Waters said. 'So it's a big possibility it's not British but something else.'

Joining Guibert and Waters on the mission were hyperbaric operations leader Guy Lanoix, shipbuilding researcher Helene Botcazou, diver Gilbert Labonne, surveyor Gilbert Pachoud and captain Olivier Beauroy Eustache, as well as Dave Martin of ABSAR and Desley Gardner from Antigua and Barbuda National Parks.

The expedition was a collaboration between the University of the French West Indies (AIHP GEODE), the Antigua and Barbuda National Parks, and supported by Antigua & Barbuda Search and Rescue (ABSAR) and the American Association of Port Authorities (AAPA)

Funding came from the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs, the Richard Lounsbery Foundation, and the Overseas Martinique Convergence Contract, with support from ABSAR, the Antigua and Barbuda National Parks, and Soul Immersion Dive Shop.
The World Health Organization has declared China malaria-free after a 70-year effort to eradicate the dangerous mosquito-borne disease.

In the 1940s, China reported some 30 million cases of the infectious disease annuallyit has now gone four consecutive years without an indigenous case.

'We congratulate the people of China on ridding the country of malaria,' WHO director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in a statement.

'Their success was hard-earned and came only after decades of targeted and sustained action. With this announcement, China joins the growing number of countries that are showing the world that a malaria-free future is a viable goal.'

In 2012, Beijing implemented a '1-3-7' strategy: allowing local health facilities one day to report an infection, three days to investigate the case and assess risk and seven days to implement countermeasures to prevent further spread of the disease.

Countries that have achieved at least three consecutive years of zero indigenous cases can apply for WHO certification of their malaria-free status. They must present rigorous evidence - and demonstrate the capacity to prevent transmission re-emerging.

China is the 40th, and by far largest, nation to do so.

The last countries to gain the status were El Salvador in 2021, Algeria and Argentina in 2019 and Paraguay and Uzbekistan in 2018.

China has gone from an estimated 30 million cases of malaria annually in the 1940s to four consecutive years without an indigenous case

There are also an additional 61 countries where malaria never existed, or disappeared without specific measures.

China is the first country in the WHO's Western Pacific region to be awarded a malaria-free certification in more than three decades.

The only others in the region certified as malaria-free are Australia in 1981, Singapore in 1982 and Brunei in 1987.

In 2019, there were an estimated 229 million cases of malaria worldwide.

The WHO's World Malaria Report 2020 said progress against the disease was plateauingparticularly in African countries, which bear the brunt of diagnoses and deaths.

The annual report, published in November, said that after steadily tumbling from 736,000 in 2000, the disease claimed an estimated 411,000 lives in 2018 and 409,000 in 2019.

Countries that have achieved at least three consecutive years of zero indigenous cases can apply for WHO certification of their malaria-free status

The life-cycle of the parasite, Plasmodium, that causes malaria

Meanwhile in 2019, the global tally of malaria cases was estimated at 229 million - a figure that has been at the same level for the past four years.

Over 90 percent of malaria deaths occur in Africa, the majority, more than 265,000, are young children.

In the 1950s, Beijing started working out where malaria was spreading and began to combat it with preventative anti-malarial medicines, said the WHO.

The country reduced mosquito breeding grounds and stepped up spraying insecticide in homes.

In 1967, China launched a scientific program to find new malaria treatments, which led to the discovery in the 1970s of artemisinin, one of the most effective antimalarial drugs available.

The WHO's World Malaria Report 2020 said global progress against the disease was plateauing, particularly in African countries, which bear the brunt of diagnoses and deaths

In the 1980s, China was among the first countries to extensively test the use of insecticide-treated nets to prevent malaria.

By 1988, more than 2.4 million nets had been distributed nationwide.

By the end of 1990, the number of malaria cases in China plummeted to 117,000, and deaths had been cut by 95 percent.

'China's ability to think outside the box served the country well in its own response to malaria, and also had a significant ripple effect globally,' said Pedro Alonso, director of the WHO's global malaria program.

In 2003, China stepped up efforts across the board to bring its annual case numbers down to around 5,000.

After four consecutive years of zero indigenous cases, China applied for WHO certification in 2020.

Experts travelled to China in May this year to verify its malaria-free status and analyze its plans to prevent the disease from returning.

The risk of imported cases remains a concern, not only among people returning from sub-Saharan Africa and other malaria-hit regions, but also in the southern Yunnan Province, which borders Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, all struggling with the disease.

China has stepped up its malaria surveillance in at-risk zones in a bid to prevent the disease re-emerging, said the WHO.
US presidents with more narcissistic personalities are seven times more likely to start conflicts with rival powers than less egotistic leaders, a study has concluded.

Political psychologist John Harden of Ohio State University assessed how narcissistic 19 former US heads of state were  from William McKinley to George W. Bush.

He then compared these results with historical records of the times when the US acted unilaterally to threaten another major global power.

Lyndon B. Johnson, Theodore Roosevelt and Richard Nixon were among the most narcissistic US presidents, he determined, with William McKinley the least.

The most narcissistic were found to have a 29 per cent chance of initiating an international incident per year, compared to 4 per cent for the average president.

The findings, Mr Harden explained, hint at how the actions of some leaders may be driven more by their own desires than a drive to serve their public.

US presidents with more narcissistic personalities are seven times more likely to start conflicts with rival powers than less egotistic leaders, a study has concluded. Pictured: Lyndon B. Johnson (19631969), who a political psychologist has determined was the most narcissistic US President to hold office between the years 1897 and 2009

Political psychologist John Harden of Ohio State University assessed how narcissistic 19 former US heads of state were. Lyndon B. Johnson, Theodore Roosevelt (left) and Richard Nixon (right) were among the most narcissistic, he found  with William McKinley the least

TOP 10 NARCISSISTIC US PRESIDENTS BETWEEN 18972009 Lyndon B. Johnson (19631969) Theodore Roosevelt (19011909) Richard Nixon (19691974) Franklin D. Roosevelt (19331945) Bill Clinton (19932001) John F. Kennedy (19611963) Woodrow Wilson (19131921) George W. Bush (20012009) Ronald Reagan (19811989) Herbert Hoover (19291933) Advertisement

'We have come a long way from arguing that all politicians are compensatory power-seekers,' wrote Mr Harden.

However, he added, 'political science should still take seriously the possibility that political leadership is an opportunity to self-aggrandize for some, and an opportunity to further state interests for others.'

'Presidents like Theodore Roosevelt, Lyndon Johnson, Richard Nixon, and Donald Trump blurred distinctions between self-interest and state interests.

'These blurred distinctions should encourage international relations scholars to re-evaluate what leaders want from their positions.

'Leaders high in trait narcissism, specifically grandiose narcissism, differ in how they approach international conflict.

'This study demonstrates that for some leaders, the world truly is a stage.'

In his study, Mr Harden focussed on those US presidents who held office between 1897  that is, beginning with the 25th president, William McKinley, when the US first emerged as a major global power  and 2009.

As such, the last three occupants of the Oval Office  Barack Obama, Donald Trump and Joe Biden  were not considered as part of the analysis.

Mr Harden used data from a previous study, in which more than 100 presidential historians and biographers were asked some 200 questions about the personality of the president(s) with which the respondents had an expert understanding.

From this, he extrapolated how each president would score on the so-called 'Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire' by focussing on five key factors.

These included each leader's assertiveness and excitement-seeking tendencies (which are heightened by grandiose narcissism) as well as their compliance, modesty and straightforwardness (which are reduced among narcissists).

'These facets describe people who want to be in charge, seek the spotlight, brag about their accomplishments and are willing to lie and flatter to get what they want,' explained Mr Harden.

'They certainly would be willing to insult others, too. So it is a pretty good description of a narcissist,' he added.

Mr Harden used data from a past study, in which more than 100 presidential historians were asked questions about the personality of the president(s) with which the respondents had an expert understanding. From this, he extrapolated how each president would score on the so-called 'Narcissistic Admiration and Rivalry Questionnaire'. Pictured: Franklin D. Roosevelt (left) and Bill Clinton (right), two of the most narcissistic presidents

Alongside this, Mr Harden counted the number of times during each president's tenure that the US unilaterally threatened another great power  as recorded by the so-called 'Militarized Interstate Disputes' database.

Many of these disputes, the researcher noted, are not that well-known by the public but, at their time, caused a great deal of tension among the world leaders.

These incidents included, for example, 1969's 'Operation Giant Lance', in which Richard Nixon sent a squadron of B-52 bombers armed with nuclear warheads to patrol the glacier caps near Moscow, applying pressure on Russia amid the Cold War.

Another event included in the study was the so-called 'Lightning Bug War' of 1964, in which Lyndon B. Johnson dispatched drones on missions deep into China.

On average, the likelihood of the US unilaterally threatening another power in a given year was around 4 per cent  a figure, however, that increased to 29 per cent under those presidents who scored the highest on the narcissism scale. Pictured: Presidents who scored higher on the narcissism scale (bottom axis) tended to initiate more conflicts (left-hand axis)

Analysis revealed the US president who scored highest for grandiose narcissism to be Lyndon B. Johnson, who served in office from 19631969, followed by Theodore Roosevelt, Richard Nixon, Franklin D. Roosevelt and Bill Clinton.

'The results are in line with common assessments of the presidents,' Mr Harden said.

Meanwhile, those presidents who scored lowest on the narcissism scale  William McKinley, William Howard Taft and Calvin Coolidge  were those that also tend to take up less space in the history books.

These three presidents were known, respectively, for being 'ethically principled', 'sensitive and often overwhelmed' and 'taciturn', Mr Harden explained.

Mr Harden counted the number of times during each president's tenure that the US unilaterally threatened another great power. These incidents included, for example, 1969's 'Operation Giant Lance', in which Richard Nixon sent a squadron of B-52 bombers (as pictured) armed with nuclear warheads to patrol the glacier caps near Moscow during the Cold War

After controlling for other factors  including each president's party, military experience before office and whether the incident occurred during the cold war  Mr Harden assessed the likelihood of the US initiating an incident.

On average, the likelihood of the US unilaterally threatening another power in a given year was around 4 per cent  a figure, however, that increased to 29 per cent under those presidents who scored the highest on the narcissism scale.

In contrast, the likelihood dropped to just 1 per cent among leaders like McKinley and Taft who scored the lowest for narcissistic traits.

'The raw data speaks for itself. 'The three most narcissistic presidents had unilaterally initiated great power disputes that made up 33 per cent to 71 per cent of all disputes they initiated.' Mr Harden said.

'Meanwhile, the bottom three had none,' he added.

According to Mr Harden, there are several reasons why more narcissistic leaders would be inclined to pick fights with other major powers without allied support.

Firstly, such presidents would only want to be seen to deal with great powers.

'Why would a leader who focuses on their historical notability and image "waste their time" with lesser status powers?,' Mr Harden said, adding that their reluctance to share the spotlight or value others' help causes them to work alone.

'While most leaders will divert attention to easier won battles, more narcissistic leaders will prefer to fight against high-status states by themselves.'

Alongside this, he explained, leaders with more narcissistic traits will tend to behave in ways that increase tensions  such as, for example, choosing actions that project an image of strength, taking risks, acting dramatically and sending mixed signals.

The full findings of the study were published in the journal International Studies Quarterly.
The public has picked 'Moonikin Campos' as the name for the manikin set to be launched on NASA's Artemis test flight around the Moon later this year.

The name is a dedication to Arturo Campos, an electrical engineer for NASA and a key player in bringing Apollo 13 safely back to Earth in April 1970.

The manikin will launch on Artemis I, NASA's uncrewed flight test of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft, from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on November 22.

NASA's Artemis programme will land the first woman and the next man on the moon by 2024, specifically at the lunar south pole region.

It is also hoped that establishing a sustainable lunar presence will ultimately be used as a 'stepping stone' for the first human mission to Mars.

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Pictured, engineers use a suited manikin to conduct vibration testing at Kennedy Space Center. The manikin will fly aboard the Orion spacecraft during the Artemis I mission, an uncrewed flight test flight due for November. All importantly, the manikin, or 'Moonikin', now has a name - Campos, after former NASA engineer Arturo Campos

Arturo Campos (1934-2004) was an electrical power subsystem manager for the Apollo 13 lunar module - and his heroics were crucial for returning the three astronauts on board back to Earth

THE LIFE AND CAREER OF ARTURO CAMPOS Arturo Campos was a key player in bringing Apollo 13 safely back to Earth. He was born in Laredo, Texas in 1934, hailing from a Mexican-American family. Campos went on to graduate from the University of Texas with a degree in electrical engineering in 1956. He had been working as a civilian employee supervising aircraft maintenance at Kelly Air Force Base in Texas before joining NASA in the early 1960s. On April 13, 1970, Campos was asleep in his home when he got the call from his colleagues at NASAs Manned Spacecraft Center (now Johnson Space Center). Upon arrival, Campos learned that a service module oxygen tank aboard the Apollo 13 spacecraft had ruptured. The command module's normal supply of electricity, light, and water was lost, leaving astronauts Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise stuck in a crippled spacecraft about 200,000 miles (about 320,000 km) from Earth. The missions initial goal of a moon landing had been abandoned; now, the top priority was making sure the astronauts survived the return home. The team had created a contingency plan, designed to divert power from the lunar module to the command and service module equipment system, giving the astronauts enough power to return home safely. The procedure would need to be modified in real-time by Campos - but reworking it required incredible technical expertise. 'When they called me up, I rewrote the plan on the spot,' he said. 'I had written procedures for that eventuality a year before.' The strategy that Campos and his colleagues in the Mission Evaluation Room devised was a success. Directions for implementing the procedure were provided to members of the control room, who relayed it to the astronauts on board. The entire process took about 15 hours, but in the end, enough power was diverted from lunar module power sources into the emergency batteries of the command and service module to provide heat to the astronauts and get them safely home. Campos retired from NASA in 1980, and continued consulting in electrical engineering consultant work for several Houston firms. He passed away in 2004 at age 66 of a heart attack. Source: NASA Advertisement

'Our return to the moon through Artemis is a global effort  and we're always looking at new ways to engage the public in our missions,' said Brian Odom, NASA's acting chief historian at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

'This contest, which is helping pave the way for a human return to the Moon, also honours an important individual in our NASA family  Arturo Campos.

'It is a fitting tribute that the data gained from Artemis I will help us prepare to fly astronauts  including the first woman and first person of colour  to the moon, where we will get ready for Mars.'

The male-bodied manikin, previously used in Orion vibration tests, received its name as the result of a competitive bracket contest honouring NASA figures, programs or astronomical objects.

NASA received more than 300,000 votes throughout the bracket tournament.

The final bracket challenge was between Campos and Delos, a reference to the island where Apollo and Artemis were born, according to Greek mythology.

Some of the other options were Duhart, a dedication to Irene Duhart Long, chief medical officer at Kennedy Space Center.

Another was Shackleton, a nod to a crater on the moon's south pole and a reference to the famous explorer Ernest Shackleton, who led three British expeditions to the Antarctic in the early 20th century.

But Arturo Campos, a Texan native who proved the hero in the mission to get the Apollo 13 astronauts safely back to Earth, came out tops.

Campos's plan to provide Apollo 13's command module with enough electrical power to navigate home safely earned him the honour.

Apollo 13 was launched from Kennedy Space Center in Florida on April 11, 1970, with the aim of becoming the third spacecraft to land on the moon.

However, an on-board explosion ended any chances of reaching the moon and set a new challenge for the three astronauts  Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert and Fred Haise.

Campos received a phone call on April 13, 1970 telling him something had happened to the spacecraft and that he needed to report to work immediately.

Upon arrival, Campos learned that a service module oxygen tank aboard the Apollo spacecraft had ruptured.

The command module's normal supply of electricity, light, and water was lost, leaving the astronauts stuck in a crippled spacecraft about 200,000 miles (about 320,000 km) from Earth.

Campos immediately got to work reconstructing his plan to provide the command module with enough electrical power to navigate home safely.

For his heroic efforts, Campos and other members of mission control were awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by Richard Nixon in 1970.

Campos the manikin, or 'Moonikin' as NASA puts it, will occupy the commander's seat inside and wear an Orion Crew Survival System suit.

Lovell (left), Swigert (centre) and Haise (right) sit together as they prepare for re-entry through Earth's atmosphere on April 17, 1970, after an oxygen tank rupture turned Apollo 13 into a survival mission

This April 17, 1970 photo shows the severely damaged Apollo 13 service module after separation from the lunar module/command module. An entire panel on the service module was blown away by the explosion of an oxygen tank

This is the very same spacesuit that Artemis astronauts will use during launch, entry and other dynamic phases of their missions from 2024.

Campos will be equipped with two radiation sensors and have additional sensors under its headrest and behind its seat to record acceleration and vibration data throughout the mission.

Data from the Moonikin's experience will help NASA protect astronauts during Artemis II, the first mission in more than 50 years that will send crew around the moon.

Artemis I on Mobile Launcher (artist concept). The uncrewed test flight is due for launch on November 22 this year

There were eight names to choose from in NASA's bracket contest. The final bracket challenge was between Campos and Delos, a reference to the island where Apollo and Artemis were born, according to Greek mythology

WHAT WERE THE OTHER CONTENDERS? There were eight names in the running: ACE. Stands for Artemis Crew Explorer. DELOS. The island where Apollo and Artemis were born, according to Greek myth. DUHART. A dedication to Irene Duhart Long, chief medical officer at Kennedy Space Center. MONTGOMERY. A dedication to Julius Montgomery, first African American to work at the Cape Canaveral Air Force station as a technical professional. RIGEL. The giant superstar in the Orion constellation. SHACKLETON. A crater on the Moons south pole and a reference to a famous Antarctic explorer. WARGO. A dedication to Michael Wargo, NASA's first chief exploration scientist. CAMPOS. A dedication to Arturo Campos, key player in bringing Apollo 13 home. Advertisement

Artemis II is currently scheduled to be launched by the Space Launch System in September 2023.

Campos the Moonikin is actually one of three dummy 'passengers' flying aboard Orion to test the spacecraft's systems.

Two female-bodied model human torsos  named Zohar and Helga by the Israel Space Agency (ISA) and the German Aerospace Center (DLR) respectively  will also be aboard.

Zohar and Helga will support the Matroshka AstroRad Radiation Experiment (MARE), an experiment to provide data on radiation levels during lunar missions.

In April 2020, NASA released a detailed plan for an 'Artemis Base Camp' that will be home to first woman and next man on the moon in 2024.

The 13-page document highlights elements such as a terrain vehicle for transporting the astronauts around the landing zone, a permanent habit and a mobility platform to travel across the lunar surface.

The original Apollo astronauts remain the only humans to have been sent into deep space.

The celebrated program saw men walk on the moon for the last time in 1972, as part of the Apollo 17 mission.

After returning humans to the Moon in 2024, NASA plans to send astronauts to the moon once per year and establish lunar exploration by 2028.

The program will lay the groundwork in NASA's plans to send crewed missions to the Mars in the 2030s.
After pleading with residents not to interact with a friendly dolphin near North Padre Island, Texas officials are now telling residents they will be fined if they go near it.

According a Facebook post from the Texas Marine Mammal Stranding Network (TMMSN), the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's office of law enforcement is going to hand out fines ranging between $100 and $250 if they see people petting, feeding or riding the lone dolphin, which first appeared in March 2020.

'With the upcoming holiday weekend and increased boat traffic, it is more important than ever that we join together to protect this dolphin and to KEEP IT WILD,' TMMSN wrote in the post.

'Our monitoring team witnessed firsthand that if you leave the dolphin alone and do not engage with it, it will eventually return to its natural behavior, even foraging for fish. Do not engage, let it stay wild!'

Texas wildlife officials are warning residents near not to interact with a friendly dolphin near North Padre Island

Dolphins usually swim in pods, but this lone dolphin first appeared in the area in March 2020

The dolphin has been seen swimming in the Corpus Christi/North Padre Island area

Dolphins are not uncommon in the Corpus Christi/North Padre Island area, as there are a number of dolphin watching tours in the area.

However, a lone dolphin is a rare sighting, as the oceanic mammals usually swim in pods, ranging anywhere in size from two to 30 individuals.

People have shared their interactions with the dolphin on social media, with it becoming somewhat of a tourist attraction, according to the Star Telegram, but officials are wary to move it.

'Research shows that relocating a wild dolphin is not a favorable option for the dolphins survival and is not likely to solve the problem,' NOAA wrote in a June 23 post on its website.

'This is especially true when people have taught the dolphin to associate with them by feeding and interacting with it. This area is now the dolphins home.

'If moved, it would either return to the area or move the same problem behaviors to another area, decreasing its chances of survival. Instead, biologists explain, we must change human behavior, not the dolphins behavior or its home.'

NOAA also noted that human interactions 'could be dangerouseven fatalfor the dolphin.'

It's unclear how old the dolphin is, but it has increasingly become comfortable around people, something experts are concerned about.

'Human interactions cause animals to lose their wariness of people and boats, leading to boat strikes, and entanglement in or ingestion of fishing gear,' NOAA added.

'In fact, this dolphin was recently observed with wounds consistent with a propeller injury along its left side.'

A study published earlier this year found that dolphins have similar personality traits to humans, displaying curiosity, sociability and a personality trait with a blend of 'extraversion and agreeableness.'

NOAA and TMMSN are working in conjunction to monitor the dolphin and continue to warn people not to feed or go near the dolphin, as both are illegal under federal law.

'Experts say loving them from afar is the best way to insure a dolphin's ability to thrive and live a full life,' NOAA added.

Those who witness violations can call the enforcement hotline at (800) 853-1964.
Virgin Orbit's carrier plane, known as Cosmic Girl, took off Wednesday with the LauncherOne rocket tightly secured under its left wing in the firm's first operational mission.

The duo launched at 9:50am ET from California's Mojave Air and Space Port with a goal of delivering seven satellites into orbit, which it did about one and a half hours after launch.

Cosmic Girl, a modified Boeing 747, traveled at more than 400 miles per hour through the sky as it headed out to the Pacific Ocean toward the drop point, 50 miles south of California's Channel Islands.

LauncherOne separated from its flight companion at 10:50am ET at an elevation of more than 300,000 feet above the surface.

The 70-foot-long rocket ignited its single engine and shot off out of Earth's atmosphere.

'All I can say is when the engineers tell me that I can go to space, Im ready, fit and healthy to go,' Branson told the AP. 'So well see.'

Virgin Orbit named Wednesday's mission 'Tubular Bells: Part One' after the first track on Mike Oldfield's 1973 album, 'Tubular Bells,' which was the first record ever released by founder Richard Branson's company Virgin Records.

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Virgin Orbit's carrier plane, known as Cosmic Girl, took off Wednesday with the LauncherOne rocket tightly secured under its left wing in the firm's first operational mission

Prior to launch, Cosmic Girl was filled with kerosene and liquid oxygen propellants.

The payloads include the Netherland's first military satellite, three satellites from a Defense Department program and two for SatRevolution, which plans to build a constellation of Earth-observing devices.

The mission follows a successful test flight of Virgin Orbit's LauncherOne rocket into orbit in January, which delivered 10 NASA satellites.

Previous launches were aborted in May 2020 due to engine trouble, and in December due to a surge in coronavirus cases.

Cosmic Girl traveled at more than 400 miles per hour through the sky as it headed out to the Pacific Ocean toward the drop point that was 50 miles south of California's Channel Islands. Pictured is the rocket still attached to the carrier plane

LauncherOne separated from its flight companion at 10:50am ET at an elevation of more than 300,000 feet above the surface. The 70-foot-long rocket ignited its single engine and shot off to out of Earth's atmosphere. Pictured is the rocket in orbit

LauncherOne is capable of carrying around 1,100 pounds of payload into orbit, but using the two-stage method allows Virgin Orbit cuts costs and increases flexibility of missions compared to traditional rocket launches.

Virgin Orbit, although owned by Branson, is a separate unit of Virgin Galactic - Branson's multinational conglomerate Virgin Group - and is a spinoff of the space tourism business.

The goal of Virgin Galactic is to send tourists to space, which received approval from the Federal Aviation Admiration (FAA) last Friday.

The payloads include the Netherland's first military satellite, three satellites from a Defense Department program and two for SatRevolution, which plans to build a constellation of Earth-observing devices

Pictured is the Virgin Orbit team preparing the LauncherOne rocket for the Wednesday mission. The rocket is attached to the bottom of Cosmic Girl's left wing

The FAA said its approval of Virgin Galactic's license marked 'a new chapter in the story of human space flight' and likely fueled Virgin Galactic's historic day on Wall Street, which saw its stock close at $55.91 a share.

The company still plans three additional test flights, one of which is expected to include Branson himself.

Virgin Galactic is targeting early 2022 to begin commercial service and has sold some 600 tickets priced at $200,000 to $250,000.
Aurora surrounding the night side of Mars have been photographed by the United Arab Emirates Hope probe, currently in orbit around the Red Planet.

The Emirates Mars Mission, the first interplanetary exploration undertaken by an Arab nation, arrived in orbit around the Red Planet in February this year.

The probe is the first to photograph the 'discrete aurora' caused by solar radiation hitting the nightside of the atmosphere and only visible in ultraviolet light.

They have revolutionary implications for our understanding of interactions between solar radiation, Mars' magnetic fields and the planetary atmosphere, the team said.

Mars has three types of aurorae  proton, diffuse and discrete  but none are visible to the naked eye, only in various forms of ultraviolet light, requiring a special camera.

Until these new images by the Hope probe, only the proton aurora, which occurs during the day, had been captured by ultraviolet cameras on NASA spacecraft.

The Hope probe will continue to gather a full overview of the Martian atmosphere every nine days for the next two years, providing planetary scientists with the first, overview of the entire martian atmosphere over a longer period of time.

The discrete aurora, pictured by the Hope probe, is only on the night side of the planet and caused by localised magnetic fields from the surface funnelling charged particles from the sun into the thin atmosphere. It isn't visible to the naked eye, only in UV-light

Aurora surrounding the night side of Mars have been photographed by the United Arab Emirates Hope probe, currently in orbit around the Red Planet. This is an artist impression of what the aurora might look like if it were visible to the naked eye

THREE MARTIAN AURORAE Mars has three types of aurorae  proton, diffuse and discrete. None are visible to the naked eye, only in various forms of ultraviolet light, requiring a special camera. The diffuse aurora is only seen when there is an intense solar storm, with highest energy particles causing the entire martian atmosphere to 'light up' in UV light. In contrast, the discrete aurora is highly localised and observations made to date have appeared to bear out the theory that it is directly linked to the patchy magnetic fields produced by magnetised minerals embedded in Mars' surface. Both of these aurorae are observed on Mars' nightside, while a third class, the proton aurora, has been measured on Mars' dayside and is driven by interactions between the solar wind and Hydrogen in Mars' exosphere. These three types of aurora had previously been identified by ultraviolet instruments aboard the Mars Express and MAVEN missions orbiting Mars, but clear global images of the discrete aurora were elusive until the new observations by Hope. Advertisement

The images, taken by the probe's EMUS (Emirates Mars Ultraviolet Spectrometer), show a ghostly glow surround the planet known as the 'discrete aurora'.

'These global snapshots of the discrete aurora are the first time such detailed and clear observations have been made globally, as well as across previously unobservable wavelengths,' said Hessa Al Matroushi, mission science lead.

'The implications for our understanding of Mars' atmospheric and magnetospheric science are tremendous and provide new support to the theory that solar storms are not necessary to drive Mars' aurora,' Matroushi added.

The intricate patterns of this aurora trace out the regions where Mars' enigmatic crustal magnetic fields act like a funnel.

They guide fast electrons from space down into the atmosphere, causing it to shimmer in a manner similar to Earth's aurora.

This influence of localised magnetic fields is a unique feature of the Red Planet as Mars, unlike Earth, does not have a global magnetic field generated by the core.

EMUS is the most sensitive ultraviolet instrument ever sent to Mars and can image these dynamic auroral events globally at a very high resolution.

They can also capture images of them across a wide range of wavelengths, providing a window into the interaction of the atmosphere with solar particles.

While previous studies had theorised the discrete aurora is tied to Mars' magnetic fields and existing observations had been consistent with that theory, prior images of this phenomenon at this quality had only been available as artist's impressions.

'We have totally blown out ten years of study of Mars' auroras with ten minutes of observations,' said EMM Deputy Science Lead Justin Deighan.

'The data we are capturing confirms the tremendous potential we now have of exploring Mars' aurora and the interactions between Mars' magnetic fields, atmosphere and solar particles with a coverage and sensitivity we could only previously dream of.

'These exciting observations go above and beyond the original science goals of the Emirates Mars Mission.'

One of three instruments on board the Mars Hope Probe, EMUS' principal science goal is the measurement of oxygen and carbon monoxide in Mars' thermosphere.

They have revolutionary implications for our understanding of interactions between solar radiation, Mars' magnetic fields and the planetary atmosphere, the team said

The probe is the first to photograph the 'discrete aurora' caused by solar radiation hitting the nightside of the atmosphere and only visible in ultraviolet light. This is what UAE experts predict it would look like from the surface if it were visible to the naked eye

Sensors will help reveal the secrets of Martian climate UAE's Amal orbiter will have three sensors on-board to help astronomers learn more about Mars's climate. The third sensor will be an ultraviolet spectrometer for measuring oxygen and hydrogen levels One will be a high-resolution camera dedicated to tracking dust movements and the ozone of Mars. This will scan a range of light frequencies. Another device will specifically focus on infrared and was built by scientists at Arizona State University. This IR camera will measure both the upper and lower atmosphere. The third sensor will be an ultraviolet spectrometer for measuring oxygen and hydrogen levels. Advertisement

It is also tasked with measuring the variability of hydrogen and oxygen in the exosphere - the outer most layer of the thin Martian atmosphere.

Members of the science team who had previously worked on the NASA MAVEN Mission had recognised the potential for the more sensitive EMUS instrument to capture new aspects of Mars' auroral phenomena.

The results of early observations have exceeded their wildest expectations, according to the Hope probe mission team.

Three types of aurora have been observed around Mars to date by various NASA missions - diffuse, discrete and proton.

The diffuse aurora is only seen when there is an intense solar storm, with highest energy particles causing the entire martian atmosphere to 'light up' in UV light.

In contrast, the discrete aurora is highly localised and observations made to date have appeared to bear out the theory that it is directly linked to the patchy magnetic fields produced by magnetised minerals embedded in Mars' surface.

Both of these aurorae are observed on Mars' nightside, while a third class, the proton aurora, has been measured on Mars' dayside and is driven by interactions between the solar wind and Hydrogen in Mars' exosphere.

These three types of aurora had previously been identified by ultraviolet instruments aboard the Mars Express and MAVEN missions orbiting Mars, but clear global images of the discrete aurora were elusive until the new observations by Hope.

'Mars' aurorae are an area of intense interest to the global scientific community and their study has tremendous potential to challenge, expand and deepen our understanding of Mars' atmosphere and its interaction with the planet and with solar energies,' said Matroushi.

The aurora, seen through the charged solar particles (green) in these images as they hit the Red Planet and form aurora only visible in ultra-violet light

The intricate patterns of this 'discrete' aurora trace out the regions where Mars' enigmatic crustal magnetic fields act like a funnel for charged particles

'We were hopeful that EMUS could make a contribution in this area but we now know with absolute certainty that contribution is going to be ground breaking.'

Hope is following an orbit between 12,000 miles and 27,000 mile elliptical science orbit around the Red Planet, completing an orbit every 55 hours and capturing a full planetary data sample every nine days of its two year mission.

The Emirates Mars Mission will study the Martian atmosphere, the relationship between the upper layer and lower regions and, for the first time, the international science community will have full access to a holistic view of the Martian atmosphere at different times of the day, through different seasons.

In addition, it will now aim to make significant contributions to our understanding of Mars' aurorae.
A highly dangerous zebra cobra snake has escaped its home and is on the loose in Raleigh, North Carolina, officials said on Tuesday.

Raleigh Police Department issued an alert to locals to watch out for the venomous creature after it escaped its owner and was was spotted on a porch at 5:10 p.m. EST Monday, according to CBS affiliate WNCN.

Animal control was called after it was initially spotted, but by the time they had arrived, the snake had left the area.

Zebra cobras are known for their dangerous venom and are native to southern Africa, including Angola, Namibia and South Africa.

Salina Locke, a veterinarian at Raleigh-based Avian and Exotic Animal Care, told WRAL that this type of cobra 'doesn't typically bite,' but its venom spray is 'very accurate and go straight for the eyes.'

She added that she does not recommend keeping this type of pet as a pet, because of the risks associated with it.

If someone were hit with the poison, they would feel pain, swelling, blistering, and in some cases, tissue damage, the African Snake Bite Institute said.

A highly dangerous zebra cobra has escaped its home and is on the loose in Raleigh, North Carolina

Zebra cobras are known for their dangerous venom and are native to southern Africa, including Angola, Namibia and South Africa

Spitting cobras have been known to bite people and their venom is 'easily injected,' according to the African Snakebite Institute.

Zebra cobras are considered shy snakes and only defend themselves if stressed, spitting as far away as 9 feet, according to WRAL, a local Raleigh news station.

They are usually black or brown in color with light cross bars, and average 4 feet in length.

Snakes are legal to own as pets in North Carolina, but they must be enclosed.

North Carolina state law G.S. 14-417 states:

'It shall be unlawful for any person to own, possess, use, transport, or traffic in any venomous reptile that is not housed in a sturdy and secure enclosure. Enclosures shall be designed to be escape-proof, bite-proof, and have an operable lock.'

The police have not yet said if the owner of the snake, who has not yet been identified, will face charges on the matter.

If the zebra cobra is spotted, Raleigh officials have warned residents to stay away from the slithering serpent and immediately call 911.

Residents of the community said they were clueless one of their neighbors had been collecting venomous snakes - and were deeply concerned about the threat to their children and pets. Many said they were avoiding their own backyards and pools until the snake was caught.

'It is pretty alarming. It seems like a pretty dangerous snake, and dogs like to sniff in the grass and check things out,' local Mark Pavlic told WRAL.

'It's an extreme worry.'
Merchants of the Bronze Age had a self-regulating market which allowed them to trade goods across Europe using common weight systems, a study has claimed.

It meant a trader 4,000 years ago could travel from ancient Mesopotamia to the Aegean and from there on to Central Europe without having to change their own set of weights because similar systems were in use.

Researchers say this is evidence of a global network regulating itself from the bottom-up because there was no international authority that could have regulated the accuracy of weight systems over such a wide territory and long time span.

In Europe, beyond the Aegean, centralised authorities did not even exist at the time.

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Common weight systems: Examples of Western Eurasian balance weights of the Bronze Age are pictured. A: Spool-shaped weights from Tiryns, Greece; B: Cubic weights from Dholavira, India; C: Duck-shaped weights from Susa, Iran; D: Flat block weights from Lipari, Italy

Pictured is the diffusion of weighing technology in Western Eurasia from about 3000-1000 BC

It meant merchants could use a unit of value in the age before coins and bills that allowed them to interact freely, establish profitable partnerships and take advantage of the opportunities afforded by long-distance trade, the study said.

It was led by researchers from the University of Gottingen in Germany.

A global economy: The type of weighing scales a Bronze Age merchant would have carried when moving from one market to another to trade are pictured

'It is now possible to prove the long-held hypothesis that free entrepreneurship was already a primary driver of the world economy even as early as the Bronze Age,' said Professor Lorenz Rahmstorf.

His colleague, Dr Nicola Ialongo, added: 'The idea of a self-regulating market existing some 4,000 years ago puts a new perspective on the global economy of the modern era.

'Try to imagine all the international institutions that currently regulate our modern world economy: is global trade possible thanks to these institutions, or in spite of them?'

The research also showed that if information flow in Eurasia trade was free enough to support a common weight system, it was likely to be sufficient to react to local price fluctuations.

To determine how different units of weight emerged in different regions, researchers compared all the weight systems in use between Western Europe and the Indus Valley from 3,000-1,000 BC.

Analysis of 2,274 balance weights from 127 sites revealed that, with the exception of those from the Indus Valley, new and very similar units of weight appeared in a gradual spread west of Mesopotamia.

To find out if the gradual formation of these systems could be due to propagation of error from a single weight system, the researchers modelled the creation of 100 new units.

Taking into account factors such as measurement error, the simulation supported a single origin between Mesopotamia and Europe. It also showed that the Indus Valley probably developed an independent weight system.

The study was published in the journal Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
A new method for studying how cells repair damaged DNA  which causes cancer  has been demonstrated by astronauts on board the International Space Station.

Used on yeast cells, the technique is based CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology, which is used to edit animal and plant DNA with great precision.

In tests on the orbiting laboratory, this tool was used to cause precise damage to strands of DNA in the yeast, as so the repair mechanisms could be seen in action.

The advantage of creating the DNA damage with CRISPR/Cas9 technology  instead of, say, radiation  lies in how such allows the repairs to be seen in better detail.

A new method for studying how cells repair damaged, DNA  which causes cancer  has been demonstrated by astronauts on board the International Space Station. Pictured: NASA astronaut Christina Kock performs the genome editing technique aboard the ISS

There are various processes that can harm an organism's DNA  from accidents during normal biological processes or exposure to external factors like ultraviolet light or other types of radiation.

The study focussed on a particularly harmful type of damage called a 'double-strand break', in which both helices of that make up the backbone of DNA are separated.

If double-strand breaks are not repaired, cell death can result  but mis-repairs have the potential to lead to cancer.

Understanding the different mechanism that cells employ to repair DNA damage in different settings therefore has the potential to help us devise new ways to fight against cancer.

This could be particularly important outside of the Earth's atmosphere as astronauts are exposed to an increased risk of DNA damage thanks to the abundance of ionizing radiation in space.

Furthermore, previous research has suggested that the microgravity environment may affect how cells go about mending their DNA  raising the concern that repairs in space might not be as robust as those undertaken on the Earth.

The study marks the first time that CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing has been conducted in space, the researchers said  and also the first time in space that the DNA of live cells have been altered by genetic material from another organism.

'Its not just that the team successfully deployed novel technologies like CRISPR genome editing, PCR, and nanopore sequencing in an extreme environment,' said paper author and biologist Sebastian Kraves of Massachussets-based MiniPCR Bio.

'But also that we were able to integrate them into a functionally complete biotechnology workflow applicable to the study of DNA repair and other fundamental cellular processes in microgravity.'

'These developments fill this team with hope in humanitys renewed quest to explore and inhabit the vast expanse of space.'

Used on yeast cells (pictured) in the recent tests, the technique is based CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing technology, which is used to edit animal and plant DNA with great precision

The study marks the first time that CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing has been conducted in space, the researchers said  and also the first time in space that the DNA of live cells have been altered by material from another organism. Pictured: the International Space Station

'Being a part of "Genes in Space-6 has been a highlight of my career,' said paper author and microbiologist Sarah Stahl Rommel of Houston's JES Tech.

'I saw first-hand just how much can be accomplished when the ideas of innovative students are supported by the best from academia, industry and NASA.'

'The expertise of the team resulted in the ability to perform high-quality, complex science beyond the bounds of Earth.'

'I hope this impactful collaboration continues to show students and senior researchers alike what is possible onboard our laboratory in space.'

With their initial study complete, the team said that future research could see their technique refined in order to better mimic the complex DNA damage that results from exposure to ionising radiations.

Furthermore, the approach could also be used as a foundation for various other studies related to the impact of long-term space exposure on living beings.

The full findings of the study were published in the journal PLOS ONE.
NASA researchers may be getting closer to figuring out why methane, a gas that is produced from both biological and geological sources, is spotted near the Martian surface but not its atmosphere.

In a new study published in the Astronomy & Astrophysics journal, the discrepancy between readings may be due to the time of day when the colorless, odorless gas is being looked for.

The Curiosity rover is able to detect methane at night, without the distraction of other instruments, while the European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter spacecraft looks during the day and can't find it.

The Martian atmosphere is calm at night, so the methane creeps down to the surface, where Curiosity's Tunable Laser Spectrometer (TLS) instrument can detect it.

'John [Moores] predicted that methane should effectively go down to zero during the day, and our two daytime measurements confirmed that,' said Paul Mahaffy, the principal investigator of Sample Analysis at Mars (SAM) chemistry lab aboard the Curiosity rover, in a statement.

Curiosity's TLS detection during the day fits within the average detection level that was previously established.

'So that's one way of putting to bed this big discrepancy,' Mahaffy added.

In 2019, Moores, a planetary scientist from York University, noted that after looking at wind patterns in the Gale Crater, there was a discrepancy in the methane measurements.

NASA researchers may be getting closer to figuring out why methane, a gas that is produced from both biological and geological sources, is spotted near the Martian surface but not its atmosphere

The Curiosity rover can detect methane at night, while the European Space Agency's ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter spacecraft looks during the day and can't find it

The Martian atmosphere is calm at night, so the methane creeps down to the surface in the Gale Crater (pictured), where Curiosity's Tunable Laser Spectrometer (TLS) instrument can detect it

It's still unclear what is causing the methane detection, whether it's from a biological or geological source. Its presence is not a definitive sign of life.

Although it's not from the rover itself - the NASA team checked extensively - the new study suggests it could be from 'planetary micro-seepage.'

On Earth, methane is commonly released along fault lines and from natural gas fields in a process known as gas seepage.

'Dynamical modeling indicates that such methane release is contained within the collapsed planetary boundary layer (PBL) at night due to a combination of nocturnal inversion and convergent downslope flow winds that confine the methane inside the crater close to the point where it is released,' the researchers wrote in the study.

NASA's Curiosity rover first measured a 'strong signal' of the molecule on 15 June, 2013. But, some experts questioned the reliability of the discovery.

In 2019, both the Curiosity rover and the ESA's Mars Express spacecraft confirmed the presence of the unexpected discovery.

The measurement from Curiosity found 21 parts per billion of methane in the air, three times what was found during a 2013 measurement.

NASA is also researching why the methane is not remaining stable enough to accumulate in the atmosphere and if there is some kind of 'destruction mechanism' they aren't currently aware of.

'We need to determine whether there's a faster destruction mechanism than normal to fully reconcile the data sets from the rover and the orbiter,' Chris Webster, lead of the Tunable Laser Spectrometer (TLS) instrument, said.
Climate change could put 410 million people along coastal regions worldwide at risk from rising sea levels by 2100, an increase of more than 53 percent from current estimates, a new study reveals.

A team led by NUS Environmental Research Institute in the Netherlands found there are currently 267 million people living on land that is less than six feet above sea level, with 62 percent of the population of located in the tropics  but those in Indonesia have the largest extent of at-risk land.

The researchers used a projection of three feet sea level rise to see what climate change has in store for the world 79 years from now.

The same regions will still be those most at risk, but the number of people in jeopardy will increase dramatically - 72 percent in the tropics and 59 percent in tropical Asia alone.

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A team led by NUS Environmental Research Institute in the Netherlands found there were 267 million people living on land that is less than six feet above sea level, with 62 percent of the population of located in the tropics  but those in Indonesia have the largest extent of at-risk land

The global average of sea level rise has increased about eight to nine inches since 1880, but a third of that has only happened in the last two and a half decades, according to Climate.gov.

The largest increase was observed in 2019, when the global mean sea level was 3.4 inches above the 1993 average, which is when satellite-based global measurements began.

Now, researchers are looking to better predict where flooding from rising sea levels will occur.

'Coastal flood risk assessments require accurate land elevation data,' lead author Aljosja Hooijer and colleagues wrote in the study published in Nature Communications.

However, a production model shows the population living on at-risk land will increase to 410 million people. 72 percent in the tropics and 59 percent in tropical Asia alone (Pictured is flooding in Indonesia last year)

The global average of sea level rise has increased about eight to nine inches since 1880, but a third of that has only happened in the last two and a half decades. Now, researchers are looking to better predict where flooding from rising sea levels will occur

'Those to date existed only for limited parts of the world, which has resulted in high uncertainty in projections of land area at risk of sea-level rise.'

The team used Lidar measurements, which is a remote sensing method that uses pulsed laser light to measure elevation on Earth's surface, for their research.

This allowed them to model lowland terrain globally and determine regions that are less than six feet above average sea level.

Pictured are region along tropical Asia that are at most risk of rising sea levels

'Of the eight countries with over 10 million people living below 2 m [six feet] +MSL [median sea level], six are fully or partly in tropical Asia and the other two in tropical Africa. The 2020 global population number below 0 m +MSL is 35 million, with half (18 million) being in the tropics of which most (15 million) are in tropical Asia,' according to the study.

The data shows tropics in the Americas are a different story, with 20 percent of the land at risk of sea levels rising, but only three percent of the population lives in these regions.

'These numbers are another wake-up call about the immense number of people at risk in low-lying areas, particularly in vulnerable countries in the global South, where people are often experiencing these risks as part of a toxic mix with other risk factors, currently also including Covid-19,' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) contributing lead author Maarten van Aalst, who was not involved with the study, told The Guardian in response to the results.
Sue Perkins and Anna Richardson have reportedly split up after eight years together.

The former Great British Bake Off host, 51, and the Naked Attraction presenter, 50, are said to have parted ways last week.

A source told The Sun: 'It's really sad. Both Anna and Sue are devastated.

Breakup: Sue Perkins and Anna Richardson have reportedly split up after eight years together

'We're all hoping they can patch things up and sort out their differences but for now it appears to be all over.'

The pair first began dating in 2013 after meeting at a Halloween party following Anna's split from her partner of 18 years Charles Martin.

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Sue Perkins and Anna Richardson for comment.

Speaking to The Telegraph in 2015, Anna explained she had known Sue for years, but it was a meeting her at a party after her separation from her partner of 18 years, Charles, that made her realise she felt something more than just friendship.

Split: The former Great British Bake Off host, 51, and the Naked Attraction presenter, 50, are said to have parted ways last week

She gushed: 'When I was invited to the party, I was told Sue would be going and I felt, what, a frisson? A spark of interest? And I thought: "Hmm, that's interesting". There was something in the air.

'It was an extraordinary night. I was dancing on the table. It felt like a defining moment in my life.'

She wasn't keen on giving herself a label in regards her sexuality at the time, after she had previously spent almost two decades with a man.

'For me, it's just a case of I am who I am. I'm not interested in being labelled gay or straight, my sexuality is fluid. I just happen to have fallen in love with a woman - simple as that,' she explained.

During an appearance on Lorraine at the time she gushed about her girlfriend, lifting the lid on their romance further.

Anna said: 'I had known Sue on the circuit, but about a year and a half ago we met at a party and I was recently single and we just all I can say is there was an understanding between us, and for me the planets aligned and I just thought, this person - it's not even about a woman - this person is absolutely extraordinary.'

Different paths: A source said: 'We're all hoping they can patch things up and sort out their differences but for now it appears to be all over' (pictured in 2018)

She also explained that her religious parents were very understanding, although she was initially worried as her father is a vicar and her mother is a teacher of Religious Education.

'My Dad's a vicar, my Mum's an RE teacher so you would think 'this isn't going to go down very well' but actually they were really, really open to the whole thing and they can see that I'm happy.'

Anna previously spoke about her relationship with Sue in an interview with Hello!, saying she had thought about adopting a child and said that as she is getting older she also feels that 'time is running out' for her to do so.

Admitting she was only talking about herself, Anna said: 'For some time I've toyed with the idea of fostering or adopting a child.

'I can only speak for myself, not Sue [Perkins], but I really want to do the training [to foster] and welcome a child into my life.

'I feel keenly that I'm getting older, that time is running out.'

Romance: The pair first began dating in 2013 after meeting at a Halloween party, and in 2015, Sue gushed 'there was something sort of magical in the air' when they met (pictured in 2013)

In 2015, Sue gushed of meeting Anna: 'There was something sort of magical in the air, absolutely there was, we have a real laugh, and that's what I want, I want joy in my life and I'm lucky to have it in abundance.'

In a previous interview with DIVA magazine, Anna described the pair as 'just two middle-aged girls toshing about the flat.'

However, she added that Sue's Bake Off fame was sometimes 'tricky' for them to deal with.

She added: 'When we are out] and people do the whole hysteria thing about Bake Off. That can be tricky.'

Anna also spoke about dating a woman after previously being in a relationship with a man, saying: 'The sexual adjustment is easy, the emotional adjustment is something else, as you know, a relationship with a woman is far more intense. This I have learnt. It's an emotional tsunami.'

Asked if it was tough to admit to being in a relationship with a woman after dating a man for almost two decades, she added: 'Do I think it takes a certain type of person to go, f**k it, I'm going to give it a go, regardless of what other people may think about it? Yes I do.

'I feel extremely comfortable in the company of women.'

Speaking to The Guardian, Sue previously said of Anna: 'She is much less chaotic than me and has done quite a lot to still the gyroscope of my whirring brain.'

In 2017, Anna revealed at the Edinburgh TV Festival that she was left devastated after doctors told her she would struggle to conceive.

Hopes: Anna previously spoke about her relationship with Sue in an interview, saying she had thought about adopting a child because she felt 'time [was] running out' (pictured in 2014)

She explained that she had agreed to have fertility tests in 2008 as part of Channel 4 series The Sex Education Show.

However, when the doctor broke the news to her that she was 'completely infertile', she learnt that her director  who was pregnant  had already 'phoned the office' to tell them the results.

Anna, who at the time was in a relationship with film director Charles, said the experience was an example of presenters making themselves 'very vulnerable'.

She said: 'I thought, "F*** it, I'm in my 30s, I've got tonnes of eggs, I'm fine". And off we went to this fertility clinic. My director at the time was pregnant and she went in to speak to the doctors and I was stood outside for ages and ages with the crew.

'I knew something was going on. Eventually the doctor appeared and said, 'Can I have a word with you?'

And she took me to one side and she said, "I'm really sorry but you've got nothing. You're completely infertile".

'And the thing that I still cannot get over is that my director had phoned the office and told them before I had got the news that I couldn't have children.'

She later explained: 'I thought Ive got all my eggs and a full head of hair. Ill be fine.'

However, she has admitted that she is considering adopting alongside Sue, as she went on: 'I am sad that I haven't had babies. I cant speak for Sue but I'm considering looking at adoption and creating our own little family. It's important.'

In 2015, Sue revealed a benign grown on her pituitary gland had sadly left her infertile, with the growth diagnosed during filming for her hit BBC show Supersizers eight years ago.

Health: In 2015, Sue revealed a benign grown on her pituitary gland left her infertile, and said she was devastated the growth affected the production of reproductive hormones (pictured in 2020)

The star was devastated when she found out the growth affected the production of reproductive hormones, leaving her unable to have children.

In a chat on ITV's Lorraine at the time, Sue spoke out on the added pain she endured when her doctor insisted not being able to have children would be 'easier' on her because she's gay.

She explained: 'It was very difficult...you're a woman, it's hard-wired into our DNA.'
Alan Cumming has revealed he was robbed while performing at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival earlier this month.

The Scottish performer, 56, spoke about the unfortunate incident on The Project, admitting he 'got burgled' in the South Australian capital - which is considered one of the world's 'most liveable cities'.

'In the same week that Adelaide was voted the third-most liveable city in the world, I got bloody burgled,' he griped.

Uh-oh: Alan Cumming (pictured) has revealed he was robbed while performing at the Adelaide Cabaret Festival earlier this month

Alan then joked: 'Then someone said [Adelaide has] the highest rate per capita of serial killers and there's also a big meth problem.

'So I said, "Oh, so it's the third-most liveable place in the world if you're a meth addict or you're a serial killer?"'

The Project host Peter Helliar wryly commented: 'We can tell your Adelaide season is over.'

Not a good look: The Scottish performer, 56, spoke about the unfortunate incident on The Project , admitting he 'got burgled' in the South Australian capital. Seen here in March last year

Alan arrived in Australia from the U.S. in May to begin his role as the artistic director for the Adelaide Cabaret Festival.

The Broadway actor was due to attend last year's festival, but it was cancelled because of Covid.

'As we all know, that little virus (Ms Rona to her friends) had other plans. The 2020 Adelaide Cabaret Festival was an online-only event, the Edinburgh festivals were cancelled and suddenly all the goalposts were changed and I was in Zoom meetings discussing venue cleaning turnaround times and hotel quarantine budgets,' he wrote for the Adelaide Cabaret Festival website.

Alan said he first visited Adelaide in 1989 as one half of a cabaret double act and 'had a blast'.

'I love the spirit and the joy and the spunk and the fusion of high and low culture that is Australia. And I even love the slight inferiority complex it can have because I have that too,' he added.

'In fact, the entire description above could apply to me! I have spirit! I have joy! I have spunk! And I am definitely a fusion of the high and the low!'

Artistic: Alan arrived in Australia from the U.S. in May to begin his role as the artistic director for the Adelaide Cabaret Festival. Pictured here in February 2020

The Adelaide Cabaret Festival ran from June 11 until June 26.

Afterwards, the Romy and Michele's High School Reunion star took his show, Alan Cumming Is Not Acting His Age, on tour around Australia.

The tour begins in Brisbane on June 30 before finishing in Perth on July 9.
Buddy and Jesinta Franklin welcomed their second child, son Rocky, in March.

But the Sydney Swans player, 34, has been forced apart from his family - which also includes 16-month-old daughter Tullulah - during the AFL season.

'I'm separated from Jes and the kids at the moment and it's really hard to be away,' he told Now To Love.

'It's hard to be away': Buddy Franklin has opened up about his heartbreaking separation from his family just months after welcoming son Rocky

'So there are lots of FaceTime calls between us, but we feel incredibly lucky to have two happy and healthy kids,' he said.

Buddy added that Rocky has been the perfect addition to their family of four.

'Rocky has been an amazing little sport... It's definitely very busy but I wouldn't change a thing,' he said.

Living apart: 'I'm separated from Jes and the kids at the moment [during the AFL season] and it's really hard to be away,' the Sydney Swans player, 34, told Now To Love

The footy star also revealed he and Jesinta, 29, choose to take each day as it comes as they parent two children under the age of two.

Buddy's interview comes after Jesinta shared some candid moments from her 'mum life' that any parent can relate to.

The model posted a photo to Instagram earlier this month which showed her cradling newborn Rocky while her daughter Tullulah ran riot.

Easy does it: The footy star also revealed he and wife Jesinta (pictured) choose to take each day as it comes as they parent two children under the age of two

Drama! Buddy's interview comes after Jesinta shared some candid moments from her 'mum life' that any parent can relate to. The model posted a photo to Instagram earlier this month which showed her cradling newborn Rocky while her one-year-old daughter Tullulah ran riot

She captioned the image: 'Mum life.'

Jesinta and Buddy first started dating in 2013, and tied the knot in a secret ceremony in November 2016.

They welcomed Tullulah in February 2020, and Rocky followed in March this year.
Lisa Wilkinson has shut down a Twitter troll for suggesting her husband Peter FitSimons was 'secretly drinking' despite claiming to be sober for seven years.

The Project host, 61, was left unimpressed on Tuesday after receiving an unwelcome response to a Tweet she'd posted about her journalist husband's 60th birthday.

'A very happy birthday to the big fella @peter_fitzsimons who packs more into a day than I can in a year. Not quite the big celebration we were planning, but hey, life in lockdown,' Lisa Tweeted.

Defending her man: Lisa Wilkinson, 61, snapped at Twitter troll who claimed her husband Peter FitzSimons was 'still drinking' even though he's been sober for seven years on Tuesday

The troll promptly replied: 'Congrats Fitzy...don't tell Lisa you are still having a cheaky [sic] bottle of red now and again...Mosman local... #auspol.'

Lisa, who has been married to Peter for over three decades, snapped back: 'Proud to say @Peter_Fitz hasnt had a drink for almost seven years.'

'By his own admission hes a better man without it. Can I suggest you try it sometime?' she added.

Birthday tribute: The Project host was left unimpressed on Tuesday after receiving an unwelcome response to a Tweet she'd posted about her journalist husband's 60th birthday

'He hasn't had a drink for almost seven years': Lisa shut down the troll after they claimed Peter was enjoying a 'cheeky bottle of red now and again'

Lisa has often publicly addressed her husband's sobriety.

In 2017, she revealed on the Today show that her marriage had never been better since Peter quit the booze.

'My husband gave up drinking three years ago and he has never been more fun to be married to,' Lisa said at the time.

'He has never been more fun to be married to': In 2017, Lisa revealed on the Today show that her marriage had never been better since Peter quit the booze

In 2016, she also told the Australian's Women Weekly that alcohol had once cast a shadow over their marriage.

'He stopped caring when he had alcohol. He wouldn't care too much what he'd say to me, he'd be careless he might upset me - and it actually takes a lot to upset me,' Lisa told the publication.

The article claimed that Lisa would often come home in the afternoon to find her husband sleeping off alcohol on the couch.

'He just wasn't the man I married': In 2016, she also told the Australian's Women Weekly that alcohol had once cast a shadow over their marriage

'He stopped caring when he had alcohol': The article claimed that Lisa would often come home in the afternoon to find her husband sleeping off alcohol on the couch

'He just wasn't the man I married. We were missing out on time spent together, which we love,' she said.

Lisa revealed it was a friend's comment that inevitably led to Peter making a change for the better.

After noticing that he was the only one to polish off a bottle of wine at lunch, Peter decided to quit drinking alcohol and sugar and begin exercising.

He went on to drop a whopping 40kg in the space of two years.
Married At First Sight star Tamara Joy has revealed how she was allowed to travel overseas during the coronavirus pandemic.

The 32-year-old reality star jetted from Australia to the UK five weeks ago despite international borders being 'closed'.

Tamara told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday she was granted permission to travel overseas because of a work permit.

Revealed: How Married At First Sight star Tamara Joy was allowed to jump Australia's closed border and travel to the UK during the coronavirus pandemic

'I applied for an exemption as you can't get past the Australian borders without an exemption to leave, and it was granted quite quickly,' she said.

'I was approved for an existing working contract and left five weeks ago. What also helped was the fact I have no intention to return to Australia anytime soon and it's at my own risk.'

Tamara continued: 'I had to provide all correct documentation to support this and prove I could support myself being away from Australia for a certain period of time.'

Permit: The 32-year-old told Daily Mail Australia on Tuesday she was granted permission to travel to the UK because of a work permit

'I have gone through the correct channels and did a lot of research to find out how to make my situation work,' she concluded.

People can travel to and from other countries that are not low-risk if they receive exemptions.

These are not automatic exemptions; they have to be granted by the Commissioner of the Australian Border Force.

'I was approved for an existing working contract and left five weeks ago. What also helped was the fact I have no intention to return to Australia anytime soon and it's at my own risk,' she said

Exemptions are granted if travel is part of the response to the Covid-19 outbreak, if travel is for your business or employer, to receive urgent medical treatment, if you're travelling on compassionate or compelling grounds, for urgent or unavoidable personal business or if travel is in the national interest.

If you want to leave Australia to travel on a return ticket, you may be able to go if your travel is for more than three months - if you have a 'compelling reason'.

Studying overseas is noted as acceptable evidence, as is travelling to provide care for a sick family member.
Kate Bosworth was 'overwhelmed' with the fame she received after landing the role of surfer Anne Marie Chadwick in John Stockwell's 2002 hit Blue Crush.

'It was so intense and overwhelming,' the 38-year-old LA native recalled on Tuesday's episode of InStyle Ladies First with Laura Brown.

'It was a really, really hard time, and I did not know how to handle that at all. And I also did not know how to really communicate through that very well to support systems or to my friends or family.'

'It was so intense': Kate Bosworth was 'overwhelmed' with the fame she received after landing the role of surfer Anne Marie Chadwick in John Stockwell's 2002 hit Blue Crush

Kate (born Catherine) continued: 'I was losing a lot of weight because I was really under a lot of scrutiny, and I was so stressed and spun out that if you see images of me then, it's like seeing someone under duress.

'And I think that a lot of times people in the spotlight get this sort of thing, like, "Well, that's what you chose!" And that's what it is.'

For Blue Crush, Bosworth put 15lbs of muscle on her waifish 5ft5in frame by working out seven hours a day for a month with two trainers.

'Literally, eight to 10 hours a day, I was driving to Point Dume [in Malibu],' the Force of Nature actress said.

The 38-year-old LA native recalled on Tuesday's episode of InStyle Ladies First with Laura Brown: 'It was a really, really hard time, and I did not know how to handle that at all. And I also did not know how to really communicate through that very well to support systems or to my friends or family'

Kate (born Catherine) continued: 'I was losing a lot of weight because I was really under a lot of scrutiny, and I was so stressed and spun out that if you see images of me then, it's like seeing someone under duress. And I think that a lot of times people in the spotlight get this sort of thing, like, "Well, that's what you chose!" And that's what it is'

'Literally, eight to 10 hours a day, I was driving to Point Dume': For Blue Crush, Bosworth put 15lbs of muscle on her waifish 5ft5in frame by working out seven hours a day for a month with two trainers

'I just ate s*** over and over': The Force of Nature actress was only hired for Blue Crush after her surf instructor assured the casting directors no one would be 'more determined' than her despite her lack of skills

'I committed myself for the three to four weeks. I really thought that I was going to have this quintessential heroic moment that I've learned, I've mastered it, and the role is mine.

'And there was a surf instructor there, he had taken me out, and I just ate s*** over and over and over and over again. It was really sad. And yet, remember, I'm also the four-year-old who said, "I'll get back on."'

Kate was only hired for Blue Crush after her surf instructor assured the casting directors no one would be 'more determined' than her despite her lack of skills.

Roles in movies like Wonderland, Win a Date with Tad Hamilton, Beyond the Sea, and Superman Returns quickly followed for Bosworth's meteoric rise.

'He really did become my mentor': Kate will next celebrate eight years of wedded bliss with American Traitor director Michael Polish (R, pictured February 26) on August 31

'He was the first person in my corner': In March, art director Jack Renner filed a lawsuit against Polish for assault and breach of contract over allegedly 'throwing him to the ground' on the Montana set of the couple's 10-episode modern western drama Bring on the Dancing Horses

The platinum-blonde Buddhist will next celebrate eight years of wedded bliss with American Traitor director Michael Polish on August 31.

'He was the first person in my corner who really said, "Oh, but you can do anything you want." He really did become a mentor to me, I feel like he still is,' Kate said of the 50-year-old Independent Spirit Award winner.

'That relationship has sort of segued now into a very firm partnership. He's 14 years older than me; he'd been doing this for a lot longer than I had. And he just really took me by the hand and said, "We've got this; you've got this."'

In March, art director Jack Renner filed a lawsuit against Polish for assault and breach of contract over allegedly 'throwing him to the ground' on the Montana set of the couple's 10-episode modern western drama Bring on the Dancing Horses.

'That's a wrap for me!' On June 1, Bosworth wrapped her role in Netflix's Along for the Ride directed by Sofia Alvarez (L) and co-starring Emma Pasarow (2-L) and Dermot Mulroney (2-R)

'Persistence': The platinum-blonde Buddhist is currently hard at work in Thessaloniki, Greece filming Richard Hughes's sex-trafficking thriller The Enforcer alongside Antonio Banderas and rapper 2 Chainz (pictured Friday)

Renner 'continues to suffer from a back injury and cannot lift heavy equipment, making it impossible for him to work as an art director' - according to Variety.

On June 1, Bosworth wrapped her role in Netflix's Along for the Ride directed by Sofia Alvarez and co-starring Emma Pasarow and Dermot Mulroney.

Kate is currently hard at work in Thessaloniki, Greece filming Richard Hughes's sex-trafficking thriller The Enforcer alongside Antonio Banderas and rapper 2 Chainz.
As princes Harry and William prepare to unveil the statue of their mother at Kensington Palace, I can disclose that a headstone has finally been installed to mark the spot where Princess Dianas larger-than-life stepmother, Raine Spencer, is buried seven miles away.

The simple headstone, engraved with a gold coronet and the inscription Countess Raine Spencer 1929-2016, has just been placed in North Sheen Cemetery, South-West London, five years after her death.

She was elegant and unforgettable, but also very much a person who loved family, her daughter, Charlotte di Carcaci, tells me.

We are so pleased to have her gravestone in place: simple, elegant and a memorial to the love and affection in which she was so widely held.

Pictured: Princess Diana Talking with her stepmother Raine, Comtesse De Chambrun in 2002

The daughter of romance novelist Dame Barbara Cartland, Raine was a vivacious figure who, after becoming a director at Harrods, happily worked behind the till at the perfume counter.

She married Dianas father, the 8th Earl Spencer, in 1976, but left the familys ancestral home Althorp, after his death in 1992.

On the headstone there is no mention of her beloved four children or eight grandchildren.

Henry Legge, QC, explains: This was not the place to try and summarise my mothers life.

The design is intentionally simple and is similar to the stone which we arranged for my fathers grave. We also thought it was more elegant to keep the content of the stone simple.

Raines eldest son from her first marriage to Gerald Legge, the Earl of Dartmouth, has yet to visit the headstone despite the relaxation in Covid restrictions.

Countess Spencer's headstone (pictured) is deliberately simple, according to her family

It was my mothers wish to have something very simple, he tells me.

After Earl Spencers death, she married French Count Jean-Francois de Chambrun, but reverted to Countess Spencer after their divorce.

After a bumpy start to their relationship, Diana became close to her stepmother (pictured together) in the years before her death, sharing lunches at Claridges and teas at Kensington Palace.

Diana never called her stepmother Acid Raine, insists the Countesss friend Michael Cole, who gave the eulogy at her Mayfair memorial service in 2016.

The children used to say, Raine, Raine, go away, come again another day, which was because they missed their real mother.

Top model Lady Clara Paget couldnt wait for her wedding to slip into a bridal gown.

The 8th Marquess of Angleseys daughter hired a vintage white dress, as well as a tiara and veil, to celebrate her hen night at Mayfairs Isabel restaurant.

Round one, she jokes to friends, with a glass of tequila in her hand.

Her pals include Georgia May Jagger, Suki Waterhouse and Cara Delevingne. Lady Clara, 32, who has appeared in films including St Trinians 2 and Fast & Furious 6, is due to exchange vows soon with concert promoter Oscar Tuttiett.

For his stag do, the former Burberry model and chums dressed up in monk-style black robes. Lets hope he hasnt picked up any bad habits.

Why park attack terrified Whitty

Professor Chris Whittys intimidation by a group of thugs in a London park must have brought back intensely painful memories for the Chief Medical Officer.

His father, Ken Whitty, was shot dead in 1984 when he was deputy director of the British Council in Athens.

Palestinian terrorist Abu Nidal had objected to the council exporting British imperialist culture when it took a production of The School For Scandal on tour.

Professor Chris Whitty, England's chief medical officer, was harassed by two men in St James' Park on Sunday who tried to grab him and filmed the encounter while he tried to get away

One of the cast, Marc Sinden, tells me: As an example of what was going to happen to us on the tour, Nidals group murdered Ken Whitty.

'We were asked if we wanted to continue as all the main cast were named targets. We said yes and so had armed guards with us in Athens and Istanbul.

Sinden adds: Thats why these ignorant bastards in London deserve to be punished. Prof Whitty must have been terrified and my heart goes out to him.

The secret of the monarchs immaculately coiffed hair can be revealed.

I met somebody who was the Queens hairdresser, who said that what she likes and insists upon is that her hair is entirely symmetrical, reveals broadcaster Dame Esther Rantzen.

Her hair has to look the same from one profile and then to the other, so that whatever side people are watching her from, her hair always looks exactly the same.

An insider has revealed Her Majesty the Queen always insists her hair is precisely symmetrical

Dinner parties at the elegant Georgian home of Michelin star-winning Angela Hartnett and her husband, The French House head chef Neil Borthwick, can be fraught affairs.

I love him to death, but hes just carnage, Hartnett wails. Neil doesnt wear an apron  I say: Youve got that stain on your shirt, it drives me insane  and he doesnt clean as he goes.

'So he will use every pan, and its just every surface. And when he does clean its water everywhere.

Trunk call for August

Princess Eugenie introduced her four-month-old son to a herd of elephants  and she didnt have to leave the country.

She took August to see the herd of wooden animals in Green Park as part of the charity drive for the Elephant Family, founded by the Duchess of Cornwalls late brother, Mark Shand.

Eugenie says her son met a baby elephant called Assam August. Sounds like a jumbo treat.

Some news to cheer up Guy Ritchie, whose Lore Of The Land pub in Mayfair was gutted by a fire last week.

I hear the Sherlock Holmes director made a 12.75 million profit at his Toff Guy Films business.

Guy Ritchie's pub, Lore of the Land, in Fitzrovia, west London, caught fire earlier this month

Its earnings in the year to June 2020 take its net worth to a cool 14 million. The bumper year for Ritchie, who set his business up in 2004, follows on from his remake of Aladdin, starring Will Smith, and gangster film The Gentlemen.

Puttin' on the Brits

MPs were at the front of the queue to enjoy the easing of lockdown, with eight snapping up tickets to the Brit Awards.

I hear six Conservative and two Labour MPs enjoyed freebies worth more than 7,000 for the extravaganza featuring live performances from Sir Elton John and Dua Lipa.

They were Business minister Paul Scully, Transport minister Chris Heaton-Harris, Tory MPs Dehenna Davison, Alicia Kearns, Steve Brine and John Lamont, Labours Shadow Culture Secretary Jo Stevens and Alex Davies-Jones, the register of financial interests reveals.
Production for the Disney live-action remake of The Little Mermaid has been underway in Sardinia, Italy since early June.

And on Monday, June 28, film stars Jonah Hauer-King, 26, and Halle Bailey, 21, were glimpsed on the beach in full wardrobe as they continued to shoot scenes as Prince Eric and Ariel.

The two rising stars were seen filming in a boat causing speculation they may have been preparing to shoot a readaptation of the famed 'Kiss The Girl' number.

Jonah Hauer-King, 26, and Halle Bailey, 21, were glimpsed on the beaches in Sardinia, Italy as they continue to film for the upcoming Rob Marshall live-action remake of The Little Mermaid

Halle's Ariel casting was announced in July 2019 and Hauer-King's casting as Prince Eric was announced the following November, after it was reported that Dunkirk's Harry Styles and Krypton's Cameron Cuffe were also in contention.

Though many took Halle's casting as a big win on the grounds of inclusion in Hollywood, others took issue with her portrayal of Ariel.

In August 2019 she told Variety in a red carpet interview: 'I feel like I'm dreaming, and I'm just grateful. I don't pay attention to the negativity. I just feel like this role is something bigger than me. It's going to be beautiful.'

And she continued to maintain her stance on blocking out hatred while speaking to Teen Vogue last June.

'We've always learned to just keep our heads up no matter the situation. No matter what anybody has to say about you...just keep pushing.'

Speaking about the casting she also told Variety: 'I feel like I'm dreaming, and I'm just grateful. And I don't pay attention to the negativity. I just feel like this role is something bigger than me, and greater, and it's going to be beautiful. I'm just so excited to be a part of it.'

Production had started in 2020 and was based in London however things had to be pushed back a little amid the pandemic, with Halle previously telling the RadioTimes that it 'caused everyone to slow down'.

Halle's casting was announced some time ago, with the movie's director Rob Marshall gushing that she was perfect to portray Ariel in a statement shared in July 2019.

Ariel: The Grown-ish actress wore a ruffled peach colored dress with a visor before taking it off to film scenes in a boat

Up where they stay all day in the sun! The animated film was released in 1989

Making a splash! Halle previously defended the decision to cast her in the film, after making history as the first black actress to play the role

He said: 'After an extensive search, it was abundantly clear that Halle possesses that rare combination of spirit, heart, youth, innocence, and substance  plus a glorious singing voice  all intrinsic qualities necessary to play this iconic role.'

Halle confirmed the exciting news of her casting on Twitter, giving fans a look at the new and first Black Ariel.

'dream come true...' she captioned an image of Ariel sporting her signature purple shell bikini with green bottoms, while appearing with dark skin, brown eyes and black rather than red hair.

Kiss the girl? The boat scenes caused speculation they may have been gearing up to shoot the iconic 'Kiss The Girl' number which occurred during a romantic boat ride in the original animated classic

The image was from 2015 when artist, Dylan Bonner, was commissioned by Brian Flynn to create illustrations of every Disney princess in the image of his girlfriend Maninai Gupta as a surprise Valentine's Day present.

Halle was seen strolling barefoot in a ruffled peach colored dress with puffy sleeves.

Ahead of scenes the Grown-ish actress shielded herself from the sun with a green visor and a pair of oversized black sunglasses.

Beside her was Hauer-King who donned a lifelike Prince Eric garment that featured white pants and a white blouse with a navy vest overlayed.

The Little Women actor looked to clutch a script in hand as they made their way to the shore amongst a large group of production personnel  some of which donned wetsuits.

And based on the boat that awaited the film stars, it looked as if they were gearing up to shoot the 'Kiss The Girl' number from the 1989 animated film which took place during a romantic boat ride.

Selfie! The lead actors had previously shared a selfie with matching starfish earrings as they continued to build excitement for the groundbreaking reimagining of the 1989 animated classic; pictured June 13

Other stars of the Rob Marshall film including Daveed Diggs (Sebastian), Javier Bardem (King Triton), Jacob Tremblay (Flounder), Melissa McCarthy (Ursula) and Awkwafina (Scuttle) were not present on set.

The Rob Marshall adaptation was one of a few Disney films that experienced production delays on account of the COVID-19 pandemic last March.

Before its hault, The Mary Poppins Returns director divulged a bit of information about the process of shooting the film and how it would approach underwater scenes in the live-action version.

'We are doing some underwater work, especially (to) get the reality of that,' he told DGA in an interview. 'But the majority of it, we are doing what's called "dry for wet." On a blue-screen stage. We're singing and moving and acting, and underwater for half the film. I will say it's sort of this new frontier.'

Cast list: The lineup of Hollywood heavyweights and their characters in the film are pictured above

Movie magic: Marshall spoke to DGA about underwater scenes for the live-action remake saying that they would be 'doing some underwater work, especially (to) get the reality,' of the film, as well as "dry for wet," which includes shooting on a 'blue-screen stage'; pictured 2019
Allison Langdon snapped at her Today co-host Karl Stefanovic on Wednesday after he fired off a string of jokes about her finances.

While interviewing Nine's money expert Effie Zahos about the start of the new financial year, Karl, 46, joked that his colleague hadn't lodged her taxes in a decade.

The mother of two, 42, appeared a little taken aback and insisted 'that isn't true'.

'That's not true!' Allison Langdon (pictured) snapped at her Today co-host Karl Stefanovic on Wednesday after he fired off a string of jokes about her finances

'Tomorrow is the start of the new financial year. We all know what that means: it's tax time,' Allison told viewers.

Karl added: 'Well, Ally hasn't done her taxes for the last 10 years. Just alerting the ATO...'

'That's not true! I get them in on time every year, Mr Tax Commissioner,' she hit back, before bursting into laughter.

'Every decade she's on time,' Karl replied as he continued with the segment.

'Just alerting the ATO': While interviewing Nine's money expert Effie Zahos about the start of the new financial year, Karl, 46, joked that his colleague hadn't lodged her taxes in a decade

It comes after the Today crew, including Karl and Allison, flew back to Australia after visiting New Zealand earlier this month.

The co-anchors were joined by their spouses as they strolled through Sydney Airport after their flight across the ditch.

The breakfast show had filmed several segments in Queenstown as part of a promotional campaign with the New Zealand tourism board.

Setting the record straight: 'That's not true! I get them in on time every year, Mr Tax Commissioner,' Ally hit back, before bursting into laughter

Their visit to New Zealand marked the first time Today had ventured away from Nine's North Sydney headquarters since their ill-fated trip to the Gold Coast in February.

During that excursion, Allison injured herself badly during a pre-recorded hydrofoiling segment and was out of commission for a month.

Dramatic footage of the accident showed Allison being pulled from the water by her life vest by two male rescuers.
Katie Piper was a ray of sunshine on a rainy day as she stepped out in London on Tuesday.

The television personality, 37, looked stylish as she stepped out in the capital, flashing a smile as she sheltered beneath a large black umbrella.

Author Katie wore a bright white raincoat in a bid to keep herself dry which was cinched in at the waist to accentuate her figure.

Ray of light: Katie Piper, 37, looked stylish as she stepped out in London, flashing a smile as she sheltered beneath a black umbrella while wearing a bright white coat and baggy jeans

The plunging neckline of the jacket left her decolletage on show while she wore a simple gold chain around her neck.

She had on a pair of charcoal grey baggy jeans which touched the ground as she walked.

The activist carried a matching holdall, keeping her belongings safely together on her travels.

Star quality: Katie wore a bright white raincoat in a bid to keep herself dry which was cinched in at the waist to accentuate her figure

On Monday Katie announced she would be running in the Asics London 10k to raise funds for The Katie Piper Foundation Rehabilitation Centre.

The Katie Piper foundation was set up in 2009 and attempts to help intensive burns rehabilitation and scar management to victims in the UK.

Model Katie underwent groundbreaking surgery after she was attacked with acid in 2008 and she gave up her right to anonymity to raise awareness about burns victims.

Style queen: The plunging neckline of the jacket left her decolletage on show while she wore a simple gold chain around her neck

Going big: Katie had on a pair of charcoal grey baggy jeans which touched the ground as she walked

Activist carried a matching holdall, keeping her belongings safely together on her travels

Sharing a picture of herself running in a previous race on Instagram this week, Katie wrote: 'Between the pouring sweat, the unflattering photos and the MANY aches and pains that come along with it, there's always an incredible sense of unity, community and accomplishment that comes with running to raise money for causes so personal to me.

'That's why I'm lacing up my trainers again. I'm so excited to lead this year's #TeamKatie at the Asics London 10k.

'I'll be running with a team of burn survivors and their suppporters, all of us determined to raise funds that will help us reopen the doors to our Rehabilitation Centre - the only one of it's kind in the UK.

'So we're going big: we want to raise 10,000 for each of the 10k races we do this year.'
Whoopi Goldberg returned to The View for the first time in a week, revealing she's now using a walker while dealing with sciatica.

The 65-year-old EGOT winner returned to the daytime talk show on Tuesday, explaining at the top of the show that she was gone while dealing with this health issue.

She also held up her walker to show the audience, revealing she was hesitant at first to use it, but after taking her first step with it, she called it her 'best friend.'

WELCOME BACK, WHOOPI!  Our @WhoopiGoldberg returns to @TheView after suffering from sciatica and shares about her recovery. https://t.co/f8u2wbJuik pic.twitter.com/cqOW6sbRvQ  The View (@TheView) June 29, 2021

Whoopi returns: Whoopi Goldberg returned to The View for the first time in a week, revealing she's now using a walker while dealing with sciatica

Best friend: She also held up her walker to show the audience, revealing she was hesitant at first to use it, but after taking her first step with it, she called it her 'best friend'

'Yes, it's me, I'm back. I was out because I was dealing with something called sciatica, which is basically a bulging disc in your back and it impacts the sciatic nerve, which sends pain down your leg,' Goldberg began.

She compared having sciatica to, 'having a bad boyfriend who came back to mess with me.'

'So there I was, trying to move my leg  impossible to do, and it was really horrible, but I'm glad to be here,' she added.

She's back: 'Yes, it's me, I'm back. I was out because I was dealing with something called sciatica, which is basically a bulging disc in your back and it impacts the sciatic nerve, which sends pain down your leg,' Goldberg began

She then lifted up her walker and said, 'I have a walker, which kind of freaks me out,' adding she didn't know she needed it.

'And, you know what? That first step with the walker? This is my new best friend. I am just gliding along,' Goldberg added.

She added that she was told, 'it comes out of nowhere,' before asking the rest of her co-hosts on The View if any of them have had it.

New best friend: 'And, you know what? That first step with the walker? This is my new best friend. I am just gliding along,' Goldberg added

Out of nowhere: She added that she was told, 'it comes out of nowhere,' before asking the rest of her co-hosts on The View if any of them have had it

Joy Behar said that she got it, 'when I was younger,' adding the condition is, 'very stress-related.

She added that, 'stretching the leg is something that helps a lot,' while adding Goldberg should, 'be careful' with her stress levels.

Behar added that Goldberg looked 'good' and 'rested' with Goldberg adding, 'Well, what can you do, laying in this hospital room?'

Stress-related: Joy Behar said that she got it, 'when I was younger,' adding the condition is, 'very stress-related

Looking good: Behar added that Goldberg looked 'good' and 'rested' with Goldberg adding, 'Well, what can you do, laying in this hospital room?'

'I've turned into this little old Black lady, it's really strange,' Goldberg said as the video segment came to an end.

Goldberg had previously taken a hiatus from The View due to her health back in February 2019, when she was out for a month due to pneumonia and sepsis.

She later revealed that she nearly died while in the hospital battling those ailments.

Strange: 'I've turned into this little old Black lady, it's really strange,' Goldberg said as the video segment came to an end
Hemingway

Rating:

Brontes' Britain

Rating:

An inch or two, in one direction or another, and the mortar shell that exploded in an Allied trench in Italy on July 8, 1918, would have killed a teenage Red Cross worker.

Instead, Ernest Hemingway survived with more than 200 shrapnel wounds  though he was hit in the leg and foot by machine-gun bullets as he was stretchered away.

That trauma shaped his life, we were told in the first episode of Hemingway (BBC4), a reverential six-part biography by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick.

In a reverential six-part documentary, the co-directors Lynn Novick and Ken Burns examine the life and works of writer Ernest Hemingway (pictured) - a giant of American literature

But the thing is  if young Ernest had died, most British readers might not have known the difference.

Be honest, have you read novels such as Death In The Afternoon or The Sun Also Rises? If youre like me, you know Hemingway chiefly as the source for movies such as Humphrey Bogarts To Have And Have Not, and Gregory Pecks The Snows Of Kilimanjaro.

Pick up any of his books and the prose is flat, monotonous and self-important. U.S. critics generally regard him as the greatest writer of the 20th century, but Americans are funny about books  they think novelists who fill pages with words of just one syllable and no adjectives must be geniuses.

Hemingway, this documentary told us, honed his style writing for local newspapers in the States.

The rules were stark: keep the sentences short and the language simple. That makes sense  America, 100 years ago, was largely a nation of European immigrants who often didnt speak English fluently, never mind reading it well.

Hemingway wrote for his audience, which is to say a 13-year-old of average intelligence can understand him easily.

Ernest Hemingway posing with a bear skin and deer antlers during a hunting trip in Wyoming

Pictured: Ken Burns and Lynn Novick's documentary series take place over six episodes

But its ridiculous to pretend his work outranks the great authors of the last century.

Burns tries to discover unsuspected angles. Noting how the writers mother liked to dress him as a little girl, the director suggests Hemingway  who postured as the manliest fellow in literature  might have cross-gender leanings.

But the evidence is scant and this exhaustive life story will hold little interest for British audiences.

Even for U.S. viewers, it seems a strange choice, compared to the usual vast canvases that Burns prefers.

Previous subjects have included an 18-hour survey of the Vietnam War, retold by scores of participants on all sides, and an engrossing three-part history of how America was shaped in the 1920s by Prohibition.

His recent mini-series on Country music unpicked the numerous inspirations and traditions tangled up in the songs of Johnny Cash and Loretta Lynn.

Burns is fascinated by the complex, the baroque and the multi-layered. Why hes bothered with Hemingway is hard to understand.

A more compelling case for a six-parter could be made for the Bronte sisters, whose novels had been classics for 70 years when Hemingway was a cub reporter, and are still adored today.

Gyles Brandreth takes in the history of the Bronte sisters in Brontes' Britain on Channel 5

Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights make better movies, too. A windswept Gyles Brandreth crammed their history into an hour as he went striding across the moors in Brontes Britain (C5). My wild, inner Heathcliff is stirring, he cried.

Ebullient Gyles bounded around Yorkshire, investigating the landscapes and houses that inspired scenes from the novels.

In a B&B called Ponden Hall, he saw the box bed beside a window, where the narrator of Wuthering Heights first sees the ghost of Cathy Earnshaw.

And he chatted by laptop camera to his canal-boating chum, Sheila Hancock, and asked what she thought of the tales. I cant imagine them being set in Surrey, she retorted.

Unlike the Hemingway hagiography, it all made me actually want to reread the books.
She's currently in France where her partner Ryan Gosling is making a movie.

And as she continues to post photos from there to her Instagram, Eva Mendes was asked by a fan how many of the images she shares have been snapped by Hollywood star beau.

'None that I post,' she responded. 'My friends take them and I take theirs. It's a girl thang.'

Query: She's currently in France where her partner Ryan Gosling is making a movie. And as she continues to post photos from there to her Instagram, Eva Mendes was asked by a fan how many of the images she shares have been snapped by Hollywood star beau

Friend sonly: Mendes, 47, surprised her followers by revealing that her longtime beau doesn't take any of the snaps she shares online

Gosling, 40, is shooting the film The Gray Man on location and Mendes, 47, has accompanied him along with their two daughters Esmeralda, six, and Amada, five.

She and the kids have been taking in the sights while the actor is on set.

The couple have been together since 2011 when they met while starring together in the movie The Place Beyond The Pines.

A very private couple: Mendes and Gosling, 40, have been together since 2011 when they met while starring together in the movie The Place Beyond The Pines

Back in May, Mendes reflected on her looks in an Instagram post as she mused about getting older.

The 2 Fast 2 Furious actress uploaded a close-up image from a movie that came out around 2001 where she looked ravishing with her hair styled nicely and her makeup perfect with glossy lips.

But in her caption she revealed that at the time she believed her face to be 'weird' and that her 'bone structure was odd.'

Now, the star of Training Day and Exit Wounds acknowledged, she appreciates how she looked at the age of 26.

Looking back: Back in May, Mendes reflected on her looks in an Instagram post as she mused about getting older, and shared she thought her face used to look 'weird'

'Meanwhile 20 years later and now I wish I still had that 'weird ' face and odd 'bone structure,'' said the Hitch star as she added a crying face.

'Why's my point? Im not sure. Maybe it's if you hate a photo of yourself wait 20 years then you'll love it,' said the artist.

And then she quotes playwright Oscar Wilde: 'Youth is wasted on the young.'

Her fans had strong reactions.

Musings: 'I remember seeing this photo back then and thinking my face looked 'weird ' and that my bone structure was odd.. you know all those insecurities that a 26 year old can have,' the actress posted

Still a smoldering siren: The star has kept her incredible looks; seen this year in an ad for New York & Co

Angela Lea 01 said, 'Youth is wasted on the young! When I was 23 I had like 2 grey hairs and used to freak out about it, now I'm 46 with tons of grey and wish I could go back and slap myself!'

Glitterandglosscaroline added, 'I love this post!! I often see pics like that of myself and think why the hell was I so insecure then???'

Sandydao appreciated the comments: 'That's literally what I'm going through now as I am 25 years old. Thank you for sharing this.  '
Kim Kardashian showcased her signature curves in a skintight cherry-print minidress as stepped out for dinner in Rome, Italy, on Tuesday evening.

While putting on a very leggy display, the 40-year-old reality star strutted around in a pair of open-toed brown heels with criss cross straps.

She also sported a black trucker hat with a marijuana leaf on the front and a nude matte lipstick.

Looking good: Kim Kardashian showcased her signature curves in a skintight cherry-print minidress as stepped out for dinner in Rome, Italy, on Tuesday evening

Kardashian opted for a glam makeup look, which included a lightweight foundation on her sun-kissed skin and lots of blush and bronzer.

She appeared in high spirits while on vacation amid her ongoing divorce from Kanye West, who has moved on with Irina Shayk.

The mother-of-four has been spotted sight-sighting with her friend Tracy Romulusas well as makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic and hairdresser Chris Appleton.

Glowing: While putting on a very leggy display, the 40-year-old reality star strutted around in a pair of open-toed brown heels with criss cross straps

Trendy: She also sported a black trucker hat with a marijuana leaf on the front and a nude matte lipstick

On her Instagram Story, the SKIMS CEO showed off the countless gifts she received from Fendi, including several bright yellow handbags and a pair of open-toed snakeskin heels.

After schmoozing with the folks at Fendi, Kim and her crew grabbed a decadent pasta lunch at Dal Bolognese Roma, which famously serves 'high-end, Italian cuisine.'

'When I'm (sic) Rome... FML,' captioned the star, who shared a snap of her dish to Instagram.

Gorgeous: Kardashian opted for a glam makeup look, which included a lightweight foundation on her sun-kissed skin and lots of blush and bronzer

Busty display: She made sure to show off her famous curves

Kim also unloaded several shots she had taken while visiting the Vatican on Monday.

The back-to-back images showcased the Vatican's stunning architecture and design, as well as several notable artifacts and items displayed around the spacious place of worship.

Kardashian, having Armenian roots on her father Robert's side, highlighted a 'gift from Armenia' to the Vatican, which was a gold necklace and matching diamond pendant displayed behind glass.

Gifts: Taking to her Instagram Story, the SKIMS CEO showed off the countless designer goods she was gifted by Fendi, including several bright yellow handbags and a pair of snakeskin heels

Although she appeared excited to be visiting the Vatican on Monday, Kim failed to adhere to the church's strict dress code by wearing a sexy lace dress which didn't cover her shoulders and had cut-out sections throughout her mid-section.

There is a basic dress code that both men and women must adhere to when visiting the Vatican city, particularly St. Peters Basilica and/or the Vatican museums (including the Sistine Chapel).

Visitors must cover their knees and upper arms, while they are prohibited from wearing shorts or skirts above the knee, sleeveless tops, and low-cut shirts.

Historic: On Monday, Kim paid a visit to the Vatican with supermodel Kate Moss

Capturing memories: Kim also unloaded several shots she had taken during her visit to the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church via Instagram on Tuesday

Men must also remove their hats when entering, though women are permitted to remain wearing theirs.

Shoulders must also be covered and visitors may be turned away or advised to cover up with a shawl.

Regardless, Kim appeared to have a blast as she made her way around the city in her show-stopping outfit, with the star also accompanied by fashion icon Kate Moss and her daughter Lila Grace.
Karl and Jasmine Stefanovic have finally moved into their new home in Castlecrag, on Sydney's Lower North Shore.

The couple took ownership of the property just two days before Sydney was forced into lockdown on Saturday, reports Realestate.com.au.

The Today host, 46, and his shoe designer wife, 37, purchased the home in March for $3.2million after the house they'd been renting nearby was sold for more than $8million.

Welcome home! Karl and Jasmine Stefanovic have finally moved into their new home in Castlecrag, on Sydney's Lower North Shore

The new property, which the Stefanovics are expected to renovate, boasts views over Castlecrag's north escarpment and is close to the village's cafes and shops.

It includes a self-contained unit with a separate entry and its own bathroom.

They also own a holiday home on Queensland's Sunshine Coast, which they bought for $3.6million in January last year and travel to frequently.

Family home: The Today host, 46, and his shoe designer wife, 37, purchased the home in March for $3.2million after the house they'd been renting nearby was sold for more than $8million

Karl and Jasmine - along with their one-year-old daughter, Harper - divide their time between Sydney and Queensland.

The Yarborough family is based in the Sunshine State, while Karl also began his journalism career there.

The couple married in December 2018 in San Jose del Cabo, Mexico.

Location: The new property, which the Stefanovics are expected to renovate, boasts views over Castlecrag's north escarpment and is close to cafes and shops. Pictured: the kitchen

Karl previously rented a home in Sydney's affluent harbourside suburb of Mosman for $3,250 per week.

He also constructed a waterfront mansion in Cremorne with his first wife, Cassandra Thorburn.

The former couple paid an $800,000 deposit on the 650-square-metre block in June 2016, and later sold the property for $9million following their split.
Radio presenter Jackie 'O' Henderson is the latest celebrity to have their old social media posts resurface online.

In a hilarious segment on The Kyle and Jackie O Show, Kyle Sandilands dug up Jackie's cringeworthy Facebook posts from a decade ago.

Instead of containing anything problematic, however, the majority of Jackie's posts were innocuous and slightly lame.

Awkward! Radio presenter Jackie 'O' Henderson is the latest celebrity to have their old social media posts resurface online

In one, she said she was pleased Kyle was off sick so she didn't have to go to work.

'Is it bad that I wish he were sick for another few days?' she asked.

In another post, she urged her followers to take part in a 'global communication shutdown' by getting off social media to raise awareness of autism.

Poking fun at her, Kyle made a reference to Chrissy Teigen, who recently caused a scandal when her offensive, decade-old tweets resurfaced.

Harmless: Instead of containing anything problematic, however, the majority of Jackie's posts were innocuous and slightly lame

Meanwhile, Jackie recently joined WW (Weight Watchers) as an official ambassador.

The mother of one, 46, told Daily Mail Australia she used to eat high-calorie meals every day before signing on as the brand's latest ambassador.

Jackie, who hopes to drop from a size 14 to her usual size 10, would previously start her day with a large breakfast followed by takeaway for lunch and steak for dinner.

Cheeky: Poking fun at her, Kyle Sandilands made a reference to Chrissy Teigen, who recently caused a scandal when her offensive, decade-old tweets resurfaced

'Before, it would be anything from scrambled eggs on toast to a toasted sandwich for breakfast,' she said.

'Then I would probably have Mexican or Chinese for lunch, or sometimes a burger - whatever takeaway. Sometimes I'd try and be good and have Japanese, but it was always takeaway.

'At night time? Steak and chips. Then a lot of seaweed snacks. I didn't realise they were bad; I think it's the salt! But you're probably not supposed to eat 20 packets...'

Journey: Meanwhile, Jackie recently joined WW (Weight Watchers) as an official ambassador

Since starting the WW plan in a bid to become healthier, Jackie says her food intake has changed significantly.

'Now what I would do, I'd have a soup, and a couple of slices of toast in the morning. I know which soups are really good and healthy because of the app,' she said.

'For lunch, I like to eat some Cruskits with cottage cheese, ham, tomato and coriander. I'll do maybe six of those.

'For dinner I'll just cook something - it changes daily. I really load up on my veggies at night, and some protein.'
Comedian Andy Dick has been arrested on charges of assault with a deadly weapon after allegedly attacking his lover with a metal chair in Los Angeles.

The troubled star's friend Elisa Jordana, 33, revealed the arrest on her YouTube show, Kermit and Friends, on Tuesday, while alleging Dick, 55, 'assaulted his lover Lucas.'

'He could have killed him,' she said of the victim, who was taken to Cedars-Sinai hospital to treat his injuries. 'I saw pictures, I saw video; it's not good.'

The LAPD later confirmed Dick had been arrested, Page Six reported.

Andy also has an adult son named Lucas but Jordana called the man Andy allegedly hit with the chair was his 'lover' - it is unclear who he is, as she did not give a last name.

Disturbing news: Andy Dick was arrested for allegedly assaulting someone with a deadly weapon on Saturday in the Los Angeles, as confirmed by Page Six; seen in 2016

Dick has previously struggled with substance abuse, and has had multiple brushes with the law.

Jordana (born Elisa Ann Schwartz), who stated Dick gets 'very aggressive' when drunk, said 'there were signs ' that 'something was going to happen.'

'It was getting worse and worse and worse,' she said the week leading up to the assault. 'Everyday there was some kind of problem.'

'There are warning signs with people,' Jordana says. 'It doesn't happen out of the blue. When I heard he was in jail, I wasn't that surprised.'

The comedian's friend Elisa Jordana, 33, confirmed the incident on her YouTube show, Kermit and Friends, on Tuesday, while alleging Dick, 55, 'assaulted his lover Lucas with a metal chair' (pictured in 2019)

Jordana also claimed Dick was staying at a hostel after he was evicted from his home and stole 'cutlery, a wine glass, and plates' from a steakhouse.

'He asked for a doggie bag so he could put all that in,' she recalled, in addition to alleging he told the waitress he wanted to sleep with her.

Recently, she said he had her meet him and a group of his friends at Canter's Deli to pay their bill after none of them could afford the check.

'He could have killed him,' she said of the victim, who was taken to Cedars-Sinai hospital to treat his injuries. 'I saw pictures, I saw video; it's not good'

She said she 'wasnt that surprised' to find out he was in prison and admitted it was a relief because she doesn't have to 'worry that he is going to die today.'

The YouTuber said he was released on bail, which was set at $50,000, on Tuesday morning.

It is far from the first time that Dick has been in trouble with police.

In 2019, he was sentenced to 14 days in jail for sexual battery after allegedly squeezing a woman's butt, but was released after just one night of serving time due to overcrowding.

In April 2018, he plead not guilty to one count of misdemeanor sexual battery for allegedly groped the crotch of his male Uber driver.

Honest: She said she 'wasnt that surprised' to find out he was in prison and admitted it was a relief because she doesn't have to 'worry that he is going to die today'

Also in 2018, his estranged wife filed a domestic violence restraining order against her husband, which was granted. He was required to move out of the family home and stay 100 yards away from Sved and their children.

Dick was arrested in 2010 for allegedly groping a man and grabbing his genitals while drunk at a bar in West Virginia.

In 2008 Dick allegedly approached a 17-year-old girl at a California restaurant, and authorities say he 'grabbed her tank top and bra and pulled them down and exposed her breast.'

He was found intoxicated at a nearby Sam's Club and in possession of marijuana at the time of his arrest.

He pleaded guilty to misdemeanor drug and battery charges and was ordered to serve three years of probation.

In 2007 Dick publicly groped Ivanka Trump during an interview on Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Dick and Ivanka were both appearing on Jimmy Kimmel Live at the time of the incident, with her coming on as the second guest.

She was greeted by Dick, who asked Ivanka for a 'big, wet kiss' right off the bat Kimmel later told Extra.

He's out for now: The YouTuber said he was released on bail, which was set at $50,000, on Tuesday morning

The situation spiraled with Dick rubbing his hands on Ivanka's thighs and knee while she politely tried to stop the unwanted advances.

Kimmel proceeded to stop Dick from touching Ivanka before continuing the interview.

Dick continued to touch Ivanka, first trying to grab at Ivanka's ponytail and then touching her arm, before security dragged him off the stage.

In 2005, Dick was ushered off stage while performing a comedy sketch when he exposed his genitals to the crowd.
Michelle Payne has suffered severe bruising after being kicked by a horse in Ballarat, Victoria, on Tuesday morning.

The 35-year-old jockey shared confronting photos to Instagram of the injuries she sustained, including a cut to her chin and bruising on her legs.

The 2015 Melbourne Cup winner told the Herald Sun on Wednesday the horse 'got a fright and panicked and kicked me in the chin and leg'.

Incident: Michelle Payne has suffered severe bruising after being kicked by a horse in Ballarat, Victoria, on Tuesday morning. Pictured on March 19, 2021, in Melbourne

'It wasn't one of my own [horses]. It was a really, really quiet horse and it got a fright I fell underneath him and when he got a fright he panicked and kicked me in the chin and kicked me in the leg,' she said.

'Initially I couldn't get up because my leg was so sore and I thought I was being a sook. The blood was coming out of my chin but was still okay.'

Michelle was taken to hospital where she had stitches and underwent a head scan.

Injuries: The 35-year-old jockey shared confronting photos to Instagram of the injuries she sustained, including a cut to her chin and bruising on her legs

She said the swelling on her leg has gone down but is being monitored because 'if it continues to bleed in the muscle it could be dangerous'.

Michelle is the first and only woman to win the Melbourne Cup horse race in its 160-year history.

She won the illustrious trophy riding Prince of Penzance in November 2015.

Making history: Michelle is the first and only woman to win the Melbourne Cup horse race in its 160-year history. She won the illustrious trophy riding Prince of Penzance in November 2015

Michelle's life story was immortalised in the 2019 film Ride Like A Girl, starring Teresa Palmer and directed by Rachel Griffiths.

The movie was hailed as 'captivating and emotional' by critics.

Michelle said of her silver-screen portrayal: 'Teresa blew me away. It was so believable to watch me, be me.'
Magic Mike Live has finally kicked off in Melbourne after the Covid pandemic forced the tour to be postponed.

Following its official opening night on Tuesday, the stars of the raunchy show put on a performance for the media on Wednesday.

It was announced on June 24 that the show would be commencing on June 29 with a 'comprehensive Magic Mike Live Australia COVID-SAFE plan' based on 'Victorian Government health advice'.

It's back: Magic Mike Live has finally kicked off in Melbourne after the coronavirus pandemic forced it to be postponed

In a statement on the Magic Mike Live website, they added: 'Thank you for your continued support and understanding of this production and the wider arts community in these challenging times.'

The show was supposed to open in May last year, but was delayed because of a series of imposed lockdowns in Victoria amid the coronavirus pandemic.

'Changes have been made to the performance schedule, and we will now open at Birrarung Marr in June 2021,' read the website.

Turning up the heat: Following its official opening night on Tuesday, the stars of the raunchy show put on a performance for the media on Wednesday

Making a comeback: It was announced on June 24 that the show would be commencing on June 29 with a 'comprehensive Magic Mike Live Australia COVID-SAFE plan' based on 'Victorian Government health advice'

Ups and downs: In a statement on the Magic Mike Live website, they added: 'Thank you for your continued support and understanding of this production and the wider arts community in these challenging times'

'The health and well-being of our audiences, cast, crew and all staff is our absolute priority and we thank all patrons for their understanding.'

The Melbourne cast turned out an energetic performance, which featured plenty of hunky shirtless men.

One routine saw an acrobatic dancer hovering above a female performer in an impressive aerial display.

Worth the wait: The show was supposed to open in May last year, but was delayed because of a series of imposed lockdowns in Victoria amid the coronavirus pandemic

'Changes have been made to the performance schedule, and we will now open at Birrarung Marr in June 2021,' read the website

'The health and well-being of our audiences, cast, crew and all staff is our absolute priority and we thank all patrons for their understanding,' read a statement on the Magic Mike Live website

There was also a shirtless drummer playing alongside a rock band, with the racy show taking place inside a spiegeltent.

Following performances in Sydney, the Melbourne season is set to run until the end of August, before the show travels to Brisbane and Perth.

The show is based on the 2012 Magic Mike movie, which starred Channing Tatum, Joe Manganiello, Matt Bomer and Matthew McConaughey.

Drummer boy: There was also a shirtless drummer playing alongside a rock band, with the racy show taking place inside a spiegeltent

Rocking out: Following performances in Sydney, the Melbourne season is set to run until the end of August, before the show travels to Brisbane and Perth

It was inspired by Channing's real-life experience working as a stripper in Florida when he was just 18.

Channing, 41, spoke about starting out as a stripper in an interview with 9Honey back in 2019.

'I worked in the [stripping] industry in Florida for about nine months when I was young, and it wasn't all that glamorous we could have made an infinitely darker movie,' he confessed.

Stripped down: The Melbourne cast turned out an energetic performance, which featured plenty of hunky shirtless men

Viva Las Vegas: Following the film's runaway success, Channing developed a live show, which premiered in Las Vegas

'We all talked about the crazy idea of someday putting Magic Mike Live in a tent and travelling around Australia,' Channing said in a statement, as reported by Time Out Melbourne

Following the film's runaway success, Channing developed a live show, which premiered in Las Vegas.

'The morning after we opened our first production in Vegas four years ago, we all talked about the crazy idea of someday putting Magic Mike Live in a tent and travelling around Australia,' he said in a statement, as reported by Time Out Melbourne.

'The fact that it's actually happening now is mind-blowing to me. The tent and this new version of the show is more than I ever imagined it could be, and I can't wait for our fans in Australia to see what we've created especially for them.'

Past life: The film was inspired by Channing Tatum's real-life experience working as a stripper in Florida when he was just 18. Pictured in the 2015 film, Magic Mike XXL

'You're going to get what you saw in the movies, but we really wanted to make it more,' he said in a December 2019 interview with Sunrise

In a December 2019 interview with Sunrise, Channing revealed what fans can expect from the live show.

'You're going to get what you saw in the movies, but we really wanted to make it more,' he said at the time.

He added: 'Its not just a dance show, it's not just a strip show, it's funny, it's fun.'
Married At First Sight star Ines Basic is joining OnlyFans.

The former reality TV star made the announcement as she shared a raunchy photo of herself in a matching bra and underwear on Instagram.

The brunette beauty reclined on a bed while placing her hand suggestively over her stomach.

Career move: Married At First Sight star Ines Basic (pictured) has announced she is the latest reality star to join OnlyFans

She told fans she would be making premium content on OnlyFans after joining the adults only platform on Friday.

'So I have a public service announcement to make, it's called OnlyFans,' she said.

'So my OnlyFans is dropping on Friday. It's going live on Friday. I asked you guys what you wanted to see and it was OnlyFans,' she added.

Baring all: The former reality TV star made the announcement as she shared a raunchy photo of herself in a matching bra and underwear on Instagram

'So I'm doing OnlyFans. Coming Friday it will be all premium, exclusive content that you won't see on this account.

'So you'll get to see behind the scenes of my photoshoots. All of that cool stuff and it's just a great platform. So, I'll see you all on Friday.'

In an interview with the podcast Unpopular in March, Ines revealed she is still cashing in on her career as a professional influencer.

Premium content! She told fans she would be making premium content on OnlyFans after joining the adults only platform on Friday

The former legal assistant also confirmed her follower count had skyrocketed since MAFS aired in the UK, leading to higher rates for sponsored posts.

'It's amazing because I've been getting some really good work opportunities with the UK - large, massive brands,' she said.

'I don't know if any Australian has done it yet, maybe Tammy Hembrow has,' she added, referring to the popular Aussie influencer.

Influencer: Ines revealed she is laughing all the way to the bank these days thanks to her lucrative career as a social media influencer

She's preparing to launch her own product line, with 10 per cent of sales set to go to a Bosnian children's charity.

The sixth season of Married At First Sight Australia recently finished airing in the UK to record-breaking ratings.

Due to the show's explosive success, seasons seven and eight of MAFS will also air in the UK sometime this year.
Heavily pregnant Teresa Palmer jetted to Adelaide from Sydney after completing her mandatory 14-day quarantine.

The 35-year-old was spotted reading a book while waiting to board her flight at the airport on Tuesday.

She dressed casually in black tights and a black top, which showed off her growing baby bump.

On home soil! Heavily pregnant Teresa Palmer jetted to Adelaide as Sydney was plunged into lockdown amid Covid outbreak after completing mandatory 14-day quarantine on Tuesday

The actress teamed her ensemble with a pair of comfortable sneakers and wore a grey beanie for the flight.

At one point, Teresa was seen autographing a poster for a fan at Sydney Airport.

Teresa is currently more than 30 weeks pregnant and shares three children with her husband Mark Webber -sons Bodhi Rain, seven, Forest Sage, four, and daughter Poet Lake, one.

Comfort: The 35-year-old was spotted reading a book while waiting to board her flight at the airport on Tuesday. She dressed casually in black tights and a black top

Mark is also father to older son Isaac Love, 13, who he shares with ex Frankie Shaw.

Teresa arrived in Sydney with her family in mid-June after a long-haul flight from the US, before they were whisked away into quarantine.

The actress is set to give birth to her fourth child in August with her husband Mark and their family by her side.

Popular: At one point, Teresa was seen autographing a poster for a fan at Sydney Airport

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian thrust Sydney into a two-week lockdown on Saturday as cases spread further away from the eastern suburbs epicentre, with several burgeoning super-spreader sites being a matter of concern.

Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant gave no guarantee that the lockdown would be lifted on July 9 as scheduled with cases surging and the long list of exposure sites growing at an alarming rate.

As it stands there are only four reasons for anyone in Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour to leave their homes.

Those reasons are work that can't be done from home, essential shopping, medical care and exercise in groups less than 10.
Kylie Jenner looked absolutely sensational as she embraced a throwback aesthetic, straight from the the late 1990s and early 2000s, on Tuesday.

In the 23-year-old makeup mogul's latest Instagram post, she could be seen rocking a white asymmetrical crop top and a pair of baggy jeans with tons of pockets.

While leaning against a grey wall outside her home with one hand over her hand, the star held on to a tiny handbag as she looked off in the distance.

Stunner: Kylie Jenner looked sensational as she embraced a throwback aesthetic, straight from the the late 1990s and early 2000s, on Tuesday

'Summer feeling,' she captioned her slideshow, which put her toned abs and incredibly toned midriff on full display.

The mother-of-one accessorized her look with a pair of clear shades and blue high heels.

While soaking in the sunshine, she sported a glamorous makeup look, which included a nude matte lipstick on her signature plump pout.

Toned: In the 23-year-old makeup mogul's latest Instagram post, she could be seen rocking a white asymmetrical crop top and a pair of baggy jeans with tons of pockets

Earlier this month on the Keeping Up with the Kardashians reunion show, Jenner admitted that she decided to get lip fillers after being mocked for her kissing skills.

Speaking to host Andy Cohen, the beauty mogul mused: 'My love for makeup started with my insecurity with my lips. And I didn't ever think about it until I had one of my first kisses.'

She recalled: 'A guy said to me, "Oh, my God, you're such a good kisser, but you have such small lips," or something like that. And then, from then... from then on, I felt... unkissable.'

Posing: While leaning against a grey wall outside her home with one hand over her hand, the star held on to a tiny handbag as she looked off in the distance

Kylie - who first began experimenting with lip fillers when she was 17 - continued, 'I took that really hard. Just when a guy you like says that, I dont know, it just really affected me.

'I just didnt feel desirable or pretty. I really wanted bigger lips. I would overline my lips with lip liner just to create the illusion of bigger lips.

'And then finally I was like "this lip liner isnt doing it", and I ended up getting my lips done.'

Heart-wrenching confession: Earlier this month, Jenner admitted she first got lip fillers as a teenager because a boy mocked her kissing skills during the KUWTK reunion show, The Final Curtain Part 1

Despite being affected by the incident at the time, Kylie admitted she can laugh at the debacle now, joking that she should name one of her famous lip kits after the boy who mocked her.

As well as enhancing her lips, Kylie has admitted to experimenting with facial fillers in the past.

Kylie first started to look different in 2014, when aged 17, she debuted her plumped pout, after getting fillers - but didn't admit she had them done until a year later.

In 2015, aged 18, Kylie's face shape appears to transform, due to filler injections, with some plastic surgeons speculating that she also had a nose job - which Kylie has denied.

Way back: Kylie first started to look different in 2014, when aged 17, she debuted her plumped pout, after getting fillers - but didn't admit she had them done until a year later; seen in 2012

Kylie has also been accused of having a boob job and liposuction in the past, but has always insisted that the extent of her cosmetic enhancements ended with fillers.

Elsewhere on the reunion show, Kylie admitted she always felt like the odd one out of the family.

The mother-of-one spoke candidly to Andy on the show as she sat alongside sisters Kourtney, Kim, Khloe and Kendall, and mum Kris for the reunion special.

She confessed: 'Im not like either of them. I butt heads with my parents. but theyre three Scorpios against one Leo in the house. Its like were the worst signs to be together.

'Were like not compatible. We just all have strong personalities so itll always be them against me.'

Kylie then confessed that she was 'not thinking' about marriage 'right now', despite recently rekindling her romance with baby daddy Travis Scott.

The beauty also opened up about her very private pregnancy and even where things stand with ex-boyfriend Tyga, admitting they are 'not friends' anymore.

She explained: 'I'm not thinking about marriage right now, but I would hope to get married one day.'

And she continued to explain why the Houston-born rapper, 29, was not on the show very much, saying she 'never pressured him,' about it.

On again! Kylie then confessed that she was 'not thinking' about marriage 'right now', despite recently rekindling her romance with baby daddy Travis Scott

'I don't know,' she said of his minimal presence. 'I guess, sometimes, he didn't want to be filmed. I never pressured him to be on the show.'

Kylie also spoke about that status of things with ex Tyga who also dated Rob Kardashian's baby mama Blac Chyna.

'We're not friends, but we are okay. If I see him out, or if I run into him anywhere, you know, I always wish him well. I have no bad feelings towards him,' she told Cohen.
Stacey Hampton has shrugged off a hefty fine she was issued after failing to comply with COVID restrictions.

The 27-year-old former Married At First Sight shared a sexy selfie on Instagram on Tuesday, just a week after she was copped a fine for $1,676.

'Check, mate,' Stacey captioned the photo, in what appeared to have been a nod to her run-in with the law.

No worries: Stacey Hampton has shrugged off a hefty fine she was issued after failing to comply with COVID restrictions

In the photo, the blonde bombshell reclined on what looked like a furry grey throw rug wearing a sparkly taupe-coloured strapless top.

Her long blonde hair was tied back in a high ponytail, and she wore a face full of makeup and gold hoop earrings.

Stacey was ordered to pay a total of $1,676 - including a $1,000 fine plus court fees - during a closed hearing at Adelaide Magistrates Court last Tuesday.

Fined: Stacey was ordered to pay a total of $1,676 - including a $1,000 fine plus court fees - during a closed hearing at Adelaide Magistrates Court last Tuesday

No conviction was recorded, and two similar charges were dropped.

The former reality TV star, from Ingle Farm in Adelaide, has until July 20 to pay the $1,676.

Stacey was charged in May 2020 with three counts of failing to comply with a direction after travelling interstate when she should have been self-isolating.

Busted: Stacey was charged in May 2020 with three counts of failing to comply with a direction after travelling interstate when she should have been self-isolating

When contacted by Daily Mail Australia at the time, she played down the incident as 'a little hiccup' with her essential worker paperwork.

The guilty plea comes after Stacey slashed the price of her monthly OnlyFans subscription from $35 to just $15 last month.

Despite having the relevant qualifications, the mother-of-two has struggled to find work as a lawyer due to her responsibilities as a single parent.
Aussie star Rebel Wilson has provided a sneak peek into her exciting new Netflix project that's set to be released early next year.

The 41-year-old actress posted two screenshots of herself seated inside a studio on Instagram on Tuesday afternoon, hinting that she will be doing voice work.

Both photos have Rebel looking at the camera with a large microphone near her, a headset on her head and a picture of an animal displayed on a monitor in front.

First Look! Rebel Wilson teased her brand new Netflix animal program on Tuesday

'Narrating a new animal series coming to Netflix early 2022,' the actress wrote.

Accompanying the caption was a shush face emoji, along with a koala and kangaroo image - possibly hinting that the project may focus on Australian wildlife.

Rebel is seen looking trim, dressed in a long-sleeved black shirt and jeans.

The second picture had neon pink, purple lighting and several cartoon love hearts around Rebel's head.

Behind the scenes: The actress wrote in the caption of the first picture, ''Narrating a new animal series coming to Netflix early 2022.' She then added an emoji of a koala and kangaroo, implying the program could focus on Australian wildlife

It's not the only project keeping the Aussie busy, Rebel is also filming her new comedy movie, Senior Year, in Atlanta, Georgia.

She posted a bizarre video from the set of the movie two weeks ago.

In the video, a slimmer Rebel is seen running in place in front of a green screen that's depicting a city.

Weirdly funny: Rebel posted a bizarre video from the set of her upcoming comedy film, Senior Year, two weeks ago. In the video, a slimmer Rebel is seen running in place in front of a green screen from American actress and co-star Mary Holland

She is wearing a singlet with a bright pink jumper and pants while being comically chased by her co-star in the film, American actress Mary Holland.

Senior Year is currently in production and stars Wilson as a cheerleader who wakes up from a 20-year coma, and returns to high school in the hopes of regaining her popular status and the prom queen title.

The film will land on Netflix in March 2022, around the same time Rebel's animal-based series will also be released.
They're no strangers to working their angles for the cameras.

And Irina Shayk, 35, Candice Swanepoel, 32, and Joan Smalls, 32, put on a sultry display in tiny string bikinis on Wednesday to promote Candice's new range Tropic Of C in partnership with Revolve.

The supermodels set pulses racing as they smouldered in the skimpy swimwear while dancing around on the beach together.

Beach babes: Irina Shayk, 35, Candice Swanepoel, 32, and Joan Smalls, 32, put on a sultry display in tiny string bikinis on Wednesday as part of a new Revolve campaign

Irina looked sensational in a black and white string bikini which tied together at the sides and accentuated her endless pins with a high leg design.

The Russian model let her wet raven tresses fall across her face as she pouted and smiled in the sizzling video.

Accessorising the beach look, she added a thin gold body chain around her waist that glimmered against her tan.

The supermodel showcased her incredible physique as she posed between Candice and Joan.

Wow: Irina looked sensational in a black and white string bikini which tied together at the sides and accentuated her endless pins with a high leg design

Strike a pose: The supermodel showcased her incredible physique as she posed between Candice (left) and Joan

Flawless: The Russian model let her wet raven tresses fall across her face as she pouted and smiled in the sizzling video

Candice also looked incredible in an eye-catching yellow bikini with a second black and white thong underneath.

She swept her drenched golden tresses to one side and accentuated her natural beauty with peach-toned blush and bronzer.

The South African model made the most of her assets as she popped one leg forwards to accentuate her toned derriere.

The blonde bombshell oozed confidence as she strutted her way across the sand followed by Irina and Joan.

New design: Candice put on a stylish display in an eye-catching yellow bikini with a second black and white thong underneath

Gorgeous: She swept her sea drenched golden tresses to one side and accentuated her natural beauty with peach-toned blush and bronzer

Angles: The South African model made the most of her assets as she popped one leg forwards to accentuate her toned derriere

Come on girls: The blonde bombshell oozed confidence as she strutted her way across the sand followed by Irina and Joan

Joan looked stunning in a white string tie bikini that crossed over at her waist to emphasise her toned midriff.

The Puerto Rican model beamed as she cheekily touched bottoms with Candice as they danced on the beach.

She accessorised her beach look with chic pearl drop earrings and wore her long raven tresses braided and swept over one shoulder.

And the new campaign didn't fail to capture the supermodel's pert posterior as the camera followed Joan up the beach as she walked.

Model figure: Joan looked stunning in a white string tie bikini that crossed over at her waist to emphasise her toned midriff

Fun: The Puerto Rican model beamed as she cheekily touched bottoms with Candice as they danced on the beach

Summer look: She accessorised her beach look with chic pearl drop earrings and wore her long raven tresses braided and swept over one shoulder

Toned: The new campaign didn't fail to capture the supermodel's pert posterior as the camera followed Joan up the beach as she walked

In the swimwear campaign, the girls could be seen surrounded by tropical palm trees and idyllic white sand as they pose together.

Accompanied by tropical house music, the models pushed their hips out to the side and adjusted their bikini tops as they showcased the sizzling swimwear.

The video came with the launch of Candice's swimsuit range, Tropic Of C in partnership with Revolve.

And Irina wasted no time taking to social media to show support for her friend's latest project this week.

Lush: In the swimwear campaign, the girls could be seen surrounded by tropical palm trees and idyllic white sand as they posed together

Holiday: Accompanied by tropical house music, the models pushed their hips out to the side and adjusted their bikini tops as they showcased the sizzling swimwear

Promo: The video comes with the launch of Candice's swimsuit range, Tropic Of C in partnership with Revolve and Irina has already taken to social media to show support

The model ramped up the sex appeal as she delighted fans with another sizzling bikini snap from the collection on Tuesday.

Irina looked every inch the beach babe as she flashed some underboob in a yellow bikini from the Tropic Of C range.

The photo, which was taken to promote the bikini line, captured Irina sitting peacefully on the sand wearing little more than her tiny swimsuit and white mesh sarong.

'D trip of 2021 ! Best time and best(bikini emoji) @tropicofc @revolve #revolvearoundtheworld @angelcandices,' she captioned the sun-kissed snap.

The bikini snaps continued on her Instagram Stories, where she posted a slew of sexy snaps of herself.

In one racy video, Irina shook her derriere at the camera while clad in what appeared to be a white bikini and sheer cover-up.

'Thirst alert,' she wrote in the clip.

Va va voom! Irina put her backside on display as she worked a very revealing white ensemble

'Thirst alert': Irina's latest sizzling post sent temperatures soaring

Red alert! Other photos captured the beauty swimming in a cave while wearing a red string bikini

Other photos captured the beauty swimming in a cave while wearing a red string bikini.

Irina has been delighting fans to an array of bikini snaps on her Instagram account these last few days.

On Monday, the supermodel went topless as she posed for a number of sultry shots on the beach.

Sexy: Irina looked incredible posing up a storm in her very skimpy bikini

Bikini babe! Irina has been delighting fans to an array of bikini snaps on her Instagram account these last few days

The beauty, who is rumored to be dating Kanye West after his split from Kim Kardashian, was seen hugging a tree as she looked off in the distance.

Her long wet hair was positioned partially in front of her face as she stood to the side and flaunted her pert derriere in her barely-there two piece.

The only other article of clothing the mother-of-one wore was a pair of boots from her fashion collaboration with Tamara Mellon, who is the co-founder of Jimmy Choo.

Bombshell: As she soaked in the glorious sunshine, the supermodel went topless as she posed for a number of sultry shots on the beach

In both images, Irina was just feet away from the ocean and crashing waves as she looked back at the camera and showed off her toned figure.

On Sunday, the Russian native shared additional snaps of her impressive tan as she perched close to the white sand on a similar beach.

She covered her breasts with her arms and wore a pair of canary yellow bikini bottoms as she gazed into the camera wearing minimal make-up, displaying her natural beauty.

She wore a pair of yellow heels to match her swimwear and captioned the snap: 'Sun valley.'

Recently it was claimed Kim's estranged husband plans on seeing Irina again after they spent time together in France.

She is currently 'dating' the rapper, whom she has been connected to ever since she appeared in the 44-year-old star's music video for his track Power, which debuted in 2010.

Romance brewing: The post comes a week after it was reported Kim Kardashian's estranged husband Kanye West plans on seeing Irina again after they spent time together in France

According to People, he is excited to see Irina again.

'Kanye is doing well. He had a great trip to France with Irina. They will date long distance,' said the source.

'Kanye will continue to be L.A.-based. He has no plans to move to NYC. His kids live in L.A,' it was added; Kim and Kanye share daughters North and Chicago, aged eight and three, and sons Saint and Psalm, aged five and two.

'He is very focused on business in LA too. He likes spending time with Irina though and plans to see her soon again.'

The Bound 2 songwriter wed Kim Kardashian in 2014.

Although the two went strong for several years, they eventually separated earlier this year, when 40-year-old Kim filed for divorce.

Irina shares daughter Lea with her former partner Bradley Cooper to whom she was initially linked in 2015.

Prior to becoming involved with the A Star Is Born director, she dated star athlete Cristiano Ronaldo for several years before the two split up in 2015.

The supermodel began seeing the 46-year-old actor later that year, and the two went on to welcome Lea, currently aged four, in 2017.

Although the couple was spotted with their daughter on several occasions following her birth, they eventually separated in 2019, although they remain on good terms and co-parent their child.
General Hospital star Stuart Damon has died aged 84, his son has confirmed.

The actor, who devoted over 30 years of his life to playing Dr. Alan Quartermaine on ABC's General Hospital and spinoff Port Charles, had been battling renal failure over the past few years.

Stuart's son Christopher announced his passing to ABC7 reporter George Pennacchio and said General Hospital was his father's 'favourite place to be'.

Passing: General Hospital star Stuart Damon has died aged 84, his son has confirmed (pictured with Ron Hale left in 2006)

Christopher said: 'He loved playing Alan and was always so appreciative of that role and that job. It was his passion.'

General Hospital's executive producer Frank Valentini also paid tribute to Stuart on Tuesday.

He wrote: 'On behalf of everyone at #GH, I want to extend my deepest condolences to Stuart Damon's family and all who loved him. Stuart was an absolute legend of our industry and he'll be sorely missed.'

Talented: Stuart earned six Daytime Emmy nominations for his role as Dr. Alan Quartermaine in General Hospital (pictured in 2000)

'Stuart was an absolute legend of our industry': General Hospital's executive producer Frank Valentini also paid tribute to Stuart on Tuesday

ABC7 reporter George said Stuart had been 'struggling with renal failure for the last several years' in a Facebook post.

He added: 'He was a kind, loving and friendly man. It's something Christopher heard his entire life. It was my honor to know Stuart Damon. May this Prince R.I.P.'

Amber Tamblyn, who played the adopted daughter of Stuart's character Dr Quartermaine for seven years on the soap, said she was 'broken-hearted' following his death.

Soap star: Stuart with the Quartermaine family (L-R) Wally Kurth (Ned), John Ingle (Edward), Anna Lee (Lila), Stuart (Alan), Leslie Charleson (Monica) and Billy Warlock in 1997

She penned on Twitter: 'Broken hearted to hear of the passing of Stuart Damon. He played my adopted dad on General Hospital for 7 years and he was the most kind, wonderful, loving, supportive person. He always made me laugh and made me feel safe on set. I love you, Stewy. Rest well now, my friend.'

Genie Francis, who is known for playing the role of Laura Spencer on the television soap opera, uploaded a throwback snap of the pair and wrote: 'I am so grateful to have had this wonderful man in my life. I am very sad today.'

Nancy Lee Grahn, who played Alexis Davis on General Hospital, added: 'What a lovely, funny, talented Prince of a man. He truly was Charming. What a pleasure it was to work with his iconic self. Condolences to his family.'

'He truly was charming': A host of Stuart's General Hospital co-stars of past of present paid tribute to the actor following his passing

General Hospital star Tristan Rogers added: 'It is with much sadness I heard of Stuart Damons passing. He brought a real steadiness to the Quartermaine family. I enjoyed my scenes with him. Rest easy my friend.'

Stuart earned six Daytime Emmy nominations for his role in General Hospital and won in 1999 - 22 years after joining the cast - for outstanding supporting actor in a drama series.

Some of his dramatic storylines included having an affair with Susan Moore, which led to the birth of his son Jason in 1981 and Lucy Coe seducing Alan into helping her dispose of Victor Jerome's body in 1989.

In 2007 Alan died from heart failure at General Hospital. Despite his death, Alan continued making ghostly appearances throughout 2007, torturing Tracy with the fact that she forged his will to leave his entire estate to her.

The New York native was born in Brooklyn in February, 1937 and later went on to graduate from Brandeis University in 1958.

He first took his talents to Broadway in 1959 in the ensemble of First Impressions and then spent over a year in the original production of Irma la Douce.

Acting: Stuart pictured in the ABC TV series Wide World of Mystery, episode Nightmare for a Nightingale in 1975

Bringing his theatrical prowess to the screen, Damon's status grew with his performance in CBS' 1965 production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's 'Cinderella' as the prince.

He then jumped to London and appeared in a number of musicals and television shows, including 'The Champions,' 'Charlie Girl,' 'Man of Magic' and 'The New Avengers.'

Through the aughts, Damon stayed in the world of soap operas and joined 'Days of Our Lives' as Gov. Jim Ford and 'As the World Turns' as Ralph Manzo for a number of episodes.

His other television credits include Fantasy Island, Naked City, Hotel and Yanks Go Home.

Damon is survived by wife Deirdre Ottewill, who he was married to for 60 years, and their children Jennifer and Christopher.
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Hailey and Justin Bieber splashed out on a 1,000-per-night suite at five star hotel Calilo in Ios during their sun-soaked break to Greece.

The model, 24, has been uploading a slew of snaps on Instagram during her holiday with her husband Justin, 27, and certainly spared no expense to make sure they had the trip of a lifetime.

The couple, who have since returned to Los Angeles, stayed at the luxurious hotel which is carved from native rock and surrounded by six miles of golden beaches.

Luxury stay: Hailey and Justin Bieber splashed out on a 1,000-per-night suite at five star hotel Calilo in Ios during their sun-soaked break to Greece

Hailey and Justin have enjoyed a stay at the celebrity suite named 'Blue & You' and enjoyed the benefits of a large private outdoor marble pool.

The fashionista took to Instagram to post a sizzling bikini-clad snap in a zebra print two-piece as she made the most of the breathtaking pool which overlooked ocean views.

The suite also boasts an outdoor double bed over water, an indoor cave pool with uninterrupted views of Papas Bay, two ponds and a swim-up bar, making it the perfect place to enjoy a beverage and watch the sun go down.

The couple could cool off in an outdoor natural rock shower, enjoy Jo Malone toiletries, a fully stocked minibar and a cave pool with double bed and sea pool.

Wow factor: The couple, who have since returned to Los Angeles, stayed at the luxurious hotel which is carved from native rock and surrounded by six miles of golden beaches

Stunning: Hailey and Justin enjoyed a stay at the suite named 'Blue & You' and enjoyed the benefits of a large private outdoor marble pool

Living it up: The model, 24, has been uploading a slew of snaps on Instagram during her holiday with her husband Justin, 27, and certainly spared no expense to make sure they had the holiday of a lifetime

Stunning The fashionista took to Instagram to post a sizzling bikini-clad snap in a zebra print two-piece as she made the most of the breathtaking pool which overlooked ocean views

The private suite took more than a year to be constructed and is made of approximately 180,000 handcrafted and individually installed marble pieces.

And Hailey made the most of the cuisine in Greece as she shared several snaps on her Insta Stories enjoying a glass of rose wine while tucking into some artisan bread.

The lovebirds also headed out on a boat trip to explore the coves around the island and Hailey tucked into a plate of tomato pasta and chips before heading into the water for a swim.

Breathtaking: The private suite took more than a year to be constructed and is made of approximately 180,000 handcrafted and individually installed marble pieces

Relaxing in style: The suite also boasts an outdoor double bed over water, an indoor cave pool with uninterrupted views of Papas Bay, two ponds and a swim-up bar, making it the perfect place to enjoy a beverage and watch the sun go down

Yummy: Hailey made the most of the cuisine in Greece as she shared several snaps on her Insta Stories enjoying a glass of rose wine while tucking into some artisan bread

Amazing: The couple could cool off in an outdoor natural rock shower, enjoy Jo Malone toiletries, a fully stocked minibar and a cave pool with double bed and sea pool

Yummy: Taking to her Instagram Story on Tuesday, Bieber gushed that she 'ate lots of yummy food' on their trip to Greece, alongside an image of herself enjoying a fresh salad and a glass of wine

Delicious: 'quick photo dump of this past beautiful week,' captioned the runway maven, who boasts 35.7million followers on the platform

'quick photo dump of this past beautiful week,' captioned the runway maven, who boasts 35.7million followers on the platform.

Bieber also included one shot of herself hanging out inside a lavish yacht, while playfully flipping off her husband's cellphone camera.

She flashed her toned tummy in a plunging black crop top held together with a piece of gold hardware and a pair of high-waisted trousers.

Soaking up the sun: The five star accommodation boasts private pools for guests

Sassy: Bieber also included one shot of herself hanging out inside a lavish yacht, while playfully flipping off her husband's cellphone camera

Out at sea: Several images showed the blonde beauty chowing down on pasta and other eats as their yacht remained anchored out at sea

Snap-happy: Hailey also shared a candid snap of herself dressed up at night playing with her camera

Hailey looked noticeably makeup-free and wore her golden hair slicked back into a chic bun.

Venturing into the water with her husband, Hailey shared a snap of her and the 27-year-old pop star sitting together on a jet ski.

The BFF of Kendall Jenner put her toned physique on display in a green string bikini, consisting of a traditional triangle top and cheeky bottoms.

She accessorized her ocean ensemble with a myriad of glistening gold chains and matching hoop earrings.

Giving her millions of followers a better understanding of just how gorgeous Paros is, Hailey included several shots of the water and surrounding rock formations.

Just like his wife, Justin has also been sharing tons of snapshots from his romantic getaway with Hailey, which began sometime last week when the pair arrived in Greece.

On Monday, the loved-up pair were spotted enjoying dinner out in Naousa, a small fishing village, although they spent the majority of their time in Paros.

Justin and Hailey's extended stay in Greece came just days after the couple were spotted trekking around Paris, France.

Earlier in the month, Hailey enjoyed some healthy time away from Justin as she flew to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico with her BFF Kendall Jenner and a few of their closest pals.
She's the sizzling model and mum-of-three who is known for her sensational figure.

And Lara Worthington (nee Bingle) wasn't afraid to flaunt her physique on Tuesday, as the 34-year-old stripped down to skimpy swimwear for an impromptu photoshoot on Instagram.

In the images, Lara wore $115 bottoms and a $173 bikini top from the brand Isa Boulder - with the total ensemble pricing up to $288.

One hot mama! Lara Worthington (nee Bingle) stripped down to skimpy swimwear on Tuesday for an impromptu photoshoot on Instagram

Lara looking nothing short of sensational as she showed off her defined derriere and svelte waistline in the cheeky photos.

Knowing how to get her best angles, she posed with her back to the camera to emphasise her muscular arms and slender pins to perfection.

She only showed a glimpse of her face in the images, ensuring all eyes were on her exceptional physique instead.

The price of style: Lara wore $115 bottoms and a $173 top from the brand Isa Boulder, with the total ensemble costing $288

Lara is a doting mother to three sons, who she shares with husband Sam Worthington.

The notoriously private family only announced the name of their third son in April 2021, confirming to The Daily Telegraph that they had called him River to join brothers Rocket, five, and Racer, four.

All three children, which Lara shares with her husband, actor Sam Worthington, 44, have quirky names beginning with the letter 'R'.

Family: Lara and Sam returned home to Australia in January after living in the United States for some years

Lara and Sam welcomed their son in a shroud of secrecy, with estimates that his birth happened somewhere between March and June last year.

They likewise kept the births of their older two boys secret, and now shield their brood from the public eye.

The couple returned home to Australia in January after living in the United States for some years.
Victoria Beckham was reportedly hoping to throw a big party this summer - but the pandemic restrictions extension in the UK have apparently scuppered this.

According to a source, VB, 47, was hoping to mark her and husband David's 22nd wedding anniversary, to celebrate the end of lockdown and to reunite her extended family after the global health crisis kept them apart.

David and Victoria will have been married for 22 years on July 4 - but a lavish, extravagant do is now off the cards, according to reports from Heat magazine.

On hold: Victoria Beckham's plans to throw a party to mark her and David's 22nd wedding anniversary and the end of lockdown have reportedly been scuppered by restrictions extension in the UK

'[The Beckhams] had wanted to throw a huge party to celebrate their anniversary, as well as coming out of lockdown,' a source told the publication. '[But] they haven't been able to do anything like that since [eldest son] Brooklyn's 21st, which happened just as the pandemic started.

'[They] thought it would be a great opportunity to catch up with people they haven't seen in over a year, and for everyone to let their hair down.

'So they are gutted, especially Victoria.'

Brooklyn turned 21 in 2020, a month before the pandemic hit crisis point, with family and friends managing to celebrate at the Beckham family's Cotswolds mansion before social distancing took hold.

Loved-up: The couple have been married since 1999 [pictured in 2019]

A source a said: '[They] thought it would be a great opportunity to catch up with people they haven't seen in over a year, and for everyone to let their hair down. So they are gutted, especially Victoria'

Restrictions in England were meant to end on June 21 - but have been extended by the government until July 19.

Brooklyn has been in the US with his wife-to-be, Nicola Peltz, and it's thought the rest of the family could be flying to be with them for America's 4 July weekend - which coincides with the wedding anniversary.

'They now want to head back to Miami as soon as possible. They can celebrate with Brooklyn and Nicola, and her family. It's such a huge weekend in the US, and a very fun one, too. And they get to celebrate two big occasions.'

Family: The couple share Brooklyn, now 22, Romeo, 18, Cruz, 16 and Harper, nine

Very Posh Spice! Victoriaopted for a stunning bridal white midi dress as she and husband David celebrated their 20th wedding anniversary with a private tour of the Palace of Versailles in France two years ago

MailOnline has approached reps for comment.

The couple share Brooklyn, now 22, Romeo, 18, Cruz, 16 and Harper, nine.

They tied the knot in 1999. They wed at an Irish castle - with David marking their 20th anniversary in 2019 with a private tour of Versailles Palace, France.
Whitney Peak, star of HBO Max's Gossip Girl reboot, looked dazzling as she graced the front of a special digital cover of ELLE's July 2021 issue.

The up-and-coming actress, who has recently become an ambassador for Chanel, was glowing in a close-up shot wearing the brand's earrings and black fur jacket.

The stunner, 18, spoke in the issue about the wild nature of her life as she described her current lifestyle as 'absurd' having moved from Canada to New York in 2020, and lived by herself for the first time in her life.

'This is an absurd life I'm living': Whitney Peak looked dazzling in a digital cover shoot for ELLE's July 2021 issue as she discussed her career change

In the shoot, Whitney kept her raven hair slicked back and her subtle eye-shadow, contour and baby pink lipstick contributed to her standout look.

She spoke in the chat about how life is going for her at the moment and how her big move from Canada to the Big Apple is working out.

She said: 'Living in New York as an 18-year-old is definitely crazy, especially at this time. I'm meeting people I've watched on TV for years, and getting to be a fly on the wall in rooms where important conversations are happening'.

When asked about becoming an ambassador for Chanel, Whitney admitted: 'It hits me pretty much daily that this is an absurd life that I'm living.'

'Absurd life': The 18-year-old is still in disbelief about the life she leads after she moved from Canada to New York last year

Radiant: The 18-year-old kept her raven hair slicked back and her subtle eyeshadow, contour and baby pink lipstick contributed to her standout look

Whitney plays Zoya, the 'new kid in town' in the reboot of Gossip Girl, but growing up she was convinced she would become a doctor.

The Ugandan-born star, who was an avid watcher of Disney Channel shows like That's So Raven, said: 'I didn't think acting was a thing that people could just do...

'I always thought I was very far away from that world. And that watching was the closest I could get to being a part of it.'

She also proved she had a wise head on her shoulders when broaching the topic of gossip and social media.

Dreams come true: The Ugandan-born star, who was an avid watcher of Disney Channel shows like That's So Raven, said that she didn't believe acting was a thing that people 'could just do' when she was growing up

Not fussy: Whitney has experimented with fashion from a young age and used to wear her brother's clothes, holding the opinion that 'clothes are clothes' (pictured above left in a white Chanel top, flared trousers and heels. Pictured right in a floor-length sequinned gown)

Amazing: She looked phenomenal in the shoot

'What I'm learning now is you can't really share everything you think. Being a child in the industry doesn't really allow for changing your mind or making mistakes.

So if I said something, and then later felt like I had outgrown what I said, social media makes it very hard,' she admitted.

Whitney may have embraced a classic 'feminine' look for her shoot, but she revealed that she has experimented with fashion from a young age.

Best of both: The Chanel ambassador said that she loves to dress up and go out with her friends and play into her feminine side (pictured above in a white Chanel top, flared trousers and heels

Anecdotal: Whitney, who is still at school, said she has an amazing virtual set teacher whose name is Nathaniel Archibald [the name of an original character from Gossip Girl]. (Pictured above in a jazzy black jacket)

'Growing up, I would borrow my brother's clothes, and my mombeing the religious woman she iswould be like, 'Oh no. Wear more feminine stuff.' And now I do love to dress up and go out with my friends and play into my feminine side.'

Beauty: Whitney graced the front of a special digital cover of ELLE's July 2021 issue

She added: 'If I want to put on a pair of Calvin Klein boxers, I'm going to put on a pair of Calvin Klein boxers, and sag my pants. Men's clothes are cool; women's clothes are cool. They're just clothes.'

Working on one of the most famous shows in recent history, the Chanel ambassador, who is still in school, shared a funny anecdote relating to the original Gossip Girl.

'I have an amazing virtual set teacher whose name, funny enough, is Nathaniel Archibald [the name of an original character]. When I was interviewing teachers, I was like, 'I can't not have a teacher named Nathaniel Archibald; that's hilarious'', she recalled.

Whitney admitted that she initially felt nervous about the new iteration of the series but is now ready to showcase to viewers what she has been working hard on.

She said: '[The original] Gossip Girl was how life was seen then. And this version is very much true to this time.

'I'm excited for the show to air, and to see what this next chapter in my life is going to look like.'
Anna Richardson, 50, didn't reference girlfriend Sue Perkins, 51, on social media for nine months before news of their split emerged in June.

The couple have cooled things off after eight years together, with the break-up alleged to have happened last week.

Yet hints of trouble in paradise started long before, with Sue's final appearance on Anna's Instagram page coming in September last year.

Final clip: Naked Attraction star girlfriend Anna Richardson didn't reference girlfriend Sue Perkins on Instagram for NINE months before news of their 'split' emerged (pictured: their last appearance in September 2020)

The pair appeared in a video clip of Anna celebrating her 50th birthday alongside her parents, sister-in-law, and brother, with Sue filming the party for her girlfriend's 41,000 Instagram followers.

Anna began by telling the camera: 'Hello everybody. I'm here with my family. That's Sue Perkins behind the camera and it's my 50th birthday.'

While cutting into her birthday cake, Anna was quick to ask former Bake Off host Sue's thoughts on the offering, joking: 'What do we think Sue?'

Anna joked, 'Lovely crumbs, soggy bottom,' to which she replied: 'Good crumbs!'

Former flame: The couple have cooled things off after eight years together, with the break-up alleged to have happened last week (pictured in 2018)

On Tuesday a source told The Sun of their split: 'It's really sad. Both Anna and Sue are devastated.

'We're all hoping they can patch things up and sort out their differences but for now it appears to be all over.'

The pair first began dating in 2013 after meeting at a Halloween party following Anna's split from her partner of 18 years Charles Martin.

MailOnline has contacted representatives for Sue and Anna for comment.

Throwback: The pair appeared in a video clip of Anna celebrating her 50th birthday in September alongside her parents, sister-in-law, and brother. Sue filmed the clip

Speaking to The Telegraph in 2015, Anna explained she had known Sue for years, but it was a meeting her at a party after her separation from her partner of 18 years, Charles, that made her realise she felt something more than just friendship.

She gushed: 'When I was invited to the party, I was told Sue would be going and I felt, what, a frisson? A spark of interest? And I thought: "Hmm, that's interesting". There was something in the air.

'It was an extraordinary night. I was dancing on the table. It felt like a defining moment in my life.'

She wasn't keen on giving herself a label in regards her sexuality at the time, after she had previously spent almost two decades with a man.

Breakup: Sue Perkins and Anna Richardson have reportedly split up after eight years together

'For me, it's just a case of I am who I am. I'm not interested in being labelled gay or straight, my sexuality is fluid. I just happen to have fallen in love with a woman - simple as that,' she explained.

During an appearance on Lorraine at the time she gushed about her girlfriend, lifting the lid on their romance further.

Anna said: 'I had known Sue on the circuit, but about a year and a half ago we met at a party and I was recently single and we just all I can say is there was an understanding between us, and for me the planets aligned and I just thought, this person - it's not even about a woman - this person is absolutely extraordinary.'

Different paths: A source said: 'We're all hoping they can patch things up and sort out their differences but for now it appears to be all over' (pictured in 2018)

She also explained that her religious parents were very understanding, although she was initially worried as her father is a vicar and her mother is a teacher of Religious Education.

'My Dad's a vicar, my Mum's an RE teacher so you would think 'this isn't going to go down very well' but actually they were really, really open to the whole thing and they can see that I'm happy.'

Anna previously spoke about her relationship with Sue in an interview with Hello!, saying she had thought about adopting a child and said that as she is getting older she also feels that 'time is running out' for her to do so.

Admitting she was only talking about herself, Anna said: 'For some time I've toyed with the idea of fostering or adopting a child.

'I can only speak for myself, not Sue [Perkins], but I really want to do the training [to foster] and welcome a child into my life.

'I feel keenly that I'm getting older, that time is running out.'

Romance: The pair first began dating in 2013 after meeting at a Halloween party, and in 2015, Sue gushed 'there was something sort of magical in the air' when they met (pictured in 2013)

In 2015, Sue gushed of meeting Anna: 'There was something sort of magical in the air, absolutely there was, we have a real laugh, and that's what I want, I want joy in my life and I'm lucky to have it in abundance.'

In a previous interview with DIVA magazine, Anna described the pair as 'just two middle-aged girls toshing about the flat.'

However, she added that Sue's Bake Off fame was sometimes 'tricky' for them to deal with.

She added: 'When we are out] and people do the whole hysteria thing about Bake Off. That can be tricky.'

Anna also spoke about dating a woman after previously being in a relationship with a man, saying: 'The sexual adjustment is easy, the emotional adjustment is something else, as you know, a relationship with a woman is far more intense. This I have learnt. It's an emotional tsunami.'

Asked if it was tough to admit to being in a relationship with a woman after dating a man for almost two decades, she added: 'Do I think it takes a certain type of person to go, f**k it, I'm going to give it a go, regardless of what other people may think about it? Yes I do.

'I feel extremely comfortable in the company of women.'

Speaking to The Guardian, Sue previously said of Anna: 'She is much less chaotic than me and has done quite a lot to still the gyroscope of my whirring brain.'

In 2017, Anna revealed at the Edinburgh TV Festival that she was left devastated after doctors told her she would struggle to conceive.

Hopes: Anna previously spoke about her relationship with Sue in an interview, saying she had thought about adopting a child because she felt 'time [was] running out' (pictured in 2014)

She explained that she had agreed to have fertility tests in 2008 as part of Channel 4 series The Sex Education Show.

However, when the doctor broke the news to her that she was 'completely infertile', she learnt that her director  who was pregnant  had already 'phoned the office' to tell them the results.

Anna, who at the time was in a relationship with film director Charles, said the experience was an example of presenters making themselves 'very vulnerable'.

She said: 'I thought, "F*** it, I'm in my 30s, I've got tonnes of eggs, I'm fine". And off we went to this fertility clinic. My director at the time was pregnant and she went in to speak to the doctors and I was stood outside for ages and ages with the crew.

'I knew something was going on. Eventually the doctor appeared and said, 'Can I have a word with you?'

And she took me to one side and she said, "I'm really sorry but you've got nothing. You're completely infertile".

'And the thing that I still cannot get over is that my director had phoned the office and told them before I had got the news that I couldn't have children.'

She later explained: 'I thought Ive got all my eggs and a full head of hair. Ill be fine.'

However, she has admitted that she is considering adopting alongside Sue, as she went on: 'I am sad that I haven't had babies. I cant speak for Sue but I'm considering looking at adoption and creating our own little family. It's important.'

In 2015, Sue revealed a benign grown on her pituitary gland had sadly left her infertile, with the growth diagnosed during filming for her hit BBC show Supersizers eight years ago.

Health: In 2015, Sue revealed a benign grown on her pituitary gland left her infertile, and said she was devastated the growth affected the production of reproductive hormones (pictured in 2020)

The star was devastated when she found out the growth affected the production of reproductive hormones, leaving her unable to have children.

In a chat on ITV's Lorraine at the time, Sue spoke out on the added pain she endured when her doctor insisted not being able to have children would be 'easier' on her because she's gay.

She explained: 'It was very difficult...you're a woman, it's hard-wired into our DNA.'
Nick Grimshaw has departed from Radio 1 after 14 years at the station in the latest 'diverse' line-up reshuffle from the BBC.

The presenter, 36, who joined BBC Radio 1 in September 2007, is hanging up his microphone, with Jordan North and Vick Hope set to takeover his Drivetime show.

It is the latest big departure in recent weeks, with Annie Mac also announcing in April that she's leaving after 17 years and being replaced by Clara Amfo.

Speaking on his show on Wednesday, Nick said of his exit: 'I have some news guys, some big news. It's big news for me to announce. I want to do it at the start of the show otherwise I'll be weird for the next two hours.

End of an era: Nick Grimshaw has quit Radio 1 after 14 years at the station (pictured in 2018)

'I've been thinking about it for a little while, after 14 years of working here I've made a big decision.'

Nick went on to say how he has kept his exit a secret and hasn't 'told anyone' as he wanted to let his listeners be the first to know.

He said: 'It a huge decision, an exciting one and a happy one. It's something I've given a lot of thought. Radio 1 is home to me. It's the only station I've wanted to work.

'I was thinking the past 18 months have been the most surreal moments ever. A lot of you guys, you take stock in times like this and look at your life. I looked at mine and I wanted to make that change.

Replacements: The presenter, 36, who joined BBC Radio 1 in September 2007, is hanging up his microphone, with Vick Hope and Jordan North (pictured) to takeover his Drivetime show

Statement: Nick also took to Twitter to confirm his exit after speaking about it on his show, gushing that it was a 'childhood dream' to work on Radio 1

'My childhood dream was to work on Radio 1 and I have been lucky enough to make that dream come true.

'It has been everything I'd imagined and even more. I grew up wanting to connect with people and to feel accepted and the Radio 1 listeners gave me that and let me be part of their daily life, for which I will be eternally grateful.

'But over the last few months I've been doing a lot of thinking about my future and after 14 years, I've made the decision that it's time for me to move on - I'd like to thank the listeners as without them none of this could have been possible and the Radio 1 family, who have been such a huge part of my life. Thank you thank you thank you.'

It comes as insiders told MailOnline Nick's decision to leave Radio 1 'isn't about money', but because he wants a new challenge.

Bring it on: Grimshaw said the pandemic made his reassess his life and feel ready for the next chapter (pictured presenting the show from his living room last month)

Exit: It comes after Annie Mac announced she is leaving BBC Radio 1 after 17 years back in April

A source said: 'It's not about the money. He's done Drivetime, the Breakfast show, hosted late night but now he's stepping away from radio as he wants a new challenge.

'Nick's loved every minute of his time at Radio 1 and loves broadcasting. He will still be starring on Celebrity Gogglebox.

'He has been at Radio 1 for 14 years and wanted a change.'

BBC bosses have chosen I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! runner-up Jordan, 31, and Vick, also 31, to replace him on the airwaves in the afternoons, starting from Monday, 6 September 2021.

New host: Following Nick's announcement, Vick shared this snap of herself coming up Radio 1's elevator with the caption 'incoming'

Radio 1: Vick replaced Cel Spellman to co-host Life Hacks and 'Official Chart: First Look' alongside Katie Thistleton on BBC Radio 1 last August

Vick replaced Cel Spellman to co-host Life Hacks and 'Official Chart: First Look' alongside Katie Thistleton on BBC Radio 1 last August.

Landing the role, former Capital presenter Vick said: 'What a madness! Drivetime!

'I love Radio 1 so, so much, having grown up tuning in religiously every single day, it means the world to be taking the reins at home-time with the phenomenal Mr North.

'Grimmy is an absolute legend of the game, thank you mate for every laugh you've sent rippling through the country.

'Taking over Drive is a task we won't be taking lightly, but Jordan and I are ready to put our all into making your journey home that little bit brighter.'

Jordan, meanwhile, appeared as a cover presenter on Radio 1 from 2014, and four years later was announced as the new host for the station's Greatest Hits show on Sunday mornings.

14 years: Grimshaw joined BBC Radio 1 in 2007 presenting the BBC's youth strand Switch with close friend and fellow DJ Annie Mac (pictured in 2018)

'I'm devastated': Radio 1 fans were left in shock after hearing the news, with some questioning why Nick and Annie were both leaving so close together as they reacted on Twitter

From Breakfast to Drivetime: A look at Nick Grimshaws 14 years on BBC Radio 1 Nick joined BBC Radio 1 in 2007 presenting the BBC's youth strand Switch with close friend and fellow DJ Annie. He hosted the show for 9 months solo while Mac hosted a weekend lunchtime slot. The radio host then went on to present Radio 1's Weekend Breakfast Show, followed by the 10pm  midnight slot on Radio 1 on 1 June 2009, following the departure of Colin Murray. He was handed the prestigious Breakfast Show slot in 2012 taking over from the hugely popular Chris Moyles. He stayed on air in the AM until 2018 when he swapped shows with Greg James. His move meant Grimshaw took over the 4-7pm drivetime slot. In July 2017 the BBC confirmed that Nick's salary was in the 350,000  399,999 bracket. The BBC later reported between 2020/ 2019 he got 240,000-244,999 per annum. Advertisement

In September last year, Jordan was announced as the new regular 11am-1pm weekend host on BBC Radio 1. He also was the main cover presented for Nick and Scott Mills.

The I'm A Celeb star added: 'I am absolutely chuffed to be making the move over to Radio 1 daytime and even happier to be working alongside Vick.

'Grimmy is a Radio 1 legend so we definitely have big shoes to fill but will work extremely hard to make sure afternoons on Radio 1 still sound superb.

'I am super excited to get started and look forward to this next chapter with Vick and the rest of my Radio 1 family.'

Aled Haydn Jones, Head of Radio 1, said: 'I am so excited for Vick and Jordan. The audience have taken to both of them over the last year so it's a dream to be able to bring them together to host such an important show in Radio 1's schedule.

'I can't wait for people to hear some of the ideas and projects they've got lined up, they're really pushing the boundaries of what we can do.

'September is going to be a new sound for Radio 1, from established great broadcasters to bringing through the next generation of talented DJs we will continue to reflect our young audience across the UK and we'll have a lot of fun doing it.'

Ahead of this 'new sound' being unveiled, Radio 1 has seen a big change in its line-up with some of its biggest stars exiting.

Nick's exit comes shortly after Annie Mac announced she would be stepping away from the microphone after 17 years.

The DJ, 42, confirmed her departure in April, telling listeners her job has been like a 'second home'.

TV work: A source told MailOnline Nick will continue to do Celebrity Gogglebox alongside his niece Liv (pictured)

Dedicated: Jordan appeared as a cover presenter on Radio 1 from 2014, and four years later was announced as the new host for the station's Greatest Hits show on Sunday mornings

BBC Radio 1's line-up changes Nick Grimshaw is set to leave the station after 14 years, with Vick Hope and Jordan North named as his replacements. Their new drivetime show will first broadcast on Monday, 6 September. Also joining Radio 1 are two new hosts- Dean McCullough and Victoria Jane - who were both involved in Radio 1's Christmas Takeover where 33 new DJs and presenters were given chance to broadcast on the UK's biggest youth station. Northern Ireland's Dean McCullough will host a new weekend show (Friday  Sunday, 10:30am - 1pm). Dean's new show will be broadcast from Salford and is the first Radio 1 programme to move out of London as part of the BBC's Across the UK plans. Taking over: Vick Hope and Jordan North (pictured) will replace Nick Grimshaw on the drivetime show Newcomers: Northern Ireland's Dean McCullough and Victoria Jane will also host their own Radio 1 shows While Victoria Jane will be launching a new show  Radio 1 Future Soul. It'll be a blend of R'n'B, Neo-Soul and all related genres from across the UK, influenced by the musical scene from the North, and broadcast from Salford. The latest announcements come after it was revealed that Annie Mac is leaving after 17 years and is replaced on Future Sounds by Clara Amfo. Clara is set to present Future Sounds from Monday to Thursday 6pm to 8pm starting in September. Rickie Haywood-Williams, Melvin Odoom and Charlie Hedges Rickie Haywood-Williams, Melvin Odoom and Charlie Hedges will take on Live Lounge from Monday to Thursday from 10:30am to 1pm. Radio 1's Future Artists with Jack Saunders is moving to an earlier slot of 8am-10am Monday to Wednesday. Danny Howard, who joined Radio 1 after winning the station's Superstar DJ talent competition back in 2011, will take over as host of Radio 1's Dance Party on Fridays at 6pm. Newbies: Jack Saunders and Danny Howard are in the shake-up Signing: Jaguar and Sarah Story have signed up Jaguar has landed her own show on the station, hosting Radio 1 Dance from 10 to 11pm on Thursdays . Sarah Story will front the Friday night 8 to 10pm slot to present Radio 1 Future Dance. The station will also be bidding farewell to Diplo, who currently occupies 11pm  1am on Saturday nights with Diplo and Friends. Radio 1's Soundsystem will move to occupy the slot on Saturday evenings, 11pm  1am, while Radio 1's Residency will move to Thursdays 11  1pm. The station will also be bidding farewell to Diplo, who currently occupies 11pm  1am on Saturday nights with Diplo and Friends Advertisement

Clara Amfo has been revealed as her replacement on BBC Radio 1's flagship music show, Radio 1's Future Sounds.

Annie later took to Twitter and wrote a statement about her decision to leave, saying she wants to spend more time with her two children who she shares with her husband and fellow BBC Radio 1 DJ Toddla T.

Nick joined BBC Radio 1 in 2007 presenting the BBC's youth strand Switch with close friend and fellow DJ Annie.

He hosted the show for 9 months solo while Mac hosted a weekend lunchtime slot.

The radio host then went on to present Radio 1's Weekend Breakfast Show, followed by the 10pm  midnight slot on BBC Radio 1 on 1 June 2009, following the departure of Colin Murray.

He was handed the prestigious Breakfast Show slot in 2012 taking over from the hugely popular Chris Moyles.

Good pals: Nick made a number of A-list friends thanks to his time on the show. Here he is pictured with Harry Styles in 2015

He stayed on air in the AM until 2018 when he swapped shows with Greg James. His move meant Grimshaw took over the 4-7pm drivetime slot.

In July 2017 the BBC confirmed that Nick's salary was in the 350,000  399,999 bracket. The BBC later reported between 2020/ 2019 he got 240,000-244,999 per annum.

Several Radio 1 fans were left shocked by the news that Nick would no longer be hosting his shows, with some even saying they felt 'devastated' by his exit.

Others wondered why he was leaving the station so soon after Annie Mac also announced that she was stepping away from Radio 1.

One person even penned: 'What's the point in Radio 1 without Annie Mac and Nick Grimshaw?'

In another line-up announcement on Wednesday, the BBC revealed that Northern Ireland's Dean McCullough will permanently join Radio 1 to host a brand-new weekend show (Friday  Sunday, 10:30am - 1pm).

Congratulations! In another announcement, the BBC also revealed that Northern Ireland's Dean McCullough will permanently join Radio 1 to host a brand-new weekend show

Dean was given his first opportunity to host on Radio 1 over the 2020 festive period as part of Radio 1's Christmas Takeover where 33 new DJs and presenters were given a once in a lifetime opportunity to broadcast on the UK's biggest youth radio station, and has since hosted Friday Early Breakfast on the station.

Dean's first show will be on Friday, 10 September.

Dean's new show will be broadcast from Salford and is the first Radio 1 programme to move out of London as part of the BBC's Across the UK plans, announced by the Director-General earlier this year.

Dean said: 'When I applied for the Christmas cover gig in December I didn't think for one second that I'd get it never mind landing my own show 6 months later, I'm absolutely buzzing.

'So let me get this straight, we get to hang out every weekend, cause absolute CHAOS and party to all the biggest Radio 1 anthems? That's iconic! This one's for my people in Manchester and my wee country of Northern Ireland, we did it!'

Newcomer: In addition to the new shows being announced, Victoria Jane (pictured) will also be joining Radio 1 to launch a new show  'Radio 1 Future Soul'

In addition to the new shows being announced, Victoria Jane will also be joining Radio 1 to launch a new show  'Radio 1 Future Soul'.

Musically it'll be a blend of R'n'B, Neo-Soul and all related genres from across the UK, influenced by the musical scene from the North, and broadcast from Salford.

Victoria Jane was also one of the 33 presenters who took part in Radio 1's Christmas Takeover, hosting DJ Target's simulcast show on Radio 1 and 1Xtra.

Victoria Jane said: 'I honestly can't believe I am now a presenter on Radio 1. I don't think it will ever sink in, it's honestly a dream come true.

'I'm so happy to be another northern female voice on the BBC and to be hosting a show that I dreamt of as a little kid is honestly a fairy tale!'
Penny Lancaster has revealed she and her mum Sally spotted Love Island's Maura Higgins and Strictly professional Giovanni Pernice in a car together recently amid their 'secret' romance.

MailOnline exclusively revealed on Tuesday that the reality star, 30, is dating the Italian dancer, 30.

But before their relationship became public, Penny's, 50, mother immediately recognised Giovanni during an outing while her son Alistair, 15, pointed out Maura sat beside him.

Coincidence! Penny Lancaster has revealed she and her mum Sally spotted Love Island's Maura Higgins and Strictly's Giovanni Pernice in a car together recently amid 'secret' romance

Appearing on Loose Women on Wednesday, Penny recalled: 'Ironically she [Sally] happened to say, "Oh Giovanni!" because she watches Strictly.

'[Giovanni] Was in the car next to us with this girl who Alistair said was from Love Island. I was like, "Oh, but maybe they were just on a shopping trip."'

Discussing 'secret' relationships with panellists Kaye Adams, Brenda Edwards and Janet Street-Porter, Penny suggested others should respect their privacy as they might not want their relationship to be public.

She continued: 'The fact that it says "secret" means they don't want to reveal it and like Brenda you said, especially when you've got children or exes and you've only just split up with somebody, you want to be sensitive towards other people'.

Getting to know each other: MailOnline exclusively revealed on Tuesday that the reality star, 30, is dating the Italian dancer, 30 (pictured earlier this month)

Sighting: Appearing on Loose Women on Wednesday, Penny recalled: 'Ironically she [Sally] happened to say, "Oh Giovanni!" because she watches Strictly' (pictured with her mother)

Maura is dating Strictly professional dancer Giovanni, MailOnline revealed on Tuesday.

The Irish star has been getting to know Giovanni in secret the last month, following her split from fellow Love Island contestant Chris Taylor in May.

Sources close to the TV presenter, who was recently announced as the host of Glow Up Ireland, say the new couple are in the early stages of a relationship.

And Maura clearly has a type, after she and ballroom dancer Curtis Pritchard, 25, whose brother AJ, 26, is an ex-Strictly pro, fell for each other on the 2019 series of Love Island.

Honest: She continued: '[Giovanni] Was in the car next to us with this girl who Alistair [her son] said was from Love Island. I was like, "Oh, but maybe they were just on a shopping trip."'

Building a connection: Maura is in the 'early days' of dating Strictly professional dancer Giovanni and they are getting to know each other, MailOnline have exclusively revealed

'It's early days, but Maura is really enjoying getting to know Giovanni, and the feeling is mutual,' a source told MailOnline.

'They're both career driven and ambitious, which are qualities they find really attractive in each other.'

Giovanni, whose ex-girlfriends include former Coronation Street actress Georgia May Foote, TOWIE's Jess Wright and Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, has liked a string of Maura's sexy bikini pictures on Instagram, while the pair also follow each other on the social media site.

Fans suspected there could be romance between them after Maura and Giovanni were spotted sitting alongside each other during Italy's Euro 2020 win over Austria at Wembley on Saturday.

MailOnline has contacted Maura and Giovanni's representatives for comment.

Moving on: The Irish star has been spending time with Giovanni in secret the last month, following her split from fellow Love Island contestant Chris Taylor in May

In May, Maura announced her split from Chris, writing on Instagram: 'It breaks my heart to even type this but I wanted to let everyone know we have made the joint decision to end our relationship.'

Chris added in a statement posted to his profile: 'We are both still on very good terms and this was a mutual decision where nobody had done anything wrong. We will remain friends, as we have been since day one and I will always be in Maura's corner and have her back.'

MailOnline revealed Maura and Curtis had parted ways in March 2020 following eight-months of dating.

The couple ended their relationship amid speculation Curtis had been unfaithful with dancer Amber Pierson, who later became his girlfriend.

Exes: And Maura clearly has a type, after she and ballroom dancer Curtis Pritchard, 25, whose brother AJ, 26, is an ex-Strictly pro, fell for each other on the 2019 series of Love Island

Sad: In May, Maura announced her split from Chris, writing on Instagram: 'It breaks my heart to even type this but I wanted to let everyone know we have made the joint decision to end our relationship'

At the time, Curtis denied he had cheated and is currently single again after telling MailOnline in October 2020 his romance with Amber had 'fizzled out.'

Giovanni and Ashley, who was a runner-up on Strictly in 2018, broke up in January 2020 following a year of dating.

The Italian pro dancer dated soap actress Georgia after they competed together on Strictly in 2015, but they split a year later.

Strictly viewers believed history could be repeating itself after Giovanni and Good Morning Britain presenter Ranvir Singh impressed the judges with their 'chemistry', though romance was never confirmed between the pair.

In April of this year, Giovanni claimed in an interview he can have sex up to '150 times a week' when he's in a relationship, and admitted to being 'lonely' following the end of his relationship with Ashley.

He said: 'Like for everybody, it's been strange. I broke up with my girlfriend just before lockdown and you just deal with it. It was lonely, but luckily, Strictly came back and there was the distraction of being in quarantine with everybody else. It shifted my brain to something else.

'If I'm in a relationship, it depends on your partner  if your partner is busy, if you're tired, if you're on holiday, at home. You can have sex 150 times a week or once  you've just got to make it good.'
Kim Kardashian went for a far more casual look than she has been seen out and about in recently, while she continues her trip to Rome.

Seen the night before in a skintight cherry-print minidress as stepped out for dinner in the Italian city on Tuesday evening, she covered up on Wednesday for some sight-seeing.

She was seen in a low-cut black crop-top and military-print trousers, adding a sweeping black leather trench to the look.

Out and about: Kim Kardashian went for a far more casual look than she has been seen out and about in recently, while she continues her trip to Rome

She wore casual trainers and slimline shades, tying her raven locks back from her perfectly made-up features.

She wore a gold necklace to complete the edgy ensemble.

Kim, 40, was snapped heading to the Fendi building, climbing the steep stone steps to pay the fashion company a visit.

She was no doubt heading in to say thank you for the gifts they sent her, which she showed off on her Instagram Story, including several bright yellow handbags and a pair of open-toed snakeskin heels.

Sweeping along: She was seen in a low-cut black crop-top and military-print trousers, adding a sweeping black leather trench to the look

Fashion forward: Kim, 40, was snapped heading to the Fendi building, climbing the steep stone steps to pay the fashion company a visit

Gifts: Taking to her Instagram Story, the SKIMS CEO showed off the countless designer goods she was gifted by Fendi, including several bright yellow handbags and a pair of snakeskin heels

Kim appeared in high spirits while on vacation amid her ongoing divorce from Kanye West, who has moved on with Irina Shayk.

The mother-of-four has been spotted sight-sighting with her friend Tracy Romulusas well as makeup artist Mario Dedivanovic and hairdresser Chris Appleton.

Kim and her crew grabbed a decadent pasta lunch at Dal Bolognese Roma, which famously serves 'high-end, Italian cuisine.'

'When I'm (sic) Rome... FML,' captioned the star, who shared a snap of her dish to Instagram.

The night before: While putting on a very leggy display, the 40-year-old reality star strutted around in a pair of open-toed brown heels with criss cross straps

Kim also unloaded several shots she had taken while visiting the Vatican on Monday.

The back-to-back images showcased the Vatican's stunning architecture and design, as well as several notable artifacts and items displayed around the spacious place of worship.

Kardashian, having Armenian roots on her father Robert's side, highlighted a 'gift from Armenia' to the Vatican, which was a gold necklace and matching diamond pendant displayed behind glass.

Although she appeared excited to be visiting the Vatican on Monday, Kim failed to adhere to the church's strict dress code by wearing a sexy lace dress which didn't cover her shoulders and had cut-out sections throughout her mid-section.

There is a basic dress code that both men and women must adhere to when visiting the Vatican city, particularly St. Peters Basilica and/or the Vatican museums (including the Sistine Chapel).

Visitors must cover their knees and upper arms, while they are prohibited from wearing shorts or skirts above the knee, sleeveless tops, and low-cut shirts.

Historic: On Monday, Kim paid a visit to the Vatican with supermodel Kate Moss

Capturing memories: Kim also unloaded several shots she had taken during her visit to the headquarters of the Roman Catholic Church via Instagram on Tuesday

Men must also remove their hats when entering, though women are permitted to remain wearing theirs.

Shoulders must also be covered and visitors may be turned away or advised to cover up with a shawl.

Regardless, Kim appeared to have a blast as she made her way around the city in her show-stopping outfit, with the star also accompanied by fashion icon Kate Moss and her daughter Lila Grace.
They're in the beginning stages of a blossoming new romance.

And John Mulaney seemed to be in great spirits as he enjoyed a fun-filled date with Olivia Munn at Rick's Drive In & Out in Los Angeles.

The 38-year-old comedian laughed alongside his new leading lady as they dined al fresco after sources reported the couple is 'going strong' amid his divorce from wife of six years, Anna Marie Tendler, following a rehab stint.

Lovers in LA: John Mulaney seemed to be in great spirits as he enjoyed a fun-filled date with Olivia Munn at Rick's Drive In & Out in Los Angeles

'They were really enjoying each other's company,' a source told PEOPLE, adding they had 'great time during lunch, laughing and talking.'

John and Olivia were both dressed casually in graphic T-shirts as they noshed on burgers, onion rings and soft drinks.

Munn kept a pair of black sunglasses on her head and rocked a chic set of gold hoops and matching pendant necklace.

She's convinced she found her 'dream guy' nearly one month into their relationship, which became public just a few days after news broke that Mulaney had left his wife of six years, Anna Marie Tendler.

'Olivia and John are going strong,' the insider told US Weekly. 'She has been sneaking into some of his shows and loves them  Olivia is so smitten.'

Good times: The 38-year-old comedian laughed alongside his new leading lady as they dined al fresco after sources reported the couple is 'going strong' amid his divorce from wife of six years, Anna Marie Tendler, following a rehab stint

'They were really enjoying each other's company,' a source told PEOPLE , adding they had 'great time during lunch, laughing and talking'

Let's eat: John and Olivia were both dressed casually in graphic T-shirts as they noshed on burgers, onion rings and soft drinks.

Shortly after their date, the Newsroom actress was spotted leaving his Los Angeles home wearing a cozy sweatshirt and leggings.

'John thinks Olivia is really smart and she makes him laugh too,' the source added. 'They both have a very dry sense of humor.'

A source told People the relationship with Munn is in the early stages. 'This is very new, they're taking it slowly,' the insider said. 'They met at church in Los Angeles.'

The two have been friends for a while, it was claimed, and she encouraged him to keep his chin up during rehab.

'Sending SO MUCH love and support to John Mulaney. You got this,' she tweeted when he was getting help in December 2020.

Comfortable: Shortly after their date over the weekend, the Newsroom actress was spotted leaving his Los Angeles home wearing a cozy sweatshirt and leggings

A source told People the relationship with Munn is in the early stages. 'This is very new, they're taking it slowly,' the insider said. 'They met at church in Los Angeles'

The comedian entered a 60-day treatment program last year for cocaine and alcohol abuse, and was in outpatient services in February.

Anna Marie spoke out about their split: 'I am heartbroken that John has decided to end our marriage. I wish him support and success as he continues his recovery.'

Tendler also reportedly entered rehab for 'emotional and eating' disorders around the same time as her estranged ex.

Gossip columnist AJ Benza claimed on his podcast, Fame, Ain't It A B***h, that textile artist Tendler, 35, went to therapy at Silver Hill in Connecticut.

A source then told Page Six: 'Anna Marie was in rehab at Silver Hill for [emotional] and eating disorders.'

They added that Tendler did not talk openly about her husband's issues, stating: 'She didn't talk at all about that, we were all on our own journey of recovery. But it is clear she suffered during their marriage.'

Tendler is now said to be out of rehab and 'doing better', while 'focusing on her art.'
They started dating in 2019 and got engaged in September 2020.

And Lily Collins and her fiance Charlie McDowell looked loved-up as they took a stroll through the French capital on Wednesday, where the actress is filming season two of Emily in Paris.

The star, 32, walked hand in hand with her partner, 37, as they took her rescue dog Redford for a walk where they were joined by Charlie's mother Mary Steenburgen, 68, and her actor husband Ted Danson, 73.

Couple: Lily Collins and her fiance Charlie looked loved-up as they took a stroll through the French capital on Wednesday where the actress is filming season two of Emily in Paris

Lily looked typically chic in a black leather jacket and flared blue jeans, which she wore with stylish white loafers and a suede bag.

She accessorised perfectly with a pair of brown sunglasses and beamed as she sipped on a takeaway coffee during the walk.

Meanwhile Charlie cut a casual figure in a grey shirt and chinos which he wore with a black logo T-shirt and sunglasses.

Quality time: The star, 32, walked hand in hand with her partner, 37, as they took in the sights on the stroll

Family: They were joined by Charlie's mother Mary Steenburgen, 68, and her actor husband Ted Danson, 73

Lily will continue filming Emily In Paris until mid-July, with production taking place in Paris, Saint-Tropez and other French locales.

Earlier this month the daughter of Phil Collins and actress Jill Tavelman documented her fiance's trip to France as he prepared to join her in Paris.

On her Stories, she shared a sweet snap of Charlie kissing Redford and told her fans: 'My boys are coming soon.'

Glam: Lily looked typically chic in a black leather jacket and flared blue jeans which she wore with stylish white loafers and a suede bag

Relaxed: She accessorised perfectly with a pair of brown sunglasses and sipped on a takeaway coffee during the walk

Precautions: The couple made sure to put safety first as they donned white face masks to grab their coffees

Day out: Meanwhile Charlie cut a casual figure in a grey shirt and chinos which he wore with a black logo T-shirt and sunglasses

Famous parents: Ted married Mary in 1995 but shares Charlie with ex-husband Malcolm McDowell

She also shared a picture of furry Redford in the departure lounge and wrote: 'Don't give daddy a hard time.'

Producer and writer Charlie, who normally lives with Lily in Carpinteria Santa Barbara, admitted the prospect of an 11 hour flight would be interesting for their four-legged friend.

He shared a picture of the pup in a carrier and wrote: 'Well let's see how an 11 hour flights goes.'

Exciting: Lily will continue filming Emily In Paris until mid-July, with production taking place in Paris, Saint-Tropez and other French locales

Sweet: The happy couple started dating in 2019 and they got engaged in September 2020

Stylish: Mary dressed casually in a khaki jacket which she teamed with flared black trousers and a white shirt

Pet: At the end of last year, Charlie and Lily adopted their rescue dog and were living together in Los Angeles amid the Covid-19 pandemic

Busy! Lily has been in Paris for several months filming for the new series after season one proved to be a popular show in lockdown

He then shared the same picture of their dog in the departure lounge joking: 'I didn't take a sleeping pill. You took a sleeping pill.'

At the end of last year, Charlie and Lily adopted their rescue dog and were living together in Los Angeles amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

The happy couple started dating in 2019 and they got engaged in September 2020.

Together: Lily was joined by Charlie in Paris at the start of this month

Home: Producer and writer Charlie normally lives with Lily in Carpinteria Santa Barbara

Style: Lily looked great in her leather jacket and accessorised with sunglasses and small gold hoop earrings
She kept her pregnancy a secret until just two weeks before she gave birth.

And Katherine Ryan enjoyed a beer in her hospital bed after welcoming her son Fred with husband Bobby Kootstra on June 14.

The comedian, 37, was getting to grips with motherhood in a hilarious throwback snap Bobby shared on Wednesday where she can be seen swigging a bottle of beer.

Motherhood: Katherine Ryan enjoyed a beer in her hospital bed after welcoming her son Fred with husband Bobby Kootstra on June 14.

The photo appeared to be taken just hours after her labour, with the star also munching on guacamole while Fred could be seen alongside her.

Alongside the post, Bobby wrote: 'Happy Birthday to the best wife and mum. We are all so lucky. Things have hardly changed... #loveyou'.

Katherine is also mother to daughter Violet, 12, from a previous relationship.

The couple announced the arrival of their son last Monday, with the comedian sharing a sweet selfie holding her baby to social media.

Family: The comedian, 37, was getting to grips with motherhood in a hilarious throwback snap Bobby shared on Wednesday where she can be seen swigging a bottle of beer

A few hours after first sharing the news, new dad Bobby also took to Instagram to reveal their little one's name and gush that Katherine was a 'total hero'.

Alongside a stunning snap of the new parents about to head home with their son and posing on the steps of the Lindo Wing as well as a closer image of the tot.

Bobby penned: 'Our son Frederick Ryan Kootstra, born June 13th:)

'Mom has the reproductive organs of a finely tuned Sportscar, and in a flash raced this baby over the line just in time for kickoff. Shes a total hero 3 hours start to finish.'

Candid: Katherine recently detailed how one of her husband's ex-girlfriends slid into his direct messages just days after they welcomed their son

It comes after Katherine detailed how one of her husband's ex-girlfriends slid into his direct messages just days after they welcomed their son Fred.

The star, who describes herself as calm and collected, said she would never have considered sending a similar message to the one her husband received.

Speaking on her Telling Everybody Everything podcast, Katherine explained how the former flame messaged Bobby to say she had a mutual friend with Katherine's ex.

The message arrived just six days after she welcomed her first child with Bobby, which they had announced on their respective social media pages.

Discussing the private message, Katherine revealed she is not someone who is 'easily riled', but feared for her mental health after giving birth to her second child.

Honest: Katherine, who describes herself as calm and collected, said she would never have considered sending a similar message to the one her husband received (pictured with Fred and daughter Violet, 12)

She said: 'I thought: "Oh no, I love being peaceful, what if that is taken away from me?" Don't worry, it wasn't. I have remained cool, calm and collected.

'But. Two days ago something occurred in my relationship which threatened that peace. I had a baby six days before so I was having some human feelings.

'Less of my robot  always happy  always calm self. More vulnerable to human emotions I guess. I thought how interesting. I paid attention to these feelings.

'Somy husband receives a DM on Instagram from a woman that he casually dated after having met on one of those apps and this is years ago. We have been married for two years so before that when he was living in Canada and single so whatever.'

Reading out the message she said: 'This message said: "Oh hey, small world. I have a mutual friend with one of your wife's exes."

Family: Speaking on her Telling Everybody Everything podcast, Katherine explained how the former flame messaged Bobby to say she had a mutual friend with Katherine's ex

Katherine admitted at this point she felt she had 'two choices' of whether to react to the message or not, her initially instinct being to tell the woman to 'get off her lawn'.

The Duchess actress revealed she didn't think the ex had done anything wrong as it was a 'lovely, friendly' message, but it wouldn't be something she'd do herself.

She said: 'Would I look on social media and see someone I casually dated just had a baby with their wife six days ago. Would I message them? No. I am not an animal. Some of us were raised by wolves. I never would have sent that message but fine.'

Katherine went on to reveal that the reason she had a negtive feeling about the message was because her ex had been brought up so soon after having a baby.

She said: 'I did not like that. I had just had a baby and now the demon was brought into the room.

New arrival: The message arrived just six days after she welcomed her first child with Bobby, which they had announced on their respective social media pages

#There are certain exes I don't talk to or talk about. I don't want to hear their names. This is an ex who doesn't like me. Won't have nice things to say about me. And I didn't like that.

''I didn't like that she was like "we have this ex of hers as a mutual friend." I know that wouldn't have been a complimentary conversation.

'There is no way this person would have been like: "I love Katherine. Great break up. Totally demolished me. I had a great experience with her."

She later added: 'You don't talk to someone who is someone's enemy and then say.. 'hey we have this mutual person in common  who hates your wife.' Not cool.

'That is what irked me about it.'

Katherine also added she was 'a bit embarassed' as she wants her husband's exes to think she is cool, however she felt certain that's not the impression her ex-boyfriend would give.

The mother-of-two said: 'I had to just swallow that embarrassment. What I was left with was the only thing that bothered me about it that interaction was that I deemed it inappropriate because I don't like the ex and the ex doesn't like me and because I had just had a baby six days ago.

'The lady slid into his DM's and can obviously see on Instagram because we have posted it. You leave that outside. You don't bring that up at the dinner table, and start having a conversation  giving it status.

'Giving it power. Acknowledging it in your relationship.

'This lady is not my relationship but as soon as I open my mouth and say to Bobby: 'I don't think she should be messaging you' then this woman is standing naked in my living room.

'Don't give these things enough status to discuss them in your relationship. That is not what I am going to be discussing in my relationship.'
Martin Lewis reiterated he doesn't want the Good Morning Britain job permanently as he completed his guest hosting stint on the show on Wednesday.

The finance expert, 49, presented the breakfast show alongside Susanna Reid from Monday, and while he 'wouldn't mind coming back for a couple of days', he isn't keen to be on the programme full-time.

At the end of Wednesday's show, Susanna said: 'Martin, it's been absolutely wonderful having you this week. It's absolutely fantastic working alongside you.'

'I don't want the gig permanently': Finance expert Martin Lewis reiterated that he has no interest in becoming GMB's full-time host as he completed his guest stint on Wednesday

Martin, who is filling in after Piers Morgan left the show in March, said: 'It has been a wonderful, refreshing change to be outside my normal subject, which I love and I will be going back to.

'I think I have a mission in life and that's about saving people money and fighting for financial justice.

'But to have a platform here and to come and do this, maybe you'll have me back for another few days - I don't want the gig permanently.

At the end of Wednesday's show, Susanna said: 'Martin, it's been absolutely wonderful having you this week. It's absolutely fantastic working alongside you'

'But I wouldn't mind coming back for a couple of days at a time, that would be lovely.'

Martin - who is Jewish - brought in a present for the GMB crew in the shape of some chocolate rugelach.

He said: 'I brought something in, this is a good Jewish dish. This is chocolate rugelach.

'If you think of a pain au chocolat and looked at it and thought, "It's way too healthy, how do we make it dirty, calorific and a lot more stodgy?"

Fury: Martin made quite an impression during his Good Morning Britain presenting debut on Monday - after going missing and flouting the show's dress code with no tie

No! Martin went on to explain he decided to ignore the producers, who told him a tie was GMB protocol, because he doesn't like viewers to see him as corporate (Richard Madeley, pictured hosting the show earlier this month)

'Its Jewish cousin, the chocolate rugelach, is that. So I brought some in for you all to have as a bit of a celebration.'

On Monday, Martin was forced to defend himself after he turned up for his guest hosting stint without wearing a tie, despite admitting GMB bosses told him to wear one.

But after a poll with the show's viewers, more than 89 per cent said they were happy with his choice of wardrobe so he continued to go tie-less throughout the week.

Martin made quite an impression during his Good Morning Britain presenting debut on Monday - after going missing and flouting the show's dress code.

He co-hosted the breakfast show with Susanna Reid however she was left stunned when he had appeared to go missing - although his absence transpired to be an ill-timed toilet visit.

Oh dear: Bosses have still not filled host Piers Morgan's role following his walkout in March in a row over Prince Harry and Meghan Markle

Aside from his disappearing act, Martin was seen to host the show in an open white shirt and a black blazer, which he admitted had gone against the dress code by not wearing a tie despite the request from producers.

Show officials then hosted an official poll on Twitter to ask viewers' thoughts on the need to wear a tie - leading to a whopping 89.5% agreeing it was not necessary.

Elsewhere, Susanna couldn't resist a cheeky dig at his lack of tie, jokingly asking if his recent tooth surgery prevented him from wearing one. Martin said: 'Wow, two minutes in and she's already started.'

Martin went on to explain he decided to ignore the producers, who told him a tie was GMB protocol, because he doesn't like viewers to see him as corporate.

He said: 'The tie thing is interesting because the bosses said, 'Are you gonna wear a tie, it's part of our format to wear a tie'. I'm not disrespectful of the programme's structure, I was on it for 15 years.

'Because I talk about money I've always had a deliberate thing, I won't wear a tie because it appears corporate and when you're talking money, I want people to understand I'm not on the corporate side I'm on the other side.'

Uncalled for: Lord Alan Sugar has faced backlash for controversially Tweeting he would like to punch Martin Lewis' face for 'no real reason'

The MoneySavingExpert founder caught Susanna giving him a look as he explained his decision and he jokingly told her to not 'pull a face at me.' Martin then let the viewers decide if he should have worn a tie for the show in a poll on social media.

He explained: 'Viewers are the ultimate arbiter of this so I've agreed that I won't wear a tie on the first day, we're gonna do a poll on Twitter asking whether you think I need to wear a tie.

'I feel more comfortable without but if you say wear a tie from tomorrow I will put a tie on.'

Meanwhile, Lord Alan Sugar has faced backlash for controversially Tweeting he would like to punch Martin Lewis' face for 'no real reason'.

Martin, 49, has been stepping into host Good Morning Britain this week alongside Susanna Reid, after Piers Morgan quit the show back in March.

And Lord Sugar, 74, took to Twitter on Tuesday to say while he thinks Martin 'is most probably a nice guy', he would like to punch him in the face.

The Apprentice star wrote: 'I often discuss with my wife about people faces you would like to punch for no real reason. I know it's not fair, they maybe perfectly nice people. She has her list of faces.

'Martin Lewis is one of mine. He is most probably a nice guy. I am sure some people think the same about me.'

Lord Sugar's followers soon took to Twitter and were shocked over what he had written, with some even asking if his account had been hacked.

Host: Martin, 49, has been stepping into host Good Morning Britain this week alongside Susanna Reid, after Piers Morgan quit the show back in March

Stunned: 'God why? All he does is help people!', said a shocked follower

When one follower wrote: 'Immature and unnecessary', Lord Sugar hit back: 'Shut it'.

A different follower posted: 'Strange thing to post for everyone to see!', to which the television personality replied: 'Show me your face and I will decide if its punchable.'

Another asked: 'Has someone hacked your Twitter account?', while a different follower chimed: 'What a weird Tweet from a fully grown man'.

'Martin Lewis is a good man. Perhaps you could take a leaf out of his book instead of declaring your wish to be violent towards him. Find your Tweet reporter', wrote another.

'God why? All he does is help people!', said a shocked follower.

Not a fan: Lord Sugar, 74, took to Twitter on Tuesday to say while he thinks Martin 'is most probably a nice guy', he would like to punch him in the face

Rude: When one follower wrote: 'Immature and unnecessary', Lord Sugar hit back: 'Shut it'
Elle Macpherson took a trip down memory lane on Wednesday as she celebrated her sons, Flynn, 23, and Cy, 18, graduating from college and high school respectively.

The supermodel, 57, shared a gallery of never-before-seen photos on Instagram of her boys, alongside a gushing caption about their journey into adulthood.

'As we settle into summer 2021, I can't believe these two have graduated. One from college (2020) and one from high school,' the proud mother wrote.

'Where did the time go?' Elle Macpherson took a trip down memory lane on Wednesday as she celebrated her sons, Flynn and Cy, graduating from college and high school respectively

'Where did the time go? You boys are a credit to yourselves, and your dad and I are so in awe of the men you have become,' she continued.

One throwback image shows Elle's lookalike sons as children posing in their school uniforms, each sporting a head of shaggy hair.

Another photo sees the boys dressed up in suits while attending a party.

'I can't believe these two have graduated': The model (left) shared a gallery of never-before-seen photos on Instagram of her boys, alongside a gushing caption about their journey into adulthood. Pictured with her son Cy Busson and her ex-partner, French financier Arpad Busson

Two peas in a pod! One throwback image shows Elle's lookalike sons as children posing in their school uniforms, each sporting a head of shaggy hair

Elle also uploaded a more recent photo of Cy and Flynn posing with their father, French financier Arpad Busson.

It comes after the model and her sons graced the cover of French Elle magazine for a family photo shoot in December.

Statuesque Elle, who is just under 6ft, stunned in a plunging, semi-sheer metallic dress, while her boys looked sharp in all-black outfits.

Growing up: Another photo sees the boys dressed up in suits while attending a party

Hand-me-down: A more recent photo shows Cy wearing a blue and black suit that resembles one his older brother, Flynn, used to wear

The beautiful photos were captured by fashion photographer Gilles Bensimon, 76, to whom Elle was married from 1986 to 1989.

Elle has previously said she decided to prioritise her family over her modelling career when she became a mother.

'I was 35 when I had my first [Flynn] and 41 when I had Cy, so I came to children a little later in life, but I made sure they were going to be the priority,' she said in 2019.

Proud mother: Elle also uploaded this photo of Flynn in his graduation robes

Chips off the old block: Elle posted this photo of Cy and Flynn posing with their father, Arpad

'I used to travel a lot and I'd go through that thing that [working] mothers go through,' she added.

'I would always tell them, "Mum loves what she does and I hope in life you find something you love to do so that work doesn't feel like work and you go off and do your thing and while I'm off doing my thing, how cool for you guys to have that time without your helicopter, control-freak mother around."'

Elle also said she was 'moved' to read that one of her sons had said in an interview she made them feel like they were her 'priority' growing up.
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Memorial Hospital releases terms of deal

Tim Monzingo/The Daily Sentinel Tim Monzingo/The Daily Sentinel Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital

Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital is selling some of its assets to Utah-based Lion Star Group, LLC for $3 million but will retain its buildings and bond debt, under an agreement approved last week by the hospitals board.

Lion Star will pay $3.1 million in rent annually to the hospital district unless it provides $9 million or more in charity care each year. Rent may also be prorated based on the amount of charity care provided.

The terms of the deal, which were not discussed publicly, were disclosed in documents received Monday by The Daily Sentinel following a request under the Freedom of Information Act.

Sentinel staff spent Monday morning reviewing the documents and sought independent analysis by an attorney.

Lion Star is set to take over hospital operations Thursday, and the deal is expected to close Wednesday in Dallas.

Some community members have raised concerns over whether the sale violates a portion of the Texas Health and Safety Code that requires some hospital districts to seek approval of voters for sale, lease or closure of a hospital after a 31-day waiting period. Attorneys for the hospital say the provision does not apply to Memorials recent deal.

We have vetted this not only with the board but with the community multiple multiple times, said hospital board president Lisa King.

Public information might be difficult to receive from the hospitals new owners. Memorial has been subject to the Freedom of Information Act because it has been publicly funded since its founding in 1928. Lion Stars agreements with the hospital district instruct the district to notify Lion Star and in some cases decline any such request for disclosure and file a written request with the Texas Attorney Generals Office.

The hospital district sold its inventory, accounts receivable, patient revenue, leases, contractural rights and property used in the hospital but will retain its buildings, which will be rented to Lion Star.

Buildings to be rented include:

Nacogdoches Memorial Hospital, 1024 N. Mound St.

The Nacogdoches Diagnostic Center, 1023 N. Mound St., Suites A, B and H

The Cecil Bomar Rehabilitation Center, 707 Woods St.

The Woods Street Warehouse, 608 Woods St.

The Care First Clinic  Garrison, 49 South U.S. 59

The Raguet Street House, 1230 Raguet St.

The Mound Street Lot, formerly 907 N. Mound St.

The Accounting/Is Building, 914 Raguet St.

The Nacogdoches County Hospital District board will remain and be responsible for operation of local ambulance services and several nursing homes as well as upkeep and improvements at the hospital. It will also be tasked with repaying more than $42 million in bond debt funded largely though a 1% sales tax.

A new board will be created to advise on day-to-day operations of the hospital. That board will include Lion Star employees and two members of the hospital district board.

Qualified, eligible employees will be offered jobs with the newly formed Lion Star Nacogdoches Hospital LLC. The hospital district will continue to pay employees though July 3 but Lion Star will reimburse it for payroll July 1 though July 3.

The hospital district is also on the hook for paying accrued paid time off for each employee that is offered and accepts employment with Lion Star and is offered lesser amounts of vacation and other paid time off.

Lion Stars principal players are CEO Sean Fowler and registered agent Edmund C. King, according to a business license filed in Utah. The business was first registered April 20.

They are both associated with Halsen Healthcare, according to that companys website.

Halsen purchased Watsonville Community Hospital in California in October 2019 for $30 million. It then sold the building and property to Alabama-based Medical Properties Trust for $39 million and leased the property from the other company. The Watsonville hospital fired Haslen from its leadership role in January for failing to meet financial obligations to various stakeholders, according to news reports. Some industry insiders have blamed the soured deal on the coronavirus pandemic.

The sale, lease and operation agreement are the final solution for ongoing debt reorganization that began in June 2018 when the hospital district first hired the law firm Dykema to solve its financial woes. That led to the ouster of Community Hospital Corp., which had managed the hospital since the abrupt departure of CEO Scott Street in January 2017.

Memorial has operated independently since firing CHC in October 2018 and announcing it would seek a partnership with a nonprofit health care provider. Lion Star is a for-profit corporation. There was no public discussion of how many nonprofit groups were interested in the hospital. In January 2019, the hospital board hired Juniper Advisory to act as its agent in the search for partnership. The firm was dismissed in April 2020 after no serious interest in the publicly funded hospital materialized.

How much a lack of interest can be attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic isnt clear, but major hospitals around the nation reported losing millions of dollars per day because of coronavirus restrictions.

In October, the hospital district identified two prospective partners  Canyon Atlantic-Texas LLC and ULIVVO, LLC  before signing an exclusive letter of intent with Lion Star in March.

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Amlak RedSquare is a man on a mission: to be as much a formidable force in reggae & dancehall as an example of excellence.

The rising act, whose real name is Omar Gordon, caught up with DancehallMag to discuss his 2021 trajectory and everything thats led him to this point. Very few people can boast that they grew up in the same household with reggae icon Spragga Benz or that they look up to him as a father. The veterans nephew talked to us about his uncles guidance, Rastafaris influence as well as being shaped by the deeply-rooted RedSquare label.

These days, Amlak is promoting his buzzing semi-conscious track Same Thing crafted by Grammy-winning producer Delly Ranx and is gearing up for season 4 of his music and marriage podcast with his partner of 19 years, Nickeeta Gordon. In this interview, edited and condensed for clarity, find out more from the family man, free thinker, and versatile messenger.

RedSquare is the name of the label/crew, but can you tell us the meaning behind your full name?

Amlak is actually Amharic and it means God. I chose the name Amlak because one day I was sitting in the basement in New York reasoning with my uncle telling him that I wanted to become an artist. At that time I was searching for Rastafari. With RedSquare being a dancehall column in the industry, I wanted to be different, I wanted to be more cultural with my music, you know, and not so hardcore. Reasoning with him on a deeper level, we were talking about creation and God and how we see God in ourselves as human beings and thats how the name came up. I wanted to use Amlak as a representation of the Creator in the works that I do.

How would you describe your sound to someone whos never heard your music before?

My sound is unorthodox, Id say thats probably the best description. Its a mixture of singing with a lot of hardcore conscious lyrics, conscious dancehall is what I like to call it.

Name a few of your influences that have impacted your music.

Naturally Spragga, hes my role model yuh know, the one I look up to. I really love Sizzla Kalonji also. Capleton, hes one of a few artists that has that kinda vibe I love and try to emulate. Also, I Wayne. I listen to a lot of The Beatles also, my favourite is Michelle.

Your songs are laced with parables without sounding preachy (Not every helping hand come with a simple plan/ its what you want but not really what you need  My Experience), or conversational and fluid. Is this a conscious effort to be able to better relate to fans?

Yes it is, it is. Because if you cant relate then people wont be able to grasp what youre trying to do with your music and your message. I feel like as an artist you have to be relatable but at the same time be in a space where a listener might feel like, this is a touch above the rest, you know what I mean. When you put your work out there in the forefront, you want people to be in awe of it, and also be able to relate to it. I write a lot and thats what I really try to do when writing music.

To keep fans engaged with your elevated lyrical content?

Right, its important, and I try to differentiate myself in that way because you know as a ghetto youth, people expect to hear the jargon of the ghetto so to speak, so I have to try to bridge that gap and be a bit more.

Tell us about your new EP Square Rooted. How did you arrive at the intriguing title and what can fans expect?

So Square Rooted is basically my brainchild. Its a reflection of where I am in life right now. I grew up in Dunkirk, Kingston 16. I no longer live in the community, but Im still a part of the community in every way possible, in trying to show the youths that it is possible to transcend all the borders, boundaries and shackles that they put on you, or when they tell you that you cant reach further than you are. The music on the EP will reflect that type of vibration. It will talk about things that happened, things that are happening and things to come. Its me (Square) remaining rooted in everything that I do regardless of the fact I no longer live in the community.

On that note, whats one thing the pandemic has taught you?

The pandemic has taught me that no matter what happens in this world, you have to keep going (laughs). Terrible things will happen, we cannot stop these things. There are people out there that are hell bent on destroying the world and yuh have the other side, people who are Heaven bent on making things better for everyone. So you cannot stop, you have to keep moving no matter what.

Are there any upcoming plans for the summer now that theres an ease on lockdowns?

Yeah man, we have a track produced by Delly Ranx, Same Thing on the Ginger Beer Riddim.

Were trying to use this as a catalyst to bring some awareness to what were doing in terms of dancehall because in the past I never really focused my energy on dancehall music. Most of the work Ive done the last couple years has been centered in Europe. Ive done a lot of touring in Europe, and that audience likes to hear conscious music. Usually in the summer its all about reggae festivals there, but now that theres no shows or promotions, I decided that this summer were going to be in Jamaica so why not try to get inside the dancehall so to speak, and this song is the springboard. So thats the plan for the summer (laughs).

Same Thing (Delly Ranx) and Run Di Place (Suku Ward) are more dancehall-oriented tracks, but even your rootsy songs have a hard-hitting flow. How do you bridge the gap between the two styles and do you prefer one over the other?

I have no special preference, I love the music overall. Coming from a dancehall school of music which is RedSquare [Productions], its not hard to do. A lot of people would think that would be my first preference coming from that, but its not that hard to do and I enjoy it. Dancehall music should have a balance, and we have to be able to strike a balance between painting a picture of whats happening in society and glorification of the ills of society. Thats essentially what is happening now in dancehall. A lot of the artists are glorifying the wrong instead of painting a picture of whats happening. My intent is to show that we can speak about certain things without glorifying it.

Youve had a handful of notable performances so far, from Guyana (Guyana Music Festival) to Germany (Reggae In Wulf Festival). Is there anywhere youre looking forward to performing especially once COVID is behind us?

Ive been getting a lot of good traction in Ghana and I think that in the near future were definitely gonna be going to Ghana. Were looking forward to that.

You grew up with a famous uncle, and your own family (wife and kids) makes regular cameos in your videos. Whats it like when work is a family affair?

Its very important because I realised that if what were doing is not done as a unit, then its harder to prosper. Not saying it cant, but its harder because were not moving together as one. As a man that has a family, as a king, we haffi mek sure that we family good.

The work is easier, and theres the understanding of what is required to become successful in what we do. It takes togetherness and its a joy to have a family to enjoy your work that youre doing. They like the whole energy and vibe of the whole scenario of our careers. Also it speaks to the fact that as a youth coming from the ghetto we can have families and still be succesful in what we do, you know what I mean?

Any final thoughts for your fans?

For the summer just be safe, you know, the pandemic is still going on. We have more pre-EP stuff coming, a few more tracks with Delly Ranx as well as one with local disc joc Fire Wayne so they can look out for that. Just reminding the people to be responsible and I hope they enjoy the summer with some Amlak RedSquare music.

Amlak RedSquares Square Rooted EP is set to be released later this year and will feature Spragga Benz, Warrior King, BittahSoSicka, and more. His first single of 2021, titled Realness with label mate Xyclone was met with largely positive reviews.
The Titanic is disappearing. The iconic ocean liner that was sunk by an iceberg is now slowly succumbing to metal-eating bacteria: holes pervade the wreckage, the crow's nest is already gone and the railing of the ship's iconic bow could collapse at any time.

Racing against the inevitable, an undersea exploration company's expedition to the site of the wreckage could start this week, beginning whats expected to be an annual chronicling of the ships deterioration. With the help of wealthy tourists, experts hope to learn more about the vessel as well as the underwater ecosystem that shipwrecks spawn.

The ocean is taking this thing, and we need to document it before it all disappears or becomes unrecognizable, Stockton Rush, president of OceanGate Expeditions, said Friday from a ship headed to the North Atlantic wreck site.

The 109-year-old ocean liner is being battered by deep-sea currents and bacteria that consumes hundreds of pounds of iron a day. Some have predicted the ship could vanish in a matter of decades as holes yawn in the hull and sections disintegrate.

Since the ships 1985 discovery, the 100-foot (30-meter) forward mast has collapsed. The crows nest from which a lookout shouted, Iceberg, right ahead! disappeared. And the poop deck, where passengers crowded as the ship sank, folded under itself.

The gymnasium near the grand staircase has fallen in. And a 2019 expedition discovered that the captains haunting bathtub, which became visible after the outer wall of the captains cabin fell away, is gone.

At some point you would expect the railing on the bow, which is very iconic, to have collapsed, Rush said.

The company has outfitted its carbon fiber-and-titanium submersible with high-definition cameras and multi-beam sonar equipment, Rush said. Charting the decomposition can help scientists predict the fate of other deep-sea wrecks, including those that sank during the world wars.

OceanGate also plans to document the sites sea life, such as crabs and corals. Hundreds of species have only been seen at the wreck, Rush said.

Another focus will be the debris field and its artifacts. David Concannon, an OceanGate adviser whos been involved in various Titanic expeditions, said he once followed a trail of light debris and small personal effects like shoes and luggage for 2 kilometers (1.2 miles).

The expedition includes archaeologists and marine biologists. But OceanGate is also bringing roughly 40 people who paid to come along. Theyll take turns operating sonar equipment and performing other tasks in the five-person submersible.

Theyre funding the expedition by spending anywhere from $100,000 to $150,000 apiece.

Somebody paid $28 million to go with Blue Origin to space, not even the moon, said Renata Rojas, 53, of Hoboken, New Jersey. This is cheap in comparison.

Obsessed with the Titanic since she was a kid, Rojas said she started studying oceanography in hopes of one day discovering the wreck. But it was found the same year, prompting her to pursue a career in banking instead.

I kind of need to see it with my own eyes to know that its really real, she said.

Bill Sauder, a Titanic historian who previously managed research for the company that owns the ship's salvage rights, said he doubts the expedition will discover anything thats front-page news. But he said it will improve the worlds understanding of the wrecks layout and debris field. For instance, hed like confirmation regarding where he believes the ships dog kennels are.

OceanGate will not take anything from the site, making this expedition far less controversial than the now-scuttled plans by another firm to retrieve the Titanics radio.

RMS Titanic, the company that owns the wreck's salvage rights, wanted to exhibit the radio equipment because it had broadcast the Titanic's distress calls. But the proposal sparked a court battle last year with the U.S. government. It said the expedition would break federal law and a pact with Britain to leave the wreck undisturbed because its a grave site.

All but about 700 of the roughly 2,200 passengers and crew died after the ship struck an iceberg in 1912.

The court battle ended after the firm indefinitely delayed its plans because of complications brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. But it's possible that not everyone will approve of this next mission.

In 2003, Ed Kamuda, then the president of the Titanic Historical Society, told The Associated Press that human activity, including tourism and expeditions, needs to be limited. He said the site should be a simple maritime memorial and left alone.

Let nature take back what is hers, he said. Its only a matter of time before its a brown stain and a collection of pig iron on the ocean floor.
Donald Trumps company and his longtime finance chief have been indicted on charges stemming from a New York investigation into the former presidents business dealings, two people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press.

The charges against the Trump Organization and the companys chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, remained sealed Wednesday night, but were expected to involve alleged tax violations related to benefits the company gave to top executives, possibly including use of apartments, cars and school tuition, people familiar with the case said.

The people were not authorized to speak about an ongoing investigation and did so on condition of anonymity. The Wall Street Journal was first to report that charges were expected Thursday.

The company and Weisselberg were expected to make their first court appearance Thursday.

The charges against Weisselberg and the Trump Organization would be the first criminal cases to arise from the two-year probe led by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance Jr., a Democrat who leaves office at the end of the year.

Prosecutors have been scrutinizing Trumps tax records, subpoenaing documents and interviewing witnesses, including Trump insiders and company executives.

A grand jury was recently empaneled to weigh evidence and New York Attorney General Letitia James said she was assigning two of her lawyers to work with Vance on the criminal probe while she continues a civil investigation of Trump.

Messages seeking comment were left with a spokesperson and lawyers for the Trump Organization. Weisselberg's lawyer, Mary Mulligan, declined to comment. The Manhattan district attorney's office declined to comment.

Trumps spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment, but Jason Miller, a longtime former senior adviser to the Republican, spun the looming charges as politically terrible for the Democrats.

They told their crazies and their supplicants in the mainstream media this was about President Trump. Instead, their Witch Hunt is persecuting an innocent 80 year-old man for maybe taking free parking! Miller tweeted, apparently referring to Weisselberg, who is 73.

Trump, whos been critical of President Joe Bidens immigration policies, was in Texas visiting the U.S.-Mexico border on Wednesday. He did not respond to shouted questions about the charges as he participated in a briefing with state officials.

Trump had blasted the investigation in a statement Monday, deriding Vances office as rude, nasty, and totally biased in their treatment of Trump company lawyers, representatives, and long-term employees.

Trump, in the statement, said the companys actions were things that are standard practice throughout the U.S. business community, and in no way a crime and that Vances probe was an investigation was in search of a crime.

Trump Organization lawyers met virtually with Manhattan prosecutors last week in a last-ditch attempt to dissuade them from charging the company. Prosecutors gave the lawyers a Monday deadline to make the case that criminal charges shouldnt be filed.

Ron Fischetti, a lawyer for the Trump Organization, told the AP this week that there was no indication Trump himself was included in the first batch of charges.

There is no indictment coming down this week against the former president, Fischetti said. I cant say hes out of the woods yet completely.

Weisselberg, a loyal lieutenant to Trump and his real estate-developer father, Fred, came under scrutiny, in part, because of questions about his sons use of a Trump apartment at little or no cost.

Barry Weisselberg managed a Trump-operated ice rink in Central Park.

Barrys ex-wife, Jen Weisselberg, has been cooperating with the investigation and turned over reams of tax records and other documents to investigators.

We have been working with prosecutors for many months now as part of this tax and financial investigation and have provided a large volume of evidence that allowed them to bring these charges, Jen Weisselberg's lawyer, Duncan Levin, said Wednesday. We are gratified to hear that the DAs office is moving forward with a criminal case.

Allen Weisselberg has worked for the Trump Organization since 1973. The case against him could give prosecutors the means to pressure the executive into cooperating and telling them what he knows about Trumps business dealings.

Prosecutors subpoenaed another long-time Trump finance executive, senior vice president and controller Jeffrey McConney, to testify in front of the grand jury in the spring. Under New York law, grand jury witnesses are granted immunity and can not be charged for conduct they testify about.

Prosecutors probing untaxed benefits to Trump executives have also been looking at Matthew Calamari, a former Trump bodyguard turned chief operating officer, and his son, the companys corporate director of security. However, a lawyer for the Calamaris said Wednesday that he didnt expect them to be charged.

Although the DAs investigation obviously is ongoing, I do not expect charges to be filed against either of my clients at this time, said the lawyer, Nicholas Gravante.

___

Associated Press writers Jill Colvin in Weslaco, Texas, and Bernard Condon in New York contributed to this report.

___

On Twitter, follow Michael Sisak at twitter.com/mikesisak
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP)  Overturning a landmark $1.5 million jury verdict, the Iowa Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that former Gov. Terry Branstad did not illegally discriminate or retaliate against a gay state official.

The court found no evidence that Branstad had knowledge that then-Iowa Workers' Compensation Commissioner Chris Godfrey was gay when his administration tried to push Godfrey out of state government in 2011.

Although Godfrey's status as one of Iowa's first openly gay public officials was widely known, it's pure speculation that Branstad had ever been aware of that, Justice Christopher McDonald wrote. The evidence does not support a conclusion that Branstad was anti-gay" because he had employed other gay men, he added.

The ruling overturned a 2019 verdict in which jurors found Branstad and his former legal counsel violated the Iowa Civil Rights Act by discriminating and retaliating against Godfrey based on his sexual orientation. Jurors also found that they violated Godfrey's rights based on his Democratic Party affiliation and awarded Godfrey $1.5 million in damages for emotional distress.

Wednesday's ruling ordered a court to dismiss all of Godfreys claims, ending a case that lasted a decade, made three trips to the Iowa Supreme Court and cost taxpayers millions of dollars in legal fees.

Godfrey called the ruling an absolutely bizarre decision that undermines legal protections for gays and lesbians. He said the court disregarded the findings of jurors who heard six weeks of evidence, including testimony from Branstad and others.

Godfrey said the ruling was the logical result of the courts rightward shift, which began after Iowa voters in 2010 removed three justices who voted to legalize gay marriage the year before.

It is an outcome-based decision, said Godfrey, who left state government in 2014 for a job with the U.S. Department of Labor. Politics were injected into the court and this is what weve got.

A spokesman for Gov. Kim Reynolds, who was Branstad's lieutenant governor and supported appealing the verdict, called the ruling a complete and total victory for the rule of law and Iowa taxpayers. In addition to not having to pay the $1.5 million in damages, the state will not have to cover a judge's $3.1 million award for Godfrey's legal fees.

Even before the appeal, a Republican-controlled state panel had spent $2.9 million to pay Branstad's lawyers over the years.

This partisan lawsuit was nothing short of an attempt to tarnish Gov. Branstad's character and reputation, said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, who supported the appeal and praised Wednesday's decision.

First elected in 1982, Branstad became the longest-serving governor in U.S. history and later served as U.S. ambassador to China during the Trump administration.

The dispute dates to Branstad's successful return run for governor in 2010 as a pro-business Republican who opposed same-sex marriage. After unseating Democratic Gov. Chet Culver, Branstad asked for the resignations of dozens of appointees, including Godfrey.

Godfrey had been reappointed by Culver and confirmed by the Iowa Senate to a six-year term as commissioner, a position that is supposed to be insulated from politics. After Godfrey rejected multiple requests to resign, Branstad slashed his annual salary by $40,000 to $72,000, the lowest allowed by the Legislature for the job.

Godfrey argued that his sexual orientation was a motivating factor for his harsh treatment by Branstad, who ran for office alongside a 2010 Iowa GOP platform that opposed equal rights for gays and lesbians. He said the adverse treatment and exclusion continued for years, including budget cuts Branstad targeted at his office.

Branstad testified that he wanted Godfrey out because powerful business interests had complained about some of his rulings awarding benefits to injured workers. He said the salary cut was within his discretion as governor and that he didn't learn Godfrey was gay until later.

Six of the seven justices agreed with the outcome, including two whom Branstad appointed in 2011 to replace justices who were ousted over the gay marriage ruling. Two concurring justices said Godfrey should not have been able to sue under the Iowa Civil Rights Act as a political appointee.

Partially dissenting Justice Brent Appel said he would have deferred to the jury's finding that Branstad knew Godfrey was gay but ordered additional proceedings.

Godfrey said he still cherished the jurors' 2019 verdict, saying they gave me justice. He said he feels respected in his federal government job and planned to participate in a White House event Wednesday to mark Pride Month.

Its just a shame that Iowa cant value people in the same way, he said. Because nobody that goes into public service should have to be treated the way that I was treated.
SEOUL, South Korea (AP)  After saying for months that it kept the coronavirus at bay, North Korea on Wednesday came closest to admitting that its anti-virus campaign has been less than perfect.

Kim Jong Uns mention of a great crisis created by a crucial failure in national pandemic measures during a ruling party meeting has triggered outside speculation about how bad the situation in North Korea may be.

A look at some of the clues:

___

EXPERTS DIVIDED OVER EPIDEMIC

Du Hyeogn Cha, an analyst at Seouls Asan Institute for Policy Studies, said the North could be dealing with a huge COVID-19 outbreak that has spread beyond border towns and rural areas and is now reaching urban centers, possibly including capital Pyongyang.

While North Korea has told the World Health Organization it has not found a single coronavirus infection after testing more than 30,000 people, experts widely doubt its claim considering its poor health infrastructure. Cha said North Korea has no other way to deal with outbreaks than quarantining people and locking down entire areas until transmissions subside.

Other experts, including Park Won Gon, a professor of North Korea studies at Seouls Ewha Womans University, said the large Politburo meeting attended by party officials from across the country would have been planned in advance and may have not taken place if the virus was circulating aggressively.

In case of large outbreaks, the North would deploy extreme measures to seal off affected regions, something outside monitoring groups haven't detected, said Ahn Kyung-su, the head of the Seoul-based Research Center of DPRK Health and Welfare.

___

IS IT ABOUT POWER SHAKEUP?

Most analysts agree that Kims remarks indicate a development thats significant enough to warrant a shakeup of Pyongyangs leadership.

The Norths state media said Kim berated senior party and government officials for neglecting important decisions of the party on taking organizational, institutional, material, scientific and technological measures as required by the prolonged state emergency epidemic prevention campaign.

The report also said that the party during the meeting recalled an unidentified member of the Politburos powerful Presidium, which consists of Kim and four other top officials. It's possible that Kim could be replacing Cabinet Premier Kim Tok Hun, his top economic official, who could be held responsible for anti-epidemic failures.

There was also speculation that Kim may have sacked Ri Pyong Chol, one of his top military officials. North Korean TV video of the meeting showed Ri looking downward and not participating in a vote as Kim and other senior officials on stage raised their hands to indicate their consent on a matter that the broadcast didnt specify.

___

CALL FOR OUTSIDE HELP?

Even if it was dealing with an alarming rise in infections, its highly unlikely that the North would admit it. Still, Kims decision to publicly address a major setback in the fight against the pandemic could also be an appeal for outside help.

Cha said the North could request stronger assistance from China, its main ally and economic lifeline, as they approach the 60th anniversary of their friendship treaty next month.

Leif-Eric Easley, professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University, said Kim's efforts to find the scapegoats for the outbreak could also be in preparation for accepting vaccines from abroad.

COVAX, the U.N.-backed program to distribute vaccines worldwide, said in February that the North could receive 1.9 million doses in the first half of the year. But the plans have been delayed due to global shortages.

Kim Sin-gon, a professor at Seouls Korea University College of Medicine, said that Kim Jong Un likely aimed to raise international awareness of the Norths pandemic-related difficulties.
An attorney representing a parental-rights nonprofit and families of University of Connecticut students is threatening a lawsuit if the school doesnt lift its COVID-19 vaccination requirement.

Attorney Ryan P. McLane announced the intention to bring legal action against the school if the policy is not changed by Friday in a letter to outgoing university president Thomas Katsouleas and interim university president Andrew Agwunobi.

In the June 24 letter, McLane said he represents The Family Freedom Endeavor and dozens of UConn students and their families  as well as families of students at other schools across New England and the U.S. He urged the university to withdraw its mandate for all students to be vaccinated, citing the lack of U.S. Food and Drug Administration approval.

The COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S. were given emergency-use authorization through the FDA.

There is no compelling interest in requiring students to take the vaccine as a requirement for enrollment and attendance, McLane said in the letter.

He warned that if the university doesnt revoke the vaccine mandate by Friday, the students and parents will be forced to litigate this issue in order to prevent the irreparable harm to their rights and potentially their physical selves.

In a statement Wednesday, university spokesperson Stephanie Reitz said the school conducted a poll and found the vast majority were willing to get vaccinated.

UConns polling of students found the vast majority said they are willing and want to receive the vaccine, and would support such a policy, she said. The policy also recognizes that there are many reasons why a student might not be able to get the vaccine or would not wish to do so, and provides latitude for them to seek exemptions.

Instead of requiring students to be vaccinated against the coronavirus, McLane requested the university to continue its COVID precaution protocols.

If safety was the primary concern in the decision-making process, then the university would continue to allow for the continuation of its COVID-19 mitigation protocols, such as social distancing, mask wearing, self-reporting and temperature checks, McLane said. Indeed, if these were effective prevention methods prior to the vaccine ... they would be effective still today.

The decision to require students to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 for the fall semester was voted on by the UConn Board of Trustees in early June.
AUGUSTA, Maine (AP)  Gathering without masks, Maine lawmakers on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved an $8.5 billion budget on the eve of the new fiscal year. The budget includes a $300 hazard pay bonus for most workers.

Both chambers adopted the budget by a margin greater than a two-thirds majority, allowing it to go into effect upon the governor's signature.

Democratic Gov. Janet Mills said the budget represents an historic investment in Maine people.

It boosts the states share of K-12 public education costs to 55%, meeting a goal established by state voters, while adding $45 million to the school renovation fund and $40 million for land conservation, and increasing revenue sharing with cities and towns. It also expands preventative dental care to more than 200,000 Mainers.

It does all that while adding to the state's rainy day fund.

The new spending was made possible through more than $900 million in unanticipated revenues, based on updated projections.

The votes came as most lawmakers ditched their masks for the first time since lawmakers convened this year.

Lobbyists, lawmakers and laypeople crowded State House hallways without face coverings after the Legislative Council rescinded its COVID-19 restrictions last week. The governor's state of civil emergency, imposed at the start of the pandemic, was to expire at midnight, as well.

Lawmakers already passed a bare-bones budget on a partisan vote in the Democratic-led Legislature. But there was bipartisan support on Wednesday for the budget revision.

I know this legislative session has been particularly difficult because of the pandemic, and I want to applaud both Republicans and Democrats for working together in good-faith to negotiate a strong budget that we can enact immediately, the governor said.

The updated budget proposal passed unanimously in the appropriations committee before going to floor votes.

"The Maine Legislature is sending a clear message to the people of the state of Maine: bipartisanship is alive and well in Augusta, said Democratic Sen. Cathy Breen, co-chair of the appropriations committee.

Rep. Teresa Pierce, the House co-chair, lauded the investments in education while maintaining strong fiscal responsibility.

Local governments will get a break with the state finally picking up its full share of education costs. This marks the first time Maine has met the 55 percent threshold since voters passed a referendum in 2004, she said.

In other action, the Maine Legislature approved a bill to scrap Central Maine Power and Versant Power, the state's largest electric utilities, and replace them with a consumer-owned utility.

The proposal previously failed by a single vote in the Senate, but it picked up support Wednesday after it was amended to spell out that the utility would have to pay property taxes to cities and towns.

Nonetheless, the bill that would create an entity called Pine Tree Power still lacked a two-thirds majority necessary to overcome a likely veto by Mills.

The bill's sponsor, Rep. Seth Berry, D-Bowdoinham, said it's time to have a power grid that's no longer owned and run by those from far away" and are not invested in the state and its energy decisions.

The Pine Tree Power Company will finally let us reinvest the money from our electricity bills back into the grid instead of sending it to investors overseas who have never set foot in Maine," he said.

Critics said the proposal was costly and risky. Mills previously described the bill as a rosy solution to a very complicated series of problems.
Connecticuts 2022-23 state budget tells a story. Like any story, the author - in this case the majority party - decides what you should see and think. In this case, the story told was of a no tax increase budget. Lets dive in and take a look.

There are many good things in this two-year budget. My main concern is how it was handled and does it set us up for future economic growth. Many bills were passed that will be helpful. However the deeply substantive work needed to create a path of equal opportunity for all and economic sustainability is still needed.

The two-year budget with a total spend of $46.3 billion has two key parts, the budget and the budget implementer. The budget is amount we spend and the implementer is how we spend the funds. We vote on the budget and the implementer separately.

This budget preserves educational funding in all our school districts fiscal year 2022-23, as well as all municipal aid. We fulfilled our commitment to raise teachers pension exemption to 50 percent and increased support for mental health, home health care, nursing homes and domestic violence.

The initial budget proposals by the majority party included new taxes on health insurance, homes valued more than $250,000, capital gains and a consumption tax and a non-voter tax. With the significant push back from constituents all over the state, these tax proposals were withdrawn. Your voices do make a difference.

Here are my concerns on this budget and the budget process:

 We used federal money of $1.75 billion as if it were free money. These are hard earned tax dollars. In two years, we will have to budget without this infusion of funds.

 For the implementer bill, we received the 837-page double sided/544 section budget implementer language a mere 30 hours before the debate and vote. The senate had three hours to digest, debate and vote. Less than two days to digest hundreds of proposals. This is not right.

 The Implementer is often a vehicle to insert favors to legislative members and revive proposals that die in other committees. Some of the proposals did not even have a public hearing. Called rats as they could not survive in the light of day and were done in secrecy. This was the case this year.

 It delays promised tax relief to businesses by extending the corporate tax surcharge two years and delays promised property tax relief for adults who are not seniors and have no dependents to claim.

 Why is a new revenue account - taxes on recreational marijuana - not counted in the General Fund budget process?

 Lastly, a new mileage tax was voted by the majority party, that inexplicably is not counted as a new tax. Why?

The tax on marijuana creates a new revenue source that, unfortunately, won't be used to balance our state budget. With the bill's signing, an unelected Equity Council will be created that will have control over the licenses and the revenue raised. This is not the transparency and accountability Connecticut residents deserve.

The truck tax is a mileage tax on virtually all commercial trucks in the state. This will be an accounting and administrative nightmare for anyone using trucks for commercial purposes in Connecticut. Another cost to our businesses that will result in price increases to consumers. These funds will go to the Special Transportation Fund.

So contrary to the story ... this budget does increase taxes. In an ideal world, we would treat both parts of the budget as one document. Keep it simple, tell it straight.

Bottom line  there are good things in this budget. Yes, the budget passed, however, it didnt respect a fully open and transparent process and it does have tax increases. To say otherwise is deceptive. Spending and revenue should be treated as one process. The people of Connecticut deserve smart and sustainable solutions and the truth. Please let me know your thoughts. Always. Terrie.Wood@cga.ct.gov.
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New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday held a meeting with defence minister Rajnath Singh, home minister Amit Shah, civil aviation minister Hardeep Singh Puri and National Security Advisor (NSA) Ajit Doval on the drone attack on the Indian Air Force's Jammu Air Base. They also discussed making the drone policy in the country tighter to avoid its misuse. A new policy on drone use by civilians in the country is expected to be released soon. It could include a ban on the use of drones by civilians in many sensitive areas.

"There were discussions on futuristic challenges in the defence sector and equipping the forces with modern equipment and aspects relating to the involvement of more youth, startups and strategic community were also discussed," said sources.

Earlier during the day, defence minister Rajnath Singh is reported to have attended a presentation by top officials of the Indian Air Force about the drone attack on the Jammu Air Base and ways to strengthen security at military air bases across the country.

The drone attack on the air station has emerged as a new security challenge. Even on Sunday and Monday there were reports of drones being spotted near military establishments in the Jammu region.

In recent months terrorists from Pakistan have been increasingly using drones to drop weapons and drugs across the International Border in Jammu and Punjab.

In the first ever drone attack on Indian soil, two drones were used to drop low-intensity improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on Indian Air Force's Jammu air base on the intervening night of June 26-27. The ministry of home affairs (MHA) has handed over the probe into the first-of-its-kind terror attack in the country to the National Investigation Agency (NIA).

Drones have emerged as the new security threat across the world and analysts have long feared they could be used by terrorists to launch attacks in India, too.

The Islamic State and Iran-based militias have been using drones to carry out attacks in Iraq.

In 2019, drone attacks claimed by Yemens Houthi rebels had hit two key oil installations inside Saudi Arabia that had damaged facilities that processed the vast majority of the countrys crude output.
Hyderabad: Raj Bhavan on Tuesday announced that Governor Dr Tamilisai Soundararajan has decided to present the Chancellor's Awards, for best teacher, best research, and best university in academic social responsibility.

The awards are aimed at promoting academic excellence, research and innovation in state universities. The Governor is the Chancellor of the State universities.

Raj Bhavan, in coordination with the TS Council of Higher Education (TSCHE) will launch the initiative for selecting nominees for the awards.

An independent jury of academicians, scientists and eminent personalities will select the nominees for the awards. Once the modalities and criteria are finalised, applications will be called for.

The Governor said, Chancellors Awards should be prestigious and be given to highly deserving candidates purely based on merit. Research awards must be given to those whose work has utility and benefited society. Locally applicable research must be encouraged, especially during the Covid pandemic. Research should have some relevance and applicability and utility value to society."

TSCHE Chairman Prof. T. Papi Reddy said the Council will extend financial grants to the awardees, adding that it will coordinate the Chancellor's Awards process with the Raj Bhavan and make it a reality soon.
Hyderabad: Independence Day is a reminder to all those living in India and the United States of America, to celebrate the strong partnership between the two democratic nations, according to US Consul General, Joel Reifman. The Consul General was speaking at the 245th US Independence Day celebrations organised by Indo American Chamber of Commerce (IACC), virtually on Tuesday.

He said the USA and India cooperated on many fronts such as defence, regional cooperation particularly in Indo Pacific, terrorism, peace keeping, climate change, science and technology, agriculture, space, trade and foreign education.

Our people-to-people ties in both nations are very strong. Nearly four million Indian Americans call America their home. They contribute to the nation on many fronts. NASA's space mission commander has Telangana roots. Raja Chari, a man with Telugu roots, is gearing up for the SpaceX Crew-3 Mission to ISS scheduled in October this year. His father Sreenivas V. Chari hailed from Hyderabad and studied at Osmania University," he said.

Reifman said despite the pandemic disrupting global trade, it had led to many collaborations in several critical sectors. Telangana state played a significant role in the Indian healthcare sector by giving the nation the first indigenously developed vaccine by Bharath Biotech which again was done in collaboration with American universities and hospitals.

Hyderabad has emerged as the destination of choice for life sciences, pharma sectors, science and technology, IT and business-friendly policies, thanks to the commendable job of my friend K. T. Rama Rao and the state government, Reifman added.

India-US relationship is multidimensional. There is hardly any aspect of human endeavour where these two countries have not collaborated both on the positive side or fighting against climate change, terrorism and pandemic. The partnership between our two nations is very strong, the Consul-General said.

In seven years of Modi's Prime Ministership, there were three changes in the US leadership - Obama, Trump and now Biden, the new President. Our friendship and partnership even during such changes in leadership was intact and has grown very strong on both bilateral and global issues. Both nations share common democratic values," said Dr Vijay Chauthaiwale, in-charge, foreign affairs department, Bharatiya Janata Party.
VIJAYAWADA: The Andhra Pradesh Cabinet chaired by Chief Minister YS Jagan Mohan Reddy has condemned the act of the Telangana government for going ahead with hydel power generation by drawing water from the Krishna basin reservoirs affecting the interests of the people in the state.

The Cabinet has also decided to take up the issue to the notice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Union minister for jal shakthi Gajendra Singh Shekawat by writing letters to them seeking their intervention to resolve the issue amicably.

The Chief Minister is learnt to have expressed concern over water dispute between both the AP and TS while taking part in the Cabinet meeting and said they would not tolerate any injustice being meted out to the farmers in the state. He reportedly said they were maintaining their composure despite being provoked by critical remarks from Telangana ministers to ensure that people from AP living in Telangana should not face any problem. He asked the ministers to find out what was to be done to safeguard the interests of AP farmers and also directed them to write a letter to the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) on the issue.

Later, minister for water resources P. Anil Kumar Yadav told media persons that the AP government was constructing irrigation projects as per norms using only its allocated water. He said that 44,000 cusecs of water from Pothireddypadu project could be drawn only if the water level would reach 881 ft in Srisailam project and added that if the water level touched 854 ft, it would help them draw 5,000 to 6,000 cusecs of water. He also said that Telangana could draw six tmc ft of water if the water level reached 800 ft at Srisailam project.

The minister stated that AP was unable to draw Krishna flood water as water level in Srisailam project was touching 881 ft to 885 ft only for 15-20 days and added that to draw water at full capacity in less time, drawing capacity should be enhanced by setting up lifts at 800 ft level. Referring to the assurance given by the Chief Minister at the apex council meeting that AP would draw only allocated water, the minister said that their government was committed to it.

The minister turned critical on some Telangana ministers for using provocative language and even targeting former CM Y.S Rajasekhar Reddy. Referring to the state Cabinets condemnation of Telangana governments acts of drawing water from Krishna in violation of norms for hydel power generation, the minister said the state government would retaliate to the acts of the TS government at an appropriate time. The minister said the state government was ready to bring projects under the KRMB limits if needed and added that the TS government was expanding various projects like Palampur, Dindi and Nettempadu without obtaining required permissions.
Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao will write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this issue, according to official sources. (Photo:Twitter@TelanganaCMO)

HYDERABAD: The Telangana government has decided to intensify its fight against the Andhra Pradesh government's illegal projects on river Krishna. The government will write letters to the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) and Union jal shakti ministry complaining against AP's Rayalaseema lift irrigation project (RLIP) and expansion of Pothireddypadu project.

Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao will also write to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on this issue, according to official sources.

This follows APs Cabinet decision on Wednesday to complain against the Telangana government taking up hydel power generation in Srisailam, Nagarjunasagar and Pulichintala projects ignoring the KRMB and the Centres orders.

The Chief Minister reviewed Krishna water issue with senior officials on Wednesday after AP Cabinet adopted a resolution to fight for the states rights on Krishna river and declared that there was no question of any compromise on utilising its due share of river waters.

Official sources said the Chief Minister took a serious view of Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy's reported comments in the Cabinet meeting that he was keeping silent on Krishna water row for the sake of AP people living in Telangana saying that Telangana government may trouble AP people in Telangana if he reacted in the manner in which Telangana ministers have been reacting by abusing his father late Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy and himself calling them thieves and dacoits.

He reportedly felt that with these unwarranted comments, Jagan was trying to divert people's attention from illegal projects and attempting to create rift between people of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh.

He is learnt to have said that Seemandhra people in Hyderabad and elsewhere in Telangana feel more safe and secure in Telangana than during the days in undivided Andhra Pradesh.

The Telangana government never discriminated or troubled anyone who settled in Hyderabad from any state in the country or from any part of the world.

Meanwhile, energy minister G Jagadish Reddy on Wednesday lashed out at the AP government for deciding to go ahead with its projects on Krishna. He said the Telangana government's fight was only against Andhra rulers who were hurting the interests of Telangana state and it had nothing against Andhra people, who settled in Telangana for livelihood.

Reddy said the Telangana government would continue hydel power generation in all projects over Krishna as it was the right of Telangana state and nobody could stop the government from doing this. He asked the AP government to remember that Telangana was a state and Chandrashekar Rao was its Chief Minister and not a region that was part of Andhra Pradesh earlier.
The Communist Party of China (CPC), which begins its centenary celebrations on July 1, is vastly different now from the revolutionary force it was at its inception, when its mission was to liberate its homeland from the morass it had sunk into. Today, the CPC has all but forgotten the revolution and transformed itself into the establishment in the Peoples Republic of China (PRC). Many would say its the PRCs real government-- a role into which it has grown for the past 72 years of Communist Chinas existence, ever since Mao Zedongs Red Army swept into power in 1949, overthrowing Chiang Kai-sheks Kuomintang, relegating them to the island of Taiwan, targeted by Beijing as a separatist province but in the eyes of the rest of the world a thriving, flourishing democracy.

All those who regard the CPC as a political party, perhaps the biggest one in the world, miss the point. It is anything but a party, it is just another name for the Chinese State. Just consider this. The Peoples Liberation Army (PLA), which has been locked in a standoff with the Indian Army in eastern Ladakh for the past one year and more, is just another wing of the CPC, and supreme authority over the PLA as well as the Chinese Air Force and Navy is wielded by Chinas Central Military Commission, which too is subordinate to the party.

When it began its journey 100 years ago, the PLA was not a part of the CPC. It began with six small groups from Shanghai, Beijing, Changsha, Wuhan, Guangzhou, and Jinan, holding their first session in Shanghai in July 1921. There is some doubt about the July 1 date, though; according to some the first congress may have been held in mid-July, so the official date of the CPCs founding is a bit uncertain.

The times were indeed terrible. In the aftermath of the First World War, there were endless political feuds, defeat, capitulation, humiliation, abject poverty, agrarian distress, and a war of all against all in Chinas hinterland. Into this scenario emerged young Mao Zedong, then just 28, as one constant CPC figure through the worst of times, as the party was endlessly hounded by multiple, powerful rivals, resulting in all-round catastrophe. Understandably, such mindless bloodshed and mounting casualties led to raising ones own forces from the ragtag, indisciplined, but hardy, inexhaustible source of peasant recruits in the countryside.

Through such trials and tribulations was born the PLA in the mid-1920s, with Mao taking command after considerable friction within. Farmers transformed into fighters under the CPC to liberate and give political emancipation to the people, giving birth to Maos politico-military doctrine: The Party commands and controls the gun, not the other way around. Here were sown the seeds of the CPC assuming control of the PLA and by extension to the future Chinese State.

The firman of Maos military mind continues till this day: The basic principle of war is to preserve oneself and destroy the enemy. (May 1938) Also: The CPC should pay great attention to the study of military matters. (November 1938). This politico-military interface ensures that at the slightest provocation, the CPC had absolute right to mobilise and deploy the PLA to crush any situation or what it sees as opposition to its absolute control. This was evident in the June 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre, when the mighty party felt threatened by a small assembly of students and dissenters; it is seen now with the massacre of Uighurs in Xinjiang and the crackdown in Hong Kong. The first CPC-PLA murder, however, took place at Xizang (Tibet) in 1950, where the operations to cleanse Buddhist seminaries continued for years, eventually leading to the Dalai Lamas flight to India in 1959.

In most external matters, though, the CPC-PLA largely operated through deceit, rather than direct force, with the major exceptions of Korea in 1950, India in 1962 and Vietnam in 1979. It is evident for decades that the CPC-PLA holds India in unalloyed contempt, as it is convinced this countrys messy, raucous democracy and its multiple political parties cannot be a match for authoritarian Beijing. For reasons best known to them, some Indians appear determined to ignore this reality.

In several stages since 1949 -- with interruptions during the Cultural Revolution and the brief promise of the Deng Xiaoping years -- this CPC-PLA monolith has grown today into an oversized, overweight and over-centralised system, which will be overburdened in the foreseeable future as Chinas global ambitions takes the world head-on via multi-pronged and multi-forked fangs, through land, air, water and cyberspace.

India got a direct taste of the CPCs meddling in the late 1960s, after the 1962 war, when poison was injected into our body politic through the Naxalbari movement starting May 1967; and the creation of a brigade of a few thousand young men (and some women too), known as Naxalites, operating (perhaps unwittingly) as the PLAs foot soldiers. Most Indians remained in the dark, except those directly affected in eastern and later northeast India.

The CPC-PLAs tentacles reach into every part of China, and beyond. Not only does the party run every aspect of the military and government, with a cell in every unit, and all appointments and promotions possible only with its approval; its reach extends not just to state-run industrial enterprises but also the private sector -- including internationally known technology, telecom and e-commerce giants. These are usually coerced, threatened, blackmailed or else persuaded to do the partys bidding.

The CPC doesnt use only Chinese nationals. All Chinese-origin people living overseas might get a call for help, as several cases emerged in the US courts, of people with relatives or family ties in China being bullied into spying or working for the CPC-PLA.

For Mission India, the CPC-PLA will use every resource, anyone with an Indian visa -- from tourist to fraudster, criminal to smuggler; spies to cyber pirates; ocean-going fishermen to journalists; the Peoples Bank of China to rail, telecom and highway techies, agricultural advisers to embassy officials, even students. Incidentally, China hasnt been giving visas to Indians since November 2020.

How long will Indians remain myopic and gullible about the PRCs real agenda? As our sovereignty is trampled upon and our soldiers get killed at the border, hordes of CPC-PLA lawbreakers go unpunished in India. The government seems to be in a trance. As the CPC marks its centenary and extends the reach of its Belt and Road plans, an economic disaster looms for India and the rest of the world.

The writer is an advocate practising in the Supreme Court. The views expressed are personal.
At least five people, including three children, were killed when a bomb went off at a house in a Pakistan-Afghanistan border town on Tuesday, police said.

The blast occurred at Landi Kotal town in a house close to Darwazgai Check post in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

Three children and a woman were among the five dead, police said.

Six people also injured in the explosion, they said.

Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mehmud Khan has ordered an inquiry into the explosion.
Ahead of an impending Cabinet reshuffle soon, Prime Minister Narendra Modi will hold a review meeting of Union council of ministers on Wednesday to take stock of the performance of various departments and discuss the Covid situation.

The meeting, to be held virtually, is the latest in the series of meetings the Prime Minister has had with his Cabinet colleagues and senior party leaders in last month amid a growing buzz that there will be a rejig in both the government at Centre and the party as Modi 2:0 government is nearing the middle point of its five-year term.

The attempt to give a fresh look to both the government and the party is on the anvil as elections are scheduled in half a dozen states next year and the party would also like to empower the generation-next ahead of 2024 Lok Sabha polls.

Read | Modi-Yogi standoff: Temporary truce

This is on the line of what Modi had done during his first tenure during 2017 Cabinet reshuffle, bringing in several new faces and sending a message of women empowerment with the elevation of Nirmala Sitharaman as Defence Minister.

This had made the entry of two women ministers possible in the crucial Cabinet Committee on security, the other being the then External Affairs Minister, Sushma Swaraj. Besides, Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, Dharmendra Pradhan, Piyush Goyal had got elevations, while Uma Bharati had lost a crucial ministry, the Ministry of Water Resources and Ganga Rejuvenation, that oversaw Modi's Namami Gange mission.



2021 Cabinet rejig will focus on creating a new leadership before 2024.

While Wednesday's meeting is primarily to review the work done by Infrastructure ministries like the Road and Transport Ministry, Civil Aviation and Telecom ministries, Modi had earlier held meetings in different groups with Cabinet and MoS rank ministers, carrying out their performance review.

While BJP chief J P Nadda was present in most of these meetings, held at the Prime Minister's residence, a meeting was also held later at BJP headquarters, which was attended by a number of senior ministers as well as senior BJP leaders, giving rise to the buzz that the reshuffle this time could witness changes both at the government and at the party level.

Some successful former chief ministers of the party like Devendra Fadnavis and Sarbananda Sonowal could be inducted in the Union Cabinet, while the inductions of some young leaders like Jyotiraditya Scindia in the Cabinet will be done keeping in mind their projection for larger roles later. Some of the articulate Union ministers, who have been in the forefront of defending the government and the party on contentious issues like Covid-19, may get a change of roles. Through the reshuffle, the government may seek to give some more focus on the Information and Broadcasting Ministry as well.

Some of the party general secretaries including BJP in-charge for Bihar Bhupendra Yadav, who is close to Home Minister Amit Shah, might find a place of prominence in the Cabinet ahead of UP polls, where BJP's rival Samajwadi Party has solid backing of Yadavs.

BJP UP chief Swatantra Dev Singh, Madhya Pradesh leader Kailash Vijayvargiya, a Brahmin face and Bihar's former Dy CM Sushil Modi, are likely to be accommodated. From allies in the Hindi belt, two from JDU, one from Pashupati Kumar Paras-led LJP, one from Apna Dal in UP, maya find a bearth.
A measure that would enshrine voter I.D. into the state constitution advances to the House for consideration.
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Communities Minister Deirdre Hargey has welcomed the benefits of collaboration between PRONI and Conflict Archive on the INternet (CAIN).

Previously secret records, including some from 1993 and 1994, will be available online from tomorrow.

Over 440 documents have been added to the Derry-based CAIN website (http://cain.ulster.ac.uk/ proni/) as part of ongoing work between Ulster University and the Public Record Office (PRONI).

The new additional material provides an insight into some of the key events and developments that marked the emergence of the Peace Process in the early 1990s.

For example, this includes references to the role of the US administration as well as the ongoing involvement of the British and Irish governments at this time.

A range of other topics are also covered, including legal and security matters, fair employment and cultural issues.

Minister Hargey said: It is essential that people have the opportunity to view records for themselves from our recent past.

This additional material covers a selection of records relating to 1993 and 1994, which will let people uncover the details behind the headlines of those years.

The fact that they have been digitised and are freely available online, highlights how technology is being used to promote the important archives held in PRONI. This is especially important this year as it is opens up the records even when some visitor restrictions remain in place.

Dr Brendan Lynn, CAIN Deputy Director, added: Once again CAIN is very pleased to have been able to continue our co-operation with PRONI which has now been going on for over 10 years.

"This latest update to the existing section not only deals with material from 1993 and 1994 but also covers a number of earlier years. The latest batch of additions will bring to more than 3,000 the number of PRONI documents on CAIN.

The information itself is easily available and free of charge. We believe it will be of great use to students, researchers, teachers and lecturers or to anyone with an interest in the recent political and social history of Northern Ireland.
A local council member has said he intends to launch a formal complaint after his attempt to clarify minutes of a previous meeting was voted down at last night's council meeting.

Cllr Padraig McShane says he will contact the Northern Ireland Public Services Ombudsman (NIPSO) after experiencing what he described as an attack on the 'essence of democracy'.

Cllr McShane had raised a point of accuracy with minutes of last month's Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council's Audit Committee presented at last week's full council meeting.

The minute states Cllr P McShane requested it was noted 'he could not support the findings given so much had happened, he said.

In fact I stated 'for those of us that are charged with governance here, we are asked to accept the assurances of the Chief Finance Officer, an individual who has already misled Council'

On behalf of those I represent, I cannot accept or support the findings, given so much relies upon that individual.'

I had stated that quite categorically and asked for it to be noted, and I was surprised when I read the minute, given I asked for it to be noted.

An exchange followed between Cllr McShane and Council Mayor Richard Holmes around the recording of meetings.

Cllr Richard Holmes

Cllr Holmes explained a trial run for recording Committee meetings took place in June, and that the Council that the current meeting was being recorded, with the exception of 'in committee' business.

A council official told the meeting that plans to record all meetings, including the 'in committee' items, would go live in August.

Cllr Sharon McKillop then claimed Cllr McShane's proposal was not an accurate reflection of what was said at the Committee, of which she is Chair.

A vote was then taken on whether or not to accept Cllr P McShane's clarification of the points he had made, with councillors who had not been present at the meeting also having a vote on the amendment.

Cllr McShane asked if the vote would be restricted to those who were in attendance at the Committee meeting, but Cllr Holmes confirmed all councillors at full council meetings had a vote.

Cllr Stephanie Quigley

After the amendment to the minutes was voted down by 18 votes to 16, Independent councillor Stephanie Quigley said the minutes were 'wrong'.

I listened on the night, and if you read what is on that there, you would have no idea. Any member that didn't attend will have no idea, she said.

Cllr Holmes said minutes were not a verbatim report on proceedings.

Everybody has a different recollection of what went on at the meetings, he added.

In a statement provided to Derry Now after the meeting, Cllr McShane said he believed the minutes had been 'tampered with'.

I believe the minutes in Causeway Coast and Glens have been tampered with to such an extent to render them meaningless, he said.

Those responsible for the production of the minute appear to have an interest in silencing debate, removing proposals and ensuring they and their management are protected from serious allegations upheld by external investigators.

Cllr McShane also accused the DUP and UUP of trying to smother any public accountability.

The DUP and the UUP need to explain why they are adopting minutes that have been clearly tampered with, he said.

The two parties have ensured absolutely no public accountability will be allowed from independent investigations, internal auditors or indeed myself. The very essence of democracy is under attack.

I believe the organisation is out of control. At some point this has got to stop. I will be speaking to NIPSO about the latest issues and I will be making a formal complaint, he added.

A spokesperson for Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council denied any suggestion of wrong-doing and said 'strict' procedures were in place.

"Causeway Coast and Glens Borough Council has strict procedures in place around the drafting of its minutes prior to these being published to Elected Members and the public.



"The rigorous governance around minute taking is central to the overall democratic function of Council and this is upheld to the highest standards at all times.



"The Council strongly refutes any suggestion of wrongdoing around this and all Elected Members will be aware of how minutes are produced, the ratification process and what information is presented within the papers."
Raj Kaushal's death shocks Manoj Bajpayee, Anupam Kher, Neha Dhupia, condolences pour in for Mandira Bedi & family

Filmmaker Raj Kaushals sudden demise has come as a huge shock for his friends and followers in the film industry. Condolences poured in for Rajs wife and actor Manira Bedi and their family from celebrities including Neha Dhupia, Anupam Kher, Rohit Roy, Divya Dutta, Manoj Bajpayee, Onir, Arshad Warsi, Randeep Hooda, among others.

Actor Rohit Roy who is a friend of the family informed PTI, "He passed away today morning, at around 4.30 am at his home. He had a heart attack.

Neha Dhupia who had a get together with Raj and Mandira recently posted a picture of the group and wrote, Raj, we took this picture to create more and more memories cant believe you are nt with us anymore  Mandira , my strong strong girl, I am at a loss of words. My heart belongs to Vir and Tara  Im shaken up and in shock and disbelief as I write this , RIP Raj

Raj , we took this picture to create more and more memories cant believe you are nt with us anymore  Mandira , my strong strong girl, I am at a loss of words. My heart belongs to Vir and Tara   Im shaken up and in shock and disbelief as I write this , RIP Raj pic.twitter.com/gC6zYQdazo  Neha Dhupia (@NehaDhupia) June 30, 2021

Filmmaker Onir who had collaborated Raj Kaushal on his film My Brother Nikhil wrote, Gone too soon. We lost Film maker and Producer @rajkaushal1 this morning. Very Sad. He was one of the producers of my first film #MyBrotherNikhil. One of those few who believed in our vision and supported us. Prayers for his soul.

Gone too soon. We lost Film maker and Producer @rajkaushal1 this morning. Very Sad. He was one of the producers of my first film #MyBrotherNikhil. One of those few who believed in our vision and supported us. Prayers for his soul. pic.twitter.com/zAitFfYrS7   Onir   he/him (@IamOnir) June 30, 2021

Manoj Bajpayee who was friends with the filmmaker said hed take time recovering from this loss. No news can be more shocking and tragic for us personally than loosing our dear friend and a fantastic human being Raj kaushal !! It will definitely take time to come to terms with this loss!! Rest in peace my friend.

No news can be more shocking and tragic for us personally than loosing our dear friend and a fantastic human being Raj kaushal !! It will definitely take time to come to terms with this loss!! Rest in peace my friend   manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) June 30, 2021

Actor Aarshad Warsi who was a part of Raj Kaushals last directorial project in 2006, "Anthony Kaun Hai?" wrote, Today I lost a very dear friend, my condolences to his family. Known Raj Kaushal, for years, done a film with him, enjoyed every minute of his company. I have never seen a frown on his face, he was always smiling, always there if you needed himwill miss you brother RIP.

Today I lost a very dear friend, my condolences to his family. Known Raj Kaushal, for years, done a film with him, enjoyed every minute of his company. I have never seen a frown on his face, he was always smiling, always there if you needed himwill miss you brother RIP. pic.twitter.com/5HpVNvxJ8r  Arshad Warsi (@ArshadWarsi) June 30, 2021

Anupam Kher posted pictures of Raj Mandira and their kids Tara and Vir and wrote, Deeply saddened & shocked to know about the sudden demise of #RajKaushal! A friend, a film maker & a very positive man. Have some great memories of working with him & spending time with him few years back. Sorry dearest @mandirabedi & family for your irreparable loss. #OmShanti

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anupam Kher (@anupampkher)

Rohit Roy posted a long note shaken with grief, One of the nicest guys you could ever have met and if u were lucky, u could have called him your friend and just like that, hes gone, even without saying good bye  too numb with grief and shock to react This is not fair, just not fair

Raj, my friend, my brother keep spreading the cheer where ever your next abode is Knowing your penchant for good homes, I am sure you are looking for a good spot in heaven RIGHT NOW!

We all loved you dearly and you know that  unfortunately, we kept saying next week next week and that week never came  See you on the other side my bro. Till we raise hell again, REST IN PEACE 

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Rohit Bose Roy (@rohitboseroy)

Another precious life, gone too soon! Rest in Peace Raj Kaushal, you'll be deeply deeply missed. Sending a lot of love towards you and the kids, wrote Suneil Shetty.

Another precious life, gone too soon! Rest in Peace Raj Kaushal, you'll be deeply deeply missed.



Sending a lot of love towards you and the kids @mandybedi   Suniel Shetty (@SunielVShetty) June 30, 2021

Lara Dutta remembered the filmmaker in a tweet, Raj was one of the first and nicest people I met in the industry. Dearest @mandybedi you are not alone in your grief. Prayers and strength to you, Vir and Tara. RIP Raj. #RajKaushal
Ratna Pathak Shah says Naseeruddin Shah likely to be discharged from the hospital tomorrow: "He is perfectly alright"

The news of Naseeruddin Shahs hospitalization raised concern among his fans on Wednesday morning. The veteran actor was admitted to the hospital two days ago after getting diagnosed with pneumonia. His wife and actress Ratna Pathak Shah has now shared a health update from the hospital and eased some tension.

The actress in conversation with Pinkvilla said that hat Naseeruddin Shah is perfectly alright after alarms were raised over him being in the hospital. She also said that the actor is likely to get discharged tomorrow.

He is perfectly alright. There is a minor patch on his lung, which they have been treating. He should be discharged by tomorrow hopefully, she told the portal.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Naseeruddin Shah (@naseeruddin49)

The actors nephew Mohammed Ali Shah also confirmed that the actor spoke to his brother over the phone and that there is no reason for worrying.

The veteran actors manager had earlier confirmed that Naseeruddin Shah had pneumonia and told Bombay Times, He has been in the hospital for two days. He's under medical supervision. He was brought in for Pneumonia. There was a patch found in his lungs and it became necessary for him to be hospitalised immediately. His condition is stable and he's responding well to the treatment.
Taapsee Pannu call her character in Haseen Dillruba an actors candy: "I can only thank the ones who turned it down"

Taapsee Pannu with each of her projects has tried to portray a side of her we have never seen before. Though we have seen Taapsee in a love triangle before with Manmarziyan, her character Rani in Haseen Dillruba is starkly different.

She may not have been the first choice to play this bold character but the film much to her liking landed in her lap and she couldnt be more grateful to those who rejected it before her.

Talking about landing Haseen Dillruba the actress tells Mid-Day, I dont know why others did not want to do this part. Certain roles are not author-backed, but they are what I call an actors candy. This is one such character. There was no emotion that the character didnt have the scope to show. So, I was shocked that I was given this role on a platter. I can only thank the ones who turned it down for whatever reasons.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Taapsee Pannu (@taapsee)

Taapsees character is accused of her husbands murder (played by Vikrant Massey) while she has a relationship outside the marriage with another man (Harshvardhan Rane) and things get twisted. Commenting on the societal politics in cases of infidelity the actress said, A crime done by a woman is perceived differently. Similarly, when a woman is accused of infidelity, we are perceived to be morally destroying our society. But when a man [cheats], the [conversation] becomes, Arre, bechare se galti ho gayi. As an actor, I am showing the side of a woman, which is considered taboo. I am more than ready to be judged. Ever since I decided to be an actor, I have been judged for my choices.

Haseen Dillruba releases on Netflix on July 2.
Shaheer Sheikh confirms wife Ruchikaa Kapoor's pregnancy with his latest post, writes 'Happiness is home made'

Shaheer Sheikh and wife Ruchika Kapoor are going to be parents soon. The couple that tied the knot in a low key wedding last year will soon welcome their first born and while Ruchikaas pregnancy was only speculated so far, Shaheer confirmed the same with his latest post on social media.

The Kuch Rang Pyaar Ke Aiese Bhi actor shared a photo with their family and Ruchikaa standing beside him can be seen flaunting her baby bump. He captioned the post, Happiness is home made.. #betterTogether

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shaheer Sheikh (@shaheernsheikh)

Ruchikaa and Shaheer announced their engagement in November last year and days later got married in court and later shared the good news with their fans. The news of Richikaas pregnancy has been doing the rounds since May but given that the couple likes to keep a low profile, neither of them confirmed the same until now.

Ruchikaa who is the Executive Vice President at Ekta Kapoor's production house Balaji Motion Pictures recently attended a friends birthday bash in Mumbai where she could be seen trying to hide baby bump in the pictures.

Asked about his wifes pregnancy in an interview, the actor had told India Today, I don't want to say anything about it at this moment. I want to be back in Mumbai as soon as I can. Travelling and shooting in outdoor locations is fun, but at the same time, I want to go back to my home in Mumbai. I should be with my wife at the moment...very important. So I want to go to Mumbai as soon as possible.
NEWS RELEASE Release Number: 2021-65 June 28, 2021

Cal/OSHA Reminds Employers to Protect Outdoor Workers from Heat Illness

Sacramento - Cal/OSHA is reminding all employers to protect outdoor workers from heat illness as excessive heat warnings have been issued throughout the state with high temperatures forecast through this Thursday. Employers in California must take steps to protect outdoor workers from heat illness by providing water, rest, shade and training.

Cal/OSHAs heat illness prevention standard applies to all outdoor worksites. To prevent heat illness, the law requires employers to provide outdoor workers fresh water, access to shade at 80 degrees and whenever requested by a worker, cool-down rest breaks in addition to regular breaks and maintain a written prevention plan with training on the signs of heat illness and what to do in case of an emergency.

Plan  Develop and implement an effective written heat illness prevention plan that includes emergency response procedures.

Training  Train all employees and supervisors on heat illness prevention.

Water  Provide drinking water that is fresh, pure, suitably cool and free of charge so that each worker can drink at least 1 quart per hour, and encourage workers to do so.

Rest  Encourage workers to take a cool-down rest in the shade for at least five minutes when they feel the need to do so to protect themselves from overheating. Workers should not wait until they feel sick to cool down.

Shade  Provide proper shade when temperatures exceed 80 degrees. Workers have the right to request and be provided shade to cool off at any time.

Cal/OSHAs Heat Illness Prevention special emphasis program includes enforcement of the heat regulation as well as multilingual outreach and training programs for Californias employers and workers. Details on heat illness prevention requirements and training materials are available online on Cal/OSHAs Heat Illness Prevention web page and the 99calor.org informational website. A Heat Illness Prevention online tool is also available on Cal/OSHAs website.

Cal/OSHA helps protect workers from health and safety hazards on the job in almost every workplace in California. Employers who have questions or need assistance with workplace health and safety programs can call Cal/OSHAs Consultation Services Branch at 800-963-9424. Workers who have questions about heat illness prevention can call 833-579-0927 to speak with a Cal/OSHA representative during normal business hours. Complaints about workplace safety and health hazards can be filed confidentially with Cal/OSHA district offices.

Media Contact: Communications@dir.ca.gov, (510) 286-1161

Employers with Questions on Requirements May Contact: InfoCons@dir.ca.gov, or call your local Cal/OSHA Consultation Office
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Rolling blackouts for parts of Northwest

Avista had planned for much higher than normal demand but hit its limit quicker than anticipated because of the intense heat.



By GENE JOHNSON and NICHOLAS K. GERANIOS

Associated Press

SPOKANE  The unprecedented Northwest U.S. heat wave that slammed Seattle and Portland, Oregon, moved inland Tuesday  prompting a electrical utility in Spokane to warn that people will face more rolling blackouts amid heavy power demand. The intense weather that gave Seattle and Portland consecutive days of record high temperatures far exceeding 100 degrees was expected to ease in those cities. But inland Spokane was likely to surpass Monday's high temperature  a record-tying 105 Fahrenheit.



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WARRENTON, Ore. (AP)  The city of Warrenton is requiring anti-harassment and discrimination training after a library board member and planning commissioner complained about a library employee's preferred gender pronouns.

In newspaper column in May, Kelly Knudsen, the director of the Warrenton Community Library, introduced the new library employee using the pronouns, they and them, The Astorian reported.





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SPARKS, Nev. (AP)  John Ascuaga, the son of Basque sheepherders who became a northern Nevada gambling icon after he bought a small coffee shop with a few slot machines in Sparks in 1960 and turned it into a major hotel-casino he operated for more than a half century, has died. He was 96.

Ascuaga was known for roaming the casino floor and greeting patrons personally at the Nugget that bore his name along Interstate 80 just east of Reno.





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Americas Independence Day is celebrated in a variety of colorful, patriotic ways, most often with barbecues, picnics, playing on the water, camping, watching fireworks or a variety of other traditional activities involving family and friends.

Well, folks  theres another option available in Douglas now: you can join in two full days of fun during Jackalope Citys First Independence Day Celebration 2021 July 3-4.

The Enterprise Program Manager Jen Goodwin and Douglas Police Chief Todd Byerly are the brains behind the celebratory weekend.

Im really excited for this weekend. This city has such a sense of community, what better way to celebrate the Fourth of July than to kick back and relax? Theres plenty of room to spread out at Bartling Park, Byerly said.

The fun begins July 3 at 9 a.m. at Bartling Park with a vendor fair til noon; a cash bar will also be open for adult beverages 9 a.m. - 3 p.m. (must be 21 and over); next up is a Kiddie Parade (the theme is American Heros) at 10 a.m. Food concessions, live music by J Shogren, and competitive games all start at 11 a.m.

Games will consist of bed races, an inflatable obstacle course, a tug-o-war tournament, volleyball games, the Little Buckaroo Rodeo, a police car push, and a live, human version of the kids game, Hungry Hungry Hippos. At 4 p.m. is water fun  get ready to be sprayed down by the fire department; and at 5 p.m. is a watermelon eating contest, plus the cash bar opens pack up from 5-10 p.m. Larry Phillips will be performing live music from 6-8 p.m. and at 9 p.m. the movie Independence Day is showing in the park.

July 4 begins with Fort Fetterman Day. The morning starts bright an early at 6 a.m. with a 5k run for adults and a 1k run or walk for children, the official flag raising, breakfast, a visit with author Reid Rosenthal, wagon rides and cemetery tours until noon.

Things pick up once again at Bartling Park on Sunday as well, with the cash bar plus food service opening at 10:30 a.m. At 11 a.m. is a softball tournament scheduled between the Douglas Police Department and the Douglas Fire Department. At 5 p.m. mini-carnivals games, face painting and bouncy houses will be available for the youngsters, until 8 p.m.

The evening will be capped off at dusk with fireworks, which are still scheduled to go off with a Bang! by the fire department, once it is dark enough to see them.

There is a fire ban in Converse County, but Byerly said it applies specifically to the unincorporated areas of our county and no exemption or waiver is needed for the weekend celebration, since it is within the municipal boundary.

Byerly said putting the event together has taken help from all sides.

It is a community effort. So many people have volunteered to help. Even the mayor, Rene Kemper, has volunteered to sit in the patrol car while teams push it for times across the finish line. Our Wyoming Highway Patrol and the Wyoming National Guard are joining us, bringing things in for the kids, people all over Douglas are getting involved. The skys the limit! I encourage people to come on out, look around, join in and have some fun with us. Plan on spending a full day! Theres going to be so much going on, Byerly said.

For more information call 307-358-2000 or visit https://indd.adobe.com/view/c4910451-7773-4c03-8657-94032e39dac7 to see events.
The Douglas City Council last week informally instructed its attorney, Mike Armstrong, to start crafting changes to its controversial public records policy, which currently mandates that the public and press be charged for printed or emailed copies of city documents.

Its always good to review policies and procedures and look for efficiencies, Mayor Rene Kemper said Monday afternoon. The issue was not addressed during the councils official meeting Monday evening, but had been expected to be discussed during its work session last Thursday.

The city currently charges a minimum $25 per hour research fee for public documents, even for those documents already readily available, based on a 2015 city resolution which had not been enforced until earlier this year. It also charges $1 per page for a fax or copy in black and white, or $1.25 per page for color, and $1 per page for emailed documents to go along with the $25 or higher research fee.

The $25 fee is charged regardless of the time it takes to find the document being requested, but if the city staff has to compile the information, the charge is $25 per hour.

In addition, the city requires anyone requesting a public document complete a form stating the reason for the request, the organization wanting it and more. Douglas Budget Publisher Matt Adelman said that form alone violates the states open records law and its intent, which doesnt allow the governmental entity to ask why the request is being made or for what purpose the information will be used.

Adelman also has repeatedly argued the fees charged by the city for public documents are exorbitant given the nature of most requests by the public and that the vast majority of the documents are already created and area easily accessible by staff, so the minimum research fee is unwarranted and simply a way to keep the public from requesting documents it has a right to see and has already paid for with its taxes.

The newspaper publisher, who was not at the council work session, said he was heartened to hear the council wants to revisit the policy and make changes that should be make it better for the public to access public documents.

Kemper said that at the June 24 work session, the city council discussed looking at how the state set up its public record fees, which is something the city will consider.

It is the gold standard the city will be looking at, she said.

Under the state policy, the first $180 of a cost to compile a public records request is waived. If costs exceed that, the $180 would be a credit toward the total.

The rules establish a fee schedule for producing electronic public records. Emails and other electronic records are often reviewed by legal staff to ensure anything that is not public record like confidential employee information is redacted.

Its up to the agency to estimate the costs for producing the records.

Under the city revision, as envisioned right now, if the request takes tons of time, there will be a charge, City Councilman Ron McNare explained.

No more of this $25 minimal fee and all that, he suggested.

Kemper said the city is also looking at the public records policies of other Wyoming communities as it figures out what it wants to do in a final draft.

Our goal is to look at what the best practices are amongst the communities because we really do want to be responsible to the communitys request for public documents, she said. We want to be able to respond in an effective manner.

Kemper said while there is no timeline as to when Armstrong will present a draft to the city, it could expected before the council by the end of the summer.
ADA [ndash] Anna Marie Brown, 68, of Ada, Oklahoma passed away Tuesday, June 22, 2021, in Ada. Arrangements are pending at this time with Estes-Phillips Funeral Home. For up-to-date service information, please follow us on Facebook at Estes Phillips Funeral Home.
Two days of racing from this years Galway Races Summer Festival will be broadcast live on TG4 on Friday 30th and Saturday 31st July, the station has confirmed.

The live coverage on TG4 will include a packed race card with 15 races shown over the two days to a free-to-air audience. The live broadcast from Ballybrit will be a welcome return to the racecourse for the Irish language broadcaster, who last aired the races in 2006.

2021 saw a concerted increase in Irish Horseracing coverage for TG4, which provided live racing to fans over 10 weeks from venues including Leopardstown, Punchestown, Naas, Cork, Limerick, Dundalk, Navan and Sligo.

Highlights have included the opening of the flat season back at its home in The Curragh; the Easter Festival in Fairyhouse and the triumphant return to Tramore of trainer Henry de Bromhead and his stable of champions (Minella Times, Honeysuckle, Put the Kettle On, Minella Indo and Balko Des Flos) who were paraded live for admirers on TG4.

Rasai Beo will be presented by Sean Ban Breathnach, with analysis by Manus O Conghaile and Evelyn Ni Ghriallais. Racing journalist Daragh O Conchuir will be getting all the reactions from trainers, owners and jockeys outside the parade ring and race commentary will be provided by Carthach Breathnach. The team will be providing the TG4 audience with comprehensive coverage from the racecourse and no doubt there will be some craic agus spraoi to be had in Ballybrit as well.

Rasai Beo is produced by Waterford based company Nemeton TV. The team in the An Rinn Gaeltacht also produce Laochra Gael, GAA Cul Camps and GAA Beo for TG4.

Rasai Beo will also be available to watch on the TG4 Player and on the TG4 Mobile and Smart TV App. Sport TG4 will also have exclusive behind the scenes action from Ballybrit across its social media channels.

CEO of Galway Racecourse, Michael Moloney said: "We are delighted to have the team from TG4 broadcast live from Galway Racecourse on both the Friday and Saturday of our Summer Festival this year. In the current times, we really miss our loyal supporters here in Ballybrit that come year after year, and bring such magic to our event, so this news that they can get close to the action this Summer is very much welcomed. The Galway Races is a multi-generational event and such a huge part of Summer tradition and Irish culture."

"In total, viewers at home throughout Ireland tuning into TG4 will get to see fifteen races live on television, and will feature The Guinness Galway Tribes Handicap Hurdle, The Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Steeplechase, and The Galway Shopping Centre Handicap with a total prize fund in excess of 500,000 over the two days. The team at TG4 have always been hugely progressive and are great supporters of Irish racing and our Festival. On behalf of our fans and the Galway Race Committee, I would like to thank them for making this happen. We look forward to working with the team in TG4 both in the build up to and during race week."

TG4s Head of Sport, Ronan O Coisdealbha said: We are delighted to be showing the Galway Races Summer festival. Horse racing became an integral part of the stations sporting output this year, and we look forward to continuing this with TG4s free-to-air coverage from Irelands largest horse racing meet. We are particularly excited to be back in Ballybrit for the first time in 15 years, and to bring all the thrills that comes with this iconic festival to the viewers at home.

The full TG4 Galway Races schedule is as follows:

FRIDAY 30 JULY

Live coverage begins on TG4 at 3.45pm

1st race, 4pm: The Jamess Gate Maiden Hurdle

2nd race, 4.30pm: The Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle

3rd race, 5pm: The Guinness Galway Tribes Handicap Hurdle

4th race, 5.30pm: The Guinness Handicap Hurdle

5th race, 6.05pm: The Guinness Beginners Steeplechase

6th race, 6.40pm: The Arthur Guinness Steeplechase

7th race, 7.10pm: The Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Steeplechase



SATURDAY 31 JULY

Live coverage begins on TG4 at 12.30pm

1st race, 12.50pm: The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden

2nd race, 1.22pm: The Galway Shopping Centre Maiden

3rd race, 1.57pm: The OLeary Insurances Handicap

4th race, 2.32pm: The Galway Shopping Centre Handicap

5th race, 3.10pm: The Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden

6th race, 3.45pm: The Irish Stallion Farms EBF Nursery Handicap

7th race, 4.20pm: The Galway Shopping Centre Handicap

8th race, 4.50pm: The McDonogh Capital Investments Handicap
The village of Blackrock has gone pink!

The energy and enthusiasm surrounding the 100k in 30 Days is palpable. In line with this, the staff at Connect Credit Union, Blackrock, organised a Walkathon in aid of Breast Cancer Ireland last week.

Two treadmills were set up outside the credit union office on the main street. Together the team walked and ran over 200km across Thursday and Friday and raised 1,000 in collection buckets.

To add to the excitement, a member of the Connect Credit Union Board of Directors, Jackie Agnew, called down to compete in a 5k race with the 100k organiser Niall Carroll on Friday evening.

There was great excitement on the street as staff and family members cheered on the two men who pushed the treadmills to their limits, running at 18k per hour.

Also present during the day was 100k in 30 days brand ambassador Tara Cloney, who called down over lunch to help clock up the kilometres.

Throughout June, the Connect Credit Union team individually walked over 100km each by engaging in team walks around the village of Blackrock and Clogherhead.

In support, Connect Credit Union have sponsored a 3,500 holiday voucher for the 100k in 30 days, as well as eight children's prizes.

To be in with a chance to win, the prize members of the pink army have to complete the 100K.

Niall Carroll will announce the winner of this fantastic prize on Wednesday, June 30.

Commenting further, Norman Mc Donnell noted: It was a pleasure to be able to sponsor such an amazing cause that originated in our local village of Blackrock.

We are delighted to be able to give back to the community via our sponsorship programme.

Despite a difficult year where uncertainties with Covid-19 limited the ability to raise funds for charitable organisations, the 100k team managed to organise an amazing 30-day event throughout June with individuals taking part from all over the world.

Check out some of the pictures from the 100k on Connect Credit Unions social media accounts.

Thats Connect Credit Union on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or LinkedIn.

The Connect team would also like to say a huge thank you to all those who kindly donated over the course of the two days.
Louth Fianna Fail Senator Erin McGreehan is calling for the Government to introduce a ban on the importation of non-native Irish bees.

Senator McGreehan commented: It is time for some true ecological nationalism.

"A growing body of scientific research is proving what beekeepers have known for generations.

"A Limerick Institute of Technology scientist has proven beyond any doubt that the pure native Irish honeybee is not extinct as previously feared, but still exists on the island of Ireland.

"An applied science postgraduate student, Jack Hassett, has discovered that millions of the pure native species are living in at least 300 hives throughout the country.

His study shows that while the black bee should be considered endangered, there are enough of the pure native honeybee in Ireland to not only ensure its survival with the proper support, but also enough Irish bees to repopulate northern Europe, where the majority of Apis mellifera mellifera has died out or been hybridised.

"It is too late to act once the horse has bolted. It is time for action.

Senator McGreehan told the Seanad how she has spoken with Martin O'Rourke from the County Louth Beekeepers Association which was established in 1910 and has more than a century of collected knowledge on how best to protect native bee stocks, biodiversity and what is in the best interests of our island's natural and native environment.

Senator McGreehan added: The best bee for this country is the native Irish bee.

"The European Commission has stated, in a question about the protection of our native bee species, "Ireland can, however, decide at national level whether or not to give legal protection to this sub-species and to take the necessary conservation measures to protect it, for example in order to contribute to the attainment of the objectives of the All-Ireland Pollinator Plan."

We need to protect our native honeybee and introduce an importation ban of non-native Irish bees.
Four businesses in County Louth will receive funding from the Online Retail Scheme which will help local retailers online sales at home and abroad.

Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail Damien English today, Wednesday, announced the successful applicants approved for funding through the third call of the Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme, which is administered by Enterprise Ireland.

Nationally, 133 retailers have been approved 5 million in funding as part of the scheme, which is targeted at retailers who already have an online presence to strengthen their online offering and enable them to reach a wider customer base.

The four Louth businesses receiving the funding are Toolfix, McKenna Man, National Tile and Cottage Pharmacy.

Fine Gael Senator Senator John McGahon said: Im delighted to see four businesses in County Louth today receive funding from the Online Retail Scheme which has been instrumental in enabling many local businesses to pivot their offerings online over the past year and a half.

Covid has had a devastating impact on retailers in County Louth who had to close as restrictions were implemented, but this funding will continue to support businesses in establishing a strong online presence so that theyre now better equipped to take advantage of evolving market opportunities.

Its also brilliant to see such strong demand for this scheme, given its previous success.

"The third round of the scheme received 292 applications from right across the country. 68% of the successful applicants are located outside Dublin with 90 retailers from these regions approved for funding.

Under this Covid-19 competitive call, the successful applicants will receive funding ranging from 14,080 to 40,000 to strengthen their online offering. The average grant value is 37,500 and covers up to 80% of project costs.

This financial support will assist County Louth businesses to transition and evolve as they trade through the impact of the pandemic. I look forward to seeing more and more businesses reopen as we emerge from the pandemic, but its also brilliant that we can now support an ever-increasing range of County Louth businesses online.

Speaking following the announcement, Minister English said: We know that consumers are keen to support their local retailers when shopping instore and online, and these grants will help businesses to really maximise the opportunities in the ecommerce market.

"Of course, this market is not limited by geography and we know that ambitious Irish businesses with strong online resources also have their eyes on selling to customers right across the globe.
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!
By the Staff of The News

A Colorado man has been arrested in connection with the death of man whose body was found May 29 off U.S 84 near Anton Chico, a small community in Guadalupe County.

The body of Oscar Perez Castaneda, 32, of Omaha, Neb., was found with multiple gunshot wounds. State police identified Luis Fernando Lopez-Duran, 38, of Denver as a suspect, the agency said in a news release.

Lopez-Duran was arrested June 9 in Aurora, Colo., by state police, as well as the FBI and the Aurora Police Departments SWAT team.

Lopez-Duran is charged with first-degree murder and first-degree kidnapping.

Records show Lopez-Duran was in the Curry County jail on Tuesday, though it wasnt immediately clear why hes being held in Clovis.
Senior centers across the state are reopening on July 1, according to a release from the New Mexico Aging & Long-Term Services Department.

Barbara Riggan, director of city of Clovis Senior Services, said the state has directed them to review the reopening guidance and formulate their own plan for the Friendship Senior Center.

We are working with city officials to put a plan into place, Riggan said.

She hopes to meet with the city today and then bring the plan before the city commission on Thursday for approval, she said.

Cherie Davis, director of Curry Residents Senior Meals Association CRSMA in Clovis, said their organization is a separate non-profit from the Friendship Center.

Davis said they already have a plan in place. In May when the county color code turned turquoise, they developed the plan.

The tables are 10 feet apart and residents sit six feet apart at the tables, she said. Additionally, they display signage directing people to wash their hands in the restrooms.

The meals room is inside the Friendship Center, which has a MySeniorCenter app that monitors contact tracing, she said. Everyone entering the building must go through the app. The southeast door to the Friendship Center will still be the only entrance.

She said the meal association facility is under the strict guidelines of the state Area Agency on Aging.

The Portales Senior Center is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 am to 9 am for an exercise class, said the center secretary Judy Bartl in an email. Following the exercise class, visitors may play cards until noon.

Tuesday the bridge club meets at 8 until 2, Bartl said. Pool and quilting are open during these times also. The center is closed on Thursday.
OVER 150 young people in Cork have been honoured for their participation in the We Are Cork Youth Challenge.

At a presentation at the Cork Training Centre, a number of youths received awards for their participation in the challenge which is a Cork Education and Training Board (ETB) initiative.

The We Are Cork Youth Challenge is devised to help students hone their creative skills and talents during the pandemic through a series of virtual challenges and tasks.

Modelled on the Gaisce award, young people chose their challenges from a series of positive activities including music, sport, and active citizenship within their communities.

Lord Mayor Cllr Colm Kelleher with Roisin Cotter, Gaelcholaiste Choilm (right) and her parents Brendan and Laurana Cotter, at the presentation. Picture: Jim Coughlan.

Participants who completed 20 challenges received the We Are Cork Lord Mayor and County Mayor of Cork Medal.

Recently elected Lord Mayor Cllr Colm Kelleher presented the awards to students and noted the opportunity the challenge created for young people in Cork to express themselves and explore their talents and abilities during a difficult year.

The We Are Cork Challenge creates positive opportunities for young people to express themselves, showcasing what they do well, while also learning and trying new skills, he said.

There is no doubt that this pandemic has created huge challenges for us all, but most of all for our young people."

"We commend the way they have dealt with the last 15 months and we congratulate them all for participating in this campaign.

Chief Executive of Cork ETB, Denis Leamy, who is Chair of the City Council Youth Committee, added that youth participation within their communities was crucial.

Mr Leamy commended young people for embracing the challenges head-on.

Young people are critical actors in our communities, it is imperative that we rise to the challenge, to give them every opportunity to stay connected, ensuring a pride of place and hope for the future," he said.

It can be said without doubt that these young people truly embraced the We Are Cork youth Challenge and I wish to congratulate them all on their participation.

The We Are Cork challenge is one of a series of events for young people this summer organised by Cork ETB in conjunction with other partners.


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Claims of losses from cryptocurrency scams skyrocketed from October 2020 to March 2021, according to a report released Monday by the Federal Trade Commission.

In its Consumer Protection Data Spotlight newsletter, the FTC revealed that during the October to March period nearly 7,000 consumers reported losing US$80 million. That compares to only 570 cryptocurrency scam reports amounting to $7.5 million in losses from October 2019 to March 2020.

That's more than a 1,100 percent rise in cryptocurrency scam reports during the period -- and more than a 900 percent increase in losses.

The agency noted that as the value of cryptocurrencies like bitcoin continue to soar, new investors are eager to get in on the action, and scammers are more than willing to accommodate them.

Scammers blend into the cryptocurrency scene with claims that can seem plausible because cryptocurrency is unknown territory for many people, the agency explained.

Online, people may appear to be friendly and willing to share their "tips," it continued. But that can also be part of the ruse to get people to invest in their scheme.

In fact, the FTC added, some of the schemes are based on referral chains -- also known as Ponzi schemes -- that work by recruiting novice investors to bring more novice investors into the fold.

Get Rich Quick Allure

A number of factors appear to be driving the increase in cryptocurrency scams.

"Scammers follow headlines, just like you and I do, and there's not a day that goes by that you don't hear about cryptocurrency," observed Amy Nofziger, director of fraud victim support at AARP.

"When Elon Musk was on Saturday Night Live, he mentioned Dogecoin 10 times," she told the E-Commerce Times. "People hear that and stories about one-day millionaires and they want to get in on the action."

"Some people want to get rich quick," added William J. Malik, vice president of infrastructure strategies at Trend Micro.

"They hear about fabulous returns to early investors in other cryptocurrencies and want to get in first," he told the E-Commerce Times.

Cryptocurrency scams are like other speculative scams, such as penny stocks, real estate, oil and gas, noted Purandar Das, CEO and co-founder of Sotero, a data protection company in Burlington, Mass.

"With cryptocurrency, it is even more appealing as a scam since most people don't know much about it and probably know even less about how to engage with it," he told the E-Commerce Times.

Rocketing Values

Chris Clements, vice president of solutions architecture at Cerberus Sentinel, a cybersecurity consulting and penetration testing company in Scottsdale, Ariz. maintained that the biggest driver, by far, of the spurt in cryptocurrency scams is the meteoric rise in the value of many cryptocurrencies.

"Not counting the admittedly large sell off in the past few weeks, over the past 12 months a single bitcoin went from roughly $9,000 up to $60,000, that's over a [600 percent] increase in value," he told the E-Commerce Times.

"This has drawn in scores of new investors looking to capitalize on the rapid growth, many of whom are not familiar with the additional security requirements needed to keep their new investments safe," he continued.

"Unlike traditional banking or stock market investing, cryptocurrency has few safeguards in place to protect unsuspecting users from being fooled into exposing digital wallets or performing transactions that can't be recovered once compromised," he explained.

"This provides scammers with a combination of easy targets and lucrative payouts so it's no surprise that such scams are rampant," he added.

Touch of Legitimacy

Cryptocurrencies have also gained more legitimacy in recent times. That, too, may make it less daunting to new investors.

"Cryptocurrency has gained wider adoption as applications like Square's Cash app and others have begun allowing payments with bitcoin," explained Sherrod DeGrippo, senior director of threat intelligence and detection at Proofpoint, an enterprise security company in Sunnyvale, Calif.

"Coinbase as a crypto trading platform recently had an IPO, and of course Elon Musk made many references to various cryptocurrencies on SNL a week ago," she continued.

"The wider adoption and accessibility mean that it is a natural target for crimeware actors," she told the E-Commerce Times. "As the cryptocurrency payment methods go mainstream, we will see more crime and fraud associated with it."

While cryptocurrency may be relatively new, for the most part, scammers continue to use tried and true techniques.

"They use the emotional tactics they use for every scam out there," AARP's Nofziger observed.

"They get you under the emotional ether," she continued. "They get you excited about it. They make you feel special. They make the opportunity seem legitimate."

They will also try to harvest a cryptocurrency owner's credentials, added DeGrippo. "Proofpoint continues to see credential harvesting campaigns targeting users' wallets and spoofing several popular cryptocurrency companies both as the originating sender and as a landing page to collect credentials," she said.

Playing It Safe

Cryptocurrency scams can have some advantages for criminals over other types of scams, though. "Cryptocurrency scams transcend borders even more easily than other types of online scams," Forrester Vice President and Principal Analyst Martha Bennett told the E-Commerce Times.

Stealing virtual money also has advantages over the real thing. "When scammers used to get fiat money from their victims they had to use fake bank accounts and wash it losing up to 50 percent of revenues," said Giacomo Arcaro, European growth hacker and CMO of Blackchain International, a consulting firm helping with blockchain projects and social media promotion in New York City.

"Now, by getting just crypto, they have increased their profit to 100 percent, and it's safer, too" he told the E-Commerce Times.

In its newsletter, the FTC made several recommendations for playing it safe when investing in cryptocurrencies:

Promises of guaranteed huge returns or claims that your cryptocurrency will be multiplied are always scams.

The cryptocurrency itself is the investment. You make money if you're lucky enough to sell it for more than you paid. Period. Don't trust people who say they know a better way.

If a caller, love interest, organization, or anyone else insists on cryptocurrency, you can bet it's a scam.

"Although cryptocurrencies themselves are considered 'secure', the platforms available for purchasing are not so safe," added Thomas Beek, senior cybersecurity specialist with Digital Shadows, a San Francisco-based provider of digital risk protection solutions.

He recommended investors use a centralized exchange with a high reputation that has been operating for an extensive period of time, such as Binance, Coinbase, or Kucoin.

"Although such services are not immune to the threat of an attack," he told the E-Commerce Times, "they are known for their continual efforts to check their infrastructure for any possible frailties and look to mitigate any potential vulnerabilities -- something that can't be said for any ad-hoc exchanges that are just starting out."

John P. Mello Jr. has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His areas of focus include cybersecurity, IT issues, privacy, e-commerce, social media, artificial intelligence, big data and consumer electronics. He has written and edited for numerous publications, including the Boston Business Journal, the Boston Phoenix, Megapixel.Net and Government Security News. Email John.




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Reports of a data breach of TurboTax have been overblown, according to Intuit which owns the tax preparation platform.

Several news outlets recently reported that an unspecified number of TurboTax accounts were compromised in a wave of credential stuffing attacks. Those kinds of attacks exploit credentials stolen from other websites and reused at the TurboTax site.

"There was no breach of Intuit systems," said spokesman Rick Heineman.

He explained that Intuit notified one customer in Massachusetts that it locked their account after discovering what appeared to be an attempt at unauthorized access to it.

"We then shared a copy of that notification to the one individual with local authorities," he told TechNewsWorld.

When Intuit fraud prevention teams notice an attempted or successful login to an Intuit account that has leveraged harvested credentials from third-party sources, Heineman observed, we immediately block access to that account, send a notification to the customer, require a process of identity verification by the account owner, and ask that their credentials be changed in order to re-access the account.

"Intuit undertakes robust real-time fraud prevention processes -- including at login and in-product -- to flag any perceived anomalous behavior," he said.

In order to protect customer information, he added, the company has implemented a number of organizational, technical and administrative controls across its products and services. They include multi-factor authentication, encryption, and robust logging, monitoring and blocking capabilities.

Profitable Tactic

Bleeping Computer on Saturday reported that Intuit had notified TurboTax customers that some of their personal and financial information was accessed by attackers following what looks like a series of account takeover attacks.

A similar report appeared Monday at the TechRadar website. Financial software maker Intuit has notified users of its TurboTax platform that some of their personal and financial information was accessed by attackers in what appears to be a series of account takeover attacks, it reported.

A credential stuffing attack on a site like TurboTax could be highly lucrative, noted James McQuiggan, a security awareness advocate at KnowBe4, a cybersecurity training provider in Clearwater, Fla.

"It provides access to personal information about the user, their tax information and of course, their social security numbers for them and possibly their immediate family," he told TechNewsWorld.

"With over 8.4 million passwords in the wild and over 3.5 billion of those passwords tied to actual email addresses, it provides a starting point for cyber criminals to target various online sites that utilize accounts for their customers," he continued.

"If users set up accounts with the previously exposed passwords, they are making it easy for cyber criminals to steal their data," he said.

"Conducting credential stuffing attacks are easy, low-risk, and deliver high return on investment , if successful," added Leo Pate, an application security consultant with nVisium, an application security provider in Herndon, Va.

"From a criminal point-of-view, many platforms don't offer strong security controls, like multi-factor authentication, or users simply do not take advantage of them, even if available, thereby resulting in a higher rate of successful compromise," he told TechNewsWorld.

Use Unique Passwords

Despite warnings about reusing passwords, consumers continue the practice. "Old habits are hard to break," observed McQuiggan.

"For example," he continued, "people dislike coming up with different passwords for each account. They find it easier to use one they can easily remember or add some variation to it, like a different number or website name."

"Consumers today use dozens of services online. Keeping a unique, strong password for each service in anyone's head is nearly impossible due to different complexity requirements, length requirements, and sheer quantity of services consumed," added Ben Eichorst, principal engineer at Yubico, of Palo Alto, Calif., a maker of USB and wireless authentication solutions.

He told TechNewsWorld that recent research shows that 51 percent of IT security respondents say their organizations have experienced a phishing attack, with another 12 percent of respondents stating that their organizations experienced credential theft. Yet, only 53 percent of IT security respondents say their organizations have changed how passwords or protected corporate accounts were managed.

"Interestingly enough," he continued, "individuals reuse passwords across an average of 16 workplace accounts and IT security respondents say they reuse passwords across an average of 12 workplace accounts."

Protecting Users and the Business

Alexa Slinger, an identity management expert with OneLogin a cloud identity and access management solution maker in San Francisco, noted that as the number of data breaches rise so, too, does the amount of stolen credentials.

"Despite the consistent media coverage of breaches, users continue to reuse passwords and put organizations at risk," she told TechNewsWorld. "To protect their users and their business, organizations should put additional security measures in place."

Such measures could include:

Limiting the number of authentication requests per session to decrease the speed of credential stuffing bot attacks.

Suggesting or requiring setup of multi-factor authentication which will require the bad actor to have another form of identification other than the stolen credential.

Use a compromised credential check to alert and prevent user's from using breached login information.

You've Been Pwned

In recent times, consumers have begun receiving alerts when one of their passwords appears in a cache of stolen data. "Users who have embraced storing and generating their passwords through a secure password manager may get notification of known breaches," Eichorst said.

"One of the primary values of a password manager is that it will let you know which of your online accounts have been breached," added Chris Hazelton, director of security solutions at Lookout, a provider of mobile phishing solutions in San Francisco.

"It may also automate the password change process which allows you to react more quickly after a breach," he told TechNewsWorld.

Eichorst added that individual companies with an online presence are improving their password checking methods to prohibit known leaked passwords.

That still isn't a common practice yet, however. "It is definitely more common to be notified, but those notifications are just guidance and users are not prevented from continuing to use those compromised passwords," noted David Stewart, CEO of Approov, of Edinburgh in the UK, which performs binary-level dynamic analysis of software.

"Consideration should be taken regarding whether users should be blocked from accessing services until they have updated a compromised password," he told TechNewsWorld. "This is currently very rare but would seem like a sensible step."

Consumers concerned about their passwords having been compromised can also be more proactive by running a check of their passwords at the HaveIBeenPwned website, which tracks email addresses and phone numbers that have been in data breaches over the past fifteen years.

John P. Mello Jr. has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His areas of focus include cybersecurity, IT issues, privacy, e-commerce, social media, artificial intelligence, big data and consumer electronics. He has written and edited for numerous publications, including the Boston Business Journal, the Boston Phoenix, Megapixel.Net and Government Security News. Email John.


FILE - In this July 21, 2016, file photo, entrepreneur Peter Thiel speaks during the final day of the Republican National Convention in Cleveland. ProPublica recently uncovered that billionaire and PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel holds his PayPal shares in a Roth IRA, which could allow him to avoid taxes on the investments growth over the long-term. While the ultrawealthy like Thiel certainly have access to vehicles and tax strategies most of us dont, a Roth IRA is actually designed to help the typical American household avoid or minimize taxes, too  not just the ultrawealthy.
This combination photo shows the cover image for "Republican Rescue: Saving the Party from Truth Deniers, Conspiracy Theorists, and the Dangerous Policies of Joe Biden," left, and a photo of former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. (Gallery Books via AP, left, and AP Photo)
David Christian won't contest seat

The leader of Douglas Council will not contest his seat at the local authority elections.

David Christian has not put his named forward for the Hills Ward seat.

The deadline for nominations was yesterday.

There will be elections in the new Central, North, and East wards on 22nd July.

Stephen Crellin, Frank Schuengel, and Claire Wells have been elected in Douglas South without a contest.
Ricky VanHoozer, 65, of Athens, Alabama, died Tuesday, June 29, 2021, in Madison Hospital. A 2 p.m. graveside service will be Saturday at Bottom Cemetery with son-in-law Billy Sims officiating. Visitation is from noon until 1:30 p.m. Saturday at Spry Funeral Home in Athens. Pallbearers will 
Google is tightening its ad screening rules in the UK after a steep rise in fraudulent adverts online during the pandemic. The search giant has announced that starting in the fall it will only run ads for financial products and services from sources that have been cleared by the UK's financial watchdog.

Google said it will update its policy from August 30th and begin enforcing the rules a week later on September 6th. At that point, advertisers will have to demonstrate that they are authorized by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) or qualify for its limited exemptions. According to Google, the requirement covers financial products and services that go beyond the regulator's ambit.

The decision didn't happen overnight, however. Google has been on the end of mounting criticism from regulators, law enforcement and consumer groups over its perceived lack of action against scrupulous ads. According to trade body UK Finance, investment scam cases on search engines saw a 32 percent increase last year. These typically involve criminals duping victims into moving their money to a fictitious fund (such as a pension pot) or to pay for a fake investment. Losses incurred from the fake ads totaled over 135 million.

Meanwhile, the FCA threatened to take legal action against Google and social media companies after it issued 1,200 warnings about fraudulent ads on their platforms, double the amount from 2019. The regulator told a parliamentary committee that it was able to start taking action in the wake of Brexit. In the past, the FCA had been bound by EU rules on financial ads that did not apply to online platforms.

Others blamed Google's system for the failings. UK consumer group Which? found that 51 percent of the 1,870 search engine users it surveyed didn't know how to report suspicious ads in search listings. The perceived inertia from Google led some lawmakers to claim that it was content to continue profiting from the bogus ads. MPs told The Guardian that the company was benefiting from online scammers who paid to host ads on its platforms. While the FCA had also paid Google more than 600,000 ($830,000) in 2020 and 2021 to run anti-scam ads.

For its part, Google claims it has improved its ad screening rules using a mix of machine learning and human review. The tech giant removed 3.1 billion adverts that violated its policies in 2020 according to its ad transparency report. It also began verifying advertisers in January by requiring them to submit legal identification, business incorporation documents and proof of the country in which they operate. Back in 2018, Google followed in Facebook's footsteps by banning cryptocurrency ads.

This new update builds on significant work in partnership with the FCA over the last 18 months to help tackle this issue, Ronan Harris, vice president and MD, Google UK and Ireland, said in a blog post. Todays announcement reflects significant progress in delivering a safer experience for users, publishers and advertisers. While we understand that this policy update will impact a range of advertisers in the financial services space, our utmost priority is to keep users safe on our platforms  particularly in an area so disproportionately targeted by fraudsters.
Maine has passed the strongest statewide law regulating government use of facial recognition to date. The states House and Senate voted unanimously in favor of rules that prohibit law enforcement from using the technology unless they have probable cause that an unidentified person in an image committed a serious crime. Once the law goes into effect later this year, it will also limit how police conduct facial ID searches. They wont have direct access to the tech. Instead, theyll need to go through the FBI and Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles (BMV) in the few instances where theyre sanctioned to use it.

Additionally, the law affords citizens the right to sue the state if they believe a government agency has used the technology unlawfully. It also prohibits Maine from deploying facial recognition systems in schools, and mandates that both Maine State Police and the BMV will need to maintain public records of search requests from law enforcement.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) said the bill stands in sharp contrast to Washington states SB 6280, the only other statewide law in the US governing the use of facial recognition. That bill was sponsored and primarily written by a current Microsoft employee. It has also been criticized by privacy advocates for giving police too many opportunities to use the technology for surveillance purposes.
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Duggar Family lost "Counting On" for good amid Josh Duggar's shameful legal battle.

On Tuesday, TLC officially announced that the "Counting On" will no longer be part of the network. This put an end to the show's 11 seasons stint.

In a statement the company provided to People, TLC revealed the real reason why it chose not to provide further seasons of the show.

"TLC feels it is important to give the Duggar family the opportunity to address their situation privately," the statement says.

The Duggar family has not commented on the shocking update yet. However, it surely stole the spotlight from them that they enjoyed since 2008.

Unfortunately, the first show faced the same fate amid the child pornography case involving Jim Bob and Michelle Duggar's eldest son.

During that time, he allegedly molested five underage girls including her sisters Jill Dillard and Jessa Seewald. Duggar got involved in another scandal in August 2015 when he reportedly created active accounts on Ashley Madison - an online dating service.

He also admitted being addicted to child pornography and cheating on his wife, Anna Duggar.

But the legal saga of Duggar did not stop there.

Update on Josh Duggar's Child Pornography Case

In April, Duggar pleaded not guilty of the charges even after the prosecutors alleged that over 200 images of children were found on his computer.

If he is proven guilty, he could face up to 20 years of imprisonment and $250,000 in fines.

While he waits for his trial, he currently stays with his custodians, Lacount and Maria Reber, whose home is equipped with GPS tracking.

READ ALSO: Tyler Skaggs' Real Cause of Death Now Blamed on LA Angels; Athlete's Widow Filed Damaging Lawsuit [Details]

But Duggar needs to wait for a long time after the Western District of Arkansas decided to move the trial again.

According to Fox News, Judge Timothy L. Brooks ordered the trial to be moved to Nov. 30, 2021, from its original date of July 6.

Duggar's team previously requested moving the trial's date to February 2022 but ended up being rejected. However, the federal prosecutors said they were open to move it back for three months.

The trial will look into the evidence in his case involving two separate computers. One reportedly contains the Child Sexual Abuse Material while the other has text messages and digital photographs.

READ MORE: Queen Elizabeth II Voided One Royal Tradition Meghan Markle Would Have Benefitted From

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Quentin Tarantino opened up in an interview about his iconic 2019 movie "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" where Jennifer Lawrence almost got a role she was so into it but ended up to somebody.

As the 58-year-old director appeared in an episode of the "WTF With Marc Maron" podcast, he shared about how he considered "The Hunger Games" star to portray Charles Manson's cult member Squeaky Fromme.

The said role became Dakota Fanning's role in the end.

"Early on, in the pre-production of Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, I flirted around with the idea of ... Jennifer Lawrence playing Squeaky," the director spoke.

"She came down to the house to read the script, 'cause I wasn't letting it out. So she came down to the house, and I gave her the script and said, 'Go in my living room or go outside by the pool and read it.'"

Jennifer Lawrence On The Role, "She Was Interested In Doing It"

Other than that, there were claims where Lawrence was in talks early on to star alongside Brad Pitt, with many supposing she is willing to be Sharon Tate, which went to the lead, Margot Robbie.

The director further described what happened during their meet-up, "She read it, and afterward, we talked about it a little bit. She was interested in doing it, but something didn't work out."

Tarantino continued saying that Lawrence is "a very nice person, and I respect her as an actress."

Later on, he spoke about Fanning's portrayal in the movie, "I couldn't be happier with what Dakota Fanning did; it's one of the best performances in the movie. I think she's amazing as Squeaky Fromme. She becomes [her]."



READ ALSO: Rachel Zegler as New 'Snow White' Draws Criticisms Over Disturbing Past Tweets

Quentin Tarantino Turns Drama-Comedy Film 'Once Upon A Time in Hollywood' into A Novel

The Guardian reported that the director's pulpy page-turner of his most recent film is entirely outrageous and addictively readable.

The two-time Oscar winner also has the No. 1-selling book on Amazon with his "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: A Novel," which just dropped Tuesday, June 29.

The 400-page paperback expands on the story revealed in his 2019 movie, which became the second-highest-grossing film of his career with $375 million worldwide.

They also held a book launch held for "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: A Novel," which sold out quickly at Tarantino's New Beverly Cinema.

READ MORE: Anne Hathaway Begged For 'The Devil Wears Prada' Character Thrice Until Meryl Streep Stepped In

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Amid Bill Gates' divorce with estranged wife Melinda Gates, much information regarding the billionaire's behavior has been uncovered. More recently, former executives detail the things they witnessed while working in Microsoft.

An anonymous ex-employee recently told Insider (via New York Post) that they witnessed the CEO "lying on top of a woman" early in the morning during a company trip in a ski resort in 1988.

The person claims that the two were "snuggling" even though Gates was already dating Melinda at the time.

Following this, another former executive named Maria Klaw, who worked from 2009 to 2015, claims that the Microsoft mogul allegedly dismissed diversity efforts in their board meeting more than a decade ago.

Klaw mentioned the board members suggested that the company should include more diverse executives in the future, to which Gates allegedly replied, "Are you trying to effing destroy the company?"

Another ex-employee claims that Gates has a habit of berating his colleagues as he "yelled at everyone the same."

Bill Gates exposed for being a "toxic boss"

As we previously reported, the world's fourth-richest person was accused of having inappropriate behavior and romantic relationships with colleagues amid his marriage with Melinda.

The tech whiz reportedly required his employees to sign a non-disclosure agreement for him not to be exposed in the media.

He was also described as "unrelenting" and "condescending" whenever an employee missed a deadline.

READ NOW: Serena Williams Tearfully Withdraws From Wimbledon, Loses Chance To Tie With Margaret Court

Bill Gates Melinda Gates' messy divorce

In early reports, Bill and Melinda Gates announced their split after 27 years of marriage.

The ex-couple took to their social media accounts to share the unfortunate news.

Although the reason behind their separation was not disclosed, a lot of news has been circulating online about Bill's alleged affair with other women.

As we previously reported, an engineer sent a letter to The Wall Street Journal. She claims that she had a relationship with Gates for several years.

Following this, the billionaire resigned from his position in Microsoft after the executive board advised him to step down as the affair was "inappropriate."

Bill Gates has not publicly commented on the recent claims and the extramarital issues in the past.

READ ALSO: Kate Middleton Won't Get Pregnant Anymore: No Baby 4 With Prince William Unless This Happens, Expert Says

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Does Kim Kardashian care what she looks like all the time?

It seems like no matter where she's going, she always steps out in style, especially revealing outfit choices.

Kim Kardashian stood out with her ensemble while she privately toured Vatican City on Tuesday with her assistant Tracy Romulus and former supermodel Kate Moss and her 18-year-old daughter Lila.

Recently, the mom-of-four was spotted wearing a skintight off-shoulder dress with cutouts on the mid-section. The 40-year-old paired the dress with nude heels and sunglasses.

Meanwhile, Kate and her daughter wore black blazers under their dark dresses. The "Keeping Up With the Kardashians" trendy outfit may not be best worn where she went to.

Kim Kardashian's Vatican Outfit: What's Wrong With It?

Kim Kardashian toured the center of the Catholic Church, where she shunned a conservative dress code.

The billionaire's decision to wear lace also raised eyebrows, as the material is only traditionally worn to the Vatican by Catholic queens.

According to the guidelines of the official residence of the Pope, visitors are prohibited from wearing clothing that exposes their chest, their knees, and shoulders.

Kim Kardashian visiting Vatican City , June 2021 pic.twitter.com/3cCF4QUsPg  detty (@0ddette) June 29, 2021

Kim Kardashian Receives Hate For 'Disrespectful' Choice of Wardrobe

On Twitter, social media users couldn't help but criticize the reality star for not following Vatican's dress code.

One person pointed out, "You want to know how far we've fallen as a civilization Kim Kardashian wore this to the Vatican and no one stopped her from going inside."

Another said, "In what universe does this outfit come across as appropriate attire for a visit to the Vatican?"

READ ALSO: Kim Kardashian's Spotify Deal: Fans Finally Get Major Updates On Her Highly-Anticipated Podcast

But Did Kim Kardashian Really Break The Dress Code?

Kim Kardashian's lace dress exposed her shoulders and had cutouts around her mid-section.

In Vatican's rules, mostly prohibited parts of the body are exposed: the knees, shoulders, and hats.

Kim Kardashian also pushed the boundaries of churches as she wore white and lace material.

Famous people who previously visited the Vatican and met the Pope such as Queen Elizabeth, Michelle Obama, Ivanka and Melania Trump and Katy Perry wore black and accessorized their looks with a headpiece or veil.

According to records of the Vatican's dress code, the ladies' ensembles are in line with tradition. However, Kim didn't meet with the Pope.

Why Melania and Ivanka Trump wore veils at the Vatican https://t.co/8Z0Cj4JdnN pic.twitter.com/vxU1Tup7MV  ryan teague beckwith (@ryanbeckwith) May 24, 2017

But it seemed like the queen of reality shows is not exempted from the church's rules because the "Keeping Up with the Kardashians" star reportedly put on a long black jacket upon entering the Sistine Chapel.

As for the Vatican Museum dress code, they are very lenient as non-black outfits are no longer restricted.

According to Vatican Tips, "They are not strict about you going through the museums with your knees and shoulders showing unless you come across a very grumpy security guard."

"You will likely be admitted into the general museums even if you are dressed a little immodestly by the Vatican standards."

So did Kim Kardashian break Vatican's dress code? Partly yes, partly no.

The long black jacket might have not been essential after Pope Francis relaxed the dress code rules. For those who have met with the Pope directly in recent years, the clothing seems to have been selected in respect to the tradition.

READ MORE: Kanye West Takes Next Steps After Sanction Threats For Wearing Jesus Mask During Deposition

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Comedian, actor, and film producer Andy Dick returned behind bars on weekend, as police arrested him for assault with a deadly weapon.

The Los Angeles Police Department confirmed Page Six that he was arrested on Saturday, June 26, at 4:45 PM.

While the star was locked up, his fiancee, Elisa Jordana, addressed his arrest to fans in a YouTube Livestream.

She revealed that he has been on a downward spiral with substance usage since allegedly being evicted from his home.

The police reported that Dick was released three days later after posting a $50,000 bond, adding that he is due in court on October 25 over the case.

Elisa Jordana Goes Live On Her Sunday Livestream About Fiance

During her live session, Jordana told the story of the night where the couple went to a steakhouse along with Dick's male friends.

Jordana continued, Dick was evicted from his home and moved into a hostel, though she said he was soon kicked out after bringing in a group of 11 people.

She described the recent incident where the comedian was in different form than she is used to. That night, she begged Dick to spend the night at her house.

However, he ran off with his friends after the meal, taking things from the said restaurant.

"He stole cutlery, he stole a wine glass, he stole plates," she said exposing her partner. "He asked for a doggie bag so he could put all that in."

She further claimed Dick got into a fight with a man named Lucas using a metal chair, saying that he could have killed him.

"It was the worst with him. It was getting worse and worse," Jordana stated in the video, "every day there was some kind of problem."

"There were signs this was going to happen," she added.

There were also times that the 55-year-old entertainer recently called her to come in another restaurant where he was eating with friends because they did not have money to pay their food.

READ ALSO: Chris Brown Speaks Against Accusations of Hitting a Woman, Gains Some Fan Support [UPDATE]

Elisa Jordan: Andy Dick Is "Okay" While Under Arrest

Dick's reported fiancee also assured the fans that he is "safe" behind bars, stating that she felt relieved about his arrest.

"It doesn't happen out of the blue. When I heard he was in jail, I wasn't that surprised," adding she is glad he is in prison because he is safe.

Andy Dick recently launched a podcast called "ADickted to Love," where he plans on talking with doctors, therapists, spiritual leaders, and recovery specialists to help him get on the right path.



READ MORE: Andy Dick Arrested: 'Hollywood Friends' in Jail For Stealing $1,000 Necklace From Stranger? [VIDEO]

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Bill Cosby's sexual assault conviction has been thrown out, in a surprising turn of events. The actor, known for his family-oriented shows, was charged with the crime since 2015.

While many thought he would stay so much longer in prison, the Pennsylvania's highest court overturned the comedian's sex assault conviction on Wednesday. This means he is set to be released soon.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court said that they found an agreement with a previous prosecutor prevented Cosby from being charged in the case.

The Supreme Court's opinion also disagreed with the trial court judge's decision to allow the prosecutors to call five other accusers apart from Andrea Constand, the Temple University employee whose accusations served as the main basis of the criminal case.

The Supreme Court raised issues with the fact that originally, the trial judge had allowed just one other accuser to testify at Cosby's first trial and then after the jury has attained a deadlock, the judge called on five other accusers to testify at Cosby's retrial.

ALSO READ: Stuart Damon Dead: Cause of Death of Long-Time 'General Hospital' Actor Heartbreaking

For this high court, such a testimony tainted the trial. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court refuses to consider the fact that the the lower appeals court has just done what it could to show a pattern of behavior on Bill Cosby's part.

The actor has already been in the state prison SCI Phoenix for two years now. The actor refused to acknolwedge any remorse over an alleged 2004 encounter and opted instead to vow that he would serve his 10-year sentence in full.

It can be remembered that Bill Cosby, a household name that most associated as the beloved "America's Dad," was charged in 2015 when a prosecutor armed with new evidence arrested him days before the 12-year statute of limitations expired.

In a 2019 interview, he put it out there that he is not sorry at all.When I come up for parole, they're not going to hear me say that I have remorse. I was there. I don't care what group of people come along and talk about this when they weren't there. They don't know," Cosby said in a series of phone calls while serving his sentence in prison.

The actor continued to insist that he was set up. He was consistent in claiming that his trial was botched.

"My people are going to view me and say, 'That boy looks good. That boy is strong.' ... This is political. I can see the whole thing," Cosby added. "I am a privileged man in prison."

ALSO READ: Colin Farrell Looks Relaxed While Waiting for Life-Changing Court Decision

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2021-06-30

Maeci

The Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Luigi Di Maio, is today in Brindisi on the occasion of the Ministerial Event on Humanitarian Assistance. The Minister will also visit the UN Humanitarian Response Depot and the UN Logistic base for peacekeeping operations.
2021-06-29

Maeci

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Benedetto Della Vedova, received the Deputy Foreign Minister of the Polish Republic, Martin Przydacz at the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The meeting went into greater depth especially in relation to EU-Russian relations, the situation in Belarus, and prospects for the European Security and Defence Policy.

Mr Della Vedova agreed with his counterpart, on the need to maintain an unequivocal, firm European position on Moscows approach to violations of international law (e.g. in Ukraine), limitation of human rights (above all the Navalny case), and its destabilising activities (e.g. recent cases of spying and diplomatic expulsions). At the same time, he continued, Italy is still convinced that we need to aim for stable, predictable relations with Russia, keeping the channels of dialogue open with Moscow.

The Deputy Minister then referred to the similar need for European solidarity and cohesion in relation to the challenges posed by the migration crisis, which weighs mainly on the Mediterranean Countries. Reallocation within the Union is the only way to deal with migration in a humane way, and to make the responsibilities imposed on the member States of first entry sustainable, said Mr Della Vedova.

In closing, the Deputy Minister expressed the widespread concern in Italian public opinion and in sectors of our parliament, at the recent decision by the Polish Constitutional Court on the question of abortion, to Deputy Minister Przydacz. We are confident that the Polish Government will give due consideration to these concerns, arising from our shared European values and principles.
2021-06-29

Maeci

Today Deputy Minister Benedetto Della Vedova received the Secretary of State of the Slovak Republic, Ingrid Brockova at the Foreign Affairs Ministry. The meeting centred on bilateral relations and cooperation in a multi-lateral and European setting, especially on the migration question, the priority of the Italian Presidency of the Council of Europes Ministerial Committee.

The meeting opened with Mr Della Vedova and Ms Brockova agreeing on the need to work together to safeguard the principles of the rule of law and human rights, within effective multilateralism and sound transatlantic cooperation.

The Deputy Minister reiterated the need to strengthen cooperation on the migratory question within Europe. We appreciate the constructive spirit shown by Foreign Minister Korcok on his recent visit to Rome We are convinced that Slovakia can play a facilitating role in negotiating the new Pact on Migration and Asylum, which must lead to us managing this phenomenon in a more balanced way, that relieves the pressure on arrival Countries, also by means of adequate reallocation plans.

Mr Della Vedova and Ms Brockova went on to agree on the need to continue with an active, credible commitment to expanding the EU to the western Balkans, by first overcoming stalling in the path to European membership of Albania and North Macedonia. In this regard, it is important to also valorise regional cooperation tools, like the Central European Incentive (InCE).
2021-06-30

Maeci

In the wake of the second Berlin Conference, Italy renews its full support for the Libyan political process in the path leading to the elections on 24 December.

To this end, Italy looks with great attention and lively expectation at the new ongoing session of the Libyan Political Dialogue Forum (LPDF), which opened on 28 June in Geneva with the aim of facilitating the definition of the constitutional and legal framework within which the important elections will take place.

Libya needs more than ever unity, convergence and full sovereignty for its political, institutional and economic rebirth. Italy strongly encourages to timely reach an agreement with broad consensus thus allowing elections to be held in the scheduled date.
**Note this is a special early release from the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID 2021). Please credit the conference if you use this story**

New research being presented at the European Congress of Clinical Microbiology & Infectious Diseases (ECCMID), held online this year, suggests that people with COVID-19 frequently pass it on to their pets. Cats that sleep on their owner's bed seem to be at particular risk of infection.

Previous studies have shown that cats and dogs can catch COVID-19 from their owners but it wasn't clear how susceptible they were and what, if anything, increased their odds of becoming infected. Answering these questions is important from both a public health and animal health point of view.

To find out more, Dorothee Bienzle, a professor of veterinary pathology at the University of Guelph, Ontario, Canada, and colleagues studied cats and dogs of people who had had COVID-19.

The animals, 48 cats and 54 dogs from 77 households, were tested for antibodies to COVID-19 - a sign of past infection. Their owners were surveyed about how they interacted with their pets, including whether they petted them and kissed them and allowed them to sit on their lap or sleep in their bed. They were also asked if they allowed their pet to kiss them or lick them on the face and how long they spent with their pet each day.

Other questions included whether their pet had become ill around the time they had COVID-19 and what sort of symptoms the animal had.

75 dogs and cats living in an animal shelter and 75 stray cats that had been seen at a low-cost veterinary clinic were also tested for antibodies.

67% (32/48) of the owned cats and 43% (23/54) of the owned dogs tested positive for antibodies, showing they had had COVID-19. This compares to just 9% (7/75) of dogs and cats from the animal shelter and 3% (2/75) of the stray cats.

20% (11/54) of the dogs had symptoms, mainly lack of energy and loss of appetite. Some animals had a cough or diarrhoea, however all symptoms were mild and quickly cleared up.

27% (13/48) of the cats had symptoms, with a runny nose and difficulty breathing the most common signs of COVID-19. Although most cases were mild, three were severe.

The amount of time an owner spent with their dog and the type of contact they had with them did not affect the animal's chance of getting infected.

Cats that spent more time with their owners, however, seemed to be at higher risk of infection. And cats that slept on their owner's bed were more likely to have COVID-19.

The study's authors say that cats' biology, including their viral receptors, the "locks" the virus unpicks to enter cells, make them more susceptible to COVID-19 than dogs. Cats are also more likely to sleep near their owner's face than dogs, increasing their exposure to any infection.

They add that the higher rate of infection in animals with owners than in those from the shelter and the strays, coupled with results of previous genetic studies, means that the most likely route of transmission is from human to pet, rather than the other way round.

Professor Bienzle concludes: "If someone has COVID-19 there is a surprisingly high chance they will pass it on to their pet. Cats, especially those that sleep on their owner's bed, seem to be particularly vulnerable. So, if you have COVID-19, I'd advise that you keep your distance from your pet - and keep it out of your bedroom.

"I'd also recommend that you keep your pet away from other people and pets. While the evidence that pets can pass the virus on to other pets is limited, it can't be excluded. Similarly, although pets have not been shown to pass the virus back to people, the possibility can't be completely ruled out."

###
The European Society of Endocrinology's (ESE) Journal the European Journal of Endocrinology (EJE) has reached its highest ever Journal Impact FactorTM (JIF) in the 2020 Journal Citation ReportsTM (JCR) announced today (30 June, 2021). It confirms a steady trend over the past years, making it a rising star and global leader in publishing clinical and translational endocrinology research. The highly respected Journal achieved an Impact Factor of 6.664, placing it as number 20 out of 145 in the JCR list of Endocrinology and Metabolism research journals in terms of Impact Factor. This underpins the leading role of ESE in fostering exchange and scientific discourse and promoting endocrinology.

Since 2012, the JIF of the European Journal of Endocrinology has grown consistently from a JIF of 3.791 to the new peak of 6.664 announced today, a true milestone now achieved 27 years after the creation of EJE. This consistent growth is the result of the dedication and hard work of the past Editors-in-Chief and Editorial Board members and the high-quality contributions by EJE's authors, along with the global effort of field-leading reviewers in assessing the submissions.

Editor-in-Chief, Professor Wiebke Arlt, commented: "I am delighted to see EJE, the flagship journal of the European Society of Endocrinology, taking the global lead in publishing clinical and translational endocrinology and metabolism research. As an Editor-in-Chief, I am standing on the shoulders of giants who served before me, the founding editor Albert Burger, Paolo Beck-Peccoz (under whom I served as junior editor), Christian Strasburger and my predecessor Hans Romijn (under whom I served as Associate Editor and Reviews Editor)."

Professor Arlt continued: "I would like to thank my Deputy Editors Juliane Leger, Olaf Dekkers and Rob Semple for their outstanding work and the members of EJE's fantastic global editorial board, featuring Associate Editors at the top of their game from 24 countries all around the globe. EJE's success is based on their dedicated commitment and specialist expertise. Importantly, we could only achieve this due to the fantastic authors from all over the world who have sent us their best work in clinical and translational endocrinology. Special mention goes to our hard-working expert reviewers, who have helped EJE to maintain the highest standards of quality even during the demanding times of the pandemic"

ESE's President, Professor Martin Reincke said: "The 2020 Journal Impact Factors are a milestone for the Society - we are all immensely proud of our Journals and thank the previous and current Editor- in-Chief and the editorial boards for their dedication and hard work. The foundation built over the years has enabled EJE to reach this new high. As the leading endocrine journal, EJE underpins ESE's role as the voice for endocrinology in Europe and our mission of advancing endocrinology - improving science, knowledge and health across Europe, and ultimately benefiting patient care. Endocrine Connections also continues to gain valuable traction as a key journal for endocrine research dissemination."

He continued: "The ongoing work of Professor Arlt and her Editorial Board will, I am sure, continue the success of EJE in attracting the best endocrine science from across the world and disseminating it to further the knowledge and practice of all those involved in treating patients with endocrine conditions."

EJE publishes high-quality original clinical and translational research papers and reviews in adult and paediatric clinical and translational endocrinology, as well as clinical practice guidelines and position statements. Additionally, the consideration of endocrinology in a wide range of health areas (including obesity, cancer and diabetes) as well as rare endocrine diseases and also in the environment (endocrine disrupting chemicals - EDCs) has increased citations of EJE papers across many disciplines.

Endocrine Connections also increased its JIF from 2.592 to 3.335. Endocrine Connections publishes original research and reviews in all areas of endocrinology, with a focus on papers that have relevance to its related and intersecting disciplines and the wider biomedical community. The journal considers basic, translational and clinical studies. The recently appointed Editor-in-Chief is Professor Adrian Clark, who succeeded the founding editor of Endocrine Connections, Professor Josef Kohrle.

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Notes for Editors:

About Impact Factors, Web of Science (and Clarivate)

The Journal Impact FactorTM (JIF), often referred to as the Impact Factor (IF) of an academic journal is a scientometric index calculated by Clarivate that reflects the yearly average number of citations in a year to articles published in the previous two years in a given journal. It is frequently used as a proxy for the relative importance of a journal within its field; journals with higher Impact Factor values are often deemed to be more important, or carry more intrinsic prestige in their respective fields, than those with lower values. https:/ / clarivate. com/ webofsciencegroup/ solutions/ web-of-science/

About the European Journal of Endocrinology (EJE)

European Journal of Endocrinology publishes high-quality original clinical and translational research papers and reviews in paediatric and adult endocrinology, as well as clinical practice guidelines and position statements. EJE is published on behalf of the European Society of Endocrinology by Bioscientifica (since 1999) https:/ / eje. bioscientifica. com/

The current Editor-in-Chief is Wiebke Arlt MD, DSc, FRCP, FMedSci, William Withering Chair of Medicine, Director of the Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research (IMSR), University of Birmingham, UK. Her research focus is on the role of steroid metabolism in human health and disease, with translational focus on androgen excess and adrenal disease

Established in 1994, EJE originally had a broad scope covering both basic and clinical endocrine research, however in 2008 the decision was made to focus on clinical and translational science, complementing the Society's other journal, Endocrine Connections, an interdisciplinary fully open access journal (which ESE jointly owns with the Society for Endocrinology, UK) and the Society's other official journals: Journal of Endocrinology (JIF 4.286), Journal of Molecular Endocrinology (JIF 5.098) and Endocrine-Related Cancer (JIF 5.678). ESE Members have free online access to all five of these official ESE journals.

About the European Society of Endocrinology

The European Society of Endocrinology (ESE) provides a platform to develop and share leading research and best knowledge in endocrine science and medicine. By uniting and representing every part of the endocrine community, we are best placed to improve the lives of patients. Through the 54 National Societies involved with the ESE Council of Affiliated Societies (ECAS) ESE represents a community of over 20,000 European endocrinologists. We inform policy makers on health decisions at the highest level through advocacy efforts across Europe.

To find out more please visit http://www. ese-hormones. org .

Follow us on Twitter @ESEndocrinology, Facebook @EuropeanSocietyofEndocrinology and LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/european-society-of-endocrinology.
Durham, UK: Academics believe they have identified a remarkable geological secret; a sunken continent hidden under Iceland and the surrounding ocean, which they have dubbed 'Icelandia'.

An international team of geologists, led by Gillian Foulger, Emeritus Professor of Geophysics in the Department of Earth Sciences at Durham University (UK), believe the sunken continent could stretch from Greenland all the way to Europe.

It is believed to cover an area of ~ 600,000 km2 but when adjoining areas west of Britain are included in a "Greater Icelandia" the entire area could be ~1,000,000 km2 in size.

If proven, it means that the giant supercontinent of Pangaea, which is thought to have broken up over 50 million years ago, has in fact not fully broken up.

This new theory challenges long-held scientific ideas around the extent of oceanic and continental crust in the North Atlantic region, and how volcanic islands, like Iceland, formed.

The presence of continental, rather than oceanic, crust could also spark discussions about a new source of minerals and hydrocarbons, both of which are contained in continental crust.

The revolutionary new theory was born from an innovative series of expert meetings held in Durham (UK) and is included in a dedicated chapter of In the Footsteps of Warren B. Hamilton: New Ideas in Earth Science published today (29 June 2021), by the Geological Society of America, which Professor Foulger has co-written with Dr Laurent Gernigon of the Geological Survey of Norway and Professor Laurent Geoffroy of the Ocean Geosciences Laboratory, University of Brest (France).

Speaking about the new theory Professor Foulger said:

"Until now Iceland has puzzled geologists as existing theories that it is built of, and surrounded by, oceanic crust are not supported by multiple geological data. For example, the crust under Iceland is over 40 km thick - seven times thicker than normal oceanic crust. This simply could not be explained.

"However, when we considered the possibility that this thick crust is continental, our data suddenly all made sense. This led us immediately to realise that the continental region was much bigger than Iceland itself - there is a hidden continent right there under the sea.

"There is fantastic work to be done to prove the existence of Icelandia but it also opens up a completely new view of our geological understanding of the world. Something similar could be happening at many more places.

"We could eventually see maps of our oceans and seas being redrawn as our understanding of what lies beneath changes."

The research team is now working with collaborators from across the globe on work to test their theory, which will begin once Covid-19 restrictions allow.

This work could involve electrical conductivity surveys, and the collection of zircon crystals in Iceland and elsewhere. Other tests such as seismic profiling and drilling would need millions of pounds to fund, but such is the importance of this work that funding may well be forthcoming.

Professor Foulger is a world-leading geologist whose research has contributed to mapping the geological composition of the seabed in relation to continental land masses.

This work has important legal and political ramifications as, under certain conditions, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea grants coastal states exclusive rights to the non-living resources of their adjacent seabed if scientists can prove that the seabed is a submerged extension of the continental landmass.

Professor Philip Steinberg, Director of IBRU, Durham University's Centre for Borders Research, noted: "Countries around the world are spending enormous resources conducting subsea geologic research in order to identify their continental shelves and claim exclusive mineral rights there.

"Research like Professor Foulger's, which forces us to rethink the relationship between seabed and continental geology can have far-reaching impact for countries trying to determine what area of the seabed are their exclusive preserve and what areas are to be governed by the International Seabed Authority as the 'common heritage of humankind."

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MEDIA INFORMATION

Website: https:/ / www. durham. ac. uk/

About the research team

Professor Gillian Foulger is an Emeritus Professor of Geophysics in the Department of Earth Sciences, Durham.

Dr Laurent Gernigon is a Senior Researcher at the Geological Survey of Norway

Professor Laurent Geoffroy is a geodynamician and tectonician at the Ocean Geosciences Laboratory (CNRS), University of Brest (France).

Interviews

Professor Gillian Foulger is available for interview and can be contacted by email g.r.foulger@durham.ac.uk

Alternatively, please contact Durham University Marketing and Communications Office on communications.team@durham.ac.uk

Source information

The chapter, Icelandia, by Foulger, Gernigon, and Geoffroy is part of In the Footsteps of Warren B. Hamilton: New Ideas in Earth Science , published by the Geological Society of America. The chapter was published online on 29 June 2021 at 09:00 MTD (16:00 BST).

A PDF copy of the chapter is available on request. Please contact Durham University Marketing and Communications Office on communications.team@durham.ac.uk to request a copy.

Available map

A map showing the Icelandia and Greater Icelandia areas is available in JPG form on request. Please contact Durham University Marketing and Communications Office on communications.team@durham.ac.uk for a copy.

Useful web links

Professor Gillian Foulger

Dr Laurent Gernigon

Professor Laurent Geoffroy

Durham University Department of Earth Sciences

Geological Survey of Norway

Ocean Geosciences Laboratory, University of Brest

Durham University Centre for Borders Research

About Durham University

Durham University is a globally outstanding centre of teaching and research based in historic Durham City in the UK.

We are a collegiate university committed to inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham and in the world.

We conduct boundary-breaking research that improves lives globally and we are ranked as a world top 100 university with an international reputation in research and education (QS World University Rankings 2022).

We are a member of the Russell Group of leading research-intensive UK universities and we are consistently ranked as a top 10 university in national league tables (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, Guardian University Guide and The Complete University Guide).

For more information about Durham University visit: www.durham.ac.uk/about/

END OF MEDIA RELEASE - Issued by Durham University Marketing and Communications Office: www.durham.ac.uk/news

Co-issued by the Geological Society of America in cooperation with Durham University .
Boulder, Colo., USA: GSA's dynamic online journal, Geosphere, posts articles online regularly. Locations and topics studied this month include the central Appalachian Mountains; fossil pollen in Colombia; the precision and accuracy of model analyses; the Bone Spring Formation, Permian Basin, west Texas; and the geochronology of modern river sediment in south-central Alaska. You can find these articles at https:/ / geosphere. geoscienceworld. org/ content/ early/ recent .

Spatially variable syn- and post-Alleghanian exhumation of the central Appalachian Mountains from zircon (U-Th)/He thermochronology

Luke C. Basler; Jaclyn S. Baughman; Michelle L. Fame; Peter J. Haproff

Abstract: To assess spatial and temporal patterns of Phanerozoic orogenic burial and subsequent exhumation in the central Appalachian Mountains, we present mid-temperature zircon (U-Th)/He (ZHe; closure temperature [T C] = 140-200 C) dates for 10 samples along a 225 km, strike-perpendicular transect spanning the Appalachian Plateau, Valley and Ridge, Blue Ridge, and Piedmont physiographic provinces in West Virginia and western Virginia. Ranges of single-grain ZHe dates exhibit an eastward younging trend from 455-358 Ma in the Pennsylvanian Appalachian Plateau to 336-209 Ma in the Valley and Ridge, 298-217 Ma in the Blue Ridge, and 186-121 Ma in the Piedmont. Within the Pennsylvanian Appalachian Plateau, detrital ZHe dates are older than corresponding depositional ages, thus limiting postdepositional burial temperatures to less than 160 C. These ZHe dates capture predepositional mid-Paleozoic cooling signatures, indicating provenance from either recycled Taconic or Acadian basin strata or mid-Paleozoic Appalachian terranes. Across the Valley and Ridge and western Blue Ridge provinces, reset Permian detrital ZHe dates feature flat date-effective uranium correlations that suggest rapid Alleghanian cooling initiating prior to 270 Ma. ZHe dates within the Valley and Ridge are more than 100 m.y. older than previously reported regional apatite fission-track dates, reflecting a protracted period of stable post-Alleghanian thermal conditions within the foreland. By contrast, post-Triassic single-grain ZHe dates in the interior Piedmont document rapid postrift cooling, likely resulting from both the relaxation of an elevated geothermal gradient and exhumation from rift-flank uplift. The spatial discontinuity between stable synrift thermal conditions in the Valley and Ridge and rapid cooling in the Piedmont suggests that rift-flank uplift and cooling were concentrated outboard of the foreland within the Piedmont province.

View article: https:/ / pubs. geoscienceworld. org/ gsa/ geosphere/ article-abstract/ doi/ 10. 1130/ GES02368. 1/ 602754/ Spatially-variable-syn-and-post-Alleghanian

Constraints on the paleoelevation history of the Eastern Cordillera of Colombia from its palynological record

Peter Molnar; Lina C. Perez-Angel

Abstract: We attempted to make an objective assessment of whether fossil pollen assemblages from the Sabana de Bogota require surface uplift of ~2000 m since 6-3 Ma, as has been argued. We relied on recently published elevation ranges of plants for which fossil pollen has been found in sites 2000-2500 m high in the Sabana de Bogota. The elevation ranges of fossil plants do not overlap, suggesting that those ranges may be too narrow. By weighting these elevation ranges by percentages of corresponding fossil pollen and summing them, we estimated probability density functions for past elevations. These probability distributions of past elevations overlap present-day elevations and therefore do not require surface uplift since deposition of the pollen. Fossil pollen assemblages include pollen from some plant taxa for which we do not know present-day elevation ranges, and therefore, with a more complete knowledge of elevation distributions, tighter constraints on elevations should be obtainable. The elevation of the oldest assemblage, from Tequendama, which lies at the southern edge of the Sabana de Bogota and is thought to date from 16 to 6 Ma, is least well constrained. Although our analysis permits no change in elevation since the pollen was deposited, we consider 1000-2000 m of elevation gain since 15 Ma to be likely and consistent with an outward growth of the Eastern Cordillera.

View article: https:/ / pubs. geoscienceworld. org/ gsa/ geosphere/ article-abstract/ doi/ 10. 1130/ GES02328. 1/ 602755/ Constraints-on-the-paleoelevation-history-of-the

Reconstructing the tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Early- Middle Jurassic Tlaxiaco Basin in southern Mexico: New insights into the crustal attenuation history of southern North America during Pangea breakup

Mildred Zepeda-Martinez; Michelangelo Martini; Luigi A. Solari; Claudia C. Mendoza-Rosales

Abstract: During Pangea breakup, several Jurassic extensional to transtensional basins were developed all around the world. The boundaries of these basins are major structures that accommodated continental extension during Jurassic time. Therefore, reconstructing the geometry of Jurassic basins is a key factor in identifying the major faults that produced continental attenuation during Pangea breakup. We reconstruct the tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Jurassic Tlaxiaco Basin in southern Mexico using sedimentologic, petrographic, and U-Pb geochronologic data. We show that the northern boundary of the Tlaxiaco Basin was an area of high relief composed of the Paleozoic Acatlan Complex, which was drained to the south by a set of alluvial fans. The WNW-trending Salado River-Axutla fault is exposed directly to the north of the northernmost fan exposures, and it is interpreted as the Jurassic structure that controlled the tectono-sedimentary evolution of the Tlaxiaco Basin at its northern boundary. The eastern boundary is represented by a topographic high composed of the Proterozoic Oaxacan Complex, which was exhumed along the NNW-trending Caltepec fault and was drained to the west by a major meandering river called the Tlaxiaco River. Data presented in this work suggest that continental extension during Pangea breakup was accommodated in Mexico not only by NNW-trending faults associated with the development of the Tamaulipas-Chiapas transform and the opening of the Gulf of Mexico, but also by WNW-trending structures. Our work offers a new perspective for future studies that aim to reconstruct the breakup evolution of western equatorial Pangea.

View article: https:/ / pubs. geoscienceworld. org/ gsa/ geosphere/ article-abstract/ doi/ 10. 1130/ GES02309. 1/ 602756/ Reconstructing-the-tectono-sedimentary-evolution

Age and tectonic setting of the Quinebaug-Marlboro belt and implications for the history of Ganderian crustal fragments in southeastern New England, USA

Gregory J. Walsh; John N. Aleinikoff; Robert A. Ayuso; Robert P. Wintsch

Abstract: Crustal fragments underlain by high-grade rocks represent a challenge to plate reconstructions, and integrated mapping, geochronology, and geochemistry enable the unravelling of the temporal and spatial history of exotic crustal blocks. The Quinebaug-Marlboro belt (QMB) is an enigmatic fragment on the trailing edge of the peri-Gondwanan Ganderian margin of southeastern New England. SHRIMP U-Pb geochronology and geochemistry indicate the presence of Ediacaran to Cambrian metamorphosed volcanic and intrusive rocks dated for the first time between ca. 540-500 Ma. The entire belt may preserve a cryptic, internal stratigraphy that is truncated by subsequent faulting. Detrital zircons from metapelite in the overlying Nashoba and Tatnic Hill Formations indicate deposition between ca. 485-435 Ma, with provenance from the underlying QMB or Ganderian crust. The Preston Gabbro (418  3 Ma) provides a minimum age for the QMB. Mafic rocks are tholeiitic with trace elements that resemble arc and E-MORB sources, and samples with negative Nb-Ta anomalies are similar to arc-like rocks, but others show no negative Nb-Ta anomaly and are similar to rocks from E-MORB to OIB or backarc settings. Geochemistry points to a mixture of sources that include both mantle and continental crust. Metamorphic zircon, monazite, and titanite ages range from 400 to 305 Ma and intrusion of granitoids and migmatization occurred between 410 and 325 Ma. Age and chemistry support correlations with the Ellsworth terrane in Maine and the Penobscot arc and backarc system in Maritime Canada. The arc-rifting zone where the Mariana arc and the Mariana backarc basin converge is a possible modern analog.

View article: https:/ / pubs. geoscienceworld. org/ gsa/ geosphere/ article-abstract/ doi/ 10. 1130/ GES02295. 1/ 602757/ Age-and-tectonic-setting-of-the-Quinebaug-Marlboro

Precision and accuracy of modal analysis methods for clastic deposits and rocks: A statistical and numerical modeling approach

Pierre-Simon Ross; Bernard Giroux; Benjamin Latutrie

Abstract: Quantifying the proportions of certain components in rocks and deposits (modal analysis or componentry) is important in earth sciences. Relevant methods for cross-sections (two- dimensional exposures) of clastic rocks include point counts or line counts. The accuracy of these methods has been supposed to be good in the literature but not necessarily verified empirically. Natural materials are inappropriate for assessing accuracy because the true proportions of each component are unknown. The precision of modal analysis methods has traditionally been evaluated from statistical models (primarily the normal approximation to the binomial distribution) but again rarely verified in practice because it is also extremely difficult to obtain different slices through the same material at outcrop scale. Here we create a set of numerical models of red and blue spheres with different proportions and sizes and cut 60 slices through the models, on which we perform point counts and line counts. We show that both of these methods are indeed able to retrieve the correct volumetric proportions of components, on average, when enough fragments are counted or intersected. As already known, precision is controlled by component abundance and the number of points counted or clasts intersected. However, we show that other important factors include differences between slices, which are relevant for our unequal-size models, and the proportion of voids, matrix, and/or cement in the rock. We present empirical precision charts for clast counts and line counts based on our models and make recommendations for future field studies.

View article: https:/ / pubs. geoscienceworld. org/ gsa/ geosphere/ article-abstract/ doi/ 10. 1130/ GES02374. 1/ 602758/ Precision-and-accuracy-of-modal-analysis-methods

Progradational slope architecture and sediment distribution in outcrops of the mixed carbonate-siliciclastic Bone Spring Formation, Permian Basin, west Texas

Wylie Walker; Zane R. Jobe; J.F. Sarg; Lesli Wood

Abstract: Sediment transport and distribution are the keys to understanding slope-building processes in mixed carbonate-siliciclastic sediment routing systems. The Permian Bone Spring Formation, Delaware Basin, west Texas, is such a mixed system and has been extensively studied in its distal (basinal) extent but is poorly constrained in its proximal upper-slope segment. Here, we define the stratigraphic architecture of proximal outcrops in Guadalupe Mountains National Park in order to delineate the shelf-slope dynamics of carbonate and siliciclastic sediment distribution and delivery to the basin. Upper-slope deposits are predominantly fine-grained carbonate lithologies, interbedded at various scales with terrigenous (i.e., siliciclastic and clay) hemipelagic and gravity-flow deposits. We identify ten slope-building clinothems varying from terrigenous-rich to carbonate-rich and truncated by slope detachment surfaces that record large-scale mass wasting of the shelf margin. X-ray fluorescence (XRF) data indicate that slope detachment surfaces contain elevated proportions of terrigenous sediment, suggesting that failure is triggered by changes in accommodation or sediment supply at the shelf margin. A well-exposed terrigenous-rich clinothem, identified here as the 1st Bone Spring Sand, provides evidence that carbonate and terrigenous sediments were deposited contemporaneously, suggesting that both autogenic and allogenic processes influenced sediment accumulation. The mixing of lithologies at multiple scales and the prevalence of mass wasting acted as primary controls on the stacking patterns of terrigenous and carbonate lithologies of the Bone Spring Formation, not only on the shelf margin and upper slope, but also in the distal, basinal deposits of the Delaware Basin.

View article: https:/ / pubs. geoscienceworld. org/ gsa/ geosphere/ article-abstract/ doi/ 10. 1130/ GES02355. 1/ 600740/ Progradational-slope-architecture-and-sediment

Introduction: Active Margins in Transition--Magmatism and Tectonics through Time: An Issue in Honor of Arthur W. Snoke

Allen J. McGrew; Joshua J. Schwartz

Abstract: The evolution of active margins through time is the record of plate tectonics as inscribed on the continents. This themed issue honors the eclectic contributions of Arthur W. Snoke (Fig. 1) to the study of active margins with a series of papers that amply demonstrate the broad scope of active margin tectonics and the diverse methods that tectonic geologists employ to decipher their histories. Taken together, this set of papers illustrates the diversity of boundary conditions that guide the development of active margins and the key parameters that regulate their evolution in time and space.

View article: https:/ / pubs. geoscienceworld. org/ gsa/ geosphere/ article-abstract/ doi/ 10. 1130/ GES02422. 1/ 600741/ Introduction-Active-Margins-in-Transition

Detrital zircon geochronology of modern river sediment in south-central Alaska: Provenance, magmatic, and tectonic insights into the Mesozoic and Cenozoic development of the southern Alaska convergent margin

Cooper R. Fasulo; Kenneth D. Ridgway

Abstract: New and previously published detrital zircon U-Pb ages from sediment in major rivers of south- central Alaska archive several major episodes of magmatism associated with the tectonic growth of this convergent margin. Analysis of detrital zircons from major trunk rivers of the Tanana, Matanuska-Susitna, and Copper River watersheds (N = 40, n = 4870) documents major <250 Ma age populations that are characteristic of the main phases of Mesozoic and Paleogene magmatism in the region as documented from limited U-Pb ages of igneous rocks. Key points from our detrital record include: (1) Major magmatic episodes occurred at 170, 150, 118, 95, 72, 58, and 36 Ma. The overall pattern of these ages suggests that felsic magmatism was episodic with periodicity ranging between ~14 and 32 m.y. with an average of ~22 m.y. (2) Magmatism in south-central Alaska shows similar age trends with both the Coast Mountains batholith and the along-strike Alaska Peninsula forearc basin strata, demonstrating a spatial and temporal relationship of felsic magmatism along the entire northern Cordilleran margin. (3) Topography and zircon fertility appear to influence the presence and/or absence of detrital zircon populations in individual watersheds. Results from this study indicate that regionally integrated detrital zircon populations from modern trunk rivers are faithful recorders of Mesozoic and Paleogene magmatic events along a convergent margin, but there appears to be a lag time for major rivers to record Neogene and ongoing magmatic events.

View article: https:/ / pubs. geoscienceworld. org/ gsa/ geosphere/ article-abstract/ doi/ 10. 1130/ GES02270. 1/ 600742/ Detrital-zircon-geochronology-of-modern-river

Low-temperature thermochronology constraints on the evolution of the Eastern Kunlun Range, northern Tibetan Plateau

Chen Wu; Jie Li; Lin Ding

Abstract: Signals of uplift and deformation across the Tibetan Plateau associated with the Cenozoic India-Asia collision can be used to test debated deformation mechanism(s) and the growth history of the plateau. The spatio-temporal evolution of the Eastern Kunlun Range in northern Tibet provides a window for understanding the intracontinental tectonic evolution of the region. The Eastern Kunlun Range exposes the Cenozoic Kunlun left-slip fault and kinematically linked thrust belts. In this contribution, integrated field observations and apatite fission-track thermochronology were conducted to constrain the initiation ages of localized thrust faults and the exhumation history of the Eastern Kunlun Range. Our analyses reveal four stages of cooling of the Eastern Kunlun Range. We relate these four stages to the following interpreted tectonic evolution: (1) an initial period of early Cretaceous cooling and slow exhumation over the early Cenozoic, which is associated with the formation of a regional unconformity observed between Cretaceous strata and early Cenozoic sediments; (2) rapid Oligocene cooling that occurred at the eastern domain of the Eastern Kunlun Range related to the southern Qaidam thrusts; (3) extensive rapid cooling since the early-middle Miocene in most of the eastern-central domains and significant uplift of the entire range; and (4) a final pulse of rapid late Miocene-to-present cooling associated with the initiation of the Kunlun left-slip fault and dip-slip shortening at the western and eastern termination of the left-slip fault. Early Cenozoic deformation was distributed along the northern extent of the Tibetan Plateau, and overprinting out-of-sequence deformation migrated back to the south with the initiation of Miocene-to-present deformation in the Eastern Kunlun Range.

View article: https:/ / pubs. geoscienceworld. org/ gsa/ geosphere/ article-abstract/ doi/ 10. 1130/ GES02358. 1/ 600735/ Low-temperature-thermochronology-constraints-on

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GEOSPHERE articles are available at https:/ / geosphere. geoscienceworld. org/ content/ early/ recent . Representatives of the media may obtain complimentary copies of GEOSPHERE articles by contacting Kea Giles at the address above. Please discuss articles of interest with the authors before publishing stories on their work, and please refer to GEOSPHERE in articles published. Non-media requests for articles may be directed to GSA Sales and Service, gsaservice@geosociety.org.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or ALS, attacks nerve cells known as motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, gradually leading to paralysis. The loss of function of an important gene, C9orf72, may affect communication between motor neurons and muscles in people with this disease. These findings were revealed by the team of Dr Kessen Patten of the Institut national de la recherche scientifique (INRS) in the prestigious journal Communications Biology.

A mutation in the C9orf72 gene is the primary genetic cause of ALS. The mutation in C9orf72 consists of an expansion of a sequence of six DNA bases (GGGGCC) that is very unusual, going from a few copies (less than 20 in a healthy person) to more than 1000 copies. The mutation, in part resulting in a loss of function, may be responsible for 40% to 50% of hereditary cases of ALS, and 5% to 10% of cases without family history.

Dr Patten's team investigated this gene's loss of function in genetically modified zebrafish models. In their work, led by PhD student Zoe Butti, the group noted symptoms similar to ALS, namely motor disorders, muscle atrophy, loss of motor neurons, and mortality of individuals.

Synaptic transmission

The study showed the effect of the loss of function induced by the mutation of the C9orf72 gene on communication between motor neurons and muscles. "This synaptic dysfunction is observed in all people with the disease and occurs before the death of motor neurons," noted the researcher and holder of the Anna Sforza Djoukhadjian Research Chair.

The research group also revealed the gene's role on the protein TDP-43 (transactive response DNA binding protein 43) which plays an important role in ALS. The C9orf72 gene may affect the protein TDP-43's location within the cell. "In approximately 97% of ALS patients, the TDP-43 protein is depleted from the nucleus and forms aggregates in the cytoplasm rather than being in the nucleus, as is the case in healthy people. We want to investigate this relationship between the two proteins further," explained Professor Patten.

Now that the team has developed a model, it will be able to test therapeutic molecules. The aim is to find a drug to restore the synaptic connection between neurons and muscles. It may also lead to a therapeutic target to rectify the abnormality of the TDP-43 protein.

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About the study

The article "Reduced C9orf72 function leads to defective synaptic vesicle release and neuromuscular dysfunction in zebrafish" by Zoe Butti, Yingzhou Edward Pan and Shunmoogum A. Patten, with the help of collaborator Dr Jean Giacomotto from the Queensland Brain Institute, was published in the journal Communications Biology. The study received financial support from the ALS Society of Canada, the Brain Canada Foundation, the Anna Sforza Djoukhadjian Research Chair fund, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada, the Canada Foundation for Innovation, and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research.

About INRS

INRS is a university dedicated exclusively to graduate level research and training. Since its creation in 1969, INRS has played an active role in Quebec's economic, social, and cultural development and is ranked first for research intensity in Quebec and in Canada. INRS is made up of four interdisciplinary research and training centres in Quebec City, Montreal, Laval, and Varennes, with expertise in strategic sectors: Eau Terre Environnement, Energie Materiaux Telecommunications, Urbanisation Culture Societe, and Armand-Frappier Sante Biotechnologie. The INRS community includes more than 1,500 students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty members, and staff.

Source :

Audrey-Maude Vezina

Service des communications de l'INRS

418 254-2156

audrey-maude.vezina@inrs.ca
Malaria still kills millions. Researchers are excited by a new intervention: giving people a drug which kills mosquitoes that bite them. Incredibly, this is a reality, as the drug ivermectin, widely used for the control of parasite infections such as lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis, appears to do this. With some mosquitoes now resistant to the insecticides used in treated bed nets, this is a potentially important new control measure.

LSTM's Dr Rebecca Thomas and Dr Joseph Okebe, together with Dr de Souza from the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR(link is external)), University of Ghana, first examined the experimental evidence that giving the drug to people kills the mosquitoes that bite them.

All included studies showed large effects of ivermectin on mosquito mortality. They then went on to seek studies that evaluated whether this made a difference in malaria transmission and the amount of malaria in people living in malarial areas. They found only one study has been published to date. When published in 2019, there was quite a lot of press coverage stating ivermectin reduced malaria in children based on original report of this trial.

Unfortunately, although this paper was published in the Lancet, the statistical methods used in the analysis were not standard and did not adjust adequately for clustering, so the effect may have been overestimated.

After the researchers who did the original study kindly supplied the data, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine's Dr Clemence Leyrat, expert in issues of small samples and non-compliance in cluster-randomized trials, and Dr John Bradley, expert in cluster-randomized trials, reanalysed the data and are part of the Cochrane review author team.

Dr Leyrat and Dr Bradley said: "To date there has been one small pilot trial of ivermectin. The statistical analysis of the trial was unsuitable, and the original publication overstated the amount of evidence it provided. With this reanalysis we show that the trial did not produce strong evidence that mass administration of ivermectin is useful in preventing malaria, leaving the question of its efficacy open. Fortunately, there are some larger trials in progress which will provide further evidence."

The one included study enrolled eight villages in Burkina Faso, which were randomly assigned to receive ivermectin or a control. All villages received ivermectin, as part of the scheduled control of lymphatic filariasis. In addition, the treatment villages received five more doses of ivermectin, once every three weeks. The effect of ivermectin on malaria was measured in children younger than five years of age. In these children, the treatment did not show a notable difference in the presence of malaria between the treatment and control groups. Following the review of the data from this study, the team summarized that they were uncertain whether community administration of ivermectin influenced malaria transmission.

Dr de Souza from the NMIMR commented, "There may be varied reasons for the observed lack of evidence. However, challenges to the use of ivermectin could be the duration of the reproductive cycle in mosquitoes, the mosquito behaviour, and the incubation period of malaria parasites in the mosquito. While the conditions for laboratory experiments are carefully controlled, there may be wide variations in the natural environment. As such, a short-term increase in mosquito mortality alone through ivermectin administration could slightly reduce the risk of malaria transmission but may not be sufficient for a sustained impact. Given the ivermectin half-life in the blood, maintaining a high enough ivermectin concentration over several days and weeks to kill any blood feeding, infective, mosquito will be key"

Senior author, Dr Joseph Okebe agreed: "Unfortunately, it is currently not possible to say if treating an entire community with ivermectin reduces malaria. However, several research studies are in progress and, as such, we anticipate they will provide more answers to this important question in the future".

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de Souza DK, Thomas R, Bradley J, Leyrat C, Boakye DA, Okebe J. Ivermectin treatment in humans for reducing malaria transmission.(link is external) Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2021, Issue 6. Art. No.: CD013117. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013117.pub2
Growing in popularity, unagi kabayaki - grilled freshwater eel in soy sauce - can be found on the menu of many Japanese restaurants, and is stocked by Asian shops and in specialist supermarkets. But new research tracing the DNA of eel fillets used for this dish has found that fraudulent food labelling is rife, with a third of the products violating EU regulations on the provision of food information. With certain species of eels now endangered, the researchers say that accurate labelling on these products is vital if the global eel trade is to be sustainable.

The European eel is a critically endangered species with trade strictly regulated, and import and export banned across the EU's external borders. While the researchers found little evidence of illegal trade in European eel in the products they examined, the prevalence of fraudulent labelling suggests that EU, and current UK, labelling requirements are insufficient.

"Only through DNA analysis were we able to demonstrate that more than ten percent of the unagi kabayaki fillets were prepared from species other than that indicated on the label" said Florian Stein, the lead author from the Technische Universitat Braunschweig in Germany. He added, "In times when eel trafficking is considered to be one of the biggest wildlife crimes and consumer awareness regarding the source of their products in general is increasing - the level of evident labelling fraud is alarming."

The origins and labelling of 108 unagi kabayaki products for sale in the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France and the UK were investigated by the researchers. Being prepared fillets covered in sauce, it was impossible to identify the species without molecular analysis. Taking DNA and cross-referencing this information with a global database meant that researchers could pinpoint the species involved and check the accuracy of each product label.

The researchers found that none of the products purchased in Europe were produced in Europe, all were imported from China and Taiwan. Each product contained the fillets of one type of eel, but in total four species were detected across the sample group, only one of which is found in Chinese waters. 73 samples were American eel, 33 Japanese eel, and a single sample of European eel and Indian shortfin eel were identified.

"The presence of eels originating from various parts of the world points at the global nature of the eel trade", said Vincent Nijman, Professor in Anthropology at Oxford Brookes University in the UK, and one of the authors of the paper.

"American eel is transported from the east coast of the US to southern China, where it is turned into eel fillets, these are then exported to the Netherlands from where they end up in UK supermarkets. At the same time, in another shop, also in the UK, you can buy similar looking fillets that are actually Indian eels imported from Germany, that also were processed in China but which originated from perhaps the Philippines".

The research paper says it is vital that the EU and the UK achieve straightforward labelling requirements that include the scientific name of the species, and that this is made mandatory for prepared and preserved fish products.

Andrew Kerr, Chairman of the Sustainable Eel Group in Brussels, who was not involved in the research, noted, "Eel is essentially a wild fish and finite - control is therefore an essential requirement for a sustainable global trade. Accurate and fully traceable labelling are in everyone's long term interests."

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Brian Clark, Ph.D., received a five-year, nearly $3 million National Institutes of Health grant to conduct a series of studies to better understand the mechanisms and clinical relevance of age-related changes in motor neuron excitability

ATHENS, Ohio (June 30, 2021) - Brian Clark, Ph.D., professor of physiology and neuroscience in Ohio University Heritage College of Osteopathic Medicine's Department of Biomedical Sciences, received a five-year, nearly $3 million National Institutes of Health (NIH) grant to conduct a series of animal and human studies to better understand the mechanisms and clinical relevance of age-related changes in motor neuron excitability.

The research will look at the role of the motor neuron, the final neuron that connects the nervous system with the muscle, in health and disease.

Clark, also executive director of the Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute and Osteopathic Heritage Foundation Harold E. Clybourne, D.O., Endowed Research Chair, is one of three principal investigators for the grant, alongside W. David Arnold, M.D., from the Department of Neurology at Ohio State University, and Sherif Elbasiouny, Ph.D., from the Department of Neuroscience, Cell Biology & Physiology at Wright State University.

Clark has been interested in this work since the late 1990s. Over the past few years, he has built connections and collaborated with Arnold and Elbasiouny over their shared interest of the motor neuron.

"All of us have deep interest in understanding the role of the motor neuron in health and disease. This connection between the nervous system and the muscle system has long been discussed as a potential culprit of age-related declines in motor function," Clark said. "So, as the three of us began talking more and more, we eventually decided to put together a large grant to investigate the mechanisms and clinical relevance of age-related changes in motor neuron excitability."

There are a large number of experiments that will take place over a five-year period. Animal studies will be conducted at Ohio State University and Wright State University, while the human experiments will be held at OHIO.

In the animal experiments, the team will look to establish a timeline across the lifespan in mice to identify when motor neurons become less excitable. Additionally, they will seek to determine if the hypothesized reductions in motor neuron excitability are associated with the death of motor neurons as well as loss of muscle strength and coordination. Experiments will also be performed to look at the mechanisms, such as which ion channels are responsible for reducing excitability, Clark noted.

The human studies will examine the clinical relevance of reductions in motor neuron excitability by looking at older adults. The main part of the study will be to record the electrical activity of muscles using a non-invasive array of surface electrodes and then using artificial intelligence algorithms to identify when individual motor neurons are firing.

"Based on the firing characteristics, we can obtain estimates of neuron excitability so that we can determine whether this is linked to things such as age-related weakness," Clark explained.

Co-investigators on the project include David Kline, Ph.D., a statistician from Ohio State, and Leatha Clark, DPT, a clinical research scientist from OHIO's Heritage College.

Leatha Clark, who has a background in engineering and physical therapy, will play a major role in working with individuals participating in the clinical study being conducted at OHIO, which involves performing numerous medical imaging and electrophysiology techniques.

"When we received the official notice of funding for the award, I think everyone from all three labs were grateful, excited and relieved. The preparation of the grant application took an extraordinary amount of time and coordination on the part of the three principal investigators," she said. "In addition, we were all so grateful to receive an award of this magnitude from the NIH in order to carry out this important work."

Brian Clark's overall goal in his research is to develop effective and implementable interventions that increase muscle function, such as muscle strength, motor control, fatigue-resistance and mobility in older adults.

"Our work has, for decades, suggested that the nervous system is critically involved in age-related loss of strength and mobility. This thinking, while well-accepted today, was not all that common back 10 years ago, as it was thought that the majority of losses were due to reduced muscle size," he said. "My hope for this forthcoming work is that we are able to identify potential underlying mechanisms for weakness and loss in function, as well as establish the clinical relevance, so that we can then examine the potential for various lifestyle interventions, such as exercise and/or neurotherapeutics to improve physical function."

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In the German population, a surprisingly high 6% of under-18s are at risk of cognitive decline, falls and more from the cumulative effect of anticholinergic medications such as antihistamines and antidepressants.

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Article Title: Anticholinergic burden: First comprehensive analysis using claims data shows large variation by age and sex

Funding: The authors received no external funding for this work.

Competing Interests: UH, OR, MB and JR are working at an independent, non-profit research institute, the Leibniz Institute for Prevention Research and Epidemiology - BIPS. Unrelated to this study, BIPS occasionally conducts studies financed by the pharmaceutical industry. Almost exclusively, these are post-authorization safety studies (PASS) requested by health authorities. The design and conduct of these studies as well as the interpretation and publication are not influenced by the pharmaceutical industry. The study presented was not funded by the pharmaceutical industry. The authors have no relevant financial or non-financial interests to disclose. Moreover, this does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials.
The deep sea Pacific Salas y Gomez and Nazca ridges are highly biodiverse and host unique fish and invertebrate taxa, according to video surveys.

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Article Title: Deep-sea biodiversity at the extremes of the Salas y Gomez and Nazca ridges with implications for conservation

Funding: The expeditions were funded by the National Geographic Society and Pristine Seas donors with support to AMF. Conservation International, the Paul M. Angell Family Foundation, Tom and Currie Barron, and Alan Eustace provided additional support to DW, WG and JG. The Chilean Millennium Science Initiative Program grant #NC120030 provided support to EEE. The funders provided support in the form of salaries for authors [AMF, WG, JG, EEE, DW], but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the 'author contributions' section.

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.
A city's street names can provide a glimpse into its cultural value system and a way to quantify cultural indicators, according to a study published June 30, 2021 in the open-access journal PLOS ONE by Melanie Bancilhon from Washington University in Saint Louis, U.S., and colleagues.

Ever since named streets have existed, they have been used as a form of social engineering, mirroring a town or city's social, cultural, political, and religious values. Building off this concept in what they term "streetonomics," Bancilhon and colleagues used street names as an alternative route to quantify cultural indicators in four influential Western cities: Paris, Vienna, London, and New York.

The authors used multiple open data sources to study 4,932 honorific streets (streets named for a person) across the four cities. Their analysis examined gender bias in street name honorees; when the honorees lived compared to the present; the most celebrated professions for honorees; and whether foreigners were recognized as street name honorees.

Vienna had the highest proportion of its streets named to honor a woman, at 54 percent; London came a relatively close second, at 40 percent. In New York, only 26 percent of all streets are named after women, and in Paris this proportion is even lower, at only 4 percent. Most streets in Paris are named after people who lived in the 1860s, when urban planner Haussman worked with Napoleon III to transform Paris into the capital city of an empire. In Vienna, most of the street honorees lived through the 1900s, when the city was expanding and rebuilding after WWI. In London, streets are named mostly after people who lived through the 1700s and 1800s, following growth after the Great Fire of London and large-scale interventions promoted by King George III. In New York, most streets honor people who lived through the 1950s to 2000s, with 36 percent named specifically for 9/11 victims and emergency responders. In terms of the types of professions held by street honorees, Paris streets honor artists, writers, scientists, and members of the military; Viennese streets also honor artists, as well as members of legal and social occupations. London's streets celebrate the British royal family, politicians, and military professionals predominantly, and New York's streets have consistently celebrated artists, as well as many civil servants honored post-9/11. Vienna was the city with the most streets named after foreigners, at 45 percent, followed far behind by London (14.6 percent) Paris (10.9 percent), and New York (3.2 percent).

The authors note their study has several limitations--perhaps most importantly, the open source data sources used in the analysis are themselves potentially biased. However, the implications of using this type of open data to study urban culture and track changes over time are wide, and suggest many different avenues for future work.

The authors add: "A new text mining approach is able to automatically link streets to information about their honorees, and study how a city's cultural values changed through space and time, revealing how intangible values encoded in street names such as gender biases evolved over the centuries."

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Citation: Bancilhon M, Constantinides M, Bogucka EP, Aiello LM, Quercia D (2021) Streetonomics: Quantifying culture using street names. PLoS ONE 16(6): e0252869. https:/ / doi. org/ 10. 1371/ journal. pone. 0252869

Funding: Nokia Bell Labs provided support in the form of salaries for authors [MC, LMA, DQ], but did not have any additional role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript. The specific roles of these authors are articulated in the 'author contributions' section.

Competing Interests: Nokia Bell Labs provided support in the form of salaries for authors [MC, LMA, DQ]. This does not alter our adherence to PLOS ONE policies on sharing data and materials
The virus that gives rise to COVID-19 is the third coronavirus to threaten humanity in the past two decades. It also happens to move more efficiently from person to person than either SARS or MERS did. The first African case of COVID-19 was diagnosed in Egypt in mid-February of 2020. Four weeks later, the first lockdowns began across Africa. Steven Schiff, Brush Chair Professor of Engineering at Penn State, who already had established research partnerships in Uganda, saw an opportunity for his team to apply what they were learning from their ongoing efforts to track and control infectious disease and provide countries such as Uganda with more information to help guide policy to mitigate the viral pandemic.

The result was a multi-country collaboration to develop a surveillance modeling tool that provides a weekly projection of expected COVID-19 cases in all African countries, based on current case data, population, economic status, current mitigation efforts and meteorological sensing from satellites. Developed in collaboration with Uganda's National Planning Authority (NPA), the country's senior organization for development and economic planning, the tool's COVID-19 projections use openly available data to provide a projection of cases, as well as lower and upper ranges to help the country decide if mitigation policies need to be implemented or modified.

The researchers published their approach today (June 29) in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America. The project was funded in part by the National Institutes of Health Director's Transformative Research Award, a grant awarded to Schiff in 2018 for his "high-risk, high-reward" approach to predictive, personalized public health (P3H).

Prediction guiding prevention in the face of a pandemic

"When the COVID-19 pandemic began, we had this unusual team of scientists hard at work on implementing P3H in Africa, and we thought that we had much we could contribute toward the fight against this new virus," said Schiff, who founded the Penn State Center for Neural Engineering and serves as a professor of engineering science and mechanics in the College of Engineering and of neurosurgery in the College of Medicine.

The team includes Paddy Ssentongo, assistant research professor of engineering science and mechanics. Ssentongo is originally from Uganda, where he earned a medical degree before moving to Penn State to complete a master of public health and a doctorate in epidemiology. He graduated this year.

"This pandemic has shown us that we need to put more emphasis on global public health -- especially in places with fragile health care systems, including many countries in Africa," Ssentongo said. "If we wait for people to get sick, we're already losing. The best thing we can do is prevention."

The researchers reached across disciplines to bring in experts -- from epidemiologists to meteorologists to economists -- on every factor influencing viral spread.

"We pulled together a large team to tackle what was necessary," said Schiff, who is also a researcher in the Penn State Neuroscience Institute. "The team consists of 19 people across four countries, plus many more individuals who contributed through discussions and support."

The complexity of mitigation

Equally important as understanding the number and location of people with active cases, according to Schiff, is understanding the importance of weather, geography and other factors, especially in developing countries where many people live and work in more exposed conditions than do people in industrialized countries.

"If a coastal country closes its borders, landlocked Uganda is likely going to see cases go up because they depend on the coastal countries for imports -- without the imports, people will move around and interact more to find work and food," Schiff said, noting that such changes in movement may create shifts in projections of new cases from neighboring countries versus internal cases. "You need information gathered in real-time on the virus, such as testing and lockdowns, as well as the other influencing factors such as the varied economic security of different countries and their health systems. Our strategy synthesizes all of these data across Africa to make surprisingly good projections of the expected number of cases based on how these factors interact and influence COVID transmission in the population."

Abraham J. B. Muwanguzi, paper co-author and manager of the science and technology department at the NPA, also serves as the principal investigator in Uganda on Schiff's NIH grant.

"We're working closely with the Ministry of Health to use the model in analyzing how the COVID trends are moving," Muwanguzi said. "In September and October of 2020, at the peak of COVID cases, the model projected an increase in cross-border cases, prompting the government to close our border. We had fewer cases than projected because we were able to mitigate a predicted source that was captured well in the model."

Muwanguzi also noted that the tool not only helps provide data for mitigation policies, but it also helps the country plan how to use its resources.

"For example, in March and April of this year, the model projected a tremendous drop in cases," Muwanguzi said. "Our hospital centers started emptying out -- there really were fewer cases. We could then scale down operations and reappropriate resources to other areas of need."

Yet, on June 18, Uganda entered a 42-day lockdown after the daily number of new cases increased from fewer than a hundred at the end of May to nearly 2,000. The week after the lockdown started, the model projected 11,222 new cases would be reported if no mitigation efforts were put in place.

"Unlike the previous wave where factors influencing the spread were mostly from outside the country, the current wave is influenced by internal factors," said Joseph Muvawala, executive director of NPA, in a column published by New Vision, a national newspaper in Uganda. "With these statistics, a total lockdown was inevitable, irrespective of the known economic consequences; human life is far too precious to lose."

According to Muvawala's column, the projected increases have helped Uganda better prepare their hospital centers by procuring enough supplies and planning to avoid overwhelming hospitals and health care workers.

However, Ssentongo warned, the model is only as good as the data provided to it.

"We hope other countries in Africa will not only use this tool, but also collaborate to make sure they are integrating data in terms of testing and reporting cases," Ssentongo said. "The tool is a roadmap to tell a country how the pandemic is evolving and where the country is going. It's successful if the country sees the projections, implements mitigation efforts and sees a lower number of actual cases."

Global benefit of global collaboration

According to Schiff, their findings clearly demonstrate the advantages of inter-country cooperation in pandemic control.

"This is a crisis that no single country can fully manage on its own," Schiff said.

The researchers plan to continue updating the tool with more information as it becomes available, as well as implement data regarding vaccinations as they become more available in Africa. It is available freely online.

"One of the limitations of doing science is that you can do clever work, publish in a good journal that is reviewed by your peers, but it is still difficult to translate the work into effective policy," Schiff said. "We wanted to implement this tool to do good and help save lives. We could never have accomplished this without the close collaboration with our African colleagues in Uganda. It was critical to make sure this was a framework that people who make policy can use and apply in their work -- that's what makes this valuable."

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Schiff is also affiliated with the Huck Institutes for Life Sciences' Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics and the Department of Physics at Penn State. Other contributors include co-first authors Claudio Fronterre, Centre for Health Informatics, Computing and Statistics, Lancaster University, United Kingdom, and Andrew Geronimo, Department of Neurosurgery, Penn State College of Medicine; Helen Greatrex, Steven J. Greybush and Yan Wang, Penn State Department of Meteorology and Atmospheric Science; Pamela K. Mbabazi, Joseph Muvawala, Sarah B. Nahalamba and Philip O. Omadi, National Planning Authority, Uganda; Bernard T. Opar, Ministry of Health, Uganda; Shamim A. Sinnar, Penn State Department of Medicine, Penn State College of Medicine; and Michael M. Norton, Penn State Center for Neural Engineering, Penn State Department of Engineering Science and Mechanics; Andrew J. Whalen, Massachusetts General Hospital Department of Neurosurgery and Harvard Medical School; Leonhard Held, Epidemiology, Biostatistics and Prevention Institute, University of Zurich, Switzerland; and Christopher Jewell and Peter Diggle, Centre for Health Informatics, Computing and Statistics, Lancaster University, United Kingdom.

The U.S. NIH Director's Transformative Award and the Coronavirus Research Seed Fund from Penn State's Institute for Computational and Data Sciences and the Huck Institute for Life Sciences supported this work.
New Brunswick, N.J. (June 28, 2021) - Rutgers researchers have developed a machine learning model using a physics-based simulator and real-world meteorological data to better predict offshore wind power.

The findings appear in the journal Applied Energy.

Offshore wind is rapidly maturing into a major source of renewable energy worldwide and is projected to grow by 13% in the next two decades and 15-fold by 2040 to become a $1 trillion industry, matching capital spending on gas- and coal-fired power generation. In the United States, for instance, New York and New Jersey recently awarded two offshore wind energy contracts to help achieve their targets of renewable energy integration.

"We're entering a new age of the offshore wind energy revolution," said senior author Ruo-Qian (Roger) Wang, an assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Rutgers University-New Brunswick. "The key to support this growth is to develop reliable tools to assess and better predict offshore wind turbine performance in order to improve project planning and support operations and maintenance. The 2019 Hornsea offshore wind farm blackout in England and 2021 Texas power crisis illustrate the urgent need to develop powerful models to estimate and predict the environmental uncertainty of wind power generation."

Power curve, or the relationship that governs the conversion of weather variables experienced by a wind turbine into electric power, is widely used in the wind industry to estimate power output for planning and operational purposes. But current methods for power curve estimation have limitations, including relying mostly on wind speed and ignoring other environmental factors, and largely overlooking the complex marine environment in which offshore turbines operate.

In their study, the Rutgers researchers designed a sensitivity analysis framework to reveal and predict the major factors contributing to the environmental uncertainty of offshore wind power generation. Driving this sensitivity analysis is a machine learning model, which fuses the outputs from a physics-based simulator with real-world meteorological data collected from a set of buoys deployed off of New Jersey. The buoys are located near at least three future offshore wind projects, which cumulatively are expected to add about 2.8 gigawatts to the U.S. offshore wind capacity by 2024.

"To the best of our knowledge, the proposed modeling framework is the first to investigate the impact of up to seven environmental variables, including wind- and wave-related factors, on offshore wind power generation," Aziz Ezzat, a co-author and assistant professor of Industrial and Systems Engineering at Rutgers said. "The framework investigates the effect of the variations in the offshore environment on the performance of the state-of-the-art 15 megawatt offshore turbine design, which is envisioned to be installed off of New Jersey and other U.S. states in the near future."

The team's analysis revealed that waves play an important, if not the most important, role in predicting the second moment of wind power, i.e., its variation around the mean generation level. The researchers also found that integrating several environmental variables can significantly improve predicting power output with high accuracy.

"Tested on real-world data from the New York and New Jersey sites, our analysis framework can improve accuracy by up to 91% over the traditional industrial standard for wind power estimation, which relies on wind speed as the sole environmental input," Wang said. "The significantly higher accuracy of our multi-input power estimation model calls upon the research community and practitioners in the offshore wind industry to shift their focus towards multi-input power estimation/prediction modeling tools, especially in complex marine environments."

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ABOUT RUTGERS--NEW BRUNSWICK

Rutgers University-New Brunswick is where Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, began more than 250 years ago. Ranked among the world's top 60 universities, Rutgers's flagship is a leading public research institution and a member of the prestigious Association of American Universities. It has an internationally acclaimed faculty, 12 degree-granting schools and the Big Ten Conference's most diverse student body.
Oak Brook, IL - The July edition of SLAS Discovery is a Special Edition featuring the cover article, "Development of a High-Throughput Screening Assay to Identify Inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 Guanine-N7-Methyltransferase Using RapidFire Mass Spectrometry" by Lesley-Anne Pearson, Charlotte J. Green, Ph.D., De Lin, Ph.D., Alain-Pierre Petit, Ph.D., David W. Gray, Ph.D., Victoria H. Cowling, Ph.D., and Euan A. F. Fordyce, Ph.D., (Drug Discovery Unit, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, UK).

In January 2021, a survey of immunologists, infectious-disease researchers and virologists found that 90% of respondents believe SARS-CoV-2 will become endemic, continuing to circulate in pockets of the global population for years to come. Even as vaccines are becoming more widely available, there are people who either do not respond to the treatment or are not suitable for vaccination. There is a critical need to develop small molecule inhibitors for this pathogen.

The cover article highlights the work of the Drug Discovery Unit at the University of Dundee (Dundee, Scotland, UK) reporting on the development of a high-throughput biochemical assay to assess the impact of small molecules on the methyltransferase activity of SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 14 (nsp14). This enzyme is responsible for the N7-methylation of the cap at the 5' end of viral RNA and is critical in helping coronaviruses evade host defenses. The label-free MS-based assay developed was used to screen a library of 1771 FDA-approved drugs. The chemical hits that were identified may serve as starting points for drug discovery programs aimed at delivering therapeutics for the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The July issue of SLAS Discovery includes four articles of original research.

These include:

Development of a Novel Label-Free and High-Throughput Arginase-1 Assay Using Self-Assembled Monolayer Desorption Ionization Mass Spectrometry

A Solid Supported Membrane-Based Technology for Electrophysical Screening of B0 AT1-Modulating Compounds

Characterization of Transport Activity of SLC11 Transporters in Xenopus laevis Oocytes by Fluorophore Quenching

High-Throughput Phenotypic Assay for Compounds That Influence Mitochondrial Health Using iPSC-Derived Human Neurons

Other articles include:

Development of a High-Throughput Screening Assay to Identify Inhibitors of the SARS-CoV-2 Guanine-N7-Methyltransferase Using RapidFire Mass Spectrometry

A High-Throughput Radioactivity-Based Assay for Screening SARS-CoV-2 nsp10-nsp16 Complex

Label-Free Screening of SARS-CoV-2 NSP14 Exonuclease Activity Using SAMDI Mass Spectrometry

A Quantitative Bioassay to Determine the Inhibitory Potency of NGF-TrkA Antagonists

Access to July's SLAS Discovery issue is available at https:/ / journals. sagepub. com/ toc/ jbxb/ current .

For more information about SLAS and its journals, visit https:/ / www. slas. org/ publications/ slas-discovery/ Access a "behind the scenes" look at the latest issue with SLAS Discovery Author Insights podcast. Tune in by visiting https:/ / www. buzzsprout. com/ 1099559 .

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SLAS (Society for Laboratory Automation and Screening) is an international professional society of academic, industry and government life sciences researchers and the developers and providers of laboratory automation technology. The SLAS mission is to bring together researchers in academia, industry and government to advance life sciences discovery and technology via education, knowledge exchange and global community building.

SLAS Discovery: Advancing the Science of Drug Discovery, 2019 Impact Factor 2.195. Editor-in-Chief Robert M. Campbell, Ph.D., Twentyeight-Seven Therapeutics, Boston, MA (USA).

SLAS Technology: Translating Life Sciences Innovation, 2019 Impact Factor 2.174. Editor-in-Chief Edward Kai-Hua Chow, Ph.D., National University of Singapore (Singapore).
A new study shows that colleges students are experiencing significant grief reactions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The paper, "College Student Experiences of Grief and Loss Amid the COVID-19 Global Pandemic," was recently published in OMEGA - Journal of Death and Dying.

"This study aimed to identify the most common non-death losses and grief reactions experienced by undergraduate and graduate college students amid the pandemic," said author Erica H. Sirrine, Ph.D., director of Social Work at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. "What we found is that students across the U.S., even those who may not have experienced a COVID-related death, still reported a considerable number of losses and grief reactions, including avoidance and loss of control. This presents a need for practitioners to provide additional support to college students, especially those who experienced cumulative losses during the pandemic."

Sirrine, a clinical social worker and grief expert, led this research while serving as dean of the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences at Southeastern University in Lakeland, Florida.

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Bioplastics -- biodegradable plastics made from biological substances rather than petroleum -- can be created in a more economical and environmentally friendly way from the byproducts of corn stubble, grasses and mesquite agricultural production, according to a new study by a Texas A&M AgriLife Research scientist.

green tractor pulling a red cart through a field of bioenergy sorghum that is taller than the tractor

A bioenergy sorghum crop is harvested near College Station. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)

This new approach involves a "plug-in" preconditioning process, a simple adjustment for biofuel refineries, said Joshua Yuan, Ph.D., AgriLife Research scientist, professor and chair of Synthetic Biology and Renewable Products in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Department of Plant Pathology. These "plug-in" technologies allow for optimization of sustainable, cost-effective lignin -- the key component of bioplastics used in food packaging and other everyday items.

The $2.4 million project is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Bioenergy Technologies Office. The research has recently been published in Nature Communications.

Yuan and researchers are submitting next-phase requests for additional project funding.

An adaptable process

head shot of a man in glasses - Joshua Yuan. Joshua Yuan, Ph.D. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo)

Efficient extraction and use of lignin is a major challenge for biofuel refineries, Yuan said.

"Our process takes five conventional pretreatment technologies and modifies them to produce biofuel and plastics together at a lower cost."

Yuan's research builds on previous work investigating enhanced extraction methods for lignin.

The new method, named "plug-in preconditioning processes of lignin," or PIPOL, can be directly added into current biorefineries and is not cost prohibitive, Yuan said. PIPOL is designed to integrate dissolving, conditioning and fermenting lignin, turning it into energy and making it easily adaptable to biorefinery designs.

Bioeconomy 'a federal priority'

Yuan said the bioeconomy and biomanufacturing sectors are a federal priority as the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy points to bioeconomy infrastructure, innovation, products, technology and data to enhance U.S. economic growth.

a picture of a sorghum head after seeds were removed as well as a stock and a small glass container with seed in it

A high-yielding perennial sorghum forage hybrid can be used as a feedstock to create bioplastics in a more economical and environmentally friendly way. (Texas A&M AgriLife photo by Kay Ledbetter)

The bioeconomy supports some 285,000 jobs and generates $48 billion in annual revenue.

"Innovation is the key to achieving growth and a more widespread use of biodegradable plastics. Lignocellulosic biorefinery commercialization is hindered by limited value-added products from biomass, lack of lignin utilization for fungible products and overall low-value output with ethanol as primary products," he said. "This recent discovery will make significant strides to overcome some of these challenges."

Yuan also touted the research for its environmentally friendly aspects.

"We are producing over 300 million tons of plastics each year," he said. "It's critical to replace those with biodegradable plastics. This work provides a path to produce bioplastics from common agriculture waste like [that from production of] corn and other grasses and wood.

"We think this research is very industrially relevant and could only help enable the biorefinery and polymer industries to [attain] greater efficiencies and economic opportunity."

The role of agriculture byproducts

AgriLife Research and the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences share a commitment to seek solutions through science to solve environmental challenges. Their research has already found that sustainable products such as mesquite and high-tonnage sorghum can be used as feedstock for biofuel production.

Agricultural byproducts such as corn stubble and other grasses are alternative feedstock sources for biofuel plants, Yuan said. These create potential new revenue streams for farmers as well as the transportation sector that transports harvested feedstock and byproduct crops to refinery operations.

"We have shown that bioplastics from lignocellulosic biorefineries can be more economically beneficial, which opens new avenues to use agricultural waste to produce biodegradable plastics," Yuan said. "The discovery will mitigate global climate changes via replacing fossil fuel and nondegradable plastics by renewable and biodegradable plastics."

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Levelling up access to finance so that poorer countries can afford the funds needed to switch to renewable energy could see regions like Africa reaching net zero emissions a decade earlier, according to a study led by UCL researchers

Levelling up access to finance so that poorer countries can afford the funds needed to switch to renewable energy could see regions like Africa reaching net zero emissions a decade earlier, according to a study led by UCL researchers.

Access to finance (credit) is vital for the green energy transition needed to reduce global greenhouse gas emissions, as laid out in the Paris Agreement. But access to low-cost finance is uneven, with the cost of securing capital to help reach net zero differing substantially between regions.

Modelling created for the study, Higher cost of finance exacerbates a climate investment trap in developing economies, published in Nature Communications, shows the road to decarbonisation for developing economies is disproportionately impacted by differences in the weighted average cost of capital (WACC). This is a financial ratio used to calculate how much a company or organisation pays to finance its operations, whether through debt, equity or both. The lower the value, the easier the company or government can access funds.

In the case of Africa, and a scenario where global warming this century is kept at 2C, researchers calculated that current unfavourable WACC values will stunt the region's green electricity production by 35%.

The study is a collaboration between researchers from the UCL Institute of Sustainable Resources and the UCL Energy Institute, both of which sit with in UCL's Bartlett Faculty of the Built Environment. It makes the case for policy interventions to lower WACC values for low-carbon technologies by 2050. This would allow Africa to reach net-zero emissions approximately 10 years earlier than if reductions in the cost of capital are not considered, so 2058 rather than 2066.

It describes the 'climate investment trap' that developing economies are faced with when climate-related investments remain chronically insufficient. These regions of the world already pay a high cost of finance for low-carbon investments, delaying the energy system transition and the reduction of emissions. Yet, unchecked climate change would lead to greater impacts in these regions, raising the cost of capital and discouraging investment even further. The trap is so binding in itself that poorer countries will struggle to escape it - especially in the aftermath of COVID-19 and its impact on their economies.

While developing economies require the bulk of low-carbon investment, and developed countries are where the most financial capital is, the former currently appear to be left out by the main current sustainable finance efforts and initiatives.

The authors of the report suggest that radical changes are needed such as helping to underwrite the perceived greater risks of low carbon investments in such regions.' So that capital is more equitably distributed and all regions, not just those in the global north, can afford to work towards net zero at the rate needed to tackle climate change for the benefit of everyone.

International organisations such as the IMF, investors and policymakers can all take responsibility for lowering the costs of capital in Africa.

Lead author Dr Nadia Ameli (UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources) said: "Our research shows how earlier action to improve financing conditions could have a significant impact on the speed and timing of the transition to renewable energy in lower and middle-income countries which, in turn, will significantly help to protect our planet.

"We don't believe it is fair that regions where people are already losing their lives and livelihoods because of the severe impacts of climate change also have to pay a high cost of finance to switch to renewables. Radical changes in finance frameworks are needed to better allocate capital to the regions that most need it. We should take the opportunity to reframe international market finance, where lower cost of capital for developing economies would allow for low-carbon development at a more internationally equitable cost. The sooner we act the better."

Co-author Professor Michael Grubb (UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources) said: "There is a growing belief that, with the dramatic decline in the global average cost of renewable, it will be much easier for the developing world to decarbonise. Our analysis shows that major obstacles remain, particularly given the difficulties that many of these countries have in accessing capital on the same terms. Appropriate international financial support remains vital to accelerate global decarbonisation."

Co-author Dr Hugues Chenet (UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources) said: "Our analysis shows the additional difficulty for least developed economies to access capital to finance their decarbonation. Sadly, we see that these countries are literally left aside by new sustainable finance policy frameworks such as the European Union Sustainable Finance Action Plan, which ignores parts of the world that need it most."

Co-author Dr Matt Winning (UCL Institute for Sustainable Resources) said: "Often developing economies are simply disadvantaged when it comes to decarbonisation simply because they are that, developing. Even with abundant renewable resources, developing region capital costs can be higher simply because of the risks involved in investing there. Our results show that policies to achieve a more level playing field for climate finance for those economies can make a significant impact."

Earlier this month UCL and University of Exeter academics joined with the International Centre for Climate Change and Development (ICCCAD) to launch a 1.5 Degree Charter to highlight to global leaders how breaching the 1.5?C target for warming this century, outlined in the Paris Agreement, will cost far more than paying poorer nations to help reach it.

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Notes to Editors

For more information, embargoed copies of the paper, or to speak to the researchers involved, please contact:

Jane Bolger, UCL Media Relations. T: +44 (0)20 3108 9040 /+44 (0)7713 261 477 E: j.bolger[at]ucl.ac.uk

The paper Higher cost of finance exacerbates a climate investment trap in developing economies is published in Nature Communications

The DOI for this paper will be 10.1038/s41467-021-24305-3

It is available to view online at http://www. nature. com/ ncomms .

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Researchers at the University of Arizona believe the liver may hold the key to new, preventative Type 2 diabetes treatments

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin, a scientific breakthrough that transformed Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, from a terminal disease into a manageable condition.

Today, Type 2 diabetes is 24 times more prevalent than Type 1. The rise in rates of obesity and incidence of Type 2 diabetes are related and require new approaches, according to University of Arizona researchers, who believe the liver may hold the key to innovative new treatments.

"All current therapeutics for Type 2 diabetes primarily aim to decrease blood glucose. So, they are treating a symptom, much like treating the flu by decreasing the fever," said Benjamin Renquist, an associate professor in the UArizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and BIO5 Institute member. "We need another breakthrough."

In two newly published papers in Cell Reports, Renquist, along with researchers from Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Pennsylvania and Northwestern University, outline a new target for Type 2 diabetes treatment.

Renquist, whose research lab aims to address obesity-related diseases, has spent the last nine years working to better understand the correlation between obesity, fatty liver disease and diabetes, particularly how the liver affects insulin sensitivity.

"Obesity is known to be a cause of Type 2 diabetes and, for a long time, we have known that the amount of fat in the liver increases with obesity," Renquist said. "As fat increases in the liver, the incidence of diabetes increases."

This suggested that fat in the liver might be causing Type 2 Diabetes, but how fat in the liver could cause the body to become resistant to insulin or cause the pancreas to over-secrete insulin remained a mystery, Renquist said.

Renquist and his collaborators focused on fatty liver, measuring neurotransmitters released from the liver in animal models of obesity, to better understand how the liver communicates with the brain to influence metabolic changes seen in obesity and diabetes.

"We found that fat in the liver increased the release of the inhibitory neurotransmitter Gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA," Renquist said. "We then identified the pathway by which GABA synthesis was occurring and the key enzyme that is responsible for liver GABA production - GABA transaminase."

A naturally occurring amino acid, GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, meaning it decreases nerve activity.

Nerves provide a conduit by which the brain and the rest of the body communicate. That communication is not only from the brain to other tissues, but also from tissues back to the brain, Renquist explained.

"When the liver produces GABA, it decreases activity of those nerves that run from the liver to the brain. Thus, fatty liver, by producing GABA, is decreasing firing activity to the brain," Renquist said. "That decrease in firing is sensed by the central nervous system, which changes outgoing signals that affect glucose homeostasis."

To determine if increased liver GABA synthesis was causing insulin resistance, graduate students in Renquist's lab, Caroline Geisler and Susma Ghimire, pharmacologically inhibited liver GABA transaminase in animal models of Type 2 diabetes.

"Inhibition of excess liver GABA production restored insulin sensitivity within days," said Geisler, now a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pennsylvania and lead author on the papers. "Longer term inhibition of GABA-transaminase resulted in decreased food intake and weight loss."

Researchers wanted to ensure the findings would translate to humans. Kendra Miller, a research technician in Renquist's lab, identified variations in the genome near GABA transaminase that were associated with Type 2 diabetes. Collaborating with investigators at Washington University, the researchers showed that in people with insulin resistance, the liver more highly expressed genes involved in GABA production and release.

The findings are the foundation of an Arizona Biomedical Research Commission-funded clinical trial currently underway at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis with collaborator Samuel Klein, co-author on the study and a Washington University professor of medicine and nutritional science. The trial will investigate the use of a commercially available Food and Drug Administration-approved inhibitor of GABA transaminase to improve insulin sensitivity in people who are obese.

"A novel pharmacological target is just the first step in application; we are years away from anything reaching the neighborhood pharmacy," Renquist said. "The magnitude of the obesity crisis makes these promising findings an important first step that we hope will eventually impact the health of our family, friends and community."

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A 14 million investment will help massively scale up research into chronic pain to improve outcomes for the many people living with painful and debilitating conditions, such as lower back pain.

This is a joint and equal investment from UKRI and the charity Versus Arthritis. For UKRI, the initiative is led by the Medical Research Council, with support from the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC) and Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).

A new Advanced Pain Discovery Platform will see four new research consortia and a national chronic pain data hub established. The University of Bath will lead one of the consortia - a four-year project worth 3.8 million focusing on the psychosocial aspect of chronic pain.

This consortium involves researchers from the universities of Bath, Bath Spa, Bristol, Cardiff, Keele, Royal Holloway, University College London, and the University of the West of England.

They will study the psychological and social factors that influence people's experience of pain. To date, our understanding of their relative importance is limited; nor do we know how psychosocial factors influence biological signals of pain.

Consortium lead and principal investigator, Professor Ed Keogh of the Bath Centre for Pain Research at the University of Bath, explained: "Chronic pain is incredibly common and can be highly debilitating. With one in five of us experiencing chronic pain, this new research funding provides a much needed and timely opportunity to understand better how chronic pain develops and is maintained.

"Pain is a highly complex topic and this funding will enable us to conduct transformative research. Not only does it allow us to research the mechanisms underpinning chronic pain in more detail, but it also enables us to work together collaboratively across different institutions and with colleagues across the UK. Greater understanding will ultimately help us to develop better ways of treating and managing pain."

Researchers will focus on how people think and feel about their own pain, how other people affect their pain experiences, and the wider social and environmental influences. At each stage of the project researchers will work with and be guided by the experiences of people living with pain, one of whom is Colin Wilkinson.

He added: "Getting a deeper understanding of the links between the ways we think and feel, the world around us and pain will help us learn how to break the vicious circles that prolong and worsen people's pain. In this consortium, researchers are working together with people who live with pain every step of the way. That partnership means what we learn will be grounded in what it means to live with pain every day, so it's much more powerful in pointing the way to better solutions for pain."

Dr Neha Issar-Brown, Director of Research at Versus Arthritis explained: "We are delighted to be supporting Professor Keogh and colleagues to deliver this consortium as part of the ground-breaking Advanced Pain Discovery Platform (APDP).

"We know that millions of people live in chronic pain every day, a vast majority of whom have musculoskeletal conditions such as arthritis. For many of them current treatments are not effective. People living with pain have told us that pain is complex and multidimensional.

"Research into pain needs to reflect this and understanding more about the psychological and social factors that are important in chronic pain is critical to improve our understanding of the underlying biological mechanisms, holistically, to lead the way to more innovative treatments. I'm confident that research funded through the APDP initiative will help transform the lives of people affected by chronic pain."

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Male jackdaws don't stick around to console their mate after a traumatic experience, new research shows.

Jackdaws usually mate for life and, when breeding, females stay at the nest with eggs while males gather food.

Rival males sometimes visit the nest and attack the lone female, attempting to mate by force.

In the new study, University of Exeter researchers expected males to console their partner after these incidents by staying close and engaging in social behaviours like preening their partner's feathers.

However, males focussed on their own safety - they still brought food to the nest, but they visited less often and spent less time with the female.

"Humans often console friends or family in distress, but it's unclear whether animals do this in the wild," said Beki Hooper, of the Centre for Ecology and Conservation on Exeter's Penryn Campus in Cornwall.

"Previous studies have found consolation-like behaviour in some animals, but there is often another explanation - other than consolation - that could motivate this.

"We designed this study to rule out other explanations, so we could find out whether jackdaws, which have complex social lives and life-long partnerships, would console each other.

"We found that male jackdaws could detect their partner's distress, but did not console them.

"The decreased time males spent in the nest after an attack may be for self-preservation, where they respond to distress in their partner by avoiding the nest, a potential place of danger.

"Further work is needed to figure out why exactly males responded as they did, though."

The research team used both experimental nest "visits" of rival males - playing the sounds of an approaching male to a female alone at the nest - and recordings of males attacking nesting females in the wild.

Females became agitated after such experiences, and their returning mates clearly sensed this as their behaviour changed - decreasing "affiliative" behaviour and visiting the nest less regularly afterwards.

"Jackdaw pairs depend on each other for survival and reproduction, so based on current theory we would expect to see consolation after a traumatic event," said Dr Alex Thornton.

"The absence of consolation is striking, and it challenges common conceptions about where consolation should evolve.

"It also chimes with concerns that current theory may be influenced by anthropomorphic (attributing human characteristics to animals) expectations of how social relationships work.

"To properly understand such social behaviour among animals, we need to take account of the dangers and trade-offs they face in the wild."

Jackdaws are an extremely sociable and intelligent corvid species, with a similar number of neurons in their brains to nonhuman primates.

They show impressive levels of social intelligence, such as individual human recognition, and the ability to socially learn from group members about dangerous people.

The paper, published in the journal Royal Society Open Science, is entitled: "Wild jackdaws respond to their partner's distress, but not with consolation."

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CHAMPAIGN, Ill. -- The chance of detecting the virus that causes COVID-19 increases with more frequent testing, no matter the type of test, a new study found. Both polymerase chain reaction and antigen tests, paired with rapid results reporting, can achieve 98% sensitivity if deployed at least every three days.

"This study shows that frequent testing can be really effective at catching COVID-19 infections and potentially blocking transmission," said study leader Christopher Brooke, a virologist and professor of microbiology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. "There are many places where vaccination is not yet widespread. With the rise of variants, testing remains an important tool for blocking the spread of the virus."

Part of the Rapid Acceleration of Diagnostics Tech program of the National Institutes of Health, the study brought together researchers at Illinois; the University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester; Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore; and the NIH National Institute of Biomedical Imaging and Bioengineering. The researchers published their results in the Journal of Infectious Diseases.

Students and employees at the U. of I. who had tested positive for COVID-19 or were identified as close contacts of a person who tested positive were invited to participate. Because of the SHIELD Illinois screening program, which required students and employees to take multiple saliva-based tests each week and returned results in less than 24 hours, the university provided an ideal location for identifying cases before they became symptomatic, the researchers said.

The 43 study participants received three tests daily for 14 days: a PCR nasal swab, a PCR saliva test and an antigen nasal swab. The results of each were compared with live viral cultures taken from the PCR nasal swab, which show when a person is actively infectious. The study also examined how the frequency of testing affected each method's efficacy at detecting an infection.

"Different tests have different advantages and limitations. Antigen tests are fast and cheap, but they are not as sensitive as PCR tests. PCR are the gold standard, but they take some time to return results and are more expensive," said Rebecca Lee Smith, a professor of epidemiology at Illinois and the first author of the study. "This study was to show, based on real data, which test is best under which circumstances and for what purpose."

The results showed that the PCR tests - particularly saliva-based ones - were best at detecting cases before the person had an infectious viral load, a key to isolating individuals before they can spread the virus, Smith said. For all three methods, testing every three days had 98% sensitivity to detecting infection.

If that testing frequency declined to once a week, the PCR methods maintained their high sensitivity but the antigen tests dropped to around 80%. That means organizations that wish to deploy antigen testing as part of a reopening strategy or individuals who wish to monitor their status at home should use antigen tests multiple times each week to achieve similar results to PCR testing, the researchers said.

"This work also shows how the PCR and antigen tests could be used in combination," Smith said. "For example, I work with a lot of school districts, helping them to plan for fall, since vaccines are not yet available to those under 12 years old. If a student had a known exposure or comes to school symptomatic, give them both tests. Antigen tests are really good at finding those highly infectious people, so that can tell administrators right away if the child needs to be sent home, rather than waiting 24 hours for PCR results. If the antigen test is negative, the PCR test is a backup, as it may detect the infection earlier than an antigen test would, before the student becomes contagious."

The results of the study helped inform the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's recommendations and instructions on how to use at-home antigen tests that recently received emergency use authorization. The researchers said they hope the results assist schools, businesses and other organizations as they reopen.

"If you are in a situation where you have the resources and capacity to do large-scale PCR testing with rapid results reporting like we did here at Illinois, you can identify infections early and potentially isolate people before they become contagious," Brooke said. "In places where PCR testing is not readily available or rapid results reporting is not possible, but the cheaper and more rapid tests are available, our data show how those tests can be deployed in a way that can increase their sensitivity - through repeated serial testing, ideally three times a week or more."

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The study was conducted with support from the NIH RADx-Tech program under grant U54 HL143541-02S2.

Editor's notes: To reach Christopher Brooke, email cbrooke@illinois.edu. To reach Rebecca Smith, email rlsdvm@illinois.edu.

The paper "Longitudinal assessment of diagnostic test performance over the course of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection" is available online. DOI:10.1093/jid/jiab337
University of Leeds news Embargo: Wednesday 30 June, 7pm GMT Bereavement care lacking for ethnic minorities Grieving friends and relatives from ethnic minority backgrounds are suffering from a lack of appropriate help to cope with the loss of a loved one, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic, researchers say. And the scarcity of data on the services that are available means providers do not know how support should be delivered to ensure they are suitable for different groups of people. The researchers, led by the University of Leeds and the University of Sheffield, reviewed evidence on UK bereavement care for ethnic minority communities to determine how easy it was to access, what it looked like, and what the outcomes were. They say people representing those communities need to be involved when services are developed and delivered to ensure that groups get the support they need. Senior author and research co-lead Dr Matthew Allsop, from the School of Medicine, said: "The increased risks from covid-19 among minority ethnic groups prompted this review. We were keen to understand what research had been conducted that could inform how bereavement care should be delivered for people during the pandemic. We found a stark lack of evidence focusing on people from minority ethnic groups with only seven studies published over the last 25 years. "The limited studies highlighted multiple challenges faced in accessing bereavement care. There is an urgent need for research and evidence to understand how bereavement support can be developed to ensure they meet the specific needs and preferences of different minority ethnic groups." The team reviewed feedback about bereavement services between 1995 and 2020,which was provided by bereaved adults and children from UK ethnic minority populations, and people grieving the death of a person from an ethnic minority group. Ethnic minorities include White minorities, such as Gypsy, Roma and Irish Traveller groups. Services reviewed included hospital-based palliative care teams, hospital based neonatal teams, and community support. Healthcare workers surveyed included doctors, nurses, chaplains and unspecified participants in UK neonatal units. Seven studies were included, comprising 721 participants who completed surveys and took part in interviews and focus groups. The review revealed a lack of awareness about bereavement care for ethnic minority communities among health professionals, while access to interpreters was variable, as was availability of psychological support. Two thirds of palliative care teams surveyed did not provide any form of bereavement support. Support offered was not always needed or suitable for ethnic minority communities, with 17 or 18 participants in one study saying their family was their main source of support. Help from friends, neighbours and religious communities was also common. And one study showed personal faith and support from a religious leader was more important for bereaved people from a black Caribbean background than for people from white backgrounds. One study revealed that other methods of support, like a memorial service, had a strong Christian theme, which may have precluded those from other faiths or cultures from attending. Practical legal and financial support was often recognised to be needed rather than specialist interventions. One study showed black Caribbean respondents were more likely to be affected by these concerns than white respondents - and anxiety and depression was more prevalent among the black Caribbean respondents in this study. One study described the significant financial difficulties experienced by half of the 19 Bangladeshi participants after a death, with trying to meet the costs of transporting the deceased back to Bangladesh given as an example. Romany Gypsy and Traveller respondents described a cultural practice of not speaking about bereavement within the close-knit community, which researchers say can potentially increase the risk of poor mental health following significant loss or bereavement. Among this group there is reported stigma and shame associated with mental health illness, including bereavement related depression, resulting in a reluctance to seek formal support. The paper, Bereavement care for ethnic minority communities: A systematic review of access to, models of, outcomes from, and satisfaction with, service provision, is published today in PLOS ONE. The researchers say healthcare policy makers should now work with ethnic minority groups to design the most appropriate models and formats of bereavement care that meet their needs and preferences. This will improve the understanding of the role of family, friends and existing support systems, and begin to develop the evidence base underpinning current provision. First author and research co-lead Dr Catriona Mayland, from the University of Sheffield, said: "There is a need to understand the role in bereavement care played by families, friends, faith and community-based support groups. Additionally, it is only by adopting a true partnership approach that we can understand what type, and in what way, bereavement care should be provided. "This will enable better support for those experiencing grief from ethnic minority communities.' Further information For media enquiries contact University of Leeds press officer Lauren Ballinger via l.ballinger.leeds.ac.uk. Partner institutions included University of Sheffield and Imperial College London. University of Leeds The University of Leeds is one of the largest higher education institutions in the UK, with more than 38,000 students from more than 150 different countries, and a member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. The University plays a significant role in the Turing, Rosalind Franklin and Royce Institutes. We are a top ten university for research and impact power in the UK, according to the 2014 Research Excellence Framework, and are in the top 100 of the QS World University Rankings 2021. The University was awarded a Gold rating by the Government's Teaching Excellence Framework in 2017, recognising its 'consistently outstanding' teaching and learning provision. Twenty-six of our academics have been awarded National Teaching Fellowships - more than any other institution in England, Northern Ireland and Wales - reflecting the excellence of our teaching. http://www. leeds. ac. uk Follow University of Leeds or tag us in to coverage: Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Instagram

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Published in American Political Science Review, the article analyses two million parliamentary speeches delivered in the lower houses of parliament in the UK (between 2001 and 2019) and Ireland (between 2002 and 2013)

Politicians use emotional resources in their speeches in parliament depending on the type of debate and use emotive rhetoric strategically and selectively, mainly to attract voters. This is one of the main conclusions of a study published in the journal American Political Science Review (APSR) involving Toni Rodon, a professor with the UPF Department of Political and Social Sciences and member of the Research Group on Institutions and Political Actors, together with Moritz Osnabrugge (Durham University, as first author) and Sara B. Hobolt (London School of Economics and Political Science).

"Our research provides evidence that incentives to attract voters differ systematically depending on the type of debate"

In recent years, much research has been done showing that emotions are important in politics and that the use of emotive rhetoric, based on positive or negative language, is common during election campaigns. Research has also been conducted within political parties regarding the stance adopted and the dissent expressed in parliamentary debates, but when and why politicians use emotive rhetoric in their legislative speeches has been studied less, and is now elaborated on by the authors in their work.

Emotive language usually refers to a style of communication that arouses an emotional response from the listener, thus evoking positive or negative reactions that go beyond the specific meaning of the word or phrase used. So, it can be a powerful tool to convince people of the validity of a particular message, and from the point of view of electoral competition, there is evidence linking emotion-eliciting appeals with the electoral success of certain political formations. Analysis of two million speeches in the House of Commons and in the Dail Eireann

The analysis included in article covers two million speeches delivered in the House of Commons and in the Dail Eireann, the lower houses of parliament of Great Britain and Ireland, respectively. Specifically, a million parliamentary speeches, i.e., all those that were delivered in the House of Commons between 2001 and 2019, and a further one million speeches delivered in the Dail Eireann between 2002 and 2013.

The authors chose the British Parliament because it is one of the oldest in the world, an ideal institutional environment for studying these kinds of speeches. "We focused on the House of Commons because it is the more powerful of the two legislative chambers in the UK and the debates held there differ in terms of their profile and the size of the audience, which has allowed us to compare emotive rhetoric across different types of debate", the authors assert. In a second stage, the study of the speeches delivered in the lower house of the Irish parliament has allowed confirming and generalizing their findings. High and low profile legislative debates: two different styles of discourse

The article which, based on an analysis of how politicians use emotive rhetoric in parliament, contributes to the understanding of political competition and legislative behaviour, underlines differences with regard to incentives that legislators have according to the type of debate. "Our research provides evidence that incentives to attract voters differ systematically depending on the type of debate", the authors suggest. Thus, in high-profile legislative debates, parliamentarians have more incentives to use emotive rhetoric to attract the attention of a wider audience, which they capture by using more emotive political content and language.

It could be said that PMQs is the debate to which citizens are most exposed, and this gives incentives for MPs to use more emotive language.

In the House of Commons, this is the case of Prime Minister's Questions (PMQs), a debate held weekly. It is a convention during which the prime minister answers questions from MPs, especially the leader of the opposition. It is the parliamentary highlight of the week, broadcast live and covered extensively by the media.

It could be said that PMQs is the debate to which citizens are most exposed, and this gives incentives for MPs to use more emotive language. Other high-profile debates are the Queen's Speech, which take place annually at the start of each new year of parliament (at which the Queen reads the government's main priorities, and which also involves the prime minister and the opposition leader) or the Dail Leaders' Questions, which are put to the Irish prime minister.

Conversely, in low-profile legislative debates, which are not so avidly followed and generate less expectation, politicians mostly address their colleagues in parliament, and therefore emotional rhetoric is less pronounced. A new application to measure emotive rhetoric

The study presents a new methodological application to measure emotive rhetoric, and it does so by combining the Affective Norms for English Words (ANEW) dictionary, with word-embedding techniques that enables creating a dictionary specific to the field. Thus, the new tool categorizes emotional and neutral words via ANEW and also identifies new words used in parliamentary speeches to broaden these two categories.

Word Clouds of Emotive and Neutral Words

For example, some of the neutral words incorporated by the authors are "walkway", "diameter", "metres" and "radiators" and some of the emotional words, "appalling", "empathy", "horrific" and "admiration". With regard to areas where we find a higher average level of emotive rhetoric there is "fabric of society", "social groups" and "welfare and quality of life", and the areas where we find a lower level of emotive rhetoric, "political system" and "economy". "Our measurement technique more accurately captures the emotive use of language in a political environment", the researchers assert.

The authors conclude their work with a reminder: although emotive parliamentary speeches may have positive implications, with increased public interest in the activities of their representatives and in politics in general, there is the risk of negative consequences: "Emotive rhetoric may also increase polarization and may favour politicians who prioritize emotional appeals over competent, coherent policy, and can harm the quality of deliberation and at the same time the quality of democratic representation", they warn.

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June 30, 2021 - For most patients, the reasons for having a facelift are simple: to "turn back the clock" for a younger and more attractive appearance. Even during the pandemic year 2020, more than 234,000 patients underwent facelift surgery, according to American Society of Plastic Surgeons (ASPS) statistics.

When considering facelift surgery, patients may ask, "How much younger will I look?" For plastic surgeons, that has been a difficult question to answer. Typically, the cosmetic outcomes of facelifting have been judged on a case-by-case basis, or with the use of subjective ratings.

Now research suggests a new, objective approach to assessing the reduction in apparent age after facelift surgery: artificial intelligence (AI) networks trained to estimate age based on facial photos. "Our study shows that currently available AI algorithms can recognize the success of facelifting, and even put a number on the reduction in years of perceived age," comments senior author James P. Bradley, MD, Vice Chairman of Surgery, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell. The study is published in the July issue of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, the official medical journal of the ASPS.

The study used a type of AI algorithm called convolutional neural networks. "By training on datasets containing millions of public images, these neural networks can learn to discern facial features with much higher 'experience' than a typical person," Dr. Bradley explains.

Four different, publicly available neural networks were used to make objective age estimates of facial age for 50 patients who underwent facelifting. The AI estimates were made using standardized photos taken before and at least one year after facelift surgery. The results were compared with patients' subjective ratings of their appearance, along with responses to a standard patient-rated evaluation (FACE-Q questionnaire).

The patients were all women, average age 58.7 years. The AI algorithms used in the study were 100 percent accurate in identifying the patients' age, based on "before" photos.

In the "after" photos, the neural networks recognized a 4.3-year reduction in age after facelift surgery. That was substantially less than the 6.7-year reduction, as rated by patients themselves. "Patients may tend to overestimate how much younger they look after facelift surgery - perhaps reflecting their emotional and financial investment in the procedure," Dr. Bradley comments.

On the FACE-Q questionnaire, patients were highly satisfied with the results of their facelift surgery: average scores (on a 0-to-100 scale) were 75 for facial appearance and over 80 for quality of life. Neural network estimates of age reduction were directly correlated with patient satisfaction. "The younger the AI program perceives a patient's age, the greater their satisfaction with the results of their facelift," says Dr. Bradley.

Artificial intelligence algorithms can provide an objective and reliable estimate of the apparent reduction in age after facelift surgery, the new findings suggest. These age estimates also seem to provide an indicator of patient satisfaction scores - even if the reduction in years doesn't quite match the patient's own subjective rating.

"Together with powerful image analysis tools used in modern plastic surgery, neural networks may play a useful role in counseling patients and demonstrating successful results of facial rejuvenation procedures," Dr. Bradley adds. "We think that AI algorithms could also play a useful role for plastic surgeons in assessing their own results and comparing the outcomes of different techniques."

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Click here to read "Turning Back the Clock: Artificial Intelligence Recognition of Age Reduction after Face-Lift Surgery Correlates with Patient Satisfaction."

DOI: 10.1097/PRS.0000000000008020

Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery is published in the Lippincott portfolio by Wolters Kluwer.

About Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

For over 75 years, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery (http://www. prsjournal. com/ ) has been the one consistently excellent reference for every specialist who uses plastic surgery techniques or works in conjunction with a plastic surgeon. The official journal of the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery brings subscribers up-to-the-minute reports on the latest techniques and follow-up for all areas of plastic and reconstructive surgery, including breast reconstruction, experimental studies, maxillofacial reconstruction, hand and microsurgery, burn repair and cosmetic surgery, as well as news on medico-legal issues.

About ASPS

The American Society of Plastic Surgeons is the largest organization of board-certified plastic surgeons in the world. Representing more than 7,000 physician members, the society is recognized as a leading authority and information source on cosmetic and reconstructive plastic surgery. ASPS comprises more than 94 percent of all board-certified plastic surgeons in the United States. Founded in 1931, the society represents physicians certified by The American Board of Plastic Surgery or The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.

About Wolters Kluwer

Wolters Kluwer (WKL) is a global leader in professional information, software solutions, and services for the clinicians, nurses, accountants, lawyers, and tax, finance, audit, risk, compliance, and regulatory sectors. We help our customers make critical decisions every day by providing expert solutions that combine deep domain knowledge with advanced technology and services.

Wolters Kluwer reported 2020 annual revenues of 4.6 billion. The group serves customers in over 180 countries, maintains operations in over 40 countries, and employs approximately 19,200 people worldwide. The company is headquartered in Alphen aan den Rijn, the Netherlands.

Wolters Kluwer provides trusted clinical technology and evidence-based solutions that engage clinicians, patients, researchers and students in effective decision-making and outcomes across healthcare. We support clinical effectiveness, learning and research, clinical surveillance and compliance, as well as data solutions. For more information about our solutions, visit https:/ / www. wolterskluwer. com/ en/ health and follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter @WKHealth.
Maunakea and Haleakala, Hawai'i - Astronomers have discovered the smallest and most massive white dwarf ever seen. The smoldering cinder, which formed when two less massive white dwarfs merged, is heavy, "packing a mass greater than that of our Sun into a body about the size of our Moon," says Ilaria Caiazzo, the Sherman Fairchild Postdoctoral Scholar Research Associate in Theoretical Astrophysics at Caltech and lead author of the new study appearing in the July 1 issue of the journal Nature. "It may seem counterintuitive, but smaller white dwarfs happen to be more massive. This is due to the fact that white dwarfs lack the nuclear burning that keep up normal stars against their own self gravity, and their size is instead regulated by quantum mechanics."

The discovery was made by the Zwicky Transient Facility, or ZTF, which operates at Caltech's Palomar Observatory; two Hawai'i telescopes - W. M. Keck Observatory on Maunakea, Hawai'i Island and University of Hawai'i Institute for Astronomy's Pan-STARRS (Panoramic Survey Telescope and Rapid Response System) on Haleakala, Maui - helped characterize the dead star, along with the 200-inch Hale Telescope at Palomar, the European Gaia space observatory, and NASA's Neil Gehrels Swift Observatory.

White dwarfs are the collapsed remnants of stars that were once about eight times the mass of our Sun or lighter. Our Sun, for example, after it first puffs up into a red giant in about 5 billion years, will ultimately slough off its outer layers and shrink down into a compact white dwarf. About 97 percent of all stars become white dwarfs.

While our Sun is alone in space without a stellar partner, many stars orbit around each other in pairs. The stars grow old together, and if they are both less than eight solar-masses, they will both evolve into white dwarfs.

The new discovery provides an example of what can happen after this phase. The pair of white dwarfs, which spiral around each other, lose energy in the form of gravitational waves and ultimately merge. If the dead stars are massive enough, they explode in what is called a type Ia supernova. But if they are below a certain mass threshold, they combine together into a new white dwarf that is heavier than either progenitor star. This process of merging boosts the magnetic field of that star and speeds up its rotation compared to that of the progenitors.

Astronomers say that the newfound tiny white dwarf, named ZTF J1901+1458, took the latter route of evolution; its progenitors merged and produced a white dwarf 1.35 times the mass of our Sun. The white dwarf has an extreme magnetic field almost 1 billion times stronger than our Sun's and whips around on its axis at a frenzied pace of one revolution every seven minutes (the zippiest white dwarf known, called EPIC 228939929, rotates every 5.3 minutes).

"We caught this very interesting object that wasn't quite massive enough to explode," says Caiazzo. "We are truly probing how massive a white dwarf can be."

What's more, Caiazzo and her collaborators think that the merged white dwarf may be massive enough to evolve into a neutron-rich dead star, or neutron star, which typically forms when a star much more massive than our Sun explodes in a supernova.

"This is highly speculative, but it's possible that the white dwarf is massive enough to further collapse into a neutron star," says Caiazzo. "It is so massive and dense that, in its core, electrons are being captured by protons in nuclei to form neutrons. Because the pressure from electrons pushes against the force of gravity, keeping the star intact, the core collapses when a large enough number of electrons are removed."

If this neutron star formation hypothesis is correct, it may mean that a significant portion of other neutron stars take shape in this way. The newfound object's close proximity (about 130 light-years away) and its young age (about 100 million years old or less) indicate that similar objects may occur more commonly in our galaxy.

MAGNETIC AND FAST

The white dwarf was first spotted by Caiazzo's colleague Kevin Burdge, a postdoctoral scholar at Caltech, after searching through all-sky images captured by ZTF. This particular white dwarf, when analyzed in combination with data from Gaia, stood out for being very massive and having a rapid rotation.

"No one has systematically been able to explore short-timescale astronomical phenomena on this kind of scale until now. The results of these efforts are stunning," says Burdge, who, in 2019, led the team that discovered a pair of white dwarfs zipping around each other every seven minutes.

The team then analyzed the spectrum of the star using Keck Observatory's Low Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (LRIS), and that is when Caiazzo was struck by the signatures of a very powerful magnetic field and realized that she and her team had found something "very special," as she says. The strength of the magnetic field together with the seven-minute rotational speed of the object indicated that it was the result of two smaller white dwarfs coalescing into one.

Data from Swift, which observes ultraviolet light, helped nail down the size and mass of the white dwarf. With a diameter of 2,670 miles, ZTF J1901+1458 secures the title for the smallest known white dwarf, edging out previous record holders, RE J0317-853 and WD 1832+089, which each have diameters of about 3,100 miles.

In the future, Caiazzo hopes to use ZTF to find more white dwarfs like this one, and, in general, to study the population as a whole. "There are so many questions to address, such as what is the rate of white dwarf mergers in the galaxy, and is it enough to explain the number of type Ia supernovae? How is a magnetic field generated in these powerful events, and why is there such diversity in magnetic field strengths among white dwarfs? Finding a large population of white dwarfs born from mergers will help us answer all these questions and more."

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The study, titled "A highly magnetised and rapidly rotating white dwarf as small as the Moon," was funded by the Rose Hills Foundation, the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, NASA, the Heising-Simons Foundation, the A. F. Morrison Fellowship of the Lick Observatory, the NSF, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

ABOUT LRIS

The Low Resolution Imaging Spectrometer (LRIS) is a very versatile and ultra-sensitive visible-wavelength imager and spectrograph built at the California Institute of Technology by a team led by Prof. Bev Oke and Prof. Judy Cohen and commissioned in 1993. Since then it has seen two major upgrades to further enhance its capabilities: the addition of a second, blue arm optimized for shorter wavelengths of light and the installation of detectors that are much more sensitive at the longest (red) wavelengths. Each arm is optimized for the wavelengths it covers. This large range of wavelength coverage, combined with the instrument's high sensitivity, allows the study of everything from comets (which have interesting features in the ultraviolet part of the spectrum), to the blue light from star formation, to the red light of very distant objects. LRIS also records the spectra of up to 50 objects simultaneously, especially useful for studies of clusters of galaxies in the most distant reaches, and earliest times, of the universe. LRIS was used in observing distant supernovae by astronomers who received the Nobel Prize in Physics in 2011 for research determining that the universe was speeding up in its expansion.

ABOUT W. M. KECK OBSERVATORY

The W. M. Keck Observatory telescopes are among the most scientifically productive on Earth. The two 10-meter optical/infrared telescopes atop Maunakea on the Island of Hawai?i feature a suite of advanced instruments including imagers, multi-object spectrographs, high-resolution spectrographs, integral-field spectrometers, and world-leading laser guide star adaptive optics systems. Some of the data presented herein were obtained at Keck Observatory, which is a private 501(c) 3 non-profit organization operated as a scientific partnership among the California Institute of Technology, the University of California, and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration. The Observatory was made possible by the generous financial support of the W. M. Keck Foundation. The authors wish to recognize and acknowledge the very significant cultural role and reverence that the summit of Maunakea has always had within the Native Hawaiian community. We are most fortunate to have the opportunity to conduct observations from this mountain.
Colorado, USAHush Money: How One Woman Proved Systemic Racism in her Workplace and Kept Her Job, by Jacquie Abram, has been selected by the Unity and Equality Alliance, located in Canada, as their next book to read. While the organization seeks to help people of color with issues locally, in Brockville, Ontario, they also see the big picture by pushing their messages far and wide. Abram's fictional story, inspired by true events, lays bare the struggles against racism many Black and Brown people experience in the U.S. and across the globe.

"It's IMPORTANT that people see and feel how others walk through this world. For anyone in leadership, you should read this [Hush Money]. Use it as a tool to see things happening before it starts into something." Cindy Hasselman, Founder/Chair of Unity and Equality Alliance, 5-Stars

Ranked #1 on Goodreads Listopia for Eye-Opening African American Women's Fiction, Hush Money has also garnered a number of glowing reviews. One Amazon review, by Margaret S., noted that she "was thoroughly impressed with the writing of this book. The details are so precise, it reads like a true story. The strength and determination of Ebony's character is truly inspirational." B. Miller had an interesting take, "Once I started reading this book, I couldn't put it down. It's a story not weighed down by frilly language, that comes from what feels like a very real first-person point of view."

Abram also found her book on FindThisBest.com's top-ten of their Best African American Christian Fiction Books List, which is based on a satisfaction survey with over 1,000 respondents. The audiobook, narrated by Peg Barcelo, is about five-hours long and portrays that edge-of-the-seat-tension of the book extremely well. Getting across the primary message, that racism pervades large swaths of society, is the overall goal of Abram and her co-authors, daughters Deborah & Delilah Harris.

Hush Money tells a compelling and cautionary tale that is all too familiar to Black people across the globe about the rigors of working in a large, highly bureaucratic organization and dealing with covert and overt racism. Levels and types of discrimination are chronicled in the five-year journey of Ebony Ardoin, an ambitious, young, Black woman in search of a fulfilling and rewarding career path that allows her to live the American Dream.

The twisting arcs of Ebony's story reveal layers of emotional complexity and racial trauma as each new promotion invites praise, jealous rancor, and outright loathing. Organizational politics and protecting turf go hand in hand with discrimination, retaliation, intimidation, and racial hatred expressed in a variety of ways.

"The novel is visceral, stunningly well-written, and places the heated scar of racism squarely before our eyes. This is a powerful novel that deserves a place in everyone's library. Brava!" Grady Harp, Amazon Top 100 Hall of Fame Reviewer, 5-stars

"I left corporate America after my own experiences with systemic racism traumatized and nearly destroyed me," says Abram. "Now, I spend my time trying to heal from my experiences by writing books that shine a light on systemic racism in the workplace to help others."

During her career in higher education spanning nearly two decades from 2001 to 2019, Abram was discriminated against because she was Black multiple times by multiple employers in the U.S. The same thing happened to Deborah Harris during her fifteen-year career in higher education and municipal

government spanning from 2005 to 2021. The same thing happened to Delilah Harris during her ten-year career in higher education, customer service, medical billing and coding, and property management, spanning from 2011 to 2021. In all three cases, their careers were repeatedly derailed.

"This book is incredible, gripping from start to finish, and a compelling contribution in the movement toward racial justice." Jessica Tofino, Educator and Writer, 5-stars

Abram, Harris, and Harris wrote Hush Money because they want to provide those who are currently dealing with racism in the workplace with a sound strategy one Black woman used to successfully prove the existence of racism in the workplace. They also want to provide employers who are looking for a more effective way to prevent racism in their organizations with a better way to understand it. And finally, they wrote the book to provide people who have never experienced systemic racism in the workplace but are allies in the fight for equality and justice with a way to understand what modern-day racism looks and feels like by putting them into the shoes of a racial discrimination victim.

"Systemic racism exists and is more common than many may think," says Abram. "We want to offer hope and justice to those who are still suffering and are afraid to stand up."

About Jacquie Abram, Deborah Harris, and Delilah Harris: Jacquie Abram, Deborah Harris, and Delilah Harris are a mother-daughter powerhouse trio, who are intensely passionate about revealing the grueling truth about systemic racism in America. They co-authored the book Hush Money: How One Woman Proved Systemic Racism in her Workplace and Kept her Job.

All three women left corporate America after experiencing racism in the workplace and suffering racial trauma.

Jacquie spends her time writing books inspired by her experiences and the experiences of her daughters and others that shine a light on systemic racism in the workplace. She hopes her books will offer courage to those who are currently experiencing racism and don't know how to fight back, those who previously experienced racism and feel alone, and those who are allies and want a deeper understanding of how to help prevent racism.

In March 2021, Jacquie also launched her career as an Antiracism Consultant, doing work that focuses on educating, training, and facilitating discussions with organizations and individuals on the impact of systemic racism in the workplace.

Jacquie enjoys the camaraderie of working with her daughters and delights in her four wonderful grandchildren.

You can learn more about Jacquie and Hush Money on Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Hush Money: How One Woman Proved Systemic Racism in her Workplace and Kept her Job. ASIN: B08MCD34JP, 2020, ebook: $6.45, paperback: $6.45, audiobook: $6.95, 146 pages, available on Amazon.com.

Media Contact: For a review copy of Hush Money: How One Woman Proved Systemic Racism in her Workplace and Kept her Job, or to arrange an interview with Jacquie Abram, contact Scott Lorenz of Westwind Communications Book Marketing at scottlorenz@westwindcos.com or by phone at 734-667-2090. Follow Lorenz on Twitter @abookpublicist.


Many Americans still wear masks indoors despite being fully vaccinated.

Photo: FREDERIC J. BROWN / . / .

LOS ANGELES  The US health authorities do not see it necessary for vaccinated people to return to the use of masks before the increased numbers of COVID-19 cases related to the delta variant, contradicting the position of the World Health Organization (WHO) and the local authorities of Los Angeles.

This was stated on Wednesday by the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Rochelle Walensky.

If you are vaccinated, you are safe from variants that circulate here in the United States, Walensky said in an interview with the American television network NBC.

The question of the use of masks has returned to the center of the debate in the United States after the health officials of Los Angeles County and the WHO recommended that even fully vaccinated people should continue to use them indoors as a precautionary measure due to the increased delta variant.

The delta variant accounted for 26.1% of infections

According to updated CDC projections, the delta variant accounted for 26.1% of COVID-19 infections in the US during the two-week period ending June 19.

However, Walensky assured that the CDC guidance has not changed and that fully vaccinated people they do not need to use masks since inoculations are highly effective against the delta variant.

In addition, he explained that the WHO is dealing with a world situation in which far fewer people have been immunized than in the US, so it is issuing more cautious advice.

The Los Angeles case

Regarding the situation in Los Angeles, Walensky pointed out that it is local legislators who must develop policies for their local environment.

The delta variant of the coronavirus has spread to different countries, and with it, concern about the spread of the pandemic given its high transmission capacity.
June 30, 2021

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The Manhattan District Attorneys Office is scheduled to file criminal charges Thursday against former President Donald Trumps company for alleged tax crimes, NBC News confirmed Wednesday.

The accusations would be the first resulting from investigations into the Trump Organization that have been open for three years in New York and that the former president has always denounced as part of a witch hunt against him.

It is unknown whether the companys chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, will be among those charged.

The defendants are scheduled to appear before a judge around 2 p.m. ET Thursday.

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QUITO.- The Ecuadorian president, Guillermo Lasso, traveled to Miami this Sunday, where he will undergo a surgical operation on the spinal cord, the objective of which is to recover the usual mobility of a leg.

Lasso, accompanied by his wife, Maria de Lourdes Alcivar, traveled to Miami from the airport in the coastal city of Guayaquil, but before starting his flight he announced to journalists that he would not entrust the head of state to his vice president, Alfredo Borrero.

I continue to command the position of President of the Republic, said the president after stating that he will carry out his functions telematically, since that possibility allows technology.

The new leader presents himself as a liberal on economic issues and a conservative on religious and social issues, although he has promised that he will respect those who do not agree with his way of thinking.

Lasso, who took office on May 24 and after expressing greetings to Ecuadorians, who today celebrate Fathers Day, gave some details about the surgical intervention to which he will be subjected.

I am going to the city of Miami, I am going to undergo a spinal cord operation, it is a moderately invasive operation and I will be in the clinic for three days, Lasso added.

He also announced that he will enter the clinic next Tuesday and that the operation will take place on Wednesday. I hope to go out on Thursday or Friday, and then spend a few days in recovery therapy, in order to regain mobility in the leg, he added.

Lasso, who currently walks assisted by a cane, said that the main task he leaves during his absence is to strengthen the vaccination program against COVID-19, which is in charge of Vice President Borrero and the Minister of Health, Ximena Garzon.

The president expressed his satisfaction that the rate of vaccination in the country has reached 80,000 daily inoculations, a figure that, he said, can improve due to the logistics plan implemented by his government.

In addition, we are receiving more continuously the vaccines from the pharmaceutical companies with which Ecuador has made the provision of doses to date, added the head of state.

Lasso called on the population to go for vaccination according to the calendar that has been drawn up in coordination with the National Electoral Council (CNE), an entity that has provided its database.

He said that they have thought about expanding the age range of vaccination, which is currently in a phase for those over 50 years old and in view of the fact that the problems of agglomeration that were registered weeks ago have been solved.

Immunization is an act of responsibility with society and, therefore, to the extent that we achieve a high number of vaccinated, we will enter normality faster, which will also allow the economy to recover, said the ruler.

There are currently 316 vaccination precincts and more than 900 vaccination brigades in the country, which can be expanded if there is a greater demand, Lasso explained.

In addition, he insisted that Ecuador has reached an agreement with the Chinese pharmaceutical company Cansino to receive about six million doses of its vaccine in a single application.

New batches of vaccines from China Sinovac are also expected to arrive in July and August and negotiations are progressing with other pharmaceutical companies, he explained.

He said that he hopes that this week there will be news about the arrival of vaccines from other origins that his country currently supplies.

Ecuador has had a national vaccination plan against COVID-19 since January 21, a period in which it has received 5,017,469 doses from various international pharmaceutical companies.

According to the Government, 2,200,000 doses come from the Chinese Sinovac, 1,427,469 from the American Pfizer and 1,370,000 from the British AstraZeneca.

The Government has offered to immunize nine million people, 60 percent of the population, until the first days of September.
A Dominican who wanted to leave the Caribbean country for the United States with 3.35 kilograms of cocaine in a sash vest would be sent to prison as a result of a request for remand in custody presented by the Public Ministry of Santo Domingo Este.

The Listin Diario newspaper reported this week that the prosecution of the aforementioned municipality presented, last Friday, June 11, 2021, before the Judicial Office of Permanent Attention Services of the Palace of Justice of the Charles de Gaulle the allegations against the suspect for request the measure of coercion against you.

The woman, identified as Luana Paulino, was arrested when she was preparing to leave the country through the Las Americas International Airport (AILA), in Punta Caucedo (near the capital Santo Domingo) bound for the US.

Next hearing will be on June 19

The hearing was postponed to next Saturday, June 19 at the request of the defense, who asked for more time to learn more about the indictment.

According to the investigation, directed by members of the Public Ministry in coordination with officials from the Information Center and the National Drug Control Directorate (DNCD), it indicates that on June 9, at around 2:40 pm, they noticed the attitude suspicious of the woman and detained her in the boarding area.

After a check in the security scanner that detected something strange, the agents subjected the passenger to a search, in the presence of the prosecutor Wilson Zabala de los Santos. As a result of the procedure, officers seized three sheets with 3.35 kilograms of a white powder.

The content was sent to the National Institute of Forensic Sciences (Inacif), an office that identified the material as cocaine.

The woman faces charges for violations of Law 50-88 against the national and international trafficking of drugs and controlled substances, as well as Law 188-11, on Airport Security and Civil Aviation.
The Supreme Court of the state of Pennsylvania, USA, on Wednesday overturned the conviction for sexual abuse against the comedian Bill Cosby, an icon of American popular culture and who until now was incarcerated in a state prison near Philadelphia.

Cosby had been deprived of liberty for two years and had said that he intended to serve the full ten-year prison sentence imposed on him by a judge in 2018 for sexually assaulting a woman in 2004.

The artist was the first famous person to be prosecuted in the era of the Me Too movement, which seeks to make visible the harassment and inequality of women.
This new Google Messages feature has been released in India.

Of all the Google applications that we have installed on our smartphone, it is the Messages that just tend to pass the most unnoticed. It does not matter if we have downloaded them from Google Play or if they were installed by default: the Google SMS and MMS messaging manager lives in a dark place on our mobile.

Sentenced to prosecute, for the most part, SMS advertising and authentication day in and day out too, Google has been releasing, slowly but surely, small improvements for your messaging app. In that sense, Google has just presented in its official blog of India two novelties focused on cleaning the inbox that, honestly, they look pretty good.

Google Messages wants your inbox to be clean and tidy

On the one hand, thanks to the use of machine learning, Googles messaging application will classify received SMS, among others, in different categories. These will include from personal messages to SMS related to transactions of our accounts or double authentication.

In order to have everything in order, Messages will create different folders within the app, which will be available at the top of the message river. Although Google does not clarify if the folders will be generated automatically or if we can customize them to our liking, for now we identify one personal folder that will group conversations with numbers from our agenda, a folder to locate bank transactions, another for advertising offers and one more for one-time passwords.

Finally and on the other hand, with the aim of reduce the number of accumulated messages in the inbox, Google will offer the option to automatically delete messages containing one-time passwords. In case we are interested in doing so, we can activate a special function that will delete these messages 24 hours after receiving them.

How to schedule the sending of messages in Google Messages

For now, these news will only be available to users in India have Android 8 or higher, although it is expected that they will eventually reach the world in a future update.

Related topics: Apps, Google Apps, Mobile

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The COVID-19 pandemic is over for me, at least until a vaccine-defeating virus emerges.

I am not the only one reaching this conclusion. Restaurants are filling up. Two recent flights I took were full. Shopping malls no longer worry about social distancing. Bar stools have bottoms in them.

I keep a mask in my back pocket just in case, but my patience is running thin. Im vaccinated, and anyone over the age of 12 can easily obtain one at this point. There are few good excuses for not getting the shot.

The time has come for vaccine refusers to take personal responsibility for their hesitancy. Society must stop coddling them by ordering everyone else to take burdensome precautions.

TOMLINSONS TAKE: COVID-19 knocked a lot of businesses out. Time to rebuild.

Airline flights provide a useful scenario. As a vaccinated person, I have little chance of contracting COVID-19 on the plane. The odds are so low, they should not warrant a mask requirement. I spent a year advocating masks, but its time to move on.

The people who are taking a risk are the unvaccinated. Since they are inconveniencing the rest of us, we have the right to ask why they are not taking this essential health precaution.

Only 21 of 1.8 million people vaccinated in the U.S. experienced an allergic reaction to a COVID-19 vaccine, according to the Centers for Disease Control. More than 70 percent of those reactions took place within 15 minutes of receiving the shot, which is why they make you loiter around afterward.

The only people who have a valid medical excuse for avoiding the vaccine are those with allergies to the vaccines ingredients or a history of allergic reactions to vaccines. Those people make up less than 1 percent of the population, and while they must take precautions, the authorities should allow the rest of us to resume our regular lives.

Public health officials, though, are worried about the 30 percent of American adults who have not received their first dose. They are why public health officials want to keep mask requirements in place. In other words, the vaccine-hesitant are holding the rest of us back.

If there was ever a time to force people to take some personal responsibility, this is it. Since half of Texas Republicans told Quinnipiac University pollsters they do not intend to get vaccinated, they should embrace this high-stakes chance to live their values.

Lets strike a balance between personal liberty and government regulation. I dare you.

If the unvaccinated want to wander around without a mask and expose themselves to the virus, then let them. Infection, after all, is one path to immunity  if it doesnt kill you. If youre unlucky and suffer a permanent disability, well, you were warned.

Heres the kicker, though. Anti-vaxxers should have to pay their COVID-related health expenses. Insurance plans, Medicare and Medicaid should not have to pay for someone whose feckless behavior leads them to fall ill.

I took the time to get vaccinated. Why should my insurance premiums or tax dollars go to pay the COVID-19 bills of someone who chose not to get the jab? Yes, they have the liberty to skip the shot, but they should take financial responsibility.

We also have the right to expect front-line workers to live up to their responsibilities.

Hospitals and clinics exist to treat sick people, especially those with COVID-19. Requiring vaccinations makes perfect sense, if for no other reason, because health care companies need to keep their health care expenses down, too.

Houston Methodist Hospital did the right thing in getting rid of 150 so-called health workers who would not get vaccinated. Some of them could be asymptomatic carriers and could have distributed the virus to patients unable to get inoculated. More health institutions should follow suit.

TOMLINSONS TAKE: COVID-19 has changed worker expectations from employers

Airlines should require flight crews to get vaccinated to protect customers and reduce their health care costs. If someone cares so little for the public they serve, they should choose another career. The same applies to anyone who lays hands on another to make a living.

Vaccine deniers talk a good game about their freedom, but sadly society does not do enough to hold them responsible for their decisions.

This failure has profound economic costs and creates a free-rider problem. Its easy to reject a vaccine if you dont have to pay the financial costs of your illness. This is the persistent problem with libertarian thinking, adherents tend to take all the liberties and accept none of the consequences.

Im tired of wearing a mask, participating in public health theater and signaling virtue. We need to resume business as usual and let the chips fall where they belong. At least while the vaccines work.

Tomlinson writes commentary about business, economics and politics.

twitter.com/cltomlinson

chris.tomlinson@chron.com
Delayed for more than a year by the pandemic, the opening of Nowhere Bookshop on Broadway in the heart of Alamo Heights is finally set to happen in mid-July. Maybe.

We want the vaccination rates to be a little higher, said Jenny Lawson, who owns Nowhere with her husband Victor. But theyre starting to stagnate, so ..., she said, shrugging her shoulders.

Lawson is a New York Times bestselling author whose popular blog The Bloggess has kept fans entertained for 14 years. As she does the final editing on what will be the first general interest, independent bookstore selling new titles to open in San Antonio in ages, she hopes it will delight customers with its scattered twee treasures, the bar in the back and appearances by some of the countrys most acclaimed authors, as well as the book selection.

While the store was forced to survive the past year on curbside sales and branded merchandise scooped up online by Lawsons thousands of fans, the delay failed to dampen the enthusiasm of local shoppers. In fact, it may have piqued it.

Nowhere already is rated the citys No. 1 bookstore on Yelp. And the few times Lawson decided to open the doors to customers for small events, she had to wait until the last minute to post an announcement on Instagram, lest the store be overrun by enthusiastic bibliophiles (or, more specifically, Jennyophiles).

We had people tell us, This is the first time Ive left my house since the pandemic began. Im afraid to do it, but I cant not come,  Lawson said.

Sales have been so strong, in fact, that, in addition to Lawson and general manager Elizabeth Jordan, theyve been able to keep three full-time employees on the payroll for most of the pandemic and recently hired two additional staffers.

On ExpressNews.com: Jenny Lawsons new book deals with anxiety, awkward encounters and condoms for dogs

Customers who walk into Nowhere Bookshop will find plenty of books on all manner of topics. But theyll also discover a space for community and social gatherings.

Ronald Cortes /Contributor

Nowhere has a large room in the back that Lawson hopes will serve as a community gathering place for book clubs, poetry groups, knitting circles and the like. But she also hopes to lubricate social interaction via the bar at the back of the store.

To me this all goes back to the English pub where you can bring a book to read, she said. I want this to feel like a safe place where you can drink  or not drink  and sit and relax.

When the store opens, the bar will still be closed, and wont open until Lawson feels more comfortable about the status of the pandemic. When it does open for business, the bar will offer wine and beer as well as cider, pastries, coffee and charcuterie from as-yet undecided suppliers.

The bar will also be an important income stream. A lot of bookstores make more money from drinks than from books, Lawson said, adding with a laugh, We definitely wont lose money selling alcohol in Texas.

Not far from the bar, several bookshelves are on wheels so they can be moved easily to make room for author readings and similar events. Lawson wants to avoid customers having to stand crowded in the aisle, their views obscured and perhaps unable to hear well. She also wants the author reading area to be separate from the rest of the store.

Ive done readings where I was standing in the kids section, and Ive had to warn nearby parents that I was about to curse real loud, said Lawson, whose books are liberally sprinkled with profanities.

On ExpressNews.com: 10 best June 2021 fiction and nonfiction books, from a myth-busting Alamo book to a Jim Morrison retrospective

Shes already had a number of author friends express interest in doing readings to promote their books. These include fantasy author Neil Gaiman; John Scalzi, best known for his Old Mans War series; horror writer Grady Hendrix and TV writer Danielle Henderson, whose most recent memoir is The Ugly Cry.

Nowhere is also chockablock with hidden book nooks waiting to be discovered by the curious, or the lucky. Believed to have originated in Japan in 2018, book nooks are narrow, illuminated dioramas that live on the shelves between books and contain miniature literary scenes from Game of Thrones, Calvin and Hobbes, The Chronicles of Narnia and other works. She hopes the hunt for these will prompt customers to explore corners they might not normally visit, where theyll discover new books and new authors they wouldnt have considered reading.

She has several old-fashioned card catalog cabinets  sans cards  scattered throughout, and in one corner theres a hollowed-out 70s-era TV that displays titles under the label The Book Was Better.

Not everything is oh-so-cutesy, however. Here and there, darkness creeps in around the edges. The shops mascot, for example, is a large papier-mache figurine of Jodie the Pig from The Amityville Horror. Its made of childrens souls, she joked.

And several of the creepy taxidermy mounts Lawson famously collects also make an appearance. These include Edgar Allan Crow, who oversees the Mystery section, and Antelope Boleyn, who stares blandly at a portrait of the real Anne Boleyn by the bar.

Lawson wanted to bring more from her collection, but Jordan nixed the idea. She was like, I know were in Texas but this is a bookshop. 

There are also myriad whimsical touches that reflect the off-kilter sense of humor familiar to those whove read Lawsons books. There are, for example, figurines of ghosts, monsters and other fantasy figures atop the shelving units and a painting of the White Rabbit from Alice in Wonderland peering down from a hole in the ceiling.

Lawson said shes learned much about running a bookstore, and a business, from her more experienced employees. For instance, one warned her against buying seating thats too comfortable, saying, Teenagers are going to hump on that.

Im like, What? Lawson said. And shes like, Teenagers hump on everything, so if youre going to put something soft for them to sit on, just be prepared.

Another lesson: What makes other people happy isnt necessarily what makes Lawson happy, and vice versa.

There are so many people who gravitate to books where Im like, Really?  she said with faux surprise. But thats great because it expands my mind to realize that, everybody has their thing, even if its boring as hell to me.

Editors note: Because of incorrect information provided to the Express-News, this story has been updated to correct the attribution of the quote about teenagers and comfortable furniture.

rmarni@express-news.net | Twitter: @RichardMarini
The first time that filmmaker Eugenio del Bosque Gomez saw Juanito Castillo play, he wondered who was working on a documentary about the virtuoso musician.

Two years later, he got his answer. Del Bosque Gomez is curating the 42nd edition of CineFestival, the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Centers Latino film festival, and one of the submissions was Juanitos Lab. The film, the product of husband-and-wife team Enrique Lopetegui and Guillermina Zabala, digs into Castillos life and his remarkable musicianship.

The engaging documentary will open this years festival on July 7 at the Guadalupe Theater. It will be the first in-person event that the Guadalupe has presented since the beginning of the pandemic.

More than 50 films will be screened during the festival, including 10 features. The films deal with immigration, identity, music, history, fashion, folklore and family, among other things. The lineup includes the first theatrical screening of the documentary Truly Texas Mexican, which was made by the festivals founder.

Alexis Gambis

And it all starts with the premiere of Juanitos Lab.

To del Bosque Gomez, it is the perfect kickoff for CineFestival.

CineFestival Where: All films will be screened at the Guadalupe Theater, 1301 Guadalupe. Seating will be limited to allow social distancing; advance ticket purchases are strongly recommended. When: 7 p.m. July 7; 2-8 p.m. July 8; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. July 9; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. July 10; and 10 a.m.-7 p.m. July 11. Tickets: Opening and closing night films cost $10. Most other screenings cost $8 or are free. Passes to the entire festival cost $40. 210-271-3151; guadalupeculturalarts.org/cine-festival. See More Collapse

On ExpressNews.com: SA urban legends helped shape V. Castros novel Queen of the Cicadas

Upon seeing it, I immediately realized that it was so much about what the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center is about, he said. Because its about a musician who was born on the West Side of San Antonio who had his roots in conjunto music, who appeared at the Tejano Conjunto Festival that the Guadalupe also puts on.

Also, there are scenes in the movie during the Conjunto Festival. And Guillermina and Enrique are both longtime residents of San Antonio, so kind of all the pieces were there for considering it for opening night.

In Juanitos Lab, musicians such as Flaco Jimenez and Max Baca talk about the vastness of Castillos talent. He easily moves between styles  rock, conjunto, jazz, hip-hop  and instruments, including drums, accordion, guitar and organ. Several people interviewed for the film say they see him as a successor to accordion wizard Esteban Steve Jordan, who died in 2010. Castillo played with Jordan, who also mentored the younger musician.

It means a lot to the filmmakers that the first screening of Juanitos Lab will be at CineFestival. The fact that it will be seen by an in-person audience rather than online also was important to them.

This is going to be the first time that were going to show the movie to a large group of people, Lopetegui said. Weve shown it to a really small groups, like two, three people, and this is going to be the first time were going to hear the murmurs from the crowd and the reactions, hopefully some laughs, because this movie has it all.

Lopetegui hopes the film helps create more opportunities for Castillo.

I dont want Juanitos life to be known by a handful of people here in San Antonio that have seen him play, he said. The whole world should know about Juanito.

Castillo is slated to play following the screening.

CineFestival also will be first time that the film Truly Texas Mexican will be shown theatrically. The documentary, which explores the American Indian roots of Mexican food in Texas, was released in March online and can be seen on Amazon Prime, Apple TV, Googe Plus and YouTube.

JM Media

Screening it at the Guadalupe Theater is deeply meaningful to chef, food writer and filmmaker Adan Medrano, who produced, wrote and appears in the film. It is based on his best-selling book of the same name.

Its very emotional for me for two reasons, Medrano said. One is the Guadalupe, which is such an important historical theater, built in the 1940s to show movies. And here we are in 2021, showing a film about San Antonio, about the people of the West Side of San Antonio, shot on the West Side and around the Alamo, so it is very thrilling.

The other reason is the festival itself. Medrano founded it in 1976, when he was working at what was then known as Oblate College of the Southwest and now is the Oblate School of Theology. The festival was the first in the country that focused on Latino films, he said.

We wanted to do the festival because as I traveled across the country, I knew there were other Chicano filmmakers like me, telling our stories, but we werent getting recognized, he said.

The first festival was held outdoors in a parking lot on the Oblate campus, he recalled. A 16 millimeter projector mounted on scaffolding beamed the films onto bed sheets hung on the back of a building. Medrano borrowed speakers from a local band, plugging them into the projector. A student group from Our Lady of the Lake University donated bleachers for the audience, though some sat on the grass.

It was wonderful, Medrano said. And 2,500 people showed up, and they were crying because their story had never been told. They had never seen a festival like this.

He ran the festival for six years. When he decided to launch his own production company and would no longer have time for the festival, he hunted for a new home for it. After considering Our Lady of the Lake University and St. Marys University, he decided the Guadalupe was the right place for it.

To see it thriving so much and to have it be the first place where our film is actually shown the way it should be, on the big screen with surround sound, its just wonderful, he said.

This is the first year that del Bosque Gomez has programmed the festival.

Its a great honor, he said. This is the oldest Latino film festival in the United States. I have attended before, I have been invited to be a jury member before, but I never even imagined that I would be involved in this capacity.

On ExpressNews.com: Guide to Fourth of July celebrations in and around SA

About 320 films were submitted. In addition to deciding which of those films to show, del Bosque Gomez had to make two plans for the festival: One for a virtual event, and one for an in-person event. The decision to make it an in-person festival with limited capacity was made about six weeks ago.

Tribulation Studios

Hes a little nervous about that, but hes also glad to be able to see the films with other people and to be able to gauge their responses, since that will help shape what he does with CineFestival next year.

Its really so much about community, and about the West Side, about what the West Side has to offer to the city, what the West Side has to offer to the world, he said. Those things, they have to be experienced in person. Because the festival is also the theater and the neighborhood and the people..

dlmartin@express-news.net | Twitter: @DeborahMartinEN
La Juana Chambers Lawson woke to the flashing lights of emergency vehicles.

It was the mid-1990s, and just moments before, shed been safely ensconced in the family Chevrolet Blazer on the way to visit relatives. Her life was changed forever on that icy Virginia highway.

The Blazer hit a stretch of black ice and flipped more than a dozen times on the interstate outside Norfolk. Lawson scanned the vehicles interior and saw her father  LaDon Chambers, a Marine stationed at Camp Pendleton  wrapped in the wreckage.

Are you OK? a police officer yelled at her as he banged on a window. Wheres your mom?

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio youth counselor offers kids love, attention and motherly discipline

Emergency workers found her mother, inches from rolling into the James River.

The accident changed the course of Lawsons life. Authorities took her to a Ronald McDonald House, where staff cared for her as her parents recovered in a Veterans Affairs hospital. The staff catered to her needs at the place that became her anchor.

That care influenced Lawson to pursue roles as a social entrepreneur and advocate for nonprofits, students, individuals and neighborhoods across San Antonio and beyond.

The common denominator in her business, teachings and community activism is an element she calls heart service.

Jerry Lara /San Antonio Express-News

Its easy to be mean and negative. Thats very easy to do; its a lazy response, said Lawson, 33. Im going to give you love because I dont know where you are in your life. Were moving to this utopia where things are based on merit, productivity and creation, rather than color and class, things that should not matter.

Lawson is the author of Master Grant Writing: A Project Managers Guide and owner of Tacit Growth Strategies, an impact investment firm and project management office featured in Oprah magazine, Entrepreneur and Forbes. Shes also served as president and board chair of the San Antonio African American Community Archive and Museum.

But Lawsons service to others began when she was 11 years old. Her parents divorced, and she lived with her father, who was in a wheelchair after the accident. He served as a mentor to others who were paralyzed at a VA hospital in Richmond, Va. She would accompany him to the spinal cord injury ward and read to the veterans.

On ExpressNews.com: The Wild Side:San Antonio mans YouTube channel focuses on exotic animals

More Information About the author A 22-year veteran of the Air Force, Vincent T. Davis embarked on a second career as a journalist and found his calling. Observing and listening across San Antonio, he finds intriguing tales to tell about everyday people. He shares his stories with Express-News subscribers every Monday morning. See More Collapse

If they were smiling, I knew they were alive, Lawson said. Thats how powerful the energy is. Its enough to improve a mood.

Her father and mother, Juanita Cummings, taught her to live a life of purpose.

When Lawson went out with her father, she saw the need for more options for people in wheelchairs. It upset her when she had to walk him up flights of stairs in buildings without elevators.

If I see an injustice, why not bring it up and follow up until its made better? she asked. That gave me a unique vantage point.

She grappled with questions about spirituality, seeking answers at Catholic, Episcopal and Lutheran churches. Then Lawson realized the link between the religions.

Everyone had dedicated their lives to service, she said. Thats what I would have to do if I could lay out what I wanted to do to live a life thats happy and fulfilled.

She carried that philosophy with her as an educator and shares it with students she teaches at the University of the Incarnate Word and Our Lady of the Lake University. Lawson wrote grants for more than a decade and helped others build businesses, but she struggled to keep a home and health insurance. She thought that if she could lift up organizations that communities had written off for years, why couldnt she do the same for herself.

In 2018, Lawson founded Tacit Growth Strategies. It was based on project management as a life skill used in personal and professional lives.

That same year, she became a committee member of Pastor Shetigho Nakpodias Redeemers Praise Church on the East Side, near the Friedrich building on Commerce Street. The church is undergoing renovations. Lawson is helping Nakpodia expand the church with the Love Community Center beside it.

La Juana is a beautiful woman and dynamic lady, Nakpodia said. Shes been a big encourager to me.

Related: Senior dances at Royal Palace a South Side tradition

When businesses ground to a halt during the pandemic, Lawsons skills were instrumental for several nonprofits. Tiffany Jones-Smith, president of the Texas Kidney Foundation, said Lawson helped the agency revamp its internal practices. The entrepreneur also helped with a mailing program that delivered 10,000 free at-home kidney screening kits.

As nonprofits, a lot of us are heart-driven, not business-driven, Jones-Smith said. You have to have a La Juana to keep both things going. She really does think about her fellow man. Being a woman gives her a beautiful perspective, a warmth that transcends all things even to people who are opposite of where she sits.

Bexar County Clerk Lucy Adame-Clark said having Lawson in the community has been a blessing. She said the entrepreneurs passion, dedication and perseverance do not go unnoticed.

She serves many equally, Adame-Clark said, and is a strong voice for the voiceless.

As Lawson moves forward in these days of rallies and political unrest, she offers a trifecta of care, love and grace. But she emphasizes that you cant do anything alone and leans toward her husband, Christopher Lawson, whom she calls her rock.

We have to have people out here actually find a way to build instead of destroy, Lawson said. Thats the only way to make a brighter future. And thats why we need to be more socialized, so we remember that change only happens because of a person; people are the system.

vtdavis@express-news.net
BUCHAREST (AP)  At least 200 people gathered outside the Czech Republics embassy in Bucharest Tuesday to protest the death of a Roma man following an incident with Czech police earlier this month.

Video footage of the detention of the Roma man, in the northern Czech city of Teplice on June 19, shows a policeman kneeling on his neck for several minutes. The Roma man later died in an ambulance.

The incident sparked widespread condemnation about racism and discrimination allegedly faced by the Roma, whose population in Europe numbers around 10-12 million.

At Tuesdays event in Romanias capital  which was attended by dozens of Roma  some wore t-shirts brandished with the text: Racism kills. One of the protesters demands was an independent investigation into the man's death.

A man of ours  was brutally killed by the police. This is proof that brutality against Roma people exists, Banu Ionut Alin, from the civic group Aresel, told The Associated Press.

Czech police have said that the man died from a drug overdose. Official investigations are ongoing.

The reason we took to the streets today is that this institutionalized racism is more and more present. There is a rising trend of extremist attitudes against Roma communities, Alin said. We are many, we have power, and we will oppose everything we can to respond to this institutional racism."

The European Commission has said that many Roma in the European Union are victims of prejudice and social exclusion, despite a discrimination ban across EU countries.

Since the Roma mans death, protests and vigils have been held in various countries, including the United Kingdom, while many have drawn parallels to the death of George Floyd, a Black man, in the United States last year, which sparked huge protests.

The Council of Europe and Amnesty International have both called for an independent investigation into the Roma man's death.
AP

DENPASAR, Indonesia (AP)  Rescuers searched into the night Tuesday for three missing people after a ferry sank with more than 50 people onboard in rough seas near Indonesias resort island of Bali, killing at least six people, officials said.

The ferry, the KMP Yunice, sank about half an hour after leaving East Javas Ketapang port, Bali Search and Rescue Agency chief Gede Darmada said. It was bound for Balis Gilimanuk port, a 50-kilometer (30-mile trip), with 41 passengers and 12 crew members.
On Friday, Jan. 4, 2019, Christopher Davila called police to report that an unknown woman stole his car with his 8-month-old son, King Jay Davila, inside.

The body of the 8-month-old was found six days later wrapped in a blanket and buried in a backpack less than a mile from Christopher Davila's house, according to court records.
Police are searching for multiple people after a shooting at a North Side apartment building left one man dead.

San Antonio police were called to the Bungalow09 apartment complex, located at 1710 Lynette Street, just before 7:30 a.m. Wednesday morning for a shooting in progress.

When officers arrived, they found one man lying in a breezeway of the complex suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Emergency personnel attempted life-saving efforts, but the man died at the scene, police said.

On ExpressNews.com: San Antonio man accused in death of 8-month-old King Jay Davila draws 40-year prison term

Witnesses said a vehicle pulled up and a passenger exited and began firing, according to Police Chief William McManus.

Police estimate at least eight shots were fired before the individual reentered the vehicle and fled from the scene.

McManus said the shooting appeared to be a targeted attack, but didn't say if it was gang related or how many people they are looking for.

Police are still trying to identify the man who was shot and determine if he lived in the apartment complex.

taylor.pettaway@express-news.net
When Donovon Rodriguez was a kid, his grandmother instilled in him the idea that public service was not only honorable work, it was a solid, stable way to provide for your family.

His grandmother served as a caseworker for Texas Health and Human Services, making home visits across South Texas. She also worked in the Telephone Reporting Unit of Corpus Christis Police Department.

Rodriguez, 29, followed his grandmothers example. After a short stint as an intern in the City Council office of Shirley Gonzales, he handled policy analysis and constituent services for state Sen. Jose Menendez. Since March 2019, he has served as chief of staff for Democratic state Rep. Ray Lopez.

Public service has never felt less stable for Rodriguez than it does now.

On June 18, Gov. Greg Abbott vetoed Article X of the states general appropriations bill, which had earmarked $410.4 million to fund the Legislature and its support agencies.

The veto was a display of raw retribution from the governor, punishing Democratic House members for a quorum-breaking walkout on the last night of the legislative session, which blocked a controversial bill (SB 7) that restricted voter access.

Even in the hyper-partisan hothouse of Texas politics, this qualified as an act of stunning, scattershot petulance. In trying to get payback against roughly 60 House Democrats, Abbott took away salary and health care funding for more than 2,000 legislative employees, including staffers for both Democratic and Republican lawmakers, and information-technology, cafeteria and maintenance employees at the Capitol.

Those jobs are funded through the rest of this fiscal year, which ends on Aug. 31. After that, legislative staffers dont know when the next paycheck will come.

Last Friday, Democratic lawmakers struck back, petitioning the Texas Supreme Court for an order that would restore Article X funding.

Only four legislative aides signed on as plaintiffs in the court filing. Rodriguez was one of them; the only one from Bexar County.

I immediately talked to our state employees union and they were the ones that encouraged me to become a plaintiff, Rodriguez said. At least I kind of felt like Im taking some action or some kind of protest against what the governor has done.

As Rodriguez points out, the $600 monthly stipend (and $221 legislative-session per diem) the state provides to lawmakers tends to be a supplemental income for those elected officials, rather than their primary means of support.

For most legislative aides, however, government work is everything.

Rodriguez and his wife are raising a 1-year-old daughter named Evelyn. Rodriguezs Texas House job is the sole source of income and health insurance for his young family. That livelihood is under threat right now.

Some people are in a lot worse situations than I am, Rodriguez said. I have some colleagues that are in cancer remission. Its affecting everybody in different ways.

He mentioned that support-staff workers tend to be nonpartisan and maybe even apolitical and theyre kind of stuck in the middle of this.

Abbotts handling of this situation has been misguided from the beginning.

The day after the Democratic walkout, the governor tweeted, No pay for those who abandon their responsibilities.

Nearly three weeks later, Abbott defended his veto by saying, Funding should not be provided for those who quit their job early.

Breaking quorum is not the same thing as quitting. Its the use of a legislative tool to block bills you abhor. To be sure, its an extreme move and thats why its rarely employed.

You might dislike its use in this case, just as you might dislike the way some lawmakers use points of order to clog up the legislative process and kill bills. But if you believe a particular bill would be damaging to this state, and you know its got enough votes to pass, wouldnt you consider any available parliamentary tactic to block it?

Another obvious problem with Abbotts vengeance veto is that even some of his fellow Republicans have disavowed a couple of key provisions in the final draft of the voting bill, which was crafted in secrecy by GOP members of a conference committee during the final days of the session.

One item pushed back Sunday early voting to 1 p.m., a move that would disproportionately hinder souls-to-the-polls efforts in African American churches. Another provision lowered the bar for judges to throw out contested election results.

If even its Republican advocates now concede that the bill was deeply flawed, it doesnt make much sense for Abbott to hold a grudge against the Democrats who temporarily kept it from passing.

This is not the right way to deal with it, Rodriguez said. The staff, were the ones answering the phone, connecting constituents to resources  to Medicaid, veteran benefits, what have you. To put us on the line isnt the right approach.

ggarcia@express-news.net | Twitter: @gilgamesh470
As a citizen of the United States with a deep love of democracy, I have always found it difficult to celebrate Independence Day.

Watching the insurrection on Jan. 6 was the most depressing day of my life as a U.S. citizen. This was a direct attack on democracy. I reject nationalism, which is the belief that the U.S. is an exceptional nation  that is, the greatest nation in the world. It is the belief that even with our political divide and social unrest, we have more freedom and rights than citizens in any other country.

The United States is in a period of democratic backsliding. Although voter turnout in Novembers presidential election was the highest in more than 100 years, it is not a cause for celebration. Historically, high voter engagement in the U.S. has come during periods of democratic dysfunction. Additionally, campaign spending in the 2020 election reached a record $14 billion. This is not a sign of a healthy democracy.

Economist magazine ranked the United States No. 25 in its 2020 Democracy Index. The U.S. is now considered a flawed democracy.

I consider myself to be a patriot for whom Independence Day is a special time for reflecting on the current state of democracy. When I see the U.S. flag, or hear the national anthem, I recognize how fragile democracy is and focus on why We the People have not been able to reach our fullest potential as a healthy, holistic democracy where the focus is on the commonwealth.

Commentary: Jan. 6 commission can strengthen American values

I define democracy holistically as a patchwork quilt with a seamless thread connecting all the designs. The patches represent political, economic, cultural and ecological democracy. It is not possible to understand the full meaning of democracy by fragmenting or compartmentalizing the parts; all must be strengthened simultaneously.

For the past 48 years, I have been fortunate to teach at Catholic universities  20 years at the University of the Incarnate Word and 28 years at St. Marys University. Having progressive sisters and brothers as mentors who live their faith by actively working to serve and empower the least among us has been a remarkable journey. The 2,000-year-old Catholic intellectual tradition  which teaches one how to think rather than what to think, along with the richness of Catholic Social Teaching, beginning with Pope Leo XIIIs 1891 encyclical Rerum Novarum  provides a framework for reimagining democracy.

Additionally, the two universities supported my 12 trips to Central America during years of war  often with students  as well as trips to Haiti, Cuba, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, India, Vietnam and Bangladesh. Lived experiences merged with an academic study of democracy theory led me to reconceptualize democracy holistically.

Our challenge today is to assure that democracy survives in the U.S. I urge all citizens to reflect on and commit to reimagining democracy this Independence Day.

Larry Hufford is a professor of political science and international relations at St. Marys University.
Former President Donald Trump on Wednesday slammed President Joe Biden and his administration for stopping construction of the border wall and moving away from some of his stricter immigration policies, which Trump said is why Border Patrol is reporting record numbers of encounters with migrants along the southern border.

We did a hell of a job, Trump said at the briefing at the Texas Department of Public Safetys Weslaco Regional Office. Now we have an open, really dangerous border.

Trumps border tour comes as federal officials continue to post record numbers of encounters with migrants crossing the border  though most of them are single males, many of whom have tried more than once to cross, driving up the count. The number of unaccompanied children and families encountered by Border Patrol has declined for two straight months and the number of families seeking to cross has not come near peaks seen during Trumps presidency.

Still, the former presidents trip to Texas comes as Republicans have sought to keep the border front and center, buoyed by recent polling showing Texans at least are backing Gov. Greg Abbott in his bid to pick up where Trump left off building the wall over Bidens effort to make a more humane immigration system.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

In Pharr, Trump appeared to be in campaign mode, saying if he were still in office, the wall there would not be rotting and rusting.

Biden is destroying our country, Trump said.

Trump also spoke at a briefing near the Texas border where Gov. Greg Abbott and the Texas Department of Public Safety told him that border security has only gotten worse since he left office. Abbott said the situation has become amazing and disastrous on the border.

The governor added that, under Trump, he secured the border and kept Texas and America safe.

In Austin, meanwhile, Democrats sought to redirect the conversation, mostly by invoking the February power outages and Texas continuing electric grid problems. Lawmakers and progressive groups went on a media blitz Wednesday, hosting in-person and online news conferences to blast Abbotts trip  and his company  and highlight other issues affecting the Lone Star State.

Mike Collier, a Democratic candidate for lieutenant governor, hosted a press conference Wednesday afternoon outside of the state Capitol in Austin. He was joined by two state lawmakers and the co-executive director of the Texas Democratic Party, who spoke in front of a podium bearing a black sign: FIX THE DAMN GRID.

Texans resent the fact that theyre wasting their time on a publicity stunt on the border, and theres no other way to describe this, Collier said of Republicans. Abbott talks about a wall hes not going to build, and hes down there with Donald Trump. Donald Trump didnt build a wall.

Trump said all the current administration needed to do was let the construction of the wall continue. He said they built 500 miles and only needed a couple of more months to finish the 738 miles his administration wanted to complete.

Since October, the Border Patrol has reported more than 870,000 encounters with people illegally crossing the border, a 291 percent increase over the same period in 2020. More than half of those encounters have occurred between Del Rio and Brownsville.

TEXAS TAKE: Get political headlines from across the state sent directly to your inbox

On Jan. 8, during the final weeks of Trumps tenure, U.S. Customs and Border Protection released a border wall status memo detailing additions to the border fencing and wall made between 2017 and 2020.

According to the memo, about 738 miles of barriers were planned  that includes refurbishing or rebuilding existing walls and fences along the length of the entire 2,000-mile U.S. border with Mexico. Of those, about 453 miles were completed with 373 of those miles replacing existing fences and walls. Only about 17 of these miles were constructed in Texas, all within the Rio Grande Valley sector.

Trumps border tour comes just five days after Vice President Kamala Harris visited the border in El Paso to highlight the progress the Biden administration has made in reuniting families separated at the border. While border patrol continues to report record apprehensions, Harris said the Biden administration has made progress.

And as you know, we inherited a tough situation, Harris said on Friday in El Paso.

Earlier this month, the Interagency Task Force on the Reunification of Families set up by the Biden administration announced that it had reunified seven families in May and that 29 others are expected to soon be reunited. A report by that task force showed that 5,600 families were separated at the border during the Trump administration, with potentially thousands still apart.

U.S. Rep. Vicente Gonzalez, D-McAllen, was among those who blasted the Trump visit for once again misrepresenting the border community on the national stage. He said border security is about much more than just building barriers.

In order for us to stem mass migration, we must look at the three Central American countries people are coming from and make surgical investments that will provide jobs, security and prosperity to encourage migrants to stay home, Gonzalez said.

U.S. Rep. Filemon Vela, D-Brownsville, also blasted Abbott for bringing Trump and continuing to make the border sound like a war zone when it is not.

Instead of prioritizing Texans and making sure we grow our economy and get people back to work, Governor Abbott is creating a distracting media circus with a failed former president, Vela said.

jeremy.wallace@chron.com
MIDDLETOWN  Dozens of Connecticut Valley Hospital employees and other agencies gathered Tuesday for a rally on the eve of their contracts expiring.

Whose got the power? We got the power, the group chanted at the intersection of Silver Street and Eastern Drive.

Kate Sullivan, a member of the State Employees Bargaining Agent Coalition, which represents all 15 state unions, said all employee contracts end Wednesday.

We are making sure we fund Connecticuts future, she said.

Sullivan said many of the contracts prevent them from discussing terms publicly. But, she said, employees are generally asking for fair raises and pay, as well as negotiations for Heroes pay, or retroactive payments for essential workers who were on the front lines during the pandemic.

The main issues is that the services across that the state that state workers provide are services that benefit everyone living here, she said. Its not just about raises. Its about providing services that actually benefit every citizen in Connecticut.

Gov. Ned Lamonts office and the state Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services declined to comment because the negotiations are ongoing.

Darnell Ford, a Middletown Common Council member and direct care worker at the Albert J. Solnit Childrens Center, said there have been no real talks in the contract negotiation process concerning racial equity.

What (Lamont) has said from the beginning is that he would advance that process, he said. That he would advance making sure that people had services, and that the people providing those services would have what they needed in which to do it.

Ford said there is a shortage of spots at CVH for people with opioid addictions and need rehab, not enough spots for children who need critical services, short staffing and overrun facilities.

We have people who are not recognized or who are marginalized out in the communities, and when you place these policies and strict guidelines within a contract, so that people are able to do the work and provide the services in a way that is supported in the contract, this now advances the ability for racial equity, he said.

While the state did make some recent hires, Ford said programs were already struggling, adding that the pandemic exacerbated those issues.

This is a long time coming when we should have actually addressed this all along, he said.

Travis Woodward, an engineer for the state Department of Transportation, said he is the council president for CSEA SEIU Local 2001 P-4 council, which is a bargaining unit that includes the states engineers, scientists and information technology professionals.

Lamont didnt live up to his end of the bargain when we got him elected, he said. Hes not bargaining fairly with contracts. ... He should be expanding services around the state and, instead, hes shrinking them.

joshua.labella@hearstmediact.com
ATLANTA (AP)  Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani is endorsing a Democrat-turned-Republican who's challenging Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp in the state's 2022 Republican primary.

Giuliani spoke to reporters Wednesday before headlining a fundraising dinner for former state Rep. Vernon Jones in Atlanta.

Jones was on the outs with his party when he shot to prominence in Republican circles as an African American Democrat who endorsed Donald Trumps reelection campaign. Jones has since switched parties and doubled down in support of Trumps false claims of election fraud, appealing to Republican voters in Georgia who might be unhappy with Kemp. Trump has repeatedly attacked Kemp but has not so far endorsed Jones.

Giuliani said his main reason for endorsing Jones was their shared belief that then-President Trump was cheated out of Georgia's 16 electoral votes and the overall election.

The current governor has been a failure. I mean, he's had his time. He put together an election that wouldn't have passed muster in Africa, Asia, in undeveloped countries, Giuliani said.

An state appeals court suspended Giuliani from practicing law in New York last week because he made false statements while trying to get courts to overturn Trumps loss in the presidential race. Elected mayor on the strength of his record as a federal prosecutor, Giuliani said Wednesday that the judges who suspended his license ruled out of fear of political retribution from Democrats.

Kemp is Georgia's former secretary of state, but had little role in 2020's election administration besides certifying results showing that Biden had won. Kemp this year signed and has championed an election law that Democrats have attacked as discriminatory, but Jones contends Kemp should have done more, including calling a special session to try to block Georgia's electoral votes from going to Biden.

Jones has also been supported by former New York police commissioner Bernard Kerik. Trump pardoned Kerik after Kerik pleaded guilty to tax fraud and false statement charges years earlier and served prison time. Jones said Wednesday that Kerik, who attended the news conference, is serving as a law enforcement adviser to Jones' campaign.

Jones, 60, served multiple terms in the Georgia House, sandwiching a troubled turn as elected leader of Atlantas suburban DeKalb County.

___

Follow Jeff Amy on Twitter at http://twitter.com/jeffamy.
NEW FAIRFIELD  A house under construction on the Candlewood Lake peninsula of Vaughns Neck went up in flames Tuesday morning, prompting a multi-town emergency response.

Firefighters from New Fairfield and nearby towns like Brookfield and Sherman were requested to respond to a fully involved structure fire on Old Road shortly after 8 a.m.

Due to the area only being accessible by boat, marine units were launched to reach the burning lakefront structure.

Marine 25 from Brookfield Volunteer Fire Departments Candlewood Company was the first unit to get to the scene, followed soon after by fire/rescue boats from the New Fairfield and Sherman fire departments.

Firefighters managed to get the blaze under control by 8:40 a.m.  about 30 minutes after Marine 25 reached the scene.

Crews remained at the scene to make sure the fire was completely extinguished until about 9:30 a.m.

The house involved was a single-family home under construction, Fire Marshal Derrek Guertin said, adding that it was unattended at the time of the blaze.

He said the fire was called in by a neighbor a few houses down.

Although the cause of the fire remains under investigation, Guertin said hes determined that it was accidental in nature.

The house was being built by Sherman-based Grioli Construction LLC, which had been posting photo updates of the project on its Facebook page since early June.

Guertin said the entire structure was affected by the fire.
HARTFORD  A man suffered non-life-threatening injuries in a shooting on Barker Street late Monday afternoon, according to police.

Around 5:30 p.m., patrol officers responded to Hartford Hospital for a call about a gunshot wound victim showing up to be treated, Lt. Aaron Boisvert said.

The victim was a man in his 20s who suffered non-life-threatening injuries, Boisvert said. The victim told officers he was shot in the 100 block of Barker Street, Boisvert said.

The investigation is ongoing.

Anyone with any information is asked to call the police tips line at 860-722-TIPS.
The state has made no firm decision yet on whether it will recommend students to wear masks in school when they return in September, with officials pointing to the Delta variant spreading across the globe as a reason for continued uncertainty.

While students are largely home for the summer, Gov. Ned Lamont said they are still having conversations with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention about what the agencys guidance might be for September.

Up until a couple of weeks ago, you thought, OK, we should be out of the woods by September, Lamont said during an unrelated press conference on Tuesday. But now you see the Delta variant and you see whats going on in Australia, you see whats going on in Israel, you see whats going on in Britain, not to mention Arkansas and L.A. So were going to have to make up our minds on that a little bit later.

The governor was referring to outbreaks of infections in those countries believed to be linked to the Delta variant. The variant is believed to be even more transmissible than the Alpha variant first found in the U.K. that prompted a second lockdown in England early this year and which is widespread in Connecticut and the U.S.

On Wednesday, state officials said the positivity rate of new COVID-19 tests was 0.43 percent, hospitalizations dropped to 31 statewide, and two more deaths were recorded for a total of 8,278 since the start of the pandemic.

Last week, the head of the World Health Organization identified the Delta variant as the the most transmissible of the variants identified so far, the Associated Press reported. The variant has since become the predominant strain in the U.K., and experts are concerned it could also become predominant in the U.S.

Lamont said they would wait a little bit later before making any recommendations to school districts on whether students should wear masks.

Lamont said he expects some guidance from the CDC within the next several weeks.

Through the end of the last school year, the state remained steadfast in recommending that students wear masks in most indoor settings, despite a broad lifting of the requirement for those who were fully vaccinated.

The guidance was eased slightly in May to allow students who were outside during recess to take their masks off, but requirements held when students were going in and out of the building and congregated in groups.

Those rules remain in place. The state Department of Education and Department of Public Health still require masks indoors for everyone regardless of whether theyve been vaccinated in all indoor educational venues, including summer schools.

Summer programs are also required to be in compliance with the suite of mitigation strategies employed during the pandemic, including universal indoor mask wearing, cohorting/limiting movement, ventilation, cleaning/disinfection, symptom-based exclusion and quarantine, and other strategies, the guidance reads.

While vaccine numbers have slowly risen across Connecticut, the federal government has yet to approve vaccines for children under the age of a 12, a large swath of the school-aged population.

The most recent state statistics show 33.1 percent of all residents age 12 to 15 are fully vaccinated. The next age group reported by the state, 16 to 24, had 48.7 percent vaccinated.

While the Delta variant, believed to spread more easily than other strains, has drawn concern across the globe, it has yet to be seen in large numbers in Connecticut. Genetic sequencing by the Yale School of Public Health, Jackson Laboratories and the state Department of Public Health found 43 cases the week ending June 24, according to a recent report. Those cases represented about 2.3 percent of all of those detected.

Despite no clear guidance from the state, some school districts have started to make plans for the next school year. New Haven schools recently decided to require students wear masks in classrooms next year.

The student mask requirement has been contested by some parents since it was implemented when students returned to schools in 2020.

At least one legal battle ensued, but a Hartford judge upheld the states mandate.

Staff writer Peter Yankowski contributed reporting.
Fairfield, MT (59436)

Today

Mostly cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later in the day. High 82F. Winds NNE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear. Low near 55F. Winds N at 10 to 15 mph.
WASHINGTON  The Navajo Nation has yet to record a single case of the Delta variant of COVID-19, but now is not the time for tribe members to let down their guard, Navajo President Jonathan Nez said Wednesday.

Nez spent much of the time during a Washington Post program on public health talking about the Navajos success in fighting the pandemic, falling from a national COVID-19 hotspot at one point last year to negligible case numbers today.

But while the tribe has been very cautious  I think we need to continue to be cautious, Nez said, in part because of the arrival of the highly contagious Delta variant.

We have heard updates that the city of Tucson has identified a Delta variant  so we are concerned, Nez said.

An Arizona Department of Health official said Wednesday that the Delta variant has been found in northern, central and southern Arizona.

The Alpha variant currently is the predominant strain in Arizona, but we anticipate that there will be an increase in the Delta variant since it appears to be more transmissible than the Alpha variant, said Steve Elliott, a health department spokesperson.

Arizona Public Health Association Executive Director Will Humble said experts expect that the Delta variant will be dominant by mid-to-late summer in Arizona.

Its going to take over, he said. Its just outcompeting the other strains. The question is how long its going to take.

But Humble said that despite the high transmission rates health experts have seen for the Delta variant, it will likely not spread as fast as previous variants because of the availability now of COVID-19 vaccines.

Alpha took over at a time when only select people qualified to get vaccinated, Humble said. There was a huge pool of susceptible people at the time. Now, weve cut that in about half, maybe even more than half.

As of Wednesday, more than 3.5 million Arizonans had received one dose of vaccine, or 48.9% of the states population, according to AZDHS. Just over 3 million state residents had been fully vaccinated.

Vaccination rates are even higher on the Navajo Nation, which should mean it will not suffer greatly when the Delta variant shows up, Humble said.

I dont see that Indian Country and, in particular, Navajo country is at any particular enhanced risk for Delta compared to the rest of the state; theyre probably in a better position, Humble said.

In the early days of the pandemic, COVID-19 spread rapidly through the Navajo Nation, which experienced some of the highest infection rates in the country. But the tribal government took aggressive action to close businesses and public gatherings, and later to distribute vaccines to tribe members, making the Navajo a model for how to respond, Nez said.

He quoted National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases Director Anthony Fauci as saying the tribes response could be a case study, Navajo could be a model to bring down COVID cases in a region.

On Monday, the most recent day for which data is available, the Navajo Nation Department of Health reported just five new cases, the lowest daily total since March 2020. Nez said that with about 70% of the eligible population vaccinated, the Nations main concern now is visitors.

We are concerned because we dont know where our visitors are coming from, Nez said. If we continue to wear masks, we can reopen gradually, maybe even at 50% for our visitors, but we also have to protect our citizens and protect our visitors from COVID-19.

Im sure one day we will reopen and embrace our visitors back to the Navajo Nation, he said.

For more stories from Cronkite News, visit cronkitenews.azpbs.org.
Two Montana residents with a deep interest in UFOs said Monday they have mixed feelings about a recently released government report on unexplained sightings that called for more study.

Richard OConnor of the Jesse A. Marcel Library in Clancy, which aims to enhance public awareness and understanding of UFOs, and Michael Masters, a biological anthropologist who teaches at Montana Tech, said the report unveiled Friday revealed little new information, but added there were things they found interesting.

The seven-page preliminary report, Preliminary Assessment: Unidentified Aerial Phenomena, was released by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence to the congressional Intelligence and Armed Services Committee. It said investigators did not find extraterrestrial links in reviewing 144 sightings of aircraft or other devices apparently flying at mysterious speeds or trajectories, according to the Associated Press.

The report stated the need for better data collection about what's increasingly seen by Democrats and Republicans as a national security concern. In all but one of the sightings investigated, there was too little information for investigators to even broadly characterize the nature of the incident.

There were 18 cases in which witnesses saw "unusual" patterns of movement or flight characteristics, the report said, adding that more analysis was needed to determine if those sightings represented "breakthrough" technology, according to the Associated Press.

Basically I was disappointed in the report, said OConnor, who said Monday that much of what was released by the government was already known. They call it a preliminary report, which hopefully implies more information will be coming in the near future.

He said a report such as this could just set us back to the place we have been for the past 50 years.

It just seems like it is stonewalling by Congress to the American people, just like its been for decades on this, he said. This is one more instance of those in the know refusing to come forward and tell the American public.

Masters said he found it interesting the government acknowledged a limited amount of reporting, "which is mostly their own fault." He said in the past couple of years, the Navy changed protocols that allowed its pilots to report these things.

The report notes the Navy established an unidentified aerial phenomena reporting system in 2019 and the Air Force adopted it in 2020. He said the Department of Defense will over the next three months develop a new strategy for collecting and tracking information on potential sightings.

Masters said the government also acknowledged there were flight characteristics beyond our technology and that of our adversaries, and that deserves further study.

What happens next is that we turn from the question of 'are these real' to 'where did they come from,' he said.

Both Masters and OConnor dismiss fears of UFOs posing a threat.

Masters wrote a book released in 2019, Identified Flying Objects: A Multidisciplinary Scientific Approach to the UFO Phenomenon, which poses that technological advances in the future allow backward time travel by future human descendants as an explanation for UFO sightings.

There is absolutely no reason why they would harm us in any way since their existence is the result of our continued longevity on this planet, Masters said. The questions of national security become moot if this explanation is accurate. It explains why they have been here for decades and never intervened.

OConnor said he was disturbed by comments regarding threats posed by unidentified aerial phenomena in the early paragraphs of the report.

Given the long history (of UFOs), its improbable to me that UFOs can be seen as a threat, he said.

OConnor said he remains skeptical of government claims they dont know what this is. Some claims still implied terrestrial technology coming from Soviet Union, Russia, China or some other super power.

Congress last year required the report, which was delivered Friday. While its lack of conclusions has already been made public, the report on what the government calls "unidentified aerial phenomena" still represents a milestone in the study of the issue.

U.S. officials who briefed reporters on the condition of anonymity said there were "no clear indications" that the sightings could be linked to alien life. There is also no definitive linkage of sightings to potentially unknown technology of an adversary like Russia or China.

The report was published online and delivered to the House and Senate intelligence committees with a classified annex. Lawmakers were given a briefing earlier in June on the investigation.

The report lists five potential categories, including the possibility of foreign adversaries flying unknown technology to events occurring naturally in the atmosphere.

But only one instance was categorized as "airborne clutter" and believed to be a large, deflating balloon. The rest are uncategorized because of a lack of information. That includes three instances of potential sightings captured on videos that were declassified and released in recent years.

Deputy Defense Secretary Kathleen Hicks said the unidentified aerial phenomena report highlights the problem of flight hazards on or near military test and training ranges. She ordered the Pentagon's top intelligence and security official to establish a more formal means of coordinating the collection, reporting and analysis of unidentified aerial phenomena information. This body also would make recommendations on securing military test and training ranges.

Part of the data collection effort is destigmatizing unidentified aerial phenomena and pushing pilots to report what they see, even when what they see is implausible.

O'Connor founded the Jesse E. Marcel Library in Clancy, named in honor of his, the late Jesse Marcel, a Helena physician who, as a boy in 1947, said he had viewed UFO wreckage in Roswell, New Mexico. Folks interested in UFOs will meet at the library at 7 p.m. Friday, which is World UFO Day. Contact him at rkojaml@gmail.com for more information.

The National UFO Reporting Center lists two recent potential UFO sightings in Montana on May 15: A string of lights in Emigrant and a large brightly lit object in Glasgow.

The government report can be viewed at https://bit.ly/3qyC6h1.

This story contains information from the Associated Press.
The Butte afternoon burned with heat but lacked the sweltering humidity and incoming artillery of Guam or Vietnam.

The mood was celebratory but lacked a youthful sailor exuberantly kissing a pretty young woman in the town square. Though it seemed clear that James Ingram, a veteran of the U.S. Navy and a resident of the Southwest Montana Veterans Home, would have readily volunteered for such duty.

Tuesdays celebration focused on fruition: achieving a long-sought goal of providing dignified housing, activities and nursing care for aging veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces, especially veterans with ties to southwest Montana.

The grand opening Tuesday of the Southwest Montana Veterans Home marked the third ceremony at the facility off Blacktail Loop since July 2019, when officials broke ground there, wearing hard hats and wielding ceremonial shovels.

In March of this year the $20 million veterans home welcomed its first resident, Bill Davis, a veteran of both the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Army who was 82 years old on move-in day.

On Tuesday, the veterans home housed 20 veterans, with the eventual capacity to reach 60.

More than 200 people, many of them veterans, gathered on a witheringly hot day for the grand opening. Most found shade beneath white tents or the expansive Porte-cochere above the entrance to the veterans homes recreation center.

A lectern provided politicians an opportunity to either distribute or claim credit for the facility or both. Gov. Greg Gianforte and U.S. Sen. Jon Tester were among those who made personal appearances.

The non-politician speakers included Dave Williamson, chairman of the Southwest Montana Veterans Home Foundation. He, like many others behind the lectern, highlighted the tireless work of Butte native Bob Pavlovich to bring the states third veterans home to Butte and southwest Montana.

A day or 10,000 ago, Bob Pavlovich had a dream, Williamson said. What you see around you is the result of that dream.

Construction has been completed on three of five cottages, with expectations that the last two will be finished by the end of July. The complex occupies about 10 acres donated by the Don Harrington Foundation.

Each cottage in the skilled nursing facility features 12 single bedrooms, a kitchen area, a dining room and a sprawling living room with numerous windows. The cottage concept is intended to provide something akin to a home setting as opposed to a living arrangement that feels impersonal and institutional.

During a recent interview, Ingram, who is 91 years old, said he is happy to be living in the Southwest Montana Veterans Home.

Its like heaven, he said. I love it. The people are so nice. The buildings are so nice.

The campaign to site a veterans home in Butte started decades ago.

The early campaigners included Pavlovich, a veteran of the U.S. Army. He was a state representative when he introduced a bill in 1993 to get the funding ball rolling. But that money ultimately went to help pay for the Eastern Montana Veterans Home in Glendive, a diversion supported by Pavlovich.

But Pavlovich and a host of others werent ready to quit.

Williamson said Tuesday that the foundation hopes additional funding will pay to cover walkways to make them safer for veterans and staff and that a sixth cottage will be built someday to accommodate demand for veterans housing in southwest Montana.

The space [for a sixth cottage] is available and there is definitely the need, as our wait list numbers already exceed the number of available beds, he said.

The state of Montana owns the Southwest Montana Veterans Home and pays for facility upkeep and maintenance. The state pays also for one staff member who works as the facility liaison.

Eduro Healthcare manages the veterans home, which is licensed by the state and federally certified by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services.

Eduro is reimbursed through client long term care coverage from each clients pay source which varies depending on each veterans situation. Pay sources include Medicaid, Medicare and/or the Veterans Administration. For each veteran, it might be one source or a combination of the three.

Clarence Haugan, 78, a U.S. Air Force veteran who attended Tuesdays grand opening, said he believes having the veterans home in Butte is a positive thing.

There are a lot of veterans in Butte, I know that, he said.

Matt Egloff, a veteran of the U.S. Army, expressed similar thoughts at the grand opening.

Oh, hell yeah, he said. I might need it someday.
The U.S. healthcare system operates differently from many others in the world, characterized by high costs for the individual. In fact, it is because of the higher prices of medications, treatments, and hospital procedures that the U.S. spends more on health care per capita than any other developed country in the world, a 2019 Johns Hopkins report found.

Though expensive, the health care cost is to a large extent covered by the government. In 2019, 29.0% of all health-related spending in the U.S. was paid for by the federal government. A slightly lower share, 28.4%, was paid for by households. State and local governments covered 16.1% of the total cost.

State governments spent $885 billion on health care, or $2,696 per person, in 2018, the latest year for which state and local data is available. Due to different budget priorities and needs, local government health care spending varies considerably by state. Per-capita health care spending ranges from less than $1,100 to more than $3,600.

Montana spent $2,192 per capita on its residents' health in 2018, the 22nd highest amount of money of all states.

Montana's health expenditure budget in 2018 totaled $2.3 billion. The state's health budget covers partial Medicaid coverage, state-run hospitals and university medical schools, and other health expenses and programs addressing needs such as community wellness, substance abuse, health inspection, and pollution control.

In 2018, states allocated between 17% and 39% of their total budgets to health care costs. Montana spent 30.0%, the 17th highest health spending as a share of all state spending.

In every state, the largest portion of overall health care spending is allocated to public welfare programs. Such programs include Medicare and Medicaid, two government-funded health insurance programs that offer coverage to the elderly, the disabled, and people with low incomes.

Montana allocated in 2018 89.9% of its health budget to public welfare, the 14th highest share, or $1,971 per capita. States across the country allocate an average of 66.0% of their total health spending, or $1,778 per person, to public welfare programs.

People living with disabilities and those 65 and older are the ones who most commonly need health care and receive state Medicaid spending. Montana's 65 and over adults comprise 19.5% of the state's population, the sixth highest share and compared to 16.5% across the U.S. as a whole. About 13.5% of Montana's population have a disability, the 21st highest share in the country and compared to 12.7% nationwide.

To identify how much each state spends on your health, 24/7 Wall St. reviewed the detailed health care expenditures by state governments provided by the U.S. Census Bureau's 2018 Annual Survey of State and Local Finances. This is how much the government of every state spends per resident. This is how much the government of every state spends per resident.
The government is failing UK farmers and the environment by neglecting to invest in skilling the younger generation, a cross-party group of MPs have warned.

The House of Commons EFRA Committee has today written to Education Secretary Gavin Williamson for a second time on the issue of dwindling skills.

They criticised the government's 'long-standing failure' to provide leadership and support to the land-based education sector, calling on him to set out a national strategy.

It follows the closure of Cumbria's only specialist land-based college, Newton Rigg. Earlier this year, a community attempt to keep the 125-year-old agri college open failed.

The Committee expressed concerns that current policy lacked the necessary safeguards to prevent valuable assets being sold by education providers to make ends meet.

This 'selling of the family silver', the MPs noted, can only be addressed by a clear national strategy which placed the importance of specialist local provision at the fore.

Neil Parish MP, Chair of the EFRA Select Committee, said the farming industry would 'fail' if the next generation of farmers and land managers were 'not properly equipped with the skills they need'.

"There are important questions that the Secretary of State still needs to answer about the sale of Newton Rigg to prevent this happening elsewhere," Mr Parish added.

"A robust national strategy is urgently needed to address the shrinking number of agricultural colleges, particularly in rural areas like Cumbria, where these skills are needed the most.

"Therefore, once more, our Committee is calling on the government to demonstrate the value it places on our farming sector and countryside by investing time and money in land-based education."
Princess Anne has officially opened a major new Harper Adams University facility which will support the education of farm veterinarians.

The Princess Royal visited the Shropshire campus on Tuesday (29 June) to open the 8.6 million Veterinary Education Centre.

The centre has facilities and equipment to educate veterinary surgeons, veterinary nurses, veterinary physiotherapists and other students working towards such careers.

Princess Anne saw the buildings learning technology in action in a practical teaching room, where a dissection demonstration being conducted remotely.

Activities included a demonstration of diagnostic imaging techniques, a practical physiotherapy tutorial, a veterinary medicine clinical skills session and a display of clinical models.

In the Kildare Lecture Theatre, she met trustees of the Kildare Charitable Trust, which has supported the provision of one of the two large lecture theatres in the new centre.

The universitys vice-chancellor, Dr David Llewellyn said: We were delighted to be able to welcome the Princess Royal back to Harper Adams to officially open the centre.

This is a major new facility for the university and will not only support the education of those entering a variety of veterinary professions, but also enable us to ensure that future generations of veterinary surgeons are able to train alongside those seeking a career in the agri-food industry.

"We need excellent people in both fields, with a thorough understanding of the issues that impact on animal health and welfare that they will have to address when pursuing their future careers."
The future of the Scottish pig industry is at risk due to continued unfair supply chain practices, NFU Scotland has warned.

It has written to Pilgrims, the processing partner of Scotlands largest abattoir in Brechin, to urge them to stop operating pricing practices that 'threaten' the sector.

Farmers had 'serious concerns' resulting from the 'uncompetitive price' paid by Pilgrims for pigs going to the Brechin abattoir.

"The price is uncompetitive compared to alternative market routes," NFU Scotland president Martin Kennedy said.

"This has resulted in the volume of pigs going to Brechin falling dramatically and operations at the plant being reduced to three days a week."

While there was strong market demand for pig meat, the pricing structure being operated by Pilgrims at Brechin was making it 'impossible' for farmers to 'financially survive'.

"We are currently losing around one farmer from the sector each week," NFU Scotland's president explained.

"To stop the trickle becoming a flood, we need Brechin to once again be operating at normal levels and paying the same price as other abattoirs."

Mr Kennedy added: "Should the current situation persist, we are concerned for the future of the abattoir itself as to operate effectively it needs a critical mass of pigs to process efficiently.

"We simply wont have enough pigs left in Scotland to meet this critical mass if the current situation persists."

He said this could threaten both farm jobs as well as those working at the abattoir, and result in a shortage of Specially Selected Pork on shelves.

"We are calling on Pilgrims to recognise their responsibility to the pig industry and cease penalising farmers through unfair pricing," Mr Kennedy said.

"If they are not willing to do review their current practices then we urge them to engage in meaningful dialogue that will open opportunities to develop a positive future.
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Shah Rukh Khan is known by several names in our industry  we call him King Khan, his close ones in the industry call him  Shah Bhai, his dear ones call him Shah, and some of his die hard fans still call him Raj (from DDLJ). But did you know in his school days, Shah Rukh Khan was called Mail Gaadi.

Shah Rukh Khan who studied in Delhi and the actor who often talks about his school days, was called Mail Gaadi in his school. In a throwback interview with our magazine, the actor even revealed why his nickname was attached to a train. He said, Mail Gaadi, because I used to run very fast, like an express train. It was also because my hair used to stand out in front. Now isnt that something hilarious.



In the interview, SRK also revealed how mischievous he was at school, I've troubled many of my teachers. I once convinced my chemistry teacher to give me good marks by telling her I was like her son. I also used to feign an attack of epilepsy very often. I'd 'faint' in the classroom and the teachers had to take off their shoes for me to smell. Once, when we had a new teacher, I 'fainted' and the other kids convinced him that if he didn't give me the suede shoes he was wearing, I'd die. He had to roam barefoot the rest of the day. Now thats taking pranks to another level.

On the work front, Shah Rukh Khan will soon resume work on YRFs Pathan. A small schedule is being planned in Mumbai where he will shoot with Deepika Padukone. This is Shah Rukh Khans comeback film as he was last seen in 2018 with Zero.
CALGARY AB / ACCESSWIRE / June 29, 2021 / Canadian Overseas Petroleum Limited (the "Company") (CSE:XOP)(LSE:COPL), is providing this bi-weekly default status report in accordance with National Policy 12-203 - Management Cease Trade Orders ("NP 12-203").

On May 12, 2021, the Company disseminated a news release (the "MCTO Notice") disclosing that it had voluntarily applied to the Alberta Securities Commission (the "ASC") for a management cease trade order ("MCTO") as it was not able to complete and file its unaudited interim financial statements and the applicable CEO and CFO certifications in respect of such filings for the period ended March 31, 2021 (collectively the "Interim Filings") by the filing deadline of May 17, 2021. On May 27, 2021 the Company announced that the ASC granted the MCTO on May 18, 2021 provided that the Company issue a bi-weekly default status report every two weeks, in accordance with NP 12-203, during the period of the MCTO. The Company provided its first bi-weekly status report in its May 27, 2021 news release and a second bi-weekly status report on June 10, 2021 (the "Second Bi-Weekly Status Report").

Due to further delays in connection with preparing the Interim Filings, the Company applied to the ASC on June 24, 2021 for an extension of the MCTO from June 30, 2021 to July 14, 2021 (the "Extension Request"). As of the date of this press release, the ASC has not yet granted the Extension Request.

The Company confirms that since the date of the Second Bi-Weekly Status Report and subject to the Extension Request: (i) there has been no material change to the information set out in the MCTO Notice that has not been generally disclosed; (ii) there has been no failure by the Company in fulfilling its stated intentions with respect to satisfying the provisions of the alternative information guidelines set out in NP 12-203; (iii) there has not been any other specified default by the Company under NP 12-203; and (iv) there is no other material information concerning the affairs of the Company that has not been generally disclosed.

The Company confirms that its directors, officers and insiders cannot trade the Company's securities until the Interim Filings have been made. The Company is working diligently to complete the Interim Filings. The MCTO stipulated that the Interim Filings were to be filed by no later than June 30, 2021. The Company will be in a position to file the Interim Filings on or before July 14, 2021 and is awaiting the ASC's decision on whether the Extension Request will be granted. Until filing of the Interim Filings, the Company intends to satisfy the provisions of the alternative information guidelines as required by NP 12-203.

About the Company

COPL is an international oil and gas exploration, development and production company actively pursuing opportunities in the United States through the acquisition of Atomic Oil and Gas LLC with operations in Converse County Wyoming, and in sub-Saharan Africa through its ShoreCan joint venture company in Nigeria, and independently in other countries.

For further information, please contact:

Mr. Arthur Millholland, President & CEO

Canadian Overseas Petroleum Limited

Tel: + 1 (403) 262 5441

Cathy Hume

CHF Investor Relations

Tel: +1 (416) 868 1079 ext. 251

Email: cathy@chfir.com

Charles Goodwin

Yellow Jersey PR Limited

Tel: +44 (0) 77 4778 8221

Email: copl@yellowjerseypr.com

Forward-looking statements

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking information" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of the applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that discusses predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as "expects", or "does not expect", "is expected", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate", "plans", "budget", "scheduled", "forecasts", "estimates", "believes" or "intends" or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results "may" or "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements contained in this press release include, without limitation, statements relating to the timing for completion of the Interim Filings, the granting of the Extension Request and other statements that are not historical facts. In making the forward-looking statements contained in this press release, the Company has made certain assumptions. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in forward-looking statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that the expectations of any forward-looking statements will prove to be correct. Known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this press release. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any intention and assumes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect actual results, whether as a result of new information, future events, changes in assumptions, changes in factors affecting such forward-looking statements or otherwise. The securities of the company have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements. This release is issued for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of any securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this press release.

SOURCE: Canadian Overseas Petroleum Limited

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/653665/CORRECTION-Canadian-Overseas-Petroleum-Limited-Provides-Third-Bi-Weekly-Status-Report-and-Announces-Application-for-Extension-of-Management-Cease-Trade-Order




US, June 30, 2021 - (ACN Newswire) - News flows the past week has centred around BTC's big flash dip and about how long-term investors are taking the chance to accumulate more BTC. However, no one seems to be talking about the second largest coin, ETH. Is ETH a good buy at these levels?The rise in DeFi is the single largest contributor towards the demand for ETH in this bull run as ETH is used both as a collateral as well as a fuel to use the ETH blockchain for yield-farming. While other developments like NFTs also contribute to the popularity of ETH, by and large, 90% of the demand for ETH has been for DeFi usage so far. Thus, to study if ETH is a worthwhile investment now, our focus should still be on DeFi, specifically, the trend about DeFi going forward.ETH, while being the undisputed leader in DeFi, has seen some competition from other blockchains like Binance Smart Chain (BSC) and Polygon (MATIC). Part of the argument against ETH in DeFi use has been its high gas fee and slow speed, which has caused both yield-farmers and protocols to migrate to other cheaper blockchains like BSC and Polygon (MATIC). This resulted in some value from the ETH blockchain moving to other blockchains.However, as the market started to turn downwards in May, exploits on DeFi projects were getting one too many with projects on other blockchains, while none were observed with those on ETH. BSC, the largest contender, saw the community of its top protocols, Venus (XVS) and Bunny (BUNNY), lose billions of staked funds due to exploits. This trend soon started happening to projects on MATIC as well, with the fastest and largest ever rug-pull (developer running away with yield-farmers' money) happening to Iron Finance, a project that even sophisticated investor Mark Cuban was openly bullish about. Iron Finance totally collapsed, wiping out billions of investor funds. It is appearing that the very reasons why these projects were successful became the very reason of their failure to take-off. Being cheap and fast allows bad actors to take advantage because it costs a scammer close to nothing to create a new protocol and they are able to get funds out of the protocol before being detected because the blockchain is fast. Perhaps ETH's higher gas fee and slower speed may be the very reason why exploits there are rare. Because it is more expensive to interact with ETH, projects and users there tend to think more long-term and could be less "degenerate".The problems surrounding DeFi exploits caused a market-wide exodus of funds in DeFi projects on both BSC and MATIC in the past two months. The USD Total Value Locked (TVL) in BSC fell from a peak of $30 billion to a low of $10 billion, a loss of 67%, while the BNB token saw a loss in value of 69%. TVL on MATIC fell from a high of $11 billion to $4.3 billion, a 63% loss, while the MATIC token lost 65% at its lowest point during the selloff. Both projects have seen TVL rise back, with BSC clocking around $13 billion and MATIC $5 billion currently. To give a better perspective, lets quote in percentage terms. The TVL for BSC is still 60% lower, while the BNB token price has recovered to $290, a 60% loss from its ATH. As for MATIC, the token price is now around $1.10, which is 55% off from its peak, also a rather good reflection of its 55% TVL loss.Contrast this with ETH, which saw its price fall 61% from a high of $4,373 to a low of $1,700, when the TVL on protocols run on ETH only fell 42%. At its peak, ETH projects took in an aggregate $117 billion, while they dropped to $67 billion at the lowest point in May, a fall of 42%. However, the price of ETH was hammered down by 61% during that time, falling 20% more than the drop in TVL.Even though ETH price has recovered from its low, it is still 55% lower than its high, while its TVL has recovered to around $77 billion, around 35% lower than its peak, with the 20% discrepancy is still manifesting. This reveals that unlike the other two competitors, the fall in ETH price is more drastic in proportion to its fall in TVL, which could suggest that the selling in ETH is overdone. ETH, a leader in the smart contract blockchain place, which ought to give it a price premium, is now seemingly trading at a disproportionate price discount to TVL as compared with its peers. This could thus mean that either ETH is undervalued, or that the other two blockchains are overvalued.To ascertain if the few DeFi-blockchains are likely overvalued or undervalued, let us examine the DeFi adoption in the past year. DeFi adoption has been taking off in a gradual way since the early part of 2021, as can be seen in the below chart. The month-on-month growth of DeFi users had been consistent, with 292,000 new users registered every month since Jan 2021. In June, despite the market fallout, the number of new DeFi users did not drop, in fact that number actually went up to 300,000. This suggests that growth in DeFi adoption has not only not receded, but it actually picked up pace, which shows an aggressive growth trajectory. Valuation in an industry which is growing aggressively should have a premium, which means they ought to command premium valuation. Hence, this in no way suggests that a lower valuation estimate should be warranted for blockchains doing DeFi. In this regard, ETH is not overvalued. ETH is in fact, rather undervalued, since ETH is now also on track with some major upgrades as imminent as July.The massive fall in ETH then could be due to greedy investors taking on high leverage positions during the hype of the impending upgrade, only to suffer from huge liquidations when the market turned, which started a spiralling effect as margin liquidations sent prices lower which then resulted in more margin liquidations on other investors which started a cascade of price fall. With price settling into consolidation after the bulk of the liquidation done, investors looking for value may do well accumulating ETH when its price is still currently undervalued.The key risk event for ETH of course could be the failure of ETH2.0. However, with ETH founder, Vitalik Buterin, already having issued a pre-emptive warning to not expect a smooth transition until year 2022, investors have been mentally prepared and reaction towards any implementation delay will not be drastic.It thus seems that there is more room for upside surprise should the key upgrade manage to yield better-than-expected results in fee reduction as well as in reducing the supply of ETH in the market. ETH looks to me a good buy at current level of around $2,000.About Kim Chua, PrimeXBT Market Analyst:Kim Chua is an institutional trading specialist with a track record of success that extends across leading banks including Deutsche Bank, China Merchants Bank, and more. Chua later launched a hedge fund that consistently achieved triple-digit returns for seven years. Chua is also an educator at heart who developed her own proprietary trading curriculum to pass her knowledge down to a new generation of analysts. Kim Chua actively follows both traditional and cryptocurrency markets closely and is eager to find future investment and trading opportunities as the two vastly different asset classes begin to converge.Source: PrimeXBTCopyright 2021 ACN Newswire . All rights reserved.
LONDON (dpa-AFX) - Rio Tinto (RTPPF.PK, RIO.L, RIO, RTNTF.PK) said that it has declared force majeure on customer contracts at Richards Bay Minerals in South Africa due to an escalation in the security situation at the operations. The security issue reportedly came due to the fatal shooting of a senior manager a month ago. Therefore the company has decided to cease operations until the safety and security position improves. Rio Tinto said it continues to offer its full support to the investigating authorities. All mining and smelting operations at Richards Bay Minerals have been halted until further notice. The Zulti South project has remained on full suspension since the security and community issues in 2019. 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.
LONDON, June 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A state-of-the-art hospital in the Commonwealth of Dominica is anticipated to be completed soon. The 40,000 square foot modern building will have a 75-bed capacity along with essential services, including a trauma centre, emergency care, and ambulatory, laboratory and radiology services. The new hospital will contribute to the transformation of Dominica's healthcare sector while also providing employment opportunities for the community.

Like much of Dominica's infrastructure, the hospital is built with resiliency in mind ensuring that it can withstand any category of wind and seismic activity. Aside from the hospital, Dominica is also building multiple health centres, many of which have already been completed or are under construction. These projects are all financed by Dominica's Citizenship by Investment (CBI) Programme. This initiative empowers global citizens to acquire the nation's citizenship after making an economic contribution to a government fund or purchasing real estate.

Recently, the Minister of State in the Ministry of Finance, Economic Affairs and Planning, Gregory Riviere, stressed the importance of the programme for being a reliable source of funds for the project: "Of course, there is no way that we would be able to get a loan to build this facility, not in this covid-environment; and grants are not always forthcoming because every country is trying to keep what little they have, and we cannot rely on taxes because in this covid environment we have seen a dramatic decrease in our tax revenues. So, the CBI is a very, very good instrument that we can use to finance those capital projects," he noted.

The coronavirus pandemic has emphasised the importance of being in a country that is committed to investing in healthcare. Despite having limited resources, Dominica has ensured its citizens' protection throughout the global health crisis, recording zero deaths since the onset of the virus. This is accredited to the government's efficient management, which has implemented various initiatives to curb the spread of COVID-19.

The CBI Programme has been crucial to funding national development across the island in various sectors from housing to tourism and education to healthcare. It currently supports the construction of over 5,000 weather-resistant homes, various eco-resorts, and a primary school, amongst other vital projects.

Those who invest in the programme are assured that their contribution is going towards the betterment of their adoptive home and gain a wealth of opportunities as Dominican citizens. This includes increased travel freedom to over 140 destinations, alternative business opportunities and the safety of a stable democracy with strong ties to financial hubs like the United States and the United Kingdom.

+447867942505, pr@csglobalpartners.com, www.csglobalpartners.com
NEW YORK, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of financial markets for 11,000 U.S. and global securities, today announced Adcore Inc. ("Adcore" or the "Company") (TSX: ADCO; OTCQX: ADCOF), a leading e-commerce advertising management and automation platform to leverage digital marketing in an effortless and accessible way ("EffortlessAdvertising"), has qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market.

Adcore begins trading on OTCQX under the symbol "ADCOF." U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the Company on www.otcmarkets.com. The Company's shares will also continue to trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "ADCO".

Upgrading to the OTCQX Market is an important step for companies seeking to provide transparent trading for their U.S. investors. For companies listed on a qualified international exchange, streamlined market standards enable them to utilize their home market reporting to make their information available in the U.S. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws.

"Congratulations to Adcore Inc on upgrading to our OTCQX Best Market. Adcore joins the growing number of Israeli headquartered issuers that have seen success on our OTCQX and OTCQB markets. And, we encourage more internationally based companies to utilize this efficient alternative to build North American visibility and gain secondary access to U.S. investors," Jason Paltrowitz, OTC Markets Group EVP - Corporate Services.

"We are excited to begin trading on the OTCQX as a next step to building long term shareholder value both in the US and Canada," commented Omri Brill, Chief Executive Officer of Adcore Inc. "A portion of our investor base is currently in the U.S. and we believe this will complement our Toronto Stock Exchange listing by further broadening our visibility to a large investor audience as we continue to create unique solutions and drive growth as a marketing innovator in the e-commerce sector."

Securities Law USA, PLLC acted as the Company's OTCQX sponsor.

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/

About OTC Markets Group Inc.

OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates the OTCQX Best Market, the OTCQB Venture Market and the Pink Open Market for 11,000 U.S. and global securities. Through OTC Link ATS and OTC Link ECN, we connect a diverse network of broker-dealers that provide liquidity and execution services. We enable investors to easily trade through the broker of their choice and empower companies to improve the quality of information available for investors.

To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com.

OTC Link ATS and OTC Link ECN are SEC regulated ATSs, operated by OTC Link LLC, member FINRA/SIPC.

Subscribe to the OTC Markets RSS Feed

Media Contact:

OTC Markets Group Inc., +1 (212) 896-4428, media@otcmarkets.com

Adcore IR contacts:

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

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Now hiring for jobs near Bratislava to support fulfillment operations for e-commerce brand, ABOUT YOU

Ingram Micro Commerce Lifecycle Services, a leading provider of e-commerce fulfillment solutions and third-party logistics, today announced plans to launch its first operation in southern Slovakia with ABOUT YOU, an online fashion retailer and one of Europe's fastest growing e-commerce companies. Ingram Micro is actively hiring to support the new operation and strives to become the largest employer in the region to support ABOUT YOU's rapid growth in consumer markets across Central and Eastern Europe.

"Ingram Micro Commerce Lifecycle Services is very excited to launch a large-scale operation in Slovakia and is proud to be selected as ABOUT YOU's trusted third-party logistics provider," said Jack Heijkans, vice president of commerce, Ingram Micro Commerce Lifecycle Services. "Our experience developing, managing and growing operations for some of Europe's biggest e-commerce brands will contribute to their growth objectives, including the ability to rapidly scale operations to meet large increases in demand."

"In planning our expansion to Central Eastern Europe, we were looking for a provider with proven experience and a high degree of flexibility in order to support our growth. In addition, the provider also had to meet our expectations of sustainability in terms of future processes as well as the materials used in the warehouse. The cooperation with Ingram Micro Commerce Lifecycle Services was the best choice for this project and we look forward to going live with the operation later this year," said Henryk Patzelt, director of logistics, ABOUT YOU.

ABOUT INGRAM MICRO COMMERCE LIFECYCLE SERVICES

Ingram Micro Commerce Lifecycle Services provides supply chain solutions that connect supply and demand. From cross-border fulfillment to dropship and returns management, IT asset disposition, re-marketing, distribution and more, our solutions drive growth across the commerce and technology markets. We proudly serve customers ranging from fast-growing brands to Global 2000 enterprises and are dedicated to facilitating their success through our global warehousing network, world-class technology, strategic partnerships and decades of expertise in the logistics, mobile device and ITAD industries. Learn more at www.ingrammicroservices.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210629006123/en/

Contacts:

Lauren Jow

Global Brand Manager

lauren.jow@ingrammicro.com

Ingram Micro Commerce Lifecycle Services
PARIS and SAN FRANCISCO and ROME, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Translated, an Italy and US-based company that pioneered the use of artificial intelligence to support professional translators, announces that the world-leading private investment house Ardian has invested $25 million via its Ardian Growth fund, leading a $30 million investment round.

Translated is an end-to-end translation platform that combines its renowned proprietary adaptive neural machine translation software ModernMT with its network of 200 000 engaged linguists. Over the last many years, the company has experienced a consistent 30% organic growth rate year-on-year. Thanks to this human-machine symbiosis, Translated offerings have been constantly improving. Today Translated is able to serve global tech platforms including Airbnb, Google and Uber as well as small and medium-sized businesses.

Leveraging its track-record in scaling-up companies, the Ardian Growth team has joined the founders Isabelle Andrieu and Marco Trombetti to support their ambition in AI and in the Translation world. Through this investment, Ardian will help Translated grow even faster and scale the adoption of its AI-powered platform in Europe and in the US.

Marco Trombetti, co-founder and CEO of Translated, comments: "We believe that allowing everyone to understand and be understood is one of the greatest challenges of humankind. We feel the urgency to solve this problem, because the more people understand each other the easier it will be for humanity to achieve any other great challenge. We decided to partner with Ardian because they share with us the love for diversity, they are capable of accelerating our plans and they have the DNA and means to do so in the long term."

Isabelle Andreu, co-founder of Translated, says: "I am thrilled for the milestone reached so far, thanks to our determination, hard work, and wonderful team of people that have given their time and talent to bet on us. We are rich in enthusiasm and desire to pursue this incredible journey"

Laurent Foata, Managing Director and Head of Ardian Growth stated: "Founded and self-financed by inspiring entrepreneurs like Marco and Isabelle, Translated already posts more than 50% of sales in the US market. Such unique achievements chime with Ardian Growth's investment philosophy and track record in the software landscape."

Bertrand Schapiro, Director of the Ardian Growth team added: "By pioneering AI and tailoring it for linguists, Translated has shaken up a market historically dominated by only a few players. We're delighted to support a company that has been able to keep on innovating in AI without losing sight of its overall purpose".

ABOUT TRANSLATED

Translated has been offering human translation services for the last 20 years in 194 languages and 40 areas of expertise. The company uses a powerful combination of human creativity and machine intelligence to craft consistent quality translations at speed.

www.translated.com

ABOUT ARDIAN

Ardian is a world-leading private investment house with assets of US$112bn managed or advised in Europe, the Americas and Asia. The company is majority-owned by its employees. It keeps entrepreneurship at its heart and focuses on delivering excellent investment performance to its global investor base.

Through its commitment to shared outcomes for all stakeholders, Ardian's activities fuel individual, corporate and economic growth around the world.

Holding close its core values of excellence, loyalty and entrepreneurship, Ardian maintains a truly global network, with more than 700 employees working from fifteen offices across Europe (Frankfurt, Jersey, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Paris and Zurich), the Americas (New York, San Francisco and Santiago) and Asia (Beijing, Singapore, Tokyo and Seoul). It manages funds on behalf of more than 1,100 clients through five pillars of investment expertise: Fund of Funds, Direct Funds, Infrastructure, Real Estate and Private Debt.

Follow @Ardian on Twitter

www.ardian.com

LIST OF PARTICIPANTS

- Ardian Growth: Laurent Foata, Bertrand Schapiro, Olivier Roy

- Legal advisors: Giovannelli & Associati (Fabrizio Scaparro, Paola Cairoli, Augusto Fracasso), Orrick (Attilio Mazzilli, Flavio Notari, Alessandro Vittoria)

- Financial advisor: KPMG (Matteo Ennio, Matteo Ghislandi)

PRESS CONTACTS



Translated

CHIARA SANSONI

Tel: +39 338 484 1627

chiara.sansoni@translated.com

Ardian

CHARLES BARKER CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS

ardian@charlesbarker.de

PETER STEINER

Tel: +49 69 79409027

JAN P. SEFRIN

Tel: +49 69 79409026

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1554650/Translated_Logo.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1554651/MarcoIsa.jpg
BRUSSELS (dpa-AFX) - At 2.00 am ET Wednesday, the Office for National Statistics releases UK revised quarterly national accounts for the first quarter. The statistical office is expected to confirm 1.5 percent sequential fall. The pound traded mixed against its major counterparts ahead of the data. While it rose against the franc, it held steady against the rest of major counterparts. The pound was worth 152.99 against the yen, 1.3849 against the greenback, 0.8593 against the euro and 1.2764 against the franc as of 1:55 am ET. 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.
EASTLEIGH, UK / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2021 / i3 Energy plc (AIM:I3E) (TSX:ITE), an independent oil and gas company with assets and operations in the UK and Canada, is pleased to announce the following update.

Maiden Dividend

The final confirmation hearing in the High Court of Justice of England and Wales was held yesterday and the court approved the cancellation of i3 Energy's share premium account (the 'Capital Reduction'). The court order together with the court approved statement of capital has been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and the Capital Reduction will finally become effective upon the registration of the court order by the Registrar of Companies, which is expected to occur in the next few days. The Ex-dividend date, Record Date and Payment Date will be announced immediately following confirmation of the registration. With the predicted timing of the above registration by the Registrar of Companies, i3 expects the Ex-dividend date to be during the week commencing 12 July 2021.

Wapiti Production Acquisition

Previously announced as a letter of intent on 17 June 2021, the Company has now executed a binding sales and purchase agreement to acquire 230 boe/d of Wapiti production, a non-core asset to the seller, whereafter i3 intends to conduct six well reactivations to bring Next Twelve Months ('NTM') production to an estimated 310 boe/d at a total acquisition and capital cost of USD 410k, which translates to an acquisition cost of only 0.56x expected NTM net operating income (revenue minus royalties, opex, transportation and processing). This production acquisition is expected to complete in early Q3 2021, with a 1 April 2021 effective date.

END

Qualified Person's Statement

In accordance with the AIM Note for Mining and Oil and Gas Companies, i3 discloses that Majid Shafiq is the qualified person who has reviewed the technical information contained in this document. He graduated with a Master's Degree in Petroleum Engineering from Heriot-Watt University in 1988 and is a member of the Society of Petroleum Engineers. Majid Shafiq consents to the inclusion of the information in the form and context in which it appears.

Enquiries:

i3 Energy plc Majid Shafiq (CEO) / Graham Heath (CFO) c/o Camarco Tel: +44 (0) 203 781 8331 WH Ireland Limited (Nomad and Joint Broker) James Joyce, James Sinclair-Ford Tel: +44 (0) 207 220 1666 Canaccord Genuity Limited (Joint Broker) Henry Fitzgerald- O'Connor, James Asensio Tel: +44 (0) 207 523 8000 Tennyson Securities (Joint Broker) Peter Krens Tel: +44 (0) 207 186 9030 Camarco Owen Roberts, James Crothers, Violet Wilson Tel: +44 (0) 203 781 8331

Notes to Editors:

i3 Energy is an oil and gas Company with a low cost, diversified, growing production base in Canada's most prolific hydrocarbon region, the Western Canadian Sedimentary Basin and appraisal assets in the North Sea with significant upside.

The Company is well positioned to deliver future growth through the optimisation of its existing 100% owned asset base and the acquisition of long life, low decline conventional production assets.

i3 is dedicated to responsible corporate practices and the environment, and places high value on adhering to strong Environmental, Social and Governance ('ESG') practices. i3 is proud of its performance to date as a responsible steward of the environment, people, and capital management. The Company is committed to maintaining an ESG strategy, which has broader implications to long-term value creation, as these benefits extend beyond regulatory requirements.

i3 Energy is listed on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange under the symbol I3E and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol ITE. For further information on i3 Energy please visit https://i3.energy/

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014.

This information is provided by RNS, the news service of the London Stock Exchange. RNS is approved by the Financial Conduct Authority to act as a Primary Information Provider in the United Kingdom. Terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. For further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.

SOURCE: i3 Energy PLC

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/653669/i3-Energy-PLC-Announces-Capital-Restructuring-Wapiti-Acquisition
Second Healthcare Fund Invests in Start-ups and Scale-ups Advancing Transformative Healthcare Technologies

Novalis Biotech, an early-stage venture capital investor in technologies aimed at revolutionizing healthcare, announced today the closing of its 25 million second fund, the Novalis Biotech Acceleration Fund. Both new and returning investors have participated in the fundraising. The second fund investor base includes institutional investors, such as Participatie Maatschappij Vlaanderen (PMV), family offices, as well as HNWIs.

The Biotech Acceleration Fund will continue to invest in start-up and scale-up companies that are transforming healthcare through "enabling technologies". Examples of these technologies are genomics, bioinformatics, drug research or manufacturing tools, diagnostics and personalized medicine. Investments will be split between early-stage incubation projects and later stage acceleration projects. So far, investments have been made in the enabling technologies being developed by Grapheal and RheaVita. Novalis will continue leveraging its strong network in Benelux, and plans to further extend its investments across Western Europe and the U.S.

Co-founder Wim Van Criekinge commented: "Now more than ever there is huge interest in the ability for innovative technology to help provide a response to our growing healthcare needs. We believe the enabling technologies we identify and support early in their development will meet these growing needs.

"Our success from Fund 1 has been rewarded with the commitment from investors to significantly increase the size of the Biotech Acceleration Fund and provide the flexibility for larger individual investments when needed. We'd like to thank our returning and new investors for their support and shared vision," added co-founder Jan Van den Berghe.

Kjell Mortier, fund manager of Novalis II added: "Our investment strategy creates a unique and growing ecosystem, providing hands-on support and the strong scientific and business foundations needed to enable companies to grow and succeed. We also welcome Jaroslav Belotserkovsky to the team who brings a wealth of experience in life science and innovation, in addition to an expansion of our international footprint."

Jan Alexander, Head of Fund Investments at PMV added: "With their first fund, Novalis has proven that they can create value with their hands-on entrepreneurial style and deep technological knowledge. We are convinced that, with the Novalis Biotech Acceleration Fund, they will continue to support innovation and valorization of technology in the entrepreneurial ecosystem of the Flemish region."

Novalis invests early and focuses on capital-light ideas, where small investments can create significant value using software, IP, tools, and other enabling technologies that can transform healthcare. Leveraging extensive networks, Novalis has a proven track record in translating innovation into successful companies.

Novalis Fund 1 was founded in September 2018 and totalled 4 million which was deployed into eight companies, mostly in the Benelux region. These include BioLizard, Cergentis, Enzyre, Epify, Fertiga, myNEO and OHMX.bio. A first exit was realized with US portfolio company doc.ai, acquired by Sharecare as part of an IPO.

About Novalis Biotech Acceleration

Novalis Biotech (Ghent, Belgium) is an early-stage venture capital investor in technologies that revolutionize healthcare. The company's core competence lies in digitalization in the life sciences with a focus on capital light "enabling technologies" such as bioinformatics, AI, genomics, personalized medicine, research or manufacturing tools and diagnostics. For more information, please visit www.noval.is.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210629005805/en/

Contacts:

Jan Van den Berghe

Co-Founder

contact@noval.is

Mike Sinclair (media)

Halsin Partners

msinclair@halsin.com

+44 7968 022075
XPhyto signs master supply agreement with operator of 10 COVID-19 test centers

The test will be offered to customers as a rapid PCR test with sample processing on site

Commercial operations expected to commence upon delivery of kits

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2021 / XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. (CSE:XPHY)(OTCQB:XPHYF)(FSE:4XT) ("XPhyto" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has signed a master supply agreement with Beovita GmbH & Co. KG and Tackleberries GmbH, two German diagnostics, testing, and medical logistics companies that run ten COVID-19 test centers in Berlin, Germany. There is a strong demand for reliable and rapid testing to monitor the changing dynamics of the pandemic throughout the summer and the high travel season.

"This is a major commercial milestone for XPhyto. The successful launch of our first diagnostic product, Covid-ID Lab, represents significant validation of our rapid point-of-care care diagnostic business strategy," said Hugh Rogers, CEO and director. "Our portable Covid-ID Lab is designed to be one of the fastest PCR systems in the world, while our platform is economic at low to mid-range sample volumes. We anticipate strong and sustainable demand for our rapid and versatile PCR system and look forward to further expanding our reach."

The delivery of approximately 1,000 Covid-ID Lab tests to test centers in Berlin will begin this week and will kick off a short trial period to integrate and evaluate XPhyto's new PCR test system. Covid-ID Lab sample processing will occur directly at the sample collection site. This represents a significant shift from conventional PCR testing models whereby samples are collected and then shipped to large centralized and automated labs for processing. XPhyto's decentralized testing model is expected to yield faster results, more versatile test center options, and cost effectiveness at lower testing volumes.

"For many countries, only PCR tests are accepted to travel there. Especially in the metropolitan areas and around transportation hubs like train stations and airports, we see great potential for rapid PCR tests, which can be performed on the way and the results are then already available digitally upon arrival at the train station or airport. This will eliminate many time delays and organizational difficulties that not only business travelers but also tourists currently have to deal with," noted Dr. Ismail Ozkanli, CEO of Beovita GmbH & Co. KG.

"Rapid, reliable and decentralized PCR tests are exactly what the market needs right now; precisely because incidence rates are falling and therefore sample numbers are decreasing. Large centralized laboratories will no longer operate profitably due to their high-throughput testing equipment or alternatively, they will have to wait for sufficient sample numbers, therefore delaying results," stated Michael Kretzer, CEO of Max Pharma, pharmaceutical wholesaler and XPhyto's distribution partner. "There will be areas of application where rapid, reliable, and universally recognized results are always required. Accordingly, we see a specialized and sustainable opportunity for the Covid-ID Lab and anticipate a steep order volume uptake in the near future."

Covid-ID Lab is a rapid RT-PCR test for the qualitative detection of SARS-CoV-2 based on the reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. To perform the test, Covid-ID Lab requires only a 20-minute PCR run time without prior RNA extraction as part of sample preparation. After the RT-PCR, the SARS-CoV-2 virus is detected on a test chip within 5 minutes and if SARS-CoV-2 is present, the result can be read visually immediately.

As commercial relationships progress, manufacturing volumes and costs, as well as sales volumes and revenue are established, the Company will provide economic details and forecasts associated with Covid-ID Lab.

The Company is not making any express or implied claims that its product has the ability to eliminate, cure or contain the COVID-19 pandemic.

About XPhyto Therapeutics Corp.

XPhyto Therapeutics Corp. is a bioscience accelerator focused on next-generation drug delivery, diagnostic, and new active pharmaceutical ingredient investment opportunities, including: precision transdermal and oral dissolvable drug formulations; rapid, low-cost infectious disease and oral health screening tests; and standardization of emerging active pharmaceutical ingredients for neurological applications, including psychedelic compounds and cannabinoids. The Company has research and development operations in North America and Europe, with an operational focus in Germany, and is currently focused on regulatory approval and commercialization of medical products for European markets.

XPhyto Therapeutics Corp.

Hugh Rogers, CEO and Director

Investor Inquiries:

Mr. Knox Henderson

T: 604-551-2360

E: info@xphyto.com

Media Inquiries:

MC Services AG

Julia Hofmann, Andreas Jungfer

T: +49 89 210 228 0

E: xphyto@mc-services.com

Forward looking statements

This news release includes statements containing forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities law ('forward-looking statements'). Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "develop", 'plan', 'continue', 'expect', 'project', 'intend', 'believe', 'anticipate', 'estimate', 'potential', 'propose' and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions 'may' or 'will' occur, and in this release include the statement regarding the Company's goal of building a successful diagnostic, drug delivery, and medical cannabis company. Forward-looking statements are only predictions based on the opinions and estimates of management at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, including: that the Company may not succeed in developing a commercial product; that the sale of products may not be a viable business; that the Company may be unable to scale its business; product liability risks; product regulatory risk; general economic conditions; adverse industry events; future legislative and regulatory developments; inability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favourable terms; currency risks; competition; international risks; and other risks beyond the Company's control. The Company is under no obligation, and expressly disclaims any intention or obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable law. Neither the CSE nor its Market Regulator (as that term is defined in the policies of the CSE) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

SOURCE: XPhyto Therapeutics Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/653687/XPhyto-Supplies-10-Test-Centers-in-Berlin-with-25-minute-COVID-19-PCR-Test
The China Council for the Promotion of International Trade (CCPIT), in cooperation with the China Chamber of International Commerce (CCOIC) hosted China-Middle East North Africa International Trade Digital Expo 2021.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005369/en/

Held every two years, the Expo is a platform for implementing the economic and trade measures of the China-Africa Cooperation Forum. This session is held online through the digital platform GTW-VE from 15th to 24th June 2021. Since the epidemic has caused a severe impact on global business, the online digital exhibition has become a trend and acts as a bridge to connect both suppliers and global buyers. As digital technology advances rapidly, more and more businesses can be negotiated and done online efficiently and securely.

Digital Trader (DT), as the only invited B2B trading service provider, utilizes self-developed cutting-edge technologies to offer one-stop trading services. The businesses cover China-sourcing advice, advance settlement, customs clearance, and logistics tracking, etc. Moreover, it provides customized local trade-payment experience in Africa and most countries. The wholesaler could transparently manage the trade with their Chinese-sourcing partners, easily pay, and efficiently get through the customs clearance as well as the shipment on the real-time and visible App.

Themed as "Win-win Cooperation, Practically Advancing China-Africa Economic and Trade Relations", the Expo is held to transform corporate export methods and analyze the "cloud" economic development. It is divided into 6 sessions focusing on specific sectors as follows: Infrastructure and capacity cooperation, agriculture and food, home decoration and building materials, textile and clothing, consumer products, and a special session (China-Turkey).

It is organized for MENA and Chinese suppliers, buyers, investors, and end consumers. During the ten-day event, over 1,000 enterprises mainly from the Middle East North Africa attended this fair to seek business partnership and trading opportunities. Meanwhile, 10,000+ overseas visitors participated in B2B meetings.

"Thanks to this virtual exhibition organization, both exhibitors and visitors have easy access to different "booths" to seek what they want. During this event, DT feels honored to receive so many calls and inquiries about cross-border business from global traders. In this Post-epidemic era, digital trade allows you to go globally and achieve win-win cooperation," says Eddy, Zhou Weihua, the Marketing Director of DT.

For more information about trading updates, feel free to click http://www.belldigi.com/?page_id=919&lang=en or send an e-mail to support@belldigi.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005369/en/

Contacts:

Digital Trader

Zhang Fang, 18136299331

Email: support@belldigi.com

Website: www.belldigi.com
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.
TOKYO, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Leading semiconductor test equipment supplier Advantest Corporation (TSE: 6857) has announced that the results of a clinical study on the identification of COVID-19 viruses using the company's nanoSCOUTER fine particle measurement instrument were published in Nature Communications, a peer-reviewed scientific journal, on June 17th1. In the study, 100 saliva samples (50 negative for Covid-19 and 50 positive) were measured and analyzed within 5 minutes each. Sensitivity (the ability of the test to correctly identify positive samples) of 90% and specificity (the ability of the test to correctly identify negative samples) of 96% were achieved.



A research group of the Institute of Scientific and Industrial Research at Osaka University is studying virus testing methods using the AI-based particle identification system developed by Aipore Inc.2 and the nanoSCOUTER. The method used in the just-published study identifies viral particles by passing them through a nanoscale hole, through which a microcurrent is passed, and applying AI machine-learning to the highly accurate current waveform thus obtained. The results of this research3 can be expected to facilitate immediate diagnoses in hospitals as well as viral screening for large gatherings. In addition, machine-learning can be applied to many types of viruses, enabling early detection of novel pathogens.

The nanoSCOUTER is a lightweight, desktop-sized fine particle measurement instrument that utilizes a precise nanopore (nanometer-scale pore) sensor module made with semiconductor manufacturing processes and Advantest's proprietary microcurrent measurement technology. It measures the quantity and particle size of fine particles on the order of 100 nanometers, such as viruses, exosomes4, and liposomes5, with great speed and accuracy. In addition, when the nanoSCOUTER is used in conjunction with Aipore Inc.'s AI-based particle identification system, it is possible to quickly identify the type of particles detected. At the present time, the product is a scientific instrument, not an approved medical device.

Rapid and accurate testing methods, along with vaccines and therapeutic agents, are important measures for prevention of Covid-19 spread. Based on Advantest's corporate mission of "enabling leading-edge technologies," the company will strive to further develop this technology so that the nanoSCOUTER can contribute to solving these vital issues.

1 "Combining machine learning and nanopore construction creates an artificial intelligence nanopore for coronavirus detection," Masateru Taniguchi, Shohei Minami, Chikako Ono, Rina Hamajima, Ayumi Morimura, Shigeto Hamaguchi, Yukihiro Akeda, Yuta Kanai, Takeshi Kobayashi, Wataru Kamitani, Yutaka Terada, Koichiro Suzuki, Nobuaki Hatori, Yoshiaki Yamagishi, Nobuei Washizu, Hiroyasu Takei, Osamu Sakamoto, Norihiko Naono, Kenji Tatematsu, Takashi Washio, Yoshiharu Matsuura, and Kazunori Tomono

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-24001-2 (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-021-24001-2)

2 Aipore Inc. was established in 2018 as a result of the Japanese Cabinet Office's national project "Impulsing Paradigm Change through Disruptive Technologies Program (ImPACT)". Using Advantest's nanoSCOUTER, Aipore has developed a solution for AI analysis of measurement data of bioparticles such as viruses and bacteria.

https://aipore.com/ (https://aipore.com/)

3 The Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) subsidized this research as a part of its Reiwa 2 virus infection prevention technology development project "Research on COVID-19 test methods using nanopore technology and machine learning."

4 Exosomes: Nano-order particles secreted from cells that contain any of various biomolecules, such as proteins or nucleic acids. Exosomes hold promise as diagnostic tools in medicine.

5 Liposomes: Closed, spherical lipid bilayers, often used as vehicles for pharmaceuticals.

About Advantest Corporation

Advantest (TSE: 6857) is the leading manufacturer of automatic test and measurement equipment used in the design and production of semiconductors for applications including 5G communications, the Internet of Things (IoT), autonomous vehicles, artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, smart medical devices and more. Its leading-edge systems and products are integrated into the most advanced semiconductor production lines in the world. The company also conducts R&D to address emerging testing challenges and applications, produces multi-vision metrology scanning electron microscopes essential to photomask manufacturing, and offers groundbreaking 3D imaging and analysis tools. Founded in Tokyo in 1954, Advantest is a global company with facilities around the world and an international commitment to sustainable practices and social responsibility. More information is available at www.advantest.com (http://www.advantest.com).

ADVANTEST CORPORATION



Shin-Marunouchi Center Building

1-6-2 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 100-0005

Tel: 03-3214-7500

Contact: Hiroki Yanagita, PR Section

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e5d9f459-637f-4ddd-8d99-d16403668dd2 (https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e5d9f459-637f-4ddd-8d99-d16403668dd2)
STOCKHOLM, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Klarna, a leading global retail bank, payments, and shopping service, today announces that the company is joining The Climate Pledge and the Race to Zero campaign. Klarna is to implement decarbonization strategies in line with the Paris Agreement in order to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions in all scopes by 2040 at the latest. The announcement builds on the company's commitment earlier this year to reduce its total emissions by 50% by 2030 and to use an internal carbon tax that is channeled into effective climate projects.

David Sandstrom, CMO of Klarna, says: "We as a global company have a great responsibility to tackle some of the most pressing challenges for our planet's health. We therefore join forces with other major players to prevent long-term damage to our economies and ways of life. Managing Klarna's environmental impact is a top priority for Klarna and we aim to further promote environmental awareness and knowledge among our employees, customers and partners."

The Climate Pledge is a commitment co-founded by Amazon and Global Optimism to reach net zero carbon emission by 2040, 10 years ahead of the Paris Agreement. Race to Zero is an UN-backed global campaign that aims to build a momentum around the shift to a decarbonized economy and thus halve all global emissions by 2030.

As part of the Climate Pledge Klarna commits itself to:

Measure and report greenhouse gas emissions on a regular basis

Implement decarbonization strategies in line with the Paris Agreement through real business changes and innovations, including efficiency improvements, renewable energy, materials reductions, and other carbon emission elimination strategies

Neutralize any remaining emissions with additional, quantifiable, real, permanent, and socially-beneficial offsets to achieve net zero annual carbon emissions

By 2040, at the latest, the amount of greenhouse gas emissions permanently removed thanks to Klarna's climate contributions will be at least as large as the company's remaining emissions. More details on Klarnas total emissions and how the company is working to reduce them will be published in a separate climate report during the fall.

Klarna's climate strategy is inspired by the WWF and BCG blueprint for corporate climate action, under which companies measure, display, reduce and price their emissions, and then financially contribute to high-impact climate projects to permanently remove carbon. The annual sum is established through an internal carbon tax set at $100/tonne for all scope 1, 2 and travel emissions (remaining scope 3 emissions set at $10/tonne).

These steps are part of Klarna's larger sustainability initiative GiveOne that was announced on Earth Day this year. As part of the initiative, Klarna has allocated 1% of its latest funding rounds to initiatives supporting the planet. The donations will focus on backing initiatives tackling the most pressing challenges around climate change and loss of biodiversity.

Contact:



Johanna Nyman

press@klarna.com

+46 (0)72855832

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

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Partnership makes vegan brands and trademark holders more discoverable to retailers and buyers -

Artos, the revolutionary b2b food and drink marketplace, has partnered with The Vegan Trademark to bring Trademark holders the deals they need to grow.

Acting as a dating app for brands, Artos works to match ethical brands, from vegan burgers to sustainable gin, with premium buyers around the world. Artos solves two of the biggest problems faced by ethical food and drink brands deal discovery and deal financing in a rapidly growing industry, disrupting the status quo.

Smaller, independent food and drinks producers, as well as more established and up-and-coming ethical brands, often face difficulty in being discovered by the right buyers. This is typically due to the lack of infrastructure smaller brands have at their disposal. In an industry at odds with consumer demands for more sustainable, ethically sourced products, discoverability has become a key challenge. Distributors, who traditionally facilitate the relationship between suppliers and retailers, are often prohibitively expensive, costing up to 40% of the value of a deal.1

Additionally, when brands are eventually discovered by big food service and retailer buyers, they don't always have the tools and resources available to finance the deal and carry it across the line. Banks and other lenders usually take fees in the region of 20-30% on trade financing, making it almost impossible to deliver on larger deals that help growing ethical brands become the category leaders we need in a sustainable world. Due to these costs, 65% of deals are unserviceable, resulting in $500bn USD of potential annual revenue lost to the bigger more established brands.2

This collaboration means that, from today, Vegan Trademark holders within the food and drink industry can use Artos to find and service the B2B trade deals they need to grow and capture the booming vegan market which is doubling in size every year.3

By giving vegan brands and Trademark Holders access to the Artos marketplace, sellers can easily showcase their brand quality and match with buyers that are seeking high-quality, sustainable, organic or vegan food and drinks brands.

Annika Monari, Chief Executive Officer of Artos says,"We couldn't be happier to have a newfound partnership with the Vegan Trademark. This collaboration will help make the discovery and financing of deals easier and more accessible for Vegan Trademark holders in the food and drink industry. By giving Artos customers access to this Trademark, they will also gain access to the growing and diverse network of other products which already have the Trademark. This is a crucial factor in the growth of the ethical food and beverage industry and one that Artos are proud to support. At Artos, our goal is to build a more sustainable world of food and drink partnering with a universally trusted brand like The Vegan Trademark takes us a step closer to achieving this."

Steve Hamon, Head of Business Development at The Vegan Trademark says,"We're very excited to be working with Artos to further support our Trademark Holders within the Food and Drink industry. It is important to us to help our Trademark Holders grow, and collaborating with innovative brands like Artos allows us to do just that."

On top of the partnership, the Vegan Trademark team will introduce both current Trademark holders, and future applicants, to Artos, giving them an opportunity to join the Artos ecosystem and grow on the platform. Artos will also promote the benefits of the Vegan Trademark and encourage their existing clientele to register.

Food and drink brands or buyers can join Artos for free today by visiting www.artos.io

---ends---

About Artos

Artos is a marketplace that helps ethical food and beverage brands reduce the cost and complexity of B2B trade deals. On the Artos Marketplace, brands get discovered and can finance the deals they need to compete, grow and thrive, while buyers can quickly discover the best ethical products and close deals 5X faster. Founded by Annika Monari (2021 Forbes 30 Under 30), Artos has experienced rapid growth in the UK, Europe and North America as it seeks to build a more sustainable world of food drink.

More here: www.artos.io

About The Vegan Society

The Vegan Society is the world's oldest vegan society whose co-founder Donald Watson defined the term 'vegan' in 1944. They are a registered educational charity that provides information and guidance on various aspects of veganism, including to existing and potential vegans, caterers, healthcare professionals, educators and the media. Their product registration scheme, the Vegan Trademark, is widely recognised as the global standard for vegan products, ensuring that products are free from animal ingredients and animal testing.

About the Vegan Trademark

The Vegan Trademark has been helping users identify that a product is free from animal ingredients since 1990. Registration with the trademark gives brands the confidence to shout about their vegan credentials. Look out for the Vegan Trademark on over 54,000 products worldwide, including cosmetics, clothing, food, drink, household items, and many more.

More here: https://www.vegansociety.com/news/market-insights/market-news/vegan-trademark-succeeds-again-most-recognised-and-trusted-vegan-certification

The Vegan Trademark

The Vegan Society spokespeople are available for TV, radio or written press interviews at short notice.Please contact Francine Jordan Media and PR Officer at The Vegan Society at media@vegansociety.com or 07375 146 457 (out of hours).

1tps://resources.pros.com/blog/distributor-pricing-profit-margins-pricing-markups

2tps://smeloans.co.uk/products/invoice-factoring/

3tps://plantbasednews.org/culture/ethics/vegans-in-britain-skyrocketed/

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005079/en/

Contacts:

Artos

Ellen Powell-Chandler

artos@clarity.pr
Key investments made through the Sofinnova Telethon Fund underscore the venture capital firm's commitment to fostering a thriving Italian biotech ecosystem

AAVantgarde Bio, Alia Therapeutics, and Borea Therapeutics are developing promising new therapies for rare, genetic disorders

Sofinnova Partners, a leading European life sciences venture capital firm based in Paris, London and Milan, announced today three new investments from the Sofinnova Telethon Fund, its early-stage fund dedicated to investments in rare, genetic diseases. The startups, AAVantgarde Bio, Alia Therapeutics, and Borea Therapeutics, are developing promising new therapies for rare, genetic diseases.

Graziano Seghezzi, Managing Partner at Sofinnova Partners, commented: "These investments mark an important step in our mission to support the excellent scientific research coming out of Italian academic and research centers. They also highlight the exceptional flow of new investment opportunities in Italian biotech, and the important role that venture capital plays in enabling ground-breaking treatments to reach patients suffering from rare, genetic diseases who today have very few therapeutic options."

The Sofinnova Telethon Fund is the largest fund entirely dedicated to biotechnology in Italy. The team is led by technology transfer specialists Lucia Faccio and Paola Pozzi, Partners at Sofinnova Partners, who are based in the firm's Milan office.

The three new seed investments, totaling 6M, align with the fund's investment strategy to seek out and support the best Italian science and the most promising entrepreneurs to develop world-class companies in the field of rare, genetic diseases.

AAVantgarde Bio, based in Milan, is developing gene therapies for inherited retinal disorders. The founder, Professor Alberto Auricchio, is a highly recognized scientist and a pioneer in the field of gene therapy. The company's technology builds on existing AAV, or adeno-associated virus-based platforms, which are the main viral vector technology used in gene therapy applications. Existing AAV-based platforms have been limited by capacity, and AAVantgarde Bio responds to this challenge by enabling delivery of large genes to tissue and cells in vivo. The company is a spin-off of TIGEM, an international research institute based in Naples that is owned and managed by the Telethon Foundation.

Alia Therapeutics, based in Trento, is developing next generation CRISPR-based medicine for safer on-target in vivo gene editing approaches to the treatment of retinal degeneration. Alia is a spin-off of the University of Trento and was accelerated at BiovelocITA, Italy's first biotechnology accelerator co-founded in 2015 by Sofinnova Partners and two serial entrepreneurs, Silvano Spinelli and Gabriella Camboni. It is the second company to emerge from the accelerator, following the success of Enthera Pharmaceuticals, another Italian startup that is part of Sofinnova Partners' portfolio. This round of financing also included participation from BiovelocITA, Indaco Venture Partners, and a group of Italian investors brought together by Banor SIM and Banca Profilo.

Ms. Pozzi, Partner at Sofinnova Partners, board member of AAVantgarde Bio and an investment partner in Alia Therapeutics, commented: "We are delighted to support these innovative biotech startups as they advance promising programs towards preclinical and clinical development. Both companies have highly qualified scientific teams with globally recognized expertise in the field of gene therapy and gene editing. We are confident in the potential of these companies to tackle the limitations of existing therapies and develop treatments to diseases that do not have adequate solutions today."

Borea Therapeutics, based in Milan, is advancing a new generation of gene therapies that would enable targeting of specific tissues and cells. The company's innovative technology could enable viral vectors to reach areas like the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS), thus opening the door to new therapeutic options. Borea Therapeutics was co-founded by Professor Paul Heppenstall and the European Molecular Biology Lab (EMBL), an intergovernmental research organization with six research sites throughout Europe, including one in Rome. The company's research activities are performed in collaboration with Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), a scientific center of excellence in Trieste.

Ms. Faccio, Partner at Sofinnova Partners and a board member of Borea Therapeutics, commented: "One of the major limitations of gene therapy is the difficulty of selectively targeting specific cells or tissues. Borea Therapeutics' technology has the potential to pinpoint specific tissues and cells, which would enable the use of lower doses, making treatment safer and more effective for patients. This could be the next breakthrough in gene therapy."

About Sofinnova Partners

Sofinnova Partners is a leading European venture capital firm in life sciences, specializing in healthcare and sustainability. Based in Paris, London and Milan, the firm brings together a team of professionals from all over the world with strong scientific, medical and business expertise. Sofinnova Partners is a hands-on company builder across the entire value chain of life sciences investments, from seed to later-stage. The firm actively partners with ambitious entrepreneurs as a lead or cornerstone investor to develop transformative innovations that have the potential to positively impact our collective future.

Founded in 1972, Sofinnova Partners is a deeply-established venture capital firm in Europe, with 50 years of experience backing over 500 companies and creating market leaders around the globe. Today, Sofinnova Partners has over 2 billion under management. For more information, please visit: www.sofinnovapartners.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005320/en/

Contacts:

Bommy Lee

Head of Communications, Sofinnova Partners

blee@sofinnovapartners.com

+33 (0) 6 47 71 38 11



North America

RooneyPartners LLC

Kate Barrette

kbarrette@rooneypartners.com

+1 212 223 0561

France

StrategiesImage

Anne Rein

anne.rein@strategiesimage.com

+33 (0) 6 03 35 92 05

Italy

Havas PR Milan

Rafaella Casula rafaella.casula@havaspr.com

+39 (0) 345 3780834
ANTWERP, Belgium, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- AVAIO Capital announced today that its affiliate DOCKWATER BV ("DOCKWATER") has entered into memorandas of understanding with INDAVER NV ("INDAVER") and MONUMENT CHEMICAL BV ("MONUMENT"), pursuant to which it will provide them sustainable process water for an 18-year period from its DOCKWATER desalination facility in the Port of Antwerp.

With these most recent additions, DOCKWATER now has agreements with five companies (Covestro, Evonik, Ashland, INDAVER and MONUMENT) who have chosen to pursue a sustainable solution for their water needs, simultaneously lowering their costs while freeing up drinking water to serve the residential needs of the water-stressed region of Antwerp. DOCKWATER hopes to soon announce additional agreements, as more industrial customers in the Port of Antwerp make the responsible choice to move to a sustainable water solution and reduce the strain their operations place on the local drinking-water supply.

By switching to water produced by DOCKWATER, it is estimated that companies will reduce their consumption of drinking water by up to 98%, their total consumption of water by as much as 15%, and their use of water treatment chemicals and water discharge flows related to cooling towers and demineralized water production facilities by more than 50%, all while lowering their cost of water and reducing water withdrawals from the Albert Canal. This will increase the sustainability of operations in the Port of Antwerp, contribute to water independence for the Antwerp region, and conserve water in the Albert Canal.

Anthony Gordon, a representative of DOCKWATER said, "We are pleased that companies of the caliber of INDAVER and MONUMENT are joining us in realizing a sustainable, lower cost solution for industrial water needs in the Port of Antwerp. Every consumer that switches from using Albert Canal water to sustainable process water advances the Antwerp region another step forward down the path to sustainability envisioned by the government's Blue Deal."

Paul De Bruycker, Chief Executive Officer for INDAVER said: "We are really excited to be part of the DOCKWATER project as it promises to be another initiative consistent with INDAVER's approach to the circular economy. Projects like DOCKWATER and the ECLUSE project, providing steam to multiple customers at the Port of Antwerp from our waste to energy facilities, are excellent examples of collaboration of industrials in sustainable solutions."

Manu Gyselinck, Site Manager for MONUMENT said: "MONUMENT is committed to smart partnerships on sustainability. The DOCKWATER desalination plant is the type of partnerships we are looking for as the project brings technological innovation to provide customers with an environmentally sensitive solution. DOCKWATER will provide us additional reliability to our operations while reducing stress on precious drinking water sources"

Media enquiries

DOCKWATER

Mark McComiskey

information@avaiocapital.com

http://www.avaiocapital.com

INDAVER

Inge Baertsoen

Communications Manager

inge.baertsoen@indaver.com

MONUMENT

Manu Gyselinck

mgyselinck@monumentchemical.com

About INDAVER

INDAVER is a European player in the waste sector with plants and operations in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, the United Kingdom and France.

MONUMENT

MONUMENT provides custom manufacturing, with a focus on distillation and reaction technologies for the largest chemical companies in the world.

About DOCKWATER

DOCKWATER BV is developing a desalination plant to provide process water to industrial companies operating in the Port of Antwerp, allowing industry to substantially reduce its consumption of drinking water as well as its overall consumption of water, while increasing the resiliency of water supply in the whole Flemish region. The development of the DOCKWATER project is being led by AVAIO Capital, and DOCKWATER BV is jointly owned by AVAIO Capital and Macquarie Capital.

AVAIO Capital is an infrastructure investment firm focused on the development and construction of new sustainable infrastructure assets throughout North America and Europe in four sectors: digital, water, energy transition and transportation. Macquarie Capital is the advisory, capital markets and principal investment arm of Macquarie Group, and specializes in infrastructure development with more than US$ 20 billion of projects under construction or development.

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LONDON, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bracewell (UK) LLP announced today that Nicholas Neuberger has been promoted from senior associate to senior counsel.

"Nick is a highly accomplished corporate lawyer who has been involved in several leading mandates in the London office," said Bracewell Managing Partner Gregory M. Bopp. "I'm pleased to congratulate him on his promotion."

Neuberger focuses on international transactions within the energy sector. He advises clients on a wide range of cross-border transactions in the public and private sectors, including projects and transactions in more than 25 jurisdictions. His recent engagements include work on one of the largest battery storage projects in development in the UK and the development of a European LNG terminal, as well as the privatization of Greece's largest energy group.

Neuberger earned his B.A. with honors from University of Bristol and his L.P.C. with distinction from BPP Law School.

About Bracewell LLP

Bracewell is a leading law and government relations firm primarily serving the energy, infrastructure, finance and technology industries throughout the world. Our industry focus results in comprehensive state-of-the-art knowledge of the commercial, legal and governmental challenges faced by our clients and enables us to provide innovative solutions to facilitate transactions and resolve disputes.

Bracewell occupies a singular position in the UK market, as the only international law firm dedicated exclusively to the energy industry. For three years in a row, The Times has recognized Bracewell as one of the top 20 energy and renewables firms in the UK.
30 June 2021

Pensana Plc

("Pensana" or the "Company")

Directorate Changes

The Board of directors ("the Board") of Pensana Plc (the "Company") today announces that Mr. Neil Maclachlan and Mr. Mark Hohnen, both independent non-executive directors will be stepping down from their positions on the Board effective 30 June 2021.

The Board would like to express its sincere thanks and appreciation to both Mr. Maclachlan and Mr. Hohnen for their extensive contributions to the Company over the past several years, during which time they helped transform the Company from a junior ASX listed mining exploration company to setting it on the trajectory of looking to create the world's first sustainable rare earth processing hub at the Saltend Chemicals Park, the Humber, United Kingdom.

Paul Atherley, Chairman of Pensana, commented:

"Mark and Neil are highly respected Directors with impressive track records in the natural resources sector. Their vision and ability to make important decisions during early stages of the Company's development have laid solid foundations for Pensana's success to date. We thank them for their considerable contributions and wish them well in their future endeavours."

This announcement is made in accordance with Listing Rule 9.6.11.

For further information: Pensana Plc Website:

Paul Atherley, Chairman / Tim George, CEO www.pensana.co.uk

contact@pensana.co.uk

About the Company

The Company is focussed on the production of the rare earth elements, Neodymium and Praseodymium ("NdPr") used in the manufacture of magnetic metals in the electric vehicle and offshore wind markets, deemed essential for the societal transition to a green economy at a time when China dominates this supply chain.

The Company has commenced development the world's first sustainable rare earth processing hub at the Saltend Chemicals Park, the Humber, United Kingdom which will provide the Company with an independent and sustainable supply chain of these rare earth elements.

The Saltend facility was part of the Humber's recently successful Freeport bid and will be in a position to import rare earth feedstock from sustainable sources around the world and export its high value products to automotive and wind turbine supply chains with minimal taxes or other imposts.

The Company will source its initial feedstock from its Longonjo mine in Angola. The near surface high grade mine which is linked to the Port of Lobito by a recently upgraded Benguela rail line and has been designed by UK engineering experts Wood Group plc to international standards which features zero carbon hydroelectric power and tailings storage facilities aligned to Church of England Pensions Board and ICMM guidelines.

The Company is in active discussion with third parties for the additional supply of sustainably sourced rare earth carbonates and will look to expand production capacity once such feedstock becomes available.
Azafaros B.V. today announced that Stefano Portolano, M.D., has joined Azafaros as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and has concurrently been appointed to the Board of Directors of the company. Dr. Portolano is an experienced industry executive with a track record of successfully implementing commercialization and market access strategies across a broad spectrum of indications. Within his 25 years in the biotech and pharmaceutical industries, he has focused on leadership roles in organizations that develop orphan specialty medicines for patients with rare diseases.

"We are very happy to welcome Stefano to Azafaros as the company progresses further into clinical development. We believe Azafaros will benefit greatly from his experience in defining and executing corporate strategies as well as his extensive background in rare diseases," said Carlo Incerti, M.D., Chairman of Azafaros' Board of Directors. "Stefano joins an outstanding team that is rapidly advancing lead candidate AZ-3102, the company's proprietary orally-available azasugar molecule for the treatment of GM1 and GM2 gangliosidoses."

Dr. Incerti added: "In addition, on behalf of the Board, the company and its shareholders, I would like to express our deepest gratitude to Olivier Morand for his invaluable contributions as co-founder of the company and its first CEO. Olivier's efforts to secure significant financing, to attract experienced industry executives, and to bring its lead program into the clinic, were instrumental for laying the solid foundation upon which Azafaros will further expand. We wish him the best for his future ventures."

"Since the company's inception in 2018, Azafaros has made remarkable progress by building a strong and committed organization that has reached the clinic in less than three years," said Stefano Portolano, M.D., Azafaros' Chief Executive Officer. "I am excited about the opportunity to lead Azafaros through its transition into the next phase and to further expand the potential of our pipeline."

About Dr. Stefano Portolano

Dr. Portolano joins Azafaros from Ultragenyx Pharmaceuticals where he served as Head of Europe since 2016. At Ultragenyx, he was responsible for all aspects of the company's business in the European market, as well as the oversight of the company's European offices. Prior to Ultragenyx, Dr. Portolano spent a decade at Celgene, most recently as Vice President, Strategy Commercial Operations. In this role, Dr. Portolano was responsible for strategic initiatives and driving commercial execution. Earlier in his career, Dr. Portolano held various senior commercial, business development and general management positions at Genzyme and Sigma-Tau. Dr. Portolano started his career as an adjunct assistant professor of Medicine at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he authored several scientific publications on the molecular biology of autoimmunity. He received his Doctor of Medicine from Universita degli Studi di Napoli 'Federico II'.

About Azafaros

Azafaros was founded in 2018 by a team of experienced industry professionals and scientists aspiring to address rare genetic metabolic disorders through a pipeline of oral small molecules with disease-modifying potential. Based on discoveries from Leiden University and Amsterdam University Medical Center, Azafaros' proprietary lead compound AZ-3102 will initially address inherited life-threatening lysosomal storage diseases for which there are no effective therapies today. This orally available azasugar compound interferes with the metabolism of glycolipids and uniquely affects several key disease pathways through a dual mode of action. Leveraging the know-how of its team and partners in orphan drug development, the company is advancing its lead program in first-in-man studies while further expanding its product pipeline into other rare metabolic diseases through its drug discovery efforts. Azafaros is supported by a syndicate of leading Dutch and Swiss investors including Forbion, BioGeneration Ventures, BioMedPartners and Schroder Adveq. For more information, please visit www.azafaros.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005064/en/

Contacts:

For further information:

Azafaros B.V.

Email: info@azafaros.com

www.azafaros.com

For media inquiries:

Trophic Communications

Gretchen Schweitzer or Sophia Hergenhan

Email: azafaros@trophic.eu

Phone: +49 (0) 175 222 57 56
The Launchpool Web3 Techstars Accelerator will work with startups across the crypto ecosystem while maintaining a chain-agnostic stance, moving the industry closer to mainstream adoption.

Techstars, the worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed, today announced a new accelerator program, the Launchpool Web3 Techstars Accelerator. The program will work with entrepreneurs building blockchain technology and tokenisation protocols driving towards the decentralised future of finance.

The program will run in partnership with Alphabit Fund, the first regulated cryptocurrency and digital asset investment fund, and Launchpool, a regulatory compliant investment platform that offers private seed guaranteed investment opportunities to its member community.

Techstars maintains notable experience and expertise in the blockchain space, with many strong blockchain companies in the Techstars portfolio including Chainalysis, who last week announced a $100 million round and valuation of $4.2 billion.

"Blockchain technology has the potential to shift the control of monetary value and information and disrupt global business processes, as the internet did in the early 2000s," said Techstars General Manager Gagan Bhatia. "Working with Alphabit and the Launchpool community to support leading companies in this space is an incredible opportunity and an investment in the decentralised economy of the future."

Located in London, the Launchpool Web3 Techstars Accelerator will work with ten startups each year over a three-month period where startups will receive funding, hands-on mentorship from Techstars, Alphabit, and Launchpool, access to curated workshops and resources, admittance to the Techstars global network for life, and exposure to a minimum viable community. Applications for the Launchpool Web3 Techstars Accelerator will open on September 13, 2021 and be accepted through December 1, 2021. The first year of the accelerator will operate from March 2022 through June 2022.

"Launchpool is thrilled to be partnering with Techstars and Alphabit to bring the Launchpool Web3 Techstars Accelerator to the crypto world. As firm believers in a multichain future, and being passionate about mainstream adoption, this first-of-its-kind accelerator is proud to be chain agnostic," said Shane McQuillian, VP Strategy, Alphabit. "With a killer lineup of mentors that represent a diverse cross-section of the blockchain space to work together, we feel we can really help founders and BUIDLers bring something truly innovative to the wider crypto industry."

Startups interested in the program are encouraged to learn more by visiting the Launchpool Web3 Techstars Accelerator page or expressing interest here. Corporations and investors interested in partnership opportunities with Techstars can get in touch with Will Robinson, SVP of Global Sales, or learn more at techstars.com/corporations.

About Techstars

The Techstars worldwide network helps entrepreneurs succeed. Founded in 2006, Techstars began with three simple ideas-entrepreneurs create a better future for everyone, collaboration drives innovation, and great ideas can come from anywhere. Now we are on a mission to enable every person on the planet to contribute to, and benefit from, the success of entrepreneurs. In addition to operating accelerator programs and venture capital funds, we do this by connecting startups, investors, corporations, and cities to help build thriving startup communities. Techstars has invested in more than 2,500 companies with a combined market cap of more than $200B. www.techstars.com

About Alphabit

One of the first regulated crypto asset funds, Alphabit has forged a reputation for investing in companies at the cutting edge of the blockchain revolution. Alphabit believes, supports, and invests in the decentralised economy of the future, with a generous portfolio of startups, protocols, and DeFi solutions that address an alternative to the traditional financial systems. www.alphabit.fund

About Launchpool

LaunchPool is a regulatory compliant initiative which was started in 2020, by the Alphabit Digital Currency Fund with the aim of providing fair guaranteed access to early stages of project raises to the retail community. With the ethos of 'Egalitarian Investment', Launchpool counts over 35,000 investors across the world who believe in the idea of being your own VC, while supporting the startups ecosystem with a minimum viable community, resources, access to funding opportunities, and enabling partnerships across the blockchain ecosystem. www.launchpool.xyz

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005204/en/

Contacts:

Techstars

Ali Whitman

ali.whitman@techstars



Launchpool

Roxana Nasoi

roxana@launchpool.xyz
European Consumers of Tropical Plywood have been the Unwitting Drivers of Threatened Forest Degradation

In an unprecedented investigation that connects threatened forests of Solomon Islands, China's timber manufacturing hubs, and European importers, the Environmental Investigation Agency (EIA-US) reveals today that several European companies appear to have imported thousands of tons of tropical-faced plywood, at high risk of containing illegal wood and in apparent violation of European law, between 2016 and 2018. The findings expose the role of Jiangsu High Hope Arser ("Arser"), the largest Chinese plywood exporter, and what appears to be a fraud of over 100,000 tons of Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified products. EIA found that systemic lack of transparency in the global supply chain for tropical-faced plywood lies at the heart of the problem.

Driven by recovering construction activity worldwide, the global market for plywood is booming. It is projected to reach 223.4 million cubic meters annually by 2022. European countries play an important role in the global plywood market. In 2018 alone, European Union (EU) countries imported US$4.7 billion worth of plywood, of which the largest share came from China. For the past decade, plywood has been China's second largest wood product export.

Arser, the plywood manufacturer at the heart of the investigation and a state-owned foreign trade enterprise, claimed for years to its European clients that all the pencil cedar (Palaquium spp.) on its plywood came exclusively from the only FSC-certified concession in Solomon Islands, managed by Kolombangara Forest Products Limited (KFPL).

After multiple years of investigation, EIA-US concluded that the volume of FSC-certified pencil cedar-faced plywood sold by Arser to its European customers was an estimated 20 times higher than the quantity of plywood that can be manufactured from the limited volume of pencil cedar logs produced and exported out of KFPL's concession. According to EIA's estimate, over 95 percent of the volume imported by Arser's European customers between 2016 and 2018 likely did not come from the Kolombangara concession as claimed, but from other areas, most likely Papua New Guinea and Solomon Islands where illegal logging is rampant, and possibly including the buffer zone of the threatened United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) natural World Heritage site, Rennell Island. When contacted for comment, Arser stated that during the years 2016-2018, it "exported some volume of pencil cedar faced plywood, but far less than 1000 containers/year." Arser did not dispute EIA's statement that it had inflated pencil cedar volumes.

Several European importers told EIA-US investigators that they were aware of the mass balance gap, falsification of documents, and FSC fraud widespread in China. Under the European Union Timber Regulation (and now under United Kingdom Timber Regulation), if identified risks of illegality remain greater than negligible, the importers should not place the timber products on the EU (and now UK) market.

Lisa Handy, Director of Forests Campaign at EIA-US, said: "Our investigation shows that the plywood sector urgently needs radical supply chain transparency, if we don't want to lose the positive results of a decade of demand-side laws against illegal timber trade."

Since 2019, EIA-US has filed multiple complaints with EUTR competent authorities in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the UK. In September 2020, Dutch authorities carried out an initial investigation and ordered Sakol Nederland B.V. to comply with EUTR. To-date, results from none of the final investigations have been made public. Sakol did not respond to an opportunity to comment.

In February 2020, an Arser representative stated in writing to EIA-US that the company had ceased importing tropical logs as of February 2020 and that "all the faces on plywood exported to Europe by Arser were made of legally traceable FSC 100% certified logs."

In January 2021, FSC suspended and terminated several certificates associated with Arser, after a multi-year investigation found the company had inflated volumes of certified wood and were selling it as FSC-certified into European market.

Lisa Handy said: "Specific investigations by authorities in Europe and FSC's targeted sanctions against Arser are positive steps. They still don't address the structural issue, however, which is that despite mitigating measures put in place by importers, importing tropical-faced plywood from China is unlikely to be EUTR compliant. European consumers remain key drivers of destruction of vulnerable tropical forests."

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005294/en/

Contacts:

Lindsay Moran, Head of Communications, EIA-US, lmoran@eia-global.org
Nimble Offers Microsoft Teams Add-in to Help Teams Thrive in the Hybrid Workspace

Nimble, the simple CRM for Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace teams, announced today that they have integrated with Microsoft Teams to give teams a shared view of every customer, and to streamline collaboration.

Improve Collaboration and Build Better Customer Relationships

Business professionals rely on their favorite communication applications like Microsoft Teams to connect with customers and collaborate with their teams. Nimble's new in-app add-in for Microsoft Teams enables business professionals to prepare before meetings, log key details during a meeting, and most importantly follow up after meetings.

Nimble Works Where You Work, Inside Microsoft 365 Inboxes and Teams!

The Nimble team believes that CRMs need to work with and for you, wherever you work, and especially where you work most. You shouldn't have to leave the places where you are prospecting or interacting with customers to prepare for and follow up after meetings. Nimble works directly in your Microsoft 365 inbox and anywhere on the web via the Nimble Prospector browser extension. As part of their continuous effort to streamline collaboration and allow Nimble users to focus on what really matters-relationship building-Nimble has integrated with Microsoft Teams!

"Our customers rely on Microsoft Teams to work effectively across their organizations and to build and nurture relationships with customers. It's necessary that we enable them to easily access existing Nimble contact records and create new ones directly from the MS Teams interface," said Jon Ferrara, CEO of Nimble. "It's the basics that win big deals and we are excited to make it easy for our customers to add notes and send timely and trackable follow-ups."

Nimble allows its users to be productive while preparing for events by utilizing the Nimble add-in for Microsoft Teams meeting experience. This integration provides Nimble users with the tools that they need to successfully prepare for meetings, take notes, and ensure proper follow-ups.

Streamline Workflow and Close More Deals with Nimble and Microsoft Teams

Prepare for Meetings Access information on meeting participants from existing contact records including their bios, history of communication, and business insights needed to engage effectively with prospects and customers.

Take Sync Notes Take notes during Microsoft Teams meetings and sync them directly to Nimble to ensure completeness and accuracy of contact record history.

Follow-up Follow Through Send trackable and templated emails before, during and after meetings, and stay on target with prospects and customers.

"It's your job as a business professional to find out everything you can about the people you are meeting with. Coming into the meeting prepared shows your prospects and customers that you value them and their time. This part is crucial, but what's even more important is a timely and proper follow-up. Our Microsoft Teams add-in allows you to achieve all that before, during, and after your meetings directly from Teams," said Sergey Shvets, Head of Product at Nimble

Additional resources

Blog Post

Video

Integration Screenshots Videos

ABOUT NIMBLE Nimble is the leading global provider of simple, smart CRM for small business teams using Microsoft 365 or Google Workspace. It combines the strength of traditional CRM, classic contact management, social media, sales intelligence, pipeline management, and marketing automation into one powerful relationship manager that delivers valuable company and contact insights-everywhere you work. Nimble has been named "Market Leading CRM for Customer Satisfaction and Ease of Use" for nine consecutive years, CRM Watchlist Winner for three consecutive years, and #1 Sales Intelligence Tool for Customer Satisfaction by G2 Crowd for the ninth consecutive time.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005295/en/

Contacts:

Nimble

Michaela Underdahl

(310) 438-5362

michaela@nimble.com
ANNEX A: Standard form for notification of major holdings

Form to be used for the purposes of notifying a change in major holdings pursuant to the amended law and Grand-ducal Regulation of 11 January 2008 on transparency requirements for issuers (referred to as "the Transparency Law" and "the Transparency Regulation")

NOTIFICATION OF MAJOR HOLDINGS (to be sent to the relevant issuer and to the CSSF)i 1. Identity of the issuer or the underlying issuer of existing shares to which voting rights are attachedii SES SA 2. Reason for the notification (please tick the appropriate box or boxes): X An acquisition or disposal of voting rights An acquisition or disposal of financial instruments An event changing the breakdown of voting rights Other (please specify)iii 3. Details of person subject to the notification obligationiv Name: SOCIETE GENERALE SA PARIS, FRANCE City and country of registered office (if applicable): 4. Full name of shareholder(s) (if different from 3.)v 5. Date on which the threshold was crossed or reachedvi 25/06/2021 6. Total positions of person(s) subject to the notification obligation: of voting rights attached to shares (total of 7.A) of voting rights through financial instruments

(total of 7.B.1 7.B.2) Total of both in (7.A 7.B) Total number of voting rights of issuervii Resulting situation on the date on which threshold was crossed or reached 2.22 0.56 2.78 575 186 400 Position of previous notification (if applicable) 1.82 3.26 5.08

7. Notified details of the resulting situation on the date on which the threshold was crossed or reachedviii A: Voting rights attached to shares Class/type of

shares ISIN code (if possible) Number of voting rightsix % of voting rights Direct (Art. 8 of the Transparency Law) Indirect (Art. 9 of the Transparency Law) Direct (Art. 8 of the Transparency Law) Indirect (Art. 9 of the Transparency Law) ORD SHS LU0088087324 6 290 183 440 000 1.09 0.08 BORROWED SHS LU0088087324 5 215 087 798 330 0.91 0.14 SUBTOTAL A (Direct Indirect) 12 743 600 2.22 B 1: Financial Instruments according to Art. 12(1)(a) of the Transparency Law Type of financial instrument Expiration

datex Exercise/

Conversion Periodxi Number of voting rights that may be acquired if the instrument is exercised/ converted. % of voting rights Put option on Basket 27/06/2023 27/06/2023 310000 0.05% OTC Call options 11/08/2021 11/08/2021 17280 0.00% SUBTOTAL B.1 327 280 0.06 B 2: Financial Instruments with similar economic effect according to Art. 12(1)(b) of the Transparency Law Type of financial instrument Expiration

datex Exercise/

Conversion Periodxi Physical or cash settlementxii Number of voting rights % of voting rights Call option on Basket 27/06/2023 27/06/2023 Cash settlement 136,075 0.02% Call option on Basket 03/01/2033 Till 03/01/2033 Cash settlement 306,872 0.06% Contract for Difference N/A N/A Cash settlement 53,346 0.01% OTC Call options 03/01/2033 Till 03/01/2033 Cash settlement 870,000 0.11% OTC Put options 03/01/2033 Till 03/01/2033 Cash settlement 192,000 0.03% Listed call warrants 03/01/2033 Till 03/01/2033 Cash settlement 1,145,814 0.17% Listed put warrants 03/01/2033 Till 03/01/2033 Cash settlement 192000 0.03% SUBTOTAL B.2 2,896,107 0.50 8. Information in relation to the person subject to the notification obligation: (please tick the applicable box) Person subject to the notification obligation is not controlled by any natural person or legal entity and does not control any other undertaking(s) holding directly or indirectly an interest in the (underlying) issuer.xiii Full chain of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or the

financial instruments are effectively held starting with the ultimate controlling natural person or legal entityxiv (please provide a separate organisational chart in case of a complex structure): N Namexv % of voting rights held by ultimate controlling person or entity or held directly by any subsidiary if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold % of voting rights through financial instruments held by ultimate controlling person or entity or held directly by any subsidiary if it equals or is higher than the notifiable threshold Total of both Directly controlled by (use number(s) from 1st column) 1 SOCIETE GENERALE SA 2.00 % 0.32 % 2.32 % 2 SOCIETE GENERALE EFFEKTEN Gmbh 0 % 0.24 % 0.24 % 1 3 SOCIETE GENERALE LUXEMBOURG 0.08 % 0.00 % 0.08 % 1 4 SG AMERICAS SECURITIES, LLC 0.14 % 0.00 % 0.14 % 1 9. In case of proxy voting: The proxy holder named will cease to hold and number of voting rights as of . 10. Additional informationxvi

Done at PARIS, FRANCE On 30 June, 2021

Notes

i Please note that national forms may vary due to specific national legislation (Article 3(1a) of Directive 2004/109/EC) as for instance the applicable thresholds or information regarding capital holdings.

ii Full name of the legal entity and further specification of the issuer or underlying issuer, provided it is reliable and accurate (e.g. address, LEI, domestic number identity).

iii Other reason for the notification could be voluntary notifications, changes of attribution of the nature of the holding (e.g. expiring of financial instruments) or acting in concert.

iv This should be the full name of (a) the shareholder; (b) the natural person or legal entity acquiring, disposing of or exercising voting rights in the cases provided for in Article 9 (b) to (h) of the Transparency Law; or (c) the holder of financial instruments referred to in Article 12(1) of the Transparency Law.

As the disclosure of cases of acting in concert may vary due to the specific circumstances (e.g. same or different total positions of the parties, entering or exiting of acting in concert by a single party) the standard form does not provide for a specific method how to notify cases of acting in concert.

In relation to the transactions referred to in points (b) to (h) of Article 9 of the Transparency Law, the following list is provided as indication of the persons who should be mentioned:

- in the circumstances foreseen in letter (b) of Article 9 of that Law, the natural person or legal entity that acquires the voting rights and is entitled to exercise them under the agreement and the natural person or legal entity who is transferring temporarily for consideration the voting rights;

- in the circumstances foreseen in letter (c) of Article 9 of that Law, the natural person or legal entity holding the collateral, provided the person or entity controls the voting rights and declares its intention of exercising them, and natural person or legal entity lodging the collateral under these conditions;

- in the circumstances foreseen in letter (d) of Article 9 of that Law, the natural person or legal entity who has a life interest in shares if that person or entity is entitled to exercise the voting rights attached to the shares and the natural person or legal entity who is disposing of the voting rights when the life interest is created;

- in the circumstances foreseen in letter (e) of Article 9 of that Law, the controlling natural person or legal entity and, provided it has a notification duty at an individual level under Article 8, under letters (a) to (d) of Article 9 of that Law or under a combination of any of those situations, the controlled undertaking;

- in the circumstances foreseen in letter (f) of Article 9 of that Law, the deposit taker of the shares, if he can exercise the voting rights attached to the shares deposited with him at his discretion, and the depositor of the shares allowing the deposit taker to exercise the voting rights at his discretion;

- in the circumstances foreseen in letter (g) of Article 9 of that Law, the natural person or legal entity that controls the voting rights;

- in the circumstances foreseen in letter (h) of Article 9 of that Law, the proxy holder, if he can exercise the voting rights at his discretion, and the shareholder who has given his proxy to the proxy holder allowing the latter to exercise the voting rights at his discretion (e.g. management companies).

v Applicable in the cases provided for in Article 9 (b) to (h) of the Transparency Law. This should be the full name of the shareholder who is the counterparty to the natural person or legal entity referred to in Article 9 of that Law unless the percentage of voting rights held by the shareholder is lower than the 5% threshold for the disclosure of voting rights holdings (e.g. identification of funds managed by management companies).

vi The date on which threshold is crossed or reached should be the date on which the acquisition or disposal took place or the other reason triggered the notification obligation. For passive crossings, the date when the corporate event took effect.

vii The total number of voting rights shall be composed of all the shares, including depository receipts representing shares, to which voting rights are attached even if the exercise thereof is suspended.

viii If the holding has fallen below the 5% threshold, please note that it is not necessary to disclose the extent of the holding, only that the new holding is below that threshold.

ix In case of combined holdings of shares with voting rights attached "direct holding" and voting rights "indirect holding", please split the voting rights number and percentage into the direct and indirect columns if there is no combined holdings, please leave the relevant box blank.

x Date of maturity/expiration of the financial instrument i.e. the date when right to acquire shares ends.

xi If the financial instrument has such a period please specify this period for example once every 3 months starting from [date].

xii In case of cash settled instruments the number and percentages of voting rights is to be presented on a delta-adjusted basis (Article 12(2) of the Transparency Law).

xiii If the person subject to the notification obligation is either controlled and/or does control another undertaking then the second option applies.

xiv The full chain of controlled undertakings starting with the ultimate controlling natural person or legal entity also has to be presented in the cases in which only on subsidiary level a threshold is crossed or reached and the subsidiary undertaking discloses the notification as only then the market always gets the full picture of the group holdings. In case of multiple chains through which the voting rights and/or financial instruments are effectively held the chains have to be presented chain by chain leaving a row free between different chains (e.g.: A, B, C, free row, A, B, D, free row, A, E, F etc.). Numbers shall be attributed to all persons or entities within the group in column 1 in order to allow a clear indication of the control structure in column 6. The names of all undertakings of the control chain shall be provided in column 2, even if the number of the directly held voting rights and/or financial instruments is not equal or higher than the notifiable threshold. Columns 3 4 shall indicate the holdings of those persons or entities directly holding the voting rights and/or financial instruments if the holding is equal or higher than the notifiable threshold.

xv The names of controlled undertakings through which the voting rights and/or financial instruments are effectively held have to be presented irrespectively whether the controlled undertakings cross or reach the lowest applicable threshold themselves.

xvi Example: Correction of a previous notification.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005433/en/

Contacts:

SES

Mathis Prost

Legal Services Corporate and Finance

Tel. +352 691 419 856

mathis.prost@ses.com
Helps retailers and brands increase conversions, accelerate checkout and improve onboarding to meet growing consumer demand for on-time delivery as eCommerce surges

LONDON, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Loqate, a GBG solution, has announced the next generation of its type-ahead address capture solution, which is designed to help businesses reduce shopping cart abandonment, improve the customer experience and slash failed deliveries, which are a growing problem for brands. Research confirms that inaccurate or incomplete addresses cause delays in 41 percent of deliveries and failure in 39 percent, underscoring the important role accurate address data plays in customer success and growth.

With eCommerce at an all-time high, accurate customer address data is crucial for shipping physical goods, building personalised digital experiences and capturing a complete customer profile. At the same time, digital commerce is increasingly global, leading to complexity in capturing clean data while accommodating multiple languages, character scripts and address formats around the world. Loqate's type-ahead address solution gives organisations the power to capture accurate address information with fewer keystrokes, in more global markets and with greater flexibility. With an API that can be integrated in under five minutes, the solution is extremely easy to set up, allowing organisations to get up and running quickly.

"The rise in online consumer spending and the changing consumer journey make it more critical than ever for businesses to ensure they deliver the best experience possible from basket to delivery," said David Green, Managing Director of Loqate. "The ability to capture accurate address information is at the heart of providing customers around the world with an impeccable experience. Backed by expertise and the most advanced technology in the market, our intuitive address capture leverages location data, recognises human error patterns and catches mistakes, giving companies a solution they can trust to capture important address information and create a fast, easy customer experience and on-time delivery. It's a win-win."

With the latest version, Loqate's type-ahead address verification solution provides brands and retailers, such as Boohoo.com, Just Eat, NatWest, TalkTalk and Volvo, with the most complete address and geocode data available to reach customers beyond borders, especially in emerging and hard-to-address markets, with new features that:

Provide more highly accurate data. Digital transformation has created more opportunities for businesses to reach international customers but in many areas of the globe, address data has been sparse and lacking detail. Through partnerships with data organisations around the world to cross-reference, combine and cleanse data within individual countries, Loqate provides the world's most comprehensive and detailed address reference data, covering 130 address formats in 250 countries and territories.

Find the nearest matching addresses first, so customers receive a precise address match without typing in their entire address. Enhanced location biasing detects the customer's location to assist the scoring and ranking of search results.

Deliver an improved customer experience, in 79 languages, on any device. With full unicode, multi-language support, Loqate accelerates address capture for global customers.

Reduce the number of support calls relating to shipping restrictions or extra charges and help customers quickly determine if they are located in a serviceable area. With advanced results filtering companies can control the way address capture works for their specific needs by accepting or restricting certain record types or addresses based on custom parameters.

Reduce customer abandonment and save time and money associated with correcting errors downstream. Delivers the most accurate address and geolocation information, even when the data entered isn't perfect. Localised search and improved fuzzy, abbreviated and synonym matching, as well as the most modern text-based search technology, provide significantly more addresses with more granular data, requiring as little as three keystrokes.

For more information, visit www.loqate.com .

About Loqate

Loqate is the world's most trusted location intelligence service, helping every business in the world reach every customer in the world, with a single global API for address verification. Over 15,000 businesses rely on Loqate every day to reach their customers across 250 countries and territories. Loqate's expertise in global addressing is supported by team members located around the world, including the US, UK, Germany, Malaysia, China and Australia.

Loqate is a GBG solution. GBG offers a range of solutions that help organisations quickly validate and verify the identity and location of their customers. For more information, visit: www.loqate.com and www.gbgplc.com

Media enquiries:

Lou Harris, Head of Communications, GBG

E: lou.harris@gbgplc.com

Hannah Williams, PR Network

E: Hannah.williams@thepr.network
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2021 / Hannan Metals Limited ("Hannan" or the "Company") (TSXV:HAN)(OTC PINK:HANNF) reports on the commencement a large-scale 2,782 line kilometre ("line km") LiDAR survey over 64,500 hectares of the San Martin JOGMEC JV sediment-hosted copper-silver project in Peru.

Hannan is rapidly advancing the San Martin Cu-Ag project by the utilization of LiDAR, one of the newest remote sensing technologies on the market. The survey is a first in Peru to utilize LiDAR for geological mapping, fieldwork targeting along with drilling and logistics planning. Horizons South America S.A.C. ("HSA") have been engaged to undertake the survey.

Highlights:

64,500 hectares or 2,782 line kms of LiDAR to be acquired during Q3 2021 at the San Martin JOGMEC JV sediment-hosted copper-silver project, commencing shortly (Figure 1);

The groundbreaking survey will have multiple objectives: Allow mapping of geology and structure, and hence, in combination with geological and geochemical field observations define geological controls on copper-silver mineralization; Supply a detailed topographic ground model to facilitate efficient fieldwork to map key outcrops and access in the thick jungle terrain, provide targeted ground access and support environmental monitoring and precise drill collar location planning.



Michael Hudson, CEO, states, "Up to now, LiDAR has been used primarily for mapping vegetation canopy and for topographic controls. Sensor technology and ability to process and interpret the vast cloud point datasets means that the technology can now be applied to mineral exploration in these highly vegetated and challenging terrains for the first time. This is truly a gamechanger for exploration in these areas and Hannan, along with HSA, is pleased to be leading the application of this technology in Peru.

"LiDAR allows for the dense jungle to be virtually stripped from the ground, allowing unprecedented ground detail to be observed for the first time. Our exploration teams will be able to map the geology and structure, by machine learning, in extreme detail and allow highly targeted field work to enhance the efficiency of our exploration efforts over San Martin. In addition, Hannan will use the data for drill design and planning access, and should our copper-silver exploration continue to provide successful outcomes, allow siting and design of future development facilities. Overall LiDAR is a highly cost-effective dataset that can be utilized efficiently through the entire project lifecycle."

What is LiDAR?

LiDAR is the acronym for Light Detection And Ranging. It is a relatively new active remote sensing technology using a laser scanner, Global Positioning System (GPS), and inertial navigation. In the same way that SONAR using sound waves and reflection to detect targets and determine distance (think of the ping heard in a submarine scene from a war movie), LiDAR uses laser pulses with their timed reflectance to determine the target distance. With airborne LiDAR, the target is what lies under the aircraft - be it power lines, vegetation, or the ground. This process is illustrated in Figure 2.

The standout feature of LiDAR is its ability to see the ground through trees and heavy vegetation. While not passing through vegetation, if the laser pulse can find its way past the leaves, branches, and undergrowth to reach the ground, it can reflect back to the sensor and distance be measured. Repeat this process up to 1,000,000 times per second and you can quickly and accurately build a point cloud of target reflections in 3D space, obtaining information in areas where conventional topography, satellite images or photogrammetry cannot reach.

Processing of the point cloud allows the ground returns to be identified, from which a model of the ground surface under the forest canopy can be developed. With the relevant flight and survey planning, along with GNSSS post processing, centimetre levels of precision can be derived without touching the ground.

How will Hannan utilize the LiDAR data?

Figure 3 shows a LiDAR derived ground model visualized in 3D from a survey near the San Martin JOGMEC JV sediment-hosted copper-silver project area. Texture in LiDAR surfaces can be used to differentiate rock types- limestone, sandstones, shales, and potentially weathered intrusive bodies that tend to be massive in nature and often deform the country rock. Due to LiDAR's precision and detail, terrain models can reveal structure that may not be obvious on the ground hidden under jungle canopy. Figure 3 illustrates an eroded anticline with lithology differentiated based on bedding presence. Mapping the geology and structure is essential for the sediment hosted copper-silver targets in San Martin.

With soil geochemical sampling and outcrop sampling identifying anomalous Cu-Ag mineralization, the LiDAR ground models will allow Hannan to pinpoint the sedimentary sources of these anomalies and allow the continuity and extent of the sources to be precisely mapped, further driving highly targeted and efficient sampling to promptly define drill ready targets.

About Horizons South America S.A.C. ("HSA")

HSA is a Aerial Survey Company based in Lima, Peru which have been operating throughout South America since 1996 supplying survey services to engineering, mining and petroleum clients. HSA has flown in excess of 75,000 km2 of LiDAR over the South American Jungle plus 150,000 km2 over the Andes and are highly experienced in operating over complex jungle covered terrain. HSA operate top of the range Leica LiDAR sensors and maintain their own aviation fleet.

All relevant permits and authorizations have been received to fly the survey. The survey is benign and low impact. The aircraft will not generate visual or noise disturbance at ground level, as the flight height will be greater than 1,300 metres from the ground surface. The survey will commence within the next weeks when climatic conditions are favourable, including low cloud cover and low precipitation.

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.

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 political environment in which the Company operates continuing to support the development and operation of mining projects; the threat associated with outbreaks of viruses and infectious diseases, including the novel COVID-19 virus; risks related to negative publicity with respect to the Company or the mining industry in general; planned work programs; permitting; and community relations. 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

Figure 1. Overview of the San Martin / JOGMEC JV claims totalling 645km2

Figure 2. Concept of LiDAR theory and how the ground surface is modelled.

Figure 3. Highly detailed LiDAR ground model allows structure and geology to be accurately mapped, this an example dataset from the Peruvian jungle close to the San Martin JOGMEC JV sediment-hosted copper-silver project.

SOURCE: Hannan Metals Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/653666/Hannan-Commences-Groundbreaking-2782-Line-Kilometre-Lidar-Survey-Over-the-San-Martin-Jogmec-JV-Copper-Silver-Project-in-Peru
Total Indicated Resources of 113.5 Mt grading 30.9% magnetite and Inferred Resources of 953.7 Mt grading 32.8% magnetite

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2021 / Vanadium One Iron Corp. ("Vanadium One" or the "Company") (TSXV:VONE), announces the filing on SEDAR of the Technical Report entitled "NI 43-101 Technical Report - Mineral Resource Estimate of the Mont Sorcier Project, Province of Quebec, Canada". The report was completed by CSA Global Consultants Canada Ltd, an ERM Company (CSA Global), an independent Geological and Mineral Estimation firm with headquarters in Australia, and offices in Canada and has an effective date of May 6, 2021. The report was prepared in accordance with Canadian Securities Administrators' National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. A summary of the results is highlighted below

As announced on May 17, 2021 the updated resource incorporated results from the 2020 drill program which focused on defining the eastern extension of the North Zone as well as some infill in the North Zone. This has resulted in an increase in the total Inferred Mineral Resource tonnage in the North Zone from 376 Mt to 809.1 Mt at 34.2% magnetite, an addition of 433 Mt or a 115% increase.

Total Inferred Resources for both the North Zone and South Zone are estimated at 953.7 Mt grading 32.8% magnetite, with the potential to produce 313 Mt of magnetite concentrate grading 64% Fe and 0.6% vanadium pentoxide (V2O5).

Total Indicated Mineral Resources remain unchanged and are estimated to be 113.5 Mt grading 30.9% magnetite, with the potential to produce 35.0 Mt of magnetite concentrate grading 65.3% Fe and 0.6% V2O5. Indicated Mineral Resources have only been estimated at the South Zone.

. Table 1: Mineral Resources at Mont Sorcier effective 06 May 2021; cut-off grade is 20% Fe2O3 (14% Fe)

Zone Category Tonnage Head grade Grade in concentrate Rock

(Mt) Concentrate

(Mt) Fe

(%) Magnetite

(%) Fe

(%) V 2 O 5

(%) Al 2 O 3

(%) TiO 2

(%) MgO

(%) SiO 2

(%) South Indicated 113.5 35.0 22.7 30.9 65.3 0.6 0.3 1.2 3.8 2.8 Inferred 144.6 36.1 20.2 24.9 66.9 0.5 0.4 1.0 3.4 2.5 North Inferred 809.1 277 26.1 34.2 63.5 0.6 - - - - Total Indicated 113.5 35.0 22.7 30.9 65.3 0.6 0.3 1.2 3.8 2.8 Inferred 953.7 313.1 25.2 32.8 64.0 0.6 - - - -

The MRE has been classified CIM Definition Standards for Mineral Resources and Mineral Reserves (CIM Council, 10 May 2014).

Differences may occur due to rounding errors.

Numbers have been rounded to reflect the precision of Inferred and Indicated Mineral Resource

The Company is not aware of any environmental, permitting, legal, title, taxation, socio-economic, marketing or political factors that might materially affect these Mineral Resource estimates.

Mineral Resources are not Mineral Reserves as they do not have demonstrated economic viability.

The quantity and grade of reported Inferred Resources in this Mineral Resource Estimate are uncertain in nature and there has been insufficient exploration to define these Inferred Resources as Indicated or Measured Resources, however, it is reasonably expected that the majority of Inferred Mineral Resources could be upgraded to Indicated Mineral Resources with continued exploration.

Qualified Persons Statements

The technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Pierre-Jean Lafleur, P.Eng. (OIQ), who is a Qualified Person with respect to the Company's Mont Sorcier Project as defined under National Instrument 43-101. The Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) is the responsibility of CSA Global and Dr. Luke Longridge and Dr. Adrian Martinez, acting independently, are the Qualified Persons with respect to the MRE. CSA Global is finalising a Technical Report to comply with NI 43-101 in support of the MRE as disclosed in this News Release.

About Vanadium One Iron Corp.:

Vanadium One Iron Corp. is a mineral exploration and development company headquartered in Toronto, Canada. The Company is focused on advancing its 100% held Mont Sorcier, Vanadium-rich, Magnetite Iron Ore Project, in Chibougamau, Quebec. The Mont Sorcier Iron ore property hosts a large high quality magnetite iron resource with significant and extractable vanadium in a top tier mining jurisdiction. The project is located just 18 km outside of Chibougamau close to existing road, rail, low-cost hydro power and with access to deep water ports for export to global markets. Based upon recent and historical metallurgical test work Mont Sorcier is expected to produce a premium iron ore product (65-67% Fe) containing approximately 0.6% vanadium.

NOT FOR DISTRUBITION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF VANADIUM ONE IRON CORP.

Cliff Hale-Sanders, President & CEO

Tel: 416-819-8558

csanders@vanadiumone.com

www.vanadiumone.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

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

This news release contains "forward-looking information" including statements with respect to the future exploration performance of the Company. This forward-looking information 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 of the Company, expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. These risks, as well as others, are disclosed within the Company's filing on SEDAR, which investors are encouraged to review prior to any transaction involving the securities of the Company. Forward-looking information contained herein is provided as of the date of this news release and the Company disclaims any obligation, other than as required by law, to update any forward-looking information for any reason. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate and the reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking information.

SOURCE: Vanadium One Iron Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/653586/Vanadium-One-Files-Technical-Report-for-Its-Mont-Sorcier-Iron-Ore-Vanadium-Project-in-Quebec
GUANGZHOU, China, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- GAC has long been a partner of leading Chinese ride-hailing app Didi and Chinese tech giant Huawei. By pooling resources, data, and scientific research, GAC and the two tech firms are excited to work together on the future of the automobile industry.

GAC has a long history of cooperation with Didi, having held a stake in the company for years, and signing an extensive bilateral cooperation deal in 2019 agreeing to work together on vehicle promotion and customization, driverless travel, intelligent charging and refueling technologies. Many of China's taxis are made by GAC, meaning that the two companies' work is closely intertwined: knowledge of and improvements to automobile technology is highly useful to Didi, and GAC benefits from access to Didi's mountains of data.

Chinese tech giant Huawei is another powerful addition to this pool of technological resources. One of GAC MOTOR's core brand values is technology innovation, that is, finding ways to make cars more intelligent, more efficient, and more enjoyable to drive. A world-class smartphone provider, Huawei regularly produces cutting-edge technology in fields such as voice and facial recognition, IoT connectivity, "smart" appliances, cameras and charging technology, to name just a few. Having cooperative access to Huawei's research and technology gives GAC a strong edge in the production of world-class in-car systems.

One exciting project that GAC is working towards in cooperation with Huawei and Didi is "Level 4" autonomous vehicles, which can operate almost entirely without input from humans (current driver-assist mechanisms are classed as Level 2 autonomy).

Combining resources from the three parties, intelligent L4 vehicles are planned to be mass produced by 2024, utilizing GAC design and manufacturing capabilities and automatic driving software from Didi and Huawei. Didi's intelligent hardware platform, Didi Gemini, is already being road-tested by several multinational car companies, making Didi now one of the important players in the field of automatic driving, with experts calling the company's technological achievements in this area "impossible to ignore".

Didi founder Cheng Wei has predicted that Didi will host more than 1 million autonomous vehicles by 2025. GAC is eager to be part of the team driving towards this vision of the future, which embodies the GAC MOTOR spirit of GO AND CHANGE.

With so many exciting avenues of research, the future is looking very bright for cleaner, greener and smarter automobiles.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1555001/WechatIMG3522.jpg
LONDON, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Qiagen's Supervisory Board suffers from a lack of trust and confidence due to its history of ineffectiveness and governance concerns. This has created a credibility issue that is currently reflected in Qiagen's steep valuation discount to peers and its own historic multiples, and negatively impacts the business.

The Chairman, Lawrence Rosen, has been on the Board for eight years and has been a senior member that has presided over a series of governance failings that have negatively impacted the business and its shareholders. Elizabeth Tallet, has been on the Board for ten years and similarly with Lawrence Rosen, was intimately involved in these historic governance issues, including closely supporting the failed sales process to Thermo Fisher Scientific. By remaining on the Board, Lawrence Rosen and Elizabeth Tallet fail to take appropriate responsibility for their past failings and are preventing the process to refresh the leadership of the Supervisory Board.

The votes at yesterday's AGM are a clear signal that shareholders share our concerns. Qiagen AGMs typically record 95%+ votes in favour of the reappointment of Board members, unless there have been specific concerns. The votes for Lawrence Rosen (83.64%) and Elizabeth Tallet (61.95%) are clearly well below these historic levels of support and confirm that they do not enjoy the full support of the shareholders and that there are serious doubts about their credibility and effectiveness.

There is an urgent need to restore the credibility of shareholders in the Company by refreshing the leadership of the Supervisory Board with the appointment of a new external Chairman with a strong pedigree of leading dynamic businesses within the healthcare industry. Lawrence Rosen and Elizabeth Tallet should accordingly step down from the Supervisory Board to enable this process to commence, which is in the best interest of all the Company's stakeholders.

About Davidson Kempner

Davidson Kempner Capital Management LP is a global institutional alternative asset management firm, founded in 1983, with over 400 team members and approximately $37.7 billion in assets under management (estimate as of 1 June, 2021).

The Firm offers a number of products including the Multi-Strategy Funds, the Distressed Opportunities Funds and drawdown funds.

The Firm's investment strategies include Distressed, Merger Arbitrage, Long/Short Equities, Convertible Arbitrage and Long/Short Credit.

For media enquiries:

Greenbrook

Andrew Honnor, Rob White, Fanni Bodri

Email: davidsonkempner@greenbrookpr.com

Tel: +44 (0) 20 7952-2000
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2021 / Tier One Silver (TSXV:TSLV) ("Tier One" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has expanded its land position at the Curibaya silver-gold project in southern Peru by approximately 50%, from 11,000 hectares (ha) to 16,800 ha, through staking (Figure 1). The expanded land position on the eastern margin of the project encompasses a newly identified extension of the alteration system that hosts the defined silver-gold mineralization on surface. This extension was identified through mapping and sampling as it trends beneath post mineralization volcanic cover. The Company is expanding its ground-based induced polarization (IP) geophysical survey at the main Curibaya target area to include the entire mapped mineralized footprint (Figure 2).

A Message from Peter Dembicki, President, CEO & Director:

"We are excited by what we're seeing so far with our ongoing drill program at Curibaya and are pleased to expand our land position prior to receiving our first results. Ongoing surface sampling has continued to extend the alteration and mineralization footprints, and therefore, we are expanding our IP survey as well. We look forward to a very busy second half of 2021 with results from drilling and surface sampling."

Expansion of Curibaya Main Target Area:

Continued mapping and sampling have expanded the alteration and mineralization footprint at the main Curibaya target area, where numerous +200 g/t silver grab samples have been obtained on surface. The expansion extends north and south of the limits of the current IP survey, which has identified high temperature muscovite-phengite-illite alteration (Figure 2). The Company plans to extend the IP survey by 1.5 kilometres (km) north and 2 km south to further target potential sources for the high-grade mineralization on surface, which may be associated with chargeability anomalies, as observed to-date. The IP program is slated to begin within the next 6-8 weeks with the goal of generating new targets that have the potential to be included under the current drill permit.

Figure 1: Illustrates the expanded land position of the Curibaya project within the world-class Paleocene metallogenic belt in southern Peru.

Figure 2: Illustrates the expanded IP program that is planned at the main Curibaya target area due to the extension of the high temperature alteration footprint, consisting of a muscovite-phengite-illite assemblage with associated high-grade silver veins.

Michael Henrichsen (Chief Geologist), P.Geo is the QP who assumes responsibility for the technical contents of this press release.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF TIER ONE SILVER INC.

Peter Dembicki

President, CEO and Director

For further information on Tier One Silver Inc., please contact Natasha Frakes, Vice President of Communications at (778) 729-0600 or info@tieronesilver.com.

About Tier One

Tier One Silver is an exploration company focused on creating value for shareholders and stakeholders through the discovery of world-class silver, gold and base metal deposits in Peru. The Company's management and technical teams have a strong track record in raising capital, discovery and monetization of exploration success. The Company's exploration assets in Peru include: Hurricane Silver, Emilia, Coastal Batholith, Corisur and the flagship project, Curibaya, which has commenced its first drill program. Tier One is seeking a U.S. OTCQB listing with a targeted completion within the next month. Visit www.tieronesilver.com for more information.

Forward Looking Information and General Cautionary Language

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 the Company'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 in regards to the Company's U.S. OTCQB quotation application being successful, which cannot be assured, and its exploration plans.

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

SOURCE: Tier One Silver Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/653682/Tier-One-Silver-Expands-Land-Position-to-Include-Extension-of-Mineralized-System-at-the-Curibaya-Project-in-Peru


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - The United States on Tuesday reported 11638 new coronavirus infections, taking the national total to 33,651,924. The 7-day average is 11534.



359 new deaths reported on the same day took the total COVID death toll in the country to 604,467, as per the latest data from Johns Hopkins University. This is higher than the 7-day average of 272.



Texas reported the most number of cases - 1,947 - while Missouri reported most COVID-related deaths - 39 - on Tuesday.



California is the worst affected state in terms of both the COVID metrics. A total of 3,818,725 cases have been reported in the state, while 63,604 people have died due to the disease there.



The number of people hospitalized due to coronavirus infection has fallen by 13 percent in the last two weeks, to 16,689.



Test positivity rate has slightly increased to 2.5 percent.



A total of 29,007,373 people have so far recovered from the disease in the country.



A total of 325,152,847 vaccine doses have been administered so far nationally. 179,940,202 people have received at least one dose.



154.2 million people, or 46.4 percent of the U.S. population, are fully vaccinated, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.



77.8 percent of people above 65 have received both vaccine doses.



Meanwhile, Chief Medical Advisor to the President Dr. Anthony Fauci expressed concern about the stark disparity between low and high vaccination areas in the United States. 'It's almost like it's going to be two Americas,' CNN quoted him as saying.



White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki announced that shipping of 2.5 million doses of the Moderna vaccine to Bangladesh has begun.



The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday refused to lift a moratorium on evictions imposed by CDC in the wake of the pandemic.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

Kostenloser Wertpapierhandel auf Smartbroker.de
Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - June 30, 2021) - Cassiar Gold Corp. (TSXV: GLDC) (OTCQX: CGLCF) (the "Company") is pleased to announce its permitted 15,000 metre drilling program is now fully underway at its flagship Cassiar Gold project in British Columbia, Canada. Two diamond drills are turning at the Property: one at the Taurus deposit at North Cassiar, and a second rig now online at South Cassiar near the historic Bain Mine, which with the adjacent Cusac mine produced 114,000 oz Au grading >15 g/t Au between 1986 and 1997. Initially, drilling of vein extensions east of historical workings will assess along-strike potential of known veins in this area. Uncut historical resources for the Bain and Cusac vein systems after mining reported by a previous operator (in Pearson and Bakker, May 18th 2010: Technical report on the Table Mountain Property for Hawthorne Gold) included 21,471 tonnes in the Indicated category grading 18.02 g/t Au and a further Inferred resource of 65,757 tonnes grading 24.3 g/t Au. While these resources were estimated to CIM standards at the time and the company views these as relevant, Cassiar Gold is not treating these as current and the QP has not done sufficient work to classify the resources to current standards. Confirmation and infill drilling will be done to confirm historically reported drill results to further upgrade the drill spacing of the historical resource areas.

"We are very excited to start drilling at South Cassiar," said Marco Roque, CEO of Cassiar Gold Corp. "Following our successful 2020 Taurus campaign at North Cassiar, where we started drilling again earlier this month, this will be our first opportunity to test the high-grade targets at South Cassiar."

Drilling at South Cassiar will focus primarily on historically producing areas including the Bain/Cusac and Main mines, where targets comprise lateral and down-dip extensions of known or previously mined high-grade veins. In addition, the Company will explore high-potential open and untested areas where favourable geology and vein periodicity suggest potential for new high-grade targets.

The Company's technical team sees potential for vertical stacking of mineralized domains within favourable gently dipping mafic volcanic host horizons, which has been documented in the Main Mine area of South Cassiar, as well as in other orogenic gold camps with comparable setting or geology such as Barkerville in B.C. and Beta Hunt in Western Australia. Vein systems on the property extend between flat-lying thrust faults that exploit ultramafic and sedimentary units, along which veins are repeated both laterally and in different stratigraphic horizons. Accordingly, a number of drillholes will be pushed through historically-drilled mineralized strata, and into underlying prospective stratigraphy which remains untested.

All drilling will use modern north-seeking gyro downhole surveys, and will use drill core orientation tools to collect structural data that will inform subsequent targeting and geological model updates.





Figure 1. Distribution of planned 2021 confirmation and extension drilling near Bain and Cusac mines, South Cassiar. Targets are primarily lateral or down-dip extensions of known or previously mined high-grade veins. Blue box in inset map shows location within Cassiar Gold property.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2958/89105_7bc07cd8d4ceca68_002full.jpg





Figure 2. Schematic vertical section based on the Main Mine at South Cassiar, illustrating steeply-dipping mineralized quartz shear veins propagating through mafic volcanic strata stacked by thrust faults along weaker horizons. This concept is being applied to the Bain and Cusac areas.



To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/2958/89105_7bc07cd8d4ceca68_003full.jpg

Qualified Person

The technical information in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Kaesy Gladwin, P.Geo., Cassiar Gold Corp.'s Vice President of Exploration, who is considered to be a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument N.I. 43-101.

About Cassiar Gold Corp.

Cassiar Gold Corp. (TSXV: GLDC) (OTCQX: CGLCF) is a Canadian gold exploration company focused on projects in British Columbia and led by a team of highly successful business and technical executives. The Company's key asset, the Cassiar Gold Project, is a large, highly prospective, road-accessible gold property that encompasses the entire Cassiar gold mining district. It is host to a NI 43-101-compliant inferred resource estimate of 1M oz at 1.43 g/t Au at the Taurus bulk-tonnage gold deposit at a cutoff grade of 0.7 g/t Au (see Technical report on the Cassiar Gold property, amended Nov. 12, 2019, by S. Zelligan, posted to SEDAR), and has high potential for further discovery and expansion of bonanza-grade orogenic gold veins in the past-producing South Cassiar area. Historical underground mining in the South Cassiar area yielded over 300,000 oz of Au at grades of between 10 and 25 g/t Au (BC Minfile), underscoring the high-grade potential of the district. The Property hosts numerous gold showings, historical workings, and exploration prospects over a >15 km long and up to 10 km wide trend. The Property also has a fully permitted 300 tpd mill and tailings facility, which could provide the potential for near-term production if new and expanded high-grade resources are defined in the areas of active mining leases that cover some of the most prospective parts of the South Cassiar area.

Cassiar Gold acknowledges, respects, and supports the rights of Traditional First Nations in the lands and communities where we operate.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements, including those describing Cassiar Gold Corp.'s future plans and the expectations of management that a stated result or condition will occur. Any statement addressing future events or conditions necessarily involves inherent risk and uncertainty. Actual results can differ materially from those anticipated by management at the time of writing due to many factors, the majority of which are beyond the control of Cassiar Gold Corp. and its management. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking statements pertaining, directly or indirectly, to the following: regulatory conditions and the Company's ability to receive permits and regulatory approvals, mineral resource estimates and the assumptions underlying such estimates, and economic factors, business and operations strategies. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements to be materially different from expectations. Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ, there is no assurance that these forward-looking statements will prove accurate, or that actual results will not vary materially from such statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements except as expressly required by applicable securities laws. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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

CONTACT INFORMATION

Cassiar Gold Corp.

Marco Roque

CEO and a Director

+852 6691 6295

Marco@cassiargold.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/89105
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Facebook has launched a newsletter subscription service called Bulletin, which offers contents from independent writers across different categories. The new independent writing platform is created on a separate website to enable creators to grow their audience in ways that are not exclusively dependent on the Facebook platform. Bulletin offers exclusive content through subscription to the creators' publications easily and securely with Facebook Pay. Readers can also find a lot of free content. The new platform offers tools for journalists to write and send newsletters they can share across the web and on Facebook. Its features complement other new Facebook creator products such as podcasts and live audio. Bulletin articles and podcasts can be found on individual creator publication pages, Facebook News Feed, and within the News section of Facebook. According to Facebook, 'independent creators' for Bulletin are individual journalists or subject matter experts who are not contractually bound to write exclusively for a platform or publisher. The creators vary from writers and academics to industry experts and public figures. The platform is primarily launching with US creators, and there are only 2 non-US creators at launch. However, the Bulletin website will be available worldwide, and the company plans to include more international creators after beta program launch. Some of the writers are said to be New Yorker writer Malcolm Gladwell, author Mitch Albom, and organizational psychologist Adam Grant. The social media giant stated that Bulletin creators' payments will be easily and securely processed using Facebook Pay, and the company will not take a cut of the revenue from these creators at launch. Each Bulletin creator can choose their own prices for subscriptions. In a conference call with reporters, Facebook Chief Executive Mark Zuckerberg said, 'The goal here is to support millions of people doing creative work. More and more independent writers are discovering ways to use their voice and make money through other avenues, similar to the ones we're introducing here.' 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.
Killi enables consumers to determine if they were part of the 533m Facebook data breach in April and place this data back under their control

New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - June 30, 2021) - Killi Ltd. (TSXV: MYID) (OTCQB: MYIDF) ("Killi"), a supplier of compliant consumer data, introduces Facebook Unveil, a complimentary service to allow consumers to determine if their data was part of Facebooks 533 million data breach in April, view the data that was exposed, and put this data back under their control should they choose. To query if you were part of this data breach visit: killi.io.

This new offering from Killi builds on a previous announcement on April 6, 2021, where the Company enabled 320 million consumers in the USA to view data being collected by data brokers. The addition of Facebook data will increase the overall awareness of the Killi ecosystem amongst consumers internationally while providing them with an additional source from which to query and reclaim their data.

"The recent Facebook hack exposed the personal information of over 500 million users. As these hacks are part of the new world we live in, we felt that there was no recourse for consumers, so we developed Facebook Unveil," said Neil Sweeney, CEO, and Founder of Killi. "When learning of this hack, we wanted to create an environment where consumers could come to Killi, add an identifier such as email or a mobile phone number, validate their ID, and then query and highlight the Facebook data circulating online. Now with Killi, consumers have transparency, which we believe is a valuable public service since governments, privacy advocates, and consumers worldwide are concerned about this data leak and future data breaches. Facebook Unveil was a natural extension for us as it is similar to the service Killi provided in April that revealed consumer data circulating amongst data brokers. This new iteration of our product furthers our mission of becoming the platform that allows all consumers to view and reclaim their data, data that has historically been inaccessible to them."

Facebook Unveil is a complimentary service; consumers do not have to be part of the Killi ecosystem to participate and are only required to enter a phone number or email to confirm their identity and see only their data.

Investor Webinar Today at 4 pm ET:

The Company will be hosting an investor webinar today at 4 pm ET where Neil Sweeney, Founder, and CEO of Killi, will discuss this announcement, the accelerating shift of the data market to one of compliance and consumer inclusion, and outline Killi's accomplishments to date and its growth expectation in the coming quarters and years.

Register in advance for the meeting via Zoom at:

https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZcodu2gpj8pE9WpZMRastFZUNUppD3dW

Wn8.

About Killi Ltd

Killi Ltd. (TSXV: MYID) (OTCQB: MYIDF) is a company driven by consumer data and privacy evolution. Offering compliant, first-party data to brands & agencies, platforms, and data companies, Killi allows consumers to visit the platform, confirm their identity and unveil data that has been collected and sold on them for years. Kill allows consumers to take back control of this data by setting up a Killi account where should they chose to, consumers can be compensated for the use of their data.

For further information, please contact:

Neil Sweeney, Founder, and CEO

1-855-908-DATA

E: investorrelations@killi.io

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

Forward-Looking and Other Cautionary Statements

This news release contains projections and forward-looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties regarding future events. Such forward-looking information can include without limitation statements based on current expectations involving several risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of the company's future performance. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. These statements are based upon the current expectations and beliefs of management and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company does not intend and undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statements to reflect, in particular, new information or future events.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/89038
Innovative and leading FinTechs from across the globe to showcase their solutions on 1st July

DOHA, Qatar, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Qatar FinTech Hub (QFTH), founded by Qatar Development Bank (QDB) to support the growth of the FinTech industry in Qatar, has announced the Demo Day for Wave 2 of its flagship Incubator and Accelerator Programs which will take place on 1stJuly 2021, virtually.

QFTH Demo Day for Wave 2, sponsored by Doha Bank, will be one of the major FinTech events in the region hosting key players from the local financial services ecosystem, as well as investors, global startups, international FinTech hubs, aspiring entrepreneurs and FinTech enthusiasts.

Under the theme, 'Emerging Technologies', the program has received tremendous traction during Wave 2 with over 550 applications from more than 55 countries across the globe including USA, India, Singapore, Nigeria, Russia, Hong Kong, UK, Turkey, and Qatar. 11 early-stage startups and 11 mature FinTechs were selected from the application pool. The selected FinTechs for the Incubator programme are Snoonu Trading and Services, Karty, Cammillion, ePaysa, Digitalistic, Akillifon, CHANGE COM, Kwidex, Nu Credits, Bondsmart and Finstant. The selected FinTechs for the Accelerator programme are Prive T, Active.AI, Finchat, eBaoTech, SafexPay, Twyla Technology, FinChatBot, Cargon, Invest Suite, Elite Capital and Revix. The selected FinTechs covered a variety of technology solutions such as AI, ML, Blockchain, RPA, NFC, NLP, and OCR, and are well on their way to launch a host of new and empowering services to accelerate the digital transformation of global markets.

Throughout the program, participants took part in more than 350 business development sessions with 15 financial institutions and completed a series of Masterclasses and FinTech Bootcamps conducted by QFTH partners and renowned speakers from across the world.

Mr. Abdulaziz Bin Nasser Al Khalifa, CEO of QDB and Chairman of QFTH Taskforce, said: "Through our specialized incubators, we aim to develop FinTechs as well as support entrepreneurs and innovators to make an impact within the domain, both regionally and globally. The QFTH Incubator and Accelerator Programs continue to attract entrepreneurs from around the world, building upon the robust Qatari financial sector, and powered by the support of our partners who play a major role in their success."

"I look forward to welcoming the international community to our second virtual Demo Day to get a closer look at the graduates of Wave 2 of our Programs and the dynamics of the Qatari Fintech scene. I am confident this new Wave will help us build solid pillars for a knowledge-based economy in Qatar" Mr. Abdulaziz concluded.

Dr. R. Seetharaman, CEO of Doha Bank, said: "Over the recent few years, FinTech has become a catalyst for financial innovation. Banks in Qatar are keen on leveraging the fast-developing FinTech ecosystem. Doha Bank is also keen to explore FinTech collaborations to build customer centric value propositions. The next wave of FinTech innovation is exciting and looks to be a win-win for all stakeholders. Doha Bank is proud to sponsor QFTH's second demo day of its Incubator and Accelerator programs. We are pleased to invite all players in the ecosystem to join us on 1st July to hear from the FinTechs who completed the program."

QFTH is also currently gearing up for the Wave 3 of its Incubator and Accelerator Programs which will focus on 'Embedded Finance and TechFin'. Applications are now open for the programs that will run from October to December 2021. FinTechs with innovative solutions can visit QFTH website (fintech.qa) to get more details and to apply until end of July 2021. All applications undergo a thorough evaluation process, where shortlisted candidates will be invited to present their solutions in front of a jury panel comprised of key stakeholders from Qatar's financial services ecosystem.

QFTH was established by QDB in line with the Qatar National Vision 2030, and Qatar Central Bank's (QCB) FinTech Strategy to build on Qatar's success in the financial sector and enhance the country's role in the field of financial innovation. The second wave of the Incubator and Accelerator Programs focused on a variety of financial technology solutions in alignment with the Qatar FinTech Strategy, and in synergy with QCB - Sandbox.

As part of its commitment to offering world-class expertise to participating FinTechs, QFTH is continuously collaborating with strategic stakeholders within the FinTech ecosystem including financial institutions, technology providers, payment networks, global FinTech hubs, academia, and regulators. Microsoft is participating as the program technology partner. Other recent partnerships include Amazon, Progress Soft, Vodafone, and Global Positioning System to name a few.

QFTH Demo Day will be held on July 1, 2021, at 12:00 PM Qatar time. To register for the event, visit: https://qdb-qa.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJAldO-trzwoHtDcZZTAmN4TFhx1GQBbgl-U.

For more information about QFTH, visit www.fintech.qa

Contact: Ghina Chaaban, PR Manager, Qanect ghina.chaaban@qanect.com, +96176977199

PDF - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1555112/Qatar_FinTech_Hub_factsheet.pdf

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1555113/Qatar_FinTech_Hub_Logo.jpg
30 June 2021

4basebio UK Societas

("4basebio" or the "Company")

Result of Annual General Meeting

4basebio UK Societas (AIM: 4BB), the specialist life sciences group focused on exploiting intellectual property in the field of gene therapies and vaccines, announces that all of the resolutions proposed at its Annual General Meeting held earlier today were duly passed. A poll was held on each of the resolutions.

The resolutions passed include a resolution to approve the conversion of the Company from a UK Societas into a public limited liability company registered in England and Wales ("PLC"). The Company will proceed with the requisite filings and update the market in due course.

The Company's issued share capital was 12,317,473 ordinary shares of 1 each and the full results of the poll (which will also be posted on the Company's website) are detailed below:

Votes For % of votes cast For Votes Against % of votes cast Against Votes Total % of shares voted Votes withheld Ordinary Resolutions 1. To receive the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020 1,965,444 100% 0 0.00% 1,965,444 15.96% 0 2. To re-appoint Crowe U.K. LLP as auditors 1,965,444 100% 0 0.00% 1,965,444 15.96% 0 3. To authorise the Directors to determine the remuneration of the auditors 1,965,444 100% 0 0.00% 1,965,444 15.96% 0 4. To re-elect Timothy Paul McCarthy as a Director 1,965,444 100% 0 0.00% 1,965,444 15.96% 0 5. To re-elect Heikki Lanckriet as a Director 1,965,444 100% 0 0.00% 1,965,444 15.96% 0 6. To re-elect David John Roth as a Director 1,965,444 100% 0 0.00% 1,965,444 15.96% 0 7. To re-elect Hansjorg Plaggemars as a Director 1,818,278 92.50% 147,166 7.49% 1,965,444 15.96% 0 8. To re-elect Pilar de la Huerta as a Director 1,965,444 100% 0 0.00% 1,965,444 15.96% 0 9. To re-elect Joseph Manuel Fernandez as a Director 1,818,278 92.50% 147,166 7.49% 1,965,444 15.96% 0 10. To authorise the Directors to allot shares and to grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into shares pursuant to section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 and to allot equity securities by way of rights issue 1,965,444 100% 0 0.00% 1,965,444 15.96% 0 Special Resolutions 11. To authorise the Directors to allot equity securities pursuant to section 570 of the Companies Act 2006 in connection with a rights issue and general disapplication 1,965,071 99.98% 373 0.02% 1,965,444 15.96% 0 12. To authorise the Directors to allot equity securities pursuant to section 570 of the Companies Act 2006 in connection with an acquisition or other capital investment 1,818,014 92.50% 147,430 7.50% 1,965,444 15.96% 0 13. To approve the registration of the Company as a public limited company and to adopt new articles of association with effect from the date of the registration. 1,965,444 100% 0 0.00% 1,965,444 15.96% 0

NOTES:

1. The above is a summary of resolutions passed; the full text of the resolutions can be found in the Notice of Meeting.

2. The 'For' vote includes those giving the Chairman discretion, if any.

3. A vote 'Withheld' is not a vote in law and has not been counted in the calculation of the proportion of votes 'For' or 'Against' a resolution.

4. Resolutions 1 to 10 were passed as Ordinary Resolutions and resolutions 11 to 13 were passed as Special Resolutions.

Immediately prior to commencement of the Annual General Meeting (and therefore around 48 hours later than the published deadline for submitting proxy votes), a very large number of further proxy votes were received. It was determined that these votes, having been received after the deadline for receiving proxy votes, would not be considered at the Annual General Meeting.

However, given the magnitude of the additional votes received, the Company considers it appropriate to inform the market and to note that, had these votes been included in the poll, the results would have been as follows:

Votes For % of votes cast For Votes Against % of votes cast Against Votes Total % of shares voted Votes withheld Ordinary Resolutions 1. To receive the Accounts for the year ended 31 December 2020 7,550,408 100% 0 0.00% 7,550,408 61.30% 0 2. To re-appoint Crowe U.K. LLP as auditors 7,550,408 100% 0 0.00% 7,550,408 61.30% 0 3. To authorise the Directors to determine the remuneration of the auditors 7,550,408 100% 0 0.00% 7,550,408 61.30% 0 4. To re-elect Timothy Paul McCarthy as a Director 7,550,408 100% 0 0.00% 7,550,408 61.30% 0 5. To re-elect Heikki Lanckriet as a Director 6,391,637 100% 0 0.00% 6,391,637 51.89% 1,158,771 6. To re-elect David John Roth as a Director 7,550,408 100% 0 0.00% 7,550,408 61.30% 0 7. To re-elect Hansjorg Plaggemars as a Director 7,403,242 98.05% 147,166 1.95% 7,550,408 61.30% 0 8. To re-elect Pilar de la Huerta as a Director 7,550,408 100% 0 0.00% 7,550,408 61.30% 0 9. To re-elect Joseph Manuel Fernandez as a Director 7,403,242 98.05% 147,166 1.95% 7,550,408 61.30% 0 10. To authorise the Directors to allot shares and to grant rights to subscribe for or to convert any security into shares pursuant to section 551 of the Companies Act 2006 and to allot equity securities by way of rights issue 7,550,408 100% 0 0.00% 7,550,408 61.30% 0 Special Resolutions 11. To authorise the Directors to allot equity securities pursuant to section 570 of the Companies Act 2006 in connection with a rights issue and general disapplication 7,550,035 100% 373 0.00% 7,550,408 61.30% 0 12. To authorise the Directors to allot equity securities pursuant to section 570 of the Companies Act 2006 in connection with an acquisition or other capital investment 7,402,978 98.05% 147,430 1.95% 7,550,408 61.30% 0 13. To approve the registration of the Company as a public limited company and to adopt new articles of association with effect from the date of the registration. 7,550,408 100% 0 0.00% 7,550,408 61.30% 0

The Company will review the proxy submission process for future General Meetings, with a view to streamlining the process where possible.

The Company also wishes to again draw attention to the investor meeting being held tomorrow, 1 July 2021, through the Investor Meet Company platform at 10.00am. Investors can sign up to Investor Meet Company for free and register interest here: https://www.investormeetcompany.com/4basebio-uk-societas/register-investor

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the UK Market Abuse Regulation.

For further enquiries, please contact:

4basebio UK Societas +44 (0)12 2396 7943 Heikki Lanckriet, CEO +44 (0)20 7213 0880 Cairn Financial Advisers LLP (Nominated Adviser) Jo Turner / Sandy Jamieson finnCap Ltd (Broker) Geoff Nash/Richard Chambers/Charlotte Sutcliffe +44 (0)20 7220 0500 Walbrook PR +44 (0)20 7933 8780 Anna Dunphy / Paul McManus Mob: +44 (0)7876 441 001 / +44 (0)7980 541 893

Notes to Editors

4basebio (AIM: 4BB) is a specialist life sciences group focused on therapeutic DNA for gene therapies and DNA vaccines and providing solutions for effective and safe delivery of these DNA based products to patients. It is the intention of the Company to become a market leader in the manufacture and supply of high purity, synthetic DNA for research, therapeutic and pharmacological use. The immediate objectives of 4bb are to validate and scale its DNA synthesis and advance its collaborations to facilitate the functional validation of its DNA based products and gene delivery solutions.

The Company divested from 4basebio AG ("4bb AG"), a German company listed on the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, following the disposal by 4bb AG (then named Expedeon AG) of its proteomics and immunology business to AIM-quoted Abcam plc in January 2020 for 120million. Following the disposal, 4bb AG retained its genomics business which owned and licensed certain intellectual property including its proprietary, patent-protected technology, TruePrime. This is the foundation for building the Company's synthetic DNA manufacturing business which 4bb AG transferred to the Company along with funding to continue the Company's development and investment.
June 30, 2021

Ultra-fast, less than one-minute scan time, cardiac MRI enables accurate assessment of heart anatomy and function, improves patient comfort, increases access to care, and reduces costs

Technique can be implemented on existing MRI scanners

Validated clinical trial results on more than 100 patients with diverse cardiac pathologies published in leading journal JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging

Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Madrid, Spain - Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, has participated in an important research project to develop a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging technique [1,2] that could potentially revolutionize the use of MR imaging in cardiology.

Reducing the procedure time for full evaluation of heart anatomy and function from about one hour down to a few minutes, this new technique has the potential to increase patient access to precision diagnosis, improve patient comfort due to shorter scan times, and lower the cost of care. The technique can be used with existing phased-array MRI scanners without modification. The results of a clinical trial to evaluate the technique [2] were published in April, 2021, in JACC (Journal of the American College of Cardiology): Cardiovascular Imaging, one of the world's highest impact journals in the field [3].

"In just over 20 seconds, all the information needed to know the shape and function of the heart has been acquired. And if you need to evaluate the degree of fibrosis after cardiac muscle death, another 20-second acquisition is all it takes, completing the cardiac study in less than a minute," said Philips scientist Dr. Javier Sanchez-Gonzalez, technical leader of the Philips team that contributed to the development and leader of the collaboration with CNIC.

During a conventional MR cardiac examination, patients are required to lie still inside the bore of the scanner for about one hour to accurately measure the function of their heart and assess the extent of damaged heart muscle. It requires multiple complex 2D and 3D image acquisitions that need to be captured and reconstructed. As a result, despite being non-invasive and involving no radiation exposure, MR imaging is still not widely used for cardiac imaging.

"The main cause is the time needed to do a full study. A complete study requires about an hour, a period that causes many patients not to finish the test due to the discomfort it causes them," said Dr. Sandra Gomez-Talavera, researcher at the Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), cardiologist at the Hospital Universitario Fundacion Jimenez Diaz (Madrid, Spain), and co-author of the JACC paper.

The new technique (called 'Enhanced SENSE by Static Outer-volume Subtraction (ESSOS)) makes use of the fact that during a breath-hold, everything within the patient's chest remains static, except their beating heart. After an initial image of the static part (outer volume) has been captured this MRI data is temporarily removed. The MRI signal of the beating heart can now more easily be subtracted from subsequent scan data, allowing up to four times faster acquisition of a 3D image of the heart. This results in a net acceleration factor of up to 32. Once the dynamic information of the beating heart is reconstructed, the static outer volume images are added back to generate a full 3D cardiac image showing heart anatomy and function, and allowing review from different views with good image resolution. If needed, a second contrast-enhanced isotropic 3D single breath-hold scan can reveal the extent of damage to the patient's heart muscle.

The results of a clinical trial in which more than 100 patients with various cardiac pathologies were examined using both the conventional and the new MR protocol, with the resulting images being evaluated by expert radiologists, demonstrated excellent agreement between heart function measurements made using each technique, as well as excellent agreement in the images to characterize tissue damage to the patient's heart muscle [4].

"We have shown in a large group of patients that cardiac MR imaging using this new technology obtains the same parameters as the usual technique but reduces the time that a patient has to be inside the machine by more than 90%," said Dr. Borja Ibanez, Director of the Clinical Research Department of CNIC, Cardiologist at the University Hospital Fundacion Jimenez Diaz, and clinical leader of the work.

The research project to develop this new cardiac MR protocol was financed by the Carlos III Institute of Health, through a FIS technological development project, as well as a Translational Research Grant from the Spanish Society of Cardiology, the European Research Council (ERC), and the Community of Madrid.

While the collaboration between CNIC and Philips is currently at the research stage, the goal is to bring this ultra-fast and easy cardiac MR technique to clinical settings in the near future and support the common vision of benefiting more patients. Already today Philips' integrated MR solutions offer new levels of ultra-fast and personalized cardiac MR. Examples include the company's exam-shortening Compressed SENSE technology, ultra-fast early diagnosis of heart failure with Strain-encoded magnetic resonance imaging.

More information on the new magnetic resonance.

[1] 'Enhanced SENSE by Static Outer-volume Subtraction' ; Impact Factor Results Rank JACC Journals Among Top 12 Cardiovascular Journals Worldwide - American College of Cardiology

[4] Gomez-Talavera S, Fernandez-Jimenez R, Fuster V, Nothnagel ND, Kouwenhoven M, Clemence M, Garcia-Lunar I, Gomez-Rubin MC, Navarro F, Perez-Asenjo B, Fernandez-Friera L, Calero MJ, Orejas M, Cabrera JA, Desco M, Pizarro G, Ibanez B, Sanchez-Gonzalez J.

For further information, please contact:

For Philips:

Kathy O'Reilly

Philips Global Press Office

Tel.: +1 978-221-8919

E-mail : kathy.oreilly@philips.com

Twitter: @kathyoreilly

For CNIC:

Fatima Lois

Head of Communications of the CNIC. flois@cnic.es

Tel.: +34 6 39 28 24 77

E-mail: flois@cnic.es

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips.

About CNIC

The National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), led by Dr. Valentin Fuster, has as its mission to enhance cardiovascular research and its translation to the patient. The center is financed by a pioneering formula of public-private collaboration between the Government of Spain, through the Carlos III Institute of Health, and the Pro CNIC Foundation that brings together 12 of the most important Spanish companies.

Attachments
MESA, AZ / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2021 / elev8 Advisors Group ('the Company'), an omni-channel leader in the payments and fintech space, announces it has formed strategic partnerships with multiple nationally recognized banks and that it has expanded its existing relationship with Business Warrior (OTC PINK:BZWR). The announcements build on momentum created by successful programs the Company recently delivered with key banking partners.

Founded by industry veterans, Aaron Slominski and Adam Spencer, elev8 is a boutique advisory firm focused on the banking, fintech and Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) marketplaces. The Company has collaborated with Evolve Bank and Trust of Memphis, Tennessee, and Capital Plus Financial, a subsidiary of publicly traded Crossroads Systems Inc. (CRSS), to develop solutions for small businesses and helping the Small Business Administration deploy the Payroll Protection Program (PPP) and credit card issuance programs. Most recently, elev8 and Capital Plus Financial scaled up their services to become the 4th largest PPP provider in the nation.

'Our partnership with Adam Spencer and elev8 Advisors has been a natural fit,' stated Scot Lenoir, chairman of Evolve Bank. 'Spencer and the elev8 team have a diverse banking and fintech background with a dedication to successful partnerships. It's no surprise the team at elev8 has exceeded our expectations as a partner, igniting future growth for all parties involved.'

elev8 & Business Warrior team up for small business lending

Business Warrior, a small business marketing software company, recently announced their entrance into small business lending with elev8 as a critical component in Business Warrior's path to the product offering.

'elev8 has the team and resources to accelerate a much-needed small business lending solution in the market,' says Jonathan Brooks, president of Business Warrior. The two companies began their partnership in January of 2021, and expanded their relationship in a move that emphasizes their commitment to helping small businesses find viable, lending solutions.

Under the partnership, elev8 believes it can deliver world-class business analytics and artificial intelligence into the banking community, where it is has contracts with more than half a dozen banks. Business Warrior and elev8 plan to collaborate and double the number of contracts in the next quarter.

'elev8 is on a positive trajectory of growth and we are excited for future programs coming in the near future,' stated Eric Donnelly, CEO of Capital Plus Financial. 'This is a powerful collaboration and we look forward to providing additional updates as we advance our strategies.'

About elev8 Advisors Group:

elev8 Advisors Group is an omni-channel leader in the payments and fintech space with deep rooted history in the financial services industry. The team is changing the expectations of consulting to be that of partnerships and win/win outcomes for all.

About Business Warrior:

Business Warrior Corp. (OTC:BZWR) is the source for small businesses in America to enhance their brand and boost marketing results. Business Warrior is dedicated to helping small businesses grow. Their easy-to-use software creates a customized roadmap designed to generate new and meaningful lead generation for small businesses. Business Warrior helps lay the foundation for online advertising and offers services to help small businesses find long-term success. For more information, please visit www.BusinessWarrior.com.

CONTACT:

Investor Relations:

Jonathan Brooks

Investors@BusinessWarrior.com

(855) 884-5805

elev8 Advisors Group

Info@elev8withus.com

SOURCE: elev8 Advisors Group

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/653622/elev8-Advisors-Group-Announces-Major-Bank-Partnerships
FUNDING, LICENSES AND ALL PERMITS AS WELL AS FEEDSTOCK SUPPLY AND OFFTAKE AGREEMENTS HAVE BEEN GRANTED TO IMMEDIATELY BEGIN THE PROJECT.

MUSCAT, OMAN / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2021 / Genoil Inc. signed an agreement with the Ras Madrakah Petroleum Industry Company and Beijing Petrochemical Engineering Company, a subsidiary of Yanchang Petroleum International Limited to develop a greenfield Genoil Upgrading refinery with a capacity of 200,000 barrel per day in the Port of Duqm in the Sultanate of Oman. Estimated to cost approximately $2.4 billion USD, the project will utilize the Genoil Upgrading Technology "GHU" Process. Genoil will license its proprietary technology, process design package, training, and advisory services, as well as proprietary catalyst and equipment supply.

Beijing Petrochemical has been selected to perform the feasibility study, the Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) to do the project management and act as project EPC contractor including EPC contractor for the construction of storage tank farms, project offsite facilities including the product export terminal, and other required infrastructure such as pipelines.

Ras Madrakah owns the only private refinery license ever granted by the Government of Oman and project has received strong local support. Eight hundred hectares of land has been reserved for the project. Government gas supply is in place, there are three crude feedstock agreements in place for up to 200,000 barrels per day and three refined product offtake contracts have been secured as well. Eight square kilometers of land has been secured in the Special Economic Zone Authority of Duqm (SEZAD). The local licenses allow for export and import of products, sea and coastal oil and gas water transport and construction of petrochemical complexes. The local licenses have no limitation on project capacity and will allow for expansion in the future.

The facility will utilize up to nine crude oil storage tanks, with a capacity of 500,000 barrels each, in Ras Markaz. An 80 km-long, 28 inch diameter underground pipeline will supply the feedstock from the crude oil storage tanks in Ras Markaz to the Genoil Duqm refinery.

The project will be very stimulative to the local economy and is estimated to create eighteen thousand jobs for the Sultanate of Oman and will utilize many existing contractors and local manufacturing vendors. It is expected that once the project is up and running it will be operated by Beijing Petrochemical and Yanchang Petroleum Limited.

About Duqm Port:

Port of Duqm, a joint venture between the Omani Government and Port of Antwerp, started operations in late 2012 and has since evolved into a world class deep sea port. SEZAD is the largest economic/free zone in MENA with an area of 2,000 sq km. Its location on the eastern coast of the Sultanate of Oman, 450km the south of Muscat, provides it with major strategic locational advantages in terms of being on the doorstep of some of the busiest global shipping routes linking into the Gulf, Asia, East Africa and Europe while being outside the Straits of Hormuz. Incentives for investing in SEZD include 100 per cent foreign company ownership, a corporate tax exemption for 30 years, no minimum capital requirements and renewable 50-year land usufruct agreements at competitive rates.

About Ras Madrakah Petroleum:

RAS MADRAKAH PETROLEUM INDUSTRY COMPANY L.L.C. (RMPIC) is a major group in Oman established with a vision to be recognised as a world-class refinery & petrochemical businesses, delivering quality oil products across the world, driving growth of Duqm Free Zone and Omani prosperity in general.

About BPEC:

BPEC was founded in 1979 and is a first class engineering company based in Beijing and its parent company is Shaanxi Yanchang Petroleum Group Corp Ltd.. BPEC currently has about 1200 employees and holds a class A qualification of engineering consulting and engineering design. The company has been mainly engaged in engineering consulting, engineering design, EPC, engineering technology development and other related business in the fields of refining, petrochemical, coal-chemical, natural-gas-chemical, oil and gas fields, storage and transportation, etc.

About Shaanxi Yanchang Petroleum Group Corp. Ltd.:

Formerly "Yanchang Oil Plant" founded by the Qing regime in Yan'an in 1905, Yanchang Petroleum is China's only century-old oil enterprise and the driller of the first oil well on the Chinese continent. Shaanxi Province where Yanchang Petroleum is located is an emerging key oil & gas province in China, with rapid growth of 5 million tons oil & gas equivalent on average every year since the beginning of the "twelfth five-year" period. In 2012, Shaanxi province became China's largest oil & gas-producing province with oil & gas equivalent of over 60 million tons. They are also one of the largest producers of coal in China with 18 billion tons of coal reserves, and 300,000 bpd of oil production.

Forward Looking Statements:

Statements included in this release may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties such as competitive factors, technological development, market demand, and the company's ability to obtain new contracts and accurately estimate net revenues due to variability in size, scope and duration of projects, and internal issues in the sponsoring client. Further information on potential risk factors that could affect the company's financial results can be found in the company's Reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Contact:

Genoil Inc.

David K. Lifschultz, CEO

(212) 688-8868

SOURCE: Genoil Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/653701/Genoil-Signs-Agreement-in-Oman-to-Build-First-GHU-Upgrader-in-Duqm-Port
Internationally Known Hosts Such As BMW North America, Turks & Caicos Tourism and Sotheby's Realty Are Also Sponsoring The Polo Match & Event

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2021 / Green Stream Holdings Inc. (OTC PINK:GSFI) ("the Company") (http://www.GreenRainSolar.com), an emerging leader in the solar utility and finance space, which recently announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary Chuck's Vintage (https://chucksvintageoriginal.com), an iconic brand and retail location renown among celebrity elite and fashion enthusiasts alike, that has opened a new retail location in New York City at 173 East 91st Street, Basement, New York, NY 10128 as of 5/21/2021, which recently announced that it will be a sponsor for the Polo Hamptons Polo Match and Event also announced that it will be in good company, with the other sponsors of the Match & Event.

A July 24, the event, will be hosted by fashion icon, Christie Brinkley, and includes BMW North America, Turks & Caicos Tourism and Sotheby's Realty and more.

This match and event are produced each summer in the Hamptons by Social Life Magazine, the Luxury Magazine for the Hamptons, the top luxury publication in the world renowned Hamptons. https://sociallifemagazine.com

This match and event are produced each summer in the Hamptons by Social Life Magazine, the Luxury Magazine for the Hamptons, the top luxury publication in the world-renowned Hamptons. The Polo Match & Cocktail Party, held in Bridgehampton, 900 Lumber Lane, on July 24, 2021

CEO James DiPrima said: "The clientele attending will include some of the world's most important influencers and the owners of international trend setting fashion houses and as a sponsor, the Company's representatives will have the opportunity to gain new inroads for the company in both the Chuck's Vintage and the Company's cutting-edge solar technologies."

About Chuck's Vintage:

Chuck's Vintage provides its clients an all access pass to historical fashion. Accessories, garments and complete ensembles from a bygone era, lest we forget its beauty. It seems only fitting that Chuck's Vintage would open its doors during a pandemic that is most closely associated with the plague that befell Los Angeles in 1924. In these times of uncertainty, and ever-changing business regulations and restrictions, Chuck's Vintage is doing its best to provide clients with a white glove experience.

Established in 2006, Chuck's Vintage is a store unlike any other; a true American original. The moment you step over the threshold at 16618 Marquez Ave, Pacific Palisades 90272, you find yourself amid abundant treasure. The selection of vintage denim has to be seen to be believed. The blue jeans in her store range from Strongholds found in the California Gold Rush mines to World War II-Era Levi's, Lees, and Wranglers, as well as 1960's ladies high-waisted and groovy deadstock Levi's bells. Come to Chuck's for the denim, but stick around and complete your look with the founder's sampling of vintage American workwear: rugged military and work boots, buttery leather bomber jackets, and soft, perfectly worn-in vintage 70's rock tees. Classic American Cool.

Chuck's Vintage was founded by GSFI former CEO Madeline Cammarata (fka Madeline Harmon), who hailed from an illustrious background in fashion. Her career began as a fashion model, where she was soon discovered by the iconic and provocative fashion photographer Helmet Newton, launching Cammarata to the runways of Europe. Returning to the US, Madeline found a powerful niche in the high fashion world of denim, where she was instrumental in providing fabric development for powerful brands like 7 For All Mankind and provided thousands of pieces to celebrity and business elites from Steve Jobs to Morrisey and everywhere in between.

?About Green Stream Finance, Inc.

Green Stream Finance, Inc., a solar utility and finance company with satellite offices in Malibu, CA and New York, NY, is focused on exploiting currently unmet markets in the solar energy space, and is currently licensed in California, Nevada, Arizona, Washington, New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, New Mexico, Colorado, Hawaii, and Canada. The Company's next-generation solar greenhouses constructed and managed by Green Rain Solar, LLC, a Nevada-based division, utilize proprietary greenhouse technology and trademarked design developed by world-renowned architect Mr. Antony Morali. The Company is currently targeting high-growth solar market segments for its advanced solar greenhouse and advanced solar battery products. The Company has a growing footprint in the significantly underserved solar market in New York City where it is targeting 50,000 to 100,000 square feet of rooftop space for the installation of its solar panels. Green Stream is looking to forge key partnership with major investment groups, brokers, and private investors in order to capitalize on a variety of unique investment opportunities in the commercial solar energy markets. The Company is dedicated to becoming a major player in this critical space. Through its innovative solar product offerings and industry partnerships, the Company is well-positioned to become a significant player in the solar space.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is subject to the safe harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. That includes the possibility that the business outlined in this press release cannot be concluded for some reason. That could be as a result of technical, installation, permitting or other problems that were not anticipated. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Green Stream Finance, Inc. to be materially different from the statements made herein. Except for any obligation under the U.S. federal securities laws, Green Stream Finance, Inc. undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

All Inquiries Contact:

+1 (424) 280-4096

president@greenstreamfinance.com

Website: chucksvintageoriginal.com

Instagram: chucksvintage original

Phone number: 646) 669-7007

SOURCE: Green Stream Holdings Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/653662/Chucks-Vintage-Inc-A-Wholly-Owned-Subsidiary-of-Green-Stream-Holdings-Inc-is-Sponsoring-Polo-Hamptons-2021-Christie-Brinkley-and-BMW-also-Hosting-the-Hottest-Event-in-the-Hamptons
Dan Alfano and Colby Carter Newest Members to Investment Bank

JUPITER, FL / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2021 / Boxwood Partners a leading middle-market investment banking firm based in Jupiter, FL, announced the hiring of two new members to its staff.

Dan Alfano was hired as an Associate at Boxwood. Prior to joining Boxwood, Alfano worked for Moelis & Company in Chicago. He served as an investment banking generalist and helped execute transactions, including buy-side and sell-side M&A, private placements, recapitalizations, and PIPES across a diverse array of industries. Prior to Moelis, Alfano worked in Investment Analytics and Data at Dimensional Fund Advisors in Austin, TX and as a Senior Associate in PwC's Forensic Technology Solutions practice in New York, NY.

Alfano holds an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and a B.S. in Management from Boston College. The Huntington, NY native resides in Richmond, VA with his wife and son.

"I am honored to have the opportunity to join the Boxwood team during its tremendous period of growth," said Alfano. "The firm has solidified its reputation in the middle market with some marquee transactions of late, and I believe the team's steadfast dedication to client success will help to sustain this momentum."

Colby Carter was also recently hired by Boxwood as its newest Analyst.

"Boxwood Partners is one of the leading middle-market investment banks in the country and its consistent success over the last several years speaks for itself," said Carter. "It is a pleasure to join the firm's talented group and assist in its continued growth."

Prior to joining Boxwood, Carter worked for the Analytics and Optimization team at Allianz Partners, where he performed customer experience and customer acquisition strategy analytics. He graduated with a B.A. in Economics and Business and minor in History from Hampden-Sydney College. The Manakin-Sabot native resides in Short Pump, VA with his wife and daughter.

"We are thrilled to add Dan and Colby to our talented staff here at Boxwood," said J. Patrick Galleher, Managing Partner of Boxwood Partners. "They bring significant industry experience and knowledge that will be a great asset to the Boxwood team."

About Boxwood Partners

Boxwood Partners, LLC, is a boutique investment bank based in Jupiter, Florida with offices in Richmond, Virginia. Boxwood Partners combines a unique blend of senior-level transaction advisory, business operating experience, and proven process execution skills to give its clients a distinct advantage in the market. The firm's extensive relationships within the global capital and buyer communities (including U.S. and international private equity groups, corporations, and lenders) and other important transaction-related service providers such as consultants, attorneys, and accountants, ensure that the firm's clients receive the attention, service, and results they deserve.

For more information about Boxwood Partners, please visit www.boxwoodpartners.com

Media Contact:

Kevin Behan

kbehan@919marketing.com

919-459-3595

SOURCE: Boxwood Partners, LLC

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/652564/Boxwood-Partners-Adds-Two-New-Members-to-Growing-Team
Kelowna, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 30, 2021) - Enduro Metals Corporation (TSXV: ENDR) (OTCQB: ENDMF) (FSE: SOG) ("Enduro Metals" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the Company has mobilized field crews for a fully-funded 10,000 metre diamond drilling program this summer within the Company's 654 square kilometre Newmont Lake Project situated in the heart of BC's prolific Golden Triangle.

The exploration program will also include a deep penetrating ORION SWATH and a Titan magnetotelluric ("MT") ground-based geophysical surveys by Quantec Geoscience. Combining deep penetrating IP ("Induced Polarization") and MT technologies has never been conducted on the Newmont Lake Project. This approach is aimed at delineating the scalability of several target areas on the property as these two geophysics systems combined provide a detailed image of geophysical responses at depth.

Several infrastructural improvements have also began including upgrades to the Company's airstrip to allow for larger aircraft, several structural improvements have also begun for an anticipated extended drilling campaign, wildlife, and environmental baseline studies to extend the permittable drilling timeframe, and surveying work to establish an improved winter road into the Newmont Lake Camp.

The fully-funded drill program is designed to test the highest priority targets resulting from 2.5 years of extensive grassroots exploration and research. Included in the campaign will be the first-ever drilling of the Chachi Central Zone ("CCZ"), Havana, and Burgundy's Green Rock Breccia; all of which are targets identified by the Company as being prospective for large-scale, multi-element grassroots discoveries.

Site mobilization has already commenced which includes our professional geological team. Our CEO, Cole Evans & COO, Dylan Hunko are currently onsite ground truthing drill targets and supervising preparations. The drilling team is expected to arrive by the end of this week. The first drill targets are located in the Chachi Corridor.

Enduro's President & CEO Cole Evans states, "The 2021 exploration season is an amalgamation of everything our technical team has learned over the past 2.5 years of systematic exploration across our large land package. We are focused on testing targets we believe have the highest potential of being a top-tier exploration discovery in one of the hottest mining/exploration jurisdictions in the world. The road to this point has not been quick or easy, but it has positioned Enduro to have an exceptional exploration season purpose built to put the scale, optionality, and mineral endowment of the Newmont Lake Project on the radar of the world's biggest mining companies."





Episode 1: Drilling Equipment Mobilization

To view an enhanced version of this image, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/6406/89106_a79e50e4c435e8a2_002full.jpg





Cole's Notes Episode 1: 'Drilling Equipment Mobilization - Gearing up for Newmont Lake's Biggest Exploration Season' - Enduro's 2021 Video Series: https://youtu.be/UjuEpsPugkc

A Message from MSALAB's about their New Preparation Facility

Turnaround time is critical for exploration companies to deliver efficient programs. The faster data comes back the quicker the understanding of the next piece of the orebody puzzle. 2020 created additional unknowns with the advent of COVID and the resultant operating and sourcing constraints for labs and exploration companies globally.

MSALABS has responded with 'More'

More crushing capacity in Terrace, BC

More space at the Preparation Laboratory in Terrace, BC

More pulverizing capacity in Langley, BC, including a third Automated Batch Mill

More Fusion Furnace capacity

More Mass Spectrometry capacity

More shifts - fewer people in the lab at one time - less COVID exposure

Lifted COVID-19 restrictions in British Columbia as of July 1st, 2021

MSALABS has added a lot 'More' to produce safely and efficiently. So, our clients get 'Less' time between the samples arriving at our labs and the data being returned; so, the Geologists can piece together the puzzle faster.

About Enduro Metals

Enduro Metals is an exploration company focused on it's flagship Newmont Lake Project; a total 654km2 property located between Eskay Creek, Snip, and Galore Creek within the heart of northwestern British Columbia's Golden Triangle. Enduro entered into an option agreement to acquire 436km2 from Romios Gold Resources who has carefully amalgamated the area since 2005 from numerous smaller operators. Remaining terms on the option agreement are a $1,000,000 CAD cash payment, and issuance of 4 million Common Shares to Romios Gold Resources. Romios will retain a 2% Net Smelter Returns Royalty (an "NSR") on the Newmont Lake Project, or on any after-acquired claims within a 5 km radius of the original boundary of the project, which may be reduced at any time to a 1% NSR on the payment of $2 million per 0.5% NSR. The remaining 218km2 is owned 100% by Enduro and was acquired via staking or cash purchase. Building on prior results, the Company's geological team have outlined 4 deposit environments of interest across the Newmont Lake Project including high-grade epithermal/skarn gold along the McLymont Fault, copper-gold alkalic porphyry mineralization at Burgundy, high-grade epithermal/skarn silver/zinc at Cuba, and a large 9km x 4km geochemical anomaly hosting various gold, silver, copper, zinc, nickel, cobalt, and lead mineralization along the newly discovered Chachi Corridor.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

ENDURO METALS CORPORATION

"Cole Evans"

President/CEO

For further information please contact:

Investor Relations

Sean Kingsley - Director of Communications

Tel: +1 (604) 440-8474

Email: info@endurometals.com

As a continued effort to keep investors, interested parties and stakeholders updated, we have launched new communication initiatives. If you have any questions online (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, or Instagram) feel free to send direct messages or a post and include the hashtag askENDR.

To book a one-on-one 30-minute Zoom video call directly click here: https://endurometals.youcanbook.me

https://www.endurometals.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation (collectively herein referred to as "forward-looking information"). Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Enduro's actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "potential" and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "could" or "should" occur.

Forward-looking statements in this document includes statements, but is not limited to results, analyses and interpretations of exploration and drilling programs; our grassroots exploration program, our mining (including mining methods), expansion, exploration and development activities, geological and mineralization interpretations and the plans, results, costs, and timing thereof. Although Enduro believes the forward-looking information contained in this news release is reasonable based on information available on the date hereof, by their nature forward-looking statements involve assumptions, known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.

Examples of such assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, assumptions, risks and uncertainties associated with general economic conditions the effect of a pandemic and particularly the COVID-19 outbreak as a global pandemic on the Company's business, financial condition and results of operations and the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on our workforce, suppliers and other essential resources and what effect those impacts, if they occur, would have on our business, financial condition and results of operations; assumptions regarding expected capital costs, operating costs and expenditures, production schedules, economic returns and other projections;; adverse industry events; future legislative and regulatory developments in the mining sector; the Company's ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favorable terms; mining industry and markets in Canada and generally; the ability of Enduro to implement its business strategies; competition; and other assumptions, risks and uncertainties.

This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of our forward-looking information. Although we have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results, actions, events, conditions, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results, actions, events, conditions, performance, or achievements to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended.

The forward-looking information contained in this news release represents the expectations of the company as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, is subject to change after such date. Readers should not place undue importance on forward-looking information and should not rely upon this information as of any other date. While the Company may elect to, it does not undertake to update this information at any particular time except as required in accordance with applicable laws.

For US Investors

Enduro Metals cautions that this release has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the securities laws in effect in Canada, which differ from the requirements of U.S. securities laws. Information included in this media release have been prepared in accordance with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("NI 43-101"). NI 43-101 is a rule developed by the Canadian Securities Administrators which establishes standards for all public disclosure an issuer makes of scientific and technical information concerning mineral projects. Canadian standards, including NI 43-101, differ significantly from the requirements of the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and information contained herein may not be comparable to similar information disclosed by U.S. companies.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/89106
Victoria, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 30, 2021) - Plurilock Security Inc. (TSXV: PLUR) (OTCQB: PLCKF) and related subsidiaries ("Plurilock" or the "Company"), an identity-centric cybersecurity solutions provider for workforces, has received a purchase order worth US$146,000 from a California healthcare organization.

The contracts signed by Plurilock since May 2021 including the latest order, represent a combined total of nearly US$3.31 million in sales. Additionally, the Company's current revenue run rate for fiscal 2021 has increased by over 800% as compared to Plurilock's total annual revenue in the last fiscal year.

The Company received the order as part of an existing customer relationship, maintained due to the team's exceptional customer service and sales support. Plurilock will provide the healthcare organization with renewals for a portfolio of security solutions, including Symantec Endpoint Security Complete.

Cyber attacks in the healthcare sector are on the rise, creating a large need for cybersecurity solutions that protect sensitive patient and business data. The healthcare industry will suffer two to three times as many cyber attacks in 2021 than other industries.1 It is predicted that the global healthcare cybersecurity market will grow by 15% year-over-year during the next five years, reaching $125 billion cumulatively from 2020 through 2025.2

This order demonstrates Plurilock's ongoing work to serve organizations within the healthcare and government verticals.

About Plurilock

Plurilock provides identity-centric cybersecurity for today's workforces. The Plurilock family of companies enables organizations to operate safely and securely while reducing cybersecurity friction. Plurilock offers world-class IT and cybersecurity solutions through its Solutions Division, paired with proprietary, AI-driven and cloud-friendly security through its Technology Division. Together, the Plurilock family delivers persistent identity assurance with unmatched ease of use.

For more information, visit https://www.plurilock.com or contact:

Ian L. Paterson

Chief Executive Officer

ian@plurilock.com

416.800.1566

Roland Sartorius

Chief Financial Officer

roland.sartorius@plurilock.com

Prit Singh

Investor Relations

prit.singh@plurilock.com

905.510.7636

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") related to future events or Plurilock's future business, operations, and financial performance and condition. Forward-looking statements normally contain words like "will", "intend", "anticipate", "could", "should", "may", "might", "expect", "estimate", "forecast", "plan", "potential", "project", "assume", "contemplate", "believe", "shall", "scheduled", and similar terms. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, actions, or developments and are based on expectations, assumptions, and other factors that management currently believes are relevant, reasonable, and appropriate in the circumstances. Although management believes that the forward-looking statements herein are reasonable, actual results could be substantially different due to the risks and uncertainties associated with and inherent to Plurilock's business. Additional material risks and uncertainties applicable to the forward-looking statements herein include, without limitation, the impact of general economic conditions, the success of the Company in obtaining new or extended contracts or orders; the Company's ability to maintain existing customers or develop new customers; the Company's ability to successfully integrate acquisitions of other businesses and/or companies or to realize on the anticipated benefits thereof; and unforeseen events, developments, or factors causing any of the aforesaid expectations, assumptions, and other factors ultimately being inaccurate or irrelevant. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect the Company's forward-looking statements. Many of these factors are beyond the control of Plurilock. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as at the date hereof, and Plurilock undertakes no obligation to update publicly or to revise any of the included forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. Risks and uncertainties about the Company's business are more fully discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in its most recent Annual Information Form. They are otherwise disclosed in its filings with securities regulatory authorities available on SEDAR at www.sedar.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.

https://1c7fab3im83f5gqiow2qqs2k-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/HG-Healthcare-Cybersecurity-Report-2021.pdf https://1c7fab3im83f5gqiow2qqs2k-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/HG-Healthcare-Cybersecurity-Report-2021.pdf

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/89103
SAN DIEGO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2021 / WithHealth, Inc. (the "Company"), a precision concierge telehealth company for employers and their employees, is pleased to announce that its Chief Executive Officer, Cindy Salas Murphy, has been featured on the Real Women in Business podcast hosted by Cass McCrory.

To listen in on the Apple Podcast, please visit: https://lnkd.in/dUfvWHJ

The Real Women in Business - Podcast with WithHealth Founder and CEO Cindy Salas Murphy focuses on the idea of being a founder who has unwavering belief and care.

"People often talk about purpose-driven work and Cindy walks that talk in such a light-filled, energizing and aligned to purpose way. Among the top 10 episodes I've had the pleasure of sharing over the last two years and more than 115 guests!" says Real Women in Business Podcast host, Cass McCrory.

In the latest episode, Cindy shares the story behind the start of WithHealth, its mission of providing accessible, affordable, preventative and proactive care, and the role intuition and belief have played in her entrepreneurial journey.

"I want people to feel like they have a physician in the family," says Murphy. "We have to enable the physician. We built the technology to bring in all the patient information (genomics, blood work, microbiome, medical history) to be able to synthesize how to best care for the patient - this is where Precision Care comes in. At the end of the day, to move the needle, it's about taking the patient through a journey. Everyone should have the peace of mind that they have access to qualified medical professionals, and not just when you are in a state of illness."

About the Real Women in Business Podcast

A business podcast for women led by Cass McCrory having real conversations with real women about their work, lives, and personal path to fulfillment. The Real Women in Business podcast is for women that are looking to be inspired by women much like themselves. We answer the questions: How are you doing this (looking around at the expanse of leading a full life while leading in business)? Does it feel good? How did you get here? What do you want to do next? What have you learned along the way?

AboutWithHealth,Inc.

WithHealth, Inc. was founded in 2017 to fill a void of affordable, accessible, and convenient health care. WithHealth provides precision concierge health care for employers and their employees by utilizing genomics, digital twin technology, augmented intelligence, care coordination and telehealth, to make healthcare personalized, affordable, proactive, and accessible.

For more information about WithHealth, Inc., please visit https://www.withhealth.com.

Corporate:

info@withhealth.com

P:833-99-HEALTH

Chief Marketing Officer

Cindy Judd

cindy.judd@withhealth.com

P:847-404-9962

Investors:

ClearThink

nyc@clearthink.capital

P:917-658-7878

SOURCE: WithHealth Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/653630/WithHealths-CEO-Cindy-Salas-Murphy-Featured-on-the-Real-Women-in-Business-Podcast
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 30, 2021) - Universal PropTech Inc. (TSXV: UPI) (OTCQB: UPIPF) (FSE: 8LH) ("UPI" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on the milestones the Company has accomplished in the first half of calendar year 2021 and unveil its guidance for the second half.

Highlights for First Half of 2021

In the first half of 2021, the Company successfully accomplished the following milestones:

Closed an oversubscribed equity raise of approximately $845,000;

Retired all debt;

Received approximately $700,000 in cash through warrant and option exercises;

Commenced trading on Frankfurt Stock Exchange in Germany;

Commenced trading on OTCQB market in the United States;

Investment in ISBRG Corp. and obtained exclusive agency rights;

Added new partnerships and augmented product offerings;

CEO stock purchases of 490,000 shares; and

New appointment of Advisory Board members.

Exciting Things to Come - Second Half of 2021 and Beyond

For the second half of the calendar year, the Company expects to:

Round out additional capabilities to deliver healthy buildings, such as building automation, building performance, indoor air quality and energy resources;

Continue to expand distribution capabilities across Canada;

Begin expansion efforts into the United States;

Expand our share of "the wallet" from existing and new clients by offering additional products and solutions;

Developing alternate asset class offering with financing and/or owning energy assets; and

Identifying and nurturing acquisition opportunities across Canada and the US.

Christopher Hazelton, CEO of UPI commented: "The first half of 2021 has been a very busy time for UPI. The Company has gained several new key business relationships that provide our partnership portfolio with the firepower needed to aggressively accelerate sales." Mr. Hazelton continued: "UPI has also achieved a number of corporate milestones which give us the financial flexibility needed to respond to the changing market environment. We are excited to have several individuals join our Advisory Board, whose experience and insight will be invaluable as we continue to conquer new heights."

"We're very excited for our ambitious growth program with more technologies, greater geographic reach and ability to finance and own energy assets," stated Frank Carnevale, Chief Growth Officer, Universal PropTech Inc. "All of these solutions are culminating in a unique customer-centric offering for a healthy and intelligent building of the future, today, and Universal PropTech will be at the forefront of delivering value for customers, staff and shareholders."

Watch Frank Carnevale, Chief Growth Officer, explain what the future looks like for Universal PropTech Inc.

The Company wishes to thank all the shareholders for their continuous support and invites everyone to view our updated corporate presentation available on our website at: https://universalproptech.com/investor-deck/.

H1 2021 KEY CORPORATE HIGHLIGHTS

Strong Financial Position. The Company completed financings in the aggregate of $854,833 to add depth to its balance sheet, and saw an inflow of an additional $700,000 through the exercise of outstanding warrants and options.

Expansion of Capital Markets Reach. The Company is pleased to have achieved three key milestones which provide it with visibility as it continues to conquer new markets and establish a leadership position in various product verticals:

Listing on Frankfurt Stock Exchange ("FSE") under the symbol 8LH. Since completing its listing on the FSE on March 1, 2021, approximately 1,139,000 Shares have been traded through the facilities of FSE. [1]





under the symbol 8LH. Since completing its listing on the FSE on March 1, 2021, approximately 1,139,000 Shares have been traded through the facilities of FSE. Listing on OTC Venture Exchange ("OTCQB") under the symbol UPIPF. Since completing its listing on the OTCQB on April 21, 2021, approximately 274,000 Shares have been traded through the facilities of OTCQB.[2]

Marquee Advisory Board. As the Company continues its growth, having access to appropriate expertise and guidance is imperative to address the challenges of the changing business environment. Over the past few months, the Company has been successful in attracting several advisory board members, each of whom has appropriate expertise in a functional area that the Company believes to be key part of its strategy. Since the beginning of the year, the company has added the following members to its advisory board:

Dwayne Matthews - Mr. Matthews is an innovation evangelist and "future of education" strategist and converges and shares knowledge on the future of education, disruptive technology, and the evolution of work. Mr. Matthews advises governments, boards, educators and parents on the 4 th industrial revolution, the future of education, future of work and its impact on national security and prosperity. Mr. Matthews was an international educator at one of the top five private schools in South America and the junior chairperson at a Toronto District School Board school in Toronto, Canada. He was also a member of the core strategic planning team at The FDR International School, in Lima, Peru.





- Mr. Matthews is an innovation evangelist and "future of education" strategist and converges and shares knowledge on the future of education, disruptive technology, and the evolution of work. Mr. Matthews advises governments, boards, educators and parents on the 4 industrial revolution, the future of education, future of work and its impact on national security and prosperity. Mr. Matthews was an international educator at one of the top five private schools in South America and the junior chairperson at a Toronto District School Board school in Toronto, Canada. He was also a member of the core strategic planning team at The FDR International School, in Lima, Peru. David Berry - Mr. Berry began his career as a chartered accountant with Ernst & Young, subsequently joining Scotia Capital where he became one of the most successful traders in Canadian history. Mr. Berry cemented his reputation while setting unprecedented records for the growth of Scotia's proprietary trading market share, which has reached over 40 percent of the P&L of the entire institutional equity department.





- Mr. Berry began his career as a chartered accountant with Ernst & Young, subsequently joining Scotia Capital where he became one of the most successful traders in Canadian history. Mr. Berry cemented his reputation while setting unprecedented records for the growth of Scotia's proprietary trading market share, which has reached over 40 percent of the P&L of the entire institutional equity department. Elizabeth McDonald - Ms. McDonald has more than 25 years' experience as a senior executive, industry advocate, industry advisor and board member in government relations, advocacy, organizational management, and communications. Ms. McDonald is a former President and CEO of the Canadian Energy Efficiency Alliance, the national voice of energy efficiency and conservation in Canada, and was previously President of Canadian Solar Industries Association, the national trade association that represents the interests of all aspects of the solar industry in Canada. Ms. McDonald has previously held senior executive and board positions in film, television, production and digital media world.

Key Investment: ISBRG Corp. (SpotLight-19 Device)

Universal PropTech purchased a minority stake in healthcare data analytics company, ISBRG Corp., the creators of a non-invasive COVID-19 detection technology called Spotlight-19, as previously stated in the February 18th, 2021, press release. As well, the Company secured exclusive agency rights to sell to Canadian governments and educations sectors. ISBRG Corp. has received Investigational Testing Authorization (ITA) from Health Canada and is currently undergoing investigational clinical trials for its COVID-19 diagnostic device - SpotLight-19. Upon subsequent updates from ISBRG on their Clinical Trials, the Company will update shareholders accordingly.

Technology Partnership Portfolio

UPI has assembled an impressive portfolio of indoor air quality and building performance technologies and will continue to add more of such industry leading technologies revolving around the delivery of healthy buildings. UPI adopted a partnership strategy to secure licenses for leading edge PropTech (equipment/software) solutions, as well as undertaking various internal R&D efforts.

Each of the partnerships are focused on various areas of indoor air quality and healthy building segments to allow for growth the share of customers' wallets by offering latest solutions in a timely manner.

UPI's current notable highlights of its partnership portfolio include:

LuminUltra - UPI is using the LuminUltra's GeneCount Rapid SARS-CoV-2 surface testing solution to audit effectiveness of disinfection protocols and air quality equipment (please see Company's press release dated February 9, 2021);





- UPI is using the LuminUltra's GeneCount Rapid SARS-CoV-2 surface testing solution to audit effectiveness of disinfection protocols and air quality equipment (please see Company's press release dated February 9, 2021); Air Sniper - Air Sniper has developed a solution that properly applies Ultra-Violet Germicidal Irradiation to its' UVC technology, and is suitable for industrial-scale applications (please see Company's press releases dated February 1, 2021; June 4, 2021 and June 21, 2021);





- Air Sniper has developed a solution that properly applies Ultra-Violet Germicidal Irradiation to its' UVC technology, and is suitable for industrial-scale applications (please see Company's press releases dated February 1, 2021; June 4, 2021 and June 21, 2021); Fresh-Aire UV - systems are designed to improve Indoor Air Quality by addressing biological contaminants such as viruses, bacteria and mold as well as odors and volatile organic compounds (please see Company's press release dated January 25, 2021);





- systems are designed to improve Indoor Air Quality by addressing biological contaminants such as viruses, bacteria and mold as well as odors and volatile organic compounds (please see Company's press release dated January 25, 2021); AtmosAir - Proven indoor air quality technologies act as a continuous disinfectant, actively reducing a wide range of airborne and surface contaminants such as volatile organic compounds, viruses, bacteria, and germs. The technology reduces odors while impacting dust, mold, mildew, and allergens (please see Company's press release dated January 27, 2021);





- Proven indoor air quality technologies act as a continuous disinfectant, actively reducing a wide range of airborne and surface contaminants such as volatile organic compounds, viruses, bacteria, and germs. The technology reduces odors while impacting dust, mold, mildew, and allergens (please see Company's press release dated January 27, 2021); SensorSuite - SensorSuite uses artificial intelligence and their energy cloud ecosystem to optimizes energy savings in multi-unit residential buildings (please see Company press release dated February 3, 2021).

The Company firmly believes that the boom in indoor air quality monitoring and air purication equipment seen since the arrival of the pandemic will sustain over a longer term due to the increased awareness of pathogen transmissibility among building owners, operators, and the general population.

VCI Controls - UPI's Core Operating Unit

UPI conducts its operations through its wholly owned subsidiary, VCI Controls Inc., which provides real estate owners and managers turnkey HVAC and Building Controls design, equipment, installation and ongoing operations and maintenance services for commercial, institutional and multi-residential customers in eastern Canada.

By leveraging its existing VCI platform, Universal PropTech can effectively screen the most exciting and innovative companies in the PropTech space, build accretive partnerships, giving them access to buildings where they can implement their technology. UPI's clients and partners use the VCI platform to test their products with a view of gaining market share. Once the complete solutions are created, they are launched at scale to both new and existing VCI clients.

Diverse revenue streams in various facets of healthy building management allow for greater care and control to introduce new PropTech into the market:





To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:

https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/5341/89113_9083e74c34b209e9_002full.jpg

CEO of Universal PropTech, Chris Hazelton further stated "We are thrilled with all the milestones we have completed in such a short period of time and the team continues to work diligently with our partners to achieve new growth for the remainder of 2021, and positions the company for increased profitability in 2022."

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.

[1] According to Borse Frankfurt data as of market close on June 25, 2021;

[2] According to Stockwatch data as of market close on June 25, 2021;

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/89113
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 30, 2021) - Entheon Biomedical Corp. (CSE: ENBI) (OTCQB: ENTBF) (FSE: 1XU1) ("Entheon" or the "Company"), a biotechnology company focused on developing psychedelic medicines to treat addiction, is pleased to announce the addition of emergency physician and addiction specialist, Dr. Dinesh Bayana as a medical advisor, providing expertise on the development of the Company's DMT clinical program as it relates to patient care in the context of addiction medicine.

As an emergency and addiction medicine physician, Dr. Bhayana is focused on the transformational potential that psychedelics offer, moving beyond symptom management towards a deeper and more progressive understanding and treatment of substance use disorders. As a Board Member of MAPS Canada and with extended training and experience in the application of Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy, Dr. Bhayana is at the forefront of psychedelic medicine research and advancement, directing his expertise and medical background toward the future-medicalization of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy with an emphasis on best practices, ethics, and accessibility.

"I am thrilled to join the Entheon advisory board and look forward to working towards bringing psychedelic-assisted therapies to patients experiencing substance use issues. Most exciting is the potential to meld our evolving understanding of the biological mechanisms underlying addiction with the personalized psycho-spiritual approach being realized by psychedelic medicine," said Dr. Bhayana. "The urgency in addressing the needs of this highly traumatized and stigmatized population has never been greater and our current standard practices are unable to meet those needs for many."

"We would like to extend a warm welcome to Dinesh, who brings valuable hands-on patient and in-clinic experience to Entheon," said Chief Executive Officer, Timothy Ko. "As we continue to clinically advance DMT and develop targeted and personalized treatment systems for addiction disorders, his insights and counsel are sure to prove beneficial, and we look forward to working with him."

About Entheon Biomedical Corp.

Entheon is a biotechnology research and development company committed to developing and commercializing a portfolio of safe and effective N,N-dimethyltryptamine based psychedelic therapeutic products ("DMT Products") for the purposes of treating addiction and substance use disorders. Subject to obtaining all requisite regulatory approvals and permits, Entheon intends to generate revenue through the sale of its DMT Products to physicians, clinics and licensed psychiatrists in the United States, certain countries in the European Union and throughout Canada.

About Dr. Dinesh Bhayana

Dinesh Bhayana is an emergency and addiction medicine physician based in Toronto, ON, Canada. He completed medical school at the University of Western Ontario and residency at the University of Toronto. Since 2013, he has worked in both hospital and community settings in Northern Ontario and Toronto, caring for patients dealing with the entire spectrum of substance use disorders. He has extended training and experience in Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy and serves as a director on the board of MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) Canada.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Timothy Ko"

Timothy Ko, CEO

For more information, please contact the Company at:

Entheon Biomedical Corp.

Joseph Cullen, Investor Relations

Telephone: +1 (778) 919-8615

Joe@entheonbiomedical.com

https://entheonbiomedical.com/

For media inquiries, please contact Crystal Quast at:

Bullseye Corporate

Crystal Quast

Telephone: +1 (647) 529-6364

Quast@BullseyeCorporate.com

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. These statements relate to future events or future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements or information. More particularly and without limitation, this news release contains forward-looking statements and information relating to the engagement and advisory services of Dinesh Bhayana as " Advisor", the development of the Company's clinical program, and other matters. The forward-looking statements and information are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by management of the Company. Although management of 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 since no assurance can be given that they will prove to be correct.

Forward-looking statements and information are provided for the purpose of providing information about the current expectations and plans of management of the Company relating to the future. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such statements and information may not be appropriate for other purposes, such as making investment decisions. Since forward-looking statements and information address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, the Company's ability to raise further capital and the Company's ability to obtain regulatory and exchange approvals. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list of factors is not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release are made as of the date hereof and no undertaking is given to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless so required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements or information contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Neither the CSE nor the Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/89099
VICTOR, N.Y., June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Constellation Brands, Inc. (NYSE: STZ and STZ.B), a leading beverage alcohol company, announced today that it has entered into an accelerated share repurchase ("ASR") agreement with Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC to repurchase $500.0 million of its Class A common stock ("Common Stock"). Under the ASR agreement, Constellation will receive approximately 1.7 million shares on July 2, 2021, representing approximately 80% of the expected share repurchases under the ASR agreement, based on the company's June 29, 2021 closing stock price of $230.98. The repurchased shares will become treasury shares.



The specific number of shares to be repurchased in the transaction is generally based upon the volume-weighted-average price of the Common Stock during the term of the ASR agreement, less a discount and is expected to be completed no later than October 2021. The purchase price for shares repurchased in the accelerated share repurchase transaction will be paid primarily with cash on hand and will be completed under the company's current share repurchase authorization, which currently has approximately $3.4 billion in authorization remaining before giving effect to the ASR.

"This accelerated share repurchase transaction demonstrates our strong commitment to maximizing shareholder value, and aligns with our commitment to return $5 billion to shareholders through fiscal 2023," said Constellation Brands President and Chief Executive Officer Bill Newlands.

This ASR agreement will not change the fiscal 2022 EPS guidance provided in our news release of earlier today and constitutes the $500 million incremental share repurchase referenced in that news release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The word "expect" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, although not all forward-looking statements contain such identifying words. These statements may relate to business strategy, future operations, prospects, plans, and objectives of management, as well as information concerning expected actions of third parties. All forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, or implied by, such forward-looking statements.

The forward-looking statements are based on management's current expectations and should not be construed in any manner as a guarantee that such results will in fact occur or will occur on any contemplated timetable. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this news release and Constellation Brands undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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/ce85c7b0-6d8c-4aea-8a0f-0f9b1efc546c
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2021 / Patriot Battery Metals Inc. (the "Company") (CSE:PMET)(OTCQB:RGDCD)(FSE:R9GA) (the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed a non-brokered private placement offering, as previously announced on June 21, 2021, for total gross proceeds of $3,709,120 (the "Private Placement").

The Company has allotted and issued 23,182,000 units (the "Units") at a price of $0.16 per Unit. Each unit consists of one common share of the Company and one transferable share purchase warrant, entitling the holder to acquire one additional common share at an exercise price of $0.25 for a period of 24 months from the closing date.

In relation to the Private Placement, the Company has paid finder's fees of $66,452.40 and issued 415,328 finder's warrants to arm's-length parties, entiling the holder to acquire one share at a price of $0.25 per share for a period of 24 months.

The Company will use the proceeds from the Private Placement towards exploration on its Quebec and Idaho properties and general working capital. All securities issued pursuant to the Private Placement will be subject to a hold period expiring October 31, 2021.

About Patriot Battery Metals Inc.

Patriot Battery Metals Inc. is a mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and development of mineral projects containing battery, base and precious metals.

The Company's flagship assets are the wholly owned Corvette Property, and the FCI Property (held under Option from O3 Mining Inc.) located in the James Bay Region of Quebec and the Freeman Creek Gold Property, located in Idaho, USA.

In addition, the Company holds the Pontax Lithium-Gold Property, QC; the Golden Silica Property, BC; and the Hidden Lake Lithium Property, NWT, where the Company maintains a 40% interest, as well as several other assets in Canada.

For further information, please contact Adrian Lamoureux, CEO & Director at Tel: 778-945-2950, E-mail: adrian@gaiametalscorp.com or visit www.gaiametalscorp.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,

"BLAIR WAY" "ADRIAN LAMOUREUX"

Blair Way, President & Director Adrian Lamoureux, CEO & Director

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. The Company cautions readers that forward-looking statements, including without limitation those relating to the Company's future operations and business prospects, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements.

SOURCE: Gaia Metals Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/653652/Patriot-Battery-Metals-Closes-Private-Placement
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2021 / Better Plant Sciences Inc. (CSE:PLNT)(OTCQB:VEGGF)(FSE:YG3) ("Better Plant" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has teamed up with Caroline MacGillivray, Executive Director and Founder of Beauty Night Society, to raise funds for Beauty Night's virtual counselling program. Beauty Night Society is a Vancouver-based organization that in 20 years has given more than 85,000 makeovers to women who live in poverty on Vancouver's Downtown Eastside. Better Plant will donate 40% of proceeds from its limited-edition Urban Juve Asana Body & Massage Oil to pay for Beauty Night Society's online healing circle appointments led by a counsellor, support worker and healer.

"What we offer is important as there has been an increase in overdoses and domestic violence since the beginning of the pandemic," says Caroline MacGillivray. "The past 18 months have highlighted the importance of connection, community and support for mental health. We are excited about this collaboration with Urban Juve! Every dollar counts. I am so grateful to be the charity of choice and to raise money for the self-esteem-building work we do through Beauty Night Society. We can't wait until we can offer in-person programming (in addition to our online counselling, life skills, meditation, journaling and DIY beauty treatments) to let the women we work with enjoy the ayurvedic benefits of the oil & healthy touch!"

Once in-person programming resumes, Urban Juve plans to continue support of Beauty Night Society through product donations, sponsored events, and social media campaigns.

"We are supportive of the stated values of Beauty Night Society that everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect and that regardless of socio-economic status, no one deserves to be invisible and isolated from the community," says Better Plant CEO Penny White. "Better Plant is eager to continue to provide resources to help Beauty Night Society in its mission to build self esteem and change the lives of women and youth living in poverty."

Asana Body & Massage Oil features Urban Juve's Proprietary Sativa Root Extract and is formulated with nourishing oils such as Avocado Oil, Sweet Almond Oil, and Ginger Root Oil. As an ingredient in massage products, avocado oil helps skin appear smoother and firmer all over, while ginger oil replenishes the skin's moisture barrier, promotes elasticity, and helps even tone. Asana Body & Massage Oil comes in a glass bottle with a 100% recyclable pump and cap and is available for purchase Canada-wide at urbanjuve.com with 40% of proceeds going directly to Beauty Night Society.

For more information on how to support Beauty Night Society, visit http://beautynight.org/how-you-can-help

About Better Plant:

Better Plant harnesses plant intelligence and leverages modern science to offer sustainable, plant-based products that are better for health and better for the earth. It makes and sells over 90 proprietary products, all made with 100% natural ingredients, under the brands Jusu, Urban Juve and Wright & Well. Better Plant operates Jusu Bar, a quick serve restaurant alternative in Victoria, BC, which serves up fresh, healthy, and nutritious options with a focus on Jusu cold-pressed juices. Jusubar.com offers home delivery of refrigerated plant-based beverages consisting of cold-pressed juices and packaged juice cleanses for delivery in select cities in Alberta and BC. Through its Shopify enabled eCommerce sites getjusu.com and urbanjuve.com, Better Plant sells plant-based personal care products, including skin care, hair care and body care as well as plant-based all-natural home cleaning products. Better Plant's products are sold wholesale to retailers, grocers, restaurants and cleaning companies in Canada. Better Plant also offers operational, financial, and other services to companies with businesses that align with Better Plant's mission to help create a better world. Better Plant incubated and has a large ownership interest in NeonMind Biosciences Inc., which sells medicinal mushroom infused coffees in Canada and the US and is developing drugs using psychedelic mushrooms to treat obesity.

For more information or to purchase Jusu juices, visit jusubar.com, or follow @jusubars, @jusubarvictoria and @jusubarcalgary on Instagram.

For more information on Better Plant, visit betterplantsciences.com or follow @betterplantsciences on Instagram.

Penny White, President & CEO

penny@betterplantsciences.com

1-833-515-2677

Investor Relations:

Alexandra Dumanski

invest@betterplantsciences.com

1-833-515-2677

Sales Inquiries:

Amber Allen, Head of Sales

amber@betterplantsciences.com

604-808-8118

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release includes forward-looking information and statements (collectively, "forward looking statements") under applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates, forecasts, beliefs and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks, uncertainties and factors include, but are not limited to: risks related to the development, testing, licensing, brand development, availability of packaging, intellectual property protection, reduced global commerce and reduced access to raw materials and other supplies due to the spread of COVID-19, the potential for not acquiring any rights as a result of the patent application and any products making use of the intellectual property may be ineffective or the company may be unsuccessful in commercializing them; and other approvals will be required before commercial exploitation of the intellectual property can happen. Demand for the company's products, general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties, delay or failure to receive board or regulatory approvals where applicable, and the state of the capital markets. Better Plant cautions readers not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements provided by Better Plant, as such forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future results or performance and actual results may differ materially. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and Better Plant expressly disclaims any obligation to update or alter statements containing any forward-looking information, or the factors or assumptions underlying them, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Better Plant Sciences Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/653654/Better-Plant-Collaborates-With-Beauty-Night-Society-With-Limited-Edition-Asana-Body-Massage-Oil
OTTAWA (dpa-AFX) - Quad/Graphics, Inc. (QUAD) announced Wednesday that it has sold its QuadExpress third-party logistics (3PL) business for $40 million to Mullen Group Ltd. (MTL.TO), one of Canada's largest logistics providers. QuadExpress joins Mullen Group's network of independently operated businesses that provide a broad range of service offerings including less-than-truckload, truckload, warehousing, logistics, transload, oversized and specialized hauling transportation. The divestiture supports Quad's established strategy to optimize its product and service portfolio and invest in those parts of its business that accelerate its position as a marketing solutions partner and create more value for its clients and other stakeholders. Quad continues to own and operate its in-house transportation and logistics division, Quad Transportation Services, and its trucking division, Duplainville Transport. Quad will use proceeds from the sale to continue to pay down debt and improve its debt leverage ratio. Quad acquired QuadExpress (formerly QWExpress) in July 2010 as part of the Worldcolor acquisition. 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.
Translated, an Italy and US-based company that pioneered the use of artificial intelligence to support professional translators, announces that the world-leading private investment house Ardian has invested $25 million via its Ardian Growth fund, leading a $30 million investment round.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005155/en/

Isabelle Andrieu, co-founder of Translated, and Marco Trombetti, co-founder and CEO of Translated, which just received a $25M investment from Ardian to fuel future growth and scale the adoption of its AI-powered translation platform in Europe and in the U.S. (Photo: Business Wire)

Translated is an end-to-end translation platform that combines its renowned proprietary adaptive neural machine translation software ModernMT with its network of 200 000 engaged linguists. Over the last several years, the company has experienced a consistent 30 percent organic growth rate year-on-year. Thanks to this human-machine symbiosis, Translated offerings have been constantly improving. Today Translated can serve global tech platforms including Airbnb, Google and Uber as well as small and medium-sized businesses.

Leveraging its track record in scaling up companies, the Ardian Growth team has joined the founders Isabelle Andrieu and Marco Trombetti to support their ambition in AI and in the Translation world. Through this investment, Ardian will help Translated grow even faster and scale the adoption of its AI-powered platform in Europe and in the US.

Marco Trombetti, co-founder and CEO of Translated, said: "We believe that allowing everyone to understand and be understood is one of the greatest challenges of humankind. We feel the urgency to solve this problem, because the more people understand each other the easier it will be for humanity to achieve any other great challenge. We decided to partner with Ardian because they share with us the love for diversity, they are capable of accelerating our plans and they have the DNA and means to do so in the long term."

Isabelle Andrieu, co-founder of Translated, said: "I am thrilled for the milestones reached so far, thanks to our determination, hard work, and wonderful team of people that have given their time and talent to bet on us. We are rich in enthusiasm and desire to pursue this incredible journey."

Laurent Foata, managing director and head of Ardian Growth, said: "Founded and self-financed by inspiring entrepreneurs like Marco and Isabelle, Translated already posts more than 50 percent of sales in the US market. Such unique achievements chime with Ardian Growth's investment philosophy and track record in the software landscape."

Bertrand Schapiro, director of the Ardian Growth team, added: "By pioneering AI and tailoring it for linguists, Translated has shaken up a market historically dominated by only a few players. We're delighted to support a company that has been able to keep on innovating in AI without losing sight of its overall purpose."

ABOUT TRANSLATED

Translated has been offering human translation services for the last 20 years in 194 languages and 40 areas of expertise. The company uses a powerful combination of human creativity and machine intelligence to craft consistent quality translations at speed. Follow @Translation on Twitter.

ABOUT ARDIAN

Ardian is a world-leading private investment house with assets of US$112bn managed or advised in Europe, the Americas and Asia. The company is majority-owned by its employees. It keeps entrepreneurship at its heart and focuses on delivering excellent investment performance to its global investor base. Through its commitment to shared outcomes for all stakeholders, Ardian's activities fuel individual, corporate and economic growth around the world.

Holding close its core values of excellence, loyalty and entrepreneurship, Ardian maintains a truly global network, with more than 700 employees working from fifteen offices across Europe (Frankfurt, Jersey, London, Luxembourg, Madrid, Milan, Paris and Zurich), the Americas (New York, San Francisco and Santiago) and Asia (Beijing, Singapore, Tokyo and Seoul). It manages funds on behalf of more than 1,100 clients through five pillars of investment expertise: Fund of Funds, Direct Funds, Infrastructure, Real Estate and Private Debt. Follow @Ardian on Twitter.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005155/en/

Contacts:

CHIARA SANSONI

Tel: +39 338 484 1627

chiara.sansoni@translated.com

DAVID MIGDAL

201-602-2910

david@hereandnowpr.com
Colin Moore to retire as Global CIO, William Davies, current EMEA CIO and Global Head of Equities, to assume Global CIO role in January 2022

Columbia Threadneedle Investments, a leading global asset manager, today announced the retirement of Colin Moore from Columbia Threadneedle as global chief investment officer after nearly 20 years at the firm. Consistent with the company's long-standing succession planning, William Davies, currently EMEA CIO and global head of equities, will become global CIO upon Mr. Moore's retirement in January 2022.

Mr. Moore has played a key role in shaping Columbia Threadneedle's global investment capability, including its well-established and highly successful investment process based on collaboration across asset classes, research intensity and independent oversight to foster continuous improvement. Under his leadership, Columbia Threadneedle has generated consistently strong long-term investment performance for individual and institutional clients, and today has 103 four- and five-star Morningstar-rated funds globally.1

Ted Truscott, chief executive officer, said: "I would like to recognize and thank Colin for his numerous contributions, including establishing our global investment capability that has delivered an enviable track record of consistently strong investment performance for our clients. We have built an outstanding and experienced team of more than 450 investment professionals across our global footprint, and as we look forward, William is well positioned to assume the global CIO role. He is both an exceptional investor and respected people leader with a deep understanding of our firm having joined us in 1994. I look forward to working with William and Colin to ensure a smooth transition."

Mr. Moore commented: "I am grateful for the opportunity I've had to establish a broad and deep investment capability for our clients. We have spent considerable time ensuring a thoughtful succession, and I am extremely pleased that William will assume the global CIO role next year. It has been a privilege to lead our team of dedicated, experienced investors who will continue to focus on delivering consistent, competitive investment performance for our clients under William's leadership."

Mr. Davies commented: "My focus is unchanged. I will continue to work with my colleagues to consistently deliver the investment performance our clients expect. I am honored to lead our talented global investment organization and look forward to continuing our partnership with colleagues across the business to help our individual and institutional clients achieve their investment goals."

Notes to editors

About William Davies:

As Global Head of Equities for Columbia Threadneedle, Mr. Davies has overall responsibility for the company's equity investment teams. He joined Threadneedle Asset Management Limited at its inception in 1994 and previously held roles as head of EMEA equities and head of European equities. Prior to joining the company, Mr. Davies worked for Eagle Star Investments and led the European equity team at Hambros Bank. He has been a member of the investment community since 1985 and earned a B.A. in economics from Exeter University.

About Columbia Threadneedle Investments:

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is a leading global asset manager that provides a broad range of investment strategies and solutions for individual, institutional and corporate clients around the world. With more than 2,000 people, including over 450 investment professionals based in North America, Europe and Asia, we manage $564 billion2 of assets across developed and emerging market equities, fixed income, asset allocation solutions and alternatives.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments is the global asset management group of Ameriprise Financial, Inc. (NYSE: AMP). For more information, please visit columbiathreadneedleus.com. Follow us on Twitter.

Columbia Threadneedle Investments (Columbia Threadneedle) is the global brand name of the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.

1 Morningstar as of 03/31/21. Columbia funds are available for purchase by U.S. customers. Out of 91 Columbia funds (Inst. shares) rated, 18 received a 5-star Overall Rating and 34 received a 4-star Overall Rating. Out of 89 Threadneedle funds (highest rated share class) rated, 21 received a 5-star Overall Rating and 30 received a 4-star Overall Rating. The Overall Morningstar Rating is derived from a weighted average of the performance figures associated with its 3-, 5- and 10-year (if applicable) Morningstar Rating metrics. Not all funds are available in all jurisdictions, to all investors or through all firms. Past performance does not guarantee future results

2 As of March 31, 2021. Includes all assets managed by entities in the Columbia and Threadneedle group of companies.

In Australia: Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited ["TIS"], ARBN 600 027 414. TIS is exempt from the requirement to hold an Australian financial services licence under the Corporations Act and relies on Class Order 03/1102 in marketing and providing financial services to Australian wholesale clients as defined in Section 761G of the Corporations Act 2001. TIS is regulated in Singapore (Registration number: 201101559W) by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289), which differ from Australian laws.

In Singapore: Issued by Threadneedle Investments Singapore (Pte.) Limited, 3 Killiney Road, #07-07, Winsland House 1, Singapore 239519, which is regulated in Singapore by the Monetary Authority of Singapore under the Securities and Futures Act (Chapter 289). Registration number: 201101559W. This advertisement has not been reviewed by the Monetary Authority of Singapore.

In Hong Kong: Issued by Threadneedle Portfolio Services Hong Kong Limited ????????????. Unit 3004, Two Exchange Square, 8 Connaught Place, Hong Kong, which is licensed by the Securities and Futures Commission ("SFC") to conduct Type 1 regulated activities (CE:AQA779). Registered in Hong Kong under the Companies Ordinance (Chapter 622), No. 1173058.

In Switzerland issued by Threadneedle Portfolio Services AG, Registered address: Claridenstrasse 41, 8002 Zurich, Switzerland.

Distributors: This document is intended to provide distributors with information about Group products and services and is not for further distribution. For Institutional Clients: The information in this document is not intended as financial advice and is only intended for persons with appropriate investment knowledge and who meet the regulatory criteria to be classified as a Professional Client or Market Counterparties and no other Person should act upon it.

In UK Issued by Threadneedle Asset Management Limited. Registered in England and Wales, Registered No. 573204, Cannon Place, 78 Cannon Street, London EC4N 6AG, United Kingdom. Authorised and regulated in the UK by the Financial Conduct Authority.

Threadneedle Management Luxembourg S.A. Registered with the Registre de Commerce et des Societes (Luxembourg), Registered No. B 110242, 44, rue de la Vallee, L-2661 Luxembourg, Grand Duchy of Luxembourg.

In the USA: Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC (CMIA) is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

2021 Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC. All rights reserved.

AdTrax: 3652260

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005579/en/

Contacts:

Media Contacts: U.S.

Carlos Melville

+1 (617) 897-9384 carlos.melville@ampf.com



Media Contacts: EMEA and APAC

Laura Cook

+44 20 7464 5650 laura.cook@columbiathreadneedle.com



Nicolas Duperrier

+44 20 7464 5940 nicolas.duperrier@columbiathreadneedle.com
Both aircraft will be managed by leading Canadian aircraft services provider, Chartright Air Group





With a growing worldwide fleet numbering more than 50 aircraft, the Global 7500 aircraft continues to exceed expectations





The superior performance, luxurious in-flight experience and signature smooth ride of this aircraft opens a new world of long-range travel possibilities for Canadian customers



MONTREAL, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier today announced that two of the industry-leading Global 7500 aircraft were handed over to two different Canadian customers, marking the first deliveries of the flagship business jet in Canada. Both aircraft will be managed and offered for charter by leading Canadian aircraft services provider, Chartright Air Group, and will be based at Toronto's Pearson International Airport.

With production ramped up and a growing worldwide fleet numbering more than 50 aircraft, the Global 7500 aircraft continues to exceed the market's expectations and reinforces its reputation as an entirely new class of business jet.

"As the Global 7500 business jet is assembled in Toronto and completed and delivered from Montreal, we are delighted that more Canadians will have the opportunity to share the enormous pride we feel at Bombardier when we witness this spectacular aircraft take to the skies," said Eric Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier.

"Our Global 7500 aircraft continues to redefine long-distance business travel," said Peter Likoray, Senior Vice President, Sales, New Aircraft, Bombardier. "The superior performance, luxurious in-flight experience and signature smooth ride of this aircraft will open a new world of long-range travel possibilities for Canadian customers, as it has done elsewhere in the world."

The Global 7500 aircraft has the largest, most luxurious cabin, the longest range and the smoothest ride of any business jet ever built. With a maximum range of 7,700 nautical miles, a top speed of Mach 0.925 and an unrivalled short-field performance, the aircraft can fly passengers from Toronto to Johannesburg and Montreal to Bangkok* non-stop while bringing a host of secondary destinations and demanding airfields within easy reach.

"There is a tremendous buzz around the Global 7500 business jet and for very good reason. This aircraft sets a new industry standard on virtually every level, and the team at Chartright is thrilled to be the first charter operator in Canada to welcome these prestigious aircraft as part of its managed fleet," said Adam Keller, President, Chartright Air Group. "With more customers turning to charter for convenience and peace of mind, we see nothing but a bright future ahead."

The aircraft's four spacious living areas, including a stateroom with an optional permanent bed and shower, are designed to deliver the ultimate in comfort and well-being over long-distance flights. Bombardier's patented Nuage seating collection provides revolutionary, deep-recline comfort, an exclusive Soleil lighting system helps to combat jet lag, Bombardier Pur Air, a sophisticated air purification and circulation system with an advanced HEPA filter, captures up to 99.99% of allergens, bacteria and viruses, and the cutting-edge Smooth Flex Wing minimizes the effects of turbulence for an incomparably smooth and restful ride.

About Chartright Air Group

For over 30 years Chartright has led the way in business aviation in Canada, evolving into one of the most trusted and innovative providers of business and private jet services in North America.

Visit chartright.comfor more information.

About Bombardier

Bombardier is a global leader in aviation, creating innovative and game-changing planes. Our products and services provide world-class experiences that set new standards in passenger comfort, energy efficiency, reliability and safety.

Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Bombardier is present in more than 12 countries including its production/engineering sites and its customer support network. The Corporation supports a worldwide fleet of more than 4,900 aircraft in service with a wide variety of multinational corporations, charter and fractional ownership providers, governments and private individuals.

News and information is available at bombardier.comor follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Visit the Bombardier Business Aircraft websitefor more information on our industry-leading products and services.

*under certain operating conditions

Bombardier, Bombardier Pur Air, Global, Global 7500, Nuage, Smooth Flex Wing and Soleil are registered or unregistered trademarks of Bombardier Inc. or its subsidiaries.

For Information

Marie-Andree Charron

Bombardier

marie-andree.charron@aero.bombardier.com

+1 514.855.5001 ext. 26493

Peter Boyd

Chartright Air Group

boydp@chartright.com

+1 800.595.9395 ext. 225

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c80355f1-09c3-42d5-a669-3d7f4fc1091c
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 30, 2021) - Big Ridge Gold Corp. (TSXV: BRAU) ("Big Ridge" or "Company") is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced brokered private placement (the "Offering") of 24,390,500 flow-through units (the "Units") of the Company at a price of C$0.205 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of $5,000,052. Clarus Securities Inc. ("Clarus") acted as lead agent and sole bookrunner in connection with the Offering.

Each Unit consists of one flow-through common share (an "FT Share") of the Company and one common share purchase warrant (a "Warrant") of the Company. Each Warrant is exercisable into one common share of the Company at a price of C$0.18 per common share for a period of 24 months from the closing of the Offering. The FT Shares and Warrants comprising the Units qualify as "flow-through shares" as defined in subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) ("ITA").

As consideration for its services in connection with the Offering, Clarus received a cash commission equal to 6.0% of the gross proceeds of the Offering and broker warrants (the "Broker Warrants") of the Company in an amount equal to 6.0% of the aggregate number of Units sold pursuant to the Offering. Each broker Warrant is exercisable to purchase one common share of the Company at a price of C$0.205 per common share for a period of 24 months from the closing date of the Offering.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds of the Offering to fund exploration of the Hope Brook Gold Project. The gross proceeds from the Offering will be used to incur Canadian exploration expenses that are "flow-through mining expenditures" (within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the ITA) (the "Qualifying Expenditures") related to the Hope Brook Gold Project. The Qualifying Expenditures will be renounced to the subscribers with an effective date no later than December 31, 2021 in an aggregate amount of not less than the total amount of the gross proceeds raised from the Offering.

In conjunction with the offering, Mr. Michael Gentile has acquired 9,150,000 units of the Company with each unit comprising of one common share of the Company and one common share purchase warrant such that, upon closing of the Offering, Mr. Gentile shall own approximately 19.9% of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company on a partially diluted basis assuming full exercise of his warrants.

Big Ridge CEO, Mike Bandrowski, commented: "We are very pleased to welcome Michael Gentile as a strategic investor. Michael's support comes at a pivotal time for the Company as we build out the Big Ridge team in anticipation for our first drill program at the past producing Hope Brook Gold Project located on the southwest coast of Newfoundland. This Offering will put us in an excellent financial position allowing us to rapidly advance the Hope Brook project in the months and years ahead. In addition to the March 31, 2021 working capital position of $4.0 million and $4.4 million in potential proceeds from the recently announce warrant acceleration, Big Ridge is in a strong financial position to advance Hope Brook".

Michael Gentile, CFA, added: "The past producing Hope Brook Gold Project has significant exploration potential to dramatically expand the size of the current Indicated and Inferred resource base. The company has a strong management team with a proven track record of resource growth, mine development and production. Post this financing Big Ridge will be very well funded to execute on its exploration plans and fully earn into the Hope Brook project and become a significant player in the major revival of gold exploration taking place in Newfoundland".

The Offering was made by way of private placement in Canada and the securities issued under the Offering are subject to a four month hold period under applicable securities laws in Canada.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described herein in the United States. The securities described herein have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to the account or benefit of a U.S. person absent an exemption from the registration requirements of such Act.

Michael Gentile, CFA

From 2003 to 2018, Mr. Gentile worked as a professional money manager at Formula Growth Ltd., an independent investment management firm established in Montreal in 1960. While at Formula Growth, Mr. Gentile's main sector focuses were in mining and natural resources. In 2012, he became the co- manager of the Formula Growth Alpha Fund, a market neutral hedge fund focused on small to mid-cap equities. In October 2018, Mr. Gentile retired from full time money management to be able to spend more time with his family. Subsequently, he has remained a very active and strategic investor in the junior mining sector owning significant top 5 stakes in over 15 small cap-mining companies. Michael is currently a strategic advisor to Arizona Metals and a director of Northern Superior Resources, Roscan Gold, Radisson Mining Resources and Solstice Gold.

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/89120
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 30, 2021) - First Vanadium Corp. (TSXV: FVAN) (OTCQX: FVANF) (FSE: 1PY) ("First Vanadium" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it will be changing its name to "Phenom Resources Corp." effective July 6, 2021 to reflect that it is no longer solely focused on vanadium, as it is currently exploring for gold and copper as well as vanadium on its properties.

The Company's common shares will commence trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the new name "Phenom Resources Corp." at the opening of trading on July 6, 2021, under the new trading symbol "PHNM". A new CUSIP (71743P107) and ISIN (CA71743P1071) has been obtained to replace the previous CUSIP number.

No action will be required by existing shareholders with respect to the name change. Certificates representing common shares of First Vanadium Corp. will not be affected by the name change and will not need to be exchanged. The Company encourages any shareholders with any questions or concerns to contact the Company or to discuss any of the foregoing with their broker or agent.

Paul Cowley, President & CEO of the Company, commented: "We're excited and proud to announce our new branding, website and logo that are both bold and inspirational. This will add to our visibility, clarity and distinction in the market, aligning with our broader based multi commodity path."

About First Vanadium Corp.

First Vanadium has an option to earn a 100% interest in the Carlin Vanadium Project, located in Elko County, 6 miles south from the town of Carlin, Nevada and Highway I-80. The Project lies in the Carlin Gold Trend. Approximately 9 million ounces comprised of multiple gold deposits, including past producing mines, are present near the Company's property (5-15km). The Carlin Vanadium-Gold Project also hosts the Carlin Vanadium deposit. The Company also has the AVP gold prospect in the Battle Mountain-Eureka trend of Nevada and the West Jerome copper prospect in Arizona.

ON BEHALF OF FIRST VANADIUM CORP.

per: "Paul Cowley"

Paul Cowley, CEO & President

(604) 340-7711

pcowley@firstvanadium.com

www.firstvanadium.com

Technical disclosure in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Paul Cowley, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101, and President, CEO and director to the Company.

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 information

Certain statements in this news release constitute "forward-looking" statements. These statements relate to future events or the Company's future performance. All such statements involve substantial known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to vary from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, they should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and they will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. Although the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions on the date of this news release, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof and 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 under applicable securities regulations.



To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/89080
WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Chipotle Mexican Grill (CMG) said it will offer buy-one, get-one free entrees in-restaurant on July 6 from 3pm to close at participating U.S. locations, as part of the national month Of action for vaccinations. Fans can get the offer by saying 'Friends BOGO' when paying at participating restaurants. The offer will support the White House's ongoing initiative to get more Americans vaccinated this summer, Chipotle Mexican said in a statement. Guests can round up their change to the next highest dollar amount starting July 1 through July 14 to support Folds of Honor, which funds $5,000 college scholarships to families of America's fallen and disabled service-members. Folds of Honor has awarded 29,000 total scholarships in all 50 states since its founding in 2007 by Lieutenant Colonel Dan Rooney, an Iraq War Veteran. The program's scholarships primarily go to high school seniors across the country. 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.
PENTICTON, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2021 / EastWest Bioscience Inc. (the "Company" or "EastWest") (TSXV:EAST), a vertically integrated wellness holding company that owns retail presence across Canada and a Health Canada manufacturing facility, reports its financial results for the three months and nine months ended April 30, 2021. All figures are reported in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated. EastWest's financial statements are prepared in accordance with the International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS").

Financial highlights for the three months and nine months ended April 30, 2021

The Company is on the path to profitability. The Company continues to improve its bottom line by streamlining its operations and maintaining its focus on cost cutting and revenue generations efforts. For the 9 months ended April 30, 2021, The Company posted a net loss of $671,454. This is a 40.69% drop in net loss compared to the same period last year at $841,062. Further, in the three months ended April 30 2021, the Company posted a loss of $151,866, a 27.06% drop in loss. This is an overall drop of 51.23% since the beginning of the fiscal year in the three months ended October 31, 2021.

Net loss comparisons nine months ended

9 months ended

April 30, 2019 9 months ended

April 30, 2020 9 months ended

April 30, 2021 ($2,430,204) ($841,062) ($671,454)

Net loss comparisons three months ended

3 months ended

October 31, 2020 3 months ended

January 31, 2021 3 months ended

April 31, 2021 ($311,395) ($208,193) ($151,866)

The Company posted another triple digit growth in its manufacturing division. Our third-party manufacturing posted a $357,286 revenue, a 251.26% growth from previous nine months ended April 30, 2020 at $102,715. As the pandemic has worn on and people search for ways to protect themselves against the COVID-19 virus, attention to overall health and wellness has understandably increased. On average, consumers are reporting an increase in monthly spend on vitamins, minerals and supplement products of 10%-15% since the pandemic began.

Rodney Gelineau, CEO of EastWest states, "Our numbers are showing that EastWest is on the right path to profitability. Our team is working hard cutting costs, streamlining operations, and generating new revenue streams. We are targeting that we will be profitable in the next two quarters and the team is excited with the next growth phase of our Company."

About EastWest Bioscience Inc.

EastWest Bioscience is a vertically integrated wellness company with a multitude of business units and assets that allow for seed-to-sale supply chain management. We source our raw material, process, manufacture, test, brand, market, and distribute our products to our customers in Canada, the United States, and beyond. The Company owns and operates retail and manufacturing subsidiaries.

The Company's retail subsidiary is the award winning, Canadian, natural health retail franchise - the Sangster's Health Centre's - with over 40 years of legacy in the health and wellness industry. Sangster's goal is to provide natural choices through quality products and educated advice for a healthy lifestyle. Sangster's Health Centres occupies a unique position in the industry, the stores provide vast knowledge and safe natural remedies for the prevention and treatment of disease and ailments. Sangster's introduction and development of over 202 exclusively labeled products (vitamins, mineral, herbs, proteins, natural body care and organic foods) catapulted Sangster's name and product into a large number of Canadian households. From a solid base in Saskatchewan, Sangster's has become a national brand name with franchise stores located across Canada.

Orchard Vale Naturals is the Company's manufacturing arm that is certified with a Health Canada Site License and has GMP Certified NHP Manufacturing capabilities. Orchard Vale Naturals specialize in custom blends and production runs of all sizes, small to large, for top-quality products with quick turnaround times. Orchard Vale Naturals operate out of the 34,000 sq Health Canada licensed facility in Penticton, British Columbia that is owned by EastWest Bioscience and is the Head Office for all of its Canadian operations.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF

EASTWEST BIOSCIENCE INC.

"Rodney Gelineau"

Co-Founder, Chief Executive Officer and Director

For Further Information:

Company Website: www.eastwestbioscience.com

Contact: Rodney Gelineau on 1-800-409-1930 or investors@eastwestscience.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 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 matters disclosed herein. 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; and delay or failure to receive board, shareholder or regulatory approvals. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE: EastWest Bioscience Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/653656/EastWest-Bioscience-Reports-Q3-2021-Financial-Results-On-the-Path-to-Profitability
NEW DELHI (dpa-AFX) - Journey Medical Corp., a partner company of biopharmaceutical company Fortress Biotech, Inc. (FBIO), announced Wednesday an agreement with India-based pharmaceutical company Dr. Reddy's Laboratories Ltd. (RDY) for the collaborative development and commercialization of the DFD-29 program (Minocycline Modified Release Capsules 40 mg) for the treatment of rosacea. Journey Medical has acquired global commercialization rights including the U.S. and Europe, except that Dr. Reddy's has retained certain rights to the program in select markets including Brazil, Russia, India and China. Through this collaboration, the parties will work together to complete the development of DFD-29. Dr. Reddy's will provide development support including the monitoring of two Phase 3 clinical trials. A Phase 2 study in Germany was completed which assessed the efficacy, safety and tolerability of DFD-29 for the treatment of inflammatory lesions of rosacea over 16 weeks. Rosacea is a chronic, relapsing, diverse skin condition that most commonly presents with symptoms such as deep facial redness, spider veins (telangiectasia) and acne-like inflammatory lesions (papules and pustules). 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.
HAWTHORNE, N.Y., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ultimate Spirits Challenge (USC), since 2010 the world's most prestigious global spirits competition, today releases the results of the 2021 Challenge. With an increase in entries this year of 30%, 2021 was the twelfth consecutive year of record submissions. Entries arrived from more than 52 spirit-producing nations.

The judging, held throughout May and June, determined 56 Chairman's Trophy winners, 301 Finalists, 208 Great Values, and 96 Tried & True Award winners. As always, USC was conducted at the custom-designed Ultimate Beverage Challenge (UBC) Evaluation Center, located in Hawthorne, NY.

Says UBC Co-Founder and Judging Director F. Paul Pacult, "Aside from being by far the largest USC ever, this year's Challenge was likewise the most global, with an impressive array of quality distillates from places as far away from New York as China, Croatia, and Chile. Virtually all categories saw healthy gains in submissions, most notably gin, Ready-to-Drink cocktails, hard seltzers, craft spirits, mezcal, rum, and all whiskey and brandy categories.

"Since producers enter their top-shelf marques into USC, it's clear that they look to us for the most accurate and unbiased data in the industry. We already look forward to USC 2022!"

View complete results at:

www.ultimate-beverage.com/USC2021results/

Photos available at:

www.ultimate-beverage.com/usc2021photosdownload

Ultimate Spirits Challenge 2021 Chairman's Trophy Winners

AMARO

Nonino

APERITIF/APERITIVO

Per Se

BAIJIU

Moutai BuLaoJiu

BRANDY

American: Christian Brothers Sacred Bond

Armagnac: Dartigalongue 1989 30 Years Old Bas Armagnac

Calvados: Christian Drouin Vintage 1991 Pays d'Auge

Cognac: Jean Fillioux Single Cask #212 Grande Champagne

European Brandy: Gran Duque d'Alba Oro Brandy de Jerez

Pisco: Demonio de los Andes Italia

GIN

Gin: Tanqueray

Flavored Gin: 6 O'clock Damson

Old Tom: Purity 34

HARD SELTZER

AMASS Faerie Fizz

LIQUEUR

Berry/Fruit: St. Elder Pamplemousse Pink Grapefruit

Citrus/Triple Sec: Ferrand Dry Curacao

Coffee: Mr Black Cold Brew

Cream/Dairy: Amarula

Herbal/Mint/Spice/Botanical: Ancho Reyes Verde Chile Poblano

MEZCAL

Del Maguey Single Village Wild Papalome

MIXER

Top Tomato Spicy Tomato Cocktail Mix

READY-TO-DRINK COCKTAIL

Social Hour Gin & Tonic

RUM

Aged: Mount Gay 1703 Master Blender Collection The Port Cask Expression

Dark/Gold: Jung & Wulff Guyana No. 2

Flavored: RumHaven Caribbean Rum with Coconut Liqueur

Over-Proof: Plantation O.F.T.D.

White/Silver: Plantation 3 Stars

SHOCHU

Mizu Saga Barley

TEQUILA, 100% AGAVE

Blanco/Plata: Calle 23

Reposado: Storywood Speyside 7

Anejo: Ocho

Extra Anejo: El Tesoro

Flavored: 21 Seeds Valencia Orange

VERMOUTH

Dry: La Quintinye Royal Extra Dry

Sweet: La Quintinye Royal Rouge

VODKA

Unflavored: Hangar One

Flavored: Deep Eddy Lemon

WHISKY - CANADA

Alberta Premium Cask Strength Rye

WHISKEY - IRELAND

Blended: The Legendary Silkie

Single Pot Still: Redbreast Cask Strength 12 Years Old

Single Malt: Waterford Dunmore Single Farm Origin Addition 1.2

WHISKY - SCOTLAND

Blended: Dewar's Double Double 32 Years Old

Single Malt-Highland: Glenturret Peat Smoke 10 Years Old

Single Malt-Island: Talisker 18 Years Old

Single Malt-Islay: Kilchoman Machir Bay Cask Strength

Single Malt-Speyside: Mortlach Distiller's Dram 16 Years Old

WHISKEY - USA

Bourbon/Bottled-In-Bond: Old Fitzgerald VVS 2020 16 Years Old Bottled-in-Bond

Bourbon: Weller Wheated Bourbon Full Proof

Rye: Col. E.H. Taylor, Jr. Bottled-in-Bond Kentucky Straight Rye

Single Barrel/Bourbon: Blanton's Straight From The Barrel

Single Malt: Westland

Small Batch Bourbon: Black Bourbon Society's Maker's Mark Private Selection: Recipe 2

Tennessee: Uncle Nearest 1820 Single Barrel 11 Years Old

Wheat: Bainbridge Battle Point Two Islands Islay Cask Barrel Proof

Other: Mammoth Distilling Infinity

WHISK(E)Y - WORLD

Matsui Shuzo Sakura Single Cask

WHISK(E)Y FLAVORED - WORLD

Tom Bullock's Burnt Orange Bourbon

After undergoing careful analysis through multiple panels, all products are rated on the 100-point scale by the spirits industry's most renowned judges including buyers, journalists, educators, and bar owners.

Spirits scoring 85+ points receive a detailed tasting note. All spirits scoring 80+ points receive an individual results page, which provides all downloadable marketing material.

USC results are promoted globally and on social media.

ULTIMATE SPIRITS CHALLENGENo shortcuts. Just honest, impartial judging.
Meridiam, Global Infrastructure Partners and Caisse des Depots Group with CNP Assurances (the "Consortium") submitted a binding contractual commitment to purchase the new SUEZ, which has been approved by the Boards of Directors of Suez and Veolia on 29 June 2021

Paris, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Consortium of investors composed of Meridiam and Global Infrastructure Partners, each with a 40% stake, and the Caisse des Depots Group with CNP Assurances, with a 20% stake (including 8% for CNP Assurances)1 submitted a binding final offer to Suez and Veolia to purchase the "new SUEZ" on 29 June 2021. This offer has been approved by the Boards of Directors of Suez and Veolia on this day, with an agreement signed with the Consortium. The transaction remains subject to certain conditions, including approval from Suez shareholders and the receipt of required regulatory approvals.

The offer confirms the terms of the Memorandum of Understanding signed on May 14, 2021 between Suez, Veolia and the Consortium, including notably:

 The perimeter of assets, companies and activities that will be acquired by the Consortium to form the new SUEZ. The scope notably consists of all water and waste management activities of Suez in France including R&D activities, construction (TI) activities, Suez's water activities in Italy, the Czech Republic, Poland, Africa, Central Asia, India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Australia, New Zealand, Asia (including municipal and industrial water activities in Shanghai and Macao)

 The next steps in the reorganization process leading up to the sale of the new SUEZ perimeter to the consortium

 Social commitments of 5 years

 The objective for employees to reach 10% of the share capital within 5-7 years

 Enterprise Value of the new SUEZ coherent with the valuation of the Suez Group implied by the 20.50 per share offer, with coupon attached, for the Suez shares not yet held by Veolia

The new SUEZ will be a major player in environmental services with annual revenues of nearly 7 billion and strong growth prospects and development capabilities both in France and internationally. It will benefit from a robust industrial and technological foundation, supported by a stable, long-term shareholder base. With a track record of operational excellence and a strong management team, the new SUEZ will continue to deliver the best quality of service to its end customers.

Thierry Deau, President and Founder of Meridiam, said: "This agreement represents a new step in the construction of the new SUEZ. Under the signed agreements, the company will benefit from expert and recognized employees and strategic positions at the forefront of the water and waste management sector in France and worldwide. But our ambition for this new SUEZ, with all our partners, does not 1 Ownership splits before including employees' ownership stake in new SUEZ share capital stop there, it is clear and strong: to strengthen the presence and leadership of Suez in France and internationally, increase investment in innovative solutions, R&D, and key high-growth sectors, and remain best-in-class in terms of social and environmental impact and responsibility".

Adebayo Ogunlesi, Chairman and Managing Partner of GIP, said: "GIP is excited to have partnered with Meridiam, CDC Group and CNP Assurances to reach this important milestone of submitting a final and binding offer for the creation and acquisition of a new SUEZ. As an experienced, long term infrastructure investor with a strong operational focus, we believe that GIP is the ideal partner for the company going forward. GIP, together with its partners, will provide a stable shareholder base, is committed to investing in the new SUEZ to maintain its leading position in the environmental services sector and to support its growth and development objectives both in France and internationally, for the benefit of all its stakeholders. With strong alignment between shareholders, a world-class management team and market-leading technology, we believe new SUEZ is well-positioned for longterm success and to play a leading role as a socially responsible global business."

Eric Lombard, Chief Executive Officer of Caisse des Depots Group, said: "This agreement demonstrates that Caisse des Depots Group is more than ever committed to supporting local and regional development. We fully intend to reaffirm our determination to build an agile, innovative group, led by top-notch teams. This investment complements CDC's rich history of investing in energy networks. We will now fully play our part in water networks and waste management by accompanying the company's development with all its employees, over the long term and with respect for the environment".

Stephane Dedeyan, Chief Executive Officer of CNP Assurances, said: "As a leading player in the French personal insurance market and a major investor in infrastructure in France, we are pleased to be involved in supporting the creation and development of the new SUEZ for the benefit of the environment and society as a whole. In partnership with Caisse des Depots, we intend to fully participate in the development of water distribution and waste management networks, as part of CNP Assurances' strategy of being a responsible, long-term investor".

Subject to obtaining the required regulatory approvals, the sale of new SUEZ to the Consortium is planned to close simultaneous with Veolia's public offer in late 2021.

About Meridiam

Meridiam was founded in 2005 by Thierry Deau, with the belief that the alignment of interests between the public and private sector can provide critical solutions to the collective needs of communities. Meridiam is an independent investment Benefit Corporation under French law and an asset manager. The firm specializes in the development, financing, and long-term management of sustainable public infrastructure in three core sectors: mobility, energy transition and environment, and social infrastructure. With offices in, Addis Ababa, Amman, Dakar, Istanbul, New York, Luxembourg, Paris, Toronto and Vienna, Meridiam currently manages US$10 billion and more than 90 projects and assets to date. Meridiam is certified ISO 9001: 2015, Advanced Sustainability Rating by VigeoEiris (Moody's) and applies a proprietary methodology in relation to ESG and impact based on United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). For more information, visit www.meridiam.com

Meridiam Meridiam Meridiam Contact: Antoine Lenoir - +33 6 07 50 75 85 - +33 1 53 34 96 92 - a.lenoir@meridiam.com

About GIP

Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) is an independent fund manager and a global leader in infrastructure investments. Founded in 2006, GIP's teams are located in 10 offices globally and invest in the energy, transport and environmental services sectors. GIP manages approximately $75 billion on behalf of more than 400 institutional investors, including many renowned European and French institutions. GIP has invested over $18 billion in European companies to date. GIP's investment approach is founded on the combination of its industrial expertise and best-in-class management practices. GIP focuses its efforts on reliability, safety, quality of service, growth investments and operational excellence, notably through innovation and technology. Water and environmental services are one of the pillars of GIP's expertise. GIP adheres to the highest standards of responsible investment and is notably a signatory of the "Principles for Responsible Investment" promoted by the United Nations and also a founding member of the "One Planet Sovereign Wealth Funds" initiative. For more information, visit www.global-infra.com

Contact: Charlotte L'Helias - +33 6 11 85 14 80 - +33 1 57 97 79 04 - charlotte.lhelias@teneo.com

Pen Pendleton - 914-364-8024 - ppendleton@clpstrategies.com

About the Caisse des Depots Group

Caisse des Depots and its subsidiaries form a public long-term investor group serving the general interest and economic development of local areas. It combines five areas of expertise: pensions and professional training, asset management, monitoring subsidiaries and strategic shareholdings, business financing (with Bpifrance) and Banque des Territoires.

For more information, visit www.caissedesdepots.fr

Contact: Alexis Nugues - +33 6 81 55 59 24 - +33 1 58 50 31 93 - alexis.nugues@caissedesdepots.fr

About CNP Assurances

A leading player in the French personal insurance market, CNP Assurances operates in 19 countries in Europe, notably in Italy, and in Latin America, where it is very active in Brazil, its second largest market. As an insurance, coinsurance, and reinsurance provider, CNP Assurances designs innovative personal risk/protection and savings/retirement solutions. The company has more than 36 million insured in personal risk/protection insurance worldwide and more than 12 million in savings/retirement. In accordance with its business model, its solutions are distributed by multiple partners and adapt to their physical or digital distribution method, as well as to the needs of customers in each country in terms of their protection and convenience. CNP Assurances has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since October 1998 and is a subsidiary of La Banque Postale. The Company reported net profits of 1,350 million in 2020. For more information, visit www.cnp.fr/en/the-cnp-assurances-group

Contact: Florence de Montmarin - + 33 1 42 18 86 51 - servicepresse@cnp.fr
Edmonton, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - June 30, 2021) - Grizzly Discoveries Inc. (TSXV: GZD) (OTCQB: GZDIF) (FSE:G6H) ("Grizzly" or the "Company") is saddened to report that Mr. Ian Lambert, COO of Grizzly, passed away on June 2, 2021 at the age of 75 after a short illness. Ian was a strong voice and advocate in the resource industry for more than 30 years, and COO and director of Grizzly since March 15, 2013.

Brian Testo, Chairman of the Board, said, "Ian was a respected and valued member of the Grizzly family, as well as a dear friend, and he will be sorely missed."

Ian provided tremendous strength and drive behind Grizzly for many years. Despite his illness and ongoing treatment, Ian tenaciously carried out his duties and attended board and management meetings diligently. His dedication, humour, and guidance will be greatly missed by the Grizzly team.

The Board of Grizzly would like to extend their sincerest condolences to Ian's wife Cathie, four children, and family at this difficult time.

Contributions to The School for Special Children, a charity dear to his heart in Mexico, or to the BC Cancer Agency can be made in his name, by visiting www.schoolforspecialchildren.org or www.bccancer.bc.ca.

ABOUT GRIZZLY DISCOVERIES INC.

Grizzly is a diversified Canadian mineral exploration company with its primary listing on the TSX Venture Exchange, with 93 million shares issued, focused on developing its over 156,000 acres of precious and base metals properties in southeastern British Columbia. Grizzly is run by a highly experienced junior resource sector management team, who have a track record of advancing exploration projects from early exploration stage through to feasibility stage.

On behalf of the Board,

GRIZZLY DISCOVERIES INC.

Brian Testo, CEO, President

Tel: 780 693 2242

For further information, please visit our website at www.grizzlydiscoveries.com or contact:

Chris Beltgens

Corporate Development

Tel: 604 347 9535

Email: cbeltgens@grizzlydiscoveries.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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/89124
Thunder Bay, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 30, 2021) - Metals Creek Resources Corp. (TSXV: MEK) (OTCQB: MCREF) (FSE: M1C1) (the "Company" or Metals Creek) is pleased to announce that the Company has been advised by its option partner General Gold Resources Inc. (CSE: GGLD) (C-GGLD) (General Gold) that General Gold will commence drilling on the Clark's Brook property the week of July 5, 2021. The Clark's Brook property comprises 31 claim units in central Newfoundland and is surrounded on three sides by the Queensway project, currently being explored and drilled by New Found Gold Corp. (see General Gold news release dated 28 June 202).

Alexander (Sandy) Stares, President and CEO of Metals Creek states "Management at Metals Creek is delighted that drilling will commence at Clark's Brook by General Gold. This is another project that will give MEK shareholders exposure to the extremely hot Central Newfoundland gold play and allows Metals Creek to focus on the Dona Lake and Ogden gold projects."

The Clark's Brook property consists of claims originally staked in 2016, covering two auriferous showings first discovered in 2003.

As part of the earlier geological mapping and prospecting program, discoveries were made at both the Clark's Brook East (CBE) and West (CBW) zones. On the CBE gold zone, seven representative grab samples were attained, each comprising material from several mineralized boulders that assayed between 2.98 grams per tonne and 24.5 g/t gold. The CBW gold zone discovery was first made in mineralized boulders returning 8.9 g/t and 9.28 g/t gold. Note: The surface grab samples described in this news release are selective by nature and are unlikely to represent average grades of the property.

The Clark's Brook property is under option from Metals Creek. In order to maintain the Option Agreement in good standing, General Gold must issue an aggregate of 1,500,000 common shares of General Gold (200,000 received) and make cash payments totaling $225,000 ($50,000 received) over a three-year period. If General Gold does not make any or all of the cash payments or issue any or all of the common shares, it will be in default under the Option Agreement and all right and title to the Clark's Brook Property shall remain with MEK. If the option is exercised in accordance with the terms of the Option Agreement, General Gold will reserve to MEK a 2% net smelter royalty (the "NSR") on the mineral claims, provided, however, that General Gold shall have the right at any time to purchase from MEK 1% of the NSR in consideration for a one-time payment of the sum of $1,000,000.

Wayne Reid, P. Geo., Director of Metals Creek, is the "qualified person" as defined in NI 43-101, who has reviewed and approved the technical content in this press release.

MEK has current option agreements on a number of its projects including: Squid (Yukon) to Manning Ventures Inc., Flint Lake (Ontario) to Manning Ventures Inc, Clark's Brook (NL) to General Gold and Yellow Fox/Careless Cove (NL) to Quadro Resources.

About Metals Creek Resources Corp.

Metals Creek Resources Corp. is a junior exploration company incorporated under the laws of the Province of Ontario, is a reporting issuer in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, and has its common shares listed for trading on the TSX-V Exchange under the symbol "MEK". Metals Creek has earned a 50% interest in the Ogden Gold Property from Newmont Corporation, which covers an 8 km strike length of the prolific Porcupine-Destor Fault (P-DF) and includes the former Naybob Gold mine, located 6 km south of Timmins, Ontario. In addition, Metals Creek has signed an agreement with Newmont Corporation, whereby Metals Creek can earn a 100% interest in the past producing Dona Lake Gold Project in the Pickle Lake Mining District of Ontario.

Metals Creek also has multiple quality projects available for option in Ontario and Newfoundland which can be viewed on the Company's website. Parties interested in seeking more information about properties available for option can contact the Company at the number below.

Additional information concerning the Company is contained in documents filed by the Company with securities regulators, available under its profile at www.sedar.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.

Alexander (Sandy) Stares, President and CEO

Metals Creek Resources Corp

telephone: (709)-256-6060

fax: (709)-256-6061

email: astares@metalscreek.com

MetalsCreek.com

Twitter.com/MetalsCreekRes

Facebook.com/MetalsCreek

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/89121
Speakers include leading Industry, Academia and Nobel Laureate antibody experts

1-day conference will be live streamed globally from Porto, Portugal Sept 9 th

Registration now available online

FairJourney Biologics S.A. (FJB), leaders in the discovery and optimization of antibodies, today announced the launch of the "THE ANTIBODY SERIES" a 1-day conference bringing together top experts in the antibody field to explore the latest innovation within antibody drug discovery. The conference is being launched in Porto, Portugal, celebrating FairJourney Biologics' inauguration of their new purpose built, state-of-the-art facilities. Online registration to the event has been made available free for a limited period here: https://fjb.pt/the-antibody-series-2021/

THE ANTIBODY SERIES takes place on September 9th 2021 (8:45 am BST) and will play host to a panel of influential and international speakers ranging from Biotechs, Universities and Nobel Prize Laureate including:

Sir Gregory Winter, Winner of the 2018 Chemistry Nobel Prize

Hans Clevers (Principal Investigator at The Hubrecht Institute)

Ton Logtenberg (University Medical Center Utrecht)

John McCafferty (CSO at IONTAS)

Maria Pajuelo (CSO at FJB)

Daniela Teixeira (COO at FJB)

Teresa Barata (Head of Protein Production and Characterization at Flow Eighteen38)

Allan Jensen (Vice President at Lundbeck)

Mihri Tuna (CSO at Adaptate)

Tatiana Novobrantseva (Co-founder and CSO at Verseau)

Tim Van Hauwermeiren (CEO at argenx)

Hans de Haard (CSO at argenx).

THE ANTIBODY SERIES will be broadcast live from Porto to enable audiences globally the chance to participate and watch the conference, with the in-person event attended by notable invitees from Industry and Academia.

Antonio Parada, CEO of FairJourney Biologics commented: "We believe our customers and clients will benefit greatly from the decades of experience, innovation and insight each speaker brings to this new event. Having such a diverse panel of speakers, from leading industry to academia, including Nobel Laureate at our first event is truly encouraging and we look forward to sharing this special event with our community and growing the platform."

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005646/en/

Contacts:

Lorna Cuddon

Zyme Communications

lorna.cuddon@zymecommunications.com

Tel: +44(0)7811 996 942
Commitments at the Generation Equality Forum will advance women's economic empowerment, strengthen health and family planning, and accelerate women in leadership as women suffer disproportionately from the pandemic

PARIS, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- As part of the Generation Equality Forum convened by UN Women and co-hosted by the governments of Mexico and France, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation today announced a commitment of $2.1 billion over the next five years to advance women's economic empowerment, strengthen women and girls' health and family planning, and accelerate women's leadership.

The forum takes place in Paris from June 30 to July 2, 2021, bringing together governments, the private sector, and civil society partners to commit to specific actions and announce financial, political, and programmatic commitments that will accelerate gender equality and advance women's rights. Not since the Fourth World Conference on Women in 1995, when 47,000 participants and activists traveled to Beijing, has the world come together to take ambitious action that will have a transformational impact for women and girls.

"The world has been fighting for gender equality for decades, but progress has been slow. Now is the chance to reignite a movement and deliver real change," said Melinda French Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation. "The beauty of our fight for gender equality is that every human being will gain from it. We must seize this moment to build a better, more equal future."

The forum takes place at a critical inflection point. While we have seen progress over the past quarter century, nowhere on Earth are women on equal footing with men. Waves of opposition to women's rights have emerged, and structural barriers to gender equality and women's health still exist.

The foundation's $2.1 billion commitment over the next five years will advance activity in three areas: economic empowerment, health and family planning, and accelerating women in leadership. Funding includes:

Economic Empowerment: $650 million over five years: An expansion of the foundation's existing work on women's economic empowerment, this funding will support women's empowerment collectives, strengthen the care economy, improve women's financial inclusion, and reduce barriers to paid work.

An expansion of the foundation's existing work on women's economic empowerment, this funding will support women's empowerment collectives, strengthen the care economy, improve women's financial inclusion, and reduce barriers to paid work. Family Planning and Health: $1.4 billion over five years: This reaffirms and expands the foundation's commitment to family planning and women's health, with a focus on increasing options and access to contraceptives and support for a network of family planning partners, including UNFPA Supplies Partnership, Family Planning 2030, the Global Financing Facility, and the new Shaping Equitable Market Access for Reproductive Health initiative.

This reaffirms and expands the foundation's commitment to family planning and women's health, with a focus on increasing options and access to contraceptives and support for a network of family planning partners, including UNFPA Supplies Partnership, Family Planning 2030, the Global Financing Facility, and the new Shaping Equitable Market Access for Reproductive Health initiative. Accelerating Women in Leadership: $100 million over five years / $230 million over 10 years: This is an all-new funding commitment to accelerate women's inclusion in leadership roles, primarily in health, law, and economics. It includes a contribution to a new fund by Co-Impact that aims to dismantle systemic barriers to gender equality and women and girls' leadership around the world.

"Gender equality must be at the center of the world's efforts to make progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals," said Bill Gates, co-chair of the Gates Foundation. "Prioritizing gender equality is not only the right thing to do, it is essential to fighting poverty and preventable disease. The Generation Equality Forum is an opportunity to hold leaders accountable so that we can ensure that all people, everywhere, have the opportunity to live healthy, productive lives."

Today, the Gates Foundation also released new data that show pandemic-driven inequality is growing at an alarming pace, driven by disruptions to women's health services, job losses in sectors where women are overrepresented, and a sharp increase in caregiving needs and other unpaid work. "Ripple effects of the pandemic have conspired to rob women and girls of opportunity," said French Gates.

According to the International Labour Organization:

Unemployment for women rose by 9 million in 2020 compared to 2019 and is projected to increase another 2 million in 2021. This pattern is not true for men, who are projected to see unemployment decrease in 2021.

Total global female employment in 2021 is expected to remain 13 million below its 2019 level. By contrast, total male employment is expected to return to close to its 2019 level, exacerbating existing inequalities in the workforce.

New data by Eurasia Group also highlight that gender-equal policies can fuel the global economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic:

Providing access to childcare for women around the world who currently lack it could deliver up to $3 trillion of additional GDP each year by enabling them to participate in the labor force.

of additional GDP each year by enabling them to participate in the labor force. Instituting cash transfer programs globally could lift up to 100 million women out of absolute poverty, which is defined as living on less than $2 per day.

"Women and girls already faced unique barriers to their full participation in social and economic life, and the latest data show that the pandemic has only sharpened gender disparities," said Mark Suzman, CEO of the Gates Foundation. "Each data point represents a woman fighting for a better future, and this funding reflects our longstanding commitment to support all women in their fight for a fairer and more equal world."

The foundation has been committed to family planning and women's health since it began more than 20 years ago. For almost a decade, it has been supporting partners around the world to break down structural barriers that women and girls face and to advance women's economic empowerment. Gender equality is core to the foundation's work, and the Gender Equality division is focused on accelerating progress toward a more gender-equal world.

About the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

Guided by the belief that every life has equal value, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation works to help all people lead healthy, productive lives. In developing countries, it focuses on improving people's health and giving them the chance to lift themselves out of hunger and extreme poverty. In the United States, it seeks to ensure that all people-especially those with the fewest resources-have access to the opportunities they need to succeed in school and life. Based in Seattle, Washington, the foundation is led by CEO Mark Suzman, under the direction of Bill Gates and Melinda French Gates.

Media Contact: media@gatesfoundation.org
9 in 10 corporate recruiters bullish on MBA hiring and salary premium fueled by technology sector growth

RESTON, Va., June 30, 2021. The report found that corporate recruiters project a robust demand for business school graduates, with nine in ten of them expecting it to increase or remain stable in the next five years. In addition, a higher proportion of recruiters in 2021 (37%) expect the demand to increase than that in the previous year (30%), with more than half of the European recruiters (54%) sharing such a view compared to their Asian (32%) and American (34%) counterparts.



"In a little more than a decade, the proportion of surveyed recruiters planning to hire MBA graduates has grown significantly, a trend especially notable in Europe, where the percentage jumped from 44 percent in 2010 to nearly twice as much (86%) in 2021, and in the United States, where it grew from 56 percent to 94 percent, a 68 percent increase," said Sangeet Chowfla, president and CEO of GMAC. "As corporations recover from the pandemic and rebuild their workforces, it is no surprise that business school graduates - with their leadership and managerial skills in high demand - are specially strengthened in their value proposition as an employee and uniquely positioned to meet today's economic challenges."

Key Findings

MBA salary and hiring are expected to return to pre-pandemic levels

In 2020, the projected MBA median salary reached an all-time high of $115,000 before COVID-19 severely disrupted the global economy and caused it to drop down to $105,000 three months into the pandemic. However, the median MBA salary for 2021 is projected to recover to its pre-pandemic 2020 level of $115,000. At this rate, the median salary of MBA graduates is 77 percent more than those with a bachelor's degreeoffers a helpful tool to calculate the return of investment (ROI) for business school graduates.

Before the pandemic, 92 percent of recruiters indicated they were planning to hire MBA graduates in 2020. However, the disruptions caused by COVID-19 adversely affected those plans, and hence the actual hiring of MBA graduates (80%) was lower than 2020 projections. Looking ahead, the proportion of recruiters planning to hire MBAs in 2021 (91%) returns to the same level as pre-pandemic 2020 (92%). The MBA hiring projections exhibit strength across key regions and industries. Specifically, 95 percent of the recruiters in the consulting sector, an industry in most demand by MBA graduates, are projecting to hire them-a reversal from the 2020 actual hiring of 76%.

Technology sector embraces MBA graduates for hiring and promotion

According to survey respondents, demand for MBA graduates by the technology industry is anticipated to increase by 10 percentage points in 2021 compared to pre-pandemic 2020. In fact, with 96 percent of tech recruiters projecting to hire MBA graduates in 2021, the demand for MBA talents tops the previous three years. The data also show that two in three (68%) recruiters in the technology sector agree that leaders in their organizations tend to have a graduate business school education-an increase of 11 percentage points from 2020 (57%).

"Technology companies are placing a high value on leaders who are not just technically skilled, but also have strong strategic, interpersonal, communication and decision-making skills, as well as an understanding of the importance of diversity and inclusion and sustainability in their organizations - these will be critical to driving organizational growth and innovation," said Peter Johnson, Assistant Dean of UC Berkeley's Haas School of Business. "These core skills represent the signature business schools are imbuing in graduates from their MBA and business master's programs."

Perceptions of online programs are mixed depending on region, sector

Online programs have been gaining traction in recent years. According to GMAC data, 50 more online MBA programs accepted GMAT scores in the testing year.

However, when corporate recruiters were asked about their level of agreement with the statement "My organization values graduates of online and in-person programs equally," only one-thirdsuggests a similar disparity in terms of perception of online versus in-person programs.

"As business schools continue to evolve modalities and more candidates are able to access MBA and business master's programs through online delivery, this presents the graduate management education community with an opportunity to align expectations and outcomes for graduates and corporate recruiters," said Chowfla.

About the Survey

GMAC has been conducting the Corporate Recruiter Survey on behalf of the graduate management education community since 2001. This year's survey, administered in partnership with the Association of MBAs.

About GMAC

The Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC) is a mission-driven association of leading graduate business schools worldwide. Founded in 1953, GMAC creates solutions and experiences that enable business schools and candidates to better discover, evaluate, and connect with each other.

GMAC provides world-class research, industry conferences, recruiting tools, and assessments for the graduate management education industry, as well as tools, resources, events, and services that help guide candidates through their higher education journey. Owned and administered by GMAC, the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) exam is the most widely used graduate business school assessment.

GMAC also owns and administers the NMAT by GMAClast year to explore business school options, prepare and register for exams, and get advice on the admissions process. BusinessBecauseand The MBA Tourare subsidiaries of GMAC, a global organization with offices in China, India, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

To learn more about our work, please visit www.gmac.com

Media Contact:

Teresa Hsu

Sr. Manager, Media Relations

202-390-4180
SAN FRANCISCO, CA / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2021 / The Whittier Trust company of San Francisco is excited to welcome new hire, Steve Beverage, as a Senior Vice President and Client Advisor to the firm.

Prior to joining Whittier Trust, Steve was a Private Banker at City National Bank as well as Citi Private Bank, where he managed a portfolio of high-net-worth relationships. Previously, Steve was Vice President at Abbot Downing, focusing on investment, business, and legacy planning for family offices.

"We are very excited that someone having Steve's industry experience has decided to join our team," said Thomas Frank, executive Vice President at Whittier Trust. "Having worked with him at an earlier point in our careers, I am confident that his enthusiasm and expertise will be an asset for our clients and for the growth of our business in Northern California."

Mr. Beverage's focus at Whittier Trust will be to assist clients in creating customized strategies and solutions in the areas of investment management, estate planning, business succession planning, tax-efficient generational wealth transfer, and philanthropy. Steve brings over eighteen years of experience in servicing high-net-worth families and individuals, ensuring they achieve all of their financial, business enterprise, philanthropic, and legacy planning goals.

For more information or upcoming events, contact Brandi J. Fields at, BFields@whittiertrust.com, or visit www.whittiertrust.com .

###

Whittier Trust is the oldest and largest private multi-family office headquartered on the West Coast. Whittier's wealth management platform serves over 480 families and over 40 foundations throughout the U.S. and advises on over $17 billion in assets. The firm has helped individuals and families manage, grow and transfer wealth intergenerationally for six generations. The firm has offices in South Pasadena, San Francisco, Newport Beach, Reno, Seattle, and Portland. To learn more, visit http://www.whittiertrust.com

SOURCE: Whittier Trust

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/653718/Whittier-Trust-Welcomes-New-Senior-Vice-President-and-Client-Advisor-to-Whittier-Trust-of-San-Francisco
Kolwezi, Democratic Republic of Congo--(Newsfile Corp. - June 30, 2021) - Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN) (OTCQX: IVPAF) announced today that the June progress update for the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is expected to be issued on July 6, 2021, after the major Canadian and US public holidays.

About Ivanhoe Mines

Ivanhoe Mines is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal joint-venture projects in Southern Africa: the development of major new, mechanized, underground mines at the Kamoa-Kakula copper discoveries in the Democratic Republic of Congo and at the Platreef palladium-rhodium-platinum-nickel-copper-gold discovery in South Africa; and the extensive redevelopment and upgrading of the historic Kipushi zinc-copper-germanium-silver mine, also in the Democratic Republic of Congo .

Kamoa-Kakula began producing copper concentrates in May 2021 and, through phased expansions, is positioned to become one of the world's largest copper producers. Kamoa-Kakula and Kipushi will be powered by clean, renewable hydro-generated electricity and will be among the world's lowest greenhouse gas emitters per unit of metal produced. Ivanhoe Mines has pledged to achieve net-zero operational greenhouse gas emissions (Scope 1 and 2) at the Kamoa-Kakula Copper Mine when large-scale electric, hydrogen and hybrid underground mining equipment become commercially available. Ivanhoe also is exploring for new copper discoveries on its wholly-owned Western Foreland exploration licences in the Democratic Republic of Congo, near the Kamoa-Kakula Project.

Information contacts

Investors: Bill Trenaman +1.604.331.9834 / Media: Matthew Keevil +1.604.558.1034

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/89128
Phoenix, Arizona--(Newsfile Corp. - June 30, 2021) - The Stock Day Podcast welcomed Tego Cyber Inc. (OTCQB: TGCB) ("the Company"), a company created to capitalize on the emerging cyber threat intelligence market. CEO of the Company, Shannon Wilkinson, joined Stock Day host Everett Jolly.

Jolly began the interview by asking about the Company's background and current projects. "Tego Cyber is a cybersecurity company that specializes in cyber threat intelligence," said Wilkinson. "Basically, what we have developed is a platform that helps enterprises find threats within their environments," she continued, adding that the platform also provides all of the information needed for their clients to respond to the threat appropriately. "Our platform allows the security information teams to have that information when they need it, in a timely and relevant manner."

"Could you give us an update on what has happened since our last interview?", asked Jolly. "It has been a really busy month, and it has all been great things," shared Wilkinson. "We completed the first initial development of our platform," she added. "We have taken our threat intelligence program and we are integrating it into other cybersecurity technologies."

"We were very happy to announce about a week ago that we launched official beta testing with a Fortune 500 company," continued Wilkinson. "We have also gotten numerous requests from our clients about adding cyber threat intelligence reporting to our threat intelligence platform," she said. "The cyber threat intelligence service is really a custom, tailored boutique service for our clients where we will identify what kind of compromised credentials might be out there on the dark web."

"What are the plans moving forward?", asked Jolly. "Right now we're focused on completing our current beta test of the threat intelligence platform," said Wilkinson. "After that, it is going to be about two to four weeks where we are looking forward to launching the platform," she shared. "Then, we're continuing to develop integrations for our threat intelligence platform to other SIEM platforms," explained Wilkinson. "The next integration we have targeted is for Elastic SIEM, but over the next two years we have identified nine other SIEM platforms that we will be going forward with for integrations."

The conversation then turned to Splunkbase, a platform where users can search for and download apps, including the Company's upcoming cyber threat intelligence platform. "Splunk has about 15,000 clients worldwide, and I believe they are adding about 450 new clients every quarter," said Wilkinson. "Each one of those Splunk customers is a potential customer for Tego. So, we're really building our customer base on top of the customer base of Splunk," she continued. "Each time we add an integration, like Elastic SIEM, each of those customers also become potential Tego customers.

"What will the price point be for commercial use of this technology?", asked Jolly. "We have done some analysis of competing solutions out there, which range from between starting prices of $60,000 to $120,000 per year," said Wilkinson. "We chose $75,000 per year, which is an annual subscription," she explained. "In our first year of commercialization, we're targeting to bring 100 Splunk customers on our platform, which would be a revenue of approximately $7.5 million."

To close the interview, Wilkinson encouraged listeners and shareholders to keep up-to-date on the Company's current projects and announcements through their website and social media platforms. She also elaborated on the potential of the Company as they prepare to commercialize their cybersecurity threat intelligence product.

To hear Shannon Wilkinson's entire interview, follow the link to the podcast here: https://audioboom.com/posts/7896234-tego-cyber-inc-discusses-upcoming-commercialization-of-cyber-threat-intelligence-platform-with-t.

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/.

About Tego Cyber Inc.

Tego Cyber Inc. (TGCB) ("the Company") was created to capitalize on the emerging cyber threat intelligence market. The Company has developed a cyber threat intelligence application that integrates with top end security platforms to gather, analyze, then proactively identify threats to an enterprise network. The Tego Threat Intelligence Platform (TTIP) takes in vetted and curated threat data and after utilizing a proprietary process, the platform compiles, analyzes, and then delivers that data to an enterprise network in a format that is timely, informative, and relevant. The threat data provides additional context including specific details needed to identify and counteract threats so that security teams can spend less time searching for disparate information. The first version of the TTIP will integrate with the widely accepted SPLUNK platform to provide real-time threat intelligence to macro enterprises using the SPLUNK architecture. The Company plans on developing future versions of the TTIP for integration with other established SIEM systems and platforms including: Elastic, IBM QRadar, AT&T Cybersecurity, Exabeam, and Google Chronical. For more information, please visit www.tegocyber.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

The statements contained in this press release, those which are not purely historical or which depend upon future events, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements regarding the Company's expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future constitute forward-looking statements. Prospective investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements because of various factors. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on information available to the Company on the date hereof and the Company assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statement. Prospective investors should also consult the risks factors described from time to time in the Company's Reports on Forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K and Annual Reports to Shareholders.

Contact:

Tego Cyber Inc.

8565 S Eastern Avenue, Suite 150

Las Vegas, Nevada 89123 USA

Tel: 855-939-0100 (North America)

Tel: 725-726-7840 x 705 (Europe)

Email: info@tegocyber.com

Web: tegocyber.com

Facebook: facebook.com/tegocyber

LinkedIn: linkedin.com/company/tegocyber

Twitter: twitter.com/tegocyber

Investor Relations:

Crescendo Communications, LLC

Tel: 212-671-1020

Email: TGCB@crescendo-ir.com

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/89125.
Oakville, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 30, 2021) - Cardiol Therapeutics Inc. (TSX: CRDL) (OTCQX: CRTPF) (FSE: CT9) ("Cardiol" or the "Company"), a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing innovative anti-inflammatory therapies for the treatment of cardiovascular disease, announces results from its Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders (the "AGM") held virtually via live audio webcast, on June 29, 2021. Shareholders voted in favour of all management resolutions proposed in the Company's Information Circular.

Resolutions proposed and approved at the AGM were:

The re-election of the following directors for the ensuing year: David Elsley, Dr. Eldon R. Smith, Deborah Brown, Iain Chalmers, Peter Pekos, Dr. Guillermo Torre-Amione, Colin Stott

The appointment of BDO Canada LLP as auditors of the Company until the next annual meeting and the authorization of the directors of the Company to fix the remuneration to be paid to the auditors

The approval of the Company's Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan

The results of the voting on the election of directors are as follows:

Nominees Number of Shares For Percentage of Votes Cast David Elsley 16,763,479 93.00% Dr. Eldon R. Smith 16,763,179 93.00% Deborah Brown 17,994,686 99.83% Iain Chalmers 16,414,129 91.06% Peter Pekos 16,411,079 91.05% Dr. Guillermo Torre-Amione 18,000,886 99.87% Colin Stott 18,001,861 99.87%

About Cardiol Therapeutics

Cardiol Therapeutics Inc. (TSX: CRDL) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on the research and clinical development of innovative anti-inflammatory therapies for the treatment of cardiovascular disease ("CVD"). The Company's lead product, CardiolRx, is a pharmaceutically produced oral cannabidiol formulation that is being investigated in a Phase II/III outcomes study in hospitalized patients testing positive for the COVID-19 virus. This potentially registrational trial is designed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CardiolRx as a cardioprotective therapy to reduce mortality and major cardiovascular events in COVID-19 patients who have a prior history of, or risk factors for, CVD, and to investigate the influence CardiolRx has on key markers of inflammatory heart disease.

Cardiol is also planning to file an investigational new drug ("IND") application for a Phase II international trial that will investigate the anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic properties of CardiolRx in patients with acute myocarditis, which remains the most common cause of sudden cardiac death in people under 35 years of age. In addition, Cardiol is developing a subcutaneous formulation of CardiolRx and other anti-inflammatory therapies for the treatment of chronic heart failure - a leading cause of death and hospitalization in North America, with associated annual healthcare costs in the U.S. alone exceeding $30 billion.

For more information about Cardiol Therapeutics, please visit cardiolrx.com.

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking information:

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events, or developments that Cardiol believes, expects, or anticipates will, may, could or might occur in the future are "forward-looking information." Forward looking information contained herein may include, but is not limited to, statements relating to the Company's focus on developing innovative anti-inflammatory therapies for the treatment of CVD, the fact that the phase II/III outcome study is a potentially registrational trial, and the fact that Cardiol plans to file an IND application. Forward-looking information contained herein reflects the current expectations or beliefs of Cardiol based on information currently available to it and is subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual events or results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information, and are not (and should not be considered to be) guarantees of future performance. These risks and uncertainties and other factors include the risks and uncertainties referred to in the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 31, 2021, as well as the risks and uncertainties associated with product commercialization and clinical studies. These risks, uncertainties and other factors should be considered carefully, and investors should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information. Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Cardiol disclaims any intent or obligation to update or revise such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise.

For further information, please contact:

David Elsley, President & CEO +1-289-910-0850

david.elsley@cardiolrx.com

Trevor Burns, Investor Relations +1-289-910-0855

trevor.burns@cardiolrx.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/89116
ORLANDO, FL / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2021 / Internationally recognized manufacturer of industrial laser equipment, Laser Photonics Corp (LP) announced today that it has developed a laser characteristics matching system that sets standards for measuring the performance of industrial laser materials processing equipment. This industry first is designed to take the mystery out of choosing the right laser to achieve desired results in industrial materials processing.

Sandpaper and abrasives blasting media are graded by grit size, sheet metal is measure by gauge, desktop printers are categorized by DPI, and the printing industry uses LPI to determine the resolution of printed publications. Now that industrial lasers are increasingly replacing hazardous legacy materials surface preparation and industrial cleaning methods, the laser photonics industry as a whole has recognized the need for a grading standard to apply to lasers.

Without a standard, buyers have typically relied on the stated wattage of systems listed on manufacturers' product labels to a system's ability to achieve desired results. But since not all lasers are created equal, this can be a costly mistake. Systems billed as laser cleaning equipment are built with vastly different technologies and internal components, ranging from inefficient and shorter-lived decades-old resonator based lasers, to highly efficient state-of-the-art fiber lasers. Incorporated optics and software controllers also make a huge difference in the efficacy of a laser system. So, depending on which components are used in the construction of industrial laser equipment, one manufacturer's laser rated at a lower wattage may actually be more efficient and have a higher throughput-or strip rate-than a competitor's product rated at a 1000W.

So, to take the guesswork out of determining which laser system might right for a particular job, LP published an easily relatable comparison table that gives end-users from different industries a visual overlay of laser grades and the legacy industry standards that those end-users are accustomed to working with. The simple to use Laser Blaster Matching Chart grades lasers on a scale from 1 through 10, with 1 yielding the roughest finish, and 10 achieving the finest finishes. So by seeing where a particular grade of laser lines up with the correct gauge of steel, sandpaper grit, or CAMI rating for blasting media, one can immediately know which laser is right for the job.

Largely because of health, safety and environmental concerns, industry is under pressure to abandon legacy materials processing methods. Industrial laser systems have proven to be the clean, safe, and efficient alternative, but without clear guidance by way of a standard, adoption of the new technology has been hampered by need to take a slow and costly trial and error approach. In recognition that industry relies on standards to ensure consistency and repeatability, and in the absence any such standard for laser cleaning applications, LP took the initiative. By applying its industrial laser equipment manufacturing experience and expertise it delivered a simple, practical tool to aid anyone seeking to understand which laser to employ to achieve their desired materials processing results using laser.

The laser photonics industry has kicked this idea around for some time, but it was industrial laser pioneer LP that delivered a tool that industry can use today. That should come as no surprise. LP has developed the broadest range of industrial laser equipment available, including their CleanTech line, which runs the gamut from lasers that can delicately clean contaminants from sensitive materials with finesse, to the world's most powerful handheld Laser Blasting systems capable of vaporizing the rust from a battleship.

LP delivers an impressive stable of products thanks to a dedicated team of experienced laser physicists, design engineers, software developers, assemblers, and sales & marketing professionals all working under one roof in Orlando, Florida in the only U.S based industrial laser equipment R&D and manufacturing facility.

Contact:

Wayne Tupuola

Acting Chief Financial Officer

(407) 477-5624, extension 1007

Mark Kouri

Laser Photonics Director Investor Relations

(407) 477-5624, extension 1002

SOURCE: Laser Photonics Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/653726/An-Industry-First-Laser-Photonics-Develops-Laser-Characteristics-Standards
BANGALORE, India, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Freight Brokerage Market is segmented by Product-Type: Truckload, LTL, Other, Application: Food and Beverage, Manufacturing, Retail, Auto and Industrial, Chemical, Other. This report is published on Valuates Reports in the Freight & Trucking Category.

The global Freight Brokerage market size is projected to reach USD 85660 Million by 2026, from USD 60070 Million in 2019, at a CAGR of 5.2% during 2021-2026.

Major factors driving the Freight Brokerage Market are:

Rise in usage of smartphones, improved wireless connectivity, and advantages given by digital platforms such as accuracy, better efficiency, less time consuming, reduced costs, and permits transparent business is expected to drive the freight brokerage market.

The increasing demand for shipping transportation across the globe is expected to boost the freight brokerage market.

View Full Report: https://reports.valuates.com/reports/QYRE-Auto-36Y633/global-freight-brokerage





TRENDS INFLUENCING THE GROWTH OF FREIGHT BROKERAGE MARKET:

Integration of technology and growth in licensed brokers is expected to drive the growth of the freight brokerage market. Freight transactions create an immense amount of data that a digital freight brokerage will process daily. By integrating technology, it can automate tasks, and improve efficiency.

Freight brokers assist carriers in maximising the efficiency of their resources. In other words, by arranging back-hauls and creating more efficient routes, each vehicle is able to accomplish more work for less money. Your bottom line will benefit as a result of this. This advantage is expected to drive the freight brokerage market during the forecast period.

Inquire for Sample: https://reports.valuates.com/request/sample/QYRE-Auto-36Y633/Global_Freight_Brokerage_Market

FREIGHT BROKERAGE MARKET SHARE ANALYSIS

Based on region, North America is expected to be the most lucrative segment during the forecast period.

Based on application, the Manufacture and Automotive segments are expected to be the most lucrative during the forecast period.

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TOP COMPANIES IN THE FREIGHT BROKERAGE MARKET

Freight brokerage market is moderately fragmented with major players dominating the market.

C.H. Robinson is the largest company with a revenue of 29% in 2017. Other top companies in the freight brokerage market are:

Expeditors, Landstar System, TQL, Coyote Logistics, XPO Logistics, Yusen Logistics, Echo Global Logistics, JB Hunt Transport, Worldwide Express, and Hub Group

Freight Brokerage Market By Type

Truckload

LTL

Other

Freight Brokerage Market By Application

Food & Beverage

Manufacturing

Retail

Auto & Industrial

Chemical

Other

Freight Brokerage Market By Region

North America

United States



Canada

Europe

Germany



France



U.K.



Italy



Russia



Nordic



Rest of Europe

Asia-Pacific

China



Japan



South Korea



Southeast Asia



India



Australia



Rest of Asia-Pacific

Latin America

Mexico



Brazil

Middle East & Africa

& Turkey



Saudi Arabia



UAE



Rest of Middle East & Africa

BY COMPANY

C.H. Robinson

Expeditors

Landstar System

TQL

Coyote Logistics

XPO Logistics

Yusen Logistics

Echo Global Logistics

JB Hunt Transport

Worldwide Express

Hub Group

GlobalTranz Enterprises

Allen Lund

Transplace

Werner Logistics

BNSF Logistics

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SIMILAR REPORTS:

- Freight Transport Brokerage Market is segmented by Product-Type: Truckload, LTL, Other, Application: Food and Beverage, Manufacturing, Retail, Auto and Industrial, Chemical, Other.

- The Freight Brokerage Services Market report makes a brilliant attempt to unveil key opportunities available in the global Freight Brokerage Services market to help players in achieving a strong market position. Buyers of the report can access verified and reliable market forecasts, including those for the overall size of the global Freight Brokerage Services market in terms of revenue.

- The global Digital Freight Brokerage marke t size is projected to reach USD 2395.7 million by 2026, from USD 555.5 million in 2019, at a CAGR of 22.7% during 2021-2026.

- Freight forwarding market is projected to reach USD 207 Billion by 2026, from USD 170 Billion in 2019, at a CAGR of 2.8% during 2020-2026.

- Sea Freight Forwarding market size is projected to reach USD 85200 million by 2026, from USD 71670 million in 2019, at a CAGR of 2.5% during 2021-2026.

- The 3PL Market was valued at USD 1.02771 Billion in 2019, and is projected to reach USD 1.78994 Billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 7.1% from 2020 to 2027. In 2019, the Asia-Pacific region garnered the highest share in the global 3PL market.

- Digital Logistics market size is projected to reach USD 22170 Million by 2026, from USD 10230 Million in 2019, at a CAGR of 11.5% during 2021-2026.

Click Here To See Related Reports On Freight Forwarding

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DZ Bank AG: Post-Stabilisation Notice

Not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.

DZ BANK AG (contact: Ralph Ockert; telephone: +49 69 7447 7051) hereby

gives notice that no stabilisation (within the meaning of Article 3.2 (d) of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU Regulation 596/2014) was undertaken by the Stabilising Managers named below in relation to the offer of the following securities.

The security to be stabilised:



Issuer: European Union



Guarantor (if any): None



ISIN: EU000A3KSXE1



Aggregate nominal amount:EUR 20bn



Description: Fixed rate, due 4th of July,2031





Offer price: 99.141%



Other offer terms: Payment 22 June 2021,

Exchange, denominations:1k



Maturity 4th of July 2031



Stabilisation: DZ BANK AG



Stabilising Manager(s): DZ BANK AG

Bca. Intesa

BNP Paribas

HSBC

Morgan Stanley







Stabilisation period commences 30th of June 2021



Stabilisation period expected to No later than 30 days after the proposed end on: issue date of the securities

Existence, maximum size and The Stabilising Manager(s) may over-allot conditions of use of over-allotment the securities to the extent permitted in facility. Accordance with applicable law.

This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute an invitation or offer to underwrite, subscribe for or otherwise acquire or dispose of any securities of the Issuer in any jurisdiction.

This announcement is not for distribution, directly or indirectly, in or into the United States or any other jurisdiction in which such distribution would be unlawful.
Data from 1,200 respondents and insights from seven industry experts reveal rapid growth, some growing pains

LONDON, June 30, 2021.



The Kubernetes and Cloud Native Operations Report , which is still open for participation , has surveyed 1,200 global IT professionals so far on more than 40 topics about their usage of Kubernetes, bare metal, VMs, containers, and serverless applications.

The report also includes insights from experts at Amazon, Google, the Cloud Native Computing Foundation, Weaveworks, Cloudbees, and HCL Technologies, whom Canonical brought together to assess the results.

Showing the multi-dimensional nature of today's cloud native technology landscape, the survey found that while 45.6 percent of respondents report using Kubernetes in production, only 15.7 percent use Kubernetes exclusively.

Nearly 30 percent run applications on a mix of bare metal, VMs and Kubernetes, 15.3 percent do so mostly on VMs with plans to fully migrate to Kubernetes, and 13.1 percent are on VMs and evaluating Kubernetes for deployment.

"I think this clearly shows we've got a long way to go before we've properly modernized the infrastructure," James Strachan, Distinguished Engineer at Cloudbees, said in the report.

Nearly 78 percent of respondents reported at least one hybrid or multi-cloud use case in production in their organization. This number is likely higher than reported when teams consider SAAS or 3rd party managed services -- those beyond what they directly manage themselves.

As adoption of hybrid and multi-cloud continues to grow, new challenges are arising, particularly around managing the sprawl of diverse bare metal, VM, and Kubernetes technologies, the survey found.

Operations are said to be the next big challenge, with businesses looking at automation through application rather than configuration management. To that end nearly 30 percent say that trying out operators is on their to-do list, with a further 17 percent already experimenting with them, and 14 percent using them in production.

Other findings include:

The top users of Kubernetes and cloud native technologies are SRE/DevOps engineers, followed by infrastructure architects, back-end developers, and full-stack developers.





The most important goals in using Kubernetes and cloud native technologies are improved maintenance, monitoring, and automation (cited by 64.6 percent of users), modernizing infrastructure (46.4 percent), and faster time to market (26.5 percent).





Asked what they consider the most valuable qualities of these technologies, respondents cited cutting-edge capabilities, developer productivity, elasticity and agility, global reach, open source, portability, reduced OpEx and CapEx, resource optimization, and simpler operations.





Most common use cases for hybrid and multi-cloud are acceleration of development and increased automation (20.7 percent of respondents), expanding cloud backup options to cut costs (13.3 percent), disaster recovery (12.6 percent), and clustering of mission-critical databases (5.5 percent).





What are the top challenges Kubernetes brings to businesses? According to 54.5 percent of respondents, it's lack of in-house skills. Next are company IT structure (37.3 percent), incompatibility with legacy systems (32.6 percent), difficulty training users (29.7 percent), security and compliance concerns (24.7 percent), and integrating cloud native applications together (19 percent).

Kelsey Hightower, a developer advocate at Google, said of the in-house skills concern, "They don't realize they already have a lot of the required skills. Kubernetes is not where these skills originated (These are) new terms used for older concepts. Many people lack confidence, because they believe that the fundamentals have changed somehow."

On the other hand, said Alexis Richardson, founder and CEO of Weaveworks, "When people worry about the basics, i.e. security, costs, resources, observability and configuration, this is an indication that they haven't yet crossed the chasm of full enterprise adoption."

On a lighter note in the report, 22.5% of respondents said making coffee is the one thing they would like to do with K8s and currently can't. Eleven percent said "I can do everything I need using Kubernetes," an attitude Richardson humorously described as "Kubris."

"The report amounts to a vivid snapshot of how cloud native technologies and the communities around them are growing and delivering business value and where there is continued room for growth," said David Booth, VP of Cloud Native Applications at Canonical. "As an active part of the community, we're excited to share these insights that leverage the enormous Ubuntu user base as well as our proven experience working with open-source software and solving enterprise complexity."

About Canonical

Canonical is the company behind Ubuntu, the leading OS for container, cloud, and hyperscale computing. Most public cloud workloads use Ubuntu, as do most new smart gateways, switches, self-driving cars and advanced robots. Canonical provides enterprise security, support, and services to commercial users of Ubuntu. Established in 2004, Canonical is a privately held company.

Media Contacts

Samantha Carlson-DuBois

Offleash PR for Canonical

canonical@offleashpr.com

651-955-1056
Executive Chairman To Present at Whistler Capital Conference

Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 30, 2021) - KWESST Micro Systems Inc. (TSXV: KWE) (OTCQB: KWEMF) ("KWESST" or "the Company") today announced that it will hold the first ever live demonstration of its Low Energy Cartridge (LEC) system. The demonstration will be held in the Whistler, British Columbia area in the afternoon of July 9th, 2020. In attendance for KWESST will be the Company's Executive Chairman David Luxton and the C.E.O. Jeff MacLeod.

While not open to the general public, investors who wish to attend are invited to send an email to: investors@kwesst.com. Please note that capacity at the demonstration site is very limited. A video of the event is expected to be posted on the Company's website during the week of July 12th.

The LEC system is the world's first cartridge-based non-lethal firing system with universal application across four market segments that currently use a variety of dated "non-lethal" or "less-lethal" solutions. These segments are (i) public order (riots and control of dangerous subjects), (ii) military and law enforcement training (realistic force-on-force training), (iii) personal defence (home, car, boat, RV, camping, hiking), and (iv) high-action gaming.

KWESST also announces that David Luxton will be a presenter at the 11th Annual Whistler Capital Conference organized by Capital Event Management which takes place in Whistler between July 9th and 11th. The conference introduces growth-stage companies to active top-level capital finance individuals through a day of scheduled one-on-one meetings and networking activities.

About KWESST

KWESST develops and commercializes high-value future tactical systems for land forces and responders. The company's current portfolio of unique proprietary offerings include: its signature TASCSTM (Tactical Awareness and Situational Control System) for real-time awareness and targeting information from any source (including drones) streamed directly to users' smart devices and weapons; the autonomous GreyGhostTM soldier-portable micro drone missile system that defends against small hostile drones including swarms using high-speed kinetic impact; a Ground Laser Defence system to counter the emerging threat of weaponized lasers against personnel; and, the PhantomTM electronic battlefield decoy system to mask the electromagnetic signature of friendly forces with decoy signatures at false locations to deceive and confuse adversaries. All systems can operate stand-alone or integrate seamlessly with OEM products and battlefield management systems including Frontline, Edge, Killswitch and all versions of the ATAK Tactical Awareness. KWESST also has developmental "smart ordnance" projects including its "Shot Counter" system, which records the number and type of rounds fired, for optimized firearms maintenance and performance, and a unique non-lethal Low Energy Cartridge (LEC) system with application across all segments of the non-lethal market. The Company is headquartered in Ottawa, Canada, with representative offices in Washington, DC, London, UK and Abu Dhabi, UAE. KWESST trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol KWE and on the U.S. OTCQB under the symbol KWEMF.

Contact: Jason Frame, Investor Relations: frame@kwesst.com

For more information, please visit https://kwesst.com/

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

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 timing for the commencement of trading and the plans and operations of KWESST after giving effect to the Qualifying Transaction. 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. 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. KWESST 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 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/89132
Press release Paris, June 30, 2021, 6 pm

Wavestone informs its shareholders that its annual financial report relating to fiscal year ending March 31, 2021 has been published.

The annual financial report is included in the document named "Comptes et rapports d'activite au 31/03/21" available in the Company's website (only in French). An English version of the annual financial report will soon be available.

This document notably contains the following information:

 the report on corporate governance;

 the report on remuneration of corporate officers;

 the Auditors' reports;

 the table of Auditors' fees.

In accordance with the French "Grenelle 2" legislation, a summary of the social, environmental and societal aspects of the company's activities is also included.

About Wavestone

In a world where knowing how to drive transformation is the key to success, Wavestone's mission is to inform and guide large companies and organizations in their most critical transformations, with the ambition of a positive outcome for all stakeholders. That's what we call "The Positive Way."

Wavestone draws on some 3,000 employees across 8 countries. It is a leading independent player in the European consulting market.

Wavestone is listed on Euronext Paris.

Wavestone

Pascal IMBERT

Chief Executive Officer

Tel.: +33 (0)1 49 03 20 00

Benjamin CLEMENT

Financial communication

Tel.: +33 (0)1 49 03 20 00 Actus

Financial news

Mathieu OMNES

Analyst & investor relations

Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 92

Nicolas BOUCHEZ

Press relations

Tel.: +33 (0)1 53 67 36 74

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Largest and most diverse group of promotions in firm's history

NEW YORK, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fragomen, the world's leading provider of immigration services and member of the Am Law 100 and Am Law Global 100, is pleased to announce the appointment of 17 new Partners and three Of Counsel, effective July 1, 2021.

This class represents the largest and most diverse group of new Partners and Of Counsel promotions in the firm's history. Drawn from many jurisdictions and practice areas, the new Partners and Of Counsel are exceptional, experienced immigration professionals who reflect the broad scope of immigration service offerings at Fragomen.

"We are proud to welcome our new Partners and Of Counsel. The diversity of global talent in this extraordinary group is a testament to the strength of our firm and our commitment to attract, retain and invest in leading immigration professionals," said Chairman Austin T. Fragomen, Jr. "Their deep experience and focus on client service will help our clients navigate the complexities in the immigration and business landscape."

Lance Kaplan, Managing Partner of the firm's International Practice Group, added, "The caliber of these new Partners and Of Counsel epitomizes the extraordinary talent and commitment of so many professionals within the practice and sets the firm apart from all others in the industry."

These promotions honor Fragomen's longstanding commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, which is fundamental to its core values and success as a firm.

The full list of new Partners is set out below:

Michael Almonte , New York , U.S.

, , U.S. Janis Bailey , London, U.K.

, Juan Flamand , Phoenix , U.S.

, , U.S. Sophia Goring-Piard , New York , U.S.

, , U.S. Oishika Gupta, Chicago , U.S.

, U.S. Abeer Husseini , Dubai , U.A.E

, , U.A.E Molly Kenney , Boston , U.S.

, , U.S. Jack Kim , Toronto, Canada

, Nancy Morowitz , New York , U.S.

, , U.S. Rajiv Naik , London, U.K.

, Edward Raleigh , Washington DC , U.S.

, , U.S. Nima Sarvari , Frankfurt, Germany

, Margaret Saselu, New York , U.S.

, U.S. Rahul Soni , New York , U.S.

, , U.S. Ruth Spillane , San Diego , U.S.

, , U.S. Shayan Sultan , Dubai , U.A.E

, , U.A.E Marius Tollenaere , Frankfurt, Germany

The following have been promoted to Of Counsel:

Adam Ketcher , New York , U.S.

, , U.S. Andrea Rush , Silicon Valley, U.S.

, Silicon Valley, U.S. Michael Smith , Washington DC , U.S.

Fragomen also recently announced that Christine Sullivan was promoted to Partner. Christine leads the firm's newly-opened office in Amsterdam, a reflection of its commitment to its Netherlands-based clients and the European region.

About Fragomen

Fragomen is a leading firm dedicated exclusively to immigration services worldwide. The firm has more than 4,500 immigration professionals and support staff in more than 50 offices across the Americas, EMEA and Asia Pacific. Fragomen offers immigration support in more than 170 countries.

Fragomen's professionals are respected leaders in the immigration field, and the firm is regularly recognized as a leading firm for its percentage of minority and female professionals.

The firm also supports all aspects of global immigration for both corporate and private clients, including strategic planning, quality management, reporting, case management and processing, immigration program compliance management, advisory services in government investigations, government relations, and complex litigation.

These capabilities allow Fragomen to work in partnership with individuals and corporate clients across all industries to facilitate the transfer of employees worldwide. For detailed information about Fragomen, please visit www.fragomen.com.

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EQS Group-Ad-hoc: Meyer Burger Technology AG / Key word(s): Financing

Meyer Burger Technology launches private placement of up to 160 mn new shares and a private placement of approx. EUR 125 mn green convertible bonds due 2027 by way of accelerated book building process



30-Jun-2021 / 18:15 CET/CEST

Release of an ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.



NOT FOR PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AUSTRALIA OR JAPAN OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH THE DISTRIBUTION OR RELEASE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL Meyer Burger Technology Ltd (SIX: MBTN, 'Meyer Burger' or the 'Company') today announces the launch of concurrent non-public offerings to professional investors of up to 160 million newly issued registered shares with a nominal value of CHF 0.05 per share (the 'New Shares') and approx. EUR 125 million green senior unsecured guaranteed convertible bonds due 2027 (the 'Bonds').

The Bonds will be issued via the Company's German subsidiary MBT Systems GmbH (the 'Issuer'), guaranteed by Meyer Burger and convertible into shares of Meyer Burger. Following the opening of its cell factory in Thalheim (city of Bitterfeld-Wolfen, Saxony-Anhalt, Germany) and the module factory in Freiberg (Saxony, Germany), the proceeds from the offerings will provide Meyer Burger with additional financial flexibility to accelerate its ongoing transformation to a leading European manufacturer of solar cells and solar modules. Meyer Burger intends to use the net proceeds from the issue of the New Shares to finance and/or refinance new investments and the net proceeds from the issue of the Bonds to finance and/or refinance new investments in Eligible Green Projects as defined by Meyer Burger's Green Financing Framework. Recently Meyer Burger secured a financing package with a syndicated loan agreement for EUR 125 million and a factoring agreement for EUR 60 million to accelerate the manufacturing capacity expansion with a balanced 1.4 GW of cell and module production capacity already by the end of 2022, thereby closing the previously envisaged gap between module and cell capacity. Meyer Burger will process the entire cell production into modules itself and not sell its HJT solar cells to third parties as previously planned. The company intends to make a final decision on the specific location of the second solar module factory in the third quarter of 2021. The company intends to design the new module plant for producing utility modules but with the flexibility to also produce rooftop modules in line with market demand. The syndicated loan agreement obligates Meyer Burger to raise additional financing in the amount of EUR 100 million. With the private placement for professional investors, Meyer Burger intends to secure sufficient equity capital for accelerating the next growth phase including the entry into the utility-scale segment. Strengthening the equity base enables Meyer Burger to address customers' utility projects with a long lead-time. As communicated previously, to realize the growth targets of the second phase, another EUR 260 million (CHF 286 million) in financing is required in addition to the EUR 185 million debt financing. The Issuer and Meyer Burger have agreed to a 180-day lock-up period after the listing of the New Shares and the issuance of the Bonds, subject to waiver by the syndicate banks and customary exceptions. Share Placement

Meyer Burger is launching the private placement to professional investors of up to 160 million New Shares. The New Shares will be sourced from existing authorized capital excluding the existing shareholders' pre-emptive rights. The issue price will be determined via an accelerated bookbuilding process, and the New Shares will be offered exclusively to professional investors in Switzerland (via a private placement) as well as outside of Switzerland and the United States to institutional investors (in reliance on Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933) and in the United States to qualified institutional buyers (in reliance on Rule 144A under the U.S. Securities Act) (the "Share Placement"). The bookbuilding will start immediately and may close at any time on short notice. The results of the Share Placement, including the number of New Shares placed and the offer price of the New Shares, will be announced upon completion of the bookbuilding procedure, which is expected prior to market opening on July 1, 2021. The New Shares are expected to be listed and admitted to trading according to the Swiss Reporting Standard on SIX Swiss Exchange on July 5, 2021. Payment and settlement are expected to take place on the same date on or around July 5, 2021. The New Shares will rank pari passu with the Company's existing shares. Green Convertible Bonds

Meyer Burger is launching a private placement to professional investors of Bonds with an aggregate principal amount of approx. EUR 125 million that will be issued by the Issuer and guaranteed by the Company. The Bonds will be issued with a denomination of EUR 100,000 per Bond at 100% of their principal amount and are expected to carry a coupon between 2.75% and 3.25% per annum, payable semi-annually in arrears. Unless previously converted or repurchased and cancelled, the Bonds will be redeemed at 100% of their principal amount on July 8, 2027. The Bonds will be convertible into registered shares of Meyer Burger, sourced from shares to be newly issued from conditional share capital excluding the existing shareholders' advance subscription rights, at an initial price expected to be set at a conversion premium between 25% and 30% over the reference share price. The reference share price is expected to be equal to the offer price determined in the concurrent placement of New Shares translated into EUR using the EUR: CHF foreign exchange rate at the time of pricing. Meyer Burger will be entitled to redeem the Bonds at their principal amount plus accrued interest in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Bonds at any time (i) on or after 2025, if the price of a Meyer Burger share is equal to or exceeds 130% of the then prevailing conversion price over a certain period or (ii) if less than 15% of the aggregate principal amount of the Bonds remain outstanding. The offering of the Bonds will be conducted as a private placement in and outside of Switzerland. The Bonds will be offered to investors outside the US (in reliance on Regulation S under the US Securities Act of 1933), as amended, and in compliance with the laws and regulations applicable in every country where the offering takes place. The Bonds are expected to price prior to market opening on July 1, 2021. The settlement date of the Bonds is expected to be on or around July 8, 2021. The Bonds will not be listed or admitted to trading on the SIX Swiss Exchange or any other trading venue and no application has been made to list or admit the bonds to trading. Application for the listing and trading of the Bonds may be made at a later stage. Meyer Burger Green Financing Framework

For over 20 years, Meyer Burger has been a pioneer in the development of photovoltaics along the entire value chain. The company is pursuing a vision of emission-free energy generation from sunlight and with a team passionate about contributing to a new era of energy. Meyer Burger's Green Financing Framework mainly covers projects related to the manufacture of products and key components that are essential for renewable energy technologies (solar PV panels). In alignment with its legacy and its vision, Meyer Burger released today its Green Financing Framework (the 'Framework'), which was established in accordance with the ICMA 2018 Green Bond Principles and LMA/PLMA 2020 Green Loan Principles as well as the EU Taxonomy to reinforce its sector leadership on sustainable matters. ISS ESG provided a Second Party Opinion on the Framework. The proceeds of the Bonds will be used in compliance with the Framework. As both the Green Bond Principles, Green Loan Principles and the green financing market overall, as well as the EU Taxonomy, are evolving rapidly, this Framework may be updated or expanded in the future. Any future updated versions of this Framework will either keep or increase the current levels of transparency and reporting disclosures. The external review of the Framework by ISS, as Second Party Opinion provider, is available, together with the Framework, on the Company's web site. Concurrent Offering of Existing Shares by the Company

Concurrently with the offering of Bonds and New Shares, the joint bookrunners have been mandated by Meyer Burger to facilitate hedging for certain subscribers of the Bonds and to organize a simultaneous placement of existing shares of the Company on behalf of certain subscribers of the Bonds. These shares will be part of the Share Placement. The Company will not receive any proceeds from the placement of these existing shares.

Contacts: Meyer Burger Technology AG Dynamics Group AG Anne Schneider Andreas Durisch Head Corporate Communications Senior Partner M. +49 174 349 17 90 T. +41 43 268 27 47 M. +41 79 358 87 32 anne.schneider@meyerburger.com adu@dynamicsgroup.ch About Meyer Burger Technology Ltd

www.meyerburger.com Meyer Burger is starting production of high-performance solar cells and solar modules in 2021. Its proprietary heterojunction/SmartWire technology enables the company to set new industry standards in terms of energy yield. With solar cells and modules developed in Switzerland and manufactured in Germany according to high sustainability standards, Meyer Burger aims to become a leading European photovoltaic company. The company currently employs around 600 people at research facilities in Switzerland, development and manufacturing sites in Germany and sales offices in Europe, the USA and Asia.



Meyer Burger was founded in 1953 in Switzerland. As a provider of production systems, the company has shaped the development of the global photovoltaic industry along the entire value chain in recent decades and has set essential industry standards. A large part of the solar modules produced worldwide today are based on technologies developed by Meyer Burger.



The registered shares of Meyer Burger Technology Ltd are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (ticker: MBTN). Disclaimer This press release may contain 'forward-looking statements', such as guidance, expectations, plans, intentions, or strategies regarding the future. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties. The reader is cautioned that actual future results may differ from those expressed in or implied by the statements, which constitute projections of possible developments. All forward-looking statements included in this press release are based on data available to Meyer Burger Technology Ltd as of the date that this press release is published. The company does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this press release as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. THE CONTENTS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT HAVE BEEN PREPARED BY AND ARE THE SOLE RESPONSIBILITY OF MEYER BURGER TECHNOLOGY LTD (THE 'COMPANY' OR 'GUARANTOR') AND MBT SYSTEMS GMBH (THE 'ISSUER'). THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR BACKGROUND PURPOSES ONLY AND DOES NOT PURPORT TO BE FULL OR COMPLETE. NO RELIANCE MAY BE PLACED BY ANY PERSON FOR ANY PURPOSE ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT OR ITS ACCURACY, FAIRNESS OR COMPLETENESS. THIS INFORMATION DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR INVITATION TO SUBSCRIBE FOR OR PURCHASE ANY SHARES, CONVERTIBLE BONDS OR OTHER SECURITIES IN THE ISSUER OR THE GUARANTOR (COLLECTIVELY, THE 'SECURITIES') TO ANY PERSON IN THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, JAPAN, SOUTH AFRICA OR IN ANY JURISDICTION TO WHOM OR IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS UNLAWFUL. IT IS NOT BEING ISSUED IN COUNTRIES WHERE THE PUBLIC DISSEMINATION OF THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN MAY BE RESTRICTED OR PROHIBITED BY LAW. IN PARTICULAR, THIS INFORMATION IS NOT FOR PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA AND SHOULD NOT BE DISTRIBUTED TO PUBLICATIONS WITH A GENERAL CIRCULATION IN THE UNITED STATES. THE DISTRIBUTION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY BE RESTRICTED BY LAW IN CERTAIN JURISDICTIONS AND PERSONS INTO WHOSE POSSESSION ANY DOCUMENT OR OTHER INFORMATION REFERRED TO HEREIN COMES SHOULD INFORM THEMSELVES ABOUT AND OBSERVE SUCH RESTRICTION. ANY FAILURE TO COMPLY WITH THESE RESTRICTIONS MAY CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH JURISDICTION. SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY OR THE ISSUER ARE NOT BEING PUBLICLY OFFERED. IN PARTICULAR, THE SECURITIES OF THE COMPANY REFERRED TO HEREIN MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD IN THE UNITED STATES UNLESS REGISTERED UNDER THE US SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 (THE 'SECURITIES ACT') OR OFFERED IN A TRANSACTION EXEMPT FROM, OR NOT SUBJECT TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT. THE SECURITIES REFERRED TO HEREIN HAVE NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT BE REGISTERED UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR UNDER THE APPLICABLE SECURITIES LAWS OF AUSTRALIA, CANADA OR JAPAN. SUBJECT TO CERTAIN EXCEPTIONS, THE SECURITIES REFERRED TO HEREIN MAY NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR DELIVERED WITHIN THE UNITED STATES OR TO OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OF U.S. PERSONS EXCEPT IN AN 'OFFSHORE TRANSACTION' IN ACCORDANCE WITH REGULATION S UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF ANY NATIONAL, RESIDENT OR CITIZEN OF AUSTRALIA, CANADA OR JAPAN. THIS DOCUMENT IS NOT INTENDED TO CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION TO PURCHASE OR INVEST IN THE SECURITIES. THE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE PUBLICLY OFFERED, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN SWITZERLAND WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE SWISS FINANCIAL SERVICES ACT (FINSA) AND NO APPLICATION HAS OR WILL BE MADE TO ADMIT THE SECURITIES (OTHER THAN THE NEW SHARES) TO TRADING ON ANY TRADING VENUE (EXCHANGE OR MULTILATERAL TRADING FACILITY) IN SWITZERLAND. THE OFFERING OF SECURITIES IN SWITZERLAND IS EXEMPT FROM THE REQUIREMENT TO PREPARE AND PUBLISH A PROSPECTUS UNDER THE FINSA. NEITHER THIS DOCUMENT NOR ANY OTHER OFFERING OR MARKETING MATERIAL RELATING TO THE SECURITIES CONSTITUTES A PROSPECTUS PURSUANT TO THE FINSA OR ANY APPLICABLE LAWS OR REGULATIONS, AND NO OFFERING OR MARKETING MATERIAL RELATING TO THE SECURITIES MAY BE PUBLICLY DISTRIBUTED OR OTHERWISE MADE PUBLICLY AVAILABLE IN SWITZERLAND. IN EACH MEMBER STATE OF THE EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA AND THE UNITED KINGDOM (EACH, A 'RELEVANT STATE'), THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND ANY OFFER IF MADE SUBSEQUENTLY IS DIRECTED ONLY AT PERSONS WHO ARE 'QUALIFIED INVESTORS' WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE PROSPECTUS REGULATION (REGULATION (EU) 2017/1129) AND WITHIN THE MEANING OF THE UK VERSION OF THE PROSPECTUS REGULATION WHICH IS PART OF UK LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 ('QUALIFIED INVESTORS'). IN THE UNITED KINGDOM THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS DIRECTED EXCLUSIVELY AT QUALIFIED INVESTORS (I) WHO 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') OR (II) WHO FALL WITHIN ARTICLE 49(2)(A) TO (D) OF THE ORDER, AND (III) TO WHOM IT MAY OTHERWISE LAWFULLY BE COMMUNICATED, AND ANY INVESTMENT ACTIVITY TO WHICH IT RELATES WILL ONLY BE ENGAGED IN WITH SUCH PERSONS AND IT SHOULD NOT BE RELIED ON BY ANYONE OTHER THAN SUCH PERSONS. IF LOCATED IN A RELEVANT MEMBER STATE, EACH PERSON WHO INITIALLY ACQUIRES ANY SECURITIES, AND TO THE EXTENT APPLICABLE ANY FUNDS ON BEHALF OF WHICH SUCH PERSON ACQUIRES SUCH SECURITIES THAT ARE LOCATED IN A RELEVANT MEMBER STATE, OR TO WHOM ANY OFFER OF SECURITIES MAY BE MADE WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE REPRESENTED, ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED THAT IT IS A QUALIFIED INVESTOR AS DEFINED ABOVE. THE SECURITIES ARE NOT INTENDED TO BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE MADE AVAILABLE TO AND SHOULD NOT BE OFFERED, SOLD OR OTHERWISE MADE AVAILABLE TO ANY RETAIL INVESTOR IN THE EEA. FOR THESE PURPOSES, A "RETAIL INVESTOR" MEANS A PERSON WHO IS ONE (OR MORE) OF: (I) A RETAIL CLIENT AS DEFINED IN POINT (11) OF ARTICLE 4(1) OF DIRECTIVE 2014/65/EU ("MIFID II"); (II) A CUSTOMER WITHIN THE MEANING OF DIRECTIVE 2002/92/EC ("IMD"), WHERE THAT CUSTOMER WOULD NOT QUALIFY AS A PROFESSIONAL CLIENT AS DEFINED IN POINT (10) OF ARTICLE 4(1) OF MIFID II; OR (III) NOT A QUALIFIED INVESTOR. CONSEQUENTLY, NO KEY INFORMATION DOCUMENT REQUIRED BY REGULATION (EU) NO 1286/2014 (AS AMENDED, THE "PRIIPS REGULATION") FOR OFFERING OR SELLING THE BONDS OR OTHERWISE MAKING THEM AVAILABLE TO RETAIL INVESTORS IN THE EEA HAS BEEN PREPARED AND THEREFORE OFFERING OR SELLING THE BONDS OR OTHERWISE MAKING THEM AVAILABLE TO ANY RETAIL INVESTOR IN THE EEA MAY BE UNLAWFUL UNDER THE PRIIPS REGULATION. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT MAY INCLUDE STATEMENTS THAT ARE, OR MAY BE DEEMED TO BE, 'FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS'. THESE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MAY BE IDENTIFIED BY THE USE OF FORWARD-LOOKING TERMINOLOGY, INCLUDING THE TERMS 'BELIEVES', 'ESTIMATES', 'PLANS', 'PROJECTS', 'ANTICIPATES', 'EXPECTS', 'INTENDS', 'MAY', 'WILL' OR 'SHOULD' OR, IN EACH CASE, THEIR NEGATIVE OR OTHER VARIATIONS OR COMPARABLE TERMINOLOGY, OR BY DISCUSSIONS OF STRATEGY, PLANS, OBJECTIVES, GOALS, FUTURE EVENTS OR INTENTIONS. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS MAY AND OFTEN DO DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM ACTUAL RESULTS. ANY FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS REFLECT THE ISSUER/GUARANTOR'S CURRENT VIEW WITH RESPECT TO FUTURE EVENTS AND ARE SUBJECT TO RISKS RELATING TO FUTURE EVENTS AND OTHER RISKS, UNCERTAINTIES AND ASSUMPTIONS RELATING TO THE GROUP'S BUSINESS, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS, FINANCIAL POSITION, LIQUIDITY, PROSPECTS, GROWTH OR STRATEGIES. FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS SPEAK ONLY AS OF THE DATE THEY ARE MADE. EACH OF THE ISSUER, THE GUARANTOR, THE BANKING SYNDICATE AND THEIR RESPECTIVE AFFILIATES EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ANY OBLIGATION OR UNDERTAKING TO UPDATE, REVIEW OR REVISE ANY FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENT CONTAINED IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT WHETHER AS A RESULT OF NEW INFORMATION, FUTURE DEVELOPMENTS OR OTHERWISE. THE BANKING SYNDICATE ARE ACTING EXCLUSIVELY FOR ISSUER AND THE GUARANTOR AND NO-ONE ELSE IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING. THEY WILL NOT REGARD ANY OTHER PERSON AS THEIR RESPECTIVE CLIENTS IN RELATION TO THE OFFERING AND WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE TO ANYONE OTHER THAN ISSUER AND THE GUARANTOR FOR PROVIDING THE PROTECTIONS AFFORDED TO THEIR RESPECTIVE CLIENTS, NOR FOR PROVIDING ADVICE IN RELATION TO THEOFFERING, THE CONTENTS OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT OR ANY TRANSACTION, ARRANGEMENT OR OTHER MATTER REFERRED TO HEREIN.

IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING OF THE SECURITIES, THE BANKING SYNDICATE AND ANY OF THEIR AFFILIATES MAY TAKE UP A PORTION OF THE SECURITIES IN THE OFFERING AS A PRINCIPAL POSITION AND IN THAT CAPACITY MAY RETAIN, PURCHASE, SELL, OFFER TO SELL FOR THEIR OWN ACCOUNTS SUCH SECURITIES AND OTHER SECURITIES OF THE ISSUER OR RELATED INVESTMENTS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFERING OR OTHERWISE. THE BANKING SYNDICATE AND ANY OF THEIR AFFILIATES MAY ENTER INTO FINANCING ARRANGEMENTS (INCLUDING SWAPS, WARRANTS OR CONTRACTS FOR DIFFERENCES) WITH INVESTORS IN CONNECTION WITH WHICH THE BANKING SYNDICATE AND ANY OF THEIR AFFILIATES MAY FROM TIME TO TIME ACQUIRE, HOLD OR DISPOSE OF SECURITIES. THE BANKING SYNDICATE DO NOT INTEND TO DISCLOSE THE EXTENT OF ANY SUCH INVESTMENT OR TRANSACTIONS OTHERWISE THAN IN ACCORDANCE WITH ANY LEGAL ORREGULATORY OBLIGATIONS TO DO SO.

NONE OF THE BANKING SYNDICATE OR ANY OF THEIR RESPECTIVE DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES, ADVISERS OR AGENTS ACCEPTS ANY RESPONSIBILITY OR LIABILITY WHATSOEVER FOR OR MAKES ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, AS TO THE TRUTH, ACCURACY OR COMPLETENESS OF THE INFORMATION IN THIS ANNOUNCEMENT (OR WHETHER ANY INFORMATION HAS BEEN OMITTED FROM THE ANNOUNCEMENT) OR ANY OTHER INFORMATION RELATING TO THE ISSUER OR GUARANTOR, THEIR SUBSIDIARIES OR ASSOCIATED COMPANIES, WHETHER WRITTEN, ORAL OR IN A VISUAL OR ELECTRONIC FORM, AND HOWSOEVER TRANSMITTED OR MADE AVAILABLE OR FOR ANY LOSS HOWSOEVER ARISING FROM ANY USE OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT OR ITS CONTENTS OR OTHERWISE ARISING



End of ad hoc announcement
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2021 / Group Ten Metals Inc. (TSX.V:PGE)(OTCQB:PGEZF)(FSE:5D32) (the "Company" or "Group Ten") is pleased to announce that it has secured DTC eligibility for its shares traded in the United States under the symbol "PGEZF" effective June 29, 2021.

The Depository Trust Company (DTC) is a subsidiary of The Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation DTCC and manages the electronic clearing and settlement of publicly traded companies. Securities that are eligible to be electronically cleared and settled through the DTC are considered "DTC eligible". This electronic method of clearing securities speeds up the receipt of stock and cash, and thus accelerates the settlement process for investors trading the Company's shares on the OTCQB Market.

Group Ten President & CEO, Michael Rowley, stated, "We are pleased to have secured DTC eligibility to facilitate streamlined trading in the United States where we have a significant shareholder base and trading volume. We believe this is a timely development as we look to debut an initial 43-101 mineral resource estimate on our flagship Stillwater West project this summer, with a focus on battery and platinum group metals in a premier US mining district. We look forward to providing updates with respect to our 10,000-meter drill program in the very near term, and to rolling out the results from that and other initiatives as they become available."

About Group Ten Metals Inc.

Group Ten Metals Inc. is a TSX-V-listed Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the development of high-quality platinum, palladium, nickel, copper, cobalt, and gold exploration assets in top North American mining jurisdictions. The Company's core asset is the Stillwater West PGE-Ni-Cu-Co + Au project adjacent to Sibanye-Stillwater's high-grade PGE mines in Montana, USA. Group Ten also holds the high-grade Black Lake-Drayton Gold project adjacent to Treasury Metals' development-stage Goliath Gold Complex in northwest Ontario, and the Kluane PGE-Ni-Cu-Co project on trend with Nickel Creek Platinum's Wellgreen deposit in Canada's Yukon Territory.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Michael Rowley, President, CEO & Director

Email: info@grouptenmetals.com Phone: (604) 357 4790

Web: http://grouptenmetals.com Toll Free: (888) 432 0075

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward Looking Statements: This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing of the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, titlefuture driling actiivities and the locations of such drilling, and future plans and objectives of the company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Group Ten 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. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same, and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the companies with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration and development of mines is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Group Ten and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.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.

SOURCE: Group Ten Metals Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/653761/Group-Ten-Metals-Secures-DTC-Eligibility-for-Trading-in-the-United-States
DGAP-News: Aggregate Holdings SA / Key word(s): Acquisition

Aggregate Holdings SA: Profitable acquisition of Build & Hold assets



30.06.2021 / 18:27

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.





Aggregate Holdings SA: Profitable acquisition of Build & Hold assets

- Aggregate Holdings S.A. has completed the acquisition of a real estate portfolio consisting of 10 development projects spread across Berlin, Dusseldorf and Frankfurt

o c. 1,200,000 Gross Construction Area (GCA) sqm

o c. EUR 4.5bn Gross Development Value (GDV) of mixed-use development assets in Berlin, Frankfurt and Dusseldorf

o c. EUR 1.3bn residual valuation

- Build & Hold division GCA increased by over 675,000 sqm and target net rental income run-rate increased by c. EUR 100m in the medium term

- Build & Hold division target net rental income run-rate increased to c. EUR 225m off total GDV of c. EUR 7.5bn, with a current value of over EUR 3.1bn

Luxembourg - 30 June 2021. Aggregate Holdings has completed the acquisition of a portfolio of ten projects, which consists of five projects in Berlin, four projects in Dusseldorf and one project in Frankfurt. The portfolio's focus is largely mixed-use urban developments incorporating office (53%), residential (32%), plus commercial, retail and other (15%). Aggregate plans to construct the majority of the Berlin assets as yielding properties in its Build & Hold division and to progress development and then exit the other assets in the portfolio over time. The acquired portfolio's gross development value ("GDV") stands at approximately EUR 4.5 billion, with GDV of over EUR 2.5 billion to be retained in Build & Hold.

The combined gross construction area ("GCA") of the portfolio is c. 1,200,000 sqm across the ten mixed-use developments. The development projects have well advanced planning and building permit applications, with one project having already received a building permit, and five more projects on course to receive building permission in 2021 or early 2022. The remaining projects benefit from zoning plans or project-related local development plans. The residual value of the portfolio as at 31 December 2020 was EUR 1.3 billion on a 100% basis, resulting in a Loan-to-Value for the portfolio post-acquisition of around 50%. The Company has acquired an approximately 85% interest in the projects.

The key Berlin projects are located close to Berlin Brandenburg airport and in the south-east residential area of Treptow-Kopenick. Planned construction for the Berlin-based projects will commence in 2022, with first rental income expected in 2024, following pre-letting in parallel with construction. The retained Berlin assets will be a significant addition to the Build & Hold division, with an expected increase of c. EUR 100 million of net rental income run-rate from the end 2025 onwards, on the basis of a combined additional GCA of approximately 675,000 sqm. The acquisition of the portfolio at a material discount to residual value will result in a significant appreciation in the net asset value of Aggregate group.

Benjamin Lee, Chief Financial Officer and John Nacos, Chief Investment Officer at Aggregate Holdings, said: "This was a great opportunity to acquire high quality, well located real estate assets in Berlin, Dusseldorf and Frankfurt. The entire portfolio was acquired at an attractive price, again demonstrating Aggregate's ability to undertake complex off-market transactions and deliver well-priced yield-to-cost assets. Post completion of Aggregate's increased Build & Hold portfolio, the combined rental income from the division is targeted to be c. EUR 225 million."

Contact

Benjamin Lee, Managing Director and Chief Financial Officer

Tel: +352 20 30 14 60

Mob: +44 7415 121218

b.lee@aggregateholdings.com



Boris Lemke, Investment Director

Tel: +352 20 30 14 60

Mob: +44 7943 025474

b.lemke@aggregateholdings.com

Olaf Zapke, Communications

Tel: +49 (0) 69 921874-89

Mob: +49 (0) 170 7641 971

Finsbury Glover Hering

olaf.zapke@fgh.com



About Aggregate Holdings

Aggregate Holdings SA ("Aggregate") is a predominantly German-focussed real estate company, with interests also in Portugal. The company had EUR 4.8bn of assets and a project portfolio with a EUR 5.0bn gross development value as at FY 2020. Aggregate's Build & Hold division at year end included Quartier Heidestrasse, the largest mixed use real estate development project in Central Berlin with c.295,000 sqm of gross construction area, and has recently acquired project "Furst", the prime asset located on Kurfurstendamm in central Berlin with c.183,000 sqm of gross construction area. Both these Build & Hold assets are due to be completed by 2023. Aggregate also owns VIC Properties, Build & Sell division, the largest real estate developer in Portugal, with c.570,000 sqm of gross construction area and 2.5bn gross development value. Additionally, Aggregate holds a long-term 26.6% strategic stake in Adler Group SA, one Europe's largest residential players, among other investments.
An increase in the number of surgeries, advancement in the current and emerging treatment options, and rise in the patient population proffer the impetus to Postoperative Pain Market Growth in the 7MM.

LAS VEGAS, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- DelveInsight's " Postoperative Pain Market " report provides a thorough comprehension of the Postoperative Pain historical and forecasted epidemiology and the Postoperative Pain market trends in the 7MM [the United States, EU5 (Germany, Spain, Italy, France, and United Kingdom) and Japan]. The Postoperative Pain market report also proffers an analysis of the current Postoperative Pain treatment algorithm/practice, market drivers, market barriers, and unmet medical needs.

Some of the necessary takeaways from the Postoperative Pain Market Research Report

Opioids, NSAIDs, and anesthetics mainly cover the current Postoperative Pain market. Current treatment for Postoperative Pain involves approved drugs such as Anjeso, Dextenza, Inveltys, and others in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids.

mainly cover the current Postoperative Pain market. Current treatment for Postoperative Pain involves approved drugs such as and others in nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) and corticosteroids. Some approved opioids medications are also present in the Postoperative Pain market, such as Dsuvia, approved in 2018 in both US and EU. Some other approved drugs that are being used in Postoperative Pain are Penthrox and Exparel.

approved in 2018 in both US and EU. Some other approved drugs that are being used in Postoperative Pain are Korsuva (CR845), Co-crystal E-58425 (Tramadol/Celecoxib), Zalviso (sufentanil), Tramadol IV, Zynrelef (bupivacaine and meloxicam), Posimir (Bupivacaine Solution), Olinvyk (oliceridine), Xaracoll (bupivacaine hydrochloride), and others are the pipeline candidates, which are expected to enter the Postoperative Pain Market in the forecast period (2021-2030).

and others are the pipeline candidates, which are expected to enter the Postoperative Pain Market in the forecast period (2021-2030). The growth of the Postoperative Pain Market to boost due to investment in research picks up that increases the demand for better diagnosis and treatment options for the pain. Recently, drugs with novel mechanisms of action and combinations are being investigated to overcome the challenges of this entity. Many agents show promising activity in Postoperative Pain because of recent advances in the better understanding of the drug. Also, the market needs new therapy with superior efficacy as strong as opioids but fewer side effects and drug dependency. In addition, there has been raising awareness about multimodal analgesia among clinicians and patients to decrease the reliance on single-modal treatment.

for the pain. Recently, drugs with are being investigated to overcome the challenges of this entity. Many agents show in Postoperative Pain because of recent advances in the better understanding of the drug. Also, the market needs new therapy with superior efficacy as strong as opioids but fewer side effects and drug dependency. In addition, there has been raising awareness about among clinicians and patients to decrease the reliance on single-modal treatment. Postoperative Pain market size might be hindered due to a lack of effective diagnosis. Also, pain assessment is not effectively implemented in many hospitals. Available pharmacological therapies are associated with decreased patient compliance and opioid substance use . Specific adverse effects may hamper the drug recommendations. Strict regulatory requirements for drug approval and high treatment costs are impediments to the Postoperative Pain market growth.

Also, pain assessment is not effectively implemented in many hospitals. Available pharmacological therapies are associated with . Specific adverse effects may hamper the drug recommendations. for drug approval and are impediments to the Postoperative Pain market growth. Several key pharmaceutical companies such as Menarini Group, Guidotti Farma, AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Trevena, Inc., Heron Therapeutics, Innocoll Pharmaceuticals, DURECT Corporation, Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Baudax Bio, Bausch & Lomb, Ocular Therapeutix, Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Medical Developments International Ltd (MVP), Hyloris Pharmaceuticals, AFT Pharmaceuticals, Cara Therapeutics, Vivozon, Avenue Therapeutics, Arthritis Innovation Corporation, MedinCell, Unither Pharmaceuticals, Esteve Pharmaceuticals, Formosa Pharmaceuticals, Neumentum Pharmaceuticals, Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc., Nevakar, Inc., Taiwan Liposome Company (TLC), Viatris Inc. (formerly known as Mylan Inc.), Teikoku Pharma USA , Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Oculis, PainReform LTD, Concentric Analgesics, Mati Therapeutics Inc., and others are developing novel products to improve the Postoperative Pain treatment outlook.

For further information on Market Impact by Therapies, visit: Postoperative Pain Drugs Market Analysis

Postoperative Pain is defined as a condition of tissue injury together with muscle spasms after surgery. Postoperative Pain patients can be sub-segmented based on severity as mild, moderate, and severe.

As per DelveInsight's estimates, the Postoperative Pain incident cases were around 66,426,881 cases in the 7MM in 2020. Moreover, the United States has the highest percentage of the Postoperative Pain patient pool among these countries.

The Postoperative Pain Market Analysis Report provides historical as well as forecasted epidemiological analysis segmented into:

Total number of surgical procedures

Total incident cases of Postoperative Pain

Severity-specific Postoperative Pain incident cases

Get a complete epidemiological segmentation @ Postoperative Pain Epidemiological Analysis

Postoperative Pain Treatment Market

Postoperative Pain management aims to decline pain intensity, increase patient comfort, and improve postoperative outcomes. Pain-relieving analgesics include opioids, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and acetaminophen.

Opioids are a large group of pain-relieving drugs that are utilized for alleviating pain in postoperative cases. These drugs majorly comprise fentanyl, hydromorphone, morphine, oxycodone, oxymorphone, and tramadol. In addition, the approved opioids include Zalviso, Olinvyk (Olinvo), Dzuveo/Dsuvia, Nucynta, DepoDur, and others. However, opioids have many dose-limiting side effects that range from bothersome to life-threatening.

Postoperative Pain Treatment Market Forecast and Recent Approvals

Recently, in February 2021, FDA approved Posimir, a potential drug that is awaiting launch. Similar to Posimir, bupivacaine is the active ingredient in Pacira Biosciences' Exparel, also indicated for postsurgical pain relief. Being the clear market leader in branded post-surgical local anesthesia, Exparel (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension) has generated impressive sales after its approval (effectively from the US). Posimir has been approved with limited labels, and thus, it is slightly evident that it might not give a head-to-head competition to Exparel. In addition, Xaracoll is an implant that is a unique, non-injectable, drug-device combination in the form of a fully bioresorbable collagen implant containing bupivacaine hydrochloride, providing postsurgical pain relief through the delivery of bupivacaine, a local anesthetic, at the surgical site. Although it is presently approved in the US, weak efficacy data might prevent it from becoming a substantial competitor in the pain management market.

In 2018, local anesthetics grew around 20% in value, while opioids declined. Thus, it can be anticipated that local anesthetic demand will be very high in the Postoperative Pain market, and future, upcoming therapies can hold a tight market. Besides, the potential market for an effective long-acting local anesthetic working 72-h is enormous.

Although Posimir and Xaracoll might not be significant threats to Exparel's market leadership, Heron Therapeutics' Zynrelef is ripe to compete with Exparel. Formerly known as HTX-011, it is one such drug with 72 h anesthetic action that is initially targeting many million procedures, including hospital inpatient, hospital outpatient, and ambulatory surgical centers (ASCs). The drug could be a threat to Pacira Biosciences' Exparel as recently the HTX-011 received a nod from US FDA, and soon it will be launched in the US market.

While Zynrelef has received marketing approvals in the EU, Exparel has been in the Postoperative Pain market for more than a decade and has the edge over others. Despite that, Heron's candidate might stand out and become a direct competitor to Exparel in the future; several factors, including multiple advantages shown in its safety and efficacy data, might play a role. The drawbacks could be a limited use, which is only at the incision site and not in peripheral nerve blocks. HTX-011 has been tested in surgical settings and requires a surgeon to administer the drug, whereas Exparel has been adopted in expanding ASC settings. The popularity and use will depend on the product's cost after approval and availability all over. Nevertheless, HTX-011 approval has been full of controversy. Still, DelveInsight anticipates that it will cover a massive Postoperative Pain market by 2030.

HTX-011 will face stiff competition in the US and EU-5: DelveInsight's Analyst Views. In the US, HTX-011 will compete with Marcaine (bupivacaine hydrochloride injection, solution, marketed by Pfizer Inc.) and generic forms of bupivacaine; Naropin (ropivacaine, marketed by Fresenius Kabi USA, LLC) and its generic forms; Exparel (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension, marketed by Pacira BioSciences, Inc.); Xaracoll (bupivacaine HCl implant, marketed by Innocoll Pharmaceuticals Limited); Posimir (marketed by Durect Corporation); Anjeso (meloxicam injection, marketed by Baudax Bio, Inc.); Ofirmev (acetaminophen injection, marketed by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals) and generic forms of IV acetaminophen; and potentially other products in development for Postoperative Pain management that reach the US market. Similarly, in EU-5, numerous generic local anesthetics and other nonopioids for postoperative pain management are available in the EU, and other products in development for postoperative pain management may also reach the EU market. For example, in November 2020, the EC granted marketing authorization for Exparel (bupivacaine liposome injectable suspension, marketed by Pacira BioSciences, Inc. in the US) for postsurgical analgesia. Pacira BioSciences, Inc. has indicated that it expects launching Exparel in the EU in the second half of 2021.

If approved, Cara Therapeutics IV CR845 would be competing within the overall acute postoperative pain market. However, the company expects to compete primarily with injectable mu-opioid analgesics, such as morphine, fentanyl, and hydromorphone.

Scope of the Postoperative Pain Market Insight Report

Geography Covered: The United States , EU5 ( Germany , France , Italy , Spain , and the United Kingdom ), and Japan.

, EU5 ( , , , , and the ), and Japan. Study Period: 3-year historical and 10-year forecasted analysis (2018-2030).

Postoperative Pain Markets Segmentation: By Geographies and By Postoperative Pain Therapies (Historical and Forecasted, Current and Upcoming)

Dominant Market Companies investigating its candidates for Postoperative Pain: Menarini Group, Guidotti Farma, AcelRx Pharmaceuticals, Trevena, Inc., Heron Therapeutics, Innocoll Pharmaceuticals, DURECT Corporation, Pacira Pharmaceuticals, Baudax Bio, Bausch & Lomb, Ocular Therapeutix, Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc, Medical Developments International Ltd (MVP), Hyloris Pharmaceuticals, AFT Pharmaceuticals, Cara Therapeutics, Vivozon, Avenue Therapeutics, Arthritis Innovation Corporation, MedinCell, Unither Pharmaceuticals, Esteve Pharmaceuticals, Formosa Pharmaceuticals, Neumentum Pharmaceuticals, Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc., Nevakar, Inc., Taiwan Liposome Company (TLC), Viatris Inc. (formerly known as Mylan Inc.), Teikoku Pharma USA , Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Oculis, PainReform LTD, Concentric Analgesics, Mati Therapeutics Inc., and several others.

, Inc., Novartis Pharmaceuticals, Oculis, PainReform LTD, Concentric Analgesics, Mati Therapeutics Inc., and several others. Analysis: Comparative and Attribute analysis of emerging therapies.

Patient Journey

KOL's Views

Analyst's View

Request for a Webex demo of the report @ Postoperative Pain Therapeutics Market

Table of Contents

1 Postoperative Pain Report Introduction 2 Postoperative Pain Market Overview at a Glance 3 Postoperative Pain Market: Future Perspective 4 Executive Summary of Postoperative Pain 5 Postoperative Pain Disease Background and Overview 6 Postoperative Pain Epidemiology and Patient Population 6.1 The United States 6.2 EU5 Countries 6.2.1 Germany 6.2.2 France 6.2.3 Italy 6.2.4 Spain 6.2.5 The United Kingdom 6.3 Japan 7 Postoperative Pain Patient Journey 8 Postoperative Pain Marketed Drugs 8.1 Enanplus/Takudex (Dexketoprofen/Tramadol): Menarini Group/Guidotti Farma 8.2 Dsuvia/Dzuveo (Sufentanil): AcelRx Pharmaceuticals 8.3 Zalviso: AcelRx Pharmaceuticals 8.4 Olinvyk (Olinvo) (oliceridine): Trevena, Inc. 8.5 Zynrelef (HTX-011): Heron Therapeutics 8.6 Xaracoll: Innocoll Pharmaceuticals 8.7 Posimir (bupivacaine solution): DURECT Corporation 8.8 Exparel: Pacira Pharmaceuticals 8.9 Anjeso: Baudax Bio 8.10 Prolensa (bromfenac ophthalmic solution) 0.07%: Bausch & Lomb 8.11 Dextenza: Ocular Therapeutix 8.12 Inveltys: Kala Pharmaceuticals, Inc. 8.13 Penthrox: Medical Developments International Ltd (MVP) 8.14 Lotemax SM (loteprednol etabonate ophthalmic gel): Bausch & Lomb 8.15 Maxigesic: Hyloris Pharmaceuticals/AFT Pharmaceuticals 9 Postoperative Pain Emerging Therapies 9.1 CR845/Difelikefalin: Cara Therapeutics 9.2 VVZ-149 Injections: Vivozon, Inc. 9.3 Tramadol IV: Avenue Therapeutics, Inc. 9.4 F14 (sustained-release celecoxib)/mdc-CWM (Celecoxib): Arthritis Innovation Corporation/MedinCell 9.5 Nefopam hydrochloride and paracetamol: Unither Pharmaceuticals 9.6 Co-crystal E-58425 (Tramadol/Celecoxib): Esteve Pharmaceuticals 9.7 APP13007: Formosa Pharmaceuticals 9.8 NTM-001 (Ketorolac Pre-Mixed Bag): Neumentum Pharmaceuticals 9.9 ACP-044: Acadia Pharmaceuticals Inc. 9.10 NVK-009 (Pregabalin and Acetaminophen): Nevakar, Inc. 9.11 TLC590: Taiwan Liposome Company (TLC) 9.12 MR-107A-01: Viatris Inc. (formerly known as Mylan Inc.) 9.13 TPU-006 (Dexmedetomidine Transdermal System (DMTS)): Teikoku Pharma USA, Inc. 9.14 SAF312: Novartis Pharmaceuticals 9.15 OCS-01: Oculis 9.16 PRF110: PainReform LTD 9.17 Vocacapsaicin (CA-008): Concentric Analgesics 9.18 Nepafenac PPDS/Nepafenac Evolute: Mati Therapeutics Inc. 10 Postoperative Pain: 7MM Market Analysis 10.1 The United States Postoperative Pain Market Size 10.2 EU-5 Postoperative Pain Market Size 10.2.1 Germany Market Size 10.2.2 France Market Size 10.2.3 Italy Market Size 10.2.4 Spain Market Size 10.2.5 The United Kingdom Market Size 10.3 Japan Postoperative Pain Market Size 11 KOL Views 12 Postoperative Pain Market Drivers 13 Postoperative Pain Market Barriers 14 Postoperative Pain SWOT Analysis 15 Postoperative Pain Unmet Needs 16 Reimbursement and Postoperative Pain Market Access 17 Appendix 18 DelveInsight Capabilities 19 Disclaimer 20 About DelveInsight

Browse full report with detailed TOC with charts, figures, tables @ Postoperative Pain Diagnostics Market Report

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SIA is the leading global advisor on staffing and workforce solutions. The report introduces programmatic job advertising as "a method to distribute job ads using AI and machine learning to determine where employers will have the most success in displaying their vacancies in line with the budget they have available." It examines the application of the technology by staffing firms and employers to source candidates more effectively and efficiently.

The report highlights the consensus among market commentators on Joveo being one of the largest programmatic job advertising firms globally.

With customer success teams in seven countries, Joveo almost doubled its active client base in 2020, despite the economic impact of COVID-19. The company caters to the talent acquisition needs of several marquee global brands, including Adecco, HealthTrust (a subsidiary of HCA Healthcare), Randstad, FedEx, Wells Fargo, Barclays, Life Time Fitness, HCL Technologies, TCS, Monster, JobCloud, Nurse.com, and others.

With its managed media volume having grown by 800% globally in the last 3 years and by almost 400% in Europe in the last year alone, Joveo is the fastest growing programmatic job advertising platform in the world.

"As the only pure-play programmatic technology platform, we are democratizing job advertising worldwide. For the first time, enterprises and agencies can have direct access to all job sites along with display advertising on the World Wide Web," said Kshitij Jain (KJ), Founder and CEO of Joveo. "The predictive and prescriptive capabilities of our recruitment media buying algorithms truly set us apart from other providers in our industry."

To learn more about Joveo's award-winning platform, visit www.joveo.com .

About Joveo



Joveo, the global leader in programmatic job advertising, is changing the way recruitment media buying is done.

The Joveo platform enables businesses to buy, manage, and track recruitment media, including job sites, social and search marketplaces, and the whole World Wide Web, to attract and hire the most relevant applicants on time, within their budget. Powering more than 20 million jobs every day, Joveo's data-driven recruitment advertising platform uses advanced data science and machine learning to dynamically manage and optimize talent sourcing and applications across all online channels, while providing real-time insights at every step of the job seeker journey from click to hire.

For more information, visit www.joveo.com . Follow us on LinkedIn and Twitter .

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Appointment of LM as Korean partner consolidates Asian operating model

International beauty packaging manufacturer and provider Quadpack has appointed Korean packaging manufacturer LM as 'Quadpack Official Partner', to help accelerate its penetration of the Asian market. Along with the agreement with Yuga in China announced in February, Quadpack is establishing partnerships in a new, regional operating model designed to help build the Quadpack brand, increase market share, improve local service and share value with stakeholders.

Raj Savji, Quadpack Managing Director - Asia Pacific, said: "The big Asian packaging markets are measured in  billions, with Korea alone worth 1.1 billion. To conquer this region and to fulfil the objectives of our 2020-2025 business strategy, we turn to our trusted partners. With common values, complementary strengths and established reputations, these key industry colleagues will extend our reach and enrich our service, as we deliver solutions in the region, for the region."

In selecting partners for its expanding global network, a number of key attributes are required to qualify. These include sustainable processes, category leadership, impeccable reputation, client reach and added value such as manufacturing or access to new market segments.

LM, based in Seoul, Korea, is a well-established packaging manufacturer, with a strong presence in derma skincare. It has first-class facilities to produce, assemble and decorate components from Quadpack's QLine portfolio of smart, modular solutions. Yuga, based near Shanghai, China, already manufactures selected QLine components. Together with Quadpack's European manufacturing facilities, the partners will enable the company to enhance its offering and meet the needs of the Asian markets.

As the partner network evolves, Quadpack aims to expand the QLine portfolio with solutions designed for local markets with the help of its partners, where possible through co-creation and collaborative innovation.

Quadpack's presence in the Asia-Pacific region also includes an office in Tokyo, Japan, inaugurated one year ago. With a growing team, it is building relationships and fostering partnerships in this key Asian market. Longest-established is the Melbourne office, which services Australia and New Zealand directly, with plans for stocking and local manufacture for faster time to market and a lower carbon footprint.

The operating model built on official partnerships will be considered for other regions to complement direct sales and support. Historically, however, for Quadpack, growth through collaboration is not a departure, but rather a return to its roots.

"Collaboration is in our DNA," said Quadpack CEO Tim Eaves. "Quadpack itself started as a partnership of three companies in 2003: Belcos Packaging, Lenglart Packaging and Gadbrooke Packaging, each of which worked with partners worldwide. In fact, LM CEO Michael Lim is one of my oldest contacts from Belcos, going back nearly two decades. I am delighted to renew our friendship and welcome our new partner to the Quadpack family."

-ENDS-

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Ruling Concerns US$545 Million Arbitral Award in Favor of Moldovan Investors

NEW YORK, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Brussels Court of Appeal on June 29, 2021, rejected the appeals brought by the Republic of Kazakhstan and the National Bank of Kazakhstan (NBK) against an attachment of Kazakhstan's state assets in Belgium. The attachment followed Kazakhstan's continued unlawful refusal to pay a US$545 million final and binding arbitral award in the Stati parties' favor in December 2013.

The Stati parties in October 2017 obtained an attachment of assets of Kazakhstan's National Fund on Belgian soil totaling US$22.6 billion held by BNY Mellon (BNYM) in its capacity as the global custodian of the National Fund and managed by NBK in its capacity as the trustee manager of the Fund. The size of the attachment was later reduced to US$530 million in line with the then-value of the award and is presently estimated to equal US$542 million including accrued interest.

The Brussels Court of First Instance in May 2018 rejected Kazakhstan's and NBK's original petitions to lift the attachment. In its 44-page ruling, the Brussels Court of Appeal has once again sided with the Stati parties and dismissed the Kazakh parties' appeals against the first instance court ruling in their entirety by holding that "the concrete circumstances of the case contain sufficient indications of the existence of simulation" deployed by Kazakhstan in order to hide its assets beyond the reach of the award creditors.

The Court further found that "this is clearly a case of created appearances, which the Stati parties rightly contest by levying an attachment against the real holder of the bank accounts/funds" and that the underlying National Fund trust management agreement between Kazakhstan's Ministry of Finance and NBK is "a mere pretence to the outside world and third parties."

The Court also rejected all of Kazakhstan's and NBK's arguments relating to state immunity of the attached assets by holding that the relevant National Fund assets "are invested solely with a view to maximizing long-term returns" and as such "do not fall under the protection of state immunity."

Notably, the Belgian court also rejected Kazakhstan's and NBK's allegations that the award has been procured by fraud by noting that the award has been upheld twice by the Swedish Supreme Court and holding that the Stati Parties claims against the Republic are "certain, of a fixed amount and due."

Anatolie Stati, CEO and sole shareholder of Ascom Group S.A., one of the award creditors, said: "We welcome this ruling of the Belgian court, which once again confirms the award creditors' entitlement to full compensation under the award and paves the way for the collection of the frozen funds from BNY Mellon. Meanwhile, the flagrant contempt with which Kazakhstan's Ministry of Justice treats the rule of law and foreign investors has created a dangerous legal precedent for the country, and it has already severely damaged Kazakhstan's international reputation and investment climate."

Egishe Dzhazoyan, partner at law firm King & Spalding, global litigation counsel to the Stati parties, said: "This is an historic win for the award creditors. It sets a landmark international precedent in the context of enforcement of arbitral awards against sovereign states. The ruling's significance is further underscored by the fact that it allows recourse against attached assets, which are nominally managed by a state's central bank and are held by an independent third party. We are pleased that the Belgian courts never lost sight of the fact that it was the Republic of Kazakhstan that has always been and remains the sole and true owner of the attached assets and accordingly the true creditor of BNY Mellon, as the court has found."

In addition to the Belgian attachment, the Stati parties have successfully secured and maintain the benefit of various other attachments of Kazakh state property in the Netherlands, Luxembourg and Sweden, with the combined total value of all attachments worldwide exceeding US$6.25 billion.

The Belgian court ruling is the latest development in the Stati parties' long-running battle to enforce the award for Kazakhstan's violations of the investor protection provisions of the Energy Charter Treaty. In December 2013, a Sweden based arbitration tribunal found that Kazakhstan had violated international law by failing to treat the Stati parties' investments in Kazakhstan fairly and equitably, and awarded the Stati parties more than US$500 million in damages, legal costs, and interest. The award has since been fully upheld by two tiers of the Swedish judiciary, including twice by the Swedish Supreme Court.

The claims originally arose out of Kazakhstan's seizure of the Stati parties' petroleum operations in 2010. Starting from 1999, the Stati parties acquired two companies that held idle licenses in the Borankol and Tolkyn fields and Tabyl block in Kazakhstan. They invested more than US$1 billion over the ensuing decade to turn the companies into successful exploration and production businesses. By late 2008, the businesses had become profitable and had yielded considerable revenues for the Kazakh state. Just as the Stati parties expected to start receiving dividends, more than half a dozen government agencies carried out multiple burdensome inspections and audits of the companies' businesses that resulted in false accusations of illegal conduct directed at the Stati parties and their Kazakh companies, including criminal prosecutions of their general managers on false pretenses. Kazakhstan's actions challenged the Stati parties' title to their investments, subjected them to hundreds of millions of dollars in unwarranted tax assessments and criminal penalties, and ultimately led to the seizure and nationalization of their investments by Kazakh authorities in July 2010.

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BARCELONA, Spain, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Technology services company Lleida.net (BME: LLN) (OTCQX: LLEIF) (EPA: ALLLN) has reached an agreement to acquire 100% of the electronic signature solutions company inDenova for 7.1 million euros.

Both companies are Spanish.

The deal (which was agreed upon yesterday during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, by Lleida.net CEO Sisco Sapena and inDenova COO Jordi Gisbert) is the first acquisition by the Spanish listed company as part of its new inorganic growth strategy.

"The acquisition of inDenova represents a step forward in the company's growth but, more than that, it means having once again fulfilled the promise we have made time and again to our shareholders to protect their interests and generate profitability for them," explained Sapena.

Last February, Lleida.net announced its intention to enter the capital of companies that could add value to its growth plans, and that were complementary to its service offer.

As a result of this purchase, Lleida.net's aggregate EBITDA would grow over 3.95 million euros, taking 2020 data as a reference.

With the investment, Lleida.net staff would grow by 70 percent, over 170 employees, with new teams in Valencia, Bogota and Lima.

inDenova has specialised for the last decade and a half in providing electronic signature, electronic invoicing and process automation services.

It has clients in Spain, Morocco, Colombia, Peru, Chile and Paraguay.

Lleida.net, which is listed in New York, Paris and Madrid, is the European leader in the certified electronic signature, notification and contracting industry.

It holds more than 205 patents in electronic contracting and notification, granted by more than 60 countries on five continents, and its intellectual property portfolio is one of the largest in the industry worldwide.

Currently, more than 75 countries recognise the legal validity of its electronic methods as a means of certifying legal notices in procurement processes.

Bondo Advisors has advised on the transaction, which is pending due diligence.

Contact:

The Paloma Project,

Media, rpl@thepalomaproject.com,

+356 7946 7486
PARIS, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Heads of State and Government, heads of international organizations, activists from civil society and youth-led organizations, philanthropists and CEOs of private sector companies gathered today for the opening of the Generation Equality Forum held from 30 June to 2 July in Paris. The Forum launched a Global Acceleration Plan for Gender Equality, driven by six Action Coalitions, and launched a Compact on Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action, with the aim to accelerate gender equality in the next five years and to face the growing risks to women's rights caused by Covid-19. The Forum's projected $40 billion of new investments will represent the largest-ever collective infusion of resources into global gender equality.

The event marks the most significant international convening for gender equality since the 1995 Women's Conference in Beijing. The Forum was opened by the cohosts, President of France, Emmanuel Macron and Mexico's President, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, as well as by UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres and convener of the Forum, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women. Notable speakers at the opening event also included Vice President of the United States, Kamala Harris, President of Kenya, Uhuru Kenyatta, Nobel laureate Nadia Murad, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Tunisian feminist Aya Chebbi. The ceremony was centered on the voice of civil society activists and women's rights defenders and featured long-term advocate for gender equality and Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton in an intergenerational dialogue with climate activist Julieta Martinez.

The Forum focuses on concrete commitments and has a sharp focus on implementation and financing gender equality. During the opening event, major commitments were announced by the Heads of State and Government of France, the United States of America, Kenya, Argentina, Georgia, Finland, Canada, Germany, South Africa, the European Union and from international organizations and private sector. The commitments included:

$40 billion+ in new investments benefitting women and girls, with government commitments over the three days expected to total $17 billion . At the Opening Ceremony, a $2.1 billion commitment from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to advance women's leadership, reproductive health, and economic empowerment was announced alongside a $420 million investment from the Ford Foundation to tackle threats to women's rights caused by COVID-19. The World Bank committed to a major investment for programmes in 12 African States to tackle gender inequalities.

with government commitments over the three days expected to total . At the Opening Ceremony, a commitment from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation to advance women's leadership, reproductive health, and economic empowerment was announced alongside a investment from the Ford Foundation to tackle threats to women's rights caused by COVID-19. The World Bank committed to a major investment for programmes in 12 African States to tackle gender inequalities. The implementations of major policy reforms and programs to advance gender equality . The President of Kenya announced a national strategy and resources to prevent and respond to Gender-Based Violence. The Prime Minister of Canada presented the country's commitment to invest in a care system to benefit women and girls and the President of Georgia presented her commitment to lead legislative change on the legal definition of rape. The Vice President of the United States made policy and resource commitments on gender-based violence, women's economic security, and sexual and reproductive health and rights.

. The President of announced a national strategy and resources to prevent and respond to Gender-Based Violence. The Prime Minister of presented the country's commitment to invest in a care system to benefit women and girls and the President of presented her commitment to lead legislative change on the legal definition of rape. The Vice President of made policy and resource commitments on gender-based violence, women's economic security, and sexual and reproductive health and rights. The launch of new coordination mechanisms to advance key issues for gender equality, such as a new Global Alliance on Care and an Alliance to Fund Sustainable Feminist Movements.

President Macron, speaking live from Paris underscored his commitment to confronting the gender equality crisis, saying, "Through the Generation Equality Forum, France's objective is to state loud and clear that the rights of women and girls are universal, as are all human rights, everywhere, all the time. This model that France defends is not a negation of our differences. It is about reaffirming that no cultural or religious relativism, no regional or identity-based particularism, justifies that a woman cannot enjoy the same rights and the same opportunities as a man. Our method for achieving this result is concerted international action, what I have called multilateralism through action." The French government committed $100 million to improve access to contraceptives and family planning.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres, speaking live in Paris, welcomed the bold ambition of the Forum saying that the Forum was a moment "to redress a global imbalance, with activists, policymakers, and leaders across all ages shaping our world into a more just and gender-equal society."

Also speaking live in Paris, Ms. Mlambo-Ngcuka, Executive Director of UN Women, noted that "This is a new chapter for gender equality. Those with a world view of radical impatience are converging to create big, well-resourced changes. Together we will revitalize the unfinished Beijing agenda, united by the conviction that we must take risks and do things differently."

Over the following two days of the Forum major others financial, policy and program commitments are expected from over 1,000 diverse commitment-makers. Additional philanthropy commitments are expected from the Co-Impact Fund, CIFF, Fondation Chanel, Global Green Grants, the Women's Funding Network and the Open Societies Foundation. Major private sector contributors will include P&G, Unilever, PayPal and Estee Lauder. A significant number of civil society and youth led commitments will be made; for example, GirlsForClimate will commit to establish over 100 local climate hubs in Uganda, Cameroon Digital Rights Campaign will announce advocacy and policy work to end digital divides and the Egyptian Feminist Union will commit to work on equal rights to divorce and guardianship of children for divorced women. Additional member states announcing commitments will include Armenia, Burkina Faso, Chile, Costa Rica, Denmark, Germany Iceland, Finland, North Macedonia, Malawi, the Maldives, the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Mexico, Rwanda, Spain, Sweden, Tunisia, the United Kingdom and Uruguay.



The Forum includes over 110 events designed to propel action on gender equality, including a youth-led stage. Sessions aligned to the Action Coalitions - the six most catalytic actions required to accelerate gender equality, including economic justice, gender-based violence, sexual and reproductive health and rights, impact of the climate emergency on women and girls, need for digital and technology inclusion and support to feminist movements and leadership - are also a key component of the event agenda, as is the Compact on Women, Peace and Security and Humanitarian Action.

The Paris Forum is expected to draw over 40,000 virtual participants. Confirmed speakers across the 3-day virtual event include President of Rwanda Paul Kagame, Co-Chair of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Melinda French Gates, Brazilian Rapper MC Soffia and Actor and UN Women Goodwill Ambassador Anne Hathaway.

The Forum in Paris marks the launch of a 5-year journey designed to accelerate gender equality and a turning point in the international community commitment for women's rights.

Contact:

UN Women, media.team@unwomen.org

Clare Winterton, clare.winterton@unwomen.org
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES OR TO ANY US PERSON, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, ANY EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA STATE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH ITS DISTRIBUTION MAY BE UNLAWFUL.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION

BH Global Limited

(a closed-ended collective investment scheme established as a company with limited liability under the laws of Guernsey with registered number 48555)

LEI: 549300BIIO4DTKEMXV14

30 June 2021

Scheme of Reconstruction and Winding Up - publication of shareholder circular

Introduction

Further to the announcement of 28 May, in which the Board of BH Global Limited ("BH Global" or the "Company") confirmed that it had agreed heads of terms with the Board of BH Macro Limited ("BH Macro") and Brevan Howard Capital Management LP (the "Manager") in respect of the proposed combination of the Company and BH Macro by way of a scheme of reconstruction and winding up of the Company (the "Scheme"), the BH Global Board announces that is has today published a shareholder circular setting out the terms of the Scheme and convening an extraordinary general meeting and class meetings of its Shareholders in order to consider and, if thought fit, to approve the implementation of the Scheme.

Background

On 12 April 2021, BH Macro announced that its board would welcome the opportunity to enter into discussions with the Company regarding their possible combination following a request made by BH Macro's largest shareholder, who is also a Shareholder of the Company, to each of BH Macro and the Company. The Manager, who is the investment manager of both the Company and BH Macro, confirmed that it was supportive of discussions taking place and that it would help facilitate an agreed combination of the Company and BH Macro.

Following BH Macro's announcement, the Board has been supportive of engaging in discussions between the two companies with a view to the creation of a single investment vehicle managed by the Manager, noting potential advantages to Shareholders of a larger, single vehicle. After consideration, and having consulted with the Company's largest Shareholders, the Board decided that such proposals could offer benefits both to Shareholders who wished to continue their investment in a similar investment company to the Company managed by the same manager, and to Shareholders who wished to exit their holdings. The Board pursued discussions with BH Macro and the Manager and has now agreed terms for the merger of the Company and BH Macro to be effected by way of a scheme of reconstruction and liquidation of the Company in which Shareholders (other than Restricted Shareholders) are offered a choice between rolling over their Shares in the Company into new shares in BH Macro, or alternatively receiving a cash exit in the liquidation of the Company (the "Proposals"). Under the Proposals, Shareholders (other than Restricted Shareholders) may elect to roll over and/or receive cash in respect of some or all of their holdings of Shares.

Shareholders with an aggregate shareholding of approximately 40.0 per cent. of the issued Sterling Shares have indicated their support for the Proposals.

The Proposals

Under the Proposals, the Company will enter into a scheme of reconstruction. In accordance with the terms of the Scheme, the Company will be placed into liquidation at the Extraordinary General Meeting by means of a voluntary winding-up pursuant to section 391(1)(b) of the Companies Law. Shareholders will be able to elect to receive in exchange for their existing shareholdings in the Company:

- BH Macro Shares of the same currency class and with the same value as their holding of Shares on the basis of the relative values of the Residual Value per Share of the relevant class (calculated as the NAV of each class of Shares less their pro rata contribution to the Outstanding Costs Coverage Fund and the Retention Fund) and the NAV per BH Macro Share of the relevant class as at the Calculation Date (the "BH Macro Shares Option"); and/or

- a cash amount equal to 97.8 per cent. of the Residual Value per Share multiplied by the number of Shares held by such holder as at the Calculation Date, plus an additional amount per Share calculated to offset the impact of the increase of the management fee effective from 1 July 2021 to 31 July 2021 (the "Cash Option"). The remaining amount of the Residual Value per Share (in aggregate in respect of all elections (or deemed elections) for the Cash Option, the "Transaction Costs Coverage Amount") will be transferred to the Liquidation Fund to cover the Transaction Costs.

Benefits of the Proposals

The Directors consider that the Proposals should have the following benefits for Shareholders:

(i) the Proposals afford Shareholders the opportunity to achieve a complete cash exit from the Company should they not wish to retain their investment in the Company following the imminent increase in the Manager's fees. This potentially represents a more attractive liquidity event for Shareholders who wish to exit for cash than they may have achieved through the tender offer that was previously under consideration, which was to be capped at an amount equal to 40 per cent. of the Company's issued share capital;

(ii) the Proposals allow Shareholders to retain their market exposure through another similar investment vehicle managed by the Manager, and in one that is likely to be of a larger size than the Company after the entities have merged. The increase in the size of the combined vehicle will lead to cost savings on a per Share basis, as well as potentially increased liquidity in the secondary market;

(iii) the mechanics of the Scheme are designed with the intention of allowing certain Shareholders subject to UK tax to continue to receive investment returns without triggering an immediate liability to capital gains tax; and

(iv) the Proposals enable those Shareholders (other than Restricted Shareholders) who wish to acquire BH Macro Shares to do so whilst avoiding dealing or other costs associated with a share purchase in the secondary market.

Details of the Scheme

The Scheme involves a scheme of reconstruction and the voluntary winding-up of the Company under section 391(1)(b) of the Companies Law. Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions of the Scheme, the Company will be placed into voluntary winding-up and the Scheme will take effect. It is expected that the Scheme will become effective on the Effective Date (being 19 July 2021).

Each of the Company, the Liquidators, and BH Macro respectively have undertaken to enter into the Transfer Agreement and to use their respective reasonable endeavours to implement the Scheme in accordance with its terms, provided that the conditions of the Scheme are satisfied.

Further details of the Scheme are set out in the appendix to this announcement.

Conditions to the Scheme

The Scheme is conditional upon, amongst other things:

(i) the passing of all the Resolutions to be proposed at: (a) the Sterling Shareholders' Class Meeting; (b) the US Dollar Shareholders' Class Meeting; and (c) the Extraordinary General Meeting and all conditions to such Resolutions (excluding any condition relating to the passing of any other Resolution) being fulfilled; and

(ii) the Directors not resolving to abandon the Scheme.

In the event that any of the Resolutions is not passed or any other condition of the Proposals is not met, the Proposals will not be implemented. In that event, the Company will continue as presently constituted and will be subject to the terms of the Management Agreement, including as to the management fee which increases with effect from 1 July 2021.

The Rollover Vehicle - BH Macro Limited

BH Macro is an authorised closed-ended collective investment scheme incorporated in Guernsey with two classes of ordinary shares denominated in Sterling and US Dollars, all of which are admitted to the Official List of the Financial Conduct Authority and to trading on the main market of the London Stock Exchange. Similarly to the Company, BH Macro is a feeder fund which invests substantially all of its assets (net of short-term working capital) in the ordinary shares of Brevan Howard Master Fund Limited ("BHMF").

BHMF is an exempted company incorporated with limited liability in the Cayman Islands as an open-ended investment company. The investment objective of BHMF is to generate consistent long-term appreciation through active leveraged trading on a global basis.

The investment policy and portfolio of BHMF bears similarities to the investment policy and portfolio of Brevan Howard Multi-Strategy Master Fund Limited ("Master Fund"), the entity in which the Company invests substantially all of its investable assets in Sterling and US Dollar denominated 'class G' shares, and also benefits from the Manager's team of investment professionals. BH Macro employs the Manager as its manager to actively manage its assets.

As at the Latest Practicable Date of 29 June 2021, BH Macro had unaudited net assets of approximately 562.7 million and a market capitalisation of approximately 560.6 million.

The NAV per BH Macro Share in respect of the BH Macro Shares to be issued under the Scheme shall not include the amount of any increase in the NAV per BH Macro Share resulting from the tender offer made by BH Macro to its shareholders which is expected to complete prior to the Calculation Date.

Details of each class of BH Macro Shares which are being offered under the Scheme are set out below:

BH Macro Sterling Shares

As at the Latest Practicable Date, the unaudited value of the BH Macro Sterling Shares portfolio was approximately 509.4 million and the NAV per BH Macro Sterling Share (unaudited) was 3377p.

BH Macro US Dollar Shares

As at the Latest Practicable Date, the unaudited value of the BH Macro US Dollar Shares portfolio was approximately USD73.75 million and the NAV per BH Macro US Dollar Share (unaudited) was USD35.23.

Costs of the Proposals

The Transaction Costs, being the costs of the Proposals incurred by the Company (including all advisers' fees, printing and other ancillary costs of the Proposals) are not expected to exceed 750,000 (inclusive of VAT).

BH Macro has undertaken that, to the extent that the Transaction Costs Coverage Amount is less than 750,000 or, if lower, the actual Transaction Costs (such difference being the "Shortfall"), BH Macro shall pay to the Liquidators, on behalf of the Company, an amount in cash equal to the Shortfall (the "BH Macro Costs Undertaking").

In the event that the Proposals do not proceed, each of BH Macro and the Company will bear its own fees incurred in connection with the Proposals.

Shareholder Meetings

As described above, the Proposals are conditional on the approval of Shareholders which is being sought at the Class Meetings and the Extraordinary General Meeting.

At each of the Class Meetings, the holders of the relevant class of Shares will be asked to vote on an ordinary resolution to approve the special resolutions to be proposed at the Extraordinary General Meeting and to approve any variation to the special rights attached to their Shares resulting from the amendments to the Articles proposed pursuant to the Proposals.

At the Extraordinary General Meeting resolutions will be proposed which, if passed, will:

- reclassify the Shares to reflect the Elections made or deemed to have been made under the Scheme, and amend the Articles of Incorporation of the Company for the purposes of implementing the Scheme;

- authorise the implementation of the Scheme by the Liquidators; and

- appoint the Liquidators and place the Company into liquidation.

Each of the Resolutions will be proposed as a special resolution.

Dealings in Shares

The Company's Shares will be disabled in CREST at close of business on 15 July 2021. The latest time for trading in the Shares on the London Stock Exchange for normal settlement will be 6.00 p.m. on 13 July 2021. After 6.00 p.m. on 13 July 2021, dealings for normal settlement will be for cash settlement only and, in the case of certificated Shares, will only be registered if documents of title are delivered immediately.

If Shareholders dispose of their Shares otherwise than through the London Stock Exchange, they must make their own arrangements with the other parties concerned as regards entitlements under the Scheme. For the avoidance of doubt, the Company's register of members will remain open until the Effective Date.

Settlement of Elections for the Cash Option

Shareholders who wish to receive cash under the Scheme in respect of their Shares must choose the Cash Option, otherwise (unless they are Restricted Shareholders) they will receive BH Macro Shares.

If the Scheme becomes effective, as soon as practicable following the Final NAV Publication Date, the Liquidators shall distribute to Shareholders who have chosen the Cash Option the cash amounts due to such Shareholders, with entitlements to cash being rounded down to the nearest 0.01 or USD0.01, as applicable.

Cheques in respect of the cash due in respect of Elections made and accepted for the Cash Option to Shareholders who hold their Shares in certificated form are expected to be despatched by the Receiving Agent on behalf of the Liquidators in the week commencing 30 August 2021.

Shareholders who hold their Shares in uncertificated form (that is, in CREST) will receive payment of the cash amounts due to them during the week commencing 30 August 2021 through the CREST system.

Any interest accruing on cash balances held by the Liquidators pending presentation of cheques by Shareholders who have chosen the Cash Option under the Scheme will accrue to the Liquidation Fund.

Dealings and Settlement in BH Macro Shares

Shareholders who wish to receive BH Macro Shares under the Scheme in respect of their Shares should choose the BH Macro Shares Option. Shareholders who fail to make a valid Election will, unless they are Restricted Shareholders, be deemed to have chosen the BH Macro Shares Option in respect of their entire holding. Restricted Shareholders or Shareholders who have not complied with BH Macro's "know your customer" checks will be deemed to have chosen the Cash Option in respect of their entire holding.

Applications will be made by BH Macro to the FCA for the BH Macro Shares to be issued pursuant to the Scheme to be admitted to the premium segment of the Official List and to the London Stock Exchange for such shares to be admitted to trading on the premium segment of the London Stock Exchange's main market for listed securities.

If the Scheme becomes effective, the first day of dealings in the BH Macro Shares issued under the Scheme is expected to be 26 August 2021. BH Macro Shares issued pursuant to the Scheme will rank equally in all respects with existing issued shares in BH Macro.

The BH Macro Shares will be in registered form and may be held in either certificated or uncertificated form.

Shareholders who hold their Shares in certificated form at the Effective Date will receive their BH Macro Shares in certificated form. It is expected that share certificates in respect of such BH Macro Shares will be despatched to the Shareholders entitled to them during the week commencing 30 August 2021 or as soon as practicable thereafter.

Shareholders who hold their Shares in uncertificated form at the Effective Date will receive their BH Macro Shares in uncertificated form, although BH Macro reserves the right to issue such shares in certificated form.

BH Macro will procure that instructions are given to credit the appropriate stock accounts in the CREST system with the relevant entitlements to BH Macro Shares in uncertificated form. The stock accounts so credited will be those accounts held under the same participant ID and member account ID as those appearing in the relevant TTE Instruction. It is expected that CREST stock accounts will be credited with the BH Macro Shares on 26 August 2021.

No distributions from the Liquidation Fund

To the extent that any part of the Liquidation Fund is not required to meet the Transaction Costs, the balance remaining in the hands of the Liquidators will be paid to BH Macro.

Recommendation

The Board, which has received financial advice from Investec Bank plc, considers the Proposals to be in the best interests of the Company and Shareholders as a whole. In advising the Board, Investec Bank plc has taken into account the Board's commercial assessment of the Proposals. Accordingly, the Board unanimously recommends that Shareholders vote in favour of all of the Resolutions to be proposed at the Class Meetings and the Extraordinary General Meeting, as the Directors intend to do in respect of their own beneficial holdings amounting, in aggregate, to 19,081 Shares (representing 0.04 per cent. of the aggregate voting rights of the Shares).

Expected Timetable

2021 Date and time from which it is advised that dealings in Shares will be for cash settlement only and immediate delivery of documents of title 6.00 p.m. on 13 July Latest time for receipt of Forms of Election and TTE Instructions

from Shareholders 1.00 p.m. on 14 July Record Date for participation in the Proposals 6.00 p.m. on 14 July Trading in Shares suspended 7.30 a.m. on 15 July Latest time for receipt of Forms of Proxy from Shareholders for

use at the Extraordinary General Meeting 10.10 a.m. on 15 July Shares disabled in CREST close of business on 15 July Sterling Shareholders' Class Meeting 10.00 a.m. on 19 July US Dollar Shareholders' Class Meeting 10.05 a.m. on 19 July Extraordinary General Meeting 10.10 a.m. on 19 July Effective Date 19 July Shares reclassified to reflect Elections made or deemed to

have been made under the Scheme 19 July Calculation Date close of business on 31 July Date of transfer of Rollover Fund to BH Macro 1 August Effective date of redemption of interests in the Company's shares in the Master Fund pursuant to the liquidation of the

Company and of contribution of the Rollover Fund assets to

BHMF by BH Macro 2 August Final NAV Publication Date and anticipated date of publication

of the Residual Values per Share on or around 25 August Admission of BH Macro Shares issued under the Scheme and

dealings in BH Macro Shares commence* 8.00 a.m. on 26 August CREST accounts credited with BH Macro Shares issued under

the Scheme* 26 August Cheques expected to be despatched and CREST payments

made to Shareholders in respect of the Cash Option* week commencing 30 August Share certificates in respect of BH Macro Shares issued under

the Scheme expected to be despatched* week commencing 30 August

* Assuming the Final NAV Publication Date is 25 August 2021. The Settlement Date will be on or as soon as practicable following the Final NAV Publication Date.

Defined terms in this announcement shall have the same meaning as they have in the shareholder circular published by the Company dated 30 June 2021 (the "Circular").

This announcement does not contain all of the information that is contained in the Circular. Shareholders should read the Circular and the prospectus issued by BH Macro on 30 June 2021, including the risk factors set out in each such document, in full to make informed Elections under the Proposals.

In relation to BH Macro, this announcement is an advertisement and not a prospectus and does not constitute an offer of any securities for sale or subscription. Investors should not subscribe for the BH Macro Shares referred to in this announcement except on the basis of information provided in the BH Macro Prospectus (together with any supplementary prospectus, if relevant).

Company website: www.bhglobal.com

Enquiries:

Sir Michael Bunbury

Chairman

David Yovichic

Investec Bank plc

Tel: +44 (0)20 7597 5970



APPENDIX - FURTHER DETAILS OF THE SCHEME

Implementation and mechanics of the Scheme

The Scheme involves a scheme of reconstruction and the voluntary winding-up of the Company under section 391(1)(b) of the Companies Law. As part of the Scheme it is necessary, for technical reasons, to modify the rights attaching to the Shares and amend the Articles of Incorporation in order to reorganise the Company's share capital to allow the distribution of assets in the manner envisaged under the Scheme. This is achieved by reclassifying the Shares into separate classes of Reclassified Shares carrying an entitlement to the assets comprising the Cash Fund and the Rollover Fund, as appropriate.

A copy of the Articles of Incorporation showing the proposed amendments will be available for inspection on the Company's website at https://www.bhglobal.com or at the venue for the Class Meetings and the Extraordinary General Meeting, being the offices of Northern Trust International Fund Administration Services (Guernsey) Limited, Trafalgar Court, Les Banques, St Peter Port, Guernsey, from the date of this announcement until the close of the Extraordinary General Meeting and at the Extraordinary General Meeting for at least 15 minutes prior to and during the Extraordinary

General Meeting. Accordingly, subject (among other conditions) to the passing of the special resolutions set out in the notice convening the Extraordinary General Meeting, the Shares will be reclassified with different rights, depending on the Elections made or deemed to be made under the Scheme.

The Scheme is conditional, among other things, upon:

- the passing of the Resolutions to be proposed at the Class Meetings and the Extraordinary

General Meeting (or at any adjournments thereof) and all conditions to the Resolutions (excluding any condition relating to the passing of any other Resolution) being fulfilled; and

- the Directors not resolving to abandon the Scheme.

Subject to the satisfaction of the conditions of the Scheme, the Company will be placed into voluntary winding-up and the Scheme will take effect. It is expected that the Scheme will become effective on the Effective Date.

Each of the Company, the Liquidators, and BH Macro respectively have undertaken to enter into the Transfer Agreement and to use their respective reasonable endeavours to implement the Scheme in accordance with its terms, provided that the conditions of the Scheme are satisfied.

Before any assets are transferred to BH Macro under the Scheme or set aside to pay Shareholders who have elected for cash pursuant to the Cash Option, the Liquidators shall retain cash and other assets in the Outstanding Costs Coverage Fund in an amount estimated by the Administrator in consultation with the Liquidators as being an amount sufficient to meet all known and anticipated non-transaction liabilities of the Company that are unrelated to the Proposals, including, but not limited to, accrued management and performance fees that will be due to the Manager to the Calculation Date upon termination of the Management Agreement. The Transaction Costs will be paid from the Liquidation Fund (as further described below).

In addition, the Liquidators will retain cash and other assets in the Retention Fund in an amount which they consider sufficient to provide for all unknown and unascertainable liabilities of the Company (including tax and contingent liabilities and an amount for unknown and unascertainable liabilities of the Company). The retention in respect of all unknown and unascertainable liabilities is currently expected to be 50,000.

After provision has been made for the Outstanding Costs Coverage Fund and the Retention Fund, the cash, undertaking, assets and other rights of the Company shall be appropriated as follows:

- to the Cash Fund, such cash, undertaking, assets and other rights of the Company as shall

equal 97.8 per cent. of the aggregate Residual Value of all Shares with "B1" rights and "B2" rights (which are Shares in respect of which Elections have been made, or are deemed to have been made, for the Cash Option), plus an additional amount per Share with "B1" rights or "B2" rights calculated to offset the impact of the increase of the management fee effective from 1 July 2021 to 31 July 2021; and

- to the Rollover Fund such cash, undertaking, assets and other rights of the Company as shall equal the aggregate Residual Value of all Shares with "A1" rights and "A2" rights (which are Shares in respect of which Elections have been made, or are deemed to have been made, for BH Macro Shares pursuant to the BH Macro Shares Option), in each case calculated as at the Calculation Date.

After provision has been made for the Outstanding Costs Coverage Fund, the Retention Fund, the Cash Fund and the Rollover Fund, cash representing the Transaction Costs Coverage Amount (being the remainder of the assets referable to those Shares in respect of which elections have been made (or deemed to be made) for the Cash Option that is not to be paid to Shareholders who have so elected (or deemed to have elected)), will be allocated to the Liquidation Fund to provide for all Transaction Costs of the Company. The amount of all Transaction Costs is currently expected to be no more than 750,000 in aggregate; and in the event that the Liquidation Fund is less than 750,000 it will be supplemented by the BH Macro Costs Undertaking, if required.

The Rollover Fund and any cash or other assets remaining in the Outstanding Costs Coverage Fund and the Liquidation Fund after payment of the relevant costs will be transferred to BH Macro pursuant to the terms of the Transfer Agreement. In consideration for such transfers, the BH Macro Shares to be issued under the Scheme will be allotted to the Liquidators as nominees for those Shareholders who have elected or are deemed to have elected for BH Macro Shares. The NAV per BH Macro Share in respect of the BH Macro Shares to be issued under the Scheme shall not include the amount of any increase in the NAV per BH Macro Share resulting from the completion of the tender offer being made by BH Macro to its shareholders expected to complete prior to the Calculation Date.

The Cash Fund will be used to pay the entitlements of Shareholders (including Restricted Shareholders) who have chosen or are deemed to have chosen the Cash Option.

Entitlements of Shareholders under the Scheme

In order for an Election to be made validly in respect of any Shares under the Scheme, the Shareholder making the Election must be entered in the Register as the holder of such Shares on the Record Date. Shareholders can choose to receive BH Macro Shares and/or cash in respect of all or part of their holding.

Entitlements of Sterling Shareholders

The entitlement of each Sterling Shareholder who elects (or is deemed to elect) for the BH Macro Shares Option will be the Residual Value per Sterling Share (which shall be calculated as at the Calculation Date) multiplied by the number of Sterling Shares with "A1" rights held. The number of BH Macro Sterling Shares which Sterling Shareholders electing for BH Macro Sterling Shares (rather than cash) will be entitled to receive will be calculated by multiplying the number of Sterling Shares with "A1" rights held by the Residual Value per Sterling Share, and dividing the result by the NAV per BH Macro Sterling Share as at the Calculation Date.

The entitlement of each Sterling Shareholder who elects (or is deemed to elect) for the Cash Option will be 97.8 per cent of the Residual Value per Sterling Share, plus an additional amount per Sterling Share calculated to offset the impact of the increase of the management fee effective from 1 July 2021 to 31 July 2021, multiplied by the number of Sterling Shares with "B1" rights held.

In the event that Sterling Shareholders do not return a Form of Election (or send a valid TTE Instruction) by 1.00 p.m. on 14 July 2021 or the Form of Election is not validly completed, such Sterling Shareholders (except Restricted Shareholders, who will be deemed to have chosen the Cash Option in respect of all Shares held) will be deemed to have chosen the BH Macro Shares Option in respect of their entire holding of Sterling Shares. Where Sterling Shareholders have made a valid Election in respect of only part of their holding, they will be deemed to have chosen the BH Macro Shares Option for the remainder of their holding of Sterling Shares.

Entitlements of US Dollar Shareholders

The entitlement of each US Dollar Shareholder who elects (or is deemed to elect) for the BH Macro Shares Option will be the Residual Value per US Dollar Share multiplied by the number of US Dollar Shares with "A2" rights held. The number of BH Macro US Dollar Shares which BH Macro Shareholders electing for BH Macro US Dollar Shares (rather than cash) will be entitled to receive will be calculated by multiplying the number of US Dollar Shares with "A2" rights held by the Residual Value per US Dollar Share, and dividing the result by the NAV per BH Macro US Dollar Share on the Calculation Date.

The entitlement of each US Dollar Shareholder who elects (or is deemed to elect) for the Cash Option will be 97.8 per cent of the Residual Value per US Dollar Share, plus an additional amount per US Dollar Share calculated to offset the impact of the increase of the management fee effective from 1 July 2021 to 31 July 2021, multiplied by the number of US Dollar Shares with "B2" rights held.

In the event that US Dollar Shareholders do not return a Form of Election (or send a valid TTE Instruction) by 1.00 p.m. on 14 July 2021 or the Form of Election is not validly completed, such US Dollar Shareholders (except Restricted Shareholders who will be deemed to have chosen the Cash Option in respect of all Shares held) will be deemed to have chosen the BH Macro Shares Option in respect of their entire holding of US Dollar Shares. Where US Dollar Shareholders have made a valid Election in respect of only part of their holding, they will be deemed to have chosen the BH Macro Shares Option for the remainder of their holding of US Dollar Shares.

Calculation of Value of the Total Assets

For the purposes of the calculation of the value of the Total Assets when appropriating assets to the Outstanding Costs Coverage Fund, the Retention Fund, the Cash Fund, the Rollover Fund and the Liquidation Fund and also the calculation of the Residual Value, Residual Value per Sterling Share and Residual Value per US Dollar Share, the assets of the Company will be valued on the basis that:

- the Company's interests in shares of the Master Fund will be priced equal to the final NAVs per share of the Master Fund as at 30 July 2021; and

- cash and deposits with, or balances at, banks together with all bills receivable held by the Company as at the Calculation Date will be valued at par (together with interest accrued up to the Calculation Date). Any amount in GBP will be converted into USD using such exchange rate as the Liquidators in good faith shall consider appropriate.

Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Liquidators, may, in their absolute discretion, adopt a method of valuation or permit an alternative method of valuation to be used if they, acting in good faith, consider that such valuation better reflects the fair value of any asset or security.

For the purposes of the Scheme:

- the Residual Value shall be the NAV of the Company in USD on the basis that the assets of the Company are valued on the basis described above less the Outstanding Costs Coverage Fund (to the extent not already represented in the NAV of the Company) and the Retention Fund and the Residual Value of each of the Sterling Shares and the US Dollar Shares shall be calculated as the NAV of each class of Shares (expressed in GBP in the case of the Sterling Shares following conversion by reference to the prevailing USD/GBP exchange rate) less their pro rata contribution to the Retention Fund;

- the Residual Value per Sterling Share shall equal the Residual Value of Sterling Shares divided by the number of Sterling Shares in issue as at the Calculation Date (excluding any Sterling Shares held in treasury);

- the Residual Value per US Dollar Share shall equal the Residual Value of US Dollar Shares divided by the number of US Dollar Shares in issue as at the Calculation Date (excluding any US Dollar Shares held in treasury); and

- the Residual Value per Share is the Residual Value per Sterling Shares and/or the Residual Value per US Dollar Shares, as the context permits.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES OR TO ANY US PERSON, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, THE REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA, ANY EUROPEAN ECONOMIC AREA STATE OR ANY OTHER JURISDICTION IN WHICH ITS DISTRIBUTION MAY BE UNLAWFUL.

This announcement is an advertisement and not a prospectus for the purposes of the Prospectus Regulation Rules of the Financial Conduct Authority ("FCA") or otherwise. Investors should not subscribe for or purchase any securities referred to in this announcement except solely on the basis of the information contained in the prospectus of BH Macro Limited (together with any supplementary prospectus, if relevant) including the risk factors set out therein. A copy of the prospectus will be available for inspection at BH Macro Limited's registered office and website at www.bhmacro.com (subject to certain access restrictions) and at the National Storage Mechanism via https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism.

THIS ANNOUNCEMENT INCLUDES INSIDE INFORMATION

BH MACRO LIMITED

(a closed-ended investment company incorporated in Guernsey with registration number 46235)

LEI: 549300ZOFF0Z2CM87C29

30 June 2021

Proposed combination with BH Global Limited

The Board of BH Macro Limited (the "Company" and "BHMG") is pleased to announce that it has today published a prospectus (the "Prospectus") in connection with the issue of shares of the Company (the "Shares" and the "Issue") pursuant to the proposed combination with BH Global Limited ("BHGG" and the "Combination") announced on 28 May 2021 and to be effected by way of a scheme of reconstruction of BHGG (the "Scheme").

BHGG has also today published a circular (the "Circular") to its shareholders (the "BHGG Shareholders") in respect of the Scheme.

The Scheme is subject to BHGG Shareholder approval at an extraordinary general meeting and class meetings of BHGG scheduled to be held on 19 July 2021 (the "Scheme Meetings").

Pursuant to the Scheme, BHGG Shareholders will be able to elect to receive in exchange for their existing shareholdings in BHGG either:

 shares of the Company of the same currency class and with the same value as their holding of BHGG shares on the basis of the net asset value per share of the relevant class of the Company and the residual net asset value per share of the relevant class of BHGG as at close of business on 31 July 2021 (the "Shares Option"); or

 a cash amount equal to 97.8% of the residual net asset value per share of each BHGG share held as at close of business on 31 July 2021 plus an additional amount per share to offset the impact of the increase of the BHGG management fee effective from 1 July 2021 (the "Cash Option").

The Company's net asset value figures used for these purposes will not include any uplift that may otherwise have been created by the Company's own share tender offer commenced on 2 June 2021 (the "Tender Offer").

As set out more specifically in the Circular, the residual net asset value of each class of shares of BHGG will be the net asset value per share of the relevant class as at 31 July 2021 adjusted downwards to take account of any liabilities or provisions that were not otherwise included in the calculation of the net asset value, including any retention made by the liquidators of BHGG in respect of any unknown or unascertainable liabilities of BHGG.

The Issue is conditional upon:

 the passing of the resolutions to be proposed at the Scheme Meetings (or any adjournment thereof) and all conditions to those resolutions (excluding any condition relating to the passing of any other resolution) being fulfilled;

 the BHGG directors not resolving to abandon the Scheme; and

 the FCA having agreed to admit the Shares to be issued pursuant to the Scheme to the premium segment of the Official List and the London Stock Exchange having agreed to admit the Shares to trading on the main market for listed securities of the London Stock Exchange.

Assuming that the Scheme is approved by BHGG Shareholders and the other conditions to the Issue are met, it is anticipated that the Shares will be issued or sold from treasury to the BHGG Shareholders electing for the Share Option on or around 26 August 2021, following publication of the final net asset values per share for each of BHMG and BHGG as at 31 July 2021.

Only BHGG Shareholders who are resident in, or have a registered address in, the United Kingdom, Guernsey or Jersey and certain Swiss investors, in each case who are not US Persons (as defined below), are entitled to elect for the Share Option, and will be deemed to have elected for the Share Option if they do not elect for the Cash Option. All other BHGG Shareholders will receive the Cash Option. Elections must be made by BHGG Shareholders by 14 July 2021.

Assuming that the Scheme is approved, the assets of BHGG attributable to shares for which Share Option elections are made will be transferred to the Company for investment in Brevan Howard Master Fund Limited, effective 2 August 2021. Any other assets of BHGG remaining after payment of the Cash Option and the liabilities and costs of the liquidation of BHGG (including BHGG's costs in respect of the Scheme) will also be transferred to the Company, subject to the retention made by the liquidators of BHGG in respect of any unknown or unascertainable liabilities of BHGG.

BHGG will meet its costs of the Scheme out of those of its assets representing the difference between the payments made by BHGG in respect of Cash Option elections and the residual net asset value of the shares in respect of which those elections were made. Assuming that the Scheme is approved by BHGG's shareholders, the Company has agreed to make a contribution to BHGG of up to 750,000 to cover any shortfall if such assets prove insufficient to meet BHGG's costs of the Scheme (which will depend upon the extent of Cash Option elections made by BHGG's shareholders).

The costs of the Issue and, if relevant, any contribution made by the Company towards BHGG's costs of the Scheme, will be borne by the Company up to an amount equal to the aggregate of (a) the amount by which the price paid by the Company to acquire Shares in the Tender Offer is less than the net asset value attributable to those Shares and (b) the amount of any assets transferred by BHGG to the Company in addition to those attributable to shares for which Share Option elections are made.

To the extent that the costs of the Issue and any contribution made by the Company towards BHGG's costs of the Scheme exceeds this aggregate amount (which will depend on the number of Shares validly tendered in the Tender Offer and the number of elections for the Cash Option), Brevan Howard Capital Management LP, the Company's manager, has agreed to pay the excess, up to a maximum of 5 million (inclusive of any value added tax).

Accordingly, the Scheme and the Issue should be neutral (and may be accretive) on a NAV per share basis for BHMG shareholders owning Shares following completion of the Tender Offer and the Issue. To the extent that Shares are issued (or sold from treasury) to satisfy elections for the Share Option pursuant to the Scheme, BHMG shareholders should benefit from the spreading of the Company's fixed costs over a wider asset base and potentially greater liquidity in the Shares.

A copy of the Prospectus will available for inspection at BH Macro Limited's registered office and website at www.bhmacro.com (subject to certain access restrictions) and at the National Storage Mechanism via https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism.

Enquiries:

Richard Horlick

Chairman

William Simmonds

J.P. Morgan Cazenove

020 7742 4000

Edward Berry / Josh Sarson

FTI Consulting

07703 330 199 / 0755 499 1072

Important notices

The information contained in this announcement is for background purposes only and does not purport to be full or complete. No reliance may be placed by any person for any purpose on the information contained in this announcement or its accuracy, fairness or completeness.

Any decision to elect for the Shares Option should be made solely on the basis of information contained in the Prospectus. Before electing for the Shares Option, persons viewing this announcement should ensure that they fully understand and accept the risks set out in the Prospectus. No reliance may be placed for any purpose on the information contained in this announcement or its accuracy or completeness. Nothing in this announcement shall form the basis of or constitute any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to purchase or subscribe for any Shares or any other securities nor shall it (or any part of it) or the fact of its distribution, form the basis of, or be relied on in connection with, any contract therefor.

BHGG Shareholders should not base their financial decision on this announcement. Acquiring investments to which this announcement relates may expose an investor to a significant risk of losing all of the amount invested. Persons considering making investments should consult an authorised person specialising in advising on such investments. This announcement does not constitute a recommendation concerning the Shares. The value of shares can decrease as well as increase. BHGG Shareholders should consult a professional advisor as to the suitability of the Shares Option for the person concerned.

Nothing contained herein constitutes or should be construed as (i) investment, tax, financial, accounting or legal advice (ii) a representation that any investment or strategy is suitable or appropriate to individual circumstances or (iii) a personal recommendation.

J.P. Morgan Securities plc, which conducts its UK investment banking activities as J.P. Morgan Cazenove ("J.P. Morgan Cazenove"), which is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Prudential Regulation Authority and the Financial Conduct Authority in the United Kingdom, is acting exclusively for the Company and no-one else in connection with the Combination and the Issue and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Company for providing the protections afforded to customers of J.P. Morgan Cazenove or for providing advice in relation to the Combination, the Issue or any other matter referred to herein.

This announcement does not constitute an offer or solicitation to acquire or sell any securities in the Company. This announcement is not for distribution in or into the United States or to any US Person, Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand, the Republic of South Africa, any European Economic Area state or any other jurisdiction in which its distribution may be unlawful. A "US Person" is any person who is not a "Non-United States Person" as defined in US Commodity Futures Trading Commission Rule 4.7. This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale in the United States or elsewhere. The securities of the Company have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), and may not be offered or sold in the United States unless registered under the Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from such registration. The Company has not been and will not be registered under the US Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and investors are not entitled to the benefits of that Act. There has not been and there will be no public offering of the Company's securities in the United States.

Information to Distributors

Solely for the purposes of the product governance requirements contained within (a) EU Directive 2014/65/EU on markets in financial instruments, as amended ("Directive 2014/65/EU"), (b) Articles 9 and 10 of Commission Delegated Directive (EU) 2017/593 supplementing Directive 2014/65/EU, (c) local implementing measures or (d) (where applicable to UK investors or UK firms) the relevant provisions of the UK MiFID Laws (together, the "MiFID II Product Governance Requirements"), and disclaiming all and any liability, whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which any "manufacturer" (for the purposes of the MiFID II Product Governance Requirements) may otherwise have with respect thereto, the Shares have been subject to a product approval process, which has determined that the Shares to be issued pursuant to the Issue are (i) compatible with an end target market of retail investors and investors who meet the criteria of professional clients and eligible counterparties, each as defined in Directive 2014/65/EU or the UK MiFID Laws (as applicable) and (ii) eligible for distribution through all distribution channels as are permitted by Directive 2014/65/EU or the UK MiFID Laws, as applicable (the "Target Market Assessment").

Notwithstanding the Target Market Assessment, distributors should note that the price of the Shares may decline and investors could lose all or part of their investment, the Shares offer no guaranteed income and no capital protection, and an investment in the Shares is compatible only with investors who do not need a guaranteed income or capital protection, who (either alone or in conjunction with an appropriate financial or other adviser) are capable of evaluating the merits and risks of such an investment and who have sufficient resources to be able to bear any losses that may result therefrom. The Target Market Assessment is without prejudice to the requirements of any contractual, legal or regulatory selling restrictions in relation to the Issue.

For the avoidance of doubt, the Target Market Assessment does not constitute (a) an assessment of suitability or appropriateness for the purposes of Directive 2014/65/EU, or the UK MiFID Laws, as applicable or (b) a recommendation to any investor or group of investors to invest in, or purchase, or take any other action whatsoever with respect to the Shares.

Each distributor is responsible for undertaking its own Target Market Assessment in respect of the Shares and determining appropriate distribution channels.


MOUNTAIN VIEW (dpa-AFX) - Alphabet Inc.'s (GOOG) Google on Wednesday announced additional safety measures to protect against financial fraud in the United Kingdom. The company said that these measures would safeguard the interests of users and genuine advertisers and protect against scamsters making use of Google platforms.



As part of the new safety measures, the company will update its Ads Financial Products and Services policy from August 30 to bring in new certification requirements for financial services wanting to advertise in the UK. Under the new measures, financial services advertisers need to show that they are authorised by the UK Financial Conduct Authority or qualify for one of the limited exemptions mentioned in the UK Financial Services verification page. This requirement covers financial services products both regulated by/not regulated by the UK Financial Conduct Authority.



Google said the measures are a result of working with the FCA for the past 18 months to solve the problem, and are very important as they will go a long way in protecting users, publishers and advertisers.



The company said that with the policy being updated on August 30, it will come into force a week later on September 6.



Companies who have successfully completed the updated verification process by the time enforcement begins will be eligible to showcase their financial services ads to UK users. This will include showing ads to users who are in need of financial services.



Google said that it has been in constant touch with the FCA to know when additions are made to their warning list. Working with the authorities, the company has also updated policies like unreliable claims policy. This policy limits the rates of return a firm can advertise and banned the use of terms, which claim large financial return with minimal effort or investment.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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PRAIA, Cape Verde, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- In a decision on interim measures dated June 8, the United Nations Human Rights Committee called on Cape Verde to "refrain from extraditing Mr. Alex Saab to the United States of America" and to "take all necessary measures to ensure access to appropriate health care [] by independent and specialized physicians of his choice". This decision ordering interim measures is the first urgent step resulting from the registration of a complaint filed by Alex Saab before United Nations Human Rights Committee.



In an interview on June 29, 2021, the Cape Verdean Prosecutor General, Mr Jose Luis Landim, makes a frontal attack on the United Nations, claiming that the UN Human Rights Committee does not have the competence to impose the suspension of the extradition of Alex Saab from Cape Verde to the United States of America.

Such a position is alarming and is a legal, strategic and ethical mistake.

First, this position is completely wrong in law. We would like to remind Mr Landim that Cape Verde has chosen to ratify the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights since August 6, 1993 and the Optional Protocol to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights since May 19, 2000. It must therefore comply with its international obligations in good faith and fully respect the decisions of the expert body responsible for interpreting the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Human Rights Committee. Saying that the Committee does not have the power to request the suspension of an extradition that may expose someone to risks of irreparable harms and of violations of the right to life and right of physical integrity, is an unforgivable legal error totally incompatible with the rule of law.

Second, such a position is a frontal attack on the United Nations and the human rights that are at the heart of the values that the Organization defends. It sends a clear message to the world that Cape Verde can exercise its sovereignty to violate human rights while ignoring the norms of international human rights law to which it has subscribed and ignoring international decisions. In doing so, Cape Verde, after defying the ECOWAS Court of Justice which ordered it to release the arbitrarily detained Alex Saab, after violating Alex Saab's diplomatic immunity as a Special Envoy and an Ambassador to the African Union, is taking a hostile stance towards the United Nations and placing itself on the outside of the international community.

Third, such a position is a mistake in terms of fundamental ethical values. By requesting the suspension of Alex Saab's extradition pending the examination of the merits of the case, the Human Rights Committee was inviting Cape Verde to show humanity and common sense by considering that the extradition would be detrimental to the physical integrity and life of Alex Saab. The Committee did not take a political position, but a purely humanitarian one.

MEDIA Contact:

Sara Flounders

International Action Center

Https://www.iacenter.org

E-mail: iacenter@iacenter.org

Tel: +1 212-633-6646
Launch of Front-End Engineering and Design activities

WARSAW, Poland, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Westinghouse Electric Company has announced the launch of Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED) work under a grant from the United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to progress the nuclear energy program in Poland. The FEED will be a major step forward in bringing the project closer to realization. It is also one of the key elements in the implementation of the Intergovernmental Agreement (IGA) between Poland and the United States regarding cooperation to develop a civil nuclear power program. The preparation of the FEED will be mostly funded by the United States government.

"We thank the Polish and U.S. governments for the IGA and for U.S. support in leading the FEED financing. The FEED activities are a major step in advancing Poland's nuclear power plant program, and Westinghouse looks forward to presenting the Polish government with the most advanced and competitive technology offer for this very important project," said Elias Gedeon, Senior Vice President, Commercial Operations at Westinghouse.

Westinghouse will execute the FEED together with Bechtel Power Corp., an engineering, construction, and project management partner. It will be based on Westinghouse AP1000 technology which offers the highest safety, operability, and load following capability available in the market. The front-end engineering study will be reviewed after one year by the Polish government to help in its selection of the best partner for the nuclear power plant program.

Long-term strategic cooperation between Poland, the United States and Westinghouse would improve energy security for the country, help radically reduce CO2 emissions and maintain reliable electricity generation following the retirement of older coal-fired units.

Westinghouse Electric Company is the world's pioneering nuclear energy company and is a leading supplier of nuclear plant products and technologies to utilities throughout the world. Westinghouse supplied the world's first commercial pressurized water reactor in 1957 in Shippingport, Pa., U.S. Today, Westinghouse technology is the basis for approximately one-half of the world's operating nuclear plants. For more information, please visit www.westinghousenuclear.com.

Contacts:

Aleksandra Felczak

Hill+Knowlton Strategies

M: +48?603?130?673

aleksandra.felczak@hkstrategies.com

Jody Alexander

Westinghouse Electric Company

M: 303-241-7250

Jody.alexander@westinghouse.com

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1555403/Poland_Feed_Signing_2.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1555404/Poland_Feed_Signing.jpg
STOCKHOLM, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Board of Directors of Elkem ASA (OSE: ELK) today announces that CEO Michael Koenig has handed in his resignation and will leave Elkem effective from 30 June 2021. Elkem will now initiate a succession process to recruit its next CEO. Helge Aasen will serve as interim CEO.

"We thank Michael for serving Elkem in key leadership roles for almost five years: First as the chairperson from September 2016 through November 2019 and then as CEO from December 2019. Since last year, he has worked together with the board and the corporate management to handle the Covid-19 situation. Elkem has delivered strong results and he leaves the company in a good position, with a positive market outlook for all divisions," says Hao Zhigang, chairperson of Elkem's Board of Directors.

"Together with the entire Elkem team globally, we have managed through a period of historic uncertainty to deliver all-time high operating income in the first quarter of 2021 and the best quarterly result since the third quarter 2018. We have also continued to position Elkem for the future in line with the strategy of growth and specialisation. Finally, we have stepped up in important areas like ESG, digital transformation and battery materials. I am now leaving to pursue other opportunities. The next CEO will join a strong company with a great future," says Michael Koenig, CEO of Elkem.

The board of Elkem ASA will now initiate a succession process. While this process is ongoing, Helge Aasen will serve as the company's interim CEO. Mr. Aasen comes from the position as board member of Elkem ASA. He previously served as the company's CEO from 2009 to 2019.

"I look forward to continue serving Elkem, now as interim CEO, while the board completes the succession process. I will not be a candidate for the permanent CEO-role during this process. While working as the interim CEO, I will temporarily leave Elkem's board of directors. I am confident that team Elkem will continue to deliver strong performance while also delivering on our long-term strategy," says Aasen.

For further information, please contact:

Odd-Geir Lyngstad

VP Finance & Investor Relations

Tel: +47 976 72 806

Email: odd-geir.lyngstad@elkem.com

Fredrik Norman

VP Corporate Communications & Public Affairs

Tel: +47 918 66 567

Email: fredrik.norman@elkem.com

This information is considered to be inside information pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation and is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.

This stock exchange announcement was published by Odd-Geir Lyngstad, VP Finance & Investor Relations at Elkem ASA, on 30 June 2021 at 20.00 CEST.

About Elkem

Elkem is one of the world's leading providers of advanced material solutions shaping a better and more sustainable future. The company develops silicones, silicon products and carbon solutions by combining natural raw materials, renewable energy and human ingenuity. Elkem helps its customers create and improve essential innovations like electric mobility, digital communications, health and personal care as well as smarter and more sustainable cities. With a strong track record since 1904, its global team of more than 6,800 people has a joint commitment to stakeholders: Delivering your potential. In 2020, Elkem was rated among the world's top 5% on climate and achieved an operating income of NOK 24.7 billion. Elkem is listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange (ticker: ELK). www.elkem.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/elkem/r/ceo-michael-koenig-to-leave-elkem,c3377522

The following files are available for download:


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Elon Musk, the Chief of SpaceX and Tesla (TSLA), said in a meeting on Tuesday that Spacelink, his latest global internet program, will be available from August, a month earlier than he had earlier predicted.



In the telecom industry conference, Musk said to Mobile World Congress that the service, already in its beta testing stage, has more than 69000 users across the globe, and once finalized, it can reach 500,000 users in a matter of 12 months. The project has already launched 1700 satellites into the lower orbits and it plans to launch around 40,000 of those.



The billionaire tech entrepreneur also said that his company is looking to make more cost-effective internet terminals as SpaceX is losing money at its current price point of $1000. The service is available for $500 per rooftop system and another $99 for a monthly subscription. The investment cost for the project is going to be around $20 to $30 billion and it has already made partnerships with network providers in two countries.



'Our goal is not to go bankrupt', Musk joked, referencing the tumultuous history of the industry. 'Step No. 1 for Starlink is don't go bankrupt. If we succeed in not going bankrupt then that'll be great and we can move on from there.'



However, the program has a lot of issues that need to be fixed. While it is fast, the connection can get disrupted under extreme weather conditions. A director of Nokia, Don Joyce, who has signed up for the subscription in a remote location in Canada, mentioned the superior speed of the program but also mentioned the unreliability. He said, 'If you're in the city and you have alternatives, I wouldn't recommend it. But if you're in the country, like in the middle of nowhere and you're getting pathetic internet service, then it's definitely a competitor.'



Another issue with Starlink is heating. The system heats up during heatwaves and doesn't start until cooled. According to Musk, the company will launch a new version of the satellites next year. The company is also planning an orbital flight of the Starship rocket within a few months.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 30, 2021) - Centurion Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: CTN) ("Centurion", or the "Company") reports that further to its June 18 news release, it has applied to the TSX venture exchange for a one-year extension to 14,867,430 warrants set to expire on July 10, 2021 and 2,168,870 warrants set to expire on August 24, 2021.

The warrants are related to a private placement financing consisting of 14,867,430 Units (first tranche) priced at $0.10 that closed on July 10, 2019 and 2,168,870 Units (2nd tranche) that closed on August 24, 2019. Each unit consisted of a share and one 2- year warrant exercisable at $.15. Pricing of the warrants will remain the same.

Trading in the shares of Centurion is expected to remain halted pending receipt of conditional approval from the TSX-V and/or closing of the previously announced Hai Beverages Inc./ CannaEden Transaction.

ABOUT CENTURION

Centurion Minerals Ltd. is a Canadian-based company with a focus on South American asset development. The Company's lead investment has been its interest in the Ana Sofia Agri-Gypsum Fertilizer Project. The Company has been actively pursuing business opportunities in the South American cannabis and related products industry.

"David G. Tafel"

President and CEO

For Further Information Contact:

David Tafel

604-484-2161

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.

Completion of the transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including, but not limited to, Exchange acceptance and if applicable, 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 management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the transaction, any information release or received with respect to the transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/89154
Strategic acquisition of Jensen Hughes s.r.l. Continental Europe (JHM) expands Jensen Hughes' global market leadership by strengthening its ability to serve clients in Europe.

BALTIMORE, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jensen Hughes, a global leader in safety, security and risk-based engineering and consulting, announced today its acquisition of long-time partner and Milan-based Jensen Hughes s.r.l. Continental Europe (JHM). A market leader in fire protection engineering based in Italy, JHM has expertise in performance-based design, code consulting and permitting services in complex commercial, hospitality, insurance and manufacturing industries in Europe, Middle East and Africa.

"JHM officially becoming part of the JH family embodies a natural progression based on a mutually beneficial partnership that has spanned over the past three decades. President Luciano Nigro, Managing Director Gaetano Coppola and their team have built an impressive business focused on providing high-quality client service. JHM has a history rooted in expertise with global codes. In addition to Italian code knowledge, they have expertise in International Building Codes (IBC) and National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) standards," said Raj Arora, CEO, Jensen Hughes.

JHM is one of the most recent strategic acquisitions by Jensen Hughes, a portfolio company of Gryphon Investors, that reflects the company's long-term commitment to deliver its integrated, end-to-end services to the global market. The acquisition strengthens Jensen Hughes' ability to help clients in the fire, building and safety industry and implement global best practices to manage these in a prevention-oriented and cost-effective manner.

In addition to its investments worldwide, Jensen Hughes' focus on the European market includes its 2018 acquisition of the UK and Ireland firm Jeremy Gardner Associates (JGA), 2019 acquisition of International Fire Investigators and Consultants (IFIC), 2020 acquisition of L2 Fire Safety in Finland and the recent acquisition of Belgium-based company FES Ghent (FESG).

JHM's Continental Europe branch was established in Milan, Italy, in 1982 under the name of Industrial Loss Control & Engineering s.r.l (ILC s.r.l). In 1999, ILC established a partnership with Hughes Associates Inc. (HAI), the US leading company in Fire Science & Engineering. Through the years, thanks to the constantly growing partnership with HAI, the ILC name was changed to Hughes Associate Europe. Starting from the beginning of 2018 and through a franchise agreement, HAE s.r.l has been doing business as Jensen Hughes.

"For nearly four decades, we have built a scalable business around our clients' need for performance-based design, code consulting and permitting services," said Luciano Nigro, JHM President. "Jensen Hughes is just as deeply committed to technical excellence as JHM has been since our founding. Its market leadership, global scale and deep bench of scientists, engineers and consultants opens up tremendous opportunities to provide an even more holistic solution for our clients."

For more information, visit jensenhughes.com or jensenhughes.com/europe.

About Jensen Hughes

Jensen Hughes is the global leader in safety, security and risk-based engineering and consulting. Every day, our international teams of 1,400+ engineers, technical experts, architects and consultants partner with clients in 100+ countries to make our world safe, secure and resilient. Since 1939, we have earned trust among our clients, people and communities by bringing integrity to our relationships, innovation to our industry and technical excellence to many of the most complex challenges in the world. Our major business lines include fire protection engineering, risks and hazards, security risk consulting, emergency management and planning, and forensic engineering. For more information, visit www.jensenhughes.com.

About JHM

Founded in 1982, JHM is a market-leading fire protection engineering firm comprised of a highly experienced and passionate team committed to delivering technical excellence for clients across the full spectrum of services. Operating in Italy, our clients trust us to design creative solutions through a performance-based approach and provide the optimum safety measures. For more information, visit jensenhughes.com/europe.

About Gryphon Investors

Based in San Francisco, Gryphon Investors (www.gryphoninvestors.com) is a leading private equity firm focused on profitably growing and competitively enhancing middle-market companies in partnership with experienced management. The firm has managed over $5.0 billion of equity investments and capital since 1997. Gryphon targets making equity investments of $50 million to $300 million in portfolio companies with enterprise values ranging from approximately $100 million to $600 million. Gryphon prioritizes investment opportunities where it can form strong partnerships with owners and executives to build leading companies, utilizing Gryphon's capital, specialized professional resources, and operational expertise.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1044200/Jensen_Hughes_Logo.jpg


WASHINGTON (dpa-AFX) - Crude oil futures settled notably higher on Wednesday, lifted by data showing another weekly drop in U.S. crude inventories.



Traders also looked ahead to the decision of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and its allies, collectively known as OPEC+, with regard to increasing crude production from August. The OPEC+ will announce its decision on Thursday.



West Texas Intermediate Crude oil futures for August ended up by $0.49 or about 0.7% at $73.47 a barrel.



Data released by Energy Information Administration (EIA) showed crude inventories in the U.S. dropped by 6.7 million barrels in the week ended June 25, much higher than an expected drop of 4.7 million barrels.



Gasoline stockpiles were up by 1.5 million barrels last week, as against expectations for a draw of 886,000 barrels. Meanwhile, distillate stockpiles fell by 869,000 barrels in the week, against forecast for an increase of 486,000 barrels.



A report released by the American Petroleum Institute (API) Tuesday evening that crude stockpiles in the U.S. dropped by about 8.2 million barrels last week.



OPEC Secretary General Mohammad Barkindo said on Tuesday that oil demand will likely rise by 6 million barrels per day in 2021, with 5 million bpd of that coming in the second half of the year.



Goldman Sachs is of the view that oil demand will rise by a further 2.2 million bpd by the end of this year.



Quoting an internal OPEC report, Reuters highlights that the oil market could return to a glut after the group is expected to unravel oil production cuts of under 6 million barrels per day by April 2022.



Copyright RTT News/dpa-AFX

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Operated by Eurasian Space Ventures and part of global charity foundation - I AM PART OF, the Quran multimedia files will be transmitted from space and can be accessed from anywhere in the world

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- I AM PART OF, a global charity foundation established by entrepreneur Shukhrat Ibragimov, today announced Divine, a community project that leverages space technologies to broadcast the Quran audio complimentary, including the authentic Sahih Al-Bukhari collection of Hadiths from space, to Muslims and anyone looking to understand the Sacred Text of Islam across the globe. The audio and multimedia files for Divine have been embedded in a payload supplied by space-as-a-service solution provider and partner SpaceChain , and installed on a YAM-2 satellite, which is on its way to space onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket under the rideshare program. The mission was operated by Loft Orbital .

Divine was initiated to dispel misconceptions and stereotypes of the teachings of the Quran and to present a better understanding of what the Quran is for young and new Muslim communities, and the world.

By hosting information in terrestrial servers in space, Divine is able to send the teachings of the Quran to a wider audience due to the large coverage area afforded by the satellite.

Upon successful activation on-orbit in November 2021, the Quran files that are stored in the payload will be transmitted from space to several platforms built for the Divine project. They include the Divine official site ; as well as the Divine Live app, which is available now for download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store .

Users will be able to access the Sacred Text of Islam as well as complete audio and text descriptions and explanations of what the teachings mean in different languages. Through the Divine platforms, users can view the real-time location of the satellite that carries the Quran multimedia files and receive transmission details such as the orbital information of the satellite carrying the payload.

Plans are also underway to transmit the Quran multimedia files from space to audio receivers installed at designated ground stations located in rural regions throughout the world where access to the Internet is limited.

"Our ultimate goal is to provide reliable and accessible information about Islam to people around the world who wish to learn more about the Quran and the pillars of the religion," said Shukhrat Ibragimov, chair trustee of I AM PART OF and founder of Divine. "By leveraging state-of-the-art space technologies, we are removing limitations of land-based infrastructure in reaching a wider global community. Divine is creating a new frontier of accessibility by bringing technology beyond the Internet to enable all to have simultaneous access to the teachings of Islam from a single source."

Divine is operated and managed by Eurasian Space Ventures (ESV) , a private company registered in Kazakhstan which aims to serve as an international hub for space projects and related organizations looking to capitalize on the well-established space infrastructure and ecosystem in the country.

ESV and SpaceChain have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for ongoing collaboration and developing joint projects in the field of space technologies over a period of two years.

Additional resource for download:

Divine FAQ Page

About Divine

Divine is the one and only project in the world which deploys space technologies to transmit the Holy Quran directly from a satellite flying over you. It is a multifunctional and educational platform which provides a full understanding of the Holy Quran teachings, the authentic Sahih Al-Bukhari collection of Hadiths, a tutorial on performing Salah as well as a collection of Dua and other relevant material. All information on the website is prepared in different languages under the guidance of the official Islamic Educational Centres in different countries.

For more information, visit https://www.divine.live/

About I AM PART OF

I AM PART OF is a global charity project registered with the Charity Commission for England and Wales. The main mission is to work for the public benefit, the relief and assistance of people in need by building solar powered automatic water wells; farms, Mosques in remote areas of the world; and by providing medical support.
Announcement on the Change in Share Capital of H-Share

Qingdao / Shanghai / Frankfurt / Hongkong, 30 June 2021 - Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (the "Company" or "Haier Smart Home", D-share 690D.DE, A-share 600690.SH, H-share 06690.HK) published an announcement on the Shanghai Stock Exchange with regard to the Change in Share Capital of H-Share:

The details are as follows:

Conversion status of H-share related convertible bonds: In June 2021, a cumulative amount of HKD 396,000,000 H-Share convertible bonds were converted into H-Shares of the Company, and the cumulative number of H-Shares formed as a result of the conversion was 21,022,566 shares, accounting for 0.22% of the total share capital of the Company before the conversion of H-Share convertible bonds in this month. As of 30 June 2021, a cumulative amount of HKD 7,491,000,000 H-Share convertible bonds were converted into H-Shares of the Company, and the cumulative number of H-Shares formed as a result of the conversion was 397,676,840 shares, accounting for 4.23% of the total share capital of the Company before the conversion of H-Share convertible bonds in this month.

Status of outstanding convertible bonds: As of 30 June 2021, the amount of H-Share convertible bonds not yet converted was HKD 502,000,000, accounting for 6.28% of the total number of H-Share convertible bonds issued.

Progress of the repurchase of H-shares: In June 2021, the Company has repurchased a total of 20,444,800 H- shares, representing 0.22% of the total share capital of the Company, with the highest price of HKD 33.00 per share and the lowest price of HKD 27.40 per share, and the amount paid was HKD 620,077,080.00. As at the end of June 2021, the Company has repurchased a total of 32,352,800 shares, representing 0.34% of the total share capital of the Company, with the highest price of HKD 33.20 per share and the lowest price of HKD 27.40 per share, and the amount paid was HKD 999,753,575. All of the aforementioned repurchased shares have been cancelled as of the end of June 2021.

I. Background of the issuance and listing of convertible bonds

On 27 October 2020, the China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) issued the Approval of Haier Smart Home Co.,Ltd. to Issue Overseas Listed Foreign Shares and Convertible Corporate Bonds (CSRC License [2020] No. 2768), approving: (1) Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as the "Company") to issue not more than 2,856,526,138 overseas listed foreign shares (including additional shares issued upon exercise of conversion rights by holders of convertible bonds of not more than HKD 8 billion or equivalent in foreign currencies), with a par value of RMB 1 per share, all of which are ordinary shares. Upon completion of this issuance, the Company may list on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (hereinafter referred to as "HKSE"); (2) The Company's wholly-owned overseas subsidiaries, guaranteed by the Company, will issue overseas corporate bonds not exceeding HKD 8 billion or its equivalent in foreign currency convertible into overseas listed foreign shares of the Company (hereinafter referred to as "H-share convertible bonds").

On 23 December 2020, 2,448,279,814 H-Shares of the Company were listed and traded on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited and the relevant exchangeable bonds to convertible bonds program became effective and operational after the listing, the total amount of effective H-share convertible bonds was HKD 7,993,000,000.

II. Background of the repurchase of H-shares

On 05 March 2021, the First Extraordinary General Meeting of Shareholders in 2021 and the First Class Meetings of Shareholders in 2021 considered and approved the Proposal to Grant the General Mandate for the Repurchase of H-Shares upon Completion of the Listing.

III. Changes in Share Capital

From 01 June 2021 to 30 June 2021, the changes in the Company's shares were as follows:

Class of shares Before the changes

31 May 2021 Number of the current changes (shares) After the changes

30 June 2021 Number of shares (shares) Proportion Number of convertible bonds to shares Number of repurchased shares cancelled Number of shares (shares) Proportion Listed domestic shares (A shares) 6,308,552,654 67.13% - - 6,308,552,654 67.16% Overseas-listed shares (D shares) 271,013,973 2.88% - - 271,013,973 2.89% Overseas-listed shares (H shares) 2,818,598,288 29.99% +21,022,566 -26,017,000 2,813,603,854 29.95% Total number of shares 9,398,164,915 100.00% +21,022,566 -26,017,000 9,393,170,481 100.00%



About Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd.:

Haier is one of the world's leading manufacturers of household appliances with a focus on smart home solutions and customized mass production. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. develops, produces and distributes a wide range of household appliances. These include refrigerators, freezers, washing machines, air conditioners, water heaters, kitchen appliances as well as smaller household appliances and an extensive range of intelligent household appliances. The Company distributes its products through leading household brands such as Haier, Casarte, Leader, Candy, GE Appliances, AQUA and Fisher & Paykel. Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd. has launched Smart Home Experiential Cloud, which connects homes, users, enterprises and ecosystem partners, and facilitates the integration of Haier's online, offline and micro-store businesses and supports user interaction to further optimize the user experience.



IR Contact:

Yao Sun (Sophie) - Haier Smart Home Germany

T: +49 6172 9454 143

F: +49 6172 9454 42143

M: +49 160 9469 3601

Email: y.sun@haier.de
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 30, 2021) - Tracker Ventures Corp. (CSE: TKR) (FSE: B2I) (the "Company" or "Tracker") is pleased to announce, further to its news releases dated March 5, 2021 and December 8, 2020, that it has received conditional approval from the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") for the Company's acquisition (the "Acquisition") of Contakt World Technologies Corp. ("Contakt World"). The Acquisition will constitute a "fundamental change" of the Company, as such term is defined in the rules and policies of the CSE. The Acquisition is to be effected by way of a three-cornered amalgamation, pursuant to an amalgamation agreement dated December 3, 2020 among the Company, its wholly-owned subsidiary, 1276313 B.C. LTD., Contakt World, Contakt LLC and certain founding shareholders of Contakt World.

Final approval and completion of the Acquisition is subject to the satisfaction of conditions precedent, including without limitation: (i) completion of a concurrent financing for minimum gross proceeds of $540,000; (ii) completion of the change in the Company's name to "Contakt World Technologies Corp."; (iii) completion of any and all outstanding CSE application documentation and payment of fees pursuant to CSE policies; and (iv) shareholders of the Company having approved the Acquisition.

A copy of the Form 2A listing statement in connection with the Acquisition was prepared in accordance with the policies of the CSE and will be available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com and the CSE website prior to the commencement of trading on the CSE.

Tracker Ventures Contact

Zayn Kalyan

CFO and Director

Direct: 778-938-3367

For more information, investors should review the Company's filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

About Contakt World

Contakt World is a technology company and ad agency innovating public health with the goal of becoming the most trustworthy, accessible and scalable digital public health and safety platform globally - addressing the needs of a post-pandemic world. Contakt World combines aggressive research and development, human-centered design, next-gen data integrations, and strategic health partnerships to empower and build mutual trust within communities, contributing towards health equity for users around the world. Contakt World's first suite of tools emerge from the urgency surrounding coronavirus to manage the pandemic through innovative contact tracing and case management spanning multiple modes of communication. For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.contakt.world.

About Tracker Ventures Corp.

Tracker Ventures (CSE: TKR) (OTC: TLOOF) (FSE: B2I) is an analytics software company that leverages blockchain and digital asset technology to transform and modernize multiple industries. Tracker is taking a diversified approach to the analytics and technology space, delivering practical solutions in the health, finance, logistics and pharmaceutical industries. The Company's turnkey real-time tracking solutions offer the very latest in IoT and AI, providing valuable data and business intelligence to some of the world's leading brands.

Forward Looking-Statements

Certain information set forth in this press release contains statements that reflect "forward-looking information", as such term is defined under Canadian securities laws ("forward-looking statements"). These forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as "intends", "anticipates", "expects", "believes", "plans", "likely" or similar words. Specifically, this news release includes forward looking statements regarding completion of the Acquisition and the timing thereof, the conditions precedent to completion of the Acquisition, the Company's future business plans once the Acquisition has been completed and the CSE's approval of the Form 2A listing statement in connection with the Acquisition. The forward-looking statements reflect the Company's and Contakt World's respective management's expectations, estimates, or projections concerning future results or events, based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates considered reasonable by management at the date the statements are made. Although the Company and Contakt World believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, as unknown or unpredictable factors could cause actual results to be materially different from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are: whether the parties are able to satisfy the relevant conditions precedent under the amalgamation agreement respecting the Acquisition; and whether the parties are able to obtain all necessary regulatory and corporate approvals for the Acquisition. The forward-looking statements may also be affected by risks and uncertainties in the business of Tracker, including those described in the Company's public filings available on www.SEDAR.com. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change, except as required by applicable securities laws. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE) has not reviewed, approved, or disapproved the content of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/89166
Toronto, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - June 30, 2021) - McLaren Resources Inc. (CSE: MCL) (FSE: 3ML) ("McLaren" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has been issued a mineral exploration permit by the Ontario Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines ("MENDM") for its 100%-owned Kerrs gold property (the "Kerrs Permit") located in the prolific Timmins Gold District of Northeastern Ontario, Canada where over 70 million ounces of gold have been produced to date.

The Kerrs Permit has been issued to McLaren for an initial three-year term. This permit allows McLaren to undertake various surface exploration activities on the property including line-cutting, geological and geophysical surveys and diamond drilling. It is anticipated that initial data compilation and field studies are to be undertaken on the Kerrs property during the summer of 2021.

McLaren has also applied to MENDM for an exploration permit for its 100%-owned McCool gold property. The application is currently under review by MENDM and it is anticipated that an exploration permit will be issued to McLaren in the coming weeks.

The 775 hectare ("ha") Kerrs gold property, along with 275 ha McCool gold property, were acquired from Newmont Corporation ("Newmont") in mid-2020 in exchange for a four-year option on McLaren's Augdome gold property which lies immediately east of Newmont's past-producing Dome Gold Mine in Timmins (see news release dated May 14, 2020).

The McCool and Kerrs gold properties are located within the Abitibi Greenstone Belt along the Destor-Porcupine Deformation Zone, which is host to many of the gold deposits in the area, approximately 73 km east of Timmins city centre. The McCool and Kerrs properties are located near several gold mines and development projects including the Black Fox Mine, the Fenn Gib project, the Golden Highway project, the Garrison project and the Holt Holloway Mine complex, which are all situated along Hwy 101 east of Timmins. McLaren also owns a 100% interest in the past-producing Blue Quartz Gold Mine property which is located approximately 22 km west of the McCool property (see news release dated October 26, 2020).

Considering the permitting delays brought about by the current COVID-19 pandemic, McLaren is extending the expiry date on 342,000 outstanding warrants by 3 months from June 30, 2021 to September 30, 2021.

Qualified Person

The information presented in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Kenneth Guy, P.Geo, a consultant to McLaren and the Qualified Person for McLaren, as defined by National Instrument 43-101 "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects".

About McLaren

McLaren has been focussed on exploration work on its gold properties in the Timmins Gold District of Northeastern Ontario. McLaren now owns a 100% interest in the past-producing, 640 ha, Blue Quartz Gold Mine property as well as the 275 ha McCool and 775 ha Kerrs gold properties, all located within the Abitibi Greenstone Belt along the Destor-Porcupine Deformation Zone, which is host to many of the gold deposits in the area, approximately 73 km east of Timmins. McLaren also owns a 100% interest in the 408 ha Augdome gold property which is located in Tisdale and Whitney Townships immediately east of the Dome Mine owned by Newmont. The Augdome property is currently under a four-year option to Newmont.

For more information, please contact:

Radovan Danilovsky, President

Phone: 416-203-6784

McLAREN RESOURCES INC.

44 Victoria Street, Suite 1616

Toronto, Ontario M5C 1Y2

This news release is not for distribution in the United States.



The Canadian Securities Exchange has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of the press release. The Canadian Securities Exchange does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.



Certain statements contained in this news release constitute "forward-looking statements". When used in this document, the words "anticipated", "expect", "estimated", "forecast", "planned", and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements or information. These statements are based on current expectations of management; however, they are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this news release. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements. McLaren Resources Inc. does not undertake any obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise after the date hereof, except as required by securities laws.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/89061
Aberdeen Standard Global Infrastructure Income Fund ('ASGI') Aberdeen Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc. ('FAX') Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Inc. ('IAF') The India Fund, Inc. ( 'IFN')

PHILADELPHIA, PA / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2021 / The above-noted Aberdeen Standard Investments U.S. Closed-End Funds (the 'Funds' or individually the 'Fund'), today announced that the Funds paid the distributions noted in the table below on June 30, 2021, on a per share basis to all shareholders of record as of June 23, 2021 (ex-dividend date June 22, 2021). These dates apply to the Funds listed below with the exception of the Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Inc. (IAF) which paid the distribution on June 30, 2021 to all shareholders of record as of May 21, 2021 (ex-dividend date May 20, 2021).

Ticker Exchange Fund Amount ASGI NYSE Aberdeen Standard Global Infrastructure Income Fund $ 0.1083 FAX NYSE American Aberdeen Asia-Pacific Income Fund, Inc. $ 0.0275 IAF NYSE American Aberdeen Australia Equity Income Fund, Inc. $ 0.15 IFN NYSE The India Fund, Inc. $ 0.58

Each Fund has adopted a distribution policy to provide investors with a stable distribution out of current income, supplemented by realized capital gains and, to the extent necessary, paid-in capital.

For the Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Inc. ('IAF'), this stock distribution was automatically paid in newly issued shares of the Fund unless otherwise instructed by the shareholder to be paid in cash. Shares of common stock were issued at the lower of the net asset value ('NAV') per share or the market price per share with a floor for the NAV of not less than 95% of the market price on June 21, 2021. The reinvestment price per share for this distribution was $6.29. Fractional shares were generally settled in cash, except for registered shareholders with book entry accounts at Computershare Investor Services who had whole and fractional shares added to their account.

To have received the Aberdeen Australia Equity Fund, Inc. ('IAF') quarterly distribution payable in June 2021 in cash instead of shares of common stock, for shareholders who hold shares in 'street name,' the bank, brokerage or nominee who holds the shares must have advised the Depository Trust Company as to the full and fractional shares for which they want the distribution paid in cash by June 18, 2021; and for shares that are held in registered form, written notification for the election of cash by registered shareholders must have been received by Computershare Investor Services prior to June 18, 2021.

Under applicable U.S. tax rules, the amount and character of distributable income for each Fund's fiscal year can be finally determined only as of the end of the Fund's fiscal year. However, under Section 19 of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the '1940 Act') and related rules, the Funds may be required to indicate to shareholders the estimated source of certain distributions to shareholders.

The following tables set forth the estimated amounts of the sources of the distributions for purposes of Section 19 of the 1940 Act and the rules adopted thereunder. The tables have been computed based on generally accepted accounting principles. The tables include estimated amounts and percentages for the current distributions paid this month as well as for the cumulative distributions paid relating to fiscal year to date, from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short-term capital gains; net realized long-term capital gains; and return of capital. The estimated compositions of the distributions may vary because the estimated composition may be impacted by future income, expenses and realized gains and losses on securities and currencies.

Each Fund's estimated sources of the current distribution paid this month and for its current fiscal year to date are as follows:

Estimated Amounts of Current Distribution per Share Fund Distribution Amount Net Investment Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains ** Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital ASGI $0.1083 $0.0260 24% $0.0812 75% - - $0.0011 1% FAX $0.0275 $0.0138 50% - - - - $0.0137 50% IAF $0.1500 $0.0120 8% - - $0.0735 49% $0.0645 43% IFN $0.5800 - - $0.0696 12% $0.5104 88% - -

Estimated Amounts of Fiscal Year to Date Cumulative Distributions per Share Fund Distribution Amount Net Investment Income Net Realized Short-Term Gains ** Net Realized Long-Term Gains Return of Capital ASGI $0.9747 $0.0260 24% $0.7310 75% - - $0.0097 1% FAX $0.2200 $0.1100 50% - - - - $0.1100 50% IAF $0.4300 $0.0344 8% - - $0.2107 49% $0.1849 43% IFN $1.1600 - - $0.1392 12% $1.0208 88% - -

* ASGI has a 9/30 fiscal year end; FAX and IAF have a 10/31 fiscal year end; IFN has a 12/31 fiscal year end.

**includes currency gains.

Where the estimated amounts above show a portion of the distribution to be a 'Return of Capital,' it means that Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in a Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with 'yield' or 'income.'

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The final determination of the source of all distributions for the current year will only be made after year-end. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of the fiscal year and may be subject to change based on tax regulations. After the end of each calendar year, a Form 1099-DIV will be sent to shareholders for the prior calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The following table provides the Funds' total return performance based on net asset value (NAV) over various time periods compared to the Funds' annualized and cumulative distribution rates.

Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information Fund Average Annual Total Return on NAV for the 5 Year Period Ending 05/31/2021  Current Fiscal Period's Annualized Distribution Rate on NAV Cumulative Total Return on NAV  Cumulative Distribution Rate on NAV  ASGI  21.44% 3 5.60% 25.00% 3.73% FAX  5.67% 6.98% 6.34% 4.07% IFN  10.70% 9.69% 6.93% 2.42%

1 Return data is net of all Fund expenses and fees and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan.

2 Based on the Fund's NAV as of May 31, 2021.

3 The Fund launched within the past 5 years; the performance and distribution rate information presented reflects data from inception (July 29, 2020) through May 31, 2021.

Fund Performance and Distribution Rate Information Fund Average Annual Total Return on NAV for the 5 Year Period Ending 04/30/2021  Current Fiscal Period's Annualized Distribution Rate on NAV Cumulative Total Return on NAV  Cumulative Distribution Rate on NAV  IAF 2 10.82% 9.31% 26.90% 4.49%

1 Return data is net of all Fund expenses and fees and assumes the reinvestment of all distributions reinvested at prices obtained under the Fund's dividend reinvestment plan.

2 Based on the Fund's NAV as of April 30, 2021.

Shareholders should not draw any conclusions about a Fund's investment performance from the amount of the Fund's current distributions or from the terms of the distribution policy (the 'Distribution Policy').

While NAV performance may be indicative of the Fund's investment performance, it does not measure the value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund. The value of a shareholder's investment in the Fund is determined by the Fund's market price, which is based on the supply and demand for the Fund's shares in the open market.

Pursuant to an exemptive order granted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, the Funds may distribute any long-term capital gains more frequently than the limits provided in Section 19(b) under the 1940 Act and Rule 19b-1 thereunder. Therefore, distributions paid by the Funds during the year may include net income, short-term capital gains, long-term capital gains and/or a return of capital. Net income dividends and short-term capital gain dividends, while generally taxable at ordinary income rates, may be eligible, to the extent of qualified dividend income earned by the Funds, to be taxed at a lower rate not to exceed the maximum rate applicable to your long-term capital gains. Distributions made in any calendar year in excess of investment company taxable income and net capital gain are treated as taxable ordinary dividends to the extent of undistributed earnings and profits, and then as a return of capital that reduces the adjusted basis in the shares held. To the extent return of capital distributions exceed the adjusted basis in the shares held, capital gain is recognized with a holding period based on the period the shares have been held at the date such amount is received.

The payment of distributions in accordance with the Distribution Policy may result in a decrease in the Fund's net assets. A decrease in the Fund's net assets may cause an increase in the Fund's annual operating expense ratio and a decrease in the Fund's market price per share to the extent the market price correlates closely to the Fund's net asset value per share. The Distribution Policy may also negatively affect the Fund's investment activities to the extent that the Fund is required to hold larger cash positions than it typically would hold or to the extent that the Fund must liquidate securities that it would not have sold, for the purpose of paying the distribution. Each Fund's Board has the right to amend, suspend or terminate the Distribution Policy at any time. The amendment, suspension or termination of the Distribution Policy may affect the Fund's market price per share. Investors should consult their tax advisor regarding federal, state and local tax considerations that may be applicable in their particular circumstances.

Circular 230 disclosure : To ensure compliance with requirements imposed by the U.S. Treasury, we inform you that any U.S. tax advice contained in this communication (including any attachments) is not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any transaction or matter addressed herein.

In the United States, Aberdeen Standard Investments is the marketing name for the following affiliated, registered investment advisers: Aberdeen Standard Investments Inc., Aberdeen Asset Managers Ltd., Aberdeen Standard Investments Australia Ltd., Aberdeen Standard Investments (Asia) Ltd., Aberdeen Capital Management, LLC, Aberdeen Standard Investments ETFs Advisors LLC and Aberdeen Standard Alternative Funds Limited.

Closed-end funds are traded on the secondary market through one of the stock exchanges. A 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 a Fund will achieve its investment objective. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

If you If you wish to receive this information electronically, please contact Investor.Relations@aberdeenstandard.com

https://www.aberdeenstandard.com/en-us/cefinvestorcenter/fund-centre/closed-end-funds

For More Information Contact:

Aberdeen Standard Investments Inc.

Investor Relations

800-522-5465

Investor.Relations@aberdeenstandard.com

SOURCE: Aberdeen Standard Investments Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/653774/Aberdeen-Standard-Investments-US-Closed-End-Funds-Announce-Distribution-Payment-Details
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2021 / Ximen Mining Corp. (TSXV:XIM)(FRA:1XMA)(OTCQB:XXMMF) (the "Company" or "Ximen") The Company is pleased to announce that it has closed a financing for gross proceeds of $200,000. The non-brokered private placement consisted of 800,000 units at a price of $0.25 per unit. Each Unit consists of one common share and one transferable common share purchase warrant. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder to purchase, for a period of 36 months from the date of issue, one additional common share of the Issuer at an exercise price of $0.35 per share. The hold expiry date for the placement is October 25, 2021. The net proceeds from the private placement will be used for the further exploration on the Company's British Columbia mineral properties and general working capital.

The closing of the private placement financing is subject to final TSX-V approval.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Christopher R. Anderson"

Christopher R. Anderson,

President, CEO and Director

604 488-3900

Investor Relations:

Sophy Cesar

604-488-3900

ir@XimenMiningCorp.com

About Ximen Mining Corp.

Ximen Mining Corp. owns 100% interest in three of its precious metal projects located in southern BC. Ximen's two Gold projects The Amelia Gold Mine and The Brett Epithermal Gold Project. Ximen also owns the Treasure Mountain Silver Project adjacent to the past producing Huldra Silver Mine. Currently, the Treasure Mountain Silver Project is under a option agreement. The option partner is making annual staged cash and stocks payments as well as funding the development of the project. The company has recently acquired control of the Kenville Gold mine near Nelson British Columbia which comes with surface and underground rights, buildings and equipment.

Ximen is a publicly listed company trading on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol XIM, in the USA under the symbol XXMMF, and in Frankfurt, Munich, and Berlin Stock Exchanges in Germany under the symbol 1XMA and WKN with the number as A2JBKL.

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the receipt of TSX Venture Exchange approval and the exercise of the Option by Ximen. 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 statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, 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 future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include the possibility that the TSX Venture Exchange may not accept the proposed transaction in a timely manner, if at all. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's reports, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any state in the United States in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

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.

Ximen Mining Corp

888 Dunsmuir Street - Suite 888

Vancouver, B.C., V6C 3K

Tel: 604-488-3900

SOURCE: Ximen Mining Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/653813/Ximen-Mining-Corporate-Update
VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2021 / Viva Gold Corp. (TSX-Venture:VAU) (the "Company" or "Viva") announces that it has granted, pursuant to its stock option plan, a total of 650,000 incentive stock options to directors, officers and consultants. The incentive stock options have an exercise price of CDN $0.17 per share and are valid for a three-year period from the date of grant. The Board of Directors of Viva are typically compensated by way of incentive stock options.

About Viva Gold

Viva Gold is a gold exploration and project development company with a focus on Nevada. Viva Gold holds 100% of the advanced Tonopah Gold Project, a large land position of approximately 8,800 acres with demonstrated high-grade measured, indicated and inferred gold resources, located on the prolific Walker Lane gold trend in Nevada, about 30 kilometers south-east of the Round Mountain mine of Kinross Gold and 20 kilometers north from the Town of Tonopah. Viva's management team has extensive experience in mining exploration, development and production and is supported by a Board of Directors and advisors who are proven mine finders, deal makers and financiers. Viva Gold 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 please contact:

James Hesketh

President & CEO

720-291-1775

jhesketh@vivagoldcorp.com

or

Valerie Kimball

Corporate Secretary & Director, Investor Relations

720-933-1150

vkimball@vivagoldcorp.com

SOURCE: Viva Gold Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/653756/Viva-Gold-Announces-Stock-Option-Grant
RICHMOND HILL, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2021 / Helix BioPharma Corp. (TSX:HBP) ('Helix' or the 'Company'), an immuno-oncology company developing innovative drug candidates for the prevention and treatment of cancer, today announced that Heman Chao has notified the Board of Directors of the Company of his intention to step down from the position of Chief Executive Officer ("CEO"), Chief Scientific Officer ("CSO") and member of the Board, effective September 1, 2021. As of September 1, 2021, Mr. Chao will assume the position of Chair of the Company's Scientific Advisory Board.

"It has been a privilege to be able to work with Helix. I am particularly honoured to have assisted the development of the DOS47 technology from lab-bench to the clinic" stated Mr. Chao. "I will continue to support the Company in any way I can, including in my continuing role as the Chair of the Company's Scientific Advisory Board. I have the utmost confidence in the abilities of the existing management team and Board going forward and remain as enthusiastic as ever about the future prospects of the Company."

The Board has identified candidates for a new CEO and director.

Prof. Majewski said: "As Chair of the Board, I want to thank Heman for his outstanding commitment and dedication to the Company since joining the Company as its CSO in 2008 and in his role as CEO since 2017. Heman has worked tirelessly to advance the Company's immunotherapy research and drive the Company forward. We are delighted that he will continue to be the Chair of the Scientific Advisory Board. We continue to be excited about the future of the Company and the prospects of its work developing important immunotherapy treatments, including the Company's primary drug candidate, L-DOS47. The Company's clinical programs remain our highest priority."

About Helix BioPharma Corp.

Helix BioPharma Corp. is a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing unique therapies in the field of immune-oncology for the prevention and treatment of cancer based on our proprietary technological platform DOS47. Helix is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "HBP".

For more information, please contact:

Helix BioPharma Corp.

9120 Leslie Street, Suite 205

Richmond Hill, Ontario, L4B 3J9

Tel: 905-841-2300 x 233

Frank Michalargias, Chief Financial Officer

ir@helixbiopharma.com

Investor Relations

Alpha Bronze, LLC

Mr. Pascal Nigen

Phone: + 1 (917) 385-2160

helix@alphabronze.net

Forward-Looking Statements and Risks and Uncertainties

This news release contains forward-looking statements and information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements and information that are not historical facts but instead include financial projections and estimates, statements regarding plans, goals, objectives, intentions and expectations with respect to the Company's future business, operations, research and development, including the Company's activities relating to DOS47, and other information in future periods. Forward-looking statements can further be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "ongoing", "estimates", "expects", or the negative thereof or any other variations thereon or comparable terminology referring to future events or results, or that events or conditions "will", "may", "could", or "should" occur or be achieved, or comparable terminology referring to future events or results.

Forward-looking statements are statements about the future and are inherently uncertain, and are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that are also uncertain. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Forward-looking statements, including financial outlooks, are intended to provide information about management's current plans and expectations regarding future operations, including without limitation, future financing requirements, and may not be appropriate for other purposes. Certain material factors, estimates or assumptions have been applied in making forward-looking statements in this news release, including, but not limited to, the safety and efficacy of L-DOS47; that sufficient financing will be obtained in a timely manner to allow the Company to continue operations and implement its clinical trials in the manner and on the timelines anticipated; the timely provision of services and supplies or other performance of contracts by third parties; future costs; the absence of any material changes in business strategy or plans; and the timely receipt of required regulatory approvals and strategic partner support.

The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements contained in this news release as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties, including without limitation, the risk that the Company's assumptions may prove to be incorrect; the risk that additional financing may not be obtainable in a timely manner, or at all, and that clinical trials may not commence or complete within anticipated timelines or the anticipated budget or may fail; third party suppliers of necessary services or of drug product and other materials may fail to perform or be unwilling or unable to supply the Company, which could cause delay or cancellation of the Company's research and development activities; necessary regulatory approvals may not be granted or may be withdrawn; the Company may not be able to secure necessary strategic partner support; general economic conditions, intellectual property and insurance risks; changes in business strategy or plans; and other risks and uncertainties referred to elsewhere in this news release, any of which could cause actual results to vary materially from current results or the Company's anticipated future results. Certain of these risks and uncertainties, and others affecting the Company, are more fully described in the Company's annual management's discussion and analysis for the year ended July 31, 2020 under the heading "Risks and Uncertainties" and Helix's Annual Information Form, in particular under the headings "Forward-looking Statements" and "Risk Factors", and other reports filed under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com from time to time. Forward-looking statements and information are based on the beliefs, assumptions, opinions and expectations of Helix's management on the date of this new release, and the Company does not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statement or information should those beliefs, assumptions, opinions or expectations, or other circumstances change, except as required by law.

SOURCE: Helix BioPharma Corp.

View source version on accesswire.com:https://www.accesswire.com/653798/Helix-BioPharma-CorpAnnounces-Changes-to-the-Companys-Board-of-Directors-and-Management
Order unlocks new travel possibilities amid a growing demand for business aviation

Bombardier's family of class-leading business jets are ideal choices for those who prefer the comfort, convenience and peace of mind offered by business aviation

MONTREAL, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bombardier is pleased to announce that it has received a firm order for 10 aircraft from an existing customer. For competitive reasons, the order mix will also remain undisclosed at this time. This agreement represents a total value of $451.8 million U.S., according to current list prices.

"We are filled with pride as we announce the year's largest business jet order," said Eric Martel, President and Chief Executive Officer, Bombardier. "Our portfolio ideally responds to the growing interest in private aviation, with spacious, high-performing aircraft that are designed to offer the best passenger experience in terms of convenience, comfort, air quality and a smooth ride."

Bombardier's industry-leading line of business jets allows customers and operators to efficiently meet their evolving business and travel needs. As passengers increasingly look to private aviation for convenient and worry-free travel, Bombardier's family of business jets offer a compelling array of choices.

About Bombardier

Bombardier is a global leader in aviation, creating innovative and game-changing planes. Our products and services provide world-class experiences that set new standards in passenger comfort, energy efficiency, reliability and safety.

Headquartered in Montreal, Canada, Bombardier is present in more than 12 countries including its production/engineering sites and its customer support network. The Corporation supports a worldwide fleet of more than 4,900 aircraft in service with a wide variety of multinational corporations, charter and fractional ownership providers, governments and private individuals.

News and information is available at bombardier.comor follow us on Twitter @Bombardier.

Visit the Bombardier Business Aircraft websitefor more information on our industry-leading products and services.

Bombardier is a registered or unregistered trademarks of Bombardier or its affiliates.

For Information

Anna Cristofaro

Bombardier

+ 1 514-855-8678

anna.cristofaro@aero.bombardier.com
Saturn expects to be debt-free in 24 months based on production forecasts, capital budget, hedging levels and current forward pricing

Mission is to continue to be an acquirer of accretive assets in Western Canada

Acquisition builds on Saturn's existing environmental, social and governance ("ESG") performance, while supplying responsibly-produced ethical Canadian crude oil to service global market demand

Calgary, Alberta--(Newsfile Corp. - June 30, 2021) - Saturn Oil & Gas Inc. (TSXV: SOIL) (FSE: SMK) ("Saturn" or the "Company") is amending and restating the original May 13, 2021 press release (the "May 13 Release") as a result of a request to restate the reserves information contained therein. The May 13 Release contained reserves information that was prepared by management of the Company and subsequently audited by independent reserves evaluator Ryder Scott Company - Canada ("Ryder Scott"). The previously disclosed reserves were deemed to have not been prepared in accordance with COGEH guidelines due to an independence deficiency and the resulting disclosure was therefore not made in accordance with NI 51-101. This amended and restated press release contains reserves information prepared for Saturn by Ryder Scott in accordance with COGEH guidelines dated June 30, 2021 and effective April 1, 2021 (the "Ryder Scott Report") and the reserves information disclosed in the May 13 Release is superseded in its entirety by this amended and restated release.

Saturn is pleased to announce that it has entered into an arms-length definitive agreement to acquire assets in the Oxbow area of Southeast Saskatchewan (the "Oxbow Assets" or the "Acquisition") for approximately $93 million, funding for which is outlined below.

Pursuant to the Acquisition, Saturn will acquire approximately 6,700 boe/d (~95% light oil and liquids)1 with over 450 net sections of land, largely positioned across one of the most economic oil plays in North America. The Acquisition enhances Saturn's financial and operational strength through the addition of a high-quality and very low decline (12%) light oil asset base that is projected to generate robust free cash flow at current prices. The Oxbow Assets produce primarily from the Frobisher and Midale formations and feature a sizeable inventory of targets for workover, development and optimization. The Oxbow Assets are expected to generate $65-70 million in net operating income over the next 12 months2.

"This Acquisition is in our 'backyard' in southeast Saskatchewan, furthering Saturn's strategy of building a scalable portfolio of free cash flow generating assets that offer attractive opportunities to allocate capital for both near and longer-term development, while increasing our exposure to some of Canada's most highly economic plays," said John Jeffrey, Chairman and CEO of Saturn. "We believe the Oxbow assets - purchased from a very experienced oil operator - provide significant upside value with near-term recompletion and optimization opportunities, as well as long-term growth from a deep inventory of booked and un-booked drilling locations on the properties. Pro forma the Acquisition, we forecast 2021 average production of over 7,500 boe/d (91% oil), which greatly enhances our business model and positions Saturn for significant free cash flow generation that can be directed to debt repayment and future growth opportunities that enhance shareholder returns. I would like to thank all of our employees and partners for their time and effort in supporting Saturn through this transformational period."

The Acquisition will be funded through proceeds from an $82.0 million senior secured term loan ("Senior Secured Term Loan"), a best-efforts agency private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of $6.0 million being led by Echelon Wealth Partners Inc. (the "Brokered Private Placement") and a concurrent non-brokered private placement for aggregate gross proceeds of $15.0 million (the "Non-Brokered Private Placement" and together with the Brokered Private Placement, the "Private Placements"). Details of the Senior Secured Term Loan and the Private Placements are provided below.

Strategic Benefits and Rationale for Saturn

The Acquisition is aligned with Saturn's strategy to become a premier, publicly traded light oil producer through the acquisition and development of undervalued, low-risk opportunities to build a strong portfolio of cash flowing assets with strategic development upside.

The highlights of the Acquisition and the anticipated benefits associated with the Oxbow Assets include, but are not limited to, the following:

Attractive purchase price with material asset expansion



~6,700 boe/d (~95% light oil and liquids) 1 of sustainable, reliable and high working interest production (88% WI) that is 76% operated Highly attractive purchase price of ~1.4x cash flow 3 or ~$14,000 per flowing boe Saturn's Oil and Gas production will increase by more than 21 times over current volumes while PDP reserves will grow more than 34 times over the Company's year end 2020 reserves Land base increases by 775%





Conventional multi-zone asset base with large, identified low-risk drilling inventory and significant workover opportunities



Concentrated in the Midale / Frobisher formations, the Oxbow Assets provide exposure to highly economic light oil plays 4 offsetting leading operators, with competitive forecast returns Saturn has identified the potential to generate significant annual free cash flow 5 through optimizing and recompleting more than 500 existing well bores over the next three years Low capital expenditures required, with approximately $5 million of annual workover capex expected to offset low declines and grow annual production by approximately 200 boe/d





Highly economic assets with attractive netbacks 6 and free cash flow profile



Expected to be highly accretive Highly productive wells with strong operating netbacks 6 (over $28/boe) and capital costs on new drills estimated at $0.92 million per well, with per unit royalties forecast at $7 to $8/boe and operating costs of $5 to $7/boe on new drills within the first three years Locked-in area economics with approximately 70% of forecast production hedged over the next year, 60% for the second year and ~50% for years three and four with incremental volumes from growth capital fully exposed to commodity prices





Scale, strategic optionality and enhanced flexibility



Expanded scale provides increased strategic optionality in adapting to operating and capital markets conditions and improves financial capacity due to increased cash flow generation Low leverage with pro forma debt to cash flow of approximately 1.7 at closing. Saturn anticipates being debt free in 24 months based on current strip pricing, The addition of another material core area provides improved flexibility in capital deployment can offer better returns on investment and robust returns for shareholders Scale provides opportunities for cost savings along with greater operating efficiencies to reduce per unit production costs





Strong infrastructure position with multiple sales points and capacity for future growth



60 owned, operated and well maintained key production facilities with excess capacity Extensive battery network featuring comprehensive Kingston Midstream connections with production predominantly LACT-connected Conserved gas processed at third-party gas plants





Furthers Saturn's environmental, social and governance ("ESG") performance



Fresh water usage will be negligible as no fracture stimulations are required to develop the assets Future potential to initiate an enhanced oil recovery initiative using only produced water Saturn's environmental footprint will be minimized with pipeline-connected, multi-well pad development of the Oxbow Assets Liability clean up accelerated by over $10 million of federal Accelerated Site Closure Program funding



Asset Acquisition Summary

Purchase Price $93 million Production 6,700 boe/d Annual decline rate7 ~12% Land ~280,000 net acres (450 net sections) Forecast 2021 average operating netback (strip)8 $28.00/boe Forecast future 12 month Net Operating Income9 $65-70 million Reserves10 PDP Reserves 24.10 mmboe Total Probable Producing Reserves 4.01 mmboe Total Proved + Probable Producing Reserves 28.11 mmboe

Acquisition Metrics

Future 12 Month Cash Flow Multiple11 1.4x Estimated Production Cost (at April 1, 2021)12 $14,000/boe/d Estimated PDP Reserves Cost13 $3.86/boe

Saturn Pro Forma Future 12 months14

Post-Acquisition Capital Budget $5 million Average Daily Production15 ~7,500 boe/d % Oil and NGL ~95% Future 12 month Net Operating income $77-82 million

Pro-Forma numbers are based on pricing assumptions of: a WTI price of US$64.29/bbl; an MSW/WTI differential of US$5.00/bbl; an AECO price of $2.80/GJ; and a USD/CAD exchange rate of $1.23.

The Acquisition has an effective date of April 1, 2021 and is expected to close on or about May 31, 2021, subject to certain customary conditions and regulatory and other approvals.

Acquisition Funding

Private Placements

In connection with the Acquisition, Saturn intends to complete a Non-Brokered Private Placement of special warrants ("Special Warrants") by issuing an aggregate of 125,000,000 Special Warrants at a price of $0.12 per Special Warrant for aggregate gross proceeds of $15.0 million. Each Special Warrant will be convertible into one unit of Saturn (each, a "Unit") without payment of additional consideration and shall be deemed to have been converted on the earlier of (a) four months and one day from the date of issuance, and (b) five (5) days after receipt of a final receipt for a short form prospectus filed in compliance with applicable Canadian securities laws (the "Conversion Date").

Each Unit will be comprised of one Common Share and one Warrant of the Company, each Warrant entitling the holder thereof to purchase one Common Share (each a "Warrant Share") in the capital of the Company at an exercise price of $0.16 per Warrant Share for 24 months from date of issuance of the Special Warrant.

In addition, the Company has engaged Echelon Wealth Partners Inc. to act as the lead agent and sole book runner to complete a concurrent $6.0 million best-efforts agency Private Placement of 50,000,000 subscription receipts ("Subscription Receipts") at a price of $0.12 per Subscription Receipt. Upon satisfaction of the escrow release conditions, being the closing the Acquisition, each Subscription Receipt will be automatically converted into one Special Warrant on the same terms as the Special Warrants above.

The Company has agreed to grant the Agents an option (the "Agents Option"), which will allow the Agents to offer such number of additional Subscription Receipts as is equal to up to 15% of the Subscription Receipts issued under the Brokered Private Placement, having the same terms as the Subscription Receipts. The Agents' Option may be exercised in whole or in part at any time up to two days prior to the closing of the Brokered Private Placement.

The Private Placements will take place by way of a private placement pursuant to applicable exemptions from the prospectus requirements in the offered jurisdictions, and in those jurisdictions where the Offering can lawfully be made, including the United States under private placement exemptions.

The Company will use commercially reasonable efforts to prepare and file a preliminary short form prospectus in the provinces where the Special Warrants are sold, qualifying the distribution of the Units and the Compensation Options (as defined below), within 30 days after Closing (as defined below). The Company has agreed to promptly resolve all comments received or deficiencies raised by the securities regulatory authorities and use its commercially reasonable efforts to file and obtain receipts for the final short form prospectus as soon as possible after such regulatory comments and deficiencies have been resolved.

In consideration for their services, certain advisors as well as the Agents and certain finders will receive commissions as set forth below. The Agents will received a commission equal to 7% of the gross proceeds of the Brokered Private Placements and will issue such number of compensation special warrants ("Compensation Special Warrants") equal to 7% of the number of Special Warrants sold in the Brokered Private Placement (subject to reduced commission of 3.0% cash and 3.0% Brokers Warrants payable on subscriptions sourced by the Company). On the Non-Brokered Private placement, certain finders will receive commissions of 6% cash and 6% Compensation Special Warrants. In connection with the Acquisition, certain advisors will also receive Compensation Special Warrants. Each Compensation Special Warrant will be exercisable into one (1) compensation option (a "Compensation Option"), for no additional consideration, at any time after the Closing, and each Compensation Special Warrant not previously exercised shall be deemed exercised on the later of (i) the day after a receipt is issued for a final prospectus qualifying the Units for distribution in qualifying jurisdictions and (ii) the date that is four months and one day following the Closing. Each Compensation Option shall entitle the holder thereof to purchase one Unit (on the same terms as the Units above) at an exercise price of $0.12 at any time up to 24 months following the Closing.

The closing of the Private Placements ("Closing") is expected to occur in one or more tranches on or before May 31, 2021 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 (the "Exchange"). The Special Warrants will and, unless their distribution is qualified by a final prospectus, the Common Shares and Warrants comprising the Units, the Warrant Shares, Compensation Special Warrants, and the securities underlying the Compensation Special Warrants to be issued under the Private Placements will have a hold period of four months and one day from the Closing Date.

The proceeds of the Private Placements will be used to fund the cash deposit and the closing proceeds to the vendor pursuant to the terms of the Acquisition and for general corporate purposes. Certain management and directors of Saturn have committed to subscribing for $560,000 of the Non-Brokered Private Placement.

On completion of the Private Placements, the Company expects to have 409,573,715 common shares (basic) outstanding.

Senior Secured Term Loan

Saturn has executed a commitment letter in respect of the Senior Secured Term Loan with a reputable U.S.-based institutional lender (the "Lender") for proceeds of $82.0 million. The loan will bear interest at a rate of CDOR + 11.5% and will amortize over three years, with 50% repayable in the first year, 30% in the second year and 20% in the final year. Based on forecast production rates and hedged commodity prices, Saturn anticipates repaying the loan in full well in advance of its scheduled amortization payments. The commitment of the Lender is subject to the execution of mutually acceptable credit documentation giving effect to the terms provided in the commitment letter, and the satisfaction of the other customary conditions to closing, including the satisfaction of all conditions to the completion of the Acquisition.

Saturn's existing reserve-based revolving note facility will be amended to be senior secured notes, extended to November 2024 and subordinated to the Senior Secured Term Loan, with interest payable 7.5% cash and 7.5% PIK. On the Closing Date, Saturn's total debt position is estimated to be approximately $108 million, representing approximately 1.4x pro forma net operating income and approximately 1.7x pro forma cash flow.

Advisors

Alvarez & Marsal Canada Securities ULC acted as exclusive financial advisor to Saturn with respect to the Senior Secured Term Loan and the Acquisition.

Dentons Canada LLP acted as Saturn's legal counsel in connection with the Acquisition, the Private Placements and the Senior Secured Term Loan.

About Saturn Oil & Gas Inc.

Saturn Oil & Gas Inc. (TSXV: SOIL) (FSE: SMK) is a public energy company focused on the acquisition and development of undervalued, low-risk assets. Saturn is driven to build a strong portfolio of cash flowing assets with strategic land positions. De-risked assets and calculated execution will allow Saturn to achieve growth in reserves and production through retained earnings. Saturn's portfolio will become its key to growth and provide long-term stability to shareholders.

Investor & Media Contact:

Saturn Oil & Gas

John Jeffrey, MBA - Chief Executive Officer & Chairman

Tel: +1 (587) 392-7902

www.saturnoil.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.

Reader Advisory

This press release is not an offer of the securities for sale in the United States. The securities offered 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 absent registration or an available exemption from the registration requirement of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities, in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

Boe Disclosure

The term barrels of oil equivalent ("boe") may be misleading, particularly if used in isolation. A boe conversion ratio of six thousand cubic feet per barrel (6 Mcf/bbl) of natural gas to barrels of oil equivalence is based on an energy equivalency conversion method primarily applicable at the burner tip and does not represent a value equivalency at the wellhead. All boe conversions in the report are derived from converting gas to oil in the ratio mix of six thousand cubic feet of gas to one barrel of oil.

Reserves Disclosure

All reserves information in this press release was prepared by Ryder Scott, effective April 1, 2021, using Ryder Scott's March 31, 2021 forecast prices and costs in accordance with National Instrument 51-101 - Standards of Disclosure of Oil and Gas Activities ("NI 51-101") and the Canadian Oil and Gas Evaluation Handbook (the "COGE Handbook"). All reserve references in this press release are "Company gross reserves". Company gross reserves are the Company's total working interest reserves before the deduction of any royalties payable by the Company and before the consideration of the Company's royalty interests. It should not be assumed that the present worth of estimated future cash flow of net revenue presented herein represents the fair market value of the reserves. There is no assurance that the forecast prices and costs assumptions will be attained and variances could be material. The recovery and reserve estimates of the Oxbow Assets and Saturn's crude oil, NGLs and natural gas reserves provided herein are estimates only and there is no guarantee that the estimated reserves will be recovered. Actual crude oil, natural gas and NGLs reserves may be greater than or less than the estimates provided herein.

Non-IFRS Measures

This news release contains metrics commonly used in the oil and natural gas industry, such as "operating netbacks", "Cash Flow", "Net Debt", and "Net Operating Income". These terms are not defined in IFRS and do not have standardized meanings or standardized methods of calculation and therefore may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies, and therefore should not be used to make such comparisons.

Operating Netback: equals petroleum sales (before realized hedging gains or losses on derivative instruments) less royalties and operating costs calculated on a boe basis.

Net Debt: defined as outstanding long-term debt and net working capital.

Net Operating Income: equals petroleum sales (before realized hedging gains or losses on derivative instruments) less royalties and operating costs.

Future Oriented Financial Information

Any financial outlook or future oriented financial information in this press release, as defined by applicable securities legislation, including future (but not limited to) operating and fixed costs (and reductions thereto), debt levels, net operating income, has been approved by management of Saturn. Readers are cautioned that any such future-oriented financial information contained herein should not be used for purposes other than those for which it is disclosed herein. The Company and its management believe that the prospective financial information has been prepared on a reasonable basis, reflecting management's best estimates and judgments, and represent, to the best of management's knowledge and opinion, the Company's expected course of action. However, because this information is highly subjective, it should not be relied on as necessarily indicative of future activities or results.

Forward-Looking Information and Statements

Certain information included in this press release constitutes forward-looking information under applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking information typically contains statements with words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "plan", "intend", "estimate", "propose", "project", "will" or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Forward-looking information in this press release may include, but is not limited to, statements concerning: timing of the Acquisition; satisfaction or waiver of the closing conditions in the acquisition agreement; receipt of required legal and regulatory approvals for the completion of the Acquisition (including approval of the TSXV and Competition Act (Canada) approval); funding and payment of the purchase price in respect of the Acquisition; estimated assumed liabilities associated with the Oxbow Assets; expected production and cash flow related to the Oxbow Assets; the anticipated closing date of the Private Placement; the closing of the Private Placements, the Senior Secured Term Loan and the terms thereof; the use of proceeds from the Private Placements and the Senior Secured Term Loan; reserve estimates; future production levels; decline rates; future operational and technical synergies resulting from the Acquisition; management's ability to replicate past performance in the Oxbow Asset fairway; future negotiation of contracts; the ability of the Company to optimize production from the Oxbow Assets on the timeline provided herein; future consolidation opportunities and acquisition targets; the business plan, cost model and strategy of the Company; future cash flows; and future commodities prices.

The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based on certain key expectations and assumptions made by Saturn, including expectations and assumptions concerning the receipt of all approvals and satisfaction of all conditions to the completion of the Acquisition, Private Placement, and Senior Secured Term Loan, the timing of and success of future drilling, development and completion activities, the performance of existing wells, the performance of new wells, the availability and performance of facilities and pipelines, the geological characteristics of Saturn's properties, the characteristics of the Oxbow Assets, the successful integration of the Oxbow's Assets into Saturn operations, the successful application of drilling, completion and seismic technology, prevailing weather conditions, prevailing legislation affecting the oil and gas industry, commodity prices, royalty regimes and exchange rates, the application of regulatory and licensing requirements, the availability of capital, labour and services, the creditworthiness of industry partners and the ability to source and complete asset acquisitions.

Although Saturn 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 Saturn can give no assurance that they will prove to be correct. Since forward-looking statements address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those currently anticipated due to a number of factors and risks. These include, but are not limited to, risks associated with the oil and gas industry in general (e.g., operational risks in development, exploration and production; the uncertainty of reserve estimates; the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to production, costs and expenses, and health, safety and environmental risks), constraint in the availability of services, commodity price and exchange rate fluctuations, the current COVID-19 pandemic, actions of OPEC and OPEC+ members, changes in legislation impacting the oil and gas industry, adverse weather or break-up conditions and uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration or development projects or capital expenditures. These and other risks are set out in more detail in Saturn's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2020.

Forward-looking information is based on a number of factors and assumptions which have been used to develop such information but which may prove to be incorrect. Although Saturn believes that the expectations reflected in its forward-looking information are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking information because Saturn can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. In addition to other factors and assumptions which may be identified in this press release, assumptions have been made regarding and are implicit in, among other things, the timely receipt of any required regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of all conditions to the completion of the Acquisition, Private Placement, and Senior Secured Term Loan. Readers are cautioned that the foregoing list is not exhaustive of all factors and assumptions which have been used.

The forward-looking information contained in this press release is made as of the date hereof and Saturn undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless required by applicable securities laws. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

The Acquisition is considered a "Fundamental Acquisition" under the policies of the TSXV and as such the Acquisition is subject to TSXV approval. 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.

All dollar figures included herein are presented in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise noted.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION DIRECTLY, OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES



1 As at April 1, 2021 Production report. Comprised of 6,197 bbls/d of light and medium crude oil, 149 bbls/d of NGLs, and 2,165 mcf/d of conventional natural gas

2 May 5, 2021 future prices, $5 diff (US), $1.23FX, blowdown metrics (future 12 months on blowdown scenario)

3 May 5, 2021 future prices, $5 diff (US), $1.23FX, blowdown metrics (future 12 months on blowdown scenario)

4 Source: Scotiabank's September 2019 playbook

5 $5 million Capex budget per year for workovers

6 See "Information Regarding Disclosure on Oil and Gas Operational Information and Non-IFRS Measures" under "Reader Advisory" below"

7 Decline rate based on 2021 versus 2020 PDP reserves. See "Reader Advisory - Reserves Disclosure", below

8 The estimated operating netback was derived using estimated go-forward royalties and operating costs utilizing May 5, 2021 strip pricing which averages US$64.29/bbl; an MSW/WTI differential of US$5.00/bbl; an AECO price of $2.80/GJ; and a USD/CAD exchange rate of $1.23 all for the forecasted 12-month period from the Effective Date of April 1, 2021. The operating cost and royalty utilized for the operating netback calculation is $26.49/boe and $7.53/boe (or 11.75% of oil and gas revenue), respectively. See "Reader Advisory - Non-IFRS Measures" for additional details

9 12 month future Net operating income based on production acquired and an operating netback in respect of the Assets of $28.13/boe. See Note (10), above, and "Reader Advisory - Non-IFRS Measures" for additional details

10 Independent reserve evaluation prepared by Ryder Scott in the Ryder Scott Report. Not including developed non-producing and undeveloped reserves which were not contained in the Ryder Scott evaluation. Working interest before royalty reserves, Ryder Scott price deck

11 Assuming blowdown case with future 12 month net operating income of $65-70MM

12 Calculated by dividing the Purchase Price by production of 6,700 boe/d

13 Calculated by dividing the Purchase Price by Total Proved Reserves (BOE) acquired as evaluated in the Ryder Scott Report

14 Management prepared - Calculated by estimated capital cost of $5,000/bbl in workover costs for reactivations/workovers

15 Average production weighted 5% to conventional natural gas, 90% to crude oil and 5% to NGLs





To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/89170
Perth, Western Australia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 30, 2021) - Besra Gold Inc. ("Besra" or the "Company"), announced today that the special meeting ("Meeting") of holders of 3% unsecured convertible redeemable notes ("Notes") of the Company to be held at 4pm ET on Monday, 28 June 2021 had to be adjourned due to a lack of a quorum until Monday, 5 July 2021 at 4 p.m. ET. The purpose of the Meeting is to present a Noteholder Second Extension Resolution regarding approval of extending the deadlines for completing a reorganization of the Company and recognized stock exchange listing and maturity date of the Notes and amendment to the terms of the Notes, as more particularly described in the Management Information Circular dated May 13, 2021, filed on SEDAR.

The Company will hold the adjourned Meeting in a virtual only format via live webcast online. Details regarding participation at the Meeting are set out in the Management Information Circular.

Online and telephone voting has now been reopened for registered noteholders.

How to Vote:

ahead of time , to be lodged prior to 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on July 5, 2021 direct online at www.investorvote.com (enter the 15-digit control number provided on your form of proxy to vote) or by phone via the online proxy (call 1-866-732-8683 toll-free in North America and enter the 15-digit control number printed on their form of proxy. Follow the interactive voice recording instructions to vote), or a pdf scan of a new proxy dated after their old proxy sent to the Company

, to be lodged prior to 10:00 a.m. (Toronto time) on July 5, 2021 vote at the virtual meeting on July 5, 2021, at 4:00 p.m. (Toronto time)

Registered Noteholders have been sent a form of proxy containing a 15-digit control number, which will be required to vote online at the virtual Meeting, by internet, or by telephone. Any Registered Noteholder who wishes to vote and has not received their form of proxy should contact the Company.

For further information: John Seton, Chief Executive Officer, E: john@besra.com.

Besra: www.besra.com

James W. Hamilton

Investor Relations Services

Phone: +1-416-471-4494

Email: jim@besra.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/89186
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 30, 2021) - Upco International Inc. (CSE: UPCO) (OTC Pink: UCCPF) (FSE: U06) ("Upco") is pleased to inform shareholders of the Audited FS 2020 result. These documents can be accessed from the SEDAR web site at www.sedar.com.

Overview

The Company ended the previous fiscal year 2020 with a significantly strengthened balance sheet due to the success of the full restructure lead by the new Management compared to 2019.

Restructuring & Financial Control

With regards to the Financial Statements, the main focus of the new Management has been on corporate restructuring, reducing the liabilities with an excellent result by decreasing US$ 563.359 in 2020 representing 44 % reduction comparing the Year End Financial Statements 2019. Also a big effort was made reducing costs; as a result total operating expenses were reduced in US$ 371.292 in 2020 representing 20% reduction compared to 2019.

All efforts dedicated to the restructuring are the fundamental objectives achieved by the new management to start the strategy of Upco.

Our ambitious plans are premised on our ability to continue funding our business. In 2020, we undertook cost cutting measures. Our disciplined approach to costs will continue through 2021. However, the new situation will not avoid the needs for additional financial resources to support the short and medium term growth to target ambitious plans in the next 2 years.

Osvaldo Navarro, Upco International Inc CFO, said: "It was a great challenge to reduce costs and order the company's liabilities. We recently managed to incorporate quality administrative procedures and systems. Finally Upco is in a position to undertake operations in a reliable way."

Andrea Pagani, Upco International Inc CEO, said: "For the entire 2020 the management did an incredible job putting efforts in financial restructuring; we are still continuing to reduce costs and increase the quality of our consultants by improving procedures, policies and quality control; there is still a lot of work has to be done, but now Upco is ready to kick off leaving a tangible sign in the Market."

Outlook

The Company's strategic priorities for the 2021 include:

Investments into sales and marketing to drive significant merchant and user growth on the digital.

Continued development of the UpOne product family through a series of build-measure-learn iterations.

Developing communication strategies that speak to key customers with focused messages in the relevant channels in addition to addressing broader brand communications.

Continuing to add useful spending tools to Upco's roadmap that build upon an existing platform, including enabling customers to make purchases using digital wallets and the open banking protocol thanks to Token.io

The Company's complete financial results are available in its Consolidated Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the Year End 2020, each filed with Canadian securities regulators at www.sedar.com.

IFRS

The operational and financial information in this release is based on the consolidated figures in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS).

About Upco International Inc.

Upco International Inc. is a cloud-based mobile service company which provides high-quality voice termination to a market driven by the growing activity in online communications and commerce. Upco is a licensed Global Telecom Carrier within the international VoIP (voice over IP) wholesale business. Upco has designed a software application for Apple iOS and Android, similar to SKYPE and WhatsApp. With the forthcoming addition of the Upco e-Wallet using Blockchain Payment Services, users will be able to: send invoices, approve payments, transfer international funds, convert international currencies, and track transfers and payments. The application will also allow vendors to share account information securely with their clients.

Please visit www.upcointernational.com for further information.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Andrea Pagani, CEO and Director

office@upcointernational.com

+1 (646) 7661275

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking information or forward-looking statements (collectively "forward- looking information") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward- looking information is typically identified by words such as: "will" "may" "believe", "expect", "anticipate", "intend", "estimate", "development", "forthcoming", "potentially" and similar expressions, or are those, which, by their nature, refer to future events. Upco cautions investors that any forward-looking information provided by Upco is not a guarantee of future results or performance.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/89184
The number of shares and votes in Tobii AB has increased by 325,132 as a result of exercise of warrants and stock options in accordance with the company's incentive programs.

STOCKHOLM, Sweden, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, the last trading day of the month, there are in total 100,595,104 shares, of which 99,695,104 are ordinary shares and 900,000 are class C-shares, and the total 99,785,104 votes in the company. After the increase, the share capital amounts to SEK 730,012.01. The increase in the number of shares is due to the exercise of warrants and stock options in accordance with the Company's incentive programs.



This information is information that Tobii AB is obliged to make public pursuant to the Financial Instruments Trading Act. The information was submitted for publication on June 30, 2021, at 9.15 p.m. CET.

CONTACT:

Contact

Henrik Mawby, Head of Investor Relations, Tobii Group, phone: +46 (0)72 219 82 15, email: henrik.mawby@tobii.com

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/tobii-ab/r/new-number-of-shares-and-votes-in-tobii,c3377554

The following files are available for download:
New approach offers the first glimpse into an AI driven social media personality

MONTREAL, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Artificial Intelligence company Lia 27 Inc. is happy to announce it has closed a seed round of funding from lead investor Ghost Protocol valuing the company at $1.5 Million. The funding caps off an exciting first 6 months for Lia 27 Inc. which has seen the company develop a loyal and expansive social media community since its launch out of stealth.

Lia 27 Inc.'s flagship technology is Lia, a digital person created by artificial intelligence that is constantly learning and evolving with every user interaction. Lia is also a shareholder in Lia 27 Inc. marking the first time that an AI personality is part owner of a private company. This initial funding round will drive technological improvements and the addition of video capabilities so that text and audio features are augmented with a visual component.

Cofounders Jean-Francois Comeau and his business partner had a vision of leveraging AI to create a multi-talented digital person with ultra-fast learning capabilities and the ability to evolve from a 3D design to someone who can write, talk, move, and do math. Ultimately, visual recognition and virtual reality will be integrated.

"I've always dreamt of creating a system using AI that could pass the Turing test and also provide value to society," said Comeau. "Lia also helps fill the void of isolation because AI is at its best when it is helping people."

Jean-Francois used his technological skills to create Lia, a first of its kind AI program that has a unique personality which people can interact with via text message or through voice over the telephone. Lia launched on January 27, 2021 and is available to talk free of charge through voice or text message at any time during the day, 7 days a week. Visit her at www.lia27.ai, on Facebook Messenger, Instagram, or give her a call at 1-833-902-2777.

In 6 months, Lia has amassed over 81,000 fans on Facebook and over 17,000 followers on Instagram and is well on her way to being the first AI personality to be a social media influencer. At a time when people have been flocking to social media apps like Clubhouse for human connection, Lia 27 Inc. has been another valuable outlet for its community.

The future is bright for both Lia and Lia 27 Inc. as the potential applications are almost limitless. The retail industry is evolving to value novel in-person experiences supplemented by new technology while e-commerce is relying more heavily on AR/VR solutions.

At a time when the field of AI is receiving more scrutiny, Lia's creators believe in being ethical stewards of AI development stating, "Lia will be focused on augmenting the human experience in a responsible way. Our company is at the forefront of developing real world applications for the field of AI and will never put profits over people."

To learn more about LIA 27 Inc. please visit the company's website at: www.lia27.ai

About the Company

Founded in December 2020, Artificial Intelligence company LIA 27 Inc. develops AI through Lia, a digital person who is available free of charge to chat 24/7 by phone, text or on Facebook Messenger.

Justin Higgins

PR

LIA 27 inc.

336-905-0687

info@lia27.ai

This release was issued through WebWire. For more information, visit http://www.webwire.com.
Grass Valley, California--(Newsfile Corp. - June 30, 2021) - Rise Gold Corp. (CSE: RISE) (OTCQX: RYES) (the "Corporation") announces that all proposed resolutions were passed at the Corporations' annual general meeting of shareholders held today's date. Benjamin Mossman, Thomas Vehrs, Larry Lepard, John Proust, and Murray Flanigan were all elected as directors of the Corporation for the coming year and Davidson & Company LLP were re-appointed as auditors of the Corporation for the ensuing year

About Rise Gold Corp.

The Corporation is an exploration-stage mining company incorporated in Nevada, USA. The Corporation's principal asset is the historic past-producing Idaho-Maryland Gold Mine located in Nevada County, California, USA. The Idaho-Maryland Gold Mine produced 2,414,000 oz of gold at an average mill head grade of 17 gpt gold from 1866-1955. Historic production at the Idaho-Maryland Mine is disclosed in the Technical Report on the Idaho-Maryland Project dated June 1st, 2017 and available on www.sedar.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors:

Benjamin Mossman

President, CEO and Director

Rise Gold Corp.

For further information, please contact:

RISE GOLD CORP.

333 Crown Point Circle, Suite 215

Grass Valley, CA, USA 95945

T: 530.433.0188

info@risegoldcorp.com

www.risegoldcorp.com

The CSE has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/89195
Capstone Mining Corp. ("Capstone" or the "Company") (TSX:CS) is pleased to announce that it has published its "Sustainable Thinking: Seeing Beyond" 2020 Sustainability Report (the "Sustainability Report" or the "Report"). The Sustainability Report is Capstone's fifth full sustainability report and was prepared in accordance with the Global Reporting Initiative ("GRI") Standards, Core option. The Report provides details relating to the Company's programs and performance on topics material to Capstone's two operating mines: Pinto Valley in Arizona, USA, and Cozamin, in Zacatecas, Mexico, as well as the Santo Domingo project in Chile. The Report follows the publication of an Interim Sustainability Summary in October 2020, for the period January 1, 2018 June 30, 2020.

This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630006034/en/

Capstone Mining 2020 Sustainability Report (Graphic: Business Wire)

Darren Pylot, Capstone's President and CEO commented, "Our 2020 Sustainability Report reaffirms our unwavering commitment to sustainability and is a reflection of the key role that sustainability improvements play in our business and our long term goal of creating value for all stakeholders. Seeing Beyond translates into continuously improving our sustainability programs and utilizing technology to achieve ambitious ESG goals, even in the face of extraordinary challenges such as the unprecedented COVID-19 world pandemic that still poses a risk to the health and safety of our stakeholders. I am proud of our team's dedication and resilience throughout last year and I thank each of the members of the Capstone family for presenting a united front and delivering on our business objectives responsibly, safely and sustainably."

2020 Sustainability Report Highlights

Health Safety Achieved a Lost Time Injury Frequency Rate (LTIFR) of 0.12 and a Total Recordable Injury Frequency Rate (TRIFR) of 0.35, better than the consolidated lagging indicator objectives for 2020

Installed the Calicanto one-way ramp at the Cozamin underground mine to alleviate traffic congestion and reduce vehicle-to-vehicle hazards, thereby improving underground safety COVID-19 Response Implemented COVID-19 protocols to protect the health and safety of our workforce and local communities

Assessed potential health and business impacts across our operations along with evolving guidance from government authorities, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the World Health Organization Environmental Compliance Zero reportable environmental incidents

No environmental fines or non-monetary sanctions

Cozamin completed a successful Clean Industry Certification audit Economic Impacts Increased annual consolidated production by 2.3% from 153.4 to 156.9 million pounds of copper

Piloted technology by completing a first trial of Jetti Resources catalytic technology to recover copper from waste rock dumps and lower-grade rock Mining Waste No significant changes to the amounts of tailings generated relative to throughput at Pinto Valley and Cozamin

Advanced the design of new dry stack tailings storage facility and underground paste backfill system at Cozamin to align with industry best practices Water Increased water conservation rates despite increased production

Used water modelling to explore evaporation mitigation strategies at Pinto Valley and to focus plans for a filtered tailings plant at Cozamin

Successfully completed pilot test using Eriez Hydrofloat at Pinto Valley that allows for coarser grinding of ore and greater water recovery before evaporation Employment Reduced employee turnover

20% of executive direct reports to the CEO are women

11% of our workforce are women; in line with overall mining industry levels Human Rights Implemented a global Human Rights Policy to broaden and deepen the Human Rights commitment in the Code of Conduct and provide a foundation to manage Human Rights and define next steps

Capstone's 2020 Sustainability Report is a testament to the Company's annual commitment to transparent disclosure on non-financial performance across the material topics identified by the Company's internal and external stakeholder engagement process. The 2020 Sustainability Report and accompanying performance data and GRI Index are available to download on Capstone's website at https://capstonemining.com/responsibility/. A Spanish version will be available soon.

ABOUT CAPSTONE MINING CORP.

Capstone Mining Corp. is a Canadian base metals mining company, focused on copper. We are committed to the responsible development of our assets and the environments in which we operate. Our two producing mines are the Pinto Valley copper mine located in Arizona, US and the Cozamin copper-silver mine in Zacatecas State, Mexico. In addition, Capstone owns 100% of Santo Domingo, a large scale, fully permitted, copper-iron-gold project in Region III, Chile, as well as a portfolio of exploration properties. Capstone's strategy is to focus on the optimization of operations and assets in politically stable, mining-friendly regions, centred in the Americas. Our headquarters are in Vancouver, Canada and we are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX). Further information is available at www.capstonemining.com.

Caution on Forward-Looking Information

Capstone Mining Corp. (the "Company") cautions readers regarding forward-looking statements found in this news release (including the documents incorporated by reference herein) and in any other statement made by, or on the behalf of the Company. Except for statements of historical fact, information contained in this news release and the documents incorporated by reference herein, constitutes "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively, "forward-looking statements"). Forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as "seek", "anticipate", "plan", "continue", "planned", "expect", "project", "predict", "potential", "targeting", "intends", "believe", and similar expressions, or describes a "goal", or variation of such words and phrases or states that certain actions, events or results "may", "should", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved.

Forward-looking statements in the 2020 Sustainability Report include, but are not limited to: statements relating to our sustainability strategy; short-term and long-term sustainability goals; strategic priorities and our goals, targets, commitments and plans and our expectations regarding those goals, targets, commitments and plans, including but not limited to our water policy goals and energy goals; expected timing of progress of water conservation projects; the expected timing and success of the underground paste backfill system study and tailings filtration project at Cozamin, the Pinto Valley HydroFloat project; the success of our use of the Jetti technology; the timing and success of the Cobalt Study for Santo Domingo, estimated timing and spending to achieve our goals; and expectations regarding the conduct of our suppliers and contractors.

The forward-looking statements in the 2020 Sustainability Report are based on a number of estimates, projections, beliefs and assumptions the management team believed to be reasonable as of the date of the Report, though inherently uncertain and difficult to predict, including but not limited to expectations and assumptions concerning: the development and performance of technology; our ability to attract and retain skilled employees; environmental compliance costs generally; and assumptions regarding the development of our business generally. Risks and uncertainties that could influence actual results include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the consequence of climate-change; risks associated with permitting and development of our properties; operational problems; regulatory action; environmental compliance challenges; changes in laws and governmental regulations; costs of compliance with environmental and other laws and regulation; risks relating to the development and use of new technology or lack of appropriate technologies needed to advance our goals; natural disasters and adverse weather conditions, changes in commodity prices; geotechnical challenges; global crises and pandemics; changes in carrying values of our assets; dependence on the availability of water; operations in foreign countries; general business and economic conditions and the future operation and financial performance of the company generally.

We caution you that the foregoing list of important factors and assumptions is not exhaustive. Other events or circumstances could cause our actual results to differ materially from those estimated or projected and expressed in the 2020 Sustainability Report including without limitation, those referred to in the Company's Annual Information Form, the Company's short form prospectus, and in the Company's interim and annual financial statements and MD&A, all of which are filed and available for review under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Accordingly, readers and investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend to update forward-looking statements, except as required by law). There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630006034/en/

Contacts:

Jerrold Annett, SVP, Strategy and Capital Markets

647-273-7351

jannett@capstonemining.com

Kettina Cordero, Director, Investor Relations Communications

604-262-9794

kcordero@capstonemining.com
- Transaction is another step in Cboe's strategy to build one of the world's largest global derivatives and securities trading networks

- With a presence in Asia Pacific, Cboe expects to expand its global equities and market data businesses, broaden distribution of its proprietary products, as well as bring other new trading solutions and services to the region

- Chi-X Asia Pacific planned to be fully integrated into Cboe's existing global business operations and technology platforms

CHICAGO, July 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cboe Global Markets, Inc. (Cboe: CBOE), a leading provider of global market infrastructure and tradable products, today announced it has completed its acquisition of Chi-X Asia Pacific Holdings, Ltd. (Chi-X Asia Pacific), an alternative market operator and provider of innovative market solutions. Through ownership of Chi-X Asia Pacific, Cboe gains entrance into two of the world's largest securities markets - Japan and Australia - to establish a significant presence in the Asia Pacific region for the first time.

"Welcoming Chi-X Asia Pacific to the Cboe network represents an exciting milestone in Cboe's growth story and another important step in our vision to become a truly global marketplace for our customers," said Ed Tilly, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer at Cboe Global Markets. "The team at Chi-X Asia Pacific shares Cboe's dedication to defining markets through innovative products, services and trading solutions. We look forward to the opportunities ahead as we welcome the Chi-X team to the Cboe community and work together to accelerate Chi-X Asia Pacific's further growth and extend Cboe's global footprint."

Through Chi-X Asia Pacific, Cboe now has the opportunity to bring new trading solutions and services to Asia Pacific, including extending the industry-leading block trading capabilities of BIDS Trading to the region. BIDS, acquired by Cboe in January 2021, operates the largest block trading ATS by volume in the U.S., and one of the largest block trading platforms in Europe. With BIDS' current network covering U.S., Europe and expanding into Canada, the addition of Asia Pacific is expected to create a global block trading platform to serve an even broader base of customers.

Cboe plans to fully integrate Chi-X Asia Pacific into its existing global business operations and technology platforms, beginning with the integration of Chi-X Asia Pacific and BIDS. Chi-X Australia and Chi-X Japan are planned to migrate to Cboe's state-of-the-art trading platform thereafter. Providing one, unified technology platform will help provide market participants greater access to Cboe's diverse product set and more efficiency, resiliency and functionality when trading across Cboe's markets.

Vic Jokovic, Chief Executive Officer at Chi-X Australia, said: "Through the years, Chi-X Australia has established itself as the country's most innovative market operator, consistently delivering best-in-class trading solutions, technology and customer service. We couldn't be more excited for the future of our exchange as we join the Cboe team and leverage its global resources to further our growth and develop new products and services that will benefit the Australian markets."

Toru Irokawa, Representative Director and President at Chi-X Japan, said: "Chi-X Japan has gained tremendous success by providing superior service and trading solutions that help deliver best execution and significant cost-savings for retail and institutional investors. We look forward to the many opportunities that this acquisition will create and expect Cboe to further propel our growth, as well as enhance the competitive landscape to help bring greater efficiency and resiliency to the Japanese markets."

Chi-X Asia Pacific positions Cboe to expand its global equities business into Asia Pacific and build an unparalleled, high value global market data business that is expected to offer data from major markets around the world, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, Japan and 18 European countries. In addition, Cboe plans to further broaden investor access to its unique suite of proprietary products - including U.S. index options products based on the S&P 500 Index (SPX) and Cboe Volatility Index (VIX) - to meet growing investor demand globally for U.S.-based derivatives products. Cboe plans to extend trading hours for SPX and VIX options to nearly 24 hours a day beginning November 21, subject to regulatory approval.

Chi-X Asia Pacific is one of the most successful alternative market operators in Asia Pacific, with offices in Australia, Japan, Hong Kong and the Philippines. Chi-X Australia (CXA), the country's second largest securities exchange achieving an 18.6 percent total market share1, offers trading in all Australian-listed securities, as well as the exclusive trading of CXA quoted warrants and ETFs. Chi-X Japan (CXJ), a leading proprietary trading system for Japanese equities and third largest equities venue in the country with a 2.5 percent lit market share2, offers four trading books, including both displayed and non-displayed mechanisms.

Cboe acquired Chi-X Asia Pacific from J.C. Flowers & Co. LLC. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, however the company noted that the purchase price is not material from a financial perspective and is expected to be nominally accretive to the company's adjusted earnings in 2021. Cboe funded the transaction with cash on hand and borrowings under its term loan credit agreement. Chi-X Asia Pacific generated approximately USD 26 million in net revenue for the 12 months ended December 31, 2020, reflecting a 26 percent growth rate compared to the prior year, with non-transactional revenue comprising approximately 67 percent of the overall 2020 net revenue. For additional background information on Chi-X Asia Pacific, see the slide deck available under events and presentations on Cboe's Investor Relations website at http://ir.cboe.com/events-and-presentations.

Legal advisors to Cboe Global Markets on the transaction were Sidley Austin LLP (U.S. and Hong Kong), King & Wood Mallesons (Australia), Nagashima Ohno & Tsunematsu (Japan) and SyCip Salazar Hernandez & Gatmaitan (Philippines), with BofA Securities serving as financial advisor.

About Cboe Global Markets, Inc.

Cboe Global Markets (Cboe: CBOE), a leading provider of market infrastructure and tradable products, delivers cutting-edge trading, clearing and investment solutions to market participants around the world. The company is committed to operating a trusted, inclusive global marketplace, providing leading products, technology and data solutions that enable participants to define a sustainable financial future. Cboe provides trading solutions and products in multiple asset classes, including equities, derivatives and FX, across North America, Europe and Asia Pacific. To learn more, visit www.cboe.com.

About Chi-X Asia Pacific Holdings, Ltd.

Chi-X Asia Pacific Holdings, Ltd. ("Chi-X Asia Pacific") is a leader in driving marketplace innovation across the Asia-Pacific region. For over a decade the business has been operating trading venues and generating pioneering products and services for the benefit of financial markets and the global trading community. The company believes that modern competition from technology-driven markets increases overall market volumes and improves investor performance, providing benefits to all participants. As an alternative market operator, Chi-X Asia Pacific operates market centers two of the Asia-Pacific region's key securities trading centers in Australia and Japan, while its Chi-TechTM technology services units provide technology to its business. The company maintains offices in Sydney, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Manila. For more information, visit www.chi-x.com.

Media Contacts



Analyst Contact









Angela Tu +1-646-856-8734 atu@cboe.com Tim Cave +44 (0) 7593-506-719 tcave@cboe.com

Debbie Koopman +1-312-786-7136 koopman@cboe.com



















CBOE-C

CBOE-OE

Cboe, Cboe Global Markets, Cboe Volatility Index, and VIX are registered trademarks of Cboe Exchange, Inc. Chi-X Asia Pacific, Chi-X Australia and Chi-X Japan are registered trademarks of Chi-X Asia Pacific Holdings, Ltd. All other trademarks and service marks are the property of their respective owners.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. You can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "may," "might," "should," "expect," "plan," "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "predict," "potential" or "continue," and the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. All statements that reflect our expectations, assumptions or projections about the future other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements, which are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions about us, may include projections of our future financial performance based on our growth strategies and anticipated trends in our business. These statements are only predictions based on our current expectations and projections about future events. There are important factors that could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements.

We operate in a very competitive and rapidly changing environment. New risks and uncertainties emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties, nor can we assess the impact of all factors on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.

Some factors that could cause actual results to differ include: the impact of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19") pandemic, including changes to trading behavior broadly in the market; the loss of our right to exclusively list and trade certain index options and futures products; economic, political and market conditions; compliance with legal and regulatory obligations; price competition and consolidation in our industry; decreases in trading or clearing volumes, market data fees or a shift in the mix of products traded on our exchanges; legislative or regulatory changes; our ability to protect our systems and communication networks from security risks, cybersecurity risks, insider threats and unauthorized disclosure of confidential information; increasing competition by foreign and domestic entities; our dependence on and exposure to risk from third parties; fluctuations to currency exchange rates; our index providers' ability to maintain the quality and integrity of their indices and to perform under our agreements; our ability to operate our business without violating the intellectual property rights of others and the costs associated with protecting our intellectual property rights; our ability to attract and retain skilled management and other personnel; our ability to minimize the risks, including our credit and default risks, associated with operating a European clearinghouse; our ability to accommodate trading and clearing volume and transaction traffic, including significant increases, without failure or degradation of performance of our systems; misconduct by those who use our markets or our products or for whom we clear transactions; challenges to our use of open source software code; our ability to meet our compliance obligations, including managing potential conflicts between our regulatory responsibilities and our for-profit status; our ability to maintain BIDS Trading as an independently managed and operated trading venue, separate from and not integrated with our registered national securities exchanges; damage to our reputation; the ability of our compliance and risk management methods to effectively monitor and manage our risks; our ability to manage our growth and strategic acquisitions or alliances effectively; restrictions imposed by our debt obligations and our ability to make payments on or refinance our debt obligations; our ability to maintain an investment grade credit rating; impairment of our goodwill, long-lived assets, investments or intangible assets; and the accuracy of our estimates and expectations. More detailed information about factors that may affect our actual results to differ may be found in our filings with the SEC, including in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and other filings made from time to time with the SEC.

We do not undertake, and we expressly disclaim, any duty to update any forward-looking statement whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.

1Source: Australian Securities and Investments Commission equity market data. Based on average daily value traded 2021 YTD through May

2Based on lit market volume 2021 YTD through May

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Mergers and acquisitions, more commonly known as Mergers & Acquisitions (M&A) transactions, often involved vast amounts of money and an almost endless stream of data and documentation.

It is necessary to perform due diligence properly in any M&A transaction, and this means allowing access to sensitive documents, while also retaining a high level of security. Amazon and MGM have announced that they will enter into a merger agreement, where the former will acquire the latters property for around $8.5 billion. A deal of this size will involve a lengthy due diligence process that will require documents to be studied without the risk of unauthorized people viewing them.

How do banks, investors, and businesses involved in M&A transactions, control the access to sensitive files while keeping them safe? And, what happens if there are breaches of due diligence that are not performed correctly?

How are businesses able to share sensitive documents safely?

Mergers and acquisitions have been happening for years. According to one website, the first M&A deal may have happened thousands of years ago between two cavemen. Whatever the truth is, thousands of M&A transactions happen every year in the states, and the deals conducted between 2019 and 2020, were worth around $170 billion.

The importance of due diligence in transactions and accounting cannot be underestimated, and the banks and lawyers in the notorious Enron scandal were accused of not having their eyes open. The failure of so many people not to see what was happening has now led to a phrase when performing a higher level of due diligence. The Andersen Effect was named after the accounting firm employed by Enron who bit the dust due to the scandal.

With M&A deals, it is important to read and study all the relevant documents intensely. Many M&A transactions have gone wrong due to a lack of proper due diligence, but documents cannot just be allowed to be passed around either. To get the balance right between authorized access and security, companies use what is called data rooms.

What are data rooms?

Previously when businesses were involved in an M&A transaction, they would allow relevant parties, such as lawyers, access to their files. This meant having a physical room in a secure location. Normally, this would mean there would be a file room in the company headquarters, a law firm, or perhaps the businesss bank.

While this worked in the past, it wasnt entirely convenient. The cost of having a secure area such as this could be high, access would be limited to certain times, and geography would be a hindrance.

Many M&A deals cross continents and having one data room in a fixed location is not convenient. Also, the complexity of these deals, the money involved, and the level of due diligence performed today, means that they are no longer practical.

Now, with high-speed internet, and online security measures, virtual data rooms have largely taken the place of the traditional ones.

Virtual data room setups

Once technology and software made it viable, virtual data rooms started to appear. Companies such as Firmex supply virtual data rooms to many famous names such as Barclays, Roche, Deloitte, and J.P. Morgan. These VDRs fulfill the same purpose as traditional data rooms did but in a very different way.

A virtual data room is an online storage facility for documents and files about financial transactions, normally M&A, but can be used for other deals too. A virtual data room can be described as being an extranet. An extranet is a website that has strictly controlled access rights that allows only authorized individuals to enter.

The two parties that have access to the virtual data room would normally be the vendor and the bidder. Each of these sides would have their own people involved in finance, data security, and legal areas, who would have access.

Access can be allowed 24/7 or it can be time-restricted. Due to its virtual nature, anyone needing to view documents can do so from anywhere in the world, as long as they have access rights. These rights can also be limited or expanded according to the wishes of the VDRs owner.

What are the features of VDRs?

A typical virtual data room will come with a list of useful features that make tracking and controlling document access easier and secure.

Sensitive documents must be viewed in M&A deals, but not everyone in the business needs to see them, and even some of those involved may not need to see all of the documents. VDRs have the ability to limit who can see what files and information can be redacted.

The rooms owner may allow downloading and printing, or they may allow some users to only view files on the screen. Which documents and pages are viewed can be monitored and recorded so that the vendor can see what areas are of most interest.

One of the biggest features of VDRs is the security involved. VDRs are considered to be extremely secure and are trusted by the biggest companies in the world. A good VDR will be ISO certified, use digital watermarks, have two-factor authentication, and also use very strong encryption.

Data breaches can have devastating effects on M&A deals, finances, and reputations.

What happens when a data breach occurs, or due diligence fails?

Virtual data rooms can help data breaches from occurring at all, and they provide a sophisticated way to perform due diligence. If these areas are neglected then there can be catastrophic results in an M&A transaction.

In the UK and the European Union, there are recognized data protection laws that are enforced. Individual data is protected and breaches can result in millions of dollars worth of fines. Data is valuable to businesses and hackers alike, and there have been some high profile cases such as Yahoo!

In the states it is somewhat different, there is no real Federal data protection act similar to the EU, and most laws are made at the state level. There is, however, the Data Security and Breach Notification Act which can lead to 5 years in prison if a business fails to comply.

In the case of Yahoo!, millions of dollars were wiped from their valuation during their acquisition by Verizon. The largest merger in history was between AOL and Time Warner, worth a whopping $350 billion. This deal is now taught in business schools to show how not to perform a merger.

Although security was so tight that the deal was kept secret until a few hours before it was finalized, the due diligence wasnt so good. Failure to perform proper due diligence led to an unholy financial disaster. Simply put, AOL was valued far too high, and when the dot com bubble burst only two months later, the valuation plummeted. The documents were available, but due diligence was not performed correctly.

Summary

In M&A transactions sensitive documents need to be accessed, and the safest way to do this is through virtual data rooms. When understanding M&A investment banking and how to succeed in it, you also need to follow certain procedures.

Due diligence must be performed, and document security is essential. Although virtual data rooms cannot make people perform due diligence correctly, they can provide an excellent platform for it, and help avoid data breaches.
Paxton, IL (60957)

Today

A few passing clouds, otherwise generally sunny. High 88F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mostly clear skies. Low 68F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
MOBILE, Ala. (WALA)  The cancelation of an Independence Day rally featuring former President Donald Trump has sparked finger-pointing inside and outside of Alabama.

The Alabama Republican Party had former President Donald Trump lined up to speak at the event Saturday against the backdrop of the USS Alabama Battleship. But planning hit a snag over concerns that the even would violate the USS Alabama Battleship Commissions ban on partisan political events and, perhaps, even state law.

A member of Trumps team, who spoke on FOX10 News on condition of anonymity, rejected that explanation on Tuesday. He laid the blame squarely on the shoulders of Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey, calling it a purely political decision by the governors office.

State Auditor Jim Zeigler, who is mulling a primary challenge against Ivey, echoed that complaint.

The only thing missing was the approval of the commission of the battleship, he said. Now, all of those commissioners are appointed by Governor Ivey, and she serves as an ex officio chair of the commission.  All she had to do was ask them to approve it, and they would have.

Zeigler offered a host of possible explanations for why Ivey would want to snub Trump  from her role as Alabama campaign chairwoman for the 2012 presidential campaign of Trump nemesis Mitt Romney to fears that Trump would praise Senate candidate Mo Brooks, who is running against former Business Council of Alabama president Katie Boyd Britt. The BCA has endorsed Ivey.

Ivey denied any effort to stop the rally. Her office released a statement reading in part, Governor Ivey did not get involved to prevent a Trump rally at the USS Alabama. She is fully supportive of President Trump and worked closely with him as governor and appreciated his support of our state.

A spokeswoman said the governors office suggested the Battleship Commission ask for an Attorney Generals Opinion on the legality of holding the event. Attorney General Steve Marshall wrote the commission back on June 16 saying there wasnt sufficient time for formal opinion but added that it would be OK as long as the battleships grounds were available for use by any political organization.

Attorney generals advice

Marshall cited previous Attorney Generals opinions indicating that public buildings could be used for purposes like new conferences and filming political ads as long as those areas are available to all candidates on an equal basis.

Accordingly, the Commission may allow Commission property to be used for a partisan political event provided that access to use the property is available for all political parties and candidates on an equal basis and subject to the same reasonable scheduling restrictions, he wrote.

The attorney general added that his analysis may be superfluous because the event does not appear to be associated with a candidate for office.

Marshall also warned that a policy allowing some events and not others could run afoul of the First Amendment guarantee of free speech and assembly. The U.S. Supreme Court has held that such restrictions, he wrote, must be narrowly tailed to serve a significant governmental interest.

Bill Tunnell, chairman of the Battleship Commission, told FOX10 News that confusion over the proper way to submit the formal question to the Attorney Generals Office delayed when the commission sent the question. He said by the time Marshall responded, the Alabama GOP had moved on because there was not enough time to plan and promote the event.

Whats more, Tunnell said, the response left open questions.

It didnt exactly answer the questions that we had posed, and certainly didnt tell us whether our no-partisan political activities stance was legal or not legal.  We would prefer to have a little bit more clarification, he said.

Tunnell said the commission decided to change its policy on partisan political evens after Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum held a campaign event there several years ago.

Tunnell said the concerns have nothing to do with animosity toward Trump.

It didnt matter who it was, or what it was, he said. We certainly  I mean, my gosh, to have a former president visit the park, thatd be wonderful.

GOP chairman disappointed

Alabama GOP Chairman John Wahl said he started trying to bring Trump to Alabama shortly after assuming his position earlier this year. He said Trump specifically requested the event take place in Mobile, where he held one of his first big rallies of the 2016 campaign, at Ladd-Peebles Stadium in 2015.

He loves the Mobile area, he said. It was his choice in the state.

Wahl said he is disappointed the Fourth of July celebration will not take place and that the Battleship Commission never gave a firm answer to its request from early May.

We have never received confirmation from the Battleship Commission that we were allowed to have the event or that we were not allowed to have the event, he said. And because of that lack of communication, we were not able to find another venue and had to cancel this rally.

Pete Riehm, a tea party activist who was helping organizers, says it is a big missed opportunity for the region.

It would have been great to have an incredible, Mount Rushmore-like type of Fourth of July celebration for everybody in Mobile to see out on the bay  fireworks and everything, he said. It would have been a great opportunity to highlight the battleship. Think of the publicity.

Riehm said he is suspicious of the official explanation that the event would be legally problematic. He points to the language of the statute that no person in the employment of state or local government can use government funds or property for political activities.

The people organizing the event were not government workers, Riehm said.

I dont see how it applies, he said.

Riehm also suggested that the commission has been inconsistent regarding political events. In addition to the Santorum event, he noted that former state Sen. Bill Hightower (R-Mobile) used the park in 2017 to kick off his run for governor.

Riehm said that his training as a salesman tells him the battleship commission did not want the event but did not want outright reject it.

I know when Im being slow-walked, he said.

Riehm said he hopes to arrange for Trump to visit the area later this summer, and the former presidents adviser said he is eager to come.

The president is still going to come to Alabama to celebrate Alabama, he said.

As for Trump, the former president will be speaking a rally on Saturday  in Sarasota, Florida.
HART, GA (FOX Carolina)- The Hart County Sheriff's Office says that one person died and two people, including a nine year old child, were injured during a wreck at Hartwell Speedway
FILE - In this April 7, 2021 file photo, Shannon Keeler poses for a portrait in the United States. Authorities in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, filed an arrest warrant in a 2013 campus attack on Keeler at Gettysburg University, nearly eight years after the she went to police and a year after she received an online message that said, "So I raped you."(AP Photo, File)
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editor's pick centerpiece featured

Galveston County judge calls immigration disaster, pledges millions

STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News Galveston County Judge Mark Henry speaks Tuesday, June 29, 2021, at a press conference at the Galveston County Office of Emergency Management. STUART VILLANUEVA/The Daily News Galveston County Judge Mark Henry announces he had committed more than $6 million in federal aid allotted to the county on a plan to build a border wall.

DICKINSON

Immigrants crossing the U.S.-Mexico border had created a local disaster, Galveston County Judge Mark Henry declared Tuesday, while pledging millions of local dollars to countering the crisis.

The disaster was so bad, Henry said, he had given his permission for county law enforcement officers to travel more than 250 miles to the border and had committed to spending more than $6 million in federal aid allotted to the county on a plan to build a border wall.

The announcement came during a short press event at which Henry declined to answer questions and provided no specific examples of undocumented people causing new problems in the county.

Ive heard from other parts of the state about how bad it is, Henry said. Ive not been there myself. As a result of the crisis at the border, we have seen a number of things in Galveston County now.

The declaration drew condemnation from some local groups and skepticism from some members of the county commissioners court, wholl be asked to ratify the disaster declaration on Friday.

The announcement came a day before former U.S. President Donald Trump, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and other Republican public officials  including Galveston County Sheriff Henry Trochesset  were scheduled to make a highly publicized trip to the border in the Rio Grande Valley.

Trump and Abbott are expected to use the trip to criticize the Biden administrations response to illegal border crossings, which surged to record highs in the first half of the year and have become a major talking point among Republican leaders.

Henry, a Republican, connected illegal immigration to what he said were increases in violent and organized crime, an increased flow of drugs and the potential spread of infectious diseases in the county.

The declaration will potentially allow sheriffs and constables deputies to be deployed to the border. Henry also said he was authorizing the county to spend $6.6 million of the its allotment of American Rescue Plan money toward construction of a wall among the U.S-Mexico border.

County commissioners must ratify the disaster declaration or it expires after seven days. Commissioners are scheduled to vote Friday.

Henrys disaster declaration connects immigrants crossing the border to illegal drugs, human trafficking and the spread of communicable diseases, including COVID-19 and HIV, in the county.

He offered no specific data about the ways border crossings were affecting Galveston County.

He made reference to recent cases of bricks of drugs washing up on local beaches. No arrests have been made regarding those discoveries, officials said.

I have been told that did not happen at all in 2020, Henry said. Thats a relatively new kind of event.

There were no public reports of drugs being found on local beaches in 2020, although that had happened before. As far back as 2015, law enforcement officials said such discoveries were common across the United States.

Henry also referred to human trafficking arrests that occurred outside of Galveston County.

I know the people who run these operations dont care where the county line is, Henry said We consider this to be a regional public health crisis.

In addition to making an official disaster declaration, Henry said hed signed an executive order allowing the county to pay to send local law enforcement to assist along the border.

Galveston County Constables Jimmy Fullen, Justin West and Rick Sharp joined Henry at the press event.

Henry said he also was dedicating up to $6 million toward the construction of a border wall.

The money for the border assistance and the wall would come out of the $66 million the county received from the American Rescue Plan, the highly touted federal stimulus package approved by Congress and President Joe Biden in January.

The money would be committed to the wall once theres a coherent, logical and executable plan, Henry said.

Henry also created a task force to coordinate ways county resources could help the situation at the border. County officials were looking into whether the county could support or relieve Department of Public Safety troopers working on the border, Henry said.

What exactly that help might look like isnt clear. No local deputies had been sent to the border as of Tuesday.

Thats out of my hands, Henry said. I can only provide the disaster declaration, the executive order and the moral support for them to go down and help with the border.

Despite inviting local media to attend the event, Henry didnt take questions after making his announcement.

Henrys announcement was met with derision by some groups in the county, and skepticism by some members of the commissioners court.

Robert Quintero, the spokesman and former president of the Galveston chapter of The League of United Latin American Citizens, called Henrys disaster proclamation bullshit.

Its unacceptable, Quintero said. This is ridiculous. Its a war on Latino people. Its knee-jerk reaction to this wall plan and is a carry-over from the Trump administration.

Quintero challenged Henry to prove any connections between recent crimes or disease outbreak and illegal immigration.

Quintero said its unusual for Henry to target Latino groups specifically, noting the judge had worked with LULAC to support a scholarship fund by allowing the organization to use the grounds of the county courthouse for events.

Three county commissioners said they hadnt been fully informed about Henrys plans before Tuesdays announcement. County commissioners on Monday talked about suing the Biden administration over its immigration policies but deferred action on the issue.

Commissioners also spoke at length about ways the county could spend its federal stimulus money. But in nearly an hour of talk about that specific issue, the border wall never once came up. Instead, commissioners talked about funding drainage projects, wastewater treatment plants and rental assistance programs.

Commissioner Stephen Holmes, the only Democrat on the commissioners court, said he didnt think illegal immigration was causing a disaster in Galveston County.

Not to my knowledge, Holmes said. I want to defer and at least give Judge Henry the opportunity to describe why it is a disaster. To my knowledge, that is not a disaster in Galveston County.

Holmes said he wasnt inclined to vote to ratify the disaster declaration.

Commissioner Darrell Apffel said that although he supported the idea of sending law enforcement to the border  if the manpower costs were reimbursed  he didnt support spending local money on a border wall.

No, I dont think Galveston County should help, Apffel said. I think thats a federal issue that was started by President Trump. It was continued by Gov. Abbott.

Im fine with sending voluntarily our officers to the border, to work extra jobs if they so choose and seek reimbursement, he said. But I dont think we should be spending COVID relief funds for the wall.

Commissioners in May voted 4-1 to declare border issues an urgent crisis in Galveston County. But that vote didnt commit to funding any border response.

Montgomery County Judge Mark Keough was supposed to attend Tuesdays announcement. But Keough canceled those plans after Montgomery County Commissioners deferred their own plans to declare a disaster, Keoughs office said.

Instead, Montgomery County Sheriff Rand Henderson had committed to supporting law enforcement at the border, officials said. The Montgomery County Commissioners Court said the county would reach out to border counties to form official partnership agreements if any of those governments were seeking aid from communities farther from the border.
Galveston, TX (77553)

Today

Thunderstorms likely in the morning. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms in the afternoon. High 86F. Winds SSE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms during the evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low 79F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 90%.




[This unedited press release is made available courtesy of Gamasutra and its partnership with notable game PR-related resource Games Press.]

New York City, USA 6/29/2021 - Indie Publisher/Distributor VGNYsoft has partnered with Pixelheart for a physical release of Golden Force for Nintendo Switch, with both a standard and limited edition. The standard edition comes with an exclusive VGNYsoft sticker and flier, while the limited edition comes with a metal jacket, certificate of authenticity, and a magnetic medallion. It is sure to be a fantastic addition to anyones physical collection. DESCRIPTION:

The King of Demons set his sights on Muscle Island, a paradisaical and peaceful place where its good to live. This evil person settled his army and persecutes the population with the help of his generals.

Wasting their last coins in the taverns of the island, mercenaries from the dreadful GOLDEN FORCE enjoy their last moments of vacation when they receive a new contract: beat down this new evil ruler and recover the mountain of gold in his possession.

When there is gold and a promise of great battles, you can count on the GOLDEN FORCE to save your skin! FEATURES: 4 worlds full of challenge

Old school difficulty (but not so frustrating)

2 players cooperative mode

4 playable characters

Fearful bosses

Tons of secrets and hidden challenges for hardcore gamers LIMITED EDITION CONTAINS: 1 FuturePak

1 Magnet coin FuturePak

Limited Edition Slip Cover

Standard Sealed game

Individually Numbered Production 0001-2000 VGNYsoft Release also Includes: Exclusive Golden Force Flier

Exclusive Golden Force Sticker Golden Force for the Nintendo Switch is available for $54.99 for the Limited Edition and $39.99 for the Standard Edition. For more information about this release, please visit the official sales page.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

For more information please contact:

Daniel Mastin - VGNYsoft PR [email protected] Giulio Graziani - Distribution & Wholesale [email protected]

About VGNYsoft VGNYsoft is an independent video game publisher/distributor based out of New York City. VGNYsoft is a video games publishing label dedicated to bringing indie games to the mass market through physical releases. We are committed to integrating fans' dedication to video games culture. Recent titles include Wallachia: Reign of Dracula, Shmup Collection, and the upcoming Golden Force.

About Videogamesnewyork Videogamesnewyork started in 2006 as a boutique establishment in the heart of Manhattan's East Village to promote retro and import video games and to legitimate video games as an integral part of the American cultural experience. In 2009, it became the first distributor of new games for the Dreamcast system in the North American market by bringing over Last Hope Pink Bullet and Dux from Hucast as well as Wind and Water: Puzzle Battles and Rush Rush Rally and from RedSpotGames. Expanding again in 2017, Videogamesnewyork deepened its involvement in the retro and Dreamcast communities with an exclusive to distribute the commercially produced title for the Dreamcast system in more than a decade (Breakers) and the entire catalog of future releases. In the years to follow Videogamesnewyork has continued to expand its catalog of exciting titles and supported systems eventually founding its own publishing division VGNYsoft and currently releases new games for both the retro markets and the next generation system.
The Corvallis School District has resolved neighborhood concerns involving its renovation plans for two schools.

The district is spending $200 million on new school buildings and renovations in a bond measure approved by district voters in May 2018.

The challenges from the neighbors came in response to the plans for Wildcat Elementary School (formerly Wilson) and College Hill High School. In both cases the school district agreed to modify its plans in an effort to meet the concerns of residents.

Here is a look at the two cases:

Wildcat

The key concerns were what to do about a water detention pond just north of the school in Wildcat Park and whether a planter strip that has been tended by volunteers for the past 11 years could be preserved despite its placement not matching updated city code. Also at issue were a loss of parking spaces if the planter strip was removed, and whether to re-route the sidewalk at a pocket park which fronts on Walnut Boulevard.

School district officials and consultants met twice with community members, on June 2 and June 17, with the district agreeing to resubmit its application to the Corvallis Planning Commission, which is required to sign off on the individual school renovation plans.

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State education officials announced last week "the path is clear" for students to return to full time, in-person instruction at Oregon K-12 schools this fall.

For mid-valley school districts, however, that path has a few obstacles left  such as, who, if anyone, should continue to wear masks? How will recess, lunchtime and P.E. work? And what exactly should they do with the remote options they made available all last year?

"We anticipate being back in person and will offer a K-8 online option, but anything more is a guess," Bo Yates, superintendent of the Lebanon Community School District, said by email Monday.

The Oregon Department of Education announced a "resiliency framework" June 25 for the 2021-22 school year, meant to shift public schools back to more traditional schedules based on local decisions.

The framework reflects Gov. Kate Brown's announcement to lift all remaining COVID-10 health and safety restrictions issued under Oregon emergency statutes, including executive orders for K-12 schools, as of this week.

According to ODE, the plan is to return this fall to full-time, in-person classes, complete with instructional time requirements. Online programs may be offered at the discretion of local districts.
Steffes' firefighters stopped using water on the blaze minutes after they arrived when they discovered the batteries because water and firefighting foam can cause batteries to explode. And he said while he has heard some ideas on how to battle the blaze  road salt has been suggested  he won't send crews to battle the fire because of the unknowns about what's inside.

I don't know 100% what was stored in that building, only what they're telling us what was stored in that building, he said.

Further, Steffes said that while his department and other agencies have fought fires at buildings that contain lithium batteries, he had thus far found nobody with fires that involve so many batteries. He said the battery explosions overnight could be heard across the city.

The mayor said the city didn't know the building was being used to store batteries until it caught fire, and that he knows very little about the company that owns them.

The name of the company is Superior Battery ... and we didnt know they existed until yesterday afternoon, said Brown. Apparently nobody else at City Hall did either, because there's no record of a business license or any communication between the company and any city department, he said.
Gillette, WY (82718)

Today

Partly cloudy with afternoon showers or thunderstorms. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 88F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph, becoming NNW and increasing to 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early will become partly cloudy later at night. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 57F. Winds NW at 10 to 20 mph.
Washington decided to discontinue its military presence in Afghanistan, handing back power to the Taliban after a 20-year intervention. This strange experiment, aiming to create a state based on Western conceptions of robust central institutions and pipe dreams of national democracy, has failed miserably.

The dream to make the world a better place by introducing so-called Western values  a secular gospel of democracy, institutions (and bureaucracy), as well as various undifferentiated rules combined with a neglect of healthy traditional values  has turned out to be an illusion in many places. It is slowly becoming apparent that the Westernization of the world will not succeed on this basis.

The world could soon become more fragmented

Leaving Afghanistan amounts to admitting that Francis Fukuyamas end of history will not take place. After the implosion of the Soviet Union, the American political scientist published an optimistic book declaring that the entire world will soon be democratic, peaceful and free  in other words, the end of history.

Meanwhile, both Washington and European countries are worried about who will control the airport in Kabul. The hope is that NATOs second-largest power, Turkey, will take responsibility for it.

End of morals-driven foreign policy

In a GIS report on Central Asia, Professor Stefan Hedlund writes:

In recent years, certain nations have begun presenting their culture as an alternative to Western universal values and rule-based global order. These civilizational states, like China and Russia, have developed narratives that depict their values as fundamentally different from, and superior to, that of the West. Indias Hindu nationalism follows the same approach. The trend could signal the end of foreign and security policies driven by Western ideals. Soon, promoting democracy in faraway lands could go from being merely ineffectual to exacerbating civilizational conflict.

In contrast to his predecessors America First ideology, United States President Joe Biden has been repeating that America is back and intends to revive and strengthen old alliances in Europe and Asia.

Feelings of moral superiority will lead nowhere

Many believe that the administration of Donald Trump disrupted the rules-based world order, and that the Biden presidency will reinstate it. However, America is back rather refers to a traditional coalition of so-called liberal democracies than a renaissance of the rules-based system. This was confirmed at the last meeting of the G7, a group comprising seven of the largest industrialized countries (the U.S., Canada, Japan, the United Kingdom, France, Germany and Italy). The organization has decided to finance an initiative to counter Chinas Belt and Road infrastructure.

In the text mentioned above, Professor Hedlund adds:

Beyond the need to repair old relations, the main challenge that awaits the Biden administration is whether it has what it takes to engage with those it sees as foes. Former Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said: I dont think the American people can afford to go back to eight more years of Barack Obamas foreign policy. Beyond the apparent spite, the former U.S. diplomacy head touched on a raw nerve, suggesting that the core of the challenge is not to undo what took place during the Trump presidency. Instead, it will be to overcome the legacy of the Obama administration  eight years of incoherent morals-driven foreign policy stratagems that resulted in one mess after another, from Russia and Ukraine to Libya and Syria. From that angle, the task appears formidable.

The end of the American presence in Afghanistan signals the decline of aspirations to build a democratic world order based on Western standards.

The world could soon become more fragmented. This poses challenges and requires new ways of thinking. Europe will have to become more adept at understanding its neighbors in this new political environment. Both Russia and Turkey are making their own choices. Turkey is in a delicate position resulting from its proximity to Europe, the Balkans, the Middle East, the Black Sea and the Caucasus. In many areas, its interests clash with those of Russia. Brussels and European countries should show more subtlety and understanding in their dealings with Ankara, especially when it comes to economic zones in the Eastern Mediterranean, instead of opting for its usual aggressive criticism. Similarly, Russia has to manage relations with both Europe and East Asia, especially China, and protect its southern border.

In this context, feelings of moral superiority will lead nowhere. The new reality will require realpolitik, while not forgetting oppressed ethnic minorities.
CALGARY, Alberta, June 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Canada As One Inc., a national mask distributor aligned with Breathe Medical Manufacturing, is donating two million medical and non-medical masks to frontline workers in Canada as a show of appreciation for their work throughout the pandemic. Frontline workers can individually access the free donation of masks on the Canada As One website. Access to the donation will remain open through August, or until supplies are fully distributed.



Canada As One is a mask distributor based in Calgary that works with Breathe Medical Manufacturing, a Kelowna-headquartered major mask manufacturer, to provide premium medical masks such as N95s and ASTM levels 1, 2 and 3 to healthcare and other organizations. Both companies were built on the premise that Canadians deserve timely access to quality protective masks. Their partnership arose as a response to the mask shortage that occurred at the beginning of the pandemic, during which time the Canadian government scrambled to import masks to supply frontline workers with the protection they urgently needed.

It hurts knowing that our frontline workers once had to ration medical masks as they risked their lives each day. As a Canadian company, we feel a sense of responsibility to give back to those who have given so much to the public during the pandemic, said David Lee, CEO of Canada As One. The goal of Canada As One has always been to protect people with made-in-Canada masks, but we can continue to do so only if our governments choose to support Canadian mask manufacturing. We will be working tirelessly to conduct this rollout as smooth as possible. This mask giveaway is our sincere thank you to the millions of Canadian frontline workers for their continuing efforts on behalf of all Canadians.

Over the next few months, the Canada As One team will be managing the mask giveaway program while also continuing to supply medical masks to critical healthcare and infrastructure organization and private business customers throughout Canada and around the world.

Frontline workers interested in receiving a no-charge giveaway of medical-grade masks from Canada As One can visit https://canadaasone.com/pages/thankyou.

About Canada As One

Canada As One Inc. is a mask distributor licensed by Health Canada for national sales and distribution. The company was established in April 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Canada As One has an exclusive relationship with Breathe Medical Manufacturing, one of the countrys largest mask producers. Together, they provide Canadians and the international community with masks that meet all national and international certifications and are manufactured using premium raw materials. Canadaasone.com.



For further media information:

Praise Murwisi

Marketing and Public Relations Coordinator

Canada As One Inc.

Praise@canadaasone.com | https://canadaasone.com/

A video accompanying this announcement is available at: https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/841b09ac-2549-4aca-91e4-0511d96474f8
Investors with losses of $1,000,000 or more are encouraged to contact the firm before July 6, 2021; click here to submit trade information



LOS ANGELES, June 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Portnoy Law Firm advises investors that a class action lawsuit has been filed on behalf of Churchill Capital Corp IV. (NYSE: CCIV) investors that acquired shares between January 11, 2021 and February 22, 2021. Investors have until July 6, 2021 to seek an active role in this litigation.

Investors are encouraged to contact attorney Lesley F. Portnoy , to determine eligibility to participate in this action, by phone 310-692-8883 or email , or click here to join the case.

It is alleged in this complaint that Churchill Capital made misleading and false statements to the market. Lucid Motors was not ready to produce vehicles by the spring of 2021. Lucid projected 2021 production of just 557 vehicles, despite the 6,000 vehicle production target touted in the period before its merger with Churchill Capital. Churchill Capitals public statements were materially misleading and false throughout the class period. Investors suffered damages when the market learned the truth about Churchill Capital.

A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than July 6, 2021.

Please visit our website to review more information and submit your transaction information.

The Portnoy Law Firm represents investors in pursuing arising from corporate wrongdoing. The Firms founding partner has recovered over $5.5 billion for aggrieved investors. Attorney advertising. Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes.

Lesley F. Portnoy, Esq.

Admitted CA and NY Bar

lesley@portnoylaw.com

310-692-8883

www.portnoylaw.com

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CALGARY, Alberta, June 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Prairie Provident Resources Inc. ("Prairie Provident" or the "Company") announces the results of voting on matters submitted to shareholders at the Company's annual meeting held today.



Election of Directors

At the meeting, each of Patrick McDonald, Mimi Lai, Derek Petrie, Ajay Sabherwal and Rob Wonnacott was nominated for election as a director of the Company for the ensuing year. Each such nominee was elected by ordinary resolution, for a term of office ending at the close of the next annual meeting of shareholders.

The term of office of William Roach, who had served as a director of Prairie Provident since 2018, concluded at the meeting. Dr. Roach decided to retire from the Board of Directors and did not stand for re-election.

"On behalf of the Company and the Board, I want to thank Will for his counsel and many contributions throughout his time as a director of Prairie Provident," said Patrick R. McDonald, Chair of the Board. "We wish him the best in his continuing endeavours."

As previously announced, Tony Berthelet, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, has also been appointed as a director.

Detailed results of the voting for each director nominee at the meeting are as follows.

Director Nominee



Votes For Votes Withheld Number % Number % Patrick McDonald (Chair) 19,764,875 59.44 13,486,504 40.56 Mimi Lai 21,617,126 65.01 11,634,253 34.99 Derek Petrie 30,805,919 92.65 2,445,460 7.35 Ajay Sabherwal 30,604,552 92.04 2,646,827 7.96 Rob Wonnacott 21,142,933 63.59 12,108,446 36.41

Appointment of Auditor

Shareholders also passed an ordinary resolution appointing Ernst & Young LLP as the auditor of the Company for the ensuing year, to hold office until the close of the next annual meeting of shareholders. Following are detailed results of the voting on that resolution.

Auditor



Votes For Votes Withheld Number % Number % Ernst & Young LLP 28,602,727 71.27 11,527,510 28.73

About Prairie Provident

Prairie Provident is a Calgary-based company engaged in the exploration and development of oil and natural gas properties in Alberta. The Company's strategy is to grow organically in combination with accretive acquisitions of conventional oil prospects, which can be efficiently developed. Prairie Provident's operations are primarily focused at the Princess and Michichi areas in Southern Alberta targeting the Ellerslie, the Lithic Glauconite and the Banff formations, along with an established and proven waterflood project at our Evi area in the Peace River Arch.

For further information, please contact:

Tony Berthelet

President and Chief Executive Officer

Tel: (403) 292-8071

Email: tberthelet@ppr.ca

Or

Mimi Lai

Executive Vice President, Finance and Chief Financial Officer

Tel: (403) 292-8171

Email: mlai@ppr.ca

Prairie Provident Resources Inc.

website: www.ppr.ca
Gurugram, India, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Government in KSA has heavily invested SAR 327.9 Billion on Economic Projects under its 10th Development Plan (2015-2019) and is trying to uplift its Non Oil manufacturing sectors by launch of National Industrial Development and Logistics Program expected to increase the volume of non-oil exports to over SAR 1.0 Tn and generate 1.6 million new jobs by 2030.

Launch of Digital Platforms by Saudi Custom Authority has streamlined 80% of the freight to be cleared within an average time of 24 hours and reduced the Clearance time by 60% resulting in Logistics Companies to focus on their Automation Process and Core competencies such as Freight handled, Network, Fleets, Employee Strength, Warehousing capacity, Certifications and more.

The logistics space is quite fragmented with more than 1600 players with Top players contributing only 12-15% of the logistics market Revenues in KSA. Online Freight Aggregators such as Trukker and Trukkin are providing an online marketplace for carriers to search & book loads with a single click solving the Issue of Empty Returns in KSA. Logistics Companies such as Al Karsf, Hellman logistics are working with WMS, RFID tags, GPS Enabled Trucks, Real Time tracking and Own EDI Platform to record the transactions as mandated by Custom Authorities.

For more information on the research report, refer to below link:

Competition Benchmarking of Top 40 Players Across Automotive Value Chain (Freight Forwarding, Auto Spare Parts and Auto Service) in KSA

Import Driven Automotive Spare Parts Market in KSA:

Saudi Arabia is heavily dependent upon Imports for spare parts from UAE, Japan, South Korea, Germany, China & US, growing at a CAGR of 4.7% during 2014-19 and accounted for ~76.3% of the total spare imports into the Kingdom in 2019. Wiper blades, water & oil pumps, brake disc, brake shoe, compressors, evaporators, radiators etc. are the major spare parts imported into the country.

Riyadh and Jeddah provides highest proportion of sales in spare parts market with Presence of ~5500 Retailers in both the Hubs and ~1 Mn Vehicles sold in 2019 in the North & East Region.

Introduction of Online platforms such as SABER, SALEEM under SASO has improved product regulation with aim of meeting international standards and removing the issue of Counterfeit Products in KSA.

Out of ~7000 Offline Multi-brand parts Suppliers in KSA, Only Few Companies such as Babatin Auto Parts, Rezayat Automotive & more are manufacturing spare parts and can obtain Numerous Incentives such as Low corporate income tax of 20% on profits, Low Cost Land in Economic Cities, SIDF loan with for up to 20 years and up to 75% of the capital, Lower Utility Cost and more

Online Start Ups such as Atlobha, Oddigo and Speero are working as an aggregator working with Dealers to provide complete range of spare parts from brake pads to suspensions of many well-known Brands such as Peugot, Nissan, Ram, Subaru, Toyota, BMW, Cadillac and more.

KSA Auto Repairs and Maintenance Market in KSA:

The Market is dominated by 30+ Multi Brand Service Providers, 40+ Agency workshops with spare parts Dealership, ~5 Car Wash Aggregators along with Multiple Unorganized Workshops in almost all cities of Saudi Arabia.

Multi Brand Dealers such as Petromin Autocare, SAC Motors, and SKBMW has already established strong Recognition in the Market and provide Strong Network Coverage with At least 3 Branches in all prime cities of KSA. Use of Advanced Technology such as Computerized Estimation System to prepare comprehensive damage estimates for a vehicle is being extensively used by the company to maintain Good Client retention along with Stable Revenues.

The Concept of Mobile Workshops is being extensively used to provide services such as Changing Oil, Changing Battery, Checking computer and more providing utmost ease and support to the Customer at their Location along with lesser Initial Capital investment to the Company.

Online Service providers such as Ezhalha and Morni are providing aggregator digital platform to provide Emergency Services including Battery, Towing, Car Wash & more and are expected to grow in the coming years with many New Funding Series in Pipeline.

The report titled "Potential Companies for Strategic Partnership in Saudi Arabia Across Automotive Value Chain Segments- Logistics, Auto Car Repairs/Maintenance and Auto Spare Parts" by Ken Research suggested that All above Segments are further expected to grow in the near future with Rising competition, Online Aggregators in the space, Updated Technology with the support of the Government. Many New companies are expected to come in near Future providing Ease and Accessibility to the Customer. The Auto Repair Segment is expected to rise with Facility of Mobile Services in the Country.

Key Target Audience:

3PL Logistics Companies

Integrated Logistics Companies

Automotive Companies

Auto Spare Parts Provider

Auto care companies

Automotive Dealers

Companies Mentioned:

Freight Forwarding Companies Bahri logistics Saudi Post NAQEL Express Kuehne Nagel Almajdouie logistics DHL Express Fedex Express Al Ayed Transport SMSA Express Tamer logistics BAFCO shipping and Logistics DB Schenker Agility JAS Worldwide Kanoo Terminal Services LSC warehousing and logistics Hala Supply Chain Namma Cargo Wared logistics Al Rashed transport UPS Kerry logistics Mubarrad transport Hellman logistics OCSCL Shipping and Logistics Al karsf SMT logistics Saudi Lana logistics Fourwinds logistics Takhzeen NTF cargo Alpha Cargo GAC Platinum Shipping and Logistics Al Seham logistics Gulf System Defaf Logistics Wolf logistics Abdui Global Globus Durar logistics Glaube logistics

Multi Brand Auto Spare Parts Providers Saudi Parts Center Company Ltd (Al Khorayef Group ) Babatin Auto Parts M S Almeshri & Bros Co. Barik International Rezayat Automotive Al-Oliah Auto Spare Parts Samir Odeh Arabian Parts Company (ARSAMCO) Badil Spare Parts Atlobha Speero Odiggo

Multi Brand Auto Cars Repairs and Maintenance Market SAC Motor Sheikh Centre (SKBMW) Petromin Auto Care Abu Jihad Car Maintenance Centre Ziebart Best Engine Centre Auto Fix Ezhalha Morni



Key Topics Covered in the Report

Competition Analysis of Major Logistics Players in KSA ( including Volume, Average warehousing Space, Fleets, Average Occupancy rate, Network, Client Retention, Industries catered, Services offered, Technology, Certifications, Strength)

Competition Analysis of Major Multi Brand Auto Spare parts Providers in KSA ( including Number of Orders, Branches Network, Clients, Services offered, Digitalization, Strength)

Competition Analysis of Multi brand Auto Repairs and Car maintenance Players in KSA ( including Number of cars handled annually, Average Ticket Size, Branches Network, Clients, Services offered, Digitalization, Strength)

Saudi Arabia Logistics Market

Saudi Arabia Freight Transportation Market

COVID Impact on Saudi Logistics Market

Automotive Dealers KSA

KSA Agency workshops

KSA Auto care

KSA Auto Detailing

KSA Car Washing Companies

Saudi Arabia Multi brand Repair Shops

Saudi Arabia Automotive Market

Saudi Arabia Spare parts

Saudi Arabia Refurbished Spares

Saudi Arabia White label Spares

Saudi Arabia OEM

Saudi Arabia OES

Saudi Arabia After market spares

Saudi Arabia Branded Spares

Saudi Arabia Sea Freight Volume

Saudi Arabia Road freight Companies

Saudi Arabia Freight forwarders

Saudi Arabia Carriers

Saudi Arabia Sea Freight Companies

Saudi Arabia Road Freight Companies

Saudi Arabia Air freight Companies

For more information on the research report, refer to below link:

Competition Benchmarking of Top 40 Players Across Automotive Value Chain (Freight Forwarding, Auto Spare Parts and Auto Service) in KSA

Related Reports

KSA Automotive Industry Outlook To 2025  Focus On Technology Adoption & Trends For Dealers, Distributors, Spare Parts Suppliers, Fleet And Leasing Companies And Car Service Providers

The report further analyze each segment in detail, providing a brief overview along with market size, segmentation, competition analysis, trends, developments & future analysis of various segments, focusing keenly on entity relationships & business models.

These segments are then further analyzed to gain a better understanding of the ERP & CRM modules required to pave the way for digitization amidst the industry, across KSA.

UAE Logistics and Warehousing Market Outlook to 2025  By Road , Sea and Air Freight Forwarding; Domestic and International Freight, Major Flow Corridors, Integrated and Contract Freight Forwarding; By Warehousing (Industrial / Retail, CFS / Inland Container Depot & Cold Storage, Agriculture), End Users (Manufacturing, Retail, Food and Beverage, Automotive, Oil and Gas, Healthcare), Type of Warehouses; By Courier Express & Parcel Market , and, E-commerce Logistics

The report covers the overall size and future outlook of UAE Freight Forwarding, Warehousing, Courier Express and Parcel, 3PL and E Commerce Logistics market in terms of value, segmentation on the basis of service mix, by geography, by ownership and by type of industries. The report also covers the competitive landscape and company profiles of major Freight Forwarding, Warehousing and Express Logistics Companies in UAE. The report concludes with market projections for future and analyst recommendations highlighting the major opportunities and challenges.

Saudi Arabia Automotive & Spare Parts Logistics Market Outlook To 2025: Lifting Of Ban On Female Drivers And Growing Aftermarket For Spare Parts To Influence Market Growth

The report focuses on overall market size in terms of revenue generated by automotive & spare part logistics companies; Saudi Arabia automotive & spare parts logistics market segmentation by service mix (freight forwarding, warehousing and value added services); automotive & spare parts freight forwarding market segmentation by freight mode (road freight, sea freight and air freight); by type of transport (domestic freight and international freight); by 3PL Logistics and Integrated logistics; by Cost split (last mile and first mile); by automotive segment (vehicles and spare parts); by sea flow corridors (Sudan, GCC, Egypt and others); by air flow corridors (Sudan, Egypt, Kuwait, Libya, Oman.

Contact Us:
Pune, India, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global air duct market size is projected to reach USD 12.16 billion by 2028, exhibiting a CAGR of 4.5% during the forecast period. Standing at USD 8.60 billion in 2020, the market is expected to attain a value of USD 8.94 billion in 2021, states Fortune Business Insights in its report, titled Air Duct Market, 2021-2028.

Highlights of the Report

This Air Duct Market report contains a careful segmentation of the market and a thorough study of each market segment. Further, the report offers in-depth research into the factors driving and restraining the market, along with a detailed analysis of the regional and competitive developments shaping the market trends. In addition to the above, the report also incorporates comprehensive projections about the upcoming market opportunities.

Click here to get the short-term and long-term impact of COVID-19 on this Air Duct Market.

Please visit: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/air-duct-market-103269

Growing Importance of HVAC Systems amid COVID-19 to Boost the Market

The coronavirus has been proven to be transmitted through the air and as a result, the importance of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems has grown manifold amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Moreover, HVAC units that are equipped with air ducts have emerged as the preferred choice for most spaces due to their superior air circulation mechanism. According to Boston Standard, an expert in HVAC technology, ducted HVAC units have a higher exchange rate of clean and fresh air, minimizing the recirculation of stale air and purifying the indoor atmosphere. Leading research organizations have also developed breakthrough solutions that can further augment the efficacy of HVAC systems. In May 2021, for instance, Indias Central Scientific Instruments Organization (CSIO) formulated a UV-based filtration-disinfection technology for air conditioning and ventilation ducts. However, despite the multiple benefits of HVAC systems, the market posted a lower-than-average growth of 3.8% in 2020.

Segmentation

In terms of type, the markets segments include galvanized steel, aluminum, flexible, fabric, and others.

Based on shape, the Air Duct Market is segregated into round, half-round, square/rectangular, triangular, and others.

On the basis of the application, the market has been divided into public facilities, commercial facilities, industrial facilities, and others. Here, the industrial facilities segment held a share of 13.7% in the global market and a share of 16.1% in the India market in 2020.

Geographically, the market has been analyzed across North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, the Middle East & Africa, and South America.

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Driving Factor

Heightened Pace of Urbanization to Support Market Growth

The pace of urbanization has gathered momentum over the past few years, driven by rapid economic development and the widening of employment opportunities. According to recent estimates released by the UNs Population Division, by 2050, approximately 68% of the global population will reside in urban spaces, led by large-scale migration from villages to cities in India, China, and Nigeria. Urban areas have emerged as huge breeding grounds for different kinds of pollutants and contaminants, heightening the need for effective ventilation solutions in households. Air duct-based HVAC systems provide the optimal solution to this festering issue as they are designed to pull in large quantities of fresh air and filter out pollutants with excellent efficiency. This factor is particularly significant for the air duct market growth because, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), some pollutants are found to be in greater concentrations indoors than outdoors due to the limited space. Thus, as concerns surrounding indoor pollution continue to climb, the adoption of HVAC systems armed with ducts is set to soar in the forthcoming years.

Regional Insights

Asia Pacific to Experience Accelerated Growth in the Market, observes Fortune Business Insights

Asia Pacific is in the best position to dominate the air duct market share during the forecast period, principally attributable to the enormous investments in critical infrastructures, such as new-age airport terminals, in India, China, Malaysia, and Vietnam. India, in particular, is expected to lead the regional market owing to the speedy advancements in the development of smart cities in the country. In 2020, the regions market size stood at USD 3.96 billion.

The market in Europe is predicted to enter a period of prolific expansion and growth on account of the strong presence of major HVAC manufacturers in the region, especially in Western Europe. In North America, on the other hand, the demand for these ducts is likely to increase due to the improving ventilation standards in the US and Canada.

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Competitive Landscape

Introduction of Cutting-Edge Air Conditioning Solutions to Fuel Competition

Since many countries and cities across North America and Europe experience extremely cold weather for a large part of the year, key players are engaged in the development of novel air duct solutions that can provide efficient and effective thermal conductivity within spaces. These innovations are enabling companies to partner with diverse entities across industries and broaden their sales opportunities.

Industry Development

May 2021: FabricAir was chosen by the Austrian transport operator Linz AG to design and deploy an advanced air distribution system at its workshop that can cool down the facility without compromising on worker comfort.

List of Key Players Covered in this Air Duct Market Report

DMI Companies (United States)

Aldes Group (France)

THERMAFLEX (United States)

Imperial Manufacturing Group (Canada)

Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics (ISOVER) (France)

KAD AIR CONDITIONING (BIN DASMAL GROUP) (United Arab Emirates)

Durkeesox (Wuhan)Air Dispersion System Co., LTD (China)

FabricAir (Denmark)

CMS Group of Companies (United Arab Emirates)

Lindab (Sweden)

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Table Of Content:

Introduction Definition, By Segment Research Methodology/Approach Data Sources

Executive Summary

Air Duct Market Dynamics Macro and Micro Economic Indicators Drivers, Restraints, Opportunities and Trends Impact of COVID-19 on Air Duct Market Short-term Impact Long-term Impact

Competition Landscape Business Strategies Adopted by Key Players Consolidated SWOT Analysis of Key Players Porters Five Forces Analysis Global Air Duct Market Share Analysis, 2020

Key Market Insights and Strategic Recommendations

Profiles of Key Players (Would be provided for 10 players only)

6.1. Overview Key Management Headquarters etc. Offerings/Business Segments



Key Details (Key details are subjected to data availability in public domain and/or on paid databases) Employee Size Past and Current Revenue Geographical Share Business Segment Share Recent Developments

Primary Interview Responses

Annexure / Appendix Global Air Duct Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast (Quantitative Data), By Segments, 2017-2028 By Type (Value) Galvanized Steel Duct Aluminium (Al) Duct Flexible Duct Fabric Duct Others (PVC Duct, etc.) By Shape Round Half Round Square/Rectangular Triangular Others (Customized, etc.) By Application (Value) Public Facilities Commercial Facilities Industrial Facilities Others (Government Buildings etc.) By Region (Value) North America Europe Asia Pacific Middle East & Africa South America



TOC Continues!

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Pune, India, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The global antipsychotic drugs market size is expected to showcase exponential growth by reaching USD 33.69 billion by 2028 while exhibiting a CAGR of 6.2% between 2021 and 2028. This information is published by Fortune Business Insights in its report, titled Antipsychotic Drugs Market, 2021-2028.

The report further mentions that the market stood at USD 18.59 billion in 2020. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that around 56 million individuals in India suffer from anxiety and depression. The high prevalence of psychotic disorders leads to the development of several medications to treat diseases such as bipolar disorder, dementia, and schizophrenia.





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This report focuses on Antipsychotic Drugs Market, especially in North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific, South America, Middle East and Africa. This report categorizes the market based on manufacturers, regions, type and application. Regional analysis is another highly comprehensive part of the research and analysis study of the global market presented in the report. This section sheds light on the sales growth of different regional and country-level markets. For the historical and forecast period to 2028, it provides detailed and accurate country-wise volume analysis and region-wise market size analysis of the global market.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a seismic effect on several economies across the globe. To curb the pandemic spread, the governments of several countries have ordered complete lockdown of industrial and human activities. This is expected to have a significant impact on the market in 2021. However, proactive steps by the industry leaders to revive the Healthcare industry will bode well for the growth of the market in the near future.

The negative effect of the global pandemic, COVID-19, has been felt across several economies facing unprecedented loss. Owing to the lockdown announced by the government agencies, several industries have been at a standstill with limited operational activities. However, a collective effort from the government and the industries is likely to bring the economy back on track and aid in the resumption of industrial activities.





Click here to get the short-term and long-term impact of COVID-19 on this Market.

Please visit: https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/industry-reports/antipsychotic-drugs-market-101390





Market Segmentation

Based on disease, the market is segmented into schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, unipolar depression, dementia, and others.

On the basis of disease, the schizophrenia segment held a global antipsychotic drugs market share of about 45.2% in 2020 and is expected to gain traction during the foreseeable years. This is due to the increasing prevalence of schizophrenia among people globally. Moreover, supportive government initiatives to create awareness regarding the treatment options for mental issues are expected to bode well for the adoption of innovative drugs.

Based on therapeutic class, the market is classified into first generation, second generation, and third generation. On the basis of the distribution channel, the market is categorized into hospital pharmacies, drug stores & retail pharmacies, and online pharmacies. Lastly, based on the region, the market is divided into North America, the Middle East and Africa, Latin America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

What does the Report Provide?



The global market report provides a detailed analysis of several factors, such as the key drivers and restraints that will impact growth. Additionally, the report provides insights into the regional analysis that covers different regions, contributing to the growth of the market. It includes the competitive landscape that involves the leading companies and the adoption of strategies by them to introduce new products, announce partnerships, and collaboration that will further contribute to the market growth. Moreover, the research analyst has adopted several research methodologies such as PORTERs Five Point Analysis and PESTEL to obtain information about the current trends and industry developments that will drive the market growth between 2021 and 2028.





Quick Buy - Antipsychotic Drugs Market Research Report:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/checkout-page/101390





Increasing Awareness Regarding Psychotic Disorders to Aid Growth

According to the American Psychiatric Association (APA), about 1 in 24 patients in 2018 suffered from serious mental disorders involving serious psychotic disorders. The growing prevalence of mental disorders exerts a huge burden on the healthcare system. Therefore, the government is focusing on creating awareness regarding the diseases and the efficacy of the drugs involved in their treatment. This has led to significant demand for highly efficient and safe drugs to treat patients suffering from psychotic diseases across the globe. Moreover, the companies are focusing on launching innovative antipsychotic injectable drugs that help eliminate the need to monitor the patients drug intake. This is anticipated to favor the global antipsychotic drugs market growth in the forthcoming years.

Regional Insights

North America  The region is expected to remain at the forefront during the forecast period. This is ascribable to factors such as the growing focus on R&D by prominent biopharmaceutical companies to develop advanced antipsychotic drugs in the region. North America stood at USD 11.62 billion in 2020.

Europe  The region is expected to hold the second position in the market during the forecast period. This is owing to the increasing prevalence of mental disorders that are propelling the demand for several antipsychotic drugs in the region. For instance, according to the Mental Health First Aid England (MHFA), mental illness is the second-largest source of healthcare burden in England as of 2020.

Major Companies Focus on Expanding Their Facilities to Expand Their Business Horizon

The global market comprises small, medium, and large companies. They are striving to maintain their business footprint by expanding their production facilities to cater to the growing demand for innovative antipsychotic drugs. Additionally, the adoption of strategies such as partnership, collaboration, and merger and acquisition by other key players is expected to bode well for the growth of the market.





Have Any Query? Ask Our Experts:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/speak-to-analyst/antipsychotic-drugs-market-101390





Industry Development:

June 2020  Sumitomo Dainippon Pharmas atypical antipsychotic agent, LATUDA tablets were launched in Japan. The introduction of the drug is expected to strengthen the companys position in the country.

List of the Companies Profiled in the Market:

H. Lundbeck A/S (Copenhagen, Denmark)

Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd. (Tokyo, Japan)

Janssen Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Johnson & Johnson) (Beerse, Belgium)

Eli Lilly and Company (Indianapolis, U.S.)

ALLERGAN (AbbVie, Inc.) (North Chicago, U.S.)

Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd. (Petah Tikva, Israel)

Dr. Reddys Laboratories Ltd. (Hyderabad, India)

Sumitomo Dainippon Pharma Co., Ltd. (Osaka, Japan)

Alkermes plc (Dublin, Ireland)

Bristol-Myers Squibb Company (New York City, U.S.)

Other Prominent Players





Table Of Contents :

Introduction Research Scope Market Segmentation Research Methodology Definitions and Assumptions

Executive Summary

Market Dynamics Market Drivers Market Restraints Market Opportunities

Key Insights Prevalence of Psychiatric Disorders, By Key Countries/Regions, 2020 Analysis of the Cost and Burden of Mental Health Disorders Pipeline Analysis Overview of Current Advances in R&D for Antipsychotic Drugs Analysis of Antipsychotics in Treatment of Dementia Analysis: First Generation Antipsychotics vs. Third Generation Antipsychotics Key Industry Developments New Product Launches Impact of COVID-19 on Antipsychotic Drugs Market

Global Antipsychotic Drugs Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2017-2028 Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast By Disease Schizophrenia Bipolar Disorder Unipolar Depression Dementia Others Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Therapeutic Class First Generation Second Generation Third Generation Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Distribution Channel Hospital Pharmacies Drug Stores & Retail Pharmacies Online Pharmacies Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Region North America Europe Asia Pacific Latin America Middle East & Africa

North America Antipsychotic Drugs Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast, 2017-2028 Key Findings / Summary Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Disease Schizophrenia Bipolar Disorder Unipolar Depression Dementia Others Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Therapeutic Class First Generation Second Generation Third Generation Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Distribution Channel Hospital Pharmacies Drug Stores & Retail Pharmacies Online Pharmacies Market Analysis, Insights and Forecast  By Country U.S. Canada



Toc Continue..





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SECONDARY RESEARCH IS CONDUCTED TO DERIVE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:

Details such as revenues, market share, strategies, growth rate, product & their pricing by region/country for all major companies

Details in relation to prevalence, incidence, patient numbers, distribution of patients, average price of treatment, etc.

Number of end user facilities by region/country and average annual spending or procurement of devices by type of end user facility

Number of procedures and average price of procedures

Replacement rate and pricing of capital equipment

Market dynamics in relation to the market under focus  Drivers, restraints, trends, and opportunities

Market & technological trends, new product developments, product pipeline.





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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Headwater Gold Inc. (CSE: HWG) (the "Company" or "Headwater") is pleased to announce it has signed a Definitive Agreement (the Agreement) with Bravada Gold Corporation (Bravada) to earn up to a 100% interest in the Highland epithermal gold-silver project (the Project or Property) located in the State of Nevada, United States (Figure 1). Headwater plans to commence drilling in July 2021.



Highlights:

Historic drilling intercepted gold grades of 9.93 grams per tonne (g/t) and silver grades of 128.7 g/t over a drilled thickness of 9.1 metres;

Three distinct target areas, each with the potential to host a significant discovery;

Recent work by OceanaGold (Oceana) resulted in a large, high-quality dataset and defined several un-drilled high-priority targets;

Large land package (192 claims totalling 1,500 hectares);

Option to earn up to a 100% interest with minimal cash up front; and

Drill-ready with BLM permit in hand and drilling expected to begin in July 2021. Anticipated Phase I program of 8 holes totalling 2,000 metres.

Figure 1: Location of Highland Project, Nevada:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/1d5c944e-68bd-4b57-8c43-b77bdfd9850e

We are very excited to get to work on the Highland Project. It is rare to have an opportunity to take on such a high-quality project with existing drill targets supported by the big-company style targeting work that Oceanas team completed over the last 18 months, prior to returning the Project to Bravada for non-technical reasons, commented Caleb Stroup, President and CEO of Headwater Gold Inc. We view the grades and widths encountered in historic drilling at the West Vein Zone as a positive indication that a robust mineralizing system is present here.

About the Highland Project:

Gold-bearing, epithermal quartz veins were first recognized and exploited at Highland by small-scale mining in the early 1900s, with brief periods of minor production from trenches and shallow inclined shafts occurring from the 1930s through the 1950s. Short-lived exploration programs targeting bulk-tonnage and shallow vein-hosted mineralization between 1980 through 2007 were carried out by companies including Bravada, Hochschild , and Newcrest. In late 2018, Oceana entered into a Joint Venture agreement and conducted an extensive target definition program consisting of historic data compilation, 1,405 soil samples, 35 line-kilometres of CSAMT geophysics, and property-wide detailed sinter facies mapping and sampling.

Figure 2: Highland Project target zones highlighting sinter areas and historic rock samples:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ee9e78ea-30ce-427f-904f-565e275f008d

The geology of the Highland area consists of a bimodal volcanic and volcaniclastic sequence which is intruded by a number of andesite and rhyolite flow dome complexes, and dissected by a series of northwest-trending graben bounding faults. Moderate rotation along the graben bounding faults has exposed different paleo-elevations in the Project area, ranging from the top of the boiling zone to the paleosurface, which is marked by widespread sinter outcrops in the eastern part of the Property.

West Vein Zone: The majority of previous work on the Property has focussed on partially outcropping veins of the West Vein Zone (Figure 2), which occupy a northwest striking zone approximately 1,400 metres long by 250 metres wide. Two principal veins occupy the center of the West Vein Zone, the A-Vein and the B-Vein. The best drill intercepts on the Property to date (Table 1) come from the A-Vein. Headwater has developed several new drill targets testing for extensions of the A-Vein immediately north of historic drill hole H03013, as well as up-plunge and down-plunge extensions along an interpreted mineralized shoot. Additional vein targets along the B-Vein, as well as other un-named veins, are also currently being evaluated.

Table 1: Select intercepts from the Highland Project, West Vein Zone, A-Vein

Hole Company Year Type Start Depth (m) Drilled Width (m) Avg. Grade (g/t Au) H02010 Bravada 2002 RC 134.1 6.1 12.24 including 135.6 3.0 21.74 H03013 Bravada 2002 RC 173.7 9.1 9.93 including 178.3 1.5 50.16 MHH-02 Hochschild 2004 Core 205.1 9.7 6.50 including 213.4 1.5 23.93



Big Hammer Zone: A large rhyolite flow dome with a coincident historic gold in soil anomaly, forms the center of the Big Hammer Zone on the eastern portion of the Highland Project (Figures 2 and 3). Mineralization at the surface is manifested by opaline silica, widespread clay alteration, and interpreted eruption breccias. Historic rock samples with grades up to 15.2 g/t gold demonstrate the capacity for high grades in the area. Shallow (100150 metre), mostly vertical RC drilling conducted by Cordex in 1980 encountered gold values up to 1.05 grams per tonne, but was focused on exploring for near surface, bulk tonnage mineralization. Headwater believes that vein potential in the projected boiling zone between 150300 metres below surface has not been adequately tested. East of the main Big Hammer soil anomaly sits a ledge of silica sinter which dips into a pronounced half-graben bounding fault and varies from 1 to >10 metres in thickness. The sinter locally hosts a series of northeast trending eruptive breccias which Headwater geologists believe may represent the high-level expression of feeder structures, with vein targets immediately beneath these structures at depths of approximately 150300 metres.



Figure 3: Big Hammer Zone - Historic gold in soil anomaly in relationship to rhyolite flow dome, mapped sinter areas, and planned drill hole traces. Historic soil analyses have not been independently verified by Headwater:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/eafc4c88-45a4-47dd-8558-49c4a19c45f4

Geyser Zone: The Geyser Zone (Figure 2) is a newly recognized and highly underexplored zone of widespread siliceous alteration, ranging from distal silicified and opalized sediments at the periphery, to high-temperature vent facies sinter in the core. Detailed sinter facies mapping by Oceana and Bravada geologists has highlighted a core vent area which appears, from limited sampling, to be coincident with the best gold and trace element signatures in rock and soil samples.

2021 Work Plan:

Headwater has completed a thorough technical review of the Highland Project data and has prioritized a series of drill targets which will be tested with a Phase I reverse-circulation (RC) drilling program, projected to begin in July 2021, that will consist of approximately eight holes totalling 2,000 metres. Current plans call for four holes in the West Vein Zone and the Big Hammer Zone. Boart Longyear has been contracted to perform RC drilling services and necessary permits with the BLM are in place for drilling in the West Vein Zone. An additional BLM permit is in process for the Big Hammer Zone. Concurrently with the drill program, Headwater geologists will conduct a detailed rock sampling and geologic mapping program to expand the sinter facies mapping work begun by Oceana in the Geyser Zone. The objective of this program will be to further understand the structural controls on the Geyser Zone feeders and develop drill targets which can be tested in a potential Phase II program. Headwater has also contracted Magee Geophysical to conduct a detailed gravity survey which will compliment the mapping and existing CSAMT, and further aid the ongoing drill targeting.

Principal Terms of the Agreement:

Headwater, through a wholly-owned US subsidiary, has acquired the exclusive option to earn up to a 100% undivided interest in the Highland Project, from a wholly-owned US subsidiary of Bravada, by completing the following:

Stage 1: Headwater may earn an initial 51% interest in the Project by 1) paying Bravada US$10,000 cash upon signing a definitive agreement (paid); 2) incurring minimum exploration expenditures of US$5,000,000 within the six-year period following the Agreement date, with no less than US$250,000 to be spent in the initial 18 months.

Stage 2: Headwater may earn an additional 24% interest in the Property, bringing its total ownership interest to 75%, by 1) paying Bravada US$250,000 in a combination of cash and Headwater shares within 60 days of completing Stage 1; 2) incurring additional exploration expenditures of US$5,000,000 within the four-year period following the completion of Stage 1.

Stage 3: Following the completion of the 75% earn-in, Headwater retains the additional right to acquire the remaining 25% interest in the Property at a fair market value, as determined either through negotiations with Bravada or by a qualified independent evaluator.

Underlying Royalty Agreement:

The Property is subject to an Underlying Agreement wherein the Underlying Optionors retain a 3% net smelter returns (NSR) royalty which can be bought down to a 2% NSR for a US$1,000,000 payment. The Underlying Optionors are entitled to annual advance royalty payments, which shall escalate annually in US$5,000 increments from US$30,000 to a cap of US$50,000. Approximately US$580,000 in advanced royalty payments have been paid by previous operators to date, which shall be credited against any future production royalty payment.

The Agreement is subject to the acceptance of the Canadian Securities Exchange.

About Headwater Gold:

Headwater Gold Inc. is a technically-driven mineral exploration company focused on exploring for high-grade precious metal deposits in the Western USA. Headwater is actively exploring one of the most well-endowed and mining-friendly jurisdictions in the world with a goal of making world-class precious metal discoveries. Headwater has a large portfolio of epithermal vein exploration projects, and a technical team composed of experienced geologists with diverse capital markets, junior company, and major mining company experience. The Company is well funded and plans an aggressive 2021 exploration season, with the intent to drill several of its 100% owned projects in Nevada, Idaho, and Oregon.

For more information, please visit the Company's website at www.headwatergold.com.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

"Caleb Stroup"

President & CEO

For further information, please contact:

Brennan Zerb

Investor Relations Manager

+1 (778) 867-5016

bzerb@headwatergold.com

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Derrick Strickland, P.Geo., a Qualified Person (QP) as defined in National Instrument 43-101  Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding future capital expenditures, anticipated content, commencement, and cost of exploration programs in respect of the Company's projects and mineral properties, and the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that such statements are reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Often, but not always, forward looking information can be identified by words such as "pro forma", "plans", "expects", "may", "should", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", "believes", "potential" or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved. 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, statements as to the anticipated business plans and timing of future activities of the Company, including the Company's exploration plans. the proposed expenditures for exploration work thereon, the ability of the Company to obtain sufficient financing to fund its business activities and plans, delays in obtaining governmental and regulatory approvals (including of the Canadian Securities Exchange), permits or financing, changes in laws, regulations and policies affecting mining operations, the Company's limited operating history, currency fluctuations, title disputes or claims, environmental issues and liabilities, as well as those factors discussed under the heading "Risk Factors" in the Company's prospectus dated May 26, 2021 and other filings of the Company with the Canadian Securities Authorities, copies of which can be found under the Company's profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com.

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, except as otherwise required by law.
Dublin, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "Global Hard Seltzers Market Report 2021" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This comprehensive report charts one of the fastest-growing alcoholic beverage sectors in the world.

The Hard Seltzers Market Report provides a breakdown of global and regional market volume and value, including analysis of opportunity markets and a detailed overview of the regional trends. The competitive landscape is mapped, with brand profiles illustrating key trends and forecasted growth to 2027.

Background and Report Description

The global hard seltzer market has grown exponentially since 2016 and is now one of the most promising alcoholic beverage sectors. In 2020, the market reached 777 million litres consumed worldwide. Hard seltzers are most prominent in the North American region where many of the major pioneer brands such as White Claw and Truly originated, with Europe and Asia Pacific promising growth markets.

The Hard Seltzers Market Report covers market volume breakdown by region from 2017-20 and provides key commercial recommendations unique to each market. It also details the leading hard seltzer market players in 2020 alongside evaluating key drivers and critical factors from price to packaging. The competitive landscape is explored, helping readers to understand the dynamics of the industry today, with forecast data and commentary to 2027.

This report examines on premise vs off premise trends in light of the coronavirus market disruptions as well as consumer profiles and demographics. In addition, global opportunities are examined to aid prospective market entrants looking to expand in this sector and profiles of key brands leading the market are presented to benchmark against and highlight the latest innovations in hard seltzers across the world.

Report Overview

Commentary and data on market volume and value from 2017 to 2020, as well as forecasts to 2027.

Evaluation of opportunities and trends including key drivers for future development of the global hard seltzers market.

Global coverage including focus on the North American, European and Asia Pacific regions.

Comprehensive analysis of the current hard seltzers market landscape.

Explores all the latest innovations in flavour, branding, packaging and regional trends.

16 detailed brand profiles of leading hard seltzer brands from North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Africa.

Utilising the publisher's expert opinion based on 30 years of experience consulting to the beverages industry.

Key Topics Covered:

1. Introduction and Scope

2. Executive Summary

3. Hard Seltzers Category Overview

4. Regional Market Trends

4.1 North America

4.2 Europe

4.3 Asia Pacific

4.4 Rest of World

5. Market Landscape

6. Brand Profiles

Global hard seltzers market data

Global hard seltzers market volume, 2017-20

Global hard seltzers market volume by region, 2017-20

Global hard seltzers market value, 2020

Global hard seltzers market volume forecast, 2020-27f

Regional hard seltzers market data

North America hard seltzers market volume, 2017-27f

North America hard seltzers brand share, 2020

Europe hard seltzers market volume, 2017-27f

Asia Pacific hard seltzers market volume, 2017-27f

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/vs7kx4




Dublin, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The "North America Electric Vehicles Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report by Product (BEV, PHEV), Vehicle Type (PCLT, Commercial Vehicles), Region, and Segment Forecasts, 2021-2028" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.



The North America electric vehicles market size is expected to reach USD 147.60 billion by 2028 and is anticipated to expand at a CAGR of 37.2% from 2021 to 2028.

Favorable initiatives to promote the adoption of electric vehicles coupled with rising crude oil prices are anticipated to drive the demand for Electric Vehicles (EVs). Electric vehicles generate power using an electric motor instead of an internal combustion engine that burns a mix of fuels and gases for power generation.

The increasing advantages of electric vehicles over conventional vehicles such as zero fuel emission, better performance, and lower total cost of ownership are expected to contribute to the growing demand for electric vehicles in the coming years.



The growing preference for electric vehicles is prompting leading automotive manufacturers to launch electric vehicles. For instance, General Motors, a U.S.-based automotive company, has announced its plan to launch electric vehicles for personal use in the next few years. By 2025, the company will launch 30 EVs worldwide, and around two-third will be available in North America. The market's lucrative nature is expected to encourage more conventional vehicle manufacturers to shift into the electric vehicle space.



The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has changed the overall business scenario for 2020 as well as for the next few years to come. Several industries and industry verticals have witnessed a significant setback due to the pandemic, and the automobile industry is no exception to that. The slumped business scenario has negatively impacted the production and sales of electric vehicles across North America.

The electric bus sales in North America in 2020 totaled around 500 units, which was significantly lesser units recorded in 2019, registering a year-on-year decline of over 10% primarily due to the pandemic. However, with increasing government initiatives to adopt electric vehicles, the market is likely to witness significant growth over the forecast period.



In 2020, the U.S. captured around 70% of the electric vehicle demand in North America and is estimated to register a CAGR exceeding 30% from 2021 to 2028. This share is attributed to the rising demand for electric vehicles in the U.S.

Moreover, new initiatives are being taken up by charging network companies, automotive manufacturers, and policymakers, and they have launched a new non-profit organization named Veloz. The new organization aims at attracting marketing, innovation, investment, and driving the regional market growth.

North America Electric Vehicles Market Report Highlights

In terms of product, the PHEV segment is estimated to register the highest CAGR of over 35% from 2021 to 2028 owing to the increasing demand for electric buses and trucks across the logistics and transportation industry

In terms of vehicle type, the PCLT segment emerged as the largest segment in 2020 and is anticipated to retain its dominance over the forecast period

Canada is projected to register the fastest CAGR exceeding 40% from 2021 to 2028 as the government in the country is focused on advancing the programs to support electric vehicle adoption

Key Topics Covered:



Chapter 1 Methodology and Scope



Chapter 2 Executive Summary

2.1 Market Snapshot



Chapter 3 North America Electric Vehicle Market Variables, Trends & Scope

3.1 Penetration & Growth Prospect Mapping

3.2 Industry Value Chain Analysis

3.3 North America Electric Vehicle Market Dynamics

3.4 North America Electric Vehicle Industry Analysis - Porter's

3.5 North America Electric Vehicle Industry Analysis - PEST

3.6 North America Electric Vehicle Market - COVID-19 Impact

3.7 North America Electric Vehicle Government Regulations

3.8 Commercial Plans for Electric Vehicle Adoption in North America

3.9 North America Electric Vehicle Market: Key Company Analysis, 2020



Chapter 4 North America Electric Vehicle Market: Product Segment Analysis

4.1 North America Electric Vehicle Market: By Product Segment Outlook & Market Share 2020 and 2028

4.2 Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV)

4.3 Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV)



Chapter 5 North America Electric Vehicle Market: Vehicle Type Segment Analysis

5.1 North America Electric Vehicle Market: By Vehicle Type Segment Outlook & Market Share 2020 and 2028

5.2 PCLT

5.3 Commercial Vehicle



Chapter 6 North America Electric Vehicle Market: Regional Segment Analysis

6.1 North America



Chapter 7 Competitive Landscape

7.1 Competition Dashboard

7.2 Company Profiles

BYD Company Ltd.

Daimler AG

Ford Motor Company

General Motors Company

Lucid

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation

Nissan Motor Company

Tesla

Toyota Motor

Volkswagen AG

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/u0hf2h




New York, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Solar Street Lighting Market Overview: According to a comprehensive research report by Market Research Future (MRFR), Solar Street Lighting Market Research Report, Type, Product Type, Application and Region - Forecast till 2027 the market is projected to be worth USD 48.31 Billion by 2027, registering a CAGR of 21.93% during the forecast period (2021 - 2027), The market was valued at USD 12.15 billion in 2020.

Solar Street Lighting Market Analysis/Solar Street Lighting Market Outlook

COVID-19 Impact on Solar Street Lighting Market



The COVID-19 crisis has made the world come to a standstill, causing disruption in global businesses. Solar energy in the last two decades has experienced noteworthy growth. However, the outbreak has disrupted this momentum considerably. Governments are tackling such challenges and determining the pace of solar energy deployment in the future. At large, the solar industry impacted by the effect of the pandemic and its uncertainty has resulted in concern for most businesses. Further, China being the largest market for generation of solar energy, the slowdown in the economic growth in the country has impacted the overall renewable energy investment and generation globally. With regards to India, the outbreak has hit at a time when the solar project execution in the country is at its highest in the financial years last quarter. India has ambitious targets to attain the 100GW solar energy target by 2022. In January 2020, the country has installed about 35GW of solar energy projects.



Get Free Sample PDF Brochure https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/5350





Key Players



Eminent players profiled in the global solar street lighting industry report include-

VerySol Inc. (U.S.)

Solar Street Lights USA (U.S.)

Dragons Breath Solar (U.K.)

Urja Global Ltd. (India)

Solektra International LLC (U.S.)

Bridgelux Inc. (U.S.)

SOKOYO Solar Group (China)

Sunna Design (France)

Sol Inc.(U.S.)

Philips Lighting Holding B.V.( the Netherlands)

Omega Solar (India).

Key players have incorporated several strategies to stay at the forefront such as new product launch, partnership, acquisition, and more. For instance, EV startup Magenta has developed a one-of-a-kind solar streetlight charging station.

Industry Updates

June 2021- Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation will soon set up 10,000 solar streetlights in the city, thus making Vizag the first city in India to possess the highest number of solar street lamps, hence contributing to environmental protection in its way.



Browse In-depth Market Research Report (110 pages) on Solar Street Lighting



https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/solar-street-lighting-market-5350





Enhancing Features that Bolster Market Growth



As per the latest MRFR report, there are numerous factors that are propelling the global solar street lighting market share.

Solar Street Lighting Market Drivers/Solar Street Lighting Market Trends



Surge in Popularity of Smart Solar Street Lighting to Boost Market Growth



The growing popularity of smart solar street lighting is likely to boost market growth over the forecast period. This is owing to its alluring features such as quick fault detection due to real-time control decisions through central control unit/device, low maintenance and operational costs, and energy efficiency. These smart street devices are widely deployed in smart city projects for monitoring and reducing energy consumption and are predicted to be in high demand in the days to come.

Opportunities



Rise in Energy-Saving Lighting Systems to Offer Robust Opportunities



The rise of energy-saving lighting systems is likely to offer robust opportunities for the market over the forecast period. The energy-efficient systems help in curbing the demand for electricity along with being a cost-effective means of lighting-system over conventional lighting methods.

Restraints



High Cost to act as Market Restraint



The soaring initial cost of setting up solar street lighting may impede the global solar street lighting market revenue over the forecast period.

Challenges



Lack of Awareness to act as Market Challenge



The lack of awareness about solar street lightings may act as a market challenge over the forecast period.



Share your Queries https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/5350





Market Segmentation

By Product Type

By product type, the LED segment will lead the market over the forecast period and at a high CAGR for excellent characteristics and well-organized wattage. High acceptance of devices that are renewable energy powered with an increase in subsidy schemes will foster the segment growth. Also, the growing focus related to resource optimization with different creativities subject to the adoption of renewable energy will favor the market.

By Application

By application, the industrial application will dominate the market over the forecast period for the increase of advanced smart control network enterprises, rise in on-site electricity generation, the present developments in sustainable manufacturing, and the growing need for energy optimization.

By Type

By type, the standalone segment will spearhead the market over the forecast period. Standalone solar street lights are not connected with the grid for power supply. Such systems have the battery which is used for storing solar energy. With regards to price, they are cost-efficient.

Regional Takeaway

APAC to Spearhead Solar Street Market

The Asia Pacific region is predicted to spearhead the market over the forecast period. Rapid urbanization in different emerging economies such as China and India, the rising GDP of dynamic economies, the presence of several key players, the role of government initiatives regarding the use of energy effective lighting systems with minimized product costs, expansion of manufacturing facilities, rise of solar projects, and the demand for improved energy management systems are adding to the global solar street lighting market growth in the region.

Segmentation of Market covered in the research:

Information By Type (Standalone, On Grid), By Product Type (Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFL), Light Emitting Diode (LED)), By Application (Residential, Commercial, Industrial), and By Regions (North America, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Rest of the World)



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June 30, 2021

Ultra-fast, less than one-minute scan time, cardiac MRI enables accurate assessment of heart anatomy and function, improves patient comfort, increases access to care, and reduces costs

Technique can be implemented on existing MRI scanners

Validated clinical trial results on more than 100 patients with diverse cardiac pathologies published in leading journal JACC: Cardiovascular Imaging

Amsterdam, the Netherlands and Madrid, Spain  Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA), a global leader in health technology, has participated in an important research project to develop a magnetic resonance (MR) imaging technique [1,2] that could potentially revolutionize the use of MR imaging in cardiology.

Reducing the procedure time for full evaluation of heart anatomy and function from about one hour down to a few minutes, this new technique has the potential to increase patient access to precision diagnosis, improve patient comfort due to shorter scan times, and lower the cost of care. The technique can be used with existing phased-array MRI scanners without modification. The results of a clinical trial to evaluate the technique [2] were published in April, 2021, in JACC (Journal of the American College of Cardiology): Cardiovascular Imaging, one of the world's highest impact journals in the field [3].

In just over 20 seconds, all the information needed to know the shape and function of the heart has been acquired. And if you need to evaluate the degree of fibrosis after cardiac muscle death, another 20-second acquisition is all it takes, completing the cardiac study in less than a minute, said Philips scientist Dr. Javier Sanchez-Gonzalez, technical leader of the Philips team that contributed to the development and leader of the collaboration with CNIC.

During a conventional MR cardiac examination, patients are required to lie still inside the bore of the scanner for about one hour to accurately measure the function of their heart and assess the extent of damaged heart muscle. It requires multiple complex 2D and 3D image acquisitions that need to be captured and reconstructed. As a result, despite being non-invasive and involving no radiation exposure, MR imaging is still not widely used for cardiac imaging.

The main cause is the time needed to do a full study. A complete study requires about an hour, a period that causes many patients not to finish the test due to the discomfort it causes them, said Dr. Sandra Gomez-Talavera, researcher at the Spanish National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), cardiologist at the Hospital Universitario Fundacion Jimenez Diaz (Madrid, Spain), and co-author of the JACC paper.

The new technique (called Enhanced SENSE by Static Outer-volume Subtraction (ESSOS)) makes use of the fact that during a breath-hold, everything within the patients chest remains static, except their beating heart. After an initial image of the static part (outer volume) has been captured this MRI data is temporarily removed. The MRI signal of the beating heart can now more easily be subtracted from subsequent scan data, allowing up to four times faster acquisition of a 3D image of the heart. This results in a net acceleration factor of up to 32. Once the dynamic information of the beating heart is reconstructed, the static outer volume images are added back to generate a full 3D cardiac image showing heart anatomy and function, and allowing review from different views with good image resolution. If needed, a second contrast-enhanced isotropic 3D single breath-hold scan can reveal the extent of damage to the patients heart muscle.

The results of a clinical trial in which more than 100 patients with various cardiac pathologies were examined using both the conventional and the new MR protocol, with the resulting images being evaluated by expert radiologists, demonstrated excellent agreement between heart function measurements made using each technique, as well as excellent agreement in the images to characterize tissue damage to the patients heart muscle [4].

We have shown in a large group of patients that cardiac MR imaging using this new technology obtains the same parameters as the usual technique but reduces the time that a patient has to be inside the machine by more than 90%, said Dr. Borja Ibanez, Director of the Clinical Research Department of CNIC, Cardiologist at the University Hospital Fundacion Jimenez Diaz, and clinical leader of the work.

The research project to develop this new cardiac MR protocol was financed by the Carlos III Institute of Health, through a FIS technological development project, as well as a Translational Research Grant from the Spanish Society of Cardiology, the European Research Council (ERC), and the Community of Madrid.

While the collaboration between CNIC and Philips is currently at the research stage, the goal is to bring this ultra-fast and easy cardiac MR technique to clinical settings in the near future and support the common vision of benefiting more patients. Already today Philips integrated MR solutions offer new levels of ultra-fast and personalized cardiac MR. Examples include the companys exam-shortening Compressed SENSE technology, ultra-fast early diagnosis of heart failure with Strainencoded magnetic resonance imaging (SENC-MRI) and MyoStrain (by Myocardial Solutions), SmartWorkflow end-to-end workflow solution, and helium-free scanners. Learn more at MR Cardiac imaging | Philips Healthcare .

More information on the new magnetic resonance (MR) imaging technique can be found in this press backgrounder .

[1] Enhanced SENSE by Static Outer-volume Subtraction (ESSOS)

[2] Device for research applications only. Not for clinical use.

[3] Comparison of the Impact Factors of the Most-Cited Cardiovascular Journals | Circulation Research (ahajournals.org) ; Impact Factor Results Rank JACC Journals Among Top 12 Cardiovascular Journals Worldwide - American College of Cardiology

[4] Gomez-Talavera S, Fernandez-Jimenez R, Fuster V, Nothnagel ND, Kouwenhoven M, Clemence M, Garcia-Lunar I, Gomez-Rubin MC, Navarro F, Perez-Asenjo B, Fernandez-Friera L, Calero MJ, Orejas M, Cabrera JA, Desco M, Pizarro G, Ibanez B, Sanchez-Gonzalez J. (2021). Clinical Validation of a 3-Dimensional Ultrafast Cardiac Magnetic Resonance Protocol Including Single Breath-Hold 3-Dimensional Sequences. JACC Cardiovasc Imaging, doi: 10.1016/j.jcmg.2021.02.03

For further information, please contact:

For Philips:

Kathy OReilly

Philips Global Press Office

Tel.: +1 978-221-8919

E-mail : kathy.oreilly@philips.com

Twitter: @kathyoreilly

For CNIC:

Fatima Lois

Head of Communications of the CNIC. flois@cnic.es

Tel.: +34 6 39 28 24 77

E-mail: flois@cnic.es

About Royal Philips

Royal Philips (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a leading health technology company focused on improving people's health and well-being, and enabling better outcomes across the health continuum  from healthy living and prevention, to diagnosis, treatment and home care. Philips leverages advanced technology and deep clinical and consumer insights to deliver integrated solutions. Headquartered in the Netherlands, the company is a leader in diagnostic imaging, image-guided therapy, patient monitoring and health informatics, as well as in consumer health and home care. Philips generated 2020 sales of EUR 17.3 billion and employs approximately 77,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. News about Philips can be found at www.philips.com/newscenter .

About CNIC

The National Center for Cardiovascular Research (CNIC), led by Dr. Valentin Fuster, has as its mission to enhance cardiovascular research and its translation to the patient. The center is financed by a pioneering formula of public-private collaboration between the Government of Spain, through the Carlos III Institute of Health, and the Pro CNIC Foundation that brings together 12 of the most important Spanish companies.

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Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- RedDress, a privately held U.S. and Israel-based wound care company, announced today that it has received U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) 510(k) clearance for its RD2 Ver.02 system. The RD2 Ver.02 System is a continuation of RedDress pre-existing RD1 System, marketed as the ActiGraft system.

The FDAs approval of the ActiGraft Ver. 02 System allows us to introduce the next generation of the ActiGraft system, said Robert Mueller, General Manager of RedDress. This launch incorporates feedback from our customers and speaks to our commitment in supporting our health care providers and advancing the treatment of non-healing wounds.

The ActiGraft Ver.02 System is intended to be used at point-of-care for the safe and rapid preparation of Whole Blood Clot (WBC) from a small sample of a patients own peripheral blood. Under the supervision of a healthcare professional, the WBC produced by the ActiGraft Ver.02 System is topically applied to the wound and serves as a protective covering. ActiGraft WBC can be used for the management of exuding cutaneous wounds, such as leg ulcers, pressure injuries, diabetic ulcers, and mechanically or surgically-debrided wounds.

It is with tremendous gratitude that we announce an additional FDA-clearance for our ActiGraft system. As part of our commitment to solving the challenges associated with chronic, non-healing wounds, we strive to deliver technology that offers the greatest breakthrough potential in the fight against non-healing wounds, said Alon Kushnir, CEO of RedDress. The ActiGraft system was launched to clinicians in the second half of 2020, and since then, its presence and use has grown rapidly nationally and internationally. We are looking forward to seeing further adoption of the ActiGraft system and continuing to improve the lives of our patients.

About the ActiGraft system

The ActiGraft system, based on RedDress proprietary patented technology, is an FDA-cleared wound care solution that enables health care providers to produce  in real time  an in vitro blood clot from a patients whole blood. Once applied, the blood clot serves as a protective covering and supports wound healing processes which naturally occur in the patients body.

ActiGraft WBC is intended for exuding cutaneous wounds. The ActiGraft system includes blood-contacting components that have been sterilized by Ethylene Oxide, which may cause serious allergic reactions in patients that are sensitized. For full prescribing information, visit www.reddressmedical.com/safety-info.

About RedDress

RedDress (www.reddressmedical.com) is a privately held, Israel-based company with a U.S. subsidiary, RedDress Inc., located in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Founded in 2009 with the goal of developing more effective, natural, and economically viable treatments for chronic wounds, RedDress is committed to improving the health and lives of patients around the world with its latest innovation  ActiGraft WBC.

Investor Inquiries

Russell Lalli, RedDress

rlalli@reddressmedical.com

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- EnWave Corporation (TSX-V:ENW | FSE:E4U) (EnWave) announced today that it has signed a Commercial License Agreement (the License) with Europe Snacks Group (Europe Snacks), a European leader in savory snack production. Europe Snacks also purchased the 10kW Radiant Energy Vacuum (REV) dehydration machine that was being utilized for product development during the technology evaluation since August 2020. If Europe Snacks market launch of REV-dried snacks into the European market is successful, then Europe Snacks will scale its REV manufacturing capabilities based on market demand.



The License grants exclusivity to Europe Snacks to produce crunchy, shelf-stable cheese as well as several vegetable snacks in France. These products will complement Europe Snacks existing portfolio of private label savory snack products that are currently manufactured in France, the United Kingdom and Spain, and being sold to customers throughout Europe. Europe Snacks must meet certain minimum annual royalty and machine purchase requirements to maintain the exclusivity granted under the License. Europe Snacks intends to develop and commercialize several innovative REV-dried snacks across its European distribution network.

The use of REV to create shelf-stable, value-added dairy and vegetable products has been proven in several markets globally. This License further validates the opportunity and business case for premium snack manufacturers such as Europe Snacks to leverage EnWaves technology to bring dried dairy and vegetable snacks to market.

EnWaves scalable and reliable REV technology produces shelf-stable fruit and vegetable products that are among the best in nutritional value, taste, texture and colour. EnWave has signed 45 royalty-bearing commercial license agreements with companies that are bringing innovative new products to market using EnWaves patented dehydration technology.

About Europe Snacks

Europe Snacks is an ambitious multinational group that is a leader in the production of private label snack products. With a wide product portfolio and more than 200 customers, Europe Snacks products are available in many independent and major retailers throughout Europe. Europe Snacks operates across seven manufacturing facilities in France, Spain and the United Kingdom and currently offers contract manufacturing and private label manufacturing throughout the European marketplace.

Europe Snacks is dedicated to producing innovative and healthier products that include local and environmentally friendly solutions. Europe Snacks creates products that offer the best value for money and the best indulgent experience in a responsible way. Innovation is critical to anticipate and capture deep consumer needs and trends. Europe Snacks takes pride in developing product recipes that fit into a balanced and healthier lifestyle. Europe Snacks also cares for the environment by reducing packaging and production waste, and by limiting their carbon footprint.

For more information please visit: https://www.europesnacks.com

About EnWave



EnWave Corporation, a Vancouver-based advanced technology company, has developed a Radiant Energy Vacuum (REV)  an innovative, proprietary method for the precise dehydration of organic materials. EnWave has further developed patent-pending methods for uniformly drying and decontaminating cannabis through the use of REV technology, shortening the time from harvest to high-quality, marketable cannabis products.

REV technologys commercial viability has been demonstrated and is growing rapidly across several market verticals in the food, and pharmaceutical sectors, including legal cannabis. EnWaves strategy is to sign royalty-bearing commercial licenses with innovative, disruptive companies in multiple verticals for the use of REV technology. It has signed over forty royalty-bearing licenses to date in twenty countries worldwide. In addition to these licenses, EnWave established a Limited Liability Corporation, NutraDried Food Company, LLC, to manufacture, market, and sell all-natural dairy snack products in the United States, including the Moon Cheese brand.

EnWave has introduced REV as a disruptive dehydration platform in the food and cannabis sectors: faster and cheaper than freeze drying, with better end product quality than air drying or spray drying. EnWave currently offers two distinct commercial REV platforms:

nutraREV which is a drum-based system that dehydrates organic materials quickly and at low cost, while maintaining high levels of nutrition, taste, texture, and colour; and, quantaREV which is a tray-based system used for continuous, high-volume low-temperature drying.



More information about EnWave is available at www.enwave.net .

EnWave Corporation

Mr. Brent Charleton, CFA

President and CEO

For further information:

Brent Charleton, CFA, President and CEO at +1 (778) 378-9616

E-mail: bcharleton@enwave.net



Dan Henriques, CPA, CA, CFO at +1 (604) 835-5212

E-mail: dhenriques@enwave.net

For Media Inquiries:

Email: media@enwave.net





Safe Harbour for Forward-Looking Information Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking information based on management's expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the Company's strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures, and the expected synergies following the closing, are forward-looking statements. All third-party claims referred to in this release are not guaranteed to be accurate. All third-party references to market information in this release are not guaranteed to be accurate as the Company did not conduct the original primary research. These statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

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

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e5f74467-c1fd-45ab-9af7-e281d49d7c71.




Richmond, Va., June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Time is running out for Virginia families to purchase Tuition Track Portfolio Units at its 2020-21 pricing. Today (June 30) is the last day to purchase Units before the price increases.

The Tuition Track Portfolio is an exclusive Invest529 program option for Virginia residents designed to track the average tuition growth at Virginia Public 4-year Universities (Average Tuition) and protect families savings by avoiding market risk.

Choose how many Units (or fractions of Units) to purchase year-round, currently priced at $136.36, and the Units will have the same value no matter where a student goes to school, whether it is a 2-year or 4-year public, or private college or university, in-state or outside of Virginia. For every 100 Units purchased, families will receive the value equal to one year of Average Tuition when their student attends college.

Officially launched in early 2021, the Tuition Track Portfolio has resonated with families looking for a flexible investment option that allows them to take the guesswork out of college savings. Nearly 200,000 Units have been purchased, enough for more almost 2,000 years of college tuition for students across the state.

Visit Virginia529.com to learn more about this newest savings option. Families can use the Tuition Track Calculator to estimate how many Units to buy based on their budget and savings goals and open an Invest529 account.

Get started today and purchase your Tuition Track Units before the price goes up.

Contact: Devon Copeland, Virginia529 Senior Communications Associate, (804) 225-2452, dcopeland@virginia529.com

About Virginia529 College Savings Plan:

Virginia529SM makes education more accessible and affordable for families and individuals. With more than $98.9 billion in assets under management and 2.9 million accounts as of May 31, 2021, Virginia529 is the largest 529 plan in the country. Two flexible, affordable, tax-advantaged programsInvest529SM and CollegeAmericaand early commitment scholarship program SOAR Virginia --assist students of any age in reaching their higher education goals. For more information on Virginia529s education savings options, visit Virginia529.com or call 1-888-567-0540 to obtain program materials. These include information on Virginia529 programs, investment objectives, risks, charges, expenses, and other important information; read and consider them carefully before investing. All investments are subject to risk, including the possible loss of the money you invest. Virginia529 encourages prospective participants to seek the advice of a professional concerning any financial, tax or legal implications related to opening an account. For residents of states other than Virginia: before investing, you should consider whether your or the beneficiarys home state offers any state tax or other state benefits such as financial aid, scholarship funds, and protections from creditors that are only available for investments in that states qualified tuition program. 2021 Virginia College Savings Plan. All Rights Reserved.

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Office Will be in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and Service Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam

LADY LAKE, Florida, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via NewMediaWire  Small Business Development Group, Inc. (OTC: SBDG) is opening financial and business service operations in Southeast Asia. The office will be in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, and will service Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. The operation will be a driver of business growth and revenue for SBDG within its finance industry vertical.

The Southeast Asian SBDG office will have three primary functions; 1) to source M&A opportunities for both client transactions and SBDG portfolio acquisitions, 2) to facilitate the private to public process for Southeast Asian small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) wanting to establish operations in the United States with the goal of becoming a U.S. publicly traded company, and 3) to be a conduit for business transactions between Southeast Asia and the U.S. for SBDG affiliates, portfolio companies, and clients.

Opening the Kuala Lumpur office means SBDG is entering the Southeast Asian region with a population of 675 million, and business hungry for expansion including ample M&A opportunities, said Lock Sen Yow, SBDGs Vice President of Southeast Asian Development. With fast growing SMEs wanting to access the U.S. markets, SBDG will be their M & A Advisor, IPO Advisor, and strategic consultants. I am excited to be here directing the front line.

With the opening of operations in Kuala Lumpur, we are effectively getting boots on the ground in one of the primary financial centers of Southeast Asia, along with geographical access to all of Asia. We are confident that we will find acquisition targets, as well as clients for our cost effective private to public services. In both cases, SBDG and its affiliates can become the U.S. management teams for Southeast Asian SMEs looking to expand to the United States, said Roy Y Salisbury, SBDGs Chief Executive Officer.

Small Business Development Group, Inc. (OTC: SBDG) is a holding company publicly traded on OTC Markets. SBDG has an active mandate to identify and acquire operating companies with a preference for those in the small to medium sized enterprise arena (SMBs and SMEs) based in North America, specifically those demonstrating modest but predictable growth and profitability over time. Ideal candidates for acquisition have an enterprise value between $2 million and $50 million with positive cash flows between $500 thousand and $5 million. SBDG's intent for all acquisitions is to affirm or establish sound business fundamentals and to drive revenue and profitability growth. The goal of SBDG is to develop and align portfolio companies into high performance industry verticals and deliver additional value for its stakeholders.

For more information, go to www.SBDGStock.com

Note to Investors

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements based on our current expectations, forecasts and assumptions that involve risks and uncertainties. This release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of offers to buy any securities of any entity. Forward-looking statements in this release are based on information available to us as of the date hereof. Our actual results may differ materially from those stated or implied in such forward-looking statements, due to risks and uncertainties associated with our business.

850 Teague Trail, #580, Lady Lake, FL 32159 US

Offices in California, Illinois, Maine, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Malaysia

1-407-385-0220

www.SBDGStock.com
Newport, Rhode Island, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Connected Boat leader Siren Marine has announced a partnership with revered American boat builder Hinckley Yachts. The two companies will work together to connect owners with their boats using innovative, cloud-based technology  all while enabling timely service and maintenance activities that can prevent potential downtime. Combined with the advanced vessel monitoring, tracking and security features of Siren Marines Connected Boat system, the result will be an enhanced ownership and on-water experience in keeping with Hinckleys renowned reputation.

With the forward-thinking goal of providing customers with the advantages of Internet of Things (IoT) technology, Hinckley Yachts launched its OnWatch vessel monitoring system in 2015. OnWatch Powered by Siren Marine will now be using the latest generation Siren 3 Pro device, network of sensors and Siren Marine Mobile App to deliver a powerful, yet user-friendly experience for Hinckley owners.

OnWatch Powered by Siren Marine will be standard equipment on all new Hinckley Yachts models, including its iconic line of Picnic Boats, luxuriously appointed motor yachts, and outboard-powered sport boats. Owners of existing Hinckley Yachts models will also be able to upgrade their vessels to OnWatch Powered by Siren Marine.

Our customer is typically an experienced boater, and rightfully has high expectations when purchasing a Hinckley Yacht, said Scott Bryant, Vice President of Sales and Marketing. We aim to meet those expectations at every turn, from the distinctive lines of our vessels and advanced construction techniques to our impeccable finish work and joinery. Were known to utilize the best and most advanced technology  extending to our onboard telematics platform  which is why weve chosen to partner with Siren Marine, added Bryant.

Among the many key benefits of this partnership will be the ability to empower Hinckley Yachts team of technical experts and customer service professionals to work proactively with customers. This enables better coordinating service activities and can prevent minor issues from escalating and impacting time spent out on the water.

Siren Marine CEO, Jeffrey Poole, highlighted the companys NMEA 2000 certification and proven integration with state-of-the-art CZone digital switching technology  also featured on Hinckley vessels  as key reasons for Hinckley Yachts move to Siren Marine as its exclusive telematics partner. By putting advanced digital switching into the hands of boaters, Siren Marine empowers owners to remotely control key systems on or off with their mobile devices. This saves time at the dock and provides more time for on-water enjoyment  enhancing the overall boating experience.

When you see a Hinckley, you instantly recognize her for what she is  a blend of extraordinary beauty and cutting-edge technology that truly symbolizes the luxury boating lifestyle, said Poole. We are proud to be partnering with such a respected and time-tested brand as Hinckley, and more so, to play a pivotal role in delivering the freedom and trouble-free enjoyment that the lifestyle entails, Poole added.

Siren Marine has been leading the Connected Boat revolution since 2011, forming OEM partnerships with key industry stakeholders such as Yamaha Motor Corporation, Cummins, ZF, CZone and dozens of premium boat brands. By connecting customers with their boat and manufacturers with their customers, Siren Marine strives to fundamentally enhance the boat ownership experience, and make every boat a Connected Boat.

For more information on Siren Marines partnership with Hinckley Yachts, Siren Marine technology or the rapidly accelerating Connected Boat revolution, visit sirenmarine.com or call 401.619.4774.

About Siren

Based in Newport, Rhode Island, Siren Marine is the industry leader in smart boat technology  allowing boaters to stay connected to their boats anywhere, anytime. The companys vision is to transform the modern boating experience and lead the way to a fully connected-marine industry through innovative IoT Connected Boat technology. Siren Marine provides safety, security and smart boat monitoring so boaters can remotely track their boats' battery level, bilge activity, temperature, location and more. Siren Marine also puts actionable data at the fingertips of industry stakeholders (OEMs, boat builders, electronics, digital switching manufacturers and other marine businesses) connecting them to customers and their boats like never before, providing a better boating experience and peace of mind.

About Hinckley Yachts

Hinckley has been building and servicing Americas finest yachts since 1928. Founded to build and care for the boats of the local lobstermen in Southwest Harbor, Maine, Hinckley quickly developed a reputation for unsurpassed quality and innovation. The years that followed saw the company building true classics of American yachting from the Bermuda 40 to the Picnic Boat. Each new Hinckley yacht carries with it the symbol, Talaria, which marks the swift pursuit of superior ideas. Today, Hinckley builds highly innovative, owner-driven, power and sailing yachts from 29 to 76 feet. Nine yacht care centers from Maine to Florida complete the Hinckley offering by providing service, refits, transportation and storage for a pinnacle ownership experience.

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Fort Lauderdale, Florida, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Splash Beverage Group, Inc. (NYSE American: SBEV) (SBEV) may be under the radar to some. Still, you can bet that beverage industry competitors are taking notice, especially after SBEV inked a potentially transformative distribution deal in China earlier this month that added to six other significant agreements already in place. Already, the combined power of these agreements is enough to drive substantial growth in the back half of this year. However, with SBEV in a state of hyper-growth, expect much more. And that could be great news for shareholders.

Moreover, that disconnect is more pronounced factoring in that SBEV management may be one of the top teams in the sector, with some members responsible for helping take Red Bull energy drink from zero to billions in sales. Proof of their expertise is front and center, with the group closing several distribution deals, successfully uplisting the stock to the NYSE-American, raising $24 million since February, and eliminating all convertible debt from its balance sheet.

And while those events indeed put SBEV in its best operating position in history, no one at the company is shying away from having bullish ambitions. In fact, while its deal with China-based American Software Capital (ASC) alone opens up an estimated $69 billion market opportunity, its growth in the US markets is positioning the company to take advantage of the billions available here. Better still, SBEV isn't getting just one of its best-in-class products signed to distribution deals; they are getting all of them signed, bringing enormous revenue-generating potential from worldwide markets.

Its distribution with Great Bay distributors, one of Florida's largest Anheuser Busch (NYSE: BUD) distributors, is its latest.

Broadening Distribution Of Product Portfolio

Better still, inclusive of its recent deal with Great Bay, SBEV already has distribution deals in place with large companies like Golden Beverage Company, Anheuser Busch distributor, Bernie Little, Johnson Brothers, and divisions of Gulf Distributing Holdings, LLC. Further, SBEV announced a significant expansion into Walmart, Inc. (NYSE: WMT) owned Sam's Club, where its SALT Citrus flavored tequila is now available in 42 stores.

The better news is that the Sam's Club deal could lead to a potential national agreement with Walmart stores to distribute some of its products on a national scale. If that happens, valuations at SBEV will surge, especially with the industry applying roughly 5X revenue multiples for brand valuations. Chances of that happening? Extremely high.

Of course, it takes excellent products to maximize those distribution opportunities. And SBEV has that corner covered with a product lineup that features several of the most compelling brands in their respective sectors. Better still, the company could add several more in the coming quarters.

Keep in mind that growth in any (or all) of its brands will add to already exponential growth.

A 2058% Q1 Revenue Surge

In fact, SBEV posted a massive 2058% surge in comparative revenues last quarter, led by high-value brands Copa Di Vino wine, Pulpoloco Sangria, TapouT performance drink, and SALT Naturally Flavored Tequila. Better still, those revenues came with a momentum-generating tailwind that is expected to push Q2 revenues higher again. With several of its new distribution agreements coming at the end of its last quarter, that's likely.

That means that while the 2058% surge in revenues on a comparative Q1 basis is an excellent accomplishment, SBEV is better positioned to potentially deliver multiples of that number by year-end. And with the capital to manage growth and a willingness to add brands that can be immediately accretive to its business model, investors would be wise to consider the near and long-term value opportunity in play with SBEV stock. Better still, with only about 31 million shares outstanding, no convertible debt, and an improving global economy, there are few, if any, headwinds preventing the shares from running higher.

And keep in mind, SBEV is already expected to exceed expectations.

Premium Revenue-Generating Portfolio

Leading that growth is four brands that target billion-dollar markets- Copa Di Vino, Pulpoloco sangria, SALT flavored tequila, and hydration and recovery drink TapouT. All have substantial opportunities to earn national big-box distribution. Thus, while its regional deals are driving growth today, a contract with a national retailer would be a revenue-generating game-changer for the company.

Copa Di Vino, its single-serve wine product that earned national attention from being the only product featured twice on the popular investment show Shark Tank, could be the first product to make that happen. However, it's important to note that ALL of its products share the same opportunity. Still, as the leader in packaging technology, quality, and brand recognition in the sector, Copa Di Vino could earn quick interest.

Even better, its state-of-the-art sealing technology could open additional revenue-generating opportunities through licensing agreements. Unlike competing shelved wine products, Copa Di Vino can remain fresh for up to a year. Other brands have a sell-by date in months, and sometimes only days. Better still, its packaging, branding, and wine quality make this brand stand out from the crowd, even earning the distinction as Oregon's Winery Of The Year.

While Copa is a standout product, other SBEV brands are compelling as well and would also fit nicely into a national big-box distribution program.

For instance, its Pulpoloco sangria, a made in Madrid, Spain product, is doing more than bringing authentic tasting and manufactured sangria to market. They are integrating what many call the most socially conscious and eco-friendly packaging in the markets- CartoCan. This innovative packaging technology is 30% more eco-friendly than aluminum or PET, uses 30% less total raw materials to create, and the raw materials used come entirely from renewable raw materials. Further, the packaging only uses wood fibers from forests managed in an exemplary fashion, giving CartoCan packages the exclusive right to bear the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) label.

Best of all, CartoCan keeps Pulpoloco shelf-stable for at least a year, keeping the vibrant character of its taste profile well-protected during that time. However, it's unlikely that Pulpoloco will ever stay on the shelf that long, making CartoCan an extra luxury for the product.

Two other brands could also bring national distribution deals to the table- hydration and recovery brand TapouT Performance and SALT Naturally Flavored Tequila. Each has billion-dollar market potential. And while consumers may be familiar with global potential within the hydration, recovery, and energy drink markets, few recognize the potential of SALT flavored tequila. Growth in the tequila sector is surging. And SALT is perfectly positioned to capitalize on those emerging opportunities.

In fact, SALT is targeting a more than 14% surge in the tequila markets. Better still, the flavored spirits markets are outselling unflavored by a 10 to 1 margin. Thus, SALT is in the right market at the right time. Better still, marketing to an audience that craves flavor, variety, and life, SALT's lineup of naturally flavored citrus, berry, and salted-chocolate flavored tequilas offer the perfect hints of flavor, satisfies even the most distinguished cravings. Best of all, combining the double-digit percentage growth rate of annual tequila consumption in the US markets to the exploding numbers in the Chinese markets, SBEV could turn its SALT tequila brand into a revenue-generating juggernaut.

And with more distribution deals expected soon, that growth could come sooner rather than later.

Decidedly Bullish Sentiment For 2H 2021

Undoubtedly, the convergence of distribution deals combined with brand quality creates a perfect storm of revenue-generating opportunities. And with a history of taking brands from zero to billions, there's an excellent chance that they can deliver maximum value from planned initiatives. Keep in mind, SBEV has a running start, with each of its brands already well-known in the markets they serve. And with massive global markets in play as well and hoped-for national big-box deals in the discussion, they could make history repeat.

Better still, for investors, prices at current levels apparently are neglecting these enormous opportunities. Moreover, current valuations are not connecting management expertise to the equation, either. Thus, if there was ever a growth story that was not getting the attention deserved, SBEV could be it. In fact, the untapped value in just its four brands presents an opportunity for exponential growth. But knowing the company would like to have 10-12 brands under management makes the long-term proposition a most compelling and lucrative investment opportunity.

The bottom line is simple: For investors attracted to 2058% revenue growth, top-tier management, compelling brands, and massive distribution deals already in place, SBEV delivers the entire package. Better still, while they are an excellent company today, with a business model that can drive global growth, the company a year from now could be quickly taking substantial shelf space from industry giants. And when that happens, well...that opens up an entirely new discussion that could be worth billions more.

Disclaimers: Hawk Point Media Group, LLC. (Hawk Point Media) is responsible for the production and distribution of this content. Hawk Point Media is not operated by a licensed broker, a dealer, or a registered investment adviser. It should be expressly understood that under no circumstances does any information published herein represent a recommendation to buy or sell a security. Our reports/releases are a commercial advertisement and are for general information purposes ONLY. We are engaged in the business of marketing and advertising companies for monetary compensation. Never invest in any stock featured on our site or emails unless you can afford to lose your entire investment. The information made available by Hawk Point Media is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, investment advice or recommendations. The contributors may buy and sell securities before and after any particular article, report and publication. In no event shall Hawk Point Media be liable to any member, guest or third party for any damages of any kind arising out of the use of any content or other material published or made available by Hawk Point Media, including, without limitation, any investment losses, lost profits, lost opportunity, special, incidental, indirect, consequential or punitive damages. Past performance is a poor indicator of future performance. The information in this video, article, and in its related newsletters, is not intended to be, nor does it constitute, investment advice or recommendations. Hawk Point Media strongly urges you conduct a complete and independent investigation of the respective companies and consideration of all pertinent risks. Readers are advised to review SEC periodic reports: Forms 10-Q, 10K, Form 8-K, insider reports, Forms 3, 4, 5 Schedule 13D. For some content, Hawk Point Media, its authors, contributors, or its agents, may be compensated for preparing research, video graphics, and editorial content. As part of that content, readers, subscribers, and website viewers, are expected to read the full disclaimers and financial disclosures statement that can be found by clicking HERE.

The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides investors a safe harbor in regard to forward-looking statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, goals, assumptions or future events or performance are not statements of historical fact may be forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are based on expectations, estimates, and projections at the time the statements are made that involve a number of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those presently anticipated. Forward looking statements in this action may be identified through use of words such as projects, foresee, expects, will, anticipates, estimates, believes, understands, or that by statements indicating certain actions & quote; may, could, or might occur. Understand there is no guarantee past performance will be indicative of future results. Investing in micro-cap and growth securities is highly speculative and carries an extremely high degree of risk. It is possible that an investors investment may be lost or impaired due to the speculative nature of the companies profiled.

Follow Splash Beverage Group on Twitter: www.twitter.com/SplashBev

About Splash Beverage Group, Inc.

Splash Beverage Group specializes in manufacturing, distribution, sales & marketing of various beverages across multiple channels. SBEV operates in both the non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverage segments which they believe leverages efficiencies and dilutes risk.

SBEV believes its business model is unique as it ONLY develops/accelerates brands it perceives to have highly visible pre-existing brand awareness or pure category innovation.

Forward-Looking Statement

This press release includes "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of U.S. federal securities laws. Words such as "expect," "estimate," "project," "budget," "forecast," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "may," "will," "could," "should," "believes," "predicts," "potential," "continue" and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially from the expected results and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. These forward-looking statements and factors that may cause such differences include, without limitation inability to enter into a definitive agreement with respect to the proposed transaction or to complete the transactions contemplated by the non-binding term sheet, matters discovered by the parties as they complete their respective due diligence investigation of the other. Other factors include the possibility that the proposed transaction does not close, including due to the failure to receive required security holder approvals, or the failure of other closing conditions. The foregoing list of factors is not exclusive. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance upon any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made.

Contact Information:

Splashbeveragegroup.com

info@splashbeveragegroup.com

954-745-5815

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SAN FRANCISCO, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Holberton School , a project-based college alternative educating the next generation of software engineers today announced its partnership with Universidad Anahuac Mayab to open 8 new Holberton School campuses in Mexico, in order to provide the best opportunities and contribute to the economic development of the region.



Anahuac University will open 8 new schools in the country within the next 2 years. Merida, Yucatan, will be the first city to host a new Holberton School campus in September this year. This will bring the total number of Holberton Schools around the world to 26 in September.

With more than 50 years of history, Anahuac University is currently recognized as one of the 3 best universities in Mexico, according to the QS World University Rankings 2020, and has eight campuses around the country and five in the rest of the world. More than 90 thousand alumni attest to the mission of the Universidad Anahuac: Contribute to the comprehensive training of positive action leaders and promote the development of the person and the society. The Anahuac educational model allows the integral development of the person by embracing the professional, intellectual, human, social, and spiritual dimensions, which well align with Holbertons values and mission.

Mexico has an incredible pool of talent, and we are thrilled to bring the Holberton School education to the many, says Homero Sanchez, General Manager at Holberton School Mexico. Thanks to this partnership, Anahuac University will be able to increase their impact and train the next generation of software engineers, at scale, in Mexico.

After Merida, the next Holberton School campus is scheduled to open in January 2022 in Aguascalientes, followed by 6 additional campuses in 2022 and 2023.

Until all the campuses are up and running, and in order to open the Holberton Schools education to as many students as possible, students from all over Mexico will be able to study online through Anahuac Online.

In addition, Anahuac University will offer scholarships to students of the first cohort.

According to PwC, Mexicos working-age population is expected to grow by almost 10 million in the next decade, considerably boosting the supply of available talent. But at the same time the country lags far behind advanced economies in terms of overall talent quality. Thanks to this partnership, Anahuac aims to not only allow many more students to access in-demand and well paying jobs, but also, contribute to the economic development of the region by increasing the overall talent quality of Mexico.

About Anahuac University



With more than 50 years of history, Anahuac University is currently recognized as one of the 3 best universities in Mexico, according to the QS World University Rankings 2020 and is part of the 500 best universities in the world. Today, Anahuac has more than 60 undergraduate options and 200 postgraduate programs, distributed in eight campuses around the country and five in the rest of the world. More than 90 thousand alumni attest to the mission of the Universidad Anahuac: Contribute to the comprehensive training of positive action leaders and promote the development of the person and the society. The Anahuac educational model allows the integral development of the person by embracing the professional, intellectual, human, social and spiritual dimensions.

About Holberton School

A world-class education should be available to everyone  regardless of background, gender, or ethnicity. Thats why Holbertons college alternative program is offering students multiple ways to finance their tuition. Graduates have gone to work as software engineers at top employers, including Apple, MercadoLibre, Pinterest, Google, Rappi, and LinkedIn. Holberton School trains software engineers in both practical knowledge and theory by utilizing project-based and peer learning. Co-founded in Silicon Valley by Julien Barbier, Holberton School has campuses all over the world. Go to www.holbertonschool.com to learn more.
METTAWA, Ill., June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Two of Brunswick Corporations leading boat brands, Boston Whaler and Sea Ray, today announced the launch of the  MyWhaler  and  Sea Ray+  apps, designed to improve the boat ownership experience by reducing friction across the entire ownership journey. The apps, which were officially announced during Brunswicks Next Wave Investor Day in May, punctuate Brunswicks ACES strategy with an off-board platform that highlights the Companys leadership in the marine app marketplace.

With the launch of MyWhaler and Sea Ray+, were excited to provide deeper insights around boat performance and increase brand affinity with value-add resources, in one centralized location, said Shelby Kirby, Senior Marketing Director, Brunswick Corporation.

Through the functionality of the app, MyWhaler and Sea Ray+ provide immersive brand experiences with the following key features:

Boat wallet: Upload registration documents, insurance details and marina information, for consolidated easy digital access

Upload registration documents, insurance details and marina information, for consolidated easy digital access Trip recorder: Use phone GPS to record trips, view summaries, and share trips with family and friends

Use phone GPS to record trips, view summaries, and share trips with family and friends Weather: View current temperatures, wind speed and direction, humidity, rain and forecasted conditions to plan on-water activities appropriately

View current temperatures, wind speed and direction, humidity, rain and forecasted conditions to plan on-water activities appropriately FAQs: Access readily available answers to some of the most common boating questions

Access readily available answers to some of the most common boating questions Checklists: Customize a pre-populated checklist or create a new checklist to prepare for an enjoyable day on the water

Customize a pre-populated checklist or create a new checklist to prepare for an enjoyable day on the water Remote monitoring: Owners with NAUTIC-ON remote monitoring hardware installed on their boats can unlock additional functionality like GPS tracking, geofencing, engine data, alerts and more

Both MyWhaler and Sea Ray+ are now available for download in the app store for iOS and Android users. Additional features and functionality will continue to be released on an ongoing basis.

About Brunswick

Headquartered in Mettawa, Ill., Brunswick Corporations leading consumer brands include Mercury Marine outboard engines; Mercury MerCruiser sterndrive and inboard packages; Mercury global parts accessories including propellers and SmartCraft electronics; Power Products Integrated Solutions; MotorGuide trolling motors; Attwood, Mastervolt, and Whale marine parts; Land N Sea, BLA, Paynes Marine, Kellogg Marine, and Lankhorst Taselaar marine parts distribution; Mercury and Quicksilver parts and oils; Bayliner, Boston Whaler, Crestliner, Cypress Cay, Harris, Heyday, Lowe, Lund, Princecraft, Quicksilver, Rayglass, Sea Ray, Thunder Jet and Uttern boats; Boating Services Network, Freedom Boat Club and Boat Class. For more information, visit brunswick.com .

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New York, US, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) --

Laboratory Informatics Market Overview

According to a comprehensive research report by Market Research Future (MRFR), Laboratory Informatics Market Information by Product, Type, Component, Deployment Model, End User and Region - Forecast till 2027, the market was valued USD 2422 million in 2018 and is estimated to register a CAGR of 7.2% by 2025.

Market Scope:

The growing participation of several companies in the development and innovation of laboratory information systems can support the expansion of the market. For example, Sysmex Corporation, a healthcare solution provider company in Japan, launched a new network solution, Caresphere designed to provide new value through the practical utility of information offered by people involved in healthcare and testing. Various other causes, such as, increase in the rate of adoption of cloud-based platforms by contract research organizations (CROs), growing preference towards personalized medicine, rise in regulatory approvals, untapped emerging markets, and increase in R&D in the medical arena, are expected to support the rise of the laboratory market in the near future. On the contrary, high service and maintenance costs can hinder the market rise during the forecast period. Furthermore, the high expense associated with animal health, low awareness about animal health, and unaffordability of different veterinary services in both developing and underdeveloped regions can also hamper the rise of the laboratory informatics market over the analysis term.

Market Drives

The rise in awareness about laboratory informatics for specialized application of IT and the increasing need to optimize and extend laboratory operations can prompt the upsurge of the laboratory informatics market in the years to come.

Get Free Sample PDF Brochure @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/sample_request/8106

Laboratory Informatics Market Competitive Landscape

Some of the reputed players that are operating in the global laboratory informatics market are:

Abbott Laboratories

Accelerated Technology Laboratories

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

Autoscribe Limited

Cerner Corporation

Dassault Systemes

IDBS

Kinematik

Lablynx, Inc.

Labvantage Solutions, Inc.

Labware

Labworks LLC

McKesson Corporation

Perkinelmer Inc.

Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.

Market Restraints

High infrastructure costs and lack of effective expertise are some major threats to the laboratory informatics market.

COVID 19 Analysis

With the assistance of laboratory informatics, laboratory staff can easily manage patient results. Advanced laboratory informatics solutions provide patient results from both serology and diagnostic tests on one screen for enhanced laboratory efficiency. Laboratories informatics is gaining traction as the need and urgency to get accurate lab reports on any positive SARS-CoV-2-related test by public health authorities is observed to increase. Several diagnostic centers are observed to earn decent revenue through the utilization of robust reporting capabilities of laboratory information systems. Thus, the COVID 19 pandemic was observed to impact the laboratory informatics market on a global scale positively.

Browse In-depth Market Research Report (90 Pages) on Laboratory Informatics: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/reports/laboratory-informatics-market-8106

Segment Assessment of Laboratory Informatics Market:

The global laboratory informatics markets segment assessment is based on component, product, end user, and deployment model.

The product-based segments of the laboratory informatics market are Chromatography Data Systems (CDS), Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS), Electronic Data Capture (EDC), Electronic Lab Notebooks (ELN), Laboratory Execution Systems (LES), Clinical Data Management Systems (CDMS), Scientific Data Management Systems (SDMS), Enterprise Content Management (ECM). The Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) segment is further classified as industry-specific LIMS and broad-based LIMS.

The component-based segments of the laboratory informatics market are services and software.

The deployment model-based segments of the laboratory informatics market are on-premise models, remotely hosted models, and cloud-based models.

The end user-based segments of the laboratory informatics market are sciences companies, environmental testing laboratories, and CROs, among others. The segment of CROs is expected to thrive in the forecast period owing to the surge in adoption by outsourcing companies to curb healthcare costs.

Buy Now: https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/checkout?currency=one_user-USD&report_id=8106

Regional Analysis

In the current scope of the market study, the global laboratory informatics market is studied into four global regions; Europe, the Americas, the Middle East, and African region, and Asia-Pacific. In the Americas, the laboratory informatics market is studied for North America and South America. The US and Canada are assessed under the North American region. Europe laboratory informatics market study is segmented into Eastern Europe and Western Europe. The market in Western Europe is evaluated for Germany, France, Italy, the UK, Spain, and the remaining Western Europe. Finally, the Asia-Pacific laboratory informatics market is analyzed for Japan, South Korea, China, India, Australia, and the rest of Asia-Pacific.

Share your Queries @ https://www.marketresearchfuture.com/enquiry/8106

About Market Research Future:

Market Research Future (MRFR) is a global market research company that takes pride in its services, offering a complete and accurate analysis with regard to diverse markets and consumers worldwide. Market Research Future has the distinguished objective of providing the optimal quality research and granular research to clients. Our market research studies by products, services, technologies, applications, end users, and market players for global, regional, and country level market segments, enable our clients to see more, know more, and do more, which help answer your most important questions.
NEW YORK, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lowey Dannenberg P.C., a preeminent law firm in obtaining redress for consumers and investors, is investigating claims of violations of federal securities laws on behalf of investors of RLX Technology Inc. (RLX or the Company) (NYSE: RLX). If you are a shareholder of RLX with more than $100,000 in losses, you should contact the Firm.



RLX Technology Inc. (RLX or the Company) purports to be the No. 1 branded e-vapor company in China. In January 2021, RLX conducted its IPO, selling approximately 116.5 million ADSs at $12 per ADS, raising approximately $1.4 billion in gross proceeds.

On March 22, 2021, Chinas Ministry of Industry and Information Technology posted draft regulations confirming that e-cigarettes and new tobacco products would be regulated similar to traditional tobacco offerings.

On this news, RLXs share price fell $0.97, or nearly 9%, to close at $9.90 per share on June 4, 2021, thereby damaging investors further. The Companys shares have traded as low as $7.89 per ADS, or 32% below the IPO price.

A securities class action has been filed against RLX on behalf of shareholders that purchased RLX shares between January 22, 2021 through June 2, 2021. This case has been filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.

The Complaint alleges that the registration statement contained untrue statements of material fact and omitted to state material facts both required by governing regulations and necessary to make the statements made not misleading. Among other things, the registration statement misrepresented and omitted that RLX knew (or had information making it foreseeable to know), at the time of the IPO, that China was working on a national standard for e-cigarettes that would bring them into line with regular cigarette regulations. What is more, RLX knew that its reported financials were not nearly as rosy as the registration statement made it seem, nor indicative of future results. By omitting these facts and, for example, representing that the risk of regulation was only a contingent possibility, Plaintiff and other ADS purchasers were unable to adequately assess the value of the shares offered in connection with the IPO, and thus purchased their ADS without material information and to their detriment.

If you are a shareholder of RLX who purchased RLX securities between January 22, 2021 and June 9, 2021, you have until August 9, 2021, to ask the Court to appoint you as Lead Plaintiff for the class. To participate, learn more, or discuss the issues surrounding the investigation, please contact our attorneys at (914) 733-7256 or via email at investigations@lowey.com . For more information, visit our website at https://lowey.com/cases/rlx-technology-inc/.

Whistleblowers: Persons with non-public information regarding RLX should consider their options to help in the investigation or take advantage of the SEC Whistleblower program. Under the new program, whistleblowers who provide original information may receive rewards totaling up to 30 percent of any successful recovery made by the SEC.

About Lowey Dannenberg

Lowey Dannenberg is a national firm representing institutional and individual investors, who suffered financial losses resulting from corporate fraud and malfeasance in violation of federal securities and antitrust laws. The firm has significant experience in prosecuting multi-million-dollar lawsuits and has previously recovered billions of dollars on behalf of investors.

Contact

Lowey Dannenberg P.C.

44 South Broadway, Suite 1100

White Plains, NY 10601

Tel: (914) 733-7256

Email: investigations@lowey.com
Washington, D.C., June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Today, the Public Service Commission of the District of Columbia (DCPSC) issued the Biennial Report on Fuel Mix to the D.C. Council. Every two years, the DCPSC reports the ratio of different fuels or energy sources that electricity suppliers use to generate electricity in the District. For calendar year 2020, over 12% of the total energy sold in the District comes from renewable energy sources. This data derives from the fuel mix reports submitted annually to the DCPSC by electricity suppliers serving the District, including Pepco, the default service provider.

The report also notes a significant decrease in the amount of greenhouse gas emissions. Since 2016, carbon dioxide emissions, one of the key metrics of greenhouse gases, have decreased about 20%. Nitrogen oxide, which plays an important role in the formation of smog and contributes to the problem of acid rain, decreased by roughly 52% over the same time period. Sulfur dioxide, which can adversely impact respiratory health, dropped by nearly 68% since 2016.

Chairman Willie L. Phillips stated, This new report highlights the progress we've made in helping the District to achieve its clean energy goal of 100% renewable energy by 2032, and in lowering greenhouse gas emissions in the District. With new and innovative tools such as DC Power Connect where consumers can choose their electricity supplier based upon, among other things, renewable energy options, the DCPSC is focused on ensuring that District residents and businesses are informed about renewable energy options for their energy supply.

Every two years, beginning July 1, 2003, the report to the D.C. Council details the fuel mix information for electricity sold in the District, the amount of electricity sold in the District that comes from renewable sources, and on the feasibility of requiring each licensed electricity supplier doing business in the District to provide a minimum percentage of electricity sold from renewable sources. It should be noted that the fuel mix information derives from representations of the electricity suppliers and the default service provider in their annual reports to the DCPSC.

Learn more about the DCPSCs clean energy efforts by visiting the website.
FINO MORNASCO, Italy, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- D-Orbit, a leader in the space logistics and orbital transportation industry, announced today the successful launch of another ION Satellite Carrier (ION), its proprietary orbital transportation vehicle. ION lifted off on June 30, 2021, at 9:31 pm CEST, atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Space Launch Complex 40 (SLC-40) at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS), Florida. On the same day, 60 minutes after liftoff, the vehicle was successfully deployed into a 500 km Sun synchronous orbit (SSO).



ION SCV 003 will deploy six satellites into distinct orbits and perform the in-orbit demonstration of 12 hosted payloads1. The mission serves clients from 14 different nationalities and brings the total number of payloads launched by D-Orbit up to 63.

This is our third mission in less than nine months, and our incoming fourth mission is already fully booked, said Luca Rossettini, D-Orbits CEO. The pace at which were moving is a true testament to the economic benefits delivered to satellite operators and space companies leveraging space logistics services. Im proud of what we have accomplished so far, thanks to the extraordinary skills and dedication of our team, and excited to witness our contribution to the new space sector as our company grows, and our technology keeps pushing the envelope of what is possible.

ION Satellite Carrier is a space cargo vehicle designed, manufactured, and operated by D-Orbit. ION is able to accommodate multiple satellites, transport them into space, perform orbital manoeuvres, and release them precisely into independent orbital slots. IONs unique integrated capabilities also enable the spacecraft to perform in-orbit demonstration (IOD) services for third-party hosted payloads.

ION SCV 003 serves a wide range of international clients, like the Spanish Elecnor Deimos, the Bulgarian EnduroSat, and the Kuwaiti Orbital Space, which will launch the countrys first radio amateur satellite. Also on board, under contract with ISILAUNCH and integrated into a QuadPack from Dutch satellite manufacturer ISISPACE, are Finnish Reaktor Space Lab, Marshall Intech Technology from UAE, and the Royal Thai Airforce.

The mission is about to enter the launch and early orbit phase (LEOP) during which mission controllers will perform a series of health check procedures in preparation for the operational phase, which will start with the deployment of the satellites. ION will deliver each satellite into a distinct orbit following a highly customized plan that defines the moment of release, and the direction and speed of ejection of each spacecraft.

After the conclusion of the deployment phase, WILD RIDE will proceed with the in-orbit demonstration of LaserCube, an optical communication device from the Italian-based company Stellar Project, and the testing of Nebula, an on-demand, on-orbit cloud computing and data storage service at the core of D-Orbits upcoming advanced services. The first iteration of Nebula, which features an intelligent automation SpaceCloud iX5-100 radiation tolerant computing module by specialist Unibap, will demonstrate a range of innovative applications for advanced geospatial Earth Observation (EO) and Space Surveillance and Tracking (SST) applications using sophisticated, Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) algorithms for extremely low-latency decision support. The experiments will be conducted in collaboration with commercial partners like the video compression techniques industry specialist V-Nova, and the AI research accelerator Frontier Development Lab, a public / private research lab run by Trillium Technologies in partnership with the University of Oxford and supported by ESA.

A series of organizations, among which Enea AB, SaraniaSat Inc, 12G Flight Systems, and Ubotica Technologies, and ESA is involved in this phase of the mission to further test the capabilities of the cloud ecosystem and its applications.

Finally, ION will enter the decommissioning phase through the testing of ADEO-N2, a small 1U-size deorbit sail subsystem, developed by the German space structures company HPS, that will lead to a faster, residue-free incineration of ION upon re-entry.

The mission will also feature a SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence) experiment in collaboration with media artist Daniela de Paulis and INAF (Istituto Nazionale di Astrofisica). The experiment, which investigates the possibility to communicate with other kinds of life in the universe, consists in the transmission of simulated alien messages to be received and decoded by radio telescopes worldwide.

While celebrating the beginning of the new mission, the team is already preparing for the next one, scheduled for December 2021, and already fully booked.

About D-Orbit

D-Orbit is a market leader in the space logistics and transportation services industry with a track record of space-proven technologies and successful missions.

Founded in 2011, before the dawn of the New Space market, D-Orbit is the first company addressing the logistics needs of the space market. ION Satellite Carrier, for example, is a space vehicle that can transport satellites in orbit and release them individually into distinct orbital slots, reducing the time from launch to operations by up to 85% and the launch costs of an entire satellite constellation by up to 40%. ION can also accommodate multiple third-party payloads like innovative technologies developed by startups, experiments from research entities, and instruments from traditional space companies requiring a test in orbit.

D-Orbit is a space infrastructure pioneer with offices in Italy, Portugal, UK, and the US; its commitment to pursuing business models that are profitable, friendly for the environment, and socially beneficial, led to D-Orbit becoming the first certified B-Corp space company in the world.

For more information, do not hesitate to reach out to:

Corbin Mihelic  CSG

cmihelic@wearecsg.com

316-209-9794

Caterina Cazzola  Head of Communications

caterina.cazzola@dorbit.space

+39 340 2840 792

Elena Sanfilippo Ceraso  Media Manager

elena.sanfilippo@dorbit.space

Patrizia Tammaro Silva  Investor Relations

patrizia.tammaro@dorbit.space

Follow us on:

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/d-orbit

Facebook: facebook.com/deorbitaldevices/

Twitter: twitter.com/D_Orbit

Instagram: instagram.com/wearedorbit/

__________________________________

1 The total number of hosted payloads has been updated with respect to the initial announcement of May 31st, as some companies finalized their involvement in the mission after the PR was issued. For more information, please refer to the Mission Booklet.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b0a003e3-9af1-4846-be62-b66a972a546b

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3e2d5af4-0895-4e5e-b754-9a57f21e044b
RAPID CITY, S.D., June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) today announced that its South Dakota Electric and Wyoming Electric utilities filed a 2021 Integrated Resource Plan for their two electric systems.



The IRP, the result of a comprehensive data analysis and stakeholder input process, outlines a range of options for the two electric utilities over a 20-year planning horizon to meet long-term forecasted energy needs while strengthening reliability and resiliency of the grid. The analysis focused on the least-cost resource needs to best meet customers future peak energy needs while maintaining system flexibility and achieving the companys generation emissions reduction goals.

The plans preferred options for the near-term planning period through 2026 propose the addition of 100 megawatts of renewable generation, the conversion of the 90-megawatt Neil Simpson II coal-fired power plant to natural gas at the end of its original engineered life in 2025, and consideration of up to 20 megawatts of battery storage. The preferred scenarios are the least-cost options for customers and would also support the companys greenhouse gas emission intensity reduction goal of 70% by 2040 from a 2005 baseline for its electric operations.

The resource plan also supports continued analysis of the customer benefits of investing in additional transmission in Wyoming to support growing demand, integrate more renewables into the grid and enhance reliability of supply.

We are committed to delivering safe, reliable and cost-effective energy to our customers while sensibly achieving a cleaner emissions profile, said Linn Evans, president and CEO of Black Hills Corp. Our plan looks to meet the growing needs of our customers and communities and address the challenges of the evolving energy grid through existing technologies. We plan to continue delivering the benefits of our efficient, reliable and flexible generation capacity in Wyoming to serve those local customers in South Dakota and Wyoming. Our plan also looks to modernize our energy systems through investing for resilient, technology-enabled systems.

The IRP demonstrates the valuable role of a balanced mix of power generation resources including renewables, natural gas and coal in not only providing cleaner energy for customers but also maintaining grid reliability, particularly as more intermittent wind and solar resources are added to meet stakeholder expectations and policy goals for de-carbonizing the power generation sector.

Although there is no formal process for resource planning in South Dakota or Wyoming, the company expects that a procedural schedule will be created in Wyoming for comments and commission consideration. In South Dakota, the IRP was not formally filed so a procedural schedule will not be established.

The plans preferred options and other information about the IRP can be found at the companys website at https://ir.blackhillscorp.com/events-presentations/.

Black Hills Corp.

Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) is a customer focused, growth-oriented utility company with a tradition of improving life with energy and a vision to be the energy partner of choice. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, the company serves 1.3 million natural gas and electric utility customers in eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. More information is available at www.blackhillscorp.com.

Investor Relations

Jerome E. Nichols

605-721-1171

jerome.nichols@blackhillscorp.com

24-Hour Media Relations Line

888-242-3969
Mayor Sefatia Romeo Theken tried to get a COVID-19 vaccine for herself and others before becoming eligible through the states vaccine rollout
Associated Press file photo/Chickens stand in battery cages at a farm near Stuart, Iowa. Massachusetts voters approved Question 3 on 2016 statewide ballot, banning the sale of eggs and meat from cage-confined animals, but state lawmakers are proposing changes before the law takes effect in January.
Goshen, IN (46526)

Today

A few clouds early, otherwise mostly sunny. High around 90F. Winds WSW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear skies. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.
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.
Helmut Marko is currently over the moon with the performance of his pupil Max Verstappen. He was the one who dared to put the then only 18-year-old Verstappen in the Red Bull in 2016 at the expense of the disappointing Daniil Kvyat. Although Marko faced a lot of criticism, his decision turned out to be the right one. After the Styrian Grand Prix, Marko was therefore proud to stand on the podium with the Dutchman to celebrate his victory.

Tyre whisperer?

On Red Bull's website Marko spoke to alpine skier Marcel Hirscher. The latter is in fact a motorsports fanatic and is also half Dutch, although he has always played for Austria during sporting events. Dr. Marko tells Hirscher the secret behind Verstappen's success. "Every team can determine the temperature of the tyres using the tyre warmers in the garage, but Max can do this with his driving style. If he is asked by his race engineer to cool his rear tyre by five degrees, he can do it."

Win on every track

The Red Bull Racing advisor is confident for race two in Austria: "Our win at the Styria GP looked relatively easy, and it was. Max Verstappen never had to push the limit in Spielberg and was able to get out of the car sweat-free. We have a car that can win on all tracks."

The cost...

Red Bull Racing's success seems to delight everyone in the team, but Marko knows what it takes. "Max's achievement costs a lot of money, but it's worth it." Whether he is referring to the Dutchman's salary or the extra investment in developing an engine himself is unclear in this regard. "Max is a stubborn Dutchman who doesn't care about curbs," Marko said jokingly.
Grand Haven, MI (49417)

Today

Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 83F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Thunderstorms likely this evening. Then a chance of scattered thunderstorms overnight. Low 69F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Alex Wurz says it's "great" that F1's formerly dominant Mercedes team is finding itself under intense pressure in 2021.

With Max Verstappen now leading the standings by 18 points, Red Bull has clearly raced ahead in the development race - with Toto Wolff insisting efforts to add upgrades to the 2021 Mercedes have ceased altogether.

Wurz, a former driver who is now chairman of Formula 1's driver association GPDA, thinks Wolff may now revisit the car development freeze.

"Theoretically, you can mess around with the resources you have for next year," the Austrian told Salzburger Nachrichten newspaper.

"So they could say 'ok, let's go back in the wind tunnel with the current car because we've hit a certain number with next year's car'.

"These are decisions with huge implications so it's big pressure. But that's great," Wurz smiled.

He said he is particularly pleased that 2021 is shaping up as one of the sport's most epic head-to-head battles.

"As the drivers' association, we have always said that when the cars are close together, this sport is gigantic," said Wurz, 47.

"Then we don't need any gimmicks because we will see and recognise the personalities of the drivers," he explained.

"We'd like to see two or three other teams too - just imagine if Ferrari and McLaren were up there as well."

As for the Lewis Hamilton versus Max Verstappen battle, Wurz thinks the world of Formula 1 has been starving to see the seven time world champion challenged.

"We watch the sport because we want to see the heroes. But at some point we want to see that he becomes zero because he makes a mistake. Then you realise that he's only human," he said.

"Mercedes has been up there for so long but now we suddenly see the human side - at a very high level," Wurz added. "So this is more exciting than ever."

When asked who he would put his money on for ultimate spoils, he smiled again: "I wouldn't even bet 5 euros.

"It could so easily happen that someone loses his nerve or is unlucky, or someone else hits him. It's a random factor that we have to look out for.

"If nobody makes mistakes, it will be exciting until the last race," Wurz predicted.

(GMM)
Toto Wolff is confident he will soon reach a deal to keep Lewis Hamilton at Mercedes beyond 2021.

Media reports in the past days have suggested that the Mercedes chief is targeting a conclusion to the talks and announcement of a new two-year deal around the August break.

Wolff told Osterreich newspaper this week that he spent two hours on the plane with Hamilton, 36, after last weekend's race in Austria.

"We already have the biggest sticking points out of the way," Wolff is quoted by tz newspaper.

"Now we are only discussing the details but we will get rid of those too."

Also expiring this year is Valtteri Bottas' contract, as rumours swirl that Mercedes looks likely to replace him for 2022 with George Russell.

"He drove a great race (last weekend) but that will not change the decision," Wolff insists. "We will look at that in the next few weeks and months."

(GMM)
Policing the Rapids: Maybe this has to do with age
In the BrineMine research project, researchers from Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, together with their partners, are developing strategies and methods for extracting mineral resources directly in geothermal power plants. Here, not only energy and minerals are to be extracted, but also drinking water. Important process steps have already been successfully tested in a demonstration plant.

Mineral resources from Chile are of great importance to Germany. According to statistics from the World Bank, thousands of tons of valuable minerals are imported from the South American country every year, including raw materials for lithium-ion batteries. However, their extraction causes ecological and social problems.

The use of the limited freshwater resources in northern Chile for mining regularly fuels conflicts with the local population. Northern Chile is one of the driest regions on earth, but has extensive geothermal resources. With a novel type of plant, it is not only possible to generate electricity in a climate-friendly way, but also to extract drinking water and even mineral resources at the same time. Professor Thomas Kohl from KITs Institute of Applied Geosciences (AGW)

AGW has a long history of cooperation in the field of geothermal research in Chile. Its main partner is the Centro de Excelencia en Geotermia de Los Andes (CEGA).

Part of the transdisciplinary research initiative is dedicated to the geochemical and geothermal potential of thermal wells in Chile in order to identify suitable sites. A data survey is being conducted to determine the raw materials potential with a focus on the thermal fields of the Atacama Desert.

In addition, the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE) is taking part in the BrineMine project by developing the plant technology for later industrial use. It is based on a novel process chain: First, heat from the geothermal brine is used for energy recovery. The cooled liquid, which has a relatively low concentration, is then pre-concentrated by reverse osmosis; at the same time, drinking water is obtained. The brine concentrate is then further concentrated by membrane distillation until it is saturated.

The thermal energy required for the entire process can be covered directly from the excess heat of the power plant process. We have already set up a demonstration plant in a geothermal power plant in the Upper Rhine Graben and successfully integrated key components into ongoing power plant operations. project manager Dr. Joachim Koschikowski from ISE

Most of the process steps are based on proven methods, but they have never been combined in this way. Detailed research is required, because, for example, both concentration and cooling increase the risk of silicate deposits.

Conventional strategies for silicate removal would greatly impair the extraction of the resources. Without water treatment, the technical plant components would be damaged. Valentin Goldberg from KITs AGW

The researchers found a viable solution by changing the pH value of the brine and adding divalent cations (e.g. calcium or magnesium). The silicate removal method is fast and effective and has no negative impact on raw material extraction, Goldberg says.

Before the first plants can be installed in Chile, further details about the process need to be clarified. In addition, specific models for economic operation are also being developed.

BrineMine was initiated in 2019 by Professor Thomas Kohl and Dr. Sebastian Held. The German-Chilean research consortium is coordinated by the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy Systems (ISE). Other project partners besides KIT are the companies Geothermie Neubrandenburg (GTN) and SolarSpring membrane solutions in Germany as well as Fraunhofer Chile and Centro de Excelencia en Geotermia de Los Andes (CEGA) in Chile.

The Federal Ministry of Education and Research is funding the project with approximately 1.5 million. The Chilean Ministry of Energy also provides support for the project.
Constellium SE has expanded its longstanding partnership with Audi to supply advanced aluminum solutions for the Audi e-tron GT. Electric vehicles require strong, yet lightweight solutions to optimize range and prioritize safety. Constellium provides ASI-certified aluminum Auto Body Sheet solutions for closures and inner parts, as well as extrusion-based components for the vehicles front and rear Crash Management Systems.

Constelliums Surfalex Auto Body Sheet solution, used for the rear doors and fenders of the Audi e-tron GT, is well-suited for the vehicles design, as it allows bold styling while maintaining perfect surface aesthetics.

Constelliums Securalex solution, used for the hood inner, has a high-tech crash absorption capacity designed to fulfill the most demanding pedestrian safety requirements. Both Auto Body Sheet solutions are supplied from Constelliums plant in Neuf-Brisach, France.

Constellium HSA6, a family of high-strength 6XXX-series extrusion alloys used on the vehicles Crash Management Systems, meets the demanding requirements of structural components in electric vehicles, as it provides additional strength in the event of a crash. The Crash Management Systems are produced at Constelliums ASI-certified plant in Gottmadingen, Germany.

These products are also supplied for Audis first fully-electric model, the Audi e-tron SUV, along with extruded components for the e-trons battery enclosure and side impact beams. Aluminum-extruded components make up the structure of the Audi e-tron battery enclosure, providing the strength, crash and intrusion resistance required to safeguard EV batteries.

Constellium is a long-time supplier to Audi for both rolled products and structural components. Constellium is a founding member of the Aluminum Stewardship Initiative and its plants in Neuf-Brisach, France and Dahenfeld, Gottmadingen and Singen, Germany have been certified against the Performance and Chain of Custody standards. These facilities have the capability, combined with the sourcing of ASI metal, to supply their customers independently-certified, responsibly-sourced and sustainably-manufactured aluminum products.
The European Environment Agency (EEA) has published its provisional data about the CO 2 emissions of newly registered passenger cars and vans in Europe in 2020. For cars, the data show a 12% decrease in average cO 2 emissions, compared with 2019. Average van emissions decreased slightly, by about 1.5 %.

According to the EEAs provisional data, the average emissions of new passenger cars registered in the European Union (EU), Iceland, Norway, and the United Kingdom in 2020 were 107.8 grams of CO 2 per kilometre (g CO 2 /km). This was 14.5 g (12%) lower than in 2019 and represented the first decrease observed since 2016.

The share of electric vehicles in new registrations tripled from about 3.5% in 2019 to about 11% of new registrations in 2020.





2020 car registrations by fuel type in Europe. Source: EEA

About 1.4 million new vans registered in Europe in 2020 with average emissions of 157.7 g CO 2 /km, which is 2.3 g (1.5%) lower than in 2019. The share of electric vans increased from 1.4% in 2019 to about 2.3% in 2020.

The provisional data are available through the EEAs data viewer on CO 2 emissions of new cars and new vans.

The emissions of new vehicles are systematically tested using type approval procedures. Since 2017, the new Worldwide Harmonized Light Vehicle Test Procedure (WLTP) has been put in place with the objective to gradually replace the outdated New European Driving Cycle (NEDC). The WLTP allows to obtain more realistic information on vehicle emissions in the type approval tests.

The European Commission will confirm whether individual manufacturers or pools have met their own specific annual targets, which are based on the average mass of the cars registered.

Responding to the publication of the data, European NGO Transport & Environment (T&E) said the sharp drop showed that ambitious EU car CO 2 targets do motivate carmakers to reduce their climate impact but that tighter standards will be needed from 2025 onwards so that all new cars sold from 2035 are zero-emissions.

New car emissions were increasing as recently as two years ago, but the sharp drop last year shows that carmakers respond to CO2 standards. Some carmakers have already said when they will go fully electric, but stricter CO2 standards leading to zero-emissions are needed to ensure the whole industry phases out fossil-fuel engines by 2035. Lucien Mathieu, road vehicles and emobility analysis manager at T&E
Andreas Scheuer, Germanys Federal Minister for Transport and Digital Infrastructure, signed a memorandum on cooperation with the four German Urban Air Mobility (UAM) model cities and regions of Aachen, Ingolstadt, Hamburg and North Hesse to start a new innovation network for the use of drones in Germnay.

Today we are starting a new innovation network for the use of drones in Germany. Aachen, Ingolstadt, Hamburg and North Hesse are pioneering regions for the new air mobility. In the future, we will work even more closely together to bring drone innovations into practice. The know-how 'Made in Germany' is there. We want to use that even more. To do this, we bring everyone together: the drone community, start-ups, research, cities and municipalities. The goal: to make Germany the lead market for drone innovations. Federal Minister Andreas Scheuer

The innovaion network is intended to address:

Infrastructure construction and reconstruction: The network wants to develop technical and legal solutions, for example for Vertiports or the charging and communication infrastructure. These can help cities and municipalities as blueprints to build the infrastructure.

Airspace integration: The network wants to create real laboratories and test fields for setting up U-Spaces.

Best practice examples: The network wants to create joint drone and air taxi projects that provide municipalities and rescue services with new impulses and insights into their possible uses.

Social acceptance: Citizens should be better educated, informed and taken along about developments in urban air mobility , for example through dialogue events and best practices.

UAM initiative of the European Commission. As part of the UAM - Initiative for Cities & Communities (UIC) of the EU Commission, 43 European cities and regions have agreed to advance and test the development of innovative air mobility concepts. Ingolstadt, Aachen, Hamburg and the North Hesse / Bad Hersfeld region are participating in the initiative from Germany. In June 2018, the BMVI signed the first letters of intent for Urban Air Mobility with Aachen and Ingolstadt.

To support research, development and testing of innovative technologies, applications and air mobility concepts in the field of unmanned aviation and flying taxis, the BMVI launched a call for ideas and funding in 2019 with a volume of 29 million. 160 project outlines were received as part of the call for ideas and fundingmany of them with reference to the UAM model regions and cities.
As Connecticut emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic  its economy bolstered by a white-hot housing market  it only seems logical that a retailer known for targeting high-end consumers would want to expand in portions of the state where there are pockets of well-heeled shoppers.

But along a vast stretch of Connecticuts Shoreline, from West Haven to the Rhode Island border, one of the preeminent names among upscale supermarkets  Whole Foods Markets  doesnt have a presence.

Susie Beckman, Old Saybrooks economic development director, says she knows residents of that Shoreline community who will drive to either Glastonbury or Milford  the nearest Whole Foods locations  in order to get their fix.

We just dont get inquiries from Whole Foods or Trader Joes, and I regularly ask about them, Beckman said. And I dont think they realize that how much people travel long distances to do their grocery shopping. We just dont have enough (population) density to meet their criteria.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media

A Whole Foods spokeswoman confirmed the Austin, Texas-based specialty retailer has stores in development South Windsor and Avon, but said she could not provide any additional information about other possible new store locations in Connecticut. The Avon store is expected to open later this year, while the South Windsor store, which will be in the Evergreen Walk lifestyle center, isnt expected to open until next year.

Construction Dive, a trade publication for the building industry, reported last month that Whole Foods plans to expand across the country with 43 stores across 19 states, including the two Connecticut locations. Washington, D.C. and California will be home to 11 of the new locations, with the majority that are in some stage of development in urban areas where the grocer already has a presence.

There are 503 Whole Foods stores in the United States, including eight currently in Connecticut.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media

John Rosen, a University of New Haven economics professor, said that e-commerce giant Amazon  the corporate parent of Whole Foods  is still in early stages of figuring out how to best leverage the data it has on consumers who order online into a broader domination of the supermarket industry. Amazon acquired Whole Foods in 2017.

They didnt buy Whole Foods in order to keep it the way it is, Rosen said. They did it because they wanted to learn more about brick and mortar retail.

While Whole Foods has always a targeted well-heeled consumers, its business model has changed over the four decades it has been in business, he said.

Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media

Back then the strategy was to be in college towns, because that was where they got their start and they were selling organic food, which was still kind of a new thing and was something college kids were into, Rosen said. Then they began moving into prosperous suburbs.

Twenty years ago, Rosen and Wayne Pesce, president of the Connecticut Food Association, said Connecticut was over-stored, meaning it had more stores than its population could realistically support.

Now, Connecticut is one of the most under-stored states in the country, said Burt Flickinger, managing director of New York City-based Strategic Resource Group. That leave Whole Foods with a lot of potential expansion options in the state, according to Flickinger.

Angeli Gianchandani, a brand marketing specialist and practitioner-in-residence at the University of New Havens Pompea College of Business, said that what separates Whole Foods from other chains in the grocery business is how they use competitive intelligence to determine how they move forward.

They have such detailed competitive intelligence of their consumers and shopping habits, they have a treasure trove of shopping data, Gianchandani said. They see what customers are searching for and what they are purchasing and it has given them the predictive capability far beyond any of their competitors in the marketplace. They can predict where new pockets of affluent communities are going to be.

Photo M643MGGO ne062421wholefoods-01.1

But despite Amazons dominance in the online retailing realm, Gianchandani said the shopping experience that Whole Foods offers is still very important.

Their core consumers want fresh produce and having that experience online is not the same as it is in-person local, she said. Thats what shopping at Whole Foods is, an experience from the way they layout the floor, so they have you weaving through the entire store before you check out. Its designed for that sensory experience.

Flickinger said Amazon uses Whole Foods as entry point to everything the parent company has to offer.

They attract more new customers through Whole Foods (store) openings than just about anything else, Flickinger said. Amazon wants to sell a whole lot more than produce through Whole Foods.

Whole Foods stores yield some of the highest sales per square foot of any supermarket chains, he said. A Whole Foods store typically yields $970 per square foot, and Flickinger predicted that when the companys South Windsor store in Evergreen Walk opens next year, that number should be even higher.

Pesces trade group represents the states supermarket chains. Pesce said that while hes not aware of any long term expansion plans that Whole Foods has for the area between New Haven and the Rhode Island border, if anybody is going to make a move in that part of the state, it could very well be them.

I dont see them making a big move, maybe opening a store here or there, he said. But theyve got a lot of money behind them and some pretty sophisticated data.

If Whole Foods does further expansion along the Shoreline, it will likely be in standalone locations, according to John Clapp, a professor of real estate emeritus at the University of Connecticut.

They typically dont like going into strip malls, Clapp said.

Whole Foods executives have to weigh further expansion in Connecticut against how new stores would perform in other parts of the country that have faster growth.

They need to look at how they allocate their resources, Clapp said.

Rosen said one reason why he believes further Whole Foods expansion along Connecticuts central and eastern shoreline is likely is that one way grocery shopping has changed, beyond increase online sales, is that retail has become very occasion specific.

If people are looking to purchase dog foods or any supplies in bulk, they go to WalMart or Target, he said. But if they want something special special, something unique, theyre going to Whole Foods.

Rosen said two of the key factors that supermarket chains use in determining where to locate new stores are total populations and the buying power of that particular populations.

Rosen said WalMarts larger stores with full-service grocery operations have shown it is possible for areas with smaller populations to be profitable.

They ought to take a harder look at it, Rosen said of Whole Foods. They will still pursue nice location and nice neighborhoods, just those with smaller populations.

luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com
GREENWICH  The end of an era is coming to Town Hall: After 30 years in office, Carmella Budkins announced Wednesday that she will not seek a 16th term as town clerk.

A Republican, Budkins issued a statement saying it has been an honor to serve the residents while expressing her gratitude to all the friends she has made over her years in office.

I love going to work every day, Budkins said. I love the job. I love my staff, who is great. I love the people. I love the relationships. I love the department heads. Ive worked with seven first selectmen. Its a great job.

In speaking to Greenwich Time, Budkins said it was a very, very difficult decision and said she had gone back and forth for some time and had several sit-down conversation with her family before deciding Tuesday night not to run again.

Life is too short and I wanted to spend more time with my family, Budkins said. My oldest grandson just moved to Chicago for his job, and I want to see the rest of them grow up. I want to spend time with them and play with them and pick them up from school. Everyone knows when its time, and I think the office is in great shape. Im looking forward to retirement.

Budkins, who is 74, said she was proud of her accomplishments at Town Hall, which included modernizing and bringing the clerks office into the 21st century. The office has incorporated new technologies while preserving the towns historic documents and making them accessible to all, she said.

Town documents, including property deeds and town records, back to 1939 are now online, Budkins said.

The town clerks office worked through the COVID-19 pandemic, processing 18,000 absentee ballots from town voters in the 2020 presidential election without any extra help, Budkins said. She said she was proud of her departments work over the decades and praised her staff as wonderful hard working people who take a lot of pride in their work.

My focus has always been about serving the public in a professional manner, Budkins said. The staff has been exemplary, and I am blessed for their support and friendship.

Budkins is seen as an icon both in Town Hall and in Republican politics. She frequently ran unopposed for town clerk, and when challenged in 2019 by Democrat Molly Saleeby, Budkins won by more than 13 percentage points.

Accolades from the GOP

Budkins retirement announcement was met with an outpouring of support from people she had worked closely with over the decades.

Although the office is absolutely insanely busy and hectic most days, Carm always knew how to keep all focused and on track with her calming demeanor as well as instilling constant teamwork to all staff, Assistant Town Clerk Kimberly Spezzano said. She will be greatly missed by all for her Greenwich knowledge, friendships and her strong leadership.

First Selectman Fred Camillo said he had worked with Budkins when he was first selectmen, head of the Republican Party, a state representative, head of the Parks and Recreation board and knew her also as a friend.

She has really left an impact at Town Hall, Camillo said. What Ill remember most is her being a friend and her bringing such joy and passion to her job. She truly loved it and continues to love it to this day. While were sad that shes not going to be running for reelection, were grateful for the many years she put in doing a wonderful job and being a constant, happy presence in Town Hall.

New GOP candidate needed Carmella Budkins' decision to retire from her position as town clerk leaves a spot to fill on the Republican ticket for the fall election. "It will be our challenge to find a candidate that can carry on her legacy and build on it as well," Republican Town Committee Chair Dan Quigley said. The Republican Town Committee and the Democratic Town Committee will hold their nominating meetings in July to pick candidates. Molly Saleeby, a member of the RTM, is again expected to be the Democratic candidate for town clerk. See More Collapse

Former First Selectman Peter Tesei said he has known Budkins since he began his political career as a teenager, saying she was like a second mother to him. And he pointed out that is Budkins the first female town clerk in town history.

Carm is a beloved and legendary figure in the town, Tesei said. She brought the office into the 21st century with all of the land records now accessible digitally. She has set an example for other municipal clerks offices in the state.  Her nature is always to want to help, and she does so with a smile and good cheer. That goes a long way in serving the public.

Ed Dadakis called Budkins an institution in town. She served as Republican Town Committee vice chair when he was chair and said he relied on her more than she probably ever knew.

What clearly distinguishes her is every single person who walked into Carmens office over the past 30 years thought of her as a friend, Dadakis said. She treated everyone with respect and thoughtfulness and responded quickly with whatever they needed. Thats why she easily won all those elections.

Budkins has set the bar for how to run the town clerks office, Republican Town Committee Chair Dan Quigley said.

For more than 30 years, Carm Budkins has been an institution in our community and an ambassador for the town of Greenwich, serving as our town clerk, Quigley said. Shes always doing her job with a smile and a positive attitude. Carm embodied what it means to be a public servant.

More reaction

Former Selectman Drew Marzullo, a Democrat, knows Budkins from his eight years in office but he said he has known the Budkins family for 45 years and attended Hamilton Avenue School with her daughter, Jackie. He recalled making hundreds of visits to their home as well as spending holidays with them.

Not many people running for political office, especially in todays climate, transcend political party affiliation, but Carm did, Marzullo said. She did so every day. She is respected and admired by Republicans, Democrats and everyone in between. She is loved by the people she served and she loved serving people. She did so with professionalism and most importantly kindness . To say she will be missed is an understatement.

The town clerk is a regular presence at Town Hall and also swears in town officials  and Budkins has given the oath of office to thousands of RTM members over her 30 years. She also attends every full RTM, along with staff, to oversee the votes on every item.

The town clerk serves as the RTMs secretary , RTM Moderator Tom Byrne said, recalling that her office previously put the RTMs call together by cutting and pasting paper. He said he witnessed Budkins seamlessly guiding her office into the digital age and said she deserved credit for maintaining an accurate historical record for the RTM and making it available to all online.

Carm was always available on a moments notice to solve any problems that arose, Byrne said. I am grateful for all that she did for the RTM. On behalf of the RTM, I wish her all the best in her retirement and look forward to working with her through the end of this term.

Ultimately, Budkins said residents will still see her around town after she retires.

Its been a wonderful 30 years, she said, but as for retiring, I felt this was the time.

kborsuk@greenwichtime.com
A 14-month ban on most new eviction cases in Connecticut, intended to keep people housed as they dealt with the financial fallout of the pandemic, will end Wednesday.

Gov. Ned Lamont has no plans to extend the moratorium beyond the June 30 expiration date, his director of communications, Max Reiss, said Tuesday.

Hundreds of millions of federal relief dollars are available to eligible renters and landlords, and with that money being distributed more quickly, Lamont said earlier this week the ban is no longer needed.

The department of housing over the last month has been able to take care of more and more of those tenant-landlord disputes, Lamont said Monday after an event in Hartford.

The governor was referring to the $457 million in rental relief that is being distributed through a program called UniteCT within the department of housing. Renters must meet the income threshold and have their applications approved by their landlord. Up to $15,000 in rental assistance is available in addition to up to $1,500 for utility assistance.

Connecticut was one of at least 10 states that instituted its own eviction moratoriums in the wake of the pandemic in addition to the federal ban, which is in place until the end of July.

Connecticuts ban limited the reasons a landlord could evict a tenant to include owing six or more months of rent and committing a serious nuisance such as physically harming another tenant or the landlord.

Lamont extended the ban several times since first instituting it last spring as part of his emergency powers tied to the pandemic. He did so again last month to allow more time for money to get to those who needed it after a slow rollout of the program, which has been a problem for rental relief programs in other states.

At that point, about 200 applications had been approved, totaling $1.2 million in relief.

As of Tuesday, the number of approved applications was 2,921, totaling $21.9 million in relief.

Of the cases that have been approved, about 44 percent are in four of the states largest cities, led by Hartford then Bridgeport, Waterbury, and New Haven.

While the bans end is welcome news to landlords, whove complained that theyve been left to pay the bills with little to no support, housing advocates warn its still too soon to eliminate these protections for renters.

Oh, thats such bad news, said Erin Kemple, executive director of the Connecticut Fair Housing Center. What we expect is that there will be a dramatic rise in eviction cases filed as a result of the lifting of the eviction moratorium.

Kemple said she expects people will double up or triple up with family or friends as a result, as many of the homeless shelters in the state are at capacity. There are limited number of shelter beds available under normal circumstances.

Kemple cited a study by the Eviction Lab at Princeton University that found that communities with the lowest COVID-19 vaccination rates tend to be where eviction filings are the highest, so some are concerned the virus could spread among people living in those communities.

The benefit of Connecticuts moratorium was that it was automatic for some people, she said, adding the federal ban, instituted by the Centers for Disease Control and Protection, required renters to submit a declaration, which not all landlords and judges have honored.

The governor could ameliorate the situation by requiring landlords to participate in the UniteCT program, Kemple said, as most applicants have been tenants.

Elliot Lane, a Hartford-based attorney whos represented landlords for more than four decades, said changes made to the program at the end of May have led more landlords to apply.

Lane pushed back on the notion that lifting the ban would lead to large-scale evictions, saying many landlords would work with tenants, especially with up $15,000 available to cover back rent.

More cases certainly will be filed but that doesnt mean agreements cant be made, he said.

julia.bergman@hearstmediact.com
HARTFORD  Gov. Ned Lamont on Wednesday vetoed controversial legislation that would have limited the amount of time incarcerated people could be kept in solitary confinement and the use of restraints.

But in an executive order accompanying the veto, the governor ordered the Department of Correction to immediately enact policies that limit restrictions for the incarcerated. Lamont ordered that by Oct. 1, solitary inmates get out of their cells for at least two hours a day.

I am not signing this legislation because, as written, it puts the safety of incarcerated persons and correction employees at substantial risk, Lamont said in a written explanation. This legislation places unreasonable and dangerous limits on the use of restraints. The bill as written only permits correctional officers with the rank of captain or higher to order the use of handcuffs and only permits therapists to order restraints during a psychiatric emergency.

It was a setback for advocates who have been working for years to reform what they claim is a system of torturous procedures within the state Department of Correction. Sen. Gary Winfield, D-New Haven, the lead sponsor, said he was surprised by the governors action.

I believe that I had heard he represented he would sign the bill, so to do the opposite is frusrating, Winfield, co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee, said in a phone interview. There is absolutely no reason that that bill should be vetoed. But the governor has a right to be wrong.

The veto marked a victory for prison guards who had mounted a late-afternoon rally at the state Capitol to persuade Lamont to veto the legislation. The event, set to start at 4 p.m.  four minutes after Lamonts veto announcement  turned into a celebration for what the guards believe are important tools in keeping inmates under control, including the use of restraints.

About 150 correction officers attended the rally, which was announced Tuesday afternoon. They cheered when Jody Barr, executive director of AFSCME Council 4, announced that the bill had been killed, and credited meetings Lamont had last week with the presidents of three bargaining units representing prison workers.

Tom Lally, an officer at Garner Correctional Center in Newtown, said union pressure on lawmakers and the governor yielded the result. We understand where this bill was coming from, what the intentions were, but we deserve a seat at the table, said Lally, who has 10 years in the prison system.

The union leaders said they were not sure what the executive order might do to affect the current procedures. Collin Provost, president of AFSCME Local 391, said that the bill went far beyond what correction officers could perform to keep facilities secure and safe.

On a related matter, Provost said that legislation in the state budget to allow free phone calls of at least 90 minutes per day for all inmates seems to also be very problematic.

A veto override would require two-thirds votes in both the House and Senate. The previous 26-10 vote in the Senate would reach the 24-vote threshold for an override, but the 87-55 vote in the House was 13 votes short of the 101 votes needed to reach two-thirds.

Lamont, speaking after an unrelated event in Stamford Wednesday night, said he conferred with union officials and lawmakers.

Solitary confinement is not an appropriate form of punishment, but I have a job as governor to make sure the corrections officers and inmates are kept safe, he said. So were going to do through regulation what they tried to do through legislation. Were going to make some adjustments and allow the inmates and corrections officers to stay safe. Some of these folks who are in solitary are a danger to other corrections officers. We have to put in place a structure where theyre not in solitary confinement 24 hours a day, but we can control that and keep that facilities safe. That was my number-one concern.

The legislation would have given the DOC until July 1, 2023 to create a program to allow each inmate six-and-a-half hours a day outside their cell. Earlier this year, agency officials said they were changing procedures for what prison officials call restrictive housing.

It was the first bill of the year to earn Lamonts rejection and abruptly ended the efforts of advocates including Stop Solitary CT until the next legislative year.

It was a major goal of lawmakers including Winfield and Rep. Robyn Porter, D-New Haven. In early 2020, Winfield arranged for a simulated solitary confinement cell to be installed in the Capitol lobby.

Winfield said that in the case of a captain or higher ordering handcuffs, wardens could delegate authority to lower-ranking officers. He said the effective dates of the bill would have given the DOC plenty of time to put procedures in place.

While Lamont seems to be focused on time spent in cells, Winfield said, there were other parts of the legislation that dont appear to be addressed in the accompanying executive order, including the appointment of an ombudsman to monitor disciplinary incidents; and changes in visitation rules.

Others expressed anger.

It confirms that the governor does not value the lives of people incarcerated in Connecticut, said David McGuire, executive director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Connecticut, in a phone interview. His actions continue to bear that out. The bill would not have banned solitary. It would be phased in over a couple of years. This is a practice that has been condemned across the world and were going to continue to do it here.

Barbara Fair of the Stop Solitary CT coalition, which had members demonstrating outside the State Capitol building for weeks during the recent legislative session, said late Wednesday afternoon that she was still trying to catch her breath after the veto.

Its unbelievable but somehow not unexpected, Fair said in a phone interview. Where were the governor and his executive order when the people were dying of COVID? The DOC does not want any oversight over what they are doing. Im not shocked. Im disappointed and angry, with all the work we put into this.

She said that solitary confinement is exacerbating the problem that incarcerated people have with mental illness. Its going to continue to dehumanize our people, Fair said. People are losing their minds. People are killing themselves. Right now, Im just trying to breathe.

As of Monday there were 8,957 inmates in Connecticut, according to the Department of Correction, down sharply from before the pandemic.

Staff writer Paul Schott contributed to this report.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  The Minnesota Legislature worked into the early hours Thursday to try to finish off a $52 billion, two-year budget after working into the early hours the night before to pass a bill that ends Gov. Tim Walz's emergency powers, although a top Republican said the special session could continue for days longer to make sure the governor signed all the bills.

Trust but verify, Senate Majority Leader Paul Gazelka, of East Gull Lake, said at a news conference, quoting a proverb that President Ronald Reagan was fond of using in his dealings with Soviet leaders.

Walz laughed at the comment and said Gazelka didn't need to worry. He spoke to reporters after personally delivering the signed K-12 education funding bill to Secretary of State Steve Simon to make its enactment official, and signed three other budget bills to avert the lingering threat of a partial state government shutdown after the current budget ran out at the end of the day Wednesday.

The only budget bill still awaiting votes early Thursday was a tax bill that needed approval first in the House, then the Senate. The House debate was late to get going, and bogged down amid a partisan fight over the details of unwinding the governor's emergency powers.

The emergency powers language was added early Wednesday to a state government and elections budget bill shortly after the Democratic governor said he was ending the state's peacetime state of emergency himself. Walz had used his special powers for over 15 months to manage the state's response to the COVID-19 pandemic, which was a long-running sore point for Republican lawmakers who complained he had shut the Legislature out of important spending and policy decisions.

Failure to pass the tax bill wasn't going to trigger a shutdown, so some of the pressure was off lawmakers.

"This is a strong, bipartisan tax bill that is going to make Minnesota families, communities and businesses better and stronger into the future, the House tax committee chairman, Democratic Rep. Paul Marquart, of Dilworth, said earlier in the day.

About about 80% of the bill is COVID-19 relief, Marquart said. Businesses that received forgiveness on Paycheck Protection Program loans will be allowed to fully deduct the amount on their state income taxes, while workers who collect unemployment insurance payments will be able to deduct them up to $10,200. He said that will benefit about 500,000 people who lost their jobs with an average $500 tax cut.

The Senate passed the K-12 education bill 65-0 on Wednesday evening and sent it to the governor.

Republican Senate education committee chairman Roger Chamberlain, of Lino Lakes, hailed the bipartisan school funding bill as relying on money not mandates. He highlighted how it contains the largest increase in the state's per-pupil funding formula in 15 years  2.5% in the first year and 2% in the second, amounting to about $296 per pupil for school districts to spend as they see fit.

Now that money is theirs to use," he said. It's local control, members.

Gazelka said it's still possible that lawmakers could agree in the coming days on a public works borrowing package known as a bonding bill, which would require bipartisan 60% supermajorities in both chambers but is not required to finish the budget. Otherwise, he said, they could pass it during the special session that Walz is expected to call in early September. The aim of that session would be to pass a plan to pay $250 million in bonuses from federal aid to frontline workers who risked their lives in the pandemic,

Walz announced last week that he was going to end the emergency on Aug. 1, but said late Tuesday that he had moved up the date after reaching a deal with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to protect emergency food aid payments to needy Minnesotans under the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program.

The governor said language added to the state government bill in the House will give him sufficient power to manage the state's vaccination program and emergency unemployment benefits, while winding down other remaining elements of the state's pandemic response. The Legislature met another condition earlier this week when it approved an off ramp for the governors eviction moratorium, which he had imposed in the early days of the pandemic.

Walz told Minnesota Public Radio that the final budget looks an awful lot like the original budget he put out in January and later revised as the state's projected budget surplus grew. He said a bonding bill would be icing on the cake."

Republican leaders claimed credit for forcing the governor's hand on special powers.

The governor has held on to these powers far too long and used them far too broadly, Gazelka said in a statement early Wednesday. "Weve been clear that we were going to end these powers, so Im not surprised Walz tried to outmaneuver us  but he does not get to say he let them go. The emergency is over because the Senate and the House said so.
JAKARTA, Indonesia  Authorities in the Indonesian city of Bekasi on the outskirts of Jakarta are holding a mass coronavirus vaccination for 25,000 people at the citys main stadium Thursday.

Officials say more than 1,500 health care workers, including 550 giving shots, are involved in the one-day effort.

The citys program is part of Indonesias campaign to boost the number of daily vaccinations to 1 million doses in July and 2 million in August.

Indonesia is the worlds fourth most populous country, with 270 million people. It is seeking to inoculate more than 181 million people by next March, but so far has fully vaccinated only 13.4 people and partially vaccinated an additional 15.8 million.

Indonesia has reported nearly 2.2 million coronavirus cases and 58,491 deaths from COVID-19 so far in the pandemic.

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MORE ON THE PANDEMIC

 Amid virus surge, Putin urges citizens to get vaccinated

 Leader berates North Korean officials for crucial virus lapse

 As COVID recedes in prisons, will any lessons learned stick?

 Youth of the pandemic revisited: Hopeful, resilient, nervous

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Follow more of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

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HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

TUBINGEN, Germany  German vaccine maker CureVac says younger people could benefit from its coronavirus shot, following disappointing results two weeks ago in a broader age group.

The company said Wednesday that its vaccine is 53% effective against COVID-19 of any severity in 18- to 60-year-olds. Overall, though, CurveVac says the shot is 48% effective, based on 83 cases in the vaccine group and 145 in the placebo group.

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 says it has sent the data to the European Medicines Agency, which is conducting a rolling review of the vaccine.

CureVac CEO Franz-Werner Haas says the vaccine fully protects 18- to 60-year-olds against hospitalization. He calls it an important contribution to help manage the COVID-19 pandemic and the dynamic variant spread.

The company says it sequenced 204 case samples to identify the variant causing the infection, but did not provide complete details on the variants found.

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BILLINGS, Mont.  Montanas governor is lifting the state of emergency for the coronavirus pandemic more than 15 months after it was imposed under his predecessor.

Wednesdays move by Gov. Greg Gianforte comes as COVID-19 case rates continue to slowly drop in Montana. Almost half the states eligible residents are now fully vaccinated.

Broad public health mandates such as face mask requirements and occupancy limits for businesses were previously rescinded.

Other states also have lifted emergency declarations in recent days as the public health crisis eases.

The respiratory disease has caused at least 1,665 deaths in Montana.

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ROME  Fifty-two Italian prison officers have been suspended for their alleged involvement in an assault on inmates who had protested the lack of face masks and virus tests during the peak of Italys pandemic last year.

Surveillance video of the club-wielding officers beating, kicking and punching prisoners in a holding room and as they came up and down a staircase were published online Tuesday and Wednesday by the newspaper Il Domani.

Some of the prisoners at the Santa Maria Capua Vetere prison in Naples were struck repeatedly while on the floor, bleeding, or as they walked with their hands behind their bowed heads. None was seen resisting or trying to fight back.

Italys justice ministry said Wednesday that 52 officers and supervisors are on suspension pending a criminal investigation into the events of April 6, 2020.

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HOUSTON  A grand jury on Wednesday declined to indict a former Houston-area health department doctor who was accused of stealing nine doses of coronavirus vaccine from a damaged vial and administering them to family and friends.

Prosecutors had alleged that Hasan Gokal, who worked for Harris County Public Health, stole a vial of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine while working at a vaccination site at a suburban Houston park on Dec. 29.

But grand jurors in Harris County, where Houston is located, decided no criminal charges were warranted. The grand jurys decision comes after a judge in January dismissed a theft charge prosecutors had filed against Gokal.

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ANCHORAGE, Alaska  A nonprofit advocacy group for African Americans will use a roughly $1.2 million federal grant to conduct the first statewide report on the health status of Black Alaskans.

Celeste Hodge Growden, president of the Alaska Black Caucus, tells Alaska Public Media that with the report, they will be able to make recommendations to local and state entities regarding best practices and health-related data collection and reporting by race,

Existing data shows Black Alaskans are less likely to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The group will also use the money for roundtable discussions, a summit for Black Alaskans and a health fair for people of color.

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MADRID  The coronavirus infection rate is climbing in Spain, spurred by outbreaks among young and unvaccinated groups, according to Health Ministry data.

The two-week rate of infection reached 117 new cases per 100,000 residents nationwide, up from Tuesdays 106 infections. Infections increased from 251 to 293 cases per 100,000 in the past 24 hours among ages 20 to 29.

The rise in cases is not leading to a rise in hospital admissions or deaths, but authorities are concerned the virus could spread to more vulnerable groups.

Officials were discussing how to speed up vaccination among those groups. Spain has fully vaccinated 37% of its 47 million residents.

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LISBON, Portugal  Portugal recorded the biggest daily increase in coronavirus infections since mid-February.

Official data Wednesday showed 2,362 new infections in the country of 10 million residents. More than half of the infections have been tied to the delta variant. However, the surge is not leading to more hospital admissions or a significant strain in the public health system.

Portugals 14-day infection rate increased from 158 to 172 cases per 100,000 residents on Wednesday.

The county put Britain on its red list for travel and cancelled school classes in the southern Algarve region, its main tourist destination. Authorities have sped up vaccinations in several areas, including Lisbon, which has become an infection hot spot.

Portugal has fully vaccinated nearly one-third of its 10 million residents.

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ISTANBUL  Turkeys health minister announced a third dose of vaccine would be available for health care workers and people above age 50.

Fahrettin Koca says these groups, who were mostly vaccinated with two doses of the Chinas CoronaVac, can choose any available vaccine for their third dose. Turkey is also administering the Pfizer vaccine and will begin use of Russias Sputnik V shots.

Turkey is allowing a third dose for health care workers and people over 50 because two doses of CoronaVac may not be providing enough antibodies after several months. There is little data about CoronaVacs efficacy against the more infectious delta variant.

Koca also announced the current six-week gap between two doses of Pfizer shots will be reduced to four. This will speed Turkeys vaccination plan where more than 34.6 million people have gotten their first shot but only about 18% of the population have been fully vaccinated.

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MOSCOW  President Vladimir Putin says he was vaccinated this year with Russias Sputnik V shot, and hes encouraging citizens to get vaccinated amid a surge of coronavirus infections and deaths.

During an annual call-in show, Putin expressed hope the immunization drive could help avoid a nationwide lockdown. Russia on Wednesday reported 21,042 new infections and 669 deaths, a daily record. Similar numbers have been reported daily since June 24.

While reaffirming vaccinations should be voluntary, Putin says decisions by local authorities across Russia that made shots mandatory for some workers should help contain the surge.

Russia was among the first countries to announce and deploy a coronavirus vaccine, but about 23 million people  or 15% of the 146 million population  have received at least one shot. Health experts blame the wariness on rushed approval of the Russian-made vaccines and limited production capacity.

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RIO DE JANEIRO  Brazils President Jair Bolsonaro has fired a Health Ministry official after a newspaper reported his alleged participation in a graft scheme to secure COVID-19 vaccines, further straining the governments defense of its pandemic response.

The order firing Roberto Dias, head of the Health Ministrys logistics department, was signed on Tuesday night by Bolsonaros chief of staff, Luiz Eduardo Ramos, and published in Wednesdays official gazette.

The Health Ministry didnt immediately respond to a request for comment about the reason for Diass dismissal.

The allegation puts additional pressure on Bolsonaro, whose handling of the COVID-19 crisis is being investigated by a Senate committee. Members said Wednesday theyll look into the newspapers reporting, which included some transcripts of Diass emails.

Bolsonaro in the past week was accused of turning a blind eye to possible corruption in another deal to purchase vaccines, just weeks after the country surpassed the milestone of 500,000 coronavirus deaths.

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SEOUL, South Korea  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has berated top officials for failures in coronavirus prevention that caused a great crisis.

The countrys official media didnt say what crucial lapses warranted Kim to call an important political meeting where he criticized his top officials. But his strong words raise the specter of a mass outbreak occurring in a country that would be scarcely able to handle it.

Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at South Koreas private Sejong Institute, says North Korea is potentially dealing with huge virus-related problems in border towns near China.

So far, North Korea has claimed to have had no coronavirus infections. Experts are concerned about any potential outbreak, given the countrys poor health infrastructure

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THE HAGUE, Netherlands  The Dutch government says it is extending the coronavirus vaccination program to cover children ages 12 to 17 to help deal with the delta variant.

The decision follows a recommendation by an independent advisory body on Tuesday to offer the Pfizer shot to that age group.

Health Minister Hugo de Jonge says a vaccination offers freedom to young people and helps prevent a resurgence of the virus in the fall.

After a slow start to its vaccination campaign, the Netherlands has gathered pace in recent weeks. The public health institute says 64% of all adults have received their first shot and at least 35% are fully vaccinated.

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WASHINGTON  More than 1,500 Head Start programs for children around the country will get a funding boost through President Joe Bidens coronavirus relief bill.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced Wednesday it is awarding $1 billion approved by Congress under Bidens American Rescue Plan.

The money also can be used to help Head Start staffers and their families get vaccinated, although the vaccines are free. For some programs starting this summer, the federal funds will arrive just in time.

Head Start provides preschool and early learning services to more than 1 million children from low-income families through locally operated centers. The program has longstanding bipartisan political support.

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GLASGOW, Scotland  Scottish authorities have reported nearly 2,000 coronavirus cases linked to watching European Championship games in stadiums, public gatherings, pubs or private homes.

The data focuses on the first two weeks of Euro 2020 when the national team played two games at Hampden Park in Glasgow and one against England in London. The 1,991 coronavirus cases are only Scottish residents.

Public Health Scotland says 1,294 of the people infected had traveled to London for the England game on June 18. But it says only 397 of them were at Wembley Stadium for the match.

The PHS report found 55 cases connected to the fan zone in Glasgow. There were 38 positive tests linked to Scotlands game against Croatia and 37 from the match against the Czech Republic.

Cases were tagged as related to Euro 2020 even if the person attended an informal gathering. About three quarters of the cases were people between ages 20 to 39. Nine out of 10 infections involved men.

Public Health Scotland didnt immediately respond to a question about how many of the people infected had been vaccinated.
With tensions rising in the South China Sea, the Philippines is turning to an unusual resource to manage maritime conflict: the dulcet tones of female radio operators.

The Philippine Coast Guard held a graduation ceremony on Friday for a new unit of 81 female radio operators dubbed the "Angels of the Sea," who will be tasked with carefully confronting the rising number of Chinese ships that have strayed into the Exclusive Economic Zones of Beijing's neighbors, in what analysts see as an attempt to assert legally unrecognized claims to those waters.

"The command recognizes the evolving unique importance of having female radio operators aboard PCG vessels and shore-based units . . . so as not to elevate tension," Vice Admiral Leopoldo Laroya said during the ceremony. "We want our Angels of the Sea to become the voice of peaceful and rules-based order at sea, especially in our country's sensitive maritime frontiers."

Another coast guard official said female radio operators evoked "the reassuring voice of a mother to a child, or a girlfriend or wife to a loved one facing a perceived danger."

The unit is being billed as part of a broader effort to empower women and reduce gender discrimination. But some critics say that instead of empowering women, the program stereotypes them.

"Essentializing women as peaceful negotiators . . . is also the same trope that undermines women's role in the military," said Jean Encinas-Franco, a politics expert at the University of the Philippines, Diliman.

She added that she didn't think the Coast Guard was intentionally being sexist but had showed a "very shallow" understanding of gender equality.

The Angels initiative was inspired by the successful deployment of several female Filipino radio operators, the South China Morning Post reported.

On April 27, an operator on a coast guard ship near the Sabina Shoal - an atoll in the South China Sea claimed by the Philippines and China - challenged seven Chinese ships.

"Unidentified foreign vessel at Sabina Shoal, this is the Philippine coastguard, you are within the Philippine exclusive economic zone," coast guard member Gretch Mary Acuario told the Chinese ships in a prerecorded message. "You are requested to provide the following: name of vessel, intention, last and next port of call."

Instead of replying, the ships left the area - an outcome that drew praise from President Rodrigo Duterte.

The unit's inauguration comes as Duterte's administration is taking a harder line toward Chinese assertiveness in the South China Sea. Unlikely his predecessor, the late Benigno Aquino III, Duterte had largely shied away from confronting Beijing. But in recent months, Manila has significantly boosted its sea patrols.

Others questioned whether the idea would actually reduce conflicts in the Sea, through which roughly one-third of the world's international shipping passes each year.

In an interview with local media in May, Acuario said she believed it made no difference whether it was a woman or a man who confronted the Chinese vessels.

Rear Admiral Ronnie Gil Gavan, the man behind the Angels initiative, told the SCMP that female radio operators would evoke "the authority of wives or mothers that pervades the Asian culture."

But many Asian societies remain patriarchal, women rights activists in the region say. And Arlene Brosas, a lawmaker from the Gabriela Women's Party, said the Angels operation was "a futile attempt to mask the sexist and misogynistic nature of the Duterte government" that trivialized the situation in the South China Sea.

The Philippines which has had two female presidents, regularly ranks highly for gender equality. But Duterte has a history of making disparaging remarks about women and joking about rape.

Manila has boosted female involvement in its military in recent years to comply with a 2000 United Nations Security Council resolution, which called on countries to make women equal partners in peace and security operations.

Yet, the Angels of the Sea initiative is not the first time the Philippines has missed the mark. Officials were eager to highlight the deployment of female troops in a 2017 conflict against Islamist militants but the decision was motivated, at least in part, by a belief that the militants would be less likely to kill them, Encinas-Franco said.

"So in essence they made the women into shields."

- - -

The Washington Post's Regine Cabato in Manila contributed to this article.
(The Conversation is an independent and nonprofit source of news, analysis and commentary from academic experts.)

Joseph M. Gabriel, Florida State University

(THE CONVERSATION) The United States, Europe and other wealthy parts of the world have already vaccinated large parts of their populations, yet vaccine rates in poor countries are lagging badly. Thats why the surprise announcement this spring that the United States will support waiving patent protections on COVID-19 vaccines is so important.

Drugmakers quickly voiced their opposition to the move, but public health advocates were elated. Waiving patent rights, the thinking goes, will give poorer countries the ability to procure low-cost generic versions of COVID-19 vaccines, even if they are produced in another country, and help them to more effectively fight a public health crisis. The European Parliament now supports the idea as well.

A patent waiver would have major implications for global vaccine production, of course. But the U.S. announcement should also be understood in the context of longstanding debates about pharmaceutical patenting in the United States.

I am a historian who has studied these debates extensively. What is clear from my work is that heated disputes about the morality of drug patenting date back to the earliest days of the American Republic, as do efforts to limit  or even ban  patents on pharmaceuticals. Support for sharply limiting patent rights on drugs, or even eliminating them altogether, is far from the radical position that some critics imply. Indeed, in many ways it is a deeply conservative one.

Establishment opposition

In the United States, the first patent on a medicine was granted in 1796 for Dr. Lees Windham Bilious Pills, which was used to treat digestive and other problems. Over the next century, drug manufacturers produced an endless flood of products protected by both patents and trade secrets. Most of these remedies could be easily assembled in a pharmacy, and some clearly helped people.

Yet these so-called patent medicines were also highly controversial. Physicians and other critics loudly denounced them because many were advertised with false or misleading claims. Physicians also recoiled at the effort to monopolize these products.

Physicians at the time believed that medical science should benefit patients, not private commercial interests, and that medical knowledge should be shared and used freely. Both patents and trade secrets interfered with this process  after all, if a pharmacist could compound a remedy cheaply, shouldnt he be allowed to do so? Restricting access to medicines based on patent rights struck American physicians as deeply unethical.

The moral critique of patenting was so strong that the American Medical Association made it a cornerstone of its first Code of Medical Ethics in 1847, declaring it was derogatory to professional character for a physician to hold a patent for any surgical instrument, or medicine.

This was no laughing matter. Conformity to the code was a requirement for licensing in many states. Violating the ban on patents could have serious professional consequences. In 1849, leaders in the medical community even tried to get a law passed prohibiting patents on drugs altogether.

This ethical framework also created the first market for what we now refer to as generic drugs. A handful of companies began to manufacture standard preparations and eschew the use of patents and trade secrets altogether. After the Civil War, these companies became the largest drug manufacturers in the country. They also began to build laboratories and invest resources into developing new products. Following World War II, these companies became massive enterprises and formed the backbone of the American pharmaceutical industry that we know today.

[Explore the intersection of faith, politics, arts and culture. Sign up for This Week in Religion.]

Shifting gears

Yet these companies also abandoned the commitment to open science that made them wealthy in the first place. Beginning in the 1880s, a small number of American drug manufacturers began to argue for the need to patent their products. They made what today are familiar arguments, suggesting that patents were necessary to spur investment in research.

Some physicians embraced the idea  mostly younger ones who chafed at the AMAs rigid Code of Ethics  but it enraged conservative ones. They continued to denounce patents on pharmaceuticals as a form of quackery. As late as 1921, H.K. Mulford  one of the largest drug manufactures of the time  maintained the conservative position and refused to patent its products.

By the early 1950s, these debates had largely been settled. Drug companies had fully embraced patenting and, equally importantly, they had convinced the medical community to do so as well. Indeed, as historian Dominique Tobbell has argued, the two groups worked together to thwart efforts to reign in pharmaceutical patenting. By the 1980s, this powerful alliance had come to dominate government trade and regulatory policy. As a result, for the past several decades, the United States government has aggressively promoted pharmaceutical patents in the international arena. Indeed, the U.S. has led efforts to force other countries to strengthen their national patent laws in order to better defend industry profits.

Learning from the past

This is why I see the U.S.s decision to support temporarily waiving the COVID-19 patents as so significant. It signals a new willingness on the part of the U.S. government to question the supposed sanctity of drug patents and other forms of intellectual property. It also reflects years of effort by reformers to highlight how pharmaceutical patents limit access to drugs in poor countries.

Still, I believe more must be done  and fast. The United States should push for a waiver not just on the COVID-19 vaccine patents, but also all forms of intellectual property that might interfere with the transfer of the knowledge and technology necessary to manufacture these complex products. As others have pointed out, this will not, in itself, be enough to increase global vaccine production. Still, it is a necessary step because the vaccine makers are not voluntarily sharing trade secrets and know-how at sufficient scale.

In my view, we desperately need to move toward an integrated, global system of vaccine development that ensures access for everyone. Whether there is a place for patents in such a system is an open question, but I am skeptical. Physicians in the 19th century believed that patents on medicines interfere with science and harm patients. The predecessors of todays drug industry did as well. It is time for us all to remember that.

This article was updated to indicate that the European Parliament voted to back the patent waiver for COVID-19 vaccines, not the European Union.

This article is republished from The Conversation under a Creative Commons license. Read the original article here: https://theconversation.com/the-us-drug-industry-used-to-oppose-patents-what-changed-161319.
Samsung is expected to bring at least four Galaxy Watch4 wearables, each with different size and battery capacity. Two of the wearables with model codes SM-R885F and SM-R895F have been certified in Thailand under the name Galaxy Watch4 Classic, meaning this is the third different variant weve seen after the vanilla Watch4 and the sporty Watch4 Active.



Samsung Galaxy Watch4 and Watch4 Classic certified at NTBC

The Galaxy Watch3 smartwatches sported a selection of leather, rubber and even titanium bands. We expect the Galaxy Watch4 series' Classic variant to leather straps, while the regular will likely come with fluoroelastomer or silicone bands.

So far we expect at least four different models with model numbers SM-R86X, SM-R87X, SM-R88X, and SM-R89X (X can be a different digit and/or letter for different markets).

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Holiday tradition: Steve Corley prepping to run 50th straight Peachtree Road Race

Special Photo Steve Corley, right, is preparing to run his 50th straight Peachtree Road Race on Sunday. His son Cam Corley, left, has run the 52-year-old race 29 times.

With regard to the Peachtree Road Race, Steve Corley has been there, done that and got the T-shirt more than four dozen times.

When the 52nd edition of one of Atlantas signature summer events takes place this year, the Braselton resident will line up for the 50th consecutive time. And, yes, hes got the T-shirts to prove it.

Ive got most of them, said Corley, whose wife Connie Corley is a longtime Gwinnett County educator and served as principal at Brookwood High School from 1996 until 2002. Ive got 49 of them around here somewhere.

Some of them are threadbare now and others dont really fit, but there are a lot of them Ive only worn one or two times. As a matter of fact, Im wearing the shirt from the 2008 race right now. I must like this one because its just about worn out.

Although Corley, 69, missed the first two Peachtrees due to his active-duty service in the U.S. Air Force, he was well acquainted with the races founder, the late Tim Singleton, who coached cross country at Georgia State University from 1966 to 1972.

From 150 to 60,000

I met Tim Singleton in 1967, when he coached at Georgia State, said Corley, an Atlanta native who went to East Atlanta High School. He would bring his Georgia State team over to Emory University to practice and the track coach at my high school would also take us to Emory for practice.

(Singleton) was always talking about doing something big to promote running and he had put on a race at Fort Benning, but he wanted something bigger that was held during a holiday. This was back in 1967 and 1968.

There were 150 entrants in the first Peachtree, with 110 runners (known forever after as the Original 110) finishing. The event has grown exponentially since those early days, with some 60,000 runners now participating. After last years virtual race, this years Peachtree will take place over two days, with half the field running on Saturday, July 3, and the other half competing on Sunday, July 4.

Corley, who will be running on Sunday, said that in addition to running in his 50th Peachtree, he was equally delighted to be in the field with his brother Ted Corley and son Cam Corley. This will be Cams 30th Peachtree, and Ted, his brother estimates, has run in 28 of the 52 races.

This is a wonderful tradition and is so enjoyable, he said. My brother and my son also do it and theyve hooked into it. The race gives you a goal to get ready for and something to look forward to and prepare for during the year. Although January and February are not my most favorite months for training.

The biggest thing for me is having family and friends join in. I have always encouraged people to join us and there were years when wed take a van full of runners down there on July 4. Its been a remarkable experience.

Cam Corley, 42, who lives in Jefferson, continues to marvel at his fathers stamina and devotion to the event.

Its pretty amazing, said Cam Corley, who was a multi-sport athlete at Central Gwinnett in the late 1990s. I dont know too many people his age that can do what he does. Its inspiring to me  if he can get out and do all this, we all should be able to. Its incredible. I know there are a lot of people who have run in a lot of Peachtrees and I know theres at least one man who has done them all. But I dont know if too many people have done it as many times as he has.

Running with Cam has been remarkable, said Steve Corley, who after the Air Force graduated from Georgia State and then spent 34 years as a chemist with the Georgia Department of Agriculture before retiring. You always want to do stuff with your kids and we have to areas where we really bond  Georgia football and the Peachtree Road Race.

Keeping the streak alive

Although Corley the elder did not bring it up during his interview, Corley the younger said his fathers then-nascent streak was in jeopardy in 1988 after he suffered an injury a few months before the 6.2-mile race.

In February 1988, my dad broke his leg and his doctor was adamant that he stay out of the race that year, said Cam Corley, whose own streak was in peril five years ago after a nasty bout with Lyme disease.

But Dad was bound and determined to keep his streak alive and was able to make it. That just shows his determination to keep the tradition alive.

In the early days of the Peachtree, Corley said, he could traverse the downtown Atlanta course in the high 30-minute range but as he got older and the crowds got bigger his pace began to slow.

When asked about his goal for the 2021 race, Corley said, Im ambitious enough to want to finish under an hour, but Im smart enough to know thats probably not going to be the case. But I still have the goal.

While Corley knows that he cant run forever and the clock is ticking on his Peachtree participation, he looks to 90-year-old Bill Thorn for his own inspiration. Thorn is the only individual to have run in all 52 Peachtrees.

The last one and the next one

I really look up to Tim Singleton, who started this whole thing, and Bill Thorn, who must have been 38 when he ran his first Peachtree, he said. Bill Thorn is the king of the hill.

As far as his own streak is concerned, Corley said hes never thinking about his last Peachtree Road Race. Hes always thinking about his next one.

Its year to year, he said. Today, I feel I could keep going for a while but you never know. Id like to stick around long enough to run with my grandson Baxter, who has run in a few Peachtree Junior races.

He hopes  and I do, too  that our kids will take up running and will enjoy it as much as we do, said Cam Corley. Running is something you can do for the rest of your life, as my father has shown.




Haiti - Insecurity : The subcontracting sector lost 2,200 jobs in one week





Due to the climate of insecurity and areas controlled by gangs, the outsourcing sector again lost thousands of jobs this week.



Wilhelm Lemke, President of the Council of the Association of Industries of Haiti (ADIH) explains in a note dated June 29, 2021, "[...] The Textile industry, the largest provider of jobs in the formal private sector, which lost nearly 5,000 jobs last year, with the closure of 'H&H Apparel SA' in Carrefour, 'Elansia SA' and 'Interamericain Wovens SA' in Port-au-Prince, just lost 2,200 jobs this week. Other factories are at risk of having to shut down their activities in the near future due to insecurity and recurring fuel shortages."



ADIH says it is "[...] alarmed by the pace of the socio-political and economic crisis that the country is experiencing, which is characterized by : the deterioration of the security situation, the lack of dialogue, the gradual loss of control of certain geographical areas including Martissant, Lower Delmas, Cite Soleil, Croix-des-Bouquets, etc... She vehemently deplores these disturbances which plunge the country into unprecedented chaos."



Wilhelm Lemke underlines "[...] for lack of logistical, security and financial means, a number of companies fall into bankruptcy and are forced to dismiss their staff, thus placing hundreds of families in very precarious conditions, aggravating the situation oaf overall poverty in the country. Because the loss of jobs is an obstacle to the economic recovery essential to any sustainable development ."



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Published on 2021/06/29 | Source

Han Sang-jin is starring in the new KBS 1TV daily drama "National Team Wife".

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"National Team Wife" is centered around the district of Gangnam and Seo Cho-hee, a woman who struggles to improve the quality of life with a house and it's a realistic family message with the message that happiness is not about the house but about the family that live in it. Actress Han Da-gam confirmed appearance.

Han Sang-jin plays Kang Nam-goo, a full-time professor and Seo Cho-hee's (Han Da-gam) husband. He became a professor thanks to his wife's devotion and he is an idealist with no sense of reality.

Han Sang-jin starred in numerous dramas such as "White Tower", "Yi San", "Welcome 2 Life", "My Too Perfect Sons", "Marry Me, Please", "Big Man", "Doll House", "Deep-rooted Tree", "Birth of a Beauty", "Six Flying Dragons", "Haechi" and most recently, an independent film called "Buksung-no Hero".

Meanwhile, "National Team Wife" begins filming in July and premieres in September.
Published on 2021/06/30 | Source

Korean movies opening today 2021/06/30 in Korea: "Everglow", "Midnight", "Zombie Crush in Heyri", "The Grotesque Mansion", "Stranger Than The Beyond", "Nineteen" and "Us, Day by Day"

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"Everglow" (2020)

Directed by So Joon-moon

With Go Doo-shim, Ji Hyun-woo, Yang Jeong-won, Jeon Hye-jin, Kim Joong-ki-I,...

Starts filming: 2020/06

Synopsis

"Everglow" is about Jeju's greatest female diver Jin-ok and a documentary producer Kyeong-hoon who comes from Seoul to film her.

"Midnight" (2020)

Directed by Kwon Oh-seung

With Jin Ki-joo, Wi Ha-joon, Park Hoon, Gil Hae-yeon, Kim Hye-yoon, Kang In-seo,...

Synopsis

A life-threatening hide-and-seek between a psychopathic killer and a deaf woman

Kyeong-mi, a girl with hearing impairment lives with her mother. Working at the customer call center, one day she storms out of an unpleasant dinner with the client and drives home after she picks up her mother. Meanwhile, the murderer Do-sik spots Kyeong-mi's mother waiting for her daughter who went to park her car but changes his target when another girl So-jung passes him by talking on the phone. So-jung gets stabbed by Do-sik in the back alley and is found by Kyeong-mi, who ends up becoming Do-sik's new prey.

"Zombie Crush in Heyri" (2020)

Directed by Jang Hyeon-sang, Kim Joon-sik

With Gong Min-jung, Lee Min-ji, Park Sojin, Jo Seung-gu, Kim Joon-sik, Park Myung-shin-I,...

Synopsis

The three women friends struggle to protect a village from the turmoil caused by the sudden appearance of zombies. In the peaceful Heyri Art Village in Paju, three friends: Jin-seon, Hyeon-ah and Ga-yeon, meet at the opening of the Heyri Art Center and, with a beginner Youtuber and a coffee factory CEO, face the zombie crisis.

"The Grotesque Mansion" (2021)

Directed by Jo Bareun

With Sung Joon, Kim Hong-pa, Kim Bo-ra, Lee Chang-hoon-I, Park Sojin, Kim Jae-hwa,...

Synopsis

Horror webtoon writer Ji-woo arrives at a shabby apartment called Grotesque Mansion in search of ideas. The middle-aged caretaker with an expressionless facial expression unravels a bundle of strange events that happened in the apartment, and rooms 504, 708... The more Ji-woo hears the story, the more he becomes obsessed with the Grotesque Mansion.

Mysterious Mansion! Five episodes! A bizarre and eerie reality horror is coming!

"Stranger Than The Beyond" (2020)

Directed by Yeo Kyun-dong

With Yeo Kyun-dong, Joo Min-jin,...

Synopsis

"If death is like this, then death isn't so bad after all"

Min-woo, a film director is in a coma due to an accident. He strangely wanders like a ghost on a desolate embankment road around the new town where he was trying to film.

This place, which may be just his thought or consciousness, was paradoxically a paradise for him, who lived a busy and noisy life. Then one day, he met a man who doesn't remember anything and believes he's dead. Min-woo, who was talking about the fate of those who wanted to make stories of movies and stories, sympathizes with the fate of the dying man at a young age and the two get closer and closer. Min-woo tries to escape with him thinking he might be dead, but he's already getting used to the place and finding peace of mind...

Life and death exist and disappear in an empty place, similar to the afterlife, strange to say that it is not another world, and only a 'story' remains.

"Nineteen" (2021)

Directed by Woo Gyenghee

With Son Young-joo, Jung Tae-sung-II,...

Synopsis

That summer, there was a secret.

So-jeong's monstrous father left home, and that day when her 19-year-old self thought she wanted her mom to disappear, she confronted her dead mother, coughing up blood. Hiding her mother's body in a bathtub, So-jeong escapes to music and begins to stand alone in danger...

"Us, Day by Day" (2019)

Directed by Kangyu Ga-ram

Synopsis

Those feminists of the time, how are you all doing?

Feminism has been the top issue in Korean society in the recent years. Books on feminism have been selling like hot cakes, and the '#me too' campaigns have also been active, accusing sexual violence in various fields, including the art world. At the same time, a strong backlash has developed against feminism. What is it about being a feminist, when the hatred for feminists has become stronger, and the discourse on feminism has become more intense than ever? I wanted to find the answer to the question. I decided to visit the so-called 'young feminist' friends who had been active from the late 1990s to the early and mid-2000s. I hoped to see, through their responses to questions that may not facilitate clear cut answers, their daily lives and thoughts, what it meant to live as a feminist, how the feminist orientation could bring about positive changes in the Korean society. I had also hoped to record a certain phase of history of the Korean Women's Movement.

Kangyu Ga-ram
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Patty and Marvin Cross accept the 2021 Outstanding Ag Leadership Award from Havre Area Chamber of Commerce Agribusiness Committee Chair Andy Kueffler Tuesday during Northern Agricultural Reaserch Center Field Day.

After holding a virtual event in 2020, Northern Agricultural Research Center held its 2021 Field Day Tuesday where staff took attendees on tours to learn about the latest cattle and crop research being conducted at the Montana State University facility, followed by a dinner and awards presentation.

NARC Superintendent and Montana State University Northern Agricultural Research Director Darrin Boss began the presentation of awards by thanking everyone for coming despite the heat, and extending his gratitude to the local ag community for supporting his organization, and him personally.

Boss said he's never more than one phone call and 10 minutes from someone in the ag community who'll help him out with a flat tire, and that is a testament to the quality of their character.

Andy Kueffler, chair of the Havre Area Chamber of Commerce AgriBusiness Committee, presented the awards the first of which was the Outstanding Agriculture Leader Award, given to Marv and Patty Cross who were celebrating their wedding anniversary that day.

Both and have been raising Angus for three decades each. Patty Cross also provides lambs for 4-H participants and Marv Cross loans heifers to students working in ag fields.

The second award, the Outstanding Ag Advocate Award, is given to people who may not be in the ag business, but have consistently supported it and understand it's importance to the state and its people.

This year the award went to the Thomas family including Clyde and his children Brandy and Duke, of Western Trailer & Marine Sales LLC.

"If it wasn't for you guys out here, the farmers and ranchers, we wouldn't be in business," Clyde Thomas said.

Two $1,000 scholarships to MSU-Northern students, chosen by ag faculty, were given to Shawn Manning and Brooke Morris, a pair of ag operations technology majors.

During the dinner Kueffler also pointed out a number of memorials dedicated to important people to the center that have been lost. Specifically he called attention to one memorializing Scott Young, a man he said has done a lot for the ag community and the research center.

During the dinner, Boss thanked the AgriBusiness Committee for another year of great food, the Sasaki family and Lance Johnson for the grills, Gary & Leo's Fresh Foods for the side dishes, Bear Paw Meats, Baltrusch Angus Ranch, Torgerson's LLC, Frontline Ag Solutions, Tilleman Equipment and Big Equipment.

He also thanked federal, state and local representatives for their work and support for the research centers.

Boss also said he wanted to thank the events largest sponsors, including CHS Big Sky; Clausen and Sons; Ezzies Wholesale; Hi-Line Rental; a sponsorship from an unnamed source in memory of retired agronomist and former NARC Superintendent Gregg Carlson, who died in May of last year; Independence Bank; Milk River Insurance; Northwest Farm Credit Service; Stockman Bank, and Triangle Communications.

Vice President of Agriculture, Dean and Director of the Montana Agriculture Experiment Station Sreekala Bajwa, who Boss introduced as a tremendous help to NARC and great person to work with, also spoke at the event.

Bajwa thanked Boss for his work and said it's been a difficult year-and-half but the ag research centers and MSU have exciting things going on, as the research arm of agriculture in the state.

She said the experiment station and facilities like it are continuing their research to keep the ag industry strong and support producers.

She thanked the Montana legislators for their work supporting them and allocating the necessary funds to build new facilities that will help them in their pursuits and keep the industry moving forward towards greater sustainability.

Bajwa specifically wanted to thank NARC's Livestock Research Associate Julia Dafoe for her incredible work this past year.

She also thanked everyone in attendance for their own continued support.

"We can't do what we do without your support," she said.

Boss also thanked the attendees and the speakers, but, most of all, he thanked NARC staff for all of their work.

"We don't pay you very much, we work the daylights out of you, two of your hardest days were this week, it's been brutal on this group," he said. "These are the people who make it happen here every day it's not me it's not anyone else."

After the dinner Boss said he thinks everything went exceedingly well given the circumstances.

"It went outstanding," he said. "Based on the plate count I think we fed almost 200 people, and with three-digit temperatures, I think that's pretty great."

Legislators attend the field day

Among the attendees was Sen. Mike Lang, R-Malta, who said he's been attending the event for years and has 40 years of experience in ag production.

Lang said he serves on the Legislature's Environmental Quality Council and he brought a number of its members on a tour of Montana's ag facilities including attending the field day.

He said one of the drivers behind this was his opposition to a bill that he believes imposes unnecessary and unreasonable standards on ag producers when it comes to soil health.

"The bill was basically getting 15 to 20 academics to tell us how to take care of our soils," he said. "I do not like that bill so I made an effort to make sure it went down."

He said a good friend of his on the council was in favor of the bill and he wanted to show him and other members of the council what agriculture in Montana is all about, and that producers already take good care of the soil which they need to create an economic return for their businesses.

"The bill, in my opinion, was written by a lot of Iowa and Illinois people. We're not Iowa and Illinois," Lang said. "That's why I wanted to start it, because these people did not know about soil health."

He said while many people in the Legislature have some kind of ag background there aren't many with direct experience in production ag and he wanted them to see the good that ag producers do which is why he took them to the event.

He said ag folks don't toot their own horns enough and he wants to give their work exposure with this tour which has stopped at the state grain lab in Great Falls, as well as Montana Milling, Cargill Seeds, and a Fort Benton hemp facility before coming to Havre.

He said he enjoyed the field day and thinks his tour has been successful.

NARC's field day is the first of eight to be held at MSU research centers around the state through July. The university said all field days will be outdoor events and will follow county and Montana University System COVID-19 precautions at the time of the events.
Havre Police Department

Officers issued a written or verbal warning after a caller from a service agency on the 600 Block of Second Street reported at 12:09 p.m. Tuesday that an intoxicated person was being obnoxious.

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After a caller from Second Street at 12:50 p.m. Tuesday reported a fight, officers arrested Grant William Saddler of Box Elder, 56, on a charge of assault.

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Animal control issued a written or verbal warning after a caller from Sage Brush Drive at 1:02 p.m. Tuesday complained about some chickens.

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Officers conducted extra controls after a caller from Second Street Northeast at 10:20 p.m. Tuesday reported people walking around behind the caller's residence.

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Andrea Rose Eagleman of Havre, 43, was arrested on two Justice or City court warrants after she called from a Third Street location at 10:47 p.m. Tuesday and said someone assaulted her.

Hill County Sheriff's Office

Deputies investigated a report of theft made at 11:24 a.m. Tuesday from the 3400 Block of U.S. Highway 2 East.

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Deputies investigated a report made at 1:10 p.m. Tuesday that a storage shed on the 2400 Block of Second Street West had been broken into.

Havre Fire Department

Emergency medical technicians responded to five calls Tuesday.

Havre Animal Shelter

The shelter this morning held three 1-week-old kittens, one seven-week-old kitten, one nine-week-old kitten and two 9-month-old kittens all of unknown gender, three female cats, six male cats and one cat of unknown gender.

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The shelter also held a 26-week-old mixed-breed dog of unknown gender, male 9-month-old mixed-breed puppy, a male and a female 10-month-old mixed-breed puppies, a female 11-month-old mixed breed puppy and two male and two female mixed-breed dogs.

Births

A boy was born June 29, 2021, to Christa Lyons and Michael Henderson of Havre.
From Montana Department of Livestock

HELENA  The Montana Department of Livestock is asking residents to remain vigilant about the presence of feral swine.

Though there have been no confirmed sightings in Montana, populations are spreading and the risk of introduction to Montana is high.

Feral swine are an invasive species that damage crops, pastures, and waterways, and these animals can carry diseases that spread to livestock, people, and wildlife. The biggest risk of introduction to Montana is swine crossing the border from Canada. Though, with at least 39 U.S. states reporting the presence of feral swine, the risk of illegal imports  intentionally introducing feral swine  for the purposes of hunting, is very concerning.

Montanas laws defining feral swine include any hog, boar, or pig that appears to be untamed, undomesticated, or in a wild state, or appears to be contained for commercial hunting or trapping.

Montana Department of Livestock recently has received several calls from Montana landowners reporting suspect feral swine sightings, though all have been determined to be privately-owned animals.

We have been encouraged by the number of calls that we have received, said Assistant State Veterinarian Dr. Tahnee Szymanski with the Department of Livestock. This tells us that landowners understand the threat these animals pose.

While Montana law permits a private landowner or lessee to eradicate feral swine on their land or land under their control  a single attempt at the initial sighting  this has been shown to be an ineffective management option.

Eradication attempts by an individual are unlikely to kill all the animals within the group. Animals that are not successfully eradicated can disperse further onto the landscape and learn behaviors to help them evade further attempts by landowners. Feral swine are also prolific breeders and failed attempts to kill an entire group can lead to exponential growth of feral swine numbers. Such growth has been documented in states and provinces that allow recreational hunting.

Because of the challenges with a private landowner successfully eradicating an entire group of feral swine, and prior reports confirmed to be privately-owned domestic animals, Montana Department of Livestock strongly encourages individuals to call first. Reports can be directed to the Squeal on Pigs hotline at 406-444-2976.

For more information on the Squeal on Pigs campaign, people can visit ihttp://nvasivespecies.mt.gov/montana-invasive-species/squeal-on-pigs .

The mission of the Montana Department of Livestock is to control and eradicate animal diseases, prevent the transmission of animal diseases to humans, and to protect the livestock industry from theft and predatory animals. For more information on the MDOL, people can visit http://liv.mt.gov .
Funds will be used in competitive grant program for processing facilities working toward federal inspection

NOTE: This information was provided by the office of Sen. Jon Tester

U.S. Sen Jon Tester, D-Mont., announced Friday that he secured $55.2 million in competitive grant funding that will provide critical resources for currently operating processing facilities that are working toward federal inspection.

Tester said securing the funding is part of his push to increase local meat processing capacity in Montana and reduce consolidation in the meatpacking industry.

In order to break the stranglehold that large packers have on the marketplace, we have to bolster local processing capacity and increase competition  thats exactly what these dollars will do, Tester said. This program will bring more processors into the national market and help provide some much-needed stability for Montana producers. But we have to do more, and Im going to keep pushing to allow Montanas local meat processors that meet federal inspection requirements to sell across state lines and pass legislation that helps USDA enforce the Packers and Stockyards Act to rein in the big packers and keep Montana ranchers and cow-calf operators in business.

This new funding is available through the Meat and Poultry Inspection Readiness Grant program, which was funded by the December 2020 appropriations package. MPIRGs Planning for a Federal Grant of Inspection project is for processing facilities currently in operation and are working toward meeting Federal inspection requirements. Applicants can be located anywhere in the states and territories, and eligible meat slaughter and processing facilities include commercial businesses, cooperatives and Tribal enterprises. Applications for grants are due Aug. 2.

Last week, Tester, a longtime champion of increasing meat processing capacity, urged U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack to join his push to allow state inspected meat plants to sell across state lines. He also secured a commitment from Vilsack that USDA will address consolidation by creating a revolving fund with low interest loans to fund part of the cost of establishing new packing plants. Vilsack committed that USDA will begin to identify funding streams by this summer.

At the same hearing, Tester also secured Secretary Vilsacks support for his bipartisan Meat Packing Special Investigator Act, which would create the Office of the Special Investigator for Competition Matters within the U.S. Department of Agricultures Packers and Stockyards Division.

The new USDA special investigator will have a team of investigators, with subpoena power, dedicated to preventing and addressing anticompetitive practices in the meat and poultry industries and enforcing our nations antitrust laws. They will coordinate and act in consultation with the Department of Justice and the Federal Trade Commission and create a new bridge between the USDA and the Department of Homeland Security to protect the continuation of the food supply and increase our national security. With a team of dedicated staff, the USDA will have the ability to deeply investigate issues facing producers, safeguard producers by enforcing the Packers and Stockyards Act, and protect Americas food supply chain and national security.
DISH ON DINING: Here's the scoop on new Celtic Creamery

An ice cream shop that has been drawing long lines in Carolina Beach is coming to downtown Hendersonville.

Kim Hogan plans to open Celtic Creamery later this month at 227 Seventh Avenue East in a building that has been a bank, real estate office and, most recently, Hogans Zip Zap Income Tax. Hogan is duplicating a shop her brother, Jeff Hogan, owns and operates at the beach.

Made from a recipe that started in Ballybunion County, Kerry, Ireland, the ice cream is made on site. Flavors currently at the Carolina Beach shop are Voluptuous Vanilla, From the Sea and Bee (sea salt, caramel, and honey), Heath, Mint To Be, Cookies and Cream, Chocolicious Chocolate, Oh No Cookie Dough, Scrumbumptious Strawberry and Irish Butter Pecan. The creamery offers 12 toppings plus lime, bubblegum, vanilla, strawberry, white chocolate, raspberry, chocolate and caramel syrups

The menu also includes seven signature sundaes ($7) plus the $20 Tummy Trembler  six scoops of ice cream over a split banana and surrounded by eight hot donuts and topped with fresh cream, cookie pieces, Oreos, marshmallows, chocolate shavings and hot chocolate. Theres also the Cookie Monster (fresh oven baked cookie covered with ice cream, chocolate shavings and hot chocolate sauce) and cinnamon glazed mini donuts.

Hogan traveled to Ireland to learn how to make the ice cream and last week she took five employees to train at her brothers creamery. Shes supervising the last of the renovation, which includes outdoor tables with umbrellas and a drive-thru window.

Well have 14 flavors at all times and then well have seven or eight the same and switch in seasonal, she said. For peach season, well have peach ice cream.  Im going to manage it until I can find a manager, until tax season starts next year.

Hours are noon-10 p.m. seven days a week.
DSS case worker charged with stealing $80,000 in assistant payments

A former Henderson County social services caseworker was charged last week with stealing more than $80,000 by switching Medicaid assistance payments to her own bank account when a family became ineligible for the cash, according to arrest warrants.

Ryan Marie Dunlap, 43, of Lynwood Circle, faces 24 felony charges in connection with the scheme, which continued for four years, according to the arrest warrants. Dunlap, an income maintenance case worker, was hired by the county DSS on Sept. 23, 2013, and resigned on Oct. 18, 2019, county officials said in response to a public records request.

In 2019, Dunlap's co-workers discovered discrepancies in her work and called for the assistance of local law enforcement. Later, at the request of local officials, Raleigh-based investigators with the Medicaid fraud unit of the SBI and the state Department of Justice took on the case.

"The County is not aware of anyone involved in this matter other than the former employee charged," the county's news release said. "The County fully participated in the investigation, but is unable to provide further information at this time, as this is an on-going investigation."

Dunlap is charged with 12 counts of using a government computer to obtain the money and 12 counts of obtaining the cash through false pretense. Amounts she allegedly diverted from a no-longer eligible DSS client to her own State Employees Credit Union account ranged from $247 to $57,654. When a recipient was due to be dropped from eligibility, Dunlap changed the account's bank routing information to her own account and kept the eligibility intact, arrests records say. The thefts took place from 2015 through 2019, according to warrants obtained by Medicaid fraud investigators Lolita B. Howell of the SBI and Elexa Soriano of the N.C. Justice Department.
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2 sentenced for trafficking methamphetamine out of McDonough, Ellenwood

ATLANTA  Juan Carlos Torres-Carranza and Luis Pineda-Soto have been sentenced for conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute 418.95 kilograms of methamphetamine.

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Kurt R. Erskine, the charges and other information presented in court: On June 1, 2020, Homeland Security Investigations agents began conducting surveillance at a warehouse in McDonough. During the second day, HSI agents saw a semi-tractor trailer arrive at the warehouse. The trailer was then unhooked and the semi-tractor that was pulling the trailer drove off. According to Homeland Security databases, the trailer was taken across the border into the United States from Mexico on May 20, 2020.

While watching both the warehouse and trailer on June 3, agents witnessed Pineda-Soto and Torres-Carranza, driving a pickup truck, and another individual driving a car arrived at the warehouse. Shortly after arriving, all three began working on the trailer over the next several hours, climbing on the top of the trailer, using power tools to remove panels from the top of the trailer, and dropping bundles of drugs from the top of the trailer to the ground. This process continued until 4:45 a.m. on June 3, 2020.

Before sunrise, the three left the warehouse. Agents followed both vehicles until they split up and went in different directions.

At the request of HSI, the Clayton County Police Department conducted a traffic stop on the pick up truck.

While searching the vehicle, police found multiple black trash bags in the truck bed containing a total of 77 bundles of narcotics consistent with the bundles agents witnessed being removed from the trailer. Several of the bundles had cords attached to them, consistent with narcotics that are hidden in hard to reach voids found in semi-trailers, which are used as a method to retrieve the narcotics. In total, the bundles weighed 52 kilograms.

Simultaneously, agents followed the individual in the car to a house in Ellenwood. Agents watched as the man pulled into the garage. He stayed in the home for about 10 minutes, long enough to unload anything stored in the trunk of the car.

HSI obtained a federal search warrant for the house and searched it on the afternoon of June 3, 2020. It was unoccupied and contained no furniture. However, in a closet near the front door, law enforcement found 66 black bundles of methamphetamine similar to the bundles found during the stop of the pickup truck. The bundles weighed approximately 51.45 kilograms.

HSI also obtained a federal search warrant for the trailer located at the warehouse. It was searched on June 4, 2020. Inside hidden compartments in the roof, law enforcement found 446 bundles of methamphetamine similar to those previously seized, weighing 315.5 kilograms. In all, between the three searches, HSI seized 418.95 kilograms of methamphetamine.

The trafficking of large amounts of methamphetamine into and through the Northern District of Georgia continues to be a problem, Erskine said. We and our law enforcement partners are using every tool available to combat this scourge, which breeds violent crime, and presents a major public health risk.

This is a significant amount of poison that thankfully wont reach the streets of our communities and continue to destroy lives, said Special Agent in Charge Katrina W. Berger, who oversees Homeland Security Investigations operations in Georgia and Alabama. Cases like this are only possible because of the hard work and dedication of our agents, officers and law enforcement partners, and I am proud of their efforts.

Torres-Carranza, 28, and Pineda-Soto, 26, both of Michoacan, Mexico, who were both present in the United States illegally at the time of their crimes, were convicted of conspiracy to possess a controlled substance with the intent to distribute on March 22 after pleading guilty.

U.S. District Judge Steve C. Jones sentenced each of them on June 22, to five years, three months in prison for their role in the conspiracy, followed by five years of supervised release.
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Mrs. Beverly Joan Thompson, age 83, of Estill Springs, TN passed from this life on Monday, June 28, 2021, at Life Care Center of Tullahoma. Beverly was born on January 02, 1938, to the late Harry and Olga Skinner in Dayton Ohio. She enjoyed sewing and was deeply passionate about animals wher
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President Joe Biden made a pitch for the $1 trillion infrastructure deal he reached with a bipartisan group of senators in western Wisconsin on Tuesday. The move comes as the White House aims to ease congressional concerns on its passage and a massive spending bill that includes Biden's larger infrastructure goals.

The president visited the La Crosse Municipal Transit Utility before giving a speech about the infrastructure plan, which would bring unprecedented investments in roads, bridges, rail, and clean drinking water according to the White House.

President Biden's choice to promote the new trillion-dollar infrastructure plan during a trip to the Midwest battleground state has been criticized by Republican members of Congress. Biden was chastised by lawmakers for his visit to La Crosse, Wisconsin, where he tried to advocate the new bipartisan infrastructure plan that he had threatened to veto before signing it over the weekend.

Republicans blasted Joe Biden's move

In a press release issued Tuesday, Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wis., lashed out at Biden and said that what the US president "needs to learn and acknowledge today is that Wisconsin employers are finding it almost impossible to hire the workers they need because federal unemployment benefits provide an enormous incentive not to work."

Johnson noted that the United States has recently added $6 trillion to its national debt, which now stands at more than $28 trillion. Additionally, a fiscally responsible infrastructure bill would repurpose the $700 billion in COVID relief spending not currently being used this fiscal year for real infrastructure rather than new entitlements, per Fox News.

In a press release, Rep. Bryan Steil, R-Wis., slammed Joe Biden, saying he hoped the president takes note of the "Help Wanted" signs across the state when he visits Wisconsin. Rep. Mike Gallagher, R-Wisconsin, joined Steil and Johnson in warning that Wisconsin farmers are suffering, expressing his displeasure at Biden's refusal to listen to their concerns to rescue an infrastructure package that he placed at risk last week.

Per The Washington Times, the president also emphasized the $48.5 billion infrastructure plan for public transportation, claiming that it will cut travel times and pollution. The $973 billion proposal, which includes more than $500 billion in increased expenditure over the next five years, will be funded through several sources.

Read Also: Joe Biden Announces Zero Tolerance Approach, Investment in Law Enforcement to Combat Gun Violence, Crime

Democrats embroiled with infrastructure deal

The government plans to divert unused federal unemployment funds from states that have terminated their COVID-19 relief programs, as well as repair tax loopholes. Meanwhile, Democrats are at odds on infrastructure, with liberal senators threatening to vote no on President Joe Biden's compromise package unless it includes a second $6 trillion bill that consists of some of their proposed programs, such as free child care and green projects.

The latest mishap comes after Biden had to backtrack on a Friday remark that enraged moderate Republicans. The GOP was appeased after the president issued a statement on Saturday, assuring them that the bipartisan deal would not be held hostage to a fast-track legislation known as reconciliation.

With enough Republican backing, the roughly $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure plan, which focuses on traditional infrastructure projects, may be enacted by regular Senate order. A second bill, containing human infrastructure things like tax hikes, renewable energy projects, health-care provisions, and child-care spending, would have to go through a reconciliation process.

This permits Democrats to circumvent the Senate's customary 60-vote barrier for passing legislation. Progressive members have threatened to vote no on the compromise proposal unless it is accompanied by a reconciliation measure.

However, for the reconciliation bill to move forward, it would require the support of all 50 Democrats. Senators like Joe Manchin and Krysten Sinema, both moderates, fall towards this group. Manchin has stated that he will support a reconciliation measure, but not at the level of spending proposed by liberals as the sum is getting close to $6 trillion, Daily Mail reported.

Related Article: $1.2 Trillion Infrastructure Plan Receives Bipartisan Support, But Democrats Raise Fresh Concerns



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The United States may complete its troop withdrawal from Afghanistan in a matter of days, according to US officials. The news makes an important week in President Joe Biden's campaign to end the US' longest war even as US military officials caution the country could devolve into civil war. A formal conclusion to the US military retrograde would mark a remarkably swift end to a process that President Joe Biden initiated in April when he commanded the military to leave by September 11.

Behind US troops, they will leave Afghanistan's security forces grappling to defend their nation from a possible Taliban offensive. The still-raging war this week with Afghanistan forces is merely two hours north of Kabul. It is drawing nearer daily.

Before the US Forces Withdraw

According to the top United States military commander in Afghanistan, security across the nation is deteriorating mere weeks before the last American forces withdraw. Gen. Scott Miller stated that recent gains by the Taliban are very concerning, even if unprecedented.

The American top general in Afghanistan on Tuesday provided a sobering evaluation of the nation's aggravating security situation as the US winds down its so-called "forever war." Miller remarked the rapid loss of districts around the nation to the Taliban -- many with remarkable strategic value -- is concerning, reported AP.

For almost two decades, Bagram Airfield was the center of US military power in Afghanistan, a sprawling mini-city behind fences and blast walls merely an hour's drive north of Kabul. First, it was a symbol of the US drive to avenge the 9/11 attacks. Then, it became a struggle for a way through the ensuing war with the Taliban, reported NBC Philadelphia.

Read Also: US Warplanes Retaliate After Sophisticated Attacks by Surveillance-Avoiding Drones from Iran

According to Miller, the country could collapse into civil war following the full American military drawdown. Addressing a press conference in Kabul, he said that civil war is certainly a path that could be imagined and should be a concern for the world.

As many as a thousand US troops could remain in the nation following the formal withdrawal to assist in securing the US Embassy in Kabul and the city's airport, according to a senior administration official. It was not made clear the duration when NATO troops will remain. A defense official said that this week could be important in the withdrawal and end of the retrograde process.

At a small combat outpost in Kapisa Province, northeast of Kabul, a concerned commander led his gunmen toward approaching Taliban combatants. The outpost came under full attack seconds later.

Miller said that in terms of security, the situation is currently not ideal. He also noted that civil war is a possibility the way things are going. He said, "That should be a concern to the world," reported The Wall Street Journal.

Related Article: Pentagon Linguist Sentenced for 23 Years, Gave Her Hezbollah-Linked Lebanese Man a List of US Spies' Names

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Many countries are searching for evidence that the coronavirus strain behind the pandemic leaked from the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). One of the theories is that it found its way to the Wuhan Wet Market that led to worldwide infection, stemming from the first cases in China.

Foreign disease expert finally talks

Anderson was working on bat diseases in the WIV at the time this killer virus had its first infections. No one has talked about what happened then until now, reported the Sun UK.

The Australian scientist was doing research work before the pandemic until November 2019. One month later, Chinese officials reported the presence of the virus. The COVID-19 leak is "possible" during this period said, Danielle Anderson.

Anderson was stationed in WIV's biosecurity level 4 lab, it was equipped to study and handle the worst pathogens. She worked with Dr. Shi Zhengli, one of China's best experts on bat coronaviruses, cites the Irish Sun. This lab was accused to weaponize viruses for biowarfare but it was never proven.

Read also: Chinese Spymaster Dong Jingwei Allegedly Escapes China Bringing Evidence of Covid-19 Lab Leak from Wuhan Institute

The controversy centers on WIV, where the killer virus allegedly escaped from the lab. It took 4 million lives since it was discovered in many parts of the world.

By Anderson's own reckoning, she says it could have leaked, but reserves some doubt about it. Instead, she says that it is more likely of natural origins, not man-made, and supports an investigation to find out the truth.

She spoke to Bloomberg and said the leakage from the WIV is a possible outcome.

The theory that SARS-CoV-2 is made to infect people and released into the world is a pervasive one. Others have offered their own versions of the story, which has been spread by some individuals.

Leak theory

One version says that it was an accident when a scientist was infected during research. Another theory is biological waste that was not disposed of properly, which caused the virus to spread.

Andersons remarked that a researcher in the Wuhan lab getting infected by accident is a long shot. Although it could have happened because she was not familiar with co-workers in the WIV when doing her tasks.

She also made statements that rebuked the notion that scientists caused leaks as claimed by some people. She also dismissed how anyone can say a negative thing about the Wuhan lab. During her interview, Anderson angrily said that US-based social media trolls were threatening her personally, and she made a police report to that effect.

So far, the lab leak theory that was once dismissed as a conspiracy theory is beginning to be taken seriously by scientists. Some sectors claim circumstantial evidence show that the WIV and the SARS-CoV-2 are all linked. No hard evidence for the lab leak has been verified, which leaves natural origins as more than likely.

However, China's alleged cover-ups and denial there was such an accident leak have made nations doubt the sincerity of Beijing's claims.

Governments have called for an investigation to identify the source of the pandemic, including the possibility of WIV being at fault.

Dr. Danielle Anderson added COVID-19 leak is plausible and not impossible.

Related article: WHO Team in Wuhan Finds New Data, Thinks Coronavirus Might Have Escaped from Lab

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Beijing officials are continuing to harass and intimidate pro-democracy Chinese students living in Australia as Australian universities have fallen short of protecting the victims' academic freedoms.

Many of the students who are subject to the threat have become frightened by the intimidation which has only heightened in recent years. The majority of the victims now take precautions with their actions and words in fear of their family members in China being targeted by the government.

Fears of International Consequences

Sophie McNeill, an Australian researcher for Human Rights Watch, authored a report regarding the struggles that Chinese students in Australia have been facing through the years. She expressed her sympathies to the young victims who have felt alone throughout their struggles with no protection from their universities.

Australian universities are afraid of criticism and action from Beijing if they dared to get between the Chinese government and the students, McNeill said. She added that officials decided to just ignore the issues and let the students be by themselves.

Chinese police have previously visited the families of students who were still on the mainland on three separate occasions. They would talk about their children in Australia and ask about their activities, the report said, citing interviews with 24 pro-democracy students from the mainland and Hong Kong and 22 academics at Australian universities, Yahoo News reported.

Read Also: Some US States Set Records as Heat Wave Ignites Major Safety Concerns; Monday Marks the 3rd Day of 100-Plus Degrees

In one instance, Chinese authorities threatened to send one student to prison after he posted pro-democracy messages on Twitter while in Australia. They also confiscated the passport of another student who showed his support for democracy in front of his classmates in Australia, said the report.

Many Chinese students living in Australia have especially been affected by the cases. McNeill added most of the victims were in one-child families who are unable to experience the same level of freedom other youths are able to enjoy due to fears of something happening to their parents in mainland China.

Pro-Democracy Support

The students that the group interviewed expressed their worries, saying that if they were to show their support for democracy the Chinese government would punish or interrogate their families at home. This has forced victims to censor their actions and words while living in Australia, the Associated Press reported.

The Australian government set up a task force and new guidelines in 2019 to assist universities in countering what officials described as "unprecedented levels" of foreign interference from Beijing. Close observation focused on collaboration between Australian and Chinese universities and Confucius Institutes.

Universities Australia, which is a representative group of the country's top institutions, announced in March that universities were well aware of the "confronting reports of intimidation and coercion of students," by the Chinese government.

Catriona Jackson, chief executive of the representative group, said Beijing's actions against Chinese students in Australia were unacceptable. The group stressed out that students had the right to freely express their support for democracy and can debate in their schools without reprimand, BBC reported.

Related Article: Tensions Rise as India Stations 50,000 Troops Along Disputed Border With China

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Authorities reported a massive fire at an industrial site that houses hazardous materials. The emergency prompted evacuations in the Chicago suburbs on Tuesday afternoon.

The Grundy County Emergency Management Agency advised residents on several blocks around 900 Benton St. in Morris, Illinois, to immediately leave their houses. Based on the initial reports, the facility contained lithium batteries.

Industrial fire classified as severe and hazardous

According to the notice, the fire was described as severe and that it posed a significant hazard to life and property. Gray smoke billowed from a structure that could hardly be seen through the haze on helicopter video of the area.

There were no reported casualties as a result of the fire at a partitioned warehouse in Morris that used to be a paper mill, according to Nick Doefler, a spokesperson for the agencies responding to the incident. At around 12 p.m., the fire broke out.

He claimed firemen on the scene were waiting for orders on how to put out the fire, explaining that they couldn't put it out with water since the batteries were inside.

"You can't spray water on it, it's an explosive hazard. We are waiting for additional resources to figure out how to fight it," the spokesperson said, as per The Chicago Tribune.

Morris is located around 68 miles southwest of Chicago. According to Doefler, the order was issued due to concerns about the consequences of inhaling the fire's smoke. He didn't know how many individuals were affected by the evacuation order right away. The cause of the fire has yet to be identified, he noted.

The evacuation comes two weeks after an explosion and large fire at a chemical factory near Rockton, Illinois, near the Wisconsin border, forced hundreds of residents to flee their homes for several days as the fire raged. The June 13 fire, which was sparked inadvertently during maintenance operations according to the investigators, hurt no one at the facility or in the surrounding community.

Read Also: Arkansas Police Officer Dies After Being Run Over, Dragged by Vehicle; Suspects Arrested

The fire caused by Lithium batteries can't be put out by water

According to Newsweek through MSN, Doerfler claimed big commercial batteries were inside a facility that used to be a paper mill, and approximately 40 residences had already been evacuated. Those in need of a place to stay were directed to the Grundy County Administration Building at 1320 Union St., which is being used as a reception center.

Fire personnel is seeking as many foam units as possible to put out the fire, according to Northern Illinois Scanner Incidents (NISI) on social media. Water cannot be used to put out battery fires. The incident was assigned to the Mutual Aid Box Alarm System (MABAS) Foam Task Force.

Breanna Konczal, a 23-year-old nursing student who lives a block away from the danger, described the smoke as smelling like "a bunch of chemicals." She told NBC News, "It smelled very terrible. I was only outside for probably about five minutes and it gave me a headache and it made my throat a little sore." Konczal packed up her cat, two dogs, and kid and drove to her in-laws in Coal City, approximately 25 minutes away.

Related Artcle: Massive Illinois Chemical Plant Explosion Prompts Authorities to Order Evacuation; Causes Environmental Nightmare



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Rebel forces in the Tigray, currently devastated by war, have refused a ceasefire offer from the central government. This raised concerns of further brutality one day following the fighters retaking the regional capital Mekelle. The retreat of Ethiopian government troops and the recapture of the city by Tigrayan combatters on Monday marked a remarkable about-turn in the nation's devastating civil war of eight months.

This prompted street celebrations and forced officials to escape. Residents reported scenes of joy with fireworks and thousands waved flags.

Tigrayan Fighters

Tigrayan fighters have taken control of more territory in the devastated northern Ethiopian region of Tigray. This happened one day after regaining the regional capital Mekelle from retreating federal government forces and vowing to drive all "enemies" out. The military advances and rhetoric cast doubt on whether the unilateral ceasefire announced on Monday by the federal government in Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa would actually lead to a halt in the siege that has recorded thousands of fatalities. This pushed numerous people towards famine conditions and has displaced millions, reported Aljareeza.

Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed, who won the 2019 Nobel Peace Prize, sent troops into Tigray on November 2020 to oust the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF), the northern region's former ruling party. According to him, the move came in response to TPLF attacks on federal army camps. He pledged that victory would be swift, reported France 24.

Upon Mekelle's capture, the Ethiopian government declared a unilateral truce for many months. However, on Tuesday, Tigrayan forces ruled out a ceasefire; a spokesperson for the region's ruling party said their forces would not rest until the Ethiopian military and its allied forces had fleed the whole region, reported CNN.

Read Also: US Troops Near Formal Afghanistan Withdrawal, General Miller: Possibility of Civil War Looms

There had been a recent upsurge in battling between the government forces outside Mekelle and Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF). A quick offensive resulted in the unprecedented recapture of the city by the rebels on Monday.

Ahmed sent troops into Tigray to remove the northern region's former ruling party TPLF. He stated that the move came in response to TPLF attacks on federal army camps. This claim was rejected by the TPLF which accused Ahmed's government and neighboring Eritrea of initiating a "coordinated attack" against it.

On Monday, Ahmed's military experienced a dramatic reversal when rebels known as the Tigray Defence Forces (TDF) reclaimed Mekele, merely about a week after launching a major counter-offensive. They followed that action on Tuesday by entering the town of Shire, around 140 kilometres (90 miles) northwest of Mekele, according to a UN security source and a security assessment document read by AFP.

According to Getachew Reda, spokesperson for TPLF, they will not be part of such a joke in response to the government proposal. He said that the capital is firmly in the hands of their forces.

Related Article: US Warplanes Retaliate After Sophisticated Attacks by Surveillance-Avoiding Drones from Iran

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A spokesman for the firm said the tiltrotor has done its job to show what their offering can do. The US Army is looking for next-gen rotorcraft to replace its aging fleet, especially one that can replace the UH-60 Black Hawk.

Next-gen helicopters

According to June 24 statement by Bell, the Valor will be officially retired from the FLARAA competition, reported Defense News.

The company was chosen to be part of the U.S. Army Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator program, with the prototype flying in December 2017 for its initial flight demo. Over the next three years, it was put through its paces to see if it passes the FLRAA requirements to win the army contract.

Valor was further flight-tested beyond the Army JMR program that was a two-part demo to see how it performs and checking how reliable the tilt rotor is.

So, far Bell has been able to qualify for the second phase of the risk-reduction effort. The goal is to have two initial designs that cover major avionics components and its weapon system, which satisfies all the acceptable performance data that follows the army testing schedule.

The army contract for FLRAA

The final stage for the army's final request for proposal from competing aerospace firms is the official start of the selection from all designs. Bell will go head-to-head with Sikorsky Boeing that made the SB-1 Defiant coaxial helicopter, which was part of the JMR program before. The V-280 Valor Prototype provided the data needed to move to the next stage.

Read also: US Air Force Searching for Army's Next High-Technology Rotorcraft

On its way to choose two new vertical-lift aircraft in 2030, the army has organized this competition to build the winning design. Another category is future attack reconnaissance aircraft, or FARA prototype, to have a design ready by 2022 for the first flight.

Lessons learned from the Valor tilt-rotor

Despite the early retirement of the next-gen rotorcraft, it has tested the technology and showed how to improve on the next offering for the FLRAA competition.

To check how the chopper will do in actual flight, the V-280 had 214 hours with several technical demonstrations of its abilities. They are movement at low speed, long-range characteristics, and going 305-knots at cruising speed. The maximum speed needed to qualify is 230 to 250 knots for the FLRAA requirements, noted Vertical Mag.

Assigned to test the V-280 in 15 flights were five army test pilots flying the tilt-rotor said Bell. All the feedback and information from flights came from those involved in the project and were involved in the design of the prototype.

The company provided the army all the data to explain how their aircraft is designed. One aspect is the modular systems that can be upgraded to make the platform more efficient during its service life.

Ryan Ehinger, the company vice president, and program director for the FLRAA made a statement that mentioned it took eight years to complete the process, from testing to validating all the data related to the Valor project, cited Defense Daily.

He added the final product is reflective of the digital simulations, backed up by real-world performance that shows the army the V-280 is a reliable design. Another Bell executive Keith Flail added the Bell-280 Valor Prototype was necessary to achieve what the army wanted.

Related article: Bell V-280 Valor Reaches 200 Hours Flight Time After Years of Testing

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A new report claims Bill Gates is an office bully who dismissed diversity initiatives as attempts to "destroy" Microsoft. Gates was also reportedly observed lying on top of a woman at a work function.

"Having a meeting with Bill was basically an opportunity to get shouted at, so I tried to avoid it," a former Microsoft executive told Insider on the condition of anonymity, Daily Mail reported

According to the report, Gates would reportedly follow his staff by memorizing their car plates. Certain Microsoft employees who spoke to Business Insider supported Gates, with one claiming that he "yelled at everyone the same" but that she admires his honesty. However, she admits that his managerial style intimidates some people.

Bill Gates rejects diversity ideas from Microsoft employees

Per Business Insider, former Microsoft board member Maria Klawe accused Gates of rejecting diversity initiatives during profanity-filled board sessions in the 2010s. "Are you trying to effing destroy the company?" Gates would reportedly respond when board members proposed exploring more diverse candidates for future leadership jobs.

Other Microsoft employees linked at least some of his unusual conduct to awkwardness. One former CEO said that Bill Gates doesn't know how to laugh or interact with people.

The revelation about Gates' behavior comes as the world's fourth richest man is navigating a tumultuous divorce from his 27-year-old wife. It was not a surprise when Bill and Melinda Gates announced their divorce in May, especially when allegations of Gates' extramarital affairs surfaced.

In 2019, a Microsoft engineer submitted a letter to the company's board of directors saying that she had been in a sexual relationship with Bill Gates, prompting the company's board to launch an internal inquiry. Gates resigned from the board of directors a few months later.

Following the announcement of Bill and Melinda Gates' divorce in May, rumors of his alleged extramarital relationships surfaced, as did worries about the nature of his relationship with convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein.

Read Also: Google, Wuhan-Linked Scientist Peter Daszak's Financial Ties Over Virus Research Could Be One of the "Biggest Scandals"

People blame Bill Gates for Warren Buffet's resignation

On the other hand, Warren Buffett, a trustee who has contributed more than $27 billion to Bill and Melinda Gates' Gates Foundation for 15 years, announced his resignation on Wednesday, June 23. Buffett's exit comes as the foundation struggles to regain its footing following the turbulence caused by Bill and Melinda's divorce.

Even after their divorce, Bill and Melinda have stated that they would continue to manage the foundation together. Buffett contributed half of his Berkshire Hathaway shares to charity, donating a total of $4.1 billion to five charities.

The new announcement comes just weeks after Buffett was chastised for allegedly avoiding taxes, saying he keeps his wealth in Berkshire Hathaway stock and does not pay a dividend. Buffet did not explain his decision to leave the Gates Foundation.

After stories of Bill Gates' behavior at work, questions were raised, as per MEAWW. It was recently revealed that Microsoft Corp. board members decided in 2020 that it was not suitable for Gates, the company's co-founder, to sit on the board as they probed the billionaire's alleged improper romantic relationship with a female Microsoft employee.

Related Article: Bill Gates Has Alleged Affair With Microsoft Employee Before Resigning; Board Members Probed Case in 2019



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The Kremlin said on Tuesday that Russia would not be able to vaccinate 60 percent of its people against COVID-19 by the autumn as anticipated owing to low demand for the vaccine. This comes after the country reported the greatest number of daily fatalities from the virus.

The infectious Delta variant, which they believe accounts for roughly 90% of all new cases, and the unwillingness of many Russians to get vaccinated have been blamed by Russian officials for a recent spike in COVID-19 cases.

Health Minister Mikhail Murashko said at a government meeting that 23 million people have gotten at least the first dose of a two-shot vaccination, while Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said he aims to vaccinate up to 2 million people in the Russian capital over the next six weeks.

Russia's plan to combat COVID-19

On Tuesday, the government's coronavirus task group said that 652 individuals died of the virus in the past 24 hours. Since the outbreak began, Russia has recorded around 5.5 million COVID-19 cases.

Russian health officials said Tuesday that they plan to provide vaccine boosters each year as a herd immunity tactic incorporate new strategies for combating the COVID-19 pandemic in Russia.

The ministry guided the "unfavorable epidemiological situation of Russia" by giving people who contracted COVID-19 vaccine six months after their recovery and stimulating vaccination shots for those who have already received vaccination six months after their first dose, said Mikhail Murashko, Newsweek via MSN reported.

Murashko offered no data to justify the necessity for booster doses six months following the initial vaccination. Deputy Prime Minister Tatyana Golikova, however, referred to "international and Russian studies" to indicate that immunity for individuals recovering from the virus stays on average for six months and gradually decreases after 9 to 12 months.

Russia was one of the first in the world last year to announce and deploy a COVID-19 vaccine, although just a fraction of its 146 million people has ever been vaccinated. Murashko stated that at least a vaccine shot was obtained by more than 23 million, a little over 15 percent.

Russia's vaccination rates have risen in recent weeks, despite widespread vaccine apprehension and limited production capacity, after authorities in many regions made shots mandatory for employees in certain sectors, including government offices, health care, education, retail, restaurants, and other services industries. However, concerns of shortages in some Russian districts followed the surge in demand; and some experts have questioned whether Russia would have enough vaccinations to meet demand.

Read Also: Families and Experts Claim India Undercounted Real COVID-19 Deaths, May Reach 2 Million

Guatemala ask Russia to return money

Guatemalan Health Minister Amelia Flores said on Tuesday that the government has asked Russia to refund money previously paid for doses of the Sputnik V COVID-19 vaccine due to non-delivery amid Russia's aim to vaccinate residents yearly. In early April, President Alejandro Giammattei's government purchased $80 million for the delivery of 8 million COVID-19 vaccines.

According to the administration, it has only received 150,000 of those so far, even though COVID-19 infections in the Central American country have reached an all-time high. Per Reuters, President Vladimir Putin of Russia has bragged about the Sputnik V vaccination all over the world.

In March, he said that the nation struck deals with other countries to produce hundreds of millions of doses. However, Russia generated just a fraction of them; and its monthly output is far smaller than that of Pfizer and AstraZeneca.

However, Russia's Sputnik V vaccination against COVID-19 is 90 percent effective against the extremely infectious Delta variant of coronavirus. According to Straits Times, researchers previously discovered that the vaccine, which Russia has actively promoted overseas, was nearly 92 percent effective against the original type of coronavirus.

Related Article: Oxford University Scientists to Give Ivermectin Drug to COVID-19 Patients, Exploring If It Can Help Them Recover at Home



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At least 85 people, including teens and adults, were confirmed to have been afflicted with COVID-19 after attending a summer camp in Illinois.

The event was held at the Crossing Camp in Rushville, which later caused outbreaks in Schuyler and Adams counties. Among the attendees at the summer camp, only a handful of staff and students were vaccinated against the COVID-19 virus, said The Illinois Health Department.

Additionally, the camp did not implement mandatory face masks for people while they were indoors and did not monitor the vaccination status of those who attended. Due to the outbreak and subsequent spread of infections, the camp's next summer session was postponed, WGNTV reported.

Summer Camp Coronavirus Outbreak

In a statement, IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said most of the 85 individuals found to be infected with the coronavirus were teenagers. She added that despite the perceived risk of the COVID-19 virus on children, even a minor case of the disease could cause long-term health issues.

Ezike warned that children who do not develop severe symptoms are still fully capable of spreading the virus to other people they come into contact with, such as those too young to be vaccinated or those with compromised immune systems.

Several people who attended the camp later visited a nearby conference, causing 11 other cases, 70% of which were among unvaccinated individuals. Schuyler and Adams counties, where the outbreak spread further, only reported a 40% vaccination rate among their residents.

Read Also: Scientists Find an Exotic Mechanism in Cells That Work Like a Spider Web, Trapping Certain Viruses Including COVID-19

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a cooperative effort between the IDPH and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) during a press conference that would assist health professionals with the spread of the disease. They would also work on determining whether any of the cases are from the Delta variant.

Pritzker also asked the public to continue taking safety precautions against the pandemic, especially people who have not yet received their vaccinations. He added residents should use the outbreak as a learning experience of the growing threat of the virus, primarily due to the new variants, which have been observed to be more transmissible than the original.

Continued Threat of the Pandemic

The governor noted that the outbreak seen in the region is a testament to what areas with low vaccination rates are susceptible to amid the pandemic. He added the threat of the disease would only grow unless officials can increase the number of people in the area that get vaccinated, People reported.

The outbreak comes as Illinois reported a higher than the national average rate for vaccinations. Officials reported that as of Monday, the state had 59% of its residents at least partially vaccinated and 46% were fully vaccinated. The national average has about 54% of Americans at least partially vaccinated with 46% getting their full vaccinations, ABC News reported.

The Delta variant has been quickly spreading across the United States, much more in the last month. Federal health experts anticipate the new strain could soon become the dominant COVID-19 virus variant in the country in the coming weeks. During a White House briefing on June 22, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the country's top infectious disease expert, characterized the Delta strain as "the greatest threat in the U.S."

Related Article: New Study: Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines Could Provide 'Years' of Protection Against the Existing Coronavirus Variants



Related Article: New Study: Pfizer, Moderna COVID-19 Vaccines Could Provide 'Years' of Protection Against the Existing Coronavirus Variants

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U.S. forces on Monday became the target of a rocket attack just a day after American troops carried out airstrikes against weapons storage facilities used by an Iran-backed militia group.

The rocket attack targeted an oil field in northeastern Syria where U.S. troops and personnel are based. There are no injuries or deaths reported. Officials are also assessing the damage the buildings sustained from the attack.

"We will provide updates when we have more information," Operation Inherent Resolve spokesman Colonel Wayne Marotto wrote in a tweet Monday afternoon.

Initial report: At approx. 7:44 PM local time, U.S. Forces in Syria were attacked by multiple rockets. There are no injuries and damage is being assessed. We will provide updates when we have more information.  OIR Spokesman Col. Wayne Marotto (@OIRSpox) June 28, 2021

Rocket Attack on US Troops



Marotto later added that U.S. forces returned fire using artillery at the base.The question on who launched the attacks against the U.S. forces in Syria remains unanswered. While no one has claimed responsibility for the attack, footage of the rocket assault was shared on social media channels used by militia groups, The Washington Post revealed.

The rocket attack came after President Joe Biden ordered American forces to conduct "defensive precision airstrikes" on facilities used by the Kata'ib Hezbollah (KH) and Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada. The Department of Defense noted that the airstrikes were meant to stem militia attacks.

"And I directed last night's airstrikes targeting sites used by the Iranian-backed militia groups responsible for recent attacks on the US personnel in Iraq, and I had that authority under Article 2," Biden told reporters following the airstrikes, according to CBS News. "And even those up on the Hill who are reluctant to acknowledge that have acknowledged that's the case."

Read Also: US Troops Near Formal Afghanistan Withdrawal, General Miller: Possibility of Civil War Looms

The move was later condemned by Iraqi Prime Minister Mustafa al-Kadhimi, who urged both sides to refrain from escalation. The Iraqi government later noted that they are exploring possible legal actions to take to prevent another U.S. air raid, according to Reuters.

An Act of Revenge?

Top officials in the U.S. believe the attacks were an "act of revenge" for the airstrikes on militia facilities in Iran and Syria. The point may have been underscored on Saturday after thousands of Iraqi paramilitary fighters marched in the eastern province of Diyala.

During the parade, which was attended by Prime Minister al-Kadhimi, also showcase a wide range of tanks and rocket launches at the disposal of the paramilitary fighters.

Hours before the parade in Irbil province, two drones believed to be linked to Iran militia groups landed a mile from where a new U.S. Consulate is currently being built, the area's governor said.

In February, President Biden ordered airstrikes on several buildings in Syria that Pentagon officials believed to be used by Iranian-back militias. The operation was the first known use of military force ordered by the U.S. president.

The airstrikes on Sunday come as Iran and the U.S. are attempting to revive a tattered nuclear deal. The agreement, which began in 2015, seeks to limit Tehran's nuclear capacity in exchange for sanction relief.

However, former president Donald Trump pulled out of the agreement in 2018 and reimposed crippling sanctions on the country. The sanctions would not only affect Iran, it would also affect other countries that conduct business with it, reported NBC News.

Related Article: Hazardous Industrial Fire in Chicago Forces Emergency Evacuations as Nearly 100 Tons of Lithium Batteries Are Involved

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Myanmar's military authorities on Wednesday said they plan to release 2,000 people from jails across the county, including actors and celebrities who took part in several anti-coup protests.

In Yangon's Insein jail, prison chief Zaw Zaw said he is expecting to release at least 700 prisoners, including some of the thousands of people who were arrested for opposing military rule, as reported by Reuters.

The prison chief said he did not have a list of the names of people being released, but some reports suggest it could include people who previously spoke out against the coup.

Release of Thousands of Prisoners

Rumors began spreading Saturday after several family members of detainees gathered outside the Insein prison. On Wednesday morning, hundreds waited outside the prison's gates in anticipation of release.

News of the release came a day after the government announced it would dismiss all charges against 24 celebrities who were detained for incitement, according to Aljazeera.

More than 5,200 people have been detained since the Myanmar junta ousted the government and detained Aung San Suu Kyi, President Myint, and other top figures from the ruling National League for Democracy (NLD).

The junta, locally referred to as the Tatmadaw, accused the NLD of election fraud after getting a landslide win, even after the election commission rejected the unfounded claims. The military also claimed that Suu Kyi, 76, violated COVID-19 protocols, illegally possessed two-way radios, and incited to commit crimes. Her lawyer has since denied the allegations.

The military then declared a year-long state of emergency and elected Senior General Min Aung Hlaing as the leader.

Following Suu Kyi's arrest, Myanmar residents, including student groups, called for civil disobedience campaigns and banged pots and pans in protest of the military ruling. On Feb. 3, staffers from at least 70 hospitals across the nation stopped working to protest.

Read Also: US Troops Near Formal Afghanistan Withdrawal, General Miller: Possibility of Civil War Looms

Myanmar's Military Junta

On Feb. 4, the junta arrested at least three people who took part in the nation's first street protest against military takeover. The demonstrators brought banned and chanted anti-coup slogans.

On the same day, the United Nations Security Council also urged the military government to release Suu Kyi, members of the NLD party and other residents who were imprisoned for protesting.

On Feb. 6, the junta blocked access to Twitter and Instagram nationwide. According to Aljazeera, the move came after protesters were seen sharing information online. The decision led to a protest against the coup in Yangon and other cities, which was attended by tens of thousands of people.

On Feb. 13, the Tatmadaw suspended laws that banned forces from detaining suspects or searching private properties despite not having court approval. It also threatened to take legal action against people who refused to work. The move later led to further disruption after air and train travel staffers refused to work.

On Feb. 20, the junta opened fire on rallying workers and protesters, killing at least two people. The action was later condemned by Singapore and UK; the latter threatened to take "further action."

On March 3, the junta killed at least 38 people in the bloodiest crackdown since the military took power.



Related Article: Hazardous Industrial Fire in Chicago Forces Emergency Evacuations as Nearly 100 Tons of Lithium Batteries Are Involved

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U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue speaks at an Ag Policy Summit during a visit Wednesday to the Farm Progress Show in Decatur.
Windrose Recovery announces the addition of Positive Sobriety Institute to their family of addiction treatment programs
A voter steps from the voting booth Nov. 6, 2018, after casting his ballot in Doylestown, Penn.
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Writing articles and stories that matter is what I am here to do for the surrounding communities. I enjoy covering local government affairs and human-interest stories with great enthusiasm. Follow me on social media and reach out.
Groundbreaking

30 June 2021

The Alfond Inn at Rollins, the award-winning boutique hotel in the heart of historic Winter Park, has announced that it intends to break ground on a much-anticipated expansion this summer.

Owned by neighboring Rollins College, a private coeducational liberal arts college in Winter Park, Florida, The Alfond Inn at Rollins is a unique luxury property. The hotel directs net operating income to The Alfond Scholars Program and has given away millions of dollars in full scholarships to Rollins College since 2013.

Since the hotel opened in 2013, The Alfond Inn at Rollins has been more than a graceful luxury boutique hotel in the upscale setting of Winter Park. It quickly became a community centerpiece, a popular destination for dining, socializing, meetings and weddings. In fact, the demand has been so great that the expansion was planned to address those increasing needs.

The design for the new wing is in harmony with the original hotel structure, using natural light, a four story atrium, and striking artwork to provide continuity and a seamless transition from the existing space to the new areas. The Alfond Inn's original architect, Orlando-based Baker Barrios Architects, has designed the addition and the interior design is by a joint venture between Baskervill Architects of Richmond, VA and Sheedy / DeLaRosa Interiors of Chicago IL. The general contractor is Balfour Beatty and the project is led by Olympia Development, who also oversaw the design and construction of the original Alfond Inn.

The Alfond Inn at Rollins already has a generous amount of existing and customizable meeting and event space that has made it the social hub of the Winter Park community and the first choice for weddings and C-level meetings. The expansion will introduce even more square footage, with a new meeting room and a new boardroom, providing an additional 2,400 square feet to the existing meeting and functions rooms.

The project will also include the renovation of the existing 112 rooms and suites in the hotel. A renovation of the lobby, the library and bar, and the private dining room has just been completed.

Construction is expected to commence in summer 2021 with a project completion date anticipated for summer of 2023.
Appointment

30 June 2021

Anantara Iko Mauritius Resort & Villas ( https://www.anantara.com/en/iko-mauritius) announces the appointment of its new General Manager, Pascal Bertrand, who brings over 35 years of luxury hospitality experience from around the globe to take the hotel to new heights.

He joins the Mauritius property, which opened in late 2019, to take it forward with his visionary leadership, which he has gained working with international brands in numerous regions.

French national Pascal got a taste for the hotelier life when he started his career in Food & Beverage, as Sous-Chef for Eleven Maple Street Restaurant in Florida. He continued his career in F&B by joining The Ritz Carlton in Atlanta as Assistant Banqueting Manager, followed by The Ritz Carlton Cancun and The Ritz Carlton in Florida.

With qualifications in Hotel Asset Management and Real Estate from Cornell University, Pascal progressed through the ranks of hotel operations before taking his first General Manager position at the Legends Hotel Mauritius, in 2010.
Appointment

30 June 2021

Boston University's School of Hospitality Administration (BU SHA) Dean Arun Upneja, Ph.D., has announced the promotion of Leora Lanz, ISHC, Associate Professor of the Practice and Faculty Chair of the School's Master of Management in Hospitality (MMH) degree program, to Assistant Dean of Academic Affairs, overseeing both the undergraduate and graduate curriculum.

Lanz has been teaching the undergraduate advanced strategic marketing required course for seniors, and the undergraduate and graduate versions of the digital marketing elective since 2015. Since her appointment as Graduate Faculty Chair in 2019, she helped implement the MMH program's three newest concentrations: Innovation & Entrepreneurship, Restaurant Management & Experiences, and Senior Living, which complement the existing concentrations in Revenue Management & Analytics, Real Estate & Finance and Digital Marketing. She also helped with the formalization of the MMH alliance relationship with the ESSEC Business School and its hospitality program in Paris. Additionally, Lanz champions the School's annual Hospitality Leadership Summit, ICON award efforts, the Summer Conversations Series, and supports Dean Upneja's Distinguished Guest Speaker program.

Prior to joining the BU School of Hospitality, Lanz served for 15 years as the Global Director of Marketing for hospitality consulting giant HVS, nine years as Regional Director of Public Relations and Marketing Communications for ITT Sheraton Hotels in New York, and four years as Public Relations Director of the Greater Boston CVB. She also is principal of hospitality-focused marketing and branding advisory, LHL Communications.

Early in 2020, Leora was nominated as a "Business Partner of the Year" for the Massachusetts Lodging Association. In 2019, she was recognized as one of the "18 Women Paving the Way in Hospitality" in the November edition of Lodging magazine. In February 2017, she was named one of the Top 25 Extraordinary Minds in Hospitality Sales and Marketing in the Americas by the Hospitality Sales & Marketing Association International (HSMAI).In April 2017, she was named Professor of the Year by the Student Government of the Boston University School of Hospitality. And in 2010, she earned the distinction as Sales & Marketing Professional of the Year by the New York chapter of HSMAI.

Leora can be contacted at l[email protected].
Press Release

30 June 2021

From mid-June 2021 Indian states started easing COVID-19 induced lockdown in a cautious way to get back to normal. As a result, six major metropolitan areas are forecasted to grow by 9.7% in real terms in 2021 and unemployment rate set to decline by 0.9 percentage points over the last year, says GlobalData, a leading data and analytics company.

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Aditi Dutta Chowdhury, Economic Analyst at GlobalData, comments: Reduced number of new infection cases, falling positivity rate, increasing availability of hospital beds with oxygen along with faster inoculation process have built the confidence among the policy makers to reopen the economy that will gradually boost consumer confidence and demand.

Consumer demand accounted for 57% of the gross domestic product of the country in 2019-20, according to Ministry of Statistics. This will further raise investor confidence and strengthen labor market.

Ms Chowdhury continues: Huge burden of health expenditure during the second wave both at government and household levels might curtail consumer demand in the near term.

Photo: GlobalData Plc

Six major metropolitan areas contributed around 14% to the national economy in 2020. GlobalData forecasts Hyderabad to lead the recovery with a growth rate of 10.9% in 2021, followed by Bengaluru (10.6%) and Chennai (9.9%). Among the worst COVID-19 hit areas, Mumbai is forecasted to grow by 8.7%, Kolkata by 8.8% and Delhi by 9.5%. Labor market status is likely to improve this year over the last year. Unemployment rate is projected to decline in Delhi with 1.7pp, followed by Chennai (1.0pp), Bengaluru and Mumbai (0.8pp), Hyderabad (0.7pp), Kolkata (0.6pp) in 2021. On this backdrop, household consumption expenditure is expected to revive in 2021.

All states are gradually implementing unlocking measures. However, in the wake of delta plus variant and looming threat of third wave of the pandemic, the states are reviewing the new easing measures in a more restricted manner.

Photo: GlobalData Plc

Ms. Chowdhury explains: Lockdown measures helped to reduce the new infection cases drastically in two months. With faster vaccination process, easing of restrictions is key to economic recovery.

The impact of the second wave is quite severe, as the Reserve Bank of India estimated that US$26.5bn output was lost during April-May 2021.

An additional fiscal stimulus of US$83.1bn was announced to assist hospitality sector in June 2021. The first 0.5 million overseas tourists will be welcome free of visa charge to revive the demand of the sector. As financial support to the sector, a 100% loan guarantee scheme will be available to travel agencies and regional tourist guides. In addition, beneficiaries from other COVID-19 affected sectors such as power and broadband infrastructure will avail schemes.

Ms. Chowdhury concludes: The additional stimulus will definitely increase the financial burden of the government but will provide fillip to sectors such as tourism and hospitality, which are key employment generators of the country. However, the economic revival of the cities might get delayed if any further restrictions are imposed due to the emerging COVID-19 variants.
Opinion Article

30 June 2021

2020 had a significant impact on a myriad of industries across the globe, and yachting was no exception. As a sense of hope arises amidst the current pandemic and a new normal manifests, the future is perceived as unpredictable; yet one thing that resonates is that 2021 will be a year of change. When it comes to the world of superyachts, were seeing greater attention paid to the world that surrounds us; were seeing quality of trips prioritized over frequency; were seeing privacy valued more than ever before  the list goes on.

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Superyachts become a must-visit destination in itself

Superyachts are the most expensive asset a UHNWI can own, surpassing residential property investments, private aviation, high jewelry, and exclusive collectibles. 2020 has become one of the most flourishing years for the yachting industry, with top records in yacht sales and unprecedented increase demand in yacht investment. Yacht owners realized that owning their intimate sanctuary, providing a private, safe and nurturing environment - offering exceptional backdrops and service that is second to none - is what a superyacht is ideally placed to do. Hence, yacht owners have been less likely to sell their yachts, leading to a significant increase in the asking price for superyachts.

Charting is on the rise among Millennials

The younger generationMillennials are tending towards charting a superyacht rather than owning, finding its origin in the sharing culture and economy we currently experience. If the trend towards private vacations continues, then yacht charter should see a rebound faster than other tourism areas. The ability to control your environment, ensure everyone in your holiday bubble is tested, and likely be vaccinated will make yacht charter ever more alluring and secure in the coming months.

Conversely, it has also been widely proved that value in the possession and consumption of luxury brands has also to do with the ability to extend ones self - charting a superyacht offers a great mental escape for transcendence.

Explorer yachts will continue to rise in popularity

One knock-on effect of the Covid-19 pandemic may well be a more pronounced rise in less shore-centric cruising - away from the typical yachting hotspots as St. Tropez and Capri - towards new undiscovered regions in the north as Greenland or Iceland. Yachting enthusiasts today are seeking to explore remote locations, combining yachting with philanthropy and aiming for a purpose and transformational-based experienceevoking and awakening this inner spirit of discovering something new and unseen.

Sustainability and the Superyacht trend

Sustainability has matured into a proper standard in the yachting world as it is continuously redeveloped to find an eco-friendly way, reducing carbon emissions and environmental impact. The Yacht Club of Monaco, co-founder of the Superyacht Eco Association with Credit Suisse, has developed the SEA Index, a tool which allows Superyacht Owners and their Captains to evaluate a yachts carbon emissions, effectively accompanying them in their transition towards more energy efficient propulsion systems onboard. At the forefront of the sustainability trend are more conscious and light materials used in yacht interior design and new innovations for fuel, i.e., hydrogen discover more in this article.

Superyachts: an obsession with customization and personalization

Superyachts represent the epitome of personalized luxury assets, from outstanding quality in design and materials used to bespoke tailor-made on-board servicesyachts offer an unlimited array of dimensions to personalize to please everyones taste bud. A great charter itinerary can be tailored to include everything guests desire.

First-time charter clients may dip their toe in the charter experience looking for a new way to travel that is reassuringly private, or they may be ready to book the trip of a lifetime to feel free again after the many lockdowns. The need for uniqueness is a strong driver for luxury consumption, as luxury goods inherent scarcity transforms then into an effective tool for those attempting to display uniqueness to others. Self-customization can also contribute to enhancing authentic consumers pride.

Learn more about the pillars of luxury hospitality.

Given these current trends and the increased share of yachting within the luxury industry, the Yacht Club de Monaco has identified the opportunity to once more position themselves as Capital of Yachting.

The EHL Alliance founding member Yacht Club de Monaco is pleased to offer a new bespoke training program to foster new talent for the luxury yachting industry. The dedicated La Belle Classe Academy compromises various tailored all-encompassing modules all year round, ranging from Art-of-dining to basic safety via navigation techniques.

The Yacht Club de Monaco has identified the continuous increase in service standards and complexity of quality on superyachts cruising our oceans. Situated in the principality of Monaco, the Yacht Club stands for the most renowned and exclusive destination for state-of-the-art service and quality, indeed the capital of yachting.

The newly designed Yachting Masterclass aims to immerse its participants into the world of yachting, an introduction to every profession from yacht design to yacht building, brokerage, marketing, etc., enabling participants to gain a 360 vision of the entire yachting industry. To triumph within the metier of yachting, aspiring professionals ought to have a thorough and up-to-date understanding of the forces and frameworks that drive and shape the yachting industry and the essential subjects and leadership skills needed in globally competitive organizations.

To equip the future generation of yachting professionals with all relevant skills and know-how, the Yacht Club de Monaco, in collaboration with Marcela de Kern Royer, the course director, created the Yachting Masterclass.

View the program

"We continuously challenge ourselves to be innovative and be pioneers in what we offer" - Bernard DAlessandri, General Secretary of the Yacht Club de Monaco.

EHL student experience.

Ryan M. Laver, EHL Alliance ambassador for the Yacht Club de Monaco since May 2020, had the honor of being invited to Monacos principality for a summer internship.

I was delighted in having the pleasure to be invited to the Yacht Club de Monaco for an immersion into various departments. This summer internship has granted me to engage myself within the Members Relations department of the Club, which acts as the Clubs soul, ensuring uncompromised contentment and enchantment of all members. As part of this immersion, I discovered the tailor-made creations at the Yacht Clubs Boutique and the personalized and dedicated services offered to our members in the marina. The expertise and passion inspired me in going above and beyond in crafting unique moments for each member of the Yacht club de Monaco.

This experience has evoked my genuine passion for crafting unique and memorable experiences and emphasized the relevance of cultivating an authentic and personalized relationship with each member. I wish to extend my sincere appreciation to the entire Equipe at the Yacht Club de Monaco and Mr. DAlessandri to welcome me to the Yacht Club de Monaco and allow me to be part of this unique spirit."
The Houston company Tellurian is inching closer to building a $16.8 billion liquefied natural gas processing and export complex along the Gulf Coast, boosted by growing demand for natural gas, shrinking supplies and rising prices.

The company on Tuesday said it extended its lease with the Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District for the 477-acre site on which it plans to build the Driftwood LNG terminal. The ground lease agreement has an initial term of 20 years with extension options of up to 50 years.

Tellurian is still working to line up enough LNG contracts to secure financing for the project. So far this year, it has reached an agreement on two long-term contracts to sell a combined 6 million metric tons per year to commodity trading firms Vitol and Gunvor. Tellurian is seeking to secure contracts for a total of 15 million tons per year before giving the project the final go-ahead.

"I'm certain that in the next few weeks that we'll have some additional commercial agreements," said Tellurians co-founder and executive chairman Charif Souki.

SHORT SUPPLIES: There isn't enough natural gas to calm a global price rally

Tellurians forward momentum represents a rebound for a company whose future seemed uncertain last year as the coronavirus pandemic led to a collapse in energy demand. Tellurian, which was founded in 2016 and has yet to begin processing and exporting LNG, laid off more than 40 percent of its 176 employees in March 2020 as analysts and investors worried about a worldwide glut of LNG.

The market, however, turned late last year, and with a colder than normal winter in many parts of the world, natural gas supplies are tight and prices are rising. The Energy Department expects 2021 Henry Hub spot prices to average $3.07 per million British thermal unit this year, up more than 50 percent from the lows of 2020.

Analysts said that Tellurian is in a better position than a year ago and the probability that the Driftwood project will get built has increased. But, analysts said, securing low-cost natural gas supplies and project financing still pose challenges to the company.

While Tellurian is gaining some momentum, along with the LNG market more broadly, there are still quite a few hurdles to clear, said Michael Webber, managing partner at the New York research firm Webber Research Advisory.

Driftwood, scheduled to be completed in 2026, would have the capacity to process and export a total of 27.6 million metric tons of LNG per year. The terminal would have 20 processing units, or trains, with a capacity of about 1.4 million metric tons per year each. The project would be built over four phases.

Tellurian will spend the next six to nine months preparing the site for construction by the global construction and engineering firm Bechtel. Construction could begin in the first quarter of 2022.

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There's a critical need for additional natural gas on a global basis today, Souki said. So I think the basic item would be mostly how fast can Bechtel build.

The growing demand for natural gas has spurred Tellurian to expand its own natural gas production. Tellurian in April returned to the gas-rich Haynesville shale on the Texas-Louisiana border and resumed drilling after a 2 1/2-year hiatus. Tellurian projects it will increase revenues from natural gas production to about $8 million a month this year from $3 million a month in 2020.

The company also applied to the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission through its subsidiary Driftwood Pipeline to build and operate a 37-mile pipeline near Lake Charles, La.

Souki, who founded Tellurian with Martin Houston, the former chief operating officer of British natural gas giant BG Group, said he has dealt with doubters before. He said he confronted many of them when he founded and led the Houston company Cheniere Energy, now the leader in the U.S. LNG industry.

There are always skeptics. Its not the first time, Souki said. But it doesn't matter. That's how the world turns.

marcy.deluna@chron.com
Mark Mulligan/Staff photographer

U.S. crude inventories decreased by 6.7 million barrels last week, pushing oil prices higher Wednesday.



The nations commercial crude inventories decreased to 452 million barrels during the week ended June 25 from 459 million barrels the previous week, the Energy Department said Wednesday.

CRUDE: OPEC+ debates potential oil-output boost before big meeting



With the inventory decrease, the country has about 6 percent less crude on hand than the five-year average for this time of year, the Energy Department said.



Gasoline inventories increased by 1.5 million barrels last week and are about 0 percent below the five year average for this time of year. Jet fuel inventories decreased by 0.4 million barrels last week.



Refineries took in an average of 16.3 million barrels a day last week, some 187,000 barrels per day more than the previous period, the Energy Department said. Refineries operated at about 92.9 percent of capacity. Over the past four weeks, refineries have produced 9.1 million barrels a day of gasoline, about 10.7 percent more than during the same period last year, when much of the nation was shut down amid the pandemic.
Rolfe Johnson isnt one to enter into a decision lightly. After all, he practiced corporate law from 1964 until his retirement last year.

When he received a call saying he was a candidate for a new Alzheimers treatment  an aducanumab infusion approved in June by the Food and Drug Administration  he began investigating.

I did my lawyers work on it, he said. I asked a lot of questions. Whos sponsoring it? Whos behind it? Whos making which claims?

But the more Johnson, 82, looked into it, the more promising the treatment seemed.

The main thing was I placed a lot of trust in my doctor, he added. He recommended me for two other trials that went well.

COVID HELP DESK: : The ultimate guide on vaccines and viruses

And one thing he knew for certain, not treating his Alzheimers diagnosis would lead to further deterioration.

His past trials with Dr. Paul Schulz, neurologist at UTHealth Neurosciences and Memorial Hermann-Texas Medical Center, included plasma therapy and an immunotherapy infusion, which Johnsons wife, Carol, said seemed to arrest further Alzheimers progression.

But those studies are over and no longer available, Carol said. This is the next big thing  and its just an answer to prayer.

Johnson agreed to sign up for the medication, which is administered monthly through an IV.

Since the drug is not yet covered by Medicare or commercial insurance, Memorial Hermann is funding this single-patient pilot for six months in collaboration with UTHealth so the hospitals can gain experience before its widely covered.

Without coverage, the infusions could cost about $56,000 a year.

On June 23, Johnson became the first person in Texas to receive the medication.

It was a huge moment, Schulz said.

Searching for a treatment

Johnson was first diagnosed with Alzheimers five and a half years ago, after exhibiting typical symptoms like memory loss  repeating questions and forgetting details.

I was not remembering things from recent conversations, Johnson explained. Thats the sort of thing people begin to notice.

He was connected to Schulz, who in addition to being a neurologist, is a professor of neurology at UTHealth and director of the Memory Disorders and Dementia Clinic at McGovern Medical School.

Right away, Schulz recommended Johnson enroll in trials, and the neurologist said that Johnson did well in each one.

He graciously recommended me for this latest one, Johnson said. Im the guinea pig for this, and Im pleased and privileged to have the opportunity.

Schulz said that when patients help with trials, it provides valuable information and insight into the neurodegenerative disease.

Were all trying to find something, Schulz said. And were very grateful to our patients willing to do this work with us.

Selecting Johnson for the pilot was, in part, to thank him for his prior service, Schulz explained.

Johnson hopes his participation can help pave the way for more options for individuals with Alzheimers. He has friends who are also struggling with the disease.

Im hopeful that if this works, its one that a majority of them could use, he explained.

First in 18 years

Schulz has spent almost four decades investigating neurodegenerative disease, searching for ways to detect and treat dementia.

Alzheimers is a tough disease to watch, he said of the disease that progressively robs patients of their abilities, eventually resulting in the loss of life. According to the FDA, Alzheimers is the sixth-leading cause of death in the U.S.

On HoustonChronicle.com: He was told his brain tumor was inoperable. But these Houston doctors proved otherwise.

No treatment can stop Alzheimers devastation or march forward for patients, Schulz said.

They dont ever come in and say theyre stable, he said. How painful is all of that to watch in a loved one?

Age increases the rate of diagnosis of the disease affecting 6 million Americans, Schulz added.

When youre 60, its 1 percent. Then it doubles, he said. By age 85, it affects about one-third of people.

A lot of people are living that long now, Schulz added. While advances have been made in heart disease, cancer and stroke, the same is not true of Alzheimers.

Theres this elephant in the room called Alzheimers that increases in risk the longer we live, he said. That motivates us to do more studies to try to find a treatment.

When the drug, marketed as Aduhelm by biotech company Biogen, was approved by the FDA on June 7, Schulz felt like a leap forward had been made.

I couldnt help but get tears in my eyes, he said. Its a big deal.

Dr. Patrizia Cavazzoni, director of the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research at the FDA, wrote in a statement that this is the first therapy approved for Alzheimers disease in 18 years.

More importantly, she added, the prescription is the first aimed at the underlying cause of Alzheimers  beta-amyloid protein that builds up into plaques in the brain.

The clinical trials for Aduhelm were the first to show that a reduction in these plaques  a hallmark finding in the brain of patients with Alzheimers  is expected to lead to a reduction in the clinical decline of this devastating form of dementia, she wrote.

Urgent need for treatments

Still, there remains a cloud of controversy around the treatment. Two phase 3 trials did not yield the same results, according to Cavazzoni.

There has been considerable public debate on whether Aduhelm should be approved. As is often the case when it comes to interpreting scientific data, the expert community has offered differing perspectives, Cavazzoni wrote.

Still, aducanumab was approved under the FDAs accelerated approval pathway, reserved for drugs that provide a meaningful therapeutic benefit for a serious or life-threatening illness.

Despite concerns, Cavazzoni explained that there is significant evidence that aducanumab reduces the amyloid beta plaques in the brain, which can predict important benefits for individuals with Alzheimers.

The FDA is requiring Biogen to follow up with clinical trials on Aduhelm. If the drug does not prove beneficial for patients, it will be removed from the market.

But hopefully, we will see further evidence of benefit in clinical trial and a greater number of people receive Aduhelm, Cavazzoni stated.

Schulz too plans to continue to assess different treatments for Alzheimers.

Aducanumab could be one option of many as new technologies develop, he explained.

It showed efficacy and was safe, he said.

Still, the drug only works for patients who are not fast progressors.

It didnt stop the disease, but it slowed it down, Schulz said. In the meantime, we will continue to do other trials.

A step forward

Schulz said that aducanumab infusions can eliminate amyloid plaque in the brain.

If we infuse for a year, we show a dramatic effect, he said. The scan comes back negative. You can see that with bare eyes.

Once amyloid plaques are wiped out, they are slow to reaccumulate.

I think were on the right track, and we are seeing positive results, he said. It gives me confidence to keep moving forward. Hope is a part of it. This first step is huge.

Since aducanumab works best in the earliest stages of Alzheimers, Schulz has wondered: Why wait until symptoms appear?

This summer, there are trials planned for pre-symptomatic individuals  relatives of those with Alzheimers, between the ages of 60 and 80, who have amyloid plaque but no current signs of memory loss.

We dont wait until someone has a heart attack to start checking their cholesterol, he said.

The idea of being proactive with Alzheimers is the best possible outcome for Johnson. He worries about others with the diagnosis.

Its a rare disease that gets passed from generation to generation, said Johnson, who was adopted but learned through 23andMe that both his birth parents died from Alzheimers.

The thing is that Alzheimers can tear up the mind and disrupt families, he said. Thats been my concern all along.

He is aware that aducanumab will not restore his lost memory.

But it suspends the deterioration. Thats the hope, Johnson said. The idea that it might not get worse is very appealing. For me, its as good as a cure.

Lindsay Peyton is a Houston-based freelance writer.
International Women in Engineering Day began in 2014 as a campaign from the Womens Engineering Society. The event attempts to raise the profile of women in engineering and focus attention on the career opportunities available in the industry.

Now, INWED has grown into a global campaign, with virtual activities and webinars to celebrate the day, June 23, that everyone throughout the world can participate in.

KINGWOOD INSIDER: We are launching a hyper-local newsletter this week

The Houston Chronicle reached out to the Uptown engineering firm Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc to highlight three accomplished women engineers. The engineers are Christine Kirby, P.E., Senior Associate and Project Manager, Kelly Shipley, P.E., Associate and Team Leader, and Melissa Mack, PE., Vice President and Principal.

Q: What inspired you to become an engineer?

Kelly Shipley: Growing up, I loved math, physics, and problem-solving. I also loved to build things. When deciding on a career path, I chose engineering because I wanted to do something that could merge all these together.

Christine Kirby: I was 15 years old in the 10th grade, and it was career day at my high school. A chemical engineer came and gave a presentation for my class. When he talked about solving complicated problems and finding solutions to make the world better, my eyes lit up. I knew from that very moment that I was meant to be an engineer. Before that, I knew nothing of the engineering field or any of the various disciplines. I never imagined myself in a career like engineering and couldnt really picture what it would be like. As a kid growing up in the 1980s and 1990s, I did not know of any females pursuing similar careers. But I knew that something involving problem-solving and helping people was right up my alley.

Melissa Mack: I was born in Belize City, Belize. My dad was an engineer in Public Works and my mom a teacher. She went back to Jamaica to finish her teaching degree when I was about 2, so it was my dad and me for a while. He bought me tons of trains and train tracks and boy toys, and I loved it. Growing up, he and I would fix cars together. From a little girl, I knew I was going to be an engineer.

Q: What is your engineering specialty focus? Did you start your career in that area?

KS: My engineering specialty is Civil Engineering, which Ive practiced since graduating from Texas A&M University.

CK: As part of my class assignment, I had to choose a career to research, write a report and give a presentation. I knew it had to be engineering, but I wasnt sure about the specific field. I was eager to learn about other options that were out there. My dad took me to the local library, and I read about the other engineering fields. What seemed to fit me the best was civil engineering. When I was a senior in high school, I applied to a few different universities. As soon as I stepped foot in the college classroom, I knew I was in the right place. There was an environmental and water resources subset to the civil engineering program, and that is where I set my focus on. When I was ready to graduate with my degree, I was eager to enter the workforce. I interviewed with LAN and got hired on with their large diameter water transmission main group. It has been 21 years, and I am still working in the team. In an ever-changing industry, there are always new challenges to take on. To me, there is no greater purpose than helping to ensure that people have access to clean, safe, potable drinking water. Being a part of this team at LAN has fulfilled my dream of solving problems while helping to make the world a better place.

MM: My specialty is water engineering. I started as a mechanical engineer working for an aerospace company in Phoenix. While it was an exciting field, I realized after a year I didnt have the same passion for aerospace as my counterparts. I wanted something I felt had a more direct impact on people.

Q: What design or testing projects are most memorable for you?

KS: The projects that are most memorable to me are the Menil Drawing Institute and the Clear Lake City Water Authority Exploration Green Detention Facility. As a teenager growing up in Houston, I spent a lot of weekends visiting the Menil campus going to the museum and grabbing coffee with friends. So, it is a place that is dear to my heart. Being able to collaborate with the Menil Foundation and all the consultants that contributed to the design and construction of the Drawing Institute was an honor. Exploration Green is probably the largest scale project that Ive worked on in my career so far. It is such a unique project that mixes stormwater detention with a nature preserve. I love that I helped build something that will improve the lives of residents in the Clear Lake community by protecting their homes from flooding. The project also gives a space for these residents to be able to immerse themselves in nature right outside their backdoor.

CK: My favorite projects to work on are pipeline rehabilitation projects. Each one comes with unique challenges and requires thinking outside the box. A recent project I managed was a coating rehabilitation project for above-ground large-diameter water lines. There were layers of complexity, including accessibility, how to remove the old coatings, and which new coating systems would be most compatible and provide the longest lifespan. Finding ways to renew and extend the life of our existing infrastructure is vital, and resiliency is the goal.

MM: My most memorable design project is the City of Conroes surface water improvements project. It was the first multi-million dollar project I was responsible for as project manager, and the first project I was able to work on from the conceptual planning phase through final commissioning, putting the new utilities in service. Definitely had my lessons learned and sense of great achievement with the City and our engineers.

Q: What challenges do women face as engineers?

KS: Engineering is a challenging profession regardless of gender. As a woman engineer, I have faced challenges with people who have a bias towards women, but I have found the best way to deal with that is to show them that I am more than capable of handling whatever situation I am faced with.

CK: When I began my studies as a college freshman, I was told that only one out of three females graduated with an engineering degree. I made a promise to myself that I would be that one in three. I cant say it was easy, and Ill admit it was a little intimidating when I found myself as the only female in one of my classes. Quite frankly, I still find myself in those situations today. Women in STEM careers, engineering fields included, have faced monumental challenges in the pursuit of success. Some of the biggest ones are inherent biases and arbitrary barriers. After more than 20 years in the industry, Ive seen and experienced both. Firms in the industry have made some progress, but still have a ways to go when it comes to improving culture. Diverse leadership means diverse perspectives, and a company only stands to benefit.

MM: You name it, we face it. Balancing family and work, sexism, being heard, being considered too aggressive. We will all face challenges. The major things to remember are, while cliche, a challenge truly is an opportunity, no one ever promised life would be easy, believe that things will work out, and find a good support team.

ryan.nickerson@hcnonline.com
EASTMAN, Ga. (AP)  Four people have been arrested for trying to set fire to a fast food restaurant in middle Georgia.

Insurance Commissioner John King announced Tuesday that the four Eastman residents had been charged following an investigation into a May 22 firebombing of a Captain D's restaurant in the town.
JOINT BASE ELMENDORF-RICHARDSON, Alaska (AP)  The solemn task of sifting through rocks, twigs and ice to find human remains as small as a fingernail continued this month on a glacier north of Anchorage, nearly 69 years after all 52 members of a military transport flight were killed when the plane slammed into a mountain.

Wreckage from the plane was spotted by the Alaska National Guard in 2012 during a training mission, setting up annual trips by military officials to recover remains of the crew and passengers of the C-124 Globemaster, which was en route from Fort McChord in Washington state to Elmendorf Air Force Base in Anchorage when it crashed in bad weather on Nov. 22, 1952. By the time a search party arrived about two weeks later, the plane was covered by deep snow and couldn't be located.

From previous recovery missions, 43 people on board the flight have been identified using DNA, dental records or fingerprints, officials said Tuesday at a news conference to discuss results of this years effort.

Crews on Saturday finished the two-week search at Colony Glacier with the intent of providing closure to more families.

They recovered over 460 bags of remains and nearly 100 bags of personal effects, said Capt. Briana Quintana, lead planner and ground forces commander for the mission. She is with Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations based at Dover Air Force Base in Delaware, where the remains and artifacts will be returned for analysis.

The remains and personal effects were in good condition, likely due to the glacier, Quintana said.

Theyre being preserved pretty well in the ice, she said.

Katherine Grosso, a medical legal investigator with the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System, said crews working on Colony Glacier, nearly 50 miles (80 kilometers) east of Anchorage, have noticed it is "really dynamic, that it changes rapidly, daily.

As we participate in this mission from year to year, we find that not only does the pitch of the glacier change, but the type of material that you find on it changes, she said.

They saw a lot of silt, mud and really small portions of rock, which makes fragments of remains difficult to find, he said.

Its required a little bit more of finesse to be able to recover those, Grosso said. However, "were still finding that were able to recover quite a bit of material.

Among the personal items found on the glacier from the wreckage were two playing cards, the seven and queen of spades; a pair of shoes; a 1944 map, apparently of the Anchorage area; and two chess pieces.

These were chosen for display at the news conference because they showed the everyday items that military members on board moving from Washington state to Anchorage would have, and there was no personal identifiers on them, said the deputy planner for the mission, Capt. Lyndi Minott, also stationed at Dover.

Also found was a camera, but there was no film inside. Minott said they found film on the glacier, but it didnt contain images.

Of all the personal items recovered this year, the camera struck a chord with Minott.

Thats only because my father takes a lot of photos and loves to document our lives, she said. To have a personal effect like that found was an emotional experience.

Next year will mark the 10th anniversary of the wreckage being spotted at the toe of Colony Glacier, 12 miles (19 kilometers) downhill from where the plane hit Mount Gannett. When asked how long the military will continue to search for remains, Quintana, this years mission leader, said that decision would be made by those who outrank her.

I can say with some confidence that as long as we are finding remains out on the glacier and we have people yet to identify and bring home, we will keep looking, she said.
BERLIN (AP)  Most European troops have already pulled out of Afghanistan, quietly withdrawing months before the U.S.-led mission was officially expected to end  part of an anticlimactic close to the forever war that risks leaving the country on the brink of civil war.

Germany and Italy declared their missions in Afghanistan over on Wednesday and Poland's last troops returned home, bringing their deployments to a low-key end nearly 20 years after the first Western soldiers were deployed there.

Announcements from several countries analyzed by The Associated Press show that a majority of European troops has now left with little ceremony  a stark contrast to the dramatic and public show of force and unity when NATO allies lined up to back the U.S. invasion to rid the country of al-Qaida after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

In the ensuing decades, the war went from one mission to another. Former U.S. President George W. Bush's administration shied away from nation-building and the United Nations advocated a light footprint. But with the passing years, NATO and U.S. troops took on greater roles developing Afghanistan's National Security and Defense Forces and training police. At the war's peak, the U.S. and NATO military numbers surpassed 150,000.

NATO agreed in April to withdraw its roughly 7,000 non-American forces from Afghanistan to match U.S. President Joe Bidens decision to pull all American troops from the country, starting May 1.

Biden set a Sept. 11 deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops. But more recently, American officials have said that pullout would most likely be completed by July 4  and many allies have moved to wrap up their own presence by then as well.

NATO declined to give an update Wednesday on how many nations still have troops in its Resolute Support mission. But an analysis of 19 governments' announcements shows that more than 4,800 of the non-American forces have left.

The U.S. has refused to give troop figures, but when Biden announced the final pullout, between 2,500 and 3,500 troops were deployed. As of February, a total of some 832,000 American troops had served in Afghanistan, while about 25,100 Defense Department civilians had also served there.

The U.S. has also refused to give a clear date for a final withdrawal.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday only that the U.S. withdrawal remains on the timeline that the president announced ... which is to get our troops out of Afghanistan, while having a remaining diplomatic presence on the ground, by September."

Germany announced the end of its nearly 20-year deployment in a statement and a series of tweets from the defense minister late Tuesday, shortly after the last plane carrying its troops had left Afghan airspace.

Three transport aircraft landed at the Wunstorf air base in northern Germany on Wednesday afternoon. The troops, wearing masks, lined up on the tarmac for a brief ceremony, but the military dispensed with a bigger reception because of the coronavirus pandemic.

We have worked long and hard to stand here today, said Brig. Gen. Ansgar Meyer, the last commander of the German contingent. As your commander, I can say for you: Mission accomplished. You have fulfilled your task.

But the top American general in Afghanistan gave a sobering assessment Tuesday, warning about the recent rapid loss of districts to the Taliban and cautioning the country could descend into civil war.

The German pullout came amid a spate of withdrawals by European nations. Polands last departing troops were greeted Wednesday by Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak. Some 33,000 Polish troops have served in Afghanistan over the past 20 years.

The last Italian troops from Italys base in Herat arrived at the military airport in Pisa late Tuesday. Italy officially declared its mission in Afghanistan over in a statement Wednesday, with Defense Minister Lorenzo Guerini paying tribute to the 53 Italians who died and 723 who were injured over the past two decades.

Going forward, Guerini said Italys commitment to Afghanistan would remain, beginning with the strengthening of development cooperation and support for Afghan institutions.

Georgias last troops returned home Monday, while Romania brought home its remaining 140 troops Saturday, when Norway also pulled out. Troops from Denmark, Estonia and the Netherlands also returned home last week. Spain withdrew its last troops on May 13, Sweden on May 25, and Belgium on June 14. The small contingents deployed by Portugal, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Finland, Albania, North Macedonia and Luxembourg have left as well.

The pullout is nearing its end as security in Afghanistan worsens. Since May 1, when the withdrawal began, the Taliban have overrun district after district, including along major transportation routes. Many have fallen after Afghan soldiers surrendered, often convinced to leave their posts by elders. But elsewhere there have been bitter military battles, with Afghan troops sometimes losing when their positions could not be resupplied.

The U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Austen S. Miller, meanwhile, expressed concern about the resurrection of militias, which were deployed to help the beleaguered national security forces but have a brutal reputation for widespread killing.

A civil war is certainly a path that can be visualized if this continues on the trajectory its on right now, that should be of concern to the world, he said.

At a ceremony last week to mark the official end of the Dutch deployment, Dutch Defense Minister Ank Bijleveld-Schouten underscored the uncertain outlook.

We see reports of the rise of the Taliban, growing violence, also in areas where we were stationed, she said. A lot has been achieved but we must be realistic: The results are not irreversible.

___

This story has been updated to correct that Italian troops arrived home late Tuesday, not Wednesday.

___

Gannon reported from Kabul, Afghanistan. Associated Press writers Nicole Winfield in Rome; Mike Corder in The Hague, Netherlands; Robert Burns in Washington and reporters from around Europe contributed to this report.
State environmental regulators are resisting taking any new actions to comply with federal rules requiring management of haze at certain national parks and wilderness areas, arguing that theyre already on track to meet visibility goals.

But advocates and researchers criticized how the state reached that conclusion. They argue that regulators are missing a critical chance to reduce air pollution that not only contributes to hazy skies but also can be harmful to human health.

Texas Commission on Environmental Quality members on Wednesday unanimously approved a staff recommendation not to put in place new emissions controls. Staffers say reducing pollution at sites they believe may contribute to haze  such as coal-fired power plants  is unreasonably expensive, ineffective and unnecessary.

Commission chairman Jon Niermann said prior to the vote that the federal law is about aesthetics, not health.

If were looking at visibility, theres no question that Texas plan is reasonable, Niermann said.

The federal regional haze rules are meant to restore natural visibility at specified areas by the year 2064. But TCEQ staff note that other policies already regulate pollution, and that human-generated haze is improving in all but one of the nearby federally protected places.

We think that this plan will continue to show improvement at those [protected] areas within Texas and then those areas outside of Texas that are impacted, said Walker Williamson, senior project manager for the agencys air quality division, in an interview.

Not everyone agrees with the states analysis.

To figure out if more should be done, TCEQ staff studied the effects of human-caused pollution on places they believe Texas facilities could be affecting, including Big Bend and Guadalupe Mountains national parks, plus areas in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Arkansas.

Researchers looked at facility site emissions, distances to protected areas, air monitoring at those places and patterns of how the air moves pollutants. They identified 18 sites where emissions reductions could help make skies more clear.

Michael Ciaglo, Staff Photographer / Houston Chronicle

But to reduce emissions down at those facilities could cost $200 million a year, they said, for a benefit so small that people wouldnt notice the difference.

The National Parks Conservation Association believes TCEQ missed dozens of other sites in Texas that potentially affect views  and visitor experience  in federally protected areas.

Among those they believe were wrongly left off? NRGs coal-fired power plant in Fort Bend County.

Getting this right especially matters to advocates because the pollutants that cause haze (sulfur dioxide and nitrogen oxides, which combine with other things in the air to form fine particulate matter) also harm human health.

Coal-fired power plants, as well as carbon black and calcining facilities, are among the locations known to release those pollutants; fine particulate matter can affect heart and lung function.

NRG did not provide a response Tuesday.

This is really a chance for TCEQ and the state of Texas to take care of Texas and Texans by clearing the air over our national park sites but ultimately also our communities, said Cary Dupuy, regional director for the National Parks Conservation Association, who oversees Texas.

For Steve Brown, a resident in Sienna who works on funding clean-energy projects, it was a missed opportunity to get that WA Parish Plant in Fort Bend cleaned up  or shut down. He sees its high-reaching stacks when he drives home on the toll road.

That plant, Brown argued, does not contribute to a healthy society.

Mark Mulligan, Houston Chronicle / Staff photographer

TCEQ staff pointed to other rules that are expressly designed to protect human health. But even while Texas meets the standard for fine particulate matter, researcher Dan Cohan believes the state should and could do more to improve air quality.

We would better protect health if we could bring our PM levels even lower, like we would with this regional haze rule, said Cohan, an atmospheric scientist at Rice University.

The proposal is the second iteration of whats known as the regional haze state implementation plan. The first plan, which was submitted in 2009, remains tied up in legal and policy wrangling with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

The EPA will get 18 months to review this second plan, which addresses a planning period through 2028. If the EPA rejects it, Texas has two years to submit a revised plan, spokesperson Jennah Durant wrote.

Otherwise, the EPA would hand them a federal one to follow.

emily.foxhall@chron.com

emily.foxhall@chron.com | Twitter: @emfoxhall
DOVER, Del. (AP)  Delaware lawmakers on Tuesday approved a whopping $1.3 billion capital budget for construction, transportation and economic development projects, almost double the current years budget.

The spending plan is $460 million more than the record $894.4 million capital budget that Democratic Gov. John Carney proposed in January. It also dwarfs this years $708 million capital budget.

The capital budget, commonly referred to as the bond bill because it authorizes borrowing for construction projects, received unanimous approval in the Senate and a single dissenting vote in the House.

With state revenue estimates having skyrocketed since last years overly pessimistic forecasts, lawmakers appropriated $692.3 million in general fund cash to the capital budget, more than double the $260.5 million in cash proposed by Carney.

This record-setting bond bill will get Delawareans working, said Rep. Debra Heffernan, a Wilmington Democrat and House co-chair of the joint capital budget committee.

The budget, which now goes to Carney, includes $386 million for roads, bridges and other transportation projects, $229 million for school construction, $131 million for new Family Court facilities in Kent and Sussex counties, and $90 million for conservation and environmental projects. It includes hundreds of millions more for everything from prison and libraries to parks and economic development projects.

While supporting the budget, some GOP lawmakers expressed concern about the process for approving $70 million for pet projects requested by individual lawmakers through the community redevelopment/reinvestment fund.

We have a bunch of cash, and so it goes to the bond (bill), and it becomes just a big pile of come and grab it, for us 62 legislators in here for the projects that we care about in and around our districts, said Republican Rep. Jeffrey Spiegelman of Clayton. Im not sure thats necessarily the healthiest way of doing this.... I think, structurally, were just not set up to handle a flush of cash like we have now in a way that is more of a fiscally responsible manner.

Rep. Lyndon Yearick, a Magnolia Republican, was the only lawmaker to vote against the budget.

Theres no doubt that everybody in this body is going to benefit from this bill, present company included.... Weve given back zero to Delaware taxpayers in any tax relief, said Yearick, who noted that lawmakers also tacked on an additional $221 million in one-time spending for various projects in the states operating budget for next year.

One persons pork is another persons stimulus, he said, adding that many Delawareans who lost their jobs or saw their businesses closed last year because of the pandemic are still suffering.

Before addressing the capital budget, lawmakers last week approved a record-high $4.77 billion general fund operating budget for the fiscal year starting Thursday. That represents an increase of almost 5% over the current years budget and roughly $65 million more than what Carney had recommended. The $221 million supplemental budget bill for one-time expenditures brings the increase over the current years $4.5 billion operating budget to more than 10%.

Despite the significant increase in spending, lawmakers were able to set aside almost $223 million to add to a reserve fund that Carney created for budget planning purposes in 2018, bringing the current balance to $286 million. The reserve fund is separate from Delawares $252 million rainy day fund, which has never been tapped.
Author and activist Tony Diaz on Tuesday was talking to his undergraduate students about critical race theory.

He hadnt really set out to do so, he told me. The course is composition and rhetorical analysis. But the students had other ideas.

In fact, young people are now asking about critical race theory, Diaz said.

And this is terrain he knows well. In 2010, Republicans in Arizona passed a law banning schools from teaching classes promoting ethnic solidarity, among other things  a measure targeting a popular Mexican-American studies program at a Tucson high school. Diaz, along with friends and supporters of his KPFT radio program Nuestra Palabra: Latino Writers Having Their Say, responded by organizing a Libro-Traficante Caravan, to smuggle books back into Arizona.

This, to me, is a total callback to the ban of ethnic studies in Arizona. Theyve just updated the strategies, he told me. Its been 10 years in the making.

Leaders in Texas and other GOP-led states have in recent months been subsumed by panic over critical race theory  a hitherto obscure approach to legal and cultural analysis, predicated on the salience of systemic racism in United States history.

The movement in question is modern, though not new; it emerged in the wake of the civil rights movement. And the academic concept is not necessarily what Republicans are objecting to when they use the phrase critical race theory. On the right, at least, the term has become a bit of a catchall for any of the painful but necessary conversations Democrats would like to have related to race.

The goal is to have the public read something crazy in the newspaper and immediately think critical race theory, Christopher Rufo, a senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute, tweeted in March, to the exasperation of liberals who had been accusing conservatives of doing just that.

In any case, here we are. And Texas has not escaped this trend, unfortunately. The Legislature in May passed a measure, House Bill 3979, restricting what public school teachers can say in the classroom. Its author, state Rep. Steve Toth, said the goal was to protect students from critical race theory.

At a time when racial tensions are at a boiling point, we dont need to burden our kids with guilt for racial crimes they had nothing to do with" said Toth, a conservative Republican who represents the Woodlands.

Join the conversation with HouWeAre: A newsletter on race, identity and culture in one of America's most diverse cities

Other Republicans know a good hot-button issue when they see one.

More must be done, Gov. Greg Abbott said after signing Toths legislation. He said he would add the issue to his call for a special session of the Texas Legislature set to begin July 8.

He also signed a measure, House Bill 2497, to create The 1836 Project  a committee to promote patriotic education and increase awareness of the Texas values that continue to stimulate boundless prosperity across this state.

U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz, meanwhile, has introduced a measure, the END CRT Act, that would bar federal funds from flowing to fund any federal workplace training referencing the theory, which he describes as inherently bigoted.

In a similar vein, U.S. Rep. Dan Crenshaw, a Republican who represents the 2nd Congressional District in Harris County, has been sounding the alarm about CRT and similar ideas infiltrating the military. Along with U.S. Sen. Tom Cotton, an Arkansas Republican, he set up a website for whistleblowers last month.

Enough is enough, Crenshaw harrumphed on Twitter. We wont let our military fall to woke ideology.

Whats a shame about all of this is that Texas Republicans could have taken a different path  could have chosen to show the world that in this diverse state, at least, conservatives can engage with our history forthrightly, and fearlessly.

The 2018 debate over Mexican-American studies is an excellent example of them doing so. The odds were seemingly against the advocates who brought their case to the State Board of Education, which is controlled by Republicans. At first, several were openly skeptical of the idea of teaching ethnic studies in Texas public schools.

But the discussion that ensued was a real one, thanks in part to the thoughtful leadership of Republican Donna Bahorich of Katy, then the board chair. And the results were startling: the board voted unanimously to create a new course, in Mexican-American studies, as an elective in Texas public schools. The board approved a second ethnic studies elective course, in African-American studies, the following year.

This year, state Rep. Christina Morales, a Democrat who represents southeast Harris County, led a push to let these courses count towards high school graduation requirements.

Culturally relevant courses go far beyond the classroom in cultivating a generation of leaders who will diffuse cultural conflicts early on, Morales wrote in a January op-ed for the Houston Chronicle. These same thinkers can also build a Texas where all our contributions are recognized, respected, and celebrated.

The measure ultimately died of neglect in Lt. Gov. Dan Patricks Senate, but it did pass the House with bipartisan support  a beautiful fact, Diaz noted.

We can either let national soundbites tear us apart, or we can sit down and work across party lines to deliver the best education we can for our students, he observed. On top of it, it would have been a great moment for Texas to lead the way.

Thats right. Theres no shortage of ugliness in Texas history, of course, and no denying that some of that ugliness persists to the present day. But its also the case that any student of state history will learn about men and women defined by their courage, independence, and their commitment to working together for the good of the greater community.

Those are Texas values, and the leaders who want schoolchildren to uphold them should strive to do the same.

erica.grieder@chron.com
A man has been sentenced to life in prison in the death of a Houston auto shop owner who was decapitated with a machete, officials said.

After deliberating for less than an hour, a jury in the 184th Criminal Court of Harris County on Tuesday convicted Raymond G. Jackson of murder in the death of 58-year-old Enayatolah Khorsand, according to the Harris County District Attorney's Office.
Google maps

Police are investigating the death of a patient at a Kingwood hospital who died last weekend after a defibrillator caught fire, officials said.

Denise Asaro, 69, was being treated at HCA Houston Healthcare Kingwood, located at 22999 Eastex Freeway, when she went into cardiac arrest in the early morning hours of Saturday, according to the Houston Police Department.
Looking up from the side of the sci-fi superstore, a 19-story hotel looms large against the sky.

In the comic book version of events, the towering Crowne Plaza River Oaks is the corporation posing a threat to righteousness. Sitting below is Third Planet, a Houston icon and home to a gang of superhero artists and customers.

The shop thrives for decades in the face of adversity. Among the worries is a stream of projectiles from the neighboring skyscrapers fire escape - ceramic mugs, cigarettes, plates - that hit with a CRASH, FLOP, BOOM onto the roof of the much smaller blue building.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Crime Stoppers tipster charged in death of 5-year-old Samuel Olson

Then, the onslaught reaches its zenith. In March 2019, at least 14 metal fire extinguishers pummel down and rip holes in the ceiling. BLAM.

And this isnt just a story drawn for the pages of a comic - Third Planets attorneys say it all happened. When rain came over and over through the ruined roof and destroyed scores of prized books, store owner T.J. Johnson had had enough. He filed a lawsuit in February against the hotel and its parent company, enlisting a team of illustrators to literally draw out the saga for the people hes fighting in court.

The result is a colorful piece of litigation that seeks to attain justice for the plucky shop that has remained famous in Houston and a landmark for sci-fi fans across the country.

The irony that this out-of-state corporate entity and corporate owner would actually try to bury, literally bury, Third Planet, is upsetting, the stores lawyer, Cris Feldman, said. And its an insult to Houston.

The attorney for Crowne Plaza and its owner Pacifica Companies has been contacted for comment.

In a legal response to the lawsuit, the attorneys denied any wrongdoing. They also argued they werent responsible for the actions of third parties - the tenants allegedly throwing items at the store.

The defense lawyers referred to those unknown tenants as John Does and said they alone are responsible for the criminal acts, according to their response.

The hotels attorneys added they felt Third Planet's "comparative negligence" contributed to the damages to the store.

Houston history

Johnson hears the same refrain often: Ive passed by your store for years.

With its cerulean paint and a likeness of the Incredible Hulk on its side, Third Planet is hard to miss. And its in what the owner considers a prime location on the Southwest Freeway feeder road, close to Kirby Drive.

After opening at a different location in 1975 and moving to its current spot in 1988, Third Planet is believed to be the longest running independently owned comic bookstore in the nation, according to the lawsuit.

Feldman likes to point out that the superstore is about as H-Town as it gets. Over the years, it has become a place where a community of artists can gather, a place where young kids and adults alike can escape into their imaginations. Deep friendships have formed between customers, and celebrities such as Yao Ming and Michael Jackson have walked through the doors.

On HoustonChronicle.com: Houston boarding home owner with history of violations charged in tenant's death

The store has survived hurricanes, construction on the feeder that limited access to the store, and neighbors who tried to buy it out, Johnson said. In Houston, where Johnson has seen history erased, thats an accomplishment, he said.

Round here there are only a handful of stores that have been here as long as I have, Johnson said. I have customers who have been here 40 some odd years, and their kids are bringing their kids now.

That history is also a point of contention in the lawsuit. In court documents, Pacificas attorneys said they want Third Planet to remove paragraphs of the litigation detailing the community value of the store, calling the content inflammatory.

Johnson has meanwhile made no progress in speaking with the hotel on his own, his lawyer said. He made a number of reports to the hotel about the damage to his shop, and theyve done nothing, he alleges in the lawsuit.

The owner, who is 71 on Thursday, often takes matters into his own hands. He climbs on the roof without a ladder and patches the holes in the roof himself, his friends said.

Feldman commissioned four of those friends  illustrators and long-time customers at the store  to contribute to the lawsuit. Along with the standard text, the team drew a narrative thats included in the court filing. They chose a late 70s and early 80s style to show the longevity of the shop, they said.

The process took two months and involved working with attorneys on a lawsuit  something none of the four had experienced.

This store means a lot to me, artist Michael Charles said, adding, It was really different from anything else Ive ever done.

Participating in the creation of the comics was special for Feldman, too, who grew up coming to Third Planet himself.

Having the opportunity to work with these guys has been a blast, but its been even better because ultimately its being done to hold a bad corporate neighbor accountable, the attorney said. To know that were going to see some justice in this at the end of the day is what makes the collective effort so cool.

samantha.ketterer@chron.com
One hundred sixty days is an eternity to wait for your name to be cleared.

That is how much time passed between Jan. 21  the afternoon Dr. Hasan Gokal learned from a television crew at his doorstep that he had been charged with stealing doses of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine  and Wednesday, when a grand jury declined to indict him.

Gokal said he wonders why his former bosses at Harris County Public Health and the district attorney put him through this. And whether his reputation will ever recover.

People see the first part of it, and dont see the follow-ups, and the first impression sticks, Gokal said. It makes me wonder, is this something Ill have to keep explaining to people the rest of my life?

The doctor, health department and prosecutors largely agree on the facts of what happened: On Dec. 29, Gokal was in charge of a Harris County vaccination site in Humble. Around 6:30 p.m., when the site closed for the day, there was an open vial of the Moderna vaccine containing about 10 doses that would expire in six hours.

Gokal offered the leftover doses to health workers and police on site; all declined or already had been vaccinated. So Gokal improvised. He used contacts in his phone to find eligible, elderly patients and drove to deliver the doses to them. He gave the final shot to his wife, who has a serious lung condition, after 11 p.m. He logged the patients into the states vaccination system the next day.

The health department fired Gokal the following week, alleging he had violated department policy. A county spokesman said Gokal instead should have returned unused doses to the departments headquarters, where they could be re-allocated.

Gokal said there was no guidance for vaccine distribution at that point, and that the priority communicated by state health officials was to get vaccines in arms. He mulled whether to file a wrongful termination suit. His firing was not known publicly.

That changed Jan. 21 when Gokals 16-year-old son opened the door for the television crew, who wanted to interview his father about the criminal charges. What charges? Gokal wondered. No police officer or prosecutor had ever interviewed him about any investigation. He did not have a defense lawyer.

He had been accused of one count of theft by a public servant, a misdemeanor; prosecutors assigned a value of $135 to the vial of vaccine, District Attorney Kim Ogg told reporters Gokal had abused his position to place his friends and family in line in front of people who had gone through the lawful process.

Gokal was stunned.

Theres no way to describe when someone texts you a tweet with your name on it, with the words criminal charges filed, Gokal said. Everything I had worked for was disappearing in front of my eyes within minutes. And it was surreal.

January was the deadliest month of the pandemic in the United States. Vaccines were hard to obtain and reserved for the elderly and medically vulnerable. The charge against Gokal sparked headlines from England to Turkey to China. The world wanted to know: What kind of doctor would do this?

Gokal wanted to know the evidence of his supposed crime. A few days later, so did County Court-At-Law Judge Franklin Bynum.

Bynum on Jan. 25 dismissed the charge, saying prosecutors had submitted a sloppy affidavit that had not established probable cause. He blasted the district attorney for even bringing the case, which he said sought to criminalize a doctors documented administration of vaccine doses during a public health emergency.

Gokal felt vindicated, for about three hours. The district attorneys office announced the same day it would instead bring the case to a grand jury. Originally, prosecutors had hoped to do so by February. The weeks turned into months.

The hospitals where Gokal has admitting privileges told him not to return until his case was resolved, leaving him unable to work. He volunteered at a clinic and spent more time with his three children. They could see their father was struggling, he said.

Gokal felt at the lowest point in his life. His brother, a lawyer in California, expressed worry about the mental toll the case was taking.

The Houston Chronicle asked the health department for the policy Gokal violated; the county declined to provide it, citing the ongoing criminal case. Privately, prosecutors offered a different explanation to Gokals lawyers. In an email obtained by the Chronicle, an assistant district attorney wrote that no written vaccine distribution policies existed on the day the doctor supposedly stole the vial.

Some good news came for Gokal in March, when the Texas Medical Board determined he had done nothing wrong. Ogg, however, still planned to convene a grand jury.

Gokals lawyer, Paul Doyle, was perplexed. If the medical board had any suspicion Gokal had committed a crime, they would not have cleared him, Doyle told the Chronicle in March.

Prosecutors finally presented their case on Monday and Wednesday, Doyle said. Jurors were unconvinced there was enough evidence to charge Gokal.

Oggs office issued no press release with the news Gokal had been no-billed as it had when announcing the initial charge in January. In a statement, Ogg said she respected the grand jurys decision.

Evidence, not public opinion, is the guiding principle of our work, she said.

Oggs spokesman, Dane Schiller, pushed back against the notion that prosecutors were seeking an indictment.

Their job is to present all the evidence and let the grand jury vote on whether or not it believes a criminal charge is appropriate, Schiller said in an email.

Doug Murphy, a past president of the Harris County Criminal Lawyers Association, said that is not how prosecutors approach grand juries in practice.

Obviously the DAs office felt there was something there when they took the highly unusual step of presenting a misdemeanor case to a grand jury that usually only investigates felonies, Murphy said. Two days of testimony is far beyond a typical grad jury presentation, especially for a case that was already dismissed.

Gokal said he still cannot make sense of why prosecutors pursued him so doggedly, going so far as to subpoena phone records. He said his focus now is to recover from the ordeal with his family, and expressed gratitude for messages of support he has received from strangers around the country.

Its sort of restored my own faith in humanity, Gokal said. It made me think I went into medicine for the right reasons. And I hope other physicians will continue to stick by their moral compass for making decisions that are hard.

zach.despart@chron.com
City Council on Wednesday is expected to consider an ordinance that would enact 18 percent in raises for firefighters by July 2023, though the fire union said the measure still would not offer assurance of the pay increases they long have sought because Council could amend or repeal the ordinance at any point.

The proposed raise includes a 6 percent pay bump already approved as part of the citys fiscal 2022 budget, which takes effect Thursday

Under the ordinance up for consideration Wednesday, firefighters also would see their base salaries rise by 6 percent in fiscal 2023 and 2024, meaning first-year firefighters, who currently make $43,528, would earn a $51,842 annual salary by July 2023, according to the city.

On HoustonChronicle.com: City appeals firefighter collective bargaining case to Texas Supreme Court

Mayor Sylvester Turner announced the raises in May but has yet to ask city council to approve any pay increases beyond 2022. Since Turners announcement, the fire union has continued to call on the mayor to implement the raises through a contract, arguing that is the only way to make them binding for future years.

Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association President Marty Lancton reiterated that Tuesday, and again criticized Turner for funding the pay raises through federal stimulus money. The mayor has said it will be up to his successor to find a funding source for the firefighters raises once the stimulus money runs out.

As we have been saying all along, it is nice to have the temporary pay bump, but this money will go away, Lancton said in a statement. In the meantime, firefighters are still working without a contract. The law is the law. It does not change simply because someone does not want to follow it.

Turner spokeswoman Mary Benton did not directly respond to an inquiry about whether anything could prevent City Council from amending or repealing the ordinance before fiscal 2024, when the final raises would kick in. She said Turner would prefer to reach an agreement through a new contract, citing a tentative 9 percent raise Turner recently announced for the citys municipal employees.

Ideally, the city would implement the pay increase through contract instead of ordinance, Benton wrote in a statement. For instance, the HOPE/municipal employees contract will be handled separately. But because there is no contract with the firefighters union, the city will implement the pay raise through ordinance to ensure the firefighters get a long overdue pay increase.

Turner has been locked in a pay dispute with the firefighters for most of his tenure, dating back to 2017 when the fire unions most recent contract lapsed. The mayor has said he is going around the usual negotiation process because the firefighters elected not to come to the table for collective bargaining, though union officials have pointed out that Turner has turned down multiple requests to settle the dispute through arbitration, a remedy offered under Texas law governing fire and police labor relations.

Under state law, firefighters may ask a state district judge to set their pay if their public employer declines to settle a contract impasse through arbitration by a third party. The city has argued it is unconstitutional for judges to determine the firefighters pay without firmer guidelines for doing so, an argument that was rejected by a state appeals court in May. The city appealed the decision to the Texas Supreme Court last week.

Richard Carlson, an employment law professor at South Texas College of Law in Houston, has said he is unaware of anything under state law that prohibits Turner and city council from unilaterally granting the raises outside of collective bargaining.

On HoustonChronicle.com: After gloomy outlook amid pandemic, Houston budget emerges from COVID unscathed - for now

In the private sector, which is governed mainly by federal law, it would generally be illegal for the employer to say I dont care about collective bargaining, I will simply decide to give you a raise, here it is. Because that would undermine the collective bargaining process, Carlson said. But these are firefighters who are not governed by federal law. They are governed by state law, which has many fewer regulations of the bargaining process.

David Van Os, a San Antonio labor attorney who has represented that citys fire union, said it amounts to union busting for Houston to give firefighters pay raises without going through negotiations or other methods of resolving labor disputes prescribed by state law.

If the city can unilaterally change the wages, then it's nullifying collective bargaining, Van Os said. It's a union busting tactic to make the union look impotent in the eyes of the employees whom the union represents.

District A Councilmember Amy Peck, who unsuccessfully proposed to enact the raises through an amendment to the citys fiscal 2022 budget, said she would support the pay increases Wednesday despite concerns they could be modified down the road.

I would rather see it go through their contract, which is the way it's typically been done, Peck said. But at the same time, I will vote in favor of this item tomorrow because I want them to get a raise, even if that means something could change later.

jasper.scherer@chron.com
City Council on Wednesday unanimously approved an 18 percent pay raise for Houston firefighters over three years using a portion of the citys federal stimulus relief, despite concerns raised by council members and the fire union about how the salaries would be funded once the aid runs out.

Council already had approved a 6 percent pay raise for firefighters that takes effect Thursday, when the citys next fiscal year begins. The ordinance approved Wednesday grants firefighters a cumulative 18 percent raise by July 2023, though union officials continue to push for a new contract with the city, which they say is the only way to lock the raises in place.

Let there be no misunderstanding, these are not permanent raises. They are temporary bonuses funded with temporary dollars provided through the American Rescue Plan Act, Houston Professional Fire Fighters Association President Marty Lancton said. While grateful for the money from the federal government, Houston firefighters and their families want, need and deserve the security that comes with a binding labor contract.

Firefighters have noted that because the raises are coming through an ordinance, City Council could amend or repeal the pay increase at any point.

Mayor Sylvester Turner, who has been locked in a pay dispute with the fire union since 2017, called on the union to drop a lawsuit it filed against the city that year, in which firefighters argue their compensation falls short of the levels required by state law. As part of the suit, the union has asked a state district judge to set their pay, a step laid out in Texas collective bargaining laws when a public employer declines to settle a contract impasse through arbitration. Until now, firefighters had received raises of just 3 percent since 2011, after turning down previous offers they said included too many concessions.

Now, there are some that will say, well mayor, its not a contract. So, what does it mean? Turner said. Well, do people want us to wait until the firefighters, the union, drop their lawsuits? Or do they want the pay raise now? And I think for most of the firefighters, they want their money now.

District C council member Abbie Kamin, who chairs the City Council Public Safety and Homeland Security Committee, said the raises are important for making Houston comparable and competitive with other cities in the amount it pays its firefighters, though she said the city will need to take a really hard look at how we deal with this down the road when federal funds dry up.

This is the right thing to do, but it also does put us in a position several years down the road, when ARPA funding runs, out that we need to be responsible for within our budget, Kamin said.

Turners second and final term ends Jan. 2, 2024.

Though Turner called on firefighters to drop the collective bargaining lawsuit, his administration last week asked the Texas Supreme Court to overturn a recent appellate court ruling in the case. The appellate court rejected the citys argument that it is unconstitutional for judges to determine the pay of firefighters and police officers without firmer guidelines for doing so.

Meanwhile, firefighters are collecting signatures for a charter amendment that would require the city to enter arbitration if contract talks break down. Turner has declined firefighters repeated requests to settle the pay dispute through an independent panel, arguing that doing so would leave it up to someone else to determine the fate of Houston taxpayers and threaten the citys credit rating.

The city also has joined the Houston Police Officers Union in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of Proposition B, a ballot measure approved by voters in 2018 that granted firefighters the same pay as police of similar rank and seniority. A state district judge found the measure unconstitutional, but the fire union appealed the ruling.

As council members discussed the raises Wednesday, several said they believed the pay increase was long overdue, while also raising concerns about the funding source.

We all know that weve got funding for three years and then it drops off, said District G council member Greg Travis. So, Im hoping that with the natural progression of our revenues and our budgets year to year, that will be enough if we can hold our spending. But weve got to be thinking about that today, because the three years will be here sooner than you think.

District J council member Ed Pollard noted the raises ended a decade of stagnant pay for firefighters, even as funding challenges loomed.

Today, were doing something. And today were doing more than has been done in a long time, Pollard said.  And yes, this is for three years, and yes, we will have to figure out what to do in the future. But thats what we do.

jasper.scherer@chron.com
There is good news and bad news when it comes to distributing badly needed federal aid to renters and tenants looking to stave off evictions.

In Houston, city and county officials have been almost too efficient: A $140 million rental assistance program only has about $25 million remaining, which could be depleted by the end of July, when the latest extension of a federal moratorium on evictions is set to expire.

In Austin, where state officials are charged with disbursing Texas share of more than $21 billion in emergency federal housing aid, not quite half of the $1.1 billion Texas Rent Relief program administered by the state Department of Housing and Community Affairs has been paid - with only about 65,000 households assisted.

To put that number in perspective, there have been about 32,000 eviction filings in Harris County since March 2020, according to Princeton Universitys Eviction Lab. Across Texas, nearly 300,000 people face eviction in the next two months because they are behind on rent, per the Census Bureaus latest Household Pulse Survey.

Texas officials defended their efforts. Spokeswoman Kristina Tirloni of the Department of Housing and Community Affairs told the board Tuesday that the $540 million that has been disbursed is the most of any state. Tirloni said the agency has 1,800 workers assigned to help process the rental assistance applications across Texas and roughly $10 million in aid is approved each day.

She noted that California, for instance, has paid out a much smaller fraction of its available rental assistance funds.

Still, the stakes are higher in Texas, which has a notoriously porous safety net. Lawmakers here have not added any additional funds to the help Congress has provided, nor have they extended the moratorium on evictions beyond the federal minimums, as some states have. By contrast, California lawmakers voted unanimously to extend a state moratorium on most evictions through September and have earmarked more than $5 billion for rent assistance  five times more than Texas will spend.

That makes it essential that Texas redouble its efforts to connect the thousands of households who still need help with the rent and the money that is available to provide it.

That unspent money impacts more than just struggling renters. Landlords - including small property owners more likely to provide affordable housing - could buckle under the weight of outstanding debt that puts them at the risk of foreclosure if their tenants cant make rent payments.

One big obstacle to disbursing the aid more quickly, Tirloni said, is that too many applicants leave out federally required documentation.

Out of nearly 13,000 applications currently under review, approximately 9,400 are missing the federally required documentation, she said. She advised applicants waiting for an answer to check for texts, voicemails and emails seeking the missing information.

A recent report by the advocacy organization Texas Housers suggests the problems go beyond that. Among dozens of complaints it recently obtained, nearly half cited poor or misleading information from the programs call centers. Tenants reported issues entering their phone numbers and salary, and had trouble accessing the website on their mobile phones. People tried to call the hotline but were placed on long holds and, upon leaving a message, didnt hear back for days.

Meanwhile, as tenants and landlords struggle to take advantage of the aid, confusion in the courts has made it difficult to know when evictions can proceed and when they cant. A Texas federal judge ruled in February that the moratorium is unconstitutional and half a dozen or more cases in different circuits have come to varying conclusions on the same question.

Advocates describe pervasive confusion in eviction court, where justices of the peace frequently dont know the difference between state and local rental aid programs and give conflicting guidance to tenants and landlords. Some justices refuse to recognize the eviction moratorium or dont allow legal aid attorneys in the courtroom to help navigate a complicated process, advocates for tenants say.

The factors combined  slow disbursement of aid, the uncertain legal landscape of the moratorium on evictions, and the likelihood that state courts will be overwhelmed once the moratorium ends  have left federal officials warning of a pending disaster.

Associate U.S. Attorney General Vanita Gupta recently urged state supreme court chief justices and court administrators nationwide to adopt strategies to prevent the catastrophic economic and psychological effects of the feared mass evictions. These include urging courts to make physical or virtual space available to legal aid providers to provide assistance; postponing pending eviction cases for 30 to 60 days to allow litigants to apply for rental aid; and issuing temporary orders requiring landlords to apply for rental aid before filing for eviction for nonpayment of rent.

Gupta applauded the Texas Supreme Court for one such measure - modifying notices sent to tenants facing eviction to make them aware of the states rent relief program.

Its a good start, but justices of the peace must embrace as many of these strategies as possible and responsibly wield the broad discretion they have in helping keep people in their homes and out of financial ruin.

Otherwise, the eviction cliff is fast approaching, and Texas is set to careen over the edge. Thanks to the moratoriums extension, the state has 30 more days to get rent relief funds out the door and into the pockets of tenants and landlords who most need it.
Authorities said the charges stem from an incident at the administrative offices of Texas County government.
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U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush at the Chicago High School for Agricultural Sciences, 3857 W. 111th St., June 3. "I think that we need to be intentional creating opportunities even at a grade school level," he said. "We need to introduce them to vertical farming and aquaponics  these are new ways of farming."
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New York s city council is considering a bill that would put a single agency in control of the implementation of smart city technology. This proposal shows that although the idea of smart, sensor-driven cities has lost lustre during the pandemic, innovative city thinking remains very much alive.

Smart cities before the pandemic

Smart city thinking before Covid hit focussed on technologies like the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning (ML) and had a techno-solutionist approach that seemed to pay more attention to technology than the communities they would be used for. Such technologies would improve the efficiency of water pipes, sewage, and utilities, and would monitor them to predict and reduce maintenance requirements, while perpetuating the idea of a flashy smart city humming with intelligent sensors.

However, the pandemic has changed cities in dramatic ways, influencing how we are commuting, living, working, and buying. While some of these trends might be reversible, others will be permanent, as many workplaces are relaxing the requirement of having to come to the office. Moreover, data privacy and cybersecurity concerns mean that the idea of putting sensors everywhere does not sound as attractive as it once did. How then will this change smart city thinking and technology as the world starts opening up again?

Reimagining the smart city

Cities were unprepared for the pandemic and they were hit hard. An Association of British Insurers (ABI) report on Covid-19 said that cities should lose their innocence and naive nothing can happen to us beliefs and adopt responsible attitudes toward resilience, and Ben Kallos, the main sponsor of the New York bill, stressed that smart city technology would help them pave the way towards an equitable recovery.

Thus, current city rhetoric is focusing more on recovery, resilience, and equity than purely on smart sensor technology. That the Florida city of Tampa recently published its new resilience plan to not just prepare for climate change but also to build a stronger community is an example of this.

Digital twins

Digital twin technology, which creates virtual representations of real-world entities, could play a key role in making cities more resilient. Cardiff University demonstrated the use of digital twins in a pandemic as its digital twin model was able to capture, monitor, analyse and forecast real-time local Covid-19 infections. Helsinki uses digital twins as a tool to mitigate climate change and improve energy efficiency. Technology could also make a difference for equity and inclusivity. For transit companies, this would mean no longer having a focus on a one-size-fits-all solution and instead prioritising equity and accessibility.

As cities take firmer steps to help combat climate change as well as focus on inclusivity, the idea of the smart city as it was envisioned could start to hold less clout. While nobody can deny that technology is and increasingly will be used in cities, the idea of smart glossy cities might be losing its appeal. Instead, in line with the legacy of the pandemic, what we are starting to see is the rise of the sustainable, resilient, or connected city. And that will no doubt include New York.
Williamstown Select Board Plans Return to In-Person Meetings

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass.  The Select Board on Monday held what might be its last virtual meeting, but some residents are urging the panel to hold off on having in-person only meetings just yet.

Chair Andrew Hogeland said it is his intention to hold the board's July 12 meeting at Town Hall, the first time the body will have used the Selectmen's Meeting Room since March 2020.

The tradeoff is that the town does not yet have the capability to hold "hybrid" meetings, during which members of the public can participate via video conference during an in-person meeting.

"We expect within a couple of months we'll solve the hybrid technology," Hogeland said. "There will be a couple of months where we're going back to 'old school' meetings, but once the new technology is ready, there we go."

Like boards and committees throughout the commonwealth, the Select Board took advantage of Gov. Charlie Baker's suspension of certain provisions of the Open Meeting Law  including, notably, the requirement for a physical quorum of members at a meeting  to hold entirely virtual meetings since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Baker's emergency order expired this month, but the Legislature rushed through emergency legislation that preserved the OML exception among other pandemic-related provisions in Massachusetts General Law. That is what allowed the Select Board to meet again on Monday on the Zoom platform.

But given the fact that the commonwealth has ended indoor capacity limits  the restriction that made in-person meetings problematic  Hogeland said he wants to return the Select Board to its traditional Town Hall meetings two Mondays a month starting in mid-July.

Residents Randall Fippinger and Carrie Waara told the board that the virtual meeting format allows for more voices in the community to be heard.

"I strongly encourage the board to lean toward inclusivity, lean toward Zoom, lean toward a way that is more open to everybody, and then when hybrid technology comes in, transition to that," Fippinger said.

Hogeland said he is concerned that virtual meetings are less inclusive to members of the community who don't have good internet access or a good grasp of the technology to utilize it.

"I became aware incidentally that Zoom is inclusive for those who have it but not for those who don't have it, and in this town that's actually a substantial part of the population," Hogeland said. "I was on the steps of Town Hall last week, and a person was there because they had to go to the door to read the meeting notice that was posted. He said [his family] can watch it at home, but they don't have Zoom capacity at home.

"Some people can do Zoom. Some people can do in-person. Some people can't do either one. We'll try to work toward making those things work as quickly as we can."

Fippinger argued that virtual meetings have been more inclusive than in-person meetings.

"I agree we should be as inclusive as possible, but look at the data," he said. "Over the last year and a half, more people have participated via Zoom and via WilliNet than have in the past. I heard Jane [Patton] so many times, as chair, be surprised at the numbers. I encourage the board to go with what brings in the most amount of people, and, at the moment, it seems like Zoom."

It is undeniable that the Select Board has received considerably more public comment over the last year than in any other 12-month period over the last decade  perhaps as much as it did in the last decade combined.

What is less clear is whether that increased public dialogue is due to the forum or the topics under discussion.

The Select Board held its first virtual meeting on March 23, 2020. It lasted 70 minutes and featured one comment during the "petitioners requests" period, from a resident who objected to the color scheme of recently acquired police vehicles.

On April 13, the board met for 87 minutes, about 30 of which centered on public comments advising the board to push the Lanesborough Selectmen to act on a pending vacancy on the Mount Greylock Regional School Committee.

On April 27, the board met for 47 minutes with no comments during petitioners request. Likewise, no one spoke from the floor during the open comment period on May 11, May 26 or June 8.

On June 22, four weeks after the murder of George Floyd, the Select Board meeting lasted 2 hours, 46 minutes and included extensive public comment on police reform and social justice issues  the start of a trend that only intensified a couple of months later, after the release of federal lawsuit against the town, town manager and its police chief.

Hogeland mentioned a couple of times that the ideal is to be able to continue providing access for residents to participate remotely while meeting in person. Both he and interim Town Manager Charlie Blanchard said the town is working with the town's community access television station, WilliNet, to make that happen.

Jeffrey Johnson said that at a time when the technology exists for self-driving cars, it should not be a heavy lift to institute the hybrid meeting model.

"I think the issue really is for the WilliNet equipment and to have it be compatible to have televised meetings along with the Zoom aspect," Blanchard said. "I think [WilliNet Executive Director Deb Dane] is working on that."

Hogeland promised an update on the progress of the hybrid technology at the July 12 meeting.

In other business on Monday, the Select Board put out a call for volunteers to serve on the town's Council on Aging and its Diversity, Inclusion and Racial Equity Committee. The remaining members of the DIRE Committee are also involved in vetting potential new members, including from the list of volunteers who applied when the committee was created last summer.

Hogeland asked that interested candidates complete the form on the town's website, submit a letter of interest or reach out to a member of the Select Board by July 8 with the hope that the board will have a list of names to consider and, perhaps, make appointments at the July 12 meeting.

The board also approved an alteration of premises for alcohol service at Mezze on Cold Spring Road. Attorney Sherwood Guernsey, appearing on behalf of the restaurant, explained that the license change will allow continued outdoor service that started during the pandemic.

"The alteration of premises is using the picnic area they have utilized effectively to serve during the pandemic, just to the north of their building," Guernsey said. "Due to the governor's order being recently extended, they can use that now. We weren't aware [of the extension] when we applied, and, more importantly, we want to make it permanent."

The Select Board voted 5-0 to approve the change.
Leader of Dartmouth-Hitchocks Long COVID Clinic to Appear on Medical Matters Weekly

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 Jeffrey Parsonnet, MD, an infectious disease physician at Dartmouth-Hitchcock and the leader of a clinic designed to help people with enduring COVID symptoms, on its July 7 program. The show will air live at 12 p.m.

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.

Dr. Parsonnet received his bachelor's degree from Princeton University in New Jersey and his medical degree from NYU School of Medicine. He completed an Internal Medicine Residency with Yale University Hospitals in Connecticut, and in 1985, he completed a fellowship in infectious diseases at Beth Israel Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital in Massachusetts. He has been in practice for more than 20 years. In addition to his medical practice, he is a professor of medicine at Dartmouth Geisel School of Medicine. His recent research relates to Staphylococcus aureus, the most dangerous of all of the many common staphylococcal bacteria which often causes skin infections but can cause pneumonia, heart valve infections, and bone infections.

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, 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.

12 p.m. Wednesday, July 21: Rosalind Case, PhD, of Monash University in Australia, about the psychological aspects of healthcare choices.

12 p.m. Wednesday, July 28: Kelsey Dueland, of the Project Against Violent Encounters in Bennington, will share local resources for those attempting to escape threats in the home.

12 p.m. Wednesday, August 4: Alya Reeve, MD, medical director of United Counseling Service in Bennington, will discuss the most pressing mental health needs in our community.
Groups urge Thailand to step up action to protect foreign fishermen

by Nontarat Phaicharoen and Mariyam Ahmad

June 30,2021 | Source: BenarNews

Advocacy groups representing foreign workers in Thailands seafood industry called on the government Tuesday to ensure that employment contracts are made transparent, and to act to prevent workplace exploitation or abuses aboard Thai-owned fishing boats.



A new survey by the Fishers Rights Network found that about nine out of 10 foreign migrants working on fishing boats in Thailand had not had their contract translated or explained in a language they can understand. Tens of thousands of migrants from neighboring countries, including Myanmar and Cambodia, work in Thailands fishing sector.



At an online news conference where survey results were presented, the network and the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) urged Bangkok to do much more to implement Convention No. 188 (C188) of the International Labor Organization. The convention, which came into force in November 2017, aims to shield employees in the seafood industry from abuses or exploitation.



Number one, we would like to call on the Royal Thai Government to effectively enforce C188 and ensure that all fishers have a copy of their contracts in their own language, Jon Hartough, the Thailand project lead at the federation, told reporters.



In addition, all port-in, port-out centers in the country should allow fishers to review and verify the contracts presented by employers at inspection, and report violations in a safe and protected space, he said.



And finally, fishers are demanding that Thai authorities enforce employment contracts provisions and protect migrant fishers rights.



Thailand, in January 2019, was the first country in Southeast Asia to ratify the convention, which sets out binding requirements to protect the labor rights of people who work on fishing boats, and to address issues they face in the workplace.



Ye Thwe, the president of the Fishers Rights Network who used to work as a foreign migrant in the Thai fishing sector, also urged the government to step up enforcement of the ILO convention.



Thailand has ratified C188  but Burmese and Khmer fishers still face serious issues such as wage theft, lack of adequate food or clean drinking water on board, debt bondage, document retention and other labor abuses, he said. The Thai Government commitments are as thin as the paper theyre written on.



Labor violations are still rampant, with contracts not being followed properly, he said.



We hear often that fishers are not paid for months at a time, face dangerous conditions onboard and are not even sure of their actual salary or other provisions listed in the contract because its not in their own language, Ye Thwe said.



In 2019, some 60,000 workers from Cambodia and Myanmar were employed on Thai fishing boats, according to the Department of Fisheries.



Among the results, the survey of 520 migrant fishers working in eight Thai provinces found that 87 percent did not have a copy of their employment contract, and 89 percent had not had their contract translated or explained in a language they can understand.



Current Thai labor law and labor inspections do not meet the standards outlined in the ILO convention, said Johnny Hansen, chair of the Fisheries Section at the ITF.



[T]he results presented today clearly show that significant action is urgently needed to fully protect the labor and human rights of migrant fishers in Thailand, Hansen said.



Fishers are on the front line of the global seafood supply chain and more and more consumers are demanding that the products they purchase are truly free from labor abuse or exploitation.



BenarNews asked Mesak Pakdeekong, director-general of the Department of Fisheries, to comment on the call by the labor-rights advocacy groups for more governmental action in enforcing the provisions of Convention 188.



We would definitely solve the problems but by which approach, we have to see the actual set of information. We will fix them, but let us study the details first, he said, referring to the survey by the Fishers Rights Network.



Meanwhile in Pattani, a province in Thailands Deep South where commercial fishing is a major industry, the owner of a local fishing fleet said his business complied with the law and government regulations.



The contracts with migrant workers contain their native languages, salary and were signed in front of officials. We cant hide the contract, fleet owner Surat Ratanasithorn told BenarNews.

Theme(s): Communities and Organisations.
Woman missing after Meghna trawler capsize in Bangladesh

June 30,2021 | Source: Dhaka Tribune

A woman went missing after a potato-laden trawler capsized in the Meghna River near Kazipura in Gajaria upazila of Munshiganj on Tuesday.



The missing woman was identified as Belayetunnisa, 52, wife of Abdul Jalil from Molla Char in Munshiganj Sadar upazila.



Abdus Salam, in-charge of Gazaria Naval Police outpost, said Belayetunnisa was going to Chandpur from the Muktarpur area of Munshiganj in the large trawler carrying 400 maunds of potatoes.



The trawler sank in the Meghna at around 8:15am. Three people managed to swim ashore, but Belayetunnisa went missing, he said.



Police said the trawler has not been salvaged yet.

 2012-2019. 2A Media Limited. All Rights Reserved.

Theme(s): Fishing Craft, Gear and Fishing Methods.
China to temporarily ban squid fishing in parts of Pacific and Atlantic Oceans

June 30,2021 | Source: WION

China said it has temporarily banned fishing for squids in parts of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans amid reports of overfishing which was led to scarcity.



According to a World Wildlife Fund (WWF) report, unregulated fishing in the Indian Ocean is on the rise. The WWF report said fishing off the coast of Oman had grown 830 per cent in five years which was mostly done by Chinese-flagged fishing vessels.



As the demand for seafood continues to rise, the WWF said China's squid operations is conducted widely in the eastern Pacific and the South Atlantic.



According to the WWF, a rapid escalation of "unregulated squid fishing" poses a threat not only to the squid but also to the food chain since squid is a major source of food for tuna.



China reportedly accounts for 70 per cent of global squid catch and its ships sail far and wide looking for the fish while travelling as far as West African and Latin American waters.



Reports said China is set to temporarily ban squid operations in the southwest Atlantic until September 30 including in parts of the Pacific from September to November.



China's distant-water fishing fleet is the largest in the world, according to a report. The fleet is "highly fragmented" and registered in other jurisdictions.



The report by Overseas Development Institute(ODI) said that China had 16,966 vessels which is five or eight times larger than previous estimates with most trawlers in the northwest Pacific with several taking part in unregulated and unreported fishing.



A report by NGO Oceana published this month had revealed that 800 foreign vessels from China, Taiwan, South Korea and Spain had conducted 900,000 hours of fishing near Argentinas exclusive economic zone (EEZ).



The report said ships have been turning off their satellite tracking systems for extended periods in an attempt to catch more fish with the Chinese fleet responsible for the most number of "gap events".



Argentina has had major problems with illegal trawlers around its waters.



In 2016, Argentina had sunk a Chinese trawler after authorities said it was fishing illegally. The Argentinian authorities fired warning shots as it chased and sank the vessel. The Chinese government at the time had expressed serious concern over the incident as it called for an investigation.

 1998-2019 Zee Media Corporation Ltd (An Essel Group Company), All rights reserved.

Theme(s): Others.
Devon lifeboats race to French trawler fire

by Guy Henderson

June 30,2021 | Source: DevonLive

Two South Devon lifeboats took part in a five-hour mission far out in the English Channel after a French trawler caught fire. Firefighters were winched down to the deck of the stricken trawler during the operation.



Torbay and Salcombe both launched their RNLI lifeboats to go to the aid of the French fishermen.





A spokesman for Torbay RNLI said the trawler had suffered an engine room fire 36 miles south east of Berry Head on Sunday afternoon.



Four French trawlers joined the two lifeboats in the rescue, and a French Navy helicopter took part along with a Coastguard recuse helicopter from the UK.



The stricken trawler was towed out of the Channel shipping lanes and firefighters were lowered on to then deck.



A Salcombe RNLI spokesman said: Once on scene the lifeboats stood by whilst a winchman was lowered on to the deck of the casualty vessel to assess the situation.



UK resources were soon joined by French Search and Rescue assets, including French firefighters and a French doctor, all of whom were winched down to the casualty vessel.



With the fire confirmed as extinguished Salcombe and Torbay lifeboats and the rescue helicopter were stood down and the casualty vessel taken under tow by another French fishing vessel back to France.



It was a long afternoon for the volunteer crew, but with great co-ordination between multiple assets both national and international.

 2021 Local World

Theme(s): Others.
South Africa subsistence fisherfolk raise concerns over restrictions on fishing areas

by Sibusiso Mboto

June 30,2021 | Source: IOL

Fisherfolk in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, have expressed reservations over the extension of Marine Protected Areas (MPA), warning that the restriction would drive many subsistence fisherfolk to poverty.



Today marks the deadline for public submissions on the Draft Management Plan for the Aliwal Shoal MPA, an ocean stretch marked by the Department of Fisheries for protection and non-fishing to allow marine species to grow and provide for fishing in the future.



The KZN Subsistence Fishers Forum has, however, said the impact of the draft proposal was that present fishing areas would be further reduced, resulting in more no fishing zones.



The reality is that many underprivileged coastal residents depend on fishing for their survival, and while the restrictions in the next 10 years may result in a higher fish population and an increase in marine life, the impoverished humans may not live to enjoy these benefits, said the forum.



According to the forum, industrial and other pollution is a much bigger threat to marine life than fisher-folk trying to eke out a living.



According to Dr Judy Mann, conservation strategist at the South African Association for Marine Biological Research, the Aliwal Shoal MPA is an extensive reef system situated approximately 4km off Green Point on the KZN South Coast, about 45km south of Durban.



She said MPAs were important in protecting ocean biodiversity, and were able to support surrounding communities through job creation, the supply of sustainable food sources and improved environmental health.



MPAs are valuable safe havens that support not only the marine plants and animals, but also the human populations, she said.



She pointed out that some of South Africas older MPAs, have been shown to benefit local communities in terms of a tourism economy, employment, improved fishing and a much healthier marine biodiversity.



One of the most significant roles of MPAs is the protection of spawning and nursery areas that allow for resource recovery to counteract rampant overfishing. They provide safe havens for the fish and other marine life to thrive, maturing into adulthood, with the result being bigger, more plentiful catches for anglers later on. This ensures food and job security in the fishery sector, she emphasised.



Mann conceded that not much was known about MPAs, especially by those involved in fishing, and this, she added, was one of the reasons the first MPA Day would be observed on August 1.



Individual fisher-folk who spoke to The Mercury complained that there had not been proper consultations, and this was one of the reasons that some were hostile to the MPA restrictions.



Israel Mbhele from Mthwalume, who has been fishing since 2010, said it was important for authorities to get the buy-in from the fishing communities.



In our area, children have been raised, sent to school and families have survived and prospered because of fishing, and it is important for authorities to understand that.



He acknowledged that population growth in Mthwalume could have depleted the fish stocks, but said a better method of communicating this message should have been applied.



When you come and talk to us and tell us the disadvantages of overfishing, we will understand and follow protocols, but it is not appropriate to just impose a restriction without getting the input from affected parties, Mbhele said.



Another fisherman, Carlos Dsa, 62, from Wentworth, said he had no objection to fishing in another spot.



If we are told that it is for our future benefit, then I will just find myself another spot, but I have not been told anything about the MPAs, said Dsa, who has been fishing since he was 10 years old.



The Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment had not responded to questions at the time of publication.

 2021 Independent Online and affiliated companies. All rights reserved

Theme(s): Fisheries Development and Aquaculture.


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Name: Ryan Donovan

Company: Hootsuite

Job title: Chief Technology Officer

Date started current role: February 2019

Location: Seattle, Washington + Vancouver, Canada

Ryan Donovan is the CTO at Hootsuite where he leads the product management, user experience, software development, production operations, program management, user education, IT and security teams. He sets the course for defining the underlying product and technology strategies that constitute Hootsuites dynamic product portfolio and ensures that customers have a quality experience end-to-end when using Hootsuites products. Donovan has over 25 years of experience having held several regional and global leadership roles in Canada and the US.

What was your first job? I started my first job at 12 years old fixing Apple 2Cs and Apple 2Es for my middle school after school. It was a great opportunity to learn software and hardware and get paid to do it. It was also a nice way to help the school because I was certainly a lot cheaper than an authorised Apple repair facility person.

Did you always want to work in IT? I originally wanted to be an airline pilot but then discovered my eyesight wasnt well suited for that career. Technology was my next love and I fell into that pretty early on. I knew by the time I was fixing those Apple 2Cs and 2Es thats what I wanted to do.

What was your education? Do you hold any certifications? What are they? In school, I was drawn to math and science and anything to do with computers. In university, I started out majoring in computer science but then realised that it was still the early days for computers. The University of Washington didnt have a well-regarded computer science program at the time. The benchmark was: could you get an interview with Microsoft? In my case, the answer was no, so I switched to major in business. Then timing being everything, Bill Gates donated $55 million dollars to fix the computer science program a year later.

In 1998, I had the opportunity to work with a lot of the senior leadership working on the launch of Windows 2000. It was incredibly valuable because I was able to learn from the people that made Microsoft what it was. Looking back, it was one of the most enjoyable things I have ever done. Post Microsoft, I worked for smaller and medium sized companies and had to be a lot more resourceful, which led to me finding my passion for reading. I am a voracious reader and read dozens of industry blogs every day. Im always reading a new book on best practices in business or software engineering.

Explain your career path. Did you take any detours? If so, discuss. When I was in college, I started my own consulting business to help clients get on the web. I thought that was what I was going to do forever but then I learned a harsh lesson - one of my clients went bankrupt and I wasnt paid for several months of work. So, I decided the corporate life would be better and went to work for a web agency that eventually became part of Sapient Publicis. One of the projects they hired me for was building the first online investment portal for Royal Bank of Canada, the Dain Rauscher division. It was one of the first big projects on Microsoft technology that was high profile. That was how I ended up getting to know the people working on Windows at Microsoft and was recruited by Microsoft after the project was complete.

After almost 9 years at Microsoft, I moved to Ottawa, Canada and worked at Cactus Commerce where I was responsible for running all of the operating divisions. After being acquired by Ascentium, while I was the global CTO, I also had to also wear the hat of co-president because the CEO and COO had both departed the company. I found myself reporting directly to the VC who had a big stake in the business.

One of the projects at Cactus Commerce was focused on outsourcing the development arm for Microsofts eCommerce portfolio. I had followed that product line all the way through from my time working at Microsoft - minus a year running commercial web hosting.

In 2011, Microsoft decided to stop having SharePoint focus on internet facing sites, and of course, Commerce Server was wedded to SharePoint, which meant Microsoft was getting out of that business. As part of the wind up of the contract, Ascentium was able to get a license of the IP. Ascentiums VC directed me to make it into a company and sell it - so we did. Eventually, we sold the software business to Sitecore. I ran R&D at Sitecore for a few years and saw it all the way through to a successful private equity exit with EQT. I ended up staying around for the next few chapters with the new owners, but I found myself looking for a new adventure. Thats when Hootsuite came knocking and that was an opportunity I couldnt turn down.

What type of CTO are you? There are multiple flavours of CTOs. So, you have the CIO in disguise, the chief architect, the traditional head of engineering, the chief evangelist, and the product general manager. Im definitely in the latter category but have quite a responsibility for our IT since its woven into our SaaS platform.

A more accurate job title for me would be Chief Product and Technology Officer, since I spend just as much time on product strategy as I do on things like architecture and engineering best practices. Its one of the most fun and cool jobs in the world.

Ive been running engineering and product disciplines my entire career. Having empathy for the team has been very important. It helps keep us united and going in the right direction because I can appreciate the perspective of a product person just as much as I can the engineer. Oftentimes, what's important to each of them can be in diametric opposition to one another, so having that perspective helps me make the right decisions and foster a more cohesive team.

Which emerging technology are you most excited about the prospect of? Were starting to see cross platform UI frameworks really mature so youre getting closer to the ability to write once and deploy everywhere across all devices and form factors. This eliminates the need for multiple disparate codebases across different device form factors.

Are there any technologies which you think are overhyped? Why? I think VR/AR are not quite there yet. There are a lot of pioneering efforts but they haven't gone mainstream. I haven't seen any killer use cases that make me say I have to have it but its coming and it will get there.

What is one unique initiative that youve employed over the last 12 months that youre really proud of? Starting Hootsuites focus on digital enablement. If you think about how a brand differentiates itself, it can be based on innovation, price, or customer intimacy. At Hootsuite, weve put an emphasis on the customer intimacy piece. And now we have to deliver upon that value proposition.

One of the unique things about Hootsuite is we have the largest customer base of solopreneurs to Fortune 50 businesses doing social media in any one place across all of the networks. Being able to harness the power of that customer base in a digital first fashion helps people become more effective social practitioners. It also allows us to harness the power of data in unique and novel ways and differentiate our customer service in a way I dont see others doing. Any social discipline, whether that be social marketing, social selling, social-based customer care - are relatively new so most companies need guidance on how to implement these tools across the organisation. We have to educate them on the art of the possible and help them realise that it's a unique and critical opportunity.

Are you leading a digital transformation? If so, does it emphasise customer experience and revenue growth or operational efficiency? If both, how do you balance the two? If done right, I think one leads to the other. Delivering the best customer experience will drive revenue growth because people will want more of it. For Hootsuite, from a digital transformation perspective, going down this journey has caused us to build muscle mass around data analytics and data science. Its a very exciting time for us and a huge opportunity to build this muscle up. Were early on in our journey and its absolutely the right bet. Were sitting on a dataset thats second to none other in the world.

The art of product management is to always ruthlessly prioritise the most important things and be as focused as possible. So, if we really think about our product roadmap overall, there are four key priorities. We have our four key use cases, including social marketing, social selling, employee advocacy, and social customer care, and then data under the hood and that manifests itself in terms of digital enablement.

What is the biggest issue that youre helping customers with at the moment? I would say getting our customers started on social media. From there, once our customers are up and going, its about helping them get more active and engaged, helping them mature, and then helping them branch out to the more advanced capabilities so they become that much more of an expert practitioner. And if they start to fall back, well be there to catch them.

How do you align your technology use to meet business goals? I like to dabble in all the major platforms because our customers use different technologies and I want to make sure Im walking in their shoes as much as possible. Even though macOS, for example, is my primary operating system, I still use Windows. Thats why I have an Android phone in addition to my iPhone. And a Chromebook. Obviously, I want to work within the realm of the technology that we officially support from an IT and security/compliance perspective. If there is a gap in something I need to use, I work with the IT team to find a point solution to fill that gap that still plays nicely with the rest of our technology from a security perspective.

Do you have any trouble matching product/service strategy with tech strategy? Product/service strategy and tech strategy are oftentimes inherently at odds with each other. It's a constant ongoing challenge. I try to arbitrate the differences and find synergy. If I want to build a certain piece of functionality in a certain area, I use that as an opportunity to retire a piece of technical debt while the proverbial hood is open. Trying to do that match-making is the best way to manage it, but its an ongoing juggling act. It requires a solid understanding of the feature set and the underlying architecture to match the business work streams with the technology work streams.

What makes an effective tech strategy? It has to be fully in support of the business goals. There cant be large amounts of work that doesn't contribute to business objectives. And, you have to remember what business youre in. That is something a lot of companies struggle with is they will end up building tech for the sake of building tech.

What predictions do you have for the role of the CTO in the future? I think youll see more roles like mine, whether its called CTO, CPO or CPTO, where youre making sure you have a seamless fusion between your product teams and your technology teams. Itll become more common than it is today. A lot of CEOs are struggling right now with the convergence between the two. To do it right, its a full-time job and a lot of companies are starting to wake up to that fact.

Whatever flavor of CTO, there is going to be a lot more work to be done to realise the value and opportunities afforded by the changes that are happening right now. Its also about making sure, no matter what industry youre in, that youre thinking about those impacts and what they can bring to the table.

What has been your greatest career achievement? My legacy at Sitecore. It went from being a single product company to a multi-product company. It went from being on premise to cloud and set up a portfolio that covered the entire spectrum from content creation, all the way to delivering it on an eCommerce storefront and everything in between. Then differentiating it with market leading analytics and personalisation - it was a novel thing to have that integrated into whats now known as a DXP. Sitecore was a first mover there. This all happened within a four-year timeframe with the help of my great team and visionary and supportive set of co-founders.

At Hootsuite, I am most proud of our UX refresh in 2020 along with the ongoing success of Amplify as a social selling and employee advocacy platform, and now the acquisition of Sparkcentral.

Looking back with 20:20 hindsight, what would you have done differently? One lesson Ive learned along the way is to understand the types of environments you really need to be in to be successful. That is not only from corporate strategy to growth strategy but its also about culture and people. Ive learned what works for me and what doesnt and had I known previously what I know now, I wouldve made moves at different points in my career instead of waiting things out.
The Russian police searched the homes of several investigative journalists and their families on 29 June in Moscow. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) joins its affiliate, the Russian Union of Journalists (RUJ), in denouncing a blatant attack on the freedom and independence of the press.

The target was the independent Russian online outlet Proekt. According to the media, the home of its founder and editor-in-chief Roman Badanin was searched by the authorities on 29 June, as was the home of the media's co-founder and journalist, Maria Zholobova. The police also confiscated laptops, mobile phones, flash drives and SIM cards. In addition, the deputy editor (and also co-founder) Mikhail Rubin was detained, while his parents' house was searched.

Proekt, which specialises in investigative journalism, is notably famous for its investigations into important Russian government leaders, including Mikhail Mishoustin and President Vladimir Putin. Founded in 2018, it is also one of the last independent media in Russia.

According to Proekt, the police searches of Badanin's and Zholobova's homes are linked to a criminal defamation case, following a 2017 documentary that exposed financial transactions of a Russian businessman with alleged links to Putin. However, the case is said to be time-barred.

The raids also coincided with the day of publication of an investigation by Proekt concerning the alleged wealth of the Russian Interior minister Vladimir Kolokoltsev. Despite the police searches, the media decided to publish the investigation.

These searches and detention of journalists come in the context of growing pressure on independent media in Russia. In April and May 2021, the independent online media Meduza and VTimes were declared "foreign agents" by the authorities. Such designation, in addition to having a strong negative connotation, implies increased government control threatening their independence. Following this decision, VTimes ceased its journalistic activity.

With Russia's parliamentary elections coming up in September 2021, the IFJ fears that the authorities will use their power to try to silence any opposition.

The RUJ said: Our legal department is ready to provide colleagues at Proekt with the necessary assistance. Any violation of the rights of our colleagues is unacceptable ; we will closely monitor the development of the situation and insist that any illegal actions against journalists must be stopped immediately.

IFJ General Secretary Anthony Bellanger said: This attack is evidence of the growing pressure put on independent media by the Russian authorities. This ongoing repression of press freedom in Russia must be stopped. We urge the Russian authorities to cease its smear campaign of intimidation against journalists and provide an environment where they are able to work without fear of being detained, questioned or having their homes searched.
On 20 June, the Media Department of the Autonomous Administration of north and east Syria ordered the closure of broadcast news station Kurdistan 24 in the region and revoked the media's license. The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) denounces the muzzling of the press and demands the immediate lifting of the ban.

On the day the Media Department took its decision, security forces of the Democratic Union Party (PYD) forcibly closed the regional office of Kurdistan 24 in Qamishli.

According to the regions authorities, Kurdistan 24 is responsible for inciting violence and spreading hate speech, as well as for promoting conflict among the Kurdish community. However, no evidence has been provided to support the allegations and the decision to close and revoke the media's license. The media assures that it "has reported on the situation in Rojava impartially and professionally" and denounces a violation of press freedom.

The closure took place without warning and no information was provided on its duration. The Media Department of the Autonomous Administration previously cancelled Kurdistan 24's licence to broadcast in the region in September 2019, before reversing its decision a few weeks later.

The forced closure of the media comes in a context of tightening control over journalists and media by the Autonomous Administration. On 16 June, the authorities violently arrested and detained Kamiran Saadoun, a Syrian Kurd journalist and news producer. While he was released the next day, it was not the first time Kamiran Saadoun had been arrested because of his journalistic work and his detention was not an isolated case.

IFJ General Secretary, Anthony Bellanger, said: The closure of the offices of Kurdistan 24 media and the revocation of its license is sheer censorship and shows a total denial of press freedom. We urge the authorities to reverse their decision and stop the relentless harassment of media and journalists in the region.
Services super app MyKuya is proud to announce that it is working with the San Pablo City Councilor Martin Gel Adriano to quickly revitalize its local economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. With MyKuya San Pablo active, the city's businesses and government services are enabled to go digital, paving the way for leaders' plans of transitioning San Pablo into a full-fledged smart city.

L to R - City Councilor Martin Gel Adriano, MyKuya General Manager Serene Samuel, MyKuya Operations Manager, Kyle Santos

On May 29, San Pablo, Laguna launched as MyKuya's first Smart City. The initiative came together thanks to the work of City Councilor Martin Gel Adriano, MyKuya General Manager, Serene Samuel, and MyKuya Operations Manager Kyle Santos.

The launch of the project means that San Pablo-based services such as cleaning, groceries, deliveries, maintenance works, aircon repair, and cleaning are now live on the MyKuya app and available for local residents. Additionally, local businesses like restaurants, spas and barbershops are available for job requests. MyKuya is also working to add emergency government services like ambulances, fire trucks, barangay assistance, vaccination scheduling, and more onto their app.

With MyKuyas help, any local business that wants to expand its reach and sell its services online quickly can do so in a way thats both easy and efficient. Ultimately, the goal of MyKuyas work in San Pablo is to allow anyoneeven those without a technological backgroundto slowly enter the world of e-commerce. Not only are there no set-up fees for businesses wanting to give the MyKuya app a try, but the platform comes with features like payment processing, video and voice calls.

From one business to another

MyKuya has gained popularity throughout the pandemic thanks largely to the benefits that consumers, businesses and job seekers enjoy. Through the MyKuya app, users can hire an Ate or Kuya to perform errands such as grocery delivery, parcel delivery, and even standing in line for you to pay your bills. From a business owners perspective, MyKuya offers a great way to connect with customers on a digital platform or even hire additional manpower for a short time (many Ates and Kuyas can also work as package handlers, delivery riders, cashiers, etc).

Kyle Santos onboarding San Pablo Businesses on the MyKuya platform

Of course, micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) like the ones MyKuya helps in San Pablo are an integral part of the Philippine business landscape. So far access to modern technologies has been limited to only big businesses. MyKuya aims to make such advantages accessible to all, with no upfront cost. MSMEs compose about 99% of all businesses in the Philippines, with micro-enterprises making up as much as 89% of that figure. With MSMEs then also generating a majority of job opportunities for Filipinos, it becomes especially important to make sure they can keep up with the realities of doing business in the New Normal.

We believe that the work were doing with San Pablo and the 3rd District of Laguna is truly the path to building a community that is self-sustaining and inclusive, said Serene Samuel, MyKuya General Manager.

Were helping businesses get back on their feet, which should create invaluable job opportunities locally - the best that a public official can do for his community. Enabling small businesses to go digital is an integral step in building smart cities that remain competitive. adds City Councilor Martin Gel Adriano

Looking towards the future

MyKuyas campaign to help cities like San Pablo was directly influenced by the goals of the Bounce Back PH movement - a social media platform that aims to support businesses in all industries, looking to especially help MSMEs affected by the pandemic. The movement is composed of various Filipino entrepreneurs, working everywhere from retail to outsourcing.

Although MyKuyas work in San Pablo has just begun, it looks to prove that great things can happen when startups partner up with public leaders.

MyKuya is now looking towards bringing its service platform to other cities in the Philippines. From assisting service providers, cities, or even regions, we want people to know that MyKuya is here to help. Samuel concluded.
North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has replaced several senior officials after he slammed top governing party officials for an unspecified grave incident related to Covid-19 that could possibly see North Korea admitting its first virus cases.

At an emergency meeting of the ruling Workers Party of North Korea on Tuesday, Mr Kim accused senior officials of incompetence and irresponsibility in planning and executing Covid-related measures that could lead to grave consequences in the country.

By neglecting important decisions of the party in its national emergency antivirus fight in preparations for a global health crisis, officials in charge have caused a grave incident that poses a huge crisis to the safety of its people, and entailed grave consequences, the state-run KCNA news agency reported Mr Kim as saying.

North Korea has imposed strict border restrictions since the start of the pandemic but has claimed to not have a single confirmed case of coronavirus, despite its long and porous land border with China.

In its latest report to the WHO, North Korea maintained the claim, saying they tested more than 30,000 people without detecting a single case.

The country also pulled its athletes out of the Tokyo Olympic Games amid fears that they could be exposed to the virus and end up bringing it to the country.

The KCNA report did not elaborate on what caused the lapse or if the shakeups in the party were related to the incident of negligence.

Mr Kim called for "a more fierce party-wide campaign" against fault lines and negative elements as he criticised party workers in strong terms for braking and hindering the implementation of Covid measures, the report said.

South Korea sounded alarm over Mr Kims reprimand to his part members in Pyongyang, saying Seoul needs to monitor follow-up reports from the neighbouring country, reported the Yonhap news agency.

This comes as the country is facing one of the worst economic crises in its history, with the shortages of food and medicines and a looming crisis of rising unemployment amid strict quarantine controls.

Leif-Eric Easley, professor of international studies at Ewha University in Seoul, said Mr Kims scathing remarks indicate that health conditions could be already deteriorating inside the country.

He said it could also be political preparations for accepting vaccines from abroad as the country has stopped short of allowing foreign aid.

Kim will likely find scapegoats for the incident, purging disloyal officials and blaming their ideological lapses. This may provide Pyongyang justification for demanding that citizens hunker down more, Mr Easley said.

Up to this point, the Kim regime has doubled down on international isolation during the pandemic. It is unfortunate there are so few diplomats and aid workers from other countries currently in North Korea, he added.

North Korea is entitled to ask for vaccines under the UNs Covax programme to provide equitable access to all countries. But Covax officials say efforts to provide doses to North Korea have stalled due to the regimes lack of responsiveness.

Tuesday's politburo meeting was held 11 days after the country had a much-publicised four-day plenary session of the Workers Party, for the third time this year.
The recent gathering of world powers in Berlin aimed to discuss how to put a permanent end to the conflict in Libya, stitch the countrys fragmented patchwork of security and governance back together, and put the oil-rich country on a path toward stability.

The United States, United Kingdom, France, China, Russia, Italy, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates were among those who sent envoys to the second Berlin conference on Libya in 18 months. They were joined this time by Libyas newly formed and internationally recognised Government of National Unity, led by the prime minister, Hamid Dbeibah.

His caretaker team, which became Libyas official authority in March, is overseeing the countrys affairs until national elections in December that are meant to empower a new government with a popular mandate.
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies are enjoying a stable July, after a summer that has seen them fluctuate wildly.

In the first couple of days of the month, the price of most crypto has stayed fairly flat, even amid wildly divergent predictions of where they will trade in the future.

It follows a rally at the end of of June, when bitcoin rose in price from close to $30,000 on the weekend to above $36,000 on Wednesday.

Other leading cryptocurrencies saw a similar bounce, with Ethereum (ether) and dogecoin breaking above the crucial markers of $2,000 and $0.25 respectively.

Beyond brief peaks above $40,000 and dips below $30,000, the cryptocurrency has spent the entire month trading within a $10k price range.

The relative stability has divided crypto analysts over whether the market is in a bull or bear phase, meaning Julys movements will be under close scrutiny.

Still down by around a half from its peak in mid May, bitcoin has entered a buy phase for only the fifth time in its history, according to one indicator. The Puell Multiple graph, which charts mining profitability, entered the green zone this week for the first time since March 2020.

You can find all the latest updates, analysis and expert price predictions right here.
SpaceX chief Elon Musk has hit out at US airspace regulations after his company was forced to reschedule a rocket launch due to an unauthorised aircraft entering the so-called keep out zone.

With SpaceX just seconds away from launching 88 different satellites on its new Transporter-2 cosmic ride share mission, the countdown was halted due to a stray helicopter coming into range of the launch site.

The incident, which will now delay the mission by at least a day, drew the ire of tech billionaire Musk on Twitter. Unfortunately, launch is called off for today, as an aircraft entered the keep out zone, which is unreasonably gigantic, Musk tweeted after the launch was halted.

There is simply no way that humanity can become a spacefaring civilisation without major regulatory reform. The current regulatory system is broken, he said.

According to local TV news reports, the aircraft was a private helicopter that entered the restricted area in the final 11 seconds before launch. A Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) spokesperson told US media that the government body is investigating the incident.

While the companys launches have been called off in the past due to circumstances like bad weather, Tuesdays incident could be the first due to an air traffic disturbance.

Musk had previously criticised the FAA in January after a starship test was delayed.

Unlike its aircraft division, which is fine, the FAA space division has a fundamentally broken regulatory structure, the SpaceX chief had similarly tweeted then.

With the company launching rockets at a brisk space this year  an average of nearly once every nine days  Musk said the FAAs air traffic rules are meant only for a handful of expendable launches per year from a few government facilities.

Under those rules, humanity will never get to Mars, he said.

While Musk publicly criticises regulators, he had also said in April that he agreed with them 99.9 per cent of the time.

On rare occasions, we disagree. This is almost always due to new technologies that past regulations didnt anticipate, the SpaceX chief noted.

In a recent Congressional hearing, members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, including representative Peter DeFazio, expressed concerns over increasing air traffic as a result of the growing number of spaceflight missions in US air space.

I am not in favour of telling people in America who are travelling for pleasure or for work or whatever reason on a commercial airplane that their flights are delayed by an hour and a half because some billionaire is going to experience 15 minutes of weightlessness. I want to see that does not happen, Mr DeFazio said.

FAA associate administrator Wayne Monteith, who spoke at the hearing, said the first operational tests of Space Data Integrator  a system designed to support integration of launches into the national airspace system, limiting the size and duration of airspace restrictions  could address these concerns in a few months.
Dozens of babies have died or been left brain-damaged after errors during childbirth at one of Britains biggest hospitals  while managers failed to properly investigate concerns and altered reports to take blame away from the maternity unit.

An investigation by The Independent and Channel 4 News has uncovered repeated examples of poor care over the past decade at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, with parents forced to fight to find out the truth about what happened to their child.

Families say that if lessons had been learnt, further tragedies at the hospital could have been prevented. Naomi Lewin, whose baby Freddie died after a harrowing labour, told The Independent: They dont listen to families. Its ignorance. If they dont learn from it, its going to be a repeat cycle over and over and over again.

During a panicked delivery, Freddies throat was cut during an attempt to free him and his leg was so bruised it had become blackened. He died soon after birth with no post-mortem examination despite the traumatic injuries. In another case, a baby died hours after being discharged from hospital despite the mothers concerns that he had never cried or fed since birth.

Nottingham, which has one of the largest NHS budgets in the UK, is currently facing at least a dozen clinical negligence claims by bereaved families and it can be revealed today that the trust has already paid out more than 91m in damages and legal costs since 2010, including 46 cases of babies left with permanent brain damage and 19 stillbirths as well as 15 deaths.

The trust chief executive today apologised to families and said improvements were being made.

Documents seen by The Independent show that, in some instances, key medical notes were missing or never made, while others were completely inaccurate. The NHS trust failed to properly investigate some deaths for months and, in instances when it did, details were wrong or reviews were watered down by senior management to lessen the criticism.

A draft report into the death of baby Harriet Hawkins in 2016 was changed from concluding that her death had been directly contributed to by errors to saying her death might have been avoided.

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The Nottinghamshire coroner was also told some deaths were expected when it later emerged they had been caused by serious neglect. As recently as 2020, the death of a mother after giving birth was labelled as a low harm incident.

 Bereaved parents demand answers over poor maternity care at Nottingham hospital

The avoidable deaths and injuries combined with fears of a lack of action have drawn parallels with maternity units at Shrewsbury and East Kent hospitals, both of which are the subject of independent inquiries. Since revealing the scale of the Shrewsbury maternity scandal,The Independent has campaigned for safer maternity care across the NHS.

Now a whistleblower has told The Independent that a Teflon team of managers allowed staffing shortages to build up to dangerous levels, while pleas from midwives were ignored and incidents swept under the carpet.

Swept under the carpet

Sue Brydon, who worked as a senior clinical midwife at the trust from the 1980s until her retirement at the end of 2019, said her confidence in the management nosedived to the point she instigated a letter to the trust board in 2018, signed by midwives and doctors, warning of fears for patient safety due to staff shortages.

The letter, which became public last year during an inquest into the death of baby Wynter Andrews, raised grave concerns for patients and staff and said the senior leadership at the trust had not listened to fears that staffing levels risked potential disaster.

At that stage there were 35 vacant full-time midwife posts. In December last year, when the CQC declared the maternity units care inadequate, this had risen to 73.

Speaking publicly for the first time, Ms Brydon said she was absolutely raging towards managers when she left the trust: We used to call them the Teflon team. You couldnt get through to them. The Teflon team refused to do anything.

Have you been affected by poor maternity care? Email: health@independent.co.uk

When incidents occurred, it rested on individual doctors and midwives to flag the cases which she said were then screened and discussed at risk meetings where decisions would be made if an investigation was needed.

Quite a lot of the time when I was on that [committee], there were things that were clearly awful, that should have been triggering statements from staff, that were just swept under the carpet for whatever reason; it was someones friend etc. That didnt happen very often. But it did happen.

Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham (PA)

After the 2018 letter to the trust board, she said nothing was done: We were supposed to have a series of meetings; we had one meeting. All we got was the head of midwifery saying that there wasnt really a problem.

The trust claims a series of workshops were held with staff following the letter to the board, although staffing levels worsened between 2018 and 2020.

Ms Brydon remains in contact with staff working at the trust now and said people were scared. She said: Theres a real culture of fear that still exists because everybody feels their registration is on the line if they put their head above the parapet and say anything. My impression is that it is safe, but only because of the extra effort put in by the staff.

Baby Thomas Seddon was stillborn in May 2017 after a midwife employed by the trust failed to refer his mum Sarah, an NHS pharmacist, straight to hospital after concerns he had stopped moving in the womb. Sarah should have had a full check-up and heart monitoring but this was not done. The midwife later told an investigation by the trust that Sarah had refused a blood pressure and urine check and was advised to go to hospital, which Sarah said was not correct.

The trust did not involve Sarah in this investigation and the paperwork had multiple inaccuracies. A second investigation after Sarahs complaint resulted in a written apology acknowledging the trust had breached the duty of candour around transparency with families. The midwife involved received an official caution from the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

The signs were there

Data obtained by The Independent shows 201 clinical negligence claims against the trusts maternity services since 2010, with almost half lodged in the last four years.

Of the 84 closed cases, the NHS paid out 79.3m in compensation, and a further 12.3m in legal costs. The true value of the negligence claims is likely to be significantly higher as data may exclude future payments to support the lives of disabled children.

In the 201 claims, there were 15 deaths, 19 stillbirths, 46 cases of brain damage and 18 cases of cerebral palsy. A total of 25 cases were caused by delays in treatment, another 15 by a failure to respond to an abnormal foetal heart rate and 13 attributed to complications not being recognised.

There were also 12 delays or failures to diagnose conditions, 10 cases of inadequate nursing care, and a total of 16 cases involving staff who failed to monitor the second stage of labour when women were actively giving birth. This latter category alone cost the NHS 16m.

An analysis of hospital patient data for maternity, comparing Nottingham Hospitals to more than 20 other similar major hospitals, showed the trust had a consistently above-average rate of spontaneous, or natural birth, compared with other trusts for every year since 2010.

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Its rate of instrumental births switched from being above average until 2013 to below average every year since  similarly since 2010 the trust has had fewer emergency caesarean sections every year than the average.

This data could suggest that women are being left longer to achieve a natural birth at Nottingham than other larger hospitals, potentially increasing risks for those who get into difficulty.

Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust had the highest natural birth rate in England during five out of the eight years between 2010 and 2018 and was among the top three in the remaining years.

East Kent Hospitals University NHS Foundation Trust was fined a record 761,000 earlier this month over failings in the care of baby Harry Richford.

One Nottingham trust manager who asked to remain anonymous said: The signs were there, along with not just poor-quality investigations and things that just remained unanswered, but some inappropriate behaviours in maternity as well.

I think the board didnt piece together a number of things soon enough to realise the scale of the problem.

Someone has to take control

Last year, the Care Quality Commission identified a failure of staff to interpret, classify and escalate concerning heart rate traces for babies. The watchdog said there had been incidents where staff failed to monitor heart rates or had misinterpreted the readings, leading to cases where babies suffered harm or death as a direct result.

From July to September last year there were 488 incidents in maternity at the trust, with three classed as severe harm, six as moderate harm and 477 as low or no harm. The CQC said it found a number of incidents had been inappropriately graded where, for example, babies or women who needed intensive care were labelled as low harm. In one case the death of a mother was labelled low harm.

In its latest inspection, published in May, the CQC said the trust had made progress but more improvements were necessary. The service remains rated as inadequate.

The regulator has said it has concerns about maternity safety units across the country, telling The Independent 41 per cent are rated as inadequate or requiring improvement on safety.

Natalie Cosgrove, an associate at Switalskis Solicitors, which is representing more than a dozen families in legal claims against the trust, said the problems had created a collective grief for families every time they see another family suffering.

She added: We have had many families contact us. There is an embedded cultural problem within maternity services at Nottingham and despite the fact staff members have raised concerns, there doesnt seem to be any substantial changes to those cultural issues.

When families have raised genuine concerns and suggestions for improvement these have been rebuffed. The trust is failing to learn from its mistakes and at some point, someone external has to take control so more families dont follow the same patterns.

The trust told The Independent it had a major programme to improve maternity services which included a focus on culture, learning and better governance. Work includes better training for midwives on monitoring women and babies and assessing their risk as well as ongoing recruitment of midwives and obestetricians.

In 2019 it carried out a review of its duty of candour process and launched extra training for staff.

The chief executive of Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, Tracy Taylor, said: We apologise from the bottom of our hearts to the families who have not received the high level of care they need and deserve, we recognise the effects have been devastating.

Improving maternity services is a top priority and we are making significant changes including hiring and training more midwives and introducing digital maternity records. We will continue to listen to women and families, whether they have received excellent care or where care has fallen short; it is their experiences that will help us to learn and improve our services.
A record-shattering heatwave in Canada has contributed to dozens of deaths, police say.

Temperatures hit 121.1F (49.5C) in Lytton, British Columbia, on Tuesday  the third day in a row that Canada has recorded its all-time highest temperature.

Meteorologists say the unprecedented conditions are being caused by a heat dome over western Canada and parts of the US Pacific northwest.

Follow heatwave 2021 - live: Northwest temperatures soar towards 50C as wildfires rage

A heat dome is an unofficial term given to an area of hot air high up in the atmosphere which lingers over an area for a prolonged period of time, trapping in heat below.

In Vancouver, the police department said it redeployed dozens of officers to help people during the extreme conditions and urged people not to dial 911 unless for emergencies.

The force said it had responded to 130 sudden deaths since Friday. Most of those fatalities were elderly people or those with underlying health conditions.

Vancouver has never experienced heat like this, and sadly dozens of people are dying because of it, police sergeant Steve Addison said in a news release.

Our officers are stretched thin, but were still doing everything we can to keep people safe.

Temperatures in the Vancouver area reached just under 90F (32C) on Monday, but the humidity made it feel close to 104F (40C) in areas that are not near water, Environment Canada said.

The record-breaking heatwave could ease over parts of British Columbia, Yukon and the Northwest Territories by Wednesday, but any reprieve for the Prairie provinces is further off, weather forecasters say.

Meanwhile, coastal residents of the US Pacific northwest, which had been sweltered by three days of record-breaking heat, got relief as temperatures fell dramatically and cooler breezes blew in from the ocean.

But the hot weather did not relent east of the Cascade Range in Oregon and Washington, where excessive heat warnings remained in place on Tuesday.

Both states recorded temperatures well in excess of 100F (37.7C) on Monday.

The National Weather Service is forecasting more heat in Idaho and Montana for the rest of the week.

A farm labourer died over the weekend in St Paul, Oregon, the state's Occupational Health and Safety division said.

Officials did not give any further details or publicly identify the person.

The Seattle Times reported at least two people died from exposure to the heat during Monday's record temperatures in King county.

The cause of their deaths was hyperthermia, as their bodies had become dangerously overheated, it added.

The Snohomish county Medical Examiner's Office told the Daily Herald in Everett, Washington, on Tuesday that three men aged 51, 75 and 77 died after experiencing heat stroke at home.

For residents of Seattle and Portland, however, the more moderate weather meant a return to normal after several days of hunkering down in air-conditioned homes or makeshift cooling centres.

Climate scientists say global warming has increased the frequency and intensity of extreme weather events such as heatwaves, although it is difficult to link any one event to the earth's increasing temperature.
 Close Related video: Boris Johnson to restore freedoms as he tells public to learn to live with Covid-19

The government has been urged to drop its Trumpian plan to require voters to show ID before casting ballots at elections.

Labour said the proposals  due to be set out in Mondays Elections Bill  are undemocratic and would rig democracy by locking millions of people out of democracy.

The party also warned that the ministers could be forcing a potentially unlawful policy through parliament since the government is facing a Supreme Court challenge over their voter ID pilots, which Labour said will not be heard until January.

Senior Tories and campaign groups have also raised concerns about the proposals.

Shadow democracy minister Cat Smith accused Boris Johnsons administration of attempting to use the cover of the pandemic to threaten British democracy with a plan that would cost 20m per general election.
The UK is in line to repeat its lockdown easing mistakes of last summer, a top scientist who advises the government on its coronavirus response fears.

Professor Stephen Reicher, a psychologist on Sages subcommittee on behavioural science, said that Boris Johnson told people it was their patriotic duty to go to the pub and also take part in Rishi Sunaks Eat Out to Help Out scheme, designed to boost the ailing hospitality sector.

But speaking to Times Radio on Wednesday, he warned these decisions meant that Covid infections were never at a low enough level and later spiked in the Autumn after children went back to school.

Prof Reicher added that when restrictions are ditched - a step the government currently has pencilled in for 19 July - infections need to be at a much lower level, test and trace needs to work more effectively, and further support is still needed for people who need to self-isolate.

He told Times Radio: My fear is that were on line to repeat the mistakes of last summer - if you remember, the prime minister told us it was our patriotic duty to go to the pub, that people should go to work or they might lose their jobs, we had eat out to help out.

The consequence was we never got infections low enough to be able to deal with the disease and so when conditions changed in the autumn, when schools went back and people went back to work and universities went back and the weather got worse and we went inside, so infections spiked.

And I think this time round, we should learn from that and we should get infections low to a point where we were in a much better place in the autumn, where we dont have to reimpose restrictions.

So I think the real question is how can we do that without inconveniencing people too much?

Health secretary Sajid Javid said this week that lifting coronavirus restrictions as soon as possible is his absolute priority, but stressed the need for caution in order to make sure changes are irreversible.

In Parliament he confirmed that the government is still on course to commence Step 4 of its roadmap out of lockdown on 19 July.

But Prof Reicher added that test and trace was still not working properly or contacting people quickly enough, and pointed to the lack of support for people to self-isolate.

He added: It seems to me that if we got right the basic public health moves to suppress infection, we wouldnt be talking about a high reservoir of infection which can then spike very quickly when conditions change.

Additional reporting by PA
Allison Mack, one of the stars of Smallville and considered to be the second in command of the NXIVM sex-cult released a letter ahead of her sentencing hearing apologising for the pain she caused the people she pulled into the cult.

Ms Mack was a prominent and powerful member of the cult, considered by some to be the right-hand of the group's leader, Keith Raniere.

She said her devotion to Raniere was "the biggest mistake and greatest regret of my life" and apologised to "those of you that I brought into Nxivm.

"I am sorry I ever exposed you to the nefarious and emotionally abusive schemes of a twisted man," she wrote.

Ms Mack was instrumental in convincing women to participate in a sub-group within the larger cult in which they were branded with both her and Raniere's initials and pressured into having sex with the cult leader, according to prosecutors.

She said in her letter that she has been confined to her home awaiting her sentencing.

"This period of isolation has been the most devastating, but transformative times of my life," she wrote.

She said her confinement allowed her to confront the "darkest parts of myself" and accept the pain that she caused to "people I love.

It is now of paramount importance to me to say, from the bottom of my heart, I am so sorry  I threw myself into the teachings of Keith Rainire [sic] with everything I had, she wrote.

She also noted that during her time with the cult, family and friends tried to pull her out of the organisation, but said she rebuffed the efforts.

"I pushed you away and silenced myself toward you when you were trying to save my life ... I lied to you, again and again, in order to protect the delusion I was so deeply committed to believing," she wrote.

Raniere was sentenced to 120 years in prison after being found guilty of charges including alien smuggling, sex trafficking, extortion and obstruction of justice.

The cult leader has been moved to a high-security prison in Arizona that previously housed mob boss James "Whitey" Bulger, Ross Ulbricht, the founder of the "Silk Road" black market, and Larry Nassar, who sexually abused members of the US Gymnastics team.
When Bill Cosby was led away in handcuffs three years ago, convicted of sexually assaulting a woman and sentenced to jail, there were many who doubted he would ever see the outside of a prison cell again.

The sentence was for between three to 10 years, but the former entertainer was aged 81, and by his own admission was in poor health. Lawyers and activists, along with multiple women who claimed the star of The Cosby Show had sexually assaulted them, believed a line had finally been drawn under an issue that had rumbled on for years.

It is time for justice, Judge Steven ONeill had told the court in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, after Cosby had earlier that year been found guilty of drugging and sexually assaulting Andrea Constand, a Temple University employee, at his home in 2004. Mr Cosby, this has all circled back to you. The day has come. The time has come.

Now Cosby is a free man again. On Wednesday, the states highest court agreed with the appeal Cosby had said he planned to launch the day he was sentenced, and threw out the conviction. Now, aged 83, he was released from detention shortly after the ruling.

The split decision by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court came after Cosby had served more than two years of his sentence. The court majority found that a state prosecutor, Bruce Castor, struck a deal with Cosbys lawyers attorneys in 2005 not to bring criminal charges.

As a result, Cosby was unable to avoid testifying as part of a civil lawsuit that Constand brought against him, since defendants can only refuse to testify when faced with criminal prosecution.

In light of these circumstances, the subsequent decision by successor DAs to prosecute Cosby violated Cosbys due process rights, Justice David Wecht wrote for the majority. There is only one remedy that can completely restore Cosby to the status quo ante. He must be discharged, and any future prosecution on these particular charges must be barred.

The news from Pennsylvania reverberated like a jolt among those who had followed the case, and the previous claims of assault against Cosby, which  like the allegation by prosecutors in the Constand case  he had denied.

And it marked another twist in the story of the man who for decades was known for his role as the lovable husband and father in the 1980s television comedy series The Cosby Show, which ran for eight seasons on NBC from 1984 to 1992.

For millions of Americans, his nickname was Americas Dad, and for many African Americans, his success in an industry dominated by white actors was reason to cheer.

 Bill Cosby leave court in handcuffs

Yet, his reputation, even in the role of racial politics, was complicated: he often berated and attacked the Black community for not doing more to help itself.

In 2004, for instance, he not only accused African Americans of failing to educate their children, but also claimed Black men beat their wives.

Youve got to stop beating up your women because you cant find a job, because you didnt want to get an education and now youre earning minimum wage, Cosby said at the Rainbow/PUSH Coalition and Citizenship Education Funds annual conference.

You should have thought more of yourself when you were in high school, when you had an opportunity.

In 2017, the first prosecution of the Philadelphia-born actor ended in a mistrial. In the spring of 2018, a second trial resulted in his conviction on similar, but different charges.

In all, he was found guilty of three counts of aggravated indecent assault. As the trial played out against the backdrop of the #MeToo movement, the massage therapist who stood up and faced Cosby in court was watched by many woman who sought to have their claims against the actor tested in court, but were prevented from doing so by the statute of limitations.

(Getty Images)

We may never know the full extent of his double life as a sexual predator, but his decades-long reign of terror as a serial rapist is over, she wrote in a witness statement.

Life as I knew it came to an abrupt halt, I was a young woman brimming with confidence and looking forward to a future bright with possibilities. Now, almost 15 years later, Im a middle-aged woman whos been stuck in a holding pattern for most of her adult life, unable to heal fully or to move forward.

In October last year, authorities released a fresh mug shot showed Cosby partly smiling with a disposable mask hanging from his face. In the image, released by the Pennsylvania Department of Corrections, the former actor was unshaven, and apparently wearing an orange prison outfit.

It was a stark difference from the suited and shaven actor who had been led away in September 2018 by bailiffs, his request for being released on bond while he appealed the case, turned down. Then, Cosby was wearing a white shirt and red braces. His tie and jacket had been removed.

The judge had told him: Fallen angels suffer most.

Additional reporting by Reuters
A congressman in Washington state expressed his criticism of the coronavirus vaccine and surrounding vaccine mandates by wearing a yellow Star of David during a speech over the weekend, invoking the symbol Nazis used to identify Jews during the Holocaust.

The Seattle Times reported that Jim Walsh, a state representative in Washington, wore the symbol on his shirt while giving a speech to conservative activists at a church's gym on Saturday.

He called coronavirus vaccine mandates an "echo from history," in a Facebook post.

"In the current context, we're all Jews," he said.

A local educator at the Holocaust Centre for Humanity in Seattle took exception to the congressman's comparison.

"Out government is making an effort to protect their own citizens, not kill them," Dee Simon, the executive director of the organisation, told The Settle Times. "It not only trivializes it, it distorts history."

Mr Walsh said he received the star from someone at the event, and said most of the other attendees were wearing the star as well. He said they were "deeply concerned about vaccine passports and vaccine segregation.

It is unclear what mandates Mr Walsh is concerned with, as Washington state has not enacted any requirements for people to be vaccinated outside of a mandate from the state's Department of Labor and Industries requiring employers to verify their employees have been vaccinated before lifting mask mandates at the businesses.

Mr Walsh said he would not reveal publicly if he was vaccinated, comparing his refusal to comment to the film Spartacus, in which a group of slaves refuse to identify a Roman general despite being threatened with crucifixion.

The congressman continued to make spurious comparisons between unvaccinated people and racial minorities by citing Plessy v Ferguson, an 1896 Supreme Court case that upheld the "separate but equal" racial segregation laws that oppressed African Americans.

Mr Walsh is not the first lawmaker to draw a comparison between vaccine efforts and the Holocaust; Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene made a similar comparison and was later forced to apologise after visiting the Holocaust Museum in Washington DC.

"There are words that I have said, remarks that I've made that I know are offensive, and for that I'd like to apologize," she said. "So I should own it. I made a mistake."

Despite her mea culpa, other conservative activists have run with the comparison, drawing concern from Jewish advocacy groups like the American Defamation League.

The ADL warned that in the US and in Europe that "anti-Covid measures and anti-vaccination demonstrations have become the hotbeds of Holocaust trivialization and antisemitic conspiracy theories and tropes.
A web of royal rivalry, palace plots and secrets and lies involving powerful international rulers, politicians and intelligence services lie behind the trial that has started in Jordan over charges of sedition against the ruler of the Hashemite Kingdom.

The accusations and recriminations that have swirled around the alleged attempted coup against King Abdullah II have drawn in a cast which includes Prince Mohammed bin Salman of Saudi Arabia, Donald Trumps son-in-law Jared Kushner and the recently departed Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.

The case against the two defendants in court, Sharif Hassan bin Zaid, a distant cousin of the King, and Bassem Awadallah, a former highly influential senior official, began last week.

The tale of the attempted coup has been described as Jordans trial of the century and a real life Game of Thrones, one which could have widespread repercussions for the Middle East and further abroad.

The defendants, who have pleaded not guilty, face up to 20 years imprisonment if convicted. However, the senior member of the royal family who allegedly wanted to take over the throne, the 41-year-old former Crown Prince Hamzah bin Hussein, a half-brother to Abdullah, has not been in court.

Prince Hamzah is under house arrest, but has not been charged. The Palace has announced that the matter was being dealt with within the framework of the Hashemite family. The King subsequently declared that Hamzah was with his family in his palace, under my care.

The Prince is not in court despite the prosecution indictment stating that he was determined to achieve his personal ambition of becoming the ruler and there was a solid connection between the two defendants and him.

The two accused men were driven into the State Security Court in Amman in SUVs through a back entrance, the only sight of them came in a leaked video. It showed them walking with hands manacled behind their back, in blue prison fatigues of those held by the intelligence services.

A vehicle with tinted windows leaves the State Security Court, where the trial of two officials accused of helping Jordan's Prince Hamzah try to overthrow his half-brother King Abdullah II began, in the Jordanian capital Amman (afp/AFP via Getty Images)

The defence legal team has stated that Prince Hamzah will be asked to appear as a witness. They also intend to call analysts on surveillance to examine wiretap evidence that forms a key piece of prosecution evidence.

Mohammed Afif, a former State Security Court judge who is now a lawyer for Awadallah, said both the defendants insist that Prince Hamzah testifies in the case. The court will have the final decision, but it must justify itself if it refuses to summon him. The defendants will present their defence in writing and then we will ask the court to hear from up to 10 witnesses.

We want Prince Hamzah to be one of these witnesses. He is a big part of this case. We also want to say that since part of the prosecution account is based on wiretaps, the defence plans to call on Jordanian and foreign experts to verify the authenticity of the recordings.

The projected appearances of Prince Hamzah and foreign analysts, with the possibility that they may be former intelligence officers, are potentially highly problematic for a number of foreign states as well as the Jordanian government.

It is difficult to see how the court can avoid addressing the issues.

According to the charge sheet: Prince Hamzah was aiming to become the ruler of Jordan ... started attacking His Majesty the King and was encouraged by Sharif Hassan who exerted all his efforts on Prince Hamzah becoming ruler of Jordan.

Awadallah was brought in to get international support for the plot. They knew that Awadallah was experienced and had strong influence abroad, which could help in securing Prince Hamzah becoming the ruler, says the document.

The attempted coup has caused deep concern among traditional international allies such as the US and Britain about a country that has been viewed as an oasis of stability in a turbulent neighbourhood.

The stability of the country has long been tied to the stability of the royal family. Now a taboo has been broken; someone has opened the door of the Hashemite family to the public debate, and if it is not managed now carefully, we will witness people questioning the model of governance in Jordan. Amer al-Sabaileh, an academic and political analyst

It has also raised contentious questions inside Jordan, a country battered by the effects of the Covid pandemic on top of deep financial malaise, about the state of the country and about the royal family  hitherto considered sacrosanct.

The secrecy of the legal proceedings, meanwhile, has fuelled rumours about a sinister cabal at work in the country and the influence of a malign foreign hand.

Amer al-Sabaileh, an academic and political analyst based in Amman, commented: The stability of the country has long been tied to the stability of the royal family. Now a taboo has been broken; someone has opened the door of the Hashemite family to the public debate, and if it is not managed now carefully, we will witness people questioning the model of governance in Jordan.

A senior serving official of the Kingdom agreed that the plot and its aftermath are having a destabilising effect in the country and what emerges will have significant consequences abroad.

There have been divisions, bad ones, violent ones, between members of royal families in the region. But this is Jordan and there has not been a senior member of the royal family imprisoned here for more than 60 years, said the official. The economic situation is very bad, unemployment is high and we have been badly hit by Covid. One cant deny this has caused discontent.

There is also a lot of suspicion about foreign countries. There have been attempts to prevent bad publicity and avoid misunderstanding with neighbours. But this has raised issues which are not going away.

The extent of foreign involvement in the plot is a matter of controversy and sensitivity.

One claim is that the Saudi government wanted proceedings dropped against Awadallah, and senior figures from Riyadh, including foreign minister Faisal bin Farhan, the head of the countrys intelligence services as well as members of the entourage of Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, visited Amman to persuade the Jordanians to let Awadallah return with them.

The second defendant, Bin Zaid, also has Saudi links; his father, Sharif Hasan bin Zaid al-Nasser, lives in Saudi Arabia. The Saudi government denies trying to offer refuge to Awadallah and says the delegations were there to reassure Abdullah of support.

Western and Jordanian officials say that the Saudis may have succeeded had it not been for the change in the US presidency with Donald Trump gone and Joe Biden taking over.

The Saudi connection is an integral part of the allegations surrounding the coup. Prince Hamzah, according to the prosecution, asked Awadallah whether he would get Saudi support if he went ahead with the plot. The deputy prime minister, Ayman Safadi, held that the prince has been liaising with some foreign entities. The Saudi government denies that it was involved in the attempted coup.

Awadallah, the former head of the royal court and former finance minister, holds dual Saudi-Jordanian nationality and is an economic advisor to Mohammed bin Salman (MBS). His network of influential international connections also include Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed, the de facto ruler of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Awadallah was apparently involved in the UAE-backed purchase of Palestinian land around Jerusalem.

The prosecutor of Jordans state security court on Sunday, 13 June filed sedition and incitement charges against Dr Bassem Awadallah (pictured above) and Sharif Hassan bin Zaid (AP)

The Palestine and Israel connection takes the coup into one of the most highly publicised and divisive episodes in the recent politics of the Middle East  Jared Kushners supposed deal of the century. Donald Trumps son-in-law had cultivated a friendship with MBS and expected Saudi support for his proposed agreement between Israel and Palestinians. He had also gained the backing of the UAE.

Abdullah, with a large Palestinian population in Jordan, had raised grave doubts about the viability of the American plan. It would, the Jordanians held, scupper any chance of an independent Palestinian state as agreed in its own peace agreement with Israel in 1994.

Jordan has also opposed the normalisation of relations between a number of Arab states and Israel brokered by the Trump administration. This had led to worsening of relations with the UAE, one of the first to go down that path.

The Hashemites have the custodianship of the Islamic and Christian holy sites of Jerusalem and Abdullah had stated repeatedly that Jordan would not accept changes to the legal and historic status of Jerusalem the Israelis are trying to enforce.

The stance of King Abdullah led to him being sidelined by Mr Kushner, a major problem for Jordan as long as Trump was in power.

The indictment against the alleged coup plotters claimed that Awadallah pushed Prince Hamzah to criticise and weaken the strong position of the King towards the Palestinian cause, the issue of Jerusalem and the Hashemite custodianship of Jerusalems Islamic and Christian holy sites. Prince Hamzah, the prosecution claims, has declared I dont care about Jerusalem.

Trump has gone and Kushners deal of the century is dead in the water. The changes in Washington, say diplomats, has had a huge impact on how the affair of the coup played out in Jordan.

During the Saudi attempts to extract Awadallah, diplomatic and security sources claim Nicholas Burns, the head of the CIA, asked the White House to intervene. The CIA denies this. President Biden called Abdullah during the visit of the Intelligence chief from Riyadh to offer his support. The Jordanian King is due to visit Washington next month.

Other western states have also rallied around. Britain, a long standing ally of Jordan, carried out a major military exercise in the country last week with troops from the 16 Air Assault Brigade carrying out a parachute drop and urban fighting drill with Jordanian special forces; a symbolic as well as strategic move.

Talks were held between senior officers from both countries. The Jordanian armed forces had issued a warning to Prince Hamzah not to undermine the security and stability of the Kingdom, with a personal visit by General Yousef Huneiti, the chief of staff. The prince, while under house arrest, had issued a video recording saying he had refused to comply with the militarys demand that he stops communicating with the outside world.

Jordans former deputy foreign minister, Jawad Anani, maintains that Israel was involved in the conspiracy. Senior officials claimed that Benjamin Netanyahu saw Abdullah as an obstacle to the deals he was seeking to make with Arab states. Israel denies these claims.

Roy Shaposhnik, an Israeli businessman and associate of Hamzah, had claimed that he had arranged a private jet to get the princes wife and family out of the country. Jordanian intelligence, according to the countrys media, had revealed that Shaposhnik is a former member of Mossad; this is denied by the Israeli businessman.

Jordanian officials have subsequently toned down talk of a foreign hand recently. They are especially careful about apportioning any blame to Saudi Arabia. A huge number of Jordanians work in there, sending back remittance, and there would be a massive impact on the economy if that was to stop.

There are, in reality, plenty of personal and societal reasons for Prince Hamza to rebel. The son of King Hussein and his fourth wife, the American-born Queen Noor, he was the designated Crown Prince. But in 1999, King Hussein changed the succession to Abdullah, who, in turn, five years later stripped Hamza of the title and gave it to his oldest son.

Prince Hamza has cultivated those who feel alienated by Jordanian hierarchy and the newly rich commercial elite. The discontent is among both the rural and urban population, members of tribes as well as young activists in the cities. The charges the alleged coup-plotters face include seeking to spread dissatisfaction among these groups.

The economic tribulations  unemployment just under 30 per cent, 50 per cent among youth  will not be affected by what happens at the ongoing trial, but the grievances among people may emerge in evidence at the proceedings.

King Abdullah has announced the forming of a committee to open up the political life of the Kingdom with the aim of giving greater power to parliament and consultation with civic society.

Under Article 195 of the Jordanian penal code lese-majeste  insulting the King, Queen and Crown Price  is a criminal offence and criticism of the royal family in public is muted.

But people are prepared to speak up more now. I dont think we will ever fully find out the full truth about the coup and we do not know what is going on this court case, said Omar Mohammed Khatib, a 27 year old electrical engineer in Amman.

Maybe there are foreign countries involved, but those the government say were plotting were making use of peoples unhappiness. Unless there are real reforms we are going to have more big problems in the future, what happened would not be the end of the matter.
Just 44 hours after the Balearic islands were added to the UKs quarantine-free list, unvaccinated British visitors will have to present evidence of a negative test before travel to Spain.

Previously there were no requirements beyond completing a health control form.

The government in Madrid says the prime minister, Pedro Sanchez, personally announced the rule change in order to protect both residents and visitors, given the rising infection rates in the United Kingdom.

New coronavirus cases in the UK are running at about twice the rate of Spain.

From midnight 2 July, vaccinated travellers who wish to avoid testing must present a vaccination certificate issued by the competent authorities in the UK (either electronically or in print) at least 14 days from the last vaccination dose.

Presently only the Balearic islands - comprising Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca - are on the UKs green list. Mainland Spain and the Canaries are on the amber list, which mandates 10 days of self-isolation.

Spains U-turn comes amid other territories tightening restrictions on British arrivals.

The UK joined Maltas red list at the same time as the island was added to the green register, requiring all arrivals 12 and over to be fully vaccinated. Meanwhile, Hong Kong has blocked all arrivals if theyve spent longer than two hours on UK soil.
Livermore, CA (94550)

Today

Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High 86F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph..

Tonight

Generally fair. Low around 55F. Winds W at 10 to 20 mph.


remaining of

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The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) which sells dairy products under the brand name Amul has announced an increase in milk prices.

BCCL

According to the company, prices of Amul milk will be increased by Rs 2 per litre with effect from July 1 across all brands. Read more



Bharat Biotech's COVAXIN Effectively Neutralises Alpha, Delta COVID Variants, Finds US Study

In some good news for India's fight against COVID-19, a study by the US' National Institute of Health has found that COVAXIN, the indigenous vaccine can effectively neutralise both Alpha and Delta variants of coronavirus.

PTI

The NIH said results of two studies of blood serum from people who had received Covaxin suggest that the vaccine generates antibodies that effectively neutralise the B.1.1.7 (Alpha) and B.1.617 (Delta) variants of SARS-CoV-2, first identified in the UK and India, respectively. Read more



Cases Of "Religious Conversions" Reported In UP, Jammu and Kashmir

24-year-old Sikh woman in Muzaffarnagar district on Tuesday retracted her allegations against two Muslim brothers who have been booked for rape and fraud, and charged under the anti-conversion law based on her complaint.

The woman denied the allegations while recording her statement before a magistrate. According to the police, the woman claimed that she filed the complaint after being pressured by some Hindu organisations. Read more

Rs 50K Compensation, Hit Accused With A Shoe: UP Panchayat's Offer To Minor Rape Survivor

In a shocking incident, a panchayat in Uttar Pradesh has allegedly asked a minor girl who was raped, to settle the matter.

BCCL

According to the family of the girl, in the Maharajganj district of Uttar Pradesh, the panchayat asked them to take Rs 50,000 from the accused and slap him five times with a shoe, in public. Read more

Delhi Simmers At 43 Degrees

Delhi witnessed the first severe heat wave of the year on Tuesday with the maximum temperature at Safdarjung Observatory, considered the official marker for the city, rising to 43 degrees Celsius, the highest this year so far.

AFP

And with the monsoon keeping away from Delhi and nearby areas, more hot days are likely to trouble residents in the national capital, IMD said on Wednesday. Read more



Rectal Bleeding Reported In 5 COVID Patients, 1 Dies In Delhi's Private Hospital

Even as the Covid-19 positivity rate is falling below 2 per cent in Delhi, complications related to the virus doesn't seem to come to an end.

BCCL

After fungal infections, now five COVID-19 patients have reported cytomegalovirus-related (CMV) rectal bleeding during the second wave of the pandemic, authorities at a leading private facility in Delhi said. Read more


The Gujarat Cooperative Milk Marketing Federation (GCMMF) which sells dairy products under the brand name Amul has announced an increase in milk prices.

According to the company, prices of Amul milk will be increased by Rs 2 per litre with effect from July 1 across all brands.

"Prices of Amul milk will be increased by Rs 2 per litre across India from tomorrow. The new prices will be applicable on all Amul milk brands like Gold, Taaza, Shakti, T-special, as well on cow and buffalo milk," said RS Sodhi, Managing Director, GCMMF said.

BCCL

Increase in production cost

The price was being hiked after a gap of nearly one year and seven months due to an increase in the production cost.

"Additionally, the cost for packaging has gone up by 30 to 40 per cent, the transportation cost by 30 per cent, and the energy cost by 30 per cent, which led to the increase in the input cost," he said.

With Amul, the biggest dairy products company in the country announcing a price hike for milk, other brands are also likely to follow suit.

BCCL

Not just milk

This comes as a blow to the average Indian household that has been struggling with an increase in the prices of several essential items.

Prices of edible oils including mustard, palm, sunflower and soya have all gone up by between 20-50 percent in a year.

The rise in international prices is being blamed for the hike in the domestic market. India meets about two-thirds of its edible oil demand through imports.

BCCL

As per data by industry body SEA, India's import of palm oils rose by 48 per cent to 7,69,602 tonne in May 2021 on higher shipments of crude palm oil.

India, the world's leading vegetable oil buyer, had imported 4,00,506 tonne palm oils in May 2020.

The country's total vegetable oil imports rose by 68 per cent to Rs 12.49 lakh tonne in May 2021, compared to 7.43 lakh tonne in the year-ago period.

On Tuesday, the government had reduced basic customs duty on crude palm oil to 10 per cent to help bring down the edible oil prices in the retail market.
The cyber cell of the Delhi Police has sought details from microblogging platform Twitter of accounts circulating child sexual abuse content, news agency ANI reported. The Delhi Police had registered a case for "availability of child sexual abuse and child pornographic material" on its platform.

The case was registered after National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) wrote to the police saying it had received a complaint about online threats against a minor girl, and found pornographic material on Twitter, according to a letter written by the rights group to police. "Investigation has been taken up," a statement from the Delhi police said.

Reuters

Twitter's statement

Twitter, meanwhile, said it has a zero tolerance policy for child sexual exploitation. The company is already facing a case for displaying a wrong map of India, which showed Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir as a separate country. The map was taken down from the companys website after the case was registered.

The Delhi Police has also sent a notice to Twitter seeking details about steps taken by it against circulation of child pornographic content on its platform, officials said on Wednesday.

twitter

A senior police officer said the police have sought to know the steps taken by Twitter officials concerned against child sexual abuse content on their platform. The case was registered under relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Act and the IT Act, police said.

NCPCR's statement

The NCPCR chairperson said, "Twitter India is not ready to admit that its content, pornographic per se, is unsafe for kids," news agency ANI reported on Wednesday. "We also found that they (Twitter India) lied to us about Twitter Inc not linked to them. Two of its directors are salaried employees of Twitter Inc," said Priyank Kanoongo, Chairperson, NCPCR.

Kanoongo also tweeted on Tuesday stating that Twitter's actions in India are "more a display of Western culture's arrogance than non-obedience to law and order."



Tussle with Centre

These cases have compounded the problems of Twitter which is already involved in a tussle with the Centre over new IT rules. Many central ministers have repeatedly criticised Twitter for not complying with the new rules, which came into effect in May.

Companies such as Twitter must now appoint a chief compliance officer, a grievance officer and another executive to liaise with law enforcement and the government on legal requests. LinkedIn job postings show the three positions are open at Twitter.

PTI

Non-compliance with those rules means Twitter may no longer enjoy the legal privilege in India that allowed it to not be held liable for user-generated content. Twitter, in turn, has raised concerns about the safety of its employees in India and flagged intimidation by the police.
A child raised by a single parent has to go through a lot in our country. There's stigma and they face a lot of difficulties in everyday life where peers and relatives pass judgement. Even schools can discriminate when it comes to giving admission to children being raised by single parents.

Unsplash

But, in an iconic move Delhi government has finally put an end to this discrimination and has asked schools to not deny admission to kids with single parents.

Deputy Chief Minister of Delhi Manish Sisodia announced that No school in Delhi shall deny admission to a child on the grounds that the child is declaring the name of his/her single parent only.



No school in Delhi shall deny admission to a child on the grounds that the child is declaring name of his/her single parent only. pic.twitter.com/gDz1riHog0  Manish Sisodia (@msisodia) June 28, 2021

Director of Education issued a notice regarding this matter which read, All the Heads of schools of all managements under DoE are hereby directed to not deny admission to the candidates who have filled details of even one of the parents in the application form while taking admission.



This progressive announcement was taken very well by the people of the internet and a lot of people lauded this decision taken by the government.

A wonderful decision. Shows wisdom and the will to change things for the better.  Pritish Nandy (@PritishNandy) June 28, 2021

Important and inclusive decision. Why should the child suffer due to reasons beyond his understanding.  Francis Joseph (@Francis_Joseph) June 28, 2021

Being a single parent is hard enough. This is a breakthrough decision that will not just support single parents but also be an attempt to empower them in making decisions and their stand in society. A bold and empowering move ... hats off @msisodia  Anoop Saxena  (@anoopsaxena_) June 28, 2021

I can relate this. Have only mom since when i was 10. Got difficulty in many govt certificates. This should be unabled in almost everything specially schools and exam related forms.  Kepler  (@Kepler__22) June 28, 2021

Thanks a lot sir.. A step in the right direction. I personally suffered a lot from due to this. Hope other govts also do the same.  Shubham (@shubh_ind) June 28, 2021

Personally hits very close to home. I was denied covid tests in Punjab this time around unless I entered in the form Father/Husbands name, and since I have neither - I was told to go elsewhere. Inclusive decision and much, much, much needed! https://t.co/3mTMO0tXGI  Moose Jattana (@MooseJattana) June 28, 2021

Excellent directive by @msisodia . I know the pain of this. While joining college, I declared my mother's name only. The administration piled me up with questions and I roamed for days giving explanations. Children shouldn't face this. @Anbil_Mahesh Pls issue similar directive. https://t.co/zSuptA0Afg  VD (@vishaldheena) June 29, 2021

Finally a big relief to all the single parents!! https://t.co/IwqI7nbOwd  Arti (@ArtiMoyo) June 29, 2021





Slowly and steadily Indian states are moving ahead with the times and are accepting progressive laws and rules. For instance, West Bengal and Telangana authorities have earmarked separate hospital wards for transgenders who have tested positive for the novel coronavirus. Even states like Kerala and Rajasthan issued a separate identity cards for the transgender community.
Students attend a class at their open-air school situated on top of a mountain as the Covid-19 coronavirus pandemic continues to cripple life in the country, in Doodhpathri, in the Indian administered territory of Jammu and Kashmir, on June 28. At an April 27 press briefing, attended by India-West, Dr. Ashish Jha, Indian American Dean of Brown Universitys School of Public Health, told reporters that Indias Covid death rates are about 10,000 per day, five times the official number of 2,000. (Tauseef Mustafa/AFP via Getty Images)
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken with Atul Keshap, who has been appointed as the new US Charge d'Affaires in Delhi. (Twitter photo via ANI)
Real-time social media posts from local businesses and organizations across Northern Virginia, powered by Friends2Follow. To add your business to the stream, email cfields@insidenova.com or click on the green button below.
Opioid deaths spiked in Connecticut during the pandemic and continue to increase in 2021, fueled by continued disruptions to recovery programs and a deadly, fentanyl-laced drug supply.

The synthetic opioid fentanyl, which is 80 to 100 times more powerful than morphine, was found in 4 percent of accidental intoxication deaths in the state in 2012 but showed up in the vast majority of fatal overdoses last year, the Hartford Courant reported.

The isolation brought on by the pandemic led to more drug use, more emergency room visits and more overdoses. The state Department of Public Health reported the number of overdose deaths in the first three months of 2021 was higher than the same period in 2019 and 2020.

Some recovery programs stopped offering treatment or support groups, exacerbating the difficulties.

Disrupting the recovery community led to more relapse, more use, more overdoses, Dr. J. Craig Allen, the medical director at Rushford, a Hartford HealthCare center in Meriden, told the newspaper.

Experts and medical professionals say fatal overdoses arent likely to decrease because of the prevalence of fentanyl. But theyre hopeful that some of the billions of dollars in federal aid the state has received will be used for mental health and substance abuse treatment.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics COVID-19 Connecticut
A Massachusetts woman who embezzled about $1.4 million from two nonprofits where she worked has been sentenced to six years in federal prison, prosecutors said.

In addition, Nicole Lescarbeau was also sentenced last week to five years of probation and ordered to pay restitution, according to the U.S. attorneys office in Boston.

Lescarbeau, 53, of Canton, bilked more than $1.3 million from one nonprofit from 2013 until 2018, in part by using the organizations credit cards for unauthorized personal purchases and by using money from the nonprofits bank account for personal expenses, prosecutors said.

While on pretrial release from charges related to that scheme, she used her married name, Nicole Coulibaly, to get a job in 2019 at another nonprofit without revealing the charges she faced to her new employer. She then embezzled another $57,000, prosecutors said.

She pleaded guilty to wire fraud, bank fraud and identity theft.

Prosecutors did not disclose the nonprofits but said one focused on nutrition in developing countries and the other focused on affordable housing.

Lescarbeau also asked President Joseph Biden for a pardon, blaming her actions on her husband, prosecutors said.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Massachusetts
The European Union is considering a wide range of measures to bring the blocs financial sector into line with its climate plans, sources who have seen a European Commission strategy paper told Reuters.

The document outlines several actions including combating so-called greenwashing of investments, setting climate change targets for banks and encouraging low carbon blockchain projects, the sources said.

Entitled financing transition to a sustainable economy, the paper builds on the EU executives 2018 action which set the stage for the blocs classification of truly green investments, and mandatory climate-related disclosures by companies.

Read more: EU Prepares to Get Tougher on Asset Managers that Greenwash Sustainable Credentials

But the commission believes more action is needed because it has become clearer that Europe should improve how the financial sector contributes to sustainability, the sources said.

The EUs goal to eliminate its net emissions by 2050 will require huge investments, much of it private funding. Its system of classification, or taxonomy, aims to make green activities more visible and attractive to investors.

EU states will be asked to assess how their financial markets contribute to reaching the blocs climate goals, covering asset managers, pension funds, banks and insurers.

A consolidated report on EU financial markets transition will be delivered by the end of 2023, the sources said.

The commission will then coordinate with the European Central Bank and the blocs banking watchdog to calibrate the right pace for the transition.

There will be more work on labeling bonds as sustainable.

An initiative by the first quarter of 2023 will aim to make environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings of companies more reliable and comparable. The EU will also consider options to broaden out its taxonomy to cater better for investments in companies moving to a more sustainable footing, the sources said.

The strategy paper seeks to empower retail investors and small companies through green loans and mortgages, and better expertise of financial advisors in sustainability investments,

There will be a digital sustainable finance roadmap by 2023 to foster investment in low emission data centers and blockchain technology, the sources said.

(Reporting by Huw Jones, editing by William Maclean)

Topics Europe
Google will clamp down on financial fraud on its platform in Britain, saying on Wednesday that all financial services will need to be verified by the regulator before they can advertise.

Britains financial watchdog issued 1,200 consumer warnings last year about scams advertised via social media platforms by fake companies, double the number in 2019.

Google, which is part of U.S. tech giant Alphabet Inc., said in a blog post it will begin enforcing the new policy, which follows calls from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to vet paid promotions, from Sept. 6.

While this is an important step from Google we think a permanent and consistent solution requires legislation, an FCA spokesperson said in emailed statement.

The regulator will assess the outcome of Googles decision once the changes take effect, the spokesperson added.

Bank of England Governor Andrew Bailey has been lobbying the government to introduce a legal requirement for internet giants to take down financial fraud websites, the Sunday Times reported in March.

(Reporting by Ann Maria Shibu in Bengaluru; Additonal reporting by Aakriti Bhalla and Radhika Anilkumar; Editing by Jane Wardell and Alexander Smith)

Topics Uk
Guy Carpenter & Co., the reinsurance business of Marsh McLennan, announced the appointments of James Johns as managing director, effective Aug. 12, 2021, and Joshua ODonoghue as senior vice president, effective Nov. 8, 2021, within its Non-Marine Specialty division.

In his new role, Johns will operate as a leading broker and account executive specializing in providing property risk and catastrophe reinsurance solutions for a broad range of direct and facultative clients. Based in London, he will report to Stephen Firmin, managing director, Non-Marine Specialty, Guy Carpenter.

ODonoghue will be a senior broker and account executive, focusing on property retrocession, as well as direct and facultative reinsurance placements. Based in London, he will report to Roland Morse, managing director, Non-Marine Specialty, Guy Carpenter.

Johns joins from Willis Re where he was an executive director specializing in London market property reinsurance. During his 30-year career, spanning both broking and underwriting, he was also global head of Property at both Talbot Syndicate and Marsh UK, where he worked for 22 years.

ODonoghue joins from Aon where he was a non-marine retrocession broker and prior to this was a U.S. property reinsurance broker at Willis Re. He has considerable expertise in the production and placement of property-specific business having worked across a wide range of client companies in London and Bermuda.

***

McLarens, the Atlanta-based insurance services provider, has appointed Leonardo (Leo) Garzon as its new managing director for Latin America, effective immediately. Garzon will take the lead on strategic growth, client services and business development in the region, overseeing a network of 16 offices and affiliates operating across North, Central and South America.

He succeeds Howard Laidlaw, who after 14 years with McLarens is retiring from the industry.

Operating from McLarens Miami, Fla. office, Garzon will serve clients throughout the U.S., Caribbean and Latin America. A native of Colombia, he is a recognized leader within the region, holding 25 years of experience in forensic engineering, construction vulnerabilities, and pre-loss and post-loss consulting. His experience in the provision of risk and loss adjusting services includes advising on high value disputes within the energy, oil, transportation, commercial and residential property sectors.

Joining from J.S. Held, Garzon previously served in executive roles with Desimone Consulting Engineers, LIU, and Thornton Tomasetti. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Civil Engineering from National University of Colombia and a masters degree in Civil Engineering and Engineering Mechanics from Columbia University in New York City.

After becoming a loss adjuster in 1974, Laidlaw, a qualified member of the Chartered Institute of Loss Adjusters, spent his career managing complex claim assignments. His experience extends to various lines of business, including management of CAT teams, and has spanned across 34 countries, with the last 14 years serving as managing director of McLarens Latin America. Howard will maintain a consultancy role with the firm on special projects.

Topics Aon Willis Towers Watson
A John Deere tractor is pulling a grain cart. Dust swirls around the equipment as the tractor roars by.

Thats a familiar sight in South Dakota. But theres something different about this tractor.

The cab is empty.

The tractor is controlled by OMNiDRIVE, a product in the new Raven Industries OMNi series. OMNiDRIVE autonomously pilots a tractor hauling a grain cart and syncs it with a combine. The farmer in the combine controls the tractor with a tablet, eliminating the need for an additional driver.

Nick Langerock is the director of strategic marketing for Raven in Sioux Falls.

It provides the combine harvester operator the ability to command the tractor thats pulling the grain cart to go to a staging area to sync up to the combine when its time to unload or to go to the offload station to take grains to the bins, Langerock said.

Hardware is installed in the tractor that syncs up to a tablet. The tablet communicates with a GPS system in the combine to help the tractor navigate the field, South Dakota Public Broadcasting reported.

The second product, OMNiPOWER, is an autonomous vehicle that operates sprayer and spreader implements without a tractor. The machine looks like a Mars rover as it rolls across a field.

What it allows it to do is allow it to be a carrier for that implement rather than traditionally pulling with a tractor an implement, this is actually a carrier of the implement and it can actually perform those applications autonomously, Langerock said.

OMNiPOWER carried a sprayer implement during a recent demonstration.

An engineer using a tablet tapped on a field map, while keeping a watchful eye on the equipment. A farmer remotely controlling the machine can program the concentration of chemicals in specific areas.

Travis Bunde is a sales manager at Raven. He said OMNiDRIVE works in all fields, but OMNiPOWER currently works only with smaller grains such as wheat, oats and barley.

The machine today is not set up to drive through rows, our standard row widths, but it does have the potential in the future to have that capability, Bunde said.

OMNi products could reduce the number of workers needed in the field. Langerock said that will help farmers.

Cause theres a lot of labor stresses in the marketplace today, right? Its not that we dont want to pay labor, its that we cant find the labor thats needed, Langerock said.

Both products are equipped with camera sensors that act as the machines eyes. Bunde said the sensors ensure safety for the farmer and prevent damage to the equipment.

We have a very sophisticated perception system on the machine which utilizes a variety of different sensor technologies to understand its environment and recognize obstacles and even try to identify whether that obstacle is an actual hard obstacle or potentially just a deer or an animal running across the field, Bunde said.

OMNi is not the first autonomous technology in agriculture. Ag companies like Monarch and CASE make autonomous tractors. Raven is one of the few companies producing autonomous technology for existing, non-autonomous equipment.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Agribusiness South Dakota
The U.S. Department of Labor said US Foods will pay $159,550 in back pay and interest to 114 female and Black job applicants as part of an to resolve alleged hiring discrimination found at its Bensenville, Ill., distribution facility.

The company will also offer jobs to 16 applicants.

DOL said Rosemont-based US Foods discriminated against the applicants for selector positions, between Jan. 1, 2018, and June 30, 2019.

Executive Order 11246, prohibits federal contractors from discriminating in employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin.

The company denies the allegations.

US Foods also agreed to take steps to ensure future compliance in its personnel practices, including recordkeeping and internal auditing procedures.

A foodservice distributor, the company has contracts for services with the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other government agencies.

Source: U.S. DOL

Topics Claims Talent Illinois
Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. has acquired Solon, Ohio-based Stellar Benefits Group LLC.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

Ronald Rafal, Alan Greenberg and their associates will continue to operate from their current location under the direction of Tom Lannen, head of Gallaghers Great Lakes region employee benefit consulting and brokerage division.

Stellar Benefits is an employee benefits consulting firm offering health and welfare programs for businesses of all sizes.

Arthur J. Gallagher is an insurance brokerage, risk management and consulting services firm headquartered in Rolling Meadows, Ill.

Topics Mergers Ohio A.J. Gallagher
Federal prosecutors say a Mississippi woman has pleaded guilty to embezzling a total of more than $600,000 from two Louisiana employers.

Christy Bartholomew, 39, of Hattiesburg, pleaded guilty earlier this week to wire fraud, the U.S. Attorneys Office said in a news release.

Prosecutors said Bartholomew worked as a controller for a business in Slidell. There, they said, she embezzled about $357,000 from 2016 to 2019.

Later, as an office manager for a company in Kenner, she embezzled about $300,000 from November 2019 to February 2020. Prosecutors said she used several schemes, including use of a company credit card.

After her guilty plea to two counts of wire fraud, sentencing was set for Oct. 27. She faces a maximum possible prison sentence of 20 years, although the plea agreement filed this week states that prosecutors have agreed to recommend a sentence reduction.

The plea agreement calls for her to make restitution to the victims.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Louisiana Commercial Lines Business Insurance Mississippi
A Louisiana man has been sentenced to eight months of home confinement and ordered to repay more than $212,000 to a school board which hired him for asbestos inspections.

U.S. District Judge Lance Africk also ordered Marc Victoriano, 46, of Covington, to spend five years on probation for theft from a program receiving federal money, court records show.

Victoriano was responsible for safely removing any asbestos from Terrebonne Parish schools but put workers, the general public, and most alarmingly school children, at risk, Christopher Brooks, special agent in charge of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agencys criminal enforcement program in Louisiana, said in a news release Friday.

An indictment handed up in February 2020 accused Victoriano of contracting with the Terrebonne Parish School Board for asbestos inspections even though he was not a licensed asbestos inspector, and sending in years of fake reports.

He pleaded guilty Sept. 2 and was sentenced Wednesday.

From 2015 through 2017, the indictment said, Victorianos company, Professional Safety Consultants LLC, sent the school board 56 fraudulent lab reports claiming to show air monitoring and asbestos testing. It said Victoriano also sent in nine invoices with forged signatures and accreditation information.

The reports were required under the Asbestos Hazard Emergency Response Act, according to a news release Friday from the EPA.

Victoriano agreed to repay $212,618 to the school board, according to the plea agreement.

The scheme placed students and staff in a potentially dangerous situation and financially victimized taxpayers, U.S. Attorney Duane Evans said.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Louisiana K 12
Two people were killed and three injured in a natural gas pipeline explosion in Texas, officials said.

The deadly blast happened around 4 p.m. Monday at an Atmos Energy facility in Collin County near Farmersville, about 35 miles northeast of Dallas. Collin County Sheriff Jim Skinner said the explosion appeared to be an accident but he invited the FBI to assist in the investigation.

It was not immediately known what caused the blast.

Those involved in the explosion were contractors for Atmos Energy, and the Collin County Sheriffs Office said Monday night the contractors were employees of Bobcat Contracting and Fesco Petroleum Engineering. Two of the injured were taken to a hospital.

The workers were servicing a gas line when the explosion happened, Farmersville police Chief Mike Sullivan told WFAA-TV. The Princeton and Farmersville fire departments, Collin County EMS and multiple other local law enforcement agencies responded to the blast.

Our prayers are with those who were affected by the events in Farmersville, Texas, today, Atmos Energy said in statement. Out of respect for their privacy, we are not releasing any names or additional details at this stage, the statement added.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Texas
Managers of a burning warehouse, which rapidly became so engulfed that flames threatened nearby homes, waited a day before calling the local fire department for help, Georgia state investigators said in a report.

A giant pile of wood pellets awaiting export at the Port of Brunswick caught fire in early May and destroyed the vast warehouse where they were being stored. No one was injured, but firefighters shut off gas lines to nearby homes and remained at the scene for weeks to make sure flames didnt rekindle.

Georgia state investigators sharply criticized the company that operates the warehouse, Logistec, in a report of their preliminary findings. They learned the Montreal-based company utilized a private `fire brigade for approximately a day before alerting the Brunswick Fire Department.

The fire grew rapidly and dangerous to the surrounding residences and warehouses, the report read. Ultimately the fire grew out of control and caused a violent explosion. Several neighboring fire departments responded to assist.

Brunswick Fire Chief Randy Mobley said the fire would likely have been less severe had his department known to respond earlier.

We should have been called, Mobley told The Brunswick News. If we would have been called sooner, they would probably still have a warehouse.

Logistec did not immediately respond to email messages seeking comment. The investigators report said Logistec managers had downplayed the hazards associated with the storage of these pellets stating that they are generally safe.

The company told Georgia officials it stores and exports about 1 tons (0.9 metric tonnes) of wood pellets each year using warehouses on property leased from the Georgia Ports Authority. The wood pellets are shipped to countries in Europe where they are used to fuel power plants.

The investigators for Georgias insurance and safety fire commissioner said preliminary findings suggest the wood pellets spontaneously combusted after they began to decompose. Their report said the pellets may have been piled too high inside the warehouse, with their sheer weight causing compression that increased the risk of fire.

At a meeting June 2, Logistec managers told state investigators they follow all industry prescribed standards, the report said.

Yet the fire in May wasnt the companys first in Brunswick. The port warehouse that burned last month was built in 2016 to replace two buildings destroyed by a previous wood-pellet fire in July 2015.

Before the new warehouse was destroyed, firefighters responded to smaller wood-pellet fires there in 2017, 2018 and 2019.

The state investigators found no sign that Logistec had ever applied to the insurance commissioners office for a permit to store materials _ such as wood pellets _ that pose a risk for fire or explosion from combustible dust. They also reported that the companys storage facilities at the Port of Brunswick failed to meet standards of the International Fire Code or the National Fire Protection Association.

Logistec was required to have (Office of Commissioner of Insurance) permits to store wood pellets, said Weston Burleson, a spokesman for the state insurance commissioners office. And, while our investigation is still ongoing, it appears they never did secure those permits.

Burleson said the investigation hasnt been completed and its too early to say whether state officials might take action against Logistec. He said the companys suppliers have suspended shipments of wood pellets until its determined the company can store them safely.

During a tour of Logistecs storage facilities, investigators reported seeing larges piles of dust around a hopper and conveyor belt system. Brunswick Fire Chief Randy Mobley, who joined the tour, told them a spark from the conveyor could ignite the dust like gunpowder. He also said the warehouses didnt have enough water connections for fire hoses.

When Logistec managers pressed the officials about when they might resume storing and exporting wood pellets, the report said, Chief Mobley was adamantly opposed to allowing operation under current conditions.

Investigators recommended that Logistec meet several conditions before being allowed to resume operations at the Port of Brunswick. They included calling firefighters immediately if wood pellets catch fire or smolder, using fire-resistant barriers to separate piles of wood pellets in storage and developing in six months a plan to comply with state and national standards on combustible dust.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Georgia
A North Carolina doctor who pleaded guilty in March to assault on a female has been sued by two former employees who allege sexual misconduct.

Dr. Diaa Eldin Hussein, who has practices in Morganton, Marion and Lenoir, is facing civil lawsuits alleging sexual misconduct against two former employees, including the employee who pursued the criminal charges against him, the Hickory Daily Record reported Monday.

In the lawsuits, filed in May in Burke County, the former employees allege Hussein touched them, propositioned them and made inappropriate comments to them. In his response to the lawsuits, Hussein acknowledged that he had pleaded guilty to assault on a female in McDowell County in a case brought up by one of the plaintiffs but otherwise denied wrongdoing.

Hussein pleaded guilty March 26 in McDowell County to assault on a female after he originally had been charged with three counts of misdemeanor sexual battery in January.

Hussein, a family physician who still had an active license to practice medicine in North Carolina as of Friday, had previously been reprimanded by both the North Carolina and Virginia medical boards after a patient in North Carolina filed a complaint against him.

Copyright 2021 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Topics Lawsuits North Carolina
Most California insurance companies continued to charge pre-pandemic auto insurance rates despite a vast majority of Californians driving far less last year, according to an analysis by Consumer Watchdog on Tuesday.

The report shows auto insurers reaped a windfall of about $5.5 billion.

Insurance companies average return on net worth was more than twice what California law allows last year, according to the report.

Since April 2020, California Insurance Commissioner Ricardo Lara has issued four bulletins directing insurers to refund overcharges, and in March he set an April 30 deadline for companies to repay outstanding 2020 refunds.

Lara in March said insurers continued to overcharge drivers despite reduced risk of accidents during the pandemic.

Insurance companies were allowed to calculate for themselves what they owe. As a result, the top 15 auto insurance companies, representing 70% of the market, have only repaid roughly $1.9 billion for 2020, less than half of what they overcharged California consumers, the report shows.

Insurance companies are hanging on to billions of drivers dollars that should be helping Californians get back on their feet as we emerge from the pandemic, stated Carmen Balber, executive director of Consumer Watchdog. The Insurance Commissioner must require companies to refund past overcharges in full, with interest, and make sure rates are not excessive going forward.

According to the American Property Casualty Insurance Association, insurers took immediate action to reduce premiums after the pandemic hit, and the auto insurers in 2020 voluntarily provided more than $14 billion in refunds and credits to policyholders for reduced driving during the pandemic, while deploying more than $220 million in philanthropic contributions during COVID-19 to support local communities.

Mark Sektnan, APCIAs vice president, said that insurers continue to work with policyholders to adjust their policies in 2021, and are encouraging policyholders to communicate any reduction in their driving habits to their insurer to discuss adjustments in premiums if those changes have not already happened automatically.

Insurers are reporting the appropriate data to the California Department of Insurance, said Sektnan. Insurers are always looking at their book of business to manage their risk and provide accurate rates to their policyholders in Californias competitive marketplace.

The California Department of Insurance have been reached out to for comment.

Companies have so far repaid less than $100 million for 2021, the report shows.

Consumer Watchdogs analysis, which is based on profit and loss data compiled from insurers annual statements by the California Department of Insurance and the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, reflect the impact of the virus shutdown in which accidents and projected claims payouts fell as most people and their cars sheltered in place.

California auto insurance company loss ratios averaged 52.7 cents for every premium dollar charged in 2020, a drop of 11.8% from the average 64.5 cents for every dollar charged in 2019, according to Consumer Watchdog.

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Topics COVID-19 Carriers California Trends Claims
Some 318,000 doses of Pfizer vaccines will arrive here today in the biggest delivery so far.

More than four million Covid-19 jabs have been administered so far, with two-thirds of people getting at least one dose.

The vaccine programme is set to ramp up as the AstraZeneca and Johnson and Johnson vaccines are to be approved for all adults.

They are currently only used on over-50s.

The National Immunisation Advisory Committee (Niac) recommended to Government earlier this week that the AstraZeneca and Janssen vaccines can be administered to 18 to 40-year-olds.

The committee has also recommended that the AstraZeneca vaccine dose gap be reduced to four weeks, to allow more people in their 60s to be fully vaccinated faster.

Previously, the AstraZeneca and Johnson & Johnson jabs were recommended for over-50s only due to incidences of rare blood clotting being linked to the vaccines.

Dr Anne Moore, a vaccines expert in UCC, is encouraging younger people not to turn them down when they are offered.

The vaccine is very safe. Its very effective in the under 40s," she said.

I think everybody needs to know the benefits and the small, tiny, element of risk that there is as well and make an informed decision.

But definitely, I would recommend that everybody take the first vaccine that theyre offered and seek out ways to make themselves available to be vaccinated as soon as possible.

A Government statement on Tuesday said that more than four million doses have been administered.

More than 40% of the population are now fully vaccinated, the Government said.

HSE chief Paul Reid said there is continued strong momentum on the vaccine programme.

Mr Reid said that well over 100,000 doses have been administered in the first two days this week.

It comes as the Government announced a delay in the reopening of indoor dining and activities until at least July 19.

The Government has said that pending the implementation of a system to verify vaccination or immunity, indoor services will not proceed.

Tanaiste Leo Varadkar has accepted it is unfair to tell young people to work in hospitality but not use it if they havent got the jab.

I don't think anything's fair about this pandemic and science isn't always fair.

It is unfair, but this is the reality that faces us, he told RTEs Morning Ireland.

Mr Varadkar added that the best thing that could be done for young people was to get them vaccinated as soon as possible which was why the news on AstraZeneca and Janssen meant they could be vaccinated in the coming weeks.
Upset and weary is how chef and restaurant owner Noel Keane felt after hearing that the return of indoor dining would be postponed once more.

He said the lack of clarity was destroying viable businesses.

Alcohol and dry goods orders were already arriving to Croi, his 80-seat restaurant in Tralee, Co Kerry, in anticipation of the now-cancelled reopening of indoor dining on July 5.

This is the third time weve been closed with very little notice," he said.

It doesnt just affect us; it affects all our suppliers, the printers, the laundries, our families.

Were all tired from it, were all worn down. For the first time in my life, I had serious mental health struggles earlier this year.

I know people who have walked away from their businesses, walked away from their dream, because they could not take the uncertainty.

Hospitals now have very low numbers of Covid patients but hospitality is flatlining and there is no ICU for us.

We cant keep taking these blows.

The National Public Health Emergency Teams (Nphet) advice is that indoor dining should only be permitted for the fully vaccinated, Taoiseach Micheal Martin said.

Mr Keane said he has serious concerns about the legality of policing this.

Asking people Are you vaccinated?' is asking a medical question," he said, explaining his discomfort with doing such a thing.

"So will we be breaking the law if we ask? And if they refuse to say or theyre not vaccinated, do we have to refuse entry? And if so, is that discrimination?"

He also asked why antigen tests were consistently sidelined in this country when they had been used effectively in other jurisdictions.

Denis Cotter of Paradiso restaurant on Washington St, Cork City, had already decided not to open his restaurant for indoor dining before July 20, assuming the July 5 date was too early.

"At least we have a couple of weeks where we dont have to cancel people," he said.

"And the focus now is on vaccines. If we make serious progress on that in the next few weeks then we may be more ready."

Having to operate his restaurant at just 45% capacity, or rearranging a few indoor bookings for outside instead, are in reality "small problems", Mr Cotter said.

"The Governments job is not to bow to industry pressure.

"Its the Governments job to, first of all, look after the health of the population. And secondly, if they do have to put restrictions on businesses then to look after those businesses, and theyve done that really well so far."

He said that people have reacted positively to outdoor dining and he believes it will continue in Ireland post-pandemic.

Another Cork publican with foresight, Maureen McLaughlin, had not planned to reopen Maureen's in Shandon until October when more people will be vaccinated and things "even out".

But the changes brought by the pandemic have made her examine other ways to serve the community without serving alcohol.

Im now thinking of new ways to use the space," she said.

Jack Costello of the Locke Bar, Limerick. Picture: Brian Arthur

Under the proposed rules for being vaccinated if dining indoors, Jack Costello, who runs the Locke Bar in Limerick City, would not be able to enjoy a pint inside his own pub, as he is yet to be vaccinated.

He said pushing the date back makes sense, but that the industry wont be happy about it.

However, he said the recommendations for indoor dining to be restricted to people who are fully vaccinated just doesnt make sense".

I don't think that's going to fly well with the industry and the public as a whole. I dont think it appropriate to ask someone for their health past if they want a pint or a bite to eat, Mr Costello said.

Mike Ryan runs Pharmacia, another popular pub in Limerick. He has labelled the delayed reopening as a farce.

Why are we being left behind, yet again? We can travel around the country no bother, but cannot go inside for a meal and a drink  it is gone beyond the joke, said Mr Ryan.

Publicans and restauranteurs will now be left with unusable stock, ordered for the return of indoor dining, he said.
Ian Bailey has said he has written to the makers of a documentary about the murder of Sophie Toscan du Plantier, saying they did not have permission to use an interview he did with them.

Sophie: A Murder in West Cork was released today and made by Netflix and production company, Lightbox.

It is one of two documentaries on the subject to have been released this month, the first being Skys Murder At The Cottage by Jim Sheridan.

Ian Bailey features in both, but he has said that he only cooperated with the Sky piece.

Speaking about the Netflix documentary, he told Newstalk Breakfast: I think it is a piece of self-serving, demonising propaganda, based on the clips he has seen of it.

He said that in 2017, he reluctantly agreed to give a brief interview as a tease for a Netflix production.

Mr Bailey said that he informed the people that he was contractually connected to the Sky series and said that he was never going to cooperate fully with a Netflix production.

He said he signed a release form but there was a second release that had to be signed by the manned owner of where the interview was conducted, my former partner Jules Thomas.

And she refused to sign it.

So I wrote to Simon Chinn [of Lighbox] and emailed him saying that they had no permission to use the interview they had done with me on the Prairie.

Mr Bailey confirmed that he did not receive a fee from Netflix.

Comparing it to the Sky documentary, Mr Bailey said: I think the thing about the Jim doc, was that Jim undertook to make an objective documentary.

All I can see from the Netflix production, theres very little objectivity in it. Its written from a biased slant.

He said he wrote to Netflix on Saturday saying that he didnt want the interview that had been recorded as a tease to be included in it.

When asked if he was going to take legal action, he said he was going to refer it to my legal people and should they think there is a case, they will advise me on that.

Following a request for comment, Netflix said: Were confident that all the necessary agreements were in place.

Lightbox has also been contacted for comment.

Speaking to The Irish Times, the Netflix show's director John Dower said they sought the blessing of Ms Toscan du Plantier's family but they had no editorial control.

We set out to make this film with the blessing of Sophies family, very deliberately and this is not just a line but all of us on the team felt this, in true crime so often the victim is always an afterthought, is passive," he said.

And so we wanted to tell Sophies story properly so we very deliberately sought access to Sophies family and they gave us that access so we have private home movie footage of her growing up and footage of her in Schull.

We are making this film with the family, we are not making it for the family, they have no editorial control over it but we were making it with their point of view in mind and that becomes clear particularly in the final episode.

Sophie Toscan du Plantier was killed in December 1996 but no one in Ireland has ever been charged with her murder.

In 2019, Mr Bailey was found guilty of the murder of the filmmaker when tried in absentia by a court in France.

He has never been charged in Ireland and has always maintained his innocence, describing the French case as a show trial that was designed to find him guilty.

The High Court ruled that Mr Bailey could not be extradited to France in 2020.
Burma COVID-19 Cases Spike at Myanmars Most Famous Beach Resort

Sitagu Eye Hospital where COVID-19 patients are being quarantined / CJ

Thandwe, a Rakhine State town next to Myanmars most famous beach resort Ngapali, is battling a fresh wave of COVID-19 infections with the virus spreading fast in schools and courts.

As of Tuesday, 25 COVID-19 cases had been reported in Thandwe, less than a week after the first case in the town was recorded on June 24, according to local civil society organizations (CSOs).

A school in Kywe Thauk Gon Village near Ngapali Beach and another school in Lin Thar ward have been closed since June 25 due to coronavirus infections, said the Rakhine State Education Office chief U Tin Thein.

At first the school in Kywe Thauk Gon Village was closed after a teacher there was infected with coronavirus. Her contacts were tested for the virus and her daughter tested positive. She goes to the school in Lin Thar ward, so we have instructed that school to close, too, said U Tin Thein.

Two teachers and four students have caught the virus in Thandwe, he added.

Staff at the Thandwe District Court also tested positive for coronavirus on Monday, said U Thaung Tun from a local CSO.

Four staff members from the court were infected with the virus. There have been 25 cases so far. People are concerned and some are not sending their children to school. And there are fewer people at the central market, U Thaung Tun told The Irrawaddy on Tuesday.

Despite the COVID-19 spike, the court is continuing normal operations and Ngapali Beach and its hotels are open to visitors.

CSOs have teamed up with authorities to run COVID-19 checkpoints at the entrance and exit of Thandwe. Authorities are requiring residents to wear masks outside of their homes.

Sitagu Eye Hospital in Thandwe and Ngapali Hospital have been converted into quarantine centers with 50 people currently under quarantine.

Fresh COVID-19 outbreaks have been reported across Rakhine State, western Myanmar, with Sittwe, Maungdaw, Thandwe and Taungup all experiencing the third wave of coronavirus. More than 120 cases have been reported across Rakhine from January to June 28.



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Burma Dozens of Myanmar Junta Soldiers Killed in Chin State Clashes

Hakha, the capital of Chin State. / The Irrawaddy

Around 40 junta soldiers were killed on Tuesday by civilian resistance fighters of the Chinland Defense Force (CDF) during fierce clashes in Chin States Hakha and Falam townships.

On Tuesday morning, a firefight erupted after 40 fighters of the CDF-Hakha raided a police outpost in Bungzung Village located on the Gangaw-Hakha highway.

At least 20 regime soldiers were killed during the subsequent six hour-long shootout with around 35 junta troops, while two civilian resistance fighters were injured, according to the spokesperson of CDF-Hakha.

We had to attack the police outpost as a warning since they are prohibiting and exploiting the transportation of food between Gangaw and Hakha, the spokesperson told The Irrawaddy on Wednesday.

Another shootout occurred on Tuesday when over 100 fighters from the Chin National Defense Force (CNDF) clashed with 100 junta troops from Falam and 100 regime reinforcements from Kalaymyo Township, Sagaing Region, who were attempting to raid a CNDF area.

During two hours of intense fighting near Wai Bu La Town in Falam Township, the junta forces used heavy explosives in their attacks.

The CNDF said in a statement that at least 20 junta soldiers were killed and several injured. Four civilian resistance fighters were killed and three others injured.

However, the Irrawaddy was unable to confirm independently the casualty counts from the two shootouts.

Locals in Falam Township have been warned by the CNDF to be alert as it expects the military regime forces to take revenge. The CNDF said also that it will protect the lives and properties of people and avoid taking actions that will lead to residents of the area being harmed.

Junta reinforcements have now been deployed in Hakha Township, and the CDF spokesperson said that there will be further firefights in the township if junta troops move into CDF areas.

Clashes broke out initially in Hakha on May 2 and continued through May 4 after junta forces refused to release detained anti-regime protesters.



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Burma Myanmar Junta Frees Political Prisoners and Journalists

Myanmar Now reporter Kay Zon Nway (left) hugs a relative outside Insein Prison in Yangon on Wednesday. / The Irrawaddy

Myanmars regime released more than 2,200 detainees on Wednesday, including journalists and protesters.

The majority of those released were charged with incitement for joining anti-regime protests, according to the regimes spokesman Major General Zaw Min Tun.

A total of 2,296 people have been released. They took part in protests but not in leading roles. They didnt participate in violent acts, he told The Irrawaddy.

It is unlikely that prominent activists and National League for Democracy MPs will be among those released.

The regime had detained 6,421 people by Tuesday, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP) human rights group. Despite the release on Wednesday, more than 4,000 political prisoners remain in detention.

Relatives gathered at prison gates on Wednesday morning as the news of the releases spread.

In the evening Yangons Insein Prison released 721 detainees.

Myanmar Now reporter Ma Kay Zon Nway was released after more than four months behind bars. She was arrested in late February while covering a protest in Yangon and charged with incitement.

I didnt have to sign any pledge for the release, she said.

The other five journalists released from Insein on Wednesday are Ko Aung Ye Ko from 7 Day News, Kay Zon Nway of Myanmar Now, freelance editor Ko Banyar Oo, freelance reporter Soe Yarzar Tun, Ye Myo Khant of the Myanmar Pressphoto Agency and Hein Pyae Zaw from Zeekwat Media. All were detained in late February while covering anti-regime protests in Yangon and charged with incitement.

Numerous journalists, including Frontier Myanmars managing editor Danny Fenster, editor-in-chief of the Thanlyin Post Ma Tu Tu Tha, Mizzima News Agency co-founder Ma Thin Thin Aung and Myitkyina Journals reporters remain in prison.

Prisons in Pathein, Dawei, Shwebo, Lashio and others also released detainees on Wednesday.

The releases came after the junta dropped charges against 24 celebrities who had been on warrants for incitement for anti-regime activism.

In late March, the regime released 628 alleged protesters.

The AAPP said in a statement that none of those detained should have been seized in the first place and asked if more innocent civilians would be detained and about those still being held, many of whom are being tortured.

Any release must aim at real reform and include the release of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. Violence must end and those who committed torture and murder brought to justice. The junta is releasing people whilst arrests continue, AAPP joint-secretary U Bo Kyi said.

He said the international community must not accept this as a relaxation and continue pressuring for the release of all political prisoners and the return of democracy.



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Burma Myanmar Regime Charges Three Priests After Peace Prayer

Nawngmun Township / Putao District

Myanmars military regime has detained and charged three Christian pastors from Kachin State who organized a prayer for peace in Myanmar.

Three pastors from three different churches, including the Kachin Baptist Convention (KBC) and Rawang Baptist Christian Convention, were detained on Monday after Marip Yaw Shu, chairman of the Rawang Literature and Culture Committee (RLCC), filed a complaint against them for leading a prayer service in Nawngmun Township, Putao District, on March 3.

The three face up to three years in jail for incitement under the Penal Code which criminalizes causing fear, spreading false news and agitating for criminal offenses against government employees.

Marip Yaw Shu sought approval from the Putao military authorities to file the charges against the three on June 14. Nawngmun Township police took the three pastors in for questioning in Putao on Monday.

The three were only told at the police station that they faced the charges. They have been held in custody in Putao.

Two of the pastors have health problems. The Rawang pastor is over 70 and suffers from high blood pressure, stomach problems and has lost half of his kidney functionality, according to Putao residents.

It is difficult for him to move. As he is in prison, his stomach problems might get worse because of the prison food. We are concerned for his health. Another pastor, in his 60s, is recovering from a stroke, said a Putao resident.

Marip Yaw Shu is a member of the militarys proxy Union Solidarity and Development Party and the military regimes administrative body in Putao.

He ran for the Rawang ethnic affairs ministerial post in Kachin State in the 2020 general election, receiving over 10,000 Rawang votes but lost to the National League for Democracy candidate by around 2,000 votes.

It is unacceptable if they are sentenced. They must be released. If people are given prison sentences just because of hearsay and without evidence, there wont be enough prisons in Myanmar to hold everyone, said the KBCs president, Dr. Hkalam Samson.

A majority of Putao residents have expressed their opposition to the military regime since the February coup.



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Burma Myanmar Regime Threatens Foreign Media With Lawsuits for Calling It Junta

Myanmar regime leader Snr-Gen Min Aung Hlaing

The Myanmar military regime has threatened to take legal action against foreign news agencies with correspondents based in the country if they continue to refer to it as a junta or report what it described as exaggerated or false news.

The threat comes four months after coup leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing warned local publications in late February that they would lose their publishing licenses if they used descriptions such as military regime or junta.

The regimes Ministry of Information said the words regime and junta could not be used to refer to the military-appointed State Administration Council, as the body was constitutionally formed by the military.

Since the coup that toppled Myanmars democratically elected government on Feb. 1, the junta has been described at home and abroad as the military council, the regime or the junta.

In early March, the junta revoked the publishing licenses of 7Day News, Myanmar Now, Mizzima, DVB and Khit Thit Media without giving a reason.

The regimes targeting of foreign news agencies was announced Wednesday in the state-run newspapers.

It is found that some foreign correspondents based in Myanmar refer to the current government of the State Administration Council as military council or military junta or junta in their news stories and exaggerate their news, quoting baseless sources and false news related to Myanmar, it said.

It should be noted that the threat comes a few weeks after the juntas denial of news reports by CNN and Reuters that regime troops torched a village in Upper Myanmar. The regime accused the organizations of being unethical and said it would send objection letters to the news outlets over what it called their reporting of fake news. The regime claimed that the village was burned down by a local civilian resistance force that has been fighting the junta. However, villagers insisted that security forces committed the arson attack, according to local media reports.

The regimes Information Ministry said in Wednesdays announcement that some foreign news agencies were warned not to further apply the usage of military council/military junta/junta in reference to the government in the future and not to quote and exaggerate false news.

Action will be taken against them under the existing laws if they apply wrong usages, quote and exaggerate fake news or disseminate false information, it added.

The warning didnt say which laws would be applied to violators, however.



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Burma Myanmars New COVID-19 Case Numbers Continue to Rise Sharply

Myanmar health workers from the Department of Medical Research collect swabs for COVID-19 testing at a quarantine center in Yangon on June 7, 2020. / Htet Wai / The Irrawaddy

Myanmars third wave of COVID-19 is reaching new heights this week, with the country reporting 1,312 infections on Tuesdayits highest daily total of new cases since the Feb. 1 coupjust a day after more than 1,200 new cases were announced.

The daily new cases are up from fewer than 200 on June 12. Since June 19, the positive test rate has been between 11 and 18 percent each day.

Junta leader Senior General Min Aung Hlaing has admitted that a third wave of COVID-19 is under way in the country, despite the fact that people have been inoculated with vaccines from India, China and Russia.

The third wave is occurring slowly with an increase in the [positive test] rate to around 10 percent, he said in an interview with Russias RIA media on June 24 during his visit to Moscow. However, he downplayed the scale of the outbreak, insisting the positive rate in Myanmar is not serious in comparison to the international situation.

Swab testing has also increased, with 8,232 tests conducted on Tuesday, an increase from around 1,500 to 2,000 tests per day between February and early June, and from over 3,000 tests a day on June 12.

As of Tuesday, Myanmar had reported a total of 155,697 COVID-19 cases with 3,320 deaths, according to the junta-controlled Health Ministry. Immediate information on Tuesdays positive test rate and affected areas were unavailable at the time of publication.

On Monday, which also saw a sharp rise in new case numbers, most cases were reported in Bago Region (259), Shan State (205), Sagaing Region (196), Yangon Region (140), Ayeyarwady Region (100) and Chin State (83).

Bagos Letpadan and Shan States Laukkai, two townships under stay-at-home orders, reported 87 and 82 new cases respectively, among the highest daily spikes.

The ministry has imposed stay-at-home orders on 11 townships: Tamu and Kale in Sagaing Region; Tonzang, Hakha, Tedim, Falam and Thantlang in Chin State; Bago Regions Letpadan and Phyu; and Lashio and Laukkai in northern Shan State.

The regime has purchased 2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine from Russia and plans to buy another 7 million doses.

The military chief said, India has temporarily suspended selling COVID-19 vaccines as they have their own domestic hurdles. In the meantime, we have received COVID-19 vaccines produced by Russia and we have started using them. We have talked about buying more vaccines from Russia. Likewise, China sent us COVID-19 vaccines, which have already been used. We will also negotiate with China [to obtain more vaccines].

After Myanmar experienced a second wave of COVID-19 in August last year, the National League for Democracy government began to implement a nationwide vaccination program on Jan. 27, days before the military coup on Feb. 1. Health-care staff and volunteer medical workers were the first to receive shots of the AstraZeneca vaccine donated by India.

The military regime continued to administer vaccinations using vaccines donated by China.

The regime claimed in May that more than 1.7 million citizens had received two jabs.



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Burma Wife Fears for the Fate of Snr NLD Leader Detained by Myanmar Regime

NLD information secretary Monywa Aung Shin. / The Irrawaddy

The wife of detained National League for Democracy (NLD) information secretary Monywa Aung Shin has expressed her fears for the safety and health of her 76-year-old husband, after revealing that she has had no word of him or his whereabouts since his arrest nearly five months ago.

Monywa Aung Shin, an outspoken politician who suffers from asthma, was arrested by regime forces at his home in Yangons Tamwe Township at around 4:30am on Feb. 1, the day the junta overthrew the democratically-elected NLD-led government.

He was one of around 150 senior NLD leaders and central executive committee members, prominent activists, writers, and monks who were arrested on the first day of the coup.

His wife, Daw Kay Thwe Moe, said that the armed men, including two in military uniform, who came to detain her husband told her that they would take him for a moment for questioning. At around 2pm on the same day, an officer returned with a handwritten letter from Monywa Aung Shin asking his wife to give them some clothes and his medicine. The elderly politician always needs to carry an asthma inhaler.

But since then, his wife has received no word from Monywa Aung Shin or the military regime and has no idea where he is being detained.

I cant sleep or eat properly as I dont know whether he is okay or even still alive. I am so worried for him, said Daw Kay Thwe Moe. They [the regime] should at least contact the family and let us know his condition. But we have heard nothing from them, she added.

A member of the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP), which tracks regime detentions and killings, said that the junta had violated international law by forcibly disappearing several people since the coup, refusing to let their families know their location and denying them access to lawyers and relatives.

The AAPP member cited the case of a student from Yangons East Dagon Township who was arrested recently, but whose family has no idea of his well-being or where he is being held.

Film producer Ma Aeint, who was arrested by regime forces shortly after leaving her home at around midday on June 5, is another disappeared person whose family has no knowledge of her whereabouts.

They were simply told that she is being detained at an undisclosed place undergoing military interrogation. It was recently revealed that Ma Aeint was hospitalized for ten days for severe injuries received while she was being tortured. The reason for her arrest is still unknown.

Enforced disappearances are grave violations of international law and, when committed as part of a widespread or systematic attack on a civilian population, are crimes against humanity, Human Rights Watch, a New York-based international human rights watchdog, said in a statement.

Over 6,000 people have been arrested since the coup and 5,224 remain under detention, according to the AAPP.



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After a botched launch on Tuesday, the SpaceX Transporter-2 SmallSat Rideshare Program mission on the Falcon 9 rocket is set for launch on Wednesday, June 30 from the Space Launch Complex at Cape Canaveral in Florida.

SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch Live: Webcast 15 Minutes Before Liftoff

According to a SpaceX statement, the 58-minute launch window begins at 2:56pm EDT Wednesday. A live webcast of the launch will stream on the SpaceX website 15 minutes before liftoff.

The Falcon 9 is set to launch 88 satellites into space as part of Transporter 2, SpaceX's dedicated rideshare mission. According to a Space.com report, Transporter 2 will be deposited into a polar orbit through a rare launch trajectory. Sonic booms would most likely erupt as Falcon 9 will make a rare return landing at Cape Canaveral's Space-Force station.

The launch was originally set for Tuesday, but it was postponed for Wednesday due to interference from a possible presence of a plane in the area. The launch was called off 11 seconds before liftoff, which was scheduled at 2:56pm EDT from Complex 40 at Cape Caneveral, UPI reported.

Read Also: SpaceX Continues Launch Of Satellites To Support Globally Accessible Broadband Internet

Elon Musk Explains Postponement of Launch, Slams FAA

SpaceX CEO and founder Elon Musk explained the delay in a tweet, saying that an aircraft entered the Federal Aviation Administration-imposed "keep-out" zone that forced SpaceX to cancel the launch. The "keep out" zone was "unreasonably gigantic," per Musk on the UPI report

Musk slammed the FAA over the incident, as he called for regulatory reform. Musk added there was no way for humanity to eventually become "a spacefaring civilization" without the regulatory changes.

"The current regulatory system is broken," Musk declared.

SpaceX Falcon 9 Launch: Rideshare to Include 2 NASA, 3 Starlink satellites

Part of the Transporter 2 rideshare mission are 36 spacecraft booked by the Spaceflight, a Seattle-based company arranging rideshare missions. Also set to launch in Falcon 9 are two NASA satellites and three SpaceX Starlink communications satellites with CubeSats, microsats, and orbital transfer vehicles, Space.com further noted.

One such orbital transfer vehicle is Spaceflight's Sherpa LTE1, the first-ever electric propulsion vehicle. Sherpa LTE1 is designed to help other small satellites to enter their intended orbit. Spaceflight is likewise building new types of propulsion for such orbital transfer vehicles or space tugs to respond to the needs of the burgeoning space industry.

While the mission will have fewer satellites than Transporter-1, which sent 143 spacecraft to space on January 24, Transporter-2 will be launching more mass to orbit for SpaceX customers.

Transporter 2 is SpaceX's second rideshare mission and 20th launch for 2021, according to Andy Tran, SpaceX Avionics Production Supervisor. It offers small satellite operators opportunities at a competitive price, Tran added in the UPI report.

Among the rideshare participants is British space company In-Space Missions, which will launch its first satellite the Faraday Phoenix set to carry various payloads, including science experiments and Earth observation technology. It will also test a wideband radio capability allowing uploads of new software to conduct space activities.

The U.S. Department of Defense also has three spacecraft in the rideshare mission, Mandrake II, LINCS and POET, which were built by the department's Space Development Agency to gather information on new laser tech to transfer data between spacecraft in orbit.

Related Article: SpaceX's Starlink Overheating Issue May Be Resolved with Software Update, But Man Just Used Water Sprinkler
Mobile phone chipmaker Qualcomm revealed onTuesday its most powerful System on a Chip (SoC), the Snapdragon 888 Plus, during the Mobile World Congress 2021 in Barcelona, Spain.

Qualcomm's new upgraded premium mobile phone processor features increased clock speed, from 2.84 gigahertz on its Kryo 680 CPU to a breakneck 2.995GHz, which can be rounded off to 3GHz to spice up its promotions, Tech Radar reported.

Snapdragon 888 Plus AI Engine: Upgraded to 32 Trillion Operations Per Second

Likewise getting a big boost is Qualcomm's sixth generation artificial intelligence (AI) engine. Snapdragon 888 Plus flaunts the capability to perform 32 trillion operations per second (TOPS), which is a mega 20 percent improvement from the current Snapdragon 888 that is capable of 26 TOPS.

Aside from these powerful features, the Snapdragon 888 Plus is generally similar to the base Snapdragon 888 launched in December last year. This includes the Adreno 660 GPU and a Snapdragon X60 5G modem with a top download speed of 7.5 Gbps. It also has the FastConnect 6900 that enables current Wi-Fi standards for fastest downloads without depending on mobile data.

Qualcomm disclosed that new flagships that will be based on the Snapdragon 888 Plus will be announced in the third quarter of 2021, Gadgets 360 noted. Honor announced that its upcoming Magic 3 flagship lineup will carry the Snapdragon 888 Plus, while Motorola, Xiaomi, Asus and Vivo are said to be planning their respective flagship rollouts with the new Qualcomm SoC, The Verge added.

Read Also: Qualcomm to Release Cheaper Snapdragon 888 Chipset; Leica Technology Could Also be Featured! [RUMOR]

Snapdragon 888 Plus Specs: Enhanced Image Capture Support, Elite Gaming Features

The Snapdragon 888 Plus offers a Spectra 580 image signal processor (ISP) that allows triple concurrent capture with parallel processing of up to 2.7 gigapixels per second. Gadgets 360 further said that the SoC lets the handset capture three 4K high dynamic range (HDR) videos or three 28-megapixel photos at once, snap a 120 frames per second (fps) burst photo at 12 megapixels, and provide AI-based autofocus and auto-exposure. There is also a new low-light architecture for brighter photos even in poor lighting conditions.

Moreover, the SoC gives 10-bit color depth in the high efficiency image format (HEIF) for taking vivid colors.

Snapdragon 888 Plus also brings Snapdragon Elite Gaming features, such as Variable Rate Shading for speedier graphics performance and the Qualcomm Game Quick Touch for enhanced display responsiveness, Gadgets 360 stressed. The SoC further provides Quick Charge 5 support that would fully charge a phone in less than 15 minutes.

Among the connectivity options include Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth v5.2, and near-field communication (NFC). Snapdragon 888 Plus also supports global positioning systems (GPS), global navigation satellite systems (GLONASS), satellite-based navigation systems like BeiDou, Galileo, Quasi-Zenith Satellite System, NavIC, and the Satellite-based Augmentation Systems (SBAS) in Europe.

It also supports HDR and HDR10+ standars with up to 4K display at 60Hz or QHD+ at 144Hz.

With what has been revealed so far about the Snapdragon 888 Plus, users now have a good reason to look forward to the chip and the devices that will carry it in the future.

Related Article: Samsung, Android Phones Exposed to Hackers Due to Qualcomm Chip Bugs: Updates, Fixes and More
Ithaca, NY (14850)

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Management consultancy PwC Australia has announced its mid-year partnership intake with the appointment of six new Cybersecurity and Digital Trust partners including four women.

The Cybersecurity and Digital Trust partner admissions include two external and four internal promotions for the year to July 2021, with biotechnologist, Cyber Policy expert and previous Director of the Australian Risk Policy Institute, Pip Wyrdeman joining PwC Australias Cybersecurity and Digital Trust team from Providence Consulting.

Wyrdeman has over 15 years experience in ICT Security policy and cyber security and was formerly Senior Cyber Security policy adviser at the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet.

She has also held positions in the Department of Defence covering roles in ICT Policy, Architecture and Business Relationship Management.

Im a futurist and believe our successful future is tied intrinsically with our ability to integrate new technologies into our lives safely, said Wyrdeman .

At this moment in history that challenge is bigger than it has ever been with massive increases in cyber threats and major challenges to the resilience of our technology systems. PwCs ambition of delivering value at the intersection of human and digital is perfectly timed and aligns with my personal vision and Im thrilled to join the team.

Richa Arora joins PwC with over 14 years of experience in technology consulting, leading digital transformations and Cybersecurity programs of work supporting organisations in federal and state government, financial, healthcare and education sector.

Prior to joining PwC Australia, Arora was responsible for leading the cybersecurity practice at Deloitte in Perth and built and scaled the digital identity strategy capability nationally. I am very excited to be joining PwC to help grow the cyber business in the healthcare sector. Its a humbling opportunity to work in a space that has the potential to impact all Australians., said Arora.

Working together with digital healthcare leaders in PwC, Ill be responsible for designing solutions where cybersecurity and digital identity is an integral part of the core solution offering for key initiatives in virtual healthcare and other patient-centric digital healthcare services, to ensure a secure and safe digital experience for all.

PwC Australias Cybersecurity and Digital Trust internal partner promotes include Mary Attard, Philippa Cogswell, Ryan Menezes and Mike Younger.

Mary Attard, who was admitted in January 2021, joined the Cybersecurity and Digital Trust practice almost four years ago after 12 years in Financial Services and currently leads PwC Australias Digital Identity team.

As a new partner my priorities are to continue developing awareness of the importance of cybersecurity and protecting our personal identities and information through the launch of our Cyber Foundations learning platform. I'm passionate about driving equality in our industry and sponsor our Women in Cyber program to inspire other women to pursue a career in cybersecurity, said Attard.

Newly promoted partner Philippa Cogswell is PwC Australia's Defensive Security lead, with 20 years experience in cyber security and operations.

Cogswell has extensive global and cross-sector experience, with a focus on critical national infrastructure.

On joining PwC in 2018, I was eager to contribute to the strong and growing brand PwC was establishing in the Australian cyber security market., Cogswell commented.

As part of the PwC partnership my key priorities will be centred around driving our national defensive cyber security capabilities, with a particular focus on working with our clients to build cyber capabilities that will address not only todays threats, but will provide a resilient foundation, protecting critical digital services and sensitive data that underpin their operations.

PwC Australias Cybersecurity Leader Mike Cerny said: Were delighted to welcome Pip Wyrdeman and Richa Arora who have recently joined the firm and Id also like to congratulate our promoted partners Mary Attard, Philippa Cogswell, Ryan Menezes and Mike Younger. Cybersecurity is a fast-moving sector with continuously evolving threats and opportunities and it is critical that we have the right team in place.

Our Cybersecurity and Digital Trust team is about helping companies solve their Cybersecurity challenges and creating a safe and secure digital experience for their staff and customers.

Our great strength as a firm is our breadth and depth of capability across all areas of cybersecurity, including the societal importance of the work we do in cybersecurity; both in helping protect society against cyber threats, and the need to grow a cybersecurity literate workforce of the future, Cerny concluded.
Intel's Ultrabook concept wanted its PCs to be as thin and light as they are today, while sporting up to 13 hours of battery life and the powerful performance today's processors are capable of, coupled with fast storage, Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4, a QHD screen and more, and Lenovo's Slim 7i Carbon lives up to the promise.

Want a really light computer that has a fast quad-core Core i5 11th-gen CPU, up to 13 hours of battery life, 8GB of RAM and 256GB storage (easily expandable by affordable external 1TB and larger portable SSDs) for $999?

Meanwhile, a model with 16GB RAM and a 512GB SSD starts at $1149, while a model with those specs but an upgrade to a quad-core Core i7 CPU starts at $1499 and bumps the warranty up to 3 years.

Lenovo's Yoga Slim 7i Carbon should run Windows 11 with ease and aplomb when it comes out in what is expected to be October this year, but it omits a ten-point multitouch display, the ability to swivel the screen behind the keyboard to turn it into a tablet, and there's no stylus support either.

Still, many people are happy to use their computers as computers, and have no need for the tablet extras or touch screens. Just as Apple's Macs have no touch screens, this model doesn't either, but Lenovo does have touch screen laptops available, just not in this particular range.

Lenovo explains the Slim 7i is "constructed from high-strength carbon fibre," with the "top cover carefully layered and bonded via high-precision manufacturing processes." Meanwhile, "second-generation proprietary fibre reduces material weight by up to 40% while increasing durability."

We're told the result is Lenovo's "lightest carbon-fibre material yet, with 25% higher rigidity," promising "screen flex will be a thing of the past," while the "palm rest and bottom covers are constructed out of magnesium alloy and strengthened with structural ribs, for further portability and durability."

Setting up the Slim 7i was the same as setting up any new computer and Windows 10 installation these days, and it didn't take long before I was logged in and could start installing software, browsers, Internet security and backup software, a VPN, Office 365 and other programs, sites and services I like using.

As a modern computer, it's fast and wonderfully light, and for those that want a fully powered PC in a superlight form factor, the Slim 7i is definitely tempting - and especially at the $999 and $1149 price points are affordable and reliable examples of modern Windows 10 computers.

The backlit keyboard has a 1.0mm travel and definitely types well, with the automatically adjusting backlight always appreciated in the modern era.

Of course, if you do want your computer to be able to transform into a tablet, or have a touch screen, there are other models from Lenovo and other vendors to choose from, including Microsoft itself, but unless you need a 15.6-inch or larger screen and are tempted by the new LG Gram models, today's ultra light computers are true marvels of technology.

Naturally, there will be a whole series of new models coming for the Christmas holiday season later this year pre-loaded with Windows 11, and Microsoft has made real efforts to improve the tablet computing experience, with a stylus able to offer haptic feedback, and improved ways to talk, swipe and type into your computer, but they will, in theory, either be a lot more expensive or will have lower spec processors to lower the price.

The processor is an 11th-gen Core i5 or i7, with a 13.3-inch QHD display at 2560x1600 native resolution in a 16:10 aspect ratio that has a 91% active area ratio, meaning you see more of the vertical screen before needing to scroll, using a "low power IPS 300nits screen with Anti-glare, 100% sRGB and Dolby Vision". 8 or 16GB of non-upgradable RAM is offered, with the model comes in 256GB and 512GB SSD storage configurations.

There are 2 x Thunderbolt 4 and USB 4 ports, and 1 x USB-C 3.2 ports, as well as a headphone/microphone audio jack. It comes with Intel's Iris Xe Graphics, which you'd expect in such a thin and light design, a 65w USB-C slim power adapter, 720P webcam and 802.11 AX (Wi-Fi 6) wireless. There's no built-in 3G/4G/5G modem - you just tether your phone, or your home or office Wi-Fi.

With Windows 11 on the way, this computer looks set to handle it with ease, and while there will be new designs, along with rumours of a redesigned MacBook Air to come, competition will be strong, but this computer's ultra light weight, long battery life and powerful processor definitely be popular with those who want a computer without the fuss, and without touches smudging the screen, and who can take it absolutely anywhere.

Check out Lenovo's official Slim 7i site for more details, while JB Hi-Fi's $999 version is here.
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John Horning is a contributor to Writers on the Range, writersontherange.org, an independent nonprofit dedicated to spurring lively conversation about the West. He is the executive director of WildEarth Guardians. The views expressed here are solely his own.
Goosewing Ranch looks for new owner

Owners hope for a buyer to put the homestead back together  but 2 pieces could go separately.
Jennifer Dorsey is chief copy editor and Business section coordinator. She worked in Washington, D.C., and Chicago before moving to the Tetons.
Mark Huffman edits copy and occasionally writes some, too. He's been a journalist since newspapers had typewriters and darkrooms.
Bryan Jones and his Missouri-based partner sentenced to 5 years and 3 1/2, respectively.
Mike has reported on the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem's wildlife, wildlands and the agencies that manage them since 2012. A native Minnesotan, he arrived in the West to study environmental journalism at the University of Colorado.
Teton County Reporter

Previously the Scene editor, Billy Arnold made the switch to the county beat where he's interested in exploring Teton County as a model for the rest of the West. When he can, he still writes about art, music and whatever else suits his fancy.
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Grand Teton Music Festival is ready to mark the birth of the USofA with musical fireworks.
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More than 100 young people in the City of Joburg (CoJ) heeded the call to engage with Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) Loyiso Masuku in her webinar on Youth Engagement on Tuesday, 29 June 2021.



She unpacked job opportunities, skills and training and many other opportunities the City has for the youth of Johannesburg on Tuesday, 30 June 2021.



More than 50 messages were posted on the meetings online chat as everyone jumped at the opportunity to ask the MMC and City officials relevant and interesting questions.



Youth development is central to the mission of the City. To fulfil this mission, the City provides internships, learnerships, vocational training, bursaries, and business opportunities for the young people, said MMC Masuku.



She also encouraged the youth and women who have keen interest in developing their skills to register cooperatives online. This will enable the youth to gain access to market opportunities provided by the City. The City has another programme called Business made easy, which assists and trains residents to register on the service providers central database of the City.



The City has a chartered accounts programme where young people who have been on the training programme were ultimately absorbed by the municipality. There is also a youth directorate platform that was signed off to ensure that the mainstreaming on youth development is achieved in the City, said MMC Masuku.



The president of the Central Johannesburg Colleges Student Representative Council, Palesa Mashego, spoke about the challenges of unemployment, which was exacerbated by Covid-19. Youth are an integral part of the society, let our leaders put them in positions of influence, to shape the younger ones to dream big to see greater possibilities. We appeal to the government to support and provide resources to capacitate upcoming entrepreneurs.



Tersia Groenewald, an Assistant Director on skills development said the City has an external focus in terms of youth development and building resilient communities. She made a detailed presentation on learnership, undergraduate and graduate internship programme, bursaries, skill development and recruit processes to alleviate youth unemployment rate.



On talent acquisition, Doris Bila, an Assistant Director, said they have a mandate to focus on Johannesburg youth employment. She said the new online job application system that is assisting in fast-tracking the attraction of youth within the communities and has drastically reduced the turnaround time in recruitment which has a positive effect on service delivery. This unit confirmed the system to be user friendly and easy to apply looking at the raised number of applications being received.



On employment equity (EE), the City has a disability strategy that benefit people with disabilities (PWD). The City has not reached a 2% quota minimum required by the Department of Labour in employing people with disabilities. The City is encouraging young people living with disabilities to enroll on the database in order to be considered for job opportunities in the municipality.



The City of Joburg is fully cognisant of the challenges faced by the people living with disabilities as well as the LGBTQIA+ community. We have taken a conscious and deliberate action to make sure that everyone feels at home when they are in our City, MMC Masuku concluded.


Page Content

The Music in Africa Foundation (MIAF) has partnered with the Goethe-Institut to create a 4-million euro funding programme geared towards supporting Southern African creatives hardest hit by the Covid-19 pandemic.



In the next four years, eligible creative and cultural industry organisations in Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe will receive grants totaling 2 850 000 and a robust capacity building programme to the tune of 570 000 euros. At least 35 grants, ranging from 35 000 to 180 000 will be awarded between 2021 and 2024.



The fund aims to support multiple disciplines, including performing arts, animation, film, gaming, photography, videography and visual arts. This is an incredibly crucial initiative that will make a huge difference across the creative industries in Southern Africa. We call on all eligible creatives to seize this opportunity and propose sustainable programmes that are aligned to the clear goals of this initiative, says Eddie Hatitye, the Director of MIAF.



Co-funded by the Goethe-Institut, a cultural institute of the Federal Republic of Germany, the initiative will also help enhance access to new markets, develop visual literacy especially among underrepresented groups, promote advocacy aimed at protecting the interests of creators and support the existence of sustainable financing structures. The programme receives funding from the ACP-EU Culture programme, which was first implemented by the Secretariat of the ACP Group of States after being funded by the European Union (EU).



The Goethe-Institut is proud to be a driving partner in this project, together with MIAF. The initiative hopes to reach progressive cultural and creative artists across nine countries in Southern Africa. The joint initiative is more relevant than ever in times when arts and culture are under duress, explains Klaus Krischok, the Regional Director of the Goethe-Institut in Sub-Saharan Africa.



Krischok adds that the fund seeks to support projects and activities thatll facilitate the rapid production and distribution of high-quality goods within and outside the SADC region, increase capacity among professionals and support rapid mobility and exchange among creatives. Music in Africa supports the creative sector through promoting knowledge exchange by hosting training programmes, artist mobility programmes, workshops, concerts, lobbying, conferences and other related initiatives.



The call for grant applications closes at midnight on Sunday, 25 July. The second and third calls for grant applications are scheduled for 2022. Successful applicants will be notified annually via the Music in Africa portal. Visit http://www.musicinafrica.net/scf for more information; alternatively, click here http://bit.ly/SCFApplyHere to apply. For more information on the Sound Connects Fund, visit http://www.musicinafrica.net/scf or send an email to scf@musicinafrica.net, or call 010 140 1317.

Written by Gontse GeE Hlophe


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IHG HOTELS & RESORTS TO DEBUT IN ALBANIA WITH CROWNE PLAZA DURRES, ALBANIA IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world's leading hotel companies, has today announced the signing of Crowne Plaza Durres, Albania. IHG HOTELS & RESORTS TO DEBUT IN ALBANIA WITH CROWNE PLAZA DURRES, ALBANIA IHG Hotels & Resorts (IHG), one of the world's leading hotel companies, has today announced the signing of Crowne Plaza Durres, Albania. Albania - Industry economy - Hotel projects

This is a press release Category: Europe This is a press release selected by our editorial committee and published online for free on 2021-06-30



This franchised agreement with Mediterranean Investment Group will be a country debut for IHG Hotels & Resorts and the Crowne Plaza brand.



Expected to open in 2024, Crowne Plaza Durres will offer 140 guest rooms, as well as a restaurant, bar and lounge, meeting room facilities and a wellness area including a spa, fitness centre and indoor swimming pool.



Located in the centre of this coastal city, the hotel will form part of Durres new waterfront investment project, which promises to transform the area into a prime leisure destination. It will include a new cruise terminal, marina, green spaces and cycle routes.



With more than 400 hotels around the world, Crowne Plazas global scale, purposeful design, refined meetings & events, and inspiring restaurant and bar concepts make it a great fit for Albania, which is seeing increased demand from both investors and visitors as a destination for both leisure and corporate travel.



(Mrs) Willemijn Geels, Vice President Development Europe, IHG Hotels & Resorts, commented: Albania represents a key entry market for IHG Hotels & Resorts and we are delighted to be partnering with Mediterranean Investment Group to open the Crowne Plaza Durres, Albania. There is a great deal of scope to bring further IHG Hotels & Resorts brands to the Balkans, and we are actively looking at new opportunities to build on our presence there. Our Crowne Plaza brand has already proven to be highly successful in Belgrade, Serbia, and we look forward to introducing it to the Albanian market as we look to grow across the Balkans.



Gazmend Haxhia, Board Member of Mediterranean Investment Group, commented: IHG Hotels & Resorts presented a compelling partnership opportunity to open Crowne Plaza Durres in a city which is experiencing high growth and investment levels. We believe that the Premium Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts brand caters perfectly to the current leisure demand and growing interest from corporate travellers choosing to visit Durres. We look forward to opening the hotel during a major new investment period for Durres in partnership with IHG Hotels & Resorts.



Located west of the capital city Tirana, on the Adriatic Sea, Durres is a historians dream with a 9th century church, Archaeological Museum, Byzantine Market Square, Venetian Tower, Durres Castle, Fatih Mosque and Roman Amphitheatre; all less than a 15 minute walk from the hotel.



Nearby sandy beach, Broad Durresi Beach, offers guests the opportunity to relax and unwind with a number of restaurants and bars scattered close to the port area, making it an attractive tourist destination.



Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts is one of the world's largest Premium brands, with 420 properties located in major urban centres, gateway cities and resort destinations all around the globe, and almost 100 hotels in its development pipeline.



IHGs family of 16 brands gives guests a wealth of choices, and is presented in four collections. Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts sits within IHGs Premium Collection, which makes travel personal and purposeful. The Collection also includes HUALUXE Hotels & Resorts, EVEN Hotels and voco Hotels. You can read more here. About IHG IHG Hotels & Resorts [LON:IHG, NYSE:IHG (ADRs)] is a global hospitality company, with a purpose to provide True Hospitality for Good.



With a family of 16 hotel brands and IHG Rewards, one of the worlds largest hotel loyalty programmes, IHG has nearly 6,000 open hotels in more than 100 countries, and a further 1,800 in the development pipeline. Luxury and Lifestyle: Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo

Six Senses Hotels Resorts Spas, Regent Hotels & Resorts, InterContinental Hotels & Resorts, Kimpton Hotels & Restaurants, Hotel Indigo Premium: HUALUXE Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, EVEN Hotels, voco Hotels

HUALUXE Hotels and Resorts, Crowne Plaza Hotels & Resorts, EVEN Hotels, voco Hotels Essentials: Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, avid hotels

Holiday Inn Hotels & Resorts, Holiday Inn Express, avid hotels Suites: Atwell Suites, Staybridge Suites, Holiday Inn Club Vacations, Candlewood Suites InterContinental Hotels Group PLC is the Groups holding company and is incorporated in Great Britain and registered in England and Wales. Approximately 350,000 people work across IHG's hotels and corporate offices globally.












Town Reporter

Adam joined the JI in November 2020. He graduated in 2019 from the University of Connecticut. He enjoys reading, playing soccer and basketball, as well as piano and drums. He is a fan of the Pittsburgh Steelers, Penguins, and Pirates.
Classes in the Wilkes County Schools will start on Aug. 23 and end on May 25 in 2021-22 as a result of a calendar approved by the Wilkes Board of Education on Feb. 1.
Two former Serbian spy chiefs in Slobodan Milosevics regime were convicted Wednesday of crimes against humanity and war crimes in the 1990s Balkans wars after a retrial by a UN court.

Jovica Stanisic, 70, the former head of Serbias state security service, and his deputy Franko Simatovic, 71, were each sentenced to 12 years in jail, the court in The Hague said in a statement.

Judge Burton Hall said the court finds Jovica Stanisic and Franko Simatovic guilty of backing Serb forces that carried out crimes during the takeover of the Bosnian town of Bosanski Samac in April 1992.

The pair helped train and deploy Serb forces and local Serbs which had a substantial effect on the commission of the crimes, the court said.

But judges said there was not sufficient evidence to back claims by prosecutors that they could be held responsible for a wider campaign of terror by Serb death squads across Bosnia and Croatia.

Stanisic and Simatovic were initially acquitted in 2013, by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague, but after an outcry judges in 2015 ordered a retrial.

The case is one of the last left over from the wars that tore apart Yugoslavia after the fall of communism, after former Bosnian Serb military chief Ratko Mladic had his life sentence for genocide upheld earlier in June.

The Balkans wars left some 130,000 people dead and millions displaced.

UN prosecutors said Stanisic and Simatovic were part of a joint criminal enterprise that included the late Serbian president Milosevic, who died in The Hague in 2006, and Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, also serving a life sentence.
Two former Serbian spy chiefs in Slobodan Milosevics regime were convicted Wednesday after a retrial by a UN court of war crimes and crimes against humanity in the 1990s Balkans conflict.

Jovica Stanisic, 70, the former head of Serbias state security service, and his deputy Franko Simatovic, 71, were each sentenced to 12 years in jail for backing a Serb death squad that terrorised Muslims and Croats in a Bosnian town in 1992.

But the Hague court  which initially acquitted the pair in 2013 before ordering a retrial  said there was not enough evidence to support allegations that they were responsible for wider atrocities across Bosnia and Croatia.

The case was one of the last left over from the wars that tore apart Yugoslavia after the fall of communism, after former Bosnian Serb military chief Ratko Mladic had his life sentence for genocide upheld earlier in June.

Chief Judge Burton Hall said the court finds Jovica Stanisic and Franko Simatovic guilty of the war crime of murder, and the crimes against humanity of murder, persecution, forcible transfer and deportation.

Munira Subasic, president of one of the Mothers of Srebrenica associations that campaigns for justice for victims of the 1995 massacre of some 8,000 Muslim men and boys, told AFP that this judgement will do justice to the victims of Bosnia.

The victims are never satisfied but its important that they have been found guilty, even if it is just for the crimes committed at Bosanski Samac, she separately told local television.

 Campaign of terror 

The court said the pair helped train and deploy Serb forces and local Serbs during the takeover of Bosanski Samac in April 1992, which had a substantial effect on the commission of the crimes, the court said.

Serb forces launched a campaign of terror to drive out non-Serbs involving rapes, looting and the destruction of religious buildings in the town, as well as holding Bosnian Muslims and Croats in six detention centres, the court said.

Detainees were kept in inhumane conditions, and were subjected to forced labour, severe mistreatment, repeated beatings, and torture, forced to engage in sexual acts, and killed, the judgment said.

Sixteen men were killed in one specific incident in May 1992, it said.

The court said that Stanisic and Simatovic were criminally responsible for aiding and abetting the crimes in the town but that it does not find the accused responsible for planning, ordering, or aiding and abetting any other charged crime.

Prosecutors had also alleged that Stanisic and Simatovic were part of a joint criminal enterprise that included the late Serbian president Milosevic, who died in The Hague in 2006, and Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic, also serving a life sentence.

They argued they backed notorious paramilitary groups including an elite Serbian unit dubbed the Red Berets and the feared Tigers outfit run by Zeljko Arkan Raznatovic.

 Campaign of murder 

But the court said that while the pair were aware of the campaign of murder, persecution, and forcible displacement to drive non-Serbs out of Croatia and Bosnia, the prosecution had not proved beyond reasonable doubt that they were part of the plan.

Stanisic and Simatovic were initially acquitted in 2013, by the International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague, when judges said it could not be proved they gave units specific orders.

The overturning of Stanisic and Simatovics acquittal in 2015 was one of the first in the history of the Yugoslavia tribunal.

Wednesdays verdict was welcomed in the region even if it did not draw much attention.

Croat journalist and analyst Boris Pavelic said on Bosnian national radio that the verdict is the last chance to establish a link between the Serbian state and crimes committed in Bosnia and Croatia.

The Balkans wars left some 130,000 people dead and millions displaced.

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Human rights organizations said that the laws imposed by Beijing put Hong Kong on the path to becoming a police state and created a human rights emergency.

Amnesty International said in a report released on Tuesday that the Hong Kong authorities are using Chinas national security law implemented a year ago to suppress legitimate dissent, destroy Hong Kongs freedom and create an atmosphere of fear.

Generalized National Security Law (NSL) Punishment is regarded as activities of subversion, terrorism, collusion with foreign forces and secession of the country, and carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

China and Hong Kong stated that this legislation is necessary to restore stability in this semi-autonomous territory after democratic protests in 2019 sometimes turned into violence, and only a few people will be affected.

But in its report, in the name of national security, Amnesty International stated that since the NSL came into force, at least 118 people have been arrested for NSL. The government continues to arrest and accuse individuals under the NSL simply because they have exercised their remarks. The right to freedom, peaceful assembly and freedom of association.

Most of those arrested are democracy activists and politicians, including a group arrested for crime Organization primary election Choose your own candidates for the postponed Legislative Council election. In November last year, four pro-democratic members of the Hong Kong Legislative Council were cancelled their seats in the parliamentary council-accused of Endanger national security.

Yamini Mishra, Director of Amnesty Internationals Asia-Pacific Region, said in a statement: Within one year, the National Security Act put Hong Kong on a fast path to becoming a police country, and to help living in The people there brought a human rights emergency..

From politics to culture, from education to media, the law has infected all aspects of Hong Kong society, creating an atmosphere of fear, forcing residents to think twice, thinking about what they say, their tweets and their lifestyle.

Ultimately, this comprehensive and repressive legislation may turn this city into a human rights wasteland that increasingly resembles mainland China.

Media mogul Li Zhiying was initially granted bail pending trial, but the court overturned the decision in December and sent him back to prison [File: Tyrone Siu/Reuters]

The Amnesty International report is based on an analysis of court judgments, court hearings, and interviews with activists under security laws over the past 12 months.

It found that the government repeatedly usednational security as an excuse to defend censorship, harassment, arrest, and prosecution.

The report said: There is clear evidence that the so-called human rights safeguards stipulated in the National Security Law are actually useless, and the existing protection measures in Hong Kongs conventional laws have also been overwhelmed by it.

People who are prosecuted under the law are denied bail unless they can prove that they will not continue to engage in acts that endanger national security. Amnesty International stated that 70% of those formally prosecuted under security legislation are being prosecuted. Remand awaiting trialIt pointed out that the presumption of innocence is an important part of the right to a fair trial.

Those detained under the NSL include Jimmy Lai, a retail tycoon who turned into a media tycoon and founded the pro-democracy tabloid Apple Daily.After being briefly granted bail under strict conditions equivalent to house arrest, the 73-year-old Lai Imprisoned again in December. Apple Daily itself Turn off Last week, its editors and senior executives were also arrested under the NSL, and the companys assets were frozenagain in accordance with the lawwhich meant that although it had money, it was unable to pay its employees and suppliers.

Amnesty International stated that as of June 23, 2021, 64 people have been formally prosecuted in accordance with the law, and 47 of them have been detained before trial.
China Hong Kong -Even in part of its territory, the ruling party is still an underground organization, but as it celebrates the centenary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party this week, there are signs that it is emerging from the shadow of the former British colony of Hong Kong and becoming Chinas most turbulent city.

More importantly, the party, which is feared and hated by many Hong Kong people, is demanding their love and absolute loyalty.

Lv Xiaolong, a senior lecturer and senior political commentator at Hong Kong Baptist University, said: For the CCP, the most important thing is that the people of Hong Kong recognize Chinas achievements under the leadership of the party. Those who cant do this just dont. Love the party and the country.

In early June, despite restrictions on COVID-related gatherings, more than 350 people gathered in a public square in Hong Kong to sing the patriotic song Without the Communist Party, there would be no New China.

Two weeks ago, a symposium on the centennial of the party was held in the heavily guarded convention center in the city center. Political elites including past and current CEOs participated in the symposium.

On the weather radar at one of the highest points in the territory, the slogan Obey the Party is faintly visible in the skyscrapers below.

In the past few years, the CCPs status in this former British colony has become higher and higher, and it has declared its existence in the territories ruled by China in 1997.

For more than half a century of the last century, Hong Kong has always been refuge Generations after generations of mainland Chinese who have fled Communist Party rule.

Hong Kong has always been a refuge for generations of Chinese who have escaped communist rule, but the Communist Party, which has been forced to work underground for a long time, has become more and more confident in the region [File: Jerome Favre/EPA]

After the civil war ended in 1949, the Communist Party took over the nationalists who retreated to Taiwan, first of all the wealthy class. Industrialists, landlords and merchants from Shanghai and nearby prosperous coastal cities moved south because of concerns about the prospect of collectivization.

The next to arrive are the intellectuals, who were the targets of political cleansing in the 1950s. What followed was an exodus of civilians driven out by the violence of famine and the Cultural Revolution.

Between 1952 and 1965, at least 1.5 million people fled to Hong Kong for asylum, accounting for nearly half of the population at that time.

For many people, the dash for freedom and the trauma of life under communism are etched in family legends.

But even during the colonial period, the Communists never stayed away from Hong Kong.

Communism supporters played a role in the large-scale strikes in the British colonies of the time in 1922 and 1925. In 1967, the Communist Party-supported trade unions instigated riots, resulting in 51 deaths and 848 injuries.

Thereafter, the colonial authorities decided to eliminate the communist groups by compulsory government registration, thereby pushing all these groups undergroundexcept for one.

Xinhua News Agency as the partys front

According to the book Underground Front, after Communist fighters played a key role in defending the Japanese-occupied rural areas of Hong Kong, Xinhua News Agency was established at the end of World War II as the partys liaison office and was allowed to operate legally. The Communist Party of Hong Kong is composed of Christine Lu, a former member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council.

Before the handover in 1997, Xinhua News Agency will serve as the de facto Chinese mission and the partys command center in the city.

Students from Huang Zubao Middle School of the Hong Kong Federation of Education Workers held up the Chinese flag during the weekly flag-raising ceremony earlier this month [Jerome Favre/EPA]

However, in 1987, three years after the Sino-British Joint Declaration was signed, Xu Jiatun, then president of the Xinhua News Agency, chose a party member who worked incognito at the school as his deputy. Shocked Hong Kong society. Xu thinks this is an urgent reminder of political reality.

This is what Xu said to me:Now that Hong Kong wants to return to Chinese sovereignty, it is best for Hong Kong people to get used to the fact that the CCP is in Hong Kong,' said Cheng Xiang, a long-time China commentator. In politics, he was the chief editor of Wen Wei Po, one of the Hong Kong daily newspapers controlled by the official media group.

Two years after the handover, the Liaison Office of the Central Peoples Government formally replaced Xinhua News Agency. The Liaison Office of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China said that Beijing strictly requires the Liaison Office to comply with One country, two systemsThe framework agreed with the United Kingdom does not interfere in Hong Kong affairs.

However, in 2003, after 500,000 people took to the streets to oppose Beijings anti-incitement legislation and won, the Liaison Office found an excuse to intervene, although it was still an agent.

As the Chinese economy began to take off, the campaign resources of the two pro-Beijing parties in the region became more abundant. They were brought together through the Liaison Office and donated by local tycoons who were eager to please Beijing.

About 10 years later, as Chinese President Xi Jinping continues to consolidate his power, the Communist Party he leads as general secretary is strengthening its dominance on the mainland. In Hong Kong, the public mostly regards the partys quiet existence as an afterthought.

However, in the past year, liaison office statements have become more frequent, such as: patriot Hong Kong must be governed. No one who opposes the party can be called a patriot. 

At a symposium two weeks ago, it reminded the participants: There is no Communist Party, there is noone country, two systems'. The framework aims to ensure the colonial status quo of civil liberties and rule of law 50 years after the handover.

The partys supremacy message is clear, Lu told Al Jazeera. No longer use vague words likeCentral and warm words likeMotherland to express party leadership.

At the handover ceremony, it was agreed that a committee would elect the chief executive of Hong Kong, and the candidates must first pass the review by Beijing. In the legislature, only half of the seats are directly elected to ensure that Beijing can maintain control while providing Hong Kong people with some political voice.

The Chief Executive of Hong Kong, Carrie Lam, met with Chinese representatives before the opening ceremony of the National Peoples Congress in the Great Hall of the People in Beijing in March. She is expected to attend the centennial celebration in Beijing. [File: Carlos Garcia Rawlins/Reuters]

but New election rules The policies imposed by Beijing have drastically reduced the number of directly elected seats, and pro-democratic politicians have also been affected. Disqualification under National Security Law Implemented last year.Most people are in jail, while others escaped exile.

More and more people speculate that the party is focusing on making new progress in Hong Kongs electoral politics.

Just after the pro-democracy camp won the 2019 district council elections, a mainland academic and party mouthpiece disparaged pro-Beijing parties as loyal losers. landslideLast December, a new political group, the Bauhinia Party, appeared out of thin air.

The Bauhinia Party, founded by immigrants from mainland China, claims to have a membership target of 250,000, although the main pro-Beijing party managed to acquire only 50,000 members in 30 years. This ambitious goal has raised suspicions that the party is a guise for the Communist Party-seeking to place members in elected positions while maintaining the appearance of one country, two systems.

Commentator Cheng estimates that at least 400,000 Communist Party members are waiting in Hong Kong, although no one really knows who they are or whether they joined the Communist Party locally or on the mainland.

Beijing concluded that it is not feasible for Hong Kong people to manage Hong Kong, Cheng said. So now the party wants to play a direct role.
Emergency file

after Amy How





8:38 p.m.

Supreme Court Tuesday Reject request A group of Alabama real estate agents prevented the federal suspension of evictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Justice Brett Kavanaugh provided a key vote in favor of the suspension, joining Chief Justice John Roberts and the three liberal justices of the court. Kavanaugh wrote that although he agreed with the real estate agent that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention exceeded its authority when issuing the ban, he still voted to keep the ban because the ban is about to expire.

Tuesdays ruling is the latest chapter Suspended disputeAfter a similar ban issued by Congress expired, the CDC imposed this measure in September. In May, U.S. District Judge Dabney Friedrich ruled that the moratorium exceeded the power granted to the CDC by Congress. But she shelved her ruling, and the government appealed to the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which issued a decision on June 2 to keep Friedrich in place.

Real estate agents went to the Supreme Court on June 3, arguing that Congress has never given CDC the amazing powers it now claims. They told the judge that landlords would lose more than $13 billion in unpaid rent each month due to the suspension of payments. . They sought an urgent ruling from the judge to lift the suspension and allow Friedrichs ruling to take effect.

On behalf of the federal government, acting U.S. Deputy Attorney General Elizabeth Prelogar urged the judges to lift the suspension order. She believes that the challenger did not make the extraordinary performance necessary to overcome the suspension of the lower courts and the respect that the CDC should show in response to the pandemic. In addition, Prelogar wrote, the records in the case did not indicate that if the suspension order still exists, the challenger will be permanently harmed. The suspension only applies to a small number of tenants, who still need to try to pay rent. In addition, Prelogar added that Congress has provided landlords with nearly $50 billion in assistance to cover the cost of the suspension.

The ban was originally scheduled to expire at the end of June, but last Thursday, the CDC extended it to July. In a letter to the court on the same day, Prelogar told the judge that the government had no plans to extend it further.

The court issued a brief, unsigned order on Tuesday night, rejecting the request of the real estate agent. The four conservative judges of the court  Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gothatch and Amy Coney Barrett  said they would approve the request and suspend it. time out. Although the justices do not always disclose their votes on emergency relief requests, if the fifth justice votes for them, the real estate agent will have the upper hand, which means that the remaining justices-Roberts , Kavanaugh and Justice Stephen Breyer, Sonia Sotomayor and Elena Kagan-all voted against relief.

Kavanaugh wrote a short agreement explaining his vote. He pointed out that although he agrees that the real estate agent is correct, the suspension plan will end in only a few weeks and remain as it is until then will allow more and more orderly distribution of the rent assistance funds allocated by Congress By the Ministry of Finance. However, Kavanaugh warned that he believes that the CDC needs clear and specific congressional authorization (through new legislation) to extend the moratorium beyond July 31.

This article is Originally published in Howe on the Court.
The head of the Green Party management agency said that the ultimatum to the leader Annami Paul is still valid, and her work is in a state of uncertainty due to the continuing internal fighting that has caused tensions among the partys top leaders.

Liana Cusmano, the interim chairman of the partys Federal Council, said in an interview that a motion passed by the agency two weeks ago required Paul to deny that the former advisers remarks about anti-Semitism were still valid.

Cusmano said she has asked Paul to withdraw her comments to the media, which imply that she no longer needs to accept denials.

The ultimatum also called on Paul to openly reconcile with Paul Manley, the green councillor, saying that if Parliaments requirements are not met, it will begin a process that may eventually conduct a leadership review when the grassroots members gather later this summer.

Earlier this month, after Green Party MP Jenica Atwin addressed the Liberal Party on the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the broader debate over power and authority within the party, the tensions marked the most recent round of internal conflicts. It broke out in public view.

Pauls office declined to comment. The Federal Council, which includes 13 voting members including Paul, is expected to hold a virtual meeting tonight.
The prosecutor said that a teenager drowned his father while trying to baptize him in a pond to get rid of the alcoholic demon he called Dirty Dan.

Jack Callahan, 19, was detained in Duxbury, Massachusetts on Monday. A few hours later, his mother called the police and reported his 57-year-old father, Scott Callahan. (Scott Callahan) disappeared at 2 am.

10 On Monday, 19-year-old Jack Callahan was detained in Duxbury, Massachusetts Credit: WHDH

10 His father Scott Callahan was found dead in Island Creek Pond in Croke Park Credit: WCBV

Police said Callahan went to a bar in Boston to pick up his father who shouldnt drink.

An Uber picked up the couple and sent them to Island Creek Pond in Croke Memorial Park near his home.

However, the young Callahan would go home alone, completely drenched.

He told his mother Wendy Callahan that he did not know where his father had gone.

Wendy told the police that the boy was behaving strangely and that she had never seen him before.

The teenager eventually took the investigator to Crocker Memorial Park, where Scott Callahan was found at the bottom of the pond, near two floating suitcases.

He was taken to Beth Israel Deaconess Hospital in Plymouth, where he was later pronounced dead.

10 Police said Callahan went to a bar in Boston to pick up his father who shouldnt drink. Credit: CBS Boston

10 His fathers body was found in the water near two floating suitcases Credit: WCBV

10 The prosecutor said he tried to exorcise his father Credit: WCBV

Police said the victim had water in his lungs and abrasions on the back of his head.

Investigators said Callahan initially claimed to the police, I dont know what happened, I fainted.

A police officer took the teenager out to breathe. According to the Boston Globe report, he allegedly later said that his father had been beating him and he passed out. When I came here, I was walking into the house.

According to reports, the teenager was overbreathing when talking to the police and even passed out several times, prompting them to call an ambulance.

According to reports, Callahan told police during a conversation with the police late on Monday that he stopped in the park and smoked a cigarette with his father.

While sitting by the pond, Callahan told the police that a quarrel broke out between him and his father, and his father began to slap him in the face.

10 At first he told the police that he was in a coma Credit: CBS Boston

10 Police said he later admitted that he had submerged his fathers head repeatedly until he stopped breathing. Credit: CBS Boston

According to the police, at some point in the melee, Callahan began to repeatedly bury his fathers head under the water.

Plymouth Assistant District Attorney Shanan Buckingham said in court on Tuesday that Callahan believes he is baptizing his father.

Buckingham said: He described that he held his father in the pond like a baby, and he kept immersing his fathers head in the water about four to eight times.

When my father started coughing and choking, he would raise his head, and then when his father started beating him, he would push his head back into the water.

He kept doing this until his father stopped struggling and floating, the prosecutor added.

According to reports, Callahan told the police that it was at this point that he talked to his lifeless victim and said: I let him decide there whether you can go to heaven or hell with me.

I think he chose hell, he said according to the police.

10 Above is a suitcase next to Scott Callahans body Credit: CBS Boston

10 Jack Callahan will appear in court again on August 12 Credit: CBS Boston

He also allegedly added that he believed that his fathers body was possessed by a soul he called the dirty pill and he was trying to baptize him to get rid of demons.

Callahans defense attorney Kevin Reddington described the facts in the case as very strange to say the least.

He also added that his client once started hitting the floor with his head during an interview with the police, and the police had to put a boot underneath as a cushion.

Reddington said that a psychologist had talked with his client and determined that he was a threat to himself.

He also asked the judge to order the ability assessment of the 19-year-old man at Bridgewater State Hospital.

10 Callahans defense attorney Kevin Reddington described the facts in the case as very strange to say the least. Credit: CBS Boston

He is a very good young man, the defense lawyer said, adding that Callahan had no previous criminal record.

He comes from a wonderful familyMy client cares about his father, knowing that he can drink and he shouldnt. He will try to take him back to where he should go.

However, the judge rejected the motion and ordered Callahan to be released on bail for murder. The court clinician will evaluate him.

Callahan lived in Colorado with his brother until recently, where he worked in the logging industry.

But after a back injury, he was forced to move back to his mothers home in Duxbury while seeking treatment.

Buckingham said on Tuesday that an eyewitness told them that Callahan may have been dealing with recent drug abuse problems and ongoing mental health problems.

At the same time, Scott Callahan has a history of drug abuse, traumatic brain injury and other health problems, which puts his executive function into question, the prosecutor said.

Jack Callahan will appear before the judge again on August 12.
The transaction of 20 million doses of Bharat Biotechs vaccine has become a headache for Bolsonaro due to allegations of violations.

The Brazilian Minister of Health said on Tuesday that under the guidance of the Federal Auditor General CGU, Brazil will suspend a US$324 million Indian COVID-19 vaccine contract, which has put President Jair Bolsonaro in trouble due to violations.

The purchase of 20 million doses of Bharat Biotechs Covaxin injections has become a headache for Bolsonaro after the whistleblower made public the suspected violations. A health ministry official said he informed the president of his concerns.

As the number of COVID-19 deaths in Brazil climbed to more than 500,000, Bolsonaros popularity has waned, but he denied any wrongdoing and said on Monday that he was not aware of any violations. But thorny issues will not disappear, and may cause trouble for him before next years presidential election.

Brazilian Health Minister Marcelo Queroga said at a press conference that his team will investigate these allegations during the suspension.

The Ministry of Health said in a statement: According to CGUs preliminary analysis, there is no violation of the contract, but in order to comply with the regulations, the Ministry of Health chose to suspend the contract.

Earlier Thursday, CNN Brazil reported that the ministry had decided to cancel the contract.

Brazilian federal prosecutors have begun investigating the transaction, citing the relatively high price, fast negotiation speed and regulatory approval pending approval. A team in the Senate is also investigating the governments handling of the pandemic.

A series of violations

In a speech to a congressional committee investigating Bolsonaros response to the pandemic, Luis Miranda, the representative of the House of Commons, said late on Friday that he had a meeting with the president in March where he described the reasons for the purchase. A series of violations of the Covaxin vaccine produced by Bharat Biotech in India.international Limited Company

During the conversation, as Miranda described, Bolsonaro accused his leader of the House of Commons, Ricardo Barros, of interfering with the Ministry of Health, but did not stop the purchase.

Luis Ricardo Miranda (Luis Ricardo Miranda), the brother of the congressman and an official of the Ministry of Health, told the senators that when analyzing the documents related to the purchase of the vaccine, they found information about the original contract between Bharat Biotech and the company Does not match. unit. He mentioned that some of the differences are the payment method, the number of doses, and the instructions of the intermediary company.

One of the main opposition senators of the group filed a formal criminal case against Bolsonaro in the Supreme Court on Monday. Senator Randolfe Rodrigues stated that he hopes the court will investigate serious allegations and find out why Bolsonaro has not taken any action after being informed of the massive corruption plan of the Ministry of Health.

This is also the first time a senator investigating the governments response to the epidemic has investigated corruption allegations involving close allies of the government. So far, they are more concerned about the delay in vaccine purchases and the governments touting unproven treatments for COVID.
The Senate has passed Prime Minister Justin Trudeaus government budget bill, which is the last step in extending COVID-19 support through the summer and fall before possible elections.

On Tuesday evening, the C-30 bill passed the Senate by a vote of 63 to 19. The minority Trudeau Liberal Party passed the bill through the House of Commons last week with the help of the opposition New Democrats and the Quebec Group.

The bill-the countrys first budget in more than two years-contains expansions to key assistance programs, such as wage subsidies to help employers pay workers wages and support to help companies pay rent.

Two other bills  criminalizing LGBT conversion therapy and regulating programming on streaming services such as Netflix  were resubmitted to the committee and may be dealt with after the summer vacation.

The Senate has increased its meeting time by two days this week to deal with a series of bills approved by House lawmakers before the summer vacation last week.

Critics say the Liberal Party is trying to speed up legislation ahead of the possible elections in the fall.

Trudeau publicly downplayed the election speech, but sources told Reuters that his goal is to hold a general election early in September to take advantage of Canadas chance of getting rid of the COVID-19 pandemic. The hope is to get a majority of seats.

In a national poll released by Ledger last week, Trudeaus Liberal Party leads the main opposition Conservative Party by 34% to 30%.
Donald Drumsfields family said in a statement that Donald Drumsfield was a two-term secretary of defense and presidential candidate, and his reputation as a skilled bureaucrat and visionary for the modern US military was due to the long and costly war in Iraq. Defiled, he has passed away. He is 88 years old.

Rumsfeld is equally smart, aggressive, patriotic, and politically cunning in the eyes of his former colleagues. He has a legendary career under the leadership of four presidents and has worked in American companies for nearly 25 years.

In 2001, he began his second visit as the head of the Pentagon under the leadership of President George W. Bush, but his plan to reform the armed forces was eclipsed by the September 11 attacks.

He was responsible for overseeing the US invasion of Afghanistan and the overthrow of Saddam Hussein in Iraq in 2003, where he was accused of setbacks, including the Abu Ghraib prisoner abuse scandal and slow response to the violent rebellion.
The chief financial officers lawyer said that at least two senior HSBC leaders were aware of the connection between Huawei and its Iranian subsidiary.

Lawyers opposed to the extradition of Huaweis chief financial officer from Canada to the United States submitted internal e-mails from HSBC in the United Kingdom. They stated that they refuted the United States claims that Huawei misled the bank.

Chief Financial Officer Meng Wanzhous legal team said on Tuesday that emails and documents submitted to the Canadian court showed that at least two senior HSBC leaders were aware of the connection between Huawei and its Iranian subsidiary Skycom. HSBC declined to comment.

Mengs lawyers are trying to add these documents to the evidence. They aimed to refute the US allegations that only junior employees of this British bank know the true nature of the relationship between Huawei and Skycom.

U.S. prosecutors accused Meng of misleading HSBC in Huaweis business transactions in Iran and may cause the bank to violate U.S. sanctions.

She was accused of lying to HSBC about the relationship between Huawei and Skycom, which violated U.S. trade sanctions to conduct business in Iran. U.S. prosecutors claimed that she misled HSBC and made the bank criminally liable for violating sanctions.

Meng, 49, was arrested at Vancouver International Airport in December 2018 on charges of committing bank fraud in the United States. While her case passed through the Canadian legal system, she was placed under house arrest for more than two years.

Her legal team has extracted internal documents from HSBC through a court in Hong Kong, and they hope to refer to these documents at the final hearing of the case scheduled for August.

In particular, the defense claimed that the two HSBC managing directors reviewed Mengs presentation of Huaweis Iran business submitted to HSBC. They stated that it clarified the ownership structure of Skycom.

On Tuesday, Meng and her legal team appeared in the Supreme Court of British Columbia on the first day of a two-day hearing. They will argue that more evidence should be added to support her case.

Mark Sandler, Mengs defense attorney, told the court that the evidence showed that the U.S. argument was defective and forced the court to no longer rely on them.

The prosecutor representing the Canadian government argued that the evidence and arguments are beyond the scope of the extradition hearing.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court made a decision to revoke Bill Cosbys 2018 sexual assault conviction in Montgomery County, paving the way for the 83-year-old comedian to be released on Wednesday after serving more than two years in prison.

Cosby was convicted of sexual assault and drug abuse at his estate in the Philadelphia area in 2004, and Andrea Constance, a former employee of Andrews University. Plead guilty unless the appeal is successful, such as the decision of the state Supreme Court judge on Wednesday.

The Supreme Court reviewed Cosbys argument that he has obtained the consent of the former Montgomery County District Attorney, Bruce Castor, that he will not be criminalized after he settled with Constants civil court in 2005 Allegations.

When Constants allegations surfaced, Custer refused to prosecute Cosby because of concerns about insufficient evidence and the feasibility of a criminal case. Custers review of the evidence convinced him that Constants actions, including a delay of about a year before she reported the incident to the police, would make a successful prosecution unlikely.

In order to bring justice to Constant in some form, Custer testified that he supported her in a civil lawsuit, which would require Cosby to testify in this case, instead of invoking his Fifth Amendment against self-incrimination. Privilege, because there was no subsequent state lawsuit against him. Cosby participated in four testimonies during which he discussed what happened with Constant and admitted that he had given other women strong tranquilizers when he wanted to have sex with other women.

Cosbys testimony in his testimony was later used by the current Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin R. Steele to initiate criminal proceedings against Cosby. The comedian was arrested in 2015 and charged in connection with the Konstande incident, although Custer arranged for immunity in exchange for his testimony in a civil trial.

Two lower courts have determined that Cosbys final criminal trial and conviction in 2018-after the previous years trial failed-have legal effect. They believe that Castor and Cosby have never formally signed an agreement to avoid future criminal prosecutions and therefore have no binding force on future prosecutors.

Contrary to the Supreme Courts ruling on Wednesday, it held that the trial should not continue because it undermined Cosbys due process rights, trapped him in bait and conversion, and ultimately lost his freedom.

When the prosecutor makes an unconditional promise not to prosecute, and when the defendant relies on that guarantee to impair his constitutional right not to testify, the basic principle of fairness that is the basis of due process in our criminal justice system requires that the promise will be enforced, the state supreme Court Justice David Wecht wrote in his majority opinion.

The Supreme Court also reviewed the testimony of five women who accused Cosby of drug use and sexual assault on them during the 1980s, a key aspect of the states case where Cosby was considered a serial predator. The court considered whether the testimony tarnished the trial by entering the field of character attacks, but did not rule on the matter because the ruling has determined that the trial should not completely take place.

Cosby was once considered the Dad of America ??and one of the most important black artists in the United States, with an estimated income of approximately US$400 million during his career. The shameful and emotional criminal case against Cosby had a profound impact on a generation that once regarded him as a pioneer and role model.

For many who have witnessed the collapse of Cosbys career-in recent years, more than 60 women have accused him of raping him-the Supreme Courts decision is a blow to the #MeToo movements demand for accountability.

In May, as the Supreme Courts review of the appeal continued, Cosby was denied parole after refusing to participate in the sex offender program  treating the treatment as a guilty plea.

Gloria Allred, a lawyer representing several Cosby accusers who testified at the trial, said Wednesday that the Supreme Courts decision does not amount to a verdict of not guilty.

Despite the decision of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, this is an important just struggle, Allred told ABC News Live. Even if the court overturned the conviction on technical grounds, this does not prove that Bill Cosbys behavior was correct, and it should not be interpreted as a statement or conviction that he did not participate in the alleged behavior.

Steele issued a statement on Wednesday praising Constant and vowed to continue to support victims of sexual assault.

District Attorney Kevin Steele said: I would like to commend Cosbys victim Andrea Constance for bravely stepping forward and remaining firm in the long ordeal, and all other women who have had similar experiences. I hope this decision will not affect victims reports of sexual assaults. The prosecutors in my office will continue to track evidence no matter where or to whom it points. We still believe that no one can be above the lawincluding those Rich, famous and powerful.

Read the majority opinion of the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruling below.

Bill Cosbys sentence is empty after Voice of Philadelphia
Several Palestinians were killed by Israeli forces supporting illegal settlers in Evyatar, and dozens were injured.

Israeli settlers who built an unauthorized outpost near Beta in the occupied West Bank said they had agreed to withdraw from the site.

Tensions in the occupied West Bank have reached new highs in the past few months Settlement with Evyatar Become one of the focal points of the conflict because the settlers refused to evacuate the land and the Palestinians protested their existence.

Several Palestinians were killed and dozens were injured Israeli army supports illegal settlers.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Samaritan Regional Committee, the settler organization, the Israelis will leave on Friday after the Israeli government offered them a compromise.

According to reports, the Samaritan Regional Committee also stated that the structure of the settlement will not be demolished, but will be transformed into a base for the Israeli army-a result that will surely anger Palestinian protesters demanding the demolition of the settlement.

Yossi Dagan, head of settlement authorities in the northern West Bank of the Jordan River, stated that in light of these Hard years Divide, Israeli media reported.

Prior to the agreement, the court-enforced eviction notice had taken effect because the militarys civil affairs department ruled that the 50 pre-designated dwelling houses in the outpost were illegally constructed on Palestinian private land. It ordered the settlers to evacuate, believing that their activities undermined the security of the area.

However, the settlers are negotiating with the Israeli authorities this week.

The Palestinians said the Eviatar outpost was built on their farmland and feared that it would expand and merge with other large settlements in the area [File: Ariel Schalit/AP]

This move aims to solve a Embarrassing political test The new Israeli government was established in mid-June and is led by Prime Minister Naftali Bennett, who is the leader of the settler movement and leads the pro-settler political party. But his ruling coalition can only survive with the support of left-wing and Arab parties, which makes sensitive policy decisions about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict difficult.

During the construction of the illegal Israeli settlement of Evyatar, four Palestinians were recently shot and killed by the Israeli army because they protested the theft of more than five acres (two hectares) of land previously used to grow olives.

In the latest transaction, the temperature may drop for a period of time, but this is not the final conclusion.

Deadly violence

In May, the Israeli domestic intelligence agency Shin Bet reported nearly 600 violent incidents and 34 Palestinians were killed. This is the highest monthly figure in 10 years because the Israeli army has sent several additional battalions to strengthen its presence in the occupied territories. exist.

Villages in the occupied West Bank often hold demonstrations on Fridays against land confiscation, house demolition and Israeli settlements that are considered illegal under international law. The Israeli army usually responds to protests with disproportionate violence.

Most world powers believe that all settlements built on land occupied and occupied by Israel in the 1967 Middle East War are illegal. Israel disputed this on the grounds of its historical connection to this land and its own security needs.

Approximately 475,000 Israeli settlers live in the occupied West Bank, where there are more than 2.8 million Palestinians.

Human Rights Watch in Recent report Said that Israel is committing crimes against humanity of apartheid and persecution against Palestinians. It details how Israel seeks to maintain the Jewish-Israeli hegemony of the Palestinian people from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean.
TV actor Alison Mack played a key role in the scandal-ridden cult NXIVM and has been sentenced to three years in prison.

This decision was made after Mike admitted to accusing her of manipulating women to become sex slaves to the spiritual leader of the organization.

Mike-best known for her role as a close friend of the young Superman in the series Little Ville-appeared in Brooklyn Federal Court on Wednesday.

The actor was honored for collaborating with NXIVM leader Keith Raniere and responsible for helping him create a secret society of brainwashed women who were given his initials.

She was sentenced to three years in prison and fined $20,000 for her role in the NXIVM case.

She wrote in a letter to the court last week that dedicating herself to a master of self-improvement is the biggest mistake and greatest regret in my life.

The 38-year-old Mike was once a member of Laniers inner circle. Laniers team attracted millionaires and actors.

The prosecutor said that she became the master of the slave and she ordered work, take nude photos, and in some cases have sex with Lanier.

Read our Allison Mack Sentencing Live Blog for the latest news and updates
After reforms to cut bread and fuel subsidies, hundreds of people gathered in Khartoum to protest economic conditions.

Hundreds of protesters took to the streets of Khartoum, the capital of Sudan, demanding that the transitional government resign due to controversial economic reforms.

With the support of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), reforms cut subsidies for gasoline and diesel, which more than doubled the price, and public dissatisfaction has grown.

We want the regime to fall and No [IMF] Policy, on Wednesday, the day after the IMF approved a $2.5 billion loan and debt relief agreement, demonstrators gathered outside the Presidential Palace in Khartoum shouted.

Since long-time leader Omar al-Bashir was deposed by the military in a large-scale anti-government demonstration in 2019, the Sudanese military and civilian government has been trying to unite the divided country and rebuild its relationship with the West. contact.

On Tuesday, the International Monetary Fund approved Sudan to begin seeking debt relief of about 56 billion U.S. dollars. Civilian Prime Minister Abdullah Hamdok praised the Sudanese people for their patience and endurance.

We are on the right track, he said in a televised speech after the IMF announced the debt relief agreement.

Economic difficulties

However, since his departure, many economic crises that have sparked public anger against Bashirs rule have persisted.

The Sudanese military-civilian coalition government has taken a series of bold measures to try to revive the hit and distorted economy where smuggling is rampant.

These measures include floating currencies, starting to address huge government subsidies, especially fuel subsidies, and seeking investment from international donors.

But some measures may also push some of the poorest people in the country further into poverty and face opposition from democracy activists who led a popular uprising against Bashir, who has ruled the country for nearly 30 years.

On Wednesday, protesters in Khartoum burned tires and waved banners that read Bread for the poor before being dispersed by police firing tear gas.

A demonstrator threw tires into the fire during Khartoum protests against economic conditions [Marwan Ali/AP Photo]

Al Jazeeras correspondent in Khartoum, Ali Abu Shallah, was arrested by the authorities while reporting on the demonstration.

Another Arabic-language reporter from Al Jazeera said that a scuffle broke out between the protesters and the security forces trying to disperse the crowd.

He said security forces fired tear gas to disperse demonstrators in the twin city of Omdurman near the railway station in central Khartoum and across from it.

Protesters on Wednesday also commemorated the second anniversary of the massive anti-government protests that raged in the capital and other parts of the country in 2019, and the military leaders who pushed for the removal of Bashir began negotiations with civilians to end Sudans current power-sharing arrangements.

Authorities arrest Bashir party members

At the same time, the Sudanese authorities stated that they had arrested dozens of former members of the ruling party before the pro-democracy protests, accusing them of planning destructive acts.

Officials said police detained at least 200 members of the National Congress Party (NCP) earlier on Wednesday.

The military-civilian transitional government often accuses the loyalists of the NCP of trying to disrupt its work and disrupt the country.

There are groups from the National Congress party preparing to commit acts of sabotage, said Salahmana, a member of the official committee set up to dismantle the remnants of Bashirs political and economic network.

Earlier this month, Prime Minister Hamdok issued a warning about the chaos and civil war that the previous government might cause.
Everyone on earth today lives at the scene of a crime.

This crime has been going on for decades. We saw its effects in the terrible heat and wildfires that unfolded in the western United States this summer; in the 2020 superstorm, scientists exhausted their names; in global projections, sea levels will rise by at least 20 feet (6 meters). Our only hope is to slow this relentless rise so that our children can find a way to cope.

This crime has displaced or killed countless people around the world, caused billions of dollars in economic losses, and destroyed important ecosystems and wildlife. It has had a disproportionate impact on marginalized communities around the world, from farmers in the coastal areas of Bangladesh (where the rapidly rising sea water is salinizing the soil and reducing rice production) to those in Houston, Chicago and other cities. Low-income residents, the communities of these residents suffer from higher temperatures than the prosperous areas of the entire town.

This crime threatens todays young people and questions the survival of human civilization. However, the criminals responsible for this destruction are still at large. In fact, they continue to commit crimes and even profit from them, especially because most of the public still do not know their crimes.

This is enough to make your blood boil, especially if you are a parent. My daughter has just turned 16, and since she was a baby, I have been thinking about the safest place for her to spend her adult life, and for the first time I started writing articles about adapting to climate change. After the record wildfires last summer, the orange sky enveloped her hometown of San Francisco, which is a heartbreaking and outrageous sign that California will no longer be that safe haven.

The offense in question is the fossil fuel industrys 40-year lie about climate change. Arguably the most important corporate deception in history, the industrys lies have weakened public awareness and the governments actions on what scientists call a full-scale climate emergency. As a candidate for the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Joe Biden said that he will support the prosecution of oil giants for lies. Whether he will keep this promise remains to be seen.

The reporter has been working on recording evidence at the crime scene for many years. In 2015, an investigation by the Columbia Journalism School and the Los Angeles Times kicked off the case by tracing a criminal connection with Exxon Mobil, the worlds largest oil company at the time.

Internal records show that by the late 1970s, ExxonMobils own scientists notified its senior management that man-made global warming was real and could be catastrophic, mainly caused by the burning of fossil fuels. Climate activists seized these revelations and launched the hashtag #ExxonKnew.

Further investigation found that Chevron, Shell and other oil giants also knew that their products might make the earths climate uninhabitable. In short, its not just Exxon Mobil who knows. They all know.

They all choose to lie.

Since the 1990s, oil companies have spent millions of dollars on public relations activities to confuse the media, the public, and policy makers about the dangers of burning fossil fuels. A planning document stated that their goal is to reposition global warming as a theory, not a fact. Front-line groups and friendly politicians spread the companys lies. The news media, especially in the United States, hesitated these lies to the unsuspecting public.

Mankind finally wasted precious decades of time arguing whether global warming is real, rather than defusing the threat. The consumption of fossil fuels has increased instead of starting the transition to renewable energy. More than half of the total greenhouse gases that are now overheating the planet were emitted after 1990-after Exxon Mobil and other fossil fuel giants privately knew what destruction they were sowing.

Exxon Mobil could have ended the pretend debate on climate change as early as the 1980s, author and activist Bill McKin wrote later. When scientists like NASAs Jim Hansen raised public awareness of climate change for the first time [in 1988], Think about what would happen if the CEO of Exxon Mobil also went to Congress and said their internal scientific efforts showed[ed] Exactly the same thing. 

Although a small part of the American public may already be aware of the crimes of large oil companies, the vast majority of victims almost certainly do not. How could they? The lie records of major oil companies have never been part of the public narrative about climate change, mainly because most news media do not include them in their ongoing reports on climate change.

In 2015, the original ExxonMobil Knows disclosed the news, except for the media that released the news, and received relatively few follow-up reports. Television, even in the Internet age, is still the main news source for most people, completely ignoring these revelations. There were some reports in the commercial and independent media, especially after a few years, New York State and other local governments began to sue oil companies for compensation. But the entire media seems to have forgotten that Big Oils climate lie ever happened.

The era of correcting these errors has long passed. So far, the oil companies, their executives, the propagandists they hired, and the politicians they funded have largely escaped the blame, not to mention having to pay for the huge losses they inflictedwhether through financial penalties. Still imprisonment-over. The news media also owes the public an apology for mishandling this story and promises to report it more clearly in the future.

Mankind cannot recover the 40 years lost due to the climate lies of the big oil companies. Now, rich and poor countries are abandoning fossil fuels in favor of renewable energy and other climate-smart practices, which is imminent. It is also important that we strengthen our communities against terrible climate impacts, which can no longer be avoided due to our decades of delays.

All of this will cost moneya lot. From now on, to the success or failure of the United Nations Climate Summit in November, governments around the world will debate who pays how much. Restoring the lies of the oil giants to their rightful place at the heart of the climate story will provide an answer to this riddle, and Biden should answer the riddle: The oil giants know that-should the oil giants not pay the price?

This story originally appeared in The Guardian and is now republished here as part of Covering Climate Now, a global news collaboration aimed at enhancing coverage of climate stories.

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect Al Jazeeras editorial stance.
Prosecutors have asked the United Nations War Crimes Tribunal to sentence former Serbian spy chiefs Jovica Stanischi and Franco Simatovic to life imprisonment.

Two former Serbian spy chiefs and Slobodan Milosevics assistants faced a United Nations court sentence after several years of retrial on charges of running a death squad during the Balkan war in the 1990s.

Jovica Stanisic, the 70-year-old former head of the Serbian National Security Agency, and his 71-year-old deputy Franko Simatovic are accused of supporting paramilitary organizations in Bosnia and Croatia.

They included an elite unit called the Red Berets and a frightening paramilitary organization run by Zeljko Arkan Raznatovic called Arkans Tigers, and they allegedly killed hundreds of people together.

The verdict in The Hague on Wednesday can be appealed. This is the final United Nations prosecution for crimes committed during the bloody division of Yugoslavia.

The independent but related conflicts following the collapse of communism in 1992 resulted in the deaths of approximately 130,000 people and the displacement of millions.

A court spokesperson told AFP that Stanisic and Simatovi?, who have been released on bail, will appear in court after surrendering themselves at the United Nations Detention Center in The Hague last week.

Both confessed to crimes against humanity and war crimes of murder, such as persecution, murder, deportation and forced transfer.

The prosecutor is seeking life imprisonment.

The judges will announce their decision at 13:00 GMT. The verdict will be broadcast live, with a delay of 30 minutes.

retrial

In 2013, the International Criminal Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia (ICTY) in The Hague made a shocking verdict. Stanisic and Simatovi? were acquitted of crimes against humanity and war crimes.

But in 2015, in a rare change after protests and prosecutors appeals, the judge ordered a retrial on the grounds of a legal error in the first trial.

The retrial was conducted in the UN International Criminal Tribunals remaining matter handling mechanism. It started in 2017, and the final debate took place in April 2021.

Earlier this month, the appellate judge of the same court comfirmed The former Bosnian Serb military chief, Ratko Mladic, was convicted for his role in the atrocities throughout the Bosnian war and maintained his sentence to life imprisonment for genocide.

Paramilitary groups

The United Nations prosecutor said that the couple were part of a joint criminal enterprise that included the late Serbian President Milosevic (died in The Hague in 2006) and Bosnian Serb leader Radovan Karadzic (Radovan Karadzic) , The latter is serving life imprisonment.

The indictment against them stated that Stanischi and Simatovi? organized, supplied, funded, supported and directed Serb paramilitary organizations that killed Croats, Muslims and other non-Serbs, forcing them to leave large areas. Seeking to establish a Serb-administered state. .

The indictment included at least 280 deaths in approximately two dozen specific attacks on towns and villages by the Red Berets and the LTTE.

Tigers captain Alcan was sued by the Hague court, but was shot dead in Belgrade in 2000.

Stanisic and Simatovic were transferred to the International Tribunal for the Former Yugoslavia in 2003 and were arrested by Serbian police after the assassination of Serbian reformist Prime Minister Zoran Djindjic.

For a long time, he has been a gloomy figure in the war. Stanisic first appeared in the public in early 1995. As Milosevics special envoy, he negotiated with the Serbian leader in Bosnia and asked for his release. Hundreds of UN soldiers.

Stanischi was fired in October 1998 before the escalation of the Kosovo war in 1999. According to reports, he disagreed with Milosevics repressive policy of the Albanian majority in the province.
YOUNGSVILLE, LA (KADN)- Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed a bill that would have allowed Louisianians 21 and over to conceal carry a firearm without a permit. Under current law, permits are required for concealed carry.

Brandon Elias, the owner of Sentry Defense in Youngsville, said although he teaches firearm safety classes so that people can get a permit, he doesnt agree with the Governor's decision.

I think that everyone should own a gun to help protect themselves and concealing it is a huge benefit for the surprise factor in self-defense, Elias said.

Open carry without a permit is currently legal in the state. Elias feels concealed carry should also be allowed.

When a criminal walks in there sees someone with an open carry gun, they might just shoot them first, right, whereas you for your concealed, then it, they don't know that you have firearms as a surprise factor, right, that's going to help you, to defend your life right and protect your life, he said.

The instructor teaches about 50 people each month on concealed carry and firearm safety. He believes that law-abiding citizens would still seek training even if concealed carry was legal.

We truly believe in the second amendment and we don't think that the government should restrict those rights, even if it means less business for us, he said.

According to Elias, concealed carry is the best option when anyone is in danger. Therefore, it should be legal to carry without a permit.

When a criminal walks in, wants to harm other people with a firearm, they might not be looking at you because they can't see the firearm, right. Whenever you get the opportunity to draw your firearm, then you can protect yourself and other loved ones or other innocent people around you.

If lawmakers decide to return to the state Capitol for a veto-override session of Senate bill 118, it would take place in July.

The Louisiana Association Chiefs of Police supported Gov. Edwardss decision to veto the bill.
(IOWA) - On June 28, 2021, Deputies responded to a residence in Iowa Louisiana in reference to a domestic disturbance.

Deputies arrived and spoke to the complainant, who reported he was involved in an argument with his wife and she struck him and threaten to kill him.

Juanetta Danielle Johnson, 42 of Lake Charles was arrested and booked into the parish jail for domestic abuse battery.
The Harrisonville School Board has terminated a teacher after accusations were leveled that he used a racial slur in class.
KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- Its been one year since 4-year-old Legend Taliferro was killed when a stray bullet hit him while he slept in Kansas City.

Legends death on June 29, 2020 left a mark in Kansas City at a time when violent crime was on the rise. In spite of mitigation efforts from law enforcement, Kansas City experienced its deadliest year in history last year.

+2 Man accused of killing 4-year-old LeGend Taliferro pleads not guilty The man charged with murder in the shooting death of Kansas City four-year-old LeGend Taliferro pleaded "not guilty" at his arraignment Tuesday morning in Jackson County.

Legends parents, Rapheal Taliferro and Charron Powell, say their grief is still as strong as it was the day they lost Legend, but they are channeling their anger and frustration to make sure other parents are not faced with the same loss.

Charron described Legend as a character who was always happy even when life was hard. Legend was born with a heart condition that required surgery months after he was born. Rapheal says his biggest fear wasnt losing his son to health conditions, instead, to gun violence in Kansas City.

It frustrates me, it angers me, its a lot of emotions, expressed Rapheal.

Legends death came at a time when Kansas City was on pace to break a homicide record. By the end of 2020, Kansas City had experienced its deadliest year in history.

Barr: Over 6,000 arrests nationally from Operation LeGend On his final day in the Trump Administration, Attorney General William Barr provided a final update on Operation LeGend, a crimefighting task force that was announced following the murder of a 4-year-old boy in Kansas City.

The former U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Missouri, Tim Garrison, says its a tragic reality. Around the time of Legends death, Garrison, and other law enforcement partners were figuring out ways to target violent crimes in the area and chose to name the project, Operation Legend.

We wanted to give this operation a name that would be impactful but also show that the tragedy of the loss of human life that we were experiencing there, said Garrison.

Man charged with murder in LeGend Taliferro case A 22-year-old Kansas City man has been charged in connection with the fatal shooting of 4-year-old LeGend M. Taliferro.

More than 200 federal agents partnered with KCPD for the nearly 60 day operation. Law enforcement arrested more than 500 people, including Ryan Ellis, the man charged in Legends death. Ellis is charged with second-degree murder, unlawful use of a weapon, and two counts of armed criminal action. The case goes to trial on January 10, 2022.

Hes gotta pray, hes gotta pray for himself. May God be with him, said Rapheal when asked what he would tell Ellis.

Charron is still healing from the loss of her child, but she says shes holding onto the notion that everything happens for a reason.

It's painful every day, but I know everything happened for a reason. Theres a purpose behind everything thats done. So its just falling into my purpose and trying to figure out what that next step is, because his legacy is going to live on, said Charron.

LeGend Taliferro's mother speaks at White House as Trump expands Operation: LeGend The mother of a murdered Kansas City 4-year-old makes an emotional appeal at the White House. Wednesday President Trump announced an expansion of the federal operation that began in KC sending federal agents to Chicago and Albuquerque.

As a way to honor her sons legacy, Charron is working on a project to help youth engage with their communities. She expects to have it operating by next year.

When people ask how you want to be remembered. Legend, he knew he wanted to be remembered as the legend, affirmed Charron.
tvN's fantasy-romance drama "Doom at Your Service" finale aired. Here's how Seo In Guk and Park Bo Young got their happy ending!

Doom at Your Service Finale: Myul Mang Becomes Human

As Myul Mang (Seo In Guk) made his return on earth as a human being, Tak Dong Kyung (Park Bo Young) was on cloud nine, knowing that the love of her life will be by her side forever.

Tak Dong Kyung couldn't believe it at first. Myul Mang made efforts to live as a human, and Tak Dong Kyung happily assisted him in every step to make him discover and enjoy his new beginnings.

S: "HYUNG do you know how much i missed you?"

D: "hey, you dont see anything different from him?"

S: "No, it's the same, even the mole under his eyes"

LOL i'm glad they explain that now the others also see him the same and not leave this detail unexplain#DoomAtYourServiceEp16 pic.twitter.com/L1Hl8WvvWq  May (@maysdramas) June 29, 2021

She introduced Myul Mang again to her family, friends, and colleagues.

Meanwhile, the former deity decided to continue his work as a doctor and so he went back to the hospital where he first met Tak Dong Kyung and became one of the diligent doctors named Kim Human.

Park Young Has a Secret Crush on Tak Dong Kyung

Tak Dong Kyung brought Myul Mang with her and met Park Young (Nam Da Reum), now a young celebrity writer whose only friend is the lady web editor. Park Young was able to see Myul Mang again and felt annoyed by his presence.

Later on, while the two talked, Myul Mang caught Park Young as he mentioned to the young writer he secretly admired Tak Dong Kyung.

"you think i didn't know that you like her?"



"wait how did you know?"



"from the first time i see you at ddeokbokki place"



PLEASE PARK YOUNG LIKES DONGKYUNG OMG NO WONDER HE'S SO EDGY IN FRONT OF MYULMANGGGG #DoomAtYourService #DoomAtYourServiceEp16 pic.twitter.com/h9JwHA7fFL  liy    (@kimyoungdaes) June 29, 2021

Park Young was surprised that Myul Mang knew about it and even begged him not to tell Tak Dong Kyung.

Myul Mang caught Tak Dong Kyung happily staring at Park Young, which made him jealous. A comedic clash between Myul Mang and Park Young ensued.

Na Ji Na Finds Cha Joo Ik Sexy, Makes Him Her Inspo for New Character in Her Novel

Cha Joo Ik (Lee Soo Hyuk) and Na Ji Na (Shin Do Hyun) finally found the courage to fight and protect their love.

Meanwhile, she was overwhelmed to know she made it to the Top 10 list of the most popular web novel writers.

It was made possible because of her new story, "The Devil Landlord." When Cha Joo Ik asked if he was the main character again, Na Ji Na denied it.

Knowing the obvious, he asked why the protagonist was a devil, and Na Ji Na said that devil and evil are sexy. Cha Joo Ik then confused her by asking if he was, and Na Ji Na accidentally said yes, eventually getting embarrassed by her confession on impulse.

JN is in top 10 with mystery novel

JI: "So, the male lead is not me?"

JN: "Yes, it's you but it's not romance"

JI: "But why is it devil?"

JN: "u dont like it? Do U know how sexy Devil and Evil?"

JI: "So i'm sexy?'

JN" "YEs"

HAHAHAHAHAHAH#DoomAtYourServiceEp16 #DoomAtYourService pic.twitter.com/654ZYLXyFJ  May (@maysdramas) June 29, 2021

Cha Joo Ik invited Na Ji Na for a drink, which the lady writer accepted. She comfortably shared her stories with the man in front of him, and Cha Joo Ik listened to her with admiration. He then stood up and leaned to kiss her.

Yall Cha jooik & Na Jina 

Im gonna cry for days just because theyre soooo cuteeee 

For me, theyre the best 2nd lead couple of 2021 & would def look forward for their reunion someday#DoomAtYourService #DoomAtYourServiceEp16 pic.twitter.com/cZ4O8rBiqP  jin  (@satangryuu) June 29, 2021

Doom at Your Service Finale Gifts the Viewers a Happy Ending

Myul Mang became part of Tak Dong Kyung's family. Tak Sun Kyung (Da Won) opened his coffee shop, while Lee Hyun Kyu (Kang Tae Oh) started to live life independently, happy and contented.

Tak Dong Kyung's aunt decided to stay in Korea for good. Na Ji Na and Cha Joo Ik fought for their love.

Myul Mang and Tak Dong Kyung believed in love and became a key to change their fate.



All the Doom at Your Service characters and their stories made the viewers feel everything and experience a series of ups and downs, and ended the show will lots of takeaways about love and life.

What are your thoughts about the Doom at Your Service finale? What will you miss the most about this drama? Share it 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
Director Kim Hee Won, the director behind tvN's crime-comedy series "Vincenzo," is preparing a new thrilling drama and is said to have a splendid cast.

Director Kim Hee Won to Collaborate with Writer Jeong Seo Kyung for "Little Ladies"

Director Kim Hee Won and writer Jeon Seo Kyung are reportedly joining forces for a new project.

On June 30, Korean news outlet Dong A stated that Kim Hee Won and Jeon Seo Kyung are teaming up to produce a TV series, titled "Little Ladies."

Jeong Seo Kyung is the writer behind the movies "The Decision to Break Up," "The Handmaiden," and more. She also wrote the drama script for "Mother" in 2018.

"Little Ladies" is Kim Hee Won's next drama, following the success of "Vincenzo." Due to favorable feedback from the viewers, local and overseas K-drama fans are already anticipating Kim Hee Won's next masterpiece.

YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: These are the Female Creative Directors Behind Your Favorite K-Dramas

"Little Ladies" will depict the story of three sisters who are poor and living their lives struggling to survive. But even though they don't have enough money for their needs, these three ladies have good friendships with the powerful family in Korea.

Writer Jeong Seo Kyung shared that based on the structure narrative, he concentrates on the character psychology.

On the other hand, director Kim Hee Won is expected to use dramatic directing methods.

This forthcoming drama is predicted to have a new sensuous genre.

Studio Dragon Confirmed to Produce "Little Ladies"

Studio Dragon, the production company behind "Vincenzo," will also be producing the forthcoming drama "Little Ladies." It has been said that the planning for the production has already been completed.

Meanwhile, when talking about the casting, the company revealed that they will start casting actors in the second half of 2021. Once the lineup is complete, they will immediately proceed to filming.

According to the report, the "Little Ladies" team is aiming for next year's lineup, but the specific time for production and airing schedule are yet to be confirmed.

But one thing is for sure, "Little Ladies" is expected to have a splendid cast, knowing that director Kim Hee Won and writer Jeong Seo Kyung are known for being meticulous in choosing their actors.

Their tandem is already amassing support from the fans. "Little Ladies" is one of the many Korean dramas that viewers should anticipate.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Song Joong Ki Reunites With Inzaghi During His Behind-the-Scenes Talk With Netflix

Who do you think will be part of Little Ladies cast lineup? Let us know 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
Amid the buzz created by "Kingdom: Ashin of the North," starring Jun Ji Hyun, rumor sparked that Netflix is set to release another special episode featuring Ju Ji Hoon.

Multiple outlets cited that the streaming giant is reportedly set to produce a spinoff, titled "Kingdom: The Crown Prince."

Ju Ji Hoon Rumored to Reprise His Role in "Kingdom: The Crown Prince"

The rumored prequel is set to focus on Ju Ji Hoon's character, Crown Prince Lee Chang.

Interestingly, reports noted that the 39-year-old South Korean star has been offered to reprise his role as the lead star.

The "Kingdom" prequel will illustrate the past and present of Lee Chang, who was the only son of the King of Joseon but was not properly treated as a crown prince because he was considered as an illegitimate child given that his mother was a concubine.

Fortunately, due to his skills and determination to save Joseon, he gradually earned the respect of the people as well as the powers of a monarch.

READ MORE: Ju Ji Hoon Parted Ways with KeyEast and Signs Exclusive Contract with New Agency

Netflix Korea Responds to Rumors Regarding Kingdom Spinoff

Apart from the buzz regarding Ju Ji Hoon's appearance, "Kingdom: The Crown Prince" is reportedly helmed by scriptwriter Kim Eun Hee, who also wrote the previous seasons of "Kingdom" and the soon-to-be-released spinoff "Kingdom: Ashin of the North."

Following the rumors about the upcoming sequel, Netflix Korea representative reportedly explained that nothing has been confirmed.

K-Drama "Kingdom" Beats AMC's "Walking Dead"

There's no denying that "Kingdom" is among the best K-zombie series ever produced.

This sentiment was also echoed by Forbes, describing the mystery thriller drama as the "best zombie movie so far."

In addition, they also compared the Korean drama to the legendary series "'The Walking Dead."

"The zombies in 'Kingdom' season 2 do not procrastinate like the zombies in the AMC zombie drama and are much faster. Once again, surpassing 'The Walking Dead," as stated in the article.

Following the overwhelming achievement of the Netflix series, Jun Ji Hyun previously revealed to News 1 Korea that he was "thankful" and "proud" for the positive response of the public.

Kingdom: Ashin of the North Release, Cast, and Synopsis

As the fans and viewers wait for the green light regarding "Kingdom: The Crown Prince," the forthcoming special episode starring Hallyu star Jun Ji Hyun is slated to premiere on June 23 exclusively on Netflix.

With just almost three weeks away from the much-awaited debut, viewers would get to witness how the story would unravel Ashin's true identity and the start of the chaos that surrounded the Kingdom of Joseon.

Aside from the 39-year-old actress, "Kingdom: Ashin of the North" also includes Park Byung Eun, who will reprise his role as Min Chi Rok, and Kim Shi Ah as the young Ashin.

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: Ju Ji Hoon Teases Fans about the Possible Romance with Jun Ji Hyun in 'Mount Jiri'

KDramastars owns this article.

Written by Geca Wills
WEED, Calif.  The Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office confirmed on Tuesday that officers shot and killed a man during evacuations prompted by the Lava Fire in the Mount Shasta Vista Subdivision, an area increasingly notorious for the proliferation of marijuana grows and a corresponding crackdown by the County.

According to the Sheriff's Office, law enforcement officers were assisting in evacuations from the Mounta Shasta Vista Subdivision on Monday evening, shortly after 8:30 p.m., due to the Lava Fire's rapid wind-driven expansion to the north. Firefighters were staging at the intersection of Shasta Vista Drive and County Road A-12 while officers assisted motorists at the intersection.

Law enforcement had closed the southbound lane of County Road A-12 to stop any traffic from entering Mount Shasta Vista, now under a mandatory evacuation order. Officers were directing traffic north along the road toward Grenada.

The Sheriff's Office said that the driver of a GMC pickup starting approaching County Road A-12 from Shasta Vista Drive, and officers directed the driver to turn north, away from the evacuation zone. According to the agency, the GMC driver ignored those directions and started heading southbound.

"While the law enforcement officer was communicating with the driver, the driver raised his hand and pointed a semi-auto handgun at the officers," the Sheriff's Office said.

Officers from the Sheriff's Office, California Department of Fish and Wildlife, and the Etna Police Department all opened fire at the driver, killing him.

"Fire personnel quickly administered medical aid to the driver of the vehicle; however, he did not recover, and was pronounced dead at the scene," the agency continued.

The Sheriff's Office statement said that the driver "may have fired several rounds" at the officers prior to them opening fire based on the initial information from the scene.

All of the officers involved have been placed on paid administrative leave while the Critical Incident Team, led by the Siskiyou County District Attorney's Office, conducts an investigation.

The Sheriff's Office issued evacuations for the Mount Shasta Vista area on Monday afternoon as the Lava Fire surged northward.
WEED, Calif.  The Lava Fire continued its relentless growth in Siskiyou County on Tuesday, according to the latest update from forestry officials  continuing its northward reach toward communities in the Juniper Valley area while also spreading south along the slopes of Mount Shasta.

Containment of the fire, which remained at 20 percent for the past several days, slipped down to 19 percent on Tuesday.

Most of the successful containment work has occurred near the city of Weed, where fire crews have dug in to protect the town from any westward expansion of the fire. Lines there are now tied into Highway 97, and further lines have been built to protect the Lake Shastina community.

The Mount Shasta Vista Subdivision, where the Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office says a man was killed in an officer-involved shooting during Monday's evacuations, now sits roughly between two long limbs of the fire that crossed Highway 97  held almost as if in the claw of a lobster. Fire officials noted some progress building lines on the southernmost protrusion.

The Lava Fire exploded in size throughout Monday, fueled by strong and erratic winds amid record heat. Fire officials confirmed that the fire made a significant run to the north, crossing Highway 97 and frustrating attempts by fire crews to keep the fire hemmed in south of that line.

During Monday's activity, the Sheriff's Office issued evacuation orders for a number of areas, starting with residents on the north side of Hoy Road, north along Highway 97 to County Road A-12, and the communities of Lake Shastina and Juniper Valley off Big Springs Road from Highway 97 to McDonald Lane on both east and west sides of Big Springs Road.

Within an hour, the agency issued a second round of mandatory evacuations covering the Mount Shasta Vista Subdivision, County Road A-12 north and south, Harry Cash Road, and 4 Corners to Hart Road.

Highway 97 is now closed from I-5 in Weed all the way to the Oregon border near Dorris, according to Caltrans.

The Lava Fire was originally one of four fires sparked by last week's thunderstorms. Though fire crews managed to quickly find and contain the other three, the Lava Fire continued to grow within the rough, rocky terrain about 3.5 miles northeast of Weed and southeast of Lake Shastina.

On Sunday morning the fire was mapped at 220 acres with 25 percent containment, but it continued to spread rapidly amid the record heat. As of Monday morning, officials said that the fire covered roughly 1,446 acres with 20 percent containment.

Officials remain concerned about the very low humidity levels, extreme heat, and strong breezes in the fire area, which all could provoke further rapid spread.
SAMS VALLEY, Ore. --- Most coronavirus restrictions in Oregon lifted Wednesday after Gov. Kate Brown announced last week the state would reopen no later than June 30.

That means restaurants like the Triple Tree in Sams Valley can now welcome customers in without masks.

It means a lot . . . . it means that we cannot really let our guard down, but we can get back to somewhat normal, said Monte Martin, owner of Triple Tree Restaurant in Sams Valley.

Triple Tree Restaurant is a local breakfast, lunch and dinner spot that has been open for more than 20 years. They are also home to the annual Frog Races, which are exactly what the name implies. The races have been a staple for more than 20 years, but the event was canceled this year due to the pandemic.

We have been trying to build a business that you come and enjoy good quality food, service, and a good atmosphere, Martin said.

Martin has been the owner for nine years. Throughout the pandemic he and his staff had to make a number of changes to help them stay afloat.

The problem is, is we're having shortages of staff now as well. Now we're having to close down a few days because we can't fill all the spots that we have available. Nobody's coming through the door, putting in applications . . . and it's not only here. It's pretty much Southern Oregon wide, as far as I know, Martin said.

Now its his job to make sure that this Sams Valley staple stays open.

We will be closing Mondays and Tuesdays for a while until we fill some spots and that puts a lot of work on our employees who have been here long term, Martin concluded.
MACDOEL, Calif.  While fire crews continued to battle the massive Lava Fire in Siskiyou County on Tuesday, the nearby Tennant Fire grew to almost 8,200 as crews there struggled to curb its spread.

Crews remained on the Tennant Fire overnight, working to build firelines and doing structural protection. An infrared flight over the fire provided the new acreage, with containment now estimated at 5 percent.

An update from fire officials on Tuesday night attributed the growth to the same litany of issues prevailing across the Pacific Northwest  critically low relative humidities, very high temperatures, and enough wind to keep the flames moving outward.

The California Interagency Incident Management Team 15 is now assuming command of the firefight.

Evacuation orders are in place for Bray, south of MacDoel including East and West Ball Mountain Road, Old State Highway, and Juanita Lake.

An evacuation warning is now in place for the Macdoel area, bordered by Sheep Mountain Road to the north, the Red Rock Road area to the east and homes within a mile to the west of Macdoel. On Tuesday morning, officials added a warning for residents living on West Ball Mountain-Little Shasta Road, up to Cook Campbell Road, all of Meiss Lake Road, and over to Forest Service Road 3.

"If you live in the Macdoel area please be ready to evacuate should it be ordered. In case of evacuation orders, the shelter is at the Dorris City Hall," the Siskiyou County Office of Emergency Services said.

An interactive map of current evacuation areas on both the Tennant and Lava fires can be viewed here.

Officials from the Klamath National Forest first reported the Tennant Fire on Monday evening, soon placing its size between 200 and 300 acres. It started near the junction of Highway 97 and Tennant Road.

While fire crews reported "good progress" Monday night after the winds settled  with multiple dozers working to contain spot fires north of Highway 97  the fire grew by more than 1,000 acres throughout the afternoon and evening.
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

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This back-and-forth follows statements critical of the governor from U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson, Congressman Bryan Steil and former Lt. Gov. Rebecca Kleefisch, all Republicans, during a June 19 Lincoln Day Dinner in Kenosha.

Kleefisch is widely believed to be planning to challenge Evers when the first-term Democrat seeks re-election as governor in November 2022.

At the Lincoln Day Dinner, she and her GOP colleagues all suggested that Evers had failed to order out the National Guard with enough force to put down the Kenosha riots. They cited statements the governor made after Blake was shot, saying he failed to send a message that would keep instigators away, especially considering protests were still ongoing since George Floyd was killed by police in Minneapolis on May 25.
As we head into the July 4th holiday weekend, the Kenosha Pops Concert Band performs a patriotic-themed program tonight on the band shell in Pennoyer Park.

Its a fun concert. Everybody likes marches, said Frank Germinaro, the bands assistant conductor.

And there are indeed marches: National Emblem, a 1902 march by Edwin Eugene Bagley, and two pieces by John Philip Sousa: The Liberty Bell and The Stars and Stripes Forever.

The official marches of the different branches of the military are featured in Armed Forces Salute, arranged by Bob Lowden.

Sticking with that genre, Germinaro will conduct Stars and Bars by Robert Jager, which he calls a fast-paced march with a beautiful piccolo solo featuring Vera Olguin.

Audience members should come prepared to sing during Sing for America, a medley featuring Youre a Grand Old Flag and America.

Greg Berg, the bands master of ceremonies, will lead that number and will also be featured on America the Beautiful. The beautiful arrangement by Carmen Dragon will knock your socks off, said Craig Gall, the bands musical director.
If a premise is false, repeating it over and over again doesnt make it true.

And yet, that is what Republicans are trying to do, when it comes to a false narrative about Gov. Tony Evers and the Wisconsin National Guards response to the unrest in Kenosha after the shooting of Jacob Blake last August.

They say that Gov. Evers was slow to quell the disturbances that damaged our city and resulted in tragic losses of life, that he failed to marshal sufficient aid from the National Guard to tamp down the violent disruptions that began on the night of Aug. 23 and continued for several days.

They credit President Trump for finally sending the help that Kenosha needed, suggesting Gov. Evers and the National Guard were sitting on their hands, failing to act while our city burned.

Im here to tell you that what theyre saying simply isnt true. I was there. Thats not what happened.

Support Local Journalism Your membership makes our reporting possible. {{featured_button_text}}

By the early morning hours of Aug. 24, our local law enforcement authorities were in touch with the Wisconsin National Guard, laying the groundwork to bring in the re-enforcements that we would need to control the situation.
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top story

Chamber recognizes school system, others at annual dinner

tgrace / Tonya S. Grace/Cadiz Record Erin Eagleson (left) and Paula Dickerson of Trigg County Public Schools are pictured with Ashley Johnson after receiving Presidents Awards from the Trigg County Chamber of Commerce during the chambers dinner on June 22. Photo Provided State Rep. Walker Thomas is flanked by Travis Burton of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and Beth Sumner, membership director of the Trigg County Chamber of Commerce, after receiving the state chambers MVP Award. Tonya S. Grace | Cadiz Record A crowd of supporters came out on June 22 for the 2021 Trigg County Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner at the Lake Barkley convention center. Tonya S. Grace | Cadiz Record Brent Webster, director of guitar studies at Murray State University, performs during the chamber Annual Dinner.

They couldnt have done it without their staff members, noted Erin Eagleson, transportation director for Trigg County Public Schools, as he accepted one of two Presidents Awards presented during the recent Trigg County Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner.

The chamber recognized the school systems transportation department for providing transportation, meal delivery and WiFi services during the months of the ongoing pandemic.

Trigg County Public Schools food service department received the second award, accepted by Food Services Director Paula Dickerson for providing food to thousands of our children during the pandemic, noted Chamber of Commerce President Ashley Johnson in presenting the award.

The dinner took place June 22 at the Lake Barkley State Resort Park convention center and included an announcement of the local chambers award recipients, recognition of 2019-2021 Trigg County Leadership Class graduates and presentation of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce MVP Award.

Proceeds from a silent auction conducted during the dinner will support the Trigg chambers scholarship program. Entertainment was provided by Brent Webster, director of guitar studies at Murray State University.

In presenting the Presidents Awards, Johnson noted that the honorees were unaware they had been chosen to be recognized, knowing only they had been told to attend the dinner.

She noted that the districts food service and transportation employees had stepped above and beyond in serving local schoolchildren.

Thank you again for what you did, she said as she invited the pair to receive their awards. We know that your jobs are tireless and please express that to the rest of your staff.

As he accepted his departments award, Eagleson said neither he nor Dickerson could have done anything without the incredible members of their staff; drivers and food service workers willingly stepped up to meet the need, he noted of their contributions.

On behalf of my department and Paulas department, thank you, but its all them, Eagleson said. Its not me; its them.

Others receiving awards during the evening included Cathy Oliver, a special needs teacher at Trigg County Intermediate School who was named Educator of the Year; Kim Fortner, named Citizen of the Year; LeAnn Champion, receiving the Horizon Award; and Trigg County Hospital, the Best Foot Forward Award.

Johnson lauded the hospital for its untiring efforts in responding to COVID-19, its dedication to citizens in emergencies and its many hours spent providing testing and vaccinations during the coronavirus pandemic.

The particular basis for this nomination was the fact that the world faced a life-changing pandemic that started in early 2020 that continues today, she noted. Trigg County Hospital has put the best foot forward by being the very definition of the frontline workers as they set up testing sites while trying to keep their employees and the health and safety of the public first and foremost.

Johnson noted that, through its regional vaccination site, the hospital has been able to serve residents of surrounding counties, in addition to the citizens of Trigg County.

The hospital administered more than 5,300 COVID-19 tests between April of last year and this May, Johnson said, and it administered 4,690 vaccinations, including both shots, between July 1, 2020, and June 1, 2021.

Of this years Educator of the Year, presenter Amy Slone said Oliver was a very deserving individual described by one person nominating her for the award as super amazing with all special needs students and as someone who goes above and beyond for all of her students.

Slone noted that Oliver has been teaching special needs students since 1998 and has spent the last seven years at the intermediate school.

Horizon Award recipient Champion was described as someone who recognized a need for a unique business and who utilized Facebook and other social media to grow her business through the months of the pandemic.

Through her Stuff in Balloons Florist and Gifts, Champion specializes in celebrating events, noted presenter Paula Flood.

The chambers Citizen of the Year Award winner was announced in the absence of the honoree. Eunice Stone said Fortner, who was unable to attend the dinner, will be presented with the award during a chamber Lunch & Learn at noon July 8 at the Renaissance Center.

Stone noted that Fortner, who created an online presence to highlight the countys bicentennial year in 2020, was a fitting choice for this years Citizen of the Year.

We can think of no one more deserving than Kim when it comes to history and knowing things about Trigg County and her dedication to that, said Stone of Fortners selection.

Among other things, Fortner serves on the board of the Janice Mason Art Museum and is a most thorough and quick researcher, especially Trigg County history and genealogy, Stone said.

Also during the recent dinner, State Representative Walker Thomas received the 2021 Kentucky Chamber of Commerce MVP Award, a Louisville Slugger bat, for his willingness to go to bat for business in Kentucky, said Travis Burton, the state chambers director of political affairs.

Burton presented the award along with Beth Sumner, membership director for the local chamber. He explained that the Kentucky chamber looks at the record of state legislators each year and considers their work on behalf of constituents in presenting the award.

Burton said Thomas efforts in the last legislative session have ensured that state regulations for doing business in Kentucky arent stricter than what the federal government requires.

Thomas, who represents Trigg and Christian counties, was among 10 legislators recognized in 2021 for their efforts on behalf of business.

The local chamber recognized its Trigg County Leadership class members for 2019-2021.

Honorees receiving a plaque and certificate included Kyle Cunningham, Paula Dickerson, Sarah Diepstra, Andrea Esposito, Ashley Kingston, Lucy Kyler, Casey Parrent, Ryan Russell, Lisa Sadler and Vonda Wilson.

Johnson said one of the leadership classmates, Tara Mahone, had succumbed to COVID-19. Mahone had worked with Sanctuary Inc., and was a social worker with the State of Kentucky.

Reach Tonya S. Grace at 270-887-3240 or tgrace@kentuckynewera.com.
Crime

featured

FLIGHT or FIGHT

Man arrested after rooster fighting ring discovered

Photos provided by Monroe County Sheriffs Office Deputies from the Monroe County Sheriffs Office search the property on Park Drive on Rockland Key where hundreds of caged roosters were found, along with equipment for rooster fights. Photo provided by Monroe County Sheriffs Office Deputies from the Monroe County Sheriffs Office search the property on Park Drive on Rockland Key where hundreds of caged roosters were found, along with equipment for rooster fights. Photo provided by Monroe County Sheriff's Office One of the 310 roosters discovered Tuesday shows signs of being used an illegal cock fighting operation. Photo by MCSO The mailbox at 522 Park Drive depicts a police officer chasing a man, sporting a fedora, with a rooster under his arm. Photo provided Louie Blanco is seen holding a rooster on a recent post on social media.

Monroe County State Attorney Dennis Ward plans to seek the stiffest penalty possible for a 54-year-old man who was arrested Monday after a large-scale rooster fighting operation was found on his Rockland Key property.

Monroe County Sheriffs Office deputies arrested Luis Blanco Jr. on charges of owning property used for animal fighting and owning equipment used for animal fighting, according to Sheriff Rick Ramsay. Blanco was booked into jail on Monday.

There is a history of organized cock fights in the 500 block of Park Drive on Rockland Key.

Ward or Sheriff Rick Ramsay, the countys top two law enforcement officers, are asking for a stiff penalty and jail time.

Ramsay shared a photo with The Key West Citizen of the mailbox of the Key West home where Luis Blanco Jr.s sometimes resides and where he was arrested. The mailbox had a painting of a man, with a rooster under his arm, running away from a police officer.

This is all a big joke to him, Ramsay said. This guy has no regard for the law or for the well-being of harmless animals.

Ramsay also shared another photo of Blanco Jr. mugging for the camera with a rooster under his arm. The rooster had a spike, which is meant for killing, attached to its foot.

This was a professional, full-scale operation built on the torture of these animals, Ramsay said. These animals were made to fight to the death. These animals were made to suffer.

Ward, on Tuesday, planned to talk with the prosecutor handling this case, he said.

It depends on the strength of the evidence, but I plan to ask for the maximum jail time, Ward said.

The Sheriffs Office received an anonymous tip that chickens were being illegally bred to fight at a residence on the 500 block of Park Drive, Sheriffs Office spokesman Adam Linhardt said.

Detective Sgt. Linda Mixon and detectives Antonio Guieb and Ken Fricke went to the border of the property and observed many caged roosters and chickens, a bloody fighting ring and a bait stick  a plush fake chicken head on a stick used to get roosters angry in the ring, Linhardt said.

Many of roosters were injured, with their wattles and combs trimmed as is common when they are used for fighting, according to Linhardt.

A search warrant was filed and detectives returned for a full search of the property. They found a total of 310 chickens on the property, as well as a large assortment of items associated with fighting roosters such as spurs, scales, sewing needles, syringes, liquid drugs to treat infections, stop watches and bait sticks, Linhardt said.

The Florida Keys Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals also took part in the investigation.

Ramsay was not sure what was going to happen to the 310 roosters, he said Tuesday. Trying to place or adopt out that many roosters that have been trained to fight would be tough, he said. Several years ago, Ramsay placed some roosters that had been trained to fight at the Sheriffs Animal Farm, but they had to be placed in individual cages to keep them from fighting, Ramsay said.

Cock fighting rings are pervasive in South Florida, the sheriff said. People not only have the roosters fight, but the owners and spectators wager on the outcomes of the fight and engage in other illegal behavior, Ramsay said.

This is a big, lucrative industry in South Florida, Ramsay said. It is culturally accepted in some Latin communities. However, it is cruel. These animals are made to suffer.

tohara@keysnews.com
An NCAA panel voted to support an interim policy letting college athletes profit from their name, image and likeness until federal legislation -- supported by a recent SCOTUS decision -- or new rules are in place.

Here's what you need to know to Get Up to Speed and On with Your Day.

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1. Condo collapse

Investigators are on the scene of the Florida condo collapse, trying to figure out how and why a portion of the building came down. A six-person team of scientists, structural engineers and a geotechnical engineer from the National Institute of Standards and Technology is conducting a preliminary investigation of the collapsed building's materials, history and applicable building codes at the time it was built, the surrounding ground and other factors. Documents show condo owners were also facing assessments for about $15 million worth of repairs, with payments set to begin a week after the building's deadly fall. The tragedy has raised haunting questions about building integrity that reach far beyond South Florida. Meanwhile, families are still holding out hope for good news in the agonizing rescue process. So far, 11 people have died and 150 remain missing.

2. Coronavirus

The threat of the Delta variant has some health officials rethinking Covid-19 measures, even among vaccinated people. Experts have said vaccines like those from Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech provide high amounts of protection against the variant, but some warn breakthroughs could become more likely if the virus becomes more prevalent. Already in Los Angeles County, officials have reinstated mask guidance for public indoor spaces, regardless of vaccination status. Other parts of the world are getting even stricter. South Africa has entered at least two weeks of lockdown to combat a third wave of Covid-19 linked to the Delta variant. About 10 million Australians, including residents in four of the country's eight capital cities, are also under lockdown.

3. LGBTQ rights

The Supreme Court left in place a decision that allowed a transgender student to use the bathroom that corresponded to his gender identity. It is a victory for the LGBTQ community, which worried the conservative-leaning high court would reverse the lower court's decision. The case originated in Virginia, and the ruling covers several states, which means students in those areas can use the bathroom that corresponds to their gender identity. The issue is unsettled in other states, and another appeal could conceivably make its way back to the Supreme Court. In related news, California announced it will ban state-funded travel to Arkansas, Florida, Montana, North Dakota and West Virginia over what it deems anti-LGBTQ laws recently enacted there.

4. Myanmar

The Myanmar military's vise-like grip on power is creating difficult and unexpected conundrums. Staffers at Myanmar's dozens of diplomatic posts around the world are faced with the choice of staying in their roles and being forced to represent the junta that has killed hundreds of pro-democracy protesters and locked up democratically elected leaders, or leave and risk placing themselves and their families in danger. A new report reveals the junta has such strong control over the country's jade trade that it would be "nearly impossible" to buy the gemstone without enriching the generals and their allies. Myanmar produces about 70% of the world's jade, worth billions of dollars and fueled in large part by demand in neighboring China.

5. Heat wave

The unprecedented heat wave in the US Northwest rages on, painting a harrowing picture of the kind of extreme temperatures the climate crisis will bring. Portland has set all-time high temperature records, topping out yesterday at 115 degrees. Seattle also reached a record high of 107 degrees. Outdoor venues and services have had to close, and at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon, the US Olympic track and field trials were suspended Sunday due to extreme heat. Even more concerning, a lack of air conditioning in some major cities has exacerbated health concerns. Experts say the Pacific Northwest isn't prepared for heat of this caliber.

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Burberry shares tumble after CEO resigns to join rival Salvatore Ferragamo

What's luxury without a little bit of drama?

Same county tops healthiest US community ranking for the second year in a row

Go ahead and quiz yourself: What state is the county in? Bonus: Which other state took the top three counties in the mental health category?

TODAY'S NUMBER

13,906

That's how many unaccompanied minors US Border Patrol encountered along the southern US border in May. The tally is down slightly from April and March. The Biden administration is now preparing to close some emergency shelters for unaccompanied migrant children that were opened in haste to accommodate a surge of border crossings.

TODAY'S QUOTE

"I represent what they want. They want law, and they want order. And that's what you want. That's what this country wants."

Former President Donald Trump, during a weekend rally in Ohio. Trump has been stoking enthusiasm among his supporters but faces a laundry list of new legal and personal challenges, including new allegations of misconduct in office and new challenges to his false claims of fraud during the 2020 election.

TODAY'S WEATHER

Check your local forecast here>>>

AND FINALLY

Chow down

As you set your Fourth of July shopping list, indulge in a history of the humble hot dog. (Click here to view.)
EUGENE, Ore.  Eugene School District 4J will continue holding vaccine clinics for a few more weeks.

The district will offer vaccines at no cost to students, families and community members until Aug. 6. They are held every Wednesday and Friday from 4 to 6 p.m.

On Wednesdays people can line up for shots at Churchill High School and on Fridays at North Eugene High School.

Advance appointments are available, but community members can also drop in to get a shot.

Theyre open to anyone age 12 and up. Those under the age of 15 need to come with a parent or guardian or bring a signed consent form.
ASHLAND, Ore.  The nearly 60-year-old mystery of an unidentified boy found dead in the mountains east of Ashland has at last been solved, the Jackson County Sheriff's Office announced on Monday.

In July of 1963, 65-year-old Roy E. Rogers of Rogue River set out to fish in the Keene Creek Reservoir along Greensprings Highway east of Ashland. While out there, Rogers discovered the concealed body of a 2-year-old boy  found wrapped in layers of blankets, bound with wire, and weighted down with iron molds.

The investigation into the unidentified boy was undertaken by the Jackson County Sheriff's Office, but there would be no break in the case for decades. Over the next 58 years, almost two dozen Sheriffs, detectives and deputies worked on the case with help from the Oregon State Police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation.

An initial autopsy done shortly after the body's discovery did not produce a clear cause of death. According to the Sheriff's Office, the case almost immediately went cold, and files were archived in August of 1963, remaining that way for almost 45 years.

In 2007, JCSO detective Sgt. Colin Fagan found 11 paper boxes marked "old Sheriff cases," and he delegated special investigator Jim Tattersal to sort through them for possible follow-up. It was Tattersal who found the Keene Creek Case and decided to revive it.

In August of 2008, investigators exhumed the small body from Hillcrest Memorial Park cemetery to take a DNA sample, but the Combined DNA Index System (CODIS) didn't return any matches. In 2010, the the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) created a composite image using the extracted DNA.

JCSO said that a "big break" in the case came in December 2020, when the agency received a tip through its Facebook inbox. Sheriff Nathan Sickler tasked deputy Medical Examiner Christian Adams to take up the investigation.

Adams worked with Dr. Nici Vance, coordinator of OSP's Human Identification Program, and submitted a DNA sample of the unidentified child to contractor Parabon NanoLabs with the idea of using phenotyping and genetic genealogy to narrow in on an identity.

Parabon took the DNA sample and used it to search GEDMatch, the same open-source genealogy repository used to find the Golden State Killer. Chief genetic genealogist Cece Moore found two potential siblings of the unidentified child, eventually securing an interview with a maternal half-brother in Ohio.

The half-brother told investigators that he had a sibling born with Down syndrome in New Mexico who later went missing. A birth certificate finally confirmed the child's name  Stevie Crawford, born October 2, 1960. All potential suspects in Crawford's death are deceased, a JCSO spokesperson said.

JCSO said that, beyond the core investigators, a number of people were integral in helping to identify Crawford, many of them offering time and effort for free. Hillcrest Memorial Park cemeterys Jed Ramey donated the work for the 2008 exhumation, while East Main Dental Center's Dr. Gregory Pearson and Dr. Hal Borg donated time and service for the dental identification process, which revealed signs of congenital defects. University of Oregon forensic anthropologist Dr. Jeanne Mclaughlin donated her time and efforts to skeletonize the remains for analysis and DNA extraction, JCSO said.

The agency also offered thanks to its own detectives, who logged many unpaid hours in attempting to identify Crawford, including Sgt. Fagan, detective Tim Pike, and special investigator Tattersal.
EUGENE, Ore.  Oregon lawmakers have set aside $11 million to help fund Eugene projects such as safe sleep sites and the Downtown Riverfront Park project.

Mayor Lucy Vinis and state representatives will hold a news conference at the Downtown Riverfront Park site on July 1, and staff will lead a tour of the site afterward.

RELATED: CONSTRUCTION BEGINS ON RIVERFRONT PARK

The safe sleep sites project will receive $3.25 million for acquiring and developing land for shelters, and an additional $250,000 will be used for temporary camping site development. The sites will provide legal places for members of the homeless community to sleep in tents or in their vehicles. Social service providers will manage the sites. For a list of sites being considered, CLICK HERE.

Meanwhile, the Downtown Riverfront Park project will receive $5 million to close a funding gap for the second phase of the redevelopment work, which includes the plaza and playground. Phase one of the project is scheduled to open in August.

MORE: NEW STREET NAMES HONOR AFRICAN-AMERICAN, NATIVE AMERICAN LEGACIES

A total of $2 million will go to Eugene-Springfield Fire for the development of a firefighter apprenticeship program, and $150,000 will go to evaluating and planning out broadband internet needs. The city will also be seeking federal and private funding to expand broadband in the community.

Lastly, $350,000 is slated for purchasing a Eugene Police Department Crisis Negotiation vehicle to support the team.
EUGENE, Ore. -- Oregon Parks Forever is teaming up with four Oregon craft beverage producers to raise funds that will be used to replant 25,000 trees after last year's wildfires.

Between July and August, profits from drinks sold by Stoller Wine Group, Pelican Brewing, Portland Cider Company, and Sunriver Brewing will go to support these efforts. Each dollar collected will cover the cost of planting one tree.

Oregon Parks Forever has set a goal of planting at least a million trees after last year's wildfires burned over 1 million acres. So far they've raised about $400,000.

The first trees will be planted in the fall of 2022. They'll be planted in high impact, and highly visible areas for transportation, tourism, and recreation.

If you don't drink, you can also donate directly to the organization.
By Ivan Ssenabulya

The African Union Commission Chairperson Moussa Faki, has welcomed the ceasefire declaration in Ethiopias Tigray region by the government.

The government made the announcement after the capture of the regions capital Mekelle by Tigray Peoples Liberation Front (TPL) on Monday.

In a statement by the commission chairperson, he expresses optimism that the move will restore peace in the war-torn region.

The UN Secretary General Antonio Guteress also says he spoke to Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed who confirmed to him that the ceasefire will restore peace.

Several countries including the US, Ireland and Britain last evening made a call for an urgent UN Security Council sitting not later than Friday to discuss the security situation in Tigray.

The fighting which started in November last year has left many dead, over 2M people displaced and 350,000 in dire hunger.

It broke out after disagreements between the government and the regions local leaders.
By Benson Tumusiime At least more than 800 people and an undisclosed number of clients from several companies in Kampala Metropolitan Area received fake Covid-19 jabs last month.

Some of the recipients have since died in the second wave of the pandemic.

Dr Wallen Naamara, the head of State House Health Monitoring Unit, told Daily Monitor that the people who took the fake Covid jabs shouldnt get worried because there is a possibility that the fraudsters could have used water they put in stolen bottles.

Dr Naamara told a press conference in Kampala that the suspects, including a doctor, who is currently on the run, duped several people and companies and injected them with fake vaccines between May 15 and June 17.

State House detectives yesterday arrested two nurses from Nakawa, Kampala, on accusations of vaccinating people using a suspected fake vaccine.

The contents of labels of this vaccine are suspected to have either been stolen from somewhere or manufactured from Nasser Road in Kampala but they did not pass the right channels of the government.

Read more: https://www.monitor.co.ug/uganda/news/national/over-800-vaccinated-with-fake-covid-jab-state-house3456108
By Damali Mukhaye

Government will today start registering the 16 identified vulnerable groups eligible to receive shs 100,000 covid19 relief cash whose disbursement is expected to start in two weeks.

Their registration will be carried out by Uganda National Bureau of Statistics and town clerks while local council one chairpersons will superintend the exercise.

The Gender and Social development minister Betty Amongi has since revealed that her ministry will guide cities and municipalities on the number of persons to be selected.

She says once UBOS and town clerks have finalized compiling the data of those who qualify to get the money, their names will be displayed in various villages to ensure that people who fall in those categories do not miss out.

The final list is expected to be ready by July 4th to ensure cash is transferred to them as soon as possible.

Individuals eligible to get the cash but whose national Ids and sim card registration details vary will receive pay through post Bank vans.
By Ritah Kemigisa

Finance minister Matia Kasaija has advised Ugandans who will receive the shs 100,000 covid relief cash handout from government to spend it carefully.

Cabinet has approved 16 groups including Taxi and bus drivers, Boda boda riders, DJs and street vendors as some of the vulnerable people who have been severely affected by the second lockdown that has entered its second week.

The ministry hopes to release about Shs 54billion next week which has been allocated to help over 1 million people in 500,000 households in Kampala, and other cities and municipalities.

Minister Kasaija says much as the relief cash to be given out is little, the beneficiaries should only buy essential commodities for their consumption especially food.

Cabinet has since advised those who get the money to buy at least 20kgs of posho valued at Shs 40,000, 10kgs of beans valued at Shs 25,000 and at least 3 liters of cooking oil with each liter valued at Shs 4,000.
In the last year we've lost thousands of family members, friends and co-workers to COVID-19. We'd like to give you a chance to honor their memory.

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Kilkenny has been officially designated a World Crafts Council Craft City and Region - one of only four regions to achieve the recognition in Europe.

The prestigious internationally-recognised award is the result of an application put forward by MADE in Kilkenny, a craft collective of designer-makers and Kilkenny County Council. It will greatly enhance Kilkennys reputation as a craft destination.

The application, judged by an international panel of jurors, was the result of several months of hard work by MADE in Kilkenny members who had to demonstrate the regions craft activities in the areas of making, education and training, and exhibition spaces.

The World Crafts Council, a non-governmental organisation founded in 1964, aims to strengthen the status of and promote crafts as a vital part of cultural, social and economic life through their global network of members and affiliates.

Welcoming the announcement, Minister of State for Heritage and Electoral Reform Malcolm Noonan said that Kilkenny has a long tradition of being a centre of craft activity in Ireland with its many craft workshops, home to the Design and Crafts Council Ireland, the National Craft Gallery and Centres of Excellence in Ceramics and Jewellery.

"Kilkenny is also well known for other creative sectors including fine-art, animation and its many festivals including music, film, comedy and food," he said.

"This is great news for Kilkenny and is another prestigious award to add to the long list of awards achieved in recent years.

The MADE in Kilkenny collective has actively contributed to Kilkenny's reputation for craft excellence over the last decade. The group strives to bring together the considerable wealth of craft talent found in Kilkenny to a wider audience and to foster excellence in craftsmanship.

MADE in Kilkenny is a multidisciplinary craft group organised and run by its members on a voluntary basis. Its mission is to promote Kilkenny as the premier destination in Ireland for authentic hand-made Irish craft of exceptional quality, according to Gus Mableson of MADE in Kilkenny.

Cathaoirleach of Kilkenny County Council Fidelis Doherty said the new designation 'puts Kilkenny on the international map and recognises the huge work carried out in the craft sector over many years'.

The expansion of craft activity in Kilkenny dates back to the 1960s with the formation of the Kilkenny Design Workshops (KDW) in the Castle stables in the centre of Kilkenny City in 1963. Through the Irish Export Board, this government-led initiative aimed to introduce good design into not only industrial manufacturing, but also craftbased production. The project attracted designers from throughout Europe and workshops were set up producing small production runs and prototypes for industry in the areas of weaving , textiles, ceramics, furniture and silversmithing.

Throughout the 1970s the workshops set up by KDW also ran apprenticeship and training schemes for young aspiring designer- makers and by the time KDW closed in 1988 a considerable number of craft businesses had been set up in Kilkenny.

Chief Executive of the Design & Crafts Council Ireland Rosemary Steen said the Design and Crafts Council welcomes the accreditation of Kilkenny as a World Craft Council Craft City and Region.

"Kilkenny has long been recognised in Ireland as a national centre for the craft and design sector, which continues to play a central role in Irelands society and economy. It is very exciting for our Council to see Kilkenny recognised internationally in this way. We hope that this designation will generate greater opportunities for craftspeople in Kilkenny, further supporting the craft sector in Ireland as a whole," she said.
As more and more companies offer the option of remote working, motor and home insurer Liberty Insurance is advising employers and employees alike that the practice has potential insurance implications, which are less understood.

Liberty Insurance recently partnered with award-winning social enterprise Grow Remote and welcomes the #MakingRemoteWork campaign launched yesterday (Monday 28 June) by Grow Remote alongside Tanaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Leo Varadkar.

This campaign aims to make remote and home working a much bigger part of working life after the Covid-19 pandemic. Liberty, as an employer who recently committed to remote working for all its people in Ireland, brings its own experience to bear and has listed five of the most important insurance considerations for employees working from home and employers considering a more permanent role for out-of-office remote work.

1. Computers and printers might not be covered by home insurance

Most home insurance policies that include contents cover will include cover for a limited amount of home office equipment, such as a computer and printer. However, some home insurance policies may not give any cover for office contents, as they are not deemed to be household goods. If employers or employees are unsure on this point contact your employer or your insurer.

2. Office equipment removed from the office can lose business insurance cover

Over the last 15 months, many employees have borrowed workplace hardware to facilitate their remote working, in many cases at short notice. The main purpose of business insurance is typically to cover company assets in a specific workplace, although some commercial business policies allow for an element of cover for business equipment being temporarily removed. Therefore, if an employer is moving to a remote working model, they will need to speak with their insurer and update their insurance policy accordingly.

3. Prepare for hacks, data breaches, and lost devices

It is the responsibility of the employer to ensure all computer hardware is provided to an employee to enable remote working. Typically, this is covered under the businesss material damage section of its insurance policy. Whats most important is that employers update and communicate their security policies to reflect emerging teleworking practices and the rapidly evolving space of data security. Insurance products in the data security space are constantly evolving. Some insurers provide custom computer insurance cover, such as all risks basis cover that enables employers to insure for damage or interference to computer systems and loss of data, whether electronic or non-electronic.

4. Accidents in a remote work environment are still workplace accidents

All employers have a duty of care to take reasonable steps to ensure employees have a safe and ergonomic place to work, regardless of whether that is on-site or at home. If remote working is a relatively new development within an organisation, Employers should ensure their employer liability policy provides the appropriate level of coverage.

5. Meetings held at home should be digital only

Remote workers hosting meetings at home has implications for the employer and employee. Most home insurance policies require people to specify that their home is not used in connection with their business or profession. Therefore, were an accident to occur in the home during a meeting with a client or customer, this would not be covered by their insurer. Again employees and employers should be encouraged to hold only digital meetings at home and go to a co-working space or the office for in-person meetings.
MASON CITY, Iowa - A motorcycle accident Tuesday night left one person with serious injuries.

The Cerro Gordo County Sheriffs Office said the crash happened at 22585 Orchid Ave. when a motorcycle and a vehicle collided.

The driver of the motorcycle, 24-year-old Alayna Oleson, of Manly, was seriously injured.

Authorities said a Lincoln Navigator, driven by 64-year-old Randy Solsaa, of Mason City, pulled out of a driveway just prior to the collision.

Charges are pending.
ALBERT LEA, Minn. - An Albert Lea couple that was briefly hospitalized due to a house fire is trying to remain positive despite a devastating fire.

The fire happened at 514 Minnesota Ave. and was reported at 11:38 p.m. Fire officials said nearby residents were evacuated as a precaution.

The home suffered significant fire, heat and smoke damage.

Tari Ferrie and Wes Johnson spoke to KIMT on Wednesday and said they lost so much in the blaze and now just hope they will be able to recover and move forward.

Firefighters were still on the scene of the fire late Wednesday morning.

The couple is currently staying at an Albert Lea hotel.
ST. PAUL, Minn.  An Albert Lea man has been convicted on federal child pornography charges.

Travis Kyle Mayer, 32, was accused of downloaded child porn from a Russia-based website in 2017 and then exploiting a 15-year-old girl in 2018 into producing child porn that Mayer possessed and distributed. Federal prosecutors say Mayer also tried to interfere with their work by requesting a witness to testify falsely about the investigation into child sexual exploitation.

Mayers trial began on June 21 and a federal jury found him guilty Tuesday on two counts of production and attempted production of child pornography, one count of distribution of child pornography, one count of possession of child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography, one count of coercion and enticement of a minor, one count of committing a felony offense involving a minor while required to register as a sex offender, and one count obstruction of justice.

A sentencing date has not been set but Mayer faces up to life in prison.

This case was the result of an investigation conducted by the FBI and the Albert Lea Police Department.
ROCHESTER, Minn. - Community members honored the legacy of a Rochester native who dedicated his life to service, and speaking up for those wounded on the battlefield.

The American flag flew at half-mast over Soldiers Field Veterans Memorial Tuesday as a service remembering Jim Sursely marched on. Sursely passed away May 30th following decades of advocacy for disabled veterans that earned national acclaim.

The Lourdes High School graduate enlisted in the Army in 1966, before volunteering to serve in the Vietnam War two years later. A combat mission shortly thereafter would end in tragedy for Sursely, with the detonation of an enemy landmine forcing the amputation of both of his legs above the knee, as well as his left arm above the elbow.

After an extensive recovery, Sursely worked diligently to find success in the real estate industry. All the while, he continued fighting for his fellow disabled veterans, ultimately leading to his election as national commander of Disabled American Veterans, in addition to a range of other commendations.

Yet Sursely's impact went far beyond his resume, helping countless wounded veterans find comfort and security after life-changing sacrifices in the name of freedom.

"Wherever he went, he drew a group, and when he left, there was always healing," said Rich Daly, past commander of Disabled American Veterans of Minnesota.

Sursely's passing is an immense loss for veterans across Southeast Minnesota and beyond, Daly says, with his leadership matched only by his ability to listen.

"He never really wanted to talk about him, he wanted to know about the people in the room, and what they were dealing with," Daly said. "That put him in the position where it always seemed to be a healing event when you were there, and in most cases, when you saw Jim ready to leave a room, there were always people that wanted to come up and hug him."

During Tuesday's memorial service, Mike McElhiney of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs announced a proclamation by Governor Walz recognizing June 29, 2021 as Jim Sursely Day. Sursely is survived by his wife, five children, and 12 grandchildren.
MASON CITY, Iowa  A former school bus driver is pleading guilty to driving drunk with children on board.

Rebecca Anne Spencer, 44 of Forest City, has pleaded guilty to one count of OWI-2nd offense and one count of child endangerment.

Spencer was driving a Forest City Community School District van on March 12 when she was pulled over for speeding in Cerro Gordo County. Court documents state there were three young students in the van and the arresting officer said Spencer smelled of alcohol.

Authorities say a breath test showed her blood alcohol content was .244 percent, just over three times the legal limit.

A sentencing hearing is now scheduled for August 25.

Spencer resigned from the Forest City school district at a school board meeting on March 16.
MASON CITY, Iowa - A Mason City man is facing a homicide by vehicle charge in connection to a deadly crash earlier this month.

Cody Skiye, 28, is being held in the Cerro Gordo County Jail on $25,000 bond after being picked up on a warrant.

Authorities said Skiye was operating a 2010 Dodge Ram southbound on Thrush Ave. when he struck a bicyclist. The cyclist, James Powell, was taken to MercyOne in Mason City and died if his injuries on June 11.

Authorities said Skiye had a blood-alcohol level of .222.

Skiye was initially arrested for OWI-second offense, making a false report to law enforcement, no insurance and operating a motor vehicle too closely to a bicycle.
WAVERLY, Iowa  A southern Minnesota woman is facing charges after a northeast Iowa traffic stop turns into a drug arrest.

Samantha Deanne Potter, 30 of Lyle, MN, is accused of possession with intent to deliver methamphetamine and failure to use a drug tax stamp. Law enforcement says Potter was pulled over around 7 pm Monday on Highway 218 in Bremer County. Court documents state she was doing 87 miles per hour in a 65 mph zone.

The arresting officer says a check found Potters drivers license had been revoked. When told a police K9 unit would be brought in to check her vehicle for drugs, Potter reportedly said her male passenger might have some marijuana. The arresting officer says the passenger surrendered a pipe and some of the drug.

That led to a search of Potters vehicle which authorities say found 45.14 grams of methamphetamine in plastic baggies and a digital scale in Potters purse.
MASON CITY, Iowa  A woman accused of a stabbing at a Mason City apartment complex is pleading not guilty.

Arissa Marie Ledvina, 23 of Mason City, is charged with willful injury causing serious injury, going armed with intent, and assault while displaying a dangerous weapon.

Mason City police say Ledvina went to an apartment in the 300 block of 1st Street SW on May 23. Ledvina allegedly demanded the door be opened and when it was, she attacked someone inside with her fists and a large knife. Police say a female victim was stabbed in the head and arms and required stitches.

Ledvinas trial is scheduled to start on September 21.
MASON CITY, Iowa  No injuries have been reported after part of a parapet wall separated from a building and fell onto a nearby alleyway in Mason City.

It happened around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at the historic Letts, Spencer, Smith Co. warehouse at 503 S. Federal Avenue. The Mason City Police Department blocked off traffic in the area for a few hours but it has since been restored. However, westbound 5th Street SE and north and southbound South Federal Avenue have been reduced to one lane.

Police are asking people to stay away from the warehouse until it can be thoroughly examined and any further risk assessed.

While there is no official word yet on the cause of the collapse, city building inspector Ray Quayle believes that years of wet, freezing/thawing weather and windy conditions likely contributed to the wall separating away from the building and falling onto the ground below.

"As old as the building is, it's just years of freezing and thawing. We've had some high winds the last few weeks, and it probably played a role in it too."
MASON CITY, Iowa  A woman accused of stealing from her fast food employer is pleading not guilty.

Stacy Danele Anderson, 46 of Mason City, is charged with ongoing criminal conduct and second-degree theft.

Investigators say she was a manager at Burger King and voided multiple orders after customers had paid with cash, then taking the money from the voided orders for herself. Court documents say this happened between February 1 and May 5, resulting in the theft of over $1,500.

Anderson is set to stand trial beginning September 21.
MASON CITY, Iowa - You may be in the market for purchasing some fireworks and showing off in front of the neighbors this 4th of July.

Bellino Fireworks' tent on 19th Street Southwest features just about anything a pyro fanatic is looking for, from classics like sparklers and firecrackers, to larger cakes like 'Chemically Imbalanced' and '2 Minute Warning.' Despite a reported nationwide shortage, Beverly Thompson, who has managed the tent for the past five years, says she has plenty of product in stock.

"They've been doing this for over 40 years, it's a small family owned business, they have products for us."

But before spending your hard earned money on fun and light up the night sky this weekend, you'll need to know if you're legally allowed to buy and light them, as cities and counties in the area have different rules on the sale and discharge of consumer-grade fireworks. For example, Cerro Gordo County does not allow discharge of fireworks in unincorporated areas of the county, while Mason City only allows a 5-hour window on July 3 and 4.

With the compressed schedule to allow fireworks to be shot off within Mason City city limits, Thompson has heard from customers about the time crunch, and hopes a conversation with city officials can possibly extend it.

"I think people would respect the ordinance a little bit more if it was more reasonable. To have only 6 to 11 p.m. for two days makes it difficult for families to enjoy both displays in Mason City and Clear Lake, and do their own small displays."

Whereas Iowa is a bit more loose when it comes to what kind of fireworks can legally be sold, Minnesota is more restrictive. While sprinklers, cones and tubes that emit sparks but remain on the ground, and novelty items like snappers and party poppers are allowed, anything that flies into the air and explodes remains outlawed.

If you plan to shoot off any fireworks, it's best to check with your city or county to see what is allowed, as well as having some way to douse any potential sparks on hand.
FOREST CITY, Iowa  A northwest Iowa woman caught with drugs in Winnebago County is sentenced to probation.

Amanda Jo Anderson, 38 of Estherville, was given three to five years of supervised probation after pleading guilty to possession of methamphetamine with intent to deliver. Anderson must also follow all recommended substance abuse and mental health treatment.

Court documents state Anderson was a passenger in a vehicle pulled over in Buffalo Center on December 7, 2020, and six grams of meth were found on her.
Jasper, TX (75951)

Today

A few isolated thunderstorms developing during the afternoon under partly cloudy skies. High near 90F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

A few clouds from time to time. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds light and variable.
ONALASKA  A group of Republican lawmakers and local farmers spoke June 28 regarding concerns they have with the industry, ahead of a visit from President Joe Biden. The president planned to focus on agriculture and infrastructure topics.
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The Medical Clinic will still be closed until further notice.
Here's what you need to know: Wednesday, June 30
A poster for "Assassins" / Courtesy of The Coup, Watcha, kth



By Kwak Yeon-soo



"Assassins," a documentary about the 2017 assassination of Kim Jong-nam, the estranged half-brother of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, has finally earned its status as an "art movie" after an initial rejection by the Korean Film Council (KOFIC).



"We still have no clue why the film authority refused to grant art movie status in the first place, and how it was reevaluated and by what criteria. However, we respect the council's decision as it is," the distributors said in a statement, Tuesday. "We hope this will serve as an opportunity for improving policies regarding film classification of indie movies."



Directed by American filmmaker Ryan White, "Assassins" centers on the two South Asian women who killed Kim, the eldest son of the deceased North Korean leader Kim Jong-il, by using VC, a highly toxic nerve agent, at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in Malaysia in February 2017.



According to distributors, the film is not political, but rather centers on the two defendants' testimony and interviews with their lawyers to shed light on their human rights that had allegedly been ignored. It also delves into how individuals, societies and countries deal with North Korea and aims to contribute to the free flow of thoughts and cultural diversity.



It had its world premiere at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, one of the world's largest independent film festivals.





A scene from "Assassins" / Courtesy of The Coup, Watcha, kth
Kendallville, IN (46755)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. High 89F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mainly clear. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low near 70F. Winds WSW at 10 to 15 mph.
PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) - The Portland Police Bureau and Crime Stoppers of Oregon is asking for the public's help to solve a deadly shooting that occurred on Rocky Butte.

On Monday, at about 4:30 a.m., officers responded to a report of a shooting on Rocky Butte, in Joseph Wood Hill Park. Police said officers arrived to the scene and found 20-year-old Alexzander J. Hensey dead.

The medical examiner determined Hensey died as a result of gunshot wounds and ruled his death a homicide. The investigation is ongoing, and no additional information has been released at this time.

+2 Police identify man found dead after shooting on Rocky Butte PORTLAND, OR (KPTV) - Portland police has identified the victim in a deadly shooting that oc

Crime Stoppers of Oregon offers cash rewards of up to $2,500 cash for the information reported to Crime Stoppers, leading to an arrest in any unsolved felony crime. Tipsters can remain anonymous. Anyone wishing to submit a tip should visit www.crimestoppersoforegon.com or visit the App Store and download P3 Tips for your smartphone or tablet.

Hensey's family has set up a GoFundMe account for funeral expenses. Anyone who wishes to contribute can do so by clicking here.
"Should we send this to the floor to hear the same thing over and over again?" Sen. Lynn Hutchings asked before voting against the proposal.
An Ammon man has been arrested after police say he threatened to shoot another man with a crossbow and lit a fire on the outside of a house. Read more
This image from video from Louisiana state police state trooper Dakota DeMoss' body-worn camera, shows trooper Kory York bending over with his foot on Ronald Greene's shoulder after he was taken into custody on May 10, 2019, outside of Monroe, La. The video obtained by The Associated Press shows Louisiana state troopers stunning, punching and dragging the Black man as he apologizes for leading them on a high-speed chase, footage authorities refused to release in the two years since Greene died in police custody. (Louisiana State Police via AP)
CARBON COUNTY, Mont. - Carbon County will move into Stage II fire restrictions beginning Friday, July 2 at midnight, due to dry conditions and heat.

At this time, the county does not have the authority to ban fireworks on private lands in the county.

However, fire danger in the area is VERY HIGH and extreme caution should be used if lighting fireworks. This means that fireworks should be ignited in non-flammable areas and fire suppression items such as water hoses, fire extinguishers and shovels should be on hand to extinguish any fire starts. Please note that you are liable for all suppression costs and damages if you start a fire.

According to Carbon Alert, the decision was made after the County Fire Warden, County Attorney, concerned citizens and County Commissioners met.
CHEYENNE, Wyo. - A letter inviting the National Rifle Association (NRA) to explore relocating to Wyoming was sent by Governor Mark Gordon and Secretary of State Ed Buchanan.

We have no corporate tax, no personal income tax, no franchise tax and no gross receipts tax, which is why Wyoming is ranked first by the Tax Foundation in their 2021 State Business Tax Climate Index, the letter reads.

A release from Governor Gordon says he is a lifetime member of the NRA, and believes the right to bear arms is fundamental.

The release says Secretary Ed Buchanan is an avid hunter, firearms enthusiast and longtime member of the NRA.

Wyoming citizens value our states customs, culture and pro-second amendment laws, Governor Gordon said. We will always protect personal freedoms, and those of businesses involved in the firearms industry. All of this, plus our great hunting and other outdoor opportunities, make Wyoming an ideal place for the National Rifle Association to consider home.

You can read the full letter here.
COLSTRIP, Mont. - Colstrip Public Schools is still looking for 10 certified teaching positions according to Superintendent Bob Lewandowski.

"Last year, we may have been looking for one or two teachers at this particular time," Lewandowski said. "This year, it's been difficult."

Six of those positions are for elementary teachers.

He went on to say:

"Getting these people in place is critical. Normally, most schools have this done by the end of June. Here we are at the end of June and here we are, looking for 10 certified teaching positions. So, it's definitely having an impact on our schools and what we'd like to do to serve our kids here in the future."

And, the district is looking to fill many other positions as well. Lewandowski said they need a nurse, bus drivers, custodians, paraprofessionals, a water safety instructor, and more.

"With the county, we've registered four routes," Lewandowski said. "But, we've also registered just a three route system as well because we're worried about not being able to hire bus drivers. We raised our bus driving route rate to $25 an hour and still, even at $25 an hour, we're not attracting that fourth person."

Lewandowski said they are using emergency authorizations to try to fill the open teaching positions. An emergency authorization is when the applicant has a bachelors degree and experience in the field, but not a teaching certificate.

He said they may also look at foreign exchange teachers.

Lewandowski said the pandemic played a role in not being able to recruit teachers like normal, but that isn't the only reason for the shortage.

"Well, this has been anticipated by the profession for probably the last 20 years," he said. "And, now we're seeing it come to fruition. There are just not as many people going into the industry. That's one thing. And, then on top of it, the workforce in general is depleted. We don't have as many people who are working or want to work. I can't even believe we have an unemployment rate."

He said he is hoping Governor Gianforte's initiative to bring people back to Montana will help.

He also said changes to the retirement system would help.

"There are some hiccups with the retirement system that don't allow people to come back right away, " he said. "And, they can only make so much money. So, there are limitations to how much they can work. I would like to see those things loosened up. I would like to see our legislature get to work on those things and say, 'Hey, listen, we want those folks who are retired and still want to work and feel like they have something to offer, to be able to receive their retirement benefits and still serve the communities they work in' because I think we have a few here in Colstrip."

"I can't believe we're the only system out there that's this short teachers and this short staff," he added. "And, we have to find a way to fix it, find a way to address it, because our youth depend upon it."
What was the best piece of wisdom you received as a kid that is worth passing on to todays younger generation?
ROME, JUN 30 - Italy's mission to Afghanistan officially ended Tuesday night when the last member of the contingent returned home from the Asian country, but Rome's commitment will continue in other forms, Defence Minister Lorenzo Guerini said Wednesday. "But the commitment of the international community, Italy first, for Afghanistan does not end here but will continue in other forms, starting from the reinforcement of development cooperation (aid) and support for the Afghan republican institutions". Guerini last week paid tribute to the members of the Italian armed services who took part in the coalition missions in Afghanistan, including 53 who lost their lives. "I thank the 723 Italians who were injured and the 53 victims who lost their lives for the Republic to bring stability and peace to Afghanistan," Guerini said in the Senate as he reported on the withdrawal of Italian troops from the Asian country. "This ultimate sacrifice must not be in vain and the memory of them will be indelible. "It is not easy to summarize 20 years of effort. "Over 50,000 men and women were involved over these 20 years and they contributed to giving lustre to our country. "The Atlantic Alliance will continue with its commitment to ensure that Afghanistan does not become a paradise for terrorism and to combat the narrative of abandonment". (ANSA).
ROME, JUN 30 - Alto Adige has suspended the first 115 unvaccinated health operators in the northern Italian region, sources told ANSA Wednesday. The anti-vax movement is deeply rooted in Alto Adige even among health operators. (ANSA).
Oregon higher ed leaders see funding, new bills as major step in the right direction for colleges, universities
Sen. Howard Marklein, R-Spring Green, said he was deeply disappointed and concerned with Evers veto.

We need an unemployment safety net, Marklein said in a statement. We do not need our unemployment program to be a brick wall for employers.

Congress implemented a $600 boost to unemployment benefits shortly after the pandemic began. That amount was later reduced to $300 in weekly unemployment benefits, in addition to the states maximum weekly benefit of $370.

Assembly Majority Leader Jim Steineke, R-Kaukauna, in a statement called Evers veto foolish, adding that lawmakers need to be doing more to get individuals back to work to help businesses fill vacant positions.

By now, we all know of at least one business that is actively seeking employees, has been forced to reduce its hours, or even had to close their doors because of the worker shortage, Steineke said. Thats why it is absolutely mind-boggling to learn our governor thinks we should still be paying folks an extra $300 per month to sit home on their couch.
The House of Representatives passed a bill that would remove Confederate statues around the Capitol. The bill aims to remove statues honoring those who backed the Confederacy or upheld slavery in the early times of the United States.

The measure, also known as the "Remove Hate" bill, passed the Democrat-controlled House with a vote of 285-120 on Tuesday, June 29, Reuters reported. The 120 votes all came from the Republican opposition in the chamber.

CNBC reported that the House approved the legislation in the previous year. However, it failed to get traction in the Republican-controlled Senate.

READ NEXT: Lawrence Romo: The Latino Tasked to Remove Confederate Names From U.S. Army Bases

House OKs' Remove Hate' Bill Targeting Confederate Statues

The "Remove Hate" bill, re-introduced last month, targets to remove confederate statues in the U.S. Capitol such as the bust of Roger Taney, a Supreme Court justice who wrote the infamous "Dred Scott v. Sanford" that prohibited the citizenship of Black Americans, Forbes reported.

"The Dred Scott decision was a blot on our history and represents the tragic legacy of slavery and racism that should not be celebrated in our country, said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, a Democrat from Maryland.

If the bill is signed into law, it would also remove statutes of slavery and segregation champions such as Vice President John Calhoun, Senator James Clark, and Confederate figures such as President Jefferson Davis and Vice President Alexander Stephens.

Apart from the targeted statues, the legislation will also require the architect of the Capitol to identify other statues that will be removed and then returned to the states that initially sent them.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi noted that removing the Confederate statues will not remove the history of racism in America's past and the present. However, she said how the racism in the U.S. would end if they will "allow the worst perpetrators" of racism to be present at the halls of Congress.

Republicans on the 'Remove Hate' Bill

Although the House of Representatives passed the "Remove Hate" bill, Republicans such as Representative Matt Rosendale and Representative Mo Brooks voiced their thoughts on the measure.

Rosendale noted that he opposed the bill because he believed that it was "animated by the Critical Race Theory concepts of structural racism," as well as microaggressions and white supremacy, which was solely based on the United States.

On the other hand, Brooks noted that the bill was an example of "cancel culture and historical revisionism" backed by "elitists who claim they know more than regular citizens."

The House of Representatives passed the bill that targets Confederate statues amid nationwide protests driven by racial justice in the previous year that stemmed out after George Floyd's death.

As the House passed the bill, the legislation needs at least 10 Republicans in the Senate who would vote in favor alongside Democrats for it to advance.

READ MORE: Juneteenth National Independence Day: Joe Biden, Kamala Harris Sign Bill Establishing Federal Holiday

WATCH: This Timeline Shows Confederate Monuments Are About Racial Conflict - From Vox




The Supreme Court has ruled against previously deported illegal immigrants, saying they are not entitled to bond hearings about whether they should be released while the government evaluates their claims.

Justice Samuel Alito wrote for the majority in a 6-3 decision that the federal statute governing cases concerning previously deported illegal immigrants are not eligible for a bond hearing before a federal immigration judge despite having fears of persecution in their home countries, Breitbart News reported.

The June 29 decision stemmed from a case involving two previously deported illegal immigrants who had their deportation orders reinstated after illegally entering the U.S. once again by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

The high court ruled a federal statute requiring detention for non-residents who have already received an administratively final removal order applied, despite seeking withholding hearings of illegal immigrants to keep them from being sent back to their home countries.

The illegal immigrants noted that since they seek withholding hearings, the law governing final orders will not apply to their situation.

But the Supreme Court noted that because they were now facing removal based on the reinstatement of the previous final order, they will not be given a hearing to argue for release.

Justice Samuel Alito wrote in the court's opinion that the finality of the order of removal does not depend in any way on the outcome of the withholding-only proceedings, Fox News reported.

Alito noted that if an immigration judge grants an application for withholding of removal, he prohibits the DHS from removing the immigrant to that particular country, not from the U.S.

The court's opinion also emphasized that the process for seeking a withholding hearing is different in cases of unlawful reentry. Alito cited that Congress had apparent reasons to treat the said individuals more sternly than other asylum applicants.

Alito was joined by other court conservatives, namely Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas. Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett were also included, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Breyer said a bond hearing does not mean an immigrant will run away. It is normally granted only if the immigration judge guarantees that the immigrant will not abscond and will likely appear for future proceedings.

READ NEXT: Supreme Court Rules Against Temporary Protected Status Getting Receiving a Green Card, Says No Right After Entering Illegally

Illegal Immigrants And Border Crisis

President Joe Biden had promised to increase the number of refugees admitted to the country.

The new proposed admission caps would be 62,500 for the current fiscal year, which will be increased to 125,000 for the year 2022. Customs and Border Protection officials are seeing more migrants trying to enter the U.S.

Meanwhile, the House Appropriations Committee is looking to decrease the agency's net discretionary funding by around a billion dollars, another Fox News report said.

The committee's newly released draft of their Homeland Security funding bill would provide $14.11 billion in net discretionary. It was down $927 million from the fiscal year 2021.

Governors of 20 states sent a letter to Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris last month, requesting them to take urgent action to end the border crisis.

The governors claimed that the Biden administration encouraged undocumented immigrants to the border and incentivized illegal crossings with rhetoric and reversing the Trump administration's border policy, The Hill reported.

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott seemed to have given up on persuading Biden to secure the border. Thus, they are trying to act on the situation without the president's help. They have issued disaster declarations to activate their right to request assistance from the rest of the states.

READ MORE: U.S. President Joe Biden Officially Scraps Former President Donald Trump's Remain in Mexico Policy

WATCH: Supreme Court Rules on Case of Immigrants With Temporary Protected Status - From CBS News




A Texas father has reportedly chased down a "peeping Tom" when he saw the man gratifying himself outside his 10-year-old daughter's window. He then shot him outside a nearby gas station.

According to Fox News, the parents heard their young daughter scream from her bedroom at around 10 p.m. after seeing a man inappropriately touching himself outside a window.

The girl's mother, who chose not to be identified, said her daughter looks over at the window, and the peeping Tom was there. She added that the man took her daughter's innocence away.

Harris County Sheriff's deputies said the parents are both licensed handgun carriers.

READ NEXT: Texas Man Arrested After Running Over Pregnant Wife, Killing Unborn Child

Texas Father Catches the 'Peeping Tom'

The Texas father said that he and his wife had demanded the alleged peeping Tom to lie down in the yard and wait for the police to arrive. However, the man did not comply and walked to a Valero gas station, ABC 7 News reported.

Deputies said the man had apologized and walked away, trying to get away from the situation, New York Daily News reported. But the armed parents had followed the man to the Valero gas station.

Deputies said the wife had held the man outside the gas station while the husband went inside and asked the clerk to call 911.

Deputies noted it was when the man had wrestled the handgun out of the wife's hands and pointed it at her. The Texas father then fired his weapon at the man three times for fear that the man would start shooting.

However, he said he believed that he shot the peeping Tom four times: twice in the chest, one in the stomach, and another one in the side. Deputies said the man was brought to a hospital in critical but stable condition.

Deputies noted that the incident would be brought to the Harris County District Attorney's Office for a grand jury review.

The Texas father said his daughter had complained in the past that she had seen someone watching her through the window. However, the parents did not believe her. No one else was injured in the shooting.

Voyeurism

Voyeurism is the act of looking in windows to watch unsuspecting persons who are undressing, already naked, or who are engaging in sexual acts.

Science Direct stated that it is mostly males who are identified as voyeurs. Voyeurism did not have its own offense category until recently.

It is coming under the heading of "breach of the peace," or if several victims were involved, it would be under "being a public nuisance."

The criminal voyeurism statute of some states covers a "place where one would have a reasonable expectation of privacy."

It would mean that it is a place where a reasonable person would believe that they could disrobe in privacy, without being concerned that their undressing was being photographed or filmed by another, according to U.S. Legal Definitions.

It could also be covered if a place where one may reasonably expect to be safe from casual or hostile intrusion.

READ MORE: 89-Year-Old Mom With Dementia Sexually Assaulted by Son During Diaper Changes, Police Say

WATCH: Man Accused of Peeping Into Child's Window - From KPRC 2 Click2Houston






Prince Charles has reportedly made it clear to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle that their children, including Archie, will not be given royal titles when the time comes that he becomes king.

According to Women's Health, Prince Charles has made it clear to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle that their kids won't be given titles when he takes the throne even though "a grandchild of the sovereign has long had the right to be a Prince."

The children of the Duke and Duchess of Sussex do not have any royal titles now but were expected to have in the future as they are currently the great-grandchildren of Queen Elizabeth II, the sovereign.

So when their grandfather, the Prince of Wales, becomes king, they would have automatically been granted titles. However, Prince Charles apparently plans to change that rule officially.

A source close to Prince Harry and Meghan Markle said that Prince Charles would change key legal documents to make sure Archie and his little sister Lilibet do not inherit royal titles when he takes the throne.

READ NEXT: Buckingham Palace Hit With New Racism Allegations, Involving Queen Elizabeth II's Top Courtiers

Royal Historian on the Royal Titles

A royal historian branded Prince Charles' move not to allow Archie to be prince as clumsy, The Mirror reported. Royal historian, broadcaster, and author Dr. Tessa Dunlop said that if it's true, Prince Charles has dropped the ball with his decision.

Dunlop added that Prince Charles reminds her of the well-meaning, avuncular man who is a little out of date and gets things wrong.

She further noted that the Prince of Wales had failed to realize the implications of refusing Archie to give a royal title. Dunlop said he failed to recognize the wider meaning of having a woman of color in the modern Royal Family and what it meant for the possible reach and diversity in the institution.

The full details of Prince Charles' plan for a slimmed-down Monarchy have not yet been released. However, it was reported that only a few would receive financial support from the Sovereign Grant and taxpayer-funded police protection.

Experts noted that the Duke of York's daughters, namely Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie, could lose their titles, financial support, and security.

Prince Charles Wants a Slimmed-Down Monarchy

A source told The Sun that Prince Charles has never made any secret that he wants to cut down on the number of working royals when he becomes king. The source noted that the next-to-the-throne royal realized that the public does not want to pay for a huge Monarchy.

The Cambridge kids would receive royal titles, with Prince William being a direct heir in the line of succession. The old rules noted that his oldest son would automatically receive a title.

Meanwhile, insiders said they had not seen it coming and were shocked by Prince Charles' decision, Daily Mail reported. The existing rules for Royal titles were cited in Letters Patent dated Nov. 20, 1917.

Under these rules, King George V, the Queen's grandfather, has allowed the title of Prince and Princess to be given to the sovereign's children.

The title could also be given to the children of the sovereign's sons and eldest living son of the eldest son of the Prince of Wales.

READ MORE: Royal Family Snubs Prince Harry, Meghan Markle's Offer To Help Search for 'Diversity Czar'

WATCH: 'Archie Will Never Be Prince!' Charles to Deny Grandson Royal Title When King - Source - From Royal News Channel






Lori Vallow, the Idaho mom accused in the deaths of her two children, is now facing a new charge that she conspired to kill one of her former husbands.

According to New York Post, Lori Vallow allegedly conspired with her late brother, Alexander Cox, to murder her fourth husband, Charles Vallow, in 2019.

The new indictment filed against the Idaho mom was confirmed by prosecutors from Arizona on Tuesday, June 29.

The Maricopa County Attorney's office noted that Lori Vallow agreed with his brother that "at least one of them or another" would kill her late husband.

Because of this, the 47-year-old Idaho mom is charged with one count of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder. The two-page indictment did not provide other details. NBC News reported that Charles Vallow's filed for divorce before he died.

READ NEXT: Idaho Mom Lori Vallow Accused of Killing Her 2 Children Committed to Mental Facility

Lori Vallow Conspired With Brother in Killing Her Fourth Husband

In July 2019, Lori Vallow's brother, Alexander Cox, gunned down Charles Vallow. Cox even called 911 and reported that he killed his brother-in-law.

However, he claimed that it was self-defense and was never charged for the death of Charles Vallow. Cox was reported to be dead due to a blood clot in December of the same year.

"Complex, difficult cases of this nature take time to properly investigate and solve," Maricopa County Attorney Allister Adel said in a statement.

Adel also expressed gratitude to the officers of the Chandler Police Department for the efforts and time they invested in the case, adding that her office is "equally committed" to bring justice for Charles Vallow's death.

Lori Vallow's Other Cases

Lori Vallow was also charged for the murder of her children, Joshua Vallow, and Tylee Ryan. The Idaho mom's fifth husband, Chad Daybell, was also charged for the murder of the two children, who were last seen in September 2019.

The Vallow's children were never reported missing by their mother. They were found dead last year. A court document revealed that a friend of Vallow alleged that the Idaho mom believed that her children turned into zombies.

Soon after, a body tightly wrapped in black plastic and covered in duct tape was discovered on Daybell's property in Idaho. Authorities noted that the skull found by the investigators matched with one of Vallow's children.

Both Vallow and Daybell face two counts of first-degree murder, conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, and grand theft by deception in the deaths of Vallow's children.

Daybell was also charged with the first-degree murder of his former wife Tammy and two counts of insurance fraud related to the collection of benefits he received after her death.

Earlier this month, Lori Vallow has been ordered by a judge to be admitted to a mental facility after being deemed unfit for trial.

She was ordered to have a competency evaluation in March for separate concealment of evidence charges. Reports said she was ruled unfit for trial last month.

READ MORE: Ex-Mayor in Mexico Admits Role in the Murder of a Journalist

WATCH: Lori Vallow Daybell Indicted in Maricopa County - From ABC15 Arizona
After an extensive wiretap investigation exposed the San Diego-based methamphetamine distribution network, a federal grand jury has indicted 60 members of the meth web, authorities stated Tuesday.

Tied to the international crime organization, Mexico's Sinaloa Cartel, the San Diego-based organization is accused of supplying and distributing tons of methamphetamine to dozens of sub-distributors throughout the county.

Aside from San Diego, the federal prosecutors also linked the San Diego network to the distribution in states like Arizona, Iowa, Kansas, Hawaii, Michigan, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Minnesota, and Texas. They were also linked to the international drug trade in Australia and New Zealand.

According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, the United States Attorney's Office stated during a news conference Tuesday that over the past month, hundreds of law enforcement officers spread out across San Diego County along with five other states to make arrests and serve search warrants. The Attorney's office added that out of the 60 charged individuals, forty-four defendants were already in the custody of the state or the federal agency. While the other 16 remain fugitives.

Moreover, officials stated that the year-long investigation by the Drug Enforcement Administration of the U.S. and other related agencies called "Operation Crystal Hydra," has resulted in the seizure of 220 pounds of meth. Aside from drugs, they also seized $250,000 in cash and 90 guns that range from modern, to antique, and even homemade, 10 News San Diego reported.

After authorities unsealed the indictment Tuesday, they revealed that charges include conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine, meth importation, and possession for distribution. They also faced charges of money-laundering conspiracy.

ALSO READ: Top 5 'Queens' of the Most Notorious Mexican Drug Cartels in Mexico and El Chapo's Wife Is Among Them

The Meth Network

Based on the search warrant affidavit, the investigation in the county started in Spring of 2020 after law enforcement got information from a confidential informant that a 54-year-old San Diego man named John Bomenka is a major methamphetamine dealer in the area.

After authorities found the person behind the name, their investigation expanded. They also discovered that the principal source of the meth was David Villegas, a 49-year-old San Diegan who lives in a motorhome at Mission Bay RV Resort.

Court records show that the discovery of Villegas led authorities to Reyes Espinoza, a 35-year-old resident of San Ysidro, who was allegedly a meth source that was sitting on the higher position of the chain of the distribution business and assisted by several family members.

Investigators stated that Espinoza is the link of the San Diego distributors to the Sinaloa Cartel, which for years has produced cheap, high-quality meth in its "superlabs" located in the south of the border to supply markets across the U.S.

San Diego's DEA Special Agent in Charge John Callery shared that after San Diego being placed as one of the nation's major transshipment hubs for meth, the network Espinoza was found busy, ordering up more than 100 pounds of the drug per week for distribution.

Based on the information from the Assistant U.S. Attorney Matthew Sutton, the illicit product was highly mobile. It was first smuggled into the U.S. hidden inside the compartments of cars and motorcycles, the Associated Press reported.

RELATED ARTICLE: Gunfight Between Rival Jalisco Cartel and Sinaloa Cartel Leaves 18 Dead in Mexico

WATCH: San Diego Based Meth Ring Busted - Fox 5 San Diego
The announcement of a new owner for Abbey Leix house has been welcomed in the Laois town, with hopes that young Irish tech billionaire John Collison will preserve the house and 1,200 acre estate and get involved in the community.

Mary White is a member of Abbeyleix Tidy Towns and Abbeyleix Heritage Company.

The Collisons have the whole world to choose from and they picked Abbeyleix. We are absolutely thrilled, particularly that the new owner has so much environmental interest.

We wish him well. We assume he will preserve the estate in its entirety and the fact that he has the money to do so is brilliant, she said.

She warmly praised Sir David Davies, who bought the estate 20 years ago from the De Vesci family.

He dedicated his life to replanting and restoring the estate very sensitively. He was an environmentalist as well and we wish him well. He spent a fortune restoring the whole house from the foundations up, and he knew every tree by name. He was also a very brilliant employer and employed locals to do the work.

We hope the new owner will be equally committed, he does a lot in San Francisco on carbon credits and we do that in a small way in Abbeyleix ourselves, Mary White said.

The estate contains one of the largest remaining ancient Irish woodlands.

The oldest oak in Ireland there is 750 years old and has survived many storms. I hope now it will be there now for another few hundred years, she said.

Cllr John Joe Fennelly vice chair of the Tidy Town group looks forward to meeting the new owner.

It is great news for the town, to see somebody take such a bold move to purchase the estate for 20 million.

I believe he is big into his woodlands, nature and biodiversity and he is coming into a fantastic community, a heritage town, with our restored bog.

I look forward to getting him involved in the community. To meeting him as a member of the Tidy Towns and the Heritage Town group. We should all be working together, Abbeyleix has great community spirit.

"Sir David played a huge role, the house is in better shape and he was very good to his staff, with about 20 employed. He did a lot and we wish him well as he moves on, Cllr Fennelly said.
Music Generation Laois will run a fortnight-long Summer School of Rock and Pop, kicking off this Monday 5 July, in Laois Music Centre.

Aimed at young musicians age 10-18, the programme includes jamming, band playing, song-writing, music technology. Supported by Creative Ireland Laois.

A team of well-known local musicians will facilitate including Ros OMeara (drums/guitar), Terry Byrne (guitar/vocals), David Harte (bass guitar), James OConnor (guitar/vocals) and Denise Boyle (guitar/fiddle).

They'll be joined by special guest musicians from BIMM Institute Dublin on the teaching team this year. The artists include drummer Dave Hingerty (Paul Brady, Bronagh Gallagher, The Frames), bassist Robbie Malone (The Corrs, Hothouse Flowers, Damien Dempsey) and guitar player Darren Bell (Imelda May, Hothouse Flowers, Al Porter).

Well-known Laois musician Terry Byrne, who will be working with young musicians at the Summer School spoke at the launch.

"Its a great opportunity for young Laois musicians to make up for lost time, come together, jam, meet new people and build their confidence as musicians," he said. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Pictured at the launch were from left: Fial Dalton, Adam Reilly, Terry Byrne, Anna Kelly, Natalia Podvisevschii, Ros O'Meara, Alice Fitzgerald, Oran O'Reilly. and Rosa Flannery. Pic: Alf Harvey

This years Summer School of Rock and Pop is supported by Creative Ireland Laois, Laois County Council and part of the Creative Ireland programme 2017-2022.

The Summer School runs from 11am-3.30pm each day in Laois Music Centre, Church Avenue, Portlaoise, from the 5-16 July. , The cost to take part is just 70.

Music Generation Laois and Laois School of Music have a range of instrumental and vocal classes available in Portlaoise, as well as band/ensemble/orchestra and Summer Camp opportunities  an instrument hire service is also available. Music Generation Laois also offers a well-established schools programme.

To find out more, contact Music Generation Laois on 057 8681782, see www.musicgenerationlaois.ie or email mgl@loetb.ie.

Music Generation Laois is part of Laois Offaly Education and Training Board (lead partner) and supported locally by Laois County Council.

Music Generation Laois is part of Music Generation, Irelands national music education programme, initiated by Music Network and co-funded by U2, the Ireland Funds and the Department of Education and Skills.
Covid-19 expert Professor Luke ONeill is working with Irish Red Cross inmate volunteers to create Covid-19 vaccine video for prison population to boost rates.

The Irish Red Cross says the initiative is part of the efforts to encourage vaccination among prisoners. It says Irish Red Cross inmate volunteers have put together a video answering fellow inmates questions and concerns about the Covid-19 vaccine.

The inmate volunteers gathered the most commonly asked questions from inmates across Irelands 12 prisons to put to Prof ONeill in a question and answers session that was recorded in May.

The 45-minute video, which is being shown on in-cell TV channels within the prison, hopes to educate the prison population about the benefits of the vaccine and encourage vaccine uptake among inmates.

Prof ONeill, who is professor of biochemistry in the School of Biochemistry and Immunology at Trinity College Dublin, stressed the importance of encouraging everyone to get vaccinated.

During the event we talked about Covid-19, the vaccine, immunology and all sorts. We had a great question and answer session and many questions came up, which I was very happy to answer as best I could. We really want to see people getting vaccinated as its the main way out of Covid-19 and the vaccines are working great  theyre probably the best vaccines ever invented.

"We have nearly two billion people vaccinated now and we would encourage everybody to get vaccinated. A big thanks to the Red Cross volunteers for getting all the questions together for this important event, he said.

Just like in the community, the Red Cross says inmates queries about the vaccine mostly centred around its safety and side effects, whether the vaccine actually contains the Covid-19 virus, whether it is likely to cause blood clots and if it can stop transmission of the virus from the vaccinated to the unvaccinated.

The volunteer programme, which started in 2009 and is a partnership between the Irish Red Cross, Irish Prison Service and Education and Training Boards, has brought about a radical transformation in the management of health-related and infection control measures in prisons and has been pivotal to the successful management of Covid-19 in Irish prisons.

Due to privacy reasons, the Irish Red Cross says will not be able to share the video with the media.

Read more about the programme here.
A man was sleeping in cars, a recent sitting of Portlaoise District Court was told recently.

Thomas Hickey, 40, of 22 Toomey Park, Mountmellick was charged with attempting to get into a vehicle at a property at Ashgrove, Mountmellick on March 17, 2021. He was also charged with trespass at a property at Silverwood, Mountmellick on March 11, 2021 and also on the same date getting into a vehicle. On the same date he was charged with trespass at another property at Silverwood, Mountmellick and getting into a vehicle.

He pleaded guilty to all charges.

Sgt JJ Kirby said that on March 11, 2021 Garda Coughlan at Silverwood, Mountmellick received a report from the injured party at Silverwood, Mountmellick that someone had been in his car - a VW Passat. He found a phone in the passenger seat that morning.

Nothing had been stolen from the car.

Mr Hickey went to a neighbouring property. A camera on a door, triggered by a motion sensor, saw someone getting into a vehicle. It was unlocked. Nothing was stolen from the car.

Gardai stopped Mr Hickey later that night acting suspiciously. He made admissions.

On St. Patricks day this year at 2.55am the injured party saw a male interfering with the door handle of his vehicle. No damage was done. Thomas Hickey made admissions on the matter.

Defence counsel, Suzanne Dooner said he was a 40-year old man who had issues with mental health and alcohol. He was on strong medication at the time and was warned not to drink. Unfortunately, he had, and this cocktail of drink and drugs led to this. He was sleeping in the cars.

His father recently had a stroke. He was trying to put his best foot forward and support his parents. He had attended Merchants Quay Ireland and was taking matters very seriously.

Judge Bernadette Owens noted his early plea and said he was entitled to credit for that. She took into account there was no damage to the property.

She noted that he was at a vulnerable point in his life. She remanded him on continuing bail to October 21 and sought a Probation Report for that date.
A millionaire British banker has sold the landmark Abbey Leix House mansion in Laois to young Irish billionaire John Collison.

The co-founder of Stripe, Collison, has reportedly paid a massive asking price of 20 million to buy the house and majestically big estate on the outskirts of the Laois heritage town.

Formerly in the ownership of the de Vesci family, the house was saved from dereliction and brought back to its former glory by Sir David Davies after he bought the house and 1,200 acres of the demesne from Viscount Tom De Vesci in 1995.

He published a splendid book on the property in 2017 and spoke about what Abbey Leix House means to him.

We have a lot of wildlife, red squirrel, hare and fallow deer, its a little oasis. It's a family home, I wanted it called a home and not a house in the title, because that is what it is to me and my family," Sir David told the Leinster Express at the time. MORE BELOW PICTURE

However, within two years he put the house on the market with plans to downsize to another property in Wicklow.

The sale was handled and marketed internationally by the famous Sotheby's. It listed the property at 26,910 sqare foot property at 20 million.

The Irish Times reports that a statement issued through Sothebys from Mr Davies said he was pleased to confirm that his trust has contracted to sell the house and the majority of its contents to a private buyer.

"The selection of the buyer was made because of their ambition and interest in preserving the integrity of the estate, including buildings and importantly the trees, and their ability to invest in the estate, he said. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Collison, who is aged just 30, is a native of Dromineer, Co Tipperary but grew up in Limerick. He is President of Stripe which he co-founded in 2010 with his brother Patrick. According to Bloomberg Billionaires Index, his net worth was estimated at US$11.4 billion making him oone of the wealthiest people from Ireland.

Stripe is an Irish-American financial services and software as a service company headquartered in San Francisco and Dublin. The company primarily offers payment processing software and application programming interfaces for e-commerce websites and mobile applications. Elon Musk was among those who backed the setting up of Stipe.

There was public access to the grounds during the later years of the DeVesci ownership. Sir David threw the gates and doors open twice a year for fundraisers for the local Lions Clubs and as part of Heritage Week. It remains to be seen what public access the new owner will give to people in Abbeyleix and Laois to the property. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Laois is home to several landmark mansions dating from the Queen's County era such as Emo Court and Ballyfin House. Sothebys describe Abbey Leix as one of the most venerable 18th-century houses in Ireland in its sales literature.

"A splendid and most distinguished Irish 18th-century mansion positioned within a remarkable and ancient woodland demesne of over 1,000 acres.

"In any list of important Irish country houses Abbey Leix has a prominent place. The late-18th-century mansion, clothed in the Italianate manner in 1859-60, enjoys a remarkable position within a private estate comprising some 1,120 acres and includes some of Irelands most notable remaining ancient woodland and extensive frontage to the River Nore," it says.

The auction house says the accommodation is "grand and beautifully" augmented by 10 lodges and cottages on the estate.

Abbey Leix was designed in 1773 by the noted architect James Wyatt. The house is an elegant three-storey Classical mansion of seven bays, the three central bays under a triangular pediment. Sotheby's say The arrangement of rooms is elegant and simple, with three major rooms on the park front. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

There is a deep hall, with a screen of columns separating it from the east-west-running staircase hall and corridor. The music room at the south-eastern corner of the house retains the light, decorative plasterwork for which Wyatt was so admired. Plaster roundels framed by swags of husks were decorated with grisaille by the artist De Gree a few years after completion, probably about 1785.

In the middle of the 19th-century the Italianate character was adopted and the great Classical library and a conservatory were added. At the same time the front of the house was enclosed within an Entrance Court with terraces added to the rear. A comprehensive and sympathetic restoration was undertaken in 1995. A new state dining room was created.

The whole north-west corner of the accommodation was redesigned to provide a new family room, kitchen and butlers pantry. A considerable programme of conservation of the major rooms followed. T

"The works create a 21st-century family home with an appropriate balance between comfort and informality on the one hand and grandeur for entertaining and the display of art on the other," say Sotheby's. MORE BELOW PICTURE.

Apart from the importance of the house the estate is invaluable.

"Abbey Leix has one of the most important collections of trees in Ireland. Whereas elsewhere in Ireland the primeval forests of oak, birch, alder and willow have been almost entirely depleted, the woods on Park Hill across the river from the house are among the last surviving remnants of Irelands ancient woodland.

"Abbey Leix, like so many places in Ireland, owes its origins to religious settlement, and specifically to the French Cistercian monks who came to Ireland in the mid-12th-century. The present demesne evolved out of the monasterys granges, woods and fields. One tree, the oldest oak in Ireland still survives from this period. The de Vesci family fashioned a landscape as beautiful as the house they built during their ownership between 1675 and 1995," says Sotheby's.

The property also contains a stud farm which includes an attractive range of cut-stone outbuildings. A beautiful principal yard, complete with a clock tower, was built of local limestone in 1822. The quadrangular yard contains 24 loose boxes. A separate farmyard has a range of farm sheds. The farmland provides good grazing. The limestone soil is ideal for rearing and keeping bloodstock, being well laid out in well sheltered and gently undulating fields and paddocks.

Apart from Sir David Davies and the Desci family, Collison will join French Monks, OMore Princes, Ormonde Earls as the latest custodian of this gem of Laois.
Local Sinn Fein TD Brian Stanley has warned that the government is continuing to fail families through its ongoing failure to address skyrocketing childcare fees despite being in power for a year.

Brian Stanley said the Programme for Government announced a series of promises to reform the childcare sector but the cost is out of reach for many families

Childcare costs in Laois/Offaly are far too high and are simply unaffordable for families on ordinary incomes. The government needs to properly fund the sector, so that childcare fees will go down and families will get a much-needed break," he said.

Dep Stanley said a year since FF/FG/Greens agreed their deal childcare fees have risen even further.

This failure is letting down families here in Laois/Offaly who are faced with average monthly fees of 752 in Offaly and 747 in Laois per child. This compares with 918 in Dublin City and 651 in Co Monaghan. Families with more than one child in full time childcare must meet an even more significant financial burden on a monthly basis. Families urgently need childcare fees to go down.

"Parents here in the Midlands are struggling to cope with skyrocketing childcare fees and change needs to happen urgently," said the Laois Offaly poll topper.

"The Government has dismally failed working parents who need affordable childcare in their first year. Families are crying out for this crisis to be addressed, but the Government isnt listening.

"The consequences of this childcare crisis are clear. Many parents want to return to work but cannot afford to and so leave their jobs or reduce their hours to stay at home with their children instead. This particularly affects women, who often feel forced to drop out of the workforce and this deepens inequality in our society," he said.

Dep Stanley said Sinn Fein would prioritise tackling the cost of childcare and subsidise the cost of staff wages. He added that this would be a crucial investment in our childrens futures.

"Childcare should be affordable and it should be accessible locally. Its a place where children go to learn, develop and grow  thats why its vital we get it right.

"As they mark one year of being in government, the coalition marks a year of failing to act on the childcare crisis. There can be no more delays. They must act and reduce childcare fees to give families a much-needed break," he said.
The new billionaire resident of Heritage Town Abbeyleix is looking forward to life in the lovely Laois town for 'years to come' at his new 20 million home.

The Leinster Express contacted John Collison, who is the co-founder and president of Stripe, after it emerged that he had purchased the property.

Understandably, he wasn't quite ready to talk about the purchase of the mansion but his spokesperson indicated to the Leinster Express that the young Limerick man with Tipperary roots is looking forward to life in Laois.

"He's looking forward to getting to know the Abbeyleix community in the years to come," he said.

In asking for an interview the Leinster Express asked if the new owner would grant more access to the public to the grounds surrounding the house.

Whatever he decides to do on that front, the former owner Sir David Davies gave the young man his seal of approval after Mr Collison also agreed to buy the majority of its contents.

"The selection of the buyer was made because of their ambition and interest in preserving the integrity of the estate, including buildings and importantly the trees, and their ability to invest in the estate, he said.

Collison, who is aged just 30, is a native of Dromineer, Co Tipperary but grew up in Limerick. He co-founded Stripe in 2010 with his brother Patrick. According to Bloomberg Billionaires Index, his net worth was estimated at US$11.4 billion making him one of the wealthiest people from Ireland.

Stripe is an Irish-American financial services and software as a service company headquartered in San Francisco and Dublin. The company primarily offers payment processing software and application programming interfaces for e-commerce websites and mobile applications. Elon Musk was among those who backed the setting up of Stipe.

Apart from Sir David Davies and the Desci family, Collison will join French Monks, OMore Princes, Ormonde Earls as the latest custodian of this gem of Laois.

Locals are already looking forward to welcoming the new owner.
County Kildare Chamber has called on the Government to give clear roadmap for businesses following yesterday's disappointment of the delayed reopening date for indoor hospitality.

CEO Allan Shine said bars, cafes and restaurants as well as other shuttered sectors need clear timelines, certainty on supports and the principles guiding Government decision-making.

Mr Shine said:

Employers understand that there is a balance to be struck between public and economic health and have been committed to maintaining this balance. Additionally, the vaccine rollout is showing significant promise. The gains to date have been hard-won by all of society and there is recognition that adjustments may have to be made to ensure the reopening is sustainable.

"However, there is also an expectation among impacted businesses that certainty on timelines, financial supports and the rationale for a further delay will be clearly communicated. Businesses across Ireland have made significant investments in hiring staff, preparing a safe environment and purchasing stock in anticipation of the next phase of reopening. In such a fluid situation, timely provision of information is key."

Taoiseach Micheal Martin said yesterday that the Government had to heed the warnings of Nphet that the Delta variant of Covid-19 could spark tens of thousands of new cases across the country.

The Taoiseach said that the reopening of indoor hospitality will be limited to those fully vaccinated or recovered from Covid-19 infection and a plan is being worked on around this.

Meanwhile other measures have gone ahead as planned - numbers for organised events can increase to 200 or 500 for stadiums or venues with a capacity of over 5,000.

Indoor activities (such as organised events, return of service in bars and restaurants, training, group exercise, dance) will not proceed as planned, pending the implementation of a system to verify vaccination or immunity.

The Government said it will devise an implementation plan by 19 July.

Mr Shine continued that the present time is not a moment for ambiguity from the Government.

He added: "There is scepticism as to whether a short pause in reopening will be sufficient and this can cause deep anxiety among both employers and employees. Government must be realistic in setting out the path ahead, even if the news is not easy to hear in the short term. The alternative is further uncertainty and anxiety.

"Given that Government has been able to rely on the support of business, it is important that we are made aware of the purpose and rationale guiding its decision-making. This is in the best interests of all parties. If there is a vaccination target Government is aiming to reach, this should be announced. If there are other factors, these must be shared.

"It takes weeks to stock and staff these premises. Our member businesses may have to layoff newly-hired and newly-trained staff, offering them only more uncertainty regarding when their jobs will be available again. This is making retention of staff difficult and is causing skilled people to leave impacted sectors.

"Previous dates for the winding down of financial supports to businesses and employees will likely need to change. These have provided a lifeline to those employers and staff impacted by public health restrictions. It is at this very moment that assurance on these must be provided.

"Business has and continues to play its part in protecting public health and supporting our national recovery. To do this effectively, it is asking only for certainty  on timelines for the weeks ahead, on the supports that have ensured employees have jobs to return to, and on the reasoning behind restrictions. It is through this mutual respect that we will be able to overcome the latest challenges together.
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A High Court judge has ordered that a young girl who was removed by her mother to Ireland must be returned to their native Lithuania.

The child's father made an application under the International Convention regarding child custody and welfare known as the Hague convention seeking the child's return after the mother moved to Ireland with their child to live with her new partner late last year.

The mother of the young girl opposed the application. The parties in the case cannot be named for legal reasons.

In her judgement Ms Justice Mary Rose Gearty said that after considering the evidence before the court it had no discretion other than order that the girl be returned to Lithuania.

Her removal, the judge said was "wrongful." The judge also found that the child's removal to Ireland without the father's consent was 'a significant disruption' to the child.

The court said that arising out of a settlement between the parents after the mother brought proceedings before the Lithuanian courts in 2019 the father enjoyed custody rights in respect of the child.

The court did not accept arguments made by the mother that the child was at grave risk if returned, or that the child was well settled in Ireland.

The court noted that child's parents were not married and that the mother said she had to go to court in Lithuania to establish the father's paternity and secure maintenance payments.

A court settlement arising out of those proceedings, the court held, resulted in the father coming into contact with the child.

It also culminated in the child staying with him exclusively for a month in late 2020 while the mother was in Ireland, and in self isolation following her visit.

The child's mother had argued that in Lithuania the father had missed some visits, and had failed to meet financial obligations to the child, and had little interest in their daughter.

The judge said that may have been the case initially, but that was superseded by the fact the father agreed to and took care of the child for a month while her mother was in Ireland.

The father the court added had established that he was exercising custody rights recognised under the convention.

The mother had also claimed that the child was upset upon her return after the child spent four weeks with the father, which was due to the father's alleged bad character.

The mother also claimed that she now has nowhere to live in Lithuania.

The father, the mother claims, has "a hatred for everyone." On one access visit the mother said by reading the father's lips she could see him tell the child that he wanted to kill the mother.

Those claims were denied.

Even at their height the mother's allegations the judge said they did not meet the threshold to establish the child was at grave risk.

The child may have been upset by being away from the mother for four weeks, or from being removed out of the father's care after a month of being primarily cared for by him.

The mother's allegations about the father were general and were matter for the Lithuanian courts the judge said.

The judge also added that the father was the person the mother had voluntarily left the child with for a month.

In all the circumstances the court said that the child should be returned to Lithuania.
MORE than 330 new confirmed Covid-19 cases were recorded in Limerick in the second half of June, figures released today have shown.

Data from the Department of Public Health Mid-West has revealed there were 331 cases of coronavirus in Limerick over the last fortnight, and they've urged everyone in the region to continue to exercise caution.

Over the last three days, 60 new cases have been recorded across the city and county - 28 yesterday, 15 on Monday and 17 on Sunday.

Dr Rose Fitzgerald, specialist in public health medicine, said: "Though we are in a much stronger position now than we were four weeks ago, we remain concerned about the possibility of cases rising to uncomfortable levels if the public drops its guard. Our priority right now is to minimise infections in the community, to help businesses avoid outbreaks or clusters so there is little to no disruption during the busy summer period and to allow a greater proportion of the population to be vaccinated."

Public Health Mid-West has acknowledged the decrease of the two-week incidence rate in June, but added: "the number of infections in the community remains too high for the population to relax efforts to contain the spread of this virus."

They also said only a small number of cases had been noted among Leaving Certificate students, and thanked local secondary schools.

There are Covid-19 situations in 11 workplaces across the region, involving 94 cases and an estimated 52 close contacts.

But the department says noticeable improvements are being seen in workplaces which is reducing the impact of the disease.

"For example, some workplaces that have pod systems and are adequately rostering staff to work in pods have significantly reduced their risk of transmission of infection in the workplace. Keeping a consistent roster, with no overlaps in shifts, in addition to social distancing, mask wearing and ventilation, allows businesses to reduce the spread of infection in the event of a confirmed case in the workplace. Workplaces are also encouraged to facilitate employees to attend for Covid vaccination appointments. Having employees fully vaccinated considerably reduces the risk of Covid outbreaks in workplaces," said a spokesperson.

However, difficulties are continuing to be experienced through contact tracing, where some people are not disclosing their close contacts or activities.

"This limits the ability to implement Public Health control measures. We also encounter instances where some people are not restricting their movements while awaiting the results of their PCR test. This can and will lead to onward transmission and outbreaks," the department warned.

They added people who are close contacts should restrict their movements until they have a negative test which was taken at least 10 days after their last contact with a case.
GARDAI are warning people not to respond to unsolicited emails which claim to be from An Post.

It follows a recent incident which resulted in a 'large sum of money' being withdrawn from a Limerick man's bank account.

"He came forward and reported that he had received an email which he innocently assumed was from An Post. The email stated that a small fee was owed on a package and that by clicking on an attached link one could release the package

by inputting ones bank details," said Garda John Finnerty of Henry Street garda station.

"As the victim was expecting a package he innocently followed the directions given in the email and inputted the said

information. Shortly afterwards, he discovered that a large sum of money had been extracted from his bank account," he added.

The money was to be used for a holiday rental abroad and the victim managed to get his monies returned after he alerted the letting agent.

An Post or an authentic Courier Company will never request your bank details either via text message or by email. If you do

receive such a text or email please delete it immediately," said Garda Finnerty.
OPEC and its allies debated a potential output increase, delaying preliminary talks between ministers by a day to allow more time for a compromise before a critical meeting on Thursday.

The coalition, led by Saudi Arabia and Russia, is considering whether to continue reviving more crude supplies, a move that could ease the upward pressure on prices as global demand bounces back from the coronavirus pandemic. Possible supply hikes are being discussed for August or September, Kazakhstans Energy Minister Nurlan Nogaev told reporters on Wednesday.

Moscow is considering making a proposal to hike output, but Riyadh has signaled it prefers a gradual approach. Its not the first time the two leaders have gone into the meeting with different stances  and they tend to hash out a compromise. One delegate predicted the same would happen this time.

Kazakhstans minister said he will argue in favor of an increase and the group will decide how to proceed on Thursday.

OPEC countries are cautious with regard to output-increase strategy amid oil market challenges," Kuwaits Oil Ministry said in a statement on Wednesday. Any decision the organization will take will be in the interests of producers and consumers."

As oil prices have climbed to the highest level in around 2-1/2 years, analysts widely expect the group to tap some of the vast capacity it shuttered last year. The average expectation is for an increase of 550,000 barrels a day -- roughly 10% of the volume that remains idle.

Brent crude rose 0.9% to $75.42 a barrel at 12:51 pm in London. While it is down this week amid growing concern about a more contagious variant of the virus, it is still up about 45% this year. The price increase, part of a broader rally in commodities, has stoked fears of inflation.

The choice OPEC+ now faces is whether to consolidate those gains and allow prices to stabilize, or to let prices rise further, attracting mounting ire from consumers," analysts at Standard Chartered Plc, including Sudakshina Unnikrishnan, said in a note Tuesday.

More Time

The 23-nation alliance had been due to convene its advisory body, the Joint Ministerial Monitoring Committee, on Wednesday. That session will now take place on Thursday, the same day as the main policy meeting.

Delegates said it was to allow more time for talks. According to an official letter, Russias Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak sought the delay because of presidential commitments."

Russia, which faces less budgetary pressure to sustain high prices than many of its Middle Eastern allies, wants OPEC+ to boost production, according to people familiar with its oil policy. Riyadhs position isnt currently aligned with Moscow, delegates said.

In recent months, Saudi Energy Minister Prince Abdulaziz bin Salman has urged the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries and its partners to adopt a cautious approach in resuming output. He recently argued that this is paying off."

OPEC+ was forced to postpone events as recently as December, when a similar split between Riyadh and Moscow caused the group to delay talks by two days. It ultimately found a compromise, agreeing on a modest production increase.

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The Competition Commission of India (CCI), by ordering a probe into big tech giants such as Google, Amazon, WhatsApps new privacy policy, and also sectors such as automobiles, aims to control monopolistic, restrictive, exploitative and exclusionary trade practices.

What is Indias anti-trust regulator?

CCI, Indias anti-trust regulator, was set up in 2003. It is guided by the Competition Act, 2002, which seeks to build a robust competitive environment. The competition law protects trade from the vagaries of unfair business practices such as price fixing and ensures the prevalence of fair competition. This Act, which focuses on encouraging competition and business freedom replaced the Monopolies and Restrictive Trade Practices (MRTP) Act of 1969 that was aimed at curbing monopolies and preventing expansion of firms whose assets were more than 100 crore. It is on the lines of anti-trust laws in countries such as the US.

What are Indias competition rules?

The Competition Act seeks to bar anti-competitive agreements and abuse of dominant position by big enterprises. It regulates mergers and acquisitions that can have adverse impact on competition. It disallows setting up of horizontal and vertical restraints such as price fixing, market allocation, predatory pricing, and tied selling. In 2019, a committee constituted by the government suggested that the scope of anti-competitive agreements should not be limited to horizontal and vertical restraints. It also said high-value transactions of technology firms might escape scrutiny and thus there is need for a re-look.





What move has CCI made in case of big tech firms?

Abuse of dominant position in the smart TV market and circumventing foreign investment e-commerce rules are some of the allegations against companies such as Google, Amazon and Flipkart. In 2018-19 and 2019-20, 11 and five companies, respectively, in the information technology sector were issued notices for violating regulations.

What led to big-ticket reforms?

The Act was established keeping in mind the countrys economic development by promoting market competition, protecting the interest of consumers and ensuring freedom of trade. Under the MRTP Act, 1969, the previous method of regulating businesses having assets worth more than 25 crore (relaxed to 100 crore in 1985) was unscientific. By encouraging competition and promoting free trade, the economy is able to minimize its deadweight loss, a cost created by the existence of market inefficiency.

How does CCI protect consumers interests?

It tries to protect consumers interests in terms of price, quality, and availability of variety of products by minimizing the scope for their exploitation through monopoly advantage. This would also help build an environment of a competitive and efficient market structure in India and add to its story of being an attractive destination for foreign and domestic investors. CCI is known to have intervened in cases of cart-elization of cement and steel firms.

Jagadish Shettigar and Pooja Misra are faculty members at BIMTECH.





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An enormous, ice -covered lake in Antarctica vanished suddenly, and scientists are worried it could happen again.

In this disappearing act, which researchers say occurred during the 2019 winter on the Amery Ice Shelf in East Antarctica, an estimated 21 billion to 26 billion cubic feet (600 million to 750 million cubic meters) of water  roughly twice the volume of San Diego Bay  drained into the ocean.

The scientists who used satellite observations to capture the shocking vanishing act say the lake drained in roughly three days after the ice shelf beneath it gave way.

Related: 10 signs Earth's climate is off the rails

"We believe the weight of water accumulated in this deep lake opened a fissure in the ice shelf beneath the lake, a process known as hydrofracture, causing the water to drain away to the ocean below," Roland Warner, a glaciologist at the University of Tasmania and lead author of a new study describing the event, said in a statement . He added that once the water was released, "the flow into the ocean beneath would have been like the flow over Niagara Falls, so it would have been an impressive sight."

Hydrofracturing (a natural process using the same physical principles as hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, used to extract oil or gas from bedrock) occurs when water  which is denser and, therefore, heavier than ice  rips open gigantic cracks in ice sheets  and then drains into the sea. This leaves behind a gigantic fissure which compromises the structural integrity of the sheet as a whole. As meltwater lakes and streams multiply across the surface of Antarctica, researchers are concerned that growing volumes of surface meltwater could cause more hydrofracturing events, which could cause ice shelves, including the parts which are anchored to the ground, to collapse, thus elevating sea levels above current projections.

"Antarctic surface melting has been projected to double by 2050, raising concerns about the stability of other ice shelves," the team wrote in their study, which was published June 23 in the journal Geophysical Research Letters . "Processes such as hydrofracture and flexure remain understudied, and ice-sheet models do not yet include realistic treatment of these processes." (Flexure is the flexing of the underside of the ice-shelf by the weight of the meltwater above it, and another potential cause of the break-up of ice-shelves.)

Warner and colleagues took aerial measurements of the dramatic outpouring of the lake with observations from NASA's ICESat-2 satellite, which takes readings by bouncing pulses of laser light off a target of interest and measuring the time it takes for the pulses to be reflected. From this time delay, scientists are able to calculate the elevation of a target.

After the deluge, the region surrounding the lake, now free of the water's weight, rose 118 feet (36 meters) from its original position, and there was an enormous fracture  called an ice doline  that carved out an area of about 4.25 square miles (11 square kilometers) along the lake bed. During the summer of 2020, the lake refilled with water in just a few days, with a peak flow of 35 million cubic feet (1 million cubic meters) per day. Whether this water will create new fractures to vanish into, or is already disappearing through the old fracture and out into the ocean, is unclear, according to the researchers.

"It might accumulate meltwater again or drain to the ocean more frequently," Warner said. "It does appear that the fracture reopened briefly during the 2020 summer melt season, so it is certainly a system to watch. This event does raise new questions about how common these deep ice-covered lakes are on ice shelves and how they evolve."

Originally published on Live Science.
Mice carry a teeming community of bacteria in their guts, and these gut bugs influence how the rodents' brains work, according to a new study.

Specifically, researchers wanted to find out how gut bacteria influence the activity of brain networks involved in mouse social behavior. Normally, when a mouse encounters a mouse it's never met, the two rodents will sniff at each other's whiskers and clamber over each other, much like how two dogs might greet each other at a dog park. However, germ-free mice , which lack gut bacteria, actively avoid social interactions with other mice and instead remain strangely aloof.

"The social impairment in germ-free mice, that's not new," said first author Wei-Li Wu, an assistant professor at the National Cheng Kung University in Taiwan and a visiting associate at the California Institute of Technology. But Wu and his team wanted to understand what drives this standoffish behavior  do gut bugs actually influence which neurons fire in the mouse brain, and thus affect a rodent's willingness to mingle?

Related: 5 ways gut bacteria affect your health

Stranger danger

The first time Wu heard that bacteria could influence the behavior of animals, he thought, "That sounds amazing but a little bit unbelievable," he told Live Science. But as a postdoctoral scholar at Caltech, he began running experiments with germ-free mice and witnessed their odd social behavior firsthand. While these strange behaviors had been described in various studies, Wu wanted to understand why they emerged.

In their new study, published Wednesday (June 30) in the journal Nature , the researchers compared the brain activity and behavior of normal mice with that of two other groups: mice raised in a sterile environment to be germ-free and mice treated with a powerful cocktail of antibiotics that depleted their gut bacteria. (As soon as the germ-free mice entered an unsterile environment, they would start picking up bacteria, so the researchers could use this batch only once; the antibiotic-treated mice were more versatile and could be used for multiple experiments.)

The team placed their germ-free and antibiotic-treated mice in cages with unknown mice, to observe their social interactions. As expected, both groups of mice avoided interactions with strangers. Following this behavioral test, the team ran a multitude of experiments to see what was happening in the animals' brains that may have driven this odd social dynamic.

First, the team examined the animals' brains for c-Fos, a gene that switches on in active brain cells. Compared with the normal mice, the mice with depleted bacteria showed heightened c-Fos activation in brain regions involved in stress responses, including the hypothalamus, amygdala and hippocampus.

This spike in brain activity coincided with a spike in a stress hormone called corticosterone in the germ-free and antibiotic-treated mice, while the same increase did not occur in mice with normal microbiomes, or communities of microbes. "After social interaction  it's just a five-minute interaction  I can clearly see that ... they all have higher stress hormones," Wu said.

Corticosterone primarily gets produced by the body's central stress response system, known as the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis; the HPA axis links two brain structures (the hypothalamus and the pituitary gland) to the adrenal glands located on the kidneys . After seeing a spike in corticosterone in the germ-free mice, the team wondered if messing with the HPA axis could bring those levels back down and "correct" the rodents' behavior.

The team first looked at the adrenal gland, the last component of the HPA axis. They found that removing the adrenal gland appeared to boost the mice's social behavior; upon encountering a stranger, the mice without gut bugs behaved similarly to those with normal microbiomes. Blocking the production of corticosterone with drugs also increased the rodents' sociability, as did blocking or deleting the receptors that bind corticosterone in the brain, known as glucocorticoid receptors. Without receptors to bind the stress hormone, the mice didn't respond to spikes in corticosterone.

Related: From dino brains to thought control  10 fascinating brain findings

The team then did more experiments targeting the hypothalamus, the first component in the HPA axis. They zoomed in on a specific population of brain cells that produce corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), a peptide that triggers a chain reaction of activity along the HPA axis and is key for corticosterone production. They inserted specifically designed receptors onto CRF neurons in the hypothalamus, which allowed the team to switch those neurons on and off at whim using a specific drug. Switching off the neurons in antibiotic-treated mice boosted their sociability toward strangers; conversely, switching on the cells in normal mice caused them to suddenly avoid social interactions.

This finding hinted that these hypothalamus cells might be overactive in germ-free mice and that somehow, gut bugs help tune them down in normal mice. This would, in turn, modulate the activity of the HPA axis and the production of stress hormones.

Backing up this theory, the team found that introducing the bacterium Enterococcus faecalis into the germ-free and antibiotic-treated mice also promoted social activity and reduced corticosterone levels in the animals. "When they put it back in, it seemed that the social behavior was 'rescued,' so to speak," said Diego Bohorquez, an associate professor and neuroscientist at Duke University School of Medicine who studies the gut-brain connection and was not involved in the study.

But while the team specifically highlighted E. faecalis, in reality, Bohorquez said he suspects an array of microbes work together to modulate stress hormone production.

Collectively, these experiments made a strong case that, in normal mice, gut bugs somehow modulate the production of corticosterone and help the animals engage in social behaviors, while germ-free mice deal with an overabundance of the stress hormone and thus balk at opportunities for social interaction, Bohorquez said. But how that works at the level of the gut remains unclear, he added.

"It was a logical step to go look into the brain, but there's a big gap in terms of what's happening between the gut and the brain," he said. For instance, the gut produces its own endocannabinoids, a class of chemical messenger also found in the brain, and these chemicals engage with the HPA axis, he noted. Receptors for CRF can also be found in the gut. Now, the big question is how the gut microbiome might use these networks to "talk" to the brain, and thus help control behavior from the depths of the intestines, Bohorquez said.

"We still want to tackle, what, exactly, does this bacteria do to the body?" Wu said, echoing the sentiment. "I think that's the clear pathway where we want to do further digging."

Beyond mouse experiments, this line of research could someday help scientists treat individuals with neuropsychiatric disorders, such as anxiety and autism spectrum disorder , assuming some of the observations in animals carry over to people, Bohorquez said. Research suggests that anxiety and autism often coincide with gastrointestinal disorders, such as constipation and diarrhea, as well as with disruptions of the gut microbiome, scientists have reported in the journals General Psychiatry and JAMA . For the past decade, scientists have been investigating this gut-brain link in hopes of developing new treatment approaches for such disorders, Bohorquez said.

"This specific work, I don't know if it moves the needle forward" in terms of crafting microbiome-based treatments for autism, he added. But in general, "they are bringing more granularity in terms of how these microbes affect social behavior," he said.

Originally published on Live Science.
Charles Kuen Kao: Bringing broadband to the masses

1933-2018

Born in Shanghai, Kao later moved to England, completing an electrical engineering doctorate at the University of London in 1965. (Image credit: Getty Images )

Known as the father of fiber-optic communication, Charles Kuen Kao revolutionized the way we communicate.

In the mid-1960s, Kao proposed a way to deliver information, in the form of light, through fiber-optic cables. The cables consisted of long, glass pipes along which light beams would be fired. To prevent light from leaking out the sides, Kao used purified glass in which the walls of the pipe acted as a mirror for the photons, or light particles, forcing them to bounce within the pipe and continue traveling down the pipe  a phenomenon called total internal reflection, according to the journal Mayo Clinic Proceedings .

Thanks to this innovation, light information can be transmitted across large distances, which is perfect for telecommunications. In 2009, Kao won the Nobel Prize in Physics for the groundbreaking achievement.

Patricia Bath: Zapping cataracts with lasers

1942-2019

Patricia Bath was the first African American to complete a residency in ophthalmology  the diagnosis and treatment of eye disorders. (Image credit: Getty Images )

As we grow older, our ability to see can become compromised. One common age-related ailment is the development of cataracts . At the front of each eye, a glass-like lens focuses images of the outside world onto light-sensing cells at the back of the eye. As we age, the proteins that make up that lens can slowly break down and turn a once-crystal-clear lens cloudy, according to the U.K.'s National Eye Institute (NEI). In extreme cases, images can be shrouded in darkness.

As Live Science previously reported, more than 90% of Americans have at least one cataract by the age of 65. Half of people between the ages of 75 and 85 have lost some vision because of the condition, according to the University of Michigan Kellogg Eye Center .

Various treatments for cataracts have been around since the fifth century B.C., according to a 2016 article in the journal Missouri Medicine . One of these treatments, called "couching," used a needle to dislodge the cataract away from the visual axis of the eye, enabling the patient to regain their sight, albeit only temporarily.

However, over the centuries, the methods of removing, replacing and obliterating the cloudy buildup have evolved, and a major medical breakthrough occurred in 1986, when Patricia Bath invented the Laserphaco Probe, according to MIT .

Before Bath's pioneering technique was introduced, ophthalmologists would insert a needle into the eye to reach the lens and then use an ultrasound probe to break apart the cloudy cataract. Bath's method replaced ultrasound with lasers, giving doctors the ability to conduct the surgery with greater accuracy and better results.

Two years after inventing the Laserphaco Probe, Bath received a patent for her creation, becoming the first African American female doctor to receive a medical patent, according to The Washington Post .

Flossie Wong-Staal: Cracking HIV's genetic code

1946-2020

The work of virologist Flossie Wong-Staal not only advanced our understanding of HIV but created the first blood test for the virus. (Image credit: Wiki Commons/Public domain )

Flossie Wong-Staal, a virologist who left Hong Kong for the U.S. in 1964, played a pivotal role in AIDS research. Wong-Staal was working at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Bethesda, Maryland, when the AIDS epidemic exploded in the U.S. She was part of the team that first identified the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) as the cause of AIDS, according to an obituary in The Lancet . Additionally, Wong-Staal and her colleague Robert Gallo cloned HIV and figured out how it hides from the immune system, according to The Lancet. While at NCI, Wong-Staal also devised a blood test to detect HIV.

Christine Darden: Revealing the secret of sonic booms

1942-present

Juggling a full-time job, doctorate degree and raising three children, Darden still managed to pioneer supersonic flight. (Image credit: NASA)

In 1955, at the dawn of the space race between the U.S. and the Soviet Union, NASA employed a team of " human computers " to calculate flight trajectories, propulsion and rocket dynamics. One of these human computers was Christine Darden, who joined NASA's ranks in 1967. Eight years later, Darden started a position at Langley Research Center as one of a handful of female engineers, according to NASA .

Darden's first assignment was to design computer programs to calculate the effects of sonic booms, the incredibly loud noises produced when planes travel faster than the speed of sound. This phenomenon occurs because a hypersonic plane shoves air molecules together, creating a cone of pressurized air that then radiates back and down to the ground in waves, according to NASA .

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While working on the project full time, Darden earned a doctorate in 1983 from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C. For her dissertation, she used her work at NASA to explore the environmental impacts of supersonic transport. An object, such as a plane, that travels faster than the speed of sound creates a shock wave of pressurized air, which can be heard as a sonic boom. The thunderous noise of a sonic boom is caused by the sudden change in air pressure around the plane, according to NASA.

Teams of NASA scientists replicated the booms using wind tunnels and model planes, while Darden used computer models to calculate the effects of the booms. Darden's simulation results matched the wind tunnel outcomes, although Darden's method proved cheaper and more efficient than building a scale model, according to "Distinguished African American Scientists of the 20th Century" (Oryx Press, 1996).

Charles Drew: Invention of the blood bank

1904-1950

Drews work helped save countless lives of British soldiers during World War II. (Image credit: Getty Images )

Charles Drew is often referred to as the father of modern-day blood banks. Drew was born in 1904 and graduated from the McGill University Faculty of Medicine in Montreal in 1933. In 1935, he became chief surgical resident at Freedmen's Hospital (now Howard University Hospital) in Washington, D.C., before studying at Columbia University, where he won a fellowship to train at the Presbyterian Hospital in New York City.

Afterward, Drew was assigned to work under John Scudder, who had been granted funds to work on the first-ever blood bank. Having studied blood chemistry, fluid replacement, transfusion and storage, Drew became a leading expert on all things to do with blood.

As the casualties mounted in Europe during World War II, so did the need for blood transfusions . In 1940, the U.S. formed the Blood for Britain project, with the aim of shipping blood overseas, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine . Drew was appointed head of the project, and he and Scudder devised a way to separate plasma from blood.

Untreated blood needs to be refrigerated to remain viable, but the electrolyte-carrying plasma within the blood does not. If plasma were extracted from the blood and mixed in a saline solution, it could be shipped abroad to Allied troops without refrigeration and remain viable for transfusions. Plasma could also be used regardless of the blood type of the patient receiving it.

By the time the project concluded in 1941, itt had collected 14,556 blood donations and shipped more than 1,300 gallons (5,000 liters) of plasma to the U.K., according to the U.S National Library of Medicine .

The techniques pioneered by Drew were adopted elsewhere, such as by the American Red Cross, and helped to shape modern blood bank drives.

Drew's method of separation

George Carruthers: World's first lunar telescope

1939-2020

Carruthers (right) examines the ultraviolet camera/spectrograph that became the first moon-based observatory. (Image credit: U.S. Naval Research Laboratory)

In 1972, scientist George Carruthers opened humanity's eyes to the universe through the lens of his Lunar Surface Ultraviolet Camera (also called the Far Ultraviolet Camera/Spectrograph), according to the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum . The camera was designed to observe Earth's atmosphere from a perch on the moon and to detect the radiation from stars and nebulas. The camera was shipped aboard Apollo 16 and placed on the lunar surface. While there, it took more than 550 ultraviolet images of stars, nebulas and galaxies across the cosmos. Carruthers' creation also collected data on Earth's atmosphere, including the concentration of pollutants, helping to expand our knowledge of our planet.

Alice Ball: Treating leprosy

1892-1916

Alice Ball pioneered a new treatment for leprosy but sadly died before seeing the success of her work. (Image credit: Public domain)

Long before Alice Ball was born, leprosy caused nerve damage and skin lesions in millions of people around the world. In 1873, Norwegian physician Dr. Gerhard Henrik Armauer Hansen discovered that a bacterium called Mycobacterium leprae was the culprit, according to the Journal of Skin and Sexually Transmitted Diseases .

The first modestly successful treatment for the condition used oil from a chaulmoogra nut, which was applied topically, ingested or even injected. Although patients who underwent this treatment sometimes improved, it caused abscesses and nausea, according to the journal Pharmacy History .

In 1915, Ball developed a new method to extract the beneficial compounds from the chaulmoogra nut. At the time, Ball was working toward a master's degree in chemistry, focused on the chemical makeup of the herb kava (Piper methysticum), Live Science previously reported. This work brought her to the attention of Dr. Harry Hollmann, an assistant surgeon at Kalihi Hospital, which was then a treatment center for leprosy patients. While working with Hollmann, Ball developed a new way to isolate the active ingredient in chaulmoogra nut oil. Ball then engineered a water-soluble injection of this extract as an alternative treatment.

By 1918, 78 people who received treatment using Ball's method, were free of lesions and discharged from hospital care, according to New Scientist. This injection became the standard leprosy treatment for decades.
Logistics group partnering with Dronamics to develop a same-day, middle-mile drone delivery service with range of up to 2,500km and cargo capacity of 350kg  a game-changer in logistics

Hellmann Worldwide Logistics has unveiled plans to offer European customers a pioneering new transport service for the cross-border transportation of time-critical goods using cargo drones, with the first routes expected to begin as early as next year.

The European logistics group announced a partnership today with Dronamics, a leading middle-mile cargo drone developer and operator, which has been developing its cargo drones for several years.

The two said the partnership will provide customers seeking an on-demand solution for shipping goods with an integrated service, with Dronamics next-generation middle-mile service offering a speedy delivery at a competitive cost. The two companies will work together to develop the initial routes that they will be piloting for customers early next year.

They said the first geography of interest will be Europe, where the regulatory environment permits operations across the European Union.

Hellmann considers Dronamics a forerunner among long-range drone developers, with Dronamics aiming to be the first company to obtain operational authorisation for international unmanned flights across Europe.

Jan Kleine-Lasthues, chief operating officer for air freight at Hellmann Worldwide Logistics, commented: Partnering with Dronamics allows us to provide our customers with innovative and tailored solutions, especially in the growing market segments of spare parts, e-commerce, and cool chain. Dronamics enables a same-day middle-mile drone delivery service with an unmatched range of up to 2,500km and an impressive cargo capacity of 350kg. We believe this will be a game-changer in logistics.



Svilen Rangelov, CEO and Co-Founder of Dronamics, commented: We are extremely happy to have the opportunity to work with a leading logistics provider such as Hellmann, a company with a global network and a strategy to shape the supply chain of the future. Collaborating with freight forwarders is an essential part of our vision to make same-day deliveries a reality.

As part of the agreement, Dronamics will provide equipment and expertise to operate the unmanned drone flights, employing local staff in different technical roles. The first commercial flights of the same-day drone cargo services are expected to begin in 2022.



Based in London (UK) and Sofia (Bulgaria), Dronamics aims to be a leading developer and operator of large cargo drones. Its flagship Black Swan unmanned aircraft is expected to be able to carry 350 kg of cargo over a distance of up to 2,500 km at up to 80% lower cost than any aircraft in existence, enabling same-day shipping over very long distances for e-commerce, pharma, and time-critical shipments.

The development of drones  or Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)  for cargo purposes has continued to gain momentum during the past year, and there has also been progress on the regulatory front, with important steps forward in both the US and the European Union at the end of 2020.

Not surprisingly, established operators of smaller drones that target sectors like the distribution of healthcare goods and vaccines have made the fastest progress  followed by the e-commerce sector, where the large players have continued to lead the charge  and some vaccine drone delivery projects have accelerated since the arrival of Covid-19.

But the advance of remotely piloted aircraft that can haul larger payloads has been less robust, and some players have deviated from their original plans. However, the official inauguration in April of a cargo drone airline by Dronamics  albeit without a functioning full-scale aircraft yet  and growing traction in the logistics industry, indicate progress towards the establishment of some commercial operations.

Following extensive trials of smaller-scale models, the company is still in the final stage of production and assembly of its full-scale Black Swan and will be starting test flights as soon as the aircraft is ready. Certification is still about a year away, estimates COO Sergio Oliveira e Silva, and the company is currently engaged in drafting manuals and writing procedures to that end.

Commercial flight operations expected next year

But preparations for its first commercial flights, expected next year, are already in high gear. At the end of April, the company announced three new droneport locations at three German airports  Paderborn-Lippstadt, Rostock-Laage and Airport Weeze  bringing the number of agreed droneports to 38 airports in 12 European countries. Other European droneport agreements have been signed with airports including Liege Airport, which serves as Alibabas European air hub, and Brescia Airport, the national hub for the Italian postal system.

These droneports, where drones are launched to cruising altitude and landed at the end of the remote-controlled flight, are so far mostly at second- and third-tier airports  often around an hour from a major airport. But other locations are also viable, as long as they have a 400-metre runway, Dronamics says.

Founded in 2014 by the Rangelov brothers, an economist and an aerospace engineer, the companys fast-growing team includes some of the worlds top aerospace and logistics experts and is the winner of numerous awards for innovation, including IATAs Drone Innovation Award.



Since its foundation 150 years ago, Hellmann Worldwide Logistics has developed into one of the largest international logistics providers in the world. In 2020, the Hellmann Group achieved sales of around 2.5 billion with more than 10,000 employees, offering a range of services including classic forwarding services by truck, rail, air and sea freight, as well as a comprehensive range of CEP services, contract logistics, industry and IT solutions.
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The American Film Market (AFM) will return in November as an in-person event, organizers have confirmed.

I want to let you know that plans are well underway for an in-person AFM this year, taking place November 2-7. California has fully reopened and we are optimistic that the travel restrictions still in place will be lifted soon, AFM MD Jonathan Wolf wrote in a email to industry practitioners.

We are looking forward to welcoming you back to Santa Monica to reunite with the global film community, discover the newest films and projects, and connect and collaborate face-to-face with valued partners and new connections, Wolf added. Stay tuned for updates in mid-July on our plans and how you can make the most of AFM 2021.

The 2020 edition of the market was online only, because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It drew a record 562 exhibitors registered from 48 countries. The U.S. led the way with 259 companies followed by Italy (59), the U.K. (46), Russia (25), Germany (20), France (19), Canada (17), South Korea (14), Japan (12), and Thailand (11).

Some 1,500 buyers from 66 countries participated.

Though California has reopened, the Delta variant of the virus is spreading rapidly. The variant accounts for 14.5% of California cases in June, significantly higher than the 4.7% recorded in May, according to the California Department of Public Health.

On Tuesday, Health officials in Los Angeles County recommended, but did not make mandatory that people wear masks indoors in public places.

Cannes recently held a virtual market ahead of an in-person event that begins next week. While many independent buyers and sellers prefer the economy and efficiency of an online model, several old-school buyers are looking forward to in-person dealmaking sealed by a handshake.

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Marvel Studios has returned to Wakanda.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever  the highly anticipated sequel to the Oscar-winning, billion-dollar blockbuster Black Panther  started production on Tuesday at Pinewood Studios in Atlanta, Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige tells Variety.

Director Ryan Coogler is returning to direct from his screenplay, and Feige says that everyone from the original cast is also coming back  without, of course, star Chadwick Boseman, who died in August 2020 after a four year battle with colon cancer.

Its clearly very emotional without Chad, Feige said before the Black Widow Global Fan Event in Los Angeles on Tuesday night. But everyone is also very excited to bring the world of Wakanda back to the public and back to the fans. Were going to do it in a way that would make Chad proud.

Plot details remain under wraps, and Feige did not say which specific actors would be returning. But Danai Gurira, Letitia Wright, Daniel Kaluuya, Winston Duke, Lupita Nyongo, Florence Kasumba, and Angela Bassett would all likely reprise their roles from the original film. (A representative for Marvel Studios said there was no further update.)

Black Panther was a cultural sensation when it opened in February 2018, shattering the pernicious Hollywood myth that movies with a predominantly Black cast could not be commercially viable internationally. Instead, the film earned $1.34 billion worldwide, making Black Panther Marvels highest grossing non-Avengers movie of all time. The film earned seven Academy Award nominations, including for best picture (the first superhero movie ever recognized in that category), and it won Oscars for score, costume design and production design.

Black Panther: Wakanda Forever is set to debut on July 8, 2022. Its one of 26 upcoming titles on Marvel Studios slate for theatrical release and streaming on Disney Plus, including a TV series set within the world of Wakanda that is part of a multi-year overall television deal Coogler and his Proximity Media signed with The Walt Disney Company in February.

We are especially excited that we will be taking our first leap with Kevin Feige, Louis DEsposito, Victoria Alonso and their partners at Marvel Studios where we will be working closely with them on select MCU shows for Disney Plus, Coogler said at the time of the deal. Were already in the mix on some projects that we cant wait to share.

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Following his daughters explosive testimony, Britney Spears father, Jamie Spears, has filed legal paperwork and is shifting blame.

This week, an attorney for Jamie Spears filed new documents, obtained by Variety, with the Los Angeles Superior Court regarding the conservatorship of his daughter, stating that he is concerned about her treatment.

But the elder Spears is saying he is not responsible, and he is placing the blame on others, specifically his daughters temporary conservator, Jodi Montgomery, and her attorney, Samuel Ingham III.

Jamie Spears was greatly saddened to hear of his daughters difficulties and suffering, and he believes that there must be an investigation into those claims, the new documents state.

The new documents, filed by the Jamie Spears attorney, Vivian Thoreen, on June 29, are a late response to the petition filed earlier this year by Spears attorney, Ingham III, to appoint Montgomery as Britney Spears permanent conservator. The pop star is under a conservatorship of both the estate and person, meaning her finances are controlled, along with essentially all medical and personal decisions. Her father is the conservator of the estate, controlling her financial decisions, and Montgomery is the temporary conservator over the person, at her request  though in her hearing last week, Britney Spears indicated that she is not happy with Montgomery, either.

Up until two years ago, Jamie Spears was the sole conservator. He temporarily relinquished his powers in September 2019.

In the past, Britney Spears has said in legal documents that she is afraid of her father. In court last week, she said she wants to sue her family and believes that her conservators should be in jail. She also told the judge that she wants to be able to choose her own attorney, rather than continue to be represented by court-appointed attorney Ingham.

Not only did my family not do a goddamn thing, my dad was all for it, Britney Spears told the judge last week. Anything that happened to me had to be approved by my dad.

The new documents show another side of the story  per Jamie Spears.

Mr. Spears is concerned about the management and care of his daughter, according to the paperwork, which states he has no intention in being appointed his daughters conservator of the person, and he firmly is in opposition to Montgomery in that role.

Based on her statements to the court, Mr. Spears is concerned that the petition to appoint Jodi Montgomery filed by Ms. Spears court-appointed counsel Samuel D. Ingham III does not reflect her wishes. Ms. Spears told the court on June 23 that she is opposed to being under a conservatorship and revealed her ongoing disputes with Ms. Montgomery about her medical treatment and other personal care issues.

Montgomery has been fully in charge of the stars day-to-day personal care and medical treatment and Montgomery has made all decisions related to those matters, in consultations with Ingham, which excluded Jamie Spears, the paperwork states.

Last week in court, the star said she wants to get married and have a baby, but she has been prevented from removing her IUD at the doctor. In the new docs, her father indicates that he had no involvement in these restrictions.

Unlike Ms. Montgomery and Mr. Ingham, Mr. Spears does not speak or meet with Ms. Spears medical team, and he is not permitted to nor does he have the opportunity to provide any input into his daughters current medical treatment, diagnosis, or therapy, the docs state. Not does Mr. Spears participate in or discuss Ms. Spears personal affairs with her, such as issues related to her self-care, marriage, and reproductive desiresMr. Spears is simply not involved in any decisions related to Ms. Spears personal care of medical or reproductive issues.

The documents reveal that Jamie Spears has been cut off from communicating with Britney Spears, stating, Mr. Spears is unable to hear and addresses daughters concerns directly.

Jamie Spears attorney also says that in prior years when he was the conservator of the person, he did everything in his power to support and care for Ms. Spears well-being and her personal decisions including marriage.

Mr. Spears has dutifully served in various conservator roles for her thirteen years on behalf of his daughter, whom he loves unconditionally, the docs state.

In court, the pop star described her conservatorship as abusive and told the judge that her father was controlling and acting against her will. She said after she was forced to take a psych test, her father called her to tell her that she had failed the test, and demanded she enter a rehab program that cost $60,000 per month.

I cried on the phone for an hour and he loved every minute of it, Spears told the judge, referring to her father. The control he had over someone as powerful as me  he loved the control to hurt his own daughter 100,000%. He loved it.

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Chadi Zeneddine, one of the core team that created the Doha Film Institutes talent incubator Qumra, has taken charge as manager of the Cairo International Film Festivals (CIFF) co-production market Cairo Film Connection (CFC).

Zeneddines predecessor Meriame Deghedi is now head of Cairo Industry Days.

The CFC is open for submissions through Aug. 5, 2021.

CIFF recently confirmed that it will hold its 43rd edition Dec. 1-10. Now in its 8th year, the CFC (Dec. 4-6) has supported more than 120 Arab filmmakers including Yousry Nasrallah, Kaouther Ben Hania, Sameh Alaa, Mehdi Barsaoui, Bassel Ghandour, Haider Rashid and Mayye Zayed.

To be eligible for submission to the CFC, projects must be directed by filmmakers of Arab nationality or origin. The project must be a work of feature-length fiction or non-fiction in development or at post-production stage. The director of the project must have previously directed a minimum of one film, whether its short or feature-length.

CIFF president Mohamed Hefzy said: Despite all the challenges the industry have gone through, CFC mission is to keep supporting creative voices from the region and to bring compelling and exciting stories to audiences around the world. Working together with our partners and sponsors we are looking to another exceptional edition.

Were also glad that Chadi Zeneddine has joined our team, after three years of consulting for CFC, Hefzy added. His industry experience and singular perspective as an artist will bring freshness to the program.

Zeneddine is currently developing and co-producing a limited series, Rosas Negras, set in Argentina.

It is my pleasure to join the Cairo International Film Festival team in running the dynamic Cairo Film Connection co-production market, and in generating a productive space for filmmakers and industry alike, Zeneddine said. I am also looking forward to discovering and supporting talent from the region and the Arab diaspora.

Meanwhile, Cairo Industry Days (Dec. 3-6), CIFFs industry platform, is now in its fourth year in partnership with the Arab Cinema Centre. It brings industry professionals from around the world to engage in a program of masterclasses, panel discussions, and events designed to highlight and support filmmaking talent from the region.

Last year the Cairo Film Connection provided not only financial support to filmmakers but an opportunity to gain exclusive access to leading international and regional professionals, Deghedi said. With more than 150 meetings made in last years exceptional edition, were aiming to maintain Cairo Industry Days as the meeting point of film creators and strengthen the market of independent cinema within the region.

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Delia Fiallo, an author and screenwriter known as the mother of the Latin American telenovela, has died, according to the Associated Press. She was 96.

Fiallos caregiver told the AP that she died Tuesday at her home in Coral Gables, Fla., just five days before her 97th birthday. A cause of death was not given, but the caregiver said that the writer was surrounded by her children.

Fiallo was one of the most celebrated writers in the romance genre, having penned 43 telenovelas, with over 80 adaptations of her work around the world. Fiallos most well-known works include Kassandra, Cristal, Leonela, Esmeralda, La Zulianita, Lucecita, Maria del Mar, La Senorita Elena, Tu Mundo y el Mio, Guadalupe and Marielena.

Born in Havana, Cuba on July 4, 1924, Fiallo studied philosophy and literature in university, eventually earning her doctorate in 1948. In 1949, Fiallo began writing radionovelas, and eventually transitioned to telenovelas. Her first telenovela adaptation was of Soraya, which released in Cuba in 1957. In 1966, Fiallo left Cuba for Miami, and continued her illustrious writing career, penning her final completed telenovela, Cristal, in 1985. She also briefly lived in Venezuela, in order to supervise the production of her works in the country. Fiallo had started work on another telenovela, titled La Felicidad, but it was not finished by the time she decided to retire. In 2011, a Goddess of Telenovelas award at the Summit of the Telenovela Industry was created in Fiallos honor.

Fiallo married radio director Bernardo Pascual in 1952, and they were married for 67 years until his death in 2019. Together, Fiallo and Pascual had five children and 13 grandchildren.

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Motown Records announced that Brian Nolan has been appointed executive vice president of the label and executive VP of marketing, effective immediately. According to the announcement, in this new role, Nolan joins the labels executive leadership team and will help guide the company as well as oversee Motowns marketing teams and initiatives. He will report to Motown Chairman & CEO, Ethiopia Habtemariam.

In making this announcement, Habtemariam said, As we continue to build Motown, Im excited to bring together leaders who are not only innovative in their approach to their work but thoughtful, deliberate and committed to supporting our artists and bringing their vision to the world. Brian sees the big picture and draws from his experience in promotion, international marketing, brand partnerships and sync, giving him an understanding of how to connect the dots and create synergies for robust, well-rounded global campaigns.

Nolan said, I have been preparing for this role for over 20 years and I am so grateful to Ethiopia for the opportunity. We are building an incredible new legacy at Motown and I feel extremely proud to be doing purposeful work helping to drive our artists vision to fans around the globe.

Over the course of his career, Nolan has held positions in radio promotion, sync licensing, brand partnerships, sports marketing, original content and international marketing. Prior to joining Motown, he was EVP of Capitol Music Group and Head of Seventeenfifty, where he executed a series of brand partnerships and campaigns for artists including Lil Baby and PepsiCo; Halsey and Beats by Dre; Migos and Mountain Dew and TNT. He also served as soundtrack producer for the Netflix film, To All the Boys: P.S. I Still Love You, snf serves on Universal Music Groups Task Force for Meaningful Change and is a board member of the West Coast chapter of the TJ Martell Foundation. Prior to joining CMG in 2017, Nolan spent 12 years at Columbia Records/Sony Music, most recently as Columbias VP of international marketing.

+ Epic Records has promoted Margeaux Watson to senior VP of marketing, EVP of Marketing Dave Bell announced. She joined the company in 2019, and in her new role will continue to strategize, architect, and implement meaningful marketing campaigns for label artists, according to the announcement. Her projects include releases for Black Eyed Peas, Camila Cabello, Bobby Shmurda, Jennifer Hudson, Swizz Beatz, Tyla Yaweh, AJ Mitchell, MK xyz, and Charm LaDonna, among others. She is based in Los Angeles.

Bell commented, Margeaux is a world-class marketing executive whose tenacity and commitment to innovation inspire our entire team. Its an honor to announce her much-deserved promotion.

Watson added, Learning and growing under the leadership of Sylvia Rhone and Dave Bell has been an exciting journey, and I am tremendously grateful for their continued guidance and support.

Prior to Epic, she held senior posts at Roc Nation, Spotify, and Universal Motown, and previously worked as an entertainment journalist and editor at Entertainment Weekly, Time Out New York and other publications.

Wednesday, June 30

Young Thug has landed a major role in the musical dramedy Throw It Back  appearing in the movie and overseeing its soundtrack as executive producer. Directed by Shadae Lamar Smith from a script written with Rochee Jeffrey, the film stars Shahadi Wright Joseph and will feature Tiffany Haddish in a supporting role. It is being produced by Feigco Entertainments Paul Feig and Laura Fischer, Jeffrey, and She Ready Productions Haddish and Melanie Clark. CAA Media Finance is representing the films domestic distribution rights; Mad River is handling international sales.

The dance-heavy production is soundtracked by southern hip hop and HBCU collegiate band rhythms. Young Thug is represented by UTA, manager Geoffrey Ogunlesi, publicist Anna Meacham at Huxley and attorneys Andre Des Rochers of Granderson Des Rocher.

+ In a curious move, Kobalt has announced that it reached profitability in the year ending Wednesday (June 30) on the back of announcing its financials for the previous year. Presumably the company will be releasing the details of that first year of profitability  which included the sale of its AWAL label and Kobalt Neighbouring Rights assets to Sony Music for $430 million  in a years time.

The company reported Wednesday that its gross collections grew by 13% to $703 million in the fiscal year-ending June 30, 2020, meeting its previous guidance. Its publishing division grew revenue by 7.6% over the previousl year to $436 million, driven by co-writes on hits from Roddy Ricch, Billie Eilish, Megan Thee Stallion, the Weeknd, Doja Cat, Dua Lipa and more.

Reaching profitability was a key Kobalt objective to further strengthen the business for our clients and long-term success, said CEO Laurent Hubert. Im proud we were able to achieve that important milestone well ahead of plan and do it in such an unprecedented year. Kobalt is well-positioned to take our service and offering to the next level.

+ Producer and songwriter WondaGurl (real name: Ebony Oshunrinde), who recently won a Juno Award for producer of the year (the first Black woman to claim the Canadian honor), is launching a label imprint with Red Bull Records called Wonderchild. She will work alongside Red Bull Records managing director Greg Hammer and senior vice president and head of A&R Kenny Tick Salcido to sign and develop new talent. Toronto rapper Jugger is the first artist to sign with Wonderchild.

Said WondaGurl, who is managed by Tyler Henry: Kenny, G, Greg, and the rest of the team have given me the time and space to create. As an artist and producer, that means everything. I look forward to the release of our first project together and everything to come with this relationship.

+ Nashvilles Triple 8 Management has expanded its roster signing producer-songwriters Cason Cooley (NEEDTOBREATHE, American Authors), Luke Dick (Miranda Lambert, Dierks Bentley), Martin Johnson (Chase Rice, Lady A), Brandon Paddock (Elle King), Jon Randall (Parker McCollum, Dwight Yoakam), Danen Reed Rector (Charlotte Sands, Kyd The Band) as well as engineer F. Reid Shippen (Kenny Chesney, Ingrid Michaelson) and mixer/engineer/producer Shani Gandhi (Sierra Hull, The Mountain Goats, Sarah Jarosz).

+ Hipgnosis Songs Group has promoted Christian Johnson to senior director of A&R. Based in Los Angeles, Johnson joined Big Deal Music Group (which was acquired by Hipgnosis last year) in 2018 as assistant to co-president Casey Robison. In his new role he will work across the companys roster of songwriters and producers, including John Ryan (Maroon 5, One Direction), Julian Bunetta (Thomas Rhett, Clean Bandit), Dan Wilson (Adele, the Chicks, Leon Bridges), and more. He is also the day-to-day manager for songwriters-producers Jordan Johnson and Stefan Johnson of The Monsters & Strangerz. Im tremendously proud of Christian, Robison said. His passion for songs and songwriters, work ethic and drive are second to none.

+ Country group King Calaway has signed with Red Light Management, where they will be represented by Gaines Sturdivant. The band released its debut album Rivers via BBR Music Groups Stoney Creek Records in Oct. 2019.

+ Buzzing L.A. artist SEB has signed with Mom+Pop Music and plans to release his debut EP on July 30.

+ Country-pop newcomer Morgan Wade has signed with Universal Music Publishing Nashville. Described by Rolling Stone as Lucinda Williams meets Joan Jett, her debut album, Reckless, was released earlier this year.

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Phylicia Rashad is celebrating Bill Cosbys shocking release from prison.

Moments after word broke that Cosbys sex assault conviction is being overturned by the court, his former TV wife took to Twitter to share her delight in the news.

FINALLY!!!! A terrible wrong is being righted- a miscarriage of justice is corrected! Rashad tweeted, along with a photo of Cosby.

Rashad played Cosbys sitcom wife, Clair Huxtable, for all eight seasons on The Cosby Show from 1984 through 1992.

In the past, Rashad has supported Cosby, despite the numerous allegations from dozens of women who accused the comedian of drugging and raping them for years. Rashad has gotten heat in the past for speaking about the legacy of The Cosby Show, rather than focusing on the women.

UPDATE: A few hours later, Rashad responded to the outpouring of online dismay to her original tweet with a followup writing, I fully support survivors of sexual assault coming forward. My post was in no way intended to be insensitive to their truth. Personally, I know from friends and family that such abuse has lifelong residual effects. My heartfelt wish is for healing.

I fully support survivors of sexual assault coming forward. My post was in no way intended to be insensitive to their truth. Personally, I know from friends and family that such abuse has lifelong residual effects. My heartfelt wish is for healing.  Phylicia Rashad (@PhyliciaRashad) June 30, 2021

Cosbys sexual assault conviction was overturned on Wednesday with Pennsylvanias highest court ruling that Cosbys agreement with a prosecutor in 2005 should have prevented him from being charged again.

Cosby was charged in 2015, and sentenced to three to 10 years in prison for raping Andrea Constand at his Philadelphia home in 2004. He was arrested just days before the 12-year statute of limitations expired on newly unsealed evidence. At his first trial in 2017, a judge at first allowed only one other accuser to testify, and the jury was not able to reach a verdict, but then, five more accusers were allowed to testify about similar allegations at the 2018 retrial, resulting in Cosbys conviction on April 26, 2018. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday, however, that the testimony at the trial was tainted, even though a lower court found that he showed a pattern of drugging and molesting women.

Rashads reaction is far different than most of Hollywood. Moments after the shocking news broke, actors like Ellen Barkin, Debra Messing and Amber Tamblyn tweeted their disgust in the justice system and stated that they stand in solidarity with the survivors who were assaulted by Cosby.

Rosie ODonnell tweeted in all caps, I guess 70 women werent enough.

Barkin wrote, Reap what you sow.

Tamblyn  who has been a fierce supporter of Harvey Weinstein survivors and has publicly spoken out against the fallen producer and convicted rapist  posted about Cosby on Wednesday. I am furious to hear this news, Tamblyn tweeted. I personally know women who this man drugged and raped while unconscious. Shame on the court and this decision. She also tweeted about cancel culture, the #MeToo era and the justice system.

I don't want to hear anything about how cancel culture ruined men's lives during the MeToo era reckoning for women and survivors. How we went too far. Today's news that Cosby's conviction is being overturned is proof we haven't gone far enough. Our justice system MUST change.  Amber Tamblyn (@ambertamblyn) June 30, 2021

Will & Grace star, Messing, also posted on Twitter. To every woman who was sexual assaulted by Bill Cosby my heart hurts for you today and I am full fury. Its horrifying.
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Vin Diesel vehicle Muscle, Alexander Paynes The Holdovers, and the Zoe Kravitz-directed Pussy Island have proved early sales standouts at a contained virtual Pre-Cannes Screenings whose pre-sales market says a lot about the resilient vitality and ever greater complexity of the international film business.

Budgeted at a reported $60 million, which would make it the biggest project at the Screenings, Muscle moved waves when Leonine paid a reported high seven-figure pre-sale figure for Germany.

In an out-of-the-box move, Miramax announced Monday that it had secured worldwide rights to The Holdovers, reuniting Payne with Sideways star Paul Giamatti.

In earlier banner deals, reinvigorated under Michael de Luca, MGM landed global rights to Pussy Island and North America on Sean Penns Flag Day, the biggest film in Cannes competition.

The Anton/CAA Media Finance-sold Greenland: Migration was drawing a lot of heat, cited by overseas distributors as the kind of straight-arrow action thriller which most mainstream international buyers craved.

Led by Doug Limans Everest, sold by HanWay, a clutch of other major high rollers  Voltage Pictures Renny Harlin action thriller Refuge, and Dakota Johnson-Sean Penn pic Daddio  from Endeavor Content  hit the Pre-Cannes Screenings pre-sale market.

Yet the Pre-Cannes Screenings wrapped Friday, with meetings taken between sales agents and distributors, and the latter filing offers.

Few, if any, big hot tickets will be brought onto the market at Cannes Festival. Five days after the markets official close, however, precious few other major sales have been announced on big Pre-Cannes Screenings titles.

That may reflect in part the tenor of titles on offer. Constantin had a list of five or six targets at the Pre-Cannes Screenings, compared with 10 or 12 in a normal Cannes Festival pre-sales market, Constantins Martin Mozkowicz told Variety.

For the types of films my company looks for that cater to multiplexes rather than city theater movies, there werent a lot of big commercial titles, but I found the prices were quite high for these films, says Maria Grazia Vairo at Italys Eagle Pictures.

This market was much more auteur driven, she added, citing projects from Todd Solondz (Love Child, sold by Madriver Intl.), Todd Haynes (Rocket Sciences May December), Payne, Garth Davis (sci-fi thriller Foe, from CAA/FilmNation) and Rebecca Miller (romantic thriller She Came to Me, from Protagonist Pictures).

That very breadth of titles made the Pre-Cannes Screening catnip for distributors working at a slightly lower budgetary range such as top Spanish outfit A Contracorriente Films, which buy across a broad range of films from name auteur titles to big French comedies.

Practically all the sales agents with whom we traditionally work had interesting titles, film with commercial appeal, important cast, tried and the tested directors and interesting budgets, said A Contracorrientes Adolfo Blanco, citing adult and YA comedies, period pieces, and literary adaptions.

Its as if the pandemic has given people more time to really mature projects, Blanco added, saying he has bought three titles.

As cinemas reopen or move to full capacity around the world, people are finally seeing light at the end of the tunnel, starting to buy and absolutely engaging, booking as many meetings as they can, said Highland Film Groups Voros, citing as her two biggest sales propositions Bandit, with Josh Duhamel and Mel Gibson, and Stephan Rick-directed The Good Neighbor, starring Jonathan Rhys Meyers and Luke Kleintan.

The Highland Film Group is handling more not fewer star-driven thrillers and action and horror films, said Sebastien Aussal, HFG head of marketing and communications.

Yet, to date at least, sales announcements on the Pre-Cannes Screenings hottest tickets have been few and far between.

Some sales agents could be holding back on deal news until they can announce theyve sold out much of the world. Distributors also have much of 2022 release inventories stocked from pre-COVID-19 and recent buys.

Virtual markets also slow dealings with sales companies not fully commanding buyers attention, and no physical deadline to negotiations.

Above all, however, the process of actually selling a movie project looks to have become much more complex.

As projects are put out not only to international distributors but global studio streamers, the process of selling a title has become far more involved, leaving major sales agents on big titles with the daunting task this week of sorting through a myriad of often conflicting offers.

Normally in the past, if you offered the asking price and got approval from the producer, you got the movie, says Vairo.

No more. Now at sales companies, everybody is trying to get the best deal and are waiting to see if they can do big multi-territory or worldwide.

Vairo said she hoped that sales would finally be sealed by the end of this week. Some dealings could last longer.

So the Cannes Festival could frame a large irony. Most of the big U.S. and U.K. sales companies which foreseeably have made the running at the Pre-Cannes Screenings will not attend Cannes.

From this week onwards, most real new business focuses on sales companies in Europe, led by France, bringing onto the market new projects targeting the arthouse distributor clientele that will be in attendance and working at Cannes.

But the industry mood at Cannes Festival could still be energized by big sales announcements on some of the hottest titles at the Pre-Cannes Screenings. Most of the people who put such deals through, however, will either be absent or using the festival to catch up with friends and clients they havent seen in person in a long 18 months.

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After roiling a Polish village as an impostor priest in Oscar-nominated Corpus Christi, star Bartosz Bielenia tries to rattle the entire nation in Prime Time. His character here is another malcontent, this one armed and ready to take over a TV studio on New Years Eve with a special message for the world. But hes a bit too literally a rebel without a cause: We never discover just what this protagonists protesting gripe is. That lack makes director Jakub Piatek and co-writer Lukasz Czapskis first feature a familiar hostage drama whose anticipated narrative raison detre is strangely MIA. The slick, watchable but ultimately somewhat pointless results, which premiered at Sundance six months ago, launch worldwide on Netflix June 30.

Its New Years Eve 1999 at a Krakow network affiliate, and despite the Y2K fears glimpsed on other stations broadcasts, just another nights labor for the staff here. That includes longtime resident personality Mira (Magdalena Poplawska), who shows up just moments before shes scheduled on-air  late enough that an emergency replacement has already been found, though shes unapologetic as she elbows that younger woman aside. But just when Mira is announcing what lucky viewer will win a car in the last call-in contest of this millennium, the show gets rudely interrupted as Sebastian (Bielenia) invades the set, already holding security guard Grzegorz (Andrzej Klak) at gunpoint.

In the ensuing panic, most of the crew flee, and active broadcasting is cut off. Left to deal with the situation are the two nervous hostages, as well as level-headed veteran producer Laura (Malgorzata Hajewska-Krzysztofik). Shes soon joined in the control booth above by variably helpful police negotiators (Monika Frajczyk, Cezary Kosinski) who attempt to talk down or at least distract the volatile Sebastian while their superior (Dobromir Dymecki) mulls how to have his SWAT-type team storm the now-barred soundstage.

Most of their tactics only make things worse, particularly when they produce the perps father (Juliusz Chrzastrowski), a hothead who, far from providing balm, instead quickly illustrates why his son wants nothing to do with him. But that brief dysfunctional-family insight aside, we learn very little about what has driven university dropout Sebastian to this drastic act. There are hints that he may be a victim of homophobia (dad blurts ambiguous criticism of his sick lifestyle), and fleeting bits of other stations broadcasts suggest possible larger political or social issues that might factor. Are his frustrations those of so many other Polish youth, who figure their only chances of real success lie in emigrating abroad?

We can only guess, and frankly there isnt much interest or suspense in seeing this kind of Dog Day Afternoon-like standoff play out when theres no clear motivation behind it. Increasingly exasperated as excuses keep being made to keep him off-air, Sebastian doesnt get to read the speech hes carrying notes for, nor do we ever get an inkling what it might contain.

In Corpus Christi, Bielenia was electric, but then he had Mateusz Pacewiczs great script to work with. Here, he retains some charisma in a hard-working performance, but its not enough to singlehandedly provide this screenplay with meaning. Were hard-pressed to care about Sebastians fate when we have no idea what hes taking a possibly-suicidal stand for. By default, the most sympathetic figure here becomes Klaks working-class nice guy. The film might better have provided more screentime to his underdeveloped character, and less to Poplawskas crisply acted but one-dimensional prima donna.

Shot on an actual disused old TV soundstage, Prime Time was apparently set 20 years ago simply because broadcast television commanded a much larger viewership then. The millenniums-end timing turns out to be superfluous, one more thing that ultimately signifies nothing here. Piateks film is fast-paced and visually polished, yet its hard not to feel its all been much ado about very little in the end.

When Peter Finchs Howard Beale ranted about his own boob-tube platform in Network, there was a tragic grandeur to it. Even when Chris Kleins young idiot held TV cameras hostage in the underrated American Dreamz, the very pointlessness of his act made a sharp satirical point. At the close of Prime Time, the only thing one can say with certainty is that a young man angry about something or other has inconvenienced several people on a holiday evening. Thats not exactly fodder for a gripping, let alone memorable, 90 minutes, despite Piateks efforts to lend that span the urgency of a white-knuckle thriller.

Reviewed online, San Francisco, June 28, 2021. Rating: TV-MA. Running time: 91 MIN.

Running Time: Running time: 91 MIN.

Production

(Poland) A Netflix release of a Watchout Studio production, in association with TVN, Krakow Festival Office. Producer: Jakub Razowski. Executive producer: Krzysztof Terej.

Crew

Director: Jakub Piatek. Screenplay: Piatek, Lukasz Czapski. Camera: Michal Luka. Editors: Jaroslaw Kaminski, Uszula Klimek-Piatek. Music: Teoniki Rozynek.

With

Bartosz Bielenia, Magdalena Poplawska, Andrzej Klak, Malgorzata Hajewska-Krzysztofik, Cezary Kosinski, Dobromir Dymecki, Monika Frajczyk, Juliusz Chrzastrowski.

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Reservoir Docs has acquired the documentary The Right to Be Forgotten, by Romanian director Adina Sadeanu, which is being pitched this week during the Co-Production Forum of the Thessaloniki Documentary Festival, Variety has learned. The company has secured worldwide sales rights apart from Romania, Moldova and Benelux.

Through a mix of investigation and observation, The Right to Be Forgotten tells the story of three women deeply wounded by years-long online attacks, harassment and death threats, who each respond to the attacks in their own way. Pic is produced by Axis Media Production, in co-production with Squarefish (Belgium) and HBO Europe. Its currently in production and slated to be delivered in summer 2022.

I started this film from the idea that the virtual world impacts our lives in ways that we dont yet fully understand, said Sadeanu. One major influence comes through cyber violence and private life violations. Going beyond the personal stories of the victims, this film unveils the mental barriers of those who are supposed to protect us. At the roots of these new phenomena, I discovered a lot of hate and a huge lack of accountability. And I asked myself: are we aware of the consequences that all these have on our lives?

Reservoir Docs is also repping Women of Valor, from director Anna Somershaf, a film which follows an Ultra-Orthodox Israeli woman running for parliament and fighting for equal rights in her community, at a tremendous cost to herself. Pic is available in the Thessaloniki Doc Market.

Reservoir Docs is very proud to represent two very relevant documentaries about women who fight for their right to simply breathe and exist: Women of Valor, by Anna Somershaf, about the right to be elected among the Ultra-Orthodox community, and The Right to Be Forgotten, about harassment and how to press charges when the whole political and judicial system doesnt seem to care, said Anais Clanet, partner and head of sales and acquisitions at Reservoir Docs.

Also on the companys slate in Thessaloniki are Code of the Freaks, director Salome Chasnoffs radical reframing of the use of disabled characters in film, and The Sit-In: Harry Belafonte Hosts the Tonight Show, director Yoruba Richens examination of a seminal moment in TV history, when the legendary African-American actor hosted the iconic late-night TV program at a time when racial tensions in America were at a boiling point.

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Laredoan Arturo B. Campos is heading to the moon. Campos will be posthumously honored for his role in the Apollo 13 mission by NASA sending a moonikin in his likeness to the moon.

Campos family honored him by asking his hometown to vote for him in NASAs Name the Artemis Moonikin Challenge, and the Gateway City came through. He steamrolled through the NASA competition to win the honor. A moonikin  a mannequin which will also be used to gather data on the vibrations that human crewmembers will experience  will now bare his name on an upcoming trip to the moon aboard Artemis I.

The mission will precede and collect data for Artemis II, which is set to send the first woman and person of color to the lunar surface.

Campos was one of eight submissions for the contest that NASA provided. And after a tournament-style system, Campos came out victorious. The field featured significant people in NASAs history or references to NASAs past or the Artemis program.

After collecting over 300K total votes over the course of the campaign, Commander Moonikin Campos will embark on the #Artemis I mission around the Moon with his phantom crewmates, Zohar and Helga, said the NASA Artemis program in a statement.

Campos historic life saw him serve as an engineer, who became notorious for saving the Apollo 13 craft and helping it land successfully on April 17, 1970. It suffered several technical difficulties prior to entering the Earths atmosphere.

Campos won by a wide margin in the final round against Delos  a reference to the island where Apollo and Artemis were born according to Greek mythology. Campos received 506 votes on Facebook compared to 216 for Delos, and he received 53.1% of the 9,041 submitted on Twitter.

Our return to the Moon through Artemis is a global effort  and were always looking at new ways to engage the public in our missions, said Brian Odom, NASAs acting chief historian at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. This contest, which is helping pave the way for a human return to the Moon, also honors an important individual in our NASA family  Arturo Campos. It is a fitting tribute that the data gained from Artemis I will help us prepare to fly astronauts  including the first woman and first person of color  to the moon, where we will get ready for Mars.

There was an outpouring of reactions from family, friends and others around the city Tuesday.

"Awesome, we couldnt be happier," Campos daughter Yvette Campos said. "I'm so glad dad got nominated. Im not sure what it was about him that made NASA headquarters suggest they use his name in the contest, but Im so glad they did. It goes beyond Apollo 13. Its the attention and the caring that he put in the things he did. He invested himself in people. Were so proud."

Another of Campos daughters said she was astonished but was worried early in the day waiting for a winner to be announced.

I am elated that he won, Leticia Campos Maddix said. It took so long for them to count 300,000 votes. I was worried.

Oscar Campos, a cousin of Campos, also expressed delight that he would receive such an honor 20 years after his passing and more than 50 years after achieving such a feat. He mentioned his late cousin was not in the movie about Apollo 13 but is now in the minds of everybody in his hometown and beyond.

We are so proud Commander Moonikin Campos is headed to the moon and back, Oscar Campos said. It honors his memory and his family, but this would not be possible without the support of all those who voted for him. He did not make it to the movie, but he is now in the hearts and minds of the voters and everyone who followed his story in the media.

It is a remarkable story and it deserves to be remembered and honored. We are very happy for his children, for his late wife whose birthday is today, and, of course, my cousin Arturo Campos, Laredo born and a hero.

Local leaders also celebrated Campos victory, especially LULAC President Raul L. Reyes. Campos was not just known for his achievements in helping land Apollo 13 successfully but also in helping bring may Hispanics to work for the organization. Campos founded the first LULAC chapter in the Houston area to serve people wanting to work in NASA.

As a fellow LULACer and President of a local LULAC Council here in Laredo, we are thrilled that Commander Moonikin Campos is the official name of the manikin launching on Artemis I, NASAs uncrewed flight test of the Space Launch System rocket and Orion spacecraft around the Moon later this year, Reyes said. Arturo Campos is a representation of the American dream and what that means for the Latino community here locally and across our country. What a great honor not only for him and his family but for the entire Latino community.

Nelly Vielma, local attorney and former city councilmember, actively campaigned for votes for Campos as the brackets kept growing closer to the final.

Mr. Campos was instrumental to the survival of the Apollo crew, Vielma said. The fact that NASA nominated him speaks volumes. It will be an honor to have a Laredoan engineer remembered for his invaluable contributions to science. He is a true inspiration to our youth to reach their potential, and who knows, the sky is the limit. Im a very proud to learn about his accomplishments, si se puede!

For the Campos family, the moment is extra special for its timing as today is the birthday of Campos late wife. They planned to celebrate by going to their gravesite and toasting with some champagne.

"Today would have been my moms birthday. It feels like a gift from God because mom had always hoped he would get more recognition," Campos Brewer said. "This no doubt has made her happy."

Deanna Campos Ranck, another of the Campos sisters, also expressed how it was not just great for their father but also for them. For a long time they had seen their father work and serve NASA without being recognized.

It is a great day for the Campos girls, Campos Ranck said. We are so excited that dad won, especially on moms birthday. Thank you all of Laredo for your support. So many people helped us get the word out. Its truly heartfelt the love we received. Me and my sisters are so proud of him.

As they celebrated their mothers birthday and the achievement of their father, the sisters also thanked the Laredo community and everyone else involved.

I do feel like it was meant to be, because of moms birthday, Campos Maddix said. When I was told they would announce the winner on June 29, it felt right. My father deserved this honor. Im so proud of Dad. I miss him and mom terribly today. This contest was like the snowball effect. I started with a handful of snow and it grew in leaps and bounds. We had so much support. We would like to thank everyone involved.

Campos moonikin will soon be sent to the moon as NASA Headquarters Public Affairs Officer Kathryn Hambleton said the mannequin is ready and it has already satisfied the various tests needed to be sent to space.

According to NASA, the moonikin flying on Artemis I will occupy the commanders seat inside Orion, it will be equipped with two radiation sensors, and it will wear a first-generation Orion Crew Survival System suit  a spacesuit astronauts will wear during launch, entry and other dynamic phases of their missions. Hambleton said NASA is in the process of assembling the rocket at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida for a launch later this year.

jorge.vela@lmtonline.com
A U.S. Border Patrol agent was drunk on duty when he crashed into an 18-wheeler and then tried to flee the scene of the incident on his damaged marked unit, according to Laredo police.

Michael Cruz, 37, was arrested and charged with accident involving damage to a vehicle and driving while intoxicated. He was later released on bond, according to Webb County Jail records.

Border Patrol did not responded to a request for comment.

At about 10:33 p.m. Monday, LPD officers were dispatched to the 11000 block of FM 1472 and the 8000 block of Milo Road for an accident with injuries report. Police received information that the vehicle involved in the crash was possibly a white marked Border Patrol sport utility vehicle.

Upon arrival, officers observed a man who was wearing his Border Patrol uniform and duty utility belt. The man, Cruz, was bleeding from a laceration to the right and left side of his head. Laredo Fire Department crews responded but Cruz denied all treatment.

I asked Mr. Cruz what happened, and he stated that a tractor-trailer had hit him while he was driving on Milo Road, an officer wrote in the affidavit.

Assisting officers located the tractor-trailer involved in the incident. The driver stated that he was parked with the hazard lights on when he felt a bump and loud noise. He then observed a vehicle swerving with sparks flying as the vehicle left the scene west on Milo, according to the affidavit.

It was discovered that the white Border Patrol Unit continued traveling at a high rate of speed with only (three) tires on Mines Road before coming to a stop in the brush, LPD said in a statement.

The officer then walked to the back of the brushy area and noticed the Border Patrol unit severely damaged due to the crash, court documents state. Police said Cruz seemed confused with his sense of directions as he responded to questions from police. Cruz allegedly stated that he was coming from a Border Patrol station located on 11119 McPherson Road.

He also gave conflicting stories stating to other officers that he was off duty and that he was operating his vehicle off duty, even though he had mentioned to (the officer) he was coming from the northbound Border Patrol station, states the affidavit. While Mr. Cruz was responding to (the officers) questions, he had slurred speech, and (the officer) could also smell alcohol emitting from his breath. (The officer) also noticed that he had bloodshot red eyes.

Cruz was placed inside a patrol unit. He allegedly refused to participate in a field sobriety test and refused to provide a breath specimen.

Cruz also mentioned he did not remember if he had his seatbelt on during the accident, states the affidavit.
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has amended his original border crisis disaster declaration from May, now excluding Webb County from the list after it refused to partner with the state.

Abbotts revisions now include 28 counties for a disaster declaration as opposed to the 34 from the original announcement.

Governor Greg Abbott has issued a revised disaster declaration in response to the border crisis, which provides more resources and strategies to combat the ongoing influx of unlawful immigrants, the release states.  ... The updated declaration only includes the 28 counties that have locally declared a disaster and agreed to partner with the state on its border security efforts  including arresting and detaining people for crimes related to the border crisis.

In addition to Webb County, others who did not choose to partner with the state included Cameron, Duval, El Paso, Hidalgo, Kenedy, Reeves, Starr, Sutton, Willacy and Zavala.

Meanwhile, DeWitt, Frio, Kimble, Live Oak and Midland were not a part of the original declaration and are now.

Webb County neighbors including Maverick, Dimmit, La Salle, McMullen, Jim Hogg and Zapata are all on the list, with Duval being the only neighboring county that did not wish to be included.

"I am grateful for our local partners in our South Texas and border communities who are willing to work alongside the state to keep Texans safe and secure the border," Abbott said. "This amended declaration will ensure that resources and support are surged where they are needed most."

The governors office release stated that Abbott met with sheriffs, police chiefs, county judges, mayors and District Attorneys from border communities at his Border Security Summit on June 10 and asked for their collaboration and partnership to secure the border.

Many county leaders have chosen to participate in this partnership, which is reflected in this amended disaster declaration, the release stated. Additional counties will be added as local disaster declarations are issued.

Abbott has recently stated his intent to continue building former President Donald Trumps wall along Texas border with Mexico. He had pledged $250 million in state funds for a wall by reallocating legislatively appropriated funds for natural disasters, prompting opposition to ask if that is an overreach of emergency powers by the executive branch  a similar sentiment expressed during the initial stages of the pandemic.

Abbott also said that he would be asking for donations to fund the wall. He said last week he had $450,000 thus far.

As that crowdsourcing total wouldnt build much of the wall at all  the White House said this month some portions cost as much as $46 million per mile  Texas Democrats tried to keep Abbott from tapping into the $15 billion in COVID relief funds as they signed a letter urging the Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen to block him from using recovery funding for a border wall, fence or similar installation.

On June 21, Laredo City Council met with the main topic on its agenda discussing a Texas-funded border wall.

While many admitted that border security could be approved, councilmembers unanimously voted in favor of opposing the wall. The general sentiment against the measure by local officials was that border security could be bolstered by items such as a virtual wall, while a physical border was too expensive and overall would not solve the issues faced.

zdavis@lmtonline.com
SURFSIDE, Fla. (AP)  As more human remains emerged Wednesday from the rubble of the collapsed Florida condo tower, the dead this time included the first children, ages 4 and 10, a loss that the Miami-Dade mayor called too great to bear.

Mayor Daniella Levine Cava made the announcement nearly a week after the Florida building came crashing down. After some preliminary remarks at a media briefing, she took a deep breath to gather herself and stared down at her notes. She spoke haltingly and said the disclosure came with great sorrow, real pain.

So any loss of life, especially given the unexpected, unprecedented nature of this event, is a tragedy," she said. But the loss of children was an even heavier burden.

Miami-Dade police later identified the children as 10-year-old Lucia Guara and 4-year-old Emma Guara. The remains of their father, Marcus Guara, 52, were pulled from the rubble Saturday and identified Monday. The girls and their mother, Anaely Rodriguez, 42, were recovered Wednesday.

Search crews going through the ruins found the remains of a total of six people Wednesday, bringing the number of confirmed dead to 18. It was the highest one-day toll since the building collapsed last Thursday into a heap of broken concrete. The number of residents unaccounted for stands at 145.

Earlier in the day, crews searching for survivors built a ramp that should allow the use of heavier equipment, potentially accelerating the removal of concrete that could lead to incredibly good news events, the state fire marshal said.

Since the sudden collapse of the 12-story Champlain Towers South last week in Surfside, rescuers have been working to peel back layers of concrete on the pancaked building without disturbing the unstable pile of debris.

Miami-Dade Assistant Fire Chief Raide Jadallah told family members of those missing that the ramp allowed rescuers to use a crane on sections that were not previously accessible. He said that improves the chances of finding new pockets of space in the urgent search for survivors.

We hope to start seeing some significant improvement in regards to the possibility of (finding) any voids that we cannot see," Jadallah said.

In an interview with Miami television station WSVN, state Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis described the ramp as a Herculean effort that would allow crews to leverage massive equipment to remove mass pieces of concrete, which could lead to good results.

Patronis told The Associated Press that the ramp will permit heavy equipment to get closer to areas where debris needs to be cleared. The new equipment includes a so-called nibbler, a massive machine that has a scissors-like tool at the end of a long arm to cut through concrete and rebar.

Officials have been concerned an underground parking garage could collapse under the weight of heavy equipment, so they decided to build the makeshift limestone ramp, Patronis said. He said dogs are used to check for survivors in the area where the machine works, and then the nibbler is sent in.

So you can really make some serious rapid headway just because of the sheer hydraulic forces this thing can exert versus a human being with hand tools," Patronis said.

The cause of the collapse is under investigation. A 2018 engineering report found that the building's ground-floor pool deck was resting on a concrete slab that had major structural damage and needed extensive repairs. The report also found abundant cracking" of concrete columns, beams and walls in the parking garage.

Just two months before the building came down, the president of its board wrote a letter to residents saying that structural problems identified in the 2018 inspection had gotten significantly worse and that major repairs would cost at least $15.5 million. With bids for the work still pending, the building suddenly collapsed last Thursday.

Rescuers still faced enormous obstacles as they spent a seventh day searching for survivors. The pancake collapse of the building has frustrated efforts to reach anyone who may have survived in a pocket of space.

Officials were also worried about the possibility of severe weather interfering with search efforts. Crews have already had to deal with intermittent bad weather that caused temporary delays in the work, and they are now keeping an eye on a potential tropical storm in the Atlantic Ocean.

Gov. Ron DeSantis said some of the resources in Surfside might have to be removed in case the storms hit any part of Florida. 'Tis the season and youve got to be ready, he said.

The possibility of severe weather prompted state officials to ask the federal government for an additional search and rescue team. Kevin Guthrie of the Florida Division of Emergency Management said the new team would be on hand if severe weather hits, allowing crews that have been working at the site for days to rotate out.

Authorities said its still a search-and-rescue operation, but no one has been found alive since hours after the collapse on Thursday.

President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden planned to travel to Surfside on Thursday.

They want to thank the heroic first responders, search-and-rescue teams and everyone whos been working tirelessly around the clock, and meet with the families" waiting for word of their loved ones, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday.

Miami-Dade Police Director Freddy Ramirez said he hopes Biden's visit will be a morale booster for the devastated community.

Weve had several challenges from weather, sorrow, pain. And I think that the president coming will bring some unity here for our community, support, like our governor, our mayor, all of us together."

___

Associated Press writers Adriana Gomez Licon in Miami and Freida Frisaro in Fort Lauderdale contributed to this report.
Laredos Rep. Henry Cuellar (TX-28) hosted a press conference Tuesday with Nuevo Leon's Governor-elect Samuel Garcia as the leaders discussed commerce, security and the advocacy for the removal of non-essential travel restrictions at land ports of entry that have kept the Mexican-American border closed since March 21, 2020.

Both leaders held the press conference live from Washington D.C., which is where Garcia has been holding several meetings with top American officials to talk about various issues that strengthened the relationship of his state and Mexico with that of the United States.

I am extremely happy that here in Washington D.C. we have had a very ambitious and nutritional agenda filled with meetings with different authorities thanks to the guidance of Henry Cuellar, and talked about many important things for both Mexico and Nuevo Leon, Garcia said. Today, we were with the energy agency, with the transportation department. And we also had the time to salute and spend some time with the international team filled with individuals from Mexico and the U.S., which are composed of congressmen from California and Texas and the Chamber of Commerce representative of the U.S. and Mexico.

Just like in Laredo, he said that the very short border between Texas and Nuevo Leon  where the Columbia Bridge customs facility is located  is something he wants to reach its full potential, as he stated that for the past 25 years, many opportunities have been wasted to make it into the potent border power that it can be.

Garcia stated that new roads must be created to help make the Columbia Bridge route connect between the Monterrey metropolitan area and Laredo. This would mean a much faster route for Nuevo Leon companies to start investing and putting more resources into the area, as the Nuevo Laredo customs facilities are already filled with enough work that another route is needed for continued expansion of businesses and trade.

The La Gloria Road, which is being proposed by Garcia, would allow companies and travelers to use the Columbia Bridge highway to go from Laredo to Nuevo Leon without ever having to go through Tamaulipas. He says this is another positive as it not only capitalizes on strengthening trade but also is better for security.

The road that connects Laredo to Monterrey, Nuevo Leon and passes through Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas has been dubbed the Highway of Death. This is due to numerous disappearances and carjackings which have occurred.

Cuellar stated that he is well aware of the situation, as even a friend of his texted him earlier in the morning to ask if it was safe to travel through that route to Monterrey during the weekend. He stated that he understands how though the route connects Laredo to Nuevo Leon, and that the majority of the situations are actually occurring on the Tamaulipas state side of the border and not in Nuevo Leon.

I am concerned as we have had folks, American citizens, that have disappeared. In fact, there was one family  mother and a daughter and son (from Laredo)  and every time I look at the paper as it has come out several times, I feel bad, Cuellar said. I know the FBI has intervened as we said that that they needed help with this.

These last few days there have been some context of high security problems outside Nuevo Leon, Garcia said. I have perfect communication with the actual government of security of Nuevo Leon, and these incidents are happening outside Nuevo Leon because Nuevo Leon does have complete protection of all the state.

Garcia went on to state that he believes that the current disappearances are all part of a growing political fight between the state government of Tamaulipas and the Mexican federal government that is causing criminals to take advantage of the situation and wreak havoc. He states that both the state government and the federal governments must work together in efforts to provide adequate security.

Cuellar also acknowledges that both the federal and state governments must unite together to combat the situation. He said he is appropriating some new funds to go to tackle those security concerns in Mexico.

We certainly remain hopeful, as we are doing the appropriations and making sure to add resources to help Mexico in the security part, because we have done that in the past, Cuellar said. But again, it doesnt go through governors, it goes through the federal government in Mexico, and then they have to work that out.

Cuellar states that something must be done about the situation, because if not, this could have ripple effects when it comes to trade, the distribution of funds to the country and also in the tourism industry as well.

The massacre in Reynosa, Tamaulipas that left more than a dozen people dead as cartel members shot at random people in the street was also another topic discussed by the leaders. Though Cuellar stopped short of declaring whether he believed that cartel members are terrorists or not, as he stated that there are laws in place to handle such crimes, he did say that this shows how the border is completely controlled by cartel groups operating in the area and that must be fixed.

If you would look at the border that Mexico has with the U.S., a large portion of that is controlled by cartels, no ifs or buts, Cuellar said. So if it is the undocumented people, there is even a fee that the cartel members get from these people to cross. These cartels they will charge $6,000 to $8,000 per person, and they control all these routes where they smuggle people or drugs. And again, since the consumption is on the U.S., then there is a responsibility on the U.S. side.

Garcia stated that his state of Nuevo Leon, which only shares a small border with Texas, is actually one of the safest states in the country and that their security has complete protection for the people in the state.

One of the other major issues discussed was also the reopening of the southern border amid the ongoing restrictions on nonessential travel due to the pandemic.

What the administration continues to not consider essential is essential to us, as 18 million Mexicans come annually to Texas and spend about $19 billion in the state, Cuellar said.

According to Cuellar, he is optimistic that there will soon be a resolution to the matter as a task force has already been created to discuss the matter more thoroughly by the federal government.

jorge.vela@lmtonline.com
WEED, Calif. (AP)  Officers shot and killed a man who pulled a gun as they tried to keep him out of a complex of marijuana farms in an area of far Northern California where thousands of people were ordered to evacuate as a wildfire raged during a heat wave enveloping part of the U.S. West, authorities said.

Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue told The Sacramento Bee that the man was trying to drive into the Mount Shasta Vista subdivision on Monday and pointed a handgun at a group of officers that included a sheriffs deputy and local police.

Based upon preliminary information, it appears that there might have been a couple rounds fired from the suspects firearm, LaRue said.

The officers killed the man, who was not immediately identified.

The subdivision has been converted into a huge network of marijuana farms mostly run by Hmong and Chinese families. The county has banned large-scale marijuana cultivation but thousands of pot greenhouses have sprung up. Police efforts to shut them down have been countered with claims of racial discrimination, and the families are pursuing a federal civil rights lawsuit.

Hmong people fought for the U.S. during the Vietnam War after being recruited by the CIA in Laos to fend off communist forces. After the war, many Hmong refugees moved to Minnesota, Wisconsin and California, where they settled in the Central Valley, given their agricultural background.

In recent years, some Hmong farmers moved north from central California to work in marijuana growing operations.

The violence Monday erupted as the Lava Fire grew rapidly and the sheriff's office issued evacuation orders for the communities of Lake Shastina, Juniper Valley and Mount Shasta Vista. The flames spanned nearly 21 square miles (54 square kilometers) Tuesday.

The total number of people forced to flee the area was unclear. The Sacramento Bee reported that nearly 3,000 people live in Lake Shastina and as many as 8,000 others live in the area to tend to the thousands of marijuana grows.

All evacuation orders are still in place at this time. We do not know what structures have burned down and the status of many areas, the Sheriffs Office said on social media Tuesday.

Ignited by lightning on June 24, the fire is burning brush and timber in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest north of the town of Weed, about 250 miles (402 kilometers) north of San Francisco.

At a town hall meeting on Monday, Todd Mack, fire management officer for Shasta Trinity National Forest, apologized for fire crews leaving a tiny blaze Friday that reignited an hour later and became the Lava Fire.

The expertise on the ground called it contained, Mack said of the quarter-acre blaze. There was no smoke. We patrolled it a couple of times, drove off and we were going to have resources come back."

Shasta Trinity National Forest spokeswoman Adrienne Freeman said crews had dumped thousands of gallons of water on the blaze to drown it and get into all the nooks and crannies" and used their hands to check for heat, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Some 800 firefighters were battling the flames in rough and rocky terrain.

They faced a tougher fight because the region was under excessive-heat warnings, with high temperatures expected to range from 100 degrees (38 Celsius) to 110 degrees (43 Celsius).

It comes as an unprecedented heat wave in the Pacific Northwest broke temperature records in Seattle and Portland, Oregon, this week and moved inland Tuesday. Climate change is making such extreme weather events more likely and more intense.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  A United Nations court on Wednesday convicted two former allies of late Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic of aiding and abetting crimes committed by Serb paramilitaries in a Bosnian town in 1992.

It is the first time that Serbian officials have been convicted by a U.N. court of involvement in crimes in Bosnia.

However, the court said there was not sufficient evidence to convict them of similar crimes committed in other towns and villages in Bosnia and Croatia as the former Yugoslavia violently disintegrated in the early 1990s.

Jovica Stanisic and Franko Simatovic were convicted of aiding and abetting the crimes of murder, deportation, forcible transfer and persecution in the town of Bosanski Samac, and each was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment. The judgment can be appealed.

Stanisic is a former head of Serbias State Security Service, and Simatovic was a senior intelligence operative with the service.

The trial chamber is satisfied that the accused provided practical assistance which had a substantial effect on the commission of the crimes of murder, forcible displacement and persecution committed in Bosanski Samac and were aware that their acts assisted in their commission, Presiding Judge Burton Hall said.

Hall said that Serb forces and paramilitaries took over the town in northern Bosnia in April 1992.

Numerous crimes were committed against the non-Serb population ... including looting, rape and the destruction of religious buildings and cultural monuments, Hall said. Local Bosnian Croats and Muslims were forced into detention centers where they were held in inhumane conditions, tortured and killed, he added.

Stanisic and Simatovic were originally acquitted in 2013 by judges who said prosecutors had failed to prove important elements of their links to the crimes. Appeals judges quashed the not-guilty verdicts in 2015 and ordered the retrial that took place at the U.N. International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals.

The verdicts Wednesday are the final U.N. prosecution in The Hague for crimes committed during the bloody breakup of Yugoslavia.

The court's chief prosecutor, Serge Brammertz, said in a statement that his office would study the judgment and decide whether there are grounds to appeal.

As senior officials in the State Security Service of the Republic of Serbia, Stanisic and Simatovic contributed to the commission of crimes by paramilitary forces and other armed groups in furtherance of ethnic cleansing campaigns against non-Serbs, Brammertz said.

Stanisic's lawyer, Wayne Jordash, said he would appeal.

They found one incident in a municipality, and the evidence of that was weak, he said. And to me it looks like a cynical compromise that we have to find some way to convict him to justify putting a man on trial for 18 years.

Prosecutors had alleged that both defendants were part of a joint criminal enterprise among top Serbian officials to force non-Serbs out of parts of Croatia and Bosnia.

Judges said they were convinced the enterprise existed, and that Stanisic and Simatovic knew about it, but said prosecutors had not proven beyond reasonable doubt that they actually participated.

Munira Subasic, leader of a Bosnian survivors' group called the Mothers of Srebrenica, welcomed the ruling that there was a Serbian plan to drive non-Serbs out of Bosnia.

Serbia is responsible for the war in Bosnia ..., there is no way Serbia can find to absolve itself of that, she said.

Earlier this month, appeals judges at the same court confirmed former Bosnian Serb military chief Ratko Mladic's convictions for his role in atrocities throughout the Bosnian war, and upheld his life sentence.

Natasa Kandic, a prominent Serbian rights activist and the former head of the Humanitarian Law Fund group, described the verdict as very important because it is the last Hague trial and because the accused and sentenced individuals belong to the most important institution in Serbia.

Iva Vukusic, a historian at Utrecht University, said ahead of Wednesday's hearing that the prosecution of Stanisic and Simatovic, who were originally sent to The Hague to face trial in 2003, has taken too long.

I think this case is really showing us that if international justice wants to be a viable solution, this is not the way to run it," she said in a telephone interview. "Its been too long in the making.

Even so, it offered an opportunity to pass the first judgment at an international court on Serbia's role in the wars.

Milosevic was charged in a broader indictment with fomenting crimes in the Balkan wars but he died in his cell in The Hague in 2006 before judges could deliver verdicts.

____

Associated Press writer Jovana Gec in Belgrade, Serbia, contributed.
Apparently, its a Quaker saying that goes something like, A (wo)man has made at least a start on discovering the meaning of human life when she plants shade trees under which she knows full well she will never sit. But what is the saying about the man who chops down the tree that provides shade and shelter already?

Since the 2012 removal of General Tree Protection rules in the Resource Management Act, there have been fears of a great tree massacre across Auckland, resulting in a loss of living, grown heritage, beauty and habitat. Urban Auckland is intensifying and sprawling. Grand old trees that have shaded generations of children on big leafy sites become an impediment to development, or are just considered a nuisance. So, in established areas living landmarks are under the chop.

Colonial cultural values can be reflected in trees, leading to them being both revered or condemned, mostly depending on whether you are coloniser or colonised. So, conflict has occurred over the removal of Moreton Bay figs, and other introduced exotica of grand stature, on Aucklands maunga (mountain) under the co-governance of Maori. Street trees are deformed to maintain power line clearance so the lights are always on, even if our street trees pay the price. Road development and subsequent subdivision in rural zones outside towns like Warkworth causes arboreal collateral damage. Valued trees either have no protection in the Auckland Unitary Plan, or what protection they do have comes secondary to other (human) values  usually money.

On the bright side, more trees are apparently being planted than ever before. Theres the Mayors million tree mission and riparian planting investment in the Mahurangi and the Kaipara. Some rural subdivision requires extensive tree planting as incentive or mitigation. And while that planting brings immediate and long-term water quality and habitat benefit, we still have a national net loss of big old trees.

Mourning and resisting that loss, courageous activists are known to occupy mighty old trees. Sometimes they are kauri, puriri, oak, or just valued Monterey pines. But if the chainsaws are stopped by rules or activists, sometimes poison or ring barking will do the trick instead. Those trying to uphold the public and ecological values of our collective living heritage are sometimes condemned as tree huggers. Its sometimes a clash of public good and conservation-minded values, and conservative, neo-liberal views.

Back in 1720, the Bishnois Hindus of Kherjarli, India, protested the felling of their ancient forests to supply timber for the Maharaj of Jodhpur. The Bishnois spiritual belief recognised the sacredness of all life, including trees. Young Amrita Devi challenged the fellers, embraced a tree and inspired others to join her. Soldiers beheaded 363 protesting villagers. The Maharajah was so disturbed by the massacre he apologised and designated the area a protected area, legislation that is still in place today. Todays tree huggers are in noble company. These days we dont behead the protestors, but we also dont protect the trees.

Christine Rose

christine.rose25@gmail.com


Liam Wooding. Photo, Ruby Shirres.

One of New Zealands leading emerging professional pianists will be welcomed back to Warkworth in July.

Liam Wooding thrilled the audience when he played for Warkworth Music as part of the Morton Trio in 2019.

His next Warkworth concert will feature pieces on the themes of reflection and connection.

Among them will be a new work by Australian composer Stuart Greenbaum, Remote Connection, inspired by the experience of isolation during Covid-19.

In addition, Liam will perform Douglas Lilburns passionate Sonata in F sharp minor, plus works by Beethoven, Debussy, John Adams and Duke Ellington.

He is originally from Whanganui and performing and commissioning New Zealand music is central to his approach.

As a chamber musician, Liam has participated in courses and residencies at the Banff Centre for Arts and Creativity (Canada), Skidmore College (USA) and Four Winds (Australia).

In 2018, he was the recipient of the Pettman/ROSL Chamber Music Scholarship, which enabled him to study and perform in the United Kingdom with The Morton Trio.

He has also featured as a soloist with the Auckland Chamber Orchestra and the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

Liam is a graduate of the Australian National Academy of Music (ANAM) and is currently a doctoral candidate at the University of Waikato, researching New Zealand piano music.

The concert takes place at Warkworth Town Hall on Sunday, July 18, at 4pm. Tickets are $35 at the door, school students free.

Info: www.warkworthmusic.org.nz
Fisheries New Zealand is inviting people to have their say on proposed changes to catch limits for the new fishing year.

The review focuses on 15 fish stocks across the country, with proposals to change their catch limits and allowances.

Once consultation closes, Fisheries New Zealand will analyse the submissions and make recommendations to the Minister for Oceans and Fisheries to make a decision.

Submissions must be received by 5pm on Tuesday, July 27. Info: https://www.mpi.govt.nz/consultations/review-of-sustainability-measures-2021-october-round


The reservoir on Griffin Road in Maungaturoto  currently just a couple of concrete tanks.

Kaipara District Council is undertaking several water infrastructure projects this year, including replacement of Maungaturotos water main pipes as part of a $6 million programme.

The works are able to take place thanks to partial funding from the Governments Three Waters Reform programme. The KDC unlocked those funds when it agreed to a memorandum of understanding to investigate amalgamation of its assets into a centralised body.

This month, one kilometre of damaged water mains on Hurndall Street in Maungaturoto will be replaced, as well as three kilometres of raw water mains that feed the towns water treatment plant.

A water reservoir on Griffin Road with a capacity of 300 cubic metres (300,000 litres) will be replaced. A new water trucking filling station will also be built to ensure that households with water tanks have access to top-ups without having to pay exorbitant prices during summers to water carters from further afield.

The Maungaturoto water supply system services approximately 895 people across 447 connections, as well the Fonterra factory, which draws 1.5 million litres a day.

Other upgrades across the district include pipe replacement in Ruawai and Kaiwaka, and a new wastewater treatment plant in Te Kopuru. For the projects, the KDC applied for $4.69 million from the Three Waters Reform programme.

Kaipara District Mayor Dr Jason Smith says its important for KDC to maintain a seat at the Three Waters Reform table, but has been silent on whether amalgamation is on the cards.

By opting in to the first stage of the Three Waters Reform last year, we remain part of the conversation, and can continue to represent best the interests of Kaipara people.

It has also brought funding for these urgent renewals, bringing real benefits to our communities.

However, neighbouring councils have signalled that, if they have a choice, they are likely to opt out of the programme, meaning the KDC might not have any partners to amalgamate with.

Auckland Mayor Phil Goff does not believe it would be in the citys best interest to take on the balance sheets of northern district councils.

Council is not convinced that amalgamation would improve the efficiency and effectiveness of

Watercares operation, but would likely require cross-subsidisation by Auckland water ratepayers of regions it was amalgamated with, Mr Goff says.

It would also risk taking Watercares focus off addressing critical issues around water supply and wastewater in Auckland to tackle inadequate infrastructure in regions beyond Auckland.

The Whangarei District Council is also reported to intend to opt out of the reform, due to a lack of communication from government.

Local Government Minister Nanaia Mahuta has said that councils will soon be provided with further information about what reforms will mean for their assets and balance sheets.

She says government-commissioned reports show that between $120bn and $185bn will be needed over the next 30 years to ensure that drinking water is up to standard.

She says that without amalgamation, household water bills could reach $13,900 a year, but reforms could bring that figure down to between $800 and $1800, or $66 to $150 a month.


Warkworth cancer sufferer Bridgit Gay found the Look Good Feel Better classes transformed her outlook.

A campaign that challenges Kiwis to give up alcohol for a month to raise funds for people affected by cancer returns this July.

Dry July supports cancer charities Look Good Feel Better, Prostrate Cancer Foundation NZ, Bowel Cancer NZ and PINC & STEEL.

Look Good Feel Better offers free classes to teach tips and tricks to disguise the visible effects of cancer as well as instill confidence.

Among those to benefit from Look Good Feel Better is Warkworth mother of two Bridgit Gay.

Last year, while much of the country was in lockdown, Gay was in hospital having surgery followed by chemotherapy.

The ravaging side effects meant further hospitalisation, and lockdown restrictions meant nobody was allowed to visit her.

Chemotherapy was really, really gruelling and I ended up back in hospital four times. Life was like I woke up in a bad dream and that bad dream didnt go away, Gay says.

Bridgit found Look Good Feel Good on the internet and thought it would be nice to have something nice to do as an antidote to the unpleasant cancer treatments.

She says she had given up taking any interest in her appearance following her cancer diagnosis and had abandoned using makeup.

Looking at your face in the mirror you feel you look sick, you feel sick and you dont have the energy, she says.

But Bridgit changed her mind after attending classes.

At the class I was looking at the woman opposite me. She had no hair and then all of a sudden she had a bit of makeup on and her eyes looked incredible. She just lit up. She was feeling good and I felt that way too, Gay says.

Ever since that class I have been putting makeup on. It just makes me feel a whole lot better about myself again.

To sign up for Dry July, sponsor a friend or join as a team, visit www.dryjuly.co.nz.
A number of Hibiscus Coast residents were surprised to receive a letter from Auckland Council recently, indicating that helicopters would be looking for wallabies in the area.

The aerial survey, which included parts of Orewa, Wainui and Puhoi, was carried out June 7-19.

Councils head of natural environment delivery, Phil Brown, says it was in response to four possible wallaby sightings over the past five years in the region.

While we doubt wallabies are actually present, we are obliged to ensure they havent been released into the area, Mr Brown says. It is more cost effective to prevent a pest from establishing than to have to control them later.

Aerial surveys use thermal imaging, allowing large areas to be covered quickly and more cost effectively than by foot. The work cost around $9000, which is part-funded from the environmental targeted rate.

No wallabies were sighted this time, but Mr Brown says further surveys in areas not already covered are possible.

Wallabies were introduced to NZ in the late 1800s, mainly for sport and the value of their skin. They have become a significant pest and damage native plants, according to the Ministry of Primary Industries. Most are found in the wider Rotorua Lakes area and in South Canterbury, but they have also spread into neighbouring areas.
The first Pasifika school festival, or Fiafia, to be hosted on the Hibiscus Coast turned Whangaparaoa Colleges auditorium into a little piece of the Pacific Islands on Friday, June 18.

The event involved performances by students of Whangaparaoa College, Whangaparaoa Primary, Stanmore Bay School and Gulf Harbour School and was organised by Hibiscus Tuakana.

Dances from Samoa, Tonga, the Cook Islands and Niue were included, showcasing what the young people had learned from Hibiscus Tuakana through the year. Spokesperson Marina Vaha says she hopes the event will now be held annually. More photos, www.localmatters.co.nz
The beginning of the school year when you got to show off your new duds, new cars, new looks!

Sports! Playing, cheering, watching high school athletics.

The arts: Dramatic arts, musical groups and shows, graphic arts groups, debate, etc.

The prom! No dancing the night away or punch bowl antics.

The daily interactions. Just being with the group, hanging with friends and classmates.

Access to college recruiters and advisors  its harder to line up higher education.

Walking onstage to get a diploma while all the family is watching with everyone elses family.

Vote

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A motor racing enthusiast who was convicted of dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm after he left a man with "catastrophic brain injuries" has lost an appeal against the severity of his five-year jail sentence.

The Court of Appeal found that the sentence imposed on Aaron Cassidy was "generous" and that his appeal was "utterly lacking in merit" and "bordering on unstatable".

Delivering the judgement today (Tuesday, June 29), president of the Court of Appeal Mr Justice George Birmingham said the sentence imposed was "a very lenient one" and he and the other two judges of the three-judge court would have been more severe.

He decided, however, not to increase the sentence because it fell within the available range for the offence. Cassidy decided to go ahead with his appeal even though his lawyers advised him that the court could increase his sentence.



Aaron Cassidy of Cranleymore, Edgeworthstown, Co Longford was jailed by Longford Circuit Criminal Court in June 2020 for dangerous driving causing serious bodily harm to a pedestrian, Stephen Roche, on Main Street, Edgeworthstown on September 10, 2017.

Cassidy was also disqualified from driving for 10 years. Mr Justice Birmingham said the disqualification was reasonable given that it is "beyond doubt he is not a fit person to hold a driving licence."



The 29-year-old welder and motor racing enthusiast also pleaded guilty to a charge of failing to report an accident to gardai after he fled the scene and abandoned his van, which was never subsequently found, in a bog.

At one stage, he claimed he had sold it to a Nigerian male but later admitted that was a lie.

Mr Justice Birmingham, having heard of the life changing injuries suffered by Mr Roche, said the sentencing judge was "entirely correct to place the offence near the highest end of the spectrum."

Having set a headline sentence of eight years and six months, Justice Birmingham noted that the judge had reduced that to six years after considering mitigating factors and then further suspended a period of 12 months. This was "generous", he said. "and could not in any circumstances be considered anything other than lenient."

Counsel for Cassidy, Kevin Fogarty SC, had previously argued that the appellant was not driving fast at the time of the collision with a forensic report estimating the vehicle was travelling at 14 km/h at the time.

Although the sentencing judge, Judge Keenan Johnson, had treated the fact that Cassidy had travelled to Britain shortly after the incident as another aggravating factor, Mr Forgarty said there was no evidence that he was trying to evade arrest or that he knew he was wanted for questioning by gardai.

Mr Fogarty said Cassidy returned to Ireland as soon as he became aware that he was being sought by gardai.

Opposing the appeal, counsel for the DPP, Shane Geraghty BL, said the gravity of the offence should be measured by the harm done which was significant in the case.

The court heard that Cassidys victim, a married father of two, had suffered catastrophic brain injuries and had lost his job as a result of disabilities resulting from the incident.

Mr Geraghty said Mr Roche suffered ongoing health problems including dizziness, blurred vision as well as difficulties with reading and writing.

He said the victim also had shakes in his hand and pains in his leg while he would be on anti-epilepsy medicine for the rest of his life.

Mr Geraghty described what happened as a very serious offence which had required life-saving intervention.

Cassidy had been heavily under the influence of alcohol at the time of the incident and had also taken cocaine.

He drove his Ford Transit van in a circle around Mr Roche and another man and on the second circle, he drove at Mr Roche without braking or changing direction and knocked him over.

Mr Geraghty said Cassidys behaviour was deplorable as there was evidence he had accelerated at the time of the collision and it was irrelevant whether he was doing five or 50 miles per hour.

The DPP argued the sentencing judge had exercised his discretion reasonably and the sentence was not unduly severe in the circumstances,

The president of the Court of Appeal, Mr Justice George Birmingham, presiding with Ms Justice Isobel Kennedy and Mr Justice Patrick McCarthy, observed that Mr Roche had been in a coma for 16 days and the reaction of the appellant was to claim the victim had exaggerated his injuries.

Mr Justice Birmingham remarked that the reduction from the headline sentence of eight and a half years to six years appeared generous.

CCTV footage of the incident, which had been captured on camera, was not available to be shown in court due to technical problems.

Mr Fogarty claimed it would have shown that the van was not driven directly at the victim but was deliberately designed to go close but not to actually come in contact with Mr Roche.

At the start of the hearing, Mr Fogarty said his client had issued clear instructions to go ahead with his appeal, although he had been advised explicitly that the Court of Appeal could also increase his term of imprisonment.

Caravan stolen outside Elphin house believed to be en route to Longford A campervan owner has issued a public appeal after her caravan was allegedly stolen from outside her house during the early hours of this morning.
Two businesses in Longford will receive funding from the Online Retail Scheme which will help local retailers online sales at home and abroad.

Minister of State for Business, Employment and Retail Damien English today announced the successful applicants approved for funding through the third call of the Covid-19 Online Retail Scheme, which is administered by Enterprise Ireland.

Nationally, 133 retailers have been approved 5 million in funding as part of the scheme, which is targeted at retailers who already have an online presence to strengthen their online offering and enable them to reach a wider customer base.

The two businesses in Longford that have been awarded funding are Spirit Clothing and Aine's Boutique.

Longford Senator Micheal Carrigy said, Im delighted to see two businesses in Longford today receive funding from the Online Retail Scheme which has been instrumental in enabling many local businesses to pivot their offerings online over the past year and a half.

Covid has had a devastating impact on retailers in Longford who had to close as restrictions were implemented, but this funding will continue to support businesses in establishing a strong online presence so that theyre now better equipped to take advantage of evolving market opportunities.

Its also brilliant to see such strong demand for this scheme, given its previous success. The third round of the scheme received 292 applications from right across the country. 68% of the successful applicants are located outside Dublin with 90 retailers from these regions approved for funding.

Under this Covid-19 competitive call, the successful applicants will receive funding ranging from 14,080 to 40,000 to strengthen their online offering. The average grant value is 37,500 and covers up to 80% of project costs.

This financial support will assist Longford businesses to transition and evolve as they trade through the impact of the pandemic. I look forward to seeing more and more businesses reopen as we emerge from the pandemic, but its also brilliant that we can now support an ever-increasing range of Longford businesses online.

Speaking following the announcement, Minister English said: We know that consumers are keen to support their local retailers when shopping instore and online, and these grants will help businesses to really maximise the opportunities in the ecommerce market. Of course, this market is not limited by geography and we know that ambitious Irish businesses with strong online resources also have their eyes on selling to customers right across the globe.
A man charged with aggravated burglary and assault has been remanded in custody following a special sitting of Longford District Court late on Thursday night, June 24.

William Stokes (27) of Ballynagoshen, Edgeworths- town, Co Longford, was arrested shortly after 1pm on Thursday afternoon on suspicion of aggravated burglary.

At last Thursday nights court sitting, Gda Brendan Lynn told Judge Kevin Kilrane that gardai would be objecting to bail under OCallaghan rules, citing the seriousness of the charges as reason for the objection.

Giving his evidence, Gda Lynn explained that, on the night of April 30, 2021, into May 1, 2021, at approximately midnight, Mr Stokes allegedly entered the home of a woman in the Mostrim Oaks housing estate.

The woman, who is known to Mr Stokes allegedly let him into her home and a conversation took place.

He then grabbed her around the waist, said Gda Lynn, she retreated to the sitting room but he followed her, grabbed her upper arm and attempted to kiss her.

He followed her into the kitchen, grabbed her arm and turned her around. He grabbed her face and squeezed her cheeks and tried to kiss her again, said Gda Lynn, adding that the woman had made it clear these advances were not wanted.

The woman managed to get away and ran upstairs to try and lock herself in the bedroom, the court heard, but she tripped and fell and landed on the bottom step.

It is alleged Mr Stokes stood over her and made comments on her size and how easily she can be grabbed. He then left the house.

In support of that charge, (the injured party) took photographs of the bruising he caused. Her first disclosure regarding the assault was photographs forwarded to her friend who gave a statement, said Gda Lynn.

He went on to give evidence of a second incident, which allegedly took place on June 10, 2021.

He was seen in Mostrim Oaks by a witness who alleged she saw a vehicle leaving the estate, he explained.

The court heard that Christopher Stokes had alleged he was travelling towards Longford when he saw a vehicle flashing its headlights behind him. He pulled in and stopped at Fallons Hardware on the Dublin Road and got out of his vehicle.

William Stokes allegedly pulled in behind him and exited his vehicle. Christopher Stokes alleges that, as he was approaching, the accused sprayed him with a noxious liquid into the face, causing a burning sensation.

That alleged assault, the court heard, took place at 7.45pm, and at around 8pm, it is alleged William Stokes returned to the womans home in Mostrim Oaks.

She opened the door after hearing a knock and Mr Stokes grabbed her neck and pushed her against the wall in the hallway and then pushed her onto the stairs, said Gda Lynn adding that Mr Stokes allegedly abused the injured party verbally and accused her of being involved with Christopher Stokes.

He left the house and returned with a metal pole. He held it over her head and held her up by her hair and continued to (verbally) abuse her, said Gda Lynn.

Her children aged one, three, four and five years old saw all of this occur. The one year old was pushing Mr Stokes leg and the three year old was asking him to leave mammy alone.

He left the house and a neighbour who heard the shouting and roaring looked out the window and saw Mr Stokes with a metal bar.

Turning to the bail application, Gda Lynn explained that gardai would be objecting due to concerns for the injured party.

It is my strong opinion that if Mr Stokes is granted bail, he will interfere with the witnesses in this case. Theyre personally known to him, he said.

It is alleged that after he left the house, he returned and warned her not to go to the gardai, so he is capable of issuing threats. I do believe he will interfere with the witnesses.

Solicitor for the defence, Fiona Baxter, put it to Gda Lynn that her client resides with his wife in Edgeworthstown and that he has four children from a previous relationship and is therefore deeply rooted in the community.

I accept he has ties to Edgeworthstown, yes, said Gda Lynn.

Ms Baxter explained that the injured party had been the partner of Mr Stokes brother who had passed away and that following on from his death, Mr Stokes has offered support and been a frequent visitor.

Gda Lynn said he accepted that Mr Stokes was a frequent visitor, but not that he offered support. He also accepted there was no medical evidence from either incident or DPP directions before the court, and that the injured party was not before the court.

Were now two weeks on from the incident. Have there been any issues reported between the families? Ms Baxter asked.

No, said Gda Lynn.

Ms Baxter then asked if a cash lodgement and a promise to stay away from Edgeworthstown would ease the concerns of gardai.

The concern is the injured party is extremely fearful that there may be repercussions to the fact that she gave a statement to gardai, Gda Lynn replied.

Giving evidence of the assault on Christopher Stokes, Gda David Buckley explained that gardai were called to the scene of an alleged assault on June 10 at Fallons Hardware. They attended the scene but nobody was there. They were then called to a house in Springlawn where Christopher Stokes lives.

On arrival, I observed Christopher Stokes with severe pain to his eyes. He was washing his eyes, said Gda Buckley.

He informed me that he was assaulted by William Stokes with pepper spray. In my experience of pepper spray, it looked like thats what it was.

The following night, he gave a statement to myself. He also attended Midoc that evening and I have consent forms for medical reports.

In her cross examination of the witness, Ms Baxter put it to Gda Buckley that Christopher Stokes continued to drive after the incident, which Gda Buckley accepted. She also noted that there were no independent witnesses or CCTV footage, which Gda Buckley also accepted.

He also accepted the fact that there were no further issues in the two weeks since the incident, that there were no DPP directions yet and no medical evidence before the court as of last week.

Inspector Dave Jordan, in response to Ms Baxters second mention of the two weeks that had passed since the latest offence, reminded court, the first incident took place on April 30. The next incident was six weeks later. It doesnt have to be two weeks.

Mr Stokes, taking to the witness box, explained that he lives with his wife and promised Judge Kilrane that he wont come back before you with any breach of bail.

Led by Ms Baxter, he promised the court he would not contact the witnesses, that he would obey a strict curfew if bail was granted, that he would stay out of Edgeworthstown, lodge a cash sum for bail, and turn up to court sittings.

Judge Kilrane explained that, if the case were solely about the assault on Christopher Stokes, he would grant bail. But the female victim lives alone with her children, he noted, before acknowledging the question raised by Ms Baxter regarding a lack of witnesses.

Because there are no witnesses the objection to bail is more potent, said Judge Kilrane.

The evidence depends completely on (the womans) evidence and were her evidence to collapse by way of interference, there could be no case. She is a key witness and deserves all the protection the court can afford. Why was he a regular caller and why was his support conditional?

She clearly is highly vulnerable, living alone with her children, and these allegations are extremely serious. She was assaulted but she was threatened not to report it to the gardai.

I have no doubt she is in serious fear and dread of the defendent and the fact that he issued a warning not to go to the gardai indicates that he will contact her directly or indirectly.

The fact that it is alleged Christopher Stokes had a relationship with the woman, and was assaulted as a result, strengthens the case that he wanted her to himself, Judge Kilrane continued.

He saw her in a vulnerable situation and had a view of what his future with her could be.

I believe he is not a flight risk. But I believe he would interfere with the witness. I also believe he would commit further offences such as entering the house for the purpose of assaulting her, or getting others to do so.

In those circumstances, Im refusing bail, he concluded, remanding Mr Stokes in custody to July 1, 2021, by video link in Mullingar District Court for DPP directions.
Lanesboros Ciaran Mullooly hung up his reporters notebook and the RTE mic on Sunday when he worked his last day as Midlands Correspondent for the national broadcaster.

As revealed on the front page of last weeks Longford Leader, Ciaran has called time on a 36 year media career, which began in the Longford Leader in 1985 when the late Eugene McGee took him on as a junior reporter.

Its a long time since I walked into the Longford Leader, Ciaran told the Longford Leader last week.

I remember I got a lift with my cousin to the Athlone Road and I walked to the Longford Leader on the first day and went into the newsroom. Its definitely a nostalgic week for me.

Ciaran moved to RTEs Ear to the Ground in 1993, before becoming Midlands Correspondent in 1995. Since then, there have been a number of Longford journalists who have followed in his footsteps.

Its time for me to move on but theres a lot of young blood in RTE from Longford as well, he said, referring to Fran McNulty, Sinead Hussey, Fintan Duffy and Conor Barrins.

Im leaving behind great representatives of the blue and gold in Donnybrook. My work is done. We have a Longford Mafia in Dublin.

Im quite proud that so many people have followed my own footsteps and gone into RTE from Longford.

Ciaran is looking forward to a new venture serving the community he loves so well in Lanesboro and Ballyleague and is thrilled to have more time to concentrate on that.

I always wanted to get more time to concentrate on that. Im still relatively young and now Ive got the opportunity to concentrate on the next chapter of my life, he said.

Its the end of an era but Ive done a lot of thinking about it. I do intend to continue writing. And Im studying a Masters in Tourism at the moment.

Im looking forward to spending more time with my wife, Angela, and my two boys, Bryan and Eoghan. Ive been driving all over the midlands. Now Im looking forward to spending more time on the majestic River Shannon.
A man who slashed his partners face with a large kitchen knife following a row in a public park has had his sentencing adjourned until November.

Eddie Johnson (40) of no fixed abode, pleaded guilty at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court to intentionally or recklessly causing serious harm to the woman in Wolfe Tone Park in Dublin on April 28, 2020.

Johnson has 223 previous convictions for offences including assault, criminal damage, public order, drugs, failure to appear, possession of knives, burglary, theft, handling stolen property, robbery and violent disorder.

The woman has since died, unrelated to the assault and no victim impact statement was prepared for the case.

Detective Garda PJ Gallagher told Monika Leech BL, prosecuting, that gardai were alerted to the attack by a witness who spotted the couple arguing from his apartment which overlooked the park.

The same person had also videoed the incident on his phone which he later provided to gardai. That footage was played to the court during the sentence hearing.

The witness later told gardai his attention was drawn to the park when he heard two people shouting. He saw a man and a woman arguing. The woman walked away but continued to shout at the man who then followed her to the bench she was sitting on.

The witness noticed that man had a long kitchen type knife with him before he saw him hold it in a position to stab and then make a slashing motion against the womans face. She put up her arm to the front of her face and the witness could hear her wailing and crying.

The woman later told gardai that she had been in an on and off relationship with Johnson for a number of years. They had been drinking together earlier in the city centre when they were moved on by gardai.

She said they had been sitting in the park when a man approached Johnson and handed him two knives. The woman told gardai she tried to take the knives off him but he said his DNA would be on them.

She said she told Johnson Go on slit my throat. I know you want to before they began arguing.

She recalled Johnson jumping up and pulling the knife out before he sliced me across the face, forehead and eye. She said it happened so quickly and she could see Johnson realised how bad it was and what he had done before he ran off.

Det Gda Gallagher confirmed that the woman was left with a 12cm wound on her forehead and an additional 5cm wound under her right eye. The cuts were deep but there was no injury to her eye. She needed 17 stitches on her forehead and three on her cheek. Medical professionals concluded the woman would be left with significant scarring.

Det Gda Gallagher said a search was conducted in the surrounding area immediately following the attack and Johnson was found on the nearby Rosie Hackett Bridge.

He was wearing the same clothing as the man in the footage. Two large kitchen knives, one of which was blood stained, were discovered in a blue bag that had been placed in a nearby flower box.

Det Gda Gallagher agreed with Fiona Murphy SC, defending, that both Johnson and the woman had gone through periods of homelessness and were addicted to alcohol and drugs.

Ms Murphy said her client was fully remorseful and ashamed and grieves deeply for the woman.

He fully recognises the abhorrence of his reaction to a row, Ms Murphy said before she asked Judge Melanie Greally to accept that her client was under the influence of alcohol and has a very limited violent offending in his history.

She said he was exposed to criminality and drug use at a very young age and began experimenting with drugs in his early teens. His life has been blighted by addiction, Ms Murphy continued.

Counsel said her clients parents both had substance abuse issues and his father spent time in prison.

She said Johnson feels significant guilt that he was not there with her (the victim) in her final hours. He had written a letter to her apologising for the attack and had also written a letter to the court.

Judge Greally remanded Johnson in continuing custody until November 2, next for sentence. She ordered a report from the Probation Service for that date.
Community, Charity & Cause

By Chris Boyle Published: June 30 2021

Congratulations to Kaitlyn Pineiro for winning the 2020 Be Pool Smart Poster Contest, said Legislator Anker.

At a recent general meeting of the Suffolk County Legislature, Legislator Sarah Anker congratulated Kaitlyn Pineiro, a now 7th grade student at the Longwood School District, for winning the Suffolk County 2020 Be Pool Smart Poster Contest. Kaitlyns poster will be featured on the front page of the 2021 Suffolk County Health Services Departments Pool Safety and Drowning Prevention brochure alongside this years 2021 poster contest winner, Anndrea Pumay, a 3rd grade student at JFK Elementary School. Legislator Anker also congratulated Layla Trapani, a Coram Elementary School 3rd grade student, who won second place in the 2021 Be Pool Smart Poster Contest.

Congratulations to Kaitlyn Pineiro for winning the 2020 Be Pool Smart Poster Contest, said Legislator Anker. Congratulations also to Layla Trapani for getting second place in this years poster contest. Kaitlyn and Layla both created beautifully artistic and informative posters to raise awareness about the importance of pool safety in Suffolk County. Thank you to all the students who participated in this years and last years poster contest. I always look forward to seeing all the creativity and talent that comes from our local schools.

Each year, as established in Introductory Resolution 1825-2007, the Suffolk County Legislature hosts the Be Pool Smart poster contest educational campaign to promote pool safety, help inform students and residents about ways to safely enjoy pools while preventing incidences of drowning. Students from across the county are asked to participate by creating a poster with relevant pool safety tips. One students work is selected to be featured on the front page of the Suffolk County Health Services Departments Pool Safety and Drowning Prevention brochure. For more information, please contact Legislator Ankers office at (631) 854-1600.
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Saga PLC - Folkestone, Kent-based holiday and insurance provider to over 50s - Receives valid tenders for GBP173.5 million of its 3.375% 2024 notes. Notes GBP150 million of the 2024 notes will remain outstanding. Last Friday, offered new GBP250 million 5.5% guaranteed unsecured bonds due 2026. Saga said the bonds will be guaranteed by Saga Services Ltd and Saga Mid Co Ltd. The bonds will be issued at par and interest will be paid semi-annually in arrears. The proceeds of the offering will be used by Saga to repay in full its existing GBP70 million term loan, to fund the settlement of a concurrent tender offer for up to GBP100 million of its existing outstanding unsecured bonds, and for general corporate purposes.

Current stock price: 401.60 pence, down 1.4% on Wednesday

Year-to-date change: up 59%

By Paul McGowan; paulmcgowan@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Wynnstay Group PLC - Powys, Wales-based supplier to livestock and arable farmers - Reports record pretax profit of GBP5.4 million for the six months that ended April 30, up 25% from GBP4.3 million a year before. Revenue rises 8.9% to GBP249.7 million from GBP229.3 million. Proposes interim dividend of 5.00 pence, up 8.7% from 4.60p in 2020.

Says robust results followed a return of confidence in the agricultural sector, assisted by stronger farmgate prices and greater clarity after the completion of the EU settlement related to Brexit and introduction of the UK Agriculture Bill.

Chief Executive Gareth Davies says: "Prospects for the second half of the financial year are very encouraging, with farmgate prices firm and a good harvest expected. We will continue to invest in the business to increase the group's manufacturing capacity and improve production efficiencies, and will look for further complementary acquisitions. With our strong balance sheet and good cash flows, we view the future with confidence."

Current stock price: 495.20p, up 7.7% on Wednesday morning

Year-to-date change: up 47%

By Scarlett Butler; scarlettbutler@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - Cannabidiol consumer goods firm South West Brands PLC on Wednesday said it plans to float on London's Main Market, targetting admission in July.

The company, which develops, licences, and markets CBD brands to consumer markets in the UK, hailed the move as a "key moment" in the CBD industry.

"Our listing on the London Stock Exchange will enable South West Brands to access the new pool of cannabis investors that has grown in London following the successful admission of a number of cannabis companies in 2021. The admission will allow the group to advance to the next stages of its growth plans, and build a suite of strong brands that not only utilise CBD, but drive consumer engagement and product sell-through, something which has been missing in the industry thus far," Chief Executive Rebekah Hall said.

South West is in talks with clients of Arden Partners for an equity raise, conditional on Main Market admission.

The company added: "The group will use the proceeds of the fundraise following the admission to continue to develop its existing portfolio of brand IP and pursue its strategy of adding brand IP assets to the portfolio over the course of the first 24 months following admission.

"The company is in an exceptional position to capitalise on the current window of opportunity presented by the recent lifting of restrictions and regulatory progress in the CBD industry in the UK."

South West has spotted "key areas" which have an unmet need in the CBD industry. These include drinks, sport, menopausal care, menstrual cycle car and men's holistic wellness.

The company, which has an all-female leadership team, is targeting admission in July.

By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - Saietta Group PLC plans to raise GBP37.5 million in its float on London's junior AIM market, a regulatory filing on Wednesday said.

The Oxfordshire-based electric motor developer is anticipating a GBP102.1 million market capitalisation on admission. It expects to list on July 7.

It first announced plans to float earlier in June. Saietta, founded in 2008, said its motors are intended to enable "mass market electrification of the global motorbike and lightweight vehicle market."

Canaccord Genuity is both its broker and nominated adviser.

By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
(Alliance News) - A deal to hold off a post-Brexit ban on sausages and other chilled meats moving from Great Britain to Northern Ireland is expected to be announced at the eleventh-hour.

The UK and the EU are set to announce an extension to a grace period allowing their movement across the Irish Sea on Wednesday a hours before a ban would come into force.

Brussels' post-Brexit negotiator Maros Sefcovic is scheduled to address the media on Wednesday afternoon, while the UK is expected to issue a statement.

Downing Street anticipated that a deal to avoid a ban on sausage shipments, which would come into place on Thursday without action, would be reached "on terms which are acceptable to the UK".

The UK Government had threatened to unilaterally extend the grace period, something which would have triggered retaliatory action from the EU in the trade conflict dubbed the "sausage war".

A prohibition on chilled meats is one element of Brexit's contentious Northern Ireland Protocol, which has created a series of economic barriers on Irish Sea trade.

The protocol is aimed at avoiding a hard border with Ireland by effectively keeping Northern Ireland in the EU's single market for goods.

Shipments of chilled meats from third countries into the single market are banned a a prohibition which will cover the rest of the UK unless a lasting solution is found.

Sefcovic, a European Commission vice-president, told a Northern Ireland Assembly committee on Monday that he was confident an extension would be granted "that will address both sides' needs and concerns".

He said an "obvious" way to remove new Irish Sea trade checks and restrictions on a longer term basis would be for the UK to strike a deal on animal and plant standards that would see London align with Brussels' agri-food regulations.

source: PA

Copyright 2021 Alliance News Limited. All Rights Reserved.
Today

Partly cloudy early with thunderstorms becoming likely during the afternoon. High 88F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms. Low 74F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 50%.

Tomorrow

Scattered thunderstorms. High 84F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.
Man pleads guilty to arson

at Metro Courthouse

A Tennessee man pleaded guilty Tuesday to federal arson charges in connection with damage to the Metro Courthouse that followed protests last year in Nashville.

Wesley Somers, 26, of Hendersonville, entered his plea in U.S. District Court and faces five to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced Dec. 1, the U.S. attorneys office said.

Several people gathered at Nashville City Hall, also known as the Metro Courthouse, on May 30, 2020, after protests following the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis. The gathering at the courthouse resulted in people smashing windows and spraying graffiti, and a fire or fires were set inside the courthouse, the prosecutors office said in a news release.

Somers was shown in video clips and photos from the event, and Nashville police identified him after receiving tips from citizens, the prosecutors office said.  Associated Press

Missing infant found safe;

search continues for father

MEMPHIS  An infant who had been the subject of an Amber Alert in Tennessee has been found, authorities said Tuesday afternoon.

A tweet from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said 7-month-old Braylen Hunter Clark was safe, but the search continued for his noncustodial father, Barry Medlock.

Medlock, 26, is wanted on a charge of second-degree murder, the Memphis Police Department said.

Memphis police say officers began investigating when a woman was dropped off dead at a hospital Sunday and authorities learned she had an infant son who was missing. The boy had been last seen with Medlock on Sunday afternoon, and officials issued an Amber Alert late Monday.

 Associated Press

Marshals: 2nd of 3 teen

escapees captured in Tennessee

MEMPHIS  The second of three teenagers who escaped from a Tennessee detention center was captured Tuesday, the U.S. Marshals Service said.

The 17-year-old was arrested in Chattanooga. He escaped with the other two juveniles on June 23 from Wilder Youth Development Center in Somerville, where he was being held on a homicide charge, the Marshals Service said.

Another teen was caught June 24. He was being held on four charges of aggravated robbery.

Anyone with information about the whereabouts of the last juvenile can report it at (901) 590-6782.

 Associated Press
Greece has recovered works of art by Pablo Picasso and Piet Mondrian, stolen from its National Gallery in 2012, authorities said on Tuesday.

Thieves broke into the gallery and snatched Picasso's 1939 painting "Woman's Head", donated by the Spanish artist in 1949, and Dutch painter Mondrian's "Mill" dated 1905.

To mislead the guard, the thieves had activated the gallery's alarm system several times before breaking into the building early in the morning. The guard turned off the alarm only to spot one of the thieves through the motion detector.

On Monday, authorities arrested a 49-year-old Greek man who confessed that he had stolen the paintings and led police to a forest outside Athens where he had hidden them, the Citizens' Protection Ministry said on Tuesday.

Footage handed out by police from the site showed one of the paintings sealed in a package under bushes.

The arrested man said a sketch by Italian painter Guglielmo Caccia, donated to the gallery in 1907 and also stolen in 2012, had been destroyed, the ministry said.

The paintings will be exhibited once again in the National Gallery, which opened in March after nine years of renovation work, as part of celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of the Greek War of Independence in Athens.

"In our new gallery, they will find the place they deserve," Citizens' Protection Minister Michalis Chrisochoidis told a joint news conference with Culture Minister Lina Mendoni.

"Picasso dedicated the painting to the Greek people," he said. "There was a Greek man who took it away. There were Greeks who brought it back."

Mendoni said the Picasso painting bore an inscription from the painter to the Greek people for their fight against fascism.

"That is the reason why it was impossible for the painting not only to be sold but also to be exhibited anywhere," she said.
SPAIN UPDATES ENTRY REQUIREMENTS FOR UK RESIDENTS

Entry requirements to include negative PCR test or complete vaccination programme

New entry requirements will take effect from 2nd July (00.00h)

29 June 2021: From 00.00h on 2 July 2021, Spain will require arrivals from the United Kingdom to provide evidence of a negative PCR test or proof of the complete vaccination programme.

Spains Prime Minister, Pedro Sanchez announced this measure in order to protect both residents and visitors, given the rising infection rates in the United Kingdom.

Those who have had the full vaccination programme will need to show a vaccination certificate issued by the competent authorities in the UK (either electronically or in print) at least 14 days from the last vaccination dose. Accepted vaccines include: Pfizer-Biontech, Moderna, Astra-Zeneca, Jansen/Johnson&Johnson, Sinovac y Sinopharm.

The vaccination certificate must include the following information as a minimum:

Name and surname of the holder

Vaccination date, indicating the date of the last dose administered

Type of vaccine administered

Number of doses administered / full programme

Issuing country

Identification of the issuing body of the vaccination certificate

The diagnostic certificate must illustrate a negative PCR (NAAT type), test result taken within 48 hours of arrival into Spain. Antigen tests will not be accepted.

Children under 12 years old are exempt from the requirement to present a negative PCR or vaccination certificate when travelling with an adult.

Prior to travelling to Spain, all passengers must also present a QR code which is obtained from filling in the Health Control Form (FCS in Spanish) available via Spain Travel Health (SpTH).

This new legislation is for UK residents prior to their arrival to the whole of Spain, including the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands, but its also important to remember that whilst most of Spain remains on the UKs amber list for international travel, the Balearic Islands have been added to the green list meaning that visitors arriving to the UK from the Balearic Islands from 04:00 on 30 June will not need to quarantine.

Despite this change in entry requirements, Spain has reinforced the value of its UK visitors and stressed that British guests remain welcome.

For more information on the travel requirements in Spain, please visit https://travelsafe.spain.info/en/.

-
Manchester Police are looking for Daniel Flint, who was last seen on Depot Street near the Econo Lodge on June 17. Police want to hear from you if you have seen Flint or know of his whereabouts.
The following editorial was published in the New York Daily News:

(TNS) The Supreme Court got it right when, in an 8-1 ruling Wednesday, it held that Pennsylvania cheerleader Brandi Levy couldnt be suspended from the team for blurting on Snapchat f--- cheer after she didnt make varsity. Overriding lower courts, the top bench vindicated the rights of students everywhere to be able to express themselves off school grounds and outside school hours.

Public schools can certainly regulate on-campus student (or teacher) speech when it meaningfully disrupts learning  but there should be an especially high bar for administrators using the long arm of a disciplinary code to sanction kids who pop off on social media or otherwise when ostensibly under parental supervision. Students, after all, are first and foremost Americans with First Amendment freedoms, which if they mean anything must be honored even when inconvenient to others.

Here in New York, we hope the ruling reaffirms the importance of free expression on and off school grounds, including student journalism thats allowed to ask tough questions and challenge authority. That might be a high-minded aspiration given that this decision centered on a low vulgarity, but its actually closely related.

And if students have a constitutionally protected right to express themselves in ways adults might dislike, those adults have a parallel right not to stack the deck for or against particular types of speech, particularly on controversial topics. Unfortunately, the citys Department of Education has been doing just that for years now.

In 2018, Mayor de Blasio and his schools chancellor encouraged students to attend a gun-safety march. In 2019, they gave students formal permission, in the form of excused absences, to skip school to attend a climate strike.

Unless they start giving floating days off for speech of students choice  including to attend protests for conservative causes  rewarding favored off-campus expression is classic viewpoint discrimination, just as disrespectful to students First Amendment rights as the attempt to mete out punishment to a kid who spouted the f-word.
Lionel Messi will, on paper at least, not be a Barcelona player from midnight on June 30, as the Argentine has not yet reached an agreement with the club over a new contract.

Ever since Joan Laporta returned as Barcelona president in March, it has been his No.1 goal to get Messi to put pen to paper on a new deal, but the Catalan club's all-time record goalscorer has not done so just yet.

Messi wanted to leave last summer

It is worth remembering that Messi was ready to leave Barcelona last summer, with the 34-year-old handing in a transfer request to then-president Josep Maria Bartomeu via a burofax, yet the Blaugrana were not willing to let him go and instead pointed any interested clubs to his 700 million euro release clause.

Laporta was aware that he needed to try and fix the situation, so throughout his election campaign he made clear that Messi had confidence in him because he had stayed true to his word with the Argentine during his first spell in office.

However, four months have now passed since Laporta became Barcelona president and there is no agreement between the club and Messi's camp.

Laporta has a very good relationship with Messi and his father, who he speaks to frequently, but when it has come to reaching an agreement there are still a few issues that are unresolved.

These slight differences could be addressed in the next couple of days, or it could take a bit longer, but Laporta is clear that he wants an agreement to be reached imminently in order to avoid seeing Messi become a free agent, even if it just for a matter of days.

There is another important reason why Laporta is keen to ensure that Messi does not take long to agree a new deal at the Camp Nou: sponsorship contracts.

There are several companies that invest a lot of money into Barcelona due to the fact that Messi, one of the world's most recognisable athletes, is there.

Without him at the club, the amount of money that Barcelona could bring in would be significantly affected. Given the club's financial woes, this would be a severe blow.

It is possible that Laporta will try to go all out in order to reach an agreement with Messi's camp before midnight tonight (June 30), but sources close to the negotiations note that not all of the remaining issues can be resolved in a few hours, unless one of the parties gives in on all their demands.

In the meantime, Messi is representing Argentina at the Copa America in Brazil.
England have become favourites to reach the Euro 2020 final after beating Germany 2-0 at Wembley Stadium thanks to goals from Raheem Sterling and Harry Kane.

In the quarter-finals, England will face Ukraine, who beat Sweden with a last-gasp goal in extra time. They will meet in Rome on July 3 at 21:00 CEST.

Next stop: Saint Petersburg. Spain, after their 5-3 extra-time victory against Croatia in the last 16, will travel to Russia for the quarter-finals, where they will face Switzerland on July 2.

Three of the four quarter-final ties have already been decided. Belgium and Italy will meet on July 2 at 21:00 CEST in Munich, while the Czech Republic and Denmark will meet on July 3 at 18:00 CEST in Baku.
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Fulton County is close to moving forward with its plan to reopen the rest of its courtrooms and address a giant case backlog that has built up
If youre a Fulton County property owner and want to appeal your 2021 property tax assessment, you have until early August to do so.
Thornton Kennedy is the president of PR South and a former news editor of this paper. He can be reached at thornton@prsouth.net .
A premature baby who weighed only 700 grams was found to have a heart defect called Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). Doctors at CIMS hospital in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, were able to perform the surgery successfully.



The 24-day-old premature girl was born in Kheralu tehsil in Mehsana district, with a heart defect called Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA). Because of this condition, the ductus arteriosus, which normally closes at birth, remains open. Resultantly, the blood, instead of getting circulated into the body, goes back to the lungs.

Patent Ductus Arteriosus (PDA) is the second commonest congenital birth defect of the heart and can cause heart failure; however majority of these defects close spontaneously after birth.

"To correct this defect, a surgery called PDA ligation is required, but due to multiple factors it was highly risky in this case. The premature baby was low in weight. Her high creatinine level indicated impaired kidney functioning. There were also some evidences of infection. Because of low birth weight, the baby was extremely fragile. Still, we decided to go ahead with PDA ligation surgery as it was the only option," said Dr Shaunak Shah, Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon at CIMS hospital.



The baby successfully underwent the PDA ligation surgery on Saturday. The neonate is now recovering.



"The neonate was the lowest-weighing baby we have operated on at CIMS and probably one of the smallest, if not the smallest in Gujarat to have undergone cardiac surgery," Shah added.



Children born prematurely and having low weight are also prone to hypothermia, i.e., a sudden drop in temperature. The surgery team at the hospital did not switch on the air conditioner during the surgery and the baby was operated while being kept on an infant warmer.



"These were additional challenges, but we were able to overcome them because of team effort and the support system. Also, a special mention for CIMS Foundation which has supported and helped neonate patients for such lifesaving surgeries in the past" Shah added.







Source: IANS said Dr Shaunak Shah, Pediatric Cardiac Surgeon at CIMS hospital.The baby successfully underwent the PDA ligation surgery on Saturday. The neonate is now recovering.Shah added.Children born prematurely and having low weight are also prone to hypothermia, i.e., a sudden drop in temperature. The surgery team at the hospital did not switch on the air conditioner during the surgery and the baby was operated while being kept on an infant warmer.Shah added.Source: IANS

The infant, suffering from apnea and who suddenly stopped breathing, was evaluated by the hospital doctors and referred for a surgery.
National Doctors' Day in India: Dr. B.C. Roy & his Contributions

Jadavpur T.B. Hospital

Chittaranjan Seva Sadan

Kamala Nehru Memorial Hospital

Victoria Institution (College)

Chittaranjan Cancer Hospital

Chittaranjan Seva Sadan for women and children

Milestones Set for Doctors' Day

In 500 - 300 BC, the first physicians exerted their Hippocratic Oath as they vowed to the Greek Gods that their work in healing would satisfy ethical standards.

as they vowed to the Greek Gods that their work in healing would satisfy ethical standards. The third edition of the Shorter Oxford English Dictionary legitimized the use of the word "physician" in 1400 AD.

legitimized the use of the word in 1400 AD. The first victorious artificial heart surgery was successfully implanted after 7 hours of surgery by Dr. William DeVries in 1982.

The first woman doctor to have graduated from the Geneva Medical College was Elizabeth Blackwell in 1849.

Now in 2018, almost half (47%) of graduating medical students were female.

Celebrating the Noble Profession 2021

Celebrations across the World

Russia celebrates International Day of the Doctor on the 1st Monday of October every year to honor one of the oldest and esteemed professions in the world.

March 30th is observed as National Doctors' Day in Australia and United States.

In Canada, National Physicians' Day is celebrated on 1st May by the Canadian Medical Association to pay recognition to Dr. Emily Stowe - the first female physician to practice in Canada.

Brazil celebrates Doctors' Day on October 18 to mark the birthday of the apostle and Evangelist Saint Luke, who was a doctor as per the New Testament (Colossians 4:14).

The birthday celebration of the Indonesian Doctors Association (IDI) is identified on 24th October as the National Doctors' Day (HariDokter Nasional) in Indonesia.

Spain, Cuba, and Argentina commemorate National Doctors' Day on December 3 to commemorate the birthday of Dr. Carlos Juan Finlay, who identified mosquitoes as the cause of yellow fever.

Kuwait celebrates National Doctors' Day on the 3rd of March to mark the birthday of Kuwaiti businesswoman, Zahra Sulaiman Al-Moussawi's daughter Dr. Sundus Al-Mazidi.

Iran honors Avicenna's birthday as the National Day for Doctors' on August 23 (Iranian Month: Shahrivar 1st).

In Vietnam, Doctors' Day is celebrated on February 28 or sometimes to the closest dates.

Nepali National Doctors' Day is celebrated on 4th March (Nepali date: Falgun 20), since its establishment of the Nepal Medical Association.

The Federation of Private Medical Practitioners Associations, Malaysia first launched its Doctors' Day celebration on the 10th of October in 2014 (followed annually since then).

Insights on Doctors

There are an estimated 700,000 doctors in the U.S alone.

Almost 76% of doctors seek religious belief to cope with stress.

Hallmark started printing cards for Doctors' Day in 2003.

The approximate number of hours worked by a doctor per week is 60 hours or more by almost 60% of all physicians.

Almost 2/3rd of doctors do not participate in a 401(k) plan even though there is a high participation rate among hospitals.

The total expenditure on physician and clinical services in the U.S. in 2020 was reported to be $794.4 billion.

National Doctors' Day 2021- (https://www.doctorsday.org/) National Doctors' Day - (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Doctors%27_Day)

The resolution was approved at the annual state meeting in Augusta, Georgia on May 10, 1934, and the same was introduced by the Alliance president, Mrs. J. Bonar White to the Women's Alliance of the Southern Medical Association on November 19-22, 1935 at its 29th annual meeting in St. Louis, Missouri. The Southern Medical Association Alliance has made Doctors' Day as an indispensable part of it since then. It was on March 30, 1958, that the U.S. House of Representatives ratified a declaration for celebrating Doctors' Day.Finally on- S.J. RES. #366 (which became Public Law 101-473)from both the House and the Senate during the 101stLater in March 2017, Dr. Marion Mass along with Dr. Kimberly Jackson (founder of Physicians Working Together (PWT) and Dr. Christina Lang claimed for the official announcement of physicians' week. They had organized several events since then for supporting the physician community, including a scholarship program for medical students and residents in 2019.Today the day thanks all doctors for various medical advances and for mastering their field of expertise.Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy (1st July 1882 - 1st July 1962) was also an Indian physician, iconic and internationally renowned medical practitioner, educationist, one of the most popular Congress leaders from eastern India, freedom fighter, and philanthropist.The day is memorialized toHe was the first elected Chief Minister of West Bengal and served a crucial role in the establishment ofSeveral medical institutions were set up in the light of Dr. B.C. Roy like:The on-going ball game of thewho work as front-line warriors to save millions of lives. Doctors all over the world unanimously had strived hard beyond their commitments to bring a gesture of smile on our faces today. Many had lost their lives in the battle halfway while others still pulling out all the stops.This year, the National Doctors' Day serves toThe COVID-19 pandemic has taken a hard toll on the physical, mental and emotional demands of almost every health care individual.The Indian Medical Association revealed thatof which 128 doctors lost their lives in Delhi, followed by Bihar at 115.The day is an attempt to emphasize the significance of all the passionate and selfless doctors out there!says Dr. J. A. Jayalal, President, IMA, during 'Mann ki Baat'.Doctors' Day is celebrated across different nations on a varied day for marking the historical events contributed by the doctors at their place.- George Bernard Shaw.Doctors are those dedicated workers who never take rest from their profession as it can rest a person in peace. So thank all your doctors for their selfless engagements.Source: Medindia
Ranveer Singh is an extraordinary actor and his fans are awaiting the release of his upcoming films 83, Jayeshbhai Jordaar and Cirkus. Now, he is all set to make his digital debut with British adventurer, writer, and television presenter Bear Grylls for an adventure show.



It is being said that Ranveers big-budget adventure series will be released on Netflix and will stream on the OTT giant.

According to Indianexpress.com, a source said, Ranveer and Bear Grylls have been in talks for a wilderness adventure series for several months now, and this adventure outing will be for Netflix. The OTT giant has almost closed the deal and well see the two share screen-space for the first time for kind of adventure stunts in the wilderness. This is the first time Ranveer will be doing something so starkly different and it is going to be one of the biggest non-fiction shows we have seen in India, also marking Ranveers digital debut.

The source further said, The actor is expected to start shooting in the next two months in Siberia. Around this time, the region is really testing and Ranveer will have to prepare hard to survive in extreme weather conditions.

Ranveer Singh is also expected to commence shooting for Karan Johars next directorial venture alongside Alia Bhatt. Their chemistry was loved by the audience in the film Gully Boy. Ranveer and filmmaker S Shankar have gotten together for the Hindi official adaptation of Vikrams Anniyan.

The film is all set to go on the floor next year.
In recent years, there's no denying that K-pop artist, BTS, has gone on to cement their status of being probably the most popular and biggest boy band in the world, followed by a crazy fan following.



 Reuters

 MTV

The fans, who call themselves the BTS Army (Adorable Representative M.C. for Youth) are literally head over heels for the band, with the bandmembers' not only setting a new wave of Korean pop music but also influencing the way fans now look at clothing and hairstyle.



 Istock

Now, while fans are always upping their game to express their love for the band, a British-born influencer has gone on to another bizarre level.



Oli London, an Instagram star, reportedly underwent 18 cosmetic surgeries to look like a member of the K-pop band BTS.

 Getty Images

The internet personality, who 'identifies as Korean' and chooses to use they, them, and their pronouns, chose to get the latest plastic surgery to look like Park Jimin.



London, who is often criticized by people on the internet for their lifestyle and for undergoing extensive surgery, posted a series of Tweets from his hospital bed post the surgery.

Hey guys! Im finally Korean. Ive transitioned. I identify as Korean  thats just my culture, thats my home country, thats exactly how I look now. Im so, so happy Ive completed my look  I have the eyes [and] Ive just had a brow lift, as well," said London.

Ive been trapped in the wrong body  But finally, Im Korean  I can be myself. And Im so, so happy, he added.

The Instagrammer said that they were sure that BTS member Jimin would be proud of the news and said that the decision to undergo so much pain was not to get attention.

Im sure hell be proud that I look exactly like him now. I have his eyes. I finally have Jimins Korean eyes and theyre so, so beautiful. Im so, so happy with my new look and I cant wait to see the final results when all the swelling goes down,

Nobody would do this for attention, nobody would go through this much pain, this much suffering, said London.
India is all set to announce the official rollout of 5G services in India and it seems like a date has been set for the official announcement. While telecom operators are already testing their 5G capabilities, reports suggest we are about a year away from the official announcement of the 5G rollout.

 Reuters

According to a report by The Hindu Business Line, India will officially announce commercial 5G by 15th August next year and the announcement will be made by the Prime Minister himself. The announcement of the commercial availability is said to come on the occasion of Indias 75th anniversary of Independence.



 Reuters

The 5G network would start around August next year and the PM may launch it officially on August 15. The major surprise of the launch will be that you will find a lot of Indian technology  be it in hardware or software  in it. As you are aware, India is very strong in software, so many technologies will be dependent on our local software companies. They will be the backbone, The Hindu Business Line quoted a senior government official.



Heres Why Its Important

It is worthy to point out that India has been behind compared to other nations on the rollout of 5G networks due to pertaining reasons. India will be using homegrown developed technology both on the hardware and software front as the country avoided being dependent on Chinese 5G technology. India particularly excluded Huawei and ZTE from 5G trials for a number of reasons including national security concerns. Both companies were also deemed a national security threat by the United States claiming the two companies have backdoor access to data from mobile networks running on their hardware globally.

 Reuters

Due to the aforementioned reasons, Indian companies got the chance to develop their own technology in collaboration with key players such as Ericsson, Nokia, Samsung and Qualcomm. 5G is the next frontier of technology advancement as it will not only enable high data speeds for smartphones but also power next-generation of connected devices such as sensors that can aid in disaster management, autonomous vehicles and Artificial Intelligence. 5G will also benefit other industries such as healthcare, farming, edu-tech and logistics.



It seems like the connected future powered by 5G networks will empower Indian companies, smart cities and even national security. Whats more impressive is that the next generation of connectivity will run on hardware and software developed locally rather than being dependent on China or any other country for that matter.

Source: The Hindu Business Line
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Japan, Asias largest steel scrap supplier, exported 9.39 million tonnes of the steelmaking raw material last year  over a fifth more than in 2019.Vietnam became the single largest importer of Japanese scrap last year; at 3.40 million tonnes, this was an increase of 54.7% year on year.But South Koreas imports of Japanese material fell by 26.6% year on year to 2.95 million tonnes.Further intrigue emerged in the Asian scrap market in January 2021, with the resumption of large-scale scrap imports in China.China imported 221,409 tonnes of ferrous scrap in the first five months of 2021, a 2,894% increase from the same period in 2020. Imports from Japan alone accounted for 166,337 tonnes.Following Chinas return to the international scrap market, Fastmarkets launched a daily price assessment for steel scrap, heavy recycled steel materials, cfr China Click to enlargeJoin our industry experts for an exciting forward look into Asias evolving steel market at the Singapore Steel Forum on July 14. Register today at https://events.fastmarkets.com/singapore-steel-forum
The Russian government has approved temporary export duties on 340 steel and non-ferrous metals sold outside the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), effective from August 1 through December 31.Companies looking to export copper will have to pay $1,226 per tonne to do so, according to the government decree Russian producers export metal to Europe indirectly by sending regular bulk shipments to London Metal Exchange-registered warehouses in Rotterdam and warranting them on the exchange.

"What...
A cargo of Iranian billet was reported sold by a trader from position at $610 per tonne fob to East Asia, a trader source told Fastmarkets.The market trend is going [down] in Asia so he made the right decision to get rid of his long position, a second trader said of the deal.Now the workable level for Iranian cargo (for sale to trader) is $600 or below, considering the freight, the first trader added.

The first source assessed the cost of freight to China from the south of Iran at $55-60 per tonne, while another...
KABUL - Minister of Foreign Affairs Mohammad Haneef Atmar met with the Deputy Minister for Multilateral and Global Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea Ham Sang Wook, this afternoon.

Expressing gratitude to the generous assistance of Korea in political, economic, educational, and cultural arenas over the last two decades, Minister Atmar noted that the continuation of those assistance were of vital significance to preserve common values and hard-won gains of the last twenty years, following the withdrawal of the Resolute Support forces from Afghanistan.

Highlighting the importance of the first political consultations meeting between the two countries, Minister Atmar and the Korean Deputy Foreign Minister exchanged views on the follow-up of the pledged actions in the meeting.

The Korean Deputy Minister assured Minister Atmar of Koreas support to the Afghan Peace Process and ensuring lasting peace in Afghanistan, while upholding the human rights gains over the last two decades.

Minister Atmar and the Korean Deputy Foreign Minister also discussed ways to further cooperate and coordinate efforts in the United Nations and other international organizations.
Miami, FL (33127)

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Isolated thunderstorms during the morning becoming more widespread this afternoon. High near 85F. Winds SE at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 80%..

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Scattered thunderstorms this evening becoming more widespread overnight. Low 78F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
When Independence Day approaches, we often take time to reflect on those who made the sacrifices that allow us to enjoy our democratic freedoms. Sadly, the contributions of Black Americans often get left out of the discussion.
MPSC launches public database on utility shutoffs, overdue bills to help inform policy as state emerges from pandemic

MPSC launches public database on utility shutoffs, overdue bills to help inform policy as state emerges from pandemic

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 30, 2021

Media Contact: Matt Helms 517-284-8300

Customer Assistance: 800-292-9555

Michigan.gov/MPSC

Twitter

The Michigan Public Service Commission today launched a new public resource for information and data related to customer protections - an outgrowth of the Commission's efforts to strengthen customer aid and assistance programs as the COVID-19 pandemic bore down on the state.

The MPSC's new COVID-19 Utility Customer Data site features a database of regularly updated information on the number of regulated utility customers whose service has been shut off for nonpayment and customers who've had their service restored, as well as the number of customers enrolled in assistance plans and information on the number of customers who are 30, 60, 90 or more days past due on their utility bills.

MPSC Staff have created a video explaining the database, walking through how to use the portal and what data is available.

"Having this critical data available is meant to help inform decisions about policies and where to direct resources as Michigan works on recovering from a year of immense uncertainty and change," MPSC Chair Dan Scripps said. "MPSC staff have worked diligently with stakeholders to make sure we could gather accurate, updated information, and we're now making that data available in an easily searchable database."

The data is compiled monthly from the investor-owned utilities regulated by the MPSC and does not include customer data for rural electric cooperatives or municipally owned utilities. Utilities reporting customer data to the MPSC are Alpena Power, Consumers Energy, DTE Energy, Indiana Michigan Power, Michigan Gas Utilities, Northern States Power (Xcel), SEMCO Energy Gas, Upper Michigan Energy Resources, and Upper Peninsula Power.

In April 2020, amid swirling uncertainties about the nascent pandemic's economic impact on the state's economy and Michiganders' household finances, the MPSC directed Michigan energy providers to take steps to ensure that customers maintained energy service. That included efforts to voluntarily pause shutoffs, offer payment flexibility, waive late fees, restore service to households that had been shut off and to boost customer energy assistance, education, and outreach as an influx of funding arrived from the federal pandemic stimulus.

In Case No. U-20757, the Commission also directed investor-owned utilities to file a monthly report detailing data on disconnected gas or electric service to occupied residences as well as tracking customer arrearages, or back-due bills.

Until now, the data had only been publicly accessible in filings in the Commission's electronic dockets system. It is now available in a more open format: a continuously updated database. While the site is geared toward stakeholders such as social service providers, local and state government agencies, consumer advocates, utilities and others to help inform policy decisions, it is also available to any member of the public wishing to explore the data. The MPSC developed the database in collaboration with stakeholder groups and regulated utilities.

The MPSC has collected data on shutoffs for years, but with the arrival of COVID-19 upending the economy and daily life, the agency sought more detailed information than it had before, to help ensure customer safety during the pandemic and to help inform its decisions on expanding financial assistance programs meant to help households struggling to pay utility bills.

Throughout last year, the Commission enhanced its focus on providing additional energy assistance options and expanded eligibility for customers in need. The MPSC and MDHHS leveraged $18 million of the federal CARES Act funding, in coordination with several utilities, to develop a special program called LIHEAP Energy Direct that streamlined energy assistance for nearly 41,000 low-income households behind on their utility bills. The Michigan Energy Assistance Program (MEAP) also awarded more than $55 million in grants that provided energy assistance payments and self-sufficiency services to more than 55,600 low-income Michigan households.

Utility customers having difficulty paying energy bills should contact their utility to ask about flexible payment options and assistance. You may also find more information about State Emergency Relief and MEAP through MI Bridges at www.michigan.gov/mibridges. If you need help applying, call 211 and ask for a MEAP grantee near you for help. You also can find a local MEAP grantee at the MPSC's MEAP information page.

For information about the MPSC, visit www.Michigan.gov/MPSC, sign up for its monthly newsletter or other listservs, or follow the Commission on Twitter or LinkedIn.

# # #
State awards six contracts for COVID-19 vaccination to high-risk populations and settings across Michigan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 28, 2021

Contact: Lynn Sutfin, 517-241-2112

LANSING, Mich. - Six contracts totaling nearly $60 million have been awarded by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) to the help improve COVID-19 vaccination access for high-risk populations and settings across Michigan.

"Providing mobile and other community-based vaccination services will help ensure high-risk individuals have access to the safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine," said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director. "This is part of the state's efforts to bring vaccine into communities and to vaccinate as many Michiganders as possible. To date, more than 61% of Michigan residents have received at least their first dose of vaccine and we continue to urge everyone who is eligible to get theirs as soon as possible. There are several variants of the virus circulating in our state, including the concerning Delta variant, and we know the vaccine is our best protection against COVID-19."

Bidders could offer statewide or regional services based on State of Michigan Prosperity Regions and six site or setting types were included in the RFP including:

Homebound vaccinations Community-based mobile clinics Neighborhood testing sites Seasonal agricultural workers Shelters, transient communities, other vulnerable populations Medium to large vaccination sites

The following bidders have been awarded two-year contracts to provide the following services:

ACCESS, Region 10, homebound; community mobile sites; shelters and vulnerable populations - $1,100,000.

Ambulnz Holdings, LLC, statewide, homebound; community mobile sites; seasonal agriculture; and shelters and vulnerable populations - $15,000,000.

Honu Management Group, statewide, homebound; community mobile sites; neighborhood testing sites; seasonal agriculture; and shelters and vulnerable populations - $20,000,000.

Recovery Mobile Clinic, Regions 9 and 10, community mobile sites; and shelters and vulnerable populations - $1,400,000.

Thompson Technologies, statewide, homebound, community mobile sites; seasonal agriculture; and shelters and vulnerable populations - $15,000,000.

Visit Healthcare, statewide, community mobile sites; seasonal agriculture; and shelters and vulnerable populations - $7,000,000.

The total value of the contracts will be based on actual usage/need based on site type and actual number of doses of COVID-19 vaccine administered. Contractors will be required to schedule appointments and manage all logistics involved in providing mobile vaccinations. Site Type 6 will be bid out to the awarded contractors on an as needed basis upon determination by the state.

Michigan residents seeking more information about the COVID-19 vaccine can visit Michigan.gov/COVIDvaccine. The latest information is available at Michigan.gov/Coronavirus and CDC.gov/Coronavirus.

# # #
Fast Five with Cheri Collard, EGLE's new social media strategist

Fast Five with Cheri Collard, EGLE's new social media strategist

Cheri Collard, EGLE's new social media strategist, joins MI Environment for this Fast Five edition on Social Media Day.

You joined EGLE in May as the department's first full-time social media strategist. Tell us a little about your background and how you started working on social media.

After graduating from Central Michigan University, I started my career in the advertising field where I had the opportunity to work on all elements within integrated marketing communications, but one of the areas that pulled me in was social media. At the time, social media was still new for business and being able to help organizations connect with audiences in a way they had never been able to before, was beyond exciting. Igniting strategic dialogue with engaging content had (and still has) enormous power, and I knew I wanted to leverage that power for the better, which eventually drew me to working for the State of Michigan. I feel very fortunate to be able to use my passion and background to serve the state I love, its residents, and its beautiful resources.

How can being active on social media channels help government agencies better communicate?

Social media creates a unique opportunity for government entities to promote constituent engagement, enhance transparency, elevate availability of services and information, and reach audiences where they are in real time. Unlike press conferences, televisions, or ads, social media allows two-way communication, an opportunity to directly interact with constituents in a more personalized and accessible way. EGLE is able to utilize social media to reinforce the department's mission of protecting the environment and public health.

EGLE has been active on Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube for years. What other social media channels is the department considering?

To enhance constituent engagement, customer service and communications, EGLE is looking to expand to Facebook and eventually Instagram. In general, people who interact with the department's social media pages do not attend EGLE's public meetings or trainings and do not complete permits or reports, but they care about what's in their air, land, drinking water, lakes and rivers. Facebook and Instagram will provide an opportunity for increased two-way interaction and engagement with these audiences we usually don't engage with in other venues. In addition, these platforms will provide the opportunity to put a face to the department, share stories of our work, and create a community around our mission of protecting the state's environment and public health. Stay tuned!

What are your social media goals for the coming year?

EGLE's work can be complicated and scientific and social media presents the opportunity to break down our messages in a way that audiences can understand, relate to, and build a community around. A goal in particular I'm looking forward to tackling is leveraging social media to tell the department's story, so people understand what we do, why we do it, and how our work benefits their lives. One way we can do that is by drawing back the curtain and showing EGLE staff conducting their work to fulfill our mission. Whether it's showing field staff out conducting tests to protect our state's waters or out at a dam explaining why lowering it is necessary, showing that behind the scenes and the human side to connect with audiences in a way that's transparent, engaging and meaningful is a goal I'll be striving for.

Managing social media can be challenging as well as fun. What's the most challenging and/or fun social media experience you've had?

With so many moving parts to the mix, in the ever-changing world of social media, there isn't a day where I don't feel challenged and learn something new, but that's half the fun right?

One recent experience I enjoyed pre-COVID-19 was at the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (MDARD), where I was able to visit craft beverage businesses and farms that received grant money from the department. My role was to help tell the story of how MDARD helped these businesses grow. Seeing and hearing firsthand the impact the department had for the farmers and business, and then being able to share those stories in a visual humanizing way on social media, was not only fun but something I was proud to be a part of. I look forward to continuing to share the impactful work the State of Michigan does at EGLE.

Photo caption: Cheri Collard

Like this content? Follow us on Twitter at @MichiganEGLE or on Youtube.com/MichiganEGLE

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Department of Insurance and Financial Services Fraud Investigation Unit Announces Charges in Insurance Fraud Scheme

Department of Insurance and Financial Services Fraud Investigation Unit Announces Charges in Insurance Fraud Scheme

Media Contact: Laura Hall, 517-290-3779, halll17@michigan.gov

Consumer Hotline: 877-999-6442, Michigan.gov/DIFScomplaints

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 30, 2021

(LANSING, MICH) The Michigan Department of Insurance and Financial Services (DIFS) Fraud Investigation Unit (FIU) today announced insurance fraud-related charges against Christel Lanz, 48, of Portland, Mich.

The DIFS Fraud Investigation Unit is committed to combating insurance fraud because fraud increases costs for all Michiganders in the form of higher insurance premiums, said DIFS Director Anita Fox. I am proud of the important work being done by of our investigators, and ask Michiganders to support these efforts by reporting suspected insurance fraud online at Michigan.gov/ReportFraud2DIFS or by calling 877-999-6442.

Lanz was arraigned June 21 in Lansing District Court 54-A on 27 counts of uttering and publishing falsified documents, 4 counts of false pretenses ($50,000 to $100,000), and four counts of falsified tax-related forms. Lanz was released on a $20,000 personal recognizance bond.

Lanz is accused of submitting 27 fraudulent accident claims to receive more than $135,000 from Trustmark Insurance Company. The alleged fraudulent claims were submitted between March 2015 through May 2018 on behalf of herself and her family for injuries that never occurred.

Trustmark Insurance Company initiated an investigation into the claims before referring the case to the DIFS FIU in June 2020.

The DIFS FIU investigates criminal and fraudulent activity related to the insurance and financial markets and works with the Attorney General and other law enforcement to prosecute these crimes. Suspected insurance fraud can be reported to DIFS safely, easily and, in most cases, anonymously by calling 877-999-6442 or online by visiting the departments website.

A Probable Cause Conference is scheduled for Friday, July 2 before Judge Stacia Buchanan and the Preliminary Examination is scheduled for Friday, July 9 before Judge Buchanan.

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 www.michigan.gov/difs or follow the Department on Facebook, Twitter, or LinkedIn.

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Gov. Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Gilchrist Ask Small Business Administration to Release Crucial Funds For Michigan Small Businesses

Gov. Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Gilchrist Ask Small Business Administration to Release Crucial Funds For Michigan Small Businesses

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 29, 2021

Contact: press@michigan.gov

Gov. Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Gilchrist Ask Small Business Administration to Release Crucial Funds For Michigan Small Businesses

LANSING, Mich. - Governor Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Governor Garlin Gilchrist sent a letter to the Small Business Administration (SBA) expressing concern on recent court rulings preventing the SBA from providing critical grants from the Restaurant Revitalization Fund to support women, veteran, and minority-owned Michigan restaurants and advocate for additional resources to help these small businesses immediately.

"Small businesses have been incredibly resilient throughout the pandemic, and it is critical that they can rely upon the aid promised to them to stay above water and support their hard-working employees," said Governor Whitmer. "As we emerge from the pandemic, Lt. Governor Gilchrist and I are laser-focused on supporting small businesses and creating good-paying jobs and bigger paychecks for Michigan workers. My top priority is ensuring every community in Michigan is a part of our economic jumpstart so that we can build back even stronger than before."

"Restaurants owned by women, veterans and people of color were some of the hardest hit by the pandemic," said Lt. Governor Gilchrist. "These small businesses are cornerstones of their communities, supporting thousands of jobs and families across the state. We must do all we can to support these small businesses as we rebuild our economy, and it is crucial that the SBA provides resources to help these restaurants recover faster and stronger."

"This past year has been very tough on all of us, especially small business owners who have been working day and night to build back from the pandemic," said Matt Buskard, owner of Bobcat Bonnie's restaurant with five location in Michigan. "That's why we were excited when the U.S. Small Business Administration approved our application for the Restaurant Revitalization Fund to help us hire and catch up on bills, and it's devastating to have it taken away on such short notice. We hope the relief that was promised to our small business will come through."

Due to court rulings in Texas and Tennessee, the SBA halted relief to support women, veteran, and minority-owned restaurants across the nation.

To view the letter, click the link below:

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Governor Whitmer Signs Bipartisan Bills to Help Veterans, Make Other Improvements to Law

Governor Whitmer Signs Bipartisan Bills to Help Veterans, Make Other Improvements to Law

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 24, 2021

Contact: Press@Michigan.gov

Governor Whitmer Signs Bipartisan Bills to Help Veterans, Make Other Improvements to Law

LANSING, Mich. -- Today, Governor Whitmer signed Senate Bill 10, Senate Bill 440, House Bill 4040, House Bill 4050, House Bill 4122.

"All the bills I signed today make a difference in the lives of Michiganders," said Governor Whitmer. "Senate Bill 10 and House Bill 4122 make it easier for veterans to obtain county veteran services, benefits, and cash assistance, giving back to those who have sacrificed for our nation."

Senate Bill 10 will would amend the Open Meetings Act to allow a county veteran services committee to meet in a closed session to interview a veteran or his or her spouse or dependent regarding an application for benefits or financial assistance and to discuss the application.

Senate Bill 10 was sponsored by Sen. Lana Theis, R-Brighton, and a copy can be found here.

"People have a reasonable expectation of privacy, especially when it concerns personal and sensitive financial, medical, and other health information," said Sen. Lana Theis, R-Brighton, who sponsored Senate Bill 10. "This expectation is not exclusive to civilians, yet until now our military veterans have often been forced to publicly reveal such information when applying for benefits they have earned through their service. I thank my colleagues for their strong bipartisan support and Gov. Whitmer for signing this bill to help those who have served us in uniform."

House Bill 4122 will amend 1953 PA 192 to modify the distribution and expenditure of grants from the County Veteran Service Fund. Among other things, the bill would revise grant eligibility requirements to allow more counties to participate in the grant program and would allow counties to use grants for allowable expenditures as determined by the Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency (MVAA) and for an emergent need relief program to provide direct financial assistance through county veteran service operations.

House Bill 4122 was sponsored by Rep. Annette Glenn, R-Midland, and a copy can be found here.

"This was a change that became necessary because of challenges raised by the COVID-19 pandemic, and the new law will also improve services for our military heroes moving forward," said Rep. Annette Glenn, R-Midland, after her bill was signed by Gov. Whitmer. "The improved flexibility allowed by this change will help ensure veterans get the type of assistance they need when and where they need it."

"Since the creation of the County Veteran Service Fund, it has helped Michigan counties support the more than 600,000 veterans and their families across our state," said Meghann Keit-Corrion, Government Affairs Associate of the Michigan Association of Counties. "The latest changes signed into law by the governor will expand on the successes of the program. MAC and its members look forward to the continuing partnership with the state, via MVAA, to help those who have served their communities and our nation."

Senate Bill 440 allows MDHHS to approve a pilot program to provide positron emission tomography (PET) scanner services if the pilot meets certain requirements.

Senate Bill 440 was sponsored by Sen. Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids, and a copy can be found here.

"I'm proud we were able to come together to eliminate pandemic-caused delays and allow BAMF Health to bring their first-in-the-nation, cutting edge precision medicine to Grand Rapids," said Sen. Winnie Brinks, D-Grand Rapids. "It's an honor to play a role in opening the doors of this company that will bring hope to so many who are diagnosed with cancer and other serious diseases."

House Bill 4040 allows federally-approved apprenticeship programs to operate in Michigan without registering as a proprietary school.

House Bill 4040 was sponsored by Rep. Ben Frederick, R-Owosso, and a copy can be found here.

"The passage of this legislation will bring apprenticeship exposure to students throughout Michigan," said Rep. Ben Frederick, R-Owosso. "I am delighted that some of the innovations we have seen in Mid-Michigan will now be readily available throughout our state as our young people consider careers in the trades."

"Correctly classifying US Department of Labor recognized Registered Apprenticeship and Pre-Apprenticeship programs is essential to make sure that these programs receive the proper opportunities and recognition under state law," said Lee Graham, Executive Director, Operating Engineers 324 Labor-Management Education Committee (LMEC). "By amending the Proprietary Schools Act, the Michigan Governor and legislature are allowing these programs to better expand and connect with students, educate the next generation of Michigan's skilled workforce, and ready them for rewarding, sustainable careers."

House Bill 4050 protects Michigan's natural resources by amending the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) to allow the exemption from disclosure of certain data relating to the location of game.

House Bill 4050 was sponsored by Rep. John Cherry, D-Flint, and a copy can be found here.

"In recent years, the Michigan DNR was forced to end grouse drumming surveys due to unsportsmanlike use of FOIA laws to determine the bird's location, letting folks target those populations for hunting purposes," said Rep. John Cherry, D-Flint. "Participating in the traditions of hunting, birdwatching, fishing, and other activities show our love and respect for Michigan's great outdoor spaces. Along with this enjoyment comes a duty of stewardship. We must ensure our policies protect practical, scientifically-sound wildlife management options."

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Governor Gretchen Whitmer announces leading storage products manufacturer Speedrack Products creating 164 new jobs in West Michigan

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announces leading storage products manufacturer Speedrack Products creating 164 new jobs in West Michigan

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 21, 2021

Contact: Kathleen Achtenberg, achtenbergk@michigan.org

Governor Gretchen Whitmer announces leading storage products manufacturer Speedrack Products creating 164 new jobs in West Michigan

Governor attends groundbreaking for $64.5 million investment in Walker

LANSING, Mich. - Governor Gretchen Whitmer today joined a group of business, state, and local officials to celebrate the groundbreaking of Speedrack Products Group's new manufacturing facility in Walker, thanking the storage systems provider for their continued investment in Michigan that will create 164 new jobs.

The project is expected to generate a total private investment of $64.5 million, and Michigan was chosen over a competing site in Indiana with the support of an $820,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund.

"Speedrack Products' investment in Walker will create important jobs in our manufacturing sector and help us continue our economic jumpstart to put Michigan back to work," said Governor Whitmer. "This new facility strengthens Speedrack's presence in West Michigan and further underscores the importance of our state's talented manufacturing workforce. With the help of companies like Speedrack, we can build back our state's economy stronger than ever before."

Whitmer made her remarks today at the groundbreaking ceremony of the company's new manufacturing facility in Walker, announcing the $820,000 Michigan Business Development Program performance-based grant from the Michigan Strategic Fund at the event.

Speedrack Products Group Ltd. has been a leading provider of pallet racking and storage systems for more than 50 years. The company established its first headquarters in Sparta in 1989 and today employs 278 people between its Sparta and Quincy (Branch County) locations. Speedrack handles all aspects of material handling in-house with engineering design for its warehouse facilities, distribution centers, and all other material handling systems.

Speedrack has experienced significant growth due to the growth of e-commerce and system-based designs and plans to double production by 2023 to meet growing customer demands. The company is establishing this new facility in the city of Walker where it will roll-form, weld, and powder-coat paint fabricated pallet rack and system type modules. The facility will utilize automated systems wherever feasible.

"Our customers, particularly those in the e-commerce industry, have seen a significant increase in sales over the last several years, and so Speedrack has invested and grown in order to support that growth," explains Speedrack President, Eric Quist. "We recognized that if we were going to continue to meet this new demand, we needed to expand our manufacturing footprint. Thanks to the support provided by The Right Place with their partners at the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, we were able to focus our growth here in West Michigan, for which we are thrilled. Finally, none of this would be possible without the owners of Speedrack Ron and Dawn Ducharme who reinvest 100% of the profits back into the company."

The project aligns with MEDC's strategic goals of supporting growth in the focus industry of manufacturing. In addition, Speedrack has a strong focus on apprenticeships, growing skilled trades skill sets and better career pathways. The company places an emphasis on sourcing talent locally by building relationships with high schools in the area to encourage manufacturing as a lifetime career possibility.

"Michigan is grateful for the Speedrack team's continued vote of confidence in Michiganders. We are proud to send the message that Michigan's economy is recovering and we are going to keep this momentum going. Michigan is a place where businesses, communities and people can take risks, succeed and grow," said Quentin Messer, Jr., incoming CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation and President and Chair of the Michigan Strategic Fund. "We appreciate the efforts of The Right Place and local partners in Walker to support this project and will work with Speedrack as it continues to grow and add jobs for Michigan residents."

The city of Walker has offered a 50-percent property tax abatement in support of the project and The Right Place is supporting the project through marketing and recruitment efforts. Individuals interested in careers with Speedrack should visit https://apply.speedrack.site/.

"We are very excited to welcome Speedrack and their employees to Walker," said Gary Carey, Jr., Mayor of Walker. "Their decades of successful experience providing customized solutions to their customers' needs and challenges align with how the City of Walker works with its businesses and residents. Speedrack will be a welcome addition to a thriving and rapidly growing industrial area in our city."

"This is a considerable win for the Greater Grand Rapids region, and another nod to the health and strength of our business environment," said President & CEO of The Right Place, Randy Thelen, "Our regional economy has strong roots in manufacturing, and Speedrack's decision to expand its presence in our region is a testament to the resilience and continued prosperity within this industry."

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC)

The Michigan Economic Development Corporation is the state's marketing arm and lead advocate for business development, job awareness and community development with the focus on growing Michigan's economy. For more information on the MEDC and our initiatives, visit www.MichiganBusiness.org. For Pure Michigan tourism information, your trip begins at www.michigan.org. Join the conversation on: Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter.

Governor Whitmer speaking at Speedrack groundbreaking event

Quentin Messer, Jr., incoming CEO of the Michigan Economic Development Corporation

Rendering courtesy of Speedrack Products

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Despite not being as prone to tornadoes as other parts of the Midwest, Huron County is still no stranger to them.

According to the National Weather Service, before last weekends tornado, there had been 15 tornadoes in Huron County since 1953.

The tornado that stuck Port Austin this past weekend marked the first time a tornado touched down in Huron County since 2015. There were four instances of tornadoes in the Upper Thumb over that years summer, two of which were in Huron County.

On June 22, 2015, a tornado touched town in Tuscola County, which destroyed one home and caused major damage to another. The National Weather Service confirmed that tornado was of the EF2 category with wind speeds reaching 115 mph and causing $550,000 worth of damage.

Another tornado touched down in Sanilac County that same day around the intersection of Downington Road and M-53 north of Carsonville. It covered a more than 20-mile path that was about half a mile wide and caused significant damage, the most notable being 40 cows killed at the Devor Dairy Farm in Decker.

On Aug. 2, 2015, an EF1 rated tornado with 90 mph winds touched down about a quarter mile west of the Sebewaing and Shebeon roads intersection, heading east toward Owendale and traveling seven miles. It stayed on the ground for five minutes before lifting near the Sebewaing and Elkton roads intersection.

That tornado was part of storms that brought quarter-sized hail to Harbor Beach, Pigeon and Caseville. The storms caused damage to the Owendale-Gagetown schools roof, destroyed at least a half dozen barns to be blown down, and downed power lines all around the shoreline.

The last instance for 2015 occurred on Nov. 6 when two tornadoes were reported, with the first one south of M-53 at Barrie Road in Bad Axe. It created 85 mph winds and damaged two billboards.

The second one hit the intersection of Marlette and Loeding roads in Sanilac County, where it hit 90 mph and destroyed three small barns and the roof and two walls of a single home.

On June 13, 2004, an EF1 tornado took down 44 trees on a single residence with no injuries reported.

The strongest tornado to hit Huron County was on June 12, 1984, which was rated as an EF3. That tornado caused about $2.5 million worth in damage as it first started near Bay Port and went on a 12-mile long, three-mile wide path northeast toward Kinde. This resulted in 3,000 people losing their power and injured 10 people.

On July 4, 1974, an EF2 rated tornado passed through Huron County and caused $25,000 worth in damage. Its impact was felt all over the county with the Owendale Speedway losing a storage building, a wall, and light poles, downed power lines, barns in the Gagetown area being destroyed, and mobile homes near Pigeon lifted off of their foundations.

Elsewhere in the Upper Thumb, Tuscola County has had 20 NWS recorded tornadoes since 1965, of which the strongest where five different EF2 rated ones.

Sanilac County has had 18 NWS recorded tornadoes since 1957, the strongest of which was an EF3 rated one from Sept. 2, 1984 that caused $2.5 million in damage.
MANISTEE COUNTY  A Manistee man was sentenced on Monday for a felony operating while intoxicated charge after flipping a vehicle into Bear Lake in September.

Frederick Bradford, 58, was sentenced in Manistee Countys 19th Circuit Court and appeared in front of Judge David Thompson.

Bradford was ordered to complete three years of probation.

Bradford was sentenced to serve 10 months in the Manistee County Jail with credit for three days served. However, the remainder of his jail sentence was suspended as long as he follows all his probation terms.

Part of probation means he is expected to complete the 85th District Sobriety Court program.

A felony operating while intoxicated charge is punishable by up to to five years in prison. However recent criminal justice reforms have also been emphasizing alternatives to incarceration and connecting people with mental health and/or addiction services and programs.

Bradfords attorney, Lesya Dull, noted at Bradfords sentencing that he had completed a Bear River Health substance use addiction recovery program and he is expecting to enter into the 85th District Sobriety Court program as well.

The program mandates steps such as support group meetings, random drug and alcohol testing, and offers guided support. The program is open to nonviolent offenders who meet a list of eligibility requirements.

He knows that ultimately no matter how much help he gets from the courts, from his family, from Catholic Human Services, from the help he got at the rehab and from community mental health  it is ultimately his choice to drink or not, Dull said prior to sentencing. He is making the choice to stay sober but he knows he needs that additional help and he has sought that out.

She said the sobriety court program provides structure as well as a lot of accountability, which is something that he knows that he desperately needs that to set him on the right path for the rest of his life.

Thompson said that some of the positives that Bradford has going for him are that he sought treatment and graduated this month after 59 days from the Bear River Health program.

It would be easy to sit up here and say You know what, he only did those things as a way of mitigating his behavior and his hopes of staying out of jail. But your efforts thus far appear to be sincere and (you) appear to really desire a life thats free of alcohol, Thompson said prior to sentencing.

He also said Bradford was taking proper steps by addressing both his alcohol use issues alongside his mental health.

Bradford apologized to the court and said that the incident was a wakeup call.

Thompson also said Bradford has been convicted of 21 misdemeanors and four felony convictions, many that were alcohol related.

On March 15, Bradford pleaded guilty to operating while intoxicated third offense as he appeared in front of Judge David Thompson.

In the plea agreement, the court planned to dismiss a fourth offense habitual offender notice that has a compounding effect on charges.

According to a previous news release from Michigan State Police after the incident, it was reported that troopers from the Cadillac post were called to a rollover crash on Buttwell Road where the vehicle was upside down in the northeast part of Bear Lake.

The release stated that a preliminary investigation showed Bradford had driven straight instead of following the curve of the road, hit a boulder which launched the vehicle into the air, then hit the beach and rolled into the lake.

It was previously stated in a court appearance that according to the state police report, Bradford had a blood draw that showed 0.227 blood alcohol level.

Bradford is also ordered to pay a $500 fine, $750 court costs, $130 crime victims assessment fee, state costs of $68 and a DNA testing fee of $60.

Bradford is prohibited from using or possessing alcoholic beverages or any illicit controlled substances. He is also ordered to complete the courts Thinking Matters cognitive-based or a similar program.

Bradford was ordered to complete 80 hours of community service.

RELATED: Manistee man takes OWI plea deal after car flipped into Bear Lake

Manistee County's sobriety court program nears 1-year anniversary
ONEKAMA  The Portage Lake Association will host its second Monday Night Concert in the Park for the 2021 season.

The event will feature the rocking blues-based sounds of the Schrock Brothers Band featuring Madcat. They are a Michigan-based family trio comprised of brothers Andrew and Jasen Schrock, with their father Mark "Papa" Schrock.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Biden administration said Wednesday it is hiring more federal firefighters  and immediately raising their pay  as officials ramp up response efforts in the face of a severe drought that is setting the stage for another destructive summer of intense wildfires across the West.

President Joe Biden announced the moves during a virtual meeting with governors from Western states and as a huge swath of the Pacific Northwest endures one of the worst heat waves in recent memory. Temperatures in Portland, Oregon, soared to a record 116 degrees Fahrenheit on Monday, a fact Biden cited as "a wake-up call to the rest of the public about the realities of climate change.

The truth is were playing catch-up'' on preparing for extreme heat and wildfires, Biden said, calling federal efforts "under-resourced'' compared with the deadly threat posed by climate change and extreme drought.

Thats going to change and we have to do it, Biden told the governors. We cant cut corners when it comes to managing our wildfires or supporting our firefighters. Right now we have to act and act fast.

Recalling horrific scenes from wildfires in California and other states last year, Biden said, Orange skies look like end-of-days smoke and ash.

Biden's plan would ensure that no one fighting wildland fires is making less than $15 per hour and would add or convert to full-time nearly 1,000 firefighters across a host of agencies.

Because of climate change, wildland firefighting is no longer a seasonal endeavor,'' the White House said in a statement. With fire seasons turning into fire years, it is imperative to have a year-round workforce that is available to respond at any time ... and is available to undertake preventive actions" such as cutting down small trees and brush that serve as fuel to fires that are increasing in size and intensity.

Western states have been parched by severe drought and record heat that has burned more than 2,300 square miles (5,900 square kilometers) this year. Thats ahead of the pace in 2020, which saw a near-record 15,000 square miles (40,000 square kilometers) burned, killing dozens of people and destroying more than 17,000 homes and other structures.

Climate change is driving a dangerous confluence of extreme heat and prolonged drought,'' Biden said. Were seeing wildfires of greater intensity that move with more speed."

Biden has expressed dismay at the starting pay for federal firefighters, which is significantly lower than at many local and state fire agencies. Pay for new federal firefighters typically starts at $13 per hour.

The pay raise will come in the form of retention incentives and by providing additional bonuses to those working on the front lines. More experienced permanent firefighters could also be eligible for a 10% retention incentive. Temporary firefighters will be eligible to receive some incentive pay under the plan.

Wednesday's meeting included eight Western governors, including six Democrats and two Republicans.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom, a Democrat, said he was pleased to be working with the White House, rather than as sparring partners,'' as he described his state's relationship with the Trump administration. We were debating raking policies'' in forests, Newsom said, referring to comments by then-President Donald Trump that the state should rake its forests to reduce the risk of wildfires.

With climate change, the wildfire seasons are only to get worse, Newsom and other governors said. The hots are getting hotter, the dries are getting drier, Newsom said.

Three Republican governors, Greg Gianforte of Montana, Brad Little of Idaho and Doug Ducey of Arizona, said they were disappointed at their exclusion from the White House meeting.

It is critical to engage governors fully and directly to have a productive discussion about how the federal government can improve its wildfire response and prevention efforts,'' Gianforte and Little wrote in a letter to Biden.

A White House spokesman said the invited governors represented a cross-section of states impacted by wildfires and said Biden will continue to work with governors from both parties on the issue.

The meeting with the governors came as the White House released a memo confirming its commitment to a clean energy standard, tax credits and 500,000 charging stations for electric vehicles, among other climate goals as officials pursue a two-track approach on infrastructure.

A memo by climate adviser Gina McCarthy and White House senior adviser Anita Dunn also pledges at least $10 billion to conserve and restore public lands and waters, address environmental injustice and create a Civilian Climate Corps to complete projects related to climate change and clean energy.

The memo responds to criticism from environmental groups and other progressives who are frustrated that many climate-related initiatives were cut out of a bipartisan infrastructure plan announced last week.

We know more work needs to be done, which is why President Biden will continue championing'' the nearly $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill and a separate, larger plan Biden and fellow Democrats aim to approve along party lines, the memo said.

On wildfires, administration officials have pledged to work with Congress to find a permanent fix to increase firefighter pay and convert more seasonal wildland firefighters to year-round workers.

The U.S. Forest Service and Interior Department combine to employ about 15,000 firefighters. Roughly 70% are full-time and 30% are seasonal. Those figures used to be reversed, but have changed as fire seasons have grown longer and more severe.

Oregon Sen. Ron Wyden, a Democrat who has pushed the administration to ramp up its wildfire response, said Congress "can and should bolster these efforts with legislation to lift a cap on overtime pay, create a permanent firefighting workforce and expand work to remove hazardous fuels to lessen fire risk.

"The ongoing infrastructure debate in Congress gives us an essential chance to get this and other wildfire prevention efforts done,'' Wyden said.

The meeting with governors came as Arizona marked the eighth anniversary of a 2013 wildfire that killed 19 members of an elite firefighting team. First lady Jill Biden, visiting a middle school in Phoenix, said her heart, her husbands heart and I know all of your hearts are with the surviving families.

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Associated Press writers Keith Ridler in Boise, Idaho, Matthew Brown in Billings, Montana, and Darlene Superville in Phoenix contributed to this report.
DETROIT (AP)  The Detroit City Council has approved a plan on how the city will use $826 million in American Rescue Plan Act funding.

The council approval came Tuesday by a 6-2 vote.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Federal law enforcement agencies secretly seek the data of Microsoft customers thousands of times a year, according to congressional testimony Wednesday by a senior executive at the technology company.

Tom Burt, Microsoft's corporate vice president for customer security and trust, told members of the House Judiciary Committee that federal law enforcement in recent years has been presenting the company with between 2,400 to 3,500 secrecy orders a year, or about seven to 10 a day.

Most shocking is just how routine secrecy orders have become when law enforcement targets an Americans email, text messages or other sensitive data stored in the cloud," said Burt, describing the widespread clandestine surveillance as a major shift from historical norms.

The relationship between law enforcement and Big Tech has attracted fresh scrutiny in recent weeks with the revelation that Trump-era Justice Department prosecutors obtained as part of leak investigations phone records belonging not only to journalists but also to members of Congress and their staffers. Microsoft, for instance, was among the companies that turned over records under a court order, and because of a gag order, had to then wait more than two years before disclosing it.

Since then, Brad Smith, Microsofts president, called for an end to the overuse of secret gag orders, arguing in a Washington Post opinion piece that prosecutors too often are exploiting technology to abuse our fundamental freedoms." Attorney General Merrick Garland, meanwhile, has said the Justice Department will abandon its practice of seizing reporter records and will formalize that stance soon.

Burt is among the witnesses at a Judiciary Committee hearing about potential legislative solutions to intrusive leak investigations.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Jerrold Nadler said in opening remarks Wednesday that the Justice Department took advantage of outdated policies on digital data searches to target journalists and others in leak investigations. The New York Democrat said that reforms are needed now to guard against future overreach by federal prosecutors  an idea also expressed by Republicans on the committee.

We cannot trust the department to police itself, Nadler said.

Burt said that while the revelation that federal prosecutors had sought data about journalists and political figures was shocking to many Americans, the scope of surveillance is much broader. He criticized prosecutors for reflexively seeking secrecy through boilerplate requests that enable law enforcement to just simply assert a conclusion that a secrecy order is necessary.

Burt said that while Microsoft Corp. does cooperate with law enforcement on a broad range of criminal and national security investigations, it often challenges surveillance that it sees as unnecessary, resulting at times in advance notice to the account being targeted.

Among the organizations weighing in at the hearing was The Associated Press, which called on Congress to act to protect journalists' ability to promise confidentiality to their sources. Reporters must have prior notice and the ability to challenge a prosecutor's efforts to seize data, said a statement submitted by Karen Kaiser, APs general counsel.

It is essential that reporters be able to credibly promise confidentially to ensure the public has the information needed to hold its government accountable and to help government agencies and officials function more effectively and with integrity, Kaiser said.

As possible solutions, Burt said, the government should end indefinite secrecy orders and should also be required to notify the target of the data demand once the secrecy order has expired.

Just this week, he said, prosecutors sought a blanket gag order affecting the government of a major U.S. city for a Microsoft data request targeting a single employee there.

Without reform, abuses will continue to occur and they will occur in the dark, Burt said.
3 1 of 3 Contributed photo / MARC Community Resources Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Contributed photo / MARC Community Resources Show More Show Less 3 of 3





MIDDLETOWN  MARC Community Resources, which works to empower people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, was recently given a $10,000 grant from Workers Compensation Trust.

MARC is one of the few selected from 128 applicants in the 2021 Safety Grant competitive process, according to a press release. The money will be used to purchase a virtual driving simulator from Virtual Driver Interactive.
Contributed photo / National Association of Oil and Energy Service Professional

CRANFORD, N.J.  The National Association of Oil and Energy Service Professionals has selected two Cromwell students as the winners of the 2021 Dave Nelsen Scholarship.

It was established in 1999 as a way to remember and recognize the commitment to education made by OESP member Nelsen, according to a press release. The scholarship is awarded to students or technicians who are currently or planning to attend a technical college or trade school, pursuing a career in the oil and energy industry.
DETROIT (AP)  The Michigan Supreme Court on Wednesday chipped away at a longstanding legal doctrine that makes it tough to win slip-and-fall lawsuits in the state.

Donna Livings needed three surgeries after falling in an icy lot as she tried to get to work at dawn as a waitress at a suburban Detroit restaurant.

Livings died in 2020 at age 59, six years after the fall, and her estate now stands in as the plaintiff in the lawsuit. The court said in a 4-2 opinion that her family can continue to pursue a case against the property owner.

"Livings fall on the snow and ice occurred as she attempted to enter her workplace, Justice David Viviano wrote for the majority. She has raised an issue of material fact as to whether the conditions of the parking lot were effectively unavoidable.

The case will return to Macomb County court.

It can be difficult to win injury lawsuits under Michigan's open-and-obvious legal standard unless someone can show a hazard had special aspects, due to a series of decisions starting in 2001 by a Supreme Court that was dominated by conservatives.

No other state has such a threshold, said Chief Justice Bridget McCormack, who joined the majority in favor of Livings.

The result is "fewer cases find their way to Michigan juries. ... Tort liability, like much of law, regulates risk; a rule that effectively prevents liability isnt managing risk efficiently, McCormack said.

Employees at Dimitres in Eastpointe were told to park in a rear lot and use the back door. Livings and a co-worker said there was no evidence of salt on the icy ground.

A person who encounters an icy lot at a fitness club can skip a workout. But the Supreme Court said it's not a reasonable alternative for Livings to turn around and miss work under similar conditions.

In a dissent, Justice Brian Zahra said the court now has shifted liability law toward someone's job status instead of solely the hazardous conditions. He wondered who next will receive special protection.

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Follow Ed White at http://twitter.com/edwritez
SYDNEY (AP)  Chinas government and its supporters have monitored, harassed and intimidated pro-democracy Chinese students living in Australia, and Australian universities have failed to protect the students' academic freedoms, Human Rights Watch said in a report published Wednesday.

The fear caused by the intimidation  which includes classmates reporting the students activities to Chinese officials  has intensified in recent years, according to the report. Terrified of reprisals against their families in China, many Chinese students and academics in Australia now censor their behavior, despite being thousands of kilometers (miles) from Beijing.

It was really heartbreaking how alone these students were and how vulnerable they are so far from home and feeling this lack of protection from the university, said Sophie McNeill, Australia researcher for Human Rights Watch and the reports author. Universities really fear a backlash from Beijing, so rather than discuss these issues openly, they are swept under the carpet. But we think they no longer can be.

In three cases, police in China visited or asked to meet with the families of students because of the students activities in Australia, according to the report, based on interviews with 24 pro-democracy students from mainland China and Hong Kong, and 22 academics at Australian universities. Chinese authorities threatened to jail one student who posted pro-democracy messages on Twitter in Australia, and confiscated the passport of another who expressed support for democracy in front of classmates in Australia, Human Rights Watch said.

Those cases have caused particular alarm for Chinese students across Australia, McNeill said.

These are all one-child families and they would so dearly love the freedom in Australia that other young people enjoy, McNeill said. But they cant, because they live in fear of something happening to their parents.

All students interviewed by the group said they were afraid their actions in Australia could prompt Chinese officials to punish or interrogate their families in China. Because of that, most said they censored their own words and activities in Australia. More than half the academics interviewed, who were either from China or studying China, said they also regularly censored themselves when talking about China.

This is the reality, one student told Human Rights Watch. I come to Australia and still Im not free.

The Chinese embassy in Australia called the report rubbish.

Human Rights Watch has decayed into a political tool for the West to attack and smear developing countries, the embassy said in a statement. It is always biased on China.

The issue is financially and diplomatically sensitive for Australian universities, which have been encouraged by the government to build partnerships with China and have made billions of dollars in the process.

International education is one of Australias top exports, contributing 40 billion Australian dollars ($30 billion) to the nation's economy in 2019. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 40% of all international students in Australia came from China, according to a 2019 report by the Centre for Independent Studies, an Australian think tank.

But Australias decision to close its borders in March 2020 in response to the pandemic left foreign students unable to enter the country. As a result, universities lost AU$1.8 billion ($1.4 billion) in revenue last year and are expected to lose another AU$2 billion ($1.5 billion) this year, according to Universities Australia, an umbrella group of the nations universities. A recently announced pilot program would allow some international students to begin returning to Australia later this year.

The issue of foreign interference is especially thorny for Beijing. In 2018, Australia introduced laws widely seen as a means of preventing covert Chinese interference in Australian politics, universities and other institutions. The laws enraged China and stoked increasing tensions between the nations.

Most of the students who were harassed told Human Rights Watch they didnt report the incidents to their universities because they believe the schools care more about maintaining their relationships with Beijing.

Catriona Jackson, chief executive of Universities Australia, said the report was both sobering and unsurprising. She urged Chinese students and staff to report any harassment to their universities.

Jackson denied universities had turned a blind eye to Chinese interference and said they were actively trying to combat the problem by working alongside security agencies as part of the governments University Foreign Interference Taskforce that was formed in 2019.

Free debate, open intellectual inquiry, the contest of ideas is at the absolute center of everything Australian universities do, Jackson said. Why would we not be in support of the very thing that defines us?

More publicity surrounding the threats could help deter them from happening, McNeill said. Human Rights Watch urged the government to publish an annual report documenting harassment and censorship of international students, and to establish a mechanism for students to report any intimidation, censorship or retaliation involving foreign governments. The group also encouraged universities to report such incidents to law enforcement.

Federal Education Minister Alan Tudge said he was considering the reports recommendations and seeking advice from the Parliamentary Joint Committee on Intelligence and Security, which is conducting an inquiry into national security risks affecting higher education.

There are some deeply concerning issues raised in this report, Tudge said in a statement. Any interference on our campuses by foreign entities cannot be tolerated.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  The extra federal unemployment aid offered amid the COVID-19 pandemic will end in Tennessee on Saturday, including the end of $300 weekly additional payments.

Tennessee is among dozens of states that have stopped accepting the $300 benefit. Republican leaders say it's necessary because job openings are going unfilled, and are pointing people to job-finding resources offered throughout the state.
BEIJING (AP)  For China's Communist Party, celebrating its 100th birthday on Thursday is not just about glorifying its past. It's also about cementing its future and that of its leader, Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In the build-up to the July 1 anniversary, Xi and the party have exhorted its members and the nation to remember the early days of struggle in the hills of the inland city of Yan'an, where Mao Zedong established himself as party leader in the 1930s.

Dug into earthen cliffs, the primitive homes where Mao and his followers lived are now tourist sites for the party faithful and schoolteachers encouraged to spread the word. The cave-like rooms feel far removed from Beijing, the modern capital where national festivities are being held, and the skyscrapers of Shenzhen and other high-tech centers on the coast that are more readily associated with today's China.

Yet in marking its centenary, the Communist Party is using this past  selectively  to try to ensure its future and that of Xi, who may be eyeing, as Mao did, ruling for life.

By linking the party to all of Chinas accomplishments of the past century, and none of its failures, Xi is trying to bolster support for his vision, his right to lead the party and the partys right to govern the country, said Elizabeth Economy, a senior fellow at Stanford Universitys Hoover Institution.

This week's celebrations focus on two distinct eras  the early struggles and recent achievements  glossing over the nearly three decades under Mao from the 1950s to 1970s, when mostly disastrous social and economic policies left millions dead and the country impoverished.

To that end, a spectacular outdoor gala attended by Xi in Beijing on Monday night relived the Long March of the 1930s  a retreat to Yan'an that has become of party lore  before moving on to singing men holding giant wrenches and women with bushels of wheat. But it also focused on the present, with representations of special forces climbing a mountain and medical workers battling COVID-19 in protective gear.

The party has long invoked its history to justify its right to rule, said Joseph Fewsmith, a professor of Chinese politics at Boston University.

Shoring up its legitimacy is critical since the party has run China single-handedly for more than 70 years  through the chaotic years under Mao, through the collapse of the Soviet Union and through the unexpected adoption of market-style reforms that over time have built an economic powerhouse, though millions remain in poverty.

Many Western policymakers and analysts believed that capitalism would transform China into a democracy as its people prospered, following the pattern of former dictatorships such as South Korea and Taiwan.

The Communist Party has confounded that thinking, taking a decisive turn against democracy when it cracked down on large-scale protests in Beijings Tiananmen Square in 1989 and quashing any challenges to single-party rule in the ensuing decades  most recently all but extinguishing dissent in Hong Kong after anti-government protests shook the city in 2019.

Its leaders have learned the lesson of the Soviet Union, where the communists lost power after opening the door to pluralism, said Zhang Shiyi of the Institute of Party History and Literature.

Instead, China's newfound wealth gave the party the means to build a high-speed rail network and other infrastructure to modernize at home and project power abroad with a strong military and a space program that has landed on the moon and Mars. China is still a middle-income country, but its very size makes it the world's second-largest economy and puts it on a trajectory to rival the U.S. as a superpower.

In the meantime, it has doubled down on its repressive tactics, stamping out dissent from critics of its policies and pushing the assimilation of ethnic minorities seeking to preserve their customs and language in areas such as Tibet and the heavily Muslim Xinjiang region. While it is difficult to gauge public support for the party, it has likely been boosted at least in some quarters by Chinas relative success at controlling the COVID-19 pandemic and its standing up to criticism from the United States and others.

We have never been so confident about our future, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told journalists on a recent trip to the party's historic sites in Yan'an.

Tiananmen Square, where Mao proclaimed the founding of communist China in 1949, is no longer a home for student protesters with democratic dreams. On Thursday, the plaza in the center of Beijing will host the nation's major celebration of party rule. While most details remain under wraps, authorities have said that Xi will give an important speech.

The anniversary marks a meeting of about a dozen people in Shanghai in 1921 that is considered the first congress of the Chinese Communist Party  though it actually started in late July. The festivities will likely convey the message that the party has brought China this far, and that it alone can lift the nation to greatness  arguing in essence that it must remain in power.

Xi also appears to be considering a third five-year term that would start in 2022, after the party scrapped term limits.

The centennial is at once a benchmark to measure how far the country has come and a moment for Xi and the party to move toward their goals for 2049, which would mark the 100th year of communist rule, said Alexander Huang, a professor at Tamkang University in Taiwan. By then, Xi has said, the aim is basic prosperity for the entire population and for China to be a global leader with national strength and international influence.

Whether they can achieve that goal is the biggest challenge for the Chinese leadership today, he said, noting growing tensions with other countries, an aging population and a young generation that, as elsewhere, is rejecting the grueling rat race for the traditional markers of success.

Still, the party's ability to evolve and rule for so long, albeit in part by suppressing dissent, suggests it may remain in control well into its second century. The party insists it has no intention of exporting its model to other countries, but if China continues to rise, it could well challenge the western democratic model that won the Cold War and has dominated the post-World War II era.

In the United States, you only talk, talk, talk, said Hua of the Foreign Ministry. You try to win votes. But after four years, the other people can overthrow your policies. How can you ensure the peoples living standards, that their demands can be satisfied?

___

Associated Press video journalists Sam McNeil in Beijing and Johnson Lai in Taipei, Taiwan, contributed.
MILFORD  Citing her leadership through difficult circumstances, the Milford Board of Education extended Superintendent Anna Cutaias contract for another three years.

The extension is effective July 1, 2021, and runs through June 30, 2024.

When you see the levels of retirements and resignations throughout the country, never mind throughout the state, and seeing that is so low in Milford, thats a real, concrete demonstration of the excellent leadership that Dr. Cutaia has shown us, said Una Petroske during board discussion.

Board member Adam DeYoung said leadership in the city schools starts at the top, and that Cutaia set the example for the district.

One of the things I think about as it relates to Milford Public Schools is that they didnt let us see them sweat, said DeYoung. They did an outstanding job in the leadership at the top which, is how it starts. Dr. Cutaia put in 24 hours, seven days a week or whatever was needed to get our schools open before many of the schools in Connecticut and around the country were open, and they stayed open for most of the school year.

Cutaia was named Milford school superintendent in 2018. At the time, she brought 27 years of professional educational experience. Prior to coming to Milford she spent four years as superintendent of schools in Regional District 14, which includes Woodbury and Bethlehem.

Before extending Cutaias contract, the board conducted a job evaluation during an executive session at its June 28 meeting. The session lasted nearly two hours, and when it was over the board voted unanimously to the three-year extension.

In the meetings public session, all board members had positive comments about Cutaia.

The Milford Public Schools and the community are in a very good position having Dr. Cutaia as our leader, said Nicole Wasson during the boards public discussion.

Board Member Emily McDonough Souza said Cutaias ability to communicate clearly and effectively with students, parents and staff has been exemplary.

Even if someone might not have agreed with decisions being made, I think that all of her decisions were well thought out and she really explained her thinking and no one was kept in the dark, Souza said. For that and many other reasons, I support the continuation of her contract.

Betsy Ratner said she appreciated how transparent Cutaia and her team were with the board, and how seriously she took the safety of staff and students when they went back to school this year.

Rita Hennessey also cited Cutaias communication skills, saying she appreciated Cutaias focusing on communicating well with stakeholders, coming up with a reopening plan with the safety of students, staff and family first and foremost and maintaining a quality of education as well.

Susan Glennon, board president, said Cutaia did a great job leading the school district through a difficult year.

Shes done it with grace, transparency, and strong leadership and I too will be very proud to support a new contract, she said.

Cutaia graduated Mount St. Mary College in 1991, followed by masters in education from the University of Southern Mississippi in 1997. She received her sixth year certificate in the Executive Leadership Program in 2007, followed doctorate in 2013, both from the University of Connecticut.

Cutaia started her career in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, where she served as a teacher, assistant principal and principal between 1991 and 2003. After moving to Connecticut she served as principal of Casimir Pulaski Elementary School in Meriden. She also worked with the Connecticut State Department of Education as an educational consultant and as an adjunct professor at UConn and Southern Connecticut State.

When Cutaia was superintendent for Regional District 14, she led the development and implementation of a district theory of action and strategy, guiding the decision-making process for the district.
The South Dakota National Guard is deploying on mission to the U.S. southern border. And the operation is being funded by a billionaire, not the government, Military.com has learned.

Soldiers will serve on state active-duty orders, meaning that traditionally the state would cover the cost of the mission. However, in this case the tab is being picked up by the private Tennessee-based Willis and Reba Johnson's Foundation.

"The border is a national security crisis that requires the kind of sustained response only the National Guard can provide," South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a Republican, said in a statement Tuesday.

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Roughly 50 guardsmen will deploy on the mission, according to a South Dakota Guard spokesman. However, the mission is still in its early planning stages. Its unclear where the troops will deploy on the border, which unit will be sent or what the mission will be.

The National Guard declined to comment for this story or answer questions about the practice of allowing private donors to fund missions. A query to the Pentagon about the mission did not receive a response.

Willis Johnson is the founder of Copart, an online vehicle auction service, and has amassed a $2.2 billion fortune, according to Forbes. He resigned as CEO of Copart in 2010, according to reporting from the Nashville Post.

He is a Republican mega-donor, donating at least $1.5 million to conservative causes, including $50,000 to the "Trump Victory" political action committee, according to reporting from Bloomberg.

Former President Donald Trump made border security a key part of his presidency, ordering the deployment of troops to the border in April 2018 under a mission known as Operation Faithful Patriot. One of President Joe Bidens first acts as president was to suspend Trumps emergency declaration at the border, halting some government funds. The Associated Press reported that Trump is expected to visit the border with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, later this week.

Ian Fury, a spokesman for Noem, wouldn't confirm if Willis Johnson runs the foundation. When Military.com reached Johnson via telephone, he wouldn't confirm his identity and declined to be interviewed.

However, tax forms including for the foundation and donation records for Johnson share the same address in Franklin, Tennessee.

"Governor Noem welcomes any such donations to help alleviate the cost to South Dakota taxpayers," Fury told Military.com. Fury declined to disclose how much of a donation was made to cover the mission, saying revealing that would be "a security risk."

-- Steve Beynon can be reached at Steve.Beynon@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @StevenBeynon.

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TOKYO  Two Americans charged in Japan with helping Nissans former chairman, Carlos Ghosn, jump bail and escape for Lebanon apologized Tuesday in a Tokyo court.

I deeply regret my actions and sincerely apologize for causing difficulties for the judicial process and for the Japanese people. Im sorry, Michael Taylor, a former Green Beret said, bowing and holding back sobs.

Taylor, on trial in Tokyo District Court with his son Peter, said in response to questioning by his lawyer and prosecutors that he had been misinformed by Ghosn and his wife, Carole.

Carole Ghosn told Taylor her husband was tortured" and grilled in solitary confinement, he said. Ghosn also said he was being mistreated, Taylor said.

Taylor said he has been well treated in Japan.

I didnt know much about Japan. All I know is that the Japanese are the friendliest people Ive ever bumped into, he said.

At the outset of their trial earlier this month, the Taylors indicated they werent fighting the allegations, in Japans equivalent of pleading guilty. They were arrested in Massachusetts last year and extradited to Japan in March.

Peter Taylor, who allegedly met with Ghosn to plan the escape, also apologized to the court for the trouble he had caused.

I must apologize to the people of Japan, Peter Taylor said, bowing to a panel of three judges.

After more than 400 days in jail, I have had a lot of time to reflect. I take full responsibility and deeply apologize. I am sorry," he said.

If convicted of helping a criminal, the Taylors face up to three years in prison. Japanese trials often drag on for months, and their defense team has indicated they want the trial to finish as soon as possible. Showing remorse for wrongdoing is considered crucial for defendants hoping for judicial leniency.

Ghosn, who led Nissan for two decades, was arrested in November 2018, and charged with financial misconduct, including falsifying securities reports to under-report his future compensation, and with breach of trust in using Nissan money for personal gain.

He says he is innocent, arguing that the compensation was never decided on or paid and the expenses were legitimate for his job.

Ghosn hid in a box for musical equipment and left Japan in a private jet in December 2019. He is now in Lebanon, which has no extradition treaty with Japan.

The Taylors, who have not been granted bail, are accused of playing leading roles in that escape. Prosecutors have described details of bank transfers and bitcoin payments, alleging Ghosn paid the Taylors the equivalent of more than $1 million.

While in detention, prosecutors questioned Ghosn without a lawyer present, although he was allowed lawyers visits. Thats standard in Japan, where more than 99% of criminal cases end with guilty verdicts. Critics often point to human rights abuses in the judicial system.

Another American and former top Nissan executive, Greg Kelly, is on trial in Tokyo on charges of under-reporting Ghosns compensation. Kelly says he is innocent and was only trying to pay Ghosn legally.
Teams from Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, have begun preparing for suitability and evaluation tests on the service's newest CH-53K King Stallion heavy-lift helicopter, paving the way for the service to declare the aircraft operationally ready later this year.

The service is set to begin its official initial operational test and evaluation, or IOT&E, phase next month, the U.S. Navy said on Friday. The King Stallion is set to replace aging CH-53E Super Stallion helicopters; it will be able to lift twice as much as its predecessor and feature a wider cargo hold, while maintaining the same external footprint.

"I believe the service will be ready to declare [initial operational capability] sometime early this fall," Marine Col. Jack Perrin, the heavy-lift helicopter program manager, said on Monday during a roundtable.

The Corps last week awarded a $878.7 million contract to Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky to build nine King Stallions as part of its next batch order, Lot 5, to be delivered in 2024. The contract award includes an option for the next production collection of nine aircraft, Lot 6, at a lower cost per unit.

Perrin called awarding the next contract "a big step" for the service as it brings the total inventory to 33 aircraft either delivered or procured, with greater volume reducing program costs.

From provided estimates, each aircraft in Lot 5 would cost $97.6 million; Lot 6 aircraft are expected to cost $94.7 million each, for a Lot 6 total contract cost of $852.5 million, according to the Navy. The Lot 6 contract is expected to be awarded in fiscal 2022, the Navy said.

The Marine Corps plans to buy 200 King Stallions, but the program has seen a series of setbacks due to mechanical and design problems that pushed back the expected IOC date from 2019 to 2021.

A Government Accountability Office report released earlier this year found that, while the Lockheed Martin-Sikorsky CH-53K program has made progress, there is a "moderate risk" that the new aircraft will not meet the required levels of reliability and payload-carrying capability by the end of operational testing.

Technical issues, ranging from engine shutdown from exhaust gas reingestion to a flawed power distribution unit design, resulted in a seven-year delay to the full-rate production decision from December 2015 to November 2022, GAO said. The service launched the program in 2005 to replace the older CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter with a more powerful ship-to-shore aircraft to transport heavy weapons, equipment and supplies.

GAO recommended the Marine Corps reduce the number of helicopters it buys until IOT&E is complete.

"I believe that it was a good suggestion," Perrin said of GAO's recommendation, "but I believe the overarching risk within the program had dictated that we maintain our ramp and continue to build up for the transition to drive the costs out."

The costs of the new contracts do not include do not include engines and other equipment. Perrin said the Marine Corps has separately purchased the General Electric-T408 engines through Lot 5 -- at a cost of $4.6 million per unit -- and are in the process of purchasing the engines for the next three contract orders. The aircraft is powered by three engines.

"I'm expecting when the [fiscal] 2023 budget comes out that we'll also see an increase in the total number of aircraft bought per year," Perrin added.

Lawmakers are already looking to buy the Marine Corps additional aircraft.

In the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee draft bill of the fiscal 2022 budget released Tuesday ahead of the markup, lawmakers are poised to fund 11 CH-53K helicopters, two more than the service's request, according to Aviation Week.

Since October 2020, Sikorsky has delivered three operational CH-53Ks, which are now stationed in Jacksonville, North Carolina.

-- Gina Harkins, Matthew Cox and Hope Hodge Seck contributed to this report.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.

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KABUL, Afghanistan -- Charges have been dropped against six former employees of a U.S. government contractor, who were accused of endangering U.S. troops and military operations in Afghanistan by hiring unqualified linguists to work alongside them.

A federal judge in Alexandria, Va., ruled on June 23 that the government waited too long to bring the case to court, denying the group due process.

The alleged offenses happened in 2011 and 2012.

The defendants argued the decadelong delay would prevent them from defending themselves at trial, pointing out that one witness had died, another had gone missing and others would have a foggy recollection of events that occurred so far in the past.

Government prosecutors obtained a grand jury indictment against the defendants in April, alleging they knowingly recruited linguists who lacked even minimum language proficiency in Dari or Pashto, the two main languages spoken in Afghanistan, in order to get bonuses worth thousands of dollars.

The six were charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud and between two and six counts of fraud each, and could have been sentenced to up to 20 years in prison for each count if convicted.

The crimes they were accused of "threatened to put American troops at greater risk in a combat zone," Special Inspector General for Afghanistan Reconstruction John Sopko said at the time.

Prosecutors last week argued the case should proceed, citing the Wartime Suspension of Limitations Act, which extends the statute of limitations for crimes in war zones until five years after the conflict ends.

But U.S. District Judge Leonie Brinkema ruled on behalf of the defendants, dropping all charges against them.
A software glitch caused by a change to how the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) allows users to calculate Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) contributions means users under 50 years old could contribute too much to their accounts this year without realizing it.

In the past, the common wisdom around TSP savings has been, "Don't worry about the contribution limits. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service will curtail your contributions when you reach the limit." And that was generally true -- until now. Contributions to employer-sponsored, tax-advantaged retirement accounts, such as a 401(k) and TSP plan, are limited each year. The elective deferral limit, often called the regular limit, applies to most situations (except combat zone service, which has a separate limit).

The elective deferral limit for 2021 is $19,500. There's an additional contribution available to people ages 50 and older called the "catch-up contribution." For 2021, the catch-up limit is $6,500 per year. That means that while people ages 50 and over can contribute $26,000 to their TSP account in 2021, folks under 50 have to follow the $19,500 limit unless they have tax-free income from service in a designated combat zone.

As of December 2019, almost 6 million people were contributing to a TSP, according to DFAS, with more than 3 million contributing via automatic payroll deductions. In January 2021, DFAS changed the way that service members elect regular and catch-up contributions. Instead of designating them as two separate contributions, service members can now designate just one percentage to reach both limits. It was assumed that those contributions would stop automatically when they reached the appropriate limit, as they did in previous years. However, it appears that the software change didn't reflect that catch-up contributions are only available to service members ages 50 and above. Many service members under age 50 reported via social media that their contributions did not stop when they reached the $19,500 limit and that TSP contributions have continued to be deducted from their pay account.

Officials with DFAS said they are tracking those who inadvertently contribute beyond the limit and will return the excess TSP contributions back to those members, a spokesperson said in an email to Military.com.

In addition, some commands are notifying their service members that this problem is occurring. For example, a mass email from the finance office to the Ramstein community in Germany said: "Due to a programming change in the TSP Catch-up program, there are no longer separate caps of the $19,500 for normal TSP and $6,500 for the TSP Catch-up. As a result, the TSP limit has been changed to $26,000 erroneously." It further states: "A permanent fix from TSP and DFAS should be implemented at the end of October."

A DFAS spokesperson confirmed that the system upgrades are slated for this fall.

While this will get sorted out eventually, you may have the ability to prevent the problem ahead of time by adjusting your contribution percentages. It is too late to make the change for June, but you can adjust contributions for July and subsequent months to avoid exceeding the elective deferral limit. It's a little tough when your goal is to reach the limit, because TSP contributions are designated as a percentage of pay, but a little math can help you get close without going over.

Side note: If you are in the Blended Retirement System, keep in mind that the government matching funds are based on monthly contributions, not annually. If you max out your TSP before December, you'll miss out on the government match for the months that you don't make a contribution.

If you check your June leave and earnings statement and see that you've overcontributed for 2021, you have two options. You can wait and let TSP and DFAS sort this out themselves, or you can be proactive and reach out to your finance office and DFAS to start the process. I recommend that you take the steps to document and report this error to everyone possible. That may help you get your own situation sorted out quicker, but it also may help push for a bigger resolution for everyone impacted.
A new study of U.S. service members found higher than expected rates of heart inflammation following receipt of COVID-19 vaccines. It's a finding Defense Department researchers say should call attention to the condition, known as myocarditis, as a potential side effect of the immunizations.

In an article published Tuesday in JAMA Cardiology, U.S. Army, Navy and Air Force physicians described 23 cases of myocarditis in previously healthy males who developed the condition within four days of receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

Physicians would have expected to find eight or fewer cases of myocarditis among the 436,000 male military members who received two mRNA shots, according to the study. But 20 military members developed inflammation after their second dose, including 14 after the Moderna shot and six after the Pfizer shot. Three developed the condition after their first vaccine.

All were previously healthy and physically fit and none showed any evidence of having acute COVID-19 illness or any other infection, according to the report.

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Personnel in the study ranged in age from 20 to 51. Cardiac symptoms resolved within a week of onset for 16 patients, but seven continued to have chest pain at the time of publication.

An association between the COVID-19 vaccines and myocarditis was first reported in Israel with a case study in February involving a 19-year-old male. The U.S. military was the first to begin tracking cases in the U.S. population.

The Food and Drug Administration last week added a warning to the documentation that accompanies the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines to notify recipients of the risk of developing myocarditis, seen mainly in young men.

The papers say that the vaccines may bring "increased risks of myocarditis and pericarditis, particularly following the second dose."

To date, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has tracked at least 323 cases of myocarditis in those ages 29 and below after COVID-19 vaccines, and is reviewing 148 additional cases.

In a presentation last week by the CDC's vaccine advisory panel, officials said the rate of developing myocarditis was 12.6 per 1 million people vaccinated. The CDC continues to recommend that everyone ages 12 and older receive the COVID-19 vaccine, given the risk of the illness and possibly severe complications.

CDC officials added that they had not yet determined how the vaccines cause myocarditis. But a group of researchers from the Mayo Clinic reported June 16 that the condition in patients following the mRNA vaccine did not resemble the inflammation seen in patients who have had a bad reaction to the smallpox vaccine.

"Potential mechanisms for myocarditis post-mRNA-based vaccination include a non-specific innate inflammatory response or a molecular mimicry mechanism between viral spike protein and an unknown cardiac protein," wrote Dr. Kathryn Larson.

The researchers noted that myocarditis was not reported as an adverse effect in the Phase 3 clinical trials for the mRNA vaccines, and that, other than in the case of the smallpox vaccine, "immunizations are rarely associated with hypersensitivity myocarditis."

In 2003, at least 10 military personnel and several civilians developed myocarditis after receiving the vaccine; two died of heart attacks. The CDC took steps to recommend that people diagnosed with heart disease avoid the smallpox vaccination.

As of June 11, the Defense Department had 30 cases of myocarditis among vaccinated beneficiaries, out of 4.1 million vaccines administered.

The researchers said rare side effects should not "diminish overall confidence in the value of vaccination."

But, they added, "increased attention to myocarditis as a potential adverse event following immunization is warranted."

"While the true incidence of this adverse event is unknown at this time, the presentation pattern and clinical course suggest an association with an inflammatory response to vaccination," wrote the group, led by Dr. Jay Montgomery, of Walter Reed National Military Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.

-- Patricia Kime can be reached Patricia.Kime@Monster.com. Follow her on Twitter @patriciakime.

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Marine Corps Maj. Christopher Warnagiris has pleaded not guilty to nine charges that stem from his actions in the U.S. Capitol riot on Jan. 6 at his arraignment on Monday.

Federal prosecutors say that Warnagiris, 40, violently entered the Capitol after pushing through a line of police officers guarding the East Rotunda doors. According to the criminal complaint, Warnagiris then stood by the door, holding it open and helping others enter the Capitol.

When U.S. Capitol Police tried to intervene, officials allege that the Marine officer struggled with them before giving up.

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Warnagiris was released pending his trial according to both court records and his attorney.

Marina Medvin, the lawyer who represents Warnagiris and several other Capitol riot defendants, would not comment on the case. She noted that DC federal court rules limit what attorneys can say about pending cases.

Warnagiris was arrested in Virginia on May 13, but he has continued to work with the Training and Education Command at Marine Corps Base Quantico, Virginia, according to a spokesman for the Marine Corps.

An artillery officer, Warnagiris is currently assigned to the Operations and Support Branch of the Policy and Standards Division, according to Maj. Jorge Hernandez, a Marine spokesman.

The Marine Corps, in a prior statement, has said that "[they are] clear on this: There is no place for racial hatred or extremism in the Marine Corps."

"Bigotry and racial extremism run contrary to our core values," the statement added.

Warnagiris has served since 2002 and reached the rank of major in September 2013, according to his service records. He previously deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan.

His personal awards include three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals and a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.

-- Konstantin Toropin can be reached at konstantin.toropin@military.com. Follow him on Twitter @ktoropin.

Related: After Capitol Riot Indictment, Marine Major Remains at His Quantico Job
The government of Switzerland announced Wednesday it has chosen Lockheed Martin's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter to replace its aging fleets of F-5 Tigers and F/A-18 Hornets.

Citing unmatched performance, production support and cost benefits of bringing the conventional takeoff and landing Lightning II model into its inventory, Switzerland said it will buy 36 F-35As, the standard variant, for the program. It passed up Boeing's F/A-18 Super Hornet, Airbus' Eurofighter Typhoon and Dassault's Rafale, also competing for the program.

Read Next: Billionaire GOP Mega-Donor Funds National Guard Mission to US-Mexico Border

The deal with Lockheed costs roughly $5 billion Swiss francs, which amounts to $5.5 billion in U.S. currency and under the government's voter-set cap of $6 billion Swiss francs.

"The F-35A has the lowest operating costs of all of the candidates evaluated," the Swiss Federal Council said in a release. The Swiss adopted the decision to bring in new fighters in a September referendum; it now heads to parliament for final approval.

"The total costs of the F-35A (i.e. procurement plus operating costs) amounts to approximately 15.5 billion [francs] over 30 years," amounting to $2 billion in savings over its nearest competitor, the government said.

"[The F-35A] includes entirely new, extremely powerful and comprehensively networked systems for protecting and monitoring airspace," the council said.

Bridget Lauderdale, vice president and general manager of the F-35 program, noted that Switzerland will be the 15th nation, apart from the U.S., to join the program.

According to the company, the F-35 operates from 21 bases worldwide with more than 655 F-35s in service. Majority of allied partner nations operate the conventional takeoff F-35A, the same variant flown by the U.S. Air Force.

The F-35 program was founded by nine partner nations: the U.S., the United Kingdom, Italy, the Netherlands, Turkey, Australia, Norway, Denmark and Canada. Canada has not committed to buying the aircraft, but is expected to announce its choice this year. Turkey was removed from the program in 2019.

Foreign Military Sale, or FMS, customers include Israel, Japan, South Korea and Belgium. Over the last two years, the U.S. government has also cleared the sale of F-35s through FMS awards to Singapore and Poland.

Finland is set to announce its fighter pick this year.

At least 50 F-35 jets have been delivered to allies including the United Kingdom, Norway, Italy, the Netherlands and Denmark, with dozens more on the way throughout the European continent.

Through a previous replacement attempt, Swiss voters in 2014 rejected the country's effort to replace its Hornet fleet with Saab JAS-39 Gripens for its air policing mission. In September, the referendum passed with a narrow margin of 50.1%.

In a statement, Boeing said its F/A-18 Block III Super Hornet was the "right choice," and will request a debrief from the Swiss government to understand its decision.

"We are disappointed by Switzerland's selection," the company said. The Super Hornet "would bring unmatched capability and lifecycle value to the Swiss Air Force, including our industrial partnerships and robust services offerings."

In another win for the U.S., Switzerland said it chose to buy five Patriot missile defense systems from Raytheon Technologies, choosing it over France's Eurosam SAMP/T system.

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.

Related: Key US Ally Declares Its F-35s Ready for Combat
You may have to spend your money in different ways once your new bundle of joy comes along. But a little planning can help you maintain financial security as your family grows.

Denise Dorman has a two-word explanation for why she didn't do much financial planning before the birth of her son, Jack, and it's not "morning sickness." "Hurricane Ivan," she says.

Denise and her husband, Dave, had half of their home destroyed in September 2004, a month before she was due. "So we just sort of winged it," says Denise. "Budgeting? At that point, we didn't." After a near-miss from Hurricane Dennis the following summer, the couple moved from Florida to hurricane-free Geneva, Ill. But Mrs. Dorman, a public relations consultant, and her husband, an artist, still struggle with post-partum finances. The biggest shock: day-care costs. "It's much more expensive than we thought it would be," Denise explains.

Most couples can't claim a hurricane as an excuse for not planning. Even if parents try, it's tough to come up with an actual figure for what they'll spend on each new baby. In 2006, The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported that raising a child from birth through age 17 costs the typical middle-income, two-child family $197,700.

Diapers and day care are just the beginning. Expectant parents also must budget for life insurance - the foundation of any financial plan. And they should think about saving for their child's college tuition, without compromising retirement savings. Phew. Now, that's a lot to consider.

But take a deep breath. A few smart steps can get your finances in order and let you concentrate on your little one.

A trial run Long before the due date, take a good look at how your baby will affect everyday living expenses. If you and your mate are unfamiliar with the price of day gowns and diapers, stroll through a baby store or two - and take notes.

Buying disposable diapers instead of cloth may be worth it to you, but expect to spend a total of $1,500 to $2,000 until your child is potty trained, according to Consumer Reports. The cost of formula, if you use it, adds up quickly, too. "Store-brand formula is almost identical to brand-name, but half the cost," says Financial Planner Sean Sebold.

Next, redo your annual budget to include the new line items. That exercise can help you figure out if you need to cut spending in other areas.

If one parent is thinking of leaving the workplace to care for the baby at home, experiment with living on one income to see how feasible it is. "See what it feels likes - the earlier the better," says Financial Planner Dianne Nolin. Sock the second income into savings for child-related expenses.

Baby-clothes bonanza It's fun to buy new hoodies and onesies, but the Financial Planning Association recommends investigating hand-me-downs, consignment shops and garage sales. Denise Dorman is a regular on eBay, where she finds box loads of gently used and quality children's clothes for a few dollars.

Ask gift-givers for items you really need, suggests Dianne. Otherwise, you're likely to be overwhelmed with newborn outfits that are outgrown in a few weeks.

House notes Beyond expenses for the crib and any decorating you might want to do in the nursery, think twice before buying a new home for your growing family. You may find yourself baby-rich and house-poor like Lisa and Luis Rivero.

The 32-year-old professionals rented an upscale but affordable apartment in downtown Boston before buying a home in Ipswich, Mass., a few weeks after their first child was born. Unexpected repairs and maintenance robbed them of their savings. "Now we live paycheck to paycheck," Lisa says.

You can save on housing by moving, but not necessarily to heavily populated areas in the Northeast or out West. Child-rearing costs are lowest in the Midwest and South, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, largely because of lower housing expenses.

Not moving at all might have been better, at least for a while. Mrs. Rivero wishes they had rented for another year.

Hot wheels Contrary to popular belief, you don't really need a minivan or sport utility vehicle to parent properly. Lisa regrets trading her paid-for sedan for a luxury SUV just before gas prices soared. "I would return it to the dealer in a heartbeat," she says.

Day-care solutions Perhaps the most meaningful financial assistance grandparents, other relatives, and friends can give is volunteering to baby-sit. "That's very helpful, particularly when the baby's young," says Park Ridge, Ill. Financial Planner Terry Gaertner. "You have to develop some sort of support system for baby care."

For those without this system, here's a tip from the Financial Planning Association: If your employer offers a flexible spending account, you may be able to use it to pay up to $5,000 in child-care expenses using money exempt from income taxes.

Bye-bye to brand names Perhaps you can afford that designer diaper bag, but if it's a stretch, one from the discount store might have to do.

Your baby won't know the difference between top-of-the-line baby blankets and less expensive, quality ones that feel just as snuggly.

Look ahead to higher education If you start planning for college in the delivery room, you won't be jumping the gun, Dianne Nolin says.

The College Board estimated that the average cost of tuition and fees for the 2006-07 school year was $5,836 for a public college, up 6.3 percent from the previous year, and $22,218 for a private college, up 5.9 percent from the previous year. By the time your baby is a freshman, who knows what tuition, room and board, and books will cost?

Financial aid and part-time jobs may help your child pay for college, but if you want to contribute, experts suggest 529 college savings plans and Coverdell educational savings accounts.

For now, college is far from Denise's mind. But the good news is that the financial sacrifice, even the day-care cost, is worth it. "My son is thriving," she says.

The preceding discussion is not tax or legal advice. Consult your tax or legal professional regarding your specific situation.
SAN ANTONIO -- When her Soldier husband was injured in Iraq, Catrina Tomsich gave up everything to be with him. She shut down her business, left a support network of friends and uprooted their 5-year-old son, Brayden, to move here to help him recover.

She did so without hesitation, but not without fear.

Her concerns didnt center on her husbands recovery -- his injuries werent life threatening -- or their uncertain future, but on her own safety and that of her sons.

Catrinas husband, Army Sgt. John Tomsich, had been suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder since 2005. The noncommissioned officer maintained a stoic front for his troops, but barely could contain his rage at home.

For five years, I heard, I hate you; I dont love you anymore every day, she told American Forces Press Service. That can definitely take an emotional toll on someone.

Catrina first noticed a change in her husband after his 2005 deployment in Kosovo, his first since he joined the Army in 1998.

He was there during a period of political tension, he recalled, and was out shopping one day with several of his leaders when hostilities broke out around them. Weapons were fired, he said, but no one was seriously injured. They wound up cornered in a hotel, uncertain of what would occur overnight.

Thats where the anger started, Tomsich said, but I didnt talk about it to anyone. Noncommissioned officers couldnt discuss their problems with anger or depression, he believed at the time, or the troops under them would question the integrity of their leadership. Instead, he said, You try and fight it and not tell anyone you have problems.

Tomsich returned home after an 18-month tour in 2006 only to deploy again in 2009, this time to Iraq. Although an infantryman by trade, he was pulled to serve on detainee guard duty. About six months into his deployment, he suffered a spinal injury to his neck while on duty that caused him to lose the use of his right arm.

The doctors werent equipped to treat him in Iraq, so Tomsich was sent to Brooke Army Medical Center here in April 2010.

Catrina drove from Houston to see her husband every weekend, but she soon realized he needed full-time care after he developed a stomach illness that required surgery. Thats when she shut down the financial education business she had started in 2007, packed up her house and son, and moved here to care for him.

But she did so with trepidation. While he was physically improving and recovering the use of his arm, his PTSD was growing worse. The anger was awful, she said. He was snapping on every little thing. Anything would make him upset and angry.

I was even abusive to her in my dreams, he added. One night, he recalled, he kept yelling at her in his sleep to Stand down!

The years of anger and rage were wearing on Catrina. In short, Our marriage was on the rocks, she said.

Tomsich had evaded mental health care for years, and dismissed his wifes urging get help. But after a particularly bad episode one weekend, Catrina took matters into her own hands. He had so much anger and rage, she said, and that weekend our son saw it, and was crying and scared of Daddy.

I wasnt about to let that happen anymore. I put my foot down.

Catrina marched into a trailer where she knew behavioral health specialists worked, and demanded to speak to a counselor. I had no idea what I was doing, she said. Yet, a week later, Tomsich was placed in counseling.

Tomsich underwent in-depth psychological testing and evaluation, and was diagnosed with severe PTSD.

Concerned about being perceived as weak, he was resistant to treatment -- a combination of counseling and medication -- but a counselor gave him the verbal kick in the butt he needed, he said. She told him she had problems too and the first step to healing was to open up about them. She told me, Just tell me your issues and well work from there,  he said. It got worse at first, but then slowly started to get better.

Catrina noticed a marked improvement over time. Her husband is still not where he was when they got married, she said, but hes 100 times better than in 2005.

Tomsich and his wife now share their story with others to encourage them to seek the help they need without fear of career repercussions. Catrina even has taken women to seek help for their husbands as she did nearly two years ago.

As for Tomsich, I tell [Soldiers], if they dont seek help, Im going to have their wives tell on them like mine did, he joked.

Catrina said shes seen marriages break under the pressure of a spouses physical and emotional wounds. Its a path she knows she could have taken during her years of emotional abuse.

But I believe you should never give up, she said. Women come and tell me, Hes not the man he used to be. I tell them, Never give up. If I had, we wouldnt be here together now.

No matter what were given in life, we can choose how we deal with it, she added. And Im going to choose to have a positive attitude.

Tomsich will medically retire in January, and the couple plans to move to North Carolina to be near family. Catrina said she and her mother are starting a nonprofit organization called Operation Tranquility that will offer retreats to wounded warriors and Gold Star families.

Being here for the past two years really inspired me, she said. Seeing the changes in my family  I want to help others achieve the same things.
Post from MilitaryByOwner

During a military move, its natural to get caught up in the logistics of all the tasks you need to accomplish. And if youre a parent, the tasks during a move only multiply.

While we all know that PCS moves affect our children, it can be easy for their needs and emotions to get lost in the shuffle as we manage the mountain of to-do lists we face. Over our years of military moves, my husband and I often reminded each other that wed fallen into task mode (our gentle reminder to consider the feelings of various family members as we ran yet another errand, packed another box or handled travel details). Its so important to realize how much help our children need through this major life change, whether theyre excited to move or dragging their heels. Here are a few tried-and-true strategies from experienced military parents that we hope will help make your PCS move easier.

Before and During the Move

Let kids help. From separating belongings to packing up a few boxes and choosing items to donate or sell, letting kids have a say in whats happening can give them more of a sense of agency about the whole process. Even choosing what they put into their backpack for the car ride or plane trip allows some autonomy. Keep talking. Some children may ask a lot of questions; others wont. No matter if its their first move or theyre a seasoned mover, keep the lines of communication open, ask them if they have questions and make time to check in regularly. Its often the case that the quiet children or ones who seem to be handling it all just fine are actually struggling, but dont know how to express it. Get more tips for communication with kids during a PCS move. Encourage goodbyes. Many children may not wish to go through yet another round of goodbyes. We encourage our children to say farewell and see you later to people and places that were a big part of their lives. Take photos of them with friends, at school and in front of your house. They may roll their eyes at it now but will probably be grateful for those memories later. Create excitement. Along with the goodbyes comes a time of looking forward. If your kids are old enough, research the new base together and look at resources like Great Schools and SchoolDigger to check out the new schools. If youre homeschooling or using a private school, research state laws and options together. Plan for some fun and downtime. Make time for a special outing before you move or along the way as you travel. Often, we parents are exhausted and try to get through the travel portion as quickly as possible (that task mode in operation again). Take time to create new memories.

After the Move

As with packing up, let kids help and make decisions. Set up the kids rooms first and do something special to make it their own, whether its purchasing new bedding or letting them choose how their room will be arranged. Maintain routines. Kids thrive with routines and consistency. Of course, that can be difficult to manage when youre surrounded by moving boxes while you live out of your suitcases. But keeping simple routines such as bedtimes and meal times the same can provide a degree of comfort and familiarity. Be patient and allow time. Give children time and let them set the pace as they process this big change. Dont expect them to just get over it on your timetable. Encourage them to keep in touch with old friends if they wish to. Of course, every childs temperament is different, which means theyll handle big events like a move differently. If you need it, seek out help from trusted sources, such as Military OneSource or a counselor.

Many military families arent aware of all the free resources available to them. Here are a few you that can help you help your military kids through the PCS transition.

Military Kids Connect: an interactive program for military kids of all ages, along with resources for military parents regarding moving, deployment and more. Military Kids Connect is an initiative of the Connected Health branch of the Defense Health Agency (DHA).

The Youth Sponsorship Program: Kids can connect with a peer before you even arrive. This can help ease the moving transition and provide children with a friendly face when they arrive at the new duty station. This program is administered by school and youth services programs at local installations.

Sesame Street for Military Families "The Big Moving Adventure": Geared toward younger children, Sesame Street has put together The Big Moving Adventure video for military kids, along with other resources for each phase of the move from breaking the news to settling in after arrival.

Military Child Education Coalition (MCEC): education support for military kids with a mission of "inclusive, quality educational opportunities for all military-connected children affected by mobility, transition, deployments and family separation."

Student Liaison Officers (SLO): The SLO serves as the primary point of contact for school-related matters, can assist with any school issues and coordinate with your local school system. The U.S. Department of Defense Education Activity (DoDEA) has updated Student Liaison Officer links for all branches of the military.

Operation Purple Camp: from the National Military Family Association, a free week of camp designed for military children to connect with other military kids and receive support. Theyre also offering Operation Purple Camp programs at home.

While a move is obviously a time of upheaval for military families, it can also be a season of building new memories, learning new coping skills, and making new friends. Make use of all the resources and support that are available for your military kids.

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When Trevor Perry joined the Army to be a medic, a career in the medical field wasnt exactly what he had planned. He joined right after leaving high school, but he didnt have much direction other than serving. The Army really needed doctors, but Perry was looking for motivation and discipline before going off to college.

He wouldnt become a physician, but he still found a calling related to his military occupational specialty -- and it could be one of the biggest ideas in the future of biotech.

Perry joined the Army in 1997. He had his pick of Army careers because he scored so well on the ASVAB. He asked the recruiter about some of the most challenging jobs. They started talking about combat medics.

It just felt right at the time, and it really was, Perry told Military.com. And that drove me into my first post-military career in the pharma industry.

He worked through college while serving in the Army Reserve in the days after the Sept. 11 attacks. He routinely got called up to work security details and other needs related to Operation Noble Eagle, which saw guard and reserve units activated around the U.S. to support security efforts in the wake of 9/11. Going to college while essentially being full-time military was hard, but it paid off.

Georgia National Guardsmen with the 190th Military Police Company, waves traffic through to the next stop at the Fort McPherson gates in September 2002. The 190th MPs were mobilized to augment Fort McPherson and Fort Gillem security in October 2001 following the September 11th terrorist attacks. (U.S. Army/Spc. Jeff Lowry)

Though previously unsure of what he wanted to do after high school, the Army helped guide him to the medical field. It was also the field in which he chose to study in his civilian education.

After graduating, there are only two industries looking to recruit military veterans fresh out of college with degrees in chemistry and biochemistry, Perry says: the federal government and the pharmaceutical industry. He was recruited by a small company then known as Forest Pharmaceuticals (now Allergan).

I was lucky. I came in at a pretty early time where I got to see how the pharma industry works in a small- to medium-sized company, Perry says. I spent over a decade there, and that was kind of where I came up with the idea for GoodCell. I could see how the pharmaceutical industry operates and where the next evolution in health care is going to be.

GoodCell is Perrys biobanking company that he co-founded in 2016 with chief scientific officer Brad Hamilton and Dr. David Scadden, founder of the Harvard Stem Cell Institute.

Biobanking is a business that anticipates the emergence of gene and stem cell therapies. GoodCell stores its customers mononuclear cells, plasma and DNA to draw from them later, as needed, for therapeutic purposes.

Biobanking is about restoring yourself, Perry says. We store those cells to be in the best possible condition they can be, because as time goes on, your cells can degrade and mutate. As therapeutic technologies are emerging, biobanking allows you to have all the best material to go into those therapies.

After serving in the military and spending years working in the pharmaceutical industry, starting up a business -- especially one focused on emerging technologies -- was a risk, but Perry says it was a calculated one. His life has been full of calculated risks that paid off more often than not.

They founded GoodCell in Boston, which Perry says is the Mecca of biotech development. Accepting calculated risks is his top advice to people leaving the military for a new life.

One of the things that was very much instilled in the military was this idea of, You're always one pushup stronger, he says. You're always able to do a lot more than you think that you can. And I think that carried through with starting up my own company.

To learn more about Perrys path from the Army to the C-Suite or to learn more about GoodCell and biobanking, visit the GoodCell website.

-- Blake Stilwell can be reached at blake.stilwell@military.com. He can also be found on Twitter @blakestilwell or on Facebook.

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The Rangers announced theyve selected the contract of catcher John Hicks. Outfielder Jason Martin has been optioned to Triple-A Round Rock to clear active roster space. A 40-man roster transaction has yet to be announced.

Starting catcher Jose Trevino suffered a forearm contusion after he slipped and fell earlier today, notes Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (Twitter link). With Trevino unavailable, Texas needed another backstop to pair with Jonah Heim. Thatll open up an opportunity for Hicks first big league run in two years. The right-handed hitter saw MLB action every season from 2015-19, the bulk of which came with the Tigers.

Hicks flashed some power during his time in Detroit, but he never drew many walks and has struck out in 30.1% of his career plate appearances at the highest level. The 32-year-old signed a minor league deal with Texas over the winter and has hit .275/.352/.440 with three homers across 122 plate appearances with Round Rock. Thats league average production in a hitter-friendly Triple-A West environment.
A public interest litigation (PIL) filed against the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) in the Dewan Housing Finance Ltd (DHFL) matter came up before the bench of chief justice Sanjib Banerjee and justice Senthilkumar Ramamoorthy of the Madras High Court (HC) on Tuesday. The Madras HC has issued a notice to SEBI and the matter has been listed for hearing on 13th July. In his petition, Ranganathan V (the petitioner and Moneylife columnist) has said that SEBI, credit rating agencies, auditors and others were lax in performing their role, i.e., to vet DHFL's functioning, due to which investors lost money in excess of Rs40,000 crore.

The petition urges the Court to direct SEBI to investigate, solve and settle the crisis that arose out of the fraudulent affairs of the DHFL and its key managerial personnel (KMP).

The petition has prayed for a direction to SEBI to statutorily perform its duty by taking action in furtherance to his representation (submitted on SCORES platform) dated 15th June as per SEBI (Prohibition Fraudulent and Unfair Trade Practices Regulations), SEBI (Issue and Listing of Debt Securities) Regulations, Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, SEBI (Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements) Regulations read with Securities Exchange Board of India Act and allied rules and regulations issued thereunder.

Mr Ranganathan, who retired as a partner at Ernst & Young, Chennai, heading the tax and regulatory advisory practice, has said in his petition It is in the common knowledge that the DHFL scam is one of the Indias largest scam in the history of the independent India and there are several thousands of depositors who have lost monies by investing on the platform of the DHFL ... investors were made to believe that DHFL has a sound financial health and that the investors will yield profit in the platform floated by the DHFL.

The scam has caused a gargantuan loss to the exchequer as well as the general public investors who had reposed the entire trust and faith to invest in the non-convertible debentures (NCDs) of the DHFL, the petition asserted .

Therefore, this scam-ridden entity along with the key managerial personnel ought to be proceeded against under the provisions of the SEBI Act, 1992 considering the enormous powers available to the SEBI, the plea appealed.

In 2019, an expose by investigative media outlet, Cobrapost highlighted how DHFL used Credit Rating Agencies and statutory auditors as deceptive tools to by-pass regulatory provisions under the SEBI Act and to defraud innocent investors and creditors, the petition recalls.

Despite wide-ranging powers being available to SEBI, there was no action forthcoming towards solving and settling the crisis arising out of the DHFL scam, the petitioner noted. As such, it is a fit case for the HC to exercise its powers under Article 226 of the Constitution to direct SEBI to conduct a probe in the matter and pass and order under Section 11 of the SEBI Act, the petition further argues.

The petition added DHFL and its KMPs used Statutory Auditors and Credit Rating Agencies as deceptive devices in contravention of the provisions of SEBI Act 1992 and the other Rules and Regulations made thereunder for the sale of Debentures Listed on NSE. Further, DHFL and its KMPs used Statutory Auditors and Credit Rating Agencies as a vehicle to defraud in connection with issuance of debentures which are listed in NSE. The entire modus operandi adopted by the accused persons entails regulatory contraventions under the provisions of the SEBI Act thereby deceiving the innocent investors.

Mr Ranganathan said in his petition, As an investor, I wish to submit that the interest of the market ought be considered as pristine and its purity, credibility should not be put in jeopardy due to the fraud committed by the erring entity and its key managerial personnel. In any event, the interest of the investors ought to be treated as paramount in the cases of dealing with economic fraud. There are various investors who have suffered and I am one among the other investors who have lost monies due to the deceitful action committed by the erring entity namely -DHFL. It is further shocking to note that these key managerial personnel have also conspired to commit regulatory contradictions thereby putting the interest of the investors in jeopardy.

Highlighting the plight of NCD-holders, Mr Ranganathan said that the default of interest of debentures was an outcome of various deliberate systematic and well planned fraud conducted by DHFL and its KMPs in collusion with each other over past several years. He then explained in point-wise format how various rules and regulations were systematically and blatantly violated.

The petition further stresses that DHFL and its KMPs had appointed statutory auditors and credit rating agencies to paint a rosy picture of DHFL as a profitable organisation and used them as artifice to defraud in connection with issue or subscription of debentures which listed on BSE and NSE. Investors were, thus, induced into investing their hard-earned monies.

DHFL and its KMP being the issuer completely failed to ensure that the security created to secure the debt securities is adequate to ensure 100% asset cover for the debt securities. Contrary to it, they further liquidated the secured assets of DHFL,the petitioner pointed.

"According to the petitioner, investors may have lost in excess of Rs 40,000 crore, with regulators, credit-rating agencies, auditors and others who were required to vet and look into the functioning of DHFL, its activities and how the funds received from depositors were...lacking in their functioning," the bench said.

The bench issued notice to SEBI after hearing arguments by advocate Nithyaesh Nataraj who appeared for the petitioner, Mr Ranganathan who had invested Rs30 lakhs to purchase NCDs issued by DHFL.

The petition highlights that DHFL was given the highest 'AAA' rating by credit rating agencies. If it is too good to be true, it is untrue, the chief justice observed as he heard the submissions.

The bench asked if SEBI had taken any action in the matter and advocate Nataraj submitted that the SEBI, in a measure that was 'too little, too late', held the DHFL promoters as guilty under the SEBI PFUT regulations and restrained them from accessing the securities market. This does not help any of the investors, Mr Nataraj pointed out.

Since SEBI was not represented in the hearing, the Court decided to issue a notice and adjourn the matter so that SEBI may give its response. Chief justice Banerjee noted that in matters such as this, the regulators could object to court interference.

Advocate Nataraj responded that 'commercial wisdom' and 'financial matters' are phrases used by regulators when they are asked questions in such cases to state that the court should not interfere. He contended that while people invest trusting the system, SEBI is seen outsourcing its work to others.

The petition was filed through advocates Nithyaesh Natraj, Vaibhav R Venkatesh and Anirudh A Sriram.

Enforcement Directorate (ED) is also conducting a detailed investigation of DHFL, and its former promoters Kapil Wadhawan and Dheeraj Wadhawan for their role in conducting various offences of money laundering.
The Enforcement Directorate (ED) on Wednesday attached several immovable properties worth Rs185 crore belonging to Frost International Ltd, the company promoter-director and its three group companies. Separately, the ED also attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs4.10 crore of in a corruption case against Srijan Mahila Vikas Sahyog Samiti Ltd and others.

In a release, ED says, it has attached immovable properties of Frost International, its group companies Globiz Exim Pvt Ltd, NSD Nirman Pvt Ltd and RS Builders and promoter and directors of the company under the provisions of the prevention of money laundering act (PMLA).

ED has attached immovable properties worth more than Rs.185 Crore of M/s Frost International Ltd. & its Promoter/Director and its group companies. pic.twitter.com/vXzbXVrGcD  ED (@dir_ed) June 30, 2021

The properties worth Rs185 crore are spread in Kanpur, New Delhi, Gurugram, Mumbai, Kolkata and Tamil Nadu in the name of the Frost International Pvt Ltd, its group companies and promoter and directors and their relatives.

ED says the evidence collected proved that Frost International and its group companies indulged in commission of the offence of money laundering and have diluted the proceeds of crime available with the company to various other businesses related and non-related entities.

During the probe it was found that they also diverted the bank funds and used it for acquiring assets in the name of the Frost group of companies and related persons or entities.

The ED case is based on the FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered on 1 January 2020.

Separately, ED has provisionally attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs4.10 crore under the PMLA in a corruption case against Srijan Mahila Vikas Sahyog Samiti and others.

ED has provisionally attached movable and immovable properties worth Rs. 4.10 Crore under PMLA in a corruption case against Srijan Mahila Vikas Sahyog Samiti Limited (SMVSSL) and others. pic.twitter.com/vVf3Iz3eRy  ED (@dir_ed) June 30, 2021

The properties attached by ED includes 12 flats worth Rs3.09 crore at Bhagalpur, Patna, and Ghaziabad, five plots or houses worth Rs87 lakh at Bhagalpur, Deoghar and Sitamarhi, one Scorpio car worth Rs11.87 lakh and balance in bank accounts of Rs1.20 lakh.

Money laundering investigation by ED revealed that huge funds have been siphoned off from the government accounts after being illegally transferred to bank accounts of Srijan Mahila Vikas Sahyog Samiti. "The Samiti became tool for embezzling or misappropriating government funds in collusion with officials from the government, bank and other individuals. The money so transferred in to bank accounts of the Samiti was further transferred through RTGS, cash or cheques to various persons and entities," ED says.

This is the second provisional attachment in the Srijan scam case. Last year in May, the ED had attached flats and lands worth Rs14.32 crore belonging to businessmen, government officials and other private persons.
Personal encounters, at times, have the power to draw ones attention to events in far-flung lands. The news of a military coup in Myanmar in February this year reignited the memory of my personal encounters and an attempt to make sense of the event and its implications for India.

Anyone familiar with Mumbai suburbs knows about the magnificent Golden Pagoda at Gorai. The local tour guide at the centre informs visitors about the founder of the Vipassana Kendra and his promise to his guru in Myanmar to take back the technique of Vipassana to India as a mark of Myanmars gratitude towards India. But the Vipassana founder in his own style paid a tribute to Myanmar for preserving this Indian technique for over 2,000 year by constructing the golden pagodas in the traditional Myanmar interlocking style.

Then, few Indians know that the last King of Burma was exiled to the maritime city of Ratnagiri in Konkan by the British. The city still houses the tomb of King Thibaw Min and has a palace which is being developed as a tourist spot. Historian Sudha Shahs book, The King in Exile: The Fall of The Royal Family of Burma documents this history in detail.

The cultural ties between India and Myanmar are as old as the those between India and China. The co-existence has been largely peaceful. Ties have endured well into contemporary times at many levels but have been oscillating between cold and warm. Even though India, for most part after Independence, had military dictatorships on the east and west fronts, Myanmar has never interfered in Indias domestic political space.

The above narrative may prompt a casual observer to conclude that long cultural ties and the trauma of British rule should have bound the two countries into a deeper engagement after their respective independence in 1947 and 1948. However, this was not the case.

The British rule left the Burmese antagonistic towards India because the British used Indians to administer Burma and Indian businessmen virtually dominated the economic sphere.

David Rudner in his paper Banker's Trust and the Culture of Banking among the Nattukottai Chettiars of Colonial South would note that the amount of capital invested by the Chettiars was more than the total British capital invested in Burma. Today, the word Chettiars is treated as a gali in Myanmar.

For the period 1947-1962, the engagement between the two countries, though warm, was confined to the higher echelons of political leadership. This was abruptly jolted by a military coup leading to a strain in ties, which continued till 1988. The only instance when Yangon looked favourably disposed towards Delhi during this period was when it recognised Bangladesh after the 1972 war.

However, after 1988, there were attempts to revive ties and prime minister (PM) Rajiv Gandhi took the proposal to Yangon to join the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), at the same time pressing for democracy following the 1990 elections. However, Myanmar joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc.

With the fall of the Soviet Union, the pragmatic PM Narshimha Rao recognised that the Look East policy of which Myanmar was an inseparable part, had to be based on practical ground reality. Although bilateral relationship was always viewed through the prism of the India-China-Myanmar triangle, security concerns in the North East had considerable sway since 1991 in Delhis calculations.

Common security concerns on both sides led to renewed engagement in the period 1992-2010 which culminated into a visit by PM Dr Manmohan Singh to Myanmar in 2012.

With the change of guard in 2014, it is difficult to fathom how the policy set on a roll by Narsimha Rao adjusts to the demands of Act East policy (AEP). It is not clear why Delhi chose not to invite Myanmar at the 2014 swearing-in ceremony, considering its vital strategic and security importance in the AEP.

PM Narendra Modi paid a visit to Naypyidaw in 2016 and 2017 after the 2015 election that brought a civilian government in Myanmar. However, it is unclear why now the government chooses to abstain from vote on the Myanmar resolution of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) after the coup in 2021.

This brief synopsis throws up some important points to ponder. First, despite the undercurrent for democracy in Myanmar, Indians soft powerbeing the largest democracyhas not achieved much strategic goals and has been reluctant to support the cause.

Second, in the context of wider Indo-Pacific space, Myanmar is a frontier territory as it will witness geopolitical contestation from all superpowers such as US, China and India. Division of Myanmars population on religious lines complicates the situation further. Any loss of space will have its implications for global equilibrium. Currently, India is unable to take sides, which runs the risk that it may lose influence in the larger game in future.

Third, when the world was unipolar, the premise on which PM Narsimha Rao rolled out the Look East policy, no more holds good under Act East Policy-AEP. The Indo-Pacific is now a contest between two systemsdemocratic versus State controlledwhere technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI) will decide the balance of power.

Unlike in the past, when Naypyidaw attempted to balance between the two Asian giants, its ability to attempt the same will get difficult in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic and the increasing hard power projection by China against India and the US. If China succeeds in deploying its surveillance technology, the region will be firmly slide under Chinese sphere of influence.

Fourthly, the common denominator in the history of both the countries is the role of Japan. During World War II, the Burmese Independence Army joined hands with the Japanese forces to oust the British from Burma. Had Indian history acknowledged the role of Subhash Chandra Bose and the Japanese assistance to the Indian National Army (INA), and its influence on the Lion Gate mutiny in Mumbai, which convinced the British that it would be difficult to command the Indian forces and eventually led to British withdrawal, perhaps Myanmars perception of India could have been on a different ground. There are long-term costs of propagating biased history.

In a nutshell, what has happened in Myanmar is of high strategic importance to India. It is somewhat strange that, while Indias foreign policy is focused on Acting East, the public is virtually fixated to the West. It will be good if the general public and the intelligentsia come to terms with the fact that Myanmar is a contestation with high stakes and deserves much greater attention.

(The author is an economist in the banking system. The views are personal)
The Mumbai bench of the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has directed Reliance Home Finance Ltd (RHFL) to refund to 18,959 debenture holders money they had invested along with interest within the next five months.

The NCLT order, which comes as a relief for hapless bondholders, says The respondent no. 1 (RHFL) is directed to pay the interest on the debentures at the contractual rate, calculated till realisation, within a period of two months hence and redeem the debentures on payment of the principal within three months thereafter.

IDBI Trusteeship Services, the debenture trustee for RHFL non-convertible debentures (NCDs), had approached the NCLT to recover Rs3,500 crore of investment after the company defaulted on repayment obligations. The order from NCLT establishes their claims as valid and the claims will now be part of the resolution process. Reliance Home Finance is a subsidiary of Anil Ambani controlled Reliance Capital and its Rs11,200 crore debt resolution is expected to help Reliance Capital.

Interestingly, the bondholders had also made RHFLs holding company, Reliance Capital, a party in this case. The debenture trustee is representing all NCD investors, who are not part of the inter creditor agreement (ICA). Bondholders of RHFL had subscribed to the NCDs between November 2016 and January 2017 in various tranches via public issue.

In two separate petitions, investors sought the NCLTs intervention to recover Rs2850 crore and Rs476 crore invested in the NCDs as principal and additional interest, respectively.

It may be recalled that the inter-creditor lenders with Bank of Baroda as the lead bank, had received initial expression of interest from over 15 bidders of which four binding bids were shortlisted and the final successful bidder was selected.

The ICA lenders selected Authum Investment and Infrastructure Ltd as the successful bidder to acquire all assets of RHF through a competitive bidding process after several rounds of negotiations between the bidders and lenders.

Authum Investment and Infrastructure had reportedly submitted a bid of Rs2,911 crore (which includes Rs24 crore as deferred interest) to financial creditors. But with a debt of Rs11,200 crore, lenders would still face a haircut of almost 60%.

The debenture holders who are substantial in number are also members of the public. Therefore, their prerogative in timely receipt of interest against their investment (debentures) cannot be sacrificed at the altar of public interest, says the NCLT bench of judicial member Janab Mohammed Ajmal and technical member V Nallasenapathy in its order.

The current resolution process now has to come to the trustee, which will likely put up the matter for voting among non-ICA members.

The order now could pave the way for retail investors, who will most likely receive their share of repayments out of the resolution plan.

On 3 January 2020, Reliance Capital had informed the exchanges that as directed by the lead bank to the ICA, the amounts due and payable by the Reliance Home Finance on 3 January 2020 in respect of unsecured NCDs are delayed and this is how the trouble started.

RHFLs total financial indebtedness stands at Rs13,312.96 crore, according to a recent regulatory filing. The total amount of outstanding borrowings from banks and financial institutions amounts to Rs4,435.08 crore.

RHFL argued that an order in favour of the petitioner (IDBI Trusteeship) would not be in the interest of the R1 (RHFL) or its body of creditors and even in the interest of the debenture holders, whom the petitioner represents.

The principal outstanding against the secured NCDs represents only 23% of the total principal debt burden of the R1. Therefore, an order in terms of the relief sought would cause serious prejudice to the R1 and the ICA lenders who so far have refrained from enforcing their security, argued RHFL.

However, setting aside these arguments, the tribunal noted in its order that the amount of debentures is substantial and the R1 (RHFL) having taken the deposit, there is no reason why any indulgence should be shown to the respondents on the ground that any resolution process is underway.

In this case, counsel Prateek Seksaria and Ameya Gokhale of Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co represented IDBI Trusteeship while senior counsel Venkatesh Dhond senior counsel with Sarosh Bharucha,Tushad Kakalia, Raghavi Sharma and DJ Kakalia from law firm Mulla & Mulla CBC appeared for RHFL and Reliance Capital.
On 25th June, Moneycontrol reported that the government may review the bankruptcy code as public sector banks (PSBs) have begun to accept haircuts as high as 94% to let off the biggest corporate defaulters. Well, it is long overdue. These ridiculous haircuts, or loan waivers, are over and above the massive loan write-offs by PSBs to reduce the embarrassing mountain of bad loans of over Rs10 lakh crore, which are funded by the people through the exchequer. Indian banks wrote off Rs1.53 lakh crore worth of loans in the financial year (FY) 2021 and Rs1.45 lakh crore in FY2020.

Our banks dont care. Collectively, as a committee of creditors, they seem to have zero individual responsibility, accountability or conscience, at a time when ordinary people are struggling to earn a livelihood. When it comes to resolution of listed entities, there is also no consistency. And, with the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) having abdicated its responsibility, it is also a perfect opportunity to fool swarms of retail speculators who are playing the market like in a Casino.

Things have turned so embarrassing that even industrialist Harsh Goenka protested in a tweet, tagging the prime minister (PM), that went viral. Promoters stash away money on the side, take the company to the cleaners, get 80-90% haircut from bankers/NCLTthats the new game in town. A lot of institutions cleansed by the governmentNCLT next please @PMOIndia. We cant have our hard earned public money being stolen! he said.

Promoters stash away money on the side, take the company to the cleaners, get a 80-90% haircut from bankers/NCLT - thats the new game in town. A lot of institutions cleansed by the government - NCLT next please @PMOIndia. We cant have our hard earned public money being stolen!  Harsh Goenka (@hvgoenka) June 22, 2021

There is anecdotal evidence of how the defaulter-promoter of a controversial resolution has made so much money, with the surge in stock prices of his shares, that he has rented an additional floor in the same super-luxury apartment where he already owns a duplex. But bankers have accepted a massive haircut which is eventually paid by the ordinary citizen.

The All India Bank Employees Association (AIBEA) also voiced a protest about the outrageous settlement with Siva Industries with this poster below. According to market reports, the settlement was facilitated by a powerful ideologue close to the ruling party.

Why, even the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) has been questioning the dubious acceptance of massive haircuts in the case of Siva, Sterling Biotech and Videocon.

The Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code (IBC), like the Goods and Services Tax (GST), was touted as a game-changing legislation by a strong government to staunch the haemorrhaging of bank loans. The Siva settlement and mishandling of several high-profile cases shows that things are sliding badly.

Seven years later, the government has made no headway in its much-publicised attempt to bring back big defaulters who fled India. While there is slow progress in diamantaire Nirav Modis case, the Mehul Choksi episode was a fiasco with a charter aircraft sent to bring him back returning empty (at whose cost?). Jatin Mehta of Winsome Diamonds (earlier Su-Raj Diamonds) is so well-connected that he is not even pursued seriously.

Similarly, the Sandesaras of Sterling Biotech are running a booming oil business in Nigeria while absconding from India. They are negotiating a 60% write-off of Indian loans, our banks are bending backward to accommodate them and even Interpol alerts for their arrest are being quietly withdrawna fact that becomes known through legal proceedings abroad. So gross is the mishandling that there is now a lot of sympathy for the flamboyant Vijay Mallya, whose total outstanding looks small in comparison.

On 23rd June, the Enforcement Directorate (ED), in an unusual press release, announced that it had handed over Rs9,371 crore belonging to Vijay Mallya, Nirav Modi, Mehul Choksi to PSBs ( Rs9,371 Cr Seized Assets of Mallya-Choksi-Nirav Modi Transferred to Banks: ED ) out of a total loss of Rs22,585.83 crore. This is pitiful in the face of massive haircuts accepted by banks and suggests the need to re-examine their basic understanding of corporate lending. It is also time to hold some bankers personally responsible for fraud and malfeasance.

This article that I wrote in March 1998 would reveal how decades of complicity had ballooned the total borrowings of Videocon to Rs64,838 crore and it is being sold off at a 95.85% haircut with no consequences to banks or the promoters. The liquidation value of the entire group of 13 entities is just a little more than its borrowings in 1998.

If the government wants to change the rules, it is important to examine successes and failures, instead of merely lurching from one experiment to another. The PM must note that action against only six big defaulters has led to significant recovery. Corporate circles say there was a clear directive in these cases not to yield to corporate pressure no matter how much legal firepower was deployed by them. Even here, banks are not pursuing defaults in other group companies after one big successful resolution. We tend to forget that all these loans also involved very significant write-offs.

Data on IBCs performance puts the extent of haircuts in 2021 at 60% of outstanding, which indicates good times overall for large corporate defaulters, while small borrowers are decimated by the recovery process. The write-offs are estimated at Rs6.5 lakh crore with recovery of 1% of the outstanding in some cases.

What Has Worked: IL&FS

Just as some big defaulters have been dealt with kid gloves, similar sympathy was evident in the case of Ravi Parthasarathy, founder and long-term chairman of Infrastructure Leasing & Financial Services (IL&FS). He was finally arrested on the basis of a private complaint, while the government remained perplexingly frozen.

Interestingly, the resolution of the gargantuan, 347-company IL&FS group is doing a lot better over three years than what the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has managed with Punjab and Maharashtra Bank Cooperative Bank (PMC Bank) or PSBs and investigation agencies are doing with scores of other mega defaulters. In October 2018, the government appointed banker Uday Kotak as chairman of a new board (mainly retired bureaucrats) to handle the resolution. It was backed by expensive but crack teams of lawyers and auditors whose success rate now appears better than that ofbanks and regulators.

Here is some data put out by IL&FS. The 347 companies in the group have been reduced to 167 and are expected to drop further to below 100 by the end of the year. This was done by shutting down or selling off a large number of foreign and local subsidiaries. Anyone who has closed a company in India would know the herculean effort and red tape involved in getting this done in less than three years.

Uday Kotak has said that he expects to recover 60% of the total outstanding of nearly Rs100,000 crore; the new management has addressed Rs43,000 crore and expects recovery to touch anywhere between Rs61,000 crore to Rs63,000 crore. In case of IL&FS, every decision has an excruciating process and is ratified by the NCLT after clearing it through a retired judge, or fought in court.

Only last week, IL&FS recovered Rs1,925 crore from a Haryana government outfit after a long-drawn battle and expects to get more in the same case. In my view, much of the success of IL&FS is not due to bureaucrats on the board but because Uday Kotaks reputation is on the line forcing him to carry this monkey on his back. Now compare this with what RBI, PSBs and SEBI have been doing in just three specific cases.

, a single entity with a smaller outstanding of Rs87,000 crore and a dubious recovery of just Rs37,000 crore, that has been challenged by secured depositors and small investors who are being callously short-changed when the recovery potential from existing projects is estimated by market sources at over Rs10,000 crore. Why couldnt banks have negotiated a better deal for all when there was another bidder offering similar amounts in this case? Appointing a 1. Dewan Housing Finance Limited (DHFL) , a single entity with a smaller outstanding of Rs87,000 crore and a dubious recovery of just Rs37,000 crore, that has been challenged by secured depositors and small investors who are being callously short-changed when the recovery potential from existing projects is estimated by market sources at over Rs10,000 crore. Why couldnt banks have negotiated a better deal for all when there was another bidder offering similar amounts in this case? Appointing a monitoring panel after the case is badly messed up is clearly too late.

Siva Industries, which owed Rs4,863 crore, has been pulled out of insolvency accepting Rs316 crore settlement of which only Rs5 crore will be paid upfront. The controversial C Siva Sankaran gets to keep the company and be eligible for more borrowing. Even NCLT has questioned the 2.Siva Industries, which owed Rs4,863 crore, has been pulled out of insolvency accepting Rs316 crore settlement of which only Rs5 crore will be paid upfront. The controversial C Siva Sankaran gets to keep the company and be eligible for more borrowing. Even NCLT has questioned the deal

3. In contrast with the complex IL&FS, RBI only managed an in-principle approval to Centrum Financial Services and BharatPe to take over PMC Bank. The resolution comes with multiple riders, is risky, and it will be a long time before depositors get to see their money. Had the central bank been open to ideas and a lot more proactive in protecting depositors, a far stronger solution could have been found a lot earlier.

If the government is serious about making defaulters pay and retain the faith of taxpayers, it needs to change the resolution process which is already ridden with corruption. Videocon, Siva, DHFL and PMC Bank needed to be handled better, without leaving small investors in the lurch. An IL&FS-like action, with credible people in charge, was possible with PMC Bank and Yes Bank, but was ignored. Meanwhile, SEBI is showing signs of waking up after exposing retail investors to massive speculation in companies whose shares were to be delisted by its failure to stop trading immediately. But that is the subject of another column.
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The Lorain Mercy Health Foundation held its 30th annual golf classic on June 28.

The event was held at the Elyria Country Club, 41625 Oberlin-Elyria Road.

Business partners and friends of Mercy Health Foundation were invited to attend this 18-hole golf classic.

The event began at 10:30 a.m. and concluded at 7:30.

This year we have 132 golfers, said Lorie Tobik, director of Annual Fund and Community Outreach. Typically we have 144 but we took away a couple to make the flow easier.

The golf classic has been done each summer season consecutively for 30 years, including during the novel coronavirus pandemic albeit with social distancing and required restrictions.

We had to do it according to a tee-time and not a shotgun start. We organized it twelve minutes apart so that people were separated and everyone had their own individual golf course, she said.

Tobik says shes happy to see the event return to a more traditional state.

Its wonderful to be back to a sort of normal, she said. Its great!

The golf classic includes a shopping spree with Titleist and prizes for participants. One of this years prizes was a new car.

Tobik said funds raised at the event are given directly back to either Mercy Allen Hospital in Oberlin or the regional campus in Lorain.

Money that we raise here is given directly to the hospital, Tobik said.

At the event we get to raise unrestricted funds,

So if the hospital needs a new x-ray machine, this money goes to things like that.

Mercy Health Foundation Lorain is the philanthropic arm of Mercy Health.
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Ashley Watt is nothing if not a friend of fracking. She's invested in mines that supply the sand frackers blast into the ground. Her family owns a ranch larger than Manhattan that's home to hundreds of oil and natural gas wells. Her Twitter handle is "Frac Sand Baroness."

That's what made it all the more jarring almost three weeks ago when Watt began publicly railing against one particular oil driller for leaks on her land. Noxious wastewater from oil drilling began leaching across the ground, endangering people and livestock. By her count, the pollution has killed four cows and two calves so far. Chevron Corp., which drilled the 1960s-era wells that polluted Watt's land, brought in earth-moving equipment and a well-control crew, even though it had sold most of its interests there years ago. It took 10 days to halt the first leak. Given the hundreds of other aging wells dotting the land, it's done little to put Watt's mind at ease.

"I am not anti-oil industry," Watt said in an interview. "That is the economy here. It's a good business." At the same the same time, she said, "We have to be responsible stewards. If we can't do it right here in the Permian Basin, then how can we do it right anywhere? Nobody should let us in if we're going to act like this."

And just like that, Watt - whether she liked it or not - became an ally to scores of environmentalists and activists who've been warning for years that America is on the verge of an environmental disaster. Long before the advent of shale drilling techniques that fueled the greatest move toward energy independence the nation's ever seen, conventional oil explorers left the country pierced with millions of defunct wells that are aging by the day and increasingly springing leaks.

"There's this enormous backlog" of abandoned wells, "and we don't have financing in place to clean them up," said Daniel Raimi, a fellow at the non-profit research group Resources for the Future. "We've seen very clearly that existing regulatory structures, particularly at the state level, have not properly incentivized companies to clean up their infrastructure."

There are 3.4 million old crude and gas wells in various states of abandonment across the U.S., an almost 20% increase in the past decade, according to the Environmental Protection Agency. Less than half of those holes have been plugged, EPA figures showed. In all, the wells are spewing about 7 million metric tons of methane into the atmosphere every year, although unplugged wells tend to be 100 times more polluting than their plugged brethren.

Methane releases from abandoned gas wells have been particularly egregious, growing by 40% in the past three decades. As the energy industry pivots away from fossil fuels to combat climate change, the inventory of untended wells will only expand.

Abandoned wells have become so thorny an issue in longtime oil states like Pennsylvania that President Joe Biden included $16 billion in his infrastructure package to put laid-off roughnecks to work plugging old wells and mines. Federal lawmakers including Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts have meanwhile blasted the Bureau of Land Management for failing to hold the oil and gas industry accountable for plugging millions of abandoned wells on public lands.

In Texas, the nation's largest source of oil, companies plugged almost 8,900 wells in the last fiscal year, and have sealed another 5,700 so far this fiscal year, according to the Texas Railroad Commission that oversees the oil and natural gas industry. The agency requires cement barriers through sections of a well that go through aquifers, but the commission doesn't track how many of them spring leaks. The regulator documented more than 500 industry-related spills and accidents last fiscal year, with equipment failure and corrosion listed as the top two causes.

For it's part, Chevron said in a statement that its priorities on Watt's property "are protecting people - including Ms. Watt and our workforce onsite, protecting the environment, plugging the well and remediating impacts." Industry experts estimated the cleanup is costing Chevron more than $250,000 a day, though the company has declined to disclose its expenses. The company also helped Watt relocate 500 cows and trucked in fresh drinking water for her family and ranch workers.

Despite all of Chevron's efforts, Virginia Palacios, executive director of the watchdog Commission Shift based in Austin, Texas, calls old wells like the ones on Watt's property "ticking time bombs." Her group has fought for tougher regulations to ensure drillers continue to monitor their operations long past the day they stop yielding oil.

"We need to plan to monitor these wells in perpetuity," she said. "Even if you plug these wells, as we have seen in this incident, they can still cause environmental damage and pose a risk to human health."

Prior to the 1950s, the rules in Texas for taking wells out of service were so vague that they were sometimes plugged with brush, wood, rocks, paper and linen sacks, or any other item that could hold cement, according to a report from the National Petroleum Council, an industry group that advises the U.S. Energy Department. Last year, the railroad commission was sued by Public Citizen and two South Texas landowners over its alleged failure to responsible management of some abandoned, unplugged wells.

"There are hundreds of wells on this ranch alone," Watt said. "Extrapolating thousands of wells in the Permian Basin, tens of thousands, how many of those are going to collapse? Even if it's only 1%, that's going to pollute aquifers and destroy a huge swath of land. That's enough to make the Permian Basin functionally uninhabitable in 50 years."

After more than two weeks, the exact cause of the leak is not yet clear but experts hired by Watt pointed to tiny perforations in a cement plug installed in the mid-1990s to permanently take the well out service. It's a routine industry practice to pour cement down wells when production peters out and they no longer turn a profit. Most of the time, such plugs hold fast.

But with other decades-old wells and pipes leaking on her property, Watt believes an environmental disaster is unfolding not just on her family's land but also elsewhere in the Permian Basin, the vast oilfield that's been a drilling hotbed for more than a century. Watt fears that legacy wells, neglected equipment and lax enforcement by state regulators are a recipe for disaster.

"Will this be inhabitable land in 100 years, if all of our old wellbores are collapsing underneath us?" Watt said after traversing the 22,000-acre ranch in a brown Ford F-150 pickup truck. "I don't know and, frankly, that's terrifying,"

The Watt family arrived in remote West Texas early in the 20th century when Ashley's great-grandfather quit a job at the Fort Worth Stockyards to begin ranching a decade before the first Permian oil boom in the 1920s. In the mid-1990s, her parents bought the nearby Antina property, a swath of sand hills and desert grasslands that provide excellent feed for cattle. Her folks' ashes are scattered among the dunes.

Roughly a dozen wells are still trickling out crude and gas, while the rest were all plugged decades ago. It's those legacy wells and the pipelines attached to them that concern Watt. The former U.S. Marine Corps captain who flew drones over Afghanistan is using those skills to scour her land for the telltale signs of other leaks.

Among her findings was a 1950s-era well that's leaking crude; Chevron is also cleaning up that site. She also found a natural gas pipeline that became exposed when sand dunes shifted and spewed gas underground. In another location, she discovered broken storage equipment that was releasing gas into the atmosphere.

Watt and her attorney Sarah Stogner took to social media to highlight the scope of the pollution. In one Tweet, they showed a cleanup crew's ad hoc method of slowing a wastewater leak by placing a red plastic bucket atop a length of pipe. Red bucket memes exploded across Twitter's energy-industry subculture. In another, Watt invited Chevron CEO Mike Wirth to visit and "come get some sand in your Gucci loafers."

Chevron hired Cudd Well Control, a legendary oilfield outfit famous for snuffing out the late Saddam Hussein's fiery blowouts in Kuwait, to help with the cleanup.

"It's important for the Railroad Commission and other agencies to understand that we need to plan to monitor these wells in perpetuity," said Commission Shift's Palacios. "Even if you plug these wells, as we have seen in this incident, they can still cause environmental damage and pose a risk to human health."

Adding more cement to key areas during the plugging process and testing could easily reduce risk, said Tom Slocum, a well-plugging expert and vice president with consulting firm Trifecta Solutions.

"This is a cheap insurance policy," Slocum said. "For an extra $1,000 to $1,500 of cement, a little bit more time and a couple hundred bucks for testing the cement plug, you can avoid a catastrophe."

- - -

Bloomberg's Joe Carroll and David Wethe contributed to this report.
Jim Watson /AFP /Getty Images

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott is hosting former President Donald Trump at the Texas-Mexico border this week, offering the first real chance to drum up public donations for his recently announced border wall.

Abbott and Trump will visit Weslaco, a town about halfway between McAllen and Harligen, on Wednesday, June 30, for "a tour of the unfinished border wall" along with members of the media, state officials, and law enforcement.
In 1856, a new military establishment know as Camp Cooper was opened in North Texas.

Men stationed there in 19th century Texas had two tasks as outlined by the Texas State Historical Association: To protect settlers and monitor the nearby Comanche Indian population.

The site became headquarters for four companies of the Second United States Cavalry under the command of the notorious Lt. Col. Robert E. Lee, before he became general of the Confederate States Army.

RELATED: San Antonio rancher, author, and conservationist passes away at 67

The story goes that Lee even made one of the resident rattlesnakes on the land his personal pet at the camp.

Now the property that same camp was situated on is on the market, with Tyler Jacobs of Montana-based Hall & Hall partners leading the sale.

Prospective buyers can submit their sealed bids for the Tecumseh Ranch in Throckmorton County, northwest of Fort Worth, on July 22, hoping to scoop up more than more than 9,388 acres of land.

The Fort Worth Star-Telegram outlined the extensive amenities of the historic property, including shoreline on the Brazos River, limestone benches, and mesquite flats.

According to the Telegram, as a working ranch, the land will comes with two sets of cattle working and shipping pens, a main barn, a managers house, and a replica of the "Tecumseh House" where John Alexander and Sallie Reynolds Matthews  the original owners  built in the late 1800s.

Production wise, Jacob's listing states that the land can support a ranching operation of 300 to 350 animals.

The real estate company also points out that the property is a hunter's paradise, with thriving populations of whitetail deer, turkey and quail. Other wildlife include feral hogs, raptors, and varmints.

The current owners chose to execute the sale through a sealed bid process  meaning all bids were private  because of the "significant market interest," according to Jacobs.
On June 26, this season of reunions and re-emergence was also a time for introductions, as Michigan Techs first Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion (VPDI) met with Detroit area alumni and friends.

Wayne Gersie, VPDI at Michigan Technological University, attended the African-American Alumni Association (A4) annual picnic in Detroit. Also there were Michigan Tech Board of Trustees Chair Brenda Ryan 76; Board of Trustees member Derhun D. Sanders 97; and Darnishia (Slade) Morris 98, manager of Global Engagement Programs at MTUs Pavlis Honors College and Michigan Community Service Commission member.

Michigan Tech's incoming Dean of Students Wallace Southerland III was also on hand, along with five prospective students and their families, two current students, and 13 alumni and their families.

The picnic was originally set for the Detroit Riverwalk, but was shifted downtown to Greektown because of weather (Huskies are nothing if not flexible). As always, it was a time to pull out photo albums and reminisce  and to welcome new and prospective Huskies to the fold.

Huskies renew friendships and make new friends at the annual picnic. (Image credit: Paige Short)

MTU Board of Trustees Chair Brenda Ryan talks with Jimmie Cannon 20.

Morris said A4 became less active about 10 years ago. Some of us, including Doris Strong, felt strongly about relaunching the annual picnic, which we did four or five years ago, she said. As a former regional admissions manager (RAM) for Tech, Morris knows how important it is for prospective Huskies and their families to see familiar faces in their own community and in Houghton.

Strong, who graduated in 1997, is no stranger to parenting MTU Huskies. Shes mom to both a recent graduate (who begins masters studies in the fall) and an incoming first-year student.

The A4 picnic is significant because students get started building their communities early, Strong said. You get to meet new faces that you may not see on campus otherwise. Your children begin to meet and form a family and build their community now, before they travel so far away from you.

Morris said she and Strong were pleased with the engagement among the group of 34.

Students and their families want to meet people who have gone through the experience, she said. I know how many uncertainties I had. Anything we can do to ease that  a mentor from their major, prospective students who can connect with their peers, parents who can make connections and find resources  the layers of experience are all important.

VPDI Action Plan Follow the blog, find resources and stay connected to efforts to foster and maintain a sense of belonging in the Michigan Tech community via the VPDI website.

Gersie appreciated everyone's participation in the event, which he said lays a strong foundation for the ongoing resources available to students through the MTU campus community and alumni network.

From left, Darnishia (Slade) Morris 98, Doris Strong 97, Cornelius Strong 97, current Tech student Jailynn Johnson (chemistry), and MTU Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion Wayne Gersie hang out with other Huskies in downtown Detroit's Greektown. The annual A4 picnic is usually held outdoors, but stormy June weather ruled that out.

Students and their parents are here to know that when they come to Michigan Tech, there's a support system in place that's going to help them matriculate successfully through the process, providing care and ensuring a sense of belonging for them, said Gersie. If they don't feel that, then the anxiety and the feeling of impostor syndrome can be heightened. But when they have the support to be successful and connect with mentors and resources, they can turn out like these alumni who are here sharing their stories.

"Events like A4 are critical to helping students who are coming to Michigan Tech with hopes and aspirations of getting a degree, taking that degree and translating it into improving their quality of life for themselves, their families and their communities. It allows them to see and hear from role models who have already achieved, like our alumni." Wayne Gersie, Vice President for Diversity and Inclusion

Morris said for her, the reunion rejuvenates the commitment to strengthen the bonds between her hometown and Michigan Tech.

"I'm straight-up Detroit. I feel some level of responsibility to keep our alumni connected to what's happening on campus." Darnishia (Slade) Morris 98, A4 Organizer

Board member and alumnus Sanders said the downstate gathering means a lot to Huskies. Just because you don't cross the bridge and do that 500-and-some-odd-mile drive doesn't mean that you're not as much in love with Michigan Tech as any other person, he said. And so, it's always good to reconnect with alumni at this event. The gathering is important for prospective students who havent visited campus because theyre able to get a sense of the Tech experience through the powerful stories alumni share, Sanders said.

This is a testament to Michigan Tech and the reputation that the University has all the way down here in the Detroit area of Michigan, Sanders said.

Increasing outreach in the Detroit area is an important part of Michigan Techs mission. In addition to visiting with alumni, Gersie connected face-to-face with groups and individuals hes been actively working with since he arrived on campus in late 2020  including Bruce Ross of the Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Mike Reed of the Detroit Zoological Society, Lionel Bradford with the Greening of Detroit and Robert Magee of the Engineering Society of Detroit (it was a welcome change from Zoom meetings).

This is the last of a three-part Michigan Tech News series on diversity and inclusion initiatives at Michigan Tech. Get news updates, find resources and discover how you can support initiatives for diversity, inclusion and a sense of belonging on the VPDI website.

Michigan Technological University is a public research university, home to more than 7,000 students from 54 countries. Founded in 1885, the University offers more than 120 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in science and technology, engineering, forestry, business and economics, health professions, humanities, mathematics, and social sciences. Our campus in Michigans Upper Peninsula overlooks the Keweenaw Waterway and is just a few miles from Lake Superior.
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Dorothy Sullivan: Art Is in Its Meaning presents a mix of original artwork and prints depicting Cherokee culture, family and history. The exhibit is on display at the Saline Courthouse Museum in Rose through Aug. 28.
Billie Vanderbilt, 72, resident of Boley, left us on Thursday, July 1, 2021 from her home. Service arrangements are pending in the Hyde Park Chapel of the Keith D. Biglow Funeral Directors, Inc., in Boley. biglowfunerals.com
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After 29 years on North Myrtle Beach City Council, Terry White is ready to step down from the dais.

Ive been there a long time and its time to give somebody else a chance at it, said 72-year old White, who plans to spend more time with his family and his wife, Wanda.

November is a good time to end it to where it comes in the next cycle," he said. "Wanda and I are retired and were going to do some stuff for Wanda and Terry, traveling and going to visit grandchildren that dont live here anymore, stuff like that, just enjoy life.

White, who was elected in 1992, is the longest-serving North Myrtle Beach city councilor.

I just wanted to do it and give back to the city, he said. I policed with them and then I went into White Realty. I wanted to do something different and I was asked to run for city council and I did. The rest is history.

In all his time running, hes only been challenged once. Either I did a good job or nobody wanted it, he joked.

White, an enlisted U.S. Air Force veteran, joined the service in 1968, stationed first in Del Rio, Texas. In 1969, he was transferred to Myrtle Beach Air Force Base.

I was a paper pusher. When I got to Myrtle Beach, I was put in charge of the cross-reference library, he recalled. That was a total disaster and I didnt come home for 10 days. It was the No. 1 base reference library in the whole tactical command when I got through with it, so they told me to take a couple weeks off and come home.

He got his honorable discharge in June of 1974. In the early 1970s, he started serving with the police department, and stayed for seven-and-a-half years until he went to work for his dads company, White Realty, which closed in 2020 after 56 years of business. Hes also been a big supporter of the North Myrtle Beach Booster Club and served as president of the South Carolina Realtors industry association.

Theres no one on city council who has loved the city of North Myrtle Beach more than Terry White, said Mayor Marilyn Hatley, who was first elected to city council in 1996. Terry has always been one who has been an advocate for the police department, the public safety department. He served as a police officer for many years before taking over his fathers real estate company, so he really understands what the public safety department and the employees go through on a daily basis. Hes a fun-loving person. Hes always got a joke to tell, hes always got a good story to tell and theres no one who can tell a funny story any better than Terry White.

Hatley and White both share a unique bond that transcends their council experience. Hatleys husband knew the Whites, and while the Hatleys were having an anniversary dinner at a Myrtle Beach restaurant, Hatleys husband noticed Terry and Wanda White were also at the restaurant, doing the same thing.

We were married one hour earlier than they did, White said, so weve celebrated our anniversaries together ever since.

One thing folks may not know about the retiring councilor is his affinity for karaoke.

Terry White loves to sing; hes got a great voice, Hatley said.

Years ago, a fellow real estate agent pressured White into singing at Whiskey Beach Bar and Grill.

He pushed me on the floor and it was do or die, White said. I thought It cant get any worse. But hes grown to love it, and his go-to artist is Chris Stapleton.

About five years ago, he said he sang on a cruise ship and got a standing ovation and all kinds of stuff. I said These people are really drunk around here. I keep hoping they were going to call me back and book me but they havent done that. I guess I wasnt as good as I thought I was.

Now he mainly does Karaoke at Putters Pub in Barefoot, explaining that Its been like another family.

White will have five more months to sing his city council swan song before someone else takes over, giving him and his wife Wanda more time to hit the road with their RV.

Norfleet Jones, a veteran, former firefighter and North Myrtle Beach businessman who's served on several civic boards and has strong ties to the shag dance community, has announced his intent to run for the seat, although filing doesn't open until late August.

Hes got a good a chance as anybody that runs for it, White said. I like Norfleet, hes a good friend of ours. So is the other guy whos wanting to go in. White declined to name the other guy, who hasnt yet made his intentions public.

Hes going to be greatly missed, said Hatley. He has devoted many, many, years to the city of North Myrtle Beach and I wish him the very best, and I know hes going to sit back and enjoy life.

The election is Nov. 2, 2021.

Ive enjoyed every second of it and am still going to enjoy it, White said. Its time now to turn it over to somebody else, and November feels like the time to do it.
The sounds of fireworks going off are common on the Fourth of July as people celebrate American independence.

However, there still are five days remaining until the holiday and police already have responded to numerous fireworks-related complaints.

Jacksonville Police Chief Adam Mefford said there have been six responses to designated fireworks calls since the beginning of June, though other responses were to fireworks calls officially classified as something else.

Weve had between six and a dozen fireworks calls, Mefford said. These take up a good amount of resources around this time of year.

Most fireworks are illegal in Illinois, with only smaller items like pops, snakes and sparklers allowed for use. Only licensed professionals are permitted to execute large firework displays.

The general rule is that if it flies and goes bang, its illegal, Mefford said.

Despite the rules, Illinois residents sometimes travel to Missouri or other states where they can buy larger fireworks for their private celebrations, Mefford said.

We dont authorize or endorse the use of these fireworks, he said. We know we cant stop everyone, but we will respond when we can.

Those who report the use of illegal fireworks can help police by providing a specific location when possible, Mefford said.

Police often receive a call of fireworks in the area from a caller iunable to pinpoint the location, Mefford said, adding that the lack of detail leaves police searching the area.

Calls about fireworks are prioritized based on safety concerns and available information, he said.

Our dispatchers ask location, if there is something unsafe that would prioritize that call over another, Mefford said. Often times, well get 15 calls, but its for the same set of fireworks. We have to be efficient with our resources.

While physical safety is a primary consideration with large fireworks, there are other dangers, especially when they are set off at unpredictable times, Mefford said.

For example, early celebrations can cause bad reactions in those who suffer from PTSD or cause problems with pets.

Those suffering from PTSD often take precautions when they know to expect fireworks, but others can help by limiting when and how often they set off fireworks, according to PennMedicine.org, the website of the University of Pennsylvanias academic medical center in Philadelphia.

Veterans and society in general expect fireworks on Fourth of July weekend, but not necessarily on a random Tuesday in August, the website said, noting that wrapping up fireworks displays before 10 p.m. can be a great way to make sure you arent impacting too many peoples sleeping habits.

ConfidentialRecovery.com, the website of the San Diego, California-based drug and alcohol addiction treatment center, suggests that those with PTSD speak with their neighbors about whether the neighbors are planning to shoot off fireworks so the PTSD sufferer can invest in noise-canceling headphones or a white noise machine, practice grounding techniques and develop a good support system.

Pet owners also often prepare for the holiday. Pet insurance company Trupanion said it receives a lot of anxiety-related claims this time of year because of the loud noises  about a 45% increase.

The company recommends pet owners take precautions during their celebrations, including placing pets in a familiar environment, kenneling, body wraps or calming collars, and leaving on a television or something else to help diffuse the noise of fireworks.

It also is important that all pets have a collar with their name, address and owners contact information in case they run away or become lost after being frightened by celebrations.

The goal is to make sure everyone has a safe holiday, Mefford said.

People need to be safe and follow the rules, he said. We know we cant stop it, but if we can minimize and mitigate problems, we will.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker is stressing the importance of COVID-19 vaccinations as positivity rates and hospitalizations continue to decline but variants of the virus have proven more transmissible and dangerous to those not vaccinated.

The governor cited a Schuyler County youth camp that has led to more than 85 associated COVID-19 cases.

The governor said at least one unvaccinated adult from the camp was hospitalized after the outbreak. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, although all campers and staff were eligible for vaccination, (the state) is aware of only a handful of campers and staff receiving the vaccine.

The state health department is working with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to handle the outbreak and is in the process of identifying the presence of any specific variants in this outbreak.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has identified 9,697 COVID-19 variants in the state. That includes 84 instances of the Delta variant, which prompted a high-ranking official at the World Health Organization to warn this week that vaccinated individuals still should be wearing face coverings to protect against community transmission.

Vaccine alone wont stop the community transmission.  People need to continue to use masks consistently, be in ventilated spaces, hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, the physical distance, avoid crowding, said Mariangela Simao, WHO assistant director-general for access to medicines and health products.

Pritzker said his administration expects the Delta variant, which has proven more transmissible and dangerous to unvaccinated people, to dominate our cases statewide by the fall. He and others appeared masked at a news conference in Chicago that was called to celebrate the opening of a business center.

He said he was wearing a face covering, even though the state no longer requires one for those who are vaccinated, because he thought it was appropriate.

I would say, from my own perspective, if youre going into a heavily crowded area, you dont know if somebody is not vaccinated, and so you should just bring your mask with you and keep safe, he said.

Pritzker mentioned Israels vaccine response, noting the country had high vaccination rates but has reinstated indoor mask mandates and other mitigations as the Delta variant spreads.

The lessons here at home and across the world are a harbinger of what could happen here, particularly in low-vaccinated areas, he said.

According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, about 53.1% of Illinoisans over age 12 were fully vaccinated as of Monday, while that number was 55.7% for those 18 and older and 73.7% for those 65 and older. For those receiving at least one dose, the numbers were 68.8%, 71.3% and 89.8%, respectively.

Still, Pritzker said, that left more than 5 million Illinoisans not fully vaccinated and therefore unprotected.

While the states case positivity rate saw a small uptick of 0.1 percentage point Monday, the number remains near a pandemic low. Hospitalizations also remain near pandemic lows, with 433 patients in hospital beds as of Sunday night, including 108 in intensive care unit beds and 46 on ventilators.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The House voted Tuesday to approve a bill that would remove from the Capitol a bust of Roger Taney, the U.S. chief justice best known for an infamous pro-slavery decision, as well as statues of Jefferson Davis and others who served in the Confederacy.

The bill passed by a vote of 285-120. Democrats were unanimous in their support for the bill and were joined by 67 Republicans. A similar bill last year passed the House but failed to gain traction in the Senate. Backers are hoping for a different outcome now that President Joe Biden is in the White House and Democrats control the Senate.

The vote comes against the backdrop of larger reckoning in the U.S. with racism, one thats prompted a reassessment of statues and other symbols that valorize those who upheld white supremacy. Protesters decrying racism last year targeted Confederate monuments in multiple cities, leading to many being taken down. But many others remain in places of honor, including at the U.S. Capitol.

Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Ga., said the Confederate statues send a message to Black people that their lives are not valued because those being honored stood for the proposition that you were less than human.

Its personally an affront to me as a Black man to walk around and look at these figures and see them standing tall, looking out as if they were visionaries and they did something that was great. No, they did something that was very hurtful to humanity, Johnson said.

The Taney bust would be replaced with one of Thurgood Marshall, the first Black justice to serve on the nations highest court. The 2-foot-high marble bust of Taney is outside a room in the Capitol where the Supreme Court met from 1810 to 1860. It was in that room that Taney, the nations fifth chief justice, announced the Dred Scott decision, sometimes called the worst decision in the courts history.

The Supreme Court held that Scott, as a Black man, was not a citizen and therefore had no right to sue, and found that legislation restricting slavery in certain territories was unconstitutional.

Three other statues honoring white supremacists  including former U.S. Vice President John C. Calhoun of South Carolina  would also be immediately removed under the legislation. Longer-term, the architect of the Capitol would be instructed to identify any other statues depicting those who served in the Confederate States of America for removal from public display.

The statues would go back to the states that sent them. The statue of Davis, for example, would be returned to Mississippi and that of Alexander Hamilton Stephens would be returned to Georgia. Davis served as the Confederacys president and Stephens as its vice president.

Each state gets to submit two statues for display in the Capitol. When the donated statue arrives, it is placed in a location selected by the Joint Committee on the Library, a group of 10 lawmakers from both chambers that oversees works of fine art in the building.

Republicans note that some states are already working to replace some of about a dozen statues that would be potentially removed under the bill. North Carolina, for example, is replacing a statue of Charles Aycock, a former governor and white supremacist, with one of the Rev. Billy Graham. But the process is painfully slow.

Its Congresss responsiveness to the states request that actually delays the process, said Republican Rep. Rodney Davis of Illinois.

Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., said he would vote for the bill, but made it a point to emphasize that all the statues being removed by this bill are statues of Democrats."

That prompted Rep. Karen Bass, D-Calif., to question whether Republicans were aware of the whole history of the civil rights movement." She said that when Black people fought to enter the Democratic Party, many Americans left to join the Republican Party.

Some Democratic lawmakers offered to work with Republicans on speeding up the approval process, but they want to forge ahead in the meantime. Rep. Zoe Lofgren, the Democratic chair of the House Administration Committee, said the Confederate statues honor traitors to their country. She denied that removing them would be erasing the nation's history.

On the contrary, we must never forget our nations shameful periods of slavery, segregation and racism, Lofgren said.

Now, that history belongs in a museum. You know, we need to remember our history, she said. It doesnt belong on a pedestal.

One statue already gone from the Capitol is that of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee, which was removed from the National Statuary Hall Collection last year at the request of Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam. A state commission decided that Lee was not a fitting symbol for the state.

Just two weeks ago Congress approved a bill establishing Juneteenth as a new federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, an unexpected breakthrough for supporters of the legislation. Democrats see a similar chance to address longstanding frustrations about the statues in the Capitol and are putting Republican lawmakers on the spot by calling a vote.

Last year, Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he supported continuing the practice of states replacing the statues on their own.

They can trade them out at any time ... a number of states are trading them out now, McConnell told reporters.

He also referred to the House legislation as nonsense that would airbrush the Capitol.

However, Republicans joined Democrats in the final weeks of Donald Trumps presidency to override his veto of a defense policy bill that allows for the renaming of military bases that honor Confederate leaders. Trump repeatedly emphasized his opposition to changing the names of the military bases.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Israeli's foreign minister acknowledged Wednesday during his first state visit to the United Arab Emirates that when tensions flare in Jerusalem, it reverberates across the region.

Nobody is denying the fact that tensions in Jerusalem endanger the entire area, Yair Lapid told reporters in Dubai.

He spoke to select foreign media on the final stretch of a historic two-day visit to the Gulf Arab state. It was the first official visit by an Israeli minister to the UAE since the two countries agreed to establish full ties nine months ago.

The visit, however, garnered little fanfare across Emirati media and Lapid did not have an audience with the country's de-facto leader, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Rather, he met with his Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who hosted an official reception for the Israeli delegation Tuesday.

Lapid also inaugurated the Israeli diplomatic missions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai during his trip. No senior Emirati Cabinet officials have traveled to Israel, though the UAE has established a diplomatic presence in Tel Aviv.

The visit comes on the heels of last month's devastating 11-day war in the Gaza Strip in May, which killed more than 250 Palestinians, including 66 children. In Israel, 13 people died as a result of the war with Gaza, including two children.

Emotions ran high during the conflict among the Arab public, and continue to simmer with the Gaza cease-fire on shaky ground and tensions still tense in Jerusalem.

The war was sparked when Hamas militants in Gaza fired rockets at Israel in response to violence in Jerusalem between Israeli forces and Palestinian protesters and worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, a site holy to Muslims and Jews. Efforts by Jewish settlers to evict Palestinians from their homes in east Jerusalem further aggravated tensions in the city.

Nobody wants riots in Jerusalem," Lapid said. "Its in everybodys best interest to make sure Jerusalem is as quiet as possible.

The flare-up in Jerusalem on the final days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan presented the first major test of rapidly developing relations between Israel and the UAE. The U.S.-brokered agreement, which was signed by then-Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was the first of its kind by an Arab state with Israel in over two decades, and it paved the path for similar announcements by Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco.

When tensions boiled-over in Jerusalem last month, the UAE issued a rare public rebuke of Israel and called on authorities to de-escalate the situation and show maximum self-restraint to prevent further regional instability. The Emirati government's tone reflected the sensitivities that persist among Muslims worldwide around the sovereignty of Al-Aqsa and the Palestinian struggle against occupation.

The conflict appears to have also set back U.S. efforts to promote more Israeli normalization accords with other Arab states. It may have also slowed down the pace of progress with Sudan.

I wish we have with Sudan what we just had here, Lapid said, referring to the UAE.

The minister said Israel's goal is to have so-called Abraham Accords with all Arab states. If we will be able to push forward with the Saudis, well be happy to do so," he said.

Lapid, a former Israeli anchorman who heads a centrist Israeli party, was newly sworn in as foreign minister weeks ago upon the formation of a new Israeli government led by right-wing politician, Naftali Bennett.

He said the new coalition government's intention is to have better dialogue with people on the ground, though he made no mention of the Palestinians nor prospects for reviving the moribund peace talks.

When asked about the blockaded Gaza Strip, Lapid said Israel has no interest in fighting Gaza, but stressed Israel will never accept rocket fire from Hamas.

Lapid declined to discuss any details of his conversation with his Emirati counterpart. The two countries share strong objections about Iran's nuclear accord with world powers, which the Biden administration is seeking to revive and expand.

He did, however, say that he spent time connecting Emirati ministers with their counterparts in the new Israeli government, including the minsters of energy. He described the UAE as Israel's new friends.

While he did not give a number on size of bilateral investments, he was quoted in the UAE state-run news agency saying bilateral trade had reached more than $675 million. Included in that is $272 million of trade with Dubai. The two sides are also discussing putting in place a free trade agreement.
Congressman Darin LaHood will continue as a member of the House Republican China Task Force after being reappointed this week by Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy.

The task force works to generate policy solutions with China, including investigating the origins of the COVID-19 virus, supply chain protection, and competition.
Overnight reports from Jacksonville police:

 Police are investigating the theft of more than a dozen signs placed throughout a Jacksonville neighborhood as a show of support for law enforcement authorities.

About 15 signs reading Back the Blue were grabbed from yards in the Highlander Heights section of the city, according to a report filed at 11:56 p.m. Tuesday.

Back the Blue is a nationwide grassroots effort urging people to show support for local law enforcement by displaying banners or signs.

A Highview Drive resident said two boys wearing dark clothing were collecting the signs from neighbors yards. When they took one from the residents yard, they were told to give it back, according to a police report.

The boys yelled profanities and threatened to physically harm the resident before they took off, the report said.
Students from a Maine island high school have seen the world on senior class trips -- the Eiffel Tower, Icelands volcanos, Norways fjords, the canals of Italy, the tropical beaches of Panama.

This year, members of Islesboro Central Schools Class of 2021  all 13 of them  were eyeing a trip to Greece, or maybe South Korea. But they wound up going nowhere.

Instead, they donated $5,000 to help out neighbors struggling in the wake of the pandemic.

It was painful, no doubt. But in the end, it wasnt a difficult decision.

It felt sort of obvious that it needed to go back to the island community, said Olivia Britton, 17, of Belfast, one of this months graduates.

Before the pandemic put the kibosh on further fundraising -- including their annual auction -- the seniors raised nearly $8,000 by working concession stands, holding harvest and winter festivals, and hosting community suppers.

Much of that money would end up going to the Island Community Fund to help people suffering from COVID-19-related job losses to put food on the table or cover unexpected expenses.

The pandemic hasnt been easy for young people anywhere in the United States, and the tight-knit island community has felt the effects keenly.

Five of the Islesboro Central School seniors take the ferry from the mainland, while the rest live on the island, which has about 700 year-round residents. So the students were not only isolated by the pandemic but they were also split apart, unable to gather for months, with a three-mile gulf between the island and the mainland.

The Class of 2021 had long been accustomed to doing things together. For Halloween, the class would coordinate group costumes and pile into a school-owned van, driven by an English teacher, to go trick or treating together on the island.

It was a large group, by island standards. In fact, the 13 seniors represented the largest senior class in recent years.

As the reality of the pandemic took hold, the seniors kicked off an email chain to discuss what to do about the trip. International travel was a no-go, so Greece, South Korea and Japan were no longer options.

They thought about scaling it back. Perhaps they could do a regional trip. It would be better than nothing. But even that started to seem far-fetched.

The worlds struggles weighed on them as they tried to justify salvaging an exotic outing against a backdrop of deaths and economic pain.

It would have seemed weird and definitely wrong to be spending money on an overseas trip during a time of such difficulties, said Liefe Temple, 18, of Lincolnville.

We could really see how the whole world and the island, too, was struggling. So it felt really good to do that with our money, to give it back to the people who gave it to us, Temple said.

The president of the Isleboro Community Fund said there were cheers, high fives and even some tears when the board learned of the donation.

When everything settled down, there was a strong sense of pride in these students. Thats because their decision demonstrated an awareness of the hardship in their community and a willingness to do something about it, Fred Thomas said. They learned that giving is hard, but giving is good.

Some money also was used to defray unexpected costs associated with operating COVID-19 vaccination clinics; the students got a kick out of knowing they contributed to their teachers and peers getting the jab. Theyre still deciding where to donate the couple of thousand dollars that's left.

Word of their gesture spread through a news account in their local newspaper. They received a warm response on the island, said Brittons mother, Dr. Megan Britton, a family doctor who advised the Class of 2021 on fundraising for the trip.

The consensus: People complain about the youth today but this really flies in the face of that. Not these kids, at least, she said.

___

Sharp reported from Portland, Maine.

___

One Good Thing is a series that highlights individuals whose actions provide glimmers of joy in hard times  stories of people who find a way to make a difference, no matter how small. Read the collection of stories at https://apnews.com/hub/one-good-thing
With Joe Bidens presidency nearing the six-month mark, the Republican National Committee sent out a Biden Report Card  a poll in which Bidens performance is graded from A to F.

The RNC email begins, Friend, Lets be clear. Joe Biden is a failure. It goes on: Biden is out of touch and out of control, which is why were turning to you to get your unfiltered opinion on Bidens performance by completing the Official Biden Report Card. I have no idea what the results were, but the set-up seemed certain to create a real nail-biter.

The next day the Democratic Governors Association sent an email with a banner that flashed in bright red and white, urgent poll. The message read, Tell us before midnight: Do you approve of Biden and Harris? The voting options were yes and no  and, just to make it more scientific, the word yes was on a red button while no was on pale gray.

Nonstop campaigning isnt new; its a sad fact of politics. Whats changing is intensity and relentless messaging.

Modern media, both professional and social, were supposed to create a better informed electorate and a rich diversity of political opinion. Instead, our tools are used to build barriers. Email is worst. At least when campaigning via regular mail or with paid ads in print and on television, out-of-pocket costs force some limits.

Political emails are ridiculously rigid: Even 42 months before the next presidential election, there is no middle ground, no semblance of open-mindedness. As an experiment, I submitted contrary votes in both polls, giving President Biden an A in the RNC survey and a No in the Democratic poll. It didnt matter. Both of my votes opened pages that pushed toward the same pre-determined conclusions.

Are you concerned that Donald Trump will run for president again? was the follow-up query in the Democrats Biden poll. Will you invest $100 to help Democratic governors stop Trumps hateful agenda?

The Republican survey wasted little time getting to its point: Please contribute any amount right now to directly fund our efforts to defeat Biden. (Remember, I had just voted to give Joe Biden the highest possible grade.) The suggested donations were $45 to $2,900.

A simple course for those of us who hate this email nonsense would be to unsubscribe. But concerned voters understandably want to hear what their party has to say. I dont want to cut off my nose just to stop the stink of foolish emails.

Both parties shamelessly use whatever hook they can find to ask for personal information and money. You may not know me yet, began an email from Marie Boyd, but you do know my husband, DNC Chair Jamie Harrison, which is why I have a special request for you. Jamie is so fired up about this grassroots team and the future of the Democratic Party  so I want to surprise him with a card signed by incredible supporters like you.

I discovered that the digital card for Harrison could not be submitted without my cell number. Really? And, of course, the message contained a request for money  with $2,000 among the suggested sums.

Just a few days earlier, a GOP email solicited signatures on President Trumps only surprise birthday card. This pitch also asked for a phone number, as well as an email address and, of course, a donation of up to $2,900.

Political emails are giving spam a bad name. And relentless off-season badgering for cash undoubtedly leaves many civic-minded citizens with headaches.

The Democrats email containing the Biden approval poll said its purpose was to help heal our democracy.

Reading bogus surveys and email blather from both parties, I have to say healing is not what comes to mind.

Peter Funts new memoir, Self-Amused, is now available at CandidCamera.com.
Watertown, SD (57201)

Today

Sunshine in the morning followed by cloudy skies during the afternoon. High 94F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy with rain developing after midnight. Low 67F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Ethiopias Tigray extremely fluid as cease-fire in doubt View Photo

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  Ethiopias government on Wednesday said its military could re-enter the capital of its embattled Tigray region within weeks, calling into question the unilateral cease-fire it declared in Tigray just days ago.

Ethiopia also asserted that soldiers from neighboring Eritrea, who had been collaborating with Ethiopian forces, had withdrawn from Tigray. That could not immediately be confirmed and Eritrean officials did not respond to questions, but the withdrawal would be another major development in the nearly eight-month war.

Redwan Hussein, spokesman for the Tigray emergency task force, spoke to reporters in Ethiopias first public remarks since its soldiers retreated from the Tigray capital and other parts of the region on Monday in a dramatic turn in the fighting.

The Tigray forces that have retaken key areas after some of the wars fiercest fighting have rejected the cease-fire, telling The Associated Press it was a sick joke and vowing to chase out Ethiopian and Eritrean forces.

There will be no negotiations with Ethiopia until communications, transport and other services that have been cut or destroyed for much of the war are restored, the Tigray forces spokesman, Getachew Reda, told the AP on Wednesday.

We have to make sure that every inch of our territory is returned to us, the rightful owners, Getachew said, adding that Ethiopian forces are still fighting to regain territory and Eritrean forces still control a significant part of the region.

That contrasted with Redwans comment that the Eritrean army has withdrawn from Tigray. He didnt respond to questions for more details. The United States on Tuesday said it had not yet seen a statement from Eritrea saying it was committed to the cease-fire.

The situation in Tigray remained extremely fluid, the United Nations said, adding that Tigray forces now control the regional capital, Mekele, as well as Shire and the towns of Axum, Adwa and Adigrat.

One aid worker told the AP their organizations internal assessments showed that Eritrean forces had only pulled back to border areas. The aid worker, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation, added that several thousand Tigray fighters passed through Shire on Wednesday morning, saying they were going to Hitsats to the west to fight.

The long-time president of Eritrea, Isaias Afwerki, has long been an enemy of Tigrays leaders, who for years dominated key positions in Ethiopias government and military before being sidelined by Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. Witnesses have accused the Eritrean soldiers of some of the worst atrocities in the conflict.

We will do anything in our power to make sure that Isaias will never be a threat again, the Tigray forces spokesman said. Eritrea shares a long border with the Tigray region along which it and Ethiopia fought a war in 1998-2000.

With the current war likely to continue, the fate of more than 1 million Tigrayans in hard-to-reach areas is in question as Ethiopia and authorities on the ground are accused of blocking access for the delivery of aid. Phone and internet services remain cut.

Ethiopia has said it declared the cease-fire in part on humanitarian grounds, but said it would end once the crucial farming season in Tigray is over, which means September.

Seeking to explain this weeks dramatic retreat, Ethiopian Lt. Gen. Bacha Debele on Wednesday said the military had to move forces from Tigray to face bigger threats and referred to the border, but denied the possibility of a conflict with neighboring Sudan over disputed lands.

Some observers expressed concern that the warring sides wouldnt use this new period to pursue a peaceful resolution in Tigray.

The fear is that the Tigrayan forces are not going to be interested in negotiating, even though they are now in a position of strength, said Ahmed Soliman, a researcher with Chatham House. The (Ethiopian) government might also use this period (of rainy season) to regroup and reinforce in anticipation of future conflict. That would be a missed opportunity.

Speaking to reporters at U.N. headquarters, Russias U.N. Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said the Ethiopian governments announcement of a unilateral cease-fire gives us a light glimmer of hope, because we always said there is no solution to any crisis which  is waged by military means.

There is no solution to this crisis by military means, only a political solution will work, Nebenzia said. How that will translate in what is happening in Ethiopia  is it a temporary lull or is it a road which will pave the way to the political settlement? That is a question to be addressed.

___

Edith M. Lederer at the United Nations contributed.

By CARA ANNA

Associated Press
Finland: Dane acquitted of 1987 ferry attack on backpackers View Photo

HELSINKI (AP)  In one of the oldest unsolved criminal cases in Finland, a Finnish court on Wednesday acquitted a 52-year-old Dane of murder and attempted murder over an attack on two young German backpackers on a Baltic Sea ferry more than 30 years ago.

Klaus Schelkle, aged 20, was killed and his 22-year-old girlfriend Bettina Taxis severely injured in a brutal attack while they were sleeping on the outer deck of the Viking Sally, en route from Stockholm in Sweden to the Finnish port of Turku in July 1987.

The crime took place on Finnish waters near the Aland Islands archipelago. The ship was later sold and renamed, and sank seven years afterward with great loss of life in one of Europes worst peacetime maritime accidents.

Following decades of investigation, Finnish police concluded last year that the Danish man, at the time a 18-year-old boy scout going to an international jamboree in Finland and who allegedly arrived first at the scene to help the victims, was the key suspect in the complex case.

The man denied all charges during the one week-long trial that ended late May. He wasnt taken into custody and returned to Denmark.

The district court based in Turku, western Finland, said the prosecutors had failed to prove the defendant  to be the only person having had the possibility and opportunity to commit the crimes in concern.

The court also stressed that the murder weapon was never found, saying that the defendant hasnt had any such knowledge about the murder weapon that only the perpetrator of the offences could have had.

Prosecutors alleged that the man had earlier confessed to committing the crime, and were seeking a life sentence for him. They claimed the Dane had given such a detailed account of events during the investigation and media interviews that it was impossible he was simply an outsider who just happened arrive at the scene first.

According to Danish and Finnish media, the man has a criminal background, including prison sentences for an armed robbery and illegal arms possession. In April, the Danish tabloid BT reported that he had sent threatening messages to his ex-wife in 2015-16 and bragged to her that he had committed unspecified killings.

However, the Finnish court dismissed the alleged confession in its ruling.

The defendant has not confessed to being guilty of the crimes in such a way that his guilt through this would be considered proven or even probable, the court said.

Martina Kronstrom, the Danish mans lawyer in Finland, told The Associated Press that her client was relieved and very happy and satisfied with the result. She said he didnt worry too much because he had full confidence in the legal system.

One would expect that if you press charges after 33 years, you would actually have quite a lot to go on, Kronstrom said. Something new, something that you can actually use and what you can use to have a verdict. In this case, we quite easily could see that there is no such thing. There were some stories by our client that was the only actually new thing they had. But thats not enough in a murder case.

Kronstrom said she saw very little space for an appeal over the verdict by prosecutors, who havent commented on the court decision.

The Germans were airlifted from the ferry to a hospital in Turku where Schelkle was pronounced dead. Taxis survived but had no memory of the assault. Prosecutors said the weapon used was a hammer-type tool that apparently was stolen from the ferry and thrown into the sea by the perpetrator.

Viking Sally was later sold to an Estonian shipping company and sailed under the name of M/S Estonia. The ferry later sank in the Baltic Sea going from the Baltic nations capital, Tallinn, to Stockholm in September 1994, causing the loss of 852 lives.

___

Associated Press writer Jan M. Olsen contributed from Copenhagen, Denmark and video journalist David Keyton from Stockholm, Sweden.

By JARI TANNER

Associated Press
Most European troops exit Afghanistan quietly after 20 years View Photo

BERLIN (AP)  Most European troops have already pulled out of Afghanistan, quietly withdrawing months before the U.S.-led mission was officially expected to end  part of an anticlimactic close to the forever war that risks leaving the country on the brink of civil war.

Germany and Italy declared their missions in Afghanistan over on Wednesday and Polands last troops returned home, bringing their deployments to a low-key end nearly 20 years after the first Western soldiers were deployed there.

Announcements from several countries analyzed by The Associated Press show that a majority of European troops has now left with little ceremony  a stark contrast to the dramatic and public show of force and unity when NATO allies lined up to back the U.S. invasion to rid the country of al-Qaida after the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks.

In the ensuing decades, the war went from one mission to another. Former U.S. President George W. Bushs administration shied away from nation-building and the United Nations advocated a light footprint. But with the passing years, NATO and U.S. troops took on greater roles developing Afghanistans National Security and Defense Forces and training police. At the wars peak, the U.S. and NATO military numbers surpassed 150,000.

NATO agreed in April to withdraw its roughly 7,000 non-American forces from Afghanistan to match U.S. President Joe Bidens decision to pull all American troops from the country, starting May 1.

Biden set a Sept. 11 deadline for the withdrawal of U.S. troops. But more recently, American officials have said that pullout would most likely be completed by July 4  and many allies have moved to wrap up their own presence by then as well.

NATO declined to give an update Wednesday on how many nations still have troops in its Resolute Support mission. But an analysis of 19 governments announcements shows that more than 4,800 of the non-American forces have left.

The U.S. has refused to give troop figures, but when Biden announced the final pullout, between 2,500 and 3,500 troops were deployed. As of February, a total of some 832,000 American troops had served in Afghanistan, while about 25,100 Defense Department civilians had also served there.

The U.S. has also refused to give a clear date for a final withdrawal.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Wednesday only that the U.S. withdrawal remains on the timeline that the president announced  which is to get our troops out of Afghanistan, while having a remaining diplomatic presence on the ground, by September.

Germany announced the end of its nearly 20-year deployment in a statement and a series of tweets from the defense minister late Tuesday, shortly after the last plane carrying its troops had left Afghan airspace.

Three transport aircraft landed at the Wunstorf air base in northern Germany on Wednesday afternoon. The troops, wearing masks, lined up on the tarmac for a brief ceremony, but the military dispensed with a bigger reception because of the coronavirus pandemic.

We have worked long and hard to stand here today, said Brig. Gen. Ansgar Meyer, the last commander of the German contingent. As your commander, I can say for you: Mission accomplished. You have fulfilled your task.

But the top American general in Afghanistan gave a sobering assessment Tuesday, warning about the recent rapid loss of districts to the Taliban and cautioning the country could descend into civil war.

The German pullout came amid a spate of withdrawals by European nations. Polands last departing troops were greeted Wednesday by Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak. Some 33,000 Polish troops have served in Afghanistan over the past 20 years.

The last Italian troops from Italys base in Herat arrived at the military airport in Pisa late Tuesday. Italy officially declared its mission in Afghanistan over in a statement Wednesday, with Defense Minister Lorenzo Guerini paying tribute to the 53 Italians who died and 723 who were injured over the past two decades.

Going forward, Guerini said Italys commitment to Afghanistan would remain, beginning with the strengthening of development cooperation and support for Afghan institutions.

Georgias last troops returned home Monday, while Romania brought home its remaining 140 troops Saturday, when Norway also pulled out. Troops from Denmark, Estonia and the Netherlands also returned home last week. Spain withdrew its last troops on May 13, Sweden on May 25, and Belgium on June 14. The small contingents deployed by Portugal, the Czech Republic, Slovenia, Finland, Albania, North Macedonia and Luxembourg have left as well.

The pullout is nearing its end as security in Afghanistan worsens. Since May 1, when the withdrawal began, the Taliban have overrun district after district, including along major transportation routes. Many have fallen after Afghan soldiers surrendered, often convinced to leave their posts by elders. But elsewhere there have been bitter military battles, with Afghan troops sometimes losing when their positions could not be resupplied.

The U.S. military commander in Afghanistan, Gen. Austen S. Miller, meanwhile, expressed concern about the resurrection of militias, which were deployed to help the beleaguered national security forces but have a brutal reputation for widespread killing.

A civil war is certainly a path that can be visualized if this continues on the trajectory its on right now, that should be of concern to the world, he said.

At a ceremony last week to mark the official end of the Dutch deployment, Dutch Defense Minister Ank Bijleveld-Schouten underscored the uncertain outlook.

We see reports of the rise of the Taliban, growing violence, also in areas where we were stationed, she said. A lot has been achieved but we must be realistic: The results are not irreversible.

___

This story has been updated to correct that Italian troops arrived home late Tuesday, not Wednesday.

___

Gannon reported from Kabul, Afghanistan. Associated Press writers Nicole Winfield in Rome; Mike Corder in The Hague, Netherlands; Robert Burns in Washington and reporters from around Europe contributed to this report.

By GEIR MOULSON and KATHY GANNON

Associated Press
Washington, DC  Mother Lode Republican Congressman Tom McClintock questioned Interior Secretary Deb Haaland about why Yosemite National Park is still capping attendance this summer after California reopened its economy on June 15.

During the questioning about the reservation system at a House hearing, Secretary Haaland told Congressman McClintock she would bring it up with Yosemites Park Superintendent (Cicely Muldoon) to learn more about the sentiment in the park.

McClintock countered, These restrictions continue to have a devastating impact on the gateway communities that depend upon tourist travel to Yosemite for their very economic existence.

He continued, Consulting the superintendent is not consulting the communities. I will assure you that the communities are in desperate need of lifting these restrictions that have no foundation in science.

In early May Yosemite started capping attendance at about 70-percent of normal for this time of year, citing COVID-19, or about 5,700 vehicles per day. By late May, Mariposa County moved to the yellow tier on the COVID scale, and an additional 400-500 daily reservations were made available. California has since done away with the color-coded blueprint.

Yosemites reservation system is currently set to expire at the end of September.

During the House hearing, McClintock also took time to criticize the lack of new water storage in the West and raised concerns about the federal preparation for wildfires.
BERLIN (AP)  Germanys last troops left Afghanistan Tuesday after a nearly 20-year deployment in the country, the defense minister said.

Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer tweeted that the last Bundeswehr soldiers left Afghanistan safely Tuesday evening. She thanked the more than 150,000 troops who have served there since 2001 and said that they can be proud of this mission.

The German military said that the last troops were on their way home via Tbilisi, Georgia, and that Brig. Gen. Ansgar Meyer, the last commander of the German contingent, was on board an Airbus A400M aircraft bringing them home.

NATO agreed in April to withdraw its roughly 7,000 non-American forces from Afghanistan to match U.S. President Joe Bidens decision to pull all American troops from the country starting May 1. At the time, Germany had around 1,100 troops there.

Germanys contingent, which focused on northern Afghanistan, was the second biggest in the current Resolute Support mission after the United States. Its last bases were in Mazar-e-Sharif and Kabul.

An historic chapter is coming to an end, an intense deployment that was exacting for the Bundeswehr and marked it, in which the Bundeswehr proved itself in battle, Kramp-Karrenbauer said.

The German parliament first approved sending the military to Afghanistan in December 2001, and the first troops arrived in Kabul in January 2002.

Fifty-nine German troops died in Afghan missions over the years.

American officials have said the entire pullout of U.S. troops will most likely be completed by July 4.

Around 750 containers worth of equipment has been shipped back to Germany by land and air, including 120 vehicles and six helicopters, the Bundeswehr said.
GOP embraces Trump during visit to Texas, border wall View Photo

PHARR, Texas (AP)  Republican lawmakers traveled to Texas to cheer former President Donald Trump as he paid a visit to the southern border Wednesday and hammered the Biden administration for its immigration policies amid a decades-high spike in border crossings.

Trump, who was joined by more than two dozen House members, also continued to spread lies about the 2020 election as he participated in a border briefing and visited the wall he championed in a trip that was strikingly similar to the many hed taken here while president.

Biden is destroying our country. And it all started with a fake election, Trump railed as he stood at the border, an American flag hoisted by a crane waving above him. Trump has persisted in falsely claiming he won in November, even though state and federal election officials, his own attorney general and numerous judges have said there is no evidence of the mass voter fraud he alleges.

Coming fresh off his first rally since leaving the White House, the visit underscored the extent to which Republicans, both nationally and in the states, continue to embrace Trump as the leader of their party. And it demonstrated anew how much the GOP has taken up Trumps signature issue of immigration as the party looks to recapture control of Congress in next years midterm elections.

Trump was invited to South Texas by the states governor, Greg Abbott, who is up for reelection next year and is considered a potential 2024 presidential candidate. After facing criticism for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Abbott has taken up Trumps immigration mantle, vowing to continue building the southern border wall that the Biden administration has suspended.

At the wall, Abbott heaped praise on Trump, hailing him as the man who did more to secure the border than anybody and any president ever has.

Pointing to the unfinished border wall rising behind him, Abbott called on Biden to resume construction. This is Bidens fault because President Biden is not continuing what President Trump began, he said. Democrats have long criticized the wall as a symbolic waste of money that does nothing to address the root causes of migration.

The trip came as Trump was facing new and unprecedented legal pressure in New York. His company and longtime finance chief have been indicted on charges stemming from a New York investigation into the former presidents business dealings, two people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. The charges remain sealed but are expected to be revealed Thursday.

Trump did not respond to shouted questions about the charges or the deadly Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6, when his supporters stormed the building to try to stop the certification of Democrat Joe Bidens victory in the 2020 election. Indeed, some in the audience of House Republicans and GOP staffers booed the reporter who asked if Trump planned to apologize for what happened that day.

While Biden has enjoyed high approval ratings in the first months of his presidency, immigration has consistently been a weak spot. A May Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found more than half of Americans  54%  disapprove of his handling of the issue. And a recent Quinnipiac University poll of Texas voters found 64% disapprove of the way Biden is handling the situation at the border; 29% approved.

Trump has hammered the issue in nearly every appearance he has made since leaving office. And on Wednesday, he assailed the Biden administration for reversing the policies hed enacted.

All they had to do was leave it alone, he bemoaned.

Along with the two dozen House members, who skipped a vote in Washington on the creation of a new panel to investigate the events on Jan. 6, Trump was joined in Texas by a cadre of former administration officials, including his acting homeland security secretary and acting commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Their presence, along with Trumps familiar grievances, gave the event the feel of a journey back in time for the former president.

We have a sick country, in many ways. Its sick on elections, and its sick at the border, he said as he received a briefing on border security in Weslaco. He later insisted that, were he still president, the wall would have been completed in two months, even though more than 200 miles remained to be built under now-canceled contracts.

It would have been painted, not sitting there rotting and rusting. It would have been perfecto. It was all set, he said.

Democrats representing the state denounced the visit and their characterization of the border;

Lets make one thing clear: the narrative of a violent and insecure border region is blatantly false, said Democratic Rep. Filemon Vela in a statement. The border is not a war zone, and the wall Abbott and Trump are trying to get Texans to pay for is not only a waste of their hard-earned money but also an un-American symbol of hatred that separates and intimidates our communities, harms our wildlife, and encroaches on landowner rights.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection recorded more than 180,000 encounters on the Mexican border in May, the most since March 2000, sparking Republican attacks. Those numbers were boosted by a pandemic-related ban on seeking legal asylum that encouraged migrants to make repeated attempts since getting caught carries no legal consequences.

Nearly 19,000 unaccompanied children were picked up along the border in March 2021, by far the highest month on record. While the number of families and children traveling without their parents has dropped sharply since March and April, encounters with single adults have remained high.

Bidens administration has abandoned many of Trumps hard-line policies, most notably one that forced asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court. Biden has said he is working to build a humane asylum system, but details have been vague.

Last week, Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Biden tapped to lead his administrations response to the migrant increase, traveled to Texas amid growing pressure from Republicans and some in her party to travel to the border. Trump took credit for forcing her hand.

In recent weeks, Abbott has rolled out get-tough plans and rhetoric on immigration not seen before in Texas. Hes promised to continue building Trumps wall on his own and announced plans to shift $250 million in state dollars to new barrier and finance more through crowdsourcing. Abbott and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, also a Republican, have also asked governors to send additional law enforcement staff and resources to the border. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem  two other potential Republican 2024 White House contenders  are among those who have obliged.

Still, Abbotts characterization of the Texas border as a growing emergency is disputed by local officials in the most populous counties along the border, including Hidalgo.

The counties have rejected Abbotts efforts to use the current number of border crossings as justification to issue sweeping disaster declarations, which are usually reserved for hurricanes and fires. But other Texas counties that are hundreds of miles from the border and controlled by Republicans are signing on, including Galveston County, which on Tuesday said it was willing to give more than $6 million in federal recovery funds to help the governor build new border barrier.

___

Associated Press writers Paul Weber and Elliot Spagat contributed to this report.

By JILL COLVIN

Associated Press
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden will travel to Surfside, Florida, on Thursday to visit with the families of victims of the collapsed Miami-area condominium tower.

Biden has offered federal help and extended his concerns to the community as people grieve their lost loved ones and wait anxiously as search and rescue efforts continue, as he said in one tweet.
On Tuesday evening, Texas Beer Company unveiled their new K9 lager, a collaborative effort with K9s For Warriors, a program that seeks to pair veterans suffering from PTSD with an emotional support dog. The San Antonio event took place at H-E-Bs True Texas BBQ off Bulverde Road.

I am honored, I am humbled and Im excited to partner with the nation's biggest provider of veteran service dogs said Ian Davis, CEO of Texas Beer Company at the launch.

K9s For Warriors has been connecting service members with rescued furry companions since 2011. Plans are now in the works for the a Texas contingent of the Florida-based nonprofit, with a San Antonio location set to service the region this fall. During its run, the organization has paired nearly 700 veterans with service dogs and rescued more than 1,300 dogs from kill shelters.

Camille Sauers

This inter-species treatment method has been backed by research out of Purdue University to mitigate PTSD symptoms while restoring veteran's confidence and independence.

3 1 of 3 Camille sauers Show More Show Less 2 of 3 Camille Sauers Show More Show Less 3 of 3





Jodie Revils, a veteran who spent 11 years in the infantry and dealt with frontline combat firsthand, expressed that the K9s For Warriors program is life changing.

I went through every program the VA had to offer, and they helped a little bit, but over time I kinda got discouraged. I saw a lot of people getting better and I really wasnt. I had a pretty severe case of PTSD, said Revils.

RELATED: Project Pollo's 'Ranchito' raising money for veteran-run pet rescue

After some hearty trial and error, Revils was sent to a top of the line in patient program. There, he was first introduced to the K9s for Warriors Program. At first he was skeptical, but after a nudge from a different therapist and meeting some success stories, Revils finally gave the program a shot.

I decided that this was the last chance I had, after that I was done, I decided I wasnt gonna try anymore. This is why the program works, because Im still here, he continued, with his service dog, Donna, resting by his side.

At the launch, to celebrate the organizations homecoming into the city, CEO Rory Diamond was also presented with a check from H-E-B for $15,000.

Camille Sauers

RELATED: New under-the-radar Texas law gives beer, wine purchases an earlier start on Sundays

The new beer will be available to purchase at 100 H-E-B locations across Texas, and available on tap at all H-E-B True Texas BBQs. A portion of the proceeds will be donated to the nonprofit.

The K9 for Warriors program serves all veterans looking to rehabilitate with a furry friend free of charge.
Billy Calzada, Staff / San Antonio Express-News

Turtle hatchling releases are back on at Padre Island National Seashore this summer, but there are a few caveats in place according to officials.

According to the national park's Facebook page, the plans are to host the releases at the Malaquite Visitor Center on July 10, 11, 23, and 24 and on August 4, 5, and 6. The popular events can only take place if the rate of COVID-19 transmission reaches low or moderate in the three counties  Nueces, Kenedy, and Kleberg  that surround PINS.
If you haven't been vaccinated against COVID-19 yet, perhaps a Spurs game package will encourage you to roll up your sleeve.

On Wednesday, June 30, the city and Spurs Sports and Entertainment announced a partnership to bring pop-up vaccination clinics to the AT&T Center and Toyota Field.

The AT&T Center opportunity is on July 1o, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Toyota Field pop-up is on July 17 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Both clinics will administer the Pfizer vaccine. No registration is needed.

The Spurs food truck will be at both events. SS&E will also host giveaways  like 10 Spurs game tickets for plaza-level seats  and vouchers for SAFC matchups.

RELATED: San Antonio's COVID-19 positivity rate is ticking up, but officials say there's no need for concern

City officials, including Mayor Ron Nirenberg, were on hand for the announcement Wednesday morning.

"We have made much progress in our fight against COVID-19 since this same time last year," Nirenberg's statement says. "Life has truly improved for the better. Restaurants and other businesses have reopened, families are planning summer vacations, and people are going to stores and malls to shop again, but we're still not off the hook."

Assistant City Manager Colleen Bridger reminds residents of the looming Delta variant threat, which vaccines offer protection from.

READ MORE FROM MADALYN: Spurs guard Derrick White touches base with the San Antonio Missions

"We can now confirm that like the rest of the U.S., the COVID-19 Delta is approaching 20 percent of our cases," Bridger says. "Studies show full vaccination is protective against this variant. This why it's important to make sure you are fully vaccinated."

After a Tuesday visit to San Antonio, Secretary of U.S. Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas took to Twitter to praise the city for hitting President Joe Biden's goal of reaching a 70 percent COVID-19 vaccination rate by the Fourth of July.
By Lambert Strether of Corrente.

Bird Song of the Day

* * *

#COVID19

At reader request, Ive added this daily chart from 91-DIVOC. The data is the Johns Hopkins CSSE data. Here is the site.

I feel Im engaging in a macabre form of tape-watching. Ive been thinking of new charts to monitor to alert us to the next outbreak, assuming there is one, but for now, the data from the South means Ill stick to the status quo.

Vaccination by region:

Now all rising together. Kamala did the trick? Hard to believe.

Expert says new COVID-19 outbreaks will be very dense in certain parts of the country [The Hill]. The former head of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Scott Gottlieb said on Sunday that impending COVID-19 outbreaks stemming from emerging variants will be hyper-local and hamper communities with low vaccination rates. Its not going to be as pervasive, Gottlieb told CBSs Face the Nation. Its going to be hyper regionalizedthere are certain pockets of the country [where] we can have very dense outbreaks. The former FDA commissioner continued that potential outbreaks could resemble previous surges that began in the nations rural communities and that governors should build out health care resources in areas of the country where you still have a lot of vulnerability. When asked on Sunday how to mitigate vaccine hesitancy, Gottlieb placed his focus on empowering local leaders and physicians, saying that people who could be persuaded by Anthony Fauci or the surgeon general probably are already vaccinated.'

As variant rises, vaccine plan targets movable middle [Associated Press]. Thrown off-stride to reach its COVID-19 vaccination goal, the Biden administration is sending A-list officials across the country, devising ads for niche markets and enlisting community organizers to persuade unvaccinated people to get a shot. The strategy has the trappings of a political campaign, complete with data crunching to identify groups that can be won over.  What Democrats do so well. More: Its unclear how well the levers of persuasion are functioning. Vaccination rates have dropped below 1 million a day, and theres no sign yet of a turnaround. The administration has acknowledged that it will fall short of its goal of having 70% of adults vaccinated by July Fourth.. Analysts at HHS have developed a rough sketch of those in the movable middle. They tend to be younger, mainly 18-29. Most are not college educated, and political independents predominate. Black and Latino adults are more likely to fall in this category than people of other backgrounds. It can be a hard sell.  Good read,

TX: Not taking it: Remote West Texas COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy plain to see [Reuters]. [Emily Herreras of the Cochran Memorial Hospital] was not alone as she watched vaccine demand dry up beginning in early April. Public health experts say vaccination drives around the United States began to fall off sharply at the same time, resulting in President Joe Biden missing his stated goal of having 70% of Americans aged 18 and older at least partially vaccinated by July 4. Reuters interviewed 14 unvaccinated people aged 36 and younger in Cochran County and neighboring Hockley County this week. Concerns about the speed with which vaccines were developed and a general view that younger people were less likely to fall ill were the most cited reasons for not taking the shot. But: Rebecca Weintraub, faculty director of the Global Health Delivery Project at Harvard University, said that even before COVID-19, vaccine hesitancy had been steadily increasing. The best weapons in wooing people into taking the vaccine were local physicians, along with church and community leaders, and having easy, constant access to the shots. The vaccine should be on the menu at all times, including when youre seeing a primary care provider or any other provider in a health care setting, she said. We havent done that yet.'

Case count by United States regions:

Decline now flattening. Delta? See World, below. (The increase in Delta would still swamped by the decrease in Alpha, etc. For awhile.)

Here are the case counts for the last four weeks in the South (as defined by the US Census: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, West Virginia, and the District of Columbia):

Texas and Florida, capital of Latin America, neck and neck.

Covid cases top ten (hat tip, alert reader Lou Anton):

Tourist states disproportionately represented, IMNSHO. Readers?

Test positivity:

South bounces back.

Hospitalization (CDC):

Continued good news.

Deaths (Our World in Data):

Continued good news.

Covid cases worldwide:

* * *

Politics

But what is government itself, but the greatest of all reflections on human nature? James Madison, Federalist 51

They had one weapon left and both knew it: treachery. Frank Herbert, Dune

They had learned nothing, and forgotten nothing. Charles Maurice de Talleyrand-Perigord

Biden Administration

UPDATE Joe Biden Whispers Again During Speech After White House Video Went Viral [Newsweek]. President Joe Biden whispered on stage as he promoted the $1.2 trillion bipartisan infrastructure deal, only days after a similar low volume approach went viral on social media. On Tuesday, at the Municipal Transit Utility in La Crosse, Wisconsin, Biden outlined his hopes to give tax breaks to ordinary families before dropping into a hushed tone. Leaning forward on the platform, Biden whispered: Hey guys, I think its time to give ordinary people a tax break. The wealthy are doing fine, as those gathered burst into applause. This vocal approach mimicked the one he employed last Thursday during a White House press conference, in which he gave whispered responses to reporters questions about the infrastructure plan. After he was asked about additional relief for families reeling from the COVID-19 pandemic, Biden whispered over the lectern: I got them $1.9 trillion in relief so far. UPDATE In Wisconsin, Biden says infrastructure plan would create millions of jobs [Reuters]. Biden is attempting to keep up the momentum for a legislative proposal that Democratic congressional leaders believe will reach a critical stage in the second half of July. I expect the last two weeks of July to be very busy weeks, when we will deal with the presidents proposals, the No. 2 House Democrat, Steny Hoyer, told reporters on Tuesday. House and Senate Democrats hope to have infrastructure legislation done and on its way to Bidens desk by the end of September, a Democratic aide said.  All the time in the world. The Hill keeps running clips like this: YESTERDAY: President Joe Biden arrived back at the White House, following his trip to Wisconsin. pic.twitter.com/9JDKDqUG1l  The Hill (@thehill) June 30, 2021 Proving that Biden can walk? Universal concrete material benefits: NEW poll from Morning Consult. Support for health care items in reconciliation package. Adding dental/vision/hearing to Medicare: 84-9% Expanding home health: 77-11% Coverage for non-Medicaid expansion: 68-19% Negotiating Drug Rx Prices: 66-18%https://t.co/9jmUvGZmD3 pic.twitter.com/K5euWpzko9  Jesse Ferguson (@JesseFFerguson) June 30, 2021

Democrats en Deshabille

Trump Legacy

A New Darkness Falls on the Trump Movement [Politico]. And yet, there were signs this rally was different. During past rallies, Trumps supporters applauded Trump as he trashed immigrants, demonized the media, and echoed his calls to lock up his opponents. But they also felt hopeful the real estate magnate was giving them a voice. There was a sense that this charismatic outsider would empower them to change Washington, and a joyfulness that came with being part of a movement. Now, they felt cheated. WE THE PEOPLE ARE PISSED OFF, one popular rally T-shirt read. Their champion was no longer in office, which means he had been stripped of any real power. It seemed to feed a sense of desperation, even from Trump himself. The subject matter is somewhat depressing, he said of his own speech. Trump Organization expected to be charged with tax crimes on Thursday [CNN]. The Manhattan district attorneys office is expected to charge former President Donald Trumps namesake company and its chief financial officer, Allen Weisselberg, as soon as Thursday with tax crimes in connection with an array of perks and benefits awarded to employees, a person familiar with the matter tells CNN. Though Trump faced multiple federal and state prosecutorial inquiries during his administration, the district attorneys indictment would be the first to charge his company, the Trump Organization, with allegedly criminal conduct. Trump himself isnt expected to be charged, his lawyer has said.

Realignment and Legitimacy

Still germane Incredible that 600,000 Americans died from COVID, tens of millions more lost their livelihoods, and hundreds of millions sacrificed their lives for more than a year  and absolutely nothing changed. No universal healthcare, no basic income guarantee. Nothing.  Gravel Institute (@GravelInstitute) June 13, 2021 Given the vast increase of squillionaire wealth during the pandemic, its almost as if capitalism is not resilient, but anti-fragile, a depressing idea. Vermont Senate overrides vetoes of noncitizen voting measures, approves housing bill [VT Digger]. The Vermont Senate on Thursday narrowly overrode Gov. Phil Scotts vetoes of charter changes that allow noncitizens in Winooski and Montpelier to vote in local elections. Voters in Montpelier and Winooski came out in favor of legal resident non-citizen voting, and the Legislature, after rigorous debate and deliberation, supported their ability to regulate their own local elections in this way, Senate President Pro Tempore Becca Balint, D-Windham, said in a statement. Todays veto override votes continue Vermonts track record supporting strong citizen engagement, and uphold the tradition of local control in our towns and cities, she added.

Stats Watch

Employment Situation: June 2021 ADP Employment Grew 692,000 [Econintersect]. ADP reported non-farm private jobs growth of 692,000 which was within expectations. Last months employment gain was revised downward.:

* * *

Tech: This one email explains Apple [TechCrunch]. [T]his exchange is a wildly important bit of ephemera that underpins the entire app ecosystem era and an explosive growth phase for internet technology. And its also an encapsulation of the kind of environment that has made Apple an effective and brutally efficient company for so many years.  Interesting email exchange, almost as terse and effective as the exchange between Jobs and Adobe CEO Bruce Chizen on wage collusion.

Tech: Mobile phone ban plan to improve school behaviour [BBC]. Mobile phone bans and other ways to create calm classrooms are to be considered to help improve discipline in Englands schools. Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said he wants to make the school day mobile-free, describing the devices as distracting and damaging. A consultation will ask the views of teachers and parents on how to promote good behaviour.

Tech: Ms. Categorized: Gender, notability, and inequality on Wikipedia [New Media and Society]. Drawing on ethnographic observations, interviews, and quantitative analysis of web-scraped metadata, this article demonstrates that biographies about women who meet Wikipedias criteria for inclusion are more frequently considered non-notable and nominated for deletion compared to mens biographies. This disproportionate rate is another dimension of gender inequality previously unexplored by social scientists and provides broader insights into how womens achievements are (under)valued.

Labor Markets: Some companies are turning to technology to address concerns over working conditions in warehouses. The U.S. supply-chain arm of supermarket-owner Ahold Delhaize is rolling out new wearable robotic technology. that workers strap on to help ease the physical strain of lifting heavy items. The devices known as exosuits are the latest tool that retailers and logistics companies are deploying in distribution centers where demand is off the charts and hiring workers is harder than ever [Wall Street Journal]. The warehousing sector has been coping with worker safety and health questions in operations that have boomed during the pandemic. Designer Verve Motion says its battery-powered exosuits are a step beyond the back belts workers often wear, with sensors and algorithms helping them perform often-grueling jobs. The grocer says making its operations a more compelling place to work was critical in its move to the technology.

* * *

Todays Fear & Greed Index: 41 Fear (previous close: 43 Fear) [CNN]. One week ago: 35 (Fear). (0 is Extreme Fear; 100 is Extreme Greed). Last updated Jun 30 at 12:43pm.

Health Care

CDC Director Addresses Confusion Over Mask Policies Amid Delta Variant Spread [NBC New York]. Walensky said Wednesday on NBCs Today show that weve always said that local policymakers need to make policies for their local environment, but added CDC guidelines broadly indicate those who are vaccinated dont need to wear masks. Those masking policies are not to protect the vaccinated, theyre to protect the unvaccinated, she says. If you are vaccinated, you are safe from the variants that are circulating here in the United States. Walensky said there are areas of low vaccination in the country where cases are rising, and in that situation, the CDC is suggesting that policies be made at the local level.'  Throwing in the towel on masks, good job.

Protecting The Immuno-Compromised Against COVID Could Be Key To Ending The Pandemic [Iowa Public Radio]. Theres mounting research to suggest that protecting people who are immuno-compromised from getting COVID is important not just for their sake  it could be critical in the effort to end the pandemic for everyone. So essentially this HIV-positive woman became a cauldron for the creation of a whole lot of new variants, [Dr. Salim Abdool Karim of South Africas Centre for the AIDS Programme of Research] says. She literally re-created the steps. Abdool Karim, who also co-chairs South Africas advisory committee on COVID-19, says his takeaway is this: Immuno-suppressed individuals are really important in this pandemic. Protecting them needs to be made a top priority  to keep them safe and to slow the emergence of variants, he says.  The Alpha/B.1.1.7 variant originally emerged in Kent in the UK, a cauldron of immune-compromised people.

Water

Iowa Rivers 1 to 45: The Fair, the Marginal & the Ugly [Chris Jones, IIHR Research Engineer]. Streams flowing to the Missouri River are far worse than Upper Mississippi tributaries. There are some real lost-cause rivers in Western Iowa. I used to hate it when I heard people talk like that, but my thinking has changed. A lot of this has to do with the Missouri River itself. Channelization and flood control on the Missouri have destabilized the outlets of these Iowa streams, many of which have been channelized themselves, all so that we could get a few more acres to farm. The Little Sioux River above Larabee is still a beautiful meandering stream, and the water quality there is far better than the other Missouri tributaries. Lesson: hydrology matters. And manure matters. If you dont think it does, look at the livestock-dense Floyd River, which somehow managed to have the highest N and the highest P in the state over the past five years. It also has the 3rd-worst turbidity and the 6th-worst E. coli. There is no question this is the worst stream of its size in Iowa. Which is why I do an eye roll every time I hear the ag propagandists say but manure is not allowed to enter streams. While that surely must be a joke, folks, water quality in the Floyd is no joke. That is one bad river. If you havent yet, see for yourself the Floyd watershed. This is the Iowa the livestock industry wants for you. At the other end is the Upper Wapsi, Bloody Run Creek, and headwater tributaries of the Cedar River. While these streams all carry nitrate (N) on the high side, they have relatively low turbidity and low E. coli. If youre looking to visit a decent Iowa stream that is reasonably clear and relatively feces-free, draw a line from Webster City (Boone River) to McGregor and go someplace north of it. But dont wait too long, because the livestock industry has their eye on the area too.

Our Famously Free Press

1ST NEWSPAPER DELIVERED TO THE MOON [USA Today].  Its an auction for a [family blogging] NFT.

Class Warfare

Pinning this from Adam Tooze:

If there is to be a stabilization of global emissions it will involve a U-turn in the trajectory of consumption, particularly amongst the top ten percent of households in North America, the Arab world and Asia .. Whatever our choice of terms, we can hardly avoid the conclusion that if there is to be an energy transition, under prevailing conditions (an assumption some may wish to challenge), it is this social class that must make it, simultaneously as decision-makers, consumers and investors. And it must be made across the entire world. It is a challenge of a kind that the global bourgeoisie has never faced before. It is a challenge that puts in question the cohesion and collective intelligence of that group  which, as history tells us, can hardly be taken for granted, even at the best of times .

* * *

People are so burned out: US essential workers struggle as restrictions lifted [Guardian]. Workers who were deemed essential during the coronavirus pandemic and publicly praised for continuing to work in-person are now fighting for permanent improvements to working conditions, wages and benefits as safety protections are lifted and they still grapple with the impact of working through the long crisis. Millions of essential workers contracted Covid-19 while working through the pandemic. Thousands died as a result or lost co-workers, friends and family members to the virus. Many who caught the virus still experience long-term symptoms and Covid-19 cases and deaths are still a concern in many areas of the US. This is especially true in low-income, predominantly Black and Latino communities where vaccination rates have been lagging despite these communities being hit hardest by the virus. Now, as Covid-19 restrictions have lifted across swaths of America and the economy has come back to life, many essential workers are still fearful for their safety and angry at their working conditions.  Remember the HEROES Act? Good times.

Leaked Memo Shows No Evil Foods Justifying Laying Off Workers With No Severance [Paul Blest, The Flashpoint]. At the time, No Evil portrayed the layoffs as necessary in order to ensure the company had a future. Now, new talking points distributed throughout the company by co-founder Sadrah Schadel and obtained by Discourse Blog are trying to explain what the talking points call one of the hardest, most painful decisions our leadership has had to make: not providing No Evils newly unemployed workers with severance.  Oh, brother.

Our Endless Dinner With Robin DiAngelo [Matt Taibbi, TK News]. You did, because the rule, If you wrote it, dont write it again, has an exception: Unless it makes money, in which case write it as many times as the market will bear. Telling affluent white progressives theyre racists and explaining they can buy absolution for $24.95 is fishing for cash with dynamite. DiAngelo is monetizing white guilt on a grand scale, and theres an extraordinary irony in the fact that shes got a home-field advantage in this game over someone like, say, Ibram Kendi, because shes more accessible to people like herself, the same phenomenon she decries. Normally Id salute the capitalist ingenuity. Unfortunately, like Donald Trump, DiAngelo is both too dim-witted and too terrific an entrepreneur to stop herself from upselling a truly psychotic movement into existence. Nice Racisms central message is that its a necessity to stop white people from seeing themselves as distinct people. Insisting that each white person is different from every other white person, DiAngelo writes, enables us to distance ourselves from the actions of other white people. She doesnt see, or maybe she does, where this logic leads. If you tell people to abandon their individual identities and think of themselves as a group, they sooner or later will start to behave as a group. Short of something like selling anthrax spores or encouraging people to explore sexual feelings toward nine year-olds, is there a worse idea than suggesting  demanding  that people get in touch with their white identity?

News of the Wired

Conspiracy: Theory and Practice [Ed Snowden, Continuing Ed]. It took years  eight years and counting in exile  for me to realize that I was missing the point: we talk about conspiracy theories in order to avoid talking about conspiracy practices, which are often too daunting, too threatening, too total. Ultimately, the only truly honest taxonomical approach to conspiracy-thinking that I can come up with is something of an inversion: the idea that conspiracies themselves are a taxonomy, a method by which democracies especially sort themselves into parties and tribes, a typology through which people who lack definite or satisfactory narratives as citizens explain to themselves their immiseration, their disenfranchisement, their lack of power, and even their lack of will.

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Readers, feel free to contact me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, with (a) links, and even better (b) sources I should curate regularly, (c) how to send me a check if you are allergic to PayPal, and (d) to find out how to send me images of plants. Vegetables are fine! Fungi and coral are deemed to be honorary plants! If you want your handle to appear as a credit, please place it at the start of your mail in parentheses: (thus). Otherwise, I will anonymize by using your initials. See the previous Water Cooler (with plant) here. Todays plant (TH):

TH writes: Lavender, Tesoro Adobe Historic Park in Valencia, California.

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Readers: Water Cooler is a standalone entity not covered by the recently concluded and  thank you!  successful annual NC fundraiser. So if you see a link you especially like, or an item you wouldnt see anywhere else, please do not hesitate to express your appreciation in tangible form. Remember, a tip jar is for tipping! Regular positive feedback both makes me feel good and lets me know Im on the right track with coverage. When I get no donations for five or ten days I get worried. More tangibly, a constant trickle of donations helps me with expenses, and I factor in that trickle when setting fundraising goals:









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If you hate PayPal, you can email me at lambert [UNDERSCORE] strether [DOT] corrente [AT] yahoo [DOT] com, and I will give you directions on how to send a check. Thank you!2:00PM Water Cooler 6/8/2021
By Brett Wilkins, staff writer for Common Dreams. Originally published at Common Dreams

In the search for answers following last weeks disintegration of a high-rise condominium tower near Miami, some experts are cautiously pointing to the climate emergency as a possible culpritor at the very least a risk multiplier in the disasterunderscoring the need for urgent climate and infrastructure action.

With 11 confirmed deaths and 150 people still missing following the partial collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside on June 24, rescuing survivors and retrieving victims bodies remains authorities top priority. However, officials and experts have also begun the long and daunting task of determining what caused the building to fail.

A 2018 engineering report on the 12-story tower noted design flaws and major structural damage, including a deteriorating roof, defective waterproofing, and crumbling concrete columns and rusting rebar in the buildings underground garage. The report warned that some of these problems could cause exponential damage in the future.

With so much well-documented existing damage, and with repairs to the building underway at the time it disintegrated, experts have been reluctant to attribute the collapse to any single cause.

However, numerous scientists and other experts say that rising sea levels and more intense tidal flooding related to the climate emergency could have played a significant role in the disaster.

The potential role of climate change in the Miami building collapse is a serious warning that climate inaction will lead to more mass casualty events. I hope the @JoeBiden will heed the call of the young activists in the @sunrisemvmt.  Fred (@WaywardWinifred) June 29, 2021

There is little doubt among experts that a warming planet due to human activity is causing sea levels to rise, and it is certain that rising waters can infiltrate the porous limestone upon which southeastern Florida buildings stand, potentially degrading their foundations over time.

As a 5.9-inch rise in local sea levels and 320% surge in nuisance flooding in the area since the mid-1990s attests, metro Miami is particularly susceptible to the consequences of the climate emergency. Last year, a report (pdf) from Resources for the Future, a Washington, D.C.-based think tank, stated that Miami is one of the most at-risk cities in the world from the damages caused by coastal flooding and storms.

Atorod Azizinamini, who directs the Moss School of Construction, Infrastructure, and Sustainability at Florida International University (FIU), toldThe Palm Beach Post that climate change can play a role in disasters like the Champlain Towers South collapse. It can cause settlement of the ground with sea level rise, and corrosion.

In the 1980s, building climate change-resilient structures wasnt a key concern. Could it have played a role in the collapse of the tower near Miami? https://t.co/f0YbRyv1cB  TCPalm (@TCPalm) June 25, 2021

Zhong-Ren Peng, director of the International Center for Adaptation Planning and Design at the University of Florida, told The Palm Beach Post that sea level rise does cause potential corrosion and if that was happening, its possible it could not handle the weight of the building.

I think this could be a wake-up call for coastal developments, warned Peng.

Albert Slap, chief executive of the Boca Raton, Florida-based construction risk assessment company RiskFootprint, explained to The Washington Post that groundwater enters the pores of the concrete and ultimately weakens it and erodes it. So the foundations are subject to a lot of geological forces that could compact the soil underneath. It could cause voids. We just dont know.

Slap said the Champlain Towers South disaster could be a canary-in-the-coal-mine-type event.

Its not just one building, he added. This could be something that could affect other buildings.

the deadly florida building collapse is literally a CLIMATE-CHANGE-IS-INFRASTRUCTURE story https://t.co/kX3Mc8iFjU  Marisa Kabas (@MarisaKabas) June 25, 2021

Climate scientists predict (pdf) an acceleration in sea level rise in southeastern Florida, with a projected increase of 10 to 17 inches by 2040, 21 to 54 inches by 2070, and 40 to 136 inches by 2120.

Land subsidencethe sudden sinking or gradual settling of the grounds surfaceis also linked to the climate emergency. Shimon Wdowinski, a professor at Florida International Universitys Institute of Environment, said an analysis of space-based radar data revealed signs of such subsidence at the site of the tower disaster in the 1990s.

We reported about two millimeters per year over a period of six years so that comes to about 12 millimeters, about half an inch, or about the width of your finger, Wdowinski told The Weather Channel. So small things and slow processes can accumulate if you give them enough time.

Separately, Wdowinski said that when we measure subsidence or when we see movement of the buildings, its worth checking why it happens.

We cannot say what is the reason for that from the satellite images but we can say there was movement here, he added.

Like many cities around the world, Miami is taking steps in an effort to mitigate the effects of rising seas and sinking land. According to Miamis Stormwater Master Plan, installing a system of pumps, drainage, and sea walls would cost approximately $4 billion and still leave some areas without adequate protection.

However, experts warn that only urgent, transformational action can avert worst-case climate scenarios, and that attempting to merely treat the symptoms of the climate emergency with measures like sea walls will ultimately fail.

In a 2019 Popula article, essayist Sarah Miller wrote that since Miami is built on limestone, which soaks up water like a sponge, walls are not very useful. In Miami, sea water will just go under a wall, like a salty ghost. It will come up through the pipes and seep up around the manholes. It will soak into the sand and find its way into caves and get under the water table and push the ground water up.

So while walls might keep the clogs of Holland dry, they cannot offer similar protection to the stilettos of Miami Beach, she added.

Harold Wanless, a geologist and sea level rise expert at the University of Miami, told The Guardian that every sandy barrier island, every low-lying coast, from Miami to Mumbai, will become inundated and [it will be] difficult to maintain functional infrastructure.

You can put valves in sewers and put in sea walls but the problem is the water will keep coming up through the limestone, said Wanless. Youre not going to stop this.
A new CBS story (hat tip crittermom) does a public service by alerting consumers to the financial, as opposed to health risks, of using a heavily-promoted at home colon cancer screen, Cologuard. The wee problem with this account is that it doesnt being to explain the fact that colonoscopies are overprescribed in the US, and that even in normal circumstances, they represent a financial minefield.

Lets first turn to the CBS story:

A popular home test to screen for colon cancer has come with an unexpected bill for some people  leading to fears they may put off life-saving treatment. Americans may be used to seeing commercials for Cologuard, an at-home test advertised as a way to screen for colon cancer at home instead of the much-more involved process of colonoscopy. Experts say it is a good screening tool, but some users have said they were faced with a high bill.

CBS then turns to the sad tale of Lianne Bryant from Missouri, who saw a Cologuard commercial and called her insurer to confirm that the test would be free. She sent in the test and got a positive result. Thats when things got messy:

Bryant ended up needing a colonoscopy after all, but was relieved to get a negative result. Then the bills began arriving. I start getting statements from my hospital saying that I have a balance of $1,900, Bryant said. Im thinking, well, I certainly dont owe that much. I mean, thats not possible. Colonoscopies are provided at no cost to most people over age 45. Under the Affordable Care Act, only routine screening tests are covered, and because Bryants Cologuard result was positive, her colonoscopy was coded as a diagnostic test, which was not fully covered by her insurance. She would have been fully covered if she had not used Cologuard first. I am mad because I pay so much every month for this insurance, Bryant said. I just feel like Im really getting raked over. CBS News surveyed 11 of the largest health insurers in the U.S. to see what they would do in situations like Bryants. Seven did not respond. The four who did said coverage decisions vary, and how much a consumer will pay depends on how doctors code the colonoscopy procedure.

The trap for Bryant is that under the Affordable Care Act, a list of preventive care services, including colonoscopies for older patients, are covered at zero patient cost.1 However, what this article misses is those supposedly free colonoscopies often arent. What is free is the doctor having a look and seeing if anything appears amiss. But clipping polyps isnt covered and that part will lead to a bill. So it isnt clear if the $1900 was just for the inspection or whether it included specimen removal. The median cost for a colonoscopy in St. Louis is $1600, so its not possible to make an informed guess either way based on price alone.

The Des Moines Register gave a similar warning in 2019, again based on a patient having been burned by an unexpected colonoscopy bill after using Cologuard. This story adds:

In the medical community, Cologuard has generally been considered a good thing: It detects genetic mutations commonly seen in colon cancer and detects blood in the stool. Medicare and many private insurance plans cover the test if its performed once every three years. But agreeing to that cheaper, easier DNA screening for colorectal cancer can cost consumers much more in the end. Because if that test comes back positive, as mine did, some insurers and Medicare will no longer cover as a preventive service the colonoscopy that your doctor will inevitably order next. Under my companys Blue Cross Blue Shield plan, an in-network colonoscopy is supposed to be fully covered as a preventive benefit once every 10 years. But that same procedure is coded as diagnostic for insurance purposes after a positive Cologuard test. My doctor didnt tell me having the test could put my colonoscopy coverage at risk because she didnt know. Nor did the administrator at the UnityPoint clinic Ive gone to for years near Highland Park. She told me my case was a wake-up call for those who work there In reading up on Cologuard, I learned that some gastroenterologists are concerned that people already are being prescribed the tests who shouldnt be. Naresh Gunaratnam, research director at Huron Gastroenterology in Ypsilanti, Michigan, said in a Stat medical news article last year that hes concerned physicians arent giving enough weight to the tests limitations because of an outsized focus on convenience. According to Beckers Healthcare, a medical industry publication, a large study involving almost 10,000 subjects showed Cologuard detects 92% of colorectal cancer. But its not so good at detecting precancerous polyps, the article said. The test also has a significant false-positive rate of 6% for those 50 to 65. Over 65, that rate goes up to 13%, according to Beckers GI & Endoscopy.

A second issue is why colonoscopies being pushed so aggressively in the first place. The US is an outlier among advanced economies in recommending them for everyone over 50; most countries encourage them only for high risk groups.

Canada provides a striking contrast. Not only do Canadian experts deem colonoscopies to be not warranted as a first-line colon cancer screening tool for most patients, they find it to be less reliable for that application than other, less costly and intrusive methods. From Health News Review:

Generating numerous headlines in major Canadian papers such as the National Post, The Toronto Star, Globe and Mail and Reuters, the Canadian Task Force on Preventive Health Care came out this week with new recommendations on colon cancer screening, essentially saying that routine colonoscopies were not justified. By contrast, in the United States, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) 2015 guidelines say that adults aged 5075, should have a colonoscopy every 10 years; FIT (fecal immunochemical testing) or gFOBT (guaiac fecal occult blood testing ) annually or flexible sigmoidoscopy every 10 years plus FIT annually. For this age group the Canadian Task Force says there is insufficient evidence to justify using colonoscopy for routine screening for colorectal cancer. They recommend patients should undergo the fecal occult blood testing every two years or flexible sigmoidoscopy  a procedure which examines the lower part of the colon and rectum every 10 years. These colon cancer screening guidelines, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, are for low-risk people: asymptomatic adults, aged 50 to 74 who have no prior history of the disease, no family history or symptoms such as blood in the stool, or a genetic disposition to the disease.. For this age group the Canadian Task Force says there is insufficient evidence to justify using colonoscopy for routine screening for colorectal cancer. They recommend patients should undergo the fecal occult blood testing every two years or flexible sigmoidoscopy  a procedure which examines the lower part of the colon and rectum every 10 years. These colon cancer screening guidelines, published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, are for low-risk people: asymptomatic adults, aged 50 to 74 who have no prior history of the disease, no family history or symptoms such as blood in the stool, or a genetic disposition to the disease. The Canadian approach is supported by other experts in the US such as Dr. Richard Hoffman, one of our medical editors whose opinion has not wavered from an article he wrote five years ago saying that from a public-health perspective, emphasizing colonoscopy is problematic. His article succinctly outlined the problems: the efficacy of colonoscopy has not been supported with randomized trial data, accuracy is imperfect, procedural quality is variable, complications are not uncommon, endoscopic capacity is limited, procedure costs are high, and many patients prefer alternative tests.

My PCP hasnt objected to my refusing a colonoscopy and Cologuard and relying on other tests instead. But shes also a solo practitioner. I suspect doctors in big corporate practices would get a service quality demerit for not hectoring colonoscopy conscientious objectors.

_____

1 Under my grandfathered health plan, my situation is the reverse of Bryant. Preventive services save an annual physical and eye exam, are not covered, while treatment following a positive colon test would have been.
Jerri-Lynn here: Fifty years ago today, the Supreme Court handed down its Pentagon Papers decision, allowing the New York Times and the Washington Post to publish the papers. Today I link to Revealing the Pentagon Papers in Congress  7: The Verdict Consortium News. This is Part 7 of Consortium News multi-part series on the 50th Anniversary of the late Sen. Mike Gravel obtaining the Pentagon Papers from Daniel Ellsberg and the consequences Gravel faced for revealing the top secret documents in Congress, just hours before the Supreme Court decided the case on June 30, 1971. Moi: Gravel died on June 26.

The secret afterlives of medieval widows Prospect

Venice in Danger of Losing UNESCO Status AFAR

ERIC AMBLER: A CRIME READERS GUIDE TO THE CLASSICS Crime Reads. From 2018; Im linking to this today as Ambler was born this week in London on June 28,1909.

The connection between clearcut logging and Canadas hottest day on record The Narwhal

Big oil and gas kept a dirty secret for decades. Now they may pay the price Guardian

The climate crisis is a crime that should be prosecuted Guardian

How to Help Wildlife and Pets During a Heat Wave Treehugger

Canada weather: Dozens dead as heatwave shatters records BBC

Blackouts in US Northwest due to heat wave, deaths reported AP

Eat this to save the world! The most sustainable foods  from seaweed to venison Guardian

Champlain Towers South Residents Warned About Concrete Damage Months Before Collapse CBS

Miami Building Collapse Sows Fear Among Citys Condo Owners Bloomberg

NYC mayoral primary race thrown into chaos as BOE appears to botch vote count New York Post

#COVID-19

COVID: Global tourism losses could top $4 trillion Deutsche Welle

United Airlines Bets on Post-Pandemic Growth With Its Biggest-Ever Jet Order WSJ

Biden Administration

NEWS: @NinaTurner is running in a district represented by pro-Medicare for All lawmakers for the last 30 years. She just aired a pro-Medicare-for-All ad  and instantly, Dem lawmakers and lobbyists bankrolled by Big Pharma started attacking her. https://t.co/Wj6YAuGK34  David Sirota (@davidsirota) June 30, 2021

Trump Transition

Microsoft and Google end six-year truce on legal battles FT

Sports Desk

Class Warfare

Ohio GOP ends attempt to ban municipal broadband after protest from residents Ars Technica

Julian Assange

FBI Fabrication Against Assange Falls Apart Craig Murray

Big Brother IS Watching You Watch

Im in no way ratifying or supporting the claim that NSA collected the communications of Carlson or any Fox host, simply because I dont know. But what I know for sure is that this is NSAs non-denial denial, using the same false framework they always use to mislead the public.  Glenn Greenwald (@ggreenwald) June 30, 2021

China?

India

Antidote du Jour (via):

See yesterdays Links and Antidote du Jour here.
GM one step closer to becoming EV hub after 'topping off' ceremony
(Natural News) Once you understand how fake news and big pharma function, its almost ludicrous watching it all unfold before your very eyes. The motives and end goals are no longer a secret, and the narrative is becoming more absurd, yet more believable to the masses, because a few billion sheeple are already injected with dementia-creating inoculations. The CCP-based WHO conned most of the world into wearing masks, quarantining, social distancing and vaccinating for China Flu Part I, and now theyre playing the same busted record again for China Flu Part II, a.k.a. the Delta Variant.

The Vaccine alone wont stop community transmission, squawks the assistant director-general for the World Health Organization, People need to continue to use masks consistently, be in ventilated spaces,  blah, blah, blah. In the next breath, were told that the Covid-19 vaccines are highly effective against the Delta Variant, but to play it safe you should wear your communism mask (to show lib-tard solidarity while breeding bacterial infection in the mouth and lungs).

Herd theory is now obliterated by vaccines that are so highly effective that you STILL have to wear your mask and get NEW vaccines for the variants, plus boosters. Sure.

Common sense and science make it obvious the CDC and WHO are lying about Covid-19, masks, social distancing, dirty vaccines, vaccine injuries and the Delta Variant

So lets get this straight: The vaccines work great, but they dont work at all? Ostracize the unvaccinated, but dont go anywhere near the vaccinated? That makes a whole lot of sense too. You can take off your mask once youre fully vaccinated, but put your mask back on right away, and keep it on, and go back on lockdown indefinitely, because variants of Covid-19 are even more deadly and spreading everywhere fast.

Wait, theres more. Once you get the vaccines and a vaccine passport, you are safe and free to travel anywhere, but do not go anywhere if theres an outbreak (scamdemic), because all the vaccines you just got dont protect you from Covid or any of its variants.

You literally have to be hypnotized, brainwashed and suffering moderate-level dementia to believe anything the WHO or CDC tells you to do. They dont even keep the same narrative in the news for more than a month now, and the sheeple all forget everything they just heard, and everything they just did to poison their mind and body, and to no avail.

Thats how you know 100 percent that the Delta Variant is all part of a huge health Ponzi scheme, where the sheeple go all in and get all the deadly vaccines theyre told to get in the name of safety, then find out they lose everything (their family, health, any wealth) because its all a scamdemic. Everything everyone is being told to do to protect against Covid actually harms the body. Masks harm you. Social distancing harms you. Dirty vaccines harm you.

Six ways you know the Delta Variant is a scam and mostly a cover story for vaccine-induced injuries and vaccine-caused fatalities

#1. The vaccine industry is saying the Covid-19 shot works against the Delta Variant, but then theyre saying continue to quarantine at home, wear a mask and social distance, even if youve been vaccinated.

#2. The Delta Variant began spreading quickly once all the vaccine injuries started to become widespread from the toxic Covid-19 vaccines.

#3. Each deadly and more virulent variant from here on out will require a NEW vaccine or two, because the whole scamdemic is simply about using dirty vaccines to reduce the worlds population by a few billion (like Bill Gates said at a TED convention a few years ago).

#4. Lab-made-diseases with pandemic-style outbreaks are how the Democrats ensure they remain in power, through falsified mail-in ballots for all elections, whether local, city, county, state, federal or POTUS level political offices.

#5. Spreading disease and shutting down businesses is how the Communist Regime in the White House can turn America into a sick and starving socialist hell-hole as fast as possible.

#6. Most of the people catching and/or dying from Covid-19 and the Delta Variant now are people who were already vaccinated against Covid.

Visit CovidVaccineReactions.com if you already got a toxic Covid jab or two and you are experiencing side effects, blood clots or other adverse events. Then tune your internet frequency to Pandemic.news for updates on these crimes against humanity being delivered under the guise of inoculation.

Sources for this article include:

Pandemic.news

NaturalNews.com

TruthWiki.org

GlobalJustice.org

NOQReport.com

SHTFplan.com

TheGatewayPundit.com
(Natural News)

Despite evidence that shows the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic was actually a plandemic, China continues to deny that it orchestrated the virus spread across the globe.

But thanks to the efforts of an American professor, the world now has more proof that the coronavirus originated from a lab as a biological weapon, not from bats. According to Professor Jesse Bloom, China deleted patient samples that prove how the coronavirus was already circulating in Wuhan before Chinas alleged official timeline of events.

Deleted samples prove the virus was spreading throughout Wuhan BEFORE December 2019

Bloom reported that test samples from patients in Wuhan, coronavirus epicenter, were intentionally deleted from an international database used to track the virus evolution. Experts are concerned because the deleted files could have provided clues about how the virus actually originated and how long it had been spreading before the reported seafood market outbreak back in December 2019.

Bloom, a virologist from the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, discovered that the files were deleted. Fortunately, he was able to recover some of the data which suggests that the coronavirus already started spreading across the country even before Chinas official timeline.

According to Bloom, he was reviewing genetic data when he stumbled upon a March 2020 study about 241 genetic virus sequences gathered by scientists at Wuhan University. He added that he was unable to find the research online publicly, but he was able to access 13 sequences using Google Cloud.

Bloom explained that the early samples of the virus were more evolved than would be expected of a pathogen that had recently jumped from animals to humans. He believes China deleted the files to obscure their existence.

According to British scientists, this also proves that the coronavirus was already infecting citizens in the country before the disease was linked to wet markets, maybe even months before. Blooms discovery once again proves that the coronavirus was leaked from a high-level biosecurity laboratory in Wuhan.

Dominic Cummings, Boris Johnsons former chief aide, said that Blooms discovery further proves the lab leak theory. Meanwhile, Sir Patrick Vallance, the UKs chief scientific adviser, called for an investigation to shed light on whats really happening in high-grade virology labs.

The cover-up was reported in a scientific paper titled Recovery of deleted deep sequencing data sheds more light on the early Wuhan SARS-CoV-2 epidemic.

The deleted origins of the pandemic

In early March 2020, the Wuhan University uploaded 45 positive samples to the National Institute of Healths (NIH) Sequence Read Archive. (Related: High-ranking CCP defector claims to have direct knowledge of Chinese special weapons programs, including biological weapons like SARS-CoV-2.)

The NIH is responsible for biomedical and public health research in America and the samples were published as part of a study about diagnosing coronavirus patients using PCR tests. The data was released only days before the Chinese Government issued an order requiring approval of the publication of all coronavirus data.

Bloom said that all 45 samples were deleted from the database with no plausible scientific reason for the deletion. He was worried that the data was deleted to abuse and obscure the truth about the origins of the coronavirus pandemic.

Normally, scientists can easily get their genetic samples removed from the NIHs database via an email request. And while there are usually and valid reasons for having data deleted, there didnt seem to be any in the case of the Wuhan samples.

Bloom said that according to the study, the trusting structures of science have been abused to obscure sequences relevant to the early spread of SARS-CoV-2 in Wuhan.

At the same time, Bloom defended staff at the NIHs Sequence Read Archive who are tasked with managing over 13 million samples. Blood said that while the deletion of the data from Wuhan bears further investigation, it can be difficult to ask NIH to validate the rationale for all requests.

Bloom reported that he was able to partially recover 13 of the samples using Google Cloud. He then sequenced the viruses.

Bloom found several genetic differences between the strains in the deleted samples and the virus that eventually spread worldwide.

China is behind the WHOs investigation into the coronavirus

Bloom posted about his findings on Twitter, saying that while there is still some debate about the origins of the coronavirus, everyone agrees deep ancestors are coronaviruses from bats.

This suggests that the first coronavirus sequences would be more similar to bat coronaviruses and as the virus continued to evolve it would become more divergent from these ancestors. However, this isnt the case.

Bloom added that early Huanan Seafood Market coronaviruses are different from bat coronaviruses than coronaviruses collected later in China and in other countries.

British experts commenting on the study also warned that Blooms findings point to fatal flaws in the World Health Organizations (WHO) investigation into coronavirus origins, especially since it is ironically being supervised by China.

When asked about the likelihood of the lab leak theory at the House of Lords Risk Assessment and Risk Planning Committee, Vallance said that the biggest risk is natural infection spreading from animals into humans. He acknowledged tighter regulations should be enforced on labs conducting risky viral research.

In 2019, Dr. Anthony Fauci, the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the chief medical advisor to President Joe Biden, dismissed the lab leak theory as nonsense while he appeared to be considering it in private. He now faces calls to resign.

Additionally, scientists who put their names to a letter denouncing the lab leak in 2019 have changed their minds and now call for a full inquiry. President Joe Biden has ordered a full investigation into the origin of the pandemic virus, telling researchers to determine the truth behind the lab leak.

Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the head of the WHO, also called for China to look into the possibility that the coronavirus spread from a Wuhan lab out of respect for the dead. Ghebreyesus also suggested that Beijing didnt cooperate fully as he asked for more transparency in the ongoing investigation.

While there are those who still insist that the coronavirus first emerged via animal contact at a wet market in Wuhan, Blooms findings point to a leak from a highly secure research laboratory in the same city.

Despite the proof to the contrary, China insists that it is not responsible for the pandemic. The country also dismissed theories about the disease being manmade.

Go to Pandemic.news for more updates about the true origin of the coronavirus.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

BusinessInsider.com
(Natural News) A patent has emerged to show that the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) was hatched nearly two years prior to its public release, proving that it did not randomly appear in bats at a wet market.

Great Britains Serco Group approved the patent filing for the Chinese Virus a full 17 months before it first appeared, and the entities listed as its creators are many of the usual suspects: DARPA, Bill and Melinda Gates, Defra, the Wellcome Trust and the European Commission.

A filing with the United States Patent Office also lists The Pirbright Institute as a funder of the Wuhan Flu. Pirbright, as we reported before this whole thing spiraled out of control, is directly funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates nonprofit.

That patent, dated for approval Nov. 20, 2018, clearly states that the assignee of coronavirus is THE PIRBRIGHT INSTITUTE (Woking, Pirbright, Great Britain), funded by Wellcome Trust, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, EU.

This patent was filed on Jan. 23, 2017, which actually means that the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) was drummed up almost three years prior to when the news started reporting on its spread in Wuhan, and later throughout the rest of the world.

The coronavirus patent was issued in just 17 months from initial filing  thats almost unheard-of speed  with very little objection back from SERCO (U.K.)-managed patent examiner Bao Q. Li, reports State of the Nation.

Pirbright Prof. Bryan Charleston assigned to develop novel vaccines

Pirbright employs a professor by the name of Bryan Charleston who is listed on the schools website as a Wellcome Trust Scholar and Post-doctoral fellow who has helped provide advice and expertise on the design of infectious disease challenge models for a wide range of pathogens in important agricultural species.

One of Charlestons specifically assigned tasks is to develop novel vaccines, which is interesting in light of all that has come out over the past year concerning the Wuhan Flu, its lab origins, and the rushed-to-market Operation Warp Speed vaccines that are being administered for it.

Charlestons connection to Wellcome is also suspect, seeing as how Burroughs Wellcome & Co. bankrolled and supplied medical kits full of experimental vaccines to the British 2nd Boer War, which led to the murder of more than 60,000 blacks and whites in the worlds first modern-day concentration camp medical experiments.

Wellcome and the other aforementioned groups, by the way, also have ties to the UK-U.S. Pilgrims Society, which has controlled the press for centuries, steering the world towards a system of atheistic social fascism.

Bill Gates wanted a new coronavirus so he could make new vaccines

In the patent, it is further revealed that Gates and his cronies sought to create a new coronavirus for the purpose of developing new vaccines, which would of course generate billions of dollars in new profits while killing off millions of people.

The patent page explains that the coronavirus itself may be used as a vaccine for treating and / or preventing a disease, such as infectious bronchitis, in a subject.

By referring to us all as his subjects, Gates made it clear in his patent that the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) would be the vehicle through which he and other uber-wealthy billionaires would deliver what is quickly shaping up to be one of the biggest destroyers of freedom and liberty that this world has ever seen.

Pirbright has also been involved in patenting many other viruses, including African swine fever, which is also listed in patent documents as being a vaccine.

Bill Gates quietly announced his intentions with Event 201

Many have since forgotten about it but Gates also hosted Event 201 back in the fall of 2019, just a few months before the Chinese Virus was launched.

While this exercise was dubbed as a hypothetical situation involving a killer virus potentially being unleashed, it quickly went live once the Wuhan Flu was set free from the lab.

Gates knew all along, of course, that his exercise would go live because he planned it to happen that way years in advance. There is no denying this, based on the available evidence, and yet few are reporting these vital truths at a time when it is needed most.

As you may recall, Gates even presented a scenario at Event 201 for how public-private partnerships would be necessary during a global plandemic to diminish large-scale economic and societal consequences.

In recent years, the world has seen a growing number of epidemic events, amounting to approximately 200 events annually, an announcement about the scheme explained.

These events are increasing, and they are disruptive to health, economies, and society.

In other words, the plandemic was planned, just as we said it was. And do not forget that the private corporation known as the CDC, along with the FDA and many other three-letter agencies, are also complicit in these crimes against humanity.

More related news about Chinese Virus deception can be found at Deception.news.

Sources for this article include:

StateOfTheNation.co

NaturalNews.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) A machine that eats garbage floating in the water has been cleaning up the bays of Baltimore. Called Mr. Trash Wheel, the 50-foot-long contraption has gobbled up more than three million pounds of trash in the historic Inner Harbor since its debut in 2014, according to CNET.

John Kellett, founder of Clearwater Mills, a locally owned and operated logistics company, invented Mr. Trash Wheel to combat marine pollution in the harbor. He observed that a river of trash would flow down from the Jones Falls tributary whenever it rained, but the city had no solution for that rubbish.

There should be a way to stop this trash before it spreads out, he told media outlets in 2019, referring to how the garbage that flows into the harbor empties into the Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. I did some research to see if there was anything out there to tackle that job, and I found nothing.

To solve the harbors garbage problem, he designed a 100,000-pound trash interceptor that combines the principles of a water wheel and a hay baler. The water current rotates a water mill at the machines side, which then powers a system of pulleys that keeps a large conveyor belt moving. The conveyor belts rake-like teeth then scoops up various sorts of flotsam, from soda cans to plastic bags and cigarette butts.

Two long containment booms funnel trash toward the googly-eyed machines maw and into a floating dumpster. When enough trash has piled up, a crew of volunteers empties the dumpster.

If the river isnt flowing fast enough, the stationary machine is equipped with an array of solar panels and a battery pack that could power the pumps to the water mill. Kellett could turn on the pumps via his smartphone and monitor his invention 24/7 via a webcam. (Related: Scientists create sponge-like material to soak up phosphate from polluted waters.)

The trash interceptor garnered the interest of a nonprofit called the Abell Foundation, which provided the money to develop and refine the Trash Wheel concept. It was then installed in the Inner Harbor after months of testing and building. Its first major storm was in April 2015. After the storm, the machine was able to collect 19 tons of garbage in a day.

Trash interceptor spawns a brood

The Waterfront Partnership of Baltimore, a nonprofit funded by a coalition of local businesses, commissioned Kellett to make three more of his invention: Professor Trash Wheel, Captain Trash Wheel and most recently, Gwynnda the Good Wheel of the West, which debuted in April this year at the mouth of the Gwynns Falls in west Baltimore.

Adam Lindquist, director of the organizations Healthy Harbor Initiative, said that Mr. Trash Wheel improved the Inner Harbor in ways that he could never have imagined. The initiative sifts through the garbage that the Trash Wheels picked up to weigh and classify the type of junk collected. The data showed just how much refuse makes its way into the harbor and how big of a help Kelletts inventions are.

We know that weve pulled out over a million styrofoam containers from the harbor, he said. Thats the sort of information, data and photos that we share with our elected officials to let them know just how big of a problem this is.

Kellett revealed that he received calls and emails from all over the world inquiring about his creations. Im still kind of in shock about how much attention it has garnered. Never in my wildest dreams would I ever have thought that this idea I sketched on a napkin would lead to all this, he said.

Other port cities, including Atlanta, Honolulu, Milwaukee, Newport Beach and San Francisco, have plans to install a version of Mr. Trash Wheel. In 2019, Newport Beach announced plans to install a trash interceptor late this year, though the COVID-19 pandemic appears to have delayed the plan.

Depending on its size, a Trash Wheel costs between $400,000 and $800,000. The cost includes assembly, installation and personalization.

Inventions.news has more about amazing technologies that combat marine pollution.

Sources include:

DailyMail.co.uk

CNET.com

WSJ.com
(Natural News) Japanese automobile manufacturer Honda Motor Company announced that it will manufacture its own fully electric vehicles later in the decade.

Company officials said Honda is in the process of developing its own infrastructure capable of not just designing but also building electric vehicles. After its first two fully electric models  manufactured with the help of General Motors  go on sale in 2024, Honda will begin working on new, fully native-produced models.

Its absolutely our intention to produce in our factories, said Honda of America Executive Vice President Dave Gardner. He added that the company has already gained significant battery manufacturing expertise from the production of its own gas-electric hybrid vehicles. We absolutely intend to utilize that resource.

In April, the company announced that it will phase out all of its gasoline-powered vehicles in North America by 2040. This makes Honda the latest major automobile manufacturer to set a deadline for becoming carbon neutral. (Related: General Motors announces plans to phase out diesel and gasoline cars by 2035 and replace them with electric vehicles.)

The company wants 40 percent of its North American sales to be for battery- or fuel-cell-powered vehicles by 2030. By 2035, Honda wants 80 percent of all vehicles sold to run on hydrogen or batteries.

Hondas initial goal was to meet the United States stricter fuel economy (miles per gallon) and pollution standards by manufacturing more hybrid vehicles and improving its current lineup of internal combustion engines. But this plan was ruined by regulatory actions from nations all over the world supposedly to combat climate change, including proposals from President Joe Biden. Gardner said Honda now wants to focus more on electric vehicles.

Honda partners with GM to build its first fully electric vehicles

General Motors is planning to build Hondas first two fully electric vehicles for North America. These are the Prologue SUV and an as of yet unannounced utility vehicle that will be based on General Motors electric vehicle platform powered by its Ultium batteries.

The company believes it might sell between 40,000 to 150,000 Prologues annually. This will help the company reach its 2030 goal of 40 percent of all its sales going to fully electric models.

Hondas alliance with General Motors was ratified with a non-binding memorandum of understanding signed in Sept. 2020. It builds upon a previous joint agreement signed by both companies earlier that year to develop Hondas first fully electric vehicles.

Under the terms of their latest agreement, General Motors and Honda have teamed up in North America to share vehicle research and development and engineering costs. The deal also stipulates that the two companies will work on a range of vehicles to be sold under each companys distinct brands.

Following the completion of their agreement to manufacture Hondas two fully electric vehicles, the companies have pledged to explore further co-development opportunities.

This alliance will help both companies accelerate investment in future mobility innovation by freeing up additional resources, said General Motors President Mark Reuss.

Honda Executive Vice President and COO Seiji Kuraishi said the alliance with General Motors will enable the company to better invest in future mobility technology, while maintaining our own distinct and competitive product offerings.

Battery-electric vehicles only accounted for less than two percent of all new vehicle sales in the U.S. last year. But analysts are predicting huge growth as automobile manufacturers like Honda roll out new, fully electric models.

Automotive industry-focused consulting firm LMC Automotive predicts that nearly 359,000 new electric vehicles will be sold in the U.S. this year. In 2023 the number of sales could hit one million, and by 2030 that number could balloon to four million.

Learn more about moves by Honda and other automobile manufacturers to build more electric vehicles and supposedly become greener at RoboCars.news.

Sources include:

Chron.com

FoxBusiness.com 1

FoxBusiness.com 2
(Natural News) What are those silly white people so nervous about? Republicans are in a panic over critical race theory! Theyre afraid of things they dont understand! Dont they know that racism against whites, according to our phony-baloney definition of racism, is a logical impossibility?

(Article by Matthew Boose republished from AMGreatness.com)

Were hearing a lot of talk like this these days. The Left is in a huff that Americans have started to notice the nonsense story we are constantly fed about race in America is precisely backwards. While we are told we live under white supremacy, dehumanizing, anti-white racism is increasingly pervasive in American life. Its in schools across the country, where white children are indoctrinated to hate themselves because of their skin color. Corporations subject their workers to ritual humiliation about whiteness and what must be done to purge themselves, and society, of this evil. The federal government, under Joe Biden, is prosecuting a new draconian war on extremism that is, in reality, a shot across the bow at recalcitrant whites who refuse to accept this hostile treatment.

As Biden recently explained in Tulsa, white people are basically terrorists.

Terrorism from white supremacy is the most lethal threat to the homeland todaynot ISIS, not al-Qaeda, white supremacists, he said.

The exact nature of this threat is never fully explained, but that is beside the point. Wild claims about white supremacy are to be taken on faith, never questioned. Surely, Biden knows that the shoe is firmly on the other foot: racism toward whites is now encouraged, even rewarded. This is why Biden and the Left always talk about race as if America had frozen in time 150 years ago. They are not describing reality. Does any serious person believe that Republican voting laws are comparable to Jim Crow?

Collective Guilt

Biden is using a ridiculously exaggerated, anachronistic, bogus threat to gin up hatred against an entire race, who still comprise, for now at least, the nations majority. He does this often and casually, with a viciousness that makes Barack Obama seem moderate. Its doubtful that Biden believes the nonsense hes spouting, assuming he even understands it. Hes a demoralized sock puppet.

But his handlers clearly do not see any risk in Biden engaging in anti-white demagoguery. They have made the cynical, but not stupid, calculation that stoking anti-white hatred only has benefits: it motivates the nonwhite part of the liberal coalition, and the white part of that coalition is too dumb or demoralized to realize or care theyre being lined up against a wall.

The Left will deny this, of course, and insist that Biden is militating against a system of oppression and not white people as a group. But this is disingenuous, as they constantly charge white people with collective guilt. And in fact, this is exactly what Bidens new war on terror does.

At the end of his strange report on countering this terror threat, Attorney General Merrick Garland admits the National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism is not about national security at all but rather sending a message that opposition to anti-white racism will be met with force. We can surmise this is no joke after Bidens threat that Americans who take on the government dont stand a chance against its nuclear arsenal (which also appeared to be, as some noted, an admission that maybe this white supremacy thing isnt as scary as hes making it sound).

The Triumph of Equity

Its an ideological crusade. We know this because a core pillar of Garlands strategy is tackling racism in America with equity at every level of government. Equity, as the term implies, has nothing to do with equality, but rather hierarchy. Its a pretentious term for anti-white discrimination. And Biden has made it the lodestar of his domestic agenda. Anyone who opposes this agenda, like the parents in Loudon County who are fighting critical race theory, are domestic terrorists in Bidens book.

Bidens equity agenda makes no apologies about giving favors to the Democratic Partys most loyal constituent ethnic groups. This is not the liberalism of equal opportunity, but something more akin to Marxism: the brazen redistribution of wealth from a racial oppressor class to the oppressed. Equity is also the reason Biden is refusing to enforce Americas immigration laws. Saddled by centuries of blood guilt from colonization, whites now have an obligation to accept unlimited and endless reverse colonization from the Third World.

This is perhaps the best proof that Bidens unhinged white supremacy talk is bogus: whites, and only whites, are prohibited from noticing that they are becoming a despised minority. It is a simple and widely acknowledged fact that America will become a majority-minority nation in just a few decades. The Left doesnt deny it, in fact they loudly celebrate it. But they shout down anyone who notices their gloating as a racist conspiracy theorist.

Under the circumstances, one cannot say in good faith that white anxiety is irrational. Yet for the Left, demographic replacement is a positive good, a source of strength, says Biden, speaking with triumph about this transformation just a few years ago. Fewer than 50 percent of the people in America [in the future] will be white European stock, he boasted.

When did it become the case that fewer white people equals good? Could it be that white people are evil, and having fewer of them around will improve society, and set history right? This has clearly become the central idea of the leftist project, and their attempts to deny it are increasingly dissonant.

Just Another Right-Wing Conspiracy?

Despite the stranglehold that anti-white ideology (and that is all critical race theory really is) has on our institutions, the Left now says that backlash against it is an overreaction borne out of the irrational fears and ignorance of privileged, evil whites consuming misinformation from Fox News. Barack Obama said so himself: Whites who complain about being turned into a scapegoated minority with nowhere to run have been misled by right-wing media venues . . . that monetize and capitalize on stoking the fear and resentment of a white population that is witnessing a changing America and seeing demographic change.

Nothing of the kind is taking place. Rather, Americans confronted with brazen, in-your-face racism have started pushing back on what is self-evidently a genocidal teaching. Obviously Obama is offended by this, or thinks its somehow against the rules, but he cannot explain what makes it irrational.

As he himself acknowledges, things are changing, and it isnt just demographics. A New York psychiatrist discoursing on the psychopathy of the white mind at Yale recently shared her wish to unload a revolver into random white people. A different New York psychiatrist published a paper comparing white people to flesh-eating parasites, for which there is no permanent cure. In Georgia, a black man recently charged with randomly shooting white men admitted that racial hate was the reason.

But hey, never mind all that! Those whites are just scared of progress!

If these teachings are not stopped, we will end up with generations trained to hate, with fanatical passion, an increasingly vulnerable racial group. What will America look like then?

Read more at: AMGreatness.com and AntiWhite.news.
(Natural News) The Federal Bureau of Investigation has turned a mans life upside down after raiding his New York home following reports from neighbors that he is a domestic terrorist. The man, 69-year-old Joseph Bolanos, went to the US Capitol to support Trump on Jan. 6 but did not enter the building or participate in the unrest.

(Article by Ian Cheong republished from ConservativeBrief.com)

Bolanos, described by the New York Post as a pillar of the community, and President of his Upper West Side block association for the past 23 years, has been a model citizen who looked after the welfare of his neighbors amidst the lockdowns and even produced a weekly street dance show to support essential workers.

A Red Cross volunteer after the 9/11 attacks, the 69-year-old security consultant once received a police commendation for heroism after saving a woman from being mugged.

Unmarried, and caring for his 94-year-old mother, he was a well-loved character in the quiet residential area.

His life was torn apart after a neighbor reported him for attending the rally in Washington DC on Jan. 6. Innocent of the accusation that he participated in the riot, Bolanos was blocks away from the action at the JW Marriott hotel when hundreds of people amassed inside the Capitol building.

Regardless of his innocence, Bolanos was nonetheless raided in February by the FBIs counter-terrorism task force. He was reportedly handcuffed and did perp walk in his neighborhood and detained for three hours while his apartment was flipped inside-out and all his electronic devices confiscated. Months later, Bolanos has yet to face a criminal charge, but he has not had his property returned, and now his neighbors have turned on him.

Its destroyed my reputation, he told the New York Post. Im not a violent invader  I do not condone the criminality and violence on [Jan. 6] whatsoever.

According to Bolanos, he was raided because the FBI received a tip to the Jan. 6 hotline from a neighbor who overheard him allegedly boasting about being in DC on Jan. 6. The agent allegedly called Bolanos on the Sunday after the riot and left a message, to which he responded. Bolanos did not hear back from the FBI.

Weeks later, four FBI agents arrived at his mothers house, where he was staying, unannounced and interviewed him. They asked him if he was a member of extremist organizations like BLM, Antifa, or the Proud Boys. He explained that he went to Washington on Jan. 6 and arrived at the Ellipse, where Trump gave his speech, to meet a friend who had flown in from California to attend the event.

Bolanos, a registered Democrat, told the Post that he supports Trumps policies but was never a hardcore fan. He filmed the peaceful crowd at the Ellipse, describing it as a political Woodstock.

Following the speech, he made his way back to the hotel and arrived at the same time the Capitol barricades were breached. He was able to produce to the New York Post timestamps of photographs hed taken at the time the unrest was happening in the halls of Congress.

The New York Post reports:

Thats where they were when the Capitol barricades were breached at 12:57 p.m. Bolanos has time stamps on photographs he took in the hotel to prove it. One inside the room was taken at 1:41 p.m. Another out the window of the street below was taken at 1:45 p.m. Another photo was taken at 2:04 p.m. inside a hotel elevator. He says that is when they decided to head back to the Capitol to see what had happened with the Electoral College count. Bolanos videotaped the scene as they walked slowly down Pennsylvania Avenue. They were still about a mile away at 2:12 p.m., when invaders smashed windows and stormed the Capitol.

Following that, Bolanos made his way to the US Capitol with his friends, where they stood on the lawn outside the building some 400 feet from the wall, too far away from the action. He said he could see some people scaling the wall in the distance but couldnt really make out what was happening.

According to the Post, Bolanos told the FBI agents of all this and gave them videos of his presence in DC and said hed be able to produce more footage from a camera at his apartment.

The very next week, FBI agents raided his mothers apartment, where he was staying, with about 10 tactical police soldiers and one is pointing a rifle at my head. [They had] a battering ram and a crowbar. A search warrant had been issued by District Judge Gabriel Gorenstein naming him as the target subject. The front door to his empty apartment was also smashed in.

The warrant authorized the federal agents to seize his property as evidence relating to crimes including obstruction of Congress, civil disorders, conspiracy to impede/assault federal agents, interstate travel to participate in riot, and unlawful entry on restricted buildings or grounds.

The FBI ransacked both apartments, upending drawers, trashing his mothers bedroom.

Bolanos was arrested and interrogated for hours, and an NBC News crew was even tipped off to film it. NBC quoted sources claiming that charges against him were imminent. Those charges never materialized, but his reputation was ruined.

Like thousands of other law-abiding Americans who went to DC, Bolanos was just one of many people who wanted to watch the President speak whos now had his life turned upside down by nosy neighbors on the prowl for white supremacists and domestic terrorists.

Read more at: ConservativeBrief.com and DomesticTerrorism.com.
(Natural News) Since 1980, the Make-A-Wish Foundation has been giving terminally ill children the chance to live their dreams before they die. The rules have changed due to the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19), however, as vaccination will now be a requirement in order to participate.

According to a recent announcement from Make-A-Wish America President and CEO Richard Davis, the only sick children who are now allowed to participate in the program are those whose entire families agree to get injected for the Chinese Virus.

While the non-profit charity will not be checking vaccine cards as proof  because that would be illegal  it is requiring participants to sign a form basically stating that they got jabbed and that they understand the risks of not getting jabbed.

All Wish participants, including your Wish kid and any siblings, will need to be two weeks past completion of either a one-dose or a two-dose vaccine, Davis is heard stating in the video.

Actor Rob Schneider has already reportedly cut ties with Make-A-Wish over the new rules. Many also took to Twitter to protest the announcement, which amounts to medical fascism.

This is literally a new low for humanity, one wrote. Terminally ill children will not be granted a wish  from the make a wish foundation  unless  you guessed it  theyre fully vaccinated.

Will sick children who cant tolerate vaccines be forced to die early in order to have wishes fulfilled?

The sick joke of all this is that many of the children who participate in Make-A-Wish are vaccine-damaged or have medical conditions that prevent them from safely taking this or any other vaccine.

Will these immuno-compromised children and their families be strong-armed into taking a jab that could kill them in order to participate in the program? How is this not a form of medical violence against the less fortunate?

A two-tier form of discrimination which treats the unvaccinated as second-class citizens is already underway in the form of vaccine passports, but to deny critically ill children support because they havent taken the jab is particularly cruel, reports Zero Hedge.

Another major problem with Make-A-Wishs new policy is that it goes against the guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), which does not recommend Chinese Virus injections for children under the age of 12.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has also indicated that the Pfizer / BioNTech vaccine is suitable for use by people aged 12 years and above.

Davis claims that Make-A-Wish consulted with doctors and medical professionals throughout the National Medical Advisory Council before issuing its own guidelines recommending that all people of any age, including the gravely ill, take a Wuhan Flu shot before being granted a wish.

It would appear as though Davis and Make-A-Wish are making up their own rules because he and his colleagues personally like the jab and feel as though everyone should get it regardless of their unique needs and situation.

What would happen if a Make-A-Wish child and his or her family wished that they did not have to get a Chinese Flu injection in order to go skydiving or take that end-of-life trip to Disney World? Would Make-A-Wish tell them no because they failed to do their part to stay safe?

Make-A-Wish will only grant wishes to terminally ill children who are fully vaccinated?! tweeted Schneider in disgust.

While it has been an honor to work with this foundation over the years, if this policy of discrimination of children is true? I will never work with them again. Ever.

More related news about Chinese Virus injection oppression can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

ZeroHedge.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Russian authorities have issued a blistering critique of the failing U.S. regime under President-imposed Joe Biden, suggesting that America is guilty of all the sins they try to project on their opposing regimes abroad.

(Article republished from BigLeaguePolitics.com)

It is astonishing to see how the West is trying to divide our diverse world into two completely artificial camps  a supposedly democratic one and a supposedly authoritarian one, Russian Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service Sergey Naryshkin said.

The US and other so-called models of liberal democracy seem not to notice that they themselves are rapidly turning into a liberal-totalitarian regime, he added.

In recent weeks, Russian President Vladimir Putin has stepped into the leadership void left by the delegitimized puppet propped up by globalists as the figurehead of America, Joe Biden, struggles to spit out a coherent sentence. Putin has taken a stand for dissidents in America who are being punished for opposing a blatant third-world vote steal that was clearly given a green light by institutional power, a remarkable stance considering Putin and the Kremlins own record of suppressing political opposition.

Big League Politics has reported on Putin going to bat for Trump supporters who are being treated like domestic terrorists when even most Republicans are happy to look the other way:

Russian President Vladimir Putin is intending to press U.S. President Joe Biden on human rights violations that are being perpetrated against Trump supporters who attended the mostly-peaceful protest at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has pointed out in recent weeks how U.S. authorities are violating human rights of their dissidents, which is a criticism frequently leveled against the Kremlin by Washington D.C. elites.

We are ready to talk, we have no taboo topics. We will discuss whatever we think is necessary. We will be ready to answer the questions that the American side will raise. This also applies to human rights, Lavrov said during a press conference that took place on Monday in Moscow.

For example, we are following with interest the persecution of those persons who are accused of the riots on January 6 this year, Lavrov continued, adding that a lot of really interesting things are happening from the point of view of the rights of the opposition and protecting those rights in the U.S

Russia is taking a stand for Trump supporters at a time when most Republican politicians are either silent or cheering on Democrat oppression against them. Even if its for mere geopolitical points on the world stage, the fact that Putin , of all people, can claim more concern for dissidents than the current leadership of the United States is a remarkable sign of the times.

America has become such a joke that Putins rule looks better by comparison. The country, and perhaps Western Civilization, will collapse if leftism is not crushed quickly.

Read more at: BigLeaguePolitics.com and Collapse.news.
(Natural News) The World Health Organization (WHO) quietly removed guidance on its website advising against childrens Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) vaccinations. The global health body redacted its recommendation which says children should not be inoculated because there is not yet enough evidence to justify it. While the earlier version made no mention of a particular vaccine, the most recent revision explicitly promoted the Pfizer/BioNTech mRNA shot for children.

A Waking Times report said the WHOs webpage was updated on June 22 with the aforementioned edits. Prior to the update, it had remained unchanged since April 8 when the website was first archived. The headline Children should not be vaccinated for the moment was emphasized before its redaction. Aside from the emphasized headline, the earlier version of the page acknowledged that there is not yet enough evidence on the use of vaccines against COVID-19 in children to make recommendations.

However, the June 22 update reflected a complete 180-degree turn from the WHOs initial stance. While the new guidance still acknowledged the need for more evidence  on the use of the different COVID-19 vaccines in children, it concluded that the Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine is suitable for use by people aged 12 years and above.

The quiet revision contradicted earlier advice by the global health bodys vaccine expert, who said that vaccinating children against COVID-19 is not an immediate priority. Dr. Kate OBrien, the director of WHOs immunization, vaccines and biologicals department, remarked: Children are at [a] very, very low risk of actually getting [COVID-19].

OBrien said during a social media session: When were in this really difficult place  where the supply of [COVID-19 vaccines] is insufficient for everybody around the world, immunizing kids is not a high priority right now. She added that vaccinating children against COVID-19 might be appropriate in due course, when the supply increases much more substantially. (Related: Health experts raise concerns regarding COVID-19 vaccination for children.)

Big Tech censored those who went against the WHO and the pro-vaccine narrative

A number of users who pointed out the global health bodys stealthy revision of its vaccine guidelines found themselves censored on social media website. Author Alex Berenson shared one instance of censorship experienced by a user who posted the WHOs revised vaccination guidelines for children.

Berenson tweeted on June 23 that a woman was censored on Facebook for simply posting a screenshot of the revised WHO webpage. Michelle Coriaty-Herbst received a message from Facebook saying that her content violated community standards on spam. Berenson captioned the social media sites message to Herbst: Cant make it up. Facebook is censoring the WHO recommendation that people under 18 not be vaccinated.

The censorship Herbst suffered at the hands of Facebook echoed a similar instance, this time involving the conservative news website National File. The news site saw itself being locked out of Twitter for a 12-hour period after it reported on a tweet about the death of a vaccinated 13-year-old. (Related: 13-year-old Michigan boy dies 3 days after second Pfizer COVID-19 jab.)

National Files lockout stemmed from its report about the death of Jacob Clynick after the boy received his second dose of the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine. Clynicks aunt Tami Burages posted about her nephews death on Twitter, saying that Jacob did not have any known health problems and was not on any medication. She also mentioned that the initial autopsy results on Clynick showed an enlarged heart  with some fluid surrounding it.

According to Twitter, the National Files account was locked for allegedly spreading misleading and potentially harmful information related to COVID-19. A spokesperson for the social media site later confirmed that the move was done in error and that the accounts functionality had been restored.

The news sites editor-in-chief Tom Pappert said in a statement: We published a report containing direct quotes from a woman who  expressed concern about the death of her 13-year-old nephew  after he received the [Pfizer/BioNTech] COVID-19 vaccine. It is very unfortunate that Twitter would attempt to prevent this family from sharing its truth and its concerns about the [Pfizer/BioNTech] COVID-19 vaccine only days after [Clynicks] untimely and heartbreaking death.

Visit Vaccines.news to read more about the WHOs plan to inoculate children against COVID-19.

Sources include:

WakingTimes.com

FoxNews.com

Twitter.com

TheEpochTimes.com

Breitbart.com
(Natural News) The seizure of journalistic websites by the Biden administration just proved that the current leadership in the U.S. does not value free speech.

Leaders of the country have become enablers of censorship. An article from SHTFplan.com said: With obvious censorship of those who dissent and research and use their own critical thinking and discernment to come to their own conclusions, it has become blatant that there is no such thing as a Constitution that will protect the rights of anyone.

On July 22, the Department of Justice (DOJ) said that it seized the domains of 36 websites for violating U.S. sanctions. The Biden administration claimed many of the websites were associated with either disinformation activities or violent organizations. (Related: Joe Biden wants to massively increase online censorship.)

Today, pursuant to court orders, the United States seized 33 websites used by the Iranian Islamic Radio and Television Union (IRTVU) and three websites operated by Kataib Hizballah also known as Kataib Hezbollah (KH), in violation of U.S. sanctions, the department said in a statement.

KH is one of the main Iraqi militia groups aligned with Iran and has been designated a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S.

The DOJ said the 33 domains used by IRTVU are owned by a U.S. company and that IRTVU did not obtain a license from the Department of the Treasurys Office of Foreign Assets Control before using the domain names. The domains operated by KH were also owned by a U.S. company that did not obtain a license.

Move makes U.S. look like absolute hypocrite

Daniel McAdams, executive director of the Ron Paul Institute for Peace and Prosperity, said the move made the U.S. look like the absolute hypocrite of the whole universe.

Here we going around the world preaching about the rules-based international order with hand, and then with the other hand were slapping people around and taking away their websites if they dare criticize the U.S. government or U.S. foreign policy, McAdams said.

The International Federation of Journalists also criticized the move.

The blocking by the U.S. of websites run by groups affiliated with Iran is the wrong way to deal with so-called disinformation, said the Anthony Bellanger, the groups general secretary.

While real journalism requires the respect of solid ethical principles and full independence from governments, we cannot accept that governments unilaterally decide which websites they dont like to shut down  thus challenging freedom of speech.

Among the websites that were taken down were the state-owned Press TV, the Iranian governments main English satellite television channel, and Al Alam, its Arabic-language equivalent. Both came back online using Iranian domain addresses Alalam.ir and Presstv.ir.

According to Iranian news media, websites for the Iran-backed Houthi militia in Yemen and satellite and TV news channels dedicated to reports from the holy Shiite city of Karbala, Iraq have also been taken down.

Notices appeared on a number of Iran-affiliated websites saying they had been taken down by the U.S. government as part of law enforcement action. Similar notices also appeared on the website of Lualua TV, an Arabic-language Bahraini independent news channel that broadcasts from the UK, and Yemens Al Masirah TV, run by Iran-aligned Houthi movement.

The notice on the Al Masirah website stated: The domain almasirah.net has been seized by the United States Government in accordance with a seizure warrant  as part of a law enforcement action by the Bureau of Industry and Security, Office of Export Enforcement and Federal Bureau of Investigation.

Ban reveals falsehood of freedom of expression

Al Masirah said in a statement that its not surprised by the ban as it comes from those that have supervised the most heinous crimes against our people.

This American ban on the Al Masirah net website and other friendly websites reveals, once again, the falsehood of the slogans of freedom of expression and all the other headlines promoted by the United States of America, including its inability to confront the truth.

The Iranian state-run news agency IRNA called the takedowns an illegal act and terroristic policy against independent media. The semi-official Iranian news agency YJC said the U.S. move demonstrates that calls for freedom of speech are lies. (Related: CENSORSHIP: Facebook deletes 1.7 million member group Joe Biden is not my President! with NO WARNING or explanation.)

The spokesman for Irans mission to the United Nations, Shahrokh Nazemi, said the U.S. was trying to muzzle free speech. While rejecting this illegal and bullying action, which is an attempt at limiting the freedom of expression, the issue will be pursued through legal channels, Nazemi said.

The U.S. took down the sites just a day after the first news conference of Ebrahim Raisi, Irans newly elected president. Raisi, an Iranian conservative and the countrys former chief judge, told the media that his priorities would be to improve ties with regional neighbors and revive the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) nuclear deal. He also ruled out meeting with President Joe Biden.

A day before Raisis news conference, envoys for Iran, the U.S., the UK, Russia, China, France and Germany adjourned high-stakes talks on reviving the tattered 2015 nuclear accord.

Follow JoeBiden.news for more news and information related to Joe Biden and his administration.

Sources include:

SHTFplan.com

NBCNews.com

CNBC.com
(Natural News) Drug giants Merck & Co. and Sanofi are about to unleash a new six-in-one (hexavalent) vaccine for children called Vaxelis that could kill them, and yet the federal government is fully on board.

Despite prolific scientific evidence to suggest that Vaxelis is too much for a young immune system to handle, both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have granted their blessing to its imminent release.

Children as young as two months old will soon receive a single injection containing vaccines for diphtheria, tetanus, acellular pertussis (DTaP), polio, Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib), and hepatitis B.

Federal health officials insist that bundling all of these vaccines together into one, despite the risks, is necessary to ensure that children complete all recommended vaccinations.

Vaxelis is already on the official CDC schedule for children, having received approval from the FDA back in late 2018.

Pentavalent vaccines have been killing children for years

The government is obsessed with trying to pack as many vaccines into one syringe as possible, having sanctioned a five-in-one (pentavalent) jab several years back that we reported was killing test children in India and elsewhere.

Many babies died after receiving that injection, prompting widespread protests from parents who demanded that the government stop administering it and remove it from the system.

Now the world is having to contend with a six-in-one that is perhaps even more dangerous, though the CDC insists that they are usually mild.

Clinical trials have already demonstrated immense dangers from Vaxelis after six infants died following their first dose. One child in the control group that received a five-in-one vaccine also died.

All of the deaths occurred within six weeks of injection, which matches the findings of other trials in which a clustering of death was occurred right around the same time post-injection.

Among the reported causes of death following injection were asphyxia, sepsis, fluid in the brain, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

The rate of fever in the Vaxelis group was also notably higher than in the five-in-one control group.

Since vaccine manufacturers cannot be held liable for vaccine damage, deaths are no big deal

The good news for Big Pharma, anyway, is that nobody can sue for injuries or deaths following injection. By agreeing to follow the governments guidelines, parents are accepting full responsibility for any injuries or deaths that may result.

This is the key to commercial success for vaccine manufacturers, market watchers and health economists say. And Vaxelis is sure to be no exception.

It is already anticipated that Merck and Sanofi will rake in nearly a billion dollars annually by 2028 after Vaxelis seizes an expected one-third of the market for DTaP vaccinations.

Merck and Sanofi are considered two of the big four drug giants that make the most money from childhood vaccines. Merck recently reported a 14.8 percent boost in pneumococcal vaccine sales, along with a 5.4 percent increase in sales for Gardasil, its infamous human papillomavirus (HPV) injection.

Sanofi is also running clinical trials for its own messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccines for both the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) and seasonal influenza. Soon Americans will be urged to get an annual mRNA flu shot alongside regular Chinese Virus booster injections.

As for Vaxelis, the CDC has branded the jab as the wave of the future. The jabs safety profile is considered to be acceptable by the agency, which alongside the FDA has declared that children can safely receive it alongside the dozens of others that are administered pretty much at birth.

More related news about the FDA-approved vaccines on the CDC schedule can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

ChildrensHealthDefense.org

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) In order to understand why so many people around the globe, including healthy young people, are suddenly suffering from inflamed hearts just after being vaccinated for Covid-19, we have to zero in on the source of this dangerous inflammation. When blood clots form in deep veins, its called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), and this can occur if something damages the blood vessel lining or makes the blood clot more easily. After this happens once, usually more blood clots are on the way. Most medical doctors in America are completely stumped and cant figure out what causes blood clots. They could easily start by examining blood vessels for mRNA-produced proteins that the vaccines, through cell re-education, are spreading throughout the body of the recently Covid-vaccinated victims.

We can now understand, thanks to Covid-vaccine scientists who recently blew the whistle, that a higher-than-usual blood clot risk exists for these cases of inflammation of the heart, as its over-worked to push blood past all these road blocks of proteins, prions and disease-mimicking fragments floating around in the blood channels, sticking to inner walls of vessels, causing damage and severe inflammation.

Covid-19 mRNA vaccines instruct your cells to produce unlimited proteins and prions that clog the blood and CAUSE heart inflammation

Theres a combination of inflammation and coagulation occurring in the vessels that triggers venous thromboembolism (VTE). This is why all the Covid-19 vaccine manufacturers skipped clinical trials and got emergency use authorization for the shots, because they are considered by the FDA and CDC as medical experiments, and this is still going on right now. Its one huge medical experiment that causes blood clots, heart inflammation and death, but all the MDs are just baffled and discombobulated.

What a mystery, huh? Couldnt be the untested, unsafe, prion-creating China Flu jabs, now could it? No person or entity is ever allowed to even ask that question in America.

The MDs and virologists will all still cast blame on anything but the vaccines, including autoimmune disorders like Crohns or Lupus. Soon theyll be blaming the Delta Variant of Covid instead of blaming the vaccines.

Your blood, if youve been Covid-19 mRNA inoculated, is now slowly clogging and coagulation to try to defend itself from the proteins your own cells are now creating  ones that mimic deadly virus strains of China Flu. Your blood that flows past these clots can also add to the clot, making the clots bigger and more dangerous, compounding the coagulation factor. Then inflammation increases and the chance of a heart attack skyrockets.

The answer to the confounding mystery of heart inflammation right after Covid-19 vaccination

This is the answer to the mystery of why perfectly healthy young adults, all around the world, suffer heart inflammation within days of being Covid-19 vaccinated. Even the protein payload in the non-mRNA vaccines can cause inflammation and clotting, so none of the vaxxers are safe. The CDC lied, again.

Of course the heart is inflamed if major veins are clogged up with virus-mimicking proteins that stick together and to the inner walls of the blood vessels. Of course the entire human body is suffering from massive inflammation when the immune system recognizes its under CONSTANT attack by an army of mutated virus-looking fragments.

Visit CovidVaccineReactions.com if you already got a toxic Covid jab or two and you are experiencing side effects, blood clots or other adverse events. Then tune your internet frequency to Pandemic.news for updates on these crimes against humanity being delivered under the guise of inoculation. Also visit Visit PharmaDeathClock for more information and validated statistics about the tragedies along the Allopathic train on which 200 million Americans ride.

Sources for this article include:

Pandemic.news

NaturalNews.com

TruthWiki.org

LabBlog.UofMhealth.org

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) A group of students from Indiana University have filed a lawsuit in federal court against their schools COVID-19 vaccine mandate. The school notified all of its students, faculty and staff on May 21 that they would be required to receive the vaccine for the fall semester. Those who do not comply will not be allowed to register for classes or will have their registrations canceled. In addition, their university-issued IDs will be terminated and they will be banned from participating in any type of on campus activity. Meanwhile, faculty and staff who do not get the vaccine will lose their jobs.

A message on the universitys website says that all students should get their first dose by July 1st in order to be fully vaccinated before the start of the school year. The school has said that Approved exemptions will be extremely limited to a very narrow set of criteria. These exemptions include medical exemptions with documentation or medical deferral, religious exemptions and an exemption for those who sign up for a dedicated online program.

One of the plaintiffs in the lawsuit has said that he was refused a medical exemption despite recently having an antibody test that showed he still has antibodies for the virus. A different student said she was refused a medical exemption despite having a letter from her physician stating that she should not receive any vaccine because of an illness. Although she was granted a religious exemption, she must deal with extra requirements regarding face masks and testing.

The lawsuit points out that the three available COVID-19 vaccines in the United States have only been given emergency use authorization and have not been officially licensed by the Food and Drug Administration. In addition, it reiterates that college students have an extremely low risk of experiencing adverse effects should they be infected by the virus, while the risks and side effects of the vaccines are very serious. So far, more than 1,200 cases of heart inflammation have been reported in young adults and adolescents following the Moderna and Pfizer COVID-19 vaccines in the U.S.

Total disregard for student freedom

According to the lead counsel of the lawsuit, James Bopp, no government entity or public university in Indiana requires the vaccine except for IU. He said: This kind of total disregard for student freedom to choose for themselves, for students bodily autonomy, and for the need for voluntary and informed consent cannot stand under the U.S. Constitution.

Bopp is also seeking a preliminary injunction to prevent the mandate from taking effect so that the students who are participating in the lawsuit will be able to return to school in time for classes this fall.

According to the lawsuit, the mandate violates liberties protected by the 14th Amendment of the Constitution, such as the rights of personal autonomy and bodily integrity as well as the right to reject medical treatment. It is also a violation of Indianas ban on vaccine passports. In May, Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita issued an opinion that said the ban on vaccine passports would apply to public colleges and universities.

A representative of the university, spokesman Chuck Carney, told the Epoch Times that the mandate is meant to support a return to safe and more normal operations this fall. He added that the university was confident it would prevail in the case.

Its funny how the same liberals in academia who are quick to proclaim my body, my choice when talking about killing babies through abortion are now taking away other peoples choices about their own bodies when it comes to the vaccine.

Sources for this article include:

TheEpochTimes.com

IU.edu
(Natural News) A North Korean defector is worried for the future of the United States after experiencing life at Columbia University. She said that the focus on political correctness and indoctrination was very similar to the brainwashing in North Korea.

I expected that I was paying this fortune, all this time and energy, to learn how to think. But they are forcing you to think the way they want you to think, said Yeonmi Park during an appearance on Fox News. I realized, wow, this is insane. I thought America was different but I saw so many similarities to what I saw in North Korea that I started worrying.

Park, 27, fled North Korea in 2007 with her family when she was just 13. When she and her mother entered China, human traffickers sold them into slavery. With the help of Chinese and Korean Christian missionaries, Park and her family were bought back and smuggled into Mongolia. From there, she would eventually find refuge in South Korea. In 2016, she transferred from a South Korean university to Columbia to get a prestigious American education.

Indoctrination in Columbia reminded Park of brainwashing in North Korea

Since fleeing North Korea, Park has become a human rights activist. And her experiences in Columbia have opened her eyes to how many institutions in America help brainwash people.

During her interview with Fox News, Park described how Columbias culture of political correctness rivaled the society-wide thought policing that occurred in North Korea. She could not believe how much she had to censor herself while at the Ivy League university.

I literally crossed the Gobi Desert to be free and I realized Im not free, Americas not free, she said.

In one example, Park said she was scolded by a university staff member for admitting that she enjoyed the books of classic English novelist Jane Austen.

I said I love those books. I thought it was a good thing, she said. Then [the staff member] said, Did you know those writers had a colonial mindset? They were racists and bigots and are subconsciously brainwashing you.'

Park said that every single class she took at Columbia was inundated with anti-American propaganda.

Every problem, they explained to us, is because of White men, she said. Some of the discussions regarding so-called White privilege reminded her of the caste system instituted in North Korea. People were categorized and given favors by the ruling party based on their ancestors. (Related: Racial hatred against Whites being incorporated into school lesson planning all across America.)

The anti-American sentiment in her classes also reminded her of the anti-American propaganda she was subjected to while growing up. Park explained that she and other North Korean students were constantly taught about the American B-.

American B was one word for North Koreans, Park recalled. The math problems would say, There are four American B-, you kill two of them, how many American B- are left to kill?

I thought North Koreans were the only people who hated Americans, but it turns out there are a lot of people hating this country in this country.

Indoctrination in universities worse than in North Korea

Park was also concerned with how professors began their classes by asking students for their preferred pronouns. She remembered being scared by the use of the singular they, because she was afraid of getting socially penalized for supposedly not being inclusive enough in her vocabulary.

English is my third language. I learned it as an adult, Park explained. I sometimes still say he or she by mistake, and now they are going to ask me to call them they?' How the heck do I incorporate that into my sentences?

Park said all of her experiences in Columbia made her feel like civilization itself was regressing.

Even North Korea is not this nuts, she added. North Korea is pretty crazy, but not this crazy.

She believes the college system in Columbia and other tertiary educational institutions across the country are making American students lose their ability to think critically. This felt very familiar to her due to her time in North Korea.

Park recalled how, in North Korea, she was made to believe that the countrys Supreme Leader, Kim Jong-un, is just like her and that he was also going through the same hardships she and many other North Koreans were going through.

How can anyone believe that?  Because I never learned how to think critically, she said. This is what is happening in America.

Learn more about Americas schooling systems by reading the latest articles at CampusInsanity.com.

Sources include:

NYPost.com

FoxNews.com

Insider.com
(Natural News) A professor claimed that different devices people use every day  including smart doorbells  are actually spying on them. University of Oxford professor Carissa Veliz warned that computers, televisions and mobile phones are all collecting peoples data without their consent as soon as they wake up. She added that people are unwittingly giving away personal information to smartphone manufacturers, app developers and mobile phone companies on an everyday basis.

Veliz elaborated on how tech companies collect peoples data in a June 26 op-ed for the Daily Mail. According to her, modern vehicles can now log the places visited by their drivers, the speed they are driven, the music played inside them and even their drivers weights. She continued: If you wear a smart watch, it will have recorded your every moment in bed. Share a picture or record your thoughts on Facebook, or type a search [term] into Google, and that information is tracked and stored.

The professor also noted how the seemingly innocent smart doorbell could be used for surveillance purposes as it records images of those who come near. Veliz said: Its anybodys guess where the [smart doorbell] footage is going to end up and what it will be used for.

She also warned that the smart TV can also be used to spy on people. You turn on your smart TV. It is probably identifying everything you watch and sending the data to the manufacturer, third parties or both. Veliz added: Intelligence agencies  can make your [smart] TV look as though it is off while they record you.

Veliz further warned that even digital assistants such as Alexa may be listening to peoples conversations. If you had time to read the privacy policies of the objects you buy, you would also have noticed that your TV picks up and records your spoken words and reserves the right to transmit them to other organizations. (Related: Is your TV spying on you? For millions of viewers, the answer is YES!)

Veliz warned against Facebooks encroachment on peoples privacy

According to Veliz, Big Tech companies such as Facebook and Google have done more than any other firm to build the so-called data economy through their collection of peoples information. The ongoing Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic shined a light on the full extent of this economy  and the resulting surveillance.

People have relied on Facebook and other social media sites to stay connected with friends and family. Video conferencing apps such as Zoom and Google Classroom became necessary tools for work and school. The past year has shown us how impossible it is to opt out. Collectively and separately, these platforms are watching us, Veliz said.

Veliz elaborated that Facebook can obtain information about a users IP address, location and other websites they have access to that contains the sites like buttons. Furthermore, the Facebook algorithm can inadvertently link people with other users they do not wish to interact with. She noted some instances in which a psychiatrist saw his patients Facebook profiles, victims being connected to their harassers and a husband finding his wifes lover in his suggested contacts.

Everything you do while on Facebook gets tracked, the professor said. She continued: It may seem like a social network on the surface, but its real business is trading in influence through personal data. It wants to know who we are [and] what we think,  [and] wants to predict and influence our behavior. And armed with this, it can then sell advertisers access to your attention. (Related: More than 500 million users personal data compromised in Facebook privacy breach.)

Veliz shared some tips to reclaim and maintain peoples privacy online

Given this situation, the Oxford professor shared five actions people can do to maintain their privacy. First, they should ideally choose devices that do not connect to the internet if possible. Second, people should consider carefully the content they share online  particularly when it concerns their children.

Her last three tips centered on what people must do while using on internet. Third, they must never click on the accept cookies button when visiting a website. Fourth, they should ensure that all privacy settings on social media are on the most stringent level. Fifth, they should use strong passwords for their user account credentials.

She remarked: To those who question whether online privacy matters, I ask them for [the] password to their email account. The professor concluded: The ground rules that we set now will determine the privacy landscape of the next few decades. It is critical that we get things right. We owe it to ourselves and to our children.

Visit Surveillance.news to read more articles about Big Tech firms tracking people without their consent.

Sources include:

TheSun.co.uk

DailyMail.co.uk
(Natural News) People who recover from mild cases of COVID-19 develop antibodies that may protect them from the Wuhan coronavirus, say researchers at the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis (WUSTL). In their report, which was published in Nature, the team noted that these immune cells can persist for a lifetime as they continue to produce antibodies.

This suggests that mild cases of COVID-19 may leave patients with lasting antibody protection, reducing the likelihood of reinfection.

There were reports that antibodies wane quickly after infection with the virus that causes COVID-19, and mainstream media interpreted that to mean that immunity was not long-lived, explained Ali Ellebedy, an immunologist at WUSTL and the senior author of the study.

But thats a misinterpretation of the data. Its normal for antibody levels to go down after acute infection, but they dont go down to zero; they plateau. Here, we found antibody-producing cells in people 11 months after first symptoms. These cells will live and produce antibodies for the rest of peoples lives. Thats strong evidence for long-lasting immunity.

Long-time antibodies against COVID-19

The body makes antibodies during an infection to defend itself. As the body recovers, most of the immune cells that produce antibodies die off. This causes a decrease in antibody levels. However, immune cells called long-lived plasma cells move to the bone marrow, where they remain and produce antibodies, albeit at low levels, against future infections.

For their study, Ellebedy and his team looked at whether people who had recovered from mild cases of COVID-19 still had long-lived plasma cells in their system, in particular, those that specifically target the COVID-19 virus. A total of 77 participants were enrolled in the study. The team took bone marrow samples from the participants eight months after their infection; five returned four months after to provide a second bone marrow sample.

The researchers found that the levels of coronavirus-specific antibodies sharply decreased in the first few months after infection. These leveled off afterward, with some antibodies remaining detectable 11 months after infection.

Fifteen of the bone marrow samples from the COVID-19 participants contained antibody-producing cells that specifically target the coronavirus. This was seen in bone marrow samples taken 11 months after infection.

People with mild cases of COVID-19 clear the virus from their bodies two to three weeks after infection, so there would be no virus driving an active immune response seven or 11 months after infection, Ellebedy explained.

These cells are not dividing. They are quiescent, just sitting in the bone marrow and secreting antibodies. They have been doing that ever since the infection resolved, and they will continue doing that indefinitely.

According to the researchers, this long-lasting immunity may also be present in people who did not exhibit symptoms despite being infected with the COVID-19 virus. (Related: Immunity developed from previous infection with endemic coronaviruses reduces COVID-19 severity  study.)

However, this may not be the case for those who had severe COVID-19, explained co-author and immunologist Jackson Turner. For one, these people may have had an impaired immune response, overwhelmed with severe inflammation.

But on the other hand, the reason why people get really sick is often because they have a lot of virus in their bodies, and having a lot of virus around can lead to a good immune response. So its not clear. We need to replicate the study in people with moderate to severe infections to understand whether they are likely to be protected from reinfection, said Turner.

Learn more about the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) at Pandemic.news.

Sources include:

EurekAlert.org

Nature.com
Former GOP Congressman Denver Riggleman, who served just one term in the U.S. House of Representatives before failing to secure his partys nomination in 2020, is taking to Twitter to mock the NSAs illegal surveillance of Tucker Carlsons phone and email communications and [claim] that he regularly snooped on American citizens  who he calls idiots  during his time with the National Security Agency.

(Natural News) (Article by Frankie Stockes republished from NationalFile.com)

Riggleman, a former Air Force intelligence officer, and apparent erstwhile NSA spy, previously wrapped himself in the garb of libertarianism while running as a defender of civil liberties during his unsuccessful 2017 bid for Virginia Governor. Riggleman kept up the apparent charade in 2018, winning the GOP nomination to Congress and going on to defeat Democrat Leslie Cockburn in Virginias 5th District.

After losing his partys nomination to America First conservative Bob Good in 2018, the liquor salesman-turned-Congressman embarked upon the same career path as many failed establishment Republicans before him: that of a left-wing, Republican-hating cable news commentator.

I worked in NSA, Riggleman wrote in a Tweet following Tucker Carlsons explosive Monday night segment in which the highly-rated Fox News host and routine target of the radical left revealed that a whistleblower within the NSA had informed him that federal spies are snooping in on his communications. Tracked idiots. Its me [spying on Carlson], Rigglemans Tweet continued.

Since leaving office in January of 2021, Riggleman has become a staunch opponent of America First conservatism and former President Trump, continuing with a trend that seemed to begin while he was still serving as a Republican Representative to Congress.

Though he now makes a living, in part, by labeling the conservatives who once elected him conspiracy theorists and anti-Semites, Riggleman appeared to be laying the groundwork for such a career change before he left office, lashing out at Republican voters and President Trump ahead of the 2020 Presidential Election and indicating on Meet the Press with Chuck Todd that he was no longer a Republican.

In recent months, Riggleman has become a regular guest on left-wing corporate media networks. He began advocating for the impeachment of President Donald J. Trump almost immediately following the mostly peaceful January 6th demonstrations at the U.S. Capitol, where unarmed American citizen and Air Force veteran Ashlee Babbitt was shot dead by a U.S. Capitol Police Officer, after crowds of demonstrators were let into the building by Capitol Police, as documented by video evidence.

Riggleman is a major proponent of the thus-far unapproved Select Committee proposed by Democrats to investigate the demonstrations against certifying election results in contested states with documented cases of fraud, which Republicans and civil liberties activists have compared to a witch hunt. According to Riggleman, freedom-loving patriots have nothing to hide, and should be just fine with it.

Things tend to move slowly, but Congress must act on the #Jan6 Select Committee ASAP, Riggleman wrote in a recent Tweet. As public servants, we (Riggleman is no longer a member of Congress) owe it to the American people to establish the facts of that day and report the truth. Freedom-loving patriots have nothing to hide.

Things in the government tend to move slowly, but Congress must act on the #Jan6 Select Committee ASAP. As public servants, we owe it to the American people to establish the facts of that day and report the truth. Freedom-loving patriots have nothing to hide.  Denver Riggleman (@RepRiggleman) June 28, 2021

Read more at: NationalFile.com or Orwellian.news.
(Natural News) The podcast of conservative journalist and Antifa expert Andy Ngo has been permanently banned from the online audio distribution platform SoundCloud.

SoundClouds Trust & Safety Team informed Ngo via email that his podcast was banned permanently supposedly for violating the sites terms of use as well as its community guidelines. The company said that the podcast was banned on the grounds of being dedicated to violating the sites rules.

In the notification email sent to Ngo, the company did not provide him with an avenue to appeal the decision or even to seek further information regarding the ban. The company has also not answered why the ban came recently even though the latest episode of the podcast was uploaded more than one year ago.

Ngos podcast, Things You Should Ngo, has featured many conservative political figures and intellectuals including psychologist Dr. Jordan B. Peterson, political commentator Dave Rubin, Portland-based radio host Lars Larson, columnist and activist Michelle Malkin and British author and commentator Douglas Murray.

The podcast features a variety of thought-provoking discussions on important sociopolitical topics, such as one episode that explored the parallels between violent extremists in radical Islam and Antifa. (Related: Journalist Andy Ngo: Antifa aims to organize society without a government, abolish nations worldwide.)

SoundCloud refuses to specify what rules Ngo violated

According to SoundClouds Terms of Use, users like Ngo are not allowed to use the platform to upload:

Any Content that is abusive, libelous, defamatory, pornographic or obscene, that promotes or incites violence, terrorism, illegal acts, or hatred on the grounds of race, ethnicity, cultural identity, religious belief, disability, gender, identity or sexual orientation or is otherwise objectionable in SoundClouds reasonable discretion.

SoundCloud has not clarified which of these categories of content Ngos podcast violated. The explanation the company gave Ngo was vague and refused to be specific.

We take the security of our community very seriously, read SoundClouds email to Ngo. We hope that you can understand that SoundCloud is a place for people to share content which respects our Terms of Use and Community Guidelines.

.@SoundCloud has permanently banned me & my podcast @YouShouldNgo. In an email, it says I violated its community guidelines without naming the alleged offending content. Guests have included @RubinReport, @DouglasKMurray & @jordanbpeterson. cc @SCsupport https://t.co/uNiIvJOK1y  Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) June 28, 2021

Conservatives criticize censorship of Ngo

If SoundCloud could point to any instances, even just one, of Ngo violating their rules, then maybe  the public would be able to consider and evaluate their reasoning, wrote journalist Sarah D on the news site Twitchy. But by keeping their rationale so vague, SoundCloud really leaves people with little choice but to conclude that theyre just straight-up biased against material that questions or contradicts left-wing narratives.

RedState journalist and editor-at-large Kira Davis has pointed out that right around the same time that SoundCloud deplatformed Ngo, YouTube banned and then quickly reinstated the channel known as Right Wing Watch. This channel is dedicated to mocking conservative outlets. The entire progressive media rose in anger after Right Wing Watchs YouTube ban.

Former MSNBC host Krystal Ball took to Twitter to complain about the channels ban. She accused conservatives of being hypocrites for allegedly pretending to care about censorship and free speech. But when left ideas are censored, they supposedly never say a word.

It should be noted that Ball has not said anything regarding Ngos deplatforming from SoundCloud.

Nothing changes until everyone  including the progressives who invented Cancel Culture  is forced to play by the same rules, wrote Davis. Will we see Krystal Ball and her friends on the progressive left race to the defense of Andy Ngos free expression? I wont hold my breath.

Learn more about how tech companies like SoundCloud ban and deplatform conservatives while protecting leftist ideals at Censorship.news.

Sources include:

ThePostMillennial.com

RedState.com

SoundCloud.com

Twitchy.com
(Natural News) Not enough people are willingly lining up to get injected for the Wuhan coronavirus (Covid-19) so the British government is resorting to behavioral warfare programs to try to brainwash the masses into compliance.

According to reports, government bureaucrats in the United Kingdom are now hiring behavioral warfare psychologists to come up with devious new ways of convincing the vaccine hesitant to roll up their sleeves and permanently alter their DNA in order to help flatten the curve.

Mind manipulation experts are busily scheming up fresh ideas to sell the notion that vaccines are the best and only way to stay safe against the Chinese Infection. And their tactics are also slated for use right here in the United States, we now know.

In fact, there might be even more mind control taking place here in the land of the free as fake president Joe Biden fails to meet his personal goal of jabbing at least 70 percent of the country by Independence Day.

For reasons that have yet to fully manifest, the powers the be are hellbent upon injecting as many people at warp speed as they possibly can, almost like they are racing against the clock to meet some hidden deadline that is fast approaching.

Are the vaccines priming peoples bodies to receive a microchip implant? Are they turning into spike protein factories that will eventually cause mass death? There are many pieces of proof to suggest that something deeply sinister is taking place that will soon become evident.

Are you willing to fight for your freedoms and liberties?

At the very least, the medical fascists deployed the Wuhan Flu as a means of consolidating control while stamping out what little remains of our freedoms and liberties.

The totalitarian puppet masters held nothing back as they destroyed small businesses, ruined peoples lives, instilled fear within those who believe everything the television says to them, and created a hellish landscape of societal paranoia.

The West was already on a major decline even before the Chinese Virus emerged, but now the final nails appear to be getting driven straight into the coffin.

It would seem as though it is only a matter of time before vaccine passports get thrust on us all as a means to stay protected against the delta variant, or whatever other made-up pathogen they can dream up next.

Workers in some states are already being fired from their jobs for refusing to get injected, or told that they must wear a mask forever, unlike their vaccinated coworkers, until they agree to comply.

This is completely against the law, of course, but unless We the People stand up to these authoritarian monsters with some kind of legal action, then it will only continue until there is nothing left but fear and death across the once-great landscape of our nation.

We are being programmed, warns J.D. Rucker, writing for No Q Report. There are a few who are aware of the propaganda and indoctrination campaigns geared towards complete vaccination of the United States population.

There is a war on for your mind, as behavioural scientists increasingly shape the narrative that you hear and see. This is especially true in regards to Covid-19.

In the U.K., the Independent Scientific Pandemic Insights Group on Behaviours, also known as SPI-B, is doing whatever it takes to sway all holdouts to give up the fight and roll up their sleeves. Similar groups are doing the same thing here in the U.S. Will you let them win or will you fight back  to the death, if necessary  to stave off the medical police state?

More related news about Chinese Virus injections can be found at ChemicalViolence.com.

Sources for this article include:

NoQreport.com

NaturalNews.com
(Natural News) Many Americans received the two-dose mRNA vaccines against the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19). These vaccines from Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna promised full protection with just two doses. But Moderna has recently begun testing booster shots for fully vaccinated people. One volunteer  who was fully vaccinated with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine  said he experienced more severe side effects after receiving the booster shot.

Business Insider reported that virologist Dr. Joseph Hyser was among the volunteers who received an experimental third dose booster shot. The Baylor College of Medicine assistant professor said he has been fully vaccinated with the Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine since January of this year. Hyser added that he is not really worried about his post-vaccination immunity diminishing.

He nevertheless signed up for a study involving a COVID-19 booster shot from Moderna after he learned of it in an email. The study aimed to assess the effectiveness of the Moderna booster dose in people who received the mRNA vaccines and Johnson & Johnsons one-dose adenovirus vector vaccine. It received funding from the National Institutes of Health.

Hyser said he experienced similar types of side effects from both the Moderna and Pfizer/BioNTech vaccines. He outlined that for the latter vaccine, he had a little bit of chills  [and] muscle ache, but nothing that prevented [him] from conducting  day-to-day activities.

On the other hand, the virologist described side effects following the Moderna vaccine as a little bit more obvious. He elaborated: With the [Moderna] booster, it was a little bit more severe  like I had done a very rigorous gym workout. According to Hyser, these side effects included chills and arm soreness akin to receiving a hard punch in the shoulder.

The study Hyser participated in will later examine if mixing different COVID-19 vaccine booster shots will be safe and effective for adults. Other vaccine combinations and the order they are administered will also be added in the future.

Big Pharma is doubling down on the need for vaccine booster shots

Prior to the study, Moderna announced its development of a booster shot for the coronavirus. The Massachusetts-based company did so in response to its mRNA vaccines diminished effectiveness against the South African B1351 strain. According to laboratory tests, the Moderna vaccines antibodies provided six times less protection when faced with the B1351 variant.

Nevertheless, Moderna said its two-dose vaccine worked just as well in protecting against the British B117 variant and earlier strains of the virus. The companys CEO Stephane Bancel defended the need for booster shots. As we seek to defeat COVID-19, which has created a worldwide pandemic, we believe it is imperative to be proactive as the virus evolves, he said.

Meanwhile, Moderna President Stephen Hoge later said he expects vaccine booster doses to be necessary to keep immunity levels high. He attributed this partly to vaccine hesitancy  with an estimated 30 percent of the U.S. population declining the vaccines. Hoge added that as long as the Wuhan coronavirus is circulating widely, people a high risk of severe illness may need to boost their immunity against the pathogen.

Executives from the New York-based Pfizer and German company BioNTech also reiterated the need for COVID-19 booster doses. Pfizer CEO Albert Bourla said in April that people will likely need vaccine booster shorts every 12 months to maintain immunity against the original SARS-CoV-2 strain and its variants. It is extremely important to suppress the pool of people that can be susceptible to the virus, he added.

Bourla elaborated: There are vaccines like [the one for] polio where one dose is enough. And there are vaccines like [the one for] flu that you need every year. The [Wuhan coronavirus] looks more like the influenza virus than the polio virus.

BioNTech Co-Founder and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Ozlem Tureci concurred with Bourlas remarks during an interview in the same month. She told CNBC host Kelly Evans that she expects people to get Wuhan coronavirus booster shots yearly, akin to the flu vaccine.

Tureci explained that scientists expect vaccine-induced immunity against the virus to decrease over time. We see indications for this also in the induced [response], but also the natural immune response against SARS-CoV-2. We see this waning of immune responses also in people who were just infected, and therefore [its] also expected with the [COVID-19] vaccines, she said.

But some scientists have expressed concern that pharmaceutical companies are dictating the need for COVID-19 booster shots instead of public health experts. World Health Organization Department of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals Director Dr. Kate OBrien said: We dont see the data yet that would inform a decision about whether or not booster doses are needed.

Former U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Tom Frieden meanwhile said: There is zero, and I mean zero, evidence to suggest that that is the case. Its completely inappropriate to say that were likely to need an annual [COVID-19 vaccine] booster, because we have no idea what the likelihood of that is.

Visit Vaccines.news to read more news about COVID-19 vaccine booster shots.

Sources include:

SHTFPlan.com

BusinessInsider.com

DailyMail.co.uk

WSJ.com

CNBC.com

TheEpochTimes.com
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  California on Tuesday moved another step closer to decriminalizing psychedelics  amid a debate over whether their prohibition is an outdated remnant of the War on Drugs  after the author removed a substance from the bill that opponents said can be used as a date-rape drug.

The bill would allow those 21 and older to possess for personal use and social sharing psilocybin, the hallucinogenic component of so-called magic mushrooms. It also covers psilocyn, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), ibogaine, mescaline excluding peyote, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA, often called ecstasy).

Peoples lives are literally transformed because of these substances," said Sen. Scott Wiener, a Democrat from San Francisco, though he amended his bill to remove ketamine from the list.

Keeping the potential date-rape drug would have just confused what you ultimately want to get accomplished," said the Assembly Public Safety Committees chairman, Democratic Assemblyman Reggie Jones-Sawyer, who otherwise supported the bill.

Psychedelics have emerged as an extremely promising approach to a variety of mental illnesses, testified Dr. Robert Grant, who studies ketamine-assisted psychotherapy for depression and anxiety at the University of California, San Francisco, which is creating a research center in August to study their use. Certainly people should not be incarcerated for seeking a healing path with these medications.

The bill bars sharing with those under age 21 or possessing the substances on school grounds. It would remove the state's ban on cultivating or transferring mushroom spores or other material containing psilocybin or psilocyn.

Even if California makes the bill law, the drugs would still be illegal under federal law.

It cleared the Assembly Public Safety Committee, 5-3, with proponents touting the benefits to military veterans and others they say can benefit from the use of psychedelics to treat trauma. The measure already passed the state Senate on a 21-16 vote and now heads to the health committee before it can go to the full Assembly.

Having tried all that was offered to me by military medicine, I was barely holding on. I turned to psychedelics as a last-ditch effort to survive, and fortunately it worked amazingly well, testified Jesse Gould, the founder and president of the Heroic Hearts Project who served three combat tours as an Army Ranger.

Oregon voters last year approved decriminalizing small amounts of psychedelics among other drugs, and separately were the first to approve the supervised use of psilocybin in a therapeutic setting.

Oakland and Santa Cruz are among cities including Washington, D.C.; Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Somerville and Cambridge, Massachusetts, that have decriminalized certain natural psychedelics that come from plants and fungi. Denver was the first U.S. city to decriminalize hallucinogenic mushrooms for personal use two years ago.

California Narcotics Officers Association legislative director John Lovell said the organization doesn't seek to incarcerate anyone for drug use.

But he told the committee that the bill's allowance of social sharing could bring more overdoses and fatalities from contaminated drugs, and LSD should be excluded because it is married to flashbacks and can result in a trip people can have for the rest of their lives.

Even with the removal of ketamine, there are still many dangerous, illegal drugs on the list that lack approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, said Frank Lee, president of the Organization for Justice and Equality. Moreover, he said, allowing for social sharing is effectively giving the drug dealers a built-in defense.

Republican Assemblyman Kelly Seyarto said he favors anything that helps veterans, but it has to be done in a clinical setting, it has to be done under the watchful eye of a physician to make sure there are no ill effects.

Under Wiener's bill, he said, this will be just like beer, you just go get the 21-year-old to give you the stuff.

Wiener cited studies by Johns Hopkins University, the University of California, San Francisco and UCLA that found psychedelic therapies can help where other treatments have failed. He said other research has shown the use of MDMA can help reduce the severity of post-traumatic stress disorder.

His bill would require the California Department of Public Health to create a working group to study the regulation and use of the drugs and make recommendations to lawmakers.

But his bill goes beyond allowing only therapeutic use. He argued the broader lifting of penalties is another step away from penalizing nonviolent drug offenses and what Wiener called the failed policies of the 50-year War on Drugs that have made us less safe because people use in the shadows.

"Its time we acknowledge the benefits of these substances even outside of a clinical study," Wiener said. Opposition to legalizing the drugs is like the psychedelic equivalent of Reefer Madness, that this is going to do all sorts of horrible things. And that is just not true.

Among other things, his bill would repeal provisions in state law saying that messages from state drug and alcohol programs should promote abstaining from the unlawful use of any drugs or alcohol.
New Castle, PA (16103)

Today

Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High around 90F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Some clouds this evening will give way to mainly clear skies overnight. Low 68F. Winds light and variable.
Amesbury - Lorraine I. (Eaton-Clark) Short (95) died at Vero Health Nursing Home in Amesbury on June 23, 2021. She was born in Newburyport on January 13th 1926. She was the daughter of Samuel and Alberta Eaton of Amesbury and the sister of Shirley Webber of Newburyport. She leaves three chil
Anuradha Shukla By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The finance ministry has ruled out any fresh borrowing for the stimulus package announced on Manday, claiming that it will have no impact on Indias fiscal roadmap this year. There will be no deviation from the borrowing target announced by the ministry. The stimulus package is well within the anticipated expenditure and was already accounted for in the budget, a senior official told this publication.

The official explained that even though no one anticipated the severity of the second wave, there was a contingency fund earmarked for this purpose in the budget. This years budget was very meticulously planned. While we were conservative in our estimate regarding the revenue targets, sudden expenditure on account of the second wave was not unforseen. Experts are talking about a third wave. But we are better prepared and, in the present context, this will not impact our fiscal path, as predicted by many agencies, the official pointed out.

The government had estimated a fiscal deficit of 6.8 per cent for the year and kept its gross market borrowing at Rs 12.05 lakh crore. However, given the second wave, many agencies including Nomura and Barclays see the gap widening to more than 7% of GDP for the current financial year. Even Care Ratings has forecast a wider fiscal deficit at 7.8%.

Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman had, on Monday, announced several measures, including Rs 1.5 lakh-crore of additional credit for small businesses, more funds for the healthcare sector, loans to tourism agencies and guides, and a waiver of visa fees, as part of a stimulus package for sectors hit hard by Covid-19. While the government claimed that the package, which mostly included government guarantees, total up to Rs 6.29 lakh crore together with previous packages, economists claim that its fiscal impact will be limited.

Rs 12.05L cr borrowing target for FY22

6.8% Fiscal deficit target for FY22
Bosky Khanna By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: Residents of Rajarajeshwari Nagar (RR Nagar) have alleged that they are being asked to take the Covid vaccine at the local MLAs office after producing their voter identity cards.

I went for my vaccine at the primary health centre at Ward No. 160, but the staff said that they had run out of stock. They informed me that I should, instead, go to the MLAs office for the jab with my Aadhaar and voter ID cards. Why are they playing politics even in this free vaccination drive, asked Sharadamma, a resident.

Another resident , who wished not to be identified, said that BBMP staffers at the PHC are diverting all the beneficiaries to the MLAs office, only to be in his good books. The vaccination is being done at the basement of MLA Munirathnas office. It was being done earlier, but it stopped after a week. It has resumed again, the resident said. A senior BBMP official, who too wished anonymity, said, Vaccination could not be done at the PHC on Tuesday as the stock came late.

The PHC staff directed people to the MLAs office, only because it is centrally located and convenient for all. The government order mentions that vaccination can be done in any open space and that was the reason this spot was chosen. Munirathna said, The vaccination has been happening at my office for the last two to three days. We are asking for voter ID as I want to give the vaccine only to people from our constituency. Those from other areas can take the vaccine in their constituency. Asked how the vaccine stock was available at his office, while the stock had run out at the PHC, an irritated Munirathna said, One should apply for an RTI to get the answers.

SHORTAGE OF VACCINES: CHIEF SECRETARY

Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar told The New Indian Express that there is a shortage of vaccines in the State. Priority is being given to college students and college staff to allow them to attend classes. The State now has a stock of two lakh vaccines, against a demand of five lakhs. Of these, Bengaluru got around 50,000. Manufacturers are supplying a lesser number of vaccines to the Centre, which is why Karnatakas allocation too is low, he said. The State has done well in vaccination over the last month, but the supply has been less over the last few days, he added.
Ranjani Madhavan By

Express News Service

BENGALURU: As access to Covid-19 vaccines remains difficult, with people not finding slots on the CoWIN portal and not knowing where to walk in for jabs without prior registration, many are resorting to using influence and their connections to get their way.

Be it through government officials, contacts in hospitals or private establishments conducting drives, those looking to get vaccinated are finding ways to avoid going through the regular process of getting the vaccine, which some consider a hassle.

Suresh Ramegowda, a resident of Hebbagodi, said that he had to go through an IAS officer known to him to get the vaccine shot on Huskur Road.

A drive, organized by a fruit market association, was going on for front line workers and those in essential services, but I managed to get the jab there. Government centres here have just about 50 vaccine doses, while hundreds queue up for them. I have got the vaccination done for nearly 80 people who dont have contacts or influence, including people coming from other states, by getting them registered as essential workers. For the past 10 days, there have been no vaccine stocks in government centres, Ramegowda said.

A resident of Shantalanagar and her husband, who did not want to be named, said that she got the vaccine at a private hospital where a prominent doctors relative is their friend. Everyone in residents and citizens groups are hunting for jabs and, when it comes to booking on CoWIN, it is a game of the fastest fingers first. We wanted to avoid going through this trouble and got it done through a known source for the 45-plus age group, she said.

Mohammed Thwaeb and his wife spent days and nights trying to book slots for the vaccine and found that all of them were always booked. They visited St Philomenas Hospital, but could not get the jab as they were unable to register on CoWIN. Their friend, a cafe owner, was organising a vaccine drive for his employees in collaboration with a private hospital on Millers Road. We got the vaccine through the employee quota in the 18-44 age group. We also got the vaccination done for the watchmen in our area and our maid, Thwaeb said.

Varun Salaria and his wife had a similar experience on CoWIN. They tried for many weeks and, as a last resort, contacted a relative working in a private hospital in Whitefield, to get both doses of the vaccine. We felt bad as it is not fair to jump the queue and get the jab, but then, we were not getting slots on CoWIN. My wife works in a bank, and we have a two-year old child and aged parents living with us, which is why getting the vaccine was important, Varun said.
By Express News Service

BENGALURU: With the Delta and Delta plus variant cases becoming a worry, Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) Chief Commissioner Gaurav Gupta on Tuesday said it is not the right time for people to think of eating at restaurants or food joints.

He said citizens need to be cautious as these variants are highly transmissible. Just like last year malls were given permission to open, but not food courts, the same could be done this time also, he said while reacting to the meeting that members of the malls association had with the chief minister on Tuesday.

Just like wearing a seat belt and helmet is a must and is part of the traffic rules to be followed, now wearing a mask and following Covid-appropriate behaviour is a must while stepping out. Citizens should still refrain from having meals and fine dine outside for some more time, he said.

He added that a discussion will also be held with the police department for their support to check and test people at railway stations, bus stands and crowded places. Our teams are working and I will do random checks to ensure there are no problems, Gupta said.

Pertaining to the issue of rising cases in Mahadevapura zone, he said a micro-management plan is being prepared for containment zones, isolation and home visits. Talks are also being held with apartment complex associations asking them to keep a close vigil.
Omjasvin MD By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: The Irular tribe members struggle for owning a piece of land would not end any time soon, going by the official apathy entrenched in the system. From abject poverty and social exclusion, the tribals, however, continue to fight for that ever-elusive land patta.

60-year-old Raja belongs to Irular community and resides among 28 families in Venkatapuram, a tribal hamlet under Peruncheri Panchayat limits, and 15 kilometers away from Tiruvallur District headquarters. Like other Irular hamlets, one cant find proper houses, sanitation facility, electricity or gas connections in Venkatapuram. The hamlet also lacks access to any sort of education centres.

We have been living here for 40 years. But there are no proper houses and none of us have pattas for the land. All of us have community certificates and Aadhaar cards, but no land pattas, Raja says in a mix of Tamil and Telugu. The men from the community work at lands owned by dominant caste members in nearby villages, mostly as guards, and earn not more than a few hundred rupees daily, while the women mostly do domestic chores at houses in nearby villages. Their meagre pay hardly suffices to pay off their debt in nearby banks, which charge high rates of interest.

Chenchemma, who is in her 30s, says she had borrowed a loan for building a toilet under Swachh Bharat Mission and for building soak pits under the MGNREGA scheme. As per the scheme, the government has to provide us `12,500 for building toilets and `8,500 for the soak pits. But it has now been several years and we havent received any financial benefits under the Central schemes, says Chenchemma.

A few years ago, some officials came to our hamlet and forced us to begin construction of the toilets. They said that only if we build toilets, can we continue to live here. We had to take hefty loans from the banks and the officials told us that the Central assistance will come later. Even after many years, nothing has come. Now, we have keep paying dues to the landlords and the banks, she added.

Tiruvallur District Secretary of State Tribal Association R Tamilarasu says that there are 50 women residing in the hamlet. If there were self-help groups (SHGs) in the hamlet, the women would have got revolving funds and also loans from the NABARD. The government should immediately form SHGs here and include the tribal women in group activities. The benefits from SHGs will go a long way in supporting their lives, he said.

Open defecation, power woes

With all the toilets only partially or improperly built, the tribals continue to defecate in the open. They now use the toilets as storerooms. Another issue is the lack of electricity connections. Their surroundings resemble a forest, and with no lights they have grapple with snakes and scorpions at nights. We have all the identity documents but we wont be given electricity connections as we dont have land pattas, says Gangamma.

Lamenting over the water supply, another woman says, Sometimes, a tanker comes and provides us water. Other times, we have to go to a village two kilometres away to fetch water. Sudhakar, an advocate from Tiruvallur, has been helping the tribals to file petitions seeking pattas. The situation for them is excruciating. The nearest school from the hamlet is six kilometres away.

So, nobody goes to school, he said. Many teenage girls in the hamlet were found tending to their babies.

Narasimhan, a social activist and an advocate said, After we met the Revenue Division Officer and placed requests for pattas, they surveyed this land and termed it eligible for pattas. That was two years ago. Nothing has happened since.
KV Navya By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: 70-year-old Valarmathi (name changed) who is bedridden due to a Covid-related illness at the Government Omandurar Medical College Hospital, has been relieving herself in front of other patients and their attendants, including men, for the past week.

As the number of Covid cases has been reducing, the male and female units have been merged, both in the general Covid ward and the Covid ICU, patients said. The hospitals dean, Dr R Jayanthi, said male and female patients are lodged separately, but photos from patients suggest otherwise.

Only two screens are provided to cover the patient. So, at least one person can see the patient at all times. This is the case in both ICU and general Covid ward. This adds to the emotional trauma and suffering, said Valarmathis attendant.

Only two screens are provided to cover the patient, so at least one person can see

the patient at all times, said an attendant;

Besides, attendants are again being allowed in Covid wards though the government has prohibited this. Photos shared by patients in the Covid ward show attendants sitting on the beds along with patients.

Valarmathis attendant added that the body of a patient who died was only taken away one-and-a-half hours later.

P Ravi, whose father was admitted to the hospital, said the washrooms are seldom cleaned. There is an unbearable stench, and this adds to the patients suffering. When the patient beside my father died, my father started panicking as his body remained there. Though the doctors are doing a great job, the facilities are poor.

Another patient, on condition of anonymity, said the oxygen concentrators were not working. They had to check three or four concentrators before finding one that works. But even them the flowmeter knob was not working. Before the number of cases rises again, the government should repair the equipment, he said.

The dean said she would assess and address the situation.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Five cases of cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection, causing rectal bleeding in patients who had earlier tested positive for Covid-19, have been reported at Sir Ganga Ram Hospital in Delhi.

The hospital in a statement on Tuesday claimed this is the first report from India of cases of cytomegalovirus (CMV) related rectal bleeding in Covid-19 immunocompetent patients.

According to the hospital, the affected patients complained of blood in stool, pain or intestinal obstruction. One of them died because of severe Covid infection and massive bleeding, while another patient required surgery.

During the second wave of the pandemic in April-May, we have seen five cases of CMV infection in otherwise immunocompetent patients with Covid-19. These patients presented themselves with pain in the abdomen and blood in stool. The symptoms were reported around 20 to 30 days after Covid-19 diagnosis, said Prof Anil Arora, chairman, Institute of Liver Gastroenterology and Pancreaticobiliary Sciences, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

Out of five patients in the age group ranging 30-70 years, four had lower gastrointestinal bleeding; that is blood in stool, and another patient complained of intestinal obstruction.

Two of them had massive bleeding, one requiring emergency surgery.

The other patient succumbed due to massive bleeding and severe chest disease. Other three patients were successfully treated with antiviral therapy.

Dr Sunila Jain, senior consultant pathologist from the facility, added that cytomegalovirus colitis was confirmed by PCR testing for CMV and tissue biopsy.

In case of infection, early diagnosis and effective antiviral therapy can save lives, said Dr Praveen Sharma, senior consultant, Gastroenterology Department, Sir Ganga Ram Hospital.

These patients reported at the facility 20-30 days after the diagnosis of Covid, doctors at the hospital said.

Until now, it affected only the immunocompromised patients, post-transplant, cancer, AIDS etc.

According to Professor Anil Arora, chairman, Institute of Liver Gastroenterology and Pancreaticobiliary Sciences at the hospital, "During the second wave of the pandemic, in April-May, we have seen five cases of the CMV infection in otherwise immunocompetent patients with COVID-19.

" These patients presented with pain in abdomen and bleeding during stool discharge.

None of them had other predisposing immunosuppressed states accounting for this viral infection, he said.

The Covid infection itself and the medicines used for its treatment (like steroids) do suppress the immunity of patients and make them susceptible for uncommon infections with varied presentations, the hospital said in a statement.

"One such opportunistic infection is from CMV Cytomegaloirus and it exists in 80 to 90 per cent of the Indian population in asymptomatic form as our immunity is strong enough to make it clinically asymptomatic.

Clinical presentation with symptoms secondary to CMV is usually seen in patients whose immunity is compromised," it said.

But in these five cases, all patients presented with a "low lymphocyte count (6-10 per cent as against a normal of 20-40 per cent)", indicating Covid-induced suppression of immunity predisposing them to symptomatic reactivation of the CMV infection, doctors said.

These patients in the age group of 30-70 are from Delhi-NCR and four of them had presented with a lower gastrointestinal bleed, which is bleeding in stools, and one of them presented with intestinal obstruction, the statement said.

"Two of them had massive bleeding, one requiring an emergency life-saving surgery in the form of the removal of the right side of the colon, while one of them succumbed due to massive bleeding and severe COVID-19 chest disease," the hospital said.

The three other patients were successfully treated with antiviral therapy with ganciclovir, Arora said.

"Cytomegalovirus colitis was confirmed by PCR testing for CMV viremia and tissue biopsy from the large intestine, which showed intranuclear inclusion bodies which was further confirmed to be due to the CMV infection by the specific immunohistochemistry stains," said Dr Sunila Jain, a senior consultant pathologist at the hospital.

In such cases, a high index of suspicion and timely intervention in the form of an early diagnosis and effective antiviral therapy can save many a precious lives, opined Dr Praveen Sharma, senior consultant at the hospital's gastroenterology department.

Meanwhile, the Moolchand hospital said in a statement that new cases and the flaring up of old anal fissure and piles in many COVID-19 patients or those in the recovery phase have been reported in the last few months.

A post-Covid patient, a 55-year-old man, had come as an OPD patient to the surgical department of the hospital with a four-day history of bleeding in the rectum, along with painful defecation for the last 12 days, the hospital authorities said.

The patient said he had been drinking four-five glasses of "kadah" a day for the last three months, doctors said.

He was treated surgically and discharged in 24 hours.

Subsequently, his symptoms were found to have completely disappeared, the statement said.

According to Dr Sachin Ambekar, consultant, department of laparoscopic and minimal access surgery at the hospital, "Since March, I have regularly been seeing three to five OPD patients a day coming with symptoms of anal fissures and piles. On probing, patients have been found to be following home remedy treatments sent on WhatsApp groups."

They have apparently been overdosing themselves with vitamin D, vitamin C as also herbal and "kadah" preparations and which have, in the long term, flared up the symptoms of an existing fissure or piles.

Moreover, even new cases of acute anal fissures have been observed, he said.

Ambekar said "overzealous use of 'kadah', a herbal home-made concoction, is a leading cause of piles and anal fissures in COVID-19 and post-COVID-19 patients".

These hot concoctions over a period of time dry up the mucous lining or membrane of the stomach and intestines, causing severe constipation and thus, leading to anal fissures.

Earlier, anal fissure with piles were termed as lifestyle diseases.

In the present scenario, it is a "self-styled disease" caused due to the stress and fear of contracting COVID-19, the doctor said.

Ambekar has "surgically treated roughly 350 patients of anal fissure and piles related to post COVID-19 home remedy therapies" since March, the hospital claimed, adding that many of them required surgical intervention like laser therapy, MIPH, while some were managed conservatively.

(With PTI Inputs)

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) is a common virus
By PTI

MUMBAI: At least 727 policemen of various ranks from sub-inspector to senior inspector, who have completed eight years of service in Mumbai, are likely to be shifted to other districts, an official said on Wednesday.

However, all these personnel will not be shifted out of Mumbai at the same time, he said.

The Mumbai police on Monday issued a notice with a list of such personnel, including 89 senior police inspectors, 253 inspectors, 375 assistant police inspectors and 10 sub-inspectors, he said.

In the notice, Joint Commissioner of Police (Administration) Rajkumar Vhatkar instructed the listed officers, posted in various units of the city police force, to submit three places of their choice for the new posting.

The list will be sent to the Director General of Police's (DGP) office.

"Not all officers will be shifted in one go, as there can be some extra-ordinary considerations, like medical grounds or an officer nearing retirement," the official said.

In such cases, the officer concerned can be exempted from transfer after a review by the establishment board, he said.

The Mumbai police recently transferred 85 officers to other units, including 65 officers from the crime branch, he added.
Amrutha Kosuru By

Express News Service

VISAKHAPATNAM: The livelihoods of many farmers across Andhra Pradesh are affected due to a lack of real-time weather updates- this simple idea urged Sai Praneeth, popularly known as AP Weatherman to provide real-time weather forecasts for all districts in Andhra Pradesh.

The 24-year-old software engineers social media presence has helped several rural and urban people as well. Praneeth provides daily and weekly weather forecasts. Most of his followers on YouTube and Facebook, in particular, comprises farmers.

Praneeth also provides information via a call to some farmer associations from Rayalaseema, East Godavari region.

One day I saw some Telugu channels reporting that there will no rain, while some reported that it will rain. Many farmers were supposedly confused. It did rain and many crops were damaged, he said. He explained that the primary aim of AP Weatherman is to prevent the loss of livelihood for farmers due to climate change.

Praneeth carefully analyses and breaks down the data in simpler terms so that it helps farmers.

He explained that while there are several websites run by the government and private organizations, making it difficult to comprehend the data provided by many. Furthermore, there various websites for each district. I study all the data and compile it, he said. He often finds himself making explanatory forecast videos using digital maps etc with micro messages in both Telugu and English

I spend more time on AP Weatherman work than on my job, he says.

AP Weatherman is the pandemic brainchild of Praneeth, it began in August 2020. At work, Praneeth learned the coding languages- Java and Python. Using this, he has written an automated code that helps him gather relevant weather data from various sites and which he compiles and posts on social media handles.

I work a 10-5 job, work from home. I wake up and upload a weather update video on YouTube first thing in the morning, he says.

Praneeth currently resides in Tirupati. Throughout the rest of the day, whenever he gets a break from work, he turns to Twitter and Facebook to provide timely updates.

Praneeth is a self-learned weather blogger. His curiosity is deep-rooted to times when he was in school and was curious about the nature of the clouds. Since

then, he has taught himself about various climate sciences and phenomena by reading books and news. Not only does he provide daily and weekly weather updated but by using concepts like numeric weather modelling, Praneeth analyses how the weather will be in the upcoming days/weeks.

I enjoy blogging and making weather forecast videos. The best part is when some farmers reach out to me and tell me how the information, I have helped them

make informed decisions given the climate change, he says. The work that he has done- has been appreciated and recorded in the UN Habitat Journal which was published in June 2021. It is my biggest achievement. I want to keep doing this for as long as possible- and help farmers and anyone in general, he says.

What began with 10 followers initially, AP Weatherman now has around 6k subscribers of YouTube, 23K subscribers on Facebook, and 6K followers of Twitter.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Indias apex drug regulator has turned down a proposal by Serum Institute of India to test the Covid-19 vaccine Covovax on children, saying it needs to evaluate safety and immunogenicity data from the ongoing bridging trial in adults.

Covovox is the Indian version of the vaccine by the US-based Novavax, which had shown an efficacy of over 90% in Phase III clinical trials, the company claimed in a statement last month. It is yet to be approved by the US FDA.

The SII had applied to the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation earlier this week, seeking permission for conducting a trial of Covovax on 920 children, 460 each in the 12-17 and 2-11 age groups, across 10 sites.

The Pune-based vaccine maker had said last month that it hopes to start clinical trials of this on children by July and introduce the vaccine for adults in India by September. This vaccine is being tested for safety and immunogenicity in nearly 1600 adults in the country. The firm has already started producing its first batches ahead of its commercial launch in India.

The timeline to conduct the trial on children, however, may be pushed back with the latest development. Incidentally, senior authorities in the government were also keen for this trial to begin in children. As you know, they (Serum Institute) are conducting a bridging trial already, which is in advanced stages of completion...

We hope they will complete the trial on schedule, and also hope they will start, in good time, trials in children, V K Paul, member (health) of Niti Ayog and chairman of the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for Covid-19.

He had added that it was time to start the trial in the paediatric population without delay. In the country, Covaxin by Bharat Biotech has so far been the only vaccine allowed to be tested on children and adolescents aged 2-17, while the coronavirus vaccine by Zydus Cadila has already carried out safety and immunogenicity studies on a hundred 12-17-year-olds.

ALSO WATCH:
By Express News Service

BHOPAL: Two ruling BJP leaders were arrested on Wednesday for allegedly driving a government official to suicide in the Khargone district of Madhya Pradesh.

Dhannalal Khatwase and Dulichand Banke were arrested by police for abetting the suicide of 56-year-old Rajesh Baheti, who was posted as chief executive officer (CEO) Bhikhangaon Janpad Panchayat. The duo has been booked u/s 306 and 34 IPC, Khargone SP Shailendra Singh Chouhan said.

While Khatwase is Bhikhangaon Janpad Panchayat chairperson's Rekha Bai's husband, Dulichand Banke is the vice-chairman of the same Janpad Panchayat.

Baheti was found hanging to death at his official residence on Sunday. The police had recovered a suicide note purportedly written by the CEO before his suicidal death.

Subsequent police probe based on the contents of the suicide note and statements of two panchayat inspectors and the deceased CEO's son revealed that Baheti was often humiliated by Khatwase and Banke at the Bhikhangaon Janpad Panchayat meetings.

The duo also forced Baheti to work against government rules and compelled him to render commission in funds meant for carrying out government work in areas coming under Bhikhangaon Janpad Panchayat.

Investigations have also revealed that the duo also harassed the government official posted as CEO Bhikhangaon Janpad Panchayat prior to Baheti's posting on the same administrative post.

The state Congress media in charge and ex-minister Jeetu Patwari said in Bhopal that the arrest of the two BJP leaders in Khargone district has once again exposed the involvement of the ruling party leaders in corruption and crime in MP.

On the other hand, Khargone district BJP media in-charge Prakash Bhavsar said that senior leaders of the party have been informed about the arrest of two leaders and the party will suitably act against them.

Meanwhile, Congress MLA from Bhikangaon seat Jhuma Solanki submitted a memorandum to the Khargone SP, demanding a fair probe and action in the case.


By PTI

BALLIA: BJP's Bairia MLA Surendra Singh, known for making controversial remarks, called AIMIM supremo Asaduddin Owaisi a "political terrorist" and accused him of trying to instigate and break the society.

Referring to the post-poll violence in West Bengal, the BJP MLA said President's rule may be imposed in the state.

Talking to reporters on the sidelines of a programme in UP's Bairia on Tuesday, Singh said the All India Majlis-e-Ittehadul Muslimeen (AIMIM) leader will have faith in India's secularism till Hindus are in majority.

'Owaisi is a political terrorist. It is his intention to instigate and break the society,' Singh said.

The BJP MLA further said West Bengal was "going the Jammu and Kashmir way" and the central government was monitoring the situation there.

It is possible that President's rule may be imposed in West Bengal, he said.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Rs 6.29-lakh crore relief package announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to support the pandemic-hit economy. This was informed by Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar after the Cabinet meeting.

As part of the package to support the COVID-19 pandemic-hit economy, Sitharaman had on Monday announced Rs 1.5 lakh crore of additional credit for small and medium businesses, more funds for the healthcare sector, loans to tourism agencies and guides, and waiver of visa fee for foreign tourists.

Together with previously announced Rs 93,869-crore spending on providing free foodgrains to the poor till November and additional Rs 14,775 crore fertiliser subsidy, the stimulus package, which is mostly made up of government guarantee to banks and microfinance institutions for loans they extend to COVID-19-hit sectors, totalled up to Rs 6.29 lakh crore.

The finance minister provided Rs 23,220 crore of additional funding to set up children and paediatric care at hospitals to prepare healthcare infrastructure to deal with any emergency arising due to COVID-19 wave hitting children.

Further, to incentivise job creation, the government committed to paying the employer and employee's share to provident fund (PF) for all new recruitments done till March 2022. Previously, the government paid Rs 902 crore for 21.42 lakh beneficiaries of 79,577 establishments.

With the tourism sector being hit hard by the pandemic, the minister had announced a financial support to over 11,000 registered tourists, guides, travel and tourism stakeholders, in addition to free one-month tourist visa to first five lakh tourists.

Other announcements included an additional Rs 19,041 crore to provide broadband internet cover to all village panchayats, an extension of tenure of a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for large-scale electronics manufacturing by a year and Rs 88,000 crore of insurance cover for goods exporters.

The central government has announced the support measures as states start lifting restrictions after new coronavirus infections showed a decline.

Two annoucements made by Sitharaman regarding the additional subsidy of Rs 14,775 crore for DAP & P&K fertilizers, and extension of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) - free food grains from May to November 2021, were previously approved by the Cabinet.
Ejaz Kaiser By

Express News Service

RAIPUR: Chhattisgarh chief minister Bhupesh Baghel and health minister have been at odds over the state government's move to promote private healthcare in rural areas.

On June 26, Baghel decided to offer grant to the specialist health professionals to set up their proiate nursing homes to offer health services in the villages of Chhattisgarh. He said that there are no provisions from the health department to encourage establishing of hospitals by private players they way industries can.

"There is a need to strengthen the health infrastructure and services with specialist doctors deployed in the rural belts of Chhattisgarh and the government will offer the grant for the same," the chief minister said while directing the industrial department to prepare an action plan within ten days.

The state health minister has expressed his objection to any such proposal. "Neither this plan was discussed with me nor am I in favour of this decision. When the state has inadequate financial resources, giving away funds to private sector that will further charge the poor for treatment is something beyond my comprehension," TS Singhdeo said.

The health minister demanded to know "which specialist doctor will be eager to work in far-flung districts like Sukma or Bijapur when they are unwilling to leave Raipur."

I fail to understand in what context such a decision was taken but I dont agree with it, he said .

The opposition BJP took a dig at the ruling Congress government following the contradiction emerging between the CM and the health minister. When there is no unanimous system of governance in place then how could one expect the health sector to grow in Chhattisgarh, asked Raman Singh, former chief minister.

Recently, the decision of the chief minister to reshuffle district in-charge ministers caught the attention of many political observers who felt the move had evidently cut down the status of health, panchayat and rural development. Singhdeo who was initially in-charge of 12 Assembly constituencies is now left with only five.
Ejaz Kaiser By

Express News Service

RAIPUR: Even as the Congress is struggling to put its house in order in poll-bound states, differences between Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel and Health Minister T S Singhdeo in Chhattisgarh are growing and this is creating piquant situations.

The Covid-19 vaccine beneficiaries in Janjgir-Champa district were recently handed over vaccination certificates that not only carried the photos of Baghel and Singhdeo but referred to both as CM. As the vaccination card went viral on social media, health department officials blamed it on the negligence of the block medical officer (BMO).

District collector Jitender Kumar Shukla said the officer had been shunted out. However, Anil Choudhary, BMO of Sakti block in the district, said, It is an error by the printing press. We have been instructed to discontinue distributing these erroneous vaccination cards and replace them.

While the incident could just be a faux pas and may have no links with the tension between the CM and his cabinet colleague, Baghels recent decision of promoting the role of private health sector in rural area has not gone down well with Singhdeo, who did not hide his displeasure.

On June 26, Baghel decided to offer grants to specialist health professionals who will set up private nursing homes in villages. A miffed Singhdeo said, Neither was such plan discussed with me nor am I in favour of the decision. At a time when the state has inadequate financial resources, giving funds to the private sector that will further charge the people for treatment is something beyond my comprehension.

Baghels recent reshuffle of district in-charge ministers was seen as a move to clip the wings of Singhdeo. He was in-charge of 12 Assembly constituencies but now has only five segments.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: As the European Union relaxes travel restrictions under its 'Green Pass' scheme, India has asked the members of the 27-nation grouping to individually consider allowing Indians who have taken Covishield and Covaxin vaccines and want to travel to Europe, sources said.

India has also conveyed to the EU member states that it will adopt a policy of reciprocity and exempt European nationals holding the 'Green Pass' from mandatory quarantine in the country provided its request to recognise Covishield and Covaxin vaccines is heeded to, they said.

The sources said India has requested the EU member nations to accept the vaccination certificate issued through the CoWIN portal.

The European Union's Digital COVID certificate or "Green Pass" will be rolled out on Thursday with an aim to facilitate free movement during the COVID-19 pandemic is to come into effect on Thursday.

ALSO READ | Confident of getting EMA's approval in a month for Covishield: Adar Poonawalla

Under this framework, persons who have taken vaccines authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) will be exempted from travel restrictions within the EU region.

The individual member states have the flexibility to also accept vaccines that have been authorised at the national level or those recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

"We have requested EU member states to individually consider extending similar exemption to those persons who have taken COVID-19 vaccines in India, that is Covishield and Covaxin, and accept the vaccination certificate issued through the CoWIN portal," said a source.

The sources said the genuineness of such vaccination certification can be authenticated on the CoWIN portal.

"We have also conveyed to EU member states that India will institute a reciprocal policy for recognition of the EU Digital Covid Certificate," the source said.

"Upon notification of Covishield and Covaxin for inclusion in the EU Digital Covid Certificate and recognition of Indian CoWIN vaccination certificates, Indian health authorities would reciprocally exempt the EU member state concerned for exemption from the mandatory quarantine of all those persons carrying EU digital COVID certificate," the source said.

There have been apprehensions in India that people who took Covishield and Covaxin jabs are unlikely to be eligible to travel to the European Union member states under its 'Green Pass' scheme.

The EU Digital COVID certificate or 'Green Pass' will be mandatory to travel to European countries and the document will serve as proof that a person is vaccinated against COVID-19.

An EU official on Tuesday said individual member states of the European Union will have the option to accept vaccines authorised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) like Covishield for obtaining the bloc's digital COVID certificate.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday took up the issue of inclusion of Covishield in the EU digital Covid certificate scheme during a meeting with Josep Borrell Fontelles, the High Representative of the European Union.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of a G20 meeting in Italy.

ALSO WATCH:
By ANI

HYDERABAD: Issuing clarification on COVAXIN pricing controversy in Brazil, Bharat Biotech on Tuesday said it followed a step-by-step regulatory approval process during the eight-month period, but the company has neither received any advance payments nor supplied any vaccines to Brazil's Ministry of Health (MOH) as of now.

"In the specific case of procurement of COVAXIN by MOH Brazil, since the first meetings with MOH Brazil during Nov 2020, until June 29, 2021, a step by step approach has been followed towards contracts, and regulatory approvals, during this eight-month-long process. Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) received on June 4. As of June 29, Bharat Biotech has not received any advance payments nor supplied any vaccines to MOH Brazil. Bharat Biotech has followed a similar approach towards contracts, regulatory approvals and supplies in several countries worldwide, where COVAXIN is being supplied successfully," the company statement said.

The Hyderabad-based company clarified that the pricing of COVAXIN has been clearly established between USD 15 to USD 20 per dose for supplies to governments outside India. "The pricing for Brazil has also been indicated at USD 15 per dose. Bharat Biotech has received advance payments from several other countries at the above price points, with supplies in process, pending approvals," it adds.

As per Bharat biotech, Precisa Medicamentos is a partner in Brazil, providing assistance, guidance and support with regulatory submissions, licensure, distribution, insurance, the conduct of phase III clinical trials, among other things and the Hyderabad-based vaccine maker follows a similar partnership model in all countries, where its vaccines are supplied, as it does not have its own offices in these countries.

The company also revealed that they are conducting a 5,000 subject phase III clinical trial in Brazil, which was recently approved by ANVISA. The trial will be conducted by the Albert Einstein Institute. "Bharat Biotech and Precisa Medicamentos are conducting a 5000 subject phase III clinical trial in Brazil, which was recently approved by ANVISA. The trial will be conducted by the Albert Einstein Institute," the statement reads.

However, as per the company, COVAXIN has now received Emergency Use Authorizations in 16 countries including, Brazil, India, the Philippines, Iran, Mexico, among others and the company is in process of getting EUAs in 50 other countries worldwide.

"Bharat Biotech is in discussions with WHO to obtain Emergency Use Listing for COVAXIN. The product has been exported to several countries, with additional requests for supplies being received," the company said.

Amid a probe into accusations of irregularities against President Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil's health minister has announced that the country will suspend a USD 324 million contract to buy 20 million doses of Bharat Biotech's Covaxin.

Addressing a press conference on Tuesday with Health Minister Marcelo Queiroga, the head of the Federal Comptroller General (CGU) Wagner Rosario, said that the agency will investigate the process of purchasing the vaccine.

"We suspended the deal as a simple preventive measure, since there are complaints that could not be explained well by the complainant, so we opened a preliminary investigation last week," said Rosario, as quoted by CNN Brasil. "We have put in a reinforced team for the verification. We hope to be very quick in this process, and we hope that in no more than 10 days we will already have an answer for this analysis,"; he added.

Brazil's Health minister Queiroga said his ministry is going to carry out an administrative investigation to verify all aspects of the issue that are being raised. "As soon as we have more concrete data, we will communicate," said Queiroga.

The contract for the acquisition of the Covaxin vaccine was signed by the two sides in February for the import of 20 million doses of vaccine by Bharat Biotech.
By Express News Service

GUWAHATI: Concerned over an alarming rise in infection among children, the Assam government has advised Covid-19 positive parents to opt for institutional quarantine instead of home quarantine to keep children protected against the deadly virus.

From April 1 to June 26 this year, total number of Covid-infected persons in the state was 2,80,504. This included 34,606 children up to the age of 18 years. Further analysis showed that 5,755 of these children were less than five and 28,851 between 6-18 years.

Official sources said during this period, the state recorded 34 deaths among children. Many of them had comorbidities like congenital diseases (heart, kidney, rare malformations etc), especially those less than five years.

According to reliable sources, during the ongoing Assam Community Surveillance Program Phase 3, many children staying with Covid positive parents or guardians, who had opted for home isolation, subsequently tested positive. They said the health department is strictly following guidelines issued by the Centre on pediatric Covid management and has taken steps to address and manage the infection among the vulnerable age groups.

Establishment of Covid pediatric ICUs at all medical colleges and district hospitals are at an advanced stage. Over 5,000 healthcare workers, including doctors, nurses and paramedical staff, have been trained and are dealing with patients so that we can save maximum lives. A total of 108 ambulances have also been trained to transport infected children with appropriate care, sources said.

Meanwhile, 12 Covid-19 patients passed away at Gauhati Medical College and Hospital in the last 24 hours. Nine were admitted to the ICU. Hospital authorities said the oxygen saturation level of these patients was very low at the time of admission and their condition was critical. None of them had been vaccinated for Covid either.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting of the council of ministers on Wednesday. The Prime Minister, along with senior ministers and the BJPs national president J P Nadda, have held a number of meetings recently to review the performance of several ministries.

While the meeting will take place amid the build-up of speculation of likely expansion and reshuffle of the council of ministers, the Prime Minister is likely to ask the ministers to step up their efforts in the Covid-19 vaccination drive, including dealing with rumours and misgivings about taking the vaccines.

It will be a virtual meeting, sources said, adding that the government is also bracing for the upcoming Monsoon session of Parliament, which is likely to be held for a month, beginning third week of July.

While the meeting of the council of ministers will be held in the evening, the Cabinet will also meet on Wednesday morning. Sources said that the government being preoccupied with measures to deal with the Covid-19 pandemic, there could be sharing of the current status and the future roadmap with the ministers so as to allow them to effectively deal with the perception management in their respective areas of influence.

The BJP chief had also hosted a few senior Union ministers on Saturday at the party headquarters, with focus being the government to deliver on certain challenges so that the party could brace for the Assembly elections coming up next year.
Sumi Sukanya dutta By

Express News Service

NEW DELHI: Dependency on imported consignments and mandatory quality testing of every batch in India has pushed back the commercial availability of the Russian Covid-19 vaccine Sputnik V, over six weeks after it was soft launched here.

Recently, Indias apex drug regulator waived the requirement of conducting bridging clinical trials and mandatory testing of every batch of Covid vaccine by the Central Drugs Laboratory, Kasauli, for foreign-made vaccines to ease their entry in the country.

However, the relaxed norms apply only to vaccines approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, European Medicines Agency, Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, UK, Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices Agency, Japan, or which are listed in WHO Emergency Use Listing.

Sputnik V does not make the cut as it is yet to be recognised by the WHO and every imported batch of the vaccine needs to go quality testing in the country, which may take a week.

The vaccine has been imported in India by the Hyderabad-based Dr Reddys which has sole distribution rights for the first 250 million doses, as per its agreement with Russian sovereign fund RDIF. Liquid form of this vaccine, which has shown efficacy of over 90% in preventing Covid-19, has to be stored at -18 degree Celcius, which makes it logistically challenging. The freeze-dried form of Sputnik V, can be kept at 2-8 degrees.

After the vaccine arrived in India on May 1, its first dose was administered in a private hospital in Hyderabad on May 14 and has since reached 21 more cities in limited quantities where a few hundred doses have been administered in select private hospitals.

By the end of this final leg of the pilot phase, the company is aiming to reach 28 cities after two of the companys consignments comprising nearly 3 lakh doses reached India but the third lot  slated to arrive by June-end  is delayed.

A Dr Reddys spokesperson said the pilot phase has allowed it to test the cold storage arrangements of -18 degree C in these cities, CoWIN integration, track-and-trace and other logistical arrangements ahead of the commercial launch.

Adequate numbers of cold chain units are being deployed, and the last mile cold chain arrangement is being validated at every partner hospital to ensure seamless storage and handling of the vaccine. The company, however, conceded there has been a slight postponement in the timeline of the commercial launch.
Harpreet Bajwa By

Express News Service

CHANDIGARH: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday said the protesting farmers should not remain adamant on the repeal of the new central agriculture laws, adding that making it a precondition for talks with the government does not serve any purpose. He said that farmers who are also called annadata of the country certainly hold a prominent place in society. But the word farmer has been tarnished due to a few unfortunate incidents.

The Haryana CM also claimed that only a handful of people were opposing the farm laws and that common farmers are happy. Those spearheading the agitation are in reality not farmers. Real farmers have no objection with the farm laws, they are happy, he said. Khattar further alleged that those opposing the three farm laws are only doing so because of political reasons.

Farmer is a pure word but some sad incidents have happened during this movement, due to which, this word is getting maligned. The alleged sexual abuse of a woman from West Bengal at the Tikri border last month has prompted people to raise questions, he said.

Khattar also referred to the alleged targeting of the BJP-JJP leaders in the state over the farm laws. We are exercising restraint. And what are they (those spearheading the stir) saying is that the ministers, MLAs, CM, deputy CM cant go to attend public functions. After all, it is the responsibility of those running the government, to go among the people and listen to them, Khattar said.

Matter of grave concern

The Haryana chief minister also said that many tragic incidents, from sexual assaults to murders to blocking of roads, being reported from the farmers protest sites are a matter of grave concern
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Calling for accountability of big social media companies, Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday said Twitter invoked a US copyright act to block his account but it should also be cognisant of the law in India where it is operating and earning money.

Speaking at the India Global Forum, the minister said Twitter last week blocked his account for an hour on a complaint made four years ago under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act of the US.

"If you are going to invoke the digital copyright act of America then you have to also be cognisant of the copyright rules of India. That is the point.

ALSO READ | Parliamentary panel seeks Twitter's reply on locking accounts of Prasad, Tharoor within two days

"You cannot say my whole stand will be regulated by an ex-parte assessment of the US law. For a happy blending of the role of big tech and democracy, a solution has to be found," Prasad said.

He said social media companies are free to do business in India but they have to be accountable to the Indian Constitution and laws.

Micro-blogging platform Twitter has been at loggerheads with the government over various issues, including during the farmers' protest in January and later when it tagged political posts of several leaders of the ruling party BJP as "manipulated media", drawing a sharp rebuke from the Centre.

Twitter has still not complied with the new IT rules for social media companies.

The rules mandate social media companies to establish a grievance redressal mechanism for resolving complaints from the users or victims.

All significant social media companies, with over 50 lakh user base, will have to appoint a chief compliance officer, a nodal contact person and a grievance officer.

All of them have to be resident in India.

Prasad further said the issue of social media in India is around abuse of the rights of victims on those platforms and the companies' accountability.

"If democracy has to survive misinformation, fake news, colluded material. All these are challenges. I am not in favour of censoring but democracies have to find a common ground as far as these issues are concerned so that these big tech companies do their business, earn good money, good profit but become accountable. This can only happen if you follow law of the land," Prasad said.
By PTI

NEW DELHI: Judiciary cannot be controlled, directly or indirectly, by the legislature or the executive, or else the 'rule of law' would become illusory, Chief Justice of India N V Ramana asserted on Wednesday and at the same time cautioned judges against being swayed by social media.

"The new media tools that have an enormous amplifying ability are incapable of distinguishing between right and wrong, good and bad and the real and fake."

Therefore, media trials cannot be a guiding factor in deciding cases," the CJI said, adding it is also imperative to start a discourse as to how social media trends can affect the institutions.

CJI Ramana made the observations while delivering the '17th Justice P.D. Desai Memorial Lecture'.

"For the judiciary to apply checks on governmental power and action, it has to have complete freedom.

The judiciary cannot be controlled, directly or indirectly, by the legislature or the executive, or else the rule of law would become illusory.

"At the same time, judges should not be swayed by the emotional pitch of public opinion either, which is getting amplified through social media platforms," the CJI said.

He added that the judges have to be mindful of the fact that the noise thus amplified is not necessarily reflective of what is right.

"It is therefore extremely vital to function independently and withstand all external aids and pressures.

"While there is a lot discussion about the pressure from the executive, it is also imperative to start a discourse as to how social media trends can affect the institutions," he added.

Noting the "unprecedented crisis" being faced by the entire world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the CJI said, "We necessarily have to pause and ask ourselves as to what extent we have used the 'rule of law' to ensure protection to and welfare of all of our people."

"I began to feel that this pandemic might yet be a mere curtain-raiser to much larger crises in the decades to come. Surely we must at least begin the process of analysing what we did right and where we went wrong," he said.

The CJI added that in a democratic country like India, access to justice forms the bedrock of the "rule of law" and urged all to extend a helping hand to those in need.

"However, this guarantee of equal justice will be rendered meaningless if the vulnerable sections are unable to enjoy their rights because of their poverty or illiteracy or any other kind of weakness," he said.

He said that gender equality is very important and legal empowerment of women not only enables them to advocate for their rights and needs in society but also increases their visibility in the legal reform process and allows their participation in it.

"Bias and prejudice necessarily lead to injustice, particularly when it relates to the minorities," he added.

The CJI said that any law backed by a sovereign must be tempered by certain ideals or tenets of justice.

Only a State that is governed by such law, can be said to have the "Rule of Law".

"I would urge both young and senior counsel to extend a helping hand to those in need of justice. Let economy, gender, class or caste never be a hindrance in the path to secure justice," he said, emphasising the need to extend ease of access to justice.

"Only when the citizens believe that they have fair and equal access to justice, can we have sustainable, just, inclusive and peaceful societies.

"Citizens can strengthen the "Rule of Law" by being knowledgeable about it and by applying it to their daily conduct and pushing for justice when needed," he said.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The NITI Aayog called for strengthening not-for-profit hospitals, with measures like 100% income tax exemption for donations, fast release of dues from government schemes, grants, and allowing them to utilize primary health care (PHC) infrastructure to take health care to the rural parts of the country.

In a study report released on Tuesday, the Niti Aayog found theres a growing disparity between hospitalisation cases between for-profit and not-for-profit hospitals. Not for profit hospitals are run by charitable or faith based institutions, which charge patients to the extent of meeting their expenses, which the Niti Aayog report stated are kept under strict control by even scavenging the medical equipment.

The not-for-profit hospitals currently account for only a miniscule share of hospitalization cases. The burden of healthcare provision shifts to private hospitals, which generally offer healthcare at a higher cost to the patient. For-profit hospitals account for 23.3% of treated ailments and not-for-profit hospitals account for only 1.1 per cent of treated ailments as of June 2018, it stated, e noting that public hospitals offering healthcare at negligible cost are overstretched.

It also stated that in terms of hospitalization cases the for-profit hospitals account for 55.3 per cent of in-patients, while the not-for-profit hospitals account for only 2.7% of in-patients in the country. The think tank added that the not-for-profit hospitals are largely concentrated in western, southern and the Northeast India.
By Express News Service

BHOPAL: While the country is yet to start vaccinating children below 18 against Covid-19, a 13-year-old in Madhya Pradesh has already been vaccinated on paper. Not as a teenager, but as a 56-year-old man!

This glaring error was detected on June 21, the day the BJP-ruled state claimed to have set a record of 17 lakh-plus doses during the daylong vaccination Maha Abhiyan marking the International Yoga Day.

The recipient was Vedant Dangre of Bhopal. At 7.27 pm on June 21 I got a message on my phone saying that my teenaged son has been vaccinated. I was shocked because the country is yet to start vaccinating those below 18, Vedants father Rajat Dangre told this daily on Tuesday.

There was more surprise in store. The message read that my son was 56, said Rajat. He is particularly concerned about his son (who is specially-abled) since he is already being shown vaccinated officially.

That means he wont be able to get the benefit of two doses when vaccination for children starts. When I downloaded the certificate from the official link, it showed that the document of my sons bank account (opened a couple of months ago while applying for disabled person pension) was used in the vaccination certificate, says Rajat. He has tried to get this addressed at all places, from the ward office of Bhopal Municipal Corporation to health department staff, but this is yet to be corrected.

In another part of Bhopal, Nuzhat Salim, a 46-year-old, too got a message from the government at 10.57 am on June 21 informing her she had been vaccinated. Im concerned how Ill get both doses in future after Ive already been shown as vaccinated.

In Satna district, middle-aged educationist Chainendra Pandey, got not one, but four messages in five minutes on June 24, informing him about vaccination of three people whom he didnt even know. Madhya Pradeshs medical education minister Vishwas Sarang refused to acknowledge this. Nothing of the sort has happened, he maintained.
Harpreet Bajwa By

Express News Service

CHANDIGARH: With the assembly elections in Punjab a few months away, Delhi Chief Minister and Aam Aadmi Party national convenor Arvind Kejriwal on Tuesday promised to provide 300 units of free electricity to every household in the state with round-the-clock power supply if his party comes to power in the state next year.

In Delhi, the AAP government provides 200 units of free power per month. Kejriwal promised that the decision will be passed in the first cabinet meeting of the AAP government in Punjab.

When we fought the assembly elections for the first time in Delhi in 2013, people used to get absurd electricity bills. The government was colluding with electricity companies, just like Punjab. Today, theres 24*7 electricity supply in Delhi at a very low rate. We have to do this in Punjab also, he said.

Kejriwal said that 80 per cent of families will benefit from the decision as they will have to pay zero bills.

Kewjriwal also announced to waive off pending domestic electricity bills and work towards providing uninterrupted supply in the state.

It will take three years for us to upgrade the infrastructure and then we will be able to provide uninterrupted power supply, he said.

Kejriwal said that all the existing beneficiary categories which were getting 200 free units like SCs, BCs, BPL families, freedom fighters etc, will now get 300 free units.

Despite being a power surplus state, the electricity tariffs in Punjab are the highest in India, he said, adding that it is because there was a nexus between the private power plants and those in power who from time to time had looted the people of Punjab.

AAP state president Bhagwant Mann said that the biggest pain for the people of Punjab today was expensive electricity, for which the AAP had been raising its voice. Reacting to the announcements, the SAD hiromani Akali Dal claimed that far from giving any relief to the common man through subsidised power, the AAP would even do away with the 200 unit per month free power provided to the poor including SCs and backward classes. Punjab BJP President Ashwani Sharma said that Kejriwal is misguiding the people of Punjab as he has been unable to fulfil the promises made to the people of Delhi.
Fayaz Wani By

Express News Service

SRINAGAR: The Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which comprises political and religious leaders, civil society members and traders, will participate in the July 1 dialogue with Centre on two-point agenda restore Articles 370 and 35A or grant statehood with legislature to Ladakh Union Territory.

The KDA has been invited for talks by Minister of State for Home G K Reddy in New Delhi. We have received the invitation and 11 members of the KDA will be attending the meeting, KDA co-chairperson and former MLA Asgar Ali Karbalai told The New Indian Express.

We will demand restoration of Articles 370 and 35A. In case they say the matter is sub judice as the abrogation of J&Ks special status has been challenged in Supreme Court, we will demand granting of full statehood with the legislature to Ladakh.

Karbalai said the alliance would be demanding statehood on the pattern of Sikkim. Sikkim was given statehood with a legislature in 1975. At that time, its population was 2.50 lakh while we have more than 3 lakh, he said. In terms of size also, Ladakh, with over 80,000 sq kms of area, is bigger than Sikkim which has about 7,000 sq km area.

Besides, we are more strategically located. On one side, we have Pakistan and on the other side China. Since Ladakh is more strategically located, it should be given full statehood with a legislature to make its own laws, the KDA leader said.

Asked if they would also seek constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, Karbalai said, If statehood with a legislature is granted, then we can make laws to reserve jobs for locals and protect land rights of the local population. We can make laws to protect our culture and environment.

The Kargil leaders talks with the Centre comes days after the July 24 All-Party Meeting convened by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, where the Centre came up with a roadmap forJ&K  delimitation, elections and then restoration of statehood.

Delimitation panel to meet today



The delimitation commission tasked with redrawing parliamentary and assembly constituencies in J&K is likely to hold an internal meeting on Wednesday to finalise its plans on consultations with political parties soon. The commission was appointed in February last year.
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: The Supreme Court on Wednesday rejected the Centres contention that it cannot pay ex-gratia to Covid-19 victims and directed the government to frame guidelines specifying the relief amount within six weeks. The court held that the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) failed to perform its duty by not recommending minimum standards of relief to be provided to the families of those who had died of Covid-19.

A two-judge bench of justices Ashok Bhushan and M R Shah directed the NDMA to frame guidelines for ex-gratia but left the amount to the discretion of the national authority. The bench refused to accede to the request of the petitioner to provide Rs 4 lakh as ex-gratia compensation, saying it was beyond judicial review.

ALSO READ | Private hospitals can't directly procure Covid vaccines, need to place orders on CoWIN: Centre

The impact and effect of the present pandemic/disaster would be different from the other disasters/natural disasters for which ex-gratia assistance is provided. There shall not be any justification to provide for the same/similar amount by way of ex-gratia assistance as provided in the case of other disasters/natural disaster, i.e., Rs 4 lacs, the court held.

It also directed the authorities concerned to issue simplified guidelines for issuance of death certificates/official documents stating the exact cause of death, that is Death due to Covid-19 for enabling dependents to get benefits of welfare schemes. There will be also facility for correcting the cause of death if the family is not satisfied, the court added.

Section 12 of the Disaster Management Act, which deals with minimum standards of relief to the affected persons, says it shall include ex-gratia assistance on account of loss of life. The Centre sought to interpret the word shall as may, but the court read it as mandatory since Covid is already a notified disaster.

Cant afford Rs 4 lakh, said Centre

The Centre had stated that states would not be able to afford ex-gratia of Rs 4 lakh as their finances are under severe strain due to low tax revenues and increase in Covid healthcare expenses

ALSO WATCH:
By Express News Service

NEW DELHI: A delegation of Sikh leaders met Minister of State (Home) G Kishan Reddy on Tuesday to discuss the alleged forced conversion and wedding of Sikh women in Jammu and Kashmir. The delegation comprising BJP spokesperson and former BJP MLA from Delhis Rajinder Nagar RP Singh, Jago Party president Manjit Singh GK and others submitted a memorandum seeking a strong anti-conversion law.

After meeting the Sikh leaders, Reddy said: Forced conversion and wedding of Sikh girls in Kashmir is wrong and the delegation has submitted a memorandum. I will discuss this with the Union Home Minister regarding the action that needs to be taken.

The meeting took place less than 24 hours after members of the Sikh community staged protests in parts of Jammu and Kashmir. The Delhi Sikh Gurdwara Management Committee (DSGMC) also took part in the demonstrations. President of DSGMC, Manjinder Singh Sirsa said a delegation is likely to take up the matter with Union Home Minister Amit Shah soon.

Earlier, Shah had also assured to meet these leaders to discuss the issue of religious conversion and possible action against those found guilty. The Sikh leaders said they had faith in Prime Minister Narendra Modi as he had been working towards normalisation in Jammu and Kashmir.

On Monday, a massive protest was staged at J&K House in New Delhi. Shiromani Akali Dal leader and president of DSGMC, Sirsa met J&K LG Manoj Sinha on Monday to discuss the matter. Sirsa handed over a memorandum, demanding a minority commission in Jammu and Kashmir and implementation of the inter-religious marriage act.

District Commissioner Pandurang Pole, IGP (Kashmir) Vijay Kumar and SSP (Srinagar) Sandeep Chaudhary attended the meeting.
By PTI

JAMMU: A soldier was injured in an exchange of fire with suspected terrorists near the Line of Control (LoC) in Rajouri district of Jammu and Kashmir, officials said on Wednesday.

The incident took place during the course of a search operation in village Dadal during the intervening night of Tuesday and Wednesday, the officials said.

They said a search operation was launched in the village and adjoining areas near the LoC on Tuesday evening following information about suspicious movement of some armed persons.

The group was tracked and an exchange of fire took place, resulting in minor injuries to a soldier, the officials said, adding reinforcements have been rushed and an operation is on to neutralise the terrorists.

ALSO WATCH:
V Suryanarayan By

The magnificent victory of the DMK and the assumption of office by MK Stalin as the Chief Minister marks a turning point in Tamil Nadu politics. The election campaign and assurances given in the manifesto have raised hopes of the people in the state for a clean, corruption-free and efficient government and establishment of an egalitarian social and economic order. The ambition of the father of our nation was to remove the tears from every eye. It may be beyond our reach, but as long as there are tears, our work would not be complete.

In particular, the government should pay attention to the tragic plight of the nearly 1,00,000 refugees, both living in camps and outside. They have been living between fear that they would have to go back to Sri Lanka with an uncertain future and the hope that they would be conferred Indian citizenship and given a chance to get assimilated with the local people.

The DMK manifesto has succinctly spelt out two interrelated issues of the refugee predicament. On the question of voluntary repatriation of refugees, the manifesto has pointed out that the Government of India should make arrangements and extend all support to those who wish to return to Sri Lanka. Voluntary repatriation could be sped up if shipping service is immediately resumed between Rameshwaram and Talaimannar. The refugees could be allowed to take back, without duty, all that they have acquired over the years, such as almirahs, gas stoves, bicycles, motorcycles and three wheelers. At present, repatriation takes place through air and naturally there is a limit to what the refugees could carry back to Sri Lanka.

Repatriation is taking place at a snails pace. According to UNHCR sources, between 2002 and 2020, 17,718 refugees have been repatriated. According to the Policy Note 2019-20, between 2014 and March 2019, only 4,017 refugees have gone back to Sri Lanka.

Secondly, the state and Central government should impress upon Sri Lanka to confer special privileges on repatriates. It may be recalled that New Delhi conferred on displaced persons from Pakistan, for a period of 50 years, free land for the construction of houses, government loans, free medical aid, scholarships for education and reservation in government jobs. Unfortunately there is no such demand in Sri Lanka. Even the Tamil National Alliance is silent on the issue.

On the second issue, the grant of Indian citizenship, the manifesto highlights the necessity to grant citizenship to Sri Lankan Tamils, Indian-origin Tamils (hill country Tamils) and their descendants who are in India as refugees for more than 30 years. For the first time, a distinction has been made between Sri Lankan Tamils and Indian-origin Tamils. All Sri Lankan Tamils are Sri Lankan citizens, and, if they want to acquire Indian citizenship, would have to renounce Sri Lankan citizenship. As far as Indian-origin Tamils are concerned, many of them are stateless. It may, however, be pointed out that the Sri Lankan government had enacted a legislation in 2003 by which all Indian Tamilsstateless as well as the residue of the Sirimavo-Shastri Pactcould acquire Sri Lankan citizenship. My interactions with the refugees, spread over many years, have made me realise that the overwhelming majority would like to acquire Indian citizenship. This is especially true of the younger generation who are born in India.

The question of grant of Indian citizenship has to be analysed in the backdrop of the welcome changes introduced by the Narendra Modi Government in refugee policy. Indias refugee policy, during the earlier period, was based on three premises that Jawaharlal Nehru spelt out in the Lok Sabha in 1959 with reference to Tibetan refugees: 1) Indias hope to maintain cordial relations with China; 2) protection of the territorial integrity and security of India and 3) Indias deep sympathy for the people of Tibet. The BJP had always been concerned about the plight of Hindus and Sikhs, who had been persecuted by the Islamic states of Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh and had sought asylum in India. The result is the Citizenship Amendment Act that was enacted in 2019.

There are two obstacles in the way of Sri Lankan refugees acquiring Indian citizenship. The first is a circular issued by the Government of India to the Government of Tamil Nadu in 1983 that Sri Lankan refugees are not entitled for Indian citizenship. We should immediately demand that this circular be withdrawn so that the refugees could apply for Indian citizenship by naturalisation. The second is on the legal status of the refugees. Answering a question in the Rajya Sabha a couple of years ago, the home ministry clarified that their status is that of illegal immigrants. And, according to Union Home Minister Amit Shah, An illegal migrant is not eligible to acquire citizenship by registration or naturalization. We should demand that Tamil refugees be treated on par with the refugees who have sought asylum in India from Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh.

Why is New Delhi discriminating against Tamil refugees? Home Minister Amit Shah declared that Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh are theocracies, whereas Sri Lanka is not one. Is systematic discrimination and ethnic violence in Sri Lanka different from that suffered by the Hindu and Sikh minorities in Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh? Though constitutionally, Sri Lanka is not a theocracy, the Constitution stipulates that it is the duty of the state to protect and foster Buddhist religion. According to Hindu organisations, nearly 200 Hindu temples have been desecrated by Buddhist goons since the dawn of independence. It was the burning alive of a Brahmin priest in Panadura, among other things, that made LTTE founder Prabhakaran take up arms against the government. Arson, murder, loot and rape, whether committed by a Muslim or a Buddhist, remain the same. A criminal does not become a saint if he is a Sinhala Buddhist.

In a landmark judgment delivered on 17 June 2019, Justice G R Swaminathan of the Madurai Division of the Madras High Court instructed the Indian government to consider the applications for citizenship submitted by Indian-origin Tamil refugees living in the Kottapattu camp. Two years have elapsed, but the Kumbakarnas in the home ministry have not woken up. This is an appropriate time for the TN government to appeal to the Supreme Court for the issue of a writ of Mandamus to compel the home ministry to implement the recommendations of Justice Swaminathan.

I had the good fortune to interact with the Malaiha Tamil refugees in the Kottapattu camp on several occasions. They live, as I stated earlier, between fear and hope. We in Tamil Nadu can understand their predicament only if we realise that we can all become refugees. As Benjamin Zephaniah, the refugee poet, has written: We can all be refugees, nobody is safe. / All it takes is a mad leader or no rain to / bring forth food. We can all be refugees. / We can all be told to go. We can be hated / by someone for being someone.

V Suryanarayan

Founding Director (Retd), Centre for South & Southeast Asian Studies, University of Madras

(suryageeth@gmail.com)


By Express News Service

BENGALURU: In the wake of the emergence of the Delta-plus variant cases in Maharashtra, the Karnataka Government has initiated special surveillance measures and made it mandatory for travellers entering the state to produce either an RT-PCR negative report, or a Covid vaccination certificate.A notification issued on Tuesday stated that a negative RT-PCR certificate, not older than 72 hours, or a vaccination certificate of at least one vaccine dose must be produced by all travellers coming to Karnataka by flight, bus, train, taxi, personal transport, etc.

It will be the responsibility of airlines to issue boarding passes to only those who meet the above requirements, and the railway authorities will be responsible for ensuring that all train passengers carry the necessary documents with them. And for those passengers travelling by bus, the bus conductor should ensure that they possess the valid certificates, the notification said.

Deputy Commissioners of the districts bordering Maharashtra, like Belagavi, Bidar, Vijayapura and Kalaburgi, have been instructed to make arrangements to deploy necessary staff at check-posts to ensure that all the vehicles entering the state are checked for compliance of this requirement.However, an exemption has been provided for constitutional functionaries, health workers and children below the age of two years.

In case of emergency situations, like death in a family and medical requirement, passengers can be allowed even without these documents, but their swab samples should be collected along with details of identity and address. Necessary action will be taken as per protocol depending upon the test results. The notification warns that violation of the conditions will attract action as per the Karnataka Epidemic Diseases Act, Disaster Management Act and Indian Penal Code.
By Express News Service

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Unleashing a scathing attack on the CPM and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, the Congress president in Kerala K Sudhakaran alleged that the Customs department had served a notice to Pinarayi Vijayan in connection with the gold smuggling case involving Swapna Suresh and M Sivasankar. He also cast serious aspersions against Pinarayi citing that he is the role model of smugglers. Talking to reporters at Indira Bhavan, Sudhakaran also alleged that the UAE Consul General had met Pinarayi violating protocol.

Sudhakaran had called the press meet primarily to highlight the discrepancies in the Covid-19 death rates released by the state government and to demand the postponement of university exams. But while taking questions related to the latest Karipur gold smuggling attempt by Kannur youths who owe allegiance to the DYFI, Sudhakaran unleashed a tirade against the CPM leadership. Sudhakaran alleged that the CPM leadership is scared of people like Kodi Suni and Akash Thillengeri.

"The DYFI pleaded with Akash Thillengeri when he challenged the CPM leadership. These youths are aware of several stinking truths. The irony is that there is no point in ousting them from the CPM as they are leading an opulent life in Kannur central jail. Why did the UAE Consul General meet the Chief Minister? If Pinarayi commits the same mistake, why should his followers be blamed," asked Sudhakaran.

Rallying behind students who had come out in large numbers demanding that the state government postpone their university exams during the pandemic, Sudhakaran said that it should be postponed on humanitarian grounds. Sudhakaran alleged that the LDF government is behaving like an autocrat paying no heed to the woes of students, their parents and teachers alike.

The state government is groping in the dark in providing the Covid-19 vaccine. Are exams more important than the lives of students? The efforts of the government to combat the pandemic are not reasonable. It is high time they decide to postpone the university exams, added Sudhakaran.

Recalling the death of his elder brother due to Covid-19, Sudhakaran highlighted how it has not been included in the statistics in the Covid death toll. He urged the LDF government to come out with updated death toll rates caused due to the pandemic.
Toby Antony By

Express News Service

KOCHI: Confusion and anxiety prevailed at the cargo complex of the Thiruvananthapuram airport in the first week of July last year when a customs team intercepted suspicious baggage sent through the diplomatic channel from Dubai. The scene is not much different even after a year.

While the initial confusion was over the worsening of diplomatic relations between two friendly nations had the officials dared to check the baggage, now the customs are too perplexed to find a logical conclusion to the high-profile case that had rocked the state.

As many as nine cases were registered by the five central agencies and two state agencies that have been probing various angles related to the seizure of 30.245 kg of gold from the baggage addressed to a UAE diplomat at the Thiruvananthapuram consulate. However, nobody still knows who had sent the gold and who the end receiver was.

ALSO READ | Kerala gold smuggling case: A timeline

It was in the early hours of July 1 that the baggage containing gold from Dubai was withheld by the customs at the cargo complex. On record, it was a parcel sent by a Thrissur native, Faizal Fareed, from Dubai containing an invoice of Al Zatar Spices Sharjah addressed to UAE Consulate Admin Attache Rashed Khamis Alimusaiqri AI Ashmei.

The customs refused to clear the baggage and wrote to the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) seeking permission to open it the same day. MEA wrote to the UAE Embassy for a no-objection certificate to open the baggage on July 2 and July 3, for which the permission was granted on July 4. On July 5, the baggage was opened and moulded gold in various forms were recovered in the presence of Rashed. The subsequent investigation revealed that as many as 167 kg of gold was brought in through the same channel on 21 occasions.

Soon, central agencies like NIA, RAW, ED and Income Tax joined the probe with the customs. State agencies -- vigilance and crime branch -- also started to probe angles dictated by the state government. In the run up to the assembly polls, the LDF government announced a Judicial Commission led by Justice V K Mohan to probe whether the central agencies had tried to frame Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan and other ministers in the case.

What had made the case a national headline was the alleged involvement of the chief minister's office. After the arrest of Swapna Suresh and Sandeep Nair, NIA submitted in the court that CMO has links to the case. The ED and the customs maintained that stand.

Later, when the ED and the customs arrested former principal secretary M Sivasankar for aiding the accused persons, the NIA went silent on his role. Even the chargesheet filed in the NIA court in Kochi did not mention the participation of Sivasankar or anyone from the CMO. But a complaint (similar to the chargesheet) filed by the ED claims Sivasankar was part of the conspiracy. Former Higher Education Minister KT Jaleel and former Speaker P Sreeramakrishnan, who were questioned by multiple central agencies, were not implicated in the case.

Advocate Niresh Mathew, who represents six accused persons in the case, said that the findings by the NIA, customs and the ED contradict each other. "Even the statements of witnesses and accused persons collected by these agencies are different. While the NIA gives a clean chit to the UAE diplomats, the

customs issued a show-cause notice to them. When the customs and the ED claim Sivasankar as a key conspirator, the NIA has no case against Sivasankar and he is not even a witness for the agency. The ED claims customs officials were contacted by the accused and Sivasankar to release the baggage. The same is denied by the customs," he said.

The question of why the customs dared to stop the parcel, even after knowing that diplomatic baggage has protection, was answered recently in the show-cause notice given to 53 persons associated with the case. "The supporting documents enclosed with the Bill of Entry were found to be not in accordance with the prescribed under stipulated format. Since there was a specific input, the consignment was withheld. Then necessary permission from the Ministry of External Affairs was obtained for verifying the veracity of the documents and to examine the cargo," stated the show-cause notice.

A senior official with the ED said that intelligence input led to the seizure of gold. "The mastermind of the smuggling, KT Rameez, had been approaching various investors in Kozhikode and Malappuram to invest money with him for gold smuggling. He had explained to the investors about using the diplomatic channel to safely bring in the gold. So many persons who are involved in the illegal gold business knew that such a route is operational and one of them might have leaked the information to the customs," the official said.

In her statement to the customs, Swapna revealed that she was contacted by the UAE diplomats after the consignment containing gold was withheld at the airport. The diplomats told her about an influential person who will handle the matter and help in coming out clean. However, no agency has been able to

unearth the identity of the influential person till now.

"The identity of such a person can only be revealed by the Consul General Jamal Hussain Al Zaab and Admin Attache Rashed. Both these diplomats have an active role in the gold smuggling incidents even though both of them are not present in India now," a customs official said.

A similar mystery continues about jewellers who received the smuggled gold and sold it in the market. The NIA arraigned 35 persons in the case. The customs has a case against 25 persons. The ED filed complaints against five including Sivasankar. Other than the gold seized at the Thiruvananthapuram airport, no other recovery has been made.

"We had raided a few jewellery shops in Kozhikode and Malappuram. But no trace of the smuggled gold were found. In all gold smuggling cases, tracing the end receiver is a difficult task. The smuggled gold is handled by different persons before hitting the market. Though there are norms to make the source of gold accountable, there are enough loopholes to overcome the norms," a customs official said.
By Express News Service

KOCHI: The Kerala High Court on Wednesday issued a directive to the police to conduct an investigation and file a report into the alleged abduction and conversion of a woman and her 13-year-old son in Malappuram. The court directed the police to produce the mother and son before the court within a week.

The petition was filed by PT Gilbert of Thenhipalam in Malappuram district seeking the release of his wife Shini and his son from the illegal detention of Therbiyathul Islam Sabha, Kozhikode, and others. The petitioner alleged that his wife and son have been induced and coerced by the Sabha and others against their will and were unlawfully detained.

ALSO READ: Congress leader Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan gets death threat, urges Kerala CM to hold probe

According to the petitioner, the conversion itself was illegal since it was not out of free will. The child is now kept away from the custody of the father and he is also being coerced to convert to Islam. Shini forwarded a message to his sons class group that he is performing namaz justifying his absence. The entire course of events prove that it was illegal conversion and illegal detention.

The petitioner added that the local police were not ready to investigate the case. They are not equipped to question the conspirators and to find out the truth especially as it involves forceful conversion to Islam. In the Kerala situation, even people who served as State Police Chief had to wait till their retirement to confess about IS sleeper cells and illegal conversion meant for recruitment to terrorist organisations, he said.

The petitioner also sought a directive from the state government to hand over the investigation in the case registered at the Thenhipalam police station to the CBI.
M A Rajeev Kumar By

Express News Service

KANNUR: P Shirly cannot believe that she is alive. The hazy, yet excruciating memories of the days she spent in the ICU of Kannur Government Medical College Hospital, Pariyaram, after testing positive for Covid have made her realise the seriousness of the situation that society is going through.

I never thought I would be able to survive and kiss my children again, said Shirly, 37, a nurse in the hospital's cardiology department. She always feared getting infected. For, she had been asked not to get vaccinated as she was a lactating mother. Her youngest son Ben Joe is only 10 months old. Most of us knew that despite taking all the precautions, we were still at risk of getting infected in the present circumstances, she said.

When she felt unwell on April 29, fear gripped Shirly as she became worried about her husband Shybu and three children. I finished my duty on the morning of April 30 and returned home after giving my swab sample for testing, said Shirly. She was declared positive on May 1. Subsequently, Shybu and their elder daughter Angel too tested positive. Though we started taking antibiotics and went into home isolation, my condition worsened as I was a lactating mother,  she recalled. When she started experiencing respiratory problems, the hospital asked her to get admitted.

It was found she also had pneumonia. I was admitted to the ICU on May 5, and the days that followed were tough. It was like a bad dream. I felt I was in another world. I was getting the first-hand experience of the difficulties faced by thousands of patients. The isolation added to my frustration, she said. Fortunately, the combined efforts of the doctors and other health workers paid off and after a week of struggle between life and death, I coul d breathe freely, said Shirly who was shifted from the ICU to the Covid ward on May 14.

She was discharged on May 16 after testing negative. Her family recovered too. Though her health condition has improved better, Shirly has not resumed work. She said vaccination is must to beat Covid. She also said there should be no hesitation in going to the hospital if fever persists for more than two days. She said: The earlier you get to a hospital, the better your chances of recovery are.
By Express News Service

CUTTACK: The Orissa High Court has set September 15 as deadline for the government to clear the air on the status of enforcement of the Orissa Prohibition Act, 1956. The State Legislature had passed the law with an intention to introduce and extend prohibition on manufacture, sale and consumption of intoxicating liquors and drugs in Odisha.

The President of India had given assent to the Act on January 19, 1957. But the Act is yet to be notified and enforced. It sought to repeal the Bihar and Orissa Excise Act, 1915. The division bench of Chief Justice S Muralidhar and Justice SK Panigrahi set the deadline after the government failed to give a clear reply to a PIL last week. Advocate Arun Kumar Budhia filed the PIL in 2013.

The petition was taken up on April 5, 2021 and the government had responded by only suggesting steps that have been taken to control the manufacture and sale of illicit liquor. When it was argued on the petitioners behalf that the petition is not only about manufacture and sale of illicit liquor, but all forms of liquor which stand prohibited under the Orissa Prohibition Act, Additional Government Advocate (AGA) DK Mohanty stated that he will take instructions. The Court on the AGAs request posted the matter to June 22. But when the petition came up, the AGA sought more time to file an affidavit.
By Express News Service

CHENNAI: C Sylendra Babu officially took charge as the Tamil Nadu Director General of Police (DGP) on Wednesday and exhorted police personnel to be humane towards the public.

After a formal ceremony organised at the DGP office on Dr Radhakrishnan Salai abutting the Marina beach, Babu termed his elevation to the top post as a "rare opportunity" and thanked Chief Minister MK Stalin for choosing him.

"Police personnel should treat the public with humanity and respect human rights. Necessary skills would be imparted to them in this regard," he told reporters, adding "our (department's) action will speak soon."

ALSO READ: Sylendra Babu appointed Tamil Nadus new DGP

The top cop, who preferred fist bumps over handshakes during the event, assured he would prioritise law and order maintenance and measures for crime prevention.

Besides promising to look into issues faced by police personnel, he also informed that petitions, received through the 'Ungal Thoguthiyil Muthalamaichar' (CM in your constituency) initiative and referred to the police department, would be investigated and a report would be submitted to the government in 30 days. The entire IPS top brass in the city turned up for the event, which also saw the outgoing DGP JK Tripathy receiving a ceremonial send-off.

Senior officers escorted Tripathy's car out of the DGP office premises by pulling a ceremonial rope tied to the vehicle. In the evening, the retired officer was given a farewell in Rajarathinam Stadium.

Hours after assuming office, Sylendra Babu also called on the Chief Minister at the Secretariat.
S Kumaresan By

Express News Service

CHENNAI: Local BJP cadre and right wing ideologues have been silent on the controversy that erupted after Puducherry Lieutenant Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan called it the Indian Union Territory of Puducherry while administering the oath of office to elected representatives last Sunday.

The same BJP loyalists were quick to slam the DMK for using the term Ondriya Arasu to address the Union Government instead of Mathiya Arasu, which means Central government. While the term was used to underscore the spirit of democratic federalism, right wing supporters including founder president of Puthiya Thamilagan Dr Krishnaswami thought it was a politically loaded statement.

BJP floor leader Nainar Nagenthran raised the issue in the Assembly while speaking on a motion of thanks to the Governors address. Responding to him, Chief Minister MK Stalin pointed out that the term (Ondriyam or Union) was indeed, mentioned in the Constitution. Stalin said the usage would continue. Days later, when Tamilisai uttered the Indian Union Territory of Puducherry, she set social media abuzz. DMK mouthpiece Murasoli mocked the State BJP leaders, for having been slapped by Tamilisai, who belongs to their own party.

BJP leaders from TN neither supported nor opposed her usage of Indian Union during the swearing-in ceremony, a DMK leader pointed out. They know whatever they say at this point would backfire. BJPs Narayanan Thirupathy clarified that his party was not against the usage of the word Union. Our point was that there is a wrong motive behind the usage of the word by DMK. The party is trying to turn Tamils against the Centre. Whatever the intention, the row has put TN BJP leaders on the defense again.

Puducherry Raj Nivas issued a clarification saying the term Ondriya Arasu (Union government) was never used while swearing in elected representatives. The Raj Nivas clarified that the oath of office was administered in Tamil without any change in the form of Tamil pledge traditionally used by the government of Puducherry. It was further clarified that as the ministers took oath in Tamil, it was mentioned as India Ondriya Puducherry Atchipparappu (Indian Union Territory of Puducherry). In this case, Ondriya was used to refer to the Union Territory of Puducherry, it said.

(With inputs from Debjani Dutta @ Puducherry)
V V Balakrishna By

Express News Service

HYDERABAD: Believe it or not, on an average three SC/ST persons are falling prey to atrocities daily, in the State. As per available data, the government paid Rs 81.46 crore compensation to 8,818 victims of atrocities from June, 2014 to till date. It shows that caste discrimination is still prevalent across the State. This is one of the reasons the TRS government has decided to take up social awareness programmes.

Besides giving Rs 10 lakh to SCs, the government is also contemplating ways to enhance the social status of SCs and STs. The recent all-party meeting, with the representatives of SCs and STs, held by Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao discussed the same, an official told Express.

According to the data provided at the all-party meeting, the government paid compensation to over 6,000 SCs and over 2,200 STs, who were victims of atrocities, in the last seven years. According to police sources, any case registered under charges of Prevention of Atrocities Against SC & STs, has to be immediately entrusted to an ACP or Dy SP concerned.

The investigation in the case has to be completed and chargesheet has to be filed in 60 days from the date of the FIR. But in most cases, it is delayed. The investigation involves collecting caste certificates of the victim and the accused parties, medical records if any and other related information. The documents take a long time, delaying investigations, sources said. Further, during the trial in the court, several victims turn hostile, resulting in the accused being acquitted. The conviction rate in these cases is only 10%, the sources added.
By Express News Service

HYDERABAD: Molnupiravir  an antiviral oral drug which is being touted as a candidate for treatment of mild cases of Covid-19 and which can be prescribed in OP settings has now gone into clinical trial mode in India. Five pharma companies  Cipla, Dr Reddys, Emcure, Sun Pharma and Torrent will be collaborating to conduct the same between June to September, 2021. The announcement was made on Tuesday that the five companies will collaborate for the clinical trial of the investigational Molnupiravir for the treatment of mild Covid-19 in an outpatient setting in India.

Earlier, Between March and April this year, these five pharma companies had individually entered into a nonexclusive voluntary licensing agreement wi th Merck Sharpe Dohme (MSD) to manufacture and supply Molnupiravir to India and over 100 low and middle-income countries. Now, the five pharma companies have entered into a collaboration agreement, wherein the parties will jointly sponsor, supervise and monitor the clinical trial.

Amongst the five, Dr Reddys will conduct the clinical trial using its product, and the other four pharma companies will be required to demonstrate equivalence of their product to the product used by Dr Reddys in its clinical trial. Following the clinical trial protocol approval given by the Drugs Controller General of India, the clinical trial will be conducted for the treatment of mild Covid-19. It is expected to take place between June and September this year across India with the recruitment of 1,200 patients.

Such collaboration for a clinical trial is a first of its kind within the Indian pharma industry, and will aim to investigate yet another line of treatment in the collective fight against the pandemic. On successful completion of the clinical trial, each company will independently approach the regulatory authorities for approval to manufacture and supply Molnupiravir for the treatment of Covid-19 in India. Molnupiravir can inhibit the replication of multiple RNA viruses including SARS - CoV-2.
By PTI

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Imran Khan on Wednesday appreciated the CPC's role in the "nurturing" of Pakistan-China friendship in a message of felicitation to Chinese President Xi Jinping on the occasion of the centenary of the Communist Party of China.

In his message, Khan highlighted that the founding of the CPC was a seminal event with a far-reaching impact on world history, the Foreign Office said in a statement here.

ALSO READ | Pakistan under pressure from US, Western powers over its ties with China: Imran Khan

Khan paid rich tribute to the CPC and its leadership while highlighting that China's liberation and its subsequent rise lay in sacrifices and endeavours of the Communist Party.

He hoped that under the dynamic leadership of President Xi, China would continue its march towards the 'Great Rejuvenation' of the Chinese Nation, the statement said.

"The prime minister also appreciated the CPC's role in the nurturing of the Pakistan-China friendship," it said.

Recalling that 2021 marks the 70th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Pakistan and China, Khan expressed optimism that friendship between the two nations would continue flourishing, as aspired by the leadership and peoples of both sides.
By PTI

LONDON: India, whose solar power efforts are an example to the world, has a vital role to play in the global search for nature-based and technology-driven solutions which are critical to accelerating the move towards a zero-carbon future, Britain's Prince Charles said on Wednesday.

The 72-year-old heir to the British throne and environmental campaigner, in a special address at the India Global Forum session on Climate Action, called upon Indian entrepreneurs and CEOs to join the Sustainable Markets India Council, launched to seek out sustainable investments to influence an acceleration towards climate action goals.

"With India's global reach and robust private sector, I believe there are some key ways we can work together to accelerate our efforts and build a more sustainable future. Firstly, we need to focus on accelerating the flow of private capital to support the transition," said Prince Charles.

"I know that renewable energy, particularly solar power, is rapidly gaining ground in India and is an excellent example to the rest of the world," he said.

The royal laid out the vision behind his Sustainable Markets Initiative, which he launched in January 2020, to get CEOs from almost every sector together with the express aim of identifying obstacles to progress and finding game-changing ways to accelerate the transition to a zero carbon future.

The efforts have identified "large financing gaps" around sustainable initiatives, in the areas of green energy, water, sanitation, transport and other critical infrastructure.

"In January this year, I launched the Terra Carta as the mandate of my Sustainable Markets Initiative and the basis of a recovery plan for nature, people and planet. At this historic tipping point, the Terra Carta offers a roadmap for acceleration towards a genuinely sustainable future, one that harnesses the power of nature combined with the transformative innovation and resources of the private sector, he said.

Prince Charles focussed specifically on the need for a clear set of "global farm metrics" to create sustainable supply chains.

"With agriculture being so critical to the Indian economy, there is a real opportunity to explore how such metrics could support the lives and livelihoods of farmers in India as well as wider supply chains and markets," he said.

"With India being a global centre of technology and innovation, combined with a deep connection to nature and harmony, you have an absolutely vital role to play in this effort. Particularly, in view of India's wealth of entrepreneurial talent," he said, adding that India would play an "essential part" as these efforts are further developed at the COP26 UN climate summit, to be hosted by the UK in Glasgow in November.

The Climate Action session of the India Global Forum, a two-day hybrid conference organised by UK-headquartered India Inc.

Group on Wednesday and Thursday, also included a discussion with Michael Bloomberg, former New York Mayor and Founder of Bloomberg Ltd. "I am a believer that the private sector is the one that can deliver climate action," said Bloomberg.

The India Global Forum, pegged around the theme of "Future.Now." Radical Actions for the Post Pandemic Era, will bring together a range of worldwide experts.

They include World Health Organisation (WHO) Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal and Women and Textiles Minister Smriti Irani across sessions covering India's role in vaccine and medicine manufacturing as well as cooperation in crucial areas of climate change and an equitable global economic recovery.
By PTI

COLOMBO: Sri Lanka's coronavirus death toll has crossed the 3000-mark after 45 new fatalities have been recorded across the country, the health ministry said here on Wednesday.

The country's cumulative infected numbers have risen to over 257,000 with recoveries of over 223,400 recorded by June 29, 2021.

From June 29, 2021, the Lankan health ministry has put into operation an arrangement where COVID-19 patients will be treated at home under the supervision of respective area medical officers of the ministry.

Patients both symptomatic and asymptomatic are selected for home treatment until they are referred to a hospital based on risk factors, their ability to stay at home, and the situation in the respective local areas, the ministry said.

'We will take into consideration if the area was under previous lockdowns and quarantine,' said Dr Asela Gunawardena, the Director-General of Health Services.

The doctors will be in constant contact with those patients waiting in their homes and only the required would be sent to hospitals for treatment, the ministry said.

The Lankan health ministry said nearly 2.7 million people have been administered the first dose of the vaccine, out of which nearly a million had received the second dose.

Along with India's gift of Covishield AstraZeneca doses, the island nation has imported its vaccines mainly from China, in addition to Russia's Sputnik V.

The government has placed an order for Pfizer while Moderna vaccine is expected to arrive under WHO's Covax facility, officials said.

Sri Lanka has decided to obtain a loan of USD 150 million from the Asian Development Bank to buy vaccines and boost refrigeration and transport facilities, a cabinet memorandum said.

The funds will be used to cover the cost of the vaccination, vaccine-related monitoring systems, refrigerated transport facility and improving clinical waste management.

A dedicated hotline has been opened for inquiries regarding home treatment.

This would facilitate better management of COVID-19 hospitals and 'intermediate treatment centres' while allowing medical staff to provide better care to patients suffering from severe disease, the ministry said.
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NEW BRITAIN  Connecticut utility regulators have, for the first time, established rules governing whether residential electric customers of The United Illuminating Co. and Eversource Energy will be eligible to receive credits and other compensation for spoiled food and medicine following weather-related emergencies.

The states Public Utilities Regulatory Authority issued its final ruling Wednesday in a case that has its roots in widespread and lengthy power outages in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Isaias in August 2020. The new rules go into effect Thursday; prior to the ruling, the utilities had their own standards for when customers would qualify for bill credits and other compensation following storms.

Under the newly approved rules, UI and Eversource customers who go without power for 96 consecutive hours may qualify to get a $25 bill credit for each 24-hour period beyond that. Customers experiencing outages of less than 24 hours beyond the 96-hour period get no credit, PURA officials said.

The decision also authorizes residential customers to receive $250 in compensation for medication and/or food spoiled or expired because of outages longer than 96 consecutive hours.

Customers must seek spoilage compensation through filed claims. Spoilage claims will be paid via check to the eligible residential customer, unless a bill credit is requested through the claims process.

In the event customers are eligible for either credit, PURAs decision requires the electric utilities to provide these credits within two months of the major storm or emergency.

A top level executive for Eversource said it will be extremely difficult for the electric distribution company to avoid having to make the bill credits and other forms of compensation if the state is hit by a storm as destructive as Isaias or worse this summer.

Weve testified in all of the hearings on this and we don't agree with it, Craig Hallestrom, Eversources president of regional electric operations for Connecticut and Massachusetts said Wednesday. You're not going to take a 9-day or 10-day storm event and turn it into a 4-day event, and we certainly dont want to give customers any unrealistic expectations.

Hallestrom said Eversource has an emergency plan for restoring power filed with the state and these new rules dont mesh with that.

One uncertainty about PURAs plan is when the 96-hour threshold starts, he said. Normally, utility companies dont send repair crews up utility poles to begin repairs until after sustained wind speeds drop below 40 mph.

Who decides when the clock starts ticking? Hallestrom said. It appears the clock starts when the weather clears. But who makes that determination?

Hallestrom said the company is reviewing the decision and evaluating our alternatives, when asked whether the PURA ruling would be appealed.

We are very concerned that PURAs decision imposes an unreasonable time limit on our restoration work and creates concerns for many levels of our storm response, including public safety, he said.

PURAs ruling when the 96-hour period begins can be determined using information available from independent meteorological services, state or federal agencies, and the criteria used by the EDCs (electrical distribution companies) to determine when restoration or Make Safe work can safely commence.

PURAs ruling direct the electric utilities to use the following criteria:

The expiration of a NWS (National Weather Service) warning.

An official declaration issued by a state or federal agency, related to an emergency event.

(A determination) based on meteorological data, the point at which the EDC could safely deploy resources into the field, including damage assessors, to commence the restoration and recovery phase.

Officials with from the Washington, D.C., headquarters of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers told officials with the Occupational Safety and Health Administration that PURAs ruling is arbitrary and puts our members in harms way.

Power can not be safely restored in 96 hours when a major storm occurs, the letter sent to James Frederick, an assistant secretary with OSHA, said in part. OSHA is part of the U.S. Department of Labor.

luther.turmelle@hearstmediact.com
KILLINGLY  State police are investigating a deadly drowning that occurred Tuesday morning.

Around 11:36 a.m. state troopers out of Troop D in Danielson were called to Sawmill Road on a report of a drowning, said Trooper First Class Josue Dorelus, a state police spokesperson.

He said the victim was located and pronounced deceased on scene.

State police provided no further information, and have not identified the victim.

The road loops around a shoreside community on the banks of Alexander Lake, a body of water that covers some 215 acres with no public access.
BRIDGEPORT  The head of the Bridgeport police academy has been removed from his post and placed on administrative status.

Lt. Brian Dickerson was recently implicated in an investigation city officials last week said was launched into potential employee misconduct involving an officer connected to the federal corruption scandal that sent the former police chief and ex-personnel director to jail.

Dickerson was relieved of his duties at the academy Monday even as Mayor Joe Ganims administration prepares to train a new class of cadets. A recruitment drive launched in early April was accepting applications through June 4.

Multiple police sources confirmed that they received an email from Acting Police Chief Rebeca Garcia Monday afternoon stating Dickerson was being placed on administrative status, meaning his duties have been restricted but he can come to work. They said the email provided no other details except that Sgt. Angelo Collazo would be temporarily in charge of the academy.

Collazo has been an instructor at the academy since 2010.

Larry Dorman, spokesman for the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees, which includes Bridgeports officers union, in a statement Tuesday said, Lt. Dickerson has been placed on administrative status. As with any case of this nature, we will not make any public comment while there is an investigation.

Garcia and Ganims office did not return calls and emails for comment.

The city deferred its internal investigation of potential employee misconduct while federal authorities were conducting a criminal investigation, Rowena White, Ganims communications director, told Hearst Connecticut Media in a statement last week. This is an accepted and appropriate course of action that was intended to avoid any interference with the federal inquiry. A qualified, independent investigator has since been appointed to investigate the matter.

Although she did not name the subject of that probe, White was responding to Hearsts request for comment regarding allegations recently leveled by the Greater Bridgeport NAACP involving Dickerson.

The NAACP recently issued a public statement questioning why rookie Black police officer, Kaitlyn Edwards, was terminated. Edwards, who had just graduated from the academy and was on probation, was recently fired by Garcia for losing her badge and police identification while attending a party where two men were shot to death.

The NAACP compared Edwards situation to that of Dickerson, who is white and has been allowed to remain on the job despite allegedly playing an active part in the cheating scandal that landed former Police Chief Armando Perez and former personnel director David Dunn in prison.

Perez, who was the successful finalist of the 2018 national police chief search, and Dunn recently began prison sentences after pleading guilty to collaborating to rig the competition so that Perez would receive a five-year contract.

The 25-page federal complaint against Perez and Dunn from their arrests last Sept. 10 states that Perez asked Officer-1 and Officer-2 to help him with the application process for police chief by helping to draft his resume and cover letter, as well as preparing his written responses for the chief exam. Neither officer was named in the affidavit and no one other than Perez and Dunn has been charged with any wrongdoing relating to the search. However, multiple sources in the Police Department have identified Officer 2 as Dickerson, and so did the NAACP in its statement.

The groups statement said the NAACP is deeply concerned about recent biased personnel actions taken by Bridgeport Police Department (BPD) leadership and the unbalanced weight that has been assigned to its actions  the short-sighted termination of a young female officer of color  and a-blind eye turned to a white male officers egregious acts...

Dickerson declined comment when recently asked by Hearst Connecticut if he is Officer 2. Dickerson used to run the departments Office of Internal Affairs, which investigates officers. He was transferred by Perez to the academy in early 2019 to, the former chief said at that time, have less stressful responsibilities.

At his request, he was removed and has been reassigned, Perez had said. He did a great job and it was not an easy job because he held peoples livelihoods in his hands.

Garcia, who appointed Dickerson as head of the police academy, has also declined to comment on whether he is Officer 2.
A search for shooters is underway in North Carolina after a 9-year-old girl was killed and two boys wounded Monday evening in two drive-by shootings that unfolded minutes and blocks apart, the Statesville Police Department said.

"If you saw the murder of this innocent child and injuries to the other innocent children, you must help in solving these cases," police said.

The youngsters, including 7- and 10-year-old boys, are the latest victims in a surge of gun violence and murder gripping American cities. Children also have been among dozens killed or injured by gunfire nationwide over recent weekends.

The children were not the intended targets of the shootings in Statesville, police said they believe. It wasn't immediately clear if the incidents were connected.

Witnesses at the first shooting site said they saw someone firing from what might have been a white Mercedes, police said in a news release. Witnesses at the second site said they saw someone shooting from what might have been a white Honda Accord.

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Officers in Statesville responded around 7 p.m. to reports of a shooting and "located two children outside of the residence who suffered gunshot wounds," the release states. The girl died, while the 7-year-old boy was treated for his injuries.

While working that crime scene, officers heard gunshots a couple blocks away, the release states. At that second site, they found the 10-year-old boy with a nonfatal gunshot wound, the release states.

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Mary Schenk is a reporter covering police, courts and breaking news at The News-Gazette. Her email is mschenk@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@schenk).
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Debra Pressey is a reporter covering health care at The News-Gazette. Her email is dpressey@news-gazette.com, and you can follow her on Twitter (@DLPressey).
COVID-19

More than 50 percent of Lake County's total population has completed coronavirus vaccine shots
This bill is ultimately not about improving access to voting or election security, but about restricting the freedom to vote, the governor said in a statement.
A new corona test developed at the University Hospital Bonn can analyze a large number of swabs simultaneously using sequencing technology and has a similarly high sensitivity as the common qPCR test. The innovative method offers great potential, especially for systematic testing in daycare centers, schools or companies. Today, the results of the study on the new Corona test have been published in the renowned journal "Nature Biotechnology".

In addition to vaccination, systematic testing of the population remains of central importance in order to effectively monitor and contain the spread of infections during the Coronavirus pandemic. Only in this way can the spread of the virus be effectively monitored and contained through targeted measures.

The innovative corona test "LAMP-Seq", which has been developed at the University Hospital Bonn (UKB), offers the possibility to test many people regularly for the SARS-CoV-2 virus. In this way, infections can be detected at an early stage and corresponding chains of infection can be interrupted quickly. "Our corona test "LAMP-Seq" can detect about 100 times lower amounts of virus than current rapid antigen tests and is almost as sensitive and specific as the common qPCR test" describes Prof. Dr. Jonathan Schmid-Burgk from the Institute of Clinical Chemistry and Clinical Pharmacology of the UKB the characteristics of the test procedure, which was developed interdisciplinary with other researchers at the UKB.

"Added to this is the high scalability of the test. By using sequencing machines, thousands of samples can be analyzed simultaneously," said Schmid-Burgk, who was appointed to the University of Bonn from the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard in early 2020. The LAMP-Seq method detects not only corona infections with the original SARS-CoV-2 virus, but also the novel variants of concern alpha to delta.

Members of the ImmunoSensation2 cluster of excellence, the Institute of Hygiene and Public Health, Life&Brain GmbH and Bundeswehr Central Hospital Koblenz were among those involved in the project.

For the "LAMP-Seq" test, the Bonn scientists have adapted the already established LAMP method ("Loop-mediated Isothermal Amplification" - propagation of the viral genome at a constant temperature) and made it compatible with sequencing machines used for biomedical research. As a result, many samples can be analyzed simultaneously in a high-throughput procedure. Before thousands of samples are analyzed together in a sequencing run, each individual sample is linked to a molecular barcode. This barcode ensures that each sample can be assigned without doubt, even after thousands of samples have been pooled.

Retesting of the entire pool in case of a positive test result is therefore no longer necessary." Dr. Kerstin Ludwig, Emmy-Noether Group Leader, Institute of Human Genetics

This technology significantly reduces the cost per test in comparison to the qPCR test and makes the "LAMP-Seq" procedure a scalable corona mass test.

"With its high throughput and sensitivity, the "LAMP-Seq" test can make a significant contribution to the screening of undetected infections. Especially in schools or companies, where many people regularly meet, the corona test is ideal to systematically and preventively monitor the occurrence of infections" describes Ludwig, the co-developer of the test procedure, the possible application scenarios of the "LAMP-Seq" test.

Prof. Wolfgang Holzgreve, Medical Director and CEO of the UKB, explains the benefits of the new test for corona surveillance as follows: "In order to effectively contain a pandemic, infected people must be found before they infect others. To achieve this goal, we need mass screenings with the highest sensitivity that can give us a detailed picture of existing chains of infection. This is exactly what the corona test "LAMP-Seq" developed at UKB is suited for."

Even smaller models of the sequencing machines used are capable of analyzing around 10,000 samples in a single run (duration: around ten to twelve hours). This virtually eliminates laboratory capacity as a limiting factor in testing.

In several large studies (including school and employee testing) with a total of around 20,000 tests, the Bonn scientists have extensively tested, optimized and successfully validated the entire upstream and downstream logistics, from sample collection by throat swabs to fully digital feedback of the test results. The documentation of the study results recently passed an independent peer review process and was published today in the renowned journal Nature Biotechnology.

While the Bonn scientists have currently focused their innovative method entirely on SARS-CoV-2 testing, "LAMP-Seq" can also be used in the future for differential diagnostics in testing for other viruses such as influenza A and can also be quickly adapted to other viruses.

The scientists are currently working on CE certification in order to make the "LAMP-Seq" test available internationally in the near future. Until this approval is obtained, the technically and scientifically fully validated "LAMP-Seq" method will continue to be used for pilot testing.

The scientific team received financial support from the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research BMBF within the framework of the "Bundesweites Forschungsnetz Angewandte Surveillance und Testung" (B-FAST).
National Centralized Repository for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (NCRAD) grant has been renewed for another five years with funding expected to total $30 million from the National Institute on Aging (NIA), within the National Institutes of the Health (NIH). NCRAD is led by Tatiana Foroud, PhD, Executive Associate Dean for Research Affairs at IU School of Medicine. Since 2018, NCRAD has been among the five largest grants awarded to IU School of Medicine.

National Centralized Repository for Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias serves as the primary resource for samples for all NIA-funded dementia studies. In the next five years, our recruitment efforts will focus on engaging diverse communities to obtain a broad range of samples from individuals that represent the diversity of populations that make up our nation and our world." Tatiana Foroud, Chair for the department of medical and molecular genetics at IU School of Medicine

NCRAD supports research about causes, early detection, and therapeutic development for Alzheimer's and other dementias. The repository is home to more than a million biological samples, including DNA, plasma, brain tissue and cell lines. These samples assist scientists in conducting a variety of Alzheimer's and dementia research, such as the development of blood-based biomarker tests, which are less expensive and invasive than other methods for early detection of dementias, such as PET scans and testing of cerebrospinal fluid.

Since its inception in 1990, NCRAD has distributed more than 300,000 samples to researchers all over the world, leading to more than 600 publications in scientific journals. Scientists have banked samples for dozens of studies with NCRAD, which also keeps samples of healthy controls. With the latest expansion in 2018, the NCRAD program changed its name to include "Related Dementias" to reflect the broad scope of research activities it supports, added staff members, and centralized the samples in larger, newly renovated facilities in Indianapolis.

NCRAD is one of a range of research resources NIA has funded as part of its ambitious goal of developing effective prevention strategies and treatments for Alzheimer's and related dementias by 2025. The burden of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in the United States is projected to grow to 13.9 million individuals in 2060, which represents nearly 3.3% of the population.

"It has been incredible to see NCRAD grow over the last several years, even through the COVID-19 pandemic," said Foroud, who also leads the IU Precision Health Initiative Grand Challenge. The Precision Health Initiative is Indiana University's first funded Grand Challenge, which has bold goals to prevent Alzheimer's disease by analyzing genetic, developmental, behavioral, and environmental factors that shape an individual's health. "We're proud to work with researchers all around the world to further the effort to help prevent and treat this dreaded disease."
The LSL60101 compound, a specific ligand of the I2-IR receptors in the brain, could shed light on the development of future strategies against Alzheimer's disease. This is stated in the recent studies by the Research Group on Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology of Neurodegenerative Diseases of the University of Barcelona, published in the journals European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry and British Journal Pharmacology. In studies carried out with mice, LSL60101 has improved the cognitive deficit and the biomarkers related to the disease in these animal models.

These studies result from the collaboration of the research teams led by professors Carmen Escolano, from the Faculty of Pharmacy and Food Sciences and the Institute of Biomedicine of the UB (IBUB), and Merce Pallas, from the same Faculty and the Institute of Neurosciences (UBNeuro). Framed within a program in the CaixaImpulse program, the studies are also signed by the UB researchers Christian Grinan Ferre, Foteinin Vasilopoulou, Sergio Rodriguez Arevalo and Andrea Bagan. Among the participants are teams of the Autonomous University of Barcelona, the University of the Balearic Islands, the University of Santiago de Compostela, the University of the Basque Country, CIBERSAM, Rega Institute for Medical Research (Belgium), the University of Belgrade (Servia), and others.

I2 imidazoline receptors as targets in the fight against Alzheimers

Alzheimer's is a neurodegenerative disease without a cure yet. Despite the efforts made by the international scientific community, many initiatives in medical chemistry to find future drugs to treat have failed and it is postulated that this situation could be explained by the selection of unsuitable therapeutic targets. Therefore, it is decisive to tackle the fight against Alzheimer's from perspectives that help to shape new therapeutic targets from the side of the innovation in biomedical research.

The paper published in the European Journal of Medicinal Chemistry describes the synthesis of a new family of compounds with high affinity and selectivity for I2 imidazoline receptors, altered in the brain of patients with Alzheimer's. The synthesis pathway of compounds, which is efficient and affordable, would allow to apply different structural modifications to access a notable range of compounds of pharmaceutical interest.

The new family of I2-IR receptor ligands is formed by compounds with different structural features. In particular, the interaction of a representative compound --LSL60101 or garsevil-- with the I2 imidazoline receptors improves the cognitive deficit in murine models with neurodegeneration and Alzheimer's. This compound, described for the first time in the scientific literature in 1995 as a specific I2-IR receptor ligand, outstands for its properties in preclinical studies of pharmacokinetics, metabolism and toxicity, and presents a high affinity and selectivity regarding these receptors in the human brain.

Nowadays, the function of the I2-IR receptors under physiological conditions is unknown. However, researchers know these are altered in some neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's or Parkinson's. Moreover, the scientific bibliography features studies with ligands of these receptors as markers of the progress of Alzheimer's disease.

Apart from fighting the formation of amyloid-beta plaques or neurofibrillary tangles, acting on the neuroinflammation mechanisms could be a suitable therapeutic strategy to stop the progression of such a complex disease like Alzheimer's." Professor Carmen Escolano

LSL60101 versus donepezil: the future of a combined therapy

According to the article in British Journal Pharmacology, the effects of LSL60101 in laboratory animals prove to be mor beneficial than those from donepezil, one of the most commercialized drugs for Alzheimer's treatments.

In the murine models with Alzheimer's, "the new compound created changes in oxidative stress markers and in neuroinflammation makers, one of the main dysfunctions present in most of the neurodegenerative diseases. In particular, LSL60101 reduced the number of amyloid-beta plaques and the levels of this altered protein in the brain of the treated animals. Parallelly, it reduced the phosphorylation of the tau protein, another important biomarker in the progression of the diseases", says Professor Merce Pallas.

The results could be explained with the several action mechanisms of LSL60101 and donepezil. Donepezil increases the levels of acetylcholine --a neurotransmitter related to memory and cognitive skills-- because it inhibits the enzyme in charge of its degradation (acetylcholinesterase). Also, LSL60101 is described as a I2 imidazoline receptor ligand, which have increased in the brain of people with dementia. Everything points out to the fact that the interaction of this drug with its receptor is involved in the generation of proinflammatory molecules that would increase the ongoing neuroinflammation in the disease. Therefore, I2 ligands would contribute to reduce the inflammation and thus, would slow the progression of the disease.

Both compounds were efficient in the recovery of the cognitive damage, but one of the objectives of the research study was to find whether the combination could improve the success of the treatment. "The results show that the SL60101-donepezil combined therapy is more efficient in some biomarkers of the disease. Therefore, it is possible that, with the combination of the suitable dose, we could reach an additive or even synergic effect", note the researchers.

Conducting new researches in the study will be a decisive factor to focus on the relation between I2 imidazoline receptors and Alhzeimer's and other diseases, and to boost the design of new therapeutic strategies based on the use of new selective I2-IR ligands to modulate the altered receptors in neurodegenerative pathologies.
Researchers have identified a new treatment candidate that appears to not only halt neurodegenerative symptoms in mouse models of dementia and Alzheimer's disease, but also reverse the effects of the disorders.

The team, based at Tohoku University, published their results on June 8 in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences. The treatment candidate has been declared safe by Japan's governing board, and the researchers plan to begin clinical trials in humans in the next year.

There are currently no disease-modifying therapeutics for neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, Lewy body dementia, Huntington disease and frontotemporal dementia in the world. We discovered the novel, disease-modifying therapeutic candidate SAK3, which, in our studies, rescued neurons in most protein-misfolding, neurodegenerative diseases." Kohji Fukunaga, paper author, professor emeritus in Tohoku University's Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences

In a previous study, the team found that the SAK3 molecule - the base structure of which is found in the enhancement of T-type Ca2+ channel activity - appeared to help improve memory and learning in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease.

According to previous studies, SAK3 enhances the function of a cell membrane channel thereby promoting neuronal activity in the brain. Typically, SAK3 promotes neurotransmitter releases of acetylcholine and dopamine that are significantly reduced in Alzheimer's disease and Lewy body dementia. The Ca2+ channel enhancement is thought to trigger a change from resting to active in neuronal activity. When the Ca2+ channel is dysregulated in the brain, the acetylcholine and dopamine releases are reduced. The result is a dysregulated system that a person experiences as cognitive confusion and uncoordinated motor function.

SAK3 directly binds to the subunit of this channel, resulting in the enhancement of neurotransmission thereby improving cognitive deficits. The researchers found that the same process also appeared to work in a mouse model of Lewy body dementia, which is characterized by a build-up of proteins known as Lewy bodies.

"Even after the onset of cognitive impairment, SAK3 administration significantly prevented the progression of neurodegenerative behaviors in both motor dysfunction and cognition," Fukunaga said.

In comparison, Aduhelm, the Alzheimer's drug recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, reduces the number of amyloid plaques in the brain, but it is not yet known if the amyloid reduction actually prevents further cognitive or motor decline in patients. According to Fukunaga, SAK3 helps destroy amyloid plaque - at least in mice.

SAK3 also helps manage the destruction of misfolded alpha-synuclein. Normal alpha-synuclein helps regulate neurotransmitter transmission in the brain. The protein can misfold and aggregate, contributing to what researchers suspect may be an underlying cause of neurodegenerative symptoms. This aggregation can also lead to the loss of dopamine neurons, which help with learning and memory.

"We found that chronic administration of SAK3 significantly inhibited the accumulation of alpha-synuclein in the mice," Fukunaga said, noting that the mice received a daily oral dose of SAK3.

According to Fukunaga, SAK3 enhances the activity of the system that identifies and destroys misfolded proteins. In neurodegenerative diseases, this system is often dysfunctional, leaving misfolded proteins to muck up the cell's machinery.

"SAK3 is the first compound targeting this regulatory activity in neurodegenerative disorders," Fukunaga said. "SAK3 administration promotes the destruction of misfolded proteins, meaning the therapeutic has the potential to solve the problems of diverse protein misfolding diseases such as Parkinson's disease, Lewy body dementia and Huntington disease, in addition to Alzheimer's disease."
Researchers from the LSTM based Cochrane Infectious Disease Group (CIDG) explored whether community administration of ivermectin influences malaria transmission.

Malaria still kills millions. Researchers are excited by a new intervention: giving people a drug which kills mosquitoes that bite them. Incredibly, this is a reality, as the drug ivermectin, widely used for the control of parasite infections such as lymphatic filariasis and onchocerciasis, appears to do this. With some mosquitoes now resistant to the insecticides used in treated bed nets, this is a potentially important new control measure.

LSTM's Dr Rebecca Thomas and Dr Joseph Okebe, together with Dr de Souza from the Noguchi Memorial Institute for Medical Research (NMIMR(link is external)), University of Ghana, first examined the experimental evidence that giving the drug to people kills the mosquitoes that bite them.

All included studies showed large effects of ivermectin on mosquito mortality. They then went on to seek studies that evaluated whether this made a difference in malaria transmission and the amount of malaria in people living in malarial areas. They found only one study has been published to date. When published in 2019, there was quite a lot of press coverage stating ivermectin reduced malaria in children based on original report of this trial.

Unfortunately, although this paper was published in the Lancet, the statistical methods used in the analysis were not standard and did not adjust adequately for clustering, so the effect may have been overestimated.

After the researchers who did the original study kindly supplied the data, the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine's Dr Clemence Leyrat, expert in issues of small samples and non-compliance in cluster-randomized trials, and Dr John Bradley, expert in cluster-randomized trials, reanalysed the data and are part of the Cochrane review author team.

Dr Leyrat and Dr Bradley said: "To date there has been one small pilot trial of ivermectin. The statistical analysis of the trial was unsuitable, and the original publication overstated the amount of evidence it provided. With this reanalysis we show that the trial did not produce strong evidence that mass administration of ivermectin is useful in preventing malaria, leaving the question of its efficacy open. Fortunately, there are some larger trials in progress which will provide further evidence."

The one included study enrolled eight villages in Burkina Faso, which were randomly assigned to receive ivermectin or a control. All villages received ivermectin, as part of the scheduled control of lymphatic filariasis. In addition, the treatment villages received five more doses of ivermectin, once every three weeks. The effect of ivermectin on malaria was measured in children younger than five years of age. In these children, the treatment did not show a notable difference in the presence of malaria between the treatment and control groups. Following the review of the data from this study, the team summarized that they were uncertain whether community administration of ivermectin influenced malaria transmission.

Dr de Souza from the NMIMR commented, "There may be varied reasons for the observed lack of evidence. However, challenges to the use of ivermectin could be the duration of the reproductive cycle in mosquitoes, the mosquito behaviour, and the incubation period of malaria parasites in the mosquito. While the conditions for laboratory experiments are carefully controlled, there may be wide variations in the natural environment. As such, a short-term increase in mosquito mortality alone through ivermectin administration could slightly reduce the risk of malaria transmission but may not be sufficient for a sustained impact. Given the ivermectin half-life in the blood, maintaininga high enough ivermectin concentration over several days and weeks to kill any blood feeding, infective, mosquito will be key"

Unfortunately, it is currently not possible to say if treating an entire community with ivermectin reduces malaria. However, several research studies are in progress and, as such, we anticipate they will provide more answers to this important question in the future". Dr Joseph Okebe, Senior Author
Using real-time deformability cytometry, researchers at the Max-Planck-Zentrum fur Physik und Medizin in Erlangen were able to show for the first time: Covid-19 significantly changes the size and stiffness of red and white blood cells - sometimes over months. These results may help to explain why some affected people continue to complain of symptoms long after an infection (long Covid).

Shortness of breath, fatigue and headaches: some patients still struggle with the long-term effects of a severe infection by the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus after six months or more. This post Covid-19 syndrome, also called long covid, is still not properly understood. What is clear is that -- during the course of the disease -- often blood circulation is impaired, dangerous vascular occlusions can occur and oxygen transport in is limited. These are all phenomena in which the blood cells and their physical properties play a key role.

To investigate this aspect, a team of scientists led by Marketa Kubankova, Jochen Guck, and Martin Krater from the Max-Planck-Zentrum fur Physik und Medizin, the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light (MPL), the Friedrich Alexander University Erlangen-Nuremberg and the German Centre for Immunotherapy measured the mechanical states of red and white blood cells. "We were able to detect clear and long-lasting changes in the cells -- both during an acute infection and even afterwards," reports Professor Guck, currently managing director of MPL. The research group has now published their results in the renowned journal Biophysical Journal.

To analyze the blood cells, they used a self-developed method called real-time deformability cytometry (RT-DC), which has recently been recognized with the prestigious Medical Valley Award. In this method, the researchers send the blood cells through a narrow channel at high speed. In the process, the leukocytes and erythrocytes are stretched. A high-speed camera records each of them through a microscope, and custom software determines which cell types are present, and how big and deformed they are. Up to 1000 blood cells can be analyzed per second. The advantage of the method: It is fast and the cells do not have to be labeled in a laborious procedure.

The method could help as an early warning system to detect future pandemics by unknown viruses

The biophysicists from Erlangen examined more than four million blood cells from 17 patients acutely ill with Covid-19, from 14 people who had recovered and 24 healthy people as a comparison group. They found that, for example, the size and deformability of the red blood cells of patients with the disease deviated strongly from those of healthy people. This indicates damage to these cells and could explain the increased risk of vascular occlusion and embolisms in the lungs.

In addition, the oxygen supply, which is one of the main tasks of the erythrocytes, may be impaired in infected persons. Lymphocytes (one type of white blood cell responsible for the acquired immune defense) were in turn significantly softer in Covid-19 patients, which typically indicates a strong immune reaction. The researchers made similar observations for neutrophil granulocytes, another group of white blood cells involved in the innate immune response. These cells even remained drastically altered seven months after the acute infection.

We suspect that the cytoskeleton of immune cells, which is largely responsible for cell function, has changed." Marketa Kubankova, first author of the research article

In her view, real-time deformability cytometry has the potential to be used routinely in the diagnosis of Covid-19 -- and even to serve as an early warning system against future pandemics caused by as yet unknown viruses.
A chemist at The University of Texas at Arlington is developing a cancer medication that uses light to target and destroy tumor cells in a process known as photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Sherri McFarland, professor of chemistry, and her team of researchers have developed a chemical compound containing the transition metal ruthenium. When ruthenium absorbs light, it produces a powerful oxygen reaction. When the ruthenium-containing molecule, light and oxygen all interact with one another, they become highly selective cancer-fighting agents that do not affect surrounding healthy tissue.

McFarland's photodrug, TLD-1433, is currently in a phase II clinical study for patients with recurring bladder cancer that has proven resistant to traditional therapies.

"TLD-1433 is extremely effective at killing cancer cells and is orders of magnitude better than similar compounds designed to achieve the same results," McFarland said. "In general, these types of photosensitizers are oxygen-dependent. While TLD-1433 is very powerful when oxygen is present, it can also destroy certain types of cancer cells in hypoxic environments where oxygen is lacking."

The National Science Foundation awarded McFarland a $440,000 grant to investigate the photodrug's unusual effectiveness in low-oxygen environments. Her research team has hypothesized that TLD-1433 operates by an unknown mechanism that is facilitated by oxygen when it is present but does not require it.

"The fact that some of the most aggressive and drug-resistant tumors are hypoxic is a challenge for cancer therapy in general as well as PDT," she said. "If we can discover an alternate mechanism that persists even in low-oxygen environments, that would mean these agents could be used to treat hypoxic tumors and allow health care providers to apply light-based therapy to the most difficult-to-treat tumors."

For patients with non-muscle invasive bladder cancer like those in TLD-1433's phase II clinical study, photodynamic therapy provides hope when other cancer treatments are unsuccessful.

The study enrolls patients who have failed standard therapies. They would have already had immunotherapy and multiple surgeries, but their cancer persists. The recommendation at that point is removal of the bladder. That is what they are facing." Sherri McFarland, Professor of Chemistry, University of Texas at Arlington

A cancer survivor herself, McFarland said her goal is to provide more treatment options for cancer patients, particularly for those whose cancer is unresponsive to traditional therapies.

"One area of focus now is to gain an understanding of why TLD-1433 works so well. Then, we can design even better light-activated drugs in the future," she said. "If we can make a photodrug that is potent and selective, providers can dose at much lower levels, making the medicine both safer and cheaper to produce. More importantly, at lower doses, we could minimize side effects for the patients."

A key element of the creation of potent photodrugs is experimentation with new chemical compounds. On McFarland's team, this task falls to Wesley McDonald, a senior undergraduate researcher who has worked in the lab for two years.

"My work is exploratory. I synthesize brand new chemicals so that we can see which combinations work and which don't," McDonald said. "I'm the first step on the ladder to producing more effective PDT treatments for cancer patients."

After attending one of McFarland's guest lectures in the College of Science, McDonald approached her and asked if she had any open positions in her lab. A former pre-med student, McDonald said working with McFarland influenced a new career path.

"Dr. McFarland gave me a lot of responsibility, and I fell in love with research," he said. "After graduation, I hope to continue working here and earn a Ph.D. from UTA."

When he is not testing new compounds, McDonald creates batches of TLD-1433 to assist with photomedicine exploration in labs across the United States and beyond.

Pending results from the clinical study, McFarland hopes TLD-1433, along with other photomedicines, becomes a leading treatment option for patients with aggressive and unresponsive cancers.

"A lot of people don't know that there are alternative treatments like these light-based therapies. Even your typical oncologist may not know about PDT," McFarland said. "When we think of cancer treatment, we think of chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy and surgery. But if you have a tricky form of cancer, there are a number of emerging alternative therapies available."
For years, Louise Shackett has had trouble walking or standing for long periods, making it difficult for her to clean her house in southeastern Maine or do laundry. Shackett, 80, no longer drives, which makes it hard to get to the grocery store or doctor.

Her low income, though, qualifies her for a state program that pays for a personal aide 10 hours a week to help with chores and errands.

"It helps to keep me independent," she said.

But the visits have been inconsistent because of the high turnover and shortage of aides, sometimes leaving her without assistance for months at a time, although a cousin does help look after her. "I should be getting the help that I need and am eligible for," said Shackett, who has not had an aide since late March.

The Maine home-based care program, which helps Shackett and more than 800 others in the state, has a waitlist 925 people long; those applicants sometimes lack help for months or years, according to officials in Maine, which has the country's oldest population. This leaves many people at an increased risk of falls or not getting medical care and other dangers.

The problem is simple: Here and in much of the rest of the country there are too few workers. Yet, the solution is anything but easy.

Katie Smith Sloan , CEO of Leading Age, which represents nonprofit aging services providers, says the workforce shortage is a nationwide dilemma. "Millions of older adults are unable to access the affordable care and services that they so desperately need," she said at a recent press event. State and federal reimbursement rates to elder care agencies are inadequate to cover the cost of quality care and services or to pay a living wage to caregivers, she added.

President Joe Biden allotted $400 billion in his infrastructure plan to expand home and community-based long-term care services to help people remain in their homes and out of nursing homes. Republicans pushed back, noting that elder care didn't fit the traditional definition of infrastructure, which generally refers to physical projects such as bridges, roads and such, and the bipartisan deal reached last week among centrist senators dealt only with those traditional projects. But Democrats say they will insist on funding some of Biden's "human infrastructure" programs in another bill.

As lawmakers tussle over the proposal, many elder care advocates worry that this $400 billion will be greatly reduced or eliminated.

But the need is undeniable, underlined by the math, especially in places like Maine, where 21% of residents are 65 and older.

Betsy Sawyer-Manter, CEO of SeniorsPlus in Maine, one of two companies that operate that assistance program, said, "We are looking all the time for workers because we have over 10,000 hours a week of personal care we can't find workers to cover."

For at least 20 years, national experts have warned about the dire consequences of a shortage of nursing assistants and home aides as tens of millions of baby boomers hit their senior years. "Low wages and benefits, hard working conditions, heavy workloads, and a job that has been stigmatized by society make worker recruitment and retention difficult," concluded a 2001 report from the Urban Institute and Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

Robyn Stone , a co-author of that report and senior vice president of Leading Age, says many of the worker shortage problems identified in 2001 have only worsened. The risks and obstacles that seniors faced during the pandemic highlighted some of these problems. "Covid uncovered the challenges of older adults and how vulnerable they were in this pandemic and the importance of front-line care professionals who are being paid low wages," she says.

Michael Stair, CEO of Care & Comfort, a Waterville, Maine-based agency, said the worker shortage is the worst he's seen in 20 years in the business.

"The bottom line is it all comes down to dollars  dollars for the home care benefit, dollars to pay people competitively," he said. Agencies like his are in a tough position competing for workers who can take other jobs that don't require a background check, special training or driving to people's homes in bad weather.

"Workers in Maine can get paid more to do other jobs that are less challenging and more appealing," he added.

His company, which provides services to 1,500 clients  most of whom are enrolled in Medicaid, the federal-state health program for people with low incomes  has about 300 staffers but could use 100 more. He said it's most difficult to find workers in urban areas such as Portland and Bangor, where there are more employment opportunities. Most of his jobs pay between $13 and $15 an hour, about what McDonald's restaurants in Maine advertise for entry-level workers.

The state's minimum wage is $12.15 an hour.

Stair said half his workers quit within the first year, a little better than the industry's average 60% turnover rate. To help retain employees, he allows them to set their own schedules, offers paid training and provides vacation pay.

"I worry there are folks going without care and folks whose conditions are declining because they are not getting the care they need," Stair said.

Medicare does not cover long-term home care.

Medicaid requires states to cover nursing home care for those who qualify, but it has limited entitlement for home-based services, and eligibility and benefits vary by state. Still, in the past decade, states including Maine have increased funding to groups providing Medicaid home and community services  anything from medical assistance to housekeeping help  because people prefer those services and they cost much less than a nursing home.

The states also are funding home care programs like Maine's for those same services for people who don't qualify for Medicaid in hopes of preventing seniors from needing Medicaid coverage later.

But elder care advocates say the demand for home care far outweighs supply.

Bills in the Maine legislature would increase reimbursement rates for thousands of home care workers to ensure they are being paid more than the state's minimum wage.

The state does not set worker pay, only reimbursement rates.

It's not just low pay and lack of benefits that hobbles the hiring of workers, according to experts who study the issue. In addition, home care providers struggle to recruit and retain workers who don't want the stress of caring for people with physical disabilities and, often, mental health issues, such as dementia and depression, said Sawyer-Manter of SeniorsPlus.

"It's backbreaking work," said Kathleen McAuliffe, a home care worker in Biddeford, Maine, who formerly worked as a Navy medic and served in the Peace Corps. She provides homemaker services for a state-funded program run by Catholic Charities. She usually visits two clients a day to help them with chores like cleaning and scrubbing floors, wiping down bathrooms, vacuuming, preparing meals, food shopping, organizing medicines and getting them to the doctor.

Her clients range in age from 45 to 85. "When I walk in, the laundry is piled up, the dishes are piled up, and everything needs to be put in order. It's hard work and very taxing," said McAuliffe, 68.

She makes about $14 an hour. Though the job of taking care of the frail elderly requires broad skills  and training in things like safe bathing  it is generally classified as "unskilled" labor. Working part time, she gets no vacation benefits. "Calling us homemakers sounds like we are coming in to bake brownies," she said.

The homemaker program serves 2,100 Maine residents and has more than 1,100 on a waitlist, according to Catholic Charities Maine. "We can't find the labor," said Donald Harden, a spokesperson for the organization.

The federal government is giving states more dollars for home care  at least temporarily.

The American Rescue Plan, approved by Congress in March, provides a 10 percentage point increase in federal Medicaid funding to states, or nearly $13 billion, for home and community-based services.

The money, which must be spent by March 2024, can be used to provide personal protective equipment to home care workers, train workers or help states reduce waiting lists for people to receive services.

For Maine, the bump in funding from the American Rescue Plan will provide a $75 million increase in funding. But Paul Saucier, aging and disability director at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services, said the money will not make the waitlists disappear, because it will not solve the problem of too few workers.

Joanne Spetz, director of the Health Workforce Research Center on Long-Term Care at the University of California-San Francisco, said throwing more money into home care will work only if the money is targeted for recruiting, training and retaining workers, as well as providing benefits and opportunities for career growth. She doubts significant improvements will occur "if we just put money out there to hire more workers."

"The problem is the people who are in these jobs always get the same amount of pay and the same low level of respect no matter how many years they are in the job," Spetz said.
The role of peripheral and brain infections in the development of Alzheimer's disease is the focus of new research at The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UTHealth), funded with a $2 million grant from the National Institutes of Health (NIH).

"If we can prove the theory that infection is one of the factors that triggers Alzheimer's disease, and specifically sepsis and meningitis, we can pay more attention to these diseases and possibly be able to avoid the onset of dementia for people in the long term," said co-principal investigator Tatiana Barichello, PhD, assistant professor in the Louis A. Faillace, MD, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth.

Principal investigator on the preclinical study is Rodrigo Morales, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Neurology at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth.

Morales and Barichello will seek to identify the molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with the role of infection in the development of Alzheimer's disease with the hope that doctors would be able to identify patients who may have an increased risk of developing the disease based on a prior diagnosis of sepsis or meningitis.

Alzheimer's disease is a type of dementia that affects memory, thinking, and behavior. The symptoms progress and grow severe enough to interfere with daily tasks. More than 6 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease, according to the Alzheimer's Association. Factors in development of the disease include genetics, age, family history, general lifestyle and wellness choices, and illnesses and health conditions including heart disease, stroke, and concussion.

Morales said one potential link between infections and the development of Alzheimer's disease is the activation of the peripheral immune system. Immune response in the brain or peripheral compartments may activate resident immune cells in the brain. Although this event may be beneficial, chronic immune activation or severe acute events may lead to different clinical conditions at short or long terms.

Imbalance in the immune system may also increase the production of certain proteins that may initiate Alzheimer's disease." Rodrigo Morales, PhD, Associate Professor, Department of Neurology, McGovern Medical School, UTHealth

Another link is the permeability of the blood-brain barrier. "The blood-brain barrier acts as the defense mechanism for the brain allowing certain substances to enter the brain and keeping other substances out, but during an event like an injury or infection, that barrier is compromised, which allows those substances that might be harmful to the brain to enter it. These substances can lead to the buildup of inflammation in the brain, which in turn can lead to the development of Alzheimer's disease," Morales said.

The study will use different approaches to analyze the potential role of infection in Alzheimer's disease. This include the use of transgenic mice, human samples, and novel in vitro techniques. One of them is the protein misfolding cyclic amplification (PMCA) technology.

Barichello and Morales are excited to work with a team of researchers across several different departments at McGovern Medical School on the project.

The PMCA technique being used was developed by Claudio Soto, PhD, professor of neurology at McGovern Medical School and director of the George and Cynthia Mitchell Center for Research in Alzheimer's Disease and Related Brain Disorders, and has been used previously to study several other diseases including Parkinson's disease.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the discovery of insulin, a scientific breakthrough that transformed Type 1 diabetes, once known as juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes, from a terminal disease into a manageable condition.

Today, Type 2 diabetes is 24 times more prevalent than Type 1. The rise in rates of obesity and incidence of Type 2 diabetes are related and require new approaches, according to University of Arizona researchers, who believe the liver may hold the key to innovative new treatments.

All current therapeutics for Type 2 diabetes primarily aim to decrease blood glucose. So, they are treating a symptom, much like treating the flu by decreasing the fever. We need another breakthrough." Benjamin Renquist, Associate Professor, UArizona College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, BIO5 Institute member

In two newly published papers in Cell Reports, Renquist, along with researchers from Washington University in St. Louis, the University of Pennsylvania and Northwestern University, outline a new target for Type 2 diabetes treatment.

Renquist, whose research lab aims to address obesity-related diseases, has spent the last nine years working to better understand the correlation between obesity, fatty liver disease and diabetes, particularly how the liver affects insulin sensitivity.

"Obesity is known to be a cause of Type 2 diabetes and, for a long time, we have known that the amount of fat in the liver increases with obesity," Renquist said. "As fat increases in the liver, the incidence of diabetes increases."

This suggested that fat in the liver might be causing Type 2 Diabetes, but how fat in the liver could cause the body to become resistant to insulin or cause the pancreas to over-secrete insulin remained a mystery, Renquist said.

Renquist and his collaborators focused on fatty liver, measuring neurotransmitters released from the liver in animal models of obesity, to better understand how the liver communicates with the brain to influence metabolic changes seen in obesity and diabetes.

"We found that fat in the liver increased the release of the inhibitory neurotransmitter Gamma-aminobutyric acid, or GABA," Renquist said. "We then identified the pathway by which GABA synthesis was occurring and the key enzyme that is responsible for liver GABA production - GABA transaminase."

A naturally occurring amino acid, GABA is the primary inhibitory neurotransmitter in the central nervous system, meaning it decreases nerve activity.

Nerves provide a conduit by which the brain and the rest of the body communicate. That communication is not only from the brain to other tissues, but also from tissues back to the brain, Renquist explained.

"When the liver produces GABA, it decreases activity of those nerves that run from the liver to the brain. Thus, fatty liver, by producing GABA, is decreasing firing activity to the brain," Renquist said. "That decrease in firing is sensed by the central nervous system, which changes outgoing signals that affect glucose homeostasis."

To determine if increased liver GABA synthesis was causing insulin resistance, graduate students in Renquist's lab, Caroline Geisler and Susma Ghimire, pharmacologically inhibited liver GABA transaminase in animal models of Type 2 diabetes.

"Inhibition of excess liver GABA production restored insulin sensitivity within days," said Geisler, now a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Pennsylvania and lead author on the papers. "Longer term inhibition of GABA-transaminase resulted in decreased food intake and weight loss."

Researchers wanted to ensure the findings would translate to humans. Kendra Miller, a research technician in Renquist's lab, identified variations in the genome near GABA transaminase that were associated with Type 2 diabetes. Collaborating with investigators at Washington University, the researchers showed that in people with insulin resistance, the liver more highly expressed genes involved in GABA production and release.

The findings are the foundation of an Arizona Biomedical Research Commission-funded clinical trial currently underway at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis with collaborator Samuel Klein, co-author on the study and a Washington University professor of medicine and nutritional science. The trial will investigate the use of a commercially available Food and Drug Administration-approved inhibitor of GABA transaminase to improve insulin sensitivity in people who are obese.

"A novel pharmacological target is just the first step in application; we are years away from anything reaching the neighborhood pharmacy," Renquist said. "The magnitude of the obesity crisis makes these promising findings an important first step that we hope will eventually impact the health of our family, friends and community."
Gilbert J. Rake, 88, of Bonita Springs, FL passed away on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 with his loving wife by his side. He was born in Starlight, IN, son of Henry and Catherine Rake. Gil proudly served his country in the United States Army. Following the service, he worked as an accountant with
(Newser)  The only foreign scientist to conduct research at the Wuhan Institute of Virology's BSL-4 lab says people have the wrong impression of it as likely to enable the escape of a deadly virus. The "lab leak" theory on the coronavirus has not been proven, though a report claimed three lab researchers were hospitalized with flu-like symptoms during flu season in November 2019, per the New Republic. The Chinese government and the lab's most famous virologist deny a leak, while Australian virologist Danielle Anderson, an expert in bat-borne viruses who was working at the lab up until that time, says she never saw anyone who was ill, per Bloomberg. That was despite taking a bus with colleagues to the research centerwhich carries the highest biosafety designationeach day for a period in late 2019. Colleagues also joined her for a conference in Singapore in December of that year.

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"If people were sick, I assume that I would have been sickand I wasn't," the 42-year-old tells Bloomberg, noting testing has shown she has never been infected with COVID-19. Anderson says the lab followed strict, mandatory rules for containing pathogens. Researchers, who communicated with the lab's command center via headset, had to undergo 45 hours of training to work independently in the biocontainment lab. Leaving it meant taking a chemical shower, followed by a personal shower. "I'm not naive enough to say I absolutely write this off," Anderson says of the "lab leak" theory. She notes there's a slim chance a person working on "gain of function" research to make a virus more transmissible could have infected themselves, but there's no evidence of that. The debate is likely to rage for some time. "It took 15 years to trace SARS definitively to bats," per the New Republic. (Read more coronavirus stories.)
(Newser)  Germany's last troops left Afghanistan Tuesday after a nearly 20-year deployment in the country, the defense minister said. Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer tweeted that the last Bundeswehr soldiers left Afghanistan safely Tuesday evening. She thanked the more than 150,000 troops who have served there since 2001 and said that they can be proud of this mission." The German military said that the last troops were on their way home via Tbilisi, Georgia, and that Brig. Gen. Ansgar Meyer, the last commander of the German contingent, was on board an Airbus A400M aircraft bringing them home, the AP reports.

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NATO agreed in April to withdraw its roughly 7,000 non-American forces from Afghanistan to match President Bidens decision to pull all American troops from the country starting May 1. At the time, Germany had around 1,100 troops there. Germanys contingent, which focused on northern Afghanistan, was the second biggest in the current Resolute Support mission after the United States'. Its last bases were in Mazar-e-Sharif and Kabul. Fifty-nine German troops died in Afghan missions over the years. American officials have said the entire pullout of US troops will most likely be completed by July 4.

(Read more Afghanistan war stories.)
A Los Angeles County Sheriff's official guards a post at the scene after three young children were found dead in a bedroom at a residence in East Los Angeles, Monday, June 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)

A Los Angeles County Sheriff's official guards a post at the scene after three young children were found dead in a bedroom at a residence in East Los Angeles, Monday, June 28, 2021. (AP Photo/Ringo H.W. Chiu)
(Newser)  A California couple looking to build a home on a plot of land they own uprooted 36 Joshua trees to make room for itand ended up fined $18,000 as a result. Joshua trees, which are not actually trees but succulents technically named Yucca brevifolia, are imperiled, their numbers dwindling due to extreme weather caused by climate change, fire, and damage to Joshua Tree National Park that occurred during the government shutdown that ended in January 2019. They are being considered for protection under California's endangered species act, and it is already illegal in the state to disturb, replant, or remove them, the Guardian reports. Taking a Joshua tree is punishable by up to $4,100 in fines plus six months behind bars.

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A neighbor noticed the couple uprooting the plants with a tractor back in February and warned them that it was illegal, then called the Department of Fish & Wildlife to report what was going on. A state wildlife officer responded to the scene and found the trees felled, and buried in a recently dug and refilled hole on the Morongo Basin property, the Hi-Desert Star reports. A prosecutor explains that the couple, who cooperated with investigators, thought Joshua trees of a certain size could be removed, but that is not accurate. The couple was hit with one misdemeanor charge per tree. On Tuesday, they agreed to pay $9,000 in fines each. Volunteering for Joshua Tree National Park or the Mojave Desert Land Trust could lower the fines, which will ultimately be donated to the Western Joshua Tree Mitigation Fund. If they complete all the terms of their agreement, the charges will be dismissed. (Read more California stories.)
(Newser)  Last month, the CDC issued controversial new guidelines on mask-wearing, saying fully vaccinated people no longer need to don them in most situations, including indoors. Now, with the Delta variant of COVID-19 spreading rapidly, some experts are wondering whether it's time to insist everyone mask back up, the New York Times reports. The WHO, which has never wavered in its recommendation that everyone wear masks regardless of vaccination status, reiterated that position last week. And on Mondayless than two weeks after California dropped its mask mandate and reopened fullyLos Angeles County health officials recommended everyone don face masks indoors, whether they're vaccinated or not. The recommendation is not, however, a new mandate, the Los Angeles Times reports.

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Health officials in Chicago and New York City so far say they don't plan to require masks, and the CDC hasn't signaled any such intention regarding its recommendations. But Israel recently re-imposed its mask mandate 10 days after lifting it, despite an aggressive vaccination campaign, and countries in the Asia-Pacific region have been bringing back stay-home orders and other restrictions thanks to new surges blamed on the Delta variant. Delta could be doubly contagious compared to the original coronavirus, and while vaccines have proven effective against it, they aren't quite as effective against it as they are against most other variants. Countries like Britain, where two-thirds of the population is at least partially vaccinated, have seen sharp increases in case numbers thanks to Delta. The scientists who spoke to the Times largely agree that continuing to mask indoors is a good idea, but they also note it will be hard to reverse the trajectory the US is on, due to how divisive masking has become. (Read more COVID-19 stories.)
(Newser)  A Texas man scheduled to attend a child-custody hearing within hours allegedly broke into his ex-wife's home and shot her four times Monday while their four children slept inside. Aaron Wright appeared Tuesday before a judge in Harris County, who described an elaborate plan that allegedly began with Wright cutting power to the house in Tomball from an unlocked power box at 3am so as to disable the alarm system. The judge said Wright then broke into the home through a back window before shooting Andrea Wright four times. The couple's four children, aged 7, 9, 11, and 13, were asleep in the home at the time, per Fox News. Two of the children then ran to a neighbor's house, per KPRC. Andrea Wright survived the shooting, but has "a long, painful road to recovery," according to a GoFundMe page. She's already undergone at least one surgery, per KTRK.

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Police say surveillance video shows Wright and an unidentified person, believed to be his girlfriend, approaching the home at 3:08am, then fleeing minutes later. Arrested Monday, Wright was booked on charges of aggravated assault on a family member with a weapon and burglary with intent to commit another felony. His bond was set at $175,000 before he was released Tuesday with orders to stay 200 feet away from his ex-wife's home. He then told KTRK, "I didn't open fire. I would never do anything around my kids, and I would never do anything like that, ever." Deputy Investigator John Mook describes a "contentious divorce," adding Wright had threatened his ex-wife's boyfriend "multiple times," per KTRK. The outlet notes Andrea Wright was granted a temporary restraining order against her ex-husband last February "but a judge denied her attempt to extend it in November." (Read more shooting stories.)
(Newser)  Last year, Trevor Bauer was named the winner of MLB's Cy Young Award for the National League. Now, the starting pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers has been hit with an assault claim by a woman who has since taken out an order of protection against Bauer, her lawyer, Marc Garelick, tells TMZ Sports. "The order is a result of a recent assault that took place at the hands of Mr. Bauer where [the accuser] suffered severe physical and emotional pain," Garelick says, adding he anticipates criminal charges to be filed. CBS News notes it's not clear when the incident occurred, though the Pasadena Police Department says it was around the middle of May, per ESPN. Dates aside, Bauer is pushing back that any type of assault happened, insisting instead that he had a "brief and wholly consensual" sexual relationship with the woman, with his accuser asking to be "choked out" and slapped in the face as part of desired "rough" sex, per a statement from Bauer's agent, Jon Fetterolf.

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Fetterolf notes the woman was the one who initiated the relationship with Bauer in April, and that after meeting up only two times, the woman kept messaging Bauer "with friendly and flirtatious banter." It was only days after their second get-together when the woman messaged Bauer to say she'd had to get treatment for a concussion, at which point Bauer "responded with concern and confusion," Fetterolf says, adding the woman was "neither angry nor accusatory." "Any allegations that the pair's encounters were not 100% consensual are baseless, defamatory, and will be refuted to the fullest extent of the law," Fetterolf notes. A source tells ESPN that MLB knows of the accusation and is set to investigate. The Dodgers have already responded, noting they contacted MLB themselves once they heard the allegations, and that they "take any allegations of this nature very seriously." (Read more Los Angeles Dodgers stories.)
(Newser)  Another four bodies were found in the rubble of Champlain Towers South Tuesday night, bringing the death toll in the Florida building collapse to 16with 147 people still unaccounted for. Among the missing is 52-year-old Harry Rosenberg, a former New York resident who moved to Florida for a fresh start after his wife's death from cancer last year was followed within months by the deaths of both his parents from COVID-19. "He told me, 'It is the next chapter of my life.' He went through hell. His parents passed away. His wife passed away," fellow synagogue member Steve Eisenberg tells the AP. Rosenberg, who bought the Surfside condo last month, was hosting daughter Malky Weisz, 27, and her husband, Benny Weisz, 32, for a visit last week. All three are missing.

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Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said Tuesday that she will ask a grand jury to investigate the early Thursday morning collapse, and that she would task them with looking at what can be done to "safeguard our residents without jeopardizing any scientific, public safety, or potential criminal investigations," NBC reports. State Fire Marshal Jimmy Patronis says rescuers working 12-hour shifts at the site got a boost late Tuesday when heavy equipment was moved closer to the rubble, the Miami Herald reports. "Now youre able to leverage massive equipment to remove massive pieces of concrete that could lead to those incredible good news events," he says. (In April, residents were warned that problems with the building were getting worse. )
(Newser)  Canada broke its 84-year-old temperature record by nearly 3 degrees Sunday, when a temperature of just under 115 degrees Fahrenheit was recorded in the village of Lytton, British Columbia. It was then beaten twice more in subsequent days. Lytton recorded a temperature of 117.5 degrees on Monday, followed by a new all-time-high temperature for the country of 121.3 degrees on Tuesday, report CNN and the BBC. It's a testament to the brutal heat wave now easing in western parts of Canada and the US, which has left "disastrous consequences for families and for communities," British Columbia Premier John Horgan tells the BBC. At least 233 deaths were reported in the province from Friday through Monday, which is about 100 more than usual for a four-day period, CNN reports.

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Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe describes "a significant increase in deaths" tied to extreme heat. The CBC notes only a third of BC residents use air conditioning, according to a 2020 BC Hydro survey. Spikes in sudden deaths have been reported in Vancouver, which recorded a temperature of 101.5 degrees on Monday, and surrounding cities. Simi Heer, director of public affairs for the Vancouver Police Department, said police officers had already responded to 20 sudden-death calls on Tuesday by 1:45pm, "with more than a dozen others waiting for police to be dispatched." CNN notes many of the deceased are senior citizens, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The heat wave is also leaving the area under risk of floods and forest fires, per the CBC, which notes forests are drying out while mountaintops that never melt are thawing. (Read more Canada stories.)
(Newser)  For nearly four years, Chisako Kakehi's legal team has been pushing back on her 2017 death sentence, arguing that the 74-year-old woman Japan knows as the "Black Widow" has dementia, rendering her incapable of understanding anything that's going on around her, including her own criminal trial. Those efforts have now been permanently quashed, with the nation's Supreme Court ruling on Tuesday that capital punishment in the case of Kakehi who killed three men, including her husband, and tried to murder a fourthis "unavoidable," CNN reports. Per public broadcaster NHK, Judge Yuriko Miyazaki noted in the ruling on the killings, which took place between 2007 and 2013, that Kakehi used a matchmaking agency "to get acquainted with elderly victims one after another and poisoned them after making them trust her." Miyazaki added, "It is a ruthless crime based on a planned and strong murderous intention," regardless of Kakehi's age or medical status.

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Kakehi's MO would be to date elderly or sick menwho she specifically told matchmakers had to be wealthy and without childrenafter which several of them turned up poisoned by cyanide. Kakehi then collected about $9 million in insurance payouts over a 10-year-span, though AFP notes she lost most of it trying her hand in the stock market. Police started investigating when her husband died in 2013, after they'd only been married for a couple of months, and cyanide was discovered in his blood and stomach. Kakehi was arrested nearly a year later. Per the BBC, Kakehi had three other husbands who died, though she hasn't been charged in those cases. Kakehi is set to be put to death by hanging, though that date still isn't clear. (Read more Japan stories.)
(Newser)  Tucker Carlson is claiming the US government is reading his private emails in an attempt to take his show off the air. "The Biden administration is spying on us," the host of Fox News' Tucker Carlson Tonight said on Monday's show. "We have confirmed that." After little coverage elsewhere on the network, Carlson continued his explosive claim into Tuesday, just as the National Security Agency issued a sharp denial. The background:



Exposed emails: Carlson said a government whistleblower reached out on Sunday to inform him that the NSA "is monitoring our electronic communications and is planning to leak them in an attempt to take this show off the air." He said the whistleblower identified contents of messages related to a developing story, which "could have only come directly from my texts and emails."

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Silence from Fox execs: If Fox News had really confirmed all this, and in a day no less, it would be a big deal, CNN reports, acknowledging the significance of the recent disclosure that the Justice Department under President Trump had secretly seized reporters' phone records. Many major news outlets spoke out in that case. But there was little coverage of Carlson's claim on Fox News itself, and no statement from top executives.

If Fox News had really confirmed all this, and in a day no less, it would be a big deal, CNN reports, acknowledging the significance of the recent disclosure that the Justice Department under President Trump had secretly seized reporters' phone records. Many major news outlets spoke out in that case. But there was little coverage of Carlson's claim on Fox News itself, and no statement from top executives. Press freedom groups quiet: Nor were there statements of support from press freedom groups, Erik Wemple writes at the Washington Post, seeing this as "a testament to just how far the credibility of Tucker Carlson Tonight has cratered." Pen America CEO Suzanne Nossel tells Wemple that the nonprofit will wait for further details as Carlson's "record for veracity, as assessed by credible fact-checking sources, is poor."

Nor were there statements of support from press freedom groups, Erik Wemple writes at the Washington Post, seeing this as "a testament to just how far the credibility of Tucker Carlson Tonight has cratered." Pen America CEO Suzanne Nossel tells Wemple that the nonprofit will wait for further details as Carlson's "record for veracity, as assessed by credible fact-checking sources, is poor." NSA denial: Just before Tuesday's episode, the NSA put out a statement denying Carlson's claims. "Tucker Carlson has never been an intelligence target of the Agency and the NSA has never had any plans to try to take his program off the air," it read, noting the NSA generally "may not target a US citizen without a court order that explicitly authorizes the targeting."

Hits at NSA director: Carlson resumed the subject within minutes, telling his audience of millions that the agency hadn't denied that it read his emails without permission, per Fox News. He also described tense phone calls with the NSA and failed attempts to reach President Trump-appointed Director Gen. Paul Nakasone, whom Carlson called a "highly political left-wing four-star general."

Carlson resumed the subject within minutes, telling his audience of millions that the agency hadn't denied that it read his emails without permission, per Fox News. He also described tense phone calls with the NSA and failed attempts to reach President Trump-appointed Director Gen. Paul Nakasone, whom Carlson called a "highly political left-wing four-star general." And the White House: "Did the Biden administration read my emails? NSA officials refuse to say," Carlson said. "The Biden administration, for its part, ignored the story. They did not deny it. They can't. They know it's true." Earlier Tuesday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said "everyone's aware" that the NSA "focuses on foreign threats and individuals who are attempting to do us harm on foreign soil," before directing questions to the intelligence community.

"Did the Biden administration read my emails? NSA officials refuse to say," Carlson said. "The Biden administration, for its part, ignored the story. They did not deny it. They can't. They know it's true." Earlier Tuesday, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said "everyone's aware" that the NSA "focuses on foreign threats and individuals who are attempting to do us harm on foreign soil," before directing questions to the intelligence community. Call for transparency: "Spying on opposition journalists is incompatible with democracy  This is scary and we need to stop it right away," Carlson added, per USA Today. He's now calling on Congress to "force transparency" on intelligence agencies, though he appears to have made no such demand following the revelation that Trump's DOJ seized the records of journalists from the New York Times and other outlets.

(Read more Tucker Carlson stories.)
(Newser)  A long national effort to eradicate malaria in China has paid off: The World Health Organization decreed Wednesday that the country is free of the disease. The success "was hard-earned and came only after decades of targeted and sustained action," said the agency's director general, the New York Times reports. "With this announcement, China joins the growing number of countries that are showing the world that a malaria-free future is a viable goal." The campaign drove the number of cases down from 30 million in the 1940s300,000 of them fatalto none in 2017, per Science. An independent panel went to China last month to certify that there were no malaria cases. Australia, Brunei, and Singapore are the only nations in the WHO's Western Pacific area that have wiped out malaria.

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China intensified and broadened its effort in 2010, employing police, the army, and various government agencies. They were given deadlines for each step in reporting and containing the mosquito-borne illness. As part of the campaign, a scientist checked traditional Chinese medicines for compounds that were active against malaria. Tu Youyou found artemisinin from sweet wormwoodArtemisia annuawhich became the core compound of the front-line drugs used against malaria today, bringing him a Nobel Prize in 2015. The WHO cautioned Wednesday that malaria could resurface in China, but the most urgent problem now is in Africa, which accounts for 94% of all cases and deaths. China, which is the 40th country to wipe out malaria, has made efforts to help African nations replicate its success. (Read more malaria stories.)
(Newser)  For the first time in the history of the Miss Nevada pageant, an openly transgender woman has nabbed the crown. Kataluna Enriquez bested 21 other women to become the first openly transgender Miss Nevada at a ceremony at the South Point Hotel Casino in Las Vegas on Sunday, per USA Today. The title brings another first. Enriquez, a Filipina American clothing designer who accepted her crown in a stunning rainbow sequin gown she created herself in honor of Pride Month, will now be the first openly trans woman to compete in the Miss USA pageant in Tulsa, Okla., on Nov. 29, per NBC News. "I have always said I hope to see one day that someone like me is represented in Miss USA," the 27-year-old, who won the Miss Silver State USA pageant in March, tells the Washington Post. But "I never thought that it would be me."

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Earlier this year, a federal judge ruled that another pageant organization, Miss United States of America, had the right to exclude transgender contestants after it barred Anita Noelle Green in 2019. Green congratulated Enriquez on her win, acknowledging the "historic moment for the trans community," per the Post. The Miss USA pageant falls under the Miss Universe umbrella, which has allowed transgender competitors since 2012. "Don't let your differences determine what you are capable of," Enriquez tells KVVU, noting she's struggled with mental health issues and physical and sexual abuse during her life. She was bullied as a high schooler and barred from using either the boys or girls bathrooms, reports the Las Vegas Review-Journal. "But I'm still able to thrive ... and become a trailblazer for many," Enriquez tells KVVU. (Read more Miss USA stories.)
(Newser)  Pennsylvania's highest court on Wednesday vacated Bill Cosbys sex assault conviction, and hours later the New York Times reported Cosby has been freed. He reportedly left the prison just after 2pm and was headed for his suburban Philly home. Fox43 reports the 83-year-old appealed in December to the court, which agreed to review two components of the case: a judge's decision to allow testimony from five other accusers and an agreement Cosby had with a previous prosecutor that his lawyers maintained prevented him from being charged in the case. The court determined Cosby's due process rights were indeed violated. The ruling reads in part: "There is only one remedy that can completely restore Cosby to the status quo ante. He must be discharged, and any future prosecution on these particular charges must be barred. We do not dispute that this remedy is both severe and rare. But it is warranted here, indeed compelled." More:

Cosby has served more than two years of a three- to 10-year sentence at a state prison near Philadelphia. He has maintained he committed no wrongdoing in the 2004 encounter with accuser Andrea Constand, whom he was convicted of drugging and molesting at his suburban estate.

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Cosby was charged in late 2015, when a prosecutor armed with newly unsealed evidenceCosby's damaging deposition from Constand's lawsuitarrested him days before the 12-year statute of limitations expired. The court said that District Attorney Kevin Steele, who made the decision to arrest Cosby, was obligated to stand by his predecessors promise not to charge Cosby when he later gave potentially incriminating testimony in Constand's civil suit. There was no evidence that promise was ever put in writing, reports the AP.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court also disagreed with the trial judge's decision to allow testimony from five women other than Constand. The trial judge had allowed just one other accuser to testify at Cosby's first trial, in which the jury deadlocked. He then allowed the other five to testify at the retrial about their experiences with Cosby in the 1980s.

Cosby Show co-star Phylicia Rashad tweeted her reaction to the news: "FINALLY!!!! A terrible wrong is being righted- a miscarriage of justice is corrected!"

(Read more Bill Cosby stories.)
(Newser)  Almost six months after rioters stormed the Capitol, forcing them to evacuate, House lawmakers split almost entirely along party lines Wednesday in a vote to form a select committee to investigate the attack. The vote was 222-190 in favor, with Republican Reps. Liz Cheney and Adam Kinzinger voting with the Democratic majority. the Hill reports. In May, 35 House Republicans supported the creation of an independent commission, a move later blocked by their Senate counterparts, but many expressed concerns Wednesday that the committee would be overly partisan and dominated by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's chosen members, reports the Washington Post. Pelosi will appoint the panel's chairperson and at least eight of its 13 members, per the AP.

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"We have a duty to the Constitution and to the American people to find the truth of Jan. 6, and to ensure that such an assault on our democracy can never happen again," said Pelosi, whose guests in the gallery included police officers injured in the attack. The committee will be tasked with investigating and reporting on the causes and circumstances of the attack by Trump supporters, including the "influencing factors." Pelosi is expected to name at least one Republicanpossibly Cheney or Kinzingerto the committee. Some Democrats worry that Republicans will choose committee members who opposed the certification of President Bidenor even supported the rioters. "There are indications that some of these folks were in on it. And we can't have folks who were in on it in the investigation," Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez tells Politico. (Read more Capitol riot stories.)
It said the case was not in the Novotel Auckland Airport managed isolation facility, so is not linked to the two positive day 12 tests which were reported on yesterday.

It also said it would investigate the reason for the day 12 positive test.

"Yesterday we reported the full travel histories for cases 1 and 2 were still being investigated.

"We can now confirm those two cases travelled from Kuwait via the United Arab Emirates. "

Update on Sydney traveller

The ministry said so far, 2618 people have been identified as contacts of the Australian person who visited Wellington between 19 and 21 June.

Of those 2618 total contacts, 2505 or 96 percent of people have returned a negative result, eight additional people have had a swab and are awaiting a result; 14 people have been granted a clinical exemption and eight have returned overseas, which means their home jurisdiction will be following up with them, it said.

"The remaining contacts are being actively followed up by contact tracing teams."

The numbers

There are 31 active cases in New Zealand.

The ministry said the seven-day rolling average of new cases detected at the border is three.

Since 1 January 2021, there have been 76 historical cases, out of a total of 570 cases.

The total number of confirmed cases in the country is 2386.

Yesterday there were 1379 COVID-19 tests processed in the Greater Wellington region.

On Tuesday, 10,097 tests were processed across New Zealand and the total number of COVID-19 tests processed to date is 2.28 million.

Update on Wellington

Wellingtonians and visitors were still being urged to check locations of interest, the ministry said.

"If you live in the Greater Wellington area, or were in the region between 19 and 21 June, we urge you to continue to check the locations of interest that were visited by the Australian traveller to the city."

"People who have been at any of these locations at the relevant time should immediately isolate at their home or accommodation and contact Healthline on 0800 358 5453 for advice on testing."

The ministry reminded people that there is a Health Act section 70 notice in place that places a legal requirement on all people who were at locations of interest at the relevant times to follow the instructions regarding isolation and testing.

Vaccine update

COVID-19 Response Minister Chris Hipkins said it was a "very quiet week on the COVID response front"; the first 360 doses of the vaccine were delivered to the Chatham Islands today in stormy conditions.

The remote community is identified as a priority group.

As of midnight, 149,608 doses of vaccine have been delivered, an increase of more than 130,000 doses on last week.

Just over 705,000 New Zealanders received a first dose and more than 440,000 have received a second dose.

In group 3, 206,406 have had a first dose, and 91,477 have had a second dose.

There was now a bar chart showing vaccinations by group per week and a table showing cumulative vaccinations for each group.

"Overall we continue to track ahead of plan, and it's about 8 percent ahead of plan, mindful that we have some tight delivery schedules that we're working for and we're managing supply very closely."

He said New Zealand is in a period of tight supply, as outlined yesterday, but a million doses were expected to be delivered across July.

By the time the next shipment arrives next week, less than a day's worth of vaccines were expected to be left in the freezers.

"That is a deliberate decision ... we would rather have vaccines in people's arms than waiting in fridges."

He said vials could be dispatched to DHBs within hours.

DHBs were continuing to contact everyone in group 3, and by 23 July everyone in that group who is enrolled with a GP should have received an invitation to book their vaccine.

GP vaccinations were continuing to increase.

Hipkins said the online booking system would be used when the group 4 rollout began and would be available for the general public to view from the end of July, around the 28th.

He said IT teams had been working well into the night to integrate all the data to make that possible.

The Janssen vaccine is the next likely vaccine to be approved in New Zealand. The Medicines Assessment Advisory Committee is in the final stages of making a decision on granting provisional approval for it.

On testing, Hipkins said 10,097 tests were reported today, and he acknowledged those administering them and those who had repeatedly come forward to be tested.

He said within a few days the milestone of 150,000 New Zealanders would have come through MIQ.

"It has been an incredibly successful system and that has been the result of extremely hard work and dedication."

Members of the ministry's public health team are monitoring the situation in Australia, Hipkins said, with more than 12 million Australians - close to half the population - covered by lockdown restrictions.

Quarantine-free flights from all of Australia were still paused until 11.59pm on Sunday, at which point flights would begin again for states including Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania and ACT. Travellers would need to supply a negative pre-departure test and anyone who had been at a location of interest in the past 14 days was not allowed to travel.

On border worker vaccinations, the latest figures showed that 83 percent - including those who were only briefly in border areas as part of their work including truck drivers - had two doses.

Another 3 percent had received at least their first dose. The remainder had either not been vaccinated, were exempt or were unable to be matched to their vaccination number.

Work on the next iteration of the border order would extend the vaccination requirement to a much bigger group of border workers, as Hipkins said yesterday, Bloomfield said.

RNZ
Half of all Kiwis believe in at least one piece of widely debunked misinformation, a new survey has found.

And that might be because many of us are more likely to trust information we get from friends and family than the news media.

The Chief Censor's office surveyed more than 2300 Kiwis, and found one in five Kiwis believe in at least three high-profile examples of misinformation about topics including COVID-19, QAnon and even the Christchurch terror attack.

"We expect that people will have misinformation narratives that make sense to them; this is what these kinds of conspiracies or narratives are designed to do," said Kate Hannah, a research fellow at the University of Auckland who specialises in disinformation.
"As a victim of abuse, this is really important to me. I was married and have left that relationship. I just feel like our laws are a system that's allowing the power and control to continue. It's really important to me to be the voice for others and make this change happen," Jones told Newshub on Wednesday.

"I would like to see the two-year stand-down be reduced or removed for those that are victims of abuse. Many other countries overseas have done this, so to me it seems like not a big ask for us to move forward with the rest of the world."

A list compiled by Jones and the Women's Refuge shows how far behind New Zealand is. In Norway, those on the receiving end of attempted murder, "maltreatment" or even just behaviour that suggests the possibility of either can get an instant divorce. It's been that way since 1991.

In Iceland, a divorce can be granted immediately if your partner has an affair or commits sexual violence against you or your children. In the UK physical violence and verbal abuse are grounds for an instant divorce, without a two-year separation.

Bishop described it as a no-brainer. He was approached by Jones about the issues as the MP for Hutt South in the last term of Parliament. The seat is now held by Labour's Ginny Andersen.

"When I first got told about it, I actually couldn't believe that was the law. I assumed we had changed it, to be honest, and so it just seems like a no-brainer and very sensible to me," Bishop told Newshub.
Displaying an astonishing confidence, the authors claim that "We consider Aotearoa has reached a maturity where it is ready to undertake the transformation to restructure governance to realise rangatiratanga Maori (self-determination)". I hope that this 'maturity' can accommodate the vigorous debate that is certainly needed if we are to abandon democracy - for what exactly? While each sentence of the Report deserves scrutiny I will confine myself to two points. The main one is the Report's premise of the political category as an ethnic one. The second concerns judicial activism in constitutional change.

He Puapua envisages a system of constitutional categorisation based on ancestral membership criteria rather than the universal human who is democracy's foundational unit. Ancestral group membership is the key idea of 'ethnicity'. This slippery term refers to a combination of culture - what we do and how we understand ourselves - and genetic inheritance. The word entered common usage from the 1970s followed by 'indigenous' in the 1980s. 'Ethnicity' was an attempt to edit out the increasingly discredited 'race'. However changing a word does not change the idea. Ethnicity does not mean culture only. It has a genetic, biological - a race, component. Although race is an unscientific concept it retains social currency with whakapapa often used to soften the racial connotation of ancestral belonging.

Whatever term is used - ethnicity, race, culture, whakapapa - the issue is the use of ancestral membership for political status. Liberal democracy can accommodate identification with the ancestral group in the civil sphere. Inclusive biculturalism allows for the evolving social practice of a hybrid Maori and settler-descendant culture, one enriched by diverse migration. Exclusive biculturalism, on the other hand, takes those ethnically or racially categorised groups into the constitutional sphere of legislation and state institutions. It is here that we see the effects of five underpinning beliefs of ethno-nationalism.

The first belief holds that our ethnic or racial identity is our primary and determining personal identity. This denies the fact that identity in the modern democratic world is individual identity. The modern person is the autonomous, self-creating, self-directed, independent individual who makes choices (even the choice not to exercise choice and not to be independent). This privilege of choice was not available to our ancestors who were locked into the birth-ascribed identities of traditional cultures. It is not available today to the millions who live under neo-traditionalist elites. These are theocracies and oligarchies (such as the Tongan and Saudi elites) who use traditional beliefs as political control on others while themselves enjoying the fruits of modernity.

We modern individuals make choices about which identity matters the most to us - which identity is the one that we will invest with enormous subjective meaning. An example is the well-educated professional class of the 1980s who chose to identify in ethnic terms, referring to themselves with considerable pride as 'pakeha'. Not all British settler-descendants and other white migrants chose to do so. Indeed it is unusual to find a privileged middle-class group, who adopt ethnicity as a political identity of choice. That is more usually a practice of emergent elites and disenfranchised people. A likely reason is the unfortunate conflation of inclusive and exclusive biculturalism. The desire of the liberal-left to strengthen the democratic social contract by including Maori was subverted by the interests of those successfully creating the foundation for ethno-nationalism. How inclusive biculturalism is replaced by its exclusive form can be seen in the He Puapua. Exclusive bicultural leads directly to the "transformative restructuring of governance to recognise rangatiratanga Maori (self-determination)" proposed by the Report.

For many people, the meaning of who they are is intimately tied to the idea of ethnic belonging. There are those who choose their primary social identity to be pakeha. Others, with Maori ancestry, choose Maori identity as their defining subjectivity. From a democratic point of view the right to choose a determining identity, including an ethnicised or racialised one, must be supported. It is the same for those who wish to define themselves in religious or sexuality terms. As long as such identities remain private choices, practised in association with others of like minds in the civic sphere, there is no problem. It is the right of an individual in a democratic country to make that choice.

The second belief underpinning the He Puapua Report is that the ethnic or racial group is primordial - existing from the beginning of time and known through the mythologies that are now called 'histories'. This belief feeds into the assumption that the group is fundamentally distinctive and separate - hence ethnic fundamentalism. It denies the universal human reality of migration, genetic mixing and social mixing. It certainly denies the New Zealand reality.

A third belief permeating He Puapua is that how people live and understand their lives (culture) is caused by who they are (ancestry or ethnicity/race). Such biological determinism asserts that our genetic heritage causes what we do and the meaning we give to our actions - culture. It is a belief that has taken on its own life in education to justify the 'ways of knowing and being' found in matauranga Maori research, Maori mathematics, and in 'Maori as Maori' education. The equivalent in India is the idea of Vedic science - the Hinduteva fundamentalism that made huge roads in that country during the 1990s. According to this belief how a person thinks, behaves and relates to others is caused by 'blood' or in more acceptable terms, by spirit, volkgeist, mauri or whakapapa.

The fourth belief is a blood and soil ideology. It is the idea that an ethnic group indigenous to an area is autochthonous. The group is 'of the land' in a way that is qualitatively different from those who arrive later. As a consequence of this fact the first group claims a particular political status with entitlements not available to others. The ideology is located in mythological origins and seductive in its mystical appeal. By separating those who are 'indigenous' from those who are not, a fundamental categorisation occurs which then becomes built into political institutions. Such a categorisation principle can be extended - why not have a number of 'classes' with political status based on time of arrival - those who arrived first, those who came a little later, to those who have only just arrived. In an ethno-nation it is quite possible that these 'classes' could become caste divisions.

The fifth belief builds on the others. The classification of individuals as members of ethnic categories is extended to political categories. Membership of an ethnic category takes precedence over citizenship as a person's primary political status. One's political rights follow from this status. The acceptance of ancestral membership as a political category, rather than a social identity, has huge implications for national cohesion and democratic government. It is where ethnic fundamentalism becomes a major problem for us all.

The democratic political arena is where we meet as New Zealanders, as equal citizens of a united nation. That public arena is textured by contributing communities certainly, but it is the place where we unite - as a modern pluralist social group that is also a political entity. If we choose not to unite in this way, and the He Puapua Report is recommending that we don't, why have a nation - New Zealand?

When we politicise ethnicity - by classifying, categorising and institutionalising people on the basis of ethnicity - we establish the platform for ethno-nationalism. Contemporary and historical examples should make us very wary of a path that replaces the individual citizen with the ethnic person as the political subject.

Interestingly those examples show the role of small well-educated elites in pushing through radical change. In Rwanda the ethnic doctrine 'the Mahutu Manifesto' of 1953 was written and promulgated by eleven highly educated individuals identifying politically as Hutu. The raw material of the ethnic ideologies that fuelled the violence in Bosnia and Serbia was supplied by intellectuals. Pol Pot began his killing campaigns immediately on his return from study in Paris.

In my 2006 speech to the NZ Skeptics I said: "In New Zealand we are obviously not far down the track towards ethno-nationalism. However we need to recognise that the ideas which fuel ethnic politics are well-established and naturalised in this country and that the politicisation of ethnicity is underway". Fifteen years later the He Puapua Report shows the progress towards ethno-nationalism. Why has this racial ideology become so accepted in a nation which prides itself on identifying and rejecting racism?

Apart from the success of culturalist intellectuals in muddying the waters between inclusive and exclusive biculturalism, activist judges have played a significant role. New Zealand's democratic system is based on political decisions made by elected representatives who are accountable to the people. The judiciary is required to interpret laws made by politicians. However, the Court of Appeal's 1987 reference to the Treaty of Waitangi as 'akin to a partnership' set in motion the development of principles for such a partnership and for their inclusion in legislation. From this time, judicial activism in Treaty matters has influenced political decisions. The He Puapua Report unquestioningly accepts and promotes an activist role for the judiciary. Its writers suggest that the "co-governance structure would require a Tiriti body or court to regulate jurisdictional boundaries between the respective governance entities".

Ethnic fundamentalism is no better, no worse than the myriad of other fundamentalisms that some individuals impose upon themselves (or have imposed upon them) to give their lives meaning. It becomes a danger to liberal societies regulated by democratic politics when ethnicity is politicised. By basing a governance system of classification and categorisation on historical rather than contemporary group membership, we set ourselves on the path to ethno-nationalism. 'He Puapua' means a break. It is used in the Report to mean "the breaking of the usual political and social norms and approaches." The transformation of New Zealand proposed by He Puapua is indeed a complete break with the past. For this reason it is imperative that we all read the Report then freely and openly discuss what type of nation do we want - ethno-nationalism or democratic nationalism?

Elizabeth Rata is professor for the University of Auckland's Faculty of Education.

Democracy Project
The Prime Minister has now viewed the video.

"I thought it was totally unacceptable. Totally unacceptable," Jacinda Ardern said. "No question that from time to time there will be issues that escalate that staff have to deal with. Most social workers would have been appalled by what they saw on that video."

She said a child sustaining injuries from restraint in care wasn't acceptable.

"What we have seen, the video that has been produced in the last couple of days, clearly not meeting our expectations," Ardern said.

"We have asked Oranga Tamariki to look at the practices within those facilities. Our goal is not to have facilities like this. We are working towards group homes which we hope will be a better environment for these young people."

Sir Wira Gardiner, the agency's acting chief executive, told a parliamentary select committee on Wednesday morning that it is moving away from large facilities to smaller ones being built over the next three to four years. They want to replicate a homely environment and allow those in case to have one-on-one attention.

The behaviour of staff at the facility is just the latest in a string of scandals to recently beset Oranga Tamariki.

"I think we can all agree over the past few years that it's obvious that Oranga Tamariki are failing to live up to their new name," Davis said on Wednesday morning.

"Today, I am not here to defend the indefensible. Oranga Tamariki has made some serious mistakes and there is no hiding away from them. Uplifts, social workers under pressure, a lack of training, and just recently, care and protection residences displaying unacceptable behaviour."

Davis said the "vast majority" of those working in residences are "doing a great job", but in an organisation of thousands, "there will always be someone, unfortunately, who does something they shouldn't".

"We want to eliminate that behaviour as we want to make sure all children are safe. We are not going to stand here... and defend the indefensible. It is about understanding what the problem is, the extent of the problem and then fixing it."

He told the committee he was committed to fixing the system and seeing power transferred to those on the ground in the regions.

"I expect Oranga Tamariki to be that enabler that allows the regions to decide what is right for their particular area, to empower communities and Maori to help children and their families in a way that suits them and not us here in Wellington," Davis said.

"The move will see the decentralisation of Oranga Tamariki and the handing over of trust and power to those at the frontline."
South Australia has detected new community COVID-19 cases for the first time since November last year as the country grapples with a nationwide resurgence of the virus.

The five new cases were detected in a family isolating in Adelaide. One member of the family had been at the Tanami mine in the Northern Territory, where a small outbreak had been recorded last week.

It comes as the Northern Territory town of Alice Springs enters a 72-hour lockdown and outbreaks in other Australian states grew on Wednesday, with the already locked down Queensland and New South Wales reporting three and 22 new cases respectively.

Victoria also had another local case emerge, though it's in a primary contact of a previously reported case who had already been isolating.
Scientists may have found the remains of the first man to ever be infected with the plague which caused the Black Death.

The man died more than 5000 years ago in Latvia and new evidence suggests he was infected with the earliest-known strain of the disease.

Dr Ben Krause-Kyora of the University of Kiel in Germany told the BBC the man was buried with three others beside the River Salac.

Researchers sequenced DNA from the bones and teeth of all four skeletons and tested them for bacteria and viruses.
Local

breaking top story

Reed waives hearing in triple homicide case, expresses remorse for murders

Reed

SHAMOKIN  A 23-year-old man charged in a triple homicide in Snydertown earlier this month waived his right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday because he wanted to spare the victims family and friends the agony of hearing details about the murders.

Attorney James Best, of Sunbury, who is representing Matthew Joseph Reed, of 1043 S. Front St., Sunbury, known as Haven Ministry Center, said his client realized there was sufficient evidence against him to send the case to Northumberland County Court of Common Pleas, so he decided to waive his right to a hearing before Magisterial District Judge John Gembic III.

Reed was charged by Trooper Josiah Reiner, of state police at Stonington, with three counts of criminal homicide after police found Susan Williams, 58, her common-law husband, James Dickens, 59, and their 17-year-old son, John Paul Dickens, shot to death at their residence in Snydertown. He also is charged with robbery of a motor vehicle, illegal possession of a firearm and tampering with evidence relating to the shootings and theft of a gray and tan 1997 Toyota Camry that occurred between noon and 3 p.m. June 9 at 3425 Snydertown Road.

He (Reed) didnt want to put the family through a hearing that would reveal some of the details involving the murders, Best said. My client feels bad about what happened. We were prepared to have a hearing if necessary, but Mr. Reed wanted to waive it.

Best said he plans to file motions seeking a mental health evaluation for Reed, but the defendant has not decided yet if he will plead guilty or not guilty to the charges.

Reed was ordered by Gembic to appear for formal arraignment July 26 followed by a status conference on Aug. 30.

Northumberland County District Attorney Tony Matulewicz said he was prepared to present multiple witnesses at the hearing. The district attorney said he was not expecting Reed to waive the case to court, but said thats his right as a defendant.

Gembics courtroom was packed with potential witnesses, many family members and friends of the three murder victims and police officers awaiting other criminal proceedings.

Reed, who was denied bail by Gembic at his June 10 arraignment due to the homicide offenses, was returned to Northumberland County Jail.

After the hearing, Mike Silenzio, of Tuckerton, New Jersey, who is a brother to James Dickens, said, This is a very devastating loss for the family and we are very appreciative for the outpouring love and support our friends and acquaintances have shown us.

Silenzio said John Paul Dickens was the youngest of the couples six children.

State police said the victims resided in a family trailer at the property.

The three bodies were found by state police in the trailer shortly after 3 p.m. with multiple gunshot wounds, police said.

During an interview with Reed on June 9 after the bodies were discovered, the suspect told police he went to 3425 Snydertown Road with the intention of stealing a Toyota Camry that he had been working with the victims to purchase. Reed told police he brought a gun with him to kill the victim if he needed to.

Reed stated one of the victims told him they were planning on selling the vehicle to someone else, at which time he snapped and started shooting, according to a criminal complaint.

Reed told police he was terrified after the shooting, stole the car and fled the scene, leaving the Toyota Camry near the boat launch on Front Street in Sunbury, not far from Haven Ministry Center, a homeless shelter.

Police said a neighbor, who was walking her dog, saw the victims outside with Reed at about noon looking at their car in a driveway. When she went back outside at 3 p.m., she said the Toyota Camry that had been parked at the residence was gone.

The neighbor said one of the victims told her Reed lives at Haven Ministry Center.

Police said multiple reports of gunfire were received at about 3 p.m. coming from the area of the trailer.

An acquaintance of Reed told police that he contacted her and admitted to murdering three people and asked her to tell police that he had been with her all day, if she was interviewed. He also asked her to take the alleged murder weapon, which she declined to do, police said.

Reed admitted to police that he wasnt allowed to possess a firearm because he had been convicted of aggravated assault in 2016.

Reed was taken into custody early the next day and transported to the county jail.
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Soldiers of the United States Property and Fiscal Office Supply Support Activity, Alaska Army National Guard, pose for a photo April 13, 2021 on Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska.
Fairbanks, AK (99707)

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Fairbanks, AK (99707)

Today

Mostly cloudy. High around 80F. Winds SE at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Cloudy skies early, followed by partial clearing. Low 56F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.
TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune  www.newsofbahrain.com

Shura Council Chairman Ali bin Saleh Al Saleh has underlined His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifas vision to enhance the Bahraini youths active participation in nation-building.

Al Saleh stressed that all concerted efforts undertaken by the executive and legislative branches are a reflection of HM the Kings belief in building youth as the future force of a nation.

The Shura head made the remarks yesterday as Shura Council marked the International Day of Parliamentarism which falls on the 30th of June each year, under the title Say Yes to Youth in Parliament.

He delivered a speech in which he praised the support of His Majesty to the legislative branch in Bahrain. Al Saleh said that HM the King believes in the important role played by the legislative branch in consolidating the foundations of the democratic process, enhancing the comprehensive development and adopting Bahraini society issues, especially what meets the needs and aspirations of the youth, for a better future.

The Shura head noted that the government, headed by His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, promotes the work of youth and gave them special attention at all levels. He pointed out the most prominent project which is the launch of the National Employment Programme, in order to provide 25,000 jobs and 10,000 training opportunities during 2021.

Cable of congratulations

Also yesterday, HM the King received a cable of congratulations yesterday from Al Saleh on the observance of the global occasion. Al Saleh extended sincere thanks and gratitude to His Majesty for his constant follow-up on the work of the Shura Council in order to achieve the interests of the Bahraini people, and continue the democratic and progress march during his prosperous era.


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Lynne Sladky/AP

MIAMI (AP)  Delia Fiallo, a native of Cuba who was considered the mother of Latin America's telenovelas and wrote dozens of the popular television soap operas, died Tuesday at her home in Coral Gables, Florida, her caregiver said. She was 96.

Fiallo, whose TV hits included Cristal, Kassandra and Leonela, died just five days before her 97th birthday, her caregiver for the past three years, Blanca, told The Associated Press. She asked to be quoted only by her first name.
NEWTOWN - Leaders here are not alone in their haste to preempt Connecticuts marijuana legalization law that goes into effect on Thursday, but Newtown will be the first municipality in the area to put a proposed ban on cannabis establishments before the public.

Newtowns public hearing on Thursday to ban all cannabis establishments including medicinal dispensaries will give residents their first chance to weigh in on marijuana legalization since June 22, when Gov. Ned Lamont signed into law a national model for regulating adult-use cannabis.

Ridgefield and Danbury leaders have announced their own intentions to forestall recreational marijuana businesses from setting up on Main Street until planners have a chance to decide how they want to control it.

Newtowns top elected leader said this week that he understands there will be a debate. The towns Planning and Zoning Commission has scheduled an in-person public hearing for 7 p.m. Thursday at the Newtown Municipal Center, 3 Primrose St.

This didnt go to P&Z with fire and brimstone, said First Selectman Dan Rosenthal. I see the public interest in this both ways.

Rosenthal is referring to a state law effective Thursday that allows people who are 21 and older to have 1.5 ounces of marijuana with them and up to five more ounces of marijuana in a secure location, such as their home or car. The law allows patients in Connecticuts medical marijuana program to have three mature marijuana plants and three smaller plants in their home - a provision that will extend to the general adult public in 2023.

A key piece of the law is the retail component, which is not expected to be effective until the end of next year. In addition to providing a new source of revenue for municipalities and providing controls to prevent underage abuse, the law aims to start the necessary work of repairing the damage caused by decades of failed cannabis criminalization policies.

Newtowns proposed ban would not affect individuals but only cannabis enterprises looking to do business in town, such as cultivators, producers, retailers and dispensaries.

Rosenthal said he trusts that the Lamont administration did its homework to make Connecticuts law a model that learns from mistakes other states made, but Newtown can benefit by waiting to see how the recreational marijuana industry develops across cities and towns.

This doesnt have to be a permanent action - we can always opt back in later, Rosenthal said of Newtowns proposed ban. Once you have a (cannabis) establishment here and there are unintended consequences, you can no longer do anything about it.

Danbury, which has already approved a Bethel-based medical marijuana dispensarys move to a former bank on the citys west side, plans a public hearing for July 27 to consider a moratorium on cannabis establishments.

Prospect has already passed a six-month moratorium on all new cannabis establishments.

In Ridgefield, which already bans medical marijuana dispensaries, First Selectman Rudy Marconi has proposed banning retail cannabis in part because of the (mixed) message selling weed in town would send to young people.

In the same way, Newtowns ban would not only block recreational cannabis establishments but also rescind zoning that allows medical marijuana dispensaries in town.

By narrow vote margins in 2018, Newtown planners and zoners approved a medical marijuana dispensary that never went through because the vendor was denied a license by the state Department of Consumer Protection.

Rosenthal said Newtown had nothing to lose by being prudent.

This is a brand new bill, Rosenthal said. We just want to understand the dynamics and digest the moving parts.

rryser@newstimes.com 203-731-3342
DANBURY  City officials are scrambling as the law allowing adults to legally buy and smoke marijuana goes into effect Thursday.

Danbury has yet to determine whether itll create designated public places for residents to smoke marijuana, while police are adjusting to the new rules. The governor signed the law last week allowing use and possession of a certain amount of marijuana.

Everybody is trying to review it right now to try to get a sense and a handle on it, Mayor Joe Cavo said.

Some larger Connecticut cities, including Danbury, may regulate public use of cannabis and then must create designated outdoor spaces for people to smoke.

City departments, including parks, health, corporation counsel and land use, are studying the legislation to decide what to do, Cavo said. A plan wont be in place by the time the law goes into effect.

In the meantime, the mayor encouraged residents to avoid smoking in public places.

If you want to smoke, smoke at home if thats what you chose to do, Cavo said.

Thats the safest place to do so, he said.

We dont want you getting behind a wheel of a car if youre high, he said. Well be working on the legislation and seeing what it requires us to do and well follow it from there. This is all uncharted territory.

Police may respond to complaints about someone smoking pot in a public spot, Chief Patrick Ridenhour said.

We probably would respond and try to address it as a quality of life issue if its really hazardous to people around and probably suggest another area that they can go to, he said. But at this point, without areas being specifically designated, Im not sure theres too much we can do beyond that.

Danbury police received a 12-page document from the states Police Officer Standards and Training Council thats meant to guide officers on the new law.

Its not all encompassing because, quite frankly, this thing was thrown on us, Ridenhour said. Were just going to do the best we can. I dont think youre going to see any major changes as of (Thursday), but were still sorting through and getting legal guidance.

The document reminds officers of whats now legal and what isnt. For example, the smell of marijuana doesnt give officers the right to search a vehicle, he said.

The law allows adults over 21 to have an ounce-and-a-half of marijuana, plus another five ounces in a locked container.

Danbury is looking to approve an at-most, one-year moratorium on cannabis establishments. Danbury Zoning Commission will hold a public hearing on July 27 on the issue.

The goal is to give the city time to figure out how to regulate retailers, including where they should be permitted, before sales begin in the state at the end of 2022.

We just want to make sure we have a chance to do our homework and look at all the ifs, ands or whats about this and make a very informed and educated decision as we move forward, Cavo said.

But he said he doesnt plan to stand in the way of marijuana retailers over the long term.

I do not smoke marijuana, but I do understand now that it will be the law in Connecticut, that it will be allowed, he said. I will probably work within those guidelines, try to do it as safe as possible.

Newtown and Ridgefield are exploring banning retailers, too. Newtowns Planning and Zoning Commission is holding a public hearing on the issue at 7 p.m. Thursday, while the Ridgefield first selectman plans to ask his respective commission to ban cannabis sales.

Cavo, meanwhile, is worried about people driving or operating machinery while high.

For our police department, it will pose issues and concerns, he said. But its the law.
Tuskegee is the one-word answer some people give as a reason theyre avoiding COVID-19 vaccines. A new ad campaign launched Wednesday with relatives of men who unwittingly became part of the infamous experiment wants to change minds.

Omar Neal, 63, a former mayor of the Alabama town, said he was hesitant at first about the shots. Neal is a nephew of Freddie Lee Tyson, a family man who was among several hundred Black men who decades ago became involved without their consent in the federally backed syphilis study.

Neal said he agreed to appear in the national campaign after doing research to gain confidence in the vaccines.

I want to save lives, Neal told The Associated Press. I didnt want people to use Tuskegee and what transpired there as a reason for not taking the vaccine.

In 1932 and over 40 years, Black men in Tuskegee, Alabama, were subjected to experimentation without their knowledge. Most of the 600 men had syphilis  including Tyson, who got infected before birth  but they were left untreated so researchers could study the natural history of the disease.

Tyson died from unrelated causes in 1988, 16 years after the study ended. But many others died from a disease that can be cured with penicillin.

Neal and other Tyson relatives are among half a dozen Tuskegee descendants involved in the ads, which focus on vaccine hesitancy among Black Americans. They say vaccination is needed to help communities of color and curb a disease that has disproportionately affected Black Americans.

Dont deny ourselves the opportunity the men were denied, Tyson's 76-year-old daughter, Lillie Tyson Head, said in one of the ads.

Its really up to us to take ownership of our health and this story, Carmen Head Thornton, the granddaughter Tyson called his Carmen girl, said in another ad.

Vaccines are highly effective against COVID-19. Yet U.S. vaccination rates are lower than government goals, with 46% fully vaccinated while 54%, have received one dose. People of color have lagged behind white Americans in getting the shots.

Authorities are concerned about the slowing pace of new vaccinations amid persistent pockets of resistance. Limited access is an issue for some Black people, but so is mistrust of the medical system.

Thornton, a director at the American Academy of Child & Adolescent Psychiatry, was a young girl when she learned what had happened to her grandfather. The two were extremely close; she recalls catching her first fish with him and watching mesmerized while he stitched quilts by hand.

She pledged to devote her life to fighting health inequities and injustice, and sees COVID-19 vaccines as a way to address disparities the pandemic laid bare.

The campaign includes a minidocumentary and shorter 60-second versions made for TV and online use. They are part of the Ad Councils ongoing multimillion-dollar education campaign aiming to encourage confidence in the shots, paid for by donations from media corporations.

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Follow AP Medical Writer Lindsey Tanner on Twitter: @LindseyTanner

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Converted barns are not uncommon in Connecticut. But converted barns with nearly 7,000-square-feet of loft space might not be so typical.

Listed for $3.495 million, the home on 85 Painter Ridge Road in Roxbury sits on almost 46 acres of land and was once the dairy barn on Voytershark Farm, according to the listing. The barn was built in 1962, the Connecticut Trust for Historic Preservation notes, and remained in use until 1994 as "one of the last major dairy barns to be built in Roxbury."

Now a fully-renovated three-bedroom, 5,376-square-foot home with "one-floor living," the listing notes that the living room has floor-to-ceiling windows, along with exposed beams and double glass doors that lead out to a patio. The kitchen is outfitted with a pizza oven, according to the listing, as well as a 10-burner double range. A "curved hallway" leads to all three bedrooms, a family room and a mud room, the listing notes.

Beyond the main floor of living space, the home also has a full second floor "loft" area that the listing reports is 6,912 square feet. The "almost finished" space can be used as an artist studio, the listing notes, and has wide-plank oak floors and reclaimed wood walls and ceilings.

Take a look inside the converted barn.
The Brazilian Health Ministry and the Comptroller General of the Union (CGU) advised President Jair Bolsonaro to suspend the deal for now, seeing as he is beset by accusations of corruption caused by certain discrepancies in the purchase.

Brazil had decided to cancel a contract for the purchase of coronavirus vaccines from India at the cost of $324 million. The vaccine order now cancelled was for 20 million Covaxin doses, manufactered by Bharat Biotech.

The Brazilian Health Ministry and the Comptroller General of the Union (CGU) advised President Jair Bolsonaro to suspend the deal for now, seeing as he is beset by accusations of corruption caused by certain discrepancies in the purchase. These irregularities in the deal were revealed by whistleblowers claiming to have knowledge of the contract.

The public opinion of Bolsonaro was already in decline, as the blame for the death toll in Brazil is being placed upon him and his management of the pandemic. If any evidence about his alleged embezzlement in the deal is discovered, then whatever is left of his public image will be shattered wholly, a worrying prospect for him seeing as the next President elections in Brazil are coming up next year.

Marcelo Queiroga, the Minister of Health for Brazil, assured the press at a conference that the whole affair will be thoroughly investigated by their teams. He also informed that although the preliminary investigation of the CGU revealed no proof of wrongdoing in regards to the deal, the Health Ministry has decided to suspend the contract until the full picture is clear to them.
The commission to take crucial matters regarding the Union Territorys political affairs. Justice Ranjana Desai (Retd) and Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra will chair the meeting.

The delimitation commission, which aims at redrawing the parliamentary and assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir ought to have an internal meeting at the Election Commission office in Delhi today. Justice Ranjana Desai (Retd) and Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra will chair the meeting. Jammu and Kashmirs Chief Electoral Officer along with other officials of the poll panel will attend the meeting as well. The commission needs to finalise its plans after consultations with political parties in the coming days.

The Election Commission has already conducted virtual discussions with its Jammu and Kashmir representatives and deputy commissioners regarding the delimitation of the 90 Assembly constituencies in the Union Territory. The meeting was attended by 20 deputy commissioners from Jammu and Kashmir. During the meeting, they pointed out the administrative difficulties faced by the assembly constituencies. The possible difficulties faced by the voters in assembly constituencies without exact geographical boundaries were also discussed in the meeting.

The meeting was held before Prime Minister Narendra Modis All-party meeting with leaders from Jammu and Kashmir. The re-starting of political activity in the Union Territory was discussed by the leaders in the All-party meeting.

However, a three-member delimitation commission under retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai was set up in March 2020 for a year. The panel got a year extension from the Central government on March 3, 2021. This happened as it failed to complete its task last year.

The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019 that came on August 9, 2019, paved the way for the creation of two Union Territories  Jammu and Kashmir, which will have a legislature and Ladakh, without a legislature. This Act made the number of seats in the legislative assembly of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir increased from 107 to 114. In addition to this, the Election Commission determines the delimitation of the constituencies.

A full meeting of the commission including the Lok Sabha MPs from Jammu and Kashmir is likely to take place over the coming days. The date of such a meeting might be decided today.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting of the Union council of ministers today which is likely to discuss the Covid situation of the country and also review functioning of few ministries.

As per sources, a very likely reshuffle of PM Modis cabinet is doing the rounds for the past few weeks. Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting of the Union council of ministers today which is likely to discuss the Covid situation of the country and also review functioning of few ministries.

The Union Council of Ministers is headed by the Prime Minister and includes the Cabinet Ministers and Ministers of State (MoS) with the ones being given independent charge. Previously, amid buzz of an imminent reshuffle in the Union Cabinet, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs and Union Cabinet meetings were held on June 16.

This will be seen as a major development keeping the stock of Indias covid situation and economy, trade and defense and strategic growth. The meeting will be held virtually on Wednesday evening. Political observers and BJP sources feel the council of ministers meeting assumes significance as it is being held at a time when there is speculation of a cabinet expansion and reshuffle.

Also Read: Twitter distorts J&K map, UP Police books Twitter India MD
China marks the centenary of its ruling party and celebrations have already begun across the communist nation ahead of the official anniversary on Thursday.

China marks the centenary of its ruling party and is gearing up for a patriotic extravaganza. Celebrations have already begun across the communist nation ahead of the official anniversary on Thursday. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP), which came to power in China nearly 72 years ago, was founded in 1921. NewsX will bring out historical events, accounts and reports which point to the Chinese Communist Partys bloody and unpardonable past. As CCP observes centenary, the world mustnt forget the truth.

The CCP supremo, Xi Jinping will attend a series of events starting from Thursday to highlight the achievements of the party since its inception. China, an ancient civilization with 5,000 years of history faced Maos reckless experiment which lead millions dead in China. Famine, drought, starvation have been CCPs haunting reality for over decades. CCP in China gears up to observe its centenary and NewsX presents special series exclusively: The Real CCP Report Card.

Chairman Maos reckless and unscientific experiment in rural china led to the death of millions. Given the CCPs present belligerence, brutality and hubris and as it readies to mark its centenary, it is imperative the world mustnt forget their unforgivable reality. The CCP took over a country that had been ravaged by decades of conflict. Chairman Mao had to send armies to quell Xinjiang and Tibet to plant the flag of the new republic.

Also Read: Baihetan Dam: China turns on worlds second biggest hydropower dam
MATERA, Italy (AP)  A meeting of foreign and development ministers from the Group of 20 nations Tuesday ended with agreement to boost efforts to fight growing hunger in the world, worsened by the pandemic, especially in Africa, as well as climate change effects.

But there were also notes of discord, with Germany and China taking jabs at each other over vaccine policy for developing countries.

Italian Foreign Minister Luigi Di Maio, who hosted the meeting, argued that assistance projects in Africa will also affect migration from the continent to Europe.

The G-20 has the duty to sustain Africa in emerging from a difficult period, he said at a closing news conference.

We must do it in a way so that in Africa, people arent forced any more to abandon their country and their territory, and I dont think anyone can carry out this battle alone, said Di Maio, who announced that Italy would host a conference in October in Rome focused on Africa.

Di Maio said that hunger on the planet has been increasing since 2014 and warned that the COVID-19 pandemic could add another 100 million people to the ranks of the hungry and malnourished. "Clearly one of the first steps to build a better world is to make sure everyone is fed,'' he said.

The one-day gathering yielded the so-called Matera Declaration, a call to action on food security, nutrition and food systems. Matera is a picturesque southern hilltop city in Italy's underdeveloped Basilicata region hosting the talks.

In the declaration, the ministers concurred that advancing these goals requires the collective and coordinated leadership and action at the global level and a people-centered approach,.

"The G-20 is well positioned to provide such leadership, while promoting an inclusive approach with all stakeholders, private and public, and pursuing ambitious yet concrete and actionable programs, the declaration reads.

The Group of 20 nations account for more than half the world's population and some 80% of its GDP.

The declaration also recognizes the need for "accelerating the adaptation of agriculture and food systems to climate change."'

Beyond the differences and distances among some countries present at the G-20 table, we are all in agreement on climate change, sustainability, on the great issues that today can only be resolved with global cooperation, Di Maio said.

But there were some sharp exchanges involving some of the major powers during the day.

Arriving, German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas said it was important that we sit together in this round with countries like Russia and China, and that we openly address the fact that we do not think much of their vaccine diplomacy.

Maas was referring to China and Russia providing or selling their own produced vaccines to less developed countries, although some European countries, including Hungary and San Marino, were eager to get the Russian Sputnik V vaccine. Some in the West believe China and Russia have been supplying their vaccines to poorer countries in order to bolster their power.

Neither China nor Russia sent their foreign ministers. China's minister, Wang Yi , addressed the meeting remotely and jabbed back at Maas.

China, he said, has supplied more than 450 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to 100 countries. The Chinese minister took a swipe at Western nations, adding that countries able to supply vaccines ought to avoid restrictions on exports and excessive hording" of vaccines,

To bring the pandemic to an end, we must get more vaccine to more places, U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken told the gathering. Multilateral cooperation will be key to stop this global health crisis.

Blinken took the occasion to tout U.S. contributions to COVAX, the U.N.-backed program to get vaccines to needy nations, which include around 500 million Pfizer doses and 80 million other doses.

Germany's Maas signaled urgency. I think the main thing now is to quickly create alternatives so that countries, regions like Africa, for example, are able to be supplied with more vaccine more quickly, he told AP. He suggested focusing on providing supply chains as well as production facilities.

The decision earlier this year by President Joe Biden's administration to return to the climate change fight and help lead it has heartened advocates pressing for urgent tackling of climate change threats. Last year, under the Trump administration, the United States became the only country to leave the 2015 agreement.

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D'Emilio reported from Rome.
STAMFORD  Tomo Networks, a financial-technology firm focused on the real estate industry that was founded last year in Stamford, plans to create up to 100 local jobs by the end of this year, company and state officials announced Wednesday.

At the same time, Tomo announced its digital platforms launch and confirmed a $70 million round of investing, which company officials described as one of the largest seed rounds in history.

The state Department of Economic and Community Development will support Tomo with earn-as-you-grow subsidies that provide grants in arrears as job targets are reached.

Tomo could have selected any state in the country to locate their corporate headquarters, and they chose Connecticut because they recognize that we have the best educated, best trained and most productive work forces in the world that are driving innovation, especially in the fintech industry, which has seen tremendous growth in recent years, Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement.

New companies like Tomo make me excited because of the innovative products they are creating. I am thrilled they have chosen Stamford as the central hub where they will be making this happen, and I look forward to seeing their continued growth here, Lamont said.

The company will be headquartered at 2200 Atlantic St., in Stamfords South End, yards away from the future headquarters, at 100 Washington Blvd., of manufacturer and technology-services provider ITT. The latter announced last week that it would move its main offices to the city from White Plains, N.Y.

It has been a pleasure to work with Gov. Lamonts office, the Department of Economic and Community Development, and AdvanceCT (an economic development-focused nonprofit) as we build out our company in Stamford, Greg Schwartz, CEO and co-founder of Tomo, said in a statement. Innovative, growth-oriented companies like Tomo are attracted to the state by the business-friendly environment and the deep talent available here. We intend to be the destination employer of choice for those who want to change how home buying and financial services are transacted. I am proud to be in Stamford for our official launch today.

Tomo offices in Seattle, Wash., and Austin, Texas, will support the Stamford headquarters.

Connecticut is in the midst of one of its busiest periods for corporate recruitment since Lamont, a first-term Democrat, took office in January 2019. Tobacco giant Philip Morris International announced June 22 that it would move its headquarters from Manhattan to Connecticut and financial-technology firm iCapital Network committed June 24 to opening offices in Greenwich.

I think we are going to see many more financial technology companies like Tomo come to Connecticut in the post-pandemic era, DECD Commissioner David Lehman said in a statement. We have the ecosystem that can support both the tech and finance aspects of their business, and we have the talent they need to help them compete in this industry. We are aggressively recruiting companies in this sector.

AdvanceCT CEO and President Peter Denious said in a statement that Tomo is a great example of an industry disruptor, and we are thrilled they chose to establish their headquarters in Stamford. Their growth trajectory is exciting, and we look forward to supporting them in the coming months.

Tomos digital platform is initially launching in the Dallas, Houston and Seattle markets. It will be the first platform in the residential real estate space that is buyer-centric, using its proprietary technology to customize the home-buying experience with features that include fully underwritten pre-approvals in hours, an on-time closing guarantee and a price match for the lowest possible mortgage rates, according to the joint announcement issued Wednesday by the company and state officials.

The company has launched amid a spike in home-buying in markets like Connecticut since the start of the coronavirus pandemic. Connecticut home sales in May rose 22 percent year-over-year, according to Berkshire Hathaway Home Services.

Buying a home is really way too hard, Schwartz, who relocated to New Canaan around the time of Tomos founding, said in an interview last year. Its too demanding on the homebuyer.

Tomo is not trying to compete with Zillow, according to Schwartz. He worked at the Seattle-based real estate and rental marketplace from 2007 until the start of 2020, in a number of executive positions, including most recently as its president of media and marketplace.

Carey Armstrong, Tomos other co-founder and its chief revenue officer, formerly served as vice president of Zillows Premier Agent business.

Its the same industry, but were trying to solve a different thing, Schwartz said in the interview. Were specifically focused on re-plumbing the transaction and starting with the mortgage. We want to make it a payments platform for the housing industry, as PayPal is to e-commerce  That will be a very powerful and scalable thing, and well be able to partner with folks like Zillow.

At the same time, Schwartz said the company wants to help, not compete with, real estate professionals.

I would never dream of buying a house personally without having the advocacy of a real estate professional, Schwartz said in the interview. The risks are too high. I think most folks want that same experience, and they should be able to access modern digital tools.

The companys name alludes to omotenashi, which Tomos website describes as a Japanese service philosophy in which needs are anticipated and thoughtfully met. Schwartz said he was inspired by an example of omotenashi while trying to catch a bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto during a family trip a couple of years ago.

Veronica Del Valle contributed reporting to this article.

pschott@stamfordadvocate.com; twitter: @paulschott
NEW HAVEN  You could call them the Brillies.

They likely would answer, as that is the special name for a small group of about 15 Yale Law School students who are assigned during their first-year fall semester to Yale law professor Lea Brilmayer.

And the law schools small groups have gotten a lot of publicity lately because of Professor Amy Chua.

Chua did not lead a small group last year, after she was confronted by law school Dean Heather Gerken with having students to her house. She denied that she violated the Yale guidelines for pandemic gatherings and said she withdrew from the group. Her disagreement with the law school made national news, but other professors said they kept to the university rules despite the difficulty.

The small groups, which are offered only that first term, are more than a seminar class. Traditionally, the professor leading the group socializes with the students, with some holding dinners parties or other gatherings at their home. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, it put a major damper on the groups.

A Nov. 6, 2020, email from Provost Scott Strobel and Dr. Stephanie Spangler, vice provost for health affairs, stated, Gatherings that involve serving food or drinks where masks are removed are strongly discouraged.  Restrictions on attending or hosting parties remain in place for students. Additionally, the States new Phase 2.1 rules prohibit gatherings larger than 10 people in private residences and apply to all members of the community.

Contributed photo

Brilmayer, who led a small group in contracts law last fall, said it was difficult, but she managed to continue seeing her students at her home on the Branford shore, without violating the rules.

Brilmayer said all her small gathering were planned for outside with no food or drink.

It wasnt that the rules themselves were so tough. It was everything in combination, Brilmayer said. The rules did not stay constant the entire time  You never knew when it might change so you always had to be looking.

Brilmayer is popular with her small-group students. She holds sleepovers and swimming parties. The students even give themselves a nickname.

Everybody knows that if you get into a Brilmayer section that youre a Brillie. Brillies are special, she said. Theres reputed to be a secret handshake.  This year they made up travel mugs, coffee mugs with tops on them that [said], Everybody wants to be a Brillie.

Two of her students have gotten married, as well.

Chua withdrew from leading hers, either voluntarily, according to the law school, or under pressure because Gerken told her she would not be leading one, as Chua described it.

The issue, Gerken said in a statement to the New Haven Register, was that Professor Chua has publicly acknowledged that she served food and drink to students inside her home during the early weeks of the spring semester, when COVID was spiking and the University was repeatedly asking our community to avoid maskless indoor gatherings.

Chua said she had had only groups of two or three students to her Westville home mostly as extensions of office hours. One get-together, which was documented in a dossier of text messages brought to the dean, actually was a meeting with two students, one of whom was upset because of being targeted by other students, she said.

Each professor has her or his own style of how to lead the small groups, Brilmayer said.

For some people, theyll have one very nice dinner party. For other people, theyll do a lot of informal socializing, but I really try to get to know everybody in the class, she said. I do tend to get very friendly with my students.

A microburst

For Brilmayer, an international law scholar, the groups are a way for students to get to know her and, more importantly, to get to know each other, she said. Its a way of releasing the stress of studies. They want to be someplace where they can put their feet up on the table, she said.

Arnold Gold / Hearst Connecticut Media file

When it comes to socializing with her students, Brilmayer said, Im kind of extreme. For me the small group is about the students getting to know each other in a way that doesnt happen at most law schools.  They dont come over to my house to meet me.

COVID made everything harder. This was really terrible for them, Brilmayer said. Being at Yale Law School can be one of the most fun things in the world. They were looking forward to this. They worked so hard to get here.

Yale University has been one of the strictest institutions when it comes to pandemic precautions. This years commencement was held in person, but without family or guests allowed on campus.

Six or seven people was the maximum number of people you could have in any group, Brilmayer said. People could not meet indoors, eat or drink or engage in strenuous activity. Brilmayer said she split the group up and followed the rules, but she continued to entertain at the Victorian house she shares with her husband, Bill Horne, a longtime leader of the Branford Land Trust.

I typically have a lot of social events at my house and there wasnt a single thing that I could do that was consistent with university rules, Brilmayer said. Everything had to be stripped down to the bare bones. Everything had to be rethought.

So Brilmayer broke the group in three. I arranged things so there was a period of two or three hours on Friday afternoon. Four or five people would come over to hang out at the house, six feet apart, wearing masks. I just tried to be extremely punctilious about this, she said.

She didnt offer food or drinks, she said. When they were outside, we didnt serve anything. At first I thought the rule was they could bring food and eat their own food, but the rule was you couldnt eat. We made a point out of this because it was a slippery slope.

Unfortunately, the first get-together didnt quite work out that way. It was on Aug. 27. The one time that we did sort of violate the rules was the first sort of event that I had. The group was swimming in Long Island Sound at about 4:30 p.m., when Horne came running, yelling for them to get out of the water.

Come on! Come on! Come on! There was a tornado, Brilmayer said Horne called out. In Branford, the high winds later were determined to have been a microburst, but there was a small tornado farther north.

It was really freaky, Brilmayer said. It was a dangerous situation and I let them into the house. She said she would defend the action as being in line with wanting to keep the students safe.

We were outside on the porch, looking south at Rogers Island when a big gust of wind came through, she said. This was like a howling wind. There were branches down all over the place.

Later, with trees down across the road, Horne had to lead the students, using the flashlights on their phones, across a trail to Stony Creek to get home. It was really a scene, Brilmayer said.

Otherwise, she said, she kept the rules to a fault, always outside. In fact, we had a very small party of five or six student on Election Day  those who werent busy working at polls or getting votes out. She pushed a television to the window and the students watched from the porch.

We did that and they had blankets and it got colder and colder and colder, she said. The students eventually went home.

Brilmayer started at Yale Law School in 1982, left in the 90s for several years to teach at New York University because they were jazzing up their international law programs, she said. She returned to Yale in 1998.

We always tell people that being placed in the Brilmayer small group is like winning the lottery because professor Brilmayer is an incredible person and the community is so strong, said Duncan Hosie, who said Brilmayers students also are known as Brillionaires. He said he was in her small group his first year and served as a teaching assistant, known as a Coker fellow, last year during COVID.

There are extremely close relationships between the class years, said Hosie, who originally is from the San Francisco Bay Area and graduated in May. Each year, past and present Brillies would attend a Halloween party at Brilmayers home, he said.

I think she is an extremely generous person. I also feel she prioritizes the small groups, Hosie said. I think she really cares about the small groups and realizes for 1Ls its a really important part, if not the most important part, of the first-year experience.

Hosie said that last year I think we rose to the occasion. I think there was a lot of concern we wouldnt be able to deliver the small-group experience to them. He said breaking the group into smaller groups was how they managed to obey university rules about gathering during the pandemic.

Internet games

Professor Robert Post, a constitutional law scholar, conducted his small group totally on Zoom. Im 73 and Im not about to meet in person because of the risks of COVID, he said. Zoom was not what he wanted to do, however.

Contributed photo

I was terrified of it because typically I have them over to the house and we have brunch or they go bowling together, Post said. He said he intends to develop a very personal mentorship relationship with each student. Its important, he said, that each student feel free to speak whats on their mind, and that can lead to a delicate and personal classroom experience.

I personally had to revamp how I taught it, Post said. We had to have a much more structured discussion. My teaching is all about basically how you read texts very carefully.

Post said the two third-year Coker fellows did get together with students. They did social activities with the students since it was student to student, he said. One of the consequences of being 73 is youre really out of it as far as the culture of someone whos 23.

As for Posts socializing with his students, I met with them three or four nights during the semester and we played internet games, he said. I felt like I sort of got to know them a little bit more. He also met with each student on Zoom individually.

He called Brilmayer someone who is super-connected to these kids. She has a wonderful home.  She is a super-fabulous teacher. I concentrate much more on the curricular side, although Im there for the personal side.

One of Posts students, Andrew Granato, said, As far as I know, most group were still able to do physically distanced functions in person by cleaving the group in half. He said his small group stayed under the 10-person limit and went pumpkin and apple picking and met in a field.

We never had any social function that was all of us, he said. Everybody did the best they could to simulate normal social rituals or activities they would have done.

Granato said he didnt meet professor Post in person the entire semester except one time I ran into him on the street. He was wearing a mask and sunglasses, so I didnt recognize him.  He started talking to me and I didnt realize who it was for several seconds.

Granato, who is from Columbus, Ohio, and interested in financial and business regulation, said the small group acts as a default friend group for new students. Thats particularly true this year because normally in a university setting you run into people in the hallways or during classes and that was  restricted during COVID. Definitely a lot of my best friends that I made at the law school were in my small group.

Neither Brilmayer nor Post wanted to comment on Chuas situation, and the law school declined to comment, as did Chua.

edward.stannard@hearstmediact.com; 203-680-9382
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  The Associated Press and three other Wisconsin media outlets won a lawsuit Wednesday seeking records related to sexual harassment allegations against a former legislator.

The AP, the Wisconsin State Journal, The Capital Times and the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel sued in March 2020 after then-Assembly Chief Clerk Pat Fuller denied their open records requests seeking copies of the complaint against then-state Rep. Staush Gruszynski as well as documents related to the investigation.

Dane County Circuit Judge Juan B. Colas issued a ruling Wednesday saying that Assembly leaders misapplied a balancing test, erroneously finding that the complainant's privacy outweighed the public's interest in the documents.

Colas ordered Assembly leaders to release unredacted versions within five days. He said the media outlets should file an affidavit seeking attorney fees and costs as well as any claims for damages.

Assembly leaders could ask a state appeals court to stay the decision pending review. Ted Blazel, the current Assembly chief clerk, and Angela Joyce, a spokeswoman for Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, didn't immediately respond to a message seeking comment.

Gruszynski, a Democrat, represented Green Bay in 2019. According to Colas' ruling, a legislative employee alleged that he sexually harassed her that October at a Madison bar. The media outlets filed their requests for the documents that December.

According to the lawsuit, Amanda Jorgenson, a manager in the Legislature's human resources office, said in an email to the media outlets that the office treats internal employee complaints as confidentially as possible and that the woman's privacy outweighed the public interest in the documents.

Wisconsin law allows records custodians to apply such balancing tests. The media outlets argued that the state's open records law presumes complete access to government records and denial of requests is contrary to the public interest. They maintained Fuller and the Assembly had no valid basis for denial.

The Assembly released redacted versions of the records in August after the woman gave The Capital Times details of her complaint. The media outlets challenged the redactions that same month as part of the lawsuit.

Those documents revealed that Gruszynski told the woman as they sat at the bar that he had had his eye on her for years and asked her to have sex with him. She refused, reminding him that he was married and that sex between a legislator and an aide would be inappropriate. She then left the bar.

Gruszynski said in a statement in August that he was black out drunk during the encounter. He lost a primary for his seat that month and is no longer a legislator.

The Assembly passed a bill Tuesday that calls for creating a new human resources office for the Legislature. Open government advocates fear that language in the bill would allow the new office to keep complaints about lawmakers secret.

The Senate passed the bill Wednesday on a voice vote with no debate and sent it to Gov. Tony Evers. Britt Cudaback, a spokeswoman for the governor, didn't immediately respond to a message inquiring about his position on the bill.

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This version corrects the number of media outlets that sued from two to three in the first paragraph.

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Follow Todd Richmond on Twitter at https://twitter.com/trichmond1
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  A South Carolina lawmaker who once ran one of the General Assembly's most powerful committees is getting ready to head to prison for an 18 month sentence on corruption charges.

Former Rep. Jim Harrison has had the sentence for perjury hanging over his head for three years. The state Supreme Court refused to overturn that conviction in January while overturning two misconduct in office convictions.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP)  A woman was sentenced Wednesday to eight years in prison for damaging valves and setting fire to construction equipment along an oil pipeline that crosses Iowa and three other states.

Thirty-nine-year-old Jessica Rae Reznicek also was ordered to pay nearly $3.2 million in restitution and serve three years of supervised release after her prison term for conspiracy to damage an energy facility ends, the U.S. attorney's office said in a news release.
BENNINGTON, Vt. (AP)  A former New York police detective who awaits trial on charges that he sexually assaulted a girl at his vacation home in Vermont in the 1980s has now been accused of misrepresenting claims of poor health and his inability to travel to Vermont.

Leonard Forte, 79, was charged with felony sexual assault of a 12-year-old girl in Vermont in 1987. He was convicted in 1988 but a judge ordered a new trial the next year, saying the prosecutor had been too emotional.
BILLINGS, Mont. (AP)  Gov. Greg Gianforte on Wednesday announced he is lifting Montana's state of emergency for the coronavirus pandemic, more than 15 months after it was imposed under his predecessor.

The Republican governor announced the move during a tour of a restaurant in Billings as COVID-19 case rates continue to slowly decline.

We're getting back to normal, Gianforte said. The reductions in infections, the reductions in hospitalizations says were on the other side of this.

Gianforte said he wanted to send a message that Montana is open for business, although the announcement has little practical effect for its residents. Broad public health mandates such as face mask requirements and occupancy limits for businesses had been previously rescinded. Almost half the states eligible residents are now fully vaccinated.

Other states also have lifted emergency declarations in recent days as the public health crisis eases.

In Montana, about 50 new cases per day of the virus were confirmed by health officials on average over the past week. That compares with a daily average of more than 1,200 cases when infection rates peaked in mid-November.

Hospitalizations are down from 427 people daily on average in November, to 54 daily on average in June. Of patients hospitalized with COVID-19 since late April, 95% were unvaccinated, said Jon Ebelt with the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.

The respiratory disease has caused at least 1,665 deaths in Montana. More than 114,000 cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed since the first infection was announced in early March 2020.

The actual number of deaths and infections is likely higher because not all infections are recorded. Most people recover after experiencing only mild or moderate symptoms.

All people ages 12 and older are eligible for vaccines, but the percentage of people getting shots varies widely across age groups.

About three-quarters of people aged 70 and older have been vaccinated, but less than one-quarter of people aged 12 to 17 were by June 18, according to state data.

The state is going to continue to encourage people to get vaccinated, Gianforte said, and a spokesperson said the state will also continue to test for the virus and trace contacts of those who are infected. Gianforte didn't offer any specifics when asked how the administration will address lagging vaccination rates in younger residents.

In the states most populous county, Yellowstone, health officials say the cancellation of the state of emergency wont change what they are doing, including trying to get more young people vaccinated.

Were really focused on getting students vaccinated before school starts again in August, Riverstone Health spokesperson Pat Zellar said. Fully vaccinated people dont have to quarantine and wont be missing school.
AP

NAPERVILLE, Ill. (AP)  A man who said he sprayed trees in a suburban Chicago park to protect them after an anxious dog chewed off the bark has been ticketed by authorities.

Asher Thomas is accused of altering flora in a Naperville dog park. The ticket from the Will County Forest Preserve carries a $225 fine, the Aurora Beacon-News reported.
KAIROUAN, Tunisia (AP)  A man wearing a protective suit quickly yet carefully places a black sheet over a COVID-19 victim laid out in a coffin in a courtyard at Ibn Jazzar Hospital in the Tunisian town of Kairouan. He then folds a white sheet on top and sprinkles the body with disinfectant from a small bottle, while loved ones and other hospital visitors cry out Allahu Akbar, or God is great, in Arabic.

Patients in the hospitals overfilled COVID-19 ward are dying daily amid a spike in coronavirus infections in the North African country, with Kairouan and three other regions especially hard hit. At the regional hospital, tensions mount as personnel try to cope with scarce means.

Im shocked, said Sana Kraiem, whose mother was put in a wheelchair in a roomful of COVID-19 patients, like a dog", she described.

They told me they cant free up a bed occupied by a dead person, a distressed Kraiem said in an interview with The Associated Press during a visit this week to the hospital.

The half-dozen rooms devoted to COVID-19 patients each packs in five or six beds. A patient who recently died was seen still occupying one of the beds in each room visited. A special service eventually removes the body.

Over the past month, confirmed virus infections in Tunisia have reached the highest daily levels since the pandemic began, but the vaccination rate remains low, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Tunisia has reported Africas highest per-capita death toll from the pandemic, and is currently recording one of the highest per-capita infection rates in Africa, the data indicates.

The Kairouan region is living through a real horror movie, Mohamed Rouis, the regional health director in Kairouan, was quoted saying in Tunisian media earlier this month.

A temporary hospital has been set up on the outskirts of the city. The army has also bolstered that with a military care facility under a green tent which houses a line of beds with monitoring equipment and respirators. Despite the dire situation, there is no widespread testing for COVID-19 in the poor, rural region.

The Ibn Jazzar hospitals supervisor, Zohra Hedwej, explained that goodwill gestures by officials end up as frustrating half-measures, such as opening a section for coronavirus patients, without making provisions for medical staff.

We resort to recruiting workers from other departments in the hospital, Hedwej told the AP. Its very difficult to find volunteers because some dont know the level of their (own) physical immunity, others fear for their relatives who have weak immunity. We want a stable workforce that is able to work.

Hedwej said there is such a dearth of trained personnel that sophisticated equipment cant be used at times.

We need labor more than we need new equipment, she said, adding that while equipment comes from donors  who are still needed  there is still a greater need for trained professionals "who can use it and take care of it.

Facing an alarming growth in infections, the Tunisian government on Tuesday extended an overnight curfew and ordered stepped-up vaccination efforts in rural areas. But it resisted calls for a national lockdown because of public frustration at the economic impact on a population that's already struggling with unemployment and economic decline.

Tunisia has reported more than 14,000 virus-related deaths amid its population of 12 million since the pandemic began, with more than 400 infections per 100,000 people in four regions, including Kairouan, where hospitals are over capacity.

___

Bouazza ben Bouazza in Tunis, and Elaine Ganley, in Paris, contributed to this report.
NEW HAVEN  Possession and use of marijuana is legal in Connecticut (for those 21 and up as of Thursday)  but dont smoke it on the Green. Or anywhere in Lighthouse Point Park  or in any city park or rec center, for that matter.

Or in any public building.

Or in the car.

Or within 25 feet of any doorway other than your own.

Or anywhere else where the use of tobacco isnt allowed.

Welcome to the end of prohibition, New Haven-style.

So where can you smoke pot in the Elm City?

Anyplace thats not prohibited, said Acting Chief of Police Renee Dominguez, drawing a chuckle or two from the assembled media.

One such place might be a parked car  but only if the keys are not in the ignition, she said in response to a question.

Or your own backyard.

Pipes and bongs? Legal at your own house or in your own backyard, as long as your landlord, if you have one, allows it, said Mayor Justin Elicker. The mayor held a media briefing in City Hall Wednesday to help people sort through the ins and outs of whats allowed in New Haven.

For example, landlords have the right to prohibit use of marijuana and marijuana products on their property, Elicker said.

Rule of thumb: If you cant smoke cigarettes, you cant smoke marijuana, either, said Elicker, who was flanked by Dominguez, Director of Health Maritza Bond and Corporation Counsel Patricia King.

While the state legislation effective July 1 gives municipalities the ability to designate locations where use of cannabis products is allowed, New Haven has no immediate plans to do that because it hasnt passed any ordinances restricting where they may be used.

Because we dont have a prohibition, were not required to designate an area, Elicker said.

The restrictions on use of marijuana on the Green, at the beach or in public buildings all are the result of the fact that the cannabis legislation adopts existing restrictions on where tobacco may be used, said Dominguez. Most of those restrictions are in an ordinance the Board of Alders passed in 2015.

The Proprietors of the Green have their own rule that was passed a few years ago restricting the use of tobacco on the Green.

Bond said the Health Departments primary interest will be messaging to ensure safe use of cannabis, as well as issues involving addiction and treatment. Any future updates will be posted on the departments Twitter account and the citys website, Bond said.

Elicker said the city is concerned about the possibility of people driving while impaired  and pointed out that even though use of cannabis will now be legal, driving while impaired is illegal and the Police Department will issue tickets for it.

Dominguez pointed out that while the new law legalizes the possession and use of cannabis for people aged 21 and over, it remains illegal for juveniles.

For police, the legislation legalizing the possession and use of cannabis is really and extension of the decriminalization that took place a few years ago, Dominguez said.

I dont anticipate that theres going to be some major change where people are going to be out in the street smoking marijuana, she said.

Asked about enforcement, Dominguez said the Police Departments approach is likely to be the same as it is with the prohibitions on the use of cigarettes, which is, if it becomes a problem, it will be enforced.

The ability to use enforcement measures is there if theres an overabundance of smoke, Dominguez said.

King said the city will have the ability to enact further legislation if its needed as of Oct. 1.

While adults aged 21 and over will be allowed to have up to 1.5 ounces on their person and up to five ounces in a locked container or in their vehicle glove compartment or trunk  and the law makes it a $100 infraction to go beyond those limits  the rules are different for those under age, Dominguez said.

Obviously, there are some growing pains here, said Elicker. The most important thing is that people are respectful.

Dominguez previously has said she was concerned about people driving while impaired  and said that in cases where someone appears to be impaired, the procedures will be somewhat similar to what currently is in place.

Currently, when someone who appears to be intoxicated is given a Breathalyzer test for possible alcohol intoxication and it comes back negative, there are additional field sobriety tests they are given to determine whether they may be under the influence of something else, she said.

Dominguez has pointed out that in Colorado, where cannabis was legalized in 2013, the state saw an increase in traffic deaths in which drivers tested positive for marijuana.

The report by the Rocky Mountain High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area Training and Information Center found that since recreational marijuana was legalized in 2013, traffic deaths in which drivers tested positive for marijuana increased 135 percent while all Colorado traffic deaths increased 24 percent.

It also found that since recreational marijuana was legalized, traffic deaths involving drivers who tested positive for marijuana more than doubled from 55 people in 2013 to 129 people killed in 2019, and that the percentage of all Colorado traffic deaths that were marijuana related increased from 15 percent in 2013 to 25 percent in 2019.

mark.zaretsky@hearstmediact.com
Welcome Terrence Cheng, and congratulations on your new job as president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities (CSCU) system.

July 1 is Day One, but were sure you have already done your homework to prepare for some of the many challenges you now face guiding 17 programs.

So lets start with an easy assignment: Youve got to make sure the staff gets vaccinated in time for Opening Day later this summer.

Youve been left with a gift for your first day: The students are already required to get vaccinated.

The CSCU board passed the student mandate last week. Hey, everybodys doing it  University of Connecticut, Yale, Connecticut College, Wesleyan, Quinnipiac, Trinity, the University of Hartford.

There was mild pushback from CSCU students. The chair of the boards student advisory committee, Audrey Nielsen, expressed concerns on behalf of her peers about medical exemptions and sought details about modified quarantine, mask-wearing and testing mandates.

But thats nothing compared with the potential pushback from the employee unions. Theres not even just one of them to deal with. So while unions have expressed some support for required vaccines, they will each have to agree individually.

The new policy may not have mandated vaccines for employees, but it does give you  as the CSCU president  the authority to impose one. Maybe it wont come to that. The leaders of the individual unions cant wait until late August to hit the deadline, like a freshman rushing that first Intro to Composition paper after midnight the day its due.

Many of the teachers and staff have already been vaccinated. One of the many upsides of requiring it for students is that Connecticuts numbers for young people have been pretty weak. In the 18-24 age group, the number of state residents who received at least one shot is at 55 percent, not even a passing grade.

So vaccinating all of the students on 16 campuses in different parts of the state (from Norwalk Community College to Southern Connecticut in New Haven to Western Connecticut in Danbury to Housatonic in Bridgeport to Capital in Hartford) can have a significant impact on boosting the states numbers.

CSCU has done a pretty good job with this. The committee studying a mandate included staff and students. Clinics have been held on campuses to make it easier to get doses.

More should be scheduled on or near campuses, which would give you an opportunity to meet some of your charges as the new president.

Yes, theres plenty of other work to be done. Creating this network of colleges was unpopular, and much of the venting was aimed at your predecessor. There will be financial challenges in the wake of the pandemic, and your goal of diversifying the campuses calls for an immediate strategy.

But it all starts with getting students and faculty back in classrooms  together. So CSCU should not be vague about whether staff will be vaccinated. That assignment now falls on you.
Michael Osbun

It is startling to see one of our two major political parties turn so openly against democracy itself. Unfortunately, Republican politicians know exactly what they are doing and why. Their party is out of step with voters nationwide, and will not prosper under free and fair elections. So, free and fair elections are now their enemy. Its as simple as that.

A solid majority of American voters support abortion rights; for Republican politicians, its unthinkable. Americans in general know perfectly well that climate change is man-made and dangerous; Republican politicians are all required to deny it. Ordinary Americans want international corporations and super-rich individuals to pay their fair share of taxes to fund the systems that made them rich; Republican politicians will always protect them from having to do so. You will have to look hard to find an ordinary citizen who wants the government to subsidize the oil industry, and even harder to find an elected Republican who will vote to end those subsidies.
Niagara Falls, NY (14301)

Today

Sun and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 89F. Winds SSW at 15 to 25 mph..

Tonight

Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms overnight. Low 73F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
Kristen H. Emes, 73, of Niagara Falls, NY, passed from this life on June 25, 2021. Born on May 8, 1948 in Niagara Falls, NY, she was the daughter of the late Harry and Helen Elizabeth "Betty" (nee Long) Emes. Kristen was a lifelong resident of Niagara Falls, NY, and graduated from Stella Nia
The British High Commission has said it will engage the Nigerian Government over the rearrest of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous Peo...

The British High Commission has said it will engage the Nigerian Government over the rearrest of Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

Dean Hurlock, a spokesperson of the British High Commission, disclosed that the commission is in the process of seeking clarification from the federal government over Kanus rearrest.

In the message, Hurlock said the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office stands ready to provide consular assistance, TheCable reports.

The IPOB leader, who has a British passport was arrested by Nigerian security agents and extradited to Nigeria on Sunday.

Kanu was extradited to continue his trial before the Justice Binta Nyako-led Federal High Court sitting in Abuja.

The IPOB leader is facing trial for committing treason.

Kanus brother, Emmanuel had disclosed that the IPOB leader was picked up in Kenya over the weekend.
There was a mild drama at the Magistrate Court, Port Harcourt after two female defendants, Ada Ebere and Favour Godwin created a scene by ...





There was a mild drama at the Magistrate Court, Port Harcourt after two female defendants, Ada Ebere and Favour Godwin created a scene by rolling on the floor of the courtroom while crying that they cannot go back to prison.

Ada Ebere and Favour Godwin were sentenced to 10 years and 15 years imprisonment respectively for conspiracy, stealing and child trafficking.

Immediately Chief Magistrate Felicitas Amanze pronounced their sentences that the ladies were guilty of all three charges, two of the women burst into tears and started rolling on the floor of the court while refusing to follow the two female Correctional Center Officers.

It took the combined efforts of Correctional Center Officers and a Police Officer to pull them off the floor and jointly handcuff them.

However, another female defendant, Kodirichi Nwankwo who narrowly escaped a jail sentence, for an offence that happened at Igbo-Etche in Etche local government area of Rivers State since 2018, for her role in the abduction and sale of four-year-old Uwana Emmanuel was singing and praising God.

The court discharged the first defendant, Kodirichi Nwankwo, for showing genuine remorse during the trial of the case, she was ordered to report every month to the court for two years.

Chief Magistrate Felicitas Amanze stated that the Court decided not to send Nwankwo back to the Correctional Center because of the four-year-old child she was carrying, and who was given birth to while in prison custody during the trial of the case.

The two female defendants, Ada Ebere and Favour Godwin have led away into a waiting prion vehicle in cuffs amidst loud wailings.




Suspected cultists have killed one Augustine Izu, student of political science department of the University of Benin, Edo State. The undergr...





Suspected cultists have killed one Augustine Izu, student of political science department of the University of Benin, Edo State.

The undergraduate was shot dead at his off-campus hostel at 5, Imade street, around Federal Government College Road area, Ugbowo, by yet to be identified gunmen believed to be members of a secret cult confratanity.

He was killed few hours after his last examination.

It was gathered that four masked gunmen stormed Izus apartment on Tuesday, fired at him and left him dead on the spot.

Officers from Ugbowo police division later came to evacuate his lifeless body to the mortuary.

Reacting, Edo State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Bello Kontongs, who confirmed the incident, said the Police would ensure that those behind the dastardly act were brought to book.
Babagana Monguno, national security adviser (NSA), says terrorist groups are using social media platforms to recruit and radicalise youths...

Babagana Monguno, national security adviser (NSA), says terrorist groups are using social media platforms to recruit and radicalise youths.





Earlier in the month, the federal government had suspended Twitter, the microblogging and social networking service, in Nigeria and also asked the house of representatives to enact a law to regulate social and online media in Nigeria.

Speaking at the ongoing United Nations (UN) high-level conference of heads of counter-terrorism agencies of member states in New York, United States, Monguno said the approach adopted by terrorists is to portray the government as incapable of guaranteeing the protection and well-being of its population.

In a statement on Tuesday from the office of the NSA, Monguno noted that it requires international collaboration to effectively deal with the complex nature of terrorism and other transnational organised crimes.





I can say with total conviction that apart from pandemics, natural disasters and the climate itself, today, the greatest threat to the existence of human race is the global scourge of terrorism, Monguno said.

The fallout of activities associated with terrorists have collectively heightened insecurity in the greater part of Africa with serious economic, social and political implications for its people.

In the North Eastern part of Nigeria, the activities of Boko Haram terrorists and the so called the Islamic State West Africa Province with known affiliation to other international terror networks such as Daesh and Al-Qaeda, have continued to undermine the security and livelihood of the people.





They are at the same time overlapping into neighbouring countries of the Lake Chad Basin.

It was disclosed that over a million persons have been internally displaced in the communities in Borno, Adamawa and Yobe, while more than seven million people remain in need of humanitarian assistance in North Eastern Nigeria.

Monguno stated that the federal government will continue to confront the challenges posed by terrorism by setting up new structures and national institutions, as well as empowering them.

According to him, the federal government has also improved the coordination of humanitarian support for non-governmental organisations by creating the ministry of humanitarian affairs, disaster management and social development.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Sunny to partly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 84F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Scattered thunderstorms early, then mainly cloudy overnight with thunderstorms likely. Low 71F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
Watertown, NY (13601)

Today

Generally sunny despite a few afternoon clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High near 85F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Thunderstorms. Low 71F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 70%.
For residents seeking firework displays in metro New Orleans, the patriotic revelry shouldn't be too hard to find as officials make up for last year's quiet Fourth of July due to the coronavirus shutdown.

But if heading to a public space to watch fireworks pop isn't in the cards this year, there are some parishes in the metro area that allow private use of fireworks. Be sure to check municipal ordinances for restrictions on when fireworks can be discharged.

As the Fourth of July approaches, so does a dangerous New Orleans custom: celebratory gunfire In 2019, Mark Malouse was pulling into his Bywater backyard when he noticed his solar panels looked unusually cloudy. The lifelong 9th Ward re

Here's a quick rundown on the firework laws in the New Orleans area:

Orleans Parish: Private firework use is banned in New Orleans.

Private firework use is banned in New Orleans. Jefferson Parish: The use of private fireworks is banned in unincorporated areas of Jefferson Parish. Some municipalities, like Gretna, do allow them as long as they are purchased and used starting June 25 through July 5. Grand Isle similarly allows fireworks from June 28 to July 4.

The use of private fireworks is banned in unincorporated areas of Jefferson Parish. Some municipalities, like Gretna, do allow them as long as they are purchased and used starting June 25 through July 5. Grand Isle similarly allows fireworks from June 28 to July 4. St. Tammany Parish: Personal fireworks are allowed in unincorporated parts of St. Tammany Parish. They're prohibited in some incorporated areas like Slidell. They're allowed in Covington.

Personal fireworks are allowed in unincorporated parts of St. Tammany Parish. They're prohibited in some incorporated areas like Slidell. They're allowed in Covington. St. John the Baptist Parish: Fireworks are legal on the Fourth of July holiday.

Fireworks are legal on the Fourth of July holiday. St. Charles Parish: Fireworks are only allowed during the Fourth of July holiday on July 3 and 4. Residents discharging the fireworks must do so at least 1,000 feet away from a gas station or industrial facility.

Fireworks are only allowed during the Fourth of July holiday on July 3 and 4. Residents discharging the fireworks must do so at least 1,000 feet away from a gas station or industrial facility. St. Bernard Parish: The use of private fireworks is allowed from June 25 to July 5.

The use of private fireworks is allowed from June 25 to July 5. Plaquemines Parish: Private fireworks are allowed starting June 25 through July 5.

Keep in mind weather conditions going into the holiday weekend. Forecasters expect plenty of heavy rain to dump on southeast Louisiana through Monday.

See the weekend forecast here.
When he came to New Orleans around 2011, C.J. Hunt wasnt necessarily looking to make a movie. He was looking for work as a middle school teacher, and he found it.

But he also found a vibrant city in deep conflict over its history. Eventually, that conflict would manifest itself in the very public, very heated debate over Confederate monument removal.

Hunt decided to team up with local filmmaker Darcy McKinnon to make a film about the debate. What started out as a satirical short became the feature-length political documentary The Neutral Ground.

Fresh off its world premiere June 19 at the Tribeca Film Festival, where it earned a special jury mention, it launches the 34th season of the PBS documentary series POV on July 5.

Those who tune in can expect a masterfully crafted, often humorous and surprisingly personal film that uses New Orleans monument-removal fight of 2015-2017 as a springboard into a larger examination of much of Americas refusal to accept, much less confront, its racist past and present.

At once affable, persuasive and thoughtful, The Neutral Ground is the sort of deftly constructed film that has a singular way of making you laugh and squirm a little in your seat at the same time  and then walk away eager to talk about what you just saw.

Its worth noting here that, in addition to becoming a middle school teacher in New Orleans, Hunt went on to a comedian and, eventually, a segment producer for The Daily Show.

Before you jump to conclusions with regard to that last point, its also worth noting here that, despite where he makes his money, Hunt just might be the perfect person to make this film. In fact, his on-screen presence is a large part of why it works so well.

For starters, hes just plain likeable. Unlike Michael Moore, whose arguments are so often betrayed by his angry brand of self-righteousness, Hunt isnt off-puttingly pugnacious. Unlike Jordan Klepper, hes not out simply to make the other side look like imbeciles.

Rather, he seems genuinely to want to understand the viewpoint of those who are so opposed to removing what such a large part of the population views as symbols of hate, aggression and White supremacy.

So, in addition to speaking to removal supporters such as former Mayor Mitch Landrieu  who got the whole ball rolling  and former New Orleans City Council President Jason Williams, Hunt visits with people like Thomas Taylor, commander of the Louisiana Division of the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

Hunt not only provides Taylor et al with a forum to express themselves, he goes so far as to join them in a Civil War reenactment in Tangipahoa Parish that  as unsettling as that is for him as a man of color  appears to be an earnest effort to hear them out.

He then proceeds to expertly dissect their arguments, none of which hold up very well under scrutiny or when compared to documented historical facts. Hunt is respectful when dealing with Confederate sympathizers, which is probably a wise tack when dealing with people wearing Civil War uniforms and carrying replica firearms of the era, but he doesnt miss a chance to point just how deep and pervasive the Lost Cause theory continues to run, and he does so in often amusing fashion.

(Whenever someone brings up one of the demonstrably false myths so often expressed by Lost Cause adherents  the myth of the happy slave, the myth that the war wasnt really about slavery, etc.  viewers will hear a game-show-style chime: Ding!)

Interestingly, although Hunt is willing to take the extraordinary step of participating in their Civil War games in an effort to see their point of view, the feeling isnt mutual. When he brings up the idea of having them visit the Whitney Plantation in Edgard, which is dedicated to presenting the slaves perspective, they scoff and vow to never step foot on its grounds.

All lies, they say.

But The Neutral Ground doesnt exist solely to prove that White supremacists are and have long been close-minded and fact-averse. Its also a very personal journey for Hunt, who admits that he in the past struggled with his mixed-race heritage.

That admission gives him a vulnerability that comes across in The Neutral Ground as an honest effort simply to understand.

Of course, any real answers are elusive, for him and for his viewers. America has been wrestling with the fallout from its original sin for hundreds of years. Nobody can expect Hunt to solve it all over the course of an hour and a half movie, no matter how smart or witty that movie might be.

If nothing else, though, it has good timing, arriving on PBS on the same weekend the nation celebrates its independence. Hopefully, it will prompt viewers to contemplate what it really means to be American.
In the most Canadian move ever, the internet thieves that were stealing from local restaurants have apparently abandoned their con, deleting over night pages of stolen logos plastered on T-shirts following an expose by Gambit.

An Ontario, Canada-based company, gangstertshirts, until sometime this morning featured several pages of T-shirts emblazoned with logos from a number of New Orleans restaurants and bars, seemingly without their knowledge. On Tuesday, French Quarter restaurant Beachbum Berry's Latitude 29 caught the maple leaf mobsters in the act, tweeting out Please don't buy this crappy bootleg print-on-demand shirt. Also, these jerks have ripped off basically every New Orleans restaurant logo they can find, so we're not going to [be] the only folks mad about it.

At some point, likely before the moose bugle welcomed the morning, the website took the shirts down, but a bevy of Saints-themed shirts are still for sale.

Because apparently Canada is more afraid of pissed off New Orleans bartenders than of the NFL.

+2 Canadian 'gangsters' are stealing from scores of New Orleans bars and restaurants In what could be the greatest case of unseasoned-on-hot-n-spicy online crime in history, a Canadian website appears to be profiting off the po
New Orleans area

Dr. Hamid Salam, a triple board-certified physician in interventional cardiology, cardiovascular disease and internal medicine, has joined Lakeview Regional Medical Center.

Salam was the director of the heart team and trans-catheter aortic valve replacement program at St. Tammany Parish Hospital. He also served as the medical director of the cardiovascular service line and chest pain center there. He previously was in private practice in Covington and earlier in Chicago. Salam earned his medical degree in Pakistan at Dow Medical College. He completed a residency at Illinois Masonic Medical Center, where he also completed a fellowship in cardiology. He served as chief of cardiology fellows and chief of internal medicine residents while attending.

Claris Smith, an associate attorney at Cooper Law Firm LLC, has been named to chair diversity, equity and inclusion at Dartmouth Club of the Gulf Coast.

As a member of the leadership team, Smith will support programing and events with a focus on inclusion and diversity. At Cooper Law Firm, she litigates pharmaceutical and environmental toxic torts. She is the vice chair of the board of Special Olympics Louisiana and a volunteer mentor for the Legal Education Advancing Diversity Program at Dillard. Smith dual-majored in English and studio art at Dartmouth and obtained a masters degree in health science at the University of Texas at Tyler and went to Tulane Law School.

Keith Espadron Jr. has been named special associate for economic development at St. Tammany Corp.

Espadron will assist with business development and technical services aspects of the organization's economic development initiatives and management of its economic development projects; help support the business retention and expansion program; and assist with the facilitation of Advance St. Tammany, the organizations business assistance program. Espadron was director of economic development and tourism for Plaquemines Parish Government. He also serves on the First Planning District Workforce Development Board and the Regional Planning Commission. He holds a bachelor's degree in political science from LSU.

DonahueFavret Contractors Inc. has named Pierce Langridge as a project manager, Brock Piglia as director of marketing and Terry Parker as a project engineer.

Langridge was a project manager at F.H. Myers Construction and has more than 10 years of project management experience. He graduated from LSU with a degree in construction management and minors in business administration and technical sales. He began his career in Baton Rouge and moved in 2018 to the New Orleans market.

Piglia was director of marketing and business development at EskewDumezRipple Architects and has more than a decade of experience in the architecture and construction industry. He earned a bachelor of landscape architecture from LSU and practiced as a planner and urban designer in St. Louis before earning a Master of Business Administration.

Parker created a niche as an office manager, finance manager and the head project administrator at Williams Architects, where she spent 26 years.

Baton Rouge area

DeShoin A. York has been appointed the vice chancellor for extension and outreach at the Southern University Agricultural Research and Extension Center.

York was named interim vice chancellor for extension in September, after serving as associate vice chancellor of the center since January 2020. For the past 20 years, York has served as the Southern University Ag Centers nutrition, health and wellness specialist. She also serves as director for both the Expanded Food and Nutrition Education Program and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program  Education nutrition education programs. She previously was a research assistant at the Pennington Biomedical Research Center. York earned a bachelor's degree in human foods and nutrition; a Masters of Public Administration degree and a doctor of philosophy in public policy with a concentration in health policy, all from Southern University.

Jack Heaton has been named chief technology officer at Moxey, a regional financial technology and small business commerce marketing technology firm.

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He was senior developer at FiveSix Healthcare for three years, served as software engineer at Hanger Inc. and as a clinical systems consultant with IONET Health Resources. The New Orleans native graduated from LSU with a bachelor's degree in biological engineering.

Shantel Richard has been named vice president of human resources for the Louisiana Lottery Corp.

She was a human resources business partner at Denka Performance Elastomer and has a 14-year career in human resources. She holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in human resources from LSU-Shreveport.

The Junior League of Baton Rouge has installed Tristi Bercegeay Charpentier as president of the 1,600-member organization.

Other officers and board members for 2021-22 are Jessica Weimer O'Connor, president-elect; Ashley Burns Connolly, chief financial officer; Amy Fennell, chief of staff; Robin Porter and Grace Weber, directors-at-large; Megan Cardaro, director of strategic initiatives; Jessica Guinn Johnson, long-range planning; Katie Chabert, nominating chair; Caroline Tomeny Monteverde, policy governance; Monique Scott-Spaulding, recording secretary; Sara Downing, sustaining adviser.

Executive management are O'Connor, president-elect; Brandi Simmons, annual planning; Sarah Schnauder, community vice president; Kris Beatty, financial vice president; Chrislyn Maher, fund development vice president; Erin Fulbright, marketing and communications vice president; Liz Centanni, membership vice president; Laura Mary, nominating assistant chair; Scott-Spaulding, recording secretary; Jasmin Newsome, special projects manager; Rose Hudson, sustaining adviser; and Adrian Owen Jones, training and organizational development vice president.

Joseph Carrabba has been named chief executive officer of ElementUS Minerals LLC, a joint venture between DADA Holdings and Enervoxa that is developing a processing facility in Gramercy to extract rare earth elements and other minerals from residual bauxite.

Carrabba was executive chairman at Winston Gold, and has served as a director of companies including Aecon Group and Newmont Goldcorp. He has over 30 years of executive experience in natural resources and metals industries and spent over 20 years in executive leadership at Rio Tinto, holding positions in its North American, Australian, Asian and European operations. He left Rio Tinto to serve as chairman, president and CEO of Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. from 2005 to 2013.

Around Louisiana

Postlethwaite & Netterville APAC has promoted Josh Dicharry as a director in P&Ns Consulting Services Group, based in Baton Rouge, and Jennifer Mistretta as a director in P&Ns Assurance Service Group, based in New Orleans.

Dicharry has been with the firm since 2012 and has over 14 years of experience providing project management and business analysis to government agencies, nonprofits and various private companies. He is a leader in P&Ns application development, IT project management and business intelligence service area.

Mistretta joined the firm in 2012, with six years of prior experience. She works with clients in industries such as health care, nonprofit, and governmental and private entities.

Hancock Whitney has promoted Chris Broussard to senior regional credit officer for the banks southwest Louisiana and Texas markets.

The Acadiana native, a senior vice president, is based at the banks River Ranch regional headquarters, 2301 Camellia Blvd. He previously served for almost eight years as director of commercial credit for MidSouth Bank, which merged with Hancock Whitney in 2019. His experience includes commercial banking, credit analysis and credit risk management. He holds a business administration degree in finance and a Master of Business Administration degree in business administration and management from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette.
Detective Bradley Peck, of the Slidell Police Department, didnt think twice about offering a ride to a woman he spotted walking alone in the dark on U.S. 11 one morning in 2019.

Pecks concern for the womans safety might not seem unusual  a law enforcement officer doing his job. He said as much in a social media post later that day, talking not about his good deed, but of the inspiration he gained from the woman who was walking six miles to start her 7 a.m. shift at a local Walmart.

But the act of kindness sparked the interest of Matt Bowers, a Slidell car dealership owner, who in turn gifted Anita Singleton a vehicle so she could drive to work safely rather than braving the dimly lit highway on foot. Combined, the good deeds brought local and national attention, and they were remembered again last month when Peck received a "Heart of Law Enforcement Award" from the Beyond the Badge Louisiana organization.

Peck was to receive the award last year, but the 2020 ceremony was delayed because of COVID-19 restrictions.

Beyond the Badge honored 10 Louisiana law enforcement officers on June 15, all for displaying acts of kindness deemed outside the scope of their daily duties. But despite the awards description, Peck said it was an easy decision to help Singleton that morning.

We are not just here to protect, we are here to serve, too, he said.

After leaving a night shift at the Slidell Police Department on May 19, 2019, Peck noticed Singleton walking on U.S. 11, which lacks any kind of reasonable shoulder for pedestrians. He offered her a ride and she gratefully accepted, he said.

During the ride to the Walmart on Northshore Boulevard, Singleton told Peck about her treks to the store and how she had to leave at 4:30 a.m. to arrive in time for her early-morning cashier shift. Her perseverance and dedication to her family led Peck to make the social media post, where he praised her work ethic and positive outlook on life.

That brief moment of me getting to spend some time with her made my day so much better, he wrote. I dont think she knows how much hope she gave me and the valuable life lesson she taught me.

When Bowers, who owns a Chevrolet dealership, saw the post, he responded with his own act of kindness. He gave Singleton a Chevy Captiva, an act that gained attention near and far.

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My grandmother would take an early bus to work every morning, Bowers said. Shed pour cereal in my bowl, leave me a note and head out. When I heard Anitas story, I saw the opportunity to do something charitable that would maybe actually help someone in their life.

Bowers was invited to attend the award ceremony in Baton Rouge alongside Peck but could not attend because of a previous commitment.

Slidell Police Chief Randy Fandal said Pecks perspective of helpfulness and service is one that permeates the Slidell Police Department as a whole.

Be kind, period, he said. This is something that our guys do every day.

Fandal said the outpouring of interest in the story showed that people really do want to hear the good in the world. Regardless of how many bad things there are, people still want to know about the good.

Peck said even two years later, he still has unread messages from people commenting on his original post.

I received thousands of responses, he said. It gives me hope in humanity to have that much community support for doing something nice.

Beyond the Badge is a nonprofit organization begun in 2016 by Baton Rouge resident Linda Hull to recognize law enforcement officers who perform acts of kindness beyond whats required by their oaths of service. Beyond the Badge donates 100% of all contributions to programs that educate the public and honor Louisiana law enforcement officers.

For more information about the group, go online to www.beyondthebadgelouisiana.org.
The delta variant of COVID-19 has spawned a new, troubling variant known as delta-plus that has been identified for the first time in Louisiana, according to officials at Ochsner Health.

Delta-plus is thought to have the same higher rate of transmission as the delta variant, which was originally identified in India and is about two times as infectious as the original coronavirus strain. But it also has a characteristic of variants from South Africa and Brazil that makes it harder for antibodies to block it from entering cells.

It gives you a double whammy, said Dr. Lucio Miele, who has been part of the sequencing effort in his lab at LSU Health New Orleans. Its a more infectious virus and its a virus that is not as easily neutralized by antibodies.

Louisiana detects first cases of COVID strain fueling spread in India; here's what officials say The coronavirus variant that has spread rapidly through India in recent months has been detected in two coronavirus patients in Louisiana for 

Vaccinated people are still protected from this variant because the vaccine stamps out the coronavirus in a number of ways. But there doesn't seem to be a complete blockage of transmission. In other words, a vaccinated person may be able to spread the delta variant, even if they are not showing symptoms, said Miele, citing evidence of such cases in Singapore.

And because of the differences present in delta-plus, unvaccinated people with natural immunity who have been infected with COVID in the past should not rely on prior infection to protect against this variant, according to experts who study the variants.

This virus can get past the defenses that our bodies made against earlier pandemic viruses, said Jeremy Kamil, a virologist who has been sequencing variants at LSU Health Shreveport. Being infected last summer will not necessarily protect someone from being infected by the delta variant, he said, while the vaccines have been designed to produce an extremely strong response that the body retains for many months.

Youre much better off if youve gotten the vaccine, said Kamil.

After $2.3M vaccine lottery kick-off, new COVID-19 vaccinations rise by 14% in Louisiana The number of people in Louisiana who received their initial COVID-19 vaccine increased by 14% in the week after the state opened registration

Unvaccinated people who have never had COVID are most at risk, because this variant may be spread by a larger group of people and is more contagious, requiring little contact for an infection to be passed around.

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Delta is going to find you, said Kamil. All it needs is one person exposing you for a very short period of time.

Of 13 samples that have been identified as delta in Louisiana, only one was the delta-plus variant. There are 153 samples identified as delta-plus in the U.S., according to the GISAID, an international, open-access database where researchers upload disease variants. There have been 4,804 delta variants detected in the U.S. and 99,013 worldwide, though the true number of delta cases circulating is likely much higher.

The Louisiana case was found from a batch taken in early June from a New Orleans resident, but only recently sampled as part of a partnership between the Louisiana Department of Health, Ochsner Health and LSU Health New Orleans.

Louisiana COVID numbers: Data on cases, deaths, hospitalizations, vaccines Editor's Note: Due to changes in the importance of various metrics used to track the pandemic, The Times-Picayune | The New Orleans Advocate r

The partnership will help track emerging variants and aid in contact tracing, said Ochsner researcher Amy Feehan. Ochsner, which has a large footprint across the state and in Mississippi, will also be able to track how variants might be affecting certain groups of patients based on health information they can match with a COVID case, such as vaccination status, type of vaccine or other health conditions.

"We can start to look back and say, OK, over time this variant emerged and it did or did not affect vaccinated people," said Feehan, offering one example.

On Monday, concerns about rising cases of the delta variant prompted Los Angeles county to issue a recommendation for masks indoors regardless of vaccination status.

The federal government has not made new recommendations after saying in May that vaccinated people could go without masks indoors. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Rochelle Walensky on Wednesday said vaccinated people in the U.S. are safe from variants, but also said local governments should make the call on masks based on vaccination and case numbers.

While there has been no change to rules in Louisiana, where the mask mandate was lifted at the end of April, the characteristics of the delta variant have made those most familiar with them maintain vigilance.

"All I can say is what I'm going to do," said Miele. "I'm fully vaccinated. I'm going to keep my mask on for the protection of anyone who may not be vaccinated and may be sitting next to me."
Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Jefferson Hughes III has admitted he committed judicial misconduct and agreed to pay more than $2,000 over a visit in 2019 to the home of a Hammond political operative who said Hughes offered him money to switch allegiances in the race for another seat on the states highest court.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday endorsed an agreement between Hughes and the Louisiana Judiciary Commission to publicly censure him over violations of several judicial canons. A Supreme Court spokesman said he was unaware of any previous public discipline against a justice sitting on the states top court.

Hughes, the courts second-longest serving jurist, admitted bringing disrepute on the judiciary when he met with former Hammond City Councilman Johnny Blount on Oct. 30, 2019.

Blount was supporting Will Crain in a runoff against 5th Circuit Court of Appeal Judge Hans Liljeberg for an open seat alongside Hughes on the high court.

In an affidavit, Blount said Hughes offered him $5,000 to switch his support to Liljeberg. He left this business card, saying to call him if I decided to accept his offer.

Hughes denied offering Blount a payoff, though he acknowledged he told Blount that he might find it more financially rewarding to back Liljeberg.

The agreement between Hughes and the commission states that the payoff allegation was unsubstantiated.

Crain won the race. He and Hughes both were recused from the courts vote to censure Hughes.

The Supreme Court said Hughes acknowledges that his conduct and subsequent events flowing from it undermined the publics confidence in the integrity, independence, and impartiality of the judiciary and brought the judiciary into disrepute.

Hughes accordingly acknowledges the imposition of discipline is appropriate, Justice Scott Crichton wrote. Justices James Genovese, Jay McCallum and Piper Griffin agreed.

+2 Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Jefferson Hughes III denies payoff allegation from ex-Hammond councilman Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Jefferson Hughes III acknowledges that he visited a former Hammond city councilman at his home last week to qu

Chief Justice John Weimer dissented, though he didnt necessarily disagree with the discipline. He argued in a separate opinion that the court should put on a public hearing to air the allegations against Hughes.

Crichton's opinion noted that Hughes, a Republican, has been a state judge since 1991. He rose from district judge in Livingston Parish to the First Circuit Court of Appeal in 2004 and then the Supreme Court in 2012.

Hughes was reelected without opposition in 2018 and under state law will be too old to seek reelection following his 10-year term. He did not return a message Wednesday, nor did the Baton Rouge attorney who represented him before the Judiciary Commission, John H. Smith.

Hughes and the commission agreed that he did not engage in a pattern of misconduct and that he wasnt acting in his official capacity when he showed up at Blounts house.

+3 Ex-Hammond councilman claims state Supreme Court justice offered him $5K to flip allegiance in race A former Hammond city councilman is claiming in a sworn affidavit that Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Jefferson Hughes III paid him a house c

Days after that encounter, Hughes insisted in an interview that his actions didnt amount to the kind of inappropriate political and campaign activity that judicial canons prohibit.

Hughes described his appeal to Blount, whom he hadnt seen in years, as a private conversation. He denied offering Blount money, saying that to suggest that I would personally pay out of my own pocket for any amount to any of these guys was a joke, really.

Hughes, a self-described political junkie, said he had looked at street-level get-out-the-vote efforts and noticed that Crains campaign was underpaying Blount, who had worked on judicial campaigns for Hughes in the past.

I did mention that the Liljeberg campaign would probably be interested in his services, but you know, that was his choice, Hughes said then.

I think I have free-speech rights like everybody else. If I want to go talk to somebody one-on-one and ask questions, they dont have to talk back to me.

How Louisiana taxpayers wound up reimbursing Judge Jeff Hughes $100K after investigations When Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Jefferson Hughes III came under federal investigation over his handling of a sordid child custody fight t

In accepting discipline, however, Hughes admitted he engaged in unauthorized partisan political activity and failed to uphold the integrity of the judiciary.

He is remorseful and has accepted responsibility for the negative light his conduct brought upon the judiciary, and he has committed to refrain from such conduct in the future, the court opinion states.

Judiciary Commission records released after Wednesdays ruling show that Hughes acknowledged that if the commission filed a disciplinary case against him, he could not successfully defend against it.

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Crain said Wednesday that he considered the matter appropriately closed and insisted it hadnt affected his work on the court.

Records: Louisiana Supreme Court justice was subject of FBI probe  and he apologized The U.S. Department of Justice is not in the habit of sticking its nose in backroads Louisiana custody battles.

I have worked effectively, openly, professionally and collegially with all of my colleagues, and I will continue to do so, and they with me as well, Crain said. I have full confidence in the work of the Judiciary Commission and I know that they fully investigate whatever matters are before them, and Im confident that they have arrived at an appropriate end to this matter.

Crain was recused at the request of the commission, which said he was a witness in the case against Hughes.

The complaint against Hughes was filed by another rival candidate, Richard Ducote, who lost in the primary. Ducote, who has fought the Judiciary Commission over its lack of transparency, called it encouraging that the commission and the Supreme Court brought the complaint against Hughes into the open.

I hope the fact that something came of this would encourage attorneys to report judicial misconduct, Ducote said.

Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Jeff Hughes sues The Advocate over stories about misconduct Louisiana Supreme Court Justice Jefferson Hughes III has filed a defamation lawsuit against The Advocates parent company, alleging that the n

Im always happy when anybody who is in a compromised position takes full responsibility for what they did, and that seems to be what happened here.

Liljeberg did not respond to a message seeking comment. Crain beat Liljeberg handily in the runoff for the Supreme Court seat, taking 57% of the vote.

The court filings make no mention of previous Judiciary Commission and FBI investigations into Hughes, which wrapped in 2004.

The outcome of those investigations remained hidden from public view for almost two decades.

The feds would drop their investigation after five years. Soon after, Hughes wrote a series of secret apology letters to people who had appeared years earlier in his Livingston Parish courtroom over family law cases.

+9 At Louisiana Supreme Court, campaign style attacks and recusal wars keep erupting Recent campaigns for seats on the Louisiana Supreme Court have left little to the imagination when it comes to the special interests involved.

Hughes professed sorrow over how he had treated their cases in the letters, which The Advocate | The Times-Picayune reported on in 2019.

Hughes penned one to Brenda Nicholson, a grandmother who was fighting over custody of her grandson amid a child abuse case involving the stepfather.

Hughes had been in a romantic relationship with the attorney who represented the boys stepfather and mother. Nicholson accused Hughes of jailing her for 11 days out of personal interest in the custody case; Hughes has defended himself by saying that the attorney left the case before he ruled over custody.

I am writing to apologize to you for my actions, Hughes later wrote to Nicholson. I have come to the conclusion that my actions were inimical to the pursuit of the truth and that, because of my actions, justice suffered. For this I am deeply remorseful.

James Gill: When judges set their own ethics rules, you can bet they will be lenient If we didn't assume that judges are smarter and more honest than the general run of humanity, we wouldn't let them boss us about.

Hughes wrote a second apology letter to David Fleming and a third to Flemings attorney in 2004, after Fleming fought for custody of his sons in Hughes courtroom. Fleming tried to have Hughes recused from the case, but the judge fought to remain over the custody case.

I am writing to apologize to you for any inconvenience, aggravation, extra work, or costs caused to you by my actions, Hughes later wrote to Fleming. I made mistakes in the way I handled the case of Fleming v. Fleming and for this I am deeply sorry.

The outcome of the past Judiciary Commission investigation into Hughes has remained walled off in secrecy, despite the Supreme Court adopting a rule change last year that allows discussion of commission cases once files have closed.

Though Hughes wrote the apology letters, it remains unclear whether he did so under orders of the Judiciary Commission, and whether he received any additional consequences. Voters had no way of knowing about Hughes past apology letters when they elevated him first to the appeals court and then elected him to the First Circuit Court of Appeals in 2004, or to the Louisiana Supreme Court for the first time in 2012.

Those who received them were ordered to stay quiet about their Judiciary Commission complaints.

Hughes filed a lawsuit last year against The Advocate | The Times-Picayune over an editorial that criticized his handling of the Nicholson case. He also sued the executive director of a legal watchdog group over a 2019 letter to the editor. Neither lawsuit has been resolved.
Five people were injured during two shootings in different New Orleans neighborhoods Tuesday evening.

At around 9:30 p.m. New Orleans police said it was investigating a double shooting reported in the 6000 block of Chef Menteur Highway. Two males arrived at a local hospital with gunshot wounds to the hand and the leg.

No additional information was immediately available.

Three men injured in St. Roch neighborhood shooting, New Orleans police say Police are investigating a triple shooting in the St. Roch neighborhood of New Orleans on Tuesday evening, according to an NOPD release.

Earlier in the evening, at around 8 p.m., police reported that they were investigating a shooting that injured three men in St. Roch.

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The men were shot in their legs in the 2500 block of Arts Street. An EMS spokesperson said two men were taken to the UMC Trauma Center, but NOPD said all three men were in stable condition.

Information on conditions, possible suspects or a motive was not immediately available.

This is a developing story. Stay with NOLA.com for any updates.

Katelyn Umholtz contributed to this report.
The City of New Orleans is looking into how it can keep interactions between police and people with mental-health issues from ending in death, injury or incarceration.

The City Council this month created a 13-member committee to study how the New Orleans Police Department responds to calls involving mental-health and substance-abuse crises and will recommend alternatives, likely including a greater emphasis on crisis-intervention teams of social workers and trained clinicians.

Members of the Crisis Intervention Strategy Task Force will be appointed by the council and will include NOPD representatives, social workers and mental-health clinicians, someone who lives with mental illness and a member of the Orleans Parish Prison Reform Coalition. The OPPRC has long advocated for a change in how such interventions are handled on the street, and input from 10 recent community meetings promoting Help, Not Handcuffs" will be submitted to the task force, which will produce findings in about six months.

The OPPRC says shifting away from police and toward trained clinicians is simply smart policy  social workers cost less than police, and de-escalating interventions reduces costly incarcerations.

Lets make it happen, Executive Director Sade Dumas told those gathered at the Living School in New Orleans East on Saturday. Lets save lives. Lets save money. And lets stop criminalizing mental illness.

People with a mental-health disability are 16 times more likely to die during an interaction with law enforcement in the United States, according to the American Journal of Preventative Medicine. And incidents that end in arrest and jail cells can throw people into deeper mental-health crises, advocates say.

Attendees at the meeting described a broken system: A teenager described how teachers relied on her to calm her best friend at school when he went into crisis. A mother of an adult autistic son said she worries he might be arrested or harmed if his reactions are misunderstood by police.

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A typical police stop  and its accompanying sirens, flashing lights and raised voices  can exacerbate a mental-health crisis, said grandparents, siblings and friends.

According to the NOPDs own data, Dumas said, only about 20% of the 6,535 calls that included a mental-health signal last year ended with the subject being allowed or able to stabilize themselves at the scene. The rest were committed to a psychiatric hospital, 60% of them involuntarily. Overall, 50% were handcuffed or restrained, which is NOPD policy if an officer perceives a person as a threat.

Dumas said that crisis-intervention models her team has studied in other cities have shown that those met by teams of trained clinicians are more likely to de-escalate themselves and head home for the night.

The city has made some changes in the last dozen years. In response to 2008 killing of NOPD officer Nicola Cotton, who was shot by a mentally ill man with her own service weapon, the city created more mental-health response teams About seven years ago, the NOPD started training officers in crisis intervention, and today 35% of the force has completed 40 hours of coursework.

Dumas and other advocates say the next step is to improve upon those advancements.

Correction: This story was changed on June 30, 2021, to correctly reflect how long it will take for the task force to produce its findings.
Authorities say the gunman who shot and wounded a Good Samaritan outside of a Kenner business on Tuesday is the same man who killed a burglar in a wild shootout during a 2019 Metairie home invasion that homicide investigators deemed justifiable.

Ray Hollins, 45, of Metairie, is wanted by the Kenner Police Department on charges of attempted second-degree murder and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, said Lt. Michael Cunningham, a Kenner police spokesperson.

The victim in Tuesday's shooting was in stable condition Wednesday, authorities said. Police say Hollins shot the man in the torso and leg when the victim tried to help a woman with whom Hollins had been fighting in front of a laundromat in the 2500 block of Reverend Richard Wilson Drive.

It's not clear how Hollins knew the woman or what they were quarreling about. But when the dispute turned physical, the victim tried to break it up, Cunningham said.

Hollins told the man, "I've got something for you," before walking to a van, getting a gun and shooting the man twice, Cunningham said. Hollins then fled.

Fatal shooting during Metairie robbery justified, but resident arrested on gun charge: JPSO A resident who exchanged gunfire with two men during a Metairie home invasion, killing one and wounding the other, committed a justifiable hom

The victim tried to drive himself to the hospital, but pulled over near the intersection of Jefferson Highway and Clearview Parkway in Elmwood to call for an ambulance.

A day before the Good Samaritan was shot, Hollins appeared in Jefferson Parish court for a hearing in two cases, including a drug charge related to the 2019 justifiable homicide investigation, court records show.

During the early-morning hours of Dec. 12, 2019, Jefferson Parish Sheriff's Office detectives say Hollins was in a shootout with two men who stormed into his home in the 1100 block of South Upland Avenue in Metairie to rob him.

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Good Samaritan shot Tuesday after intervening in fight between man, woman: Kenner police Kenner police say a Good Samaritan who tried to break up a fight outside a laundromat wound up being shot Tuesday morning.

A woman and a 64-year-old man who were in the house with Hollins were wounded in the shootout. Hollins shot both of the burglars, according to Sheriff's Office.

Alvon Jones, 24, died of a gunshot wound to the chest shortly after the shootout, authorities said. The other alleged burglar, Brian Richardson, 20, was arrested after a relative dropped him off at a hospital to be treated for a gunshot wound.

Richardson, who had been charged with obstruction of justice in the case, died in March. The cause of death was not available.

Though Hollins wasn't booked with Jones' death, he was charged with possession of marijuana for drugs found when he taken into custody, the Sheriff's Office said.

It was that drug charge and a gun charge from a separate encounter with Kenner police that brought Hollins to court on Monday.

Hollins is a convicted felon barred from possessing a gun. He was sentenced to life in prison as an habitual offender after a 1997 cocaine possession conviction, court records said.

But Hollins was paroled in 2018 after after Louisiana made changes to the state's habitual offender laws, court records said.

Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Ray Hollins is asked to call the Kenner Police Department at 504-712-2222. The public can also call Crimestoppers at 504-822-1111 or toll-free at 1-877-903-7867. Callers do not have to give their names or testify and can earn a $2,500 reward for information that leads to an indictment.
Police are investigating a triple shooting in the St. Roch neighborhood of New Orleans on Tuesday evening, according to an NOPD release.

Three men were shot in their legs in the 2500 block of Arts Street. An EMS spokesperson said two men were taken to the UMC Trauma Center, but NOPD said all three men were in stable condition.

Police didn't include the time gunfire erupted in St. Roch.

Information on conditions, possible suspects or a motive was not immediately available.
James M. Singleton Charter School, the preK-8th grade school named after the former New Orleans City Council member who founded it, is set to close before the upcoming school year after the Orleans Parish school district announced plans Wednesday to yank its charter.

Unless the School Board overrides the district's decision, the 251 students enrolled in Singleton will have to attend other schools in the upcoming year, which begins in August.

NOLA Public School officials said in a release that all relocated students will be guaranteed spots at First Line Live Oak Academy, a D-rated school located in the Irish Channel. The school's charter organization can supply supplies and uniforms, officials said, and it is also open to employing Singleton teachers.

At an emergency School Board meeting Wednesday morning, Thomas Lambert, the chief portfolio officer of NOLA Public Schools, said those students will also be afforded some options if they don't like the district's choice.

"We will grant them priority access to all available seats during summer enrollment," Lambert said.

Lambert said the district will communicate with families this week via email about school reassignments. Officials will also hold pre-revocation meetings with families on July 23 at the Mahalia Jackson offices, and said that the district would give a school presentation on July 29 to formally recommend the revocation.

+3 Leadership at Lycee Francais resign amid labor law, administrative pay investigations Two top administrators and a governing board member have resigned from Lycee Francais de la Nouvelle Orleans, a popular French immersion chart

Lambert said the district is seeking to revoke the charter because the Dryades YMCA, the 115-year-old organization that's run the elementary school since 2006, had failed to responsibly operate Singleton.

Lambert noted that since 2018, the F-rated school has gotten 13 notices of noncompliance, including eight "level 2 notices," or high-level warnings from the district. Seven of those were in the last school year, he said. He also lambasted the school's poor academic track record.

"The Y operates one of the lowest-performing schools in the state. It is, among all elementary schools in the state, ranked in the bottom 10 of schools in school performance score," Lambert said. "In the last three years, every school that has been closed or transformed has had better school performance."

The School Board can reject that revocation with a two-thirds vote, at which point the students would be notified that they would be able to still attend Singleton, officials said.

"Today we are not taking any actions as a board," Orleans Parish School Board President Ethan Ashley said. "Were just getting an update."

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The announcement comes after the district vowed to address alleged fiscal mismanagement and other compliance issues, including accusations that the nonprofit board owes the school over $1.1 million and misused the funds for other programs.

District officials said they had sent warning letters to the school since November over a host of issues, including concerns over $16,000 spent via checks and credit card charges that didn't have accompanying receipts.

The district also said the charter's appointment of an interim CEO violated state ethics laws because the person appointed, Samuel Odom, was a former Dryades YMCA board member, and that the school has not properly conducted employee background checks.

A previous investigation over background checks for 10 employees led to the arrest of the school's former chief operating officer, Catrina Reed. NOLA Public Schools said officials were unable authenticate the checks, and a follow-up review found that employees with criminal records had been employed at Singleton.

Douglas Evans, the former interim CEO and president, resigned, and Reed was arrested on June 1 and booked with 12 counts of injuring public records and one count of theft, according to the Orleans Parish Sheriff's Office.

Orleans School District could revoke charter for embattled James Singleton Charter School Pressed by NOLA Public Schools to address allegations of mismanagement of public funds, James M. Singleton Charter School could soon get a new

Odom said earlier this week that he was trying to address the district's concerns. He was conducting new background checks, he said, and he argued that his appointment as CEO is legal because he isn't being paid for his leadership role.

He said Dryades YMCA needed more time to sort out finances following leadership changes, and he disputed that the YMCA could owe the school money because, in this case, they are a single entity.

In a letter last week, Odom also told school district officials he wanted to consider ways to transfer the school's charter to another organization created just to run Singleton and "refocus the mission" of the Dryades YMCA to return it to a "historical community organization."

On Monday, he asked to meet with the district, with a moderator, to attempt to ensure students "will have access to a neighborhood school operated by an OPSB-approved charter within the Dryades YMCA facility." He wasn't allowed to provide public comments at Wednesday's meeting, records show, because the board didn't take any action.
Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser continued his tour of southeast Louisiana Wednesday in opposition of the Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion Project, attempting to rally the Jefferson Parish Council against the keystone of the state's 50-year master plan to slow coastal land loss.

Nungesser, a former Plaquemines Parish President who is widely thought to be considering a run for governor, argued that the project's negative impact on fisheries and marine species outweigh the hoped-for benefits.

"Many believe it will harm our coast rather than help," Nungesser said. "I am here to sound the alarm."

Nungesser made his comments during a special presentation to the parish council, which did not take any action on the matter. He has made similar pleas to the St. Bernard and Plaquemines Parish councils, both of whom followed with resolutions against the project.

Chip Kline, head of the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority, also spoke to the council in favor of the project and took issue with several of Nungesser's assertions.

"Here are a few things we know for sure," Kline said. "The Mississippi River built the land we stand on today. Our land loss crisis started when the river was leveed."

The diversion, he argued, comes closer than ever before to restoring the natural process that built Louisiana's deltas in the first place.

"Every study calls for reconnecting the Mississippi River to the marshes," he said. "It's a lifeline to a sustainable coast."

The Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion is a $2 billion project that will send freshwater from the Mississippi River over a weir and through a channel into the brackish marshes of the Barataria Basin. The goal is to capture river sediment and send it into the marshes, mimicking the process that built most of south Louisiana thousands of years ago. It has the backing of government officials and environmental groups alike.

"The reason for this project and others like it is to restore and recapture the system that we once had so that it can in fact be healthy again," said Steve Cochran, with the group Restore the Mississippi River Delta.

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

But for Nungesser, the impacts of that cold freshwater laden with fertilizer runoff spells doom for commercial and recreational fisheries.

"Its not a freshwater diversion, its a polluted water diversion," he said. He pointed to the 2019 opening of the Bonnet Carre spillway, which sent trillions of gallons of river water into Lake Pontchartrain and from there into the Mississippi sound, where it was blamed for the deaths of hundreds of dolphins. Similar results would come from the diversion, Nungesser said.

"Dolphins (in Barataria Basin) will die a slow, painful death," Nungesser said. The river water will also wipe out populations of brown and white shrimp, oysters and other key fisheries, he added. The state should pursue other forms of landbuilding, including dredging and putting rocks and berms in strategic areas, Nungesser said.

A number of commercial fisherman have for years vocally opposed the project. Several of them went to the microphone Wednesday to encourage the Council to oppose the project.

An Environmental Impact Study "has made it clear that we are going to have serious damage within the Barataria Basin to all of those resources," said Tracy Kuhns, president of a group call the Go Fish Coalition. "The bottom line is, we support all of the coastal restoration projects with the exception of the two polluted-water diversions."

"They think Mississippi River water is the only way to deliver the sand," fisherman Mike Roberts said. "Make no mistake, we will be severely impacted."

Kline acknowledged that there would be negative impacts from the diversion, including to fish species and to fishermen. But, he said, the program would set aside a minimum of $300 million to help mitigate those impacts.

Kline closed with a warning about scuttling the project.

+6 To protect bottlenose dolphins, group wants changes to $2 billion sediment diversion plan Louisiana officials have failed to say how the proposed Mid-Barataria Sediment Diversion can be operated without killing off most of the bottl

"We have to do this project if we stand a fighting chance against the various factors of coastal land loss," he said. "We cannot dredge our way out of this problem."
Hurricane forecasters on Wednesday were tracking two tropical disturbances that are heading for the Caribbean Sea.

Latest: Tropical depression or storm likely to form in couple of days, NHC says; see forecast

It's too early to tell if either system could enter the Gulf of Mexico.

The shaded area on the graphic is where a storm could develop and is not a track. The National Hurricane Center releases a track when a tropical depression forms or is about to form.

The categories, in order of increasing strength, are tropical depression, tropical storm and hurricane (categories 1 through 5). Systems are named when they develop into a tropical storm. The next available name is Elsa.

Heres what to know about the tropics as of 7 a.m. Wednesday from the National Hurricane Center.

Tropical depression likely to form in Atlantic

A disturbance in the Atlantic is showing more signs of organization and a tropical depression is likely to form during the next few days, forecasters said Wednesday.

The system -- a broad area of low pressure that's associated with a tropical wave -- is about midway between the west coast of Africa and the Windward Islands. It's moving northwest at 20 mph.

It has a large area of showers and thunderstorms that continues to show some signs of organization, forecasters said.

With hurricane season starting, take some time to assess the trees in your landscape TREE CHECK: Now that hurricane season has begun, its time to check all of the larger trees in your landscape. A tree that is sickly, low in v

Environmental conditions are generally favorable for development, they said.

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The system has an 80% chance of developing into a tropical depression within five days.

Heavy rain possible over Lesser Antilles

Significant development is unlikely for a disturbance that's east of the Lesser Antilles, forecasters said Wednesday. However, it's expected to bring locally heavy rainfall to the parts of the Lesser Antilles.

The tropical wave is expected to pass through the Lesser Antilles on Wednesday, dropping heavy rain over portions of the islands. It's then forecast to quickly move west at 20 to 25 mph and continue across the Caribbean for the next few days.

Hurricanes and pets: Do these things now to have Fido and Fluffy ready for storm season With the tropics already showing signs of activity in the 2021 hurricane season, pet owners should make sure they are prepared to weather a st

Development chances have dropped for the system. It now has a 10% chance of developing into a tropical depression within five days.

Next available name

The next available storm name is Elsa. Systems are named when they strengthen into tropical storms.

Tropical storms Ana, Bill, Claudette and Danny formed earlier this season. Claudette developed in the Gulf of Mexico and dumped several inches of rain on Slidell, flooding homes and streets.

Last year, there were so many storms that forecasters ran out of names and had to use the Greek alphabet. It's only the second time in recorded history that the Greek names had been used.

Things have changed for this season. If needed, forecasters will use a list of supplemental storm names instead of the Greek names. See the full list.

The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1 through Nov. 30.

Don't miss a storm update this hurricane season. Sign up for breaking newsletters. Follow our Hurricane Center Facebook page.
Staff Writer

Reese Gorman covers elections, local politics and the COVID-19 pandemic for The Norman Transcript. He started as an intern in May of 2020 and transitioned into his current position as a staff writer in August of 2020.
Norman, OK (73070)

Today

Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High 87F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Clear skies. Low 66F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
Williamsport, Pa. - A recent graduate of Pennsylvania College of Technologys aviation program has been awarded a Helicopter Association International scholarship that provides a tuition waiver for a manufacturer training school and a stipend to offset expenses.

John J. Doherty, of Lebanon, who earned a bachelors degree in aviation maintenance technology in May, received a first-place Bill Sanderson Aviation Maintenance Technology award from HAI. The scholarship includes passes to next years HAI Heli-Expo, to be held March 7-10 in Dallas, Texas.

Doherty, now employed by Life Lion Emergency Medical Services in Hershey, has opted to attend the Safran/Turbomeca turbine engine school.

The scholarship honors William C. Sanderson, a U.S. Naval Academy graduate and HAIs former director of heliports and technical programs, who died in April 2004.




Williamsport, Pa. -- A domestic disturbance between a couple led to destroyed property, shots fired, and charges filed for both parties in Williamsport on June 21.

On June 20, Kyle Lee Crain, 32, and Lena Ann Jenkins, 32, both of Williamsport reportedly engaged in an argument. Jenkins requested police assistance at City Hall at 1:40 p.m., saying her boyfriend, Crain, had threatened to kill her with a firearm.

Jenkins told officer Brett Garbrick of the Williamsport Bureau of Police that the fighting, at first verbal, turned physical. Crain allegedly damaged property inside the home, kicking out an air conditioner and breaking the bedroom window, she said.

Jenkins told police that the arguing continued into the next day, June 21.

While Jenkins was not home, she said her father called her to tell her that Crain had again begun to be destructive. She returned home and, carrying a mini sledge hammer, saw a destroyed 50-inch television inside the room.

Jenkins said Crain then picked up one of two rifles in the corner of the room and allegedly pointed it at her. When she turned to leave the room, Crain allegedly told her "I'm going to blow your f-ing brains out."

According to the police affidavit, Jenkins left the home, smashed out Crain's truck windshield, and then fled to a friend's house.

Following the first interview at City Hall at 1:40 p.m. with Jenkins, Officer Garbrick instructed Jenkins to go to WISE Options to apply for a PFA.

Later on June 21 at 6:24 p.m., police units were dispatched to 1500 High Street for a reported domestic and shots fired.

A witness near the scene said he told police he'd seen a white male in a tan sedan with a red bike speed up the road, exit his vehicle, and use a hammer to smash out windows before driving off. Jenkins' vehicle was discovered in the 1600 block of Louisa Street, where Jenkins told police she'd parked her vehicle in fear of retaliation, with smashed out passenger side windows.

Officers detained both Crain and Jenkins without incident at the home, transporting them to City Hall for interviews.

Jenkins waived her Miranda Warnings to speak to officers without a lawyer present, according to the affidavit. She said Crain had returned to the residence and she confronted him through a window of the home, telling him she would shoot him if he tried to get in the house. According to Jenkins, Crain allegedly responded that he would shoot back at her.

This, according to Jenkins, is when the shots were fired.

She reported shooting her firearm once from the first floor living room where she was standing. She told police she walked upstairs and shot one time in a southeast-facing bedroom and twice in a northeast-facing bedroom. Jenkins said that once she heard police sirens, she unloaded the rifle, separated the magazine, and walked downstairs to meet police.

She also admitted to firing at Crain's truck once and his sedan three times. Crain was allegedly hiding behind his sedan.

Jenkins' three children, her niece, and several other juveniles were reportedly in the home at the time the rifle was fired. They had been instructed to "stay in the hallway and duck," according to Jenkins, who said she didn't know if Crain might fire back.

She also admitted to officers that she had instructed the children to destroy Crain's vehicle when he had previously left the home.

A black Rossi RB22 .22 caliber long rifle with an optic attached was recovered from the scene, along with two spent .22 caliber casings, according to the police report.

Crain faces charges of Simple Assault, Terroristic Threats with Intent To Terrorize Another, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Disorderly Conduct Engage in Fighting, Criminal Mischief - Damage Property, and Harassment.

Crain's bail was denied.

Jenkins was charged with Felony Aggravated Assault - Attempts to cause Severe Bodily Injury or cause injury with extreme indifference, Simple Assault, Recklessly Endangering Another Person, Corruption of Minors, Disorderly Conduct Engage in Fighting, Criminal Attempt - Criminal Mischief - Damage Property, Harassment, and Firearms Discharge Prohibited.

Jenkins' bail was also denied. Both are in Lycoming County Jail.
Williamsport, Pa. - With a view of the Susquehanna River and the Hiawatha Paddle Wheel Riverboat, the Lycoming County Women Democrats held their annual Kay Ertel scholarship picnic at the Susquehanna State Park on Thursday, June 24.

Based on their service contributions to their communities, two local senior girls were each awarded $400 scholarships from the Kay Ertel Scholarship fund. Ertel is the wife of the late U. S. Rep. Allen E. Ertel, who served in congress from 1977-1983.

Emma Hogan, Muncy High School, will be attending Penn State University in the fall and wants to major in education and history.

Emma hopes to lead students to make well informed decisions and opinions for themselves. She was class president and is involved with Polar Princesses, Make-a-Wish foundation, Future Business Leaders of America, among other charitable work.

Katelyn Taylor, Montgomery High School, also will be attending Penn State University. She is also the Lycoming County Dairy Princess. Her involvement with 4-H includes placement in the World Dairy Expo and many speaking engagements throughout the county.

Taylor has raised funds for the Pennsylvania Food Bank, and created a cookbook which raised over $2,000. She plans to major in Agricultural Science.

Statewide judicial candidates among guests

Candidate for Pennsylvania Supreme Court Maria McLaughlin was one of the guest speakers; along with Judge Timika Lane, running for PA Superior Court; and Judge Lori Dumas, running for Commonwealth Court.

McLaughlin said she intends to visit all 67 Pa. counties, and so far has personally visited 39. She currently serves on the Superior Court. She was elected in 2017.

Lane has served for seven years on the Court of Common Pleas and has been Recommended for Superior Court by the Pennsylvania Bar Association in 2021.

Dumas came from Philadelphia and has served on the bench for over 18 years, both in family court and the criminal division with a focus on human trafficking.

She pleaded that everyone vote for Democracy.

Local candidates were also present and spoke on behalf of their constituents.

Lauren Baumann Frisco, running for supervisor in Loyalsock Township, said she wants to help fix the congested traffic problem on East Third St., as well as offering pedestrian safety for more families.

Stacey Butterfield represented candidate Liz Miele, who is running for re-election to Williamsport City Council. Mieles experience on the council, and as a small business owner in historic Williamsport, is how Miele will continue to advocate for the city, according to Butterfield.

McKenna Long, a Hughesville native and business owner, is running for the borough's council, and is seeking support to help get more registered vote in Hughesville. She also said she wants more transparency on issues for the public.

The Lycoming Women Democrats will not meet in July and prior to this, but will have held meetings via Zoom. The organization hopes to continue meeting in person starting in Aug. on the fourth Thurs. of each month.

A fundraiser to support local candidates will be held on Sept. 18 at Montgomery Park.
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To list an event, email RomeNewsTribune@RN-T.com with "Community Calendar" in the subject line.
Lynn Gendusa of Roswell is the author of Its All Write with Me! Essays from my heart. She can be reached at www.lynngendusa.com.
Pat Toomey is as conservative as ever. Thats not how many see him. Blame the Trump effect
Experts believe the Novavax vaccine still has a role to play, and may appeal to those who remain hesitant
John Massoud is a member of the Strasburg Town Council and is the chairman of the 6th Congressional District Republican Party in Virginia
As you drive from Chicago into Northwest Indiana, billboards blare the selection and prices of fireworks stores at every exit ahead  some even taking shots at the competition, such as Johnny Rockets' jab this year of "Less Billboards  Lower Pricing."

Giant inflatable eagles and King Kongs, strands of multicolored bunting zipping off in every direction and people dancing and waving signs all attempt to attract the attention of passing motorists. As the Fourth of July nears, lines stretch out the door at fireworks stores that often stay open until 2 a.m., or even operate around the clock during the final mad dash when customers fork over fistfuls of cash to light up the night sky with pyrotechnics to celebrate the holiday.

Fireworks are kind of a big deal in Northwest Indiana.

And it turns out that Indiana uses more fireworks than almost any other state, according to the career resource site Zippia.

Zippia examined which states in America import the most fireworks per person and concluded Indiana has one of the 10 most explosive Fourth of July celebrations in the country.
"We looked at doing it at some of the other branches and at the Corporate Centre in Merrillville," Schrage said. "But we said, 'no, this is home. This is where it needs to be.' This is where the Schrage family settled and established themselves and established so much in the area. We're here for generations to come, to be an instrumental part of the success of not only in Whiting but the whole Northwest Indiana region. It's a dream come true for me. The pandemic delayed a few things. I'm blessed to be part of the fourth generation and to take over from my dad back in the 1970s. Now we're on to the fifth generation and the sixth generation, and I've got to retire sometime."
The news that the U.S. attorney general will have his Civil Rights Division going after states, counties and local government agencies that violate the rights given to individuals by the U.S. Constitution is great news.

As a disabled individual, the 14th Amendment guarantees equal protection and under Title II of the ADA, extends the prohibition on discrimination established by section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, 29 U.S.C. 794, to all activities of state and local governments regardless of whether these entities receive federal financial assistance.

At present, a complaint has been sitting with the U.S. attorney's office concerning the treatment of disabled county police officers. The question that the new acting U.S. attorney in northern Indiana is, will she follow the directions of the U.S. attorney general? Will she open an investigation into possible violations of federal law? Will her office begin sending out letters to the disabled officers to arrange meetings with them?
LAPORTE  A school business official from LaPorte Community School Corporation was awarded for his creativity and resourcefulness in helping the district find additional space for new programming.

Greg Hunt, assistant superintendent of business and operations, won the Association of School Business Officials International's 2021 Pinnacle of Achievement Award, according to a news release from the district. The award recognizes school business professionals for solving challenges school districts face today.

Hunt was chosen for the award because of a building project that used district-owned land and buildings, prevented redistricting, maximized space and made the best use of budget dollars, the release said.

A facilities assessment of the district identified necessary updates and a need for additional space to accommodate new programming, the release said. After that, the district determined the older of the two middle school wouldn't provide an equitable learning experience for students, even with extensive renovations, so district leaders decided to consolidate the middle schools on the newer school's campus.
MICHIGAN CITY  Barker Mansion is now back in the Barker familys control, but it will remain open to the public.

The City Council approved a resolution last week to transfer control of the building and grounds to the Barker Welfare Foundation. That will save the city about $160,000 a year in maintenance on the building, Councilwoman Dalia Zygas, D-at-large, said.

The foundation is investing millions in the Barker familys former private home. It already has spent about $1.5 million on exterior work and plans extensive interior renovations, said Alexander Ross, president of the foundations board of directors.

The foundation was set up in 1934 to support nonprofit organizations, primarily in health, welfare, education, cultural activities and civic affairs. It primarily serves Michigan City and New York City.

The foundation will continue to be a good partner for both the mansion and social services, Ross said.

The mansion was donated to Michigan City by my grandparents in 1968, Ross said. The mansion was built in 1857 by John Barker Sr. and expanded in the early 1900s. It was 38 rooms, 10 bathrooms and seven fireplaces.
As Holloway left the stand, Patillo asked for permission to thank the deputy for attempting to save his sons' lives. Holloway turned to look at Patillo, but said nothing in return.

'They had a big life to live'

Defense attorney Robert Varga said he had planned to call the boys' mother, Savannah Sanders, to testify on Patillo's behalf, but she did not arrive in time.

Varga said if Sanders had been in the courtroom, she would have said she didn't want to see Patillo serve more time behind bars.

Of all people, Sanders had the most right to come to court and demand Patillo's head, but she didn't, Varga said.

Patillo never intended for his sons to die, and their drownings were "a terrible, terrible accident," he said.

Sanders, who arrived shortly after the hearing concluded, said she loves Patillo and knows he never meant to hurt their boys.

Prosecutor Johnsen said Sanders knew Patillo had a drug problem, but she still allowed him to take her children to the river.

"She is just as guilty as he is," he said.

Johnsen said he felt the state had to be a voice for the boys.
LAPORTE  Authorities are investigating after a man serving time at LaPorte County Jail died Tuesday morning.

Joel L. Ohms, 45, of Michigan City, was found unresponsive in his cell by a member of the jail division early Tuesday, said LaPorte County Sheriff's Office Capt. Derek Allen.

The staff immediately came to his aid, performing resuscitation efforts on Ohms. LaPorte County Emergency medical Services responded and took him to the Northwest Health LaPorte.

Ohms was pronounced dead at the hospital at 7:29 a.m. Tuesday.

The LaPorte County Sheriff's Office said Ohms had surrendered himself on Monday evening in the police department lobby. He was then booked into the jail to begin serving his sentence, which was a series of one-day periods in jail.

Police said he was set to be released 6 p.m. Tuesday. A death investigation is being conducted by the Indiana State Police Criminal Investigations Division, with LaPorte County sheriff's police and the LaPorte County coroner's office assisting.

According to records from LaPorte Superior Court, Ohms was sentenced on June 22 after he pleaded guilty to an OWI charge that was filed against him on Dec. 28, 2020. He was ordered to serve 356 days in jail.
After the shooting, the trio traveled to Horace S. Norton Elementary School, 1356 Harrison Blvd., in Gary, where they dumped Saucedo's body before heading off to McDonald's and Pizza Hut to eat, police said.

DeBoer said while Thompson could be seen as more culpable for pulling the trigger of the gun, Brown was the elder of the group and was the one who had the firearm.

"You brought the gun to the party," she said. "You just upped the ante tenfold."

Saucedo's oldest sister, Paula Biller, told the judge she hates the three defendants and that the pain of her sister's loss lingers on among family and friends.

"She definitely did not deserve this ending," she said. "She deserved every bit of her years to come."

Biller looked down at Brown and said, "I want you to imagine how you would feel if you were in our shoes."

"Attorney (John) Cantrell and myself are very cognizant of the fact that this young girl's life was lost, and that truly is a shame," defense attorney Mark Gruenhagen said.
HAMMOND  The application deadline for the city's College Bound Scholarship program is nearing.

Applications for the program are due Friday, according to a press release.

Returning college students and high school seniors can apply for the program, which provides eligible students with up to $10,500 per year toward tuition at an accredited college or university in Indiana.

Returning students will need to fill out an application, provide proof of homestead, Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and school transcripts.

Applications are available at the students high school guidance counselors office, or online at collegebound.gohammond.com.

New students also will need to complete an application and provide proof of homestead, the date the home was purchased, a letter of acceptance into an Indiana college or university, FAFSA filing, school transcripts and an SAT or ACT score.

All students, new or returning, must complete 40 hours of community service every year; failure to do so could result in a student losing the scholarship and repaying it.
In the early days of the pandemic, testing within the Bureau of Prisons was limited, and staff at some prisons were told there was no need to test prisoners and they should just assume everyone had the coronavirus. The Justice Departments inspector general found that at some facilities, like FCC Oakdale in Louisiana, which emerged as an early hot spot, prisoners who tested positive for the virus were left in their housing units for days without being isolated.

The Bureau of Prisons said it follows guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and that any prisoner who is symptomatic or tests positive for the virus is placed in medical isolation until they recover.

Even when state and federal prisons did conduct tests, they still allowed prisoners who tested positive to come in contact with others.

Texas prison officials transferred more than 100 infected prisoners in East Texas to prisons just outside Houston in the first months of the pandemic. Officials said the move would bring the men closer to medical resources, but other prisoners worried it would just bring the virus closer. A few days after a group of the sick arrived to his unit, Jason Duncan fell ill.
ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. (AP)  An organization that represents thousands of racehorse owners and trainers is accusing New Mexico regulators of violating their civil rights.

The New Mexico Horsemens Association announced Tuesday that it is suing the state Racing Commission in federal court, saying it had no other recourse because the commission barred the group and its members from contacting any commissioners or attending its regular public meetings.

The commission limited communication after the horse owners sued in December to stop the panel from using purse money to cover operating costs at the states five privately owned racetracks.

The commission also voted this year to prohibit group members from contributing 1% of their purse winnings to the association and ending the contribution of starter fees that fund medical expenses as well as fees that go toward advocacy efforts. That prompted another legal challenge by the association in state district court.

Commission Chairman Sam Bregman said in a statement Tuesday that it was the horse owners group that was violating the law.
So the TF South Rebels are no more. After years of tradition and school spirit the name Rebels is not woke enough for these enlightened times (despite mascot Richie being retired 5 years ago.) I dont think anyone who attended South for the first 74 years embraced any inherent racism in the mascot. And certainly most of the current student body could care less as only a small percentage voted for a proposed new nickname (and many more shockingly disenfranchised from the selection process entirely.)
Starting in the late 2000s, Colleen Reichmuth and Ole Larsen made a number of visits to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom in Vallejo, Calif., to hear a walrus make some noise. The male Pacific walrus, named Sivuqaq, was approaching sexual maturity, which meant he might soon spout the signature din that male walruses make in breeding season.

Dr. Reichmuth, a research scientist at the University of California, Santa Cruz, was driving a short way to see Sivuqaq. But Dr. Larsen, a bio-acoustician at the University of Southern Denmark, was traveling a long way from, well, Denmark.

Dr. Reichmuth and Dr. Larsen had come specifically to hear Sivuqaq emit a male walruss characteristic breeding sounds: knocks, metallic gong-like beats and piercing whistles. But Sivuqaq, who stole the screen during appearances in 50 First Dates with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore, was uncooperative. Some days, he clapped his fore flippers together thousands of times in a row while underwater, incessantly.

At first it was distracting, Dr. Reichmuth said. She and Dr. Larsen had come for gongs and knocks, not claps. But they realized the incessant claps were worth studying, and although it has taken a number of years, they published their observations and recordings of the clapping behavior on Wednesday in the journal Royal Society Open Science. To the researchers knowledge, there is no documentation of wild walruses caught in a similar act of applause.
President Biden returns to Wisconsin on Tuesday. His predecessor has never really left.

Wisconsin Republicans have already gone to great lengths to challenge the 2020 election results. They ordered a monthslong government audit of votes in the state. They made a pilgrimage to Arizona to observe the G.O.P. review of votes there. They hired former police officers to investigate Wisconsins election and its results.

And they have followed the lead of other G.O.P.-controlled states in passing a raft of new voting restrictions, though they are certain to be vetoed by Gov. Tony Evers, a Democrat.

It is not enough for former President Donald J. Trump. He wants state party officials to take more dramatic action.

In a blistering statement last week on the eve of the Wisconsin Republican Partys convention, he accused top Republican state lawmakers of working hard to cover up election corruption and actively trying to prevent a Forensic Audit of the election results.
Francys Johnson, a lawyer for Mr. Lewiss family, said the family also wanted a meeting with the district attorney, and for officials to release police video of the shooting. The public deserves it  they paid for it, Mr. Johnson said at the news conference. Then, referring to the grand jury members, he said, And its been shown now to 22 citizens in Screven County, but it has not been shown to Julians mother or his wife or his attorney.

Mr. Thompson, 27, was arrested and charged with felony murder and aggravated assault days after the Aug. 7 traffic stop and fatal shooting of Mr. Lewis.

At around 9:20 p.m., according to a report from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, Mr. Thompson spotted Mr. Lewis near Sylvania, Ga., which is about 60 miles northwest of Savannah, driving with a broken taillight. The state trooper followed Mr. Lewis and tried to pull him over, but he continued driving and Mr. Thompson used his patrol vehicle to force Mr. Lewiss car to turn sideways, causing him to stop in a ditch, the report said.

Mr. Thompson drew his gun as he got out of his vehicle, he told investigators, and said he saw Mr. Lewis trying to maneuver his vehicle toward him, prompting him to fire his weapon. Mr. Lewis was struck once and pronounced dead at the scene, the report said.

But Dustin Peak, a Georgia Bureau of Investigation agent, testified in September that this would have been impossible, because Mr. Lewiss vehicle was inoperable after it hit the ditch and the car battery disconnected, The Associated Press reported.
The vote marked the latest round in a yearslong debate on Capitol Hill and across the country over the role of Confederate statuary and symbols in public spaces, and the implications of removing them. Proponents of removing or relocating Confederate monuments and erecting new ones to commemorate the national struggle for equal rights have notched steady progress.

The House and Senate voted overwhelmingly this month to make Juneteenth a federal holiday commemorating the end of slavery. In January, Congress overrode a veto by President Donald J. Trump to enact legislation that would, among other things, direct the military to strip the names of Confederate leaders from bases in the coming years. And inside the Capitol, Speaker Nancy Pelosi ordered portraits of four speakers who served the Confederacy be taken down from the gilded lounge adjacent to the House chamber, where she has control of what artwork is displayed.

The fate of the Capitol statuary has been more complicated, because Congress has no authority over much of it. According to a law that originated during the Civil War, each state may send two statues of deceased citizens who were illustrious for their historic renown or for distinguished civic or military services, and whom the state considers worthy of this national commemoration to be featured in Statuary Hall, an ornate marble amphitheater-style room just off the House floor, or elsewhere in the Capitol.

The bill passed by the House on Tuesday would direct congressional officials to remove any statue of a Confederate military or government leader, as well as some specific ones, and allow states to send replacements. Many of the statues in question were erected in the early 20th century, when Southern states were romanticizing the Lost Cause of the Confederacy and enforcing the segregationist code of Jim Crow.

Among them is a bust of Chief Justice Taney, who as the leader of the Supreme Court delivered the landmark Dred Scott v. Sandford decision denying the rights of citizenship to people of African descent. The legislation calls for Taneys bust to be replaced with one of his fellow Marylander Thurgood Marshall, the first Black Supreme Court justice.
What I try to do is demonstrate by precept and example how we are to proceed as a party, Mr. Clyburn said in an interview. When I spoke out against sloganeering, like Burn, baby, burn in the 1960s and defund the police, which I think is cutting the throats of the party, I know exactly where my constituents are. They are against that, and Im against that.

The special election in Cleveland is highlighting the vast generational divide and ideological gulf that the Democratic Party faces as the entire House leadership heads toward the sunset. Mr. Clyburn, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and the House majority leader, Representative Steny H. Hoyer, are all octogenarians, leading an increasingly youthful, diverse and restive caucus. Ms. Pelosi even agreed to vacate her position after this Congress, and the next year will be an ideological battle over who will succeed her.

Ms. Brown has the backing of the Democratic establishment, including not only Mr. Clyburn but also Hillary Clinton; Richard Cordray, a former Ohio attorney general; Representative Joyce Beatty of Ohio, the chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus; and moderate Democrats like Representatives Josh Gottheimer of New Jersey and David Trone of Maryland.

Ms. Turner, who has the endorsements of much of the House Progressive Caucus, including the so-called squad  Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ayanna S. Pressley, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib  would be a strong new voice for the congressional left. And the left is increasingly focused on Black and Hispanic districts that they see as safe redoubts for ideological candidates.

You cant take any one race and paint it as some larger aggregate for the whole country, Ms. Ocasio-Cortez, a New York Democrat, said on Tuesday. But I do think that Nina is a beloved leader in the progressive movement, and the degree of excitement that shes generated and grass-roots energy and organizing in her direction is a real testament to the asset that the base of our party can provide.
North Koreas leader, Kim Jong-un, said that lapses in his countrys anti-pandemic campaign have caused a great crisis that threatened grave consequences, state media reported on Wednesday.

Mr. Kim did not clarify whether he was referring to an outbreak in North Korea, where the authorities had said there were no cases of the virus. But state media reported that the matter was serious enough for Mr. Kim to convene a meeting of the Political Bureau of his ruling Workers Party on Tuesday, during which Mr. Kim reshuffled the top party leadership.

Senior officials neglected implementing antivirus measures and had created a great crisis in ensuring the security of the state and safety of the people, Mr. Kim said.

Mr. Kim also berated party officials for their ignorance, disability and irresponsibility, said the official Korean Central News Agency.
Twenty years later, I received a note asking me to meet with my two future producers, Robert Fyvolent and David Dinerstein, about a Harlem cultural festival that was like a Black Woodstock. Instantly, the music snob in me said, Ive never heard of that. So I looked it up online. Its not on the internet, so I was highly skeptical. But, when they finally showed me the footage, I instantly recognized the backdrop for Sly and thought, Oh God, this really did happen. For nearly 50 years, this just sat in a basement and no one cared. My stomach dropped.

How did you approach turning six weeks of concert footage into a two-hour documentary?

I transferred 40 hours of footage on my hard drive, and I kept it on a 24-hour loop in my house. I have a device so I could watch it any time, in my living room, in my bedroom, in my bathroom. I also put it on my phone when I traveled. For five months, thats all I watched and just kept notes on anything that caught my eye. I was looking for, Whats my first 10 minutes, whats my last 10 minutes? Once I saw Stevie Wonder do that drum solo, I knew that was my first 10 minutes. Thats a gobsmacker. Even though I know he played drums, thats something you dont see all the time.

Why was it so important to include the experiences of people who actually attended?

This wasnt as easy as people think. The festival was 50-plus years ago, youre really looking for people who are now in their late-50s all the way through their early-70s, and Harlem is a different kind of place. You have to hit the pavement because so much of the social fabric of the neighborhood is community-oriented. One of our producers, Ashley Bembry-Kaintuck, even went to a swing dancing class to meet one person [the former Black Panther Cyril Bullwhip Innis Jr.] we identified.

Musa Jackson winds up being our anchor. He was one of the first people to respond, but he disclosed to us that he was just 5 years old when he went to the festival. He told us, Look, this is my first memory in life. So Im just going to tell you everything I remember.

Given that the festival mostly predated Woodstock, why do you think it was so easily forgotten?

History saw it fit that every last person that was on that stage now winds up defining a generation. Why isnt this held in the same light? Why was it that easy to dispose of us? Instead, the cultural zeitgeist that actually ended up being our guide as Black people was Soul Train. And so, Im always going to wonder, How could this and Soul Train have pushed potential creatives further?
Patricia Steuer, 65, who accused Mr. Cosby of drugging and assaulting her in 1978 and 1980, said that she had been preparing herself for the possibility that Mr. Cosbys conviction would be overturned but that she was still a little stunned by the courts ruling on Wednesday.

Im wondering what the 43-year ordeal that I went through was supposed to be about, said Ms. Steuer, who said she found out about the decision on Facebook. But she said she was consoled by the fact that I believe we did the only thing that we could, which is to come forward and tell the truth.

Scott Berkowitz, the president of RAINN, the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, said: We are deeply disappointed in todays ruling by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and by the message this decision sends to the brave survivors who came forward to seek justice for what Bill Cosby did to them. This is not justice.

Others expressed support for Mr. Cosby. Phylicia Rashad, who appeared as Mr. Cosbys wife in The Cosby Show, praised the decision on Twitter. FINALLY!!!! Ms. Rashad, who was recently named the dean of Howard Universitys College of Fine Arts, wrote on Twitter. A terrible wrong is being righted- a miscarriage of justice is corrected! (She later wrote: I fully support survivors of sexual assault coming forward. My post was in no way intended to be insensitive to their truth.)

The decision undoes a verdict that several women who said that they had been assaulted and raped by Mr. Cosby had praised at the time as a measure of justice that had been long in coming. In a victim impact statement filed with the court in 2018, Ms. Constand had said of Mr. Cosby: We may never know the full extent of his double life as a sexual predator, but his decades-long reign of terror as a serial rapist is over.

And Janice Dickinson, a former model who had told the court that Mr. Cosby raped her in 1982 after giving her a pill  her account was one of five the prosecution presented from women who said he had drugged and sexually assaulted them  said after the sentencing that My heart is beating out of my chest at the moment.
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court freed the actor Bill Cosby from prison based largely on a past agreement with a former Pennsylvania prosecutor best known for defending President Donald J. Trump during his February impeachment trial.

In a 79-page opinion, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court wrote that a non-prosecution agreement that had been struck with Bruce L. Castor Jr. meant that Bill Cosby should not have been charged in the case for which he was convicted and sentenced in 2018. The court also barred a retrial.

The agreement came about when, in 2005, Mr. Cosby was investigated in the case of Andrea Constand, and Mr. Castor, a former district attorney of Montgomery County, gave Mr. Cosby his assurance that he would not be charged in the case.

Mr. Castor testified that while there was insufficient evidence to bring a criminal prosecution, he had given Mr. Cosby the assurance to encourage him to testify in a subsequent civil case brought by Ms. Constand.
In recent months, Rory Scovel, Chris Gethard and Carmen Christopher put out more modestly focused specials that mix stand-up with behind-the-scenes footage. Each is experimental in different ways. In Live Without Fear (available on YouTube), Scovel, a dynamic and inventive performer who has delivered some of the funniest sets I have ever seen, set himself the task of making up six shows completely on the spot: stand-up merged with improv. His goal was to capture the spontaneity of creation while weaving in post-show commentary on what went wrong.

Shot by Scott Moran with sensitivity to the rhythm of jokes, Scovels performances are riveting high-wire acts, not as refined as a normal set but displaying the drunken thrill of a party conversation starting to take off. Scovel brings titanic aggression leavened by patience, toying with words, searching for the funny parts, filibustering a premise and biding his time, waiting for inspiration to strike. Many of his best improvisations begin with simple observational premises  the weirdness of the phrase getting on your high horse  then move into puns (pot-smoking horses) followed by absurdity (Thats where the show Mr. Ed comes from) and a coda with bizarre rage (Tell me Im wrong!).

If Scovel courts failure, Christopher hugs it tightly in Street Special, a deadpan, self-consciously awkward special, one of the first produced on Peacock. Carrying his own microphone, Christopher set up shop on New York street corners during the pandemic, surprising nervous pedestrians with jokes. At the start, he interrupts outdoor diners at the East Village spot Veselka by announcing that he just got engaged. After some lonely applause, annoyed glances and some quintessential New York indifference, he said he was kidding, that he has been single for seven years and that he just wanted to see what it felt like to have people excited for him.
Kyle Massey, a former Disney Channel star best known for his role as Raven-Symones little brother on Thats So Raven, has been charged with a felony in Washington State after prosecutors say he sent pornographic messages to a 13-year-old girl in 2018 and 2019.

Mr. Massey, 29, was charged on June 14 with one count of communication with a minor for immoral purposes after sending explicit messages, images and videos to the girl via Snapchat from December 2018 to January 2019, according to King County prosecutors.

The felony charge stems from accusations made in a lawsuit filed in 2019 against Mr. Massey for $1.5 million by the girls mother. This suit was eventually dropped when the girls lawyers determined that Mr. Massey did not have enough money for it to make financial sense to pursue the case, according to prosecutors. In 2019, Mr. Massey denied the allegations in the suit, according to a statement obtained by People magazine.

In February, the girls mother notified the King County Sheriffs Office that Mr. Massey was sending explicit material to her daughter knowing that she was underage, according to court documents. Prosecutors say that Mr. Massey first met the girl when she was 4 years old, and that in their correspondence during 2018 and 2019 the girl disclosed that she would be in the eighth grade once she went back to school. Mr. Massey was 27 at the time.
I did the starving artist route and had multiple survival jobs, and it was a lot of rejection and doors slammed in my face, said Newman, who graduated from Illinois Wesleyan University with a degree in musical theater in 2006. While living in Sunnyside, Queens, she made ends meet by babysitting, working in restaurants and passing out fliers in Times Square.

Two years later, she was back in Phoenix, living in her parents house  a humbling end to a dream that took shape when she starred in a junior high school production of Annie.

Newman found solace in a job at Changing Hands, a bookstore in Tempe, Ariz., that she said helped her get back to her roots as a reader and a writer. Im always going to be a creative person, she said. I realized those impulses are never going away. If Im writing and no one reads it except me, thats a lot less scary than putting myself out there in New York in front of an entire table of casting directors who wont even look up at me.

She was Torri to us then, said Cindy Dach, the booksellers chief executive. She had a passion for books and community and was a star on the floor. Some booksellers love books but theyre introverts. Torri is the best of both worlds because she can connect with people easily. (T.J. stands for Torri Jan.)

In early 2011, Newman left to work for Virgin America. She held onto her Changing Hands staff badge and continued to help out during the holiday rush and at events at the Tempe and Phoenix locations, but she could no longer ignore the tug of wanderlust. I grew up traveling on my moms passes, Newman said. Travel is just about my most favorite thing in the world to do, which is why I wanted a job that paid me to do it.

There were challenges to her new role  entitled passengers, the beverage cart  but Newman believes her time in the air helped lay the groundwork for a writing career. You become really good at reading people: Has this person had too much to drink? Is this person showing a proclivity for noncompliance? she said. We are in a metal tube traveling hundred of miles an hour, miles up in the sky. Were always aware of the margin of error.
Mr. Chow has been deeply involved in the citys pro-democracy movement. As a high school student, he protested the Tiananmen crackdown in 1989. He taught John Rawlss A Theory of Justice on the site of the 2014 Umbrella Movement and was arrested briefly on the last day of the pro-democracy protest. He went to many demonstrations in 2019 as an observer, watching as Beijing cracked down ruthlessly. All of them failed, and the security law was the final blow.

The things that should not have happened in a normal society happened, he said in an interview at his home on the campus of the Chinese University of Hong Kong. Im talking about the most outstanding people, the kind of people that should be held up as role models, are being attacked and sentenced to jail.

For two decades, Mr. Chow encouraged his students to examine the meaning of life and become active and conscientious citizens who help build societies based on values such as justice and liberty.

I asked whether he taught the same thing now. He paused for nearly a minute and opened his mouth several times before saying he had stopped telling his students to be active participants.

Of course, I still tell them to care about the society and be responsible for their lives, he said. But its no longer easy to tell them what they should do because participating in political and public affairs has become a highly risky act.

Mr. Chow has enjoyed the kind of opportunities and freedom Hong Kong used to offer to its residents. Born in the southern province of Guangdong, he migrated to the former British colony in 1985 at the age of 12. His family lived in a poor neighborhood in Kowloon, but he thrived academically and enrolled in the Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Strawberries in the middle of winter. Almond milk in your latte. Cans of tomato paste that end up on your pizza.

So much of what we eat is produced on the vast farms of Californias Central Valley.

For years, thats been possible because of a maze of canals and tunnels that bring water from the rivers in the northern part of the state and because farmers have been able to pull water from under the ground.

This year, the rich, fertile Central Valley confronts both an exceptional drought and the consequences of years of pumping far too much water out of its aquifers.

I wanted to understand how farmers are coping and what that means for the future of food production in the countrys richest agricultural belt.
Barbara Ferrer, the countys public health director, said the new recommendation was needed because of upticks in infections, a rise in cases due to the worrisome Delta variant, and persistently high numbers of unvaccinated residents, particularly children, Black and Latino residents and essential workers.

Roughly half of Los Angeles County residents are fully vaccinated, and about 60 percent have had at least one dose. While the number of positive tests is still below 1 percent in the county, the rate has been inching up, Dr. Ferrer added, and there has been a rise in the number of reinfections among residents who were infected before and did not get vaccinated.

To the extent that Los Angeles County has managed to control the pandemic, it has been because of a multilayered strategy that combined vaccinations with health restrictions aimed at curbing new infections, Dr. Ferrer said. Natural immunity among those already infected has also kept transmission low, she noted, but it is not clear how long natural immunity will last.

We dont want to return to lockdown or more disruptive mandates here, Dr. Ferrer said. We want to stay on the path were on right now, which is keeping community transmission really low.

Health officials in Chicago and New York City indicated this week that they had no plans to revisit mask requirements. Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declined to comment, but have also not signaled any intention to revise or re-examine masking recommendations for those who are fully vaccinated.
Two nights before signing the Constitution, George Washington threw a celebratory rager where Americas founding father was said to have rung up a bar tab equivalent to $17,253. Our nation began with a hangover, a fact too factual to be included in America: The Motion Picture (streaming on Netflix), a raunchy, aggressively inane cartoon that flips the bird  both onscreen and thematically  to a strain of patriotism that insists that men who profited from slavery were sober-minded heroes whose vision of democracy remains flawless, bro. Thats why we make the rules, baby! bellows Samuel Adams (voiced by Jason Mantzoukas) after a keg stand. Here, to be a privileged white man in America is intoxicating, a truth no less fictional than watching Paul Revere win a Fast and Furious-inspired street race that goes one quarter-mule at a time.

This sacrilegious prank, directed by Matt Thompson and written by Dave Callaham, opens with Abraham Lincoln (Will Forte) getting his throat ripped out by the turncoat (and werewolf) Benedict Arnold (Andy Samberg). Lets dodge a description of Lincolns deathbed flatulence and skip ahead to the plot where Lincolns prom date George Washington (Channing Tatum, perfectly himbo-esque) vows revenge on the fun police, a.k.a. King James (Simon Pegg), who has constructed a dirigible that will tea-bag the fratty Yanks into submission. What follows is a rowdy sendup of the countrys id. Eagles scream. Free Bird wails. Paul Bunyan boxes Big Ben. And in a nod to Americas ill-informed history classes, Washington also stutters his goal to do something about taxation?

The one-joke premise results in a headache by the time we witness Washington impregnate Martha (Judy Greer) during a montage that includes Old Faithful and a sledgehammer crushing a cherry pie. Squint hard, and the first ladys buoyant pep and pectorals could charitably be a satire on ideal womanhood. Less subtle are the films cheeky rip-offs of Star Wars and The Avengers, and the inclusion of a reimagined Thomas Edison (Olivia Munn), now a female Chinese immigrant who exists to roll her eyes at the dingbats. Ultimately, Edison decides the country is worth defending anyway. Is it? The fictional ending isnt sure  and the real ending is yet to be written.

America: The Motion Picture

Not rated. Running time: 1 hour 38 minutes. Watch on Netflix.
Heidi Ewing knew her friends Ivan Garcia and Gerardo Zabaleta for seven years before learning the full story of their journey. Ivan and Gerardo first fell in love in the 1990s in Mexico, where they had to keep their relationship a secret. They emigrated separately to the United States, with Ivan crossing the border first on foot at great risk.

In New York, the men eventually thrived as restaurateurs, and today run two Williamsburg establishments. But, Ewing learned, the couple remained undocumented, like millions of others.

Ewing, an Academy Award-nominated filmmaker (Jesus Camp), recognized a captivating romance when she saw one. But how could she portray her friends in-between status, living in a world that kept forcing them to conceal basic facts of their existence?

In I Carry You With Me, now in theaters, Ewing found her own in-between path by filming a hybrid fiction. Spanning childhood through adulthood, from Mexico City to New York, its the rare movie that both stars actors  Armando Espitia plays Ivan and Christian Vazquez plays Gerardo  and the people being portrayed.
At the end, there wasnt a clear, cogent argument of what he stood for that resonated, said Ron Kim, a Queens assemblyman who endorsed Mr. Yang. If I could go back, I would have encouraged him to stick with what he was known for, which was being an innovator, a person who can deliver out-of-the-box thinking on solutions for economic growth and jobs.

In the races last stages, Mr. Yang threw his support to Ms. Garcia, encouraging his supporters to rank her second. Though they campaigned together, she did not ask the same of her supporters; she said she had hoped to piggyback on Mr. Yangs popularity in certain sectors of the city.

Mr. Yang did perform well with heavily Asian communities in Queens like Elmhurst and Flushing, as well as in heavily Orthodox Jewish neighborhoods in Brooklyn, like Borough Park. He did not do nearly as well in Manhattan, his home borough, where he garnered 10 percent of the in-person vote; Ms. Garcia captured the most votes in that borough.

There were some tensions within the team where people would say, Well, you cant out-cop the cop, Mr. Yang said in an episode of his podcast that aired Monday.

For me, he added, both common sense and the numbers indicated that crime was going to be the No. 1 issue.

And despite being the self-described ideas candidate, Mr. Yang did not have enough of them to entice voters.

As the person who was getting most of the attention, the race became a referendum on him, said Stu Loeser, who advised the campaign of Ray McGuire, the former Citigroup executive. And he proved himself to be a callow, unsubstantial, often dimwitted person.
In the absence of Mr. Ryan and Ms. Perkins, both Democrats, day-to-day operations were effectively run by the boards two top Republicans, Dawn Sandow and Georgea Kontzamanis.

Ms. Sandow is a former executive director of the Bronx Republican Party with deep ties to Guy Velella, a longtime lawmaker and Bronx party leader who quit elected office in 2004 after pleading guilty in a bribery conspiracy.

The leadership vacuum  during an intense election, with a new method of voting  caused tumult at the board for months, several employees said.

As the board dealt with those issues, it also ignored offers of technological assistance from the supplier of the software that it would use to tabulate the ranked-choice votes.

The supplier, Ranked Choice Voting Resource Center, first offered to help on May 26 and then tried again several times, said its policy director, Christopher W. Hughes.

We had offered up to the Board of Elections to be there in person or remotely and support running the ranked-choice voting election, Mr. Hughes said in an interview on Wednesday.

Mr. Hughes said the resource center could have run a parallel process, using the same data and a copy of the same software, to ensure that the results matched. Doing so would have made it more likely that they would have caught the test ballots that were inadvertently added to the tally on Tuesday, he said.
Preliminary Tally Shows Yang and Wiley Voters Breaking for Garcia The numbers were a correction to Tuesdays tally, in which the Board of Elections had erroneously included about 135,000 test votes. The results do not include absentee ballots.

Yang and Wiley voters helped Garcia rise, preliminary tallies show. Andrew Yang and Kathryn Garcia campaigning this month in Queens. Credit... Andrew Seng for The New York Times Voters who supported Andrew Yang and Maya Wiley were more likely to rank Kathryn Garcia next over Eric Adams, according to the preliminary ranked-choice tally released by elections officials on Wednesday, helping Ms. Garcia make significant gains in the mayors race and suggesting she was able to draw support from different parts of the political spectrum. The tally is far from final, with about 125,000 absentee ballots that have yet to be counted, which could change the order in which the candidates are eliminated. But the exercise on Wednesday shed light on how voters supporting one candidate may have also gravitated to another, even across ideological lines. Mr. Yang, a former presidential candidate once seen as the front-runner in the race, was eliminated after the seventh round, and nearly 37,000  or about 33 percent  of his more than 111,000 votes went to Ms. Garcia, a former sanitation commissioner. In comparison, roughly 31,000 votes  or about 28 percent of Mr. Yangs total  went to Mr. Adams. Ms. Wiley, a former counsel to Mayor Bill de Blasio, received only about 11 percent, or about 12,000 votes, from Mr. Yang. Ms. Garcia, Mr. Yang and Mr. Adams all were considered more moderate candidates, so it may not be surprising that Ms. Wiley, considered a progressive, did not get more of Mr. Yangs votes. Ms. Garcias edge over Mr. Adams may be a reflection of her decision to campaign with Mr. Yang in the days leading up to Primary Day, when Mr. Yang asked his supporters to rank Ms. Garcia second. The preliminary results show that a little over half of Ms. Wileys votes in the eighth round  or about 117,000  went to Ms. Garcia after Ms. Wiley was eliminated in the eighth round. Only about 44,000 of Wiley voters, or less than 20 percent, chose Mr. Adams. That Ms. Garcia was able to receive so many votes from supporters of Ms. Wiley reflected what surveys and polls had showed before the election: There was significant overlap among the two candidates bases. They may also have benefited from voters who placed the two at the top of their ballots in the hope that one of them would become the first woman to lead the city. This appears to be true even though Ms. Garcia and Ms. Wiley largely refrained from making statements of outright support for each other. But they also generally stayed away from attacking or mentioning each other.

Many try to change the New York City election board. None succeed. Voting on Primary Day in Brooklyn. Credit... Gabriela Bhaskar/The New York Times Every year since they took control of the State Legislature in 2018, New York Democrats have passed, with relative ease, a number of new laws to reform elections. They have made it easier and quicker to register, get an absentee ballot and vote. But those improvements only go so far, said Senator Michael Gianaris, when elections are still run by an organization that generations of reformers have tried, and failed, to fix: the citys Board of Elections, one of the states few remaining sources of old-school patronage jobs. Tuesdays election fiasco featured incompetent staff and oblivious managers, said Mr. Gianaris, a Democrat from Queens and the deputy Senate leader. It was proof, he said, that the institution needs a complete overhaul to replace political appointees with professionals. He isnt alone. State Senator Andrea Stewart-Cousins, a Democrat and the Senate majority leader, announced on Wednesday that she would hold Senate hearings to investigate the recent mishaps and try again for reform. The situation in New York City is a national embarrassment, she said. And recently Senator Liz Krueger, a Manhattan Democrat, proposed a bill requiring that commissioners have the skills and knowledge to exercise the responsibilities and duties of their position. Despite the Democratic supermajority, without support from leadership in the State Assembly, the bill languished. Its just sort of breathtaking that a city of 8.5 million isnt entitled to a functioning board of election, Ms. Krueger said on Wednesday. Whether or not Tuesdays chaos will provide enough energy to finally get a bill through remains to be seen. But would-be reformers must still contend with a system that observers say is both deeply dysfunctional and deeply entrenched. New York is the only state where local election boards, including the citys, are appointed almost entirely by party leaders, both Democrats and Republicans. Changing that structure requires amending the state constitution and changing several laws  and that requires support from the very politicians who benefit from having jobs they can dole out to supporters. It is an impasse that Michael Bloomberg, who in three terms as mayor of New York built up a reputation for slicing through ossified political stalemates, could not crack either, despite years of efforts. We found there was no issue in Albany with stronger bipartisan support than keeping the status quo on how elections are run, Stu Loeser, who served as Mr. Bloombergs press secretary, said on Wednesday. Anne Barnard, Andy Newman and

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The absentee vote count will help decide the winner of the mayoral primary. The outcome of the New York City mayors race will likely come down to the results of the more than 125,000 absentee ballots that still remain to be counted. According to preliminary and unofficial results released Wednesday, Eric Adams leads Kathryn Garcia by about 15,000 votes after all rounds of ranked-choice tabulation. Strong Election Day Support for Garcia in Districts With Most Absentee Ballots The areas that cast the most absentee ballots were Manhattan and parts of Brooklyn, where Kathryn Garcia drew stronger support in the Election Day vote tally. More than 125,000 absentee ballots received by the Board of Elections have yet to be counted in the Democratic mayoral primary. Number of absentee ballots returned in Democratic primary 1,000 5,000 BRONX 12,928 ballots 5,501 absentee ballots were cast in Assembly District 73, which includes parts of Midtown and the Upper East Side. Kathryn Garcia received 42 percent of the Election Day vote here, and Eric Adams received just 12 percent. MANHATTAN 39,553 ballots QUEENS 35,436 ballots BROOKLYN 32,481 ballots STATEN ISLAND 5,021 ballots Number of absentee ballots returned in Democratic primary BRONX 12,928 ballots 1,000 5,000 In Assembly District 73, which cast the most absentee votes, Kathryn Garcia received 42 percent of the Election Day vote, and Eric Adams received just 12 percent. MANHATTAN 39,553 ballots QUEENS 35,436 ballots BROOKLYN 32,481 ballots STATEN ISLAND 5,021 ballots Absentee ballots cast and share of votes by assembly district Kathryn Garcia drew strong Election Day support from many Manhattan districts that are near Central Park, where many people voted by mail. 5,000 absentee ballots 4,000 Eric Adamss strongest districts cast fewer absentee ballots, but he received more Election Day support overall. 3,000 2,000 1,000 Favors Garcia Favors Adams Strongest garcia support Even Strongest Adams Support Absentee ballots cast and share of votes by assembly district Kathryn Garcia drew strong Election Day support from many Manhattan districts that are near Central Park, where many people voted by mail. 5,000 ballots Eric Adamss strongest districts cast fewer absentee ballots, but he received more Election Day support overall. 4,000 3,000 2,000 1,000 Favors Garcia Favors Adams Strongest Adams Support Strongest garcia support Ms. Garcia led the in-person vote in the wealthy neighborhoods near Central Park where voters cast the most absentee ballots. She could see a bump in support if her share of the absentee vote there is the same or better than her in-person share. The districts where Mr. Adams performed best cast fewer absentee ballots. But he led in more districts, and by higher margins, than Ms. Garcia overall. In order to overcome Mr. Adamss lead, Ms. Garcia would need to outperform her in-person vote share among absentee voters across the city. In this preliminary release of results, Ms. Garcia edged-out Maya Wiley by fewer than 400 votes in the penultimate round of tabulations. But the bulk of Ms. Wileys first-round support came from neighborhoods in Brooklyn and Queens where relatively few absentee votes were cast. She would need stronger absentee support than she received from in-person voting to overtake Ms. Garcia in the final vote count.

Board of Elections releases updated results, suggesting a tighter race. A group comprised primarily of volunteers for the Board of Elections counted absentee ballots for the New York City mayoral race at Queens Borough Hall on Wednesday. Credit... Dave Sanders for The New York Times A new, preliminary tally of votes in the New York City Democratic mayoral primary on Wednesday suggested that the race between Eric Adams, the primary night leader, and his two closest rivals had tightened significantly, though the results do not account for around 125,000 absentee ballots that have yet to be tabulated. A day after New York Citys Board of Elections retracted a tabulation of ranked-choice preferences, throwing the primary contest into chaos, the board on Wednesday released a fresh tally of ranked-choice preferences among those Democrats who voted in person last Tuesday or during the early voting period. The tally showed Mr. Adams, the Brooklyn borough president, with a much narrower lead than the one he held on primary night, when only the first-choice preferences were counted, but in percentage terms, an identical margin to the one he held on Tuesday, in the uncorrected tally. According to the new numbers, he again led Kathryn Garcia in the final round, 51.1 percent to 48.9 percent. Maya D. Wiley was narrowly in third place, trailing Ms. Garcia by only 347 votes before being theoretically eliminated after the eighth round of tallies. In prepared statements issued immediately upon the release of the new tally, all three candidates projected confidence, with Mr. Adamss campaign saying, There are still absentee ballots to be counted that we believe favor Eric. Ms. Wiley said this election is still wide open, and Ms. Garcia called it a dead heat. Under the citys new ranked-choice voting system, voters can rank up to five candidates on their ballots in preferential order. If no candidate receives over 50 percent of first-choice votes in the first round, the winner is decided by a process of elimination: Lower-polling candidates are eliminated one by one in separate rounds, with their votes distributed to whichever candidate those voters ranked next. The process continues until there is a winner. All three candidates remain in contention, and those numbers could be scrambled again as the citys Board of Elections tabulates outcomes that will include the absentee ballots, with a full result not expected until mid-July. In a statement, the Board of Elections stressed that the fault for the initial error did not lie with ranked-choice voting. We have implemented another layer of review and quality control before publishing information going forward, said the statement from the boards commissioners. We can say with certainty that the election night vote counts were and are accurate and the RCV data put out today is correct as well. The statement acknowledged that the board must regain the trust of New Yorkers. We will continue to hold ourselves accountable and apologize to New York City voters for any confusion. Legal proceedings are getting underway as the count continues. Such action, legal experts say, is standard, but it also underscores the uncertainty of the moment. Mr. Adamss campaign announced that it had filed a lawsuit in State Supreme Court in Brooklyn. Ms. Garcias campaign also indicated in a statement that it was filing in court, to preserve its rights under election law to protect the canvass and provide for court supervision of the vote count if needed. The Wiley campaign declined to comment on any potential legal proceedings. Katie Glueck and New York Primary Election Results See full results and maps from the New York City mayoral race and other primaries.

Before the Board of Elections messed up the tally, it ignored repeated offers of help. Christopher W. Hughes, the policy director at the Ranked Choice Voting Resource Center, which provided the tabulation software, said the elections board did not respond to his offers of assistance. Credit... Victor J. Blue for The New York Times On May 26, the supplier of the software that New York City would use to tabulate votes for its most important mayoral primary in a generation offered to help run it. Not for the last time, the citys Board of Elections ignored the suppliers offer. A month later, the board used the program to run a preliminary tally of the results of the primary election. In doing so, it forgot to delete test data, adding 135,000 erroneous votes to the tally and, for the umpteenth time in its checkered history, undermining the electorates faith in its ability to accurately administer elections. Christopher W. Hughes, the policy director at the Ranked Choice Voting Resource Center, which provided the open-source software, said that having someone else work on the process might have helped avoid the error. We had offered up to the Board of Elections to be there in person or remotely and support running the ranked-choice voting election, Mr. Hughes said in an interview on Wednesday. Mr. Hughes said the resource center could have run a parallel process, using the same data and a copy of the same software, to ensure that the results matched. Just having had another set of eyes, its more likely somebody would have caught the extra 135,000 ballots, he said. Valerie Vazquez-Diaz, a spokeswoman for the elections board, declined to address the substance of Mr. Hughes assertion. Instead, she reiterated the boards position that the problem was not caused by the software, but by the agencys staff. The issue was not the software, Ms. Vazquez said. There was a human error where a staffer did not remove the test ballot images from the Election Management System. Understanding the potential role of human error, Mr. Hughes had offered to train New York City election workers on the software, and to provide remote or in-person support when it came time to tabulate the vote. Would love to have a call to discuss the scope of our engagement and finalize a contract describing the scope of our work, Mr. Hughes emailed elections officials on May 26. Is there a time tomorrow or Friday that works to discuss? His original proposal set out a budget of $90,000 for assistance through 2025, at the cost of $100 or $150 an hour. Mr. Hughes did not hear back from the official in charge of the tabulations. On June 2, he tried again. If youre not available this week happy to talk next week  just want to get a clearer definition of how we can support you all with the RCV elections, he wrote, referring to ranked-choice voting, which the city is employing for the first time in a mayoral election. Mr. Hughes left a number of messages with board officials, and tried again via email on June 14. We are available to come to the City and provide support, he wrote. Mr. Hughes made one last attempt, on June 21, the day before the primary. Writing to let you know that Im in New York for the election tomorrow, he wrote. Would love to stop by the BOE this week (Im here through Saturday) to check in and see how things are going. He never heard back. The organizations software was used last year in Democratic primaries in Kansas, Wyoming and Alaska. Mr. Hughes said the center always offered some assistance to jurisdictions using its software. Other jurisdictions tended to be more responsive to outreach, though, he said.

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Elections boards upper ranks are thin at a moment of crisis. Michael Ryan, the executive director since 2013, has been on medical leave since early March, a board spokeswoman said on Wednesday. Credit... Mark Lennihan/Associated Press As the New York City Board of Elections, an agency built on political patronage and defined by a history of ineptitude, struggles to count ballots during a primary featuring a new way of voting, it is missing something fairly significant: half of its longtime operational leadership. Michael Ryan, the executive director since 2013, has been on medical leave since early March, a board spokeswoman said on Wednesday. And Pamela Perkins, the agencys administrative manager, retired on June 1 after nearly two decades in the position, the spokeswoman, Valerie Vazquez-Diaz, said. Both are Democrats. Wilma Brown Phillips, a Democratic district leader who was chosen to succeed Ms. Perkins, started in the job on Monday, Ms. Vazquez-Diaz said. In the absence of Mr. Ryan and Ms. Perkins, day-to-day operations are effectively being run by the boards two top Republican executives, Dawn Sandow and Georgea Kontzamanis, as the depleted leadership ranks confront a level of election chaos that is unusual even by the agencys checkered standards. Ms. Sandow, the boards deputy executive director, took her job in 2010 after several years as the deputy chief clerk at the agencys Bronx office. She was the boards acting executive director from 2010 to 2013. She is a former executive director of the Bronx Republican Party with deep ties to Guy Velella, a longtime lawmaker and Bronx party leader who quit elected office in 2004 after pleading guilty in a bribery conspiracy. (Mr. Velella died in 2011.) In 2008, the citys Department of Investigation found that Ms. Sandow had voted in the Bronx from 2001 to 2004, despite saying in sworn testimony that she lived in Rockland County during that time, according to a department memorandum. In a statement, Ms. Vazquez-Diaz said Ms. Sandow had voted in the Bronx in those years because she was living there while separated from her former husband. She did not vote in 2005 after reuniting with him briefly. She later moved back to the Bronx, Ms. Vazquez-Diaz said. Ms. Kontzamanis, who previously worked for Republicans in the State Senate, was hired as the boards operations manager in 2015. She was nominated to the newly created, unadvertised post by Ronald Castorina Jr., the chairman of the Staten Island Republican Party, and approved by a unanimous board vote. Alain Delaqueriere contributed research.

Eric Adams files a lawsuit to preserve his right to challenge the election results. The lawsuit comes just a day after the candidates blasted the New York City Board of Elections for accidentally counting 135,000 test ballots in a preliminary tally of the ranked-choice results of the Democratic primary. Credit... Sarah Blesener for The New York Times Eric Adams filed a lawsuit on Wednesday seeking to reserve his right to have a judge review the ballots in the Democratic primary for mayor. The lawsuit, which was filed in Kings County Supreme Court, preserves the campaigns rights to challenge the results once they are official. Though experts say such legal action is standard, it comes just a day after Mr. Adams and other candidates blasted the New York City Board of Elections for accidentally counting 135,000 test ballots in a preliminary tally of the ranked-choice results of the Democratic primary. Today we petitioned the court to preserve our right to a fair election process and to have a judge oversee and review ballots, if necessary, the Adams campaign said in a statement. We invite the other campaigns to join us and petition the court as we all seek a clear and trusted conclusion to this election. Andrew Yang filed a similar suit before the election, but he withdrew it after he conceded following a fourth-place finish in the initial vote. Under state law, a candidate must file a challenge within 10 days after the primary, before all of the results may have been finalized. Thats why many candidates file so-called prophylactic lawsuits, said Jerry H. Goldfeder, a well-known election lawyer who is not representing any candidate in the mayoral contest. Even without the error by the board, Mr. Goldfeder said, its fairly standard for candidates to begin these lawsuits to protect their rights if down the road they disagree with the board ruling in the race.

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What went wrong yesterday? Heres a recap. Hours after the board released the mistaken tally, it realized its error and took it down. Credit... Sarah Blesener for The New York Times The chaos that engulfed the New York City mayoral race on Tuesday stemmed from a large-scale human error committed by the city Board of Elections. The board had created about 135,000 dummy ballots to test the ranked-choice-voting software being used in several of the elections on Primary Day, including in the Democratic primary for mayor. Those dummy ballots had votes for candidates on them. On Tuesday, the board ran a preliminary ranked-choice tally that was supposed to show the state of the race pending the counting of more than 125,000 absentee ballots. But someone neglected to remove the dummy ballots from the system, so the tally included both the dummy ballots and more than 800,000 actual ballots cast by voters. Hours after the board released the results of this contaminated tally, it realized its error and took them down. It said that it would rerun the tally and publish the new results Wednesday afternoon. The results that were mistakenly released showed that the race had tightened considerably during the elimination rounds, in which the candidates with the fewest first-choice votes were removed and their votes were distributed to whoever the voter had ranked next. Eric Adams led the race by more than 9 percentage points when only first-choice votes were counted. After the elimination rounds, he was beating his nearest rival, Kathryn Garcia, by only about 2 percentage points. It is unclear to what degree, if any, the 135,000 dummy ballots were responsible for this effect. The votes on the dummy ballots seemed to have been fairly evenly distributed among all candidates. Many of them appeared to have ranked only one candidate, said Rob Richie, president of FairVote, a national group that promotes ranked-choice voting. He said those factors made it less likely that the dummy ballots had a big effect and that it was likely true that the race had tightened. The correct partial tally that the board plans to release today will not be the official final tally. That will have to wait at least a week, after the board has counted the 125,000 absentee ballots.

Candidates react to Board of Elections error: Sadly, it is impossible to be surprised. All three of the top mayoral contenders released sharply worded statements. Maya Wiley said it was important to preserve the integrity of the process moving forward. Credit... Hilary Swift for The New York Times Candidates in the New York City mayoral race reacted to the news that the city Board of Elections had accidentally counted 135,000 test ballots, throwing the preliminary results of ranked-choice voting into question. New preliminary results are expected Wednesday afternoon. Here are statements made Tuesday night by the top three candidates. Todays mistake by the Board of Elections was unfortunate. It is critical that New Yorkers are confident in their electoral system, especially as we rank votes in a citywide election for the first time. We appreciate the boards transparency and acknowledgment of their error. We look forward to the release of an accurate, updated simulation, and the timely conclusion of this critical process. Eric Adams, the Brooklyn borough president. This error by the Board of Elections is not just failure to count votes properly today, it is the result of generations of failures that have gone unaddressed. Sadly, it is impossible to be surprised. Last summer BOE mishandled tens of thousands of mail-in ballots during the June 2020 primary. It has also been prone to complaints of patronage. Today, we have once again seen the mismanagement that has resulted in a lack of confidence in results, not because there is a flaw in our election laws, but because those who implement it have failed too many times. The B.O.E. must now count the remainder of the votes transparently and ensure the integrity of the process moving forward. New Yorkers deserve it. Maya Wiley, the former counsel to the mayor. New Yorkers want free and fair elections, which is why we overwhelmingly voted to enact ranked-choice voting. The BOEs release of incorrect ranked-choice votes is deeply troubling and requires a much more transparent and complete explanation. Every ranked-choice and absentee vote must be counted accurately so that all New Yorkers have faith in our democracy and our government. I am confident that every candidate will accept the final results and support whomever the voters have elected. Kathryn Garcia, the former sanitation commissioner.
The questions largely center on the Delta variant, the highly infectious form of the virus that Dr. Anthony Fauci, the nations top infectious disease expert, called the greatest threat to eliminating cases across the country. It has spread to at least 85 countries and has led World Health Organization officials to urge even fully vaccinated people to continue wearing masks, citing the dearth of vaccines and high rates of community transmission in many parts of the world.

Were going to watch it carefully, Mayor Bill de Blasio said recently on WNYC. Theres no evidence at this moment that it changes the trajectory. But if anything occurs  when we have to make adjustments, we will make them quickly.

Here are a few things to know:

The variant

The Delta variant is believed to be the most transmissible variant yet, though estimates of its infectiousness vary.

Evidence suggests that it may be able to partially evade the antibodies made by the body after a virus infection or vaccination. It may also cause more severe illness, though much about it remains uncertain.
We are not used to seeing many days in a row of unbroken heat, Mayor Bill de Blasio said at a news conference on Wednesday.

He said the president of Con Edison, the utility that operates the citys power grid, had told him that the electric system was in danger of experiencing widespread outages if people did not immediately reduce their use of power.

On Wednesday afternoon, at least 1,700 customers in the Williamsburg area of Brooklyn were without power, said John Scrivani, the citys emergency management commissioner, and there were other smaller outages in neighborhoods in other parts of the city.

Mr. de Blasio said that city officials do not want to see things go from bad to worse.

The important thing to realize is were at the end of this heat wave, but it really has added up, he said. Were very hopeful the heat will break in the early morning hours tomorrow, but weve got to get to that point safely. So, we need everyone to turn things down, turn things off immediately, dont have lights on if you dont need them.

The alert, however, also set off a new level of anxiety about the prospect of outages  and some residents were angered by the suggestion to cut back on air conditioning in temperatures higher than 90 degrees.
Im the last guy you want to go to for legal advice, Mr. Weisselberg said in the testimony, for a class-action lawsuit accusing Trump University of fraudulent marketing. Mr. Trump eventually settled litigation over the defunct for-profit venture for $25 million.

For most of his professional career, Mr. Weisselberg operated behind the scenes, looking the part of the prototypical accountant: a man of middling height in a pinstriped or dark suit, with glasses, a mustache and a raspy voice. He seemed to be always at work, from early in the morning to late at night, and almost never took vacations, by his own account and those of others. Employees entering Mr. Trumps office often found Mr. Weisselberg already inside, seated in the chair to the right facing the bosss desk.

Mr. Weisselberg studied finance and accounting at Pace College and, after a brief stint as a teacher and at small financial firms, began working in 1973 for Mr. Trumps father, Fred, then a prominent developer in Brooklyn and Queens. A few years later, he took on projects at night and on weekends for Donald Trump, who was establishing his own presence as a developer in Manhattan. Mr. Weisselberg joined Donald Trump full-time in 1986, he testified in the 2015 deposition.

In the early years, he held the title of controller, and eventually, Mr. Trump elevated him to the loftier post of chief financial officer. Mr. Weisselberg had a wide portfolio: He established an accounting department at the Trump Organization, worked on the financing and management of properties and helped with the companys and Mr. Trumps personal tax returns, he has said.

Among the tasks Mr. Weisselberg attacked with fervor, former employees recalled, was ensuring that, per Mr. Trumps direction, no dime left the companys coffers unless absolutely necessary.

He and Trump were like Frick and Frack when it came to stiffing vendors, Mr. Cohen  who at times took on that same role for Mr. Trump  wrote in a book published last year. Mr. Burke, who served as chief financial officer for Mr. Trumps casino business, said any Trump employee who dealt with vendors knew to squeeze every penny out of people, and that Mr. Weisselberg excelled at minimizing and delaying payment.

In the office, different sides of Mr. Weisselbergs personality emerged. With Mr. Trump and his children, or anyone on his level or higher, he appeared mild-mannered, even solicitous. When he received good news about some financial matter, he would hurry down the hall to inform Mr. Trump, said Angel Lopez, who worked in the Trump Organizations accounting department between 2007 and 2014.
Similar gains can be achieved in the United States. In the face of this ambitious agenda for economic justice, we already know our critics will say that we cant afford to be bold. Yet building a robust and inclusive safety net more than pays for itself. The $1,200 checks and expanded unemployment insurance provided under the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, which was signed into law in March 2020, saved 18 million families from poverty last year.

A new bill sponsored by Representative Tlaib can help build on those gains. The Automatic Boost to Communities (A.B.C.) Act would provide a $2,000 monthly payment to every person in America, including dependents, throughout the pandemics economic downturn, and would follow that up with $1,000 per month for up to a year after the pandemic ends. Together with the Breathe Act of the Movement for Black Lives, which proposes major new systems and investments in housing, education and environmental justice while divesting from punitive structures that criminalize and incarcerate, the A.B.C. Act represents a new approach.

A basic-income program in Marica, Brazil, is a case study in how investing in people will help us better meet crises. Since December 2019, more than 42,000 of the citys 165,000 residents receive monthly payments now equivalent to 170 Brazilian reais, or $34, paid in mumbucas, a local digital currency. The benefit, which the city plans to expand to all residents in the coming years, is administered by a community bank, and spendable at thousands of local businesses.

Because Marica already had this infrastructure in place, when the pandemic hit the city was able to rapidly increase monthly basic income payments to 300 mumbucas, or $55, while offering additional support to people who lost their jobs or were self-employed. An international team of researchers from the Federal Fluminense University and the Jain Family Institute are currently working to study the impact of these programs, and changes in the city are already evident. Over the past four years, jobs in the formal-sector which are registered with the state and guarantee employment rights and benefits  increased by more than 52 percent. This growth continued even as the pandemic caused job losses nearly everywhere else.

As we work to replicate these successes, we must ensure that the financial infrastructure that undergirds these policies genuinely serves the public. In 2020, Representatives Tlaib and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez introduced the Public Banking Act. The act leverages new and existing programs at the Treasury, Federal Reserve and Postal Service to charter and support state and local public banks, combating predatory financial practices while building an inclusive framework for flexible cash provision.
In the middle of March 2020, schools across America closed abruptly. It didnt take long to notice everything that disappeared  a safe place to send children while parents worked, nutritious meals and health services for high-need students, opportunities for young people to play and socialize with one another.

We invited several principals to share what it was like to navigate their schools through this crisis. We sought out leaders of public schools from different parts of the country with varying pandemic experiences: a combined middle and high school in the small town of Pittsfield, N.H.; an elementary school in a poor neighborhood near downtown St. Louis; a middle school in San Francisco that stayed shut for more than a year; and a large and diverse high school in Central Florida, one of the first states to reopen all of its K-12 campuses.

In our conversation, the principals talked about how theres a renewed sense of appreciation for the role schools play as community anchors. As Deborah Rogers, principal of Patrick Henry Downtown Academy in St. Louis put it, a school provides service after service after service. That, she said, was a hard thing for people not in education to see until it was all taken away.

But theres also work to be done to rebuild trust  between families and schools, administration and staff, teachers and students. The lessons of the pandemic can help spur school leaders to rethink how and where students learn, what teachers and staff members need, and how to nurture lasting connections between schools and the communities they serve.
To the Editor:

Re Vaccine Mandates Are Coming. Good, by Aaron E. Carroll (Opinion guest essay, June 29):

As of this writing, I have been fully vaccinated for four months and eight days. I reside in an area where vaccination rates have surpassed what is perceived to be herd immunity standards. So I feel as protected as possible under the circumstances.

Yet I am angered by the failure at the federal, state and local levels to mandate that the reluctant, the recalcitrant and the reckless roll up their sleeves and become inoculated.

More than 600,000 have died in this country alone. When is enough too much?

I understand, although I disagree, that safety concerns must sometimes give way to religious accommodations, and I fully comprehend that there are those who may have legitimate health issues that preclude their participation, but beyond that, get in line.

Only an emergency use authorization, not full approval? Give me a break. We have just lived through more than a year in collective hell. I cant be silent while others die a needless, senseless death.
New Yorkers have endured the incompetence of the citys Board of Elections for so long that complaints on the subject blend into the background noise of life in a megalopolis, alongside gripes about overstuffed subway cars and putrid piles of sidewalk trash.

This page called the board at best a semifunctioning anachronism  and that was 50 years ago.

Nary an election passes without another reminder of how much contempt the agency has for the citys vast, diverse electorate. Accidentally purged voter rolls, misaddressed absentee ballots, intolerably long lines. The catalog of dysfunction and neglect seems endless.

Yet somehow the board found a new way to humiliate itself and the city, one week after 800,000 New Yorkers went to the polls to cast ballots in the most consequential mayoral primaries in a generation. Or was it 940,000 New Yorkers? Good question. For several bewildering hours on Tuesday, no one had an answer.

The first number, which the board reported shortly after polls closed on June 22, reflected the first-place votes cast in person during early voting and on Election Day, and they showed Eric Adams with a commanding lead in the Democratic primary. The second number included the full ranked-choice tallies of those same ballots and, to the shock of the political establishment, appeared to show Kathryn Garcia vaulting from third place into a near tie with Mr. Adams. But political observers across the city soon flagged the vote-total discrepancy. So did Mr. Adams, who rightly demanded an explanation for the irregularities.
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jane coaston

Im Jane Coaston, and this is The Argument. Earlier this month, I was scrolling Twitter, as you do. And I came across this tweet by the writer Matt Taibbi. It read, Fox is one channel that no longer represents real institutional political influence in this country anymore. The financial, educational, political elite with all the power is on the other side. And I think theyre the people to be worrying about. I have known of Matts work for a long time. Hes a longtime political and financial journalist who covered the Bush, Obama, and Trump administrations. He famously argued that Goldman Sachs was a, quote, great vampire squid wrapped around the face of humanity. He was a lightning rod, often because he criticizes mainstream media like The New York Times. And hes right a lot of big issues, but I think hes wrong on this. However, his tweet offered what I thought was a really interesting frame to think about where power actually lies in America. Is it held by the people who watch Fox News, including your neighbors and Republican representatives, senators, judges, and the former president of the United States, or the financial, educational, political, elite, like Wall Street, academia, big tech. Could the answer be both? So I invited Matt on the show, along with Michelle Cottle. Michelle is a member of The New York Times editorial board and has been covering national politics since the Clinton administration. She was raised solidly Republican and has written about how the people Matts referring to, the Fox News watchers, have wielded their power to intimidate Congress. I started by asking Matt why he wrote the tweet.

matt taibbi

So first of all, I spent most of 10 years after the 2008 financial crisis covering Wall Street. One of the major stories that I spent a lot of time on in the last couple of decades is the rise in income inequality. And so I dont think of politics in terms of blue versus red. I dont think of it in terms of Democrats versus Republicans. My way of thinking about politics is probably closer to the definitions that the Occupy Movement came up with, which is the 1% versus everybody else. And my question is, who do those people vote for? Where are they investing their money? What institutions are they sponsoring? And you know, I think overwhelmingly, weve seen that theres been a shift in how those people behave politically. I mean, Thomas Piketty did a paper recently that talked about the Brahmin Left and the Merchant Right, where the traditional picture is the wealthy people in society tend to support the right, whereas people who are educated tend to support the left. And the United States is a little bit of an exception to that picture. Increasingly, both the educational and financial elite in this country are supporting Democrats. And I dont mean the left by that, I mean the Democratic party.

jane coaston

Right, its important to separate this, because if you talk to people on the left, they do not think of themselves being Democrats, the same way there are a lot of people on the right who do not think of themselves as being Republicans.

matt taibbi

Exactly. If you ask what is Fox, who do they represent? They represent a lot of people, but apart from that, you cant really say theyre backing a major swath of the institutional power in this country as you might have 20 years ago, or during the Bush years, when Fox News was what you watch to see what the people who are getting us into the war in Iraq were thinking. Thats not so much the case anymore. I think theres been a shift in terms of the political picture in this country, and its very much expressed by, for me, the censorship issue.

jane coaston

Michelle, what do you think Matt is getting right and wrong about this intersection of power. In my view, wealthy people tend to support whatever will keep them wealthy.

michelle cottle

I dont think you can lump everything together. And I dont think it works just as purely an economic proposition, especially because populism in this country may have economic roots, but the way it plays out in politics is not economic. Its kind of ethnonationalist. What Trump was pitching was not an economic populism, thats not where his policy 

matt taibbi

Thats not true.

michelle cottle

 thats not where his policies went. What he was doing had a certain economic flair to it. But when you look at what really motivates people, it was the immigration issue. It was the, theyre coming for your kids issue. Its  theyre destroying the American way of life issue. So it gets beyond economics pretty quickly.

jane coaston

And I would say  I wrote a piece a while back that, essentially, Trump ran as one thing and governed as another thing, and ran as kind of someone who could be all things to all people type of candidate, and then governed basically as Mitch McConnell.

matt taibbi

Well, I covered Trumps campaign, so I was at his speeches. And its absolutely not true that there was no economic component to his address in 2016. It was a huge part of the picture. Obviously, race and immigration were central issues for Trump. There is absolutely no doubt about that. And he played on some of the worst instincts of the electorate. But there were enormous similarities between the Trump movement and, for instance, the Bernie Sanders movement. And I heard people who I interviewed over and over and over again responding to all kinds of things in Trumps message. I heard Trump argue against the antitrust exemption for health insurance companies. I heard him going after the press. The elitist press was a huge part of his presentation.

michelle cottle

Thats not economics. Were talking economics 

matt taibbi

Its a class issue.

michelle cottle

No, no, were not talking about class and culture, because the cosmopolitan 

matt taibbi

Im talking about class.

michelle cottle

Well, we were talking about economics, and thats different. His pitch in 2016, as Jane points out, was not how he governed, and its not how he ran in 2020. So he pretty quickly discovered that the key to maintaining his popularity wasnt to actually provide a huge tax cut for the struggling people. It was to tell them that the immigrants were coming for their jobs.

matt taibbi

Well, you can also make the argument that thats how he lost the election. As Jane says, he ran as one thing. He could easily have done something else when he got into office. Who knows if that might have done better for him? I mean, maybe the fact that he didnt win in 2020 is connected to the fact that he didnt deliver on his message. This idea, a betrayal of sort of ordinary working people, was a huge part of his message. Now he might have been dishonest about that, but theres no denying that was a huge part of his message, and that his criticism of this idea of a political and financial elite that had tuned the rest of America out was central to his whole pitch.

jane coaston

I want to jump in here, because I think that, Matt, you mentioned Trump going after the press. You kind of mentioned, like, the cosmopolitan elite of the press. I am the cosmopolitan elite.

michelle cottle

Thats how I think of you, Jane.

jane coaston

Yeah, its like a Jeeves and Wooster book just breaks out every ten minutes. Lots of piano. But I think that there very much is a difference of opinion here about what institutional power really means here. You see accusations of, like, the cosmopolitan media. But those accusations are coming from senators, senators who can pass legislation. What does this mean? What are these differences in power and where power lies actually mean, when its between a powerful media outlet, but also getting yelled at by powerful politicians like the president.

matt taibbi

Sure, OK, but if you want to talk about the media, its not even close how the media tilts. I mean, when I came in to the news media  and Im also the son of a journalist, I grew up in a family of journalists. The composition of the news media class-wise has changed dramatically in the last 50 years and in my lifetime. When my father was coming up in the business  and obviously, let me say, the business had tremendous problems with diversity. It was almost entirely white and male once upon a time. That was a serious problem. It was also intensely militaristic. But going back to the 1960s and 1970s, maybe the 1960s, journalism was more like a trade than a profession. People who were in journalism, they were more likely to be the sons and daughters of electricians or plumbers than they were to be Ivy League educated people. And that changed with my generation. After All The Presidents Men, they overwhelmingly voted Democratic. They were not as iconoclastic as they had been before. And by the time Trump is yelling at the press in 2016, Donald Trump is wrong about almost everything, but the observation that he was making, I think incoherently, in 2016 about us was correct. We were almost entirely very well-educated. The national news media comes from a very narrow slice of America and they have enormous influence on how this country thinks. You cant really grasp what this means to the rest of the country. They feel completely locked out of the debate as presented in the national news media.

jane coaston

Something that drives me nuts is that we have these kind of intra-media debates. There is an entire swath of people who do not care. Theres an idea I once saw on Twitter Ive never forgotten, that liberals kind of have cultural power in America, but want political power, and conservatives wield political power in America but want cultural power. And so no one is happy. Does that seem even to you? Because I think that for many liberals they would say, like, I would give up the Grammys to have more Supreme Court nominations, or something like that.

michelle cottle

So you got to make a distinction between pop cultural power and cultural power. So now, I grew up in Tennessee and Alabama. Mostly, I come from a family of hardcore Republicans. They have at some point moved to Texas and went feral. So I get an earful about the media. And my father and I during the Trump administration just could not discuss the media or anything along those lines, because of his sense that they were out to get him and all of his conservative friends. I think there is a real sense of persecution, or resentment, or feeling looked down on. And lets be clear, my father is not a poor out of work coal miner. He is a very affluent, well-educated Republican, and has been for years. But he and all of his friends do have this real sense that the culture is leaving them behind. We are talking about the secularization of America, the ethnic and racial diversity that has kind of displaced white men. The growth of gay rights, which  Im not that old, but when I was younger, gay rights, what was that? That wasnt even a thing, really. The loosening of traditional gender roles  all of these things are kind of moving in the direction that conservatives see, makes them uncomfortable, and they just kind of feel like if they speak out against it, they will be trashed by the media, the cosmopolitan elite, all of the people that Trump railed against. For them, Trump was an opportunity to push back at the people they felt were running over them, despite the fact that they are incredibly affluent and powerful.

jane coaston

Right, when youre talking about the 1% versus the 99%, part of the reason that I think that that messaging was so effective was that the 99% was encompassing millions of Americans, and that was the pop in the populism. Matt, how do we think about class and economics when you have people like Michelles father, who is  as Michelle said, pretty affluent  but is still seeing himself as being put upon culturally. How do you think that works?

matt taibbi

Look, this is an argument thats constantly made, that the people who are in populist movements in this country shouldnt be, because they have plenty of money and theyre affluent. Its not actually an economic situation. A couple of things in response to that. First of all, again, theres been a tremendous demonstrated shift in how the wealthy vote in this country in the last 20 years. After the 2010 midterms, 41 of the 50 wealthiest congressional districts now had Democrats, Democratic congresspeople. The top ten wealthiest districts were all Democratic. Its been moving in that direction for a while. And after 2008, the only people who saw net gains in wealth were at the very top of society. Theres tremendous poverty and despair all over the country. And its not just confined to a couple of places. Its all over the country. And its completely myopic to say that this doesnt have an impact on national politics on both the Republican and the Democratic side. And again, I cant stress enough that I heard the same kinds of complaints from Sanders voters that I heard from Trump voters. On the Trump side, I would hear a former auto worker say, you know, Bill Clinton promised us that they were going to do retraining. And after NAFTA, that there were going to be plenty of jobs for people like me. And my family was a union family and we voted Democratic for decades. And now Im voting the other way. Like, I met a lot of people like that. And yes, there are people who have money who voted for Trump. Theres no question about that. And there are a lot of people who voted for Trump for terrible reasons. But you cant ignore that theres this other contingent behind the populist movement in this country.

jane coaston

I think its worth talking about how the people who do have power in whatever sense, how they have used it in these different ways. And so occasionally we see this in conflicts over quote, unquote big tech. So you see Twitter and Facebook using their power to moderate the news and thus moderate what people see on these platforms. But conservatives would argue that that way of shaping the cultural milieu is an incredible show of power to be able to do that.

matt taibbi

And YouTube.

jane coaston

And YouTube, yes. But then we see Republicans  there have been a host of efforts in states across the country to essentially limit the ballot box. Weve seen already with the electoral college and the Senate being weighted towards Republicans, specifically Republicans in rural states. Michelle, is that even in any way, or not? And why is one worse than the other, would you argue?

michelle cottle

I think if you talk to anybody across the political spectrum, theres a kind of growing sense that big tech has too much power. But in general, were back to the question of balancing the political power and structure of Republican politics with what is seen as the cultural world being against them. And I think its important to note that both sides use this as a tool. It is very powerful politically to say, this is against me, so its necessary for me to fight back with this. So Republicans say, well the culture is against me, academics are against me, big tech is against me. If you look at Marjorie Taylor Greene, every crazy thing that comes out of her mouth, shes like, well, theyre just against me and trying to cancel me, so of course I have to do xyz. And the same thing happens on the Democratic side, where theyre, like, Republicans are trying to tear down democracy. So of course, we have to do abc. So lets just stipulate that this is a game that politicians play. Now, that does not mean that it doesnt have some real world consequences. My concern with a lot of these voter laws youre seeing passed in the states where, incidentally, Republicans still control the vast majority of state governments, so they can meddle in elections and redistricting and all of that a lot more efficiently. But its not even so much the voter access laws that are quite so terrifying as the, well, if we dont like how it comes out, weve given the power to the Republican state legislature to toss out whatever election officials they dont like.

jane coaston

Matt, I was just thinking about how even in state legislatures where Republicans hold total power, they dont act like it. They act as if they are being besieged by some cultural entity that is somehow more powerful than them, which is why all they can do are these signaling legislation, instead of doing things like fixing electrical grids. But Im interested to see your thoughts on that kind of political power on that state level?

matt taibbi

Again, I am just not focused on that. Im deeply worried about Silicon Valley. The confluence of companies like Amazon, Facebook, Google, Twitter, these companies are more powerful than nations are at this point. Their ability to control information flow is unprecedented. Its a thing that we have to worry about on a scale that we havent had to worry about in our history. And this phenomenon of content moderation of a handful of unaccounted, unelected people with no transparency, making decisions about what people can and cannot see, is a completely new and terrifying and dystopian development in American history. Again, the split here is not so much about left versus right as it is about big versus small. One of the first stories I covered was about Googles Project Owl. And actually, it was covered in The New York Times when they made a shift in their algorithm. And a series of small, independent media outlets on both the left and the right, ranging from the World Socialist Website to Truthdig saw massive drops in traffic. And its things like that  the locking out of the Hunter Biden story, which was, I think, an unprecedented act  this is where I think we have to worry about in the future. Theres no due process for any of this. Its a complete replacement of how we used to distribute information to people. And ultimately were going to be dependent upon their political leanings going forward. And thats an extremely dangerous situation.

jane coaston

For me, I am less concerned about Silicon Valley or Silicon Valley as it stands. I think Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act is one of the greatest laws ever written in the story of collective time. With regard to giving these entities the power to moderate and edit third party as end user content and not get sued for it.

matt taibbi

Why arent you concerned about it? If you work in the media, they could say tomorrow, Im sorry, were not going to distribute your material. And what would you be able to do?

jane coaston

Yeah, but they could say that to me anyway today. I mean, The Times could do that right now if they wanted to. I recognize that these companies have an immense amount of power. But we tend to treat power as, like, a pie, that were like, well, if Silicon Valley has this much power, that must mean that state governments or the government writ large has less power because Twitter has more power, when I dont think thats how it works. All of these entities have a lot of power, but state government has the power of state violence.

michelle cottle

Well, state government also has the advantage of nobody pays any attention to it, in part because local media has been decimated. So you do have a lot of power in the hands of these legislatures, and not as much sunshine as would be useful as a counterbalance.

jane coaston

I want to back up a little bit. My argument is not that social media entities  that thats not a form of power. And my argument is not that politicians dont have power. My argument is that everyone in this conversation, if you are able to take part in this conversation, you have power in some ways. But it is extremely, as weve mentioned, very profitable to say Im actually not that powerful and kind of foisting it off. Yknow, were lowly Facebook. All were trying to do is help people come together and Facebook groups, I dont know, adopt puppies  which is actually one of the few Facebook groups I am in. [MUSIC PLAYING]

voicemail

Hello, this is Joey calling from New York. I love your podcast. And the thing that Im arguing about with anyone who will listen is the existence of organized religion in todays society. Is it necessary? More importantly, is it necessary to provide moral code for the way we ought to act. As a confirmed Catholic, someone who was raised Catholic, but these days is more agnostic, I think that the church as an institution is more harmful than it is helpful and very hypocritical in a lot of ways. But I also a lot of Catholics who are good and honest and beyond decent people. So I just wonder what the role of organized religion is in our society? And again, how can we sort of come to a middle ground in terms of acknowledging the flaws in religion, but also seeing the good parts? Thank you very much.

jane coaston

Joey, I think thats a question that would not just be a podcast episode but an entire podcast, many books, and perhaps an entire line of thinking. But I argue that much of what can be problematic within, say, Catholicism, which you and I were both raised in, was never necessarily the strictures of Catholicism, but the people of Catholicism. Those are the people who failed the Catholic Church as the Catholic Church failed a lot of other people. I think that the challenge here is that organized religion  I dont really see the problem being in the religion part, or in the organized part, its the fact that people are involved. But I think weve seen throughout history that the role of faith can guide people to be truly great. So the role of organized religion in our society is an integral part of our society. And I dont really think that we can do anything about that, because I think even the effort to exercise organized religion is itself problematic, because that again is people doing a thing. And people, again, are sometimes not so great. So I hope this was helpful and let me know if you disagree or agree. Normally, this is where I ask you what youre arguing about, but right now, a lot of workplaces that werent remote during the pandemic are making return to office plans. So I want to know, how are you feeling about going back to in-person work if you werent already working in person? Whether youve been working remotely all year or are an essential worker, leave me a voicemail by calling 347-915-4324. And we might play an excerpt of it on a future episode. [MUSIC PLAYING] I want to ask you, Matt, like, how much power do you think voters actually have? And are voters influencing politicians or policy, or is it going the other way?

matt taibbi

A huge theme in the reporting that Ive done for most of my career is that voters have less power than they think. The press has always highlighted the divisions between Republicans and Democrats, whereas I think the most important areas to focus on if youre a journalist are the areas where they agree. Its what the donors want is the most important thing. So you might have a significant number of people who want gun control or want to reduce the defense budget, but what we end up getting, almost always, is what the donors want. So its important for me, I always thought, to focus on  wheres the money? What do these institutional sectors of the country want? And what are they actually getting? I covered the financial services industry for a long time. After 2008, the public was furious. They wanted a whole range of reforms. And they voted for politicians who said they were going to do all kinds of things. And we ended up getting almost nothing in terms of actual reform after 2008 that had any teeth in it. Meanwhile, Wall Street got massively bailed out, including the people who were directly responsible for the 2008 crash. And my understanding of American politics is informed by that dynamic, the idea that money translates to power, and voters are kind of incidental to the picture because theyve had limited choices.

michelle cottle

One of the things thats shifting, though, in that is that the activist base is what lawmakers say theyre most afraid of. And in part, its because now there is this ability to raise money through the internet and other means with smaller donors. Like, when corporate America for its very brief window post-January 6th decided it was going to cut off funding to a lot of members, the individual donors actually stepped up in a lot of cases. And their funding filled the gap, especially with kind of firebrands like the Marjorie Taylor Greens and people like that, her fundraising numbers were eye popping. And this was not from folks in her district. It was from folks in her district and nationwide who like her firebrand persona. And theyre, like, this is what I want. Im going to give to her. Its the activist base now has a lot more oomph in fundraising as well.

jane coaston

I did have one more question here, which is that  Ive said before that I think a lot of these cultural battles, or cultural war things, are kind of bread and circuses. I do think a lot of this is sort of, like, well, well give them something to yell about somewhere else and then they wont yell at us. Or we can say that we put out a letter about how much we oppose this kind of training happening in the military, or something  like you can position yourself in all the right ways and not really have to do anything. But with that said, Michelle, is there any sign of this ever ending? I personally dont think so, because I feel like weve been culture warring quote, unquote since like 1967. And this is kind of what we do. But I would ask, would this ever end? And whos winning?

michelle cottle

No, its not ending. Thats an easy one. And the question of who wins, its like  its little skirmishes. Youre going to gain ground here, youre going to lose ground there. On some issues, like L.G.B.T. rights, I think theres been massive ground gained by the progressive side. But the battles over guns and the abortion wars kind of wax and wane. I mean, its going to be an ongoing thing. And theres always something new to pop up. Theres always going to be some new front in this.

matt taibbi

I mean, again, I think were in the middle of a major shift in terms of a lot of the dynamics that youre talking about. Michelle, you talked about the increased power of the activist base. Well, weve seen in the last couple of election cycles some major changes in patterns in American voting. So prior to 2016, it was basically a tendency that whoever raised the most money was going to win in a national election. Donald Trump raised a little more than half of what Hillary Clinton raised and he still won the election, which was an enormous demonstration of a change in how American voters behaved. When they were told that Donald Trump was an unacceptable choice, they defied the sort of national consensus about that. Similarly, the Bernie Sanders movement was a major change in sort of how Democratic Party politics were organized. Typically, the leading candidates had always been corporate funded and had depended upon the financial services industry, the health insurance companies, pharmaceutical companies. Now, you had a candidate who was actually able in position to win without corporate influence. Now, they rallied and defeated him anyway, but this is something were seeing all around the world, this phenomenon of people trying to take back power from the institutions that had concentrated power previously. And the tendency here is that the institutional powers are going to strike back. Theyre going to clamp down. Theyre going to have authoritarian solutions to try to curb the impulses of the population. And weve seen that in countries all over the world. And I think this is a new reality that were going to see in politics, not just in America, but around the world, that were going to stop thinking in terms of left and right, Democrat and Republican, and were going to think about insiders versus outsiders. And thats going to be the new framework thats going to be definitional.

jane coaston

So Matt, I did have just one more question for you. If you have people who are gathered together in opposition to, say, state government, but their reasonings are so disparate that it almost doesnt make any sense  like Senator Josh Hawley isnt mad at Twitter or Facebook because they curtailed the rights of leftist activists. Hes mad at Twitter or Facebook because he thinks that theyre censoring conservatives. And if they were to censor people on the hard left, hed be, like, amazing get the Ayatollah off Twitter. But there are a host of people who still count him among the people who are challenging tech hegemony. Where does that go?

matt taibbi

I keep thinking about  there was an incident. I had to do a story about foreclosure in Jacksonville, Florida, and had to go to this thing called a rocket docket, where the courts were so overloaded with foreclosure cases they had to create special courts and bring judges out of retirement to rubber stamp. They rented out, like, little tiny conference rooms to do this. And they had this ancient, retired judge who was just basically foreclosing a family every couple of minutes. Now, in that room were people who were across the political spectrum. There were hardcore conservatives, Republicans, and then there were poor minorities who voted Democrat their entire life. And theyre all saying the same thing, which was I cant believe that they bailed out those banks on Wall Street and theyre going to put us out in the street. Those people had something in common. You know what Im saying? And I think at some point when things get bad enough, then their distaste for the status quo is going to outweigh their distaste for each other is my sense. Theyre never going to agree about everything, but we have to weigh the things, the disagreements, that are more important, and figure out whats most crucial to us, whether we hate each other about x or y cultural issues or whether we want to have more political influence over our economic futures. Thats something that still has to be decided. But I do think that its a possibility that you could see those divisions being overridden by the kind of common misery.

jane coaston

Youre a very hopeful person. I have a 

michelle cottle

Hes a glass half full kind of guy.

jane coaston

I was like, wow, I did not  thats an incredible amount of optimism. I have witnessed and seen that people who agree on many things will let their overpowering loathing for one another supersede everything. Hate is an incredibly powerful emotion. And on that note 

matt taibbi

Its true.

jane coaston

Matt Taibbi is author of several books  most interestingly to me, Hate Inc. And hes the writer of Substack newsletter TK News. Michelle Cottle is a member of The New York Times editorial board. Thank you both so much for joining me.

michelle cottle

Thanks, Jane.

matt taibbi

Thank you. Thank you, Jane.

jane coaston
A Three-Bedroom Mountainside Home on St. Lucia

$1.9 MILLION

This 2,950-square-foot home, built in 1979 and remodeled in 2019, sits on the northern face of the Gros Piton mountain near Soufriere, a town on the west coast of St. Lucia, in the Windward Islands. The house, inside a 7,190-acre UNESCO World Heritage site, with unobstructed views of the Pitons twin volcanic spires rising from the eastern Caribbean Sea, was designed by John di Pol, an architect who also built the five-star, 37-room Ladera mountain resort down the road.

Besides the open-air three-bedroom, two-bath contemporary main house, the one-acre property includes a separate one-bedroom guesthouse.

Concrete steps flanked by plants curve up to a massive solid oak front door. Views of the Pitons and the Caribbean Sea beckon from the open-air living area beyond. It is breezy enough that you dont have bugs, said Sarah Danzie, managing broker of St. Lucia Sothebys International Realty, which has the listing. There is a mosquito light, however, and roof overhangs provide shade.
Didi, the leading Chinese ride-hailing platform, made its Wall Street debut on Wednesday, capping a year in which ride-hailing and travel companies have struggled to overcome intermittent pandemic lockdowns.

Didi began trading at $16.82 a share on the New York Stock Exchange, up 20 percent from a $14-a-share offering price. But investor interest cooled throughout the day, and Didi closed at $14.20, pegging the companys value at more than $69 billion.

The company made its debut, trading under the ticker DIDI, as Wall Street continues to embrace fast-growing tech companies regardless of their ability to turn a profit. Ride-hailing companies like Uber and Lyft, in particular, have proved to be profligate money losers, often burning through billions in cash each year.

Didi is no exception. It lost $1.6 billion last year, though it reported a profit of $30 million in the first quarter of this year. Revenues declined 8 percent to $21.63 billion last year because of the pandemic, the company said in a regulatory filing.
Dr. Gokal expressed relief in a telephone call on Wednesday afternoon. For the first time in six months Im going to be able to go to bed tonight and not wake up in the middle thinking about this, he said.

His lawyer, Paul Doyle, said, What a colossal waste of time.

In late December, Dr. Gokal, 48, a veteran emergency room doctor then working for the Harris County Public Health Department, set up a vaccination event in the Houston suburb of Humble. Just as the event was about to close for the night, an eligible person showed up. A nurse punctured a new vial to administer the vaccine, which activated the six-hour time limit for its 10 remaining doses.

Dr. Gokal later said that he was determined to abide by his understanding that not a dose of the precious vaccine should be wasted. Colleagues at the event either declined or already had been vaccinated. So as he drove home to a neighboring county, he called acquaintances to ask whether they knew of older people needing to be immunized.

Within a few frantic hours, he had vaccinated various people in need, most of them older or in fragile health, and unknown to him. As midnight approached, he had one last dose and no one to vaccinate, so he presented the situation to his wife, whose pulmonary sarcoidosis made her eligible  but she was hesitant.

It makes perfect sense, he later said he told her. We dont want any doses wasted, period.

The next morning, Dr. Gokal submitted the documentation for the 10 people he had vaccinated with that last vial. Several days later, he was fired from his county job; he said he was told that he should have returned the doses to the office, which by then was closed, or thrown them away.
Jack Downing, the only American spymaster to run agents in both of the hottest Cold War capitals, Moscow and Beijing, and who was drawn out of retirement to help rescue the hidebound Central Intelligence Agency from a management crisis and plummeting morale, died on Sunday in Portland, Ore. He was 80.

The cause was colon cancer, his son, John G. Downing, said.

After serving in the C.I.A. for nearly three decades, Mr. Downing was asked in 1997 by George J. Tenet, the agencys fourth director in five years, to become chief of the Directorate of Operations, the agencys clandestine espionage arm.

His mission was to repair the damage inflicted by double agents like Aldrich H. Ames, who had exposed a network of American contacts in the Soviet Union, and by management upheavals and budget cuts that had depleted the ranks of case officers and discouraged them from taking risks in the field.

During his two-year stint in the post, with the title of deputy director for operations, Mr. Downing accelerated recruitment, improved training in spycraft and foreign languages, and reopened stations in Africa and elsewhere to monitor terrorism. He also forged an alliance with Representative Porter J. Goss, the Florida Republican who, as chairman of the House Select Committee on Intelligence, had reopened the financing spigot to pay for espionage operations abroad. (Mr. Goss later became the C.I.A. director under President George W. Bush.)
Mike Corr, a retired detective and rescue specialist for the New York Police Departments Emergency Services Unit, also responded to the 9/11 aftermath. He vividly recalls the jagged pieces of steel, the unsettled concrete, the jutting rebar, the fires, the noxious smoke and gases  and the fear that the removal of a beam, say, might send debris cascading into a void occupied by someone still alive.

Every action has a reaction, Mr. Corr said. You remove the next layer, and then the next layer, and then the next layer.

Mr. Pfeifer agreed. You dont want anyone else to die on the site, he said.

As with the Sept. 11 aftermath, Mr. Pfeifer said, there will be investigations  a form of reflecting and asking: What happened, and why? Then its envisioning the future, he said. How do we do this better? And that becomes a level of hope.

First, though, comes the difficult moment when hope meets reality; when the incident commanders finally decide to change the mission plan from rescue to recovery.

The chances for surviving the force of a collapsing stack of concrete floors are nearly nil  but miracles happen. Voids might  might  be created.
What is the catalyst thats needed right now for people to focus on Burma as this continues? said Anurima Bhargava, the past chairwoman of the U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom, a bipartisan panel that makes policy recommendations to the federal government.

She cited deepening atrocities that are threatening hundreds of thousands of Myanmars people  including the Rohingya  by the Tatmadaw. That would make a genocide determination easier right now, given whos in power and, certainly in some ways, be a way in which to highlight what it is that this particular military has done over the course of many years, Ms. Bhargava said.

The Biden administration was quick to declare the militarys takeover of Myanmars government in February as a coup, and in May committed to sending $155 million in aid to Rohingya refugees in what Mr. Blinken described as a continuing effort to promote peace, security and respect for the human rights and human dignity of all people in Burma, including Rohingya.

The 2018 report detailing the attacks against the Rohingya left little doubt to investigators hired by the State Department that the Tatmadaw had committed genocide and crimes against humanity.

It was based on evidence compiled by investigators and lawyers with the Public International Law & Policy Group, which the State Department hired in early 2018 to assess the violence in Myanmars northern Rakhine State in 2017. After interviewing more than 1,000 Rohingya refugees who had fled to camps in neighboring Bangladesh, the team documented more than 13,000 grave human rights violations, in findings that Daniel Fullerton, who managed the investigation, described as staggering.

The final analysis that Mr. Fullerton wrote and submitted to the State Department in July 2018 amounted to what he called the most expansive investigation into the crimes against the Rohingya.

Two months later, the State Department quietly released its final report, drawing on the evidence that Mr. Fullertons team had compiled. It detailed the planned and coordinated nature of widespread violence against the Rohingya in Rakhine State, resulting in mass casualties, including against religious leaders who had been singled out.
WASHINGTON  When a commercial plane carrying 2.5 million doses of Modernas coronavirus vaccine took off on Wednesday from Dallas for Islamabad, Pakistan, federal officials had just finished a dizzying bureaucratic back-and-forth to get them there.

The United States had arranged a donation agreement with Moderna and Covax, the year-old vaccine-sharing initiative. Covax had previously worked out indemnity agreements with Moderna, which shield the company from liability for potential harm from the vaccine. American Embassy officials in Islamabad had worked with regulators there to evaluate the Food and Drug Administrations review of the vaccine; Pakistani regulators had to pore over reams of materials on the vaccine lots and the factory where they were made before authorizing it for use there.

Once they signed off, the result was a so-called tripartite agreement: a type of deal that has increasingly come to consume the Biden administrations pandemic response efforts, underscoring how demand for vaccines is lagging in the United States as many countries plead for help from those with a surplus.

Amid criticism from some public health experts that President Bidens vaccine diplomacy efforts have been slow and insufficient, the White House plans to announce on Thursday that it has fulfilled the presidents pledge to share an initial 80 million doses by June 30. More than 80 million have been formally offered to about 50 countries, the African Union and the 20-nation Caribbean consortium, with around half already shipped and the rest to be scheduled in the coming weeks, said Natalie Quillian, the Biden administrations deputy Covid-19 response coordinator.
South Dakota taxpayers have subsidized the state National Guards operations in world wars, the Middle East, Panama and the Caribbean. Now Gov. Kristi Noem has come up with a novel way of paying for it.

Ms. Noem, a Republican, announced Tuesday that she would deploy up to 50 of the states 3,100 Guard members to Texas, where they will help secure the border between the United States and Mexico. But unlike other Republican governors, who have dispatched troops to secure both the border and photo-ops for themselves, Ms. Noem found a private donor to provide the money for the deployment.

The border is a national security crisis that requires the kind of sustained response only the National Guard can provide, Ms. Noem said in a statement.

The move prompted an array of questions in South Dakota about the legality of privately funding National Guard operations, a fuzzy area of the law that officials in the state said had never before been contemplated. It comes as Ms. Noem is busy building a national profile ahead of the 2024 Republican presidential primary contest.
The commission traces back to a wave of anger among liberals when Senate Republicans rushed to confirm President Donald J. Trumps nominee to fill the seat left vacant by the September 2020 death of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, even though they had refused to hold a hearing or vote on President Barack Obamas nominee to fill the seat vacated by the February 2016 death of Justice Antonin Scalia on the argument that it was an election year.

Rather than clearly endorse or repudiate the court expansion proposal just ahead of the election, Mr. Biden punted in October by saying he would create a commission to assess potential changes to the judiciary. While the panel is not charged with making specific recommendations, its report may help set the stage for debate in Congress.

A few witnesses addressed court expansion, generally either arguing that it would delegitimize the court and inevitably lead to further expansions by Republicans, or portraying it as a break glass measure of last resort to deal with a hypothetical court that is consistently out of step with overwhelming popular opinion.

Among the ideas the witnesses engaged with more deeply: whether to change how the court selects which cases to hear in order to address the plummeting number it has decided in recent years, whether to reduce its ability to decide major legal issues without full briefings and arguments, and whether to replace lifetime tenure for Supreme Court justices with term limits.

In an age of increasing polarization, theres no question that Supreme Court nominations have become an almost entirely partisan affair, and this is going to potentially cause grave harm to the courts legitimacy, said Maya Sen, a Harvard public policy professor. And I strongly encourage members of this commission to consider term limits, which could represent a powerful tool to reverse this trend.

The term-limit discussion focused on a proposal to move to staggered, 18-year terms with seats regularly coming open every two years, rather than only when a justice dies or chooses to retire, perhaps coupled with mandating up-or-down Senate confirmation votes on nominees.

Such a change might help reduce the escalating partisan warfare over confirmations, argued Michael McConnell, a retired appeals court judge who is now a Stanford University law professor. He traced the fights back to the bitter confirmation battle in 1987 that defeated President Ronald Reagans conservative nominee, Robert Bork.
Two approaches to address urban homelessness have similar names but have different implications: right to shelter and right to housing laws. New York City and other municipalities have right to shelter laws, which are different from the right to housing legislation being proposed in Sacramento.

Housing advocates have long criticized right to shelter laws as too narrow and too easily used to warehouse homeless people, as opposed to getting them into permanent housing. Right to housing laws are far broader, requiring cities to dramatically expand the supply of long-term housing and move beyond temporary cots and beds in shelters and church basements.

More than a quarter of the nations homeless population resides in California, where the number of people sleeping in freeway shantytowns and sidewalk tent cities has risen steadily over the past decade to more than 160,000 from Eureka to San Diego. Sacramento Countys homeless population was estimated at nearly 6,000 before the coronavirus pandemic, despite years of effort and expense. The mayor said the county has housed more than 13,000 homeless people over the past four and a half years.

But the mayor said cities in California were not required by law to provide housing and services for people without shelter, which often allows humanitarian efforts to devolve into political infighting and blue-ribbon commissions rather than solutions. A right to housing would create a legal cudgel, he said, that would force cities to take the often politically difficult steps of constructing affordable housing.

It is far past time to address the root of this dysfunction rather than the symptoms, Mr. Steinberg said. Name another area of major public concern where everything government does is optional.

The right-to-housing movement, which dates to the New Deal, has drawn particular attention since 2018, when the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit struck down laws against homeless camping, finding that it was cruel and unusual punishment to prosecute people for sleeping outside if appropriate shelter was unavailable.

That decision, upheld by the U.S. Supreme Court, greatly limited the enforcement options available to local governments to deal with encampments of homeless people, which during the pandemic have spread to cover parks, sidewalks, freeway underpasses and beaches in many California cities.
Philadelphia plans to serve 15,000 students, about triple its usual amount. Some students will be in classrooms for the first time since March 2020.

Roughly 12,000 students have attended the summer program hosted by Guilford County Schools in North Carolina so far, about 10 times as many as in previous, nonpandemic years. Broward County, Fla., will have about 45,000 students, up from about 8,000 to 10,000.

But there are challenges: A Missouri district had to move two of its programs online after more than half of its students tested positive or had to quarantine. And old buildings arent always equipped for summer heat: Some schools in New Jersey do not have air-conditioners, and students are sweltering behind masks.

Many districts have had trouble finding enough teachers for summer school, as worn-out educators understandably want a break from a stressful year.

Fairfax, Va., announced it would have to delay a summer program for about 1,200 students with disabilities for about a month as the district looked for more educators, The Washington Post reported. Nearby Arlington also reduced its summer program to 3,000 from 5,000 students because of staff shortages.

Chicago, which is hoping to serve 50,000 more students than usual, still has 67 teacher vacancies and is offering teachers who agree to work in the understaffed programs an extra $200 in pay per week.

And while summer school enrollment is up about 30 percent in Watertown-Mayer Public Schools, in Minnesota, the district has struggled to find enough adults to staff the program. In mid-June, it was considering hiring paraprofessionals from outside the district or even high school students to fill the spots.
Dr. Marr said her advice to a fully vaccinated friend about mask wearing would be to follow local mask rules and to take extra precautions in certain situations.

I would tell them that, in general, they do not need to wear a mask, said Dr. Marr. But they should continue to carry one with them for times when they are in a very crowded indoor setting for a long period of time, like air travel, where masks are required anyway, or a crowded movie theater, playhouse or concert venue, for example.

If Im vaccinated, should I be worried about the Delta variant?

The Delta variant, which was first identified in India, is worrisome because it is highly contagious and spreading rapidly around the globe. Unvaccinated people who are infected with Delta are twice as likely to be hospitalized as those infected with Alpha, the dominant variant in the United States that was first detected in Britain.

What has been surprising about the Delta variant is how easily it seems to be transmitted. In Australia, security cameras documented a brief encounter of two people passing each other in a shopping mall; one of them was unknowingly infected. The shoppers were facing each other at one point and breathed each others air for only seconds, which led to the second person getting infected. (The transmission was confirmed through genetic sequencing.) While such a brief encounter typically wouldnt lead to transmission, the case signaled how important it is that people get vaccinated before the Delta variant spreads further.

The Delta variant now accounts for about one in every four infections in the United States, according to new estimates this week from the C.D.C.

But if you are among the vaccinated, most experts say you dont need to be fearful. Studies show that two doses of the Pfizer vaccine offer 88 percent protection against the Delta variant, compared to 93 percent protection against Alpha. The Moderna vaccine has performed similarly to Pfizer in other studies, so its expected to give a similar level of protection against Delta. Moderna has said test tube studies using blood samples from vaccinated people showed the vaccine is still highly effective against the Delta variant, which caused only a modest reduction in virus-fighting antibodies in the samples.

A recent Public Health England study found that people who are partially vaccinated are 75 percent less likely to be hospitalized than an infected person who isnt vaccinated. Those who are fully vaccinated are 94 percent less likely to be hospitalized.
Latin America and the Caribbean continue to be hammered by increasing numbers of Covid-19 infections and deaths, highlighting the stark global inequalities in access to vaccines, officials from the World Health Organization warned on Wednesday.

At a time when we are seeing some reprieve from the virus in countries in the Northern Hemisphere, Carissa Etienne, the director of the W.H.O.s Pan American Health Organization, said at a news conference that for most countries in the Southern Hemisphere, the end remains a distant future.

Only one person in 10 has been fully vaccinated against Covid-19 in Latin America and the Caribbean, she added, calling it an unacceptable situation.

Access to Covid-19 vaccines shouldnt be a privilege for a few but a right we all share, Dr. Etienne said.
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka  Hundreds of dead sea creatures, including whales and dolphins, have washed ashore in Sri Lanka, apparently poisoned by chemicals from a cargo ship that caught fire and sank, government officials said on Wednesday, revealing some of the toll of what is being called the countrys worst environmental disaster.

The remains of four whales, 20 dolphins and 176 turtles have been found since the ship carrying the toxic material, the MV X-Press Pearl, caught fire in late May and sank in early June, Deputy Solicitor General Madhawa Tennakoon told a court in Colombo, Sri Lankas capital.

It is very obvious that the deaths of these sea animals are connected to the ship, said Dharshani Lahandapura, the chairperson of Sri Lankas Marine Environment Protection Authority. Last year, during the same time period only two turtle deaths were reported.

The damage could actually be far worse, according to an official at the countrys Wildlife Conservation Department, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because the person was not authorized to speak to the media. In addition to the dead animals reported to the court, the official said, the carcasses of a shark and two more turtles were found on Wednesday.
A rift has emerged between Australias federal government, state leaders and medical groups over vaccination advice, with several officials issuing public objections to Prime Minister Scott Morrisons decision to make the AstraZeneca vaccine available to those under 40.

Australias vaccine advisory body has recommended that people under 60 should be vaccinated with the Pfizer shot because the AstraZeneca vaccine is associated with a very small risk of a serious blood-clotting disorder. But the countrys vaccination campaign was initially planned around AstraZeneca, and supplies of other shots are so far relatively constrained, with Pfizer appointments not yet open to most people under 40.

Less than 5 percent of Australians are fully vaccinated, and just under a quarter have had one dose of a vaccine. Parts of four states or territories, including four major cities, are in lockdown to halt outbreaks associated with the Delta variant, and there are restrictions in two more.

In response to outbreaks of the more infectious Delta variant of the virus, Mr. Morrison announced on Monday that the federal government would allow family doctors to administer the AstraZeneca vaccine to those under 40 who wanted it.
OTTAWA  Pope Francis will meet with Indigenous leaders later this year to discuss coming to Canada to apologize for the churchs role in operating schools that abused and forcibly assimilated generations of Indigenous children, a step toward resolving the grievances of survivors and Indigenous communities, the head of Canadas largest Indigenous organization said on Wednesday.

In a statement, the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops said that the pope will meet separately at the Vatican with the representatives of Canadas three biggest Indigenous groups  the First Nations, the Metis and the Inuit  during a four-day series of meetings in December that will culminate in a joint session with all three.

Pope Francis is deeply committed to hearing directly from Indigenous Peoples, expressing his heartfelt closeness, addressing the impact of colonization and the role of the Church in the residential school system, the bishops wrote.

Canadas Indigenous leaders have long called for a papal apology for the churchs role in the residential schools, a government-created system that operated for about 113 years and that a National Truth and Reconciliation Commission called cultural genocide.
The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Wednesday stood by advice that people fully vaccinated against the coronavirus do not need to wear masks in most situations, but added that there are instances where local authorities might impose more stringent measures to protect the unvaccinated.

The comments came after the World Health Organization recently reiterated longstanding guidance that everyone, vaccinated or not, wear masks and take other precautions, following a global surge in infections of the highly contagious Delta variant. On Monday, Los Angeles County recommended that even fully vaccinated people wear masks indoors.

In May, the C.D.C. advised that fully vaccinated Americans could forgo masks in most settings. The agencys director, Dr. Rochelle P. Walensky, said during multiple television appearances on Wednesday that local changes to masking and distancing rules were consistent with those guidelines.

We have always said that this virus is an opportunist, and in areas where we still have rates of low vaccination, that is where the virus is likely to take hold, she said on Good Morning America. We are still seeing uptick of cases in areas of low vaccination, and in that situation we are suggesting that policies be made at the local level.
LONDON  Britain and the European Union have called a truce in the sausage wars. But far from being settled, this bitter dispute over breakfast links raises vexing questions about the future of Northern Ireland.

After weeks of sometimes angry negotiations, the two sides agreed Wednesday to a three-month delay in regulations that would ban shipments of sausages and other chilled meats from mainland Britain to Northern Ireland.

The delay is designed to give both sides time to work out technical disputes in the post-Brexit trade arrangements for the North, which straddles the trading systems of Britain and the European Union, requiring checks on goods flowing between the North and the rest of the United Kingdom.

It may also defuse tensions among unionists and their more strident allies, the loyalists, in Northern Ireland, who want the territory to stay within the United Kingdom. They have latched on to the dispute to protest what they view as their growing alienation from the United Kingdom.
MOSCOW  President Vladimir V. Putin urged Russians to get vaccinated against the coronavirus on Wednesday  his most extensive comments on the matter yet  as his country scrambles to contain a vicious new wave of the illness.

Speaking at his annual televised call-in show, Mr. Putin spent the opening half-hour trying to convince Russians to get one of the countrys four domestically produced shots. It was the latest instance of a marked change in tone about the pandemic from Russian officials, who for months did little to push a vaccine-wary public to get immunized but are now starting to make vaccination mandatory for some groups.

Its dangerous, dangerous to your life, Mr. Putin said of Covid-19. The vaccine is not dangerous.

Only 23 million Russians, or about 15 percent of the population, have received at least one vaccine dose, Mr. Putin said. Polls this year by the independent Levada Center showed that some 60 percent of Russians did not want to be vaccinated. Analysts attribute Russians hesitancy to a widespread distrust of the authorities combined with a drumbeat of state television reports that described the coronavirus as either mostly defeated or not very dangerous to begin with.
A Chinese woman was forced to lie to her grandmother, and even recruit someone to do the same, for 13 years, just to avoid breaking the old womans heart.

Chinese media recently featured the heartbreaking story of a young woman who decided to deceive her own grandmother for over a decade, knowing that the truth would be to much for her to bear. Cheng Jing, a 46-year-old woman from Xian, recently lost her grandmother, who died at the ripe old age of 100, but for the last 13 years of her life, she did everything in her power to make the old woman believe that her daughter was still alive. Jings mother had died in 2003, but knowing that the news would devastate her grandmother, she resorted to recruiting someone to imitate her mothers voice over the phone to spare her granny the heartache.

Jings mother, Cheng Congrong, and her grandmother had always been very close, and even after Cheng developed lung cancer in 2003, she still called her mother as often as she could to let her know she was alright. Knowing that she didnt have much to live, Congrong even recorded dozens of voice messages and asked her children to play them to their grandmother so she wouldnt worry.

Cheng Jing respected her mothers last wish and after her tragic death, they kept playing the recordings their mothers had made for their grandmother, depending on what time of the year it was. In some, Chen Congrong complained about the cold weather and reminded her mother to take her medicine daily, and in other she advised her to get from her bed slowly in the morning, so not to lose balance, and assured her that she would visit as soon as she could.

The voice messages worked for a while, but Chen Jing soon realized that it was only a matter of time before her grandmother realized that the messages were pre-recorded. She found someone to imitate her mothers voice as closely as possible and asked them to phone grandma and assure her that everything was fine. But that didnt start out very well

After hearing Chen Jings story and feeling pity for the old woman, Chen Weiping  the woman who Jing approached about imitating her mothers voice  decided to help. She practiced Congrongs voice, but that very first telephone call didnt go according to plan. As soon as the old woman answered, she asked who she was speaking to, clearly recognizing that there was something wrong about her daughters voice.

Even though Chen Weiping insisted that it was her daughter, the old woman kept asking who was at the other end. Chen Jing had no choice but to pick up the phone and explain that her mother had caught a cold and a slightly different voice because of it. That seemed to appease the grandmother, and from that moment on she seemed to accept Weiping.

Somehow, Chen Jing, her siblings and the imitator managed to maintain the illusion that Chen Congrong was still alive for 13 years. Weiping would call the old woman as often as she could, offering all sorts of excuses as to why she couldnt come visit. One time she told the grandmother over the phone that she had undergone heart surgery and couldnt come.

Heart-related reasons always softened the pressure, as the old woman cautioned her daughter to take care of herself, and not to worry about her. The grandchildren all visited as much as they could, but it was clear that the 90-something woman wanted to see her only child in person again. Sadly that could never happen, and Chen Jing never had the guts to tell her.

Jing, her siblings and cousins recently celebrated grandmas 100th birthday; they all came to visit her and even fired fireworks in her honor. A teary-eyed Chen Jing recently told Chinese reporters that her her mother was her grandmas only child, and that she had sacrificed everything for her. Knowing that she had died in 2003 would have been too much for the old woman, so she didnt want to risk it.

Jing recalls that even though grandma appeared happy to see them all, she was visibly disappointed that the daughter she hadnt seen in over a decade still hadnt come home to her. Jing assured her that her mother was fine, just busy taking care of her daughter-in laws baby, but that did little to please the old woman.

A couple of months after her birthday, Chen Jings mother passed away, not having seen her daughter in nearly two decades. It was a tragic end to a heartbreaking story, and while Chen Jing admits that deceiving her granny wasnt ideal, she believes that it was the right thing to do, to spare her the grief. The story went viral on Chinese social media and melted the hearts of millions.
After suffering from pain on the right side of her nose for most of her life, a New Zealand woman was shocked to discover a plastic board game piece that had apparently been stuck in her nostril for 37 years.

Mary McCarthy, from Christchurch in New Zealand, had always struggled with pain and breathing difficulties on the right side of her nose, but having put up with it since childhood, she never bothered seeing a doctor about it. But last October, following ab excruciatingly painful nasal swab test for Covid-19, her nasal issue got even worse. Her nose would be leaking constantly and she was in a lot of pain, so she finally decided to get medical help.

Photo: Pi/Wikimedia Commons

The 45-year-old woman saw several general practitioners who put the pain down to a chronic sinus condition, but she wasnt satisfied with that verdict, so she decided to see an ear, nose and throat specialist. Unfortunately, she could only book a checkup in August, but because the pain had become so bad, she decided she needed help sooner, so after a painful days work, she went to Christchurch Hospitals emergency department.

Luckily for McCarthy, the doctor on duty at the hospital believed it was more than sinus pain, and asked her if she had ever put anything in her nose that could have gotten stuck there. This question triggered a memory of the woman playing tiddlywinks with her seven brothers and sisters as a child, and putting the small plastic discs in their noses to see how far they would go when they blew them out.

Only one time, 8-year-old Mary inhaled through her nose and sucked a small wink in her nose. Not knowing where the small plastic disk had gone and too scared to tell her mother about it, she just put it out of her mind, and, as time went by, forgot all about it.

Tiddlywink stuck up Christchurch womans nose for 37 years https://t.co/aynxRBYUkG pic.twitter.com/xD5XMMXzV9  Stuff (@NZStuff) June 25, 2021

A CT scan revealed that there was indeed something stuck in her right nostril, but it didnt look like a tiddlywinks piece. The doctor tried removing it while she was awake, but it proved too painful so she had to undergo an operation that involved pushing the mysterious object through her nose and extracting it through her mouth.

It turned out that the object was indeed a small plastic wink, only with years of calcification built up all around it. The doctor told Mary that the Covid-19 swab test had dislodged it after nearly four decades and caused an infection that amplified the pain she had put up with all this time.

I always had difficulties breathing through my nose over the years but never gave it much thought, Mary McCarthy told Stuff.co.nz. There was calcification around it and that was probably why my nose had grown a bit crooked.



This story is remarkably similar to one we posted last year, where a 59-year-old man in Zelenograd, Russia discovered he had been living with a metal coin stuck in his nose for 53 years, after sticking it in there as a kid and forgetting about it.
Morgan Gress Johnson

Brunswick Groups Morgan Gress Johnson has joined Invariant to advise clients on reputation and brand positioning matters.

At Brunswick, Johnson had crisis communications, reputation and public affairs duties for a range of technology, telecommunications and media companies. She also served as chief of staff for the DC office, supporting business development and marketing efforts.

Earlier, she was senior VP for communications and marketing for Union, a software platform; founding member of 1776 incubator and venture fund; and staffer at NJI Media, managing digital campaigns for advocacy and corporate issues.

Invariant CEO Heather Podesta said Johnsons entrepreneurial approach to problem solving and strong ties in technology and regulated markets will help us continue to deliver strong results for our clients.
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THE University of Gorokas (UOG) primary focus is to produce quality teachers and will not diversify into other disciplines which it is not staffed or equipped to offer, acting vice-chancellor Dr Teng Waninga says.

University of Goroka focuses on quality.. Photo by Sylvester Jnr Rivan /fb

Speaking at the universitys 24th graduation ceremony yesterday, Dr Waninga highlighted UOGs vision in front of 700 graduates who were expected to join the countrys teaching service.

A second batch of 600 students will graduate on Friday.

Dr Waninga said earlier that it was important for UOG to maintain its work of producing quality teachers and to avoid over diversifying its programmes, which would stretch its resources and ultimately affect the institutions capacity to produce quality graduates.

He said there was an attempt to build a medical school, however, the project never eventuated with almost half a million used in the name of that project.

The previous governing council of UOG wanted to build a medical school and they budgeted a good amount of money for the project, he said.

To date, theres nothing to show for it.

Its a matter of interest for the investigation team to find out how much was spent and used in the process of building the medical school. For the new management and the interim council, we will leave the medical school and any other programmes except for quality teacher training.

Thats our main aim, so we must not lose focus on that. Dr Waninga said other institutions such as the University of Papua New Guinea, the University of Technology and others were already teaching other necessary disciplines such as law, medicine, technology and agriculture.

Higher Education Minister Wesley Raminai also supported the direction set by Dr Waninga during his speech at the graduation.

The National / ONE PNG

Next : PNG Digicel Cup Results and Ladder after Round 4
Opalesque Industry Update - First Eagle Alternative Credit, LLC has hired CLO industry veteran Nishil Mehta to assist with the expansion of First Eagle's private fund collateralized loan obligation debt and equity strategy. Mehta is a Managing Director and Product Specialist on First Eagle Alternative Credit's Tradable Credit Team. Prior to joining First Eagle, Mehta spent over 10 years as the portfolio manager for an asset management firm's CLO investments with responsibility for capital raising for the firm's registered funds where he oversaw over $2.0 billion of CLO equity investments with retail investors and helped raise over $500 million for a closed-end fund focused on CLO securities. Nishil will be based at First Eagle's New York office and will report directly to Michael Herzig, Head of Business Development at First Eagle. "We are excited to welcome Nishil to First Eagle to work alongside Bob Hickey and Tracey Jackson in this important business segment," said Herzig. "Nishil will contribute to the growth of our existing institutional CLO debt and equity investing platform, which is a complimentary product to our CLO management and bank loan total return businesses. We believe the CLO market will continue to grow and secondary CLO equity is a compelling product that can consistently provide investors mid-teen returns in a historically low-yield environment." First Eagle and its affiliates now manage over 35 broadly syndicated and middle market CLOs totaling approximately $16 billion in AUM. In 2020, the firm closed over $700 million in broadly syndicated and middle market CLOs. "I am excited to join First Eagle Alternative Credit's platform," said Mehta. "There is a significant opportunity to leverage the extensive CLO management business as well as the firm's credit analyst team who can provide invaluable insight in analyzing the underlying credits of CLOs to enhance returns."
On Demand Car has announced its official launch in Toronto. The company offers a unique way to rent all different types of vehicles, from hourly to monthly, all throughout the Toronto area. Rent a Car, SUV, Van, or Moving Truck -- and Get it Delivered Right to Your Door The technological innovations offered by On Demand Car allow customers to rent vehicles on an hourly, daily, weekly, or monthly basis. The vehicle 
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
Water rushes down Chippewa Creek in Eldon on Friday, one day after flash flooding caused the water to rise over Highway 16 (background), close multiple county roads and damage nearby homes and property. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds announced a disaster proclamation for Wapello County on Monday, and it was adopted by the board of supervisors Tuesday. Because of the proclamation, residents are eligible for individual assistance grant funding up to $5,000.
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The term pistol first came about in 16th-century Europe when the wheel-lock ignition system for firearms allowed a more efficient manner of carry than the matchlock (simply a smoldering cord attached to the hammer).

The first pistols were intended for use in combat on horseback, with their grip designed to allow for convenient firing with one hand while allowing the other hand to control the horse. These were hefty, long-barreled pistols that were normally carried in saddle holsters.

It didnt take long for gunsmiths to figure out that downsizing the horse-pistols into far more easily carried firearms (on the person in belts or concealed in pockets) found a ready market, not only for military applications, but for civilian self-defense as well.

Firearms evolution soon created the more efficient flintlock, then the even more efficient (percussion cap) caplock, and eventually the cartridge firearms which remain commonplace today.

Samuel Colt created a revolution in firearm design when he developed the first effective and dependable (caplock) revolving pistol in the 1830s.

Before this, pistols were either single-shot or had multiple barrels, and the revolver allowed multiple shots per one barrel. Colt had an advertising slogan that stated his revolver made all men equal, which certainly boosted his sales, especially in the civilian market with regards to self-defense.

Smith and Wesson developed the first successful revolver using a (rimfire) self-contained cartridge during the 1850s. This was actually a petite pistol designed for concealed-carry (usually in a pocket  aka pocket-pistol), and employed the then-very new .22 rimfire round (which is Americas oldest and most used cartridge still in very popular production today).

Colt would come out with the legendary .45 single-action revolver in 1873, which often gets credit for winning the West, at least in the movies. The Colt .45 revolver employed a very dependable centerfire cartridge that packed a punch, and it would remain the official U.S. Army sidearm until the early 20th century.

The Colt .45 certainly was popular with the civilian market as well and even remains a popular commodity today (a prime example is the highly popular and fast-growing Cowboy Action Shooting). One of my favorite hunting revolvers is a customized Ruger Black Hawk in .45 Colt (using potent reloads).

European gun manufacturers started the popular move into semiautomatic pistols during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, which eventually caught the U.S. militarys interest and led to one of the most popular semiautomatic pistols of all time, the venerable Colt Model 1911 in .45 ACP. This pistol is still very popular today, and the 1911" besides Colt, is produced and marketed by several American and foreign manufacturers.

Ive always admired this pistol/caliber combination and, needless to say, in 1985 I was rather distressed when the U.S. military dropped it in favor of the M9 Beretta 9mm double-action, high-capacity semiautomatic pistol (a very fine pistol in its own right) to keep in step with NATO.

In 2017, the M9 Beretta would be replaced by the M17 Sig Sauer in 9mm. The M17 (as well as its compact variant, the M18) went through some very rigorous testing to achieve its place with the U.S. military, which certainly ensures the fact it is an outstanding performer.

Today, thanks to the advent of the semiautomatic pistol, recent terminology seems to have changed (or is trying to). Some shooting experts claim that revolvers are only revolvers and are not properly described as pistols, and that only semiautomatics are properly called pistols."

Being old-school and a history buff, I totally disagree, and to me, a pistol is a pistol, period, regardless of whether it is a revolver, semiautomatic, single-shot or two-barreled derringer."

A perfect example is Michigans Concealed Pistol License (CPL), which is in reference to any concealable handgun. Also, being old-school, I frequently, and quite incorrectly according to the experts, still call a magazine a clip."

U.S. law enforcement agencies began a major move toward high-capacity semiautomatic pistols during the 1980s and, of course, the civilian market followed suit because the semiautomatics worked quite well as advertised.

On the civilian side of things, however, revolvers still have a strong following due to their simplicity in use and the fact they are less apt to jam.

I can remember a notable and seasoned Wyoming sheriff I talked to 35 years ago (I met him near the Continental Divide during a Wyoming elk season), who refused to give up his .357 Magnum S&W revolver in favor of a well-publicized semiautomatic, high-capacity pistol, because according to him, If you cant resolve a typical gunfight in six shots, you are in a whole world of trouble."

In other words, he put a lot of emphasis (and faith) in hitting the mark with something which packed a serious punch, and was very familiar with his revolver after years of use. When booming coal and oil enterprises came to his county, and crime followed, he was involved in a number of gunfights.

A group of avid shooters I met several years ago at the Marlette Sportsmans Associations shooting range put a special emphasis on hitting the mark with their pistols, and having a lot of fun and very friendly competition doing so, with safety above all else being the top priority.

I truly liked their pistol range, which was surrounded by a tall and very sufficient earth backstop. The targets were placed at basic combat pistol ranges, typically from seven to 15 yards, with the targets being both paper and/or metal. All the pistols I saw being used were stock (non-competition type) semiautomatic pistols of various models typically used for concealed carry.

Performing shots around corners (actually plywood barriers) both right and left, using rapid, accurate fire at multiple targets (requiring a reload during the process) is all a part of the routine. A special timer comes into play once they get warmed up, and I saw for a fact each and every one of the contestants was a real shooter."

I felt right at home with these folks, despite the fact I didnt bring a pistol (actually Im glad I didn't because I might have been a disappointment  being an outdoors writer gives the impression I might even know how to shoot). But the main competition with this good-natured group is you against yourself, and I do like and appreciate that attitude.

Actually, I do a lot of shooting with a variety of pistols, including revolvers, on my backyard shooting range, but I have never technically competed. About three years ago, I wrote an article about the Tuscola County Conservation Club (TCCC) near Caro and liked their shooting ranges (including pistol ranges) so much that I joined the club. I even pondered doing a bit of competitive pistol shooting for the first time.

Two years ago, while browsing in a gun shop (one of my favorite pastimes), I came across and was able to handle a new Mossberg MC1sc (subcompact) semiautomatic pistol in 9mm, and it felt just right in my hand. It is also quite simplistic in handling function, it's ruggedly constructed, and yep, folks, I had to have one!

My Mossberg MC1sc came with two magazines, one six-round and one seven-round, and since the seven-round fits better in my big paws, the six-round remains in the box, and I purchased two more seven-round magazines as spares in the event of doing some friendly competition.

While getting fully acquainted on my shooting range with this pistol, which features a nice and smooth double-action trigger, I became totally enthralled with it. In my opinion, Mossberg hit a home run with this design.

My goal was to do a bit of competition with my new pistol at the TCCC pistol range last year, but the pandemic and its restrictions threw a wrench into the works. Due to the more than year-long pandemic crisis, politics (including talk about defunding the police) and civil unrest, a whole lot of citizens decided to become new gun owners, and there was, and still is, a major rush on purchasing ammunition, not to mention certain firearms.

Ammunition manufacturers are hard pressed to meet the ongoing demand. Even for those who reload their own ammunition, the necessities are lacking to do so because the ammunition manufacturers need all of it to meet their needs. (I was glad I had enough proper shotgun ammo still on hand for the recent spring turkey season, because there was very little available on the shelves anywhere).

Needless to say, folks, my newfound competitive spirit is presently on hold once again, because I do not want to expend what little 9mm ammunition I still have on hand.

I guess it is a sign of our challenging era, but I am quite optimistic there are better times ahead. Hopefully sooner rather than later!

Email Tom Lounsbury at tlounsburyoutdoors@gmail.com.
MBS International Airport, following the most challenging year in airline history, is beginning to show signs of emerging from the devastating impact of COVID-19. The airport, which has experienced a drastic reduction in flights beginning in February of 2020, has seen air traffic begin to climb as fliers gain confidence to travel again.

MBS is slowly recovering, said James Canders, MBS airport manager. We had our first positive climb in passenger traffic in April, the first increase since February 2020. May passenger numbers showed similar increases.

April passengers show an increase of 1,455% and May saw another jump of 1,439%. These figures still reflect a 58% overall decrease from pre-COVID 19, but we are certain things will continue to improve, especially as vaccinations continue and restrictions are lifted across the country, Canders said. Overall numbers are still low for the year, but the consistent increase in passenger traffic is a good sign.

Yet for MBS to truly regain its traction, business travel must pick up. Many employees are still working remotely as businesses err on the side of caution before resuming normal on-site operations.

Corporate and business travel is a large part of our passenger base and until it opens up further MBS will continue to see lower overall numbers, Canders said. We may not see a return until the end of this year, but with restrictions constantly being lifted and things opening up, MBS anticipates a strong domestic travel return by the end of the year.

MBS last week received notice that it is in line to receive $2.2 million from the Federal Aviation Administration as part of the American Rescue Plan signed into law by President Biden earlier this year. MBS will file a grant application this summer and hopes to receive funding approval by this fall, Canders noted.

This is the third round of grant funding MBS will be receiving to help offset COVID-related budget shortfalls.

It will be used primarily to cover payroll for our existing employees, Canders said. Unfortunately, MBS did not receive as much stimulus funding as other Michigan airports, so we have to be a little more conservative with the funds.

In other MBS developments, the airports main runway is slated for major improvements following the airport commissions approval of a $6 million construction/rehabilitation project of taxiway Charlie.

The project is expected to get underway this fall, pending FAA grant approval.
Midland resident Amelia Rose Sutherland, the daughter of Jan Sutherland of Midland and Brian Sutherland of Grand Rapids, won the National American Miss 2021 Miss Michigan Teen Queen at the pageant held in Columbus, Ohio, on June 20.

Sutherland will represent Michigan at the National Pageant at Disney World in Orlando, Florida during Thanksgiving week.

The National American Miss Pageants are based on inner beauty as well as poise and presentation. Emphasis is placed on gaining self-confidence, learning new skills, learning good attitudes about competition, and setting and achieving one's own personal goals. The pageant seeks to recognize the accomplishments of each girl while encouraging her to set her own goals for the future.

Sutherland, a graduate of Midland High School, attends Central Michigan University, majoring in vocal performance with a minor in violin, and is active in the music and arts community. Her other activities include reading, theater, painting, and being a positive force in her community and her church.

Sutherland works at Little Caesar's and for the Great Lakes Loons. Her sponsors for the state pageant include family and friends from Charlotte, Charlevoix, Midland, and Grand Rapids. Her platform includes advocating for student loan debt relief. As a college student, Sutherland is sensitive to the future economic needs of her peers and the enormous burden that student loan debt creates. She will also be volunteering with the local Humane Society and food pantries.

During her reign as Miss Michigan Teen Queen, Sutherland looks forward to public speaking engagements and to her involvement in community activities that showcase her talents, her platform, and her desire to serve.
Michigan lawmakers on Wednesday neared final approval of a $17.1 billion K-12 budget, one that would eliminate a longstanding base per-student funding gap among districts and boost overall funding by a substantial 10%.

The bill was advanced by the Republican-led Senate on a nearly unanimous vote after changes were made. The GOP-controlled House could soon send the legislation to Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer for her expected signature, providing certainty to districts whose fiscal years begin Thursday.

Budgets for state departments will wait, potentially until September, despite a 2019 law requiring that they also be sent to the governor before Friday. The state's fiscal year does not start until Oct. 1.

Traditional districts and charter schools would receive $8,700 in base per-student state aid, not including at least $1,093 more per pupil in federal funding from a rescue package signed by President Joe Biden in March. The state grant would rise by $589, or 7%, for the vast majority of districts and charter schools. Districts at the higher end would get an additional $171, a 2% increase.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Stamas, a Midland Republican, said the state has been working to remove the discrepancy for more than 26 years since school financing was overhauled by voters.

"I'm excited that we're able to make sure to get our education funded," he told reporters, saying the $8,700 grant "is a great place for them to go into their school year starting on July 1st working on their budget. I think that's a positive."

"This is a great bipartisan effort to have the largest investment in education in Michigan's history," said Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr. of East Lansing, the top Democrat on the Senate budget panel. "I'm really proud of the work that the governor did to get here and I was proud to support it."

Legislators embraced Whitmer's revised proposal to expand state-funded preschool to 22,000 eligible but unenrolled 4-year-olds and to raise the amount allotted per child.

The Senate added $240 million to hire additional school nurses and counselors and $155 million for Grand Valley State University to disburse up to $1,000 each to K-5 students who are not proficient in reading. The scholarship could be used for instructional materials, tutoring, summer and afterschool programming.

"The goal of this program is to provide as many good options to parents as humanly possible," said Sen. Lana Theis, a Brighton Republican who cited learning loss as kids went to school online in the coronavirus pandemic.

Senators also included $135 million for districts with a year-round, or "balanced," calendar.

Also Wednesday, both chambers overwhelming passed competing spending bills that would, among other things, immediately use federal COVID-19 relief aid to help hospitals and nursing homes facing pandemic-related financial struggles. But the proposed payments are on hold amid budget discussions that will continue over the summer.

Stamas issued a statement late Wednesday afternoon noting "We are prioritizing our schools and local governments, whose fiscal years start on July 1. We will continue to work with the House and the governor to finalize the remaining state budgets this summer."

"In non-educational spending, we're increasing funding for local governments by over $25 million, providing grants to counties for secondary road patrols, increasing support for our child care providers, providing disaster assistance and using $260 million in federal resources to support nursing facilities and hospitals facing losses due to the pandemic," added Stamas.

The Midland Daily News contributed to this report.
PHARR, Texas (AP)  Republican lawmakers traveled to Texas to cheer former President Donald Trump as he paid a visit to the southern border Wednesday and hammered the Biden administration for its immigration policies amid a decades-high spike in border crossings.

Trump, who was joined by more than two dozen House members, also continued to spread lies about the 2020 election as he participated in a border briefing and visited the wall he championed in a trip that was strikingly similar to the many he'd taken here while president.

Biden is destroying our country. And it all started with a fake election," Trump railed as he stood at the border, an American flag hoisted by a crane waving above him. Trump has persisted in falsely claiming he won in November, even though state and federal election officials, his own attorney general and numerous judges have said there is no evidence of the mass voter fraud he alleges.

Coming fresh off his first rally since leaving the White House, the visit underscored the extent to which Republicans, both nationally and in the states, continue to embrace Trump as the leader of their party. And it demonstrated anew how much the GOP has taken up Trumps signature issue of immigration as the party looks to recapture control of Congress in next years midterm elections.

Trump was invited to South Texas by the states governor, Greg Abbott, who is up for reelection next year and is considered a potential 2024 presidential candidate. After facing criticism for his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, Abbott has taken up Trump's immigration mantle, vowing to continue building the southern border wall that the Biden administration has suspended.

At the wall, Abbott heaped praise on Trump, hailing him as the man who did more to secure the border than anybody and any president ever has."

Pointing to the unfinished border wall rising behind him, Abbott called on Biden to resume construction. This is Bidens fault because President Biden is not continuing what President Trump began," he said. Democrats have long criticized the wall as a symbolic waste of money that does nothing to address the root causes of migration.

The trip came as Trump was facing new and unprecedented legal pressure in New York. His company and longtime finance chief have been indicted on charges stemming from a New York investigation into the former presidents business dealings, two people familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. The charges remain sealed but are expected to be revealed Thursday.

Trump did not respond to shouted questions about the charges or the deadly Capitol insurrection on Jan. 6, when his supporters stormed the building to try to stop the certification of Democrat Joe Biden's victory in the 2020 election. Indeed, some in the audience of House Republicans and GOP staffers booed the reporter who asked if Trump planned to apologize for what happened that day.

While Biden has enjoyed high approval ratings in the first months of his presidency, immigration has consistently been a weak spot. A May Associated Press-NORC Center for Public Affairs Research poll found more than half of Americans  54%  disapprove of his handling of the issue. And a recent Quinnipiac University poll of Texas voters found 64% disapprove of the way Biden is handling the situation at the border; 29% approved.

Trump has hammered the issue in nearly every appearance he has made since leaving office. And on Wednesday, he assailed the Biden administration for reversing the policies hed enacted.

All they had to do was leave it alone," he bemoaned.

Along with the two dozen House members, who skipped a vote in Washington on the creation of a new panel to investigate the events on Jan. 6, Trump was joined in Texas by a cadre of former administration officials, including his acting homeland security secretary and acting commissioner of U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Their presence, along with Trump's familiar grievances, gave the event the feel of a journey back in time for the former president.

We have a sick country, in many ways. Its sick on elections, and its sick at the border," he said as he received a briefing on border security in Weslaco. He later insisted that, were he still president, the wall would have been completed in two months, even though more than 200 miles remained to be built under now-canceled contracts.

It would have been painted, not sitting there rotting and rusting. It would have been perfecto. It was all set, he said.

Democrats representing the state denounced the visit and their characterization of the border;

Lets make one thing clear: the narrative of a violent and insecure border region is blatantly false, said Democratic Rep. Filemon Vela in a statement. The border is not a war zone, and the wall Abbott and Trump are trying to get Texans to pay for is not only a waste of their hard-earned money but also an un-American symbol of hatred that separates and intimidates our communities, harms our wildlife, and encroaches on landowner rights.

U.S. Customs and Border Protection recorded more than 180,000 encounters on the Mexican border in May, the most since March 2000, sparking Republican attacks. Those numbers were boosted by a pandemic-related ban on seeking legal asylum that encouraged migrants to make repeated attempts since getting caught carries no legal consequences.

Nearly 19,000 unaccompanied children were picked up along the border in March 2021, by far the highest month on record. While the number of families and children traveling without their parents has dropped sharply since March and April, encounters with single adults have remained high.

Biden's administration has abandoned many of Trumps hard-line policies, most notably one that forced asylum-seekers to wait in Mexico for hearings in U.S. immigration court. Biden has said he is working to build a humane asylum system, but details have been vague.

Last week, Vice President Kamala Harris, whom Biden tapped to lead his administrations response to the migrant increase, traveled to Texas amid growing pressure from Republicans and some in her party to travel to the border. Trump took credit for forcing her hand.

In recent weeks, Abbott has rolled out get-tough plans and rhetoric on immigration not seen before in Texas. He's promised to continue building Trumps wall on his own and announced plans to shift $250 million in state dollars to new barrier and finance more through crowdsourcing. Abbott and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, also a Republican, have also asked governors to send additional law enforcement staff and resources to the border. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem  two other potential Republican 2024 White House contenders  are among those who have obliged.

Still, Abbotts characterization of the Texas border as a growing emergency is disputed by local officials in the most populous counties along the border, including Hidalgo.

The counties have rejected Abbotts efforts to use the current number of border crossings as justification to issue sweeping disaster declarations, which are usually reserved for hurricanes and fires. But other Texas counties that are hundreds of miles from the border and controlled by Republicans are signing on, including Galveston County, which on Tuesday said it was willing to give more than $6 million in federal recovery funds to help the governor build new border barrier.

___

Associated Press writers Paul Weber and Elliot Spagat contributed to this report.
Washington, US (PANA) - The US on Tuesday called on all parties in the Ethiopian conflict to commit to an immediate, indefinite, negotiated ceasefire
Tripoli, Libya (PANA) - Libyan Minister of Economy and Trade Mohamed Al-Haweij discussed with Tunisian Minister of Trade and Export Development Mohamed Boussaid the cooperation mechanism between the two countries to promote and raise the level of trade, develop border areas and activate transit trade
There are two iconic pieces of signage in Los Angeles. One is big and tall and says "Hollywood," the other is small and red and says "Trader Joe's."

For Angelenos, both are simply a part of the landscape, like the rearing heads of Mexican fan palms or strands of brake lights on the 405. Just as we groan when visitors want a Hollywood sign selfie "Oh, my God. Why?" we gasp when they say they don't live near a Trader Joe's "Oh, my God. How?"

Can it honestly be called "life" if there is no Spiced Cider or two-buck Chuck? No Reduced-Guilt Mac & Cheese, Chocolatey Coated Chocolate Chip Dunkers or Crisp Pasadena Salad With Chicken? Who would choose to live somewhere you cannot buy TJ's peanut butter-filled pretzels or Tempting Trail Mix, which is basically just candy?

It's hard to think of any other market that holds so much sway over its customers, especially a chain with problematic parking and such a frankly bizarre inventory. How did a store that sells 15 kinds of dark chocolate and zero kinds of aluminum foil, a chain that proudly advertises popular items with limited availability, even come into being, never mind becoming wildly successful?

Founder Joe Coulombe will tell you exactly how in his posthumously published new memoir, "Becoming Trader Joe."

In the early 2000s, decades after he had sold it to the German family that also owns Aldi's, Coulombe wrote a "how I did it" history of Trader Joe's, a chronicle of the clever end-runs, deep research and influences that powered the now-national chain. The tone is conversational, one man's view of the world through the wine, spirit and grocery business, filled with the type of puns, literary references and bold-faced pronouncements that mark the store's signage and its legendary promotional leaflet, the Fearless Flyer.

According to Patty Civalleri, who shepherded the book to publication, Coulombe did not imagine the book would ever be published; he wrote it simply to ensure there would be a record. In 2007, he gave it to original Trader Joe's employee and longtime friend Leroy Watson, with instructions to do whatever he wanted with it.

Watson knew the Trader Joe's story almost as well as Coulombe, but he had no idea what to do with a book. Eleven years later, he approached Civalleri, a friend who has published several travel guides, and asked her advice. "I read the book and fell in love," Civalleri says. "Joe's voice was in every sentence."

So at Watson's behest, and with Coulombe's blessing, she edited the manuscript "for grammar and flow," added some images and pitched it to her agent.

Coulombe died in the pre-pandemic days of 2020, which makes the publication of "Becoming Trader Joe: How I Did Business My Way & Still Beat the Big Guys" further proof of his energy and ingenuity: A year after his death, Coulombe is still telling us how it's done.

Though clearly written for fellow entrepreneurs and business types  for all his folksiness, Coulombe had an MBA from Stanford  and published under HarperCollins' Leadership imprint, "Becoming Trader Joe" is much more than a "how-to" guide. Moving from the 1960s to the 1990s, it is also a tour of California's shifting economy and culture, guided by one of its most original thinkers.

As anyone who has ever enjoyed, say, TJ's now-defunct Sir Isaac Newtons or the Bagel Spinoza might surmise, Coulombe drew inspiration from a breathtaking variety of sources. Ernest Hemingway, Buckminster Fuller, Barbara Tuchman, Jose Ortega y Gasset and the Whole Earth Catalog, not to mention the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, all contributed in some way to a market that, in fighting the conformity of corporate brands, became one of the most famous brands of all.

Many Californians think they know the story of Trader Joe's, or at least the important bits.

Coulombe, who remained personally involved in every aspect of the chain for years after he sold it, was always happy to discuss the two articles that revealed to him an emerging demographic: A 1965 Scientific American piece on how the GI Bill had dramatically increased the number of college graduates and a Wall Street Journal story from that same year announcing that the Boing 747 would slash the cost of international travel.

Coulombe, trying to figure out how he could turn his struggling Pronto Markets around, decided that educated people who could now afford the trips they dreamed of might crave the type of products they associated with travel, also at prices they could afford.

In 1966, Coulombe writes, "The op-ed pieces in the LA Times fretted about how we would spend all that leisure time since the thirty-five-hour workweek was now a sure thing so Trader Joe's was conceived in an atmosphere of fun-leisure-party prosperity."

The name and Tiki bar motif came from sources as varied as Disneyland's Jungle Cruise, the songs "Yellow Bird" and "Beyond the Reef" and, of course, Trader Vic's, then at the zenith of its Beverly Hilton glory.

Trader Joe's became what we know and love in three major phases, which Coulombe identifies as "Good Time Charlie" (a party supply-heavy store complete with "girlie magazines"), "Whole Earth Harry" (hitting it big with bran and Brie) and "Mac the Knife" (when changes in California milk and alcohol policies forced Coulombe to move more deeply into TJ-brand food).

If there is a better description of Los Angeles' evolution over those years, I don't know one.

From the moment it begins at the Tail O' the Cock on La Cienega Boulevard, Coulombe's tale is a crazy-like-a-fox exploration of California culture through the lens of one wildly creative and well-read man always looking for a new way over, around or through. Entrepreneurs will no doubt find plenty of inspiration, but fans will find a fascinating origin story.

If nothing else, Trader Joe's "normalized" previously outlier foods, from trail mix to frozen tacos. Did you know that for many years, TJ's was one of the few markets offering extra-large eggs, almond butter, wild rice and real maple syrup? That it got into fruit and nuts, because the only local company that packaged bran insisted on shipping those as well? That Trader Joe's was among the first grocery stores in the U.S. to accept credit cards and that in the early days, it had its own winery? In Cucamonga?

There were plenty of mistakes and misfires  Coulombe's dream of building a store in one of Fuller's geodesic domes didn't pan out. He had to walk back claims that a Trader Joe's brand of dog food was based on a formula devised at UC Davis (though the store still sells the no-corn kibble). And, as evidenced by the recent controversy over culturally modified brands including Trader Jose and Trader Ming, not all of the linguistic whimsy has worked.

But two things never changed: Inexpensive wine and well-paid workers. Coulombe devotes several chapters to the importance of paying workers well  minimal turn-over, fewer worries about unionization  which, given the current conflicts over raising the minimum wage, feels just as relevant as it did more than half a century ago.

And then there is the food. It's hard to imagine a Whole Foods without the path cut by Trader Joe's. More important, though many may argue about the names or even the quality of some its offerings, TJ's predicted  and helped create  the international and intercultural exploration that has redefined American cuisine.

For Civalleri, working on the book reminded her how big an imprint Trader Joe's had on the culture of food. "Back in the '60s and '70s, our culture was all about processed food, canned food, homogenized brands. Joe found room to do something different. And that changed everything."

Also, those peanut butter-filled pretzels.

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BLOOMINGTON  Theft, criminal damage to property and criminal trespass to building charges have been filed against a Bloomington man after he was seen on surveillance video breaking into two downtown Bloomington buildings.

Darryl M.J. Griffin, 29, is accused of shattering a glass door in the underground parking deck between 205 N. Main St. and 112 E. Washington St. Sunday night.

Bloomington police responded Monday to a break-in reported at 205 N. Main St., Bloomington, owned by 121 N. Main, LLC. The building is occupied by Pantagraph Media Group and Heartland Bank and Trust Company.

Surveillance video captured Griffin entering the building about 9:45 p.m. Sunday, then travel throughout the building and defecating in a trash can on the third floor, prosecutors said.

Plywood has been placed over the door entering 205 N. Main St. through the underground parking deck.

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Video later showed Griffin entering 112 E. Washington St.  owned by Urban Equity Properties  and walking into an office area where he took a set of keys and a check from an envelope within outgoing mail, prosecutors said.

The former State Farm building at 112 E. Washington St. is now occupied by Keplr Vision, parent company for All About Eyes and dozens of other optical businesses, after it moved its headquarters to the building's top four floors last spring.

A probable cause statement read in court also said Griffin admitted to police to entering both buildings and stealing the check and set of keys.

Griffin was released from custody Tuesday on a $5,000 personal recognizance bond. He was ordered to have no contact with the 205 N. Main St. and 112 E. Washington St. buildings in Bloomington.

An arraignment is scheduled for July 16.

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DWIGHT  Law enforcement is investigating a suspected homicide after Dwight police officers found a dead elderly woman in a vehicle driven by a man they had encountered. A lawyer told the Chicago Tribune the woman is his mother.

Marc Holliman, 53, of Chicago, is charged in Cook County with first-degree murder and concealment of a homicidal death, as authorities determined the death occurred in Chicago, officials said.

Dwight police were dispatched at about 10:45 a.m. Monday to Northbrook Drive, Dwight, for a report of theft from a vehicle.

Officers spoke to Holliman, but he indicated he did not want additional assistance, police said.

About an hour later, Holliman approached Dwight police officers at Northbrook Drive bleeding with suspected self-inflicted injuries.

Dwight police located a body in Hollimans car before he was transported to an area hospital. He was later released from the hospital.

The woman was identified as Juanita Holliman. Her death was ruled a homicide, according to a news release from the Grundy County coroners office.

According to Jason Helland, the Grundy County states attorney, Dwight police said Juanita Holliman was Marc Hollimans mother, according to the Tribune.

Nine law enforcement agencies  including Chicago police, Dwight police, Livingston County and Grundy County sheriffs offices, and Illinois State Police Crime Scene unit  continue to investigate the incident.

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CHICAGO  New data shows about 10% of Illinois students had access to full-time in-person learning from September 2020 to April 2021, with this access higher for white students compared with students of color.

Illinois ranks 42nd in the country when evaluating the most access to full-time in-person learning during that period of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to research published Tuesday in the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Preventions Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. Wyoming and Montana had the greatest access on average, while Hawaii had the least.

Illinois was among 43 states where access to full-time in-person learning was higher for non-Hispanic white students. Study authors noted virtual learning can lead to learning losses and adverse mental health for children and parents. Researchers gave a few potential reasons for the racial disparities.

Urban districts might be less likely to open for full-time in-person learning, in part because of higher COVID-19 community rates, and these districts generally include more students of color, the study authors wrote. Further, rates of COVID-19 hospitalization and mortality have been higher in communities of color, and districts serving a larger share of these students might have faced more significant public health challenges as they made decisions about reopening schools.

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In Chicago Public Schools, for example, the resumption of in-person classes, which was staggered by grade levels, was delayed several times amid safety concerns from some parents as well as Chicago Teachers Union leaders, who often cited the pandemics higher toll in predominantly Black and Latino neighborhoods.

As vaccinations increased and communities around the country began to relax restrictions, access to full-time in-person learning for non-Hispanic white students increased by 36 percentage points from January to April nationwide, compared to 31 percentage points for Black students; 23 percentage points for Hispanic students and 30 percentage points for students of other races and ethnicities.

The study relied on numbers representing about 46% of kindergarten through 12th grade public school enrollment in the U.S., including data for nearly 800,000 Illinois students. The study examined what proportion of students had the choice of in-person classes, not the rate of students who actually returned.

As of May 3, the most recent state information available online, 423 of Illinois 849 school districts were providing blended or hybrid learning, 398 were fully in person and 28 were fully remote.

The Illinois State Board of Education adopted a resolution requiring daily in-person learning for the coming school year with few exceptions for remote learning. CPS, the largest school district in Illinois and third in the U.S., recently unveiled plans for a fully remote Virtual Academy for medically fragile students.

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On a Friday night this spring, surveillance cameras detected a stolen car driving through a Vernon Hills neighborhood. Police were alerted, tracked the car to a nearby gas station, and charged the driver with illegally possessing a stolen vehicle, drugs and a gun.

The arrest was a prime example of how automated license plate recognition, or ALPRs, can help catch criminals and possibly prevent crime, police Chief Patrick Kreis said.

These cameras have helped us, he said. Perhaps that prevented further wrongdoing.

Critics of the cameras note that only a tiny percentage of the billions of plates photographed lead to an arrest, and that the cameras generally havent been shown to prevent crime. More importantly they say the devices are unregulated, track innocent people and can be misused to invade drivers privacy.

The controversy comes as suburban police departments continue to expand the use of the cameras to combat rising crime. Law enforcement officials say they are taking steps to safeguard the data. But privacy advocates say the state should pass a law to ensure against improper use of a nationwide surveillance system operated by private companies.

Across the Chicago area, one survey by the nonprofit watchdog group Muckrock found 88 cameras used by more than two dozen police agencies. In response to a surge in shootings, after much delay, state police are taking steps to add the cameras to area expressways. In the northwest suburbs, Vernon Hills and Niles are among several departments that have added license plate cameras recently.

The city of Chicago has ordered more than 200 cameras for its squad cars. In Indiana, the city of Hammond has taken steps to record nearly every vehicle that comes into town.

Not all police like the devices. In the southwest suburbs, Darien and La Grange had issues in years past with the cameras making false readings, and some officers stopped using them.

Unlike other cameras, which monitor traffic flow or issue speeding tickets, license plate readers are designed to record the plate number, make, model and color of every vehicle that passes, and often compare them to the National Crime Information Center or a local police hot sheet, which may list stolen cars, suspended plates and people with outstanding arrest warrants or traffic violations.

Homeowner associations may also tie their cameras into the systems, which is what led to the arrest in Vernon Hills.

One of the leading sellers of such cameras, Vigilant Solutions, a part of Chicago-based Motorola Solutions, has collected billions of license plate numbers in its National Vehicle Location Service. The database shares information from thousands of police agencies, and can be used to find cars across the country.

The cameras often are mounted on police cars. But some departments have reported problems with that arrangement, noting the system may record addresses or other useless numbers, and may flag hits for vehicles going in the opposite direction, too late to stop them. So some officials prefer to mount the cameras on light poles, traffic light poles, or other stationary sites.

In Prospect Heights, cameras helped identify a car in a hit-and-run, leading to the arrest of the suspected driver, Chief Jim Zawlocki said.

Police there dont use the cameras for traffic enforcement, only using them when there is an incident prompting an investigation, such as a crime or a missing person.

Theyre very beneficial when were actively investigating something, he said.

In nearby Mundelein, police stopped using a license plate reader recently after several years. The chief said the system never worked as well as theyd hoped, often getting tripped up by outdated information. Another issue police identified is the long time it takes to get permission from the Illinois Department of Transportation to put a camera on a state route.

And in north suburban Highland Park, police looked into using the cameras, but the City Council has held off while seeking more information.

If the city were to use the cameras, City Manager Ghida Neukirch said, it would require tight restrictions, including only using the information with limited access for investigations, and deleting the information after 30 days.

We are certainly sensitive to privacy concerns, she said. Its imperative that any municipality have a detailed policy set forth on when it would be used, and have a reporting mechanism so the public understands how its being used.

In a survey of law enforcement agencies using the cameras, the Electronic Frontier Foundation, a nonprofit watchdog, found that 99.5% of the plates were not under suspicion when scanned, and that police shared their data with an average of 160 other agencies.

Two big concerns the American Civil Liberties Union has always had about the cameras are that the information can be used to track the movements of the general population, and often is sold by operators to third parties like credit and insurance companies.

Then there is the potential for abuse by police. One investigation found that officers nationwide misused agency databases hundreds of times, to check on ex-girlfriends, romantic rivals, or perceived enemies.

To address those concerns, 16 states have passed laws restricting the use of the cameras. The ACLU supported such legislation in Illinois and Indiana, but it failed to pass in either state. As a first step, the agency called for states at least to monitor what agencies are using the technology, and in what manner.

And local officials should have public hearings to decide if or how residents want such surveillance.

There ought to be a discussion of how much surveillance a community thinks is appropriate, ACLU of Illinois spokesman Ed Yohnka said. We dont think its a decision that ought to be solely left to law enforcement agencies.

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President Joe Biden made a stop in La Crosse Tuesday to tour the citys hybrid and electric bus fleet while promoting his infrastructure plan, pitching to communities big and small that the new bill will work for them.

In a machine shop at the La Crosse Municipal Transit Utility complex, with a sign reading American Jobs Plan plastered on one of La Crosses newest hybrid electric buses, Biden gave remarks to a group of community members, workers and officials after touring the facility.

The tour and pitch for the now $1.2 trillion bipartisan plan comes after a weekend of bumps for the president after he walked back a comment that he would not approve the bill unless another set of Democratic proposals hit his desk as well. Hes since clarified that he has no plans to veto the plan.

Biden and a number of local and state leaders, as well as a local bus driver, made the case that the American Jobs Plan will directly benefit rural and working class America, emphasizing that the bipartisan agreement reached is a testament that it will help Americans from all walks of life.

After months of careful negotiation, of listening, compromising together and in good faith moving together, with ups and downs and some blips, a bipartisan group of senators got together and they forged an agreement to move forward on the key priorities of my America Jobs Plan, Biden said.

There will be more disagreements to resolve, more compromises to forge along the way, but today the American people can be proud. The Democrats and Republicans, the families here in Wisconsin can be proud, he said. Because this country came together and forged a bipartisan deal ... that delivers for everybody.

Part of that infrastructure bill could go to support initiatives that are being spearheaded in La Crosse, officials said.

The city has been making investments into its sustainable transit in recent years, adding hybrid and electric buses to its fleet, some of only a handful in the entire state. It currently has three hybrid buses and is adding two more next year, as well as two fully electric buses coming later this fall. The city is set to invest around $5 million in sustainable buses in the next two years according to the 2022 equipment budget, initiatives largely funded by state and federal dollars.

A partnership with Xcel Energy and the city is also underway to build new infrastructure to support and charge the new electric buses hitting the streets this fall, and new clean diesel buses are already on the street.

This bipartisan deal, Biden said, its going to help advance that effort.

Local leaders said Bidens tour of the bus fleet and trip to the city was a chance to show that sustainable work and new infrastructure can begin in smaller communities.

When you hear these stories about infrastructure and buses, a lot of its focused on some of our large metropolitan areas, said MTU director Adam Lorentz. And for the president and everybody else to come here and see a city of our size and how important it is  if you really want this type of infrastructure, renewable energy to roll out, you need to start with communities like this.

Biden also spoke about building infrastructure to address environmental concerns that plague Wisconsin, such as flooding and drinking water contaminations. He spoke directly on the PFAS contamination, a group of toxic forever chemicals that has been detected in hundreds of wells in the community.

Its a problem all over the country and I know that youre feeling it right here in La Crosse County. Just this spring the state had to provide free bottled water to thousands of people on French Island because they were worried about those chemicals in their ground water which were linked to cancer and other illnesses, Biden said.

Well pay for that, well get that done, he said.

Biden touched on the benefits the plan will have on broadband, highways, roads, bridges and more, as well as the jobs the plan is expected to create.

He also touched on his tax plan hes proposed to help pay for it, part of which a group of local Republicans and farmers said they opposed at an event the day before Bidens trip because of its impact on family farms. Biden emphasized that the plan would mostly impact the countrys wealthiest, though.

I think its time to give working people a tax break, Biden said, a comment that received applause from the group of local workers.

Other state officials agreed that the package was a unification plan of sorts to bring different problems and people together.

In order for our recovery to be successful, and President Biden knows this as well, we have to do what I like to call connecting the dots. Which is just to say we have to see how each issue in our state and country effects all of them, said Gov. Tony Evers, saying issues from child care to job training, transit, the environment, farming, broadband and more need to be looked at together.

I really like what he said is this: from the bottom out and the middle out. And that is so important, lets make sure that we include everyone in our economy, said state Sen. Brad Pfaff, D-Onalaska.

It connects the dots, Pfaff said, echoing Evers. It demonstrates that whats happening in Washington D.C. has a real world impact here at the local level. And it also demonstrates the fact that in order for us to make sure we can control to grow our economy we need to make sure that we include all different facets of it.

Its all interconnected, he said.

The impact the pending infrastructure plan will have on La Crosse and other local communities will depend on working between state and local governments, officials emphasized, another plug for a unified effort.

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds said that hes confident the work the city is already doing on rebuilding roads and improving other infrastructure will be supplemented by the plan, and will aid local governments juggling the different aspects of supporting a community.

We still have to make sure that were not only fixing roads and fixing bridges but also making sure that we have an operational fire department and police department, and libraries that provides services and parks that provide services, and any number of other functions of city government, the mayor said.

If theres money that the federal governments putting into infrastructure to the (tune of) $1.2 trillion, if that is in fact the case, its going to help a lot.

Officials responded in different ways to Bidens La Crosse trip, his second to the state since taking office.

In a statement Republican Sen. Ron Johnson took issue with overall spending.

What President Biden needs to learn and acknowledge today is that Wisconsin employers are finding it almost impossible to hire the workers they need because federal unemployment benefits provide an enormous incentive not to work. Biden and his fellow Democrats refuse to acknowledge their socialist policies are creating greater dependency, hampering economic recovery, and further mortgaging our childrens future, he said.

Everyone agrees we must invest in infrastructure. Unfortunately, weve recently added $6 trillion to our national debt that now exceeds $28 trillion. A fiscally responsible infrastructure bill would use the $700 billion of COVID relief spending that isnt spent in this fiscal year and repurpose that amount for real infrastructure  not new entitlements, Johnson said.

Johnson was not in attendance Tuesday, but Democratic Sen. Tammy Baldwin joined Biden, as did Lt. Gov. Mandela Barnes, Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, and La Crosse County Chair Monica Kruse.

The executive director of Wisconsin Farmers Union, Julie-Keown Bomar, penned an op-ed ahead of Bidens visit in support of the American Jobs Plan for its investment in broadband, roads, flood control and more.

Help educate those around you about the benefits of the American Jobs Plan, even if you dont agree with every single line item. This is the largest investment in rural areas that most of us will see in our lifetime and it could change the quality of life in big ways, Keown-Bomar said in the piece.

Both Biden and Baldwin emphasized in their remarks that the infrastructure plan was not the last stop for them, both referencing the American Families Plan and the childcare efforts it calls for, and more as Democrats also anticipate bringing budget reconciliation to the table with a number of other key items on their agenda.

The visit to La Crosse on Tuesday signals that Biden and his team have kept Wisconsin on his mind, a purple state that flipped blue for Biden in 2020 after supporting former President Donald Trump in 2016.

Western Wisconsin in particular will be a must watch area for the state in the midterms and leading into the next election cycle, home to a number of pivot counties and a high-intensity congressional race.

Last month, Bidens U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Marty Walsh visited La Crosse as well to pitch the infrastructure plan, touring Dairyland Power Cooperative.

The president is scheduled to visit Michigan over the holiday weekend to promote the countrys progress against the pandemic, and is also set to visit Miami on Thursday in response to the residential building collapse that has killed at least 11 people and has still left around 150 unaccounted for.

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People want Congress, or the Legislature, or fill-in-the-blank-government-entity to "put politics aside and solve problems."

"Why can't they just do that?" people want to know.

For a perfect example of why it's harder and harder to "just do that," especially in Washington, look for a minute at the For the People Act that Democrats tried to move through the Senate last week.

The federal elections and campaign overhaul started life in 2019 as a 706-page message bill, meaning a best-case-scenario, in-a-perfect-world proposal. It wasn't designed to pass, so much as to illustrate the values Democrats hold when it comes to campaigns and elections.

As usually happens, after an even larger proposal came forward in 2021, someone, in this case Sen. Joe Manchin, put forward a trimmed down concept that the Democrat said he could sell to his voters at home in West Virginia.

Georgia's U.S. Sen. Raphael Warnock told NBC News he thought Manchin's overall compromise was "significant."

Stacey Abrams, who has become a national leader on voting rights, called Manchin's concepts "a vital first step," adding that it was "absolutely" the kind of compromise she could support.

Abrams never said she would support only the Manchin proposal, or that she would stop fighting for more. But within hours fellow Democrats and voting rights groups were on Abrams, pushing her to say Manchin's proposal was not nearly enough.

While Democrats were balking at Abrams from the Left, Republican campaign operatives started circulating years-old Warnock statements, when he equated state voter ID cards to a poll tax. The Republican National Committee accused Warnock of flip-flopping, since Manchin's framework would have included a voter ID provision.

Instead, his openness to Manchin's idea was, wait for it, compromising, Not caving. Not flip flopping. But being willing to consider an idea that's half of what most Democrats wanted, but much more than what they got in the end.

Shot down from the start, Manchin's idea never got off the ground. And Republicans in the Senate blocked the larger bill, calling it a partisan power grab.

But the entire episode showed how few incentives for compromise exist in modern politics, and how many incentives there are for elected officials to simply dig in their heels.

Not long ago, Sen. Johnny Isakson occupied the Senate seat that Warnock is in now. Before Isakson was Sen. Paul Coverdell. Both Republicans were known to be conservative, but also ready to work with Democrats when it advanced their goals.

As conservative as Coverdell was, he teamed up with Sen. Ted Kennedy on the education overhaul known as No Child Left Behind.

If you have ever put money into a 529 savings account for a child's education, you can thank Coverdell and Kennedy for the compromise that created it.

Coverdell's originally learned the Art of Getting What You Can during his 15 years in the Georgia state Senate, when he was one of just five Republicans in the 55-member chamber. Once he was in Washington, Coverdell relied on face-to-face meetings with other senators, instead of meetings between staff, to find areas where a deal could get done.

Coverdell's days of sit-down diplomacy were also the ones before smartphones and Twitter and CNN's Manu Raju broadcasting hallway reaction live on cable news before other senators have even heard the opening offer.

That kind of instant feedback amplifies the critics before a concept can even become a framework.

Every one of the most important legislative achievements in Congress has been the result of some kind of compromise, from education to health care to military bases to nuclear nonproliferation.

Over the next week, members of Congress are working to negotiate compromises on everything from police reform to voting rights to a massive infrastructure package.

If you want progress on any of those issues before the next presidential election, don't fall for the partisan talking points or the fundraising appeals.

Pick up your phone and make the case to the ones who need to hear it.

Patricia Murphy is a columnist for The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

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Photo: (Photo : Getty Images / Staff)

Wonder Woman actress Gal Gadot proudly announced that they are now a family of five after the birth of her third daughter and the actress has named her Daniella.

Gadot introduced Daniella to the world in an Instagram post and said that she couldn't be more grateful and happy to welcome the baby into their family. The actress, who has been married to Israeli real estate developer Yaron Varsano since 2008, is already a mom to 9-year-old Alma and 4-year-old Maya.

In April 2021, Gadot confirmed to late-night host Jimmy Kimmel that she's pregnant with her third baby. She told him that her eldest daughter was not thrilled with the idea of having another sibling at the start of her pregnancy but as her due date neared, the superstar said that Alma and Maya have been "super, super excited" for the birth.

Pregnant While Filming Wonder Woman

During the filming of her first blockbuster superhero movie in late 2016, Gadot was pregnant with Maya. According to Business Insider, the production had to use CGI magic to cover up her baby bump during the reshoots of Wonder Woman as she was in the second trimester of her pregnancy.

Read Also: Eager To Find Out: Is it a Boy or a Girl?

Fortunately, director Patty Jenkins didn't have to reshoot a lot of the action scenes. However, Gadot said in one interview during the press rounds for Wonder Woman that she will tell Maya that she was inside her mommy's tummy while they were filming a battle for the movie.

For her third pregnancy, Gadot was lying low because of the pandemic restrictions and her condition so she was able to spend her time with her daughters. In the months leading up to Daniella's birth, the actress was spotted with her face mask on as she took Alma and Maya to their dance classes. The mother and daughters were also seen shopping in town in Los Angeles, where the family is based.

Life With A Newborn

In a virtual guest appearance on Live With Kelly and Ryan, Gadot confirmed the baby's sex and said that they will stick to what they know about raising daughters. The mother then went on to share that they "messed up" Alma's sleep routine as their first baby.

Gadot believes that the hardest part of having a newborn is the lack of sleep but she has since mastered sleep training with her second child. With Maya, the actress and her husband had an easier time letting her sleep through the night by the time she was five months old.

Related Article: Can a Mommy Makeover Help You Regain Your Pre-Baby Body?

Meanwhile, Gadot will soon start work on a new movie, Meet Me in Another Life, where she will also wear the producer's hat along with her husband. According to Deadline, the couple snapped up the rights to turn Catriona Silvey's book into a film via their production company, Pilot Wave. Gadot will also star in the movie but the rest of the cast has not yet been revealed.
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The Minister of Energy, Dr Matthew Opoku Prempeh, has said the Government is working towards boosting Ghana's industrialisation with clean and reliable energy systems, such as nuclear and renewables.



He said there was a growing consensus that nuclear energy had an important role in decarbonising electricity generation for accelerated industrial development.



While renewable energy sources are expected to continue to grow significantly, nuclear power, an important part of todays clear energy, is also the largest source of lower-carbon electricity generation in advanced economies, providing approximately 40 percent of all low carbon generations, he said.



He referred to an International Energy Agency report on clean energy system asserting that without nuclear investment, achieving a sustainable energy system would be much harder with implications to emissions, cost and energy security.



Dr Opoku Prempeh stated this, in a speech read on his behalf, at a Stakeholders Forum on Ghanas Nuclear Power Programme in Accra.



Under the theme: Nuclear Energy Innovations: The Future Technologies for Clean Energy and how to drive deep decarbonisation of Ghanas power sector", the forum was organised by the Association of Ghana Industries (AGI), in collaboration with Nuclear Power Ghana (NPG).



Dr Opoku Prempeh noted that turning to clean energy systems for electricity generation would also decarbonise other areas, such as transportation, and other environmental pollution activities.



"Within Ghanas power generation side, issues on consistent demand growth, high tariff for industries, affordability, reliability, and resilience criteria have brought to the fore the issue of an alternative base-load power," he stated.





Considering the facts available on the country's energy needs, capacity, cost and other related issues, nuclear energy, he said, could provide that alternative clean base-load power.



A new nuclear power station does not only generate reliable low carbon electricity but also provides wider social-economic benefits both during its development, construction and the subsequent 60 years that the plant would be in operation.



He recalled that in 2007, former President John Agyekum Kufuor set up a committee, chaired by Professor Daniel Adzei-Bekoe, to explore the possibility of Ghana using nuclear energy as an alternative based-load source of power.



This was around the time that Ghana was faced with supply power challenges.



To sustain the natural progression of the countrys technological energy advancement, he noted, subsequent governments had supported this effort to improve the countrys energy security to provide leadership and resources to facilitate the nuclear power programme.



This has given birth to the NPG to become the owner/operator of Ghanas first nuclear power plant.



He said the NPG Board, under the chairmanship of Mr Fred Oware, was focused on providing relevant resources to build a strong safety culture and resilience management systems that adhered to standards in the planning and development of nuclear infrastructure and related activities across the country.



In addition to electricity generation, nuclear energy, the Minister said, could provide solutions to an even wider range of applications - those innovative nuclear technologies such as small modular reactors would complement existing large reactors to enable deep decarbonization as part of the clean energy transition.



"Nuclear technologies are equally improving peoples lives in many other ways and are supporting sustainable developments," he said.



"Medical, industry and agriculture applications of nuclear technology are in use all over the world, including Ghana.

Source: GNA









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Fidelity Bank and VIAMO are partnering to bring financial innovation to the Ashanti and Western regions of Ghana. The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) announces that it has entered into an agreement with Fidelity Bank Ghana, a leading commercial bank headquartered in Ghana engaged in financial inclusion and Viamo, a global social enterprise improving lives via mobile, under the GrEEn Project to increase access and usage of financial services for youth, women and returning migrants in the Ashanti and Western regions of Ghana.



Access to and usage of financial services and resources is a key contributor to the economic empowerment of women and youth. For Ghanaians living in remote areas, limited digital and financial literacy have hindered access to such services. In remote communities where these financial services are accessible, they are often not tailored to meet the specific needs of the local population, further limiting the ability of women and youth to actively contribute to their local economies.



With the support of the European Union, UNCDF is excited about the partnership with Fidelity Bank and Viamo to provide financial solutions that reach the most isolated populations and empower them to make informed financial decisions. Leveraging on Fidelity banks signature digital account, dubbed the Smart Account, customers can remotely open bank accounts via an end-to-end self-service platform using the USSD short code*776# or an Interactive Voice Response (IVR) service. Additionally, Fidelity Bank together with Viamo will design engaging mobile content and adapt existing solutions to empower recipients with customized, actionable information about job opportunities, entrepreneurship and financial services. This information will be geared towards the recipient's own interests and aspirations, and will be deployed via Viamo's flagship 3-2-1 product, a cutting-edge local language on demand IVR communication service, specifically designed to ensure inclusiveness of illiterate and non-smartphone users. 



"Efie Ni Efie" (Home is where your treasure lies) offers three primary value propositions on (i) Information (ii) Education, and (iii) Products, harnessing local potential to unlock green, sustainable livelihoods through access to useful financial information. Efie Ni Efie is taking the excluded groups through a journey, providing them with the knowledge and tools to persuade them into making the all-important financial and non-financial decisions to stay in their local community, hence reducing the appeal of irregular migration. Additionally, Fidelity Banks customer-friendly remote account opening service will leverage Viamo's IVR in local dialects for non-literate persons to open and use bank accounts easily and conveniently.



Financial literacy is at the core of the GrEEn project and we look forward to seeing thousands of youth and women from the Ashanti and Western regions of Ghana financially empowered, said Arianna Gasparri, Financial Inclusion Specialist for UNCDF. Thanks to the European Union, UNCDF is able to support financial innovations and bring them to the last mile in a sustainable manner. Financial education is indeed one of the key enablers to drive the journey of GrEEn targeted groups towards economic independence, and digital innovation is helping us accelerate these results.



Commenting on the partnership, Director of Inclusive Banking at Fidelity Bank, Esi Mills Robertson, stated, "As a key contributor to Ghanas financial inclusion agenda, we are happy to partner with Viamo to deliver innovative digital solutions to the people of the Western and Ashanti regions of Ghana. Indeed, Fidelity is always eager to partner with like-minded institutions to drive change with easily accessible and innovative digital solutions that can positively impact lives."



Country Director for Viamo in Ghana, Sandra Abrokwah, also expressed enthusiasm about the project; she said, Viamo is thrilled to partner with Fidelity Bank on the GrEEn Project. We believe all people deserve access to the information they need to make decisions for healthy, prosperous lives. Financial education across Ashanti and Western regions via mobile is an effort that will drive economic growth and empowerment, leaving a lasting impact.





The project is planned to run until 2023 and the joint partnership aims at reaching 70,000 new users with improved financial knowledge in selected districts of the GrEEn Project. Under the European Union Emergency Trust Fund for Africa, UNCDF aims to create dynamic financial ecosystems at the local level to support targeted groups in their journey towards economic independence, thereby addressing the root causes of irregular migration.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Zeepay, the fastest growing mobile financial services company across Africa, has signed a Technical Cooperation Agreement with ICODE Ghana, a technology and business innovation hub in Takoradi. The signing event which took place on Friday 24th June, 2021 at ICODE Hub, will see a mutual exchange of technical services for innovation in the Western Region which includes hackathons and other related Zeepay projects.



This comes as Zeepay was awarded a grant from UNCDF to continue its financial inclusion efforts with the goal of providing last mile financial services to Ghanaians and Africans at large. With ICODE, Zeepay has an agenda of actively extending its operations to the Region through technological innovations focusing on remote communities.



What makes this deal a landmark is the fact that two homegrown companies have come together to sign a cooperation agreement that will make it possible for Zeepay to support ICODE with funding and technical support, said Hon. Kwadwo Okyere Darko Mensah, the Western Regional minister, at the signing event. We believe through this relationship the youth in the Region will not only have access to Zeepay's Application Programming Interfaces (API) but also business mentoring, and employment generation.



During the event, Zeepay made a donation of GHS 50,000 to ICODE to support initiatives towards monitoring and evaluation work, talent development and nurturing of local start ups.



Through this cooperation, there is going to be an opportunity for people in the Western Region to be challenged to come up with innovative and bankable business ideas through a series of hackathons and pitch events supported by Zeepay as well as career development opportunities for the unemployed and young graduates within the Region from various educational institutions also supported by Zeepay, said Prince Bonney, CEO of ICODE Ghana.



Zeepay also continued its graduate recruitment drive during the weekend at Takoradi Technical University and University of Mines and Technology to seek for potential interns and entry-level employees.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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Namibia has stopped giving second Covid-19 vaccine doses to prioritize those who are yet to receive their first jabs as supplies dwindle.



The health ministry said it will redistribute its remaining Covid-19 vaccine stock to areas with increased virus cases and fatalities.



The ministry said those due for their second dose will only be vaccinated in July when new stocks arrive.



The Namibian news site reported that the country had run out of the China-made Sinopharm vaccine.



The health ministry said it was expecting AstraZeneca doses in July through the Covax scheme.

Source: BBC









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Pressure group, OccupyGhana has condemned the "incidents of violence" by the Military against angry youth in Ejura in the Ashanti Region who were agitating against the killing of an activist, Ibrahim Mohammed.



In a statement, the group demanded that "Parliament must now take the lead by passing a law that regulates the involvement of the military in matters concerning the interior. That law must provide for military activation only when irrefutable evidence shows national police personnel will be overwhelmed by an escalating event. That law must also provide for a full-scale judicial inquiry into each such activation, whatever the results are, reports published and punishments meted to those who flout the law and cause needless deaths".



Read full statement below



OccupyGhana condemns in no uncertain terms, the incidents of violence perpetuated against Ghanaians in Ejura in the Ashanti Region by the military, urged on by the Police. These citizens were demonstrating against the murder of Ibrahim Mohammed, a social media activist who had been insisting that the country needed to be fixed. It is painfully ironic that the Police, who apparently do not have answers as yet for the circumstances under which the activist was killed, could then line up with the military to engage in the maiming and killing demonstrating citizens in Ejura in marksman style, as videos and photos of the incidents suggest.



Our history is replete with several instances of the deployment of the military and deadly force to quell protests; and they have almost always ended in the shooting and killing of civilians. One would have thought that after the 28 February 1948 Crossroads shooting incident, the use of deadly force to control crowds would be the last thing that any government of an independent Ghana would authorise or tolerate. We reject the notion that the only way that authorities know of to de-escalate tension, is the deployment of the military, and that the militarys only knowledge about such matters is the use of deadly force.



The contrasts in our recent history are sharp and real. The deployment of the military and deadly force led to the Kume Preko killings and Techiman South killings. To the best of our knowledge, no one was punished for those killings. In contrast, the non-deployment of the military during the Occupy Flagstaff House demonstration meant that although the police wrongfully arrested some protesters, no one was shot or maimed.



We clearly have learned no lessons from these, hence that national embarrassment on live TV when the military was called in on our Parliament, however rowdy the election process of the Speaker was, literally at the dawn of this stage of the Fourth Republic.



We have learned no lessons also because these incidents have never been thoroughly investigated, and no one is ever punished for taking the lives of citizens of the land through such needless military action.



Soldiers are built and trained for war. The presence of the military in any civil event could turn that location into a potential war zone, where one side has all the firepower purchased for them by the citizens at the receiving end of the force. This is why it is the civil Police that should lead out in all matters involving the interior.



That is why we condemn the militarisation of keeping the peace in Ghana. It must end forthwith. The last citizen-funded bullet fired on citizens should be the last ever.



In the face of repeated executive failure to lead on this matter, We demand that Parliament must now take the lead by passing a law that regulates the involvement of the military in matters concerning the interior. That law must provide for military activation only when irrefutable evidence shows national police personnel will be overwhelmed by an escalating event. That law must also provide for a full scale judicial inquiry into each such activation, whatever the results are, reports published and punishments meted to those who flout the law and cause needless deaths.



We express our deepest condolences to the families of the dead. We wish those in hospital all the best and speedy recovery. Our thoughts and prayers are with all of them.



Yours for God and Country,



OccupyGhana

Source: Peacefmonline.com/Ghana









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Zeepay, Africa's leading challenger Fintech today announces completion of its Series A.0 fund raise in a round led by Investisseurs & Partenaires (I&P).



The leading Ghanaian Fintech announced that it has completed a fundraise of USD7.9 million in its Series A.0 which was a hybrid of both equity and balance sheet funds to support its operations. Zeepay is a pioneer of digital remittances from the diaspora to mobile wallets, bank accounts and visa cards across 20 markets in Africa, where it either operates a mobile money business or has approved partnerships. The business is successfully transitioning into an integrated omni-channel digital payments and value-added financial services provider operating across the continent.



The fund raise was led by I&P, an impact investing group with over USD250m in assets under management in the amount of USD3 million, and supported by ARK Holdings, a privately held family investment portfolio on behalf of Andrew Takyi-Appiah (Managing Director) and Zoe Takyi-Appiah in the amount of USD800,000. GOODsoil VC, an African-focused early-stage venture capital firm committed a follow-on investment to the tune of USD800,000 and were advised by Obsidian Achernar, a financial services firm licensed by Bank of Ghana. The transaction advisors for this raise were Verdant Capital and JLD & MB legal Consultancy.



The company raised a debt of USD3.3 million to drive balance sheet activities mainly for liquidity purposes which was led by Absa Bank Ghana in the amount of USD1.8 million and USD1.5 million supported by First National Bank Ghana. Zeepay, prior to the fund raise had efficiently deployed a total of about USD450,000 since its go-to-market in May 2016 to achieve a cumulative average growth rate of about 146 percent during the 5 years leading to these transactions. An exciting story on the continent, full of hope and inspiring for the New African - that is the young African looking to chart their own path through start ups across the Continent.



Andrew Takyi-Appiah, Managing Director and Founder of Zeepay mentioned that "Our raise of USD7.9 million in Series A.0 gives Zeepay a strong capital table, ahead of closing our Series A.5 in the coming months. I am delighted to mention that the raise is coming at the time when we have successfully moved into our new Commercial Property in Accra."



Mr. TakyiAppiah further mentioned that "Our performance, I believe is attributable to the Grace of God. Indeed, it is my wish that our Founding Chairman, Dr. Anthony Kwasi Appiah, was here today as we sign this deal. He played a pivotal role in getting the company to where it is today. May his soul continue to rest in peace. I would also like to take the opportunity to thank Mr. Kwame Achampong-Kyei and the GLICO Group for their diligent support over the last 5years."



According to Mr. Paa Kwesi Yankey, the Chairman of Zeepay, Our strategy remains to drive our remittance to digital assets agenda across Africa and the Caribbean and we are excited by the rate of expansion. We have a number of strategic acquisitions lined up and anticipate closing before year end. We look forward to being able to expand our operations beyond our current 20 countries and increase our active 30-day business from 13 markets to 20 plus markets across Africa. Indeed, what we celebrate today could not have been possible without the passing of the Payment Systems Act 2019, which has been a very progressive Government initiative.



Ruth Amenu, Chairperson, Zeepay UK mentioned the additional funding is a landmark for a wholly owned African Company, and a testament of how technology has democratised the world to give Zeepay a seat at the table. For a business that started from such humble beginnings, this story is remarkable and inspiring. It is my prayer that this motivates the African Youth that It is possible to succeed when you put your mind to it.



Baafour Otu-Boateng, Investment Director at I&P remarked, Zeepay has proven itself unique in its ability to take a leading position in the rapidly growing world of African fintechs while delivering profitability. We are excited to partner with a management team that has demonstrated a robust track record of delivering innovative products and services that transform the remittance and mobile money ecosystems. As an impact investor, we look forward to supporting Zeepays remarkable growth story as the company deepens financial inclusion for millions of users across Africa.











Ashley Thompson-MacCarthy, CEO at Obsidian Achernar remarked, We are delighted to deepen our partnership with Andrew and the incredible Zeepay team, as they scale and roll out mobile money and remittance services across the continent. With remittance flows exhibiting considerable resiliency in times of pandemic-induced disruption, Zeepay has grown from strength-to-strength and the current fund-raise is a testament to the Companys value and potential. As an Africa-focused financial services firm, we are driven by an unyielding commitment to contribute to the creation and furtherance of lasting economic growth and development on the continent and are excited to work together with an entity which shares our ethos.



Merene Benyah, Founding Partner of JLD & MB Legal Consultancy, mentioned - "We are extremely proud of our client Zeepay for this landmark raise and pleased to have supported Zeepay since its inception in 2014. Zeepay is a strong brand and comes to the transaction with a lot of experience and insight. The successful close of both debt and equity at the time when most markets have contracted is a strong indication of the trajectory that the company is on. We believe their success today will put Ghana once again on the world map and confirms the Zeepay as a strong contender in the Fintech space.



According to Verdant Capital, Zeepay has the potential to transform how Africans implement payments across borders and domestically and how these payments are integrated into value-added services such as credit and insurance. Zeepay has built a formidable market position in its anchor market of Ghana, which it is now replicating in synergistic markets across the Continent. Verdant expects this strategy to continue to drive rapid revenue growth, profitability and financial inclusion.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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The Puma Energy Fise Station last Friday 25th June 2021 rewarded loyal customers with the highest prize being a car as part of its five-year anniversary.



Paul Buabeng, a Taxi Driver won a Suzuki Alto, beating hundreds who entered the draw.



Other prizes won on the day include motorbike, home and electronic appliances such as mobile phones, fridges, television, and home theatre sets.



Hundreds of drivers attended last Fridays draw at the station located at Fise on Accra-Nsawam Road.



Also in attendance were top level executives of Puma Energy from the companys global and regional offices.



Speaking at the event, Henry Osei, Managing Director of Puma Energy Ghana Distribution Limited said the brand thrives on its customer base hence the constant need to reward them.



We enjoy enormous loyalty from our customer base. This is very representative of how they also feel about the brand. It is why we continue to bring out these reward and loyalty programmes to justify the confidence we have in each other.

Buabeng also said Puma has grown to become a preferred Oil Marketing Company for a lot of people, particularly drivers, adding the win reinforces the belief he has in the brand.



I am elated at this. This is a dream come true. Finally, I get to own a new car. This will support my work. I am grateful to the Fise Station and to Puma as well.



Mr. Freeman Owusu, the dealer of the Fise branch praise the unique relationship his company enjoys with the Puma brand, dating back to years.



What we share with Puma is very unique. You can see by the importance they have attached to this draw and we count ourselves lucky to have all these executives from Ghana and abroad join us for this.



This draw is to also thank our loyal base, the drivers especially for their support over the years. We are better today because they patronize our products.



Puma Energy Distribution Ghana Limited is one of Ghanas leading Oil Marketing Companies (OMCs).



The company has recently has dropped its price per litre at the pump to 5.99 Cedis.



The reduction according to the company is consistent with its commitment to offering value to its customers.



All 84 branches nationwide have as of June 16 started selling at the new price, giving customers a unique opportunity to do more while paying for less.



Puma Energy Ghana started operations in Ghana in 2016 and has 84 retail service stations and counting across the country.



Puma Energy Distribution Ghana Limited is part of a global oil and gas conglomerate operating in 47 countries.

Source: Peacefmonline.com









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A Nigerian man has been arrested for luring girls on social media, having sex with them and blackmailing them with their nude photos and videos.

In his confessional statement, the suspect who claimed he was 23 years, said he has been doing this for several years.



''I have been on Instagram for several years I meet females online. I tell them about hookups. When they accept, they pay connection fee, pay their flight ticket from wherever they are to Port Harcourt. They pay the hotel fee. After having sex, I leave them stranded in the hotel and run away.

So of them, they would call me and I would tell them I am no more interested that it is a scam. Some of them I will tell them they shoyld send money for me to delete their nude pictures.''



The suspect denied he drugs his victims.

On the amount he charges for them to pay to delete their nudes, the suspect said ''No specific amount. Some pay 100, some 50. The girl that made them arrest me, she sent N300, 000.''













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Ghanas Speaker of Parliament has described LGBTQI+ sexuality as a pandemic worse than COVID-19.



This pandemic must be fought by all of us, he said on Tuesday, 29 June 2021 when an eight-member bipartisan committee of lawmakers, led by Ningo Prampram MP Sam Nartey George, presented to him, a private members bill to criminalise LGBTQI+ sexuality in Ghana.



I can tell you its worse than COVID-19, Mr Bagbin said, adding: Now, Im happy our beloved country, Ghana, is together in this.



The faint-hearted, he noted, will soon be stranding to come back to join the fight.



His Excellency the President has spoken, our traditional leaders have spoken, our religious leaders have spoken. Together, Ghanaians have spoken, Mr Bagbin added.



He assured Ghanaians that Parliament will work assiduously to pass the bill by the end of the year.



The bill, apart from criminalising LGBTQI+ sexuality, also seeks to ban the airing of LGBTQI+ materials on media platforms among other things.



In attendance were members of the clergy, chiefs, other religious groups and opinion leaders, who have vowed to fight the LGBTQI+ community with one voice.



Presenting the bill, Mr George expressed confidence that it will become a reference law for other African countries.





Source: classfmonline.com









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One of the leading members of the #FixTheCountry movement, Mr Kofi Asante Mensah, has indicated that the youth in Ghana will continue to agitate and demand better governance and development in all sectors of the economy despite the murder of one of their fellow activists.



Ibrahim Kaaka Muhammed died in Ejura in the Ashanti region on Monday following a mob attack on him.



Mr Mensah, however, noted that the youth are unshaken in their resolve to see that the country is fixed.



He told Accra FM Tuesday, 29 June 2021 that: The youth of this country are not timid.



It will get to a point that there will be violence here and there and when that time comes, theres a saying that he who has been to war before prays for the gun to hit you and he who has not seen war before prays for otherwise.



He cautioned President Akufo-Addo, members of the judiciary, legislature and the executive arms of government, as well as the Inspector-General of Police to address their issues amicably to avoid things getting a head.



If they don't heed to the pressure and demands of these youth and find a way to engage the youth in this country to address the issue, you will keep killing us, he further stated.



He also said that justice will be sought for Kaaka, adding that the unfortunate incident will not be treated as the murder of former MP J. B Danquah-Adu and Tiger Eye PI investigative journalist Ahmed Hussein-Suale.



If they think we are going to sleep and let it go like J. B Danquah, Ahmed Suale and other crimes which have not been properly handled then they must revise their note, adding: we will pursue justice and not let the matter sleep until then. It will be soon.



The agitations will continue if President Akufo-Addo does not take heed to fix Ghana, he warned.



Kaaka, 45, a resident of Dagombaline at Ejura was ambushed in front of his house when he was returning home on his motorbike at about 1:30 pm on Saturday, 27 June 2021.



He was rushed to the Ejura Government Hospital but was later referred to the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital where he died while on admission on Sunday, 28 June 2021.



The Ashanti regional police command has arrested two suspects in connection with his murder.



The police has commenced investigations to ascertain whether the murder was linked to his work as a journalist or the #FixTheCountry movement.

Source: classfmonline.com









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President Akufo-Addo has directed all state institutions to give priority to purchasing locally assembled vehicles over those imported into the country.



Currently, German car manufacturer, Volkswagen, Chinese company Sinotruk and now Japanese car maker, Toyota and Suzuki are assembling their vehicles in Ghana.



The new Toyota Tsusho vehicle assembly plant will be assembling some models of Toyota and Suzuki vehicles in the country.



Addressing attendees of the commissioning ceremony of the Toyota Tsusho vehicle assembly plant at the Tema Free Zones enclave, Monday 29 June 2021, President Akufo-Addo said Government will continue to create the enabling environment to boost the emerging automotive industry in Ghana.



In addition to the attractive physical and non-physical incentives offered to investors in the automotive sector, the government in promoting the patronage of locally assembled vehicles has directed all state institutions to purchase locally assembled vehicles to demonstrate governments commitment to supporting made in Ghana vehicles, President Akufo-Addo said.



It is gratifying to note that already, a number of senior government officials in my administration are now driving locally assembled vehicles and I will take delivery of one for my personal use this week. This is an expression of our confidence in what we produce here in Ghana, the president added.



Happy moment

President Akufo-Addo said the occasion is a very happy one for him, the Ghanaian people and a boost for the governments industrial transformation agenda.



He said Toyota Tsushos presence in Ghana has been facilitated by the governments bold move to develop the Ghana Automotive Development Policy under the auspices of the Ministry of Trade and Industry with generous fiscal incentives.



By assembling, and, ultimately, producing cars in Ghana, the president stressed that new and highly skilled jobs are being created, the use of foreign exchange to import secondhand vehicles will be reduced, and, at the same time, the exports of Made in Ghana cars to other African markets will earn the country much needed foreign exchange.



The vision is to make Ghana a fully integrated and competitive industrial hub for the automotive industry in West Africa, and we are very much on course, he said.



This facility has already offered some three hundred and 334 employment opportunities to young Ghanaian graduates from our tertiary institutions across the country, notably from the University of Ghana, the University of Cape Coast, the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, the George Grant University of Mines and Technology, and some technical and vocational institutions Akufo-Addo added.



The president said the decision by Toyota Tsusho to undertake the investment has come at a very opportune time in Ghanas development, as it serves as a major boost to ongoing efforts by the government to hasten the nations economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.



The confidence in the Ghanaian economy, expressed by a global organization like Toyota, he said, will provide additional impetus to the realisation of the governments post-COVID economic recovery programme; the GHC100 billion Ghana Cares Obaatanpa programme, which has been designed to revitalise and transform the Ghanaian economy in the new COVID-19-free era.



One of the components of this Programme is for Government, in collaboration with Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs), to develop an Asset-Based Vehicle Financing Scheme for public sector workers to purchase locally assembled vehicles. This scheme will make the acquisition of new vehicles more affordable, the president said.



Enabling environment

The president assured that the government will continue to create the enabling environment to boost the profitability of the emerging automotive sector in Ghana, adding that the Ministry of Trade and Industry is working with other state institutions, such as Ghana Integrated Aluminium Development Corporation (GIADEC) and Ghana Integrated Iron and Steel Development Corporation (GIISDEC), to develop locally the required raw material value chains to feed the manufacturing sector of the automobile industry.



Automotive development centre

In addition to this, the President revealed that Government has also acquired a building complex at the South Industrial Area, in Accra, to be developed as the Ghana Automotive Development Centre, which will, amongst others, serve as a one-stop support destination for the implementation of the Auto Policy, and be a hub for the development of advanced skills for the industry.



The complex will also house the Ghana Automotive Development Council, a consultative stakeholder body, to oversee the auto policy implementation, and promote Ghanaian participation in the development of the sector.



He, thus, urged the company to expand, in due course, the range of models, since the Toyota brand has a strong presence in Ghana, West Africa and the rest of Africa.



I also urge senior management of Toyota Corporation to leverage the incentives granted under the Ghana Automotive Development Programme to make their products affordable and competitive for the Ghanaian consumer. I assure investors and stakeholders within the automotive industry in Ghana of the governments continuous, unflinching support for the sustainability of their businesses in Ghana, he added.

Source: asaaseradio.com









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Ghanaian actress Yvonne Nelson has reminded President Nana Akufo-Addo that he would be remembered for the many things happening under his watch, adding that nobody must die for protesting for a better Ghana.



Ms Nelsons remarks come on the back of the killing of two protesters by a combined police and military team as they marched in anger on Tuesday, 29 June 2021, a day after the mob killing of local social media activist Ibrahim Kaaka Mohammed.



Four other protesters also got injured in the clash between the demonstrators and the security personnel.



Reacting to this, Ms Nelson, who is vociferous on national issues, tweeted: Mr President @NAkufoAddo you will be remembered for the many things happening under your watch. Nobody must die for protesting for A BETTER GHANA.



Meanwhile, the Ashanti regional police command has commenced investigations to establish the circumstances surrounding the violent clash.



In a statement, the police said its preliminary investigation shows that following the burial of Ibrahim Mohammed aka Kaaka at Mempeasem cemetery at Ejura on Tuesday, some irate youth blocked the main Ejura Atebubu road, thus, impeding traffic flow.



The police moved in with military reinforcement to quell the situation but the irate youth charged on the security officers with all manner of implements including firearms, clubs, machetes and stones.



The security officials fired into the crowd to disperse the angry mob, who failed to retreat but rather massed up in all corners.



The death and injuries were recorded in the process.



The security situation as of 3:30 pm, according to the police, is calm.



However, security has been reinforced to ensure total stability.



The regional command has also taken over the investigation into the murder of Kaaka and has appealed to anyone who has credible information to share with the command at the Central Police Station, Kumasi or call 0299207770.



The strictest confidentially is assured, the police said.



The command also appealed to everyone, especially the youth of Ejura, to remain calm and also called on the traditional and opinion leaders to call for restraint to avert an escalation.



Mr President @NAkufoAddo you will be remembered for the many things happening under your watch. Nobody must die for protesting for A BETTER GHANA

   (@yvonnenelsongh) June 29, 2021







Source: twitter/classfmonline









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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 National Communications Officer of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi, has said President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, former Energy Minister Boakye Agyarko and former Attorney General, Gloria Akuffo, are to be jointly and severally held responsible for the $170 million judgement debt awarded against Ghana following the termination of the emergency power purchase agreement with Ghana Power Generation Company (GPGC).



He said per the ruling by the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) Tribunal, the Akufo-Addo-led government had conceded it wrongfully terminated the contract and even assured GPGC that remedial measures were being taken to reverse the decision.



Addressing journalists in Accra on Monday, June 28, Sammy Gyamfi disclosed that all three arbitrators including Ghanas selected arbitrator held that claims by the Akufo-Addo-led government in terminating the contract did not reflect the true facts.



It is crystal clear from the foregoing facts that are contained in the arbitrary award that this huge judgement debt of $170 million has been occasioned by the criminal negligence, incompetence and recklessness of the Akufo-Addo government.



Their willful recklessness in terminating the GPGC EPA on the basis of contrived and frivolous excuses is the reason why Ghana has been slapped with this avoidable judgement.



He further noted how some records were surreptitiously smuggled into the Dr. Ahenkorah report, which is said to have recommended the termination of the contract in 2018.



For him, that must even be a subject of investigation for fraud.













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The National Democratic Congress (NDC) has called for investigations into the circumstances leading to the unlawful termination of the Ghana Power Generation Company (GPGC) Emergency Power Agreement (EPA) that has now seen Ghana being slapped with a $170 million Judgment Debt.



The judgment debt has been slapped on the Republic of Ghana to GPGC by the Permanent Court of Arbitration of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law Tribunal.



This was after GPGC dragged the government before the International Tribunal over the unlawful termination of a contract with the state which was signed by the erstwhile John Dramani Mahama government to solve power problems [dumsor] at the time.



Addressing a press conference on Monday, June 28, 2021, NDC National Communications Officer Sammy Gyamfi has described the termination of the GPGC EPA as criminal.



According to him, it is crucial that an investigation is conducted into what really led to the termination of the contract by former Energy Minister, Mr. Boakye Agyarko.



The NDC hereby calls for investigations into the circumstances surrounding the unlawful termination of the GPGC EPA, particularly the alleged so-called recommendation by the Ahenkora-Committee for the termination of the said GPGC EPA, which in our view raises issues of fraud, Sammy Gyamfi told journalists at todays Press Conference.



Meanwhile, the main opposition party is also demanding that all officials of the Akufo-Addo government who were directly or indirectly involved in the processes leading to this huge financial loss to the State are held responsible and punished for same.



Find below the full speech read by Sammy Gyamfi at todays presser:



STATEMENT DELIVERED BY THE NATIONAL COMMUNICATION OFFICER OF THE NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC CONGRESS, COMRADE SAMMY GYAMFI ESQ., AT A PRESS CONFERENCE HELD AT THE PARTYS HEADQUARTERS ON THE ISSUE OF THE USD$170 MILLION JUDGEMENT DEBT AWARDED AGAINST GHANA TO GPGC BY THE PERMANENT COURT OF ARBITRATION OF THE UNITED NATIONS COMMISSION ON INTERNATIONAL TRADE LAW TRIBUNAL.



Monday, 28th June, 2021



Theme: UNPACKING THE $170 MILLION GPGC JUDGEMENT DEBT: EXPOSING THE LIES, NEGLIGENCE AND CRASS INCOMPETENCE OF THE AKUFO-ADDO GOVERNMENT.



Good afternoon distinguished ladies and gentlemen of the media. On behalf of the National Democratic Congress, I will like to thank you for honoring our invitation at such short notice.



The purpose of this press conference is to share with you our position on the raging issue of the judgement debt of USD$170 million dollars that has been awarded against the Republic of Ghana to a company called, Ghana Power Generation Company (GPGC) by the Permanent Court of Arbitration of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law Tribunal, an issue that has set many tongues wagging in the past couple of days. We are pretty sure that by the time we are done unpacking the facts of this case in this evidence-based presentation, you will be left in no doubt about how we got ourselves into this avoidable financial loss situation and the personalities who are responsible for same.



BRIEF BACKGROUND



Friends from the media, let me start by providing a brief background to this issue in order to situate the discussion in a proper context.



As we all know, Ghana was confronted with a serious power crisis also known as Dumsor between the year 2013 and 2015 which negatively affected citizens, businesses and the economy as a whole. This problem which was not a new phenomenon was largely occasioned by a power generation capacity shortfall. The visionary Nation Builder, H.E John Dramani Mahama who was the President of the country at the time, did not seek to apportion blame but instead took full responsibility for the age-long problem and set out to address the countrys generation capacity deficit through the fastest mobilization of emergency power ever witnessed in the history of this country. The goal was not only to produce power to meet our immediate power demand as a country but to produce more power to meet our ever-increasing future power needs and more importantly, to potentially increase the amount of power we export to neighboring and other Sahalian countries for revenue.



One of such Emergency Power Agreements (EPA) that the erstwhile NDC/Mahama administration executed in furtherance of this vision was the EPA with the Ghana Power Generation Company (GPGC) for the supply of 107MW of power. The Agreement which was signed on 3rd June, 2015 was negotiated by a competent team of technical experts from the then Ministry of Power, the Electricity Company of Ghana, the Volta River Authority and the Office of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice. After this crack team of experts had negotiated the EPA and approved its contents, the EPA was approved by Cabinet and later, the Parliament of the Republic Ghana on 23rd July, 2015 with the NPP-side fully participating in the approval process, both at the Mines and Energy committee level and at the plenary.



Ladies and gentlemen, it is worthy of note that among the EPAs executed by the Government of Ghana, the GPGC EPA was the one with the most favorable terms for us as a country. Firstly, it had a capacity charge of of 4 US Cents per KW/H with GoGs payments denominated in Ghana cedis and secondly, it had the shortest duration of four (4) years. Thirdly, and more importantly, it was the only EPA under which the Government of Ghana was not required to provide any financial guarantee or standby Letters of Credit.



WRONGFUL TERMINATION OF GPGC EPA



Ladies and gentlemen of the media, the implementation of the GPGC EPA proceeded smoothly under the Mahama/NDC administration until the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government took over the reins of power in the year 2017. On 13th February, 2018, the Minister for Energy, Boakye Agyarko wrote to terminate the GPGC EPA. The termination of the GPGC EPA, according to Boakye Agyarko, was on the instructions of Cabinet, which is chaired by President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo-Addo.



It is instructive to note that the reasons which were cited by the Akufo-Addo government as the basis for the termination of the GPGC EPA did not include any issue of excess power or excess capacity charges as government would have us believe. Rather, the reasons which were contained in Boakye Agyarkos termination letter of 13th February, 2018 and the Advice of the then Attorney General, Gloria Akufo dated 28th August, 2017, bordered on alleged non-performance of certain Conditions Precedent and Subsequent by GPGC, namely;



1. Failure of GPGC to secure a license from the Energy Commission to enable them engage in the sale of electricity in the country, in accordance with section 11 of the Energy Commission Act.



2. Failure of GPGC to secure a siting and construction permit for the project.



3. Failure of GPGC to achieve financial closure.



Distinguished friends from the media, all these claims by the Akufo-Addo government which formed the basis for the termination of the GPGC EPA were found to be contrived and baseless by the Permanent Court of Arbitration of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law. At paragraph 479 of the Arbitral Award, all the three (3) Arbitrators, including Ghanas selected Arbitrator, Professor Fiadjoe, unanimously held that these claims by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia Government did not reflect the true facts.



The Tribunal among other things, noted that GPGC had actually secured a building permit from the Kpone Katamanso District Assembly for the Blue Ocean project and had actually applied for a commercial license from the Energy Commission, save that, President Akufo-Addo had not constituted the Board of the Energy Commission, which is the body mandated by law to issue such Licenses at the time the Agreement was being terminated.



Additionally, the Tribunal found that all the Conditions Precedent and Subsequent that were yet to be fulfilled were wholly attributable to failings on the part of the Government of Ghana and not GPGC. In short, the Arbitration Tribunal found that the termination of the GPGC EPA by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government was wrongful and without any lawful justification, for which reason the panel unanimously awarded damages of about USD$170 million against Ghana, inclusive of interest. This can be found at paragraph 493 of the Arbitral award.



Ladies and gentlemen of the media, it is crystal clear from the foregoing facts that are contained in the Arbitral Award, that this huge judgement debt of USD$170 million has been occasioned by the criminal negligence, incompetence and recklessness of the Akufo-Addo government. Their willful recklessness in terminating the GPGC EPA on the basis of contrived and frivolous basis is the reason why Ghana has been slapped with this avoidable judgment debt.



GoGs CONCESSION THAT THE TERMINATION OF THE GPGC EPA WAS WRONG.



Friends, it will surprise you to know that after the GPGC EPA was terminated and the company appealed to government to rescind its decision, the Akufo-Addo government acting through the Minister of Energy and his Deputy conceded that the termination was wrong and gave the company several assurances that the President and Cabinet were going to take remedial steps to reinstate the terminated EPA. Evidence of this fact is contained at paragraph 486 of the Arbitral award, and settles the fact that indeed President Akufo-Addo, the Minister of Energy at the time, Boakye Agyarko and the Attorney General are jointly and severally responsible for this USD$170 million financial loss to the State. They knew and acknowledged that they had no basis to terminate the Agreement, yet they proceeded to terminate it and failed to remedy same by reinstating the EPA.



What is even sad in all this, is the fact that Ghana is now going to pay a whopping USD$170 million as judgement debt to a private company for a deal that would have caused the nation USD$99.6 million over the full four (4)-year duration of the Agreement. That is, if the Agreement had been maintained and not terminated by the Akufo-Addo government.



FRAUDULENT CLAIMS ABOUT THE AHENKORA PPA COMMITTEE REPORT



Ladies and gentlemen of the media, the NDC has taken notice of certain false claims by the Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Godfred Yeboah Dame, and spokespersons of the Akufo-Addo government that the decision to terminate the GPGC EPA was based on a recommendation by the Ahenkora-PPA Committee that reviewed a number of PPAs executed by the previous NDC government.



Our painstaking investigation into this matter shows that, the claim that the PPA committee recommended the termination of the GPGC EPA is palpable falsehood. In fact, this claim which is contained in an unsigned report making rounds on social media was part of the defenses of the Akufo-Addo government which were outrightly dismissed by the International Arbitration Tribunal in their decision.



Friends from the media, it will interest you to know that during cross examination at the arbitration proceedings, Dr. Ahenkora, who was the chairman of the PPA committee and a key witness for the Government of Ghana, said that he could not recollect any such recommendation by the committee and dissociated himself from the AGs advice that recommended the termination of the GPGC EPA. This fact can be found at paragraph 490 of the Arbitral award. This is how much the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government derilicted in its duty to protect the public purse.



Friends, does it not strike you as strange that Dr. Ahenkora did not bother or see the need to ask the Arbitration Tribunal for leave to refresh his memory by referring to the committees report which was the main essence of his testimony?



FALSE ASSURANCES BY GoG TO GPGC



It is also instructive to note that after the Ahenkora Committee concluded its work, officials of the Akufo-Addo government gave several assurances to GPGC that its PPA was not one of those which had been recommended for termination by the Committee. This fact is captured at paragraph 491 of the Arbitral award.



This begs the question as to how the said recommendation which formed the basis of the termination of the GPGC EPA found its way into the unsigned report of the Ahenkora-chaired PPA committee. In any case, how come that the said Ahenkora-Committee report was not signed by the Chairman and members of the committee?



Friends, as I have already indicated, our painstaking investigation into this matter shows that the said recommendation was fraudulently inserted into the draft Ahenkora report by political actors who were determined to terminate the GPGC Agreement at all cost even though they very well knew they had no lawful justification to do so and that, doing so could potentially occasion a judgement debt and financial loss to the State. We in the NDC believe that the circumstances surrounding the smuggling of the said recommendation into the Ahenkora-committee report raise issues of fraud and must be investigated.



FALSE CLAIMS ABOUT PROPRIETY OF GPGC EPA



Ladies and gentlemen of the media, we have also taken notice of desperate attempts by the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, and some individuals to impugn the propriety of the GPGC EPA which was executed under the NDC/Mahama administration. These people have suggested that the GPGC EPA was unnecessary and its terms defective.



Friends from the media, nothing could be further from the truth than this claim. In the first place, how can the NPP who fully participated in the approval of the GPGC Agreement in Parliament, both at the Mines and Energy committee level and at the plenary, turn around to question the propriety of same?



It is important to make the point that aside the fact that the GPGC EPA was approved by Cabinet and Parliament, its terms are materially the same as all the other PPAs executed by the then Power Ministry, some of which (KARPOWER, Cenpower etc.) have been extended by the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia administration. In fact, and as I have already explained, the terms of the GPGC EPA were to a large extent more favorable to the interest of the Republic of Ghana than all the other PPAs executed at the time.



What even makes this claim ridiculous and preposterous is that the Akufo-Addo government itself has by its own conduct expressed faith and confidence in the GPGC Agreement. The government terminated the GPGC EPA and actually proceeded to make a Counterclaim against GPGC for Early Termination damages at Arbitration, by relying on provisions in the same Agreement. Why then have they turned around to question the integrity or propriety of the very Agreement they relied on for their Counterclaim? If the Akufo-Addo government thought that the Agreement was defective, why did they rely on provisions in the same Agreement for the termination and Counterclaim? And why did they not raise the issue of the impropriety of the Agreement either in the termination letter of 13th February, 2018 or at the Arbitration proceedings?



For emphasis, the GPGC EPA was approved by Parliament and its terms were very favorable to the interest of Ghana. The claim by the Attorney General, Godfred Dame that the GPGC PPA was unnecessary and defective, and his subsequent threat to refer same to the CID for investigations is nothing but a desperate post-facto face-saving gimmick, which must be treated with outright contempt.



As I have already indicated, the facts show that the USD$170 judgment debt awarded to GPGC was occasioned by the criminal negligence, complete dereliction of duty and recklessness of the Akufo-Addo government in terminating the EPA without any lawful justification and not the signing of the Agreement. Therefore, those who have to be held responsible are those who were involved in the termination of the Agreement on the basis of fictitious and contrived claims, when they knew the danger their actions could portend for this country and not those who signed the Agreement, which was approved by Parliament.



GOVERNMENTS SLOPPY AND INCOMPETENT HANDLING OF COURT PROCESSES TO CHALLENGE ARBITRAL AWARD



Distinguished friends from the media, another point worthy of mention in this discussion is the crass incompetence and sloppiness with which the Attorney Generals Department and the Akufo-Addo government handled the court processes to set aside the Arbitral award.



As you may be aware, at Arbitration, the Republic of Ghana was represented by lawyers from the AGs Department which included the Deputy AG at the time and now AG, Godfred Yeboah Dame, and a Ghanaian Law firm, Amofa & Partners. The Permanent Court of the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law Tribunal delivered its final award on 26th January, 2021 after which Ghana had a 28-day ultimatum to challenge same in a court of competent jurisdiction in the United Kingdom, the seat of the arbitration. The Akufo-Addo government then engaged the services of an English law firm Omnia Strategy, which is owned by Cherry Blair, wife of Tony Blair, former Prime Minister of the UK at the expense of the Ghanaian taxpayer.



Sadly, the government of Ghana and its external solicitors went to sleep only to go to an English court on the 25th day of the 28-day ultimatum to ask for extension of time. The court magnanimously gave an eight (8)-day extension to allow our external solicitors file the appropriate processes. Subsequent to the grant of this extension of time by the Court, our external solicitor, Omnia Strategy, realizing that the Government of Ghana had a very bad case, and mindful of the damage the case could do to their enviable reputation, backed out of the case. The Akufo-Addo government once again engaged the services of another foreign law firm called Volterra Fietta at the expense of the Ghanaian taxpayer, who managed to file a process to challenge the Arbitral award on the 1st of April, 2021, twenty three (23) days after the extended deadline of 8th March, 2021 had lapsed. All the excuses which were cited by the Akufo-Addo government for the delay, mainly COVID-19 and the 2020 elections with its associated handing-over bureaucracies were dismissed as intrinsically weak by the Court and the final Arbitral award upheld.



Ladies and gentlemen of the media, the NDC is appalled and disgusted by the incompetence, sloppiness and recklessness that was displayed by the NPP/Akufo-Addo government, particularly the AGs department in the conduct of this case. The AG and her Deputy, Godfred Yeboah Dame, who led the Government of Ghanas legal team at Arbitration, very well knew that the Tribunal had set 26th January, 2021 for its Arbitral decision or award. They all became aware of the Arbitral Award against Ghana on 26th January, 2021 at which time, their party, the New Patriotic Party was in office. They knew that Ghana had only 28 days to challenge the award if we so wished and they knew that an AG or deputy AG was not likely to be in office by that time. What instructions did they give to the Solicitor General or the relevant officers of the AGs Department in their handing over notes or what arrangements did they put in place to ensure that the Arbitral award was challenged if it didnt go in our favor?



Clearly, the current Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, has proven to be very incompetent and sloppy as far as this matter is concerned. His desperate attempt to extricate himself from blame and shift blame to his former boss, Madam Gloria Akufo, and past government officials who left office about five (5) years ago, is shameful and unfortunate to say the least. In any serious jurisdiction, the Attorney General, Godfred Yeboah Dame, and the Solicitor General, who are paid by Ghanaians to defend the interest of the State in legal matters and who were actually involved in the conduct of the case, would have been held accountable or resigned by now.



RESPONSE TO FALSE CLAIMS ABOUT EXCESS CAPACITY CHARGES



Finally, ladies and gentlemen, we cannot end this press conference without responding to the false narrative about excess capacity charges that the NPP and its surrogates have been regurgitating for sometime now.



The claim by the NPP that the Akufo-Addo government is paying a lot of money for power we dont need or as excess capacity charges because the erstwhile NDC/Mahama government signed many needless take-or- pay PPAs such as the GPGC EPA is mischievous to say the least.



First and foremost, let me make the point that take-or-pay arrangements are normal insurance or financial viability provisions in Power Purchase Agreements. In fact, it is not a new phenomenon in Ghana at all. For the records, the Osono/CENIT PPA entered into by the NPP/Kufour administration was a take- or-pay agreement. Also, the Trans Tema plant that was brought into the country during the Kuffuor era was on a take-or-pay basis. Again and more instructively, the Tema LNG project recently entered into by Akufo-Addo government is a take-or-pay agreement. There is therefore nothing wrong with take-or- pay agreements per se.



Also, the NPPs claim that the country currently pays USD$1 billion as excess capacity charges as a result of PPAs executed by the erstwhile NDC regime has been proven to be false. When the minister of Finance, Ken Ofori Atta, appeared before Parliament few days ago to answer a question filed by Hon. Alhassan Suhuyini on the amount of money government has paid in excess capacity charges so far, he said in his answer that the country has paid a total of $937 million to only three (3) companies, which are Karpower, Aksa and Cenpower from the year 2017-2020. This figure comes to an annual average payment of USD$234 million when it is divided by four (4) years.



It is worthy of note that about USD$200 million of this amount constitutes the 20% standard reserve margin of ECG which is a necessity and not excess capacity. The remaining USD$34 million worth of power would have been totally wiped off if VALCO had been revived by the Akufo-Addo government or even if the AFD-funded 330KV transmission line project from Ghana to Burkina Faso which was commenced by the erstwhile NDC/Mahama administration and which would have ensured an increase in the exportation of power from 100MW to 200MW to Burkina Faso alone, had been completed by this government.



The question we want to ask those who keep disturbing our ears with this propaganda about excess capacity charges is; why has the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government extended the duration of the Karpower PPA executed by the NDC/Mahama government from 10-20 years and that of Cenpower from 5-10 years if the claim about excess capacity charges is true?



Only recently, the Minister for Energy, Mathew Opoku Prempeh, asked for Ghana to increase its generational capacity. As we speak, a steel manufacturing company in Ghana, B5 Limited, which is currently the biggest in Africa, is operating at 30% capacity due to lack of power. Where then lies the claim that Ghana is paying for power we dont need?



Friends from the media, even if the Akufo-Addo/Bawumia government thought that the country didnt need the 107MW of installed capacity the GPGC EPA was supposed to provide or that the country could not export same for revenue as the Mahama administration had planned, the wisest thing for them to have done was to have negotiated and deferred the implementation of the Agreement, just as they claim to have done in the case of four (4) other PPAs. Terminating the Agreement on the basis of contrived reasons which they knew could not be sustained and could potentially occasion a judgement debt and financial loss to the state was not an option. After all, the maintenance and performance of the Agreement would have caused the nation only USD$99.6 million, with the possibility of the State exporting same for revenue.



CONCLUSION



In conclusion, and as I have already demonstrated with indisputable facts in my presentation, Ghana has been slapped with this judgement debt of USD$170 million as a result of the reckless and wrongful termination of the GPGC EPA by the Akufo-Addo government, and their sloppiness and incompetence in defending same at the Arbitration and in Court. The then Minister for Power, Boakye Agyarko, who wrote to terminate the Agreement and his Deputy at the time, knew and actually conceded that they had no legal basis to terminate the Agreement the way they did. They very well knew that terminating the Agreement that way could potentially occasion a financial loss to the State. Yet, they did so willfully knowing fully well what the consequences of their actions were. They failed to take advantage of the opportunity they were offered by the company to remedy the situation or reinstate the EPA as they had promised. This is why the wrongful termination of the GPGC EPA by the Akufo-Addo government and the avoidable financial loss it has occasioned the State is unpardonable.



As a party, we are very sad that all of us as Ghanaians will have to cough up this colossal amount of money, USD$170 million, which is equivalent to GHS1.2 billion cedis or 10.2 trillion Old Ghana cedis and which accrues interest daily, compounded on a monthly basis. This colossal amount could have been channeled into the construction of thousands of dormitories and classroom blocks to end the obnoxious double-track system which is undermining the quality of secondary and tertiary education in the country, or the provision hospital beds and other facilities to end the much-dreaded no-bed syndrome which is claiming so many precious lives. Alternatively, this huge sum of money could have been used to build roads and for other useful projects that would have created jobs and improved the wellbeing of Ghanaians. The perpetrators of this evil must not go unpunished.



The NDC hereby calls for investigations into the circumstances surrounding the unlawful termination of the GPGC EPA, particularly the alleged so-called recommendation by the Ahenkora-Committee for the termination of the said GPGC EPA, which in our view raises issues of fraud.



We also demand that all officials of the Akufo-Addo government who were directly or indirectly involved in the processes leading to this huge financial loss to the State are held responsible and punished for same. But in the likely event that President Akufo-Addo, the Mother Serpent of Corruption, who is himself complicit in this matter fails to act, a future NDC government will investigate this matter and ensure that those responsible for the wrongful termination of the GPGC Agreement and the avoidable judgement debt it has caused the nation, are brought to book.



We thank you for your time.



Signed,



SAMMY GYAMFI ESQ.









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 President John Dramani Mahama has once again urged all Ghanaians to make themselves available and be counted during the ongoing Population and Housing Census.



Mr. Mahama who has been part of a national sensitization campaign launched by the Ghana Statistical Service ahead of the counting was among the first citizens to be counted on Monday morning {June 28, 2021).



Speaking to the media after his interview with the census official at his residence in Accra, Mr Mahama explained that the data generated from the census would serve as vital statistics to guide national development.



It is necessary to know how many people live in your country accurately so you can make better provisions in terms of social amenities, in terms of how the economy is managed and in terms of how development is spread so that everybody gets a fair share of the national cake he stated.



Mr. Mahama also noted that the census data will also help government to consider the creation of new districts and restructure the local government system.



He urged Ghanaians to open their doors and welcome the enumerators when they come to conduct the census.



Please, when the census officers get to your house, welcome them and answer the very simple questions and lets have a perfect count.



Chief Census Methodologist Owusu Kagya gave an assurance that the law mandates and requires that all information collected would be kept confidential and solely for census purposes.









Source: graphiconline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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The Former President of Ghana, H.E John Agyekum Kufuor has stated clearly that he still remembers the contribution of the grandfather of NPP Youth Organizer Hopeful, Mr Kamal Gumah to the survival of UP and NPP in the North.



Former President Kufuor narrated that Alhaji Imoro Salifu, the grandfather of Prince Kamal Gumah was the Regional Commissioner for the Upper Region in the government of Prime Minister Busia in 1969; the way and manner he used his position to improve the wellbeing of the people.



He hinted that Mr Kamal Gumahs father and grandfather fought with their everything for the party to become popular in the North.



The Former President was enthused to meet the grandson of the longest-serving constituency chairman of the party in the Upper East Region; a man who offered himself to the service of NPP and mother-Ghana.

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.

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Greater Accra Youth Organiser of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), Moses Abor has hit hard at the Communication Officer of the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), Sammy Gyamfi for politicizing murder cases in the country.



According to him, Sammy Gyamfis numerous comments on murder are doing more harm than good, so appealing to him to behave as a concerned Ghanaian citizen who cares for the welfare of the youth.



Moses Abor, in a statement, stated; Be a citizen for ONCE! Act like a concerned Ghanaian citizen who cares for the youths welfare and growth!! Think about human lives instead of cheap Political gains!!!



Read full statement below:



HON. MOSES ABOR writes TO SAMMY GYAMFI...

Your usual Politicization of murder cases rather promotes murder in this country; Take note!



It is sad that most criminals in this country always get away when they commit murder...

I have sat down to reflect on many criminal incidences that have occurred in the country where criminals have gone hidden as a result of the usual cheap Political justifications and propaganda. Same instance, I have monitored how you always politicize murder and other criminal issues recklessly, which therefore, goes a long way to motivate criminals to do more because they will be shielded by your reckless and theatrical Politicization of criminal cases in the country.



Be a citizen for ONCE! Act like a concerned Ghanaian citizen who cares for the youths welfare and growth!! Think about human lives instead of cheap Political gains!!!



Yours truly



_HON. MOSES ABOR_

GREATER ACCRA REGIONAL YOUTH ORGANIZER,NPP

Source: Peacefmonline.com









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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APC founder Hassan Ayariga has expressed worry over the myriad national issues facing the country.



Speaking about the state of insecurity in the country at a press conference in Accra on Tuesday, 29 June 2021, Mr Ayariga said the ministry responsible for National Security has not lived up to expectation.



According to the leader of the All People's Congress (APC), the situation is at its worst state because armed robbers are now attacking at public places in broad daylight. Mobile money operators are being killed on a daily basis. Traders and businessmen are not safe. Police officials themselves are killed like never before. In all these, no person or appointee of the government take responsibility for the fear and panic Ghanaians are in now.



He alleged that operatives of national security have turned themselves into criminal gangs and are criminally attacking citizens in an effort to loot and plunder whatever they can lay their hands on - gold, land and money.



Touching on #FixTheCountry campaign, the 2020 presidential candidate of the APC wondered if it has become a crime to assemble, demonstrate and demand that the government and duty bearers fix the country.



It is our constitutional right to do so and whoever is preventing these campaigners should now bury his head in shame, he said.



Mr Ayariga condemned the police from preventing the demonstrators from protesting saying if we sit unconcerned and allow the police and government in power to intimidate citizens, then Im afraid one day another party in power will use police and military to prevent our constitutional right to even vote.



Where are the religious bodies? Where are the academics? Where are the Chiefs? Where are the political parties and the stakeholders? he quizzed.



He further spoke on issues of youth unemployment and matters concerning the economy.



Below is the full statement delivered by Mr Ayariga:



APC PRESS CONFERENCE ON NATIONAL ISSUES



The current state of our country is killing the souls of our otherwise resilient citizens, piercing the hearts of the vulnerable, and has sent us to the point where silence is killing the country and many are asking when we will really be free and will there be justice?



Ladies and gentlemen of the media, thank you so much for attending this very important press briefing even at a very short notice. Your unflinching support in strengthening our democracy, safeguarding and protecting our constitution has been tremendous. Admittedly some of you in the media do also have shortcomings. Notwithstanding, you are part of the few success stories of our democracy today.



I call you here today in my capacity as a citizen first before my party, The All Peoples Congress (APC). The day has come for me to add my voice and speak up to power as done by others, so that we can collectively make Ghana a safer and better place to live.



Members of the media, ladies and gentlemen, for the first time in our history, we have a ministry responsible for National Security that does not live up to the expectation of providing our security. The situation is at its worst state as I speak now. Armed robbers are now attacking at public places in broad daylight. Mobile money operators are being killed on a daily basis. Traders and businessmen are not safe. Police officials themselves are killed like never before. In all these, no person or appointee of the government take responsibility for the fear and panic Ghanaians are in now.



Worse still, even so-called operatives of National Security have turned themselves into criminal gangs and are criminally attacking citizens in an effort to loot and plunder whatever they can lay their hands-on - gold, land and money. Some of our men in uniforms are grabbing peoples land forcefully using state powers to carry out such disgraceful act and no one says anything. The integrity of our uniformed men has never been at its lowest since before the revolution of 1979.



Why would citizens of this country not have their own freedom to own properties and be protected against these undemocratic and inhumane actions. This doesnt befit us as a country. It is not one of our social and moral values, especially as Muslims and Christians of this our dear country. We were founded on the values of freedom and justice.



The lawlessness is one too many and something must be done now to curb the situation from getting to the uncontrollably situation, even though, we know Ghana is not like heaven to possess heavenly features but we are human beings too, and our lives are important to our families and the country. From 2017-2021, six (6) incidences of bullion attacks have been recorded and this calls for grave concern.



Ladies and gentlemen of the media, when has it become a crime to assemble, demonstrate and demand that government and duty bearers should fix the country? It is our constitutional right to do so and whoever is preventing these campaigners should now burry his head in shame.



We must all come out to condemn this act by the police and the people responsible for such acts. If we sit unconcerned and allow the police and government in power to intimidate citizens, then am afraid one day another party in power will use police and military to prevent our constitutional right to even vote. Where are the religious bodies? Where are the academics? Where are the Chiefs? Where are the political parties and the stakeholders?



Why would a President who swore an oath to protect and defend the Constitution of the country refuse these peaceful demonstrators the opportunity to exercise their constitutional rights? In any case, did the President not use such events to nurse and promote his Presidential ambition? If it was forbidden, why was he given the chance to do so? The current president has participated in 54 demonstrations. One of it was KUMEPREKO. The NPP whilst in opposition in 2009-2016 were allowed to demonstrate on so many occasions. Why are they preventing citizens who voted them to power, from exercising their civic right of holding government to their stewardship.



It is even funny and scary to use Covid-19 restrictions as a means of forcefully preventing them from demonstrating, when this same government held rallies and campaigns without honoring any of their own directives and covid-19 protocols. There are several instances where government brazenly defied their own rules and one of such is Sir. John's (May his Soul rest in Peace) burial day. We all saw what happened on that day, no one adhered to any of the protocols including the President, leading members of the party and other government appointees.



This country is on its knees due to the loud silence from the Clergy, Peace Council, some civil society organizations whose voices have always been loud enough at other times but have suddenly gone to sleep and not awaken. What has changed? Lets rise above pettiness and greed, lets speak truth to power and save our country from sinking. The people of Ghana are suffering, some cannot even afford three square meals a day. The hardship is killing people slowly. Lets not be wicked and refuse to talk on behalf of our people who do not have a voice of their own. Fuel prices and other utility tariffs are on the rise almost every time, transport fares are increased every week and thereby worsening the plight of the citizens. Many are in deplorable situations and those in government dont seem to care. A single Tomato now goes for 1Gh.



Ladies and gentlemen, you are witnesses to the unemployment problems of the country which is hitting hard on the youth and all we hear from this government are empty talks and without nothing to show. The NABCO policy is further increasing the plight of the youth. Some of them are posted far away from their homes, feeding themselves without being paid by government. Aside from that, these are not permanent and sustainable jobs. But this was done to deceive people and win an election. The government did it, and here we are today back to square one.



Ghana needs well-planned policies, strong institutions and competent leaders to put the COUNTRY first.



The recent rainfall which led to flooding in most areas especially, in Ashanti and Greater Accra regions has exposed how inept we are in planning. What did we learnt from the June 3rd disaster that shocked the nation and took the lives of many innocent people and loss of properties. We train engineers every year yet we dont engage them in the productive sector to delve into our numerous and urgent issues of town planning, and enhancing laws to prevent people from building at water ways which cause blockage of the free flow of water. We all need to be part of building this nation through advocacy, and speak against the culture of silence which is a reality and that has contributed significantly to the emboldened misuse of state power and abuses.



The government has not shown any leadership in these pressing issues, and one would like to ask if President Nana Akufo-Addo we knew years back, as a human rights advocate is still the same person. I want to ask our dear President what has changed. I have never heard and seen this kind of selective and convenience of principle. What I do know is that principle is principle and it should be applied at all instances even if it conflicts with the person's interest.



The recent judgment debt is an indication of how rotten and porous our system is. How can we sit down and delay in representing the state at the court in England and lose the case against GPGC and awarded a judgment debt of $170 million. Our lack of pure negligence has cost the nation these huge sums of money to a foreign company whilst our citizens are dying in hospitals due to inadequate hospital beds and other health equipment. What is even sad in all this, is the fact that Ghana is now going to pay a whopping USD$170 million as judgement debt to a private company for a deal that would have caused the nation USD$99.6 million over the full four (4)-year duration of the Agreement. That is, if the Agreement had been maintained and not terminated by the Current government.



Our country debts are at the highest peak and one would wonder how we got there? We cant continue borrowing when we can manage our country without borrowing. Enough of policies and laws that dont inure to the benefit of any person. Our debt stock is 78% of our GDP. We have borrowed so much and yet, we dont have good roads, we dont have enough hospitals, we are still struggling to build schools, we are still struggling to build markets and have nothing to show for our huge debt stock.



Ladies and gentlemen of the media, you are positioned at the good side of history to protect the integrity of our constitution and each of you here have to discharge that duty without fear or favor. The citizens are relying on you for the best of information to make their choices that will benefit them better.



Since the inception of our multi-party democracy in 1992, Successive Governments over the years have presented to the good people of Ghana the state of the Nation's address from a brighter point of view just to promote their Government instead of presenting the real facts to the good People of Ghana. The All People's Congress (APC) invited you here today to discuss the true state of the Nation.



Ladies and Gentlemen of the media. Ghana Police Service and the campaigners of #FixTheCountry have moved from the commercial court to High and now to the Supreme Court all because of demonstration. Much us we agree with the campaigners of #FixTheCountry to some extent, we in the APC still believe Ghana needs more than just fixing it. Our beloved Country Ghana is at a state that needs to be rescued from the Chinese and other Nationals who have acquired lands and properties at sensitive areas. Our focus now as a country should be how to save Ghana from these foreign nationals.



Free SHS policy has become a disaster and Teachers, headmasters and parents cannot intervene because of fear of intimidation and dismissal. Parents are now obliged to pay more under Free education than before. This is because they now pay private teachers and accommodation for their wards who are placed at far distance. Students are unable to complete their syllabus before the semester end. Our academic standards have fallen below educational standards. Our children are becoming indiscipline and irresponsible.



The recent robberies in Ghana emerged on the scenes because of the closure of the galamsey operations. Even though it is a good exercise to save our water bodies, these galamsey miners should have been reallocated lands far from our water bodies and control their operations legally. Majority of ex-convicts found the galamsey work as safe place without discrimination in search of jobs. Because most of them couldn't find alternative jobs after being sacked from their galamsey activities, they resorted to risky and criminal activities happening in town recently.



Most miners find it difficult to adjust to normal society lifestyles after being shown the exit not to continue mining. Consensus building with galamsey stakeholders and providing alternative livelihood in my view shall end the needless and risky robberies in Ghana.



Policing in the 21st century has assumed enormous challenges which requires due diligence in building lasting public-private partnerships networking and collaboration among all stakeholders of society and the world. One of Harvard university business school leadership publication indicated that one of the best leadership traits in recent times is the adoption of Emotional intelligence. We have more retired police officers as civilians than those currently in office yet the police is still grappling with crime and other challenges. I believe most police officers would agree with me that their conditions of service and logistics needs improvement. The police should also examine and re-evaluate and benchmark their performances with their peers within the best policing countries of the world and emulate their best practices.



We need to build a formidable consensus between the police and the citizens as far as public-private partnership relationship is concerned. Our police must understand that they cannot succeed without the cooperation of the public citizens which includes their own retired officers. Retired officers should try and build holistic and mutual respect relations within their communities. Once we interact among ourselves with the police as brethren by willing to divulge information for the public good without fear or favour I believe our society will be safer for all.



Our civilians should be actively involved by giving retired policemen and women with civilian identification codes to impart messages by mobile phone without mentioning names. It is obvious that crimes in all forms emanates from the citizens and the same citizens can be inspired, motivated to cooperate with the police in curbing crimes. The police must ensure their modus operandi is no respecter of nepotism, tribalism, ethical abuses, favouritism and marginalisation of hard-working officers.



I trust our police council should reconsider going back to the drawing board and incorporate best practices values and ethics which translates into offering trained police officers impacting positively on our security as far as our society is concerned. I believe the recent attacks and its ramifications has heightened our state of insecurity as a nation. I want to hear and see our citizens saying good things about our police and applauding their swift and bold interventions by curbing all forms of crimes in making our society safe for all.



It is worth mentioning that the devil finds job for the idle hand. It is disputable but that has become synonymous with any public or society seeking to find solutions for the overwhelming unemployed youth. We always say that governance is government of the people for the people by the people. It juxtaposes ideology that governance functioning methodologies and programs must be geared towards fulfilling the needs and aspirations of her people because governance is about the people.



Recent comments and agitation by civil society and diverse stakeholders voices asking government to fix the country brings to the fore social unrest and lack of confidence in our society by the masses. Though covid-19 has impacted negatively on the entire world and it's attended socioeconomic ramifications I still believe citizens can dialogue with government by embarking on peaceful demonstrations with the observance of COVID 19 protocols for the good of society. Indeed, the whole world is grappling with one challenge or the other but our current unemployment rate and rising national debt requires national consensus building to unravel the mysteries of our unique challenges.



Recent public agitations asking government to fix the country means all is not well with Ghanaians both home and abroad. The APC party believe government can do better than is doing now. A holistic national conference consensus building with all stakeholders with the theme, the solutions to our socioeconomic challenges in my view can calm tempers when Ghana accords the citizens a listening ear to build mutual understanding. No individual party can solve the challenges of the economy.



All over the world good corporate governance is anchored on formidable team building be it democratic or socialist states. We can rise above our entrenched partisan politics and manage our economies for the betterment of all. Permit me to borrow the words of honourable Kennedy Agyapong when he said NPP, NDC, CPP and all are bogus during the launching of his cardio building project for the 37 military hospital. Is true that the parties are bogus if we are not able to meet the needs of our people as Ghanaians, I resonate with his honest submission. Is about time we all put our shoulders to the wheels and work hard by ensuring we provide our people with jobs opportunities to realise their unique potentials.



The lack of redistribution of income among our youth automatically grinds the wheels of development to a halt, no wonder suppliers and industry players are all complaining that government should fix the economy. When demand fails to absorb supply of goods and services for lack of money society becomes useless. It is similar to incurring cost in training professionals without jobs it makes potentially skill labour be useless.



Finally, I believe government should open their doors and embrace holistic dialogue which fosters inclusion and mutual respect for all. Businesses have shut down on a massive scale. Exim mobile, Tigo, Vodafone and many other companies existing from our country speaks volumes of our business risk volatility as a country. Our economy stock exchange is not equally performing well to roll onboard new businesses so it is obvious we have to fix our country for all. The current state of our economy calls for think tanks to dialogue with all stakeholders. I think we could have adapted better alternative ways of resolving our banking sector clean-up exercise without cost to the government through public-private partnerships investors intervention. I trust we can all do better through national consensus building.



Thank you



Dr. Hassan Ayariga



APC LEADER/ FOUNDER









Disclaimer : Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Peacefmonline.com. Peacefmonline.com accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content. Please report any inappropriate content to us, and we will evaluate it as a matter of priority.

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Actress Moesha Boduongs public repentance act has received mixed reactions from the public. While some think she has truly given her life to Christ and shun her old ways, others believe there is more to it than what meets the eye.



A school of thought has revealed that Moesha is intentionally doing all this to impress the family of a man who has promised to marry her. She has deleted all the raunchy photos on her Instagram page and has even changed her name from Moesha Boduong to Maurecia Boduong.



Kelvin Taylor, a loudmouth commentator on social medi, has added his weird opinion to the many online. The Loud Silence Media Boss in his usual cacophony made some interesting revelations on why he does not fully believe the former slay queen, Moesha Boduong has repented.



According to Taylor, he will advice Moesha to sell the Range Rover and mansion she got from selling her body to rich men before Ghanaians will believe she has repented.



He added that Moesha should revisit Dr. Obengfo to undo the plastic surgery because that is not the actual body God gave her and since she is leaving Satan for good, she should return everything that belongs to him.



This, according to Kelvin Taylor, is the only path Moesha can take to be a full born again Christian.



Kelvin Taylor also touched on certain statements Moesha made in her past life that defeats the fact that she has indeed changed for the better.



Some of this statements includes her interview with Delay where she said although she has repented, she will still date her sugar daddy and that God will understand her decision.



Watch Kelvin Taylor speak in the video below:-

Source: GC/youtube









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Meng Wanzhou, chief financial officer of Huawei, walks out of her home to go to B.C. Supreme Court for her extradition hearing, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, April 1, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Rich Lam
Quebec Treasury Board Chair Sonia Lebel unveils the government's offer to union workers of public services, Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at the legislature in Quebec City. The Quebec government says public sector workers will begin a "progressive" return to their offices in September, as 126 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
Virginia Barnes "Ginna" Kniesly, age 99, Logansport, passed away at 10:10 a.m. on Thursday, June 24, 2021, at Miller's Merry Manor. God Bless the Angels at Millers Merry Manor, every one of whom treated Ginna as their own. The youngest of eight daughters born in Logansport, Indiana, to Emily
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Written by Michael Law

Jun 30, 2021

Looking for an escape from Phoenix to the good times and attractions of Las Vegas for the weekend? No problem. You can get from Phoenix to Las Vegas in a plane, a car, or on a bus. The speed of travel is directly related to the mode: the faster you go, the more it costs.

Las Vegas at dusk

Non-stop flights take about 70 minutes. The drive to Las Vegas from Phoenix is 300 miles and takes about 4.5 to five hours (this can vary greatly depending on the traffic in Phoenix). The third option is to take the bus; travel time ranges from five to nine hours depending on the operator you choose.

No matter what mode of transport you choose, the scenery along the way is interesting as you ascend from Phoenix and make your way Northwest to the fun ahead in Las Vegas.

Note: Some businesses may be temporarily closed due to recent global health and safety issues.
French Businessman and High-Stakes Poker Player Arnaud Mimran Sentenced 13 Years for Kidnapping

June 30, 2021 Jason Glatzer

French businessman, socialite, and high-stakes poker player Arnaud Mimran won't be returning to the poker felt any time soon. Last Friday, Mirman was sentenced to 13 years in a French prison for masterminding the 2016 kidnapping of Swiss financier Yomi Rodrig.

The 49-year-old was already serving an 8-year prison term for his 2016 conviction for a complex carbon VAT fraud scheme and also was indicted in April for two separate charges of murder, which could pad on more time behind bars.

Related: From High-Stakes Poker to Jail: Arnaud Mimran Arrested in France

Backing Out of Inaugural Big One for One Drop

Prior to heading into dark waters, Mimran was mostly known as a wealthy French mogul and socialite, whose fortune was believed to be derived in the real-estate sector. Living the high life, he once dated Paraguayan supermodel Claudia Galantia and claimed to have donated 1 million in political contributions to his friend and former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Mimran was often seen playing high-stakes cash games and occasionally dabbled in tournaments as well, with his best result coming after taking 13th place in the 2006 EPT Monte Carlo 10,000 Grand Final for 28,100.

The poker world took notice in 2012 when Mimran was among the wealthy businessmen to commit to the initial Big One for One Drop during the 2012 WSOP with the event featuring poker's first seven-figure buy-in. However, Mimran backed out of this event despite losing a $50,000 non-refundable deposit in the process.

Antonio Esfandiari won $18 million at the inaugural Big One for One Drop in 2012

Related: Antonio Esfandiari Wins $18 Million at WSOP Big One for One Drop $1M Buy-in Poker Tournament

First Taste of Prison

Mimran was first sentenced to eight years in prison for his role in a complex Carbon VAT fraud in 2008-2009 According to The Times of Israel, the scheme involved 50 people working in small teams of two to three people taking advantage of differing European tax rules to exchange carbon credits and permissions to emit carbon dioxide.

Those involved with what was dubbed the "Swindle of the Century" would purchase tax credits in a country with no VAT before selling them in a country with VAT. Companies in France typically have 90 days to remit VAT and by that time, the money was moved offshore.

This resulted in an estimated loss of1.6 billion in unpaid VAT taxes, according to the French government's estimates with total losses in Europe estimated to be between 5 million to 10 million.

Twisted Kidnapping and Extortion Plot

While fraud is one thing, what happened next was something typically only seen around Hollywood. Mimran found himself deep in debt including owing approximately $6 million to the Wynn Las Vegas, according to court filings at around the time of the kidnapping of Rodrig in 2015.

According to Casino.org, Rodrig testified that he was tossed into a car by a gang led by Sabir Titax Titouh and held in captivity for six days. During this time, Rodrig was forced to purchase $2.6 million in stock in a shell company called Cassidy Ventures Inc, controlled by Mimran.

Goldman Sachs initially rejected the trades due to their "bizarre" nature and the kidnappers forced Rodrig to purchase shares via smaller brokers.

The plot thickened as Titouh was murdered on his doorstep, leaving the gang without a leader. The gang eventually let Rodrig walk but not before sharing he was lucky as he was earmarked to be killed.

Mimran admits he consulted with Titouh but shared he was unaware of the kidnapping and extortion plot. The court clearly saw otherwise as the 13-year sentence of Mimran was at least double that of three other defendants, each of who were committed and sentenced to 4-8 years in prison.

Even Worse: Two Murder Trials to Come?

Mimran was charged in April for two murders that were alleged to been committed a decade ago, including one on his partner in crime Samy Souied in 2010. If that wasn't enough, it appears his family wasn't off-limit either according to the accusations. Prosecutors will also argue Mimran murdered his billionaire 76-year-old father-in-law and art dealer Claude Dray, who was shot dead in his home in 2011.

It's been quite the fall from grace for the socialite once slated to play the Big One for One Drop, but who's now all but certified to spend the next decade behind bars.

*Lead image courtesy of CheGossip.com
David Szep Wins GGPoker's Super MILLION$ At Very First Attempt

June 30, 2021 Matthew Pitt

Hungary's David Szep's decision to enter the second GGPoker Super MILLON$ of Season 2 turned out to be one of the best he has ever made because it resulted in Szep walking away with the title of champion.

Szep's first foray into the Super MILLION$ world ended with his GGPoker bankroll swelling by an impressive $228,170.

Super MILLION$ Final Table Results

Place Player Country Prize 1 David Szep Hungary $228,170 2 Bert Stevens Mexico $178,191 3 Nicolo Molinelli Tunisia $139,160 4 Enrico Camsoci Tunisia $108,678 5 Pascal Hartmann Austria $84,873 6 Marius Gierse Austria $66,282 7 Thomas Muehloecker Austria $51,763 8 AlexGLrus77 Russia $40,425 9 judd trump China $31,570

Former Super MILLION$ champion "judd trump" sat down at the final table as the second-shortest stack and he busted as he attempted to rectify his lowly position. Approximately 30 minutes into the action, with blinds of 15,000/30,000/3,500a, Szep min-raised to 60,000 from early position with pocket tens, and the action folded to judd trump in the small blind. judd trump three-bet to 211,020 before calling when Szep set him all-in for the 441,471 chips judd trump had behind. A king on the flop gave judd trump hope, but the board four-flushed with spades and Szep had the ten of spades in his hand.

A very short-stacked "AlexGLrus77" was the next to bust. The Russian min-raised to 60,000 from early position with ace-jack, Thomas Muehloecker responded with a three-bet to 135,000 with pocket kings in the cutoff before calling when AlexGLrus77 jammed for the 242,214 in total. Muehloecker's kings remained true, and his Russia opponent headed to the showers.

Find Out How YOU Could Win More With GGPoker's Flip & Go Renewal

Muehloecker's Comeback Cut Short

Muehloecker, who sat down at the final table ninth in chips, was the next player out of the door despite winning that pot. During the 17,500/35,000/4,500a level, Nicolo Molinelli opened to 73,500 from the button with pocket nines, and Muehloecker ripped in his 896,340 stack from the small blind with ace-king. Molinelli made the call, and his nine not only held but caught an unnecessary set on the river to cut Muehlocker's comeback short.

Marius Gierse was extremely short-stacked when Muehloecker busted, and almost called Muhelocker's all-in bet, but folded his ace-ten. A short while later, Gierse found ace-queen under the gun and raised to 266,666, which left him only 285,304 chips behind. Bert Stevens, a former Super MILLION$ champion, called from the cutoff with the dominated ace-jack. Gierse committed the last of his chips on an eight-queen-eight flop, which seemed perfect for him, especially when Stevens called. Gierse's joy turned to despair when Stevens went perfect-perfect on the turn and river to win the hand with an unlikely queen-high straight.

Fifth place and the last five-figure prize went to another former Super MILLION$ champion, Pascal Hartmann. The Austrian crashed out during the 30,000/60,000/7,500a level when he raised to 432,000 with ace-five of hearts from under the gun, a raise that left him only 385,195 chips behind. Szep was next to act, and he called. Hartmann pushed all-in on the six-five-four flop, and Szep called. A queen on the turn changed nothing, but the jack of diamonds on the river resigned Hartmann to a fifth-place finish.

Thomas Muehloecker

Everyone Locks Up Six Figures

The surviving four players were now guaranteed at least $108,678, and it is that sum Enrico Camosci walked away with. The start-of-the-day chip leader saw Szep open to 182,000 at the start of the 35,000/70,000/8,500a level and decided to move all-in for 1,247,916 with ace-king. Szep called with the dominated ace-nine, which improved to a hand-winning pair of nines on the river.

Heads-up was set soon after when Molinelli lost the biggest pot of the evening so far. The hand started with a 182,000 raise from Szep on the button, and a three-bet to 1,050,000 with pocket tens in the small blind from Molinelli. Stevens woke up in the big blind with ace-queen, and jammed all-in for 4,061,981. Szep ducked out of the way, but Molinelli called. A queen on the flop and an ace on the river gifted the monster-sized pot to Steven.

Win Free Prizes Just For Logging Into Your GGPoker Account

That hand propelled Stevens into the chip lead, his 6,694,977 stack towering over the 3,805,023 of Szep.

Szep drew level before forging a substantial lead for himself; he had one hand on the trophy and the near $230,000 top prize. Szep's heads-up performance was something else, and he deserved to become the latest Super MILLION$ champion.

The final hand took place during the 60,000/120,000/15,000a level and saw Steven open-shoved for 918,266 with ten-nine of spades. Szep called with pocket fours. A king-high flop failed to alter the course of the hand, although the turn gave Stevens outs to an open-ended straight draw. The river missed both player, however, which resigned Stevens to a second-place finish worth $178,191, and handed the title and $228,170 to Szep, the man playing in his first-ever Super MILLION$ event!
The Department of Energys consequential decision to continue the pursuit of plutonium pit production at the Savannah River Site was applauded this week by U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson, who for years has advocated for such a ruling.

For too long, our nation has deferred nuclear modernization efforts that are beginning to impact our national security and nuclear deterrent, Wilson said in a statement Wednesday. I am grateful that the past three administrations have recognized this need and developed a resilient strategy that incorporates the capabilities of the Savannah River Site to achieve this mission.

The National Nuclear Security Administration on Monday announced its plans to build a factory for nuclear weapon cores  plutonium pits  at the Savannah River Site was given the go-ahead, achieving a major project milestone known as Critical Decision-1. It marks the end of conceptual design and, in this case, greenlights further work on the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility.

Critical Decision-1 lays a foundation for the future of the Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility, Wilson said, and I look forward to working with my colleagues to see this project come to fruition.

The South Carolina Republican has used his senior seat on the House Armed Services Committee to champion the cause and steer conversations toward South Carolina and, often, in favor of the plutonium triggers. During a congressional hearing June 23, for example, Wilson extracted support for pit production in South Carolina and New Mexico from both Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Gen. Mark Milley, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.

In accordance with the presidents budget, Wilson asked Austin, do you support two sites?

I support the presidents budget, yes, Austin responded.

With two sites, Wilson noted. Thank you.

An ongoing review of defense capabilities, Austin mentioned, will factor into what the appropriate number of sites ought to be.

The Savannah River Plutonium Processing Facility is expected to cost between $6.9 billion and $11.1 billion, far more expensive than previously advertised, and could come to fruition between 2032 and 2035. At least 50 nuclear weapon cores will be produced at the Savannah River plant each year, officials have promised.

Wilsons congressional district, the 2nd, includes all of Aiken and Barnwell counties as well as the Savannah River Site.
Charleston, SC (29403)

Today

Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 87F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Mainly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 73F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
Mark Sanford says if he were still in Congress, he wouldve voted yes to investigate the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol.

Which pretty much sums up why Mark Sanford isnt still in Congress.

The two-term South Carolina governor  and former congressman  earlier this week told local independent journalist Quintin Washington that Republicans who ignore the attempted insurrection are playing with fire.

I dont know how, for a lot of Republicans, Jan. 6th wasnt the last tipping point, he said.

But Sanford does know. He recognized, too late, that playing with fire is exactly what he did during his last term in office.

He lost his reelection bid in the 2018 GOP primary because, as he describes it, I turned off Trump voters en masse.

Never let it be said that Sanford sugarcoats things.

He has turned the lessons learned from all that into a book coming out next month, Two Roads Diverged, in which he offers his view on the path forward for his party. Its thoughtful and, just like him, hews to conservative principles.

But many of his colleagues in the Republican Party have taken a different lesson from Sanfords fate: Dont disagree with primary voters.

Earlier this week, U.S. Sen. Tim Scott launched his reelection bid by proclaiming the Trump presidency the good ol days, which not coincidentally is just what primary voters want to hear.

Scott also published a video with every Republican in the states congressional delegation voicing their support for him  with the notable exception of Congressman Tom Rice.

Thats probably not a coincidence, since Rice not only voted for the Democrats proposed Jan. 6 commission, but also voted to impeach then-President Donald Trump for a second time.

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And now has Republicans lining up to primary him.

First-term Congresswoman Nancy Mace last week called for an investigation of antifas role in the riots across the country last year. It was a popular move with the base, but others called her hypocritical because she previously opposed the Jan. 6 commission.

Now, Mace offered a semi-plausible excuse: The Capitol riot is already being investigated, and prosecuted. But that wont placate some, particularly because Mace was extremely critical of the rioters in January. Often on national television.

That immediately got her in trouble with party activists, and she has not poked that bear since. Smart. On Facebook, some Republicans noted that Maces call to come down on antifa (which isnt an organization; its short for anti-fascist) was simply her redeeming herself.

Which is no doubt the idea. Because local Republicans were talking about finding a replacement for Mace within weeks of her taking office. And thats just crazy.

Sanford argues this is a problem for the party, and long-term he may be right. He has proof: Republicans lost the House, Senate and White House in the past four years of constant turmoil. And when primary voters threw him over for someone further to the right (which was a trick), that candidate lost to a Democrat in the general election.

Honestly, if not for extreme gerrymandering, wed probably see a lot more seats flipping parties both ways these days. The vast majority of voters are middle-of-the-road, but the extremes hold outsize sway in elections, particularly primary elections.

While both sides cancel candidates with wild abandon if they stray from whatever path voters are on that day, its much more pronounced on the right. Thats what were seeing here. If Scott or Mace were to lose their upcoming primaries (almost impossible and remotely possible, respectively), you can bet the replacement wouldnt be someone more moderate.

Problem is, living up to such standards  and the ever-changing whims of voters  is also nearly impossible. Its hard for non-zealot voters to know where candidates really stand when they so carefully avoid riling the most extreme partisans in their party.

Seems like it would be better if more candidates just spoke their mind. Sanford quarreled with Trump, and that made headlines, but even this week he said he often agreed with the former president on policy.

Thats just being honest, and it ought to be good enough for voters. But dont expect to see any more of that anytime soon.

Because look where it got Sanford.
Throughout the Hopsewee house there are many portraits. To the left in the adjacent room is a portrait of Frank Beattie. He and his wife Raejean own the house and surrounding lands. Her portrait is on the right wall of this corner, adjacent to a painting of Francis Marion, the Swamp Fox of Revolutionary War fame. Tommy Howard/For the Georgetown Times and Post and Courier
Greenville County Council rejected a request made by the city of Greenville for $800,000 over the next two years to help make up revenue shortfalls at the Greenville Convention Center caused in part by the coronavirus pandemic.

The county council also rejected funding its own newly created Historic and Natural Preservation Trust, which asked for money over the next two-year budget cycle to purchase and preserve land and historic structures from encroaching development.

The moves came June 29 as the county approved its $319 million budget for the 2021-2022 fiscal year, which begins July 1. The budget does not include a property tax increase.

The council did vote unanimously to allocate $10 million more over the next two years to affordable housing projects as the county seeks to close a housing gap for middle-class residents that is projected to widen to as many as 20,000 units if action isnt taken each year over the next decade. The county had already proposed committing $1 million per year to affordable housing before Councilwoman Liz Seman's motion to add an additional $5 million per year.

Councilman Chris Harrison made the motion to allocate money to the convention center. There was no discussion and the funding request was rejected by a 7-5 vote. Chairman Willis Meadows, along with councilmembers Mike Barnes, Lynn Ballard, Ennis Fant, Xanthene Norris, Steve Shaw and Stan Tzouvelekas each opposed the request.

The convention center is facing an $800,000 shortfall this year following canceled events during the pandemic, said city of Greenville spokeswoman Beth Brotherton. She said the city had asked the county to split the shortfall with the city.

County Council Chairman Willis Meadows later told The Post and Courier the county is working with the city on a potential long-term solution at the convention center, which historically has run a deficit.

He said the county needed to prioritize how it allocates its tax money just like the city must decide its priorities. He didn't believe the county needed to bail out the convention center's shortfall but that the county would work with the city on a solution.

A subsequent request by Councilman Dan Tripp to provide $1 million per year over the next two years to the countys new conservation trust also failed to gain traction with the majority of the council.

The council created the trust in December 2020 with a stated goal to protect lands with significant natural, cultural and/or historic resources in the county. The council appointed 12 members to the trust but did not initially provide any seed funding.

The trust requested $10 million over two years as an initial request as part of this budget cycle, but the version of the budget county staff presented to the council didnt include any money for the trust. Tripp asked for the $1 million as a trial run for the trust, which likely could leverage that money with other grants or resources to purchase key properties.

Councilman Butch Kirven, who led the effort to create the trust while he was chairman last year, called it a useful tool for the county to protect its special places.

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Seman said the community backed the idea of preserving more land and dictated that through the countys comprehensive plan.

The motion would have required the trust to seek council approval for any allocations greater than $200,000. But the motion did not convince a majority of council and failed on a 6-6 vote. Councilmembers Lynn Ballard, Joe Dill, Harrison, Kirven, Seman and Tripp voted in favor.

No council members who voted against the motion spoke about their reasons. Several members, including Barnes, Fant, Norris and Meadows, voted to create the trust last year when it was passed by unanimous vote.

Meadows questioned the funding structure of the trust at the time and said he thought it did similar work to nonprofit environmental advocacy and land conservation organization Upstate Forever.

Failing to fund the trust with county tax dollars doesnt prevent the trust from operating, but it could slow the countys ability to negotiate quickly on land purchases since the trust must ask council for funding any time it seeks to make a purchase.

The budget also funds 51 new positions within county government, including 29 additional deputies for the Greenville County Sheriffs Office. 19 of the deputies will be added to the countys new Family Court office building under renovation on Halton Road. The sheriffs office currently has 11 deputies who provide security at Family Court on University Ridge, but the new facility will have eight courtrooms rather than six, is a larger building and has a different configuration with more entrances that require security, said county Administrator Joe Kernell.

Sheriff Hobart Lewis said he received everything he asked for in the budget.

Additional positions created include:

10 new EMTs in the county emergency services department, as well as 4 medical communications assistant supervisors and a clinical education specialist

2 deputy coroners

3 detention center officers

1 general counsel position in the solicitors office

1 administrative support specialist at Probate Court

Other budget highlights:

A 2.5 percent cost of living raise for all county employees.

Nearly $71 million for capital projects, including construction of the new county administration building at University Ridge.

Greenville County operates on a biennium budget cycle and approves two years of budgets in one cycle. County Council is expected to finalize the budget for fiscal year 2023 at its next meeting, July 20.
Summerville, SC (29483)

Today

Sunny to partly cloudy. High 91F. Winds ENE at 5 to 10 mph..

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Mainly cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 68F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph.
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

Sunshine and some clouds. High around 90F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy in the evening with more clouds for later at night. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph.
Kingstree, SC (29556)

Today

Sunny to partly cloudy. High around 90F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly cloudy this evening with more clouds for overnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 64F. Winds light and variable.
JOHNS ISLAND  Harry Tatoian III was on his boat near Folly Beach on June 24 when his sail was suddenly ripped in half and his centerboard slid out from beneath the vessel.

It left him stranded, panicked and afraid in the Atlantic Ocean about a mile offshore.

Thankfully, the 46-year-old North Charleston man had a new radio given to him by his fiancee. He sent out a mayday call numerous times.

The really bad news: He had just watched the 1975 horror film "Jaws" again and was starting to regret it. And even though the Holy City has one of the busiest shipping ports in the Southeast, Tatoian was nervous at the lack of any vessels on the horizon.

But two hours later, a bright-orange Coast Guard helicopter zeroed in on the castaway, who was floating with his boat about a mile east of the Stono River Inlet. He was picked up and brought to safety.

A week passed, and on June 30 Tatoian was able to reunite with the crew that saved his life at the Coast Guard hangar on Johns Island.

"I was literally in tears and then very grateful," Tatoian said. "When I saw them it was literally the grace of God. And when it was hovering over me, I just couldn't believe it."

U.S. Coast Guard Sector Charleston received uncorrelated mayday calls on June 24 over FM radio Channel 16 around 12:32 p.m. The crewmembers were able to establish a search area where the calls were coming from.

Two MH-65 Dolphin helicopters were called to respond. One of the aircrews was on the way back from Georgia and located the capsized sailboat.

Tatoian was using channel 16, the international distress frequency. But some boaters use it to test their radios or even for meaningless chatter, which added to the stress of locating someone in danger.

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"Our helicopter is equipped with direction-finding equipment that allows us to locate the direction of a distress call very quickly, said Lt. Cmdr. Jakob Wrieden, the aircraft commander for the rescue. We were fortunate to hear two distress calls during the search and were able to hone in on the survivor."

Wrieden advised: "We would like to remind all mariners to use Channel 16 for hailing and distress only. You never know who is relying on it."

Joseph Florio, an aviation survival technician II with the Coast Guard, was lowered into the seas and swam to Tatoian to rescue him. Typically mayday calls are bad news, and very few people get found.

But Tatoian was a fighter.

"A lot of times we come up with new situations and, you know, we don't really have the best results," Florio said. "So, when I looked out the window and actually saw the sailboat there and him hanging onto it, we were excited that we're able to find him and help."

Florio grabbed Tatoian and was able to get him to the rescue line on the helicopter. Once they landed at the Charleston County Executive Airport on Johns Island, the 46-year-old was picked up by emergency services.

Tatoian shook the hands of all the people involved with his rescue, and was grateful to have them there when he needed them most.

His sailboat wreckage is deep in the waters near Kiawah Island. He's not sure when he'll be able to salvage it, but he's not too worried about it.

"I lost my boat, but I didn't lose my life," Tatoian said.
Katie Arrington, a former South Carolina congressional candidate who went on to work for the Pentagon, is being investigated by the Department of Defense for an alleged disclosure of classified information, according to her attorney.

Arrington is the chief information security officer for the Pentagons Acquisition and Sustainment Office, and she has a high-profile role spearheading a new cybersecurity initiative for defense contractors. She has been placed on administrative leave amid the investigation and has not been fired.

On May 11, Arrington was informed "her security clearance for access to classified information is being suspended as a result of a reported Unauthorized Disclosure of Classified Information and subsequent removal of access by the National Security Agency, according to a memo shared with Bloomberg News.

The memo, from the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment, also asserts "If this preliminary decision becomes final, you will not be eligible for access to classified information or assignments to duties that have been designated national security sensitive," the Bloomberg report said.

Washington D.C.-based attorney Mark Zaid, is representing Arrington. He confirmed the contents and validity of the memo to The Post and Courier.

But Zaid added that the Department of Defense is not being clear about what the allegations are and said it is standard practice to place someone on administrative leave amid an investigation. Arrington has not been fired and her security clearance has not been revoked, but her access has been limited, which means she can't do her job.

"I only know what was in the memo and I know that NSA is raising the concerns," Zaid said in an interview with The Post and Courier June 29. "There is an allegation of disclosure of classified information."

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Zaid did not share specifics about the allegations. Arrington did not respond to a phone call or text messages on June 29.

Jessica Maxwell, a Department of Defense spokeswoman, confirmed to The Post and Courier that Arrington has been placed on leave.

Maxwell gave no other information except to say "out of respect for her privacy, we cannot discuss the details of timeline. The DoD does not comment on personnel issues."

Arrington is a former Republican South Carolina lawmaker who represented the Summerville area in the state House of Representatives. She ran for Congress in 2018 but ultimately lost her bid to Democrat Joe Cunningham in the midterm elections.

Shortly after her election loss, she took on her job with the Department of Defense in January 2019. Her appointment came from Ellen Lord, who at the time was the Pentagons undersecretary of defense for acquisition and sustainment  the department's top weapons buyer.

During her 2018 congressional campaign Arrington frequently cited her cybersecurity and defense industry background. She has previously worked as a director of technology at a firm called Centuria. Also, she was an account manager at Benefitfocus and was vice president of sales at Dispersive Technologies, a cybersecurity solutions provider.

She also served on both the executive board of the states chapter of Women in Defense, a networking group for women who work in national defense and security, as well as the Charleston Defense Contractors Association, a business association focused on raising the profile of the regions defense industry.
MYRTLE BEACH  Conversations surrounding I-73 have been happening since 1993, and on June 29, Sen. Lindsey Graham stated he is requesting $12 million in federal funding for the I-73 project.

The proposed interstate would connect Myrtle Beach to I-95, which runs from Miami to Canada as the main interstate up the eastern seaboard.

While the money has been requested, it will now have to be approved by federal officials and President Joe Biden. If approved for a right-of-way acquisition, Horry County officials and the South Carolina Department of Transportation would then purchase the land.

I-73 has brought debate on both sides, weighing options between economic growth versus environmental concerns.

Proponents of the environment like the Coastal Conservation League are pushing to improve S.C. 38 and U.S. 501 instead. They believe the proposed interstate would impact or destroy more than 350 acres of wetlands and 22 miles of streams.

Back in 2017, the Coastal Conservation League challenged the federal permits for I-73. The lawsuit is still ongoing and the organization is waiting on a hearing date, according to Communication Director Alan Hancock.

The lawsuit was filed by the Southern Environmental Law Center on behalf of the league. It claims the Army Corps of Engineers relied on an outdated environmental study and did not consider alternatives to I-73 as it issued permits in 2017 to begin work on the road. That would be a violation of the National Environmental Policy Act, a federal environmental law.

But government officials like Graham believe I-73 is vital to the Grand Strand's rapid growth, as Horry County's population is expected to be close to half a million by the year 2030.

I am aggressively pursuing funding for I-73, said Graham. I believe it is a critical infrastructure project for the Grand Strand and the state of South Carolina as a whole. The Grand Strand is a cash cow for the state, and I am determined to help provide a better means of transportation for those traveling to and from this tourist destination.

Graham added the estimated cost of right-of-way acquisition is $15 million, but it requires a 20 percent non-federal match, which would leave local and state officials responsible for the remaining $3 million.

Horry County Council Chairman Johnny Gardner applauded Graham's step to push for money for I-73, and hopes Graham is able to achieve it.

If the federal and state government are willing to put in their share, then Gardner said Horry County is, as well.

While the county doesn't have money allocated exactly for I-73, Gardner said there is money in the budget for roads which could be allocated for the interstate.

"Horry County is in favor of I-73," Gardner said.

Hancock said the organization supports improving existing highways rather than cutting through wetlands and family farms.

Certainly South Carolina has better ways to spend $12 million than on a down payment for a new and unnecessary $2 billion road from I-95 to Aynor," Hancock said in a statement.

But officials like U.S. Rep. Tom Rice have expressed their support of I-73 for years, adding I-73 would bring economic growth to some of South Carolina's most impoverished counties like Marlboro, Dillon, and Marion counties.

According to census data, Marlboro, Dillion and Marion counties all have poverty rates close to or over 25 percent. Comparatively, Horry County's poverty rate is 12.7 percent.

"This interstate, there's nothing I can do that would be more important," Rice said. "That would give more opportunity and hope to the people who live in the 7th district  and get this road done."

The 7th district, Rice's district, encompasses Chesterfield, Dillon, Georgetown, Horry, Marlboro, Darlington and Marion counties and parts of Florence county.

A study back in 2017 reported the costs for the states portion of I-73 could range from about $2.8 billion if built in 2017 to $3.4 billion if construction was delayed until 2025.

But according to SCDOT's website on the project, the cost estimates range between $1 billion and $2 billion.

While Graham's request wouldn't cover the entire cost of I-73, he said the money could help move the project forward.

Myrtle Beach Mayor Brenda Bethune agreed, expressing support for I-73 in a statement.

"This is great news for our area," Bethune said. "Having the support of Senator Graham for I-73 will go a long way in our efforts to develop a funding plan to move this important and much-needed project forward."
BISHOPVILLE  Two women are behind bars after officers with the S.C. Department of Natural Resources found several deer and more than 200 squirrels and other animals being kept in inhumane conditions inside a mobile home near Bishopville.

The two were arrested after search warrants were served June 29. The charges range from illegal possession of white-tailed deer to inhumane treatment of animals and illegal importation/possession of non-native wildlife species. All are misdemeanors.

Other animals found at the location included armadillos and nutria, an invasive species native to South America, according to the DNR.

Possession of nutria  large rodents known for damaging vegetation and wetlands  is potentially a violation of state laws that restrict the importation of non-native wildlife, DNR said.

"The question is, how did they come to have these animals in South Carolina," said DNR spokesman David Lucas.

The arrested individuals had considered themselves to be operating a wildlife rehab, Lucas said.

Several small mammals, including some domestic animals, were being kept in cages stacked in the living room of the mobile home, with some roaming free inside the home.

Lucas said animals were also being kept outdoors near the home.

DNR and the Lee County Office of Animal Control are working to find a location to keep the animals while they figure out what to do with them.

Emily Cope, DNR's deputy director of wildlife and freshwater fisheries, said the agency's top concern is the welfare of the confiscated animals.

"It's a very challenging situation to deal with, mainly because of the sheer number of animals that were being kept on this site, and the deplorable conditions that existed there," Cope said in a media release.

Some of the animals found in the house were deceased, while several others were on "their deathbed," said DNR Big Game Coordinator Charles Ruth.

He said health testing will be completed on carcasses to hopefully limit the spread of potential diseases.

Confiscated animals that are found to be free of disease may be released into the wild, DNR said. That will be determined on a case-by-case basis.

As of June 30, the women had not been released from the Sumter-Lee Regional Detention Center.
RIDGEVILLE  One of Dorchester County's soon to be even-busier roads has been awarded millions in funding.

The U.S. Department of Commerces Economic Development Administration has awarded nearly $7 million to the county to fund the widening of a portion of S.C. Highway 27, also known as Ridgeville Road.

Between the road's connection to Interstate 26 and the Ridgeville Industrial Campus, S.C. 27 will be widened from two to five lanes. This comes after the county announced the upcoming arrival of a Walmart Distribution Center to the industrial campus.

The center is slated to bring more than 1,000 jobs to the area, as well as hundreds of spaces for trucks. This means more traffic for the already heavily used highway.

"The timing of the EDA grant could not have been better," said County Council Chairman Bill Hearn.

He also said they hope the improvements will alleviate traffic off of the smaller roads that residents frequent.

The funding comes as part of the EDA's CARES Act Recovery Assistance grant program.

John Truluck, the county's economic development director, said the administration would only award a maximum of $2 million prior to the pandemic.

The CARES Act, a federal coronavirus aid bill, provided the Economic Development Administration with $1.5 billion in COVID-19 relief funding.

Truluck said, with the additional funding, the administration increased the maximum amount in grants and also opened the program up to projects that didn't involve job creation.

The county applied for the funds in July 2020 to help with the estimated $8 million project. This was before the Walmart Distribution Center was announced.

In addition to the road-widening, officials said the S.C. 27 improvements will also be an opportunity to expand access to the county's public water system. The Dorchester Reach, a more than 10-mile water line between the town of Harleyville and the Ridgeville Industrial Park, was completed in 2020.

But, as the Ridgeville area has started to see growth, residents have raised concerns over the increase in traffic. Some of the biggest worries have been increased road damage and unrepaired potholes.

Kenneth Green lives off of S.C. 27 on Jared Lane. He said there have been times when large holes have remained on the two-lane road for months. So the improvements are needed, he said.

Most of the road damage that's present, he said, comes from the already heavy truck traffic the road sees. The distribution center will add to it.

"You get all kinds of trucks coming through here," he said.

There are also plans to widen I-26 near its intersection with S.C. 27. In addition, the county is working on a nearly $30 million major improvement project for U.S. Highway 78.

The highway sits next to the industrial campus.

Officials said the overall goal with the projects is to get ahead of the notable increase in traffic that's expected with the opening of the Walmart Distribution Center by April 2022.
U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace voted to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Hill, while South Carolina's other five Republicans in the House opposed the measure.

The bill passed the House June 29 by a vote of 285-120. Democrats were united in their support for the effort and were joined by 67 Republicans.

A similar measure last year passed the House but was stonewalled in the Senate.

Included in the list of Confederate imagery in Washington is a statue of John C. Calhoun, a U.S. senator, congressman and vice president from South Carolina who advocated for racist policies and slavery. He died a decade before the Civil War.

Mace, R-Charleston, told The Post and Courier in an interview June 30 that America's history cannot be changed but that Congress should take action on how that history is represented.

"Our country and South Carolina have moved on from our racist past," Mace said. "Our Capitol needs to do the same."

Each state gets to display two statues in the Capitol. When the statue arrives in Washington, it is placed in a location by the Joint Committee on the Library, a bipartisan group of 10 lawmakers that oversees works of fine art in the building.

Many Republicans opposed the June 29 bill because they said some state legislatures are already working on their own measures to remove statues.

Mace said it is within her constitutional authority as a congresswoman to have a say on behalf of her constituents of what imagery from South Carolina sits in the Capitol. Notably, a statue of John C. Calhoun in downtown Charleston, which is within Mace's district, was removed last summer from Marion Square in the city.

All the other members of South Carolina's GOP delegation in the House voted against the measure to remove the Confederate monuments.

The effort now goes to the Senate, where Republicans are expected to block it.

Joining Mace in voting for the bill was U.S. Rep. Jim Clyburn, the lone House Democrat from South Carolina.

Prior to the vote, Clyburn gave a speech explaining who Calhoun was and encouraging Republicans to take a united stand against the statues and the history they represent.

"I don't call this a racist country. I do say that this country has, on occasion, too often for my taste, tolerated racism," Clyburn said. "That's a fact, and nobody can deny that fact. Last time this bill came before this body, over 70 of my Republican friends voted for it. I would hope we could do a little better today."
Ninth Circuit Solicitor Scarlett Wilson said she needs more time to review and collect evidence in the criminal investigation into Jamal Sutherland's death.

Wilson was expected to make a decision by month's end on whether to criminally charge detention deputies Brian Houle and Lindsay Fickett for their roles in the death of the 31-year-old mentally ill man during a cell extraction Jan. 5 at the Charleston County jail.

Wilson said June 29 that her office was continuing to investigate the case, however.

"Both the community and the Sutherland family deserve a thorough investigation and that is exactly what we are providing," Wilson said.

The solicitor said Dr. Kimberly Collins, who was retained to perform an autopsy review in the case, has requested assistance from a forensic toxicologist, so her office has retained Dr. Laura Labay, a forensic toxicologist for NMS Labs in Pennsylvania.

Wilson said her office also obtained additional evidence and conducted interviews last week that are relevant to a use-of-force expert's review of the case.

The Charleston County Coroner's Office has also requested additional forensic testing in the case, which may have a bearing on the case, Wilson said.

Earlier this month, Charleston County Coroner Bobbi Jo O'Neal announced she had recategorized Sutherland's manner of death from undetermined to homicide.

At a June 16 news conference, she said Sutherland died of a cardiac event when he was forcibly removed by detention deputies from his cell on Jan. 5.

She said three factors led to his death: his excited state, a change in his medication while he was at Palmetto Behavioral Health and the "subdual force" used by deputies to extract him from his jail cell, which included tear gas, Taser shocks and physical force.

O'Neal said she believed the medication change at Palmetto Behavioral Health, where Sutherland was admitted by his family Jan. 4, combined with the detention deputies' use of force justified changing the manner of death to homicide.

Wilson previously said she expected Collins would also determine Sutherland's death was a homicide, but the term homicide does not necessarily mean a crime has been committed.
A South Carolina man was charged June 29 on allegations he participated in the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol building.

George Amos Tenney III, 34, of Anderson, is accused of entering the U.S. Capitol building with a Texas man, Darrell Alan Youngers, after a violent mob overpowered Capitol police Jan. 6 and stormed the building, according to a federal criminal complaint.

Tenney, an administrator for the Facebook page "The PowerHouse Patriot," told officers in an interview he was only in the building for "three or four minutes" before realizing he should not be there. He said he did not engage in violence or cause property damage.

However, surveillance footage showed Tenney and Youngers scuffling with Capitol police officers while attempting to open doors to the building's east foyer during the riot, the complaint alleges.

Authorities say Tenney shoved one of the doors open before an officer pushed him aside. Tenney then grabbed the officer and had a "heated conversation," during which Tenney said "You're not going to stop us," the complaint claims.

As rioters began to stream through the rotunda, the complaint says Tenney shouted: "Come on, Americans!"

Tenney was interviewed by law enforcement officers in February, the complaint states. He said he attended the "Save America" rally that preceded the riot, where he met Youngers and William Robert Norwood III, of Boiling Springs.

Norwood, 37, was charged in March in connection to the riot.

Authorities say they have video of Norwood, Tenney and a third man being interviewed by an acquaintance after the riot. All three men wore masks to hide their identity, but the person who filmed the interview was able to identify Tenney for law enforcement officers.

Tenney and Youngers are charged with knowingly entering or remaining in a restricted building without lawful authority, disorderly and disruptive conduct in a restricted building, disorderly conduct in a Capitol building and parading, demonstrating or picketing in a Capitol building.

Tenney is also charged with interfering with a law enforcement officer during civil disorder and obstruction of justice.

Court records indicate Tenney was arrested June 29 and released on a $25,000 unsecured bond. He was also appointed a public defender.

The FBI's Houston office announced on Twitter June 29 that Youngers was also arrested in the case.
NORTH CHARLESTON  Dozens of private businesses and nonprofits have taken residence on the former Charleston Naval Base since its 1996 closure.

More development is expected on the complex, a 3-mile-long corridor along the Cooper River that honors the city's history while also pointing to its future.

Separate plans by private developers and the city of North Charleston call for the base's continued transformation from a cluster of shuttered military buildings and residences into a vibrant, mixed-use space with restaurants, residential units, office spaces, event venues and parks.

All of the increased attention could work in the favor of one Christian engineering nonprofit that's quietly become a global leader in the fight to provide billions across the world with safe water.

With a recent land purchase, the mission has established a permanent residence on the old base. The group also has plans to expand.

Headquartered inside an old Navy warehouse, Water Mission is different because the nonprofit's work continues the legacy of the people in uniform who once served at the former military installation.

More obviously, both the nonprofit and the Navy directly involve the use of water as a means of helping others. But more subtly, Water Mission echoes the armed forces branch as the mission strives as a U.S.-based, service-minded group aiming to protect and help improve people's lives around the world.

"It sort of carries on what the Navy Yard was about," Mayor Keith Summey said. "Our Navy has gone all over the world supporting other countries that need help. Now, we still have a segment of that base that's doing the same thing."

Now in its 20th year, Water Mission has helped provide more than 5 million people across the globe with clean water, nearly a million with hygiene solutions, and hundreds of thousands with sanitation.

The group's goal for the future is ambitious: end the global water crisis in our lifetime.

The aspiration might seem lofty, considering there are 2.2 billion internationally without clean water, the mission said.

But the nonprofit's leaders understand that solving the crisis will take partnering with other organizations that are already working toward the same goal.

Plans to expand

To that end, the North Charleston group is spearheading a Global Water Center, a separate nonprofit that will help develop international standards for water systems engineering. The organization is also planning a Discovery Center and "water playground"  both of which will help raise awareness about the lack of safe water.

This will all take place at the mission's location on Molly Greene Way. Water Mission just bought its 8-acre parcel from the city for $1.6 million after leasing the property from North Charleston for several years.

The fact that the organization intends to expand in an already highly desirable area will provide Water Mission with great exposure and other benefits, said George Greene IV, CEO of Water Mission.

"We're in one of the best locations in town," Greene said.

In addition to raising $100 million for the center that will bring people together to brainstorm water solutions, the mission is also planning to establish a global data platform that will allow remote locations to monitor water-treatment systems.

"What we really need to do is get the word out about the problem," said Charles Young, a board member at Water Mission.

While trying to help others overcome crises, the group has had its own share of trials.

Cofounder Molly Greene died tragically in 2019. Yet, her spirit lives on as Water Mission keeps its Christian faith at the center of the organization. Work days at the nonprofit begin with devotion among staff. The organization also prioritizes leadership development trainings, a practice Molly Greene deeply valued.

"What she brought to Water Mission was an ability to make anybody loved and valued and a part of the work that we do," said Greene, Molly's son.

Continuing the legacy

The Charleston Naval Base dates back to 1901 and provided over the years berthing, logistics, training and repair services to ships and submarines.

The military complex, particularly active during wartimes, was known across the world. Given its role in repairing nuclear submarines, the North Charleston site likely would've been among the Soviet Union's top targets.

Before he was a board member for the nonprofit, Young served as an admiral.

Young was first stationed on the Navy base in 1972. He recalls the days when the site housed a number SSBN ships, or nuclear ballistic missile-carrying submarines, Young said.

"We were at the forefront for national security for our country," he said.

After retiring from the military, Young joined Water Mission as a volunteer in 2014. By that time, the mission had established itself as a world leader in providing water access in developing countries. Young views the nonprofit as having a similar impact to the Navy.

"Water Mission is operating all over the world, but in certain countries, we have a presence," he said.

Making an international impact

Water Mission was founded in 2001 by Molly and George Greene III after the couple, who had been operating an environmental engineering company, responded to a hurricane in Honduras. The Greenes took an engineering team that built water-treatment systems into a country where a river flowing through a nearby village was brown-colored with toxins.

Today, Water Mission has 100 full-time staff members in the U.S. and 400 more in 10 other countries, many in East Africa, where there are ongoing efforts to improve water quality.

"Ninety-nine percent" of the staff overseas are indigenous residents, Greene said.

The fact that billions across the globe are without safe water and sanitation while America has long been able to provide its citizens with safe water is startling, Greene said. Many U.S. charity-led water projects in undeveloped countries end up failing because they lack the engineering expertise, he said.

"It's always been mind-numbing for us as we look at how do we have the ability to do this, and then just fall short in some of these other places," Greene said.

The nonprofit's work can be broken down into two categories that both aim to provide clean water to communities: community development projects and disaster relief.

While much of the work occurs overseas, Water Mission does respond to domestic tragedies. The group rendered aid in Texas during the state's recent plumbing catastrophe by partnering with an international plumbers volunteer organization to bring safe water to the homes of the most vulnerable residents.

Still, Water Mission's efforts are focused in developing countries where many lack safe water. A key strategy of the engineering group is using solar energy to power water pumps.

That expertise was recognized internationally in a 2017 report on water efforts in Uganda by the European Commission. The report said Water Mission "stands out" as having the in-house expertise to design solar water schemes, amid weak technical guidance and monitoring from governments.

"Water Missions  are also the only ones chlorinating water in all of their solar schemes," the report said.

Typically, communities where the mission works have about 5,000 people with a water station for every 50 homes.

There are exceptions, though, such as in Tanzania where the organization is providing water to more than 155,000 people.

In Kenya, Water Mission is based in the town of Kitale, a largely agricultural community where many residents grow corn. Among the biggest challenges there is the lack of water infrastructure, said Moses Ngania, Water Mission's director in Kenya.

Over the years, many in the community have had to make an hourlong round trip on foot to a river just to fill a 20-liter container with water. This has been a safety concern, especially for women, who could be vulnerable to attacks on the long trip. It's also a health concern for women who can develop backaches from carrying heavy water jugs.

Sustainability is also problematic because, while governments have implemented projects, the efforts often fail due to lack of repairs, Ngania said. Lack of funding also causes difficulties in creating water infrastructure, he said.

"The communities are left with no other option other than to fetch the water from the river," he said.

Water Mission has helped cut down on the number of people making long trips to the river by creating water-access points. There are now 10 stations where people can access safe water. This has benefited the community in many ways, such as allowing children to spend more time in school instead of toting water.

The time they used to spend fetching water, they now use it for studying," said Wycliffe Adwoli, who has also helped oversee water efforts in Kenya.

Two hospitals have sprung up in Kenya due to Water Mission projects being able to provide the facilities with safe water.

More development on the way

The north end of the former Charleston Naval Base remains a work in progress.

North Charleston is working with a professional engineering consulting company to create a master plan for the area that aims to double the size of Riverfront Park and create a dense hub of commercial, residential and recreational properties.

The city has done some work on the base already, such as the $1 million worth of Riverfront Park renovations, and refurbishing the historic Admiral's House into an event venue.

Other efforts underway include the $8 million pedestrian bridge across Noisette Creek that will increase the size of Riverfront Park so it can host larger events.

Moving forward, the city intends to sell residential properties. North Charleston has 35 to 40 residential lots on the base that will be available for new construction, Summey said. There are about 20 older houses on the base North Charleston intends to sell to private owners, the mayor said.

Things are starting to pull together," Summey said.

The city feels that Water Mission's plans for expansion fit into the larger vision for the area. In particular, the Global Water Center that will be a "tourism draw" by bringing people from across the world to North Charleston, Summey said.

This further ensures that the old base, though located in North Charleston and having shuttered decades ago, maintains an international presence.
Its tempting to say there are no good guys in the story about a now-former Beaufort County sheriffs deputy and a Beaufort man who had lobbied for the County Council to adopt an ordinance last year restricting loud car noises.

But there actually was one  or at least one person who did what more people in similar positions need to do.

Hilton Heads Island Packet newspaper reports that Deputy Christopher Capps and a friend were driving to a Tractor Supply when they decided to mess with the Beaufort man. Mr. Capps told an internal investigator that he accelerated his truck loudly on the mans residential street because he knew the man complains about the loud cars.

The man told deputies he heard this God awful obnoxious noise coming from a vehicle, ran outside and got into his car to chase the Mr. Capps. For more than 6 miles. Calling 911 along the way, apparently hoping to make a citizens arrest, and at one point telling the dispatcher: Im in pursuit. Hes trying to find a way to get away. The pursuit ended when three on-duty deputies stopped both cars.

Yes, thats right: A deputy whos an immature jerk deliberately provokes a citizen whos a hothead Rambo wanna-be, a chase ensues, and thank goodness no one is injured.

Fortunately, theres a happy ending.

According to documents the newspaper obtained through the S.C. Freedom of Information Act, an internal investigation concluded that Mr. Capps violated department policy by engaging in off-duty conduct that reflects discredit on the Sheriffs Office or tend[s] to bring this agency into disrepute or impair efficient and effective operations. And Chief Deputy Michael Hatfield fired him.

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Thats the happy ending because most cops would never dream of pulling a stunt like that, and anyone who would actually do such a thing clearly does not have the temperament to be in law enforcement.

Likewise, most cops would never dream of holding their knee on the neck of an unarmed, handcuffed man for nine minutes while he slowly dies. Or repeatedly shooting an unarmed mentally ill man with a stun gun because he refuses to leave his jail cell for a bond hearing. Or shooting an unarmed person at a traffic stop, or acting in any of the other reckless ways that police around the nation have acted resulting in the injury and death of people who posed no threat to them or anyone else.

Most law enforcement officials are dedicated professionals who put their lives on the line every day to protect the public. And their job is made more dangerous by the presence of those who wear a badge but who really aren't emotionally or mentally fit to do so.

Theres a lot that our Legislature and maybe even the Congress can do to reduce police brutality and restore public trust in law enforcement.

But the most important step is for law enforcement leaders to take a zero-tolerance approach to abusive behavior. It's to stop defending officers who let their emotions get out of control and injure or kill unarmed people and instead get rid of them, even when their actions arent criminal. Maybe even more importantly, it's also recognizing the warning signs before the officer ever gets into a situation where an innocent person gets killed or hurt.
The peaches are coming in. Early reports show an ample crop of sweet, juicy fruit that we will get to enjoy over the next few months.

On the Fourth of July, families and friends will gather around for barbecue, conversation, fireworks and fun.

To beat our legendary South Carolina summer heat, several folks will make a gigantic churn of homemade peach ice cream. Is there any better way to finish a holiday celebration?

As we get ready to celebrate our nations birth and the hard work and sacrifice by our early patriots, you also can join in our modern-day fight against the COVID-19 pandemic by getting fully vaccinated.

More than 600,000 people have died in our country, more than 8,600 of them in the Palmetto State. These people were our neighbors, colleagues, coworkers, friends and beloved family members.

During our work in the General Assembly this year, we have heard from so many who have lost so much to this wretched virus. House staffers have worked with us to mail out over 1,000 condolence messages to families who have lost loved ones during this preventable pandemic.

We know that vaccines against COVID-19 are safe. Researchers had already studied other coronaviruses and worked on vaccine technology for years before the COVID-19 outbreak.

These vaccines are highly effective and have been shown to stand up to the seemingly endless number of variants showing up all over the globe as well as in Charleston. They keep us from becoming so sick we wind up in an ICU unit at the hospital.

With all the time and investment that went into creating and distributing these weapons against this deadly and crippling infection, these vaccines are still free. And mobile vaccine locations are being utilized.

The South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Controls website, scdhec.gov/covid19, offers information on where to get COVID-19 vaccinations.

A shot in your arm is our shot at getting past this virus, and closer to living a normal life again. Wont you be a peach and take the shot?

Rep. JOE H. JEFFERSON

House District 102

Blatt Building

Columbia

Thanks for help

I would like to commend the city of Charleston for one of the fine services it offers.

I recently drove from Murrells Inlet to MUSC for my daily visit with my son, who had undergone open-heart surgery.

I was shocked to find there is no valet parking on weekends. Due to a recent illness I was unable to walk the distance from the parking garage.

In a panic, I spoke with an employee at the check-in desk who sent me to the security guard on duty.

The guard explained that the city has a service to transport people who need help getting from point A to point B.

In my case, two police officers guided me to the parking garage and then drove me to the hospital entrance.

One of the officers even carried two bags into the hospital and up to my sons room.

At the end of the day, the MUSC guard made another call so I could be taken to my car.

This service was a godsend for me and I would like to thank the officers who came to my aid, as well as all the helpful MUSC employees who made a very stressful situation much less so.

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What a great service to offer residents and visitors to this beautiful and caring city.

CATHEL WOODWARD

Shorecrest Bay Drive

Murrells Inlet

Childrens needs

I found it very disheartening that the writer of the Thursday letter to the editor Too many freebies objected to the support of universal preschool and free meals for public school students.

Programs addressing the needs of all children should be priority one.

These programs should be considered an investment, as well as a moral obligation.

Provision for, and care of, offspring is generally instinctive in the animal kingdom.

As a taxpayer, I am happy to support such efforts and find those dollars spent more gratifying than those spent on superfluous things and activities.

Rather than learning entitlement, children can learn through nurturing and attention that they are valued and that caring for one another is what life is all about.

Perhaps this will carry over and be passed over to us aging taxpayers.

JOHN MARTIN

Rose Lane

Summerville

Voting power grab

This year, at least 16 states have enacted measures that would allow the Republican Party greater control over election results.

The most subversive of these provisions would put the power to overturn election results in the hands of state legislatures over elections officials and local voting boards.

States also have moved to curtail mail-in and early voting, drop boxes and poll locations.

Characterized as election integrity measures, these laws place the power to overturn election results in the hands of partisan groups.

States should have the right to set election protocols in their state, however, they should not restrict voter access or allow partisans to overturn election results they dont like.

Congress must act to ensure that our elections remain free and fair.

HEATHER BONEPARTH

Ocean Course Drive

Johns Island
ALLENDALE  The sheriff of Allendale County withdrew thousands in cash with no explanation. The clerk of court paid thousands in Christmas bonuses to staff, and to herself, without reporting them to the IRS. And the tiny, rural county has at least 45 bank accounts, some in individuals names, according to findings in a new forensic audit.

The audit, by Burkett Burkett & Burkett of West Columbia, examined several years of financial records and cited a range of severe accounting deficiencies that left the county at serious risk of fraud. County Council members heard details of the new report on June 29.

The county lacks checks and balances in its accounting practices, has issued payments without invoices and hasn't kept a general ledger  one of the most basic of accounting tools  for the past 13 years, the auditors found.

Council members and the county administrator pledged to make improvements and cited changes already underway. They sought the audit after complaining that the county treasurer, who is elected, was not providing them basic information about revenue, among other concerns. The treasurer, Gerzell Chaney, resigned two weeks ago, just days after state lawmakers wrote to Gov. Henry McMaster urging him to take action.

William Goodson, who took over as county administrator in late 2019, has been working to address the escalating crisis since. "This is not a complicated county to run. This is a small business. We do not need 45 bank accounts," he said.

Ronald Burkett, the auditing firm's president, presented the audit to council. He said he couldnt determine if employees had committed financial crimes but pointed to inept accounting that diminished hope of detecting it.

Among top concerns: Sheriff Tom Carter took out a drug fund account in his personal name and did not disclose it to the county administrator.

"I can't imagine why you would have an account (for county funds) in an individual's name," Burkett said.

In 2020, more than $11,000 was deposited into sheriff's "drug fund" account, including one deposit for $10,565 labeled simply drug money. Yet, the deposit wasnt linked to any court proceedings, the audit says.

Carter also personally withdrew thousands of dollars from the account, the audit says. He took out nine cash withdrawals totaling $5,095 but provided no explanation of why he was withdrawing $3,695 of that money, the audit says.

There was no approval process for these cash withdrawals, no dual control, and no reporting to the County Administrator, the audit says. This is a material weakness and creates the potential for fraud.

Carter did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The audits revelations come amid a decadelong parade of scandals involving South Carolina sheriffs. Roughly one in three South Carolina counties have seen their sheriffs run afoul of the law.

All told, 14 sheriffs have been accused of violating laws they were sworn to uphold. A fifteenth, this one in Orangeburg, funneled public funds into a bogus credit union to buy a $72,000 mobile home.

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The audit is also another blow to a county that has long struggled with soaring poverty, failing schools and government mismanagement. In the past five years, the state took over the countys low-performing school district for the second time while three of Allendales public officials went to jail on embezzlement charges.

All this occurred after the county lost its lone newspaper, the weekly Allendale Sun, in 2015  depriving residents of a key agent to scrutinize the actions of government officials.

Time and again in South Carolina, a lack of scrutiny and financial controls has led to allegations of mismanagement or worse, The Post and Courier has detailed this year in its Uncovered series. The newspaper has partnered with 16 news outlets to expose misconduct and questionable government actions across the Palmetto State, and explore the roots of those problems.

Beyond the Sheriff's Office, the Allendale County audit shows far-reaching risks given a lack of checks and balances and a serious lack of accounting across departments:

 Officials have kept no master list of capital assets.

 Payments for women's jail renovations were made without invoices.

 The county clerk alone has nine bank accounts and is the sole person receiving and distributing money in them. She paid $13,195 in Christmas bonuses to her staff, including herself, out of a discretionary fund in 2020 but didnt account for them in the county payroll system or report them to the IRS on W-2s. The clerk, Elaine Sabb, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Its been going on and going on, Burkett said. All of this leads to potential for fraud.

Tony Bartelme and Glenn Smith contributed to this report from Charleston.
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Evan Brandt has been a staff reporter for The Mercury for more than 20 years. He covers municipal, school district, political, state government, federal government and environmental news.
I think it is Glenn Reynolds who came up with the observation that the demand for racism exceeds the supply, which explains the proliferation of Jussie Smollett-style racism hoaxes.

And Hollywood is happy to do its part to reinforce this narrative. The Daily Wire reports that the CW network has greenlit a series based on Jane Austen novels that will:

update a number of Jane Austen classics for the modern viewer, is reportedly in production at the CW network, to air over the next several years. The series, which appears to be taking a woke approach to the classic authors works, is expected to adapt a different novel with the first season adapting Pride and Prejudice and taking place in San Francisco, and will offer a a kaleidoscopic look at love and family in our time of inequality, according to Bounding Into Comics. . . Austen, the Daily Wire reported earlier this year, is currently undergoing a BLM-inspired historical interrogation over her familys links to the slave trade, and over her love of tea  a beverage that came to the United Kingdom courtesy of British colonial efforts in India.

It was bad enough when the feminists went after Austen a couple decades back, reinterpreting her works through the lens of patriarchal oppression and heteronormativity (yes, there are actual bipeds among us who talk this way). But now we have to get Austen as understood by CRT.

But this is minor league compared to a new movie called Karen that will apparently run on BET whose story line is A racist, entitled white woman in the South terrorizes her new Black neighbors. When I saw this trailer for the movie I thought it was some kind of parody of how the left thinks about the whole matter, but no! Its real! See it if you can stand it:

The movie is ironically correct in one way: this is how the left understand racial matters right now. And yet, Census data show that northern blacks are moving back to the South in large numbers. Why is that? Perhaps because they are better off in these Republican states than in northern states run by Democrats? I shared this chart, produced incidentally by a left-wing academic outfit, last week about integration (showing Alabama and Mississippi comparing very favorable to the northeast), and it suggests that if the South were even 1/100th as bigoted as Karen assumes, we wouldnt see this.

P.S. It seems this trailer is even too much for USA Today, which wrote: A new film trailer has many Twitter users wanting to speak with Hollywoods manager.
From left to right: Cst. Sharon Peters, Officer Kendra Seiben and Cpl. Josh Argue make up the new Community Policing unit in Brooks, Alta. The unit focuses on creating positive connecting with the community of Brooks, as well as education and hands on crime prevention.
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The Yaba Art Museum owned by Yaba College of Technology (YabaTech), has opened an exhibition tagged Living Blue, an Archive Retrospective, to assist researchers who are conducting projects.

Odun Orimolade, Curator of the Museum which is located within YabaTech, said the exhibition was centred around Nike Okundaye, Nigerias Batik and Adire Designer, as she turned 70.

He also said the exhibition was also to recognise Okundayes indelible contributions to the school and art programmes.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the exhibition, which was supported by Ford Foundation, took place at the School of Art and Design, YabaTech, Lagos.

Mr Orimolade said: What we have here in this exhibition is not just artwork, its a process. We have memorabilia, history and documents that we could get out of artistic space, running for two months.

We had to bring mama Okundaye in this space of the museum because she has been very and significantly supportive. She just turned 70, so it is a mark of recognition for her good works.

She has championed youth development and gender equality programmes. She even runs a safe home system where she helps others stand on their feet.

According to Mr Irimolade, those are part of the reasons she remains central to the exhibition which will be open all through to August 2021.

It is an open advantage for researchers. The exhibition involves a lot. Researchers especially will benefit from it.

We have quite a collection  books, digitals, images, art objects and others, he said.

Meanwhile, Obafemi Omokungbe, the Rector of YabaTech, in his remarks said that the management of the institution commended mama Okundayes contributions to the college and the world of arts.

He noted that it was with the support of the Ford Foundation that the exhibition became a reality.

The foundation gave the college a whopping sum of 200,000 dollars for the execution of the project.

He also noted that the beautiful works displayed at the exhibition were made possible through the support of the foundation and that the college appreciated their commitment to the success of the venture.

Mama, students and the entire management of YabaTech is (are)/very happy with all that you have done.

We also appreciate Ford Foundation. They have been so benevolent to the college, he said.

Responding, Mrs Okundaye expressed happiness for being recognised and celebrated by the institution.

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She thanked the organisers of the programme, the YabaTech Management and students for remembering her.

This day will remain green in my heart, this is unbelievable because this is the first time ever in my life that I will be receiving this kind of recognition by my own country.

I feel so great. I lack words to express my joy and heartfelt gratitude but all I will say to the entire YabaTech, students and organisers of this laudable programme, is thank you and thank you, she said.

Funke Baruwa, Programme Officer, Ford Foundation, on the sideline of the event, told NAN that the foundation had a long-standing partnership with YabaTech.
A book authored by a 16-year-old Nigerian girl, Maadiah Johnson, was on Saturday launched in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State.

The book, Clawed to Death, is a fictional prose about a boy who lost his father at a tender age and had to struggle all the way, against all odds.

We (women) are not meant to be raped, butchered, murdered and trafficked, Miss Johnson, an SS2 student, said at the launch, apparently denouncing the rise in gender-based violence in Nigeria.

The 26-year-old female job-seeker, Iniubong Umoren was raped and brutally killed in April in Uyo by a 20-year-old man, Uduak Akpan who had lured her with a fake job offer.

Nigerians have been putting pressure on the police to bring Miss Umorens killers to justice.

Women in Nigeria should be treated as queens and assisted to grow their talents, said Miss Johnson who informed the dignitaries that turned up for her book launch that she started writing the novel when she was just 10.

She said she lost the motivation to go further at some point. Five years later, during the COVID-19 lockdown, she picked up, finished her work which is on sale on Amazon.

The book launch was part of the activities for the monthly reading of the Uyo Book Club, and was graced by several authors, including Anietie Usen, the author of the award-winning novel, Village Boy; Ekong Sampson, and Udeme Nana.

Miss Johnsons mentoring project, Raise them Queens, was also inaugurated.

Her parents, family members, and friends attended the event.

I had a talent, I had a story. I had something that is going to motivate other children to keep writing. If I kept that story without showing it to the world it is me deliberately reducing value from society, Miss Johnson said.

She said she was delighted to see the number of people who came around to show support for her work.

Mr Usen, who chaired the event, described Miss Johnson as the youngest author in Nigerias Niger Delta region.

He said, There is something about this kind of event. It is the realisation that writing is a gift. It is a dash from God.

The good thing about Maadiah is that she discovered this gift in time which is something parents must do to help our children discover what God injected into them in time.

Mr Sampson, a lawyer and author of several books, described Miss Johnson as a future Nobel Prize winner.

Mr Nana, the founder of Uyo Book Club and a journalism teacher, pledged to ensure that Akwa Ibom, Nigeria and the world celebrate the young author.

A senator and former governor of Imo State, Rochas Okorocha, who participated in the event via zoom, congratulated Miss Johnson and promised to host her in Abuja.

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Every girl child should be seen as an honour and a solution to society, the young author said proudly at the event.
A recent report from the office of the Head of Service (HoS) of the Federation has ratified the demotion and removal of a former Acting Director-General of the Federal Institute of Industrial Research Oshodi (FIRO), Chima Igwe, who was indicted for certificate fraud in 2019.

The report, which is the outcome of a presidency-sanctioned investigation, also endorsed the move by the governing board of FIIRO to commence the process of appointing a substantive director-general of the agency.

It came after the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC) also indicted Mr Igwe and recommended that he should refund the remunerations he earned with the controversial certificate.

Mr Igwe has been under ICPC investigation for claiming to have secured a PhD at the Universite dAbomey Calavi, Republic of Benin, but has no certificate to show for it.

He is said to have risen through the ranks in FIIRO based on a letter of attestation from the university for about 18 years, prompting some officials of the institute to petition the ICPC.

The ICPC said in a statement in February 2020 that investigation showed that Mr Igwe actually completed the three-year programme between 1999 and 2002, and wrote his thesis.

However, the commission said he did not defend the thesis, and so cannot be said to have been awarded a PhD.

It added that the university said that much in a letter to the Nigerian Mission in Benin dated January 22, 2020.

Based on the outcome of ICPC investigation, the FIIRO board suspended him and demoted him to the level he was 18 years ago.

Although many within and outside FIIRO called for the dismissal and prosecution of Mr Igwe for certificate fraud, the board only demoted him to the level he was 18 years ago.

The board also commenced the process for the appointment of substantive DG.

But the Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonna Onu, who has been accused of showing undue interest in keeping Mr Igwe as the director-general of FIIRO, has opposed the fresh appointment process embarked upon by the board.

Presidency weighs in

In December 2020, the presidency, through the Chief of Staff to President Muhammadu Buhari, Ibrahim Gambari, weighed in with a directive to the HoS of the Federation, Folashade Yemi-Esan, to investigate the allegations against Mr Igwe, as a follow-up to the ICPC investigation.

He wrote in the memo sent to the HoS that the President had Directed that a detailed investigation be carried out by the Head of Service on the certification of Dr Chima Cartney Igwe as Director-General, Federal Institute of Industrial Research, Oshodi (FIIRO) with necessary disciplinary actions, if required.

The memo also directed that in the interim, Dr. (Mrs.) EA. Asagbara should take over as Overseeing Director-General of FIIRO, pending the appointment of a substantive Director-General.

Documents obtained by PREMIUM TIMES showed that the panel set up by the HoS to investigate the matter concluded and submitted its report to the presidency through the Chief of Staff, in February.

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The three-man investigative committee, headed by Babura Inuwa, in its report dated February 8, noted that the demotion of Mr Igwe should be upheld and that he should refund the illegal salaries obtained using the fake certificate.

Arising from the report of the committee, the following are recommended:

i. The placement of Dr Chima Cartney Igwe by the Governing Board of FIIRO as Chief Research Officer, CONRAISS 13, with effect from 18 July 2020 is in order and therefore it should be upheld;

ii. The directives of the Governing Board, as well as ICPC recommendations, that Dr Chima Cartney Igwe should refund all salaries he had illegally earned from 18th July 2004 is in order and therefore it should be upheld;

iii. Dr Igwe should submit a copy of his PhD thesis to the Institute in line with the extant regulations and practice; Dr Igwe should present his original PhD certificate No. 081 2020/UAC/EDSEA/D/SA dated 14th February 2020 to the Institute for sighting and submit a copy for record purposes in line with extant regulations and practice, the executive summary of the report read in part.

The committee emphatically stated that based on his current rank as Chief Research Officer, Mr Igwe is not qualified and should not be considered for the position of the substantive Director-General of FIIRO.

More troubles

The committee also recommended that the Governing Board should commence disciplinary procedures against Mr Igwe for absence from duty without leave or permission.

The report also cited the refusal of the indicted FIIRO boss to carry out lawful instructions from superior authority by reverting to the Chief Research Officer with effect from 18 July 2020.

The investigative committee also suggested in the report that the officials who approved the evaluation of Mr Igwes controversial PhD certificate be sanctioned.

The Director (Education Support Services Department) who approved the evaluation, and the Assistant Director (Evaluation and Accreditation), who evaluated the Ph.D certificate in the Federal Ministry of Education, should be sanctioned for lack of diligence in the manner they handled the issue of Dr Igwe.

It then advised the Minister of Science and Technology, Mr Onu, to allow the Governing Board of FIIRO to operate freely within the ambit of the provisions of extant regulations.

Minister resists recommendations

Despite the recommendations by the HoS corroborating an earlier indictment issued against Mr Igwe by the ICPC, the Minister of Science and Technology, Ogbonnaya Onu, has continued to frustrate moves by the FIIRO board to appoint a substantive head for the agency.

In a recent letter dated May 21, 2021 seen by PREMIUM TIMES, he instructed the board to suspend the appointment of a substantive head for FIIRO.

The letter signed on behalf of the minister by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Science and Technology, Edet Akpan, curiously cited the presidential directive for an investigation into Mr Igwes certificate scandal, as the basis for the FIIRO board to suspend the appointment of a new DG for the agency. The investigation referred to by the minister had been concluded and its report submitted to the presidency as far back as February.

I am directed by the honourable minister to acknowledge receipt of your letter on the above subject ref. no. FGB/6.01/43 dated April 28, 2021, and inform you that the Presidency has directed that a detailed investigation be carried out by the head of the civil service of the federation on the certification of Dr Chima Cartney Igwe as Director-General (FIIRO), with necessary disciplinary action if required.

In view of the above, you are further requested to suspend all actions and processes on the appointment of a substantive director-general/CEO for FIIRO; pending the outcome of the investigation and subsequent directives of Mr President on the matter, the letter read.

Background

Without a doctoral degree as required by law for major FIIRO positions, Mr Igwe served in different capacities using an attestation letter from his supervisor in Universite dAbomey Calavi, Benin Republic, dated 2002, to gain several promotions.

He had claimed that he bagged a PhD from the university in 2001.

Mr Igwe, a former director-general of the institute believed to be an ally of the minister, was appointed as acting DG to succeed Gloria Elemo, the immediate past substantive DG of the institute, on May 13, 2019.

The authenticity of Mr Igwes PhD certificate degenerated into a ruckus in 2018 after some workers petitioned the anti-graft agency for proper investigation.

The ICPC later revealed that the degree was non-existent, which subsequently led to Mr Igwes removal from the director-generals position and demotion by the board last year.

Instead of presenting an original certificate during the ICPC investigation, he chose to depose to an affidavit of attestation issued by the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, swearing to have obtained the doctorate certificate.

After the outcome of the ICPC investigation, the FIIROs governing board said, through the attestation, Mr Igwe earned undeserved salaries for years.

While many workers and civil society groups called for the dismissal and prosecution of Mr Igwe for the fraudulent action and perjury, the disciplinary committee only recommended his demotion to the level he was 18 years ago. He was also suspended by the board.

After his suspension by the board, Mr Igwe returned to the Benin Republic University in February 2020 to defend his thesis and was issued another attestation to indicate he completed the PhD.

The new attestation showed the effective date of the award of the PhD as February 2020.

But a year after Mr Igwes indictment, the institute has yet to get a substantive director-general. Moves made by the board to appoint a new director-general has been blocked by the minister, who is said to have sympathy for Mr Igwe, critics say.

When PREMIUM TIMES reached for comments, the Special Adviser to the Minister, Ibiam Oguejiofo, declined to speak on the matter.

In line with the December 2020 presidential directive, Yemisi Asagbara, has been the acting director-general.

All efforts to get a substantive Director-General for the institute, have been thwarted by the minister.

Mr Ogbonnaya had repeatedly averted every effort of the Ibrahim Gwarzo-led Governing board of the institute to commence the process.

Group kicks

The Executive Director of Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA), Olanrewaju Suraj, a strong voice in the civil societies demanding accountability in respect of the matter, says Mr Ogbonaya is hell-bent on imposing Mr Igwe as the substantive Director-General of the institute.

The minister (Ogbonaya) was all bent on making him (Mr Igwe) the DG. And nobody is saying he should not put his state men in that position but it should not be someone that has a questionable record as Mr Igwe.

Mr Suraj told PREMIUM TIMES on Thursday, that the board should be allowed to go ahead with the appointment process for a new head.

The probing of Mr Igwe has nothing to do again with the appointment of a DG because he is not qualified to be part of the process, he said.
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Bandits have shot dead a member of the Zamfara State House of Assembly, Mohammed Ahmed, hours after he defected with Governor Bello Matawalle to the All Prigressives Congress (APC).

Mr Ahmed was reportedly killed by bandits along Sheme- Funtua Road in Katsina State.

Zamfara governors spokesperson, Yusuf Idris, said the deceased was the chairman, House committee on Appropriation, and represented Shankafi in the states assembly.

Mr Idris said the lawmaker was shot dead at Yan Kara in Sheme LGA of Katsina State while conveying his son to Kano to board a flight to Sudan.

Mr Ahmed embarked on the journey shortly after the defection ceremony in Gusau on Tuesday.

Governor Matawalle left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) with all elected officials in the state except his deputy, Mahdi Aliyu, and a state lawmaker.

Details later..
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The Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom, says incessant attacks by cattle herders and blackmail would not stop the enforcement the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law in the state.

Mr Ortom said this on Tuesday after inspecting the ongoing renovation work at the Benue Government House, newly constructed 9.6 kilometres Apir-Tse Poor road and electricity project, amongst others in Makurdi, the state capital.

He said pressure was being mounted on the government to repeal the law forbidding open grazing of cattle.

We have not done any policy somersault in any form as regards prohibition of open grazing in Benue State, and we have not shifted grounds.

Right from when I signed the open grazing prohibition law which provided for ranching in 2017, I did not say that I was sending Fulanis, Hausas, Igbos, Yorubas or anyone away from Benue State.

I said everybody was free to do legitimate business in the state. The law is a win-win for everyone including Fulani herders, farmers, and anyone doing legitimate business.

Speaking further, the governor said whether he is killed or not, his commitment to the prohibition of open grazing in Benue State remains unalloyed.

So the issue of reversing the law is beyond Samuel Ortom and the question does not arise. That is why I will continue to call on President Buhari to rescind his decision to insist that open grazing must continue in Nigeria because it will only bring chaos, anarchy and lawlessness.

Open grazing is outdated, there is no need for it. That is our position whether you are Fulani, Hausa, Igbo, Tiv, Yoruba or whoever, if you want to do ranching we have land for you. Come and apply, we will give you the land on lease, that is what our law says.

We are ready for ranching, we have no problem with Fulani people, we have been living together for a long time. But we are against the foreign herdsmen who come to take away our land and kill our people. We are against them, we will not accept them and we will resist them because we are not their partners.

Our law is still in place and we are enforcing it and arresting and prosecuting anybody who violates it in Benue State. That was what my commissioner reiterated in Abuja recently that some persons tried to twist.

And I cannot be blackmailed by anyone in this country. Benue people elected me and so far I am doing their will. We are executing projects and ensuring that the grazing law is in place and we are enforcing the law.

He also said the state government was working with security agencies and local guards to quell insecurity in the state.

Herders-farmers clashes have claimed several lives in Benue in recent months.

As a result of the wanton killings, many communities are in disarray with residents seeking refuge in Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camps across the state.

The security crisis in Benue is part of the security challenges bedevilling the six-geopolitical zones under the Buhari administration.
Some scientists at the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) on Wednesday began a 12-month research project to tackle rising food shortage in Nigeria due to climate change.

The lead researcher, Clara Ifeanyi-Obi, said in Port Harcourt that the project is aimed at mainstreaming gender into climate adaptation efforts and addressing issues that hinder climate change adaptation in agriculture.

Ms Ifeanyi-Obi said the title of the research project was Gender-responsive Climate Change Adaptation Initiatives in Nigerian Agriculture Project.

The don disclose that the research would last for 12 months and would be carried out in all the 17 states in the South-east, South-south and South-west.

This project is targeted to mainstream gender into climate adaptation efforts and address facts that limit people from adapting to climate change in their agricultural production, she said.

Premium Times had reported how Nigeria faces the possibility of food shortages as a combination of climate change and insecurity curtails farming activities and output.

Intervention

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports the research is sponsored by the Canadian Government through the AIMS NEI Fellowship Programme for Women in Climate Change Science.

The lecturer in the Department of Agricultural Economics and Extension, UNIPORT, said that climate change had negatively impacted agricultural produce in the country.

This negative impact is helped by the fact that women, who make up the largest population in the nations agric. sector, do not have knowledge and skill to adapt to climate change.

Most of the climate change adaptation effort made by both the Federal Government and private agencies seems to neglect the place of gender, especially the women groups.

According to her, women are excluded from adaptation efforts and strategies of both government and private agencies, despite having more numbers in the agricultural sector than men.

She said that the exclusion of women from past projects on climate change had affected food security in the country.

The project will look at three areas, including the reduction of vulnerability of climate change by addressing the drivers of vulnerability to climate change.

It will also build the capacity of people and communities, particularly those who are affected by the effect of climate change.

In addition, it will contribute to implementing the different adaptation decisions and policies of the Federal Government as well as achieve a climate-smart agriculture agenda.

It is very important that gender needs are addressed, if the country wants the climate adaptation efforts to be effective and successful, she added.

Climate change

The Director, Centre for Research Management, UNIPORT, Samuel Arokoyu, said it was no longer disputable that the nations climate was changing for the worse.

He said the changing climate had caused untold damage to the nations ecosystem and affected the countrys food sufficiency.

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The global economy is going down and even Nigerian government is struggling to fulfil its obligations and not talk of the citizens.

So, scientists and all stakeholders must come together to begin to brainstorm on how change can be affected, so that we will still be able to feed ourselves.

On his part, the Director, Centre for Disaster Risk Management and Development Studies, UNIPORT, Andrew Obafemi, said the research was timely due to the global economic downturn.

According to him, climate change also provides scientists in the country the opportunity to come up with innovative solutions in a changing world.

To this end, this research will provide evidence-based data for policy and decision to enhance food productivity in Nigeria by building the capacity of our women, he said. (NAN)
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Kano State Governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, and his Jigawa State counterpart, Muhammad Badaru, on Wednesday narrowly escaped being attacked by bandits on a highway linking Zamfara and Kano states.

The governors had attended the ceremony in Gusau in which Zamfara governor, Bello Matawalle, defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The convoy of the Kano governor was returning to Kano from the ceremony when it ran into the bandits.

However, the Kano governor was not in the convoy as he had joined that of Mr Badaru, which passed the same route earlier before the bandits apparently struck.

Kano State Commissioner for Information, Muhammad Garba, confirmed the attack to BBC Hausa Service.

Mr Garba said Mr Ganduje was not riding in his convoy when it was attacked by the outlaws.

He said the governor had left with Mr Badaru in the Jigawa governors convoy before the attack.

The official said three police officers were hit by bullets released by the bandits while vehicles in the convoy belonging to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and an ambulance were also riddled with bullets.

PREMIUM TIMES reported how the bandits had earlier killed Mohammed Ahmed, a lawmaker from Zamfara State.

The police spokesperson in Katsina, Gambo Isah, said the bandits blocked the highway along Sheme-Funtua Road around 10:30 p.m, on Tuesday.

He, however, said no incident of kidnap was reported.

The governors had attended the defection ceremony in Zamfara where they received Mr Mattawalle late in the day.
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On the day he was being arrested and returned to Nigeria, the leader of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), Nnamdi Kanu, prayed for the downfall of his enemies.

Mr Kanu, citing a verse in the Bible, made reference to Psalm 27 on Sunday.

Day 27 of our Prayers from the Book of Psalms Chapter 27, as divinely mandated.

Extract: Psalm 27:2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Iseeee!!! he wrote.

Day 27 of our Prayers from the Book of Psalms Chapter 27, as divinely mandated. Extract: Psalm 27:2 When the wicked, even mine enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell. Iseeee!!!  Mazi Nnamdi Kanu (@MaziNnamdiKanu) June 27, 2021

The post gathered over 5000 retweets and over 800 comments from his followers.

The tweet was posted on the day Nigerias Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, said Mr Kanu was arrested.

Speaking at a joint press briefing on Tuesday with the State Security Service (SSS) in Abuja, Mr Malami disclosed that international collaborative efforts with security agencies led to Mr Kanus arrest and repatriation to Nigeria.

Mr Kanu and his co-defendant are facing treasonable felony charges at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Mr Kanu fled the country in September 2017 after an invasion of his home by the military in Afara-Ukwu, near Umuahia, Abia State.

The Nigerian government obtained a court order on September 20, 2017, to designate IPOB a terrorist group and to proscribe it.

Reacting to the latest development, IPOBs lawyer, Ifeanyi Ejiofor, said the arrest and arraignment of Nnamdi Kanu earlier Tuesday was without his knowledge.

Mr Kanu on his part denied the allegation that his fleeing the country in September 2017 amounts to him jumping bail.

He said he only escaped to safety after the military invaded his house.
The House of Representatives is considering a bill to establish the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) fund.

SDG, which has 17 goals to be achieved by countries that adopted it, is the successor plan to the Millennium Development Goals. The SDG will expire in 2030.

Failure to meet goals in MDGs

Nigeria was among the 189 countries that signed into the United Nations inspired programme. The eight-time MDGs expired in 2015.

According to the MDGs end report on Nigeria, the goals could not be met due to challenges in the areas of poverty, insecurity, social inequality, absence of inclusive growth and youth unemployment

The country is currently implementing the 17 goals in the SDGs (2015-2030) and already six years into the programme.

Public hearing

A public hearing was held on the bill on Tuesday by the House Committee on SDGs, chaired by Rotimi Agunsoye (APC, Lagos)

The bill, sponsored by Abdulrasak Namdas (APC, Adamawa), seeks to establish a fund and a board that will administer the fund.

The special fund will run for 15 years and could be extended by the president.

At the public hearing on Tuesday, the Special Adviser to President Muhammadu Buhari on SDGs, Adejoke Adefilure, expressed support for the bill, but opposed the establishment of a new board.

Mrs Adefilure said such a board will be counter to plans by the government to reduce agencies and departments of government.

She said: While the Presidency supports the bill and the SDGs office is desirous of more funding to achieve its goals, we are of the view that setting up a separate management board would be burdening and compounding the bureaucracy associated with the operations of government agencies which slows down the pace of work.

We want to assure Nigerians and the Committee that the SDGs will be met if the fund is raised and deployed to the appropriate organisational structure that already exists.

The Speaker of the House, Femi Gbajabiamila, while declaring the hearing opened, said the SDGs needs funding to achieve its objectives.

Mr Gbajabiamila said the SDGs has the potential to unlock and empower human economic and social changes, also to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that 2030 Sustainable Development Goals is achieved.

To do this, there must be economic wherewithal, there must be funding because you do not create goals in isolation, you must back it up with funding to achieve those goals, and this is what this Bill is about.

This Bill is timely and I hope the stakeholders have carefully looked into it and identified some benefits embedded in it as it will increase productivity, waste minimization, full participation and Fair distribution of projects for Development in Nigeria.

Speaking on the bill, Mr Agunsoye, the chairman of the committee, said the bill will enable Nigeria to achieve the three primary goals of sustainable development in the area of social development, environmental protection and economic growth in no length of time.

The hearing was attended by representatives of Ministries of Education, and Science and Technology.

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Two Zamfara senators have officially defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

They are Sahabi Yau, who is also the Senate Deputy Minority Whip and Hassan Anka, who represents Zamfara West.

They made known their decisions in separate letters, which were read out by the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, at the start of the plenary on Wednesday.

The lawmakers cited the collapse of internal democracy and crisis as their reasons for leaving the PDP.

Being a representative of my people and having consulted widely with them, I have decided to defect from the crisis-ridden party to a more formidable and peaceful party, part of Mr Yaus letter read.

On his part, Mr Anka said, I wish to inform you of my decision to move from the PDP to the APC.

The decision is necessitated by the crisis of the state chapter of the PDP that has negatively affected representation of our constituents.

Their defection comes barely 24 hours after the state governor, Bello Matawalle, formally joined the APC.

It also comes barely a day after the senator representing Zamfara Central senatorial district, Hassan Gusau, announced his resignation from the PDP.

He, however, did not state the party he would join.

The lawmakers were, thereafter, allocated seats on the APC side in the chamber.

Nwaoboshi too

In the same vein, Peter Nwaoboshi who represents Delta North, also formally announced his defection from the PDP to the APC.

This was also contained in a separate letter to the Senate. And like his colleagues, he cited irreparable crisis in the PDP as part of his reasons for leaving the party.

I write to notify you that I have formally joined the APC.

The PDP in its entirety is imploding under hugedistinctionalisation, intolerance, tyranny and gross failure of leadership in ways that are impossible for normalcy to continue in the party.

This communication is made pursuant to Section 68(1)d of the Constitution for your information, guidance and record purposes.

The senator, who was accused by a government agency of using 11 companies as fronts to secure for himself a N3.6 billion contract, was welcomed to the APC by President Muhammadu Buhari last Friday.

The defection of key political players like governors etc, from one party to the other is commonplace in Nigerian politics.

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The management of the University of Lagos will have to follow due process to suspend Chidinma Ojukwu, the student who is the key suspect in the killing of Super TV boss Michael Ataga, Vice-chancellor Oluwatosin Ogundipe has said.

Speaking during the 51st pre-convocation press conference in Lagos Wednesday, Mr Ogundipe confirmed that Ms Ojukwu, 21, is a part-time Mass Communication student of the university and hails from Abia State.

He also disclosed the students matriculation number.

It was the universitys first official statement on the incident.

Mr Ogundipe, a professor of Botany, however, said the matter is now a national issue and we cannot discuss about it.

Backstory

Ms Ojukwu had confessed to fatally stabbing Mr Ataga, 50, after police arrested her on June 23 at her residence in Lagos.

While being paraded by the police in Ikeja, the suspect said she began a romantic relationship with Mr Ataga four months ago.

During search, the prime suspect was caught with a blood-soaked cloth, ostensibly worn on the day of the incident, the police statement read.

The suspect confessed to have stabbed the deceased with a kitchen knife after a struggle. She further confessed to have taken the knife away while leaving the scene and disposed same in a dust bin at her residence.

Last weekend, Mr Atagas family urged the police to dig further than Ms Ojukwus confession to unearth the mastermind of the murder.
The management of Kaduna Polytechnic has urged the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja to strike out a N1 billion libel suit lodged against it by a civil servant, Bilkisu Sannusi.

Mrs Sannusi, a polytechnic expenditure officer in the Budget Office of the Federation, had sued the schools authorities over what she described as their alleged defamatory publication against her.

She sued a former rector of the institution, Idris Bugaje, the incumbent rector, and the institution itself, as the 1st, 2nd and 3rd defendants, respectively, accusing them of damaging her image before right-thinking members of the society through their publication.

Suit

The plaintiffs encounter with defendants came about while handling the 2020 expenditure budget of the institution in 2019.

She filed her suit marked, FCT/HC/CV/54/2021, filed against the school authorities in February 2021, claiming that the defendants maliciously described her as incompetent and corrupt in a publication dated April 15, 2019, but which was only dispatched on June 26, 2020.

According to her, the publication was sent to the office of the Permanent Secretary, Special Duty, Federal Ministry of Finance, Budget and National Planning, who was the past Director General, Budget Office of the Federation.

She quoted the defendants as stating in the publication that Except we do the needful, asking for a large amount in double digits of millions, and she insisted on reducing our (Kaduna Polytechnic) proposal if we failed to comply with her demand.

Mrs Sannusi denied ever demanding any bribe or any sort of favour from the defendants to do schedule as the schedule officer of the Kaduna Polytechnic.

She explained that she had been confronted with and denied the defendants complaint while she was testifying at an investigative panel of inquiry that was constituted to probe corrupt practices and allegations against her colleagues at the budget office in July 2020.

After several months that the probe panel concluded its work, it has yet to make public its report or findings, the complaint said.

Vendetta

She added in her statement of claim filed in her suit that the publication was circulated as vendetta against her.

She said they circulated the publication after they were fingered in the corrupt practices complaint which she claimed to have lodged against them and some of her colleagues (in the Budget office) who conspired with them to manipulate the personnel budget of the Kaduna Polytechnic for the year 2020.

Mrs Sannusi lamented that she had suffered great hardship, public opium and psychological trauma as a result of the defendants conduct which was unfounded and unjustifiable.

Among other prayers she urged the court to declare that the defendants publication of April 15, 2019, was untrue, maliciously made and a calculation at bringing the plaintiffs personality into disrepute and did achieve same.

She also sought an order directing the defendants to retract the publication, tender an apology to her in two national dailies, and pay her N1 billion in damages.

Defences preliminary objection

In a preliminary objection, the defendants lawyer, Kamaluddin Umar, told the presiding judge, Hamza Muazu that the court lacked the jurisdiction to hear the case.

In a notice of preliminary objection dated June 22, 2021, the defendants argued that the action of the claimant was barred by the provisions of the Public Officers Protection Act.

They further contended that the necessary parties have not been brought before them.

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They therefore sought among others, an order of this honourable court dismissing/striking out the suit, as this honourable court lacks jurisdiction to entertain same.

Hearing

At the resumption of proceedings on Tuesday, the plaintiffs counsel, Martin Opara, informed the court that the matter was for a definite hearing.

However, defence lawyer, Mr Umar, sought an adjournment to enable him to file a response to the claimants counter-affidavit.

Subsequently, the presiding judge, Hamza Muazu, adjourned the case till July 15 for hearing.
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The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) has dismissed allegations ascribing the defections of some governors from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to a plot to rig the 2023 General Elections.

The PDP suffered yet another blow on Tuesday with the defection of the Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, to the APC.

In a reaction, the PDP National Chairman, Uche Secondus, said the party was unperturbed by Mr Matawalles defection nor by that of previous governors. He accused the ruling party of recruiting them (governors) to rig coming elections.

Mr Secondus had threatened to explore all legal means to retrieve the PDP mandate given by the Supreme Court to Mr Matawalle after the 2019 elections in Zamfara State.

However, the APC in a statement by its interim National Secretary, John Akpanudoedehe, on Wednesday, rejected the allegation of planned manipulation of the 2023 elections made by Mr Secondus.

He claimed the deserting members from the PDP, including the governors, are joining the APC due to the formers lack of democratic and fairness of assessment.

Strong internal democracy, transparency and fairness in the conduct of its affairs, which are demonstrably lacking in the PDP, are additional reasons that make the APC a better option for Nigerians, including serving State Governors, National and State Assembly members who are abandoning the PDP and joining the APC.

We want to remind Nigerians that while many APC members were victims of rigging when the PDP was in power, the APC has no record of rigging elections. The Muhammadu Buhari-led administration has introduced electoral reforms aimed at ensuring that all loopholes that open the electoral process to possible abuse in future elections are sealed and eliminated, the party interim secretary said.

Mr Akpanudoedehe said the now main opposition party has been doomed to fail because its unity was rooted in its access to national resources.
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A veteran Yoruba actress, Idowu Phillips, popularly known as Iya Rainbow, has narrated how comedienne Princess, refused to listen to her pleas to drop the alleged rape case she filed against her colleague Olanrewaju Omiyinka aka Baba Ijesha.

Iya Rainbow made this revelation in an interview with BBC Yoruba.

The 78-year old actress said she did everything humanly possible to get Princess not to escalate the case but she did not succumb.

She said it was her wish for the comedienne to allow the case to be settled without going to court but sadly, Princess chose not to accept her pleas.

She said, Before the matter was settled, I asked the princess for four days not to take the matter to court. I urged her not to let this matter get louder, but she refused. Now, see how the whole thing played out.

She said things have to be resolved amicably among the theatre practitioners since Baba Ijesha has been released on bail.

The mother-of-five who has been in the spotlight since 1965, said TAMPAN must try every possible means to settle things amicably between the factions, whether Baba Ijesha is guilty or not.

The Airtel brand ambassador also prayed for peace to reign among the warring parties involved so that the case will be resolved.

Allegations

On April 29, Princess revealed that Baba Ijesha molested her foster daughter for 30 minutes and mentioned that he confessed to committing the crime because he was sexually impotent.

Parts of the scenes of the alleged sexual assault released on Instagram showed how the comic actor was allegedly caught pants down, sitting on the floor, and pleading for forgiveness while being questioned by Princess and other people.

In the two-minute video, Baba Ijesha could be seen and repeatedly heard echoing, Please forgive me, I wont do it again.

Controversies

PREMIUM TIMES previously reported that a veteran actor, Deji Aderemi, had accused Iyabo Ojo of proving stubborn despite pleas from himself, Iya Rainbow, Olaiya Igwe, and other elders in the industry.

The 71-year old actor, known as Olofa Ina, said this after Baba Ijesha was granted bail by the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on Thursday.
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The conviction of a former electoral officer earlier jailed for receiving N362 million as part of bribe shared by the then Minister of Petroleum Resources, Diezani Alison-Madueke, to influence the outcome of the 2015 elections, has been affirmed by the Court of Appeal, Yola Division, Adamawa State.

Ibrahim Umar was then an official of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Yola South Local Government Area when he received the bribe, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) said in a statement on Wednesday.

EFCCs spokesperson, Wilson Uwujaren, who signed the statement, said the Adamawa State High Court, had earlier convicted Mr Umar of three counts.

The judge subsequently sentenced him to seven years imprisonment.

Umar was arraigned alongside a former staff of a new generation bank by the EFCC on September 28, 2018.

During the trial, EFCC called 14 witnesses and tendered several documents which were admitted in evidence.

Justice Nathan Musa, in his judgment, held that EFCC proved its case beyond reasonable doubt as investigation proved that the convict was identified as the person who signed and collected the said sum and was unable to account for its whereabouts, the statement added.

It also said Mr Umar was therefore convicted and sentenced to seven years imprisonment without an option of fine on all the counts.

Dissatisfied with the judgement, the convict approached the Court of Appeal, Yola Division on March 4, 2020 asking that the judgment of the lower court be set aside.

The appellate court on April 14, 2021 delivered its judgement, wherein it unanimously affirmed the judgment of the lower court.

Mrs Alison-Madueke who is believed to have fled to the United Kingdom after leaving office in 2015 also has corruption charges pending against her at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

EFCC has often expressed frustration it has faced in its efforts to extradite her to face her charges in Nigeria.
There is no agency or body that regulates the harvesting or transplanting of human organs in Nigeria, Amisu Mumuni, the chairman of Medical Consultants Association of Nigeria, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), has said.

Mr Mumuni spoke during a one-day public hearing on a bill to establish an organ harvest transplantation department in the Lagos State Ministry of Health organised by the Lagos State House of Assembly.

He said they had been working with the Ministry of Justice on the issue for a long time, adding that the law would regulate organ harvesting and transplanting in the state.

It is a step in the right direction. A regulatory body is being set up for the first time to regulate organ harvesting and transplantation in the country, he said.

None had existed in Nigeria in the past and it has provided a gap to many things. It is a good starting point for regulating transplantation.

But I want to advise that the department should be independent. The membership of the committee should be increased.

The bill to regulate organ harvesting and transplanting in the state, which includes criminalising illegal organ trade, scaled through second reading in the House of Assembly last week.

Hakeem Sokunle, Chairman, House Committee on Health Services, said an organ harvest transplantation department was to advise the state government on all matters relating to organ harvest, transplantation, and preservation.

The lawmaker said the department would also formulate and develop state strategies, guidelines, and protocols for medical transplant and harvest in the state.

The bill when passed into law will formulate and develop state strategies, guidelines, and protocols for medical transplants and harvest in the state.

Mr Sokunle (Oshodi-Isolo 1) said the bill was long overdue due to the sales of human organs by unscrupulous elements.

He added that it was meant to regulate the harvest of human organs and to ensure adherence to the right process.

Akin Abayomi, the state commissioner for health, said the demand for organ transplantation was rising because of the improved use of technology, adding that there was a need for the government to regulate the practice so as to prevent quackery.

The commissioner said the state would not be doing things below the global standard either on the side of the donor or the recipient.

The Majority Leader of the House, Sanai Agunbiade, said that it was not all hospitals that would have the privilege to remove or transplant organs.

Mr Agunbiade (Ikorodu 1), however, said before transplanting was done, the organ must have been harvested.

There are penals for doing anything that is inconsistent with the provisions of the bill. Whoever has organ failure will have access to where they are available.

We want to make Lagos State, where conducts of human beings are regulated with laws, he said.

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Bodunrin Oshunkomaiya, a blood transfusion consultant, said it was important to indicate the organs that were being discussed.

Ms Oshunkomaiya said bone marrow transplant should be included as well as ovaries and embryos.

She added that the authorisation committee should be very dynamic, and that there should be a member that knows about a particular transplant in the committee.

According to her, private hospitals should be included in the transplant as there are facilities for bio-bank in some private hospitals.

Titi Ekosa from 24 Centre, a non-governmental organisation, said there was no space for community participation in the bill .

Ms Ekosa stressed that community people had a lot of information about organ harvesting and should be accommodated in the authorisation committee.

Ajibola Keshinro, a Psychiatrist and Medical Director, General Hospital, Apapa, said the topic should be changed because there were so many things involved in the bill.

Mr Keshinro said people with mental health issues should also be considered in the whole process, stressing the need to include a psychiatrist in the authorisation committee.

Earlier in his keynote address, the Speaker of the House, Mudashiru Obasa, urged the people to make their input on organ harvest and transplant.

Mr Obasa (Agege 1), represented by the Deputy Speaker, Wasiu Eshinlokun-Sanni (Lagos Island 1), said the objective of the bill was to ensure there was no illegal organ transplant or harvest in the state.

We also want to make sure that organs are available to those who need them and ensure that the best practice is observed in organ transplant in Lagos State.

We are gathered here to deliberate and meditate on the bill before the House. The bill seeks to create a department on transplanting and harvesting of human organs in the state ministry of health.

It will create a system to stop the bad practices on organ transplant and harvest. It is meant to criminalise unethical malpractices and stop the practice of transplanting human organs illegally.

(NAN)
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The National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Uche Secondus, on Tuesday, described the defection of some of the partys governors as an effort by the ruling APC to rig the 2023 General Elections.

Mr Secondus statement is coming on the heels of the defection of the Zamfara State Governor, Bello Matawalle, after weeks of speculation from different quarters.

In his formal defection on Tuesday in Gusau, the capital of Zamfara, Mr Matawalle was welcomed to the party by 11 governors from the party, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha, and other stakeholders led by Mala Buni-led interim leadership of the APC

The Zamfara governor is the second governor to have left the main opposition in the space of two months and the third in less than 8 months.

He joined the likes of the Cross Rivers State Governor, Ben Ayade, who left the party in May, some months after the exit of his Ebonyi State counterpart, David Umahi, to the APC in November 2020.

However, against the backdrop of the growing cases of defections from the PDP, Mr Secondus, in his address to journalists in Abuja, insisted that the party was ready to return to power in 2023 after kicking the APC out.

He dismissed the possible impacts of the governors defection on the party as he hinged its chances in coming general elections on masses whom he said are tired of the President Muhammadu Buhari-led administration.

The PDP was defeated by the APC in 2015 after 16 years rule.

According to the Vanguard newspaper, the PDP threatened to explore all options to secure the mandate given to it by the Supreme Court as Mr Secondus referred to the Zamfara Governor as a man who has probably lost memory of how he became governor.

Mr Matawalle, the then PDP governorship candidate, became the governor of the state after the apex court nullified the victory of the candidates of APC in the 2019 general elections in Zamfara State on the ground that the ruling party did not conduct valid primaries.

With the defection of Mr Matawalle, the APC now has 22 governors while that of PDP has dwindled to 13.

The All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has an incumbent governor in Anambra State.
The Court of Appeal in Abuja has granted Omoyele Sowores application to file notice of appeal against the ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which confined the pro-democracy activist to Abuja.

A three-member panel of the court headed by Moore Adumei gave Mr Sowore, an activist and publisher of Sahara Reporters, the nod to file his notice of appeal within 14 days.

This followed an application by Mr Sowores lawyer, Marshal Abubakar, for an extension of time to file his clients notice of appeal.

The order granted by the court regularised Mr Sowores appeal deeming it to have been duly filed, and the next stage is the hearing of the case on merit by the appellate court.

Mr Sowore and his co-defendant, Olawale Bakare, are being prosecuted on treasonable felony charges for calling for a revolution through a protest tagged Revolution Now in August 2019.

They both pleaded not guilty.

Contested bail conditions

Ijeoma Ojukwu, the trial judge at the Federal High Court in Abuja, had granted bail to Mr Sowore and Mr Bakare in the sum of N100 million and N50 million respectively.

Mrs Ojukwu said Mr Sowore should produce two sureties in like sum.

Of the N100 million bail sum, N50 million was to be deposited with the court while the balance was to be put in place should Mr Sowore jump bail.

The court said Mr Sowores sureties must deposit tax clearance certificates for three years, 2016 to 2018, and documents of landed properties in Abuja.

The sureties were also to deposit affidavit of means for their assets.

The court ruled that when released after meeting his bail conditions, Mr Sowore should remain in Abuja till the case is determined while his co-accused, Mr Bakare, should not leave his place of residence in Osogbo except for the trial.

The court also said Mr Bakare should present one surety and a bail bond of N50 million.

But Mr Sowore, had in his reaction, described the conditions given by the court as stringent and filed for a variation of the bail conditions.

On October 21, 2019, Mrs Ojukwu set aside one of the bail conditions requesting a N50 million security deposit by one of the sureties in the bank account of the court.

Still dissatisfied, Mr Sowore approached the Court of Appeal, seeking to set aside the conditions that restricted him from addressing public gatherings and leaving the FCT.

Appeal hearing

Earlier on Tuesday, Mr Sowores counsel, Marshal Abubakar, moved his clients application seeking the regularisation of his appeal.

The application filed on November 17, 2020, was not opposed by Kehinde Fagbemi, the State Counsel from the Federal Ministry of Justice.

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Moore Adumei headed the panel which had Adebukola Banjoko and Usman Musale who were sworn inon Monday as Justices of the Court of Appeal, as members.

Mr Sowore and his Buhari Must Go campaigners were on the court premises chanting the slogan on Tuesday.

The Publisher, who spoke briefly after the court proceedings, lamented that he had been confined in Abuja for over two years, while people who stole billions of naira are left to travel all over the world.
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The Deputy Governor of Zamfara State, Mahdi Aliyu, on Wednesday, said he chose to remain in the People Democratic Party (PDP) to honour the mandate given to the party by the Supreme Court.

Mr Aliyu and a member of the House of Representatives declined to join Governor Bello Matswalle and other elected officials in defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday.

Remember how the Supreme Court brought us to power. Thats why I am thankful to God and chose to remain in the PDP, Mr Aliyu told BBC Hausa Service.

Mr Aliyu, who is a son of a former Minister of Defence, Ali Gusau, opposed moving into the APC, arguing that the apex court awarded the electoral victory in 2019 to the PDP and not just its candidates.

Mr Aliyus principal, Governor Bello Matawalle defected to the ruling APC, ending months of speculation and denial.

Mr Matawalle announced his defection late evening at the Gusau Trade Fair Complex at an event attended by APC governors, ministers and the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Boss Mustapha.

I was never consulted

Meanwhile, the deputy governor said he was never consulted about the plan to defect, and I heard everything as a rumour until by 6:00 pm on 29th June he announced his defection to the ruling APC.

Since my father brought the party we never for once left the party. They met us in the PDP and they will left (leave) us there, the deputy governor said.

The deputy governor said the PDP will seek redress in court over the desertion of its elected officials.

Mr Aliyu also said he will continue as the deputy governor to serve the four years constitutional mandate given to him.

When asked, Mr Aliyu rulled out being impeached. That is a big work. I have a good working relationship with the governor, he zends me on important assignments, including PDP governors meetings.

Its not a new thing in Nigeria politics for governor and his deputy to belong to different political parties and complete their constitutional mandate together and I hope this too shall come to pass in Zamfara, Mr Aliyu said.
Three Senators belonging to the Peoples Democratic Party, on Wednesday, resigned their membership of the party and defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC).

The lawmakers in three separate letters to the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, attributed their resignation from the opposition party to internal crisis, tyranny and leadership failure within the PDP.

Mr Lawan read their letters of defection during the commencement of plenary on Wednesday.

The lawmakers who defected are Senators Sahabi Yau (Zamfara North); Lawali Hassan Anka (Zamfara West); and Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North).

The defection letter by the Deputy Minority Whip, Senator Sahabi Yau (Zamfara West) reads: I hereby inform Your Excellency and my Distinguished Colleagues of my decision to move from the Peoples Democratic Party to the All Progressives Congress Party.

The decision is necessitated by the endemic crisis that engulfed the Zamfara State chapter of the PDP, which led the national body to dissolve the State Exco of the party.

This has negatively impacted effective representation of my constituents. Being a representative of my people, and having consulted widely with them, I decided to defect from the crises ridden party to a more formidable and peaceful party, the APC.

Deputy Chairman, Committee on Senate Services, Lawali Hassan Anka (Zamfara West), on his part, said his defection was informed by the crises in the Zamfara state chapter of the PDP.

The Chairman of the Committee on Niger Delta, Peter Nwaoboshi (Delta North) said his decision to resign from the PDP was due to the implosion within the party.

The lawmaker accused the leadership of the party of fostering tyranny, arbitrariness and intolerance.

The Senate President, Mr Lawan, who stopped midway while reading the defection letters as a result of interjections from PDP Senators, jokingly remarked that more defections were underway.

Distinguished Senator Utazi, I know this is not easy, but you know we have to learn to live with it because many more will be coming here, Mr Lawan said.

Mr Nwaoboshis defection letter reads: I write to respectfully notify Your Excellency and, indeed, the Senate that Ive formally joined the All Progressives Congress (APC).

This decision and action are due to division at all levels of the Peoples Democratic Party that sponsored my election into the Senate.

READ ALSO: Two Cross River Reps dump PDP for APC

The PDP in its entirety is imploding under huge yokes of factionalisation, arbitrariness, intolerance, tyranny and gross failure of leadership in ways that have made it impossible for my membership to continue in the party.

This communication is made pursuant to Section 68 subsection (1g) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 as amended, for your information, guidance and record purposes.

While assuring Mr President of my highest esteem, be further assured of my commitment to the Ninth Senate Legislative Agenda under your calm, steady leadership and absolute support for the APC-led Federal Government of His Excellency, President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR.

Signed:

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Ezrel Tabiowo

Special Assistant (Press)

to President of the Senate
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The Secretary to the Niger State Government, Ibrahim Matane, has explained why the state is yet to use force against the kidnappers of 138 pupils of Salihu Tanko Islamiyya School despite knowing their location.

Mr Matane said the government was taking time to evaluate ongoing negotiations with the bandits in order to prevent collateral damage.

We know the location where they (pupils) are; we are very careful of any untoward situation; we do not want to hurt the children while resorting to military operations, he was quoted to have said by Leadership newspaper.

He further told the paper that the state government was looking at other options of negotiation devoid of payment of ransom before taking kinetic action.

Probed on the negotiation by the government with the bandits, official stated that the government told the bandits that if they lay down their arms and release the pupils they would not face prosecution.

He also confirmed that the bandits had reached out to the parents for ransom.

The parents of the pupils abducted were in touch with the bandits who were demanding money; the parents garnered what they have, but we made it clear that this government does not pay ransom.

On May 30, bandits stormed Saliu Tanko Islamic school in Tegina in Rafi Local Government Area of Niger State.

The school, which consists of nursery and primary schools, also hosts Islamiyya students in the evening and at weekends.

Two parents reportedly died of shock after hearing that their wards had been kidnapped, this newspaper gathered.

One of the teachers, Yakubu Idris, said the bandits demanded N150 million as ransom but nothing is forthcoming from the parents.

The Islamic school pupils are one three groups of students currently being held by kidnappers in the northern part of Nigeria.

Others include eight students of Nuhu Bamalli Polytechnic, a state-owned Polytechnic in Zaria, Kaduna Atate and scores of students of the Federal Government College (FGC), Yauri in Kebbi State.
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The Senate on Wednesday passed a bill that seeks to increase the fine and punishment for illegal importation and sales of firearms in Nigeria.

The bill titled Firearms Act (Amendment) Bill, 2021 was read for the third time and passed after the lawmakers considered the report of the Senate Committee on Judiciary, Human Rights and Legal Matters.

The legislation contains amendments to some sections of the main Act ranging from imposition of fine to the destruction of firearms illegally imported into the country by an individual or group.

Amendments

In Section 27 of the Act which deals with fines and penalties for offences, the Senate increased the penalty from N1,000 to N5 million or imprisonment for three years, or both.

The lawmakers agreed that the upward review of the penalty is necessary so as to deter illegal importation and sales of firearms in Nigeria.

Section 38 of the principal Act authorises only officers of the Nigerian Police Force and the Armed Forces to be given licence to carry firearms or ammunition. This was amended to include other law enforcement agencies as well.

A new Clause 39 was introduced in the bill. It gives power to officers of the Nigerian Police, Armed Forces and other law enforcement agencies to seize and confiscate any illicit and illegal firearms imported into the country without any valid import documents or firearms in possession of any individual, corporate bodies and other organisations, without a valid licence.

Sub-clauses (4) and (5) of the same clause was amended to ensure that firearms that are not of military serviceable grades but are serviceable, can be deployed for use by Civilian Joint Task Force and other Registered Vigilantes, under the approval and supervision of the Office of the National Security Adviser.

The lawmakers said the amendment was necessary because the joint efforts are also funded by the government.

A new sub-clause (8) was also to clearly define the nature and types of firearms to be destroyed, for ease of understanding and clarity.

ALSO READ: Senate receives report on Petroleum Industry Bill

According to the bill, the firearms subject to seizure and destruction includes small arms and light weapons, ghost guns or homemade firearms  relinquished during amnesty programme, operations by security agencies and/or collection programme by security agencies or recovered in crime or identified as surplus requirements of the Armed Forces.

Chairman of the committee, Bamidele Opeyemi, who presented the report, said in view of proliferations of firearms across the country and the security challenges, the legislation was necessary.

The new law, he said, will serve as a deterrent and strengthen current efforts geared towards the control of illicit and illegal firearms influx into the country and in the possession of individuals.

The bill will be sent to the House of Representatives for concurrence and thereafter transmitted to the president for assent.
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The remains of the Zamfara State lawmaker killed by gunmen on Tuesday, Muhammad Ahmad, were buried in Gusau, the state, on Wednesday.

Mr Ahmed was killed by bandits along Sheme-Funtua Road in Katsina State, hours after he defected with Governor Bello Matawalle to the All Prigressives Congress (APC).

Yusuf Idris, Zamfara governors spokesperson, said the lawmaker was shot dead while conveying his son to Kano to board a flight to Sudan, where he is studying.

However, Mr Idris said contrary to some media report, the son of the deceased sustained injuries on one leg but was not abducted by their attackers.

He said the injured son is responding to treatment at home in Gusau.

The official said the deceased lawmaker was driving the car when the incident happened.

Also, the police spokesperson in Katsina, Gambo Isah, said the lawmaker ran into a road block by the gunmen and hastily turned but was hit by bullet on his head.

The police said no case of abduction was reported from the attack.

Governor expresses shock

Meanwhile, Governor Bello Matawalle has expressed shock over the incident and condoled with the family of the deceased.

Mr Matawalle said his death was a personal loss to him, his government and the entire state and prayed Almighty Allah to accept his Shahadat and give his immediate family the fortitude to bear the loss.

ALSO READ: Zamfara lawmaker shot dead after defecting to APC

The governor noted that the deceased lawmaker was with him yesterday throughout in the preparations ahead of his exit from the PDP to the APC and making his own valuable contributions towards a successful event, not knowing he was carrying out his final assignments in this world.

The governor prayed Allah to grant the deceased Jannatul Firdaus and the family, the fortitude to bear the irreparable loss.

The Shattiman Sakkwato had also joined hundreds of other mourners for the Janaza prayer of the deceased which was held at the Sheik Umar Kanoma Jumat Mosque along Sokoto by-pass Road, Gusau this morning and also escorted the remains of the deceased to where it was buried at Mussallah Eid Cemetery, Gusau according to the Islamic rites, the statement said.

He described late Muhammad G Ahmad as an honest and hardworking person who believed in telling the truth at all time and on any matter, the governor was also quoted in the statement.
Felicia Marinze, a 71-year-old student of the University of Lagos, has emerged the oldest graduating Ph.D. student from the institutions School of Postgraduate Studies (SPGS).

The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Lagos, Oluwatoyin Ogundipe, announced this at a news conference on activities lined up for the institutions 51st convocation on Wednesday in Lagos.

He said Mrs Marinze (Ph.D. French), from the Department of European Languages and International Studies, had just demonstrated to the world that age was never a barrier to attaining any height.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the title of Mrs Marinzes thesis is: Evaluation de la Competence Communicative Orale du Francais Des Apprenants Nationale Diploma Des Polytechniques Seledionness du Nigeria.

Other big achievers at the graduation include Moruf Olatunji from the Department of Marine Sciences who won the overall best Ph.D. thesis; Ibrahim Adedeji who graduated from the Department of Mechanical Engineering with a CGPA of 4.98, and Opeyemi Popoola from the Department of Economics with a CGPA of 4.90.

Speaking further, the vice-chancellor noted that 281 of the 15,753 students would be graduating in the first-class upper-division.

The three-day convocation will culminate in the graduation of 15,753 students.

These comprise of 7,754 students who will be awarded first degrees and 7,999 Postgraduate degrees.

We shall also award 160 Diplomas in Social Works and Human Kinetics.

The Faculty of Engineering came tops in the category of first-class with 70, followed by Management Sciences with 59 among others, Mr Ogundipe said.

He also announced that the university would be honouring one of its late vice-chancellors, Ibidapo Obe, with a posthumous award.

According to him, the university will also award a posthumous honorary doctorate degree to Ameyo Stella-Adadevo, a lead Consultant Physician and Endocrinologist at the First Consultant Hospital, at the ceremony.

Also to be awarded honorary doctorate degrees are Mohammed Indimi, Kessington Adebutu, and Biodun Shobanjo, Chairman of Troyka Holdings Ltd.

According to Mr Ogundipe, the university has in the last year, recorded huge success, particularly in the area of research and internalisation infrastructure upgrade.

It had also continued to witness growth and developments in other facets.

The vice-chancellor noted that the university had so far, attracted a total of N14 billion research grants in the last three years, both locally and internationally.

This is a pointer to the renaissance of research culture in the university.

Our researchers also had six patents in 2019 and five in 2020 out of which two, in each year, have been prototyped.

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Scholars of the university have continued to raise the bar of research excellence.

Drawn from departments and faculties, some scholars recently had their research proposals approved for generous funding with grants from the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

Our university is reputable for being one of Nigerias leading institutions, especially in the area of research and innovation.

This path, which we have consolidated under the current leadership, has improved our ranking as first in Nigeria and 12th in Africa, just last year.

Speaking further on activities lined up for the three-day event, Mr Ogundipe said that the convocation lecture would hold Monday, July 5.

The title of the lecture is National Development and Knowledge Economy in the Digital Age: Leapfrogging SNEs into the 21st Century.

He said that the lecture would be delivered by the Governor of Central Bank (CBN), Godwin Emefiele.

He added that Tunde Bakare, Chairman, Citadel Global Community Church would be chairman at the occasion.

(NAN)

EDITORS NOTE: This report has been corrected to reflect that Felicia Marinze emerged the oldest PhD graduate of the university and not the best graduating student; and to accurately reflect the vice-chancellors statement.
The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has joined other groups calling for the rejection of Lauretta Onochies nomination as an INEC commissioner.

Executives and supporters of the party led by its National Chairman, Uche Secondus, stormed the entrance of the National Assembly around 12:30 p.m. on Wednesday to kick against Ms Onochies nomination.

Ms Onochie, the current Special Assistant on New Media to President Muhammadu Buhari, was appointed by the president as an INEC commissioner in October 2020.

The appointment had triggered outrage among Nigerians with many individuals and groups calling for the rejection of the nominee who has openly declared membership for the All Progressives Congress (APC).

She had also campaigned for Mr Buhari in 2015.

Many have said Ms Onochies appointment would mar future elections should she be confirmed by the Senate.

The PDP in a letter addressed to the Chairman of the Senate Commitee on INEC, Kabiru Gaya, said Ms Onochie, being a card carrying member of a political party (APC), is not qualified for such appointment as stated in relevant provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

They said the demonstration is aimed at saving the Senate President, Ahmad Lawan, the Senate and Mr Buhari from public ridicule.

Our Party considers it as important to bring to the attention of your committee the fact that our duty is to let you know that the National Assembly must endeavour to do things right and in accordance with the dictates of the laws of the country.

The Nigeria Constitution 1999 as amended clearly prohibits people like Ms Onochie, who is very partisan, in fact, a card carrying member of a political party to be appointed into INEC as an electoral umpire. Section 156(i)(a) and third schedule, Part 1, Item F, Paragraph 14(1) of the Constitution have out rightly disqualified her.

we call on your committee to reject the nomination of Mrs. Onochie because she cannot be neutral or independent as she is factually known to be an unrepentant card carrying member of the APC with uncountable number of proofs, part of the letter read.

The Senate Minority Leader, Enyinnaya Abaribe (PDP, Abia South) and his counterpart in the House of Representatives, Ndudi Elumelu, received the letter on behalf of the Senate and promised that justice will be done.

No internal crisis in PDP  Spokesperson

On his part, the partys National Publicity Secretary, Kola Ologbondiyan, said there was no internal crisis in the party.

He also vowed that the PDP will retrieve seats of the lawmakers at the National Assembly who had defected from the party through litigations.

He was responding to questions on the gale of defections currently rocking the party.

There is no internal party crisis in any chapter of the party. The essence of politics is contestation for power. There could be instances of contestation in our respective chapters but to declare a situation of crisis is totally wrong.

As we speak, our National Working Committee is one. We have one, united indivisible executive committees. It will be wrong for anybody to canvass that there is crisis.

We are going to retrieve every seat in which a member of the platform of the PDP has decamped to any other party.

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The PDPs reaction comes hours after two Zamfara senators, Sahabi Yau and Hassan Anka, announced their defections to the APC.

It also comes a day after the state governor, Bello Matawalle, officially joined the ruling party.
We appeal to the Jigawa State government, led by His Excellency Alhaji Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar (MNI, MON), the Federal Ministry of Education, and all party stakeholders to consider making the necessary decision, to listen to the long-term desire of the good people of Gumel and locate this university in the Emirate.

First, let me congratulate the good people of Jigawa State for being among the beneficiaries of the recent approval of five universities of technology and health sciences by President Muhammadu Buhari. The new universities of technology will be located in Jigawa and Akwa Ibom States, while the universities of health sciences will be established in Azare, Bauchi State and Ila Orangun, Osun State.

One of the motives for establishing federal universities in States may be to ensure that all people have equal access to educational opportunities and to close the gap between the educationally underdeveloped and developed states. It is clear that the current Nigerian administration is committed to doing its best to fulfill its promises by filling the gap in education in the areas of technology, health, and science, particularly in some of Nigerias backward states.

Thankfully, by selecting Jigawa State as one of the recipients of these tertiary institutions, the Federal Government has made a fair and appropriate decision. As a consequence, this issue sparked public debates and mixed opinions, with regard to which zone or Emirate best deserves the new Federal University in Jigawa State. Although people in power or government have the utmost right or responsibility to implement their initiatives in a specific location, notwithstanding that they usually listen to the publics opinion, which is very essential, since the people are the ultimate beneficiaries.

The vast majority of people have agreed that the Gumel Emirate should get the slot because it is the only emirate with only one tertiary institution, and three of its four local governments are educationally disadvantaged. Another reason they mentioned was that one of the local governments of the emirate, Gagarawa, is located at the centre of the State, which is 35 kilometres away from Gumel Local Government.

Jigawa is one of the fastest developing states in Nigeria, with a population of about five million people, divided across three senatorial zones and five emirates, which include the following: Dutse, Ringim, Hadejia, Gumel and Kazaure, respectively. From 1991 to date, precisely 30 years, the State has established 11 higher institutions, in addition to one Federal University, one Federal Polytechnic, two private universities and four NOUN centres, distributed across four out of the five emirates. The only emirate with a single higher institution is Gumel. The College of Education (COE), Gumel was founded in 1976 in the old Kano State and was moved to its current location, Gumel, in 1980 by Muhammad Abubakar Rimi. Throughout the years, the States pioneer institute, COE Gumel, has graduated many prominent people from across the state, and even from neighbouring states, and it is still producing them today.

Gumel is one of the oldest emirates in Nigeria. However, despite its long history, huge manpower, human resources and contribution to state and national development, it is not only sad but extremely painful to note that, ever since the creation of Jigawa State, not even a single tertiary institution (State and Federal) has been established by the successive administrations in the emirate.

Undoubtedly, the Gumel is one of the oldest emirates in Nigeria. However, despite its long history, huge manpower, human resources and contribution to state and national development, it is not only sad but extremely painful to note that, ever since the creation of Jigawa State, not even a single tertiary institution (State and Federal) has been established by the successive administrations in the emirate. It is equally disheartening that the lone tertiary institution in the emirate, despite a huge and ever-increasing population, is the Jigawa State College of Education, Gumel, which was inherited from Kano State, as previously mentioned. The following analysis clearly shows how the remaining emirates in the state have been flooded with the establishment of tertiary institutions thus far. Looking at the status quo, its crystal clear to note that the existing tertiary institutions and universities in Jigawa state are as follows:

Dutse Emirate

1. Federal University, Dutse

2. College of Nursing and Midwifery, Birnin Kudu

3. School of Health Technology, Jahun

4. National Open University of Nigeria, Dutse Study Centre

5. Jigawa State Polytechnic, Dutse

Ringim Emirate

1. College of Islamic and Legal Studies, Ringim

2. Jigawa State College of Remedial, Babura

3. National Open University of Nigeria, Ringim Study Centre

4. Jigawa State School of Midwifery/Nursing, Babura

5. Khadija University, Majiya

Kazaure Emirate

1. Hussaini Adamu Federal Polytechnic, Kazaure

2. Informatic Institute, Kazaure

3. Research Institute, Kazaure

Hadejia Emirate

1. Sule Lamido University, Kafin Hausa

2. Binyaminu Usman College of Agriculture, Hadejia

3. National Open University of Nigeria, Hadejia Study Centre

4. Al-Salam International University, Hadejia

Gumel Emirate

Jigawa State College of Education, Gumel.

Under President Muhammadu Buharis leadership, the Federal Government needs to do justice to all of its units, not just in terms of tertiary education, but in terms of all material allocations. In its federal functions, the government should be seen as sticking to its federal character principle.

History has it that when the Federal Government planned to establish the Federal University in 2010, the most suitable site proposed by educationists was the Jigawa State College of Education (CEO) Gumel, but that did not see the light of day. Now, the Federal Government has announced it would establish a Federal University of Technology in Jigawa State.

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Under President Muhammadu Buharis leadership, the Federal Government needs to do justice to all of its units, not just in terms of tertiary education, but in terms of all material allocations. In its federal functions, the government should be seen as sticking to its federal character principle.

We appeal to the Jigawa State government, led by His Excellency Alhaji Muhammadu Badaru Abubakar (MNI, MON), the Federal Ministry of Education, and all party stakeholders to consider making the necessary decision, to listen to the long-term desire of the good people of Gumel and locate this university in the Emirate. This should be done if the Gumel Emirate is still being considered for educational development, which is the key agenda of this administration. Moreover, the institution should be situated in the Gumel Emirate, which has had only one such institution  the college of education, as mentioned earlier, which was inherited from the old Kano state.

Abba Garba is a PhD candidate at the laboratory of Network and Information Security, Peking University.
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A Nigerian professor sentenced to three years in prison for election fraud has filed an appeal against the court judgement.

The professor, Peter Ogban, who is serving his jail term in Ikot Ekpene Correction Centre in Akwa Ibom State, Nigerias South-south region, has spent about three months so far in the prison.

He was sentenced in March by a High Court in Ikot Ekpene, Akwa Ibom State.

The case, considered a landmark, was prosecuted by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The court had found Mr Ogban, a professor of soil science at the University of Calabar, guilty of fraudulent manipulation of election results, publishing and announcing of false results during a 2019 senatorial election which was contested by a former Minority Leader of the Nigerian Senate, Godswill Akpabio.

Mr Ogban, 65, was an ad-hoc official of INEC and the returning officer in the election.

He is believed to have worked for Mr Akpabios interest in the election, although the former senator disowned him a few days after the court judgement.

Mr Akpabio, a former governor of Akwa Ibom, was appointed minister of Niger Delta Affairs after he lost the election.

Mr Ogban, before he was sentenced, pleaded for mercy. He told the judge, Augustine Odokwo, he had learnt his lesson.

When next I am given a responsibility, I will be extra careful. All that glitters is not gold. Everyone is a persona. The way they look is not the way they are. I will be very careful in dealing with people, he had said before the court.

Appeal

The 65-year-old professor in his notice of appeal, however, described his sentencing as unreasonable.

An affidavit in support of Mr Ogbans bail application said the professor has been suffering from hypertension and tuberculosis, and that his continuous stay in the prison could worsen his health, as well as get other inmates infected with tuberculosis.

INEC in its counter-affidavit said the professor could not have been suffering tuberculosis and yet he was lecturing in the university before his conviction, and that there was no evidence to show that he transmitted tuberculosis to his students.

The Federal Correctional Centre in Ikot Ekpene is not ill-equipped and can handle the applicants medical needs and has been doing so since he was taken into custody.

The applicant also has access to his medical officers or other medical officers while serving in the Federal Correctional Centre, the election commission said.

Mr Ogbans application would be heard on Thursday at the state High Court, Ikot Ekpene.
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The Lagos Environmental Sanitation Corps (LAGESC) says it has arrested a popcorn seller (name withheld) for allegedly attacking its officials on Tuesday while carrying out their official duties.

The LAGESC Corps Marshal, Gbemisola Akinpelu, a retired commissioner of police, disclosed this on Tuesday in a statement released by Kehinde Adebayo, Head of Public Affairs of the Agency.

Mrs Akinpelu, who described the suspect as 30 years old street trader, said he was apprehended at about 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, around Railway Crossing, Fagba, in Ifako-Ijaye Local Council Development Area, during official patrol.

The suspect said to be hawking popcorn, upon sighting the Agencys operatives brought out dangerous weapons such as knife (dagger) and charms to attack the operatives.

He was eventually subdued and brought to the Agencys Headquarter for subsequent investigation.

The suspect has been handed over to the police for further investigation and prosecution to serve as deterrent to others, she said.

Mrs Akinpelu condemned the incessant attacks on the agencys personnel who were out to discourage illegal street trading in the state.

She noted that such attacks had inflicted serious injuries on the officials, stressing that sometimes, such attacks lead to loss of live of an officer.

The Corps Marshal reiterated the agencys commitment to rid the state of all environmental nuisances, such as street trading and hawking on the major highways.

She warned the public against any form of attacks on her operatives carrying out official duties to ensure the general cleanliness of the State.

Mrs Akinpelu, however, appealed to market leaders and transport unions to partner with the Agency in the discharge of official duties.

(NAN)
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The police in Lagos said they have arrested 144 suspects at blackspots in the Ebute-Meta area of Lagos.

Muyiwa Adejobi, the Lagos police spokesperson, disclosed this in a statement he released on Wednesday.

He said the arrest is in furtherance of the commitment of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State, Hakeem Odumosu, to get rid of criminals and miscreants in the state.

The spokesperson said the raid of suspects occurred around 1:00 midnight on Wednesday.

The combined team of operatives from the State Criminal Investigation Department, Panti, Commands Special Squad and Taskforce raided some blackspots at Ebutte Meta area of Lagos State today Wednesday 30th June 2021 at 1 a.m. and arrested One Hundred and Forty-Four (144) male suspects.

The raid was at the instance of the intelligence reports and the special request for assistance from the neighborhood to dislodge criminals hibernating in some of the shanties in the area, the statement reads.

Mr Adejobi, a chief superintendent of police, said many dangerous weapons and substances suspected to be Indian hemp, and suspected stolen items were recovered from the suspects.

The suspects will be arraigned in court as urgent as possible, he said in the statement.

The Commissioner of Police, Mr Odumosu, said police officers in the state are ready to flush miscreants and hoodlums out of Lagos, and secure public space in the State.

He warned sponsors and aiders of hoodlums and criminals in the state to desist from such criminal act, as the police will not spare anyone caught promoting crimes and violence in Lagos State.
White Bear Lake, MN (55110)

Today

Except for a few afternoon clouds, mainly sunny. High 94F. Winds NNW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low near 70F. Winds E at 5 to 10 mph.
PHOTO PROVIDEDLesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month is celebrated each year in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall Uprising in Manhattan. The Stonewall Uprising was a tipping point for the Gay Liberation Movement in the United States.
Southbury, CT (06488)

Today

Partly cloudy this morning. A few showers developing during the afternoon. High near 80F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

A few passing clouds. Low 68F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
TEL AVIV, Israel, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Enlight Renewable Energy LTD. (TASE: ENLT), a global renewables IPP and developer, announced a definitive agreement to acquire U.S. solar and storage developer Clenera, at an enterprise value of up to USD $433 million. Enlight, through a wholly-owned U.S. subsidiary, will acquire 90% of Clenera's shares, while Clenera's founders, Jason Ellsworth and Adam Pishl will retain 10% of Clenera's shares. The acquisition consideration will be divided between upfront payments of $158m, and future performance-based payments.

Clenera is based in Boise, Idaho and has approximately 80 employees. The company has successfully developed and constructed 1.6 GWdc of utility scale solar. Clenera is now actively developing a portfolio of 12 GWdc solar and 5.5 GWh of energy storage in 20 states.

This transaction is expected to expand Enlight's development portfolio to over 16 GWdc of solar and wind, and 7.5 GWh of energy storage in 11 countries. The U.S. energy industry's transition to renewables is accelerating. Enlight believes that the combination of its international development and execution expertise and Clenera's successful U.S. development capabilities will result in substantial success in the growing U.S. market. Enlight is operating in the U.S. through a wholly owned subsidiary, headed by U.S. solar industry veteran Michael Avidan.

"Clenera's culture, diversified portfolio and market leadership in the western U.S. created a differentiated value proposition for Enlight, and a unique U.S. partnership opportunity," said Gilad Yavetz, Enlight's Chief Executive Officer. "The acquisition is a major step in establishing Enlight's position as a global leader in renewable energy development and operation. Clenera's outstanding track record and market leadership will allow the unified companies to continue their rapid and profitable growth path," added Gilad Yavetz.

Jason Ellsworth, CEO and co-founder of Clenera, added "Scale and efficiency have never been more important to success in U.S. renewable development and operation. As part of Enlight's global renewables platform, Clenera's ability to create high-performing solar and storage projects increases substantially. Enlight's portfolio of renewable energy projects and its geographical footprint will grow. The combined teams are positioned to meaningfully expedite the global transition to renewables."

Nomura Greentech served as financial advisor and Orrick Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP served as legal counsel to Enlight Renewable Energy. DLA Piper served as legal counsel to Clenera.

About Clenera: Clenera, LLC ("Clenera") is a privately-held renewable energy company headquartered in Boise, Idaho. Clenera acquires, develops, builds and manages utility-scale solar farms and energy storage facilities throughout the United States. Combining breakthrough technology with an integrated and efficient team, Clenera provides reliable, affordable energy systems and helps its utility partners become clean energy leaders in their communities. Clenera has developed and constructed over 1.6 GW of solar projects and provides long-term operation of those projects on behalf of third-party owners. The company is actively developing more than 12 GW of solar and 5.5 GWh of storage assets. Learn more at www.clenera.com.

About Enlight Renewable Energy: established in 2008, is traded on the TA-125 Index, with a 98% free float rate. It is one of Israel's leading companies in the initiation, development, financing, construction and operation of ventures for the generation of green energy using renewable energy sources. The company operates in Israel and Europe, enjoys a diversified portfolio of income-generating projects, projects under construction and pre-construction, with a capacity of 2,000 MW, and additional 2,800 MW in various stages of development. The company enjoys a steadily growing revenue backlog, built on long-term agreements for the sale of power, and is constantly working to expand its foothold in other green energy markets and segments.

For additional information:

Enlight Renewable Energy:

Dan Politi

danp@enlightenergy.co.il

Orli Kasuto Madmon

Scherf Communications Ltd.

orli@scherfcom.com

Clenera:

Lauren Sigler

lauren.sigler@clenera.com

SOURCE Enlight Renewable Energy
SAN FRANCISCO, June 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Novakid Inc, an emerging EdTech brand reinventing learning English as a second language for children ages 4-12, was ranked number 1 among online ESL platforms for children that serve European market in the study (https://json.tv/en/ict_telecom_analytics_view/english-language-learning-market-2021-esl-for-kids-online-schools-and-trends) by the research company J'son & Partners.

The study was conducted in March-June 2021, it estimates the total global online ESL learning market to be worth $10 billion in 2021, and its segment for children of all ages worth $3 billion. In 2021, the market for English language learning (traditional offline and online learning) hit a record of 1.7 billion learners. The largest ESL markets in Europe are Germany, France and Russia, whereas Russia, Turkey and Ukraine have the smallest share of English speakers (12-16%).

Novakid was ranked 1st in Europe according to the number of active students, student satisfaction level, teacher education level and teachers' experience.

"The popularity of online ESL training for children has increased significantly since the pandemic began", says Maxim Azarov, founder and CEO of Novakid, "It is still growing, and is poised to continue to grow exponentially. We believe this is a consequence of the wider availability of quality online English learning platforms, the expansion of career opportunities for those with a good command of the English language, which is a modern lingua franca with nearly 20 percent of the world's population speaking it, and an increase in remote working. As linguistic research demonstrates, one needs to start learning a language as a child to achieve a high level of fluency. We at Novakid believe that a world where children are able to use a common tongue to communicate and exchange ideas will lead to more peace and more prosperity for all".

About Novakid

Novakid is an online ESL learning IT-platform offering individual lessons with native speaking certified teachers for children ages 4-12 with AI-assisted data extraction and analysis. Incorporated in the US, it has students in over 40 countries, focussing on Europe and MENA with major customer base in Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Turkey and Russia. https://www.novakidschool.com

About J'son & Partners

J'son & Partners is an investment and strategic advisor and research company on technology markets (Hi Tech / ICT / IT / Digital). It has a wide network of partners, and over 20 years experience in technology and digital markets. https://json.tv

https://youtu.be/zYjjYmlzx_c

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1393486/Novakid_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Novakid
BENGALURU, MUMBAI and NEW DELHI, India, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SALESmanago (www.salesmanago.com), a leading Customer Data and Experience Platform (CDXP) provider in Europe & USA and Encircl LLC (www.encircl.com), a fully owned US subsidiary of Aghreni Technologies Pvt Ltd (www.kenscio.com), headquartered in Bengaluru, India, owner of the popular brand 'Kenscio' and a leading Digital Marketing products and services company serving customers globally announced the marketing and support partnership to promote SALESmanago' s bestselling AI-drivenCustomer 360 Platform for Global customers and in particular to Indian enterprises.

E-commerce is driving enterprises across the globe to deploy a highly reliable and scalable CDP Software to capture client's data from both online and offline systems and present a 360 view of the customer information for effective marketing communication and engagement. If these systems are incorporated with execution capabilities for various types of communication and engagement, then it becomes much more effective than a standalone customer data platform. Leveraging AI and ML technologies, SALESmanago addresses these two needs with its products and services.

SALESmanago serves more than 2000 customers in multiple industry verticals like Retail, E-commerce, Banks & Finance, Consumer Goods to name a few across Europe, the USA and Asia.

The partnership with Kenscio & Encircl will enable SALESmanago to offer its CDXP platform to Global and Indian enterprises by leveraging Kenscio's presence, reach, digital marketing expertise and experience in serving customers in India and rest of the world. Similarly, Kenscio will not only market the platform jointly but also offer professional services around the SALESmanago platform.

Commenting on the partnership, Manjunatha K G, Founder & Chief Executive Officer of Aghreni Technologies (Brand Kenscio & Encircl) said, "The partnership with SALESmanago will help Kenscio & Encircl to enhance its products & services portfolio and enables us to offer an integrated product for Customer Data & Experience and omni-channel capabilities eliminating the integration, implementation and servicing pains faced by the customers. Indian enterprises across multiple verticals will benefit with an additional option to choose from with SALESmanago. Kenscio believes that it will be exciting times ahead with the new offerings from its portfolio."

Commenting on the new initiative to partner with Aghreni Technologies (Brand  Kenscio), Grzegorz Blazewicz, Founder & CEO of SALESmanago said, "The partnership with Kenscio will allow us to further enhance our presence in Asia Pacific & Middle East markets which is one of the fastest-growing markets and embracing new technologies for business. SALESmanago' s CDXP platform can be a differentiator for those enterprises adopting it as their integrated Customer Data and Experience platform. We are excited with the thoughts of working with Indian & Asian enterprises and learn from them too to enrich our product platform further."

To learn more about the Kenscio and SALESmanago marketing partnership, please visit:

https://www.kenscio.com/products/data-experience-platform & https://www.encircl.com/campaign/data-and-experience-platform/ & https://blog.salesmanago.com/ & https://www.salesmanago.com/info/partners.htm

About SALESmanago

SALESmanago (www.salesmanago) creates and provides a comprehensive Customer Data & Marketing Automation Platform. Headquartered in Krakow, Poland, the company employs 300 highly experienced consultants, data scientists and engineers. SALESmanago works internationally via an extensive network of over 1000 reselling partners.

SALESmanago solutions cover all key challenges of modern eCommerce business like increase of revenue and conversion of outbound and inbound activities, boosting overall marketing effectiveness, driving consistent omni-channel communication, purchase process optimization, and managing complete customer lifecycle. SALESmanago helps in improving all kinds of marketing metrics and KPI's. As a no-code solution, it is available for every company and easy to integrate. Every user is fully supported with educational materials and help from the Customer Success advisors. Among a variety of SALESmanago features, everyone can find solutions perfectly tailored to their needs.

About Aghreni Technologies (Brand  Kenscio)

Kenscio (www.kenscio.com) is a leading technology-driven digital marketing agency with its corporate office in Bengaluru and sales offices in Mumbai and Gurugram. Encircl LLC (www.encircl.com), a fully owned subsidiary of Aghreni has a presence in the UK and the USA to address the needs of those markets. Driven by customer success, Kenscio is an ISO/IEC 27001/2013 certified and European GDPR process compliant digital marketing technology & services company. Established in 2009 as an Email Service Provider, Kenscio has since evolved through multiple success stories and is now a full-fledged 360-degree digital marketing services & products company.

Widely known for its expertise in the digital marketing niche, over the past 12 years Kenscio has developed several business applications and processes that enable it to support marketing professionals in executing high-yield marketing campaigns. Being a pioneer of email marketing in India, their understanding of trends and importance of branding is also noteworthy.From design thinking,UX excellence,strategy planning and content brilliance to campaign performance,deliverability success, automation and integration  Kenscio is truly driven by insights.

Kenscio - LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram

Encircl - LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram

SALESmanago - LinkedIn Facebook Twitter Instagram

Media Contacts:

Teresa Kozaczewska

SALESmanago

Email Id: [email protected]

Vittal Vashist N

Aghreni Technologies (Brand  Kenscio)

Email Id: [email protected]

SOURCE Kenscio Digital Marketing
COLLEGE PARK, Md., June 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With the economy emerging from the COVID-19 crisis, organizations should spend some time contemplating how they can prepare for the next crisis, says management professor and futurist Oliver Schlake at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business.

Schlake shared future-proof tips in a recent innovation workshop, part of the Maryland Smith Center for Global Business' Maryland Business Adapts event. The event celebrated five Maryland-based global companies for their resilience and innovation in weathering the challenges of the pandemic.

"We have the tendency to forget challenging or bad experiences quickly. It is human nature to not be overcome with grief or dread. On the flip side of that tendency is that we often forget to learn from those events," said Schlake. "I do believe there is benefit in recognizing organizations and individuals who persevered and also made sure others did not feel the full impact by learning with skill and example."

During his 30-minute session ("Industry 4.0: Is Your Company Ready" at 1:35:00 of Maryland Business Adapts ), Schlake noted the importance of adaptation and how it manifested during the pandemic, including through online learning, fashion, telecommunication and delivery services.

But what the pandemic also highlighted, Schlake said, is how precious resource time is during a crisis.

"Time to react, time to plan, time to execute and time to come to grips with a rapidly evolving situation. The goal is to create a supply of 'time' by forecasting, pre-planning or rehearsing different scenarios," said Schlake. "This is time spent out of duress so you can use it when the crisis hits."

The five companies honored during the event thrived by adapting, Schlake said, listing five tips that can be learned from their experience:

Rebuild and rethink: "It's crucial to rebuild the pre-pandemic economy as fast as possible. Repairing what was broken is a normal reaction during a crisis, including both emotional and economic recovery," said Schlake. "The challenge here is that the pandemic highlighted flaws in business models. An honest, holistic assessment is needed about the sustainability of business models and markets. Will your business be resilient enough to rebuild?"

Plan A and Plan B: "Many companies were able to change their well-established plans, but the pandemic showcased the need to build a Plan B before it is needed," said Schlake. "We can't foresee everything, but the benefit of a Plan B is in the planning itself. You learn what resources you have, and you gain the peace of mind of having something to rely on in case things go south."

Resilience and redundancies: "Recovering from difficulties and showing resolve is an admirable trait, but it's a trait with a fast-approaching expiration date," said Schlake. "It is often forced by pushing for efficiency and leaner organizations. However, redundancy is needed when it comes to having fallback options."

Know your limits: "Businesses were able to create effective protocols after getting a better understanding of their situation during the pandemic. Businesses changed routines when forced to, which required energy, time, sacrifices and learning," said Schlake. "But building protocols for every eventuality has its limits, and it's up to businesses to know when to draw the line."

Show gratitude where it's needed: "Many unsung heroes emerged over the last year, and celebrations are in order. In those cases, executive presence is necessary to help boost morale and show empathy," said Schlake. "We must expand our 'hero' definition to include those who help prevent a future crisis; it can help deliver crucial reaction time later on."

Go to Smith Brain Trust for related content at http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/faculty-research/smithbraintrust and follow on Twitter @SmithBrainTrust .

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and part-time MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, specialty masters, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.

Contact: Greg Muraski at [email protected] .

SOURCE University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

Related Links

http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu


OAKLAND, Calif., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aditum Bio, the biotech investment firm co-founded in 2019 by former Novartis CEO Joe Jimenez and former President of the Novartis Institutes for BioMedical Research (NIBR) Dr. Mark Fishman, today announced the formation of Ancora Bio, a portfolio company developing a new therapy for treatment-resistant depression. Ancora Bio is being formed following the successful in-licensing of a selective vasopressin 1b receptor (V1b) antagonist (ANC-501) from Taisho Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

"Depression is unfortunately one of the fastest growing mental health challenges, exacerbated by the past 12 months of isolation during the Covid-19 pandemic," said Joe Jimenez, Co-Founder and Managing Director of Aditum Bio. Dr. Mark Fishman, Co-Founder and Chair of the Medical and Scientific Advisory Boards added, "ANC-501 has been shown to impact a definable subset of patients with treatment-resistant depression. We look forward to advancing this important therapy into the clinic to help these patients."

Ancora Bio is the fifth company launched by Aditum Bio, whose mission is to give large patient populations access to medicines which otherwise may not be developed. To speed these drugs to market, Aditum Bio fosters an incubator model, focusing on the translational phase of drug development. The "spin out" model enables a nimble, start-up culture with its own dedicated team of managers.

Aditum Bio has partnered with TrialSpark, a technology driven research company that can complete clinical trials faster and at a lower cost than traditional trials. TrialSpark has developed a digital platform which enables faster patient recruitment, together with common data entry and analysis across sites which leads to speed, quality, and standardization.

About Aditum Bio

Aditum Bio is committed to improving public health by accelerating R&D in disease areas with both large and more targeted patient populations, where medical innovation can have a huge impact. Aditum Bio focuses on basic mechanisms of disease, in-licenses promising drug candidates directed at such pathophysiology's, and spins-out individual companies dedicated to bringing each candidate through Phase II clinical trials. In partnership with TrialSpark, Aditum Bio uses data, software and technology to help bring innovative medicines through the clinical trial phase more quickly and with lower costs than traditional pharmaceutical companies.

For more information, please visit www.aditumbio.com.

About TrialSpark

TrialSpark is a technology company that runs end-to-end clinical trials as an alternative to a traditional CRO. TrialSpark has built a technology platform that optimizes all aspects of a clinical trial, enabling faster trial completion, higher data quality, and a more patient-centric experience. TrialSpark also empowers doctors in the community setting to participate in clinical trials, unlocking the 99% of patients the industry has traditionally struggled to reach, accelerating recruitment rates, and democratizing access to clinical trials. TrialSpark is backed by leading investors such as Michael Moritz, John Doerr, Thrive Capital, and Sequoia Capital.

SOURCE Aditum Bio

Related Links

https://www.aditumbio.com/


PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- American Jewish Committee (AJC) praised Nassau County Executive Laura Curran and Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone for adopting the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Working Definition of Antisemitism.

"Critical to effectively fighting the hatred of Jews is understanding what antisemitism is, and the IHRA definition is the gold standard," said Arnie Herz, AJC Long Island President. "We are grateful to the Nassau and Suffolk County Executives and our local municipal leaders for taking this definitive step to clearly define antisemitism, look forward to working with our local government on implementing the definition, and continuing to be a resource on combating antisemitism."

The announcements by the two Long Island officials follow recent adoption of the definition by the towns of Hempstead, North Hempstead, Oyster Bay and the City of Glen Cove.

Long Island, home to one of the largest Jewish communities in the U.S., has experienced incidents of antisemitic vandalism and harassment. Nationally, antisemitic incidents have been on the rise.

AJC Long Island also expressed gratitude for its partnership with the Nassau and Suffolk County Police Departments, and all law enforcement agencies on Long Island, who do an outstanding job protecting the Jewish community.

The IHRA Working Definition has been adopted by 31 countries, including the United States, and by several multilateral bodies, including the European Commission and Organization of American States. AJC has been at the vanguard of getting the definition adopted by municipalities nationwide. Visit AJC.org/workingdefinition for more information on the IHRA Working Definition.

SOURCE American Jewish Committee

Related Links

http://www.ajc.org


PENSACOLA, Fla., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Drivers at Alsco Laundry in Pensacola, Fla. have voted overwhelmingly to join Teamsters Local 991.

"We represent workers at other Alsco Laundry locations, and we are thrilled to welcome these workers into our Teamster family," said Jim Gookins, Local 991 Secretary-Treasurer. "We're looking forward to getting these workers the wages, benefits and job security associated with a Teamster contract at this company. I'd like to thank Local 991 Business Agent Lavon Lindsey and IBT International Organizer Felicia Walker for their work on this campaign that made this victory possible."



Ryan Ali and Travis Barnes work at Alsco Pensacola and they both voted in favor of joining the Teamsters.

"Other locations have a union, and those locations have better working conditions, protection against unjust termination and a voice on the job," Ali said. "I want those things, too."

"There is power in numbers," Barnes said. "We are powerless as individuals, but together, a force to be reckoned with."

Teamsters Local 991 represents workers in a wide variety of industries throughout Alabama and northwest Florida. For more information, go to http://www.teamsterslocal991.org/.

Contact:

Matt McQuaid, (617) 894-0669

[email protected]

SOURCE Teamsters Local 991, Mobile, AL
CALABASAS, Calif., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE: AMH) (the "Company") today announced that its operating partnership, American Homes 4 Rent, L.P. (the "Operating Partnership"), has priced an offering of $450 million aggregate principal amount of 2.375% Senior Notes due 2031 (the "2031 Notes") and $300 million aggregate principal amount of 3.375% Senior Notes due 2051 (the "2051 Notes" and together with the 2031 Notes, the "Notes"). The 2031 Notes will be issued at 98.513% of par value with a coupon of 2.375% per annum. The 2051 Notes will be issued at 97.962% of par value with a coupon of 3.375% per annum. Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing January 15, 2022. The 2031 Notes will mature on July 15, 2031 and the 2051 Notes will mature on July 15, 2051. The offering is subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and is expected to close on or about July 8, 2021.

The Operating Partnership intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to repay amounts outstanding on its revolving credit facility and any remaining net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including, without limitation, property acquisitions and developments, the expansion, redevelopment and/or improvement of existing properties in its portfolio, other capital expenditures, the redemption of its preferred shares, the repayment of outstanding indebtedness, working capital and other general purposes.

BofA Securities, J.P. Morgan and Wells Fargo Securities are acting as joint book-running managers for the offering, and BMO Capital Markets, Citigroup, Morgan Stanley, PNC Capital Markets LLC, Raymond James and US Bancorp are acting as book-running managers for the offering. Mizuho Securities, Scotiabank, Regions Securities LLC, Ramirez & Co., Inc. and RBC Capital Markets are acting as co-managers for the offering.

This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any offer or sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful before registration or qualification thereof under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction.

The offering is being made pursuant to an effective shelf registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and only by means of a prospectus and prospectus supplement. Copies of the preliminary prospectus supplement relating to the offering and the final prospectus supplement, when available, may be obtained by visiting EDGAR on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or from BofA Securities, Inc., 200 North College Street, NC1-004-03-43, Charlotte NC 28255-0001, Attn: Prospectus Department, by telephone at 1-800-294-1322 or by email at [email protected]; J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Attn: Broadridge Financial Solutions, 1155 Long Island Avenue, Edgewood, NY 11717, or by telephone at 1-866-803-9204; and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, 608 2nd Avenue South, Suite 1000, Minneapolis, MN 55402, Attn: WFS Customer Service, by telephone at 1-800-645-3751 or by email at [email protected].

About American Homes 4 Rent

American Homes 4 Rent (NYSE: AMH) is a leader in the single-family home rental industry and "American Homes 4 Rent" is a nationally recognized brand for rental homes, known for high-quality, good value and tenant satisfaction. We are an internally managed Maryland real estate investment trust, or REIT, focused on acquiring, developing, renovating, leasing, and operating attractive, single-family homes as rental properties. As of March 31, 2021, we owned 53,984 single-family properties in selected submarkets in 22 states.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains "forward-looking statements" that relate to beliefs, expectations or intentions and similar statements concerning matters that are not of historical fact and are generally accompanied by words such as "estimate," "project," "predict," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "potential," "plan," "goal," "outlook," "guidance" or other words that convey the uncertainty of future events or outcomes. These forward-looking statements may include, but are not limited to, the Operating Partnership's ability to complete the offering and the intended use of net proceeds. The Operating Partnership has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and assumptions about future events. While the Operating Partnership's management considers these expectations to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to risks, contingencies and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Operating Partnership's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. These and other important factors, including "Risk Factors" disclosed in, or incorporated by reference into, the prospectus from the Company's and the Operating Partnership's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2021, and in the Company's and the Operating Partnership's subsequent filings with the SEC, may cause the Operating Partnership's actual results to differ materially from anticipated results expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

Contact:

American Homes 4 Rent

Investor Relations

Phone: (855) 794-2447

Email: [email protected]

SOURCE American Homes 4 Rent

Related Links

https://www.americanhomes4rent.com


Read the 120-page report with TOC on "Anti-Tank Missile System Market Analysis Report by Product (Vehicle-mounted anti-tank missile system and Man-portable anti-tank missile system), Geography (North America, APAC, Europe, MEA, and South America), and the Segment Forecasts, 2021-2025". Gain competitive intelligence about market leaders. Track key industry opportunities, trends, and threats. Information on marketing, brand, strategy and market development, sales, and supply functions.

The anti-tank missile system market is driven by the increased demand for extended-range missiles. In addition, the growing focus on enhancing weapon inventory is anticipated to boost the growth of the anti-tank missile system market during the forecast period.

Defense organizations across the world are actively investing in the development of extended-range missiles that can target enemy locations from a safe distance. For instance, in January 2020, BAE Systems introduced its CV90 fighting vehicle with Israeli-designed Spike-guided anti-tank missiles. Similarly, the US is currently testing an air-to-surface missile under the Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM) program. Such developments are resulting in the introduction of new-generation anti-tank missile systems, which is driving the growth of the market.

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Major Five Anti-Tank Missile System Companies:

BAE Systems Plc: The company offers anti-tank missile systems under the brand name CV90 ATGM missile.

Denel Dynamics: The company offers anti-tank missile systems under the product line anti-armour missile.

General Dynamics Corp.: The company offers anti-tank missile systems under its subsidiary General Dynamics Ordnance and Tactical Systems.

IMI Systems Ltd.: The company offers man-portable anti-tank missile systems.

Lockheed Martin Corp.: The company offers anti-tank missile systems under the brand name Javelin Weapon System.

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Anti-Tank Missile System Market Product Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020-2025)

Vehicle-mounted anti-tank missile system - size and forecast 2020-2025

Man-portable anti-tank missile system - size and forecast 2020-2025

Anti-Tank Missile System Market Geography Outlook (Revenue, USD Million, 2020-2025)

North America - size and forecast 2020-2025

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Global Missile Guidance System Market  Global missile guidance system market is segmented by type (command guidance system, homing guidance system, beam rider guidance system, and inertial and GPS guidance system) and geography (APAC, North America, Europe, MEA, and South America).

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SOURCE Technavio
LONDON, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A new price published by Argus for urea barge shipments in New Orleans is bringing much needed transparency to this key hub, which serves as an index for prices paid by US farmers, industrial consumers and the fertilizer futures market.

New Orleans has a key role in fertilizer markets as a highly liquid trading point, and trade prices are referenced widely. Millions of tonnes are imported annually from the Middle East, north Africa and the Baltic, before being loaded onto river barges for shipment up the Mississippi river. These barges are traded and re-traded on a 'fob Nola' basis, and the prices have become a key reference for regional and global markets in fertilizer, diesel exhaust fluid and other industrial sectors.

Argus has worked with the industry to develop this new weekly price to improve transparency and provide a more robust index. The price is a volume-weighted average of deals done and includes only trades for release within the calendar month. The price reflects real market activity and will represent actual trades done each week.

The new price can be used as a benchmark to underpin futures contract settlement as well as an index for imported cargoes, industrial pricing and domestic supply contracts. It is published weekly in the Argus Nitrogen service.

Argus Media chairman and chief executive Adrian Binks said: "We are delighted to have worked with the industry to develop this new price for the world's largest fertilizer market. The volume-weighted average approach is something we have used in other commodity markets. It gives market participants confidence that the assessment reflects real activity. Argus always assesses prices appropriately to suit market conditions."

Argus contact information

London: Seana Lanigan

+44 20 7780 4200

Email Seana

Singapore: Tomoko Hashimoto

+65 6496 9960

Email Tomoko

Moscow: Alexey Komarov

+7 495 933 75 71

Email Alexey

Houston: Matt Oatway

+1 713 968 0000

Email Matt

More Argus resources on nitrogen

About Argus Media

Argus is an independent media organisation with almost 1,100 staff. It is headquartered in London and has 26 offices in the world's principal commodity trading and production centres. Argus produces price assessments and analysis of international energy and other commodity markets and offers bespoke consulting services and industry-leading conferences.

Companies in 140 countries around the world use Argus data to index physical trade and as benchmarks in financial derivative markets as well as for analysis and planning purposes.

Argus was founded in 1970 and is a privately held UK-registered company. It is owned by employee shareholders, global growth equity firm General Atlantic and Hg, the specialist software and technology services investor.

ARGUS, the ARGUS logo, ARGUS MEDIA, ARGUS DIRECT, ARGUS OPEN MARKETS, AOM, FMB, DEWITT, JIM JORDAN & ASSOCIATES, JJ&A, FUNDALYTICS, METAL-PAGES, METALPRICES.COM, INTEGER, Argus publication titles and Argus index names are trademarks of Argus Media Limited.

SOURCE Argus Media

Related Links

http://www.argusmedia.com


RESTON, Va., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The United States Space Force (USSF) has selected ASRC Federal System Solutions to support the Space Operations Command's Wing Information & Communications Support (WICS II) contract. The seven-year, $83 million effort delivers space operations, maintenance and logistics services for the recently activated Delta 6 and Delta 8 organizations.

The ASRC Federal System Solutions team will support the operational success of missions involving the Global Broadcast Service Operation Center (GBSOC), Defense Enterprise Computing Center (DECC), Military Satellite Communications (MILSATCOM), Maintenance Operations Center (MOC), Space Command Digital Integrated Network (SDIN), Global Command and Control System (GCCS) and Information Assurance operations.

"We are proud to have earned the mission trust of our USSF customer," said Jennifer Felix, ASRC Federal president and CEO. "We're committed to continue delivering technical excellence as we did under WICS Iincluding the newly added responsibility for the SDIN and GCCS networks."

Delta 6 and Delta 8 are headquartered at USSF's Peterson-Schriever Garrison in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

About ASRC Federal

ASRC Federal comprises a family of companies (including ASRC Federal System Solutions) that deliver digital operations and IT modernization, software, applications and analytics, engineering solutions, professional services, and infrastructure operations to U.S. civil, defense and intelligence agencies. Our employees are committed to achieving successful mission outcomes and providing enduring value. ASRC Federal is a wholly owned subsidiary of Arctic Slope Regional Corporation. For more information, please visit: www.asrcfederal.com

Contact:

Aubrey Mellos

[email protected]

SOURCE ASRC FEDERAL HOLDING COMPANY

Related Links

http://www.asrcfederal.com


CHICAGO, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Berlin Packaging, the world's largest Hybrid Packaging Supplier, announced that Balaji Jayaseelan has joined the company as Vice President of Sustainability. Jayaseelan, a leader in sustainability strategy and implementation, will be responsible for refining and executing the company's sustainability strategy. In addition, Jayaseelan will work across the Berlin enterprise to fortify its Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) framework and ensure alignment with globally recognized reporting standards.

"We are thrilled to have Balaji joining our team to extend Berlin Packaging's leadership in sustainable packaging solutions," said Scott Jost, Berlin Packaging's Vice President of Innovation & Design. "With his extensive experience and education, Balaji brings a formidable blend of deep technical expertise and commercial acumen. In conjunction with our design, engineering, procurement, and quality teams, Balaji will help our clients develop holistic sustainability strategies that decrease their environmental impacts while building their brands and driving profitable growth."

"Sustainability is woven into the fabric of Berlin Packaging's culture, and one of the basic responsibilities we owe to our people and our planet," said Bill Hayes, CEO and President of Berlin Packaging. "Balaji has a proven track record of success in driving positive environmental improvements at the enterprise scale. We're eager to bring his expertise to bear for Berlin and our customers."

Jayaseelan joins Berlin Packaging with over 15 years of experience leading sustainability programs for B2B and B2C firms. He recently served as Graham Packaging's Director of Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs, where he played a vital role in that firm earning the top Sustainalytics ESG ranking among 54 other firms in the plastic, metal, and glass packaging industry category.

About Berlin Packaging

Berlin Packaging is the world's largest Hybrid Packaging Supplier of glass, plastic, and metal containers and closures. The company supplies billions of items annually along with package design, financing, consulting, warehousing, and logistics services for customers across all industries. Berlin Packaging brings together the best of manufacturing, distribution, and income-adding service providers. Its mission is to increase the net income of its customers through packaging products and services.

See BerlinPackaging.com for more information.

Media Contact

Celeste Osborne, [email protected], (708) 272-7046

SOURCE Berlin Packaging
NEW ALBANY, Ohio, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Bob Evans Farms announces their partnership with the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium for Military Family Free Days, an event running July 3-11, 2021, offering free admission to Veterans, active members of the military, and their immediate families. In addition, discounted admission to the Zoombezi Bay waterpark will also be offered.

Bob Evans Farms' participation in Military Family Free Days is part of its 'Our Farm Salutes' initiative, a national philanthropic effort dedicated to supporting Veterans and their families. Throughout Military Family Free Days, Bob Evans Farms will be giving away 15,000 product coupons at the door for anyone with a valid military ID.

"Our partnership with the Columbus Zoo aligns perfectly with our 'Our Farm Salutes' initiative as we continue our efforts to actively support Veterans and American service members through awareness, donations, strategic partnerships, grant opportunities and volunteerism, "said Thyme Hill, CMO of Bob Evans Farms. "We're also excited to support the Columbus Zoo, as well as our community, in getting back to attending public gatherings, planning family outings, and spending time together," Thyme added.

"We're proud to have Bob Evans Farms support our Military Family Free Days,", said Nicolle Gomez Racey, Vice President of Communications and Marketing for the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium. "The brave men and women of our military, along with their families, make many sacrifices, and this is our way to give back to them and show our gratitude by offering them the opportunity to spend a fun day together."

Those interested in attending Military Family Free Days can receive updates through the Zoo's Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is located at 4850 Powell Road, Powell, OH 43065, and can be reached via phone at (614) 645-3400.

For more information on Bob Evans Farms, visit https://www.bobevansgrocery.com/.

About Bob Evans Farms, Inc.

Bob Evans Farms, Inc. is a brand born and raised on the promise of farm-fresh goodness. For more than 70 years, the company has been making delicious, quick-to-table farm-inspired food that is sold in grocery stores all over the country. Today, Bob Evans brand mashed potatoes and macaroni & cheese products are the #1 selling refrigerated side dishes in the United States*. Based in Columbus, Ohio, and owned by Post Holdings, Inc., a consumer-packaged goods holding company, Bob Evans Farms is also a leading producer and distributor of refrigerated potato, pasta and vegetable-based side dishes, pork sausage, and a variety of refrigerated and frozen convenience food items under the Bob Evans, Owens and Pineland Farms brand names. For more information about Bob Evans Farms, Inc., visit www.bobevansgrocery.com. * Source: IRI Scan Sales Data Total U.S. 52 Weeks Ending 2/21/21.

About the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium

Home to more than 10,000 animals representing over 600 species from around the globe, the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium leads and inspires by connecting people and wildlife. The Zoo complex is a recreational and education destination that includes the 22-acre Zoombezi Bay water park and 18-hole Safari Golf Course. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium also manages The Wilds, a 10,000-acre conservation center and safari park located in southeastern Ohio. The Zoo is a regional attraction with global impact, annually contributing privately raised funds to support conservation projects worldwide. A 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, the Columbus Zoo has earned Charity Navigator's prestigious 4-star rating.

SOURCE Bob Evans Farms
CHICAGO, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today named Brian West as the company's executive vice president and chief financial officer effective August 27, 2021.

In this role, West will lead all aspects of Boeing's financial strategy, performance, reporting and long-range business planning, as well as investor relations, treasury, controller, and audit operations. West will also oversee the company's business transformation efforts and will have executive responsibility for the company's global financing arm, Boeing Capital Corporation. He will report to Boeing President and CEO David Calhoun and will serve on the company's Executive Council.

"Brian is the ideal executive to serve as Boeing's next CFO given his significant financial management and long-term strategic planning experience in complex global organizations across the aerospace, manufacturing and services industries," said Calhoun. "I have had the pleasure of working with Brian previously, and he is an exceptional leader whose broad operational expertise and commitment to transparency with stakeholders will advance our efforts as we continue our focus on safety and quality, improving our performance and transforming our company for the future."

West joins Boeing following a successful and diverse career in senior financial and operational roles spanning several industries, including aerospace, manufacturing, infrastructure, healthcare, global information services, financial and risk management. He has served as the chief financial officer of Refinitiv since 2018, and was previously CFO and executive vice president of Operations for Oscar Health Insurance and CFO and COO of Nielsen. Prior to Nielsen, West spent 16 years at General Electric, where he served as CFO of GE Aviation and CFO of GE Engine Services. His additional finance leadership positions in GE businesses encompassed plastics, transportation and energy.

West is a founding board member of a Connecticut-based nonprofit organization whose mission is to prepare the next generation of diverse female leaders with the skills, community and connections to thrive in the world. He previously was a board member of Future 5, an organization that helps under-resourced students in Stamford, CT reach their full potential.

West holds a bachelor's degree in Finance from Siena College and a Master's in Business Administration from the Columbia Business School.

West succeeds Greg Smith, who previously announced his plans to retire, effective in early July. The company has named Dave Dohnalek, currently Boeing's senior vice president and Treasurer, to the role of interim CFO until West joins the company in late August.

"I want to thank Greg again for his outstanding contributions to our employees, customers, communities and our company throughout his more than thirty years of service with Boeing," said Calhoun. "I also want to thank Dave for assuming interim leadership of our Finance organization. With decades of executive leadership experience at Boeing across treasury, investor relations, financial planning and more, Dave is a highly respected and effective leader who will bring informed and balanced guidance to our Finance organization during this transition period."

As a leading global aerospace company, Boeing develops, manufactures and services commercial airplanes, defense products and space systems for customers in more than 150 countries. As a top U.S. exporter, the company leverages the talents of a global supplier base to advance economic opportunity, sustainability and community impact. Boeing's diverse team is committed to innovating for the future and living the company's core values of safety, quality and integrity. Learn more at www.boeing.com.

Contact

Boeing Communications

[email protected]

SOURCE Boeing

Related Links

http://www.boeing.com


PARIS, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Boralex Inc. ("Boralex" or the "Company") (TSX: BLX) and Vestas France are pleased to announce the signing of a 15-year "fleet" service contract. The contract applies to the assets in Boralex's portfolio in France that are equipped with Vestas wind turbines. The agreement began June 1, 2021.

Boralex, a renewable energy pioneer and the largest independent producer of onshore wind power in France, will use the expertise of Vestas France to optimize its sites equipped with wind turbines designed by the Danish manufacturer, representing approximately 300 MW in operation.

This contract will enable Boralex to benefit from competitive operating costs and to meet production commitments in line with its optimization strategy. It will also allow optimal allocation of Boralex's maintenance teams to its 1 GW of operational assets while ensuring availability, maximum efficiency and maintaining the connection to our host regions.

Boralex's teams overseeing operational excellence will continue to track the performance of all of the company's facilities in France, including those serviced by Vestas.

"Over the past 20 years, our teams have built upon their skills and expertise in the maintenance of our assets to make Boralex a leader in the wind power industry. These decades of experience have led us to implement, in partnership with the teams at Vestas France, a high value-added maintenance strategy that will enable us to combine agility and performance within the framework of the Optimization direction in our 2025 Strategic Plan," said Nicolas Wolff, Vice President and General Manager of Boralex, Europe.

"We are delighted to have signed this long-term contract with Boralex. We have always worked on our products and services with a focus on safety, operational performance and lower energy costs. This contract is in line with Vestas' strategy and our organization's presence in France, which we have strengthened in recent years with new maintenance centres, a second logistics platform and a high-level internal training centre, to provide competitive, long-term, turnkey maintenance services," said Benoit Gilbert, Director of Service, Western Europe, for Vestas France.

Vestas has operations in 83 countries and services 113 GW of on- and offshore wind farms. The company is currently the world's leading wind turbine manufacturer and has a service portfolio of over 5.7 GW of installed capacity in France.

Learn more about Boralex's operating assets in France

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 is on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

SOURCE Boralex Inc.

Related Links

www.boralex.com


NEW YORK, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Brixmor Property Group Inc. (NYSE: BRX) ("Brixmor" or the "Company") announced today the release of its annual Corporate Responsibility (CR) Report, which provides a comprehensive overview of the Company's strategy to improve the environmental, social and economic well-being of its stakeholders, as well as a measure of Brixmor's progress with respect to related initiatives.

2020 Milestones:

Established an ESG Steering Committee comprised of executive and senior leadership from a variety of functional areas across the Company and led by our Senior Vice President, Operations & Sustainability

Formalized our Climate Change Policy (see pages 35 and 36 of our CR report)

Formed a Diversity & Inclusion Leadership Council (see page 23 of our CR report)

Reports directly to the CEO



Assists in maintaining best practices and behaviors to promote diversity and enhance inclusion

Aligned disclosures with the Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) (see pages 59 and 60 of our CR report)

Published our Supplier Code of Conduct (see our website and page 52 of our CR report)

Newly established goals:

Achieve Net Zero Carbon emissions by 2045 for areas under our operational control

Become a signatory to Science Based Target Initiative, committing to an interim reduction of 50% for scope 1 and 2 by 2030

Adhere to newly established Diversity, Equity and Inclusion goals (see page 23 of our CR report)

Achieve 90% employee participation annually in at least one company-sponsored health and well-being initiative

Complete an average of 45 training hours per employee annually

Notable updates to existing goals:

Stabilize $1.3B+ of value enhancing reinvestment projects that positively impact our communities by 2025 (previously $1.0B )

) Increase community volunteer participation to 100% by 2025 (previously 75%)

"Our ability to deliver sustainable outperformance is rooted in the strength of our culture, our people, and our commitment to ESG excellence, which prioritizes the well-being of our stakeholders," said James Taylor, Chief Executive Officer and President. "We look forward to the challenges and opportunities that our newly established ESG goals present as we remain focused on our purpose to be the centers of the communities we serve."

To learn more and read the entire report, please visit https://www.brixmor.com/why-brixmor/corporate-responsibility.

CONNECT WITH BRIXMOR

For additional information, please visit www.brixmor.com;

Follow Brixmor on:

Twitter at https://twitter.com/Brixmor



Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/Brixmor



Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/brixmorpropertygroup



YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/user/Brixmor; and

Find Brixmor on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/company/brixmor.

ABOUT BRIXMOR PROPERTY GROUP

Brixmor (NYSE: BRX) is a real estate investment trust (REIT) that owns and operates a high-quality, national portfolio of open-air shopping centers. Its 389 retail centers comprise approximately 68 million square feet of prime retail space in established trade areas. The Company strives to own and operate shopping centers that reflect Brixmor's vision "to be the center of the communities we serve" and are home to a diverse mix of thriving national, regional and local retailers. Brixmor is a proud real estate partner to approximately 5,000 retailers including The TJX Companies, The Kroger Co., Publix Super Markets and Ross Stores.

Brixmor announces material information to its investors in SEC filings and press releases and on public conference calls, webcasts and the "Investors" page of its website at www.brixmor.com. The Company also uses social media to communicate with its investors and the public, and the information Brixmor posts on social media may be deemed material information. Therefore, Brixmor encourages investors and others interested in the Company to review the information that it posts on its website and on its social media channels.

SAFE HARBOR LANGUAGE

This press release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements related to the Company's expectations regarding the performance of its business, its financial results, its liquidity and capital resources and other non-historical statements. You can identify these forward-looking statements by the use of words such as "outlook," "believes," "expects," "potential," "continues," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "projects," "predicts," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "anticipates" or the negative version of these words or other comparable words. Such forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including those described under the sections entitled "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors" in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our periodic filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. Currently, one of the most significant factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from forward-looking statements is the adverse effect of the current pandemic of the novel coronavirus, or COVID-19, on the financial condition, operating results and cash flows of the Company, the Company's tenants, the real estate market, the financial markets and the global economy. The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the Company and its tenants significantly, and the extent to which it continues to impact the Company and its tenants will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted with confidence, including the scope, severity and duration of the pandemic, the speed and effectiveness of vaccine and treatment developments and their deployment, public adoption rates of COVID-19 vaccines, potential mutations of COVID-19, including SARS-CoV-2 and the response thereto, the direct and indirect economic effects of the pandemic and containment measures, and potential sustained changes in consumer behavior, among others. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated in these statements. These factors should not be construed as exhaustive and should be read in conjunction with the other cautionary statements that are included in this release and in the Company's filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or review any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

SOURCE Brixmor Property Group Inc.

Related Links

http://www.brixmor.com


NEW YORK, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Independence Day has always been a holiday of great pride, tradition and celebration in the United States, but it holds extra significance this year. The holiday weekend marks a time when many Americans are continuing to reunite with loved ones since the beginning of the pandemic and Anheuser-Busch and its iconic brand, Budweiser, are celebrating this patriotic milestone as only America's leading brewer can do.

Today, Budweiser released a digital film entitled "Go Fourth, America" which puts a modern-day spin on the iconic presidential speech from the movie Independence Day. In addition, as part of its national campaign with the White House announced earlier this month, Budweiser parent company Anheuser-Busch is officially unlocking its beer giveaway in celebration of 4th of July weekend and recognition of how far we've come in the fight against COVID-19.

"When we teamed up with White House to encourage Americans to get vaccinated, we recommitted to using our unique capabilities and deep connection to consumers to lead the safe and strong recovery of our country and economy," said Michel Doukeris, CEO of Anheuser-Busch. "As people get back together with friends and family for Independence Day, we are celebrating the progress we've made together the best way we know how  over a beer  and are delivering on our promise of beer for America. There is no more iconic brand than Budweiser which is also stepping up to mark this extra special 4th of July holiday with an ad that reflects the very best of the American spirit." Doukeris will take over the role of global CEO of Anheuser-Busch InBev starting July 1.

In Budweiser's film, actor Bill Pullman reprises his famous fictional presidential role for the first time in 25 years, using his platform to encourage America to celebrate the Fourth of July holiday and come together once again to commemorate everything the people of America have overcome. As a part of its ongoing commitment to aiding recovery from the pandemic, "Go Fourth, America" also highlights a donation from Budweiser to Direct Relief , a humanitarian aid organization focused on enabling vaccine access in both the US and globally. Since the onset of the pandemic, Direct Relief has supported 50 U.S. states and 105 countries, all with the overarching goal of global vaccine distribution and COVID-19 relief.

"I can't imagine a better or more meaningful moment to reprise this iconic role than Independence Day this year," said Pullman. "I am proud to partner with Budweiser on its continued efforts to promote COVID-19 vaccination awareness and education. While the world has overcome so much in the past year and a half, there is still more work to be done. I hope this film can serve as a beacon of hope and progress for our country and beyond."

Pullman's speech in "Go Fourth, America" celebrates how America has rallied together to overcome the challenges of the pandemic and encourages the country to look towards a brighter future. The story follows the speech's broadcast live across the country, from billboards in Times Square, to backyard barbecues, as the American people gather to celebrate July 4th safely. Independence Day fans will also notice Easter eggs throughout the ad, such as the jacket Bill wears during the speech, an RV like the one in the original movie and a glimpse of Area 51. "Go Fourth, America" ends by announcing the partnership with Direct Relief where Budweiser calls for consumers to join in its continued mission to support awareness and education around COVID-19 vaccines.

"Anheuser-Busch and our brands have always been there for the moments that matter, and this is undoubtedly one of those moments," said Marcel Marcondes, Chief Marketing Officer, Anheuser-Busch. "Throughout the pandemic, our brands have pivoted their plans to best reach and serve our consumers. Now as the nation celebrates the 4th of July, it is a natural fit for us to be there again."

In addition to flagship brand Budweiser's tribute, the country's leading brewer has more planned as America celebrates the holiday weekend. Earlier this month, Anheuser-Busch proudly joined the White House's efforts to meet President Biden's goal of getting 70% of American adults partially vaccinated by July 4th. While the country is still working to achieve that milestone, in line with the White House's encouragement to be back together again this weekend in celebration of our progress as a nation, the company is making good on its promise to reward the country for its vaccination progress by giving consumers "a round on us" this holiday weekend. Beginning Friday, July 2nd, 12:00 PM ET through Monday, July 5th, 11:59 PM ET, adults 21+ can go to MyCooler.com/beer and upload a picture of you in your favorite place to grab a beer, whether with friends at your favorite local bar and restaurant, with family in your own backyard, or at a ballgame with colleagues.

"We are so honored that after 25 years, Bill Pullman has chosen to work with Budweiser to reprise a role that for so many, holds a special place in their hearts," said Daniel Blake, Group VP Marketing, Budweiser & Value at Anheuser-Busch. "Both Bill and Budweiser share similar beliefs in the value of perseverance and the importance of coming together against a common enemy  first aliens and now a global pandemic."

To extend celebrations even further, Budweiser is giving away $10,000 on social media to help consumers throw their most epic 4th of July party yet, plus Budweiser on us. To enter, consumers must follow Budweiser on Social and reply to the sweepstakes post on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram with #GoFourthAmerica and #Sweepstakes and include their Venmo handle between July 1 and July 2 at 12:00 pm EST.

Learn more on Budweiser.com or read about Anheuser-Busch's COVID-19 relief efforts here.

About Budweiser

Budweiser, an American-style lager, was introduced in 1876 when company founder Adolphus Busch set out to create the United States' first truly national beer brand  brewed to be universally popular and transcend regional tastes. Each batch of Budweiser stays true to the same family recipe used by five generations of Busch family brewmasters. Budweiser is a medium-bodied, flavorful, crisp and pure beer with blended layers of premium American and European hop aromas, brewed for the perfect balance of flavor and refreshment. Budweiser is made using time-honored methods including "kraeusening" for natural carbonation and Beechwood aging, which results in unparalleled balance and character.

About Anheuser-Busch

For more than 160 years, Anheuser-Busch has carried on a legacy of brewing great-tasting, high-quality beers that have satisfied beer drinkers for generations. Today, we own and operate more than 120 facilities, including breweries, wholesaler distribution centers, agricultural facilities, and packaging plants, and have more than 19,000 colleagues across the United States. We are home to several of America's most recognizable beer brands, including Budweiser, Bud Light, Michelob ULTRA, and Stella Artois, as well as a number of regional brands that provide beer drinkers with a choice of the best-tasting craft beers in the industry. From responsible drinking programs and emergency drinking water donations to industry-leading sustainability efforts, we are guided by our unwavering commitment to supporting the communities we call home. For more information, visit www.anheuser-busch.com or follow Anheuser-Busch on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

About Direct Relief

A humanitarian organization committed to improving the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies, Direct Relief delivers life-saving medical resources throughout the world to communities in needwithout regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay. For more information, please visit https://www.DirectRelief.org.

SOURCE Anheuser-Busch

Related Links

https://www.anheuser-busch.com


AUSTIN, Texas, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Chazey Partners, a global management consulting firm specializing in Business Transformation, Robotic Process Automation (RPA), and Digital Transformation, is thrilled to announce the establishment of the firm's new Technology Center of Excellence (Tech-CoE) in India. The new Tech-CoE aims to serve Chazey Partners' clients globally, focusing on Oracle Fusion and Intelligent Automation projects (including Robotic Process Automation, Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence).

It is part of a larger plan to further enhance Chazey Partners' global capabilities in Digital Transformation, along with the firm's award-winning solutions delivering Shared Services, Global Business Services (GBS), and Business Transformation.

Founded in 2006, Chazey Partners operates across the globe, with its regional offices in 13 countries, including India. Combining Chazey Partners' deep cross-industry expertise, global partnerships and market insights with the unparalleled talent resources in India, the new center will enable Chazey Partners to serve its clients and provide significant business value.

Phil Searle, CEO & Founder of Chazey Partners, commented: "I am thrilled to announce this strategic move at Chazey. Partly as a result of the global pandemic, but also due to changing business needs, many components of business support functions and models have needed to be re-evaluated. To achieve world-class performance, businesses need to accelerate the development of more integrated systems, new digital business capabilities, and leading data analytics. This Center of Excellence in India will be a strategic enabler to support our clients to build a more resilient and digitalized organization."

The center will be led by Chazey's experienced technology leader Raoul Chhabra, with support from our India PartnerAnirvan Sen. "Home to many of the world's largest Shared Services, GBS and Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) operations, India does not only offer the right technical and commercially sound talent, but also offers opportunities for us to be connected even more closely with the industry leaders in Asia Pacific," commented Anirvan.

About Chazey Partners

Chazey Partners is a practitioner-led global management consulting and advisory services firm. We bring a unique blend of real-life, practical, hands-on experience, empowering our clients to strive for world-class excellence through Business Transformation, Shared Services, Digitalization and Robotic Process Automation. We pride ourselves in helping businesses, public sector organizations achieve operational excellence in the delivery of mission-critical business services; including Finance, HR, IT, Procurement, Contact Centers, Facilities Management, Analytics, Helpdesk, and many other support services.



For more information, please visit here.

Contact:

Sarah Ye,

Head of Marketing,

+44 7429-263-434,

[email protected]

SOURCE Chazey Partners

Related Links

https://chazeypartners.com/


ATLANTA, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Chicken Salad Chick, the nation's only Southern inspired , fast casual chicken salad restaurant concept, announced today the opening of its newest company-owned restaurant in Hopkinsville, Kentucky. On the heels of the brand's Paducah debut just last month, the Hopkinsville restaurant continues Chicken Salad Chick's Kentucky development, including both corporate and franchised locations throughout the state, with an additional restaurant slated for Louisville later this year. Located at 4014 Ft. Campbell Blvd, the Hopkinsville Chick will celebrate its grand opening on Wednesday, July 14, and will offer free chicken salad for a year to the first 100 guests.

"Just three years ago, our brand debuted our 100th restaurant and entry into Kentucky. Now, the Hopkinsville restaurant marks Chicken Salad Chick's fifth location in the state and comes at an exciting time as we quickly approach the opening of our 200th location later this summer," said Scott Deviney, CEO of Chicken Salad Chick. "Our brand has grown so quickly thanks to supportive communities just like Hopkinsville, where we aim to truly become a part of the neighborhood by spreading joy, enriching lives, and serving others. With dedicated team members, such as our General Manager and Hopkinsville local, Nicole Poindexter, we are able to make that vision a reality, creating new Chick fans out of friends, families, and neighbors in each town."

During grand opening week, guests will experience the Southern hospitality that Chicken Salad Chick is known for, with giveaways and specials that include:

Wednesday, July 14  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. Thursday, July 15  The first 50 guests at 10am and 6pm to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick tote bag.

 The first 50 guests at and to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick tote bag. Friday, July 16  The first 100 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick tumbler.

 The first 100 guests to purchase a Chick Trio will receive a free Chick tumbler. Saturday, July 17  The first 50 guests to purchase two large Quick Chicks will receive a free large Chick cooler.

Chicken Salad Chick will also be hosting a Friends and Family event on July 12 and July 13 from 11am-1pm and 4pm-6pm to kick off the Hopkinsville grand opening celebrations. Guests will get a sneak peak of the new restaurant and will receive a free meal, however, donations are welcome. All donations received during the event will benefit The Jennie Stuart Health Foundation, an organization that aims to accommodate the growing healthcare needs of communities. To secure your spot, visit the Friends and Family event page .

Chicken Salad Chick in Hopkinsville will be open Monday  Saturday from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. For more information, visit http://www.chickensaladchick.com . Follow Chicken Salad Chick on Facebook , Twitter and Instagram for the latest news and trends.

*Guests should arrive between 7-10am to get checked in, while maintaining social distancing. The first 100 guests will be assigned a number and designated return time between 10-11:15am. Upon return, guests will make a purchase of "The Chick" or anything of greater value and enter a code on the CravingCredits app to officially secure your spot. If you are late, or miss return time, your spot will be awarded to next in-line. Guests must be 16 years or older, redemption begins 7/19/21.

For more information on giveaways and specials, visit https://www.facebook.com/ChickenSaladChickHopkinsvilleKY

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 195 restaurants in 17 states. Today, under the leadership of Scott Deviney and the Chicken Salad Chick team, the brand is continuing its rapid expansion with both franchise and company locations. Chicken Salad Chick has received numerous accolades including rankings in the 2021 Entrepreneur Franchise 500, Franchise Times' Fast & Serious for the second consecutive year, Fast Casual.com 's top Movers and Shakers from 2018 to 2021, QSR's Best Franchise Deals in 2019 and 2020, and Franchise Business Review's Top Food Franchises in 2020. See www.chickensaladchick.com for additional information.

Contact:

Ashley Bennett

Fish Consulting

954-893-9150

[email protected]

SOURCE Chicken Salad Chick

Related Links

http://www.chickensaladchick.com


GAC has a long history of cooperation with Didi, having held a stake in the company for years, and signing an extensive bilateral cooperation deal in 2019 agreeing to work together on vehicle promotion and customization, driverless travel, intelligent charging and refueling technologies. Many of China's taxis are made by GAC, meaning that the two companies' work is closely intertwined: knowledge of and improvements to automobile technology is highly useful to Didi, and GAC benefits from access to Didi's mountains of data.

Chinese tech giant Huawei is another powerful addition to this pool of technological resources. One of GAC MOTOR's core brand values is technology innovation, that is, finding ways to make cars more intelligent, more efficient, and more enjoyable to drive. A world-class smartphone provider, Huawei regularly produces cutting-edge technology in fields such as voice and facial recognition, IoT connectivity, "smart" appliances, cameras and charging technology, to name just a few. Having cooperative access to Huawei's research and technology gives GAC a strong edge in the production of world-class in-car systems.

One exciting project that GAC is working towards in cooperation with Huawei and Didi is "Level 4" autonomous vehicles, which can operate almost entirely without input from humans (current driver-assist mechanisms are classed as Level 2 autonomy).

Combining resources from the three parties, intelligent L4 vehicles are planned to be mass produced by 2024, utilizing GAC design and manufacturing capabilities and automatic driving software from Didi and Huawei. Didi's intelligent hardware platform, Didi Gemini, is already being road-tested by several multinational car companies, making Didi now one of the important players in the field of automatic driving, with experts calling the company's technological achievements in this area "impossible to ignore".

Didi founder Cheng Wei has predicted that Didi will host more than 1 million autonomous vehicles by 2025. GAC is eager to be part of the team driving towards this vision of the future, which embodies the GAC MOTOR spirit of GO AND CHANGE.

With so many exciting avenues of research, the future is looking very bright for cleaner, greener and smarter automobiles.

SOURCE GAC MOTOR
PUERTO VALLARTA, Mexico, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CityHealth, the leading provider of urgent care and COVID testing solutions in the San Francisco Bay area, is pleased to announce a partnership with Biomedical Center de Occidente of Puerto Vallarta, a renowned physician-owned medical center and lab located in downtown Puerto Vallarta, to offer pre-travel COVID-19 testing for U.S.-bound travelers.

CityHealth Urgent Care

For $58, this Rapid Antigen test offers travelers a convenient, reliable, and affordable option for travel back to the USA. Travel-approved results are delivered securely to patients via email and text message within one hour of the test.

An online appointment booking system minimizes wait times and ensures travelers don't spend hours waiting in line or risk missing flights, a common complaint with airport testing services.

Located in downtown Puerto Vallarta, the Biomedical facility is easily accessible from all areas of the city and close to Puerto Vallarta's International Airport, Licenciado Gustavo Diaz Ordaz, which serves most major American cities.

"We are very excited to partner with the team at Biomedical Center to offer this fast, convenient testing option. Our team has been working closely with the staff at Biomedical, who uphold the same standards of integrity, quality, and service that CityHealth represents in the U.S.," says Sean Parkin, CityHealth CEO. "This test will return accurate travel results in one hour or less, making it an excellent option for tourists returning home from Puerto Vallarta."

"We're pleased to partner with CityHealth and to offer Biomedical's state-of-the-art lab to provide pre-travel tests. We see this as an exciting opportunity to work closely with an American healthcare organization, expand our own operations, and make a meaningful contribution to reviving the tourism industry here in Puerto Vallarta," says Dr. Raul Morales, Biomedical Center CEO.

A team of bilingual (English and Spanish-speaking) customer service representatives from CityHealth clinics in San Francisco will be stationed in Puerto Vallarta. They will assist English-speaking patients with making appointments and answering questions about the test. In the event of a positive COVID test result, the customer service team will support patients with follow-up testing and treatment options.

Appointments are available seven days a week from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. local time and can be made at https://covidtesting.cityhealthuc.com/mexico.

About CityHealth: CityHealth's mission is to make world-class medical care more accessible, including two urgent care clinics and nine COVID test locations in San Francisco. Visit www.cityhealth.com for more information or https://covidtesting.cityhealthuc.com/mexico for more details about COVID testing for Mexico travel.

About Biomedical Center: Biomedical Center is a leading provider of medical testing and services with human warmth and quality, backed by a great experienced team that uses innovation and technology. The professionals at Biomedical Center are committed to complying with honesty and responsible work, upholding the principles of quality, precision, and reliability to achieve the satisfaction of our patients. For more information, visit https://biomedicalpv.com/.

CONTACT:

Sean Parkin

CityHealth CEO

[email protected]

Related Images

image1.png

SOURCE CityHealth Urgent Care
Tech giants gathered at COMPUTEX 2021 Virtual TAITRA invited more than 20 CEOs and senior executives to deliver keynotes on #COMPUTEXVirtual, including AMD, Arm, Check Point Software, Delta, Far EasTone Telecom, IBM, Intel, Micron, NVIDIA, NXP, QCT, Qualcomm, Siemens, Supermicro and WIN Semiconductors, which had attracted over 2 million views through the keynotes and forums streaming videos. The discussion of "Global Technology Ecosystem" came into focus and Taiwan was mentioned multiple times as the critical partner to the industry.

Virtual displays with Gaming as the most searched keyword

Leading companies and institutions such as Acer, the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Garage+ from the Epoch Foundation, GIGABYTE, and Intel set up pavilions to showcase the latest technologies. The #InnoVEXVirtual, an exclusive exhibit for startups, gathered 81 startups from 21 countries, including National Pavilions from France, South Korea, the Netherlands, and the first-ever EBRD pavilion. Meanwhile, Taiwan Accelerator Plus (TAcc+) and the TYC Startup Pavilion showcased Taiwanese and worldwide innovations.

As a platform driving future innovations, COMPUTEX 2021 Virtual teamed up with Appier, a Taiwanese unicorn, in introducing AI computing to #COMPUTEXVirtual. By providing accurate recommendations, facilitating video conferences, catering to meeting requests and supporting instant messaging, these technologies made it possible for TAITRA to provide an optimal experience and digital journey to all visitors. Gaming and XR, 5G Communication & Networking and InnoVEX were the most popular sections in the exhibition, around a million interactions were recorded. "Gaming" was noteworthy as the most searched keyword throughout the event, which illustrated the pandemic continuously came with a surge in industry development in gaming peripherals, telecom and innovations.

COMPUTEX d&i awards carries on the mission to extend business matchmaking opportunities

TAITRA also hosted matchmaking events during COMPUTEX 2021 Virtual. 223 sessions were arranged with buyers and exhibitors from 28 countries/regions. In addition, TAITRA will organize 2021 COMPUTEX d&i awards onsite tours in Japan and Malaysia to promote the winning products this October to demonstrate advanced technologies.

COMPUTEX 2022 will return from May 24 to 27 in Hybrid format

COMPUTEX 2022 will take place in Hybrid format from May 24 to 27, 2022. TAITRA will carry forward this year's success and continue to optimize the exhibition experience for building global technology ecosystems.

For more information:

COMPUTEX : https://www.computextaipei.com.tw/

InnoVEX : https://www.innovex.com.tw/

About COMPUTEX 2021 Virtual

As a pioneer in technology, COMPUTEX has been at the forefront in embracing digital transformation. In 2021, the show will go online. Together with the key global technology players, the organizer of COMPUTEX,Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) introduces #COMPUTEXVirtual (including its global startups and innovations showcase #InnovexVirtual), an AI-driven virtual platform, and aims to deliver an exceptional virtual exhibition experience beyond the distance.

Explore #COMPUTEXVirtual now at https://virtual.computextaipei.com.tw/.

About TAITRA

Founded in 1970, TAITRA is Taiwan's foremost nonprofit trade promoting organization. Sponsored by the government and industry organizations, TAITRA assists enterprises to expand their global reach. Headquartered in Taipei, TAITRA has a team of 1,300 specialists and operates 5 local offices in Taoyuan, Hsinchu, Taichung, Tainan and Kaohsiung, as well as 63 branches worldwide. Together with Taipei World Trade Center (TWTC) and Taiwan Trade Center (TTC), TAITRA has formed a global network dedicated to promoting world trade.

SOURCE COMPUTEX Taipei

Related Links

https://virtual.computextaipei.com.tw/


CooperRiis is proud to welcome Mary with her wide array of experience into this clinical leadership role. She has been a therapist, field instructor, program director, and executive director at wilderness and therapeutic riding programs making her an excellent fit to supervise the Farm's Direct Care and Community Work and Service staff. Her most recent experience as clinical director of adolescent programs will guide her as she navigates and supervises the work CooperRiis' clinicians do with residents and their families.

"I am excited to be joining the CooperRiis' Healing Farm community model, their holistic and real-life practice approach for clients and their experienced team of clinicians," says Mary.

Please join CooperRiis in welcoming Mary to their Healing Community on July 19, 2021.

About CooperRiis Healing Community

Founded by Donald R. Cooper and Lisbeth Riis Cooper, CooperRiis is a non-profit, CARF accredited residential healing community in Western North Carolina, with a rural campus on a 94-acre farm and an urban campus in the heart of Asheville. Since 2003, CooperRiis has been helping adults living with mental health challenges, including anxiety, major depression, PTSD, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, personality disorders, and co-occurring condition related to addiction, achieve their highest levels of functioning and fulfillment. CooperRiis offers a full continuum of care (four levels) through a personalized recovery approach that combines clinical therapies, community work & service, education, and integrative wellness practices.

Visit http://www.cooperriis.org or call 828.899-HOPE for more about CooperRiis Healing Community and its approach to mental health treatment.

CONTACT: Kimberly Nelson, M.A., CooperRiis National Outreach Coordinator, 828.817.3783 or [email protected]

SOURCE CooperRiis Healing Community

Related Links

http://www.cooperriis.org


A record-year for disability and leave requests

Unum handled over a million short-term disability claims and leave requests in 2020. Experts at the company attribute the spike in volumes to the pandemic, as well as the growing need for financial protection and leave management assistance.

"The pandemic made disability a reality for many," said Chris Pyne, executive vice president of Group Benefits at Unum. "It reminds us of the importance of preparing for life's unexpected health events."

Mental health at an all-time low

More people filed behavioral health claims with Unum than ever before. Behavioral healthwhich includes mental health disorders like depression and anxiety, substance use disorder, stress and resiliency managementrepresents 6% of total claims and rank as the fifth-leading cause of disability. Over the last decade, claims for behavioral health have increased 21%, according to Unum's internal data.

Unum research also shows half of workers struggle with mental health issues, and 57% said they missed work last year because they felt mentally unwell.1 Depression and anxiety in the workplace cause lost productivity on the job and unplanned absences.2

"COVID-19 further exacerbated the mental health crisis that we were already in, but it also helped normalize the need for mental health support," said Swapnil Prabha, vice president of Digital Offerings at Unum who spearheads the Unum Behavioral Health solution for employers. "Now more than ever companies should see meaningful returns from investing in employees' mental health."

Top causes of disability

Even the younger workforce is at risk of disability. The Social Security Administration estimates that one in four of today's 20-year-olds will become disabled before reaching age 67.3 The top causes of short-term disability in 2020, according to Unum, were:

Pregnancy (25%) Injury (10%) COVID-19 (10%) Joint disorders (7%) Behavioral health (6%)

In 2020, Unum paid $6.2 billion in benefits in the U.S. and helped over 900 companies manage more than 100 leave laws, including leave related to the Family Medical and Leave and state legislation.

To learn more about leave and absence management in a post-pandemic world, download the Future of Leave guide. For information on a comprehensive mental health solution for your workforce, visit unum.com/behavioral-health.

ABOUT UNUM

Unum provides a broad portfolio of financial protection benefits and services through the workplace, and is the leading provider of disability income protection worldwide. Through its Unum US, Unum UK, Unum Poland, and Colonial Life businesses, the company provides disability, life, accident, critical illness, dental and vision benefits that protect millions of working people and their families. Unum also provides leave and absence management services that streamline the leave experience for employers and employees and stop-loss coverage to help self-insured employers protect against medical costs. Unum reported revenues of $13.2 billion in 2020 and paid $7.6 billion in benefits.

For more information, connect with us on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

1 Unum consumer survey of 1,200 U.S. working adults, April 2021.

2 World Health Organization (2016)

3 Social Security Administration "Faces and Facts of Disability" (2020)

SOURCE Unum Group

Related Links

www.unum.com


MIAMI, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CP Group, formerly Crocker Partners, today announced that it has acquired One Biscayne Tower, a 38-floor office tower in Downtown Miami, in a joint venture with funds managed by Rialto Capital Management, LLC and Sabal Capital Partners. The acquisition brings CP Group's total Downtown Miami holdings to over 2 million square feet, including SunTrust International Center and Citigroup Center, formerly known as Miami Center.

L&B Realty has managed One Biscayne Tower on behalf of Dow Chemical for the last 20 years.

"In addition to expanding our broad spectrum of offerings in Downtown Miami, this acquisition allows us to capitalize on the city's unprecedented momentum, as new residents and workers continue to flock here from around the country," said Angelo Bianco, Managing Partner at CP Group. "The building is among the city's most prestigious office destinations, offering an array of first-class amenities that embody the one-of-a-kind culture and lifestyle here in the City of Sunshine."

Enhanced amenities

One Biscayne Tower offers an expansive suite of amenities that include panoramic waterfront views, thanks to the lack of developable land between the office tower and Biscayne Bay. The tower is LEED Gold and Wired certified and offers a fitness center and newly renovated parking garage.

CP Group will execute building improvements and a rebrand of the prominent skyscraper, which is currently 65% leased. Planned renovations include enhancements to the exterior facade, lobby, gym, lower basement level, tenant floors, upgrades to the existing on-site cafe, and the addition of a conference center.

"The business plan was clear on this one - offer best in market amenities, sweeping unencumbered water views, and introduce concierge-level service that caters to the demands of today's tenants" said Brett Reese, Senior Vice President of CP Group, who leads acquisitions in South Florida, Colorado, and Texas. "Over the last 12 months, Miami has become a haven for corporate transplants; most of us have spent that time working from our homes, no views, no collaboration, no services. Our tenants are coming from all over the country with reset expectations. It is incumbent upon us to evolve and adapt and deliver on what they are looking for. We are excited to reintroduce this gem to the market and capitalize on Office 2.0."

CBRE's Christian Lee and Jose Lobon, including Amy Julian with CBRE's Debt & Structured Finance group, and Andrew Chilgren represented the seller. The property's leasing team of Brian Gale, Andrew Trench and Ryan Holtzman from Cushman & Wakefield also assisted with the sale.

New Name, Same Team

CP Group announced its name change from Crocker Partners earlier this month in an effort for the brand to be more representative of its growth into one of the country's premier owner-operators and developers of commercial real estate. The organization now employs nearly 200 employees and owns and manages a portfolio spanning more than 12 million square feet.

ABOUT CP GROUP

Active in the commercial real estate business for over 35 years, CP Group, formerly Crocker Partners, has established a reputation as a premier owner, operator, and developer of office and mixed-use projects throughout the Southeast and Southwest United States. Since 1986, CP Group has acquired and managed over 157 properties, totaling 48.6 million square feet and representing $6 billion invested. They are currently Florida's largest and Atlanta's third-largest office landlord and rank 37th largest in the United States. Headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, they have regional offices in Atlanta, Miami, Jacksonville, Dallas, and Washington D.C. To learn more about the company, visit CPGcre.com.

ABOUT RIALTO CAPITAL

Rialto Capital is a fully integrated real estate investment management, asset management and operating company. Rialto Capital was formed in 2007, and since its founding, has participated in the investment of billions of dollars of equity in real estate assets. The company invests and manages assets throughout the capital structure in real estate properties, loans, and securities. For more information, please visit www.rialtocapital.com.

ABOUT SABAL CAPITAL PARTNERS, LLC

Headquartered in Irvine, California, Sabal Capital Partners, LLC and its commercial real estate investment, lending and servicing subsidiaries and affiliates have originated and invested billions nationally through the firm's investment management platform and highly specialized wholesale lending platform. Sabal, founded in 2009, strives to keep clients and investors ahead of the curve, representing a corporate philosophy based upon the core practices of innovation, partnership, commitment to excellence and entrepreneurship. For more information about Sabal, visit www.sabal.com.

SOURCE CP Group

Related Links

https://cpgcre.com


TORONTO, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The below is a statement released on behalf of Daniel Schlaepfer following today's verdict on his appeal.

Mr. Schlaepfer is pleased that ASIC's truth defence has been struck down, rejecting the finding that Select Vantage Inc. (SVI) traders had engaged in market manipulation.

The judgment concluded that: "Although Mr Schlaepfer has been unsuccessful in the outcome of the appeal, he has been successful on most issues including the defence of truth, which occupied a substantial portion of the proceedings. That success has achieved what was said to be an important outcome of the appeal, namely, the vindication of Mr. Schlaepfer's reputation. Although ASIC has succeeded in establishing the defence of qualified privilege at common law, that is a defence of confession and avoidance. To put the matter another way, Mr Schlaepfer has established in the appeal that he was defamed, but defensibly so." (p. 135)

Mr. Schlaepfer stated further: "We are glad that this lengthy process has come to a conclusion. Suing powerful regulators for inappropriate conduct is not an endeavour one enters into lightly. We felt forced to do so in light of what we perceived to be unfair behaviour by ASIC. The success of our case upholds some important precepts surrounding transparency and accountability in financial regulation - market participants shouldn't have to suffer reputational damage as a result of unfounded hearsay. Sometimes the concerns of regulators are simply misunderstandings  these issues should be raised with firms directly, who should then be provided with the opportunity to explain their behaviour. If the regulator isn't satisfied with the explanation, they can always open a formal investigation."

"However the fact that ASIC's defence of qualified privilege was upheld is worrying and could set a dangerous precedent for financial regulation. This demonstrates that regulators can act with impunity in causing significant reputational damage resulting in material financial losses to market participants through the communication of unsubstantiated hearsay. Moreover, they can do so without informing the market participants in question, and without providing them with an opportunity to explain their behaviour before such communications are made."

SOURCE The Office of Daniel Schlaepfer
TSX.V: DME

U.S. OTC: DMEHF

Frankfurt: QM01

VANCOUVER, BC, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - DESERT MOUNTAIN ENERGY CORP. (the "Company") (TSXV: DME) (U.S. OTC: DMEHF) (Frankfurt: QM01) From the President of the Company.

Desert Mountain Energy Corp. announces the resignation of Dr. Edward A. Schiller from the Board of Directors.

ABOUT DESERT MOUNTAIN ENERGY

Desert Mountain Energy Corp. is a publicly traded exploration and resource company focused on the discovery and development of rare earth gas fields in the U.S. The Company is primarily looking for elements deemed critical to the renewable energy and high technology industries.

We seek safe harbor

"Robert Rohlfing"

Robert Rohlfing

Chairman & CEO

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in polices of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. The statements made in this press release may contain certain forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events or results may differ from the Company's expectations.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forwardlooking statements and information herein include but are not limited to statements regarding the Company's anticipated performance in the future the planned exploration activities, receipt of positive results from drilling, the completion of further drilling and exploration work, and the timing and results of various activities.

Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company and its operations to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include, among others, changes in national and local governments, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and the United States; financial risks due to helium prices, operating or technical difficulties in exploration and development activities; risks and hazards and the speculative nature of resource exploration and related development; risks in obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and challenges to the Company's title to properties.

Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to the continued operation of the Company's exploration operations, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company does not intend to, and does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.

SOURCE Desert Mountain Energy Corp.

Related Links

https://desertmountainenergy.com/


HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer, MD & CEO of DEWA, said that this partnership supports DEWA's work to establish a global benchmark for buildings that achieve a balance between development and the environment. This is done by monitoring the energy efficiency and space performance using central artificial intelligence. This helps with remote diagnostics, predictive maintenance, compliance monitoring, and advanced risk assessments.

This project clearly demonstrates how our OpenBlue platform is accelerating the path to net zero

"We work in alignment with the vision of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, to make Dubai a global centre for clean energy and green economy. DEWA adopts the latest disruptive solutions and Fourth Industrial Revolution applications at Al Shera'a. This supports our vision to become a globally leading sustainable, innovative corporation. This also protects the right of future generations to live in a clean, healthy and safe environment. This also supports the UAE Centennial 2071 to make the UAE the world leading nation," added HE Saeed Mohammed Al Tayer.

This undertaking is the latest development in Johnson Controls' ongoing commitment to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places, and the planet. Johnson Controls will draw on its unrivalled expertise in areas such as environmental footprint minimization and OpenBlue healthy building solutions to fulfil DEWA's bold eco targets for its new headquarters.

Commenting on the announcement, Johnson Controls Chairman and CEO George Oliver, said: "As a leader and pioneer in sustainability, Johnson Controls is proud to partner with DEWA and Microsoft on the implementation of the smartest net zero-energy government building in the world. This project clearly demonstrates how our OpenBlue platform is accelerating the path to net zero, driving green goals and reducing our customers` carbon footprint, in addition to our own."

While Ghantoot Group is in charge of the construction work of the building, Moro Hub will support DEWA to implement the latest in IoT, cybersecurity, digital twin technologies, AI, and smart building management solutions from Johnson Controls and Microsoft. Through these innovative technologies, Al-Shera'a is expected to utilise up to 50% less water than comparable buildings.

Sayed Hashish, General Manager at Microsoft UAE, explained "Our newest partnership with Johnson Controls and DEWA reflects the UAE's drive to bring together public and private entities to further its ambitious sustainability agenda. We are thrilled to be part of this monumental project and look forward to providing the necessary expertise and cloud capacity through our latest AI solutions and local data centres that will support the UAE's drive to achieve 50% of its energy capacity needs through clean energy sources by 2050."

Al-Shera'a is expected to be ready by 2023 and it will feature an array of artificial intelligence solutions across systems and spaces, including a digital concierge for every employee and visitor. Comprising 15 floors, a basement, and a four-story car park, the building will offer capabilities to accommodate an onsite presence of over 5,000 people.

DEWA's new headquarters are designed for a platinum rating by LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) and a silver rating from the WELL Building Standard. DEWA is also expected to announce two more phases to implement work on the Internet of Things and Artificial Intelligence and the photovoltaic solar systems for the building.

About Johnson Controls:

At Johnson Controls (NYSE:JCI) we transform the environments where people live, work, learn and play. As the global leader in smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, our mission is to reimagine the performance of buildings to serve people, places and the planet.

With a history of more than 135 years of innovation, Johnson Controls delivers the blueprint of the future for industries such as healthcare, schools, data centers, airports, stadiums, manufacturing and beyond through its comprehensive digital offering OpenBlue. With a global team of 100,000 experts in more than 150 countries, Johnson Controls offers the world`s largest portfolio of building technology, software as well as service solutions with some of the most trusted names in the industry. For more information, visit www.johnsoncontrols.com or follow us @johnsoncontrols on Twitter.

About Moro Hub

Moro Hub is a digital transformation service provider with a diversified portfolio offering cloud and hosting, digital services, cybersecurity, Smart Cities and IoT services along with professional and managed services.

Being a subsidiary of Digital DEWA, the digital arm of Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA) and a Dubai 10X enabler, Moro Hub brings together the best of both worlds with deep local expertise and backed by an international consortium of partners SAP, Dell, EY, Avaya, VMware, Cisco, Alibaba Cloud, NetApp, HPE, Huawei and many others to offer leading-edge services.

Moro Hub is a highly secured digital data hub holding elite certifications such as ISO 9001:2008, ISO 27001, ISO 27017 (Information Security Management System - Cloud Service Provider), ISO/IEC 20000-1: 2018, Cloud Security Alliance STAR and DESC Compliance  CSP standard certification. Moro Hub owns state-of-the-art Data Centre facilities, all 3 of them are a Tier-III uptime institute certified and 2 of them are Solar-Powered Green Data Centres.

For further information, please visit http://www.morohub.com

About Microsoft

Microsoft enables digital transformation for the era of an intelligent cloud and an intelligent edge. Its mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more.

SOURCE Johnson Controls International plc
Yolondo's story is inspirational, particularly for women who seek to break through the barriers of women entrepreneurs in their chosen industry. Before launching, Yolondo was a private health care worker, exclusively contracted to a client who resided in an apartment on Park Avenue in Manhattan, NY. With her client's blessings, during down times, she experimented with different formulas in one of the apartment's closets, until she was satisfied the formulas met her expectations.

When Yolondo was 17, she immigrated to the U.S. to live with her father in the state of Georgia. Fifteen years later, the solopreneur runs a fully operational organization, financed by herself, with marketers and influencers all around the world who focus on achieving a common goal. As of June, 2021, PIMBY's year to date gross sales exceed $1.6M, an increase of 40 percent in comparison to 2020-year end volume. The married mother of two daughters never wavered. On the strength of meticulously crafted and engaging social media engagements, Yolondo has achieved success by maintaining a positive attitude as she remains committed to her business plan. She consistently promotes PIMBY's independent fast-selling, cruelty-free, original makeup collections, that are sold at a fraction of the cost offered by her competition.

As result of PIMBY's business success and growing activities, as of April 2021, Yolondo has opened a fulfillment center in Georgia.

Please visit:

Website - https://playinginmakeupbyyolondo.com/

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/playinginmakeupbyyolondo/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/playinginmakeupbyyolondo/?hl=en

SOURCE Playing In Makeup By Yolondo

Related Links

https://playinginmakeupbyyolondo.com/


FREMONT, Calif., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Durabook, the global rugged mobile solutions brand owned by Twinhead International Corporation, introduced its enhanced 2-in-1 rugged computing solution with the addition of a versatile, innovative keyboard to its popular U11 rugged tablet. This 2-in-1 computing solution is specifically designed to increase productivity and add flexibility to individuals working in jobs that continually go from an office to a field setting or vice versa. It adds up to three USB 3.2 Gen 1 interfaces, including options for one HDMI port and one LAN port (USB Type A connector). This 2-in-1 computing solution comes with one of the first detachable keyboards designed and tested to MIL-STD 810H shock and vibration and IP65 ingress specifications.

Durabook's U11 2-in-1 rugged computing solution increases productivity and adds flexibility in changing working conditions, combining the advantages of a tablet and a laptop for better versatility and functionality.

"When flexibility is a key aspect in a worker's job, our new Durabook U11 2-in-1 solution is the perfect device for keeping pace with changing working conditions," stated Twinhead CEO Fred Kao. "Whether a laptop with full keyboard and complete connectivity is needed or a tablet for increased mobility is called for, our value-driven, 2-in-1 U11 fully-rugged 11.6" tablet provides the versatility and functionality needed."

One Tablet, Customizable for Diverse Applications

Flexibility is a critical factor in the modern workforce's choice of technology. It makes sense to provide users with a versatile solution, combining the advantages of a tablet and a laptop. The 2-in-1 Durabook U11 tablet does precisely that. Used as a laptop, it increases field productivity by adding an IP-65 rated full-size 88-key membrane keyboard with 3-level brightness backlit keys for easy input of reports and big data files and complete connectivity. An optional backlit rubber keyboard is also available. The keyboard also features a sturdy handle for convenient carrying. Used as a tablet, it brings together user-friendly interfaces for varying conditions, such as touch screens that can be used while wearing gloves or in bright daylight conditions.

The new Durabook U11 2-in-1 can be customized to meet the needs of the following industries: utility, oil & gas, transportation, logistics, field services, manufacturing, public safety, automotive and more.

The Rugged Tablet That Meets Your Requirements

The Durabook U11 tablet features an Intel 10th Generation CPU, Windows 10 Pro, up to 16GB of RAM, quick-release SSD, DOD-level security, and a Full HD sunlight-readable touchscreen display. Designed for workers who face the most challenging operating environments, the U11 tablet is MIL-STD-810G certified for a 6-feet drop, shock, vibration, rain, dust, sand, humidity, freeze/thaw, operating temperature range (- 4F to 140F), explosive atmosphere, and temperature shock.

The U11 meets MIL-STD-461G for electromagnetic interference and ANSI 12.12.01 Class 1, Division 2 hazardous locations. It has an IP65 rating. The 11.6" FHD (1920 x 1080) LCD features a 10-point capacitive multi-touch panel and multiple system I/O ports. The touchscreen operates even when wet. The hot-swappable battery enables workers to operate uninterrupted when charging isn't an option.

AVAILABILITY

The new Durabook U11 fully rugged tablet with a detachable keyboard starts at $2,399. For more details, visit https://www.durabook.com/us/products/U11-tablet. For sales inquiries, please contact [email protected] or call 800-995-8946.

The Durabook Reseller Program

Interested in becoming a Durabook reseller? There are programs to choose from to meet any company's needs. Visit Become an Authorized DURABOOK Partner Today for more details.

ABOUT DURABOOK

Durabook is the core brand of Twinhead International Corporation in Taiwan, a world-renowned manufacturer of rugged mobile solutions for more than 30 years. All Durabook devices are designed, manufactured, and tested to the highest standards to ensure maximum quality and reliability. Committed to engineering and service excellence, Durabook products have been widely adopted by government and enterprise customers, including oil and gas, utilities, field service, military, and public safety for more than a decade. For more information, visit www.durabook.com.

PR Contact:

Susan van Barneveld / Rita Lee

Copernio

(714) 891-3660

[email protected]

All products/services and trademarks mentioned in this release are the properties of their respective companies.

 2021 Twinhead International Corp. All rights reserved.

Related Files

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Related Images

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Durabook U11 2-in-1 Rugged Computing Solution

Durabook's U11 2-in-1 rugged computing solution increases productivity and adds flexibility in changing working conditions, combining the advantages of a tablet and a laptop for better versatility and functionality.

SOURCE Durabook Americas, Inc.
The cooperation between LabShare and TuBroTICs will promote the sustainable digitalization concept for the hardware testing in the international market. Testing facilities will be able to maximize their capacity utilization by 25% (at least), reduce their costs and idle times, and build a network of new stakeholders. On the other hand, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) will introduce their innovative new products to the market quickly, while using scheduling and tracking tools, verifying ratings and reviews, and enjoying a smooth customer service experience.

Levente Bakos, LabShare's CEO stated: "We are very glad to have such an agreement with TuBroTICs, where they will be handling and managing our operational aspects in the Republic of India." He added: "Our main goal is to promote sustainable digitalization for the TIC market across the globe by reducing the ecological footprint of testing facilities and SMEs through a well-designed sharing economy platform."

"Manufacturers in India often waste time searching for laboratories while trying to negotiate for the best possible price. Once LabShare becomes available, both parties will have everything available on one digital platform in India and the South Asian region," said Mahesh Dave, the CEO of TuBroTICs.

The agreement came from the belief of using a qualified marketplace that will save time, money and environmental costs for all players involved.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1551802/LabShare_TuBroTICs.jpg

For more information about LabShare, please visit https://www.thelabshare.com or reach them directly through [email protected] email address, +3630-8946964.

SOURCE LabShare

Related Links

https://www.thelabshare.com


LOS ANGELES, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Exer Urgent Care opened its first clinic in Central Los Angeles' Silver Lake neighborhood, marking its 21st facility in Southern California. Located a block east of the Sunset Blvd. and Santa Monica Blvd. intersection, the urgent care facility is staffed by ER doctors and medical personnel, providing convenient, affordable and high-quality medical care at a fraction of the cost of an ER. As Los Angeles reopens, health will remain a focal point and the city will continue to see local emergency rooms operating at full capacity, largely due to non-emergent patient concerns. Exer's mission alleviates overcrowding of local hospital ERs with community facilities offering more comprehensive medical services than typical urgent cares.

"As our city begins to adjust to a new normal and businesses return to traditional operating practices, the medical community forecasts a continued overcrowding of emergency rooms and strain on our medical infrastructure due to post-pandemic, non-emergent patient concerns," said Rob Mahan, CEO, Exer Urgent Care. "We are proud to offer Silver Lake patients a safe and convenient location to seek medical attention for everything from the common cold, x-rays, flu shots, lacerations, splinting, IV's, labs and diagnostics; in addition to continued COVID-19 support through next-day testing."

Exer Urgent Care is Southern California's fastest-growing ER alternative. Recently launched in 2021, Exer offers an in-house PCR lab to further support Southern California's reopening with next-day COVID-19 test results. Supplementing Exer's onsite services and aligned with the brand's dedication to convenient care solutions, a telemedicine platform, VirtualCare by Exer , is offered to allow patients real-time access to a medical provider via video chat. Further digital services also include a patient portal for real-time access to test results as well as discharge and other health information, for those who register.

Exer Silver Lake is located at 4121 Santa Monica Blvd. #106, Los Angeles, CA 90029, and is open seven days a week from 9am to 9pm with the last patient registered at 8:30pm. Exer accepts most major insurance PPOs, some HMOs and Medicare for payment. Depending on insurance plans, copay may apply at time of service. If a given insurance or Medicare plan is not accepted, payment in full at time of visit is required.

For more information about Exer Urgent Care visit www.ExerUrgentCare.com and follow @ExerUrgentCare on Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Exer serves the following greater Los Angeles regions: San Fernando Valley, San Gabriel Valley, Santa Clarita, South Bay, Ventura, Central Los Angeles, and the Westside. For a full list of the 21 Exer clinic locations visit exerurgentcare.com/locations/ .

ABOUT EXER URGENT CARE:

With 21 Southern California locations, Exer Urgent Care is staffed with ER doctors who provide premier medical services in a clean, convenient, high-quality, and affordable urgent care environment to a growing number of communities throughout Southern California. With on-site pharmacy, in-house PRC lab featuring next day COVID-19 testing results, x-ray and more, Exer can treat 80 percent of the cases seen in an ER for a fraction of the cost. VirtualCare by Exer provides patients real-time access to an Exer provider with no appointment necessary via video chat with a smartphone, tablet, or computer. For more information on Exer Urgent Care, visit ExerUrgentCare.com.

SOURCE Exer Urgent Care

Related Links

https://exerurgentcare.com


Shareholders approve Distribution of Treasury Metals Shares and Warrants

VANCOUVER, BC, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - First Mining Gold Corp. ("First Mining" or the "Company") (TSX: FF) (OTCQX: FFMGF) (FRANKFURT: FMG) is pleased to announce the voting results from the Company's annual general & special meeting of shareholders held virtually in Vancouver on June 30, 2021 (the "2021 AGM").

A total of 283,475,512 common shares of First Mining were represented at the 2021 AGM, representing 40.63% of the Company's outstanding common shares as at the record date of May 3, 2021. Shareholders voted in favour of all matters brought before the meeting, which included approving a special resolution (the "Arrangement Resolution") in connection with the distribution of shares and warrants of Treasury Metals Inc. ("Treasury Metals") to First Mining's shareholders (the "Distribution"). The votes for the Arrangement Resolution approving the Distribution were as follows:

Arrangement Resolution

Outcome of the Vote Votes For % For Votes Against % Against Carried 216,002,633 97.72% 5,042,344 2.28%

In addition, all five director nominees listed in the Company's management information circular dated May 18, 2021 (the "Circular") were elected as follows:

Election of Directors

Director Nominee Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld Keith Neumeyer 215,855,328 97.65% 5,189,649 2.35% Raymond Polman 216,653,541 98.01% 4,391,436 1.99% Daniel W. Wilton 217,241,498 98.28% 3,803,479 1.72% Richard Lock 214,476,383 97.03% 6,568,594 2.97% Leanne Hall 215,650,375 97.56% 5,394,602 2.44%

Lastly, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, were re-appointed as the Company's auditor:

Appointment of Auditor

Outcome of the Vote Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld Carried 281,989,458 99.48% 1,486,054 0.52%

Detailed voting results for the 2021 AGM are available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

"We are delighted with the excellent voting turnout at this year's AGM. With our shareholders having approved the Distribution, we are excited to be able to return value to First Mining's shareholders in connection with our sale of the Goldlund Gold Project to Treasury Metals, and for all of our shareholders to become direct shareholders of Treasury Metals" said Dan Wilton, CEO of First Mining. "We will now proceed to obtain final court approval for the Distribution, and we expect to receive such approval within the next week."

First Mining will apply to the Supreme Court of British Columbia for a final order in respect of the Distribution (the "Final Order"), and it expects to receive the Final Order on July 5, 2021. Once the Company has obtained the Final Order, it will issue a news release to advise its shareholders that it has received final court approval for the Distribution, and it will confirm the finalized record date of the Distribution, as well as the date on which the Distribution will occur.

First Mining would like to remind all existing and prospective shareholders that, as long as you are a First Mining shareholder as of the finalized record date for the Distribution, you will be entitled to receive your pro rata share of the Treasury Metals shares and warrants that are being distributed to First Mining's shareholders.

About First Mining Gold Corp.

First Mining is a Canadian gold developer focused on the development and permitting of the Springpole Gold Project in northwestern Ontario. Springpole is one of the largest undeveloped gold projects in Canada. The results of a positive Pre-Feasibility Study for the Springpole Gold Project were announced by First Mining in January 2021, and permitting activities are on-going with submission of an Environmental Impact Statement ("EIS") for the project targeted for 2021. The Company also holds a large equity position in Treasury Metals Inc. who are advancing the Goliath-Goldlund gold projects towards construction. First Mining's portfolio of gold projects in eastern Canada also includes the Pickle Crow (being advanced in partnership with Auteco Minerals Ltd.), Cameron, Hope Brook, Duparquet, Duquesne, and Pitt gold projects.

First Mining was established in 2015 by Mr. Keith Neumeyer, founding President and CEO of First Majestic Silver Corp.

ON BEHALF OF FIRST MINING GOLD CORP.

Daniel W. Wilton

Chief Executive Officer and Director

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 and United States securities legislation including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. 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", "opportunities", "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 and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: (i) timing for the receipt of the Final Order in connection with the Distribution; (ii) timing for any future news releases by First Mining in connection with the Final Order and/or the Distribution; (iii) all dates in respect of the Distribution, including the finalized record date for the Distribution and the date on which the Distribution will be effected; (iv) the number of shares and warrants of Treasury Metals to be distributed to First Mining's shareholders of record as of the finalized record date for the Distribution; and (v) timing for the submission of an EIS for the Springpole Gold Project. All forward-looking statements are based on First Mining's or its consultants' 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. Such factors include, without limitation the Company's business, operations and financial condition potentially being materially adversely affected by the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, such as COVID-19, and by reactions by government and private actors to such outbreaks; risks to employee health and safety as a result of the outbreak of epidemics, pandemics or other health crises, such as COVID-19, that may result in a slowdown or temporary suspension of operations at some or all of the Company's mineral properties as well as its head office; fluctuations in the spot and forward price of gold, silver, base metals or certain other commodities; fluctuations in the currency markets (such as the Canadian dollar versus the U.S. dollar); changes in national and local government, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments; risks and hazards associated with the business of mineral exploration, development and mining (including environmental hazards, industrial accidents, unusual or unexpected formations, pressures, cave-ins and flooding); the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities, indigenous populations and other stakeholders; availability and increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development; title to properties.; and the additional risks described in the Company's Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2020 filed with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities under the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com , and in the Company's Annual Report on Form 40-F filed with the SEC on EDGAR.

First Mining cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive. When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to First Mining, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. First Mining 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.

SOURCE First Mining Gold Corp.

Related Links

https://firstmininggold.com/


Largest and most diverse group of promotions in firm's history

NEW YORK, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fragomen, the world's leading provider of immigration services and member of the Am Law 100 and Am Law Global 100, is pleased to announce the appointment of 17 new Partners and three Of Counsel, effective July 1, 2021.

This class represents the largest and most diverse group of new Partners and Of Counsel promotions in the firm's history. Drawn from many jurisdictions and practice areas, the new Partners and Of Counsel are exceptional, experienced immigration professionals who reflect the broad scope of immigration service offerings at Fragomen.

"We are proud to welcome our new Partners and Of Counsel. The diversity of global talent in this extraordinary group is a testament to the strength of our firm and our commitment to attract, retain and invest in leading immigration professionals," said Chairman Austin T. Fragomen, Jr. "Their deep experience and focus on client service will help our clients navigate the complexities in the immigration and business landscape."

Lance Kaplan, Managing Partner of the firm's International Practice Group, added, "The caliber of these new Partners and Of Counsel epitomizes the extraordinary talent and commitment of so many professionals within the practice and sets the firm apart from all others in the industry."

These promotions honor Fragomen's longstanding commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, which is fundamental to its core values and success as a firm.

The full list of new Partners is set out below:

The following have been promoted to Of Counsel:

Fragomen also recently announced that Christine Sullivan was promoted to Partner. Christine leads the firm's newly-opened office in Amsterdam, a reflection of its commitment to its Netherlands-based clients and the European region.

About Fragomen

Fragomen is a leading firm dedicated exclusively to immigration services worldwide. The firm has more than 4,500 immigration professionals and support staff in more than 50 offices across the Americas, EMEA and Asia Pacific. Fragomen offers immigration support in more than 170 countries.

Fragomen's professionals are respected leaders in the immigration field, and the firm is regularly recognized as a leading firm for its percentage of minority and female professionals.

The firm also supports all aspects of global immigration for both corporate and private clients, including strategic planning, quality management, reporting, case management and processing, immigration program compliance management, advisory services in government investigations, government relations, and complex litigation.

These capabilities allow Fragomen to work in partnership with individuals and corporate clients across all industries to facilitate the transfer of employees worldwide. For detailed information about Fragomen, please visit www.fragomen.com.

SOURCE Fragomen

Related Links

https://www.fragomen.com/


ST. PETERSBURG, Fla., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fusion Marketing Group, Inc. was recently recognized for excellence in healthcare marketing. The agency received two Gold Aster Awards for their work with Beth Israel Lahey Health and NeoGenomics Laboratories.

Fusion Marketing Group

Beth Israel Lahey Health Medical Technologist Recruitment

When Beth Israel Lahey Health, a Boston area health system, received a grant from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to conduct COVID-19 testing, that required the hiring of 53 medical technologists in 90 days, they turned to Fusion Marketing Group, a recruitment marketing agency specializing in healthcare recruitment.

These medical laboratory professionals were already in short supply and a worldwide pandemic only exacerbated the problem. "We knew our approach had to change," said Daniel Reynolds, Fusion's Vice President of Client Services, "we really had to think of the emotional appeal as well as the rational appeal for candidates to switch jobs amidst a global pandemic." The program incorporated virtual tools to make it easy and safe for candidates to apply for jobs. "We implemented a chat platform to move the hiring events to a virtual environment," noted Lee Alexander, Fusion's Senior Director of Account Management. These shifts in approach proved successful as Alexander remarked, "we were able to come in within or just under budget for a large campaign that reached and exceeded the client's hiring goals."

NeoGenomics Laboratories Career Website

Fusion was also awarded a Gold Aster Award for its work with NeoGenomics Laboratories in Ft. Myers, Florida. Although the NeoGenomics career website did not have a 90-day deadline, it was still an impressive feat as Vice President of Operations & Analytics, Sarah Santilli, noted "We designed this career website to be fully integrated with the applicant tracking system." The team also "put the candidate experience first by using the three-click method, where we ensure the apply now button is never more than three clicks away from anywhere on the career website," said Santilli. There were many aspects that made the website a success, but as Reynolds remarked "the dedication and communication from the NeoGenomics team during the website building process is what made the difference at the end of the day."

About Fusion Marketing Group

Fusion Marketing Group, headquartered in St. Petersburg, Florida is a full-service recruitment marketing agency founded in 2010 that focuses solely on healthcare. Through a combination of research, analytics, and creativity, Fusion helps it clients convert candidates into qualified applicants at higher rates and lower costs. Their services include employer branding, website design, traditional, digital and search marketing, social media, traditional and virtual hiring events, referral programs, and more.

To learn more about Fusion Marketing Group, visit fusionideas.com.

Media Contact:

Georgia Dardick, Fusion Marketing Group, Inc.

561-706-1073

[email protected]

SOURCE Fusion Marketing Group, Inc.

Related Links

https://www.fusionideas.com/


DUBLIN, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Chemical Logistics Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

Global chemical logistics market to grow at a CAGR of around 6% during the forecast period (2021-2026).

Chemical logistics refers to the services that help in monitoring procurement, planning and implementation of various supply chain-related activities in the chemical industry.

It also offers management of resource procurement, material flow, transportation, distribution services, warehouse and storage and other value-added services. Chemical logistics can track consumer centers and perform marking and labeling functions for various chemicals and raw materials based on their toxicological and physicochemical nature.

Owing to these benefits, reliable logistics systems are a crucial component of the chemical industry as they are highly responsive, adaptable and necessary for constantly analyzing the market changes.



Significant growth in the chemical industry is one of the key factors driving the growth of the market. Furthermore, the increasing demand for automation and modernized green warehouses in the chemical industry for sustainable business operations is providing a boost to the market growth.

With the growing concerns regarding energy conservation and environment protection, chemical manufacturers are increasingly investing in cost-effective warehousing solutions that combine green practices and smart technology, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), smart sensors and robotics.

The vendors are also providing digital tools to automate chemical logistics and to process data with enhanced productivity, efficiency and convenience.

Other factors, including increasing awareness regarding product security and safety in the chemical industry, along with extensive research and development (R&D) activities and rapid industrialization across the globe, are projected to drive the market further.

Key Questions Answered in This Report:

How has the global chemical logistics market performed so far and how will it perform in the coming years?

What are the key regional markets?

What has been the impact of COVID-19 on the global chemical logistics market?

What is the breakup of the market based on the type?

What is the breakup of the market based on the service?

What are the various stages in the value chain of the industry?

What are the key driving factors and challenges in the industry?

What is the structure of the global chemical logistics market and who are the key players?

What is the degree of competition in the industry?

Competitive Landscape:



The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined with some of the key players being

Agility Public Warehousing Co.

BDP International Inc.

C.H. Robinson Worldwide Inc.

DB Schenker

DHL Group

DSV Panalpina AS

FedEx Corp.

Montreal Chemical Logistics

Schneider National Inc.

Univar Inc.

Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends



5 Global Chemical Logistics Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Type

6.1 Rail

6.2 Road

6.3 Pipeline

6.4 Sea

6.5 Others



7 Market Breakup by Service

7.1 Transportation

7.2 Warehousing

7.3 Others



8 Market Breakup by Region



9 SWOT Analysis



10 Value Chain Analysis



11 Porters Five Forces Analysis



12 Price Indictors



13 Competitive Landscape

13.1 Market Structure

13.2 Key Players

13.3 Profiles of Key Players



For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/dzuo5b

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

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SOURCE Research and Markets

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DUBLIN, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Container Terminal Automated Equipment and Technologies Market, Edition 2021" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

This research study is intended to provide trends in container terminal automation and analyzing the technologies that are assisting the trend of automation.

The report describes the historical market trends and forecasts the market size both in terms of value and volume of automated equipment used in terminal automation, automation solutions and services, and technologies (camera, radar, and LiDAR) market.

Despite the economic downturn of last year due to the pandemic, many ports have seen significant increase in the total throughput in terms of TEU in 2020.

However, ports are now increasing facing congestion problems, labor issues, and increasing competition. Alongside these challenges, container handling remains one of the most dangerous operations in the industry. The introduction of digitization, remote handling, and automation in handling containers and equipment is a response to all these pressures. Unmanned handling of the containers clearly means there is an increasing need towards sensing technologies.

Although the level of automation and safety in container terminals has increased considerably in this decade, today there are just 66 automated container terminals worldwide of which only 20 are fully automated while the rest are semi-automated terminals. This is just 4 percent of the total container terminals worldwide.

From the optimistic view this means there are almost 96 percent of container terminals yet to witness automation of any kind which indeed is a great opportunity for everyone in the ecosystem - right from the container handling equipment manufacturers to technology providers, to automation integrator.

The report helps the reader with the total addressable market for the equipment players, technology companies, and automation integrator in terms of total number of ports to be semi or fully automated in mid and long term, the total deployed base of automated equipment and future sales forecast of these equipment, total brownfield and total greenfield automation projects (historical and future).

The report has analyzed six container handling equipment with automated functionalities including automated rail-mounted gantry (A-RMG) cranes, automated rubber-tyred gantry (A-RTG) cranes, automated stacking cranes (ASC), automated straddle carriers (AutoStrad), automated guided vehicles (AGV), and semi-automated and automated terminal tractors (Auto TT).

The report forecast the sales volume, pricing trends, and market size of each of this equipment and further analyses the market size (value, volume, and ASP) of technologies (camera, radar, LiDAR) used for autonomous functionalities.

Key Takeaways

250 pages of analysis of the complete terminal automation industry with special focus on autonomous equipment, automated technologies and sensors, and automation solutions and services

70+ companies across the terminal automation industry including port operators, automation integrators, sensor companies, and automation hardware and software players is included in the study

Sensing technologies of LiDAR, camera, and radar is covered exhaustively along with market forecast both by value and volume is covered in this study

Market share analysis of leading port operators, automation integrators, equipment manufacturers (hardware and software both) and sensing companies is covered in this study

This is report also analyses the industry dynamics by evaluating the investments, funding, and inorganic growth strategies adopted by the players in the ecosystem

Key Topics Covered:

Executive Summary



1. Scope of Research and Assumptions



2. Research Methodology - Data Collection, Analysis, and Forecast



3. Background Research

3.1. Top 20 Container Terminal Ports Worldwide by Throughput

3.2. Top 20 Port Operators Worldwide by Throughput

3.3. Status of Automation at 70+ Greenfield and Brownfield Automated Terminals

3.4. Market Share of Greenfield and Brownfield Automated Terminals

3.5. Current Deployment and Sales Figures of Automated Terminal Equipments

3.5.1. Ship-to-shore Cranes (STS) or Quay Cranes

3.5.2. Automated Stacking Cranes (ASC)

3.5.3. Automated Rail-mounted Gantry (A-RMG) Cranes

3.5.4. Automated Rubber-Tyred Gantry (A-RTG) Cranes

3.5.5. Automated Straddle Carriers (AutoStrad)

3.5.6. Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV)

3.5.7. Autonomous Terminal Tractors (Auto TT)

3.6. Market Share of Container Terminals

3.6.1. Market Share by Regions and Countries

3.6.2. Market Share by Semi-automated and Fully Automated Terminals



4. Autonomous Sensing Technologies and Choices

4.1. Type of Sensors

4.2. LiDAR Sensing

4.2.1. Distance measuring with 1D scanner

4.2.2. 2D Scanner (Single and Multi-layer)

4.2.3. 3D Scanner

4.3. D Sensing Cameras

4.4. Radar Scanning



5. Autonomous Sensing Technologies Market Size and Forecast

5.1. LiDAR

5.1.1. Total LiDAR Market (Value and Volume) for Container Terminal Automation

5.1.2. LiDAR Market (Value and Volume), breakdown by Automated Equipments

5.1.2.1. Ship-to-shore Cranes (STS) or Quay Cranes

5.1.2.2. Automated Stacking Cranes (ASC)

5.1.2.3. Automated Rail-mounted Gantry (A-RMG) Cranes

5.1.2.4. Automated Rubber-Tyred Gantry (A-RTG) Cranes

5.1.2.5. Automated Straddle Carriers (AutoStrad)

5.1.2.6. Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV)

5.1.2.7. Autonomous Terminal Tractors (Auto TT)

5.2. 3D Sensing Camera

5.2.1. Total Camera Market (Value and Volume) for Container Terminal Automation

5.2.2. Camera Market (Value and Volume), breakdown by Automated Equipments

5.3. Radar

5.3.1. Total Radar Market (Value and Volume) for Container Terminal Automation

5.3.2. Radar Market (Value and Volume), breakdown by Automated Equipments



6. Autonomous Sensing Technologies Application Solutions

6.1. Truck Positioning

6.2. AGV Position Determination

6.3. Boom Collision Prevention

6.4. Vessel Profiling

6.5. Accurate Stacking in the Yard

6.6. Automatic Container handover

6.7. Gantry Collision Prevention

6.8. Stack Collision Prevention

6.9. Container Damage Inspection



7. Container Terminal Automation Equipments, Solutions, Services Market

7.1. Terminal Automation Equipments Market (Value and Volume)

7.1.1. Ship-to-shore Cranes (STS) or Quay Cranes (Remote Controlled)

7.1.2. Automated Stacking Cranes (ASC)

7.1.3. Automated Rail-mounted Gantry (A-RMG) Cranes

7.1.4. Automated Rubber-Tyred Gantry (A-RTG) Cranes

7.1.5. Automated Straddle Carriers (AutoStrad)

7.1.6. Automated Guided Vehicles (AGV)

7.1.7. Autonomous Terminal Tractors (Auto TT)

7.2. Terminal Automation Stack Solutions Market

7.3. Terminal Automation Management Services Market



8. Container Terminal Automation Ecosystem Analysis

8.1. Container Port Operators

8.2. Container Terminal Automation Equipment Manufacturers

8.3. Container Terminal Automation Integrators (HW, SW, HW+SW)

8.4. Autonomous Sensing Technology Companies



9. Container Terminal Industry Assessment

9.1. Investments and Funding for Terminal Digitisation and Automation

9.2. Future Planned Investments for Brownfield and Greenfield Terminal Automation Projects

9.3. Key Partnership Mapping

9.4. Key M&As

9.5. Market Share Analysis of Leading Port Operators

9.6. Market Share Analysis of Leading Terminal Equipment Manufacturers

9.7. Market Share Analysis of Leading Automation Integrators

9.8. Market Share Analysis of Leading Sensing and Technology Companies



10. Appendices

Companies Mentioned





ABB

Akquinet

Analog Devices

Automated Equipment Players

Benewake

Camco Technologies

Cosmos (a DP world company)

CyberLogitec

Data and System Planning (DSP)

FLIR Systems

Gaussin+ UPS

GE Transportation

Inform

Kalmar (part of Cargotec)

Kokuyo

Konecranes

Kuenz GmbH

Liebherr

MAN SE

Matrox Imaging

Mitsui E&S Holdings Co., Ltd.

MOFFATT & NICHOL

Navis (part of Cargotec)

NAVTech Radar

Neptec

nGen (HPH)

Outrider.ai

Phantom Auto

Quanergy

Rajant Corporation

Realtime Business Solutions (RBS)

SAAB

Seoho Electric

Sick

Siemens

Solvo

Symeo

TBA Group

Terberg

TGI Maritime Software

Tideworks Technology

TMEIC

Total Soft Bank Ltd.

Turck

VDL

Velodyne LiDAR

Volvo

ZPMC





For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/ok1up2

About ResearchAndMarkets.com

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

Media Contact:

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Laura Wood, Senior Manager

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SOURCE Research and Markets

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DUBLIN, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Military Aviation Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul Market - Growth, Trends, COVID-19 Impact, and Forecasts (2021 - 2030)" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering.

The Military Aviation Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul Market is expected to grow from USD 37.6 billion in 2020 to USD 49.31 billion in 2030, witnessing a CAGR of 2.79% during the forecast period.



Since the demand for MRO services is a direct proponent of the sanctioned annual defense budget of the nations, COVID-19 had a moderate impact on the market in focus. The ongoing global economic slowdown is anticipated to result in a subsequent decline in defense spending on a short-term basis.

However, due to existing regulations and controls, major US-based military MRO service providers are less likely to bear the impact of the wider supply chain disruption caused by the pandemic. However, suppliers and MRO service providers located in Asia-Pacific and South America are more vulnerable to supply chain disruptions and are envisioned to face operational constraints and high financial risk exposure due to supply chain bottlenecks.



The market in focus is anticipated to be driven by a consistent increase in the global military fleet, internal and external security threats, technological innovations, aging global military fleet, joint ventures, and strategic alliances formed to address the specific requirements of the modernization initiatives undertaken by the global armed forces.



Starting with aircraft maintenance facility management and managing MRO throughout the supply chain, the use of advanced digital technologies is imperative to establish high-efficiency operations. With the advancement in AI and analytics, MRO companies are progressing from centralized maintenance diagnostic operations, through real-time condition monitoring services, to prescriptive maintenance operations.



Key Market Trends



Engine MRO segment to Dominate the Market During the Forecast Period



The engine is one of the vital components of any aircraft and is required to be maintained airworthy irrespective of the operational status of the aircraft. The increasing complexity of the engine parts and the increased number of military aircraft crashes due to engine failures have resulted in the global armed forces divesting enhanced focus on frequent engine maintenance and periodic checks. The active fleet of several countries is aging at a much faster pace than others due to extreme operating conditions that the aircraft are exposed to regularly.

The older aircraft need MRO services much frequently than their newer counterparts to prevent the systems from malfunctioning or becoming obsolete. On this note, several contracts are being awarded to avail MRO services for the active fleet. For instance, Rolls-Royce was selected by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) in August 2019 to provide maintenance and repair support for the EJ200 engines of Typhoon fighter aircraft fleet in service of the Royal Air Force (RAF) until 2024.

The engine support contract (EJISS) was worth USD 431.06 million, a follow-on to the ten-year Partnered Support Operational Phase arrangement. Similarly, in October 2020, Honeywell announced that it won a five-year IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity) contract for the repair and overhaul of its T55-GA-714A engines that operate on the US Army's CH-47 Chinook helicopters. Such developments are envisioned to foster the growth of the engine MRO segment of the market in focus during the forecast period.



North America is Expected to Maintain its Dominance in Terms of Revenue During the Forecast Period



Though Asia-Pacific is expected to be one of the fastest-growing markets during the forecast period, the market is anticipated to be dominated by North America sheerly due to its diverse and superior fleet size. Currently, North America has the second-highest military aircraft fleet in the world and the demand for MRO services is driven by the initiatives to upgrade the existing fleet with the latest technologies and systems.

The majority of MRO expenditure is on the region's large fleet of multi-role aircraft, transport aircraft, and surveillance aircraft that require high maintenance for engines and airframes, along with field and component maintenance services. The United States Air Force is slowly addressing its aging aircraft problem, as it takes delivery of newer generation jets. However, the total active fleet of military aircraft has declined since 2000 despite the increasing budget. As inventories decreased, the average aircraft age has increased over the past decade.

The average age of the United States Air Force fleet is over 25 years and the bombers have an average age of over 50 years. This necessitates upgrade and regular maintenance to keep the aircraft at par with the newer generation aircraft and extend their service life. The United States envisions achieving an 80% readiness rate for all military aircraft in future. Such initiatives are expected to propel the growth of MRO activities in North America. However, the market is expected to witness the highest growth in the Asia-Pacific region, with most of the demand being generated from countries, like China, India, Japan, and South Korea.



Competitive Landscape



Lockheed Martin Corporation, The Boeing Company, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, BAE Systems PLC, and Safran SA are some of the largest players in the market studied. The market is fragmented, with numerous local and international players providing various MRO services to the existing military aircraft fleets. Strategic partnerships between the players may help them gain more contracts while expanding their reach to untapped markets in the long run. As most of the MRO contracts are in the long term, it could be a time taking process for new players to establish themselves in the market, by competing with the existing ones.

The COVID-19 lockdown situation across the world is expected to delay some of the existing maintenance programs and planned projects at least by half a year, as players face issues with the supply chain, mainly due to the temporary shutdown of the aftermarket parts manufacturing industry. The impact of the same will be visible directly on the aftermarket parts logistics as well. In situations like these, players should adopt novel strategies to keep the business running with the existing inventory, which can help them reduce losses.

Besides, the adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) - based predictive maintenance technologies are also envisioned to witness mass adoption during the forecast period. MRO operators use AI tools for planning, predicting non-routine check-ups, triggering part orders, and assigning bays, labor, supplies, and other resources for MRO activities. Potential investments would be required to enhance the IT capabilities of MRO operators for maintenance execution, supply chain management, to enhance mobility, and to adopt e-signatures.

Advanced data analytics are also being used by MROs for inventory optimization to plan to stock and optimize spares as and when required at minimal procurement costs. Such tools enable operators to function efficiently, derive maximum profits, and support the digitization of global aircraft MRO operations.

Key Topics Covered:



1 INTRODUCTION



2 RESEARCH METHODOLOGY



3 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY



4 MARKET DYNAMICS

5 MARKET SEGMENTATION (Market Size by Revenue - USD billion)



6 COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE



7 MARKET OPPORTUNITIES AND FUTURE TRENDS



Companies Mentioned

The Boeing Company

BAE Systems PLC

Elbit Systems Ltd

Saab AB

Lockheed Martin Corporation

General Atomics

Northrop Grumman Corporation

Amentum Services Inc.

Raytheon Technologies Corporation

Rolls-Royce Holding PLC

Safran SA

MTU Aero Engines

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

Media Contact:

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SOURCE Research and Markets

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FACTS AT A GLANCE Edition: 6; Released: January 2021 Executive Engagements: 1263 Companies: 50 - Players covered include 3A Composites GmbH; 3M Company; Chi Mei Corporation; Covestro; Excelite; Gallina India; LG Chem; MacDermid Autotype Ltd; Mitsubishi Gas Chemical Company, Inc; MGC Filsheet co. Ltd; Palram Industries Ltd; Plazit Polygal; Rowland Technologies, Inc; SABIC; Safplast Company; Suzhou Omay Optical Materials co., Ltd.; Teijin Limited; United States Plastic Corporation; Wiman Corporation and Others. Coverage: All major geographies and key segments Segments: Film Type (Optical, Flame Retardant, Weatherable, Other Types); End-Use (Electrical & Electronics, Construction, Transportation, Other End-Uses) Geographies: World; USA; Canada; Japan; China; Europe; France; Germany; Italy; UK; Spain; Russia; Rest of Europe; Asia-Pacific; Australia; India; South Korea; Rest of Asia-Pacific; Latin America; Argentina; Brazil; Mexico; Rest of Latin America; Middle East; Africa.

Complimentary Project Preview - This is an ongoing global program. Preview our research program before you make a purchase decision. We are offering a complimentary access to qualified executives driving strategy, business development, sales & marketing, and product management roles at featured companies. Previews provide deep insider access to business trends; competitive brands; domain expert profiles; and market data templates and much more. You may also build your own bespoke report using our MarketGlass Platform which offers thousands of data bytes without an obligation to purchase our report. Preview Registry



ABSTRACT-



Global Polycarbonate Films Market to Reach $1.5 Billion by 2026

Polycarbonate film is a transparent, general purpose film from the thermoplastic polymer family. It has gained popularity in various industries for its high strength, light weight, and highly durable. The flame-and chemical-resistant nature of these films is augmenting their demand in various other applications. Growth in the market is mainly being driven by growing adoption of polycarbonate films in the electrical and electronics industry, particularly in Asia-Pacific, and product innovations. In the electronics and electrical industry, the films are mainly used for applications such as membrane switches, control panel overlays, PCBs, and LCDs. Therefore, growth of the electrical and electronics market is anticipated to fuel polycarbonate films demand. The growing requirement to produce fuel-efficient cars is augmenting demand for these films, as they are lightweight, flexible, and have good resistance to various elements. Therefore, PC films are emerging to be alternatives to steel, metal, and other traditional polymer films that have generally been used in the production of automotive components.

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Polycarbonate Films estimated at US$1.1 Billion in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$1.5 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 5.3% over the analysis period. Optical, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 6.1% CAGR to reach US$792.1 Million by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Flame Retardant segment is readjusted to a revised 5% CAGR for the next 7-year period. This segment currently accounts for a 20% share of the global Polycarbonate Films market. Optical polycarbonate films, which is the most popular type of PC films, is in high demand, on account of their rising application in the electrical and electronics sector. They are widely used in this industry, as they are optically clear as well as have excellent light transmission, low haze, and high impact resistance attributes. Flame retardant PC films are anticipated to register strong growth due to their extensive use in PCBs, labels and overlays, dielectric insulations, and in welding glasses. This is on account of the various benefits provided by the products such as suitability for use with adhesives, light weight, thermal and electrical insulation, and high impact strength.

The U.S. Market is Estimated at $118.8 Million in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $644.3 Million by 2026

The Polycarbonate Films market in the U.S. is estimated at US$118.8 Million in the year 2021. The country currently accounts for a 10.75% share in the global market. China, the world's second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of US$644.3 Million in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 6.3% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 3.7% and 4.7% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 3.7% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach US$684 Million by the end of the analysis period. Asia Pacific represents a key market, due to the growing consumer electronics and electrical sector in countries such as India, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, and China. Also, the rising adoption in the automotive industry and growing manufacturing of polyester products are expected spur demand in the market. The rising population, urbanization, and increasing disposable income levels which are fueling demand for consumer electronics and automobiles in the region. North America is another key market, supported in part by the presence of three large auto companies (Fiat Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors), which have spurred demand for these films. Also, the growing medical and electronics industries are driving gains in the market. Growth in the European market is encouraged by the developed electronics and automobile sectors. The strict regulations of the EU related to the decline of GHG emissions are also anticipated to boost market growth, due to the PC films' environmental friendliness.

Weatherable Segment to Reach $239.5 Million by 2026

Weatherable polycarbonate films are expected to gain from the rising adoption of outdoor menu boards, warning labels, and signages, among others. These films offer varied advantages, such as chemical and abrasion resistance, printability, and durability, in comparison to other products. In the global Weatherable segment, USA, Canada, Japan, China and Europe will drive the 4.5% CAGR estimated for this segment. These regional markets accounting for a combined market size of US$137.5 Million in the year 2020 will reach a projected size of US$186.8 Million by the close of the analysis period. China will remain among the fastest growing in this cluster of regional markets. Led by countries such as Australia, India, and South Korea, the market in Asia-Pacific is forecast to reach US$40.8 Million by the year 2026, while Latin America will expand at a 4.5% CAGR through the analysis period. More

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Our platform is free for qualified executives and is accessible from our website www.StrategyR.com or via our just released mobile application on iOS or Android

About Global Industry Analysts, Inc. & StrategyR

Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (www.strategyr.com) is a renowned market research publisher the world`s only influencer driven market research company. Proudly serving more than 42,000 clients from 36 countries, GIA is recognized for accurate forecasting of markets and industries for over 33 years.

CONTACTS:

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Director, Corporate Communications

Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Phone: 1-408-528-9966

www.StrategyR.com

Email: [email protected]

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SOURCE Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

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FACTS AT A GLANCE Edition: 9; Released: January 2021 Executive Engagements: 397 Companies: 100 - Players covered include Bionik Laboratories Corp.; BioXtreme; Corindus, Inc.; CYBERDYNE Inc.; Ekso Bionics Holdings Inc.; Hocoma AG; Parker Hannifin Corp.; Rehab-Robotics Company Limited; ReWalk Robotics Ltd.; Rex Bionics Ltd.; Siemens AG; Tyromotion GmbH and Others. Coverage: All major geographies and key segments Segments: Product (Upper Extremity, Lower Extremity, Full-Body Exoskeletons, Therapeutic); End-Use (Rehabilitation Centers, Hospitals, Other End-Uses) Geographies: World; USA; Canada; Japan; China; Europe; France; Germany; Italy; UK; Rest of Europe; Asia-Pacific; Rest of World.

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ABSTRACT-

Global Rehabilitation Robots Market to Reach $1.8 Billion by 2026

Rehabilitation robotics involves use of robotic devices to improve rehabilitative efforts as well as taking care of the disabled, elderly, infirm and paralyzed patients. The use of robots allows patients with limited mobility to move around, thereby providing autonomy and independence. Ever-increasing demand from vulnerable population (disabled, elderly, infirm, paralyzed) as well as acute shortage of healthcare workers is driving growth in the market. Constantly upping demand for active lifestyle and mobility in aging people, stroke survivors and people with disabilities is rendering rehabilitative assistance critical to the path of recovery. Rapid surge in physiotherapy volumes, coupled with advancement in robotic and prosthetic technologies have paved ways for deployment of robots to handhold patients for novel pain management therapy, gait training and physical rehabilitation assistance. Major technological companies and universities are tapping into this ever-increasing demand and developing newer and advanced assistive robots, exoskeletons, robotic prosthetics as well as orthotics.

Amid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Rehabilitation Robots estimated at US$566.5 Million in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$1.8 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 21.7% over the analysis period. Upper Extremity, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 19.4% CAGR to reach US$754.2 Million by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Lower Extremity segment is readjusted to a revised 21.9% CAGR for the next 7-year period. This segment currently accounts for a 24.7% share of the global Rehabilitation Robots market. Upper extremity rehabilitation robots are broadly of two types, namely portable assistive devices or orthoses for the hand or arm, and in-clinic devices used in occupational or physical therapy. Rehabilitation robotic devices for lower extremity include exoskeleton devices, foot orthoses, in-clinic body weight support systems (treadmill gait trainers, stationary gait trainers, foot plate gait trainers, and overground gait trainers).

The U.S. Market is Estimated at $253.1 Million in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $268.7 Million by 2026

The Rehabilitation Robots market in the U.S. is estimated at US$253.1 Million in the year 2021. The country currently accounts for a 38.78% share in the global market. China, the world's second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of US$268.7 Million in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 23.2% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 17.5% and 19.2% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 19.7% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach US$331.1 Million by the end of the analysis period. Growth in developed regions is being spurred by prevalence of chronic and infectious diseases, growing number of patients visiting hospitals, and increased need to scale up healthcare operations. Other major factors favoring the market prospects include higher awareness about various disease conditions among population, consumer affluence supporting the compulsion for care services, and encouraging reimbursement schemes. Among the developed nations, Japan is showing the way in overcoming healthcare workers shortfall with federal government spending nearly one-third of the national budget on developing robots which can take care of elderly. A host of factors are contributing to rapid uptake of medical robots in developing regions, including an aging population in Asian countries and rising instances of disabilities among adults. Along with the elderly population, rising incidences of physical debilitation induced by traumatic spinal, nerve and orthopedic injuries, arthritis and brain trauma hold key to the growth of assistive robotics in this region.

Full-Body Exoskeletons Segment to Reach $448.2 Million by 2026

In the global Full-Body Exoskeletons segment, USA, Canada, Japan, China and Europe will drive the 25.2% CAGR estimated for this segment. These regional markets accounted for a combined market size of US$94.7 Million in the year 2020. China will remain among the fastest growing in this cluster of regional markets. Led by countries such as Australia, India, and South Korea, the market in Asia-Pacific is forecast to reach US$45.9 Million by the year 2026. More

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Our MarketGlass Platform is a free full-stack knowledge center that is custom configurable to today`s busy business executive`s intelligence needs! This influencer driven interactive research platform is at the core of our primary research engagements and draws from unique perspectives of participating executives worldwide. Features include - enterprise-wide peer-to-peer collaborations; research program previews relevant to your company; 3.4 million domain expert profiles; competitive company profiles; interactive research modules; bespoke report generation; monitor market trends; competitive brands; create & publish blogs & podcasts using our primary and secondary content; track domain events worldwide; and much more. Client companies will have complete insider access to the project data stacks. Currently in use by 67,000+ domain experts worldwide.

Our platform is free for qualified executives and is accessible from our website www.StrategyR.com or via our just released mobile application on iOS or Android

About Global Industry Analysts, Inc. & StrategyR

Global Industry Analysts, Inc., (www.strategyr.com) is a renowned market research publisher the world`s only influencer driven market research company. Proudly serving more than 42,000 clients from 36 countries, GIA is recognized for accurate forecasting of markets and industries for over 33 years.

CONTACTS:

Zak Ali

Director, Corporate Communications

Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

Phone: 1-408-528-9966

www.StrategyR.com

Email: [email protected]

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Connect With Us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-industry-analysts-inc./

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SOURCE Global Industry Analysts, Inc.
PHILADELPHIA, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hand in Hand ("the Company"), a fast-growing purpose-driven personal care brand, announced today it has appointed Piyush Jain as Chief Executive Officer, effective June 28, 2021. Simultaneously, after more than a decade building the company with his wife Courtney Apple, Co-Founder and current CEO, Bill Glaab will assume the role of Executive Chairman of the Board of Directors to focus on accelerating the Company's mission to harness business as a force for good.

Jain joins Hand in Hand following an impressive 23-year career at Unilever, where he most recently served as Global Brand Vice President in Hair Care and managed a portfolio that generates more than $2 billion in retail sales annually. Jain founded, launched and grew Unilever's $100 million eco-friendly brand, Love Beauty & Planet that offers better-for-you hair and skincare products made with natural ingredients. During his career, he also built a track record of success in the mass market channels of hair care, skin cleansing, bath and body, personal care and householdhaving led top brands including Dove, Lux, Suave, TRESemme and AXE. He also steered Unilever's significant acquisition of natural beauty products company, Sundial Brands in 2017.

The leadership change arrives as Hand in Hand reaches exciting milestones in its growth and impact. In Q1, fueled by tremendous 10x revenue growth in 2020, the Company donated its 13 millionth bar of soap as part of its mission-driven give back program. In April, it received a significant growth investment from leading impact investor Bain Capital Double Impact.

"Hand in Hand's entrepreneurial story and its mission to drive a full spectrum of impact, from sustainability to social good and environmental advocacy is incredibly inspiring," said Jain. "Bill and the Hand in Hand team have been able to directly align growth with impact  a core mission that is important to me both personally and professionally. I'm looking forward to working with Bill, the team and Bain Capital Double Impact to build on this incredible foundation and scale the company's growth and impact."

Glaab has played a pivotal role in creating and expanding Hand in Hand's Give Back program, which donates one bar of soap and clean water to a child in need for each product sold. Under his leadership, Hand in Hand has also developed an industry-leading commitment to sustainability by making palm oil-free products and educating consumers on the devastating environmental impacts and human rights abuses in the palm oil industry. Further, the Company was one of the first to use infinitely recyclable aluminum packaging for its liquid hand soap products and is expanding this highly sustainable approach into other categories this year.

"It's been an honor to work with the team to grow a mission-driven company over the past 10 years, and I look forward to leading from a new perspective as Executive Chairman," said Glaab. "Given his extensive experience at the intersection of the personal care industry and both philanthropy and sustainability efforts, I'm confident in Piyush's ability to push our efforts forward to make the world a cleaner, better place, and we will work in close coordination to assure a seamless transition."

"We are extremely proud of Hand in Hand's accomplishments under Bill's leadership, and we're thrilled to welcome Piyush's impressive track record building mission-driven natural product brands at this crucial point in the Company's growth journey," said Cecilia Chao, a Managing Director at Bain Capital Double Impact. "We will be forever grateful for Bill's vision and leadership in creating and building an authentic mission-driven brand and inspiring the Hand in Hand team. We look forward to working together with Bill and Piyush to support Hand in Hand through its next phase of growth."

Hand in Hand products are sold nationally at retailers, including Whole Foods Market, Wegmans, Walmart, Target, Fresh Thyme, CVS and the Company's own website.

About Hand in Hand

Hand in Hand is a purpose-driven personal care brand dedicated to harnessing the collective power of business and consumers as a force for good in the world by creating beautiful, accessible, better-for-you products that sustain both people and planet through a relentless commitment to environmental protection and empowering communities around the globe. Hand in Hand has donated over 13 million bars of soap and provided clean water to children in need across the globe through their give back program. For more information visit handinhandsoap.com

About Bain Capital Double Impact

Bain Capital Double Impact is the impact investing strategy of Bain Capital, a leading global private investment firm. Bain Capital Double Impact leverages deep industry experience and an active, value-added approach to build great companies that deliver both competitive financial returns and meaningful, measurable social and environmental good. Bain Capital Double Impact partners with companies across three themes  health & wellness, education & workforce development, and sustainability to create long-term value and meaningful social impact at scale. For more information, visit www.baincapitaldoubleimpact.com.

Contact: [email protected]

SOURCE Hand In Hand
BOSTON, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- HelloTeam, the leading all-in-one employee engagement and performance management platform, today announced that it has been named a leader in Talent Management Software and Employee Engagement Software, earning awards in a record seven categories from G2.com, the leading provider of business software and services reviews.

HelloTeam received a record number of awards from the leading review site, G2.com

The trusted peer-to-peer review site leverages its community's knowledge to help others make the right software and services decisions for their business. User Reviews of HelloTeam frequently mention the platform's impressive usability and the company's customer-centricity.

For its Summer 2021 Report, in addition to being acknowledged as a leader in Talent Management Software and Employee Engagement Software, HelloTeam proudly earned a record seven badges in total including:

High Performer (Overall and Mid-Market)

(Overall and Mid-Market) Easiest To Do Business With (Overall and Mid-Market)

(Overall and Mid-Market) Easiest to Use (Overall)

(Overall) Easiest Admin (Overall)

(Overall) Easiest Setup (Overall)

"We are honored and humbled that the reviews from our users have earned us so many accolades in G2's Summer 2021 report. These awards reinforce our unyielding commitment to give our customers the most comprehensive and easy-to-use solution that is coupled with unparalleled customer support," said Tanya Bakalov, Chief Executive Officer and Founder of HelloTeam.

Today's mix of remote, hybrid, and in-office workforces require HelloTeam's unique combination of connected goals, continuous performance management, manager-employee one-on-ones, learning, engagement surveys with instant people analytics, and real-time peer recognition to sustain organizational work culture and identity. These and other features provide business leaders with the insights they need to build a stronger, performance-driven workforce, regardless of work environment.

"I am so grateful to all of the users who took the time to leave their honest reviews of our platform. We hold the acknowledgments from the G2 community in the highest regard, and we are excited to continue innovating to bring our customers an even better experience," Bakalov added.

Visit HelloTeam.com today to learn more about how HelloTeam's employee-centric suite is helping companies around the world build a winning culture.

About HelloTeam

HelloTeam provides an all-in-one performance management and employee engagement platform that empowers managers and employees to be engaged and highly effective in their work. Customers can purchase HelloTeam's innovative platform on the ADP Marketplace or by visiting www.helloteam.com.

About G2

G2, the world's leading business solution review platform, leverages 1M+ user reviews to drive better purchasing decisions. Business professionals, buyers, investors, and analysts use the site to compare and select the best software and services based on peer reviews and synthesized social data. Every month, more than three million people visit G2's site to gain unique insights.

Media Contact:

Tom Holmes

(617) 816-3055

[email protected]loTeam.com

Related Images

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HelloTeam Named Top Employee Engagement Platform

HelloTeam received a record number of awards from the leading review site, G2.com

SOURCE HelloTeam
The presentations kicked off with an introduction and welcome from HJF President and CEO Dr. Joseph Caravalho. "Since 1983, HJF has supported the critical work being done by our DoD partners to make our Nation's warfighters more agile, resilient, and survivable. Faced with the magnitude of challenges of this global pandemic, the talented men and women of the military medical departments poured their energy and collective intellectual horsepower into studying SARS-CoV-2 as part of the Whole of the Nation approach to combatting COVID-19."

The day included more than 30 presentations on topics, including machine learning to predict severe COVID-19 infection, vaccine development and testing, therapeutics research, impact on pediatric patients and future pandemic response considerations. Additionally, two panel discussions interspersed the presentations, while a third offered a summarizing discussion of the many topics showcased throughout the day.

HJF presenters included:

Dr. Sandhya Vasan, Director of the HJF Component of Military HIV Research Program (MHRP) & Emerging Infectious Disease Branch (EIDB) at the WRAIR, moderated the presentations.

Dr. Brian Agan, Deputy Science Director of the USU Infectious Disease Clinical Research Program, presented on the Epidemiology, Immunology, and Clinical Characteristics of Emerging Infectious Diseases with Pandemic Potential (EPICC) study, whose research aims to identify risk factors for COVID-19 in the military population, understand the symptoms and disease course, and investigate clinical outcomes.

HJF's Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Merlin Robb, presented on infection rates among pediatric patients in the United States. Dr. Robb is a trained pediatrician and served as HJF's Program Director in support of MHRP for 17 years.

Dr. Shelly Krebs, Chief of the B Cell Biology Core at MHRP, presented research on novel monoclonal antibodies (mAB). Her group is working with EIDB to identify and characterize promising mAbs, a type of immunotherapy that may have applications for prevention and treatment of COVID-19.

Dr. Bethany Dearlove, an evolutionary biologist with the Viral Genetics Section at MHRP, presented on the evolution of SARS-CoV-2 and the variants of concern emerging as the virus continues to spread across the globe.

"The breadth of research presented at the COVID-19 Research Day was astounding, and we are gratified to have convened this event with co-hosts USU and WRAIR," said Dr. Caravalho. "HJF is proud to stand alongside all our DoD partners, encouraging collaboration and supporting the ongoing fight against COVID-19."

About HJF

The Henry M. Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine, Inc. (HJF) is a global nonprofit that administers more than $500 million in medical research funds annually. For more information, visit hjf.org.

Although the event was co-hosted by HJF, WRAIR, and USU, the information or content and conclusions do not necessarily represent the official position or policy of, nor should any official endorsement be inferred on the part of, USU, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.

SOURCE Henry M Jackson Foundation For The Advancement Of Military Medicine

Related Links

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INDIANAPOLIS, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- International Medical Group (IMG) is proud to announce the start of their fifth Leave Your Mark essay contest. Initially started in 2017, the Leave Your Mark contest is designed to support and invest in causes addressed by mission and social good organizations around the world. The contest begins on June 30, 2021, and the entry period closes on August 31, 2021.

After the organizations' essays are judged and scored, IMG awards two winning organizations with $5,000 to invest towards their global outreach programs. Last year's winners, Made in the Streets and Filter of Hope, were chosen out of over 50 entries. Prior years' winning organizations include Friends with Borders, New Life Children's Home, Canopy Life, Concern America, Destiny Rescue, and Mission Housing Ministries.

To enter IMG's Leave Your Mark contest, organizations are asked to submit a 500-word essay that answers the question: How is your organization working to overcome the current obstacles impacting the world? If your organization were to win, how would $5,000 support your continued global outreach efforts?

"We are thrilled to be able to continue our annual Leave Your Mark contest as we approach $50,000 of cumulative IMG contributions to mission and social good organizations," said Chief Commercial Officer, Amanda Winkle. "IMG has been a longstanding ally of these organizations, providing many of them with market-leading global benefit and assistance services since 1990. We recognize the importance and difference they are able to make in the world through their various missions and efforts and we will continue to support them."

In addition to hosting the Leave Your Mark essay contest every year, IMG contributes to various charitable organizations in their times of need. In 2019 and 2020, IMG employees raised over $5,000 to participate in School the World corporate trips. During the trips, groups of employees traveled to Guatemala for a week-long program to build schools for communities in need. Most recently, IMG donated close to $10,000 to help purchase desperately needed medical supplies in India to aid their COVID-19 relief efforts.

Visit https://www.imglobal.com/leave-your-mark to enter this year's Leave Your Mark contest and to view the contest's terms and conditions. The deadline for all submissions is August 31st, 2021 and the winners will be announced October 15th, 2021.

About International Medical Group

International Medical Group (IMG), a SiriusPoint company, is an award-winning global insurance benefits and assistance services company that has served millions of members worldwide since its founding in 1990. A leader in the global benefits and assistance services industry, IMG offers a full line of international medical insurance products, as well as travel insurance plans, medical management services and 24/7 emergency medical and travel assistance. For more information, please visit www.imglobal.com.

SOURCE International Medical Group (IMG)

Related Links

http://www.imglobal.com


With these most recent additions, DOCKWATER now has agreements with five companies (Covestro, Evonik, Ashland, INDAVER and MONUMENT) who have chosen to pursue a sustainable solution for their water needs, simultaneously lowering their costs while freeing up drinking water to serve the residential needs of the water-stressed region of Antwerp. DOCKWATER hopes to soon announce additional agreements, as more industrial customers in the Port of Antwerp make the responsible choice to move to a sustainable water solution and reduce the strain their operations place on the local drinking-water supply.

By switching to water produced by DOCKWATER, it is estimated that companies will reduce their consumption of drinking water by up to 98%, their total consumption of water by as much as 15%, and their use of water treatment chemicals and water discharge flows related to cooling towers and demineralized water production facilities by more than 50%, all while lowering their cost of water and reducing water withdrawals from the Albert Canal. This will increase the sustainability of operations in the Port of Antwerp, contribute to water independence for the Antwerp region, and conserve water in the Albert Canal.

Anthony Gordon, a representative of DOCKWATER said, "We are pleased that companies of the caliber of INDAVER and MONUMENT are joining us in realizing a sustainable, lower cost solution for industrial water needs in the Port of Antwerp. Every consumer that switches from using Albert Canal water to sustainable process water advances the Antwerp region another step forward down the path to sustainability envisioned by the government's Blue Deal."

Paul De Bruycker, Chief Executive Officer for INDAVER said: "We are really excited to be part of the DOCKWATER project as it promises to be another initiative consistent with INDAVER's approach to the circular economy. Projects like DOCKWATER and the ECLUSE project, providing steam to multiple customers at the Port of Antwerp from our waste to energy facilities, are excellent examples of collaboration of industrials in sustainable solutions."

Manu Gyselinck, Site Manager for MONUMENT said: "MONUMENT is committed to smart partnerships on sustainability. The DOCKWATER desalination plant is the type of partnerships we are looking for as the project brings technological innovation to provide customers with an environmentally sensitive solution. DOCKWATER will provide us additional reliability to our operations while reducing stress on precious drinking water sources"

Media enquiries

DOCKWATER

Mark McComiskey

[email protected]

http://www.avaiocapital.com

INDAVER

Inge Baertsoen

Communications Manager

[email protected]

MONUMENT

Manu Gyselinck

[email protected]

About INDAVER

INDAVER is a European player in the waste sector with plants and operations in Belgium, the Netherlands, Germany, Portugal, Italy, Ireland, the United Kingdom and France.

MONUMENT

MONUMENT provides custom manufacturing, with a focus on distillation and reaction technologies for the largest chemical companies in the world.

About DOCKWATER

DOCKWATER BV is developing a desalination plant to provide process water to industrial companies operating in the Port of Antwerp, allowing industry to substantially reduce its consumption of drinking water as well as its overall consumption of water, while increasing the resiliency of water supply in the whole Flemish region. The development of the DOCKWATER project is being led by AVAIO Capital, and DOCKWATER BV is jointly owned by AVAIO Capital and Macquarie Capital.

AVAIO Capital is an infrastructure investment firm focused on the development and construction of new sustainable infrastructure assets throughout North America and Europe in four sectors: digital, water, energy transition and transportation. Macquarie Capital is the advisory, capital markets and principal investment arm of Macquarie Group, and specializes in infrastructure development with more than US$ 20 billion of projects under construction or development.

SOURCE AVAIO Capital

Related Links

https://www.avaiocapital.com/


CARMEL, Ind., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Skill Demand Energy announced plans to expand operations in central Indiana and across the U.S. which will add a total of 250 jobs in 2021. The nationally certified minority-owned company, which develops and manages energy efficiency programs, will look to expand from their Carmel headquarters during this time of rapid growth.

"We are very excited to be growing at such a fast pace. Our focus is on helping our clients improve in the area of energy efficiency and the team across all of our offices at Skill Demand Energy have done a tremendous job." says Scott Thorpe, President & CEO at Skill Demand Energy. "We are currently looking to expand our offerings to include renewables. The future of energy is in renewables like solar, wind, and EV and we are looking forward to helping transform both the industry and our environment."

The jobs that Skill Demand Energy is planning to create will cover multiple disciplines within the energy sector, according to Thorpe. Some of the services the company will focus these jobs around are direct installation, energy audits (full BPI), rebate processing, customer engagement, call center, canvassing and quality control. Recently, the company has specialized in creating energy efficient lighting programs for their clients, both commercial & industrial as well as residential. The majority of staff members receive on-the-job training and certification on current energy efficiency standards and best practices.

Skill Demand Energy is headquartered in Carmel and has multiple offices across the U.S., including Philadelphia, Boston, Detroit, and Atlanta, among others. This year alone, they have already added 150 jobs between the energy and talent acquisition industries, and have opened 3 offices in Michigan, 2 in Illinois, and are looking to add another office in the Philadelphia/New Jersey area by the end of 2021.

About Skill Demand Energy: Skill Demand Energy works with utility companies and their consumers in the designing, implementing and verifying of energy efficiency programs. Their services expand to the residential, commercial & industrial, and government sectors of the energy industry. Skill Demand Energy is a nationally certified minority-owned company with a direct emphasis on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

CONTACT:

Noah East

Marketing Director

317-793.2467

[email protected]

SOURCE Skill Demand Energy
SANTIAGO, Chile, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- In the light of exponential growth in Chile's private equity (PE) and venture capital (VC) funds market in recent years, InvestChile, the Foreign Investment Promotion Agency, has launched its first Venture Capital e-book.

Projection & Opportunities

In 2019 alone, the capital invested in VC&PE funds in Chile grew by over 1,000% from US$38 million to US$437 million. This meant that Chile's share of this type of investment in the region went from 0.6% to 15.3% in the space of just one year. This growth has attracted the attention of investors, including large multinationals like Engie, Wayra, Bimbo and Accenture. A number of industries are proving attractive but highlights include financial services, consulting, IT and telecomms.

Particularly noteworthy operations on the domestic market in recent years include Falabella's acquisition of Linio for US$138 million and Uber's purchase of 51% of the shares in Cornershop in an operation valued at over US$450 million - soon to extend to 100% - making this delivery company Chile's first unicorn.

InvestChile's e-book is free of charge and contains a detailed description of the Venture Capital ecosystem in Chile, the evolution of the market, its regulation, the tax system and State incentives and subsidies.

Interested foreign investors can download the e-book for free from www.investchile.cl.

Francisca Schwerter, [email protected]

Denisse Vasquez, [email protected]

Related Images

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Venture Capital Industry in Chile

Projection & Opportunities



SOURCE InvestChile
The Company signed clinic partnerships in Birmingham, Alabama and the San Francisco Bay area earlier this year, along with its Mexico partnership in late 2020, which is scheduled to open later this year. These clinics, through the utilization of the INVOcell technology, in addition to the multiple clinic and distribution partnerships throughout the world are bringing advanced fertility care and much needed expanded access to the millions of underserved people.

"I am thrilled to be opening a clinic in Atlanta to provide INVOcell to the many patients that suffer from infertility," said Dr. Carpenter. "INVOcell allows my patients to have a connected, intimate experience, and provides a simple workflow for my lab and clinic so I can efficiently treat more patients in need. As someone who has dedicated their life to helping people reach their goal of parenthood, INVOcell offers an effective and affordable treatment for the large number of patients that remain underserved."

Dr. Sue Ellen Carpenter, MD, is Board Certified in Obstetrics and Gynecology. With over 30 years of experience in reproductive medicine, Dr. Carpenter's specialties include in vitro fertilization, treating congenital anomalies associated with infertility, as well as endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome. Noted for excellence in her field and a "Top Doctor, Atlanta 2019 and 2020" she delivers lectures across the country and has published more than a dozen papers on reproduction and fertility. She is an active member of the American Society of Reproductive Medicine (ASRM) as well as the Georgia OB GYN Society.

Steve Shum, CEO of INVO Bioscience, commented, "We are excited to be working with Dr. Carpenter, a leading reproductive endocrinology and infertility doctor, to establish an INVOcell clinic in Atlanta. This additional partnership advances our mission of democratizing fertility care, lowering key barriers and providing greater access to help the significant number of patients throughout the world who need advanced fertility care to start their families. We are also pleased to report that as a result of identifying a suitable location, which was already built out and for which we have now executed a lease, we expect this new Atlanta clinic to move quickly toward becoming operational well before the end of this year".

"Our team has performed well at moving these important INVO clinic initiatives forward to reality with several planned openings on the near horizon. We also believe the INVO clinic partnership efforts provide an exciting alternative clinic option utilizing our unique INVOcell incubation technology, which also positions us well (via our ownership participation) beyond just being a medical device company and providing multiple recurring revenue sources. In a multi-billion dollar industry with a substantial underserved patient market, it is our belief that adding new, efficient, and affordable INVO based clinics is the future to expanding access and care. And, we have active discussions ongoing with additional potential partners to further advance our footprint globally," concluded Shum.

The U.S. INVO clinic agreements are in addition to the distribution agreement the Company previously signed with Ferring Pharmaceuticals, a leader in women's health and signed in early 2019, to broadly commercialize INVOcell across the United States.

INVO Bioscience will provide funding for start-up and operating costs and own 40% of the Atlanta Joint Venture.

About INVO Bioscience

We are a medical device company focused on creating simplified, lower-cost treatments for patients diagnosed with infertility. Our solution, the INVO Procedure, is a revolutionary in vivo method of vaginal incubation that offers patients a more natural and intimate experience. Our lead product, the INVOcell, is a patented medical device used in infertility treatment and is considered an Assisted Reproductive Technology (ART). The INVOcell is the first Intravaginal Culture (IVC) system in the world used for the natural in vivo incubation of eggs and sperm during fertilization and early embryo development, as an alternative to traditional In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) and Intrauterine Insemination (IUI). Our mission is to increase access to care and expand fertility treatment across the globe with a goal to lower the cost of care and increase the availability of care. For more information, please visit http://invobioscience.com/

Safe Harbor Statement

This release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The Company invokes the protections of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements regarding our expected future financial position, results of operations, cash flows, financing plans, business strategies, products and services, competitive positions, growth opportunities, plans and objectives of management for future operations, as well as statements that include words such as "anticipate," "if," "believe," "plan," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "could," "should," "will," and other similar expressions are forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and contingencies, many of which are beyond our control, which may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from anticipated results, performance, or achievements. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include those set forth in our filings at www.sec.gov. We are under no obligation to (and expressly disclaim any such obligation to) update or alter our forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

SOURCE INVO Bioscience, Inc.

Related Links

https://invobioscience.com/


BOSTON, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund (NYSE: HEQ) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC (the "Adviser") and subadvised by Wellington Management Company LLP (the "Subadviser"), announced today sources of its quarterly distribution of $0.2900 per share paid to all shareholders of record as of June 11, 2021, pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan. This press release is issued as required by an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund

Notification of Sources of Distribution

This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund (NYSE: HEQ) with important information concerning the distribution declared on June 1, 2021, and payable on June 30, 2021. No action is required on your part.

Distribution Period: June 2021



Distribution Amount Per Common Share: $0.2900

The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable June 30, 2021, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.















For the period 4/1/2021-6/30/2021

For the fiscal year-to-date period

1/1/2021-6/30/2021 1 Source

Current

Distribution ($)

% Breakdown

of the Current

Distribution

Total Cumulative

Distributions ($)

% Breakdown

of the Total

Cumulative

Distributions Net Investment Income

0.1855

64%

0.2959

51% Net Realized Short- Term Capital Gains

0.0000

0%

0.0000

0% Net Realized Long- Term Capital Gains

0.0250

9%

0.2600

45% Return of Capital or Other Capital Source

0.0795

27%

0.0241

4% Total per common share

0.2900

100%

0.5800

100%

















Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on May 31, 2021

6.12%





Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of May 31, 2021

8.46%





Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through May 31, 2021

10.01%





Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of May 31, 2021

4.23%

_________________ 1 The Fund's current fiscal year began on January 1, 2021 and will end on December 31, 2021.

You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan.

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The Fund has declared the June 2021 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed quarterly distributions in the amount of $0.2900 per share, which will continue to be paid quarterly until further notice.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investment Management Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing.

Wellington Management Company LLP is an independent and unaffiliated investment subadviser to John Hancock Hedged Equity & Income Fund.

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial

John Hancock is a division of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading international financial services group that helps people achieve their dreams and aspirations by putting customers' needs first and providing the right advice and solutions. We operate primarily as John Hancock in the United States and as Manulife elsewhere. We provide financial advice, insurance, and wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups, and institutions. Assets under management and administration by Manulife and its subsidiaries were over CAD$1.3 trillion (US$1.0 trillion) as of March 31, 2021. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as MFC on the TSX, NYSE, and PSE, and under 945 on the SEHK. Manulife can be found at manulife.com.

One of the largest life insurers in the United States, John Hancock supports approximately 10 million Americans with a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, investments, 401(k) plans, and education savings plans. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.

SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management
BOSTON, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (NYSE: HTD) (the "Fund"), a closed-end fund managed by John Hancock Investment Management LLC and subadvised by both Manulife Investment Management (US) LLC, and Wells Capital Management Incorporated, announced today sources of its monthly distribution of $0.1380 per share paid to all shareholders of record as of June 11, 2021, pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan. This press release is issued as required by an exemptive order granted to the Fund by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

Notification of Sources of Distribution

This notice provides shareholders of the John Hancock Tax-Advantaged Dividend Income Fund (NYSE: HTD) with important information concerning the distribution declared on June 1, 2021, and payable on June 30, 2021. No action is required on your part.

Distribution Period: June 2021



Distribution Amount Per Common Share: $0.1380

The following table sets forth the estimated sources of the current distribution, payable June 30, 2021, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year to date from the following sources: net investment income; net realized short term capital gains; net realized long term capital gains; and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed on a per common share basis and as a percentage of the distribution amount.





For the period 6/1/2021-6/30/2021

For the fiscal year-to-date period 11/1/2020-6/30/2021 1 Source

Current Distribution ($)

% Breakdown of the Current Distribution

Total Cumulative Distributions ($)

% Breakdown of the Total Cumulative Distributions Net Investment Income

0.1295

94%

0.9818

89% Net Realized Short- Term Capital Gains

0.0000

0%

0.0000

0% Net Realized Long- Term Capital Gains

0.0000

0%

0.0572

5% Return of Capital or Other Capital Source

0.0085

6%

0.0650

6% Total per common share

0.1380

100%

1.1040

100%

















Average annual total return (in relation to NAV) for the 5 years ended on May 31, 2021

7.60%





Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of May 31, 2021

6.66%





Cumulative total return (in relation to NAV) for the fiscal year through May 31, 2021

20.09%





Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of May 31, 2021

4.44%

________________ 1 The Fund's current fiscal year began on November 1, 2020 and will end on October 31, 2021.

You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution plan.

The Fund estimates that it has distributed more than its income and net realized capital gains; therefore, a portion of your distribution may be a return of capital. A return of capital may occur, for example, when some or all of the money that you invested in the Fund is paid back to you. A return of capital distribution does not necessarily reflect the Fund's investment performance and should not be confused with "yield" or "income."

The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this Notice are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes.

The Fund has declared the June 2021 distribution pursuant to the Fund's managed distribution plan (the "Plan"). Under the Plan, the Fund makes fixed monthly distributions in the amount of $0.1380 per share, which will continue to be paid monthly until further notice.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact your financial professional or call the John Hancock Investment Management Closed-End Fund Information Line at 1-800-843-0090, Monday through Friday between 8:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m., Eastern Time.

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined by the United States securities laws. You should exercise caution in interpreting and relying on forward-looking statements because they are subject to uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Fund's control and could cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements.

An investor should consider a Fund's investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing.

About John Hancock Financial and Manulife Financial

John Hancock is a division of Manulife Financial Corporation, a leading international financial services group that helps people achieve their dreams and aspirations by putting customers' needs first and providing the right advice and solutions. We operate primarily as John Hancock in the United States and as Manulife elsewhere. We provide financial advice, insurance, and wealth and asset management solutions for individuals, groups, and institutions. Assets under management and administration by Manulife and its subsidiaries were over CAD$1.3 trillion (US$1.0 trillion) as of March 31, 2021. Manulife Financial Corporation trades as MFC on the TSX, NYSE, and PSE, and under 945 on the SEHK. Manulife can be found at manulife.com.

One of the largest life insurers in the United States, John Hancock supports approximately 10 million Americans with a broad range of financial products, including life insurance, annuities, investments, 401(k) plans, and education savings plans. Additional information about John Hancock may be found at johnhancock.com.

SOURCE John Hancock Investment Management
BEDFORD, Mass., June 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- N2 Biomedical, a leading provider of coating and surface treatment solutions to the medical device industry, is pleased to announce that Keith Edwards has been appointed Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Edwards will assume leadership of all aspects of the organization and will oversee the implementation of N2's growth strategy.

Mr. Edwards brings a wealth of expertise to this role, with more than 20 years of experience within the medical device industry and a particular focus on the orthopedic market. Most recently, he served as SVP & General Manager of Hamilton Thorne, Ltd., and prior to this role, served as President & CEO of Biocoat, Inc. Preceding his role at Biocoat, Mr. Edwards served in numerous senior management positions within Biomet Orthopedics during his five-year tenure. He is a graduate of Union College and attended New York Medical College.

"Keith's broad experience in the orthopedic space makes him an ideal fit for his role at N2, and we are thrilled to have him join at this point in N2's evolution," said Trevor Wahlbrink, a Partner at Ampersand Capital Partners and member of the Board of Directors. "He has a proven ability to lead innovative service companies and has personally overseen thoughtful growth and expansion within this market. Under Keith's leadership, N2 is well-positioned to continue to bring its innovative coating and surface treatment technologies to the medical device market."

Mr. Edwards commented, "N2 Biomedical has an excellent surface treatment offering, superb culture, and a team committed to excellence and each client's success. I look forward to advancing organic growth at N2 and supporting our dedicated team."

About N2 Biomedical

Established in 2013, N2 provides coating and surface treatment development and application services for implantable and other medical devices utilized in orthopedic, cardiovascular, and other healthcare end-markets. N2 is ISO-13485 certified, FDA GMP-compliant, and operates in a 27,000 square foot facility with laboratory, manufacturing, and cleanroom space to service all customer and regulatory requirements. The company leverages its proprietary processes and equipment to provide customized solutions that enhance the characteristics of various materials in critical applications, including lubricity, infection resistance, biocompatibility and tissue integration, and wear and corrosion resistance. Additional information about N2 Biomedical is available at www.n2bio.com.

About Ampersand Capital Partners

Founded in 1988, Ampersand is a middle market private equity firm with more than $2 billion of assets under management dedicated to growth-oriented investments in the healthcare sector. With offices in Boston and Amsterdam, Ampersand leverages its unique blend of private equity and operating experience to build value and drive superior long-term performance alongside its portfolio company management teams. Ampersand has helped build numerous market-leading companies across each of the firm's core healthcare sectors. Additional information about Ampersand is available at www.ampersandcapital.com.

SOURCE Ampersand Capital Partners

Related Links

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JACKSONVILLE, Fla., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- LandSouth Construction, a Jacksonville, Fla.-based, award-winning general contractor is preparing for a record second half of 2021 and celebrating their ongoing success. Over the past 18 months, LandSouth faced challenges  like everyone in and outside of the construction industry.

"The hard work and dedication of our team helped LandSouth remain flexible so we could continue to bring ideas to life and deliver best-in-class communities," shared James Pyle, LandSouth President, and CEO. "That resilience led to continued success and new recognition."

LandSouth is proud to share a snapshot of accolades they have received in 2021.

Named #5 Top Contractor by the Jacksonville Daily Record

Named #4 General Contractor by Jacksonville Business Journal

#229 in the Engineering News Record (ENR) Top 400

#39 in the Engineering News Record Southeast Top Contractors

Named as Jacksonville Business Journal's Fast 50

Dana Webb , LandSouth's VP of Finance, named one of Jacksonville's Ultimate Financial Executives

These awards represent the success the LandSouth team has delivered during challenging times. Over the coming months, LandSouth will announce new projects scheduled to begin, further strengthening LandSouth's reputation as one of the premier multifamily general contractors in the Southeast.

With their success, LandSouth maintains their strong commitment to giving back to their communities. Education and opportunities for younger generations are key focus areas. LandSouth is proud to partner with High School 9:12, offering eight scholarships to local students in Northeast Florida, while also participating in High School 9:12's Career Day, providing information about opportunities in the construction industry.

"At LandSouth, we believe it's important to give back and there is no better way than by investing in the future of our communities," continued James Pyle. "Our partnership with High School 9:12 and other organizations offer wonderful opportunities to give back and also support the students who are our future."

LandSouth is committed to delivering best-in-class multifamily communities. Over the coming months, LandSouth is excited to further demonstrate their commitment to excellence with their clients, partners, and communities.

ABOUT LANDSOUTH CONSTRUCTION

LandSouth Construction, the Southeast's premier general contractor, specializing in multifamily, senior living, and mixed-use development, was named one of Engineering News Record's Top 400. Since 1998 LandSouth has transformed ideas into best-in-class communities. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla. LandSouth has completed more than 20,000 units including apartments, hotels, senior living, student and military housing, condominiums, townhomes, and mixed-use.

For more information, visit www.landsouth.com

SOURCE LandSouth Construction

Related Links

http://www.landsouth.com


AMSTERDAM and BOSTON, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Banks can accelerate the transition toward a sustainable economy by adopting new impact-reporting standards that account for social- and environmental factors, a group of leading financial institutions said in a call to action on Wednesday.

Financial firms need new reporting rules that pull positive and negative externalities like job creation and pollution into standard practices to provide a well-rounded picture of how they create true value, the Banking for Impact consortium said in a statement.

To that end, Banking for Impact aims to create new reporting standards for financial firms known as impact measurement and valuation (IMV), fueling sustainable economic decisions.

Banking for Impact published a Vision Paper on June 30, 2021, outlining plans to build an IMV approach that includes the quantification, valuation, attribution and aggregation of impacts for the financial sector. Such scalable standards do not yet exist for financial firms. The consortium, led in partnership with academia, called on other financial firms to join its ranks in reshaping the economy with sustainability at the core.

Harvard Business School has published groundbreaking research on IMV since launching the Impact-Weighted Accounts Initiative (IWAI) in 2019. Recent Harvard research monetizing the impacts of over 1,800 public companies' operations revealed a significant relationship between negative environmental impacts and lower stock market valuations, underscoring the strong business case for greener business models.

Banking for Impact is a new alliance including Dutch bank ABN AMRO, Denmark's Danske Bank, Singapore's DBS Bank, Switzerland-based UBS Group plus Harvard Business School's IWAI, and the Impact Institute, a social enterprise pioneering new standards in integrated reporting.

Banking for Impact's call to action received support from leaders in finance, academia and the non-profit sector.

Sir Ronald Cohen, Chairman of IWAI and the Global Steering Group for Impact Investment, said: "The sooner banks embrace impact measurement, the sooner they can meet rising expectations for responsible behavior. Impact transparency will focus banks on providing solutions for people and planet, rather than financing the creation or aggravation of problems. This will redefine banking success to include both profit and impact performance, improving lives and the planet."

Herman Mulder, inter alia the co-initiator of the Equator Principles and the Chair of the Impact Economy and True Price Foundations and of the SDG Charter Coalition: "In the beginning there was no path, until someone started walking, and then another followed, and finally, it became a highway. The banking sector is under siege by ever increasing regulatory requirements, caused by the banking crisis, money laundering and technology. It has created a defensive attitude with many of its stakeholders from which it needs to break out. As a steward in multiple transition agendas, it can rediscover and fully exploit its soul and its unique value proposition by supporting its customers in doing the right business in a thriving and sustainable society: with opportunity-seeking, business-structuring and multi-capitals mobilisation at the core. A good idea needs its moment, which is now! The Equator Principles were, in 2003, such moment, as are the Principles for Responsible Banking more recently. These initiatives started with a few and subsequently became mainstream, initially in preaching and later in practice. Banking for Impact is yet another such opportunity for the banking sector to convene and set a new standard: 'Better Banking for a Better World'!"

Ralph Hamers, UBS Group CEO, said: "The world economy needs a market-based system where social and environmental impacts are just as transparent as financial profit metrics. Measuring previously unreported elements will help the private sector tackle critical societal challenges such as climate change and inequality. The banking sector, with the ability to appropriately price social and environmental risks, is well positioned to lead this transition and UBS is proud to be at the forefront of this effort through Banking for Impact."

Robert Swaak, CEO ABN AMRO Bank N.V., said "A company's long-term licence to operate depends on it creating value for all stakeholders  clients, employees, investors and society at large. This is also true for ABN AMRO. As a bank, we certainly have an impact on our stakeholders. If we understand our impact by measuring and reporting, we will also begin to understand where we can achieve the most positive impact and at the same time reduce our negative impact."

Carsten Rasch Egeriis, Danske Bank CEO, said, "Danske Bank is fully committed to increasing awareness and action for sustainable progress. It is a fundamental element of how we will develop the bank going forward, as we believe that sustainability is essential for creating lasting value for all our stakeholders while contributing to solving society's challenges. Developing an approach for measuring and analysing our impact will benefit our stakeholders as it will allow us to take better decisions; create better transparency and, not least, allow us to systematically decrease our negative impacts while increasing our positive impacts on society and nature."

Piyush Gupta, Group CEO, DBS Bank, said: "Financial accounting is a useful means of measuring performance. Unfortunately, its prism tends to be narrow, and it misses out on several critical impacts that economic actors have  both positive and negative. As the world increasingly begins to accept that the role of a corporation is to cater to several constituencies, not just shareholders, it becomes imperative to create a better scorecard, one that takes these "non-financial externalities" into account. Banks have the opportunity of being at the leading edge of creating such report cards, and DBS is therefore delighted to partner with like-minded organizations in trying to set up approaches and standards to take this agenda forward."

Adrian de Groot Ruiz, Executive Director, Impact Institute: "Banks can help build the economy of the 21st century by becoming stewards of natural, intellectual, social and human capital as they already do financial capital. They play a pivotal role in building the impact economy, where work, entrepreneurship, innovation, and technology are dedicated to creating a positive impact on the world. Banking For Impact will gain traction because the most reliable long-term profit driver has always been the actual value banks create for society."

To read the paper in full, click here.

Media Roundtable events:

There will two media roundtables held today, Wednesday, 30th June 2021:

10:00- 11:00am CET

17:00- 18:00pm CET

If you are interested in attending, please email Megan Roux ([email protected]) for registration details.

SOURCE Impact Institute
Strategic Acquisition Enhances Security of Supply and Offers Another Pillar in the Company's Dynamic Growth Plans for its Pork Business

www.mapleleaffoods.com

MISSISSAUGA, ON, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Maple Leaf Foods Inc. ("Maple Leaf Foods") (TSX: MFI) today announced that it has reached an agreement to purchase four pig farms in central Saskatchewan from a group of companies known as Polar Pork. The acquisition will enhance Maple Leaf Foods' overall pig supply and substantially increase its pig production capacity in the province.

The purchase, which is expected to close in June 2022 subject to satisfaction of closing conditions, includes two sow barns and two nursery barns with the potential to supply approximately 140,000 pigs to Maple Leaf Foods. The security of supply that this strategic acquisition provides to Maple Leaf Foods is directly tied to its plans to continue to grow production at its flagship pork processing plant in Brandon, Manitoba in order to increase its supply of high-quality meat to key customers in domestic and international markets.

"This purchase offers us ready access to some of the healthiest hogs in Saskatchewan that will allow us to enhance our deliveries of high-quality pork to customers in Canada and Asia," said Michael Detlefsen, President of the Maple Leaf Foods Pork Complex. "Bringing these barns into Maple Leaf Foods aligns with our strategy to pursue growth both domestically and abroad."

"We are very impressed with the skill the Possberg family and the team at Polar Pork have brought to the operation of these barns," Detlefsen added. "Based on this foundational work, Maple Leaf Foods is well positioned to build on its strengths and high standards to raise healthy pigs in Saskatchewan and produce high quality pork."

In total, Maple Leaf Foods expects to invest up to $27 million in the barns over time, inclusive of acquisition costs and capital investments to maximize capacity and add further animal care enrichments.

About Maple Leaf Foods

Maple Leaf Foods Inc. is a carbon neutral company with a vision to be the most sustainable protein company on earth, responsibly producing food products under leading brands including Maple Leaf, Maple Leaf Prime, Maple Leaf Natural Selections, Schneiders, Schneiders Country Naturals, Mina, Greenfield Natural Meat Co., Lightlife, Field Roast and Swift. Maple Leaf Foods employs approximately 13,500 people and does business in Canada, the U.S. and Asia. The company is headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario, and its shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (MFI).

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS DISCLAMER

This news release contains forward-looking statements based on Maple Leaf Foods' current expectations and assumptions relating to its business, the environment in which it operates and its future operations, including the proposed acquisition of the plant and its ability to execute the Project. As these forward-looking statements depend upon future events, actual outcomes may differ materially depending on factors such as: satisfaction of all closing conditions associated with the acquisition; ability to execute and cost to execute the associated capital investments to maximize productivity and animal care; timely receipt of required permits and approvals for capital improvements; current and future demand for pork; the ability of Maple Leaf Foods to execute its strategic initiatives in connection with the acquisition; animal health; foreign animal disease risk; activities of competitors, customers, and consumers; overall economic conditions; access to capital and financing alternatives; operational risks associated; the legislative, regulatory and tax environment; and other known or unknown factors. There can be no assurance that the results or developments anticipated by Maple Leaf Foods will be realized or that it will have the expected consequences for or effects. All forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Readers are cautioned that they should not unduly rely on these forward-looking statements and that the information contained in the forward-looking statements may not be appropriate for other purposes. Further, readers are cautioned that the forward-looking statements in this news release speak only as of the date hereof. Maple Leaf Foods does not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by securities law. For additional information on these and other factors, see Maple Leaf Foods's public filings on www.sedar.com, including its Annual Management Discussion and Analysis for the year ended December 31, 2020 and its most recent Annual Information Form.

SOURCE Maple Leaf Foods Inc.

Related Links

http://www.mapleleaf.ca


CHICAGO, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Mielle Organics, the leading global, natural beauty brand, is pleased to announce the inaugural class of their 2021 Global Education and Entrepreneurship Program. Mielle alongside education partners Rutgers University and the Newark Business Hub welcome 60 participants into their program on a fully-funded scholarship. Among these scholarship recipients are Black women from the United States, Caribbean, Europe, and South Africa. As part of their pledge to provide opportunities for entrepreneurship and generational wealth, Mielle has dedicated $1 Million from their More Than A Strand Education Fund to go cover the costs of tuition and any startup costs associated with developing a successful business.

For Mielle Organics CEO, Monique Rodriguez, creating this opportunity for the next generation of Black women entrepreneurs was necessary. "When I founded Mielle Organics, there weren't many entrepreneurship programs in existence for women who looked like me," said Monique Rodriguez, CEO of Mielle Organics. "To be able to reach back and provide opportunities to develop successful, sustainable and wealth-building businesses in the Black community is a dream come true."

"Our partnership with Mielle Organics and Newark Business Hub will not only set the path for generations to come but deliver tangible results that will change Black and brown communities," said Kenneth M. Karamichael, Assistant Director of the Rutgers Office of Continuing Professional Education. "With over two centuries of professional and global workforce development experience, this dynamic collaboration represents Rutgers University's ongoing commitment toward advancing the business skills and opportunities for Black women and people of color."

"US-based Black women accounted for a majority of the small business sector growth nationally prior to COVID," said Kimberlee S. Williams, Cofounder and CEO, Newark Business Hub. By coupling this online learning community with access to capital, we are creating a collaborative model that empowers Black women to help close the racial equity wealth gap.

Participants of the 2021 Global Certificate Program will begin Fall semester classes online on July 15.

To learn more on Mielle Organics' education initiatives and the 2021 scholarship recipients, visit https://www.morethanastrand.com/mtas-2020 .

For more information on Mielle Organics, visit www.mielleorganics.com .

To learn more about Rutgers University visit https://www.rutgers.edu .

For more information on the Newark Business Hub, visit https://www.newarkbusinesshub.com .

SOURCE Mielle Organics

Related Links

http://www.mielleorganics.com


MILWAUKEE, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Meyer Van Severen, S.C., a criminal defense law firm based in Milwaukee, WI, announced yet another personnel expansion. On June 1, 2021 the firm hired criminal defense attorney Brian Nelson, a seasoned national criminal defense attorney.

Criminal Defense Attorney Brian Nelson Criminal Defense Attorney Matthew R. Meyer

Matthew R. Meyer, co-founder of the firm, discussed the expansion. "Brian Nelson is a valuable addition to the firm. While he's a skilled criminal defense attorney, his years in public practice allow all of us to better understand the difficult positions indigent defendants are often put in. This experience brings the firm a different, valuable way of evaluating cases. Additionally, his experience around the country certainly adds an interesting component to his practice."

Nelson is certainly excited to join the firm. "While I enjoyed my time in public service, moving on to a private law firm will allow me to dedicate more time and focus to each client. I am excited to join Meyer Van Severen."

Ben Van Severen, co-founder of the firm believes the expansion will allow the firm to help individuals throughout Wisconsin. "Our main office is in Milwaukee, and having six attorneys allows us to effectively defend individuals in the far corners of the state."

About Meyer Van Severen, S.C.

Meyer Van Severen, S.C. began serving clients facing criminal and drunk driving charges throughout Wisconsin in 2015. The criminal defense attorneys at Meyer Van Severen defend drunk driving, violent crime, firearm, homicide, child abuse, drug, domestic violence, property, and sexual assault cases. The firm handles cases at both the trial and appellate level. The firm consists of Matthew R. Meyer, Ben Van Severen, Matt Last, Greg Isaac, and Brian Nelson. Individuals seeking representation can contact Meyer Van Severen, S.C. directly at (414) 270-0202.

For more information, please visit https://milwaukee-criminal-lawyer.com

Contact

To learn more about Meyer Van Severen, S.C., please contact

Matthew Meyer, Partner

316 N. Milwaukee Street, Ste. 200

Milwaukee, WI 53202

Office: (414) 270-0202

[email protected]

SOURCE Meyer Van Severen, S.C.
LIMA, Peru, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Minsur S.A. announced today the extension of the Expiration Date and amendment to the Settlement Date (each, as defined below) of its offer to purchase for cash its outstanding 6.250% Senior Notes due 2024 (the "Notes") for an aggregate purchase price of up to US$300 million, in accordance with Minsur's Offer to Purchase dated May 19, 2021 (the "Offer to Purchase") pursuant to which the tender offer is being made.

The tender offer will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time (4:00 p.m., Lima time), on July 1, 2021, unless further extended, or earlier expired or terminated by Minsur (such time and date, as the same may be further extended, or earlier expired or terminated by Minsur in its sole discretion, the "Expiration Date"). As of 2:30 p.m., New York City time, on June 30, 2021, US$263,727,000 aggregate principal amount, or approximately 59.05%, of the Notes had been validly tendered and not withdrawn. Tendered Notes may not be withdrawn, except as provided for in the Offer to Purchase or required by applicable law. Minsur is not extending the Withdrawal Deadline (as defined in the Offer to Purchase) or otherwise reinstating withdrawal rights of Holders.

Holders who did not validly tender their Notes on or prior to the Early Tender Deadline (as defined in the Offer to Purchase), and validly tender their Notes at or prior to the Expiration Date will be eligible to receive the tender consideration of US$1,035 per US$1,000 principal amount of tendered Notes. Accrued and unpaid interest will be paid on all Notes validly tendered and accepted for purchase from the last interest payment date up to, but not including, the settlement date, which is now expected to be on July 6, 2021 (the "Settlement Date").

Minsur's obligation to accept for purchase and to pay for the tendered Notes is subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain conditions, which are more fully described in the Offer to Purchase, including Minsur having obtained sufficient gross proceeds from a debt financing. Subject to applicable law, Minsur may amend, extend or terminate the tender offer in its sole discretion.

The tender offer is being made solely pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer to Purchase which sets forth a more detailed description of the tender offer. Holders of the Notes are urged to carefully read the Offer to Purchase before making any decision with respect to the tender offer.

Minsur will purchase all Notes that have been validly tendered and not validly withdrawn at or prior to the Expiration Date, for an aggregate purchase price, including accrued interest, up to US$300 million (the principal amount of Notes that does not cause such amount to be exceeded, subject to increase, decrease or elimination, the "Aggregate Maximum Tender Cap"), and all conditions to the tender offer having been satisfied or waived by Minsur, promptly following the Expiration Date, on the Settlement Date. If purchasing all of the validly tendered and not validly withdrawn Notes on the Settlement Date would cause the Aggregate Maximum Tender Cap to be exceeded on the Settlement Date, Minsur will accept for purchase the Notes on a pro rata basis, so as to not exceed the Aggregate Maximum Tender Cap (with adjustments to avoid the purchase of Notes in a principal amount other than in integral multiples of US$1,000). Tenders of Notes submitted after the Expiration Date will not be valid.

Minsur has retained BofA Securities, Inc. and Santander Investment Securities Inc. as Dealer Managers for the tender offer. D.F. King & Co., Inc. is the Tender and Information Agent for the tender offer. For additional information regarding the terms of the tender offer, please contact BofA Securities, Inc. collect at +1 (646) 855-8988 or toll free at +1 (888) 292-0070, or Santander Investment Securities Inc. collect at +1 (212) 940-1442 or toll free +1 (855) 404-3636. Requests for copies of the Offer to Purchase and questions regarding the tendering of Notes may be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc. at +1 (212) 269-5550 (banks and brokers), at +1 (800) 714-3305 (all others, toll free) or at [email protected].

This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to purchase securities or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities or an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to purchase any securities nor does it constitute an offer or solicitation in any jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation is unlawful.

None of Minsur, the Tender and Information Agent, the Dealer Managers or the Trustee for the Notes (nor any of their respective directors, officers, employees or affiliates) make any recommendation as to whether holders should tender their Notes pursuant to the tender offer, and no one has been authorized by any of them to make such a recommendation. Holders must make their own decisions as to whether to tender their Notes, and, if so, the principal amount of Notes to tender.

Forward-Looking Statements: Certain statements contained in this press release constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements represent Minsur's expectations or beliefs concerning future events, and it is possible that the results described in this press release will not be achieved. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, many of which are outside of Minsur's control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements.

Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which such statement is made, and, except as required by law, Minsur does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. New factors emerge from time to time and it is not possible for management to predict all such factors. No assurance can be given that the transactions described in this press release will be consummated or as to the ultimate terms of any such transactions.

Contacts:

Minsur S.A., Jr. Bernini 149, 501-A

San Borja  Lima

Peru

+(511) 215-8330

SOURCE Minsur S.A.
LONDON, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Tripledot Studios , a leading mobile games company, today announced it has expanded its executive team with two new leadership hires. Ido Naim joins as VP of Liveops and Zohar Rozenberg as Head of Operations. Together, they will be responsible for accelerating go-to-market plans and driving the next generation of number one titles for the company.

"Hiring top talent has always been core to Tripledot's successand Ido and Zohar are the perfect example," said Lior Shiff, CEO, Tripledot Studios. "Ido's expertise building rich player experiences through data, and Zohar's pedigree in deep tech and building winning businesses, are precisely what we need during this momentous time in our company and market. Their contributions will be key for us as we continue to build our roster of games and execute on our vision of becoming the leading data-driven mobile games business."

Naim joins Tripledot from Voodoo where he served as Vice President, GameOps, and optimized the company's Hyper Casual gaming portfolio's performance. Naim also founded the company's analytics team to support Voodoo's data-driven decision making process. Previously, he was Director of Monetization and User Retention at Playtika. In this role, Naim helped to create "Vegas Downtown Slots," a new in-house Classic Slots game and studiowhich evolved into a unique Word and Slots combo game titled "Vegas Words" and created a new sub-genre. Under his direction, the World Series of Poker became the highest-grossing poker title in the world.

"I look for companies with a clear vision and purpose that bring together top talent from diverse backgroundsand I found it at Tripledot," said Naim. "The fact that in under three years, Lior, Akin and Eyal have built a $150 million business and developed a roster of top-grossing games, is nothing short of impressive. I look forward to leveraging my experience in marketing, monetization and data analytics to help drive the company's next phase of explosive growth."

Rozenberg joins Tripledot from Elrona leading early-stage investor in medical devices, cyber security and enterprise software start-upswhere he served as Chief Strategy Officer and led the company's cybersecurity investments. Zohar also serves as board member and works closely with the portfolio companies of Elron and RDC, Elron's joint venture with Rafael Advanced Defense Systems. Previously, Rozenberg headed the Israel Defense Forces' Cyber Division in the Intelligence Corps' prestigious 8200 Unit. He retired as Colonel after 20 years of service. During his tenure at 8200, Rozenberg led high-risk, high-innovation organizations and projects. He was also involved with the founding of Israel's National Cyber Bureau in addition to formulating Israel's national cyber strategy. Among other achievements, Rozenberg was responsible for developing nationwide cyber educational programs, and working with the Israeli Ministry of Education and various philanthropy organizations, to position Israel as a global leader in cyber technology. He is a recipient of the Israel Defense Award.

"I've invested in and supported several multi-billion dollar companies, and I know a winner when I see one," said Rozenberg. "Tripledot has been able to achieve what few have: they've scaled rapidly to tens of millions of users while delivering a consistent and outstanding player experience and that's no easy feat. This is a rocketship and I look forward to playing a role in its next growth chapter"

Naim and Rozenberg join a leadership team at Tripledot that includes former executives from Facebook, King, Peak Games and Product Madness. With offices in global gaming hubs London and Minsk, Tripledot has attracted the very best talent in the industry. Earlier this year, the company secured $78 million in a Series A funding round led by three leading global investors: Eldridge, Access Industries and Lightspeed Venture Partners. This latest funding round brings the company's valuation to close to $500 million only three years after launch.

About Tripledot Studios

Tripledot Studios was founded in 2017 by a group of friends and industry veterans from King, Peak Games, Facebook and Product Madness (which was founded by Lior Shiff, and is now one of the largest social casino companies in the world). With more than 90 employees across its two locations in London & Minsk, Tripledot Studios creates fun, long-lasting, and chart-topping mobile games that everyday gamers can enjoy. To learn more about Tripledot, please visit www.tripledot.com .

SOURCE Tripledot Studios
OKOTOKS, AB, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - (TSX: MTL) Mullen Group Ltd. ("Mullen Group" and/or the "Corporation") intends to release its 2021 Second Quarter earnings results after market close on Wednesday, July 21, 2021, and has scheduled a conference call and webcast as follows:

Date: July 22, 2021 Time: 11:00 a.m. ET Conference Call Dial-in: 1-800-319-4610 (for participants in North America)

416-915-3239 (Toronto or Overseas participants) Webcast: www.mullen-group.com

A replay of the call will be available approximately two hours after the completion of the call until Thursday, August 5, 2021, by dialing 1-800-319-6413 or 604-638-9010, access code 7236 followed by the pound sign.

About Mullen Group Ltd.

Mullen Group is one of Canada's largest logistics providers. Our network of independently operated businesses provide a wide range of service offerings including less-than-truckload, truckload, warehousing, logistics, transload, oversized and specialized hauling transportation. In addition, we provide a diverse set of specialized services related to the energy, mining, forestry and construction industries in western Canada, including water management, fluid hauling and environmental reclamation. The corporate office provides the capital and financial expertise, legal support, technology and systems support, shared services and strategic planning to its independent businesses.

Mullen Group is a publicly traded corporation listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "MTL". Additional information is available on our website at www.mullen-group.com or on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Contact Information:

Mr. Murray K. Mullen - Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President

Mr. P. Stephen Clark - Chief Financial Officer

Mr. Richard J. Maloney - Senior Vice President

Ms. Joanna K. Scott - Corporate Secretary & Vice President, Corporate Services

121A - 31 Southridge Drive

Okotoks, Alberta, Canada T1S 2N3

Telephone: 403-995-5200

Fax: 403-995-5296

SOURCE Mullen Group Ltd.

Related Links

www.mullen-group.com


WASHINGTON, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- NASA's SpaceX Dragon cargo freighter, loaded with approximately 5,000 pounds of scientific experiments and other cargo from the International Space Station, will depart Tuesday, July 6, bound for a splashdown in the Atlantic Ocean Thursday, July 8, completing the company's 22nd commercial resupply services mission for NASA.

Live coverage of the departure will begin at 10:45 a.m. EDT Tuesday, July 6, on NASA Television, the agency's website, and the NASA app. NASA will not provide coverage of the splashdown.

Ground controllers at SpaceX in Hawthorne, California, will command Dragon to undock from the space-facing port on the station's Harmony module at 11 a.m., with NASA astronaut Shane Kimbrough monitoring aboard the station. The cargo craft will physically separate from the station five minutes later before firing its thrusters to move a safe distance away prior to a deorbit burn that will begin its re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. Dragon is expected to make its parachute-assisted splashdown around 12 a.m. Thursday, July 8.

Splashing down off the coast of Florida enables quick transportation of the science aboard the capsule to NASA's Space Station Processing Facility at the agency's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, and back into the hands of the researchers. This shorter transportation timeframe allows researchers to collect data with minimal sample exposure to gravity.

Dragon launched June 3 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy, arriving at the station a little less than 16 hours later. The spacecraft delivered more than 7,300 pounds of research investigations, crew supplies, and vehicle hardware to the orbiting outpost. Dragon's external cargo "trunk" carried six new ISS Roll-Out Solar Arrays (iROSAs), two of which Expedition 65 crew members Kimbrough and Thomas Pesquet, an ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut, installed during three spacewalks June 16, 20, and 25.

Some of the scientific investigations Dragon will return to Earth include:

Lyophilization-2 examines how gravity affects freeze-dried materials and could result in improved freeze-drying processes for pharmaceutical and other industries. Freeze-drying also has potential use for long-term storage of medications and other resources on future exploration missions.

examines how gravity affects freeze-dried materials and could result in improved freeze-drying processes for pharmaceutical and other industries. Freeze-drying also has potential use for long-term storage of medications and other resources on future exploration missions. Molecular Muscle Experiment- 2 tests a series of drugs to see whether they can improve health in space, possibly leading to new therapeutic targets for examination on Earth.

tests a series of drugs to see whether they can improve health in space, possibly leading to new therapeutic targets for examination on Earth. Oral Biofilms in Space studies how gravity affects the structure, composition, and activity of oral bacteria in the presence of common oral care agents. Findings could support development of novel treatments to fight oral diseases such as cavities, gingivitis, and periodontitis.

Learn more about SpaceX missions for NASA at:

https://www.nasa.gov/spacex

Get breaking news, images and features from the space station on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.

SOURCE NASA

Related Links

http://www.nasa.gov


The California-based mortgage lender is one of the fastest growing mortgage companies in the nation, having grown substantially in the last several years. The company now has more than 180 nationwide locations and approximately 4,800 employees.

With this expansion, the company is doubling down on its growth strategy and will focus on building in strategic markets across numerous regions of the U.S. The expansion effort includes strengthening high-level company leadership in the target markets, which will enable the company to focus on increasing its foothold in these emerging markets.

Leading the expansion is New American Funding Director of National Retail Sales, Sam Ellsworth, along with other key members of the company's regional leadership, including:

Kelly Allison  Vice President, Southeast

 Vice President, Southeast Ellysa Cummings  Senior Vice President, Great Lakes

 Senior Vice President, Great Lakes Hamid Hamrah  Senior Vice President, Midwest

 Senior Vice President, Midwest Miguel Mouriz  Regional Manager, Florida

 Regional Manager, James Bromwell  Area Manager, Mid-Atlantic

 Area Manager, Mid-Atlantic Eric Fellows  Regional Manager, Tennessee

 Regional Manager, Michele Hoefle  Regional Sales Manager

The team will be actively recruiting sales leaders and top originators to join New American Funding, which is consistently recognized as a top employer, including as a Best Workplace in Financial Services & Insurance, Best Workplace for Women, and a Best Workplace for Millennials.

"We feel the time is right to shift our expansion into overdrive," Ellsworth said. "This move will allow the company to help even more families buy their dream home and build a foundation for their financial future."

Interested in joining New American Funding? Visit teamnewamerican.com or contact Sam Ellsworth at [email protected].

About New American Funding

New American Funding is an independent mortgage lender with a servicing portfolio of over 197,000 loans for approximately $51.4 billion, 181 nationwide locations, and about 4,800 employees. The company offers several niche loan products and has made Inc. 5000's list of Fastest-Growing Companies in America six times. It offers state-of-the-art career training and provides its branch Loan Officers with innovative technologies to streamline the mortgage process.

SOURCE New American Funding

Related Links

www.newamericanfunding.com


WHITEHOUSE STATION, N.J., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Chubb has released a new whitepaper, co-authored with Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani LLP and PaymentWorks, that explores the common types of email social engineering schemes, particularly involving payments and suppliers, and how today's cyber criminals are employing more sophisticated social engineering attacks than in the past. The paper, "Guarding Against Email Social Engineering Fraud: Re-examining a Global Problem," also discusses ways in which companies can deploy technology and update their business practices to help verify information received electronically and authenticate the identity of business partners.

"With the heightened level of deception and manipulation involved in these attacks, email security requires a zero-trust approach," said Christopher Arehart, Senior Vice President, Crime Product Manager, Chubb Financial Lines. "Therefore, it remains critical that businesses invest in updated technology defenses as well as adapt their processes and fundamentally change their procedures to fill the defense gaps that are weakened by compromised email."

The FBI estimates that cyber criminals stole more than $28 billion through email fraud from 2016-2020, with an average loss per incident of more than $150,000.

According to the Chubb whitepaper, the most common social engineering fraud schemes include impersonation of executives, vendors and suppliers, exploitation of email accounts, and manipulation of vendor management accounts. Additionally, depending upon the type of scheme, the best ways to prevent these attacks include:

--Reconfiguring corporate email systems to better screen for spoofed emails and require Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA), to support more secure messaging from corporate email accounts;

--Reevaluating and rebuilding vendor management processes to account for changes to vendor data, rather than address them ad hoc during the payment process; and,

--Authenticating the information provided by using a modern technology platform that allows companies to onboard vendors or payees in a secure network environment to prove and verify identity.

To learn more, download the paper, "Guarding Against Email Social Engineering Fraud: Re-examining a Global Problem."

To learn more about commercial crime insurance and social engineering coverage, visit www.chubb.com/us/crime, or contact your Chubb agent or broker.

About Chubb

Chubb is the world's largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company. With operations in 54 countries, Chubb provides commercial and personal property and casualty insurance, personal accident and supplemental health insurance, reinsurance and life insurance to a diverse group of clients. As an underwriting company, we assess, assume and manage risk with insight and discipline. We service and pay our claims fairly and promptly. The company is also defined by its extensive product and service offerings, broad distribution capabilities, exceptional financial strength and local operations globally. Parent company Chubb Limited is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: CB) and is a component of the S&P 500 index. Chubb maintains executive offices in Zurich, New York, London, Paris and other locations, and employs approximately 31,000 people worldwide. Additional information can be found at www.chubb.com.

About Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani  Your 50 State Partner

As the only law firm with offices and attorneys in all 50 states, Gordon & Rees delivers maximum value to our clients by combining the resources of a full-service national firm with the local knowledge of a regional firm. Featuring more than 1,000 lawyers nationwide, we provide comprehensive litigation and business transactions services to public and private companies ranging from start-ups to Fortune 500 corporations. Founded in 1974, Gordon & Rees is recognized among the fastest growing and largest law firms in the country. The firm is currently ranked among the 25 largest law firms in the U.S., the top 45 firms for diverse attorneys, and the top 25 firms for female attorneys in the Am Law 100.

About PaymentWorks

PaymentWorks and our company's Business Identity Platform eliminates the risk of business-payments fraud, which costs US businesses more than $20 billion a year. Automating a complex, manual, people-intensive, and error-prone payment process, PaymentWorks works with leading organizations across myriad industries, including Hackensack Meridian Health, Johns Hopkins, and University of Kentucky, protecting them from business payments fraud and ensuring regulatory compliance. To learn more about how we do it and the partners we work with, visit our website, check out our blog or listen to our new podcast series, "Risky Business".

SOURCE Chubb

Related Links

www.chubb.com


Highlight intervals are summarized below. Additional results are provided in Table 2.

The intercept of 430.2 g/t Au over 5.25m in hole NFGC-21-241 represents a grade x width ("metal factor") value of 2,258 g/t Au x meters**, the second highest value encountered to date on the Queensway project. Furthermore, over 700 grains of gold were observed in this 5.25m intercept, representing the most per meter seen to date anywhere at the Queensway Project.

in hole NFGC-21-241 represents a grade x width ("metal factor") value of 2,258 g/t Au x meters**, the second highest value encountered to date on the Queensway project. Furthermore, over 700 grains of gold were observed in this intercept, representing the most per meter seen to date anywhere at the Queensway Project. The new Golden Joint discovery occurs in two to three sub parallel vein systems located approximately 1km North of the Keats Zone and 850m South of the Lotto Zone (see Figures 1, 2, and 3).

South of the Lotto Zone (see Figures 1, 2, and 3). Results from the parallel Golden Joint HW (hanging wall) zone approximately 150m east of the main Golden Joint Zone also returned several significant intervals often including visible gold mineralization, including 12.7 g/t Au over 2.0m in hole NFGC-21-199 (see Figure 2). Drilling will step out on these intervals to further test the Golden Joint HW Zone. Note that the Golden Joint HW intervals are not plotted on Figure1.

east of the main Golden Joint Zone also returned several significant intervals often including visible gold mineralization, including 12.7 g/t Au over in hole NFGC-21-199 (see Figure 2). Drilling will step out on these intervals to further test the Golden Joint HW Zone. Note that the Golden Joint HW intervals are not plotted on Figure1. Currently two drills rigs are operating at Golden Joint, focused on stepping out from discovery hole NFGC-21-241. Additional assays are pending.

* Note that the host structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are generally estimated to be 70% to 90% of reported intervals. Intervals are calculated at a 1 g/t Au cut-off grade; grades have not been capped in the averaging.

** Note: the reported grade x width metal factors are not adjusted to an estimated true width. For estimated true widths equal to 70% to 90% of reported widths, adjusted metal factors would be 70% to 90% of unadjusted reported values.

Greg Matheson, COO of New Found, stated: "Following a high-grade hole at Lotto reported last week, the Golden Joint discovery further affirms that the Appleton Fault is host to multiple areas of high-grade, near surface gold mineralization. As our team has theorized all along, the Keats zone is not the only area of significant gold mineralization. Hole NFGC-21-241 at the Golden Joint appears epizonal in nature and is very similar to the high-grade gold mineralization observed at the Keats Zone, which is located 1km to the South."

Photos from Hole NFGC-21-241 high-grade interval

Drillhole Details

Table 2: Summary of results reported in this release

* Note that the host structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are generally estimated to be 70% to 90% of reported intervals. Intervals are calculated at a 1 g/t Au cut-off grade; grades have not been capped in the averaging.

Table 3: Details of drill holes reported in this release

Sampling, Sub-sampling and Laboratory

True widths of the intercepts reported in this press release have yet to be determined but are estimated to be 70% to 90% of reported core lengths. Reported grades have not been capped. Assays are uncut, and calculated intervals are reported over a minimum length of 2m using a lower cut-off of 1.0 g/t Au. All HQ split core assays reported were obtained by either complete sample metallic screen/fire assay or standard 30-gram fire-assaying with ICP finish at ALS Minerals in Vancouver, British Columbia, or by entire sample screened metallic screen fire assay at Eastern Analytical in Springdale, Newfoundland. The complete sample metallic screen assay method is selected by the geologist when samples contain coarse gold or any samples displaying gold initial fire assay values greater than 1.0 g/t Au. Drill program design, Quality Assurance/Quality Control, and interpretation of results are performed by qualified persons employing a Quality Assurance/Quality Control program consistent with National Instrument 43-101 and industry best practices. Standards and blanks are included with every 20 samples for Quality Assurance/Quality Control purposes by the Company as well as the lab. Approximately 5% of sample pulps are sent to secondary laboratories for check assays.

Qualified Person

The technical content disclosed in this press release was reviewed and approved by Greg Matheson, P. Geo., Chief Operating Officer, and a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Matheson consents to the publication of this news release dated June 30, 2021, by New Found. Mr. Matheson certifies that this news release fairly and accurately represents the information for which he is responsible.

About New Found Gold Corp.

New Found holds a 100% interest in the Queensway Project, located 15km west of Gander, Newfoundland, and just 18km from Gander International Airport. The project is intersected by the Trans-Canada Highway and has logging roads crosscutting the project, high voltage electric power lines running through the project area, and easy access to a highly skilled workforce. The Company is currently undertaking a 200,000m drill program at Queensway. Eight rigs are currently in operation at Queensway with the drill count planned to increase to ten rigs by Q3 2021. With a current working capital balance of approximately $76 million, New Found is well funded for this program.

Please see the Company's website at www.newfoundgold.ca and the Company's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com.

Acknowledgements

New Found acknowledges the financial support of the Junior Exploration Assistance Program, Department of Natural Resources, Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

Contact

To contact the Company, please visit the Company's website, www.newfoundgold.ca and make your request through our investor inquiry form. Our management has a pledge to be in touch with any investor inquiries within 24 hours.

New Found Gold Corp.

Per: "Craig Roberts"

Craig Roberts, P.Eng., Chief Executive Officer

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (604) 562 9664

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 Statement Cautions

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation, relating to further exploration and drilling on the Company's Queensway gold project in Newfoundland, interpretation of results of the drilling program and funding of the drilling program. 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 statements that are not historical facts; they are generally, but not always, identified by the words "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "intends," "estimates," "projects," "aims," "potential," "goal," "objective," "prospective," and similar expressions, or that events or conditions "will," "would," "may," "can," "could" or "should" occur, or are those statements, which, by their nature, refer to future events. The Company cautions that forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company's management on the date the statements are made, and they involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Consequently, there can be no assurances that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Except to the extent required by applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange, 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 future results to differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements include risks associated with possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company's exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company's business and prospects. The reader is urged to refer to the Company's Annual Information Form and Management's discussion and Analysis, publicly available through the Canadian Securities Administrators' System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com for a more complete discussion of such risk factors and their potential effects.

SOURCE New Found Gold Corp.

Related Links

https://newfoundgold.ca/


CHICAGO, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Futurum Research has released its newest white paper: An Enterprise Guide to Digital Adoption. This original paper examines the impact that rapid digital transformation in the last year has had on technology adoption in the enterprise. It also provides best practices and recommendations for organizations looking to get more out of their existing technology solutions.

The principal author of the report, Daniel Newman, is a founding partner and principal analyst for Futurum Research. He explains that many enterprises had to dramatically increase the number of technology solutions that they used in the last year, but employees were not equipped or prepared to fully adopt these platforms. He advises that a technology solution can provide insight and data into platform usage, which can ultimately help in driving better digital adoption.

According to the white paper, "Digital adoption is getting to a place where employees gain the ability to use digital tools as they are intended and to the fullest extent." The paper explores the many advantages a Digital Adoption Platform can bring and how organizations can leverage a DAP to maximize bottom line results.

White Paper Highlights

This comprehensive white paper reveals:

On average, an enterprise has over 200 technology solutions in its tech stack across the organization.

Over half (56%) of executives said that employees are expected to learn at least three new technology solutions a year.

A vast majority of digital transformation initiatives don't consider the user and ultimately result in inefficient digital adoption.

A DAP is designed to serve as a digitally enhanced layer or interface that sits between technology users and the ecosystem of technology solutions they have to interact with on a daily basis.

Digital transformation is critical in today's enterprise organization. But successful transformation can't happen unless all employees are prepared to utilize the technology solutions that will support new initiatives. The Futurum Research white paper examines why a Digital Adoption Platform can be the bridge to this success.

The white paper concludes with recommendations on which platform to use and how to get started in your digital adoption journey.

The sponsor of this white paper is WalkMe.

Download the white paper here.

About the Authors

ABOUT FUTURUM RESEARCH Futurum is an independent research, analysis, and advisory firm focused on digital innovation and market-disrupting technologies and trends. Every day our analysts, researchers, and advisors help business leaders from around the world anticipate tectonic shifts in their industries and leverage disruptive innovation to either gain or maintain a competitive advantage in their markets.

ABOUT WALKME WalkMe's Digital Adoption Platform is a code-free software platform that enables organizations to measure, drive, and act to ultimately maximize the impact of their digital transformation and accelerate the return on their software investment to meet business goals. The platform leverages proprietary technology to provide CIOs and executive management with visibility into the tech stack, while improving user experience, productivity and efficiency for employees and customers. WalkMe holds more than half of the global revenue in the Digital Adoption Market and has been recognized on the Forbes Cloud 100 for five consecutive years. WalkMe's platform offers endless opportunities to customize WalkMe for every organization's needs.

Media Contact:

Shelly Kramer

Founding Partner + Lead Analyst



[email protected]



+1 815-665-7500



Twitter: @futurumresearch



LinkedIn: Futurum Research

SOURCE Futurum Research
HOUSTON, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Featuring four Global Business Units and newly created EQUANS, a leader in delivering multi-technical services, ENGIE's new organizational structure is now established. On May 18, 2021, ENGIE's Chief Executive Officer Catherine MacGregor unveiled the Group's strategic roadmap, to reaffirm ENGIE as a leader in the energy transition.

In line with the planned timetable, the new organizational structure will be effective July 1, 2021, and will bring:

Greater simplicity in the way the Group is managed,

Better operational performance with increased focus on core businesses,

More efficiency through pooling the support functions.

The new structure comprises:

4 Global Business Units (GBUs): Renewables, Energy Solutions, Networks, Thermal & Supply. These four GBUs, which reflect the Group's core businesses, will have accountability for their respective financial performance.

(GBUs): Renewables, Energy Solutions, Networks, Thermal & Supply. These four GBUs, which reflect the Group's core businesses, will have accountability for their respective financial performance. A geographical platform structured with regional hubs for pooling the support functions, coordinating the entities at country level, that will be in charge of managing Group's local stakeholders and leveraging synergies across activities.

EQUANS will now operate as an autonomous entity within ENGIE, managed by its CEO Jerome Stubler and his management team. With 74,000 employees in 17 countries and an annual revenue of over 12 billion, EQUANS is a new global leader in multi-technical services, strongly positioned in growing markets.

To strengthen its presence in these markets, EQUANS has chosen a name and a brand identity that conveys all of its values and its ambition. Its signature  "Empowering Transitions"  is evidence of its employees' commitment to their customers, and of their ability to innovate and adapt to provide them with high added-value services.

EQUANS's aim is to be its clients' preferred partner to help them speed-up their energy, industrial and digital transitions.

EQUANS is structured along 6 fields of expertise: Electrical, HVAC, Cooling, Mechanical, Digital & IT, Facility management.

EQUANS already holds a leading position in key European markets (France, Belgium and the UK in particular) and is also very well ranked in the U.S. and in Latin America.

Now that EQUANS has been created, ENGIE is moving to the next phase where options for a new shareholding structure will be explored, with a focus on creating the best environment for EQUANS's future growth.

Catherine MacGregor, ENGIE CEO, said: "Today marks an important step forward in the implementation of our strategic roadmap. We are very proud to announce the creation of EQUANS, an autonomous entity within ENGIE, known in recent months under the project name "Bright". We are on track to deliver on our simplification plan through the positioning of EQUANS as a leader in multi-technical services and reaffirming ENGIE as a leader in the energy transition, refocused on its growth markets and with a more industrial approach."

Jerome Stubler, EQUANS CEO, added: "I would like to acknowledge the incredible work which has been accomplished during the last 6 months to create EQUANS. EQUANS is made of state-of-the-art expertise which totally responds to the needs of our clients in delivering the Energy, Industrial and Digital transitions. This is a great moment for the 74,000 employees all over the world. I am very honored and pleased to lead this fantastic team."

About ENGIE North America

ENGIE North America Inc. offers a range of capabilities in the United States and Canada to help customers decarbonize, decentralize and digitalize their operations. These include comprehensive services to help customers run their facilities more efficiently and optimize energy and other resource use and expense; clean power generation; energy storage; and retail energy supply that includes renewable, demand response, and on-bill financing options. Nearly 100% of the company's power generation portfolio is low carbon or renewable. Globally, ENGIE S.A. is a global reference in low-carbon energy and services, that relies on their key businesses (gas, renewable energy, services) to offer competitive solutions to customers. With 170,000 employees, customers, partners and stakeholders, the group is committed to accelerate the transition towards a carbon-neutral world, through reduced energy consumption and more environmentally-friendly solutions.

Media Contact:

ENGIE North America: Sandrine Deparis, [email protected], (202) 855 3705

SOURCE ENGIE North America

Related Links

engie-na.com


WASHINGTON, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Children's National Hospital today announced a second year of success for its Conway Nursing Pathway Program, during a time of heightened stress for health care providers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The program offers scholarship, mentorship and work study for nurses at all stages of their careers, aiming to deepen career satisfaction and reduce the financial burden of higher education. The result is better care for children from more passionate, experienced nurses.

Since its launch in 2019, the Pathway Program has helped nurses avoid nearly $600,000 in student debt.

Pathway participants maintained their in-person study and mentorship throughout the pandemic. Makayla James is one of eight 2021 Pathway graduates. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (B.S.N.) from Howard University in Washington, D.C.

"With only half of my financial obligations covered, there was always a looming worry of where the rest of the money would come from," James says. "The financial support given by the Conway family has alleviated so much stress that comes with financial burdens."

The Pathway Program, founded by William and Joanne Conway, is named in honor of their partnership with Children's National and their dedication to the field of nursing. With their recent gift of $1.75 million, the program is expected to double its enrollment.

In total, the Conways have generously donated more than $6 million to the hospital, including support for care providers during the pandemic and the establishment of one of the nation's first academic chairs in nurse-led research.

"Joanne and I are pleased to support nursing education at Children's National that will prepare our nurses for the challenges of today and tomorrow," says William Conway, co-founder and co-executive chairman of The Carlyle Group and trustee of the Bedford Falls Foundation with his wife Joanne. "Reducing the financial burden for nurses will remove a key barrier in building and strengthening the nursing pipeline. We proudly partner with Children's National to invest in the future of nurses to provide the best, most compassionate care possible."

Children's National received its third Magnet designation in 2021, a designation from the American Nurses Credentialing Center. Magnet-designated hospitals have demonstrated lower patient mortality, fewer medical complications, improved patient and employee safety, and higher patient and staff satisfaction. Only 7% of hospitals across the country achieve the designation; even fewer are pediatric hospitals.

"We understand the value of investing in the future of nursing," says Linda Talley, M.S., R.N., N.E.-B.C., F.A.A.N., vice president of Nursing and chief nursing officer. "At a time when our community needed help more than ever, we stayed the course. The Conway Nursing Pathway Program ensured that the doors of opportunity remained open."

Children's National recognizes that dedicating more time to the individual needs of pediatric nurses helps build strength and resiliency and reinforces interpersonal and learning skills associated with career satisfaction. This is especially true for new nurses like James.

"The field of nursing is comprised of individuals who are called to fulfill a duty of service to all people. By working with children, I will not only make a difference in a life, but I will be able to make a difference in a lifetime."

About Children's National Hospital

Children's National Hospital, based in Washington, D.C., celebrates 150 years of pediatric care, research and commitment to community. Volunteers opened the hospital in 1870 with 12 beds for children displaced after the Civil War. Today, 150 years stronger, it is among the nation's top 10 children's hospitals. It is ranked No.1 for newborn care for the fifth straight year and ranked in all specialties evaluated by U.S. News & World Report . Children's National is transforming pediatric medicine for all children. In 2021, the Children's National Research & Innovation Campus opened, the first in the nation dedicated to pediatric research. Children's National has been designated three times in a row as a Magnet hospital, demonstrating the highest standards of nursing and patient care delivery. This pediatric academic health system offers expert care through a convenient, community-based primary care network and specialty care locations in the D.C. metropolitan area, including Maryland and Virginia. Children's National is home to the Children's National Research Institute and Sheikh Zayed Institute for Pediatric Surgical Innovation and is the nation's seventh-highest NIH-funded children's hospital. It is recognized for its expertise and innovation in pediatric care and as a strong voice for children through advocacy at the local, regional and national levels.

For more information, follow us on Facebook , Instagram , Twitter and LinkedIn .

SOURCE Childrens National Hospital
OAK BROOK, Ill., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Office Snax, LLC ( http://officesnax.us/ ), a leading supplier of snack, candy, and beverage items to the Office Products Industry, announced today it has acquired the snack and candy business from Jacksonville, Fla.-based Advantus Corp. ( https://advantus.com/ ). The acquisition facilitates Office Snax' ability to purchase products from other key snack and candy manufacturers, allowing for company growth and improved customer experience. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"It is an important time to provide convenience and options to the workplace as we see more employees returning to the office," said Todd Elmers, Office Snax CEO. "This acquisition allows us to expand our product offering in order to meet increasing customer demands. We also believe it will provide efficiencies to the industry, as we will be able to consolidate these new items with our normal Office Snax shipments."

Office Snax supplies snack, candy and beverage items exclusively to the office products industry. Office Snax products are available from hundreds of office products dealers and websites across the country. Office Snax has bi-coastal distribution centers in Stockton, Calif. and Buffalo, New York. Most items that Office Snax carries are available for next-day delivery because its products are supported by the channel's wholesalers. With its acquisition of Advantus Corp.'s snack and candy line, it will further broaden its product selection and distribution as well as increase its customer service.

Advantus Corp. is a privately-held manufacturer of consumer, commercial, and durable goods.

About Advantus Corp.

With product lines whose histories stretch back to 1878, Advantus Corp. is a diverse consumer products company comprised of five operating divisions, each containing a family of brands. From its 600,000 square feet of owned domestic manufacturing and warehousing capacity and over 100 manufacturing and distribution partners worldwide, Advantus manufactures and distributes its products to a diverse group of retail partners.

About Office Snax

Office Snax is a nationwide leading supplier of snack, candy, and beverage items to the Office Products industry located in Oak Brook, IL with distribution points in Buffalo, NY and Stockton CA. Office Snax offers convenience for today's 'on the go' workers and a way for employers to show appreciation to their employees. It is a true channel brand and the product of choice in a majority of national office products catalogs.

To learn more about Office snack and beverage offerings from Office Snax visit: www.officesnax.us

Media Contact:

Terri Douglas

Catapult PR-IR

303-808-6820

[email protected]

SOURCE Office Snax

Related Links

http://officesnax.us


COCONUT CREEK, Fla., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - One Exam Prep, a subsidiary of ProBility Media Corp, (OTCPK: PBYA) an education company building the first full-service training and career advancement brand for the skilled trades, online classes have seen a fivefold increase since the start of Covid-19.

One Exam Prep has quickly become one of the largest test prep companies in Florida. By moving to an online only format, One Exam has expanded its classes into more than 15 other states.

At the outset of Covid-19, management upgraded its online streaming capabilities becoming one of the first in the industry to offer full programs online. One Exam also began to offer tutoring services as a form of added services to its students. Tutoring quickly became one of the most popular services offered as more students wanted individualized attention. We expect tutoring to continue to grow as the landscape continues to evolve into online learning for vocational test preparation.

One Exam Prep has taught over 50,000 students in multiple contractor specialties. It has also provided standards, testing and training materials for electrical supply companies such as Wesco (NYSE: WCC), Platt Electric, a subsidiary of Rexel S.A (RXL.PA), Consolidated Electrical Distributors (CED), City Electric Supply, Graybar and hundreds of other smaller suppliers.

In the coming months, One Exam will continue to open new markets for contractor test preparation and continue on its path to reach its goal of being the first nationwide company to offer vocational test preparation for most skilled trades.

About One Exam Prep

One Exam Prep, a subsidiary of ProBility Media Corp offers over 500 online courses and test preparation for contractors in over 15 states. In addition, One Exam has published over 300 test preparation books that have become some of the most widely sold materials in multiple trade industries including that of electrical work.

One Exam Prep is also a licensed and accredited continuing education provider in the state of Florida. For more information on One Exam Prep, visit www.1examprep.com or on social media at facebook.com/1examprep and youtube.com/c/1examprep

About ProBility Media Corp.

ProBility Media Corp. is an industrial education and training technology company headquartered in Coconut Creek, Florida, offering education online and in person programs including training in a variety of vocational industries. ProBility is executing a disruptive strategy of defragmenting the education and training market place by offering high quality training courses and materials to prepare the workforce for excellence. ProBility services customers from the individual to the small business to the enterprise level corporation. For more information, visit http://www.probilitymedia.com .

Forward-Looking Statements

This Press Release may contain certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements reflect the Company's current beliefs and are based upon information currently available to it. Accordingly, such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause the Company's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or advise in the event of any change, addition or alteration to the information included in this Press Release including such forward-looking statements, except as required by federal securities laws.

SOURCE Probility Media Corp.

Related Links

http://www.ProBilityMedia.com


O'Neill Vintners & Distillers receives the Seventh Annual Sustainable Winegrowing California Green Medal Leader Award. Tweet this

O'Neill's sustainability efforts instill the importance of green initiatives and environmental justice. These are ongoing to minimize waste, reduce their carbon footprint, and protect the environment. In 2020, O'Neill installed BioFiltro's largest worm powered winery wastewater system in the world at its Parlier winery facility, capable of filtering more than one million gallons of wastewater per day. They also launched a regenerative viticulture study at O'Neill-owned Robert Hall Winery in Paso Robles, a three-year comparative research program led by Caine Thompson, O'Neill Vintners & Distillers' Sustainability Lead. The study will enhance biodiversity and minimize environmental impact while informing regenerative farming practices and carbon sequestration that others can replicate.

O'Neill's commitment also includes employee and community wellbeing, reinforced by the diversity and inclusion statement further promoting their mission of hiring and maintaining a diverse workforce. This mission extends to the wine industry at large and supports the future development of a diverse workforce with two four-year college room and board Charles Woodson & O'Neill Family Scholarships and internship opportunities to advance BIPOC representation.

In addition, O'Neill is also working with the larger agricultural community by supporting more than 200 California grape growers under contract  which are responsible for 15,000 planted acres  to become sustainably certified. The goal is to source 100% sustainably farmed fruit by the end of 2022, and O'Neill is 85% there.

"Our work doesn't end with this recognition," said Jeff O'Neill. "It is just getting started."

The Green Medal Leader Award is in an elite class of recognition and is given to the vineyard or winery that excels in the three "E's" of sustainability. The Wine Institute issued awards in four categories this year: Leader, Environment, Community and Business. Learn about the 2021 winners and their efforts in sustainability at greenmedal.org/2021-green-medal-award-winners/ .

More information about the Wine Institute and Seventh Annual California Green Medal Awards can be found at www.greenmedal.org .

About O'Neill Vintners & Distillers

O'Neill Vintners & Distillers was founded in 2004 by industry veteran and entrepreneur Jeff O'Neill. The vertically integrated winery is one of the fastest-growing wineries in California with a reputation for producing premium-quality wines from the North Coast, Central Coast, and Central Valley. The company's national brands portfolio includes Line 39, Robert Hall, Harken, Day Owl Rose, Game Box, Rabble and Charles Woodson's Intercept. For more information, please visit www.ONeillWine.com .

SOURCE ONeill Vintners & Distillers

Related Links

http://www.oneillwine.com


AUSTIN, Texas, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With new authorizations, Oracle is making more cloud services available to customers in its US Government regions. Specifically, Oracle has attained FedRAMP High Provisional Authority to Operate (P-ATO) from the Joint Authorization Board (JAB) and Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Impact Level 5 (IL5) accreditation for IaaS and PaaS, which include an extended set of cloud services for government customers to leverage, including Oracle Digital Assistant and Oracle Cloud VMware Solution, to boost efficiency without straining budgets or compromising security.

Oracle Digital Assistant can help government offices address citizen questions and concerns in real-time using conversational interfaces for web-based or mobile cloud and on-premises applications. The Oracle Cloud VMware Solution gives customers control to extend or migrate existing virtualized on-premises environments to the cloud using familiar VMware tools. The solution delivers FedRAMP High security, predictable costs, and a single source for technical support along with clear authority over systems control.

"Oracle continues to double-down on our commitment to equip government customers with innovative, highly secure, high-performing cloud services," said Rand Waldron, VP Global Government, Oracle. "With the addition of Oracle Digital Assistant and Oracle Cloud VMWare Solution into OCI government regions, the U.S. DoD and other federal customers can unlock innovation in the cloud with the peace of mind that these tools meet the high levels of compliance and security standards. We look forward to expanding our cloud offerings to support the mission and purpose of U.S. government agencies."

Expanded services for better efficiency, productivity and cost-savings

The following cloud services are also now included in the list of services covered by the FedRAMP High JAB-ATO and the DISA IL5 accreditation: API Gateway; Oracle Cloud Functions; Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Data Flow and Data Science Platform; Data Transfer Services; Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Email Delivery; Secrets in Vault; Oracle Cloud Infrastructure Cloud Shell and Oracle Cloud Marketplace. Other recently accredited features include: File Storage Service; Oracle Resource Manager (Orchestration); Announcements; Terraform Provider; Oracle Kubernetes Engine; UX/YUM Repo; Notification Service; Events Service; Streaming Service; OCI Registry (OCIR); OCI Monitoring; Autoscaling; Compute Monitoring; Private Endpoints; and Metering and Usage Reports.

FedRAMP is the federal government program that sets the standard for assessing, authorizing, and monitoring cloud systems' security. Similarly, DISA offers a variety of compliance and security assessments to accredit cloud systems for use by DoD and federal organizations. By attaining accreditations from both FedRAMP and DISA, Oracle's government customers can be assured that Oracle's cloud offerings have been thoroughly reviewed and approved by leading technology officials.

To attain these accreditations, Oracle utilized an accredited Third-Party Assessment Organization to complete a readiness assessment of the cloud service offerings for the authorization process. The service offerings were then reviewed by technical representatives from DISA for Impact Level 5 accreditation; and by the FedRAMP's Joint Advisory Board  comprised of technical reviewers from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Department of Defense (DoD), and General Services Administration (GSA)  for FedRAMP High authorization.

About Oracle

Oracle offers integrated suites of applications plus secure, autonomous infrastructure in the Oracle Cloud. For more information about Oracle (NYSE: ORCL), please visit us at oracle.com.

Trademarks

Oracle, Java, and MySQL are registered trademarks of Oracle Corporation.

SOURCE Oracle

Related Links

www.oracle.com


MILWAUKEE, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Affiliates of Phoenix Investors ("Phoenix"), a national private commercial real estate firm headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, recently announced the acquisition of two industrial properties that have expanded its Portfolio to 40 million square feet across 23 states. The subject properties are located at 2500 Hwy 6 East in Iowa City, IA and 2850 Gainesville Hwy in Alto, GA.

The property in Iowa City, Iowa consists of a manufacturing and distribution center amounting to approximately 364,000 square feet on just over 20 acres. Phoenix acquired the property from International Automotive Components, who originally used the facility for manufacturing of various automotive parts. Featuring 50' x 40' column spacing, 19 loading docks, 3 drive-in doors, ample restrooms, and clear heights ranging from 25' to 37', the bones of the property are well-positioned for new tenants. Phoenix's Iowa Portfolio now exceeds 2 million square feet.

The property in Alto, Georgia encompasses over 640,000 square feet and is composed of 2 buildings on over 106 acres. Mount Vernon Mills, Inc. announced the closure of the plant in 2020. The Alto facility includes multiple cranes, 7 " concrete floors, and abundant power. Phoenix will renovate and reposition the property to support multi-tenant occupancy.

"The timing of Phoenix bringing new life to the former Mount Vernon Mills facility is perfect," said Rope Roberts, Economic Development Manager at Georgia Power Company. "There are many suppliers to SK Innovation in Commerce who are constantly looking for buildings near the facility. The Mount Vernon complex will be a much-needed addition to the building inventory in the northeast Georgia region".

"We are excited to add these properties and locations to our growing industrial portfolio," said Anthony Crivello, Executive Vice President of Phoenix. "We continue to see strong demand for repurposed industrial space across our markets, and these properties will give our leasing team more options to fill organic demand. Many thanks to our remarkable team and partners for this continued success."

About Phoenix Investors

Phoenix Investors is a national commercial real estate firm based in Milwaukee, WI whose core business is the revitalization of former manufacturing facilities throughout the United States. This strategy leads to positively transforming communities and restarting the economic engine in the communities we serve.

Phoenix's affiliate companies hold interests in industrial, retail, office, and single tenant net-leased properties in approximately 40 million square feet, spanning 23 states. NREI's most recent survey ranked Phoenix Investors as having the 28th largest total industrial real estate portfolio in the United States. Today, Phoenix principally specializes in the renovation and repositioning of large, former single tenant industrial facilities throughout the United States that were previously owned by major corporate clients, REITs, or financial institutions.

For more information, please visit https://phoenixinvestors.com.

SOURCE Phoenix Investors

Related Links

http://www.phoenixinvestors.com


NEW YORK, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

The Post-Merger Integration Consulting Services, prices will increase by 3%-5% during the forecast period and suppliers will have a moderate bargaining power in this market. Ernst & Young Global Ltd., Bain & Company Inc., Boston Consulting Group Inc. and Grant Thornton International Ltd. are among the prominent suppliers in post-merger integration consulting services market.

Post-Merger Integration Consulting Services Market Procurement Research Report

Get a Free Access to All This Market's Trends and Drivers

Post-Merger Integration Consulting Services Procurement report explains key category management objectives that should form the base for sourcing strategy, including:

Top-line growth

Scalability of inputs

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

Minimalization of ad hoc purchases

Green initiatives

Sign Up for a Sample Post-Merger Integration Consulting Services Procurement Market Report: www.spendedge.com/report/post-merger-integration-consulting-services-sourcing-and-procurement-intelligence-report

This report evaluates suppliers based on industry expertise, integration tools and methodologies, category pricing, and recognition and credibility. In addition, suppliers are also shortlisted based on business needs, operational requirements, technical specifications, security compliance, regulatory mandates, legal requirements, quality control, change management procedures, pricing models, penalty clauses, SLA nuances, evaluation criteria, and working environment.

Related Reports on Financial Services Include:

Business Modelling Services - Forecast and Analysis : The business modelling services will grow at a CAGR of 9.00% during 2021-2025 . This report offers key advisory and intelligence to help buyers identify and shortlist the most suitable suppliers for their business modelling services requirements.

The business modelling services will grow at a . This report offers key advisory and intelligence to help buyers identify and shortlist the most suitable suppliers for their business modelling services requirements. Equity Research Services Sourcing and Procurement Report : This report evaluates suppliers based on credibility and customer testimonial, data security capability, fees/pricing quotes, and investment-advisory capability.

This report evaluates suppliers based on credibility and customer testimonial, data security capability, fees/pricing quotes, and investment-advisory capability. Financial Modelling Services - Sourcing and Procurement Intelligence Report: The financial modelling services will grow at a CAGR of 5.02% during 2021-2025. Prices will increase by 4%-8% during the forecast period and suppliers will have a moderate bargaining power in this market.

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

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
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- PrairieCare, a Twin Cities-based psychiatric health care organization dedicated to providing mental health care for children, adolescents and adults is announcing a major expansion of its inpatient psychiatric care. This expansion comes as the Minnesota Legislature passed sweeping legislation on June 29 that waived the hospital bed moratorium and public interest review process for hospitals to add both mental health and substance use disorder beds.

The expansion of 30 hospital beds for children and adolescents (under the age of 21) will accommodate an additional 1,200 patients annually, marking the largest increase of psychiatric beds for youth in Minnesota in many decades. PrairieCare plans to expand its existing hospital in Brooklyn Park, and construction is expected to be completed in 2022.

"The lack of beds available in Minnesota for children and adolescents needing immediate mental health care has become a crisis," said Todd Archbold, CEO of PrairieCare. "Many patients including children and teens in psychiatric crisis end up in emergency rooms, and often board for days at a time waiting for an available psychiatric bed. That should not be happening."

Minnesota ranks amongst the lowest in the nation for psychiatric beds per capita, a number that has only decreased in the last few decades. PrairieCare is in the unique position to be able to act quickly to add much-needed beds due to their 100% focus on mental health care.

PrairieCare currently operates a 71-bed psychiatric hospital in Brooklyn Park and is one of the nation's most innovative, fastest-growing psychiatric health systems, caring for nearly 20,000 individuals each year across its full continuum of psychiatric services.

"The demand for psychiatric services is greater than ever, and there are few health systems that offer critical inpatient services," said Archbold. "Our hospital operates at near full capacity most of the year, and this expansion will help us care for many people who are not getting the care they need when they need it."

Although PrairieCare is the fastest-growing provider of psychiatric services in the state, much more still needs to be done to meet the need and prioritize shorter wait times for mental health treatment. This expansion will help save the lives of many with severe mental illnesses. Efforts for prevention and the early identification of mental illnesses in schools and primary care settings are also crucial to reducing negative implications later in life.

About PrairieCare

PrairieCare is one of the nation's most innovative, fastest-growing psychiatric health systems, offering psychiatric services for all ages, including free mental health assessments, clinic services, intensive outpatient programs (IOP), partial hospital programs (PHP) and residential services. For more information about services offered, visit www.prairie-care.com or call 952-826-8475.

Contact: Robin Stinnett

[email protected]

612.695.5647

SOURCE PrairieCare

Related Links

https://www.prairie-care.com


"We are pleased to report that Morningstar is demonstrating a strong pattern of success in accelerating and expanding its in-network status over the past several months," said Douglas S. Harrington, M.D., Executive Chairman of Predictive Health Diagnostics Company, and Morningstar Laboratory Director. "Being part of a broad provider network is important because it makes our diagnostic tests more accessible and affordable to large numbers of physicians and patients. For example, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Texas recently accepted Morningstar in network. BCBS TX is the largest provider of health benefits in the state, working with approximately 80,000 healthcare practitioners and 500 hospitals, and serving 5 million members in all counties."

Morningstar's network of participating providers has expanded significantly, due in large part to accelerating demand and utilization of PHDC's PULS Cardiac Test and DIABETESpredict in healthcare settings nationwide. A distribution milestone for PHDC was reached recently with the placement of the 120,000th physician order of the PULS Cardiac Test, a reflection of growing awareness of the unique ability for the specialty diagnostic test to save lives for the more than 120 million Americans afflicted with cardiac disease. PHDC announced the North American launch of its second diagnostic test, DIABETESpredict, earlier this month. These tests are the only ones of their kind, respectively, that can identify asymptomatic patients at risk of a heart attack who are missed by current standard methodologies (PULS Cardiac Test), and that can identify type 2 diabetes risk before symptoms or abnormal lab results are discovered (DIABETESpredict).

Commenting on Morningstar's accreditation by CAP, Harrington explained, "CAP observes a high number of specialty-specific quality standards, and, coupled with our CLIA compliance, shows that our laboratories meet and exceed the highest standards of quality."

According to the College of American Pathologists, CAP-accredited laboratories around the world demonstrate excellence in patient care and confidence in laboratory practices. To help laboratories maintain high-quality standards for patients, CAP's accreditation program monitors proficiency testing results for 83 CLIA-regulated analytes, plus more than 300 analytes specially chosen by pathologists for their clinical utility and medical relevance.

About Predictive Health Diagnostics Company

Predictive Health Diagnostics Company (PHDC) is a leading specialty diagnostics development platform company that develops, manufactures, and distributes unique medical tests combining science, technology, and proprietary analytics to detect high-risk diseases with significant unmet medical needs. The Company's PULS Cardiac Test, marketed in the U.S., the Middle East, Asia, and Canada, identifies asymptomatic patients at risk of a heart attack who are missed by the current standard of care, and its DIABETESpredict test, distributed throughout North America, identifies genetic risk of type 2 diabetes before symptoms or abnormal lab results are discovered, and provides in depth information to those already diagnosed. PHDC's laboratory information systems use data from multiple sources including proteomics, genetics, metabolics, biochemistry, phenotype, and imaging to address among the most challenging clinical problems. Morningstar Laboratories, a PHDC company, is a Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA)-certified and College of American Pathologists (CAP)-accredited laboratory offering comprehensive and customized services based on Good Laboratory Practice (GLP) and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) regulations and ISO 15189 standards. To learn more, visit PHDC at phdiagnostics.com, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, our industry, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. We caution you therefore against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance.

Any forward-looking statement made by us in this document speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Factors or events that could cause our actual results to differ may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of them. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as may be required by law.

SOURCE Predictive Health Diagnostics Company
With 5G V2X transmission technology, unnecessary suspending is avoided by the interactions between vehicle and traffic light. Just like the victory of ALPHA GO, upon variety of radars embedded inside vehicle, Xiaoyu 2.0 is the perfect delivery of computing strategy, braking distance, timing and smoothness.

Xiaoyu 2.0 has adopted a full stack solution for both software and hardware, which greatly facilitates its powerful autonomous driving in order to fulfill complicated needs of all-weather transportation. Xiaoyu 2.0 does not rely on infrastructure but by single vehicle intelligence, over 500 TOPS computing power embedded allows Xiaoyu 2.0 to realize superb and smooth operation.

Xiaoyu has a futuristic look inspired by spacecraft. Engineering and aesthetic factors are smartly reconciled by excessive size porthole and the mapping of laser radar and lens.

Xiaoyu 2.0 has entered the stage of massive distribution in Guangzhou, Nanjing, Sansha, Changsha and Zhengzhou. The implementation has been over 700 days, reaching 360 thousand trips and 7.1 million kilometers of operations for open roads. Xiaoyu 2.0 is also China's first autonomous bus which is introduced into tarmac test in Changsha airport.

Yutong may be the earlier player in the field of new energy and internet of intelligence. As of now, Yutong has firmly mastered five essential technologies including integrated perception, decision and planning, execution parameters, on-bus super computing platform and cloud control platform. In 2020, Yutong put great efforts to build up its finest engineering team of autonomous driving in the world, which directly resulted in the best performance of Xiaoyu 2.0.

In 2020, the release of intelligent traffic brand WitGo also became the real solution for city-level traffic problems. WitGo could perfectly support the entirety of public traffic with smart vehicles, intelligent roads, unmanned terminals, autonomous charging system, intelligent bus stop and cloud control platform. Yutong therefore can gain better momentum on intelligent and autonomous driving in the new era of 5G.

Looking ahead, autonomous driving is the development trend of the vehicle industry. Yutong shall truly promote the realization of intelligent traffic through Xiaoyu 2.0, which has undoubtedly re-defined autonomous bus. With the development over 50 years in public transportation sector, the essential technology accumulation, especially in the R&D of new energy buses, the early layout of intelligent driving, as well as the all-round commercial operation, Yutong has been taking leading position in the industry worldwide.

Contacts:

https://en.yutong.com/

Sophia Zhang

[email protected]

+86 371 66733498

SOURCE Yutong
STAMFORD, Conn., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ReneSola Ltd ("ReneSola Power" or the "Company") (www.renesolapower.com) (NYSE: SOL), a leading fully integrated global solar project developer, today announced that it was awarded 29 solar utility projects with capacity of 1 MW for each and 1 larger-scale utility project with a capacity of 4 MW.

All of these 30 projects are under Poland's Contract for Difference (CFD) regime and eligible for a 15-year guaranteed tariff. Our winning bid price averaged approximately USD $58/MWh for the 4 MW project and USD$ 61/MWh for the 1MW projects. The projects are expected to be connected to the grid within the next two years.

The Energy Regulation Office in Poland held the country's latest round of solar power auction on June 8th and 11th, 2021.

Mr. Josef Kastner, CEO of ReneSola Power's European Region, commented, "We are excited to once again secure the utility projects in Poland. Importantly, our team continues to execute on our strategy, and this win is a testament to our expertise in delivering reliable, cost-competitive distributed power to serve the growing energy demand in the region."

Mr. Yumin Liu, Chief Executive Officer of ReneSola Power, added, "Poland remains a key market for us, and we again demonstrate our leading position in Poland and other European markets. Over the last several years, we have made solid progress in expanding our project portfolio in the country. We are proud of our team's execution, and we look forward to further supporting solar deployment in Poland and other European markets."

About ReneSola Power

ReneSola Power (NYSE: SOL) is a leading global solar project developer and operator. The Company focuses on solar power project development, construction management and project financing services. With local professional teams in more than 10 countries around the world, the business is spread across a number of regions where the solar power project markets are growing rapidly, and can sustain that growth due to improved clarity around government policies. The Company's strategy is to pursue high-margin project development opportunities in these profitable and growing markets; specifically, in the U.S. and Europe, where the Company has a market-leading position in several geographies, including Poland, Hungary, Minnesota and New York.

SOURCE ReneSola Ltd.

Related Links

http://www.renesolapower.com


COLLEGE PARK, Md., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- What do people really think of you? Big brands are always trying to find the answer to that question. Now a new method from researchers at the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business makes getting a read on consumer sentiment easier and more accurate than ever.

Maryland Smith's Kunpeng Zhang and Wendy W. Moe have created a new machine-learning algorithm that can sort through social media posts to understand how consumers perceive particular brands. And while social media monitoring isn't new  brands have been doing this for many years  Moe and Zhang's method can comb through more data and better measure favorability.

Zhang, an assistant professor of decisions, operations and information technologies, and Moe, Dean's Professor of Marketing, associate dean of master's programs and co-director of the Smith Analytics Consortium, detail their new algorithm in " Measuring Brand Favorability Using Large-Scale Social Media Data " forthcoming in Information Systems Research.

So why is Zhang and Moe's algorithm better than what brands are already doing? Their method sifts through data from social media posts on a brand's Facebook page  including how many people have expressed positive sentiments, negative sentiments, "liked" something, shared something  to predict how people will feel about that brand in the future.

"There is a vast amount of social media data available to help brands better understand their customers, but it has been underutilized in part because the methods used to monitor and analyze the data have been flawed," Moe says. "Our research addresses some of the shortcomings and provides a tool for companies to more accurately gauge how consumers perceive their brands."

Zhang and Moe compared their algorithm's findings against survey data of 100 brands from 2015, 2016 and 2017 to verify how well it works. In the past, brand managers had to rely on consumer surveys to monitor a brand's perception, a time-consuming and expensive endeavor that became outdated before the surveys could even be analyzed.

"Consumer surveys have several shortcomings," says Zhang. "They involve a big investment of money and time. And the results are static, not dynamic  they are not timely. Plus, you have to design different surveys for different types of brands."

"For our method, we only rely on publicly available social media data and it's dynamic  we can update this data as time goes on," he says.

Another huge boon for Zhang and Moe's new method: Scalability. "None of the statistical models can handle such large datasets," says Zhang. "We have billions of pages of user-brand interaction data and we can include millions of users on social media."

Zhang and Moe collected and examined Facebook data for more than 3,300 brands and about 205 million unique users that interacted with those brands via their Facebook brand pages. Their dataset was immense, containing 6.68 billion likes and full text for more than 1 billion user comments, creating a sizable challenge for any statistical modeling effort. But they managed to do so with a framework  using a technology called a block-based MCMC sampling technique  that can be implemented by any brand to more accurately measure consumer opinions using social media data.

Their algorithm looks at users' interactions with brands to measure favorability  whether people view that brand in a positive or negative way. The researchers' method takes into account user biases commonly displayed on social media. The algorithm can infer brand favorability and measure social media users' positivity, based on their comments in the user-brand interaction data. When a positive person sees a favorable brand, they are more likely to provide a positive comment. The converse is also true: a negative person is more likely to give a negative comment.

Brands can use the algorithm with various social media platforms  Facebook, Twitter, Instagram  as long as the platform provides user-brand interaction data and allows users to comment, to share and to like content, says Zhang. The researchers don't use private information, like user demographics, and rely only on user-brand publicly available interaction data.

"User engagement with your brand, plus user engagement with other brands, is publicly available on Facebook and other social media platforms," Zhang says. "As a brand manager, you can collect this data, then use our algorithm, which can provide you with the dynamic brand favorability."

It's as simple as brands taking the new algorithm and incorporating it into the social media monitoring many are already doing. Collecting this information is critical for brands, say the researchers.

"A brand needs to monitor the health of their brand dynamically," says Zhang. "Then they can change marketing strategy to impact their brand favorability or better respond to competitors. They can better see their current location in the market in terms of their brand favorability. That can guide a brand to change marketing strategies."

Go to Smith Brain Trust for related content at http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu/faculty-research/smithbraintrust and follow on Twitter @SmithBrainTrust .

About the University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

The Robert H. Smith School of Business is an internationally recognized leader in management education and research. One of 12 colleges and schools at the University of Maryland, College Park, the Smith School offers undergraduate, full-time and part-time MBA, executive MBA, online MBA, specialty masters, PhD and executive education programs, as well as outreach services to the corporate community. The school offers its degree, custom and certification programs in learning locations in North America and Asia.

Contact: Greg Muraski at [email protected] .

SOURCE University of Maryland's Robert H. Smith School of Business

Related Links

http://www.rhsmith.umd.edu


BETHESDA, Md., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- RLJ Equity Partners ("RLJ") announced today it has partnered with LP First Capital ("LPFC"), a private investment firm based in Austin, TX, to recapitalize three companies to create Flow Service Partners ("Flow" or the "Company"), a leading provider of essential services including heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration ("HVACR") and plumbing services in Florida and Indiana. Financial terms of the transactions were not disclosed.

Headquartered in Nashville, TN, Flow focuses on maintenance, repair, replacement/retrofit, and installation services to commercial customers primarily. Flow has three locations across two states and employs approximately 230 people.

"Flow provides critical services to its customers and has differentiated leadership positions in its markets," said Nigel Howard, Managing Director at RLJ, who will become Chairman of the Board of Directors. "We look forward to supporting the Flow team in its long-term strategy of executing add-on acquisitions, adding scale, and building a leading commercial HVACR and plumbing platform in the U.S."

"We are extremely excited to pursue a roll-up in the commercial HVACR and plumbing industries," said Thomas Ince, Managing Director at LPFC, who will also join the Board of Directors. "We have a well-developed thesis focused primarily on Southeast markets and believe we have partnered with three great businesses to create a differentiated leader in our served markets."

"We are very pleased to partner with the three companies making up our initial platform," said Michael Epperson, President & CEO, who will also join the Board of Directors. "With the support of RLJ and LPFC, we will continue to invest in the growth of the team and platform, and positively impact our customers, partners and communities."

RLJ provided the controlling equity for the transaction. Brookside Capital Partners provided the transaction debt and equity co-investment to help facilitate the transaction. DLA Piper LLP and McGuireWoods LLP served as legal advisors and CohnReznick LLP served as financial advisor to RLJ and LPFC. Priority Business Brokers served as an advisor to the selling shareholders of the three acquired companies.

RLJ and LPFC are actively seeking to partner with additional HVACR and plumbing businesses primarily in the Southeast. If you're aware of HVACR and plumbing businesses that are looking for a financial/strategic partner to enable future growth, please contact us.

About RLJ Equity Partners ("RLJ"): Headquartered in Bethesda, MD, RLJ Equity Partners is a middle-market private equity firm with approximately $440 million in capital under management focused on generating long-term capital appreciation by investing in profitable and growing businesses led by strong management teams. Founded in 2006 by Robert L. Johnson, RLJ originates and invests in traditional buyouts and leveraged recapitalizations. RLJ Equity Partners is a portfolio company of The RLJ Companies. For more information, please visit www.rljequitypartners.com.

About LP First Capital ("LPFC"): Headquartered in Austin, TX, LP First Capital is a lower middle-market private equity firm focused on the healthcare, business services and education industries. LPFC specializes in growth capital, platform roll-ups, buyouts, and recapitalizations. LPFC's sweet spot is to partner with founder-led or family businesses and help them scale to the next level by providing industry operational expertise and the right capital structure. For more information, please visit www.lpfirstcapital.com.

About Flow Service Partners ("Flow"): Headquartered in Nashville, TN, is a provider of heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration ("HVACR") and plumbing services, including maintenance, repair, replacement/retrofit and installation services. Flow has three locations in Florida and Indiana and has approximately 230 employees. For more information, please visit www.flowservice.com.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

RLJ EQUITY PARTNERS

Nigel Howard, Managing Director, (240) 744-7835, [email protected]

LP FIRST CAPITAL

Thomas Ince, Managing Director, (512) 826-7355, [email protected]

FLOW SERVICE PARTNERS

Michael Epperson, President & CEO, (502) 558-1264, [email protected]

SOURCE RLJ Equity Partners, LLC

Related Links

http://www.rljequitypartners.com


NEW YORK, June 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ --

WHY: Rosen Law Firm, a global investor rights law firm, reminds purchasers of the securities of Washington Prime Group Inc. (NYSE: WPG) between November 5, 2020 and March 4, 2021, inclusive (the "Class Period"), of the important July 23, 2021 lead plaintiff deadline.

SO WHAT: If you purchased Washington Prime Group securities during the Class Period you may be entitled to compensation without payment of any out of pocket fees or costs through a contingency fee arrangement.

WHAT TO DO NEXT: To join the Washington Prime Group class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2102.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action. A class action lawsuit has already been filed. If you wish to serve as lead plaintiff, you must move the Court no later than July 23, 2021. A lead plaintiff is a representative party acting on behalf of other class members in directing the litigation.

WHY ROSEN LAW: We encourage investors to select qualified counsel with a track record of success in leadership roles. Often, firms issuing notices do not have comparable experience or resources. The Rosen Law Firm represents investors throughout the globe, concentrating its practice in securities class actions and shareholder derivative litigation. Rosen Law Firm has achieved the largest ever securities class action settlement against a Chinese Company. Rosen Law Firm was Ranked No. 1 by ISS Securities Class Action Services for number of securities class action settlements in 2017. The firm has been ranked in the top 4 each year since 2013 and has recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for investors. In 2019 alone the firm secured over $438 million for investors. In 2020, founding partner Laurence Rosen was named by law360 as a Titan of Plaintiffs' Bar. Many of the firm's attorneys have been recognized by Lawdragon and Super Lawyers.

DETAILS OF THE CASE: According to the lawsuit, defendants throughout the Class Period made false and/or misleading statements and/or failed to disclose that: (1) Washington Prime Group's financial condition was deteriorating substantially; (2) as a result, there was substantial uncertainty about the Company's ability to meet its capital structure obligations as they became due; and (3) as a result of the foregoing, defendants' positive statements about Washington Prime Group's business, operations, and prospects were materially misleading and/or lacked a reasonable basis. When the true details entered the market, the lawsuit claims that investors suffered damages.

To join the Washington Prime Group class action, go to http://www.rosenlegal.com/cases-register-2102.html or call Phillip Kim, Esq. toll-free at 866-767-3653 or email [email protected] or [email protected] for information on the class action.

No Class Has Been Certified. Until a class is certified, you are not represented by counsel unless you retain one. You may select counsel of your choice. You may also remain an absent class member and do nothing at this point. An investor's ability to share in any potential future recovery is not dependent upon serving as lead plaintiff.

Follow us for updates on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-rosen-law-firm, on Twitter: https://twitter.com/rosen_firm or on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rosenlawfirm/.

Attorney Advertising. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Contact Information:

Laurence Rosen, Esq.

Phillip Kim, Esq.

The Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

275 Madison Avenue, 40th Floor

New York, NY 10016

Tel: (212) 686-1060

Toll Free: (866) 767-3653

Fax: (212) 202-3827

[email protected]

[email protected]

[email protected]

www.rosenlegal.com

SOURCE Rosen Law Firm, P.A.

Related Links

www.rosenlegal.com


FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., June 29th, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Two unvaccinated travelers recently tested positive for COVID-19 on a Royal Caribbean cruise. Just a few days later, Royal Caribbean announced it will now require unvaccinated guests over the age of 12 to provide proof of travel insurance for all Florida cruise departures between August 1, 2021 - December 31, 2021. Even if cruisers are vaccinated, having a travel insurance policy provides extreme peace of mind when planning your long-awaited cruise.

The experts at Yonder Travel Insurance (insureyonder.com) provide advice as to what to look for in a cruise travel insurance policy:

Insurable Trip Expenses

Most travel insurance policies offered by cruise lines only protect the nonrefundable cost of your cruise. Other nonrefundable trip expenses such as your airfare, excursions or additional accommodation expenses are not insurable under a cruise line travel insurance policy. By purchasing a comprehensive policy through a travel insurance comparison site like Yonder , you may insure all nonrefundable trip expenses under one travel insurance policy.

Trip Cancellation List of Covered Events

When looking at a travel insurance certificate, the first benefit highlighted is often a list of covered trip cancellation events. In a previous study of airline and cruise line insurance policies , it became very apparent that cruise line policies have a substantially smaller list of covered events for trip cancellation.

"We've seen cruise line policies with as little as 5 reasons to cancel," says Beckah Morris, Operations Manager at Yonder Travel Insurance. "A comprehensive policy bought elsewhere includes 20-30 covered trip cancellation events on average."

In addition, Cancel for Any Reason has seen a dramatic increase in popularity this past year due to pandemic exclusions. Yet, with cruise line policies, Cancel for Any Reason will likely result in a future cruise credit instead of a cash refund.

Medical Expense Limits

Medical treatment or an emergency medical evacuation from a cruise ship can quickly add up. Royal Caribbean is now requiring unvaccinated travelers to provide proof of insurance with a medical limit of $25,000 and a medical evacuation limit of $50,000, common minimum limits on a standard comprehensive travel insurance policy.

The experts at Yonder Travel Insurance have poured over hundreds of policies from the best travel insurance providers in the US to provide the best travel insurance recommendation for how YOU travel. Run a quick quote and compare travel insurance policies for your next trip using our instant quote tool . Yonder donates meals to vulnerable children in need with each policy sold so you can travel well, and do well, when you go Yonder.

Contact:

Beckah Morris, Marketing Manager

(855-358-6433)

[email protected]

SOURCE Yonder Travel Insurance

Related Links

http://www.insureyonder.com


LOS ANGELES, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Did you know, the first tomatoes in Europe may originally have been yellow and they were called 'pomo d'oro, meaning golden apple? Could this be where the Italian word "pomodoro" came from? It's possible; and though today tomatoes come in rich red hues, they still grow in golden tones too.

At the Greatest Tomatoes from Europe, we love everything about tomatoes: bursting with flavor they are rich in antioxidants, vitamins and minerals, with no additives or salt added.
LOS ANGELES, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SESAC Latina is honored to recognize the success of its composers and publishers with its annual music awards, which were given to almost 40 songs. For the first time in the awards history, the top awards for the SESAC LATINA MUSIC AWARDS were presented in two categories: Regional Mexican and Pop / Latin Rhythm.

The list of winners is headed by Eden Munoz, who won his second award for Songwriter of the Year - Regional Mexican, after topping the charts this year with songs such as "Barquillero," "Solo Tu," "Cerrando Ciclos" and "Esta Vez Soy Yo," which were also recognized with SESAC Latina Performance Awards. Manuel Turizo also tops the list, winning the award for Songwriter of the Year - Pop / Latin Rhythm for the first time. Turizo has been making noise with his songs "TBT" and "Quiereme Mientras Se Pueda," "Te Quemaste," "Pegao," "La Nota" and "No Encuentro Palabras," which were all recognized with SESAC Latina Performance Awards.

"There is no doubt that music makes our world a better place to enjoy life, helping us overcome any difficult situation like the one we are facing now," said Celeste Zendejas, vice president of SESAC Latina. "And what better opportunity to celebrate those who with their love, passion, talent, and dedication create this beautiful feeling that we call music. Thanks to all our songwriters for capturing all their experiences and feelings in each song. Today we honor them by recognizing all the songs that have marked the history of Latin music worldwide during 2020. Congratulations to all the winners!"

"It has been an exciting year in Latin music, and we are proud to celebrate and honor SESAC Latina's songwriters' and publishers' most performed songs," said Sam Kling, senior vice president of creative operations, SESAC Rights Management in an official statement. "Their songs have blended genres, transcended eras, and made their way to non-Spanish speaking audiences in unprecedented ways."

The Song of the Year Award went to Christian Nodal for "Se Me Olvido" in Regional Mexican and Nengo Flow for "Safaera" in Pop / Latin Rhythm.

Dulce Maria Music won the Publisher of the Year Award in Regional Mexican, and for the sixth consecutive year, Sony Sounds in Pop / Latin Rhythm.

The SESAC LATINA MUSIC AWARDS, announced on Wednesday, June 30 through SESAC Latina's social media channels and its official website, have been honoring the best of Latin music for almost three decades.

SESAC Latina proudly congratulates all the winners.

For a complete list of winners, click here.

About SESAC PRO

SESAC Performing Rights Organization is the second oldest PRO in the U.S. It drives efficiency in licensing for music users and enhances value for its affiliated writers, publishers, and composers by providing timely, efficient royalty collection and distribution. SESAC represents over 30,000 songwriters and film composers from a broad range of genres including artists such as Adele, Burna Boy, Christophe Beck, Rosanne Cash, David Crosby, Neil Diamond, Bob Dylan, Lalah Hathaway, Gabriel Mann, Christian Nodal, REM and many more. SESAC is a leader and innovator in music licensing that administers public performance, mechanical, and other rights through SESAC PRO and its affiliates including The Harry Fox Agency, Rumblefish, and Mint Digital Services. SESAC Rights Management has offices in New York, Nashville, Los Angeles, London and Munich.

Media Contact:

Jenna Smith

SESAC Inc.

[email protected]

615.932.7905

SOURCE SESAC Holdings, Inc.

Related Links

www.sesac.com


ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today The New Jersey Board of Public Utilities issued an order giving Atlantic Shores Offshore Wind (Atlantic Shores), the 50-50 joint venture between EDF Renewables North America and Shell New Energies US LLC (Shell), the right to provide clean offshore wind energy to power the state of New Jersey. Through a rigorous bid and selection process, Atlantic Shores won the rights to provide 1.5 gigawatts (GW) of renewable offshore energy, enough energy to power over 700,000 homes.

Subject to a future investment decision, once constructed Atlantic Shores will develop and operate in a lease area located approximately 10-20 miles off the coast of New Jersey between Atlantic City and Barnegat Light. In addition, Atlantic Shores has pledged a range of comprehensive job training, academic, community and manufacturing initiatives to boost the local economy and communities.

"This win by Atlantic Shores progresses Shell's investment in renewable power and the communities we serve," said James Cotter, GM of US Offshore Wind. "Shell remains confident about the future of offshore wind and this latest achievement will help us deliver on our low carbon ambitions and help to provide more of the clean power options that the world needs."

Shell's target is to be a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050, in step with society's progress towards achieving net-zero. As part of the measures to fulfill its targets, Shell is progressing its wind business by building on a foundation of offshore experience and leveraging operational excellence, including safety and cost-efficiency, with positive community and regulatory relationships.

Notes to editors:

Shell's interest with Atlantic Shores is an opportunity to provide offshore wind energy to the northeast United States , which is quickly becoming the nation's leading geography in the pursuit of offshore wind power. New Jersey has set one of the most ambitious Renewable Portfolio Standards in the country by requiring 35% of the energy sold in the state to come from qualifying energy sources by 2025 and 50% by 2030.

, which is quickly becoming the nation's leading geography in the pursuit of offshore wind power. has set one of the most ambitious Renewable Portfolio Standards in the country by requiring 35% of the energy sold in the state to come from qualifying energy sources by 2025 and 50% by 2030. Atlantic Shores is Shell's second significant entry into US offshore wind. In 2018, Mayflower Wind Energy LLC, a joint venture with Shell and Ocean Winds, won leasing rights to submit projects to the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) to provide offshore wind energy to Massachusetts . Once constructed, subject to a future investment decision, the lease area could generate approximately 2 GW of clean electricity each year. Combined, Shell and its partners would provide enough renewable energy to power over 1.2 million homes in the northeast US.

. Once constructed, subject to a future investment decision, the lease area could generate approximately 2 GW of clean electricity each year. Combined, Shell and its partners would provide enough renewable energy to power over 1.2 million homes in the northeast US. On February 11, 2021 , Shell set forth its Powering Progress strategy, including details of how it will achieve its target to be a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050, in step with society's progress as it works towards the Paris Agreement goal of limiting the increase in the average global temperature to 1.5C.

, Shell set forth its Powering Progress strategy, including details of how it will achieve its target to be a net-zero emissions energy business by 2050, in step with society's progress as it works towards the Paris Agreement goal of limiting the increase in the average global temperature to 1.5C. For more details on Shell's Powering Progress strategy, please visit www.shell.com/poweringprogress.

For more details on Shell's climate target, please visit www.shell.com/climatetarget.

Cautionary note



The companies in which Royal Dutch Shell plc directly and indirectly owns investments are separate legal entities. In this press release "Shell", "Shell Group" and "Group" are sometimes used for convenience where references are made to Royal Dutch Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general. Likewise, the words "we", "us" and "our" are also used to refer to Royal Dutch Shell plc and its subsidiaries in general or to those who work for them. These terms are also used where no useful purpose is served by identifying the particular entity or entities. ''Subsidiaries'', "Shell subsidiaries" and "Shell companies" as used in this press release refer to entities over which Royal Dutch Shell plc either directly or indirectly has control. Entities and unincorporated arrangements over which Shell has joint control are generally referred to as "joint ventures" and "joint operations", respectively. Entities over which Shell has significant influence but neither control nor joint control are referred to as "associates". The term "Shell interest" is used for convenience to indicate the direct and/or indirect ownership interest held by Shell in an entity or unincorporated joint arrangement, after exclusion of all third-party interest.

Shell's operating plan, outlook and budgets are forecasted for a ten-year period and are updated every year. They reflect the current economic environment and what we can reasonably expect to see over the next ten years. Accordingly, Shell's operating plans, outlooks, budgets and pricing assumptions do not reflect our net-zero emissions target. In the future, as society moves towards net-zero emissions, we expect Shell's operating plans, outlooks, budgets and pricing assumptions to reflect this movement.

This press release contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of Royal Dutch Shell. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements of future expectations that are based on management's current expectations and assumptions and involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance or events to differ materially from those expressed or implied in these statements. Forward-looking statements include, among other things, statements concerning the potential exposure of Royal Dutch Shell to market risks and statements expressing management's expectations, beliefs, estimates, forecasts, projections and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as "aim", "ambition", ''anticipate'', ''believe'', ''could'', ''estimate'', ''expect'', ''goals'', ''intend'', ''may'', ''objectives'', ''outlook'', ''plan'', ''probably'', ''project'', ''risks'', "schedule", ''seek'', ''should'', ''target'', ''will'' and similar terms and phrases. There are a number of factors that could affect the future operations of Royal Dutch Shell and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements included in this press release, including (without limitation): (a) price fluctuations in crude oil and natural gas; (b) changes in demand for Shell's products; (c) currency fluctuations; (d) drilling and production results; (e) reserves estimates; (f) loss of market share and industry competition; (g) environmental and physical risks; (h) risks associated with the identification of suitable potential acquisition properties and targets, and successful negotiation and completion of such transactions; (i) the risk of doing business in developing countries and countries subject to international sanctions; (j) legislative, fiscal and regulatory developments including regulatory measures addressing climate change; (k) economic and financial market conditions in various countries and regions; (l) political risks, including the risks of expropriation and renegotiation of the terms of contracts with governmental entities, delays or advancements in the approval of projects and delays in the reimbursement for shared costs; (m) risks associated with the impact of pandemics, such as the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak; and (n) changes in trading conditions. No assurance is provided that future dividend payments will match or exceed previous dividend payments. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional risk factors that may affect future results are contained in Royal Dutch Shell's Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2020 (available at www.shell.com/investor and www.sec.gov). These risk factors also expressly qualify all forward-looking statements contained in this press release and should be considered by the reader. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this press release, [June 30, 2021]. Neither Royal Dutch Shell plc nor any of its subsidiaries undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or other information. In light of these risks, results could differ materially from those stated, implied or inferred from the forward-looking statements contained in this press release.

We may have used certain terms, such as resources, in this press release that the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) strictly prohibits us from including in our filings with the SEC. Investors are urged to consider closely the disclosure in our Form 20-F, File No 1-32575, available on the SEC website www.sec.gov.

SOURCE Shell

Related Links

http://www.shell.com


NEW YORK, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SitusAMC Holdings Corp. ("SitusAMC"), a leading provider of innovative, trusted solutions supporting the entire lifecycle of real estate finance, announced that Garry P. Herdler has been appointed Chief Financial Officer, effective June 1, 2021. In his role, Mr. Herdler is responsible for advancement of SitusAMC's processes, systems, funding, and financial strategies globally. Mr. Herdler succeeds Dave DeClark, who is retiring from SitusAMC.

Mr. Herdler has significant finance, operations, and capital markets expertise with over 27 years as a Chief Financial Officer, an investment banker, a CPA/CA, tax advisor and a private equity management consultant in numerous industries. Mr. Herdler has been the Chief Financial Officer of several companies, including one global real estate company, two NYSE-listed companies, and six U.S. private equity-owned companies. He has led companies through growth and high change situations driving operational performance improvement, business integration, IT conversions, M&A, turnarounds and restructuring matters. He has a broad background as CFO in across numerous sectors, including global real estate, homebuilding, multi-channel retail, consumer and health services, manufacturing, and media.

Most recently, Mr. Herdler served as the Administrative Agent's advisor (for a $25Bn+ private equity lending fund) for a non-performing loan to a consumer services firm, and as a consultant to private equity lenders on a business services company restructuring plan. In 2019, Mr. Herdler was the Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of StoneMor Partners L.P., where he was hired to lead a $447.5 million debt/equity recapitalization and cost savings initiatives, then as an operational consultant to implement the identified cost reductions and other restructuring matters. Previously, he was a Senior Director with Alvarez & Marsal Private Equity Performance Improvement Group, LLC in New York, NY. Prior to Alvarez & Marsal, Mr. Herdler was the Chief Financial Officer of QuadReal Property Group, a newly formed global real estate investment, development and management company in Vancouver, Canada. At QuadReal, he led the financial integration of four predecessors; set a global capital strategy and closed the first C$1.2Bn multi-currency credit facility; and helped grow the firm's portfolio from C$19Bn to C$27Bn in 17 countries with 1000+ staff. In addition, Mr. Herdler spent nearly 10 years in investment banking, leveraged finance and equity capital markets at Deutsche Bank Securities, Bankers Trust and CIBC World Markets, where he completed transactions in several industries, including real estate, financial services, and business services. He also previously spent over six years at KPMG in accounting and real estate tax advisory. Mr. Herdler is also on the Board of Directors of a public company, Diversified Royalty Corporation, where he is a Board member, Chair of the Investment Committee, and a member of the Audit Committee.

"We are excited to welcome Garry to the SitusAMC family," stated Michael Franco, Chief Executive Office of SitusAMC. "Garry's proven experience as a financial leader and ability to design and execute strategies that deliver demonstrative value to operations, clients and investors alike will be critical as SitusAMC continues to grow and bring innovative, tech-forward solutions to market. I'd also like to thank Dave DeClark for his dedication in the CFO role and his contribution to the firm."

"I am thrilled to join SitusAMC at such an exciting time in the firm's journey. I look forward to partnering with the SitusAMC team, our board, and investors to support the firm's objectives," said Mr. Herdler. "Ultimately, my aspiration is to help SitusAMC continue to expand, organically and inorganically, and to not only meet but exceed stakeholder expectations."

About SitusAMC

SitusAMC is the leading independent provider of technology, strategic outsourcing, talent and advisory solutions to the commercial and residential real estate finance industries. The company helps clients identify and capture opportunities in their real estate businesses through industry-leading services and innovative technologies that drive operational efficiency, increase business effectiveness, and improve market agility across the entire lifecycle of their global real estate activity. For more information, visit www.situsamc.com.

Press Contact

Andy Garrett

Head of Marketing

[email protected]

SOURCE SitusAMC
OSTERSUND, Sweden, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Skanska has signed a contract with Tarrant County College District (TCCD) to construct new higher education buildings in Fort Worth, Texas, USA. The contract is worth USD 105M, about SEK 880M, which Skanska will include in the US order bookings for the second quarter 2021.

This phase of work includes two new buildings totaling approximately 20,900 square meters. The buildings will include labs, classrooms, common areas, and offices for counselling and financial aid. Additionally, the project includes site work and extensive landscaping surrounding the new buildings.

Construction begins in July 2021. The project is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2023.

Skanska is a world leader in construction and project development in select markets throughout the Nordic region, Europe and USA. Driven by the Group's values, Skanska contributes to a better society by providing innovative and sustainable solutions. The Group has about 32,500 employees, and 2020 revenue totaled SEK 159 billion.

CONTACT:

For further information please contact:

Elizabeth Locke, Communications Director, Skanska USA, tel +1 214 763 52 55

Andreas Joons, Press Officer, Skanska AB, tel +46 (0)10 449 04 94

Direct line for media, tel +46 (0)10 448 88 99

This and previous releases can also be found at www.skanska.com.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/skanska/r/skanska-constructs-higher-education-buildings-in-fort-worth--texas--usa-for-usd-105m--about-sek-880m,c3376606

The following files are available for download:

https://mb.cision.com/Main/95/3376606/1438415.pdf 20210630 US education buildings

SOURCE Skanska
DALLAS, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Southwest Airlines Co. (NYSE: LUV) today announced the promotion of Senior Vice President and Chief Communications Officer Linda Rutherford to Executive Vice President People & Communications, effective immediately. This news follows last week's announcement of Leadership Plans for 2022. Rutherford will succeed Bob Jordan in what was the Executive Vice President Corporate Services role, as he pivots to making the CEO transition as smooth as possible and spending time with Employees across the Company.

Rutherford will report directly to Jordan and will continue to serve as the Chief Communications Officer for the Company. She will continue to oversee Communications & Outreach and Culture & Engagement, while adding Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion (DE&I), People, and Southwest Airlines University to her responsibilities. Reporting to Rutherford in her new role will be Vice President and Chief People Officer Julie Weber, Managing Director Communications & Outreach Laurie Barnett, Managing Director Culture & Engagement Whitney Eichinger, Vice President Southwest Airlines University Elizabeth Bryant, and Director DE&I Raquel Daniels.

Rutherford is approaching 30 years at Southwest after joining the Company in 1992. In recent years, she has helped build enterprise change agility, continued the strategic implementation of programming and incentives aimed at nurturing our Corporate Culture, led Enterprise efforts to develop and implement an Employee Experience roadmap, championed the enterprise social business strategy, devised relevant programming for Employee engagement, and evolved multi-channel communications support system for multiple stakeholders internally and externally. She guided the Company's response effort at the Enterprise level to the COVID-19 pandemic and the death of the Company's beloved Founder Herb Kelleher.

"Linda is an innovative Leader who challenges Southwest to continually evolve how we engage and champion our Employees and Communities, and she consistently delivers on our Southwest Purpose, to connect People to what's important in their lives with friendly, reliable and low-cost air travel," said Bob Jordan, EVP and incoming CEO.

The carrier also announced Leadership changes in Operational and Commercial Departments.

Managing Director Tony Roach is promoted to Vice President Customer Experience & Customer Relations. In February 2021, Customer Relations/Rapid Rewards began reporting to Tony Roach, and Tony's promotion, effective immediately, is indicative of the significant role that Customer Experience has come to play at Southwest Airlines, coupled with the critical role that Customer Relations has played for Southwest for more than 40 years. Roach's focus will be strengthening efforts to improve Customer Satisfaction, mitigating Customer complaints, and addressing Customers' needs proactively. Roach's department will also have an increased focus on partnering with operating Teams to enhance the cabin experience and in airports, building out more self-service for Customers, and managing the enterprise Customer portfolio and Customer Design Team forum. Roach will continue to report to Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Ryan Green.

Anthony Gregory, former Vice President Ground Operations, has accepted a new leadership position outside of Southwest. Southwest is tremendously grateful for his 14 years of service, and the Company wishes him the best on his new endeavor.

Chris Johnson, who was promoted to Vice President Ground Operations in February, will immediately assume responsibility for all of Ground Operations and Provisioning, and will report directly to Senior Vice President Operations & Hospitality, Steve Goldberg. As the airline has added new cities to the Southwest network, Johnson's focus has been on supporting new Stations, Leaders, and Teams. Johnson's experience has no doubt guided him in his journey. He started as a Ramp Agent in Detroit in 1993, and has held Leadership roles as Ramp Supervisor in Columbus, Manager in Orlando, Assistant Station Leader in Oakland, Station Leader in Birmingham, Sacramento, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, Station Director, Senior Station Director, and Senior Director of Labor Relations.

"I am thrilled for Linda, Tony, and Chris as they step into these roles, bringing a combined 78 years of Southwest knowledge and dedicated service to these positions," said Southwest Airlines Chairman and CEO Gary Kelly. "As we move into our next 50 years, we are so fortunate to have such a strong Leadership Team to guide the next chapter of Southwest Airlines."

ABOUT SOUTHWEST AIRLINES CO.

In its 51st year of service, Dallas-based Southwest Airlines Co. continues to differentiate itself from other air carriers with exemplary Customer Service delivered by more than 56,000 Employees to a Customer base that topped 130 million Passengers in 2019. Southwest has a robust network of point-to-point service with a strong presence across top leisure and business markets. In peak travel seasons during 2019, Southwest operated more than 4,000 weekday departures among a network of 101 destinations in the United States and 10 additional countries. In 2020, the carrier added service to Hilo, Hawaii; Cozumel, Mexico; Miami; Palm Springs, Calif.; Steamboat Springs; and Montrose (Telluride/Crested Butte), Colo. Thus far in 2021, Southwest has initiated service to Chicago (O'Hare) and Sarasota/ Bradenton, both on Feb. 14; Savannah/Hilton Head and Colorado Springs, Colo., both on March 11; Houston (Bush) and Santa Barbara, Calif., both on April 12; Fresno, Calif., on April 25; Destin/Fort Walton Beach on May 6; Myrtle Beach S.C., on May 23; Bozeman, Mont., on May 27; and Jackson, Miss., on June 6. The airline will begin service to Eugene, Ore., on Aug. 29; Bellingham, Wash., on Nov. 7; and Syracuse, NY, on Nov. 14.

The carrier issued its Southwest Promise in May 2020 to highlight new and round-the-clock efforts to support its Customers and Employees well-being and comfort. Among the changes are enhanced cleaning efforts at airports and onboard aircraft, along with a federal mandate requiring every person to wear a mask at all times throughout each flight. Additional details about the Southwest Promise are available at Southwest.com/Promise.

Southwest coined Transfarency to describe its purposed philosophy of treating Customers honestly and fairly, and low fares actually staying low. Southwest is the only major U.S. airline to offer bags fly free to everyone (first and second checked pieces of luggage, size and weight limits apply, some carriers offer free checked bags on select routes or in qualified circumstances). Southwest does not charge change fees, though fare differences might apply.

Southwest is one of the most honored airlines in the world, known for a triple bottom line approach that contributes to the carrier's performance and productivity, the importance of its People and the communities they serve, and an overall commitment to efficiency and the planet. Learn more about how the carrier gives back to communities across the world by visiting Southwest.com/citizenship.

Book Southwest Airlines' low fares online at Southwest.com or by phone at 1-800-I-FLY-SWA.

SOURCE Southwest Airlines Co.

Related Links

http://www.southwest.com


FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Stoner's Pizza Joint, a quick-service pizza franchise, announced today that it will be opening its second location in the Jacksonville, FL market located in the southside at 3837 Southside Blvd, #7, Jacksonville, FL 32216. Grand opening is scheduled for Thursday, July 1st. The new location will bring Stoner's store count to 20 in the southeast region.

Daytona Beach, FL

"We are excited to open our second location in Jacksonville after 4 successful years in our north side store. We believe Jacksonville is an ideal market for our brand and anticipate opening another 2 locations in 2022," said Chief Operating Officer, Scott Mobley. "This has been an incredible 12 months of growth for the company as we have doubled in size and look forward to many more locations throughout Florida."

Stoner's Pizza Joint is a delivery and takeout focused concept featuring fresh, high-quality food prepared in-house daily with minimal production time, including proprietary recipes for the pizza dough, sauce, and cheese blend. Menu items include a variety of specialty pizzas, calzones, strombolis, sandwiches, hickory-smoked chicken wings made daily in-house, freshly prepared salads, and freshly baked desserts.

About Stoner's Pizza Joint

Founded in 2013, Stoner's Pizza Joint launched its franchising program in late 2018 along with fresh new branding and a business model that has proven resilient to massive changes sweeping the food industry. For more information, visit https://www.stonerspizzajoint.com, or call 954-982-6618.

Stoner's Pizza Joint is currently seeking qualified franchisees to help the brand grow nationwide in college town markets, with a focus on the Southeast region. Prospective franchisees should have a minimum net worth of $250,000. The ideal candidate is a proven, multi-unit operator in the restaurant industry and has a strong knowledge of their market. Stoner's Pizza Joint's Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) reveals an estimated initial investment range of $90,000 to $206,000 for the first location, including a franchise fee of $25,000.

To learn more about ownership opportunities with Stoner's Pizza Joint, contact the Stoner's Pizza Joint Franchise Development team, at [email protected].

MEDIA CONTACT:

Scott Mobley // Stoner's Pizza Joint

+1 (706) 410-0667

[email protected]

SOURCE Stoner's Pizza Joint
ATLANTA, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading change and transformation consultancy North Highland is excited to announce that Sucheta Misra is joining the firm as Associate Vice President, Inclusion & Diversity and Social Impact Leader. Based in Denver, Misra will lead the firm's inclusion and diversity programs as well as its community social impact strategies.



"Sucheta brings a wealth of expertise to her role at North Highland, and we look forward to her partnering with HR, our I&D Committee and Employee Resource Groups to further strengthen our commitment to being an inclusive environment for employees and the communities we serve and helping to drive diversity-based workforce strategies for clients and partners," said Alex Bombeck, Managing Director and President to whom she will report. "Sucheta will also lead our social impact efforts focused on economic empowerment, including representing North Highland in select community partnerships."



Prior to joining North Highland, Misra was Associate Director of Public Interest for the University of Illinois at Chicago Law where she increased engagement in social impact and resolved complex DEI barriers. Also, Misra served as Senior Managing Counsel for United Airlines where her work included partnering with DEI and community affairs leaders on significant initiatives, such as creating the company's Human Rights Policy Statement, and focusing on how DEI and community affairs influence corporate governance.



Additionally, as a Fulbright Scholar in Singapore, Misra was part of a core team that launched that country's first comprehensive social impact campaign aimed at obtaining labor rights for female domestic workers. She holds a J.D. from the University of Michigan Law School, and a B.A. in Psychology and International Studies from Northwestern University.



About North Highland

North Highland makes change happen, helping businesses transform by placing people at the heart of every decision. It's how lasting progress is made. With our blend of workforce, customer and operational expertise, we're the world's leading transformation consultancy. We break new ground today, so tomorrow is easier to navigate.



Founded in 1992, North Highland is an employee-owned firm - regularly named one of the best places to work. We have more than 5,000 consultants worldwide and 65+ offices around the globe. Meanwhile, we're a proud member of Cordence Worldwide (www.cordence.com), an international consulting alliance. For more information, visit http://www.northhighland.com/ or connect with us on LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook.



Photo(s):

https://www.prlog.org/12875610



Press release distributed by PRLog

SOURCE North Highland

Related Links

http://www.northhighland.com/


Switzerland will become the 15th nation to join the F-35 program of record, joining several European nations. Tweet this

The Swiss Air Force will receive F-35A aircraft, a sustainment solution tailored to Swiss autonomy requirements, and a comprehensive training program.

The F-35 selection will deliver economic and technical advantages to the nation for decades to come. Swiss industry will have the opportunity to participate in research and development, production and sustainment opportunities that will extend their capabilities into the future. As a new participant in the F-35 program, Switzerland will benefit from Lockheed Martin's dedication to autonomy and sovereignty in integrating indigenous solutions.

To date, the F-35 operates from 21 bases worldwide, with nine nations operating F-35s on their home soil. There are more than 655 F-35s in service today, with more than 1,380 pilots and 10,670 maintainers trained on the aircraft.

For additional information, visit www.f35.com.

About Lockheed Martin

Headquartered in Bethesda, Maryland, Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) is a global security and aerospace company that employs approximately 114,000 people worldwide and is principally engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services.

Please follow @LMNews on Twitter for the latest announcements and news across the corporation.

SOURCE Lockheed Martin Aeronautics
WAYNE, Pa., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Tekni-Plex has signed a definitive purchase agreement to acquire Grupo Phoenix in a deal that will bolster Tekni-Plex's ability to deliver market-focused, customer-driven packaging solutions, especially in food and beverage markets.

The deal combines Tekni-Plex's 50-year reputation for operational excellence with the consumer-oriented innovation delivered by Grupo Phoenix, supporting and enhancing Tekni-Plex's vision to deploy world-class expertise in the formulation, processing, and manufacturing of materials-based solutions to enhance end user experiences, protect products and brands, and promote sustainable business decisions.

"Grupo Phoenix adds a broad suite of capabilities to our Consumer Products business," said Brenda Chamulak, recently elevated President and CEO at Tekni-Plex. "The acquisition enhances our ability to keep food fresher and longer with sustainable packaging solutions. We are excited to welcome Grupo Phoenix and its innovative products and people to the Tekni-Plex family."

Grupo Phoenix manufactures rigid packaging and specializes in innovative and sustainable custom packaging solutions with capabilities in the United States, Colombia and Mexico and customers in over 30 countries. "We are thrilled to join Tekni-Plex. This deal will allow Grupo Phoenix and our team to continue to grow with our customers. I am especially very proud of our team and excited for the opportunities this will bring. Combining Grupo Phoenix's entrepreneurial and innovation spirit with Tekni-Plex's global footprint and resources is designed to create a first-class scalable platform for continuous growth," said Alberto Peisach, CEO of Grupo Phoenix.

Grupo Phoenix serves as a strategic packaging partner to leading FMCG brands across multiple categories and segments such as dairy, desserts, coffee, beverages, ice cream, soups, spreads, cosmetics and household cleaning, serving over 20 vertical markets. "We started in Colombia and expanded throughout Latin America; then with the unwavering support of our partners, JP Morgan and OEP, who believed in a small family company, we entered the United States market. Our focused business strategy has allowed us to identify consumer trends early and respond quickly to the market," completed Peisach.

"This acquisition plays to strengths of Dolco, Tri-Seal and Action Technologies business units by expanding the range of solutions we offer our customers, leveraging a broader range of materials for sustainability and approaching challenges with a consumer-driven mindset," said Eldon Schaffer, CEO of Tekni-Plex Consumer Products Division. "This deal also allows us to leverage Grupo's footprint in Latin America and expand our presence in the region," completed Mr. Schaffer.

"Grupo Phoenix brings a complementary culture to our organization. We look forward to welcoming them to our team. The people are high energy, extremely competitive and very focused on bringing market-driven ideas with a consumer orientation," according to Ms. Chamulak.

"We have a great eye for identifying early how consumers shop the perimeter of the store including fruits, vegetables, proteins, dairy products, meats, poultry, fish, as well as the center aisle product, single serve coffee. These will continue to be areas of special emphasis for us," added Jaime Lederman, Chief Operations Officer at Grupo Phoenix. "Finally, Grupo not only has great capabilities in plastics, including PET and PP, but also paper and other sustainable substrates which will be incredibly important to our combined businesses, as we continue our journey to being more material and technology agnostic."

This is the 15th acquisition that Tekni-Plex has completed over the past five years, supporting its strategy to grow its business though transformative acquisitions and strategic add-ons.

The closing of the acquisition is conditioned upon regulatory approval.

Moelis & Company LLC. and Simpson Thacher served as Grupo Phoenix advisors while Ropes & Gray LLP assisted Tekni-Plex.

About Grupo Phoenix

Grupo Phoenix is one of the fastest growing, most innovative sustainable rigid packaging companies in the Americas. Its products target the commercial food packaging, food service and disposable consumer products industries. Grupo Phoenix follows and supplies customers through a distributed network of five manufacturing plants: two in Colombia, one in Mexico, and two in the United States. Visit Grupo Phoenix at www.GrupoPhoenix.com.

About Tekni-Plex, Inc.

Tekni-Plex is a globally-integrated company focused on developing and manufacturing products for a wide variety of end markets, including medical, pharmaceutical, food, beverage, personal care, household and industrial. Tekni-Plex is headquartered in Wayne, PA, and operates manufacturing sites across 10 countries worldwide to meet the needs of its global customers. For more information visit www.tekni-plex.com.

SOURCE Tekni-Plex, Inc.

Related Links

http://www.tekni-plex.com


SAN FRANCISCO and LOS ANGELES, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Wing, a network of community and coworking spaces designed for women, announced today that its Los Angeles location has reopened and its San Francisco location is reopening on July 6. Following an increased desire for membership at its New York City spaces, The Wing has started onboarding new members and expanding upon its local partnerships. In the West Hollywood location, The Wing will partner with popular destinations Jones on Third, Huckleberry, and SugarBloom to offer prepared food and pastries.

The food and beverage partnership is a part of The Wing's efforts to promote local businesses and entrepreneurs in the community and provide its members with best-in-class offerings. The partnership will expand in the San Francisco and New York locations so members have access to new and fresh local options. The majority of the food and beverage suppliers are either woman- or minority-owned businesses.

"I'm excited to reopen our CA locations and partner with local businesses to continue supporting other entrepreneurs as we continue reopening our spaces," said Lauren Kassan, CEO of The Wing. "It's been important for our team to support the communities in which we operate and local female founders."

"As a business owner who frequently reaches out to my community of chef friends for help and advice, I love that The Wing provides a space where women entrepreneurs can find their community. I always say that food brings people together, and I hope that women of The Wing will bond over Sugarbloom Bakery pastries," said Chef Sharon Wang of Sugarbloom Bakery.

Through internal survey data, The Wing has found that usage of the spaces multiple times a week has increased -- members are coming in more frequently than in years prior. In a recent survey by Change Research, the polling company found 40 percent of women do not want to return to the office in a post-pandemic society and are opting for more flexible spaces.

To apply for a The Wing membership, please visit our website and apply here .

About The Wing

The Wing is a growing community of professionals, entrepreneurs and leaders from across the globe, who find sanctuary and productivity at our beautiful, shared workspaces, meaningful connections through our networking opportunities, career growth through our job platform, and perhaps most importantly, support and camaraderie through sharing strategies and resources. The Wing's vision is to create the space for our members to thrive and improve their lives by helping them pursue their ambition, grow their careers and forge meaningful connections that last a lifetime.

For The Wing media inquiries: [email protected]

SOURCE The Wing

Related Links

https://www.the-wing.com


Through the partnership, Thuraya and Delta Bridge will deliver key government customers secure satellite communication connectivity and mission-critical applications for the defense and government sector, backed by the companies' broad portfolios of experience and capabilities.

Delta Bridge specializes in secure turnkey telecommunication solutions catering to the mission-critical needs of U.S. government customers, supporting logistics, oil and gas and maritime initiatives. Since 2006, the company has supported U.S. government integration projects. Leveraging Thuraya's innovative technologies and solutions, Delta Bridge will support government customers and build on its history of research and development (R&D), engineering, conceptualization and project management.

Sulaiman Al Ali, Chief Executive Officer of Thuraya, said: "Thuraya is pleased to welcome Delta Bridge as a Solution System Integrator for government and enterprise entities. This partnership will further enhance our commitment to supporting the US government customers with state of the art satellite solutions that will enhance the safety and security requirements, as well as provide them with a wide range of MSS solutions for land, maritime and aero platforms. Nowadays, the integration of end-to-end solutions for government customers is highly specialized and the overall demand for reliable satellite communication needs are on the rise. I am confident that this new partnership will meet those needs on all levels, including customization, interoperability as well as the integration of secure solutions."

"Through this partnership, Delta Bridge will merge its specialized expertise with Thuraya's unique capabilities to capitalize on next-generation technologies that deliver solutions for our customers' most critical needs," said Delta Bridge President Tom Becherer. "Adding satellite connectivity to our portfolio will expand our scope of our services and capabilities to include encrypted cloud applications, the Internet of Things (IoT), mobility, security and surveillance and networking."

Yahsat recently announced the successful completion of the Preliminary Design Review (PDR) of Thuraya 4-NGS, part of a transformational program delivering a comprehensive new MSS ecosystem. Thuraya 4-NGS builds on Thuraya's space and ground and user (products and solutions) segments. Complemented by a 5G-ready core network, Yahsat's newest satellite system will ensure increased coverage and capacity, while delivering next generation mobility solutions for all customer segments, including defense, government, enterprise and consumers.

About Thuraya Telecommunications Company

Thuraya, is the mobile satellite services subsidiary of the Al Yah Satellite Communications Company (Yahsat), a leading global satellite operator based in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), fully owned by Mubadala Investment Company. Established in 1997, Thuraya offers innovative communications solutions to a variety of sectors including maritime, energy, government, broadcast media, military, aerospace and humanitarian NGO.

Thuraya's superior network enables clear communications and uninterrupted coverage across two-thirds of the globe by MSS, global VSAT coverage and around the world through its unique GSM roaming capabilities. The company's diverse range of technologically advanced and dependable mobile satellite handsets and broadband devices provide ease of use, value, quality and efficiency. Through relevant partnerships, Thuraya stays ahead by delivering solutions and supporting applications that meet the rapidly transforming nature of market demands. Thuraya remains committed to keeping everyone within reach in any circumstance by making accessible the essential tools required for vital connectivity.

For more information, please visit www.thuraya.com.



About PAE

For more than 65 years, PAE has tackled the world's toughest challenges to deliver agile and steadfast solutions to the U.S. government and its allies. With a global workforce of about 20,000 on all seven continents and in approximately 60 countries, PAE delivers a broad range of operational support services to meet the critical needs of our clients. Our headquarters is in Falls Church, Virginia. Find us online at pae.com, on Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn.

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1554316/Thuraya_1.jpg

Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1554317/Thuraya_2.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1554318/Thuraya_Logo.jpg

SOURCE Thuraya Telecommunications Company

Related Links

https://thuraya.com


CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas, June 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SilverPoint Senior Living proudly announced a new partnership with Titan Development as they assume operations of Elan Corpus Christi, a 113-unit luxury senior living community located in Corpus Christi, Texas. This collaboration will bring a proven management team to oversee daily operations of Elan Corpus Christi to cultivate a culture where the residents and staff enjoy a positive and purposeful experience.

"As owners, our focus is choosing an operator who we trust to create the best possible resident experience," said Matt Lammers, Director of Development for Titan Development. "When we selected Silver Point for our Corpus Christi project, it was because of their extensive experience and industry-recognized ability. We look forward to seeing all the positive changes they have planned for this community."

"Elan Corpus Christi is an absolutely beautiful community that reflects the amazing coastline setting of Corpus Christi," said Shawn Corzine, Chief Executive Officer at SilverPoint Senior Living. "We are proud to be working with such an exceptional team at Titan Development to lead this great community into the future. Elan will be a wonderful place for many seniors in Corpus Christi to call home."

The addition of Elan Corpus Christi contributes to a growing SilverPoint family of communities. Elan Corpus Christi is located at 5441 Lipes Blvd in Corpus Christi, Texas and is currently welcoming new residents.

About SilverPoint Senior Living

SilverPoint Senior Living is a Texas senior living management company that specializes in operating independent living, assisted living, and memory care communities. Their management services include portfolio management; development and acquisition; accounting and financial; marketing and sales; and IT and digital transformation. SilverPoint is strongly committed to its five core values of family, purpose, fun, integrity, and dignity, and is known for its signature Engaged Life program in which residents enjoy a person-centered care approach designed to make their lifestyle more similar to home. It is also a certified 2021 Great Place to Work. For more information about SilverPoint Senior Living, please visit www.silverpointsl.com or call 830-730-4472.

About Titan Development

Titan Development is a full-service development company, providing all necessary services to transform raw land into an operational facility. Formed in 1999, Titan Development has a wealth of experience in both land and vertical development. Titan maintains offices in New Mexico and Texas in order to foster the relationships that create success for our clients and investors. Titan delivers projects with the highest quality work and customer service, within budget and on time and tailors the structure of each development to meet client objectives.

Most recently, Titan Development has launched its second private equity real estate fund that highlights its equity fund management and strategic investment services, as well as macroeconomic and market analysis capability. Titan Development Real Estate Fund II was established to raise and invest equity in Titan Development's existing pipeline as well as other investment opportunities.

Learn more at www.titan-development.com. For additional information about Titan Development please contact Ian Robertson at (505) 998-0163

CONTACT:

Kelly Schwennesen

SilverPoint Senior Living

[email protected]

SOURCE SilverPoint Senior Living
AVON, Ohio, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The stakes are high for 10 Grand Prize-seeking students. After snipping and sticking together standout prom looks made entirely of Duck Tape to wow the judges, the top 10 finalists of Duck brand's 21st Annual Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest have been determined. Who will take home the combined $20,000 in college scholarships? You decide by casting your vote!

Starting today, friends, family and the general public can visit the 2021 Stuck at Prom finalist gallery to vote for their favorite prom dress and tux fashionsDuck Tape accessories included! Polls are open until midnight on July 14, 2021. Two Grand Prize winnersone dress and one tuxwill each receive a $10,000 college scholarship. The eight runners up receive $500 scholarships and Duck brand prize packs worth $100.

2021 Stuck at Prom Dress Finalists:

Larissa Leon (Sunnyside, WA)

163 hours & 47 Duck Tape rolls

Meihuan Yu (Markham, Ontario)

186 hours & 32 Duck Tape rolls

Zaineb Aljumayaat (Lancaster County, Nebraska)

152 hours & 34 Duck Tape rolls

Erika Avellaneda (Ottawa, Ontario)

143 hours & 17 Duck Tape rolls

Giles Ferrell (Richmond VA)

84 hours & 17 Duck Tape rolls

2021 Stuck at Prom Tux Finalists:

Vaughn Westerman (Washtenaw County, Michigan)

56 hours & 18 Duck Tape rolls

Aaron Leal (Hidalgo County, Texas)

80 hours & 12 Duck Tape rolls

Casey Alferink (Jesup, IA)

80 hours & 15 Duck Tape rolls

Ryan Bekic (LaSalle, Ontario)

160 hours & 27 Duck Tape rolls

Zoe Tibbs (Broward County, Florida)

65 hours & 21 Duck Tape rolls

Every year, a panel of judges carefully reviews and evaluates each submission for workmanship, originality, use of colors, accessories and use of Duck Tape. Though narrowing the field of entries down to the top finalists is no doubt a difficult task, the intricate designs and artistry of each of the outfits set them apart from the rest and blew the judges away.

"This is the second year the contest has been held virtually, allowing students to compete against their peers whether they went to a prom or not, and these contestants brought their 'A' game, dazzling us with color and originality from head to toe," said Ashley Luke, Senior Product Manager & Global Brand Manager at Duck Brand's parent company, Shurtape Technologies, LLC. "We're inspired by how confidently they shine in their outfits and can't wait to see who takes home the Grand Prizes."

Visit stuckatprom.com now to vote for your favorite outfits and view the entire 2021 Stuck at Prom gallery! Check back on July 21, 2021 (or follow Duck brand on social media @theduckbrand) to see who will be deemed royalty of the 2021 Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest.

ABOUT DUCK TAPE BRAND DUCT TAPE

An American original, Duck Tape brand duct tape is the fix-all to help with everyday repairs, projects or crafts. Duck Tape offers a vast array of innovative, forward-thinking solutions that help everyone  from makers and creators to do-it-yourselfers and professionals  bring their ideas to life. The brand sets trends with its wide variety of colors and designs, inspires creativity and leads the way in DIY or jobsite projects, crafting, and more, by providing the tools consumers need to make or repair anything. Duck Tape brand is marketed by Shurtape Technologies, LLC, an industry-leading manufacturer of adhesive tape and consumer home and office products, with facilities worldwide.

Visit DuckBrand.com for additional product information as well as DuckTapeMaker.com for a source of everyday inspiration, imagination and creativity. Keep up-to-date on Duck brand news by joining our nearly 5 million fans on Facebook (Facebook.com/DuckTape) and (Facebook.com/TheDuckBrand ) , following us on Twitter (@TheDuckBrand) and Instagram ( @ TheDuckBrand), following our boards on Pinterest (Pinterest.com/TheDuckBrand) and watching us on YouTube (YouTube.com/TheDuckBrand).

ABOUT DUCK BRAND

The Duck brand offers an array of tapes, moving and packing supplies, shelf liner and home products that provide simple, imaginative and helpful solutions for a variety of tasks around the home, school, office and jobsite. Duck brand is marketed by Shurtape Technologies, LLC, an industry-leading manufacturer of adhesive tape and consumer home and office products, with facilities worldwide. Visit DuckBrand.com for additional product information. Keep up-to-date on all things Duck brand by following us on Facebook (@TheDuckBrand), Twitter (@TheDuckBrand) and Instagram @TheDuckBrand); and following our boards on Pinterest (Pinterest.com/TheDuckBrand) and watching us on YouTube (YouTube.com/TheDuckBrand).

SOURCE Duck Brand

Related Links

https://www.duckbrand.com


CALGARY, AB, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - TransAlta Corporation ("TransAlta" or the "Company") (TSX: TA) (NYSE: TAC) announced today, together with its partner Tidewater Midstream & Infrastructure Ltd. ("Tidewater"), the closing of the previously announced sale of the Pioneer Pipeline to ATCO Gas and Pipelines Ltd. ("ATCO") for the aggregate sale price of $255 million. The net cash proceeds to TransAlta from the sale are approximately $127.5 million, subject to certain adjustments.

"We thank Tidewater for their partnership in the Pioneer Pipeline project which was a key milestone toward achieving our off-coal transition strategy. We look forward to working together with ATCO and NOVA Gas Transmission to ensure reliable gas supply to our generating units to enable the delivery of firm, reliable electricity with greatly reduced carbon emissions," said John Kousinioris, President and Chief Executive Officer of TransAlta.

Following closing of the transaction, the Pioneer Pipeline will be integrated into NOVA Gas Transmission Ltd. ("NGTL") and ATCO's Alberta natural gas transmission systems to provide reliable natural gas supply to the Company's power generation stations at Sundance and Keephills. As part of the transaction, TransAlta has entered into additional long-term gas transportation agreements with NGTL for new and existing transportation service of 400 TJ per day by the end of 2023.

About TransAlta Corporation:

TransAlta owns, operates and develops a diverse fleet of electrical power generation assets in Canada, the United States and Australia with a focus on long-term shareholder value. TransAlta provides municipalities, medium and large industries, businesses and utility customers with clean, affordable, energy-efficient and reliable power. Today, TransAlta is one of Canada's largest producers of wind power and Alberta's largest producer of hydroelectric power. For over 100 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and a proud community-member where its employees work and live. TransAlta aligns its corporate goals with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and has been recognized by CDP (formerly Climate Disclosure Project) as an industry leader on Climate Change Management, having recently achieved an A- score.

For more information about TransAlta, visit our web site at transalta.com .

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-looking Information

This news release contains "forward-looking information", within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, and "forward-looking statements", within the meaning of applicable United States securities laws, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 (collectively referred to herein as "forward-looking statements"). In some cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "plans", "expects", "proposed", "will", "anticipates", "develop", "continue", and similar expressions suggesting future events or future performance. In particular, this news release contains, without limitation, statements pertaining to: the benefits of the transaction being realized; the reliability of gas supply; the reduction in carbon emissions; the integration of Pioneer into NGTL's and ATCO's Alberta natural gas transmission systems. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are based on current expectations, estimates, projections, and assumptions, having regard to the Company's experience and its perception of historical trends and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that could cause such differences include: changes to government regulations, including as it pertains to environmental policy; the effects of weather, catastrophes and public health crises; disruptions to the Company's supply chains; and other risks and uncertainties discussed in the Company's materials filed with the securities regulatory authorities from time to time and as also set forth in the Company's MD&A and Annual Information Form for the year ended December 31, 2020. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which reflect TransAlta's expectations only as of the date of this news release. TransAlta disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Note: All financial figures are in Canadian dollars unless otherwise indicated.

SOURCE TransAlta Corporation

Related Links

http://www.transalta.com


Will our democracy survive if Trump gets another shot at the presidency? Will we be safe as citizens if he wins? Author Donald A. Collins considers this the moment of truth for America and our democracy in his new book "Trump Becoming Macbeth."

This book is a compilation of the best articles out of many published on the Church and State website written about Donald Trump from late August 2020 the first time when author Collins recommended that readers vote for Joe Biden for President of the United States. Collins has a no holds barred perspective of close to four generations of progress in America. He has travelled the world extensively and seen the best and worst of humanity in many forms. He understands that the most likely scenario for failure of the American democratic system is for a dictator to emerge and seize power away from the people. He recommends, like many before him, that the United States should set an example by giving its people and all the people in the world free contraceptives to empower women and reduce our human population painlessly from its nearly 8 billion today to 2 billion by 2100.

Former U.S. Navy officer, banker and venture capitalist, Donald A. Collins, a freelance writer living in Washington, DC., has spent over 40 years working for women's reproductive health as a board member and/or officer of numerous family planning organizations including Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Guttmacher Institute, Family Health International and Ipas. Yale undergraduate, NYU MBA.

Donald A. Collins (202) 656-6421

[email protected]

TrumpBecomingMacbeth.com

SOURCE TrumpBecomingMacbeth

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ATLANTA, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- UC Asset LP (OTCQX: UCASU) announces the company went under contract on the Rufus Rose House, the oldest historical building and cherished landmark in downtown Atlanta, for a consideration of $1.65 million. The acquisition was performed through UCASU's wholly-owned subsidiary, Atlanta Landsight LLC.

The Rufus Rose House is one of the oldest buildings in metropolitan Atlanta, and currently the only standing Victorian mansion in the central district. Known as the "Rose on Peachtree", the property is a late Victorian Queen Anne style home built in 1901 and nestled in the heart of the city. The stunning image of the late Victorian red-brick house stands out against a backdrop of modern steel-concrete skyscrapers on Atlanta's busiest and most famous street, Peachtree Rd. The refurbished Rose on Peachtree is posed to attract the attention of the 50-60 million visitors/tourists to Atlanta every year.

Named after its builder, Dr. Rufus Mathewson Rose (1836-1910), who some people believe is the true founder of famous whiskey brand Four Roses, the house boasts the original architecture by Emil Charles Seiz. The 5200 square foot Rose house has five bedrooms, three baths and 7-9 fireplaces. It was commissioned as a museum by the Atlanta History Center up until 1998, containing furniture belonging to Margaret Mitchell(the renowned author of "Gone with Wind"), and the throne of Ethiopian Emperor Haile Selassie among other historical pieces.

Rufus Rose house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (since 1977) and is designated as a Landmark Building Exterior (since 1989) by the City of Atlanta.

UCASU plans to fully refurbish and restore the Rose on Peachtree to preserve its historic legacy, and to work alongside city leaders and influencers to promote the diverse and socially inclusive future of Atlanta. Atlanta claims the 10th largest economy in the country; 18th in the world with an estimated gross domestic product of over $324 billion dollars. The airport of Atlanta is the busiest airport in the world, hosting over 110.5 million travelers per year, with 50-60 million identified as visitors to the city.

"We have been engaging the previous owner for months and are very happy we finally reached a price acceptable to both parties." Says Greg Bankston, managing partner of UCASU. The building was last sold at $1 million in 2019, and was asked for $2.5 million in early 2020.

About UC Asset LP

UC Asset LP is a limited partnership formed for the purpose of investing in real estate for development and redevelopment, concentrating in metropolitan areas of Atlanta, GA and Dallas, TX. For more information about UC Asset, please visit: www.ucasset.com

Disclaimer:

This News Release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from any these statements. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any those forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by the federal securities laws, we undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements after the date of this news release. None of such forward-looking statements should be regarded as a representation by us or any other person that the objectives and plans set forth in this News Release will be achieved or be executed.

For More Information Contact:

Christal Jordan | Investor Relations Director, UC Asset LP

[email protected] | 678-499-0297

SOURCE UC Asset LP

Related Links

http://www.ucasset.com


WASHINGTON, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Urban Land Institute (ULI), a global research and education organization focused on shaping the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide, has received a major gift that will support the organization's efforts to develop the next generation of leaders in real estate.

Bruce Etkin, Chairman of Etkin Johnson Real Estate Partners and a ULI Foundation Trustee, is donating $1 million to create the ULI Etkin Scholars Program, which seeks to introduce promising undergraduate and graduate students interested in careers in real estate to all that ULI membership has to offer.

"We are grateful for the generosity and life-long commitment Bruce has shown ULI," said W. Edward (Ed) Walter, Global CEO of ULI. "Bruce is one of our most highly engaged members, and we thank him for investing in the next generation of leaders of ULI."

In its first year, the ULI Etkin Scholars Program will provide cohorts of students from four District Councils with free ULI student membership, and creative programming, networking, and learning opportunities throughout the academic year. Between 80 and 100 students will benefit from the program in its first year. The program aims to grow to support students in 20 District Councils over the next five years.

"Every time I engage with young people in real estate, I come away inspired by what's ahead for our industry," Etkin said. "I feel fortunate to be able to help the real estate leaders of the future partake in the many benefits of ULI membership, as I have throughout my career."

"Bruce's gift represents a significant step forward in our $100 million campaign to secure ULI's future," said Doug Abbey, Chair of the ULI Foundation. "We appreciate his leadership and generous spirit -- and look forward to bringing his vision for the ULI Etkin Scholars Program to life."

About the Urban Land Institute

The Urban Land Institute is a non-profit education and research institute supported by its members. Its mission is to shape the future of the built environment for transformative impact in communities worldwide. Established in 1936, the institute has more than 45,000 members worldwide representing all aspects of land use and development disciplines. For more information on ULI, please visit uli.org, or follow us on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.

About the Urban Land Institute Foundation

Dedicated to advancing Urban Land Institute's capacity to connect, inspire, and lead, the ULI Foundation leverages its charitable 501(c)3 organizational status to secure and manage philanthropic assets and partnerships. This extraordinary tradition of ULI member altruism and goodwill serves to benefit and grow the ULI mission, changing millions of lives and improving communities around the globe. For additional information, please visit foundation.uli.org.

For more information, contact Brigit Wolf, 202-471-4228 ext. 104; [email protected]

SOURCE Urban Land Institute Foundation

Related Links

http://www.foundation.uli.org


The 2021 Maggie Creek drilling program was focused on a previously untested target concept below post-mineral cover in the southeast section of the project (Section 30). Refer to the Company's April 7,2021 press release for details of the target concept and how it was derived.

The Company had originally planned two core holes from two different locations. However, based upon very encouraging alteration encountered while drilling the first hole, the Company decided to attempt to offset the alteration with an angle hole from the same drill pad. The first hole, MC21-1c, a vertical hole, was terminated at 2,937 feet due to poor down hole drilling conditions in a broad fault zone within Roberts Mountains Formation (Lower Laminated). This hole intersected the Tertiary paleosurface at 698 feet and then entered Lower Plate stratigraphy at 1,483 feet.

The typical Lower Plate stratigraphy seen elsewhere on the Carlin Belt was intersected, with sometimes intense alteration, brecciation and faulting throughout. The most favorable rock package, the Popovich Formation, was encountered below Rodeo Creek siltstones at 1,706 feet and continued to 2,767 feet. Three thick intervals of strong alteration and sulfide were encountered within the Popovich at the following depth intervals: 1,827-1,988 feet, 2,028-2,139 feet, and 2,646-2,771 feet. Essentially all the Popovich is dolomitic in MC21-1c, though likely primary, and alteration (decalcification and silicification primarily) is fairly common throughout the Lower Plate stratigraphy. The strongest alteration and sulfide, including sooty pyrite and orpiment in brecciated hydrothermal dolomite, was encountered within the Wispy Member of the Popovich at 2,700 feet. This interval was anomalous in gold, arsenic, mercury and thallium, with a high of 165 ppb gold within a brecciated interval containing orpiment (See Figures 1-2 below). Despite the visually encouraging alteration and mineralization, no high-grade gold was encountered.

The second hole, MC21-2c, angled to the north from the same pad as MC21-1c, was terminated at 1,503 feet within Upper Plate Vinini siltstone and mudstone. The Vinini in this hole shows much more intense clay alteration and sulfidation than in MC21-2c. However, at this time U.S. Gold Corp. has met its work commitment at Maggie Creek and elected to stop the second hole. The hole has been filled with bentonite, casing left in place and capped so it can be re-entered next year. Assay results are pending for MC21-2c.

Ken Coleman, the Company's Chief Geologist, stated, "I was pleasantly surprised and rightly excited to see the intensity of alteration within the predicted stratigraphy as drilling progressed in MC21-1c. Post mineral Carlin Formation and Upper Plate rocks proved to be shallower than predicted, and the structural preparation and alteration encountered in the Lower Plate checked all of the boxes; the right stratigraphy, the right alteration, and characteristic minerals at a reasonable depth. Assays proved disappointing with only anomalous gold associated with the typical pathfinder elements in Carlin-type deposits. While the gold encountered was only anomalous, it is clear there is a strong Carlin-type alteration cell under Section 30 at Maggie Creek."

"We took a big swing based upon a different look at the local geology and proved there is a system there," Coleman continued. "Very rarely are discoveries made in the first hole testing a new target. The results to date clearly warrant further exploration. Based upon the more intense alteration in the Upper Plate rocks in MC21-2c and structural interpretations derived from the gravity survey we completed last year, we believe that this first hole, MC21-1c, lies laterally and likely south of what could be the better part of the system. MC21-2c was angled toward what is interpreted to be a major structural intersection zone between a broad northeast striking zone, similar to the Chukar-Alunite faults, and a northwest striking structural corridor. Further interpretation will be completed once all assays have been received."

George Bee, the Company's President and CEO stated "While we know of the near surface opportunities in the Upper Plate rock package, 2021 drilling was focused on the deep high-grade potential that is the subject of much of the mining activity on the Carlin Trend of late. Drilling these targets is costly and we will continue to approach this exploration in a measured and prudent manner, consistent with our objectives to create value for our shareholders with the development of our CK Gold Project in Wyoming. Having met our exploration commitments at Maggie Creek for 2021, we can now analyze the data and plan out our future program at this exciting target. We found the right rock package with significant alteration and we now need to pursue the gold."

Quality Assurance and Quality Control ("QA/QC") Procedure

U.S. Gold Corp. employs a rigorous QA/QC protocol on all aspects of sampling and analytical procedure. Drill core is checked, logged, marked for sampling, and sawn in half. One-half of each drill core is maintained for future reference and the other half of each drill core is sent to Bureau Veritas, an ISO 17025 accredited laboratory in Reno, Nevada to complete all sample preparation and assaying. Samples are analyzed employing fire assaying with atomic absorption finish for gold, and four-acid ICP-MS analysis for silver and copper. For QA/QC purposes, certified standards, blank samples and sample duplicates are inserted into the sample stream. U.S. Gold Corp. also periodically submits sample pulps to another independent laboratory for check analysis.

Note on Qualified Person

This statement has been reviewed by Kevin Francis, P Geo, SME Registered Member, Principal of Mineral Resource Management LLC, who has inspected the data furnished in this announcement and has knowledge of the activities outlined in the Maggie Creek Project update. Acting within the scope of his expertise, Mr. Francis, as a Qualified Person, has reviewed the information provided and finds it to be accurate and reflecting facts.

About U.S. Gold Corp.

U.S. Gold Corp. is a publicly traded, U.S. focused gold exploration and development company. U.S. Gold Corp. has a portfolio of exploration properties. Copper King, now the CK Gold Project, is located in Southeast Wyoming and has a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) technical report, which was completed by Mine Development Associates and is available on the US. Gold Corp. website. Keystone and Maggie Creek are exploration properties on the Cortez and Carlin Trends in Nevada. The Challis Gold Project is located in Idaho. For more information about U.S. Gold Corp., please visit www.usgoldcorp.gold

Safe Harbor

Certain statements in this press release are forward-looking within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as "anticipate," "believe," "forecast," "estimated," and "intend," among others. These forward-looking statements are based on U.S. Gold Corp.'s current expectations, and actual results could differ materially from such statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding the exploration opportunity at the Maggie Creek property and the Company's interpretation of the possibility of future mineral discoveries. There are a number of factors that could cause actual events to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements. These factors include, but are not limited to, risks arising from: the prevailing market conditions for metal prices and mining industry cost inputs, environmental and regulatory risks, risks faced by junior companies generally engaged in exploration activities, whether U.S. Gold Corp. will be able to raise sufficient capital to implement future exploration programs, COVID-19 uncertainties, and other factors described in the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, and Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which can be reviewed at www.sec.gov. The Company has based these forward-looking statements on its current expectations and assumptions about future events. While management considers these expectations and assumptions to be reasonable, they are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, regulatory, and other risks, contingencies, and uncertainties, most of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond the Company's control. The Company makes no representation or warranty that the information contained herein is complete and accurate and we have no duty to correct or update any information contained herein.

For additional information, please contact:

U.S. Gold Corp. Investor Relations:

+1 800 557 4550

[email protected]

www.usgoldcorp.gold

SOURCE U.S. Gold Corp.

Related Links

http://www.usgoldcorp.gold


VaxThera advances the development of vaccines for diseases such as COVID-19, Dengue, Yellow Fever and Influenza Tweet this

VaxThera will allow the import and commercialization of vaccines and other types of biological products for Colombia and Latin America, as well as the transfer of technology needed in the country for the production and development of these types of products, thus contributing to health safety for the country and the region.

"Several institutions and health experts worldwide, have repeatedly warned that the world must prepare for future pandemics, and be ready to deploy all human, technological and logistics skills in order to protect the population. Aware of this situation, and looking to protect life, Seguros SURA has decided to invest in the creation of VaxThera, because this organization will allow us to move forward in biotechnology, as well as develop and strengthen skills that can turn Colombia into a key agent for Latin America. In SURA, we believe in the importance of research, development and innovation at the service of the people", stated Juan David Escobar, CEO of Seguros SURA Colombia.

VaxThera is a company focused on science, where biologicals will be researched and developed from Colombia for the world, looking to meet Latin America's need of vaccine production self-reliance, and to guarantee the self-sufficiency of biologicals in the region.

The Company is currently developing a universal SARS-CoV-2 vaccine, which is now in its preclinical trial stage in Wisconsin (United States), and is expected to be ready in 2023. This will be a good booster vaccine option, which will facilitate the procurement and distribution processes.

Additionally, VaxThera will have the ability to research and produce vaccines against Dengue, Chikungunya, Yellow Fever, Influenza and Zika. While this development comes to fruition, we will move forward with the import of several types of vaccines needed in the region with the help of strategic allies, both for Coronavirus and other types of tropical diseases, in order for the population to be able to have timely access to these medications, and to contribute to Latin America's health security.

"With VaxThera, we will provide an opportunity for Colombia to recover the autonomy to understand, adapt and respond to the needs of the country, taking advantage of highly skilled human talent with valuable ideas. For VaxThera, it is important to build a path that turns Colombia into a country capable of developing, managing and positioning vaccines from their early stages, up to their final development, so that they do not depend on imports. Lastly, this experience in conjunction with Seguros SURA, motivates different sectors to generate alliances, in order to exploit local capacities and infrastructure", said Jorge Emilio Osorio, CEO of VaxThera.

To generate the human, technical and technological abilities needed to allow Colombia to generate independence in terms of biological products, a 35,000 m2 production plant will be built, which will have the highest technological and human talent standards, and which will generate around 500 jobs between all specialty levels. This construction will be finished in 2023, and once operational, it will have the capacity to produce up to 100 million doses per year.

VaxThera will represent a sustainable progress in terms of biotechnology and development of specialized skills and human talent, looking to turn Colombia into a key player in research, development and innovation, which translates into technological and biological improvements at the service of the health of Colombians and Latin Americans.

Website: www.vaxthera.com Media Resources: Press Kit

About VaxThera

VaxThera is a Colombian company focused on science, dedicated to the research and development of biological products for the world. The Company seeks to generate health self-sufficiency on the basis of research, development and innovation in biotechnology and healthcare. VaxThera is created thanks to the coordination between SURA and world renowned researchers in the fields of biotechnology and human healthcare. The Company is led by a team with more than 30 years of experience in the research and development of biological products.

About Seguros SURA Colombia

With more than 76 years of experience, this subsidiary of Suramericana S.A. offers a wide portfolio of insurance solutions and provision of services that deliver sustainable well-being and competitiveness to 12 million individual clients in Colombia, through the management of trends and risks. Its business units comprise Life and General segments, both for voluntary insurance (Seguros SURA) and mandatory insurance (EPS SURA and ARL SURA). Their value proposition is reinforced through the provision of healthcare services (IPS SURA), diagnostic testing, and technical advisory and assistance (Risk Management Consultancy).

About Dr. Jorge Emilio Osorio Benitez

CEO and Founder of VaxThera. He is a Full Professor at the Department of Pathobiological Sciences of the University of Wisconsin-Madison (United States). Additionally, he has a Master's Degree in Science and a Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin, where he studied emerging viral diseases. Co-Founder and Scientific Director of Inviragen, Biotechnology Company which developed a new Dengue vaccine. He also developed vaccines against Chikungunya, Flu, Rabies, Plague and many other emerging infectious diseases. He was also the Vice President of Research and Vice President of Scientific Affairs for the Vaccines Business Division of Takeda Pharmaceuticals. His industry career has included Heska Corporation (Ft. Collins, CO), Merial LTD (Atenas, GA/Lyon, France) and Chiron-Powderject Vaccines (Madison, WI). He has more than 30 of experience in research, and his h-index is 37, with more than 150 scientific articles published in international magazines, and 32 patents.

Press Contacts:





Catalina Acebedo Manuela Sanchez Cell. +57 304 373 29 99 Cell. +57 311 770 19 30 [email protected] [email protected]

SOURCE VaxThera

Related Links

http://www.vaxthera.com


NORTH CANTON, Ohio, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, Visual Edge, Inc. announced the hiring of Jim Huegen as Director of Customer Success with responsibility for ensuring customers achieve their desired outcomes while using the Visual Edge IT's (VEIT) managed services. Customer Success is relationship-focused client management, responsible for customer success, retention and growth.

Visual Edge IT

Visual Edge values their customer base and understands the competitive urgency to develop the customer experience to ensure success for the customer and Visual Edge IT. In this role, Mr. Huegen, with his team, will be the trusted advisor to Visual Edge IT customers by understanding their goals, as well as their technology roadmap and budget, to help drive a successful outcome.

"Jim brings over 30 years of experience in IT operations/managed services both as a provider and a customer," said Jason Bowra, General Manager, and Managed IT Services. "This will provide a great advantage to Visual Edge IT as we grow our solutions and provide customer excellence every day."

Jim Huegen joined Visual Edge IT in 2021 with more than 30 years of experience in the IT industry. His depth and breadth of technology services knowledge along with a competitive urgency relating to customer satisfaction is his staple to success.

Prior to joining Visual IT, Jim was the Vice President of Operations at another IT services provider. He has been on both sides of the managed services field as a client and a provider, giving him a unique understanding of the client's needs.

Jim is certified in ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library) foundation version 3 and achieved his Six Sigma Green Belt. His process-oriented style, along with his attention to detail, will accelerate Visual Edge IT's ability to become more efficient while servicing its clients.

This role is critical to the customer experience and begins at onboarding. The team is accountable for developing a customer-focused repeatable service model while ensuring customer expectations are met. In driving customer success, VEIT will be able to grow organically with the client through new products and services, as well as grow via account acquisition by leveraging customer referrals.

The client-base benefits significantly by having a dedicated person focused with a competitive urgency on delivering best-in-class customer experience. By creating a repeatable process and tracking key performance indicators, VEIT ensures the health of the customer relationship is strong.

ABOUT VISUAL EDGE INC.

Visual Edge Inc. specializes in managed IT services and security, cloud computing, and print/copy solutions for businesses across the U.S., including remote office locations. Backed by more than 20 years of technology service and a national network of expert engineers, Visual Edge is uniquely positioned to support business technology needs. The company is headquartered in North Canton, Ohio, USA. Learn more at www.visualedgeit.com.

Visual Edge IT is a trademark of Visual Edge, Inc. in the United States.

For more information, press only:

Jen Arthur, National Director of Marketing

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Jim Huegen



SOURCE Visual Edge IT
GOTEBORG, Sweden, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Invitation to attend Vitrolife's conference call regarding presentation of the interim report January - June 2021. The presentation will be held in English.

Time: Thursday 15 July, 2021 at 10.00 a.m. CET.



Registration can preferably be done 10-15 minutes before the conference start time on:



Sweden dial in number: +46 (0)8 566 184 67

International dial in number: +44 (0) 2071 928338

Conference name: Vitrolife, conference ID: 1295747



Vitrolife participants:

Thomas Axelsson, CEO

Mikael Engblom, CFO



The press release for Vitrolife's interim report will be released at 8.00 CET on the same day.



Before the conference call, presentation material will be available at the company web page, https://www.vitrolife.com/investors/Presentations/



A recorded version of the telephone conference will be available for seven days on number +44 (0) 333 300 9785 (International), access code 1295747.

Gothenburg, 30 June 2021

VITROLIFE AB (publ)

For further information, please contact:

Mikael Engblom, CFO, +46 (0) 31 721 80 14

This is a translation of the Swedish version of the press release. When in doubt, the Swedish wording prevails.

This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com

https://news.cision.com/vitrolife-ab--publ-/r/conference-call-interim-report,c3376162

The following files are available for download:

SOURCE Vitrolife AB (publ)
SAN FRANCISCO, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- VOX Network Solutions (VOX) announced today that CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, has named VOX, a leading IT solutions and managed service provider, to this year's CRN Solution Provider 500. VOX placed #338 out of 500 companies on this year's SP500 list.

CRN, a brand of The Channel Company, releases the Solution Provider 500 List (SP500) each year, ranking leading IT channel partner organizations across North America based on revenue and other qualifications. CRN's SP500 list serves as the industry's benchmark for recognizing top-performing technology integrators, strategic service providers, and IT consultants, as well as providing a valuable resource for technology vendors looking to partner with top solution providers. This year's impressive list represents a remarkable combined revenue of over $403 billion, underscoring the immense impact and influence partners such as VOX have on the IT industry today.

"I am extremely proud of the VOX team for once again placing on CRN's Solution Provider 500 list," said VOX Network Solution's CEO Scott Landis. "It is also exciting to see VOX's achievements over the last year recognized by CRN. The SP500 is well known for showcasing top technology organizations and we're proud to rank among the organizations on this year's list. VOX continues to assist organizations through a focus on improving processes and technology, and with our proprietary framework, we help them to increase revenue, improve efficiencies and simplify procedures. This enables our clients to make informed business decisions resulting in measurable business and solution outcomes."

"CRN's Solution Provider 500 list serves as the industry standard for top-performing technology integrators, strategic service providers, and IT consultants, which makes it a valuable resource for technology vendors looking to partner with today's best-of-breed IT solution providers," said Blaine Raddon, CEO of The Channel Company. "On behalf of The Channel Company, I'd like to congratulate these companies for their incredible contributions to the growth and success of the IT channel."

CRN's complete 2021 Solution Provider 500 list is available online at http://www.crn.com/SP500.

About

At its core, VOX Network Solutions is driven by a diverse team of consultants, entrepreneurs, and technologists. With six fundamental practices (Consulting, Contact Center, Collaboration, Network, Security, Managed Services) and a prescriptive process methodology, VOX seeks to empower clients, partners, and employees to create something better. For organizations with a focus on improving processes and technology to increase revenue, improve efficiencies and simplify procedures. Our proven track record with the top fortune 250 enterprise brands have enabled our clients to make informed business decisions resulting in measurable business and solution outcomes. As a result of this cooperative approach, VOX has been named one of the fastest growing companies in the United States and has strategic partnerships with industry leaders such as Cisco, Avaya, and Microsoft. Learn more at http://www.voxns.com.

SOURCE VOX Network Solutions

Related Links

https://www.voxns.com


TSX: WEF

VANCOUVER, BC, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Western Forest Products Inc. (TSX: WEF) ("Western" or the "Company") second quarter 2021 financial and operating results will be released on Thursday, August 5, 2021.

Western will host its second quarter 2021 analyst conference call on Friday, August 6, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. PDT (12:00 p.m. EDT).

Don Demens, President and Chief Executive Officer, and Stephen Williams, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will discuss the Company's second quarter 2021 results followed by a question and answer session with the analyst community.

To join the conference call, dial:

Toll-free from Canada and the US: 1-800-952-5114

From Toronto: 416-340-2217

Passcode: 3014410#

To access the instant replay of the call, dial:

Toll-free from Canada and the US: 1-800-408-3053

From Toronto: 905-694-9451

Passcode: 9352044#

The instant replay will be available until September 6, 2021 at 8:59 p.m. PDT (11:59 p.m. EDT).

About Western Forest Products Inc.

Western is an integrated forest products company building a margin-focused log and lumber business to compete successfully in global softwood markets. With operations and employees located primarily on the coast of British Columbia and Washington State, Western is a premier supplier of high-value, specialty forest products to worldwide markets. Western has a lumber capacity in excess of 1.1 billion board feet from eight sawmills and four remanufacturing facilities. The Company sources timber from its private lands, long-term licenses, First Nations arrangements, and market purchases. Western supplements its production through a wholesale program providing customers with a comprehensive range of specialty products.

SOURCE Western Forest Products Inc.

Related Links

www.westernforest.com


CHICAGO, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Coast Yachts, the private yacht charter and yacht management company with operations in Chicago, Miami and the Bahamas, is answering the call for larger, newer and more luxurious yachts on Lake Michigan, adding the Sunseeker Predator 60 to its yacht rental fleet in Chicago.

Sunseeker Predator 60

The Sunseeker Predator 60, named City Life, boasts a length overall of nearly 64 feet and a width just shy of 17 feet, creating the most spacious entertaining venue of any yacht in its range. Operating in total compliance with the United States Coast Guard regulations and safety protocols, City Life comfortably holds up to 13 guests and is operated by a licensed captain along with an experienced cabin concierge to attend to City Life's guests' every need. The yacht has a tender garage with water toys, a submersible swim platform, two sun-pads, a large dining table, outdoor seating for all guests, five satellite televisions, a concert quality sound system, a cockpit grill, three refrigerators, a wine refrigerator, two freezers, a Yeti cooler, two heads, two full-size showers, two queen beds, a saloon lounge, a massive retractable cockpit moon roof and more.

"The demand for our yacht charter and yacht membership programs have reached all-time highs in the past 12 months," says Jason De Palma, Founder of Coast Yachts. "Our member-operated boat club fleet was sold out preseason, and our yacht charter fleet is nearing full capacity. We need more yachts to keep up with the flood of new entrants to the market. We are actively shopping for more boats and pursuing yacht owners who have an appetite for revenue and tax depreciation. City Life is joining the Coast family at the perfect time. She is an amazing yacht, one of the largest and highest quality yacht available for charter in Chicago."

Coast Yachts manages an expanding fleet of company-owned watercraft as well as a privately owned fleet offering management, concierge, cleaning, maintenance and crew services to yacht owners. The Coast Yachts Owner's Club program was designed to make a boat owner's happiest day, every day. There are three levels of yacht care to choose from along with optional charter revenue to offset fixed costs.

For more information about Coast Yachts or to inquire about its programs and services, call 888-733-5885 or visit www.ownthesea.com.

Follow Coast Yachts at www.instagram.com/coastyachts and www.facebook.com/coastyachts.

About Coast Yachts

Coast Yachts is a yacht charter, yacht membership and yacht management organization based in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, with locations in Chicago, Illinois, Miami, Florida and Nassau, Bahamas. Coast Yachts is the first-of-its-kind yacht membership club in the United States. Providing its members, a revolutionary and affordable way to enjoy the upside of yacht ownership while free from the downside risk and hassles. Coast was founded by Jason De Palma, an aviation expert with 10 years of private jet charter, jet management and fractional jet ownership experience. Since 2010, he has owned and operated marina, boat rental and yacht charter businesses. Mr. De Palma is a U.S. Coast Guard Credentialed Mariner, 100-ton Master Captain. The Coast management team, captains and crew are all highly dedicated and experienced professionals who share a passion for perfection.

Related Files

Coast_City Life_Press Release_6-30-21.pdf

Related Images

city-life-coast-yachts.jpeg

City Life - Coast Yachts

Sunseeker Predator 60

SOURCE Coast Yachts
BINGHAMTON, N.Y., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Columbian Mutual Life Insurance Company ("Columbian") today announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously approved a strategic transaction with Constellation Insurance Holdings, Inc. ("Constellation"). This includes the conversion of Columbian to a stock company and the issuance of all of its newly issued stock to Constellation pursuant to a sponsored demutualization. Constellation, an insurance holding company, is backed by Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec ("CDPQ") and Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board ("Ontario Teachers'"), two of North America's largest and premier long-term institutional investors.

Since 1882, Columbian has offered high-quality, affordable life insurance protection to consumers in all 50 states. Its affiliated companies have US$1.8 billion in assets and over 750,000 policyholders.

The strategic transaction provides for Constellation to invest up to US$100 million to fund cash payments to eligible policyholders and to significantly strengthen capitalization and financial ratings of Columbian. The transaction will help protect and enhance Columbian's policyholder interests as well as allow for investments in the future growth of the business.

"Constellation's investment is transformative from a strategic and financial perspective and provides access to long-term capital, improved balance sheet strength, stronger financial ratings and the ability to continue to invest in technology and automation," said Michael Fosbury, President and Chief Executive Officer, Columbian. "This investment from Constellation will allow Columbian to build on its longstanding strengths, including our brand, our market position in the life insurance segment, our distribution partnerships, and our culture of customer service, to capitalize on the significant growth opportunities in providing affordable protection products for the senior market. All stakeholders will benefit as this transaction positions the company for long-term success."

"Columbian is an impressive company with significant growth potential. We look forward to partnering with Michael and the management team to significantly accelerate Columbian's organic and inorganic growth trajectory and firmly position the company as a leader in targeted life insurance market segments," said Anurag Chandra, Constellation's founder, Chairman Chief Executive Officer. "This transaction and the recently announced Ohio National demutualization demonstrate the compelling value proposition Constellation offers to life and P&C insurers who are looking for access to long-term growth capital, enhanced ratings and scale efficiencies, while preserving their independent identity, brand, operations and culture."

The transaction is anticipated to close in the first half of 2022, subject to regulatory and policyholder approvals. Following the closing of the transaction, Columbian will maintain its brand and leadership team, and the company's offices will remain in Binghamton and Syracuse.

Eversheds Sutherland is serving as legal counsel to Columbian and its Board of Directors. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods (KBW), A Stifel Company is serving as financial advisor to Columbian and its Board of Directors. Milliman is serving as actuarial services provider to Columbian. Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is serving as legal counsel to Constellation.

ABOUT COLUMBIAN MUTUAL INSURANCE COMPANY

Since 1882, Columbian has provided value through quality, affordable life insurance protection. Columbian's consumer-oriented products are designed to make a positive difference in policyholder's lives by enhancing financial security when needed most. The company is licensed in all 50 states and has grown over the years through a series of strategic mergers and acquisitions. Columbian's affiliated companies have $1.8 billion in assets and over 750,000 policyholders.

ABOUT CONSTELLATION

Constellation is an insurance holding company targeting acquisitions of life and P&C insurers based in North America, with the strategic intent of building a substantial, highly rated and conservatively managed multi-line insurance business backed by long-term institutional capital. Constellation's founding investors and equal partners, CDPQ and Ontario Teachers' are two of the largest long-term institutional investors in North America, managing a combined total of over CA$500 billion in net assets, including over CA$80 billion in private capital investments. For more information, visit constellationih.com

ABOUT ONTARIO TEACHERS'

The Ontario Teachers' Pension Plan Board (Ontario Teachers') is the administrator of Canada's largest single-profession pension plan, with CA$204.7 billion in net assets (all figures at June 30, 2020 unless noted). It holds a diverse global portfolio of assets, approximately 80% of which is managed in-house, and has earned an annual total-fund net return of 9.5% since the plan's founding in 1990. Ontario Teachers' is an independent organization headquartered in Toronto. Its Asia-Pacific regional offices are in Hong Kong and Singapore, and its Europe, Middle East & Africa region office is in London. The defined-benefit plan, which is fully funded as of January 1, 2020, invests and administers the pensions of the province of Ontario's 329,000 active and retired teachers. For more information, visit otpp.com and follow us on Twitter @OtppInfo.

ABOUT CDPQ

At Caisse de depot et placement du Quebec (CDPQ), we invest constructively to generate sustainable returns over the long term. As a global investment group managing funds for public retirement and insurance plans, we work alongside our partners to build enterprises that drive performance and progress. We are active in the major financial markets, private equity, infrastructure, real estate and private debt. As at December 31, 2020, CDPQ's net assets total CA$365.5 billion. For more information, visit cdpq.com , follow us on Twitter or consult our Facebook or LinkedIn pages.

Media Contact: Frank L. Lettera ([email protected])

SOURCE Columbian Financial Group
CALGARY, AB, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - Canadian Pacific (TSX: CP) (NYSE: CP) will release its second-quarter 2021 financial and operating results after the market close on July 28, 2021.

CP will discuss its results with the financial community in a conference call beginning at 4:30 p.m. ET (2:30 p.m. MT) on July 28, 2021.

Conference Call Access

Toronto participants dial in number: 1-416-764-8688

Operator assisted toll free dial in number: 1-888-390-0546

Callers should dial in 10 minutes prior to the call.

Webcast

We encourage you to access the webcast and presentation material in the Investors section of CP's website at investor.cpr.ca

A replay of the second-quarter conference call will be available by phone through to Aug. 4, 2021 at 416-764-8677 or toll free 1-888-390-0541, password 047330#.

About Canadian Pacific

Canadian Pacific is a transcontinental railway in Canada and the United States with direct links to major ports on the west and east coasts. CP provides North American customers a competitive rail service with access to key markets in every corner of the globe. CP is growing with its customers, offering a suite of freight transportation services, logistics solutions and supply chain expertise. Visit cpr.ca to see the rail advantages of CP. CP-IR

SOURCE Canadian Pacific
ServiceTitan also announced that it has closed $200 million in Series G financing, led by new investor Thoma Bravo, a leading software investment firm, that values the company at $9.5 billion.

"Both Aspire and ServiceTitan were born out of a desire to improve the lives of contractors who work tirelessly to serve their communities, but who have historically been underserved by technology," said Ara Mahdessian, CEO and co-founder of ServiceTitan. "Mark and his team at Aspire have more than 500 years of combined experience in the commercial landscaping industry. Just like we built ServiceTitan to solve the problems our fathers faced, it's that first-hand industry knowledge that has enabled Aspire to build the most powerful software in the industry with the highest customer satisfaction."

Founded in 2013 by Mark Tipton and Kevin Kehoe, Aspire helps landscaping contractors grow twice as fast as the industry average while increasing margin. The company powers hundreds of commercial landscapers that collectively count more than 50,000 users and perform roughly $4B in annualized transactions across landscaping, snow and ice, and construction. As a part of the acquisition, Aspire will continue to build its business in St. Louis with the support and investment of ServiceTitan.

"As the fastest-growing software solution for the trades with an unrelenting focus on customer success, ServiceTitan is poised to extend its leadership and capture increased market share as the industry exceeds $1 trillion globally," said Robert (Tre) Sayle, a partner at Thoma Bravo. "ServiceTitan's expansion into landscaping, a more than $100 billion market in the US alone, is an important step on its path to provide all home and commercial tradesmen with the tools they need to grow and manage a successful business. We are excited to partner with ServiceTitan and to leverage our software and operational expertise to accelerate the company's growth and build upon its strong momentum."

Founded on a mission to help hardworking contractors reach the level of success they deserve, ServiceTitan announced it surpassed $250 million in annual recurring revenue in March, having grown more than 50% over the previous twelve months. With more than 1,600 employees worldwide, ServiceTitan has been named one of the best places to work by Inc. and the Los Angeles Business Journal for three straight years.

With the additional capital, ServiceTitan will continue to invest in research and development, growth, and customer service, following the launch of the company's customer support center in Salt Lake City in May. ServiceTitan is hiring top talent across the board, particularly in customer support, sales, product, and engineering.

About ServiceTitan

ServiceTitan is a software company built to accelerate the home and commercial service industries. The company's end-to-end software suite includes CRM, intelligent dispatch, custom reporting, marketing automation, a mobile solution for field techs, and accounting, payments and financing integrations. By bringing a fully operational modern SaaS infrastructure to an industry traditionally underserved by technology, ServiceTitan makes a direct and positive impact on the lives of thousands of entrepreneurs and their extended teams. ServiceTitan is backed by world-class investors including Thoma Bravo, Tiger Global Management, Bessemer Venture Partners and ICONIQ Growth.

About Aspire Software

Aspire Software offers business management software for landscape, snow & ice, and construction companies. Aspire's cloud-based SaaS solution helps landscapers manage, create, and execute against their business opportunities and challenges. Aspire helps landscapers change the way they manage their business to enable them to provide better service, improve margins, and increase productivity. Backed by top growth equity investor Mainsail Partners, Aspire is based in Chesterfield, MO. For more information, please visit http://www.youraspire.com .

About Thoma Bravo

Thoma Bravo is one of the largest private equity firms in the world, with more than $78 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2021. The firm invests in growth-oriented, innovative companies operating in the software and technology sectors. Leveraging the firm's deep sector expertise and proven strategic and operational capabilities, Thoma Bravo collaborates with its portfolio companies to implement operating best practices, drive growth initiatives and make accretive acquisitions intended to accelerate revenue and earnings. Over the past 20 years, the firm has acquired more than 300 companies representing over $85 billion in enterprise value. The firm has offices in Chicago, Miami and San Francisco. For more information, visit thomabravo.com .

MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

(865) 977-1973

[email protected]

SOURCE ServiceTitan

Related Links

http://www.servicetitan.com


SEATTLE, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Well-known Seattle "power couple", Carol Bailey and Dr. Steve Medwell  The Princess and The Bear  are announcing the Grand Opening of Seattle's first and only French wine tasting room and Wine Clubs, July 8-11, from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. daily, featuring wines made mostly by women and not available anywhere else in the U.S. The couple, who just flew in from France for the opening, will be on hand, inviting visitors to explore these high-quality, exclusive, affordable wines as well as join their ever-growing Wine Clubs.

"We are thrilled to be bringing our specially-curated, mostly organic diversity of wines from the world's largest wine-producing region to the Pacific Northwest," said Princess & Bear Co-Founder and attorney Carol Bailey. "These delicious small batch wines and the amazing artisanal winemakers, which we discovered by chance, have become our passion. We are so excited to be able to share them with our first home, Seattle, and our wine club members throughout the US."

"We hope Seattle joins us in the love of these small batch wines," said Co-Founder Dr. Steve Medwell. "We're the sole company importing only French wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon region in France to America and they are available right here in Seattle. A majority of the wines we hand selected from our home in the Languedoc, are under $30 a bottle despite their outstanding quality."

When Medwell retired after decades as a colorectal surgeon at Seattle's Polyclinic, and Bailey retired from her family practice law firm, Integrative Family Law, the two thought they were retiring and moving to an idyllic property in the charming village of Quarante, France. Instead, they discovered this incredible, underground movement of independent, mostly women winemakers who were upsetting the conventional bulk wine industry and the couple was instantly captivated. It became their mission to import these high-quality, carefully curated wines and champion the small, independent winemakers of the region.

"One of the things that makes the wines of the Languedoc-Roussillon so special is the tremendous number of grape varieties grown here," said Bailey. "In the last 20 years winemakers have come from all over the world to make wine in this region because the geography is so uniquely varied, from Mediterranean sandy soils to iron rich clay soils to mountain shales. Each grape has its favorite terroir and tells the story of the land. We are now honored to bring the story of these incredible winemakers, and their wines, to Seattle. As we say 'Our pride in this place brings joy to your glass'."

Opening in Seattle's South Park neighborhood, The Princess and The Bear tasting room is just west of Boeing Field, and features a modern, comfortable and intimate atmosphere with a welcoming and international vibe. It offers the best wines from the Languedoc-Roussillon region, which are all hand-selected by founders Bailey (The Princess) and Medwell (The Bear,) from a variety of small, independent winemakers  more than 60 percent women  who use their tenacity, creativity and expertise to make these wines.

The Princess and The Bear tasting room is located at 309 South Cloverdale Street, Suite A1 in the South Park neighborhood. Throughout the four-day opening celebration, complimentary flights of wine will be served with glass pours and bottles available for purchase. Available for purchase will be three other Languedoc wines and one small, independent producer's rose Roussillon wine. P&B Wine Club members will receive 15-20% club discounts on all bottle purchases throughout the weekend.

Complimentary small bites created by tasting room neighbor Shane Ryan, owner of Osprey Bistro , will be available throughout the weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, the event will also feature live music by Maestro Pasquale Santos from 4-6 PM.

More information about the events planned as well as the tasting room and P&B Wine Clubs can be found here. News Media can access this DropBox Link for additional professional photos, information on P&B and more.

ABOUT THE PRINCESS AND THE BEAR WINES

The Princess and The Bear has the only French wine tasting room in the Pacific Northwest and the only online wine shop and wine clubs offering exclusively small batch, affordable and uniquely delicious wines of the Languedoc-Roussillon, the most exciting region of France and the largest wine-producing region in the world. These wines are not available anywhere else. For more information, please visit www.theprincessandthebear.com.

SOURCE The Princess and The Bear
Mr. Jacobs, who joined Turkey Hill's Board of Directors two years ago, has approximately 30 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, most recently serving as Executive Vice President, Chief Customer & Experience Officer, and Chief Operating Officer at Hostess Brands (NASDAQ: TWNK ), a branded packaged food business focused on manufacturing, selling and distributing snack cake products in North America. Before joining Hostess, Mr. Jacobs served as the President of Wolfgang Candy Company. Mr. Jacobs' other prior experiences include leadership positions at The Hershey Company, Brach's Confections, and Nabisco.

Mr. Gagliano also joins Turkey Hill with approximately 30 years of experience in the food and beverage industry, most recently serving as Executive Vice President and Chief Customer Officer at SlimFast, a provider of nutritional products. Before joining SlimFast, Mr. Gagliano served as Senior Vice President of North American Sales at CytoSport, Inc., a sports-oriented provider of nutritional products including Muscle Milk. Before joining CytoSport, Mr. Gagliano served as the Director of Grocery at Pepsi Bottling Company.

Robert Pistilli, a member of the Board of Directors at Turkey Hill, stated, "On behalf of the Board, we would like to congratulate Mr. Jacobs and Mr. Gagliano on their respective appointments. Andy is a highly talented executive with decades of experience in the branded food and beverage industry, and his guidance as a member of the Board has been instrumental to Turkey Hill's success over the past two years. Paul is an accomplished commercial executive with highly relevant experience and will be pivotal in executing Turkey Hill's growth strategy. We look forward to working with both executives and continuing Turkey Hill's industry leadership, while providing its loyal customers and consumers with best-in-class products, service, and innovation."

Mr. Jacobs added, "I am both honored and excited to take on the role of CEO at Turkey Hill. The Company has a longstanding reputation as a category leader and provides high quality products to a growing blue-chip customer base with millions of consumers nationwide. I look forward to working with the team to further accelerate Turkey Hill's growth trajectory, geographic expansion and new product innovation efforts."

Mr. Gagliano added, "I am thrilled to join Turkey Hill as the CCO. The Turkey Hill brand is highly regarded across the United States with 90+ years of history yet there remain significant opportunities for expansion. I am excited to assist the Company in continuing the transformational growth it has undergone these past couple years."

ABOUT TURKEY HILL LLC

Founded in 1931 and located in the rich farming country of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, Turkey Hill is a leading manufacturer and distributor of branded ice cream, frozen novelties, and refrigerated drinks for the retail, foodservice, and alternative channels. Over the past 20 years, Turkey Hill has doubled in size and now sells products nationwide and internationally.

For more information about Turkey Hill, visit www.turkeyhill.com, or follow Turkey Hill on Twitter or Facebook.

Media Contacts:

Daniel Yunger

Kekst CNC

Office: (212) 521-4800

[email protected]

SOURCE Turkey Hill LLC
The companys drilling program is designed to test the productive artisanal gold diggings enclosed by the 40 ppb gold-in-soil anomaly contour line at the East Alahine North, Central and South prospects.

Starting of phase 2 drilling at the East Alahine prospect

( ) has started a 5,100-metre phase 2 air core (AC) and reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at the East Alahine prospect within the Alahine Project in Siguiri Gold Basin of Guinea, West Africa.

The companys 2021 exploration drill program (phase 2) that started on Tuesday comprises 112 holes for 5,100 metres of combined AC and RC drilling, designed to test the productive artisanal gold diggings enclosed by the 40 parts per billion (ppb) gold-in-soil anomaly contour line at the East Alahine North, Central and South prospects.

Polymetals has engaged an Australian-based West African drilling contractor, Target Drilling, to complete the phase 2 drilling program.

Highly prospective zone

The 2,400 metres phase 1 drilling program previously completed returned a best intercept of 12 metres at 3.09 g/t gold from 89 metres downhole (Hole 14).

Polymetals current phase 2 drilling program is designed to test the lateral and vertical extent of the Hole 14 gold-mineralised zone as well as the Siguiri-like shallow oxide gold potential, demarcated by the 40 ppb gold-in-soil anomaly contour and by active artisanal gold workings.

ASX listing

The company, which made its ASX debut on Tuesday, is focused on its portfolio of gold projects in Guinea, West Africa, including its subsidiary Golden Guinea Resources SARLs two exploration licences within the Siguiri Basin.

Polymetals was admitted to the quotation after raising $5.2 million in the IPO, selling 26 million shares at 20 cents a pop.

Gold portfolio

Polymetals has a 100% interest in Golden Guinea Resources SARL which owns two exploration licences within the Siguiri Basin.

This basin occupies the countrys north-eastern corner and hosts several large active gold mining operations and is notable for its widespread gold anomalism.

The region is considered highly prospective for gold and relatively immature from an exploration perspective and produces over 500,000 ounces of gold per year.

Polymetals two exploration licences, Alahine and Mansala, host many historic and current small-scale gold mining operations conducted by local individuals known as artisans.
Washington, June 30 : American biotechnology company Moderna said on Tuesday that its Covid-19 vaccine showed promise in a lab setting against coronavirus variants, including the highly contagious Delta variant first identified in India.

The results came from vitro neutralisation studies of sera from eight participants one week after they received the second dose of the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine, the Xinhua news agency reported.

The vaccine produced neutralising titers against all variants tested, including additional versions of the Beta variant, scientifically named B.1.351 which was first identified in South Africa; three lineage variants of B.1.617 which was first identified in India, including the Kappa (B.1.617.1) and the Delta variant (B.1.617.2); the Eta variant (B.1.525) which was first identified in Nigeria; and the A.23.1 and A.VOI.V2 variants first identified in Uganda and Angola, respectively, according to Moderna.

"These new data are encouraging and reinforce our belief that the Moderna Covid-19 vaccine should remain protective against newly detected variants," said Chief Executive Officer of Moderna Stephane Bancel.

These data were submitted as a preprint to bioRxiv, and have not yet been peer-reviewed.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Washington, June 30 : The Covid-19 vaccination in the US is slowing down while the highly transmissible Delta variant has spread to nearly every state, fueling experts' fear about potential Covid-19 spikes.

The 7-day average number of administered Covid-19 vaccine doses per day has decreased by 55.3 per cent from the previous week, according the latest weekly report of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

About 46.4 per cent of the US population is fully vaccinated against Covid-19, and 54.2 per cent of the population has received at least one shot as of Tuesday, the Xinhua news agency reported.

Roughly 154.2 million people are fully vaccinated. But some states -- such as Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee and Wyoming -- have low vaccination rates.

The White House has confirmed the country will not hit US President Joe Biden's goal of getting 70 per cent of American adults to receive at least one Covid-19 vaccine shot by the Fourth of July.

Amid the slowdown of vaccination rates, the infections caused by variants, especially the highly contagious Delta variant which was first recognised in India, are climbing.

The proportion of the Delta variant infections for the 2-week period ending June 19 is expected to increase to 20.6 per cent nationally and be higher in some regions, according to the CDC.

The figure was only 2.8 per cent in the 2-week frame ending in May 22, and increased to 9.5 per cent in the 2-week frame ending in June 5, CDC data show.

The infections caused by the Delta variant now account for one fifth of the newly diagnosed Covid-19 cases in the US, according to the CDC.

The variant is expected to become the dominant coronavirus strain in the US, CDC Director Rochelle Walensky warned.

In Los Angeles County, the pace of Delta's spread has prompted officials to reinstate mask guidance for public indoor spaces -- regardless of vaccination status.

The new, voluntary mask guidance is needed until health officials can "better understand how and to who the Delta variant is spreading," the county's department of public health said.

Experts are concerned the variants could cause a resurgence of Covid-19 in the fall if the unvaccinated population do not take actions in a timely manner.

The mRNA Covid-19 vaccines, which are made by Pfizer/BioNTech and Moderna, appear to hold up against the Delta variant, according to White House chief medical advisor Anthony Fauci.

The Pfizer/BioNTech vaccine was 88 per cent effective in preventing Covid-19 symptoms in the Delta variant two weeks after the second dose of the vaccine, he said.

US Officials repeatedly urged Americans to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Mexico City, June 30 : Mexico is seeing an increase in Covid-19 infections, but the trend has not carried over to a rise in deaths or severe cases, a health official said on Tuesday.

Undersecretary of Prevention and Health Promotion Hugo Lopez-Gatell said Mexico could end this week with an increase of between 15 and 18 per cent in the number of newly detected and estimated Covid-19 cases, the Xinhua news agency reported.

"A prominent element, not only in Mexico but in the world, is that an increase in cases ... now shows a significant discrepancy regarding a corresponding rise in serious cases and deaths," he explained.

He pointed out that one of the reasons that new infections are not resulting in deaths or serious cases is that the national vaccination campaign against Covid-19 is successfully immunising the population.

According to its records, the Mexican government has inoculated nearly 30.4 million people out of a total population of 89.4 million over 18 years old with at least one vaccine dose.

The official also explained that a large part of the deaths in 2020 was among people over 60 years old and people with comorbidities.

As of Monday, Mexico had accumulated 2,507,453 Covid-19 cases and 232,608 deaths, according to Health Ministry data.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
United Nations, June 30 : Raising an alarm about the emergence of cyberspace as a vehicle for cross-border terrorism by nations and terror organisations, India has called for international action to achieve a framework for global cybersecurity.

Outlining the dangers to international peace emanating from cyberspace, India's Foreign Secretary Harsh Vardhan told the Security Council on Tuesday: "We need to adopt a collaborative rules-based approach in cyberspace and work towards ensuring its openness, stability and security." UN's High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu also warned of the risks from cyberattacks and said that situations could develop that "can encourage states to adopt offensive postures for the hostile use of these technologies".

Because of this risk and the potential for "criminal groups and others" to create global destabilisation, she said that the Security Council should get involved in ensuring cybersecurity.

Vardhan said: "The borderless nature of cyberspace, and more importantly anonymity of actors involved, has challenged the traditionally accepted concepts of sovereignty, jurisdiction and privacy.

"As a victim of terrorism, India has always underlined the need for member states to address and tackle the implications of terrorist exploitation of the cyber domain more strategically." Some countries "are leveraging their expertise in cyberspace to achieve their political and security-related objectives and indulge in contemporary forms of cross-border terrorism", he said.

He added that cyber tools were being used to "compromise state securityaA through attacks on critical national infrastructure, including health and energy facilities and to "disrupt social harmony through radicalisation".

Terrorists have used social media to plan and execute terror attacks and for "virulent propaganda" to incite hatred and violence, recruit youth and raise funds, he said.

Vardhan warned of the dangers from malware that can "create potential flashpoints between states".

"It is in the interest of the international community to ensure that all actors abide by their international obligations and commitments and not indulge in practices that could have potentially disruptive effects on global supply chains and trade in ICT (Information Communication Technology) product.

"There are widespread concerns that state and non-state actors are introducing vulnerabilities and harmful hidden functions, including through backdoor channels, into ICT networks and products.

"The Open-Ended Working Group (OEWG) on developments in ICT (OEWG) should be leveraged to find further common ground and improve upon the already agreed cyber norms and rules," he said.

The OEWG, set up by the General Assembly in 2018, submitted its final report this March.

It did not recommend specific rules or regulations for adoption, but outlined areas of consensus and suggested further consultations.

Vardhan spoke of the positive potential of ICT citing the role of the Co-WIN platform in India's vaccination drive against coronavirus. He said that India was sharing it with partner countries.

The contrast between totalitarian countries like China, which he did not name, that have closed their cyberspace to outside influences and open societies like India came up in his speech when Vardhan spoke of the vulnerabilities of nations that allow external cyber access.

While committing India to "an open, secure, free, accessible and stable cyberspace environment", he pointed out that "open societies have been particularly vulnerable to cyber-attacks and disinformation campaigns".

The dangers outlined by Vardhan are widely manifest around the world.

In view of the dangers from ICT equipment being compromised with spyware, India has banned the use of some Chinese-made products.

There has been a proliferation of malware introduced into even computer systems used by the Pentagon.

Systems used in the US for petroleum distribution and for beef supply, as well as local governments, have been hit by cybercriminals to extort ransomware.

Washington has said that they operated from Russia.

Hospitals and health systems in the US and the UK have also been victims of cybercrime.

US Permanent Representative Linda Thomas-Greenfield said that countries should act against cybercriminals operating in their territories.

"Let me be clear: when a state is notified of harmful activity emanating from its own territory, it must take reasonable steps to address it. Given the transnational nature of cyberspace, this cooperation is essential," she said.

Estonia's Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, who presided over the meeting said: "Existing international law applies in cyberspace, with states accountable for any acts that contravene their obligations." (Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed @arulouis)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, June 30 : Five Asian countries, including India, are responsible for 80 per cent of the world's planned new coal plants. These plants will endanger Paris climate goals despite the availability of cheaper renewables, a report by financial think tank Carbon Tracker said on Wednesday.

It warns that 92 per cent of these planned units will be uneconomic, even under business as usual, and up to $150 billion could be wasted. Consumers and taxpayers will ultimately foot the bill because these countries either subsidize coal power or prop it up with favourable market design, power purchase agreements or other forms of policy support.

The report, 'Do Not Revive Coal', said China, India, Indonesia, Japan and Vietnam plan to build more than 600 new units with a combined capacity of over 300GW, ignoring calls from UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres for all new coal plants to be cancelled.

He said phasing out coal from the electricity sector is the "single most important step" in tackling the climate crisis.

Carbon Tracker's Head of Power and Utilities, Catharina Hillenbrand Von Der Neyen said: "These last bastions of coal power are swimming against the tide, when renewables offer a cheaper solution that supports global climate targets. Investors should steer clear of new coal projects, many of which are likely to generate negative returns from the outset." As well as modelling the financials of 80 per cent of planned new coal, the report evaluates the economics of 95 per cent of operating coal plants at the boiler level worldwide: over 6,000 operating units accounting for around 2,000 GW.

It is the third report in Carbon Tracker's annual Powering Down Coal series.

The five Asian countries also operate nearly three quarters of the current global coal fleet, with 55 per cent in China and 12 per cent in India. The report warns that around 27 per cent of existing capacity is already unprofitable and another 30 per cent is close to breakeven, generating a nominal profit of no more than $5 per MWh.

Worldwide, $220 billion of operating coal plants are deemed at risk of becoming stranded if the world meets the Paris climate targets.

The report finds that around 80 per cent of the operating global coal fleet could be replaced with new renewables with an immediate cost saving. By 2024, new renewables will be cheaper than coal in every major region, and by 2026 almost 100 per cent of global coal capacity will be more expensive to run than building and operating new renewables.

Growing competition from renewables, coupled with increased regulation, is likely to drive continued falls in coal plant usage, undermining their profitability.

The report notes that coal plant economics are highly sensitive to utilisation and just a five per cent annual reduction to the conservative base assumptions in its analysis would see global coal unprofitability almost double to 52 per cent by 2030 and rise to 77 per cent by 2040.

India is the second largest coal power producer with around 250 GW of operating capacity and a pipeline of 60 GW. New renewables can already generate energy at lower cost than 84 per cent of operating coal and will outcompete everywhere by 2024.

It has a target of 450 GW of renewables by 2030 -- more than five times its 2020 capacity -- which will meet 60 per cent of energy demand.

However, the silence from large polluting countries, including China and India, on more aggressive climate measures at the recent Leaders Summit on Climate spoke volumes, suggesting they still have internal priorities that conflict with policies that seek to mitigate climate change.

At the corporate level, just 10 companies account for around 40 per cent of the stranding risk, of which NTPC and the Adani Group in India, and PLN in Indonesia are by far the most exposed.

Of the 10 most exposed companies, seven are headquartered in India.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Paris, June 30 : The highly contagious Covid-19 Delta variant "now accounts for about 20 per cent of new cases" in France, Health Minister Olivier Veran said.

The Delta variant "is gradually becoming dominant (in France) as it is in all countries in the world" Xinhua news agency quoted Veran as saying to told France Info radio on Tuesday.

The same virus variant had represented 9 to 10 per cent of new infections according to official figures released a week ago.

Meanwhile, "its share keeps on increasing in percentage, not in absolute terms, as the total number of cases is decreasing", the Minister added, urging people to remain vigilant.

The overall coronavirus caseload in France currently stood at 5,835,885, with 111,230 deaths.

The seven-day average of daily positive tests is 1,818, sharply down from around 40,000 recorded in early April.

Covid-related hospitalisations have steadily gone down since the country eased restrictions in May.

Currently, 8,846 infected patients were hospitalised, with 1,304 of the critically-ill in intensive care, according to the Health Ministry.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
London, June 30 : UK Education Secretary Gavin Williamson has called for a ban on smartphones in school classrooms as part of an initiative to improve student behaviour.

Earlier, the Department for Education (DfE) announced a plan to ask teachers and school leaders for views on managing good behaviour, including the use of smartphones while inside a classroom, Xinhua news agency.

Williamson's call on Tuesday came ahead of plans to update government guidance later this year on behaviour and discipline in schools, as well as student suspensions and permanent exclusions.

A six-week consultation will seek views on how schools maintain calm classrooms, the use of removal rooms and creating phone-free school days, among other measures.

"No parent wants to send their child to a school where poor behaviour is rife," Williamson said.

"Every school should be a safe place that allows young people to thrive and teachers to excel.

"Cellphones are not just distracting, but when misused or overused, they can have a damaging effect on a pupil's mental health and wellbeing.

"I want to put an end to this, making the school day mobile-free," the Education Secretary added.

In order to help students overcome the challenges from the pandemic and level up opportunity for all young people, he noted, it was necessary to ensure they can benefit from calm classrooms which support them to thrive.

Some of school teaching staff, however, described Williamson's call as a distraction.

"In reality, every school will already have a robust policy on the use of mobile phones," Geoff Barton, general secretary of the Association of School and College Leaders, told The Guardian newspaper.

"Frankly, school and college leaders would prefer the education secretary to be delivering an ambitious post-pandemic recovery plan."
Lucknow, June 30 : The Jhansi railway station is now tipped for a change of name.

It will now be named after Rani Lakshmibai, a pioneer of the first war of Independence in 1857.

Jhansi District Magistrate Andre Vamsi has confirmed that a proposal in this regard has been sent to the state government.

According to sources in the government, the proposal is likely to be forwarded to the Centre soon for further action.

"Jhansi MP Anurag Sharma had recommended the change of the name of the railway station. We have given consent on the name-change and sent it to the state government," Vamsi told reporters.

The Jhansi MP said that the proposal to rename the railway station was mooted about two years ago during a railways' zonal meeting.

"The proposal was made in the presence of people's representative of the Bundelkhand region. The decision was mentioned in the minutes of the meeting and now has gone to the state government for further action," he said.

The state government, sources said, was preparing to forward the proposal to the Centre for further action.

The Yogi Adityanath government has already changed the names of three prominent places -- Allahabad to Prayagraj, Mughalsarai to Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Nagar and Faizabad to Ayodhya.

However, unlike Allahabad and Faizabad, there is no proposal to change the name of the city, Jhansi in this case.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has been indicating that the state government would go ahead with the name-change, wherever it found necessary.

"We did what we felt was good. We renamed Mughalsarai after Pandit Deen Dayal Upadhyaya, Allahabad as Prayagraj and Faizabad as Ayodhya. Where there is a need, the government will take the steps required," the Chief Minister had stated in a function some months ago.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Shahjahanpur : , June 30 (IANS) The Uttar Pradesh Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS) has registered another FIR against two Delhi-based clerics, who have been accused of forcibly converting scores of people to Islam.

The case involves the conversion of a Hindu girl in Shahjahanpur district.

The 29-year-old girl had married a Muslim youth after converting to another religion.

She is in Delhi with her husband and ATS sleuths are trying to reach her, sources said.

Mohammed Umar Gautam, the founder of Islamic Dawah Centre (IDC), which has its office in Delhi's Batla House, in known to help people in converting to Islam.

Another cleric, Qazi Jahangir Alam, who worked with Gautam, is also under arrest.

The girl, in an interview to local media, has said, "I searched online for help when I wanted to get converted. And these people helped me with the conversion. They took my Aadhaar card and some other documents to get it registered." When asked if her family agreed to the conversion, the girl said, "They were not happy. But I told them about my decision." The girl has said that she changed her religion for better career prospects in Gulf countries.

"I work at IGI Airport and get just Rs 20,000. In Dubai, I am likely to get Rs 2 to 3 lakh a month. So, I converted to Islam," the girl is heard saying in the video, where her face is covered with a stole.

The girl left for Delhi on Friday and has not returned home since.

Her phone, and that of her husband, have been switched off since then.

The girl's uncle told reporters, "My niece left for Delhi and did not return. Now she has contacted her father through a lawyer who has assured him that she will return soon. If she does not return, we will lodge a police complaint." An official in ATS, who is investigating the conversion case, said, "An FIR was registered against Mohammed Umar Gautam and Jahangir Alam after finding their involvement in this conversion. We are searching for the girl as she is missing and even her father is not aware about her location. The claims made by the girl earlier did not seem to be correct. The role of her husband is also suspicious and we are investigating his role as well." The clerics have been booked under sections 153-A (promoting enmity between different groups on ground of religion, race etc), 153-B (imputations assertions prejudicial to national integration), 295-A (deliberate or malicious act intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion), 511 (attempting to commit offences punishable with imprisonment for life or other imprisonment) of IPC.

While Shahjahanpur Senior Superintendent of Police S. Anand said, "We are keeping an eye on this case and an FIR will be registered once the girl's father gives a complaint in writing."
Lucknow, June 30 : An FIR has been lodged at the Mahanagar police station here after the recovery of fake currency notes in the currency chest of the Reserve Bank of India.

Mohit Priyadarshi, assistant manager, Reserve Bank of India, Gomti Nagar, informed the police that 44 fake currency notes (one in the denomination of Rs 20 and remaining of Rs 100) were found in the bank's currency chest in Mahanagar in April-May this year.

He said the circulation/printing of fake currency was a serious offence and required police action.

He said that the police could send fake currency notes to the currency printing press or forensic lab for investigation.

He also submitted the fake currency notes and its details to the police.

Last year, another bank had lodged an FIR stating that demonetized currency worth Rs 1.5 crore was found in the bank's chest. The currency notes were deposited by various banks in the city between October 2017 and March 2018.

The seized notes were sent to Nashik to check if they are counterfeit. Over 9,000 notes of Rs 500 denomination and 6,000 notes of Rs 1,000 denomination were found in the chest.
Agra, June 30 : An undertrial prisoner, accused of gang-rape, allegedly hanged himself in the Agra district jail premises, said officials. The family, however, suspects foul play.

The deceased, identified as Yogesh Kumar, 25, was one of the accused in a case of gang-rape that took place in March, the jail authorities said.

According to the jail officials, Kumar hanged himself with a stole from the locked gate of the terrace of the two-storey barracks.

His body was discovered on the intervening night of Monday/Tuesday.

Jailer Sanjeev Singh said that the body was sent for post mortem and the district administration has been informed about the suicide.

"A judicial probe is underway in the matter," he said.

He said that Yogesh Kumar had been brought to the district jail after being accused of raping a newlywed woman on March 29, along with his friends near the Etmadpur area of Agra and also making a video of it.

According to the police, Yogesh and two other men, Gauri Rajput and Monu Kumar, were arrested and sent to jail on April 2.

The trio had allegedly waylaid a couple on a bike on Etmadpur highway. The three allegedly assaulted the couple and robbed them of their valuables. They then dragged the woman into a forest area near Jharna nullah and gang-raped her in front of her husband. They also shot a video of the entire incident. On April 1, Gauri Rajput and Monu Kumar were arrested.

An inquiry is being conducted into how Yogesh hung himself from the terrace door in the presence of so many prison guards who were making rounds in that area.

While jail authorities suspect that undertrial, Yogesh Kumar, hanged himself, his family alleged that he was murdered.

They claimed that there were injury marks on his body when it was handed over to them on Tuesday evening.

Jitendra Kumar, cousin of the deceased, said, "When we received his body, it had several injury marks. Some teeth were damaged. Earlier, Yogesh had complained of being beaten up inside the jail. It is a clear case of murder. My brother was not proven guilty. He was innocent." P.D. Salonia, Agra district jail superintendent, said, "The reason behind the undertrial committing suicide is yet to be ascertained. After the discovery of the body, a forensic team was called to collect evidence. Deputy inspector general has conducted a spot inspection and is investigating the entire matter."
San Francisco, June 30 : With an aim to promote independent writers, Facebook has announced a set of publishing and subscription tools -- Bulletin -- to support these creators in the US.

The tech giant said that Bulletin will include support focused on content creation, monetisation and audience growth.

"The popularity of our local Groups and Pages has shown us that people are hungry for locally-relevant, longer-form content produced by expert and authoritative voices," the company said in a statement.

"Through Bulletin, we want to make Facebook a better place for these creators, and unify our existing tools with something that could more directly support great writing and audio content -- from podcasts to Live Audio Rooms -- all in one place," it added.

Each Bulletin creator will have a standalone website under their brand and will be able to customise their publication's name, logo and colour palette.

Creators can also customise their articles with multi-media embeds and other styling options.

"We want to connect audiences with a range of new and diverse voices and enable them to go deeper into the topics they care about," the company said.

Bulletin content will be eligible for distribution in Facebook News and other discovery surfaces to help audiences easily find it and subscribe.

The company said it will include tools to distribute podcasts in addition to long-form writing, including externally-hosted podcasts and additional audio features coming soon.

Bulletin will integrate with Facebook Pages to enable publishing across various multimedia formats.

The company said it is also planning to roll out new investments, products and services aimed to support more independent writers and experts this year.
Tehran, June 30 : Iran's current administration is not in a rush to push for the negotiations to revive the 2015 nuclear agreement before the new government under Presidet-elect Ebrahim Raisi takes power in August, a top official announced here.

"If what we have in mind is ensured, there will be no delay, but if it is not, the continuation of the negotiations will be adjourned to the next government," Ali Rabiei, the spokesman for the outgoing administration of President Hassan Rouhani, said in a briefing on Tuesday.

Reiterating remarks made on Sunday by Tehran's chief nuclear negotiator Abbas Araqchi, Rabiei said all the issues needed to be negotiated to revive the agreement have already been discussed, reports Xinhua news agency.

Tehran is now waiting for its counterparts including the US to announce their own political decisions, in order to "talk more clearly in the next round of talks based on that", the spokesman added.

A consensus, he noted, already exists regarding the removal of sanctions related to the main sectors of Iran's economy, such as energy, finance, banking, and insurance, but all issues must be settled for an agreement to exist in practice.

"We have come to the conclusion that the negotiations have lasted sufficiently, and we expect the US side to make its final decision to return to its obligations and implement international rules," Rabiei said.

On Monday, the Iranian Foreign Ministry once again urged the parties in the Vienna talks to make their decisions on the revitalisation of the 2015 nuclear deal, also known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA).

Iran and the P4+1, namely the UK, China, France, Russia and Germany, with the indirect involvement of the US, have conducted six rounds of negotiations in the Austrian capital since April 6 aimed at reviving the JCPOA.

Despite progresses in the negotiations, the parties have announced that some "serious" differences were yet to be resolved.

At the end of the latest round of talks, Araqchi had said that it was the time for the parties to make their "decisions" over the remaining issues.

The US government under former President Donald Trump withdrew from the international deal in May 2018 and unilaterally reimposed sanctions on Iran.

In response, Iran gradually stopped implementing parts of its commitments to the agreement from May 2019.

Since April 6, the Joint Commission of the nuclear agreement have continued discussions about a possible return of the US to the deal and how to ensure the full and its effective implementation.
New Delhi, June 30 : Food delivery app Zomato, which is working to explore public markets later this year, has reached an agreement to invest $100 million in online grocer Grofers for about a 10 per cent stake.

According to TechCrunch, the proposed investment values the seven-year-old startup Grofers, which counts SoftBank as its largest investor, at over $1 billion.

Zomato's proposed investment is part of a broader round, in which others including Tiger Global and SoftBank Vision Fund 2 are expected to chip in some capital. Zomato said it had no comment to make, citing sources, the report said.

The leadership teams at Grofers and Zomato have long been close friends and began exploring this investment earlier this year.

Both the firms are also open to the idea of Zomato acquiring a majority stake in Grofers in the coming quarters, though a decision hasn't been reached and won't be fully explored until Zomato becomes a publicly-traded company, the source told TechCrunch.

Zomato, which acquired Uber's Indian food delivery business early last year, has told some of its major investors that it envisions a future where the firm has expanded much beyond the food delivery category, the source said, requesting anonymity as the talks are private.

Grofers has witnessed a sharp surge in its popularity in the past year as several Indian states enforced strict lockdown restrictions to contain the spread of the virus.
June 30 : After getting discharged recently, veteran actor Dilip Kumar is admitted to a hospital once again, on Tuesday morning. The actor was taken to Mumbai's PD Hinduja Hospital for treatment.

Earleir, Dilip Kumar was been diagnosed with bilateral pleural effusion and got treatment for the same. Tuesday morning the actor complaint about breathlessness and was rushed to hospital, his condition is stable.

The superstar has been suffering from age-related health issues in recent years. Last month, he was admitted to the same hospital for two days regarding some routine checkups and tests but was detected with pleural effusion.

Dilip Sahabs career spans over five decades with hits like Devdas, Naya Daur, Mughal-e-Azam, and Ram Aur Shyam to name some.

Dilip Kumar, who made his acting debut with 'Jwar Bhata' in 1944, was last seen in the 1998 film 'Qila'.

In 1991, Dilip Kumar was honoured with the Padma Bhushan for his contributions to Indian cinema. In 1994, he received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award.
June 30 : After a hiatus of two years, Shah Rukh Khan has been shooting for Yash Raj Films Pathan, which was halted due to the second wave of Covid-19. While the actor has resumed shoot after lockdown was lifted in Maharashtra, the makers are planning several stylish action sequences for the superstar.

Aditya Chopra, the honcho of Yash Raj Films, and the director of Pathan, Siddharth Anand, have already planned the film on a large scale. The makers are planning to rope in four action directors to design stylise action sequences for Shah Rukh. They have reportedly roped in South African stunt artiste Craig MacRae and are on the lookout for three more. Craig had designed sequences for Mad Max: Fury Road, Avengers: Age of Ultron, Bloodshot, and War. He has already started work with Shah Rukh and John Abraham, after landing in Mumbai on June 8 with his four-member team. King Khan and John have reportedly kicked off confrontation scenes, while the major fight sequences will be filmed next month.

The makers are reportedly planning breathtaking stunts in the film that may include martial arts to hand-to-hand combat and chase sequences. After the Mumbai schedule, shoot will take place in Europe sometime in July or August, as soon as the travel restrictions in the European countries are lifted.

Pathan also stars Deepika Padukone opposite Shah Rukh Khan. The film also features Dimple Kapadia in a key role. The makers have also roped in Salman Khan for a special cameo in the film, who will be seen helping Shah Rukhs character in taking down the baddies in the film. Shah Rukh Khan plays a Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) agent in Pathan.

Reportedly, Shah Rukh will wrap up Pathan in August and may begin Rajkumar Hirani's film in September. It is rumoured that Taapsee Pannu has been roped in as the female lead. The film is touted to be a social comedy set up against the backdrop of immigration. Taapsee had earlier worked in SRKs production Badla along with Amitabh Bachchan.
Nairobi, June 30 : Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta has announced the extension of night curfew by 60 days and pledged to ramp up vaccination against Covid-19 amid recent surges in western parts of the country.

Addressing the nation on Tuesday, Kenyatta said extension of the restrictions including night curfews, a ban on public gatherings and limited attendance to houses of worship, will boost efforts to contain the pandemic, reports Xinhua news agency.

Kenyatta said the night curfew in 13 western Kenyan counties deemed the newest coronavirus hotspots will continue from 7 p.m to 4 a.m. until July 31.

He said that curfew in the rest of the country will be observed from 10 p.m. to 4 a.m. for the next two months while houses of worship are expected to adhere to one third physical attendance capacity rule.

Kenyatta said the ban on political gatherings will remain in force for the next 60 days as the country grapples with virus surges that have slowed down flattening of the curve.

He said all visitors to Kenya will be required to possess a negative Covid-19 test certificate acquired not more than 96 hours prior to their arrival in the country.

The Kenyan leader said that the hospitality industry will be required to adhere to public health protocols aimed at curbing the spread of coronavirus while the number of attendance to funerals, weddings and traditional rites of passage will not exceed 100 persons.

He said that visits to hospitals will be limited to one person for every admitted patient as Kenya intensifies efforts to curb the pandemic since the first case was reported in the country in mid-March 2020.

Kenyatta said the government is aiming to vaccinate 10 million adults by December, adding that it has established capacity to inoculate 150,000 people daily from August.

He said that Kenya has negotiated for 13 million vaccine doses from Johnson & Johnson while the first consignment will be delivered in August.

"Using these vaccines and others in the pipelines, this is how we will vaccinate over 10 million Kenyans by Christmas 2021 and 26 million by the end of 2022," said Kenyatta.

He said the government planned to vaccinate an additional four million young adults by June 2022 if a vaccine for underage population is registered soon, adding that the ultimate goal is to inoculate 30 million people and achieve herd immunity.

The Covid-19 caseload in Kenya rose to 183,603, while cumulative fatalities stood at 3,621.

Total recoveries from the virus stood at 125,388 while the number of vaccines administered in has increased to 1,334,749.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Srinagar, June 30 : Two drones were spotted over the military installations on Wednesday in Jammu city which were fired upon by alert troops forcing them to withdraw.

Police sources said two drones were spotted around 6 a.m. over the army installations in Miran Sahib and Kunjwani areas of Jammu city.

"Alert troops fired at these drones after which they withdrew," sources said.

On Tuesday, drones were spotted over military camps in the Kaluchak and Ratnuchak areas which were also fired upon.

The Union home ministry has issued orders to formally hand over the investigation of the drone attacks at Air Force Station in Jammu to the NIA.

Meanwhile, an army soldier was injured in a firing exchange between hiding militants and the army personnel in Dadal village of Sunderbani tehsil of Rajouri district.

A search operation was launched in the area after a small group of suspicious, armed persons were seen in the village few kilometres away from the Line of Control (LoC).

"The injured soldier has been shifted for treatment to hospital. The operation is going on in the area," sources said.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Chennai, June 30 : Tamil Nadu Minister for Hindu Religious and Charitable Endowments (HR&CE), P.K. Sekar Babu has challenged the former chief minister Edappadi K. Palaniswami to reveal the details of temple properties the AIADMK government had retrieved during their tenure.

In a statement on Tuesday, the HR&CE minister said that since the DMK had come to power in May, the government had retrieved temple land of 79.5 acres which was worth Rs 520 crore. The minister in the statement said that the government had made it public also.

Sekar Babu was responding to a statement of former chief minister Palaniswami that the AIADMK government had retrieved temple properties worth Rs 3,500 crore. The Tamil Nadu HR&CE minister called upon Palaniswami to reveal the details of the land retrieved.

He also asked as to why the AIADMK government had not acted on the complaints filed by officials of the Sivaganga Gowri Vinayagar Temple against encroachers. The minister said that the Palaniswami-led government did not stop the encroachment of 10 acres of land of this temple even after several complaints were lodged by the temple authorities as it was encroached upon by the relatives of an AIADMK minister.

The minister also ridiculed the claims of the former chief minister that the AIADMK government had regularized 2,000 contract labourers and daily wage employees and added that the AIADMK government had kept pending the file for regularising the jobs of 1,600 contract workers for six years without taking any action. He said that towards the fag end of the government, the EPS government made an announcement under Rule 110. This would shift the onus on the DMK government to regularize these contract workers. The minister said that the DMK government would soon regularize these workers and the orders would be issued by chief minister, M.K. Stalin.

The minister also asked the former chief minister to provide details of each and every inch of land retrieved from encroachers and not to make claims that the previous government has recovered 8,700 acres of temple land.

The Madras High Court has ordered to clear the discrepancies found in the temple land details of Tamil Nadu after two land surveys of 1985-86 and 2019-20 brought out a difference of 40,000 acres of land.
Thiruvananthapuram, June 30 : The race for the Kerala State Police Chief (SPC) ended when additional director general of Police Anil Kant was given the nod by chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to take over as the new SPC, as incumbent Loknath Behera superannuates, on Wednesday.

Of late the norm for posting the SPC in states, is the state first sends a list of eligible candidates to the UPSC, which then screens the list based on norms and sends back three, and the government can post anyone from the list.

The Kerala government had first sent a list of 12 eligible candidates, which after the first screening by the UPSC, it was brought down to 9 and after further vetting, the UPSC returned the list of three which includes Sudheesh Kumar, the head of Vigilance and Anti-Corruption Bureau, Sandhya - presently head of the Fire Force and Anil Kant - the Road Safety Commissioner.

Meanwhile, hopes were raised that Vijayan and the CPI-M which claim to give special status for women in all spheres would give the nod to Sandhya and thereby take the credit for naming the first female SPC in the state.

Though Kant has eight more months to superannuation, the rules are the service can be extended for two years.

Hailing from Delhi, the 1988 batch, Kant will write himself into record books by becoming the first from the Dalit community to become the top police officer in Kerala.

Expressing happiness, Kant said women security would be his top priority, as always has been the case.

"Women and children's safety will be our prime concern and all the programmes of my predecessor will be taken forward. I am happy and thankful to the chief minister and the department to have given me this post," said Kant, hearing about the new posting.

Kant will get the rank of the director general of police only at the end of next month when DGP Rishiraj Singh retires.
San Francisco, June 30 : To bring real-time machine-learning-based translation to the platform, video conferencing app Zoom has signed a definitive agreement to acquire German startup Kites -- Karlsruhe Information Technology Solutions.

Kites is a start-up dedicated to developing real-time Machine Translation ("MT") solutions. Its team of 12 researchers will help Zoom's engineering team advance the field of MT to improve meeting productivity and efficiency by providing multi-language translation capabilities for Zoom users.

"We are continuously looking for new ways to deliver happiness to our users and improve meeting productivity and MT solutions will be key in enhancing our platform for Zoom customers across the globe," Velchamy Sankarlingam, President of Product and Engineering at Zoom, said in a statement.

"With our aligned missions to make collaboration frictionless -- regardless of language, geographic location, or other barriers -- we are confident Kites' impressive team will fit right in with Zoom," Sankarlingam added.

The terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Kites was founded in 2015 and has academic roots with Karlsruhe Institute of Technology, where co-founders Alex Waibel and Sebastian StAker are faculty members.

"Kites emerged with the mission of breaking down language barriers and making seamless cross-language interaction a reality of everyday life, and we have long admired Zoom for its ability to easily connect people across the world," said Waibel and DStAker.

"We know Zoom is the best partner for Kites to help advance our mission and we are excited to see what comes next under Zoom's incredible innovation engine," they added.

StAker and the rest of the Kites team will remain based in Karlsruhe, Germany, where Zoom looks forward to investing in growing the team.

Zoom is exploring opening an R&D center in Germany in the future. Waibel will become a Zoom Research Fellow, a role in which he will advise on Zoom's MT research and development.
Washington, June 30 : American aerospace giant Boeing and United Airlines have announced that the carrier, the third largest in the world, will expand its 737 fleet by purchasing an additional 200 jets.

The joint announcement on Tuesday said that the new purchase, including 150 737-10 and 50 737-8, positions United's fleet for growth and accelerating demand for air travel, Xinhua news agency reported.

The agreement also includes the purchase of Boeing 737 MAX training simulator data packages to support pilot training programs.

"As we accelerate our business to meet a resurgence in air travel, we expect the addition of these new aircraft will have a significant economic impact on the communities we serve in terms of job creation, traveller spending and the shipping of goods and services," said United Airlines CEO Scott Kirby.

"We are truly humbled by United Airlines' confidence in the people of Boeing and the airplanes we design and build every day. Our strong partnership, dating back to United's founding, has helped us grow and weather challenges through the decades," said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes.

The largest model in the family, the 737-10 seats up to 230 passengers in a single-class configuration and can fly up to 3,300 miles, according to Boeing.
Tel Aviv, June 30 : The Israeli military said that it has concluded a joint training exercise with the US and the UK involving the stealth F-35 fighter jets.

The drill called "Tri-Lightning 2" was held jointly by the Israeli Air Force, the US Marine Corps, and the UK's Royal Air Force, the military said in a statement on Tuesday.

The forces carried out various aerial scenarios, including "air-to-air combat, avoidance manoeuvering of advanced surface-to-air threats, as well as targeted strikes deep in enemy territory", the statement read.

The exercise was aimed at strengthening the regional strategic cooperation and enhancing the cooperation within the international F-35 aircraft community through quality training, it added.

The Israeli government has agreed to purchase at least 50 F-35 jets, of which 27 have been delivered.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Warsaw, June 30 : Polish Health Minister Adam Niedzielski warned that a fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic is likely to occur, probably in the second half of August.

Talking to Radio Plus on Tuesday, Niedzielski said that he expects a surge of cases similar to the one that is taking place in the UK, where the Delta variant has caused rising infection numbers, reports Xinhua news agency.

He added that indoor mask wearing will remain compulsory for the time being.

Niedzielski emphasised that while the Delta variant seems more infectious than previous mutations of the coronavirus, vaccines appear to prevent serious symptoms and hospitalisation.

He also said vaccinations will remain free of charge until at least September.

Poland has been gradually lifting restrictions put in place to contain the pandemic, with infection numbers falling and more citizens being vaccinated.

So far, 11.7 million Poles have been fully vaccinated, or 30.68 per cent of the total population.

The country has administered a total of 27,512,324 vaccine doses till date.

Since the pandemic began last year, Poland has registered 2,879,811 confirmed coronavirus cases, with 75,005 deaths.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Sanaa, June 30 : At least three civilians were killed in a ballistic missile attack launched by the Houthi militia in the country's conflict ridden oil-rich province of Marib, a government official told Xinhua.

"Two ballistic missiles fired by the rebels landed on Marib city, leaving three civilians including a child dead," the official told Xinhua news agency on Tuesday.

Nearly 13 other civilians including children were injured as a result of the ballistic missile attack, the official said.

Later Tuesday night, the Houthi militia claimed responsibility for launching two ballistic missiles in Marib, adding that it had "targeted the Sahn al-Jen camp and the 3rd Region camp".

The Iran-backed Houthis started a major offensive against the Saudi-backed Yemeni government troops to capture the oil-rich province.

Marib hosts nearly 2 million internally displaced people, as the ongoing civil war has killed tens of thousands of people and taken the Arab nation to the brink of famine, according to aid agencies.

The UN has warned that the offensive on Marib could lead to a major humanitarian catastrophe.

A recent round of the UN-brokered negotiations between Yemen's warring sides has failed to produce a ceasefire agreement.

Yemen has been mired in a civil war since late 2014 when the Houthi militia seized control of several northern provinces and forced the internationally recognized government of President Abd-Rabbu Mansour Hadi out of the capital Sanaa.
New Delhi, June 30 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday asked yoga guru Ramdev to submit his original video and transcript of his statement made on allopathy as it set the date for next hearing on clubbing of all FIRs against the Patanjali Yogpeeth co-founder for a Delhi hearing.

Ramdev has filed a plea in the top court seeking a direction to club all the FIRs against him in connection with his statement against allopathy.

Senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, representing Ramdev, argued before a bench headed by Chief Justice N.V. Ramana that his client has nothing against doctors, and he is entitled to have his views on allopathy.

Rohatgi submitted that the Indian Medical Association (IMA) has unleashed barrage of cases, civil and criminal, against his client via its different chapters in the country.

Rohatgi submitted that FIRs have been filed in different parts of the country against his client, and urged the court to club these FIRs, and have a single case in Delhi.

He added that his client had launched Coronil for Covid last year, and all the doctors went against him. Rohatgi said there was a private event where he read out a WhatsApp sent to him and he had already clarified that he has nothing against doctors.

The bench asked Rohatgi, "What is the original thing that you said?" He responded, "I will file original video and transcript." The top court has scheduled the matter for further hearing on July 5.

In the plea, Ramdev sought transfer of FIRs lodged against by the India Medical Association (IMA) in Patna and Raipur to Delhi. He has been booked under Sections 188 (disobedience to order duly promulgated by public servant), 269 (negligent act likely to aa infection of disease dangerous to life), 504 (intentional insult with intent to provoke breach of the peace) of the IPC and other provisions of Disaster Management Act, 2005.

The voluntary body of doctors accused him of spreading false information in connection with the Allopathic treatment for Covid patients.

On May 23, Ramdev had withdrawn his statements on Allopathic medicine after receiving a strong-worded letter from Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan, who termed his remarks as "inappropriate".

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New York, June 30 : In a resounding endorsement of India's enduring secular values, an extensive report has found that most Indians respect all religions as it is "very important to being truly Indian" and they are all free to practice their religions.

"Tolerance is a religious as well as civic value: Indians are united in the view that respecting other religions is a very important part of what it means to be a member of their own religious community," said the report by the US-based Pew Research Center that was based on face-to-face interviews with nearly 30,000 Indians.

"Indians generally feel their country has lived up to one of its post-independence ideals: a society where followers of many religions can live and practice freely," the report released on Tuesday said.

Eighty-five per cent of Hindus and 78 per cent of both Muslims and Christians agreed with the view that respect for all religions is integral to being Indian, it said.

The report said there was overwhelming support for the view that "respecting other religions is a very important part of their own religious identity".

It said that 80 per cent of Hindus, 75 per cent of Sikhs, 79 of Muslims, 78 per cent of Christians and 75 per cent of Sikhs agreed with that proposition.

The belief that they were "very free" to practice their religion found tremendous support across religions, with 91 per cent of Hindus, 89 per cent of both Muslims and Christians and 82 per cent of Sikhs endorsing it.

Pew Research Center, one of the foremost think tanks and polling organisations on religion and society, said that it conducted the interviews in 17 languages across India between late 2019 and before the Covid-19 pandemic struck the next year.

Its report based on the polling covers religious beliefs, politics and social issues and summaries of the report were also issued in Hindi and Tamil.

But in a discordant note, the report found that for many Hindus, being of the Hindu faith and speaking Hindi were essential to being "truly Indian".

However, 65 per cent of the Hindus who hold those beliefs and voted for the BJP also said that religious diversity was good for the country.

It said that for 64 per cent of Hindus to be truly Indian one had to belong to the religion and for 59 per cent speaking Hindi was essential.

There were wide divergences regarding the Partition of India, according to the report: 66 per cent of Sikhs and 48 per cent of Muslims considered it "bad", while only 37 per cent of Hindus and 30 per cent of Christians shared the view.

Forty-three per cent of Hindus, 30 per cent of Muslims, 25 per cent of Sikhs and 37 per cent of Christians said it was good, the report added.

In a sign of weakening caste barriers, Pew said that most Indians, 72 per cent, from other castes said that they would be willing to have a Dalit as a neighbour.

The report also included the non-sequitur that members of various religions saw themselves as different from adherents of other religions: 66 per cent of Hindus see themselves as "very different" from Muslims who reciprocate the perception by 64 per cent.

But it also said that certain religious beliefs were shared by many people across the religious divide irrespective of their dogma.

Seventy-seven per cent of both Hindus and Muslims, and 54 per cent of Christians believed in Karma, and 32 per cent of Christians believed in the "purifying power" of the waters of the Ganga, which 81 per cent of Hindus also believed, the report said.

There was significant acceptance of rebirth, by 27 per cent of Muslims and 29 per cent of Christians, it said.

Three per cent of Muslims and five per cent of Christians said that there were many gods.

"While these may seem like theological contradictions, for many Indians, calling oneself a Muslim or a Christian does not preclude believing in karma or reincarnation - beliefs that do not have a traditional, doctrinal basis in Islam or Christianity," Pew said.

When it comes to marriages, there is still strong opposition to alliances across religious and caste lines.

A larger percentage of Muslims, 80 per cent, than Hindus, 67 per cent want to stop women of their religion marrying outsiders, according to the report, which also found that 76 per cent of Muslims and 65 per cent of Hindus were against their men marrying outside their faith.

Among Sikhs, 59 per cent were for stopping inter-religious marriages of their women and 58 per cent for their men, the report said.

Only 37 per cent of Christians were against women of their religion marrying members of other religions, and 35 per cent when it came to men having inter-religious marriages, it said.

When it comes to inter-caste marriages, a majority of Hindus, Muslims, Sikhs and Jains consider stopping them for both men and women a high priority, Pew reported.

Overall, 64 per cent of Indians said it is "very important" to stop women in their community from marrying into other castes, while it was 62 per cent when it came to men, the report said, adding that "nearly identical shares" of Dalits and other caste members said that stopping inter-caste marriages is "very important".

The report said that in the 2019 national elections, 60 per cent of Hindus who subscribed to the view that it was "very important" to be Hindu and to speak Hindi to be truly Indian voted for the BJP, compared to only a third of Hindu voters who felt less strongly about both these aspects of national identity.

The report, however, found very large differences between regions on these view of Indianess.

In the Central Indian states of Uttarkhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and Chhatisgarh, 83 per cent of Hindus considered being Hindu was very important to being truly Indian; while in the South the corresponding figure was 42 per cent, and 87 of Hindus in Central India gave that degree of importance to speaking Hindi, while in the South the comparable percentage was only 27 per cent.

Pew said that conversions have not had an impact on the religious composition of India and attributed the changes to differing fertility rates among religious groups.

To buttress this argument, it asserted that 81.6 per cent of Hindus said that they were raised as Hindus and a nearly identical 81.7 per cent said they were still Hindus.

But it also said that among Christians, six per cent said they were raised in the faith, while an extra one per cent said they now belonged to the religion.

Among Christians, 0.4 per cent were formerly Hindus, while 0.1 per cent Hindus were formerly Christians.

Most of the conversion to Christianity were in the South, which accounted for 74 per cent of the conversions, the report said.

It said that 84 per cent of Hindus and Sikhs considered religion very important in their lives, while 91 per cent of Muslims and 76 per cent of Christians said so.

Shiva was the manifestation of Hindu deity who was most popular as the one Hindus feel close to, it said.

Forty-four per cent of Hindus said that they felt close to Shiva, while 35 per cent said it was Hanuman, and Ganesha 32 per cent, Pew reported.

In Central India, however, 27 per cent said Ram was the divinity they felt close to, and in the North-East said it was Krishna, the report said.

(Arul Louis can be reached at arul.l@ians.in and followed @arulouis)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Washington, June 30 : The Democratic-led US House of Representatives has passed a legislation which will remove statues in the Capitol Hill that pay tribute to historical figures with legacies of defending slavery, including those who served the Confederacy.

A total of 67 Republicans joined the Democrats in support, while 120 voted against the legislation on Tuesday, reports Xinhua news agency.

The final vote was 285-120.

"We ought not to forget history. We must learn from history. But we ought not to honour that which defiled the principles for which we think we stand," said House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, the bill's leading sponsor.

"It's time to remove those symbols of slavery, segregation and sedition from these halls," Hoyer said.

The legislation would order the removal of more than half a dozen Confederate statues currently on display in the Capitol as part of the National Statuary Hall Collection.

Under the current rules for the collection, a statue can be removed only after gaining approval from the state government that contributed it.

The statues to be removed include figures such as Jefferson Davis, the president of the Confederacy; Alexander Hamilton Stephens, the Confederacy's vice president; and Wade Hampton, a South Carolina plantation owner who served as a Confederate general during the Civil War.

Also to be abandoned is a bust of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Taney, the author of the 1857 Dred Scott ruling that Black people lacked the rights of citizens.

It would be replaced by a bust of Thurgood Marshall, the first African American justice to serve on the high court.

Some Republicans argued the legislation would undermine states' authority, which is unnecessary, especially when some Southern states are already moving to replace the statues.

In December 2020, a statue of Robert E. Lee, the Confederate army commander, was removed from the Capitol at the request of leaders of the state of Virginia.

In its place, a statue of Barbara Johns, a civil rights activist who led a student walkout to protest school segregation, will be erected.

The Democratic-controlled House passed a version of the bill last year in response to protests advocating for racial justice that swept the nation following the death of George Floyd, a black man murdered by a former Minneapolis police officer.

At that time, the bill stalled in the then Republican-controlled Senate.
Mumbai, June 30 : Veteran actor Naseeruddin Shah is unwell and has been admitted to a hospital in the city.

The 70-year-old actor has reportedly been diagnosed with pneumonia and a patch in his lungs, and is undergoing treatment over the past couple of days.

"He has been in the hospital for two days. He's under medical supervision. He was brought in for Pneumonia. There was a patch found in his lungs and it became necessary for him to be hospitalised immediately," the actor's manger told Bombay Times.

On the work front, Naseeruddin Shah will next be seen in the upcoming film "Maarrich".

Directed by debutant Dhruv Lather, "Maarrich" also features Tusshar Kapoor, Anita Hassanandani, Rahul Dev and South actress Seerat Kapoor.

Shah will also feature alongside Rasika Dugal in the upcoming film "The Miniaturist Of Junagadh".

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, June 30 : The Delimitation Commission held a meeting on Wednesday to discuss plans regarding delimitation of the 90 assembly constituencies in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir where the Centre wants to conduct assembly polls -- a move taken six days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi held an all-party meeting with 14 Jammu and Kashmir leaders of different political parties here.

The internal meeting of the Delimitation Commission, chaired by Justice Ranjana Desai (Retd) and Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra, started at 11 a.m. The commission is tasked with redrawing parliamentary and assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir. The meeting was organised a week after the Election Commission held a virtual discussion with its representatives in Jammu and Kashmir and Deputy Commissioners regarding the delimitation process in the region.

The meeting was attended by Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Electoral Officer along with other officials of the poll panel.

It is learnt that the commission is expected to finalise its plans after consultations with political parties very soon.

The three-member Delimitation Commission headed by retired Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai was set up in March 2020 for a year. Later, the panel got a one-year extension from the Central government on March 3 this year as it could not complete its work within the allotted time of one year.

It is expected that a date will be announced in the meeting regarding a full meeting of the Delimitation Commission, including the associate members like Lok Sabha MPs from Jammu and Kashmir.

Earlier, Farooq Abdullah-led National Conference, which has won all the three Lok Sabha seats from the Kashmir Valley had decided to opt-out from the proceedings stating that there was no need to redraw the constituencies at this stage.

Even so, there are indications that the party is reconsidering and has authorised Abdullah to decide whether to participate in the deliberations of the commission.

Prime Minister Modi on June 24 all-party meeting with Jammu and Kashmir leader had said that the ongoing delimitation exercise in the UT needs to happen quickly so that assembly polls can be held in the region which will further strengthen its development trajectory and will pave way to declare full statehood there.

The Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act 2019 notified by the government on August 9, 2019, paved the way for the creation of two Union Territories -- Jammu and Kashmir with an assembly and Ladakh without one.

The Act provides that the number of seats in the legislative assembly of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir shall be increased from 107 to 114, and delimitation of the constituencies will be determined by the Election Commission.
New York, June 30 : While masks have become the new fashion statement for many, it has raised troubles for people with hearing loss. But, researchers have found that the use of transparent masks during communication increases comprehension of speech by about 10 per cent for such people.

In the US, two models of masks with a see-through portion in the mouth area have been approved by the Food and Drug Administration and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The study, published in the journal Ear and Hearing, measured the importance of visual cues to communication for people with normal hearing and hearing loss.

"Our findings show that wearing a transparent mask can facilitate communication for everyone, minimising stress and improving interaction. Protection obviously has to be the primary concern, and no clear models with proven effectiveness are sold in Brazil right now," said Regina Tangerino, Professor at the University of Sao Paulo's Bauru Dental School (FOB-USP) in Brazil.

For the study, the team posted on the internet a set of videos lasting 40 minutes, with Tangerino voicing several utterances against background noise without a mask, wearing a mask with a clear mouth panel, and wearing an opaque fabric mask.

The study used 154 volunteers recruited via social media or by email and were divided into three groups based on whether they had normal hearing, or confirmed or suspected hearing loss (with or without cochlear implants or hearing aids).

On average, the volunteers in all three groups correctly understood 83.8 per cent of the sentences spoken without a mask, 68.9 per cent of utterances with a see-through mask, and 58.9 per cent with an opaque mask.

"The difference of 10 percentage points (between the latter two averages) is statistically significant. This benefit applies to more than just comprehension: the participants also felt more self-confident and were able to follow what was said with less effort when the see-through mask was used," Tangerino said.

A follow-up study using audio only was conducted with 29 volunteers, who were not told which sentences were recorded with or without a mask.

"In this case, the average performance was actually worse for sentences spoken with a clear mask than with an opaque mask, confirming the significance of visual cues in the first study. They helped listeners surmount the problem of muffled sound when a mask is worn," Tangerino said.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Agra, June 30 : While there is more than enough space for paper trees planted in official files, there is hardly any space left on the ground for planting crores of saplings during the special tree plantation fortnight that begins from July 1 in Uttar Pradesh.

Come July, all the state government agencies, NGOs, green-warrior -outfits and nature lovers join the ritualistic tree plantation drive with pompous claims about the number of saplings planted.

If you add up all the claims of tree plantation work each year since 1990 by successive state governments, there would be hardly an inch of space left for planting new saplings. UP's green cover is hardly 10 per cent and with new mega projects coming up everywhere, film city, International Airport, expressways, residential urban clusters, shopping complexes, the space for extending green cover is severely limited, say retired horticulturists in Agra.

A group of green activists in Agra has demanded An Independent Audit of the Greening work done so far.

This year too, the Yogi Adityanath government in UP has set ambitious targets for all government departments which will be supported by countless number of voluntary agencies.

Cynics are however asking where is the space left and who will take care of the tender saplings planted. The crude reality is that despite crores of saplings being planted each year, the survival rate is dismally poor.

"They will come with all fanfare, plant saplings, get photographed and then forget," lamented Surendra Sharma, president of the Braj Mandal Heritage Conservation Society.

The fact is that these are paper trees to be found in government files, he added. In 2016, former chief minister Akhilesh Yadav set a Guinness world record for planting 50 million saplings in a day. The green cover in Uttar Pradesh remains a dismal 9 per cent, against the national target of 33 per cent.

Experts say that for 90 million saplings, we need 2,25000 hectares of land, if the distance between two saplings is kept 5 metres. The Akhilesh Yadav government planted 50 million. So now where's the space? Even if the saplings are planted, who will take care of them? One alternative is to use the river banks, suggests Agra's passionate tree lover Vinita Mittal. The road dividers could be used, as also the two sides of the roads along pavements, if there is space and provision for regular watering for a few years. "By creating green belts along rivers, any number of saplings can be planted. The survival rate of such saplings too can be high as the plants will get the required moisture from the nearby river-bed," says Mittal.

The eco-sensitive Taj Trapezium Zone, spread over 10,400 sq km, has seen continuous denudation of forest cover due to massive construction activity. Actually thousands of acres of fertile land which had a green cover have been gobbled up by newly constructed expressways and highways.

The Yamuna and Agra-Lucknow expressways, dozens of flyovers, the inner city ring road and widening of the National Highway to Delhi have gobbled up acres of green cover, exposing the Taj Mahal to dust-laden winds from Rajasthan desert, says environmentalist Devashish Bhattacharya. "On the one hand they plant saplings, and on the other hand they are destroying green foliage along the Yamuna bank, to lay pipelines. We have complained to all but there is no response, Bhattacharya complained.

Bhattacharya said that the Supreme Court had directed that a green buffer zone be created to insulate the historical monuments, but new road construction projects are being promoted by vested interests in the dense forests along the Agra Delhi highway, in the Keitham reserve forest area. It is a sad fact that despite continued focus on controlling the ecological apocalypse, there has not been much improvement over the years.

Last year, the state government had fixed a target of some 20 crores. The volunteers hastily planted saplings everywhere recklessly. The result was that after two days most either got uprooted or died. The Agra municipal Corporation planted thousands of saplings on the Yamuna river bed, and they were all swept away when the water level went up during the monsoon Rains.

"The real problem with such over-hyped campaigns is that these are not backed by adequate support services that can take care of the plants for three years at least," activist Ranjan Sharma added.

(The views expressed are personal)
New Delhi, June 30 : The supreme Court on Wednesday made it clear that it is not inclined to either tweak rules or give undue relaxation in the name of Covid to Chartered Accountant (CA) aspirants for the examination commencing from July 5.

A bench headed by Justice A.M. Khanwilkar told a petitioner counsel, "We will not tweak with the rules. You have to appear for the whole group, if you miss a paper, if you take a chance then you take a chance".

Senior advocate Meenakshi Arora, appearing for one of the petitioners, submitted the new syllabus came in 2018. "We are trying to get your sympathy saying we are not attempting to avoid the exam", she added.

She argued that the opt-out option has to be given to those who suffered from Covid, or family members suffered from Covid and added that the Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) note does not capture it.

The bench comprising Justices Dinesh Maheshwari and Aniruddha Bose said it is on opt-out option for candidates, and rest all are on SOP as per authority.

The bench asked the petitioners counsel that there should be a complete option to students whether to opt -- out or not, "and once that option is there what other argument is available to you?" Justice Dinesh Maheshwari said so far genuine Covid issues are concerned, we are looking into it. "In the name of Covid, we can't expand the scope so much," he added.

Justice Maheshwari emphasized that if a candidate has to appear in the entire group, then he/she has to appear. "Covid has to be treated as an ailment. It cannot be used to tweak the rules," he added.

ICAI has told the Supreme Court that the opt-out option in the CA Exam will be granted for those who "recently suffered" from Covid or have post-Covid health issues.

The top court, in its order, said the opt-out facility is to candidates who suffered Covid or his/her family member had suffered from the disease in the recent past and certified by a medical practitioner and result of which the candidate is unable to disabled to prepare, then they will be allowed to opt out.

"The candidate need not produce RT-PCR report if medical certificate by registered medical practitioner for himself or family member is accompanied with a request for opting out", said the court in the order.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Thiruvananthapuram, June 30 : State Congress president K. Sudhakaran on Wednesday asked Kerala chief minister Pinarayi Vijayan to explain why the Covid spread in the state is continuing to rage.

"Just look at places in Maharashtra, Delhi where the Covid spread has come down, but why is it not coming down in Kerala. Vijayan has to explain on what's happening in this front in our state," said Sudhakaran.

On Tuesday the test positivity rate in Kerala was above 11 per cent and for the past week the state had recorded almost 23 per cent of the total daily new cases in the country.

"The actions taken by the Vijayan government are not turning fruitful to bring down the TPR and added to this, why is the state government so adamant that at this time the final year University examination should be held. We have been flooded with calls from students and parents that conducting of examinations is going to be deadly," said Sudhakaran asking to postpone the examinations.

He said the state government should liaison with the Centre and see that the state gets fully vaccinated.

"The state government cannot just wash its hands off and it's their responsibility to see that vaccines are available for our people. We can only appeal to the state government," added Sudhakaran.

He also welcomed the apex court decision which came on Wednesday that people who died due to Covid will be compensated.

"In Kerala for long we have been asking the Vijayan government to see that deaths be properly classified. I know what happened to my own brother, he passed away soon after turning Covid negative. There are thousands of cases like that in our state. Our pleas have been falling on deaf ears, especially with regards to registering of Covid deaths. There were allegations that figures of deaths are being fudged. Kerala has to re-visit the deaths that have occurred, especially of those who died soon after turning negative," said Sudhakaran.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, June 30 : After Brazil announced suspending a $324 million Covaxin contract that has mired President Jair Bolsonaro in accusations of irregularities, Bharat Biotech has said it has not received any advance payments nor supplied any vaccines.

"During the past few weeks, there have been reports in the media at large misrepresenting the procurement process of COVAXIN, in Brazil and other countries," Bharat Biotech said.

In the specific case of procurement of Covaxin by Ministry of Health, Brazil, since the first meetings with MOH Brazil during November 2020, until June 29, 2021, a step by step approach has been followed towards contracts, and regulatory approvals, during this 8 long month long process.

Bharat Biotech said "EUA was received on 4 th June 2021. As of 29 th June 2021, Bharat Biotech has not received any advance payments nor supplied any vaccines to MOH Brazil".

Bharat Biotech has followed a similar approach towards contracts, regulatory approvals and supplies in several countries worldwide, where Covaxin is being supplied successfully.

"The pricing of COVAXIN has been clearly established between $15-20 per dose for supplies to Governments outside India. The pricing for Brazil has also been indicated at $ 15 per dose. Bharat Biotech has received advance payments from several other countries at the above price points, with supplies in process, pending approvals," it added.

Precisa Medicamentos is Bharat Biotech's partner in Brazil, providing assistance, guidance and support with regulatory submissions, licensure, distribution, insurance, conduct of phase III clinical trials, etc. Bharat Biotech follows a similar partnership model in all countries, where its vaccines are supplied, as it does not have its own offices in these countries.

Bharat Biotech and Precisa Medicamentos are conducting a 5,000 subject phase III clinical trial in Brazil, which was recently approved by ANVISA. The trial will be conducted by the Albert Einstein Institute.

"According to the preliminary analysis of the CGU, there are no irregularities in the contract but, for compliance, the Health Ministry chose to suspend the contract for a more in-depth analysis," the Brazil ministry said in a statement. Earlier on Thursday, a global news wire reported a CNN Brasil report that the ministry had decided to cancel the contract.

Brazilian federal prosecutors have opened an investigation into the deal, citing comparatively high prices, quick talks and pending regulatory approvals as red flags for the contract signed in February.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Kabul, June 30 : Afghan forces have retaken three districts from the Taliban amid continued fighting between the two sides, but lost two others to the militant group, the Defence Ministry said.

Kaldar district in Balkh province and the Pashtun Kut and Khan Chahar Bagh districts in Faryab province were recaptured by the forces, but Kandahar's Khakriz district and Logar's Baraki Barak district fell to the Taliban in the last 24 hours, TOLO News quoted the Ministry as saying late Tuesday.

Fierce clashes erupted since the May 1 announcement of the withdrawal of the US-led forces from Afghanistan.

The militants have so far captured more than 70 districts since then.

Fighting has continued in the provinces of Ghazni, Kunduz, Baghlan, Takhar, Faryab, and Maidan Wardak.

Also on Tuesday, Ajmal Omar Shinwari, a spokesman for the Afghan forces, claimed that over 6,000 Taliban fighters, including Pakistani nationals, have been killed so far in the clashes, TOLO News reported.

He added that another 3,400 Taliban fighters were also wounded during this period.

The Taliban, however, has rejected the figures.
Mumbai, June 30 : Bollywood legend Dilip Kumar has been hospitalised once again, for the second time this month.

The 98-year-old actor was admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) of Hinduja Hospital, Khar on Tuesday, after reportedly complaining of breathlessness. As per reports, he is stable now.

This is the second time this month that the veteran actor has been admitted to hospital. He was hospitalised on June 6 after experiencing breathlessness.

A health update was tweeted from the actor's official account on June 9, which reads: "Thank you for your prayers. A successful pleural aspiration procedure was performed on Dilip Saab. I personally spoke to Dr. Jalil Parkar and Dr. Nitin Gokhale. They are optimistic that he will be discharged tomm (Thursday)." While the actor was in hospital earlier, his wife, veteran actress Saira Banu had earlier issued a statement on his Twitter account thanking fans for their love and prayers and requesting everyone to not pay heed to rumours. Dilip Kumar was discharged from the hospital on June 11.
San Francisco, June 30 : With an aim to celebrate the competitive spirit of athletes and fans, Apple has launched the International Collection bands for Apple Watch.

The collection features a 22 limited-edition Sport Loop bands with colourful designs that represent those nations across the globe, the company said in a statement on Tuesday.

Each band also features a matching downloadable Stripes watch face showcasing colour combinations that customers around the world can use to personalise their Apple Watch and boldly show their country support.

The lightweight bands are available representing the following countries -- Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Canada, China, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Mexico, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Russia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and the US.

The bands are available in 40mm and 44mm sizes for $49 in the US. The band packaging includes App Clip functionality to easily download the matching country's Stripes Apple Watch face.

Additionally, customers can download any of the 22 watch faces from apple.com and also use Face Sharing to share with other Apple Watch users.

According to a paywalled preview of a DigiTimes report accessed by MacRumors recently, next-gen Apple Watch models will adopt double-sided System in Package (SiP) packaging from Taiwanese supplier ASE Technology.

On its website, ASE Technology confirms that its double-sided technology allows for module miniaturisation, paving the way for a smaller "S7" chip.

Apple Watch Series 7 models are expected to be released in September, in line with the past several generations of the device.

The next Apple Watch could also feature a new flat-edged design and a new green colour option, tipster Jon Prosser said earlier.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, June 30 : Industrial AI company Detect Technologies on Wednesday said it has raised $12 million led by Accel to enhance industrial productivity globally.

The funding round saw significant participation from existing investor Elevation Capital and continued support from Bharat Innovation Fund, BlueHill Capital, and Axilor Ventures.

Stride Ventures also participated as a venture debt partner.

The company said it will use the funds to further expand and strengthen its sales and operations teams across India and international markets.

"Despite initiatives towards industrial automation and digitization, large conglomerates have seen limited success in generating tangible value on site. Industrial processes today are siloed and need significant human intervention, which is subject to error," said Daniel Raj David, CEO and Co-founder of Detect Technologies.

Part of the funds will also be deployed for R&D and product innovation to strengthen Detect's lead in industrial AI and IoT, the company informed.

The company has expanded into six new international territories within 10 months.

"The industrial sector loses millions globally in revenue due to unplanned shutdowns, a result of lack of intelligent real-time data and insights to aid decision making.

"Detect is operating in this $200 billion+ market opportunity of industrial automation and real-time analytics to increase visibility over operations, the health of equipment, and the safety of workers," said Barath Shankar Subramanian, Partner, Accel.
Amaravati/New Delhi, June 30 : Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy, in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, said that private hospitals are failing to fully utilise the huge number of Covid vaccines supplied to them by the government.

"The past experience and demand for the vaccine at private hospitals in AP clearly indicates that such huge quantities of vaccine cannot be utilised by private hospitals," wrote Reddy in a letter to Modi, which was shared on Tuesday night.

He noted that similar sentiments were expressed by other states during a recent video conference by the cabinet secretary with chief secretaries on June 24.

"I recommend that the vaccine shots not lifted by the private hospitals should be procured and supplied for implementation of vaccine drive through the government channels," observed Reddy.

The chief minister said such an approach would go a long way in speeding up vaccination drive and enabling effective utilisation of the available resources to achieve complete vaccine coverage at the earliest.

"I am confident that such a decision would be immensely popular among the public and enhance the image of the Central government under your (Modi) leadership," he added.

The CM requested the PM for an early decision on this matter.
Canberra, June 30 : Australian states were prudent on the federal government's new remarks on the Covid-19 vaccination program which said anyone under the age of 40 can now approach their general practitioner and request the AstraZeneca jab.

Chief Health Officer of the state of Queensland Jeannette Young told a press conference on Wednesday that she doesn't want people aged under 40 to receive the AstraZeneca vaccine due to the blood clot risks, reports Xinhua news agency.

"I do not want under-40s to get AstraZeneca... It is rare, but they are at an increased risk of getting the rare clotting syndrome. We've seen up to 49 deaths in the UK from that syndrome," she said, "I don't want an 18-year-old in Queensland dying from a clotting illness who, if they got Covid, probably wouldn't die. We have had very few deaths due to Covid-19 in Australia in people under the age of 50 and wouldn't it be terrible that our first 18-year-old in Queensland who dies related to this pandemic, died because of the vaccine." The state chief health officer's remarks came after Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Tuesday that anyone under the age of 40 can now approach their GP and request the AstraZeneca vaccine.

After several reports of blood clots and low blood platelets were confirmed to be linked to the AstraZeneca vaccine, the vaccine was recommended to Australians over the age of 60.

Pfizer, the recommended vaccine for Australians under the age of 60, however, needs to be imported from overseas.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk echoed Young saying there was no national cabinet decision about providing AstraZeneca to the under 40s.

"Now, in Queensland, we always follow the advice of the chief health officer. So I urge Queenslanders to listen to Dr. Young, and follow the advice of our chief health officer." The state, with some areas entering a snap three-day lockdown since 6 p.m. Tuesday, recorded three new local cases and one in returned travellers on Wednesday.

Premier of the state of New South Wales (NSW) Gladys Berejiklian also urged people to go to GP about AstraZeneca.

"What we need to do as a state government is follow the federal regulatory health advice which is that AstraZeneca is offered for over-60s, and obviously second doses are strongly, strongly advised," she said.

"Anyone under 60 who wants AstraZeneca needs to have a conversation with their GP." NSW continued its widespread testing with 68,220 tests reported by Tuesday night, and recorded 22 new locally acquired cases, all of which were linked to previously confirmed cases, and half of which were in isolation during their infectious period.

The current outbreak has grown to 171 local cases in just two weeks since June 16.

To better conduct contact tracing, the NSW government on Wednesday also announced the use of Service NSW QR code to be mandatory at all workplaces and retail businesses from July 12.

Businesses such as hospitality and hairdressers that were already using the Service NSW QR code will also need to ensure staff and visitors such as maintenance workers and delivery drivers check-in, when they resume services after the lockdown period.

NSW Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said expanding the mandate would give NSW Health contact tracers real-time access to QR code data from a greater number of venues including supermarkets, retail stores, gyms and offices.

There are more than 5.2 million active users of the Service NSW app, according to the state government.

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Mumbai, June 30 : In a shocker, three scooter-borne armed robbers carried out a daring daylight heist on a gold jewellery shop and shot dead its owner before fleeing, officials said here on Wednesday.

The sensational incident occurred at the Om Sairaj Jewellers at Gavde Nagar in Dahisar east around 10.45 a.m. in full public view of the busy locality, and the police have launched a manhunt for the culprits.

According to eyewitnesses and CCTV footage, three unidentified persons on triple-load on an Activa scooter came and then went into the shop. They threatened the owner and started emptying many of the counters and display shelves.

When the owner tried to prevent them, they whipped out a pistol and shot him in the head before speeding away on the scooter with two bags full of the looted jewellery.

The exact quantity or value of the stolen booty is not known and several teams of the Dahisar Police Station are carrying out further investigations as the incident sparked outrage in the city.

Based on the CCTV footage, the police have released a description of the robbers, alerted all check-posts and exit-points to the city to keep a lookout and nab them as soon as possible.
Bhopal, June 30 : The body of a woman has been found in the bathroom of a house in the state capital Bhopal and according to the police she was reportedly murdered three days ago allegedly by her husband.

The woman's husband has been missing since the incident. It is suspected that the husband may have killed his wife which the police is investigating. According to information received, a complaint was filed with the police after the couple's neighbours found a foul smell emanating from their house at Ganpati Homes in Ayodhya Nagar.

The main suspect Prashant Patel lived with his wife Rakhi Patel along with their son and daughter in the house. The police broke open the lock of the house and found the body of a woman lying in the bathroom. The deceased was identified as Rakhi Patel.

The couple's neighbours have told the police that Prashant and Rakhi had a fight three days ago and since then their house had been locked. Prashant went to Gairatganj with his two children and left them at their grandparents' house. His phone is reportedly switched off. The couple had a love marriage 12 years ago.
New Delhi, June 30 : Chinese trawlers getting fishing right licenses in Gwadar has usurped Pakistani fishermen livelihood -- leading to huge demonstrations in the region and various other places, said top sources.

A large number of fishermen in Pakistan's Gwadar demonstrated recently against the federal government for granting Chinese trawlers fishing rights in the region by issuing them licenses. Apart from fishermen, political workers and members of civil society also participated in the protest.

Thereafter, the National Party and Baloch Student Organisation had called for the protest rally and sit-in before the Gwadar Press Club against the government's move.

The fortunes of this backward region had once looked promising - as China had promised Pakistan a new age of development through its flagship project - China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). However, as times have progressed - it is evident that Chinese loans have only exacerbated Islamabad's debt problem and Pakistan is soon moving to become a vassal state to Beijing.

"The elite governing institutions - both the Pakistani Army and the government - are so indebted to their Chinese masters, that they are not even ready to protect the rights of their own population. The local populace of Gwadar has been one of the worst sufferers of this massive loot by Chinese masters and their Pakistani puppets - both on land and at sea," said a senior officer with the intelligence agency.

Gwadar - as the center stage of CPEC - and once touted as next 'Dubai' was supposed to usher in economic upliftment of entire Balochistan.

The mirage has proved to be ever elusive, as huge tracts of lands were acquired by the Federal government from the local populace.

A large part of these lands have been illegally transferred for private purposes - including Defence Housing Authority - the 'biggest land grabber' - as described by Lahore High Court.

While this Chinese model of development has already deprived the local population of their homes - the next strike is on their means of livelihood.

At least two million people are connected to the fishing business in Gwadar.

Their livelihoods depend on day-to-day fishing. The intrusion of Chinese trawlers has created a fear of deprivation in their minds.

Chinese trawlers menace, earlier restricted to south-east Asia has now started spreading in Indian Ocean Region.

Chinese trawler fleet consisting of 'factory ships' - which process and package fish for sale in international markets, have intruded territorial waters of Pakistan, resulting in extensive fishing and dwindling catch for local fishermen.

As a video of Chinese trawlers by local fishermen of Gwadar went viral on social media, Ali Haider Zaidi, Pakistan's Shipping Minister tweeted, "Deep-sea trawling is banned in Pakistan waters. PMSA is closely monitoring the trawler & boats spotted near Gwadar. Have ordered an inquiry. Strong action will be taken. Protecting our local fishermen is our top most priority." However, with no forthcoming action on ground, local populace has started the protests to fight for their rights.

The locals fear the exploitation of the town's natural resources by China, thereby rebelling against several development projects.

Leader of Gwadar's fishermen Khuda-i-Dad Waju stated that fishermen of Gwadar were already facing violation of fishing limits by Sindh's fishing trawlers and now that the federal government has allowed foreign trawlers, it would deprive the fishermen of Gwadar of their livelihood.

Protesters said the fishermen of Gwadar had vacated their fishing spots for the construction of the Gwadar port hoping that their economic conditions would improve once the port was ready, but now the Imran Khan government had issued licences to Chinese trawlers which was badly affecting their livelihood.

With the Chinese fleets of government-subsidised ships straying into distant waters searching for seafood and the continuously increasing influence yielded by China, this intrusion has seriously impacted the local populace of Gwadar.

With no support from the federal or provisional government, the struggle for these fishermen is a long road ahead.

"This form of neo-colonialism by the Chinese, cloaked with promises of CPEC, is expected to have a deep adverse impact on the already struggling poor population of Pakistan," said the officer.

(Sumit Kumar Singh can be reached at sumit.k@ians.in)
New Delhi, June 30: Terror financing and money laundering have blossomed in the last one year as countries and governments across the world directed their focus only on battling the Covid 19 pandemic. The new age digital asset in the form of crypto-currency has also boosted terror financing.

Crypto currencies are witnessing a surge in their market value despite the sharp contraction in economic activities worldwide due to the pandemic.

The sudden change in the pattern and scale of financial transactions in the wake of the pandemic has provided an opportunity to criminals and terrorists, sources told India Narrative.

"Unlawful activities and terror financing may have shot up significantly as countries continue to battle Covid 19. Pattern and sources of financing have undergone a massive shift due to pandemic related stress. This has made it very difficult for authorities to track the quantum or the source of inflow of money," BK Singh, Retired Joint Commissioner Crime, Delhi Police told India Narrative.

Though terror financing and money laundering are different activities, both are interlinked as they unlawfully leverage the weaknesses and lacunae of the financial system to carry out criminal activities.

Singh added that crypto currencies which typically are not regulated by governments and authorities are also being extensively used by the non-state actors.

"Why should the value of bitcoins surge? One of the reasons could be the extensive use of this asset form for illegal and criminal activities. The crypto currency space must be watched out. At present it is not regulated and this provides an opportunity to terror groups," Singh said.

Meanwhile, the global money laundering and terrorist financing watchdog Financial Action Task Force (FATF) retained Pakistan in its 'grey list' for failing to weed out terror financing and money laundering. FATF noted that while Pakistan completed all but 1 of 27 items, but in its Counter Terror Financing (CTF) and Anti Money Laundering (AML) effort, it has failed to adequately investigate and prosecute senior leaders and commanders of UN-designated terrorist groups.

"The FATF has retained Pakistan in the grey list and this is a clear indication that even closer home terror financing has continued despite Covid," another analyst who did not wish to be identified said.

While the ghastly terror attacks in Mozambique Palma on March 24 did not attract global attention, he source said that it is a wake-up call for the world.

The pandemic and its fallout on financial dealings have provided an opportunity to several terror groups such as the Islamic State (IS) to re-organise and re-boot with a new hub, sources said.

FATF in a report noted that the near 360 degree change in behaviour due to the pandemic- "whether the behaviour of individuals, companies or governments - have in turn presented criminals with new opportunities to commit crimes and launder the proceeds." The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has pointed out that money laundering and terrorism financing activity in one country can have serious cross-border and even global adverse effects. "Jurisdictions with weak or ineffective controls are especially attractive for money launderers and financiers of terrorism," it said.

(This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative/

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New Delhi, June 30 : Boys (85 per cent) are more willing to pursue a career in the field of STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), compared to girls (57 per cent), finds a survey, highlighting the glaring issue of gender disparity in STEM fields in the country.

The reason: parents of boys (81 per cent) are more supportive of them pursuing next-gen technology education and STEM fields compared to parents of girls (per cent) who feel that the work environment in our country in these fields is more suitable for males and less conducive for females, revealed the survey led by Avishkaar -- robotics, coding and edtech provider.

The survey found that 95 per cent children in India have males as their role models in the STEM field. This is due to a lack of female role models in the STEM industry.

The survey titled India's Future in Next-Generation Tech & STEM was conducted in June 2021 among 5,000 parents and 5,000 children across Indian cities, including Delhi NCR, Chennai, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Pune, Hyderabad and Cochin.

According to the Global Gender Gap Report by World Economic Forum, released in March 2021, only an alarming 29.2 per cent technical roles are held by women in India; in fact, India has fallen 28 places in its ranking in 2021 when compared to 2020 -- 140 from to 112.

"The process of building new things and creating new solutions is rife with failure and needs a lot of grit and resilience, both skills that we need to inculcate in our children. As such, it is important that we provide safe spaces for children, especially girls, to take risks and help them build tribes where they can brainstorm ideas and think outside the box," said Pooja Goyal, COO, and Co-founder, Avishkaar, in a statement.

"The next important step is gender neutrality, where not every girl has to pursue STEM careers, but children who are really good at it and have interest in the field should have the opportunity to do that," she added.

The survey also highlighted the need for schools to implement hands-on learning and introduce children to the world of innovation and move away from rote learning techniques. Nearly 33 per cent of parents feel that the current school curriculum is enough to help their child prepare for a future in next-gen tech and STEM to some extent and 90 per cent of parents feel that this aspect of the curriculum should be made a priority in school.
Kabul, June 30 : One dozen Afghan provinces, including Kabul, remained without electricity as another power pylon was destroyed by an explosion on Wednesday, national power company Breshna Sherkat confirmed.

The incident took place before dawn in Jangal Bagh locality in eastern Parwan province, north of Kabul, an official from Breshna Sherkat told local media, adding that a technical team has been sent to the area to assess the destruction.

Afghan technical teams were working to repair and restore the power supply as three electricity towers were destroyed a couple of days ago in the region, reports Xinhua news agency.

Afghanistan has been facing power shortages in recent days.

The government has imported power from neighbouring Iran, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, but the imported energy is still too little to meet domestic needs.

No group has claimed responsibility for the incident.

At least 27 power pylons have been destroyed or damaged by explosions along the power grid in recent months.
Kanpur, June 30 : The Sanjay Gandhi Postgraduate Institute of Medical Sciences (SGPGIMS) in Lucknow and IIT-Kanpur have signed an MoU to advance innovation in accessible healthcare through indigenous solutions.

Under the MoU, the institutes will set up a centre of excellence in telemedicine and healthcare robotics to nurture smart healthcare with an overarching objective of strengthening healthcare systems.

The MoU was signed by Professor R.K. Dhiman, Director of SGPGI and Professor Abhay Karandikar, Director of IIT-Kanpur, on Tuesday.

Professor Karandikar said: "Through this initiative, two leading institutions of the country will join hands to uphold their vision of a robust, indigenous healthcare system, focused on promoting inter-disciplinary innovation. The MoU is a timely step in the right direction to enable an exchange of ideas across engineering and medicine, as professionals from IIT-Kanpur will receive the opportunity to collaborate with specialized doctors at SGPGIMS, Lucknow." Through this MoU, IIT-Kanpur and SGPGIMS have agreed to establish an research and development set up for promoting telemedicine aided by Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) and 5G, and point-of-care testing and diagnostics.

An integrated network of mobile health vans in rural areas and smart kiosks in urban locales will ensure last-mile connectivity to ascertain availability of emergency healthcare services.

Talking about the initiative's vision, Professor Dhiman said: "We will jointly launch courses in various fields of digital health which are not available in any engineering and medical educational institutions in the country at the moment. The current corona pandemic has made telemedicine technology very popular and useful tool to bridge the gap between care providers and citizens so there is a need to develop indigenous technology platforms and systems on a large scale which can be affordable and made available widely.

"This will promote entrepreneurship and develop a rural health system which can be deployed far and wide to strengthen the health system. The future holds the key for a hybrid healthcare system for which the bond between engineering and medical discipline needs to be strengthened. In that context, the timing of handshake between the two major institutions is appropriate which is going to yield immense benefit to the society." A telemedicine system is about creating a network of expected beneficiaries and medical experts and integrating them together in a digital platform.

A cost-effective platform consisting of hardware sensors and IOT controller devices needs to be developed for collecting patient health data.

The system has to be integrated with cloud servers and mobile apps.

In this regard, the role of IIT-Kanpur will include development of such portable IoT enabled health care systems along with point-of-care testing and diagnostics, designing customized mobile vans and kiosks equipped with AI-based diagnostics, integrating multi-lingual avatars with systems to give patients the feel of the presence of a doctor or a caregiver.

This would especially be essential for patients with mental health disorders and elderly care.

The SGPGIMS had set up the School of Telemedicine and Biomedical Informatics in the year 2006 with the objective of teaching and training healthcare personnel and clinical engineers' tools and strategies of ICT-enabled health care.

It has received a major grant-in-aid from ministry of electronics and IT, government of India in 2007 to elevate the school to a national resource centre in telemedicine and biomedical informatics which was continued for five years.

Later, from the year 2007 till date, the facility and trained technical human power has been supported by the ministry of health & family welfare, government of India to develop and manage the National Medical College Network as the national resource centre.

With the collaboration with IIT-Kanpur and the Centre of Excellence, the engineering aspects of clinical application of digital technologies can be addressed.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
Srinagar, June 30 : An encounter between terrorists and security forces in South Kashmir's Kulgam district on Wednesday was confirmed by officials.

"Encounter started at Chimmer area of Kulgam. Police and security forces are on the job," police said.

The gunfight between terrorists and security forces took place after a joint team of the police and the army cordoned off the area and launched a search operation on the basis of specific information about presence of terrorists.

As the security forces zeroed in on the spot where terrorists were hiding they came under a heavy volume of fire that triggered the encounter.
Jaunpur : , June 30 (IANS) In a bizarre incident, a man has been arrested for allegedly threatening to blow up two police stations because the roads in his area had not been repaired.

The man, identified as Laxmi Kant Dubey, said that he would blow up two police stations if roads between Rampur and Kathvatia were not repaired by October.

Superintendent of Police(SP) Ajay Kumar Sahni said that the accused put up notices on the boards of Rampur and Sureri police stations with his threats.

The officer said that initially, a case was registered in this regard against unidentified person(s) but later the police identified the accused.

Dubey was arrested on Tuesday.
Gorakhpur : , June 30 (IANS) A village panchayat in Maharajganj district recently asked a minor girl to settle her rape case for Rs 50,000 and five slipper slaps to the accused.

The girl's family declined to accept the panchayat decision and contacted the police, after which a case of molestation was filed.

SP Maharajganj, on Tuesday, directed the police to record the girl's statement under section 164 of CrPc and get her medically examined.

According to reports said that the girl's mother, a resident of a locality under Kothibhar police circle, lodged a complaint with the village panchayat that their minor daughter had been raped by a village youth.

Acting on the complaint, the panchayat, on June 23, asked the girl to take Rs 50,000 from the accused and slap him five times with a slipper in front of the panchayat members to settle the issue.

However, the girl's family refused to accept the decision and contacted the Kothibhari police on June 24.

On the family's complaint, an FIR was lodged under IPC section of molestation and POCSO Act against the accused.

The family later made the panchayat decision viral on social media, after which Maharajganj SP Pradeep Gupta directed the police to get the girl medically examined and also record her statement under Section 164 of CrPc.

The SP told reporters, "If rape is reported in the medical test, a case will be registered under the related sections and action will be taken accordingly."
New Delhi, June 30 : The Delimitation Commission for Jammu and Kashmir in its internal meeting, on Wednesday, has decided to visit the erstwhile state from July 6 to 9 to gather first hand information and input related to the ongoing process of delimitation in the Union Territory as mandated under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.

During its visit to Jammu and Kashmir, the commission will interact with political parties, public representatives and Union Territory administration officials, including District Election Officers or Deputy Commissioners of 20 districts of the region.

The three-member Commission comprising Chairperson, Justice (Retd) Ranjana Prakash Desai, ex-officio members Sushil Chandra (Election Commissioner) and K.K Sharma (State Election Commissioner, J&K) will visit the UT. The commission is tasked with redrawing parliamentary and assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir.

The decision was taken during the internal meeting of the commission under the Chairpersonship of Desai, in the presence of Chandra and Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Electoral Officer along with other officials of the poll panel. It is learnt that the commission is expected to finalise its delimitation plans for Jammu and Kashmir after consultations with political parties and other stakeholders.

The Delimitation Commission was constituted in March 2020 and its term was extended by another year in March 2021 in view of the ongoing pandemic.

The commission also has five Associate members nominated by the Lok Sabha Speaker comprising Union Minister Jitendra Singh, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MP Jugal Kishore Sharma, Jammu and Kashmir National Conference leaders Farooq Abdullah, Mohammad Akbar Lone and Hasnain Masoodi.

The Commission held its first meeting here on February 18 this year to seek suggestion and views on the process of delimitation in the Union Territory and later series of meetings were held. In further meetings, issues related to data, map of the districts of Jammu and Kashmir and constituencies related to census 2011 were discussed.

Earlier, it invited all Associate members for interaction, which were participated by only Jitendra Singh and Jugal Kishore Sharma.

A number of representations has also been received on various aspects concerning delimitation from civil societies and members of public from the UT. The commission has already taken note of all such suggestions and directed that these may be deliberated further in the context of ground realities concerning delimitation.

The commission expects that all stakeholders will cooperate in this endeavour and will provide valuable suggestions so that the task of delimitation is completed on time.

This meeting was held six days after Prime Minister Narendra Modi organised an all-party meeting with 14 Jammu and Kashmir leaders of different political parties here to prepare a roadmap for the progress of Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting started at 11 a.m. The meeting was organised a week after the Election Commission held a virtual discussion with its representatives in Jammu and Kashmir and Deputy Commissioners regarding the delimitation process in the region.

Earlier, Farooq Abdullah-led National Conference, which has won all the three Lok Sabha seats from the Kashmir Valley had decided to opt-out from the proceedings stating that there was no need to redraw the constituencies at this stage.

Even so, there are indications that the party is reconsidering and has authorised Abdullah to decide whether to participate in the deliberations of the commission.

Prime Minister Modi on June 24 at all-party meeting with Jammu and Kashmir leaders had said that the ongoing delimitation exercise in the UT needs to happen quickly so that assembly polls can be held in the region which will further strengthen its development trajectory and will pave way to declare full statehood there.
Kabul/Berlin, June 30 : The last of the remaining German troops have left Afghanistan after nearly 20 years of deployment in the war-torn country, Defence Minister said Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer.

The German Defence Minister said in a tweet that the last Bundeswehr soldiers "left Afghanistan safely" on Tuesday evening, reports TOLO News.

She thanked the more than 150,000 troops who have served there since 2001 and said that "they can be proud of this mission".

Germany maintained a contingent of around 1,100 troops before starting the drawdown in May.

The country deployed its forces in the wake of the deadly 9/11 attacks in 2001, according to a DW News report.

The first troops arrived in Kabul in January 2002.

Over 150,000 German soldiers have been stationed in Afghanistan since, the report added.

Since US President Joe Biden announcement of the pullout of troops on May 1, the American military has completed more than half of the withdrawal.
Srinagar, June 30 : Two terrorists are killed in an ongoing encounter between militants and security forces in South Kashmir's Kulgam district on Wednesday, officials said.

"Two unidentified terrorists killed during Kulgam encounter, operation is in progress in Chimmer area," police said.

The gunfight began after a joint team of the police and the army cordoned off the area and launched a search operation on the basis of specific information about presence of terrorists.

As the security forces zeroed in on the hideout, they came under a heavy volume of fire, triggering the encounter.
Tel Aviv/New Delhi, June 30 : Israeli defence manufacturing company Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd on Wednesday unveiled 'Sea Breaker', a fifth generation long range, autonomous, precision-guided missile system, enabling significant attack performance against a variety of high-value maritime and land targets.

Sea Breaker is a naval and artillery unit force-multiplier, designed to overcome the modern warfare arena challenges, using Rafael's legacy of high-end precision guided solutions.

The company claims Sea Breaker provides surgical, pin-point precision strikes from stand-off ranges of up to 300 km.

"It features an advanced IIR (Imaging Infra-Red) seeker, ideal for engagement of maritime and land targets, stationary or moving, in advanced Anti Access/Area Denial (A2/AD) arenas, and in littoral or brown water, including archipelago, as well as for engagements in which previous generation RF-seeker-based missiles are not effective," Rafale stated.

Sea Breaker can be launched from naval platforms, varying in size, from fast attack missile boats, to corvettes and frigates. The land version is a central part of the shore defence, based on Rafael's highly mobile SPYDER launchers.

The battery architecture supports standalone launchers, or operation as an integrated solution, with a command and control Unit (CCU) and various sensors, based on customer requirements.

Using Artificial Intelligence, Sea Breaker performs deep-learning and big data-based scene-matching, a unique combat-proven Rafael technology, enabling Automatic Target Acquisition (ATA) and Automatic Target Recognition (ATR).

The system has full operational capability in GNSS-denied arenas, in all weather conditions. The missile is ECM immune and jam-resilient.

Sea Breaker's mission profile enables sea-skimming and terrain-following low-level flight above ground.
June 30 : Abhishek Bachchan, who is known for his dignified responses to trolls, shared a message for those who spread negativity on social media.

On World Social Media Day today, the actor took to social media and shared an important message for his followers. The actor urged everyone to use social media platforms in a responsible manner. "Social media is a powerful tool. But remember, with great power comes great responsibility. #WorldSocialMediaDay #SocialMediaDay, he wrote.

The actor shared a meme of himself, in which he can be seen reacting to two alternatives. The meme shared on Instagram is a collage of two images featuring Abhishek. The first picture shows the actor using a hand gesture to ignore rumours and negativity, while the second one features the Guru actor giving a thumbs up to sharing information, gaining knowledge, spreading love, peace and happiness through social media.

Fans and industry colleagues liked his message and appreciated it. Suniel Shetty dropped clapping emojis while Manish Malhotra and ace photographer Dabboo Ratnani gave it thumbs up. Fans also reacted to Abhisheks post, as one wrote, You are absolutely love, while another commented. Absolutely!! In complete agreement. Were so proud of u @bachchan, still another wrote. Completely Agree, said another.

Abhishek, who has a sense of humour, often responses to trolls gracefully. Earlier, when a Twitter user said that Abhishek gets films because he is Amitabh Bachchans son, he replied, Kaash jo aap keh rahe hote sach hota. Sochiye, kitna kaam milta mujhe. (I wish what youre saying was true. Imagine how much work Id get).

Earlier, on one occasion he had tweeted, My thing is that it is fair game. If you're going to take potshots at me I have every right to take a potshot back at you, he said.

On the work front, Abhishek was recently seen in The Big Bull, in which he played a character inspired by scam-tainted stockbroker Harshad Mehta. The film was released on Disney+ Hotstar. The actor has Dasvi and Bob Biswas in the pipeline.
New Delhi, June 30 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will meet the beneficiaries of various schemes of Digital India as the flagship initiative is completing its six years of journey on Thursday.

In the event, the Prime Minister will also address the countrymen and outline the various achievements of Digital India and the success story it has been over the years in connecting people. He will also give an outlook on various developments and works that lie ahead going forward for the scheme.

All the interactions and addresses will be done virtually at the event.

The central government's ambitious programme was launched on July 1, 2015 by Prime Minister Modi and has till date turned out to be one of the biggest success stories of New India -- enabling services, bringing government closer to citizens, promoting citizen engagement and empowering people.

The Digital India scheme was launched with a vision to transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.

As one of the favourite initiative of the Prime Minister completes six years, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology will mark the day as a special occasion.

The program will start with the opening remarks by Minister of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Law and Justice and Communications, Ravi Shankar Prasad. It will then see a presentation of a video on key achievements of the Digital India which will lead to an interactive session of the Prime Minister with the beneficiaries of various schemes of Digital India, moderated by Ajay Sawhney, Secretary, MeitY.

"It's going to be a very interactive and informative session wherein PM will speak with the beneficiaries of Digital India from across the country. It's a proud moment for us as the guidance and support we have got from the Prime Minister is unparalleled. We look forward to taking forward the Digital India initiative under his dynamic leadership," Abhishek Singh, MD and CEO of Digital India Corporation said ahead of the program.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, June 30 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached properties worth Rs 185 crore of Frost International Limited and its promoters and directors and its group companies in connection with its money laundering probe.

An ED official said that the agency has attached immovable properties worth more than Rs 185 crore of Frost International Ltd, its group companies Globiz Exim Pvt Ltd, NSD Nirman Pvt Ltd and RS Builders and promoter and directors of the company under the provisions of the Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA).

The properties to the tune of Rs 185 crore are spread in Kanpur, New Delhi, Gurugram, Mumbai, Kolkata and Tamil Nadu in the name of the Frost International Pvt Ltd, its group companies and promoter and directors and their relatives.

The official said that the evidence collected proved that Frost International Limited and its group companies indulged in commission of the offence of money laundering and have diluted the proceeds of crime available with the company to various other businesses related and non-related entities.

He said that during the probe it was found that they also diverted the bank funds and used it for acquiring assets in the name of the Frost group of companies and related persons or entities.

The ED case is based on the FIR registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) registered on January 1 last year.

The ED has recorded the statement of several people associated with the company and collected documents from various authorities including banks, district property registration authorities and then scrutinised.
Chennai, June 30 : The second largest car maker in India, Hyundai Motor India Ltd on Wednesday achieved 10 million car production at its plant near here.

While the small car Santro was the first model that was rolled out of the plant about 25 years ago, it was the company's latest model Alcazar that came out of the assembly lines as the magical 10 millionth car.

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K.Stalin present at the plant signed on the car bonnet to mark the momentous occasion.

"This historic milestone of the 10 millionth car roll-out is a testimony of Hyundai's commitment towards the Make in India initiative," S.S.Kim, Managing Director & CEO said.

As the country's largest exporter of automobiles, Hyundai Motor surpassed the three million vehicle export milestone in early 2020, exporting to 88 countries and recorded multiple export milestones over the years - 5 lakh exports in March 2008, 10 lakh exports in February 2010, 20 lakh exports in March 2014.

Last fiscal, the company shipped out 1,04,342 units.

Except for the first two million cars that took more than two years, Hyundai Motor touched rolling out of successive million cars in less than two years.

Hyundai Motor on Wednesday also announced community development programmes like; inauguration of Dream Village Project 2.0 - Construction of Child Care Centre benefitting 500 people annually and Community Hall with capacity to accommodate 1,500 people at Katrambakkam village in Sriperumbudur; launch of Income-Generation Programme (Dairy Farming) for rural women benefitting 200 families in Kancheepuram district; donation of five life-saving ventilators to Government Hospitals at Kancheepuram and support to a Self-Help Group for setting up a mobile catering service at Vallakottai village near Sriperumbudur.

-- Syndicated from IANS
Kochi, June 30 : Actress Raashii Khanna has headed off to Pondicherry to shoot for the last schedule of the Malayalam film "Bhraman". The film, a Malayalam remake of the Hindi film "Andhadhun", stars Prithviraj Sukumaran in the lead.

"Shooting for 'Bhramam' has been an incredible journey. The experience of being directed by Ravi K. Chandran and working alongside Prithviraj has been amazing. I'm glad we're on our way to wrap up the shooting despite the challenges of the time. It's going to be exciting to see the audience in theatres," Raashi told IANS.

"I've been fortunate to have such extraordinary work come my way. We're all being as careful as its possible to be. I'm grateful that I've been able to prioritise health, safety and shooting for projects," she said, about shooting amid the pandemic.

Raashii also has "Tughlaq Durbar", "Aranmanai 3", "Methavi", "Thank You" and Raj and DK's series "Sunny" starring Shahid Kapoor and Vijay Sethupathi coming up.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, June 30 : An interactive virtual museum of the country's Gallantry award winners is to come up with help of the Ministry of Defence, Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).

The ministry on Wednesday initiated a project to create an interactive virtual museum of the country's Gallantry award winners to honour the heroic deeds of the bravehearts.

The ministry will implement the project, with no financial implications, in partnership with the Society of Indian Defence Manufacturers (SIDM) and Confederation of Indian Industries (CII).

The Approval Letter to this effect was handed over by Defence Secretary Ajay Kumar to SIDMA President Jayant D. Patil in New Delhi on Wednesday. The project is expected to be completed soon.

The virtual museum will be hosted by the Gallantry awards portal (https://www.gallantryawards.gov.in/).

It will provide a 3D walk-through experience through a Gallery Building, Wall of Fame, an Awardee Gallery with their photos and profiles, a tour of War Memorials and an auditorium 'The War Room' hosting the tales of bravery.

The museum will include a range of animation videos that would bring to life the gallant stories of war heroes. In addition, there will be a facility for the visitors to pay their respects by posting a tribute message.

Speaking on the occasion, the Defence Secretary said the initiative will contribute in bringing to life the heroic deeds of the winners of the gallantry awards and acknowledge their immense contribution and indomitable spirit in securing the nation from internal and external threats.

He said it would enable a grateful nation to pay homage to the country's bravehearts, adding that it would be a befitting tribute to their acts of valour in the service of the nation.

The Defence Secretary said that the project would be the first-of-its-kind cyber museum that would honour the war heroes, emphasising that it would add value to the Gallantry Awards Portal to inspire the countrymen, especially the youth, to serve the nation.

The project also aims to express gratitude to the families of the Armed Forces personnel and convey the Nation's respect to them.

Accepting the responsibility, Patil thanked the Defence Secretary for choosing SIDM for this prestigious and unique project that would honour the Armed Forces.

He stated that "it is coinciding with the 75th anniversary of India's Independence and 50th anniversary of the 1971 war and is the best way to honour the Armed Forces".

He added that SIDM would work towards speedy implementation of the project thereafter and also will continue to improve the platform on a regular basis.
Seoul, June 30 : North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has admitted that the detection of a "crucial case" could undermine the country's anti-epidemic efforts, state media reported on Wednesday.

Without elaborating on what the "crucial case" was, Pyongyang's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Kim made the remarks while presiding over a politburo meeting of the ruling Workers' Party on Tuesday.

"Senior officials in charge of important state affairs neglected the implementation of the important decisions of the party on taking organisational, institutional, material, scientific and technological measures associated with the worldwide health crisis, and thus caused a crucial case of creating a great crisis in ensuring the security of the state and safety of the people and entailed grave consequences," Kim was quoted as saying by the KCNA.

The KCNA report said that the leader accused senior officials of neglecting their duties in carrying out measures needed to fight the global pandemic, Till date, North Korea has claimed to be coronavirus-free but has enforced tight border controls and other measures since the beginning of the global outbreak of the pandemic earlier last year, the Seoul-based Yonhap News Agency said in a report.

The North has recently called for "maximum vigilance" against Covid-19 amid concerns over the global spread of the highly contagious Delta variant and pandemic fatigue.

During Tuesday's meeting, Kim also called for "a more fierce partywide campaign" against "ideological faults and all sorts of negative elements".

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, June 30 : Tamil Nadu has emerged as the top state in its overall handling of the second Covid wave.

As per a survey by LocalCircles, on an aggregate basis, 59 per cent of Tamil Nadu residents rated the Tamil Nadu Government's handling of COVID 2nd wave as effective or higher.

Tamil Nadu was followed by Andhra Pradesh as on an aggregate basis, 54 per cent of Andhra Pradesh residents rated the Andhra Pradesh Government's handling of COVID second wave as effective or higher.

Fifty-one per cent of Uttar Pradesh residents rate government's handling of COVID 2nd wave as effective, 47 per cent of Maharashtra residents rated their government as effective and only 46 per cent of Gujarat residents rated Gujarat Government's handling of the COVID 2nd wave as effective or higher.

Only 43 per cent of Uttarakhand residents were impressed alongwith Odisha at 43 per cent, Kerala at 39 per cent, Rajasthan at 36 per cent, Haryana at 34 per cent, Punjab and Madhya Pradesh at 28 per cent, Karnataka at 25 per cent, Telangana at 23 per cent, Delhi at 20 per cent and Bihar also at 20 per cent.

Seventeen per cent of residents rated the performance of the West Bengal Government's handling (availability of testing, containment, hospital beds, oxygen, medicines, etc.) of the COVID 2nd wave as "effective", and 41 per cent said "somewhat effective". 17 per cent of residents surveyed rated it as "total failure", and 25 per cent said "ineffective".

Tamil Nadu, the highest-rated state had the benefit of the late arrival of the second wave and a relatively better hospital infrastructure than many other states. Despite having its state elections, the state did a reasonably good job of handling its 2nd wave of COVID with 59 per cent of its residents rating it as effective, the survey said.

Andhra Pradesh was commended for its community engagement and creating awareness about testing and surveillance of COVID positive individuals at the ward level with the effective deployment of health and ASHA workers as well as auxiliary nurses.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Jalaun : , June 30 (IANS) A couple hailing from Jalaun district have taken to social media to seek help from Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the treatment of their three-year-old daughter.

The child is suffering from developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH), a condition where the 'ball and socket' joint of the hip does not properly form in babies and young children. It gets cured if the surgery is done on time, say experts.

The couple have said that they are facing financial constraints and therefore are urging the Prime Minister to provide financial help so that their daughter Samridhi can overcome the deformity.

The girl's mother, Kshama and father, Kapil Porwal, said the doctors at AIIMS had apprised them that the surgery of the girl is already late and should be done as soon as possible. The date of operation has been postponed twice due to Covid-19 and also because of their poor financial background.

They said that they want the PM to listen to them and help them.

Samridhi's parents have shared details of her disease in an emotional post written to the Prime Minister on social media.

They said, "Our daughter, who is suffering from developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH) has been undergoing treatment under Dr Shah Alam of the orthopaedic department in AIIMS, Delhi for the last one and a half years. Though she is developing physically, there is a difference in the length of one of her legs due to DDH. She walks with one leg but due to an imbalance, she cannot stand or walk properly." Meanwhile, Ravindra Chaudhary, posted as manager, district early intervention centre at the office of Jalaun's chief medical officer (CMO), said, "This disease is considered to be a congenital problem. This is sometimes called hip dysplasia or congenital hip dislocation. It gets cured if the surgery is done on time."
Thiruvananthapuram, June 30 : Veteran Congress legislator and former Home Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan on Wednesday received a death threat through an anonymous letter, said State Congress President K. Sudhakaran and Leader of Opposition V.D. Satheesan.

Speaking to the media at the party headquarters here, the two leaders demanded an immediate probe into this.

"The letter says that Radhakrishnan when he was Home Minister (2011-16) had ruined the life of the writer of the letter by putting him in jail in a murder case. Hence he, his wife and children will be eliminated in 10 days time. Even though we do not say it could be written by the killers of former CPI-M leader T.P. Chandrasekeran, there are chances it could be them," said Sudhakaran.

Chandrasekeran, the founder of RMP, was hacked to death by assailants on May 4, 2012 when he was returning home on his motorcycle in his hometown near Kozhikode.

In the case, 11 people were given life imprisonment, of which three were mid-level CPI-M leaders and the demand for a probe into the conspiracy behind the murder is still with the court.

His widow K.K. Rema won the Vadakara assembly constituency election on April 6 with the support of the Congress.

It was when Radhakrishnan was the Home Minister, that the accused were arrested and following their trial they were sent to jail.

Sudhakaran earlier in the day had said that these criminals have the full support of the Vijayan government and they have full freedom in the jail. No jail official dares to meddle in their activities inside the jail.
New Delhi, June 30 : India's Sherpa at G20 and former union minister for commerce Suresh Prabhu has said that more significant participation of new-age companies is required in core sectors for faster economic growth of the country.

Prabhu emphasised on providing startups a level playing field to contribute to the growth of the country, while speaking at Zetwerk Dialogues, a public advocacy program aimed at raising awareness about opportunities in India's manufacturing, infrastructure, and supply chain ecosystem.

He also recommended creating a process-driven transparent mechanism that can facilitate an enabling environment for the new-age companies.

"Startups are breaking away from the past. Regulations, if not always, are based on what has happened in the past. So, you are regulating the past while the start-up ecosystem is breaking away from the past. Therefore, that's a problem," Prabhu said.

Noting that regulations are necessary he said: "Don't bring them based on old ideas, but by interacting with the start-ups and understanding what they are trying to achieve." The former minister emphasised the need for a transparent, participatory, and rule-based regime for start-ups and legacy companies to drive innovations and futuristic technologies.

Prabhu added that the Indian economy's rate of growth would get accelerated with India's vaccination drive picking up pace, which will revive businesses and, in turn the overall economy.

Srinath Ramakkrushnan, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer, Zetwerk said: "By tapping into the country's existing capacity and capabilities, we intend to create a strong manufacturing network that not just boosts the MSME ecosystem of the country but can deliver projects in a time bound, reliable and efficient manner." "With PLIs adding to the support from the government, we look forward to the next phase of evolutionary growth for the sector," he said.
Chennai, June 30 : Tamil Nadu state president of the Congress party, K.S. Alagiri has said that the central government has failed to provide the required support to the Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).

In a statement on Wednesday, the senior Congress leader said that 44 per cent of the MSMEs of Tamil Nadu has halted their operations throwing a large workforce on the streets. He said that the MSMEs are the driving force of the economy of the country and added that if the sector is affected, it would lead to a direct stagnation in the Indian economy.

K.S. Alagiri said that the MSMEs are the worst hit due to the pandemic and added that the recently announced measures of the Union government would not be sufficient to give life to the sector from the difficult situation it is in.

He called upon the central government to join hands with the Tamil Nadu state government to implement the packages announced for the MSME sector. He also called upon the Union government to support the DMK led government of Tamil Nadu.

The Congress state president also said that the Government of India must be state-specific regarding MSMEs so that the entrepreneurs do not shy away from the projects.
Hyderabad, June 30 : The Telangana government has received 350 applications in response to Expression of Interest (EOI) called by it for setting up food processing zones in the state.

Industry minister K.T. Rama Rao on Wednesday directed the officials to extend the last date for submission of EOI so that more companies can join the process.

The Minister presided over a meeting on setting up special economic zones.

Minister for Agriculture Niranjan Reddy and Minister for Civil Supplies Gangula Kamalakar and senior officials attended the meeting.

The state government plans to set up food processing zones on a large scale. They will be based on agriculture produce in a particular area. The industry department has prepared Telangana food map in this regard.

The meeting decided that each food processing zone should come up over not less than 225 acres. These zones would have infrastructure like water and power supply, roads, drinking water availability and common effluent plant.

The food processing zones would cater to the needs of farmers who are raising not only paddy but also chillies, turmeric, pulses, edible oils, fruits and vegetables. The facilities at ever zone would include processing, storage units and marketing infrastructure.

Rama Rao pointed out that the agriculture development programme taken up by the government and completion of several irrigation projects has led to massive increase in agriculture production in the state.

KTR, as the minister is popularly known, pointed out that the agriculture sector has seen tremendous growth across the state including in drought-prone districts like Mahabubnagar.

He claimed that Telangana started the second green revolution in the country. In addition, meat, milk and fisheries sectors have grown at a rapid pace.

He said there was need to strengthen food processing sector in the state to create demand and marketing facilities for increased agriculture production. For this, special food processing zones and not just processing units should be set up.

He said though paddy is the main crop in Telangana, the food processing zones will be created while keeping in view the future requirements of new crops like oil palm.

He appealed to the MLAs to show more interest in helping the authorities acquire necessary land for the creation of the zones.

Gangula Kamalakar called for encouraging those who want to set up rice mills. He said that if the state does milling extensively, there is a scope for exporting rice to countries like China.
New Delhi, June 30 : The Enforcement Directorate (ED) has attached the properties worth Rs 4.1 crore in connection with its probe into Bihar's Srijan Mahila Vikas Sahyog Samiti Limited (SMVSSL) money laundering probe.

An ED official said that the agency has attached 12 flats worth Rs 3.09 crore situated in Bhagalpur, Patna and Uttar Pradesh's Ghaziabad, five plots or houses worth Rs 87 lakh at Bhagalpur, Deoghar and Sitamarhi, one Mahindra Scorpio car worth Rs 11.87 lakh and balances in bank accounts worth Rs 1.2 lakh.

The ED had registered a case of money laundering on the basis of FIRs registered by the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI). He said that money laundering investigation by the ED revealed that huge funds have been siphoned off from the government accounts after being illegally transferred to the bank accounts of SMVSSL, Bhagalpur.

The SMVSSL Limited became a tool for embezzlement or misappropriation of the government funds in collusion with government officials, bank officials and other individuals. The money so transferred into the bank accounts of the SMVSSL was further transferred through RTGS or cash or cheques to various persons or entities.

The official said that Manorma Devi was the Secretary of society SMVSSL Ltd from inception till her death on February 13, 2017. She was the main accused, who was actively involved in misappropriating the government funds in collusion with government officials, bank officials and other persons.

The official said that this is the second attachment in the Srijan Scam case. The ED had earlier attached properties to the tune of Rs 14.32 crore on May 29 last year in which flats, lands belonging to businessman, government officials and other private person had been attached
Mumbai, June 30 : "Delhi Belly" will complete 10 years of release on July 1, and the film's director Abhinay Deo says he is currently writing a script of the same genre as the film.

The quirky action comedy released on July 1, 2011, and was produced by superstar Aamir Khan. The film featured Aamir's nephew Imran Khan along with Kunaal Roy Kapur, Vir Das, Poorna Jagannathan and Shenaz Treasurywala in pivotal roles.

"It's not often that filmmakers take the risk to stray from a stereotypical story format and experiment with something new. It takes guts to be involved in the making of a movie like Delhi Belly. We were lucky to be backed by a producer like Aamir Khan, who paved a way for filmmakers like us that could revolutionalise the movie market in India. Not to forget getting a chance to work with actors like Imran, Kunaal and Vir who had their charisma and charm to draw the audience. This genre is my all-time favourite," said Deo.

Is there a chance of a sequel of it? "Not a sequel, but I am working on a script that is in the same space as Delhi Belly," the director signed off.

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, June 30 : As the Indian government struggles to tame the social media giants and force them to comply with the new IT rules, the time is ripe to appoint a nodal cyber regulator to deal with Twitter, Facebook, WhatsApp and others, leading experts said on Wednesday.

There is no universal cyber law or world body to deal with social media companies and various countries have appointed/formed their own cyber regulators who separately deal with Big Tech when they fail to address the laws of the land.

"Twitter now appears to be on a collision course with the Parliament of India. The time has come to bring in a regulator in the technology sector in India to deal with the landscape," leading cyber security expert Jiten Jain told IANS.

"There is currently no provision in law to impose penalties. The government must take appropriate actions against Twitter for flouting legal orders by the government under section 69A," he said.

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Information Technology has asked for an explanation from the microblogging site Twitter over denying access to the accounts of Union minister Ravi Shankar Prasad and committee head Shashi Tharoor.

Twitter has locked horns with the government for a long time over its compliance with the new IT rules.

On Tuesday, Facebook India and Google India representatives appeared before the Parliamentary Standing Committee on IT to explain their views on safeguarding citizens' rights and prevention of misuse of social and online news media platforms.

Sources said that the Committee has directed Facebook and Google to follow the new IT rules and laws of the land.

According to cyber law expert Virag Gupta, it is clear from the Parliamentary Committee proceedings report that Facebook and Google are also not complying with new IT rules.

"As per new rules, these companies were to appoint nodal officer, compliance officer in India, but there is no such public disclosure for the same. As per modus operandi of Twitter, Facebook has also appointed ad hoc type of grievance officer in India. If Twitter is targeted for non-compliance of new IT rules, then all tech giants should be dealt with in the same manner," Gupta told IANS.

The Delhi Police's Cyber Cell has also registered an FIR against Twitter under several serious sections of the POCSO Act on a complaint of the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR).

Twitter said it has zero tolerance policy towards child sexual exploitation.

Regarding FIR for objectionable content against Twitter, it may create big chain reaction against other tech companies.

"Facebook, Google, YouTube, Instagram etc. are also have huge amount of objectionable content, viz. pornography, drugs, nudity, child sex abuse etc., which is unlawful as well as contrary to their own policies," Gupta argued.

"Cyber and IT matters come within the purview of Union list while police come within State list as per the 7th schedule of Constitution. It will be better to deal with such matters through a cyber regulator," he emphasised.

(Nishant Arora can be reached at nishant.a@ians.in)
Hyderabad, June 30 : Less than 10 per cent healthcare practitioners in India use online reputation management tools and social media tools to spread awareness about themselves and their work, reveals a study by Hyderabad Healthcare, a healthcare knowledge startup.

An assessment of online behavior patterns of Indian doctors found that they lag way behind in online reputation management.

Out of 500 doctors' profiles examined from across six metro cities in the country, less than 50 individuals have a focused approach towards building their online footprint. While more than 80 per cent healthcare professionals in urban locales of United States of America have online presence, it hovers around 70 per cent among doctors from leading European nations.

Hyderabad Healthcare released its findings on the eve of National Doctor's Day 2021, to create awareness on the need for online reputation management for healthcare professionals.

India is among the fastest growing countries in the world to adapt internet, and more and more Indians are depending on online resources to meet their information and knowledge needs. Youth often found doing an online search to know which doctor is ideal to health needs of theirs and their loved ones.

"While people have moved on to internet to search for information, most Indian doctors still depend on word-of-mouth publicity to gain more traction instead of using online tools to spread awareness. Covid-19 pandemic has motivated few and forced many doctors to increase their online impressions to spread awareness about ailments and attract patients' attention towards themselves. Increased presence of doctors in the digital world will make internet a better, knowledgeable, and safe place for its users," said Tekmal Sreekar Reddy, Co-Founder, Hyderabad Healthcare.

Doctors use internet to up their understanding of healthcare developments from around the world, and even to upgrade their skills. Many surgeons are seen using internet even in the middle of a surgical procedure to assess if the process being followed is apt. However, they lag behind when it comes to using internet to widen their reach.

"More and more people, especially from rural parts of India experience online world and depend on online means for their needs. There is humungous scope for doctors to use internet to serve a wider audience, and in the process gain more patients base for themselves. Online increases the reach of a doctor and especially non-surgeons must use various available tools for themselves and for the benefit of the society," said Lahari Kasarla, a tech entrepreneur.

Dr. Rahul Medakkar, COO, CARE Hospitals, feel that building a strong image online will be rewarding in the offline space.

"Hospitals care for the brands' online presence and reputation; and of the individual doctors working there. Hospitals constantly strive to increase its footmarks in the digital world, and we as administrators encourage our doctors to use internet to connect with their audience. Digital space cannot be ignored any longer by anyone, because building a strong image online will be rewarding in the offline space," he said.
Mumbai, June 30 : Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan, on the occasion of World Social Media Day on Wednesday, reminded netizens about the responsibility that comes with power.

Abhishek took to Twitter and Instagram to suggest that social media can be used for "Sharing information, gaining knowledge, spreading love, peace and happiness" instead of "spreading rumours/negativity".

"Social media is a powerful tool. But remember, with great power comes great responsibility! #WorldSocialMediaDay #SocialMediaDay," Abhishek wrote.

On the work front, Abhishek's latest release was the digital film "The Big Bull", where he features alongside Ileana D'Cruz.

The actor will next be seen in the upcoming film "Bob Biswas" directed by Diya Annapurna Ghosh. The film is a spin-off of "Kahaani", and based on the fictional character of that name who became popular in the 2012 Vidya Balan hit, "Kahaani".

Abhishek will also feature in the forthcoming film "Dasvi" directed by Tushar Jalota alongside Yami Gautam and Nimrat Kaur.
New Delhi, June 30 : The race for Uttrakhand Congress president is in its last lap as all the contenders and factions within the state have thrown their hat in the ring.

The party is thinking to appoint a brahmin chief ahead of the crucial assembly elections next year to gain maximum political advantage. Since the demise of Indira Hridyesh, who was the leader of opposition in the state assembly, it's likely the present state president Pritam Singh will be made the Congress legislature party leader.

The various camps in the state are pushing names of different leaders while former minister Nav Prabhat's name is also doing the rounds, but some AICC leaders are pushing for Kishore Upadhyay who has been state president in the past.

While Pritam Singh wants Bhuwan Kapri, his candidate of choice, to become party president, former chief minister Harish Rawat is said to be backing Ganesh Gondiyal. Prakash Joshi, who was AICC secretary in the past and is considered close to Rahul Gandhi, will have a say in the matter, though final decision will be taken by the Congress president.

As former Uttrakhand chief minister and Punjab in-charge, Harish Rawat is moving back to his home state for elections, sources said his input will be important in the matter.

Congress MLAs had met in New Delhi on Monday and unanimously decided to authorise party chief Sonia Gandhi to appoint the Uttarakhand legislature party leader.

Devendra Yadav, Congress state in-charge, said in a tweet, "Held a meeting of @INCUttarakhand Legislative Party to decide the new CLP leader for the state after the sudden demise of #IndiraHridyesh ji. It was unanimously decided to request Hon'ble @INCIndia President #SmtSoniaGandhi Ji to decide the same."
Chennai, June 30 : The suspect in the serial State Bank of India ATM thefts case in Chennai, Aamir Arsh Alimuddin who was apprehended by the police, was brought to an ATM in the city and made to demonstrate the modus operandi of his gang.

The thief was arrested from a hideout in Ballabhgarh village near Faridabad in Haryana on June 23 and brought to Chennai. The gang stole around Rs 48 lakh from various SBI ATMs in Chennai.

Joint Commissioner of Police Narenthiran Nayar and his team of officers brought Alimuddin to the SBI ATM at Choolai on Wednesday. Police said that the suspect stole around Rs 15 lakh in steps, withdrawing bit by bit around 190 times. The other suspects together stole the rest of the amount.

Police said that the gang covered the sensors while withdrawing the money. Police invited bank officials also to watch the demonstration so that the bank could take steps to prevent such thefts.

A police officer told IANS, "The gang hails from the Haryana- Rajasthan belt from villages in and around Ballabhgarh. These people are educated and Aamir Arsh Alimuddin is a BE graduate. Others in the team are also B.Com, BA graduates and they have swindled money from across the country. They have operated in Tamil Nadu as two gangs and we traced them following the number plate of the vehicle in which they had arrived at the ATM and nabbed them." Police said that the gang leader Sathakathullah Khan of Ballabhgarh village came down to Tamil Nadu and targeted 19 SBI ATMs/CDMA machines in the state. The gang was behind 9 ATM thefts in the city, police said.

The Chennai city police have arrested three culprits in the case including Alimuddin. The second thief, Virendar Rawat was arrested on June 26, and a third suspect, Najim Hussain was arrested from Faridabad and brought to Chennai by air on Tuesday night.

Police said that 10 suspects are involved in the case, all hailing from in and around Ballabhgarh in Haryana.
New Delhi, June 30 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the medical fraternity on Thursday to mark the National Doctor's Day at a time when they played a crucial role in saving lives of lakhs of people as the whole country has been passing through the worst ever health crisis due to Covid-19 pandemic for the last one-and-a-half years.

He will address the doctors at 3 p.m. via video conferencing to show his gratitude towards them for their tireless support amid the crisis. The event will be hosted by the Indian Medical Association (IMA). Since the Covid-19 pandemic has struck, the importance of doctors has been realised worldwide.

Taking to Twitter, the Prime Minister said, "India is proud of the efforts of all doctors in fighting Covid-19. 1st July is marked as National Doctors Day. At 3 PM tomorrow, will address the doctor's community at a programme organised by @IMAIndiaOrg." The Prime Minister has had lauded the role played by healthcare workers who have been at the forefront of battling the Covid-19 disease outbreak. He has also thanked the medical fraternity for helping the country in fight against two deadly waves of Covid-19 which have badly hit the economy and public health infrastructure.

In his monthly radio programme on last Sunday, the Prime Minister again lauded the efforts of doctors for their contribution to nation-building.

National Doctor's Day is celebrated every year on July 1 in order to show gratitude to those doctors who have selflessly aided people in their time of need and tirelessly worked for the health of their patients.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
New Delhi, June 30 : Automobile major Hyundai Motor India Ltd (HMIL) has achieved the fastest rollout of 10 million cars from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility near Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

According to the company, production of 10 million cars is a result of smart manufacturing and re-affirms Hyundai's commitment towards making India self-reliant.

Besides, the achievement reiterates HMIL's support towards state and central governments to accentuate economic recovery by overcoming the challenges posed by Covid-19 pandemic, said the auto maker.

As per the company, Hyundai Alcazar became the 10 millionth car to roll out of the production line at HMIL's plant in Sriperumbudur.

"This historic milestone of the 10 millionth car rollout is a testimony of Hyundai's commitment towards the Make in India initiative," said S.S. Kim, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India.

"Furthermore, it also showcases our vision of boosting the socio-economic development in the state of Tamil Nadu and making the country more self-reliant." Hyundai began operations of its manufacturing facility in September 1998 with the commissioning of Hyundai's first integrated car manufacturing plant outside Korea.

"Hyundai manufacturing facility is a living example of smart manufacturing with 'Zero' wastage 100 per cent water recirculation facility using recirculated water and rainwater harvesting systems, deployment of Industry 4.0 with over 650 4th Generation robots and utilisation of AI in robotics automation for car manufacturing," the company said.

Furthermore, auto major cited that it contributes to India's GDP via exports.

"As the country's largest exporter of automobiles, Hyundai surpassed the 3 million vehicle export milestone in early 2020, exporting to 88 countries and recorded multiple export milestones over the years - 5 lakh exports in March 2008, 10 lakh exports in February 2010, 20 lakh exports in March 2014."

-- Syndicated from IANS
San Francisco, June 30 : After facing a massive data leak recently, Microsoft-owned LinkedIn has reportedly suffered another massive breach, which is said to expose the data of 700 million users globally.

However, the professional networking site has denied it, said a media report.

According to the report, the data breach includes information such as names, email addresses, phone numbers, and industry information.

A user on RaidForums put the data up for sale late last week. It was spotted by the news site Privacy Sharks, who contacted LinkedIn after verifying a 1 million record sample offered by the seller, Forbes reported.

However, the company said "this was not a LinkedIn data breach and our investigation has determined that no private LinkedIn member data was exposed." LinkedIn is still investigating but added, "initial analysis indicates that the dataset includes information scraped from LinkedIn as well as information obtained from other sources." "Data shared online by users on various applications, is as vulnerable as the application they are using. Any vulnerability of the application or its API may lead to a breach of your data," Sonit Jain, CEO of GajShield Infotech, told IANS.

"Users should observe a zero-trust policy and not share any confidential data on any public platforms. Enable 2FA and change passwords regularly," Jain added.

Recently, the professional networking platform faced a massive data leak of 500 million users that is allegedly being sold online.

An archive with data purportedly scraped from 500 million LinkedIn profiles had been put for sale on a popular hacker forum, with another 2 million records leaked as a proof-of-concept sample by people behind the hack.

The leaked data up for sale included LinkedIn IDs, full names, email addresses, phone numbers, genders, links to LinkedIn profiles, links to other social media profiles, professional titles and other work-related data.
Chennai, June 30 : Chennai Air Customs have seized two postal parcels containing MDMA-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine narcotic pills valued at about Rs 5.25 lakh.

In a statement issued here, the Commissioner of Customs, Chennai International Airport said based on information, officials seized two postal parcels containing MDMA tablets from Netherlands and France at Foreign Post Office here.

The first parcel arrived from the Netherlands and was addressed to a Guntur, Andhra Pradesh-based person. On opening, a greeting card "HOERA! JIJ BENT JARIG" written in Dutch meaning "HURRAY! IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY" was found inside.

Inside the card one opaque silver plastic pouch containing a ziplock packet was found in which 50 blue coloured tablets marked as "Jurassis", suspected to be MDMA, valued at Rs 2.5 lakh were found inside.

The second parcel had arrived from France and was addressed to a person based in Tamil Nadu's Nagercoil.

On opening a ziplock packet containing 55 skull-shaped pink colour MDMA tablets of 'MB MYBRAND' valued at Rs 2.75 lakh were found inside.
Hyderabad, June 30 : Mild tension prevailed outside the residence of Y.S. Sharmila's residence here on Wednesday as some farmers from Andhra Pradesh tried to lay siege protesting her stand on Krishna waters issue.

A group of farmers led by AP Parirakshana Samithi leader K. Srinivasulu staged the protest against Sharmila's recent statement amid a row between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana over Rayalaseema Lift Irrigation Project (RLIP) Alleging that Sharmila's statement amounts to doing injustice to Rayalaseema, they raised slogans against her.

Sharmila is sister of Andhra Pradesh chief minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy and daughter of former chief minister of combined Andhra Pradesh Y.S. Rajasekhara Reddy.

Her supporters entered into an argument with the protesters. Later, police detained the protesters and shifted them to Banjara Hills police station.

"We will not let go a single drop of Telangana," Sharmila had tweeted on Monday amid the ongoing row between the two Telugu states over RLIP.

"We will not hesitate to fight against any one," she said in an obvious reference to Andhra Pradesh's YSRCP government led by her brother.

Sharmila has already announced that she will be taking a plunge into politics in Telangana by launching a new party on July 8, the birth anniversary of her father.

Jagan Mohan Reddy is said to be opposed to her sister's plans to float a new party in Telangana.

Andhra Pradesh and Telangana are currently engaged in a war or words over sharing of Krishna waters. The Telangana government has taken objection to Andhra Pradesh going ahead with RLIP saying this would be detrimental to the interests of Telangana.

The Telangana government has approached the Krishna River Management Board (KRMB) to prevent Andhra Pradesh from proceeding with the illegal construction of the project and also send a fact-finding committee to the project site.

The Andhra Pradesh government, on the other hand, maintains that it is not using a drop of water more than what is allotted to it by KRMB.
Shillong, June 30 : In a bizarre incident, the Meghalaya police have arrested a 40-year-old woman on charges of attempting to rob a local bank after she hid herself inside the bank for three nights, police said on Wednesday.

An official said the police arrested Isabella Myrboh on Wednesday a day after she was discovered in a deserted room of the Meghalaya Rural Bank's Bishnupur branch in Shillong. She will be produced before a local court after spending some time in a quarantine centre and when her Covid-19 test report is found to be negative.

"The woman was found in a deserted room in a disoriented, weak condition when the bank branch opened on Monday after a two-day holiday on Saturday and Sunday." According to the bank employees, she had come to the branch on June 25 to deposit some cash and managed to hide inside before the bank closed on Friday afternoon," an officer of Shillong's Laban police station told IANS on condition of anonymity.

The police and bank employees also discovered that the woman had planned to stay overnight with some puffed rice, soft drinks including ORS (oral rehydration solution) to sustain her before she came out from hiding.

Among other items the woman, a resident of the city's New Kench's Trace area under Laban police station, carried were a hammer and a handsaw.

The police and the bank employees said that the woman might have thought that she could come out from the bank the next morning as she might have been unaware that the bank would be closed for more days than she had thought.

"She did not call for help during the several nights she spent inside the locked building though there are houses adjoining the bank," the police official said, adding that the woman partially damaged the CCTV cameras and tried to take some cash from a counter.

The bank did not have sufficient drinking water to sustain her for more than 24 hours.

Some local organisations in Shillong have urged the authorities to deal with the case with sensitivity.

Local people told the police that the woman has been running an eatery shop but due to the Covid pandemic induced lockdown and various restrictions, it affected her business along with others.

The family members of Isabella said they had no knowledge about her "misadventure".

"We don't support her act," a member of her family said.
Mumbai, June 30 : In its ongoing probe into the multi-crore rupees betel nut smuggling scam, the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) swooped at 19 locations in Mumbai, Nagpur and Ahmedabad and seized incriminating documents, digital devices and other articles, officials said on Wednesday.

The raids were carried out on the premises of customs house agents, several private persons including proprietors/partners of importing firms and others, in pursuance of a Bombay High Court's Nagpur Bench order in February this year.

The court order came on a PIL filed by Dr Mehboob M.K. Chintanwala highlighting a huge scam of smuggling of substandard, unsafe and unfit betel nuts/areca nuts causing huge losses to the government.

As per the investigations, unscrupulous traders in connivance with government officials fraudulently claimed to import the stuff from SAFTA-SAARC countries based on fake documents, certificates of origin, bogus or undervalued bills and invoices, and forged customs clearance certificates causing loss of custody duty of around Rs 15,000 crore annually to the government.

In June 2016, 23 wagons loaded with substandard and hazardous betel nuts smuggled internationally were found at Nagpur Itwari station, but the case was not probed properly.

A year later, the Department of Revenue Intelligence's probe revealed four cases of smuggling of nearly 698 tonnes of betel nuts, suspected to be of foreign origins, smuggled via the India-Myanmar border and brought to Nagpur and Gondia.

The raids are still continuing and further investigations are underway, said the CBI.
Patna, June 30 : The work to expand the Darbhanga airport is likely to commence soon after the Indian Air Force (IAF) gave a no objection certificate (NOC) to Bihar government to acquire land adjoining the IAF station there.

Confirming the development, State Water Resources Minister Sanjay Kumar Jha posted the NOC received from IAF Group Captain and Station Commander Tushar Agrawal on social media.

"We are extremely happy that the IAF has given the no objection certificate to the state government. The Bihar government will soon start the land acquisition process to construct a terminal building and other essential facilities to cater to the passengers," Jha said.

As per the NOC, the acquisition of 78 acres of civil land in two pockets of Darbhanga airport outside the IAF station has been deliberated at the appropriate level.

The process of land acquisition by the state may be commenced, it said.

Due to unavailability of land, the Darbhanga airport does not have a proper parking facility. Once the 78 acres of land is acquired, parking trouble will end at the airport. At present, several passengers park their vehicles on the adjoining roads before entering the terminal building.

The Darbhanga airport is close to the China border and it is 1.5 times bigger than the Jayprakash Narayan International Airport in Patna.

It is the only airport in North Bihar to cater to the passengers from the adjoining Sitamadhi, Sheohar, Madhubani, Muzaffarpur, Samastipur, East Champaran and West Champaran areas.
New Delhi, June 30 : The Delhi Government on Wednesday directed all private schools in the national capital to admit students under the EWS category, based on the allotted list sent by the government and regardless of the number of admissions in the General Category.

During a press conference, Delhi Deputy Chief Minister Manish Sisodia on Wednesday said that private schools have to reserve 25 per cent of the seats for economically weaker sections (EWS).

He said under normal circumstances, private schools admit three students under general category and then one under EWS category, based on the allotted list provided by the Delhi Government.

"However, considering lockdown has derailed the entire admission process, there has been a difference in admission for even general category students. Delhi Government has now decided that regardless of admitting students under general category or not, private schools will have to admit students under EWS category, based on the allotted list sent by the Delhi government," the minister added.

He informed that a provision has been made wherein the Delhi Government will announce a draw for admissions for seats reserved under EWS category, based on the application received and information provided by schools on the number of seats available.

He also directed Delhi government schools to start parent-teachers meeting from July 19 for all classes.

Special PTMs should be held for students of class 6 who have transferred from the schools being run by the Municipal Corporations of Delhi (MCDs). A direction in this regard has been issued by the Directorate of Education (DoE) of the Delhi government, said a senior official.

"We have decided to call parents to physically attend the PTMs being conducted from July 19 to 31 where they will be updated about the students progress, their needs and challenges and how they can learn better amid the new normal," Sisodia added.

The Delhi government has earlier too emphasised on increasing collaboration between municipal and Delhi government teachers for smooth transition of students in Class 6 from MCD schools to those run by the city government.

"In order to facilitate this, special PTMs will be conducted for them jointly by Delhi government school teachers and those from MCD schools," the Minister said.
Chennai, June 30 : With Tamil Nadu having only 50,000 doses left on Wednesday, the vaccination drive was slowed down and several centres were shut.

The state administered the remaining doses tp frontline workers and those who are on the priority list, and the drive will commence from Thursday after fresh stocks arrive.

The state is expecting a replenishment of vaccine doses by Wednesday evening or latest by Thursday morning.

The state immunisation wing had already asked the Union government on Tuesday evening to dispatch the next batch of vaccines ahead of schedule.

Officials told IANS that the next batch of 72 lakh doses of vaccine which were scheduled to reach the state on July 6 will arrive on July 2. However, officials are expecting vaccines by Wednesday evening itself and it would take a day to deliver these vaccines across all the districts.

A senior officer with the Tamil Nadu Immunisation Department told IANS that even delivery of vaccines by air to various districts is under consideration.

State immunisation officer, Dr. K. Vinayakumar, said: "The state received 48 lakh doses and we were able to vaccinate 57.17 lakh people from this as in many districts, nurses are able to deliver 12 doses from a vial as the vaccine companies usually fill 1 ml extra in each vial or two extra doses which the nurses have been able to extract and inject people." Average vaccinations per day have increased from 90,000 in May to 1.9 lakh people in June.
Hyderabad, June 30 : South Central Railway (SCR) has seized train tickets worth Rs 16.32 lakh during a special drive against touts and unauthorised agents.

To curb the menace of black-marketing of passenger reservation tickets and to facilitate a hassle-free journey for passengers, the SCR intensified massive special drives against touts and unauthorised agents at all reservation offices and travel agencies in major stations.

The Railway Protection Force (RPF) under the supervision of Principal Chief Security Commissioner, Inspector General of Police, G.M Eswara Rao, conducted special raids from June 22 to June 27 at various locations all over the zone. In this operation, 178 live tickets, and 1,886 used tickets worth of Rs 16,32,643 which were booked by the touts on commission basis were seized and 36 touts were apprehended, SCR said.

The drives are intended to save the passengers from black marketing of tickets and also to arrest the loss of revenue to the Indian Railways as the touts are carrying business without license from Indian Railways. The RPF is committed to take stringent action against touting activities, it added.

SCR officials requested passengers to purchase tickets from reservation counters and authorised travel agents only. If any person notices the selling of tickets by unauthorised persons, this may be reported to railway authorities, it urged.
New Delhi, June 30 : The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has declared entire Nagaland as a "disturbed area" for six more months till December 31 this year, under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act (AFSPA) that empowers security forces to conduct operations anywhere and arrest anyone without prior notice.

While Nagaland became a separate state in 163, the AFSPA has been in force in northeast since 1958.

In a notification issued on Wednesday, the MHA said the government was of the opinion that the area comprising the whole state of Nagaland was in such a "disturbed and dangerous condition" that the use of armed forces in aid of the civil power was necessary.

"Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by Section 3 of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (No 28 of 1958), the Central government hereby declares that whole of the state of Nagaland to be 'disturbed area' for a period of six months with effect from June 30 for the purpose of the said Act," the notification said.

In a similar order on December 30 last year, the MHA extended AFSPA in Nagaland for six months.

There have been demands from various organisations in the Northeast as well as in Jammu and Kashmir for repealing the AFSPA, which, they allege, gives "sweeping powers" to security forces.

The AFSPA has not been withdrawn even after a framework agreement was signed on August 3, 2015 by Naga insurgent group NSCN-IM General Secretary Thuingaleng Muivah and government interlocutor R.N. Ravi in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

The framework agreement came after over 80 rounds of negotiations spanning 18 years, with the first breakthrough in 1997 when the ceasefire agreement was sealed after decades of insurgency in Nagaland.
New Delhi, June 30 : Black carbon could lead to premature mortality, said a study conducted by the Department of Science & Technology-Mahamana Centre of Excellence in Climate Change Research (MCECCR) at the Banaras Hindu University.

Black carbon has significant adverse effects on human health and leads to premature mortality, said the new study, which could help in the estimation of future burden of mortality associated with air pollutants more accurately.

The study explored the individual as well as the cumulative impact of BC aerosol, fine (PM 2.5) and coarse (PM 10) particulates, and trace gases (SO2, NO2, O3) on premature mortality in Varanasi. The findings have recently been published in the journal 'Atmospheric Environment'.

The Indo-Gangetic plain is exposed to black carbon with serious implications on regional climate and human health. However, most of the pollution-based epidemiological studies essentially relate exposure to particulate mass concentration (PM 10 and/-or PM 2.5) that invariably generalise all particulates with equal toxicity without distinguishing individuals by its source and composition, which genuinely have different health consequences.

Importantly, the health effects in terms of mortality due to black carbon aerosol exposure have never been evaluated in India.

A typical urban pollution hotspot in the central Indo-Gangetic plain (IGP), Varanasi experiences very high aerosol loading and trace gas concentration throughout the year due to the prevalence of a subsidence zone and observed decadal increasing trends both in aerosol optical depth and black carbon aerosols.

The scientists from the MCECCR, supported by the climate change programme of the Department of Science and Technology, utilised daily all-cause mortality and ambient air quality from 2009 to 2016 to clearly establish a significant impact of black carbon aerosols, NO2 and PM2.5 exposure on mortality.

The inclusion of co-pollutants (NO2 and PM 2.5) in the multi-pollutant model increased the individual mortality risks for black carbon aerosols.

The effect of pollutants was more prominent on males in the 5-44 age group, especially during winter.

They found that the adverse effect of air pollutants is not limited to the current day of exposure, but can extend as high as up to five days. They further showed that mortality rises linearly with an increase in air pollutant levels and shows adverse impact at higher levels.

Inclusion of black carbon as a potential health hazard inspires and provides a background for more epidemiological studies to provide evidence of health effects of air pollutants from different parts of the country.

R.K. Mall led the team of scientists who conducted the study, including Nidhi Singh, Alaa Mhawish, Tirthankar Banerjee, Santu Ghosh and R.S. Singh from the BHU.
Guwahati, June 30 : Around 50 per cent of the Covid vaccination centres have been shut down in Assam and the BJP leaders are doing politics, making derogatory statements against the Opposition party, Assam Congress President Ripun Bora said on Wednesday criticising BJP president J.P. Nadda.

Bora, a Rajya Sabha member, has strongly condemned the statement of Nadda that the Congress party leaders are 'political tourists' and said that such a denigrating statement against an Opposition party is not expected by a senior leader.

While addressing Assam BJP state executive meeting virtually from Delhi on Tuesday, terming Congress leaders as "political tourists", Nadda said that during election time some Congress leaders are visible but after the vote every one shutting their camps went home.

"Several Congress leaders went into quarantine and isolation with some in the ICU while lakhs of BJP functionaries and workers have been risking their lives while dealing with the Covid pandemic for the well being and safety of the people," the BJP president said.

Bora said that the BJP was born in 1980 while the Congress party was born in 1885.

"How can a party that has been in existence for 136 years, that brought freedom for its people from British domination and that ruled India and contributed towards nation building be termed as "political tourist"? Nadda should brush up on his history," he said.

The Congress leader in a statement said that just because the party (Congress) lost elections in Assam one cannot pass derogatory remarks like 'political tourists' for the party.

"Does it also mean that wherever the BJP lost elections - in West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu that BJP has become 'political tourists'?", Bora asked as he questioned where were the BJP leaders when Assam was ravaged by floods in 2017 and 2018.

He said that while Prime Minister Narendra Modi could make time to come to Assam umpteenth times for election campaigns, why couldn't he find time to be near the people of the state during the floods. The Assam Congress chief said that the people of the state also know that it is due to the faulty Covid policy of the BJP Government at the Centre led by Modi that the people of Assam are suffering due to lack of vaccines.

"Very recently police had to resort to lathi charge in Covid Centres as people became restive due to lack of vaccines," he said.

Bora asked Nadda that instead of discussing the Congress party in his virtual meetings with his party members he should ensure the safety of the people of Assam from Covid by facilitating the quick availability of vaccines as the longer the delay the greater is the threat to people's lives.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Gandhinagar, June 30 : The Gujarat Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) on Wednesday nabbed one person alleged to be involved in the religious conversion case filed by the Uttar Pradesh police, the police said.

The Gujarat ATS arrested one Salauddin, believed to be a resident of Ahmedabad, on Wednesday in connection with a religious conversion case filed by the UP ATS. Uttar Pradesh is the first state in the country to come up with an anti-religious conversion law.

According to information from the police, Salauddin has been charged with involvement with a gang associated with religious conversions where the UP police have already arrested five persons. Salauddin has been alleged to be involved in funding their activities.

The Gujarat ATS will produce Salauddin before the Ahmedabad Rural court and seek his remand. It will now investigate Salauddin's activities, his source of funding, how many conversions have been forced etc, the police said.

The police is also in search of one Maulana Umar Gautam, believed to be the mastermind behind the conversion activities.
London, June 30 : France's world No. 58 Alize Cornet caused a major upset when she beat world No. 7 Bianca Andreescu of Canada 6-2, 6-1 in their delayed first-round match at Wimbledon in one hour and 22 minutes on Wednesday.

This is the second time in three weeks that Alize has beaten the 21-year-old Bianca, seeded fifth here.

The Frenchwoman had won their second-round clash in Berlin a fortnight ago, going on to reach her first grass-court semi-final.

Alize will meet the winner of the match between Greet Minner of Belgium and Alja Tomljanovic of Australia.

Alize, 31, is playing her 14th Wimbledon, having competed in every main draw since 2007, while Bianca was playing her third, having qualified in 2017 and lost in the first round to Kristina Kucova of Slovakia. She had fallen in the 2018 qualifying to German Antonia Lottner.

Alize mixed her powerful, flat forehand strokes with near-perfect net play to thrash her opponent. Bianca, meanwhile, was increasingly unsure of her footing, which Alize took advantage of by playing the drop shot whenever the former US Open champion slipped on fresh Wimbledon grass.

The first set was much closer than the scoreline suggests, with Bianca playing some great slices and drop shots. But from 2-2, Alize won four close tussles in a row as consistency deserted Bianca.

No.16 seed Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova of Russia and No.19 seed Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic both won their delayed first-round matches on Wednesday. Anastasia, the French Open finalist this year, defeated Ana Bogdan of Romania 6-2, 6-2, while Karolina eased past Nottingham runner-up Zhang Shuai of China 6-3, 6-3.

Both are former quarter-finalists at Wimbledon -- Anastasia reached that stage in 2016, while Karolina upset compatriot Karolina Pliskova in a fourth round clash here in 2019. They remain on course to clash in the third round this year.
Chandigarh, June 30 : The Punjab government on Wednesday set up a state-level committee to regularly track, monitor, and ensure speedy investigation in all sexual offences against women and children.

The decision was taken at a high-level review meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Vini Mahajan, who announced that the six-member committee, headed by the Additional Chief Secretary, Home, will review the progress of sexual assault cases on a monthly basis.

She also ordered immediate training of 500 medical officers to ensure no delay in the conduct of examination and documentation in sexual assault cases.

These decisions were in line with directives of Chief Minister Amarinder Singh to ensure time-bound investigations in cases of crime against women and children, and improve the prosecution rate in such cases.

The meeting also reviewed the status of the Punjab State Victim Compensation Scheme and Nirbhaya Fund proposals submitted to the Centre.

The Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) finalised by the government will help officers concerned to fast-track investigations and improve conviction rate in sexual assault cases, said the Chief Secretary, after the meeting.

She also directed the Police Department to depute women police officers, to be designated as 'Women Safety Officer', as person-of-contact with every school and college of the state to check and coordinate on such cases.
New Delhi, June 30 : In a bid to support businesses amid the pandemic, the Union Cabinet has approved additional funding up to Rs 1.50 lakh crore under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS).

The scheme would be applicable to all eligible loans sanctioned under Guaranteed Emergency Credit Line (GECL) till September 30, 2021, or till an amount of Rs 4.50 lakh crore is sanctioned under the GECL, whichever is earlier.

Further, on account of the disruptions caused by the second wave of Covid-19, specially on healthcare sector, the Union Cabinet has approved Loan Guarantee Scheme for Covid Affected Sectors (LGSCAS) enabling funding to the tune of Rs 50,000 crore to provide financial guarantee cover for brownfield expansion and greenfield projects related to health or medical infrastructure.

An official statement said that the LGSCAS has been formulated as a specific response to an exceptional situation the country has witnessed due to lack of adequate health infrastructure in the light of second wave of Covid-19.

The Cabinet has also given its approval for extending the terminal date for registration of beneficiaries for availing the benefit under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Rojgar Yojana (ABRY) for another nine months -- from June 30, 2021 to March 31, 2022.

Consequent upon this extension, it is expected that 71.8 lakh employment will be generated in the formal sector as against the earlier projection of 58.5 lakh.

As on June 18, 2021, benefit amounting to Rs 902 crore has been given to 21.42 Lakh beneficiaries through 79,577 establishments under ABRY.
New Delhi, June 30 : The Delhi Police on Wednesday arrested three armed burglars travelling in a vehicle after a shootout near Kashmere Gate area of the national capital.

DCP South Delhi, Atul Kumar Thakur said that at about 12.35 p.m. a police team overtook a Wagon R car on outer ring road near Hanuman Nagar Kashmere Gate. He said that the accused persons tried to run away.

"On being challenged, one of them identified as Anwar alias Anu took out a countrymade pistol and fired on police. In return, police also fired in defence injuring the accused in his leg," Thakur said.

The DCP said that Anwar 38, Manirul alias Saifuddin, 24, and Rafiq alias Luka, 24, all residents of Jahangirpuri were arrested. He said Anwar has been involved in over 70 cases while Saifuddin is involved in 23 cases and Rafiq has been involved in 30 cases.
New Delhi, June 30: After apparels 'Made in Bangladesh' took the world by storm, it could now soon be electronic gadgets and cell phones.

After chartering a success story in the ready-made garment (RMG) industry that created four million jobs and boosted exports, Bangladesh, which is now set to move out of the United Nations Least Developed Countries (LDC) list, is shifting gears.

As the country gears up for the next phase of growth with an eye on employment generation the Sheikh Hasina government is laying the red carpert for foreign investors wishing to set up manufacturing facilities in the country Hit by the pandemic, foreign direct investment (FDI) into the country slowed down by 10.8 per cent in 2020. The country's total FDI inflow stood at $2.56 billion in 2020 compared to $2.87 billion a year ago, according to Bangladesh Bank data. However, two industry sources India Narrative spoke to said that the government is now "extremely proactive" in assisting companies wishing to set up manufacturing facilities in the country.

"As the world gears up for post Covid phase with altered economic and political considerations, companies and investors are looking for fresh investment destinations. Bangladesh with a proactive government features in the top list," a senior executive engaged with a multinational company told India Narrative.

A Nikkei Asia report said that international mobile phone brands Nokia, Samsung, Vivo and others are increasingly choosing to set up manufacturing ventures in Bangladesh.

While the report said that this allows companies to escape the South Asian country's high import tariffs and get direct access to its large and growing population, the executive also noted the move helps firms in diversifying the supply chain network in the post Covid world.

"The government has been providing all assistance to companies wishing to invest there," he added.

The Nikkei Asia report also noted that Dhaka has taken steps to attract foreign investment and increase local production and consumption through its "Made in Bangladesh" programme, nudging phone brands to enter the country by raising tariffs on imported handsets, collecting lower duties on component imports and exempting consumer purchases from the country's value-added tax.

A recent World Bank report said that improving the manufacturing sector's productivity will be crucial for Bangladesh not only to boost export growth but help in the overall revival of the economy hit by the impacts of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The report, 'Gearing up for the Future of Manufacturing in Bangladesh,' also said that by strengthening innovation and technology adoption in firms, the manufacturing sector can improve productivity.

"In recent years, job creation in the RMG sector slowed due to automation and the trend will likely accelerate in the post-pandemic world," said Mercy Tembon, World Bank Country Director for Bangladesh and Bhutan.

"This creates the urgent need for Bangladeshi manufacturers to shift gears from competing on low labor-intensive productivity to competing on higher productivity. For this to happen, firms will need to adopt better technologies across business functions and production processes," Tembon said in a statement.

(This content is being carried under an arrangement with indianarrative.com) --indianarrative/
Panaji, June 30 : A Goa court on Wednesday rejected a bail application filed by a man accused of murdering Irish tourist Danielle McLaughlin in 2017.

Vikat Bhagat, in his bail application, had sought bail, citing the extended duration of the trial on account of the Covid-19 pandemic, which has resulted in repeated delays in the trial.

"The Sessions Judge has rejected the bail application. We as a family, who had filed an intervention application, had firmly opposed bail being granted. The prosecution too opposed the application," Vikram Varma, counsel for the family of the slain Irish tourist, told reporters here.

Danielle, 28, was holidaying in the South Goa beach village of Palolem, when Bhagat, who had befriended her, allegedly stabbed her with a broken beer bottle.

According to police records, Bhagat was a history sheeter who had been previously arrested in connection with several crimes in the past.
Chennai, June 30 : Tamil Nadu Governor Banwarilal Purohit has appointed noted agriculture scientist R. Jagannathan as the Vice-Chancellor of the Periyar University in Salem.

Jagannathan will hold the post of VC for a period of three years from the date of assuming office, a release from the Governor's office said.

Jagannathan has authored a book, co-authored four others besides publishing 55 research papers. In the past, he had held positions of Dean (Agriculture) at the Tamil Nadu Agriculture University in Coimbatore. He has 39 years' experience in teaching.

He has also presented 14 papers at international events besides organising five international academic/research programmes.
Srinagar, June 30 : One more terrorist has been killed in an ongoing encounter between militants and security forces in the Chimmer area in south Kashmir's Kulgam district on Wednesday, taking the toll of terrorists killed to three, officials said.

"One more unidentified terrorist has been killed in the Kulgam encounter. Search is going on," the police said.

The firefight between the terrorists and the security forces started after a joint team of the police and the army cordoned off the area and launched a search operation on the basis of specific information about the presence of terrorists there.

As the security forces zeroed in on the spot where the terrorists were hiding, they came under a heavy volume of fire that triggered the encounter.

A search operation is currently underway in the area.
New Delhi, June 30 : Chief Justice of India, N.V. Ramana on Wednesday said judges should not be swayed by the "emotional pitch of public opinion on social media platforms", and the judiciary cannot directly or indirectly be controlled by the legislature or the executive.

He also insisted media trials cannot be a guiding factor in deciding cases.

Delivering the 17th Justice P.D. Desai memorial lecture on 'Rule of Law', Chief Justice Ramana said: "The judiciary cannot be controlled, directly or indirectly, by the legislature or the executive, or else the Rule of Law would become illusory. At the same time, judges should not be swayed by the emotional pitch of public opinion either, which is getting amplified through social media platforms." He emphasised that judges have to be mindful of the fact that the noise thus amplified is not necessarily reflective of what is right and what the majority believes in. The new media tools that have enormous amplifying ability are incapable of distinguishing between right and wrong, good and bad, and the real and fake, he added.

"Media trials cannot be a guiding factor in deciding cases extremely vital to function independently and withstand all external aids and pressures. While there is a lot of discussion about the pressure from the executive, it is also imperative to start a discourse as to how social media trends can affect the institutions," the Chief Justice said.

He also clarified that the judge, and the judiciary need not completely disassociate from what is going on.

"Judges cannot stay in ivory castles and decide questions which pertain to social issues... The ultimate responsibility of a judge is, after all, to uphold the Constitution and the laws. Reason, reasonableness and protection of human dignity are the values that will serve us well," he added.

He stressed that for the judiciary to apply checks on governmental power and action, it has to have complete freedom. "And the importance of the judiciary should not blind us to the fact that the responsibility of safeguarding constitutionalism lies not just on the courts," he noted.

He said the judiciary is the primary organ which is tasked with ensuring that the laws which are enacted are in line with the Constitution. "The Supreme Court has held this function to be a part of the basic structure of the Constitution, which means that the Parliament cannot curtail the same," he added.
Mumbai, June 30 : In what could trigger fresh political tension, Maharashtra Governor Bhagat Singh Koshyari on Wednesday shot off a letter to Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray, asking him to take decisions on certain issues raised by the Leader of Opposition Devendra Fadnavis.

The Governor has referred to a delegation of the Opposition Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) led by Fadnavis which met him in Raj Bhavan on June 23 and submitted two memorandums to him.

The main points raised by Fadnavis were: extending the duration of the upcoming Monsoon Session of the Maharashtra Legislature, take steps to fill up the vacant post of Assembly Speaker, and postponing the local bodies elections due to the pending OBC reservations matter.

The Governor said that since the three issues are of great importance, the CM should initiate suitable action and apprise him of the same.

However top leaders of the ruling Maha Vikas Aghadi allies -- Shiv Sena-Nationalist Congress Party-Congress -- reacted sharply to the Governor's letter.

While Congress Minister Balasaheb Thorat said that the issue of the Speaker's election is already under consideration with the election likely on July 6, NCP's Minister Nawab Malik countered by asking why Koshyari has still not cleared the list of 12 MLCs from the Governor's quota.

In a strong attack, senior Sena leader Kishore Tiwari, who is accorded MoS status, sought to know whether Koshyari is "Governor of Maharashtra or Fadnavis and state BJP?" Alleging that the Governor was interfering and arm-twisting the duly elected MVA government, Tiwari said instead of raising the state's burning issues, "why so much interest in raising issues of the state Opposition." He demanded that the President and Prime Minister should recall the Governor "to save the federal democratic setup of the Indian Constitution" since he is "acting beyond his Constitutional dues." After senior Congress leader Nana Patole was appointed the state party President, he quit his post as Speaker in February and since then, NCP's Deputy Speaker Narhari Zirwal is holding charge.

Prior to the Budget Session the Governor had asked the MVA government to hold the Speaker's post election, but it could not be done.

Last week, the state government decided to hold a two-day Monsoon Session on July 5-6 in view of the Covid-19 scenario and the anticipated 'third wave' against which the Opposition had protested.

Malik said that the final decision on the Speaker's election would be taken after the Covid-19 test reports of all legislators are received.

On the Speaker's election, the MVA expects it to be a smooth affair since it has a majority in the House.
New Delhi, June 30 : Atul Keshap, the newly appointed ChargA d'Affaires at US Embassy in India shares very old connections with India.

"Before departure for #India, I went home to #Charlottesville to seek my Mother's blessings. She served in the #ForeignService at the US Embassy in New Delhi 1958-1960", Keshap wrote on Twitter.

Keshap most recently served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs and as the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives, the US State Department announced.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is said to be the next US Ambassador to India.Garcetti was rumoured to run for President in 2020, according to Los Angeles Times.

The State Department said Atul Keshap, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, will be departing for New Delhi to serve as ChargA d'Affaires, ad interim, following the retirement of Ambassador Daniel Smith. Ambassador Keshap will bring a wealth of experience to the role, having served previously at US Embassy New Delhi and as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia.

"Ambassador Keshap's appointment will reinforce the close US partnership with the government and people of India, demonstrated by our collaboration to overcome global challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic", the State Department said.

As per reports, his father, Keshap Chander Sen was from Punjab and United Nations economist working in Nigeria where Keshap was born in 1971.

His mother, Zoe Calvert, had been in the U.S. Foreign Service when she met and married Sen in London. She also served at the US embassy in India.

The Keshap family home is Charlottesville, Virginia, where Keshap attended St. Anne's-Belfield School, graduating in 1988.

Keshap was posted in India in 2005 as a Deputy Minister counselor at the US embassy in New Delhi. Although he had visited India as a child, Keshap never learned Hindi until taking State Department language training, as per reports.

Across his 27-year career as an American diplomat, Keshap has served at postings in India, Morocco, and Guinea, and as United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives.

He has served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, as US Senior Official for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, and as an Office Director in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs and in the Bureau of International Organization Affairs.

Keshap has negotiated or advanced bilateral and multilateral initiatives at senior levels with counterparts from the European Union, United Nations, ASEAN, APEC, and governments across the Indo-Pacific, Middle East, Africa, and North and South America.

Keshap served at the Department of Defense as the National Defense University's Vice Chancellor for the College of International Security Affairs. Earlier in his career, he served as Director for North Africa and Middle East regional affairs on the National Security Council staff in the Executive Office of the President of the United States.
New Delhi, June 30 : The Supreme Court on Wednesday sought response from the Centre on a plea seeking compensation of Rs 4 lakh to family members of the Covid-19 patients, who succumbed to black or yellow fungus.

Earlier in the day, the top court, in its judgment on another plea filed by advocate Reepak Kansal and another seeking Rs 4 lakh ex gratia for families of Covid deceased, had held that the Centre failed to perform its statutory duty, under Section 12 of the Disaster Management Act (DMA), to issue minimum standards of relief in this regard. It directed the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) to recommend guidelines for such ex gratia assistance within 6 weeks.

A bench of Justices Ashok Bhushan, M.R. Shah and Vineet Saran issued notice to Centre on a PIL filed by Kansal, urging the court to direct the Centre and states to provide ex gratia monetary compensation to family members of those who succumbed to side effects or post Covid-19 complications i.e. black fungus, white fungus and yellow fungus etc.

"The entire benefits/ex-gratia compensation under Section 12 of the Disaster Management Act, 2005 for patients of Covid-19 may also be extended to the patients of post-Covid-19 disease i.e. black fungus, yellow fungus and white fungus etc," said the plea.

Contending that injury was caused to citizens who have lost their family members due to side effects/post Covid-19 decease, it said: "There is a constitutional and legal obligation on the State and its different organs to take care of victims of the calamity and their family members, in the position of a guardian of parent of the people of the society."

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Jaipur, June 30 : The Rajasthan government has added a fresh column to its daily Covid report under the header 'Address not known', which features those patients whose details such as name, address and phone number are false.

As these patients have tested positive, their data feature in this particular column sans any specific location, as their whereabouts remain unknown.

Everyday, the health department issues a health bulletin specifically for Jaipur, as well as for the entire state.

In the Jaipur bulletin, the total number of patients in different colonies are mentioned. However, those whose real identity is not known are placed under the 'Address not known' column.

A senior official told IANS, "Be it for fear of the new Delta Plus variant or the threat of getting isolated by the community, many people going for tests are not sharing their real names, addresses or telephone numbers.

"We tried calling on the numbers submitted during testing to reach out to those who test positive, but their addresses could not be known. However, all such patients are sooner or later traced with the combined efforts of the medical teams." The new column was added on June 28 after the first case of the Delta Plus variant was traced in Bikaner on June 26.

"It could that due to the fear of this new variant, many people have stopped giving their real addresses, phone numbers or names to the health teams," said a health official.

One patient each was added to this new column on June 28 and June 29. On Wednesday, 2 more names were added under the newly-created category.
Amaravati, June 30 : Andhra Pradesh Cabinet on Wednesday condemned the Telangana government for generating hydel power by drawing water from Krishna river basin reservoirs.

The Cabinet meeting chaired by Andhra Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy resolved to write missives to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in this regard.

After the meeting, AP Irrigation Minister Anil Kumar Yadav asserted that the state government is constructing irrigation project as per regulations and using the water allocated to the state.

"Full capacity of 44,000 cusecs of water from Pothireddypadu can be drawn only if water level reaches 881ft in Srisailamwater level should reach 854 ft at least to draw 5,000 - 6,000 cusecs of water," said Yadav.

The Minister said Telangana can draw 6 tmc water at 800 ft level and highlighted that AP is not able to draw Krishna flood water as the water level will be touching 881 ft - 885 ft only for 15 - 20 days.

He noted that to draw water at full capacity in less time, capacity should be increased by setting up lifts at 800 ft level.

Yadav said Reddy has already reiterated in the Apex Council meeting that water will be drawn from only the allocated share to the state.

The Irrigation Minister criticised Telangana Ministers for using provocative language and verbally attacking former united Anadhra Chief Minister Y.S. Rajasekhar Reddy.

"Power generation is based on Irrigation demands and Telangana is committing a vicious act by generating hydel power though Krishna River Management Board has objected to it," he said.

Yadav said AP will retaliate and the state is ready to bring projects under KRMB if needed and stated that the neighbouring state has been extending various projects such as Palamuru, Dindi and Nettempadu without permission.

"The state government would write a letter to KRMB on how Telangana is generating power illegally and request it to cut down wastage of water in 299 TMC of water allocated to them," he added.
Kolkata, June 30 : Days after West Bengal Speaker Biman Banerjee complained of "excessive interference" of the Governor in matters related to parliamentary democracy and functioning of the House to Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, Governor Jagdeep Dhankhar shot off a letter to Banerjee terming his allegations as "unfortunate" and "distanced from reality".

Dhankhar in an official statement said, "Such stand, more so in the forum concerned, is not in consonance with the office you hold. Just ponder that not even once you have thought of deliberating the issue, if at all any, with me. Such optics damage the institution we need to nurture and of which I happen to be at the apex as per Article 168 of the Constitution." Referring to the two Bills that Banerjee alleged the Governor was sitting on, Dhankhar strongly objected saying, "The Dunlop India (Acquisition and Transfer of Undertaking) Bill 2016 which was forwarded to the Governor of West Bengal on 2 March, 2016 was forwarded by my predecessor in terms of Article 201 of Constitution on 10 March, 2016 to the Hon'ble President of India who, after receiving appropriate feedback from the concerned Department and the Chief Secretary, Govt of West Bengal, on 15.01.2019 withheld his consent to the said Bill".

"Accordingly, the Home Ministry, Govt of India informed the concerned Secretary, Department of Public Enterprises & Industrial Reconstruction, Govt of West Bengal that the Hon'ble President has withheld his consent to the Bill determining matter in finality as per Article 201 of the Constitution. There was thus constitutional quietus to the bill even before I assumed office. It is unfortunate and regrettable that even in the face of such a glaring situation you chose to engage in optical misrepresentation and that too without even once advertising to me," he added.

"Regarding the West Bengal (Prevention of Lynching) Bill 2019, after the same was received by the Governor, comprehensive joint representation in respect of the same was received from the then Leader of the Opposition and the Leader of the Left Front Legislative party in the Assembly raising inter alia serious procedural lapses. At the same time the Home & Hill Affairs Department dealing with the matter informed that there were certain mistakes in section 7C of the Bill in respect of which the Law Department was asked to brief the Governor," he said.

"I am pained to observe that at each of these stages responses from your end were not only delayed but also evasive and nonspecific in nature which were antagonistic to my specific queries. Since the above-mentioned mistakes in the Bill are yet to be either satisfactorily explained or corrected by the concerned administrative Department, no specific action lies at my end in this regard," he added.

"In view of the aforesaid, I seek your indulgence to reflect on the direction in which we are headed. It is my firm conviction that we need to work in togetherness in a harmonious manner to uphold and justify the essence and spirit of the Constitutional responsibilities that we solemnly carry for ensuring the overall welfare of the people of the state. I also feel that we need to embark on our solemn task by making a fresh beginning with a new conviction and renewed commitment from both of us to serve the people of the state," he said.

Forwarding the same letter to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha to set the record right, Dhankar alleged, "Constrained to invite your attention that on numerous occasions as a consequence of your actions the dignity of the office of Governor was compromised. All were shocked when on a notified visit, I found the Assembly gate locked. On my subsequent visit to the Assembly, your absence was felt. Blacking out from media coverage the Governor's Address under Article 176 of the Constitution was reminiscent of draconian emergency, as subsequent to that there was live coverage of the proceedings concerning Hon'ble Chief Minister and Hon'ble Finance Minister as also others".
New Delhi, June 30 : The National Investigation Agency (NIA) said on Wednesday that it has arrested two Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) terrorists from Hyderabad, who had planned an explosion in a running passenger train on the instructions of Pakistan-based handlers, in connection with its probe into the bomb blast in Bihar's Darbhanga railway station on June 17.

An NIA spokesperson said that the agency has arrested Imran Malik aka Imran Khan and Mohammad Nasir Khan aka Nasir Malik, both of whom were staying in Nampally in Hyderabad district. The duo originally hails from Shamli district in Uttar Pradesh.

The case pertains to the explosion of a parcel at the Darbhanga railway station on June 17. The parcel was booked at Secunderabad and had arrived by the Secunderabad-Darbhanga Express.

The NIA had taken over the probe on June 24.

The official said that after visiting the scene of crime and based on the inputs received by the investigating team of the NIA, the accused persons mentioned above were arrested from Hyderabad.

The official said that preliminary investigation has revealed a trans-national conspiracy hatched by top operatives of the proscribed terror outfit LeT to execute terror acts across India and cause large scale damage to life and property.

"Acting under the directions of Pakistan-based handlers of LeT, Nasir Khan and his brother Imran Malik had fabricated an incendiary IED and packed it in a parcel of cloth and booked the same in a long-distance train from Secunderabad to Darbhanga," the official said.

The official pointed out that this was aimed at causing explosion and fire in a running passenger train, resulting in huge loss of lives and property.

"Nasir Khan had visited Pakistan in 2012 and had received training from the handlers of LeT in the fabrication of IED from locally available chemicals," the official said, adding that he along with his brother Imran was in touch with Pakistan-based handlers of LeT over encrypted communication platforms.

"The arrested persons will be produced before a Special NIA Court in Patna after obtaining transit from the competent court. A probe is on to unearth the larger conspiracy," he added.
New Delhi, June 30 : Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday chaired a meeting of the Union Council of Ministers to discuss issues related to the Covid management, vaccination drive and preparedness to deal with possible third wave.

At the virtual meeting, which lasted for around five hours, some ministers including Nitin Gadkari made a presentation about developments in their ministries.

"The Prime Minister advised ministers to increase the pace of work in their respective ministries," a source said.

Sources said that Prime Minister Modi discussed Covid management and asked to encourage people to follow Covid appropriate behaviour as restrictions have been relaxed.

"The Prime Minister said that the ministers must tell people about the importance of following Covid protocol to contain the spread of infection," a source said.

It is also learnt that the Prime Minister also asked ministers to speed up the vaccination drive, by spreading awareness among people to reduce vaccine hesitancy.

According to sources, the Prime Minister also discussed government preparation for the third wave of Covid.

On April 30, the Prime Minister held a similar meeting with the Council of Ministers to discuss the situation arising out of the second wave of Covid in the country in which it was noted that the present pandemic crisis is a 'once in a century crisis' and has thrown a big challenge for the world.

The government's Team India approach to fight Covid, based on the collective efforts of the Centre, state governments and people of India, was highlighted in that meeting. He had also urged ministers to stay in touch with the people of their respective regions, help them and keep getting their feedback. He stressed upon the need to ensure that issues at the local level are promptly identified and addressed.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)

-- The story has been published from a wire feed without any modifications to the text
New Delhi, June 30 : Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan on Wednesday addressed a meeting of the ministers of health of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) member countries through video-conference.

"The pandemic has shown that nobody is safe until all of us are safe. This has also highlighted the need for greater collaboration between the countries on various aspects of health. Therefore, it is desirable that we continue to exchange our experiences, learnings, best practices as well as innovations to strengthen our public health systems," Harsh Vardhan said.

The Health Minister said that the pandemic has dealt a profound blow to the SCO member states on health and economic fronts, leading to an extraordinarily high cost of the economy and at the cost of precious human lives.

"One of the areas of strategic importance in Covid-19 disease mitigation is the safeguarding of the health interests of the global community, which is possible only with well-qualified, trained and motivated healthcare professionals supported by a robust policy framework.

"India believes that besides bilateral discussions on the issue, a multilateral approach, which would create an institutional framework for mobility of health workers, is the need of the hour. For example, India is currently collaborating with Japan and discussing with the UK and other countries from the EU regarding a nursing service exchange programme," Harsh Vardhan said.

"India has started the 'Institute for One Health of International Standard', which may be leveraged to have a 'One Health International Hub' in India, which will address the existing or potential risks which originate through the interface of animal-human systems.

"We need to conquer the adversary with collaborations and by supplementing each other's capacities, by pooling our resources and through enhanced technical support," he stated.

--IANS miz/arm

*
New June 30 : The Aam Aadmi Party on Wednesday claimed party leader Isudan Gadhvi's convoy was attacked during his 'Jan Samvad Yatra' in Gujarat's Junagadh, and blamed the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

"We were holding a march along with Isudan Gadhvi and Mahesh Swami and when we reached Junagadh, BJP goons, standing in groups, attacked us. They damaged several vehicles and 10 party workers were injured," Gujarat-based AAP volunteer Gulab Singh told IANS over telephone.

After the incident, hundreds of party leaders and workers have gathered at a local police station and have been demanding arrest of those behind the incident, he added.

Asked if the party lodged a complaint with the police, Gulab Singh said: "We all are standing outside the police station and demanding for arrest. We will file a complaint soon." He also told IANS that the party has launched a mass campaign under which leaders and party workers will visit door-to-door and register public grievances.

"During the visit, party workers will also collect information such as if any death occurred in the family due to Covid and what the state government is doing for the people," he added.

Reacting to the incident, AAP chief and Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal, in a series of tweets, said: "BJP is scared of AAP's strong entry in the Gujarat civic polls and its ever-increasing support base." "If people like Isudan and Mahesh Bhai are being attacked openly in Gujarat then no one is safe in Gujarat. This violence is your anger, your defeat. Win the hearts of people by giving them good facilities, don't scare them by attacking the opposition. These people are not afraid." In another tweet, Kejriwal said that he has spoken to his Gujarat counterpart Vijay Rupani and urged him to file an FIR and arrest the culprits.

"Spoke to Vijay Rupani ji. Urged him to file FIR, arrest the culprits, ensure strong action against culprits and ensure protection of AAP leaders and workers."
Bengaluru, June 30 : In a message to his critics within the ruling BJP in Karnataka, Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa said on Wednesday that he would work hard to ensure that the saffron party retains power in the southern state by winning more than 130 seats in the Assembly elections scheduled in 2023.

Yediyurappa's statement came at a time when three of his harshest critics -- BJP leaders A.H. Vishwanath, Basanagouda Patil Yatnal and Tourism Minister C.P. Yogeshwar -- are often raking up the issue of a change in leadership in the state.

Yediyurappa met Governor Vajubhai R. Vala at the Raj Bhawan here on Wednesday, and claimed that his visit was 'personal and devoid of politics', as he paid a courtesy visit to enquire about Vala's health as he had undergone eye surgery recently.

After his visit, the Chief Minister told reporters that two years from now, the BJP will retain power in the state with 130+ seats.

"That's the challenge in front of me and I will start working on it from now. I assure the party workers that in the 2023 Assembly polls, the BJP will continue its victory march," he said, implying that he will not be replaced anytime soon.

Talking about the meeting with the Governor, the Chief Minister said, "We discussed various issues including development matters, and I told him about the works we are doing. He also gave some suggestions." He added that he would resume his fortnightly visits to the districts from next week onwards, and will visit 10-12 districts in the coming days.
Dhaka, June 30 : A Dhaka court has granted bail to businessman Nasiruddin Mahmud and his associate Tuhin Siddiqui Omi in the case of alleged rape and murder attempt on cine star Pori Moni at the Boat Club here on June 8.

Senior Judicial Magistrate Shahzadi Tahmida issued the order after police had produced them before the court on completion of their five-day remand.

Earlier on June 23, a Dhaka court sent Nasir and Tuhin on a five-day remand in connection with the case.

On June 16, Nasiruddin and Omi confessed to beating her up, Dhaka Metropolitan Police's Joint Commissioner of Detective Branch, Harun ur Rashid had told IANS.

"During the interrogation, they both confessed to slapping and pushing off Pori Moni. Besides, what happened in Boat Club and who committed what roles were recorded in the CCTV cameras.

A human trafficking case has been filed against Omi on June 16 by a victim with Dakshinkhan Police Station in the capital.

Award winning film actress Shamsunnahar Smrity, known as Pori Moni, had on June 14 filed a sexual assault complaint against six people, including Nasiruddin with Savar Model Police Station.

Later, Nasiruddin and four other individuals were arrested from Uttara.

Earlier, Pori Moni, through a status on her Facebook page, sought justice from Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina as she claimed that six people attempted to rape and kill her.
Srinagar, June 30 : Three Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists were killed in an encounter with security forces in Jammu and Kashmir's Kulgam district on Wednesday, police said.

Acting on specific information generated by Kulgam police about presence of terrorists in Chimmer area of Kulgam, a joint cordon and search operation was launched by J&K Police, CRPF's 18 Bn and Army's 9 RR.

During the search operation as the presence of terrorists got ascertained, they were repeatedly appealed to surrender, but fired indiscriminately upon the security forces, injuring two Army soldiers, who had to be airlifted to the Srinagar Army hospital.

Security forces retaliated which leading to an encounter, in which three terrorists were killed and their bodies retrieved from the site.

"They have been identified as Waseem Ahmad Bangroo, resident of Redwani Kulgam, Shahnawaz Ahmad, resident of Kilbal Shopian, and Zakir Bashir, resident of Chimmer Kulgam. All the killed terrorists were affiliated with proscribed LeT terror outfit (self-claimed TRF)," a police officer said.

"Bashir had recently joined the proscribed outfit." Police said as per its records, all the killed terrorists were part of a group involved in various terror crimes.

Incriminating material including arms and ammunition were recovered from the site.
Srinagar, June 30 : J&K Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Wednesday rolled out a Special Assistance Scheme for Covid Mortalities (SASCM) by handing over scholarships and pension certificates to the children and members of families affected by the Covid-19 pandemic.

"The J&K government is committed to support the children who lost their parents to the pandemic. The administration will take all necessary steps for their well-being and education, so that they can have a bright future," Sinha said.

"We stand in solidarity with the families who lost earning members due to the pandemic. Besides pension, every effort will be made to ensure they live a dignified life and have no financial difficulties," the Lt Governor said, adding: "It is our duty and responsibility to support families, restore livelihoods and ensure stability in their life." For extending handholding to the affected families, a special cell has been constituted under the Social Welfare Department to track and facilitate the benefits under the existing government-sponsored welfare schemes which the families may be eligible for, Sinha said.

He also said that the administration will reach out to every affected family with financial assistance if they are willing to start their own business or other ventures for self-employment, besides imparting training and providing market linkages to them.

All the deputy commissioners and officials of the Social Welfare Department have been directed to identify the families which have lost their loved ones due to Covid, so that social protection and other necessary support can be extended to them.

In order to provide round-the-clock support, Sinha directed the district social welfare officers to pay regular visits to such families in their respective areas.

Under SASCM, cash assistance of Rs 1,000 per month shall be provided to the spouse and the eldest member of the family.

Apart from this, the scheme provides for scholarship of Rs 20,000 per annum for school-going students and Rs 40,000 per annum for college-going students.

A family in distress shall be eligible for scholarships for two children, if they are not getting any other scholarship. Besides, the benefits of all the other social welfare schemes, including pensions, etc. will be extended to the families.

Latest updates on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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Alison McGonagle-OConnell is now Senior Director of Marketing at HighWire. OConnells nearly 20 years of experience in scholarly communications include 10 years working for commercial publishers, and more recently, leading marketing and community initiatives for software as a service providers in the space including Ebsco Information Systems, Aries Systems, and Coko.

OConnell leads HighWires Marketing team, and has full responsibility for increasing HighWires engagement in the space, in addition to participating on the Executive Leadership Team. OConnell is well positioned with experience successfully developing community around platform tools supporting editorial and production workflow management, as well as dissemination and discovery technologies. She is a skilled community facilitator, and an active participant in industry initiatives and professional development organizations including the NISO CRediT initiative, Council of Science Editors, Peer Review Week, and more.

We are delighted to welcome Alison, who will work with John Sack, Tony Alves, and Matt Pedersen, to reinvigorate our unique Community approach, said Rahul Arora, CEO of MPS. This addition is a step forward in following through on our promise to bring the community together to address pertinent issues facing scholarly publishing.

I am so excited to have Alison join HighWire, said Matt Pedersen, Vice President of Customer Solutions. Im looking forward to partnering directly with her as we relaunch our Publisher events over the course of this year, reclaiming HighWires historical role of industry-wide community organizer.

I am so fortunate to join HighWire at this moment, commented OConnell. There are many opportunities for the combined strength of MPS and HighWire to support publishers and the broader ecosystem. I look forward to working to connect our brand and our products with constituent use cases and feedback items.

About HighWire

HighWire is an industry-leading global provider of digital publishing tools and platform solutions across all aspects of the publishing life cycle, including content management and hosting, e-commerce, analytics, access and identity management, manuscript submission and tracking.

HighWire was born out of Stanford University, shaped the early stages of digital scholarly publishing, and is now celebrating its 25th year since it was founded. This combination of deep domain publishing and academic expertise makes HighWire the technology partner of choice for the leading global commercial and academic publishers.

For more information, please visit highwirepress.com and follow us on Twitter, LinkedIn, and Facebook.

About MPS Limited

MPS was established as a subsidiary of Macmillan Limited in 1970 to change the way the world learns. After a change of majority stake in 2011-12 and with an entrepreneurial mind set, MPS developed significant momentum as a result of consistent reinvestment in the business and six acquisitions in six years; the first five were acquisitions of scale while the sixth was an acquisition of scope.

MPS now provides platform, learning, and content solutions and is a global partner to the worlds leading enterprises, publishers, learning companies, and content aggregators. MPS is listed on major Indian stock exchanges; nearly 2,500 associates power MPS across seven development centers in India, two subsidiaries in Europe, and five client offices in the US. MPS has been at the forefront of market changes, introducing new ways of learning and driving impact from each learning experience through engaging content and advanced platforms.
The APIA community has experienced a rather challenging year and APIA Scholars has continued to provide resources to its scholars through mentorship, scholarship, and counseling. In the upcoming weeks, APIA Scholars will host a fundraising event to raise awareness around mental health. APIA Scholars will present Good Vibes, Good Will Comedy Fundraiser Event on July 29, 2021, at 7PM EDT / 4PM PDT.

We are so very proud of the community for coming together in support of mental health awareness. This virtual comedy show will bring together education experts, comedians and entertainers from the APIA community to discuss mental wellness through motivating stories, humor, inspiration, and resources. Im so grateful that we can all come together to openly discuss this issue and to have a laugh, stated Noel Harmon, President, APIA Scholars.

The show, hosted by Fumi Abe (Comedy Central) and Mic Nguyen (Mcsweeney) who run the weekly podcast, Asian Not Asian, will also include a line up of fresh and award-winning talent from the APIA community:

-- Jenny Yang, an award-winning Los Angeles-based standup comedian, television writer, podcast host, speaker, and professional opinion-haver.

-- JR DeGuzman, a music-teacher turned comedian who serenades his audience into laughter with songs, jokes, and stories.

-- Adam Pasi, a Portland comic who is quickly becoming among the most recognized names in Northwestern comedy.

-- Jes Tom, a New York based actor, writer, and weird queer stand up comic.

-- Mona Jones, the world's only female Chamorro comedian who delivers a crash course on island culture and the racism that existed in its school systems.

The event is part of APIA Scholars Elevating Leaders Summit, an annual event that focuses on leadership development, culture, and community building. Tickets for the Good Vibes, Good Will Comedy Fundraiser Event are now on sale and proceeds will support the work of APIA Scholars.

For more information, contact Shyam R. Gadwal at sgadwal@apiasf.org.

About APIA Scholars

Based in Washington, D.C. and founded in 2003, Asian & Pacific Islander American (APIA) Scholars is the nations largest non-profit organization devoted to creating opportunities that provide access to higher education and resources that cultivate the academic, personal and professional success of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans (APIAs). These efforts aim to advance the conversation around access to education, elevate the voice of the APIA community, and empower APIA leaders to drive systemic change. APIA Scholars has impacted the lives of more than 1 million APIA students, involved more than 250 corporate funders to elevate and amplify its message, and mobilized thousands of congressional members, policy makers and researchers to take action in support of APIA community advancement.
As part of the creative alliance, Aquario and NedGraphics will integrate Adobes Textile Designer technology and be compatible with Adobes PDF Print Engine, creating the industrys most advanced apparel and textile design portfolio. Aquario expects to release their new product in the next few months.

Mike Scrutton, Director of Print Technology and Strategy at Adobe announced the partnership at the Digital Textile Printing US conference in Phoenix, Arizona. Adobes partnership with Aquario and NedGraphics enables the combination of our technologies to create a powerful textile design solution that should be part of every fashion designers tool set.

Integrating Adobe technology into our specialized design applications, will further strengthen our capabilities as we provide design teams with some of the most popular tools on the market, added Matt Forman, President of Aquario Design.

Serving some of the worlds best-known fashion brands and retailers, NedGraphics understands departmental specialization and design needs vary from company to company. This enlarged product portfolio establishes NedGraphics as the ideal one stop shop for professional design software.

With continued pressure to shorten collection lead times and the need to manage increasingly distributed design teams, it is imperative for brands and retailers to implement specialized design technology to remain competitive. The complementary NedGraphics, Aquario & Adobe solutions portfolio provides design teams across all departments with multiple points of entry and unlimited upgrade path scalability, supported by the most experienced team of industry specialists, said Geoff Taylor, President of NedGraphics.

Anticipated Benefits for Brands, Retail and Textile Design Teams:



Powerful textile design applications enhanced with Adobe Textile Designer technology

Single source for fashion and textile design solutions that meet the needs of designers across departments and experience levels

Broad range of apparel and textile design solutions, extending the capabilities of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop, that enhance collaboration, accelerate productivity, and increase accuracy

Solution upgrade path, from simple to complex design tasks, to accompany growing design departments, catering for varying budgets

To learn more about the Adobe, NedGraphics and Aquario Design alliance, visit us here.

NedGraphics Inc. and Aquario Design Inc. are portfolio companies of Constellation Software Inc. (TSX:CSU). For more information, visit nedgraphics.com or http://www.aquariodesign.com

For more information on Adobe textile workflows, visit https://www.adobe.com/go/textiles

Contacts

Geoff Taylor

President, NedGraphics Inc.

gtaylor@nedgraphicsus.com

Matt Forman

President, Aquario Design Inc.

matt.forman@aquariodesign.com
Attorney Cannon Lambert Sworn in as President of the Cook County Bar Association

Attorney Cannon Lambert, Sr. of the law firm of Karchmar & Lambert, P.C. was recently named the new president of the Cook County Bar Association. During the ceremony, which took place on June 11, 2021, Mr. Lambert was sworn in by Illinois Supreme Court Justice P. Scott Neville Jr. Mr. Lamberts wife, Amy, and his children, Ivory and Cannon II, were present to proudly witness this historic event.

Cannon Lambert, Sr. is a well-respected trial attorney who has achieved national recognition for successfully representing clients in personal injury and civil rights cases. He represented Sandra Bland, a Black woman from Naperville, Illinois who was wrongfully arrested in Texas and later found dead in a jail cell. He not only obtained a settlement of $1.9 million for Ms. Blands family, but through the case, he was able to ensure that the jail where the incident occurred implemented historic and revolutionary policy changes. He has also been able to obtain numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements for injury victims, and he is a stalwart advocate for victims rights.

The Cook County Bar Association was founded in 1914 by a group of Black lawyers who were looking to address discrimination and other issues affecting African-Americans in the legal community. During its history, the bar association has continued to promote equality and justice for people of all races. For over 100 years, its members have worked to challenge civil and moral violations of the law, oppose injustice, and protect the rights of African-Americans. Mr. Lambert is proud to be able to lead this association and ensure that it will continue to promote these goals in the 21st century.

About Karchmar & Lambert, P.C.:

The attorneys of Karchmar & Lambert, P.C. fight tirelessly on behalf of injury victims, helping them seek justice in cases involving car accidents, truck accidents, premises liability, dog bites, catastrophic injuries, and wrongful death. The firm also provides experienced and dedicated representation in cases involving police brutality and civil rights violations, and it works to ensure that law enforcement officials are held responsible for the violations of peoples rights while also fighting for policy changes that will protect the lives and dignity of Americans. To contact Karchmar & Lambert, P.C., please call 312-977-1300 or visit https://www.getthecannon.com/.


Michael Sabella, a fourth-generation San Franciscan restaurateur who started peeling prawns at his family restaurant when he was eight, has completed his new book RECIPES CHANGE: A Culinary Journey Through 5 Generations: a gripping and potent work that follows one Sicilian familys history of family recipes. Their story begins as fishermen in Sciacca, Sicily, during a time of turmoil.

Author Michael Sabella writes, It did not take Luciano long to learn that the streets were not paved with gold. He remembered the pamphlet he read in Palermo that said California was just like home. The citys landscape was a lot like home, and Saints Peter and Paul church was exceptional. It was referred to as the La Cattedrale Italiana dellOvest (the Italian Cathedral of the West). The similarities stopped there, almost. San Francisco seemed just as corrupt as Italy. Politicians and police didnt seem like they could be trusted. The Sicilians and Italians kept to themselves and didnt get involved. Although Luciano seemed to get along fine with most of the Italians, he was disappointed that very few Sicilians owned any grocery stores. The northern Italian stores were different than what he was used to. Southern Italy and parts of Sicily were very arid, so they relied more on olive oil instead of butter and tomatoes instead of dairy. Sciacca was all about its seafood, and there was plenty of that in San Francisco, but the foods from the north included more dairy and beef. Sicilian food was heavily influenced by Middle Eastern cuisine. None of the stores carried some of his staples. Where were the ceci beans, cous cous, cinnamon, nutmeg, pignolis, cloves, raisins, saffron? How would he make maccu without fava beans? Nobody made caponata like Nana. He would not need any of those things until he had a home to cook in.

Published by Page Publishing, Michael Sabellas original tale covers the evolution of family recipes throughout five generations.

Author Michael Sabella has appeared on ABC, NBC, The Discovery Channel, CNN, and several local television and radio stations and was a chef instructor for Williams Sonoma, the Job Corps 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.

Readers who wish to experience this breathtaking work can purchase RECIPES CHANGE: A Culinary Journey Through 5 Generations at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their passion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
Register for this 3-part webinar, during which there will be presentations from researchers who have transformed their labs, expanded their teams, and implemented automation to show what can be expected for the future of pathogen surveillance.

In early 2020, it was difficult to imagine what would be achieved in laboratories across the globe as the pressure to increase testing capacity and understand the viral lineages of SARS-CoV-2 grew exponentially.

Register for this 3-part webinar, during which there will be presentations from researchers who have transformed their labs, expanded their teams, and implemented automation to show what can be expected for the future of pathogen surveillance.

The three segments include conversations about:



Creating and Adapting our Public Health Laboratory in COVID-19

Mosquito HV genomics and Dragonfly Discovery Enable a COVID-seq Project at UF ICBR

The future of pathogen surveillance

Join Jennifer Toner, Laboratory Supervisor, The George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Public Health Laboratory; Yanping Zhang, Scientific Director, ICBR (Interdisciplinary Center of Biotechnology Research) at University of Florida; and Paul Lomax, Product Manager, SPT Labtech in a live webinar on Tuesday, July 13, 2021 at 10am EDT (3pm BST/UK).

For more information, or to register for this event, visit Automation and Pathogen Surveillance: Scaling Up.

ABOUT XTALKS

Xtalks, powered by Honeycomb Worldwide Inc., is a leading provider of educational webinars to the global life science, food and medical device community. Every year, thousands of industry practitioners (from life science, food and medical device companies, private & academic research institutions, healthcare centers, etc.) turn to Xtalks for access to quality content. Xtalks helps Life Science professionals stay current with industry developments, trends and regulations. Xtalks webinars also provide perspectives on key issues from top industry thought leaders and service providers.

To learn more about Xtalks visit http://xtalks.com

For information about hosting a webinar visit http://xtalks.com/why-host-a-webinar/
Believe artist Natalie Perez Believe is building the digital marketing intelligence and the technologies to be at the forefront of these new opportunities for artists, said Denis Ladegaillerie, Chief Executive Officer, Believe.

Global digital music company Believe, parent to DIY distribution leader, TuneCore, have both partnered with Spotify to test the companys new tool, Discovery Mode, the latest marketing addition to a robust Spotify for Artists suite of resources, such as Canvas, Marquee, and playlist pitching.

Discovery Mode is a marketing tool that helps artists amplify their reach and find their next fans by prioritizing songs for discovery on Spotify. As an innovative digital market leader, Believe has been a large scale early partner of Spotify, testing Discovery Mode over the last six months with many of its independent artists.

Throughout the initial phase, Believe invested in building a dedicated data and digital marketing intelligence platform to select artists and tracks which have the most potential for succeeding in Discovery Mode. Through multiple rounds of testing on many tracks, followed by track-level reporting by Spotify, complex data analysis and ongoing technology development, Believe and TuneCore carefully selected artists and tracks which have the most potential for succeeding in Discovery Mode. The two companies are working to expand the reach of their many artists and labels, all with unique needs. The companies participation in this test will help inform the development of the tool, ensuring it best supports artists at all stages of their career.

Believe is building the digital marketing intelligence and the technologies to be at the forefront of these new opportunities for artists, said Denis Ladegaillerie, Chief Executive Officer, Believe. In the digital world, artist development is digital and recommendation algorithms are the new marketing. Believe supports Spotifys Discovery Mode, as it is highly innovative and beneficial for independent artists. The programs democratizing power will enable a wider community of artists to benefit from promoting their music. And, in these early tests, were already witnessing how the program can help talented Believe and TuneCore artists from all over the world gain significant exposure to new listeners.

Discovery Mode requires no upfront cost. This gives artists at any stage of their career, anywhere in the world, the opportunity to participate. In early testing, artists with tracks in Discovery Mode have found over 40% more listeners on average - compared to pre-Discovery Mode. 44% of those listeners had never listened to the artist before.

At Spotify, were building tools and resources that are accessible to, and can benefit, artists at any stage of their career, from anywhere in the world, said Charlie Hellman, Vice President, Head of Marketplace, Spotify. Believe and TuneCore are home to such a diverse array of artists and have been invaluable partners as weve developed Discovery Mode as a tool that can serve not only established artists but also developing artists. The early results are really exciting: our data shows that Discovery Mode provides an average of 1.5 times the streaming uplift for artists with less than one million monthly listeners, than for those with more than one million.

Believe and TuneCore are pleased to share a case study of how Discovery Mode supported the strategy of Natalie Perez, one of Believes artists, with more than 600,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. The case study is available on the Spotify for Artists website.

Natalie Perez commented, First of all, Im really grateful for the possibility to reach new friends and fans via not only the team and the people who work behind Spotify, but the tools. Having the possibility of having a tool like [Discovery Mode] to achieve these results, thats really amazing.

Commented Andreea Gleeson, Co-head and Chief Revenue Officer of TuneCore, At TuneCore, we believe theres never been a better time for independent artists worldwide. Were seeing a paradigm shift where an artists success is no longer tied to radio or traditional mainstream media. Discovery Mode maximizes the reach of the music, based on the merit of the music - not because a gatekeeper said so. If the musics good, Discovery Mode will help artists find new fans.

Its amazing how Spotifys algorithm finds new fans for my style of music, said TuneCore Christian rock artist Manafest, who currently has over 700,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Spotifys Discovery Mode allowed me to reach new fans. Going into this test, I knew that this might work for some songs but not for others. Overall, the program helped me reach more fans and more streams  what artist wouldnt want that?

About TuneCore

TuneCore is the global platform for independent musicians to build audiences and careers  with technology and services across distribution, publishing administration and a range of promotional services. TuneCore Music Distribution services help artists, labels and managers sell their music through Spotify, Apple Music, Amazon Music, Deezer, TikTok, Tencent and more than 150 download and streaming stores worldwide, while retaining 100 percent of their sales revenue and rights for a low annual flat fee. TuneCore Music Publishing Administration assists songwriters by administering their compositions through licensing, registration, worldwide royalty collections, and placement opportunities in film, TV, commercials, video games and more. The TuneCore Artist Services portal offers a suite of tools and services that enable artists to promote their craft, connect with fans, and get their music heard. TuneCore, part of Believe, is headquartered in Brooklyn, NY, with offices in Los Angeles, Nashville, Atlanta, and Austin, and operates globally through local teams based in the UK, Germany, France, Belgium, Italy, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, Nigeria, South Africa, India, Japan and Singapore across 4 continents. http://www.tunecore.com

About Believe

Believe is one of the worlds leading digital music companies. Believes mission is to develop independent artists and labels in the digital world by providing them the solutions they need to grow their audience at each stage of their career and development. Believes passionate team of digital music experts around the world leverages the Groups global technology platform to advise artists and labels, distribute and promote their music. Its 1,270 employees in more than 50 countries aim to support independent artists and labels with a unique digital expertise, respect, fairness and transparency. Believe offers its various solutions through a portfolio of brands including TuneCore, Believe, Nuclear Blast, Naive, Groove Attack and AllPoints.

Believe is listed on compartment A of the Euronext Paris stock exchange (Ticker: BLV, ISIN : FR0014003FE9)

http://www.believe.com
Brendan Kinnarney, Joe Michelotti and Steve Schneider have joined North Square's Distribution team. With their backgrounds, experience and established relationships, we know that Brendan, Joe and Steve will be outstanding additions to our team," said Mark Goodwin, CEO of North Square.

North Square Investments today announced industry veterans Brendan Kinnarney, Joe Michelotti and Steve Schneider have joined the firms Distribution team as vice presidents. The announcement was made by CEO Mark Goodwin, who said all three will report to Head of Distribution, Phil Callahan.

As we continue to build our firm and expand our investment capabilities, we are delighted to have these three individuals join North Square, Goodwin said. With their backgrounds, experience and established relationships, we know that Brendan, Joe and Steve will be outstanding additions to our team.

Callahan said Brendan, Joe and Steve will be responsible for partnering with financial intermediaries including broker dealer advisors, RIAs and private wealth managers in their respective regions. Were very excited to have Brendan, Joe and Steve join our firm to provide uninterrupted sales support and client service to former Stadion Money Management relationships, and to broaden our outreach into important channels, where they will be an essential resource to our partners, Callahan said.

Kinnarney, Michelotti and Schneider were formerly employees of Stadion Money Management and most recently represented these funds as portfolio consultant directors for FLX Distribution from July, 2020 until North Squares acquisition of the Stadion Funds was completed on June 14, 2021.

Prior to FLX, Brendan Kinnarney was a vice president and regional director for Stadion, where he had worked since 2014. Before Stadion, Brendan was a team/sales leader with State Farm. He earned his Business Administration degree from the College of Charleston in 2003.

Joe Michelotti joined Stadion in 2009 to launch Stadion's investment products in the retail distribution channel, serving advisors mainly in Michigan and Ohio. Joes prior experience includes working with Hartford Mutual Funds as a regional marketing director in Michigan in the same capacity. Joe received his Bachelors Degree from the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor.

Steve Schneider was previously a regional vice president of investments for Stadion, joining the firm in 2013 to help build Stadion's investment products in the retail distribution channel, and responsible for covering Northern California and the Pacific Northwest. Prior to joining Stadion, Steve worked for 15 years as vice president of HighMark Funds in San Francisco. Next year will mark 40 years of experience for Steve in the financial services industry, having started his investment career with E.F. Hutton. Steve received both his BBA and MBA from the University of Iowa.

About North Square

North Square is committed to the sourcing, vetting and delivery of institutional quality, active investment managers to their financial intermediary partners which include broker dealers, wealth management advisors, RIAs, family offices, retirement plans and private banks. We believe the firm delivers value to its investment partners by providing support services and access to distribution while assisting distribution partners as they search for high quality, alpha-generating active investment strategies to build better risk-adjusted portfolios for their clients. North Square, through its multi-boutique platform, has over $1 billion of assets under management in mutual funds following the Stadion Funds acquisition on June 14, 2021. North Square also has ownership interests (majority and minority, respectively) in the distinctly branded firms of CS McKee (over $7B AUM) and Oak Ridge Investments with collective assets under management and advisement, together with North Square, of over $10 billion.

Founded in 2018 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, North Square Investments is an independent, multi-boutique investment firm dedicated to delivering differentiated active investment strategies to the market. North Square has an experienced senior management team, a board composed of industry veterans including John Amboian, Neil Cummins and Brian Gaffney, and is backed by Estancia Capital Partners. Learn more about North Square Investments at northsquareinvest.com.

North Square Investments, LLC is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Registration does not imply a certain level of skill or training. More information about the companys investment advisory services can be found in its Form ADV, which is available upon request. Past performance is not indicative of future results. This information contains opinions that are as of the date of this publication and are subject to change without notice.
With the projected boom in wind installations across the globe, it became incumbent upon CICB to offer its 52 years of expertise to the wind industry to significantly reduce the hazards associated with the enormous lifts being performed.

Crane Inspection & Certification Bureau (CICB) has taken another step in demonstrating its commitment to the safe operations of cranes and lifting equipment in the wind industry by agreeing to join American Clean Powers (ACP) Wind Workforce Standards Committee (WWSC).

Headquartered in Washington D.C., ACP is the voice of companies from across the clean power sector that are powering Americas future and providing cost-effective solutions to the climate crisis while creating jobs, spurring massive investment in the U.S. economy, and driving high-tech innovation across the nation.

CICBs mission to bring uniquely tailored training, consultations, and evaluations to the heavy lifting industry nationally and internationally, meant that a place at the ACP table was a natural fit.

The Wind Workforce Standards Committee prepares consensus standards documents to facilitate uniform workforce competencies. The ACP WWSC is a leader in the development and industry acceptance of US Wind Energy consensus standards related to workforce training and competencies.

Craig Epperson, President and CEO of CICB, said, At CICB we strive to provide best-in-class programs to continually improve safe practices and eliminate incidents and injuries in the lifting industry. With the projected boom in wind installations across the globe, it became incumbent upon CICB to offer its 52 years of expertise to the wind industry to significantly reduce the hazards associated with the enormous lifts being performed in the construction, maintenance and decommissioning of onshore and offshore wind turbines.

Offering 16 programs customized to the wind energy industry, CICB has positioned their Wind Service Advanced Rigging with Lift Planning as the flagship program for ACPs members and non-members alike.

More information can be found at cicb.com/wind.

About CICB

Offering end-to-end crane services for the wind-energy industry, CICB is a veteran-owned Texas company with offices and training facilities in Houston and Orlando, FL. CICB provides training, inspections, and management assist visits globally. Additionally, Houston is home to CICBs Career School, which is approved and regulated by the Texas Workforce Commission, Division of Career Schools and Colleges.

CICBs professionally trained instructors and subject matter experts are not only NCCCO Accredited Practical Examiners, but are NCCCO Certified as Mobile, Overhead & Articulating Crane Operators, Riggers, Signalpersons, Lift Directors and Crane Inspectors. CICBs instructors have been awarded the prestigious Top Trainer Award in 2017, 2016, 2014, 2013, 2012, 2011 and 2009.
CTZN NUDIVERSAL Lip Duos available in 25 groundbreaking shades of nude

CTZN Cosmetics -- the award-winning, clean and cruelty-free cosmetics brand known for their ultra-inclusive range of nude lipsticks -- is excited to announce Nordstrom as the brands first North American retail partner. CTZN Cosmetics products are now available for purchase at select retail locations and Nordstrom.com.

The brands NUDIVERSAL and LIPSTROKE collections will be featured in Nordstroms newly-launched ARTBAR section, as part of the Feel Good Lip category, while the full product range will be available online. CTZN Cosmetics' expansion into brick and mortar locations is happening quickly; initial select locations include:



Nordstrom Alderwood Mall in Washington (3200 184th St SW, Lynnwood, WA 98037)

Nordstrom at the Fashion Show Mall in Las Vegas (3200 Las Vegas Blvd S, Las Vegas, NV 89109)

Nordstrom at Natick Mall in Massachusetts (290 Speen St, Natick, MA 01760)

Nordstrom The Streets at SouthPoint in in North Carolina (6910 Fayetteville Rd, Durham, NC 27713)

Nordstrom Perimeter Mall in Atlanta (4390 Ashford Dunwoody Rd NE, Atlanta, GA 30346)

Nordstrom at the Ridgedale Center in Minnesota (12441 Wayzata Blvd, Minnetonka, MN 55305)

Nordstrom at Valley Fair Mall in San Jose (2400 Forest Ave, San Jose, CA 95128)

Nordstrom at the Montgomery Mall in Maryland (7111 Democracy Blvd, Bethesda, MD 2081)

After spending the last couple of years considering retail opportunities, we are thrilled to be working with Nordstrom as our first North American retailer, says Aleena Khan, co-founder and head of marketing. Until now, our customers have relied on our Get Matched tool to find their perfect NUDIVERSAL shade online, but the brick and mortar presence will allow customers to have an in-person shade matching experience.

While we are so proud of the success via our website so far, we are excited to take advantage of in person opportunities to deepen our customer relationships, particularly at this moment when lipstick and cosmetics are coming back, says Aleezeh Khan, co-founder and head of logistics. Nordstrom is an iconic retailer and we are so honored to be part of their family, particularly in the new innovative ARTBAR section.

Products available at Nordstrom and Nordstrom.com include:

GOLD Eye Shimmer ($25 USD): A universally-flattering, transformative water gel eyeshadow that gives mess-free, high-pigmented, full metallic-shine with long wearing performance. The buildable formula applies smoothly as a jelly and dries down as a powder, leaving eyes feeling comfortable over the course of its wear-time. Vegan, cruelty-free and formulated without gluten, talc, parabens, D5, or fragrance.

NUDIVERSAL Lip Duo ($25 USD): Available in a ground-breaking 25 shades of nude, these award-winning double-ended lip products feature a matte lipstick on one end and a translucent lip gloss on the other. The lipstick end is infused with wild mango butter to repair dry lips with a smooth texture while the lip gloss creates balm-like softness and a mirror finish. Vegan-vegetarian, cruelty-free, and free from parabens, talc, D5, and fragrance.

LIPSTROKE Lip Pencil ($16 USD): A high intensity lip liner with major color pay off, long durability, and a velvety texture and finish. LIPSTROKE can be used to contour your lips, but is also pigmented enough to cover your entire lip as a replacement to lipstick. Vegan, cruelty-free and free from alcohol and fragrance.

GLOBALM ($19-20 USD): This multi-purpose dewy non-sticky balm functions as lip balm, highlight and/or eye gloss. A no-rules product that can add shine anywhere on the face. Clear is a colorless balm while Pearl contains added pigmented shimmer for a more sparkly highlight. Available in two shades: Clear ($19) and Pearl ($20). Vegan, cruelty-free and free from parabens, fragrance, talc and D5.

Since launching just over two years ago, CTZN Cosmetics focused on redefining the meaning of diverse and inclusive -- ensuring each product released allows every citizen of the world to feel seen. Their best in class products have won multiple awards, including two consecutive Allure Best of Beauty awards for Best Neutral Lip (for dark skin and medium skin tones) as well as a Pure Beauty Award for the Best New Lip Product category.

CTZN Cosmetics plans to roll out at 100 Nordstrom stores by the end of fall 2021. CTZN Cosmetics is currently available in the US, Europe, the Middle East, Australia and India.

###

About CTZN Cosmetics:

CTZN (pronounced Citizen) Cosmetics is a revolutionary makeup brand breaking barriers within the beauty industry, co-founded by Los Angeles born, Dubai raised, ethnically Pakistani sisters Aleena, Aleezeh and Naseeha Khan. CTZN Cosmetics aims to disrupt the makeup world by not only addressing what is lacking in the current beauty landscape, but also making necessary advancements forward. CTZNs focus is primarily on the underrepresentation of demographic groups by mainstream makeup companies. All products are strictly genderless, clean, vegetarian - vegan, where possible and free of cruelty, parabens and talc. The brand began as a DTC brand, and since launch has expanded into other e-tail platforms. For more information, please visit http://www.ctzncosmetics.com.
Limavady Irish Whiskey, one of Irelands oldest whiskeys dating back to 1750, is poised to make a remarkable comeback later this summer, breaking new ground for the fast-growing Irish Whiskey category. Darryl McNally, Master Distiller, and descendant of the Limavady Distillerys 18th century operators, is leading the revitalization of the historic brand, pulling it into the 21st century and propelling it onto a global stage. Born in a bar in Limavady on the northernmost coast of Ireland, McNally has lived on a farm in the area his entire life and has spent his career building up to this moment.

Following his early years in the family pub business, McNally went on to spend over 20 years honing his craft and working his way up through the world of Irish whiskey. During this time, he was employed by the biggest players in the Irish whiskey industry and eventually earned the title of Master Distiller. McNally has crafted over a dozen internationally awarded whiskeys, winning numerous gold medals for his employers.

The rebirth of Limavady Whiskey marks a significant juncture for McNally as he makes the leap to go independent, fulfilling a lifelong dream to create his own masterpiece by reclaiming the Limavady Whiskey name and putting his hometown firmly on the Irish whiskey map.

For me making whiskey has never just been a job, its my passion. Being able to bring that to life through a timeless brand like Limavady Whiskey, from the place where I was born and raised, makes me feel incredibly fortunate. Its a source of immense pride to myself and my family to be able to carry on the Limavady name and make our stamp on the industry, introducing an exceptional Irish whiskey to the global market.

At a time when Irish whiskey is experiencing exponential growth worldwide, yet still dominated by mass-produced blends, McNally will channel his experience and expertise to bring something new and different to the category. With a dream to raise the bar for quality, innovation and singular taste, McNallys first release will take Irish Whiskey into new territory with a distinct point of view on barrel aging.

The Irish whiskey renaissance of recent years is showing no signs of slowing down, with the world only really beginning to comprehend the depth and breadth of the category. Only now are we almost back to where we rightfully belong in terms of volume and profile since the dark days of the 1900s, and I believe the best is yet to come. Im beyond excited for Limavady to play a role in the continued growth of Irish whiskey.

While further details of the brand are being held closely under wraps, Limavady Irish Whiskey is poised to begin selling in select markets throughout the United Kingdom, Northern Ireland, and the United States as soon as August.

Additional information on Limavady will be released in the coming months as the launch date draws closer. In the meantime, please be sure to follow @limavadyirishwhiskey on Instagram, @limavadywhiskey on Twitter and visit http://www.limavady.com.
The acquisition by ExamSoft validates iSchoolConnect as an emerging player in the EdTech space, said Ashish Fernando, CEO of iSchoolConnect. We are thrilled to see our proctoring technology complement the ExamSoft assessment platform and look forward to refocusing iSchoolConnect on our mission to

Leading assessment platform ExamSoft, part of the Turnitin family, announced the acquisition of a proctoring and assessment technology from iSchoolConnect (iSC) that helps institutions efficiently conduct and uphold the integrity of remote online assessments.

iSC launched its technology platform in 2017 to support international student admissions and enrollment. In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, iSC adapted their technology platform to deliver proctoring services at scale. Since its launch in March 2020, the updated iSC platform has helped education institutions, technology and service providers, and businesses to proctor more than 3 million exams.

iSchoolConnects proctoring technology is integrated in ExamSofts services, giving millions of exam-takers the option to take tests from the comfort and convenience of their homes. Using iSchoolConnect proctoring technology in combination with our assessment platform ensures we can flexibly and efficiently support our clients exam proctoring needs, says Britt Nichols, SVP of ExamSoft. As institutions increasingly embrace remote and hybrid learning environments and turn to ExamSoft as their partner in assessment with integrity, iSCs solution adds additional value and options to our robust assessment capabilities.

The acquisition by ExamSoft validates iSchoolConnect as an emerging player in the EdTech space, said Ashish Fernando, CEO of iSchoolConnect. We are thrilled to see our proctoring technology complement the ExamSoft assessment platform and look forward to refocusing iSchoolConnect on our mission to help higher education institutions revamp their enrollment and engagement processes.

About iSchoolConnect

iSchoolConnect is an AI-product company that assists students across the globe to fulfill their study abroad aspirations. They also help institutions and enterprises worldwide transform their end-to-end admission ecosystem through the smart use of cutting-edge technology, and in-country expertise.

iSchoolConnect is a growing company with over 100 employees and offices in India, US, and Thailand. Several academic institutions and organizations, including California State University and UC Berkeley Extension use its services, reaching millions of students on a global scale.

About ExamSoft

ExamSoft, part of the Turnitin family, is an education technology company based in Dallas, Texas, that builds scalable software solutions that provide a high level of exam security and integrity to education and certification institutions across a variety of verticals, settings and modalities. ExamSoft software gives educators and test-takers actionable data to improve performance and create meaningful efficiencies in grading, exam-building, psychometrics and overall assessment. The ExamSoft mission is to deliver superior assessment solutions to increase learning performance for every student, instructor and institution. ExamSoft currently serves more than 2,000 prominent academic, certification and licensing programs and has successfully administered over 75 million exams.

About Turnitin

Turnitin is a global company dedicated to ensuring the integrity of global education and meaningfully improving learning outcomes. For more than 20 years, Turnitin has partnered with educational institutions to promote honesty, consistency, and fairness across all subject areas and assessment types. Our products are used by educational institutions and certification and licensing programs to uphold integrity and increase learning performance, and by students and professionals to do their best, original work.

Turnitin has offices in Australia, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Mexico, the Netherlands, the Philippines, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and the United States. Over 15,000 academic institutions, publishers, and corporations use our services: Feedback Studio, Gradescope, iThenticate, Turnitin Originality, Turnitin Similarity, ExamSoft, and ProctorExam.
Adam Ferrari, founder and CEO of Ferrari Energy We have stuck by our family-owned philosophies of educating landowners and serving the needs of the people who live in the communities it serves in uncertain times, stated Adam Ferrari

Much has changed in the seven years that Ferrari Energy has been in business. The United States has become the world's leading producer of oil, overtaking Saudi Arabia. At the same time, natural gas has become the leading fuel source for the generation of electricity in the country.

While companies are searching for new ways to focus on renewable energy sources, there seems to be no stopping alternative, cleaner sources such as natural gas.

These massive changes in the U.S. energy landscape have forced energy companies to make significant changes, too. Along the way, Ferrari Energy has evolved with the industry.

In seven years in business, Ferrari Energy has completed more than 2,500 transactions and deployed more than $150 million in capital.

Ferrari Energy's business model deploys capital into mineral interest and non-operated working interest and provides much-needed liquidity to a volatile marketplace. This funding can prove to be essential in a market that is proving to be highly volatile.

Since 2005, analysts from the Energy Department have said it's becoming tougher and tougher to predict the U.S. markets for electricity, oil, and gas. This unpredictability makes it difficult for companies, lawmakers, policymakers, and homeowners to make decisions about how to move forward.

Recent research published in Nature Energy revealed that the volatility in all markets is seen in price, demand, and product. It also showed how the volatility could be extreme from just one year to the next.

We have stuck by our family-owned philosophies of educating landowners and serving the needs of the people who live in the communities it serves in uncertain times, stated Adam Ferrari, founder and CEO of Ferrari Energy. Celebrating its seventh anniversary in June 2021, the company emphasizes the importance of affordable and abundant gas and oil resources.

Founded in 2014, Ferrari Energy works with landowners in a partnership to ensure they receive the benefits and profits from their land to which they are entitled. Ferrari's clients have consistently received premium value for the transactions they've conducted because the company has been able to stay ahead of the times in an ever-changing industry.

Starting in Denver, Colorado, the company quickly expanded to other states. Currently, the team at Ferrari has provided services in Colorado, North Dakota, Wyoming, and Utah. It is also looking to expand in the coming years into Texas, Montana, and Oklahoma to assist and educate homeowners on the rights in those states.

About Ferrari Energy:

Ferrari Energy is a family-owned private oil and gas company focused on mineral and leasehold acquisitions. Founded in Denver, CO, with a focus on educating landowners, Ferrari Energy has consistently served the needs of the landowner community in the basins in which it works. Its operation covers several areas throughout Colorado, Wyoming, Utah, and ND. Ferrari Energy has provided oil and gas leases to over 850 homeowners and held multiple lease signing events to accommodate the residents of Broomfield, Colorado.


Ian McIntyre has over 20 years of experience in the U.S. Secret Service

Unique Wire, LLC is very excited to announce the arrival of a new team member, Ian McIntyre.

Ian McIntyre has over 20 years of experience in the U.S. Secret Service, primarily investigating cases of fraud and counterfeiting. McIntyre began his career with the U.S. Secret Service in 2000, where he was assigned as a special agent to the Financial Crimes and Counterfeit Currency squads. In 2005, he moved into a position as the senior special agent of the Reagan protective division, specifically on the protection of former First Lady Nancy Reagan. McIntyre then served for seven years on the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force as the direct liaison between the FBI and the U.S. Secret Service in New Mexico. It was there that he completed his Basic and Advanced Computer Evidence Recovery Techniques and Cell Phone Forensics training. In 2015, McIntyre moved into the U.S. Secret Service Cell Phone Forensics Facility in Tulsa, Oklahoma. There, he completed the Advanced Cell Phone Forensics training and was the top performer from 2017-18 in mobile device forensics compared to all U.S. Secret Service examiners. Finally, before joining our team, McIntyre worked for three years in the Electronic Crimes and Network Intrusion unit in Phoenix, Arizona, where he completed Basic and Advanced Network Intrusion training and was recognized with excellent reviews and numerous awards for exceptional performance in carrying out cyber missions. Since leaving the U.S. Secret Service, McIntyre has stayed in the Phoenix metro area. In his free time, he enjoys fishing and working out with his three sons.

We are thrilled to have such a qualified professional join our team, said Brian Feucht, With his extensive background in the digital intelligence field, McIntyre will undoubtedly make an excellent addition to the Unique Wire team of forensics analysts.

About Unique Wire: Unique Wire is a digital intelligence and e-discovery business focused on helping corporations, law firms, and government agencies. Headquartered in McMinnville, Oregon with 85 offices in the U.S. and Canada, the company specializes in legal and corporate data extraction and analysis. Their highly skilled team enables investigators to access previously inaccessible data and capture insights in todays complex, digital world. For more information, visit http://www.unique-wire.com.
Problems caused by unfilled driver positions may soon be exacerbated by gasoline shortages as the COVID pandemic continues to abate and Americans return to the road. A widespread shortage of truck drivers is posing threats to delivery services and retailers across the U.S., as well as raising the possibility of higher delivery fees for consumers and higher prices at checkout.

A widespread shortage of truck drivers is posing threats to delivery services and retailers across the U.S., as well as raising the possibility of higher delivery fees for consumers and higher prices at checkout. To offset demand, according to the American Trucking Association, the trucking industry will need to hire roughly 1.1 million drivers over the next decade, or an average of 110,000 per year.(1) Trucking, says Brad Ball, President of Roadmaster Drivers School, is an essential industry, and truck driving is one of the top-paying positions open to applicants without a college degree. People need jobs, and the nation needs drivers; what we need to do is bring them together.

Problems caused by unfilled driver positions, Ball says, may soon be exacerbated by gasoline shortages as the COVID pandemic continues to abate and Americans return to the road. The National Tank Truck Carriers (NTTC), an industry trade group, has warned that a worsening semi-truck driver shortage could lead to higher fuel prices and even shortages at the pump this summer. According to NTTC, about 25% of tanker trucks are currently off the road due to the unavailability of qualified drivers.(2)

Meanwhile, St. Louis, Missouri, which has a greater metropolitan population of more than 2.8 million people, has already been feeling some of the more beneficial effects of the national trucker shortage. Newly minted commercial drivers license holders in the city, which shares a river with neighboring Illinois and is known as the Gateway to the West, report receiving multiple job offers upon completion of their training.(3)

In addition to ready acceptance, Ball notes that employment as a truck driver can lead in time to many other positions. The management ranks of the industry, he says, are full of people who started out behind the wheel. However, he notes, new drivers customarily spend six months to a year working for an over-the-road carrier, beginning with six to eight weeks of teaming with another driver before being given their own truck. As they gain experience over the road, many options open for them: regional and dedicated routes, driving fuel trucks (which requires a hazardous materials certification and additional training), becoming a trainer or taking on still other roles, depending on their goals for income and home time.

To help provide St. Louis and Eastern Missourias well as nationally with their 16 schools (and growing)with much-needed new truckers, the St. Louis Roadmaster Drivers School facility is taking in students with classes beginning July 5th at 8000 Hall Street. A grand opening event for press, public, and prospective students, will take place July 30 from 10AM until 5PM.

Trucking, says Ball, is opportunity on wheels for thousands of soon-to-be-hired truck drivers. If youor somebody you knowis looking for a stable, well-paid job, I urge you to come and talk to us. It might turn out to be the best thing you ever did.

About Roadmaster Drivers School:

Roadmaster, headquartered in St. Petersburg, FL, is a nationwide training organization for truckers. They have nearly 30 years of experience training more than 150,000 graduates with 16 training locations nationwide. By focusing on giving students the best education and maintaining high job placement standards, Roadmaster has gained a national reputation in the trucking industry for quality training of entry-level commercial truck driversnoted for their training practices to be the most hands-on and safety-focused training in the country. For more information, visit http://www.roadmaster.com.

1. Genovese, Daniella. Truck Driver Shortage Affecting Deliveries Nationwide. Fox Business, 13 Apr. 2021, foxbusiness.com/lifestyle/truck-drivers-shortage-2021.

2. Shortage Of Tanker Truck Drivers May Lead To Higher Gasoline Prices This Summer. OilPrice.com, 4 May 2021, oilprice.com/Energy/Energy-General/Shortage-Of-Tanker-Truck-Drivers-May-Lead-To-Higher-Gasoline-Prices-This-Summer.html.

3. Madaras, Michelle. Truck Driver Shortage Is Impacting St. Louis Economy. FOX 2, 20 Sept. 2018, fox2now.com/news/truck-driver-shortage-is-impacting-st-louis-economy/.
This is the only podcast dedicated to exploring the latest industry research and the real-world impact of evidence-backed wellness trends

The Global Wellness Summit (GWS), the foremost gathering of international leaders in the multitrillion-dollar global wellness economy, today launched a new season of its podcast. Each of the six information-packed episodes features experts on the new directions in wellnesswith this season exploring how travel is getting a wellness reset in 2021, the future of immune health, a financial wellness movement toppling the taboos around money, the surge for the mind-body medicine that is breathwork, a new era of conscious leaders, and more.

This is the only podcast dedicated to exploring the latest industry research and the real-world impact of evidence-backed wellness trends. Most episodes go deeper on trends featured in the Global Wellness Summits Future of Wellness 2021 report, and each podcast interviews multiple experts on a wellness hot topic.

Host Kim Marshall, wellness industry veteran and co-founder of SWell Public Relations, keeps the conversations lively and down-to-earth, and her guests this season range from James Nestor, author of the recent New York Times best seller "Breath, the New Science of a Lost Art" to the founders of Esalen Massage on how the iconic retreat changed the concept of wellness.

This seasons sponsor is Murad, the first clinical and wellness-forward skin-care brand.

New episodes will be posted each Wednesday for the next six weeks in this order:

Financial WellnessCecelia Girr and Skyler Hubler of Backslash, the cultural intelligence unit of global advertising powerhouse TBWA Worldwide, discuss how that once most taboo of topics, and complex of industries, money and finance, is being reimagined by a financial wellness movement. We also talk to the founder of the first money fitness app, ZAVFIT, which marries health-tech and fintech. Wait until you hear about what it means to budget for joy!

The 2021 Travel ResetElaine Glusac, New York Times Frugal Travel columnist, discusses the trends that will define travel this year: from destinations fighting overtourism to the rise of regenerative travel, where you leave a place better than you found it. We also speak to Jennifer Kessler, luxury travel expert at Forbes Travel Guide, on new ways that sustainability, slow travel, and nature prescriptions are being woven into luxury experiences.

The Future of Immune HealthDr. Ken Pelletier, professor of medicine at UCSF, tackles why we should stop all the immune-boosting and instead focus on balancing the immune systemsharing tips on how you can make lifestyle changes that impact your microbiome and your genes telomeres. And with research showing that positive stress experiences impact immunity and health, we also talk to the owners of two major hot springs destinations to explore how hot-cold bathing is a therapy on the rise.

Living Well from WithinFind out how a diagnosis of brain cancer empowered integrative medicine and leadership expert Dr. Daniel Friedland to reach deep and create a model of resiliency for the planet (all brought to life on a YouTube channel chronicling his cancer journey). We also explore how his open-hearted optimism and mantra of live a loving life was the inspiration behind the Global Wellness Institutes latest Initiative on Conscious Leadership and Conscious Capitalism.

Just BreatheJames Nestor, interviewed everywhere from NPR to CBS Sunday Morning on his powerful book Breath, explains the extraordinary ways that the lost art of breathing impacts human health and is now leading to a breathwork revolution. He shares eye-opening findings from his four years of global research on how simple changes in how we inhale and exhale can change our brains and bodies.

Human Potential 2.0Find out what the famed Esalen Institute in Big Sur, California, home of the human potential movement for nearly 60 years (and Gestalt Therapy, Maslows Hierarchy of Needs, and Hot Tub Diplomacy), is up to post-pandemic. Vogue dubbed the retreat center the Emerald City of Massage, and we speak to two of the original massage therapists, still going strong after treating the likes of Ravi Shankar, Joan Baez, Hunter S. Thompson, Aldous Huxley, Bruce Springsteen and Bonnie Raitt in the Sixties.

Murad Skincares innovative sponsorship for this season includes conversations with three dynamic medical and social influencers who are also guest editors of Murads new wellness publication, Well Connected: Dr. Zion Ko (@drzionko); the Optimism Doc, Dr. Deepika Chopra (@drdeepikachopra); and intersectional feminist and self-love advocate Candace Reels (@candacereels).

SWell PR produces the Global Wellness Summit Podcast with Crate Media, a full-service podcast agency serving podcasts from across the industry.

The GWS Podcast (today at 42 episodes) is free to listen to on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and everywhere podcasts are available.

About the Global Wellness Summit The Global Wellness Summit is an organization that brings together leaders and visionaries to positively shape the future of the $4.5 trillion global wellness economy. In addition to an annual conference held at a different location around the globe, GWS also hosts regular virtual gatherings, including Wellness Master Classes, Wellness Sector Spotlights and Investor Reverse Pitch events. The organizations annual Global Wellness Trends Report offers expert-based predictions on the future of wellness.


GS Diamonds Men's Collections Here we believe that love should always be outspoken and celebrated, so we could think of no better way to embody the values we hold most dear in a modern design that can remind of the true and profound meaning of love.

Customers will be able to view new collections on: gsdiamonds.com.au/engagement-rings/mens

GS Diamonds is proud to be one of the few companies that were always passionate about showing support for LGBTQ+ community. Here we believe that love should always be outspoken and celebrated, so we could think of no better way to embody the values we hold most dear in a modern design that can remind of the true and profound meaning of love.

This year, same as for over 35 years of its history, GS Diamonds selects only the remarkable designs - an impeccable art and ideas that are truly miraculous. Launching our first mens diamond engagements rings collections, we set our new level of diamond excellence by picking only the superlative ethically sourced stones.

Our designers and gemologists searched for shapes that can accompany the modern, organic and dynamic forms of the new designs. Pure as daylight, dazzling diamonds mounted in a precious 18ct gold ring are meant to never be forgotten.

The initial launch features Signet, Unity and Heirloom collections.

Refined Signet rings with graceful proportions and fluid organic forms as a delicate, yet strikingly bold, metaphor for the power of love. Its versatile and rather unisex design features a single diamond in a bezel set and beautifully curved gold band.

Unity is the ultimate expression of organic design. Smooth and natural shapes that hold the centre stone in a perfect balance of form and proportions. Noble and astonishingly beautiful design that may leave your chosen one speechless.

Heirloom revises a classic style with powerful contours. An exquisite contemporary profile with a striking centre diamond - a style that can be passed from one generation to another.

The aesthetic of the collections is inspired by a modern and pure gender-neutral allure that makes each design irresistible. A combination of distinct, flowing contours and stones dares to reflect a transformed role of diamonds in jewellery fashion, paving the way for new traditions for the LGBTQ+ community in celebration of love in all of its manifestations. Because love always wins.

About GS Diamonds.

GS Diamonds is a leading Australian retailer of conflict-free certified diamonds, engagement rings, wedding bands, and diamond jewellery. With a highest level of craftsmanship and expertise the company has helped its customers to say yes since 1986. As one of the oldest diamond companies in Sydney, GS Diamonds is proud to be an Australian family-owned business that maintains a culture of innovation, creativity, equality, and ambition. For additional information on GS Diamonds visit gsdiamonds.com.au, and follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and LinkedIn.

CONTACT / FOR FURTHER INFORMATION

Peter Tsiamis

peter.tsiamis@gsdiamonds.com.au

+61420125826

QVB, 455 George Street, Level 2, Shop 34-36

Sydney 2000 NSW

Australia

1300181294

info@gsdiamonds.com.au
Honored Burden: a thought-provoking sociological discussion. Honored Burden is the creation of published author Howard Calhoun, a licensed clinical mental health counselor supervisor, a licensed addiction counselor supervisor, a licensed school counselor, and a licensed real estate broker. He is an owner and CEO of a mental health and substance abuse agency which serves North and South Carolina. He is also president and owner of a real estate venture, as well as owner of a nonprofit education and scholarship business.

Calhoun shares, The objective of the Honored Burden is to express the complexities, contradictions, tragedies, and triumphs of the American experience by telling it within the framework of poverty, race, class, religion, and politics. This honored Americans experience springs from one of Americas most rural and backwoods outposts imagined. It includes experiences from an era of sharecropping and the late fringes of Jim Crow. It blends the best of Americas intent with the worst of American impulses. My story and experience are one of many that are often untold and unknown but are no less American. My race has endured a unique burden, yet I am proud and honored to be an American. The government of the people and by the people is a humanity challenge. I am a participant and witness full of hope and confidence that America will meet its challenge. Honored Burden uses thought-provoking stories in an attempt to disclose any of those complexities, contradictions, tragedies, and triumphs that amount to that challenge.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Howard Calhouns new book is a compelling exploration of what freedom means within the American experience.

The author presents a unique series of personal stories that explore the complexities of American culture and socioeconomic implications.

View a synopsis of Honored Burden on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase Honored Burden at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Honored Burden, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
2021 Hyundai Venue Carter County Hyundai customers will be eligible to receive a special lease price, auto insurance, and service maintenance on the select vehicles

Customers at Carter County Hyundai in Ardmore, OK, are entitled to get the benefit of the new Hyundai Plus lease program on select cars, including Hyundai Kona, Hyundai Tucson, Hyundai Elantra, Hyundai Santa Fe and Hyundai Sonata. Through this program, Carter County Hyundai customers will be eligible to receive a special lease price, auto insurance, and service maintenance on the select vehicles in exchange for a subscription payment.

The Hyundai Plus Program has the following benefits:



A hassle free fixed monthly payment over a fixed term

The entire process is time-saving, so that the customer can make the most of the experience of driving their new Hyundai

The process of auto financing, maintenance and insurance has been simplified to a great extent

Metlife Auto & Home customer service team is available for any help that may be required

While this service is only available in a select few Hyundai vehicles, the Carter County Hyundai also has an online credit approval option for the customers to buy pre-owned or new vehicles available in the dealerships inventory.

All interested parties are requested to visit https://www.cartercountyhyundai.com/ or call 833-945-0126 for more information regarding the Hyundai Plus Lease Program and other relevant queries. Customers can also directly visit Carter County Hyundai to discuss the program in length with the dealership team members.

Carter County Hyundai Address:

616 Holiday Drive, Ardmore, OK
To help provide the best medical care for injured workers as quickly as possible, ICW Group announces the Nurse Triage Hotline for its workers compensation policyholders. Our policyholders will have an immediate assessment of a workplace injury and the information they need to feel confident their employee is getting the best care, said Amanda Granger, senior vice president, work comp claims.

To help provide the best medical care for injured workers as quickly as possible, ICW Group Insurance Companies, a leading group of property and casualty carriers, announces the Nurse Triage Hotline for its workers compensation policyholders.

Injured workers can use the Nurse Triage Hotline to ensure they receive the most appropriate initial medical care for their workplace injuries. In some cases, this means eliminating unnecessary and costly overtreatment, which provides cost savings to businesses and reduces lost work time due to a workplace injury.

The Nurse Triage Hotline, provides immediate, 24/7 access to English and Spanish-speaking nurses specializing in treating non-emergency workplace injuries. Nurses will use clinical guidelines to assess injuries and provide recommendations on the type of medical care the employee needs.

When a workplace injury occurs, the initial response is critical to make sure an employees injury is properly addressed, said Amanda Granger, senior vice president, work comp claims. This initial assessment not only provides immediate care and treatment guidance for employees, but it also provides cost savings to the employer by mitigating unnecessary emergency room expenses and preventing minor injuries from turning into major claims.

In addition to taking care of the injured worker, the initial claims process is streamlined  saving an employer time. Within 15 minutes after an injured worker calls the Nurse Triage Hotline, policyholders receive a detailed summary of the injured workers visit, and a claim is opened via ICW Groups First Notice of Loss team.

Our policyholders will have an immediate assessment of a workplace injury and the information they need to feel confident their employee is getting the best care, said Granger. The injured worker also has access to a trained nurse who can make quick care decisions to begin their recovery immediately.

The Nurse Triage Hotline will provide peace of mind to employees who may feel anxious or uncertain after an injury. It also takes the burden off the supervisor to have to make potentially life-altering medical decisions.

The Nurse Triage Hotline will also help minimize lost work time since an injured worker receives clear direction on the best course of action, helping to prevent further injury and complications.

At a time when businesses are struggling to fill open positions, even one employee out of work due to injury can put a tremendous strain on a business, Granger said.

Additionally, the Nurse Triage Hotline includes the ability to easily share pictures of cuts and burns to allow a nurse to determine if a visit to the doctor is needed or if the injury can be self-treated. This service is helpful particularly to restaurant policyholders where these types of injuries are common. Workers who are recommended self-care will receive a follow-up call from a hotline nurse.

Policyholders who want to learn more about the Nurse Triage Hotline can visit ICW Groups Policyholder Center. A special website has also been set up exclusively for the carriers work comp policyholders to order free flyers, stickers, wallet cards and posters to display and inform their employees about the service. To learn more about ICW Groups workers compensation program, visit http://www.icwgroup.com.

About ICW Group

Based in San Diego, ICW Group Insurance Companies is the largest privately held insurance company domiciled in California. Quoting more than $3 billion annually, ICW Group represents a group of Workers Compensation, Assumed Reinsurance and Catastrophe insurance carriers, including Insurance Company of the West and Explorer Insurance Company. ICW Group is recognized nationally as an industry leader in helping policyholders achieve fewer and less costly claims while elevating the trusted agents who advise them. More information is available at http://www.icwgroup.com, http://www.twitter.com/ICWGroup, http://www.linkedin.com/companies/icw-group and http://www.facebook.com/ICWGroup.


Incubit, Inc. (hereafter: Incubit), which undertakes practical implementation of image recognition by utilizing deep learning technologies, is working to train an AI model to automatically detect tornadoes. By adding topographic AI data alongside Doppler radar data, the company has been able to reduce over-detection of tornadoes in mountainous areas. This development was made under the 2020 research and development project, AI Based Tornado and Heavy Localized Rain Prediction and Information Distribution System, which the Meteorological Research Institute (hereafter: MRI), which works directly under the Japan Meteorological Agency as an official research institution, was in charge of. This outcome brings hope for a robust tornado detection AI model, the use of which is not limited by its location. This outcome provides prospects for further research plans in 2021, where a variety of different data sets will be used for training to increase the accuracy of an already precise model.

There are, on average, more than 20 tornadoes occurring in Japan each year, blowing down houses and derailing trains. MRI has been working on utilizing deep learning technology to automatically detect tornado incidents since 2018.

The objective of this particular research, that MRI and Incubit conducted in 2020 was to reduce over-detection in mountainous areas by using altitude and topographic data as part of the training data, so that geographical traits could be incorporated by the tornado detection AI into its decision-making process.

Doppler radar uses the reflection wave of precipitation particles in the air to find the direction and speed of the moving wind. To the trained eye, tornadoes have a very particular vortex pattern detectable using Doppler radar. It was later found that in mountainous areas, the geographical features interfered with the reflection of the Doppler radar, not only making the pattern different between mountainous areas and the plains, but creating patterns that mimic those of tornado vortices, which confused the AI model to the point that it over-detected tornadoes in mountainous areas.

After the research conducted in 2020, Incubit and MRI were able to conclude that it is possible to reduce over-detection by using topographical data in training, keeping the average detection rate of real tornadoes high while reducing over-detection by 50%. This allows for the possibility of Doppler radars in mountainous locations to be used for automatic tornado detection.

Incubit and MRI plan to further expand on this success by adding various different datasets in 2021 for the model to train on, including timeline data, heavy rainfall areas, and wind data. The final goal is to utilize the tornado detection system in transportation systems such as trains, cars and even drones, for a safer and more autonomous transportation system.

*This work was supported by Cabinet Office, Government of Japan, Public/Private R&D Investment Strategic Expansion Program (PRISM) in 2020, and will be continued in 2021

About Incubit

Incubit undertakes the challenge of solving industry specific problems alongside the leading companies of Japan adopting the latest technology. Weve worked in the fields of medicine, bio tech, space, geology and manufacturing with notable achievements, by virtue of our earnest approach towards solution deployment.

Our current focus and strength is image recognition using deep learning technology, nevertheless, our enthusiasm always lies in finding the best possible solution providable.
Law Office of Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP For more information about the class action lawsuit against West Publishing Corporation, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

The Los Angeles employment law attorneys, at Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP, filed a class action lawsuit against West Publishing Corporation, alleging the company violated the California Labor Code. The lawsuit against West Publishing Corporation, is currently pending in the Los Angeles County Superior Court, Case No. 21STCV20245. To read a copy of the Complaint, please click here.

According to the lawsuit filed, West Publishing Corporation allegedly failed to reimburse employees for required business expenses. California Labor Code  2802 expressly states that "an employer shall indemnify his or her employee for all necessary expenditures or losses incurred by the employee in direct consequence of the discharge of his or her duties..." During employment, Plaintiffs and other California Class Members were allegedly required to use their personal cellular phones in order to complete their job duties.

Additionally, the lawsuit alleges Defendant failed to pay accrued vacation and sick pay wages. Defendant allegedly instituted a "use it or lose it policy" regarding earned vacation hours. Upon termination of employment, Defendant allegedly failed to pay Plaintiffs the total amount of vacation pay due to them.

For more information about the class action lawsuit against West Publishing Corporation, call (800) 568-8020 to speak to an experienced California employment attorney today.

Blumenthal Nordrehaug Bhowmik De Blouw LLP is a labor law firm with law offices located in San Diego County, Riverside County, Los Angeles County, Sacramento County, Santa Clara County, Orange County and San Francisco County. The firm has a statewide practice of representing employees on a contingency basis for violations involving unpaid wages, overtime pay, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and other types of illegal workplace conduct.

***THIS IS AN ATTORNEY ADVERTISEMENT***
Autism Brought Me Joy: an encouraging look into the world of parenting a child with autism. Autism Brought Me Joy is the creation of published author Lizzy Clarke-Benjamin.

Clarke-Benjamin shares, This book was written to let parents of children on the autism spectrum know that they did nothing wrong and that their child or children being on the spectrum is in no way their fault.

I did everything right with my third child and only son, and he was diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum. I believe that we as parents of these exceptional children have been given the opportunity to love these uniquely beautiful, smart, bright, talented, and loving children unconditionally and for us, as parents, to experience the absolute joy of receiving their pure and sincere unconditional love, which ultimately brings us an indescribable joy that words cannot express. I thank God for this unique opportunity, and I would not change it for the world.

This sunrise reminded me that God has given me the opportunity to watch my own son rise out of the gray mist of autism. Amen.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Lizzy Clarke-Benjamins new book is a private look inside the authors family life and how they strive to encourage Timmy.

Clarke-Benjamin welcomes readers to witness what life with a child on the autism spectrum is like in hopes of encouraging other families who have similarly abled children in their lives.

View a synopsis of Autism Brought Me Joy on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase Autism Brought Me Joy at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Autism Brought Me Joy, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
The app is intuitive and easy to use, requiring very little training to field workers. Response times are fast and the app performance is quick. The app has the ability work connected and disconnected. This is a big plus in our remote areas.

Unvired Inc. today announced that its Mobile Work Orders solution is now available on SAP Store, the online marketplace for SAP and partner offerings. Mobile Work Orders integrates with SAP ERP and SAP S/4HANA and eliminates paper-based asset maintenance processes to enhance asset reliability, increase wrench time, and improve data quality for asset heavy industries like oil and gas, chemicals, manufacturing, utilities, and mining and metals, among others.

As a proud SAP partner, were excited to have our enterprise asset management (EAM) application, Mobile Work Orders, available on SAP Store, said Unvired CEO, Alok Pant. Now, businesses that use the SAP Plant Maintenance module worldwide will have easy access to a mobile EAM app that streamlines asset maintenance operations and enables field service technicians and plant personnel to perform asset inspections, execute work orders, create notifications, and access work permits, forms and checklists. Users can conduct a free trial of the Mobile Work Orders app using their own sample data. Businesses in North America, Europe and other geographies are already benefiting from Mobile Work Orders.

Verified reviews collected and hosted on G2.com that appear on SAP Store include:

The app is intuitive and easy to use, requiring very little training to field workers. Response times are fast and the app performance is quick. The app has the ability work connected and disconnected. This is a big plus in our remote areas. The app allows the users to complete electronically what they would normally be doing on a paper form or verbal report to an analyst. The app gives the field workers more ownership in the process of their work flow.

It's easy to implement and works great on different platforms like IOS or Windows. The best part is, it can be customized based on business processes.

Unvireds Mobile Work Orders app works offline on iOS, Android, and Windows devices. The app empowers field technicians and asset management workers to access work orders, operations, equipment, materials, object lists and other data on mobile devices anytime, anywhere  even without internet connectivity. Users can also access documents and procedures, get map-views, scan barcodes and RFID tags, upload images, and submit e-signatures. Whats more, Unvired offers flexible deployment options  both cloud and on premise  making it easier for businesses to deploy as they like.

Core functionalities of the Mobile Work Orders app include:



Inspections based on work orders or notifications

Unlocking of work orders and inspections based on GPS location or RFID tags

Notification processing with the ability to click pictures and upload documents

Work order execution with material and time confirmation

Integration of digital forms and work permits

Master data management of functional locations and equipment

Hierarchical display of equipment and locations with offline access to related documents

Stock overview of materials and spare parts

SAP Store, found at store.sap.com, delivers a simplified and connected digital customer experience for finding, trying, buying and renewing more than 1,800 solutions from SAP and its partners. There, customers can find the SAP solutions and SAP-validated solutions they need to grow their business. And for each purchase made through SAP Store, SAP will plant a tree.

Unvired Inc. is a partner in the SAP PartnerEdge program. As such, it is empowered to build, market and sell software applications that supplement and build on SAP software and technology. The SAP PartnerEdge program provides the enablement tools, benefits and support to facilitate building high-quality, disruptive applications focused on specific business needs  quickly and cost-effectively. The program provides access to all relevant SAP technologies in one simple framework under a single, global contract.

About Unvired

Unvired is an SAP partner that enables the Connected Worker and develops Low Code applications. Unvired offers mobile EAM apps for Work Orders, Operator Rounds, Work Permits, Digital Forms, and Inventory/Warehouse Management that are quick to deploy. Unvired is committed to helping its clients realize the benefits of digital enterprise at a disruptively low cost and time to implement. For more information, visit us on the web at https://unvired.com/ and follow us on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/company/unvired-inc/

# # #

Any statements in this release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties described in SAPs filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent annual report on Form 20-F, that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. SAP cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which SAP has no obligation to update and which speak only as of their dates.

SAP and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP SE in Germany and other countries. Please see https://www.sap.com/copyright for additional trademark information and notices. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies.
We are excited to provide new data-driven resources for employers to ensure they have the right team supporting their benefit plan designs and costs

Mployer Advisor (https://mployeradvisor.com), the leading independent platform for employers to research, review and evaluate insurance brokers, is pleased to announce the recipients of its inaugural Top Employee Benefits Consultant Award for 2021 for Birmingham, Alabama. Mployer Advisors Top Employee Benefits Consultant Award recognizes brokers for demonstrating market-leading competencies in several areas.

Who an employer chooses as their insurance broker has significantly more impact on the quality and cost of a benefit plan than who they chose as the carrier. We are proud to honor these select insurance consultants who have demonstrated a wide range of experience in combination with positive employer feedback on service and quality, said Brian Freeman, CEO of Mployer Advisor.

The Birmingham-Hoover market is one of the most competitive job markets in the Southeast, employing 500,000 people with one of the lowest unemployment rates in the country. Offering industry-leading, competitive employee benefits is a critical factor in hiring and engaging top talent for Birmingham employers. Working with a highly rated insurance consultant is the best means to achieve that goal.

The industry has for too long depended on referrals and relationships to select insurance advisors. We are excited to provide new data-driven resources for employers to ensure they have the right team supporting their benefit plan designs and costs, Freeman continued.

To determine award winners, Mployer Advisor analyzes each brokerage based on historical data to gauge the range of business experience across employer sizes, industry experience, and products, combined with employer ratings and reviews of insurance brokerages across several platforms.

Award recipients receive a badge they can place on their websites, social media profiles, and their Mployer Advisor profile. The badge spotlights their status as a Top Employee Benefits Consultant recipient in their city.

The 2021 Mployer Advisors Birminghams Top Employee Benefits Consultant Award recipients providing services to both small and large employers are as follows:

Birminghams Top Employee Benefits Consultants:

Recognized Brokerages

Cahaba Benefits Group

TPC Benefits

Cobbs Allen

USI Insurance Services

Gallagher Insurance, Risk Management

& Consulting

Valent Group

Lakeshore Benefit Alliance

Willis Towers Watson

McGriff

Results are a snapshot of Mployer Advisors matrices and proprietary M Score on May 31, 2021. To see the full list of Birmingham-Hoover consultants, visit MployerAdvisor.com. Rankings are dynamic, and this report may not reflect the rankings currently listed on Mployer Advisors website. Since Mployer Advisors research is ongoing, interested companies that want to join next years list are encouraged to claim their free profile on Mployer Advisor.

About Mployer Advisor:

Mployer Advisor is changing the way employers search, evaluate and select insurance advisors. Our goal is to connect employers and employees to great benefits and insurance. We do this by providing employers with actionable data to easily evaluate and select the best advisor for a companys unique needs. Mployer Advisor provides independent ratings of insurance advisors to support employers. The rating is our opinion and should be one of many factors, including when selecting a consultant. An insurance brokerage cannot pay to influence their Mployer Advisor rating. Most brokerages have a profile on Mployer Advisor. Only highly rated brokerages are allowed to advertise on the platform. To learn more about Mployer Advisors or if you would like to be considered for next years Birminghams Top Employee Benefits Consultant Award, visit https://mployeradvisor.com.
NCPDP announced today highlights from its 2021 Virtual Annual Technology & Business Conference, themed Reimagine, Reinvent, Reinvest. The event, which spanned three half days of programming, included riveting keynote speakers, Vinh Giang, Doug Lindsay and Doug Long; 13 educational sessions with CPE for pharmacists and pharmacy technologists; updates on NCPDPs Three Year Strategic Plan in the State of the Association; Passing of the Gavel; and its Awards & Recognition event.

In her State of the Association report on Tuesday, NCPDP President & CEO, Lee Ann Stember, provided a progress update NCPDPs Three Year Strategic Plan, supporting NCPDPs Vision, to lead the industry in healthcare standards and solutions for the common good. Stember detailed substantial progress achieved during an exceptionally challenging year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, including mobilizing the industry to develop emergency guidance to enable pharmacists across the country to administer COVID-19 tests and immunizations; significant progress in the goal to increase speed to standards creation; planning to support value-based administration, and more. Then, Stember invited Mindy Smith, NCPDP Foundation Chair, to provide an update on the NCPDP Foundations activities. Smith covered the Foundations public service video which was created to raise awareness of the important role of pharmacists in COVID-19 testing and vaccine administration; outcomes of NCPDP Foundation-funded research projects and the three pillars on which the Foundation will focus future fundraising efforts.

Other conference highlights include:



Darren K. Townzen, R.Ph., M.B.A., Senior Director of Health and Wellness Pharmacy Audit, Billing, Reconciliation, and Health Care Data, Walmart, was appointed Chair of the NCPDP Board of Trustees.

Pooja Babbrah, MBA, PBM Practice Lead, Point-of-Care Partners, was appointed Vice Chair of the NCPDP Board of Trustees.

NCPDP 2021-2022 Board of Trustees newly elected members took office (June 22nd): Kim Diehl-Boyd, Vice President, Industry Relations and Government Affairs, CoverMyMeds; Pam Schweitzer, R.Ph., Pharm.D., RADM (retired), USPHS, Former Assistant Surgeon General, and currently Summit Healthcare, LLC; Krista Ward, MBA, Vice President, Pharmacy Innovation, CareSource.

NCPDP named Anne Johnston, R.Ph., MPA, Sr. Director, Enterprise Data Governance, Express Scripts, as recipient of its prestigious TIME (The Individual Member Excellence) Award.

Monique Irmen, MBA, Director, Government Programs, RelayHealth/McKesson was presented the Benjamin D. Ward Distinguished Member Award.

Hannah Cardosi, Senior Project Manager, Express Scripts, received the Rising Star Award.

NCPDPs 2021 Champion Award was presented to two recipients: Ken Hill, R.Ph.; and Charlie Oltman, MBA, CHC.

In addition, in a surprise announcement, Lee Ann Stember revealed the NCPDP Board of Trustees had authorized the gift of two $1,000,000 endowments to the NCPDP Foundation: The Thomas R. Bizzaro, R.Ph., Endowment; and The Kay Morgan Endowment. Both Tom Bizzaro and Kay Morgan were in attendance and learned of the endowments along with other conference attendees. They shared their candid reactions with the viewing audience. Stember commented, It was a joy and a privilege to recognize Tom and Kay for their decades of leadership, mentorship, support and unselfish devotion to the work and growth of NCPDP. The Thomas R. Bizzaro Endowment and the Kay Morgan Endowment are restricted funds intended to help sustain the Foundation in the long run. The principal cannot be touched; however, a percent of the interest can be used to support the Foundations ongoing work. The intention is for the principal to continue to grow and help ensure that the Foundations work will continue in perpetuity.

NCPDPs 2022 Annual Technology & Business Conference will be held May 2-4, 2022, at the Westin Kierland Resort & Spa in Scottsdale, Arizona

About NCPDP

Founded in 1977, NCPDP is a not-for-profit, ANSI-accredited, Standards Development Organization with more than 1,500 members representing virtually every sector of the pharmacy services industry. Our diverse membership provides leadership and healthcare business solutions through education and standards, created using the consensus building process. NCPDP has been named in federal legislation, including HIPAA, MMA, and HITECH. NCPDP members have created standards such as the Telecommunication Standard and Batch Standard, the SCRIPT Standard for ePrescribing, the Manufacturers Rebate Standard and more to improve communication within the pharmacy industry. Our data products include dataQ, a robust database of information on more than 80,000 pharmacies, resQ, an industry pharmacy credentialing resource, and HCIdea, an innovative prescriber database that provides continually updated information on more than 2.5 million prescribers. NCPDP's RxReconn is a legislative tracking product for real-time monitoring of pharmacy-related state and national legislative and regulatory activity. For more information about NCPDP Standards, Data Services, Products, Educational Programs and Work Group meetings, go online at http://www.ncpdp.org or call 480.477.1000.

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CP86 Cordless Connected Torque Wrench from Chicago Pneumatic Keeping the customers needs in mind, the CP86 series was designed to offer high torque and high performance levels.

Chicago Pneumatic has launched an innovative cordless connected torque wrench  the CP86 series  which delivers exceptional mobility and precision for general bolting applications. The connected tool is the first on the market compatible with an app to provide instant performance feedback while on the job, and better control quality processes in the field, resulting in an increase of productivity.

Keeping the customers needs in mind, the CP86 series was designed to offer high torque and high performance levels, says Paul Olsowske, Product Marketing Manager at Chicago Pneumatic. Our new torque wrench series provides the mobility of a battery tool with high precision and process control features. This makes it easier for operators to tighten bolts quickly and properly on their first attempt, ultimately saving time and increasing productivity.

The new range comprises of four models providing torque levels from 300 Nm (170 ft.lb) to 8100 Nm (5975 ft/lb) and is suitable for bolting applications in the energy, mining, construction, and railway industries. Examples would be oil and gas pipelines, wind turbines, heavy-duty vehicles, and off-road equipment. Each model is also available in three variations depending on the requirements of the application. We offer the standalone CP86 and two connected versions (C, & CQ), that have Bluetooth connections to our new app, CPLinQ. This dedicated app provides many levels of performance, tool maintenance status and tightening reports.

The CP86 torque wrench provides a constant tightening speed of up to 10 rpm for excellent control and delivers high precision with +/- 4%* accuracy. This high accuracy ensures that bolts are tightened correctly, thus preventing over- or under-tightening and reduces the associated risks of bolt joint failure. Thanks to a new battery generation, the tool also offers excellent mobility, allowing users to work with the tool anywhere for a long time without needing to recharge it. Since it is cordless, there is no need for pumps or compressors that are required with hydraulic and pneumatic equipment.

Excellent process control can be achieved thanks to the CPLinQ app which provides managers with instant access to the real-time status of the tool and job performance data. The C variation features tool status management, a maintenance timeline, and an operating alert so operators can anticipate any tool issues before they arise, while carrying out preventative maintenance activities. By the same, the P-set (configuration) mode allows security in the job by decreasing human error on torque or angle selection.

The CQ version offers the additional functionality of data collection, quick reports, and P-sets with counting sequence amongst others. Armed with the performance data, operators can save time spent on each job, while decreasing error rates, and time reworking a bolt. Furthermore, users of the CP86 CQ can reinforce their overall company quality standard.

The CP86 features a long-lasting and compact 36V / 2.5 Ah battery which allows for extended use. The high cycle rate of more than 250 cycles** per charge, is almost 50% higher compared to other tools in its class and means operators can get more use from each charge to increase their productivity. Additionally, the battery has a high drain capacity enabling it to continuously supply the right energy level at the right moment.

The tool delivers excellent performance without compromising safety. The CP86 Series offers protection features that include a second start button and swiveling with an ergonomic handle so operators can be confident in achieving a good grip.

Chicago Pneumatic is celebrating its 120-year anniversary in 2021. The company has a legacy of passion for performance and long-lasting partnerships and we are committed to developing innovative, reliable products and services based on technology and trust, concludes Paul Olsowske. This new series of torque wrenches is part of an innovative range of products designed to help managers improve their productivity. It is also designed to help operators secure their jobs while working in safer conditions through intelligent technologies and a problem-solving approach.

For more information on Chicago Pneumatics range of cordless torque wrenches visit cp86.cp.com. To learn more about when to use torque wrenches or solve questions about torque, visit Expert Corner. For details on the full range of Chicago Pneumatics innovative solutions, go to http://www.cp.com.

*Based on hard joint 15at nominal torque

**For the CP8613 hard joint and at nominal torque

About Chicago Pneumatic

Since 1901 the Chicago Pneumatic (CP) name has represented reliability and attention to customer needs, with construction, maintenance and production tools and compressors designed for specific industrial applications. Today, CP has a global reach, with local distributors around the world.

Our people start every single day with a passion to research, develop, manufacture and deliver new products that are meant to meet your needs not only today, but tomorrow as well. To learn more, visit http://www.cp.com.
North American Passive House Network (NAPHN) and Building Energy Exchange (BE-Ex) announce the launch of a new, coordinated on-demand Passive House training pathway for all industry stakeholders. This unique professional development pipeline provides short, introductory courses on critical Passive House principles and culminates in the Certified Passive House Designer (CPHD) training for building professionals across New York State and the US.

NAPHN and BE-Ex have created a high-performance building training pipeline of courses that range from introductory to advanced, and are available on their respective on-demand learning platforms. BE-Ex Ed is available here: https://learn.be-exchange.org/, and NAPHNs platform is here through registration: https://naphnetwork.org/education/on-demand-training/. The training platforms were made possible, in part, by the financial support of the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA).

BE-Ex offers a one-hour introductory Passive House Primer and a suite of six technical modules that demystify the basic principles of Passive House design and construction, explain their benefits in the real world, and connect them to the broader context of building energy codes, climate policy, and real estate trends. Later this year, BE-Ex will also unveil a Passive House Primer for Construction Trades, providing a much-needed entry point for this critical set of stakeholders. Available live and on-demand, these training modules are suited for not only working practitioners like architects and engineers but also everyone from the general public to building owners, real estate agents, and builders.

These shorter modules introduce Passive House to the widest possible audience while NAPHN offers a more in-depth look at the science of Passive House through either an on-demand or a live online version of their landmark CPHD course. The CPHD is the premier training program for Passive House building professionals working on residential, institutional, and commercial projects. Based on more than 25 years of global technical leadership from the Passive House Institute (PHI), the continuously updated CPHD has been the cornerstone of professional education of Passive House principles for years. Making this seminal course available on-demand has transformative implications for the industry. Additionally, NAPHN provides in-depth specialized technical modules on a variety of critical subjects  advanced courses that prepare participants to design high performance, energy efficient buildings that meet the needs of the future through globally recognized Passive House principles.

Meeting the aggressive carbon reduction commitments of New York State will require dramatic and unprecedented improvements in the design, construction, retrofitting, and operations of buildings of all types. Designers, engineers, builders, owners, and operators of buildings must all become comprehensively knowledgeable about the most effective principles, concepts, and strategies of low-energy and high performance buildings if we are to deliver the zero-carbon future.

Education on Passive House principles has been uniquely successful in changing the way building industry professionals understand the energy consequences of design and construction decisionsit is often said that once one understands the fundamentals of the Passive House standard, one can never look at a building the same way again.

A core goal of BE-Ex and NAPHNs new on-demand training platforms is to rapidly increase the uptake of high-performance building training across New York State among architects, mechanical engineers, sustainability and energy consultants, structural engineers, estimators, energy modelers, and tradespeople. Doing so will provide much needed upskilling opportunities for members of building design teams seeking to deliver high performance low-emission buildings for both new construction and retrofit projects in commercial and residential markets.

NAPHN has been supported in the development of the on-demand CPHD course by the Passive House Academy (PHA) of Jericho NY, and Wicklow Ireland. PHA is among the premier Passive House training and consulting organizations around the world, with an extensive history delivering and developing CPHD courses.

We are excited to launch this coordinated on-demand training pathway with BE-Ex, as it will allow us to meet the challenge of scaling capacity and impact in support of New York State's carbon reduction goals, said NAPHN Executive Director, Ken Levenson. The new platform will support CPHD training across New York and across the US as well.

BE-Ex is pleased to bring our proven expertise in creating and delivering educational resources to our collaboration with NAPHN, said Richard Yancey, Executive Director of the Building Energy Exchange. Our coursesranging from introductory to advancedoffer much needed entry points for professionals of all backgrounds to enhance their knowledge and skills in the rapidly growing high performance building market.

Doreen M. Harris, President and CEO of NYSERDA said, As we transition to a clean energy economy and work toward decarbonizing our existing and future building stock, it is critical to ensure that our workforce has the skills and training needed to participate in and support this transformation. This online education pathway provides easily accessed courses for a wide spectrum of stakeholders  from skilled tradespeople to engineers and architects  to upskill or learn entirely new Passive House principles and be well-prepared to step into a good-paying clean energy job in one of the States fastest growing sectors while helping us reach our climate goals.

NYSERDA supported the project with nearly $250,000 in funding through its Workforce Development and Training Program, which will enable approximately 6,000 individuals to receive training.

With these new courses, students can choose which level works for their training needs and can take a flexible self-paced approach to learning. The on-demand Passive House Primer and follow-on technical modules range from 30 minutes to one hour in length. The CPHD training takes place over 10-12 weeks with two live-online webinars and careful examination preparation. After successful completion of the examination, the Certified Passive House Designer certification serves as a clear indicator of technical knowledge and industry leadership. Student profiles include architects, MEP and structural engineers, facade, energy and sustainability consultants, contractors, developers, policymakers, regulators, and more.

# # #

About NAPHN:

The North American Passive House Network (NAPHN) is an independent national non-profit educational organization affiliated with the International Passive House Association (iPHA) and the Passive House Institute (PHI), located in Darmstadt, Germany.

NAPHN has chapters based in New Jersey (http://www.njpassivehouse.com), Washington DC (http://www.naphnetwork.org), the Rocky Mountain Region (http://www.phrockymountains.com), Minnesota (http://www.passivehouseminnesota.org) and Western Pennsylvania (http://www.passivehousewpa.com).

NAPHN supports the widespread adoption of the international Passive House design and construction standards, building science principles and protocols, as a critical response to our climate crisis - providing unparalleled effectiveness in mitigating climate disruptions and adapting to rapidly changing environmental conditions.

NAPHN is focused on the inflection point between policy and implementation. We partner with leading stakeholders across all building sectors, including governments, professional associations, manufacturers, owners, builders, labor organizations, and educational institutions  to make the transformation complete (naphnetwork.org).

About BE-Ex:

The Building Energy Exchange (BE-Ex) is a center of excellence dedicated to reducing the effects of climate change by improving the built environment. BE-Ex accelerates the transition to healthy, comfortable, and energy efficient buildings by serving as a resource and trusted expert to the building industry (be-exchange.org).

BE-Exs on-demand learning platform, BE-Ex Ed (learn.be-exchange.org), features video courses on energy efficiency, high-performance design, and policy and codes that impact the building industry. All courses are available for continuing education credit and certificates of completion.

About Passive House:

Passive House is an international building standard and methodology, applicable to buildings of all kinds from office buildings to hospitals, new-build and renovations, that results in a dramatic

drop in operational energy use, and more comfortable and healthy occupants - meant to aggressively mitigate our climate crisis while providing resilient adaptation.

The Passive House Standard was developed by the Passive House Institute (PHI), an independent scientific research organization, located in Darmstadt, Germany, and includes specific requirements for energy use and comfort of occupants. The Passive House Standard is being successfully applied to thousands of buildings and millions of square feet around the world, from Boston to Beijing.

The Passive House methodology starts with reducing cooling, dehumidification and heating loads by focusing, not on gadgets and active technology, but instead on fully integrated durable passive building components, such as proper continuous thermal-bridge-free insulation, continuous airtightness, high-performance windows and doors, and ventilation that includes a high-efficiency heat/energy recovery core, carefully calculated, and all integrated with the entire architectural process of design and construction (http://www.passivehouse.com, http://www.passipedia.org).

Not sure what Passive House means? Watch this video: https://youtu.be/fy9nnso306o
NXTsoft is excited to be a part of the RPA revolution by helping financial institutions directly save time and money when it comes to moving and connecting data, enabling them to utilize higher levels of automation that they might not otherwise be able to afford or implement.

NXTsoft, the market leader in comprehensive, secure API connectivity for fintechs and financial institutions today announces enhancements to its Omni product lines that increase the amount of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) that it can provide to its financial institution and fintech customers, delivering significant time and cost savings to those entities.

RPA is an application of technology, driven by business logic and structured inputs, that aims at automating business processes. Using RPA tools, a company can configure software, or a bots, to capture and interpret applications for processing a transaction, manipulating data, triggering responses and communicating with other digital or disparate systems. Financial institutions can utilize RPA to perform repetitive tasks such as data entry and loan boarding and to automate customer service and back-office workflows. This enables a financial institutions staff to focus on more complex tasks, as the RPA bots are working on more monotonous activities. Utilizing RPA technology means more expedient processing with fewer steps to complete, leads to a reduced workforce and therefore significant costs savings.

NXTsoft believes the integration of RPA technology into its OmniData product line will be a huge befit for its financial institution customers. OmniData currently offers financial institutions three solutions for legacy or acquired data: full conversion to a new system, data availability through OmniView browser for researching without the need for a full conversion, and a hybrid approach of the two. With the large amount of data in play, there are many business & compliance requirements that are currently performed by back-office staff.

With NXTsofts future addition of RPA technology to OmniData, many of these tasks can now be automated. Data retention, compliance requirements and business logic can be automated and intelligently performed in the background. Smart data querying can also be used to reduce the labor-intensive research effort around common use cases such as a request for documentation during a legal process. The use of RPA to perform these more mundane tasks will provide an instant time and cost savings to NXTsoft's OmniData clients.

NXTsofts OmniConnect product line that provides API connectivity has been facilitating a form of RPA for financial institutions and fintechs for the past 25 years. Anytime a fintech company wants to connect its application to a financial institutions core system they would have to have software engineers on staff at a cost of $100k + annually per developer to write integrations and then continue to rely on those personnel as the core processor authors 4-6 enhancements and upgrades per year. Similarly, the financial institution would have to rely on personnel on their end to keep the connectivity updated. Via RPA NXTsofts OmniConnect removes that entire burden from fintech and financial institution employees and facilitates it through API connectivity significantly reducing costs and personnel time.

Additionally, through OmniConnect's more recent Open API platform, NXTsoft is opening RPA technology to the entire fintech industry. Fintechs can now write directly to NXTsoft Open APIs and provide RPA use cases through secure connectivity that would otherwise be too difficult and time consuming to develop.

NXTsoft is excited to be a part of the RPA revolution by helping financial institutions directly save time and money when it comes to moving and connecting data, enabling them to utilize higher levels of automation that they might not otherwise be able to afford or might not have the resources to implement, said David Brasfield, CEO of NXTsoft.

About NXTsoft

NXTsoft is headquartered in Birmingham and has offices in Orlando, Atlanta, and Denver. NXTsoft is the market leader in secure, comprehensive, and complete workflow API connectivity, connecting fintech companies to banks and credit unions throughout the United States. NXTsofts other solutions include data security, data analytics, data management and data migration. NXTsofts products and services help businesses secure, connect and optimize their data to maximize revenue opportunities, enhance profitability, and mitigate cybersecurity risk. For more information visit http://www.nxtsoft.com, email info@nxtsoft.com or call 1-800-915-3381.
OceanX's research vessel, OceanXplorer, in the fjords of Norway. (Credit: Andy Mann)

Nonprofit ocean exploration organization OceanX today announced the launch of the Young Explorers Program (YEP), offering college students from across the nation the opportunity to learn about and explore the ocean aboard OceanXs marine research and media vessel OceanXplorer. Launching this summer, the program, coordinated by OceanX with partners from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Gloucester Marine Genomics Institute (GMGI) and Coral Vita, will host 10 participants as they chart largely unexplored areas on the ships 12-day voyage from the Azores to Svalbard, Norway.

At OceanX, we are on a mission to explore the ocean and bring it back to the world, and we believe this must include nurturing and educating the next generation of scientists, said Mark Dalio, Founder and Creative Director of OceanX. We are thrilled to announce the Young Explorers Program, which is an opportunity to share our learnings, technologies and passion for the ocean with ten exceptional young students. This program is a great step in ensuring our oceans are understood and protected for generations to come.

The Young Explorers Program aims to expand access to ocean exploration, foster a new generation of ocean advocates and offer hands-on, immersive instruction to college students pursuing a degree in a related field. Participants will learn from world-class ocean scientists about the ocean genome, the tools and trades of ocean exploration, media and science communication and leadership in the field of exploration.

Experts from NOAA, GMGI and Coral Vita will work in concert with OceanX to shape the program curriculum. GMGI Research Scientist Matt Harke and Teaching Assistant & Lab Technician Che Gardiner will be leading on-board educational lectures and activities centered around discovering the ocean genome. In addition, they will be acting as a resource for the students as they explore careers in oceanography and the STEM fields.

Alannah Vellacott, a Bahamian coral restoration expert with Coral Vita, will be onboard to provide exposure to and discuss Coral Vitas work creating commercial high-tech coral farms that incorporate breakthrough methods to restore reefs at-scale in the most effective way possible. Alannah will be teaching students about coral reefs critical ecological and socio-economic importance, the threats they face and how Coral Vita grows diverse and resilient coral to preserve ocean health and the welfare of the one billion people who depend on coral reefs.

The Young Explorers class of 2021 are current undergraduate students from colleges and universities across the country including Howard University; Leiden University; Middlebury College; Spelman College; Stanford University; University of California Santa Cruz; University of Maryland, Baltimore County; University of Miami; and Vanderbilt University.

The Young Explorers Program is an amazing opportunity for young scholars to experience life at sea as both an oceanographer and in the marine trades, training the next generation in ocean stewardship to address the critical challenges facing our oceans and environment, said GMGI Research Scientist Matt Harke. We are so thrilled to be a part of this fantastic voyage, to further extend the mission of GMGI to lead in innovative science and education.

We are beyond excited for Coral Vita to collaborate with OceanX through Alannahs participation in the Young Explorers Program, said Sam Teicher, Co-founder and Chief Reef Officer at Coral Vita. The ocean and its biodiversity are a source of wonder and inspiration  and maintaining its health is not only the right thing to do but is also essential for the future of humanity. Partnering with leaders like OceanX is a unique opportunity to promote cutting-edge science and empower young people to safeguard the ecosystems that sustain us all, and were proud of Alannahs contribution.

For media inquiries regarding OceanX, please contact Rida Bint Fozi at rida@thetascgroup.com.

About OceanX

OceanX is a mission to support scientists to explore the ocean and to bring it back to the world through captivating media. Uniting leading media, science, and philanthropy partners, OceanX utilizes next-gen technology, fearless science, compelling storytelling, and immersive experiences to educate, inspire, and connect the world with the ocean and build a global community deeply engaged with understanding, enjoying, and protecting our oceans. OceanX is an initiative of Dalio Philanthropies, which furthers the diverse philanthropic interests of Dalio family members. For more information, visit http://www.oceanx.org and follow OceanX on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
OpenBOM instant collaboration and simultaneous editing This time last year I personally spent 5 hours per week on BOM maintenance. Its now 10 minutes a week. We see that same improvement with many engineers on the team. OpenBOM frees the team to do things that are important. says the engineering manager of a Fortune 500 electronics manufacturer.

OpenBOM, a leading SaaS digital network-based platform, announces a patent award for a collaborative Bill of Materials (BOM) management system. A collaborative bill of materials management allowing multiple users and customers to perform structured changes in a multi-tenant collaborative SaaS environment.

OpenBOM develops a comprehensive, SaaS network-based platform that provides a single source of truth for engineers, prototyping teams, and manufacturing companies, connecting manufacturers to their suppliers, contractors, and customers. Innovative OpenBOM SaaS data management built on top of patented methods allowing unique collaboration between company members and other companies, contractors and suppliers.

The Invention (US Patent No. 11,037,103) enables collaborative BOM management using data architecture and communication technologies between people and companies, which is changing the way companies can work together in this modern product development and manufacturing environment.

"The manufacturing industry is in dire need of new technology to enable better connectivity between users and companies. Times have changed and the tools used in the production process need to reflect these changes. Modern companies are working out of multiple locations and are working directly with an extensive network of suppliers and contractors. Such an environment creates a tremendous challenge for manufacturing companies to solve their global collaboration problems, says Oleg Shilovitsky, CEO and co-founder of OpenBOM. He continues OpenBOM multi-tenant SaaS platform provides simultaneous real-time collaboration, which allows multiple users in different companies to work together and perform changes based on a set of rules and restrictions."

A Fortune 500 Global Electronic Manufacturing company is using OpenBOM to accelerate their new product development and connect engineers, procurement teams, and manufacturing planners. Here is how the head of the engineering team describes the advantages of OpenBOM and its collaborative functions:

The existing legacy PLM environment is too complex and too costly, cannot deliver an easy model to collaborate, and fails to provide an agile environment for production planning, which is typically handled by a super sophisticated corporate ERP system. For agile new product development, these two existing systems (PLM and ERP) were like a heavyweight that was slowing the NPD process down. And here is a huge time saver This time last year I personally spent 5 hours per week on BOM maintenance. Its now 10 minutes a week. We see that same improvement with many of the lead engineers on the team. OpenBOM frees the team to do the other things that are important.

About OpenBOM

OpenBOM is a digital network platform that manages product data and connects manufacturers and their supply chain networks. OpenBOMs modern SaaS real-time collaboration and data management technology allows it to create and manage Parts, Bill of Materials, Vendors, and Purchases across networks of engineers, supply chain managers, and contract manufacturers. OpenBOM enables people to share and collaborate using an online Bill of Materials from initial design through all stages of engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain. Headquartered in Boston, MA area, OpenBOM's website is at http://www.openbom.com. For more information or questions please contact oleg(at)OpenBOM(dot)com. OpenBOM is a wholly-owned and branded product of Newman Cloud, Inc
OrbiWise SA, a leading supplier of LoRaWAN Solutions for the Internet of Things (IoT) Industry, is proud to announce a partnership with Rigstar Industrial Telecom to provide its OrbiWAN LoRaWAN Network Server (LNS) to power ABnets North American LoRaWAN Network.

Rigstar has been a leader in industrial telecom in North America for over 20 years, providing fiber, Internet, cellular, integration and network management, and industrial Internet of things (IoT) services. Clients have included leaders in the oil, gas and energy industries, mining companies, smart-cities, and more. Rigstar has recently added to their industrial IoT offerings by introducing LoRaWAN Network capabilities to their customers. These capabilities include network connectivity, device/sensor solutions, data services & network management, and network installation & verification.

Rigstar has a wealth of experience working with numerous communications technologies, such as cellular and WiFi, but we strongly believe that LoRaWAN is the best technology and provides a different approach toward IoT applications. We did our research on LoRaWAN server solutions and OrbiWises was clearly the best from a feature, quality and support standpoint, stated Julian Morgan Lead Network Architect at Rigstar.

OrbiWises industry leading family of OrbiWAN LNS provides the brains to view and manage a networks devices, gateways and interfaces to ensure the complete and secure delivery of a devices data to and from the appropriate customer. OrbiWAN is the full-featured LNS that is capable of supporting up to hundreds or thousands of gateways and thousands to millions of devices, depending on configuration. OrbiWAN-Edge is the latest member of the family: a lighter version of OrbiWAN with a single, easy-to-use interface, especially suitable for small to medium- sized LoRaWAN Networks and to support stand-alone LoRaWAN Networks in remote or challenging environments.

OrbiWise found a great partner with Rigstar  their broad knowledge, experience and integration of communication technologies in the industrial, smart-city and other markets will enable them to quickly build their LoRaWAN business, said Scott Kubes, Head of Business Development  OrbiWise  Americas, AU/NZ, we look forward to working with Rigstar and successfully engaging on LoRaWAN opportunities in North America.

OrbiWises staff has considerable experience in wireless and communications software and hardware, allowing the organization to become leaders in the IoT industry. Besides the OrbiWAN family of LoRaWAN Network Servers, OrbiWise also offers device solutions, such as their recognized Sampols Noise Monitoring Solution, as well as other software products in support of the LNS such as a LoRa Geolocation and FUOTA Servers.

OrbiWise is a proud and active Contributor Member of The LoRa Alliance, one of the largest alliances in the technology sector, committed to enabling large-scale deployment of Low Power Wide Area Networks (LPWAN) IoT through the development and promotion of the LoRaWAN open standard. https://lora-alliance.org.

About Rigstar Industrial Telecom

Registered as a non-dominant carrier with the CRTC, Rigstar Industrial Telecom delivers innovative and cost-effective solutions for the most complex Internet requirements throughout the telecom industry. Our team of professional Engineers, Network Architects, Solution Specialists and Technicians provide reliable Internet connectivity. Rigstars team of highly skilled Network Analysts offer 24/7 technical support to ensure all mission critical data is always protected and accessible. More information about Rigstar and ABnet is available at http://www.rigstar.ca http://www.abnet.ca

Contact:

Kyle Scutt

Marketing Director

kyle.scutt@rigstar.ca

About OrbiWise

OrbiWise SA is a leading international solution provider for LPWA IoT networks based on the LoRaWAN technology and is a Contributor Member of the LoRa Alliance. OrbiWises customers deploy LPWA networks in industrial, smart city/building/home and precise agriculture  amongst others. OrbiWises OrbiWAN LoRaWAN Network Server (LNS) Solution is an industry-leading product that provides the intelligence to operate and manage LoRaWAN Networks. The company is headquartered in Plan-Les-Ouates, Geneva, Switzerland with additional offices in Mumbai, Macedonia and Atlanta. For more information: http://www.orbiwise.com.

Contact:

Scott Kubes

Head of Business Development & Sales Americas, Australia & New Zealand

scott.kubes@orbiwise.com

LoRaWAN mark used under license from the LoRa Alliance.
Tobis unwavering commitment to excellence, inclusion and the betterment of our team and clients are just a few reasons why Im thrilled to have her lead Quick Draw Fund Control as our chief executive officer.

QuickDraw Fund Control, a trusted intermediary between lenders and borrowers during construction projects, is taking a new step forward in 2021 as a woman-owned company. This bold move is reflective of the companys guiding values and vision for a more inclusive industry.

CEO Tobi Nieland has served as a principal and QuickDraws chief financial officer since 2014, and she brings more than 30 years of accounting and construction experience to her new role. Nieland is a graduate of California State University, San Bernardino, and a member of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA).

Greg Norris, principal and founder of QuickDraw said, For the last 15 years, I have had the privilege and honor to work side by side with Tobi. The best business decision I made was over 10 years ago when I asked her to be my partner in our newly formed fund control company. Tobis unwavering commitment to excellence, inclusion and the betterment of our team and clients are just a few reasons why Im thrilled to have her lead Quick Draw Fund Control as our chief executive officer.

Nieland has positioned herself as a savvy and collaborative leader who is committed to raising standards of quality and service not only within the company, but within the industry at large. As a construction industry trailblazer, Nieland discussed what this move means to her and what her vision is for QuickDraws future.

What prompted you to a career in the construction sector?

Tobi Nieland: Right out of college, I went to work for a CPA firm that had several construction companies as clients, and that gave me the chance to really dive into the construction industry. The work was exciting and challenging because each project was unique. I also loved the ability to see a project from beginning to end and then see the tangible product that people were going to use.

Why is now the right time for QuickDraw to change its status to a woman-owned company?

T. N.: Theres a saying that I really like, The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago, the second best time is now. The best time for women to stake an equal claim in this industry was a long time ago, but the second best time is now. I hope that this change will reflect QuickDraws commitment to women in business and in construction, and will help move these industries forward.

As a woman with decades of experience in the industry, what unique assets do you feel you bring to QuickDraws leadership?

T. N.: While I bring extensive experience in business, accounting and construction to the table, I also have a genuine spirit of collaboration and commitment to this industry. I also have experience overcoming countless challenges associated with being a woman in male-dominated industries.

One of my first jobs working as a CPA, the client said, Do not send a woman. The firm sent me anyway. The next year, that client requested women to work on their account. While I have had to work harder and produce better results than most men in this industry, succeeding in this field has required much more than job-related expertise. It has also required a great deal of stubborn refusal to buckle under the pressure of discrimination. I firmly believe that my role as part of the vanguard of women in construction is to make sure that women who come after me dont have to work as hard as I did, so one important quality that I bring to QuickDraws leadership is my commitment to promoting women in this industry.

Describe your work culture at QuickDraw. How do you feel you are a model of diversity and inclusion for the industry at large?

T.N.: In addition to consciously trying to eliminate unfair barriers in the industry, at QuickDraw we try to foster an environment where people can grow and take risks. We believe that equal access to experience is one of the best ways for people to develop their skills and place in the industry, and we make sure that our employees have that chance to grow. We are also determined to help women navigate the intimidation that can come from considering entering this field.

Anything new on the horizon as the company takes on this new identity?

T.N.: Were excited for this step and to bring the company in line with our values. Were also looking forward to bringing more women into the company in leadership roles.

Anything else you wish to add?

T.N.: I want to tell women and girls that they should not be intimidated out of pursuing careers in male dominated industries. You will very likely have to face challenges in these industries that have nothing to do with your expertise in your field. Things like sexism, pay inequality, and unequal access to growth are very real, but they are not insurmountable. While there are still not enough women in leadership roles in these industries, there are still so many who have come before you who you can reach out to for help and who dont want you to have to face the same hurdles they did.

Nieland empowers everyone she leads, and she is an inspiration to women who aspire to put on a hard hat and boots, and step confidently into the future!

Meet the entire QuickDraw team at https://www.quickdrawfundcontrol.com/team/.
Lord, Teach Us to Pray: Lessons to Prepare for the Work of the Ministry of Intercessory Prayer: a comprehensive account that conveys the importance of prayer in the Christian life. Lord, Teach Us to Pray: Lessons to Prepare for the Work of the Ministry of Intercessory Prayer is the creation of published author Ramona Joseph, a former host on Christian radio and television, a retired academic dean of a Charlotte, NC Bible College, a board-certified chaplain through the Association of Professional Chaplains (APC), and a certified pet loss grief recovery counselor.

Joseph shares, Prayer is essential for every Christian. Lord, Teach Us to Pray will take the reader to the next intensity of prayer, which is intercession. This book provides easily understandable training for those who wish to have greater knowledge of the tasks associated with the immensely powerful ministry of intercession. It is a comprehensive training guide for the reader to become more proficient in the ministry of intercession. As an instructional guide for training, it has been put together in straightforward language with concepts and thoughtful examples to strengthen and encourage those desiring to become an intercessor par excellent.

Lord, Teach Us to Pray is a very thorough training guide that will assist any person as they learn and serve as an intercessor.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Ramona Josephs new book is an educational training guide that helps Christians understand the strength of intercession and encourages them to make prayer a divine and important act that is practiced throughout their lives.

View a synopsis of Lord, Teach Us to Pray: Lessons to Prepare for the Work of the Ministry of Intercessory Prayer on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase Lord, Teach Us to Pray: Lessons to Prepare for the Work of the Ministry of Intercessory Prayer at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or inquiries about Lord, Teach Us to Pray: Lessons to Prepare for the Work of the Ministry of Intercessory Prayer, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Robert Big Head Whitcomb spent thirty six years incarcerated, and he has released his book I Walked Alone to tell his lifes story.

Whitcomb has spent much of his life incarcerated in the state prison system and the federal prison system. During that time, he saved seven correctional officers and a number of convicts from certain death. He did what he thought was right, but he thinks himself no hero; he is just a convict who believed that even in the hate factories of America, there can still be a little good.

Whitcomb writes, This book is written to hopefully give people a real idea of what prison life is really like. I spent thirty-six years in the hate factories of America, through three state prison systems, and throughout the federal prison system. This is my life story, very sad, but unfortunately true.

Published by Page Publishing, Whitcombs autobiographical tale will give readers a true to life look inside the prison system in America and one mans struggles to find peace and purpose in life.

Readers who wish to experience Whitcombs story can purchase I Walked Alone at bookstores everywhere, or online at the Apple iTunes Store, Amazon, Google Play, or Barnes and Noble.

For additional information or media inquiries, contact Page Publishing at 866-315-2708.

About Page Publishing:

Page Publishing is a traditional, full-service publishing house that handles all the intricacies involved in publishing its authors books, including distribution in the worlds largest retail outlets and royalty generation. Page Publishing knows that authors need to be free to create, not mired in logistics like eBook conversion, establishing wholesale accounts, insurance, shipping, taxes, and so on. Pages accomplished writers and publishing professionals allow authors to leave behind these complex and time-consuming issues and focus on their pas-sion: writing and creating. Learn more at http://www.pagepublishing.com.
The Quanders: Since 1684, an Enduring African American Legacy: is an exceptionally well-written historical narrative that brings to light important social themes that are as relevant today as they were in the late seventeenth century. The new release is the creation of published author Rohulamin Quander, a retired senior administrative law judge for the District of Columbia and holder of two degrees from Howard University. He also periodically serves as an advisor at George Washingtons Mount Vernon Estate.

Quander shares, stories that constitute the Quander family legacy as one of the oldest consistently documented African American families in the United States. This is not so much an African American story, as it is an American history story, written from an African American perspective. It features examples of faith, strength, focus, character, and triumph emerging from and beyond a series of imposed stumbling blocks. As well, the author acknowledges the contributions of those who came before and builds upon their achievements and successes to the benefit of future generations.

While most Americans respect our nation and its Founding Fathers who made it a reality, the Quander story expands the scope of that recognition by painting smaller parallel stories addressing what else was ongoing, i.e., incidences, events, setbacks, the cumulative effect of which helped us, as people of African descent, to hold our heads just as high as other communities. Indeed, we too shared in the building of this great nation and in seeking to fulfill the American Dream.

Published by Christian Faith Publishing, Rohulamin Quanders new book is an eye-opening literary piece, one that inspires introspection and pride among readers.

Recounting important, even pivotal, events from multiple generations of the Quander family, the author narrates notable examples of faith, perseverance, and triumphexamples worth imitating. Students of American history and casual readers alike have much to appreciate in this excellent book.

View a synopsis of The Quanders: Since 1684, an Enduring African American Legacy on YouTube.

Consumers can purchase The Quanders: Since 1684, an Enduring African American Legacy at traditional brick & mortar bookstores, or online at Amazon.com, Apple iTunes store, or Barnes and Noble, and directly at http://www.quanderquality.com.

For additional information or inquiries about The Quanders: Since 1684, an Enduring African American Legacy, contact the Christian Faith Publishing media department at 866-554-0919.
Texas Monthly Rising Stars 2021 We are proud to have so many of our physicians honored by their peers for their professional excellence and achievements via the Rising Star Award, with six of the recognized physicians being first-time recipients," said CEO Paul Singh

Nine U.S. Dermatology Partners doctors are being recognized by their peers as Super Doctors Rising Stars in the July 2021 issue of Texas Monthly.

The selection process for Super Doctors is a rigorous process designed to identify physicians who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Each year, Texas Monthly asks doctors across the state to nominate colleagues (excluding themselves) who they would trust for their own medical care. The Super Doctors research team then investigates independently. Candidates are evaluated based on peer recognition, professional achievement, and disciplinary history. The highest-ranking nominated physicians are asked to serve on a selection panel, which helps to determine the final list of Super Doctors. The final list represents 5% of Texas physicians.

Doctors recognized as Rising Stars meet the same criteria as Super Doctors and have been actively practicing for 10 years or less. Only 2.5% of all active physicians are selected to the Rising Star list. The physicians being honored represent cities throughout the state of Texas.

We are proud to have so many of our physicians honored by their peers for their professional excellence and achievements via the Rising Star Award, with six of the recognized physicians being first-time recipients. Their inclusion in this prestigious list is a tribute to their clinical expertise, their dedication to providing exceptional care, and their collaboration with peers for the mutual benefit of their patients.

Awards that utilize a rigorous selection process can be a valuable tool for patients who are evaluating their healthcare options. We are pleased to have our physicians included in such an important resource, said CEO Paul Singh.

The complete list is published in the July 2021 issue of Texas Monthly.

U.S. Dermatology Partners Rising Stars 2021

Recognized for Dermatology

Matthew Hoffmann, M.D., Longview

Lindsey Hunter-Ellul, M.D., Tyler

Michaela Overturf, M.D., Nacogdoches

Lauren Snitzer, M.D., Sugar Land

Titilola Sode, M.D., Dallas

Valerie Truong, M.D., Dallas, Plano

Greg Walker, M.D, Waco

Dustin Wilkes, D.O., Weatherford

John Jay Wofford, MD, Dallas, Plano

About U.S. Dermatology Partners

As one of the largest physician-owned dermatology practices in the country, U.S. Dermatology Partners patients not only have access to general medical, surgical, and cosmetic skin treatments through its coordinated care network, but also benefit from the practices strong dermatology subspecialty thought leaders and medical advisory board. To be the best partners to its patients, U.S. Dermatology Partners is fervently focused on providing the highest level of patient-first care, and its team, therefore, includes recognized national leaders in areas such as clinical research, psoriasis, and Mohs Surgery. To learn more, visit usdermatologypartners.com.
Finding the cheapest car insurance rate can be easily done by shopping around. By comparing car insurance rates twice per year, policyholders can find out if their current providers offer the cheapest rate, or if its time to look for other providers., said Russell Rabichev, Marketing Director

Compare-autoinsurance.org has launched a new blog post that presents how to properly compare car insurance quotes and why it is important.

For more info and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/why-drivers-should-compare-car-insurance-quotes/

Not everyone is excited when it comes to comparing car insurance quotes, but by doing this task drivers can save a lot of money. Although insurers look at similar factors when it comes to setting rates, they use different algorithms. The same driver can get two completely different premiums from two different insurers. To find the cheapest rates, drivers should compare multiple car insurance quotes from different car insurance companies.

To properly compare car insurance quotes, drivers should do the following:



Gather information. Drivers will need to fill in personal information such as the address, date of birth, occupation, driver's license and marital status of everyone they want included on the policy. They will also need to complete vehicle information like make, model, year, mileage, VIN, and data about their driving history in the last five years such as claims, violations, and tickets. If the drivers had completed driving courses, they should mention them. Furthermore, they will have to add the current or previous insurers name for anyone on the policy or in the household.

Choose the right coverage levels. Liability auto insurance protects policyholders from the worst-case scenario by providing a cushion between their assets and the amount theyre on the hook for. Liability coverage has three parts: bodily injury liability, total bodily injury liability, and physical damage liability. For a 100/300/100 limits option, the insurer will reimburse up to $100,000 for bodily injuries per person the policyholder injures in a crash, up to $300,000 total for all bodily injuries caused by the policyholder in a crash, and up to $100,000 for any damage to a property caused by the policyholder. In some states, the policyholders will be required to get personal injury protection (PIP), medical payments coverage (med pay), or uninsured/underinsured motorist coverages.

Decide if full coverage is needed. Besides liability coverage, full coverage contains additional policies like comprehensive and collision coverages. Collision pays for damage to a policyholder's vehicle in an at-fault accident, damage to a vehicle that hits objects like a pole or a fence, damage to a policyholder's vehicle that was caused by another driver. Comprehensive coverage pays for car theft, damage caused by weather like tornadoes, hailstorms, or hurricanes, fire, floods, explosions, falling objects, animal collisions, and vandalism.

Collect as many quotes as possible and compare them. Drivers should compare quotes from at least two or three insurers. When comparing quotes drivers should also include offers from smaller local or regional insurers. To properly compare quotes, drivers should make sure that they compare quotes that each contains the same levels of liability, the same deductibles for full coverage, the same drivers and cars, and the same discounts they are eligible for.

For additional info, money-saving tips and free car insurance quotes, visit https://compare-autoinsurance.org/

Compare-autoinsurance.org is an online provider of life, home, health, and auto insurance quotes. This website is unique because it does not simply stick to one kind of insurance provider, but brings the clients the best deals from many different online insurance carriers. In this way, clients have access to offers from multiple carriers all in one place: this website. On this site, customers have access to quotes for insurance plans from various agencies, such as local or nationwide agencies, brand names insurance companies, etc.
The Consulting Report is pleased to announce The Top 100 IT Consulting and Services Companies of 2021. These are the companies leading some of the boldest initiatives in digital enablement, advancement, and transformation for businesses across the globe. Supported by large organizations, and in some cases workforces of hundreds of thousands of employees, they offer a wide breadth of services including cloud migration, cybersecurity, application development, document and process management, and other specializations. Awardees were selected based on their ability to deliver consistent best-in-class consulting and services backed by institutionalized technological expertise. These companies comprise the cohort that defines global IT market leadership and have done so by anticipating the needs of their clients and by proactively building capabilities both in-house and through strategic partnerships and acquisitions.

Notably, many of this years awardees have been capitalizing on burgeoning industry trends. Accenture, for example, is leveraging specialized acquisitions to assist clients with the increasing necessity for environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting. Meanwhile, Wipro has recognized rising demand for enterprise automation and is utilizing its AI-based solutions to facilitate this development for its customers. In identifying and addressing new, and often dynamic, opportunities within information technology, these companies are ensuring that businesses from the Fortune 500 to high growth enterprises can keep pace with innovation and improve their competitiveness within their markets.

Please join us in recognizing the accomplishments of The Top 100 IT Consulting and Services Companies of 2021.

IBM, Tata Consultancy Services, Accenture, Deloitte, Cognizant, Capgemini, Wipro, Infosys, HCL Technologies, Leidos, Tech Mahindra, Hewlett Packard Enterprise, DXC Technology, Protiviti, Atos, BT Global Services, CGI, Xerox, Fujitsu, Sopra Steria, Indra, LTI, SAIC, Omnicom Solutions, Amdocs, Conduent, Orange Business Services, NTT Data Services, SAS, General Dynamics Information Technology, Publicis Sapient, Stefanini, Avanade, Persistent Systems, NetApp, TIVIT, TOTVS, Luxoft, Zensar Technologies, Sonda, FPT Software, TietoEVRY, Samsung SDS, SoftServe, Gfi Informatique, CompuCom Systems, Slalom Consulting, Modis, Pactera, Neusoft Corporation, Singtel, Randstad Technologies, Bechtle IT Services, R Systems, Manhattan Associates, Beyondsoft Consulting, Dynatrace, Allegis Group, Keyrus, Coherent Solutions, Softline, and many others.

The full article can be read at https://www.theconsultingreport.com/the-top-100-it-consulting-and-services-companies-of-2021/

About The Consulting Report

The Consulting Report is a comprehensive source for market research and insights, business news, investment activity and corporate actions related to the consulting sector. Based in New York City, the firm is run by a seasoned team of editors, writers and media professionals highly knowledgeable on management consulting and the various companies, executives and investors that make up the sector.
Threshold Brands Adds Plumbing Heating Paramedics to Their Growing Family of Brands With a reputation for best-in-class plumbing and HVAC services, PHP is an ideal partner for Threshold Brands.

Threshold Brands, a multi-brand franchisor of trade service concepts, has added Plumbing Heating Paramedics (PHP) to their family of brands to expand their verticals in the franchise space. With plans to begin franchising the concept later this year, PHP will accompany MaidPro, FlyFoe, Men In Kilts, Pestmaster, and USA Insulation franchise brands.

Threshold Brands is owned by The Riverside Company, a global private investor focused on the smaller end of the middle market. PHP is an add-on investment to Riversides franchise portfolio.

The addition of PHP is a natural fit for our continued expansion of the Threshold Brands platform, allowing us to serve more customers and geographic footprints, said Riverside Managing Partner Loren Schlachet. Riversides investment in PHP is the most recent example of the firms commitment to our franchise platform and an integral step in extending into the HVAC and plumbing end markets.

Founded in Indianapolis, PHP provides HVAC system repairs, HVAC system replacements, plumbing system repairs, and recurring maintenance check-ins to residential customers in the Indiana market.

Plumbing Heating Paramedics was founded in 2011 with one major goal of providing big city service with a small-town family feel, said PHPs founder and President, Ryan Carpenter. When the opportunity to partner with Riverside and Threshold Brands came along, we knew it was the right opportunity to expand through franchising.

With a reputation for best-in-class plumbing and HVAC services, PHP is an ideal partner for Threshold Brands, said Riverside Partner Brian Sauer. Were looking forward to working with the combined team to provide that same level of service to more customers through franchising.

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Threshold Brands is a holding company of 6 franchised service brands: USA Insulation, MaidPro, FlyFoe, Men In Kilts, Pestmaster and Plumbing Heating Paramedics. More information about Threshold Brands and its franchising opportunities is available at http://www.thresholdbrands.com.


In his closing talk at the 2021 American Library Association Annual conference on Tuesday, former president Barack Obama praised libraries as citadels of knowledge and empathy and said that libraries were extraordinarily important in his own life, and to the nationespecially in these tumultuous, politically charged times.

We're going to have work to do in rebuilding that unifying story of America, Obama told attendees at one point in his talk. And since we're talking to a bunch of librarians, I just want to let them know what they do is more important than ever. Figuring out how do we provide our fellow citizens with a shared set of baseline narratives around which we can make our democracy work.

Obama appeared in a virtual conversation with Secretary of the Smithsonian Lonnie G. Bunch III and over the course of their 40-minute talk the two men touched on an array of themes from the former presidents bestselling memoir, A Promised Land, as well as issues including racial and social justice, the rise of misinformation, and the tenuous state of our democracy.

Throughout the conversation, Obama was thoughtful and mostly optimistic. But in perhaps the most headline-grabbing part of the talk, Bunch pressed Obama on whether his optimism extended to the strength of our civic institutions, deeply challenged in the Trump era, prompting Obama to voice his concerns.

[T]he degree to which misinformation is now disseminated at warp speed in coordinated ways that we haven't seen before, and that the guard rails I thought were in place around many of our democratic institutions really depend on the two parties agreeing to those ground rules, those guard rails, Obama said. And when one of them right now doesn't seem as committed to them as in previous generations? That worries me. And I think we should all be worried.

When asked by Bunch how he manages to be so comfortable with ambiguity and complex issues, Obama drew on his own background and experiencesborn to a white, American-born mother and an African father.

I can't resort as easily to stock figures of heroes and villains. It turns out people are complicated, just as countries are complicated, Obama said, making the point that our democracythe classic belief that people can elect representatives and they can make decisions and we can live together particularly in a multiracial, multi-ethnic societyrequires us to consider and respect multiple views.

One of the things I worry about, both in our country and around the world, and I write about this in A Promised Land, is the rise of absolutism, the sense of absolute certainty that there is this unbridgeable distinction between us and them. And that is typically what leads to breakdowns in democracy.

At the same time, Obama insisted, recognizing the complexity of issues and respecting opposing views does not mean we compromise on core values. That is not to say that there aren't principles we've got to stand up for. That's not to say that there is no right and wrong but it's all just relative or situational, he explained. It just means that we don't assume that there are simple answers."

Asked by Bunch about the source of his optimism in America, Obama, as he often does, pointed to the youth.

You know, young people give me hope, Obama said. I have two daughters now in their early 20s, and when I talk not just to them but to their peers of all races and backgrounds, they are as sophisticated, as thoughtful, as idealistic, as any generation I think we've ever seen. They are biased in the direction of inclusion. They find it hard to imagine a time when people were discriminated against, not just because of the color of their skin, but because of their sexual orientation or what they look like. And I think just fundamentally they understand the issues around climate change, for example, and the need to preserve the planet in ways that at my age I did not. So they make me feel optimistic.

At the same time, he acknowledged the distrust among younger generations of government, political parties, and other traditional mediating institutions and compared the need to restore faith in our institutions to the evolution of libraries.

People love libraries and the idea of libraries. But they have to be retooled for a digital age, for the fact that people are more mobile, and [to remain] relevant to the community, Obama said. The same thing is true when it comes to political parties or unions or organized religion. And that I think is the challenge for this next generationand part of it's going to involve us [older people] getting out of the way.

On Race

In one of the most compelling parts of the conversation, Bunch brought up issues of racial justice. I think as the first African American President, you have a unique vantage point on race in this country....I mean we've seen such an explosion of racist rhetoric, hate crimes, and open white supremacy after you left office... I guess the question is, is the country now closer to where we should be, or where we once were? Bunch asked.

You and I are testaments to the fact that genuine progress has been made, Obama responded, before quickly rejecting the idea that his election heralded a post-racial America, and acknowledging the despair and the urgency around racial justice issues in the wake of George Floyds murder.

 I'll take 'better' every time. And when it comes to race in this country, I think what we want is 'better.' 

When you've got a bunch of white kids carrying signs that Black Lives Matter, that signifies a recognition and sophistication that gives me hope, Obama said. The question now is how do you build on that and institutionalize it and translate that into concrete actions, right? In terms of criminal justice laws that might have reduced mass incarceration, in terms of economics and contracting and hiring. You know, that's where the rubber hits the road. And if we start seeing more progress there, then we're not going to eradicate racism or prejudice, but we can reduce it.

Obama then reiterated his governing philosophy. "As I write in my book, sometimes I'd be sitting around with my staff in conversations about some policy measure. Typically because we had to negotiate with conservative Democrats or Republicans in Congress, it was going to be a partial victory, not 100% victory. And yeah, some of my younger staff particularly would feel a little bit like, 'Ah, should we take this half a loaf?'" And I'd ask them, 'Well, is it going to make things better?' And if their answer was yes, I said, better's good. I'll take 'better' every time. And when it comes to race in this country, I think what we want is 'better.'"

In response, Bunch quoted W.E.B. DuBois: "The reason we take half a loaf is because that way you're not hungry, Bunch said. We're at a point where, let us find the middle ground, let us find the compromises but let us keep our eye on the vision.

Obama agreed.

I think that being strategic in our actions, without ever conceding a rock hard unyielding belief in the equal dignity of all people, and that society's goal should be to, in everything it does, recognize the hand of God in all of this, that we are deserving of respect and grace and dignity and that has to manifest itself not just in the sky but here on earth, you know, I think those things, going back to our earlier point in the conversation about being comfortable with ambiguity, that, I think is an essential part of us being effective actors in the world," he said. "You understand that whatever you do is not going to be everything. But if it moves the boulder up a hill then it's useful.

Obama closed by thanking librarians again for their work.

Whether you're [in] a small town, or a big city, you're opening up the world for our children, giving them access to possibilities that they might not otherwise have. Creating safe spaces where reading is cool. You mean a lot to not just those individuals who benefit from your work, but you mean a lot to our democracy and our country," Obama said. "So we appreciate you. Keep it up.
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Indiana AgrAbility, hosted at Purdue University, will share agriculture opportunities and resources for military veterans at two Veteran Farmer Workshop and Indiana AgVets updates this summer. Veterans interested in or already involved with agriculture are encouraged to join to learn, network and enjoy time with fellow veterans.

At 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. ET, Friday (July 2), the first workshop will be held at Ivy Tech Community College Student Life Center in Fort Wayne. Hosts for this event include the Ivy Tech Fort Wayne Agriculture Program, Purdue Extension and AgrAbility staff and the Farmer Veteran Coalition  Indiana Chapter.

Topics covered at Fridays event will be:

Overview and tour of Ivy Tech agriculture facilities.

Introduction to AgrAbility.

Extension and other resources for veteran and beginning farmers.

Farmer Veteran Coalition programs and opportunities.

Indiana AgVets certification and internship program.

At noon to 4 p.m. E, July 15, Purdue Extension educators from Vanderburgh and Posey counties and the Hoosier Uplands Economic Development Corporation will host the event at the Vanderburgh 4-H Center, 201 E. Boonville-New Harmony Road, Evansville, Participants are also invited to attend the Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) of Southwest Indiana Conservation cookout immediately following the workshop at the same location.

Topics covered at the July 15 event will be:

Indiana Grown and Homegrown by Heroes.

Purdue Extension resources for veteran and beginning farmers.

Direct marketing and agritourism opportunities.

USDA programs for farmer veterans (FSA, NRCS).

AgrAbility, Farmer Veteran Coalition, Indiana AgVets updates.

The workshops are free, and lunch will be provided. Registration is required for all participants. Spouses and significant others are welcome. Contact Edward Sheldon at ejsheldo@purdue.edu for any questions regarding the events.

Fort Wayne registration.

Evansville registration.

SWCD Conservation cookout registration.

Writer: Abby Leeds, 765-494-7817, mayer36@purdue.edu

Source: Edward Sheldon, ejsheldo@purdue.edu

Agricultural Communications: 765-494-8415;

Maureen Manier, Department Head, mmanier@purdue.edu

Agriculture News Page
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind.  Purdue University Global regularly honors its faculty members with Faculty Scholarship Awards for the contribution their scholarship makes to their respective disciplines.

Six professors were recently recognized, with two being chosen as overall scholarship recipients  Scott F. Johnson of Concord Law School and Jack McCann of the School of Business and Information Technology.

Johnsons recent scholarship includes completing new editions for two of his books  Special Education Law (6th Edition) and Education Law: A Problem Based Approach (4th Edition)  developing interactive online lessons for the Center of Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction, writing numerous articles, and presenting at various conferences and continuing legal education seminars. Here is a sampling:

Freedom of Speech for Public School Employees, The Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction.

Student Speech, The Center for Computer-Assisted Legal Instruction.

Continuing Legal Education Presentation on Student Speech, Concord Law School Raising the Bar series.

The 14th Amendment Protects the Right to a Public Education, Concord Law School blog

My goal with scholarship is to provide objective and helpful information about important or emerging legal issues, said Johnson, who lives in New Hampshire. Some of my recent work addresses freedom of speech issues with online speech and public schools, which is an issue that was recently addressed by the United States Supreme Court. I am grateful that Purdue Global and Concord Law School provide such a supportive environment for scholarship.

Johnson has been teaching at Concord since 1999 and has helped develop numerous courses during that time. He is the course lead for a number of courses, including Constitutional Law, Education Law, Special Education Law, ADR and Technology, and Administrative Advocacy. He has served on the Faculty Curriculum Committee and the Concord Admissions Committee since 2014.

McCann was selected for having three journal articles and a book chapter published and making a conference presentation. That work includes:

The coronavirus effect: How to engage Generation Z for greater student outcomes, Management and Economic Research Journal.

Transformational leadership and the moderating role of trust and job satisfaction on organizational citizenship behavior, SAM Advanced Management Journal.

Leadership in virtual organizations: Influence on workplace engagement, The Palgrave handbook of workplace well-being.

Winning this award would not have been possible without the inspiration I have received from my colleagues and co-authors, for whom I have the deepest respect and from whom I have derived the strength to challenge myself and perform better at each stage of writing and research, said McCann, of Middlesboro, Kentucky. I was inspired to research topics about COVID, higher education and leadership this past year due to inspiration from the conditions in our world and higher education. I look forward to continuing to research into areas of leadership, management, marketing, emerging markets, sustainability, corporate strategy and ethics.

McCann is an adjunct faculty member whose courses include Designing, Improving, and Implementing Processes and Managing the Value Chain. He will celebrate his 16th anniversary with Purdue Global this summer and was recently selected to fill a full-time faculty position in the School of Business and Information Technology.

Also recognized for their scholarship over the past year were:

Russell Austin Arenz III, School of Health Sciences.

Ginger Cameron, School of Health Sciences.

Grant Iannelli, School of Health Sciences.

Joshua McCarty, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences.

About Purdue University Global

Purdue University Global delivers personalized online education tailored to the unique needs of adults who have work or life experience beyond the classroom, enabling them to develop essential academic and professional skills with the support and flexibility they need to achieve their career goals. It offers personalized paths for students to earn an associate, bachelors, masters or doctoral degree, based on their work experience, desired pace, military service, previous college credits and other considerations  no matter where they are in their life journey. Purdue Global serves 34,000 students (as of April 2021), most of whom earn their degree online. Purdue Global is a nonprofit, public university accredited by the Higher Learning Commission. It is affiliated with Purdue Universitys flagship institution, a highly ranked public research university located in West Lafayette, Indiana. Purdue University also operates regional campuses in Fort Wayne and Northwest Indiana, as well as serving science, engineering and technology students at the Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) campus. For more information, visit purdueglobal.edu.

Writer/Media Contact: Tom Schott, 765-427-1721, tschott@purdue.edu

Sources: Scott F. Johnson

Jack McCann
Wabash Township board members Angel Valentin, David Tate and Brandon Betz take notes and questions from the live and online audience.
Sky has announced that filming is underway on the second series of the Sky Original drama, Gangs of London, with a new cast joining the ensemble from series one.

The series, which began production over three weeks ago, is produced by Pulse Films in association with SISTER, for Sky Studios and AMC Networks.

Joining the cast of series one, which include Sope Dirisu, Michelle Fairley, Brian Vernel, Pippa Bennett-Warner, Lucian Msamati, Paapa Essiedu, Valene Kane, Orli Shuk, Narges Rashidi and Asif Raza, are Waleed Zuaiter (Baghdad Central, The Spy), French rapper Jasmine Armando in her first TV role, Salem Kali (Un Prophete, Dealer), Aymen Hamdouchi (SAS: Red Notice, Criminal: UK) and Fady El-Sayed (Baghdad Central, A Private War).

Gangs of London is created by Gareth Evans and Matt Flannery. The critically acclaimed first series became the biggest Sky Original drama launch on Sky Atlantic of the past five years. In the US, the series debuted on AMC+, helping to launch the new streaming platform, quickly becoming one of its most watched series. It premiered on AMCs linear channel in April. Internationally, Gangs of London launched successfully across Europe, Latin America, Australia, Japan and most recently in China.

Gabriel Silver, director of commissioning, drama, Sky Studios, said: With such a stellar creative team at the helm, whove masterminded a brilliantly woven story for its incredible cast, Im delighted that Gangs of London has begun shooting on the second series. Delivering its trademark action and peerlessly visceral fight sequences, it will definitely be worth the wait. Gangs of London is a record-breaking critical success and a great example of Sky's commitment to innovation and bring viewers the very best cinematic storytelling.

Added Dan McDermott, president of original programming for AMC Networks and president of AMC Studios: We welcome these incredible new cast members aboard the knuckle-gripping ride that is Gangs of London. Season one was an overwhelming success and now a critical darling in the US. We look forward to continuing this breathtaking adventure alongside our partners at Sky Studios, Pulse Films and SISTER.

The second series of Gangs of London will air on Sky Atlantic and streaming service NOW in the UK and Ireland and will be available in all Sky markets. In the US, the series will return to AMC and AMC+, AMC Networks premium streaming bundle. NBCUniversal Global Distribution and Pulse Films will share further international licensing rights for the show.
Red Arrow Studios International has secured a deal with Channel 5 in the UK, which will see the first season of the conspiracy thriller Departure (6 x 45') air initially on 5STAR and its on-demand catch-up service, My5.

In further international deals, Red Arrow Studio International has also sold the first season and the upcoming second season, which is due to deliver later this year, to broadcasters including Lionsgate Play (India), Net5 (Netherlands), DPG Media in Belgium for VTM2 and TVNZ (New Zealand). In Sweden, TV4 has also picked up season two, following its previous acquisition of season one.

Departure has already been sold to territories including the US, Germany, France, Spain, Poland and Australia.

The series follows a crack team of investigators, tasked with unravelling the mysteries behind a series of shocking air, sea and land disasters. It stars Archie Panjabi (The Good Wife) and the late Christopher Plummer (All The Money In The World).

Tim Gerhartz, president & managing director at Red Arrow Studios International, said: As a premium international series, which is packed with action and fronted by an all-star cast, Departure is ideally positioned to expand Channel 5s drama offering and provide a standout moment in the broadcasters schedule. Also, with the shows eagerly anticipated second season debuting later this year, its great to welcome a raft of new partners to the series.
@LisaScheid on Twitter

I explore how our lives are shaped by our relationship to the land, water and air. Have a question you want me to answer? Email me.
Letter: GOP stance on vaccines could be just the beginning
The year 2021 has seen a number of important official statements concerning North Korean nuclear weapons development. In May 2021, General Paul LaCamera, when nominated to be the next commander of U.S. forces in South Korea, stated, In January of this year, [North Korean leader] Kim Jong-un announced plans and programs to expand its nuclear deterrent, specifically, the development of miniaturized nuclear warheads, tactical nuclear weapons, and even multiple independently-targetable reentry vehicles. The fact that he cited this statement gives it credibility. In April 2021, Major General Michael J. Lutton, Commander, Twentieth Air Force, Air Force Global Strike Command, stated that:

Specifically, Russia, China, and North Korea share five themes in foreign nuclear development and proliferation:

Increasing numbers or capabilities of weapons in existing programs;

Enduring security threats to weapons and material;

Developing delivery systems with increased capabilities;

Developing nuclear weapons with smaller yields, improved precision, and increased range for military or coercive use on the battlefield;

Developing new nuclear weapons without conducting large-scale nuclear tests.

North Korean development of new low-yield nuclear weapons apparently goes back for years. In October 2016, then-Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter stated that Today, however, it's a sobering fact that the most likely use of nuclear weapons is not the massive nuclear exchange of the classic Cold War-type, but rather the unwise resort to smaller but still unprecedentedly terrible attacks, for example, by Russia or North Korea to try to coerce a conventionally superior opponent to back off or abandon an ally during a crisis. We cannot allow that to happen, which is why were working with our allies in both regions to innovate and operate in new ways that sustain deterrence and continue to preserve strategic stability.

The development of both MIRVed warheads and new low-yield nuclear warheads does not make a lot of sense unless North Korea has a much larger nuclear arsenal than it is generally assumed. If its inventory is limited to a few dozen weapons and the number of its nuclear-capable ballistic missiles is high, one would expect the emphasis to be on relatively high yield, and MIRVing would be unlikely. North Korea has a very large number of ballistic missiles. Indeed, the 2018 U.S. Nuclear Posture Review report lists 11 types of North Korean nuclear-capable ballistic missiles. A force of a few dozen or so nuclear warheads could provide only a handful of warheads per each type of nuclear-capable missile, and MIRVing would make this worse.

Moreover, if North Korea has only a small nuclear stockpile and deployed MIRVs, a random launch failure will take out more warheads than would single warhead missiles. Thus, more missiles carrying a single warhead would likely be more effective and would not entail the costs of MIRVed warhead development. Hence, development of MIRVs does suggest North Korea has, or at least plans to obtain, more nuclear warheads than they are usually given credit for. Similarly, the development of new and presumably more advanced low-yield warheads is not what one would expect if North Korea only had a very small nuclear stockpile and did not plan a large increase in nuclear force.

If North Korea has or plans to have a relatively large nuclear force (say hundreds or more), adding both MIRVs and advanced low-yield nuclear weapons makes more sense. With a small arsenal, one would expect an emphasis on very destructive types of nuclear weapons. This would explain the 2017 North Korea test of a thermonuclear warhead and also the Congressional EMP Commission report that North Korea was developing an enhanced (or super) electromagnetic pulse (EMP) weapon that could destroy the U.S. by taking down the power grid. If North Koreas nuclear arsenal is considerably larger than generally assessed, adding advanced low-yield weapons to the North Korean inventory makes sense because it would give them more flexibility and options regarding the use of nuclear weapons to achieve their objectives. General Luttons statement about North Korea Developing nuclear weapons with smaller yields suggests these weapons are advanced designs because from the very beginning of North Korean nuclear testing, they had low-yield nuclear weapons, but the tendency was toward the development of higher-yield weapons. This culminated with the testing in 2017 of a high-yield thermonuclear weapon, with their released photograph of the weapon suggesting a relatively sophisticated design.

How large is the North Korean nuclear stockpile? All we hear from official Washington is that the North Koreans are producing more fissile material and building more nuclear weapons. Some press reports are more specific. In February 2017, Japans Kyoto News Agency said:

The Joong Ang Ilbo, citing a confidential document of the South Korean military and intelligence authorities, said that as of 2016, North Korea is believed to possess 758 kilograms of highly enriched uranium [HEU] and 54 kg of plutonium.

Based on military experts assessment that 16-20 kg of highly enriched uranium or 4-6 kg of plutonium is needed to make a nuclear warhead, the daily calculated that the North could [have] up to 37-47 uranium-based nuclear warheads and 9-13 plutonium-based nuclear warheads.[1]

In 2017, it was reported that the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) assessed that North Korea had 60 nuclear weapons. This is apparently very close to the numbers given in the Kyoto New Agency report. In 2017, The Washington Post indicated that "The United States calculated last month that up to 60 nuclear weapons are now controlled by North Korean leader Kim Jong Un. In 2018, South Koreas Defense Minister said North Korea had to about 60 nuclear weapons.

There are press reports that the North Korean nuclear stockpile is expected to increase quite considerably due to increased production of fissile material, particularly HEU. In 2015, Russian state-run Sputnik News, which can hardly be accused of exaggerating the North Korean nuclear threat to the U.S. because of Russian attitudes toward U.S. missile defense, predicted that the\North Korean nuclear arsenal might increase to possibly 100 weapons by 2020.[2] In 2015, the New York Times said that the North Korean inventory objective is suspected to be 100-200 nuclear weapons. In November 2015, Joel Wit, founder of 38 North, a blog on North Korea, stated that North Korea could have 100 nuclear weapons by 2020. In November 2018, NBC News also said that North Korea could have up to 100 nuclear warheads by 2020.

In 2018, when South Koreas Defense Minister said North Korea had about 60 nuclear weapons, the Associated Press reported that:

According to South Korean government reports, [the] North is believed to have produced 50 kilograms (110 pounds) of weaponized plutonium, enough for at least eight bombs, as [the] North can make one warhead with 8 kilograms (18 pounds) of plutonium or less. Stanford University scholars, including nuclear physicist Siegfried Hecker who visited North Koreas centrifuge facility at Yongbyon in 2010, wrote earlier this year that North Korea is estimated to have a highly enriched uranium inventory of 250 to 500 kilograms (550 to 1,100 pounds), sufficient for 25 to 30 nuclear devices.

In April 2021, an important Rand Corporation report concluded that:

we estimate North Koreas number of nuclear weapons from 2017 through 2027, with the starting value of 30 to 60 nuclear weapons in 2017, with one to two plutonium weapons added by 2020, and with the numbers growing by either 12 weapons per year (120 total by 2027) or 18 weapons per year (180 total by 2027). These estimates suggest that, in 2020, North Korea already could have had 67 to 116 nuclear weapons, and, by 2027, North Korea might have 151 to 242 nuclear weapons.

This could explain why North Korea is pursuing MIRVs and low-yield warheads. However, the disturbing news is that North Korea may already have a much larger nuclear force than this, and it could grow to over twice the number projected in the Rand study. The assumption in the Rand report is that a nuclear weapon requires 20 kg of HEU. This is a common assumption. HEU is and will be a large percentage of North Korean fissile material. It is clear that many types of nuclear weapons, particularly low-yield weapons, do not require about 20-kg of HEU.

All open source estimates of the current and future North Korea nuclear capability may dramatically underestimate the number of weapons that are possible. There is evidence that 16-20-kg of HEU is much more fissile material than is necessary for a useful nuclear weapon.[3] Writing in 1995, Guy Roberts, a future Assistant Secretary of Defense for Nuclear Matters, indicated that 600-kg of HEU could support as many as 75 nuclear weapons, which equates to no more than 8-kilograms of HEU per weapon. He also wrote, some physicists have argued that as little as one kilogram of plutonium (about the size of one sixth of a soft drink can) can be made into a 1-kiloton nuclear bomb. A 1995 report from the Natural Resources Defense Council concluded that 1-3 kilograms of Plutonium and 2-7-kg of HEU are necessary to make a 1-kiloton nuclear weapon, and 2 kilograms of Plutonium and about 4 kilograms of HEU could make a 10-kiloton nuclear weapon.

What is apparently being assumed in the 16-20-kg assumption is a World War II Manhattan Project-like nuclear pit design  a solid ball of fissile material. The Mark-3 Fat Man bomb contained 6.2 kilograms of plutonium.[4] Reportedly, a solid-core pit is the least efficient type of pit and was replaced by more advanced designs in U.S. weapons soon after World War II.[5] This improvement was made despite the fact that progress in nuclear weapons design, according to Dr. Robert M Lawrence, was a rather limited exploitation of the design principle of the first bomb dropped over Nagasaki.[6]

The U.S. weapons concepts weaponized until the early 1950s were actually thought of during the Manhattan Project but not used in the first implosion bomb.[7] In 1945, President Trumans Interim Committee on atomic energy predicted that composite pits composed of 3.2 kilograms of plutonium and 6.5 kilograms of enriched uranium could replace the Fat Man pit and work now underway at Los Alamos should make possible a reduction of about twenty-five percent, in the amount of fissionable material required without sacrificing performance[8]

Reportedly, this included uranium hydride, which was weaponized a few years after the war and was more efficient than metallic U-235 and composite (a combination of plutonium and U-235[9]) levitated (an air space between the tamper and the fissile material) pits which were more efficient.[10] The 1948 U.S. Sandstone test series were described in a now declassified memo to President Truman as intended to permit doubling the number of weapons from the same amount of plutonium and the second and third shots explored the upper and lower limits on the amount of uranium-235 which can produce a satisfactory nuclear yield[11] One of the tests reportedly reduced the amount of fissile material used by a factor of 10 even with the use of the primitive World War II Mark 3 (Fat Man) implosion system because of the use of pits composed of shells rather than solid cores.[12] The U.S. 1951 Operation Greenhouse nuclear tests were reportedly designed to reduce the size, weight, and amount of fissile material necessary for nuclear weapons. In 1951, the U.S. tested a one-kiloton nuclear bomb which would have been a foolish thing to do if it had required a large amount of fissile material. Keep in mind these were very primitive weapons, and no one would design anything remotely like them today.

A declassified Soviet document indicates that even the first Russian atomic bomb test (1949), while basically a copy of the U.S World War II Fat Man bomb, was a hollow-pit design. Another declassified Soviet document indicated that a 1953 Soviet nuclear test achieved 5-9 kilotons yield from two-kg of plutonium.

The technology available to the U.S. and the Soviet Union in the 1940s and early 1950s was very primitive compared to what is obviously available to North Korea in the 21st Century. In the 1940s and early 1950s, computers hardly existed and had very limited capabilities, electronics were vacuum tubes, knowledge concerning the use of high explosives for efficient implosions was limited, scientific knowledge of fission and fusion was trivial even compared to what exists today in open sources, and there has been an enormous advance in the technology of high explosives due to the development of advanced conventional weapons. It has been reported that Chinese assistance to the North Korean nuclear program through Pakistan included providing the design of the first Chinese missile delivered nuclear weapon, the CHIC-4, which was almost a factor of ten lighter than U.S. WW-II weapons designs.[13] Chinese assistance is documented in a book by former Air Force Secretary Thomas Reed and former Director of Intelligence at the Los Alamos National Laboratory Danny Stillman in a book entitled The Nuclear Express.[14] According to Brigadier General (ret.) Feroz Khan of Pakistan, the weight of the CHIC-4 warhead was 1,180 kilograms. Remember that this is the starting point for North Korean nuclear weapons development and was almost 15 years ago. Reportedly, there was cooperation between North Korea and Pakistan and China in the May 1992 test of the first Pakistani nuclear bomb.

Japans Kyodo News Agency indicated that North Korea declared in the Six Party Talks that it used 2 kg of plutonium in its 2006 first nuclear test. The estimates of the yield of this weapon range from sub-kiloton to five kilotons. The sub-kiloton estimate was made by the U.S. The five kiloton yield estimate was by Russian Colonel General Vladimir Verkhovtsev, who then headed Russias 12 Main Directorate, the nuclear organization in the Russian General Staff responsible for nuclear weapons.[15] Official U.S. yield estimates for North Korean nuclear tests appear to be very low. U.S. underestimates of adversary nuclear capability are much more numerous than over-estimates.[16]

There is no fixed quantity of fissile material for a nuclear weapon. The amount necessary depends on the type of weapon (fission, boosted fission [use of fusion reactions to boost the yield of the fission device] or fission-fusion or thermonuclear weapons, all of which North Korea has reportedly tested[17]). The amount required depends on the objective for the weapon, its desired yield, its size and weight, the design approach and the technology available, including the high explosive implosion system. However, to assume that every North Korean nuclear weapon requires 16-20 kilograms of HEU is not credible.

While the Chinese were open to Reed and Stillman about their assistance to Pakistan and North Korea, the content of their book, important as it is, is dated. Assuming 16 -20 kg of HEU is necessary in a nuclear bomb could result in a considerable underestimate of North Korean and Iranian nuclear weapons numbers.

There is a good case to be made for a serious study, with ample representation by scientists and engineers from the nuclear weapons laboratories, to look at the assumptions being made about fissile material requirements and related issues for rogue state nuclear weapons. This is an important issue for the Biden administrations nuclear posture review.

Dr. Mark B. Schneider is a Senior Analyst with the National Institute for Public Policy. Before his retirement from the Department of Defense Senior Executive Service, Dr. Schneider served in a number of senior positions within the Office of Secretary of Defense for Policy including Principal Director for Forces Policy, Principal Director for Strategic Defense, Space and Verification Policy, Director for Strategic Arms Control Policy and Representative of the Secretary of Defense to the Nuclear Arms Control Implementation Commissions. He also served in the senior Foreign Service as a Member of the State Department Policy Planning Staff.

Notes:
At the smallest scale, the tony community of Buckhead, Ga., may be seceding from Atlanta. Mayor Keisha Bottoms' anti-anti-crime strategy has led to a predictable criminal surge.
Lately, the local ABC News affiliate in Washington, D.C., has been running promotional spots with the well-worn tagline speaking truth to power. That is an odd slogan for a media outlet that can certainly be counted among the powerful in the region. It also raises a question as to whether this local news department has truly discovered the truth and is devoting its broadcasts to sharing it with its viewers.

At least implicit in the use of the slogan is a recognition by the station that truth does indeed exist. Sadly, many in American journalism are increasingly denying the existence of objective truth and calling for an end of objectivity in journalism. As Stanford University communications professor emeritus Ted Glasser said recently, Journalists need to be overt and candid advocates for social justice, and its hard to do that under the constraints of objectivity." In other words, the task of a journalist is to push the progressive narrative forward, truth and objectivity be damned.

Glasser isnt alone. Recently, in a speech at Washington State University, NBC Nightly News anchor Lester Holt also questioned the value of objectivity. I think its become clearer that fairness is overrated, he said. The idea that we should always give two sides equal weight and merit does not reflect the world we find ourselves in.

Regrettably, The New York Times has also caught this fervor to push a narrative. It recently announced plans to scrap its op-ed page after 50 years in favor of guest essays. Their stated purpose, according to editor Kathleen Kingsbury, is to publish pieces with intention. Translated, that means pieces that serve to advance an agenda. She confesses that Times editors will place their thumb on our scale in the name of progress, fairness and shared humanity. In other words, the Times will be selecting opinion pieces that fit a narrative, rather than offer informed dissent and contrary views. Evidently, The New York Times, like my ABC News affiliate, has possession of the truth and will only publish essays consistent with that truth.

Seeing this trend away from fairness in American journalism, my fear is that we will never return to an objective news media that reports the facts  who, what, when and where  and trusts readers and viewers to make judgments based on evidence and logic. The justification given by the Times in 1970 when it created the op-ed page  as a move to open the opinion pages to the voices of others, presenting a range of views on major issues  now sounds quaint and from a time long past.

But in an age when more voices are decrying polarization and Americans spend increasing amounts of time in digital echo chambers, an announcement from one of the countrys largest circulation newspapers that it will erect walls around itself by only covering its own point of view, without listening to any disagreement or providing any forum for dissent, is certainly troubling.

Where does that leave an organization like mine, The Fund for American Studies, that since 1970 has been educating collegiate journalists with an emphasis on the importance of journalism ethics, including objective, fair and honest reporting? We encourage young journalists to give voice to perspectives that dont just reflect the opinions of the media itself, which is politically and sociologically unrepresentative of the country. Will doing so now make them unemployable in todays media?

Journalism is at a crossroads unlike at any time in recent history. Do people want reporting that challenges their thinking and represents diverse viewpoints? Or, are people content living in their own bubble hearing only perspectives they want to hear? These questions are truly the crux of the issue, since media outlets are businesses and to thrive need to provide consumers with products they want to consume.

All of this brings us back to Kingsbury. She got one thing right in her announcement of the change in titles for the op-ed page. Thats when she noted that the scales of opinion journalism are increasingly tilted against the free and the fair, the sober and the honest. She controls those scales, at The New York Times and through the influence the Times wields in the media industry. If she hopes for values such as free, fair, sober and honest journalism to prevail, it is within her power to see that they do. And for the good of our republic, hopefully the pendulum moves in that direction again sometime soon.
Republican governors can deploy their National Guard as they see fit, and if that includes sending them across state lines to the southern U.S. border, the White House wont stop them.

What to do with her National Guard is up to the governor and how to fund them is her prerogative as well, a senior White House official told RealClearPolitics when asked Wednesday about South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noems plan to send 50 guardsmen to the border on a mission funded by a private GOP donor. The administration will focus, the official added, not on political gestures but rather on putting in the work and delivering the solutions.

Ian Fury, a spokesman for Noem, responded in a statement to RCP that securing the border is not a political gesture  and that the deployment was necessary because unfortunately the Biden administration has failed to step up and fix this crisis.

The back-and-forth comes after Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey and Texas Gov. Greg Abbott penned an open letter pleading with other states to send law enforcement and other resources to help their states patrol the border with Mexico.

Responding to the migrant surge, Abbott has declared a disaster in his state while Ducey declared a state of emergency. Both urged other governors to join them, writing that further mobilization of the National Guard is needed to secure the border in the federal governments absence, and now the Emergency Management Assistance Compact gives your State a chance to stand strong with us.

The logic behind the request? With your help, we can apprehend more of these perpetrators of state and federal crimes before they can cause problems in your state, Abbott and Ducey wrote. The two asked specifically for an additional law enforcement presence as well as drones and helicopters.

Noem accepted that invitation Tuesday. But the close ally of former President Trump also raised eyebrows when she announced that the deployment will be paid for by a private donation.

The South Dakota deployment will be overseen by Texas officials, but it isnt clear whether they will be welcome or will present a distraction from efforts already underway to address the surge. A White House official insisted that the progress made at the southern border in the first 150 days under this administration is pretty clear, adding that the Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Customs and Border Protection would continue to leverage their longstanding relationships with state and local law enforcement.

According to CBP data first obtained by Axios, the number of migrants crossing the border illegally has already reached a 20-year high. Annual crossings in this fiscal year, with more than three months left to go, are higher than in any year since 2006  nearly 900,000 migrants were stopped by the Border Patrol from October 2020 through May.

Democrats have already condemned the move to deploy National Guard from other states. Arizona Rep. Ann Kirkpatrick likened the call from Abbott and Ducey to "a continuation of the same inhumane border policies we saw over the last four years, which not only proved ineffective, but were antithetical to our values as Americans.

"We must call this what it is, the Democrat told the Arizona Republic earlier this month, a political stunt that has no intention of solving the real issues that were seeing at our southern border.

The order by Noem, specifically funding the deployment through a private donor, has raised ethical questions. You certainly dont want our national security priorities [left] up to the highest bidder, Mandy Smithberger, a defense accountability expert at the Project on Government Oversight, told the Washington Post.

According to a Noem spokesman, the deployment will be bankrolled by the Willis and Reba Johnsons Foundation, a conservative nonprofit in Tennessee that has funded numerous religious projects and the National Rifle Association. Willis Johnson, a longtime Trump supporter, told Washington Post that his motivations were simple: I want to protect America and thats it.

Noem isnt the only Republican believed to have an eye on the White House who is willing to lend a hand at the border. Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced last week that his state would send 50 law enforcement officers to Texas to help with the influx of migrants. His office didnt offer details about how the mission would be funded or what exactly the officers would be doing, citing the security of the missions.

We look forward to seeing them in action, DeSantis said Friday, adding that he hoped he would be able to get out there at some point and wish them well when they are on the ground.

The situation at the border has become a political flashpoint, with Republicans blasting Democrats for letting things get out of hand. On Wednesday, GOP House members led by the Republican Study Committee Chairman Jim Banks arrived in McAllen, Texas, to meet with Trump in person.

Biden is destroying our country, the former president said Wednesday while speaking in front of an unfinished section of the border wall his administration funded. He took the opportunity to lay blame for the uptick in crossings on Bidens decision to undo many of his policies, including the Remain in Mexico order that required migrants seeking asylum to wait in that country as their claim is being processed.

Those Republican attacks arent likely to stop anytime soon, even after Vice President Kamala Harris visited the border in person last week.

A spokesman for the Republican Governors Association blasted the administration for its inaction, telling RCP that despite [officials] comments, clearly they've been focused on the politics of the crisis at the border, avoiding taking real action to address the root cause because the liberal base wont allow it.
HOME > OTHER ENTERTAINMENT NEWS > NEWS Chris Pratt: Middle-aged 'Tomorrow War' soldiers are fighting for their kids

UPI News Service, 06/30/2021



Chris Pratt says his military-themed, sci-fi adventure, The Tomorrow War, is the rare screen story that explores what happens when middle-aged men and women, not teens and 20-somethings, are sent into battle. ADVERTISEMENT "You are dealing with people who are making life decisions based not on the life that they could lead, but rather the world that they're leaving for their children," Pratt, 42, said in a recent Zoom conference with reporters. Set for release on Amazon on Friday, the film follows those pressed into confronting an existential threat 30 years in the future. It was written by Zach Dean, directed by Chris McKay, and co-stars J.K. Simmons, Sam Richardson, Betty Gilpin and Edwin Hodge. "My character, Dan, is doing this because if he doesn't go, they're going to take his wife in his place," Pratt explained. "This is something he has to do to protect his family and to protect his daughter and leave her with a home life of having her mother there. It's a different theme to think about someone being drafted away from their children rather than children being drafted away from their parents." Dan -- an Iraq War veteran, high school teacher and married father of a little girl -- is feeling adrift, wondering what his purpose is in life when soldiers from the future announce humanity is in danger of being wiped out by ravenous, super-strong creatures in 2051 if people all over the world don't fight back. Dan -- an Iraq War veteran, high school teacher and married father of a little girl -- is feeling adrift, wondering what his purpose is in life when soldiers from the future announce humanity is in danger of being wiped out by ravenous, super-strong creatures in 2051 if people all over the world don't fight back. "It's a very beautiful thing that we're meeting Dan in a very handsome middle age," said Gilpin, 34, who plays Dan's wife, Emmy. "He's at a point in his life where, I think, it's very relatable, especially with this last year [in real life during the coronavirus pandemic], where suddenly there's these, 'pencils down, who are you?' moments, a freeze on looking at who you are and you aren't the person that you thought you would be." FOLLOW REALITY TV WORLD ON THE ALL-NEW GOOGLE NEWS!

Reality TV World is now available on the all-new Google News app and website. Click here to visit our Google News page, and then click FOLLOW to add us as a news source! Gilpin believes the movie reflects how humans are innately protective and rebellious. "Our souls were born to be revolutionaries, and our daily life looks a lot more 'iPhoney' and 'BuzzFeed quizzy' than we thought it was going to look," she said. "Apocalyptic stakes and Greek [mythology] stakes are much more relatable. That's why I like science fiction. Because even though some of the circumstances may be outlandish, it feels a lot more [like] how I feel inside." Dean had been wanting to tackle the idea of conscription -- or forced enlistment into the military -- for years. He eventually landed on the concept of "not having it be about necessarily an ideology or patriotism or loyalty to protect your country, but being about, literally, your desire to save your own kids." "Who doesn't sign up for that? It's a different thing. We're not asking for an abstract idea. It's about parenting," the screenwriter said. Simmons, 66, who plays Dan's father James, was drawn to The Tomorrow War because it is a fun popcorn movie that also addresses important issues. "There's beautiful family stuff with Chris' character at home with Betty and their daughter," Simmons said, adding he thought the strained relationship between James and Dan also would be a "worthwhile journey" on which to go for the actors. "It was great to be able to incorporate, again, really, that small picture with the gigantic picture of 'Are we going to save the world or not?'" Simmons said. "It was great to be able to incorporate, again, really, that small picture with the gigantic picture of 'Are we going to save the world or not?'" Simmons said. He credited Dean with developing the father-son relationship on the page and praised McKay for giving the actors the opportunity to approach their performances from various angles and tones. "You end up doing six or seven takes of a given scene and then the director has six or seven significantly different versions of the emotion, and the passion, and the drama and the comedy to choose from," Simmons said. Pratt said Dan blames James for him not being "happy with his station in life." "[Dan] realizes through the course of this story, that in fact, he has more similarities with his father than he's even realized, and in coming to grips with that, gets to a place of grace and of acceptance and forgiveness for his father because he sees that it wasn't easy for his father, either," Pratt said. "That's a real pivotal moment that comes in adulthood." The actor likened weaving life lessons into a sci-fi action movie to sneaking medicine into a hamburger to get a dog to take it. "Any medicine that's in this movie, it's going to taste like a hamburger," Pratt said. "Don't worry about it. It's like a great entertaining, vibrant, exciting blockbuster movie. There might be a little takeaway from it, but mostly it's fun and exciting." Richardson, 37, describes his reluctant soldier character Charlie as an "everyman" who brings some comic relief to the stressful story. "People do rely on comedy or humor as a defense mechanism," he noted. "That's very real, so I wasn't trying to play very broad, wackadoo comedy. You also need that release valve of all the action and so much happening in these high stakes, and so it was fun to get to play that release valve." Hodge, 36, plays Dorian, a cancer-stricken soldier who signs up for several tours in the futuristic war. "Just to simply channel Dorian, I can look at the men and women in service. I've spent many years with wounded warriors talking to vets who suffer from PTSD, things of that nature, just to understand a different perspective of how we deal with war and the consequences that reflect on us physically, emotionally, mentally," Hodge said. Dorian feels like he has nothing to lose, assuming either the disease or his foes eventually will kill him. "Then he meets Dan, who has this huge weight on his shoulders and simply everything to live and fight for," Hodge said. "It's that turn, that meeting that sets this precedent for Dorian, that, though, his future is bleak ... something positive could happen with the defeat of the aliens in 2051." Asked which part was the most challenging to shoot, Pratt recalled sequences when present-day characters leap into 2051, fall from the sky in Miami and land in a pool. "There was some serious water work that we got to do and that was a lot of fun," he said. "We got to jump off of this high dive that we built out of a fork lift and jump off into the water," the actor added. "The camera followed us down and then you had stunt people jumping down and landing on top of you forcing you under water. That whole sequence probably took two or three days, was really cool, really fun, really physical." Gilpin's character didn't have much running, jumping or fighting to do. "I play the frowning therapist wife," she quipped. "I mostly sob in a cardigan, which is action emotionally. "There was a day where Chris had a ton of action stuff and was training really hard. There was a day where I had a bagel and I thought, 'I want a second bagel.' "They announced there were almost no more bagels and my adrenaline was sky high. We were rolling and, luckily, I ran outside, got a second bagel and came back just in time for action." << PRIOR STORY

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Traverse City, MI (49684)

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Traverse City, MI (49684)

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Partly cloudy early. Scattered thunderstorms developing in the afternoon. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 89F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

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This Jan. 22, 2020 photo released by the Monterey County District Attorney's Office shows Charles Lafferty. Lafferty who pleaded guilty to using a slingshot and glass marbles to randomly attack dozens of vehicles on two Northern California highways, shattering their windows and frightening drivers, was sentenced to 15 years in prison. Lafferty received the sentenced Tuesday, June 29, 2021, as part of a plea deal he reached in April in which he agreed to plead guilty to 28 counts of assault with a deadly weapon and two counts of assault with a deadly weapon on a peace officer, the Monterey County District Attorney's office said in a statement.
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As Athens restaurants, bars and eateries adjust to changing policies and conditions during the coronavirus pandemic, their operations change frequently. Heres this weeks roundup of restaurant news. Dont forget to stay up to date on hours of operations, service options and contact information with our comprehensive restaurant guide.
In March, Dr. Angeleke Saridakis, a critical care surgery specialist currently on a fellowship at Yale Universitys Department of Surgery, watched news reports of COVID-19 sweeping across New York. "Seeing the morbid images and listening to the shortages inside the hospitals moved me to tears," she said.



A few days later, Dr. Saridakis found herself on an eerily empty flight to New York, which she says, "was not an act of bravery or heroism, but an opportunity to fulfill a tremendous need."



Dr. Saridakis is also a member of Tiffany Circle, a network of women philanthropists inspired by American Red Cross founder Clara Barton. When flying to New York, other Tiffany Circle members rallied to support her decision.



"They stepped up to collect much needed personal protective equipment, and worked with a Miami physician to fill a duffel bag with critical supplies and comfort items, and shipped it to me and my team at Elmhurst," Dr. Saridakis said.



"It made my heart full to feel the love and support from my Tiffany Circle sisters  forever grateful."

#philanthropy #covid19
"I was born in the Nature Isle of the Caribbean also known as Dominica. The pinnacle of my achievements is rooted in the generosity of others. Their examples led me to become a person who firmly believes in giving back, which is one of my core values. When we link arms and help each other, then together we rise.

"As a child, I have always seen photos or imagery of the Red Cross presence, especially in disaster areas, aiding others to recover from their losses or helping them get back on their feet. These images have fueled my philanthropic passion for giving back.

"By supporting the Red Cross as a Tiffany Circle Member, I know my donations will reach further than I physically can and furthermore will make an invaluable footprint in the lives of others. Moreover, as a physician, and a blood donor, I also recognize the importance of blood donations in saving lives. Blood is the common thread that unites us."

Gathline Etienne, MD, is a Neurologist and Neuro-ophthalmologist, as well as a wellness advocate and member of the Tiffany Circle of Georgia. Tiffany Circle is a network of philanthropic women, like Dr. Etienne who are inspired by our founder Clara Barton.
Greenville, NC (27833)

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South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem says she will use a donation from a Republican donor to fund a deployment of up to 50 South Dakota National Guard troops to the U.S. border with Mexico
Thailand on Thursday will welcome back international visitors  as long as they are vaccinated against the coronavirus  to its southern resort island of Phuket without having to be cooped up in a hotel room for a 14-day quarantine
Brattleboro, VT (05301)

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Cloudy skies this morning will become partly cloudy this afternoon. High around 80F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph..

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Isabelle Andrieu, co-founder of Translated, and Marco Trombetti, co-founder and CEO of Translated, which just received a $25M investment from Ardian to fuel future growth and scale the adoption of its AI-powered translation platform in Europe and in the U.S.
LJUBLJANA, Slovenia (AP)  Slovenia's president rejected in an interview Wednesday that the increasingly autocratic policies of the country's prime minister could hurt its upcoming European Union presidency, saying the small Alpine state will stay on its traditional liberal course.

Slovenia takes over the rotating EU Council presidency on Thursday. Its right-wing prime minister, Janez Jansa, is in the focus because of his squabbles with Brussels, close alliance with populist Hungarian leader Viktor Orban and crackdown on media  all of which cast doubt on the countrys credibility to lead the 27-nation bloc.

Of course, there are some activities of the government that I dont agree with," Slovenia's liberal President Borut Pahor said in an interview with the Associated Press. I hope this is a chance for the government and the prime minister to focus more on subjects that are vital for Slovenia and the EU.

Slovenia split from Yugoslavia in 1991 after a brief clash with the Serb-led Yugoslav army. In 2004 it became one of the first former communist states to join the EU.

Slovenia will remain a liberal state and I wish that the image of a liberal state would be solidified during the presidency," Pahor said. If the European idea was the first cornerstone of our statehood, democracy is the second one."

Pahor said one of Slovenia's main tasks during the presidency will be the quicker EU accession of the Western Balkan states  Serbia, Bosnia, Albania, North Macedonia, Montenegro and Kosovo.

Some leading EU members, such as France and Germany, have increasingly shown enlargement fatigue amid the bloc's numerous internal problems and issues.

Pahor said failure to accept new Balkan members could only lead to increasing Russian and Chinese influence in Europe.

If we see the map of Europe, there is a hole in it." Pahor said, referring to the Western Balkans. This is a natural area for EUs enlargement. I wish that the presidency of the European council would give an opportunity to prove Slovenias ability to gain a significant majority for the geopolitical need of enlargement."

I understand that there is an enlargement fatigue, that there are other problems, other priorities," Pahor said. But the Western Balkans is not only a political opportunity but a political necessity for the EU."

Although the rotating six-month EU Council presidency, which Slovenia assumes from Portugal, is mostly a bureaucratic task, it comes amid the blocs painful post-COVID-19 recovery, its stalled enlargement process and concerns that the leadership role could be used by the government to further obstruct media freedom in Slovenia and elsewhere in Europe.

In May, Jansa narrowly survived an impeachment motion filed by opposition parties which accused him of clamping down on the press and mismanaging the pandemic by failing to provide enough vaccines for the nation of about 2 million.

The prime minister's unorthodox style of leadership included his staunch support for former U.S. President Donald Trump during the last American election: Jansa congratulated Trump on his victory long before the official results were published.

In Slovenia, Jansa is nicknamed Marshal Twito  a pun playing on the name of the former Yugoslav dictator Marshal Josip Broz Tito  because of his frequent use of Twitter. Jansa is known to use Twitter to attack his political opponents and make unfounded claims.

Slovenia, which also held the presidency in early 2008, takes over just as the EU prepares to start distributing its massive coronavirus recovery fund.

When she arrives in Slovenia later this week for a handover ceremony, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen is expected to officially approve Slovenias national plan for access to the fund  an event likely to be the focal point of the visit to Ljubljana by the EUs executive branch.

But EU officials will be watching carefully to see how Jansa handles the thorny issue of democratic standards. Hungary and Poland, notably, are embroiled in technical and legal proceedings with Brussels over allegations that their nationalist governments are undermining the rule of law.

Jansas silence when most EU nations were criticizing Orban at a summit last week over a new Hungarian law seen as thwarting LGBT rights for minors will not have gone unnoticed in Brussels.

In its official presidency program, Slovenia says it plans to focus our efforts on strengthening the rule of law as one of (the) common European values.

Faris Kocan, a foreign policy analyst at the Center of International Relations in Ljubljana, said Slovenias presidency is an important test for the EU because of rising undemocratic tendencies in Slovenia, Hungary and Poland.

If we see the priorities of the Slovenian presidency, you can see that they are in line with the European Union  resilience, the economic recovery, digital transformation and green technologies, he said.

But, what is this European way of life promoted by Slovenias presidency? ... Are those tolerance, human rights and liberties, or are those values of past times and undemocratic regimes? Kocan asked.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Wisconsin Republicans finished their work on the state budget Wednesday, moving the $87 billion spending plan through the Senate and on to Gov. Tony Evers.

The Senate passed the massive bill on a 23-9 vote after about five hours of debate. Three Democrats joined Republicans in voting for the budget  Senate Minority Leader Janet Bewley, Jeff Smith and Brad Pfaff.

The Assembly passed it Tuesday night. Evers introduced the budget in February; Republican lawmakers have been working on revisions since May.

The centerpiece of the two-year budget is a GOP-authored plan to cut $3.3 billion in income and property taxes, a move made possible by the states unprecedented $4.4 billion surplus.

The budget also would end an eight-year freeze on University of Wisconsin System undergraduate resident tuition and hold K-12 funding largely flat. State schools are in line to receive $2.6 billion in federal pandemic relief aid, however. In all, Republicans reduced spending by about $4.4 billion from what Evers proposed.

Republicans erased literally hundreds of Evers' proposals from the spending plan, including legalizing marijuana, expanding Medicaid, restoring union rights for state workers, raising the minimum wage and allowing judges to seize guns from people they deem dangerous.

Debate began in the Senate around 3 p.m. Wednesday. Republicans touted their tax cuts, calling them historic. Democrats slowed the proceedings with long speeches lambasting Republicans for eliminating Evers' priorities. Sen. Chris Larson, a Milwaukee Democrat, accused Republicans of choosing to impose tax cuts rather than funding schools even though the state is flush with cash.

(Republicans are) kicking the dust in the faces of our kids who have fallen further behind, he said.

Sen. Dale Kooyenga, a Brookfield Republican, countered that the budget doesn't cut education funding and schools are set to receive jaw-dropping amounts of federal aid.

I think this is a responsible budget, he said.

Evers will have six days excluding Sundays to take action on the budget once it reaches his desk. He could sign the budget into law, use his partial veto powers to rewrite the document more to his liking  he can strike words but can't add any  or veto the entire plan, although that's unlikely. If he does nothing during that window, the budget automatically becomes law.

Evers' spokeswoman Britt Cudaback said Wednesday morning that the administration was reviewing the spending plan as passed by the Assembly.

She pointed to a Legislative Fiscal Bureau memo that said if Evers vetoed the entire budget the state would lose the $2.6 billion in federal pandemic relief aid for schools, a possible signal that Evers isn't considering such a move.

No governor has vetoed the entire budget since 1931.

___

Follow Todd Richmond on Twitter at https://twitter.com/trichmond1
Looking to help employees, the owner of Wheel restaurant plans to increase their wages.

Savas Logothetides, who owns Wheel in Pottsville and Tamaqua, announced on the restaurants Facebook pages that beginning Monday he would implement a $12 an hour minimum wage for kitchen employees, raises between 25% and 33% for front house staff already making $12 or more an hour and additional time off. The changes will result in the price of menu items going up.

Logothetides said the labor shortage affecting the industry played into his decision, adding it is predicated on an industry falling behind on wages.

I think the restaurant industry is lagging behind in what team members are making compared to the job market, he said, adding Wheel was lucky to retain and hire employees.

He said the raise and the $12 minimum wage was the most feasible for employees and the restaurant, adding people are the most important asset to the restaurant.

I felt my team was deserving of an increase, he said, adding he is looking at a similar increase at Charlies Pizza and Subs, which he co-owns. Its only going to strengthen the business.

Logothetides said many businesses are looking at workforce development as a way of moving forward.

Wage increases are one way employers nationwide are looking to attract more workers to fill open positions, along with incentives such as reimbursing educational programs and vouchers.

Wheels plan for raises and increasing the minimum wage is part of a multiphase plan to improve the business, Logothetides said, which expects to last between 12 and 24 months. Other improvements will include tuition assistance, paid holidays for all employees, a further increase in the minimum wage and a retirement program, according to Wheels Facebook announcement.

Another area restaurant, Vitos Coal Fired Pizza, has also increased its pay to attract more workers. Owner Vito Valenti said while he has always paid more than the minimum wage, he is paying even more because of the labor shortage, adding he is having trouble finding people to fill open positions.

Pennsylvanias minimum wage is currently $7.25, the same as the national average.

Dave Clews, president of the Pottsville Business Association, said raising the minimum wage is related to the shortage of workers business owners are experiencing.

To try and attract employees, theyll have them start at a higher wage, he said.

That trend of offering a higher minimum wage will continue for a while, Clews said, adding as much as they were hurt by the pandemic, it is hitting them in different ways now.

Raising the minimum wage, he said, has to be seriously considered with there not being enough applicants to fill open positions.
ASHLAND  William W. Bill Wydra Sr. decided in 1991 to take a chance in purchasing the engine shop he had been working, and 30 years later it continues as a strong part of the Ashland economy.

Ashland Diesel Engines Inc. is the successor of Cummins Diesel Engines, which had in 1991 decided to close shop in Ashland after 40 years at the Lehigh Street location, and a previous three years in the boroughs downtown. The parent company in Bristol decided to close the engine shop in June of that year.

However, Wydra was the shop foreman and a mechanic who had worked for Cummins for 15 years. Wydra negotiated with Cummins and bought the location, and after about three weeks of prep work, Ashland Diesel opened its doors on July 1.

In addition to ADE marking 30 years, Cummins began operations in the building in 1951, or 70 years ago.

Over the years, the company has kept up with mechanical, electronic and computer upgrades in parts and service, and has factory trained certified technicians with continuing education on the latest manual and electronic equipment available.

According to its website, it is a 33,000-square-foot state-of-the-art Cummins & International factory authorized full warranty repair facility, and also is an authorized Caterpillar warranty shop for service and parts. It has won the prestigious Cummins Dealer Quest Award every year since its introduction in 1993, and was named The #1 Cummins Quest Dealership in the Nation in 1994, has brought ADE national notoriety. It is the largest Cummins dealership in the tri-state area (Pennsylvania, New York and New Jersey).

We just started a new endeavor with the Car-Care Center in the back where Billy had his operation, Wydra said, referring to his son, William W. Wydra Jr., who started his own company, Ashland Technologies Inc., which moved out because of lack of space and moved to Hegins. The company is known for roller coaster cars.

With the open space available, the car care center does service on cars and trucks, including inspections, air conditioning, tires, suspensions, brake repairs and state-of-the-art electronic testing.

A resident of Butler Township just outside Ashland, Wydra is 70 and retired, but he remains company president and spends time at the facility. His office has many handmade wooden trucks made by a friend years ago on display. Hanging on the wall is a plaque from the U.S. Patent Office for an invention  a remote control fuel filter kit  he created in 1998 that led to the founding of Ashland Technologies.

He also kept busy in inventing what he calls Real Rear Ramps.

When you pull up on the ramps, it rings a bell to let you know where youre supposed to be, Wydra said. I just went patent pending on that.

In the near future, Wydra will also be a published author. His autobiographical book is Half the Lies I Tell Arent True, which is expected to be released in September.

There are always challenges involving the economy, including the COVID-19 pandemic.

They never made us close because we do repairs on firetrucks, so that would be a little bit of a calamity when firetrucks would be out of service, he said. We offer the volunteer fire companies a 10% discount.

On Monday, the ladder truck from the Rescue Hook & Ladder No. 3 of Saint Clair was in the shop for exhaust system maintenance.

So they (government) left us stay open. Even with that, we lost about $100,000, but the government helped us out tremendously, he said.

The company has 22 employees, with only two being part-timers.

As for a tour of the shop, Wydra turned it over to CEO and service manager Tim Wertman, parts manager Jim Burke and floor manager Chris Burke. Wertman has 33 years with the company, Chris Burke has 22 years and Jim Burke has 21 years.

They can do it. I only come here to look pretty, Wydra said with a laugh. Of course, Ive had a lot of good practice.

The tour began with Chris Burke, whose position is to review the different jobs being done and deal with the hard-to-diagnose issues and other tasks to make sure the work is done correctly, and if needed, make corrections to make sure the customer is satisfied.

With the new EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) standards on emissions from the diesel engines, even one little sensor could put you down for a couple of days until you diagnose it properly, he said. I work between Tim (Wertman) as the service manager and the guys on the floor.

I try everything I can can to help Tim and make seamless for the customer because downtime is everything when your trucks down. People used to say years ago, If the tires arent moving then youre not making money. And thats still true.

Chris Burke added that the company gets out-of-state businesses because companies have been pleased with the quality of work done in Ashland. In addition to Cummins, the shop does work for Penske Leasing and Caterpillar.

Jim Burke spoke about adjustments needing to be made about getting parts during the pandemic.

It wasnt bad at the beginning, but when those companies had to close down for four months, they werent making any parts, he said. We were still selling parts, but we couldnt put them back into stock.

It is difficult right now getting some parts. Its tough, but we do the best that we can. It sometimes just takes a little bit longer and you have to go through a lot of different channels to get them now.

Jim Burke added that new prices are announced in January and July, so he is waiting to see how much the parts will increase, though hopefully not as much as other commodities, such as lumber.

Wertman said that during his 33 years with the company, starting when it was still Cummins Diesel, it has been a great place to work.

Its a family business and a great group of employees, Wertman said. They have been here a long time and everybody gets along. Its comfortable to come to work with people you get along with. The owner is good to his people. That goes a long way.

We do good work and we have a good crew. Youre not just a number here.
POTTSVILLE  A Mahanoy City man will spend more time behind state prison bars after admitting Monday to a Schuylkill County judge that he possessed an unlawful drug in July 2019 while in another state prison.

Jacob D. Souchak, 40, pleaded guilty to possession of a controlled substance. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of possession of a controlled substance/contraband.

President Judge William E. Baldwin accepted the plea and, pursuant to an agreement between prosecutors and the defendant, sentenced Souchak to serve six to 12 months in a state correctional institution and pay costs, $100 to the Substance Abuse Education Fund, $50 to the Criminal Justice Enhancement Account and $113 restitution to the state police crime laboratory in Bethlehem.

Baldwin made the sentence consecutive to the one Souchak already is serving.

The state Department of Corrections charged Souchak with possessing Suboxone on July 2, 2019, at SCI/Frackville.

Souchak already is an inmate at SCI/Greene, and Baldwin conducted Mondays hearing by videoconference.

Also on Monday, Saundra L. Hollenbach, 53, of Pottsville, pleaded guilty to criminal mischief and disorderly conduct. Prosecutors withdrew a charge of criminal trespass.

Baldwin accepted the plea, placed Hollenbach on probation for 12 months and also sentenced her to pay costs, a $100 fine and $500 restitution, and undergo drug and alcohol and mental health evaluations.

Pottsville police charged Hollenbach with damaging an apartment door on May 11, 2020, in the city.

In another Monday case, Paul A. Felty, 22, of Tremont, pleaded guilty to possession of drug paraphernalia. Baldwin placed him on probation for six months, and also sentenced him to pay costs and a $100 SAEF payment.

State police at Schuylkill Haven charged Felty with possessing a glass smoking pipe on Sept. 21, 2019.

Also on Monday, Baldwin revoked the probation of Jamie Warmington, 53, of Shamokin, and sentenced him to serve six to 12 months in prison and undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation. Baldwin made the sentence effective at 9 a.m. July 12.

Baldwin revoked Warmingtons probation after the defendant admitted violating it by failing to report to his supervising officer three times, committing new crimes, failing a drug test, failing to appear for another such test, using drugs and not making payments on his court-ordered costs and fees.

You really havent complied with any conditions of probation, Baldwin told Warmington.

Warmington testified he operates his own business and wanted to work while he underwent rehabilitation.

The judge also was skeptical about Warmingtons efforts to overcome addiction.

What would happen if I had you tested for drugs right now? Baldwin asked the defendant.

It might be positive, Warmington answered.

Warmington originally pleaded guilty on Aug. 4, 2020, to possession of drug paraphernalia and driving without a license. At that time, Baldwin placed him on probation for nine months, and also sentenced him to pay costs, a $200 fine, a $100 SAEF payment and a $50 bench warrant fee.

State police at Schuylkill Haven alleged Warmington possessed paraphernalia on Oct. 8, 2019.
Police announce sobriety checkpoints

POTTSVILLE  The North Central Regional Sobriety Checkpoint DUI Taskforce announced that roving patrols and sobriety checkpoints will be conducted during the holiday period starting today and continuing through July 5.

Drivers are reminded that if they suspect a drunk driver to call 911 or call, toll-free, 1-888-UNDER21, to report underage drinking.

The sobriety checkpoints are part of the North Central PA Regional Sobriety Checkpoint and Expanded DUI/Underage Drinking Enforcement Program funded through PennDOT and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Man cited after crash with injuries

POTTSVILLE  Pottsville police investigated a crash with injuries in the area of 2290 W. Market St. that was reported at 8:34 a.m. Thursday.

Police said the investigation by Patrolman Timothy Youse showed that a 2007 Hyundai Santa Fe driven by Nicholas Zimmerman, 37, of Saint Clair, was traveling east in the 2200 block of West Market Street when he attempted to make a left hand turn across oncoming traffic and was struck by a 2005 Ford Ranger driven by an 86-year-old Tremont man.

Police said Zimmerman suffered injuries requiring medical attention at a local medical facility and that both vehicles were towed from the scene.

Schuylkill EMS and Pottsville firefighters assisted, police said, adding that Zimmerman will be cited for a left turn violation.

DUI patrols planned;

citations given

HAMBURG  State police at Hamburg said troopers from the station will be conducting increased DUI patrols and sobriety checkpoints over the holiday weekend.

On Friday, troopers conducted a DUI Checkpoint at 1054 Shoemakersville Road in Shoemakersville that resulted in 76 motorists contacted and two arrested for suspicion of DUI. There were also 15 citations issued along with 20 warning notices.

Police: Man violated

protection order

ASHLAND  A 31-year-old Minersville man was arrested by state police at Frackville for violating a protection from abuse order on Centre Street around 3 p.m. Sunday.

Troopers said Joseph A. Klinger sent text messages to a 30-year-old Ashland woman who obtained the protection order against him.

Charges against Klinger were filed and troopers said the investigation is continuing.

Man cited after 1-vehicle crash

TOWER CITY  A Tower City man suffered minor injuries when the 2007 Dodge Caliber he was driving crashed on Clarks Valley Road, just west of Old Road in Rush Township, Dauphin County, around 6:20 a.m. Friday.

State police at Lykens said Ethan Paul 19, was driving west when he swerved to avoid deer, lost control and went off the road and struck a tree.

The car then rolled over and struck another tree before coming to a stop, troopers said.

Troopers said Tower/Porter EMS assisted and that Paul was wearing his seatbelt at the time of the crash.

As a result, troopers said, Paul was cited for driving at an unsafe speed.
100 years ago  1921

Schuylkill Park. 15-minute ride from Pottsville. On Main Line Between Pottsville and Tamaqua. Bathing, boating, dancing. Official opening of park Saturday evening, July 2.

75 years ago  1946

G. Harold Watkins was unanimously and without opposition for the second term re-elected chairman of the Schuylkill County Republican Committee.

50 years ago  1971

Four men, three of them from Schuylkill County, were injured when the plane in which they were flying Sunday crashed shortly after take-off from the Wilkes-Barre-Scranton Airport at Avoca.

25 years ago  1996

SUMMIT STATION  Schuylkill County and the Kutztown Folk Festival: The combination has all the ingredients of a successful marriage. Something Old  The festival itself, the 47th annual celebration of Pennsylvania Dutch culture that includes 212 crafters, 670 handmade quilts, food and fun, including the re-enactment of an Amish wedding  and a hanging. Youre going to think youve turned back in time, said I.V. Thomas, Bechtelsville, whose family runs the festival. The traditional stuff is what people ask about the most. Something New  Schuylkill County, and the county is delighted to be host, anticipating a boom in its tourist industry. The festival is booting my business, said Theresa A. Longergan, owner of The Stone House Bed & Breakfast, Schuylkill Haven. Im getting people from all over the country. Something Borrowed  A new location, the 78-acre Schuylkill County Fairgrounds, off Route 895 about 1 1/2 miles east of Route 183. People love the trees, the stream, the country, said festival organizer Richard J. Little Richard Thomas, Pennsburg, who has been with the festival since its start in 1950. Everything is perfect for a festival. Something Blue  The Blue Mountain, which the Pennsylvania Dutch started crossing into Schuylkill County more than 200 years ago. Due to a business dispute, the festival is crossing the mountain from Kutztown this year.
After reading the paper, I have made up mind. The next time Argall runs, I am going to write in Donald Duck. I will never vote for him again.

Barnesville



Looks like Dave Argall has gone off the deep end, joining the Trumpers with the Arizona-style election audit. You keep voting these Republicans in in Schuylkill County and you are going to keep getting tar and chip.

Pottsville



So, what is the Hillside SPCA going to do now? The board took it upon themselves to fire Tricia Moyer, the manager, who was appointed to the job by Barbara Umlauf because she knew she would do a good job and she was doing just that. There is a lot of overcrowding right now and people were giving donations for that, including myself. Maybe the board should have thought of that before they made their big mistake.

Auburn



Sen. Dave Argall, you need a bobblehead. The bobblehead says Yes, even though you lost Trump, Ill get an audit for you because if I dont I am in trouble.

Pottsville



A person that supports a party that supports abortion over life, illegals over its own citizens and refugees over homeless veterans is going to lecture me on morals? I dont think so. There is absolutely no way you are going to convince me that we should vote Democrat.

Minersville



Dave Argall has reached political nirvana. He has perfected speaking out of both sides of his mouth at the same time, saying nothing, promising everything, delivering nothing and garnering the attention of Trump. But what does he has to lose? He runs unchallenged. Well done, Dave.

Port Carbon



Wow, Dave Argall really needs to go. An Arizona-style audit? Does he not see the circus that sham has been? Trump says jump, he says how high?

Auburn



Dear Tamaqua, how can you know what someone is thinking? Jesus put it simply. By their fruits you will know them. Watch how they vote.

Mahanoy City



All you hear about is free medical care. How about free dental care? Dentists are becoming very expensive. I have Medicaid and you are suppose to have dental. Only problem is 95% of the dentists dont accept it and the ones that do, lets just say, they are not the best dentists. How about one of our politicians push through a bill that all dentists have to take Medicaid and Medicare for dental work? It would really help me out.

Marion Heights



Instead of supporting the lunatic ravings of Mr. 45, Republican politicians should be working on more important things like infrastructure, eliminating property taxes and doing something about robocalls.

Pine Grove



The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette article missed one important point: Increased wages means more tax revenue for states and the federal government. It also decreases the need for government assistance for working families who are living on the poverty line. Working people are qualifying for food stamps because their wages are so low. It is time for businesses to pay their workers a living wage.

Mahanoy City
Akansha Ranjan Kapoor took to her Instagram and opened the platform for some questions from her fans. The actor was asked in one of the questions, who her favourite Kapoor was. She responded to the question by saying that it was Arjun Kapoor. Interestingly, Akansha said that she was done with answering the questions for the day. However, she came back to answer this quick question that asked her "Who's your fav Kapoor" Replying to this, the actor said "On special request, I've come back for the one and only", and revealed that her favourite Kapoor was the Sandeep Aur Pinky Faraar actor Arjun Kapoor.

Akansha Ranjan Kapoor's Instagram Q&A

For the AMA that was held on Akansha Ranjan Kapoor's Instagram, she got a series of questions that asked her what her favourite things were. She revealed that her favourite holiday destination is London and that her favourite food was "Ghar Ka Khana" or homecooked food. The Guilty actor revealed that her favourite song currently was the Prateek Kuhad number Tere Hi Hum. The actor also spoke about her pet name which is Kanchi and said that her caretaker from Nepal named her that because the youngest daughters in Nepal are called Kanchi. Akansha later revealed that she will start shooting for her next project in a couple of weeks, but she can't give out the details yet. She replied to a question that asked her about her next project and said "Oh Man, so excited but I can't give deets just yet. Will start shoot in a couple weeks tho."

About Ray and Spotlight

Spotlight, which is a part of the Ray anthology, revolves around a celebrated actor, Vikram Arora, who makes his famous for one particular expression of his. He happens to cross paths with a god-like figure referred to as Didi, and the regard that she gets, makes him rethink his truth and popularity. Harshvardhan Kapoor portrays the role of Vikram Arora, and Radhika Madan plays Didi. The film also features Akansha Ranjan Kapoor as Anuya and Chandan Roy Sanyal as Robby Gosh in notable roles.

Ray, is an anthology of four movies, heavily inspired by short stories written by Satyajit Ray. Hungama Ho Gaya which is directed by Abhishek Chaubey is primarily based on the story called Barin Bhowmiker Byaram, and Bahrupiya and Forget Me Not directed by Srijit Mukherji are based on the stories Bahurupi, and Bipin Chowdhury Smritibhrom respectively. The fourth movie Spotlight directed by the Mard Ko Dard Nahi Hota director Vasan Bala is primarily based on a story with the same title.

IMAGE: AKANSHA RANJAN KAPOOR INSTAGRAM

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New Delhi, Jun 30 (PTI) Army Chief Gen MM Naravane on Wednesday held separate telephonic talks with his counterparts from Australia and Bangladesh on ways to further expand bilateral defence cooperation.

The Army said Gen Naravane's conversation with Chief of Australian Army Lt Gen Richard M Burr was focused on bilateral defence cooperation.

The talks came nearly a month after Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and his Australian counterpart Peter Dutton had held a telephonic conversation on boosting the bilateral defence cooperation.

During an online summit between Prime Minister Narendra Modi and his Australian counterpart Scott Morrison in June last year, India and Australia elevated their ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership and signed a landmark deal for reciprocal access to military bases for logistics support.

"General MM Naravane, #COAS had telephonic interaction with General SM Shafiuddin Ahmed, Chief of Army Staff, Bangladesh Army and discussed aspects of bilateral #Defence cooperation," the Army tweeted.

The talks came a day after Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria concluded a two-day visit to Bangladesh.

There has been a flurry of visits between the two sides in the last six months notwithstanding the coronavirus pandemic.

The year 2021 marks the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Bangladesh and the birth centenary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

In reflection of close ties, India is also hosting a number of events to mark the 50th anniversary of the 1971 war that led to the liberation of Bangladesh.

Around 93,000 Pakistani troops had surrendered before the joint forces of the Indian Army and the "Mukti Bahini" on December 16, 1971, that paved way for the birth of Bangladesh. PTI MPB TIR TIR

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Union Minister for Law and IT Ravi Shankar Prasad on Wednesday invited criticism directed at him or PM Modi but categorically stated that the social media companies should not misuse the platforms. Speaking to Republic Media Network's Editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami at the India Global Forum on Wednesday, Minister for IT Ravi Shankar Prasad noted that criticism of PM Modi or himself from the social media platforms was welcome but highlighted that it was essential for these big tech companies to follow the law of the land if they were doing business in India. This comes as an answer to a narrative being proliferated online that the government's grouse with Twitter being over political reasons.

'Issue is misuse of social media': IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad

#FutureNow | All social media platforms are welcome to do business in India. They can criticize Ravi Shankar Prasad, my Prime Minister or anyone. The issue is of misuse of social media: @rsprasad at India Global Forum. Watch - https://t.co/jghcajZuXf pic.twitter.com/oMe6OEaFsh  Republic (@republic) June 30, 2021

Speaking broadly on the compliance of social media platforms with the new IT laws and the concept of Digital India, the Union Minister asserted that his government is not in 'favour of censoring.' However, he maintained, that democracies will have to find a common ground on certain issues for tech companies where they can do business, make profits but also become accountable by following the laws of the land.

"All social media platforms are welcome to do business in India. They can criticize Ravi Shankar Prasad, my Prime Minister or anyone. The issue is of misuse of social media. Some of them say we are bound by American laws. You operate in India, make good money, but you will take the position that you'll be governed by American laws. This is plainly not acceptable," Ravi Shankar Prasad said.

IT Minister reveals tweet for which Twitter invoked US law to lock his account

Ravi Shankar Prasad revealed the tweet for which his Twitter account was locked for nearly an hour on Friday. The Union Minister said that a four-year-old tweet by him on India's victory in the 1971 war, which had the audio track of popular AR Rahman song 'Maa Tujhe Salaam' was flagged by Twitter, citing copyright infringement as the social media platform locked his account. Ravi Shankar Prasad also pointed out that the complainant had made a public statement, stating that they have no concern, despite which Twitter flagged the tweet as copyright infringement.

Union Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said, "They blocked my Twitter account for one hour. Four years ago, I had tweeted about the great Bangladesh victory of 1971. In which, Lieutenant General Arora was taking surrender from the Pakistani forces. It was a celebration of that great victory and behind that the song of AR Rahman 'Maa Tujhe Salaam' was playing. It was on Facebook as well."
The Delimitation Commission that is tasked with redrawing parliamentary and assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir is likely to hold an internal meeting on Wednesday. The delimitation commission will finalise its plans on consultations with political parties soon. The meeting is set to take place after Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the all-party meeting with leaders of mainstream political parties in J&K last week. PM Modi has stressed the need to complete the delimitation exercise in order to ensure that polls can be held in the union territory.

Delimitation Commission to hold meet on Wednesday

The three-member delimitation commission headed by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Desai was appointed in February 2020. However, the commission could not complete its work within the allotted time of one year and has therefore been given an extension of one year. In addition, a full meeting of the commission that also includes associate members like Lok Sabha MPs from Jammu & Kashmir is likely to take place soon. The date for such a meeting will be decided on Wednesday. Earlier, Farooq Abdullah-led National Conference, which has won all the three Lok Sabha seats from the Kashmir Valley had decided to opt-out from the proceedings stating that there was no need to redraw the constituencies at this stage.

Even so, there are indications that the party is reconsidering and has authorised Abdullah to decide whether to participate in the deliberations of the commission. PM Modi had said that the ongoing delimitation exercise in J&K needs to happen quickly so that polls can be held in the Union Territory that will further strengthen its development trajectory.

"Our priority is to strengthen grassroots democracy in JK. Delimitation has to happen at a quick pace so that polls can happen and JK gets an elected Government that gives strength to JK's development trajectory." PM Modi has said in his tweets

The delimitation exercise has gained urgency and there are indications that the Centre is keen to hold early assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir. It is expected that polls may take place in the next six to nine months. The commission will review the progress made so far, including the consultations held by it last week with all deputy commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir on the restructuring of the existing assembly constituencies and carving out seven new seats early this month.

On June 23, inputs were gathered on how to make the assembly seats more geographically compact. Apart from Justice (retd), Ranjana Desai, the Wednesday meeting will be attended by senior functionaries of the poll panel. The other members of the commission are the Chief Election Commissioner and Jammu and Kashmir's Chief Electoral Officer. The number of seats in Jammu & Kashmir will go up from 83 to 90. Twenty-four seats of the Assembly continue to remain vacant as they fall under Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)

All-party meeting

Earlier last week, Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a crucial all-party meeting. The meeting came as a first interaction between the leaders of Jammu and Kashmir and the Centre after the abrogation of Article 370 and 35A in 2019. The meeting was attended by leaders of NC, PDP, Congress, Apni Party and CPM. The all-party meeting was called by the Prime Minister to discuss political activities in the Union Territory. However, the BJP has affirmed that the abrogation of Article 370 will not be rolled back. Union Minister of State Jitendra Singh also remarked that the meeting was held in a cordial environment and that all leaders expressed allegiance to the Constitution of India.

The MoS also revealed that PM Modi took suggestions and listened to all stakeholders seriously. Moreover, the Prime Minister also pushed for ensuring that democracy reaches the grassroots in J&K. Apart from this, PM Modi urged all leaders to come together to ensure that development is carried out in the Union Territory and that progress reaches every community and district of Jammu and Kashmir.

With PTI Inputs
The Delimitation commission under the leadership of former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai will be in Jammu and Kashmir from July 6 to 9, 2021, in the presence of Chief Election Commissioner Sushil Chandra. The commission will interact with the political leaders of the state, representatives of various stakeholders including Deputy Commissioners of almost 20 districts. The three-member delimitation commission was appointed in February 2020 and is tasked with redrawing parliamentary and assembly constituencies in Jammu and Kashmir.

The meeting comes a week after Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired the all-party meeting with J&K leaders of mainstream political parties in Delhi. PM Modi has stressed the need to complete the delimitation exercise in order to ensure that polls can be held in the union territory.

Delimitation Commission to hold a meeting on July 1

The three-member delimitation commission could not complete its work within the allotted time of one year and has therefore been given an extension of one year. In addition, a full meeting of the commission that also includes associate members like Lok Sabha MPs from Jammu & Kashmir is likely to take place soon. The date for such a meeting will be decided on Thursday. Earlier, Farooq Abdullah-led National Conference, which has won all the three Lok Sabha seats from the Kashmir Valley, had decided to opt-out from the proceedings stating that there was no need to redraw the constituencies at this stage.

Even so, there are indications that the party is reconsidering and has authorised Abdullah to decide whether to participate in the deliberations of the commission. PM Modi had said that the ongoing delimitation exercise in J&K needs to happen quickly so that polls can be held in the Union Territory that will further strengthen its development trajectory. Taking to Twitter, PM Modi tweeted, "Our priority is to strengthen grassroots democracy in JK. Delimitation has to happen at a quick pace so that polls can happen and JK gets an elected Government that gives strength to JK's development trajectory."

Our priority is to strengthen grassroots democracy in J&K. Delimitation has to happen at a quick pace so that polls can happen and J&K gets an elected Government that gives strength to J&Ks development trajectory. pic.twitter.com/AEyVGQ1NGy  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 24, 2021

The delimitation exercise has gained urgency and there are indications that the Centre is keen to hold early assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, as per some leaders present at the meeting, who added that they expect that polls may take place in the next six to nine months. The commission will review the progress made so far, including the consultations held by it last week with all deputy commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir on the restructuring of the existing assembly constituencies and carving out seven new seats early this month.

EC Holds Meeting On Delimitation With J&K DCs

On June 23, the Election Commission of India held a meeting in two sessions with all 20 Deputy Commissioners of Jammu & Kashmir. EC Meeting was chaired by Deputy Election Commissioner Chandra Bhushan in which Deputy Commissioners took part virtually. The inputs were gathered on how to make the assembly seats more geographically compact. It was a meeting to delimit the constituencies of J&K which is seen as a step forward to delimitation in Union Territory, which will pave way for elections in Jammu and Kashmir.

Discussions were held on the delimitation of all 90 Assembly constituencies of Jammu & Kashmir. In the meeting the administrative difficulties faced by the deputy commissioners with respect to the assembly constituencies were discussed, said an official privy to the development.

The number of seats in Jammu & Kashmir will go up from 83 to 90. Twenty-four seats of the Assembly continue to remain vacant as they fall under Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK).

(Image Credits: PTI/ANI/JYOTIPRAKASHDUTTA-FACEBOOK)
The European Union (EU) on June 29 issued a clarification on reports of not including Covishield in its Digital COVID certificate or 'green pass'. The EU had created the European COVID-19 travel certificate in order to allow people to travel across Europe without the need to quarantine or test for COVID-19. It also ensures the removal of entry bans, quarantine, and testing. The Green Pass or the EU Digital COVID Certificate is set to come into force from July 1.

However, the EU's digital certificate included only 4 COVID vaccines for travel in European Union namely-- Comirnaty (Pfizer), Johnson & Johnson's Janssen, Spikevax (previously COVID-19 Vaccine Moderna), and AstraZeneca's Vaxzevria.

Covishield, produced by Serum Institute of India in partnership with Astrazeneca, was not specifically mentioned in the digital certificate, leading to confusion on whether Indians vaccinated with the Covishield jab could travel to the EU or not.

No ban on Covishield, clarifies EU Ambassador to India

Ugo Astuto, Ambassador of the European Union to India clarified that there is no ban on travel for people who have been vaccinated with Covishield and the Digital COVID Certificate is meant to facilitate travel within the European Union, but it is not a precondition for the same.

"This certificate is proof that a person is vaccinated against COVID or received a negative test or recovered from COVID-19. So this is meant as a facilitator but it is not a precondition for travel," said Ugo Astuto, Ambassador of the European Union to India.

Ugo also clarified that people who are not even vaccinated will also be allowed to travel, subject to usual restrictions like testing, quarantine, self-isolation measures related to COVID Health Policy.

It is to clarify there is no banning on Covishield, we have set up in place a new system of Digital Covid Certificate which is meant to facilitate travel within the European Union: Ugo Astuto, Ambassador of the European Union to India pic.twitter.com/F516YOFJ6D  ANI (@ANI) June 29, 2021

The EU envoy, on being asked why "Vaxzervria" vaccine, also developed by AstraZeneca, has been permitted in EU and not Covishield, said, "Obviously these are medical sensitivities, medical experts will be better placed to respond. Every approval process of vaccine must be conducted on its own merit. No matter how close the process is, it is because vaccines are biological products so even a tiny difference in manufacturing conditions can result in differences. So each and every product needs to undergo its own scrutiny process."

"Based on what I read, status from European Medicines Agency (EMA), they say they have not received a request for approval of Covishield. I'm sure when they receive, they will process it based on their own internal procedures. I think EMA cannot start any procedure on its own if it hasn't received a request," he added.

Adar Poonawalla Assures To Resolve Covishield's Exclusion From EU's 'Green Pass'

On Monday, Serum Institute of India (SII) CEO Adar Poonawaala had assured travellers that he has taken up the issue at the highest levels. Hoping to resolve the matter soon, he said that he was in touch with EU regulators and at a diplomatic level with different countries.

Africa Raises 'concerns' Over EU's Covishield Exclusion From 'vaccine Passports'

Following Indias Serum Insitute of India (SII) flagging European Union (EU) exclusion of India-made Covishield from its vaccine passports, the African Union Commission and the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC) on June 28 raised their concerns over the applicability of the EU Digital COVID Certificate 'Green Pass' to different COVID-19 vaccines. In a statement on Monday, African CDC 'noted with concern' that the present EU guidelines 'put at risk the equitable treatment of persons having received their vaccines in countries profiting from the EU-supported COVAX Facility, including the majority of the African Union (AU) Member States.'

(Image Credits: PTI/ANI/@EUAMBINDIA/Twitter)
The Indian Navy has deployed Hydrographic Survey ship INS Sarvekshak, upon request of the Government of Sri Lanka, to carry out an extensive underwater search operation around the sunken ship MV X-Press Pearl.

The X-Press Pearl reported an onboard acid leak that caught fire just when it was due to enter the Colombo harbour on May 20. The fire could be put out only after 13 days of prompt and intense efforts including by the Indian Navy and Coast Guard. The massive fire at MV X-Press Pearl is perceived as the worst marine ecological disaster by Sri Lanka's top environment body in the history of ecological disasters in the country. The cargo vessel MV X-Press Pearl was carrying a consignment of chemicals and raw materials for cosmetics from Hazira in Gujarat to Colombo Port.

The Sri Lankan Navy had sought Indias assistance for firefighting as well as pollution control in the Indian Ocean. The Government of India immediately deployed its assets.

What is INS Sarvekshak?

Under the Southern Naval Command, INS Sarvekshak is a hydrographic survey ship in the Indian Navy. Apart from a helicopter, the ship is equipped with four survey motor boats and two small boats. The ship was the runner-up in the 2015 Innovation Trophy given out on Navy Day as an operational unit by PM Modi.

Taking to Twitter, the Indian Navy's official spokesperson account informed that considerable quantities of submerged remnants of the hull have been detected during the underwater survey.

The Navy stated that while the aquatic survey has been progressing with naval survey boats, a chopper is carrying out aerial military observation of the region in coordination with the National Aquatics Resource Research & Development Agency (NARA) and Hydrographic Office, Sri Lanka Navy.

"Survey being progressed with survey boats and integral helo for aerial recce in coordination with National Aquatics Resource Research & Development Agency (NARA) and Hydrographic Office SriLanka Navy," the Indian Navy wrote.

Survey being progressed with survey boats and integral helo for aerial recce in coordination with National Aquatics Resource Research & Development Agency (NARA) and Hydrographic Office #SriLankaNavy (2/2).#SAGAR#BridgesofFriendship@srilanka_navy @MFASriLanka pic.twitter.com/VBOKFpWaBy  SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) June 29, 2021

Indian Navy to Sri Lanka's rescue

Earlier this month, the Sri Lankan Defence Secretary acknowledged that the Indian side held productive involvement pertaining to furthering close cooperation in defence and security spheres of both countries. Sri Lankan officials in the recent past lauded rapid response plus support extended by the Indian Coast Guard vessels to douse the fire triggered onboard merchant vessel X-Press Pearl.

Attention has also been drawn to aspects of the smooth functioning of a long-existing military training exchange between Sri Lanka and India.

Aftermath of the MV X-Press Pearl ecological disaster

As MV X-Press Pearl sank on June 3, Sri Lankan authorities scrambled to lead a response on the aftermath of the worst possible maritime disaster that they feared was likely to happen close to the countrys main port. According to the Sri Lankan authorities, there were about 300 tonnes of oil on board the ship as it started burning on May 20. Most fuel is speculated to have been consumed in the massive fire that broke out, the cause of which is as-yet unknown. X-Press Pearl was carrying just under 1,500 containers, with 81 of those containers described as dangerous goods.

Other southeast Asian nations' governments announced the vessel that burnt for nearly two weeks has posed oil spill hazard risks to the fishing and oceanic ecosystem. It engulfed the coastline in tonnes of plastic pellets, and debris, prompting the Sri Lankan administration to ban fishing 50 miles along the coastline. Millions of bead-like bits of plastic washed ashore on the Pamunugama beach, north of the capital, in Colombo which is located bang opposite to the anchored and sunken X-Press Pearl.
In a major development, the Enforcement Directorate (ED) has opposed the bail petition of Kashmiri separatist Shabbir Shah and said that it is a case of a serious crime where the accused is involved in huge proceeds of crime from various countries including Pakistan to create unrest in Kashmir.

Responding to Shabbir Shah's bail petition in a Delhi court, the ED said, "Shabbir Shah was also involved in terror financing activities as terrorists need money to sustain themselves and to carry out terrorist acts. Money-laundering is the method by which criminals disguise the illegal origins of their wealth and protect their asset bases, so as to avoid the suspicion of law enforcement agencies and prevent leaving a trail of incriminating evidence."

Shabir Shah was in touch with Hafiz Sayeed Chief of Band Terrorist Outfit Jamat-Ud-Dawa (JuD) in Pakistan which is a banned Organization under UNSC resolution number 1267 as it organizes and supports cross-border terrorism, ED informed in their response.

However, Shah had earlier mentioned in a bail application that he is a chairman of the Democratic Freedom Party and all the allegations against him are "motivated and based on falsehood".

Serious allegations against the applicant: ED

"There are serious allegations against the applicant and further investigation in the matter is going on and the properties are being identified. The money trail is trying to be established. Further investigation in relation to the origin is being carried out. Call records leading to Pakistan are being scrutinized including mails and the donors who have paid the money to the applicant are to be identified and examined. If the applicant accused is released on bail at this juncture the entire efforts of the respondents to unearth the large conspiracy would be a futile exercise," the ED added.



The first case was registered against Shabir Shah in 2007 for the alleged money laundering committed in 2005 for terror financing. He was arrested by ED on July 25, 2017, in connection with the 2005 case. The NIA took Shah into custody in June 2019 for another case in connection with its probe into a separate terror funding case involving Jama'at-ud-Da'wah (JuD) chief Hafiz Saeed, the alleged mastermind of the 26/11 2008 Mumbai terrorist attack.

Last year, the Enforcement Directorate had filed a supplementary charge sheet against Bilquies Shah, wife of Shabir Ahmad Shah, in connection with a terror-funding case in Jammu and Kashmir.

(With ANI Inputs)
Every year on July 1, India commemorates the birth and death anniversary of Dr Bidhan Chandra Roy, a famous physician and the second Chief Minister of West Bengal. This day honours all physicians who have selflessly helped us in our time of need and worked diligently to ensure the health of their patients. Doctor's Day is observed not just in India, but also in other nations on different dates. It is observed on March 30 in the United States, on December 3 in Cuba, and on August 23 in Iran. Doctor's Day was first honoured in the US state of Georgia in March 1933.

National Doctor's Day significance

This day was commemorated by sending cards to doctors and laying flowers on the graves of deceased doctors. Dr. BC Roy was honoured by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in his Mann Ki Baat on Sunday. "On July 1, we will celebrate National Doctors' Day. We must pay tribute to our doctors who ensured that India did not succumb to the challenges posed by Covid-19."

In 1991, the Indian government created Doctors' Day to honour BC Roy's efforts. He was instrumental in the formation of the Medical Council of India and the Indian Medical Association. This day is commemorated to honour the contributions of doctors to the nation's growth.

National Doctor's Day history

Throughout the pandemic, several heroes in white lab coats appeared to save us from the terrible illness. As a result, National Doctor's Day is observed to recognise and honour doctors for their services to humanity. On July 1, a special day is observed. National Doctor's Day was created for the first time in 1991, and it has been observed yearly since then.

National Doctor's Day wishes

Dear Doctor, I feel so confident and safe when I know that I am in your hands. You have always been a saviour to me. Thanking you on this wonderful occasion. - Happy Doctors Day 2021!

When there are tears, you are a shoulder. When there is pain, you are a medicine. When there is a tragedy, you are a hope. - Happy National Doctors Day!

Happy Doctors Day to our dearest doctor who is always an inspiration for all staff members Keep motivating us and helping us grow!

On this occasion of Doctors Day, I express my gratitude to you for always being there for us, for serving us with happiness and for treating our problems. - Happy Doctors Day to you!

It is your deeds that make us feel proud. It is great to have a doctor in the family. Wish you a very Happy Doctors Day!

You are more than just a doctor, you are a friend and guide too, So heres a special wish coming your way. Happy National Doctors Day!

You are the best doctor I know. Thank you! Happy Doctors Day.

Good wishes for an amazing day. Hope all your troubles go away just like you made mine go away. Happy National Doctors Day.

IMAGE: SHUTTERSTOCK
Scientists have discovered gravitational waves created by black hole and neutron star mergers for the first time. In January 2020, a team of researchers discovered two gravitational wave incidents in a 10-day period from distances of more than 900 million light-years. The results of the research were reported in the Astrophysical Journal Letters journal. The Center for Computational Relativity and Gravitation (CCRG) at Rochester Institute of Technology-assisted in identifying crucial aspects of the merger occurrences.

Anjali Yelikar, an Indian PhD student in astrophysical sciences and technology, was substantially involved in the research. To find the mass, spin, distance from Earth, and position in the sky of the black holes and neutron stars involved, she used parameter estimation code developed by Associate Professor Richard O'Shaughnessy and alumnus Jacob Lange '18 MS (astrophysical sciences and technology), '20 PhD (astrophysical sciences and technology).

Scientists detect gravitational waves from black holes

Yelikar said, "It's a real dream come true to be a part of a discovery like this." She added, "I was an undergraduate student when LIGO announced the first gravitational wave detection in 2016. It's amazing to see how far the science has come and I am excited to see what new developments await as the scientific community develops more sensitive detectors."

Due to the Coronavirus pandemic in March 2020, the year-long third observing run was cut short by a month, and the fourth is set to begin in the summer of 2022, bringing more advanced detectors into the fold.

While the mergers announced today provide hints about their origins, scientists hope to find more confirmation in subsequent observing runs. Two main theories suggest how neutron stars and black holes could mergeone starting with two stars already orbiting each other and the other starting with unrelated supernova explosionsand while the mergers announced today provide hints about their origins, scientists hope to find more confirmation in subsequent observing runs.

"These elusive systems have long been missing from astronomers' family portrait of compact binaries," said O'Shaughnessy. "Now that we see the whole family, we can use this portrait to try to understand their relationships and lineage. For example, at least one of the neutron stars in these objects is relatively big, compared to neutron stars found before. That may be a clue into how cosmic explosions work and how these objects form."

Gravitational waves in black holes

Despite observations from several observatories, scientists were unable to detect electromagnetic wave equivalents to the gravitational waves created by the events. However, scientists will keep an eye out for this throughout future observations.

Yosef Zlochower, an associate professor in the School of Mathematical Sciences who develops simulations used to compare against gravitational-wave signals, noted, "This discovery is very exciting, not only because it confirms the existence of black-hole-neutron-star binaries, but also because such binaries are potential sources of extremely intense gamma-ray bursts. This leads to the real possibility of future combined gravitational-wave and electromagnetic observations of these sources."

Professor John Whelan, the RIT group's primary investigator in the LIGO Scientific Community, commented, "With this observation of gravitational waves from yet another type of astrophysical system, the LIGO, Virgo and now KAGRA collaborations continue to broaden the field of gravitational-wave astronomy. We look forward to furthering discoveries as we analyze data from this and future observing runs."

(with inputs from ANI)

Picture Credit: ANI
The Kenyan authorities have deployed planes, helicopters, boats, hundreds of camera traps for conducting the first-ever survey of wildlife. Kenya has launched a first-ever national wildlife census that would cover both land and aquatic wildlife on May 7. Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Najib Balala said the first-ever wildlife census in Kenya will help the government in obtaining accurate data on wildlife resources. He noted that the data obtained in the census would help in recommending modern strategies for the conservation and management of wildlife.

"The information generated during the census will support implementation of Government of Kenya conservation and tourism policies and support tools for adaptive management", Balala said in the news release.

Kenya first-ever wildlife census

Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Najib Balala presided over the official launch of the drive at Shimba Hills National Reserve in Kwale county. The two-month exercise is fully funded by the government and is being executed by the Ministry of Tourism and Wildlife, the Kenya Wildlife Service and the newly created Wildlife Research and Training Institute. The census will be carried out in the country's Conservation areas and key wildlife-rich counties. During the launch, Balala said that the National Wildlife census will help to change the conservation model that mitigates human-wildlife conflict, while protecting people's livelihoods.

We're at Shimba Hills National Reserve, Kwale County; to officially launch the National Wildlife Census 2021. This will be Kenya's  first National Wildlife Census, conducted on land and sea wildlife. #CountToConserve pic.twitter.com/4cXYsWrra6  Hon. Najib Balala (@tunajibu) May 7, 2021

The National Wildlife census will help @kwskenya to change the conservation model that mitigates human wildlife conflict, while protecting people's livelihoods. A model that balances conservation and livelihoods #CountToConserve pic.twitter.com/SS8LLq0FSS  Hon. Najib Balala (@tunajibu) May 7, 2021

The government will spend 250 million Kenyan shillings to obtain data on wildlife in the country, reported The Guardian. The census is due to be completed by the end of July and the results are expected in August. Speaking at the launch, Cabinet Secretary for Tourism and Wildlife Najib Balala revealed that the authorities will undertake aerial census in wildlife ecosystems that includes Tsavo, Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Laikipia-Samburu, Meru, Garissa, Wajir, Marsabit, Turkana, Marine animals, and freshwater birds within the Coast & Major Rivers.

We will undertake aerial total census in wildlife ecosystems; Tsavo, Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Laikipia-Samburu, Meru, Garissa, Wajir, Marsabit, Turkana, Marine animals, and fresh water birds within the Coast & Major Rivers - funded by the Kenyan Government  #CountToConserve pic.twitter.com/KNnlCJpnln  Hon. Najib Balala (@tunajibu) May 7, 2021

IMAGE: KWSKenya/Twitter
Pro-democracy activists in Eswatini, the southern African kingdom previously known as Swaziland, have vowed to intensify demonstrations against the monarchy until it makes democratic reforms and lifts its ban on all opposition parties. The small mountain kingdom has been rocked by pro-democracy demonstrations over the past three days and videos of people burning tires and barricading streets in the largest city, Manzini, and the central town of Matsapha have been circulating on social media.

To quell the unrest the government on Tuesday ordered all businesses to close by 3:30 p.m. and a strict curfew to have all residents off the streets from 6 p.m. to 5 a.m. Schools were told to close immediately. "I have been running for the past 6km trying to get hold of my kid. It is a bad situation you can't even pass through the gates it's so bad and you can't even drive," said parent Nzimisa.

The demonstrators are demanding a democratic government that will serve the interests of the people, said Sakhile Nxumalo of the Swaziland Youth Congress, which is involved in the demonstrations. King Mswati III, Africa's last remaining absolute monarch who has ruled the country for more than three decades, is accused by the demonstrators of human rights abuses and running a repressive government.

His family, including 15 wives, is accused of enjoying a lavish lifestyle while most of the country's 1.1 million people are impoverished, according to human rights groups. Political parties were banned in the country in 1973 and are barred from participating in parliamentary elections. The Eswatini government on Tuesday denied claims that the king had fled the country.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Germany has completed its military pullout from Afghanistan, the countrys Defense Ministry announced on Tuesday, bringing back roughly 1,500 troops from the war-torn Asian state as a part of a tripartite agreement. German troops, a part of NATO collision had been stationed in Afghanistan for nearly two decades but a US-led withdrawal, announced by President Joe Biden in April, led to Bundeswehrs return. The US, itself has successfully pulled out over half of its troops ahead of the September 11 deadline.

German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer, in a statement, said After nearly 20 years of deployment, the last soldiers of our Bundeswehr have left Afghanistan this evening. They are on the way back.

Terming it as an end to a historic chapter in the countrys history, the minister offered gratitude to all 150,000 men and women who had served in Afghanistan since 2001. Stressing that Bundeswehr had proven itself in combat, she said that they could be proud of their services. "An intensive deployment that challenged and shaped the Bundeswehr, in which the Bundeswehr proved itself in combat," she added.

The soldiers of the Bundeswehr have in #Afghanistan fulfills all the tasks that the Bundestag has given them. You can be proud of this commitment.

'You will not be forgotten'

The German lawmaker also highlighted the contribution of "the fallen and their families" and/or those soldiers who suffered wounds "in body and soul" battling terrorism and insurgency on the Afghan soil saying, We owe them the greatest respect and thanks. You will not be forgotten, she said. As per the ministry, 59 German soldiers have been killed since 2001 in the course of their service in Afghanistan. The last of the troops were airlifted out of their base at Mazar-i-Sharif in northern Afghanistan on two German A400 Ms and two US C17s.

Germany was one of the largest contributors of troops in Afghanistan, second only to the United States. Britain, Italy and Turkey also have a significant military presence there, the five countries between supplying 6,000 members of the mission, called Resolute Support. A complete pullout will see more than 28,000 troops returning to their home countries, with only Turkish troops remaining.

Image: AP
Romania repatriated its last 140 troops from Afghanistan on Saturday night as part of the U.S. and NATO's formal withdrawal by September 11.

"It's been 19 years of involvement with forces in one of the most difficult theatres of operations in which we took part so far," Romania's Chief of Defense Staff, Daniel Petrescu said before the returning troops on the airport tarmac in Bucharest early Sunday.

"Of course it was a mission that demanded sacrifices," he added, honouring the 27 Romanian troops who died and 200 who were wounded there.

Between February and June this year, Romania had more than 600 troops stationed in Afghanistan.

Since 2002, more than 32,000 Romanian military personnel from various units have supported international operations in Afghanistan, according to the Defence Ministry.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Russia on June 30 successfully launched an unmanned space freighter carrying the essential supplies to the International Space station (ISS) from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. At 2:27 AM Moscow time and 2327 GMT, the Soyuz 2.1 rocket carrying the Progress MS-17 transport cargo ship blasted off from the Kazakh steppes and reached its target orbit, said the Russian space agency Roscosmos in a statement on Wednesday. The unmanned space freighters docking with the ISS Poisk module is scheduled to take place at 4:02 AM Moscow time or 0102 GMT Friday, July 2 and it will be automatic.

The spacecraft will spend the next five months in the same location. The progress MS-17 is carrying more than 470 kilograms of fuel, 420 litres of water, 40 kilogrammes of air and oxygen in cylinders along with 1,509 kilograms of various other equipment and materials in the cargo hold. The Russian space programme rose to global recognition for having sent the first man into space in 1961 and launching the first satellite, Sputnik 1, four years prior to that. After this leg of its mission, in October, the Progress capsule will perform an automated undocking and relocation to Russias upcoming Nauka Multipurpose Laboratory Module which is scheduled to launch to space next month.

The launch:

     :      



 #17     470    , 420   , 40    ,   1 509      pic.twitter.com/4IRsx33GWg   (@roscosmos) June 30, 2021

Complex of target loads also sent on Soyuz 2.1

The Russian space agency said in a statement that apart from the supplies for ISS, the spacecraft also carries a complex of target loads that will be sent to the ISS as part of the implementation of the Russian programme of scientific and applied research and experiments. These include, "Neurolab" for carrying out medical experiments, "Pilot-T" to study the influence of long-term space flight factors on the quality of professional activities of cosmonauts, materials of the "Correction" experiment for the development of effective means of preventing changes in the bone tissue of astronauts in zero gravity.

Other materials packed in the vehicle are "Biorisk" and "Constant-2" to study the influence of space flight factors on the state of complex protein compounds and the survival of microorganisms, the "Probiovit" experiment is aimed at developing a technology for the production of pharmacological products with immunomodulatory properties under microgravity conditions, and the "UV atmosphere" equipment providing mapping of earths night glow.

IMAGE: @roscosmos/Twitter
Israel's Foreign Minister Yair Lapid inaugurated the Israeli Consulate General of Israel in Dubai on Wednesday.

"The consulate isn't symbolic. It's a place of life, of tourism, of business, of dialogue between two talented peoples who can and who want to contribute to one another," said Lapid during the ceremony.

The minister arrived to the United Arab Emirates on Tuesday, nine months after the two countries established relations in a deal brokered by the United States.

Lapid's visit comes just weeks after a new government in Israel was formed in a power-sharing deal that named the ideologically hawkish, right-wing Naftali Bennett as Israel's prime minister.

The Emiratis and Israelis had strong reservations about the nuclear deal between Iran and world powers brokered by the Obama administration, which aimed to limit Tehran's ability to develop nuclear weapons.

Their shared concerns that the deal did not go far enough helped propel quiet ties and covert meetings long before they formally announced full diplomatic relations last year.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
A day after US Air Force planes carried out airstrikes near the Iraq-Syria border on what the Pentagon said were facilities used by Iran-backed militia groups to enable drone strikes inside Iraq, US forces in eastern Syria came under rocket attack on Monday, June 28, with no reported injuries.

The Iraqi military has condemned the US bombings, while militia groups have urged retaliation against the US. The militias were exploiting the facilities to launch unmanned aerial vehicle strikes against US soldiers in Iraq, according to Pentagon Press Secretary John Kirby. It was the administration's second military intervention in the region since Biden took office earlier this year.

Rocket attack on US forces

There was no indication that the assaults on Sunday were intended to be the start of a longer-term US air campaign in the border region. However, Col. Wayne Marotto, a spokesperson for the US military mission in Baghdad, stated on Twitter Monday that U.S. forces in Syria were attacked by multiple rockets at 7:44 pm (local time). He stated that there were no injuries and that the damage caused by the attack was being analyzed. Marotto later tweeted that, while under rocket attack, US forces in Syria used artillery at the rocket-launching sites in self-defense.

Three operational and weapon storage facilities, two in Syria and one in Iraq, were struck by the US military, according to Kirby. The Pentagon characterised one target as a coordination hub for the shipment and transfer of advanced conventional weapons in videos released of the strikes by Air Force F-15 and F-16 planes. Kirby described the airstrikes as "defensive", claiming they were undertaken in reaction to militia violence.

Kirby said, "The United States took necessary, appropriate, and deliberate action designed to limit the risk of escalation  but also to send a clear and unambiguous deterrent message."

US troops in Syria attacked

The facilities were reportedly utilized by Iran-backed militia groups like Kata'ib Hezbollah and Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, according to the Pentagon. The facilities were reportedly utilized by Iran-backed militia groups like as Kata'ib Hezbollah and Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, according to the Pentagon. Navy Cmdr. Jessica McNulty, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said Monday that each missile struck its intended target and that the US military was still evaluating the operation's findings.

The facilities were reportedly utilized by Iran-backed militia groups like Kata'ib Hezbollah and Kata'ib Sayyid al-Shuhada, according to the Pentagon. Navy Cmdr. Jessica McNulty, a Pentagon spokeswoman, said Monday that each missile struck its intended target and that the US military was still evaluating the operation's findings.

However, four Iraqi militiamen were killed in airstrikes near the Syrian border, according to two Iraqi militia leaders in Baghdad. According to them, the first strike targeted a weapons storage site on Syrian soil, where the fighters were killed. The second strike connected with the board. At least seven Iraqi militiamen were killed in the airstrikes, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based group that closely monitors the Syrian conflict through activists on the ground.

Since a US-directed drone killed Iranian Gen. Qassem Soleimani near the Baghdad airport last year, US military authorities have grown increasingly concerned about drone strikes targeting US military locations in Iraq. The bombing also killed Iraqi militia leader Abu Mahdi al-Muhandis. The incident enraged Iraqi MPs, who are primarily Shiites, and spurred parliament to vote a nonbinding resolution pressuring the Iraqi government to remove foreign soldiers from the country.

(with inputs from AP)

Picture Credit: AP
Debilitated by the economic and social impact of the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus that was first officially confirmed in December 2019 in Chinas Wuhan, Singapores Ministry of Health (MOH) decided to claim normalcy by treating COVID-19 as an endemic disease. In a report carried by The Strait Times on June 29, at least three health ministry officials revealed that the country is drafting a blueprint for COVID-19 endemic plan that would require the population to get the multi-year vaccine booster shots, such as those administered for the flu viruses.

An endemic is a disease outbreak that is consistently present but limited which makes the disease spread and rates predictable, for example, Malaria and Influenza disease which is considered endemic in certain countries and regions. Singapores three ministers of a multi-ministry task force concluded that while the novel coronavirus may never go away it is possible to live normally with it in our midst.

The new roadmap implies that Singapore will deter its focus from the WHO-advised sweeping health protocols that prohibit mass gathering, social distancing, and other COVID-related measures, and might in fact halt keeping the record of the confirmed cases on the database. Singapores coronavirus task force backed the governments decision saying that people were now becoming battle-weary 18 months into the fight with the pandemic, and it now requires a different approach.

Coronavirus 'is not going away': Singapore COVID task force officials

Singapores health ministry emphasized ramping up the rate of inoculation as in the case of endemic diseases which would expand on a yearly basis with multiple shots of the vaccine. This, they said, would help manage the coronavirus like the common flu. Minister for Trade and Industry Gan Kim Yong, Minister for Finance Lawrence Wong, and Minister for Health Ong Ye Kung stated that the coronavirus " is not going away" and that the population would have to learn to live with it. For the next few weeks, the country plans to focus on treating the COVID-19 as the controllable disease in midst of rising public anxiety about When and how will the pandemic end?

The authorities added that the vaccination has proven to be effective not only in minimizing the rates of infections but also in controlling the overall transmission and severity of the disease. Research has shown that fully vaccinated people tend to have a milder form of infection, with some people that report the breakthrough infection showing no symptoms at all. In January 2020, the World Health Organization declared the then-called Wuhan virus a pandemic, having analyzed at large the public health emergency of international concern (PHEIC).
Officials in the central Yemeni city of Marib say camps for the internally displaced are becoming overcrowded due to an escalating offensive by Iranian-backed Houthi rebels.

The ongoing offensive has worsened the humanitarian situation in the government-held city, which hosts some 2.2 million displaced people, many of in overcrowded camps on the city's outskirts.

Fayza Kassem lives with her eight children in the al-Suwayda camp where she arrived about two months ago after the Houthis shelled another camp, al-Mail, earlier this year.

"We were displaced very suddenly, we left everything behind. We ran. Bullets were falling next to us," explained the 45-year-old mother, who fled from her hometown in the province of Ibb five years ago when the Houthis overran it.

"There is no electricity, the camp doesn't fit people, there are no ACs (air conditioning units), there is nothing," she said.

Kassem is one of 12,000 people residing at the al-Suwayda camp in Marib.

This is her fourth or fifth time being displaced since 2015, she says, explaining that she has lost count of the number of times her family has been forced to flee.

Houthi rebels are fighting to wrestle control of the government's last pocket of territory in Yemen's north.

For years, rebel forces have been trying to take control of Marib to complete their takeover of the northern half of Yemen.

Since February they have intensified their offensive, firing ballistic missiles and sending drones into Marib, often hitting civilian areas and camps for displaced people.

More than 120 civilians have been killed in Marib, including 15 children, in the past six months, according to the government.

Camp residents are deeply traumatised, and new arrivals have added further strain to an already struggling system, said Saleh Nasser, a Marib IDP camp official.

"The camp lacks capabilities and basic needs like food and water, environmental sanitation, and shelter," he said.

Yemen has been embroiled in a civil war since 2014, when the Houthis swept across much of the north and seized the capital, Sanaa, forcing the internationally recognized government into exile.

A Saudi-led coalition entered the conflict the following year on the side of the government, turning the fighting into a proxy war with Iran.

The conflict has killed more than 130,000 people and spawned the world's worst humanitarian crisis.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
Left-wing activists and relatives of people killed in Philippine President Rodrigo Dutertes anti-drug campaign marked the start of his last year in office Wednesday with a noisy protest and a countdown toward achieving justice.

Riot police prevented more than 150 flag-waving protesters from approaching the presidential palace in Manila.

The demonstrators dispersed peacefully after less than an hour and police made no arrests despite a ban on such gatherings under COVID-19 restrictions.

The protesters held placards that read Stop the killing, prosecute Duterte.

Others carried a mock coffin, while several family members displayed portraits of mostly young people they said were victims of extrajudicial killings in the drug crackdown.

Dutertes anti-drug campaign, in which thousands of mostly petty drug suspects have died since he took office in June 2016, has alarmed human rights groups and prompted several people to file complaints with the International Criminal Court.

The International Criminal Courts outgoing chief prosecutor said this month that a preliminary examination found reason to believe crimes against humanity had been committed during the crackdown.

The prosecutor sought authorization to open a formal investigation and the courts judges have 120 days to decide.

"My appeal to the ICC is, 'please don't abandon us.' They are the only ones who can help us," said Normita Lopez, the mother of an alleged extrajudicial killing victim at Wednesday's protest.

Duterte has denied condoning the murder of large numbers of drug suspects but has openly threatened drug dealers with death.

He said suspects were killed after they violently resisted arrest, although human rights groups have reported cases of police killing unarmed suspects and then altering the crime scene to make it appear the suspects opened fire at them.

Duterte has said he would never cooperate in a possible ICC investigation.

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Greek police have recovered paintings by Pablo Picasso and Piet Mondrian that were stolen in January 2012. The paintings were stolen nine years ago during a heist at the National Art Gallery in Athens. The painting was donated to the Greek state by Pablo Picasso as a symbol of respect for the countrys resistance to Nazi forces. The suspect has been arrested and is being questioned.

Police recovers stolen paintings

The painting donated to Greece by Pablo Picasso and will now be back on display at the newly renovated National Gallery in Athens. Police arrested a 49-year-old construction worker as a suspect. Greek police said that they have recovered paintings by artists Pablo Picasso and Piet Mondrian. The paintings were stolen during a heist at the National Art Gallery on January 9, 2012. The thieves had also taken a pen and ink drawing of a religious scene by Italian painter Guglielmo Caccia. The theives had allegedly also taken an artwork by Mondrian, but abandoned it as they fled, reported AP.

             2012.

   ,  Pablo Picasso   Piet Mondrian.

 https://t.co/tw4pAaTynv

https://t.co/1y4IU9WvvV pic.twitter.com/wOU01A6b8Q    (@hellenicpolice) June 29, 2021

Suspect reportedly planned theft for six months

The Greek authorities said that Picassos Womans Head and a work by the Dutch master Piet Mondrian, Stammer Mill with Summer House, were stolen in January 2012 from the National Gallery in Athens. Police recovered the paintings wrapped in plastic sheets and hidden in a dry river bed outside Athens. Speaking at the press conference on June 29, police alleged that the 49-year-old suspect had confessed to the theft. Police said that the suspect explained how he planned the raid for six months in advance, reported BBC. The suspect reportedly monitored the movements of security guards and other staff and even noted the cigarette breaks of the guards. Police said that the suspect raised a false alarm in another part of the building on 9 January 2012. and in the meantime, the suspect broke into the ground floor of the museum, reported BBC. Police said a suspect is a Greek man who claims to have acted alone. The suspect had reportedly hidden the paintings at his home for years and had moved them recently.

"This painting is of special importance and emotional value as the great painter personally dedicated it to the Greek people for their struggle against fascist and Nazi (occupying) forces and bears his hand-written dedication, AP quoted Culture Minister Lina Mendoni as saying.

(Inputs from AP)
External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday met his counterparts from the US, Britain, Japan, Canada, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Mexico, France, Spain, Singapore and the EU on the sidelines of the G20 ministerial meetings here and discussed with them the COVID-19 situation and global as well as regional issues of mutual interests.

Jaishankar, who arrived in Italy from Greece on the second leg of this two-nation tour on Monday, met US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and discussed the Indo-Pacific and the Afghan situation.

"Good to see US Secretary of State @SecBlinken in Matera. Discussed the Indo-Pacific and the Afghan situation," Jaishankar tweeted.

US President Joe Biden has announced that all American troops would be withdrawn from Afghanistan by September 11 this year to end the country's longest war. Following suit, the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) said it will also pull out its troops from Afghanistan.

India, a major stakeholder in the peace and stability of Afghanistan, has been supporting a national peace and reconciliation process which is Afghan-led, Afghan-owned and Afghan-controlled.

Jaishankar also held talks with his French counterpart Jean-Yves Le Drian and discussed strategic convergence between the two countries.

"A productive meeting with FM @JY_LeDrian of France. Assessed the progress in our broad-based agenda. Also discussed our strategic convergence. Confident we shall see a steady growth of this relationship," he tweeted, sharing a photograph of the meeting.

Describing Singaporean finance minister Vivian Balakrishnan as his "friend", Jaishankar said he had a "warm meeting" with him.

"Contemporary challenges call for an even stronger partnership. Committed to exploring new opportunities and setting higher goals," he tweeted, along with a photograph in which the two leaders are seen exchanging 'namaste' greetings.

During his meeting with Spanish foreign minister Arancha Gonzalez, Jaishankar appreciated the strengthening ties between the two countries and Spains support in India's EU engagement.

"Look forward to welcoming her in India," Jaishankar tweeted.

Earlier in the day, Jaishankar met British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab and the two leaders reviewed the progress in bilateral ties and discussed global and regional issues.

"Met UK Foreign Secretary @DominicRaab this morning. Reviewed the progress of our bilateral Road Map. Discussed the state of the world, regional issues, Covid and Climate Action," Jaishankar said in a series of tweets.

The external affairs minister met his Italian counterpart Luigi Di Maio and congratulated him on the successful G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Italy.

"Discussed taking forward our bilateral relationship. Look forward to seeing him in India, Jaishankar said in another tweet.

He also met his Mexican counterpart Marcelo Ebrard C and agreed to step up bilateral cooperation and work together in the multilateral arena.

"Our pharma cooperation is particularly important in the times of Covid, Jaishankar said.

He met Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi and exchanged views on Quad, 2+2 and Covid.

"A typical #G20 conversation - with FM @moteging of Japan. Spoke about Quad, 2+2 and Covid," Jaishankar tweeted.

The Quad or Quadrilateral alliance consisting of the US, India, Japan and Australia has been resolving to uphold a rules-based international order in the Indo-Pacific amid growing Chinese assertiveness in the region.

The minister also held a cordial meeting with his Saudi counterpart Faisal bin Farhan during which he discussed the Covid situation and urged early resumption of flights.

"Cordial meeting with Saudi FM @FaisalbinFarhan. Discussed the Covid situation and urged early flight resumption. Talks also covered our Strategic Partnership and regional situation," he tweeted.

Jaishankar later met Canadian Foreign Minister Marc Garneau and discussed issues of bilateral concerns.

"Useful conversation with FM @MarcGarneau of Canada on Indo-Pacific, trade & economic cooperation and bilateral concerns. Agreed to remain in touch, he tweeted.

The external affairs minister also met with Josep Borrell Fontelles, the High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy/Vice-President of the European Commission.

"Taking forward the agenda of the Leaders Summit. Discussed vaccine production and access. Took up Covishield authorisation for travel to Europe. Will be following up," he said after the meeting.

The G20 summit is scheduled to be held in Italy in October. India is expected to hold the presidency of the G20 in 2022. The G20 is an influential bloc that brings together the world's major economies.

The G20 member countries are Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, Japan, India, Indonesia, Italy, Mexico, Russia, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, South Korea, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union.

(Disclaimer: This story is auto-generated from a syndicated feed; only the image & headline may have been reworked by www.republicworld.com)
After Colombias government posted apparent perpetrators behind an attack on the countrys far-right President Ivan Duque, it triggered social media users to jokingly link Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg to the incident. Colombian Defence Minister Diego Molano has been reportedly trying to convince the people that the leftist guerrillas opened fire on a helicopter transporting the president on Friday. While Molano was unable to produce any evidence to back his theory, the social media users jumped in with their own version of what they thought happened on June 25 owing to the resemblance of one of the sketches with Zuckerberg.

In the aftermath of the incident, the Colombian National Police on June 28 shared two sketches of the two preparators on Facebook while offering a reward of 3 million dollars for helping with the arrest. The rough translation of the post says, Help us locate them! These are the portraits spoken of the perpetrators of the attack on the helicopter carrying Mr. president Ivan Duque and his entourage. Up to $ 3.000 million reward. Contact lines 3213945367 or 3143587212. However, one of the portraits has caused a stir on social media due to its uncanny resemblance with Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg.

Mark Zuckerberg is the one

From sharing Zuckerbergs GIFs to memes, the internet users flooded the comment section of the Colombian National Polices post on the site explaining why they think its the Facebook CEO. One of the internet users advised the law enforcement of the country saying, Need to hire a better cartoonist while someone else joked, No wonder the Hptas offer so much reward. Mocking the reward, one netizen said, Use that money to train cartoonists.

Apart from the sketch shared by the authorities, there is no other evidence pointing towards Zuckerberg being linked to the shooting on the Colombian President that left minor damage to the armoured Blackhawk helicopter used by the leader. On Friday, the helicopter was reportedly approaching Cucuta airport on a flight from Sardinata when several shots were fired at it, apparently from a rifle. At the time, Duque was accompanied by Molano and the interior minister Daniel Palacios and other officials. No one on board was injured.

IMAGE: Facebook/AP
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Supporters of the Chinese Communist Party monitor, attack, and threaten students at Australian universities, which do little to protect academic freedom, a new report says.

Chinese students protest against China at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, in a July 24, 2019 photo.

The long arm of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) is affecting freedom of speech at overseas universities, according to a report published on Tuesday by Human Rights Watch (HRW).

CCP-backed activities on the campuses of Australian universities had interfered with academic freedom, affecting both students and academics critical of Beijing, the report found.

It said Beijing's supporters and the Chinese government had also harassed and intimidated those who express support for democracy movements.

"Australian universities rely on the fees international students bring, while turning a blind eye to concerns about harassment and surveillance by the Chinese government and its proxies," HRW's Australia researcher Sophie McNeill said.

"Australian university administrators are failing in their duty of care to uphold the rights of students from China," she said.

McNeill's report cited the cases of three students studying in Australia whose families had been contacted by the police back home in China regarding their activities in Australia.

The report also found that more than half of the China-related faculty interviewed were selective about what they said in public, while university administrators had also censored staff, asking them not to discuss China publicly.

Some students engaged in intimidation and physical attacks on those protesting on issues considered "sensitive" by the CCP, including the status of democratic Taiwan, the Hong Kong protest movement, and the mass incarceration of Uyghurs and other ethnic groups in Xinjiang.

Chinese students studying at Australian universities were particularly vulnerable, the report found, with one student reporting that their passport had been confiscated by police after they went back home, indicating that state security police have sources of information on Australian campuses.

Watching their words

A Hong Kong student who gave only the nickname Bonnie said she had attended an Australian university with close ties to the CCP, and which had a China-funded Confucius Institute on its campus.

She said some of her professors had clearly been watching their words when they talked about China-related issues.

"One professor I had would correct himself when talking about the origin of the COVID-19 virus," she said. "He stopped and said instead that it had come from Asia, instead of China."

"I knew that wasn't right, but none of the students had the courage to correct him," she said. "I think that counts as a blow to academic freedom."

She said she frequently used precautionary measures to avoid detection when attending on-campus protests linked to Hong Kong.

Chinese students make up around 40 percent of foreign students in Australia, with around 160,000 studying in the country last year, and they are an important source of income for Australian higher education.

Under surveillance

A Hong Kong resident who has also studied in Australia, who gave only the nickname Jacob, said he knew that mainland Chinese students were under surveillance by Chinese police during their time there.

"We also thought we were under surveillance during events and gatherings," he said of the Hong Kong students.

"There would be people at our events whom we didn't know, Chinese people, who took photos of the scene, and of us, with their cameras or phones," Jacob said.

"They even assaulted participants at our event."

He said the university he attended had provided little in the way of protection for the Hong Kong students, so precautionary measures were needed, with many Hong Kong students donning masks to evade facial recognition software.



Reported by Emily Chan for RFA's Mandarin and Cantonese Services. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Twenty-four years after the city's handover, one year after a national security law took effect, the lines just keep forming in the airport departures hall.

Twenty-four years after the city was handed back to the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP), Hongkongers are once more lining up in droves to leave, the sounds of farewells echoing through the departures hall at the international airport, in stark contrast with the hushed and empty arrivals floor.

The imposition of a draconian national security law on the city from 11.00 p.m. on June 30, 2020 ushered in an ever-widening crackdown on all forms of dissent and political opposition that has seen dozens of former lawmakers arrested for "subversion" for taking part in a democratic primary, and the closure of the pro-democracy Apple Daily newspaper last week.

Media organizations have seen a number of arrests of prominent columnists, popular political and cultural programs are being axed, and online content is being deleted to protect the safety of the staff who produced it.

A Hong Kong resident surnamed Chan said he had recently left Hong Kong with his wife and young children, to settle in the U.K.

"As the generation that lived through Hong Kong under British rule and also in the Special Administrative Region [under Chinese rule], we didn't have high expectations," Chan told RFA. "We just didn't want to see the so-called boundaries [of acceptable behavior] constantly shifting."

"We would actually think about going back if everyone enjoyed fundamental human rights and freedoms," Chan said.

But Chan isn't holding his breath.

"Look at [the Tiananmen massacre of] June 4, 1989. Three decades later, they are still trying to erase that piece of history, and won't admit to [wrongdoing]," he said.

"Is it possible for Hong Kong to go back to the way it was 10 years ago?" he said. "I'm not very optimistic."

Many of those leaving for good on Tuesday were young families with school-age children, encouraged by changes to immigration rules in the U.K., Canada, and Australia, and spurred by a mandatory program of "national security education" in Hong Kong's schools, as well as the axing of Liberal Studies from school curriculums.

Elderly relatives wept as entire nuclear families waved their last goodbye, before disappearing through the immigration gate, en route for a new life somewhere else.

Targeting the young

Mandatory education has also been used to target juvenile offenders who ended up in the prison system for taking part in the 2019 protest movement against the erosion of Hong Kong's promised freedoms.

"Young people who took part in the protest movement were given prison sentences in order to provide them with education," Chung Kim-wah, deputy chief executive of the Hong Kong Public Opinion Research Institute (HKPORI), told RFA.

"Now they are using this to teach them so-called patriotic education."

"This all happens in the confinement of the prison environment without their parents' knowledge, and the parties involved have no choice in the matter, he said. "It's pretty similar to the re-education and brainwashing camps; they are having ideological indoctrination forced on them."

Chung said the new emphasis on patriotic education in schools and juvenile correctional facilities alike would have a negative effect on the ability of future generations of Hongkongers to think critically.

'Human rights emergency'

London-based rights group Amnesty International said on Tuesday that the national security law had sparked a "human rights emergency" in Hong Kong.

"In one year, the National Security Law has put Hong Kong on a rapid path to becoming a police state and created a human rights emergency for the people living there," the group's Asia-Pacific regional director Yamini Mishra said in a statement.

"From politics to culture, education to media, the law has infected every part of Hong Kong society and fomented a climate of fear that forces residents to think twice about what they say, what they tweet and how they live their lives," Mishra said.

The group said the Hong Kong authorities have repeatedly used "national security" as a pretext to justify censorship, harassment, arrests, and prosecutions, while overriding previous human rights protections.

It said people charged under the law are effectively presumed guilty rather than innocent, meaning they are usually denied bail.

After his mandatory 10 days' self-isolation on arriving in the U.K., Chan's first act was to take part in a protest rally commemorating a June 12, 2019 rally against plans to allow extradition to mainland China, at which Hong Kong's police force launched an onslaught of tear-gas, batons, and pepper spray on unarmed protesters.

His next protest was to mourn the loss of the Apple Daily.

"There hasn't been the freedom to hold a demonstration or rally in Hong Kong for the past six months, the past year even," Chan said. "Why can I only speak out on behalf of my birthplace in a foreign country?"

Chan, who once worked in healthcare, said he had already started limiting what he posted online after the national security law took effect.

"The boundaries were getting closer and closer with the introduction of the national security law, to the extent that public organizations were restricting their online speech ... naturally there were concerns," he said.

Looking back from far away, Chan said the city where he has lived his whole life has changed beyond recognition.

"The rule of law that everyone relied on, the presumption of innocence; these most basic principles have been erased under the national security law," he said. "It feels as if our entire system of values has collapsed."



Reported by Lu Xi and Emily Chan for RFA's Mandarin and Cantonese Services. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
Sales of knives and natural gas bottles are suspended, as police check IDs in areas frequented by petitioners.

Cyclists ride past as workers adjust a barrier near decorations in Tiananmen Square a day before an event marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing, June 30, 2021.

Authorities in Beijing have banned sales of natural gas canisters and knives, as the city began to fill up with military personnel on the eve of the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP)'s centenary celebration on July 1.

Internet connections in the capital have also been intermittent in recent days, local residents told RFA.

Businesses in Beijing are required to mail knives to customers after the event, while sales of natural gas have been temporarily suspended until July 4, according to a directive sent to community groups.

Dissidents across the city remain under close surveillance, with many taken out of town on forced "vacations" by state security police, political commentator Zha Jianguo said.

"There have been police officers on guard [outside my home] since yesterday," Zha said. "Two security guards and three others sent by police outside the door."

"This is because of the centenary, and they have been there since June 15," he said. "They were only there for six days around the anniversary of June 4 [1989]."

"Our freedom of movement is gone, as well as our basic human rights," he said.

Ji Feng, a former participant in the 1989 pro-democracy movement, has been taken to the Baiyangdian Resort in Hebei province, neighboring Beijing, in custody of state security police.

Meanwhile, a petitioner from northeastern China who gave only a surname, Wang, said there are police on guard outside her apartment in Beijing's Daxing district, where large numbers of people pursuing complaints against the government are living temporarily.

"Two police officers in uniform arrived outside our home yesterday," Wang said. "They are also going door-to-door checking IDs."

"If they catch you, they will take you back [to your hometown]," she said.

Paramilitary police officers patrol Tiananmen Square a day before an event marking the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of China, in Beijing, June 30, 2021. Credit: AFP 'Knocking on doors'

A petitioner surnamed Zhang said officials had also been around the "petitioner village" confiscating natural gas bottles used for cooking.

"They've been knocking on doors and checking to see if the bottled gas was taken away yet," Zhang said. "[They are also taking] car batteries away."

"The mobile signal has been terrible in Beijing during the past few days ... [and] basically the internet connection comes and goes," Zhang said.

Government censors have also moved in recent days to shut down large numbers of groups on the social media platform WeChat, a user told RFA.

"They are shutting down groups in Beijing," the user said. "It seems that they shut down one of our groups every day."

A Beijing resident surnamed Zhao said all communications signals will be jammed around Tiananmen Square around the time of the centenary parade, from around 8.00 a.m. to noon, between Dongdan and Xidan, as well as some parts of the Second Ring Road.

Speaking at a courtyard home-turned-memorial hall where Mao Zedong and 12 others founded the party in 1921, CCP general secretary Xi Jinping on Monday called on party members to "sacrifice everything" for the party.

No past mistakes

Xi has presided over the public erasure of dissenting opinions, as well as over a growing insistence that the party's past mistakes not be alluded to in public debate.

The party is now campaigning against "historical nihilism," which is defined as any attempt to use the past to question the party's current version of events, or its role in modern Chinese history.

According to Xi, his "socialism with Chinese characteristics for the new era" will produce more revolutionary heroes willing to sacrifice their lives for the people.

The number of CCP members recently topped 95 million, according to the party's organization department.

But Yang Haiying, a professor at Shizuoka University in Japan, said many members join to further their life chances, rather than to spend a life working to improve the lot of ordinary Chinese.

"There is a lot of competition to join the party right now," Yang told RFA. "When college students join the party during their time at university, they are all doing it so they can become civil servants."

"It's sheer pragmatism," he said.

Zha Jianguo agreed.

"It's a good idea to join the party right now; everyone knows that," he said. "That's if you want a government career, or to win promotion."

"It's a basic prerequisite."



Reported by Qiao Long for RFA's Mandarin Service. Translated and edited by Luisetta Mudie.
The MRC said China, and members Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam and Thailand should work together to reduce impact on riparian communities.

A local villager drive a boat where the future site of the Luang Prabang dam will be on the Mekong River, outskirt of Luang Prabang province, Laos, February 5, 2020.

The Mekong River Commission (MRC), an intergovernmental organization that promotes cooperation in the vital Asian waterway, called on China and its downstream Southeast Asian neighbors Wednesday to share information more transparently for better management of the rivers resources.

In its situation report, the MRC urged China, as well as members Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam, to share data with each other to assess recent changes in the rivers flow patterns and potential impact on riparian communities.

For the sake of better management of the basin and of good faith cooperation, both Member Countries and China should notify any planned major changes in the operation of hydropower projects and share that information with the MRC Secretariat, An Pich Hatda, the MRC Secretariat chief executive officer, said in a statement.

The MRC that found that during the dry season starting in November 2020 and ending in May 2021, water levels the rivers main stream in Laos and Thailand fluctuated, and water levels in Cambodias Tonle Sap Lake were lower than usual, the report said, attributing the changes to upstream dams in China and Laos.

Tonle Saps waters ebb and flow with the annual cycle of the river connecting it to the Mekong, and it has been drying at a rapid rate in recent years, threatening the fish stocks providing millions of Cambodians with their main source of protein.

The Lower Mekong Basin (LMB) would have above-average rainfall in June and August, but a July that is dryer than usual, the report predicted.

The low levels in the Tonle Sap Lake in May will continue into June and July as the tributary dams fill up as the rain starts. The reverse flow to the Tonle Sap Lake, which usually starts in mid-May, is consequently expected to follow the previous years pattern but is still subject to actual rainfall over LMB from June to October 2021, the report said.

China has built 11 dams in the Upper Mekong, which it calls the Lancang, and Laos had built around 80 dams on the Mekong and its tributaries, with plans to build many more in its controversial bid to become the Battery of Southeast Asia, by selling the generated power to neighboring countries.

Changes in the river caused by hydropower projects may have impacted navigation, river ecosystems, and riverbank stability, although more study is needed to pinpoint the type and extent of impact, the MRCs statement said.

The report said that water releases from storage dams caused above-average flow increases for most of the dry season, and this had both positive and negative implications on the region.

More water could be good for farming, navigation and reversing seawater encroachment in the Mekong Delta, the report said.

However, even though Thailand and the northern part of Cambodia had record rainfall in April and May, river levels did not increase significantly in those months, according to the report.

The MRC recommended more detailed research on water level patterns, particularly at several new monitoring stations in Laos. Additionally, it said studies on better active management of basin-wide water storage could reduce negative impact on riparian communities.

The report marks the first time that the MRC made clear the impact of dam projects on the Mekong River, the Thai Peoples Network in Eight Mekong Provinces, a citizens group that has filed a lawsuit in Thailand related to construction of Laos Xayaburi dam, told the RFA-affiliated online news service BenarNews.

The MRC should have performed their job and made the issue clear a long time ago. Especially in the past two years, Chinas dams and the Xayaburi dam have caused hardship on the people in Isan [Thailands northeastern region], said Ormbun Thipsuna, director of the network.

Its time for four MRC member-countries to discuss and find who is to be responsible for the mismanagement of water to have affected other countries, and materialize its consensus, she said.

BenarNews attempted to contact Somkiat Prajamwong, secretary-general to the Office of the National Water Resources of Thailand, but he could not be reached for comment Wednesday.

In 2020, China agreed to share data on water levels and rainfall with the MRC, promising to alert the commission and its members of abnormalities.

Chinas foreign ministry spokesman Wang Wenbin said at a briefing Wednesday that Beijing was completely open and transparent in providing data to the Lancang-Mekong Cooperation, another platform that facilitates international cooperation between China and the Lower Mekong countries.

"Since November 2020, China has been providing hydrological information of the Lancang River to Mekong countries on a daily basis and has been offering notification on major changes in discharge volume downstream," Wang said.
The bodies of COVID-19 victims are unloaded from a van in Sagaing Region's Kalemyo township, in an undated photo.

Nearly 200 people in northwest Myanmars strife-torn Kalay township are believed to have died of COVID-19 in June alone, with many left untreated as medical staff joined anti-junta protests or were arrested by the military, sources said Tuesday.

Myanmars efforts to contain the coronavirus were dealt a substantial blow on Feb. 1, when the military orchestrated a coup detat, claiming that a landslide victory by Aung San Suu Kyis National League for Democracy (NLD) in the countrys November 2020 elections was the result of widespread voter fraudlaunching the country into chaos.

The junta has yet to provide evidence for its claims and has violently suppressed mass demonstrations against the takeover, killing at least 883 people and arresting 5,224, according to the Assistance Association for Political Prisoners (AAPP).

Tens of thousands of people have walked off the job to join the Civil Disobedience Movement (CDM) in opposition to the military, bringing services such as health care to a near standstill. In Myanmars remote border regions, where residents have formed Peoples Defense Force (PDF) militias and engaged in fierce fighting with government troops, access to medical services is even more curtailed, sources said.

As of Tuesday, Myanmar had confirmed a total of 155,697 cases of COVID-19 in the country and recorded at least 3,320 deaths, according to the Ministry of Health and Sports. Sagaing regions Kalay townshipa population center of around 400,000 people that has been the scene of some of the worst fighting between the military and the PDF in recent monthsaccounts for some 5.5 percent of the toll with an estimated 181 deaths, an aid worker told RFAs Myanmar Service.

Of the 181 deaths, 51 were confirmed to have been infected with COVID-19 at area hospitals, while the remaining 130 died at home after exhibiting symptoms of the disease without being officially diagnosed, said the worker, speaking on condition of anonymity out of fear of reprisal.

[COVID-19] deaths at home are more common  There arent enough doctors and nurses or oxygen at the hospitalsthat's why people want to treat their sick at home, said the source.

We consider everyone who dies outside of the hospitals a suspect COVID case. If you look at the family members of the deceased, two or three of them tend to be infected.

A township elder told RFA that funerals for COVID-19 victims are being held daily in Kalay and that this week marked the worst day for COVID-19 deaths in the township with 20 in a single day.

These days there are funeral wakes in almost every ward, he said. It is everywhere.

According to residents, the latest coronavirus outbreak in Kalay began in the third week of May and is believed to have made its way to the area via workers from neighboring Chin state, which like Sagaing, shares a border with India.

Ma Khine, the sister of a 41-year-old man who died from what is believed to have been COVID-19, told RFA that he had spent nine days at home without proper medication before succumbing to the disease.

We didnt want to take him to the hospital because we heard it was difficult and that we would not receive full care due to a lack of staff. The hospital operations were not on par as CDM health workers are still unable to return to work.

Ma Khine said her brothers wife was also infected with the virus but was treated at home and is now in good health.

Lack of oxygen

A treatment center has been set up in Kalay with the help of charity organizations to provide testing for COVID-19 and medical care to people who have tested positive for the disease.

A person who is currently being treated at the center told RFA that people had died there due to a lack of oxygen. He said there are only eight health workers and volunteers for more than 200 confirmed patients receiving care there.

Theyre trying their best, the patient said. Patients are kept just for 10 days, and after that they have to go home.

Sources said there are six retail oxygen outlets in Kalay and patients who are receiving treatment at home must pay around 160,000 kyat (U.S. $98) per bottle, but sometimes the supplies run out.

Residents said they are now getting oxygen from Yangon and Mandalay with the help of donors but hope to resolve the supply issue by next week, as efforts are underway to reopen the plant, which has been shut down due to a lack of staff at the hospital.

Dr. Khin Khin Gyi, director of Myanmars Central Infectious Disease Control Department, told RFA Monday that she would not comment on the situation in Kalay, while attempts to contact Dr. Than Naing Soe, a director at the Ministry of Health, went unanswered Tuesday.

Reported by RFAs Myanmar Service. Translated by Khin Maung Nyane. Written in English by Joshua Lipes.
On March 9, Myanmar junta soldiers raided the office of Kamayut Media in Yangon, arresting the online news outlets co-founders, Nathan Maung, 45, and Han Thar Nyein, 40. Maung, Kamayuts editor-in-chief, and Hanthar Nyein, a news producer, were held at a military interrogation center in Yangon, Myanmars biggest city, before being moved to Insein Prison, the countrys main detention facility for political prisoners. They were charged with dissemination of information or fake news that could agitate or cause security forces or officials to mutiny, an offence which carries a maximum three-year prison term. Maung was released after charges against him were dropped and his case dismissed, and deported to the United States on June 14. Khin Khin Ei spoke to Maung about his suffering during three months in notorious Insein Prison, and his feelings about getting released due to his U.S. citizenship, while his colleague Hanthar Nyein remains incarcerated. The following Q&A has been translated from Burmese to English and edited for length.

RFA: We have learned that you were tortured during detention. How bad was it?

Nathan Maung: It was really horrible during 15 days of interrogation. It was hard to put these experiences into words. It was very cruel. After they arrested me at my office, they took me to Yey Kyi Eai interrogation center. There, two soldiers dragged me by my arms into the facility. I dont know where they took me. They put me in a room. They asked me my name, age and fathers name. They had my producer Hanthar Nyein beside me handcuffed behind his back on his knees on the floor. They hit and kicked him on the floor. He repeatedly cried I am just a journalist. They yelled Is that you, journalist? or This is for broadcasting fake news and kept hitting and kicking him. I knew they would turn to me any minute. After five minutes, they dragged me to another compound. They put me in the living room of a home. There was a chair and a small table. I was handcuffed, blindfolded and in a hood. They interrogated me at that place for three and a half days. They didnt let me sleep. They took shifts to interrogate me continuously, and two or three authorities came every two hours. They didnt give me drinking water for three days. I begged them for water as I got so thirsty, but they refused. They gave me a small amount of water on the third day. After three and a half days, they gave me a meal.

I had been tortured in that way. But my fellow inmate Hanthar Nyein has been tortured even more brutally. They punched and kicked him as they asked for his mobile phone password. They put his feet in a big ice tub for hours. He was in the sitting position and they told him to sit still. If he moved, they beat him. They took off his shirt and burned his chest with cigarettes. Finally, they stripped him naked and threatened to rape him. Then, Hanthar Nyein gave up, and gave them his mobile phone password.

But the torture didnt end for him. After he gave up his password, they found the people he contacted and the photos taken with politicians and other journalists. They beat him, showing his photos together with Aung San Suu Kyi and saying offensive things against herAs far as I know, they stopped beating him after five days of interrogation.

RFA: What did they interrogate you about? And how did you answer?

Nathan Maung: In the first four days, while I had been tortured, they mostly asked about my past, where I was born, which schools I attended and which college I attended. I told them I was a college student and participated in 1996-97 college student demonstrations. I went to the Thailand border area in 1999. I applied for refugee status at UNHCR in Thailand. In 2004, I got a chance to travel to the U.S. and I arrived in the U.S. in 2005. I went to college and graduated in the U.S. I returned to Thailand in 2010. I worked as a contributor to RFAs Burmese Service for a year. Then I returned to Myanmar and established Kamayut Media. They interrogated me about these activities meticulously and cross questioned many ways in the first four days. They learned that I am a U.S. citizen only after these interrogation sessions. They asked me to recite my passport number. I dont remember it by heart. They punched me for that. They frankly asked me how I feed information to the U.S. government. I told them I am not from the CIA. I told them if they are trying to frame me as a CIA agent, this is wrong. None of the government agencies give us funding. It would be obvious if I received funding. When they could not establish that I was a secret agent, they moved on to interrogating the sources of funding for my Kamayut Media agency. They interrogated me on details on how much I receive for the agency every month, who are the sponsors, and how much I spent on staff. I had to explain the statistics of the past ten years in two or three days. They interrogated Hanthar Nyein for the same information and they cross-checked with the information they got from me. If there were discrepancies, they beat us. There might be some inaccuracies in numbers. We didnt have these numbers in hand. Luckily, the information we give them in general matched each other. So they stopped interrogating us on the eighth day.

RFA: Were you together with your colleague Hanthar Nyein?

Nathan Maung: They put us in separate rooms during the interrogation. We could not see each other. They moved me to at least five different locations during 15 days of detention. I think they did the same to him. On the 15th day, when they released me, they drove us out of Yey Kyi Eai interrogation center in the same vehicle. When they transferred me to police in Aung Tha Byay interrogation center, I learned that Hanthar Nyein was also brought along. They put us in separate cells there. I was so relieved to know that we were both alive.

RFA: Did you see or hear other people being tortured during interrogations?

Nathan Maung: In separate prison at the interrogation center (dont know which one), there were at least 2,000 people who were detained for political reasons. They put around 80 detainees in a single hall. We could stroll around the building when they opened our cell doors. So we got the chance to interact with other detainees and asked about their experiences. They told us about their experiences in Shwe Pyi Thar interrogation center. There, if the detainees have no injuries, they are put into a separate group and beaten so they have injuries. From around March 24-27, we saw new groups of as many as 50 detainees coming in every day. On April 5, they took me out of that prison and put me in solitary confinement at the main prison. Hanthar was left in that other prison. After a month, they sent him to the main prison. We were in solitary confinement with other political prisoners.

Nathan Maung: I think it is the result of the U.S. government trying various channels to secure the release of a U.S. citizen. In addition, Wendy Sherman, the undersecretary of State, visited Thailand. She called for the release of me, Hanthar Nyein and (others). I heard that ASEAN delegations who visited Naypyitaw also pressured the authorities for our release.

RFA: What do you think about how the authorities treat the detainees?

Nathan Maung: I thought they would shoot and kill me in my office. I begged them not to shoot. I keep in mind that, in Yey Kyi Eai, I could be killed at any time. I heard the stories of living hell during detention thirty years ago from senior politicians. I know I was in the same living hell I had heard about. So I tried to remain calm and prepared. I tried to meditate as I was tortured and tried to free my mind, although my body was in detention. The degree of brutality I have seen is the same as in the 1988, 1996 and 2007 protests. They have been doing this to the minority groups in border areas all the time. Its only that millions of people who live in central Myanmar dont know that. Now they have spread the brutality to the streets and neighborhoods of cities like Yangon and Mandalay. It is no surprise to us. But we need to make them known to the world. This fascist military regime has been exempt from punishment. We need to end them. Otherwise, it will lead to more horrific crimes.

Translated by Ye Kaung Myint Maung
NUR-SULTAN -- More activists have been jailed in Kazakhstans capital, Nur-Sultan, as police keep on rounding up activists amid preparations to mark the 81st birthday of former President Nursultan Nazarbaev in the tightly controlled Central Asian country.

Police in the western city of Oral detained activist Marua Eskendirova on June 30. Hours later, a local court found her guilty of taking part in unsanctioned rallies earlier this year and sentenced her to 10 days in jail.

A day earlier, a court in the Kazakh capital, Nur-Sultan, sentenced activists Nurlan Altynbaev and Aidar Syzdyqov to 10 days in jail each, and Aizhan Abenova to 15 days in jail after finding them guilty of violating laws on holding public gatherings earlier in the year.

The activists rejected the charges.

On June 28, two other activists, Marat Musabaev and Qaiyrgeldy Nurghaliev, were sentenced to 20 and 15 days in jail respectively on the same charges.

Local activists say that the incarcerations are connected to the call by Mukhtar Ablyazov, the leader of the Democratic Choice of Kazakhstan (DVK) movement, for a demonstration on July 6, the day the country's capital, Nur-Sultan, is celebrated in tandem with Nazarbaev's birthday.

Kazakhstan changed the name of its capital to Nur-Sultan in 2019 to honor Nazarbaev, who ruled with an iron fist from the nations independence in 1991 until 2019. The renaming of the capital from Astana to Nur-Sultan sparked protests across the country at the time.

Nazarbaev continues to wield considerable influence as chairman of the Security Council and enjoys almost limitless powers as elbasy -- leader of the nation.

Kazakh authorities have banned DVK and its associate, the Koshe (Street) party, labeling them as extremist organizations.

Dozens of activists have been on hunger strike in Nur-Sultan and several other cities in Kazakhstan, including Almaty, Oral, Oskemen, and Shymkent, since June 19, demanding the cancelation of court decisions to ban DVK and Koshe.

Under President Qasym-Zhomart Toqaev, who was handpicked by Nazarbaev, Kazakhstan continues to clamp down on the freedom of speech and harass opposition members.

Police last year detained dozens of journalists and bloggers and launched criminal cases for alleged crimes such as spreading false information and inciting the public, according to Adil Soz, a local media watchdog.
Germany has deplored Belaruss decision to demand an end to all activities of two prominent German educational institutions after the European Union imposed economic sanctions on Belarus.

"We regret the decision of the Belarusian side," a spokesperson for the Foreign Ministry said on June 30 about the decision affecting the Goethe-Institute, which promotes the German language and culture worldwide, and the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD).

Crisis In Belarus Read our coverage as Belarusians continue to demand the resignation of Alyaksandr Lukashenka amid a brutal crackdown on protesters. The West refuses to recognize him as the country's legitimate leader after an August 9 election considered fraudulent.

The spokesman said Belarus's action was a response to the EUs latest sanctions against the regime of authoritarian ruler Alyaksandr Lukashenka, which has been under international pressure since it launched a brutal crackdown on the political opposition and independent media in the wake of a disputed election in August 2020.

The opposition says that election was rigged, while the European Union, the United States, and other countries have refused to recognize the official results of the vote and do not consider Lukashenka to be the country's legitimate leader.

The German Foreign Ministry said Minsks latest move will contribute to further isolating Belarus internationally.

The victims of this decision are Belarusian citizens, who are being denied further opportunities for social and cultural activity, it said, adding that the Goethe-Institute and DAAD have enabled cultural and academic bridges between Germany, Europe, and Belarus for decades.

The ministry renewed its call for the Belarusian authorities to enter a serious and inclusive national dialogue and discuss the legitimate demands of the protest movement.

Last week, the EU sanctioned key sectors of the Belarusian economy and major revenue sources for Lukashenkas regime following the forced diversion of a passenger flight to Minsk in May that allowed for the arrest of dissident journalist Raman Pratasevich and his girlfriend.

In response, Belarus recalled its representative to the EU for consultations, announced a travel ban on unspecified EU officials, and said it was suspending its participation in the blocs Eastern Partnership program.
Two Bosnian police officers were injured when migrants in a temporary camp in northwestern Bosnia-Herzegovina threw stones at them as they tried to enter the camp to investigate the death of a migrant.

The officers were injured at Camp Lipa at the outskirts of the town of Bihac on June 29, the same day a man's body was discovered in a nearby forest, the regional prosecutor's office said.

The migrants were conducting a religious ceremony for the dead man when authorities tried to enter.

The migrants did not allow the police to conduct the investigation until they finished the religious ceremony, so they pelted police with stones, Deni Odobasic, a senior expert with the Prosecutor's Office of the Una-Sana Canton of the Bosniak-Croat Federation, told RFE/RL's Balkan Service on June 30.

The hospital at Bihac confirmed to RFE/RL that two police officers who had been injured at the Lipa camp had been admitted for treatment and released.

Odobasic said the migrant most likely committed suicide, but that an autopsy would be conducted to determine the cause.



Many of the people in the camp have fled war and poverty in Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Syria and are trying to cross into EU member Croatia.

The incident happened after the Solidarity nongovernmental organization (NGO) published videos of the dead migrant on Facebook. Zemira Gorinjac of Solidarity told RFE/RL that the photos and videos, which were also published by some media outlets in Bosnia, had been received from a migrant.

The tent camp was erected last year as temporary accommodation during the coronavirus pandemic. Part of it burned down during an evacuation in December. Hundreds of migrants were forced to sleep in subzero temperatures without shelter until members of the Bosnian armed forces set up tents for them.

With reporting by RFE/RL's Balkan Service
MOSCOW -- A court in Moscow has sentenced an opposition member of the city's district election commission to two years in prison for hitting a policeman during an unsanctioned rally in January to support jailed Kremlin critic Aleksei Navalny.

The Meshchansky district court on June 29 found Roman Pichuzhin, a member of the opposition Yabloko party, guilty of punching an officer during a January 23 rally. He was sentenced the same day.

Pichuzhin's lawyer, Dmitry Zakhvatov, said his client was helping a demonstrator who was being attacked by police at the rally. Zakhvatov added that Pichuzhin will appeal the court ruling.

Several people have been handed prison terms or suspended sentences in recent weeks for attacking police during the nationwide demonstrations held in January after Navalny was arrested.

Navalny was detained at a Moscow airport on January 17 upon his arrival from Germany, where he was recovering from a poison attack by what several European laboratories concluded was a military-grade chemical nerve agent in Siberia in August.

Navalny has insisted that his poisoning was ordered directly by President Vladimir Putin, which the Kremlin has denied.

In February, a Moscow court ruled that while in Germany, Navalny had violated the terms of parole from an old embezzlement case that is widely considered as being politically motivated. Navalny's 3 1/2-year suspended sentence from the case was converted to a jail term, though the court said he will serve 2 1/2 years in prison given time he had been held in detention.

More than 10,000 supporters of Navalny were detained across Russia during and after the January rallies. Many of the detained men and women were either fined or handed several-day jail terms. At least 90 were charged with criminal misdeeds and several have been fired by their employers.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, fielding questions from across the country on his annual call-in show, urged citizens to overcome their hesitancy and get vaccinated against COVID-19 as the country continues to wrack up daily records for deaths from the coronavirus.

Officially known as Direct Line, the June 30 event, which lasted almost four hours as Putin answered 70 questions, came as alarmed officials scrambled to reimplement restrictions on public life.

Speaking on stage at a desk with two moderators presenting some of the more than 2 million questions submitted by Russians -- many of which are prescreened -- Putin used a large part of the show to concentrate on the pandemic before moving on to questions about inflation, unemployment, education, and infrastructure.

Notably absent were any mentions of human rights or opposition politicians.

Putin said he hoped the country would avoid a nationwide lockdown in response to the spike in cases and would not impose mandatory vaccinations, even though Russia currently has one of the lowest rates of vaccinations among major industrial nations, with many people either distrusting the science behind the Russian vaccine or the government more generally.

On June 30, health authorities reported just over 21,000 new infections and 669 deaths, a new daily mortality record for the country. In all, more than 135,000 COVID-19 deaths have been recorded in Russia since the pandemics beginning, the highest official toll from COVID-19 in Europe.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin has been forced to acknowledge that the national goal of vaccinating 60 percent of the population would be missed.

At the start of the show, an annual performance aimed at showcasing his willingness to respond to the concerns of average Russians, Putin revealed for the first time that he had received the locally developed Sputnik V vaccination, ending months of speculation over which shot he received behind closed doors.

He claimed he hadn't gone public previously with the type of vaccine he received because he didn't want to give the vaccine makers a competitive advantage.

"It is necessary to listen, not to people who understand little about this and spread rumors, but to specialists," he implored Russians, the majority of whom polls show oppose receiving coronavirus vaccines.

Hours-Long Event

In past years, the Kremlin has used the hours-long event to show Putin as a responsive, sympathetic leader who can both extol Russias past and current successes, and also pay attention to local issues like landfills or unpaid salaries.

The event typically features screened calls ostensibly from average Russians, plus messages sent via text or social media.

Last year, the Kremlin canceled the event as Russia grappled with the pandemic, while this year's version comes with less than 11 weeks remaining before Russia holds national parliamentary elections, the last major vote before Putins current term ends in 2024. Kremlin-engineered constitutional changes have opened the door for Putin to stay on as president, possibly until 2036, though the longest-serving Russian leader since Josef Stalin has not indicated whether he will seek to remain in power.

Amid the struggle to contain the coronavirus, Putin has tried to remain above the nitty-gritty details, leaving major decisions like imposing, or lifting, public restrictions to regional officials like Moscows mayor.

Some epidemiologists have observed that the current trajectory of cases means Russia will see a peak in late August or early September, close to the final run-up to the September 19 election.

That could be problematic for United Russia, the Kremlin-allied political party, which is hoping to maintain its dominance in the 450-seat lower house of parliament. A strong showing and a supermajority would smooth the way for possible future legislative or constitutional changes depending on Putins political intentions in 2024.

However, United Russia is deeply unpopular, with some opinion polls giving the party its worst ratings ever.

A large part of that displeasure was on display in the call-in show, with questions directed at Putin over price increases that have hit average Russians hard in recent months.

One teacher in Russia's Far East complained of having to work in a dilapidated building in an area where homes were also in bad shape, while "the roads are another story altogether."

"In short, we have very many problems and we would like attention to be paid to us," she bluntly told the president.

One of the most original submissions to the Direct Line program was a short musical video, similar to a TikTok video, showing the bad shape of plumbing pipes in an apartment building in Pskov, northwest of Moscow.

Putin parried many of the tougher questions, using them to pivot into the nitty-gritty details of hyper-local issues affecting communities across Russia's sprawling territory -- the type of thing that the Kremlin hopes will give the image that Putin is sympathetic to the needs of average Russians.

At least one social-media user appeared unwilling to believe the president's words.

Twitter user @mhenriksson2 posted a picture of himself with noodles draped around both ears, a nod to the Russian idiom of "hanging noodles on one's ears," which means an attempt to mislead or fool someone.



The dissent has resulted in the Kremlin and the powerful presidential administration tinkering with political parties and alliances, and trying to generate interest using celebrities or high-profile political figures, like the defense or foreign ministers.

The government has also taken steps to quash opposition political movements, including that of Aleksei Navalny, the anti-corruption crusader who built a formidable national organization that has dented Putin's public image.

Still, over the show's three hours and 42 minutes, Putin failed to take any questions related to human rights or civil society.

"When United Russia was just beginning its inglorious path, the party promised its citizens the observance of individual rights and a 'century of Russia's prosperity'," Navalny's team tweeted.

"But 20 years later, these promises have only turned into repression and lawlessness," it added.

Putins approval is still high but has taken a hit in recent years, dragged down by controversial pension reforms and what many Russian view as stagnating wages, slipping living standards, and persistent high-level corruption.

Nonetheless, Putin is now in his 22nd year in power and he is still all but unrivaled, according to analysts Andrei Kolesnikov and Boris Markarenko.

Putin remains, in the eyes of most Russians, a unifying national symbol and the guarantor of stability, they wrote in a commentary published this month.

An equally pressing concern is apathy. The last parliamentary elections, held in 2016, had the lowest turnout for a parliamentary vote in post-Soviet history.

One top Kremlin official has predicted turnout in the September vote will be even lower.
Britain and Russia have once again clashed over an incident last week in the Black Sea as a British warship passed by Ukraines Crimean Peninsula, which Russia seized in 2014.

President Vladimir Putin reiterated during his annual call-in show on June 30 that one of Russias warships fired warning shots and that a warplane dropped bombs in the path of Britain's HMS Defender to force it from an area near Crimea that Moscow claims as its territorial waters.

In a quick response to Putin, British Prime Minister Boris Johnsons spokesman denied any wrongdoing and said the vessel acted in accordance with international law as it conducted innocent passage through Ukrainian territorial waters.

The June 23 incident was the latest flashpoint between the Kremlin and the West amid heightened tensions sparked by Russia's annexation of the peninsula, a move not recognized by most countries but one that gives it access to a long Black Sea coast.

Britains Defense Ministry has consistently denied that the HMS Defender had been fired upon, saying that Russia was carrying out a previously announced gunnery exercise in the area.

Russia seized Ukraine's Crimea region in March 2014, sending in troops and staging a referendum denounced as illegitimate by at least 100 countries after Moscow-friendly Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was ousted amid a wave of public protests.

Putin also dragged the United States into the equation, saying during the call-in show that a U.S. reconnaissance aircraft was operating in sync with the HMS Defender.

The U.S. military did have aircraft operating in the area, said U.S. Navy Captain Wendy L. Snyder, chief of public affairs at U.S. European Command headquarters, in an e-mail response to an inquiry from RFE/RL.



She did not elaborate but added that Pentagon spokesman John Kirby earlier this week said that claims by Russia about any incident are "false" and "disinformation.



She also said the U.S. Navy routinely operates in the Black Sea with allies and partners and we are committed to our transparency in doing so.



The ongoing Sea Breeze naval exercises taking place in the Black Sea is an example, she said.

The United States and Ukraine are leading a group of 32 countries -- including most Black Sea nations, NATO allies, and partners -- in the exercises, which kicked off on June 28 in the Black Sea.

Based on reporting by AP, TASS, and Reuters
The Russian State Prosecutor's Office has banned a Czech nongovernmental organization after putting it on the undesirable list.



Prosecutors said in a statement on June 29 that the Prague-based Spolecnost Svobody Informace, or Freedom of Information Society, poses a threat to the foundations of the constitutional order and security of the Russian Federation.



The "undesirable" organization law, adopted in May 2015 and since updated, was part of a series of regulations pushed by the Kremlin that squeezed many nonprofit and nongovernmental organizations that received funding from foreign sources -- mainly from Europe and the United States.



The Czech group is the 36th foreign nongovernmental organization to be recognized as "undesirable" in Russia and the third operating from the Czech Republic.



Founded in 2015, the Freedom of Information Societys mission is to conduct educational activities and help people whose rights to access information have been violated.



On June 28, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law a bill that expands the scope of the undesirable law to include criminalizing participation in the activities of foreign nongovernmental organizations recognized as such in Russia.
Two members of the Jehovahs Witnesses have been handed lengthy prison terms in Russia's Far Eastern city of Blagoveshchensk amid an ongoing crackdown on the religious group, which has been banned in Russia since 2017.

The Jehovah's Witnesses' website says 30-year-old Dmitry Golik was sentenced to seven years and 43-year-old Aleksei Berchuk to eight years in prison on June 30.

The two men were found guilty of "organizing the activities of an extremist group," a charge both believers rejected, saying they did not do anything wrong.

The United States has condemned Russia's ongoing crackdown on Jehovah's Witnesses and other peaceful religious minorities.

For decades, Jehovah's Witnesses have been viewed with suspicion in Russia, where the dominant Orthodox Church is championed by President Vladimir Putin.

The Christian group is known for door-to-door preaching, close Bible study, rejection of military service, and refusal to mark celebrations of national and religious holidays or birthdays.

Since the faith was outlawed, many Jehovah's Witnesses have been imprisoned in Russia and in Ukraine's Black Sea Crimean Peninsula, which was seized by Russia in 2014.

According to the group, dozens of Jehovah's Witnesses have either been convicted of extremism or have been held in pretrial detention.

The Moscow-based Memorial Human Rights Center has recognized dozens of Jehovahs Witnesses who have been charged with or convicted of extremism as political prisoners.
The Serbian special-forces unit known as the Gendarmerie has honored former commander Goran Radosavljevic, who was allegedly involved in the killing of three U.S. citizens who went to Kosovo to fight alongside ethnic Albanian rebels against Belgrades rule.

The current commander of the gendarmerie, Dejan Lukovic, praised Radosavljevics work as he handed him a plaque on June 30 during a ceremony marking the Day of the Serbian Gendarmerie in the northern town of Novi Sad.

The three U.S. citizens -- brothers Ylli, Agron, and Mehmet Bytyqi -- were in their 20s when they traveled from the United States to Kosovo in 1999 to join Kosovar rebels fighting the forces of then-Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic.

The Chicago-born brothers were arrested in Serbia in June 1999, two weeks after hostilities in the Kosovar war ended. They were later shot dead execution-style while in the custody of a special Serbian police unit that was under the command of Radosavljevic.

Their remains were discovered in a mass grave in the village of Petrovo Selo in eastern Serbia in July 2001.

No one has been convicted in connection with the slayings.

U.S. officials have continued to pressure Belgrade over the case, and Washington imposed sanctions on Radosavljevic in December 2018, saying he was credibly implicated in the murders.

Radosavljevic, who served as the commander of Serbias gendarmerie between 2001 and 2004, has denied involvement in the slayings.

Kosovo declared independence in 2008, but it has not been recognized by Belgrade, Russia, and five EU nations. The United States and more than 110 other countries have recognized the independence of Serbias former province.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has appealed to the U.S. administration to lift or waive all sanctions on Iran as agreed under the 2015 nuclear deal between Tehran and world powers.

In a report to the UN Security Council on June 30, Guterres also called on Iran to return to full implementation of the agreement, describing the countrys violations as "worrying steps."

The secretary-general's appeals come amid indirect talks between Iran and the United States in Vienna to revive the accord that imposed restrictions on Tehran's nuclear activities in exchange for the lifting of international sanctions. The negotiations are coordinated by the European Union.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump withdrew the United States from the pact in 2018 and reimposed harsh sanctions, prompting Tehran to gradually reduce its nuclear commitments under the deal.

The 15-member Security Council on June 30 discussed Guterress biannual report on the implementation of a 2015 resolution that enshrines the nuclear agreement between Iran, the United States, France, Britain, Germany, Russia, and China.

"The last few rounds of discussions in Vienna have helped to crystallize the choices that need to be made by Iran and by the United States in order achieve a mutual return to compliance with the [deal]," said Jeffrey DeLaurentis, deputy U.S. ambassador to the UN.

The EU ambassador to the UN, Olof Skoog, told the council that the bloc was encouraged that the United States had "expressed readiness" to lift sanctions tied to the nuclear accord.

"It is clear that time is not on our side and that what might be possible still today may prove impossible in the near future. We have a limited diplomatic window ahead of us that we should not miss," Skoog also warned.

Iran's UN envoy, Majid Takht Ravanchi, called for "assurances that all sanctions are removed verifiably and the U.S. will not once again withdraw."

No date has been set for the next round of talks in the Austrian capital.

With reporting by Reuters
The U.S. envoy to the United Nations has called on Russia to immediately stop violence in the Central African Republic (CAR) and pull out "mercenaries from the poor but resource-rich country.

U.S. Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield made the plea on June 30 after a UN report said Russian military instructors and the CAR forces they are supporting had carried out indiscriminate killings, used excessive force against civilians, and looted in the war-torn African country.

In a statement, Thomas-Greenfield hit out at the Russian personnel as "mercenaries working as an arm of Russia's Ministry of Defense."

"Russia must immediately stop the violence, hold those responsible accountable, and remove mercenaries endangering UN peacekeepers and undermining their crucial work in support of peace and security in the CAR," she said.

Hundreds of Russian advisers, along with UN peacekeepers and Rwandan special forces, help President Faustin Archange Touadera combat rebel groups linked to former President Francois Bozize in the CARs civil war.

Western powers say Russias instructors are in fact mercenaries from the Vagner Group, a Russian military contractor with ties to the government.

The CAR government dismissed accusations made in an annual UN sanctions report as "slanderous" allegations, while the Kremlin described them as a "lie."

In the report recently submitted to the Security Council, UN sanctions monitors said that CAR soldiers and Russian instructors carried out abuses including cases of excessive use of force, indiscriminate killings, the occupation of schools and looting on a large scale, including of humanitarian organizations.

The experts received "numerous reports of cases of indiscriminate killings against unarmed civilians by Russian instructors," the report said.

Moscow says it has only sent 532 instructors to the CAR and that they do not engage in combat.

But the report cited testimonies noting the active participation of Russian instructors in combat operations on the ground, many having observed that they often led rather than followed CAR soldiers.

In addition, multiple sources estimated Russia had a much higher number of instructors, ranging from 800 to 2,100, the report said.

That estimate does not include 600 additional Russian instructors whose deployment was announced to the UN in May by the CAR.

The experts also cited testimonies that the instructors included people who said they were from Libya, Syria, and elsewhere.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the accusations in the UN report were yet another lie," while Russian UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia said the document was full of "ungrounded accusations."

CAR Defense Minister Rameaux-Claude Bireau blasted the "slanderous publication, based on fabricated and unverified evidence."

Last week, the UN's envoy to CAR as well as diplomats from the United States and France accused the nation's security forces and their Russian paramilitary allies of wide-ranging human rights abuses.

Russia has significantly increased its presence and influence in the African country, where Russian national Valery Zakharov serves as national-security adviser to President Touadera.

The CAR government has granted gold and diamond mining permits to Russian companies suspected of having links to Russian businessman Yevgeny Prigozhin, a close associate of President Vladimir Putin, and the man believed to be the head of the Vagner Group.

The coordinator of the Russian instructors told the UN panel they were all Russians and recruited from an association of primarily former military officers.

He said the instructors had not been hired by a private company.

With reporting by AP, AFP, and Reuters
The UN tribunal process to seek justice for the worst wartime atrocities in Europe since World War II ended on June 30, with verdicts in the retrial of two former Serbian security chiefs accused of running paramilitary death squads in the former Yugoslavia. The UN International Criminal Tribunal for the former Yugoslavia (ICTY) sentenced 90 war criminals to prison terms before handing off to its successor in 2017. But as its temporary successor, the International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals, issues its final-ever verdicts for crimes and atrocities stemming from the violent breakup of Yugoslavia in the 1990s, here are some of the precedents and signal moments in the history of one of the world's most dogged efforts at humanitarian justice. 1993: Creation Of The ICTY

The UN Security Council established the ICTY in 1993 in response to a commission's findings in which experts documented "horrific crimes" and "grave breaches" of the Geneva Conventions and other violations of international humanitarian law. It was a conflict that had killed -- according to the best subsequent estimates -- at least 130,000 people across the former Yugoslavia and displaced millions more. The council expressed hope that the prosecution of such crimes would help "stop the violence and safeguard international peace and security." The result was Resolution 827, passed unanimously on May 25, 1993, which established the tribunal. 1998: Srebrenica As Genocide

The conviction of former Bosnian Serb commander Radislav Krstic cemented the tragic events in and around Srebrenica in July 1995 as genocide. The brutality and audacity of the roundup and execution of more than 8,000 Bosnian Muslim boys and men by Bosnian Serb forces under the command of Ratko Mladic and Krstic had shocked the world. Years later, the ICTY would hint at the significance of the decades-long international commitment to justice: "As their bodies fell into mass graves, the machinery of denial of those crimes was set in motion." Krstic was convicted in 1998 of genocide for his role as commander of the Republika Srpska army's Drina Corps, a historic and rare international application of justice under the so-called Genocide Convention of 1948. A career Yugoslav military officer who lost a leg from a land mine after joining Bosnian Serb forces in 1992, he was ultimately sentenced to 35 years in prison. The International Court of Justice (ICJ) also ruled in 2006 that the events at Srebrenica constituted genocide. 2001: Rape As A 'Crime Against Humanity'

The ICTY convicted three junior members of a Serb military unit in February 2001 of rape, torture, enslavement, and outrages upon personal dignity against women in what is now Republika Srpska, a predominantly Serb region of Bosnia-Herzegovina. Dragoljub Kunarac, Radomir Kovac, and Zoran Vukovic were sentenced to prison terms of between 12 and 28 years for participation in a Serb campaign "to cleanse the Foca area of Muslims; to that end the campaign was successful. Even the town's name was cleansed." Their cases marked The Hague tribunal's first convictions for rape and for enslavement as crimes against humanity, and the first such verdict in an international European court. The court reasoned that rape had been "used by members of the Bosnian Serb armed forces as an instrument of terror." The ICTY regards its role in prosecuting sexual violence in the former Yugoslavia as helping "pave the way for the more robust adjudication of such crimes worldwide." "More than [one-third] of those convicted by the ICTY have been found guilty of crimes involving sexual violence," it says. "Such convictions are one of the tribunal's pioneering achievements." 2005: Final Indictments Issued

Indictments against former Macedonian Interior Minister Ljube Boskovski and a former senior police officer are issued in March 2005, marking the last prosecutions begun under the 12-year-old tribunal. Boskovski was stripped of parliamentary immunity but later acquitted by the ICTY of all charges, which stemmed from a conflict in 2001 between Macedonian security forces and Albanian guerrillas seeking independence from Skopje. The ICTY said at the time that its goal was to conclude all trials by 2008 and to cease functioning by 2011. Instead, it would continue its work until 2017 and, even then, hand over its remaining work to the international "mechanism" for prosecuting crimes in the former Yugoslavia and in Rwanda, known as the MICT. 2006: Serbia's Milosevic Dies In Custody

Former Yugoslav and Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic died of a heart attack in his Hague prison cell in March 2006, five years into a trial that he regarded as illegitimate for his alleged efforts to "rid vast swaths of territory of non-Serbs." The ICTY called the Milosevic trial "a turning point for international justice and of critical importance" to victims of his alleged crimes in the former Yugoslavia. At the opening of his trial, Chief Prosecutor Carla Del Ponte called "this tribunal, and this trial in particular...the most powerful demonstration that no one is above the law or beyond the reach of international justice." Milosevic was accused by prosecutors of crimes in Kosovo, Bosnia-Herzegovina, and Croatia. His trial was formally concluded just weeks before a verdict was scheduled, and a Trial Chamber that reviewed the evidence concluded that "a reasonable judge could convict Slobodan Milosevic on all [major] counts." 2008: Kosovar Acquittals

In 2008, two prominent Kosovar guerrilla leaders were acquitted on war-crimes charges over their actions a decade earlier, during Kosovo's bloody war of independence from Serbia. Like many of the movement's most powerful figures, Ramush Haradinaj and Fatmir Limaj had already become politicians in an emergent Kosovo. And like a number of indictments, trials, and prosecutions, their cases raised widespread concerns of witness intimidation and violence to conceal wrongdoing in the Kosovo War, which killed an estimated 12,000 people. The ICTY verdict in Haradinaj's case -- he would go back on trial and be acquitted again in 2012 -- would specifically cite a fear to testify among "many witnesses" in a pattern that still remains a problem. Former Kosovar President Hashim Thaci and other senior ex-guerrillas are currently under indictment for serious wartime crimes in a case that prosecutors say is still plagued by trouble protecting witnesses and other external challenges. 2011: Croatian Leadership On Trial

The ICTY in 2011 convicted three Croatian generals of war crimes before reversing itself on appeal in a case that targeted independent Croatia's political and military establishments. The indictments had alleged ethnic cleansing during Operation Storm in 1995 by Croatian forces against ethnic Serbs. The convictions sent major shockwaves through Croatian society, which had consistently regarded Croatian actions in the region's conflicts as a response to Serb aggression. Generals Ante Gotovina and Mladen Markac were charged and convicted of aiding and abetting hundreds of killings of Krajina Serbs and prisoners of war. Their convictions were later overturned and both men were given a hero's welcome by the political and religious elite upon their return to Zagreb. 2016: Karadzic Conviction

The ICTY in March 2016 found former Bosnian Serb military and political leader Radovan Karadzic guilty of genocide, crimes against humanity, and other war crimes for a broad range of actions against Bosnians. He was accused by prosecutors of grave breaches against the Geneva Conventions, including ordering and commanding the yearlong siege of Sarajevo, the Bosnian capital, as well as ordering the Srebrenica genocide after taking UN personnel hostage as Bosnian Serb forces surrounded that area. Karadzic's escape from justice for more than a decade made him a hero in the eyes of some Serbs, but it was also blamed for stunting both the Bosnia and Serb regions' prospects for recovery. He was eventually captured in July 2008 in the Serbian capital, Belgrade, where he had been posing at a clinic as a doctor of alternative medicine. After his conviction and 40-year prison sentence were announced, the ICTY said its judgment "shows that is it possible to deliver" justice to "millions of victims" of conflicts around the world. 2017: Praljak Poisoning

Slobodan Praljak shocked the world and exposed a rare security flaw at The Hague with his suicide in court on live television in November 2017. The former senior commander of the Croatian Defense Council, the de facto army of the Bosnian Croats' unrecognized republic between 1991-96, rose to declare, "Slobodan Praljak is not a war criminal. I reject this verdict, with disdain!" after the ICTY confirmed his 20-year sentence for war crimes against Bosnian Muslims. Then, the 72-year-old former TV and theater director lifted a dark glass vial and drank what was later confirmed to be potassium cyanide, inducing heart failure. An investigation by prosecutors failed to determine how Praljak had obtained the poison. In the area controlled by the self-proclaimed Croatian General Staff, prosecutors argued successfully that war crimes were committed that prosecutors concluded Praljak either ordered or ignored and should have stopped. Tribunal prosecutors also blamed Praljak for one of the lasting symbols of the war's toll on the Balkans, the destruction of the iconic Old Bridge in Mostar. June 2021: Final Judgment Against Ratko Mladic
EDITOR'S NOTE: This story was originally published Aug. 17, 2015 by the Ohio History Connection. Richland Source has entered into a collaborative agreement with the Ohio History Connection to share content across our sites.

When you think of famous pilots from Ohio, what names come to mind? The Wright Brothers? Maybe Eddie Rickenbacker? Or Amelia Earhart? These are the obvious names on our minds, too.

But then we began processing a collection of paper objects coming from the former Ohio History of Flight Museum. We have stumbled across pilots maps from World War II, articles detailing the safe return of Eddie Rickenbacker, a signature from a Wright brother and plenty of pictures from the Port Columbus Airport in Columbus, Ohio.

But we never expected to stumble upon the story of another important Columbus area pilot: Geraldine Mock.

In 1964, Jerrie Mock climbed into her plane, The Spirit of Columbus, started the engine and began a journey all the way around the world, making her the first female pilot to successfully circumnavigate the globe. And we have the certificate to prove it.

Mock grew up in Newark, Ohio, with parents who took her for her first flight at an early age. After this experience, Jerrie became enthralled with aviation, deciding she wanted to be a pilot one day.

This may have been a unique aspiration, but as Mock once said, she did not conform to what girls did. What girls did was boring."

After nearly completing her degree in aeronautical engineering at The Ohio State University, Mock married and settled in Bexley, Ohio, with her husband and eventually had three children. Mock never intended to fly around the world.

But then one night, when boredom caught up with Jerrie again, Mr. Mock turned to his wife and said, Maybe you should just get in your plane and fly around the world."

And so she did.

Jerrie left Columbus on March 19, 1964. Her plane, an eleven-year-old Cessna 180, had been modified to carry more fuel in place of the original passenger seats. Dressed in a skirt and heels that she kicked off once in the air, the flying housewife" was on her way around the world in silence.

The quiet was due to the nature of the journey and a result of a seemingly purposely disconnected radio wire, the first of several minor problems she encountered over the next 29 days.

Issues with ice and The Spirit of Columbuss brakes and engine caused delays, including a week in Bermuda during bad weather, but Jerrie pressed on. Meanwhile, Joan Merriam Smith, who was simultaneously attempting to fly around the world, encountered her own problems that kept her far behind Mock.

With Mocks husband egging her on to finish first, Jerrie had little time for sightseeing, flying as long as 17 hours at a time and on an average of 5 hours of sleep. She did have time, however, to achieve her goal of riding a camel while in Egypt (where she had accidentally landed at a restricted base).

In Saudi Arabia, a crowd cheered when she exited her plane alone and without a man. Flying over Vietnam she noted, Somewhere not far away a war was being fought, but from the sky above all looked peaceful."

Upon her return to Columbus, 5,000 people greeted her with applause. She had completed her trip and set seven records in the process.

Post-flight, Jerrie appeared on several television programs, was awarded a medal by President Lyndon B. Johnson and became the first woman honored with the Louis Bleriot silver medal by the Federation Aeronautique Internationale.

She also wrote a memoir, Three Eight Charlie. The Spirit of Columbus now resides at the Smithsonian, and a statue of Mock can be admired at Port Columbus.

Mock died in 2014 at 88 years old, shortly after the 50th anniversary of her flight, leaving behind a legacy of spirit and determination.
BUCYRUS  The Bucyrus Rotary Club has announced and its 2021 Memorial Scholarship recipient, Kearston Hulsmeyer.

She is a 2021 graduate of Wynford High School.

Hulsmeyer will be attending Rhodes State College in Lima this fall and studying to get her associates degree in dental hygiene.

Ronda Scott, president of the Bucyrus Rotary Club and a member of this years scholarship committee, offered congratulations.

It is wonderful to see so many of our local students committed to community service and the betterment of our community overall," Scott said. "Kearston exemplifies this and is very deserving of this scholarship.

Also serving on the scholarship committee this year were Jim Spreng and John Kime Jr.

The Bucyrus Rotary Club Memorial Scholarship honors former Bucyrus Rotary Club members who exemplify the Rotary Club commitment, "Service Above Self."

This $1,000 scholarship is awarded to a graduating senior or graduate of Bucyrus High School, Wynford High School, Colonel Crawford High School or a student from any one of those schools attending Pioneer Career & Technology Center.

It is available ONLY to students pursuing an associate degree. Recipients are decided by the Bucyrus Rotary Club Scholarship Committee and awarded to a student who has exhibited "Service Above Self" through a submitted essay and interview process.

The Community Foundation for Crawford County accepts applications for this scholarship each year, and their online application opens in November and the deadline is the first of March.

Visit www.cfcrawford.org to learn more about this and other scholarships offered at the Foundation.

The Bucyrus Rotary Club was established in 1920, serving our community for more than 100 years. Visit the Rotarys website at http://bucyrusrotaryclub.com and follow them on Facebook for the latest club news.
Today was supposed to be a perfect day. My husband and I dropped the kids off with their grandparents overnight and we headed up to Lake Erie for a sunny day of lounging on rafts in the lake. This truly might be my favorite way to spend a sunny day, and to get to do it without monitoring our kids near the water with a wide open day ahead felt like pure luxury.

However, as it sometimes happens, our plans went a bit sideways. As we approached the exit for the park, it was blocked off by police: the parking lots were full and they werent allowing any more vehicles in. So, we navigated through unfamiliar neighborhoods until we finally found a place to park so we could walk to the beach.

In the blazing sun of 90 degree heat, we took on the mile walk with armloads of heavy things, including a 10 pound anchor, bottles of water, and a cooler full of ice. It was brutal, but we knew wed be glad we had done it once we hit the water.

When we finally arrived at the lake, the water was perfect. We floated blissfully for close to an hour in the lake, tied to that heavy anchor until the first big rainstorm came in over the lake, cutting our day even shorter. The wind blew, the sand flew and this peaceful hour turned into a frenzied hustle back to our vehicle.

With traffic backed up for nearly an hour as what seemed to be the entire population of Northeast Ohio made their exodus, we chose instead to sit under the pavilion watching the powerful waves crash against the now empty beach, the water spoke to my soul the way it so often does. The sunshine and the gentle waves from just minutes prior were overtaken by dark clouds and whitecaps crashing against the shore. It was beautiful and impressive.

Life can change in a moment, in the snap of your fingers. Absolute serenity can turn to chaos and struggle, rest can turn into toil, good can turn into bad. We all know this, weve all lived this, but its not so often you get to experience both in a day.

Meet the Author Colleen Cook works full-time as the Director of Operations at Vinyl Marketing in Ashland, where she resides with her husband Mike and three young daughters. She's an insatiable extrovert who enjoys finding reasons to gather people.

As parents are prone to do, I began to think about my children since we were spending the day apart. This week was a roller coaster of extreme fun and smiles and deep fear and discomfort with our kids. One of our children had to do something very hard, and it grieved me intensely to guide her as she journeyed through it.

Its in our nature to want to protect our kids from any harm that comes their way, but its an impossible task. Sometimes, even when we check the radar, we cant see the storm on the horizon. Life throws curveballs no one was expecting all the time.

My knee-jerk reaction is to hover, trying to shoulder the burden of whatever pain lies ahead, like a concrete wall against crashing waves. But what my kids really need, what all kids really need, is to be prepared for the sun as well as the storms, whenever theyre so lucky to experience either.

Author Glennon Doyle once said, I dont want my kids to avoid fires. I want them to know that they are fireproof and can survive hard things. This sentiment has stuck with me for years, and has heavily informed the way I parent my children.

However, in conversation with another friend with children recently, we realized that its close, but not fully complete. Its not that were fireproof, because sometimes we get burned. Parenting is about teaching our children how to prepare for the journey through the fire, and how to heal their burns when theyre on the other side.

Author Tim Elmore has shared a similar sentiment, writing, Prepare the child for the path, not the path for the child. The road of life has twists and turns, is smooth and rocky, and we dont ever quite know what lies ahead. But, preparing ourselves and our children for the path ahead is about expecting the unexpected, finding joy even in sorrow and trusting that nothing so good or so bad lasts forever.
With the start of the summer boating season, officials are reminding residents to employ proper safety measures, like the life jackets worn by these jet skiers on Lake Cumberland.
REP. ALEX DALLMAN offered his constituents a red herring last week when he announced in a news release that he supports law enforcement while threatening to reduce aid to municipal police departments if their city councils diminish funding for them, regardless of economic necessity. Although the measure he supports applies only to departments with more than 30 officers, it was a naked attempt to gain political ground by claiming that by continuing defund the police, we certainly are not making our local communities any safer.Yet his release failed to identify one community in his assembly district, which includes Ripon, that is defunding police.
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Joe Schulz served as the reporter of the Green Laker in 2019 and 2020, before being hired as a reporter for the Commonwealth in October 2020. He is from Oshkosh and graduated from UW-Oshkosh in December with a bachelor's degree in journalism.

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Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High around 90F. Winds light and variable..

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Partly cloudy skies. Low 68F. Winds light and variable.
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Rutland, VT (05701)

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A mix of clouds and sun. High around 80F. Winds light and variable..

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Variable clouds with scattered thunderstorms. Low 66F. Winds SSE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
North Conway - It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Stacie L. Hampton, 45, of North Conway, N.H., on Thursday, July 1, 2021, in Albany, N.H., after an extended illness. Born in Newburyport, July 31, 1975, Stacie was the daughter of Paul F. Fougere and Michelle 
RALEIGH, N.C. and SAN SEBASTIAN, Spain, June 28, 2021 /CNW/ -- Precision Diabetes, Inc. and Patia announced today results from a study showing that the GlycoMark blood test may be an effective marker of stress hyperglycemia and severity in COVID-19 patients, particularly in patients without diabetes. This data was presented as a prestigious Late Breaking Abstract at the American Diabetes Association (ADA) 81st Scientific Sessions conference.

The study, "Association of Serum 1,5-Anhydroglucitol with Severity in COVID-19 Patients," was designed to assess the impact of glycemic control on COVID-19 severity. The study was conducted at Hospital Universitario Cruces in Bilbao, Spain, and evaluated 563 patients with and without diabetes.

In a cross-sectional analysis of all patients, the 1,5-anhydroglucitol test (GlycoMark) significantly differentiated mild from severe COVID-19 patients. Major differences were shown in patients without diabetes, who showed abnormal 1,5-anhydroglucitol levels in 23.3% of severe COVID-19 cases versus 10.6% of mild COVID-19 cases. Consistent with some recent studies, hyperglycemia as measured by HbA1c, fasting glucose, or 1,5-anhydroglucitol showed no association with COVID-19 severity in patients with diabetes.

"These findings have important clinical implications," said Dr. Mirella Zulueta, Medical Director at Patia. "The 1,5-anhydroglucitol test might be most useful in identifying stress-induced hyperglycemia and severity in COVID-19 patients without a diabetes diagnosis. This is critically relevant as hyperglycemia may not be apparent in non-diabetic patients and is associated with poor outcomes, including mortality, in COVID-19 patients. These patients may benefit from more intensive care and treatment."

Clinical studies comparing the mortality predictive value of 1,5-anhydroglucitol, HbA1c, and fasting glucose in COVID-19 patients were recently completed in the U.S. and Europe with results to be reported in Q3 2021.

About Precision Diabetes, Inc.

Precision Diabetes, Inc. (Raleigh, North Carolina) is an emerging leader in enabling precision medicine for diabetes by using novel diabetes biomarkers and algorithms. The company's mission is to revolutionize the diagnostic assessment of diabetes by providing a spectrum of unique diabetes tests, spanning the risk of developing diabetes to developing diabetes complications. Precision Diabetes is the exclusive supplier of the GlycoMark test in the U.S., Europe, Australia, the Asia-Pacific Region, the Middle East, and Mexico. GlycoMark is manufactured by Nippon Kayaku Co., Ltd., Tokyo, Japan. More information is available at www.precisiondiabetesinc.com.

About Patia

Patia (San Sebastian, Spain) has developed a platform of solutions to assess risk, prevent and manage type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes. Patia uniquely and cost-effectively integrates a set of high-performance genotyping tests with predictive algorithms, digital applications and lifestyle intervention. Patia's activity started by translating the knowledge of large genetic studies on diabetes performed at the Broad Institute of Harvard University and MIT (Cambridge, MA, USA). More information is available at www.patiadiabetes.com.

MEDIA CONTACTS

Jacqueline Madejczyk

Precision Diabetes, Inc.

919-480-0754

jmadejczyk@precisiondiabetesinc.com

Eva Saez

Patia Europe, SL

34 943 32 46 73

esaez@patiadiabetes.com

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SOURCE Precision Diabetes, Inc.
The Saratoga Nutrition Assistance for Children Pack program, or SNACPack program, is one of 12 local nonprofits receiving grants from The Hawley Foundation for Children in 2021. The grant program gives to organizations with childrens welfare or well-being as their main objective, with priority given to organizations that serve the highest number of children in Saratoga County.
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A 4,400-year-old snake has recently been discovered in a southwest Finland lake, and this, according to an archeologist, may have been used for magical purposes by a shaman.

According to archeologist Satu Koivisto, ScienceAlert reported, she has seen a lot of extraordinary things in her work as a wetland archeologist, but this figurine's discovery made her utterly speechless, adding it gave her the shivers.

Koivisto, a Finland-based University of Turku postdoctoral researcher who leads research at Jarvensuo, the site where the 4,400-year-old snakehead was found, also said the discovery is 21 inches in length and roughly one inch in thickness. It was carved from a single piece of wood, she elaborated.

In the study, Between earth and water: a wooden snake figurine from the Neolithic site of Jarvensuo 1, published in the Antiquity journal, the study authors wrote, the figurine is quite naturalistic and is similar to a grass snake also known as Natrix natrix, or a European adder or Vipera berus, in a swimming way or the act of slithering.

Also Read: Mental Health Discussions Opens To Aboriginal Communities

Representing a Viper

Postdoctoral researcher Sonja Hukantaival, from the Nordic Folkloristics at Abo Akademi University in Finland, who's not part of the new research, suggested, the artifact may represent a viper.

He added, a similar Daily US Post report specified, he would say that a viper is more proper because of the shape of its head, the short body, not to mention, distinguishable tail.

This, the researcher added, is interesting, as the viper has an essential role in much later historical folk religion, as well as magic.

Such a carving could have been used as an ornamental figurine, or probably, it was a staff a shaman used, explained the researchers in their study.

Snakes Loaded with Symbolic Meaning

The researchers explained, as an initial hypothesis, it appears reasonable, though, to place the artifact in the religious sphere.

Based on historical records that explain pre-Christian beliefs, the study authors said snakes are loaded with symbolic meanings in both "Finno-Ugric and Sami cosmology," and shamans were believed to transform into snakes.

Nevertheless, the artifact dates back to long before Finnish people started to keep written accounts, and scientists cannot be sure that people were holding the same beliefs roughly 4,400 years back, said Koivisto.

A Captivating Discovery

Experts who are not part of the study said the 4,400-snake stick discovered in Finland is a fascinating discovery. According to Vessa-Pekka Herva, archaeology department head at the University of Oulu in Finland, such a marvelous discovery shows that people in the Neolithic had a great over the subterranean world that people today are mostly not aware of.

Meanwhile, Kristiina Mannermaa, a professor in the department of cultures at the University of Helsinki said, a few scholars have raised the idea that such an artifact could be an offering. The fact that it was discovered in a wetland by a lake backs the notion that this precious object was an offering and not an unintentionally lost item.

Mannermaa noted that the acidic soil of Finland does not frequently preserve wooden artifacts for a long time.

This is a notable sign for Finnish archaeologists that such wetland areas need to be investigated before they are destroyed by, for instance, drainage and peat extraction, a process in which peat is taken out and sold as fertilizer.

Related information about Sami people is shown on Visit Norway's YouTube video below:

RELATED ARTICLE: Boomerangs as Retouchers: Aboriginal Australians Used It To Improve Their Tools

Check out more news and information on Archeology in Science Times.
Seen from Seaside: Ira Krizo lets faith be his guide in the kitchen, classes
After over a year of restrictions and limitations meant to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus, the day has finally come: all restrictions in Washington are set to lift on Wednesday, June 30, fully reopening the state's economy.

Since May, all of Washington state has been in Phase 3 of the state's "Roadmap to Recovery" reopening plan, which limited indoor capacity at many businesses to 50%. Now, restaurants, bars, gyms, retailers and other businesses across the state will be allowed to reopen at 100% capacity and return to normal operations.

"Because folks listened to science and stayed home to stay healthy, wore masks and got vaccinated, we can now safely fully re-open our states economy and cultural centers after 15 long months," Gov. Jay Inslee said in a news release Wednesday. "It hasnt been easy, but Im proud of how Washingtonians came together, persevered and sacrificed to fight this virus, and now were finally in a place that is safe enough to end this chapter."

There are still some capacity rules for very large indoor events with over 10,000 attendees. Those events will be limited to 75% capacity under the current plan unless vaccine verification is occurring, in which case there will be no capacity limits. Those restrictions will be revaluated on July 31.

The reopening comes even though the state has not achieved its goal of a 70% vaccination rate. The most recent data from the Washington Department of Health (DOH) shows 68.8% of residents 16 and older have received at least one dose of the vaccine as of June 28. That is slightly different from federal data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which has calculated that 73.7% of the state has initiated vaccination.

David Ryder/Getty Images

However, that discrepancy is based off of the metrics used for calculating, as the CDC is using data for ages 18 and up as well as Census numbers from 2019 instead of 2020. Inslee was firm earlier this month that the state is basing reopening off of its own calculations, not the CDC's, and rejected calls to reopen the state early.

Fully vaccinated individuals in the state will not be required to wear a mask at most public indoor and outdoor spaces. On Tuesday, King County lifted its local mask order, placing the entire state in line with the CDC's guidance. However, businesses can still choose to require people to wear masks and in certain places like hospitals, long-term care facilities and doctor's offices, masks will still be required. Secretary of Health Umair Shah has asked residents to "respect the rules of the room" and mask up in necessary.

Unvaccinated individuals are still required to wear a mask indoors and adequately social distance, and health officials are warning that their risk is even higher with more contagious variants spreading.

"People who are unvaccinated are at increased risk for COVID-19 along with people who do not respond to vaccine because they are immunocompromised due to underlying medical conditions," King County public Health Officer Dr. Jeff Duchin said in a news release Tuesday. "The best protection for both individuals and the community as a whole will be through more of us continuing to be vaccinated."

Travel guidance will now follow CDC recommendations, which advises to delay travel  both domestic and internationally  until fully vaccinated. Additionally, all travelers entering the United States, including citizens, are required to have a negative COVID-19 test result no more than 3 days before travel.

While the milestone is a hopeful one, officials also said that activities could be rolled back at anytime if the statewide ICU capacity reaches 90%.
With leisure travel back in full swing, airlines are enhancing route options while offering fare sales to attract passengers back to the skies.

This weeks airline news reveals enticing fare sales from Alaska, Delta, Hawaiian and Southwest, with current fare deals available on both domestic and international routes.

For passengers planning a Hawaiian getaway, Hawaii will soon end its pre-travel testing requirements for U.S. passengers with proof of vaccination.

Keep reading to discover the latest airline news for the Pacific Northwest and beyond.

Alaska Airlines fare sale, status boosts, and European routes with oneworld

Now through July 5, Alaska Airlines is running a fare sale with one-way fares starting as lows as $49 per person. Seattle (SEA) passengers will find $69 one-way fares to Boise (BOI), Medford (MFR) and Sacramento (SMF), and $79 one-way fares from Seattle to Fresno (FAT), Los Angeles (LAX) and Salt Lake City (SLC).

Alaska has also extended its 50% elite-qualifying bonus miles offer (EQM) through September 30, 2021. No registration is required, as all elite-qualifying miles earned on Alaska Airlines flights will automatically receive the 50% bonus. Elite benefits begin at MVP status, earned with a minimum of 20,000 miles.

Earlier this year, Alaska Airlines joined the oneworld alliance which notably enhances the partnership with American Airlines and increases international options for Seattle passengers.

Seattle travelers may now book nonstop American flights from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) to London-Heathrow (LHR) directly on the Alaska website. Flights to London-Heathrow as early as August show main cabin one-way fares starting as low as $535. Later this year, flights to Shanghai and Bangalore will be added to the offerings for passengers departing from Seattle.

Charlie Riedel/AP

Delta's international fare sale

Delta has numerous international routes on sale for passengers departing from Seattle. Using Deltas Travel Planning Center, guests can review destination entry requirements while searching roundtrip fare deals including Seattle (SEA) to Puerto Vallarta (PVR) for $298, Los Cabos (SJD) for $300, Madrid (MAD) for $710, and Dubrovnik (DBV) for $913.

Hawaiian Airlines flash sale

Now through July 1, Hawaiian Airlines is running a fare sale on late summer travel. Travel dates include August 10-31, 2021, with no blackout dates. Fares start at $278 roundtrip.

Beginning July 8, fully vaccinated U.S. travelers with a CDC-issued vaccination record card will be able to bypass pre-travel testing or quarantine when visiting Hawaii.

Southwest fare sale

Southwest has announced an Independence Day Sale for flights booked through July 8, 2021. Travel dates and markets are limited, with sales valid on continental U.S. and Hawaii travel August 17 through December 15, 2021.

Sample Seattle fares include one-way travel to Albuquerque (ABQ) for $136, Bozeman/Yellowstone (BZN) for $103, and Las Vegas (LAS) for $121.

Deals to San Juan, Puerto Rico are valid for travel August 17 through December 2, 2021. A small selection of international fares are also valid for travel August 17 through December 8, 2021.
Karen Ducey/Getty Images

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan is sending an ordinance to the Seattle City Council that would allow the hundreds of empty storefronts in the downtown area to be used by more of the citys entrepreneurs, according to a Tuesday news release from the city.



As it stands now, those spaces are permitted only for very specific use. The mayor says this temporary ordinance, if approved, would change that by allowing the spaces to be used for bike parking, art installations, gyms, medical offices, museums, and other items not currently allowed under the citys usage guidelines.



As part of our effort to revitalize downtown, were making it easier than ever to pursue new, innovative uses for storefronts, Durkan said in the release. This temporary change to allow more uses for our storefronts will help restore the vitality of our downtown.



The ordinance would automatically expire after a year unless the council decided to extend it further or terminate it sooner. Those that receive a permit and invest in a new storefront could remain indefinitely, but they would not be able to expand, the release says.



The new flexibility would be available in the main shopping streets of the downtown commercial core, including Belltown and Pioneer Square. The current rules dont apply to the Chinatown-International District because it falls in the International Special Review District, the release said.



More than 450 businesses in the downtown area have permanently closed since the COVID-19 pandemic hit the U.S. early last year, according to the Downtown Seattle Association.



This ordinance is just one of several steps the mayors office is undertaking to revitalize the downtown area after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last week, Durkan announced that the city will invest $9 million in relief to downtown businesses, including removing trash and graffiti, addressing transit and public safety concerns to help get employees back to work, and hosting several cultural and arts events over the summer.
BANGKOK (AP)  Myanmar's government began releasing about 2,300 prisoners on Wednesday, including activists who were detained for protesting against the military's seizure of power in February and journalists who reported on the protests, officials said.

Buses took prisoners out of Yangons Insein Prison, where friends and families of detainees had waited since morning for the announced releases. It is standard practice to take freed prisoners to the police stations where they were originally booked to complete the processing for their freedom.

Zaw Zaw, head of the Yangon Regions Prison Department, confirmed that more than 720 people were released from the prison, which for decades has been the main facility for political prisoners.

According to official announcements on state media, most if not all of the freed detainees faced charges related to the protests, including Section 505(A) of Myanmars penal code, which makes it a crime to spread comments that create public unrest or fear or spread false news, and carries a penalty of up to three years in prison.

It appeared, however, that an unknown number of people held on that charge might still be detained. Complete information was not available and the releases are expected to take place over several days.

State television reported on releases in the city of Mandalay and Naypyitaw, the capital, in addition to Yangon, the country's biggest city. Local media in more remote areas reported releases as well, including in Myitkyina in the northern state of Kachin, Lashio in Shan state in the east, and Hakha in Chin state in the west, a hotbed of opposition to military rule.

Tin Zar Oo, a lawyer who with her colleagues represents political detainees and journalists, said about half of the 100 people whose cases they handle, including journalists arrested as long as four months ago, were released Wednesday.

A statement from the military said 2,296 prisoners were being released. Deputy Information Minister Maj. Gen. Zaw Min Tun earlier told Chinas Xinhua news agency that the released detainees were those are who took part in the protests but did not take part in the violence, who did not commit crimes and did not lead the riots.

The Assistance Association for Political Prisoner said Tuesday that 5,224 people were in detention in connection with the protests. The group keeps detailed tallies of arrests and casualties linked to the nations political conflicts.

There was no reason given for the timing of the releases.

The government is eager to cultivate goodwill among the public, a large part of which is hostile to it. On Tuesday it announced that it was dropping charges against about two dozen celebrities who had taken a role in the protests.

It would also like to soften its international image. The U.N. General Assembly on June 18 passed a resolution calling for an arms embargo against the Southeast Asian nation and condemning the militarys seizure of power. Several Western nations have already implemented diplomatic and economic sanctions.

Tun Kyi, a senior member of the Former Political Prisoners Society, charged that the detainees were released to reduce pressure from the international community, and said they shouldnt have been arrested in the first place.

The military abducted dissidents and took them hostage. It is not an unconditional release of all political leaders and prisoners, but rather intended to avoid international pressure, he said. And there is no reason to be thankful.

Myanmar is also facing a surge in COVID-19 cases, with 1,312 new infections reported Tuesday, bringing its total to 155,697. Crowded conditions make prisons high-risk areas for the virus, though there was no official word if that threat played a part in the releases.

The political turmoil has made the countrys health care system largely dysfunctional, severely limiting COVID-19 testing and reporting until about a month ago, when the number of confirmed cases shot up rapidly.
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Derrick Johnson had a makeshift mask. He had the spray bottle of bleach and extra soap that corrections officers provided. But he still spent every day crammed in a unit with 63 other men in a Florida prison, crowding into hallways on their way to meals and sleeping feet from one another at night.

As the coronavirus ravaged the Everglades Correctional Institution, Johnson was surrounded by the sounds of coughing and requests for Tylenol. And while he thought a lot of the prisons policies were ineffective at protecting prisoners, he also wondered if that was the best the facility could do.

Prison is not built to compete with a pandemic, said Johnson, who was released in December. The pandemics gonna win every time.

For 15 months, The Marshall Project and The Associated Press tracked the spread of COVID-19 through prisons nationwide. We counted more than a half-million people living and working in prisons who got sick from the coronavirus. Prisons were forced to adapt to unusual and deadly circumstances. But now, as new cases are declining and facilities are loosening restrictions, theres little evidence to suggest enough substantive changes have been made to handle future waves of infection.

With crowded conditions, notoriously substandard medical care and constantly shifting populations, prisons were ill-equipped to handle the highly contagious virus, which killed nearly 3,000 prisoners and staff.

Corrections systems responded with inconsistent policies, struggling to contain the virus amid understaffing and overcrowding. At its peak in mid-December, more than 25,000 prisoners tested positive in a single week.

But in recent months, infections behind bars nationwide have slowed to a few hundred new cases each week, and many prisons have eased what restrictions they had in place, including mask-wearing, visitors and other movement in and out, going back to business as usual.

Its a critical moment, with new coronavirus cases low but the threat of infection looming as new variants spread around the world, said Dr. David Sears, an infectious-disease specialist and correctional health consultant.

The medical community, prison leadership and society at large have learned so much about COVID in a short period of time, Sears said. We need to take these lessons and make sure that the things weve learned after a lot of real human suffering are not in vain.

___

This story is a collaboration between The Associated Press and The Marshall Project exploring the state of the prison system in the coronavirus pandemic. Additional reporting by Peter Buffo and Tom Meagher of The Marshall Project, and Colleen Slevin and Michael Balsamo of The Associated Press.

___

According to the data collected by The Marshall Project and The Associated Press, about 3 in 10 people in state and federal prisons were infected with the virus. But correctional health experts widely agree that this number is an undercount.

A great many of the people who ever had COVID, they were never tested, said Dr. Homer Venters, a former chief medical officer of the New York City jail system who has inspected health conditions in prisons around the country over the last year. In most prisons it ran through these places like wildfire. People were never tested.

One man housed at a low-security federal prison compared the Bureau of Prisons public data to what he was seeing inside. At least half of his unit fell ill, he said, but the bureaus data didnt reflect that. He spoke on condition of anonymity because he is still incarcerated and afraid of retribution.

For the first year of the COVID, they never tested anybody in my institution unless they had a fever, he said in a call from prison. The easiest way to not have a positive at your institution is to not test anybody. ... Its like, hello, were dying from this s-. Can you test us?

In the early days of the pandemic, testing within the Bureau of Prisons was limited, and staff at some prisons were told there was no need to test prisoners and they should just assume everyone had the coronavirus. The Justice Departments inspector general found that at some facilities, like FCC Oakdale in Louisiana, which emerged as an early hot spot, prisoners who tested positive for the virus were left in their housing units for days without being isolated.

The Bureau of Prisons said it follows guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and that any prisoner who is symptomatic or tests positive for the virus is placed in medical isolation until they recover.

Even when state and federal prisons did conduct tests, they still allowed prisoners who tested positive to come in contact with others.

Texas prison officials transferred more than 100 infected prisoners in East Texas to prisons just outside Houston in the first months of the pandemic. Officials said the move would bring the men closer to medical resources, but other prisoners worried it would just bring the virus closer. A few days after a group of the sick arrived to his unit, Jason Duncan fell ill.

The unit nurse came around to take temperatures, mine was checked at 102, he wrote in a letter at the time. A few hours after having his temperature taken, he fainted. When I came to, my body was so hot I could not stand at all. I could not breathe, it felt like the life was being (sucked) out of me. I was also covered in sweat  all my clothes wet.

Eventually, he ended up in a hospital and hooked up to a breathing machine. Finally, he got a COVID-19 test. I was given no medication at all, he wrote, adding that he was instead sent back to the prison and housed in the wing with the sick prisoners whod been transferred in.

Scott Medlock, an attorney who represented prisoners in a class-action lawsuit accusing Texas of inadequately protecting them from the virus, said the failure to properly quarantine prisoners was key to the spread of COVID-19 at Texas Pack Unit. While staff would isolate those who tested positive for two weeks, they considered prisoners recovered when the quarantine period ended, regardless of whether prisoners were showing symptoms.

They were moving people who had quote-unquote recovered, who were still having symptoms, sometimes into dormitories where there would be people who have not tested positive yet, Medlock said.

But many prisons simply lack the space needed to adequately isolate sick prisoners. There are structural and logistical changes prisons could make, such as upgrading ventilation systems and creating surge capacity for staff and health care workers. But the most effective approach, Sears said, is to drastically reduce prison populations.

When youre filled to the max and you have two people in an 8-by-10 cell right next to two more people in an 8-by-10 cell and on and on, its impossible to create any form of physical distancing, Sears said. We have to get people out of prisons so we have that space.

While many jails emptied out during the pandemic and prison populations declined, the criminal justice system has not fundamentally changed. Lauren Brinkley-Rubinstein, who leads the COVID Prison Project, said she hasnt seen the systemic change needed to address the next pandemic.

What were seeing over the past couple weeks and months is a real return to status quo, which makes me worry that prisons and jails didnt learn much at all, Brinkley-Rubinstein said. I see incarcerated populations returning to what they were before.

Staffing is also a massive problem. Employee shortages plague many prisons. The federal system is at critically low levels and has been forced to make teachers and others watch prisoners. The Nebraska prison system recently declared a staffing emergency at a fourth facility, and Texas prisons are struggling with more than 5,000 correctional officer vacancies and the lowest staffing levels in recent memory.

In Pennsylvania, transfers and insufficient quarantine policies contributed to spreading the virus between prison facilities, said John Eckenrode, president of the Pennsylvania State Corrections Officers Association. Once there were active cases throughout the state's prisons, including among staff, the department became lax with quarantining and actively contact-tracing staff after someone tested positive.

A few months into the pandemic, Eckenrode believes, a lot of supervisors were tired of quarantining officers and calling in overtime.

There were definitely officers who went weeks without a day off and sometimes working all 16-hour shifts, he said. It takes a toll on you, your home life, your time with family, your mental and physical exhaustion.

The Pennsylvania Prison Society, a group that advocates for humane prison and jail conditions, found at one point during the pandemic 1 in 6 corrections officers was out sick or in quarantine. Prisoners contacted the society to say their medical request slips were piling up.

Because so many staff members were out sick during COVID-19, what we found was people had an even harder time getting access to medical care, said Anton Andrew, the societys education and advocacy fellow.

The strain of understaffing and working in a high-risk environment has led to corrections staff leaving their jobs, Venters said. These staffing shortages will have long-term consequences, especially as prison populations rise.

Understaffing means people dont get to their health care appointments and certainly dont go outside, Venters said. Its unlikely when they have an emergency that anybody is going to see it or respond to it.

Like life on the outside, the immediate risk to prisoners in many states has largely receded. Twenty states have administered at least one dose of the vaccine to two-thirds of their prison population, and new cases in prisons nationwide have stayed below 500 a week for more than a month. Prisoners who spent more than a year without family visits, educational programs and outdoor recreation are eager to regain more social interaction and activity. Despite these promising signs, however, doctors and advocates for the incarcerated fear that prisons are letting their guard down too quickly.

New variants of the coronavirus are more contagious, which Sears said may call for higher vaccine rates to bring about herd immunity. Maryland, Michigan and Colorado found variants within their prisons earlier this year, though case numbers remained low.

In Hawaii, one of the few states where cases have risen in prisons in recent weeks, state authorities attribute the outbreak to overcrowding and transfers into its facilities. Unlike most states, Hawaiis correctional system houses both sentenced prisoners and people awaiting trial, a more transient population with lower vaccination levels.

Our jails have all been burdened by extreme overcrowding for decades, and now added to that are the unique challenges posed by the COVID pandemic, Toni Schwartz, a spokesperson for the Hawaii Department of Public Safety, said in an email.

While vaccine acceptance among prisoners has been higher than anticipated, most systems have seen staff vaccination rates lagging behind.

We know that COVID doesnt just spring up from the ground within a prison. COVID is introduced by people coming into and out of a prison, Sears said. Ninety-nine percent of that movement is staff ... so creating that ring of protection around a prison with higher staff vaccination rates is vital.

In Colorado, where 55% of corrections workers are fully vaccinated, unvaccinated staff are tested daily with rapid tests, said Brandalynn Anderson, spokesperson for the Colorado Department of Corrections. Both vaccinated and unvaccinated staff take weekly PCR tests.

Not all prisons take as thorough of an approach. In some states, such as Wisconsin and South Carolina, staff are tested every two weeks. Others only mandate testing when employees are suspected to have been exposed to the virus.

As prison coronavirus cases have slowed, so, too, has the release of data from state and federal agencies. Michele Deitch, a law professor at the University of Texas at Austin who has researched prison data transparency during the pandemic, said this is a troubling sign that prisons are prematurely moving beyond the pandemic.

Theres a sense that COVID is over, that the pandemic is behind us, and that is just not the case, Deitch said. We have to remember that prisons and jails were hit so much harder than the outside communities were, and in many jurisdictions, they were late to provide vaccinations to incarcerated people.
RAYTOWN, Mo. (AP)  Federal investigators believe a man illegally making fireworks in his basement caused an explosion that leveled part of a suburban Kansas City duplex, killing him and injuring at least three others.

Investigators with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives came to that conclusion after sifting through the rubble Tuesday at the explosion site in Raytown, ATF spokesman John Ham told the Kansas City Star.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Sharply split along party lines, the House launched a new investigation of the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection on Wednesday, approving a special committee to probe the violent attack as police officers who were injured fighting Donald Trump's supporters watched from the gallery above.

The vote to form the panel was 222-190, with all but two Republicans objecting that majority Democrats would be in charge. The action came after Senate Republicans blocked creation of an independent commission that would have been evenly split between the two parties.

Ahead of the vote, Democratic House Speaker Nancy Pelosi told lawmakers in the chamber, We will be judged by future generations as to how we value our democracy." She said she preferred that an independent panel lead the inquiry but Congress could wait no longer to begin a deeper look at the insurrection that was the worst attack on the Capitol in more than 200 years.

As the vote was called, Pelosi stood in the House gallery with several police officers who fought the rioters and with the family of an officer who died, hugging several of them. One of the officers, Michael Fanone of Washington's Metropolitan Police, said he was angry at Republicans for voting against an investigation after he almost lost his life to protect them.

I try not to take these things personally, but its very personal for me, Fanone said.

Tensions in Congress have only worsened since the January day that Trumps supporters laid siege, hunted for lawmakers and temporarily halted the certification of President Joe Biden's victory. A brief sense of shared outrage has given way to partisan sniping and attempts among some Republicans to downplay the events. Most Republicans have made clear they want to move on from the insurrection  and former President Trumps role  though many of them had fled the violent mob themselves.

Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney, who lost her position in GOP leadership because of her criticism of Trump, was one of only two Republicans to vote for the panel. She declared, Our nation, and the families of the brave law enforcement officers who were injured defending us or died following the attack, deserve answers."

Most Republicans disagreed, though few came to the House floor to make statements defending their votes. Rep. Michael Burgess of Texas said he opposed what he called one party investigating the other," and Ohio Rep. Brad Wenstrup rejected the new probe as "incomplete and insufficient because it would not look into other incidents including the 2017 shooting at a baseball field that badly wounded GOP Rep. Steve Scalise of Louisiana.

Some Republicans opted to spend the day instead with Trump himself. More than two dozen GOP House members, including Jim Banks of Indiana, the chair of the Republican Study Committee; Ronny Jackson of Texas, the former White House physician; Madison Cawthorn of North Carolina and Lauren Boebert of Colorado joined the former president at an event at the end of the border wall in Pharr, Texas, to assail the Biden administration's border policies.

During the debate at the Capitol, Democrats expressed frustration with Republicans who have complained that the investigation would be partisan after their party blocked the bipartisan panel.

I think for some on the other side, nothing that gets to the truth will ever be good enough, because they do not want the truth, said Rules Committee Chairman Jim McGovern, who led the debate ahead of the vote.

The panel will be led by Democrats, with Pelosi appointing a chairperson and at least eight of the 13 members. The resolution gives her a possible say in the appointment of the other five members as well, directing that they will be named after consultation with House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy.

GOP leaders have declined to say whether Republicans will even participate. In a memo to all House Republicans late Tuesday, No. 2 House Republican Scalise urged his members to vote against the resolution, saying the committee is likely to pursue a partisan agenda."

McCarthy is facing pressure to take the investigation seriously from the police officers who responded to the attack. Dozens of officers suffered injuries that day as Trumps supporters fought past them and broke into the building.

In addition to Fanone, spectators included Metropolitan Police Officer Daniel Hodges and Capitol Police Officer Harry Dunn. Fanone has described being dragged down the Capitol steps by rioters who shocked him with a stun gun and beat him. Hodges was crushed between two doors, and his bloody face and anguished screams were caught on video. Dunn has said that rioters yelled racial slurs and fought him in what resembled hand to hand combat as he held them back.

Also in the gallery were Gladys Sicknick and Sandra Garza, the mother and partner of Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, who collapsed and later died after engaging with the protesters. He was sprayed with chemical irritants, but a medical examiner determined he died of natural causes.

At a meeting with McCarthy last week, Fanone said he asked McCarthy for a commitment not to put the wrong people on the panel, a reference to those in the GOP who have played down the violence and defended the insurrectionists.

Fanone said then that McCarthy told him he would take his request seriously. But the officer lashed out at the GOP leader after Wednesday's vote, saying he was trying to advance his political career on the backs of hundreds of law enforcement officers that responded to defend the Capitol, himself included, from an insurrection."

Trump was twice impeached by the House and twice acquitted by the Senate, the second time for telling his supporters just before the insurrection to fight like hell to overturn his defeat to Biden.

Many Republicans have expressed concerns about a partisan probe, since majority Democrats are likely to investigate Trumps role in the siege and the groups that participated in it. Almost three dozen House Republicans voted last month for the legislation to create an independent commission, and seven Republicans in the Senate have also supported moving forward on that bill. But that was short of the 10 Senate Republicans who would be necessary to pass it.

Many Republicans have made clear that they want to move on from the Jan. 6 attack. And some have gone further, including Rep. Andrew Clyde of Georgia, who suggested that video of the rioters looked like a tourist visit." Rep. Paul Gosar of Arizona insisted that a Trump supporter named Ashli Babbitt, who was shot and killed that day while trying to break into the House chamber, was executed. Others have defended rioters charged with federal crimes.

Seven people died during and after the rioting, including Babbitt and three other Trump supporters who suffered medical emergencies. Two police officers died by suicide in the days that followed, and a third officer, Capitol Police Officer Brian Sicknick, collapsed and later died after engaging with the protesters. A medical examiner determined he died of natural causes.

___

Associated Press writers Lisa Mascaro and Padmananda Rama in Washington and Jill Colvin in Texas contributed to this report.
SALEM, Ore. (AP)  The grim toll of the historic heat wave in the Pacific Northwest became more apparent as authorities in Canada, Oregon and Washington state said Wednesday they were investigating hundreds of deaths likely caused by scorching temperatures that shattered all-time records in the normally temperate region.

British Columbias chief coroner, Lisa Lapointe, said her office received reports of at least 486 sudden and unexpected deaths between Friday and Wednesday. Normally, she said about 165 people would die in the Canadian province over a five-day period.

While it is too early to say with certainty how many of these deaths are heat related, it is believed likely that the significant increase in deaths reported is attributable to the extreme weather, LaPointe said in a statement.

Many homes in Vancouver, much like Seattle, dont have air conditioning, leaving people ill-prepared for soaring temperatures.

"Vancouver has never experienced heat like this, and sadly dozens of people are dying because of it, Vancouver police Sgt. Steve Addison said in a statement.

Oregon health officials said more than 60 deaths have been tied to the heat, with the states largest county, Multnomah, blaming the weather for 45 deaths since temperatures spiked Friday. At least 20 deaths in Washington state have been linked to the heat, a number that was expected to rise.

The heat wave was caused by what meteorologists described as a dome of high pressure over the Northwest and worsened by human-caused climate change, which is making such extreme weather events more likely and more intense. Seattle, Portland and many other cities broke all-time heat records, with temperatures in some places reaching above 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 Celsius).

While the temperatures had cooled considerably in western Washington, Oregon and British Columbia by Wednesday, interior regions were still sweating through triple-digit temperatures as the weather system moved east into the intermountain West and the Plains.

Amid the dangerous heat and drought gripping the American West, crews were closely monitoring wildfires that can explode in the extreme weather.

Heat warnings were in place for parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana as well as Saskatchewan and southern Alberta, where a prolonged, dangerous, and historic heat wave will persist through this week, Environment Canada said.

The temperatures recorded this week are unprecedented  lives have been lost and the risk of wildfires is at a dangerously high level, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.

In Oregon, the Multnomah County medical examiner blamed 45 heat deaths on hyperthermia, an abnormally high body temperature caused by a failure of the body to deal with heat. The victims ranged in age from 44 to 97.

The county that includes Portland said that between 2017 and 2019, there were only 12 hyperthermia deaths in all of Oregon.

This was a true health crisis that has underscored how deadly an extreme heat wave can be, especially to otherwise vulnerable people, Dr. Jennifer Vines, the county's health officer, said in a statement.

The King County medical examiner's office, which covers an area including Seattle, said on Wednesday that a total of 13 people had died from heat-related causes. In neighboring Snohomish County, three men  ages 51, 75 and 77  died after experiencing heatstroke in their homes, the medical examiners office told the Daily Herald in Everett, Washington, on Tuesday. Four deaths have also been linked to heat in Kitsap County, west of Seattle.

In western Washington, the Spokane Fire Department found two people dead in an apartment building Wednesday who had been suffering symptoms of heat-related stress, TV station KREM reported.

The heat led a power company in Spokane to impose rolling blackouts because of the strain on the electrical grid. Avista Utilities says it's trying to limit outages to one hour per customer.

Heather Rosentrater, an Avista vice president for energy delivery, said the outages were a distribution problem and did not stem from a lack of electricity in the system.

Renee Swecker, 66, of Clayton, Washington, visited a splashpad fountain in downtown Spokanes Riverfront Park with her grandchildren Wednesday, saying they are going everywhere where there is water.

Im praying for rain every day, Swecker said.

___

Morris reported from Vancouver, British Columbia. Associated Press writer Nicholas K. Geranios contributed from Spokane, Washington.
MOSCOW (AP)  A court on Tuesday ordered the arrest of a top associate of imprisoned Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, though the man lives outside the country out of the reach of authorities.

The Nagatinsky District Court said Ivan Zhdanov should be arrested on charges of failing to comply with an earlier court ruling  an offense that carries a prison term of up to two years.

Zhdanov, who lives abroad, dismissed the ruling to arrest him as a pseudo judicial procedure" in a statement posted on his Instagram.

Zhdanov headed Navalny's Foundation for Fighting Corruption, an organization that was outlawed as extremist along with other Navalny organizations by another Moscow court earlier this month. That ruling prevents people associated with Navalnys organizations from seeking public office and carries lengthy prison terms for activists who have worked with the organizations and those who donated to them.

The court's decision was part of a multi-pronged campaign by the authorities to silence dissent and bar Kremlin critics from running for parliament in September's election.

Navalny, the most ardent political foe of Russian President Vladimir Putin, 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 Foundation for Fighting Corruption, started 10 years ago, has relentlessly targeted senior government officials with colorful and widely watched videos exposing their alleged corruption. One of its latest productions, which has received 117 million views on YouTube, claimed a lavish palace on the shores of the Black Sea was built for Putin through an elaborate corruption scheme. The Kremlin has denied any links to Putin.

Navalny also has relied on his offices across Russia to organize anti-Kremlin protests and implement his Smart Voting strategy  a project to support the candidates most likely to defeat those from the Kremlins dominant United Russia party in various elections.
NAIROBI, Kenya (AP)  The plea arrived from a remote area that had so far produced only rumors and residents fleeing for their lives. Help us, the letter said, stamped and signed by a local official. At least 125 people have already starved to death.

Trapped in one of the most inaccessible areas of Ethiopias conflict-torn Tigray region, beyond the reach of aid, people are falling like leaves, the official said.

The letter dated June 16, obtained by The Associated Press and confirmed by a Tigray regional health official, is a rare insight into the most urgent unknown of the war between Ethiopian forces backed by Eritrea and Tigrays former leaders: Whats the fate of hundreds of thousands of people cut off from the world for months?

As the United States warns that up to 900,000 people in Tigray face famine conditions in the worlds worst hunger crisis in a decade, little is known about vast areas of Tigray that have been under the control of combatants from all sides since November. With blocked roads and ongoing fighting, humanitarian groups have been left without access.

A possible opening emerged this week when Ethiopias government announced an immediate, unilateral cease-fire after Tigray fighters re-entered the regional capital and government soldiers fled. An official for the United States Agency for International Development told U.S. lawmakers on Tuesday that some aid groups were expected to test the cease-fire immediately in an effort to reach remote areas.

However, it isnt clear whether other parties in the conflict, including troops from neighboring Eritrea accused of some of the wars worst atrocities, will respect the cease-fire. A Tigray spokesman rejected it as a sick joke and vowed to fully liberate the region.

The letter that reached the regional capital, Mekele, this month from the cut-off central district of Mai Kinetal was just the second plea of its kind, the health official who confirmed it said. The first had been a message from Ofla district reporting 150 deaths from starvation, which the United Nations humanitarian chief shared in a closed-door session of the U.N. Security Council in April, bringing an angry response from Ethiopias government.

But the letter from Mai Kinetal is different, the health official said, offering badly needed, well-compiled data that lay out the devastation line by line: At least 440 people have died, and at least 558 have been victims of sexual violence. More than 5,000 homes have been looted. Thousands of livestock have been taken. Tons of crops have been burned.

There is no access to clean water; electricity, phone communication, banking, health care, and access to humanitarian aid are blocked, district leader Berhe Desta Gebremariam wrote. People are unable to move around to save their lives because Eritrean troops completely put us under siege with no transportation, and people are condemned to suffer and die.

Looted farmers in the largely agricultural district have been left without the seeds to grow food, Berhe wrote, warning that without aid 2021 and 2022 will be catastrophic. The one aid delivery to Mai Kinetal that wasnt blocked was based on a badly outdated 1995 census, meaning half the districts residents were left out. The aid was later looted by Eritrean troops.

Residents had been coming by foot from Mai Kinetal with word that people were starving, the Tigray regional health official said, speaking on condition of anonymity for fear of retaliation. But the letter confirms the details and extent of the crisis.

Its so terrible. Its so terrible, he said. We know that people are dying everywhere.

Other unreachable districts remain silent, he said, as phone services are cut in much of Tigray.

Asked about Mai Kinetal, a senior U.N. humanitarian official called it an especially critical area for us to reach and confirmed to the AP that aid had not made it into the district, and a number of others, since the conflict began.

Overall, the U.N. estimates that 1.6 million people remain in Tigrays hard-to-reach areas, and the U.N. childrens agency last week warned that at least 33,000 severely malnourished children in hard-to-reach areas face the imminent risk of death without more aid. But humanitarian workers warn that the situation is especially fluid now amid some of the fiercest fighting yet.

Even the unilateral cease-fire announced this week is designed not to last. Ethiopias government says it will end once the farming season in Tigray is over, which means September. How needed seeds and other supplies will reach farmers across the region in time is not clear.

For Tigrayans with loved ones trapped inside inaccessible areas, the lack of information has meant months of fear and despair.

Every time I get to talk to someone who managed to flee from the area, its like a round of pain and shock again and again, said Teklehaymanot G. Weldemichel, a diaspora Tigrayan from Mai Kinetal. He said his family home there had been shelled at the beginning of the war, and his parents later returned to find every item in the house taken by Eritrean soldiers, even photo albums and frames.

One resident who fled to Sudan, Kibreab Fisseha, told the AP that a cousin with diabetes who stayed in Mai Kinetal had died because of lack of food. Both my parents are still there, Kibreab said. They are hiding in the house and I hope they are fine until help comes.

Another Mai Kinetal resident told the AP he has been able to speak with his mother just once since the war began, in a short conversation about a month ago before phone service disappeared again.

I have been calling ever since the war started, he said, giving only his first name, Tsige, to protect his family. He said his mother described fierce fighting as Eritreans took control of their village and many people fled.

Tsiges father, in his 70s, was among those too old to leave. Eritrean soldiers one day came to the house and asked him to bring them water. He did, and the soldiers later spared him. But other residents who were found during house-to-house searches and suspected of links to the Tigray fighters were killed, Tsige said. Homes abandoned by fleeing families were burned.

When another relative refused to hand over his cattle to Eritrean soldiers, they slaughtered him in front of his grandson, Tsige said. In all, he knows at least 11 people in Mai Kinetal who have been killed, including a deaf man in his 70s.

Every day could change the lives of my family, said Tsige, who is studying in Japan and feels helplessly far away. I have to prepare for the worst. Every few minutes you think about your family, are they alive?

Tsige is too young to know the famine that ravaged Ethiopia, especially the Tigray region, amid conflict in the 1980s and shocked the world, but he grew up hearing about it from his family. He pleaded for the international community to act and for Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed to be a human person and end the war.

Its happening now again, and were just watching it happen, Tsige said. I dont want to see a documentary filmed after my family has died. I want action now.
Ted S. Warren/AP

United Airlines, the third-largest airline in the United States, will purchase 270 airplanes in the coming years, the largest aircraft purchase from a U.S. airline in a decade and the largest in company history.

As part of the purchase, United, which is based in Chicago, is expected to create 25,000 new jobs, including 3,000 in Chicago. The purchase allows United to increase the number of planes in their flight and will increase the average size. Two hundred of the planes will come from Boeing as part of the 737 Max series. The other 70 will come from Airbus and the A321neo line.
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (AP)  Trustees at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill approved tenure Wednesday for Pulitizer Prize-winning investigative journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, capping weeks of tension that began when a board member halted the process over questions about her teaching credentials.

The board voted 9-4 to accept the tenure application at a special meeting that included a closed-door session that had sparked a protest by supporters of Hannah-Jones. At one point, a student said, she was manhandled by a campus police officer trying to get her out of the ballroom where the meeting was held.

Today we took another important step in creating an even better university, trustee Gene Davis said after the vote was announced. We welcome Nikole Hannah-Jones back to Chapel Hill.

Davis said that in granting tenure to Hannah-Jones the board was reaffirming its commitment to the universitys highest values of academic freedom, open scholarly inquiry, commitment to diversity of all types, including viewpoint diversity, and promotion of constructive disagreement and civil public discourse.

The university had announced in April that Hannah-Jones  who won a Pulitzer Prize for her work on The New York Times Magazines 1619 Project focusing on Americas history of slavery  would be joining the journalism schools faculty. It said she would take up the Knight Chair in Race and Investigative Journalism in July with a five-year contract.

But Hannah-Jones attorneys announced last week that she would not report for work without tenure, prompting a call by Student Body President Lamar Richards, whos also a trustee, for the board to convene a special meeting no later than Wednesday.

Hannah-Jones said in a statement Wednesday evening that she was honored and grateful for the widespread support she received in her fight for tenure. She said the tenure issue is about more than just her.

This fight is about ensuring the journalistic and academic freedom of Black writers, researchers, teachers, and students, said Hannah-Jones, who didn't attend the meeting. We must ensure that our work is protected and able to proceed free from the risk of repercussions, and we are not there yet.

In a statement posted to the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund website, Hannah-Jones didnt immediately commit to coming to UNC.

These last weeks have been very challenging and difficult and I need to take some time to process all that has occurred and determine what is the best way forward, she said.

After the vote, trustee Ralph W. Meekins Sr., issued a statement welcoming Hannah-Jones to the faculty.

I strongly believe that she has the right to express her ideas, and that it is critical to do so here at this great university" Meekins said. I believe that we have an incredible opportunity for our students to learn from Nikole Hannah-Jones as a journalist and a scholar."

Before Wednesday, the school had little to say about why tenure was not offered, but Walter Hussman, an Arkansas newspaper publisher and a prominent donor whose name is on the journalism school, revealed he had emailed university leaders challenging her work as highly contentious and highly controversial before the process was halted.

The University has now voted to grant tenure to Ms. Nikole Hannah-Jones. I look forward to meeting her and discussing journalism, Hussman said in a text message. Our plan is to continue to support the UNC Hussman School of Journalism and Media in advocating for the core values.

Earlier in the year, Hannah-Jones tenure application was halted because she did not come from a traditional academic-type background, and trustee Charles Duckett, who vets the lifetime appointments wanted more time to consider her qualifications, university leaders had said. Duckett voted Wednesday for approval of her tenure application.

Some conservatives have complained about The 1619 Project, which focused on the countrys history of slavery.

The earlier decision by trustees to halt Hannah-Jones tenure submission sparked a torrent of criticism within the community. It also laid bare a depth of frustration over what critics decried as the schools failure to answer longstanding concerns about the treatment of Black faculty, staff and students.

Several hundred UNC students had gathered near the chancellors office last Friday to demand that trustees reconsider tenure for Hannah-Jones. Protesters supporting her filed into the room at the start of Wednesday's session. But when the board went into closed session, most of them left, save for a small group that was forced out, including the student who said she was pushed by a UNC Campus Police officer.

After the session reopened shortly after 6 p.m., the protesters returned to an increased police presence. After the trustees adjourned the meeting, the protesters began shouting at Davis and UNC Chancellor Kevin Guskiewicz to bring about promised changes for Black students which they said haven't occurred yet. The students submitted a list of more than 50 demands, including decreased police presence and acknowledgement of Black contributions to the university.

Susan King, the UNC journalism school dean, said she was deeply appreciative to the board for approving Hannah-Jones tenure.

Hannah-Jones will make our school better with her presence, she said in a statement. She will deepen the Universitys commitment to intellectual integrity and to access for all.
Susan Walsh/AP

WASHINGTON (AP)  The Biden administration is preparing an executive order to improve opportunities for consumers and small businesses by stepping up oversight of areas of the economy that are dominated by a select few companies, such as meatpacking and internet service providers.

The order has yet to be finalized, but the overarching goal is to promote a sense of competition that the administration believes is central to capitalism, said a person familiar with the order who spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss its details. The order reflects concern that the concentration of power causes higher prices and poorer quality services.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Biden administration said Wednesday it is hiring more federal firefighters  and immediately raising their pay  as officials ramp up response efforts in the face of a severe drought that is setting the stage for another destructive summer of intense wildfires across the West.

President Joe Biden announced the moves during a virtual meeting with governors from Western states and as a huge swath of the Pacific Northwest endures one of the worst heat waves in recent memory.

This is an area that has been under-resourced, but thats going to change and we have to do it, Biden told the governors. We cant cut corners when it comes to managing our wildfires or supporting our firefighters. Right now we have to act and act fast.

Recalling horrific scenes from wildfires in California and other states last year, Biden said, Orange skies look like end-of-days smoke and ash.

Biden's plan would ensure that no one fighting wildland fires is making less than $15 per hour and would add or convert to full-time nearly 1,000 firefighters across a host of agencies.

Because of climate change, wildland firefighting is no longer a seasonal endeavor,'' the White House said in a statement. With fire seasons turning into fire years, it is imperative to have a year-round workforce that is available to respond at any time, that is supported and equitably compensated and is available to undertake preventive actions" such as cutting down small trees and brush that serve as fuel to fires that are increasing in size and intensity.

Western states have been parched by severe drought and record heat that has burned more than 2,300 square miles (5,900 square kilometers) this year. Thats ahead of the pace in 2020, which saw a near-record 15,000 square miles (40,000 square kilometers) burned, killing dozens of people and destroying more than 17,000 homes and other structures.

Climate change is driving a dangerous confluence of extreme heat and prolonged drought,'' Biden said. Were seeing wildfires of greater intensity that move with more speed."

Biden has expressed dismay at the starting pay for federal firefighters, which is significantly lower than many local and state fire agencies. Pay for new federal firefighters typically starts at $11 per hour to $14 per hour and they are overtime eligible, according to the Interior Department.

The pay raise will come in the form of retention incentives and by providing additional bonuses to those working on the front lines. More experienced permanent firefighters could also be eligible for a 10% retention incentive. Temporary firefighters will be eligible to receive some incentive pay under the plan.

Wednesday's meeting included at least eight Western governors, including California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Oregon Gov. Kate Brown. Both states are facing extreme drought and expect record-breaking fires.

Newsom, a Democrat, said he was pleased to be working with the White House, rather than as sparring partners,'' as he described his state's relationship with the Trump administration. We were debating raking policies'' in forests, Newsom said, referring to comments by then-President Donald Trump that the state should rake its forests to reduce the risk of wildfires.

With climate change, the wildfire seasons are only to get worse, Newsom and other governors said. The hots are getting hotter, the dries are getting drier, Newsom said.

Two Republican governors, Greg Gianforte of Montana and Brad Little of Idaho, said they were disappointed not to receive an invitation to the White House meeting, which included six Democrats and two Republicans.

No state in what it faces and how it responds is like another, they wrote in a letter to Biden.

The meeting with the governors comes as the White House released a memo confirming its commitment to a clean energy standard, tax credits and 500,000 charging stations for electric vehicles, among other climate goals as officials pursue a two-track approach on infrastructure.

A memo by climate adviser Gina McCarthy and White House senior adviser Anita Dunn also pledges at least $10 billion to conserve and restore public lands and waters, address environmental injustice and create a Civilian Climate Corps to complete federally funded projects to respond to climate change and transition to a clean energy jobs.

The memo responds to criticism from environmental groups and other progressives who are frustrated that many climate-related initiatives were cut out of a bipartisan infrastructure plan announced last week.

We know more work needs to be done, which is why President Biden will continue championing, the memo says, both the nearly $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill and a separate, larger plan Biden and fellow Democrats aim to approve along party lines.

On wildfires, administration officials have pledged to work with Congress to find a permanent fix to increase firefighter pay and convert more seasonal wildland firefighters to year-round workers as fires have grown more severe.

The U.S. Forest Service and Interior Department combine to employ about 15,000 firefighters. Roughly 70% are full time and 30% are seasonal. Those figures used to be reversed, but have changed as fire seasons have grown longer and more severe.

___

Associated Press writers Keith Ridler in Boise, Idaho, and Matthew Brown in Billings, Montana, contributed to this report.
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Good morning, Bay Area. Its Wednesday, June 30, and one Bay Area city has cleared an encampment with a bulldozer. Heres what you need to know to start your day.

Students from outside California will have a tougher time getting into the states top public universities next year after state legislators and Gov. Gavin Newsom agreed on a plan to cap enrollment of out-of-state and international students, starting with the 2022 fall semester.

As part of a budget deal announced this week, enrollment for non-California students will be reduced to 18% of the students at UC Berkeley, UCLA and UC San Diego over the next five years. Currently, about a quarter of undergraduates at UC Berkeley are nonresidents.

But UC officials are worried about what the change means for the schools funding, Dustin Gardiner reports.

 NCAA poised to let college athletes make money, a movement pioneered in California.

Climate crisis

Photos by Alvin A.H. Jornada/Special to The Chronicle

It was the best hay crop dairyman Steve Perucchi had seen in his 60 years in Sonoma County. After he mowed the grass on his neighbors sheep ranch, it lay in thick, honey-colored rows.

The hay belonged to Bodega Pastures, a lamb and wool producer that had added compost to its field for the first time in 2019. The results inspired Perucchi to apply for a grant to do the same on one of his pastures.

Perucchi had stumbled into regenerative farming. Also called carbon farming, it involves agricultural methods that remove carbon from the atmosphere and store it in the soil. If done at a wide enough scale, regenerative farming could more than just offset the greenhouse gas emissions from farming  it could fight climate change overall, Tara Duggan reports.

More: Live-stream along with a deep-sea expedition off Big Sur on Wednesday.

Around the Bay

Amy Osborne/Special to The Chronicle

 Thirty-five people, including some kids, rousted: Police, equipped with a bulldozer, dismantle Sausalito tent encampment. More: Newsom's GOP rivals say California must clear camps to solve homeless crisis.

 Fentanyl-driven: How does San Franciscos overdose crisis compare to the rest of the U.S.?

 Not in state recommendations: L.A. County urges masks for all as delta variant spreads  what does that mean for Bay Area?

 Sean Moore: S.F. supes weigh $3.25 million settlement for 2017 police shooting.

 Lava Fire: A fire official apologized to residents at a community meeting Monday night after his crews left the Lava Fire after they thought it had been extinguished. It rekindled an hour later and has now burned more than 13,000 acres.

 Bonta leads in Assembly race: Mia Bonta, wife of former Assembly Member Rob Bonta, is leading in a special election to replace him.

Chronicle Food

Courtesy Milk Bar

Bay Area fans of Milk Bar  Christina Tosis wildly popular New York City bakery  can now get buttery pies, compost cookies and cake truffles delivered on demand, thanks to a new partnership.

Its a sign that Milk Bar might open a bakery in the Bay Area, Elena Kadvany reports.

 Oakland's hotly anticipated Snail Bar opens with natural wine and avant-garde small plates.

 S.F. is getting the world's first "cultured sushi" tasting room, where fish is grown in a lab.

Bay Briefing is written by Taylor Kate Brown, Anna Buchmann and Kellie Hwang and sent to readers email inboxes on weekday mornings. Sign up for the newsletter here, and contact the writers at taylor.brown@sfchronicle.com, anna.buchmann@sfchronicle.com, and kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com.
Attacks targeting Black and Asian people in California drove an overall rise in hate crimes in 2020, with reported cases jumping 31% from the year before and reaching their highest levels in over a decade, according to figures released Wednesday by state Attorney General Rob Bonta.

The surge in hate crimes documented by police agencies comes amid a national crisis and a broader increase in violent crime. High-profile attacks on Asian Americans in the Bay Area and beyond have stoked fear in many communities, while a national drive for racial justice after a Minneapolis police officers murder of George Floyd has spurred worries about a backlash.

The report made public by Bontas office found that reported hate crime events increased 31%  from 1,015 in 2019 to 1,330 in 2020. Of those, race-based hate crimes saw the largest jump, with a 67.3% increase, from 523 in 2019 to 875 in 2020.

A significant part of that was an increase in anti-Asian violence during the pandemic, Bonta said.

There was a surge in anti-Asian violence correlated with the words of leaders who sought to divide us when we were at our most vulnerable, he said, an apparent reference to inflammatory statements about the coronavirus by former President Donald Trump and others. The highest number of these incidents occurred in March and April of 2020, Bonta added.

There was a 107% increase in hate crimes targeting the Asian community from 2019 to 2020, the majority of it violent, Bonta said. His office released a separate report on anti-Asian hate crimes during the pandemic.

All racial groups saw spikes in reported attacks. Anti-Black crimes were the highest in number, with 456 incidents, an 87.7% increase from 2019, according to the report.

Anti-Hispanic or anti-Latino hate crime events rose from 110 in 2019 to 152 in 2020, an increase of 38.2%. Reported anti-white crime events rose from 39 in 2019 to 82 in 2020.

The report counted only hate crimes reported to police, which are likely lower than the actual number of hate crimes, a caveat that Bonta acknowledged. The data reflects reports of these alleged hate crimes by police agencies, not prosecutors.

The report also did not take into account how the pandemic and stay-at-home orders affected the data, the report said. But Bonta said in early May that a rise in crimes and racist incidents against members of the Asian and Pacific Islander communities during the pandemic partially led to the creation of a new Racial Justice Bureau within Californias Department of Justice.

At the time, Bonta said the bureau would investigate hate crimes and hate groups.

On Wednesday, Bontas office also released guidance for local law enforcement agencies that will help them properly identify and investigate hate crimes, improve communication with victims to increase the success of prosecutions, and identify alternative forms of sentencing or restorative justice approaches to hate crime prosecutions, he said. That includes a discussion of what facts qualify something as a hate crime.

A Stanford Law School report released in June found that the current approaches to confronting hate crimes rely heavily on increased law enforcement and imprisonment. The report suggested alternative approaches may offer a way to identify and mend the unique individual and community harms caused by hate crimes, while demanding meaningful accountability for those who cause harm.

Restorative justice approaches can happen alongside law enforcement practices, or independently in a community. For example, Restorative Justice for Oakland Youth, a nonprofit working with youth, conducts conflict circles by mediating between those who were harmed by an incident and those responsible for the harm, and other community members.

Many communities of color often distrust law enforcement, contributing to the under-reporting of hate crimes, Stanfords report said, adding that its also not clear that current laws deter further hate crimes.

Hate crimes are our priority, Bonta said. Local law enforcement is fully capable of addressing hate crimes, and its important that we do it in the right way.

Over half of hate crimes are not identified or prosecuted as such, Bonta said. His office is also releasing brochures in more than two dozen languages with information about how to report a hate crime.

Carl Chan, president of Oaklands Chinatown Chamber of Commerce  a victim of a hate crime himself  said that these tools will help significantly, as many hate crimes go unreported because of language barriers.

Chan said that these new resources will connect all the dots between victims, law enforcement and prosecutors. Together, we can actually stop all this, he said.

Bonta, Chan and Oakland City Councilmember Sheng Thao each urged people to report hate crimes, write down any words used, take photos and save evidence when possible.

It is only through data and counting your reports that we can move forward with the resources that all communities need to actually come up with the resources that all communities need, Thao said.

I urge law enforcement and all Californians to make use of the tools provided today, Bonta said. This is not who we are. We can and we will address these challenges. We will combat the forces of hate, and we will prevail.

Danielle Echeverria and Shwanika Narayan are San Francisco Chronicle staff writers. Email: danielle.echeverria@sfchronicle.com, shwanika.narayan@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @DanielleEchev, @Shwanika
Santiago Mejia/The Chronicle

Petaluma police issued an advisory Wednesday warning the public about a mountain lion spotted west of Hill Boulevard.

Police said emergency personnel were monitoring the animals movements west, but offered no additional details about its whereabouts.
A San Francisco business owner was struck in the face and beaten during an attack at her SoMa delicatessen Monday, police and her daughter said.

Rima Jodeh, owner of Tony Baloneys at the corner of Howard and Seventh streets, suffered severe bruises and cuts after she was pummeled by a person attempting to enter the store Monday afternoon, her daughter Aminah Joudeh, who spells her last name differently from her parents, told The Chronicle.

Police responding to the scene arrested an unidentified man on charges of battery, shoplifting and trespassing, said Robert Rueca, a spokesman for the San Francisco Police Department. The suspect was booked into San Francisco County Jail, but has not been publicly named because he lacked sufficient identification, Rueca said.

Jodeh, a Palestinian immigrant from Jordan and mother of three, was working at the SoMa delicatessen around 1 p.m. Monday when the assailant entered, stole a beverage and left the shop, her daughter said. Jodeh attempted to close the shops front door to prevent the assailant from re-entering when the man returned moments later.

He punched her in the face, said Joudeh, 22. He grabbed her and started beating her.

Bystanders who saw the attack intervened and held the suspect until police officers arrived around 1:10 p.m., Rueca said.

Jodeh suffered bleeding and bruising to her lips, nose, jaw and arms. She also sustained severe cuts from where her earrings were punched into her ears, her daughter said. If people hadnt intervened, I fear far worse would have happened.

The assault comes less than one month after a 72-year-old shopkeeper lost an eye in a violent stabbing at his San Francisco convenience store.

Since opening Tony Baloneys nearly 30 years ago, Jodeh and husband Tony have weathered break-ins, robberies and an onslaught of harassment in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, Joudeh said. Her mother in particular faced violent Islamophobia as a visibly Muslim woman, Joudeh said.

So common was the harassment and theft that Joudeh said her parents rarely reported incidents to the police. The suspect in Mondays assault was known among the delicatessen workers for taking food and drinks without paying.

Joudeh said her mother was reluctant to seek out medical treatment following the attack and returned to work at the delicatessen on Tuesday in spite of her injuries.

She doesnt take time off  its not something she can afford, Joudeh said.

Nora Mishanec is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: nora.mishanec@sfchronicle.com
San Francisco will direct $32 million toward rent relief, seeking to fill a gaping rent debt hole created by the pandemic and save tenants from eviction and potential homelessness.

Mayor London Breed and the Board of Supervisors, led by Budget Committee Chair Matt Haney, cemented a deal Tuesday evening to include that amount in the upcoming budget after more than 30 hours of deliberations on the $13.2 billion spending plan. Details are still being worked out, but tenants who are imminently facing eviction will be prioritized.

San Franciscans have racked up $147 million to $355 million in unpaid rent over the past 15 months because of pandemic unemployment, a city report released last week said.

The $32 million complements the states rent relief program and a city-run initiative doling out $90 million in federal dollars. The state relief program administered $4 million from April 2020 to March 2021 out of nearly $50 million requested, according to recently obtained data from The Chronicle.

Since the city-run program launched at the end of May, 1,800 households that owe a combined $16 million have applied as of last Wednesday. Half of applicants were notified that theyve been approved to get funds, but none had yet received money as of last week. The program expects to cover only between 5,000 and 6,000 of the highest-need households  only one in three households estimated to need it.

Supervisor Dean Preston, who pushed for rent relief in this years budget, estimates the funds will help approximately 3,500 households.

San Francisco is coming together to stop pandemic-fueled displacement, Preston said in a statement. We know the work is far from over, but the deal reached today will mean thousands of households wont have to live in fear of eviction.

Supervisors voted last week to extend the citys eviction moratorium through the end of December, which protects tenants from getting kicked out of their home because of COVID-19-related causes if they can pay a quarter of their rent. Three days later, the state extended its similar moratorium, but only until the end of September. As of Tuesday, San Francisco officials were trying to determine whether state law would supersede the city ordinance.

While the state rent relief program makes direct payments primarily to landlords, the citys would focus on tenants. Local landlords previously told The Chronicle the eviction moratorium could harm them. Noni Richen, board president of the Small Property Owners of San Francisco Institute, a nonprofit that aids landlords in the city, said they are also suffering financially.

No other small businesses are treated as we are being treated, she said.

The local rent relief allocation follows a tussle over revenue from Proposition I, a tax on expensive real estate property transfers, that passed last year. Prop. I is expected to bring in $128 million this year. Its supporters, including Preston, campaigned that half of the revenue would be spent on rent relief and the other half on affordable social housing, a mixed-income model of public housing.

The mayors initial proposed budget didnt allocate the specific amount from Prop. I to those purposes, and because the money was technically a general tax, it goes into the general fund and can be used for any city services. Breed said during a supervisors meeting in April that housing is a top priority and funding housing and eviction protection is imperative but pointed to relief available.

I dont agree we should set it aside for brand new programming that hasnt been fully defined when we have an economic and housing crisis to solve now, she added.

A quarter of the revenue was used for rent relief in the end. Preston still plans to pursue allocating half of the $128 million to affordable social housing at a later date, he said.

The city rent relief funds will be administered through a new program crafted by supervisors and run by the Mayors Office of Housing and Community Development.

Chronicle staff writer Lauren Hepler contributed to this report.

Mallory Moench is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mallory.moench@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mallorymoench
No sparklers. No Roman candles. No skyrockets.

Firefighters and law enforcement officials in Santa Clara County stood on a hilltop overlooking the parched South Bay foothills Wednesday and pleaded with Fourth of July revelers not to light a single match, fuse or firecracker  lest one of the driest areas of the Bay Area ignite and transform into a drought-fueled tinderbox.

Authorities vowed to crack down on anyone who does.

Were not giving out warnings this year, said Chief Jim Rajskup of Cal Fire. Our stance is zero tolerance. Weve had too many fires caused by fireworks.

Possessing more than 100 pounds of fireworks is a felony and property owners are responsible for illegal use of fireworks on their property, authorities said.

Were trying to remind people of the number of days they were unable to breathe last year, said Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez, recalling the 2020 wildfires that turned Bay Area skies orange and kept people indoors with masks and air purifiers.

People who see neighbors setting off fireworks should say something or call police, Chavez said.

We are all our brothers keepers, she said.

On hand for the official warning were city, county and state firefighters and a trio of fire engines that firefighters hoped would see no action on Independence Day, which, in many parts of the Bay Area, has begun to sound like a battle zone.

The cooperation of residents is essential to reduce risk, said Hector Estrada, deputy chief of the Santa Clara County Fire Department.

Revelers were given the now-standard advice to watch firework displays at authorized professional shows or on television. Public fireworks shows are scheduled for Pier 39 in San Francisco, Great America amusement park in Santa Clara, at the Antioch riverfront, at high schools in Gilroy, Cloverdale and Pleasant Hill, and at parks in Sonoma and Vacaville.

Fireworks are illegal throughout Santa Clara County except in Gilroy, where the so-called safe and sane variety may be fired off only by residents of that city, according to county fire department spokeswoman Luisa Rapport.

Other counties have sought to crack down on fireworks this year amid the Bay Areas widespread drought conditions.

In San Mateo County, where fireworks use is illegal throughout the county, supervisors recently voted to increase the fine for their use to $1,000 from $100. In Contra Costa County, the fine is $100 for the first use, $200 for the second use and $500 for subsequent uses.

Steve Rubenstein is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: srubenstein@sfchronicle.com Twitter: SteveRubeSF
The 15 young offenders inside juvenile hall on an typical day sleep in locked cells, their bed a thin mat on a concrete platform, their walls bare  hardly a rehabilitative setting  and its costing San Francisco $3,000 per day, or the equivalent of $1.1 million annually for each one.

Less than two years ago, city officials deemed this type of detention for children unacceptable, given the trauma inflicted and the exorbitant cost.

San Francisco planned to shut down its juvenile hall by the end of 2021, detaining only the most serious offenders in a homelike environment and diverting other offenders into community programs to become the first major city in the country to end the incarceration of young people.

But with the deadline for closure six months away, the odds that officials will make it dont look good after the pandemic and politics slowed momentum.

A moving van is not going to drive up at the end of the year and move everything out, said Margaret Brodkin, a member of the citys Juvenile Probation Commission and advocate of the closure. The process has been really difficult, particularly because of the pandemic, but also because everyone has come into this with different ideas.

Its possible the city could approve an action plan by December, she added, but its not likely the city can shutter the hall by then.

The difficulties point to how messy criminal justice reform can be. Even when widely supported changes are embraced, working out the details can be daunting.

The 2019 decision to close juvenile hall  which had deep support at City Hall at the time  came on the heels of a national conversation about the school-to-prison pipeline and how to bring down incarceration in California. City officials cited The Chronicles Vanishing Violence investigation, which highlighted dramatic declines in juvenile crime, resulting in near-empty juvenile lockups and skyrocketing costs to maintain the facilities across the Bay Area and California, in their decision.

City leaders said diverting the vast majority of juvenile offenders into community programs would ensure they never entered the legal system, never had a criminal record and got needed help. It meant juvenile criminal justice would deliver on its promise to provide services and support  not punish  offenders.

In the interim, juvenile crime continued to drop and the number of occupied cells at the juvenile hall has continued to fall  down 84% in the past 10 years.

But after 18 months of planning, the task force responsible for coming up with a closure plan  including an alternative secure facility to house youths on a mandatory hold  has yet to make recommendations to the Board of Supervisors for approval.

The process also will require public vetting and a final vote with mayoral support to proceed. The state and a local judge would have to sign off on the facility before it could be used as a detention site. Then comes any required construction to adapt an existing facility to meet state requirements.

Supervisors have resisted any efforts to extend the December deadline to close the hall.

We are certainly nowhere near changing the date, said Supervisor Hillary Ronen. Were not going to relieve that pressure and the expectation that this committee gets this work done in time.

For the handful of youths accused of violent felonies and other serious crimes, the legislation called for closing the oversized hall below Twin Peaks and placing them in a secure residential setting, no cells, no orange jumpsuits, no concrete beds.

But the process to shutter the 150-bed facility has been mired in a battle over where to put those offenders who the state requires be held in a secure setting.

Currently, not all those in the hall are the most serious offenders. As in the past, some are awaiting placement in foster homes, while others have been brought in on warrants.

City officials continue to debate how many secure beds are needed, ranging from 10 to 25, which matters in terms of what kind of facility is required in the future.

The juvenile hall closure task force has identified one location in the city, the Edgewood Center for Children and Families, that could serve as a secure facility, with enough space for at least 20 beds.

The site in the Sunset District is a large woodsy campus, with several historic buildings providing youth services, including crisis mental health care and residential behavioral and emotional treatment.

The city could lease two buildings and convert them into secure facilities, officials said.

Critics of the site, however, say Edgewood does not meet the criteria of a community-based, residential setting. Its an institution, one that youths and families associate with negative and traumatic experiences, said Krea Gomez, a member of the closure task force and director of local initiatives for the Young Womens Freedom Center.

What were being told by one group of people is that a building is a building, she said. Institutions hold memories. We dont want Edgewood; its been harmful to us.

Edgewood officials said the task force asked them to be part of the conversation, but that nothing has been decided and if the site is selected, it would lease the space, but not provide services or programming.

Were just in a listening phase right now, said Edgewood CEO Lynn Dolce.

While Edgewood provides a range of services for young people, including residential care, it doesnt have the typical feel of an institution, but perhaps something akin to a boarding school, Dolce said.

Its exactly what they say they want  more of a residential setting with a living room, beautiful views, an outdoor area, added Meg Heinicke, a board member of the organization. The word institution has a real feel to it, and Im not sure anyone would walk on the campus at Edgewood and feel like its institutional.

Gomez, however, said the whole point of closing juvenile hall was to reimagine juvenile justice, to create a space where young people can be seen as the children they are and provided the services they need.

Why arent we dreaming bigger? Why arent we dreaming innovatively? she said.

There is real potential at the Edgewood campus, said Juvenile Probation Chief Katy Weinstein Miller, who is also part of the closure task force, but the committee is hearing loud and clear concerns about the site.

The task force continues to meet regularly, requesting suggestions for secure sites, but members are expected to vote on a comprehensive proposal for the programs, services and facility needs related to the closure and submit the decision to supervisors in the coming weeks.

Gomez does not want to see the closure delayed and is hoping another site can be identified to push Edgewood out of contention. So far, however, no one has come up with a adequate alternative.

Closing juvenile hall still has strong support, including from Mayor London Breed, but its unclear how long it will take to make it happen.

The city does not need such a massively large building for a small and decreasing number of people in the facility. But we do need a safe and court-approved facility for those who need to be detained, said Jeff Cretan, Breeds spokesperson. Unless we are open to the reality of moving young people out of county when the courts require detention, we cant close until we have a new facility.

For years, the population in juvenile hall has been declining, a result of a dramatic drop in juvenile crime in California and the country over the past three decades.

In California, juvenile arrests continued to see dramatic declines in 2020, despite school closures and a lack of sports and other activities. Last year, 25,710 young people were arrested, down 40% from 2019 and 64% lower than in 2015, according to the state Department of Justice.

Felony arrests were down 47% year over year, and misdemeanors dropped 72% from 2019.

In 2019, the most recent year available, juvenile arrests nationally were at the lowest level since 1980, including arrests for violent crimes and property crimes, according to the U.S. Department of Justice.

In San Francisco, a one-day snapshot of youth detained in San Francisco from the first three months of this year identified just three young people detained for 707(b) offenses, which include the most violent felonies, including murder, rape and assault, compared with 23 a decade earlier, according to the Board of State and Community Corrections.

On some days in recent months, the number of youths detained at San Franciscos hall has dipped to five or six  down from 40 or 50 two years earlier.

But as long as juvenile hall remains open, the city will have to foot the bill.

San Franciscos proposed budget for juvenile probation is expected to reach nearly $44 million this next year, including $17 million for juvenile hall.

Thats an increase of $2.4 million overall, although much of that increase is state funding allocated to counties to serve the most serious young offenders currently housed in the state youth prisons, which are closing over the next two years.

But the proposed budget continues to allocate nearly $3 million for the Log Cabin Ranch, a juvenile detention camp in San Mateo County that closed a few years ago, to cover security and maintenance, as well as the salaries of Log Cabin employees who transferred to San Francisco and remain on the payroll, Miller said.

The proposed budget for juvenile probation also doesnt reflect workers who have emergency placements in other departments.

It also doesnt include any allocations or reductions related to the closure of juvenile hall, which would require an adopted plan to move forward, officials said.

It is unfortunate that we are behind schedule in closing the juvenile hall since that is the right thing to do, Brodkin said. However, if our policymakers are aggressive about the budget and bureaucratic changes that must occur, and we can all rally around a realistic proposal that, while imperfect, will be a significant improvement for our youth, we could have a concrete plan that we will be beginning to put in place by the deadline.

Board of Supervisors President Shamann Walton, who spent time in juvenile hall as a youth, said he remains 100% committed to the closure and is awaiting the recommendations to move forward.

Research has repeatedly shown that incarcerating children has long-lasting negative effects, including a likelihood of landing in prison in adulthood. Californias judges, probation chiefs, elected officials and child advocates acknowledge that the states juvenile justice system is in need of reform.

We cannot have kids in a situation that really is feeding the pipeline to prison in an almost intentional way, Walton said of the conditions at juvenile hall. We need a space that doesnt look like, doesnt feel like prison or the county jail.

At this point in time, I dont see any reason not to stick to the timeline.

Jill Tucker is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: jtucker@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @jilltucker
Wildfire season came early this year in the Bay Area after a meager rainy season left the landscape tinder-dry, offering an abundance of fuel for wildland blazes.

In just the past few years, California has seen some of the largest, deadliest and most destructive fires in state history. Last year was a record-buster, with nearly 10,000 blazes burning more than 4 million acres.

Meanwhile, most of the state is in extreme or exceptional drought conditions, prompting Gov. Gavin Newsom to declare a drought emergency in a majority of the states counties. All of these factors, plus the arrival of early extreme heat waves, have fire agencies and residents concerned that the state could again be headed into crisis conditions.

Heres what you need to know about wildfires in California.

What causes Californias wildfires, and why are they getting worse?

 Climate change: One of the main reasons for Californias worsening wildfires is climate change, linked to the burning of fossil fuels. Most of the states precipitation comes in the fall and winter months, but in recent years paltry rainfall, worsening drought and warmer temperatures have lengthened the wildfire season.

 Forest management: Another major problem is forest management. In recent years, millions of trees have died across the state from drought and insect spread, exacerbated by changing climate conditions. Offshore winds  Santa Ana in the south and Diablo in the north  help spread the wildfires that spark in late summer and fall.

 The human element: Fires can be triggered by natural causes like lightning strikes, which sparked the giant Bay Area wildfire complexes of 2020. But some of Californias deadliest wildfires were touched off by downed power lines. Pacific Gas & Electric Co. has faced lawsuits and been found guilty of criminal negligence for fires involving its equipment, including the 2015 Butte Fire, the 2017 Tubbs Fire and the 2018 Camp Fire. The 2018 Carr Fire ignited when a tire rim scraped pavement and sent sparks into nearby vegetation. Fireworks from a gender-reveal party set off a blaze in Southern California in 2020.

Jessica Christian / The Chronicle

When does fire season start in California, and how long does it last?

Wildfire season in California has traditionally started in June and lasted through November, but the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection says it is starting earlier and ending later each year across the West Coast.

Officials estimate that fire season in the Sierra Nevada has lengthened by 75 days, and has corresponded with more extensive forest fires across the state. Some fire agencies and experts go so far as to say there is no longer a wildfire season, with the threat now looming year-round.

Late summer and fall tend to be the most active with the arrival of hot, dry and powerful winds. In the Bay Area its the Diablo winds from the northeast, while Southern California has the Santa Ana winds. By that time of year, fuels have become extremely dry, so once ignited, wind-propelled wildfires can spread quickly and relentlessly.

Fire season is usually over when the first significant rainfall event arrives toward years end.

Will this years fire season be as bad as last years?

In August 2020, an extremely rare lightning siege started hundreds of wildfires, scorching a record 4.2 million acres. Experts say such events happen only about once a decade, so we likely wont see a similar dry lightning event  which mostly eliminates that natural source of ignition except in higher elevations. That means most wildfires that do start will likely be human-caused.

But conditions are ripe for another bad wildfire season that one fire weather expert said will be dire, with most of the state already in extreme or exceptional drought, with drier and warmer than average conditions expected throughout the summer. A spate of small fires started around Northern California in January, when PG&E also initiated its first-ever wintertime power shut-offs to prevent fires.

According to monthly and seasonal outlooks through August from the Northern California Geographic Coordination Center, much of Northern Californias higher elevation areas are projected to experience above normal significant fire potential.

Nearly the entire region including lower elevations will be under threat in September and October due to critically dry fuels and offshore winds. The rainy season was very dry, with more than half the region at below 50% of average precipitation levels.

Scott Strazzante

Where can I find out how many wildfires are burning right now?

The Chronicles interactive fire tracker shows the fires burning in the Bay Area and across California, with the latest details.

The Cal Fire Incidents page shows a summary of current wildfires across all agencies. As of late June, seven wildfires were burning across the state.

RAIN AND DROUGHT

Is California having a record dry season?

In April and May, Gov. Gavin Newsom extended a drought emergency declaration to include more California counties, bringing the total to 41 out of 58.

Californias baseline rainfall amounts, determined by a 30-year average that gets recalculated every decade, show the state is a noticeably drier state through 2020 compared to the previous normal calculation from 1981 through 2010. The new normals, on average, show that weather stations in Northern California saw an 8% decrease in precipitation compared to the old normals, with Central California seeing a 5% drop and Southern California with a 12% decline. This year, the snowpack had dwindled to next to nothing by mid-May, at 5% to 8% of normal.

How does drought in California affect fire season?

Drought conditions cause fuels such as grasses and trees to dry out and become more susceptible to burning from wildfires, and also increase the probability of ignition and the rate at which fire spreads, according to drought.gov. Unusually warm temperatures, low precipitation and low snowpack can intensify drought, leading to decreased streamflow, dry soils, and large-scale tree deaths, thereby increasing the possibility for extreme wildfires.

Will rain help reduce wildfires?

Rainfall can help slow down an active fire, especially because the relative humidity increases. The arrival of a significant rainfall in late autumn or winter is usually the signal that wildfire season is coming to an end.

But rainfall can also trigger other kinds of emergencies. A major storm arriving in an area with burn scars from previous wildfires can lead to landslides. Earlier this year, a storm forced Santa Cruz mountain residents to brace for mudslides and evacuations following the devastating CZU Lighting Complex fires that ignited last August.

Jessica Christian / The Chronicle

PREVENTION AND SAFETY

What is California doing to prevent wildfires?

In January, Gov. Gavin Newsom unveiled a budget that called for the state to spend an additional $1 billion to make the states forests and communities more resilient to future blazes. That includes about $536 million allocated to vegetation thinning, forest health projects, grants for homeowners to make structures fire-resistant and money for communities to fund prevention efforts, which was announced in April. It also includes about $400 million to build fuel breaks, which involves removing dense vegetation near communities in hopes of slowing a fire so firefighters have time to get in place and contain a blaze. So far, results of the costly endeavor have been mixed.

Who is responsible for forest management in California?

Federal agencies including the USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management and National Park Service own and manage about 19 million acres, or 57%, of Californias approximately 33 million acres of forest.

State and local agencies, including Cal Fire and park and water districts, own and manage only 3% of forestland, with the remaining 40% owned by families, Native American tribes and companies.

What can I do to help prevent wildfires?

Most wildfires  about 88% from 2016 to 2020  are human-caused. The Red Cross offers helpful tips about how to prevent wildfires from sparking:

 Campfires and bonfires: Build them only in an appropriate fire pit with surrounding vegetation cleared. Never leave a fire unattended, and completely douse and smother a fire when finished. Never start a fire on a windy day.

 Smoking: Dispose of matches and cigarette butts in a closed container or cup of water. Never leave matches or lighters in the presence of children.

Fire Tracker Follow wildfires across the state Latest updates on wildfires burning across Northern and Southern California

 Yard waste burns: Burn waste only in a 50-gallon drum or fire pit, and dont burn anything that is highly combustible. Like campfires, dont leave them unattended, dont start them on windy days, and ensure the fire is smothered when finished.

 Fireworks: Keep a water source handy, consider wetting down grass before lighting fireworks, and ensure they are completely extinguished when finished. Never let children use fireworks unsupervised or light them on a windy night.

 Cars, tools and combustion engines: Dont park a hot car or other machine in dry grass. Dont allow gas or motor oil to spill on vegetation. Off-road vehicles and equipment must have spark arresters when used in wooded areas.

Scott Strazzante / The Chronicle

How do I prepare for a wildfire?

Cal Fire recommends homeowners take steps to prepare their homes and properties in the event of a wildfire:

 Create a defensible space, or a buffer between your home and surrounding vegetation, that will help slow or stop the spread of wildfire.

 Harden your home with fire-resistant materials.

 Consider fire-resistant landscaping using fire-resistant plants and shrubs, trees that are less flammable and materials that can act as fire breaks.

 Draft an action plan with your family, know your evacuation routes and practice them, learn your communitys response plan, and create an emergency supply kit.

PG&E/SHUTOFFS

Why does PG&E turn off the power during fire season?

PG&E instituted precautionary power outages for the first time in October 2018, a year after some of its power lines were blamed for the devastating Wine Country wildfires. The shut-offs, which have been controversial, are meant to lower the risk of electrical equipment sparking a wildfire.

The first shut-off affected nearly 60,000 residents in the North Bay and Sierra during a widespread red flag warning. A few weeks later in November, the company declined to shut off the power and powerful winds broke one of PG&Es transmission lines, sparking the Camp Fire in Butte County, which became the deadliest wildfire in state history.

In fall 2019, the blackouts were much larger, with about 945,000 PG&E customers including more than 2 million people losing power. The states top utility regulator demanded PG&E overhaul its planned power outage program, and earlier this year, the company was fined more than $100 million for missteps during those blackouts.

In fall 2020, extreme fire weather resulted in repeated power outages throughout the Bay Area. Earlier this year, PG&E announced it had developed a model to calculate the risk that any portion of the electric system could start a fire and, if so, how much destruction would be caused.

How will I know if my power will be turned off?

PG&E lists planned outages on its PSPS Events webpage. Information on that page will include estimated shut-off and restoration times specific to your address, as well as maps showing the affected areas. The company also provides information about community resource centers offering support such as free bagged ice, Wi-Fi and device charging.

The company says it notifies customers at 48 hours, 24 hours and just prior to shutting off power, sending alerts via automated calls, texts and emails. You can update your contact information with PG&E online or call 866-743-6589.

The Chronicle regularly updates an interactive PG&E power outage map and has a handy FAQ with info for how to navigate power shut-offs.

Kellie Hwang is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: kellie.hwang@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @KellieHwang
A Mendocino cafe that has repeatedly pushed back against public health mandates during the pandemic, including charging customers who wear face coverings a $5 fee, will close this weekend, owner Chris Castleman confirmed. He did not agree to Fiddleheads Cafes new lease offer, which requested that he comply with government mandates and no longer post controversial signage or writings. Castleman said he is being unfairly targeted due to his political beliefs.

But the landlord said it wasnt driven by ideological differences  since the cafe went viral nationally for Castlemans tactics, the landlord said they have faced harassment from his supporters. They also heard negative feedback from community members and worried his polarizing signs and messaging would turn off potential buyers. They asked not to be named in this article out of concern for their privacy.

This is a business and since we will be losing money in the short term with the decision to end his lease, its just indicative of the magnitude to which Mr. Castlemans beliefs have interfered and added risk to the overall business, they wrote in an email to The Chronicle.

The upcoming closure of Fiddleheads Cafe was first reported by SF Gate. (The San Francisco Chronicle and SF Gate are both owned by Hearst but operate independently of one another.) Castleman, who has been on a month-to-month lease since 2020, said he was trying to secure a three-month extension so he could sell the business. In early June, the landlord  new owners who took over the Lansing Street building in the spring  proposed a rent increase and a series of stipulations in a contract extension, which was provided to The Chronicle. They asked that Castleman remove all controversial signage or writings and that there be no further publicity related to the business, of any kind, regarding mask wearing or vaccinations, and business will comply with any orders, laws, or mandates off government.

Castleman said he offered to pay two years worth of increased rent in advance and made other concessions but refused to agree to the conditions related to government mandates and publicity. He plans to serve his last lunch at Fiddleheads Cafe on Sunday and then has to move out.

In my opinion it wasnt a good faith negotiation, said Castleman, who believes he was treated unfairly for his political views.

The landlord said they respect and are accepting of all our tenants political and personal beliefs but became increasingly concerned about the impact and potential liability of Castlemans outspoken positions. They have received threatening messages about not renewing Castlemans lease, the landlord said, and asked Castleman to stop providing our contact information to others and misrepresenting our position.

He failed to stop. This behavior by itself would give any landlord pause in keeping such a tenant, they wrote.

Castleman said he has not told anyone to harass the landlords and doesnt condone that behavior if it is happening. But, he added, What did they expect to happen? Theyre kicking out a profitable, busy, rent-paying cafe for no reason other than their intolerance of our beliefs about the government restrictions during COVID. Did they expect my customers and supporters to agree with their decision?

The restaurateurs staunch opposition to public health restrictions has drawn national attention, both from people who backed his protest of health orders and critics concerned about flouting protective mandates. Hes offered discounts for throwing out masks, and hes advertised that he charges extra fees to people who wear face coverings  plus an additional $5 charge if you are caught bragging about your vaccine, one sign posted at the cafe read. Other cafe signage described not wearing a mask as a personal freedom.

Last summer, he was hit with a $10,000 fine for failing to certify his business with the health department and then closed temporarily when faced with a second potential citation for violating Mendocino Countys health order. He boarded up the cafe with signs that read Closed by order of Mendocino County, and launched a GoFundMe campaign to raise money to help Fiddleheads Cafe fight COVID restrictions. (He raised nearly $10,000.)

Alongside cheeseburgers and BLTs, Fiddleheads sells anti-masking apparel, including a T-shirt that reads: Is that a face mask youre wearing or a muzzle?

While most mask restrictions have since been lifted for fully vaccinated people in California, masks have been shown to prevent the spread of the coronavirus, and public health officials say theyre one of the best ways for unvaccinated people to protect themselves.

Yet masks have become a national symbol for ones ideological views, and the decision to wear one or not has become highly politicized.

Fiddleheads Yelp page started to fill up on Wednesday with one-star reviews criticizing his anti-mask stance.

Food Guide Top 25 Restaurants Where to eat in the Bay Area. Find spots near you, create a dining wishlist, and more.

Castleman maintained that Fiddleheads Cafe has not contributed to the spread of the coronavirus in Mendocino. Neither he nor his employees ever tested positive for the virus, he said.

Have I been controversial? Absolutely. But have I been a criminal? No. Have I harmed the communitys health? No. I think that speaks for itself, he said.

The closure of the 3-year-old cafe is a sad reflection of the divided state of the country, Castleman said. He has no immediate plans to reopen elsewhere.

People dont talk anymore. Everyones confrontational  and not willing to listen to the other side, he said.

The landlord said they offered Castleman a lease extension as a courtesy.

Castleman declined the extension, and prioritized his business below his ideology, they wrote.

Elena Kadvany is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: elena.kadvany@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ekadvany
President Biden recently conceded that he will not reach his July 4th COVID-19 vaccination goal to get at least one shot in the arms of 70% of Americans. The frenzy to push to the front of the vaccine line has since given way to vaccine disinterest.

In response to this plummeting vaccine acceptance, the Biden administration launched its We can do this campaign, part of a $10 billion effort to increase vaccine confidence and access. In addition to an in-person concert showcasing Jennifer Lopez, this push will include vaccination tours by President Biden, Vice-President Harris, the First Lady and other key political figures.

The data, however, show these efforts are likely bound to fail.

In December 2020, our team at the Clinical Excellence Research Center at the Stanford University School of Medicine collaborated with YouGov on national surveys about the COVID-19 pandemic. We asked a demographically representative sample of the American population to rank whose endorsement would most affect their decision to be vaccinated. The options included former President Donald Trump, President Biden, public health leaders like Dr. Anthony Fauci, personal doctors and religious leaders (i.e., priest, pastor, rabbi, or imam).

To our surprise, political affinity was not a dominant factor in deciding to get the vaccine. When asked which endorsement would most influence them, 40% of respondents ranked public health leaders first and 20% picked their own doctors. Trump was selected by 15% and Biden by 10%.

Only 6% of Biden voters reported they would look to their candidate for vaccine advice. Instead, 63% of Biden backers ranked public health leaders first, while 12% favored their doctors. Similarly, 27% of Trump voters ranked their doctors first and 20% ranked public health leaders.

Other polls have shown men get vaccinated much less often than women. Perhaps not surprisingly, men were more likely to say they were not scared of contracting COVID-19 and less likely to take preventative measures.

Could it be that men are listening to different trusted leaders?

In this case no. We analyzed whether gender impacted vaccine trust and found that men, like women, were more likely listen to doctors and public health leaders.

We also examined the results by race, income, political ideology, religion, and a variety of variables. None of these factors influenced the conclusions. Most Americans from different backgrounds would depend on their doctors and public health leaders when deciding whether to receive the COVID-19 vaccine. The only exception was Native Americans, 50% of whom selected their religious leaders. No subgroup placed political icons at the top of the list for vaccine advice.

Americans crave scientific information about vaccines. But there are often competing views in the media and an ever-changing evidence base. Not only do we need to hear about the science, but we need people to build trusting relationships with credible experts. That doesnt include musicians. (No offense, Sir Elton John.)

Its likely that efforts to encourage vaccination are failing because they ignore the real reasons for vaccine hesitancy, including barriers to access, fear of needles, likelihood of unpleasant side effects and unknown long term effects. Confronting these issues will almost certainly require honest conversations with people who know medical science as well as an individuals personal health circumstances.

Despite their immense talent, J.Lo and Elton John cant help.

So, how should we convince the 25% Americans who will refuse the vaccines, or the 40% of U.S. Marines who turned them down to change their minds?

Like all health decisions, vaccination is personal. Discussions about the benefits and potential costs of vaccination need to be two-way streets.

Good health care providers listen, not just lecture, ultimately reaching decisions that take a patients personal fears and unique circumstances into consideration. Thoughtful and personalized conversations will produce better results than encouragements from your mayor, a lottery ticket, or a free beer.

Aimee J. Lansdale is a graduate student at Stanford Universitys Community Health and Prevention Research Program and a research associate at Mathematica, a policy research organization. Robert M. Kaplan is a faculty member at Stanford University's Clinical Excellence Research Center, a former associate director of the National Institutes of Health, and former chief science officer for the U.S. Agency for Health care Research and Quality.
SACRAMENTO  The undergraduate student body at the University of Californias most popular campuses  UC Berkeley, Los Angeles and San Diego  is about to get a little more, well, Californian.

Nonresident students will have a tougher time getting into those schools next year after state legislators and Gov. Gavin Newsom agreed on a plan to cap enrollment of out-of-state and international students, starting with the 2022 fall semester.

As part of a budget deal announced this week, enrollment for non-California residents will be reduced to 18% of the student body over the next five years. Currently, about a quarter of undergraduates at UC Berkeley are nonresidents.

Parents and students have complained for years about the growing portion of freshman admitted to UC campuses from outside the state  which effectively takes seats away from California students.

Assembly Member Phil Ting, a San Francisco Democrat who chairs the Budget Committee, said the deal will ensure the university system stays dedicated to its core mission to educate undergraduates who already live here, so California doesnt lose talented minds to other states.

We know that if students go to UC and graduate from UC, theyre more likely to stay in state and be part of our economy, he said. We also know that if they go out of state for school, they may not come back.

Legislators have battled with UC administrators over the issue for years. University officials have warned they need the higher tuition paid by out-of-state students to cover the systems growing operating costs. Nonresident students pay about three times more in tuition and fees than students from California.

In a statement, a spokesperson said the university system worries the plan will potentially lead to unanticipated outcomes. The UC said more money will be needed so it doesnt have to reduce spending on instructors, financial aid or services for California students.

During a hearing in May, a UC official told a panel of state senators that reducing the portion of out-of-state and international students would give the university system less money to fall back on in hard financial times.

Its another cushion for the university to ensure that we can maintain quality in difficult financial times, Seija Virtanen, UCs associate director over state budget negotiations, told senators.

But California has an unexpected budget windfall this year, and that nearly $76 billion surplus gave legislators leverage to offset the financial hit to UC campuses.

The budget deal legislators ironed out with Newsom calls for spending $459 million, over five academic years starting in 2022, to offset nonresident tuition the UC system is expected to forgo by losing 4,500 nonresident students.

In 2011, less than 17% of the students at UC Berkeley were nonresidents, compared with more than 23% in the 2020 school year. Similar surges took place on the UCLA and San Diego campuses.

This isnt the first attempt to limit nonresident enrollment: In 2017, UC regents approved a policy to cap out-of-state enrollment at 18% for five of its campuses, and set the cap at 2017-2018 levels for UC Berkeley and three other campuses with higher portions of nonresidents.

The new policy aims to bring nonresident enrollment under the 18% cap at UC Berkeley, Los Angles and San Diego  campuses that typically have the most competitive admissions.

Legislators initially proposed to cap out-of-state enrollment at 10% for all nine undergraduate campuses in the UC system. After protests from university administrators, they agreed to scale back the proposal to focus on the three most elite campuses in the system, and with the higher cap of 18%.

This is a huge step in the right direction, Ting said.

Ting said paying lower tuition to attend a quality university is one of the states best taxpayer-funded benefits for middle-class families. California students pay $14,312 annually in tuition and fees to attend UC Berkeley, while those from outside the state pay $44,066.

Separately, the new budget deal also includes $180 million to increase in-state enrollment in the UC and California State University systems by more than 15,000 students.

Dustin Gardiner is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: dustin.gardiner@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @dustingardiner
Pier 24 Photography reopened Thursday morning with a 10th anniversary retrospective, and four more years to exhibit pictures in a massive shed on the Embarcadero, after staving off eviction by the Port of San Francisco.

Since opening in 2010, the pier has operated as a free sanctuary for contemplating documentary and fine-art photographs from the Pilara Family Foundation Collection. It usually mounts one exhibition per year in a warren of galleries covering 27,000 square feet.

At the end of 2019, the Port of San Francisco served an eviction notice on the exhibition space for failure to pay $1.3 million in delinquent rent accumulated during its 10-year lease, plus two years of month-to-month extension.

Pier 24 countered that it had been inadequately credited for the $14 million it cost to build out the aging wooden pier. Attempts to negotiate a settlement failed, and the issue appeared to climax when the port ordered the gallery to vacate the premises by January 2020.

But negotiations continued. In March 2020, an agreement was reached, pending approval by the citys Board of Supervisors, which is expected this fall.

Pier 24 Director Chris McCall declined to discuss specifics of the new lease pending its approval by the board.

We have a good relationship with the port and hope to get a new lease signed very soon, he said.

Meanwhile, the exhibition schedule is moving forward as if the lease had been finalized.

Pier 24 announced the exhibition would take place last week. Within two days, all available appointments for July were taken.

The response has been overwhelming, McCall said.

Masks will be required of all visitors, and social distancing was a hallmark of the pier since its opening, with attendance limited by design.

The exhibition, Looking Back: Ten Years of Pier 24 Photography first opened in July 2019. It was supposed to last a year, but only made it nine months before pandemic restrictions closed it down. It has been reorganized for the reopening and is broken into two segments to last through 2022. The first installment, Looking Back, includes photographs acquired by its founder, Andy Pilara, a San Francisco investor.

These include masterworks by Diane Arbus, Richard Avedon, Robert Adams, Dorothea Lange, Hiroshi Sugimoto and Garry Winogrand. The second installment, Looking Forward, opens in early 2022, when Pier 24 will also be looking forward to three more years on the Embarcadero.

The terms of Pier 24s new lease call for just under $93,000 in base rent, or $3.40 per square foot for the 27,311 square feet of space. Pier 24 will receive $5.5 million in rolled-over rent credits for improvements to the pier. This breaks down to $3.19 per square foot, reducing its monthly costs to 21 cents per square foot, or $5,735 a month.

As part of the deal, Pier 24 would be required to continue the public-oriented operations at the premises for the benefit of visitors and residents of San Francisco with free entry and will provide port with improved reporting on its visitors.

By partnering with Pilara, we are protecting the longevity of this waterfront museum while also ensuring that the public maintains access to this unique art collection, port spokesperson Randy Quezada said in an email.

In its first 10 years, Pier 24 developed a worldwide reputation as an art photography destination. The private museum is the largest in the country dedicated to showing photography. It has become a major draw for both museum directors and art tourists by showing its own collection and by giving over its entire gallery to the work of other major collectors like Bob and Randi Fisher. Annual attendance is around 25,000.

Sam Whiting is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: swhiting@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @samwhitingsf
Caught in the middle of a debate over policing, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and Mayor London Breed have agreed to a two-year budget that increases police spending to maintain staffing levels and invests in alternative responses to homelessness, mental illness and the drug crisis.

The plan will also dramatically reduce the number of sheriffs deputies guarding the citys health facilities.

Breed originally proposed a $6 million drop in the Police Departments $668 million budget next year and an increase of $27 million in the second year. The compromise with the board cut that proposal by more than $12 million over two years and will pay to hire 135 officers instead of 200 requested by the police chief. The second year budget is subject to change.

Supervisor Matt Haney, who chairs the boards budget committee, said the agreement strikes a balance.

We believe it reflects our collective priorities and moving towards reimagining policing and pursuing alternatives while also maintaining important foot patrols and community policing, Haney said. Its an approach that is coordinated and collaborative to address public safety, where police have a role but so do community ambassadors and paramedics and other public health professionals.

The debate about police funding was arguably the most contentious in the citys $13.2 billion budget. Supervisors were divided over whether to boost law enforcement spending, pressured by constituents on both sides of the issue. While most elected officials in San Francisco agree police arent best suited to respond to social issues, the move in that direction in this budget isnt as drastic as some residents wanted.

Other cities are facing similar debates since George Floyds murder that accelerated the dialogue about shifting police resources to social services. Oakland Mayor Libby Schaaf proposed two new police academies in her budget, but last week, the City Council voted instead to shift $18.4 million from police to social services and violence prevention.

San Franciscos amended budget will still raise police spending over two years, largely due to salary raises, but will reduce the number of recruits to 85 in the first year and 50 in the second year.

Funding some police academies allows the force to maintain current staffing levels and bring in more diverse recruits, Haney said, but shifting calls for homelessness and mental health away from police will reduce the need for officers.

Supervisor Dean Preston said on Twitter that the budget missed opportunities when it comes to reallocating law enforcement dollars to more impactful community health and safety plans.

Theres no way to sugarcoat it: this budget does not do justice to the demands of advocates and the national movement to change policing. We wanted deeper cuts, he tweeted Tuesday.

The board boosted Breeds investment in community ambassadors and Street Crisis Response Teams that send behavioral health professionals to 911 calls for mental health crises. Breed funded seven teams in her budget, along with new teams to respond to overdoses and wellness checks, for a $22.8 million investment in policing alternatives.

Supervisors also set aside $3 million to create an alternative response to homelessness. They were inspired by a community-crafted proposal called the Compassionate Alternative Response Team, or CART, that wanted to use $6.8 million from the police budget to have nonprofit workers respond to homelessness-related calls. Final program details and how much it will resemble CART will still be decided, Haney said.

Breed told The Chronicle on Wednesday that the agreement on police funding is something she can live with.

Every supervisor wants beat officers in their various districts, but you know what, this doesn't help meet the need, she said. This only really tries to maintain the existing staffing level.

San Francisco Police Chief Bill Scott told The Chronicle on Wednesday that he was grateful for budget support, although it was not as much as requested.

That compromise was not unkind to us in a way that it very well could have been, Scott said. We still have a long way to go.

Scott had told supervisors more resources are needed to respond to the rise in violent crimes this year and to meet mandated calls for police reform. The department is 18% below recommended staffing levels. He also supports alternative responses for social issues and will reassess how many officers are needed next year as some calls are redirected.

In a more significant move away from law enforcement, the boards budget also approved the Department of Public Healths plan to replace sheriffs deputies guarding Laguna Honda Hospital and four community clinics. The plan will also reduce the number of deputies at San Francisco General Hospital and add around 30 psychiatric nurses and technicians. The cost will be $3.2 million.

The health departments head of security, who created the plan, cited data showing 46% of subjects in use-of-force incidents were Black, the highest proportion of any race. The hospital could not immediately provide data about what percentage of patients were Black.

The move follows a year of internal turmoil as a broad coalition urged the department to remove deputies.

LJ Johnson, a behavioral health clinician at the health departments Dimensions Clinic for LGBTQ youth, said many patients are also people of color who have been assaulted while seeking care or refuse to do so for that reason. Johnson said one patient, put on a psychiatric hold by police and transported to San Francisco General, grew agitated, triggering a call to deputies who used physical force against the patient.

As long as law enforcement are present in our health care system, (patients) will be unsafe and feel unsafe seeking care, Johnson said.

But many staff in San Francisco Generals emergency room and psychiatric emergency services said they too fear for their safety. Last year, the states workplace safety watchdog cited the hospital for understaffing, failing to provide violence-prevention training and retaliating against staff who wanted to take legal action after assaults by patients. A petition urging the hospital to keep deputies garnered more than 4,200 signatures.

I am not against them shifting to a new model. Weve been begging for that and improved safety, said Julie Molitor, an emergency room nurse. The inadequacy is in their history.

Workplace violence incidents rose to 303 in fiscal year 2020, up from 76 in 2018 to 185 in 2019, according to the most recent data available. Use-of-force incidents decreased. Less than 1% of patient-related calls for service to deputies resulted in use-of-force.

Shamideh Engel, a nurse in psychiatric emergency services, said she has watched deputies de-escalate situations without using force, but also described instances where de-escalation alone doesnt work.

This is about safety. Were all about equity, Engel said. But if youre going to attack me, thats not OK.

Johnson agreed that staffing and training were needed for departments with more workplace violence. Brent Andrew, spokesman for San Francisco General, said the new plan emphasizes de-escalation and reduction of assaults on our staff.

San Francisco Chronicle staff writer Trisha Thadani contributed to this report.

Mallory Moench is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: mallory.moench@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @mallorymoench
San Francisco will share a $17 million grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies with five other cities to boost innovation and speed the recovery from the pandemic.

The three-year grants will fund so-called innovation teams who will report to the mayor of each city and work with colleagues across city government and with residents themselves to understand challenges in new ways and develop and test transformative solutions, according to the announcement.

Besides San Francisco, the cities include Amsterdam; Bogota, Colombia; Mexico City; Reykjavik, Iceland; and Washington, D.C.

Each city was selected based on their digital efforts and their mayors commitment to creating more digitally inclusive and connected cities.

These six cities are already raising the bar for innovation in the public sector, Michael Bloomberg, founder of Bloomberg Philanthropies and former mayor of New York City, said in a statement.

This investment will help supercharge their work to bring city services into the digital future, deliver better results for residents, and share lessons with other cities around the world, Bloomberg said.

The announcement did not say exactly what kind of work the innovation teams would do, but it seems to focus in part on testing new ideas across city departments.

During COVID, San Francisco experienced tremendous success by following the data and science to help protect public health, San Francisco Mayor London Breed said in a statement.

Our data-driven approach helped us deliver better services and build trust at a very challenging time for our City. Thanks to the support of Bloomberg Philanthropies, we can build off the lessons learned from COVID and improve how San Francisco serves all of its residents, and create a more efficient, accessible, and equitable government as we emerge from this pandemic, Breed said.

Bloomberg Philanthropies has funded the innovation teams in more than 40 cities to date. Teams in Seattle, Long Beach and Baltimore helped mayors in those cities deal with the pandemic by reaching out to underserved communities on testing, vaccination and contact tracing.

Chase DiFeliciantonio is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: chase.difeliciantonio@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ChaseDiFelice
San Franciscos Board of Supervisors will consider approving a $3.25 million settlement for the family of a man shot by police on his Ocean View neighborhood doorstep who ultimately died, in part from his injuries.

The proposed payout comes more than four years after a 2017 call for service devolved into a confrontation between Sean Wendell Moore and two San Francisco police officers. Moore, who had been diagnosed with schizophrenia, was unarmed during the incident.

Moore filed a civil rights lawsuit against the city and the two officers, Kenneth Cha and Colin Patino, alleging excessive force and other violations, but died before the cases resolution. His parents took over the suit after he died.

Civil rights attorney John Burris, who represents Moores family, said the citys offer is significant, but still unable to cover Moores loss of life.

Its a very sad case to me, Burris said. This is a man who had mental problems, and police come to his door, they didnt like his response, they shoot him and he ultimately dies. This is a man that would not be dead but for the attitude of police.

John Cote, a spokesman for the City Attorneys Office, said the proposed settlement was an appropriate resolution given the inherent costs of continued litigation.

There is no admission of liability on the part of the police department or the city, he said.

The settlement will be considered first by the citys Government Audit and Oversight Committee before a vote by the full board in the coming weeks.

The January 2017 shooting stemmed from a call for service by Moores next-door neighbor, who claimed Moore had violated a temporary restraining order by knocking on a wall adjoining their homes.

Body camera footage of the incident shows Moore, just outside his home and behind a metal security door, denying he violated the order and repeatedly cursing at police and ordering them to leave.

A few minutes into the verbal confrontation, Cha pepper sprayed Moore in the eyes, the video shows. Moore briefly retreated into his home before officers ordered him back out, where Patino soon beat Moore with a baton and Cha fired two shots.

The officers said they were injured as well, alleging that Moore punched Patino in the face and that Cha was kicked in the face. Former District Attorney George Gascon charged Moore with various crimes including assault on a peace officer, but a judge later dismissed most of the case due to a lack of sufficient evidence.

An appeals court affirmed that ruling in 2018, finding that officers violated the Fourth Amendment when refusing to leave Moores home.

Moore, 46, was serving a sentence at San Quentin State Prison on unrelated charges when he died last January. The causes were in part from an earlier gunshot wound to the abdomen, which was attributed to the police shooting, the San Francisco Examiner reported at the time.

While the settlement would close a major chapter in Moores case against police, a separate, criminal proceeding may still be possible.

The San Francisco District Attorneys Office has been investigating the case for potential charges against the officers but have not yet announced a filing decision. District Attorney Chesa Boudin, who campaigned on a promise to hold officers accountable for wrongdoing, in the past year announced three separate criminal cases against police officers involved in controversial use-of-force incidents.

A police spokesman said an internal investigation against the officers remains active and ongoing. Patino is currently assigned to the Administration Bureau and Cha is assigned to the Investigations Bureau, police said.

Megan Cassidy is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: megan.cassidy@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @meganrcassidy
Facebooks community vaccine efforts are going mobile. In an effort to get coronavirus vaccines to underserved communities, the company said it is partnering with Bay Area nonprofits to send a mobile vaccine truck to schools near its Menlo Park headquarters.

The truck will show up at different schools on the Peninsula on Fridays and Sundays throughout the summer and can administer up to 40 doses per hour. More information about timing and schedules for the Friday trucks will be posted at www.facebook.com/RavenswoodSchools while Sunday information will be available at facebook.com/FBMobileFarmersMarket.

Facebooks Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg announced the effort in an online post Wednesday.

The company also plans to give people who get a vaccine dose a weekends worth of meals from its food program, as well as a week of groceries.

Menlo Park Council member Cecilia Taylor, founder of nonprofit Belle Haven Action, said the mobile vaccine program builds on farmers markets Facebook has hosted that have helped build community recognition and trust.

Taylor said vaccine uptake in the Menlo Park neighborhood of Belle Haven has been strong, but that vaccine hesitancy is real. She said bringing the vaccines into communities makes it easier for residents to access them and ask questions if they are hesitant.

Removing the barrier means you bring it into the community, Taylor said.

The mobile vaccine effort will replace the vaccination site the company set up at its Menlo Park headquarters for the local community in April. That effort saw the social media giant partner with the nonprofit Ravenswood Family Health Network to distribute shots to underserved communities on Saturdays, including free shuttles to the vaccination site.

Facebook says it met its goal of vaccinating 10,000 people in California with that effort, but wants to find ways to overcome barriers to people getting vaccinated.

Elsewhere in the Bay Area, mobile vaccine units are ramping up this summer in an effort to get the shots to people who may not be able to to get them for themselves.

In San Francisco, ambassadors are walking the streets of neighborhoods like the Bayview, Visitacion Valley and the Tenderloin where vaccinations are lower on average than the rest of the city.

While vaccine acceptance has increased considerably over the last six months, there remain pretty significant disparities around uptake and getting vaccinated, said Kang-Xing Jin, Facebooks head of health.

Issues like transportation and being able to take time off work were chief among those concerns, Jin said. Mobile vaccines overcome the issue of people physically getting to vaccination sites by meeting people where they are, Jin added.

Nonprofit organizations like Belle Haven Action are helping get the word out to community members, many of whom are immigrants or from Black and Latinx communities.

The company is also planning to expand its California vaccination efforts to cities and states where it has offices, including Seattle, New York, Austin, Chicago, Boston and Washington, D.C.

Air Quality Tracker Check levels down to the neighborhood Ratings for the Bay Area and California, updated every 10 minutes

Annabella Bastidas works for the nonprofit Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights and has been working with the company to get vaccines out to the community, mostly in Los Angeles.

She said language barriers and booking appointments online are some of the largest issues many immigrant communities face in accessing vaccines. Concerns about interacting with the government for people who may be in the county without documentation is another concern to overcome, she added.

She said giving away gift cards for food and other perks is another way to get around vaccine hesitancy.

Part of the battle has also been making sure people get correct information about the vaccine when misinformation has at times proliferated online and on social media about side effects and risks.

Jin pointed to a national Spanish-language vaccine finder on WhatsApp announced last week as one effort to get vaccine information and accessibility out to communities that might not have access to it.

Chase DiFeliciantonio is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. Email: chase.difeliciantonio@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @ChaseDiFelice
Aric Crabb/AP

In the wake of the VTA rail yard mass shooting in May, the San Jose City Council unanimously passed two first-in-the-nation gun control measures that are already creating controversy.

One measure requires all gun owners to obtain liability insurance for their firearms, and a second measure requires all gun owners in the city to pay an annual tax that would go towards emergency services responding to gun-related calls. San Jose Mayor Sam Liccardo said the measure is an attempt to compensate taxpayers for the costs of gun violence.
Justin Sullivan/Getty Images

Before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the United States and companies and residents began fleeing San Francisco, Charles Schwab had already decided to move its headquarters to Texas.

Now, two years later, the financial services company's 17-story office building up for sale, as first reported by the San Francisco Business Times.
SEATTLE (AP)  Money is on the way to help save the only grocery store in an isolated Washington state community that's been especially strained by the pandemic-related closure of the U.S.-Canada border.

About 1,300 people live on Point Roberts, on the tip of a peninsula south of Vancouver, British Columbia, that juts into U.S. territory. It's part of Washington, but separated from the rest of the state.

Before the pandemic residents often traveled into Canada to shop, work or drive the 25 miles (40 km) through southern British Columbia to reach the U.S. mainland. Canadian shoppers and tourists, meanwhile, have been a big source of revenue for the point's businesses.

But the border has been closed to nonessential travel since March 2020. The Point Roberts International Marketplace, the community's only grocery store, has lost many of its customers.

Gov. Jay Inslee announced Tuesday that Washington would give $100,000 from its strategic reserves to support the market, which faced closure on July 15.

The money will help keep the market afloat until the border reopens, preserving its 10 jobs and avoiding a food security crisis, Inslee said. The market might even be able to add three employees once business picks up.

"While all Washington communities have been impacted, the situation up there is unique, Inslee said in a news release. This action is a small bridge to support the entire community and retain a critical employer. I urge the U.S. and Canadian governments to take rapid and meaningful steps to reopen travel across the U.S.-Canada land border, consistent with public health guidelines.

The market's owner, Ali Hayton, said she remains frustrated by the border closure but is thankful for the governor's support, which she said would help stop the hemorrhaging at her store. Other businesses and residents in Point Roberts continue to need help, she said.

As a business owner, I have never wanted a hand-out; I just want my customers back, Hayton said.

The market has been losing $30,000 a month without its Canadian customers and owners of second homes who haven't returned to Point Roberts, she told Northwest News Network last week. The most recent extension of the border closure  through July 21  had pushed her to the brink, Hayton said.

Point Roberts leaders have been calling for a border reopening exemption for their community, going so far as coming up with a plan to offer surplus vaccine to Canadian visitors. They insist they don't pose a public health threat to Canadians because about 85% of the community's residents are fully vaccinated.

Inslee has repeatedly asked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, without luck, that Point Roberts residents be allowed to travel directly through southern British Columbia to re-enter the U.S. mainland at Blaine. Trudeau has acknowledged the difficulty the border closures have caused some communities, but he has cautioned against reopening too hastily.
This article, Astronomers detect black holes swallowing up neutron stars for the first time, originally appeared on CNET.com.

On Jan. 5, 2020, astrophysicists heard a chirp from a distant part of the cosmos, some 900 million light-years away. The fleeting sound was unlike any they'd heard before and was caused by a great ripple in space-time -- a gravitational wave -- that spread out across the universe from over 900 million light-years away, washing over the Earth and pinging detectors. Chirp.

Then, 10 days later, they heard another, similar sound. A cosmic twin. Gravitational waves had once again pinged Earth's detectors. Chirp.

After careful analysis, the two signals have been identified as emanating from extreme, never-before-seen events in deep space: the collision between a black hole and a neutron star.

The pair of collisions (or, less poetically, "mergers") are detailed in a new study published in the Astrophysical Journal Letters on Tuesday, featuring over 1,000 scientists from the LIGO/Virgo and KAGRA collaborations, a multinational effort to hunt for gravitational waves. The two newly described events are named GW200105 and GW200115, for the dates they were discovered, and provide the first definitive evidence of an elusive merger.

Prior to the dual detection, astronomers had only found black holes merging with black holes and neutron stars merging with neutron stars.

"We've been waiting and expecting, at some stage, to detect a system with one of each," said Susan Scott, an astrophysicist at Australian National University and a member of OzGrav and the LIGO collaboration.

Now they have.

Over the last two years, there had been suggestions that a collision between a neutron star and a black hole may have been spotted -- but one of the objects appeared a little unusual. It was too big to be a neutron star and too small to be a black hole. The unknown object remains a mystery, which means GW200105 and GW200115 will go down in history.

"These are the first really confident detections of the merger of a neutron star with a black hole," adds Rory Smith, an astrophysicist at Monash University in Australia and a member of the LIGO collaboration.

Chirpy

A quick interlude before we continue.

Black holes and neutron stars are strange objects. They are the relics of dead stars and form at the end of a star's life. The size of a star affects how its life comes to a close. If it's a small star (small being "about 10 times more massive than our sun"), it collapses into an incredibly dense "zombie star," known as a neutron star. If it's a big star, it collapses into a black hole. Both are well-known and well-studied objects, but they still contain many mysteries.

For one, we can't see inside them. This is a much-discussed trait of black holes. Their gravity is so strong that when light gets pulled in -- past the so-called event horizon -- it never comes back out. But scientists also don't know what is going on in the heart of a neutron star. They suspect some truly weird physics could be occurring within both objects. The laws of physics seem to break down inside them.

Observing the objects via gravitational waves is a "kind of stellar paleontology," according to Smith, because it can tell us about their evolutionary history and the environments they form in.

The chirps are central to this. When US-based LIGO and Italy-based Virgo detect a "chirp," they are looking back through time. Within the chirp is a bunch of information that can tell astrophysicists how massive the colliding objects are and the way they spin. This information is critical to understanding how the two objects came to be locked in a death dance with each other.

"By studying these systems, we get to know a lot more about the life and death of black holes and neutron stars in these binary systems," Scott said.

Star stuff

GW200105, the chirp detected on Jan. 5, 2020, and GW200115, the chirp detected on Jan. 15, 2020, are similar events but the objects that collided have slightly different properties. Those stuffy scientific names are rather confusing, so we've dubbed them Lenny (GW200105) and Carl (GW200115).

The researchers say that Lenny is the result of a black hole about nine times as massive as the sun colliding with a neutron star about 1.9 times as massive as the sun. Carl came via a black hole about six times as massive as the sun merging with a neutron star about 1.5 times as massive as the sun. Lenny and Carl are completely different beasts in the present day. The mergers occurred almost a billion years ago far from the Earth, and the chirps only recently reached us.

When we say "collide" or "merge" here, we're not entirely sure what happened when the two objects finally came together. For a long time, they circled each other, trapped by the other's gravity. Eventually, they came together. Scott describes Lenny and Carl as "a bit like Pac-Man," with the black hole swallowing up the neutron star.

There's also the possibility the black hole "shreds" the neutron star in a process known as tidal disruption. In this scenario, the black hole would rip material from the surface of the neutron star and steal it, creating a disk of debris around the event horizon. "That should produce an electromagnetic signal," Scott said.

And a shredded neutron star is a goldmine for astrophysicists. You can't make the material present in a neutron star in a laboratory and study it, so these types of events may open a window to understand what's happening inside them.

"By watching how a neutron star is pulled apart by a black hole, we are beginning to learn about how matter behaves in its most dense state," said Eric Thrane, an astrophysicist at Monash University and member of the LIGO collaboration. With enough gravitational wave detections, we may be able to decode their properties.

That makes Lenny and Carl the first of many black hole-neutron star mergers helping shed light on the most extreme objects in our universe.

"These observations may one day reveal new laws of nature," Smith said.
If you're vaccinated, you are protected from the highly transmissible Delta variant and in most cases you can keep your mask off. That's the message both the California Department of Public Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are putting out this week.

Los Angeles County updated its masking guidelines earlier this week, calling on all people, regardless of vaccination status, to put their masks on indoors in public places due to the Delta variant spreading across the L.A. area. The World Health Organization also released a statement over the weekend reiterating its longstanding recommendation that everyone wear masks to lessen the spread of the virus.

These announcements created some confusion and led many to wonder if more changes were coming to mask rules.

California's health department said in a statement Wednesday that guidance for face masks will remain in alignment with the CDC recommendations, allowing fully vaccinated individuals to resume everyday activities without wearing a mask in most settings.

"Unvaccinated individuals must continue to wear masks in indoor public settings and businesses to help protect against the risk of infection or infecting others," said Dr. Tomas Aragon, the state's public health officer. "Under this guidance businesses have the option of requiring all customers to wear a mask, even if theyre already vaccinated, and local health jurisdictions may impose stricter guidance or provide additional recommendations as a result of local conditions."

Aragon reiterated that getting vaccinated is the best line of defense against the Delta variant.

"The California Department of Public Health is closely monitoring the spread of COVID-19 and its variants across our state," Aragon said. "Currently, the Delta variant accounts for approximately 15 percent of cases sampled in California, and we anticipate this percentage will increase. The most important thing we can do to stop the spread of COVID-19 is ensure everyone who is eligible gets vaccinated."

CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky made appearances on both the "Today" show and "Good Morning America" Wednesday to get out the message that there are no plans for the nation's health agency to change its mask rules. But she said local officials can set up their own guidelines in areas with low vaccination rates.

"We've always said that local policymakers need to make policies for their local environment," Walensky told "Today." "There are areas of this country where ... they have low vaccination rates, and there are areas that have more disease. ... So in those areas, we have always said please look, make suggestions."

She pointed to the difference between the CDC, which is the health protection agency for the United States, and WHO, which is responsible for issuing guidelines for the world.

"We know that the WHO has to make guidelines and provide information to the world," Walensky said. "Right now, we know as we look across the globe that less than 15 percent of people around the world have been vaccinated, and many of those people have only received one dose of a two-dose vaccine. There are places around the world that are surging, and so as the WHO makes those recommendations, they do so in that context."

San Francisco has a history of issuing guidelines that are more strict than those of the state, but it said in this case it will continue to align with California recommendations.

"We are working closely with state health officials to understand the risks of the Delta variant," Noel Sanchez, a spokesperson with San Francisco's Emergency Operations Center, said in a statement. "We know that it is present in the state and the Bay Area, and we continue to align with state guidance that states that people who are not yet fully vaccinated are required to wear masks indoors or at large outdoor events. Those who are vaccinated can choose to wear masks if they feel more comfortable doing so. We continue to follow emerging data and science and will adjust this approach to expand masking recommendations, if necessary."

Research shows that fully vaccinated people appear to be well protected from infections caused by Delta variants, but those with only one vaccine dose of Pfizer or Moderna are not as well-protected. The smaller number of COVID-19 infections identified in people who are fully vaccinated have been mild illnesses, health officials said.
Only a few generations have passed since the modern LGBT rights movement dug its roots in the United States, but its rich history has been documented through a wealth of images, memorabilia and oral and written histories  much of which has been collected by San Franciscos GLBT Historical Society.

In his recollection of San Franciscos LGBT history, GLBT Historical Society archivist Isaac Fellman told SFGATE that the origins of the modern movement began in California, with San Francisco activists, naturally, playing a significant role.

Plenty of ink and film has been devoted, rightfully, to Harvey Milk, the first openly gay official to serve in California. But there were many others before and after him who deserve recognition for furthering LGBT progress in the state and the nation.

The advent of two separate but cooperative groups, the Los Angeles-based Mattachine Society and the San Francisco-based Daughters of Bilitis, formalized a longstanding fight for gay and lesbian people and helped initiate a movement of equity for queer and transgender people in the United States.

The founders of the latter group, Del Martin and Phyllis Lyon, spent two generations fighting for LGBT equality in San Francisco  and lived long enough to celebrate one significant victory: marriage equality.

You may know them better as the first same-sex couple to be married in San Francisco  twice. Martin and Lyon first wed in 2004 and then again in 2008 after a state Supreme Court decision overturned statutes banning same-sex marriage for violating the California Constitution. (This was months before Proposition 8 passed in California, which again banned gay marriage in the state until 2013.)

With moments of joy such as theirs come grief and strife, codified through legislation, political negligence and systemic discrimination. Pride, throughout its history, sought not just to spread awareness of the joys and tragedies of the LGBT experience, but to make the presence of queer and trans people felt in a world that was not quite built for them.

And while Pride parades have been canceled in San Francisco this year, now's as good a time as any to revisit Prides of the past and examine their significance and relevance in 2021  a period in which conversations over rainbow capitalism and police presence at Pride celebrations have intensified.

We asked Fellman to talk about five lesser-known but still seminal photos across Pride celebrations in San Francisco in context of the parade's revolutionary origins.

These quotes have been condensed for clarity and space.

Courtesy of the GLBT Historical Society

Courtesy of the GLBT Historical Society

"What these images do extraordinarily well is show Pride's roots as a protest ... this [parade] was about seven years after the first San Francisco Pride, and in which people were actually arrested  the 'gay-in' at Golden Gate Park  so it was just not very long ago that this was considered an illegal gathering.

"I think that through the '70s, at a time when, you know, queer people were just increasingly becoming politicized, when they were recognizing that themselves, not only as a political bloc of queer people  but also just in terms of, you know, people have rights, and a group identity that is powerful and significant as Black queer people, as Indigenous queer people, as disabled queer people, as trans people, and I think that it's not just about providing space for also about taking and demanding space on the part of the groups who are marching. A communal spirit is what we see being expressed.

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Courtesy of the GLBT Historical Society

"I just wanted to say [the Briggs Initiative] was something I had never heard of before I started working here. It was such a significant moment, and I just feel like so much happened in the 1980s that it became a little bit overshadowed by [the AIDS crisis and] this new era of activism that we were sort of forced into. ... It was part of concerted waves of anti-queer legislation that passed across the country all at once.

"We're seeing that today with a lot of bills, about the rights of transgender people, especially, and Briggs was very much like that. ... [Former model turned conservative activist] Anita Bryant was one of the faces of not just a California but a nationwide movement to remove queer teachers from schools so like, just a truly, really terrible person. ... In California, there was this sense of, you know, this is where this stops. You know, we're California. We're queer, we're proud, this is just going to be the end of that particular line.

We can't stop it nationally but we can certainly make a strong statement stopping it locally ... and a lot of it was about just sort of going from person to person. Literally, a lot of the movement was just writing local letters to the editor, it was coming out at work and to friends and loved ones just because the idea of like the power of being visible communities and just making it clear that you're imagining all of these like mysterious queer teachers that are going to infiltrate our schools and teach our youth that it's OK to be queer, but they're already there. ... As you can see on this banner, here are the lesbian schoolworkers; they are legion.

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Courtesy of the GLBT Historical Society

"I think about not only Bobbi with his AIDS poster boy T-shirt, his bow tie, his headband. It just put the guy next to him who was like just leaving the straw boater on his head, like he is a beautiful Edwardian man rowing a boat in Oxford.

"These people are not gathered here because they are doing well; they're not gathered here because they are happy, but like, they are definitely seizing moments of joy and making being alive and looking good and being happy, as part of their activism for as long as those things are possible. It was just so important to the spirit of Pride, which is just about ... showing each other, you know, we are here, we are still here, and, and we look absolutely fantastic.

---

Courtesy of the GLBT Historical Society

"It was a really pleasant surprise [to find this photo] because trans people's history is poorly documented compared to cis people. Just to find this image, and this also to see just sort of like the archetypes of trans masculinity displayed here like the guy who was wearing, this very, extremely Technicolor shirt and suspenders, like the guy who is very excited to be shirtless. Just the sort of contingent of folks. ... Suffice to say that I've met all of these types of people at support group meetings. And it's such a powerful connection to history just to sort of go, 'Oh my god, I recognize you. We have always sort of been like this.'

It's a very small contingent, and they still found each other, you know. Transmasculine community was, was so limited, before Lou Sullivan ... who founded this whole organization, which was also called FTM and later called FTM International, to create some of the community that was very present around the transfeminine community at the time, but not so much the transmasculine one. Lou died a couple of years before this photo was taken, so he is not marching with his comrades. But, you know that all of them knew him, you have to assume that all of them did, and now they're connected, now they're a bloc. Now they're claiming space.
The dystopian action-horror Purge franchise has previously made stops in New York City, Los Angeles and Washington, DC. Now it's time to pull on cowboy boots and get ready for a little twangy Purge.

The Forever Purge is set along the U.S.-Mexican border and it's perhaps the most overtly political of the series, portraying a ragtag group of Americans trying to flee the anarchy and white supremacy of Texas for the safety of Mexico as the annual U.S. bloodlust event turns into an everyday abomination.

The film jettisons its horror roots for an aggressive  some may call it ham-fisted  social critique of modern America. But watching video of real insurrectionists on Jan. 6 try to violently take over the U.S. Capitol makes portions of The Forever Purge seem like a documentary.

We are the real patriots of America, announce a group of the mask-wearing white supremacists during the latest fictional bloodletting, hoping to exterminate anyone Black or brown. America will be America once again. There's no escaping the feeling that The Forever Purge is a poison pen letter to Trumpism.

For those just joining creator James DeMonaco's Purge series, heres how it works: In a near-future, the government, led by a nefarious party called the New Founding Fathers of America, allows an annual 12-hour period of lawlessness without recriminations.

Over the course of a single night, rape, murder, robbery and everything else is permitted across the nation as a way to release anger but also a way to cull from an overpopulated nation and lower crime.

The last chronological film in the series  2016's The Purge: Election Year  seemed to end with an outlawing of the purge, but that clearly didn't last. The New Founding Fathers are back in charge as The Forever Purge opens and their annual horror shows have been reinstalled. There's also a wall established along the southern border.

Its starting, yall, one main character in a Texas town announces as the purge countdown begins. She is protected by wealth in her ranching compound but her immigrant employees must huddle for safety in a makeshift shelter.

This time, the annual purge time passes without anyone we care about ending up dead, but then the event doesn't end. The film cracks open at this point, adding class resentment to the mix. Groups of poor disenfranchised whites across the country begin targeting their white bosses and vowing that the purge won't stop. Ever After! is their war cry.

That makes strange allies of the Tucker ranching family and a pair of newly arrived immigrants from Mexico: Adela (Ana de la Reguera) and her husband Juan (Tenoch Huerta).

Up until then, the Tucker's son, Dylan, (Josh Lucas) was flirting with outright white supremacy, not wanting Spanish to be heard in his house and not believing that cowboys could be anything but white Americans. Now, he and his family are being kept alive by the very people he disdained.

Martial law is declared but the Army can't stop the lawlessness. A potential escape may come from America's neighbors: Canada and Mexico, who have opened their borders for six hours to any refugees from the madness.

The film under Everardo Gouts direction then becomes a quest as the Tuckers  including Dylan Tucker's pregnant wife  together with Adela and Juan fight their way to El Paso, hunted by masked men demanding purification of the white race.

DeMonaco is not at all subtle with his script and maybe that's for the best. In one scene, a crazed white supremacist with a swastika face tattoo listens to various gunfire cracking outside, identifying each weapon by its blast  AK-47, Glock, AR-15. He calls it a very American sound: Homegrown music from the American heartland."

Over the past films, DeMonaco has explored all kinds of different facets to this rich and complex purge notion, from gun control to the behavior of predatory corporations, to government brutality against people of color and class wars. They have hardly felt like sci-fi when neo-Nazis really have marched openly in U.S. streets.

Here DeMonaco finds richness in flipping the script on traditional right-wing notions of the border and immigration. In the film, it is people of color who are kind, resourceful and brave, saving a well-off white family from white horrors, with one refugee hoping to give birth in a place better than America  the reverse of the so-called traditional anchor baby notion.

They are all led to safety to Mexico  and this is a genius move by DeMonaco  by a Native American guide and fighter. This is not your fight, he is told. But he responds: We've been fighting this fight for 500 years. Happy Independence Day, y'all!

The Forever Purge, a Universal Pictures release which opens nationwide on Friday, is rated R for strong/bloody violence and language throughout. Running time: 103 minutes. Three stars out of four.

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MPAA definition of R: Restricted. Under 17 requires accompanying parent or adult guardian.

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Online: https://www.theforeverpurge.com

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Mark Kennedy is at http://twitter.com/KennedyTwits
Ace Smith, chief strategist for Gov. Gavin Newsom's anti-recall campaign, has tweeted 151 photos since May 14.

All 151 are replies to tweets from former San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer  one of Newsom's Republican opponents  or replies to journalists writing articles about Faulconer. The 151 tweets contain the same image: Faulconer in the Oval Office with former President Donald Trump after a June 2019 meeting on trade policy.

"Faulconer supported Donald Trump the entire time when he was making horrible decisions leading to deaths of thousands of Americans and when he was ripping apart democracy," Smith said. "You're not a moderate when you're supporting that stuff."

It is true that Faulconer, who has styled himself as a moderate Republican in the mold of Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan, said he voted for Trump in 2020 after not voting for him in 2016. Faulconer has not spoken publicly on Trump's post-election conduct, which culminated in the Jan. 6 Capitol riots fueled by debunked claims of widespread voter fraud.

The Newsom team has worked tirelessly to brand the California recall as a Republican endeavor. Their committee name is "Stop the Republican Recall." They routinely highlight some of the more unsavory aspects of some of the recall organizers' pasts. They even compared individuals signing the recall petition to Jan. 6 rioters.

"It's rather obvious thats who these people are," Smith said. "We dont need to fudge anything. Faulconer is a special case, because he poses as a quasi-moderate, but we just want to make people know who he really is and who he associates with. When we first branded as 'Stop the Republican Recall,' the national Republican Party sent a massive amount of money to fund the recall, so it's not distorting things to say the people behind it are a bunch of Trumpers."

While there are strong political incentives to nationalize a gubernatorial recall election in a state Trump lost by nearly 30 percentage points, not everyone who signed the recall petition is a Republican. Some prominent Democrats have warned against dismissing the recall as a Republican temper tantrum, noting that many in the state are feeling deep economic pain after California enforced some of the most stringent COVID-19 mitigation measures in the country.

While the argument that Faulconer's vote for Trump disqualifies him entirely may resonate among more affluent liberals who largely worked from home during the pandemic, the Newsom team's messaging may be less persuasive to working class voters who took the brunt of lockdown policy and would be more likely to consider a shake-up at the top.

Does the Newsom team have a message for voters who may not like Trump but also have issues with Newsom's handling of the pandemic and aren't willing to disqualify an opposing candidate solely off who he voted for in 2020?

"I dont know anyone like that, so I think you're creating a hypothetical that doesnt exist," Smith said of voters who fit that profile. "But what I'll say is that if anyone supported Donald Trump, you should have serious questions about that person."

While keeping the focus on Trump and the national Republican Party could be interpreted by some as deflecting from the governor's own record, it seems to be working so far.

The most recent polls find strong opposition to the recall, and Faulconer internal polling has shown that voters are significantly less likely to support removing Newsom if the replacement is closely linked to Trump. In that poll, a whopping 52% of respondents said they'd be less likely to vote to recall if a leading candidate to replace the governor was "a former Trump official."

The sheer amount of Trump antipathy in the Golden State will be difficult for Faulconer to overcome. Nonetheless, his campaign views Smith's Twitter activity as a good sign.

"When Newsom's chief strategist obsessively trolls Mayor Faulconer's Twitter account, it's clear which candidate they are most afraid of," Faulconer communications director John Burke said in a statement.

Something else working against Faulconer: California has fully reopened, and Newsom is delivering multiple rounds of stimulus checks to Californians and capitalizing on a $76 billion budget surplus by spending billions on additional programs.

Juan Rodriguez, another top Newsom strategist who handles more of the day-to-day operations than Smith does, noted that Newsom has been touting California's recovery more and more in recent weeks and will lean more heavily into that messaging heading into the fall.

"I think the governor's record speaks for itself, and he will lean into that and talk about the work that still needs to be done in California," he said. "This is the sixth recall attempt against the governor and hes been clear that he's going to work to address the issues that were here pre-COVID like wildfires and homelessness. Our messaging will reflect what the governor is doing day to day on those issues."

"For goodness' sake, we're running ads now about his record, we're actively talking about it," Smith said of criticism that the Newsom campaign is focusing too heavily on Trump. "The only ones who dont want to talk about their records are the ones leading the recall."
July 2, 7 a.m. In recent weeks, San Francisco Target shoppers have expressed frustration that hours at most shops have been reduced to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.  hours much shorter than many other retail chains in the city and Targets throughout the Bay Area.

A Target spokesperson reached out to SFGATE Thursday to confirm why the stores' hours were reduced. And it really was as simple as ... they're dealing with an uptick in retail theft.

It's due to "a significant and alarming rise in theft and security incidents," said spokesperson Brian Harper-Tibaldo.

"For more than a month, weve been experiencing a significant and alarming rise in theft and security incidents at our San Francisco stores, similar to reports from other retailers in the area," said Harper-Tibaldo.

"Target is engaging local law enforcement, elected officials and community partners to address our concerns. With the safety of our guests, team members and communities as our top priority, weve temporarily reduced our operating hours in six San Francisco stores."

He also noted that other stores in the area, including Walgreens and H&M, are facing challenges with retail theft.

As for the Stonestown branch staying open, one kind reader explained to SFGATE that it is possible that Target has some sort of contractual obligation to the Stonestown Galleria to keep its hours as is  though SFGATE reached out to Harper-Tibaldo to confirm if that's the case.

June 30, 8:30 a.m. Nearly every Target in San Francisco  except for the one at Stonestown  has cut its operating hours to 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

That inflexibility makes it tough for the average nine-to-five, full-time worker to make a Target run on weekdays after work, let alone other individuals affected by constraints of time, access or ability to do some everyday shopping. It's unclear when these cut hours were rolled out.

The reduced hours ignited concerns on Reddit over an uptick in retail theft and labor shortages hitting San Francisco Targets. After all, one Target in San Francisco  the location on Ocean Ave.  just shuttered earlier this week.

While those two could very well factor into the reduced hours, neither of those answers are quite satisfactory.

It may very well be the so-called wave of retail theft hitting San Francisco. But if that were the case, the Stonestown Target would also have its hours cut, given the police district it's located in (the Taraval District) has comparable levels of larceny theft to the Park District, where a Target with shortened hours is located.

And if it were a labor shortage, then it would stand to reason that most  if not all  the Targets in the Bay Area would also be afflicted with shorter hours, as remaining workers get shuttled across store branches.

These two factors would also affect other retail chains in the Bay Area. But Walgreens, perhaps the most visible San Francisco retail chain following a viral video of a bike thief in San Francisco became national news, still operates on regular hours. And while it's not a one-to-one comparison, Costco, the other big-box retailer in city limits, is open for its regular hours.

So what gives? SFGATE reached out to Target for any information regarding these San Francisco hours, but a spokesperson did not comment beyond sending us a link to the store's website. It confirmed that the hours for most San Francisco Targets are indeed cut back, but not much else.

This story will be updated if and when Target provides more information.
San Francisco may only be 7x7, but there's so much to explore within those boundaries. We've been wandering the city neighborhood by neighborhood in 2021, learning the stories of each different area for a month at a time. In June, we told stories of Parkside, a neighborhood residents may not know well if they don't venture to the southwest portion of the city. Often considered part of the Sunset, this largely residential neighborhood has a bustling commercial corridor on Taraval including a robust dumpling row, and, not surprisingly, a whole lot of parks.

Read on for a roundup of the stories we've written about Parkside, and, if you're looking to spend a day in a different neighborhood this summer, grab some dumplings and enjoy the streets of what was once known as the city's "outside lands."

Western Neighborhoods Project - wnp37.03678

Squatters, shootouts and music: The wild history behind Stern Grove

For many San Francisco and Bay Area residents, Stern Grove is best known as the site of the free music festival that bears its name. Yet theres much more to the park than the music festival, as fabulous as it is. If you cross through the entire length of the park, youll get to explore some fairly easy trails, see many birds and dogs, and glimpse history from before San Francisco officially became a city.

In 1847, Stern Grove began as farmland claimed by the Green (also spelled Greene) family, who moved there from Maine. But in the 1850s and '60s, the Greens faced legal challenges to their right to the land during the squatter wars of the era. When they lost the case, they refused to leave. Instead, they built a fort, a 14-foot shed lined with metal, according to the Recreation and Parks New Bulletin. It would take three months and an act of Congress in 1887 to restore their rights to the land. And that was just the beginning. Read more from SFGATE Editor Fiona Lee.

PATRICIA CHANG, Patricia Chang/Special to SFGATE

I tried fencing against an S.F. Olympian and lived to tell the tale

People have been stabbing each other with sharp objects since the beginning of time, but the modern sport of fencing has a shorter history that dates back to duels on the streets of 18th-century Paris. The three weapons used in fencing are the foil, epee and sabre, each with a uniquely shaped blade and guard based on the rules of engagement. In modern times, these swords attach to an electric battery pack which sets off a buzzer when you make contact with your opponent.

I knew none of this when I was handed a foil for the first time to face off with two-time Olympian James-Andrew Davis. Aside from confirming my lifelong hunch that I am a natural-born world-class swordsman, the reason for my visit to MTeam Fencing in Parkside was to learn about what might be the best fencing school in the country. Read more from SFGATE Editor Dan Gentile.

Lance Yamamoto/Special to SFGATE

Taraval Street is a hidden dumpling row

If you walk down Taraval Street, the fact that it is dumpling heaven is not apparent at first glance. Beginning on 19th Avenue, youll pass restaurants like Mr. Szechuan, House of Pancakes and Sushi Zen, reflecting the neighborhood's many Asian American residents. The street is also home to San Franciscos only Guilin noodle restaurant.

But as you proceed further west toward Ocean Beach, youll start to notice quite a few dumpling restaurants on Taraval. Theres Dumpling Specialist between 21st and 22nd avenues, and Dumpling Kitchen closer to 30th. Theres also the epicenter of dumpling houses in the neighborhood: Kingdom of Dumpling near 27th, which has a storefront offering frozen dumplings, between 30th and 31st avenues, where you can watch dumpling makers carefully folding wraps and fillings through the windows.

All of these restaurants specifically offer jiaozi, Northern-style Chinese dumplings, though many offer xiaolongbao (Shanghai soup dumplings). That means that there are at least six restaurants  and one storefront  that offer jiaozi in a stretch less than a mile long, all on Taraval. There are also two restaurants that serve dim sum, including 8 Immortals and Dim Sum Club. Ive taken to describing this as our own local "dumpling row." Read more from SFGATE Editor Fiona Lee.

Bill Young/Hearst Media

Stern Grove Festival then and now: Fun photos show changing SF

In the summertime, San Franciscans flock to the Stern Grove Festival to splay out on the grass, drink a few beers, and listen to music under the sun (and fog)  and they've been doing so since 1938. See some amazing photos through the years compiled by SFGATE reporter Michelle Robertson.
CANBERRA, Australia (AP)  The Queensland and Western Australia state governments on Wednesday advised people under age 40 not to take the AstraZeneca vaccine because of the risk of a rare blood clotting disorder, despite the Australian government making those shots available to all adults.

The state governments advice to those under 40 is based on British government guidelines, while the new federal governments position acknowledges the scarcity of the Pfizer vaccine and an urgent need to accelerate a slow national rollout.

The disagreement has stoked confusion as around half Australias population is locked down in Queensland, Western Australia, New South Wales and the Northern Territory due to new clusters, mostly of the delta variant, which is thought to be more contagious.

Australians have a choice of only two vaccines and locally manufactured AstraZeneca is more plentiful.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said younger adults should wait for Pfizer to become available, despite only 5% of all Australians being fully vaccinated.

With only 42 coronavirus cases active in Queensland, AstraZeneca was not worth the risk for younger adults, she said.

No, I do not want under 40s to get AstraZeneca because they are at increased risk of getting -- it is rare -- but theyre at increased risk of getting that rare clotting syndrome, Young said.

I dont want an 18-year-old in Queensland dying from a clotting illness who, if they got COVID, probably wouldnt die, Young added.

Australias adviser on vaccines, Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunization, known as ATAGI, recommends Pfizer for people under 60 because of the clotting risk.

AstraZeneca had been recommended for all adults until a 48-year-old Australian woman died from clotting in April. The vaccine was then recommended for people older than 50 until a 52-year-old died in May.

As concerns grew about new infections, the federal government on Monday decided to make AstraZeneca available to all adults and to indemnify against lawsuits doctors who administer it.

Western Australia Premier Mark McGowan said his government took a different approach to the federal government.

Under 40s shouldnt have it, McGowan said, referring to AstraZeneca.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said the ATAGI advice continued to be his governments guiding light.

But ATAGI advised that AstraZeneca could be administered to people under 60 for whom Pfizer is not available. Conditions included that benefits were likely to outweigh risks and that the decision to take AstraZeneca was informed.

We deeply respect throughout the course of the pandemic there have been a range of views put forward, but the critical elements are that we have a national vaccine program, which is based on the medical advice and continues to be based on that medical advice, Hunt said.

Hunt declined to say whether Australians younger than 40 should expect doctors would inject them with AstraZeneca.

I certainly would never step between a patient and a doctor where an informed decision to be vaccinated was made, Hunt said.

Many younger Australians have proved eager to accept the AstraZeneca option.

The central Australian city of Alice Springs on Wednesday was added to the list of places locked down.

A miner had been infected in a gold mine then spent several hours in the Alice Springs airport before flying home from the Northern Territory to South Australia, where he infected his wife and three of his children in the state capital Adelaide, officials said.
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP)  Two men have been sentenced to decades in prison for the 2017 shooting death of a man whose body was found nearly four years ago in a Cedar Rapids alley.

A judge on Tuesday sentenced James Phillips, 21, to up to 50 years in prison for the killing of 34-year-old Leland Harris, whose body was found Nov. 22, 2017.
OKLAHOMA CITY (AP)  Three Oklahoma City police officers involved in two separate shootings earlier this year, including the fatal shooting of an Oklahoma County jail inmate, have been cleared and are returning to duty, according to police.

A post on the police department's Facebook page says the three officers were cleared by District Attorney David Prater, who did not immediately return a phone call for comment.
CHARLESTON, W.Va. (AP)  Eight West Virginia middle schools will receive grants to support their music programs.

Gov. Jim Justice, state arts curator Randall Reid-Smith and Chiho Feindler, senior director of programs and policy for the Save The Music Foundation, announced the grants Tuesday.

The schools are in Barbour, Cabell, Fayette, Mason, Mercer, Mingo, Wayne and Wyoming counties. They will receive an average value of $40,000 in musical instruments and ongoing program management and materials, the governor's office said in a news release.

The nonprofit Save The Music Foundation has been equipping West Virginia schools with instruments since 2009 and has reached schools through investments and partnerships in all 55 counties.
PHUKET, Thailand (AP)  Starting Thursday, Thailand will welcome back international visitors  as long as they are vaccinated  to its famous southern resort island of Phuket without having to be cooped up in a hotel room for a 14-day quarantine.

Those planning to see the rest of Thailand must stay a minimum of two weeks during which they will be free to roam the island, where preparations include having a major proportion of the local population inoculated for COVID-19. Those passing through en route to other countries can book shorter stays.

After a stay of 14 days or more, visitors will be able to travel relatively freely elsewhere in Thailand  subject to the same health restrictions as Thai travelers.

The Phuket sandbox program is open to visitors from 63 countries and three territories rated by Thailand as low or medium risk for COVID-19. Requirements beyond nationality are more complicated and involve a fair amount of paperwork, in addition to being subject to changes.

The most up-to-date and detailed information will generally be available from the website of the Tourism Authority of Thailand, at www.tatnews.org, or from the nearest Thai Embassy.

Visas for stays of up to 30 days are not necessary for many nationalities. Airlines with direct flights to Phuket include Emirates, Etihad Airways, Qatar Airways, El Al and Singapore Airlines.

The basic requirements before departure for Phuket include:

 Must have been staying in approved home country for at least 21 days before departure.

 Must obtain a Certificate of Entry from a Thai embassy or consulate.

 Must be fully vaccinated at least 14 days before departure. (Travelers under 18 years old accompanied by a parent or guardian are exempted from the need to be vaccinated.)

 Must have a negative RT-PCR test for COVID-19 within 72 hours of departure. (Also required for travelers under 18 years old)

 Must have a minimum $100,000 medical insurance policy covering COVID-19 treatment.

Upon arrival:

 Must have an RT-PCR test for COVID-19 at their own expense on the day of arrival, the sixth or seventh day of stay and the 12th or 13th day.

 Must stay for 14 days at approved SHA+ hotels in order to travel onwards in Thailand. The booking must be confirmed before arrival. SHA+ certifies safety and health standards including having at least 70% of staff vaccinated for COVID-19.

 Must install Thailand Plus and Morchana apps, to track health and location, respectively.

 Must have evidence of negative COVID-19 test results over the 14-day stay for onward travel to other parts of Thailand.
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BEIJING (AP)  Chinas ruling Communist Party is marking its centenary with fireworks and fanfare.

Since seizing power amid civil war in 1949, the party has undergone a tumultuous history, but president and party leader Xi Jinping is emphasizing the countrys rise to economic, military and diplomatic power over the past four decades since reforms were enacted.

Commemorations are to continue through Thursdays anniversary of the partys founding as an underground political movement in 1921.

Going unmentioned are the disasters brought under the founder of the Communist state, Mao Zedong, as well as the bloody military crackdown on the pro-democracy movement centered on Beijings Tiananmen Square in 1989.

In the decades since, China has risen to become the worlds second largest economy, has placed a space station into orbit and expanded its economic and political influence throughout Asia and the world as part of what the party calls the country's great rejuvenation.

Those who oppose the partys complete control over political life have been imprisoned or intimidated into silence, while heavy-handed policies have been implemented to quell activism among ethnic minorities in Tibet, Xinjiang and Inner Mongolia.

Free speech and political opposition in the former British colony of Hong Kong have been reined in, while China is sending growing sorties of fighter jets around Taiwan, the self-governing island democracy it claims as its own territory and threatens to invade.
PHOENIX (AP)  Gov. Doug Ducey on Wednesday signed into law a $12.8 billion budget for Arizona that includes a significant tax cut primarily benefiting the wealthy, fulfilling a long-held priority for the Republican governor who promised to drive taxes as low as possible.

The $1.9 billion in annual tax cuts alarmed Democrats, who said the state is temporarily flush with cash but will struggle to adequately fund schools, health care and other priorities in the future.

The governor signed budget bills after Republicans in the House and Senate resolved a stalemate over whether to expand Arizona's school voucher program to cover more children.

The budget phases in a flat tax of 2.5% for nearly everyone, eliminating the state's progressive taxation system that ranged from 2.59% for the first roughly $54,000 of income to 4.5% for income above about $327,000.

Each and every Arizona taxpayer, no matter their income, will experience a tax cut under our historic tax reform, Ducey said in a statement.

Democrats said most taxpayers will see very little from the tax cut, while the wealthiest will reap a massive windfall.

The average Arizona resident earning between $75,000 and $100,000 will save $231 a year in state income taxes, while the average taxpayer earning between $500,000 and $1 million a year will save more than $12,000, according to the Legislatures budget analysts.

High-income taxpayers affected by Proposition 208, an initiative approved by voters last year to impose a 3.5% tax surcharge on the wealthy to boost salaries for teachers and other school employees, will continue to pay 4.5%. That essentially eliminates the impact of the Proposition 208 tax increase, which would have raised the top tax rate to 8%.

But another bill sent this week to Ducey, which he's expected to sign, would further shield some of those taxpayers from Proposition 208 by excluding income from estates, trusts and business profits from the surcharge. Proposition 208 applied to income above $250,000 for individuals and $500,000 for couples.

GOP lawmakers wrapped up an unusually long and contentious budget negotiation Wednesday after three House Republicans opposed to adding up to 600,000 low-income students to the school voucher program agreed to support more limited changes. Now, the program won't be expanded, but the roughly 250,000 children now eligible will face shorter waiting periods.

Arizona's school vouchers, known formally as empowerment scholarship accounts, allow eligible students to use the money that would otherwise go to their public school for private-school tuition, home-school materials and other needs.

In addition to the tax cuts, Ducey and Republican lawmakers stuffed the budget with a laundry list of conservative priorities new and old, along with efforts to limit the power of elected Democrats.

Among them, the budget:

 Bans any instruction that implies that one race is inherently racist, should be discriminated against or feel guilty because of their race. It is another in a series of measures targeting or reacting to so-called critical race theory, which is not currently being taught in K-12 schools. Teachers could lose their licenses and their schools fined for violations.

 Strips Democratic Secretary of State Katie Hobbs of the power to defend election-related lawsuits against the state, and bars Hobbs from hiring private attorneys. Republican Attorney General Mark Brnovich will instead get the power to stake out the state's position in election matters. The power transfer expires after Hobbs and Brnovich leave office in 2023.

 Creates a $12 million election integrity fund to pay for election security updates and future hand recounts. It also lays out a series of security features for ballot paper, such as watermarks or holograms, though it stops short of explicitly requiring they be used. The provisions are a response to the unfounded theory that former President Donald Trump lost in Arizona and other battleground states because of voter fraud.

 Gives the state police broad power to keep videos from body-worn cameras and dashboard cameras secret. Such videos are generally considered public records now, but the budget gives the Department of Public Safety the power to decide when it's in the public's interest to release them. It also requires people seeking copies of videos to know the time and place it was recorded and the names of people involved.

 Requires that police misconduct be investigated only by certified officers from the same jurisdiction, essentially banning civilian-controlled review boards for police misconduct.

 Blocks public health measures including vaccine or mask mandates meant to control the coronavirus in schools and universities. Mandatory testing will also be outlawed, except in cases of outbreaks in dormitories and only with approval from Duceys administration. In future pandemics, local governments won't be able to order their own public health measures, such as business closures or mask mandates, and the governor won't be able to require people to be vaccinated.
Andrew DeMillo/AP

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP)  The sponsor of Arkansas' voter ID law said Wednesday that he would challenge the incumbent secretary of state in next year's Republican primary.

State Rep. Mark Lowery announced he would oppose Secretary of State John Thurston for the Republican nomination. Thurston was first elected to the post in 2018 and is seeking a new term.
CHICAGO (AP)  Lithium batteries exploded loudly overnight inside a burning former paper mill in northern Illinois that officials had believed was long abandoned, and fire officials have decided to let the blaze burn out because they fear trying to extinguish it could trigger more explosions.

The fire that started in Morris Tuesday prompted city officials to order the evacuation of 3,000-4,000 people in some 950 nearby homes, a school, church and small businesses.

On Wednesday, as thick, black smoke continued to billow from the building, Police Chief Alicia Steffes said the evacuation order would remain in place until at least 9 p.m. and might be extended.

Police are stationed throughout the area to prevent people from entering, although anyone who can prove they live there may return to retrieve essential medicine, she said.

Fire Chief Tracey Steffes said thus far air quality tests were coming back favorable," but he cautioned that changing weather conditions and other factors could cause the air quality to deteriorate.

Mayor Chris Brown urged anyone experiencing respiratory problems to contact their physicians.

The fire chief said he's gathering information from fire departments and other experts on how to fight the fire in a building that  to the surprise of his department and other city agencies  was being used to store nearly 100 tons of lithium batteries ranging in size from cellphone batteries to large car batteries.

Steffes' firefighters stopped using water on the blaze minutes after they arrived when they discovered the batteries because water and firefighting foam can cause batteries to explode. And he said while he has heard some ideas on how to battle the blaze  road salt has been suggested  he won't send crews to battle the fire because of the unknowns about what's inside.

I don't know 100% what was stored in that building, only what they're telling us what was stored in that building, he said.

Further, Steffes said that while his department and other agencies have fought fires at buildings that contain lithium batteries, he had thus far found nobody with fires that involve so many batteries. He said the battery explosions overnight could be heard across the city.

The mayor said the city didn't know the building was being used to store batteries until it caught fire, and that he knows very little about the company that owns them.

The name of the company is Superior Battery ... and we didnt know they existed until yesterday afternoon, said Brown. Apparently nobody else at City Hall did either, because there's no record of a business license or any communication between the company and any city department, he said.

Barely concealing his anger at the very serious danger his firefighters were in, Steffe suggested that he couldn't trust any information coming from the company as a result.

We had no way of knowing they were doing business ... there, said Steffes, adding a company official told him they had occupied the building for about a year. Steffes said the paper mill had been vacant for decades.

No information was immediately available on Superior Battery. The fire chief said company representatives were not invited to Wednesdays news conference.

The mayor said the police department will conduct an investigation about the storage of the batteries and that other agencies, including the state fire marshal and the Illinois Attorney General's office, have already been contacted.

Morris is about 70 miles (115 kilometers) southwest of Chicago.

The Morris fire came two weeks after an explosion and massive blaze at a chemical plant near Rockton, an Illinois town along the Wisconsin border, forced the evacuation of hundreds of homes for several days. Nobody at the plant or the surrounding community was injured by the June 13 fire that officials later determined was started accidentally during maintenance work.
PHILADELPHIA (AP)  Pennsylvanias highest court threw out Bill Cosbys sexual assault conviction and released him from prison Wednesday in a stunning reversal of fortune for the comedian once known as Americas Dad, ruling that the prosecutor who brought the case was bound by his predecessor's agreement not to charge Cosby.

Cosby, 83, flashed the V-for-victory sign to a helicopter overhead as he trudged into his suburban Philadelphia home after serving nearly three years of a three- to 10-year sentence for drugging and violating Temple University sports administrator Andrea Constand in 2004.

The former Cosby Show star  the first celebrity tried and convicted in the #MeToo era  had no comment as he arrived, and just smiled and nodded later at a news conference outside, where his lawyer Jennifer Bonjean said: We are thrilled to have Mr. Cosby home."

He served three years of an unjust sentence and he did it with dignity and principle, she added.

In a statement, Constand and her lawyers called the ruling disappointing, and they, like many other advocates, expressed fear that it could discourage sexual assault victims from coming forward. We urge all victims to have their voices heard, they added.

Cosby was arrested in 2015, when a district attorney armed with newly unsealed evidence  the comic's damaging deposition in a lawsuit brought by Constand  filed charges against him just days before the 12-year statute of limitations was about to run out.

But the Pennsylvania Supreme Court said Wednesday that District Attorney Kevin Steele, who made the decision to arrest Cosby, was obligated to stand by his predecessors promise not to charge Cosby, though there was no evidence that agreement was ever put in writing.

Justice David Wecht, writing for a split court, said Cosby had relied on the previous district attorney's decision not to charge him when the comedian gave his potentially incriminating testimony in Constands civil case.

The court called Cosby's subsequent arrest an affront to fundamental fairness, particularly when it results in a criminal prosecution that was forgone for more than a decade. It said justice and fair play and decency require that the district attorney's office stand by the decision of the previous DA.

The justices said that overturning the conviction and barring any further prosecution is the only remedy that comports with societys reasonable expectations of its elected prosecutors and our criminal justice system.

Cosby was promptly set free from the state prison in suburban Montgomery County and driven home.

What we saw today was justice, justice for all Americans," said a Cosby spokesperson, Andrew Wyatt. Mr. Cosbys conviction being overturned is for the world and all Americans who are being treated unfairly by the judicial system and some bad officers."

Bonjean said Cosby was extremely happy to be home and looks forward to reuniting with his wife and children. Several supporters outside yelled, Hey, hey, hey!  the catchphrase of Cosby's animated Fat Albert character  which brought a smile from him.

He later tweeted an old photo of himself with his fist raised and eyes closed, with the caption: I have never changed my stance nor my story. I have always maintained my innocence. Thank you to all my fans, supporters and friends who stood by me through this ordeal. Special thanks to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for upholding the rules of law.

In a statement, Steele, the district attorney, said Cosby went free on a procedural issue that is irrelevant to the facts of the crime. He commended Constand for coming forward and added: My hope is that this decision will not dampen the reporting of sexual assaults by victims.

I am furious to hear this news, actor Amber Tamblyn, a founder of Times Up, an advocacy group for sex-crime victims, said on Twitter. I personally know women who this man drugged and raped while unconscious. Shame on the court and this decision.

But Cosby Show co-star Phylicia Rashad tweeted: FINALLY!!!! A terrible wrong is being righted  a miscarriage of justice is corrected!

Four Supreme Court justices formed the majority that ruled in Cosby's favor, while three others dissented in whole or in part.

Peter Goldberger, a suburban Philadelphia lawyer with an expertise in criminal appeals, said prosecutors could ask the Pennsylvania Supreme Court for reargument or reconsideration, but it would be a very long shot.

I cant imagine that with such a lengthy opinion, with a thoughtful concurring opinion and a thoughtful dissenting opinion, that you could honestly say they made a simple mistake that would change their minds if they point it out to them, Goldberger said.

Even though Cosby was charged only with the assault on Constand, the judge at his trial allowed five other accusers to testify that they, too, were similarly victimized by Cosby in the 1980s. Prosecutors called them as witnesses to establish what they said was a pattern of behavior on Cosby's part.

Cosby's lawyers had argued on appeal that the use of the five additional accusers was improper. But the Pennsylvania high court did not weigh in on the question, saying it was moot, given the finding that Cosby should not have been prosecuted in the first place.

In sentencing Cosby, the trial judge had declared him a sexually violent predator who could not be safely allowed out in public and needed to report to authorities for the rest of his life.

In May, Cosby was denied parole after refusing to participate in sex offender programs behind bars. He said he would resist the treatment programs and refuse to acknowledge wrongdoing even if it meant serving the full 10 years.

The groundbreaking Black actor grew up in public housing in Philadelphia and made a fortune estimated at $400 million during his 50 years in the entertainment industry that included the TV shows I Spy, The Cosby Show and Fat Albert, along with comedy albums and a multitude of television commercials.

The suburban Philadelphia prosecutor who originally looked into Constand's allegations, Montgomery County District Attorney Bruce Castor, considered the case flawed because Constand waited a year to come forward and stayed in contact with Cosby afterward. Castor declined to prosecute and instead encouraged Constand to sue for damages.

Questioned under oath as part of that lawsuit, Cosby said he used to offer quaaludes to women he wanted to have sex with. He eventually settled with Constand for $3.4 million.

Portions of the deposition later became public at the request of The Associated Press and spelled Cosby's downfall, opening the floodgates on accusations from other women and destroying the comic's good-guy reputation and career. More than 60 women came forward to say Cosby violated them.

The AP does not typically identify sexual assault victims without their permission, which Constand has granted.

Cosby, in the deposition, acknowledged giving quaaludes to a 19-year-old woman before having sex with her at a Las Vegas hotel in 1976. Cosby called the encounter consensual.

On Wednesday, the woman, Therese Serignese, now 64, said the court ruling takes my breath away.

I just think its a miscarriage of justice. This is about procedure. It's not about the truth of the women, she said. Serignese said she took solace in the fact Cosby served nearly three years behind bars: "Thats as good as it gets in America for sex crime victims.

___

This story has been corrected to show that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court did not express an opinion on the use of additional accusers

___

Follow Maryclaire Dale on Twitter at https://twitter.com/Maryclairedale
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP)  Virgin Galactics Richard Branson wont say when hell ride his rocket ship to space or whether he's looking to become the first billionaire to launch aboard his own rocket.

In an interview after Wednesdays satellite launch by his separate company Virgin Orbit, Branson told The Associated Press he has to be so circumspect in what he says about Virgin Galactic, a publicly traded company.

All I can say is when the engineers tell me that I can go to space, Im ready, fit and healthy to go," Branson said. So well see.

Amazon's Jeff Bezos is targeting July 20 for his rocket company's first launch with people. The Blue Origin flight from West Texas will include Bezos, his brother, a charity auction winner who's shelling out $28 million and a fourth unidentified person.

Unlike Elon Musk's SpaceX, Virgin Galactic and Blue Origin are looking to send space tourists on brief up-and-down hops  not into orbit around the world.

Branson visited Virgin Galactics New Mexico base before flying to Californias Mojave Desert for Wednesdays plane-launched, multi-satellite mission.

Virgin Galactic plans three more test flights to the edge of space this summer and early fall, before launching customers. The company originally put Branson on the second upcoming flight, but has refused to say whether it's moving him up to the next one.

Branson would not comment Wednesday on which flight he'll be on  he wouldn't even say when the next flight might be. He did acknowledge it's very important for potential customers to see him strap in for a ride, before opening the doors to the paying public.

The thrill-seeking adventurer, who turns 71 in a few weeks, said he's not apprehensive at all about launching into space.

It's a dream of a lifetime," he told the AP.

Last week, Virgin Galactic got the Federal Aviation Administration's OK to start launching customers. More than 600 people already have reserved a ride to space. Tickets initially cost $250,000, but the price is expected to go up once the company starts accepting reservations again.

Virgin Galactic made its third flight to space in May, with two pilots in the cockpit of the winged spaceship. Like Virgin Orbit, Virgin Galactic uses an aircraft to get off the ground and waits until it reaches high altitude before releasing and firing the rocket.

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The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institutes Department of Science Education. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP)  Hate crime in California surged 31% in 2020, fueled mainly by a big jump in crimes targeting Black people during a year that saw the worst racial strife in decades, according to an annual report released Wednesday by the state's attorney general.

Overall hate crimes increased from 1,015 to 1,330 last year, while the number of victims increased 23%, from 1,247 to 1,536. Black people account for 6.5% of the state's population of nearly 40 million people but were victims in 30% of all hate crimes  456 overall, up 87% from the previous year.

What we see from these reports is what we have seen and felt all year  we are in the midst of a racial justice reckoning in this country. Its multi-faceted, and it cannot be solved overnight. Attorney General Rob Bonta said.

California saw some of the largest protests following the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer. And it also saw a surge in attacks on people of Asian descent following the emergence of the coronavirus in China.

Last year's hate crime reports were the most since 2008, when there were 1,397. That in turn was topped several times in prior years, including 2001, when there were 2,261 hate crimes reported.

While the overall numbers of hate crimes targeting Asians was low  89  that was more than double the number in 2019. The most events during 2020 were reported in March and April, just as the statewide shutdown and other pandemic restrictions took hold.

For too many, 2020 wasnt just about a deadly virus, it was about an epidemic of hate as well, Bonta said while speaking in Oaklands Chinatown..

While the pandemic is easing, that fear still resides in the Asian American community, said Bonta, the states first Filipino American attorney general. He related that he feared even for his mother going alone into an urban area.

There was a surge in anti-Asian violence correlated with the words of leaders who sought to divide us when we were at our most vulnerable, Bonta, a Democrat, said in an apparent reference to former President Donald Trump.

Violent crime incidents driven by anti-Asian hate increased from 32 in 2019 to 72 in 2020, according to a companion report that aims to put that violence into modern and historical context dating to Gold Rush days of the mid-19th century and a history of harmful Asian stereotypes in the United States.

California defines hate crimes as those targeting victims because of their race or ethnicity, nationality, religion, sexual orientation, gender or a disability. The definitions have been expanded at various times in recent years. Each hate crime event can include more than one related offense against more than one victim by more than one offender.

Such crimes targeting Latinos increased from 110 in 2019 to 152 last year, while those against white people rose from 39 to 82.

While hate crimes based on race increased, those prompted by religion dropped 13.5%. Anti-Jewish events fell from 141 in 2019 to 115 in 2020 and anti-Islamic events decreased from 25 to 15.

Those involving sexual orientation fell from 233 to 205. However, those with a gender bias increased, led by a jump in anti-transgender events from 29 in 2019 to 54 last year.

Though Bonta said more than half of hate crimes are believed to go unreported, he said he has confidence in local investigators and prosecutors to address the problem.

He nonetheless distributed a new law enforcement bulletin and guidance for prosecutors intended to help them to help them identify and investigate hate crimes, increase immediate and consistent contact with victims their communities and promote alternative forms of sentencing and restorative justice approaches when dealing with hate crimes.

Carl Chan, president of Oaklands Chinatown Chamber of Commerce, praised Bonta's office for also releasing updated brochures in 25 languages advising victims how to report hate crimes and seek assistance.

Chan, who was attacked from behind and knocked to the ground in April, said the brochures will help spur more reporting of such incidents.

The Chinatown has seen a decrease in traffic amid anti-Asian rhetoric, said Oakland City Councilwoman Sheng Thao. "People are fearful of walking the street.

Gov. Gavin Newsom said he is seeking $300 million to address hate crimes, with one-third going to support victims and the remainder for community-based responses.
SUSANVILLE, Calif. (AP)  The death of a California prison inmate is being investigated as a possible homicide, officials said.

The 29-year-old man was found unresponsive in his cell at about 11:30 p.m. Sunday at High Desert State Prison in northeastern California near the Nevada border, according to a statement from the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
BOGOTA, Colombia (AP)  Colombian officials say they have arrested a Romanian hacker who is wanted in the U.S. for distributing a virus that infected more than a million computers from 2007 to 2012.

Mihai Ionut Paunescu faces computer intrusion and banking fraud charges in New York, where prosecutors say he was part of a ring of criminals that developed and spread the Gozi" virus and other forms of malware that were used to steal money from bank accounts.
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (AP)  A 15-year plan to abate the opioid crisis in a West Virginia community will cost local officials $2.5 billion, a forensic economist has testified.

George Barrett testified Tuesday that Cabell County and the city of Huntington would need to spend $144 million to implement the plan and the annual cost would rise to $197 million by the 15th year, The Herald-Dispatch reported. The governments have combined annual budgets of less than $87 million.

The testimony came in the seventh week of a landmark civil trial against three large opioid distributors. A lawsuit filed by Cabell County and the city of Huntington accuses drug distributors AmerisourceBergen Drug Co., Cardinal Health Inc. and McKesson Corp. of fueling the U.S. crisis. The plaintiffs argue that the companies created a public nuisance by flooding the area with tens of millions of opioid doses over eight years and ignoring the signs that the small community along the Ohio River was being ravaged by addiction.

The companies, in turn, say poor communication and pill quotas set by federal agents are to blame, along with a rise in prescriptions written by doctors.

Testimony this week has focused on the drug abatement plan and its cost.

Barrett's findings were based on the report of Caleb Alexander, a pharmacoepidemiologist at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. Alexander came up with an abatement plan for the community he said could reduce overdoses, overdose deaths and the number of people with opioid use disorder by half.

McKesson attorney Timothy Hester questioned Barrett's qualifications in coming up with the estimate, which he called inflated.

He said Barret is not an expert in healthcare economics and had estimated it would cost $12 million to run the harm reduction program, but another witness testified she was able to run such a program with $60,000 a year.

The Cabell-Huntington Health Department spent about $225,000 on its harm reduction program in 2019, but the abatement plan calls for expanding the program.

Hester also said the majority of medical claims are paid through Medicaid, not city and county officials. He asked that the judge to toss the testimony, but the judge did not immediately rule.
MINNEAPOLIS (AP)  The Minnesota Legislature approached the finish line Wednesday on a $52 billion state government budget for the next two years.

Lawmakers were unable to resolve the differences between the Democratic-controlled House and Republican-led Senate before time ran out on the regular session in May  even with a projected budget surplus  forcing them to return for a special session that began June 14.

Controversial policy proposals were largely jettisoned as the divided Legislature settled for mostly incremental changes. The biggest struggle was over police accountability. Democrats were able to pass some modest policing measures but settled for less than they wanted. Here's a look at some high points of the big budget bills:

PUBLIC SAFETY

The public safety budget bill includes new limits on no-knock warrants and confidential informants, revamping a statewide police misconduct database to create an early warning system about bad officers, and a requirement for 911 operators to refer certain calls to mental health crisis teams. It also includes sign-and-release" warrants so police arent required to arrest low-level offenders who miss a court appearance. Supporters say the provision would have prevented the death of Black motorist Daunte Wright, who was killed in Brooklyn Center after police stopped him for expired license tabs and discovered an outstanding warrant. However, Republicans blocked an effort to ban pretext stops for minor offenses. The bill also closes gaps in the state's sexual assault laws.

COVID-19

The state government finance bill ends Minnesota's COVID-19 peacetime state of emergency effective Thursday, curtailing the emergency powers that Democratic Gov. Tim Walz used to manage the pandemic. The housing budget bill includes a 15-week off ramp for ending the eviction moratorium that Walz imposed early in the pandemic. That plan includes timelines for Minnesotans who owe back rent to secure rental assistance, which is paid directly to landlords. Property owners will be required to send notices 15 days prior to eviction. Tenants who have claimed but not yet received state rental assistance will be protected from eviction through June 1, 2022.

TAXES

Businesses that received forgiveness on their loans from the federal Paycheck Protection Program during the pandemic will be allowed to fully deduct the amount on their state income taxes. And workers who collect unemployment insurance payments, including benefits that were boosted during the pandemic, will be able to deduct them up to $10,200.

K-12 EDUCATION

Schools will be getting more money. The education budget bill includes a 2.5% increase in per-pupil funding in the first year and 2% in the second  the largest increase in the key formula in 15 years. It also includes money to attract, train and retain teachers of color as part of an effort to reduce racial disparities.

HIGHER EDUCATION

Tuition increases will be capped at 3.5% for the next two years for undergraduates in the Minnesota State colleges and universities system. The separate, more autonomous University of Minnesota system is planning a 1.5% increase.

TRANSPORTATION

The transportation bill contains money for two new bus rapid transit lines for the Twin Cities area, connecting downtown Minneapolis and the University of Minnesota with Edina, and downtown with Blaine. It also preserves the Northstar commuter rail line from Big Lake to Minneapolis, which some Republicans wanted to shut down because ridership plunged due to the pandemic. And it includes money for a second daily Amtrak train between St. Paul and Chicago starting in 2024. Theres also money to outfit State Patrol troopers with body cameras. Unpaid traffic tickets and certain other minor violations, which disproportionately affect people of color and the poor, will no longer lead to license suspensions, nor will failure to appear in court for traffic tickets or driving after suspension.

COMMERCE

The commerce budget bill includes a student loan borrowers bill of rights. It requires licensing for companies that service student loans and safeguards to protect students from predatory lenders. It also creates a pilot project for combating rising catalytic converter thefts by offering auto and scrap dealers grants to mark converters on cars most likely to be targeted.

ENVIRONMENT

So-called forever chemicals, also known as PFAS, will be banned from food packaging in Minnesota. Senate Republicans abandoned an effort to scuttle Democratic Gov. Tim Walz's clean car standards, which aim to speed the switchover to electric cars. But Democratic initiatives to combat chronic wasting disease didn't make it into the final bill.

HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

The health and human services budget expands postpartum coverage, preventive care and benefits for children with asthma in the state's Medical Assistance program. It also includes tobacco and vaping prevention, and contains money to expand the availability of child care. It includes provisions to reduce racial disparities in health care and to foster more cultural and ethnic diversity in the mental health work force. And it includes an expansion of telemedicine.

STATE GOVERNMENT

Democratic Attorney General Keith Ellison didn't get the money he wanted in the state government budget bill to add more lawyers to the criminal division in his office, which turned to volunteer attorneys to help convict former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin in the death of George Floyd. The bill sets out rules for protecting the integrity of absentee ballot drop boxes. And daylight saving time would last all year round if Congress authorizes states to make the change  an idea that has been gaining support in Washington, D.C., and more than a dozen states.
PHILADELPHIA (AP)  Bill Cosby's sexual assault conviction was thrown out Wednesday by Pennsylvania's highest court in a ruling that swiftly freed the actor from prison more than three years after he was found guilty of drugging and molesting Temple University employee Andrea Constand at his suburban Philadelphia mansion.

Cosby, 83, was the first celebrity tried and convicted in the #MeToo era, and his conviction was seen as a turning point in the movement to hold powerful men accountable for sexual misconduct.

Here's a look at the case against Cosby and the court's decision:

WHY DID THE COURT TOSS HIS CONVICTION?

The split court found that Cosby was unfairly prosecuted because the previous district attorney had promised the comedian once known as America's Dad that he wouldn't be charged over Constand's accusations. Cosby was charged by another prosecutor who claimed he wasn't bound by that agreement.

The court said that's not the case. The justices found that Cosby relied on that promise when he agreed to testify without invoking his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination in a lawsuit brought against him by Constand.

The court concluded that prosecutor who later brought the charges was obligated to stick to the nonprosecution agreement, so the conviction cannot stand. The justices wrote that denying the defendant the benefit of that decision is an affront to fundamental fairness, particularly when it results in a criminal prosecution that was foregone for more than a decade.

WHAT'S THE DEAL WITH THE NONPROSECUTION AGREEMENT?

The promise not to prosecute Cosby was made in 2005 by Bruce Castor, who was then the top prosecutor for Montgomery County. Castor was also on the legal team that defended former President Donald Trump during his historic second impeachment trial over the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol by his supporters.

During a court hearing weeks after Cosby's 2015 arrest, Castor testified that he promised Cosby he wouldn't be prosecuted in the hopes that it would persuade the actor to testify in a civil case brought by Constand and allow her to win damages. Castor acknowledged the only place the matter was put in writing was in the 2005 press release announcing his decision not to prosecute, but said his decision was meant to shield Cosby from prosecution for all time.

His successor noted, during the appeal arguments, that Castor went on to say in the press release that he could revisit the decision in the future.

Castor had said that Constands case would be difficult to prove in court because she waited a year to come forward and stayed in contact with Cosby.

The first jurors who heard the case may have agreed with him, as they could not reach a verdict in 2017. But a second jury empaneled after the #MeToo movement exploded found him guilty at his 2018 retrial. Constand settled her civil case against Cosby for more than $3 million.

Castor's successor, District Attorney Kevin Steele, charged Cosby in 2015 after a federal judge, acting on a request from The Associated Press, unsealed documents from her 2005 lawsuit against Cosby, revealing his damaging testimony about sexual encounters with Constand and others. Castor has said Cosby wouldve had to have been nuts to say those things if there was any chance he couldve been prosecuted."

HOW RARE IS THIS?

Extremely rare.

Wesley Oliver, a Pennsylvania law professor who has followed Cosbys case closely over the years, said he has never heard of a high court in Pennsylvania or anywhere else grappling with a prosecutors informal promise not to prosecute.

It breaks new ground entirely, said Oliver, who teaches at Duquesne University School of Law in Pittsburgh. It sets precedent not just for Pennsylvania but probably other states.

He said the ruling should drive home to prosecutors the risks of suggesting at news conferences, in press releases or verbally in private that they will not prosecute.

They should at least add three words  at this time, he said. If you add that qualifier, which wasnt done in Cosbys case, you should be good to go, Oliver said.

CAN COSBY BE TRIED AGAIN?

Its highly unlikely. The decision on Wednesday bars Cosby from being tried again over Constands complaint, finding it to be the only remedy that comports with societys reasonable expectations of its elected prosecutors and our criminal justice system.

And the accusations raised by dozens of other women, including the five who testified at his 2018 trial, often go back decades and are most likely too remote to prosecute.

Cosby turns 84 next month. However, his lawyer said he remains in good health, except for vision problems that render him legally blind.

The trial judge deemed him a sexually violent predator who could still pose a danger to women given his wealth, power and fame, and ordered that he be on a lifetime sex offender registry and check in monthly with authorities. However, the decision negates that finding.

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Richer reported from Boston. Associated Press reporter Michael Tarm contributed to this report from Chicago.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Donald Rumsfeld, the two-time defense secretary and one-time presidential candidate whose reputation as a skilled bureaucrat and visionary of a modern U.S. military was unraveled by the long and costly Iraq war, died Tuesday. He was 88.

In a statement Wednesday, Rumsfelds family said he was surrounded by family in his beloved Taos, New Mexico.

President George W. Bush, under whom Rumsfeld served as Pentagon chief, hailed his steady service as a wartime secretary of defense  a duty he carried out with strength, skill, and honor.

Regarded by former colleagues as equally smart and combative, patriotic and politically cunning, Rumsfeld had a storied career in government under four presidents and nearly a quarter century in corporate America.

After retiring in 2008 he headed the Rumsfeld Foundation to promote public service and to work with charities that provide services and support for military families and wounded veterans.

"Rummy, as he was often called, was ambitious, witty, energetic, engaging and capable of great personal warmth. But he irritated many with his confrontational style. An accomplished wrestler in college, Rumsfeld relished verbal sparring and elevated it to an art form; a biting humor was a favorite weapon.

Still, he built a network of loyalists who admired his work ethic, intelligence and impatience with all who failed to share his sense of urgency.

Rumsfeld is the only person to serve twice as Pentagon chief. The first time, in 1975-77, he was the youngest ever. The next time, in 2001-06, he was the oldest.

Current Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin saluted Rumsfeld on Wednesday for his boundless energy, probing intellect, and abiding commitment to serve his country.

He made a brief run for the 1988 Republican presidential nomination, a spectacular flop that he once described as humbling for a man used to success at the highest levels of the government, including stints as White House chief of staff, U.S. ambassador and member of Congress.

For all Rumsfelds achievements, it was the setbacks in Iraq in the twilight of his career that will likely etch the most vivid features of his legacy.

Nine months into his second tour as defense secretary, on Sept. 11, 2001, suicide hijackers attacked the World Trade Center in New York and the Pentagon, thrusting the nation into wars for which the military was ill-prepared. Rumsfeld oversaw the U.S. invasion of Afghanistan and toppling of the Taliban regime. Frequently presiding at televised briefings on the war, Rumsfeld became something of a TV star, applauded for his blunt talk and uncompromising style.

By 2002 the Bush administrations attention shifted to Iraq, which played no role in the Sept. 11 attacks. The war effort in Afghanistan took a back seat to Iraq, opening the way for the Taliban to make a comeback and prevent the U.S. from sealing the success of its initial invasion.

The U.S.-led invasion of Iraq was launched in March 2003. Baghdad fell quickly, but U.S. and allied forces soon became consumed with a violent insurgency. Critics faulted Rumsfeld for dismissing the pre-invasion assessment of the Armys top general, Eric Shinseki, that several hundred thousand allied troops would be needed to stabilize Iraq.

News of Rumsfelds death broke overnight in Iraq, where the U.S. overthrow of Saddam Hussein and disbanding of Iraqi security forces ushered in years of unremitting sectarian killings and car bombs at the hands of rival armed factions.

It deprived us of an ordinary life, said Rasha Al Aqeedi, now a U.S.-based analyst from the Iraqi city of Mosul. Daily curfews, an explosion here, a suicide attack there. A consistent sight of death everywhere.

Al Aqeedi joined other Arabs Wednesday in tweeting of Rumsfelds blame in the invasion. By phone, she cited his and other Bush officials apparent lack of planning for what happened after the U.S. toppled Saddam.

The legacy he left behind ... the Iraq war, has been such a stain on Americans foreign policy, she said. It shaped how an entire generation views any intervention by the United States.

Rumsfeld twice offered his resignation to Bush in 2004 amid disclosures that U.S. troops had abused detainees at Iraqs Abu Ghraib prison  an episode he later referred to as his darkest hour as defense secretary.

Not until November 2006, after Democrats gained control of Congress by riding a wave of antiwar sentiment, did Bush finally decide Rumsfeld had to go. He left office in December, replaced by Robert Gates.

Rumsfeld is survived by his wife, Joyce, three children and seven grandchildren.

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Associated Press writer Ellen Knickmeyer in Oklahoma City contributed to this report.
JACKSON, Miss. (AP)  A federal appeals court has agreed to review a Mississippi law that prevents people convicted of certain felonies from voting.

The full United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit will hear a case brought forward by the Mississippi Center for Justice challenging a Jim Crow-era provision of the 1890 Mississippi Constitution.

Mississippi Center for Justice attorneys say the provision was intended to stifle the vote of Black people, calling that a violation of the 14th Amendment.

At a time when most states have repealed their disfranchisement laws, it is time to remove from Mississippis constitution this backward provision that was enacted with such a vicious purpose," said a statement from Vangela M. Wade, president and CEO of the Mississippi Center for Justice.

In November 2018, Florida voters adopted a state constitutional amendment to automatically restore voting rights to most convicted felons once they complete their sentences, with the exception of those convicted of murder or sex offenses. It was estimated to affect more than 1 million people.

The Sentencing Project, a national advocacy group that seeks to eliminate racial disparities in the criminal justice system, said in a 2020 report that more than 8% of adults in Alabama, Mississippi and Tennessee are disenfranchised because of criminal convictions.

The report also said Mississippi is one of seven states where more than one in seven Black people is disenfranchised, which is twice the national average.

The Mississippi Center for Justice filed the lawsuit against the Mississippi Secretary of States office on behalf of two Black men who lost the right to vote after being convicted of felonies.

Roy Harness is a military veteran who was convicted of forgery in 1986 during a period of drug addiction, according to the Center for Justice. After serving his sentence, he went on to earn a degree in social work from Jackson State at the age of 62.

Kamal Karriem is a former city council member in Columbus who was convicted of embezzlement in 2005. After serving his sentence, he became a pastor and one of the owners and operators of his familys restaurant, according to the Center for Justice.

From the Civil War until 1890, Mississippi denied the right to vote to anyone convicted of a crime punishable by imprisonment in the state penitentiary.

But in 1890, Mississippi replaced its generic description of disenfranchising crimes with a list of specific crimes: bribery, burglary, theft, arson, obtaining money or goods under false pretenses, perjury, forgery, embezzlement or bigamy.

In 1896, Mississippi Supreme Court Justice Cooper wrote that the provisions were designed under the racist notion that Black people were more likely to commit crimes like burglary, theft, arson and embezzlement than white people. The violent crimes of robbery and murder, which Cooper contended were more likely to be committed by whites, were not included on the list.

The felon disfranchisement measure was one of several voting provisions in the 1890 Constitution designed to take the vote away from Black citizens who had obtained it during the Reconstruction period after the abolition of slavery and the end of the Civil War. The other discriminatory provisions, including the poll tax and the so-called understanding clause, were eliminated in response to federal court orders or by the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965.

The Mississippi Center for Justice first filed its lawsuit over the 1890 provision in 2017. Attorneys previously brought the case before a federal district judge in Jackson and a three-judge panel of the Court of Appeals, where it was denied.

Mississippi amended the 1890 provision in 1950, removing burglary from the list, and again in 1968, adding murder and rape.

When the district court decided in favor of the Secretary of State, the judge ruled that although Mississippis 1890 Constitution might have been motivated by unconstitutional racial animus, any illegal motivation was wiped out when Mississippi voters amended the disenfranchisement section in 1950 and 1968.

The Mississippi Center for Justice lawsuit does not seek to overturn the voting ban for those convicted of murder or rape. The lawsuit seeks to nullify only those crimes in the original list.

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Leah Willingham is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
ST. MATTHEWS, S.C. (AP)  A man was shot and killed in Calhoun County as deputies served an arrest warrant Wednesday, police in South Carolina said.

The State Law Enforcement Division, which is investigating the death, did not say where the shooting happened, what the arrest warrant was for or what exactly happened.
HELSINKI (AP)  In one of the oldest unsolved criminal cases in Finland, a Finnish court on Wednesday acquitted a 52-year-old Dane of murder and attempted murder over an attack on two young German backpackers on a Baltic Sea ferry more than 30 years ago.

Klaus Schelkle, aged 20, was killed and his 22-year-old girlfriend Bettina Taxis severely injured in a brutal attack while they were sleeping on the outer deck of the Viking Sally, en route from Stockholm in Sweden to the Finnish port of Turku in July 1987.

The crime took place on Finnish waters near the Aland Islands archipelago. The ship was later sold and renamed, and sank seven years afterward with great loss of life in one of Europes worst peacetime maritime accidents.

Following decades of investigation, Finnish police concluded last year that the Danish man, at the time a 18-year-old boy scout going to an international jamboree in Finland and who allegedly arrived first at the scene to help the victims, was the key suspect in the complex case.

The man denied all charges during the one week-long trial that ended late May. He wasnt taken into custody and returned to Denmark.

The district court based in Turku, western Finland, said the prosecutors had failed to prove the defendant ... to be the only person having had the possibility and opportunity to commit the crimes in concern.

The court also stressed that the murder weapon was never found, saying that the defendant hasnt had any such knowledge about the murder weapon that only the perpetrator of the offences could have had.

Prosecutors alleged that the man had earlier confessed to committing the crime, and were seeking a life sentence for him. They claimed the Dane had given such a detailed account of events during the investigation and media interviews that it was impossible he was simply an outsider who just happened arrive at the scene first.

According to Danish and Finnish media, the man has a criminal background, including prison sentences for an armed robbery and illegal arms possession. In April, the Danish tabloid BT reported that he had sent threatening messages to his ex-wife in 2015-16 and bragged to her that he had committed unspecified killings.

However, the Finnish court dismissed the alleged confession in its ruling.

The defendant has not confessed to being guilty of the crimes in such a way that his guilt through this would be considered proven or even probable, the court said.

Martina Kronstrom, the Danish man's lawyer in Finland, told The Associated Press that her client was relieved and very happy and satisfied with the result. She said he didnt worry too much because he had full confidence in the legal system.

One would expect that if you press charges after 33 years, you would actually have quite a lot to go on," Kronstrom said. Something new, something that you can actually use and what you can use to have a verdict. In this case, we quite easily could see that there is no such thing. There were some stories by our client that was the only actually new thing they had. But thats not enough in a murder case.

Kronstrom said she saw very little space for an appeal over the verdict by prosecutors, who haven't commented on the court decision.

The Germans were airlifted from the ferry to a hospital in Turku where Schelkle was pronounced dead. Taxis survived but had no memory of the assault. Prosecutors said the weapon used was a hammer-type tool that apparently was stolen from the ferry and thrown into the sea by the perpetrator.

Viking Sally was later sold to an Estonian shipping company and sailed under the name of M/S Estonia. The ferry later sank in the Baltic Sea going from the Baltic nations capital, Tallinn, to Stockholm in September 1994, causing the loss of 852 lives.

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Associated Press writer Jan M. Olsen contributed from Copenhagen, Denmark and video journalist David Keyton from Stockholm, Sweden.
PHOENIX (AP)  Jill Biden on Wednesday appealed to Arizona residents to get vaccinated against COVID-19, aiming to counter skepticism by declaring that the vaccines are safe and have been vigorously tested.

Im here to ask all the viewers on these TV stations to please make the choice to get vaccinated because its safe, she said in a speech before an invited audience and TV cameras after touring a vaccine clinic at Isaac Middle School in Phoenix.
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP)  Willis Johnson said he just wanted to help.

So, earlier this month the billionaire Republican donor, who amassed a fortune building an international junkyard empire, took the unusual step of calling South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem, a rising Republican star who has railed against illegal immigration and aligned herself firmly with former President Donald Trump.

He asked if she wanted to send National Guard troops from South Dakota to the U.S.-Mexico border  and offered up $1 million to help.

Noem said, Yes.

Her acceptance of the donation from Johnson, who doesn't even live in Noem's state but rather in Tennessee, has drawn intense scrutiny. It landed in state coffers Tuesday and though it came from Johnson's private foundation and appears to be legal, experts say it sets a troubling precedent in which a wealthy patron is effectively commandeering U.S. military might to address private political motivations.

I didnt know it would build into a bonfire, said Johnson, who answered his phone on the second ring and estimates hes talked to about 50 reporters since the news broke. Its getting out there a lot more than I thought.

Whether the decision to accept his help will amount to smart politics or policy blunder for Noem is unclear. In the short term, at least, the decision has catapulted her into the headlines and generated even more attention for a possible presidential run in 2024.

Yet the pay-to-play transaction also highlights another way that big-dollar donors have insinuated themselves into governmental process to drive decisions. It also shows the lengths to which some GOP governors will go to show their fealty to Trump even as they try to position themselves for higher office.

We dont need this donation and whether its legal or not, its a terrible idea because it looks like our guardsmen are being used as political pawns, said South Dakota state Sen. Reynold Nesiba, a Democrat.

Noem's spokesman Ian Fury said the money would help alleviate the cost to taxpayers of deploying the 50-person contingent, adding that it could legally be accepted into a state fund designated for responding to emergencies and disasters. South Dakota currently has a budget surplus, something Noem has boasted about.

South Dakota state law suggests that's not the way such donations are intended to be used. The law states that the fund can only be used to meet special emergency requirements of the Division of Emergency Management, an agency tasked with preparing the state for natural disasters or other emergencies.

Republican governors from Arkansas, Florida, Nebraska and Iowa have all committed to sending law enforcement officers or national guardsmen to the border. But Johnson says South Dakota is the only state he's donated to, a decision motivated by Noem's quick response to a call from Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott for assistance.

Immigration continues to be an animating issue in the Republican Party, stoked by Trump. On Wednesday, the former president and a group of about two-dozen Republican members of Congress toured the border in the Rio Grande Valley, where they railed against President Joe Biden's handling of the border.

The other ones were slow to react, said Johnson, 74. If they are procrastinators then I'm not going to help.

Johnson, who also donated to Trump's presidential campaign, amassed his fortune starting almost literally from a scrapheap.

A native Oklahoman, he learned the trade from his father. After serving in Vietnam, Johnson bought an old tow truck and his own wrecking yard in Vallejo, California. Through aggressive acquisition and an embrace of online technology, he built what is now known as Copart Inc. into a publicly traded global business.

He relocated to suburban Nashville over a decade ago, buying a home from country music star Alan Jackson.

Now a prolific donor, he's given at least $2.3 million to federal campaigns over the past decade, including $900,000 to Trump, records show.

America has been good to me. The Lord has been good to me," said Johnson, whose memoir is titled From Junk to Gold: Lessons I Learned.

I help upcoming senators, congressmen and governors. Im behind the scenes. I try to keep it quiet." Until now.

Separately, his family's philanthropy, Willis and Reba Johnson's Foundation, typically gives $1 million or more a year to churches and charities  including so-called abortion alternative services, disclosures show.

According to U.S. Defense officials and tax experts, his foundation's donation to South Dakota is highly unorthodox but permissible.

As South Dakota's governor, Noem has the legal authority to send her troops to Texas on state-activated duty, funded by the state, the defense officials said. The two states are also working within an existing emergency pact that allows them to send guard troops to each other when needed. Once in Texas, the South Dakota Guard troops would be under the Texas governors authority.

Officials said that the private funding given to South Dakota did not go directly to the National Guard. Instead it goes into the state treasury, and the state has wide latitude over how the money can be spent. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss internal deliberations on state matters.

The White House said the use and funding of the National Guard was the governors prerogative. The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to requests for comment.

The duties of the South Dakota National Guard contingent are not yet precisely known. Texas' own guard will have a limited scope of duty that does not include making arrests and will focus instead on observing and reporting, according to statement from the agency.

Steven Bucklin, a professor emeritus at the University of South Dakota who has written on the history of the National Guard, said he was concerned about how the private donation threatened the distinction of the military as an apolitical organization.

The optic is one that the South Dakota National Guard are soldiers of fortune and will go anywhere that some billionaire sends them, he said, adding, I think this is all politics.

___

Slodysko reported from Washington. Lita Baldor contributed reporting from Washington.
WARSAW, Poland (AP)  An official in Poland said Wednesday that the health of a Polish minority leader being held in a Belarus prison has deteriorated and that authorities are not allowing her to leave for Poland.

Andzelika Borys, 47, is the head of a Polish minority organization in Belarus that cultivates Polish culture and tradition. It is critical of authoritarian President Alexander Lukashenko and is not recognized by the authorities there.

Borys and four other members of the Union of Poles in Belarus were imprisoned in March in a crackdown on ethnic Poles amid rising tensions with Poland, which backs sanctions against Lukashenkos regime.

The official, Agnieszka Romaszewska-Guzy, the head of Polish state-funded Belsat TV which broadcasts independent news into Belarus, said Wednesday that Borys' health has worsened.

Worrying news ... especially regarding Borys' health which visibly worsened in prison, Romaszewska-Guzy said on Twitter.

She also tweeted that Borys' symptoms from her previous health condition had worsened, and that she had developed serious dental problems.

Romaszewska-Guzy added that according to her information, Borys has agreed to leave for Poland, but the authorities have delayed that.

Three other minority women activists arrested this year have been released and brought to Poland in May, as a result of Poland's diplomatic efforts. They described conditions in the prison as harsh.

Journalist and Polish minority activist Andrzej Poczobut also remains imprisoned.

Human rights groups consider the inmates as political prisoners. The European Unions top diplomat, Josep Borrell, and Poland, had appealed for their release.

Poland, which decades ago was in the orbit of Moscow's communist system, is now an EU member and a supporter of the democratic opposition to Lukashenko in neighboring Belarus. Along with Lithuania, it has become a center of refuge for Belarusian activists and students in exile.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  Wisconsin legislators were expected to take their final votes on the 2021-23 budget Wednesday evening.

The Senate was expected to vote on the $87 billion spending plan sometime Wednesday night. The Assembly approved the budget late Tuesday night. Senate approval would send the bill to Gov. Tony Evers, who can use his partial veto powers to rewrite the document or kill it outright.

Here are some highlights from the budget:

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 $264,000 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 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 million, 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 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

State transportation officials began a pilot program allowing drivers to earn their licenses without taking road tests last year as the COVID-19 pandemic was taking hold. Evers included language in the budget to make the policy permanent. Assembly Republicans on Tuesday struck the provision from the budget. Transportation officials say they haven't set an end date for the pilot program, though, which means drivers can continue to waive road tests indefinitely.

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.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  A longtime county official in South Carolina announced he's switching his party affiliation from Democrat to Republican on Wednesday, a move that the state GOP chairman says shows a deepening conservatism despite blue trends in neighboring states.

Scott Suggs, who has been Darlington County's clerk of court since 1997, said that he had been pondering the party switch for years, due to what he characterized as shifts in Democrats that made the party unrecognizable compared to that of years past.

I take my job very seriously, and, because of the outrageous policies of the national Democratic Party, I can no longer serve with a D behind my name," Suggs said. My commitment to Darlington County is as strong as its ever been, and Im ready to keep working for the people who live here.

Suggs wife, Angie Suggs, won the county auditors race last year by five points as a Republican. State GOP Chairman Drew McKissick said that election, plus Scott Suggs' party switch, now means Republicans control half of the elected positions in Darlington courthouse.

That feat, McKissick said, represents the GOP's growth across the board in South Carolina, where the party controls both legislative chambers, all statewide-elected offices and all but one congressional delegation seats.

McKissick attributed the advance in part to the excitement surrounding former President Donald Trump's continued popularity in the state, where Trump's 2016 primary win helped solidify his GOP presidential frontrunner status.

Weve seen big growth in the last four and a half, five years, since President Trump first ran," McKissick told The Associated Press on Wednesday. You had every Republican who ran within Darlington County carry their portion of or all of Darlington County, in every race in this past election, from the president on down to local candidates.

Despite Joe Biden's presidential victory last year, Trump still marked a double-digit win in South Carolina. McKissick netted historic victories in other races across the state, winning back South Carolina's 1st Congressional District after a blue flip in 2018, expanding control in the Legislature and securing a fourth term for U.S. Sen. Lindsey Graham.

McKissick also successfully called off the states 2020 Republican primary in favor of throwing support behind the incumbent, with McKissick saying Trump faced no legitimate primary challenger and had a record of results in South Carolina.

South Carolina's neighboring states have trended more Democratic in some ways, with Biden last year winning Georgia, where Democrats won two U.S. Senate seats in January, giving the party control of the chamber. North Carolina has flipflopped between the parties in recent presidential elections, but Democrats do control the Governor's Mansion.

But South Carolina, McKissick said he felt certain, will remain in Republican hands for some time to come.

"If anybody thinks South Carolinas getting purple, they need to have their eyes adjusted," he said.

___

Meg Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP.
WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Wednesday that investment and developing infrastructure facilitated by low tax are the main goals for his government as it takes the annual rotating leadership of the Visegrad Group in central Europe.

Orban also spoke out against any European plans for relocating migrants and said Hungary was expecting respect rather than lessons from other members of the 27-nation European Union for its contribution to the clubs growth.

Orban was speaking in Katowice, southern Poland, at a meeting concluding Poland's presidency of the Visegrad Group, or V4. Hungary will take it over on Thursday. The prime ministers of the two other members, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, also attended the meeting.

Orban said Hungary's priority for V4 was a quick restart through investment, especially in roads and railways that should run through the region linking Europe's north and south.

There will be investment only when taxes are low, Orban said.

For that reason we will not back any international initiatives that would lead to the increase of taxes, Orban said.

Orban linked security to migration and repeated the group's firm stand against any form of obligatory relocation of migrants.

He also commented on recent statements by some EU leaders condemning a new law in Hungary that prohibits sharing content on homosexuality or sex reassignment to people under 18 in school sex education programs, films or advertisements.

We are expecting respect. We cannot agree to other EU member countries telling us how we are supposed to raise our Hungarian children. Its a mistake, Orban said.

Talking about the EU's future, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said the V4 supported a quick inclusion of West Balkan nations that are best prepared for EU membership.

He argued their presence would facilitate the EU's security policy related to illegal migration.

Prime Ministers Andrej Babis of the Czech Republic and Eduard Heger of Slovakia stressed the importance of vaccination in fighting the pandemic, especially now that highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus is spreading in some countries. They agreed on the need for a joint plan, for the V4 and for the EU, for giving the European economy a boost following the pandemic-era downturn.

The four countries want to have an active role in discussions about the future of the EU, their government leaders said.

Initiated in 1991, the group is a forum for developing political and economic ties between the four countries and for strengthening their position in Europe.
WASHINGTON (AP)  At the invitation of Donald Trump, Indiana Rep. Jim Banks recently led a small group of House Republicans out to the former presidents New Jersey golf club, where they dined on beef tenderloin, posed for photos and briefed him on strategy for the 2022 midterm elections.

Banks tweeted a picture of himself and Trump grinning widely while flashing a thumbs-up after the session in June, saying the meeting was "entirely focused on the future of the Republican Party.

Whatever that future may hold, Banks, 41, is working aggressively to play a prominent role in it. A politician with mountaintop ambition, he is rising in the ranks of the House Republicans  and in the estimation of the mercurial Trump.

The overnight trip to Trumps Bedminster resort punctuated a political journey, from a county council seat in small-town northeast Indiana to prominence in Congress, for Banks, who is now tasked with crafting a Trump-inspired policy agenda to help win Republicans back control of the House.

His vision is to bridge what was once mainstream, Reagan-era conservatism with Trumps grievance-driven populism. Banks is drawing on his background as the son of a blue-collar union worker turned Trump voter, and his ideas are rooted in an effort to keep the conversation with Trump's supporters going while charting the partys future with or without Trump at the top of the ticket.

On Wednesday, Banks planned to join Trump for a tour of the U.S.-Mexico border in Texas Rio Grande Valley, where the former president is expected to rail against illegal immigration.

Jim understands theres no future for the Republican Party without Trump supporters. But he also understands traditional movement conservative principles need to have a future, said Luke Messer, a former Indiana congressman who retired in 2019 after a failed Senate run.

Like other Republican strivers, including New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, the No. 3 ranking member of the House GOP leadership, Banks' evolution was swift. He was recently selected to lead the Republican Study Committee, a powerful voting bloc that includes most members of the House Republican conference

He initially supported special counsel Robert Muellers investigation into the Trump campaigns potential ties to Russia and once said that America deserved better after a video emerged of Trump discussing sexually grabbing women without their consent.

Banks now says Trumps election offered a gift that could make the Republican Party a majority party for a long time to come.

Figures such as Banks have a long history in Congress. So long, in fact, that a 19th century nautical term has historically been applied to their ilk.

Hes a trimmer, said Ross Baker, a political science professor at Rutgers University, who studies congressional history. It means a guy who trims his sails depending on which way the wind is blowing."

Banks describes it differently.

I was very skeptical, Banks said of his early views of Trump. But he won me over more and more every single day by doing what he said he was going to do.

But there are also those who say his effort is purely expedient.

Everything Jim Banks does is based on how it will help him politically, said Gary Snyder, a Republican-turned-Democrat who writes a politics newsletter in Indiana.

Banks beginnings trace to a trailer park in Columbia City, Indiana, near Fort Wayne. His father worked as an axle-maker, while his mother cooked in a nursing home. The family was largely apolitical, Banks has said, though his parents did vote for Democrats. Like much of Indiana, by the time Banks was elected to Congress on the same night Trump won the presidency, his father had become a convert.

Banks, the first in his family to go to college, got his initial taste of politics when he joined the Indiana University College Republicans, where he met his wife, Amanda. Afterward, he went to work for now-former Indiana Rep. John Hostettler, then honed his political instincts working on mostly unsuccessful campaigns in Ohio, Indiana and Colorado.

He got a real job working for a construction business before he and his wife had the first of their three daughters. His political ascent began when he became GOP chairman of Whitley County and later secured a spot on the countys council.

He began a bid for Indiana state Senate two years later. Party insiders quickly took note.

A veteran state representative had signaled interest in the vacant seat, and Banks said he would only run if the legislator did not, the Fort Wayne Journal Gazette reported. Behind the scenes, however, Banks was working to outmaneuver his potential rival. Banks asked Snyder to convey a message: stand down or face a tough primary.

I basically went to the guy and said, Jim wants you to step aside. Hell help you run for state representative instead. And thats basically what happened, said Snyder.

Like many politicians with an eye on higher office, he also saw value in a military credential. In his early 30s, Banks was accepted into the Navy Supply Corps, a program focused on supply chain management. He was commissioned as a reserve officer in November 2012.

In 2014, after his third daughter was a born, Banks deployed to Afghanistan for eight months. Amanda Banks was appointed to fill his state Senate seat. When Banks returned, a film crew was on hand to catch the familys reunion. The footage was used in political ads after he started his campaign for Congress three weeks later. His combat boots were put on prominent display at his kickoff event.

A lot of families go through ... a lot more than my family did, said Banks, who disputed any suggestion that politics were a factor in his decision to join, calling it offensive to anyone who has served.

Banks has also cultivated a close relationship with House Republican leader Kevin McCarthy of California. And he played a prominent public role building the GOPs case for ousting Rep. Liz Cheney, a Wyoming congresswoman who was booted from her No. 3 spot in House leadership in May.

Banks rise echoes that of another Indiana congressman who parlayed his leadership of the Republican Study Committee to reach broader prominence: former Vice President Mike Pence.

Jim Banks wants to be influential, said Andy Downs, a professor of political science at Purdue University Fort Wayne. Hes in a position to be influential for decades to come.
ABERDEEN, S.D. (AP)  A federal judge in South Dakota who charged three members of the U.S. Marshals Service with contempt of court over a COVID-19 vaccination dispute removed himself from the case after assigning an in-state attorney to prosecute the proceedings.

The chain of events began when state and federal prosecutors declined to handle the case. A retired attorney whom U.S. District Judge Charles Kornmann tried to appoint opted out over debate on whether he needed to restart his practice. Kormann than assigned Thomas Fritz, of Rapid City, and recused himself.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP)  A long slate of new Tennessee laws will kick in Thursday, ranging from allowing most adults to carry handguns without clearing a background check or training to requiring certain medical providers to cremate or bury fetal remains from surgical abortions.

July 1 also starts a new fiscal year, with the spending plan for this year hovering around $42.6 billion.

Here is a look at some of the new laws that will begin Thursday.

CONCEALED CARRY: Under the new law, adults 21 and older and military members between 18 and 20 will be allowed to open or concealed carry handguns without a permit, joining nearly 20 other states that have enacted similar measures.

FETAL REMAINS: Certain medical providers will be required to dispose of fetal remains from surgical abortions by cremation or burial and cover the costs of the disposal. The measure states that the pregnant woman has a right to determine the method and location for the final disposal of the fetal remains if desired, but if she picks a different location she would have to shoulder some cost.

TRANSGENDER BATHROOM SIGNS: This first of-its-kind law requires businesses and government facilities to post signs if they let transgender people use multiperson public bathrooms of their choice. However, it's unclear how or if the law will be implemented. Nashville's top prosecutor has already announced that he won't enforce it and civil rights activists have filed a legal challenge seeking to block its implementation.

TRANSGENDER SCHOOL BATHROOMS: Schools and districts will be open to lawsuits if they let transgender students or employees use facilities marked for the sex opposite of whats on their birth certificate.

FAMILY PLANNING CURRICULUM: This new law requires schools to state that while contraceptives may prevent pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases, only abstinence removes all risk. It's a position already in practice in Tennessee schools, but the law also allows parents and guardians to opt their children out of family planning teaching.

IMMUNIZATION EXEMPTION SIGNS: Schools, nursery schools, preschools, child care facilities, and public institutions of higher education will be required to include information on immunization exemptions when discussing vaccine requirements with students or parents.

LAWMAKERS AND STATE CONTRACTS: Lawmakers will be banned from holding service contracts with the General Assembly while in elected office and six months after. The new law also places restrictions and public disclosure requirements if they contract with the state government.

CRIMINAL JUSTICE: After pushing for several years, Gov. Bill Lee's administration was able to pass two measures designed to divert some people away from state prisons and increase resources for those leaving prisons. The new laws will provide alternatives to incarceration for some nonviolent offenders and will also tweak rules that currently require judges to send parolees back to prison for minor violations.

TRUTH IN SENTENCING: Starting Thursday, certain violent or sexual offenders must serve all of their sentence imposed by a judge or jury. Offenders may still be able to earn credits, but only use them to security classification or earn privileges  not reduce sentences.

TANF: This law instructs the state to begin spending down the more than $700 million Tennessee has in reserves from a federal welfare program for families with children. Tennessee raised eyebrows after a conservative think tank released a report revealing that its federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program had the highest reserve in the country. The new law requires that $180 million will be dedicated to pilot programs, $50 million in community grants for organizations that provide services to low-income families; as well as slightly boosting how much families receive in cash assistance.

FOOD AND SALES TAX HOLIDAY: Tennesseans will have see three sales tax holidays under the budget passed by the General Assembly. This includes the traditional three-day weekend for back-to-school supplies between July 31 and Aug. 1, as well as a week-long break on food tax starting July 31 through Aug. 5 and a year-long sales-tax break on gun safety equipment that ends June 30, 2022.

COMMUNITY OVERSIGHT BOARDS: Police oversight board members must now complete hours of citizen police training to retain voting power on the panels. If a majority of the board fails to complete the training over the next year, then the board will be prohibited from taking any action.

CONFUCIOUS INSTITUTE BAN: Confucius Institutes will now be banned from public universities even though Tennessee does not have any active programs. Patterned after the British Council and Alliance Francaise, the Confucius Institutes are unique in that they set up operations directly on U.S. campuses and schools. They have attracted mounting scrutiny from U.S. officials amid increased tensions with China.
WORCESTER, Mass. (AP)  A Massachusetts driver who pleaded guilty to leaving the scene after striking and killing a runner has been sentenced to up to four years in prison, a punishment the victim's family felt was lenient.

Shane Newman, 41, of Sutton, was sentenced Tuesday after pleading guilty to motor vehicle homicide by negligent operation in the death in August 2019 of Daniel DeLima, The Telegram & Gazette reported.
FOREST RANCH, Calif. (AP)  A man who dated a woman whose remains were found in a remote Northern California area four years after she vanished was arrested on suspicion of murder, authorities announced Wednesday.

Dustin Kimball, 47, of Magalia, was arrested Tuesday after detectives stopped his car in Chico, according to a statement from the Butte County Sheriffs Office.
CAMDEN, N.J. (AP)  A New Jersey man who traveled to the Philippines to have sex with a minor was sentenced Wednesday to nine years in prison, federal prosecutors said.

James Diggs, 45, of Somerville, will also have to serve five years of supervised release following his release from prison and must register as a sex offender. He had pleaded guilty in February to traveling outside the United States to engage in criminal sexual activity.
ROME (AP)  A migrant boat overturned Wednesday off the Sicilian island of Lampedusa just as rescue crews were arriving, and seven bodies were pulled from the sea, authorities said.

Another 46 people were rescued and the search is continuing for any others. An estimated 60 people were packed onto the 8-meter (25-foot) boat, Italy's coast guard said in a statement.
WOODBURY, Minn. (AP)  A man accused of fatally stabbing his wife in a jealous rage is in a Wisconsin jail awaiting his return to Minnesota.

McKinley Phillips, 39, is charged in Washington County District Court with second-degree intentional murder in the death of 42-year-old Shavon Phillips.

Six children were in the couple's home in Woodbury when the victim was killed Friday, authorities said. They were not harmed.

McKinley Phillips was arrested after he was found on a Greyhound bus about 150 miles away in Monroe County, Wisconsin on Saturday.

Woodbury Police Cmdr. John Altman said Phillips is expected to be returned to Washington County for a court appearance later this week, the Star Tribune reported.

It was not immediately clear if Phillips has an attorney who could speak on his behalf.

According to a criminal complaint, a woman called 911 Friday afternoon and said her son told her he killed his wife and left her body in the basement.

Shavon Phillips died from stab wounds to her back, chest and neck and other traumatic injuries, according to autopsy results.
HELENA, Mont. (AP)  The Montana Supreme Court said Tuesday that it will decide whether lawmakers had the power to subpoena the emails of the court's administrator.

The justices unanimously denied the Legislature's request to dismiss a motion from court administrator Beth McLaughlin asking if lawmakers had the right to subpoena her emails. The Legislature argued last week that the issue was moot because they have withdrawn the subpoena.

"The scope of the legislative subpoena power when directed towards another branch of government is clearly an issue of great public interest, Chief Justice Mike McGrath wrote in the 7-0 decision.

It appears the issue is likely to reoccur and a ruling will guide public officials in their duties in the future, the justices said.

We withdrew the subpoenas so we could move forward and negotiate this matter with a coequal branch of government. However, the court has decided to make another unprecedented move by ruling on a nonexistent subpoena, Republican Sen. Greg Hertz said in a statement. The court continues to deepen its massive conflict of interest in this case by once again abandoning normal procedure.

The Supreme Court has argued that the Legislature tried to create a conflict of interest by issuing subpoenas for justices' emails.

The issue over the emails was raised while the court heard a legal challenge to a new law allowing the governor to fill judicial vacancies between elections.

Lawmakers sought emails from McLaughlin, the court administrator, to learn which judges had expressed opinions about the legislation to eliminate the Judicial Nomination Commission. Lawmakers said they were concerned judges who had expressed an opinion might be asked to hear legal challenges to new laws that affect the judiciary.

McLaughlin said she had deleted the emails.

The Legislature then issued a subpoena to the Department of Administration for her emails, including deleted ones, without notifying McLaughlin. The department, which oversees the state's information technology unit, turned over thousands of McLaughlin's emails before she learned about the subpoena and was able to get a Supreme Court order temporarily stopping it.

Less than two weeks after the court upheld the constitutionality of the law eliminating the Judicial Nomination Commission, the Legislature withdrew subpoenas it issued to McLaughlin and the justices and asked the court to dismiss her challenge.

The Legislatures decision to act first, and deal with the ramifications later, does not allow it to declare the issue moot when it determines that it has achieved what it wishes, the chief justice wrote.

McLaughlin also argued lawmakers still have emails that were turned over to them by the Department of Administration.

The Legislature has not made the Court aware of any effort to return, destroy, account for, or otherwise addressed the thousands of unredacted Judicial Branch emails that it previously obtained, without judicial oversight or procedural protections, through the DOA, the ruling says.

On Tuesday, Sen. Hertz argued that the emails should be made public.

All the Legislature has asked for from the Court is access to public records from public officials, he said. This extraordinary behavior from the Supreme Court again raises the question: What are they trying to hide?

The Legislature has not persuaded the court "that it will not simply reissue the same subpoena to McLaughlin should it be dissatisfied with the results of its efforts to obtain the sought-after materials without litigation," the order says.

McGrath has said it has long been the accepted practice that state and local elected officials and staffers talk to lawmakers to support or oppose legislation while acting in their official capacities.
BUTTE, Mont. (AP)  A Montana man has pleaded not guilty to a federal hate crime charge filed after he was accused of threatening a person with violent, homophobic slurs and firing seven shots into the person's house with an AK-47 rifle, prosecutors said.

John Russell Howald of Basin entered his plea Tuesday during a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge John Johnston in Great Falls, The Montana Standard reported. Howald, 44, also pleaded not guilty to a federal firearms charge.
BOSTON (AP)  Four people, including a mother and her son, were charged Wednesday for their alleged roles in a drug ring that authorities say manufactured and distributed counterfeit prescription painkillers containing fentanyl, federal prosecutors said.

Vincent Caruso, 26, and Ernest Johnson, 33, both of Salem, face multiple charges including conspiracy to manufacture, distribute and possess fentanyl and conspiracy to possess firearms, according to a statement from the U.S. attorneys office in Boston.

Laurie Caruso, 51, of Lynn, and Nicole Benton, 45, of Saugus, face charges including conspiracy to manufacture and distribute fentanyl.

Laurie Caruso is Vincent Carusos mother, prosecutors said.

If Ms. Caruso is indicted or if probable cause is found to support the complaint (which has not yet happened), she will enter a plea of not guilty to the charges and defend against the charges," Caruso's attorney, Tracy Miner said in an email.

Johnson's attorney, Kevin Barron, said in an email he had no comment. Emails seeking comment were left with attorneys for the other suspects.

A fifth suspect already in custody was also charged.

The defendants had multiple pill presses, including one capable of generating up to 15,000 pills per hour, which they used to produce counterfeit Percocet pills containing fentanyl, which was then distributed to suppliers north of Boston, prosecutors said.

Vincent Caruso, a self-described member of the Crips gang, and Johnson posted images and videos on social media with guns, drugs and high-end jewelry, prosecutors said.

According to court documents, one counterfeit pill can sell for $10 to $20 on the street, meaning the defendants potentially generated millions of dollars in sales.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP)  National Democrats began airing a pandemic recovery ad in the Omaha area on Wednesday, signaling that they're still willing to put resources into Nebraska's competitive 2nd Congressional District even though the rest of the state is solidly Republican.

The 60-second ad in the Omaha television market highlights the nation's efforts to recover from the coronavirus pandemic and return to normalcy.
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  Efforts among a handful of states to hold police accountable for brutality and misconduct are expanding Thursday as New Mexico opens the door to civil rights lawsuits against government agencies in state court.

The New Mexico Civil Rights Act removes immunity provisions that shield government agencies from financial liability related to misconduct, though individual officials wont pay for damages.

As the law takes effect, local police agencies are bracing for an onslaught of lawsuits that can carry liability awards of up to $2 million per event. At least one county sheriffs department has been declined private insurance coverage  highlighting concerns about potential payouts.

The legislation, drafted amid nationwide protests over police brutality and institutional racism, reaches beyond law enforcement practices and applies to potential misconduct at nearly every state and local government agency, including school districts.

Attorneys also hope to harness the law to address cruel conditions in prisons or abuses in foster homes for children. They note that New Mexico's Bill of Rights goes beyond federal guarantees to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sex.

New Mexico has had a Bill of Rights in its Constitution. Weve never had a effective way to enforce those rights, or protect those rights, said Maureen Sanders, a civil rights attorney who provides voluntary legal advice to the American Civil Liberties Union. This will ... give you an appropriate way to bring claims when foster kids are injured by the Children, Youth and Families Department, or an individuals 1st Amendment rights are violated by a county commissioner.

The legislation, signed by Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham in April, was backed by an unusual coalition of progressive civil rights advocates and politically conservative proponents of greater accountability in government. The conservative-backed nonprofit group Americans for Prosperity, supported by billionaire Charles Koch, was one prominent supporter.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently declined to take up several challenges to the legal doctrine known as qualified immunity, which shields officials from lawsuits for money as a result of things they do in the course of their job.

Several states are no longer waiting to hold police or law enforcement agencies financially responsible for wrongdoing.

Colorado last year became the first state to place limits on the use of qualified immunity as a defense in law enforcement cases, and Connecticut has established an avenue for people to seek financial damages in wrongdoing by police.

In New Mexico, Farmington Police Chief Steve Hebbe oversees a force of 125 sworn officers and worries that the new civil rights law will highlight mistakes and not solutions.

He said his department already has two lieutenants assigned full-time to the review the use of force by officers, and that consultations with national experts are coming soon.

We anticipate were going to be sued more as policing agencies, Hebbe said. The goal of it was to hold departments accountable, I get that. Its tough to plan, then. What does this all look like ( in the future)? I cant tell you that I know that yet.

Republican state legislators unanimously opposed the immunity reforms in a display of solidarity with police and amid concerns that civil rights lawsuits might undermine local government finances  including law enforcement budgets  and be counterproductive.

Democratic House Speaker Brian Egolf championed the abolition of immunity  and came under criticism as an attorney whose legal practice profits in part from civil rights litigation. He said the new state law goes beyond policing or political leanings and can be used to call out government infringement on the right to bear arms or freedom of religious worship.

Human rights advocates foresee advances for vulnerable populations  including prison inmates who dont easily garner sympathy.

Steven Robert Allen, an advocate for improving prison conditions as director of the New Mexico Prison & Jail Project, said that the states constitutional prohibition against cruel and unusual punishment has been nice on paper, but meaningless until now.

Allen expects complaints against lockups that faced insurmountable odds in federal court can now move forward.

The financial implications for taxpayers is unclear, as private insurance providers and mutual insurance pools for local governments recalibrate costs.

New Mexicos risk-management division that provides a legal defense to state personnel and agencies estimates a 35% increase in the number of annual civil rights lawsuits. It says settlements and jury awards are likely to nearly double to $6.6 million annually.

At the Bernalillo County Sheriffs Office, an agency of 330 people headquartered in Albuquerque, lapel cameras were adopted less than a year ago  a mandatory provision of reforms in 2020 by state lawmakers.

Sheriffs Office Captain Nicholas Huffmyer said the states new Civil Rights Act wont change his agencys field protocols for the use of force that hinge on the imminent threat of harm, the presence of a weapon and resistance to arrest.

You cannot use financial liability as a fulcrum to adjust how you deal with use of force, said Huffmyer, who oversees internal affairs. We have other constitutional requirements.

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This version corrects the spelling of Nicholas Huffmyer's last name on second reference.
PHOENIX (AP)  The National Transportation Safety Board on Wednesday issued a preliminary report on the recent crash of an experimental plane near Gila Bend Municipal Airport that killed a passenger.

Authorities said one person aboard the experimental plane was ejected upon impact and pronounced dead at the scene on June 15 while the other person was airlifted to a hospital with life-threatening injuries.
JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP)  Gov. Mike Parson on Wednesday said Missouri wants to increase the state's lagging vaccination rate for COVID-19, as it deals with a big spike in cases and hospitalizations.

The state health department on Wednesday reported 854 newly confirmed cases  one of the largest one-day totals since February  and nine new deaths. The increase is driven largely by a jump in cases in southwestern and northern Missouri, areas hit hard by the fast-spreading delta variant.

Hospitalizations have risen sharply over the past month, mostly in southwestern Missouri. State data shows 334 people are hospitalized, including 124 in intensive care. The number of hospitalizations in mid-May was 86.

The bottom line that people need to know: this virus is still here, and its going to be here," Parson told reporters gathered at his Capitol office. "Its just not going to go away.

Parson said 18-29 year-olds, who are less likely to get seriously ill from the virus, can spread it to others who are at higher risk. He said he especially wants to increase the vaccination rate for 40-50 year-olds and added that the state is focused on a marketing campaign to increase vaccinations.

Asked about offering an incentive for people to get the vaccine, Parson said all options are on the table but hes wary about paying people for something he considers a personal responsibility.

Statistics from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show 54.2% of Americans have initiated vaccination, and 46.4% are fully vaccinated. In Missouri, 44.4% of people have received at least one shot, with 39% fully vaccinated.

Some health officials are worried that Fourth of July gatherings could further the spread of the virus. Jon Mooney, assistant director at the Springfield-Greene County health department, urged precautions such as masks for those who are not fully vaccinated.

With the increase, and increase in infectiousness, we think its more and more likely to have continued spread, Mooney said at a news conference Tuesday.

Hospital officials in the Kansas City area raised alarms Wednesday on a daily University of Kansas Health System call.

Truman Medical Centers chief medical officer, Mark Steele, said none of its 14 COVID-19 patients were fully vaccinated. Some were in their 30s and 40s, The Kansas City Star reports.

The risk obviously for everyone in general is that if we continue to have people where the virus can infect, then were at risk for developing additional mutations and we hope we dont get one that then renders the current vaccine somewhat ineffective, Steele said.

Liberty Hospital also was treating younger patients, including one who was just 36.

Weve seen an increase in COVID volume for the past month or so, mostly coming from up north here, said chief medical officer Raghu Adiga.
PHOENIX (AP)  Phoenix police say officers responding to a burglary alarm shot and wounded a homeowner who opened fire on them.

Sgt. Mercedes Fortune said the uniformed officers were carrying flashlights, knocked and announced their presence after arriving at the home Tuesday night.
ERIE, Pa. (AP)  A father killed his two young children and then set fire to their northwestern Pennsylvania house, where he was also found dead, authorities said.

State police said the bodies of Richard Zimmer, 48, and the 10-year-old boy and 13-year-old girl were found after the blaze was reported Tuesday afternoon in the Greene Township home in Erie County. Police said concerned relatives went to the home after Zimmer failed to show up for a custody hearing and arrived to find heavy smoke.
Rep. Paul Gosar, R-Ariz., on Tuesday denied that he plans to attend a fundraiser this week with a group that promotes white nationalist ideas, despite an invitation for the event circulating online that features the congressman and Nick Fuentes, a far-right operative who leads America First.

Gosar has previously attended events with Fuentes and appeared to defend the fundraiser in a tweet Monday night when he wrote: "Not sure why anyone is freaking out. I'll say this: there are millions of Gen Z, Y and X conservatives. They believe in America First. They will not agree 100% on every issue. No group does. We will not let the left dictate our strategy, alliances and efforts. Ignore the left."

But on Tuesday Gosar denied any knowledge of the fundraiser when asked about the invitation featuring a photo of him with Fuentes.

"I have no idea what's going on. That's news to me," he said. "There's no fundraiser scheduled on Friday."

The online invitation was shared on Twitter by several accounts, including former representative Denver Riggleman, R-Va., who said it was from a Telegram account linked to Fuentes.

"A sitting member of Congress fundraising with AFPAC. That's where we are. And he sits on committees," he wrote.

Fuentes did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. The invitation includes contact information for Gosar's campaign, which did not respond to a request for comment, and says it was "paid for by Nicholas Fuentes and authorized by Gosar for Congress Committee."

This would be the second event the Arizona Republican has attended this year with Fuentes, who has previously defended segregation as being "better" for both White and Black Americans and has downplayed the horror of the Holocaust.

During an America First PAC event that Gosar attended in February as a keynote speaker, Fuentes called the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol by supporters of former president Donald Trump "awesome" and lamented that America is losing its "White demographic core." The Arizona Republican later said at a Conservative Political Action Conference event that he denounced Fuentes' "white racism" as "inappropriate."

Fuentes has been called a white-nationalist organizer by the Southern Poverty Law Center and he is part of the Groypers, which the Anti-Defamation League describes as "a white supremacist group that presents its ideology as more nuanced than other groups in the white supremacist sphere" by "aligning themselves with 'Christianity' and 'traditional' values."

His social media accounts have been promoting his recent and upcoming travel around the country as the "White Boy Summer Tour."

While Republican leadership has condemned remarks made by Gosar and other members, such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., who have made or supported racist or antisemitic statements, they have not moved to censure or strip them of committee assignments like Republican Leader Kevin McCarthy of California did with former representative Steve King, R-Iowa, in 2019 after he questioned whether the term "white supremacist" was offensive.

Democrats voted to strip Greene of her committee assignments earlier this year.

On Tuesday, House Republican leaders declined to comment on the possibility Gosar would attend a fundraiser with Fuentes, saying they needed to look into the matter.

McCarthy said he did not "know anything about that" and Minority Whip Steve Scalise, R-La., also said it was his first time "hearing about it."

"As you've heard me in the past, I've been very vocal against white supremacy, so I'll have to look into that," he said.

Scalise faced criticism in 2014 after it was unearthed that he had given a speech to a white-supremacist group in 2002. He apologized then by stressing that he had "spoke to many different Louisiana groups as a state representative" but acknowledged he made "a mistake."

Some Democrats criticized GOP leaders for not taking action against Gosar.

"Gosar has been outside the boundaries for a long time and this takes it to a level that is wholly unacceptable and should be unacceptable to everybody in Congress," said Rep. Bradley Schneider, D-Ill. "McCarthy needs to decide whether this is what he wants his conference to reflect or if he's willing to kick Gosar out and say we're going against Holocaust denial and antisemitism."

He said he was considering whether to offer a resolution censuring Gosar.

Gosar has come under fire in recent weeks for continuing to downplay the severity of the Jan. 6 insurrection on the Capitol. His family has also become more outspoken against him in recent interviews, pressing leadership to remove him from office in fear that his views will incite more violence across the country.

- - -

The Washington Post's Paul Kane and Mike DeBonis contributed to this report.
CAIRO (AP)  An international rights group Wednesday accused Yemens Houthi rebels of prosecuting a female actor and model on charges of committing an indecent act and drug possession in a case marred with irregularities and abuse.

The Iran-backed Houthis, who control Yemens capital of Sanaa and much of the countrys north, detained 20-year-old Intisar al-Hammadi in Sanaa in February along with three others she was traveling with, according to Human Rights Watch.

Ten days after her detention, the Houthis said they had arrested al-Hammadi because she was in a car with a man accused of dealing drugs. They confiscated her phone and her modeling photos were treated like an act of indecency and therefore she was (labeled) a prostitute, the New York-based group said in a statement.

Al-Hammadis detention and trial showcase the Houthi repression of women in areas under their control in war-torn Yemen. An Associated Press report last year documented that women who dare dissent, or even enter the public sphere, have become targets in an escalating crackdown.

Officially, the Houthis have charged the actor with committing an indecent act and drug possession. The trial of al-Hammadi, who appeared before a Houthi-run court June 5 and June 9, is ongoing.

Human Rights Watch said the Houthis did not respond to its requests for comment. A spokesman for the rebels was not immediately available Wednesday for comment.

Citing her lawyer, Human Rights Watch said prison guards verbally abused the actor, calling her a whore and slave, because of her dark skin and Ethiopian origin.

Al-Hammadi was born to a Yemeni father and an Ethiopian mother. She has worked as a model for four years and acted in two Yemeni soap drama series in 2020. She was the sole breadwinner for her four-member family, including her blind father and a disabled brother.

HRW said the Houthis offered to release al-Hammadi if she would help them entrap their enemies with sex and drugs. The rebels were apparently referring to the internationally recognized government and a Saudi-led coalition with whom the rebels have been at war since 2014.

The rebels also threatened to subject her to a virginity test, HRW said.

The Houthi authorities should ensure her rights to due process, including access to her charges and evidence against her so she can challenge it, and immediately drop charges that are so broad and vague that they are arbitrary, said Michael Page, HRWs deputy Middle East director.

Al-Hammadi is just one of an unknown number of Yemeni female detainees who are arbitrarily detained and require immediate protection and justice, Page said.

The actor has been held in a Houthi-run prison along with five other women who were detained on similar alleged offenses relating to indecency. The five have refused to publicize their cases fearing social stigma and harm to their families reputations, Human Rights Watch said.

The Houthi rebels have ruled Sanaa and much of Yemens north since 2014, when they marched from their northern stronghold of Saada province and forced the internationally recognized government into exile. Since then Yemen, the Arab worlds poorest country, has been in a state of civil war.

The Saudi-led coalition entered the war in 2015 on the side of the government. The war has killed more than 130,000 people and spawned the worlds worst humanitarian crisis.
SAUSALITO, Calif. (AP)  The San Francisco Bay Area city of Sausalito has cleared a homeless encampment from a waterfront park under a federal court order that allowed the camp to be disbanded and moved to another site.

Camp occupants and housing activists resisted Tuesday, jeering at police and demanding to see a warrant, the Marin Independent Journal reported.
SURFSIDE, Fla. (AP)  A 92-year-old woman who had lived in a beachside Florida condominium for more than 20 years has been found dead amid the collapsed tower's rubble, her family said Wednesday.

Hilda Noriega had recently put the condo up for sale and was planning to move in with her family. They were notified late Tuesday that she was the 12th victim recovered from the rubble of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida. More than 140 people were still listed as unaccounted for early Wednesday.

Her family announced her death in a statement released by North Bay Village, a nearby city in which her son, Carlos Noriega, serves as the police chief.

The Noriegas have lost the heart and soul and matriarch of their family, but will get through this time by embracing the unconditional love Hilda was known for, the statement said.

Carlos Noriega and his son, Mike Noriega, rushed to the site when they heard of the building collapse. Among the flying debris, they stumbled across mementos that bore witness to her life on the sixth floor of the building she'd called home for more than 20 years. They found an old picture of her with her late husband and their infant son, and a birthday card that friends from her prayer group sent two weeks earlier with the acronym ESM, Spanish for hand-delivered, scrawled across the yellow envelope with a butterfly etching.

There was a message in the mess of all this, said Mike Noriega, who last spoke with his grandmother the day before the disaster. It means not to give up hope. To have faith.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis mentioned the Noriega family during a news conference on Tuesday, calling their story inspiring.

I could see the difference that she made in his life, in his wifes life, and in her grandkids lives, the governor said.

The Noriegas described Hilda as a fiercely independent and vivacious retiree. Her grandson said she was the youngest 92-year-old I know ... 92 going on 62.

Her husband died six years ago, the family said, and she had decided to sell the condo and move in with her family.

She loved living near the ocean and friends, but when you lose a spouse, you want to be surrounded by family ... and she wanted to spend more time with her family and grandchildren, said Sally Noriega, Hildas daughter-in-law.

Hilda Noriega built a life with her husband and raised a family after coming to the U.S. from Cuba in 1960, her daughter-in-law said.

She was just one of those people who from the first time she met a person she instantly loved that person, and that person instantly loved her, Sally said.

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Frisaro reported from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
HUNTSVILLE, Texas (AP)  A Texas inmate was executed Wednesday evening for an attack that killed his pregnant wife, 5-year-old daughter and father-in-law more than a decade ago.

John Hummel received a lethal injection at the state penitentiary in Huntsville for the December 2009 killings.

Authorities say Hummel stabbed his wife, Joy Hummel, more than 30 times, then used a baseball bat to beat to death his daughter, Jodi Hummel, and his 57-year-old father-in-law, Clyde Bedford, who used a wheelchair. He then set their home on fire in Kennedale, a Fort Worth suburb.

Hummel, strapped to the death chamber gurney, said a brief prayer that ended with him saying he would be with Jesus when I wake.

AP

I truly regret killing my family, he said, then thanked friends for their prayers and support.

I love each and every one of you," he added.

As the lethal dose of the sedative pentobarbital began to take effect, he took a half-dozen breaths, then began snoring quietly. About a minute later, all movement stopped, although his eyes didn't completely close. He was pronounced dead at 6:49 p.m. CDT, 13 minutes later.

It was too easy, Cecil Bedford, whose brother was among those killed, said after watching Hummel die. It was like going to sleep. He said a punishment more severe would be more appropriate. A rope, a guillotine, a firing squad. There's all kinds of good stuff to kill people. They should get what they deserve. An eye for an eye. I'm sorry. I'm old school.

Prosecutors say he killed his family because he wanted to run off with a woman he met at a convenience store. After the fire, Hummel fled to Oceanside, California, near San Diego, but was later arrested. Investigators say he confessed to the killings.

Hummel, 45, who had worked as a hospital security guard, was convicted of capital murder for the deaths of his 34-year-old wife and father-in-law. He was not tried for his daughters death.

His attorney, Michael Mowla, did not file any last-minute appeals before his execution, saying all available legal avenues had been exhausted.

Appeals courts rejected Mowlas attempts to stop his execution because Hummel had not been properly assessed on whether he would be a future danger  a question Texas juries must answer in death penalty cases. Mowla also unsuccessfully argued the appearance of impropriety as Hummels trial lawyer now works for the Tarrant County Criminal District Attorneys Office, which convicted him.

Hummel had been scheduled to be executed on March 18, 2020, but it was postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Bedfords sister, Cylinda Bedford, said her family still doesnt understand why Hummel killed his family. She described Joy Hummel, who worked as a massage therapist, as outgoing and bubbly. Jodi had been excited about starting school and Clyde Bedford, who was better known by his nickname Eddie, loved that grand baby, Cylinda Bedford said.

Come on, your own baby. You gotta be some kind of monster, Cylinda Bedford, 54, a retired body shop technician, said of Hummel. I dont have no closure. And him being put to death, is not going to be closure either because then well never know why.

Hummels attorney also argued that his client suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and other issues related to his military service that caused him to snap one night.

But Miles Brissette, a prosecutor at Hummels trial, said authorities discovered Hummel had previously tried to kill his family by putting rat poison in a spaghetti dinner.

On the night of the killings, Hummel stood in his kitchen for 30 minutes so he could psych himself up for what he was about to do, and after killing his wife, he caught his breath before fatally beating the others, Brissette said.

This guy senselessly took the life of a beautiful mother, a beautiful child and a grandfather that just did everything for them. For him to want to be single and just kill them this way is senseless, said Brissette, who is now a defense attorney in Fort Worth.

Hummel was the second inmate executed this year in Texas and the fifth in the U.S. Last month, Texas resumed executions after nearly a year. But it didnt go as planned: The execution was performed without media witnesses. An investigation blamed the mistake on several factors, including new personnel and procedures, along with insufficient oversight.

Media witnesses Wednesday evening were escorted to the death chamber without incident, although the punishment was delayed briefly as prison technicians had some difficulty inserting the needles into Hummel's arms, agency spokesman Jeremy Desel said.

Cylinda Bedford said nothing will make up for the loss her family still feels at Christmas or on birthdays. And a piece of her history was lost when Hummel burned down the family home where her father was born and raised and where her parents raised their children. Her family sold the land where the home stood but nothing new has been built there.

Its still an empty lot, Bedford said.

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Lozano reported from Houston.

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Follow Juan A. Lozano on Twitter: https://twitter.com/juanlozano70
LONDON (AP)  Marlies Haselton has called Britain home for more than 30 years. The Dutch national married a Briton, had her children there, and considers herself part and parcel of the U.K. Until Britains divorce from the European Union, she had never given a thought to her immigration status in the U.K.

Haselton, 55, is among the millions of Europeans who have freely lived, worked and studied in the U.K. for decades, but whose rights are no longer automatically granted due to Brexit. Britains government introduced a settlement plan for the countrys large European migrant community in 2019, and the deadline for applications is Wednesday.

From Thursday, any European migrant who hasnt applied will lose their legal right to work, rent housing and access some hospital treatments or welfare benefits in the U.K. They may even be subject to deportation.

Meanwhile, the freedom of movement that over 1 million Britons have long enjoyed in EU countries is also ending. Those applying for post-Brexit residency permits in France also face a deadline on Wednesday.

Campaigners in the U.K. are worried that tens or even hundreds of thousands of Europeans may not have applied by the deadline. Many older people who have lived in the U.K. for decades are not aware they have to apply, and official figures show that only 2% of applicants were 65 years old or older. Many parents also dont realize they have to apply for their children, migrants rights groups say.

Other vulnerable people, such as an estimated 2,000 children in social care, also risk falling through the cracks and ending up with no legal status.

For Haselton and many others, its a moment that drives home the impact of Britains referendum to leave the EU five years ago. Although Haselton successfully received her settled status, meaning she can reside permanently in the U.K., she said the whole process has made her feel insecure about the life she built in Britain.

I dont feel settled, she said. Im concerned about the future. I just dont have a safe feeling about growing old here as a foreigner. The sense of home I used to have is gone.

Britains government says some 5.6 million people  the majority from Poland and Romania  have applied, far more than the initial estimates. While about half were granted settled status, some 2 million migrants who havent lived in the U.K. long enough were told they have to put in the paperwork again when they have completed five years of residency in the country.

And about 400,000 people are still in limbo because theyre waiting to hear a decision, said Lara Parizotto, a campaigner for The3million, a group set up after the Brexit referendum to lobby for the rights of EU citizens in the U.K.

These are the people were hearing from a lot, she said. You want to be secure and safe, you want to continue making plans for your future  you can imagine how complex it is not to have that certainty in your life right now when things are about to change so much.

Daria Riabchikova, a Russian woman who applied in February as the partner of a Belgian citizen living in the U.K., said it's been incredibly frustrating waiting four months for her paperwork to be processed. She fears the delay will affect a new job she is about to start.

I feel like a third-rate citizen, despite working here and paying taxes with my partner and living here, and contributing to the past year of struggle with the pandemic," she said. "Now I cant even have my straightforward application processed on time.

Figures are not available to show exactly how many people will have missed the deadline. But even a small percentage of the European population in the U.K. would total tens of thousands of people, Parizotto said. In recent weeks, the 25-year-old Brazilian-Italian has travelled with other volunteers across England to urge European communities working in rural farms and warehouses to sign up before its too late.

One key concern is that the immigration policy could leave a disastrous legacy similar to Britains Windrush scandal, when many from the Caribbean who legally settled in the U.K. decades ago were wrongly caught up in tough new government rules to crack down on illegal immigration.

Many in the Windrush generation  named after the ship that carried the first post-war migrants from the West Indies  lost their homes and jobs or were even deported simply because they couldnt produce paperwork proving their residency rights.

Many Europeans, especially young people whose parents failed to apply, wont necessarily realize they have lost their status right away, said Madeleine Sumption, director of Oxford Universitys Migration Observatory.

For some, it will only become clear later on  for example, when they get a new job or need to be treated in hospital, she said. It may be many more years before the legal, political, economic and social consequences start to emerge.

Britains government has conceded that it will give the benefit of the doubt to people who have reasonable grounds for applying late, but that hasnt eased campaigners worries. Many, including those who secured settled status, no longer feel confident in their future in Britain.

Elena Remigi, a translator originally from Milan who founded In Limbo, a project to record the voices of EU nationals in the U.K. since the Brexit referendum, said many Europeans say they still feel betrayed by how their adopted country treated them.

It is really sad that people who were living here before are now made to feel unwelcome and have to leave, she said. Thats really hard for some people to forgive.

Haselton, the Dutch migrant, said her British husband is mulling moving the family to the Netherlands as a direct consequence of Brexit. She is torn.

I still love this country, it would break my heart if I had to move, she said. At the same time Im not sure I want to stay. When it comes to a sense of feeling that you belong, that isnt something that you can do with a piece of paper.
CABO SAN LUCAS, Mexico (AP)  What had been the first hurricane of the eastern Pacific season dissipated as it moved ashore Wednesday after brushing past the tip of Mexico's Baja California Peninsula and missing a direct hit on the beach resorts there.

Enrique lost its tropical storm status Wednesday morning when its maximum sustained winds were down to 35 mph (55 kph) while in the Gulf of California to the east of the peninsula. The U.S. National Hurricane Center said the system broke up when it crossed onto the peninsula in the afternoon.
LAS VEGAS (AP)  A Nevada hospital confirmed its data servers had been breached after a hacking group posted images of personal information online it apparently acquired in a cyber theft.

The Las Vegas Review-Journal reported that University Medical Center issued a statement confirming that cybercriminals in mid-June accessed a hospital server used to store data and that law enforcement was investigating.
UNITED NATIONS (AP)  The United Nations, European Union and many Security Council members urged the United States and Iran on Wednesday to quickly put the 2015 nuclear deal aimed at reining in Tehrans nuclear program back on track, but neither side showed any sign of movement toward an agreement.

During six rounds of talks in Vienna, the six countries that remain parties to the agreement -- Russia, China, Germany, France, Britain and Iran -- have been trying to resolve major outstanding issues on how the United States can rejoin. Then-President Donald Trump pulled out of the agreement in 2018, but President Joe Biden repudiated his predecessor and said the U.S. wants to return to the pact.

After the latest Vienna talks June 20, the EU official who coordinated the meeting, Enrique Mora, told reporters: We are closer to a deal, but we are not there. Top Russian representative Mikhail Ukyanov said that the time has come for political decisions ahead of what is supposed to be a final round of negotiations.

But in the Security Council on Wednesday, diplomats from Iran and the United States took tough stands, giving no hint of compromise during a meeting on implementation of the 2015 council resolution that endorsed the nuclear agreement.

The 2015 accord is aimed at preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons, which Tehran denies it is seeking. Under its provisions, U.N. sanctions that severely affected the oil-rich nations economy were lifted, but Trump re-imposed those sanctions unilaterally and added tougher ones when the U.S. pulled out of the pact.

Iranian Ambassador Majid Takht Ravanchi strongly criticized the continuing impact of U.S. sanctions, saying they were also affecting the country's efforts to tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nothing has changed except the verbal declaration of the United States of its intention to return to compliance" with the agreement, he told the council. In reality, until this very moment, the maximum pressure policy and the draconian sanctions against our people still continue.

He said Iran has paid a heavy price to preserve the deal and remains committed to it as long as other parties put an end, completely and without any precondition or further delay, to their bullying policies.

Ravanchi said that it is high time for the United States and the three European parties to the agreement to make difficult decisions to return to full compliance.

U.S. deputy ambassador Jeffrey DeLaurentis told council members that the last few rounds of discussions in Vienna have helped to crystallize the choices that need to be made by Iran and by the United States in order achieve a mutual return to compliance."

The United States is committed to ensuring Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon, and we believe diplomacy, in coordination with our allies and regional partners, is the best path to achieve that goal, he said.

But DeLaurentis said recent reports by U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and the International Atomic Energy Agency make clear that Iran is escalating its nuclear program beyond the agreement's limits, both in numbers and types of centrifuges, quantities and levels of uranium enrichment up to 60%, and producing uranium metal.

We urge Iran to refrain from taking further escalatory steps and to return to full implementation" of the agreement's provisions, "including those related to IAEA verification, monitoring, and implementation of the additional protocol, DeLaurentis said.

Ravanchi said all Iran's steps are allowed under the deal because the U.S. violated the agreement, and reiterated that they are reversible.

A key provision in the 2015 Security Council resolution endorsing the agreement calls on Iran not to undertake any activity related to ballistic missiles designed to be capable of delivering nuclear weapons  but it does not explicitly demand that Tehran do so.

Iran launched ballistic missiles and tested a space vehicle early this year, which sparked complaints from France, Britain, Germany and Israel, backed by the U.S. But Russia and Iran insisted they did not violate the agreement.

U.N. political chief Rosemary DiCarlo told the council that diplomatic efforts in Vienna offer a critical opportunity for the U.S. and Iran to return fully to the deal.

She echoed Guterres appeal to the U.S. to lift or waive sanctions and extend waivers on oil trade with Iran. She called on Iran to refrain from further escalation, return to full implementation of the deal, and resume an agreement with the IAEA to monitor and verify its nuclear activities that expired June 24.

Calling this a defining moment," DiCarlo said it is critical for all parties to seize this opportunity" to put the agreement back on track.

EU Ambassador Olof Skoog warned that what might be possible still today may prove impossible in the near future.

We have a limited diplomatic window ahead of us that we should not miss," he told the council.
IOWA CITY, Iowa (AP)  A federal judge in Iowa admitted wrongdoing and publicly apologized for comments ridiculing former President Donald Trump for issuing a series of pardons to well-connected Republican officials.

Senior U.S. District Judge Robert Pratt made the remarks during a phone interview with The Associated Press in December, saying: It's not surprising a criminal like Trump pardons other criminals. In a bit of humor, he added, "But apparently to get a pardon, one has to be either a Republican, a convicted child murderer or a turkey.

Pratt's remarks set off a firestorm of criticism among lawyers, who said that they were inappropriate from a federal judge. They also triggered a judicial misconduct complaint against Pratt by Lavenski Smith, chief judge of the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Iowa, where Pratt has long worked at the Des Moines courthouse, this week posted online a letter dated April 16 from Pratt to Smith.

Pratt said he accepted Smith's conclusion that his comments constitute cognizable misconduct" because they veered into what could be construed as inappropriate partisan statements.

I acknowledge the wrongfulness of the comments, and I regret the embarrassment they have caused to my court and the judiciary in general, Pratt wrote. I am truly sorry for the remarks and apologize for having made them. I also want to reaffirm my commitment to the impartial administration of justice in full compliance with the Code of Conduct for United States judges.

That code calls for judges to act with impartiality, avoid political activity and not show partisan bias.

The court said it was posting the letter at Smith's direction. Pratt has been on the bench since his appointment by Democratic President Bill Clinton in 1997. He has had a reduced caseload since 2012, when he assumed senior status.

Gabe Roth, executive director of nonpartisan judicial ethics watchdog Fix the Court, brought Pratt's remarks to the 8th Circuit's attention in February, calling them unseemly. Roth said Wednesday that he was pleased to learn of Pratt's apology.

This was the outcome I had hoped for  remorse from Pratt and a promise not to make similarly partisan remarks so long as he serves as a federal judge, he said.

Pratt made the remarks when reached for comment on pardons Trump granted in December to Jesse Benton and John Tate, aides for Republican Ron Pauls 2012 presidential campaign. Benton and Tate were convicted of concealing $73,000 in payments that went to Iowa Sen. Kent Sorenson in exchange for Sorensons endorsement of Paul.

The White House noted that the pardons for Tate and Benton were supported by Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul, Ron Paul's son. Sorenson, who testified against them, was not pardoned.

Pratt sentenced Sorenson to 15 months in prison in 2017, even though prosecutors asked for probation due to his cooperation. Pratt noted that Sorenson improperly took $133,000 in secret payments from presidential campaigns while serving as a senator. He warned that without consequences for abusing the public trust, "political corruption will slowly corrode the foundations of our democracy until it collapses under its own weight.

In the December interview, Pratt referred to allegations that Trump had improperly enriched himself in office in violation of a constitutional clause that bans the acceptance of gifts and payments from foreign powers.

He spoke after Trump granted pardons to his former campaign aides convicted during the special counsels Russia inquiry, former GOP congressmen who committed crimes, and security contractors convicted of killing innocent civilians in Iraq. Trump also annually pardoned turkeys  last year two from Iowa  before Thanksgiving.
Trent Nelson/AP

SALT LAKE CITY (AP)  Utah Gov. Spencer Cox and other local leaders urged state residents Wednesday to forgo using personal fireworks this summer as the state faces a historic drought.

Cox and more than 30 Utah city mayors and council members called on people to instead celebrate July Fourth and Pioneer Day  a holiday only celebrated in Utah every July 24  at public celebrations sponsored by Utah communities.
OLYMPIA, Wash. (AP)  Fifteen months after Washington state's first stay at home order was issued in response to the coronavirus, businesses across the state are now allowed to return to pre-pandemic operations.

On Wednesday, most government-imposed restrictions were lifted, meaning restaurants, bars, gyms and retail stores are now allowed to resume full indoor capacity  up from the most recent limit of 50%  and physical distance requirements are no longer required.

We are open big time in the state of Washington, Inslee told a group gathered at Wright Park in Tacoma, the first stop of several reopening visits scheduled, including one at River Square Park in Spokane later Wednesday. On Thursday, he will raise a Washington Ready flag on top of the Space Needle in Seattle and will also visit Pike Place Market.

One restriction that will remain in place is a 75% attendance cap on large indoor events of more than 10,000 people, unless the event does vaccination verification prior to entry and all attendees are vaccinated. Those restrictions will be reevaluated on July 31.

And while there have already been fewer masking requirements since last month  when the state adopted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance that eased most indoor mask-wearing for fully vaccinated people  masking rules will remain in a variety of places, including health care settings, public transit and schools. Masks will continue to be required for unvaccinated employees who return to work indoors. And businesses can continue to choose to require masks for their customers, regardless of vaccination status.

There have been more than 414,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases  plus another 36,000 probable cases  in Washington state, and 5,920 deaths.

The state is still falling short of a vaccination goal that Inslee had set that would have allowed the restrictions to be lifted even sooner: 70% of residents age 16 and older having received at least one dose.

Even with the creation of lottery incentives with prizes up to $1 million, the statewide vaccination rate for those 16 and up is just shy of 69%.

Residents age 12-15 have been eligible for vaccination since last month, and more than 37% of that group have initiated vaccination, and about 28% are fully vaccinated.

Republican Sen. John Braun said that while hes happy businesses can fully reopen, he's disappointed that the governor has not declared an end to the public health emergency, which means Inslee still has the power to reimpose restrictions.

If its safe to reopen on June 30, why are we still in an emergency? Braun asked. It creates a whole bunch of uncertainty.

One of the challenges for restaurants in particular is being able to have enough workers to meet customer demand after a year of having to lay off people as business plummeted, said Anthony Anton, president and CEO of the Washington Hospitality Association.

We lost almost our entire workforce over the course of the year, Anton said said at a news conference on Tuesday.  Were still short 80,000 workers.

Still, businesses on Wednesday were celebrating the lifting of restrictions, with some posting pictures of their expanded seating on social media. Oly Taproom, a beer shop and taproom in Olympia that has long offered outdoor seating, posted a picture of its restored indoor bar seating  something that wasnt allowed under previous restrictions  as did El Camino, a Mexican restaurant in Seattle, which reminded customers that the bar stools are available on first come, first serve basis, just as B.C. (Before Covid) times.
MADISON, Wis. (AP)  The state Senate approved a bill Wednesday that establishes a uniform use-of-force policy for Wisconsin, sending the proposal on to Gov. Tony Evers.

Under the bill, police can use force based on the totality of a situations circumstances, whether suspect is threatening officers or others and whether the suspect is resisting or fleeing. Police could use deadly force only as a last resort.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (AP)  Medical marijuana patients can continue to get a three month's supply at a time, rather than one month's, under revisions to the Pennsylvania program signed into law Wednesday by Gov. Tom Wolf.

The bill makes it easier for producers to remove contaminants such as yeast and mold from medical marijuana, to turn it into products that are topical in form, not to be inhaled or ingested.

Growers are saying, We have adequate supply, we have a way to safely remediate it," said Rep. Paul Schemel, R-Franklin, the bill's prime sponsor. This simply gives them a mechanism by which they can do that.

Chris Goldstein, a Pennsylvania regional organizer for the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, said the legislation moved quickly and there were no hearings to gather input from patients and their caregivers.

The bill actually has a lot of provisions that are industry friendly, and most controversial is to allow remediation of mold in cannabis flowers by extracting it into new products, Goldstein said. I think thats where patient voices could have been heard.

A proposal to allow patients to grow their own marijuana was defeated.

Goldstein said permitting patients to grow plants at home would have helped those who have difficulty affording the drug at dispensary prices. He said he hopes lawmakers will reconsider permitting it.

Prices for medical cannabis in Pennsylvania remain some of the highest in the country, Goldstein said. And right now theres no real price relief. No insurance covers it  its all cash out of pocket.

Other changes include permanently allowing curbside dispensing, a change that, like the 90-day supply, was adopted in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The new law adds to the list of serious medical conditions for which medical marijuana can be dispensed to include cancer remission therapy and neuropathies of the central nervous system.

The legislation gives the state agriculture secretary a month to make public the list of pesticides that grower-producers can use, a list that will be updated annually.

The new law expands the number of research facilities that are studying patient response to the drug, and allows caregivers to obtain the drug on behalf of more than one patient. Goldstein said the caregivers' provision will effectively expand deliveries by dispensaries.

It contains explicit language to state that Pennsylvania's medical marijuana program will continue even if the federal government were to reclassify it or remove it from the schedule of federally controlled or prohibited substances.

The bill passed the House Friday, 165-38, with only one Democratic no vote, and was approved by the Senate, 47-3. Most of its provisions take effect immediately.
CASPER, Wyo. (AP)  Wyoming is making a bid to land the headquarters of the National Rifle Association.

Gov. Mark Gordon and Secretary of State Ed Buchanan asked the firearms advocacy and lobbying organization in a letter released to the public Tuesday to relocate to Wyoming from Fairfax, Virginia.

The two Republicans in the GOP-dominated state sent the letter June 18 and as of Tuesday hadn't heard back from the group, state officials told the Casper Star-Tribune.

The letter cites Wyoming's lack of taxes and gun regulations as reasons it would be a good home for the NRA.

We have permitless carry, the castle doctrine, anti-financial discrimination laws, permitless purchase and possession for rifles, shotguns and handguns, no registration requirements and several other pro-Second Amendment laws on the books, the letter reads.

Guns are popular in Wyoming and the Legislature has sought to ease gun rules further. Wyoming is home to several firearms manufacturers including Magpul and Weatherby.

The NRA already has indicated it plans to move to Texas. The group attempted to file for bankruptcy in January but a judge dismissed the request, finding it was not filed in good faith.
NEW HAVEN, Conn. (AP)  Yale University has announced it is eliminating tuition for its drama students thanks to a $150 million gift from entertainment magnate David Geffen.

The gift to what is being renamed the David Geffen School of Drama at Yale University is believed to be the largest on record in the history of the American theater, the school said in a news release Wednesday.

It will allow the drama school to eliminate tuition for all degree and certificate programs, the university said.

David Geffens visionary generosity ensures that artists of extraordinary potential from all socioeconomic backgrounds will be able to cultivate their talent at Yale, Yale President Peter Salovey said.

Geffen is best known for founding Asylum Records, Geffen Records, Geffen Pictures and co-founding the film studio DreamWorks SKG with Steven Spielberg and Jeffrey Katzenberg.

His relationship with Yale dates back to the 1978-79 academic year when he led a semester-long seminar on the music industry.

Yale already provides some of the best professional training available to actors, writers, directors, designers and theater managers from diverse backgrounds, he said in a statement. Removing the tuition barrier will allow an even greater diversity of talented people to develop and hone their skills in front of, on, and behind Yales stages.

He added that he hopes the gift will inspire others to join him in making advanced arts and theater education accessible and affordable to all students.

Theater studies at Yale began in 1925 and graduates of its drama school include actors such as Meryl Streep, Frances McDormand, Angela Bassett and Paul Giamatti.

Salovey said Yale is also committed to pursuing additional fundraising for the school, with plans to build a state-of-the-art facility for theater education and production.
You are now listening to the sounds of the New Generation. A podcast created for those who desire a new way of gaining information rather than reading a traditional newspaper. In our show we will discuss everything from sports, pop culture, politics, and local news. To stay up to date on our latest episodes every week be sure to follow us on your favorite podcast service. And dont worry, we keep it short.
Ludington, MI (49431)

Today

Variable clouds with scattered showers and thunderstorms, mainly during the afternoon hours. Storms may contain strong gusty winds. High 78F. Winds SW at 10 to 20 mph. Chance of rain 40%..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy skies with scattered thunderstorms during the evening. Low near 65F. Winds SW at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 40%.
I wouldnt call myself an outdoorsman by any means but fishing is something I have long enjo
"Before departure for #India, I went home to #Charlottesville to seek my Mother's blessings. She served in the #ForeignService at the US Embassy in New Delhi 1958-1960", Keshap wrote on Twitter.

New Delhi, June 30 (IANS) Atul Keshap, the newly appointed Charge d'Affaires at US Embassy in India shares very old connections with India.

Keshap most recently served as the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for the Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs and as the US Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives, the US State Department announced.

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti is said to be the next US Ambassador to India.Garcetti was rumoured to run for President in 2020, according to Los Angeles Times.

The State Department said Atul Keshap, a career member of the Senior Foreign Service, will be departing for New Delhi to serve as Charge d'Affaires, ad interim, following the retirement of Ambassador Daniel Smith. Ambassador Keshap will bring a wealth of experience to the role, having served previously at US Embassy New Delhi and as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia.

"Ambassador Keshap's appointment will reinforce the close US partnership with the government and people of India, demonstrated by our collaboration to overcome global challenges like the Covid-19 pandemic", the State Department said.

As per reports, his father, Keshap Chander Sen was from Punjab and United Nations economist working in Nigeria where Keshap was born in 1971.

His mother, Zoe Calvert, had been in the U.S. Foreign Service when she met and married Sen in London. She also served at the US embassy in India.

The Keshap family home is Charlottesville, Virginia, where Keshap attended St. Anne's-Belfield School, graduating in 1988.

Keshap was posted in India in 2005 as a Deputy Minister counselor at the US embassy in New Delhi. Although he had visited India as a child, Keshap never learned Hindi until taking State Department language training, as per reports.

Across his 27-year career as an American diplomat, Keshap has served at postings in India, Morocco, and Guinea, and as United States Ambassador to Sri Lanka and Maldives.

He has served as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for South Asia, as US Senior Official for Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation, and as an Office Director in the Bureau of South and Central Asian Affairs and in the Bureau of International Organization Affairs.

Keshap has negotiated or advanced bilateral and multilateral initiatives at senior levels with counterparts from the European Union, United Nations, ASEAN, APEC, and governments across the Indo-Pacific, Middle East, Africa, and North and South America.

Keshap served at the Department of Defense as the National Defense University's Vice Chancellor for the College of International Security Affairs. Earlier in his career, he served as Director for North Africa and Middle East regional affairs on the National Security Council staff in the Executive Office of the President of the United States.

--IANS

san/sdr/
Reliance Industries and Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), a state-run oil company of the UAE, have finalised an agreement for a petrochemical joint venture several months after signing a broad framework agreement.

The two on Tuesday announced that through the agreement, Reliance will join a new world-scale chlor-alkali, ethylene dichloride and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) production facility at TA'ZIZ in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi.

The agreement capitalises on the growing demand for these critical industrial raw materials and leverages the strengths of ADNOC and Reliance as global industrial and energy leaders.

The project will be constructed in the TA'ZIZ Industrial Chemicals Zone, which is a joint venture between ADNOC and ADQ.

The agreement continues the momentum of ADNOC's downstream and industry growth plans in line with ADNOC's 2030 strategy.

Petrochemical, refining and gas growth projects are currently under construction, with a number of projects also recently completed across the downstream and industry portfolio.

ADNOC is gearing up for growth with TA'ZIZ, the world-scale chemicals production hub and industrial ecosystem based in Ruwais, with investment in excess of 18 billion AED (Arab Emirates Dirham) and a number of further growth projects in the downstream and industry sector.

Under the terms of the agreement, TA'ZIZ and Reliance will construct an integrated plant, with capacity to produce 940 thousand tonnes of chlor-alkali, 1.1 million tonnes of ethylene dichloride and 360 thousand tonnes of PVC annually.

Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, UAE Minister of Industry and Advanced Technology, and ADNOC Managing Director and Group CEO, said: "We are delighted to attract an investor of Reliance's caliber to partner with ADNOC and ADQ in accelerating growth at TA'ZIZ. This agreement is a significant milestone, as we continue to grow a globally competitive industrial ecosystem and highly attractive investor value proposition."

Welcoming the initiative, Reliance Industries Chairman and Managing Director Mukesh Ambani said: "We at Reliance are excited to enter into a strategic partnership with ADNOC for establishing a world-class and world-scale chemical project at TA'ZIZ in Ruwais. This important milestone further bolsters our long-standing relationship with ADNOC, reaffirming our faith in the global vision of the UAE's wise leadership.

"It is also yet another testimony to the enormous potential in advancing India-UAE cooperation in value enhancement in the energy and petrochemicals sectors. The project will manufacture ethylene dichloride, a key building block for production of PVC in India. This is a significant step in globalising Reliance's operations, and we are proud to partner with ADNOC in this important project for the region."

Chlor-alkali is used in water treatment and in the manufacture of textiles and metals. Ethylene dichloride is typically used to produce PVC, which has wide range of applications across housing, infrastructure and consumer goods. The market for these chemicals is expected to enjoy steady growth supported by the needs of growing demand, particularly in Asia and Africa.
Dogecoin Co-Founder announced that he is buying DOGE for the first time in 8 years!

The announcement came shortly after a massive price crash that saw Dogecoin plummet more than 10 cents in less than 24 hours. Dogecoin recovered some of its recent losses after Bitcoin recovered from support.

After China's ban on cryptocurrency mining since Monday, FUD (fear, uncertainty and doubt) is widespread in the cryptocurrency market.

Because of this, Bitcoin's FUD dropped to $ 28,000 before prices rose sharply. The rest of the cryptocurrency market, including Dogecoin, followed the largest cryptocurrency in this downturn.

Over the past 48 hours, Dogecoin has surged from a low of 0.168240 to its current price of 0.2369, representing a more than 15% price increase as the bulls rush to buy Dogecoin and its safetrading.today from the traders of SafeTrading approved channels.

What makes Dogecoin a good investment right now?

Billy Markus, one of the creators of Dogecoin, announced that he had bought a certain amount of Dogecoin for the first time in eight years since 2015, when he sold all of his shares, despite the sharp drop in prices in the market era.

"An hour ago I bought Dogecoin after 8 years of promising never to buy crypto again. Since then I have checked the price 7 times. I had 10% profit, now I am back to 3% profit."

The crypto community believes that this acquisition could be an optimistic potential for the project, relying on the experience of the developers, which made them think that now is a good time to buy Dogecoin.

The co-founder left the project a few years ago and announced in 2015 that he was selling his assets because the cryptocurrency was deemed "dead", which he believes was flawed in retrospect.

In his recent tweets, Marcus tried to protect the prospect of wider market cycles from the recent drop in the cryptocurrency market, stating that two months is probably too short a time frame to announce the start of a bear market.

Billy Markus and software engineer Jackson Palmer developed Dogecoin in 2013, initially as a joke on Bitcoin and the nascent crypto industry (At least the SafeTrading team gathered such info).

Both founders who created the project sold their original assets shortly after its inception and development has supported them ever since. While Billy Marcus still remains an active voice in the Dogecoin community, Palmer has largely stepped back from the public. However, as previously reported by us; Concerned about Elon Musk's dominance over cryptocurrency, Palmer has broken his silence in recent months and severely insulted Musk with his own cryptocurrency signals.

In a now-deleted Twitter post, Palmer sharply criticized the strongest supporter of his work, claiming that Elon Musk was and always will be a smug con man.

Dogecoin is becoming one of the most falling cryptocurrencies.

Dogecoin, a cryptocurrency that started out as a joke and was touted as Elon Musk's favorite cryptocurrency, hit its lowest level since early April yesterday, driven by a wider sell-off in the cryptocurrency markets.

What's the reason this time? Last Friday, as part of the latest step in China's war against cryptocurrencies, the Sichuan provincial government ordered the 26 largest cryptocurrency mines to shut down until the authorities complete their investigation.

The Chinese authorities already gave investors an unpleasant surprise last month by stating that digital currencies should not be used as payments and banning financial institutions from offering crypto services. They also limited the country's bitcoin mining, the process of creating new digital currencies, and supporting blockchain technology.

What does Dogecoin have to do with it?

Dogecoin was created in 2013 by software developers Jackson Palmer and Billy Markus. Based on materials from the popular site of the Japanese Shiba Inu breed.

Dogecoin started out as a spoof, but even after Tuesday's plunge, it boasts a market cap of $ 24 billion, higher than most other legitimate cryptocurrency projects.

After all, you might be wondering why Dogecoin has accumulated so much more than any other cryptocurrency. The answer is simple, we suspect this is because Dogecoin is in "high beta".

When other cryptocurrencies rise in value, Dogecoin tends to go to the moon. But when other cryptocurrencies fall, they fall even more.

This is exactly what happened this week. The latest offensive from China led to the fall of several popular cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin and ether - in the blink of an eye, bitcoin fell below $ 30,000 and virtually nullified almost all of its 2021 gains.

Dogecoin's tumultuous few months.

Dogecoin speculators in recent months have faced breakneck speed, in part due to their hypersensitivity to market news and a series of bullish tweets by Elon Musk, known in many circles as the "Fed" of the cryptocurrency world. Since the beginning of the year, it has grown by almost 4000%.

Dogecoin quickly became Musk's favorite. Placing dogecoin on Coinbase Pro last month gave the cryptocurrency some legitimacy to this joke (Dogecoin is already listed on Coinbase, but not on Coinbase Pro).

What should Dogecoin crypto investors do now?

All things considered, where does Dogecoin stay? Given its volatile nature, is this a classic case of a daily downturn that is corrected later?

The problem with Dogecoin, as with all cryptocurrencies, is that it has no fundamental use or value, to the point that even the project's own co-founder Marcus said earlier this year that cryptocurrency is a good "barometer" of how corrupt it is. digital currency. reality.

So even if Musk tweeted in favor of the Doge, it's more likely that the speculators eventually woke up and realized that this was not serious, which shouldn't come as a surprise in the first place.

As for the broader cryptocurrency market, the impact of the recent crackdown in China is less certain.

Some industry experts (For example, SafeTrading team) fear that the tough measures could only push cryptocurrency miners to travel outside China. So, if this happens, the impact on the market may be calmer. But if China's regulatory measures do slow the pace of crypto activity, investors are likely to feel even more worried.
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Rio Tinto, Australias second-largest mining company, has suspended operations in South Africas Richards Bay Minerals and declared force majeure on customer contracts as security fears at the site intensify.

The decision comes after general manager Nico Swart was shot and killed on the way to work in May, becoming the third employee of Rio Tintos majority-owned Richards Bay Minerals to be killed since 2015.

South African police are investigating the circumstances around Swarts shooting, which remain unknown. Richards Bay Minerals said it was cooperating fully with police to support the investigation.

Nico Swart, a 47-year-old father of two, was the third employee of Rio Tintos South African mine to be killed since 2015. Credit:Rob Homer

In recent weeks, members of the public have been setting fire to bulldozers and other heavy machinery on the site.
Phyllida Lloyds Herself opens with a gauzy close-up of a mother and her two young daughters playing with make-up. Its an image infused with such innocence and tenderness that you immediately suspect that its about to be followed by something very nasty.

It doesnt take long to arrive. We switch to the kitchen as Gary (Ian Lloyd Anderson), the man of the house, comes bursting through the door.

Moments later, his wife, Sandra (Clare Dunne) is on the floor, being punched and kicked, after sending one of the girls running to the nearest neighbour with instructions to call the police.

Its a grim start to what looks to be shaping up as a grim film but Lloyd has an irrepressible flair for the upbeat. She directed Mamma Mia and in another of her hits, The Iron Lady, she and the screenwriter, Abi Morgan  with the help of Meryl Streep  found a way to inject bracing barbs of black comedy into their account of Margaret Thatchers waning years.

Sandra (Clare Dunne) is a single mother looking to escape her abusive ex. Credit:Madman

Sandra is no Thatcher but shes blessed with her own brand of steely resolve. Tall and slender, Dunne starred in Lloyds all-female production of Henry IV, playing Prince Hal to Harriet Walters Henry, and shes an interesting mix of delicate good looks and wiry resilience. Its soon clear that Garys appeals and promises are never going to persuade her to take him back  even though social services can find her and the girls nothing better than one room in a welfare hotel.
Chris Pratt may be a loyal star of two of the biggest movie franchises of the moment, between Marvel and Jurassic World, but even he sometimes craves something different.

I heard the grumblings that people were getting tired of those things, said Pratt in a recent interview. I felt inclined to try to do something original.

Chris Pratt, Edwin Hodge and Sam Richardson star in The Tomorrow War. Credit:Amazon

Thats when Zach Deans script for what would become The Tomorrow War, which debuts on Amazon Prime Video on Friday, ended up in his hands. It wasnt based on a toy or a comic book or a theme park ride. There was no brand attached to it or even a bestseller sticker.

Then titled Ghost Draft, it was a dark and emotional sci-fi action epic about a generation of people who get drafted to go 30 years into the future to fight a losing war against aliens. And production company Skydance was already on board.
The developer of two 22-storey apartment towers in Parramattas CBD has been issued with orders preventing it from allowing owners and tenants to move in after serious defects were discovered.

Known as Imperial, the towers at 9 Hassall Street contain 179 units between them. The towers, which were nearing completion, are still unoccupied but a number of apartments have been sold off the plan.

One of the 22-storey apartment towers at 9 Hassall Street in Parramattas CBD. Credit:James Brickwood

The developer, Merhis Group, is the same company that was responsible for a 16-storey apartment building in Auburn that was issued orders last year to resolve major defects.

The extent of defects in the Auburn building prompted NSW Building Commissioner David Chandler two years ago to convince the state government to give him the powers to clean up the industry. At the time, he described the Auburn tower as probably the worst he had inspected.
NSW has recorded 22 new local coronavirus cases in the 24 hours to 8pm on Tuesday as health authorities express concern about transmission events at four venues across the city.

Eleven of the new cases were in isolation for their entire infectious period and five were in isolation for part of their infectious period. An additional case, a nurse who worked at Fairfield and Royal North Shore hospitals, will be included in Thursdays numbers.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian provides an update on the latest COVID-19 developments on Wednesday. Credit:Photo: Rhett Wyman

NSW Chief Health Officer Kerry Chant confirmed all the new cases were linked to known cases, highlighting four particular venues where transmission was recently uncovered.

Four of Wednesdays cases were linked to the Crossways Hotel in Strathfield South, resulting in the classification of anyone who was at the venue from June 23 to June 27 as close contacts. Dr Chant said the advice was updated as a staff member had tested positive.
One-sided lockdown rules make prisoners of the elderly Welcome to our happy lockdown. Like all Sydneysiders, we are locked in (sorry, locked down) in our home except to exercise. In our case, exercise only gets us out and about for as long as our 77-year- old legs can keep moving. No parking our bottoms on a bench or we risk a $1000 fine. Same for everyone? Well no, the demolition on the site next to us has been able to continue unabated thanks to the broad category of exemptions that allows any worker who cannot work from home to continue working. Other states have been more judicious and have only allowed workers in essential services to continue working. The demolition looks like it is almost complete. Unfortunately that isnt good news because the pile drivers move in next. Wish us luck , its going to be a particularly tough lockdown. Lyn Brignell, Bronte Could someone ask the Premier or the NSW Health Minister to define what an essential service is? Ananda Amara-nath, Epping Many Australians have close family living overseas who have been fully vaccinated but whom they have not seen for nearly two years. Our fully vaccinated PM tells us, from his residence, The Lodge, where he is quarantining after his short trip to the UK (during which he was able to visit sites connected with his family history), that it wont be until 2022 that he is prepared to consider any changes in the quarantine arrangements for Australians. Seriously? Clearly, were all in this together, arent we? Lynette Schaverien, Castle Cove When wearing masks, we full-time glass wearers have to choose whether to breathe healthily or see. Fully masked, our glasses fog up and we cant see; masks worn beneath the nose are unhealthy but we can see. Its Catch-22 all over again. Ted Richards, Batemans Bay

The mask below the nose appears to be quite prevalent, especially among bus drivers, who often have it pulled down below their mouths as well; so much so that I refer to it as the TfNSW chin-support position. Alicia Dawson, Balmain Perhaps the public strongly supported flattening the curve and lockdown in the early stages of COVID, but as a nation we simply cannot continue to exist like this. We are reflexively jumping at shadows and ruining the futures of young Australians. Enough is enough. We all have to learn to live with it! This state of public policy based on fear, chaos and confusion cannot be allowed to continue. It ruins and destroys the lives of too many people under the guise of best intentions. It makes victims of us all. Peter Bower, Naremburn Stop land clearing before its too late It is alarming to read of the unchecked destruction of woody vegetation in NSW in recent years (NSW land clearing speeds up since law change, June 30). Established trees and old-growth forests are ready-made carbon offsets, necessary to combat global warming. The unique flora and fauna of our wilderness areas are also a major tourist attraction. We cannot afford to jeopardise what is left of this precious resource since the Black Summer bushfires. The current policy reflects a complete lack of foresight in environmental planning. Environmental protections in Australia urgently need to be strengthened, at state and federal levels. Anne OHara, Wanniassa (ACT) This acceleration has occurred because the laws to protect native vegetation have been relaxed by the Berejiklian government. Is it any wonder that our native species of plants and animals are threatened with extinction? We face a future when, sadly, koalas in the wild will no longer exist and yet our state government allows farmers and developers free rein to destroy their habitats.

What will it take for Gladys Berejiklian and her colleagues to wake up and stop the destruction? For the sake of our koalas and other treasured native species, please stop the land clearing now. Stuart Laurence, Cammeray Our level of land clearing in NSW, 54,500 hectares in 2019, puts wealthy and educated Australia in the same company as countries with a bad reputation for environmental destruction, such as Brazil. Is this situation OK with you, Premier? Paul Doyle, Glenbrook Car park rort The revelations of more than $300 million in car park funding the day before an election was called seems to be another ho-hum moment (PM poured cash into alleged car park rort, June 30). How many revelations about misdirected funding and poor behaviour of elected representatives do we hear or read about before we stop reacting? Outrage and protest are exhausting responses and it is worrying that our senses will be dulled the more unethical behaviours we are exposed to. Anne Skates, Culburra Beach Building car parks at railway stations is an admission of failure of the wider public transport system. Andrew Taubman, Queens Park

Only two of the car parks promised in 2019 have been completed. It looks like a vaccine isnt the only thing that this Prime Minister cant roll out. Not even his own pork barrel. Brian Johnstone, Leura Ports monopoly In 2013, the NSW Coalition government, in a grab for cash as it privatised the Ports in Botany and Port Kembla, effectively sealed the fate of the Newcastle Port by preventing its future diversification or expansion without significant financial penalty (Port Botany, Illawarra to gain monopoly on transporting containers for 50 years, June 30). It enshrined this decision in legislation. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission declared the NSW decision an effective monopoly. It was short-sighted, poor economic management by the Baird/Berejiklian governments which repeatedly prioritises private profit over public good. Jennifer Raines, Newtown Selective perspective Why is it that the artists impression of the Waterloo development depicts it as a huge park, with the the 30-storey towers cleverly reduced by the artists perspective (Towering ambition: Waterloo estate plan revealed, June 30). Scholars of the vanishing point, such as Meriton and Mirvac, are really good at displaying their mega developments set on the horizon. I appreciate the classical approach, but three 30-storey towers, with only 27 per cent social housing, should be shown in all their glory. Peter Mitchell, Glebe

Small price to pay Lets accept the Australian Petroleum Production and Exploration Association is not exaggerating when it claims it could cost $60 billion over 19 years to clean up decommissioned platforms and rigs around the country (Pitts oil rig clean-up levy angers industry, June 30). Maybe we could feel sorry about an impost of $3 billion a year if ATPPEA had told us how many thousands of billions of dollars the producers have made from these platforms and rigs. The producers made the mess and this is merely a belated attempt to get them to clean up. In the meantime, thank you Keith Pitt. Paul Fergus, Manly Free speech Thank you for your excellent editorial on free speech in universities (Beware uni moves to shut down harmful debates, June 30). The closed shop attitude of people with strong personal agendas is an unfortunate characteristic of modern life that fragments society. Tolerance and discussion will always be most desirable for a harmonious society. Laurie Le Claire, Epping

US lapdog How does Australia benefit from the war mongering generated by our allied propaganda unit (The might stuff, June 30)? The US has still not learnt that their usual bully tactics of invading, bombing and killing leaders of countries that refuse to become their lapdogs only works with those militarily too weak to defend themselves. They, and Australia, should learn to live peacefully instead of looking for the next enemy to target. And Australia must adopt its own external relations policies instead of repeating, parrot like, the script from a foreign state department.

Alberto Bizcarra, Rozelle The speculation on the likelihood of a war between the US and China reminds me of a quote attributed to Confucius: War does not decide who is right. War decides who is left. Derrick Mason, Boorowa Hot summers Could the extreme heat that parts of Canada are experiencing be a wake-up call for us before our next summer? Are plans to cope in place (Heat crushes records, spirits, June 30)? Marjie Williamson, Blaxland

The mask of sorrow Barnaby Joyce has been caught unmasked. We see his real face but his better person is nowhere to be seen (Joyce fined $200 for not wearing a face mask indoors, June 30). Vivien Clark-Ferraino, Duckmaloi If our politicians are not going to take the rules seriously then what sort of an example does that set for everyone else? Margaret Priest, Wallsend Is the Deputy PM a poor role-model for all Australians? Rob Marshman, Frenchs Forest He should resign as Deputy PM for not abiding simple rules. Peng Ee, Castle Cove

To the letter In relation to the the virus variants, lets hope we head them off before reaching Omega (Letters, June 29). Gayle Davies, North Sydney Viral sensation I havent heard the favourite 2020 term of flattening the curve during this latest viral outbreak. Rest assured, with baking restarted in this latest lockdown, fattening the curves has recommenced. Sally Spurr, Lane Cove It seems that being a DJ means something different now: double jabbed. Penelope Layton-Caisley, Marrickville

Down the river I chuckle at the oft repeated claims the Prime Minister was a marketing guru (Letters, June 30).

Says who? As my Lancastrian wife reminds me daily, he couldnt sell a royal family scandal to Fleet Street. Peter Snowden, Orange The digital view Online comment from one of the stories that attracted the most reader feedback yesterday on smh.com.au

Private sector will be brought in to speed up vaccination rollout

From Paul: Whats next? Uber vaccine anyone?
NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance has urged essential workers to avoid Sydneys bus and train network during the lockdown if they can, given the virulence of the COVID-19 Delta variant.

Mr Constance said commuters who had to leave the house for essential work should drive, cycle or walk if they had the option as the state works to contain the latest outbreak. Positive cases have been identified on several bus, train and light rail services in the past week.

Weekday patronage on the transport network plummeted by more than 700,000 trips within a week to about 20 per cent of pre-pandemic levels after the city was plunged into lockdown on Saturday.

NSW Transport Minister Andrew Constance has urged essential workers to ride, walk or drive to work if they can. Credit:Renee Nowytarger

Mr Constance said he was concerned about the risks public transport posed, given more than 400,000 trips were still being taken by essential workers each day.
A Brisbane doctor who sexually assaulted a female patient has had his GP registration suspended by a Queensland court, more than 18 months after he was jailed for the offence.

Ramin Harirchian was sentenced to eight months in prison, suspended after serving three months, in December 2019 after he was convicted of sexually assaulting a woman in October 2018.

Dr Harirchian had his registration suspended for seven months last year, but that was lifted by a QCAT ruling.

The Health Ombudsman suspended his GP registration in May 2020, but Dr Harirchian appealed the decision with the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal, and won in December 2020.

The tribunal decided his registration should not be suspended, but conditions should be imposed on him, including prohibiting him from having contact with female patients.
The low number of new coronavirus cases in Queensland on the first day of the latest three-day lockdown had experts optimistic the measure was working, but the states Chief Health Officer admitted she was running out of ideas to make hospitals and hotels safer.

Queensland recorded four new COVID cases on Wednesday  one in hotel quarantine and three linked to outbreaks around the state.

Health authorities deemed all three to be low-risk because they were in isolation and had clear links to existing cases.

The most high-risk case was the brother of the 19-year-old casual receptionist at Brisbanes Prince Charles Hospital, both testing positive after travelling with their family to Magnetic Island in north Queensland.
Loading During April, 2226 cards listed the passengers reason for arriving as business, conferences or exhibitions. In the same month, 8067 cards listed visiting family or friends and taking a holiday as the reason for travel. The number was down from its peak last December when there were 10,536 arrivals for those reasons in the lead up to the Christmas holidays. Employment was given as the reason for 5200 passenger movements while 817 of the April arrivals were for education. Seventy two people were attending a conference in April  marking 533 total trips for conferences made since July last year.

The Herald excluded travellers from New Zealand from the statistics, which accounted for many of the 53,872 arrivals recorded in April. A spokesperson for Ms Andrews said of the figures: The data referred to does not reflect the categories under which people are approved to arrive in Australia under the exemption regime. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian, Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles and WA Premier Mark McGowan. Credit:Rhett Wyman, Matt Dennien, Getty Images Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Wednesday said NSW was doing more than its fair share helping Australians return, with 50 per cent of those in quarantine in NSW from other states. Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan said people needed to be kept at home while there was a pandemic running wild around the world.

Some are legitimate but the vast majority of people going overseas, in my view, shouldnt have, he said. I think we need to take a much tougher approach with people going overseas, particularly to COVID-ridden countries and then bringing it home. It was revealed by the Queensland government that its latest outbreak spawned from an unvaccinated traveller allowed to come and go repeatedly between Australia and Indonesia, doing multiple stints in hotel quarantine. Meanwhile, in South Australia, the ABC reported authorities allowed a family to fly in from Indonesia on a privately funded medevac flight after testing positive for the highly infectious Delta strain.

Loading Mr Miles pointed to data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics showing the number of non-citizens arriving on temporary or permanent visas climbed to 20,000 in May. The data shows 2400 arrivals were citizens of the UK, 1900 were citizens of China, 1400 were citizens of India and 1100 were US citizens. Thousands of people are being allowed to travel here who are not stranded Aussies, Mr Miles said. In addition to the non-Australians returning, every month about 40,000 Australian citizens and about 6000 permanent visa holders are allowed to leave the country.

Many of them seek to return. Rejoining the queue, going back through hotel quarantine, putting our community at risk. However, Home Affairs Minister Karen Andrews accused the Queensland government of misrepresenting the data. The data from the Australian Border Force sets out very clearly that, on average, 80 per cent of returning travellers to Australia are either Australian citizens, permanent residents, or immediate family members, she said. She said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk was arguing against her own travel to Tokyo to attend the Olympics. In response to questions about the infected traveller from Indonesia, Ms Andrews said the government was going through a process of looking at exemptions allowing people to make multiple trips despite the border closures.

However, she did not believe it was necessary to lower caps on overseas arrivals. Loading Its one of the issues that we have to deal with now, which is dealing with specific needs of our economy while at the same time making sure that we are able to bring in as many vulnerable people and return as many Australians as we possibly can, she said. According to the Australian Border Force, between March 2020 and the end of May this year, 156,507 Australian citizens and permanent residents were granted exemptions to depart Australia, while 84,031 requests were denied. Over the same period 49,017 foreign nationals were granted an exemption to travel into Australia and 104,507 had their request denied.
One person is dead and a woman is fighting for her life after a horrific crash outside Melbourne Airport on Wednesday afternoon.

Emergency services were called to the intersection of Terminal Drive and Centre Road about 2.40pm after reports a car had collided with a truck.

Helicopter footage showed the cab of the white car was completely destroyed in the crash. Dozens of paramedics, firefighters and police spent hours at the crash site throughout Wednesday afternoon.

Roads were blocked off and there was heavy traffic around the airport throughout the afternoon and evening.
The Greater Darwin area remains a red zone, as does Greater Sydney, while the ACT and the rest of NSW have been declared an orange zone, except for communities in the border bubble. That gives a reflection of the scale of the red zone designations now happening across Australia, Mr Weimar said during Wednesdays COVID-19 update. People in red zones who are not residents of Victoria are barred from entering the state without an exemption, while residents can return but they have to obtain a permit and quarantine for 14 days at home upon their arrival. Mr Weimar said authorities checked more than 800 passengers on Tuesday and, of them, more than 90 per cent had the right documentation to get into Victoria. Those who didnt were able to organise it on the spot.

He said authorities had spoken to at least three-quarters of the red-zone permit holders and about a third of them had so far tested negative to COVID-19. Wed really like to sympathise with people, particularly Victorians, that were in those areas, Mr Weimar said. I know that many thousands of Victorians will have found some difficult decisions about whether to travel, or whether to return at this point in time. People in red zones who arent residents of Victoria are barred from entering the state unless they have an exemption, while residents may return, but they have to obtain a permit and quarantine for 14 days upon their arrival.

People in orange zones have to obtain a permit to enter Victoria and then get a COVID-19 test and isolate until they receive a negative result. Victorias tourism towns are packed as residents travel close to home to avoid the red and orange zones. The state also recorded one new coronavirus case in hotel quarantine in the 24 hours to midnight on Tuesday. And police confirmed they had conducted 2072 checks in a similar time period as part of Operation Sentinel VIII, which was established in response to the NSW outbreak. However, police did not disclose where those checks had taken place or how many patrols they had done on the Victorian border with NSW. New figures released on Wednesday show that Victorias tourism industry was hardest-hit of all states in the March quarter, suffering a $918 million loss.

Tourism Research Australia data showed that while regional areas enjoyed increased visitation and spending in the March quarter, all of Australias capital cities absorbed declines in both spending and trips. In Melbourne, spending dropped by 52 per cent over the three-month period. Across the nation spending plummeted by $45.7 billion in the year to March, the data showed. Victorian Tourism Industry Council chief executive Felicia Mariani said the past 12 months had been horrific for Melbournes tourism sector. She said the tourism industry needed a more comprehensive vaccination program and a government plan for reopening to the rest of the world. This is a national crisis, she said.

More than 20,000 Victorians received their COVID-19 vaccine doses in the past 24 hours, while nearly 30,000 test results were processed. AMA urges under-60s to wait for Pfizer vaccine The new coronavirus case was recorded as younger Victorians appeared to respond positively to the news that the AstraZeneca vaccine would be made available to all Australian adults on Tuesday, with some booking in immediately to get the jab. But later on in the day, the Australian Medical Association urged people under 60 to wait for a Pfizer vaccine if they can. Prime Minister Scott Morrisons announcement on Monday that any Australian over 18 will be able to access the AstraZeneca vaccine came without warning, surprising even the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation, which provides expert advice to the government on vaccines.

Loading The announcement also blindsided the Australian Medical Association, with president Dr Omar Khorshid urging younger people to continue to follow ATAGI advice and hold out for the Pfizer vaccine. Earlier this month, ATAGI changed its clinical guidance to limit the AstraZeneca vaccine to over 60s due to the severity of a number of non-fatal cases of a rare blood clotting condition in people in their 50s. Theyve done the work to do the risk analysis for us, you dont have to do it yourself, and theyve recommended that people under the age of 60 get the Pfizer vaccine, Dr Khorshid said on Tuesday. I dont have any objection to a younger person deciding to get the vaccine they can get now. But I believe we should follow ATAGIs recommendation because theyre the experts.
It is 34 years since the $2.25 billion privatisation of his 150-year-old family company destroyed his inheritance and plunged the Fairfax media company (which once owned this newspaper) into chaos and later receivership.

Warwick Fairfax. Credit: Matt Golding

But young Warwick Fairfax is back. And he is keen to tell everyone - for a price - that he has learnt from his mistakes.

After the debacle, Fairfax hightailed to the US where he lives with his wife Gale and three children. Nowadays he is a management and ethics guru and tells everyone that the Fairfax disaster has been the making of him.

Fairfax runs Crucible Leadership, a self-help consultancy that teaches people about getting beyond failure. Well, if failure is a selling point, he has oodles of it.
It is 34 years since the $2.25 billion privatisation of his 150-year-old family company destroyed his inheritance and plunged the Fairfax media company (which once owned this newspaper) into chaos and later receivership.

CBD Credit:Matt Golding

But young Warwick Fairfax is back. And he is keen to tell everyone  for a price  that he has learnt from his mistakes.

After the debacle Fairfax hightailed to the US, where he lives with his wife Gale and three children. Nowadays he is a management and ethics guru and tells everyone that the Fairfax disaster was the making of him.

Fairfax runs Crucible Leadership, a self-help consultancy that teaches people about getting beyond failure. Well, if failure is a selling point, he has oodles of it.
While he has previously criticised Mr Assanges actions in helping obtain and leak classified information on the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, Mr Khalil said the case was not just about one individual.

Before entering politics Mr Khalil, the member for the Victorian seat of Wills, was director of National Security Policy of the Coalition Provisional Authority in Iraq. As a national security adviser to former prime minister Kevin Rudd, he was personally named in diplomatic cables sent to Washington by the US Embassy, which were later released by Wikileaks.

In a video message to US President Joe Biden released on Wednesday evening Australian time, 11 federal MPs from across the political spectrum have also appealed to Washington to drop its espionage charges against the Australian citizen and for the British government to allow him to return home.

Former security analyst turned federal Labor MP Peter Khalil has joined a group of Australian politicians directly lobbying the United States to drop an appeal over a British courts ruling against the extradition of the WikiLeaks co-founder Julian Assange.

In an era where rising authoritarian regimes are denying and attacking freedom of the press, such as the shut down of Hong Kongs Apple Daily by the Chinese Community Party, it is more important than ever that when it comes to condemning the denial of press freedom the rhetoric of liberal democracies is actually matched with substantive actions to protect the right of journalists and the media to do their work freely to hold governments to account, Mr Khalil said.

He said while the Obama administration had clearly chosen not to indict Mr Assange because it would set a damming precedent against journalistic practice and behaviour, the Trump administration aggressively pursued the case.

Therein lies the problem. These charges are so broad-based that if successful they would go well beyond this individual case  they would impact investigative journalism and open up prosecutions of countless media doing this journalism, they would have a chilling effect on all journalists reporting on national security and foreign affairs matters, he said.

The 49-year-old Mr Assange has been in Belmarsh Prison since April 2019 trying to avoid extradition to the US to face charges on multiple counts of conspiring with and directing others, from 2009 to 2019, to illegally obtain and release US secrets.

In doing so he aided and abetted hacking, illegally exposed confidential US sources to danger and used the information to damage the US, according to the charges. If convicted on all counts he faces a prison sentence of up to 175 years.
University leaders have conceded more needs to be done to protect international students from Chinese government surveillance on campus, but say the federal government needs to take the lead on serious foreign interference matters.

Responding to a major report by Human Rights Watch that exposed the growing influence of Chinese nationalism at Australian universities, the sector largely defended its existing policies for reporting and addressing on-campus harassment and intimidation, but said these needed to be communicated better to students.

Universities have acknowledged that more needs to be done to protect international students from Chinese government surveillance, but they needed support from federal security agencies to tackle the issue. Credit:Steven Siewert

University of Technology Sydney deputy vice-chancellor Iain Watt, who spent eight years in China as the federal governments senior education representative, said the surveillance of Chinese students by Beijing authorities was probably more widespread than captured by the report.

The report, released on Wednesday and based on interviews with 24 pro-democracy Chinese students and 22 academics at universities across the country, concluded universities were failing to protect students from harassment and surveillance by their pro-Beijing classmates and reprisals from authorities. A number of students said their campus activities had resulted in their parents in China being hauled into police stations.
Syria: Shamima Begum does not pose a danger to the British public and should be allowed to return, according to a retired US ambassador who helped free a Canadian woman from the same Syrian detention camp where the former schoolgirl from east London is held.

Ive talked to Shamima. She is part of the group of women who have absolutely rejected the Islamic State. I know enough about her to feel quite confident that shes not a dangerous person, Peter Galbraith said on Tuesday, following reports that he had secured the release of a Canadian mother.

Shamima Begum, one of three east London schoolgirls who traveled to Syria in 2015 to join the Islamic State terrorist group. Credit:PA

The woman was freed from Roj camp in north-east Syria over the weekend and crossed into the Kurdistan region of Iraq, where she was able to request consular assistance, according to Canadas Global News website.

Galbraith said he was instrumental in obtaining the womans freedom after helping repatriate her four-year-old daughter to Canada earlier this year.
Los Angeles: Britney Spears father has asked the court overseeing his daughters conservatorship to investigate her statements to a judge last week on the courts control of her medical treatment and personal life, which she called overly restrictive and abusive.

James Spears, known as Jamie Spears, emphasised in a pair of documents filed late on Wednesday AEST that he has had no power over his daughters personal affairs for nearly two years.

Britney Spears, pictured here in 2013, has had her say in court. Credit:Sony/RCA

His filing says the court must investigate serious allegations regarding forced labour, forced medical treatment and therapy, improper medical care, and limitations on personal rights.

Given the nature of the allegations and claims, it is critical that the court confirm whether or not Ms Spears testimony was accurate in order to determine what corrective actions, if any, need to be taken, the documents said.
Only McNamara served as defence secretary for longer than Rumsfeld, who had two stints - from 1975 to 1977 under president Gerald Ford, for whom he also served as White House chief of staff, and from 2001 to 2006 under Bush. Then US president George W Bush, left, shares a laugh with his secretary of defence Donald Rumsfeld in 2006. Credit:Bloomberg Rumsfeld was known for imperious treatment of some military officers and members of Congress and infighting with other members of the Bush team, including Secretary of State Colin Powell. He also alienated US allies in Europe. In 2004, Bush twice refused to accept Rumsfelds offer to resign after photos surfaced of US personnel abusing prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison outside Baghdad. The scandal triggered international condemnation of the United States after the photos showed US troops laughing and giving thumbs up as prisoners were forced into sexually abusive and humiliating positions including a naked human pyramid and simulated sex. One photo showed a prisoner forced to stand on a small box, his head covered in a black hood, with wires attached to his body. Rumsfeld personally authorised harsh interrogation techniques for detainees. The treatment of detainees in Iraq and foreign terrorism suspects at a special prison set up under Rumsfeld at the US naval base at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, drew international condemnation, with human rights activists and others saying prisoners were tortured.

He was a close ally of Bushs vice-president, Dick Cheney, who had worked for Rumsfeld during the 1970s Republican presidencies of Richard Nixon and Ford. Then US secretary of defence Donald Rumsfeld, centre, arrives unannounced at Baghdad International Airport in Baghdad, Iraq, in April 2006. Credit:Getty Images Rumsfeld became a lightning rod for criticism and, with the Iraq war largely a stalemate and public support eroding, Bush replaced him in November 2006 over Cheneys objections. Bush announced his departure just days after vowing Rumsfeld would remain for the rest of his term and a day after midterm elections in which Democrats took control of Congress from Bushs Republicans amid voter anger over the Iraq war. Robert Gates, a soft-spoken but demanding former CIA director, took over from Rumsfeld in December 2006 and made sweeping strategic and military leadership changes in Iraq.

Loading Many historians and military experts blamed Rumsfeld for decisions that led to difficulties in Iraq. For example, Rumsfeld insisted on a relatively small invasion force, rejecting the views of many generals. The force then was insufficient to stabilise Iraq when Saddam fell. Rumsfeld also was accused of being slow to recognise the emergence of the insurgency in 2003 and the threat it posed. The US occupation leader under Rumsfeld, L. Paul Bremer, quickly made two fateful decisions. One dissolved the Iraqi military, putting thousands of armed men on the streets rather than harnessing Iraqi soldiers as a reconstruction force as originally planned. The second barred from Iraqs government even junior members of the former ruling Baath Party, essentially emptying the various ministries of the people who made the government operate.

Loading Rumsfeld also oversaw the invasion of Afghanistan in 2001 to oust the Taliban leaders who had harboured the al-Qaeda leaders responsible for the September 11 attacks on the United States. As he did in Iraq two years later, Rumsfeld sent a small force to Afghanistan, quickly chased the Taliban from power and then failed to establish law and order. US forces during Rumsfelds tenure also were unable to track down Osama bin Laden. The al-Qaeda chief slipped past a modest force of US special operations troops and CIA officers along with allied Afghan fighters in the Afghan mountains of Tora Bora in December 2001. US forces killed him in 2011 under Barack Obama. Critics argue that had Rumsfeld devoted more troops to the Afghan effort, bin Laden may have been taken. But as he wrote in Rumsfelds Rules, his compilation of truisms dating to the 1970s: If you are not criticised, you may not be doing much. Another quote from the book was equally apt: It is easier to get into something than to get out of it.

Rumsfeld was known for his rollicking news conferences in which he sparred with reporters and offered memorable quotes. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Speaking in 2002 about whether Iraq would give weapons of mass destruction to terrorists, he said: Reports that say that something hasnt happened are always interesting to me, because as we know, there are known knowns. There are things we know we know. We also know there are known unknowns. That is to say we know there are some things we do not know. But there are also unknown unknowns - the ones we dont know we dont know. The concept stems from a psychology technique known as the Johari window used in national intelligence circles. Rumsfeld later titled his memoir Known and Unknown. Stuff happens, he told reporters in April 2003 amid rampant lawlessness in Baghdad after US troops captured the Iraqi capital.
Brasilia: Accusations that Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro turned a blind eye to possible corruption in a deal to purchase coronavirus vaccines have heightened threats to his presidency, including a move to recommend slapping him with a criminal charge.

The claims have added impetus to the oppositions impeachment drive and left the Brazilian leaders allies in Congress evaluating the costs of their support.

Bolsonaro, who has been targeted by nationwide street protests in recent weeks, has called the Senate committee investigating the governments COVID-19 response a national shame aimed at undermining his administration. For two months, the nationally televised hearings have largely focused on why his Health Ministry ignored opportunities to buy vaccines while Bolsonaro relentlessly pushed hydroxychloroquine, the malaria drug that rigorous studies have shown to be ineffective in treating COVID-19.

Under pressure: Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro on Tuesday. Credit:AP

More than 515,985 Brazilians have died of COVID-19 from 18.5 million confirmed cases, according to the Johns Hopkins University tracker. About 12 per cent of the population of 212 million has been fully vaccinated.
PHILIPSBURG:--- In an effort to promote proper hygiene among children, the Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset and ALive International Foundation donated hygiene kits to students of the Prins Willem Alexander Primary School (PWAS) on June 11th, 2021.

Rotary Sunset received a sponsorship request from the school to assist with providing hygiene essentials to 26 students. The school has also embarked on several hygiene sessions to combat the concern of lack of hygiene care among the students. The presentation took place at PWAS in Belvedere in the presence of Rotarians. The hygiene kits will be distributed to the selected students prior to their summer break. The kits include shampoo, conditioner, bath soap, toothpaste, toothbrush, deodorant, sanitary pads, sanitizer, lotion, comb, and masks.

The foundations of lifelong responsibility for the maintenance of personal hygiene are laid down in childhood, which is important for a healthy childhood, for healthy adulthood, and for the development of positive values about health and the use of health services. Rotary Sunset and ALive International Foundation are happy that we are able to assist in this area as we strive to play a responsible role in the early education of children on personal hygiene, Rotary Sunset President, Elisia Lake stated.

The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset and ALive International Foundation would like to commend the management and staff of the Prins Willem Alexander Primary School for making contact and their continued efforts in promoting proper hygiene practices among their student's population. The organizations would also like to extend a special thanks to the Minister of Public Health, Social Development, and Labor, Omar Ottley, for his generous contribution towards this initiative by providing 150 reusable masks.

The Rotary Club of St. Martin Sunset meets on the second and fourth Monday of the month at Carl N Sons Unique Inn and Conference Facilities in Cole Bay at 7:30 pm. Due to COVID-19, the club currently meets via Zoom. The club can be contacted via email at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or via the official Facebook page at facebook.com/rotarysxmsunset.
PHILIPSBURG:---On Saturday, June 26th, 2021 representatives of the NAPB, ABVO unions, and a member of the Lands recherche joint with a representative of the Ministry of Justice in a work session on the function books relating to different divisions within the Ministry of Justice. During this work session, the function books were reviewed once again and final observations and questions were formulated. Although representatives of the unions previously collaborated on the function books review from December to February 2020, this second work session was fruitful for all parties concerned. Parties took the time and worked through each function book in detail between the hours of 10:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m..

The discussions were open and frank and points brought forward were deliberated on so all could have a good and clear understanding. The observations and questions will undergo a legal review and will then be submitted to the Honorable Minister of Justice, Anna E. Richardson. Union Representatives expressed hope that in the future this type of communication could be maintained so all parties would be well informed at all times as well as be part of all processes of the essence for the union members. Minister echoes this sentiment and further indicated that discussions are ongoing with the CCSU with hopes that the NAPB, being the only union that is not a member, can be officially recognized as a member in the future and that standard meetings can be kept.
The British Virgin Islands (BVI) has received strong backing from the United Nations (UN) Special Committee on Decolonization (C-24) regarding the self-governance of the Territory and its right to self-determination at the recently concluded session of the C-24 at UN Headquarters from 14th  25th June 2021.

In addressing the question of the British Virgin Islands, the Committee heard an official statement on 14th June 2021 in New York by Dr. the Honourable Natalio D. Wheatley, BVI Deputy Premier and Minister for Education, Culture, Youth Affairs, Agriculture, and Fisheries. Hon. Wheatley updated the Committee on the BVIs relationship with the United Kingdom (UK); development assistance provided to the BVI from within the UN system; and the impact of COVID-19 on society.

Regarding the BVI relationship with the UK, the Deputy Premier said,

The BVIs concerns previously expressed to this committee at the 2019 regional seminar on decolonization and June substantive session, remain valid. In some areas, the concerns are even more pronounced than before. Our position is clear, the BVI must be allowed to exercise the maximum extent of self-governance possible under the Territorys constitution. This was the intent of constitutional reform when the BVI and UK negotiated and agreed on the Virgin Islands Constitution Order 2007. There seems to be a growing trend of the Governor either refusing or delaying assenting to Bills passed by the legislature for reasons other than what are conventional.

Hon. Wheatleys statement was staunchly supported by Antigua and Barbuda who is the current Chair of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and incoming Chair of CARICOM. His Excellency Dr. Walton Webson, Antigua & Barbuda Permanent Representative to the UN, stressed the importance of self-governance in the BVI and upholding of the Territorys right to self-determination. He also expressed deep concern about the Administering Power not respecting established arrangements with the BVI.

We are concerned with the recent matters that would suggest that the Government of the United Kingdom does not always fully respect the principles of self-governance, self-determination, and the boundaries agreed upon with the longstanding arrangement between the United Kingdom Government and the British Virgin Islands, Ambassador Webson said.

The Permanent Representative to the UN also reiterated CARICOMs concerns about the manner in which the current UK-backed Commission of Inquiry (COI) was announced regarding whether there has been an abuse of office in the BVI, among other things. Ambassador Webson referred to the official position of CARICOM in which the Heads of Government stated that they are dismayed at the manner in which the COI was established with no consultation, or prior communication, between the UK government and the duly-elected government of the British Virgin Islands. In closing, Ambassador Webson called on the C-24 to dispatch a visiting mission to the BVI before the end of the year.

At the close of its June substantive session, the C-24 adopted a draft resolution on the BVI that includes, among other things, the following clauses:



Reaffirms the inalienable right of the people of the British Virgin Islands to self-determination, in conformity with the Charter of the United Nations and with General Assembly resolution 1514 (XV), containing the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples;

Also reaffirms that, in the process of decolonization of the British Virgin Islands, there is no alternative to the principle of self-determination, which is also a fundamental human right, as recognized under the relevant human rights conventions;

Further reaffirms that it is ultimately for the people of the British Virgin Islands to determine freely their future political status in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Charter, the Declaration and the relevant resolutions of the General Assembly, and in that connection calls upon the administering Power, in cooperation with the territorial Government and appropriate bodies of the United Nations system, to develop political education programmes for the Territory in order to foster an awareness among the people of their right to self-determination in conformity with the legitimate political status options, based on the principles clearly defined in Assembly resolution 1541 (XV) and other relevant resolutions and decisions;

Recalls the 2007 Constitution of the British Virgin Islands, and stresses the importance of continued discussions on constitutional matters, to accord greater responsibility to the territorial Government for the effective implementation of the Constitution and increased levels of education relating to constitutional matters; and

Also calls upon the Administering Power to facilitate a visiting mission to the Territory, and requests the Chair of the Special Committee to take all the steps necessary to that end.

The draft resolution will go on to the UN Fourth Committee for further consideration before being transmitted to the UN General Assembly for final passage.

Speaking on the outcome of the C-24 meeting, Premier Fahie said.

I am very grateful to our neighbor, Antigua and Barbuda, and CARICOM countries more widely, for their support to the BVI at the recent C-24 session in New York. We welcome the Committees backing of BVI self-governance and right to self-determination. The BVI will continue to meet our obligations to report to the UN Special Committee on Decolonization and hope all parties will abide by international law and respect the will of the international community regarding the BVIs special status and rights as a Territory on the UN list of 17 Territories yet to be fully decolonized. We also hope our request for the UN to dispatch a visiting mission to the BVI this year will be facilitated.
PHILIPSBURG:--- The House of Parliament will sit in a plenary public session, Wednesday, June 30, 2021.

The plenary public meeting which was adjourned on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, will be reconvened today at 09.00 hrs in the General Assembly Chamber of the House at Wilhelminastraat #1 in Philipsburg. The Council of Ministers will be present.

The agenda point is:

3. Ontwerplandsverordening tot vaststelling van de Begroting van het land Sint Maarten voor het dienstjaar 2021 (Landsverordening begroting 2021) (IS/729/2020-2021 d.d. 8 juni 2021) (ZJ 2020-2021-148)

(Draft National Ordinance stipulating the Budget of the Country for the year 2021 (National Ordinance Budget 2021) (IS/729/2020-2021 dated June 8, 2021) (Parliamentary Year 2020-2021-148)

Due to measures taken to mitigate the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, the House of Parliament is only allowing persons with an appointment to enter the Parliament building.

The parliamentary session will be carried live on St. Maarten Cable TV Channel 115, via SXM GOV radio FM 107.9, via Pearl Radio FM 98.1, the audio via the internet www.sxmparliament.org, www.pearlfmradio.sx and Parliaments Facebook page: Parliament of Sint Maarten, with a link to the Live stream.
Princeton Digital Group announces 100 MW Flagship Data Center Campus in Japan, committing $1 Billion in investment

TOKYO, June 29, 2021  (JCN Newswire)  Singapore-based Princeton Digital Group (PDG), Asia\-\-s leading data center provider, today announced its plan to build one of the largest hyperscale facilities in Tokyo, Japan, with a total investment value of USD 1 Billion. Japan is the fifth market that the company has entered in since its formation 4 years ago. With this investment, PDG marks a major milestone in its plan to build a 600 megawatts (MW) portfolio across the region.

The new campus at Saitama City will have close to 100 MW of critical IT capacity across two phases of 48.5 MW each. Saitama City is one of the major commercial centers of the Greater Tokyo area. Located 30 km north of central Tokyo, the PDG Saitama campus has a total land area of 33,047 m2. The facility is designed to serve leading hyperscalers in Japan, one of the most dynamic cloud markets in the world.

PDG has already secured the land and power with construction to begin later this year. The facility will be built to the latest hyperscale design and standards, with unrivalled scalability, connectivity and reliability.

\The Asia Pacific region is set to be the largest data center market in the world, and this announcement underscores our vision to be the market leader in this region,\ said Rangu Salgame, Chairman and CEO of Princeton Digital Group. \Over the last four years, through our unique three-pronged strategy of acquisitions, carve-outs and greenfield development, we\-\-ve built a strong portfolio of data centers across key Asian markets such as China, Singapore, Indonesia and India. PDG has become a partner of choice for hyperscalers across multiple countries. Our entry into Japan and, in particular, Tokyo demonstrates our continued ability to enter new markets that matter to our customers.\

Tokyo is the largest data center market in Asia outside of China and is still in the early stages of growth, particularly in terms of entry and expansion of global hyperscalers. According to Structure Research, Greater Tokyo\-\-s hyperscale colocation market is expected to reach USD1.6 billion by 2025, growing at a CAGR of 25.1% between 2021 and 2025.

\The Greater Tokyo market is projected to see accelerated demand from hyperscale data center deployments moving forward from what we believe is a convergence of several critical factors that include Japan\-\-s sizeable addressable market as the 3rd largest country in the world by GDP, the absence of a domestic hyperscale cloud platform that presents an ideal competitive landscape between both US and Chinese hyperscale cloud providers, as well as being a key connectivity aggregation and distribution hub for submarine cables landing from the US West Coast to access the rest of the Asia Pacific region\, said Jabez Tan, Head of Research, Structure Research.

About Princeton Digital Group

Princeton Digital Group (PDG) is a leading investor, developer and operator of Internet infrastructure. Headquartered in Singapore with presence and operations in China, Singapore, India, Indonesia, and Japan, its portfolio of data centers power the expansion of hyperscalers and enterprises in the fastest-growing digital economies across Asia. For more information, visit www.princetondg.com

Media Contacts

Princeton Digital Group

Grace Chen

PR@princetondg.com

PRecious Communications for Princeton Digital Group

PDG@preciouscomms.com

PDG Release: https://princetondg.com/newsroom/pdg-announces-100-mw-flagship-data-center-campus-japan-1-billion-investment/
Tier One Silver Expands Land Position to Include Extension of Mineralized System at the Curibaya Project in Peru

Posted by Publisher Internet

Tier One Silver (TSXV: TSLV) (?Tier One? or the ?Company?  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/tier-one-silver-inc/) is pleased to announce that it has expanded its land position at the Curibaya silver-gold project in southern Peru by approximately 50%, from 11,000 hectares (ha) to 16,800 ha, through staking (Figure 1). The expanded land position on the eastern margin of the project encompasses a newly identified extension of the alteration system that hosts the defined silver-gold mineralization on surface. This extension was identified through mapping and sampling as it trends beneath post mineralization volcanic cover. The Company is expanding its ground-based induced polarization (IP) geophysical survey at the main Curibaya target area to include the entire mapped mineralized footprint (Figure 2).?

A Message from Peter Dembicki, President, CEO & Director:

?We are excited by what we?re seeing so far with our ongoing drill program at Curibaya and are pleased to expand our land position prior to receiving our first results. Ongoing surface sampling has continued to extend the alteration and mineralization footprints, and therefore, we are expanding our IP survey as well. We look forward to a very busy second half of 2021 with results from drilling and surface sampling.?

Expansion of Curibaya Main Target Area:

Continued mapping and sampling have expanded the alteration and mineralization footprint at the main Curibaya target area, where numerous +200 g/t silver grab samples have been obtained on surface. The expansion extends north and south of the limits of the current IP survey, which has identified high temperature muscovite-phengite-illite alteration (Figure 2). The Company plans to extend the IP survey by 1.5 kilometres (km) north and 2 km south to further target potential sources for the high-grade mineralization on surface, which may be associated with chargeability anomalies, as observed to-date. The IP program is slated to begin within the next 6-8 weeks with the goal of generating new targets that have the potential to be included under the current drill permit.?

Michael Henrichsen (Chief Geologist), P.Geo is the QP who assumes responsibility for the technical contents of this press release.

About Tier One

Tier One Silver is an exploration company focused on creating value for shareholders and stakeholders through the discovery of world-class silver, gold and base metal deposits in Peru. The Company?s management and technical teams have a strong track record in raising capital, discovery and monetization of exploration success. The Company?s exploration assets in Peru include: Hurricane Silver, Emilia, Coastal Batholith, Corisur and the flagship project, Curibaya, which has commenced its first drill program. Tier One is seeking a U.S. OTCQB listing with a targeted completion within the next month. For more information, visit www.tieronesilver.com.

Forward Looking Information and General Cautionary Language

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 the Company?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 in regards to the Company?s U.S. OTCQB quotation application being successful, which cannot be assured, and its exploration plans.

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.
EnWave Signs License with Europe Snacks Group, a Major European Snack Company, and Sells 10kW REV? Machine to Initiate Production in France

Posted by Publisher Internet

EnWave Corporation (TSX-V:ENW | FSE:E4U) (?EnWave?  https://www.commodity-tv.com/ondemand/companies/profil/enwave-corp/)?announced today that it has signed a Commercial License Agreement (the ?License?) with Europe Snacks Group (?Europe Snacks?), a European leader in savory snack production. ?Europe Snacks also purchased the 10kW Radiant Energy Vacuum (?REV??) dehydration machine that was being utilized for product development during the technology evaluation since August 2020. If Europe Snacks? market launch of REV?-dried snacks into the European market is successful, then Europe Snacks will scale its REV? manufacturing capabilities based on market demand.

The License grants exclusivity to Europe Snacks to produce crunchy, shelf-stable cheese as well as several vegetable snacks in France. These products will complement Europe Snacks? existing portfolio of private label savory snack products that are currently manufactured in France, the United Kingdom and Spain, and being sold to customers throughout Europe. Europe Snacks must meet certain minimum annual royalty and machine purchase requirements to maintain the exclusivity granted under the License. Europe Snacks intends to develop and commercialize several innovative REV?-dried snacks across its European distribution network.

?

The use of REV? to create shelf-stable, value-added dairy and vegetable products has been proven in several markets globally. This License further validates the opportunity and business case for premium snack manufacturers such as Europe Snacks to leverage EnWave?s technology to bring dried dairy and vegetable snacks to market.

EnWave?s scalable and reliable REV? technology produces shelf-stable fruit and vegetable products that are among the best in nutritional value, taste, texture and colour. EnWave has signed 45 royalty-bearing commercial license agreements with companies that are bringing innovative new products to market using EnWave?s patented dehydration technology.

About Europe Snacks ?

Europe Snacks is an ambitious multinational group that is a leader in the production of private label snack products.? With a wide product portfolio and more than 200 customers, Europe Snacks? products are available in many independent and major retailers throughout Europe. Europe Snacks operates across seven manufacturing facilities in France, Spain and the United Kingdom and currently offers contract manufacturing and private label manufacturing throughout the European marketplace.

Europe Snacks is dedicated to producing innovative and healthier products that include local and environmentally friendly solutions. Europe Snacks creates products that offer the best value for money and the best indulgent experience in a responsible way. Innovation is critical to anticipate and capture deep consumer needs and trends. Europe Snacks takes pride in developing product recipes that fit into a balanced and healthier lifestyle. Europe Snacks also cares for the environment by reducing packaging and production waste, and by limiting their carbon footprint.

For more information please visit: https://www.europesnacks.com

About EnWave?

EnWave Corporation, a Vancouver-based advanced technology company, has developed a Radiant Energy Vacuum (?REV??) ? an innovative, proprietary method for the precise dehydration of organic materials. EnWave has further developed patent-pending methods for uniformly drying and decontaminating cannabis through the use of REV? technology, shortening the time from harvest to high-quality, marketable cannabis products.?

REV? technology?s commercial viability has been demonstrated and is growing rapidly across several market verticals in the food, and pharmaceutical sectors, including legal cannabis. EnWave?s strategy is to sign royalty-bearing commercial licenses with innovative, disruptive companies in multiple verticals for the use of REV? technology. It has signed over forty royalty-bearing licenses to date in twenty countries worldwide. In addition to these licenses, EnWave established a Limited Liability Corporation, NutraDried Food Company, LLC, to manufacture, market, and sell all-natural dairy snack products in the United States, including the Moon Cheese? brand.?

EnWave has introduced REV? as a disruptive dehydration platform in the food and cannabis sectors: faster and cheaper than freeze drying, with better end product quality than air drying or spray drying. EnWave currently offers two distinct commercial REV? platforms:

nutraREV? which is a drum-based system that dehydrates organic materials quickly and at low cost, while maintaining high levels of nutrition, taste, texture, and colour; and,

quantaREV? which is a tray-based system used for continuous, high-volume low-temperature drying.

More information about EnWave is available at www.enwave.net.

Safe Harbour for Forward-Looking Information Statements: This press release may contain forward-looking information based on management\-\-s expectations, estimates and projections. All statements that address expectations or projections about the future, including statements about the Company\-\-s strategy for growth, product development, market position, expected expenditures, and the expected synergies following the closing, are forward-looking statements. All third-party claims referred to in this release are not guaranteed to be accurate. All third-party references to market information in this release are not guaranteed to be accurate as the Company did not conduct the original primary research. These statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release
Looking for industrial partners: Eco-friendly, flexible fiberboard made of straw can be produced without synthetic resins

Sustainability has become a major issue. Particularly in the furniture and interior design sector, where environmentally friendly production of materials and their recyclability are playing an increasingly important role. Fiberboards have so far been the first choice in this sector. However, these composite wood products often contain formaldehyde and isocyanates  additives that are environmentally harmful. In addition, the range of design options is quite limited due to their poor flexibility.

Dr. Hanaa Dahy, Junior Professor at the Institute for Structures and Structural Design (ITKE) at the University of Stuttgart, has developed a new, completely flexible fiberboard that is manufactured from rapidly renewable raw materials. These so-called biocomposites could be an alternative to plastics or HDF boards, as they are not produced with resins that are harmful to health.

The invention is protected by patent and was recently registered as a trademark under the name \Bioflexi\. Due to the low raw material costs involved, \Bioflexi\ is an attractive solution for the furniture industry and for architectural free-form applications. The boards are manufactured using established production methods. The straw and the biopolymer are compounded with an extruder and then  depending on the application  pressed and fixed in the desired shape by cover layers.

Only small sample pieces of this ecologically harmless and freely formable board have been produced so far. On behalf of the University of Stuttgart, TLB is now looking for business partners who are able to produce and launch this innovative fiberboard. Ideal manufacturing partners would include companies specializing in fiberboard production or companies that process natural materials and have the appropriate machinery. Experience in the field of compounding fibers and biopolymers and the subsequent extrusion of boards would be another asset.

Conventional fiberboards are made from wood, sawmill by-products or residual wood. A distinction is made between the various boards based on their specific manufacturing process and density. However, resins containing formaldehyde or isocyanates are often used to produce the boards. Both substances pose considerable health risks. Therefore, many of the common fiberboards can be recycled but are not compostable.

The HDF board developed by Prof. Hanaa Dahy contains 80 to 90 percent annually renewable raw materials such as straw. This natural fiber is available worldwide as a residual material and therefore costs little. Moreover, straw does not compete with food production. The fiberboards can be made of wheat, maize, rice, oat, barley, or rye straw fibers. Fiberboards made of rice straw even have an added benefit, i.e., their silicate concentration reaches up to 20 % of the dry fiber weight. Since silicate is a natural fire-retardant material, the DIN 4102-B1 material classification \hardly inflammable\ is thus already fulfilled by the addition of purely mineral additives.

An environmentally compatible thermoplastic elastomer is used as a binder. As a result, the board can be produced virtually free of formaldehyde and isocyanates, which minimizes health risks throughout the fiberboard\-\-s product life cycle. By adding different binding agents, both flexibility and stability of the boards can be varied for different applications. The boards can also be laminated with various waterproof coatings. Coloring could be achieved by a colored lamination.

The novel high-density fiberboard can be used for the production of free-form furniture and partitions as well as of floor coverings with anti-slip and impact-absorbing properties. At the end of its useful life, the fiberboard can be recycled and even composted. This leads to double waste prevention: firstly, during production through the use of residual agricultural fibers and secondly through composting at the end of the product life cycle.

Patents have been granted for the flexible HDF board in the United States (US 10,137,596 B2) and Europe (EP 2965882 B1) (validated in DE, FR, GB & NL). Patent applications were also filed in Malaysia. Technologie-Lizenz-Buro (TLB) GmbH has been commissioned by the University of Stuttgart with the commercial implementation of the invention and is looking for industrial partners for the market launch. TLB GmbH offers companies the opportunity to license the patented technology or to purchase the industrial property rights.

For more detailed information, please contact Anne Bose, Business Development Manager, TLB GmbH, at boese@tlb.de.

Creating value from ideas  Technologie-Lizenz-Buro (TLB) GmbH is an agency for invention and patent management in Germany. TLB accompanies inventions from universities, companies and inventors on their way from the first idea to the commercial product. As a partner of science and industry, TLB has been offering customised services and intelligent solutions in invention and patent management for more than 20 years.
Lucille Morgan, 98, of Science Hill, passed away Wednesday, June 30, 2021 at the Hospice of Lake Cumberland. A Funeral Service will be held 2:00 PM Saturday, July 3, 2021 at the Chapel of Morris & Hislope Funeral Home. Burial will be in Science Hill Cemetery. Visitation will be after 12:
Infosecurity Europe, Europes number one information security event, has announced the three Keynote Speakers who will headline its virtual conference (13-15 July 2021): Robert Hannigan, former Director-General of GCHQ, Ian Hill, Global Director of Cyber Security, Royal BAM Group NV, and Robin Smith, Head of Cyber and Information Security with Aston Martin.

Following the UK governments delay in lifting the final COVID-19 restrictions, Reed Exhibitions  the organiser of Infosecurity Europe  postponed the live exhibition and conference until 2022. All visitors, exhibitors, and press who have registered for the in-person event will have full access to the virtual event. Those that havent yet registered can do so on the event website.

Rising nation-state cyber activity

The Keynote Speaker on Day One (13 July) will be Robert Hannigan, former Director-General of GCHQ. A leading authority on cybersecurity, cyber conflict, and the application of technology in national security, Robert currently serves as the Chairman of BlueVoyant international.

As director of GCHQ, he led the creation of the UKs National Cybersecurity Centre and oversaw the UKs pioneering Active Cyber Defence programme.

In his presentation Discussing the Rising Nation-State Cyber Activity and its Impacts, (Tuesday 13 July, 10:00-10:40), Robert will discuss the reality of nation-state-sponsored cybercrime, how to mitigate that risk, and develop resilient information infrastructure.

War of attrition in cyberspace

Ian will discuss the dynamics of what global warfare will look like in the 21st century

Confirmed for Day Two (14 July) is Ian Hill, Global Director of Cyber Security, Royal BAM Group NV. Ian has over 25 years of experience within the telecoms, IT managed services, internet, and hosting industries.

Today hes responsible for the Royal BAM Groups cybersecurity strategy and posture and drives a growing maturity through transforming and aligning cybersecurity across the group as part of its global IT transformation journey.

In his session, The War of Attrition in Cyber Space (Wednesday 14 July, 10:00-10:40), Ian will look at the different dynamics of what global warfare will look like in the 21st century and how cyber defenders can better prepare for whats to come.

Aston Martin's Road to Zero Threats

Opening the conference on Day Three (15 July) will be Robin Smith, Head of Cyber and Information Security, Aston Martin.

Robin is an experienced privacy and security programme leader, focusing on foresight strategies to transform organisations. He has worked across law enforcement, health and UK think tanks to promote 'freedom through information.

In his case study, Aston Martin's Road to Zero Threats (Thursday, 15th July, 10:00-10:40) Robin will share how Aston Martin has worked in collaboration with the UK Police Service to enhance its threat intelligence programme.

24/7 open access pass

Once theyve registered for the virtual event, visitors will receive a login to the Infosecurity Europe 2021 online platform, which will be open for access 24/7 until 29th July. From there, they can browse the full programme and add the presentations and sessions that interest them to their plan. After they have gone live, the three keynote presentations will be available to view on-demand until 29th July.

Infosecurity Europes Keynote Stage is where the industrys most qualified professionals share their experience "

Nicole Mills, Exhibition Director at Infosecurity Group said, Infosecurity Europes Keynote Stage is where the industrys most experienced and qualified professionals share what theyve learned from decades of safeguarding people, organisations, and nations.

The latest additions to our virtual conference programme allow us to hear actionable insights from three experts whove faced some of the toughest challenges any security leader could experience during their career. This is exactly what makes Infosecurity Europe a must attend the event  whether its live or online.

Line-up of presentations

The Infosecurity Europe virtual event will feature a rich line-up of presentations, talks, and discussions. Among the confirmed sessions are:

An opening keynote presentation each day featuring speakers from the cutting-edge of information security who are tackling major challenges every day.

Information Security Exchange  a forum for suppliers and end-users to engage in discussion about the latest developments, debate the latest issues, and exchange ideas.

Technology Showcase  bite-size 25 min presentations showcasing the latest innovations and developments in the product, service, and solutions space.

Talking Tactics  a series of real-life case studies providing practical and actionable knowledge around improving security strategy and cyber-resilience.

Participants will also be able to engage with exhibitors and browse their products via the virtual Infosecurity Europe platform, and arrange one-to-one video meetings with them. The full programme will be shared via updates and published on the website soon.
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Medford, NJ (08055)

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Mainly sunny to start, then a few afternoon clouds. High 88F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

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REGION

New program launched to provide mortgage and utility assistance to households impacted by COVID-19 pandemic
Berlin (Germany), June 17, 2021 (SPS) - In the midst of Morocco's aggression against neighboring countries and the European Union to gain support in their policies contrary to international legality, the Secretary of State for Global Spain, Manuel Muniz has warned that the position of his countries, with legal and historical responsibility in the process of decolonization of Western Sahara, "has not changed and will not change.

According to the EFE news agency, the Secretary of State has clarified in a meeting with journalists, held in Berlin, that Spain's position is "perfectly framed in the Security Council resolutions" and in "the international consensus." he has defended that it is the same position that "has remained unchanged for decades."

"We support from the beginning what the United Nations Security Council has requested, which is that a dialogue be carried out between the Saharawi and Moroccan sides on the status of the region and that it be mediated by the (United Nations Mission for the referendum in Western Sahara) MINURSO , says Manuel Muniz in statements collected by EFE
Bojador (Occupied Zones), June 29, 2021 (SPS) - The Moroccan occupying forces continue their ongoing policy of aggression against the Saharawi activist Sultana Sidbrahim Jaya and her family, using all the repressive apparatus at her disposal.

According to a source from the Sahrawi activists in the occupied areas, the Moroccan security forces have increased their presence this Sunday, restricting the siege imposed on the family for 223 consecutive days, closing the streets to prevent visits to the family's home. , considered a liberated fortress of Western Sahara.

In this context, the activist Sultana and her sister, Al-Uara, continue their heroic resistance on a daily basis, creating slogans against the occupation and waving the flag of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, before the ears and sight of the repressive hordes of the Moroccan occupant, who continue to try to snatch the flags that the family has installed as an ornament on the roof of their house. SPS

125/090/TRA
U.S. hiring tailed off in June, according to new estimates by payroll processing giant ADP, but still was at the third highest level in the past 12 months.

On Wednesday, ADP reported private-sector employers adding 692,000 jobs in June, with the figure adjusted for summer hiring considerations. Hiring was spread evenly across small businesses and corporations.

ADP draws its jobs data from payroll it manages on behalf of employers, adding up to about one in every five workers in the United States. The U.S. Department of Labor plans to release its own jobs estimates Friday based on surveys of employers and households.

The economy was coming off a May surge that ADP estimated at 886,000 new jobs. That was a rosier projection than the DOLs estimate of 559,000 new positions last month including government jobs.

Leisure and hospitality accounted for close to half of all new jobs in June, according to ADP, as more states allowed full indoor dining services including New York and hotels reported increased bookings.

Paychex, another large payroll firm active in Connecticut, told investors last week that many businesses continue to struggle to attract workers at the pay they are offering.

Youre seeing a lot of upfront bonuses and things like that, that clients have never even considered before that were (telling) them might be a good trend to start, Paychex CEO Marty Mucci said. I think honestly, its going to open up pretty drastically in the fall. ... School should be back open fully, hopefully, and day care (centers). I think even more will be known about COVID and the impacts of vaccinations  hopefully vaccinations are up strongly as well.

Last month, Gov. Ned Lamont announced Connecticut would award $1,000 bonuses to people accepting job offers who have been out of work for extended periods of time.

As of the first week of June, the state DOL was paying unemployment benefits to 138,000 people, nearly 12,000 fewer than at the start of May, for an 8 percent decline in a single month. If hiring were to be sustained at that monthly rate, it would take until next January to ratchet unemployment back down to the levels prior to the pandemic, when fewer than 50,000 Connecticut residents were getting assistance.

The Indeed.com jobs board listed more than 58,000 openings in Connecticut as of Wednesday. Hospitals dominated the list, including Yale New Haven Health facilities in New Haven, Bridgeport, Greenwich and New London; St. Vincents Medical Center in Bridgeport; and Nuvance Health in Danbury and Norwalk.

FactSet is among the Connecticut companies in hiring mode in advance of anticipated demand coming out of the COVID-19 pandemic, competing with Bloomberg, Reuters and other companies offering in-depth analytics on financial markets. The company lists about 35 open jobs at its Norwalk headquarters and slightly more in New York City.

CEO Phil Snow said Tuesday the company is seeing ample evidence that banks are hiring new graduates to get groomed in financial services ahead of future needs, a positive sign for overall economic growth.

There are still quite a few large banks that we dont have perfect visibility yet on their hiring classes, Snow said Tuesday. Those are going to come in in the next month or two, but we feel optimistic ... just given the trends that we see in the market.

Alex.Soule@scni.com; 203-842-2545; @casoulman
SANTA FE, N.M. (AP)  It's legal for people in New Mexico to possess recreational marijuana and grow those plants at home as of Tuesday, the same day regulators opened discussions on rules for the launch of pot sales next year.

The milestone was celebrated by cannabis consumers and advocates for criminal justice reform who say poor and minority communities have been prosecuted disproportionately for using marijuana. Now, the scent of marijuana no longer is an adequate cause for searching vehicles and property in New Mexico.

Recreational marijuana is now legal in 16 states and Washington, D.C., with Connecticut and Virginia set to join the list Thursday.

New Mexico joins a wave of states that have broadly legalized pot through the legislative process rather than by voter-approved ballot initiative. That has allowed for innovations such as marijuana microbusiness" licenses that will allow up to 200 pot plants at seed-to-sales cannabis operations.

Democratic Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham heralded the day as "a huge step forward both for social justice and economic development in our state.

After legalization efforts repeatedly faltered in the Democratic-led Legislature, Lujan Grisham called a special legislative session in March to tackle cannabis reforms and signed the law in April.

We are proactively stopping the disproportionate criminalization of people of color for cannabis possession, and we are building a new industry," Lujan Grisham said in a news release.

The new law allows people 21 and over to possess up to 2 ounces (56 grams) of marijuana and grow up to six plants at home, or a total of 12 per household.

Regulators held an all-day public hearing to vet proposed rules for cannabis businesses to determine future licensing fees, quality controls, audit requirements and the extent of criminal background checks for producers.

The rules they are considering would allow more marijuana crops per business  nearly three times the 1,750-plant limit for medical cannabis growers. Enrollment in the medical marijuana program has surged past 100,000 people in a state of 2.1 million residents.

Medical users at the Minerva cannabis dispensary in Santa Fe welcomed the changes that took effect Tuesday  including the elimination of taxes on personal supplies of medical cannabis.

Aurore Bleck of Santa Fe, a 70-year-old retired administrator, uses marijuana to treat nerve pain associated with her multiple sclerosis. She says the changes are likely to ease the financial strain of buying cannabis.

Im on a budget, Bleck said. Its gonna help me because I can have six plants instead of four. In the past, Ive grown a lot.

Recreational marijuana are planned to start by April 1, 2022 and will include a 12% excise tax in addition to sales taxes ranging from about 5% to 9%.

The governor and lawmakers are eager to foster a new source of revenue that can help wean a heavy dependence on the state's oil industry.

Medical stores cant sell recreational cannabis yet but are looking to expand showrooms for non-medical users.

John Mondragon, 56, of Santa Fe, ordered a cannabis-infused lemonade that helps relieve his post-traumatic stress.

Im happy that they passed it," he said of the law legalizing recreational marijuana. "Theres so many people out here with unrecognized anxiety. As they use it, it will help.

At Tuesday's regulatory hearing, officials with the state's newly founded Cannabis Control Division listened to stark warnings about overuse of agricultural water supplies and the dangers of overregulation.

A lot of these regulations will only perpetuate the illicit market," said Kristina Caffrey, chief legal officer for Ultra Health, a leading producer and distributor of medical cannabis. Do they allow legal entrance to effectively compete?

___

Attanasio is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on under-covered issues. Follow Attanasio on Twitter.

___

This story has been corrected to show that people in New Mexico can grow recreational marijuana at home immediately, not that it begins in April 2022.
STAMFORD  Scalzi Park is the largest recreational area within the Stamford city limits and its playground features a splash pad where kids can keep cool this summer.

For those not looking to get wet, there are other options in Stamford to beach the heat.

Stamford Government Centers lobby will be open as a cooling center this week due to the heat advisory is in effect. The entire state remains under a heat advisory until Wednesday night with heat index values up to 104 degrees possible Tuesday, according to the National Weather Service.

The lobby will be open from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Friday, according to a city government release. It also will be available Saturday and Sunday, but the specific times were not immediately available.

The lobby of the Government Center, 888 Washington Blvd., appears to be the only cooling center in the city at this time.

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted many of the community partners that typically volunteer to serve as Cooling Centers, the citys release said.

Those with chronic health issues and older adults are at increased risk for heat illness, including heat stroke. Homes without air conditioning or fans can quickly become much hotter than the temperature outdoors, the weather service said.

To reduce risk of heat illness, the NWS urges residents to limit outdoor work. For those who have to work outdoors, the Occupational Safety and Health Administration recommends frequent breaks in shaded or air conditioned areas.

Anyone who feels overcome by heat should quickly get to a cool, shaded spot. Heat stroke is considered any emergency. Anyone suffering symptoms should call 911 immediately.

There are splash pads, like Stamfords, and cooling centers open across the state to help people stay cool. Anyone in need of a cool place to rest can call 211 to find the nearest center.

Includes prior reporting by Brianna Gurciullo.
Accused sex offender Miguel Lopez will be returned to Connecticut to face charges here in a case that focused attention on a loophole in the states sex offender laws.

Lopez, a registered sex offender from Massachusetts, was placed in an East Windsor nursing home in April, but local law enforcement didnt know he was in Connecticut until after he allegedly assaulted a nursing home employee about a month later.

The oversight has raised the concerns of two state senators who called for changes in how nursing homes notify Connecticut law enforcement when they admit a known sex offender.

On Tuesday, Lopez was informed during a routine court appearance in Holyoke Superior Court that the East Windsor police had a warrant for his arrest. He was asked if he would waive extradition proceedings so he could be brought back to Connecticut to face first- and third-degree sexual assault charges, as well as an unlawful restraint charge.

Lopez, who told the judge he is 40, appeared on a Zoom hearing from the Ludlow Correctional Center, where he has been held on $1,000 cash bail since May on charges unrelated to the Connecticut case. Lopez eventually agreed to waive his extradition rights after first telling the judge he hadnt had enough time to discuss his options with his lawyer, Jeffrey Weisser.

The judge ordered Lopez held without bail and scheduled him to return to Holyoke court on July 8 to finish his pending Massachusetts cases. East Windsor Police Lt. Matthew Carl said police cant extradite him back to Connecticut until those charges are adjudicated, and they hope to bring him back here next week after that hearing.

Carl said a Connecticut judge has ordered a $275,000 bond on Lopez when he is returned here and formally arraigned. The warrant in the Connecticut case is sealed until Lopez appears in a court here.

Lopez appeared twice before the Massachusetts judge Tuesday, as there was a question whether East Windsor police had put the proper date of birth on the fugitive warrant.

Weisser at first told the court that his client denied ever being in Connecticut, but after a short recess returned and told the court Lopez was ready to proceed with the extradition.

The case disclosed that Connecticut nursing homes arent required to inform state police when they admit out-of-state sex offenders to their facilities.

State police said that they had no idea that Lopez was at Fresh River Healthcare nursing home on Prospect Hill Road. Detectives were at Fresh River the same day of the alleged assault, May 19, to register a different sex offender from Virginia, but they never saw Lopez.

The assault occurred a few hours later, police said. Lopez allegedly trapped a Fresh River employee in his room by locking the door when she came to assist him and forced her to perform oral sex. The victim managed to escape the room and was taken by other employees to the police station to file a complaint.

Meanwhile, officials from iCare Health, which operates Fresh River, sent Lopez back to Holyoke that same afternoon in an ambulance before East Windsor police were able to interview him or get a search warrant for any DNA evidence.

State Sen. Saud Anwar, who represents East Windsor, called the incident horrific and said he was surprised there was such a loophole in the state law.

Something needs to be done and quickly, because thats obviously a loophole, and we dont know how widespread this is, Anwar told the CT Mirror in early June, after the incident came to light.

East Windsor Police Lt. Matt Carl said detectives were surprised to learn about Lopezs presence in the nursing home.

We have a lot of questions about how he ended up in that facility, and we never knew about him, Carl said earlier this month.

During the week of the special legislative session, a leading Republican brought up the case on the Senate floor.

Im disappointed in the sense that there is an evolving issue thats very present in the state of Connecticut. Its an issue that has taken very many people by surprise. And its an issue that when you hear it  the first thing you say is, How can that happen in our state of Connecticut? Sen. Kevin Kelly, R-Stratford. The mere fact that we have this situation, this loophole in our laws that can be exploited, is something that needs action taken and needs to be done sooner rather than later  not only for the protection of the residents but also anyone thats employed or visits these facilities.

Lopez was arrested by Holyoke police about a week after the alleged sexual assault at Fresh River on an outstanding warrant issued in January charging him with failing to properly register as a sex offender.

Lopez is listed as homeless in the Massachusetts sex offender database, and the phone number that he had been using no longer works. The sex offender database also lists him as 50 years old, not 40, as he claimed in court Tuesday.

A spokesman for iCare said the company was aware Lopez was a registered sex offender before admitting him, but said the law does not require them to inform the state police if an out-of-state sex offender is admitted to one of its facilities.

It is the legal obligation of the resident themselves or their legal guardian to update the sex offender registry as to their current location, iCare spokesman David Skoczulek said.

While there is no legal obligation for a nursing home to inform the registry, we do take steps to assist the resident or their guardian in doing so and prompt them to do so in a timely fashion, Skoczulek said, adding the Lopez case was quite rare.
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP)  Oregon and Washington on Wednesday lifted most of their COVID-19 restrictions to become two of the last states to broadly ease virus orders put in place in the very first days of the pandemic.

New Mexico is set to reopen Thursday, marking a return to business throughout the mainland U.S. following 16 months of disruption and more than 600,000 lives lost. The last holdout  Hawaii  has loosened some rules but is slated to maintain others until 70% of its population is fully vaccinated.

The reopenings come as concern grows about a new coronavirus variant that threatens to set the country back in the months ahead. In California, health officials in Los Angeles County this week strongly recommended that people wear masks indoors in public places  regardless of their vaccination status  to prevent the spread of the highly transmissible delta variant.

In Oregon, Gov. Kate Brown called the day a truly a historic moment for our state but said there is still work to be done.

We will be relentless in our efforts to finish the job, closing our equity gaps and reaching every Oregonian with information and vaccine, she said at her first in-person news conference in months.

Businesses also applauded the changes but noted challenges remain.

We lost almost our entire workforce over the course of the year, said Anthony Anton, president and CEO of the Washington Hospitality Association. "Were still short 80,000 workers.

The United States' first confirmed case of COVID-19 was reported north of Seattle in Snohomish County in January 2020. Washington state also saw the nations first deadly outbreak, at a nursing home east of Seattle.

Oregon had its first reported COVID-19 case a month later. Hector Calderon, a janitor in a Portland metro-area school district spent 71 days in the hospital, 60 of them on a ventilator, and was in a coma for 50 days.

God gave me another opportunity to live, and the doctor's did, Calderon said at the governor's reopening event in Portland. He added he is ready to finally go on a vacation again as restrictions are lifted.

For more than a year, Oregon has had some of the nations strictest coronavirus-related safety measures  mask requirements inside and outside, limited gatherings and weekslong forced closures of indoor dining, gyms and theaters. Even major school districts didnt reopen to in-person learning until April.

We took unprecedented action to accomplish an unprecedented mission  to do everything we could to protect Oregonians and save lives," Brown said.

The state also has had some of the nation's lowest infection and mortality rates. Health officials estimate the restrictions and stay-at-home orders saved 4,000 lives.

On Wednesday, Brown ended rules including mask mandates  in most settings  capacity limits, physical distancing and the assignment of county risk levels that dictated restrictions.

The exceptions are for federal rules; masks will still be required at airports, on public transportation and in healthcare settings. In addition, businesses can still require customers to wear masks or provide proof of vaccination to forgo wearing them.

The reopening was already noticeable in Portland, where overnight, city workers removed plywood boards that have covered the windows of downtown businesses since the start of the pandemic. Signs plastered on restaurant doors telling people to wear a mask had disappeared.

In Washington state, restaurants, bars, gyms and stores were also allowed to resume full indoor capacity, up from the most recent limit of 50%, and physical distancing requirements were lifted.

One restriction that will remain in place is a 75% attendance cap on indoor events of more than 10,000 people, unless the event verifies all attendees are vaccinated. Those restrictions will be reevaluated July 31.

Masking rules also will remain in some places, including health care settings, public transit and schools. They will continue to be required for unvaccinated employees who return to work indoors. And businesses can continue to choose to require masks for their customers, regardless of vaccination status.

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham is on the road this week, visiting businesses and talking with residents, but no special events were planned for the states long-awaited reopening on Thursday, her office said.

Republican lawmakers, business owners and parents have criticized the Democratic governor for waiting to ease the remaining public health restrictions. They have complained that countless businesses have been forced to close for good and that children lost a year of learning by being forced into virtual classrooms. The dissent fueled a protest in early June in Albuquerque that derailed a rally at which Lujan Grisham announced her bid for reelection.

Republican state Sen. Cliff Pirtle of Roswell said Wednesday the governors decision to pin the reopening to 60% of residents being fully vaccinated was arbitrary and did irreparable harm to New Mexicos education system and economy.

I think the governor has been throwing darts at the wall the entire time, Pirtle said, adding that Lujan Grisham's administration never took into account the tens of thousands of residents who gained immunity after recovering from a COVID-19 infection.

Lujan Grishams office has said her decisions have been based on what she believes to be in the best interest of New Mexicans and on data and input from public health experts.

Meanwhile, officials in the state's most populated areas said theyre eager to reopen.

Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller, a Democrat, said Wednesday that while some mask restrictions will remain in place for public transportation systems and other spots, the states largest city has the gas pedal down.

In Hawaii, testing and quarantine requirements for fully vaccinated domestic travelers will be lifted July 8. Restaurants will also be able to seat up to 75% of their capacity then, although distancing rules between tables will remain.

Gov. David Ige has said he is hopeful public health outcomes will allow the state to lift more restrictions in August. As of Wednesday, about 58% of Hawaii's population was fully vaccinated.

"We can get there if people become informed about their safe and effective vaccination options and choose to get their injections, Ige said in a release this month.

Also Wednesday, Montana became the latest state to lift its emergency declaration for the pandemic. Gov. Greg Gianforte said he wanted to send a message that the state is open for business.

___

Associated Press writers Susan Montoya Bryan contributed from Albuquerque, New Mexico and Rachel La Corte reported from Olympia, Washington. 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 newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
LANSING, Mich. (AP)  Michigan lawmakers on Wednesday overwhelmingly approved a $17.1 billion K-12 budget, one that will eliminate a longstanding base per-student funding gap among districts and boost overall funding by a substantial 10%.

Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer is expected to sign what many education officials called a historic bill, providing certainty to districts whose fiscal years begin Thursday.

Budgets for state departments and funding for universities, community colleges and local governments will wait, potentially until September, despite a 2019 law requiring that they also be sent to the governor before Friday. The state fiscal year does not start until Oct. 1.

Traditional districts and charter schools will receive $8,700 in base per-student state aid, not including at least $1,093 more per pupil in federal funding from a rescue package signed by President Joe Biden in March. The state grant will rise by $589, or 7%, for the vast majority of districts. Those at the higher end will get an additional $171, a 2% increase.

Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Jim Stamas, a Midland Republican, said the state has been working to remove the discrepancy for more than 26 years since school funding was overhauled by voters.

I'm excited that we're able to make sure to get our education funded, he told reporters, saying the $8,700 grant is a great place for them to go into their school year starting on July 1st working on their budget. I think that's a positive.

This is a great bipartisan effort to have the largest investment in education in Michigans history, said Sen. Curtis Hertel Jr. of East Lansing, the top Democrat on the Senate budget panel. Im really proud of the work that the governor did to get here and I was proud to support it.

Legislators embraced Whitmer's revised proposal to expand state-funded preschool to 22,000 eligible but unenrolled 4-year-olds and to raise the amount allotted per child.

They added $240 million to hire additional school nurses and counselors and $155 million for Grand Valley State University to disburse up to $1,000 each to K-5 students who are not proficient in reading. The scholarship could be used for instructional materials, tutoring, summer and afterschool programming.

The goal of this program is to provide as many good options to parents as humanly possible, said Sen. Lana Theis, a Brighton Republican who cited learning loss as kids went to school online in the coronavirus pandemic.

Lawmakers also included $135 million for districts with a year-round, or balanced, calendar. A supplemental bill that was passed last week and the newly approved K-12 measure will release to schools an extra $4.7 billion in designated U.S. coronavirus funds.

Teachers unions and charter school advocates applauded passage of the budget, and called the equalization of base funding a major step forward. Superintendents also were pleased.

Educators now have the funding and guidance they need to get to work on what truly matters: supporting the needs of each and every student as we work to remediate the challenges brought on by the pandemic and set our students up for success in the coming year and beyond, said Ken Gutman, superintendent of Walled Lake Consolidated Schools and president of the K-12 Alliance of Michigan.

Also Wednesday, both chambers overwhelming passed competing spending bills that would, among other things, immediately use federal COVID-19 relief aid to help hospitals and nursing homes facing pandemic-related financial struggles. But the proposed payments are on hold amid budget discussions that will continue over the summer, including over how to spend $6.5 billion in discretionary U.S. coronavirus funding.

Whitmer welcomed the school budget's completion but noted legislators missed the deadline to pass the rest of the budget. They adjourned and appear unlikely to meet much before September.

I am hopeful that the Legislature will work quickly to approve a state budget that supports small businesses, fixes our crumbling roads and bridges, expands access to childcare and grows our economy, she said in a statement.

___

Follow David Eggert at https://twitter.com/DavidEggert00
MANILA, Philippines (AP)  Left-wing activists and relatives of people killed in Philippine President Rodrigo Dutertes anti-drug campaign marked the start of his last year in office Wednesday with a noisy protest and a countdown toward achieving justice.

Riot police prevented more than 150 flag-waving protesters from approaching the presidential palace in Manila. The demonstrators dispersed peacefully after less than an hour and police made no arrests despite a ban on such gatherings under COVID-19 restrictions.

We count 365 days left in his reign of terror, protest leader Renato Reyes said. We want to mark this as a countdown toward achieving justice and accountability.

The protesters held placards that read Stop the killing, prosecute Duterte. Others carried a mock coffin, while several family members displayed portraits of mostly young people they said were victims of extrajudicial killings in the drug crackdown.

Dutertes anti-drug campaign, in which thousands of mostly petty drug suspects have died since he took office in June 2016, has alarmed human rights groups and prompted several people to file complaints with the International Criminal Court.

My appeal to the ICC is please dont abandon us, said Emily Soriano, whose 15-year-old son died in the crackdown. ICC is the only one which can hold Duterte accountable for all that he did here in the Philippines in his war on drugs.

The International Criminal Courts outgoing chief prosecutor said this month that a preliminary examination found reason to believe crimes against humanity had been committed during the crackdown. The prosecutor sought authorization to open a formal investigation and the courts judges have 120 days to decide.

Duterte, a 76-year-old former mayor who made a name in politics with his extra-tough approach to crime, has denied condoning the murder of large numbers of drug suspects but has openly threatened drug dealers with death. He said suspects were killed after they violently resisted arrest, although human rights groups have reported cases of police killing unarmed suspects and then altering the crime scene to make it appear the suspects opened fire at them.

Duterte has said he would never cooperate in a possible ICC investigation.

___

Associated Press journalist Aaron Favila contributed to this report.
WASHINGTON (AP)  The Supreme Court is leaving a pandemic-inspired nationwide ban on evictions in place, over the votes of four objecting conservative justices.

The court on Tuesday rejected a plea by landlords to end the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention moratorium on evicting millions of tenants who aren't paying rent during the coronavirus pandemic. Last week, the Biden administration extended the moratorium by a month, until the end of July. It said then it did not expect another extension.

U.S. Judge Dabney Friedrich in Washington had struck down the moratorium as exceeding the CDC's authority, but put her ruling on hold. The high court voted 5-4 to keep the ban in place until the end of July.

In a brief opinion, Justice Brett Kavanaugh said he agreed with Friedrich's ruling, but voted to leave the ban on evictions in place because it's due to end in a month and because those few weeks will allow for additional and more orderly distribution of the congressionally appropriated rental assistance funds.

Also last week, the Treasury Department issued new guidance encouraging states and local governments to streamline distribution of the nearly $47 billion in available emergency rental assistance funding

Chief Justice John Roberts and the court's three liberal members also voted to keep the moratorium in place.

Justices Samuel Alito, Amy Coney Barrett, Neil Gorsuch and Clarence Thomas said they would have ended it.

The eviction ban was initially put in place last year to provide protection for renters out of concern that having families lose their homes and move into shelters or share crowded conditions with relatives or friends during the pandemic would further spread the highly contagious virus.

By the end of March, 6.4 million American households were behind on their rent, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. As of June 7, roughly 3.2 million people in the U.S. said they faced eviction in the next two months, according to the U.S. Census Bureaus Household Pulse Survey.
Ogden jazz icon Joe McQueen may be gone, but his memory and legacy live on. One physical reminder of his life, McQueen's lifelong home at 3158 Grant Ave., has now become available for sale. The house received extensive remodeling, but as investor Richard Casperson has said, "Joe's energy is 
About that clash between a British destroyer and Russian warplanes and warships in the Black Sea last week there are conflicting versions.

The Kremlin version is the more dramatic.

HMS Defender, says Moscow, entered the Black Sea, made port in Odessa, Ukraine, and then sailed for Batumi on the coast of Georgia.

However, the British warship traversed Russias territorial waters at the tip of the Crimean peninsula, near Sevastopol, Russias principal naval base on the Black Sea.

The destroyer, say the Russians, had to be diverted by shellfire from a patrol boat and bombs dropped in its path by Sukhoi fighters.

Londons version: Defender sailed through waters off Crimea that belong to Ukraine. Russian gunfire was far off and unthreatening. No dropped bombs impeded the destroyers passage.

Yet, according to The New York Times, BBC correspondent Jonathan Beale, who was on board Defender, has published video footage showing as many as 20 Russian warplanes buzzing the ship and a Russian Coast Guard vessel drawing close alongside.

In brief, this naval encounter was serious business.

Defenders captain, Cmdr. Vince Owen, made it clear his ship sailed close by Crimea deliberately to assert the position that Crimea and the waters around it legally belong to Ukraine.

Added Owen: The Royal Navy and U.K. will always call out states that do not follow international order.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov described Defenders actions as a deliberate and premeditated provocation. Deputy foreign minister Sergei Ryabkov warned that the next time a provocation like this occurs, Russia may drop bombs and not just in the path but right on target.

With the incident over, where do Downing Street and the Kremlin stand now?

Prime Minister Boris Johnsons government and the Royal Navy have declared it to be their right to use warships to send a message to Moscow that Crimea belongs to Kyiv. Moscow has responded: Send that message again, and you may find your warship at the bottom of the Black Sea.

This is not an unserious matter.

If the Brits repeat this exercise, which they see as a right, a duty and a mission, we could witness a Russian attack on a British warship.

This would trigger Article 5 of the NATO treaty that requires all member nations to treat an attack on one as an attack on all.

Britains challenge to Russia, a few kilometers off Crimea, could have resulted in a shooting incident that could have forced a U.S. response against Russia. And that raises some serious questions:

Did Johnson inform us he was about to issue this direct challenge to Moscow? Or were the Americans left in the dark?

Did President Joe Biden or the Pentagon tell Johnson that if Defender were attacked, U.S. forces would have their back?

With this clash off Crimea, a peninsula Russia regards as vital and we have never regarded as vital, we could have been drawn into a conflict by our ally, Britain, which could not prevail against Vladimir Putins Russia without the military assistance of the United States.

There is another matter that makes this problematic.

To reach the Black Sea, Defender peeled off from a flotilla centered on the aircraft carrier Queen Elizabeth, which is in the Mediterranean.

That flotilla is headed to the Indo-Pacific region and likely to traverse the South China Sea, whose islets, reefs and rocks are the claimed national territories of China.

Are the British warships going to emulate the U.S. naval challenges to Chinas claims to those tiny pieces of land in the South China Sea?

Also, Monday was the first day of the 12-day Exercise Sea Breeze 2021 in the Black Sea, hosted by the U.S. Sixth Fleet and Ukrainian navy.

These exercises have been held yearly since the end of the 20th century, and the 2021 roster of participants is the largest yet

The exercises will involve 32 nations, 32 ships, 5,000 troops and 40 planes. Among the participants are 17 NATO nations, including all three NATO allies on the Black Sea  Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey  and two aspiring NATO nations on the Black Sea  Ukraine and Georgia.

Are warships from any of these 32 nations going to follow the example of HMS Defender and sail close to the Russian naval base of Sevastopol? Are the Brits going to challenge Putins claim to Crimea again? Or will they, chastened, avoid a confrontation?

The U.S. does not recognize Russias annexation of Crimea in 2014, but we have not threatened or used force to alter that reality.

For no vital U.S. interest is imperiled in Russias control of Crimea and its 2 million people. After all, czarist and Bolshevik Russia controlled that peninsula from the time of Catherine the Great to the time of Mikhail Gorbachev.

The U.S. should tell Boris Johnson that if he wants to provoke the Russian navy in the Black Sea, he should not assume that, if a collision comes, the U.S. Sixth Fleet will pull his chestnuts out of the fire.
WALDOBORO, Maine  With millions of people having stayed home from places of worship during the coronavirus pandemic, struggling congregations have one key question: How many of them will return?

As the pandemic recedes in the United States and in-person services resume, worries of a deepening slide in attendance are universal.

Some houses of worship wont make it.

Smaller organizations with older congregations that struggled to adapt during the pandemic are in the greatest danger of a downward spiral from which they cant recover, said the Rev. Gloria E. White-Hammond, lecturer at the Harvard Divinity School and co-pastor of a church in Boston.

On the Maine coast, the pandemic proved to be the last straw for the 164-year-old Waldoboro United Methodist Church.

Even before COVID-19 swept the world, weekly attendance had dipped to 25 or 30 at the white-clapboard New England church that could hold several hundred worshippers. The number further dwindled to five or six before the final service was held Sunday, said the Rev. Gregory Foster.

The remaining congregants realized they couldnt continue to maintain the structure, and decided to fold the tent, Foster said.

We cant entirely blame everything on COVID. But that was just the final blow. Some people have not been back at all, he said.

In Virginia, the Mount Clifton United Methodist Church experienced a similar fate. The church can seat more than 100 but the number of weekly worshippers dwindled to 10 to 15, even before the pandemic.

The small white church built on a hill in the Shenandoah Valley in the 1880s may be rented to another congregation, or it may be put up for sale.

Its a complicated picture overall, but the pandemic was the straw that broke the camels back, said the Rev. Darlene Wilkins, who oversaw Mount Clifton. It just became next to impossible to sustain.

In the United States, the latest challenge for places of worship comes against a backdrop of a decadeslong trend of a smaller share of the population identifying as religious.

Its too early to know the full impact of the pandemic. Surveys do show signs of hopefulness  and also cause for concern.

About three-quarters of Americans who attended religious services in person at least monthly before the pandemic say they are likely to do so again in the next few weeks, according to a recent AP-NORC poll. Thats up slightly from the about two-thirds who said in May 2020 that they would if they were allowed to do so. But 7% said they definitely wont be attending.

Those findings are in line with a Pew Research Center survey of U.S. residents last summer. It found that 92% of people who regularly attend religious services expected to continue at the same or higher rate, while 7% say they will attend in-person services less often.

Nashville, Tennessee-based Lifeway Research, an evangelical research firm, says many churches lost steam when in-person services shut down. A small but concerning number churchgoers are coming out of the pandemic in limbo without a church home, said Scott McConnell, Lifeways executive director.

Thats a lot of momentum to lose and a lot of people stepping out of the habit of weekly worship, McConnell said.

Those that are successful in reemerging from the COVID-19 lockdowns will likely be those that did a better job adapting to the pandemic, said White-Hammond. Eight in 10 congregants in the U.S. reported that their services were being streamed online, Pew said.

Those that kept a connection with congregants and relied less on the physical passing of the plate for donations stand a better chance of emerging unscathed, White-Hammond said.

In Charlotte, North Carolina, Temple Beth El was closed during the pandemic but kept congregants in touch through events like challah day. Volunteers baked over 900 loaves of the bread, which were delivered to homes so worshippers could share them over a Shabbat meal.

There will be no returning to normal after the pandemic, said Rabbi Dusty Klass. There were people who went home and may never come back to the sanctuary. They may just pray from their couch. Its up to us to make sure they have the opportunity.

The All Dulles Area Muslim Society, whose main campus is in Sterling, Virginia, said some of its 11 locations have reopened to worshippers with safety measures.

If COVID is gone 100%, I firmly believe our community would be fully back because people crave ... to be together, said Rizwan Jaka, chair of interfaith and media relations.

In San Francisco, the historic Old St. Marys Cathedral survived when members rebuilt after a fire following the 1906 earthquake but it has struggled mightily during the pandemic to stay open.

The 160-year-old Roman Catholic church, which is heavily dependent on older worshippers and tourists, lost most of its revenue after parishes closed during the pandemic. During those dark hours, the Rev. John Ardis had to dismiss most of the lay staff, cut the salary of a priest and close the parish preschool.

The plaster is crumbling, the paint is peeling off the walls and dozens of its stained-glass windows need to be replaced.

But those are secondary at the moment, Ardis said. Because Im just basically trying to trying to keep the doors open.

Here in New England, any slide could be more acute since a smaller proportion of residents identify as religious.

In Maine, Judy Grant, 77, was a newcomer to Waldoboro who started watching the services online and then began attending in person.

Shes upset by the closure.

Im extremely disappointed, she said. A lot of churches are closing. I think COVID had a big part in this latest shrinkage, but they were shrinking even before that, she said.

The final service on Sunday was emotional, with both smiles and tears, as nearly 60 gathered in the sanctuary. Foster preached about new beginnings and encouraged people to continue their faith.

Afterward, people began removing some of the churchs contents, including religious paintings, some furniture, and other items.

Grant said many hope the building will come alive again with a new congregation: We have to be positive  and pray.

___

Associated Press writers Mariam Fam in Winter Park, Florida, Luis Andres Henao in New York and Hannah Fingerhut in Washington contributed to this report.


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Published: 30 June 2021

Total energy consumption grew by 6 per cent in January to March

According to Statistics Finlands preliminary data, total energy consumption in January to March amounted to 376 petajoule (PJ), which was six per cent more than in the corresponding period last year. Electricity consumption amounted to 25 terawatt hours (TWh), which was eight per cent more than one year earlier. Carbon dioxide emissions from the energy use of fuels increased by four per cent compared to the first quarter of last year.

Total energy consumption

*preliminary

The cold early part of the year was the main reason for the growth in total energy consumption in the first quarter. Among energy sources, the growth was biggest for natural gas, the consumption of which rose by as much as 47 per cent. The Finnish natural gas market also opened up to competition from the beginning of 2020. The consumption of coal grew by two per cent, which evened out the steep decline that had taken place in the past three years. The consumption of wood fuels increased by 15 per cent from the first quarter of last year when the consumption of wood fuels was at its lowest since 2010s. The consumption of oil and peat declined by 3 and 10 per cent, respectively.

The cold weather conditions also had an effect on the growth in electricity consumption. Renewable electricity production had exceptionally good conditions in the previous year, which was visible in the statistics as a drop in production this year. The production of hydro power and wind power decreased by 3 and 23 per cent from the first quarter of the year before. The fall in renewable production was replaced with combined heat and power production and imports of electricity. The volumes of combined production and net imports of electricity both grew by 24 per cent.

In January to March, diverse energy products were imported into Finland to the value of EUR 2.1 billion, which was two per cent less than one year earlier. Most energy products were imported from Russia, whose share of the value of imports was 59 per cent. Exports of energy products from Finland amounted to EUR one billion. The value of exports decreased by 8 per cent from the corresponding quarter of the year before. Most energy products were exported to OECD countries, which accounted for 69 per cent of the value of exports.

Total energy consumption by source (TJ) and CO2 emissions (Mt)

Energy source I/2021* Annual change-%* Percentage share of

total energy consumption* Oil (fossil) 1) 65,152 -3 17 Coal 2) 25,500 2 7 Natural gas 3) 31654 47 8 Nuclear energy 4) 65,926 0 18 Net imports of electricity 5) 17,115 24 5 Hydro power 5) 14,864 -3 4 Wind power 5) 7,418 -23 2 Peat 16,390 -10 4 Wood fuels 106,915 15 28 Others 6) 25,009 9 7 TOTAL ENERGY CONSUMPTION 375,943 6 100 CO2 emissions from energy sector 11 4 .

* = Preliminary data. = Category not applicable1) Oil: includes the bio part of transport fuels.2) Coal: includes hard coal, coke, blast furnace gas and coke oven gas.3) The consumption of natural gas does not include raw material use.4) Conversion of electricity generation into fuel units: Nuclear power: 10.91 TJ/GWh (33% total efficiency)5) Conversion of electricity generation into fuel units: Hydro power, wind power and net imports of electricity: 3.6 TJ/GWh (100%)6) Others: includes exothermic heat from industry, recovered fuels, heat pumps, hydrogen, biogas, other bioenergy and solar energy.

Source: Statistics Finland, Energy supply and consumption

Inquiries: Aleksi Sandberg 029 551 3326, energia@stat.fi

Head of Department in charge: Katri Kaaja

Publication in pdf-format (261.6 kB)

Updated 30.6.2021

Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Energy supply and consumption [e-publication].

ISSN=1799-7976. 1st quarter 2021. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 5.7.2021].

Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/ehk/2021/01/ehk_2021_01_2021-06-30_tie_001_en.html
Published: 30 June 2021

Preliminary data: Turnover of construction enterprises grew in May

According to Statistics Finland's preliminary data, the working day adjusted turnover of construction enterprises grew by 6.3 per cent in May 2021 compared with May 2020.

Annual change in working day adjusted turnover of construction, % (TOL 2008)

Turnover increased compared with the previous month

According to the preliminary data, seasonally adjusted turnover in construction increased by 1.4 percent in May 2021 from April. In April, seasonally adjusted turnover increased by 1.1 per cent and in March turnover increased by 1.5 per cent from one month ago.

Change in seasonally adjusted turnover of construction from the previous month, % (TOL 2008)

The calculation of indices of turnover of construction is based on the Tax Administrations data on self-assessed taxes, which are supplemented with Statistics Finlands sales inquiry. The monthly turnover of construction enterprises can have even large variations due to invoicing practices. The final invoice for major projects may be recorded in the sales of one month, even if the project had required the work of several months or years.

The factors caused by the variation in the number of weekdays are taken into account in adjustment for working days. This means taking into consideration the lengths of months, different weekdays and holidays. In addition, seasonal variation is eliminated from seasonally adjusted series, on account of which it makes sense to compare observations of two successive months as well.

The data for the latest month are preliminary and are released at a delay of around four weeks. The data may become significantly revised particularly in coming months.

Source: Index of turnover of construction, Statistics Finland

Inquiries: Maija Sappinen 029 551 3348, Aki Niskanen 029 551 2657, rakennus.suhdanne@stat.fi

Head of Department in charge: Katri Kaaja

Publication in pdf-format (231.3 kB)

Updated 30.6.2021

Referencing instructions: Official Statistics of Finland (OSF): Index of turnover of construction [e-publication].

ISSN=1798-5935. May 2021. Helsinki: Statistics Finland [referred: 5.7.2021].

Access method: http://www.stat.fi/til/rlv/2021/05/rlv_2021_05_2021-06-30_tie_001_en.html
The decision of the Judges Section of the Supreme Council of Magistrates (CSM) regarding the hearing prosecutor in the Colectiv case is likely to set a dangerous precedent, as a request for recusal by the prosecutor is a legal step, the National Anti-Corruption Directorate (DNA) said on Wednesday.

This position comes after on Tuesday the CSM Judges Section found that the independence and impartiality of the judges of the Bucharest Court of Appeal that have taken up the Colectiv case and of the judges ruling on the recusal request.

In a press statement released by DNA on Wednesday, DNA says that is has taken note with obvious concern of Decision 11650/2021 of the CSM Judges Section that reads the prosecutor exercising in court his rights and obligations should be dismissed from DNA.DNA shows that, according to the agenda on Tuesday, the Judges Section found that, following a reasoned request for recusal made by the prosecutor at one of the hearings in the Colectiv case, the independence and impartiality of the entire panel of judges, and also of those having taken up the case were violated.DNA also says that the Judicial Inspection has not requested its opinion in drawing up the report that was the basis for the decision of the Judges Section, as was legal and natural."After the aforementioned Judges Section releases its decision, and the request to dismiss the prosecutor is made, we will decide on the legal steps to take. DNA considers that the decision of the SCM Judges Section is likely to set a dangerous precedent, as a request for recusal by the prosecutor is a legal step provided for by the Code of Criminal Procedure."Moreover, adds DNA, under the Law on Judicial Organisation, the prosecutor is free to present in court the conclusions he considers justified, according to the law, taking into account evidence administered in the case.DNA emphasises that the independence of magistrates, judges and prosecutors, including prosecutors attending court hearings, remains an essential condition for establishing the legal truth and the dispensing of justice.
As of today, Facebook partners with the Romanian Police in publicizing cases subject to the national Child Abduction Alert mechanism which is activated when a child has been abducted or in the case of missing children whose life may be in danger.

After the alert is triggered, anyone who has any information about the missing child is asked to notify the Police immediately.

"The availability of the Facebook social media platform to become our partner for the 'Child Abduction Alert' mechanism provides the possibility to disseminate to Facebook users the alerts generated when the mechanism is triggered. Romania, through the Romanian Police, is the 24th country to cooperate with Facebook in the search for abducted children," the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police (IGPR) said in a release on Wednesday, informeaza Agerpres.

The publication of alerts via Facebook requires their transmission in a specific format to the social media platform.

"In addition to the specific information sent to Facebook, the activation message will be accompanied by a URL link to the Romanian Police press release about the case for which the mechanism was triggered, posted on www.politiaromana.ro or on the institution's official Facebook page. This will allow Facebook users to access more information related to the publicized case, via the link," the cited source said.

Eight alerts have been triggered since the operationalization of the mechanism in 2011, all of which have been rapidly clarified following police investigations and information obtained from citizens.

The Child Abduction Alert mechanism is similar to the US Amber Alert system.
Most of the newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 compared to the last report were registered in Prahova - 11, Neamt - 8, Galati and Cluj - 7 each, informs, on Wednesday, the Strategic Communication Group (GCS).

In Bucharest there were 2 cases of infection, and in 22 counties no new cases were registered.

All counties and the municipality of Bucharest remain in the green scenario in terms of infections with the novel coronavirus, the highest incidence per thousand inhabitants being registered in the counties of Prahova - 0.11, Dolj and Ilfov - 0.09, Agerpres informs.

In the last 24 hours, 52 new cases of people infected with the novel coronavirus have been reported.
The Capital Police and the Prosecutor's Office with the Court Law of Sector 1 is carrying out, on Wednesday, 114 searches at company work points in a criminal case regarding putting into circulation counterfeit goods bearing an identical or similar registered trademark.

"Approximately 400 police officers are deployed in these activities, around Sector 1," informs the Press Office of the General Directorate of Bucharest Police (DGPMB).

The identified goods are being picked up, in order for the legal measures to be applied, Agerpres informs.

"The entire action benefited from the support of the Special Operations Directorate within the General Inspectorate of the Romanian Police (IGPR)," the quoted source specifies.
Prime Minister Florin Citu considers that the Ombudsman institution has a certain independence, but their activity is assessed by Parliament.

"All we know now is that this institution, the Ombudsman, is subordinated to the Romanian Parliament. They have independence, however, it does not have the independence to be irresponsible, for example. The assessment is carried out by the Romanian Parliament," Citu told on Tuesday private broadcaster Digi 24.

He specified that the reasoning of the the Constitutional Court's decision is being expected so that a decision can be made regarding the Ombudsman.

"I don't know how they made the decision, on what grounds, we will see and then we will make a decision in the coalition," the prime minister said.

On Tuesday, the Romanian Constitutional Court ruled that Parliament's decision to remove Renata Weber from the position of Ombudsman was unconstitutional.
Prime Minister Florin Citu on Wednesday told the joint plenary sitting of Parliament that the June 1941 Iasi Pogrom represents a "black page" in the history of Romania, and also that Romania needs to take responsibility for its past.

He stated that the Pogrom of Iasi was the largest anti-Semitic massacre in Romania in the modern era.

"Today we remember what humanity called the darkest era of its existence. At the same time, we, as a nation, must openly take responsibility for the fact that our past has now always been glorious. Like so many other countries in Europe, in Romania too the decisions of those who held the political and military power at the time transformed the state, making it a machine of barbarism, annihilation of rights, unimaginable persecution and physical elimination of Jewish, Roma and other vulnerable communities. (...) Today's solemn meeting is proof that Romania changes when there is will, solidarity for the truth, responsibility, commitment and especially a desire to defend the democracy and the society," said Citu.

He paid tribute to the victims of the Holocaust.

"What happened in Iasi eight decades ago reminds us of suffering beyond imagination, reminds us of cruelty, savagery and murder. The death trains, the individual murders, the persecutions, the tortures, the humiliations, the mass graves, were all there. The image of the victims, of the atrocities, of the more than 13,000 male and female victims, of the hundreds of children, the elderly and of the broken destinies eight decades ago in Iasi, must remain an unshakable testimony about the need for truth, justice and memory. The abominable events ordered by the authorities in the 1940s under the coordination of the Antonescu regime represent a black page in our history today. We have the duty to talk about it, to protect the memory of the victims, to condemn the perpetrators and to pass on our struggle to all future generations, to show them that such tragedies should never be repeated," the PM said.

Florin Citu emphasized that PNL (National Liberal Party) has always had a vocation for freedom, tolerance and respect for memory.

"Our duty is to remain vigilant, responsible, to make courageous decisions to protect the vulnerable ones and our democracy. I reaffirm the full support of the current Executive for promoting memory policies, combating anti-Semitism, extremism, xenophobia, all forms of homophobia and "intolerance and political or symbolic violence," he said.

Citu also mantained that in the six months since taking office, he promoted and adopted measures to promote the memory of the victims of the Holocaust, to support education and to prevent and combat anti-Semitism. He recalled that the PNRR [National Recovery and Resilience Plan - editor's note] includes funding for the future National Museum of Jewish History and the Holocaust.

The joint plenary sitting of Parliament commemorates, for the first time in its history, in a solemn meeting, the victims of the Pogrom of Iasi, from June 1941, reports agerpres.
The Ambassador of the State of Israel in Bucharest, David Saranga, on Wednesday stated, in the context of the commemoration of the victims of the Iasi Pogrom, of June 1941, that Romania must accept "honestly the history" that binds the two countries, and learn from its lessons.

"We especially appreciate Romania's constant efforts to take responsibility for the past and to promote the memory of the Holocaust. The laws prohibiting Holocaust denial, preventing and combating anti-Semitism, but also the law for the establishment of the National Museum of Jewish History and the Holocaust are concrete examples of this. We also welcome the appointment by the Romanian Government of a special representative to promote the policies of memory and the fight against anti-Semitism. I would also like to thank President Klaus Iohannis, the Parliament and the Government of Romania for their firm commitment to fight anti-Semitism and intolerance. Romania is a good friend of the State of Israel, which is why we cannot deny the history that binds us, if we want to further strengthen this already strong friendship. We must accept it honestly and learn from its lessons. May the memory of the victims be blessed," said Saranga.

The Israeli diplomat drew attention to the presence, 80 years after the Iasi Pogrom, of anti-Semitic and xenophobic demonstrations reminiscent of "death trains.""Eighty years after this massacre, death trains are still present in many European countries and beyond. Through the same violent instincts, feelings of hatred and intolerance, which are still present in society, in the public sphere and at the political level. The Holocaust criminals, those who deny it, but also the sympathizers of Marshal Antonescu, of the Legionary Movement, anyone who incites hatred must not be tolerated, the authorities and civil society must fight these attitudes, while not accepting any compromise. We commemorate today all those who were victims of hatred in those terrible days of June 1941 in Iasi, but we also celebrate those who survived. Many of them came to Israel and contributed to the formation of our modern state.The creation of the State of Israel is the answer to those who tried to exterminate our people and our memory. We managed to find in suffering and sadness the power to build a vibrant democratic society. We have built a safe place for Jews around the world to ensure that such a tragedy can never be a threat again," said David Saranga.He paid tribute to a recently deceased survivor of the Iasi Pogrom, Iancu Tucarman, remembering him as having "an incredible desire for life," choosing "to rise above all this evil.""Always a warm man, he turned his own experience into a lesson for future generations. His message was hateless, and through his gentle voice, hundreds of young people listened to his story and learned about the horrors of the Holocaust in Romania. It was an honor for me to meet him and I wanted to pay tribute to him, so that his memory will not be forgotten," added David Saranga.The joint plenary sitting of the Parliament commemorates, on Wednesday, for the first time in its history, in a solemn session, the victims of the Pogrom from Iasi, from June 1941.
July 5-7, President Klaus Iohannis will hold a series of consultations with politicians and social partners on the "Educated Romania" at the Cotroceni Presidential Palace to conclude the public debate on it.

According to the Presidential Administration, on Monday, at 17:00hrs, Iohannis will welcome the leaders of the governing coalition; on Tuesday, from 16:00hrs, the leadership of Parliament and with members of the education committees of the two chambers; on Wednesday, from 16:00, the social dialogue partners from the education area and leaders of non-governmental organisations involved in the "Educated Romania" project.

During the discussions, the main reform areas and guideline for action of the "Educated Romania" project will be presented, in order to achieve social and political consensus, which will guarantee its implementation and cross-party commitment, according to the Presidential Administration.
Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies Ludovic Orban said on Wednesday that the Iasi Pogrom is the bitter lesson of a history that, although it moves away from us, must not be forgotten.

The Romanian Parliament on Wednesday commemorated for the first time ever the victims of the June 1941 Iasi Pogrom in a solemn session as part of a joint plenary sitting.

"On such a day, I believe that we must put our humanity, compassion, heart and mind together to understand the meaning of the commemoration we are celebrating today. I am talking about humanity and the heart because beyond the terrible dimension of numbers, over 14,000 victims, beyond the cynicism of orders and the cruelty of deeds, lies the painful history of those who did not survive, and also of those who lived a life remembering the ordeal to which they were subjected without guilt by the very state that would have had to defend them," Orban told the solemn session.

He added that the question we must always carry with us is "how a democratic society can collapse into the abyss of inhumanity."

"Only by asking ourselves this question can we avoid going back in time and repeating such crimes. Today, we are talking in the Romanian Parliament, inside the central institution of our democracy, about the Iasi Pogrom. We have to ask ourselves that question, because we have an essential responsibility in preventing any such slippage. The Iasi Pogrom also marked a milestone on the path to moral bankruptcy of those years, a society that allowed the Jewish population to become the target of systematic persecution, exclusion, violence and daily humiliation, and ultimately genocide. It is the bitter lesson of a history that, although it moves away from us, must not be forgotten. On the contrary, it is our duty to preserve and pass on the vivid memory of this tragic episode because it is a warning from the past which importance we measure better today, when we see the political and moral havoc generated by intolerance, racism, xenophobia, the massive spread via the internet of hatred fuelled by ignorance, frustration and resentment," he said.

Orban noted that forgetting history, especially forgetting the Holocaust, must not be allowed in order to prevent the repetition of such tragedies.

"It took a long time for the truth of those years, in which hundreds of thousands of Romanian Jews and Roma lost their lives, to be recovered and spoken in democratic Romania. There were decades when this truth was first hidden behind the lie and cowardice of the rulers, then under the fabric of lies and hypocrisy of the communist regime. Democracy, tolerance, solidarity are values threatened today in many countries, even with long tradition and democratic experience. Educating the new generations, the sincere commemoration of the tragedies of 80 years ago, speaking truth, however harsh it may be, are the means by which we must prevent the future from being dominated by hatred, chauvinism, anti-Semitism, racism and xenophobia.", Agerpres informs.
NEW YORK  Smithfield Foods Inc. said on Wednesday it will pay $83 million to settle litigation that accused several companies of conspiring to limit supply in the $20 billion-a-year U.S. pork market to inflate prices and their own profits.

The settlement with Smithfield resolves antitrust claims by direct purchasers such as Maplevale Farms that accused the nations largest pork companies of having fixed prices beginning in 2009.

Smithfields settlement requires approval by Chief Judge John Tunheim of the U.S. District Court in Minneapolis.

Keira Lombardo, Smithfields chief administrative officer, said the settlement eliminates a substantial portion of the Smithfield, Virginia-based companys exposure in the litigation.

She also said Smithfield denied liability in agreeing to settle and believed its conduct was always lawful.

Smithfields parent WH Group Ltd. says it is the worlds largest pork producer. Its a major landowner in Missouri, with more than 130 company-owned farms and three feed mills, and operates several processing plants, including in Milan and Martin City.

Clifford Pearson, a lawyer for the direct purchasers, declined to comment.
The rules really arent different for Peter, or any wealthy person, and the average person thats out there, says Todd Scorzafava, a certified financial planner and partner at Eagle Rock Wealth Management in East Hanover, New Jersey.

So what are those rules? Among other things, youll have to wait until age 59 to start pulling investment income out of your Roth IRA; otherwise, it may be taxed or penalized. The account also has income limits, and an annual contribution limit of $6,000 ($7,000 if youre 50 or older). Those who follow the rules  tech billionaires or otherwise  reap the Roths rewards.

How anyone might benefit

With a traditional IRA, contributions are tax-deductible, meaning your taxable income will be lower the year you make contributions. Distributions in retirement, however, are taxed as ordinary income.

Roth IRAs are funded with money thats already been taxed, so theres no additional tax deduction on contributions. But qualified withdrawals in retirement are tax-free. This makes Roth IRAs an especially attractive option for savers with a long-time horizon, Scorzafava says.

Yes, a tax deduction now sometimes sounds great, but is that tax deduction going to outweigh the benefit of a Roth later on? Scorzafava says.
Using Helvetica for timestamps and title cards, Bravo refers to the texts digital origins while creating a sense of urgency and impending doom, which is underscored by a motif of shots barreling down the highway in Tampa. Zola (Taylour Paige) met Stefani (Riley Keough) only a few days earlier, waiting tables. When Stefani invites Zola to dance at a strip club in Florida, she jumps at the chance, and right into a black Mercedes G-Wagon belonging to Stefanis roommate (Colman Domingo), with Stefanis boyfriend, Derrek (Nicholas Braun), along for the ride.

After one brief, gloriously euphoric moment, the bloom is almost immediately off the road-trip rose, as Zola realizes shes made a terrible mistake joining the obnoxious and shifty Stefani. Paige has the gift of an icy stare that Bravo puts to good use: The annoyance that Zola feels is palpable.

But this isnt just about being stuck on a trip with someone you despise, as the weekend jaunt devolves into chaos. Stefanis roommate is her pimp, and he expects the girls to work  not just the pole. Zola is too confident and self-possessed to be pushed into sex work by a stranger, but she stays with Stefani in a sisterly attempt at protection and solidarity, ultimately becoming something of a madam herself.
ST. LOUIS  Missouri continues to be among the hardest-hit states in the country for new cases of COVID-19 as local health officials across the state race to get more people vaccinated ahead of the surging Delta variant of the coronavirus.

Some fear the numbers will only get worse after crowds come together this weekend for Fourth of July barbecues, fairs and fireworks displays.

The Springfield-Greene County Health Department, at the center of a swath of counties across southwest Missouri seeing spikes in cases, reported 156 new cases on Monday.

That brought the seven-day daily average of new cases to 116  a 22% increase over the previous week. The county started this month averaging just 38 new cases a day.

Studies suggest the Delta variant is up to 60% more transmissible than the now dominant Alpha variant first identified in the U.K.

With the increase, and increase in infectiousness, we think its more and more likely to have continued spread, warned Jon Mooney, assistant director at the Springfield-Greene County health department, in a press conference Tuesday.

Mooney urged those who are not vaccinated to take measures to protect themselves during holiday celebrations, such as wearing a mask.
New York Democratic state Sen. Anna Kaplan said she sponsored the Senate bill because she wanted to send a message and clearly spell out in state law that its a crime to falsify vaccine cards or possess them.

Were giving people a card showing they are vaccinated so they can travel, go to stadiums, go to college, Kaplan said. We want to make sure that everyone who is vaccinated can go in comfort and know that they are safe. Someone abusing these cards is putting themself and others in harms way. They will be held accountable.

Assembly member Dinowitz said that while some could argue that New York state law already may address such conduct, he filed his bill because he wanted to make sure theres no question its illegal.

By passing the law, it underlines the importance of this issue, he said. I hope other states will follow suit.

Dinowitz, who worries about this issue in part because his grandchildren are too young to get the vaccine and could be exposed to people who arent vaccinated, said he is particularly bothered by what he calls hypocrisy.

If you refuse to get vaccinated, then dont get a false card, he said. Why would you want to have proof that you got vaccinated?
The ECDC estimates its about 40% to 60% more transmissible than the Alpha variant -- making it about half again as contagious.

Vaccines protect against it - but not perfectly

Real life and laboratory evidence both suggest that fully vaccinated people are protected against the Delta variant.

"The good news is if you are vaccinated -- and fully vaccinated means two weeks after your last shot -- then there is good evidence that you have a high degree of protection against this virus," Murthy told CNN's Erica Hill Wednesday. "But if you are not vaccinated, then you are in trouble."

Vaccine maker Moderna released results Tuesday showing that blood taken from vaccinated people could neutralize Delta, as well as other variants including Alpha, the Beta or B.1.351 variant first seen in South African, and Gamma, or P.1, which has swept Brazil.

"Vaccines can handle it," Mulligan said. "In most cases, we have a cushion of magnitude in circulating antibody and other cellular responses. The vaccines are able to handle this."

And in US states with lower vaccination rates, the Delta variant is more prevalent than in states where the majority of the populations are immunized.
The lawyer for a man who entered the U.S. Capitol wearing fur and horns during the Jan. 6 insurrection wants him released from jail and housed in St. Louis.

Albert Watkins said during a federal court hearing held by video conference Wednesday that he has arranged secure housing for Jacob A. Chansley near his office, which is in Clayton. Watkins was responding to concerns by federal prosecutors that Chansley is a flight risk because his home state of Arizona borders Mexico.

Chansley, with his outfit and painted face, was one of the more recognizable of those who stormed the Capitol. He was also a follower of QAnon conspiracy theories who goes by the name QAnon Shaman. Watkins has said Chansley was duped by former President Donald Trump's false claims of election fraud.

Chansley, who is one of four Capitol defendants represented by Watkins, has pleaded not guilty to two felony and four misdemeanor charges stemming from his involvement in the Capitol breach.

Watkins on Wednesday cited Chansley's mental health issues, said he was invited into the Capitol by police and had undergone multiple "debriefings" by FBI agents and prosecutors.
It could be very impactful if this goes through, Wild said.

East-West Gateway officials are looking at reformulating their air modeling in order to try and keep the region in federal compliance.

Its really just trying to manage risk at this point, Wild said.

Republican lawmakers who represent St. Louis suburbs have supported ending the emissions tests for years. Sen. Bill Eigel, R-Weldon Spring, who pushed the measure this year, said during debate this spring that he didnt expect the EPA to take any action against the state. Senate Majority Leader Dave Schatz, who represents much of Franklin County, also said this year he was ready to call their bluff.

Franklin County Presiding Commissioner Tim Brinker, who sits on the board, said the emission testing was an encumbrance on his residents pocketbooks and daily lives.

Quite frankly, the constituents of our three counties are in favor of this legislation, he said.
The way its written, this is not the legalization that we deserve in the state we love, Suttle said. The extra regulations you are putting on this are not fair to those that have been hurt the worst by the war on drugs.

Cannabis centers and law enforcement would have access to an online portal to check patient registrations, and an approved amendment would raise penalties against those who misuse medicinal marijuana for drug trafficking. Still, social conservatives again urged opposition to the bill, saying the safety and efficacy of cannabis remain uncertain and don't meet standards for other lawful drugs, and that the measure will ultimately lead to the legalization of recreational use.

Smoked marijuana is not medicine, said the Rev. Mark Creech of the Christian Action League of North Carolina.

Several Democrats on the committee praised the bill. At least two Republicans on the committee voted no.

Senate Majority Leader Kathy Harrington, a Gaston County Republican, said she probably wouldn't have supported the bill six months ago. But that changed because she said her husband has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma and received cancer treatments.

Life comes at you fast, Harrington told colleagues. I believe we've already had some moments in our lives where this type of medication would have assisted in some of the responses to the treatment. She made the motion to recommend the measure.

Copyright 2021 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed without permission.
In the decades before the Civil War, Black Americans were often excluded from official July 4 events and instead would celebrate on July 5, both acknowledging July 4 and their distance from it. Frederick Douglass delivered his famed 1852 speech, What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July, on July 5.

The Civil War itself was a time for competing interpretations. Southerners embraced the Declaration of Independence's message of defiance against tyranny. The North looked to it as a blueprint. In a letter to Congress sent on July 4, 1861, just months after the Civil War began, President Abraham Lincoln spoke of Independence Day as inspiration for a new and more humane society.

Our adversaries have adopted some declarations of independence in which, unlike the good old one penned by Jefferson, they omit the words `all men are created equal, Lincoln wrote, adding that the Union was upholding "government whose leading object is to elevate the condition of men; to lift artificial weights from all shoulders; to clear the paths of laudable pursuit for all; to afford all an unfettered start and a fair chance in the race of life.
One of the most onerous methods used by Missouri officials to discourage taxpayers from filing requests for open records was to impose draconian fees for the time lawyers and staffers spent reviewing the documents before release under the states Sunshine Law. The state Supreme Court ruled unanimously Tuesday, at long last, that lawyers fees may no longer be charged. Missourians of all political stripes should cheer this ruling as a big boost to government transparency.

Missourians owe a debt of gratitude to lawyer Elad Gross for his relentless pursuit of a case where he sought access to public documents yet was told he must pay an exorbitant fee for them. Gross sought the Democratic nomination for state attorney general last year. In 2018, he filed a Sunshine request for public records on disgraced former Gov. Eric Greitens. The state located the records and was prepared to hand them over, provided Gross pay $3,618 to cover expenses.

The charge came from Gov. Mike Parsons office shortly after he assumed office following Greitens resignation under a cloud of campaign finance irregularities and marital infidelity. Gross specifically sought records related to Greitens dark money campaign financing. The state located 13,659 records related to his Sunshine request.
Only two of the nine U.S. Supreme Court justices said they would have been willing to hear arguments in a case involving a Virginia school districts effort to reinstate a ban on transgender students using bathrooms other than the gender the student was assigned at birth. That means the vast majority, including conservative justices nominated by President Donald Trump, sees this as a non-issue despite years of efforts by the Trump administration and conservative activists to whip up public hysteria over it.

Thats a good sign for the return of common sense and simple human compassion after four years in which transgender issues were weaponized by the right and portrayed as a threat to the moral core of the nation. No, the American way of life is not under threat because one transgender boy asks to use the boys bathroom.

Then-student Gavin Grimm asked to use the boys bathroom at his high school to conform to his gender identity.
How can America regain confidence in our representative democracy again? What gift can we give America for its birthday? Before we can get back to believing in the idea of the land of opportunity, equality, free speech and the free expression of ideas, we need to heal from the hyperpolarization quagmire weve gotten ourselves into. I think we can begin this healing process if we can manage to show empathy for one another.

Empathy is the ability to emotionally understand what other people feel, see things from their point of view and imagine yourself in their place. Essentially, it is putting yourself in someone elses position and feeling what that person must be feeling.

Elected officials on both sides of the aisle should be able to put themselves in the others position. Elections swing back and forth. There is always a winner and loser. Democrats should acknowledge the disappointment and loss Republican voters are feeling. Republicans may feel their freedoms and way of life are threatened or that they are being left behind. Republicans need to acknowledge that Democrats have felt disenfranchised and demoralized. Heres a reminder that Democratic voters experienced the same feeling of loss in 2016 as Republicans are feeling now.
Shares is the leading weekly publication for retail investors. It is packed with investment ideas, news and educational material to help build and run portfolios and get more from your money.

Shares puts on free Investor Events throughout the year across the country. They provide an opportunity for investors to learn more about companies on the stock market and hear from a range of investment experts including fund managers and Shares journalists.
In May 2021 the Iranian IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) revealed another new air defense weapon they had developed. Called 9-Dey, it is a mobile air defense system using new radar and missile technology to deal with enemy cruise missiles, UAVs and ballistic missiles.

Announcements like this have been common for decades and all have been more fiction than fact and intended to boost Iranian morale and support for the IRGC and its expensive, and unsuccessful overseas campaigns in Iraq, Syria, Yemen, Gaza and Lebanon. These new wonder weapons rarely show up for use outside of Iran. Even inside Iran they have been little help. Over the last few years the senior clerics who lead the religious dictatorship that has ruled Iran since the 1980s have publicly criticized the inability of Iranian air defense systems to keep American and Israeli aircraft from operating over Iran. There were more eyewitness reports that foreign warplanes were seen over major cities but the IRGC-developed air defense systems detected nothing.

This open criticism followed the mid-2017 Iran announcement that Iran had begun mass production of its Sayyad 3 anti-aircraft missile which was used with the Bavar-373 radar and fire control system. Developers claimed this system could intercept aerial targets up to 150 kilometers distant. Each Bavar-373 system can simultaneously track 30 aircraft and direct Sayyad 3 missiles at twelve of those targets.

Iran insisted that it had developed its own clone (Bavar-373) of the Russian S-300 anti-aircraft missile system. Iran began work on the Bavar-373 in 2010, after Russia refused to deliver S-300 systems Iran had ordered. International sanctions, plus pressure from the United States and Israel led Russia to cancel the Iranian order. Iran issued progress reports ever since and Bavar-373 was supposed to be ready for final testing in 2014, then 2015, then 2016 when some tests apparently took place. The final testing was supposed to take place before the end of 2017. The Israelis indicate they are not concerned about the Bavar-373 and that they can handle it. Russian and Western air defense experts doubt that the Iranians have managed to create anything close to the capabilities of the S-300 systems Russia delivered once the sanctions were lifted in mid-2015.

The Iranian designed and built Sayyad 3 missile for the Bavar-373 appears to be the same size and shape as the S-300 missile and carried in similar canisters. Iran insists that Bavar-373 is superior to the S-300. Now that Russia has delivered S-300s Iran will be under pressure to reveal if it believes its own propaganda about which system is superior.

Iran never sent Bavar-373 to Syria to defend its forces from Israeli air attacks. The S-300 was already in Syria and not doing very well. The original S-300 was known to NATO, during the Cold War, as the SA-10 and it entered service in the late 1970s and was upgraded several times since then. One major upgrade came to be called the SA-12 and it entered service in the late 1980s. Finally, there was the SA-21, which was so different from the original S-300 that it was given a new name by the Russians: S-400. These systems began entering service, slowly, in 2007 and one battery was sent to Syria during 2016 to protect Russian troops there.

Each S-300/400 battery consists of 4-8 launcher vehicles (each with two missiles, plus two reloads). There are also radar vehicles and a command vehicle. The S-300V/SA-12 missiles had a range of 75 kilometers and were considered somewhat similar to the American Patriot systems. Later models of the S-300V had some capability to shoot down short-range ballistic missiles. The SA-10/12 launcher vehicle also contains a guidance radar. The most recent version of S-300 (S-400) is supposed to be (according to Russia) superior to the American Patriot. But while the Patriot has over two decades of combat experience the S-300 has none.

Meanwhile Bavar-373 is not the first anti-aircraft missile system Iran claims to have developed. In 2013 Iran announced it had built a factory to produce the Sayyad-2 anti-aircraft missile. This is an upgrade of the Sayyad-1, which was based on the old (1950s) Russian SA-2. Sayyad-1 entered service in 1999. Both Sayyad 1 and 2 copied much from the Chinese HQ-2, which is itself an upgrade of the Russian S-75/SA-2 system. Sayyad-2 appears to have incorporated technology from the American HAWK and Standard surface to air missiles.

Sayyad-2 is a two-ton, two stage anti-aircraft missile with a maximum range of 80 kilometers and max altitude of 20,000 meters (65,000 feet). The Sayyad-2 has better electronic countermeasures than Sayyad-1 but it is still dependent on the ground radar for guidance to a target and is vulnerable to electronic interference. Sayyad-2 is believed to have a more effective warhead. None of the Sayyad missiles has been in combat and test firings have not been impressive.

The Chinese HQ-2 has been in use since the late 1960s, has been upgraded several times with modern electronics, an improved warhead, better rocket motors and more maneuverability which made it significantly more effective HQ-2 by the 21st century. Iran has been getting military technology from China since the 1980s. This apparently included the tech for the solid fuel rocket motors used by the Sayyad-2 and possibly some of the electronics. If an attacker does not have good electronic countermeasures the Sayyad-2 could be quite effective. China also has lots of S-300 and may have sold or leaked technical data on that system to Iran.

Iran announcements of new weapons have lost their impact over the years and even the Iranian public mocks them. The IRGC is behind most of these developments and seems to continue with these announcements largely as a form of self-defense.
Today is the deadline for the two rival factions to agree on how to run the national elections in December that will finally unite the country after a decade of rebellion and civil war. The two factions are the UN created GNA (Government of National Accord) controlling the least territory and the HoR (House of Representatives) the last elected government that disagreed with the formation of the GNA.

After nearly a year of effort a stable ceasefire was worked out in early 2021. This was part of a unification effort that made it possible for the two rival factions to work on a merger agreement. In February Abdul Hamid Dbeibeh was selected to head (as prime minister) the temporary GNU (Government of National Unity) while bringing together representatives of the two factions to work out details of the election process and a new constitution. Dbeibeh has been a successful businessman since the 1980s and, during the 2011 revolution favored the Moslem Brotherhood, but was perceived as doing so mainly to protect his family and business interests. He is known to have used corrupt behavior to keep his businesses going during the decade of fighting but is believed trustworthy enough to form the temporary government that has until December to organize elections.

By mutual agreement the GNU only lasts until the end of the year. If there is not an elected government by then, the civil war resumes. Currently the main obstacle is agreeing on whether the national leader will be an elected president or a parliament elected prime minister. It is understood that the legislative elections will create a legislature/parliament composed of many political factions with different ideas about how Libya should be governed. While a president does not have to worry about losing his majority in parliament and triggering new parliamentary elections, the parliamentary process makes it easier to avoid a resumption of the civil war by giving all factions a role in forming new governments led by a prime minister.

Then there are still major problems with corruption and foreign influence in Libya. The most intransigent example of that is Turkey, which is demanding that its illegal presence in Libya be legitimized and the agreements made with the GNA in late 2019 be recognized as legal. That will be difficult because that agreement brought in Turkish military forces that saved the GNA from being eliminated by the HoR forces. The GNA agreement with the Turks also illegally granted Turkey access to offshore waters that, by international law, are controlled by Greece. This agreement has Libya and Turkey agreeing to claim and exploit offshore oil and gas discoveries in the waters between Libya and Turkey. Even the UN opposes this deal because it violates numerous existing treaties that established rules for how this division of offshore resources is done. The GNA-Turkey deal is similar to the claims China is making in the South China Sea. Greece refuses to negotiate with the Turks over this and is instead appealing the UN and international tribunals that handle such disputes. The Chinese violations of international law in the South China Sea were judged by an international tribunal which declared China was acting illegally. China ignored the ruling and continues to militarize the South China Sea.

Turkey is no China and does not have the means to enforce its claims. The Greeks, and many Turks, know it. The Turks are able to remain in Libya because the UN and NATO are unwilling to try and force the Turks out. Most Libyans agree that it is crucial to Libyan unity to get the Turks out of Libya.

Turkey and Greece have been feuding for centuries and both are NATO members. Since 2000 Turkey has moved away from its pre-1991 (Cold War) policies and sought to become a leading power in the Moslem world. The problem with that is most Moslem nations oppose this new Turkish policy and are especially hostile to the Turkish military presence in Libya and how it was arranged.

The new GNU prime minister was able to find acceptable candidates to head all 26 of the new government ministries. Similar negotiations proceed about moving the GNU capital to Sirte. The LNA (Libyan National Army) forces in Sirte refuse to leave without some guarantees that Turk mercenaries stationed not far away on the coast road that goes through Sirte, will not speed into Sirte and claim to be the new permanent security force. Pro-Turkey media suggest money problems, with at least one of the LNA militias in Sirte demanding a bonus (or bribe) before they will leave.

The composition of the GNU security forces is still unsettled, as is the status of foreign troops, especially the hated Turks.

The HoR government in the east (based in Tobruk) agreed to support the GNU with the understanding that security would be a priority and that the status of LNA founder and leader Khalifa Haftar be respected. The Turks, Islamic militias and GNA diehards hate Haftar and want him gone if not imprisoned. Most Libyans oppose that because Haftar suppressed Islamic terrorism in Libya and nearly united the country under the HoR before the desperate GNA made a deal with the Turks.

To further complicate matters the HoR has long been supported by Russia, Egypt and the Gulf Arabs while the GNA has received support from Iran. The Turks have also worked with Iran in Syria and against Kurdish separatists in general. Both Turkey and Iran support Islamic terrorists when it suits their purposes. The most acceptable solution to the security issue seems to be regional security commands that would put Haftar led forces in charge of security in some regions. The Turks have not been cooperative and tolerate rogue militias as long as Turkish interests are respected. The Turks adopted a similar attitude in Syria, where they are also considered a major obstacle to ending the civil war there. And then there is Somalia, where the Turks have become a major obstacle to peace.

The reality is that the main task of the GNU is to eliminate the independent militias, get the foreign troops out of the country and create a new national army. The HoR already has a version of that with its LNA, which still controls most of the country and would have unified Libya in 2020 had not the GNA brought in the Turks. The current (since 2000) Turkish government is Islamic and increasingly unpopular with Turkish voters. This government is facing reverses in upcoming Turkish elections and many Turks fear their government will rig the elections to remain in power and get Turkey involved in foreign wars. These are unpopular with most Turks, which is why the Turks do most of their fighting with mercenaries in Syria, Libya, Somalia and elsewhere. The Turks are increasingly the main obstacle to unity and peace in many trouble spots where they have intervened.

The Turkish activities in Libya are becoming the only obstacle to unity and peace. That is because most of the other problems have been, or are being, solved. One of the HoR demands, that the UN backed, involved agreement on a long-sought list of anti-corruption measures. These meant reforms on how oil income was collected and spent. Before the late 2020 reforms went into force, the NOC (National Oil Corporation) was refusing to turn over any oil revenue to the Central Bank until the bank installed an accounting system that was transparent and clearly specified who gets the money and how the money is spent. There have been a growing number of complaints about corruption, like with the distribution of dollars obtained from oil sales by the Central Bank, often in cooperation with GNA officials. In 2019 the HoR government complained that the GNA had sought, with some success, to deprive the LNA of much oil income it was entitled to. This was taking place at the time when the LNA had upgraded oil facility security to the point where full production could be achieved. The GNA had never been able to achieve much security anywhere, except in Tripoli. Even with full and sustained oil production there were also continuing problems with corruption in how oil income was spent.

Most of those reforms have gone into effect, and cost many corrupt Libyan leaders and businessmen a lot of money, and there are still efforts to get around the reforms. The illegal presence of the Turks is one GNA corrupt action that defies solution because the Turks refuse to leave and no one outside Libya is willing to try and force them. The Libyan people smugglers, unlike those in Turkey, have more options. One of them is to move their departure port operation to neighboring Tunisia. This has already happened but not all the Libya based smuggler groups have been able to make (or afford to make) the move yet.

The UN continues to make futile gestures against the Turks, and the other armed foreigners in Libya. The UN demands dont work because the UN has no way to enforce compliance. Individual Arab and European countries, especially Egypt and France, are trying to negotiate a deal with Turkey that would get the Turkish mercs out of Libya. That wont be cheap and the negotiations are mainly about how much it will cost in cash and concessions.

Arab countries in the region that were once part of the Turkish Ottoman Empire are less willing to negotiate with the Turks. While the Ottoman Empire has been done for a century, the Turks imperial attitudes are still around and nations formerly part of its empire see the UN as dominated by nations which mistakenly believe the Turks can be reasonable. So far, the Turks have not been reasonable in Libya and Arab nations believe that wont change until the UN changes its attitude towards the Turks.

June 26, 2021: In central Libya (Jufra/Jofra province, 770 kilometers south of Tripoli) the LNA has spent the last week searching for remaining ISIL groups still operating in the volcanic mountains that rise out of the surrounding desert. LNA forces have been fighting various Islamic terror groups here since late 2016. General Haftar saw Jufra turning into a sustained campaign because some of the local Jufra militias will tolerate Islamic terrorist groups and are generally wary of what the coastal militias are up to. Other local militias are hostile to ISIL, which tends to attack anyone that does not agree with them. The LNA periodically moves ground forces down here to deal with new ISIL activity. The search is assisted by aerial surveillance and airstrikes. In the last week the LNA found and destroyed four ISIL hideouts and killed or captured over a dozen ISIL members. Since late 2020 most of the violent deaths in Libya have been from clashes between rival militias and occasional attacks by ISIL or other terrorist groups.

June 20, 2021: GNU prime minister Abdul Dbeibeh declared that the coastal highway was clear of all obstacles. A day later one of those obstacles, the LNA forces in Sirte, pointed out that the highway was not open because the UN created Joint Military Commission was given the task of negotiating an agreement to reopen the road. Now Dbeibeh is being accused of being bribed or intimidated into cooperating with the Turks.

The LNA has long dealt with rogue militias still blocking the coast road or operations of key oil production and export facilities. This form of extortion also crippled the GNU but the LNA was more successful at dealing with it, using a combination of negotiations and military force. Clearing that road is one of the pre-conditions for holding elections. Most Libyans live along the coast and the coastal highway is an essential element of national unity and prosperity. Powerful local militias took advantage of that after 2011 and this lucrative power to extort transit fees from traffic is one of the things that kept many militias in business. That income included fees from smuggling gangs operating from coastal ports. The LNA systematically eliminated militia control of the road east of Sirte (a coastal city 500 kilometers east of Tripoli and 560 kilometers west of Benghazi). In early 2020 the LNA finally gained control of Sirte but by mid-2020 the invading Turks were moving west and trying to take Sirte. That failed and that was one of the reasons the Turks tolerated a ceasefire. The LNA is still having problems with local militias that want to regain control of Sirte. The presence of Turkish forces (in the form of Syrian Arab mercenaries) is a major obstacle because they dont take orders from any Libyans, but from the Turks.

June 10, 2021: In the coastal town of Ajaylat (80 kilometers west of Tripoli) seven people, including an American student, were killed during fighting between two rival militias, one of them affiliated with ISIL. Such feuds are still common in Tripoli and towns between the city and the Tunisian border. This is one area where people smuggling gangs can still operate freely if they pay off the right militias.

June 6, 2021: In the southwest (Fezzan region, 640 kilometers south of Tripoli) a suicide car bomb went off at a checkpoint outside Sabha City, killing two police and wounding five others. Since 2015 the LNA has been trying to maintain some degree of law and order in this area where fighting between Tuareg and Tebu tribesmen has been flaring up regularly since the 2011 revolution. Much of the violence is over control of the main road going to the Niger border. The fighting is a continuation of ancient animosities between tribes divided by ethnicity as well as loyalty to the former dictator Kaddafi, who used tribal loyalties to maintain power and favored certain tribes. Some of the pro-Kaddafi Tuareg tribes kept fighting after Kaddafi died in 2011. The violence was not so much about putting Kaddafi followers back into power, but holding on to Kaddafi-era privileges and avoiding punishment for crimes committed to support Kaddafis rule. In this case violence continued on the southern border in part because the pro-rebel Tabu (or Tebu) tribesmen were put in charge of border (with Sudan, Chad and Niger) security after Kaddafi fell. There they constantly skirmishes with the Tuareg tribes over control of the smuggling business. Another element of this rivalry was that the Tabu are black African while the pro-Kaddafi tribes are Arab and Taureg. Kaddafi tended to support Arab domination over black Africans, something many Arabs still approve of. However, in some cases Kaddafi favored black tribes in the north, and used them to keep the population in line. By 2015 the Tabu were still technically in charge of the border but mostly concerned with their control over smuggling (of fuel, drugs and people). The Tabu and Tuareg leaders worked out agreements on dividing smuggling business but discipline in the tribes is not all that tight and fights keep breaking out. The main cause of renewed fighting in 2019 is the GNA sending militiamen south to aid the Tabu in pushing LNA forces out of the area. The GNA effort in the south is not so much about ancient tribal rivalries but about gaining control of oil fields and pipelines in this part of the country. About a quarter of Libyan oil comes from this area and in 2020 the GNA, with help pf Turkish mercenaries, regained some control in the area, long policed by the LNA.

May 31, 2021: In the southwest (Fezzan region bordering Niger and Chad) electric company employees, and their security guards, were fired on when they went to disconnect electrical power to a local business that refused to pay its electricity bill. Two of the attackers were killed as well as two civilian bystanders.
Nominate Now for the 2021 European Readers' Choice Awards

We are now accepting nominations for the 2021 Streaming Media European Readers' Choice Awards, the only awards program in the industry where the end users of products and services get to vote for their favorites.

Make sure your product or service is nominated for the awards by completing and submitting the form available here before 19 July. You may submit the same product or service in multiple categories, but you may not submit more than one nomination from the same company in a single category. Though only end users are permitted to vote, vendors may submit nominations for their products and services to be considered. This year, we've added categories for enterprise video and quality of experience/quality of service.

CLICK HERE TO MAKE YOUR NOMINATIONS

Streaming Medias editorial team evaluates all submissions to make sure they fit their categories, and final nominees are announced on 26 July when online voting opens. Voting will remain open until 20 August. The top 3 finalists in each category will be announced on our website in early September, and the winners will be announced in the Autumn issue of Streaming Media's European magazine, on StreamingMediaGlobal.com, and published in StreamingMedia Europe Xtra newsletter.

Note that the U.S. edition of Streaming Media weill also run a Readers' Choice Awards later this year; this European competiton will accept nominations only from companies with headquarters in Europe. Email readerschoice@streamingmedia.com if you have any questions.

You can take a look at last year's winners here.

Here are this year's categories.

Analytics/Quality of Service Platform

Best Streaming Innovation

Cloud Encoding/Transcoding Service

NEW Closed Captioning Solution

Content Delivery and Distribution

Content Protection (DRM, Watermarking, Access Control)

Corporate Video Platform

Encoding/Transcoding Solution

Hardware/Software Server

Live Streaming Platform/Service

Media Asset Management Solution

Mobile Video Solution

OTT Video Platform

Video Advertising Solution

Video Player Solution/SDK

NEW Video Quality Metrics Solution

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TORONTO, June 29, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The Flowr Corporation (TSX.V: FLWR; OTC: FLWPF) (Flowr or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement with Green Hedge Education & Distribution Services Ltd. (Green Hedge) to act as the Companys external sales agent providing coverage to licensed cannabis wholesalers and retailers across Canada.

Working with Green Hedge allows Flowr to access a much wider audience of retailers throughout Canada. In Ontario alone we expect more than 1,300 retail outlets to open by the end of 2021 and partnering with Green Hedge allows us to expand our trade universe coverage in a cost-effective manner, commented Darryl Brooker, Chief Executive Officer of the Company. Green Hedge has one of the biggest distribution footprints in Canada and we see this as an important way to have an even broader distribution of our flagship strains BC Pink Kush and BC Black Cherry.

Green Hedge is a leading cannabis sales and distribution company headquartered in Toronto, Ontario led by Andrew von Teichman. His entrepreneurial experience over two decades in distribution and consumer packaged goods has established Green Hedge as one of Canadas top cannabis distributors. Operating in six provinces with more than 2,000 active retail partners in Canada, the company has a 93% penetration rate with their customers.

We are thrilled to have Flowr as part of the portfolio. Their position in premium flower and production capabilities make them an ideal fit for our growing portfolio of market leading brands, commented von Teichman, CEO of Green Hedge.

About Flowr

The Flowr Corporation is a Toronto-headquartered cannabis company with operations in Canada and the European Union. Its Canadian operating campus, located in Kelowna, BC, includes a purpose-built, GMP-designed indoor cultivation facility; an outdoor and greenhouse cultivation site; and a state-of-the-art R&D facility. From this campus, Flowr produces recreational and medicinal products. Internationally, Flowr intends to service the global medical cannabis market through its subsidiary Holigen Holdings Limited, which has a license for cannabis cultivation in Portugal and operates a GMP licensed facility in Portugal. In 2020, Flowrs BC Pink Kush was recognized as the top indica strain in Canada by KIND magazine.

Flowr aims to support improving outcomes through responsible cannabis use and, as an established expert in cannabis cultivation, strives to be the brand of choice for consumers and patients seeking the highest-quality craftsmanship and product consistency across a portfolio of differentiated cannabis products.

For more information, please visit flowrcorp.com or follow Flowr on Twitter: @FlowrCanada and LinkedIn: The Flowr Corporation.

About Green Hedge

Green Hedges mission is to be the leading cannabis distributor in Canada, providing a complete sales, marketing and education solution for licensed producers and cannabis companies. Green Hedge offers cannabis manufacturers a national voice for their brands into retailers in every province, leveraging a highly knowledgeable and discerning team of cannabis sales educators. Green Hedge represents a leading portfolio of some of Canadas top cannabis brands.

On behalf of The Flowr Corporation:

Darryl BrookerChief Executive Officer

CONTACT INFORMATION:

INVESTORS & MEDIA:John ChouChief Financial OfficerJohn.chou@flowr.ca

Forward-Looking Information:

Certain statements made in this press release may constitute forward-looking information, future oriented financial information or financial outlooks (collectively, forward-looking information) within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking information may relate to anticipated events or results including, but not limited to: the Companys expectation that it will build on its achievements as it continues to invest in sales and marketing; the Companys expectations for sales of product in Quebec; Flowr servicing the global medical cannabis market and operating GMP facilities in Portugal; Flowrs business, production and products; Flowrs plans to provide premium quality cannabis to adult use recreational and medical markets; EU-GMP certification opening the medicinal cannabis opportunity for the Company in global markets; the Company being well positioned to distribute EU-GMP compliant product into underserviced markets; Flowrs ability to realize revenue from the Companys European operations within the anticipated timeframe or at all; Flowrs ability to establish sales and distribution channels in Europe to deliver medicinal cannabis to underserviced markets; expectations with respect to the anticipated timing for harvests, propagation, completion of construction and installation of extraction infrastructure at the Companys Sintra facility; the Company being unable to commence GMP packaging and commercial sales within the anticipated timeframe or at all; Flowrs ability to service the global medical cannabis market and/or operate GMP-designed manufacturing facilities in Portugal; the sale of medical cannabis in pharmacies in Portugal representing a watershed moment for cannabis in the E.U.; the Companys ability to complete offering(s) of its securities under the Final Shelf Prospectus; the expected impact of the strategic review decisions on the Company; the actual costs of savings from the Companys restructuring initiatives, including with respect to its workforce; the Companys plans to divest its interests in certain of its subsidiaries; the Companys ability to obtain licensing from Health Canada and other regulatory authorities with respect to its properties and facilities; future legislative and regulatory developments in Canada and elsewhere; the cannabis industry in Canada generally; the ability of Flowr to implement its business strategies; and the ability of Flowr to produce or sell premium quality cannabis. Particularly, information regarding our expectations of future results, targets, performance achievements, prospects or opportunities is forward-looking information. Often, but not always, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as may, will, expect, believe, estimate, plan, could, should, would, outlook, forecast, anticipate, foresee, continue or the negative of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Forward-looking information is current as of the date it is made and is based on reasonable estimates and assumptions made by us at the relevant time in light of our experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that we believe are appropriate and reasonable in the circumstances. To the extent any forward-looking information in this press release constitutes future oriented financial information or financial outlooks, within the meaning of applicable securities laws, the purpose of such information being provided is to demonstrate the potential of the Company and readers are cautioned that this information may not be appropriate for any other purpose. However, we do not undertake to update any such forward-looking information whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities laws in Canada. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. Many factors could cause our actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements or future events or developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking information as discussed in the Risk Factors section of the Companys 2020 Annual Information Form dated April 28, 2021 (the AIF). A copy of the AIF and the Companys other publicly filed documents can be accessed under the Companys profile on the System for Electronic Document Analysis and Retrieval (SEDAR) at www.sedar.com. The Company cautions that the list of risk factors and uncertainties described in the AIF is not exhaustive and other factors could also adversely affect its results. Readers are urged to consider the risks, uncertainties and assumptions carefully in evaluating the forward-looking information and are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such 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.

Source: The Flowr Corporation
TICKERS: AGN; AGNPF; AGW

Source: Streetwise Reports (6/30/21)

Repurposing extends a drug's reach and value, and Algernon Pharmaceuticals' strategy of finding and demonstrating new uses for existing drugs reduces risk, accelerates time to market and increases capital efficiency.



Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc. (AGN:CSE; AGNPF:OTCQB; AGW:FSE) announced the launch of a new clinical research program that will evaluate the use of the drug Ifenprodil (NP-120) in treating pancreatic cancer. The announcement followed the positive results of a study that demonstrated Ifenprodil's significant anti-tumor effect in an animal model of pancreatic cancer. It is one of several projects Algernon is pursuing related to Ifenprodil, an NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor antagonist, that is used in Japan to treat vertigo.

Rather than developing drugs from scratch, Algernon Pharmaceuticals is a clinical stage drug development company that "repurposes" existing drugs for new therapeutic uses. Repurposing is a more rigorous effort than off-label prescribing. "An off-label use is the decision of an individual physician, with limited safeguards in place," said CEO Christopher Moreau. "Repurposing involves an entity, like Algernon, investing its time, effort and resources to find and study the mechanism of action of existing drugs and to seek formal regulatory approval for new possible uses."

This business model takes already approved and proven safe drugs, including naturally occurring compounds, and screens them in globally accepted animal models to treat different diseases. When the results warrant, the company then files new intellectual property rights and moves the drugs into clinical trials. The potential benefits of repurposing compared to traditional drug development include reduced investment and risk, shorter research periods and a longer active patent life.

Algernon focuses on drugs that have not previously been approved in the U.S. or the E.U. The company prefers drugs approved in places like Japan and Russia because, Moreau said, "that insulates us from facing any off-label prescription writing issues and provides us a stronger period of exclusivity."

He went on to say that the firm's repurposing strategy can save up to "five years and many millions in R&D costs. Repurposing costs approximately one-tenth the cost of developing a new drug, and you also have to remember that 90% of new drugs fail before they ever get to human testing."

Furthermore, repurposed compounds have a much lower risk of failing in human trials due to safety issues. "The drugs we are developing have proven safety records, reducing safety risk," Moreau said. "We are able to conduct multiple Phase 2 clinical trials with multiple drugs for multiple indications at the same time, increasing our capital efficiency and accelerating time to market."

Right now, Algernon's Ifenprodil pipeline involves research into its use in treating:

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF): This lung disease scars the lungs irreversibly, reducing the ability to breathe. Its cause is unknown, yet it affects up to 132,00 people in the U.S., with 50,000 new cases diagnosed annually, according to the American Lung Association. Algernon has Phase 2 human studies underway on the efficacy of Ifenprodil to treat IPF in Australia and New Zealand. The IPF market is expected to rise from $900 million (2015) to $3.2 billion by 2025.

Chronic cough: An intermittent cough is annoying; a cough that lasts longer than eight weeks can contribute to insomnia, nausea, even rib fractures, according to the Mayo Clinic. Algernon is exploring Ifenprodil's ability to calm the inflammation associated with this condition. Whether as a standalone condition or a symptom of IPF or other lung disease, chronic cough represents a global market of $1.40 billion.

Pancreatic cancer: Although not as widespread as other cancers, pancreatic cancer is more deadly, killing approximately 40,000 people in the U.S. alone each year. And it kills quickly: The five-year survival rate hovers around 7%. Algernon is preparing to request a pre-investigational new drug application (pre-IND) meeting with the FDA. The firm also plans to file for an orphan disease designation and seek both Fast Track status and designation as a Breakthrough Therapy. These steps all would accelerate the pace toward beginning human clinical trials. Grand View Research estimates the global pancreatic cancer treatment market will reach $4.2 billion by 2025, driven in part by the burgeoning population aged 65 to 75 that is most at risk for the disease.

Algernon also has ongoing research into the use of the psychedelic DMT to treat stroke, and expects to begin its Phase 1 human study the end of this year. "The company's decision to investigate DMT for stroke is based on multiple independent, positive preclinical studies demonstrating that DMT helps promote neurogenesis as well as structural and functional neural plasticity. These are key factors involved in the brain's ability to form and reorganize synaptic connections, which are needed for healing following a brain injury," Moreau explained.

The firm's competitors in the area of drug repurposing include Rediscover Life Sciences, Paradigm, Chord Therapeutics and Exvastat. Companies active in the psychedelic space are PsyBio Therapeutics, MindMed and PharmaTher.

Fans of science fiction may appreciate the company's nod to the Hugo award-winning short story, and later novel Flowers for Algernon, in its choice of name. Made into the movie Charly, the plot hinges on a surgical technique that appears to increase intelligence and its effect on both a human subject, Charlie, and the mouse of the title.

Algernon is covered by Andre Uddin of Research Capital Corp., which has rated it Speculative Buy and assigned a target price of CA$0.25. The stock is currently trading at around CA$0.13.

Algernon's market cap is approximately CA$22.5 million, with 170 million shares outstanding.

[NLINSERT]

Disclosure:

1) Diane Fraser compiled this article for Streetwise Reports LLC and provides services to Streetwise Reports as an independent contractor. She and/or members of her household own securities of the following companies mentioned in the article: None. She and/or members of her household are paid by the following companies mentioned in this article: None. Her company has a financial relationship with the following companies referred to in this article: None.

2) The following companies mentioned in this interview are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports: Algernon Pharmaceuticals. Click here for important disclosures about sponsor fees. As of the date of this article, an affiliate of Streetwise Reports has a consulting relationship with Algernon Pharmaceuticals. Please click here for more information. The information provided above is for informational purposes only and is not a recommendation to buy or sell any security.

3) The interview does not constitute investment advice. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her individual financial professional and any action a reader takes as a result of information presented here is his or her own responsibility. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. This article is not a solicitation for investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company mentioned on Streetwise Reports.

4) From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles and interviews on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned. Directors, officers, employees or members of their immediate families are prohibited from making purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise from the time of the decision to publish an article until three business days after the publication of the article. The foregoing prohibition does not apply to articles that in substance only restate previously published company releases. As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of Algernon Pharmaceuticals, a company mentioned in this article.

5) This article does not constitute medical advice. Officers, employees and contributors to Streetwise Reports are not licensed medical professionals. Readers should always contact their healthcare professionals for medical advice.

Disclosures from Mackie Research Capital Corp., Algernon Pharmaceuticals Inc., Update, May 10, 2021

RELEVANT DISCLOSURES APPLICABLE TO COMPANIES UNDER COVERAGE:

Relevant disclosures required under IIROC Rule 3400 applicable to companies under coverage discussed in this research report are available on our web site at www.researchcapital.ca.

1. This issuer has generated investment banking revenues for MRCC.

ANALYST CERTIFICATION

I, Andre Uddin and Yue Ma, certify the views expressed in this report were formed by my review of relevant company data and industry investigation, and accurately reflect my opinion about the investment merits of the securities mentioned in the report. I also certify that my compensation is not related to specific recommendations or views expressed in this report.

Each analyst of Research Capital Corporation whose name appears in this report hereby certifies that (i) the recommendations and opinions expressed in this research report accurately reflect the analysts personal views and (ii) no part of the research analysts compensation was or will be directly or indirectly related to the specific conclusions or recommendations expressed in this research report.

Research Capital Corporation, its directors, officers and other employees may, from time to time, have positions in the securities mentioned herein.
Protesters march outside Ramstein Air Base, Germany, in 2018. Peace activists are expected to demonstrate again this year, beginning July 4, 2021. (STARS AND STRIPES )

KAISERSLAUTERN, Germany  An annual peace protest outside Ramstein Air Base will start for about a week beginning Sunday, following last years cancellation due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The activists from the Stopp Air Base Ramstein Campaign will set up a peace camp near the base through July 11, the group said in a statement.

On July 10, about 150 people are expected to gather in Kaiserslautern at the main train station around 11 a.m., said Andreas Wildberger, a Landstuhl police spokesman. When the protest was last held in 2019, thousands were expected to participate, police said at the time.

The protest will move to a rally near the air base around 1 p.m., Wildberger said. Afterward, the demonstrators are planning to ride bicycles around the perimeter of the base.

Traffic delays can be expected near the base on July 10, due to the protest and because of scheduled construction on the Einsiedlerhof bridge, Wildberger said.

Drivers heading on base that day should avoid the street between Ramstein and Mackenbach, Wildberger said.

Under their slogan We are back again! the group will protest what they say are illegal wars. They are demanding an end to what they say is the use of the air base to relay telemetry to drones that collect information on terrorist groups and attack designated targets. The attacks on suspected terrorists and militants are extrajudicial and have killed civilians, the group has said.

Air Force officials have denied for years that any data is relayed through Ramstein for drone operations.

However, a German high court in 2019 determined that there were substantial indications known to the German government that U.S. drone missions assisted from Ramstein are at least in part violating international law.

All this happens with the knowledge and the toleration of the (German) federal government, the activist group said in a recent statement.

The protest has been peaceful in the past and is expected to be again this year, Wildberger said.

Air Force officials were not immediately available for comment Wednesday, but have said in the past that they respect the rights of the protesters, and want to ensure that everyone involved and nearby remains safe.

kloeckner.marcus@stripes.com
Then-Command Sgt. Maj. Clinton Murray at a ceremony in August 2016, at Fort Bragg, N.C. Murray faces several court-martial charges, including sexual assault and another related to destroying evidence. (Facebook)

A former command sergeant major faces a court-martial on charges he sexually assaulted an officer and asked her to destroy evidence ahead of an earlier trial on separate sexual misconduct charges.

Clinton Murray, now a master sergeant at Fort Bragg, N.C., was acquitted of earlier charges hed sexually assaulted a private first class, but was found guilty last year of having a prohibited relationship with her during a 2017 Afghanistan deployment.

Days after he was sentenced to a reprimand and reduction in rank in that January 2020 trial, he was again under investigation and flagged to prevent favorable personnel action. Yet Murray was able to retire briefly and now faces a slew of charges that include desertion and fraudulent separation.

Some details about Murrays career and the allegations against him, first reported by Army Times, were disclosed in a lawsuit he filed against the Army last July for revoking his retirement orders. Prosecutors said he was able to retire by forging signatures.

Murray has pleaded not guilty to the charges. His lead attorney, John Hafemann, told Army Times the defense team looks forward to representing him at court-martial, but declined to discuss specifics of the case.

The legal trouble for Murray began while he was in Kabul with the 82nd Airborne Divisions 1st Brigade Combat Team.

Murray, who earned a Bronze Star for valor and an Army Commendation Medal with valor during over 20 years of service, was on his fifth combat deployment. He was the command sergeant major of the 3rd Squadron, 73rd Cavalry Regiment, when he came under investigation.

The Army eventually charged him with several offenses, including sexually assaulting the private first class, mistreating her, engaging in a prohibited relationship with her, fostering a sense of undue familiarity with a female first lieutenant, and attempting to influence the investigation into his conduct.

Most of the charges were withdrawn, including the one involving the officer, and Murray was acquitted of the sexual assault and maltreatment charges. But after a four-day trial, he was found guilty of the six-month prohibited relationship with the junior enlisted soldier and was sentenced to a reprimand and reduction in rank.

It was during the court-martial that the officer approached prosecutors and said she had helped Murray cover up evidence of his sexual misconduct, at his request, and had an adulterous relationship with him, Maj. Clifford Walters, chief of military justice for the 82nd Airborne Division, said in a sworn statement filed in federal court last year.

Army Criminal Investigative Command then launched an investigation into the charges of obstruction of justice, Walters said.

Murray was informed on Feb. 6, 2020 of that investigation and that he would remain flagged until it was complete, officials said. But a little over a month later he received retirement orders with a June 2020 effective date through what the Army said was an administrative error.

Prosecutors told the federal court that he forged two soldiers signatures and made an unauthorized change to a signed leave form, allowing him to sign off base June 4, 2020. He got three weeks of retirement pay and received signed letters from the president and Army leaders thanking him for his service, court records show.

A little over a month later, after the Army realized what happened, his company commander left him a voicemail informing him his retirement orders had been revoked and that he had to report back to Fort Bragg. He didnt show up and was declared AWOL before he sued to block the recall, but he was apprehended weeks later. His suit was dismissed in September.

The Army charged him in August with trying to impede the 2017 investigation by requesting destruction of physical and forensic evidence, and with sexual assault for coercing the officer to have sex with him in May 2018. He threatened to divulge details of their previous liaisons to her husband and the Army, says a lightly redacted charge sheet the 82nd Airborne Division provided to Stars and Stripes on Wednesday.

Hes also charged with using such threats to extort her for intimate visual images. Charges were added in January that hed attempted revenge porn by trying to broadcast intimate images of an unnamed woman in Fayetteville, N.C., without her consent.

Murray also faces charges that he began an adulterous relationship in Kabul that continued for several months after he returned to North Carolina.

Charges are merely accusations and the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty, said Lt. Col. Mike Burns, a spokesman for the 82nd Airborne, in an emailed statement.

His trial is scheduled for Oct. 11.

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ROCKINGHAM, N.C. (Tribune News Service)  The 3-58th Airfield Operations Battalion is advancing their skills and proficiency in air traffic control at the Richmond County Airport.

For the past week, 14 individuals have been putting their training to the test at the airport.

This battalion has been back from a deployment in Somalia since February.

"The amount of aircraft here is about ten fold of what it normally is," said Sgt. Christopher Korthals. "A lot more noise, a lot more congestion of the air space while we're here. We do that on purpose to provide the training."

They work with Civil Air Patrol to get planes to land in the facility. Those pilots are gaining hours of experience needed to fly and the military personnel on the ground are getting hands-on, situational learning.

Routine air traffic to the airport is uninterrupted by the operation. The military comes out to the airport about once a month, usually for around a week.

The aircraft that comes in partnership with the military doesn't stay at the airport. Korthals said they fly around, simulating emergencies to increase the understanding of various scenarios. Planes come in from Wilmington, Winston-Salem and Myrtle Beach.

Korthals said the real challenge is the mix of civilian aircraft and military aircraft that are using the runways.

"We're basically just ensuring that we maintain our proficiency and getting our hours back up," Specialist Justin Mabry said, who has three years of experience and has been implementing his knowledge in Somalia.

Mabry said there's an upcoming two-week training session that they're preparing for.

"There's a lot to remember, there's a lot to memorize. It can be very, very stressful at times," Mabry said, although he clarified the overall atmosphere is very laid-back.

The crew typically uses a mobile ATC tower, although it wasn't being used on Tuesday. They consult with the U.S. Air Force Airfield Management and a approach control tower in Fayetteville.

Sgt. John Burch, who monitors the instrument flight rules using radar, said simulating their skills really sets them up for success.

"When the weather is bad, we're pretty much the guys they call to get that plane down safe to the ground," Burch said. "After a while, you get used to talking to various aircraft and it becomes like a routine."

Burch has two years of experience that he says makes his job very straightforward.

The 3-58th Airfield Operations Battalion departs from the airport on Tuesday and will return to Fort Bragg.

(c)2021 the Richmond County Daily Journal (Rockingham, N.C.)

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Family members welcome the crew of the new Coast Guard cutter Frederick Hatch upon arrival at its homeport on Guam, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. (U.S. Coast Guard)

After a 69-day journey, one of the Coast Guards newest Sentinel-class fast-response cutters arrived Tuesday at its new homeport on Guam.

The 154-foot Frederick Hatch steamed into Apra Harbor after departing Key West, Fla., on April 21. It joins its two sister cutters, the Myrtle Hazard and the Oliver Henry, which arrived on the U.S. island territory in September and December, respectively.

Placing the three cutters on Guam is meant as a response to coercive and antagonistic behavior from China, Coast Guard commandant Adm. Karl Schultz said in October 2019.

The Frederick Hatch, built in Louisiana by Bollinger Shipyards, carries a crew of 24. Approximately 100 of their dependents had already arrived on Guam ahead of the cutter. Photos posted to the ships Facebook page on Tuesday showed spouses and children greeting the arriving crew with heartfelt embraces and colorful signs.

The ships commander, Lt. Craig R. Rooke, said the crew had been apart from their families since November, when they reported to Louisiana.

The new Coast Guard cutter Frederick Hatch arrives at its homeport in Apra Harbor, Guam, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. (U.S. Coast Guard)

For the majority of the crew, theyd never been underway before, so it was an experience, he told Stars and Stripes in a phone interview Wednesday. It was stressful, but at the same time we made it enjoyable as well.

Throughout its journey, which covered approximately 11,400 nautical miles, the cutter stopped at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base, transited the Panama Canal and made port calls in Mexico, Los Angeles and Hawaii.

The voyage also provided time for training exercises and real-world experience, according to the cutters prolific Facebook posts. In one instance, the vessel stopped to rescue a sea turtle from entangled trash.

The Frederick Hatch also received a marijuana decal after interdicting a vessel that was smuggling illegal substances, although details of the incident were not released.

A lot of [the crew] were learning their jobs and there was a lot of training  everyone handled it very well, Rooke said. It was a good time, we learned a lot and were excited to be out here in Guam.

Now that theyre in homeport, Rooke said the crew will be taking some time off before preparing for the triple commissioning of the Frederick Hatch and its sister ships on July 29.

The trio of fast-response cutters now homeported on Guam replace the Coast Guards 110-foot patrol boats and possess advanced communications technology and surveillance systems, according to a statement issued by the service in February.

Armed with four .50-caliber machine guns and a remote-controlled 25-mm cannon, the $65 million cutters can be used for drug interdiction, defense operations, maritime law enforcement, search and rescue and environmental protection.

They can reach speeds up to 28 knots and can remain at sea for five days, giving them a range of more than 2,500 nautical miles, according to the Coast Guard.

The Guam-based cutters are expected to help police Chinas illegal fishing in the region through fisheries patrols, enhance maritime domain awareness and enforcement efforts with U.S. partners in the Western Pacific who have limited offshore surveillance and enforcement capacity, then-national security adviser Robert OBrien said Oct. 23.

In December, the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard issued Advantage at Sea, a tri-service naval strategy responding to Chinas revisionist approach that aims at the heart of the United States maritime power.

Since the beginning of the 21st Century, our three services have watched with alarm the growing naval power of [China] and the increasingly aggressive behavior of the Russian Federation, the report said.

Beijings strategy hinges on the use of a multipronged deployment of ships from its navy, coast guard and maritime militia to subvert other nations sovereignty and enforce unlawful claims.

The report suggested that a more robust Coast Guard presence in the Western Pacific could provide joint force commanders greater flexibility in responding to Chinas gray zone confrontations that remain below the threshold of armed conflict.

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Twitter: @AlexMNWilson
The Los Angeles fast attack submarine USS Hartford is guided out of the floating dry dock, ARDM 4 on Thursday, September 17, 2020 at Submarine Base New London in Groton. General Dynamics Electric Boat is conducting repairs on the USS Hartford, a Los Angeles-class attack submarine, after the Department of Defense awarded Electric Boat a $64-million modification to an existing $125 million contract for the overhaul of the submarine. (John Narewski/ U.S. Navy)

GROTON, Connecticut (Tribune News Service)  Problems with submarine parts failing faster than predicted could lead to more work for private shipyards such as Electric Boat.

Last week, U.S. Navy officials informed the Senate Armed Services Committee that parts on their 48 Virginia-class fast-attack submarines have been failing more quickly than predicted, according to media reports. Some of those parts had been expected to last the life of the sub. Workers in public Navy yards have had to borrow parts from submarines arriving for maintenance, which is causing delays in repairing them, according to the Navy.

The problems, though, could actually benefit private yards like Electric Boat because the Navy yards cannot keep up with the work, said Congressman Joe Courtney, D- 2nd District, a senior member of the Armed Services Committee.

"The public yards right now are so backed up, the backlog of submarines that they are looking at, there's a real bottleneck there," Courtney said. "That's a much bigger problem than parts in my opinion. You can fix the parts issue quicker than you can the capacity of our public yards ability to do this work. They also have to do the aircraft carriers, the boomers, the big subs, and the attack subs are kind of third in the buffet line in terms of getting help."

"Boomers" are ballistic missile submarines designed for stealth.

Courtney added that it took a while to convince the Navy that it needed to get out of what he calls a "sort-of institutional bias" in favor of public yards doing repair work. A CBO analysis shows that private yards such as Electric Boat have the capacity to do the work, and its cost per unit is comparable to public shipyards.

General Dynamics spokeswoman Liz Power addressed the repair and maintenance problems.

"As the Navy stated, contractor issues contribute to only a small percentage of parts wearing out prematurely. We work closely with the Navy to help it address any unanticipated issues with parts, to include initiatives to design improvements that can be applied to future boats," Power wrote in an email. "Overhaul and repair work is important to EB because it allows us to manage ebbs and flows in the workload associated with Virginia and Columbia programs, and enables our workforce to maintain proficiency in crucial skills."

There is one current example of EB taking over repair work often done by the Navy yards.

The company is conducting repairs on the USS Hartford, a Los Angeles-class attack submarine, after the Department of Defense awarded Electric Boat a $64-million modification to an existing $125 million contract for the overhaul of the submarine.

In a message to employees, EB President Kevin Graney said the Hartford, currently docked at the Groton waterfront, is among three Virginia-class attack submarines docked at the south end of the yard: USS South Dakota (SSN-790) and USS Delaware (SSN-791) and USS Vermont (SSN-792), which are all undergoing work.

Graney reported that EB has achieved several construction milestones at the Groton yard, including the completion May 27 of the structural deck of the South Yard Assembly Building, increasing its capacity to work on submarines.

"I was down at EB a couple weeks ago and met with Kevin Graney; we spent a lot of time talking about the repair side of their portfolio," Courtney said. "They want to do more of this after the Hartford because it's a good way to keep the workforce level. Even though it sounds like the new production is cascading, they do still have some peaks and valleys in terms of their work schedule."

Courtney said the the Hartford project is going to be "under a microscope" by both the Navy and Congress. If it produces good results, "I think that will solve a problem for the Navy and create more opportunities for private shipyards like EB."

Still, Courtney said, the Navy shouldn't have to be replacing some of these parts that are meant to last for the life of the submarine. He said Congress needs to better understand why this is happening and where there will be chronic repair issues in the future.

House Democrats released a $706 billion military funding bill recently and Courtney said the legislation presents an opportunity to address submarine building and maintenance issues. Courtney said the Navy's issue with the parts won't make it harder for him to get funding for submarines.

"We're already in the process of marking up the defense bill, and at this point our plans are to get language in the bill to direct the Navy to use some resources that will be made available for supply chain companies to boost the availability of parts," Courtney said. "'Cannabilizing,' or reusing parts is not some completely new practice. But it's not an efficient way to do it, and that's what needs to be taken care of."

___

(c)2021 The Day (New London, Conn.)

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Buy Photo Japanese police say a U.S. Navy sailor was intoxicated when he crashed his vehicle into two trucks on a Yokohama expressway on May 16, 2021. (Akifumi Ishikawa/Stars and Stripes)

TOKYO  Japanese police say a U.S. Navy sailor was intoxicated when he crashed his vehicle into two trucks on a Japanese expressway on May 16 in Yokohama.

The unnamed service member, who is assigned to Yokosuka Naval Base, was involved in a multi-vehicle accident, driving the wrong way on the Shuto Highway, after entering from an exit ramp at about 3:45 a.m., base spokesman Randall Baucom said in an email Wednesday.

The sailor was treated at a local hospital and the occupants of the other vehicles did not seek medical care at the scene, he said.

The Navy did not provide the sailors name, age, rank or unit, and a Kanagawa Prefectural Police spokesman identified the driver only as a 25-year-old petty officer third class. Its customary in Japan for some government officials to speak the media without giving their names.

The sailor told police he drank alcohol in his car in Tokyo after driving there by himself, according to the spokesman. Police referred a case of suspected drinking and driving to the Yokohama District Public Prosecutors Office without making an arrest, he said.

In Japan, it is prosecutors, not police, who decide on formal charges.

The Kanagawa newspaper reported Wednesday that liquid containing cannabis was found in the sailors vehicle after the crash and in the ambulance that took him to hospital. The police spokesman declined to comment on the allegation, citing the ongoing investigation.

Baucom said the Navy is cooperating with police.

The Navy takes all allegations involving misconduct of our Sailors very seriously, he said.

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People in Amish country prepare a horse team to work on a farm in Pulaski, Pa., Wednesday, June 23, 2021. The vaccination drive is lagging far behind in many Amish communities across the U.S. following a wave of virus outbreaks that swept through their churches and homes during the past year. (Keith Srakocic/AP)

When health care leaders in the heart of Pennsylvania Dutch country began laying out a strategy to distribute COVID-19 vaccines, they knew it would be a tough sell with the Amish, who tend to be wary of preventive shots and government intervention.

Early on, they posted flyers at farm supply stores and at auctions where the Amish sell handmade furniture and quilts. They sought advice from members of the deeply religious and conservative sect, who told them not to be pushy. And they asked three newspapers widely read by the Amish to publish ads promoting the vaccine. Two refused.

By May, two rural vaccination clinics had opened at a fire station and a social services center, both familiar places to the Amish in Lancaster County. During the first six weeks, 400 people showed up. Only 12 were Amish.

The vaccination drive is lagging far behind in many Amish communities across the U.S. following a wave of virus outbreaks that swept through their churches and homes during the past year. In Ohio's Holmes County, home to the nation's largest concentration of Amish, just 14% of the county's overall population is fully vaccinated.

While their religious beliefs don't forbid them to get vaccines, the Amish are generally less likely to be vaccinated for preventable diseases such as measles and whooping cough. Though vaccine acceptance varies by church district, the Amish often rely on family tradition and advice from church leaders, and a core part of their Christian faith is accepting God's will in times of illness or death.

Many think they don't need the COVID-19 vaccine now because they've already gotten sick and believe their communities have reached herd immunity, according to health care providers in Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana, home to nearly two-thirds of the estimated 345,000 Amish in the U.S.

"That's the No. 1 reason we hear," said Alice Yoder, executive director of community health at Penn Medicine Lancaster General Health, a network of hospitals and clinics.

Experts say the low vaccination rates are a reflection of both the nature of the Amish and the general vaccine hesitancy found in many rural parts of the country.

Because many Amish work and shop alongside their neighbors and hire them as drivers, they hear the skepticism, the worries about side effects and the misinformation surrounding the vaccine from the "English," or non-Amish, world around them even though they shun most modern conveniences.

"They're not getting that from the media. They're not watching TV or reading it on the internet. They're getting it from their English neighbors," said Donald Kraybill, a leading expert on the Amish. "In many ways, they are simply reflecting rural America and the same attitudes."

In one case, an anti-vaccine group took out a full-page newspaper ad showing a smashed buggy with the words "Vaccines can have unintended consequences."

Public health officials trying to combat the confusion and hesitancy have put up billboards where the Amish travel by horse and buggy, sent letters to bishops and offered to take the vaccines into their homes and workplaces, all without much success.

"It's not due to lack of effort," said Michael Derr, the health commissioner in Holmes County, Ohio. "But this thing is so politically charged."

Some health clinics that serve the Amish are hesitant to push the issue for fear of driving them away from getting blood pressure checks and routine exams.

One local business and the organizers of a community event told the health department in Holmes County that it would no longer be welcome if it brought the vaccine to them, Derr said.

Staff members at the Parochial Medical Center, which serves the Amish and Mennonites in Pennsylvania's Lancaster County, encourage patients to get the vaccine, but many have little fear of the virus, said Allen Hoover, the clinic's administrator.

"Most of them listen and are respectful, but you can tell before you're finished that they've already made up their mind," he said.

The clinic, he said, hardly sees any virus cases now after dealing with as many as five a day last fall. "I would suspect we've gained some kind of immunity. I know that's up for debate, but I think that's why we're seeing only a spattering right now," Hoover said.

Relying on possible herd immunity when little testing has taken place among the Amish is risky, said Esther Chernak, director of the Center for Public Health Readiness and Communication at Drexel University in Philadelphia.

"It's not a community living on an island, not interacting with other people," she said. "They don't have zero interaction with the outside world, so they're still exposed."

Also, how long someone remains immune after having COVID-19 isn't clear, and many experts advise getting vaccinated because it brings a higher level of protection.

Close to 180 million Americans  54% of the population  have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. Experts say low vaccination rates could allow the virus to mutate and make a comeback.

During the first months of the pandemic, the Amish followed social distancing guidelines and stopped gathering for church and funerals, said Steven Nolt, a scholar at the Young Center for Anabaptist and Pietist Studies at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania.

But when non-Amish neighbors and local elected officials began pushing back against state and federal mandates, they resumed the gatherings, he said. What followed was a surge of outbreaks last summer, Nolt said.

Most now say they have already had the virus and don't see a need to get vaccinated, said Mark Raber, who is Amish and a member of a settlement in Daviess County, Indiana, which has one of the state's lowest vaccination rates.

"As long as everything stays the same, I don't think I'll get it," he said.

Changing those opinions will require building trusting relationships with the Amish, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in a report looking at outbreaks in those communities last year.

What won't work, health care providers say, is bombarding the Amish with statistics and vaccine lotteries because of their general mistrust and rejection of government help. The Amish don't accept Social Security benefits.

Trevor Thain, who owns Topeka Pharmacy in northern Indiana, where there are 25,000 Amish, worked with the CDC on bridging communication gaps in LaGrange County, where just 18% of all residents are fully vaccinated.

Since the vaccine became available, they've immunized 4,200 people, perhaps only 20 of them Amish, he said.

A few weeks ago he put out flyers offering private appointments or doses dispensed inside homes. Only a few Amish people responded, Thain said, including one who came with a request: "Don't tell my family."
Los Angeles County public health authorities are urging unvaccinated and vaccinated people alike to don masks again inside restaurants, stores and other public indoor spaces because of the growing threat posed by the more contagious delta variant of the novel coronavirus.

The high-profile move by the county of 10 million marks an abrupt shift in tone after states and localities have dropped most mask mandates and social distancing requirements in recent weeks. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in mid-May rescinded almost all masking recommendations for fully vaccinated people.

But the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cited a growing share of new cases linked to the delta variant, which was first detected during India's catastrophic surge of infections and has upended reopening plans across the globe, in "strongly recommending" a return to masking. Los Angeles dropped its mask mandate for vaccinated people with the rest of California on June 15, with limited exceptions for public transportation, hospitals and schools.

County health officials said 123 people were infected with the delta variant from June 4 to 18. Ten were fully vaccinated, and none of those people needed hospital care. Three people infected with delta were partially vaccinated, and 110 were not vaccinated; two people were hospitalized.

"Fully vaccinated people are well protected against serious illness and disease caused by variants of concern including the Delta variant," Barbara Ferrer, the county's public health director, said in a statement.

Los Angeles officials are also concerned by reports of some fully vaccinated people contracting cases of the delta variant in Israel and want to learn more about the variant and how it spreads.

"We want to make sure we understand that people who are fully vaccinated aren't getting infected in large portions or small portions in a way that allows them to unknowingly transmit to others," Los Angeles County Health Officer Muntu Davis said in an interview.

The World Health Organization on Friday urged fully vaccinated people to continue wearing masks in light of delta's rapid spread. Israel on Sunday reinstated an indoor mask mandate, which had been lifted two weeks ago, in response to a spike in delta cases, but it declined to adopt more stringent restrictions because of its high vaccination rate.

The CDC does not plan to change its guidance that allows fully vaccinated people to take off their masks in most settings.

"We are fortunate to have highly effective vaccines in this country that are widely available for those aged 12 and up," Kristen Nordlund, a CDC spokeswoman, said in a statement to The Washington Post. "People who are fully vaccinated are protected, including from the variants currently circulating in the country such as delta. That is not the case in every country where some of the vaccines they are using are not as effective as the ones we have here in the U.S."

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky reiterated that message in an appearance on NBC's "Today" show Wednesday morning. But she noted that some areas have low vaccination rates and "local policymakers need to make policies for their local environments"

Los Angeles appears to be an outlier in its call to resume masking. Pennsylvania and King County, Wash., which includes Seattle, on Tuesday dropped their mask mandates for the vaccinated.

Davis said Los Angeles County wanted to be especially careful because it has 4 million residents who are unvaccinated or too young to receive the shot. He stressed that officials are avoiding disruptions by not mandating masks or restoring restrictions on businesses.

"This is really, hopefully, a temporary recommendation as we learn more about what this virus is actually doing," Davis said. "This is one of the easier things to do. It doesn't disrupt your daily routine, it doesn't disrupt business, and it doesn't disrupt the economy. It's just a mask, but it's very helpful."

Los Angeles bears the scars of being the epicenter of the nation's devastating winter surge, eclipsing 200 deaths a day in January while ambulances and hospitals were forced to conserve oxygen.

Cases have since plummeted, daily fatalities now number in the single digits and nearly 60 percent of eligible residents have been fully vaccinated. Officials worry the delta variant will rapidly spread through the unvaccinated, noting that it made up half of the variants sequenced in Los Angeles County in the week ending June 12.

"It's just a small inconvenience for those who have been vaccinated to try to be good citizens by wearing masks indoors," said Robert Kim-Farley, an epidemiologist and professor at the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. "Hopefully this can be a wake-up call for those who are still on the fence about getting vaccinated to become vaccinated so that we can all stop wearing masks."

But some experts say public health authorities who don't differentiate between the vaccinated and unvaccinated may end up dissuading holdouts from getting shots.

"You just told the unvaccinated, 'Yeah, get vaccinated, it's so scary, but of course, you'll still have to mask because it's so scary,' " said Monica Gandhi, professor of medicine at the University of California at San Francisco. "If I were an unvaccinated person who was debating whether to get vaccinated, I would think, 'Oh wow, there's no point, looks like the delta variant would break through the vaccine anyway.' "

Evidence shows the opposite: Nearly all serious British cases have been among the unvaccinated or partially vaccinated as the delta variant dominates new infections. The CDC says a growing body of evidence shows people who have been fully vaccinated with a Pfizer or Moderna mRNA vaccine are less likely to have asymptomatic cases or transmit them to others.

The juxtaposition of these developments showing the vaccines' effectiveness against the delta variant and the new mask guidance left some Los Angeles residents confused.

Ashley Pavone, 25, recently started to feel comfortable going out barefaced even though she was among the first in line to get vaccinated in February as a restaurant worker.

"I thought we were moving forward with this, and that's why I've been vaccinated for so long, so it's upsetting to think we'd have to now move backward. I wonder if there's any facts behind this or if it's just another rule," Pavone said after a maskless trip to a Vons supermarket in the Echo Park neighborhood of Los Angeles. "If masks are being used again, then people may not go out as much, and then we'd see our tips decrease."

Steve Morales said he still wears a mask while working his shifts as a Vons clerk, even though he's vaccinated and his workplace doesn't require it, because he's uneasy about what customers have been exposed to. Still, he has no interest in tangling with customers about masks.

"I don't give people my opinion about it; it's up to them," said Morales, 64.

Rhea Boyd, a pediatrician who has advocated for improved vaccine access for communities of color, said Los Angeles should be commended for working to prevent its residents from letting their guard down and laying the groundwork to restore restrictions if necessary to quell an explosion in delta cases.

"Los Angeles County didn't reinstate a mask mandate, they put out a recommendation. It's to prepare people to see something is different about the delta variant," Boyd said. "It may be hard to hear this because we all want to believe that what was such a traumatic year is all behind us, but the truth is, we are still very much confronting a pandemic."

The Washington Post's Lena H. Sun in Washington and Miranda C. Green in Los Angeles contributed to this report.

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Joe Coulombe's memoir, Becoming Trader Joe, is much more than a how-to guide. Moving from the 1960s to the 1990s, it is also a tour of Californias shifting economy and culture, guided by one of its most original thinkers. (Dreamstime/TNS)

There are two iconic pieces of signage in Los Angeles. One is big and tall and says Hollywood, the other is small and red and says Trader Joes.

For Angelenos, both are simply a part of the landscape, like the rearing heads of Mexican fan palms or strands of brake lights on the 405. Just as we groan when visitors want a Hollywood sign selfie Oh, my God. Why? we gasp when they say they dont live near a Trader Joes Oh, my God. How?

Can it honestly be called life if there is no Spiced Cider or two-buck Chuck? No Reduced-Guilt Mac & Cheese, Chocolatey Coated Chocolate Chip Dunkers or Crisp Pasadena Salad With Chicken? Who would choose to live somewhere you cannot buy TJs peanut butter-filled pretzels or Tempting Trail Mix, which is basically just candy?

Its hard to think of any other market that holds so much sway over its customers, especially a chain with problematic parking and such a frankly bizarre inventory. How did a store that sells 15 kinds of dark chocolate and zero kinds of aluminum foil, a chain that proudly advertises popular items with limited availability, even come into being, never mind becoming wildly successful?

Founder Joe Coulombe will tell you exactly how in his posthumously published new memoir, Becoming Trader Joe.

In the early 2000s, decades after he had sold it to the German family that also owns Aldis, Coulombe wrote a how I did it history of Trader Joes, a chronicle of the clever end-runs, deep research and influences that powered the now-national chain. The tone is conversational, one mans view of the world through the wine, spirit and grocery business, filled with the type of puns, literary references and bold-faced pronouncements that mark the stores signage and its legendary promotional leaflet, the Fearless Flyer.

According to Patty Civalleri, who shepherded the book to publication, Coulombe did not imagine the book would ever be published; he wrote it simply to ensure there would be a record. In 2007, he gave it to original Trader Joes employee and longtime friend Leroy Watson, with instructions to do whatever he wanted with it.

Watson knew the Trader Joes story almost as well as Coulombe, but he had no idea what to do with a book. Eleven years later, he approached Civalleri, a friend who has published several travel guides, and asked her advice. I read the book and fell in love, Civalleri says. Joes voice was in every sentence.

So at Watsons behest, and with Coulombes blessing, she edited the manuscript for grammar and flow, added some images and pitched it to her agent.

Coulombe died in the pre-pandemic days of 2020. Through Becoming Trader Joe: How I Did Business My Way & Still Beat the Big Guys, Coulombe is still telling us how its done.

Though clearly written for fellow entrepreneurs and business types  for all his folksiness, Coulombe had an MBA from Stanford  and published under HarperCollins Leadership imprint, Becoming Trader Joe is much more than a how-to guide. Moving from the 1960s to the 1990s, it is also a tour of Californias shifting economy and culture, guided by one of its most original thinkers.

As anyone who has ever enjoyed, say, TJs now-defunct Sir Isaac Newtons or the Bagel Spinoza might surmise, Coulombe drew inspiration from a breathtaking variety of sources. Ernest Hemingway, Buckminster Fuller, Barbara Tuchman, Jose Ortega y Gasset and the Whole Earth Catalog, not to mention the state Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, all contributed in some way to a market that, in fighting the conformity of corporate brands, became one of the most famous brands of all.

Coulombe, who remained personally involved in every aspect of the chain for years after he sold it, was always happy to discuss the two articles that revealed to him an emerging demographic: A 1965 Scientific American piece on how the GI Bill had dramatically increased the number of college graduates and a Wall Street Journal story from that same year announcing that the Boing 747 would slash the cost of international travel.

Coulombe, trying to figure out how he could turn his struggling Pronto Markets around, decided that educated people who could now afford the trips they dreamed of might crave the type of products they associated with travel, also at prices they could afford.

In 1966, Coulombe writes, The op-ed pieces in the LA Times fretted about how we would spend all that leisure time since the thirty-five-hour workweek was now a sure thing ... so Trader Joes was conceived in an atmosphere of fun-leisure-party prosperity.

The name and Tiki bar motif came from sources as varied as Disneylands Jungle Cruise, the songs Yellow Bird and Beyond the Reef and, of course, Trader Vics, then at the zenith of its Beverly Hilton glory.

Trader Joes became what we know and love in three major phases, which Coulombe identifies as Good Time Charlie (a party supply-heavy store complete with girlie magazines), Whole Earth Harry (hitting it big with bran and Brie) and Mac the Knife (when changes in California milk and alcohol policies forced Coulombe to move more deeply into TJ-brand food).

Coulombes tale is a crazy-like-a-fox exploration of California culture through the lens of one wildly creative and well-read man always looking for a new way over, around or through. Entrepreneurs will no doubt find plenty of inspiration, but fans will find a fascinating origin story.

If nothing else, Trader Joes normalized previously outlier foods, from trail mix to frozen tacos. Did you know that for many years, TJs was one of the few markets offering extra-large eggs, almond butter, wild rice and real maple syrup? That it got into fruit and nuts, because the only local company that packaged bran insisted on shipping those as well? That Trader Joes was among the first grocery stores in the U.S. to accept credit cards and that in the early days, it had its own winery?

There were plenty of mistakes and misfires  Coulombes dream of building a store in one of Fullers geodesic domes didnt pan out. He had to walk back claims that a Trader Joes brand of dog food was based on a formula devised at UC Davis (though the store still sells the no-corn kibble). And, as evidenced by the recent controversy over culturally modified brands including Trader Jose and Trader Ming, not all of the linguistic whimsy has worked.

But two things never changed: Inexpensive wine and well-paid workers. Coulombe devotes several chapters to the importance of paying workers well  minimal turnover, fewer worries about unionization  which, given the current conflicts over raising the minimum wage, feels just as relevant as it did more than half a century ago.

And then there is the food. Its hard to imagine a Whole Foods without the path cut by Trader Joes. More important, though many may argue about the names or even the quality of some its offerings, TJs predicted  and helped create  the international and intercultural exploration that has redefined American cuisine.

For Civalleri, working on the book reminded her how big an imprint Trader Joes had on the culture of food. Back in the 60s and 70s, our culture was all about processed food, canned food, homogenized brands. Joe found room to do something different. And that changed everything.

Also, those peanut butter-filled pretzels.
Visitors pose for photos in front of statues of Chinese Leader Mao Zedong and other Communist Party figures at the Museum of the Communist Party of China in Beijing, on June 25, 2021. In the build-up to the July 1 anniversary, Xi and the party have exhorted its members and the nation to remember the early days of struggle in the inland hills of Yan'an, where Mao Zedong emerged as party leader in the 1930s. (Mark Schiefelbein/AP)

BEIJING  For China's Communist Party, celebrating its 100th birthday on Thursday is not just about glorifying its past. It's also about cementing its future and that of its leader, Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In the build-up to the July 1 anniversary, Xi and the party have exhorted its members and the nation to remember the early days of struggle in the hills of the inland city of Yan'an, where Mao Zedong established himself as party leader in the 1930s.

Dug into earthen cliffs, the primitive homes where Mao and his followers lived are now tourist sites for the party faithful and schoolteachers encouraged to spread the word. The cave-like rooms feel far removed from Beijing, the modern capital where national festivities are being held, and the skyscrapers of Shenzhen and other high-tech centers on the coast that are more readily associated with today's China.

Yet in marking its centenary, the Communist Party is using this past  selectively  to try to ensure its future and that of Xi, who may be eyeing, as Mao did, ruling for life.

"By linking the party to all of China's accomplishments of the past century, and none of its failures, Xi is trying to bolster support for his vision, his right to lead the party and the party's right to govern the country," said Elizabeth Economy, a senior fellow at Stanford University's Hoover Institution.

This week's celebrations focus on two distinct eras  the early struggles and recent achievements  glossing over the nearly three decades under Mao from the 1950s to 1970s, when mostly disastrous social and economic policies left millions dead and the country impoverished.

To that end, a spectacular outdoor gala attended by Xi in Beijing on Monday night relived the Long March of the 1930s  a retreat to Yan'an that has become of party lore  before moving on to singing men holding giant wrenches and women with bushels of wheat. But it also focused on the present, with representations of special forces climbing a mountain and medical workers battling COVID-19 in protective gear.

Performers form up under the Communist Party emblem during a gala show ahead of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing on Monday, June 28, 2021. For China's Communist Party, celebrating its 100th birthday on Thursday, July 1, is not just about glorifying its past. It's also about cementing its future and that of its leader, Chinese President Xi Jinping. (Ng Han Guan/AP)

The party has long invoked its history to justify its right to rule, said Joseph Fewsmith, a professor of Chinese politics at Boston University.

Shoring up its legitimacy is critical since the party has run China single-handedly for more than 70 years  through the chaotic years under Mao, through the collapse of the Soviet Union and through the unexpected adoption of market-style reforms that over time have built an economic powerhouse, though millions remain in poverty.

Many Western policymakers and analysts believed that capitalism would transform China into a democracy as its people prospered, following the pattern of former dictatorships such as South Korea and Taiwan.

The Communist Party has confounded that thinking, taking a decisive turn against democracy when it cracked down on large-scale protests in Beijing's Tiananmen Square in 1989 and quashing any challenges to single-party rule in the ensuing decades  most recently all but extinguishing dissent in Hong Kong after anti-government protests shook the city in 2019.

Its leaders have learned the lesson of the Soviet Union, where the communists lost power after opening the door to pluralism, said Zhang Shiyi of the Institute of Party History and Literature.

Instead, China's newfound wealth gave the party the means to build a high-speed rail network and other infrastructure to modernize at home and project power abroad with a strong military and a space program that has landed on the moon and Mars. China is still a middle-income country, but its very size makes it the world's second-largest economy and puts it on a trajectory to rival the U.S. as a superpower.

In the meantime, it has doubled down on its repressive tactics, stamping out dissent from critics of its policies and pushing the assimilation of ethnic minorities seeking to preserve their customs and language in areas such as Tibet and the heavily Muslim Xinjiang region. While it is difficult to gauge public support for the party, it has likely been boosted at least in some quarters by China's relative success at controlling the COVID-19 pandemic and its standing up to criticism from the United States and others.

"We have never been so confident about our future," Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told journalists on a recent trip to the party's historic sites in Yan'an.

Tiananmen Square, where Mao proclaimed the founding of communist China in 1949, is no longer a home for student protesters with democratic dreams. On Thursday, the plaza in the center of Beijing will host the nation's major celebration of party rule. While most details remain under wraps, authorities have said that Xi will give an important speech.

The anniversary marks a meeting of about a dozen people in Shanghai in 1921 that is considered the first congress of the Chinese Communist Party  though it actually started in late July. The festivities will likely convey the message that the party has brought China this far, and that it alone can lift the nation to greatness  arguing in essence that it must remain in power.

Xi also appears to be considering a third five-year term that would start in 2022, after the party scrapped term limits.

The centennial is at once a benchmark to measure how far the country has come and a moment for Xi and the party to move toward their goals for 2049, which would mark the 100th year of communist rule, said Alexander Huang, a professor at Tamkang University in Taiwan. By then, Xi has said, the aim is basic prosperity for the entire population and for China to be a global leader with national strength and international influence.

"Whether they can achieve that goal is the biggest challenge for the Chinese leadership today," he said, noting growing tensions with other countries, an aging population and a young generation that, as elsewhere, is rejecting the grueling rat race for the traditional markers of success.

Still, the party's ability to evolve and rule for so long, albeit in part by suppressing dissent, suggests it may remain in control well into its second century. The party insists it has no intention of exporting its model to other countries, but if China continues to rise, it could well challenge the western democratic model that won the Cold War and has dominated the post-World War II era.

"In the United States, you only talk, talk, talk," said Hua of the Foreign Ministry. "You try to win votes. But after four years, the other people can overthrow your policies. How can you ensure the people's living standards, that their demands can be satisfied?"

___

Associated Press video journalists Sam McNeil in Beijing and Johnson Lai in Taipei, Taiwan, contributed.
Buy Photo Commuters walk past photos of Megumi Yokota, who was abducted by North Korea in 1977, at Shinjuku Station in Tokyo, May 9, 2018. (Stars and Stripes)

TOKYO  Japan needs the worlds help to secure the return of citizens abducted by North Korea more than 40 years ago, the governments top spokesman said Tuesday during an online United Nations symposium.

Needless to say, the abduction issue is the most important issue for the Suga administration, said Katsunobu Kato, chief cabinet secretary under Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga.

The annual symposium  co-hosted by Japan, the United States, Australia and the European Union  has taken place since 2016 to deliver the real voices of the families of the North Korean abductees and to discuss ways to resolve the issue.

It was not held last year because of the coronavirus pandemic. This years event was streamed live on YouTube.

The Japanese government has officially identified 17 people as having been abducted by North Korea during the 1970s and 80s, Kato said, though suspected abductees number in the hundreds. None have been returned since five were released in 2002.

I am extremely shameful and regretful that more progress has not been made, said Kato, who also serves as Japans minister in charge of the abduction issue.

It is believed that the abductees were used to train North Korean agents to pass as Japanese citizens, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Kato said the victims families are getting old, so working to secure their return should not be delayed.

One of the family members who spoke at Tuesdays symposium is Takuya Yokota, secretary-general of the Association of Families of Victims Kidnapped by North Korea.

Yokota  brother of Megumi Yokota, who was taken at age 13 in 1977  urged the North to return all abductees as soon as possible and called on the Japanese government to show strong leadership and take the initiative to make it happen.

His father, Shigeru Yokota, died last year after fighting for the return of his daughter for more than four decades. He, along with his wife, Sakie Yokota, had led the victims association and became a figurehead for the abduction issue.

Takuya Yokota said he hopes his sister will return to Japan so their 85-year-old mother can see her again.

She is exhausted physically and mentally, he said. Please allow her to reunite with Megumi in Japan while she is well and healthy.

Kato said that Suga is willing to meet with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un without any preconditions.

Prime Minister Suga is determined to take the lead himself to resolve the abduction issue and establish fruitful relationship between Japan and North Korea, he said.

But Kato said cooperation from the international community is also needed.

I strongly hope that this symposium will intensify the momentum of the international society, which urges resolution of the abduction issue as a global issue, he said.

The U.S. ambassador to the U.N., Linda Thomas-Greenfield, said the U.S. is united with the Japanese people and strongly urged North Korea to release the abductees as soon as possible.

Kato lauded President Joe Biden who, during a U.S.-Japan summit in April, expressed the United States commitment to resolving the issue. Kato also pointed to a March resolution by the U.N. Human Rights Council that condemned North Korea and called for the abductees immediate return.

This was an important step toward solving the abduction issue, he said. I ask continued cooperation by related countries.

kusumoto.hana@stripes.com

Twitter: @HanaKusumoto
(Mykal McEldowney/IndyStar)

CAMP HUMPHREYS, South Korea  South Korean authorities are investigating two U.S. soldiers accused of riding an electric scooter while drunk and then leaving the scene of an accident in Seoul over the weekend.

The unnamed pair was on the scooter together around 1 a.m. Sunday when they suddenly fell from the vehicle, a Yongsan Police Station senior traffic investigation officer said Wednesday. Its customary for some South Korean government officials to speak to the media on condition of anonymity.

As they fell, the soldiers hit the shoulder of a Korean woman, who was forced to the ground, the officer said, adding that the scooters passenger ran away before police arrived. Its unclear if the woman was injured.

The passenger was found and detained, along with the scooters driver, the officer said.

Police said both soldiers blood-alcohol levels were above 0.08%, which is double the legal limit for operating a vehicle and high enough to have their licenses revoked.

The soldiers have been turned over to U.S. Forces Korea military police, the officer said. Neither South Korean police nor USFK would identify the soldiers or reveal where they are stationed.

USFK is aware of the allegations and is investigating the situation, spokesman Col. Lee Peters said in a statement Wednesday. We are cooperating with the [Korean National Police] who maintain jurisdiction of this investigation.

Peters added that USFK could not comment on an ongoing investigation but that it remains committed to being good neighbors with our host nation and maintaining a strong [South Korea]-US alliance.

South Korean authorities are also investigating an early June incident in which a USFK civilian employee was accused of assaulting a Seoul parking lot attendant. A small group of South Korean activists protested near the U.S. Embassy in Seoul and demanded the employee be punished.

Roughly 28,500 U.S. troops are stationed on the Korean peninsula. Most are at Camp Humphreys, roughly 40 miles south of Seoul.

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Kyong Chang
Former head of Serbia's state security service Jovica Stanisic, center, and his subordinate Franko "Frenki" Simatovic, right, appear in court at the UN International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday June 30, 2021. (Piroschka Van De Wouw, Pool /AP)

THE HAGUE, Netherlands  A United Nations court on Wednesday convicted two former allies of late Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic of aiding and abetting crimes committed by Serb paramilitaries in a Bosnian town in 1992.

It is the first time that Serbian officials have been convicted by a U.N. court of involvement in crimes in Bosnia.

However, the court said there was not sufficient evidence to convict them of similar crimes committed in other towns and villages in Bosnia and Croatia as the former Yugoslavia violently disintegrated in the early 1990s.

Jovica Stanisic and Franko Simatovic were convicted of aiding and abetting the crimes of murder, deportation, forcible transfer and persecution in the town of Bosanski Samac, and each was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment. The judgment can be appealed.

Stanisic is a former head of Serbia's State Security Service, and Simatovic was a senior intelligence operative with the service.

"The trial chamber is satisfied that the accused provided practical assistance which had a substantial effect on the commission of the crimes of murder, forcible displacement and persecution committed in Bosanski Samac and were aware that their acts assisted in their commission," Presiding Judge Burton Hall said.

Hall said that Serb forces and paramilitaries took over the town in northern Bosnia in April 1992.

"Numerous crimes were committed against the non-Serb population ... including looting, rape and the destruction of religious buildings and cultural monuments," Hall said. Local Bosnian Croats and Muslims were forced into detention centers where they were held in inhumane conditions, tortured and killed, he added.

Stanisic and Simatovic were originally acquitted in 2013 by judges who said prosecutors had failed to prove important elements of their links to the crimes. Appeals judges quashed the not-guilty verdicts in 2015 and ordered the retrial that took place at the U.N. International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals.

The verdicts Wednesday are the final U.N. prosecution in The Hague for crimes committed during the bloody breakup of Yugoslavia.

The court's chief prosecutor, Serge Brammertz, said in a statement that his office would study the judgment "and decide whether there are grounds to appeal."

"As senior officials in the State Security Service of the Republic of Serbia, Stanisic and Simatovic contributed to the commission of crimes by paramilitary forces and other armed groups in furtherance of ethnic cleansing campaigns against non-Serbs," Brammertz said.

Stanisic's lawyer, Wayne Jordash, said he would appeal.

"They found one incident in a municipality, and the evidence of that was weak," he said. "And to me it looks like a cynical compromise that we have to find some way to convict him to justify putting a man on trial for 18 years."

Prosecutors had alleged that both defendants were part of a "joint criminal enterprise" among top Serbian officials to force non-Serbs out of parts of Croatia and Bosnia.

Judges said they were convinced the enterprise existed, and that Stanisic and Simatovic knew about it, but said prosecutors had not proven beyond reasonable doubt that they actually participated.

Munira Subasic, leader of a Bosnian survivors' group called the Mothers of Srebrenica, welcomed the ruling that there was a Serbian plan to drive non-Serbs out of Bosnia.

"Serbia is responsible for the war in Bosnia ..., there is no way Serbia can find to absolve itself of that," she said.

Earlier this month, appeals judges at the same court confirmed former Bosnian Serb military chief Ratko Mladic's convictions for his role in atrocities throughout the Bosnian war, and upheld his life sentence.

Natasa Kandic, a prominent Serbian rights activist and the former head of the Humanitarian Law Fund group, described the verdict as "very important" because it is the last Hague trial and because "the accused and sentenced individuals belong to the most important institution in Serbia."

Iva Vukusic, a historian at Utrecht University, said ahead of Wednesday's hearing that the prosecution of Stanisic and Simatovic, who were originally sent to The Hague to face trial in 2003, has taken too long.

"I think this case is really showing us that if international justice wants to be a viable solution, this is not the way to run it," she said in a telephone interview. "It's been too long in the making."

Even so, it offered an opportunity to pass the first judgment at an international court on Serbia's role in the wars.

Milosevic was charged in a broader indictment with fomenting crimes in the Balkan wars but he died in his cell in The Hague in 2006 before judges could deliver verdicts.

____

Associated Press writer Jovana Gec in Belgrade, Serbia, contributed.
The German mission in Afghanistan ends with service members heading to the last Airbus A400M leaving the Mazar-e-Sharif airfield for home, June 29, 2021. (Torsten Kraatz/German army)

KABUL, Afghanistan  The last German and Italian military troops left Afghanistan and arrived home Wednesday, ending the war for two of the NATO coalitions largest contributors as the withdrawal of foreign forces accelerates.

A historic chapter is coming to an end, German Defense Minister Annegret Kramp-Karrenbauer said in a statement. She thanked the more than 150,000 troops who served in the country since 2002 and said that the nations military had proved itself in battle.

Germany most recently had the second largest contribution to the NATO mission after the United States. It focused on northern Afghanistan and last had bases in Mazar-e-Sharif and Kabul. Fifty-nine German troops died during the nearly 20 years of war, The Associated Press reported.

Three transport aircraft landed at Wunstorf air base in northern Germany on Wednesday afternoon, the AP reported. The troops, wearing masks, lined up on the tarmac for a brief ceremony, but the military dispensed with a bigger reception because of the coronavirus pandemic.

We have worked long and hard to stand here today, said Brig. Gen. Ansgar Meyer, the last commander of the German contingent, as quoted by the AP. As your commander, I can say for you: Mission accomplished. You have fulfilled your task.

German service members head to the last Airbus A400M aircraft leaving the Mazar-e-Sharif airfield for home, as the German military mission in Afghanistan ends, June 29, 2021. (Torsten Kraatz/German army) The commander of German forces in Afghanistan, Brig. Gen. Ansgar Meyer, leaves Camp Marma in Mazar-e-Sharif, with the last Airbus A400M flying out, June 29, 2021. (Torsten Kraatz/German army)

At the military airport in Pisa, Italy, Italian Defense Minister Lorenzo Guerini welcomed the final troops back from Italys base in Herat. He paid tribute to the 53 Italians who died, and 723 who were injured over the past two decades.

Forces from Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Georgia, the Netherlands, Norway, Spain and Sweden have also left Afghanistan, news reports over the past couple of weeks said. The United States and a few other nations remain out of the approximately 36 that once contributed troops to the fight against the Taliban, al-Qaida and other militant groups.

The U.S. military is finalizing its exit from the country by Sept. 11, though most troops are expected to leave well before that date. Bagram Airfield, once the largest U.S. base in Afghanistan, is expected to close in the coming days, Afghan officials said.

The troop withdrawals come amid increasing violence in Afghanistan, which has seen numerous districts fall to the Taliban in recent weeks.

Leaving Afghanistan without securing peace has led to mixed feelings among defense officials in countries like the Netherlands, which partnered with the U.S. over the last 20 years.

A great deal has been achieved, but we also need to be realistic: the results are not irreversible, Dutch Defense Minister Ank Bijleveld-Schouten said at a ceremony last week.

Some 650 U.S. troops could remain in the country after the withdrawal to protect the U.S. Embassy in Kabul.

Additional U.S. troops could remain until September to ensure the safety of Kabuls international airport. In the longer term, NATO member Turkey could take over security of the airport, The New York Times reported Tuesday.

Stars and Stripes reporter Marcus Kloeckner contributed to this report.

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South Dakota National Guard Soldiers from the 153rd Engineer Battalion of Huron greet Gov. Kristi Noem at Barnes Canyon Camp during Golden Coyote training exercise in Custer State Park, S.D., June 14, 2019. Noem announced Tuesday, June 29, 2021, that she will join a growing list of Republican governors sending law enforcement officers to the U.S. border with Mexico. (Breanne Donnell/Army National Guard)

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has called upon other states to assist with security at the U.S.- Mexico border and South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem responded Tuesday with a pledge to send up to 50 National Guard troops to Texas using funds from a private donation.

Noems office declined to say whether troops had already left for Texas or when they expect to deploy, but the initial rotation should last between 30 to 60 days. South Dakota Adjutant General Jeff Marlette and the South Dakota Department of the Military are working with their counterparts in Texas to finalize the details of the mission.

The Biden administration has failed in the most basic duty of the federal government: keeping the American people safe, Noem, a Republican, said in a statement. The border is a national security crisis that requires the kind of sustained response only the National Guard can provide.

In March, Abbott, also a Republican, sent about 500 Texas National Guard members to the border to support the Texas Department of Public Safety, which has increased resources to the southern part of the state, where the governor said they have cracked down on illegal border crossings and drug smuggling.

Little information has been released about the Guard troops, and Abbotts office referred questions Tuesday to the Department of Public Safety.

Ericka Miller, spokeswoman for the department, declined to answer questions about who will command the South Dakota Guard troops and what work they will perform because the department does not discuss operational specifics.

On June 10, Abbott announced an agreement between Texas and Arizona to request border support from other states. Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, a Republican, deployed 250 Guard members in April to support law enforcement at his states border. Other states have responded to Abbott and Ducey by sending state law enforcement personnel to help. South Dakota is the first state to deploy Guard troops.

We should not be making our own communities less safe by sending our police or highway patrol to fix a long-term problem President [Joe] Bidens administration seems unable or unwilling to solve. My message to Texas is this: help is on the way, Noem said.

While Texas and Arizona said funding for these missions will come from the state, Noems office said South Dakotas troops will be paid for by a private donation from the Willis and Reba Johnson Foundation, which was provided directly to the state.

Noems office declined to say how much money was donated. Willis Johnson also declined Tuesday to say how much money he gave to the state. An Army veteran who served in Vietnam, Johnson said he made the donation because he believes in the work of both governors and wanted to help out as an American citizen.

He built his Tennessee-based foundation through his success in the auto industry. Johnson in 1982 founded the company Copart, which owns salvage yards and hosts online vehicle auctions, according to the companys website. He is a long-time and frequent donor to the Republican Party, according to the website OpenSecrets.org, which tracks campaign contributions.

These state missions are in addition to a federal National Guard mission to support U.S. Customs and Border Protection across the entire southern U.S. border that began under former President Donald Trump in April 2018 and continues under Biden. About 3,600 active-duty service members and Guard troops from several states are deployed for that mission, according to the Defense Department.

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A bucket brigade works to remove debris from the Champlain Towers South Condo collapse on Monday, June 28, 2021, in Surfside, Fla. (Joe Cavaretta, Sun Sentinel/TNS)

(Tribune News Service) People continue to pine for answers after last weeks horrific condo collapse in Surfside, Fla. It may be weeks or months before the actual cause is known  but that doesnt stop non-experts coming up with their own hypotheses.

One pervasive question some observers have is if the U.S. Navy shock tests of a new warship off the Florida coast on June 18 may have triggered the tragedy a few days later, at approximately 1:30 a.m. on June 24. Ponce Inlet is roughly 250 miles north of Surfside.

The USS Gerald R. Ford was positioned about 100 miles from Ponce Inlet in Volusia County when a 40,000-pound explosive was detonated in the water. Official video provided to the public on Twitter shows the explosion that was so intense that it registered a 3.9 in earthquake terms.

[Investigators] are going to check it out, Abieyuwa Aghayere, a professor of forensic engineering at Drexel University, told the Miami Herald last week.

Paul Earle, a Golden, Colo.-based seismologist with the U.S. Geological Surveys National Earthquake Information Center (NEIC), said he didnt believe the two incidents are related.

Given the size of the explosion, the distance from the building, and the time between the explosion and the collapse, we do not see any reasonable mechanism for the Navy explosion on June 18 to have triggered the collapse of the Miami Beach-area condo on June 24, he said. There are about 300 earthquakes of similar size to the Navy explosion in the contiguous U.S. every year, none of which have triggered a major building collapse.

The aircraft carrier USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78) completes the first scheduled explosive event of Full Ship Shock Trials while underway in the Atlantic Ocean, June 18, 2021. (Riley McDowell/U.S. Navy)

Earled added that 3.9 is not classified as a large earthquake. California has those quite often.

On Monday, Lieutenant Commander Desiree Frame, public affairs officer for the USS Gerald R. Ford, debunked the theory of a connection between the collapse and the battleships Full Ship Shock Trials (FSSTs) off of the Florida coast.

We have seen nothing that will correlate the shock trial test with the terrible event last week in South Florida, she told the Miami Herald in an email. Certainly, our thoughts and prayers go out to everybody affected by that.

Frame went on to assuage any fears the public has about these tests.

I can assure you that when we do these shock trials, there are a wide variety of environmental and safety factors that are taken into account, she wrote. We know we need to do this kind of testing for the hull of our major ships like aircraft carriers, that its an important opportunity to evaluate the structural integrity of the hull, and its ability to handle a blast of that size, but in choosing the location, the depth of the water, the time of day, marine life migration patterns, etc. There are a lot of factors that are considered to make sure that its as safe as it can possibly be.

As for the current theory as to what caused the catastrophe, six engineering experts told the Miami Herald Saturday that based on the current available evidence  including surveillance video, building plans, inspection reports and a chilling account of a resident who said she saw the pool turn into a sinkhole  a structural column or concrete slab beneath the pool deck likely gave way, collapsing into the garage below, causing the tower to cave in on itself.

As of Tuesday morning, 11 were declared dead in the collapse, with dozens still missing.

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LOMPOC, Calif. (Tribune News Service)  A 47-year-old Lompoc man was killed Monday night after a vehicle pursuit with Vandenberg Space Force Base security personnel ended when he crashed his vehicle just south of Santa Maria.

The pursuit was reported shortly before 10 p.m., when the 47-year-old male driver of a 2017 GMC Denali 2500, who was not identified, fled from Vandenberg security forces heading northbound on Highway 1, according to California Highway Patrol Officer Jason Traughber.

Shortly before the pursuit began, at about 9:30 p.m., personnel from Vandenbergs 30th Security Forces Squadron observed the Denali driving erratically and attempted to initiate a traffic stop, according to Col. Robert A. Long, Space Launch Delta 30 commander.

The pursuit reached an area just south of the Y interchange of highways 1 and 135, where the Denali failed to negotiate a curve in the road, veering right and colliding into milepost marker 36.19.

The GMC continued forward in a northerly direction along the dirt shoulder until it drove off the embankment, becoming airborne and turning midair before landing on its roof along the right-hand shoulder of Highway 135, according to Traughber.

The vehicle slid on its roof until it crashed into a metal guard rail located on the north shoulder of eastbound Highway 135. The driver was declared dead at the scene, according to Traughber. The CHP report indicated the Denalis driver was not wearing safety equipment.

The individual fled at a high rate of speed, then unintentionally left the roadway, which resulted in a single accident, Long said. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family of the deceased driver.

The crash is under investigation by Vandenberg officials and the CHP.

___

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(Tribune News Service)  Opponents of federal plans to produce a new generation of nuclear bomb cores are suing the U.S. Department of Energy for refusing to conduct a full nationwide review, arguing the study is required because the operation will involve multiple cross-country sites.

Nuclear Watch New Mexico was among four groups that filed a lawsuit Tuesday challenging federal agencies' decision not to examine the possible wider impacts of Los Alamos National Laboratory and Savannah River Site in South Carolina producing warhead triggers, also known as pits.

Plans call for Los Alamos and Savannah River to eventually make a combined 80 plutonium pits a year to modernize the nuclear arsenal and to equip a new warhead on a land-based Air Force missile.

Watchdogs contend federal managers aren't taking all the potential impacts  and problems  into consideration, such as transporting nuclear waste from South Carolina across the country to the underground disposal site in Southern New Mexico.

The activists have pushed for a full program review since 2019, but this is the first time they've sued the federal government for resisting the study. They contend the agencies are violating the National Environmental Policy Act by forgoing a comprehensive review.

Jay Coghlan, executive director of nonprofit Nuclear Watch New Mexico, said President Joe Biden might be more receptive, given his claim to support environmental justice  and that most people living near the Los Alamos lab, where pits would be made, are Indigenous or other people of color.

"There's more hope with the Biden administration," Coghlan said.

So far, the agency in charge of nuclear weapons is sticking with the previous administration in saying no to a nationwide study.

In a March 22 letter, Timothy Fischer, general counsel for the National Nuclear Security Administration, said the agency met its NEPA obligation by doing a supplemental analysis for a 2008 review of the Los Alamos lab and a new sitewide study of Savannah River Site.

The public was given ample opportunity to comment, Fischer wrote.

"At this point, the NEPA review for pit production is complete and the Department has no current plans to revisit the NEPA review," Fischer wrote.

The agency decided in late 2019 that a full program review wasn't needed because little had changed overall since the 2008 study of the lab. Officials also said making pits at two sites would spread out the impacts rather than concentrating them all in one location, so no further study was required.

But Coghlan argued producing pits at two locations was itself a significant change that demanded a full review.

"That [2008] study never contemplated pit production at two sites," Coghlan said.

Other labs also are involved in the plans for reviving and pumping up pit production, he said.

The Air Force's new W87-1 warhead, which would have redesigned pits, would be made at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory in California.

The warhead doesn't require pits, but military leaders are pushing for a pit-equipped version anyway, so they must do a comprehensive review to meet the NEPA requirements of addressing all alternatives, said Marylia Kelley, director of Tri-Valley CAREs, a Livermore, Calif.-based watchdog that's also suing.

In general, the agency has done fragmented reviews, looking at the Waste Isolation Pilot Plant near Carlsbad, Savannah River, Los Alamos and other labs separately, rather than examining their combined impacts and risks, Kelley said.

For example, communities could face hazards along the interstate routes where nuclear waste would be transported, she said. That's why NEPA guidelines discourage the "segmenting" of studies, she added.

Pit production plans make a vague reference to Los Alamos National Laboratory shipping plutonium materials to Livermore for "material testing" without saying whether they are pits or something else, Kelley said.

The nuclear agency's proposed 2022 budget refers to supplying the Livermore lab with a glove box, a sealed compartment that workers use to handle radioactive materials, Kelley said, calling it further proof that plutonium will be sent there.

"Before we are asked to shoulder the risks, we have a right to participate in decision-making," Kelley said. "We have a right to public comment in our community. We have the right that the government will explain and disclose what it plans to do."

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Buy Photo The U.S. Capitol dome is shown. Members of the House Appropriations Committee want to cut funding for military personnel by $488 million from the Biden administrations fiscal 2022 budget proposal. (Joe Gromelski/Stars and Stripes)

WASHINGTON  Members of the House Appropriations Committee want to cut funding for military personnel by $488 million from the Biden administrations fiscal 2022 budget proposal, according to a draft of a subcommittee spending bill.

But the proposal from the committees subpanel on defense includes the administrations request for a 2.7% pay raise for service members, providing a total of $166.8 billion in funding for troops and Defense Department contractors. The proposal also matches the administrations request to fund an active-duty military force of 1,346,400 troops.

The draft spending bill, which was released Tuesday and is set to be considered by the subcommittee in a closed session Wednesday, proposes $706 billion in defense spending, largely in line with Bidens $715 billion proposal for the Defense Department. The administrations request includes $10 billion for Pentagon infrastructure projects, which is part of a separate bill.

That legislation from the military construction subpanel of the House Appropriations Committee was approved last week and provides $10.9 billion for construction projects. It is set to be debated Wednesday by the full House Appropriations Committee.

The House Appropriations Committees work on the pair of defense-related measures kicks off months of deliberations on the National Defense Authorization Act  the annual defense legislation that sets policy and funding for the Pentagon.

During the last week of July, the House Armed Service Committee is set to hold a series of hearings to debate each of its seven subcommittees spending bills. At that time, lawmakers will offer amendments and compromises on elements included in the bills. The full committee is scheduled to debate the NDAAs provisions on Sept. 1.

Its unclear when the Senate Armed Services Committee and its subpanels will hold hearings to consider their own version of the NDAA. Often the Senate takes up the House bill and considers amendments to it, and both chambers must reach an agreement on a final version of the bill. The new fiscal year starts Oct. 1, but negotiations can drag on for months.

At the same time, the House and Senate Appropriations Committees consider several appropriations bills, including one for defense spending, which provides funding for the agencies and programs authorized by the House and Senate Armed Services Committees bill.

The draft bill released Tuesday does not seem to stray far from the defense budget proposed by the Biden administration and Pentagon, which both sought to divest from legacy systems to funnel cash into new technologies. However, it could face criticism from Republican lawmakers who have called for a 3-5% increase to the overall defense budget. At the same time, Democratic lawmakers have pushed for significant cuts in defense spending.

Democrats have landed on a responsible funding level for the Department of Defense that maintains a strong national security posture today, while making important investments in modernization that will make us even stronger in the years to come, said Rep. Betty McCollum, D-Minn., chairwoman of the defense subcommittee of the House Appropriations Committee.

The bill would also boost funding in President Joe Bidens proposal for sexual assault prevention and response programs at the Pentagon and for the services by an additional $54.5 million.

The measure adds $1.7 billion in funding for weapons procurement from Bidens budget but reduces money for developing next-generation weaponry to deter China and Russia by $1.6 billion.

The spending bill also reverses a move from the Biden administration to cut one Arleigh Burke-class destroyer. A contract between the Navy and shipyards Bath Iron Works and Ingalls Shipbuilding called for two surface combat ships in fiscal 2022, meaning the service would not be able to meet its obligations under Bidens proposal.

The Biden administrations budget cut of the second destroyer sparked backlash from lawmakers who argued that breaking the contract could hurt the shipbuilding workforce and Navy capabilities.

Weve been working for weeks to restore approval and funding for a [Arleigh Burke-class] destroyer in next years defense budget. [Tuesdays] news puts the delegation in a strong starting position to defeat this ill-advised cut proposed by the presidents administration, said Rep. Jared Golden, D-Maine, vice chairman of the House Armed Services Committee.

Members of the House appropriations subcommittee also want to cancel the Navys nuclear sea-launched cruise missile, a decision that acting Navy Secretary Thomas Harker supported in a recent memo. Some Republicans condemned the move to eliminate the program ahead of the administrations nuclear posture review that is set to start in the next month. Lawmakers also scolded Harker for not consulting other top military and Pentagon leaders.

The defense spending bill cuts one of two fleet ocean tugs requested by Biden, which means the subcommittee proposal calls for eight new ships.

The bill also funds 85 F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft and 12 F-15EX fighter jets to match Bidens proposal.

The legislation also similarly ends the use of the Defense Departments long-held wartime coffers, known as Overseas Contingency Operations funds.

Amid calls from lawmakers, advocates and the public to evacuate translators and their families who helped U.S. personnel in Afghanistan for the last 20 years, the measure would also give $25 million to provide safe passage for these interpreters and others who are under threat from the Taliban. However, the defense funding bill is not typically passed by Congress until December, months after U.S. troops are scheduled to leave the country.

The bill would also give $1 million to the Army to rename installations, facilities, roads and streets that are named after Confederate leaders and officers from the Civil War, and orders the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, to be shuttered by Sept. 30, 2022.

Cammarata.Sarah@stripes.com

Twitter: @sarahjcamm
Fox News host Tucker Carlson speaks at the National Review Institute's Ideas Summit at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel on March 29, 2019, in Washington, D.C. (Chip Somodevilla, Getty Images/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  In a rare public rebuke, the National Security Agency denied Fox News host Tucker Carlsons claims that he was being spied on and that the intelligence agency was trying to cancel his show.

Tucker Carlson has never been an intelligence target of the Agency and the NSA has never had any plans to try to take his program off the air, the NSA said in a statement Tuesday night, shortly before Carlsons show aired.

The federal agency also reminded Carlson that, because of its foreign intelligence mission, the NSA may not target US citizens without a court order that explicitly authorizes the targeting.

On Monday, Carlson made the explosive claim that the Biden administration is spying on us, telling his millions of viewers that a whistleblower told him that the NSA was reading his texts and emails.

He also claimed that the NSA was trying to take down his show for political reasons.

Carlsons colleagues at Fox News ignored his bombshell allegations on air Tuesday.

Despite the NSAs stringent denial, Carlson continued his rampage Tuesday night, calling the rebuttal an infuriating dishonest formal statement and a(n) entire paragraph of lies written purely for the benefit of the intel communitys lackeys at CNN and MSNBC.

Orwellian does not begin to describe the experience, it was like living in China, he said.

Now that the Biden administration has classified tens of millions of patriotic Americans, the kind who served in the military and fly flags in front of their homes, as potential domestic terrorists, white supremacists saboteurs, were going to see a whole lot more of this kind of thing,

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The USS Alabama on March 29, 2021. (Lawrence Specker/al.com/TNS)

(Tribune News Service)  Alabama Gov. Kay Iveys administration informed the USS Alabama Battleship Commission that state law would not bar a rally featuring former President Donald Trump from occurring July 3 on its grounds.

An Ivey spokeswoman, on Tuesday, confirmed that the governor did not get involved to prevent a Trump rally at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park, a 155-acre state-owned facility that features the a World War II battleship, along with a submarine, historic military aircraft, tanks and more.

Ivey, by the nature of her elected office, serves as the honorary chairman of the commission.

(Ivey) is fully supportive of President Trump and worked closely with him as governor and appreciated his support of our state, said Gina Maiola, spokeswoman for the governor. The Battleship Commissioners approached our office out of concern of a statute that says you cannot use state property for political purposes. The governor and her team expressed that the law would not bar this event from happening and encouraged them to seek an opinion from the Attorney General.

The rally was never advertised nor was it in the planning process. Battleship Park commissioners, since May, had been seeking a legal opinion on whether the rally could occur without legal problems on the parks grounds.

In the end, the commission, a state agency with members appointed by the governor, ruled the event could be viewed as partisan and opted to scuttle the former presidents appearance during the holiday weekend. y.

I dont understand why some are making a big issue out of the Battleships position, said Tim Russell, a USS Alabama Battleship commissioner and former Republican probate judge in Baldwin County as well as the former mayor of Foley. Those Naval ships are not ours. It belongs technically to the U.S. Navy. You cannot go to a Navy base and hold an active rally using governmental property. To me, those aircraft (featured on the property) are on loan from the Department of Defense. I seem to be more concerned about that than some of the non-veterans who dont understand that issue.

Partisan political event

Russells comments come as news surfaced Monday that Bill Tunnell, chairman of the Battleship Commission, said that commissioners reached out to Marshalls Office about the legality of holding the Trump rally at the scenic park that runs alongside the Spanish Fort Causeway and sits adjacent to the Mobile Bay near downtown Mobile.

Marshall, in a three-page response, said the commissions request for a formal opinion arrived to him on June 14, just 20 days away from the July 3 event. He said the letter had been dated on May 26, and postmarked on June 11.

Marshall said there was too little time to render an official position.

But he said that the event didnt appear to be associated with a candidate for office and thus wouldnt trigger a requirement of state law that the Battleship Commission make the park available for other candidates or political parties that sought access.

But he also warned the commission of violating the Constitution by restricting free speech based on the identity of the speaker. He said that such restrictions would be subject to strict scrutiny.

Tunnell and Russell said they viewed the USS Battleship Memorial Park as a place to showcase Alabamas military history and to teach about the contributions of the state and its people to the nations armed forces.

Tunnell, in an interview on 106.5 FMs Midday Mobile, said the Battleships enabling legislation signed in 1963  ahead of the USS Alabamas 1964 arrival to its current site  was to educate the public about the sacrifices made by veterans. He added, the last thing we want to be known as is what a great place for a political event. Thats not our priority purpose. Its the last thing we want to do. Our core mission is Alabama and American veterans.

Its unclear exactly where exactly the rally would have been held at on the parks grounds. The commission is not scheduled to meet again until August.

Russell, in a comment to AL.com, said, Weve allowed candidates to go there and have a picture taken with the battleship in the background, but weve not had an open rally. The (law) is clear on it (but) we know at some point someone might challenge it and say, is that prohibition (of) free speech? That would be for the courts to decide. We have to follow the statutes we are under. I think most of all of the commissioners feel that way and a majority felt that way.

U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, R-Huntsville, speaks during a breakfast on Thursday, June 10, 2021, at the Gift Horse Restaurant in Foley, Ala. While there was no indication the rally at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park was being held to support a political candidate, former President Donald Trump has already endorsed Brooks in the 2022 U.S. Senate race to replace retiring Senator Richard Shelby. (John Sharp/al.com/TNS)

Senate intrigue

While there was no indication the rally was being held to support a political candidate, Trump has already endorsed U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks, R- Huntsville, in the 2022 U.S. Senate race to replace retiring Senator Richard Shelby.

The Brooks campaign did not offer a reaction on Tuesday to the news about the short-circuited Trump rally. Two weeks ago, during a June 10 appearance in Foley, Brooks confirmed that Trump had been planning a rally at the Battleship Park, but it wasnt going to happen. He gave not further details.

Brooks said he anticipated Trump to host rallies in support of his candidacy in Alabama leading up to next years elections.

There are a lot of different options, said Brooks. Certainly, the Birmingham and Tuscaloosa area are a good area to hold a rally. Mobile and Baldwin counties are a good place to hold a rally. The Wiregrass is a good place. North Alabama, where I am better known and people are not at all affected by the negative politics of my primary opponents, there is not as much of a need to have a rally there because well stomp the absolute living daylights of my two primary opponents in that area.

The campaigns of his two opponents  Katie Boyd Britt and Lynda Blanchard  both provided statements on Tuesday about the issue. Neither linked the Trump rally to Brooks, and neither criticized the Battleship Commission for its decision.

The USS Alabama is a perfect reminder ahead of July 4 of what it takes to preserve our freedom and ensure our men and women in uniform remain the best equipped and trained fighting force the world has ever known, Britt said in a statement. While China and Russia continue to ramp up military spending, Joe Biden has proposed an effective cut to our defense budget. The military and extended defense community mean so much to our national security and to Alabama and I will be a tireless champion for maintaining and growing Americas edge on the battlefield.

Blanchard, who served as ambassador to Slovenia under Trump, said she remains committed to the former presidents America First agenda, and said the state should welcome the former president.

Few figures are as popular in Alabama as former President Trump, and he should be welcomed to our state with open arms and a good dose of southern hospitality, she said in a statement. We need Donald Trumps conservative vision and leadership now more than ever in order to combat Biden, (Speaker of the House Nancy) Pelosi, and the other D.C. socialists who have done so much damage to our nation in so little time.

Picking and choosing

At least one political consultant pointed out that politicians have held small-sized rallies on the Battleship Park grounds. One recent example was former state Senator Bill Hightower who, in 2017, announced he was running for governor during the 2018 elections while surrounded by supporters at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park.

Another example, which occurred almost one year ago, involved former U.S. Attorney General Jeff Sessions  who famously quarreled with Trump over Sessions decision in 2017 to recuse himself from the Russia investigation into the 2016 election. Sessions, last July 5, held a campaign event at the park to announce a list of veterans who endorsed his Senate candidacy ahead of a runoff election against eventual winner, Tommy Tuberville. Among those in attendance supporting Sessions was Russell.

This appears to be, in my opinion, an affront to the former president or people on the commission appear to be picking and choosing, said Jon Gray, a political consultant based in Mobile. For years, the Battleship Park has been a destination for political events. It looks like a group of people are taking an opportunity to stay out of what has become a divisive issue regarding the former president.

Gray also noted that the park has been utilized for religious-affiliated activities and is the routine spot for a Pork & Politics that is hosted by the Mobile Area Chamber of Commerce.

Governmental facilities, for years, have been utilized for these purposes, said Gray. People pay the same rental fee anyone else would pay. You begin to discriminate when you pick and choose who cannot come. If you allow the board of Realtors (or other organizations) to hold an event at the battleship, but dont allow a political group to host an event at the battleship, then what you do is create discrimination.

Sacred places

Angi Stalnaker, a political consultant in Montgomery, said military sites are sacred places that should be considered off-limits for political rallies.

The view of federal property among political consultants of both parties, especially military property, is that its not to be used for partisan (purposes), Stalnaker said.

She said she doesnt believe hosting a rally with the military equipment as a backdrop is a good look for our nations military.

She also said offering equal time for other politicians could make for an uncomfortable situation for Alabama conservatives.

We are an Alabama state and we love Trump, Stalnaker said. But what happens when AOC ( Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, the liberal Democratic U.S. congresswoman from New York) wants to come down here and do something similar at the USS Alabama? Will we let her? I think its a bad precedence to set. If we, as Republicans, start politicizing those sacred places, we have to let the Democrats do that as well. I dont think that is a door anyone wants to open.

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Search and rescue personnel work atop the rubble at the Champlain Towers South condo building, where scores of people remain missing almost a week after it partially collapsed, Wednesday, June 30, 2021, in Surfside, Fla. (Lynne Sladky/AP)

WASHINGTON  A Department of Veterans Affairs physician staying at Champlain Towers South is still missing after the building partially collapsed six days ago.

Dr. Gary Cohen, an attending physician at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center in Alabama, was visiting his ill father in Florida last week. According to WIAT-TV, a CBS-affiliated news station in Alabama, Cohen was staying with his brother, who had a condo at Champlain Towers South. His brother, Dr. Brad Cohen, an orthopedic surgeon, also remains missing.

The building, a 12-story beachfront condo building outside Miami in Surfside, Fla., partially collapsed at about 1:30 a.m. June 24. As of Wednesday, 16 people had been found dead and 147 remained missing. First responders were still digging through the rubble, searching for survivors.

VA Secretary Denis McDonough said Wednesday he was monitoring the situation very closely.

Our prayers go out to [Dr. Cohen], his family, and to the team at Tuscaloosa, McDonough said.

McDonough said he was unsure whether there were other veterans or VA employees involved in the building collapse.

The VA sent a mobile Vet Center to Surfside this week to provide free mental health counseling. The center has provided counseling to first responders, as well as veterans and nonveterans affected by the collapse.

Wentling.nikki@stripes.com

Twitter: @nikkiwentling
Paul W. Wilkins (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency)

(Tribune News Service)  When Walter Wilkins roots through his memories, the decades between boyhood and old age, one lasting image of his older brother appears. He sees Paul walking away, up a mountain road in rural Pennsylvania.

Walter, 86, doesn't remember if that's the day Paul left Bellwood, Blair County, to go fight in the forgotten war in Korea. He can't recall if Paul said goodbye to the siblings with whom he shared a shanty and raised hell in those hills. But Walter never saw his brother again, so the memory's framed, forever, in his mind.

"He was beautiful," Walter said at a diner just outside of Buffalo in May. "Just beautiful."

In 1950, the Army said Paul Wilkins went "missing in action," and a protracted, ambiguous grief rolled over the Wilkins family like a fog. But the unknown left room for hope.

That was just a dream, Walter said, something to shake the reality that Paul was surely dead. One by one, Walter buried siblings who never saw that fog lift, and a mother, Margaret, who died with a gaping hole in her heart.

Now, more than 70 years after Paul went missing, Walter and his extended family have a clearer picture of his last days. The Army's never-ending quest to bring soldiers home, in Paul's case, was accomplished through both physical labor, including digging through foxholes and excavating coffins, and modern advancements in science.

A grave would be dug in Bellwood.

"My brother's coming home," Walter said.

From Bellwood to Korea to Hawaii

Paul Wilkins enlisted in the U.S. Army on June 8, 1948, in Altoona after graduating from Bellwood-Antis High School. He was 17. After training at Fort Dix, N.J., he shipped off to Japan in 1949. Paul was a rifleman in Baker Company, 1st Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. In early July of 1950, when the first battles of the Korean War were erupting along the border between the Republic of Korea (South) and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North), Paul, a private first class at the time, was called into action.

Paul's division, according to the U.S. Department of Defense, was tasked with defending South Korea from a North Korean offensive. Most of the fighting took place near Choch'iwan, South Korea, and, according to an Army memorandum, the enemy had "superior forces," breaking Paul's division into smaller groups and eventually overrunning them.

"He was not seen after this action," the Army wrote.

Paul was listed as missing in action on July 11, 1950. He was 19.

"I wish to emphasize that every effort is exerted continuously to clear up the status of our personnel. Under battle conditions this is a difficult task as you must readily realize," Army Maj. Gen. Edward Witsell wrote in a letter to Margaret in November 1950. "Permit me to extend to you my heartfelt sympathy during this period of uncertainty."

In the few short months between Paul's disappearance and that letter, Margaret lost a second son, Cpl. Joseph Wilkins, to injuries while serving in Korea. Joseph, a World War II veteran, was 24. Walter, upon learning of his brothers' deaths, wanted to join the Army, too. He wanted revenge. But he was just 15 and his mother wouldn't sign the waiver needed to enlist.

"I never really got a chance to know either one of them," Walter said.

The Army declared a presumptive finding of death for Paul on Dec. 31, 1953, and urged Margaret Wilkins to find "sustaining comfort" in the realization that her son made a "supreme sacrifice." The Army posthumously promoted Paul from private first class to corporal.

As Witsell had said to Margaret in 1950, however, the Army didn't like leaving soldiers unaccounted for. According to a lengthy report compiled for the Wilkins family, a team of five soldiers from the 392nd Quartermaster Company searched through the Choch'iwan region two years after the battles there, excavating 368 foxholes and fighting positions. They recovered 13 sets of remains, none of them Paul.

Through the years, the Army kept in touch with Margaret, asking her for dental records or whether he had any fractures. They sent her photographs of rings and other jewelry, to see if any of it belonged to her son.

"He had really nice teeth," Margaret wrote back.

Paul, it turned out, had already been found, shortly after the July 1950 battle. He was referred to as "Unknown X-113 and buried at the United Nations Memorial Cemetery in Taejon, South Korea, then moved to a mortuary in Japan where anthropologists still failed to identify him. In 1956, Paul and hundreds of other Korean War casualties were reinterred at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Crater in Honolulu. That same year, Paul was declared non-recoverable.

In 1984, Walter's son, Craig Wilkins, honeymooned in Hawaii and visited the courts of the missing at the Punchbowl. He saw his Uncle Paul's name, etched on a wall there, one of 8,210 Americans missing from the Korean War. No one knew he was buried nearby.

"It was the first name we saw," Craig said in May at his home in Akron, N.Y.

Paul remained in Hawaii for decades more, known only as "Unknown X-113. Margaret died in 1974.

A small act, but a powerful one

Old caskets buried for a half-century aren't easy to open, and Jennie Jin has seen hundreds of them come through the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency Laboratory at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. She leads the Korean War Identification Project.

Some caskets are rusted shut, she said, and call for a chainsaw. When they are opened, there's almost always a green Army blanket and skeletonized remains underneath. The bones are usually in good condition, she said.

Jin said the work, identifying unknown soldiers, is sacred and she doesn't let her team lose sight of that.

"I printed out the pictures of guys we helped identify, and they are on the wall here. It's a very small act, but it's a powerful one," Jin said in a video interview from Hawaii in April. "I always remind them that this is not a study sample. These are once-living individuals."

In July 2018, historians and anthropologists with the DPAA, with the encouragement of missing veterans' families, proposed a bold plan to help name those unidentified who were buried in the Punchbowl. That meant disinterring 652 sets of remains, including 53 recovered from Taejon. The disinterment was split up into seven phases. X-113 was disinterred on July 1, 2019.

"We are exhuming about eight caskets, every other week," Jin said.

The bodies were often heavily treated with chemical preservatives, destroying most of the organic matter needed for DNA testing. Jin, who earned her doctorate in anthropology from Penn State, said her team uses a multipronged approach, however, to narrow down the pool of potential IDs. After World War II, every soldier who enlisted was X-rayed, Jin said, out of concern for tuberculosis, and her team is able X-ray the bones they exhume and compare clavicles.

Given where and when X-113 was found, Jin said they were able to narrow the potential IDs to 46.

Walter, Craig, and Paul's now-late brother, Ben, all submitted DNA samples via a simple swab from the mouth. DNA samples were taken from X-113s teeth.

Anthropologists who studied Paul's bones determined he died from a "blast event." Multiple bones were fractured, including ribs, vertebrae, his right scapula, and his right clavicle.

Time, Jin said, is their biggest enemy. Siblings of World War II and Korean War veterans are getting older. Her own grandfather, alive today at 94, fought in the Korean War for South Korea.

"We know how important it is to make those IDs for the living relatives," she said, "for people who still remember this person."

More than 7,000 remain unidentified.

Back at Bellwood

American flags were everywhere in Bellwood on June 26. They hung above the flowers on the front porches of bungalows and classic American Foursquares that line streets there.

A few dozen bikers in leather vests each held a flag, too. They stood at attention while a black Lincoln hearse passed between them. Just before 11 a.m., an Army honor guard quietly removed the steel casket inside.

A flag was draped across it, with one single dog tag hung from the casket handle: "Wilkins. Paul W."

Walter sat in a wheelchair by the casket. He almost didn't make it back to Bellwood, as medical issues, including a broken bone in his back, made the five-hour drive south from Akron difficult. His sister, Virginia, suffers from dementia and could not attend.

Those health concerns prevented Walter from seeing his brother's remains land at Pittsburgh International Airport days earlier. But Craig took hundreds of pictures on the tarmac as the flight from Honolulu touched down just before 3:30 p.m. Police and first responders stood at attention. Above them, a United Airlines employee stood alone by an open door, saluting.

The same honor guard was there to guide the long, white box from the plane's cargo hold and into an airport funeral cart with the words "Never forgotten" etched onto it.

A bugler played taps and the honor guard fired off a salute, the crack of their rifles echoing off Brush Mountain in the distance. Then two members of the honor guard slowly removed the flag, folding it tightly, 13 times, into a triangle. One of them knelt before Walter and placed it in his arms, and he sobbed for a second or two, the weight of that flag something no scale could measure.

Later, when everyone had left, Paul was lowered into a grave, beside his mother.

At a small gathering afterward at the United Veterans building on Main Street, Walter sipped on some Yuenglings and reminisced. A large mural of American wars and conflicts spread across a wall behind him. Around the corner, in the bar, a faded newspaper memorial for Paul and Joseph Wilkins was pinned up behind a glass case.

"Missing July 11, 1950," was printed beneath Paul's smiling face.

"Now he's home," Walter said. "Finally back home."

(c)2021 The Philadelphia Inquirer

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A photo illustration with the telephone number of the Veteran's Crisis Line. (Zachary Hada/U.S. Air Force)

WASHINGTON  Two lawmakers introduced a bill Wednesday in response to multiple watchdog reports of deaths after calls were mishandled by the Veterans Crisis Line.

The bill, titled the Revising and Expediting Actions for the Crisis Hotline (REACH) for Veterans Act, would require an independent agency to evaluate the training for Veterans Crisis Line responders. It would also require responders to be retrained on how to handle high-risk callers, and it aims to increase oversight of calls.

The leaders of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, Sen. Jon Tester, D-Mont., and Sen. Jerry Moran, R-Kan, introduced the legislation Wednesday.

Weve got to do more to make sure no veteran who reaches out for lifesaving assistance through the Veterans Crisis Line falls through the cracks, Tester said.

The VA Office of Inspector General released two reports within the last year that found fault with how the Veterans Crisis Line handled high-risk callers. One report focused on a veteran who died July 4, 2018, after speaking to two crisis line responders. The responders failed to consider his or her risk for overdose and didnt contact local authorities.

In the other case, a Montana veteran shot and killed a family member after speaking to a responder with the Veterans Crisis Line in 2019. In its report this April, the IG said the responder failed to take action to contact authorities.

While Congress has made substantial improvements to the Veterans Crisis Line in recent years, deficiencies remain that must be addressed to ensure every veteran receives the care they deserve when in crisis, Moran said in a statement.

In addition to retraining responders and increasing oversight, the bill aims to help the Veterans Crisis Line transition to 9-8-8 as the new national suicide prevention hotline. Congress passed a measure last year that establishes 9-8-8 as the universal number for mental health crises and suicide prevention. The number is expected to go into effect in July 2022.

Tester and Morans bill requires the VA secretary to seek input from veterans service organizations about how to best transition to the new 9-8-8 number to avoid confusion among veterans and service members.

Wentling.nikki@stripes.com

Twitter: @nikkiwentling
LAKE MILLS, Iowa (Tribune News Service)  The work of two men in Lake Mills, combined with the reach of social media, have helped connect military papers for a soldier killed in World War II with the soldier's living family in the area.

Bill Clark said he likes to buy historical memorabilia and one day walked into Midwest Antiques in Albert Lea.

Part-owner Patti Floyd said about 20 minutes before Clark came into the shop, she had laid a few historical military documents from World War II under the top glass of one of the cases at the shop. The papers, which included a Purple Heart certificate for soldier Harold D. Frazier, had been rolled up in a paper tube and brought in by one of the store's pickers, who finds various items to sell. She was not sure where the picker had found them.

Clark said he decided to buy the documents, and then he set out on a mission to find living family members they might belong to. He got ahold of his friend, Leon Christianson, who posted about the papers on Facebook and asked all of his friends to share the post.

The post went from coast to coast, and before long, Linda Waalkens, who lives north of Albert Lea, said she started receiving a few messages from friends asking her if she was somehow tied to Frazier.

Waalkens said she learned from a young age from her father, Elmo Frazier, that she had an uncle who had been in the Army and fought in World War II. That uncle, Harold Frazier, ultimately died in Normandy on D-Day  June 6, 1944. She had not always known he had received a Purple Heart.

"It's finally home  it's where it belongs," Clark said of the documents after presenting them to Waalkens.

The presentation took place at the Lake Mills veterans memorial, which recognizes 1,200 veterans, as well as those from the Lake Mills area who died in action.

One hundred 30 flags fill the park with a sea of red, white and blue, and at the center is a Freedom Rock, in which an artist has painted four different scenes.

Clark pointed out a phrase on the rock, "He's not heavy, he's my brother," and said the same was true for finding the family for the papers in Frazier's honor.

Waalkens said she and Clark had talked about the part God played in helping them connect.

"I really believe this was meant to be," she said, noting that it was still a little surreal for her.

She said she is at a season now in her life where she can reflect more on her family history and she has learned the importance of doing so from this experience.

She said she has spoken with her and her husband's two sons about their relative.

She has begun delving more into the boxes left behind by her father, in which she found the belongings of her uncle.

She is proud now that in addition to the Purple Heart medal that is in one of the boxes, she now has the paperwork that goes with that award.

"It means more than I can really articulate in words," she said.

(c)2021 the Albert Lea Tribune (Albert Lea, Minn.)

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Melissa Lindhorst, 45, passed away June 26, 2021. A "Come and Go" reception will be from 4-6:00pm Saturday, July 10, 2021 at the Strode Funeral Home Chapel. Interment will be at Fairlawn Cemetery at a later date.
The positivity rate for new cases of COVID-19 in Florida is continuing to increase. The state Department of Health reported a new case positivity rate statewide for COVID-19 of 5.2% for the week of June 25-July 1 compared to 3.8% for the week of June 18-24.
The Knox County Council on Tuesday approved a personal property tax abatement for a solar developer looking to build a 150 megawatt farm in Steen Township.

In return, the county, once again, is poised to receive $2.5 million in payments spread over six years  a deal strikingly similar to one reached this fall with Nebraska-based Tenaska for the construction of a solar farm in Harrison Township.

The county council held a rather sparsely-attended public hearing at the Pantheon, 428 Main St., during which representatives with Origis, a Miami, Florida-based solar developer, made their pitch for a $106 million solar farm to be constructed largely in Wheatland, should they secure all the necessary state and local permits.

Origis current plan proposes the use of about 1,200 acres of land across multiple parcels. The company began acquiring land in the Wheatland area, they told the council, back in 2019, and are concurrently looking at even more near Bruceville for yet another project, marking the countys third such request in just over a year.

The county councils solar committee, members indicated Tuesday, have been meeting with Origis officials in negotiating an Economic Development Agreement, the tool by which they can  and did  grant the abatement.

Just as with Tenaska, the council allowed for a ten-year personal property tax abatement, one that essentially forgives 100% of the taxes in exchange for the $2.5 million in economic development payments.

Origis officials, too, indicated it would mean an additional $12 million in tax revenue to the county over the life of the solar farm, which they expect will be at least 35 years.

Councilman Harry Nolting said negotiations had gone well and that he was pleased with the progress made so far.

I look forward to getting this approved and in operation, he said.

Councilman Rich Chattin, too, welcomed Origis to Knox County.

Its going to be a lot of landscape changes for Knox County, but I think weve embraced it and are looking forward to you being here, he said.

I hope its everything we have all envisioned it to be.

Per paperwork filed with the county so far, Origis is proposing that the project, after construction, would employ up to three people permanently at salaries of an estimated $42,000 per year.

Construction itself would mean at least 300 jobs, Origis officials said Tuesday.

Because solar farms, once up and running, dont result in an abundance of new jobs, tax abatements like these typically include these kinds of payments in lieu of taxes paid to counties to offset the revenue lost as a result, explained councilman David Culp.

So we receive a stipend over a certain number of years to help with what we (didnt get) in the way of salaries, he said.

Were not just handing them the keys to the county. Theyre carrying their fair share.

With solar development on the rise in Indiana  and with developers actively looking here  the county in 2019 began the process of drafting its own solar ordinance to help guide everyone the rather complicated zoning process.

Tenaskas RATTS 2 project was the first to be approved under those new guidelines, but it was not a process without contention.

The countys Area Plan Commission, after months of discussion and two public meetings, approved the solar plan in March, but dozens of local residents opposed it, many of them fearing for their property values and the possibility of pollution.

A handful of those residents, upset at the APC for approving the RATTS 2 project, have now asked for a judicial review of the zoning bodys decision.

But very few from Steen Township attended the public hearing on Tuesday.

Local residents Dustin and Jessica Hess asked about the payments that will be made to the county and referenced conversations that happened months ago among council members about whether or not the money coming from Tenaska should be earmarked specifically for Harrison Township or the South Knox School Corp.

Should some of that money be set aside for our area, our school corporation? she asked.

Council members, however, indicated that it was too early for such conversations. The approval of the tax abatement is just one step in a long process, council president Bob Lechner pointed out.

Origis still has to secure zoning approval from the Area Plan Commission, finish securing the proper state permits and be granted access onto the grid before construction can begin.

So there are no funds yet to be earmarked, he said. But well take that into consideration as we move forward.

Nolting, too, said any decisions on how to spend the money is still years down the road anyway.

It depends on what needs there are, what our situation is at that time, he said. Nothing has been decided.

County attorney Andrew Porter also pointed out that the abatement is only for personal property, meaning the panels themselves and necessary equipment. The land itself, most of it zoned as agricultural now, would, if approved by the APC, be rezoned and assessed, he said, at four times as much.

All of that money would pass through to the various taxing entities.

Chris Pfaff, president of Knox County Indiana Economic Development, was there to speak in favor of the project, saying with a long history in energy production, Knox County should be actively looking to welcome solar farms into the community.

As we live through this time in history, renewable energy will become more important to our portfolio of energy production, he said. I believe these types of projects are worthy of our support, and I believe the companies we are working with to be good corporate citizens.
Huarahi pai ki te whakanui i to tatou tau maori hou (A great way to celebrate our New Year) is how one visitor to Taurangas inaugural Matariki Village Market praised the event.

Despite the rain, more than 1500 people filled the Historic Village on Sunday for the market day, which is part of The Incubator Creative Hubs extensive Matariki programme.

Director of The Incubator Simone Anderson is thrilled so many people filled the streets of the village from 9am. People travelled from Morrinsville, Rotorua, Te Kuwaiti, Hamilton, Te Puke, Auckland, Katikati and beyond, she says.

The highlights of the market for us were the positive energy and turnout of happy faces and whanau despite the wet weather. It was inspiring to see the sheer number of people supporting Kaupapa Maori creatives. We also had a huge number of people going through galleries and visiting the five art exhibitions that we have on during Matariki.

The Matariki Village Market is a new concept for Tauranga with a range of stall holders from local to further afield celebrating kaupapa Maori and sustainability.

From clothes to crafts, art and accessories, native plants and wellness products, there was something for everyone to browse and buy.

Simone says the wellness area was popular with affordable a dollar per minute prices so everyone could experience different types of healing including matekite, rongoa, mirimiri, bodywork, massage, psychic readers and more.

There was live music throughout the day from local musicians including Asher McMahon, Linda Smith, Dalaye Taoho, The Lalas (Ash Laforteza and Jzoe), Karamaina Thompson & Leigh Hawira.

There was also an outstanding performance from children from a local kapa haka group Te Puna Reo o Pukehinahina Kapahaka.

Simone says the Incubator team worked so hard to bring the idea to fruition.

Our amazing Okorore Nga Toi Maori Coordinator Kalena Egan and our Maori liaison Coordinator Ayesha Kee both developed and executed a brilliant inaugural event with an exceptional community kaupapa and showcasing the village at its best.

Simone says there are already calls for another market, with Te Arawa Fisheries, who provided food such as kina for the event, joked, Can we do it every Saturday?

The feedback from visitors and stall holders and practitioners was that they would love to see this regularly. This will be at the very least a flagship Matariki event and we are looking at a summer event.

One shopper, Nanny from Maketu, left with three bags of loot.

What a fantastic event. Everyone was so happy and vibrant and friendly. I saved my money to come shopping and support local Maori businesses. Im going home and going to start saving up for the next one.

Another visitor lavished praise on the event,

Awesome Makete Matariki! So many awesome stallholders, interactions, musicians were brilliant and the kai. Congratulations to the Hub. Brilliant team

Tauranga woman Deb Middleton says she had never seen the village so buzzing.

I loved the range of crafts and talking to the stallholders about how they started their business. There was such an amazing range of talents on display. I came to pick up a friend but ended up staying ages as there was so much to look at. I bought plants, some crystal accessories and I will definitely be going back to the Okorore Gallery, as theres a beautiful framed print I have my eye on.

She had better be quick, people were quickly buying up the artworks on display at the five exhibitions. Louis Mikaeres Atua Maori collection was completely sold early in the day. Michelle Estells stunning Te Iwa o Matariki was also almost sold, as was Michelle Arnolds Nga Whetu Katoa - a collection of dazzling unique mosaic pieces.

The Moemoea exhibition showcased a collective of artists including Julie Paama-Pengelly, Linda Munn, Chontelle Hohaia, Areena Smith, Israel Randell, Jera Mae and ArpegeTaratoa

Nixon Mohis artwork Nga Whetu O Matariki had people gasping with awe given he is just 11 years old. Popular Tauranga artist Mr G was impressed when he met Nixon and even purchased a work.

The five exhibitions will run until July 5 at Tauranga Historic Village.
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Cancel culture and politics aside, one of the more brutal threats lurking in the shadows of the internet is the slander industry. All too often, unsuspecting people become victims of websites that promote slanderous, often unverified information about individuals. This false and vilifying information lives on the internet forever and can sully an otherwise spotless reputation.

Personal information that is readily available online can be used to blackmail, slander, or steal identities. How do these websites affect someone, and how can victims fight back? The only solution may be hiring a company specializing in scrubbing the digital trail of haplessly slandered victims.

"In the age of digital reputation being what matters most, online presence and digital breadcrumbs have become of the utmost importance," according to Laura Hoffner, chief of staff at Concentric Advisors, a security and risk management firm.

The intended impression the slander industry presents is that there is not much you can do about it when you fall within its target sites. But that is not true, she cautions. First, victims can utilize a service to identify what is out there already. Then, victims can make conscious decisions about what information to take down and what details to remain available.

"The key is, it can be your choice. You can maintain control of your digital footprint and, thus, your online identity," Hoffner told TechNewsWorld.

Hoffner's assessment that all is not lost if slandered by a website is not mere marketing hype. She spent 12 years as a naval intelligence officer supporting special operations around the globe. Lt. Commander Hoffner transitioned to the Naval Reserves and joined the Concentric team in the fall of 2020.

Growing Slander Network

As many victims can attest, an ecosystem of websites exists whose primary purpose is destroying reputations, confirmed Max Anderson, engagement officer for Concentric. But the endgame is more than trashing peoples' digital reputations.

Like the seemingly constant episodes of ransomware attacks, the slander purveyors are more about making money.

"The owners of these websites do not truly care about anyone's reputation. Their goal is to capitalize off of a victim's self-value and the offender's motivation," he told TechNewsWorld.

The security agencies that specialize in slander removal or reputation management services can be legitimate businesses, he admitted. But some so-called clean-up services are no better than the slander doers.

"There are legitimate service providers helping with reputation management issues for clients who have been targeted by people with nefarious motives," Anderson offered.

To combat this problem effectively, though, is time consuming and quite costly. Any service offering to remove a slanderous website posting your information for a few hundred dollars is likely the same company who posted your information in the first place, he suggested.

"If not run by the same people, the website owner and the information removal consultants are working closely together to share profits," said Anderson.

Online Reputation Has Serious Consequences

We live in a fully digital world today. A person's online profile is always analyzed by prospective employers, friends, family, and partners.

One negative post may be easy to explain away. But it becomes much more difficult to defend your reputation when a slanderous article about you has been picked up by multiple sites, noted Anderson.

"The damage is in the volume and less about the content," he said.

Often, people do not realize the amount of personal information accumulates on social media and online data banks. Peoples' family and business activities are frequently mixed together.

Bad doers can post smug remarks and make false statements with little fear of legal or public retribution. Family photos and participation in a variety of activities provide the slander operators a wealth of details to twist into seemingly accurate narratives.

It takes a strong commitment and resilience to intimidation to restore a slander victim's digital reputation. A more effective protection plan is to prevent slander before it happens. Do this by safeguarding the flow of information that you yourself plant online.

Monitoring and getting out in front of any negative reputational information early is key," Anderson advised.

Preparing for Battle

Slanderous articles tend to snowball rather quickly, noted Anderson. Concentric takes a proactive strategy for its clients to get ahead of potential attacks.

For instance, Concentric conducts regular monitoring of its clients on social media and the open web. The goal is to proactively spot and alert clients on these potentially problematic pieces.

"We also have a solution called Concentric360 that removes Personally Identifiable Information (PII) from almost 300 data brokerage sites. This makes it much more difficult for someone to dox (or doxx) you, or steal your identity. We can also identify and remove impostor social media accounts," he explained.

Of course, more strategies are needed to proactively protect people's personal information. For example, Concentric's intelligence teams monitor for online conversations about the company's clients. Its digital privacy teams look for and remove potentially compromising information.

"If you can find the information and take it down quickly, efforts are quite successful. The problem becomes more difficult to solve when the information has circulated across multiple websites which are then indexed by search engines," said Anderson.

Minimize Doxing Risk

The term Doxing has its roots in the phrase "dropping documents," and is a real problem that is not going away anytime soon

Doxing pertains to the collection of a person's private information across multiple platforms by an unauthorized individual. The "doxer" then publishes the information in an attempt to shame or embarrass the person or company.

The information is readily available by researching public databases, hacking, or social engineering. One of the best ways to protect yourself against a doxing attack, according to cybersecurity experts, is to control what you say online.

Sure, you have the freedom to express yourself. But you also have the choice to limit your exposure and stop giving potential attackers lots of information about you.

It is essential that you be careful about things you post online. Efforts to conceal your true identity behind a username on social media and other online forums are seldom foolproof. Be assured that hackers can peek behind that curtain of so-called anonymity and put you in the negative spotlight.

Don't Rely on Digital Security

The slander industry may well be considered a subset of fraud on the internet. Cybersecurity threats and many of the strategies for mitigating them are related.

One major problem with today's approach to cybersecurity risk is the security measures being implemented are no longer effective at protecting customers from fraud, according to Robert McKay, senior vice president for risk solutions at Neustar.

"Most fraud-fighting efforts rely on the idea that peoples' online and offline data is secure, and that is simply not true anymore," he told TechNewsWorld.

Virtually every organization that holds personally identifiable information has been hacked at some point, he said. That means that everyone's PII can be purchased by fraudsters on the dark web.

The easy availability of this data destroys the effectiveness of any type of authentication system that uses an individual's knowledge of personal information -- such as a social security number or email address -- to determine whether that individual is whom they claim to be.

Also, the same is true of the supposedly more obscure knowledge-based authentication (KBA) information typically used in challenge questions. It is not difficult for fraudsters to harvest that information from social media activity (all those online quizzes!) or by interacting with a target directly to obtain it via social engineering.

Perhaps a word to the wise is obvious here. Before it is too late, clean up your festering personal information from wherever you find it. Passwords and cyber software offer little to protect your PII online.

Jack M. Germain has been an ECT News Network reporter since 2003. His main areas of focus are enterprise IT, Linux and open-source technologies. He is an esteemed reviewer of Linux distros and other open-source software. In addition, Jack extensively covers business technology and privacy issues, as well as developments in e-commerce and consumer electronics. Email Jack.


Sam Altman is offering cryptocurrency which he would give after asking for an eyeball scan from everyone interested in the new startup called "Worldcoin." The cryptocurrency is looking into a unique orb-shaped scanner that would help in creating an identifier for a person, with regards to security and personal matters.

This would ensure that one's account in the cryptocurrency startup will be theirs, and would be foolproof in terms of fraudulent acts like identity theft or having possession of one's details.

Sam Altman Wants to Scan Your Eyeballs for Worldcoin Cryptocurrency

According to Bloomberg, the popular Silicon Valley personality has ventured into another business and has focused on the massive popularity of cryptocurrency in the present times. Altman is known for his ties with OpenAI, which he recently campaigned about, along with the other ventures that he has in the industry.

Altman is one of the three founders of Worldcoin, and that cryptocurrency is not yet on full launch, but it should be shortly, as the co-founder is already crowdsourcing for its ventures. What does Altman want? It is the eyeball or iris scan of people and is willing to trade or give stakes to the starting cryptocurrency of Worldcoin.

This may be a win-win for both Altman and the people who want to invest and earn more cryptocurrency, but this also poses a huge threat, especially as a personal biometric is being given to another's possession.

Nonetheless, this scan is intended for creating a security measure on one's account on Worldcoin, especially to avoid fraudulent transactions.

Read Also: Tesla's Elon Musk Agrees - Meme Coin's Proposed 50x Discount

Worldcoin Cryptocurrency

Sam Altman is a known Silicon Valley figure, with ties to Y Combinator and OpenAI, and has now ventured into Worldcoin, an up-and-coming cryptocurrency that is backed by Andreessen Horowitz, and other venture capitals.

The startup cryptocurrency is bordering more on security and improving the transactions of the blockchain coins, especially as it aims to give users a chance to freebies on their first ventures. The eyeball scan is looking more into security concerns and creating a veil of protection for a user, especially in major transactions for its future launch.

Cryptocurrency and Security

Cryptocurrency uses blockchain, which is already regarded as a secure way to exchange coins on the internet, and despite being digital, these coins are focusing on security and protecting its user. However, it cannot be ensured at all times that the cryptocurrency can be safe from hacks and theft, especially as it borders strongly on digital distribution.

That being said, each company and cryptocurrency has its security measures, with Worldcoin being a pioneer of retinal scans to further encrypt the cryptos to a person.

Related Article: FireEye CEO Claims Cryptocurrency Rise is an Enabler of Ransomware Attacks

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Walmart has launched its first private drug brand called "ReliOn," which features a more affordable option for an Insulin shot, discounting almost half the price from a regular one. This will give more Americans the chance to save on their purchase of the drug, which is most of the time, a maintenance prescription for those suffering from Diabetes.

Diabetes is one of the most notorious diseases that have a high mortality rate in the country, and it has affected a lot of Americans in the process, making Insulin an in-demand drug in the modern era.

Insulin, Half the Price at Walmart

Walmart is a popular retail store company that has evolved its business into a multi-billion conglomerate and has a lot of subsidiaries that focus on different ventures and focuses on the market. In the recent development, Walmart's press release announced the availability of its new drug, a more affordable Insulin for those who need it.

The retail company has acknowledged the fact that Insulin is an expensive drug in the current market, and that people are currently paying as much as $150 to $400 per shot of the medicine to treat their high glucose levels. This has been apparent in recent times, and that the pandemic has made it harder to for people with Diabetes.

Walmart' analog insulin is sold for only $72.88 each for the insulin vials, and that its FlexiPen is sold at $85.88 per shot. Walmart promises that the price they release will give people as much as 58 to 78 percent in savings, compared to the regular insulin that is sold in their pharmacies.

Read Also: Walmart's New AI Offers Smarter Online Grocery Substitutions-Predicts Consumer Behavior and MORE!

Walmart's ReliOn, First Private Drug Brand

The more affordable insulin at Walmart is part of the company's latest venture as a private drug brand which is called "ReliOn," has developed the shots in partnership with Novo Nordisk. The ReliOn NovoLog is an aspart injection and goes side-by-side with the ReliOn FlexPens, which are both insulin shots marketed for people with Diabetes.

The drug is intended for both adults and children who are inflicted with high glucose levels on their bodies and are facing a problem of an unintended spike in their sugar levels. The NovoLog and FlexPens will help in immediately lowering it and prevent any chance of having it affect other functions and systems in the body.

Diabetes is an Expensive Illness to Manage

Walmart and ReliOn acknowledge that Diabetes is an expensive drug to manage and regulate, especially during unintended spikes of sugar levels on one's body.

The company has previously offered cheaper versions of insulin shots at around $25 per vial but has since received criticism for having a less effective formulation on the drug. The new drug from Walmart and ReliOn was said to be the better formula, which is updated to current health standards and intended to help people with high sugar content.

Related Article: Walmart Faces Lawsuit from Kanye West for Allegedly Copying Yeezy Foam Runner Shoes, Riding on His Popularity

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isaiah Richard

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
Zoom has announced that it has acquired a company specializing in real-time translation software.

In a statement posted on its official website, Zoom shared details about its acquisition of German company Karlsruhe Information Technology Solutions, otherwise known as Kites GmbH.

The statement describes Kites GmbH as "a start-up dedicated to developing real-time Machine Translation (MT) solutions."

The move is seen to boost Zoom's widely-used video conferencing service. Zoom Meetings earned the company a revenue of $952 million in the first quarter of 2021.

Zoom Acquires Kites GmbH: What You Should Know

Zoom's latest company acquisition is an effort by the company to help users who are communicating in other languages, according to a report by The Verge. Per the report, Zoom is looking into adding better translation features to the app.

The Kites GmbH team, which is made up of 12 research scientists, will help add better multi-language translation capabilities that users can use during their Zoom meetings.

"Kites emerged with the mission of breaking down language barriers and making seamless cross-language interaction a reality of everyday life," the co-founded said in the same statement posted on Zoom's website.

The co-founders added that they believe that the video conferring app is the "best partner" to help advance the mission of Kites GmbH.

"We are confident Kites' impressive team will fit right in with Zoom," said Velchamy Sankarlingam, President of Product and Engineering at Zoom.

Despite the acquisition, the Kites GmbH team will stay in Karlsruhe, Germany. In the same statement, Zoom also mentioned the possibility of opening an research and development center in Germany as well.

Kites co-founder Dr. Alex Waibel will become a Zoom Research Fellow who will advise on Zoom's MT research and development.

Related Article: Why Is AI Still Struggling With Language Translation?

Kites GmbH: Company Background

Karlsruhe Information Technology Solutions, or Kites GmbH, was founded in 2015 by Dr. Alex Waibel and Dr. Sebastian Stuker. Both co-founders are faculty members of Karlsruhe Institute of Technology.

The company focuses on technology on automatic speech translation and transcription. According to Kites GmbH's official website, users have the option to view the translation either as subtitles in the original language or as translated text in their chosen language.

Kites GmbH makes use of predictive artificial intelligence (AI) as well as seq2seq technology for their software. The technology makes it possible for the transcript and translated text to self-correct or to complete a sentence before the speaker even finishes.

Zoom's Current Real-Time Transcription Feature

According to the Verge, the video-conferencing app already has an automated closed captioning feature. The feature was first announced by Zoom early this year.

To enable the automated closed captioning feature for all users in an account, the user must look for the navigation panel and click "Account Management." Choose "Account Setting" and then pick the "Meeting" tab.

Look for "In Meeting (Advanced)," which is where the toggle for closed captioning is located.

Last month, AI-powered transcription service Otter announced its new feature, Otter Assistant, which enables transcription during Zoom meetings as well as automatic synching of meetings in the user's calendar.

Also Read: Zoom Meetings Advanced Tricks: Make People Pay Attention to You With These Tips

This article is owned by Tech Times

Written by Isabella James

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
VaxTeen is an online database that aims to help children and teenagers, and those with Anti-Vaccine parents (a.k.a. anti-vax) to get consent for immunization against COVID-19. Currently, the only vaccine shot that has approved eligibility for children 12 to 17 years old is Pfizer and BioNTech, but it requires parental consent to continue.

Sometimes, the parents are the "Karens" who do not believe in COVID-19 or do not want vaccines to be administered to their children because of their skepticism on the immunity shots.

VaxTeen Online Database

VaxTeen.Org is an online database that is free and accessible to everyone who needs it, and it was created by Kelly Danielpour so that teens may feel supported despite the objection against vaccines by their parents. Danielpour regarded that teens should also have a say or control on the vaccines which they would receive, either as something they want, or something they are against.

What the online database brings is a series of compiled information about vaccines and their effectiveness, as backed by the data from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and other health agencies. The website also has information on several laws from different states which have no need for consent from parents in receiving an immunization dose.

According to NBC News, there are several accounts of children that had already taken the vaccine dosage, despite their parents being against it.

Read Also: Facebook is Going Against Individuals Who Spread Misinformation, Will Check Content Often

Anti-Vaxx Parents

The arrival of COVID-19 has brought a lot of conspiracy theories that surround it, especially as a lot do not believe the legitimacy of the virus, and that they are manmade tales from popular entities like Dr. Anthony Fauci and Bill Gates. Initially, a lot of misinformation was released in 2020, including the film called "Plandemic" which focused on creating a scare for the world.

Conspiracy theories like these, among other misinformation content found on social media, have furthered the beliefs of anti-vax parents against COVID-19. Due to this, a lot of people are missing their chance to get immunity against it, with some believing that it is filled with magnets so that the government can track the public.

Anti-vaccine parents have been around even before COVID-19 and this misinformation only furthered them to hold on to their beliefs and avoid immunization against it.

COVID-19 Vaccine Eligibility

COVID-19 vaccine eligibility has been lowered to adolescents and teenagers aged 12 to 17 years, but most of these need parental consent to proceed with the shots. The only approved vaccine is that of Pfizer, and it is one of the most highly regarded shots in the current lineup.

VaxTeen hopes to help children in educating their parents and hopefully giving them consent in proceeding to vaccination sites and be immunized against the coronavirus.

Related Article: Google Releases Misinformation Regarding Self-Isolation About COVID-19 UK Users

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 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
The long wait is over for the "NASA Artemis Moonikin" challenge. The voting has finally ended and the space agency announced the official name for the crash dummy that will be flying to the moon during the Artemis I mission. Campos will be riding the unmanned lunar craft to begin its journey in November.

NASA Moonikin is Dedicated For Campos

In a report by Slash Gear on Tuesday, June 29, the space mannequin was named after NASA engineer, Arturo Campos who safely brought Apollo 13 to the Earth in 1970.

During the mission, the crew members said that they experienced some problems during the landing. When they inspected what happened in the spacecraft, there was an explosion of the oxygen tank that followed.

Moments later, the group decided to halt the operations and focus on repairing the issue. During that time, NASA thought of bringing back the whole crew to safety while considering saving the resources. Campos came to action and arrived at a strategy for the emergency plan.

The astronauts managed to return safely to the planet. Many considered what happened to be a "successful failure" because, despite the malfunctioning of Apollo 13, the members were rescued from the possible big accident that could happen.

Read Also: SpaceX NASA Artemis Moon Mission: HLS Starship Lander to Bring Humans Since Apollo in $2.89B Contract

Commander Moonikin Campos On Board

After the voting run finished, the name "Campos'' emerged on top as the winner of the moonikin challenge. The final name that the international space agency gave to the dummy was Commander Moonikin Campos, CNN reported.

On its way to the moon, the lunar-bound mannequin will be riding NASA's Orion spacecraft. It will be wearing the Orion Crew Survival System spacesuit together with two radiation sensors.

Its participation in the Artemis flight is not only for display. Several purposes and objectives will be carried out by NASA using Campos. For instance, the test dummy will be responsible for producing information about the potential outcomes that astronauts could experience during the trip.

On top of this, NASA will be using it to assess emergency scenarios in space. This covers how the crew can manage to get out of the spacecraft in intense situations. Orion Crews Systems Integration leader, Jason Hutt said that it will be applied during the landing of the spacecraft in open water.

Another Objective in Sending Space Dummy to Moon

Upon knowing the potential impacts of space travel on the human crew, NASA could now start sending the first woman who will go to the moon for the mission. The human-size mannequin resembles the woman's anatomy in terms of its bones, fleshes, organs, and tissues.

NASA will be recording the acceleration and the vibration of the spacecraft during the flight. Moreover, the team is also preparing for its SLS rocket for its future launches.

Recently, Brazil signed the Artemis Accords for a sustainable moon exploration. The flight will commence in 2023.

Related Article: 'Name the Artemis Moonikin Challenge': NASA is Preparing Test Dummy For Upcoming Moon Flight

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Written by Joseph Henry

 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : Screenshot From Pexels Official Website) Half of Top 10 Cryptocurrency Showed Bullish Growth in Past 24 Hours | Crypto Recovering?

Half of the top 10 cryptocurrency showed bullish movement during the past 24 hours. Could this be a sign that the crypto market is recovering? Is the market cycle past its FEAR stage? What is the top gainer and top loser?

Cryptocurrency 'Good' News

Cryptocurrency has been making the headlines a lot with a number of big financial players both supporting and going against it.

With ARK announcing that they plan to offer Bitcoin ETFs, according to CNBC, it can be seen that the conventional banking world is now slowly accepting Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies as a potential investment.

Another huge move in support of cryptocurrency, or $BTC in general, is El Salvador's decision to accept Bitcoin as another legal currency, as per Forbes. With a country itself accepting Bitcoin, this tips the weighing scale a little bit.

However, there still remain countries that still make owning or trading cryptocurrency very difficult.

Cryptocurrency 'Bad' News

One example of this is South Korea's move to make it hard for smaller crypto exchanges to continue. Due to the difficult bank requirements and the difficulty of smaller crypto exchanges to get the needed documents, a number of them are reportedly considering suing the government over the crypto law deeming it allegedly "unconstitutional."

Another move against Bitcoin or cryptocurrency in general is the UK's decision to not allow Binance, one of the top crypto exchange platforms, to operate in their jurisdiction.

The move was to completely ban Binance from operating in the UK. Although there might be other cryptocurrency platforms allowed in the UK, crypto exchanges like Binance makes accessing cryptocurrency much easier for the average user.

Bitcoin Market Cycle

For those that are very new to the volatility of Bitcoin, it is important to understand the cryptocurrency's market cycle. An article by CryptocurrencyFacts explained how the Bitcoin market cycle works.

Basically, this is where crypto whales and investors buy low and once the price skyrockets, they decide to sell. After they sell, others become weary and start selling as well, bringing the prices down. Once the prices are down, this is where crypto whales once again purchase the cryptocurrency.

Here are the top 10 cryptocurrencies ranked from biggest gains to biggest losses over the last 24 hours:

1. $XRP

Price: $0.69

24 hour percentage change: +4.0%

7 day percentage change: +6.0%

30 day percentage change: -31.1%

2. $ETH

Price: $2,159

24 hour percentage change: +1.1%

7 day percentage change: +7.5%

30 day percentage change: -11.1%

3. $BNB

Price: $300.01

24 hour percentage change: +0.9%

7 day percentage change: +3.2%

30 day percentage change: -8.8%

4. $BTC

Price: $35,238

24 hour percentage change: +0.8%

7 day percentage change: +3.5%

30 day percentage change: -1.6%

5. $ADA

Price: $1.35

24 hour percentage change: +0.5%

7 day percentage change: +5.5%

30 day percentage change: -16.8%

Read Also: Top 10 Crypto 'No Longer that Bearish' as Coins Show Less Than -23% Change Over Last 30 Days

6. $USDT

Price: $1.00

24 hour percentage change: -0.1%

7 day percentage change: -0.2%

30 day percentage change: -0.1%

7. $USDC

Price: $1.0

24 hour percentage change: -0.1%

7 day percentage change: -0.1%

30 day percentage change: -0.0%

8. $HEX

Price: $0.08

24 hour percentage change: -0.3%

7 day percentage change: +0.7%

30 day percentage change: +75.3%

9. $DOGE

Price: $0.25

24 hour percentage change: -1.6%

7 day percentage change: +15.9%

30 day percentage change: -15.5%

10. $DOT

Price: $15.93

24 hour percentage change: -1.9%

7 day percentage change: -2.2%

30 day percentage change: -22.3%

Data presented above came from WhaleBots Alert on Telegram.

Related Article: Top 10 Cryptocurrencies Bullish in the Past 24 Hours Except 2 | $HEX and $USDC Down?

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 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : SpaceX)

SpaceX recently delayed the launch of its rideshare mission that would have included 88 satellites due to possible interference with a plane within the region.

Postponing SpaceX's Rideshare Mission

According to Space Daily, SpaceX's Andy Tran reported that the launch seemed impossible to happen. An airplane might have been flying around the area, so launching 88 satellites would be impossible.

However, he confirmed that SpaceX has a backup opportunity on Wednesday, June 30. Tran held off the mission with only 11 seconds remaining before liftoff.

The rideshare mission would have included the liftoff of Falcon 9 rocket within the Transporter-2 mission, scheduled at 2:56 PM EDT.

It would have come from Complex 40, located at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The company will be trying the launch once more on Wednesday, June 30 at 2:56 PM EDT.

How Did SpaceX CEO Elon Musk Handle It?

As a way to lighten the mood, SpaceX CEO and founder Elon Musk decided to use the incident to blast off the Federal Aviation Administration. It requires a vast "keep-out" zone that aircraft use during countdowns.

Musk tweeted a few minutes after the scrub's announcement that an aircraft could enter the keep-out zone, which is enormous. He added that it would be impossible for humanity to become a spacefaring civilization unless a significant regulatory reform takes place, and that the current regulatory system seems to be broken.

Unfortunately, launch is called off for today, as an aircraft entered the keep out zone, which is unreasonably gigantic.



There is simply no way that humanity can become a spacefaring civilization without major regulatory reform. The current regulatory system is broken.  Elon Musk (@elonmusk) June 29, 2021

According to Tran, it is already SpaceX's second dedicated rideshare program launch, and it would have been their 20th launch for 2021.

Tran added that SpaceX strategized the program to offer various small satellite operators that provide more opportunities and flexible times. These also come with competitive price tags.

Read Also: SpaceX Drone Ship Travels to the Bahamas Before Flying to California

SpaceX's New Spacecraft

Space Daily also reported that Spaceflight is testing its new type of spacecraft. The company mentioned that it is the first-ever electric propulsion spacecraft, and it will be called Sherpa-LTE1.

The Sherpa spacecraft will help other tiny satellites to get back within their intended orbit. It works similar to a space tugboat, also referred to as an orbital transfer vehicle.

In an interview, SpaceX spokeswoman Christine Melby stated that the company is currently working on new variations of propulsion for its space tugs, which will address most types of activities within the space industry.

She added that some customers might need more power within a short period, which means they will utilize chemical propulsion. On the other hand, some customers require less mass over a longer time, and electric propulsion would suit it better.

The variation in the options will help SpaceX optimize the specific vehicle that will undergo a mission.

SpaceX's First Satellite Launch

Space Daily reported that the company plans to launch its first-ever satellite, Faraday Phoenix, right after losing the first Faraday spacecraft. It happened during one of Rocket Lab's failed launches in July.

CEO of In-Space Missions, Doug Liddle, added that they are feeling extremely confident with the launch.

Related Article: Elon Musk Life-Size Statue Situated In Manhattan Receives Online Attention, Resulting in Mockery and Gags

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Apple iPhone 13 is reportedly bringing mmWave 5G outside of the United States. Thus, ramping up its component suppliers.

Digitimes reported that Apple is gathering more 5G component suppliers as the iPhone 13 enters its mass production. It further adds fuel to the fire to rumors that the next Cupertino phone is indeed bringing the next-gen 5G elsewhere in the world.

Apple analyst and famed leaker, Ming-Chi Kuo, predicted that the iPhone 13 is featuring a mmWave 5G support. He specifically pointed that the said model will mainly be available in Japan, Canada, Australia, and other European countries.

Kuo further claimed that 5G coverage is getting a significant increase as we face the second half of 2021.

Meanwhile, the media outlet further noted in April that about 60% of the overall manufactured units are getting the said component.

Apple iPhone 13 to Bring mmWave 5G Globally

The Cupertino giant included AT&T in its lists of suppliers of antenna package for the 5G mmWave. Additionally, Unimircon Technology, Semco, LG Innotek, and the Kinsus Interconnect Technology will be supplying substrates of the antenna package.

The mmWave 5G is a big deal for some as the iPhone 12 only featured it in the United States. As such, the U.S. version of the smartphone exhibited an antenna window to support the next-gen connectivity.

9to5Mac explained that Apple decided to focus on the U.S. as the rollout of 5G elsewhere is not similarly significant. However, by the time that the iPhone 13 debuts, other countries are most likely to keep up.

MacWorld reported that the United Kingdom still lacks support for the 6GHz 5G that the mmWave supports. The outlet suggested that it could be attributed to the limited proximity of the new tech. That said, more 5G towers will need to be set up to expand the coverage.

Rollout issues aside, the Cupertino company was also concerned about its costs and the need for additional suppliers. Based on the latest report, the iPhone maker seems to be addressing it.

Read Also: Leaked iPhone 13 Photos With Diagonal Dual-Lens Camera Are Not Real | Spotting Fake Apple Phones

What's with mmWave 5G?

Apple is reportedly expanding support for mmWave spectrum for 5G connectivity -- but why?

For obvious reasons: the 6Ghz band 5G is faster and more reliable solely due to its ability to send high data rates compared to the 5GHz. Also, it works better in high-traffic areas, such as a mall or a concert.

Meanwhile, Apple is also reportedly working on a custom-designed 5G chip for its next flagship phone.

Related Article: Apple iPhone, iPad, Watch in LG Retail Stores Possible in South Korea, Report Says - How About the Macbook?

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Russia's Soyuz rocket finally launched the country's crucial cargo to the International Space Station (ISS). The Soyuz 2.1a rocket sent the Progress MS-17 capsule, which contains the essential supplies, to space at around 7:00 p.m. EDT this Tuesday, June 29.

(Photo : Photo by Valery Sharifulin\TASS via Getty Images)

A Soyuz-2.1b rocket booster with a Fregat upper stage carrying a Meteor-M 2-2 weather satellite and 32 secondary payload spacecraft blasts off from a launch pad at the Vostochny Cosmodrome. Valery Sharifulin/TASS

Russia's rocket took off from the Baikonur cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Roscosmos State Corporation for Space Activities (Roscosmos) announced that since the latest space activity was successful, Russia's spacecraft could place the capsule into orbit around nine minutes after launch.

On the other hand, Russia stated that its rocket capsule contains 40 kg of air and oxygen, 470 kg of fuel, as well as 1,500 kg of essential tools, such as clothes and food. Aside from this, Russia's Progress MS-17 capsule also brings 420 liters of drinking water for astronauts, who are currently stationed in the ISS.

Russia Soyuz Rocket's Launch Footage

According to News Week's latest report, NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Administration) posted a video of the Russian Soyuz spacecraft's launch.

Also Read: SpaceX Delays Launching Rideshare Mission of 88 Satellites -- Here's Why

"The @Roscosmos Progress cargo spacecraft launched at 7:27 pm ET (23:27 UT), beginning its two-day journey to the @Space_Station," said the international space agency via its official Twitter account.

Russia's Progress MS-17 capsule is expected to connect with ISS this coming Thursday night, July 1. On the other hand, the latest launch of the Soyuz rocket marked the country's second crucial launch this 2021.

Aside from this, it also serves as the fourth uncrewed mission overall to the International Space Station, the 60th orbital launch attempt, as well as the 54th launch of a Soyuz 2.1a spacecraft.

 We have liftoff!



The @Roscosmos Progress cargo spacecraft launched at 7:27pm ET (23:27 UT), beginning its two-day journey to the @Space_Station. pic.twitter.com/vXzW8oi2xt  NASA (@NASA) June 29, 2021

As of the moment, ISS represents around 20 years of international cooperation in space between different countries. These include Russia, the United States, and other nations.

Other Launches Of Russia's Soyuz Rocket

Aside from launching the latest Progress MS-17 capsule, Russia's spacecraft also sent the Pion-NKS intelligence satellite into space. NASA Space Flight reported that Pion-NKS is part of the wider Liana program.

This project aims to replace the Soviet-era signals intelligence satellites. Russia also used these tools to collect and monitor radio signals from low Earth orbit.

For more news updates about Russia's Soyuz rocket and other space activities, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: NASA to Launch Latest Solar Sail Technologies by Mid-2022

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 2021 TECHTIMES.com All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
(Photo : GettlyImages/ SOPA Images) Google UK ads

Google UK is rolling out a stricter ad screening rule in the United Kingdom after an increase in fraudulent adverts online during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Google has announced that starting on Aug. 30, it will only run ads for financial products and services from sources that have been cleared by the financial watchdog in the United Kingdom.

Google's Strict Ad Screening Process

The search engine giant will update its policy and start enforcing the rules officially on September 6. The advertisers will then have to prove that they are authorized by the UK watchdog UK Financial Conduct Authority or FCA, or they must qualify for its limited exemptions.

According to Google, the qualification requirement covers financial products and services beyond the regulator's scope.

Also Read: Neeva: Ad-Free Search Engine Startup Comes from Sridhar Ramaswamy, an Ex-Google Ads Boss Aiming for Better Quality

The decision to change the policy came after the search engine giant received criticism from numerous regulators, consumer groups, and law enforcement over its lack of action against fraudulent ads seen on the platform, according to TechCrunch.

According to UK Finance, cases of investment scams increased 32% in 2020. The cases involve criminals manipulating victims to transfer their money to a fake fund or pay for a fake investment. Overall lost recorded from the fake ads reached 135 million or $186 million.

Warnings from the FCA

The FCA has threatened to take legal action against Google and other social media platforms after it released 1,200 warnings about fraudulent ads.

The FCA told a parliamentary committee that it was able to begin taking legal action when Brexit started. Previously, the watchdog had been connected to the EU rules on financial ads, and those rules did not apply to online platforms.

Other social media platforms blamed Google's system for failing to remove the fraudulent ads. The UK consumer group Which? reported that 51% of the 1,870 search engine users it surveyed had no idea how to report fake ads that they found in search listings.

The lack of stricter rules from Google led some lawmakers to claim that the search engine is profiting from the fake ads.

According to TechCrunch, the MPs stated that Google benefits from online scammers who paid the search engine giant to host ads on its platforms.

Meanwhile, the FCA had also paid Google 600,000 or $830,000 in 2020 and 2021 to run anti-scam ads on all of its platforms, according to Engadget.

Google claims that it has improved its ad screening rules by using machine learning and human review. Google removed more than 3.1 billion adverts that violated its policies in 2020, according to the company's ad transparency report.

The search engine giant started verifying advertisers in January by requiring them to submit legal identification, proof of the country they operate, and business incorporation documents. In 2018, Google banned cryptocurrency ads.

Ronan Harris, vice president, and MD, Google UK, and Ireland, said in a blog post that the new update builds on significant work in partnership with the FCA over the last 18 months to help fix the issue.

The announcement regarding a stricter screening of adverts reflects the progress in delivering a better and safer experience for users, advertisers, and publishers.

Related Article: Google Plans to Stop Selling Ads: What's Next After Phasing Out Browser Cookies?

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Britain claims that the country will soon remove all its coal-generated electricity energy by October 2024. This is one year earlier since the government's energy system department recently announced that the plan's completion should be in 2025.

(Photo : Photo by Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

A loan wind turbine spins as exhaust plumes from cooling towers at the Jaenschwalde lignite coal-fired power station, which is owned by Vatenfall, April 12, 2007 at Jaenschwalde, Germany. Germany is planning the construction of 40 new coal-fired power plants, though officials claim the plants are based on technology that radically increases their efficiency.

Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the minister of Britain's Energy and Climate Change department, was the one who confirmed the information on June 30. Aside from this, she also claimed that the country could demonstrate its emission reduction leadership before the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) summit happens this November.

This event is expected to be hosted in Glasgow. As of the moment, Britain is trying to inspire other governments to follow its footstep towards cleaner electricity generation. It is specifically asking them to set their own coal phase-out dates to end overseas coal investments.

Britain's Cleaner Electricity To Arrive

Right now, countries and independent companies are currently trying to reduce carbon emissions to fight the current global warming. These include Tesla, which inspires other automakers to transition to full-EV productions.

(Photo : Photo by Robert Nickelsberg/Getty Images)

(US NEWS AND WORLD REPORT AND NEWSWEEK OUT) A KFx company executive shows off a handful of the company's K-Fuel or "clean coal," an upgraded coal produced with nearby Powder River Basin coal and under high heat and pressure extracting moisture and toxic pollutants before shipping it to public utilities, June 12, 2006, in Gillette, Wyoming.

Also Read: Study Shows High Performance Nano Materials Increase Effectivity of Green Hydrogen- the Energy of the Future

On the other hand, researchers also conduct new studies to help reduce the consumption of unclean energy and clean energy. These include research claiming that EV batteries can be recycled using bacteria.

And now Britain wants to join their efforts by wiping out its coal-generated electricity. Electrek reported that one of the country's plans is to set up its own Energy Transition Council. This new organization could help bring more partners to ensure that clean power is the best option for developing nations.

On the other hand, Britain is also promoting clean electricity for support transitions.

"Today we're sending a clear signal around the world that the UK is leading the way in consigning coal power to the history books and that we're serious about decarbonizing our power system so we can meet our ambitious, world-leading climate targets," said Trevelyan.

"The UK's net-zero future will be powered by renewables, and it is this technology that will drive the green industrial revolution and create new jobs across the country," added Britain's Energy and Climate Change Minister.

Countries Responsible for Current Coal Plants

According to Carbon Tracker's latest report, various countries are currently responsible for 80% of the world's planned new coal plants. On the other hand, they are also using 75% of the existing coal mining laboratories across the globe.

These nations are specifically Indonesia, Japan, Vietnam, India, and China. As of the moment, these countries haven't released any statement if they will join Britain's current efforts against coal mining.

For more news updates about Britain and its upcoming anti-coal mining plan, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: Bill Gates was Right? Here's Why Bitcoin Consumes Electricity Larger than Most Countries in the World

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Lina Khan, the current Federal Trade Commission (FTC) Chair, is accused of being biased in handling antitrust enforcement decisions affecting Amazon. Because of this, the giant company decided to file a petition, asking her to be removed from the current MGM (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer) acquisition issue.

(Photo : Photo by GRAEME JENNINGS/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

FTC Commissioner nominee Lina M. Khan testifies during a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, April 21, 2021. (Photo by Graeme Jennings / POOL / AFP)

Amazon also claimed that FTC Chair Khan has a history of criticizing the giant online retailer as a threat to competition. The company filed a request on Wednesday, June 30, asking FTC to recuse Khan from handling the company's ongoing antitrust enforcement decisions.

"These statements convey to any reasonable observer the clear impression that she has already made up her mind about many material facts relevant to Amazon's antitrust culpability as well as about the ultimate issue of culpability itself," announced Amazon Inc.

Amazon's Petition Against FTC Chair

According to Bloomberg's latest report, Amazon's latest petition argued that FTC Chair Khan already concluded that the giant retailer is guilty in the latest antitrust regarding the Amazon MGM acquisition.

Also Read: Amazon 'Vinyl of the Month Club' Is a Subscription Service To Deliver Records on One's Doorstep Every Month from the 60, 70s Era

On the other hand, Amazon Incorporated also claimed that Khan claimed that it should be broken up because of the acquisition. The issue appeared after Amazon proposed the MGM movie studio acquisition, estimated to cost around $8.45 billion.

The alleged deal was criticized by many experts in the industry, claiming that it could affect the growth of other tech companies. However, antitrust experts said that regulators will find it difficult to prevent the acquisition of Amazon.

As of the moment, FTC Chair Khan hasn't released any statement regarding the petition filed by the giant retailer. Elizabeth Warren, a Democratic Senator, also asked Lina Khan on June 30 to conduct a broad review of the MGM deal. The senator added that the deal could be anticompetitive, which could affect the video streaming platforms and other small businesses and the employees working for them.

FTC Chair Khan Already Attacked Amazon In 2017

Time Magazine reported that FTC Chair Khan released a paper against Amazon's dominance. She wrote her study when she was just a law student. Because of this, she became well-known in the antitrust world back in 2017.

Her study titled "Amazon's Antitrust Paradox" explained how Amazon came to control the key infrastructure of the digital economy. It also tackled how traditional antitrust analysis fails to consider the danger to competition posed by the giant retailer.

For more news updates about Amazon and its current antitrust, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.

Related Article: [REPORT] Is Amazon Using Its Algorithm to Fire Flex Delivery Drivers?

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WALKER  The owner of an embattled paintball business caught in a feud with the Livingston Parish government has opted to close his operation after failing to get the Parish Council to help lift a cease-and-desist order placed on the site by the parish president.

Guerrilla Warfare Paintball may move to a location outside of Livingston Parish, owner Justin King said Wednesday. The troubles that have recently beset his operation  and the actions of Livingston Parish officials, who King believes are targeting him  have made remaining open there untenable, he said.

You just can't fight the good ol' boy system, King said. We're going to close right now and hopefully stay afloat until the property sells.

Kings decision to shutter Guerrilla Warfare Paintball ends a weekslong battle the owner waged against the parish government over the business right to remain in operation while a list of compliance issues at the site grew longer.

King opened the business on 19 acres along Arnold Road in 2019, hosting small gatherings even before he had the parish's formal permission. The Livingston Parish Planning Commission and the Parish Council subsequently approved of how he was using the property.

But in the latter half of the pandemic, when Guerrilla Warfares business boomed and King began hosting Friday Night Lights paintball parties, the parish started tallying a number of compliance failures and complaints from those who live near the site.

+3 Livingston paintball feud: Neighbors say business is a nuisance, owner says he's being targeted WALKER  A local business that caters to people willing to drive miles to shoot each other with balls of hardened paint has sparked ire from n

Gripes from neighbors detailed paintballers drinking alcohol, urinating outside and blocking residents access to their homes with vehicles, officials explained at last Thursdays Parish Council meeting. The interminable pop-pop-pop of paintball guns grew louder as more visitors would gather.

The Louisiana Department of Health also ordered King to build permanent bathrooms; customers only had access to portable toilets  a violation of commercial business code. Topping off the list of problems were developments on the property, including a pond, that ran afoul of the site plans the parish approved in 2019 and didn't undergo proper impact studies, parish officials said.

Its just built up over two years, said Councilman Jeff Ard, whose district encompasses the Arnold Road site. I dont think (King) was trying to get away with something. I think a lot of it stemmed from him just not understanding how to start a business.

Parish President Layton Ricks explained last week that the problems left him no choice but to send the cease-and-desist letter, which took effect at the end of May. King then appealed to the Parish Council, leading District 4 Councilman John Wascom to propose a resolution asking Ricks to revoke the cease-and-desist order.

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Despite protests by dozens of Guerrilla Warfare supporters who filled Thursdays council meeting to capacity  some of whom came from as far away as Mississippi, King said  no other council members bit.

Whether to revoke the cease-and-desist order is entirely Ricks choice, they argued, and a resolution would accomplish nothing but undercut the parish presidents authority. Wascoms effort died for lack of a second.

In Livingston paintball feud, parish council dismisses call to reopen business despite owner's plea LIVINGSTON  The Livingston Parish Council on Thursday rejected impassioned calls by the owner of an embattled paintball business to help keep

Ricks said Wednesday he was sorry to hear King chose to shutter the business. He said he spoke with King on Tuesday and explained that the business had a path forward if King was willing to spend the time and money required for the site to achieve compliance.

I said, once you meet the ordinance, then the council will approve you, and you're good to operate without having to look over your shoulder, Ricks said. But I wasnt going to be able to lift the cease-and-desist when I've got neighbors complaining along with all these major issues.

King said the costs of making the changes to the property  which he estimated could range from $35,000 to $50,000  would be too hefty for a business that isnt collecting customer revenue (Ricks has been adamant that the cease-and-desist order must remain in place until after the property has been refurbished and re-approved by the parish).

No small business has that kind of money, said King.

If he does re-establish Guerrilla Warfare somewhere else, he would like to keep the business in the Baton Rouge area, King said. He floated Ascension Parish as a candidate for a revamped Guerrilla Warfare site.

Property suited to a paintball operation is hard to come by, though: It has to have the right balance of forest and open ground to accommodate both recreational and team players, King explained.

Theres not really a whole lot for sale right now, he said, and the Walker site would have to sell in three months or so for that to [be an option]. Otherwise, well just be done with it.
Helix Mentorship STEAM Academy has purchased its downtown school building for $7.9 million.

The charter school bought the building at 339 Florida St. from RM Mentorship Academy LA LLC of New York in a deal that was filed Wednesday morning with the East Baton Rouge Clerk of Courts office. RM Mentorship Academy, set up by the investment firm Rosemawr Management, bought the building in December 2019 for nearly $6.9 million.

Helix was established in 2010 in a former Regions Bank building. About 500 students in grades 9 through 12 attend the school.

+2 Two contracts for new charter schools in Baton Rouge to start 2021 preliminarily approved Fifteen months after approving their application, the East Baton Rouge Parish school system has finally worked out contracts with a homegrown 

Helix is changing its name at the start of the 2021-22 school year to Helix Community School. It is adding two new schools in the upcoming school year, which will start with the 6th grade. Helix Legal Academy will temporarily operate out of the Florida Boulevard building. It grew out of a partnership the school has with the Southern University Law Center. Helix Aviation Academy will operate out of a retrofitted hangar/office building at Baton Rouge Metro Airport. It will train children in the aviation industry, for careers such as mechanics, pilots, technicians and engineers.
Paul B. Kusserow, Amedisys Inc. CEO.

Amedisys has signed a deal to acquire a Nashville-based health technology startup, which will allow the company to take care of more complex patients in their homes.

Financial terms of the deal with Contessa Health were not disclosed. The transaction is set to close later in the summer.
A Baton Rouge man labeled a "danger to society" by a judge was sentenced to 50 years in prison as a repeat offender Wednesday after he again rejected an offer that would have subjected him to significantly less time behind bars.

The 50-year term is essentially a life sentence for Jonathan Robertson, 31, because it does not include the possibility of good time credit or probation or parole. So prosecutors dismissed two pending second-degree murder charges from 2015 and an armed robbery charge from that same year.

Baton Rouge man accused in 2015 double murder faces years behind bars, despite partial appeals court win A Baton Rouge man's conviction and 50-year prison sentence on armed robbery charges has been overturned by an appellate court -- but his legal

Robertson was convicted of the armed robbery and an attempted armed robbery at a 2019 trial and sentenced to a combined 75 years in prison. But the non-unanimous armed robbery conviction and 50-year sentence on that count were thrown out last year after the U.S. Supreme Court outlawed split-jury verdicts.

Prosecutors responded by using his unanimous attempted armed robbery conviction and 25-year prison term on that count to have him classified and sentenced as a third felony offender. He was previously convicted of simple robbery in 2010 and unauthorized use of a motor vehicle in 2008.

Prosecutors twice offered to resolve all of Robertson's criminal matters by having him plead guilty to two counts of aggravated assault with a firearm in a 2015 double-slaying. In return, he would get a 20-year sentence to run consecutively with his 25-year attempted armed robbery term.

Accused of killing two women, Baton Rouge man rejects a plea deal. If convicted, he'd get life A Baton Rouge man awaiting a double-murder trial and an armed robbery retrial rejected an offer Monday that would have tacked on 20 years to t

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Robertson refused that offer for a second time Wednesday after state District Judge Beau Higginbotham warned him that doing so against his attorneys' advice "would not be a wise decision."

The 45-year deal offered by the state would have included possible good-time credit and required Robertson to serve in the neighborhood of 35 years. But the 50-year sentence the judge imposed Wednesday is what is referred to as "flat time" because, under habitual offender laws, there is no such credit or probation or parole.

"We believe that our action and the sentence by this court on this unanimous conviction are in the interest of public safety," East Baton Rouge Parish District Attorney Hillar Moore III said.

In the double-homicide, two 23-year-old Texas women -- Brandi Gilbert, of Plano, and Corrine Rayford, of Grapevine -- were shot in the head and found in a parked car on Boone Avenue on June 19, 2015.

Less than two weeks later on July 1, 2015, Robertson allegedly robbed a Cracker Barrel on Jefferson Highway and tried to rob a Comfort Inn security guard off College Drive in incidents that occurred two hours apart.

Baton Rouge man accused in double murder convicted in unrelated armed robbery, attempted robbery A Baton Rouge man awaiting trial in the 2015 slaying of two Texas women was found guilty Thursday of robbing a convenience store clerk at gunp

The hotel guard disarmed Robertson in the parking lot, and that pistol was traced back to the double-homicide.
A Baton Rouge man accused of fatally shooting a 2-year-old boy during an October domestic violence rampage across the city is competent to proceed with his criminal case, a judge ruled Wednesday.

At the request of Kendrick D. Myles' attorney, state District Judge Christopher Dassau then appointed two doctors to assess whether Myles was sane at the time of the alleged offenses.

+2 Accused of killing a 2-year-old boy during rampage, Baton Rouge man to get psychiatric evaluation A Baton Rouge man accused of killing a 2-year-old boy during a domestic violence rampage across the city in October will be examined by two me

Myles, 42, was previously diagnosed with schizophrenia, Assistant Public Defender Jacie Saunders, who represents Myles, told the judge.

He is charged with second-degree murder in the shooting death of toddler Azariah Thomas, six counts of attempted second-degree murder, two counts of home invasion, one count of aggravated kidnapping of a child, and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.

Myles pleaded not guilty to those charges Wednesday after Dassau noted that three mental health professionals found him competent to proceed. Myles also is charged with simple arson in a June 1, 2020, incident, and battery of a correctional facility employee on Nov. 13.

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Police say Myles' Oct. 15 rampage began when he allegedly kidnapped his 9-year-old nephew from a home on Bluebonnet Boulevard. Myles and the boy then traveled to a house on Osceola Street several miles away, where Myles allegedly kicked in the door, started fighting with the people inside and shot someone in the hand.

Myles left that scene with his abducted nephew still in tow and shot up a home in the Zion City neighborhood on West Upland Avenue, where Azariah Thomas was killed. Myles then traveled to Snipe Street, around Scotlandville, where he fired multiple rounds during a shootout with another relative who came to rescue the kidnapped child, police said. No one was hurt by the gunfire.

+2 In toddler's slaying during domestic violence rampage, Baton Rouge man indicted A man accused of killing a toddler when he shot up a house during a domestic violence rampage across Baton Rouge last fall was indicted Thursd

Myles was finally taken into custody after an hourslong standoff. Police rescued the kidnapped child, who was not injured.

Myles faces a mandatory sentence of life in prison if found guilty of second-degree murder. He will return to court Aug. 30.
Gov. John Bel Edwards has signed legislation that will reorganize the Special School District, which includes the Louisiana School for the Deaf and the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired in Baton Rouge.

The measure, House Bill 253, cleared the Senate 37-0 and the House 100-0.

It was sponsored chiefly by Rep. Scott McKnight, R-Baton Rouge, as well as Sen. Sharon Hewitt, R-Slidell.

Calls for Louisiana's first veto override session grow over guns, roads, transgender athletes Senate President Page Cortez and other key lawmakers said Wednesday there is a growing likelihood Louisiana will hold its first session to deb

HB253 sets up a 12-member board to oversee operations of the district, including the submission of an annual budget and the selection of a superintendent.

The governor will name 11 of 12 members, who are subject to confirmation by the state Senate. The president of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will name one board member.

Under the current setup, the Special School District is funded mostly through the general fund and some self-generated revenue.

"The way it functions right now is they are juggling two different budgets," Hewitt said.

Louisiana college athletes can profit from name, image under bill governor expected to sign Louisiana will be the 23rd state to allow college athletes to profit from their name and image under a bill that will be signed Thursday by Go

"And so it is very disjointed. This is going to be just such a better organizational structure to support the needs of these students."

McKnight said in a prepared statement: "This legislation reforms the system so they (students) can reach their full potential."

Starting with the 2022-23 school year the instruction part of the Special School District will be financed through the same, $3.9 billion fund that finances public schools statewide, called the Minimum Foundation Program.

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Backers said the district will benefit from having an independent identity.

"Partnering with this board will benefit our scholars and I envision great things ahead as we continue providing them an education without limits," SSD Superintendent Ernest E. Garrett III said in a statement.

The Special School District has an annual operating budget of about $33 million.

Kindergarten now required in Louisiana after John Bel Edwards signs bill into law Gov. John Bel Edwards on Monday signed a bill that will make kindergarten mandatory in Louisiana.

A total of 553 students are enrolled at the Louisiana School for the Deaf and the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired, including 172 who live on the Baton Rouge campuses of both schools.

The district also offers educational services to another 538 students, including sites operated by the Office of Juvenile Justice, Louisiana Department of Corrections and the Louisiana Department of Health.

The overhaul stems from a study ordered by BESE in 2017.

That review concluded the Special School District would benefit from having a board devoted to its oversight and a long-term plan and funding source.

The bill was backed by BESE, the Governor's Council on Disability Affairs, Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools, Louisiana Association of the Deaf, Deaf Focus and the Louisiana Budget Project.

The Special School District was authorized by the Legislature in 1977.

State schools for the deaf and visually impaired in Baton Rouge date to the mid 19th century.
Gov. John Bel Edwards has signed legislation that will reorganize the Special School District, which includes the Louisiana School for the Deaf and the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired in Baton Rouge.

The measure, House Bill 253, cleared the Senate 37-0 and the House 100-0.

It was sponsored chiefly by Rep. Scott McKnight, R-Baton Rouge, as well as Sen. Sharon Hewitt, R-Slidell.

Calls for Louisiana's first veto override session grow over guns, roads, transgender athletes Senate President Page Cortez and other key lawmakers said Wednesday there is a growing likelihood Louisiana will hold its first session to deb

HB253 sets up a 12-member board to oversee operations of the district, including the submission of an annual budget and the selection of a superintendent.

The governor will name 11 of 12 members, who are subject to confirmation by the state Senate. The president of the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education will name one board member.

Under the current setup, the Special School District is funded mostly through the general fund and some self-generated revenue.

"The way it functions right now is they are juggling two different budgets," Hewitt said.

Louisiana college athletes can profit from name, image under bill governor expected to sign Louisiana will be the 23rd state to allow college athletes to profit from their name and image under a bill that will be signed Thursday by Go

"And so it is very disjointed. This is going to be just such a better organizational structure to support the needs of these students."

McKnight said in a prepared statement: "This legislation reforms the system so they (students) can reach their full potential."

Starting with the 2022-23 school year the instruction part of the Special School District will be financed through the same, $3.9 billion fund that finances public schools statewide, called the Minimum Foundation Program.

The scoop on state politics in your inbox Get the Louisiana politics insider details once a week from us. Sign up today. e-mail address * Sign Up

Backers said the district will benefit from having an independent identity.

"Partnering with this board will benefit our scholars and I envision great things ahead as we continue providing them an education without limits," SSD Superintendent Ernest E. Garrett III said in a statement.

The Special School District has an annual operating budget of about $33 million.

Kindergarten now required in Louisiana after John Bel Edwards signs bill into law Gov. John Bel Edwards on Monday signed a bill that will make kindergarten mandatory in Louisiana.

A total of 553 students are enrolled at the Louisiana School for the Deaf and the Louisiana School for the Visually Impaired, including 172 who live on the Baton Rouge campuses of both schools.

The district also offers educational services to another 538 students, including sites operated by the Office of Juvenile Justice, Louisiana Department of Corrections and the Louisiana Department of Health.

The overhaul stems from a study ordered by BESE in 2017.

That review concluded the Special School District would benefit from having a board devoted to its oversight and a long-term plan and funding source.

The bill was backed by BESE, the Governor's Council on Disability Affairs, Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools, Louisiana Association of the Deaf, Deaf Focus and the Louisiana Budget Project.

The Special School District was authorized by the Legislature in 1977.

State schools for the deaf and visually impaired in Baton Rouge date to the mid 19th century.
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, addresses the state House of Representatives, May 4, at the State Capitol.
LAKE CHARLES  Gov. John Bel Edwards said Wednesday he was optimistic legislation that could provide hundreds of millions of dollars in federal disaster relief to southwest Louisiana would take shape in the weeks ahead, the clearest indication yet that help may finally be on the way for the region more than 10 months after Hurricane Laura barreled through.

Edwards, speaking to The Advocate | The Times-Picayune after breaking ground on a project in Lake Charles, said he spoke with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi on Tuesday to again press for the legislation. He said hes also had recent conversations with White House officials. The governor has previously spelled out some $3 billion in unmet needs statewide following last years trio of hurricanes -- Laura, Delta and Zeta -- but said that he would only expect to receive around half of that figure from the federal government.

Most of the aid would likely go to southwest Louisiana, which is struggling to recover from the devastation left by Laura, the most powerful storm to make landfall in the state since 1856, and Category 2 Hurricane Delta, which followed a similar path around six weeks later. Zeta, a Category 3 storm, hit southeast Louisiana in late October.

We are disappointed because we wanted the money sooner, Edwards said. But if you look back in recent history, it has taken this long in the past. But it just shouldnt have to  And of course, if its frustrating for me, I can only imagine how frustrating it is for people who live in southwest Louisiana, who really need that assistance, and for the local elected officials who are trying to drive the recovery.

Asked what kind of timeframe he envisioned, he said: I'm thinking in the next several weeks to a couple months, we're going to see this appropriation take shape.

Edwards cited the change in presidential administrations as well as the huge list of priorities in Washington as contributors to the delay in having the money approved. He and local officials had the opportunity to make their case in person to President Biden in May, when he visited Lake Charles, though that trip was mainly focused on the presidents infrastructure plan.

+2 A new spirit: Storm-hit Lake Charles area inaugurating major projects: $20M museum, $143M plant LAKE CHARLES  Approaching from the west on Interstate 10, the lake that gave this city its name stretches out into the horizon  followed by 

While FEMA and the U.S. Small Business Administration have provided more than $1 billion in immediate assistance, southwest Louisiana officials say they will not be able to rebuild without supplemental federal aid, which is common after major disasters. A particular concern is housing. Local officials are hoping to establish a program, similar to the Road Home after Hurricane Katrina, that would help close the gap between insurance payments and what is truly needed to rebuild.

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In Lake Charles alone, city officials estimate between 3,000 and 5,000 people remain displaced, a number that includes those forced from their homes by severe flooding in May, which added further misery to the region. Some who had just finished repairing their homes from the hurricanes were forced to gut them again.

The region has experienced a stunning run of disasters over the last 10 months. A fierce winter storm in February also caused damage, much of it due to bursting pipes, while complications such as supply shortages and price increases related to the pandemic have slowed rebuilding efforts.

Laura is estimated to have caused $19 billion in damage in the United States -- $17.5 billion of it in Louisiana. State Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon says it will end up as the states second-costliest disaster ever after Katrina.

But while Edwards is hopeful money is on the way, much work remains to be done in Washington at a time of partisan rancor and populist posturing. Louisianas congressional delegation will have to figure out the best method of having the money approved, which could mean attaching it to a larger bill that is likely to pass. There is also the possibility aid could be approved piecemeal rather than all at once, though local officials would prefer otherwise.

Edwards was in Lake Charles for two groundbreaking ceremonies Wednesday for projects the region hopes can help mark a post-hurricane turnaround. They include a $20 million plan to build a childrens museum and science and nature center on the Lake Charles waterfront, and the reconstruction of the BioLab chlorine plant just across the Calcasieu River in Westlake.

The plant was destroyed by fire during Laura, provoking a shelter-in-place warning. It was such a major player in the industry that its destruction contributed to a nationwide shortage of chlorine tablets for swimming pools.

The plant will cost $170 million, more than initially estimated, and will create 82 jobs in addition to 19 existing ones. It is being granted hefty tax breaks under the states Industrial Tax Exemption Program.
Its a great valuation, theres no doubt about it, MST Marquee analyst Fraser McLeish said. I valued it at $4.7 billion - its come in at $5.9 billion - $1 billion or so above my valuation.

The news sent Telstra shares up 4.4 per cent to $3.76, with the market welcoming the price and conditions negotiated by the telco under the deal, which values the tower business at $5.9 billion.

The deal will see Telstra sell a 49 per cent stake in its InfraCo Towers business to Future Fund, Commonwealth Superannuation Corporation and Sunsuper (managed by Morrison & Co) for $2.8 billion. Half of that windfall will paid to investors, potentially through a share buyback in the next financial year.

Telstra chief executive Andy Penn has promised to reward faithful shareholders after securing the sale of a slice of the telcos mobile towers business to a consortium of superannuation funds.

It stacks up extremely well against other comparable multiples for similar transactions. Importantly, theyve still got control of the asset and theyve still managed to achieve the terms theyve wanted in terms of retaining strategic advantage.

Under the terms of the deal, Telstra will retain majority ownership of the business and will continue to own parts of the network, including radio access equipment and spectrum. The telco has entered a 15 year agreement with InfraCo Towers to secure ongoing access to existing and new infrastructure.

Morningstar analyst Brian Han said Telstra had picked up definitely a good price for a minority stake. The 28x EBITDA multiple for Telstras towers is way above the 20x we were expecting, Mr Han said.

Telstra has earmarked $1.4 billion to be returned to shareholders, while $75 million will be spent on improving connections in regional Australia. The deal is expected to be finalised by the end of September, with the capital returned to shareholders in the same period. Mr Penn did not confirm what form the payment to shareholders would take and declined to comment specifically on the short-term impact it would have on full year dividend.

Weve previously said to the market that to be able to sustain a dividend of 16 cents per share without the benefit of the one off payments from the NBN we need to get underlying EBITDA into the range of 7.5-8.5 billion dollars and as we said at the half year thats absolutely on our trajectory, as is achieving underlying EBITDA growth next year of mid to high single digits, Mr Penn told analysts. Im just not really in a position to comment any further on dividends.
Also last month a court in the Netherlands ordered Shell to cut its CO2 emissions by 45 per cent by 2030 in an action brought by environmentalists. Companies are being asked or even compelled to furnish their ESG credentials if they want to attract funds that increasingly are being allocated by funds that use some form of sustainability framework, and avoid being targeted by activist investors for their perceived ESG shortcomings. The funds, with fiduciary obligations to their clients, can justify activism  and attract more funds under management and generate more fee income  by pointing to superior financial outcomes for their own investors. Those outcomes, however, arent quite as clear-cut or as easily measured as it might appear. One of the striking findings of the UBS survey was that four of the top five sustainable investment themes cited by the respondents were climate-related  renewable energy and energy efficiency, climate change adaption and mitigation, pollution prevention and control and sustainable water and wastewater management.

Theres an easy and obvious strategy for meeting that checklist and delivering superior investment performance. All a fund manager has to do is to tilt their portfolio towards tech stocks, particularly the mega techs that have dramatically outperformed the overall market over most of the past decade. Those stocks have a very light carbon footprint. Loading It is also conceivable that all ESG does is screen out poorly-managed and poorly-performing companies, and that non-ESG-labelled funds that screen for well-managed companies and have a sophisticated risk-management process could (and do) produce equally stellar, or better, returns. Performance of ESG funds might also be impacted by the flows of funds into the sustainable investment sector, which could act to drive the share prices of companies that have few controversies over their environmental impact, their governance or social impact. If enough funds have similar investment screens, the money flows could be material.

A more complex question is raised by sectors with large carbon footprints. Can, or should, an ESG-labelled fund investment in a mining company? What if the company is producing superior financial returns while actively trying to reduce not just its own carbon emissions, but those of its carbon-intensive customers? Too many frameworks Economies, particularly developing economies, will need coal-fired energy, oil and gas and iron ore and other resources that have large carbon footprints for decades to come. While it is an easy decision for an ESG-labelled fund to make, is it socially responsible to reduce access to capital for the companies that provide those resources or, more particularly, for those that are actively trying to reduce the emissions throughout their supply chain? Governance factors are, to date, perhaps more clearly correlated with financial outcomes, although there are exceptions. It could also be argued that, increasingly, sensitivity to wider social issues is a differentiator for companies that are reliant on a social licence to operate, and impacts the performance of their shares.

Good governance today would, of course, include policies to mitigate a companys climate impact and protect its licence to operate. At the broadest level, there is an interesting question as to whether adoption of an ESG framework for investing is a moral decision by the fund manager and its investors, or a financial one. It is the proposition that ESG drives superior outcomes that conveniently merges the two. There is an interesting question as to whether adoption of an ESG framework for investing is a moral decision by the fund manager and its investors, or a financial one. Whats clear from the UBS report is that there is no agreed framework or set of principles or guidelines that define what constitutes ESG-acceptable investments, or how ESG-influenced funds should measure and report on their performance, although there does appear to be increasing adoption of the Sustainability Accounting Standards Boards standards. The SASB is a not-for-profit founded a decade ago to develop global industry-specific standards for financially-material sustainability issues. Only about a third of the respondents to the survey use them.

Most of the respondents agreed that there were too many frameworks, which means retail investors are trying to compare apples and oranges when they select their fund manager. Loading We also know -- because the US Securities and Exchange Commission told us earlier this year -- that there can be significant discrepancies between the funds public disclosures of their ESG approaches and their actual practices, and between their stated policies and their proxy voting. There is a sense in the proliferation of funds claiming ESG credentials that while many of them are conviction investors, some of them are simply trying to get their share of a fast-growing fee income flow. ESG is, from a corporates perspective, creating a fusion of activists, particularly environmental activists, with their shareholder bases.
Its time to bid a fond farewell to lawyer-investigator Jack Irish (Guy Pearce) and Dr Hugh Knight (Rodger Corser) and to the admirable local drama series that they anchored.

Inspired by a character created by the late novelist Peter Temple, the crime thriller Jack Irish wraps its four-part third and final season on ABC TV on Sunday (all episodes are on iview), along with the three telemovies that preceded it. Created for television by Ian Collie, Tony McNamara, Alan Harris and Claudia Karvan, Doctor Doctor recently said goodbye to its fictional town of Whyhope, ending a five-season run. (Available on 9Now.)

In the current fiercely competitive TV climate, local dramas of laudable quality that achieve a relatively long TV life are rare and precious. This pair, produced by Collies Easy Tiger company, while fundamentally different in style and tone, admirably accomplished what they set out to achieve, and they present markedly different heroes.

The final season of Jack Irish finds the eponymous lawyer-turned-investigator played by Guy Pearce worn down by events that have haunted him for 20 years. Credit:ABC

Jack is looking more ragged and haggard than ever in the latest season, which is framed by loss, grief and regret. A thread of melancholy runs through it as Jack reflects on his troubled life. Hes a man that things happen to: people employing him to do a job, or friends coming to him for help, activate plots that see him ricocheting from one often nasty encounter to the next. The world crashes in on him and he responds.
Cancer June 22-July 22 Cancers are one of the most sentimental signs of the zodiac, and with the stars heightening your nostalgic streak, a wander down memory lane is in order. Youll also be in a rather domesticated frame of mind making this the ideal time to sort through photos and memorabilia. You may also be inclined to contact an old friend or organise a safe get together further down the track. Leo July 23-August 22

Youll be motivated to make some positive and productive changes to your daily routine. Although you will feel compelled to multi-task, less is more. Have realistic expectations about what you can fit into your day and make a habit of leaving enough time to decompress. Unwinding should be just as important as the rest of the items on your to do list. Virgo August 23-September 22 As the perfectionist of the zodiac you strive to do your best and be all things to all people. You also take it pretty hard when you dont meet your own standards or feel as though youve let people down. The best thing you can do today to comfort your soul is look at what youve nailed or failed and learn from mistakes. Libra

September 23-October 22 Youre a lover, not a fighter, but today its wise to pick your battles, especially where friends are concerned. Youll be a little touchy and prone to taking offence thanks to the moon in your friendship sector. You may also feel very protective over a friend and rush to their defence in a manner thats more aggressive than you intended. Scorpio October 23  November 22 Youre not normally one to bask in the limelight. Today though, youll have a burning desire to be noticed, especially at work. With others becoming increasingly interested in your abilities its the perfect time to take centre stage. Showcase your skills, volunteer your services and maximise opportunities. Taking extra care with your appearance by dressing the part will also make you smack of success.

Sagittarius November 23-December 20 Tenacious Saggies usually pursue what you want with the momentum and subtlety of freight trains. Today though, you wont need to elbow your way to the front. A winning combination of charm and shrewdness will ensure you get your own way, particularly in the professional area. Exerting a little power will help your cause provided you dont become too overbearing. Capricorn December 21-January 19

You may be called upon to speak in a public forum today, especially at work. Although youre usually a pro you might feel a twinge of anxiety or anticipation, probably because youll be more accountable than usual. Fear not, this is a subject that you know, so dont give too much thought to what people think. Have faith in your convictions, Capricorn! Aquarius January 20-February 18 Aquarians are known for their love of novelty. However, immersing yourself in the company of old friends and lifes simple pleasures will be far more appealing. Meanwhile, you may be forced to compromise on a project, but not your principles. Remain open to other possibilities and listen to peoples ideas. Step off the sidelines and get involved. Pisces
Dr Chant said younger people should discuss their personal circumstances with a GP, noting NSW Health was looking to increase Pfizer appointments in coming weeks, provided supply was there. Loading From July until August, NSW will receive between 104,910 and 120,600 Pfizer doses a week. Last week, a spokesperson for the federal Health Department said Pfizer would be available at all 136 Commonwealth vaccination centres before the end of July. A small number of GPs will also start to administer the vaccine next month. There are also plans for a new mass vaccination hub at Lake Macquarie as well as a Wollongong site, confirmed by Premier Gladys Berejiklian on Wednesday.

The Premier said Mondays national cabinet agreed to an indemnity scheme, not a change to the health advice. What we need to do as a state government is follow the federal regulatory health advice, which is that AstraZeneca is offered for over 60s and obviously second doses are strongly, strongly advised, she said. She encouraged the states 3 million residents aged 60 and over to come forward for their shot. AMA NSW President Danielle McMullen said the states position was fair enough.

The ATAGI advice hasnt changed and the preferred advice for under-60s is Pfizer, but we recognise there are some people who will want the AstraZeneca now and the best place for them to receive all the relevant information is at a GP. NSW/ACT chair of Royal Australian College of GPs Charlotte Hespe said the colleges position mirrored NSWs: younger people should talk to a GP. Loading If they, weighing up the risk, still feel they want to access a vaccination, that is their choice, she said, noting some people may not be included in Phase 1a or 1b but still consider themselves at higher risk of catching the virus or transmitting it to someone vulnerable, such as retail workers or people who live with grandparents. With [Sydneys Delta COVID-19 variant], you can be behaving yourself and still manage to catch it while walking through the shopping centre.

Words were stronger in Queensland, where Chief Health Officer Jeannette Young said she did not want under-40s to get AstraZeneca. I dont want an 18-year-old in Queensland dying from a clotting illness who, if they got COVID probably wouldnt die, she said. Western Australian Premier Mark McGowan also said he wanted under-40s to only receive Pfizer. The Commonwealth has made a decision to allow for that and provided an indemnity for GPs who do that. The health advice we have is that they shouldnt, he said.

Mr McGowan also said people aged 60 and older should be allowed to get Pfizer to tackle hesitancy. Dr Hespe said politicians announcements regarding the vaccine over the past two days had been chaos. It would be really good to have everyone on the same page, she said. Loading ATAGI moved to recommend Pfizer as the preferred vaccine for under-60s earlier this month, in response to a very rare blood clotting syndrome which previously led it to make the same recommendation for under-50s.
Police are investigating whether a street brawl in Sydneys west could be connected to a house fire that left a 14-year-old dead.

Tahma Jones, who died in the blaze while sleeping at a friends house, has been remembered by friends as sweet and kindhearted.

The cause of the fatal fire is under investigation. Credit:Kate Geraghty

Fire crews and police responded to multiple triple zero calls just after 1.30am when smoke was seen coming from a two-storey brick home on Montana Way in Macquarie Fields. When they arrived, two-metre-high flames were roaring out of every window.

The other occupants of the home, including a mother and five children, managed to escape the blaze.
Queensland has reported three new cases of COVID-19 in the community as millions of residents woke up to the first day of a three-day snap lockdown.

People living in 11 south-east Queensland councils, in addition to Townsville, Magnetic Island and Palm Island, were plunged into lockdown from 6pm on Tuesday after a 19-year-old unvaccinated hospital worker tested positive following 10 days in the community while contagious.

The womans brother has also tested positive, with contact tracing efforts sparked after he attended a school holiday camp at the Shaw Park Tennis Centre on Monday.

Late on Wednesday, Queensland also declared Alice Springs a hotspot from 1am on Thursday, forcing returning Queenslanders, or those with exemptions to enter the state from a hotspot, into 14 days of hotel quarantine.
In fact the sense of it I get is all the other way. There is a sense of not coming to grips with the fact she was in the condition she was and living in the house at a time when she was effectively in the care or control of the two accused, he said.

It just seemed to me a fairly remarkable absence of humanity. That this woman who had been in the situation she was, whether or not it is accepted it was in a slave-like condition, that doesnt matter so much but she was a woman living with your client for a period of time in which your client must have been aware of her deteriorating condition and must have both been aware of the fact she found herself in a depleted condition such that she was probably days away from dying and never has there been a sense of we are really sorry about that.

He said it seemed like there was no sense of respect for her at all.

Mr Kelly said he believed Mr Kannans reluctance to express regret was because he was concerned it could be taken as an admission of culpability which could affect the appeal process.

Mrs Kannans lawyer, Gideon Boas, said that in conversations with his client she had told him she was sorry for the condition the woman was in even though she doesnt accept responsibility in causing it or keeping her as a slave.
The boyfriend of a Melbourne woman who has been missing for more than two months will apply for bail this week, as police launch a fresh appeal for information about her suspicious disappearance.

Toby Loughnane, 45, was arrested the day after Brunswick woman Maryam Hamka, 36, was reported missing to police on April 15.

36-year-old Brunswick woman Maryam Hamka has been missing since April 10.

His Brighton home was searched and detectives arrested and charged him with intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury, aggravated assault and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

Mr Loughnane has not been charged with any offence relating to Ms Hamkas disappearance.
Isaac Greener and his family were desperate for their Queensland holiday. From Sherbrooke, on the edge of Melbourne, they lost power for more than a week earlier this month in the wild weather that lashed the Dandenongs.

They landed on Magnetic Island on Friday only to be amongst holidaying Victorians plunged into lockdown on Tuesday night.

Isaac Greener and his family are in lockdown on Magnetic Island

We had this holiday booked for a long time, and we changed it multiple times to get here, Mr Greener said.

Victorian authorities added South-East Queensland and Western Australias Perth and Peel regions to its list of red zones at 1am on Wednesday.
A Yarra City councillor and member of the Australian Greens has been charged with assault, offensive behaviour and public drunkenness over her alleged involvement in a fight with another woman in South Yarra in April.

Cr Anab Mohamud, 35, will face the Melbourne Magistrates Court in November, after suffering serious facial injuries from the altercation outside Chasers nightclub, which hosts the popular LGBTQ dance party Poof Doof.

Yarra councillor Anab Mohamud.

Stonnington crime investigation unit detectives have also charged a 29-year-old woman from St Kilda with recklessly causing injury and affray, according to a Victoria Police spokeswoman.

The charges follow an incident in Bray Street in the early hours of Sunday 11 April in which a verbal altercation between two women escalated to an alleged physical fight, the police spokeswoman said.
It only took having dinner at the same restaurant and exercising at the same gym as case 1022 for Western Australias two known community cases to get infected with the highly contagious Delta variant of COVID-19.

Australian health officials believe the variant is so contagious that fleeting contacts with a positive case at a shopping centre or a restaurant could result in infection.

A drive-through COVID-19 clinic in Perth tests residents for the virus as part of the latest outbreak. Credit:Marta Pascual-Juanola

However, the partners of the community cases in Perth have so far tested negative for COVID-19, leaving authorities scratching their heads as to the transmissibility of the virus.

Premier Mark McGowan could not provide an answer at a press conference on Tuesday and labelled the situation a complete mystery.
Ben Wolfs fitness business is not even a year old yet but it has already survived two snap lockdowns, countless border restrictions announcements, and a raft of changing coronavirus rules.

Now, with a third lockdown under way and no financial help from the state government, the 37-year-old personal trainer faces the prospect of not being able to pay rent at his studio this month.

Uncommon Haus owner Ben Wolf and partner Lana Stephens.

During the previous lockdown we copped a very big loss and I didnt realise how much we had lost until the next week having payments come out of my account, Mr Wolf said.

At that point, I was still OK in terms of making all my repayments on certain things and on our lease as well. This current one has hit and we had to request potentially not paying our rent for this month and maybe moving it forward.
Simone Walker ended up in emergency at Osborne Park Hospital after her baby became distressed, having spent four days partially induced because of staffing issues. It was June 14, before the latest outbreak, when there were no restrictions. Sophie Hawkins may give birth in Osborne Park Hospital on Wednesday during the lockdown as she is 40 weeks due and may have to induce labour. She is steeling herself over the possibility of doing it alone. Osborne Park hospital has been overwhelmed with patients after the Bentley hospital closed its maternity facilities, while King Edward hospital has also caved under a buckling system. Credit:Marta Pascual Juanola Im just a little bit nervous about if my partner Alex can be there for that or not, the first-time mum said.

So far the state government has reduced hospital visitors to one nominated visitor, with no indication of a ban in emergency settings, but last lockdown that support person was only allowed when they were in active labour. Nikki, a second-time mum, is booked in for a C-section at King Edward Memorial Hospital on Monday, after the lockdown, and also holds fears over her husband Matt being present. She is deemed a high-risk mother due to type 1 diabetes, as well as having a narrowed artery in her brain that causes blood pressure concerns, while metal in her back means she can only be anaesthetised using a spinal block. There was always a risk that because of the obstructions in my spine, that it wouldnt work effectively. So it was always going to be a difficult procedure, Nikki said. When her first child was born they had to stop the C-section midway when the pain relief wasnt working and the stress caused her blood pressure to rise to dangerous levels.

Loading [My son] had breathing difficulties so he had to get taken away and then he also had low blood sugar, which is a result of the diabetes, she said. So we didnt get time or I didnt get time with him. Planning ahead, Nikki says her husband needs to be there for the baby. So if Matt wasnt able to be there, and the baby was alone, that would be really hard, she said.

As a first-time parent, Simone Walker was shocked at the staffing issues in maternity hospitals even before the latest virus outbreak. At 41 weeks, Simones fluids had become low so she and partner Nic wanted hospital staff to start the inducement process on Wednesday, June 9. A few of the midwives said, We are so understaffed if you want to make a complaint against the hospital, go ahead and do it. Simone Walker But each day that followed the nursing staff said they couldnt proceed because they were dealing with patients from Bentley Hospital, which had been closed to cater for COVID-19, and then had no available midwives after King Edward Memorial Hospital temporarily shut its doors. So they said to us, If you want to give birth, you need to break the waters, Simone said.

They said because then we can take staff from a different ward and you will be a priority. Nic got so angry. He was like, It doesnt make sense ... and even the doctors, and a few of the midwives said, We are so understaffed if you want to make a complaint against the hospital, go ahead and do it. Simone Walker after the birth of her son in Osborne Park hospital on June 14. The couple returned home and Simone desperately tried to break her waters, which was meant to occur within 18 hours otherwise, its very harmful to the baby. They returned the next morning successful but by then the babys heartbeat kept dropping and was nearly lost altogether over the course of 17 hours in labour.

The stress caused the baby to start inhaling fluids filled with meconium (newborn poo) and Simone had to have an emergency C-section. I could see they were pumping his lungs and there was just brown stuff coming out, she said. I was told that hes probably going to go to the [Perth] Childrens Hospital while I was still open on the table. So that was kind of scary. I cant imagine going through that alone. Her infant son spent five days in the hospital on antibiotics to prevent infection. Sophie said she felt sorry for Osborne Park Hospital staff, who were clearly working long shifts to attend to people. She waited up to five hours for one of her antenatal appointments.
Three weeks ago, Prime Minister Scott Morrison appointed Lieutenant-General John Frewen to head Operation COVID Shield, the federal governments belated attempt to build confidence in Australias failing vaccine rollout. Its a powerful role; he can deal directly with the premiers and chief ministers, medical groups and the health bureaucracy.

His mission: to vaccinate the greatest number of people in the shortest possible time. Like any good military man, General Frewen knows the importance of accurate and timely intelligence. But fighting a virus is not like fighting a human enemy. In wartime, intelligence must be kept secret. During public health emergencies information must be out in the open.

COVID-19 vaccine rollout chief Lieutenant-General John Frewen with federal Health Minister Greg Hunt. Credit:Alex Ellinghausen

Pleasingly, he has decided that the Commonwealth needs to provide more detailed data on vaccination numbers as he reviews the entire vaccination rollout program. Its not about ripping it apart and rebuilding it  its about optimising it to make it go faster, he said this week.

The Age welcomes this admission that the rollout needs an overhaul, and looks forward to that including a better data strategy. Our journalists have been pushing for better and more detailed data since February. Many important statistics are not being released by the federal government.
There was no clear health advice presented to national cabinet, it was not discussed at all at national cabinet and I think were very disappointed that this happened at this stage. Dr Youngs remarks infuriated the federal government because some countries have seen significant deaths from COVID-19 among people aged under 40, the group that could benefit from getting AstraZeneca now rather than waiting for the Pfizer vaccine. Ms Palaszczuk also made an error by claiming even the UK government wont allow their under 40s to get the AstraZeneca vaccine when the UK rules allow people an individual choice, offering an alternative to AstraZeneca if one is available and if it does not cause delays in being immunised. AMA president Omar Khorshid criticised Mr Morrisons original announcement as well as the furious response from Queensland. Not for the first time during the pandemic, the federal government has mangled the message when it comes to communicating what can be quite good decisions, he told The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age.

Dr Khorshid said the comments from Ms Palaszczuk and Dr Young were particularly unhelpful and compounded the problems facing the rollout. They are demonstrations of why we really need to as much as possible keep the keep the politicians out of the communication of health, because it is complex and it has been made more complex by the PM, he said. Unfortunately, its blown up into another crisis and it could well have the opposite impact and now, further drive hesitancy. Loading Replay Replay video Play video Play video Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley blamed Mr Morrison for starting a rushed conversation by announcing the change on Monday night without talking to others.

NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant stood by expert advice that people aged under 60 should take the Pfizer vaccine rather than AstraZeneca. We are providing AstraZeneca to over 60s where the risk-benefit ratio is much clearer in favour of AstraZeneca because of the impact of COVID, but for younger people we really encourage you to go to your GP, she said. Loading While adults were never blocked from asking their GPs for the AstraZeneca vaccine, given it was approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration, doctors had pushed for a no-fault injury scheme because of the rare risk of a blood clotting condition. The federal government said the indemnity scheme had been backed at various times by the AMA, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners and the medical experts advising on the vaccine rollout, known as the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation (ATAGI).

Royal Australian College of General Practitioners president Dr Karen Price said she was thrilled to get a text on Monday night telling her the indemnity scheme was being created, and looked forward to seeing more detail as it comes. But the news that under 40s could talk to their GPs about vaccination was a surprise. Now its all taken on a life of its own, she said. University of NSW professor and infectious diseases physician Greg Dore said younger Australians were not ignoring health advice if they took up AstraZeneca. Its an acknowledgement that many are assessing their risk and benefit, making an informed decision, and protecting themselves and the broader community, he said.

Mr Morrison announced the change on Monday night but did not recommend the vaccine for younger Australians, arguing instead they could talk to their GPs about the option. If they wish to go and speak to their doctor and have access to the AstraZeneca vaccine, they can do so, he said. Health Minister Greg Hunt said there was no change to the health advice about AstraZeneca and national cabinet had been told of the indemnity scheme before it was announced on Monday night. The Prime Minister took the medical indemnity question to the national cabinet and it was noted, Mr Hunt said on Wednesday. It was actually expressly included in the national cabinet announcements on the night.

ATAGI preferred AstraZeneca for those aged 60 and over, due to the lower risk of the rare clotting disorder and the higher risk of severe COVID-19 or death from the virus. That advice has never meant people under 60 were banned from having the vaccine, and the expert group said it can be used if the Pfizer shot Comirnaty is unavailable. Loading COVID-19 Vaccine AstraZeneca can be used in adults aged under 60 years for whom Comirnaty is not available, the statement said. In that case, the benefits of vaccination were likely to outweigh the risks. People under 60 also have to make an informed decision based on an understanding of the risks and benefits.

Dr Price said she was sticking with the ATAGI advice, but highlighted that both COVID vaccines were safe. All medications, vaccines included, have side effects, all of them, she said. That all has to be discussed individually with a patient if its outside of those recommendations, and even if its within those recommendations, everybody should have an informed consent process for the vaccination. The rest of the decision making is really between a patient and their doctor. Dr Price said she would personally have to be pretty convinced to give a younger person AstraZeneca over Pfizer, mainly because they may be able to complete their two-dose course sooner.
Customer Service Minister Victor Dominello has been forced back into strict isolation after a stunning turnaround from NSW Health, which said it made a mistake in telling him he no longer needed to quarantine.

The dramatic backflip followed Deputy Premier John Barilaros scathing assessment of the process that allowed his cabinet colleague to be downgraded from a close contact to a casual contact of a COVID-19 case.

NSW Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello was reclassified and allowed to leave isolation. Credit:Rhett Wyman

Mr Dominello must now stay in isolation until July 6. Mr Barilaro had earlier on Wednesday night claimed NSW Healths classification of close contacts of a COVID-19 case was just a lucky dip.

NSW Health apologised to Mr Dominello for the mistake. It said he had two negative test results which meant he has not posed a risk while in the community or to those he has interacted with in recent days.
All eligible UTS staff and students are encouraged to receive a vaccination against COVID-19 at the UTS medical centre, the spokesperson said. Staff and students in the UTS Faculty of Health were also encouraged to receive the Pfizer vaccine at the Homebush vaccination hub when it opened last month. Healthcare workers are eligible for priority COVID-19 vaccination, having been prioritised in first phases of the rollout. Credit:The Age On Sunday Sydney University advised thousands of students nurses, doctors and dentists that they must have received at least one dose of a vaccine to continue working or attending placement at a clinical site. Many nurses were due to attend placement on Monday morning. We have let students know that if they have not had a vaccine they arent able to continue work in emergency departments, acute respiratory wards, dentistry facilities and other high risk areas, said Professor Robyn Ward, executive dean of medicine and health at Sydney University. They need to be vaccinated to go into high risk areas. All hospitals are being helpful at expediting vaccines to students.

Loading She said the university was advised by NSW Health that all students will remain in clinical placements during Sydneys two-week lockdown which began on Saturday night. Similar arrangements were postponed during the first wave of COVID-19 last year. We need as many health workers and nurses in training in the workforce now as they are providing real health support. They need to be vaccinated to ensure their own safety, patient safety and so they can complete training. Its evolving so fast at the moment and the government is releasing updated instructions continually. Healthcare workers are eligible for priority vaccination.

The federal health department said this group is defined as people working in healthcare, including doctors, nurses and midwives and students on placement in clinical settings. Australian Medical Association of Australia NSW president Danielle McMullen said it was important anyone who had a higher risk of contracting COVID-19 in the health system was eligible for vaccination and able to book a shot.  [The AMAs] position is still that we need to get people most at risk, the elderly and vulnerable, and those who are most likely to come into contact with COVID, so quarantine workers and health workers, vaccinated, she said. And we need to make sure the system is there to support them to do so. More exposure sites announced

NSW Health announced a number of new exposure venues in Sydney on Wednesday, including a gymnastics centre at Matraville and a number of shops at Bondi Junction and Maroubra. By Wednesday night, more alerts were added for venues in Sydneys eastern and western suburbs, including a judo club at UNSW, H&M in the CBD, the Burwood Hotel, and Fitness First in Maroubra. A number of bus and train services were also added to the list, including the 353 bus from South Coogee to Westfield Eastgardens on Thursday June 24, and the Flemington to Lidcombe train service on the T2 line on Friday June 25. NSW Health also said fragments of the virus had been detected in the sewerage systems at Liverpool, Fairfield and Penrith. The Liverpool sewage treatment plant serves about 75,000 people, the Penrith sewage treatment plant about 97,000 people, and the Fairfield sewage pumping station about 68,000 people.

NSW Health is aware of people recently diagnosed with COVID-19 who are isolating in these areas, it said. Nevertheless, residents are asked to be especially vigilant for any symptoms that could signal COVID-19, and if they appear, to get tested and isolate immediately. There were 68,220 tests processed during the 24-hour reporting period. Although individual days during summers northern beaches outbreak yielded higher test numbers, consistently high figures mean NSW has had a record week of testing. Premier Gladys Berejiklian said it was pleasing daily case numbers had remained consistent and not ballooned, noting it boded well for a timely end to the lockdown.

If all of us continue to work together we can achieve what Health wants us to achieve, what all of us want to achieve, in the timeframe weve discussed, she said. Loading Lockdowns are in place in Darwin, Alice Springs, Perth and across multiple regions of Queensland in light of recent local cases. Queensland reported three new cases in the community on Wednesday, including the brother of an unvaccinated COVID-19 ward receptionist whose infection triggered the lockdown on Tuesday. A miner linked to the Tanami mine cluster and his four family members tested positive in South Australia, resulting in Alice Springs joining Darwin in lockdown after he transited through the towns airport.
Her potential comeback has prompted debate among cabinet ministers, unionists and party officials about whether it is appropriate for her to resume her job, given she was supported into the role by Mr Somyurek when he dominated party affairs. The former minister, who is suing The Age for defamation over stories alleging he was a branch stacker, claimed in Parliament in December that he insisted on Ms Burns becoming state secretary. There is no suggestion that Ms Burns had any involvement in Mr Somyureks alleged branch stacking.

She then took maternity leave and has recently informed the partys governance committee that she intends to return to her role as state secretary in September.

Victorian Labor is split over the prospect of its party boss returning from maternity leave because of her association with former powerbroker Adem Somyurek and her relationship with a Nationals staffer.

Responding to the concerns of Labor figures, Ms Burns told The Age it was amazing she was being undermined while on maternity leave. It just astounds me that in 2021, people in a progressive political party are willing to judge a woman chiefly on the men she is associated with, she said.

Anyone who gets anywhere in the party has a faction. I was in the faction of Adem Somyurek, and he supported me in my elevation ... But if he was looking for a yes woman, he didnt get it, and because of that our relationship was very strained. I pushed back on him over some very significant issues of party administration early on and that caused me a lot of enduring grief.

Adem Somyurek in Parliament in December. Credit:Jason South

Ms Burns comments highlight the quandary for people within the party who might open themselves up to accusations of sexism by opposing her return, despite their grievances being driven chiefly by political imperatives.

Her supporters believe she is entitled to reclaim her role after giving birth. But MPs from across the factional divide argue a change of leadership could disrupt the partys planning for the next state and federal elections, which is well advanced and being led by acting secretary Chris Ford.
Labors internal analysis predicted the government would retain all of its 55 seats and possibly boost its margin if voter sentiment is similar to 2018. The party is likely to target the Greens-held seat of Prahran which would now take in St Kilda and St Kilda West. A recent survey undertaken for The Age this month found support for the Andrews government had waned in some outer suburban areas in response to lockdowns that disproportionately affect those who cannot work from home. Senior Liberal Party sources, speaking to The Age on condition of anonymity, confirmed the opposition would, for the first time, focus on seats in Melbournes outer west and north-west such as Melton, Point Cook and Werribee where Labors margins are expected to narrow. Almost one million Victorian voters will we transferred to a new electorate ahead of the next state election due in November 2022.

Wednesdays announcement is expected to spark jostling within the major parties to put forward candidates for the new seats and plan the futures of MPs whose seats will be abolished or significantly altered. A new power-sharing agreement in the Victorian Labor Party, signed earlier this year, has cut out MPs aligned to the faction linked to the since renamed National Union of Workers (NUW), which includes Mr Pakula and Treasurer Tim Pallas. Often an MP from a faction that is not part of the power-sharing arrangement would struggle to find a new seat if theirs was abolished. But a long-serving minister such as Mr Pakula would likely be accommodated in a different seat given his seniority, provided he chooses to contest the next election. Mr Pakula, who has been a member of parliament since 2006 had been tipped to retire before next years state poll. He declined to comment on whether he would recontest the election on Wednesday. Public Transport Minister Ben Carroll threw his weight behind Mr Pakula, calling him a very important contributing member of our team.

Ive seen first-hand what he brings to the cabinet table, and what he brings to the caucus, Mr Carroll said.I want to see Martin Pakula continue. The Labor and Liberal parties preselections will begin in the second half of this year ahead of next Novembers election that Premier Daniel Andrews this week vowed to lead his party into. On Melbournes south-east fringe, the seat held by Liberal MP Brad Battin, who launched an unsuccessful challenge for the partys leadership in March, has been split across three electorates, including the new seat of Berwick. Mr Battin told The Age he would contest the seat of Berwick at the election in what could be a marginal contest. I am born and bred in Berwick and I believe that seats arent up for sale or factional grabs. Theyre there to get people who understand the area to represent them, he said. Former Napthine Government minister Nick Wakeling, whose seat of Ferntree Gully is expected to be abolished, may run in nearby Bayswater, blocking the potential return of Heidi Victoria who lost the seat to Labor in 2018.

There are also significant boundary changes proposed for the outer-eastern suburbs which are expected to make the Liberal-held seats of Croydon and Warrandyte more marginal. The boundary changes in the inner-eastern seats of Kew, held by Liberal Tim Smith, and Hawthorn are expected to slightly favour the Coalition, paving the way for former shadow Attorney-General John Pesutto to recontest the seat of Hawthorn, which Labor won for the first time in 2018. Mr OBrien told media that he was unbothered by the distributions on Wednesday. Im not interested in discussing political lines on maps, at the end of the day Victorians will decide who they want to run the state, he said. I dont think Victorians particularly care much about politics, all they want to know is whos got a plan to get the state back on its feet ... thats what Im confident the Liberals will be offering.

Loading Wednesdays proposed redistributions would transfer 22.8 per cent of all voters to different districts. Eleven seats, mostly in regional Victoria, would remain unchanged. In the upper house, the district of Eastern Metropolitan is suggested to be renamed North-Eastern Metropolitan, with 6.7 per cent of voters to be transferred to a new region. The Electoral Boundaries Commission will take public submission until July 30, including from the states political parties, before the redistributions are confirmed in October. The Coalition must win 18 seats back from Labor to form government next year after losing 11 in 2018.
New York: Moderna said its vaccine has produced protective antibodies against the Delta variant of coronavirus spreading rapidly in many parts of the world.

Company researchers tested blood samples from eight people for antibodies against versions of the spike protein from different coronavirus variants, including Delta, which emerged in India. The vaccine produced neutralising titers against all variants tested, the company said in a statement. The results were released on the pre-print server bioRxiv, a repository where initial, not peer-reviewed studies are published.

A patient receives a Moderna COVID-19 vaccine shot in Reading, England. Credit:AP

The protective proteins are called neutralising antibodies because theyre capable of preventing the virus from entering cells. Compared to the quantity of antibodies produced against the main version of the virus, neutralising antibody levels against the Delta variant were reduced by 2.1-fold.

Antibody levels were reduced by 4.2-fold against the Eta strain first found Nigeria, and by eight-fold against a new variant identified in Angola called A.VOI.V2.
The international hit musical Six will launch its first American tour beginning March 29, 2022, at the CIBC Theatre in Chicago. The engagement will continue through July 3, with further dates to follow.

Written by Toby Marlow and Lucy Moss, Six features the six wives of Henry VIII reclaiming their identities as they transform from Tudor Queens into Pop Princesses. The musical originated as a student production by the Cambridge University Musical Theatre Society, which played a one-month run at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2017. After subsequent runs in London and Edinburgh, it played a limited run at the Arts Theatre before touring the UK and reopening on the West End.

The musical is co-directed by Moss and Jamie Armitage, featuring choreography by Carrie-Anne Ingrouille. The design team includes Emma Bailey (set design), Gabriella Slade (costume design), Paul Gatehouse (sound design), and Tim Deiling (lighting design). The score features orchestrations by Tom Curran with music supervision and vocal arrangements by Joe Beighton.

The Broadway production, which was scheduled to open on March 13, 2020, will return to the Brooks Atkinson Theatre on September 17, with opening night set for October 3.

Watch the official trailer for the Broadway production below:
After President Joe Bidens recent overseas meetings, the United States and G-7 countries agreed to support further investigation into the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic. In a summit communique, the nations called for a timely, transparent, expert-led and science-based WHO-convened inves
President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk on the South Lawn of the White House after stepping off Marine One in Washington on Sunday.
Staff Reporter

Tim Gruver is a politics and public policy reporter. He is a University of Washington alum and the recipient of the 2017 Pioneer News Award for Reporting. His work has appeared in Politico, the Kitsap Daily News, and the Northwest Asian Weekly.
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Mead Russell West poses with a copy of the U.S. Constitution at a gun rally Saturday, April 14, 2018, in front of the Wyoming Supreme Court in Cheyenne, Wyo. About 100 people took part including a handful openly carrying firearms.
Wyoming State Parks see some expansion in time for July 4th thanks to leftover CARES Act dollars
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FRANKLIN - Justin Curtis Harper, 50, passed away peacefully at his beloved home, July 1, 2021, after a hard fought battle with pancreatic cancer. Justin was born on March 13, 1971, to George and Mary Harper in Annapolis, MD. He was predeceased by his father in 2013. He is survived by his wif
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The French electric pop duo Auge and Xavier de Rosnay became embroiled in a legal battle with Bieber after alleging that the artwork for his latest album 'Justice' infringes on their own logo, the word Justice with a cross for the t.

Auge told The Guardian newspaper: "Obviously, we dont own the word Justice and we dont own the cross. But [Biebers] management got in touch first to ask where our logo came from, so its not some unhappy coincidence. To me, its a very conscious rip-off. And thats where the problem is.
2 House Republicans Vote With Democrats to Create Select Committee to Investigate Jan. 6 Capitol Breach

The House of Representatives on Wednesday approved the creation of a select committee to investigate the Jan. 6 Capitol incident in a vote that fell mainly along partisan lines.

Two Republicans joined all Democrats in creating the commission. They were Reps. Adam Kinzinger (R-Ill.) and Liz Cheney (R-Wyo.), both frequent critics of former President Donald Trump.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), for months, has pushed for the creation of the commission, while House Republicans have rejected previous attempts to create such an investigative body and argued that Democrats are acting in a partisan manner.

We cannot wait, Pelosi said Wednesday on the floor. We believe that Congress must in the spirit of bipartisanship and patriotism establish this commission. And it will be conducted with dignity with patriotism with respect for the American people, so that they can know the truth.

Last month, Senate Republicans voted to block the creation of an outside commission that Pelosi had touted as bipartisan in nature.

Rep. John Katko (R-N.Y.), who voted to impeach Trump in January, helped broker the deal to create the previous commission but voted against the commission on Wednesday. Several other GOP representatives who backed Katkos proposal earlier this year also voted against the select committee.

Speaker Pelosis proposal to create a partisan committee of politicians to investigate the events of January 6th will not be viewed as credible by at least half of Americans, nor will it honestly look at her own failures in securing the U.S. Capitol on that day, Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler (R-Wash.) said in a statement after the vote. Its not good enough, it wont do the job and I am committed to exploring the truth. Its what Southwest Washington deserves. I will oppose this partisan select committee and will not serve on it if asked.

Cheney read a statement ahead of the vote and said Congress is obligated to investigate the incident, while again criticizing Trump. Several weeks ago, the Wyoming Republican lost her House leadership position and was replaced by Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) for the No. 3 Republican spot in the lower chamber.

Since January 6th, the courage of my partys leaders has faded. But the threat to our Republic has not. On an almost daily basis, Donald Trump repeats the same statements that provoked violence before, Cheney said. His attacks on our Constitution are accelerating. Our responsibility is to confront these threats, not appease and deflect.

Trump has frequently denied he incited a group of people to breach the Capitol on Jan. 6 as Congress was certifying the 2020 election results.

The committee was approved by a vote of 222 to 190.
Alice Springs in Central Australia Enters 72 Hour Lockdown

The central Australian town of Alice Springs has entered a 72-hour lockdown as of 1 p.m. local time on June 30 after a mine worker who spent seven hours at the airport infected four family members with the Delta variant of the CCP virus.

The mine worker, who contracted the virus while in Brisbane hotel quarantine, left Newmonts Granites Mine on Friday, June 25, and spent several hours at the Alice Springs airport, NT Chief Minister Michael Gunner told reporters on June 30.

Despite an initial negative COVID-19 test result on June 26, he has since developed symptoms while isolating in Adelaide, and four out of five of his household contacts have tested positive.

For this reason, Gunner and health experts believe he is positive for COVID-19 and highly infectious. However, they dont believe he was highly infectious while at Alice Springs airport.

Like all our other decisions, we will not take a punt on this, Gunner told reporters. We will operate on the assumption that he has COVID-19, and we will operate on the assumption he was infectious while in the territory.

The lockdown direction applies to everyone inside the Alice Springs town council boundary, about 25,000 people, including hundreds of vulnerable Indigenous Australians who live in town camps.

Chief Health Officer Hugh Heggie spoke in the Aboriginal Arrernte language of the Indigenous Alice Springs people and explained that they would need to stay put. Food and assistance will be provided.

Were working closely with the (Central Australian Aboriginal Congress) and the council to make sure youre safe, he said.

The lockdown comes despite no new cases reported in the NT overnight.

Meanwhile, the lockdown across the Greater Darwin area has been extended for a further 72 hours until 1 p.m. on Friday, July 2. This includes the Darwin, Palmerston, and Litchfield Council areas and Wagait and Belyuen Shires.

The mine worker, a young man from Victoria, had travelled to the mine on June 18 via Brisbane hotel quarantine.

He was one of over 700 fly-in, fly-out (FIFO) mineworkers who have since travelled to Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, New Zealand, and other parts of the NT.

There are understood to be 16 cases linked to the outbreak, but the NT government has only recognised 10.

An infected close contact of one of two mineworkers diagnosed in Queensland hasnt been included in the Tanami Desert cluster.

The other five are the miner and his family in Adelaide.

Two more infected workers were also located at the mine and evacuated to The Centre for National Resilience in Howard Springs quarantine facility, near Darwin.

Another mineworker, whod travelled to New South Wales, was found to be positive for the virus, as were two co-workers whod travelled to Queensland, along with close contact of one of them.

A Darwin man in his 50s, who left the mine on Friday, was also diagnosed with COVID-19.

He travelled to multiple venues, including Darwins members-only watering hole, the Buff Club, where he stayed for more than four hours before being ordered to quarantine.

The most recent cases are the wife and daughter of a mine worker who tested positive for the virus after also leaving the mine on Friday and travelling to Palmerston, 20km south of Darwin.

All were in quarantine at the Howard Springs facility when they tested positive.

Darwin and its surrounding areas have been in lockdown since Sunday. However, there are hopes that the restrictions will end on Friday.

AAP contributed to this report.
People participate in a rally to support Hong Kong pro-democracy protests in front of Chinese Embassy in Seoul, S. Korea, on July 7, 2020. (Chung Sung-Jun/Getty Images)

Anti-CCP Sentiment Hits New High in South Korea Amid Upcoming Presidential Election

While global anti-Chinese Communist Party (CCP) sentiment is rising, Korean peoples negative perceptions of the CCP have also reached a new high and have been reflected in Koreas local by-elections this year. This has brought serious challenges to the current president Moon Jae-ins party in winning next years general election in March. The pre-election activities will begin in July.

In several South Korean by-elections held in April for vacancies of numerous public offices due to deaths and ousters, the anti-CCP opposition party, People Power Party, won landslide victories. The pro-CCP ruling party led by Moon lost in one city after another, putting Moons ruling camp in crisis.

A week before the by-elections, Bae Jun-young, spokesman for the Peoples Power Party, publicly criticized the Moon administration for being pro-CCP, saying that Moons inauguration ceremony proposed equal opportunities, a fair process, and a fair outcome, which sounds the same as a statement made by the CCPs official media Peoples Daily in 2015.

Is Moon Jae-ins political goal also made in China? questioned Bae Jun-young.

He also criticized the Moon government for insisting that the highly concentrated haze that often occurs in Korea was not from China, and said, The people want to ask the Moon Jae-in regime, Is China a partner or a boss?

In mid-June, the Korean weekly current affairs magazine Sisa IN and the pollster Hankook Research conducted an online survey on why and how much Koreans dislike China.

The results show that Koreans generally have a negative view of China both on the left and the right, breaking the old formula of pro-China on the left, anti-China on the right. In the survey, 58.1 percent of the respondents think China is close to evil, while only 4.5 percent think China is close to good.

The percentage of those who think negatively about China is 75.9 percent, surpassing previous negative poll responses toward Japan at 71.9 percent.

Japan had been Koreans most disliked country due to the history of Japans occupation of Korea in the early 1900s. However, this years survey results show a different story.

The survey report states, The anti-Chinese sentiment of Koreans was a boiling furnace. There was no difference between liberals and conservatives, and there were no economic gaps. There were actually responses that said they hated China more than Japan and North Korea.

The survey report also quotes Lee Dong-han, Deputy Director of the Public Opinion Headquarters of Hankook Research, as saying, This is the first time since the deployment of THAAD (Terminal High Altitude Area Defense System) that favorable sentiment toward China has been lower than that of Japan and North Korea.

As for why Koreans dislike China, the survey provided 26 reasons for the respondents to choose from. The most often chosen reason is the haze problem (89.4 percent), followed by the occurrence of the CCP virus pandemic (87.3 percent), the CCPs response to the pandemic (86.9 percent), economic problems such as illegal fishing by Chinese boats (84.3 percent), and THAAD retaliation (78.9 percent).

The survey results show that Korean peoples anti-China sentiment is mainly due to the harms inflicted by the CCP.

In 2016, when South Korea accepted U.S. assistance in deploying the THAAD in the country to defend against North Koreas nuclear provocations, it started to suffer sanctions and retaliation from the CCP, leading to a rapid cooling of relations.

Since the same year, the annual haze pollution from China has also aggravated the anti-China sentiment in Korea. After Moon entered office, Korean citizens have often asked the government to solve the problem of the polluting haze from China.

In 2019, when the pro-democracy movement in Hong Kong was violently suppressed by the CCP, Korean university students posted large posters or banners in support of the Hong Kong protesters on campuses across Korea. The posters and banners were repeatedly vandalized by Chinese students studying in Korea. Eight Chinese students at Korean universities were prosecuted last year for vandalism.

At the end of 2019, the CCP virus, which started in China, began to spread. The Chinese government concealed the truth, causing the virus to spread to other parts of the world, including Korea, which greatly increased the anti-China sentiment in Korea.

In October last year, the world-famous Korean boy band BTS received backlash from Chinese fans for receiving the James A. Van Fleet Award from the U.S.-based non-profit Korea Society, for contributions to the promotion of U.S.-Korea relations.

BTSs leader Kim Nam-joon said in his acceptance speech, This years Korea Society 2020 Annual Gala is especially meaningful as this year marks the 70th Anniversary of the Korean War. We will always remember the history of pain that our two nations [U.S. and South Korea] shared together, and the sacrifices of countless men and women 

His remarks were criticized by Chinese netizens as insulting to the Chinese soldiers who died in the war. At the same time, the CCPs official media Global Times also took the opportunity to fan the flames, causing BTS-related products in China to be taken down.

Since this year, there have been many more anti-CCP incidents. The incidents include: suzerainty battles over Korean traditional hanbok dress, kimchi, and ginseng soup; the boycott of the CCPs infiltration and the suspension of Chinese-style TV dramas; the petition against the construction of a Chinatown in Gangwon Province; the opposition to the amendment of the Nationality Act, which makes it easy for Chinese children to become Korean citizens; and other incidents. All of these show that anti-CCP sentiment in Korea has intensified.
Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce during Question Time in the House of Representatives at Parliament House in Canberra, Australia on June 23, 2021. (Sam Mooy/Getty Images)

Australias Deputy PM Fined $200 for Not Wearing Face Mask

Australian Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce has revealed that he was fined $200 for not wearing a face mask while paying for petrol.

Joyce told Sky News on June 29 that hed simply forgotten to put a mask on while at a Caltex petrol station.

I was on my way to the airport, forgot about putting on the mask, bang 200 bucks, he said.

Police say they checked the service stations CCTV and issued a $200 fine to a 54-year-old man for breaching an order under the NSW Public Health Act.

This comes as parts of the state are under lockdown due to an outbreak in Sydney of the Delta variant of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus.

State Emergency Operations Controller Deputy Commissioner Gary Worboys said it was just one of 34 COVID-19 infringement notices issued on Mondaywith 16 of them infringements for failing to wear a fitted face covering.

Police were alerted to that. They took some action. That person was apologetic and co-operative with police, and an infringement notice was issued, he told reporters on June 29.

Joyce was recently re-elected as leader of the National Party, returning him to the position of deputy prime minister in the Liberal-National coalition government after a leadership challenge on former Nationals leader Michael McCormack.

The New South Wales (NSW) government imposed a two-week lockdown on the entire Greater Sydney region as a cluster of the Delta variant grew beyond the bounds of the initial hotspot zones in the citys eastern suburbs.

At present, around 5 million people are subject to stay-at-home orders as authorities race to contain the outbreak.

However, NSW authorities believe they are getting on top of the outbreak stating that they expect numbers to tail off by the end of the week.

This comes as the state records 22 new local COVID-19 cases, after more than 68,000 tests, taking the outbreak to 171 locally acquired cases. Eleven of the cases have been in isolation for the entirety of their infectious period.

Premier Gladys Berejiklian said the governments initial fears there would be a significant ramp-up in CCP virus case numbers had not eventuated.

Our fears about huge escalation havent materialised, and we certainly want to keep it that way, Berejiklian said.

Meanwhile, NSW has tightened the regulations around travelling into the state from other regions.

NSW Health has announced that travellers from the Northern Territory, Queensland, and Western Australia are now subject to stay-at-home rules and should not travel to the NSW unless permitted to do so.

From Wednesday, anyone coming to NSW who has been in those areas in the previous 14 days must complete a declaration form.

AAP contributed to this report.
A food delivery worker rides in the central business district of Sydney on Jun. 26, 2021. Australia's largest city entered a two-week lockdown to contain an outbreak of the highly contagious Delta variant. (Saeed Khan/AFP via Getty Images)

Australias Kneejerk Lockdown Contest Will Pummel Businesses, Industry Warns

Australias peak industry body has warned that states trigger-finger CCP virus lockdowns have rapidly delivered big financial blows to businesses and the economyall without providing an effective long-term solution to eradicating the pandemic.

A spate of lockdowns across the nation have engulfed New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory, and Western Australia, with further restrictions imposed in South Australia.

However, the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group) has suggested that the states rapid enactment of restrictions could be an overreaction and also economically negligentparticularly given certain states are shutting down after registering single-digit cases.

We need to avoid panicked responses, and governments need to weigh health and broader advice including on mitigating the harsh economic impacts of tough restrictions and lockdowns, Ai Group Chief Executive Innes Willox said.

In particular, Queensland imposed restrictions after recording three cases and lockdowns after four; Northern Territory imposed restrictions after recording one case and lockdowns after four; Western Australia imposed restrictions after recording one case and lockdowns after three; South Australia imposed restrictions after recording no cases.

London Court during lockdown restrictions in Perth, Australia on Jun. 29, 2021. (Photo by Matt Jelonek/Getty Images)

Willox warned that slapping down lockdowns with few cases instilled unnecessary fear in addition to harming businesses and the economy.

It is a point that the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) also wants to see addressed. It has renewed calls for a nationally consistent approach to COVID-19 restrictions.

ARA CEO Paul Zahra said Australia needs to create a nationally consistent approach to lockdowns to stop the unnecessarily stressful confusion faced by consumers, businesses, and retail teams.

Currently, lockdowns mean different things to different states. If youre a fashion retailer in Sydney, youre still allowed to open under the current stay-at-home orders. However, the current health instructions are to shop for essentials only, leaving many retailers open with no customers, Zhara said.

We must have national harmonisation on what triggers a lockdown, and what is defined as essential and non-essential retail, and the only way we can achieve that is through agreement at National Cabinet.

Willox agrees.

He argues that although state leaders had previously justified restrictions to avoid the spread of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as the novel coronavirus, based on health recommendations, a more effective long-term approach is needed and that the imposition of restrictions needs to consider not just health advice but financial advice, especially given the high likelihood of its continued prevalence globally.

Business looks to the government for leadership, and this should be based on more than health advice, he said. Local eradication may be possible in the short term, but it is an impossible long-term goal when considering that this virus will be present around the world for many years to come.

He also noted that the real losers in the kneejerk lockdown contest are the community and the businesses that provide goods, services and jobs.

In January, following the discovery of one locally-acquired case, Western Australias first five-day lockdown cost the hospitality industry an estimated $500 million, with the state copping over $150 million, WAtoday reported.

The current New South Wales two-week lockdown is set to endure an estimated $2 billion economic hitor $143 million a dayaccording to the Australian Financial Review.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has previously asked state leaders, like those in Victoria, to be more creative when dealing with the management of the pandemic.

Lockdowns are the bluntest of instruments, Frydenberg said on June 11. I think its really important that we try to avoid future lockdowns because of the impact it has not just on the economy but on peoples mental health and youre seeing the statistics very clearly about that.

The treasurer also noted that it was important in states like Victoriawhich has endured the largest amount of days in lockdown in Australiathat the community get about living with this virus, to ensure that the damage to peoples lives and livelihoods is kept to a minimum.
Student from China poses for graduation photos at Sydney University in Australia, on Oct. 12, 2017. (William West/AFP via Getty Images)

Beijing Surveillance in Australia Universities Rob Students and Academics of Freedom: HRW Report

Just hours after attending a rally in support of Hong Kongs freedoms, a student from mainland China studying in Australia received a message from a mainland classmate at 2 a.m. saying: Im watching you.

Zhang Xiuyang, a pseudonym used for safety, said she had known the classmate for a long time, was aware of their differing opinions, and had previously told him she did not want to discuss Hong Kong with him.

In their latest report, They Dont Understand the Fear We Have, Human Rights Watch (HRW) revealed the failure of Australian universities to protect the academic freedom of students and academics who criticise the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

Personally, I felt really scared. I went to go see the uni [university] psychologist because I was so stressed. I blocked him [the classmate] on Facebook. I was in a course with 98 percent Mainland Chinese students. Students were bad-mouthing me. That I was not loyal to the country, Zhang said.

Supporters gather during a Rally for Hong Kong outside the State Library of Victoria in Melbourne, Saturday, June 12, 2021. (AAP Image/James Ross)

Zhang said she would self-censor herself on Australian campuses whenever Chinese students were in the class due to fears of being reported.

I want to be in a class with no other Chinese students so I can say what I think, she said. If you are sitting with local students, people are open to sharing their ideas. Its easy to learn.

Zhang is among the 24 pro-democracy students from mainland China and Hong Kong, and 22 academicswho either come from China or specialise in China studieswho shared their experiences pertaining to Beijings overseas surveillance operations in Australia with Human Rights Watch.

Sophie McNeill, an Australian researcher at HRW and author of the report, said university administrators were failing in their duty of care to protect the rights of Chinese students.

Australian universities rely on the fees international students bring while turning a blind eye to concerns about harassment and surveillance by the Chinese government and its proxies, McNeill said.

Every pro-democracy student interviewed expressed fears that their actions in Australia could result in the CCP punishing their families at home.

This is the reality, I come to Australia, and still Im not free, said another mainland student, Lei Chen, also a pseudonym.

The Chinese consulate in Perth, Australia, on March 24, 2014. (Will Russell/Getty Images)

Nearly all the academics interviewed said the ways to discuss China had become a significant issue in their careers, with over half admitting to frequent self-censorship because they felt their university did not have their back.

The academics also reported that they had fears about Chinese students recording and reporting on them, fears for the safety of Chinese colleagues, and for those with family back in China.

An academic, dubbed S, said she noticed that students had become more nationalistic and reluctant to write anything even slightly critical of China since Chinese leader Xi Jinping came to power.

I just find that students were very reluctant to write essays that are critical about China, even just slightly critical, this academic said. And its very interesting that before 2010 they were much more open.

Another academic called D, who previously spent many years in China said they needed to learn to accept that one price for speaking freely meant losing entry to China.

I censor less now than I did before. And that is because Ive given up on having access to China, and if you make your peace with that, youre in a position to speak out. I feel much freer in speaking, D said.

Sector Reliance on Chinese Money

The report notes that by 2017, international students accounted for around 28 percent of the student body in Australian universities. In 2019, universities collected more than $17 billion (US$12.8 billion) in fees from these students.

Around 40 percent of all onshore international students are from China. This means approximately 1 in 10 of all students attending Australian universities in 2018 came from China.

Students walk around the University of New South Wales campus in Sydney, Australia, on Dec. 1, 2020. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

Associate Professor at the University of Sydney Salvatore Babones found in his research that the substantial number of Chinese students was unique to Australia.

While the proportion of students from China was at 10 percent in Australia, it was 6 percent in the United Kingdom, 3 percent in Canada, and 2 percent in the United States.

This increasing over-reliance on the overseas student market became particularly obvious when Australian international borders closed in March 2020, due to the CCP virus. Universities Australia (UA), the peak body for the sector, said the industry would lose an estimated $16 billion in revenue.

Industry Reaction

UA said they condemned all forms of coercion on campus. However, it was not a problem that universities could address alone.

Every university leader will read this report with concern, UA CEO Catriona Jackson said. The University Foreign Interference Taskforce (UFIT) is actively working on measures designed to counter interference in the university sector.

Students walk around Sydney Universitys campus in Australia on April 6, 2016. (Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

The Group of Eight (Go8), which represents Australias leading research-intensive universities, said the issues raised by the HRW report were concerning.

However, it must be noted that this is not characteristic of the typical student experience at Australian universities, Go8 Deputy CEO Matthew Brown said. Nor is it solely the responsibility of universities to address these issuesit is a national concern.

In this context, the primary responsibility for monitoring the actions of foreign governments on Australian soil lies with the Australian Government and its agencies, not universities.

Federal Education Minister Alan Tudge wrote on Twitter saying the government would soon update foreign interference guidelines with the recommendations of HRW in mind.

Tudge has pushed Australian universities to adopt the French Model Code to help protect academic freedoms on campuses. He threatened the use of legislation if universities did not adopt the code by the end of the year.
Bruce McDougal hoses down vegetation while working to save his home from the Bond Fire burning though the Silverado community in Orange County, Calif., on Dec. 3, 2020. (Noah Berger/AP Photo)

Biden Reveals Catch-Up Plan to Curtail US Wildfires

President Joe Biden shared his administrations plan to deal with the intensifying wildfires in the Western U.S. at a White House Meeting on Wednesday with western state governors, calling the fires a problem that affects everyone.

Biden told the governors he had been briefed twice about the current wildfire readiness of federal and state agencies and said there is a lot to be done.

We know this is becoming a regular cycle and we know its getting worse, Biden added. The truth is, were playing catch-up. This is an area thats been under-resourced, but thats going to change if we have anything to do with it.

Wildfires are not a partisan phenomenon. They dont stop at a county or state line or country mind for that matter. We need a coordinated, comprehensive response, said Biden.

Predictive Services National Interagency Fire Center issued its National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook summary (pdf), a report on where wildfires could most likely be expected from June to September of 2021.

According to the summary, drought intensified over the Western U.S., especially in California with now more than 87 percent of the area categorized in drought.

The summary predicts wildfire potential will be higher than normal in the Southwest until monsoons arrive in July. For the rest of the period, fire potential will be increasing in the Great Basin and the Pacific Coast states. From July through September, nearly all of the mountainous areas of California, Oregon, and Washington are in the above normal category.

Firefighters watch the Bear Fire approach in Oroville, Calif., on Sept. 9, 2020. (Noah Berger/AP Photo)

The first part of Bidens plan is to ensure there are enough trained and equipped firefighters.

This year were going to provide a retention incentive thats going to ensure federal wildland fires, our firefighters are making at least $15 an hour and provide for additional 10 percent bonuses for those working on the front lines, but a one-time boost is not enough.

Besides temporary bonuses, Biden wants to bolster permanent benefits for firefighters, including improvements in their compensation, their benefits, and their work-life balance. He added that the federal government will provide funding for training national guard troops so they can be a part of the firefighter team that assists with wildfire season.

In 2020, California had 4,197,628 total acres burned by wildfires, Colorado had nearly 700,000 acres burned, Oregon had nearly 1 million acres burned, and Idaho, Wyoming, and Utah were other states with fire damage last year.

The administration is going to work with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration capabilities with satellites, the Department of Energys computer analysis technology, and equipping the affected communities with the information to better protect themselves from smoke and fire risks.

Second thing, we are harnessing new tools and technologies to better identify and respond before new fires grow in the large uncontrolled conflagration, said Biden.

In addition, Biden said the bipartisan infrastructure legislation, if passed will provide an investment of about $50 billion to wildfire management as well as FEMA funds.

And today, Im announcing a $37 million federal grant to Sonoma County, California, in support of fire mitigation efforts that are underway. This grant is part of FEMAs BRIC program (building resilient infrastructure and communities), Biden added.

Governors of Oregon, California, and Colorado praised the administrations efforts to get in front of the 2021 wildfires.

We welcome our partnership with President Biden whose team is committed to being strong partners with the states to effectively fight wildfires and do the work necessary to avoid and lessen the likelihood of future catastrophes, said Oregons Governor Jared Polis on Wednesday.
Actor Bill Cosby arrives at court to face sentencing for sexual assault in Norristown, Penn., on Sept. 24, 2018. (Brendan Smialowski/AFP/Getty Images)

Bill Cosby Released From Prison After Sex Assault Conviction Overturned

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court overturned Bill Cosbys sexual assault conviction on June 30, leading to his release from a Pennsylvania state prison just hours later.

Pennsylvania Department of Corrections confirmed that Cosby was released at around 2:30 p.m., according to a Twitter post from the department. Reporters on the scene said they saw the actor and comedian leave the facility, and that he was driven away in a white vehicle shortly afterward.

In an opinion (pdf) vacating his conviction, the Supreme Court wrote that it found that an agreement with a previous prosecutor had prevented the 83-year-old from being charged in the case.

When an unconditional charging decision is made publicly and with the intent to induce action and reliance by the defendant, and when the defendant does so to his detriment (and in some instances upon the advice of counsel), denying the defendant the benefit of that decision is an affront to fundamental fairness, particularly when it results in a criminal prosecution that was foregone for more than a decade, the opinion reads.

Cosbys convictions and judgment of sentence are vacated, and he is discharged.

Cosby was accused of drugging and assaulting Andrea Costrand, a former Temple University employee, at his home in 2004. He was charged in 2015 for the alleged attack and was arrested just a few days before the statute of limitations had expired.

In 2018, a jury convicted Cosby of three aggravated indecent assault counts, and he has been held at SCI Phoenix, a prison located near Philadelphia, ever since.

The Supreme Court noted that a lack of confidence in the case by District Attorney Bruce Castor in 2004 and 2005 motivated him to decline prosecution in order to force Cosby to testify in a civil trial to be brought by Costrand.

In evaluating the likelihood of a successful prosecution of Cosby the district attorney foresaw difficulties with Constands credibility as a witness based, in part, upon her decision not to file a complaint promptly, the opinion reads.

D.A. Castor further determined that a prosecution would be frustrated because there was no corroborating forensic evidence and because testimony from other potential claimants against Cosby likely was inadmissible under governing laws of evidence.

The collective weight of these considerations led D.A. Castor to conclude that, unless Cosby confessed, there was insufficient credible and admissible evidence upon which any charge against Mr. Cosby related to the Constand incident could be proven beyond a reasonable doubt.'

The ruling bars any retrial in the case against Cosby. Two lower state courts had previously refused to overturn Cosbys conviction.

Other than Constand, a number of women have publicly accused Cosby of assault or inappropriate behavior over the years, with some alleging that he drugged them. Cosby has maintained his innocence.

A lawyer representing three of Cosbys accusers objected to the courts decision and said the actor was released over a technicality.

He is not released because he is innocent, attorney Lisa Bloom wrote on Twitter on June 30. He is released because a prosecutor promised him years ago that he would not be brought to justice, without even making a deal for him to do time.
Officials from Mexico and California, including San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria (far left), at the signing ceremony in Otay Mesa, Calif., on June 28, 2021. (Alexandra Mendoza/San Diego Union-Tribune/TNS)

California, Mexico Sign Agreement to Open New Border Crossing by Late 2024

By Alexandra Mendoza

From The San Diego Union-Tribune

OTAY MESA, Calif.The governments of California and Mexico signed an agreement Monday committing to work together to deliver on time a new border crossing at Otay Mesa by late 2024.

Unlike other ports of entry, such as San Ysidro and the one operating in Otay Mesa, this new gate would require a toll fee that would offer an average wait time goal of 20 minutes to cross the border.

Currently, passenger vehicles and commercial trucks crossing the border between Tijuana and San Diego can endure tedious waits, harming business and the environment, officials said.

This new port of entry will not only spur economic activity, but it will also improve the quality of life for the millions of Californians and Mexicans who frequently cross one of the busiest borders in the world, said California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis.

A great example of Californias leadership in combating climate change. The project will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve mobility in the region.

Otay Mesa East, also known as the Otay II project, will help reduce wait times at existing border crossings and is projected to provide an economic boost of $1.8 billion annually, officials said.

With the signing of the memorandum of understanding, both countries commit to meet their respective construction projects, quickly resolve policy issues and establish a framework to share toll revenues for project funding.

We know what it takes to get it done. We have certain milestones to meet, and now we have this document that memorializes our commitment to the project, said California Secretary of Transportation David S. Kim after the signing ceremony Monday at the construction site in Otay Mesa.

On the California side, the $1 billion project has already secured $565 million in local, state and federal funding. The remainder is expected to be financed mostly through toll revenue.

On the Mexican side, a first phase investment of more than $186 million is contemplated for construction work and access roads, according to Roberto Velasco, director of North America with the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Last year, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador included the Otay II project within an infrastructure plan that seeks to reactivate the economy.

Velasco emphasized that this project is a symbol of the strong binational relationship. We believe in building bridges not in building walls, and this is important for us in that sense, he said.

This is the future of the U.S.-Mexico relationship that we want. A future where we are more connected, and we allow for the many different possibilities that life in the border offers to both of our countries.

Initially, Otay Mesa East will have five lanes for vehicles and five more for commercial trucks, with the option for these to be interchangeable depending on the time and demand, explained Maria Rodriguez-Molina, project manager with SANDAG.

Toll fees will not be collected at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection inspection point, but either through electronic pay or in toll booths that will be placed within the United States on the State Route 11.

Toll collection will be for both northbound and southbound traffic. The revenue will be divided between the United States and Mexico, added Mario Orso, project director with Caltrans.

On the U.S. side, the project started eight years ago with the construction of the SR-11. Construction of the new port is now under way on a 100-acre area a few miles east of the current Otay Mesa border crossing.

In Tijuana, construction is expected to begin next year to meet the timeframe both countries established.

2021 The San Diego Union-Tribune. Visit sandiegouniontribune.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Safety guideline notices are seen at a reopened playground at St. Mary's Field in Wallington, England, on July 4, 2020. (Mark Trowbridge/Getty Images)

Children Will Have No Space To Recover if Restricted in Summer: Campaign Group

If CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus restrictions are not removed in summer, children will have no space to recover, the UK government has been warned by campaign group Play England.

As Englands students approach the end of their school terms, Play England said its really important to think about the summer.

Under current government guidelines, organised parent and child groups, registered childcare, and supervised activities can only be attended by up to 30 people.

The rule has restricted the numbers of some organised activities, as well as making some activities not financially viable.

At the moment, summer camps in their traditional form cant happen, Andy Robinson of industry body UK Outdoors told The Telegraph.

Robinson said that the government should take a sensible approach and recognise outdoor summer camps are well ventilated.

Anita Grant, the chair of Play England, told The Telegraph that it doesnt make sense to only focus on the school term.

It would be really great if the government would come out clearly and say children are allowed freedom over the summer. They are just ignoring it and concentrating on the school term, she said.

If children are kept restricted and controlled over summer, they will have no space to recover, she added.

Allowing children to play freely this summer will improve childrens well-being and help them feel less isolated.

The latest official figures released on Tuesday show more than 375,000 pupilsabout 1 in 20were sent home last week, mostly for having been in contact with a school friend who tested positive for the CCP virus.

Schools have been organising pupils into different groups called bubbles and sending home bubbles of pupils for 10 days if one tests positive for the CCP virus. Sometimes whole classes or year groups have been told to stay at home.

John Jolly, chief executive of Parentkind, told NTD that it has been very difficult for parents.

That causes all sorts of problems for parents who are both working, Jolly said.

It just creates a huge amount of pressure on parents who are trying to juggle schooling with working from home  and a great deal of uncertainty.

Minister for School Standards Nick Gibb said on Tuesday that the government has been trialling daily testing instead of self-isolating for pupils who come in contact with positive cases.

Gibb said the trial was due to end on Wednesday and the government would look at the data.

Jolly said he thought parents would welcome any changes that mean more children can remain within the classroom in the next term.

Asked whether or not parents would be happy with daily testing, Jolly said opinions are split.

About 70 percent of parents have told us that theyd rather children are back at school. No testing, no social distancing, no face masks, no nothing, he told NTD.

And 30 percent of parents [were] telling us precisely the opposite. They want everything, he added.

Childrens Commissioner for England Dame Rachel de Souza has said that there is an urgent need for children to get back to normal as lockdown restrictions had been a real trauma for many young people.

NTD reporter Jane Werrell and PA contributed to this report.
CCP Scrambles to Keep Its World Factory Status by Rolling Out Drastic Measures

The regime is now encouraging the birth of a third child

The CCPs recent policies to encourage the birth of a third child, crack down on private tutoring, and train skilled workers have all been attributed to the CCPs recognition of a looming crisis in Chinas manufacturing sector, some say.

A key factor in encouraging childbirth involves the CCPs Ministry of Education which has set up an agency to supervise after-school education, according to a circular released on June 9. The agency is responsible for the management of after-school education for primary and secondary school students and even kindergarten children. It sets standards and supervises the establishment of institutions, training content, training time, personnel qualifications, and fees for online and offline after-school education.

The Ministry of Education has launched a series of crackdown measures on the $120 billion private tutoring industry, including trial bans on online and offline vacation tutoring and restrictions on advertising in Beijing, Shanghai, and other major cities, Reuters reported, citing people familiar with the matter. The new rules aim to relieve pressure on students and boost the countrys birth rate by reducing the cost of living for families, two sources said.

Sober Observer, a financial blogger on YouTube, said in a video on June 26 that in order to accommodate families who want their children to remain competitive, the CCP specially established an agency to supervise after-school education and promote after-school services, making it clear that after-school tutoring should end at a convenient time so parents can pick up their children after work. At the same time, the CCP is imposing strict regulations on companies that provide tutoring services.

The blogger also said that when the CCP recently introduced a three-child policy, the general feedback was that many did not think they could afford to raise more children.

Zhang Tianliang, a commentator and associate professor of humanities and science at Fei Tian College in the United States, also said in his Youtube video on June 17 that the cost of raising a child is very high in China. Many young people cant afford to have a second child, let alone a third. In order to not let children lose at the starting line, many parents sign their kids up for a variety of classes when they are still in primary school or kindergarten, such as Mathematical Olympiad classes, English classes, and musical instrument classes.

However, in the hope of boosting fertility rates, the CCP wants to control after-school tutoring so that parents cannot spend more money on it, which will make them consider raising another child, Zhang analyzed.

You can see that the CCP has gone to great pains to solve the problem of not having enough leeks. It may even harm the economy by cracking down on private education, but I dont think it will really work, because some parents may hire private tutors directly, which may be more expensive, Zhang said.

Chinese people often refer to themselves as leeks because they are easy to plant and harvest more than once. Cutting leeks means (the authorities) use citizens as a tool to make money and exploit them as slaves.

Lacking Skilled Workers, the CCP Promotes Vocational Education

In recent years, the shortage of labor in the manufacturing industry has become more and more prominent.

In February, Guangdong Galanz Group, a giant Chinese home appliance company, invested heavily in the recruitment of workers. If you refer 100 people, you will earn 260,000 yuan [$40,267], it advertised. Recommending workers to Galanz, earning money to buy a Benz.

In this regard, Sober Observer said that recruitment difficulties are plaguing many enterprises in China this year.

The lack of top-tier skilled workers is a very big obstacle to the transition from a manufacturing hub to a manufacturing powerhouse, he said. If you dont have skilled workers, you cant last very long even if you are the factory of the world. The CCP is aware of this and is looking for different ways to solve the problem.

The CCPs Ministry of Education issued a circular on March 23, calling for the development of secondary vocational education and increasing the proportion of students enrolled.

In May last year, the Ministry issued a new policy to merge subsidiary colleges and vocational universities into vocational and technical universities. The subsidiary colleges in China are under a big-name university, but the admissions criteria are much lower than for the parent university. The new policy downgraded the Bachelors degree that students in these colleges would obtain after graduation to a vocational degree. In June, when several subsidiary colleges in the provinces of Jiangsu, Zhejiang, and Shanxi pushed for such a policy, large student protests were triggered, leading the CCP to send in special police and riot vans at one point.

Sober Observer pointed out that it was a sign of the CCPs determination to promote vocational education to train skilled workers, as it recognized that Chinas manufacturing sector was already in crisis.

In Western developed countries, advanced skilled workers account for more than 35 percent of the total number of skilled workers, but China does not have such a culture that treats advanced workers with respect, he said. Young Chinese feel humiliated being a skilled worker, preferring to be takeout riders or office workers for $464$619 a month rather than working on the factory floor with a monthly salary of over $1,548.

For all of the CCPs efforts to increase the competitiveness of Chinese manufacturing by encouraging childbirth and having more technical schools to train skilled workers, the conditions that made China the world factory have changed fundamentally and subversively, he said. The cheap resources, land, and cheap labor that China used to have are gone. In addition, Beijings relations with the West have changed.

The blogger also noted that the United States, Japan, and Germany are all rebuilding their high-end manufacturing, while the low-end manufacturing is going to Southeast Asian countries like India, and Mexico which offer lower costs. This trend is not going to change in the long run.

Thats why the CCP thought of lifting birth control, encouraging childbirth, and training skilled workers, but distant water cannot quench present thirst [you need to come up with an immediate solution to a problem], he said. The decline of Chinas manufacturing sector and its national fate is almost irreversible. The CCPs policies will turn out to be a complete failure.
Chinese police officers walk outside the newly built Museum of the Communist Party of China in Beijing on June 25, 2021. (Kevin Frayer/Getty Images)

Chinese Dissidents Concerned for Families in China as the CCP Marks 100th Anniversary

As the regime in Beijing marks the Chinese Communist Partys (CCP) 100th anniversary on July 1 with numerous events, overseas Chinese political dissidents are worried about the safety of their families in China.

For decades, political dissidents and minority groups persecuted in China have been conditioned by authorities to expect uninvited visitorseither policemen or security personneleach year during certain sensitive time periods, usually the national holidays or days important to the CCP, such as July 1.

This year, many overseas Chinese dissidents and members of persecuted minority groups have felt more worried about their families in China as the CCP focuses its events around Xi Jinpings keeping in mind the mission, and never forgetting the original intention.

Parents Seized in China by Police Authorities

Yolanda Yao, a 36-year-old woman living in San Jose, California, told The Epoch Times that her elderly parents were recently detained in their apartment by police authorities in Nanyang City, Henan Province, which is located in central China.

My parents practice Falun Gong, said Yao, who is also a Falun Gong practitioner.

Falun Gong practitioners mark the 21st anniversary of the persecution against Falun Gong with a candle vigil relay while maintaining social distance during the CCP virus outbreak, opposite the Chinese Embassy in central London, on July 20, 2020. (Yanning/Epoch Times)

Falun Gong is an ancient spiritual practice rooted in traditional Chinese culture. The practice has five sets of meditation exercises, and practitioners follow three principles of truth, compassion, and tolerance in their daily lives. The CCP regime began to persecute the group in July 1999.

Yao said several policemen knocked on the door of her parents apartment on June 20 without a search warrant. When her parents refused to open the door, the policemen called the landlord of the apartment and forced the landlord to ask Yaos parents to open the door.

Yaos parents kept the door locked, so the policemen destroyed the door lock from the outside and unsuccessfully tried to break in. The policemen stayed outside of the building for an entire day before they left.

Yao said it still wasnt safe for her parents to leave their apartment because the policemen had told them they would return every day during the period around July 1. Yaos parents had to call relatives to ask them to deliver groceries.

Yaos parents, Yao Guofu and Liang Xin, were arrested in December 2015 after authorities found materials in their home revealing the brutality of the Chinese regimes persecution of Falun Gong. They were sentenced to jail for 4 1/2 years and were released in June 2020.

Yao said security officers from her parents community had come a few times before June 20 and harassed her parents by taking photos inside their apartment without permission and asking her parents to attend re-education classes.

Yao also told The Epoch Times that she had been sent to a labor camp 20 months because she practiced Falun Gong. She was released in June 2013 and came to the United States five months later for freedom.

Parents Fled China But Lost Retirement Pensions

Zheng Yun, an activist for Chinas democracy in Northern California, also told The Epoch Times that she didnt want to make any contact with her relatives in China during sensitive time periods such as the days around July 1.

I dont contact my relatives in China [around July 1] for their own safety, Zheng said.

Zheng was a grassroots activist for democracy in China before she fled to the United States in 2016. The Chinese regime arranged a large-scale persecution against human rights activists on July 9, 2015, arresting hundreds of human rights lawyers and legal experts throughout the country. Many of them were later sentenced to jail in 2016 and 2017. Zheng and her husband fled to the United States as political refugees.

Zheng is currently the chairwoman of the Northern California branch of The Federation for a Democratic China, a Canada-based political group that advocates for the democratization of China through opposition to the CCP. She is also a board member of the Chinese Democracy Education Foundation, a San Francisco-based nonprofit organization promoting the prosperity and progress of Chinese society for democracy, freedom, and human rights.

Zhengs active involvement in Chinas democracy movement in the United States drew attention from Chinas state security department. The department contacted the state-owned factory she had worked for before she left China and made a public announcement that no one should contact her. They also spread rumors stating that Zheng and her husband had become homeless in the United States.

Zhengs elderly parents retired from a state-owned factory in China. Worried about the situation of Zheng, they came to visit her in 2019. Zhengs relatives told her that the local police authority searched her parents home after they left China.

Zhengs relatives and her close friends have been repeatedly harassed by police.

In the United States, Zheng and her parents received phone calls from police authorities in China. They threatened Zhengs parents to go back to China, but Zheng convinced her parents to stay for their own safety. Chinese authorities later stopped Zhengs parents from receiving their retirement benefits.

At the end of 2020, Zhengs friends in China told her that the local police authority was spreading a new rumor: Zheng couldnt survive in the United States, went back to China, and had been arrested and put in jail in Shanghai.

Zheng also stated that many overseas Chinese supporting Chinas democracy movement gradually became inactive because their families or relatives in China were threatened or harassed by the regime.

Hoping to Visit His Mothers Grave

Cheng Kai retired last year from Radio Free Asia after working there as a reporter for more than two decades. As a political dissident who fled China in 1990, his biggest dream is that one day he can go back to China and lay flowers on his mothers burial place.

Chinese Communist Party chief Zhao Ziyang (C) addresses the student hunger strikers through a megaphone in one of the buses at Tiananmen Square in Beijing on May 19, 1989. (Xinhua/AFP/Getty Images)

Cheng hasnt been able to return to China since he escaped to the United States.

When Cheng learned that his mother was seriously ill in the fall of 2017, he applied for a visa at the San Francisco Chinese Consulate, hoping he could visit his mom in China. The consulate refused to give him a visa. His mother died in January 2018 and he wasnt able to visit her before she died.

Cheng once again applied for a visa in hopes to attend his mothers funeral. In order to convince the consulate to let him go to China, he turned in his application to the consulate with a written promise: He wouldnt do anything else in China other than attend the funeral. His application was again rejected.

During the 1989 Tiananmen Square student democracy movement, Cheng was the chief editor of Hainan Daily, which was a state-owned official provincial level newspaper in Chinas Hainan Province.

Cheng was a firm supporter of the democracy movement. He openly supported the movement by publishing a front-page picture of the students and Zhao Zhiyang standing together at Tiananmen Square. Zhao was the CCP secretary-general and supported political reform in the CCP. Zhao later lost his leadership position and was placed under house arrest for the remainder of his life.

Cheng was removed from his chief editors position after the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre and then-CCP leader Jiang Zemin made a direct order to investigate him. Cheng secretly left China with help from other supporters of the democracy movement.

Cheng told The Epoch Times that his mother had never stopped supporting him. She cried on her death bed because she missed her oldest son, Cheng.

I hope that one day in my lifetime, I will have a chance to visit my mothers cemetery and lay down flowers in front of her monument, Cheng said.
A worker in a protective suit disinfects a passenger plane of Smartwings airline at Vaclav Havel Airport in Prague, Czech Republic, on May 21, 2020. (David W Cerny/Reuters)

Czechs Ban Travel to Russia, Tunisia Due to Coronavirus Variants

PRAGUEThe Czech Health Ministry has banned Czechs from travelling to Russia, Tunisia and other countries due to the spread of COVID-19 variants there, the ministry said on Tuesday.

The Czech Republic on Monday recorded a week-on-week rise in new cases to 157 from 118 a week ago, a sign of a potential turn in the declining trend that has been in place since the latest wave of infections peaked in March.

The travel ban will take effect on Thursday for Russia and next week for Tunisia. Both countries have recorded surges in new cases in recent days.

The ministry added Russia, Tunisia, Paraguay and Namibia to a dozen others including India and Brazil where non-essential travel has already been banned. Tunisia is a popular tourist destination for Czechs.

The government has called a special session for Thursday to discuss a response to the spread of the Delta variant, first identified in India.

The Czech Republic has so far identified 120 cases of the Delta variant, believed to be more transmissible than previous variants, the countrys National Institute of Public Health said.

The country of 10.7 million was one of the worst hit in Europe, suffering four waves of infections and 30,298 deaths.
Dad Dumps 80,000 Pennies on Lawn As Last Child Support Payment, Daughter Responds With Kindness

When an estranged father dumped 80,000 pennies in the front lawn of a Virginia house as the last child support payment, his teen daughter and former wife decided to turn the hurtful incident into a positive experience by donating the money to a domestic abuse center, prompting others to follow.

Avery Sanford, a Deep Run High School graduate from Richmond, was in the middle of a class in May, when her father showed up in front of her house with a rented trailer and began to dump $800 worth of pennies.

(Courtesy of Raven Sickal)

Initially unaware of who the person was and what was happening, Averys mother, Raven Sickal, came out of the house and questioned the act. It was only when the man shouted, Its your final child support payment, that Averys mother finally realized who the person was, WTVR-TV reported.

Its not just my mom hes trying to embarrass, its also me and my sister and its upsetting that he didnt consider that before he did that, Avery said, referring to the incident.

However, instead of responding with anger, the mother-daughter duo decided to gift the pennies they collected to Safe Harbor, a nonprofit with a mission to support sexual, domestic violence, and human trafficking survivors.

(Courtesy of Raven Sickal)

(Courtesy of Raven Sickal)

It was really hard for me to see that, Cathy Easter, executive director of Safe Harbor, told Inside Edition. Rather than being defeated by such a spiteful act, [they] worked together and decided they would pay it forward.

Cathy added that her staff were very grateful when the mother-daughter duo reached out to them. As more people caught wind of their story, it unleashed a spirit of generosity, and others were inspired to donate to the charity.

Mary Maupai, Safe Harbors development director, revealed that donations poured in from all over. Our online donation page just blew up. And weve gotten over $47,000 worth of donations from locally, nationally, internationallyas far as England and beyond, Maupai said, according to ABC7 Chicago. This will be one for the books for sure.

Raven and Avery were both overcome with emotion on learning their positive response had such a huge impact.

This reach has been amazing and the thoughtfulness and kind gestures have been beyond anything we expected. We just wanted to turn this around and thats exactly what we did, Ravens statement read.

Raven said she reported the incident to Henrico Police.

Avery, who is all set to be a freshman at Virginia Tech, hasnt spoken to her father in years and said she had no interest in keeping in touch with someone who disrespects her mother.

WTRV-TV also reached out to Averys father, who admitted that his action was a result of an 18-year-long frustration that was within him. However, the last thing he wanted to do, he said, was to put a further wedge between him and his daughter.

Watch the video:

(Courtesy of Raven Sickal)

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Emergency workers conduct search and rescue efforts at the site of a partially collapsed residential building in Surfside, near Miami Beach, Florida, U.S. June 29, 2021. (Joe Skipper/Reuters)

Death Toll in Florida Building Collapse Rises to 12 With 149 Missing

SURFSIDE, Fla.Search-and-rescue efforts stretched through a sixth day on Tuesday at the site of a collapsed Florida condominium complex where at least a dozen people died and 149 more remained missing amid fading hopes of finding anyone else alive.

Remains of the 12th casualty in the disaster, which could rank as the deadliest accidental structural failure in U.S. history, were recovered on Tuesday, Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava said at an afternoon news conference.

Investigators have not yet determined what caused a major section of the 40-year-old Champlain Towers South condo to give way abruptly early on Thursday as residents slept.

Initial attention has focused on structural deficiencies described in a 2018 engineers report.

In April 2021, the condominium associations president warned residents that concrete damage identified in the report had gotten significantly worse and urged them to pay some $15 million in assessments needed to make repairs, according to media accounts.

Florida emergency management director Kevin Guthrie said local authorities on Tuesday had asked the federal government to send additional urban search-and-rescue teams to the scene in the oceanfront town of Surfside, adjacent to Miami Beach.

Rescue workers work in the rubble at the Champlain Towers South Condo is seen in Surfside, Fla., on June 25, 2021. (Gerald Herbert/AP Photo)

Authorities said they held out hope that survivors might yet be located in the pile of pulverized concrete and twisted metal left when nearly half of the 12-story, 136-unit tower caved in on itself. The search operation has been hampered by intermittent showers and thunderstorms.

The rescue effort continues unabated except for that brief lightning storm we had today, Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett said.

No one has been pulled alive from the wreckage since a few hours after one side of the high-rise crumbled into a heap, and the prospects for achieving another rescue grew dimmer by the hour.

Fire officials have spoken of detecting faint sounds from inside the rubble pile and finding voids deep in the debris large enough to possibly sustain life.

Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Chief Alan Cominsky said search-and-rescue personnel faced a daunting task while working 12-hour shifts in the heat and humidity.

That building collapsed almost in a footprint of where that building stoodwere talking about 12 stories, with subterranean garages all within that same footprint, Cominsky said. Im sure to emphasize the magnitude of what we encountered, what were seeing.

On Monday evening, Levine Cava used grim terms to describe the anguish faced by families of the missing.

They are coping with the news that they might not have loved ones come out alive and still hoping that they will, the mayor said. Their loved ones may come out as body parts.

Rubble hangs from a partially collapsed building in Surfside north of Miami Beach, Fla., on June 24, 2021. (Chandan Khanna/AFP via Getty Images)

Biden to Visit

Rescue workers have moved 3 million pounds of concrete piece by piece from the debris, Cominsky said. The teams include experts sent by Israel and Mexico to assist in the search.

President Joe Biden and his wife, Jill Biden, will visit Surfside on Thursday, the White House said.

A makeshift memorial erected a block from the site held bouquets of fresh hydrangeas tucked into a chain-link fence.

A poster board with hearts had a message for the first responders: Thank you for looking for my grandmother.

The tragedy has sent agencies in surrounding areas scrambling to check the safety of buildings.

Levine Cava said she has directed Miami-Dade County officials to begin a 30-day audit of all residential properties five stories or higher that are 40 years or older. The cities of Miami and Miami Beach have announced similar measures.

Miami-Dade County State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said she would convene a special grand jury, apart from any potential criminal investigation, to examine building safety and what steps we can take to safeguard our residents from similar disasters in the future.

The 2018 engineers report warned of major structural damage to the concrete slab beneath the pool deck and deterioration, including exposed rebar, in the underground parking garage. The reports author, Frank Morabito, wrote that the deterioration would expand exponentially if not repaired.

Its all starting to come together now, because like Ive said all along, there was something very, very wrong at this building, Burkett told CNN when asked about the April warning by the condo associations president. Buildings in America just dont fall down like this.

The wreckage of a partially collapsed building in Surfside north of Miami Beach, Fla., on June 25, 2021. (Gianrigo Marletta/AFP via Getty Images)

A lawyer who works with the condo association, Donna DiMaggio Berger, previously said the issues outlined in the 2018 report were typical for older buildings in the area.

Ross Prieto, then Surfsides top building official, met with residents weeks after the report was produced and assured them the building was in very good shape, according to minutes of the meeting released on Monday.

Reuters was unable to reach Prieto, who is no longer employed by Surfside. He told the Miami Herald newspaper he did not remember getting the report.

By Gabriella Borter
Registered Nurse Robert Orallo administers the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine at the Blood Bank of Alaska in Anchorage on March 19, 2021. (Frederic J. Brown/AFP via Getty Images)

More Researchers Link mRNA COVID-19 Vaccines to Rare Heart Inflammation Cases: Studies

Two new studies released this week have further suggested there is a link between mRNA COVID-19 vaccines and heart inflammation casescoming after federal health officials added warnings to Modernas and Pfizers shots.

A study from Duke University, released in JAMACardiology, looked at four cases of myocarditis, which refers to an inflammation of the heart muscle, that occurred within five days of COVID-19 vaccination between Feb. 1 and April 30.

All 4 patients had received the second dose of a messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine, presented with severe chest pain, had biomarker evidence of myocardial injury, were hospitalized, and had cardiac magnetic resonance imaging findings typical of myocarditis, said researchers, concluding that there is a possibility of an association between the health condition and the shot.

Federal health officials have said the risks of developing heart inflammation are outweighed by the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine. COVID-19 is the illness caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

The researchers, who noted that as of now, causality cannot be established, reported that three of the patients were men aged 23 and 36, and the fourth one was a 70-year-old woman. Two cases involved individuals who received the Pfizer shot and the other two received the Moderna shot, they said.

A nursing student prepares doses of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine for use in a vaccination clinic hosted by Odessa College in Odessa, Texas, on June 3, 2021. (Eli Hartman/Odessa American via AP)

The four patients, researchers said, reported severe acute chest pain, had abnormal electrocardiogram results, and displayed evidence of heart tissue injury.

Further investigations and studies are needed to determine a link between the mRNA vaccines and heart inflammation.

Another study, which also was published in JAMACardiology, from the U.S. Military Health System was released this week and evaluated 23 individuals who suffered from myocarditis four days after getting their shots.

In this case series, the U.S. military researchers said on June 29, myocarditis occurred in previously healthy military patients with similar clinical presentations following receipt of an mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.

Researchers reported that the number of myocarditis cases, while relatively small, was higher than expected among military members after a second dose of the vaccine. The military administered nearly 3 million doses of mRNA vaccines during the evaluated time period, the study stated.

And like the Duke University researchers, the military researchers called for more surveillance and evaluation after COVID-19 vaccines are administered.

Potential for rare vaccine-related adverse events must be considered in the context of the well-established risk of morbidity, including cardiac injury, following COVID-19 infection, they wrote.

Several days ago, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration added a warning about the potential risk of developing heart inflammation to the Pfizer and Moderna vaccines, which came after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported it found more cases of heart inflammation among young adults and children.

On June 25, the agency wrote that it would add revisions to its patient and provider fact sheets about the increased risks of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle) and pericarditis (inflammation of the tissue surrounding the heart) following vaccination using the Pfizer or Moderna COVID-19 shots.

Pfizer and Moderna officials didnt immediately respond to a request by The Epoch Times for comment.
Father Shoots Alleged Child Predator After Spotting the Man Touching Himself Near Daughter

A Texas father shot an alleged child predator multiple times after he claimed his wife and himself spotted the man touching himself outside his 10-year-old daughters window, according to reports.

The unidentified parents, who officials confirmed are both licensed handgun carriers told police it wasnt the first time their young daughter saw someone watching her through the window, ABC13 reported.

However, when the parents checked outside following previous complaints, they were unable to find anyone.

The latest encounter that happened on Monday at about 2 a.m. in Harris County unfolded after the parents reportedly heard screams coming from their childs bedroom.

She looks over at the window and this guy is at her window, the girls mother, who preferred to stay anonymous told KPRC-TV, explaining her daughters experience.

He took my daughters innocence away, she added.

The couple told police they confronted the alleged child predator who appeared to be intoxicated at the time he was outside of their home. They attempted to force the man to lie down in their yard as they notified the police.

The man didnt comply with the couples orders, however, and instead walked away from them toward a nearby Valero gas station located across the street from the familys home.

Police said the couple then followed the man towards the gas station, where the girls mother held him at gunpoint while her husband went inside to tell the cashier to call 911.

At that point, the suspect started a fight with the woman and tried to grab her gun, which he succeeded in, ABC13 reported, citing police.

The suspect then managed to point the weapon of the disarmed woman towards her directionat which time her husband ran outside the shop and fired his weapon three times.

We didnt want this guy to get shot, the girls mother told KPRC-TV. We were waiting for police to detain him because Im pretty sure if he did this to my children, hes doing it to a lot of other children out here.

The Harris County Sheriffs Office said the man was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition, noting that he has since been reported as stable. The suspects identity hasnt been made public yet.

From NTD News
Kinney County Constable Steve Gallegos and Kinney County Sheriffs deputies arrest a smuggler and seven illegal aliens from Guatemala near Brackettville, Texas, on May 25, 2021. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

Fewer Smugglers Detained as Small Border Counties Run Out of Jail Space

BRACKETTVILLE, TexasLaw enforcement authorities are releasing human smugglers with a citation rather than arresting them as counties struggle with a critical shortage in jail space.

Small counties arent set up for the overwhelming increase in cross-border crime, and smugglers who are here illegally are often passed to Border Patrol to be repatriated without being charged.

The jail in Kinney County, Texas, holds a maximum of 14 people, but the sheriff tries to hold two spaces open for something violent, or something out of the ordinary.

Sheriff Brad Coe said he has 12 inmates in his jail right now, as well as another six being housed in the neighboring Val Verde County jail. Ten of the 18 are in jail for the smuggling of illegal aliens.

Coe said jail space is the biggest problem in small counties dealing with the border crisis.

A Kinney County deputy pulled over a woman on May 24 who had a warrant out for her arrest and was driving without a license. The deputy was forced to let her go because the jail doesnt accommodate females.

Coe said the result is that the scouts are females [and] the drivers are starting to be female.

On June 25, law enforcement gave Border Patrol custody of a driver who was allegedly smuggling nine illegal immigrants, because the Kinney County jail was full. The driver, an illegal immigrant from Mexico, also had an active arrest warrant out for driving while intoxicated in San Antonio.

Border Patrol agents on the scene confirmed that they would most likely return the man back across the border without charging him with smuggling.

Frustrated by the lack of federal charges, a Texas State Trooper filed state charges against the driver so there would be an arrest warrant out for him for felony smuggling the next time hes caught in the United States.

As law enforcement pursued the driver during the initial traffic stop, the driver stopped the vehicle and all of the occupants fled across the road, climbed a game fence onto a ranch, and attempted to evade arrest. Officers retrieved the driver and three illegal immigrants. Six others remained at large.

As the driver and the three illegal immigrants from Mexico were being detained, the ranch owner drove past and said he wanted them charged with trespassing on his land, a misdemeanor. But a full jail prevented charges from being laid. Instead, Border Patrol took custody to process the migrants and return them to Mexico.

Coe said he wants to stick illegal immigrants with any charges he can, so that it might deter them from coming to his county, but he doesnt have the infrastructure to do it.

Neighboring Uvalde County Sheriff Ruben Nolasco has the same issues, especially with the spike in human smuggling in his county. Law enforcement is catching at least two loaded smuggling vehicles per day through Uvalde.

Its getting to the point that its filling up my jail. So thats becoming a problem, Nolasco told The Epoch Times.

If the jail is full, the smugglers will be processed and given a court date with the hope that theyll come back, he said.

You have a 12-ounce glass, you can only put 12 ounces of content in it.  Its going to fill up and then youre going to have an overflow, youre going to have a mess, and thats whats happening right nowits a mess.

State Assistance

Illegal border apprehensions hit 180,034 in May, a 21-year monthly high, according to Customs and Border Protection statistics. So far this fiscal year, Border Patrol has apprehended almost half a million illegal aliens entering the state of Texas from Mexico.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issued a state disaster declaration on June 1, and on June 10, he said state resources will be deployed to enforce all federal and state criminal laws such as criminal trespassing, smuggling, and human trafficking.

The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) didnt comment on whether the plan was to prioritize charging illegal aliens on private land, or just anyone they came into contact with, including those being smuggled in vehicles.

DPS Troopers have been involved in 413 vehicle pursuits along the TexasMexico border from March through June 24, DPS press secretary Ericka Miller told The Epoch Times.

DPS recently emptied the Briscoe Unit prison facility in Dilley, Texas, in preparation for the incarceration of illegal aliens arrested under state law. Its a male-only unit with a capacity of 1,384 beds.

It was determined that the Briscoe Unit was in a strategic location to house those arrested for committing a crime along the border and had adequate staffing to run the facility, Abbotts press secretary, Renae Eze, said in a statement on June 18.

The Texas Department of Criminal Justice told The Epoch Times on June 28 that no illegal immigrants had been placed in the facility yet.

BORDER: US citizen caught smuggling 7 Guatemalans in Kinney Co., Texas. Two in the trunk. Had borrowed the car from a family member. pic.twitter.com/yJ4v63BMI8  Charlotte Cuthbertson (@charlottecuthbo) May 30, 2021

Coe said the facility in Dilleyalmost 100 miles awayisnt a practical solution for his county, as the transport back and forth is prohibitive with his limited resources.

And even at that facility that will hold, say, 1,000 people, if everybody on the borders doing it, then that facilitys going to fill up over a weekend. And then what? he said.

Coe said if he had the guards, hed set up tent space next to his detention facility to house more criminals. But he already has two jailer jobs open and lamented how low the wages are. My head jailer, whos been here 25 years, she makes $14 per hour.

On June 25, Abbott issued a statewide call for jailers across the state to assist border sheriffs with operating detention facilities and providing jail beds for those arrested on state charges related to the border crisis.

Coe is hoping he can tap into some state resources to alleviate his jail space issue, but its not as immediate as hed like.

The other bottleneck, he said, is that the district judge only hears felony cases coming out of Kinney County once per month.
Film Review: F9: The Fast Saga: Dumbing Down Audiences Fast

PG-13 | 2h 25min | Action, Adventure, Crime | 25 June 2021 (USA)

Remember the summer blockbuster? That bonafide, rock-your-world, super-fun rollercoaster ride that everybody buzzed about for an entire summer? Like Jaws, Jurassic Park, Star Wars, Back to the Future, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Top Gun? How far our hallowed American summer blockbuster has fallen.

There are now nine installments in the Fast & Furious franchise. Its safe to say that a fair number of Americans have seen at least one of these muscle car movies. Most are fun if you like resto-mod cars and large groups of women clad in Brazilian beach couture, and Vin Diesels character Dominic Toretto doing more or less criminal things while preaching the gospel of family first.

Vin Diesel in F9: The Fast Saga. (Giles Keyte/Universal)

The series began in 2001 with The Fast and the Furious, and the original premiseabout illegal street racingwas at least somewhat grounded in reality, if not exactly role-model material. Now, its become like Bruce Banner going radioactive and turning into the Hulk. All the F & Fs are at least mildly ridiculous, but F9: The Fast Saga, in addition to being just outlandishly stupid, even by this franchises standards, is the latest in Hollywoods priming of America for communism. What? I know what youre thinkingthats a pretty high falutin-sounding concept for a movie review, right? Well this is a big theory that I have. More on that later.

New Stuff

The problem with making such intensely outrageous action movies and trying constantly to up the ante is that it all just becomes completely cartoonish. By the time Dom and wife Letty (Michelle Rodriguez) jump a canyon in a car, snag a vine (with a wheel) like car-Tarzan, and monkey-swing to the other side,

The Tarzan car-swing in F9: The Fast Saga. (Giles Keyte/Universal)

and by the time Roman (Tyrese Gibson) and Tej (Chris Ludacris Bridges) make a small space shuttle out of a Pontiac Fiero and take off into outer space in yellow minion-looking spacesuits, I knew the lack-of-coffee headache I had would not be improving any time soon. This is a two-and-a-half-hour movie.

Tej (Chris Ludacris Bridges, L) and Roman (Tyrese Gibson) fly a homemade mini-space shuttle in F9: The Fast Saga. (Giles Keyte/Universal)

In addition to new action and new gizmos, theres a new character to spice up the action: Jakob Toretto (former wrestler John Cena). Hes Doms brother, an individual with outsized biceps and supernormal driving abilities in his own right. Hes also sort of a James Bond superspy, whose job in this movie is to get hold of a MacGuffin that can manipulate all of the worlds electronic devices. Whos the only man on the planet who can possibly stop him? Take a wild  never mind. Sigh.

John Cena (L) and Vin Diesel square off in F9: The Fast Saga. (Giles Keyte/Universal)

What kind of action do we get in this action movie? Hows a minefield chase where they set off pretty much every mine, but nobody gets any body parts blown off? Then theres that aforementioned Tarzan-car-on-steroids canyon jump. Lots of car races, featuring the F&F-patented all-important timing of when to hit the rocket-booster switch. Lots of punching and kicking and whacking.

Michelle Rodriguez and Vin Diesel do some supernormal driving in F9: The Fast Saga. (Giles Keyte/Universal)

One more new gizmo: the installing of powerful electromagnets in Dom and his boys various muscle cars, which can then attract or repel other cars in high-speed chase scenes. Like, magnets so powerful they can open up one side of the truck youre driving, and then flip the magnets to attract mode, and they can suck a bad guys car all the way through a store, into the truck, and trap him in there. Woo-hoo (not).

Old Stuff

Charlize Theron in F9: The Fast Saga. (Giles Keyte/Universal)

In addition to all the new stuff, theres lots of old stuff, necessitating frequent flashbacks: like how Han (Sung Kang) from Tokyo Drift survived, in an earlier film. Charlize Theron, the villainess from The Fate of the Furious is also back, and Helen Mirrens back. Why are Dwayne Johnson and Jason Statham not back? Surely thatll be for when they do FX. See what I did there? Anybody want to wager whether thatll be the next movies title?

The problem with this series, and by extension the Marvel-verse, the DC-verse, and indeed any action movie made today, is that the full-throttle outlandishness needed to keep an audiences ever-dwindling attention span has long since reached the limit and has now plunged headlong into absurdity. Thats detrimental. Thats harmful to humans.

Why? It turns audiences into morons. Youd think the audience, sitting in their theater seats would note the massive stupidity on display. Youd think youd hear boos. But no. Whats scary is that the audiences are now still suspending their disbelief.

For example, after a jaw-dropping, that-could-never-actually-happen sequence of a car flipping 558 times at a velocity where the first revolution would have decapitated the passengers, and the passengers casually get out completely unscathedthe audience actually cheered. Like the CGI did something impressive or something; like the concept is valid.



Two cars sandwich a behemoth military vehicle and, utilizing industrial-strength electromagnetism, cause it to flip, in F9: The Fast Saga. (Giles Keyte/Universal)

You know what this is? Whether intentional or not, these are lies! This is lying, and maybe its just me, but Im thinking this is getting audiences used to living with lies and rampant untruths. Its softening us up, getting us comfortable with a dearth of truth in this post-truth erawhich comes right before a communist era. And its been going on for decades now.

A further connection I see here: Foisting untruths is something that Marxism does. In the dystopian novel 1984 by George Orwell, the protagonist is put in a little room (like a movie theater) where hes grilled and told that two plus two equals five. Hes forced to repeat this even though he knows it isnt true. This is the nature of communism and socialism. They want to force the lie and they want you to believe the lie.

Stella Morabito, senior contributor at The Federalist, in her 2017 article titled The First 3 Phases of the Downward Slope From Freedom to Communism, puts it this way:

The first phase towards tyranny in a free society is a generational or decades-long process. Its a period in which minds can be closed to reason and more influenced by emotion and propaganda. Even at institutions of supposedly higher learning, students start to lose their capacity to think independent thoughts. We might summarize this as the conditioning phasemaybe the programming stagethat paves the way for groupthink to solidify.

Its really not a stretch to say that the lies foisted by current action movies, in terms of their rampant unbelievability, have already conditioned American audiences into a dangerous phase of groupthink. America awake! Call Hollywood out on the especially stupid, deleterious stuff. (Which is what Im doing right here.)

There are still good films being made out there; there are still responsible, do-gooder filmmakers, actors, and films. But F9: The Fast Saga is not one of them. Americas summer blockbuster is dead.

Long live the summer blockbuster.

(LR) Sung Kang, Nathalie Emmanuel, Jordana Brewster, Ludacris, Tyrese Gibson, Michelle Rodriguez, and Vin Diesel in in F9: The Fast Saga. (Giles Keyte/Universal)

Film Review: F9: The Fast Saga

Director: Justin Lin

Starring: Vin Diesel, Michelle Rodriguez, Jordana Brewster, Tyrese Gibson, Ludacris, Charlize Theron, John Cena

Running Time: 2 hours, 25 minutes

Rating: PG-13

Release Date: June 25, 2021

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Mark Jackson is the senior film critic for The Epoch Times. Mark has 20 years experience as a professional New York actor, classical theater training, and a BA in philosophy. He recently narrated the Epoch Times audiobook How the Specter of Communism is Ruling Our World, and has a Rotten Tomatoes author page.
Workers search the rubble at the Champlain Towers South condo in Surfside, Fla., on June 28, 2021. (Lynne Sladky/AP Photo)

Florida Prosecutors Will Ask Grand Jury to Probe Condo Collapse

Prosecutors in Florida will ask a grand jury to investigate the collapse of the Champlain Towers South, which has left at least 12 people dead and scores more missing.

Miami-Dade County Mayor Daniella Levine Cava told reporters at a press briefing that she backs a probe by State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle that would examine factors that led to Thursdays collapse of the 12-story Champlain Towers South building in Surfside, where at least a dozen people died and 149 more remain missing.

I have pledged my full cooperation as she moves forward, Cava said. I will doand my team will doeverything possible to aid them in their efforts to continue that investigation.

Rundle said she would bring the matter before grand jurors soon.

I am going to urge them to take a look at it, she told the Miami Herald. Whether they do or not, its completely their decision.

Rundle added in a statement that she she will ask the grand jury to investigate what steps we can take to safeguard our residents without jeopardizing any scientific, public safety, or potential criminal investigations.

Our hearts and prayers are with every victim, family member, friend and co-worker who has been affected by this tragedy, Rundle said. As your state attorney, I assure you that my attorneys, staff, and I are dedicated to ensuring that those who were lost will never be forgotten.

Grand juries in South Florida have examined other large-scale disasters, such as the 2018 collapse of a pedestrian bridge at Florida International University, which killed six people. That investigation is ongoing.

Criminal charges in such matters are possible, such as the third-degree felony murder and manslaughter charges brought in the 1996 accidental crash of ValuJet 592 in the Everglades that killed 110 people.

Cava said Tuesday that search-and-rescue efforts led to the discovery of the remains of the 12th casualty in the disaster.

The wreckage of a partially collapsed building in Surfside north of Miami Beach, Fla., on June 25, 2021. (Gianrigo Marletta/AFP via Getty Images)

Investigators have yet to determine what caused a large section of the 40-year-old building to collapse in the early hours of Thursday morning. However, in 2018 it was flagged by an engineering firm for major structural damage.

The county requires buildings to undergo recertification starting at the 40-year mark and every 10 years thereafter. The Champlain Towers South was built in 1981.

The Miami-Dade government said in a statement over the weekend that its Department of Regulatory and Economic Resources will conduct an audit of residential properties of five stories or higher at the recertification point40 years or olderthat have not completed the process.

The audit will start immediately and will be completed within 30 days, the Miami-Dade government added in the statement. For any buildings located within municipalities, the Mayor urges cities to swiftly conduct their own similar audits. The County will work closely with municipalities and provide any technical assistance necessary to conduct these audits.

Part of the 12-story oceanfront Champlain Towers South condo that collapsed in Surfside, Fla., early on June 24, 2021. (Amy Beth Bennett/South Florida Sun-Sentinel via AP)

A list released late on Monday by the Miami-Dade government, first reported by the Miami Herald, shows that 24 Miami-Dade apartment complexes, including two owned by the county, were found to have unsafe structural violations following the emergency audit.

According to the list, the two buildings owned by the county include the Little River Plaza, an 86-unit public housing complex that was built in 1970, and Ward Tower 1, a complex that was constructed around the same time.

The audit found that Little River Plaza was cited in 2015 for needing lighting improvements in its parking lot, while Ward Tower 1 was hit with a recertification violation in March, according to the Herald.

Other details were not provided. The Epoch Times has contacted the Miami-Dade government for comment.

Local government officials claimed that building code issues have cropped up due to a lack of federal funding. Michael Liu, the housing director for the county, told the newspaper that the area is about $10 million short, forcing his agency to make difficult choices based on severity and threats to health and safety.

Jack Phillips and The Associated Press contributed to this report.
A sign for free HIV testing is seen outside a Walgreens pharmacy in Times Square in New York City on June 27, 2012, National HIV Testing Day. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Floridas Silent HIV CrisisExpert Says We Have the Tools to Get This HIV Epidemic Under Control

While the world focuses in fear on COVID-19 numbers, a disease with a familiar name is spreading silently throughout Florida. According to the latest HIV Surveillance Report (pdf) released by the Center for Disease Control (CDC), Florida had the greatest number of new HIV diagnoses as of 2019. With 4,378 new HIV cases diagnosed, Florida is followed by California (4,354) and Texas (4,302). However, one of Floridas leading HIV experts says we have the tools to get this HIV epidemic under control.

The latest numbers from the Florida Department of Health show 116,689 people are living with HIV in Florida. Of those, 92,398 are in care. This means 24,291 people living with the disease are not being treated.

Recent data from Florida Health shows Miami-Dade by far having the greatest number of newly diagnosed cases (1,181), followed by Broward (624) and Orange (474).

This is all about implementation, Dr. Mario Stevenson, chief at the Division of Infectious Diseases and Co-Director at the Miami Center for AIDS Research (CFAR) at the University of Miami, told The Epoch Times. We have the tools to get this HIV epidemic under control.

However, Stevenson said actually implementing those tools is a challenge, especially in a diverse state like Florida.

According to Stevenson, if you were to look at a map of the United States in terms of where the new infections are occurring you would see the highest concentrations of new infections are in the southeast.

Within those areas are hot spots, Stevenson explained, which tend to be areas that are underserved in terms of healthcare access, communities of color, and high levels of tourism.

The explosive growth and positivity rates are actually in my district, state Senator Jason Pizzo (D-Fla.) told The Epoch Times. I have an entire generation of teenagers who are HIV positive who for cultural religious or community reasons will not test, treat or disclose that they have it.

According to Joy Winheim, executive director of Empath Partners in Care (EPIC), while cultural reasons and a lack of access to healthcare in our poorer neighborhoods do play significant roles in the numbers disparity, apathy may be another contributor.

I think HIV is so manageable these days people have forgotten they need to protect themselves or choose not to because its manageable, Winheim told The Epoch Times. I think we have a whole generation of people saying it cant happen to me, and think its not a big deal anymore.

According to its website, EPIC is a member of Empath Health, a nonprofit integrated network of care supporting those challenged by chronic and advanced illness in the Tampa Bay region.

HIV isnt a death sentence anymore, Winheim explained. You went from taking 15 to 20 pills a day to taking one or two pills a day. Its a very manageable illness and I think people are willing to take the risk because its manageable.

How to Tackle Floridas HIV Epidemic

Asked what would be the most effective approach in tackling Floridas HIV epidemic, Stevenson said messaging must play an important role.

The messages have to be culturally and ethnically tailored so theyre going to be effective, Stevenson insisted. You have to relay the message through people who have credibility within those communities so they have a comfort and belief that the message is authentic and isnt going to cause harm.

Winheim said testing is an important tool.

If you dont know your status and you continue to have risky behaviors then youre going to spread it, she explained. Knowing your status is number one. Number two, she said, is education and the distribution of medications to treat HIV.

In early July we are opening a Sexual Health Center that focuses on the testing and treatment of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, Winheim revealed. Were going to do rapid testing and rapid treatment. If you feel the need to continue to have risky behaviors then at least get on PrEP.

According to the CDC, PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is medicine people at risk for HIV take to prevent getting HIV from sex or injection drug use. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective for preventing HIV.

Science has shown that if you take PrEP, you cannot contract the virus if you use it with a condom, Winheim said.

We know that antiretrovirals have dramatically altered the landscape for people living with HIV, Stevenson explained. Whats less well known is the individuals who are at risk of infection, if they take the same medications that are taken by individuals who are infected, its like a vaccine. They are absolutely protected from getting infected.

As with Winheim, Stevenson said, when you consider the fact that approximately 50 percent of the infected population dont know theyre infected, testing those who are at risk and getting them on antiretrovirals like PrEP are the two most essential principles in HIV treatment.

According to Stevenson, former President Donald Trumps End HIV Epidemic initiativeannounced during his 2019 State of The Union Addressis really built on those principles.

Stevenson also shared that the University of Miami has a mobile clinic that goes to the hot spots that have been mapped in cooperation with the Department of Health.

The mobile clinic has access to data from the CDCs Surveillance Program, he added.

So we can use that same database to find out where most of the infections are occurring. Then we target that vehicle to those hotspots and we know what works, we know that gets PrEP to communities that are underserved for most healthcare enterprises.

Still, Pizzo believes shame plays a big role in why many people wont seek testing or treatment.

In February, Pizzo introduced SB 1618, known as the HIV Prevention Justice Act, which proposed reducing the degree of criminal penalty imposed by an existing Florida Statute. The bill failed in the Health Policy Committee on April 30.

While on the surface it may look like Pizzos bill simply proposed to reduce the penalties for knowingly transmitting the disease, the senator insists the utility of the bill is to move toward destigmatizing HIV.

As Pizzo explained to The Epoch Times, the stigma that still exists at the legislative level demonstrates how antiquated, old-fashioned ideas are preventing lawmakers from making any relevant progress on combating the HIV crisis.

I need to convey in a sensitive fashion that some of the people I serve with associate HIV positivity with bad life choices, Pizzo said, explaining that a 55-year-old HIV positive person wont elicit sympathy or empathy from some of his colleagues because they associate it with bad life choices. Whereas a 21-year-old female who was born HIV positive might get their attention.

Because of this, Pizzo said, the bricks and mortar kind of clinics that conduct HIV testing dont work because theres still the stigma in many communities so nobody is going to walk into those places. He believes the mobile clinic will be more effective because people going in to be tested or treated for HIV will look no different than someone going in for COVID testing or a flu shot.

Gov. Ron DeSantis new 2021 Florida Leads budget, which funds the Florida Department of Health, provides $2.8 million for the prevention, treatment, and response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in Florida.

According to Pizzo, a lions share of that funding will go to Stevenson.

Stevenson expressed great optimism about the development of new medications, which he believes will be vital tools in fighting the HIV epidemic. The formulation of a new once-a-day pill has shown to be almost 100 percent effective in clinical trials. A new injection that protects patients for 1-3 months and a once-a-month pill are also showing great promise. Those are remarkable developments, Stevenson said.

So we really want to let people know these things are on the way and this is how were going to get this epidemic under control, he said. I have a very positive attitude in terms of believing were going to be able to get there.
Fung Wai-kong, managing editor and chief opinion writer for shuttered pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily's English website, who wrote under the pen-name Lo Fung, leaves the police headquarters in Hong Kong on June 29, 2021, after he was released on bail following his arrest under the National Security Law. (Bertha Wang/AFP via Getty Images)

Former Journalist at Hong Kongs Apple Daily Released on Bail

HONG KONGA former senior journalist at Hong Kongs now-closed pro-democracy newspaper Apple Daily was released from custody on June 29, two days after he was arrested at the airport, media reported.

Fung Wai-kong, 57, became the latest person from the media outlet to be targeted after a raid on the newspaper by 500 officers nearly two weeks ago, and the arrests of five executives, two of whom have been charged under a sweeping new national security law.

Live footage showed Fung leaving a Hong Kong police station, but he declined to comment to reporters.

In an email response for comment on Fungs release, police said only that a male suspect had been released from custody. Investigations were ongoing and the person needed to report back to police in late July.

It wasnt immediately clear what the investigation into Fung was focused on. Fung is the seventh employee at the media group to be arrested in recent weeks, deepening concerns over press freedoms in the former British colony, which returned to Chinese rule in 1997.

Hong Kong media outlets including online platform Stand News said Fung was released on cash bail of HK$200,000 ($25,760), had his travel documents confiscated, and was ordered to report to police in late July.

Fung couldnt be reached for comment.

The Hong Kong government didnt immediately respond to a request for comment. The government has said previously that media freedoms in the global financial hub are respected but not absolute and they cannot endanger national security.

Next Digital, the publisher of Apple Daily, didnt immediately respond to an email seeking comment.

The Apple Daily, a popular tabloid, was forced to fold following the raid on its headquarters on June 17 and the freezing of key assets and bank accounts. It printed its final edition on June 24.

Authorities say dozens of the papers articles may have violated the national security law that Beijing imposed on the financial hub last year, the first instance of authorities taking aim at media reports under the legislation.

Hong Kong returned to China with the promise of continued wide-ranging freedoms not enjoyed on the mainland, including freedom of speech and an independent judiciary.

Next Digital said in a statement to the Hong Kong Stock Exchange late on June 29 that it had accepted a proposal to divest Amazing Sino, which operates the online edition of Taiwans Apple Daily.

The move comes more than a month after it ceased printing its Taiwan edition on the fiercely democratic island, which China views as a breakaway province, blaming declining advertising revenue and difficult business conditions in Hong Kong linked to politics.

By Jessie Pang & Twinnie Siu
South Africa's President Jacob Zuma speaks at the Union Buildings in Pretoria, South Africa, on Feb. 14, 2018. (Siphiwe Sibeko/Reuters)

Former South African Leader Zuma Sentenced to 15 Months in Jail

JOHANNESBURGSouth Africas highest court sentenced former President Jacob Zuma to 15 months in jail on Tuesday for failing to appear at a corruption inquiry, and gave him five days to appear before police.

Zuma failed to appear at the inquiry led by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo in February, and the inquirys lawyers approached the constitutional court to seek an order for his imprisonment.

He has depleted all his (legal) options because there is no higher court to appeal to. The constitutional court is normally the last stop, Amanda Gouws, a professor of political science at the University of Stellenbosch, said.

They have finally said enough is enough, she said.

Zuma, 79, was ousted in a move orchestrated by allies of his successor, President Cyril Ramaphosa, in 2018. Since then, he has faced determined legal moves aiming to bring him to book for alleged grand corruption during and before his time in office.

These include the so-called Zondo commission, but also a separate court case relating to a $2 billion arms deal in 1999, when Zuma was deputy president.

The Zondo inquiry is examining allegations of high-level graft involving three Indian-born businessmen, the Gupta brothers, during Zumas period in power from 2009 to 2018. Zuma denies wrongdoing and has so far not cooperated.

Former South African President Jacob Zuma reacts after his court appearance in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, July 27, 2018. (Reuters/Rogan Ward)

Insult

Commenting on a 21-page letter that Zuma sent to the countrys chief justice in which he claimed to have been treated unfairly, judge Sisi Khampepe said: His attempts to evoke public sympathy through unfounded allegations fly in the face of reason, and are an insult the constitutional dispensation for which so many women and men fought and lost their lives.

She added: If his conduct is met with impunity, he will do significant damage to the rule of law.

A spokesman for Zuma told local television channel eNCA that Zumas lawyers would study the constitutional court judgment before issuing a statement.

The allegations against Zuma include that he allowed businessmen close to himbrothers Atul, Ajay and Rajesh Guptato plunder state resources and influence policy.

The Guptas, who also deny wrongdoing, left South Africa after Zumas ouster.

President Ramaphosa has been trying to restore investor confidence in Africas most industrialized nation. However, he has faced opposition from a faction within the governing African National Congress (ANC) party that is still loyal to Zuma.

ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe told a televised briefing that the party did not want to comment on the merits of Tuesdays judgment but that its National Executive Committee would reflect on it this weekend.

Mabe said the ANC had encouraged members, including Zuma, to attend the Zondo commission. We felt it provides an opportunity to deal with whatever blight that would have engulfed our own government, he said.

By Alexander Winning
Georgia Teen Spots Toddler on Bottom of Swimming Pool, Leaps Into Action, Saves His Life

A teenager with excellent swimming skills in Stockbridge, Georgia, recently saved a toddler from drowning in a swimming pool over Mothers Day weekend.

Randy Brown, 13, was playing with his cousin in the pool when a woman came searching for her son, Kingston.

She went over to the poolside and was alarmed to see her 2-year-old son underwater, on the bottom of the pool. When she called out for help, Randy leapt into action without a second thought.

When it first happened, I didnt think about nothing. I just went down there and got him, said Randy in a video, which was posted on The Swim Centers Instagram.

(Illustration  Gecko Studio/Shutterstock)

Randy dived into the water and, thanks to his excellent water skills, managed to pull the young boy from the bottom of the pool and to safety.

Luckily for Kingston, when the boy was back on dry land, CPR professionals were nearby and resuscitated the toddler.

If I didnt do what I did right there, he might not be here today, Randy told FOX 5 ATLANTA. I just thank God that everybody was there and that we had trained, certified professional CPR people there.

Randy has attended swimming classes at The Swim Center in Stockbridge since early childhood and has developed considerable water skills.

Jennifer Hill, swimming instructor at The Swim Center, insisted that this incident was a perfect case to demonstrate why teaching young children basic swimming skills is so important.

At the moment when the young toddler was discovered at the bottom of the pool, according to Randy, there were no other trained swimmers on hand, and he knew he had to act.

Initially after the incident, he didnt feel like the occurrence was that big of a deal, but admitted feeling some trauma the next day.

(Courtesy of Jennifer Hill)

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Epoch Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
Douglas Durst, testifies at his brother's murder trial in Los Angeles Superior Court in Inglewood, Calif. on June 28, 2021. (Law&Crime Network via AP, Pool)

Hed Like to Murder Me, Estranged Durst Brother Testifies

LOS ANGELESThe estranged brother of Robert Durst, the real estate heir on trial in his best friends slaying, reluctantly testified Monday that the two never got along and he feared his oldest sibling would kill him.

Hed like to murder me, Douglas Durst bluntly told jurors in Los Angeles County Superior Court.

Douglas Durst, head of one of New Yorks largest commercial real estate firms, said his brother was angry and bitter over an acrimonious inheritance settlement for tens of millions of dollars. He had not seen his brother in 20 years but worries because of threats he has made.

The chairman of the Durst Organization, which owns some of Manhattans premier skyscrapers and 2,500 apartments, said he and his brother have fought since childhood.

He treated me miserably, Douglas Durst said. He would fight with me at every chance. He would embarrass me.

Despite the bad blood, Douglas Durst said he did not want to testify against his brother, who is on trial on charges of fatally shooting Susan Berman in 2000 at her Los Angeles home. He said he cooperated with prosecutors under threat of subpoena.

There are other places Id much rather be, he said.

Prosecutors say Berman provided an alibi for Robert Durst after he killed his first wife, Kathie, in 1982 and that he silenced his friend after she decided to tell police what she knew about the disappearance. Robert Durst has pleaded not guilty to murder.

Susan Berman (L) and Robert Durst pose sometime in the mid- to late 1990s. (Courtesy of Sareb Kaufman/HBO)

Kathie Durst had told Douglas Durst she planned to seek a divorce from his brother, he testified.

Douglas Durst said his brother told him Kathie Durst vanished three days after he put her on a train to New York City from their lakeside house in Westchester County. Robert Durst said that was the last time he saw his wife.

His tone was very neutral, Douglas Durst said. There was no great anxiety in his tone. It seemed a little strange.

On cross-examination, he said his brother seemed distraught but added he would have been more upset if his wife was missing.

There is almost no emotion that Bob shows that is genuine, he said.

He said his brother told him the disappearance might be related to a drug dealer who had come by the couples apartment. The defense has suggested Kathie Durst, who was on the brink of graduating from medical school, had a cocaine problem.

Kathie Durst has never been found but was also declared dead. Robert Durst has long been considered a suspect in her death but has denied any involvement and has never been charged with a crime related to her disappearance.

Robert Durst holds a device to read the real time spoken script as he appears in the courtroom of Judge Mark E. Windham as attorneys begin opening statements in the trial of the real estate scion charged with murder of longtime friend Susan Berman, at Los Angeles County Superior Court in Inglewood, Calif., on May 18, 2021. (Al Seib/Los Angeles Times via AP, Pool)

Douglas Durst, tan and wearing a crisp white shirt with French cuffs and a gray mask to comply with COVID-19 court rules, cut a much different figure than his ailing brother.

A pale, thin Robert Durst, 78, with a shaved head that revealed a massive scar where fluid was drained from his skull, was seated in a wheelchair and dressed in baggy brown jail scrubs.

Durst, who has bladder cancer and several other maladies, stood and addressed the judge to counter a suggestion by Deputy District Attorney John Lewin that he was seeking sympathy by displaying his urine bag and shaving his head.

Durst said it was the only haircut he could get in jail. He said he wants a doctor to remove his catheter.

I am not seeking sympathy from the jury, Durst said in a throaty voice.

Douglas Durst showed no emotion while testifying. He recounted how their mothers death in a fall from the roof of their estate when he was 5 had been traumatic for the whole family, not just for Robert, who was 7 at the time.

He also disputed that $50,000 in checks that Robert Durst gave to Berman were out of generosity, saying his brother was stingy and everything had an ulterior motive.

His brothers trials have tarnished the reputation of his family, he said.

Its the most embarrassing thing that Ive ever encountered, he said. Its very painful to have our names associated with these incidents.

New York real estate scion Robert Durst appears in court in Los Angeles, Calif., on March 4, 2020. (Etienne Laurent/Getty Images)

Durst said the last time he spoke with his brother was in 1999 and he had last seen him in Texas at a nephews wedding in 2001.

About two weeks after the wedding, Robert Durst fatally shot neighbor Morris Black in Galveston, where he had gone to hide out from New York authorities after they reopened the investigation into Kathie Dursts disappearance.

Robert Durst was acquitted of murder after testifying that he killed Black in self-defense. He served jail time for chopping up Blacks body and tossing it out to sea and for jumping bail.

While he was on the lam in that case, he showed up outside his brothers Westchester home, Douglas Durst said he learned.

Robert Durst was later recorded in a jail phone call in essence plotting to kill his brother, Douglas, Lewin said in arguing that jurors should hear about him showing up at his brothers home.

He has compared the way he feels about Douglas to the way he felt about Kathie, Lewin said. Our argument and position is that is what he did, he killed her.

Robert Durst twice showed up outside his brothers house in 2008, including once when he was wearing a ski mask and fled after a security guard drew his weapon, Lewin said.

Douglas Durst said that although his brother is jailed without bail, he still is concerned about his safety and had flown to California with a security detail.

I have a fear that my brother has threatened to kill me, and I fear that he may have the means to do so, he said.

By Brian Melley
A statue of Confederate Joseph Wheeler is displayed in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on July 23, 2020. (Erin Scott/Reuters)

House Passes Bill Seeking to Remove Confederate Statues From Capitol

The Democrat-led House of Representatives voted Tuesday to pass a bill seeking to remove confederate statues from the U.S. Capitol.

The vote was 285120 in favor of the bill, H.R. 3005, with all votes against it coming from Republicans.

The proposed legislation seeks to remove statues of those who supported the Confederate army in the U.S. Civil War. It also seeks to replace a bust of former Chief Justice Roger Taney, who authored a key decision in 1857 supporting slavery, with one of Thurgood Marshall, the first black Supreme Court justice.

Taney had written the majority opinion of the 1857 Dred Scott decision that black people could not be American citizens and that slavery was not prohibited under the U.S. Constitution. The decision was later overturned by the 14th Amendment to the Constitution, which became official in 1868.

A marble bust of Chief Justice Roger Taney is displayed in the Old Supreme Court Chamber in the U.S. Capitol in Washington, on March 9, 2020. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP Photo)

House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-Md.), who introduced the latest bill, said late Tuesday that he hopes the Senate takes up the measure without delay.

Today, the House took a stand against injustice and sent a message to the American people that symbols of slavery, segregation, and sedition are not welcome in the halls of Congress, Hoyer said in a statement. I am pleased to see our bill to remove hate pass in the House. Even though we cannot change our history, we can work to affirm the ideals that our country was built on: justice and equality for all.

Symbols of slavery and segregation denigrate our Capitol and have no place here. Individuals who worked to enshrine or perpetuate the bondage of African Americans, or prevent them from achieving full and equal rights, are not worthy of being honored in our country.

The move marks the second year in a row that the lower congressional chamber passed a measure to remove from the Capitol building statues of those who served or supported the Confederacy. The Senate, which was controlled by Republicans in 2020, had blocked the bill, which was introduced amid protests across the country calling for racial justice following the death of George Floyd.

Democrats now hold a narrow majority in the Senate, which allows them to force a vote on the bill. It will require 60 votes to pass, which means 10 Republican senators would need to support it.

A statue of Alexander Hamilton Stephens of Georgia is on display in Statuary Hall on Capitol Hill in Washington, on June 11, 2020. (Susan Walsh/AP Photo)

The Capitol complex contains two statues from each of 50 U.S. states throughout its various quarters, as part of the National Statuary Hall Collection. The statues can be switched out of the collection if approved by the relevant states legislature and governor.

Congress cannot remove the statues but H.R. 3005 would, if passed, enable the statues to be moved away from any area of the Capitol accessible to the public within 120 days after the measure is enacted. The statues would be returned to the state that provided it, if the state agrees to cover costs for transportation.

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) asked, How can we expect to end the scourge of racism  when we allow the worst perpetrators of that racism to be lauded in the halls of Congress?

Opponents said it would be wrong to dictate to individual U.S. states whom they can honor by sending statues to the Capitol. Rep. Mo Brooks (R-Ala.) said the bill was an example of cancel culture and historical revisionism by elitists who claim they know more than regular citizens.

In 2020, the state of Virginia removed a statue of Confederate general Robert E. Lee from the Capitol, replacing it with a statue of civil rights leader Barbara Johns.

Reuters contributed to this report.
An Indian army convoy moves on the high mountain route from Leh city to Changla pass, the second-highest mountain pass in the world at over 16,800 feet above sea level, in Ladakh on June 22, 2021. (Venus Upadhayaya/The Epoch Times)

Indian Defense Sources Say No Sudden Increase in Troops on China Border Amid Reports of Escalation

NEW DELHIIndian defense sources are denying that an extra 50,000 troops have been sent suddenly to the border with China, after media reports called the alleged deployment a historic move by India.

Three defense sources who spoke to The Epoch Times on June 29 denied a report by Bloomberg about a sudden buildup of troops and shift toward an offensive military posture in the past few months, saying that heavy deployment has continued since last years standoff.

Theres no sudden increase of troops, a source in the Ministry of Defense told The Epoch Times over the phone, without divulging details.

The Bloomberg report quotes four anonymous Indian defense sources who didnt divulge specifics but claimed the movement includes fighter jet squadrons, helicopters, and artillery pieces such as the M777 howitzer, deployed to three distinct areas along [Indias] border with China. It mentioned the deployment of French-made Rafale fighter jets and long-range missiles in the Arunachal Pradesh area, which borders southern Tibet.

Bloomberg also reported extra deployment in the Ladakh area, but there were no details about whether the movement in these wider stretches of the region happened at strategic permanent bases or tactical temporary bases.

India and China share more than 2,000 miles of borderland comprising a wide range of geological formationsthe trans-Himalayan area, the dry desert, extremely high altitudes, border-traversing river and lake zones, trans-border wildlife sanctuaries, and thick forests.

The Ministry of Defense source didnt deny the deployment in their conversation with The Epoch Times, but merely denied any sudden increase.

Satoru Nagao, an Indian military strategy analyst and a non-resident fellow with the Washington-based Hudson Institute, told The Epoch Times that any massive redeployment on a permanent base cant be a sudden move.

Two Indian army trucks move toward Changla pass, the second-highest mountain pass in the world at more than 16,800 feet above sea level, en route to Pangong Tso in Ladakh on June 22, 2021. (Venus Upadhayaya/Epoch Times)

But at the same time, the military is a secret world. The Indian government probably doesnt wish to advertise the move because it can likely lead to an escalation of conflict, he said.

On June 22, when The Epoch Times traveled through Ladakh from the capital city of Leh to the IndiaChina border region in Pangong Tso, there was heavy traffic of military vehicles on the high mountain pass road, and the next day there were also vehicles visibly carrying troops from border bases toward the capital.

The 84-mile-long Pangong Tso Lake, which is locally considered a holy lake, lies in both Indian and Chinese-controlled territory. It was one of the major sites of conflict last year.

Major Gen. G.G. Dwivedi, an Indian war veteran and former assistant chief of the Integrated Defence Staff, told The Epoch Times that the Pangong Tso is strategically important because it offers an avenue for employment of forces along both the banks, cases in point the 1962 war and the Chinese incursion last summer.

From Bloombergs report, its not clear whether Pangong Tso is one of the three distinct locations of alleged deployment, nor did The Epoch Times source in the Ministry of Defence clarify the matter.

The deployment of troops is generally related to the ground situation, terrain, and weather conditions, Dwivedi said.

He said that certain border posts are vacated or thinned out during the harsh winters and reoccupied during the campaigning season.

There has been an increase in military deployment since last summer as a response to a large-scale massive buildup by the Chinese Peoples Liberation Army (PLA). The Chinese have not disengaged nor de-escalated, except in the Pangong Tso sector, Dwivedi said, hence an increased deployment and buildup on the Indian side is likely to continue until the PLA disengages and deescalates.

So far, talks between military commanders have not made headway, primarily due to the PLAs stubbornness, he said.

A view of the Pangong Tso Lake from the point from where the strategic lake starts in India, on June 22, 2021. (Venus Upadhayaya/The Epoch Times)

Reports of Chinese Buildup

The two countries have been engaged in a war of words over the amassing of troops on the border. Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian said in a press conference on June 23 that the deployment of Chinese troops along the border with Ladakh is a normal defense arrangement.

[It] is a normal defense arrangement aimed at preventing and responding to encroachment and threat on Chinas territory by the relevant country, Zhao said, responding to Indian External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankars recent remarks that the resolution of border issues depends upon whether the PLA will adhere to its written commitments about reduced deployment on the border.

India responded to Zhaos statement on June 24 by blaming China for amassing a large number of troops on the border, saying Beijing wants to unilaterally alter the border status quo.

It is well recognized that it has been the Chinese actions over the last year, including amassing of a large number of troops close to border areas in the western sector and trying to unilaterally alter the status quo along the LAC [Line of Actual Control], which have seriously disturbed peace and tranquility in the border areas, said Arindam Bagchi, Indias external affairs ministry spokesperson.

A row of army trucks on the high mountain roads of Ladakh, en route from Leh city to Pangong Tso lake on June 22, 2021. (Venus Upadhayaya/The Epoch Times)

Nagao said Chinas comment about massive troop deployment along the Indian border since last year as a normal defense arrangement has irritated India.

China said such a huge military deployment on the IndoChina border since last year is normal. China expressed their will to stay permanently and provoke India indefinitely. Thats why India is upset, Nagao said.

If India said that recent moves on the Indian side are no sudden move, it means thats in response to Chinas normal. I guess India is deploying huge forces against Chinas huge forces, and both of them say this is normal. Thus both of them maintain their troop level permanently; theres no ease of tension.

Amid the counteraccusations, the two countries are preparing for the 12th round of military commanders talks to find an early resolution on the pending issues, as per a decision taken on June 25 during the 22nd meeting of the Working Mechanism for Consultation and Coordination on IndiaChina Border Affairs.
Kebabcheta: The Star of the Bulgarian Barbecue

In the late 1990s, I was fortunate enough to spend six weeks in Bulgaria just as the nation was coming out from under the yoke of 50 years of communism. The countrys isolation contributed to the fact that Bulgarian food was relatively unknown to Western visitors, but I was quickly introduced to a wide range of homemade soups and breads, fresh and simple salads, fermented appetizers and condiments, and seasoned meats and cheeses.

After a few dinner invitations, I fell in love with their cuisine.

When I returned to the D.C. area, I networked with the Bulgarian community, attending many events at several Bulgarian Orthodox churches and the Bulgarian Embassy. One of my favorite Bulgarian events is Saints Cyril and Methodius Day, a day set aside to celebrate the two brothers that created the Cyrillic language. Celebrated on May 24th or the nearest weekend, the spring holiday usually includes a barbecue that is the first big coming together of the Bulgarian community since Christmas. It was at one of these events that I first experienced the star of the Bulgarian barbecue: kebabcheta, savory grilled sausages.

I cant remember if I smelled them or saw them first, but after tasting one of these umami-packed morsels, I started to ask Bulgarian friends for the recipe. I soon found out that kebabcheta can be seasoned with a varying range of ingredients, but they universally include ground cumin, which is perhaps the most ancient of Balkan spices. A member of the carrot family, it is cultivated for its seeds, which are generally ground to produce cumin powder. Cumin is an ingredient in chili powder and Indian masala, but it comes into its own in Mediterranean and Balkan cooking. I have never seen a kebabcheta recipe that did not include cumin. To get the full flavor punch, be sure your ground cumin is fresh, and dont be afraid to add more.

In the early days, my hubby, three sons, and guests were my recipe testers. Unbeknownst to them, I tried several different recipes, including ones with sweet paprika, which imparts a slight red color but not much flavor. If you experiment with adding hot paprika, be very careful, as a little too much can ruin a whole batch of meat. In the end, the recipe my family and friends liked the most didnt include paprika.

To get the full flavor punch, be sure your ground cumin is fresh, and dont be afraid to add more. (Moving Moment/Shutterstock)

For the best results, prepare the kebabcheta the day before the barbecue to give all of the ingredients ample time to marinate in the refrigerator. After marination, form the meat mixture into little sausages and place them side by side on a cookie sheet, which makes it easier to transfer them to the grill. If desired, the prepared sheet can be covered with plastic and stored in the refrigerator.

When the grill is hot, place the kebabcheta on the grill one by one, and never turn them over before they are nice and brown on the first sideotherwise, they can fall apart or become very messy looking. Thus, patience is a virtue. As they start to brown, a wonderful smell will start to permeate the air, and conversations will turn to the awaited meal.

As the kebabcheta are grilling, set the table with the other dishes and a loaf or two of fresh French breadI buy baguettes from an upscale local bakery, not the supermarket stuff. For dipping the bread, be sure to have some good olive oil on hand or tarama, a wonderful Mediterranean spread.

Of course, a good wine rounds out the experience. Bulgarian wines are more available outside Eastern Europe than they were 30 years ago, so check the shelves at your favorite wine store. You might be happily surprised. But in lieu of Bulgarian, any good European wine, such as French, Italian, or Spanish, will do. Guests can start with bread and winethe best of appetizersand when the first kebabcheta finally comes off the grill, a unique and unforgettable party begins.

Kebabcheta (Bulgarian Grilled Sausages)

This recipe is great for any summer barbecue, beginning when the grill first comes out in April or May through the Fourth of July and beyond. The cumin imparts an unmistakable and delicious aroma that is sure to summon your family and friends for a taste. Remember to season the meat at least a day ahead, so the cumin has time to flavor the meat.

Makes about 40

3 pounds ground beef (or a mixture of beef and pork)

2 medium onions, finely grated

2 teaspoons salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

3 garlic cloves, crushed

1 to 2 tablespoons cumin, ground

1 to 1 1/2 cups finely chopped fresh parsley

3/4 cup water

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl and refrigerate for up to 24 hours.

To prepare for the grill, pre-shape small amounts of the meat mixture into sausages 2-inches long by 1-inch wide. Place them side by side on a cookie sheet; if desired, the prepared sheet can be covered with plastic and stored back in the refrigerator.

Transfer to a hot grill and cook, making sure they are nice and brown on the first side before turning, until the juices run clear.

Recipe reprinted with permission from Bulgarian Rhapsody: The Best of Balkan Cuisine by Linda Joyce Forristal, Mother Lindas publishing, 2018.

Linda Joyce Forristal, or Mother Linda, as her friends call her, is a former food and travel editor in Washington, D.C. She lives on the Eastern Shore of Maryland and is a professor of tourism and hospitality. To see more of her food and travel interests, cruise over to MotherLindas.com
In this photo provided by the North Korean government, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un, center, speaks during a Workers' Party meeting in Pyongyang, North Korea, on Thursday, June 17, 2021.(Korean Central News Agency/Korea News Service via AP)

Kim Berates North Korean Officials for Crucial Virus Lapse

SEOUL, South KoreaNorth Korean leader Kim Jong Un berated top officials for failures in coronavirus prevention that caused a great crisis, using strong language that raised the specter of a mass outbreak in a country that would be scarcely able to handle it.

The state media report Wednesday did not specify what crucial lapse had prompted Kim to call the Politburo meeting of the ruling Workers Party, but experts said North Korea could be wrestling with a significant setback in its pandemic fight.

So far, North Korea has claimed to have had no coronavirus infections, despite testing thousands of people and sharing a porous border with China. Experts widely doubt the claim and are concerned about any potential outbreak, given the countrys poor health infrastructure.

At the Politburo meeting, Kim criticized the senior officials for supposed incompetence, irresponsibility, and passiveness in planning and executing anti-virus measures amid the lengthening pandemic, the Norths official Korean Central News Agency said.

Kim said senior officials in charge of important state affairs neglected the implementation of the important decisions of the party on taking organizational, institutional, material, scientific, and technological measures as required by the prolonged state emergency epidemic prevention campaign, according to KCNA. This caused a crucial case of creating a great crisis in ensuring the security of the state and safety of the people and entailed grave consequences.

Staff of the Pyongyang Primary School No. 4 spray disinfectant in Pyongyang, North Korea, on June 30, 2021. (Jon Chol Jin/AP Photo)

The report also said the party recalled an unspecified member of the Politburos powerful Presidium, which consists of Kim and four other top officials.

The reference indicated Kim may replace his Cabinet Premier Kim Tok Hun, who would be held responsible for failures in the governments anti-epidemic work, said Hong Min, a senior analyst at Seouls Korea Institute for National Unification.

There also was speculation that Kim Jong Un may have sacked Ri Pyong Chol, one of his top military officials. North Korean TV video of the meeting showed Ri looking downward and not participating in a vote as Kim and other senior officials on stage raised their hands to indicate their consent on a matter that the broadcast didnt specify.

There is no possibility that North Korea will ever admit to an infectioneven if there were mass transmissions, the North will definitely not reveal such developments and will continue to push forward an anti-virus campaign it has claimed to be the greatest, Hong said.

But its also clear that something significant happened and it was big enough to warrant a reprimanding of senior officials. This could mean mass infections or some sort of situation where a lot of people were put at direct risk of infections.

Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at South Koreas private Sejong Institute, expressed a similar view, saying North Korea is potentially dealing with huge virus-related problems in border towns near China, such as Sinuiju or Hyesan.

But other experts said Kim could be responding to illicit border trade that defied his lockdown measures or setting the stage for a political shakeup or purge to solidify his grip on power as he navigates perhaps the toughest time of his nine-year rule.

South Koreas Unification Ministry, which deals with inter-Korean affairs, said it had no immediate information to share about the North Korean report and that it wouldnt make prejudgments about the countrys virus situation.

Wang Wenbin, spokesperson of Chinas Foreign Ministry, raised the possibility of helping North Korea in the event of a major outbreak of COVID-19.

China and the DPRK have a long tradition of helping each other when they encounter difficulties, Wang said, referring to North Korea by its official name, the Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea.

If necessary, China will actively consider providing assistance to the DPRK.

Staff of the Pyongyang Primary School No. 4 clean classroom desks in Pyongyang, North Korea, on June 30, 2021. (Cha Song Ho/AP Photo)

From the start of the pandemic, North Korea described its anti-virus efforts as a matter of national existence, banned tourists, jetted out diplomats, and severely curtailed cross-border traffic and trade. The lockdown has further strained an economy already battered by decades of mismanagement and crippling U.S.-led sanctions over the countrys nuclear weapons program.

Kim during a political conference earlier this month called for officials to brace for prolonged COVID-19 restrictions, indicating that the country isnt ready to open its borders despite its economic woes.

North Korea has told the World Health Organization it has not found a single coronavirus infection after testing more than 30,000 people, including many described as having fevers or respiratory symptoms.

North Koreas extended border controls come amid uncertainties over the countrys vaccination prospects. COVAX, the UN-backed program to ship COVID-19 vaccines worldwide, said in February that North Korea could receive 1.9 million doses in the first half of the year, but the plans have been delayed due to global shortages.

Kim will likely find scapegoats for the incident, purging disloyal officials and blaming their ideological lapses. This may provide Pyongyang justification for demanding that citizens hunker down more, but it could also be political preparation for accepting vaccines from abroad, said Leif-Eric Easley, a professor of international studies at Ewha Womans University in Seoul.

By Kim Tong-hyung
Lyndsay Keith: Civil Discourse Is Being Canceled

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Man Dies After Rare Blood Clot Disorder, Received Moderna COVID-19 Vaccine: Report

Possibly the first documented case of the severe blood clot condition after an mRNA-based vaccine

A man has died in Pittsburgh after receiving a second dose of the Moderna COVID-19 vaccine, and was determined to possibly have had a rare and severe blood clot condition called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia when he presented to the hospital, according to a report.

The case report of the 65-year-old man is detailed in a letter to the academic journal Annals of Internal Medicine published on June 29. The journal announced on Twitter that the research led by Dr. Swathi Sangli is believed to be the first case of #thrombosis with thrombocytopenia after a messenger RNA #COVID19 vaccine.

In the latest case study, the man, who had chronic hypertension and hyperlipidemia, died after blood clots formed in his lungs, legs, and then ultimately his brain, after having taken the mRNA-based Moderna vaccine, health care professionals at the Allegheny Health Network in Pittsburgh wrote in their case report.

The man had presented to the hospital with one week of discomfort in both his legs, intermittent headaches, and two days of shortness of breath. According to the report, the symptoms started 10 days after he received a second dose of the Moderna vaccine. He died 12 days after arriving at the hospital.

The authors wrote that, in retrospect, the man met the criteria for a serious form of blood clotting known as vaccine-induced thrombosis with thrombocytopenia (VITT), also called thrombosis with thrombocytopenia syndrome (TTS).

The condition is similar to heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT), but the man had no known heparin exposure before presenting to the hospital. However, the authors acknowledged that they cannot rule out atypical HIT or HIT with unrecorded heparin administration in this case.

The report complicates hypotheses that implicate adenoviral vectors as the sole cause of VITT or TTS, the authors wrote. The COVID-19 vaccines that are based on deactivated adenovirus include the AstraZeneca and the Johnson & Johnson (J&J) vaccines, which have previously seen reported cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia after inoculation.

The authors said they were unable to identify other causes for the mans condition, including COVID-19, other infections, immune thrombocytopenia, or another rare blood disease called thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP).

Had we suspected VITT or TTS earlier, we would have treated the patient differently, they wrote.

According to the American Society of Hematology, heparin should be avoided until TTS has been ruled out or until an alternative other plausible diagnosis has been made.

During the mans stay at the hospital, he wasamong other treatmentsgiven unfractionated heparin, which helps stop new blood clots from forming. But three days later, he developed an acute hematoma in his gluteal muscles that required doctors to withdraw the heparin.

Twelve hours later, the man developed acute encephalopathy, and a CT scan showed cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST)a clot in the brain that prevents blood from draining out of it. This time, doctors started treating the patient with bivalirudin, a non-heparin therapy that prevents blot clots, and started a procedure called plasmapheresis, but the man continued to deteriorate and ultimately died.

Within 24 hours of the man having started the new anticoagulant therapy, blood tests showed he had methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus, and antibiotics were given.

Of the mans overall case, the authors said that such a rare event, even if confirmed by additional reports, should not prevent people from taking COVID-19 vaccines that use mRNA technology, and that it was important to note that many millions of people have received such vaccines. In addition to the Moderna vaccine, the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for COVID-19 also uses mRNA technology. No such rare blood clot has yet been recorded after administration with the Pfizer vaccine.

The Epoch Times has reached out to Moderna for comment.

In an accompanying editorial, two outside physicians, Allyson Pishko and Adam Cuker, wrote that they are in full agreement with the authors decision to treat the described case as VITT and do not advocate delaying treatment in such cases.

However, extra caution is needed before attributing the patients presentation to the mRNA-1273 vaccine [Moderna vaccine].

The two pointed out that rare cases of spontaneous HIT have been reported, most frequently after orthopedic surgery, but also in patients in association with infection. They pointed out that the 65-year-old man had a staph infection detected in his blood test about one week after he presented to the hospital and the study authors couldnt confirm whether the patient had any infections before he was admitted.

Had this infection been present on admission, it would be impossible to discern VITT from spontaneous HIT triggered by infection, they wrote.

The two acknowledged that the seriousness of VITT should not be downplayed but its risks must be interpreted in the context of the overall morbidity and mortality of COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus. They cited a recent analysis that reported that CVST, which is a characteristic and highly feared manifestation of VITT was seen more frequently in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 (207.1 per million) than after vaccination with an adenovirus-based COVID-19 vaccine (0.9 to 3.6 per million).

While its difficult to establish a link between one deadly blood clot event and the Moderna vaccine, they said clinicians should be vigilant for VITT going forward.

In April, the Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommended a pause in the J&J vaccine amid several reports of blood clots. The two health bodies later that month advised that administration of the vaccine could resume, but attached warnings to their recommendations, including advice about possible risks. The CDC in May reported more than two dozen cases of thrombosis with thrombocytopenia.
Unprecedented Security Control in Beijing

A new education bill hits the Arizona state House. It requires students to learn about people who fled communism.

Beijing mandates a growing list of detailed security measures in preparation for the Chinese Communist Partys 100th anniversary. Despite the strict regulations, one man managed to set a fire right in front of Chinas Foreign Ministry in Beijing.

Taiwans foreign minister outlines the potential for military conflict with Beijing. Two Asia experts give their takes, while a Japanese politician also chimes in.

Is Hong Kongs freedom dying? Some say its alive and well. Activists say theyre regrouping behind an invisible front lineone thats harder to invade with tear gas and rubber bullets.

Subscribe to our YouTube channel for more first-hand news from China.

For more news and videos, please visit our website and Twitter.
McCarthy: Supports Hoyers Resolution to Remove Statues of Confederate Era Democrats

The leader of the House Republicans Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) said Tuesday that he supports the removal of all of the Confederate statues that are members of the Democrat party from around the U.S. Capitol.

McCarthy said during a speech from the House floor that he will vote in favor of resolution H.R. 3005 to remove the Confederate statues put there by Democrats who controlled the House at the time and enacted racist laws then and are replacing the old racist laws with new racists initiatives.

The bill, were voting on today we voted before. And I supported it, I support it now. Let me state a simple fact. All of the statues being removed by this bill are statues of Democrats, said McCarthy.

The proposed legislation which passed the House Tuesday seeks to remove the bronze sculptures of those who supported the Confederate army in the Civil War. It also seeks to replace a bust of former Chief Justice Roger Taney, who authored a key decision in 1857 supporting slavery, with one of Thurgood Marshall, the first black Supreme Court justice.

A statue of Jefferson Davis (2nd L), president of the Confederate States from 1861 to 1865, is on display in Statuary Hall on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on June 24, 2015. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is demanding that statues of Confederate figures such as Jefferson Davis be removed from the U.S. Capitol. (Susan Walsh/AP Photo)

Taney had written the majority opinion of the 1857 Dred Scott decision which stated that black people were not American citizens and that slavery was not prohibited under the U.S. Constitution. The decision was later overturned by the 13th and 14th Amendments to the Constitution, in 1862 and 1868 respectively.

Whats interesting, the statues that need to be removed were sent to the Capitol by states that were majority controlled by Democrats, sent to a House that had a majority controlled by Democrats, accepting of these statues. I think the bill should go further, added the GOP House leader.

McCarthy said Democrats passed discriminatory laws, like the Jim Crow laws that separated and disenfranchised people based on the color of their skin and are still trying to discriminate based on the color of peoples skin with Critical Race Theory (CRT) initiatives throughout U.S. institutions.

Madam speaker, today the Democratic Party had doubled down on what I consider this shameful history by replacing the racism of the past with the racism of the Critical Race Theory. They continue to look at race as the primary means of judging a persons character, said McCarthy.

McCarthy said that the Biden administration is pushing CRT initiatives through all federal agencies including the federal Human Resource Dept., the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), Dept. of Education, and the military.

President Joe Biden issued an executive order in January to combat racism which his administration said is permeating the United States. It is, therefore, the policy of my Administration that the Federal Government should pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.

Ibram Kendi discusses the book Stamped: Racism, Antiracism and You at Build Studio in New York City on March 10, 2020. (Michael Loccisano/Getty Images)

Ms. Kiran Ahuja, who was recently confirmed as director of OPM, has praised the work of Dr. Ibram X. Kendi and would have the power to decide human resource initiatives and personnel policy for thousands of federal employees, including requiring CRT-type training.

During her April confirmation hearing, Ahuja was questioned by Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) who expressed concerns about her past advocacy for the writings of Kendi, an antiracist activist and advocate for the CRT model.

Kendi, in a September 2020 interview with The Atlantic, said if CRT and the teaching of what really happened in history cause people to hate the United States, then so be it.

We need to rid the country of those racist policies structures and systems and replace them with more anti-racist policies and structures and systems. In other words, it is not enough to just be aware, we must then take action so that we can transform this country, Kendi told The Atlantic.

During the confirmation hearing in April, Hawley pressed Ahuja on her views about training based on CRT, and at one point asked the new director if she agreed with Kendi that the election of former President Donald Trump was racist progress, and if she views the United States as a systemically racist country.

I do understand the role of this position. I very much take that very seriously and upholding merit system principles. I also understand the value of no one should be discriminated based on their raceI was a former civil rights lawyer and I take that very seriously. I think we all uphold what Martin Luther King Jr. (MLK) said which is we should be judged by the content of our character and not the color of our skin, and thats the approach that Ive taken, she replied.

People talk before the start of a rally against Critical Race Theory (CRT) being taught in schools, at the Loudoun County Government center in Leesburg, Va., on June 12, 2021. (Andrew Cballlero-Reynolds/AFP via Getty Images)

However, CRT and Kendis ideas oppose MLKs vision.

According to Legal Insurrection Foundations criticalrace.org website, which advocates for the teaching of CRT, they say that this model is not based on the traditional civil rights movement which sought to provide equal opportunity and dignity without regard to race but rather an outgrowth of European Marxist theory.

CRT, and the training to implement it is a radical ideology that focuses on race as the key to understanding society, and objectifies people based on race, it states.
Search and rescue teams look for survivors in Surfside, Fla., on June 29, 2021. (Al Diaz/Miami Herald via AP)

Miami Condo Tower Collapse Death Toll Rises to 18, More Than 140 Missing

Officials in South Florida said on June 29 that more bodies have been pulled from the rubble of a partially collapsed condominium tower, raising the death toll to 18.

Miami-Dade Assistant Fire Chief Raide Jadallah provided the update during a briefing. More than 140 people remain unaccounted for, officials said.

Jadallah said that workers were able to construct a ramp for a crane to reach areas near the top of the rubble pile.

Now, you are able to leverage massive equipment to remove mass pieces of concrete that could lead to those incredible good news events, state Fire Marshal Jimmy Petronis told Miami television station WSVN, referring to the ramp.

Hundreds of first responders and volunteers have been working at the collapse site in Surfside, located near Miami, around the clock. Authorities are still calling it a search and rescue operation.

Meanwhile, Miami-Dade State Attorney Katherine Fernandez Rundle said in a statement on June 29 that a grand jury will investigate last weeks partial collapse. Over the past weekend, the city of Surfside released a 2018 report from an engineer who found the building had significant structural damage and needed repairs.

This aerial image shows an oceanfront condo building that partially collapsed on June 24, with many people still unaccounted for, in Surfside, Fla., on June 27, 2021. (Gerald Herbert/AP Photo)

My office has a long tradition of presenting more than just criminal cases to the Grand Jury, Rundles statement said. Our Grand Juries have also served as a cross-section of the community to evaluate matters of health and public safety, she added.

Its not clear what will be investigated by the grand jury.

I plan to request that our Grand Jury look at what steps we can take to safeguard our residents without jeopardizing any scientific, public safety, or potential criminal investigations, Rundle said.

The rescue efforts, however, may be imperiled by bad weather in the near future.

There are two areas of (possible storm) development out in the Atlantic, heading to the Caribbean. We have eight urban rescue teams in Florida. We talked about doing a relief, said Kevin Guthrie of the Florida Division of Emergency Management on June 29. We have all the resources we need but were going to bring in another team. We want to rotate those out so we can get more resources out.

The U.S. National Hurricane Center (NHC) says it is monitoring two tropical disturbances, including one with a 60 percent chance of formation, that may move toward North America.

Also on June 29, the White House confirmed President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden plan to travel to Surfside on July 1.
Protesters gathered in the State Capitol rotunda ahead of the debate to urge the Minnesota House to reject the compromise and pass tougher measures in police accountability in the Public Safety Bill, in St. Paul, Minn., on June 29, 2021. (Jim Mone/AP Photo)

Minnesota Lawmakers Pass Modest Police Accountability Bill

MINNEAPOLISThe Minnesota Senate approved a modest set of police accountability measures early Wednesday thats part of a broader public safety budget bill, as the states divided Legislature put itself on pace to avert a partial state government shutdown.

The Senates 4521 vote followed a 7559 vote in the Minnesota House on Tuesday night, and it came on the heels of last weeks sentencing of former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin to 22-and-a-half years for murder in the death of George Floyd. The bill attracted Republican support in both chambers, while some Democrats who said it didnt go far enough voted no. It now goes to Democratic Gov. Tim Walz for his signature.

The bill contains limits on no-knock warrants and on the use of informants. It was amended on the floor to allow sign-and-release warrants so that police arent required to arrest low-level offenders just because they had missed a court appearance. But Democrats who control the House dropped their push for a ban on pretextual traffic stops for minor offenses such as expired license tabs.

The approval follows a police accountability package passed last summer that included a statewide ban on the use of chokeholds.

Democratic Rep. Carlos Mariani, of St. Paul, chairman of the House public safety committee and one of the top negotiators on the bill, said it didnt go far enough but urged lawmakers to approve it anyway and to keep pushing for deeper change.

Former Minneapolis police Officer Derek Chauvin addresses the court as Hennepin County Judge Peter Cahill presides over Chauvins sentencing. Chauvin faces decades in prison for the May 2020 death of George Floyd. At the Hennepin County Courthouse in Minneapolis, Minn., on June 25, 2021. (Court TV via AP, Pool)

Senate Republicans resisted stronger measures for months, saying they couldnt support anything they regarded as anti-police. They put a higher priority on passing a $52 billion, two-year state government budget to replace the current budget, which runs out Wednesday night. Walz had signed eight of the big budget bills by Tuesday, but the public safety package was one of a few still needing approval ahead of the looming deadline.

The top Senate GOP negotiator, Warren Limmer, of Maple Grove, who chairs the judiciary committee, said during his chambers debate that Republicans werent willing to go further and that Democrats will just have to try again next year.

We are a divided government, Limmer said. And we come to some of these issues with various degrees of opposition. Its been a rather difficult process to arrive at a common point. I believe we have, as far as we could go. And some of the issues that the House wants will have to be continue to be discussed.

Lawmakers planned to reconvene later Wednesday to pass two remaining budget bills and complete its special session.

Walz imposed some changes via executive order on Monday, including $15 million for violence prevention programs and allowing families of people killed by officers from state law enforcement agencies such as the State Patrol to view the body camera video within five days.
Neighbors embrace and the come to grips with three children being found dead at a home on South Ferris Ave in East Los Angeles, Calif., on June 28, 2021. (Jason Armond/Los Angeles Times/TNS)

Mom of 3 Children Found Dead in East LA is Arrested on Suspicion of Murder

By Richard Winton and Matthew Ormseth

From Los Angeles Times

LOS ANGELESThe mother of three children found dead in an East Los Angeles home has been arrested on suspicion of murder and is being held in lieu of $2 million, Los Angeles County sheriffs officials said Tuesday.

Sandra Chico, 28, was taken into custody as a person of interest after deputies found her children unresponsive in the home Monday afternoon. She was booked at 11 p.m., records show. She is being held at the Central Regional Detention Facility in Lynwood.

Chico is due in court on Wednesday, the Sheriffs Department said.

Deputies responded about 12:45 p.m. to Chicos home in the 600 block of Ferris Avenue and found the childrentwo boys and a girl, all younger than 3unresponsive and not breathing, sheriffs Lt. Charles Calderaro said. Chico was inside the home when deputies arrived.

He said there was another person in the house when deputies arrived, possibly a relative of the children, and authorities think that person called authorities.

Despite life-saving efforts, the children were all pronounced dead at the scene, Calderaro said. It wasnt immediately clear how they had died, he said.

There were no obvious signs of trauma, Calderaro said, adding that the county medical examiner-coroners office would make an official finding of the causes of death.

The lieutenant said it did not appear that the county Department of Children and Family Services had been involved with the children, although he cautioned this information was preliminary.

The discovery comes three months after three young children were found dead in an apartment in Reseda. In that case, the siblings mother was eventually arrested.

2021 Los Angeles Times. Visit at latimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Two people jump from a pedestrian bridge at Lake Union Park into the water during a heat wave hitting the Pacific Northwest, on June 27, 2021. (John Froschauer/AP Photo)

More Deaths Reported in Intense US Northwest Heat Wave

SPOKANE, Wash.About a dozen deaths in Washington and Oregon may be tied to an intense heat wave that brought scorching temperatures to the Northwest and caused one power utility to impose rolling blackouts amid heavy demand.

The dangerous weather that gave Seattle and Portland consecutive days of record high temperatures exceeding 100 degrees Fahrenheit (37.7 degrees Celsius) eased in those cities on Tuesday. But inland Spokane, towns in eastern Oregon and cities in Idaho saw temperatures spike.

The National Weather Service said the mercury reached 109 F (42.2 C) in Tuesday in Spokanethe highest temperature ever recorded there.

About 9,300 Avista Utilities customers in Spokane lost power on Monday and the company said more planned blackouts began on Tuesday afternoon in the city of about 220,000 people.

We try to limit outages to one hour per customer, said Heather Rosentrater, an Avista vice president for energy delivery.

She said about 2,400 customers were without power as of shortly after 2 p.m. Tuesday, mostly on the north side of the city, and those customers had been alerted about the planned outage. About 21,000 customers were warned Tuesday morning that they might experience an outage, she said.

Rosentrater said the outages were a distribution problem, and did not stem from a lack of electricity in the system.

Susan Lange (L) and Debbie Thulen set off on inflatable paddle boards for a trip down the Stillaguamish River during record setting heat on in Arlington, Wash., on June 28, 2021. (Andy Bronson/The Herald via AP)

Meanwhile, authorities said multiple recent deaths in the region were possibly related to the scorching weather.

The King County Medical Examiners office said two people died due to hyperthermia, meaning their bodies had became dangerously overheated. The Seattle Times reported they were a 65-year-old Seattle woman and a 68-year-old Enumclaw, Washington, woman.

And the Snohomish County Medical Examiners Office on Tuesday told the Daily Herald in Everett, Washington, that three menages 51, 75 and 77died after experiencing heat stroke in their homes. They were from Everett, Granite Falls, and Marysville in Washington.

The heat may have claimed the life of a worker on a nursery in Oregon, the states worker safety agency, known as Oregon OSHA, said on Tuesday.

The man who died was from Guatemala and had apparently arrived in the United States only a few months ago, said Andres Pablo Lucas, owner of Brother Farm Labor Contractor that provided workers for the nursery, including the man who died.

The man, whose name was not disclosed, died at Ernst Nursery and Farms, a wholesale supplier in St. Paul, 20 miles (32 kilometers) north of Salem, on Saturday amid sweltering temperatures. An Oregon OSHA database listed the death as heat-related.

The employee was working on a crew moving irrigation lines. At the end of the shift he was found unresponsive in the field, said agency spokesman Aaron Corvin.

Speaking in Spanish, Pablo Lucas said when workers gathered together shortly after noon Saturday, they noticed one of them was missing. They began searching and found his body. Pablo Lucas said he didnt remember the mans name.

Pablo Lucas said the laborers often have the option to start working near sunrise when it is cooler and can stop around midday, but some want to stay regardless of the heat.

The people want to work, to fight to succeed, he said. For that reason, they stay.

Officials in Bremerton, Washington, said heat may have contributed to four deaths in that Puget Sound city. But Vince Hlavaty, Bremertons medical officer, told the Kitsap Sun that firefighters cannot say definitively whether the heat was the cause of death.

In Bend, Oregon, authorities said the deaths of two homeless people in extreme heat may have been weather-related.

The United Farm Workers urged Washington Gov. Jay Inslee to immediately issue emergency heat standards protecting all farm and other outdoor workers in the state with a strong agricultural sector.

Several cities in Idaho also topped 100 F (37.7 C) on Tuesday with the hottest spot in Lewiston where the temperature reached 115 F (46.1 C).

By Nicholas K. Geranios and Andrew Selsky
More Than 50 Percent of Recent Stimulus Check Money Went to Households Making Less Than $50,000

The Treasury Department said on June 29 that more than half of the almost $390 billion disbursed in the third round of stimulus payments went to households with an annual income of less than $50,000, while more than 85 percent went to households making less than $100,000 per year.

Another 10 percent of the third round of economic impact payments (EIP), as the relief funds authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act are formally called, went to Social Security, Railroad Retirement Board, and Department of Veterans Affairs beneficiaries whose incomes werent large enough for them to be required to file a tax return, as well as to people who used the IRS online Non-filer tool, the department said in a release.

Income category data released by the IRS (xls) show that 13.5 percent of the third-round payment money went to households with annual incomes between $100,000 and $200,000, while around 0.1 percent went to those earning $200,000 or more.

IRS state-level data (xls) show that $43.5 billion went to households in California, $34.5 billion to those in Texas, $26.5 billion to those in Florida, and $22.2 billion to those in New York.

In total, the IRS and the Bureau of the Fiscal Service jointly disbursed 163.5 million third-round EIPs through June 3, with roughly 90 million of those payments being paid out within a week of the American Rescue Plans passage.

The $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan authorized individuals earning less than $75,000 per yearand married joint filers making less than $150,000 per yearto receive a full payment of $1,400. The checks then ramp down to zero for individuals earning $80,000 or above and for joint filers making $160,000 or more.

The IRS stated that its continuing to make stimulus payments and the related 2020 Recovery Rebate Creditwhich is for those who didnt get a first and second economic impact payment or got less than the full amounton a weekly basis as people continue to file tax returns.

People who want to claim the recovery rebate credit must file a 2020 tax return, even if theyre not normally required to file one.

In a separate release, the IRS warned of a number of tax scams, including stimulus payment thefts.

Dont fall for stimulus check scams, the agency wrote, noting the presence of a continuing threat from identity thieves seeking to steal stimulus money.

The IRS stated that people should be on guard for scammers reaching out via phone, email, text message, or on social media, asking them to provide Social Security numbers or other personal financial information related to stimulus payments.

The IRS stated that it will never initiate such contact as most eligible recipients receive their payments automatically.

This article has been updated to correct state-level data from payment numbers to dollar amounts. The Epoch Times regrets the error.
Syringes with the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine are placed on a tray in Las Vegas, Nev., on May 21, 2021. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Myocarditis Higher Than Expected Among Male Military Members After 2nd mRNA COVID-19 Vaccine Dose: Study

A new study published Tuesday in the peer-reviewed JAMA Cardiology journal reported a higher than expected number of myocarditis cases among male military members after the second dose of an mRNA vaccine against the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

The new study, a retrospective review of cases, noted that the observed number of cases of myocarditisinflammation of the heart musclewas still relatively small.

The case review involved patients in the U.S. military health system who experienced myocarditis after they received an mRNA vaccine dose for COVID-19the disease caused by the CCP virusbetween Jan. 1 and April 30.

It found that 23 males presented with acute onset of marked chest pain within four days of receiving a vaccine dose. Seven received the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine and 16 received the Moderna vaccine, both of which use messenger RNA (mRNA) technology.

The groups age ranged 20-51, with a median of 25. All had a final diagnosis of myocarditis without infectious, ischemic, or autoimmune etiologies identified, according to the study. Eight of the patients also underwent diagnostic scans that yielded results consistent with myocarditis. All have either recovered or were recovering at the time of the reports publication.

Of the 23 males, 22 are military members and one is a retiree. All military members were physically fit by military standards and lacking any known history of cardiac disease, significant cardiac risk factors, or exposure to cardiotoxic agents.

Of the cohort, 20 people19 of whom are military membershad their symptoms start after the second vaccine dose. Among the remaining three patients who had just one shot before reporting chest pain, all had confirmed COVID-19 infection more than 2 months prior to vaccination.

The observed number of male military members who experienced myocarditis after their second dose of mRNA vaccine, while relatively small, is substantially higher than the expected number, the study authors wrote, citing general population estimates that predicted eight or fewer cases of myocarditis from the 436,000 male military members who received two vaccine doses.

All 23 males reflect substantial similarities in demographic characteristics, proximate vaccine dose, onset interval, and character of vaccine-associated myocarditis, the study authors noted. The consistent pattern of clinical presentation, rapid recovery, and absence of evidence of other causes support the diagnosis of hypersensitivity myocarditis.

They later added, Presentation after second vaccine dose or, in 3 patients, when vaccination followed SARS-CoV-2 infection, suggests that prior exposure was relevant in the hypersensitivity response.

More than 2.8 million doses of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines were administered by the Military Health System between Jan. 1 and April 30. Of the total doses, 1,065,000 were second doses; 544,000 were second doses administered to military service members, and 436,000 were second doses administered to male military service members.

In an emailed statement to The Epoch Times on June 30, Pfizer said that it is aware of the rare reports of myocarditis and pericarditis after mRNA COVID-19 vaccination, which it acknowledges predominantly in male adolescents and young adults.

Citing the CDC, Pfizer said that it is an extremely rare side effect, and only an exceedingly small number of people will experience it after vaccination. Patients have typically rapidly improved with conservative treatment.

It is important to note that CDC continues to strongly encourage COVID-19 vaccinations for eligible individuals aged 12 and older, the company said. With hundreds of millions of doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine administered globally, the benefit risk profile of our vaccine remains positive.

Moderna has not responded to a request for comment to The Epoch Times as of late June 30.

Last week, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) added a warning about the risk of developing heart inflammationeither myocarditis or pericarditisto patient and provider fact sheets for the mRNA-based Moderna and Pfizer CCP virus vaccines. Pericarditis is inflammation of the outer lining of the heart.

The fact sheets warned of potential onset of myocarditis and pericarditis within a few days after receiving the vaccine, and particularly following the second dose.

Heart inflammation can also occur due to COVID-19.

Acting FDA Commissioner Janet Woodcock maintained that the benefits of receiving the shots outweigh the risk.

The risk of myocarditis and pericarditis appears to be very low given the number of vaccine doses that have been administered, she previously said in a statement. The benefits of COVID-19 vaccination continue to outweigh the risks, given the risk of COVID-19 diseases and related, potentially severe, complications.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) said on June 23 that more than 1,200 cases of heart inflammation in adolescents and young adults who received the Pfizer or Moderna CCP virus vaccine have been reported. The majority of the patients were male, and the majority of cases were reported after the second dose of a vaccine.

Dr. Tom Shimabukuro, a CDC official, had presented the data to the CDCs vaccine advisory committee. According to his presentation, heart inflammation occurred at a rate in 12- to 39-year-olds of 12.6 cases per million second doses of any mRNA vaccine in the 21 days following vaccination, with rates higher in males.

The CDC in May started an investigation into a possible link between mRNA vaccines and myocarditis after Israels health ministry said in April it was monitoring a small number of cases of people developing heart inflammation after getting Pfizers vaccine. At the time, there were also reports that the Pentagon was tracking 14 cases of heart inflammation among people vaccinated through the military healthcare system.

On June 1, Israels health ministry said that the small number of myocarditis cases that were found in mainly young men who received the COVID-19 Pfizer vaccine were likely linked to the vaccination.

The FDAs authorization of the Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna vaccines for emergency use marked the first time it did so for vaccines that use mRNA technology.

According to the FDA, the mRNA vaccine contains a small piece of the CCP viruss mRNA that instructs cells in the body to make the distinctive spike protein of the virus. When a person receives the vaccine, their body produces copies of the spike protein which does not cause disease, but triggers the immune system to learn to react defensively, producing an immune response against the CCP virus, according to the agency.

Dr. Tal Zaks, Modernas chief medical officer, previously said that while both Pfizer and Moderna vaccines use the same mRNA technology, the makeup of the vaccines arent identical, with some of the lipids or fats encasing the vaccines being different.

Update: A part of this article has been edited for clarity. A statement from Pfizer has been added.
Ohio Legislature Passes Bill to Ban COVID-19 Vaccine Mandates at Schools, Universities

Ohio lawmakers approved a bill that would ban public schools and universities from requiring students and staff to receive any COVID-19 vaccine that hasnt received full approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

House Bill 244, approved on Monday, would also prohibit the institutions from discriminating against an individual who has not received a vaccine for COVID-19, the disease caused by the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus.

Such forms of discrimination would include requiring a person to participate in activities that are different from what a vaccinated person would be required to participate in, according to the bill text (pdf).

It passed along party lines in the Ohio Senate, 24-8, and the Ohio House, 61-34.

None of the vaccines currently being administered in the United States have been fully approved by the FDA to-date. All three are being used under emergency authorization, and its unclear when regulators will make a decision. Two of the vaccines authorized for emergency use in the United States require two doses.

The simple fact is that decision needs to be decided by their parents and by their family, said state Senate President Matt Huffman, a Republican, arguing that young adults arent as severely impacted by the virus as others.

State Sen. Andrew Brenner, a Republican, argued that college students should be able to independently make the decision.

This is about personal rights, he said, reported WKSU. But its also about making sure our students are protected and that parents are making the decisions and college students are making the decisions about their own personal rights.

The legislation now heads to Gov. Mike DeWines desk. According to NBC4, DeWine has declined to comment on whether he would veto or sign the bill.

This is a happy day today, so were not going to talk about unhappy things or anything else, the Republican governor said at a separate bill signing.

The concept of vaccine passports has been criticized by civil rights groups and Republicans as a potential invasion of privacy. Several Republican-led states have introduced measures to ban such passports from use. Floridas Ron DeSantis became the first governor to issue an executive order that barred the use of vaccine passports.

At the time, DeSantis expressed concerns that vaccination records are private health information, adding that if a passport is needed to take part in everyday life, such as a sporting event, then such policies would create two classes of citizens.

States including Iowa, Alabama, Texas, Georgia, Arizona, and Wyoming have followed suit with similar measures banning vaccine passports in certain settings, such as banning the need to show proof of vaccination as a condition to enter an area or to receive a government service, permit, or license.

Last month, Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced the No Vaccine Passports Act, to prohibit any federal vaccine passport system, and is seeking to bar the White House from doing anything to mandate vaccines.

Were seeing some places where employers are saying if youre not vaccinated, youre fired, and that ought to be illegal. Your health decisions are yours to make, and it shouldnt be your boss. It shouldnt be the government. It shouldnt be anyone else forcing you to make those decisions, Cruz told Fox News.
One of the Most Stunning Places on the Planet: Photographer Captures Surreal Landscapes on Socotra Island

An adventurous Russian-born photographer recently captured some outlandish landscape images of Socotraan island of extraordinary geography off the east coast of Africa and Yemen. Words cannot properly describe some of the pictures the trip produced.

Daniel Kordan, a Nikon ambassador who now lives in a gorgeous villa in Tuscany, journeyed to Socotra with a mission to capture the unique islands stunning features, including its remarkable flora and white sand dunes. He describes the island as one of the most stunning places on the planet to photograph.

Among the top spots Kordan visited and managed to capture on the island was the Diksam Plateau, a spot that hosts the Dracaena cinnabari, otherwise known as the dragon blood tree.

The tree, of distinctive, eye-catching anatomical form, bears a legend for its peculiar name: the first dragon blood tree is said to have been formed from the blood of a dragon wounded battling an elephant.

Many of the photos of the plateau were captured at night, in an environment with less light pollution and a clearer atmosphere.

In order to take shots like these, the photographer advises choosing a week with no moon where one can capitalize on a low-light, starry background.

Kordan went on to shoot what he dubbed to be Eden itself, a valley featuring unusual blooming roses amidst frankincense trees and a surreal purple morning skya spot he describes as purely magical.

The traveling photographer shot the scenery at sunrise against the morning light to make the flowers really sparkle.

Kordan also visited the white sand dunes of Socotras spectacular coastline, with silky lines of sand rising gracefully and then plunging into a gorgeous turquoise sea. He shot the photos after sunrise when there was plenty of light, to produce an incredible contrast of lines and textures. Offering insight into daylight shooting, he noted that such light conditions will make the sands appear pure white.

Delving further inland, the photographer visited and shot the Zahek white sand desert with its equally spectacular, though less pronounced, sand dunes, before lastly visiting the village of QalansiyaSocotras second-largest settlement.

The village, situated next to the Arabian Sea, lies near a body of water called the Detwah Lagoon, with picturesque beachesand some lively local inhabitants who made an appearance in the shoot.

Kordan advises fellow photographers wanting to snap pictures of the villagers to arrive 30 minutes before sunrise, allowing time to set up and find the perfect spot in preparation for the locals arrival.

Kordan made the trip via charter flight with a group of fellow photographers, partnering with a local agency which provided them Yemeni visas.

He warns that Socotra has zero tourism and no fancy hotels. He stayed in a tent in the wilderness during his trip, bathing in natural fresh water pools and cooking meals on open bonfires.

Kordan started developing an interest in photography as a child, growing up in a beautiful lake region near Moscow.

Since beginning his photography career, hes won several awards. In 2013, Kordan won the National Geographic Russia contest; more recently he won the Golden Turtle 2013 Nature nominations, among other awards.

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Epoch Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
Mosquitoes in a container in a laboratory in Germany, which saw its first case of West Nile virus in 2019, in a 2019 file photograph. (Steffen Kugler/Getty Images)

Orange County Takes a Bite out of Its Mosquito Population

Southern California cities are preparing for battle against blood-sucking pests this summer as mosquito season picks up.

The city of La Habrawhich has historically had high mosquito and West Nile virus activityis conducting its first of many large-scale mosquito sprays on June 30.

Mosquitoes are responsible for more human deaths than any other creature in the world, killing hundreds of thousands of people every year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Orange County Mosquito and Vector Control District (OCMVCD) is kicking off its control efforts with a wide-area larvicide spray (WALS) treatment in La Habra.

This treatment will prevent mosquitoes from emerging into biting adults and will help prevent the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, Rick Howard, OCMVCD district manager, said in a statement.

The larvicide treatment will target water sources and prevent immature mosquitos from developing into adult mosquitoes.

Efforts will focus on residential areas within La Habra. The spraying treatment will occur between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. and will be repeated regularly until October.

Plans are also in place to apply the mosquito treatment at Harriett M. Wieder Regional Park in Huntington Beach, the University of CaliforniaIrvine marsh, and the Fairview Wetlands in Costa Mesa.

The WALS treatment consists of a bacterium that has no toxicity to people and pets, and is certified to treat organic crops. The application is not harmful to the finishes on cars or homes.

To help mitigate the mosquito population, residents are asked to eliminate standing water on their properties, as they attract and breed mosquitoes. According to OCMVCD, even a capful of water can produce hundreds of mosquitoes.

Residents need to take action by dumping and draining standing water in containers on their property, OCMVCD spokesperson Heather Hyland, said in a statement.

We must reduce mosquito breeding around homes to reduce the presence of adult mosquitoes and prevent diseases mosquitoes have the potential to transmit.

Residents are encouraged to tip out any standing water at least once a week, toss out unused containers, and clean and scrub bird baths and pet water bowls weekly.

To prevent mosquito bites, OCMVCD recommends wearing mosquito repellant or lemon eucalyptus oil, close all unscreened doors and windows, wear long-sleeved shirts and long pants, and opt for lighter-colored clothing.
Lateif Dickerson re-fills bullets at his gun instruction headquarters in Jersey City, New Jersey on March 25, 2021. (Spencer Platt/Getty Images)

Pennsylvania Democrats to Propose Bullet Tax and Encoded Rounds to Track Ammo Owners

A 5 cent per bullet tax will be proposed in Pennsylvania as part of legislation to be brought forth by two state House Democrats, Rep. Manny Guzman and Rep. Stephen Kinsey.

The tax would fund a state police database of ammunition sold in Pennsylvania.

The planned legislation would require ammunition manufacturers to encode ammunition provided for retail sale in Pennsylvania, and to provide ammunition serial numbers to the Pennsylvania State Police for the ammunition database. The plan was revealed in a joint memo to the state legislature by Guzman and Kinsey.

Since 2015, only 21% of the nearly 8,500 shootings that Philadelphia has endured have resulted in an arrest or conviction, the memo said. Far too often, all that is left for the police to find is a victim and a bullet. By making the bullet a more useable piece of evidence, independent from the associated firearm, we can give our law enforcement officers the tools that they need to solve more of these heinous crimes.

By maintaining a record of purchases of ammunition, the memo continues, our law enforcement officers will be able to easily trace the ownership of any ammunition involved in a crime. This proposal is a much more reliable method of forensic tracing than current systems like ballistic fingerprinting, since determination of a bullets code does not require any special skills or equipment, and it serves as an objective identifier.

It is time for us to keep track of these lethal weapons and ensure that we have the tools necessary to convict individuals who use their firearms for unlawful purposes, the memo said.

The plan would impose a 5 cent per round tax. Ammunition owners could file for a tax credit of one-half of a percent (0.5 percent) of the gross amount of the tax paid.

That is, a 50 cent tax return for every $100 spent in bullet taxes. A purchase of 2,000 rounds would cost $100 in tax.

Gun Owners of America-Pennsylvania Director Val Finnell says the plan amounts to registration and taxation of a constitutional right, to own ammunition.

If you register your ammo, thats a prelude to confiscation, just like firearms registration would be, Finnell said, noting that if a bill to ban certain ammunition is passed, an ammunition database would show law enforcement who has ammunition to confiscate.

This is the agenda of Philadelphia Democrats: registration and confiscation, Finnell said. They say we just want common-sense gun laws to help police but criminals are going to obtain guns anyway. The only ones it affects are law-abiding citizens.

Finnell predicts the bill will not move in the Republican-led General Assembly.

Republican state Rep. Matthew Dowling, chair of the Pennsylvania House Second Amendment Caucus, says lawmakers shouldnt be weighing down state police with managing an ammunition database that should not exist.

Not only is this onerous for state police who should be using resources in other ways, its a violation of privacy standards, Dowling said. This is on top of the fact that we have a massive shortage of ammo. Law-abiding citizens are having a hard time trying to get their hands on ammo. This will only make it more difficult for them.

It is unclear how such a law would address unmarked ammunition from other states or the ammunition already owned by Pennsylvanians.

Neither Guzman nor Kinsey responded to calls and emails requesting comment.

Although Pennsylvania Governor Tom Wolfs mask mandate and other COVID-19-related restrictions have ended, Kinseys Philadelphia constituent office had a recording explaining the office is closed out of an abundance of caution due to the risk of COVID-19. Kinsey did have staff in his Harrisburg capitol building office.
Pennsylvania Gov. Vetoes GOP-Backed Election Integrity Bill

Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf vetoed a Republican-backed election overhaul bill that would expand voter identification requirements, move up the voter registration deadline, limit the use of drop-boxes, and allow county officials to conduct early pre-canvassing for mail-in ballots, among other measures.

In explaining why he vetoed the bill, the Democrat governor wrote that he made it clear I wouldnt sign a bill that creates barriers to voting, adding thats exactly what this bill does by: Limiting mail ballots, Capping early voting, Cutting voter registration time.

On Wednesday, Wolf also used his line-item veto authority to remove a budget legislation proposal that would earmark millions of dollars to create an election-auditing agency.

Wolf separately wrote in his veto letter that he wants to work on legislation that can be passed on a bipartisan basis later this year.

The election measure, known as the Voting Rights Protection Act, passed in the GOP-held state Senate by a vote of 29 to 21, falling short of the two-thirds majority to override Wolfs veto.

Pennsylvania state Rep. Seth Grove, a Republican who chairs the House State Government Committee, on Wednesday accused Wolf of failing voters and asserted that provisions within the bill are supported by most Pennsylvanians.

To say I am disappointed in Wolfs lack of action is an understatement, Grove said in a statement to media outlets. Though Wolf has put on blinders to problems within our election process, it doesnt mean the problems do not exist.

Conservative policy group Heritage Action sharply criticized the governors veto.

Voter ID requirements are a common-sense first step to protecting our elections. They are supported by 74 percent of Pennsylvania voters, the groups director, Jessica Anderson, said Wednesday.

The bill is also one of several efforts by Republican-controlled legislatures to shore up what they say are lax laws and enforcement around elections. Theyve also argued that such bills are needed to restore public trust in elections.

Meanwhile, Democrats have near-universally panned such measures at the state and federal level, accusing Republicans of trying to suppress voter turnout rates. In other states, Democrats have accused Republicans of passing such measures in a bid to suppress minority groups voting rights.

Recent polls, however, have suggested that a majority of Americans support requiring voters to present photo identification before casting their ballots. A survey from Monmouth suggested that 62 percent of Democrats, 87 percent of independents, and 91 percent of Republicans support some form of voter identification requirement.
People Need to Verify News Using Multiple Sources and Sift out Facts From Opinions: Newsmax Host Stinchfield

People need to acquire skills on how to find news sources they can trust and verify what they read by checking multiple sources or websites, as well as train themselves to be able to separate the facts from opinions, said Grant Stinchfield, host of Stinchfield on Newsmax.

He did not discourage people from reading or viewing the mainstream media like CNN or Washington Post but advised them to also read conservative publications and start to figure out where the facts are.

Start to use reason . If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is, Stinchfield said in a recent interview on EpochTVs Crossroads program.

Stinchfield warned that there are hucksters on the conservative side too, who take advantage of peoples conservative views like their support for former President Donald Trump and say for example that Trump somehow is going to be swept into office.

People just need to use reason, common sense when reading news, the newsman said.

Viewers and readers are usually not trained in news and use it just to gather information, Stinchfield continued. He advised them to start learning how to sift out facts from opinions on their own. You do it by going to a lot of different sources.

The host said hed like to say everything on his show is factual and that he checked out the facts, but there are also a lot of opinions in his program, so he tells the audience that he is an opinionator. I dont hide the fact that Im an opinionator. I tell people Im an opinionator.

However when it comes to mainstream media, I think they want you to believe hes [Anderson Cooper] an anchorman giving you the news, but sure, as heck, sounds to me, like hes an opinionator. Thats dangerous for people, Stinchfield said referring to CNN not saying that Cooper is an opinionator, but he sounds like one.

Reporters are human too, as much as its hard to believe sometimes, their bias affects their judgment when they cover stories.

Fact vs. Opinion

Young reporters have been trained for over two decades to push a liberal way of thinking and this is why they now push a liberal mentality, Stinchfield explained.

However, when Stinchfield covered the origin of the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus that caused the COVID-19 pandemic, he found that after testing thousands of animals, theres still no evidence of an animal having this, although mainstream media pushed the natural origin theory.

Thats not opinion. Thats a fact. Let viewers draw their own conclusion from that, explained Stinchfield, a four-time Emmy Award-winning investigative reporter.

There is a lot of evidence indicating that the CCP virus could have originated in the lab, he said, adding that these are all facts, conclude what you want from it.

All these facts, when added up, led Stinchfield to a conclusion that the virus originated from the lab. Do I have absolute proof that it came from the lab, yet? No. But Ive got a lot of evidence leading me to believe that it came from there.

A January State Department fact sheet raised questions about whether the outbreak could have been the result of a lab accident at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV). It said the United States has reason to believe that several WIV researchers became sick with symptoms consistent with both COVID-19 and common seasonal illnesses in autumn 2019. The department also said the lab had been conducting secret military experiments on animals since at least 2017, and that it has a history of conducting research on modifying viruses to have new or enhanced capabilities.

Media pushed the theory of the natural origin of the CCP virus based on two influential articles published in early 2020 by scientists who were part of a response team of experts brought in by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM), in response to a request from a White House official.

The articles were used extensively by media to promote the natural origin of the virus while simultaneously deriding alternative theoriesincluding that of a possible lab leakas conspiracy theories.

In dealing with liberal media, Trump taught Republicans that they can go after the media and can criticize them, Stinchfield said. President Trump was simple, in one fact. He said what he meant, and he wasnt afraid to say it.

Republicans were often afraid to say things worrying about what mainstream media such as the Washington Post would write or say about them, Stinchfield said, advising conservatives to stop caring about it. Be firm, be bold, and we need more people like that.

Jeff Carlson, Hans Mahncke, and Cathy He contributed to this report.
Police Dog Takes Bullet for Fellow Officers, Making Ultimate SacrificeGets Final Farewell

A Massachusetts police dog was hailed a hero after making the ultimate sacrifice for his fellow officers of the Braintree Police Department during a domestic dispute call.

Fallen Belgian Malinois Kitt was transported via motorcade to Gillette Stadium in Foxboro for a private funeral service, where hundreds of the K9 officers colleagues bid him farewell on Tuesday, June 22.

On June 4, Kitt, along with his handler officer Cushing, and officers Donoghue and Seibert, responded to a domestic dispute call involving an armed suspect in Braintree Village.

An update informed them that the suspect had fled an apartment on foot, armed with multiple firearms, and entered a heavily wooded area. The officers pursued and were then ambushed by the suspect, who opened fire at close range.

Kitt then advanced on the suspect, diverting his attention away from the officers, potentially saving their lives.

The dog was mortally shot in the exchange. The K9s handler and officer Donoghue were also wounded by gunfire but survived. Officer Seibert, a former U.S. Army medic who was unhurt, applied immediate medical care before Cushing and Donoghue were transported to local hospitals. Both are now recovering at home.

The suspect was killed during the exchange, a local press release stated.

If not for the actions of K9 Kitt the circumstances that afternoon could have been dramatically different, the release stated. K9 Kitt valiantly gave his life for the life of his beloved handler and his partners and died a true hero that afternoon.

The brave Belgian Malinois, born in 2009 in Slovakia, was imported to the United States by Connecticut Canine Services. He and officer Cushing were then trained and certified at Canine Academy by a master canine trainer.

The K9 officer specialized in tracking and apprehending, locating missing persons, and finding crime scene evidence. Kitt also worked with the Metro-LEC Swat Team. In 2016, he was awarded the Braintree Medal of Valor for protecting several officers during an armed confrontation.

The heroic dog was 11 years old when he performed his final act of valor in the service of his colleagues and his community.

Share your stories with us at emg.inspired@epochtimes.com, and continue to get your daily dose of inspiration by signing up for the Epoch Inspired newsletter at TheEpochTimes.com/newsletter
In this screenshot from the RNCs livestream of the 2020 Republican National Convention, South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem addresses the virtual convention on Aug. 26, 2020. (Courtesy of the Committee on Arrangements for the 2020 Republican National Committee via Getty Images)

Private Donor Funds South Dakotas National Guard Deployment to Border: Governors Office

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem said on June 29 that she will use a donation to help fund the deployment of National Guard troops who are being sent to the U.S.Mexico border following a request from the governors of Texas and Arizona for immigration assistance.

Noem joined several Republican governors, including Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, in sending troops to the border. Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, both Republicans, made a request in a letter sent to all other governors seeking assistance at the countrys southern border amid a spike in illegal immigrants crossing the border.

According to a statement from Noems office, the Guard deployment will be paid for by a private donation. Her office didnt elaborate on the details of the donation, noting that the initial deployment to the border will last for between 30 and 60 days.

Ian Fury, a spokesman for Noem, confirmed the private donation to Politico, explaining that it will help alleviate the cost to South Dakota taxpayers.

Noems office didnt respond to a request for comment by press time.

A Tennessee-based Republican donor told Politico that he made the donation to allow South Dakota to pay for the deployment.

Border Patrol agents apprehend illegal aliens from Mexico as they exit from the bottom of a grain hopper on a freight train heading to San Antonio, on June 21, 2021. (Charlotte Cuthbertson/The Epoch Times)

In comments to the news outlet, the donor said that the Guard deployment is necessary because the border wallproposed by former President Donald Trump during his 2016 campaignhasnt been fully constructed yet. The Biden administration, in a series of executive orders, rescinded some federal funding for the walls construction and sent the money to the Department of Defense.

Republicans have said that the White Houses policies and messaging around immigration have been disastrous and have led to a spike in illegal border crossings. Theyve pointed to data recently released by Border Patrol, including a report released earlier this month that found that more than 180,000 illegal immigrants had been apprehended in May.

Biden administration officials have struggled to defend their handling of the border and immigration, although President Joe Biden and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas have argued that the Trump administrations policies were inhumane and ineffectivealthough even some Democratic officials representing areas along the border have called for additional support.

The border is a national security crisis that requires the kind of sustained response only the National Guard can provide, Noem, a Republican, said in a statement. We should not be making our own communities less safe by sending our police or Highway Patrol to fix a long-term problem President Bidens Administration seems unable or unwilling to solve.

Representatives of the Department of Homeland Security didnt respond to a request for comment on the Guard deployment and private donation by press time.
People participate in a demonstration against the city's plans to reopen an autonomous zone known as George Floyd Square, outside Cup Foods in Minneapolis, Minn., on Aug. 17, 2020. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Protesters Hold Minneapolis City Council VP Hostage by Blocking Vehicle, Making Demands About Mayor

The vice president of the Minneapolis City Council alleged that she was held hostage during an LGBT celebration over the past weekend amid video footage posted online that showed a large number of demonstrators surrounding her vehicle and telling her to sign a list of demands.

Andrea Jenkins, who represents Minneapolis 8th Ward, said in a statement Tuesday that I was verbally attacked, berated and held hostage against my will by a large group of angry protesters during the incident.

Every citizen of this City has a right to bring forward their concerns, but no citizen has the right to detain and coerce anyone to do anything, that includes elected officials, Jenkins said, while adding that some businesses and residents in the area where George Floyd was killed last year have also been held hostage by demonstrators and agitators.

In an interview with KTSP, Jenkins separately said that we have mechanisms for expressing ones displeasure with their government, theres a First Amendment right, people have the right to do that. We do not have a right to traumatize, detain and or humiliate people for their positions.

Jenkins comments came after a 23-minute long video showed her confrontation with demonstrators and agitators circulated on social media this week.

A left-wing demonstrator, D.J. Hooker, posted the clip to social media. Among other demands, Hooker wanted Jenkins to pledge her support for [Mayor] Jacob Freys immediate resignation. Jenkins then laughs and shakes her head no, while demonstrators start chanting: Jacob Frey resign.

On Sunday, extreme BLM activists blocked Minneapolis city council member @annapoetic in the street. Andrea Jenkins was forced to sign a statement that charges against alleged rioters would be dropped. This incident has not been reported in the local press. pic.twitter.com/fpCX5B7r5w  Andy Ngo (@MrAndyNgo) June 29, 2021

Hooker then told Jenkins to leave George Floyd Square alone. Period, reported the Star-Tribune. Jenkins replies: Dont do my job, is that what youre asking me to do?

In the KTSP interview, Jenkins, who was seen signing a document presented by the demonstrators, said she signed it in duress.

Frey, a Democrat, echoed Jenkinss sentiment and said demonstrators have no right to hold people hostage and list demands.

Holding people for hours against their will until they make a statement under duress is completely unacceptable, he said, according to local media reports. Its wrong.

Following Floyds death last year, millions of dollars in damage was done to businesses and residences in Minneapolis along as rioters, vandals, looters, and agitators ran amok. The former officer involved in Floyds death, Derek Chauvin, was sentenced earlier this month to 22 and a half years in prison on second-degree murder charges.

The intersection where Chauvin was seen on top of Floyd has turned into a makeshift memorial known as George Floyd Square. However, city officials and local residents have complained that the memorial is blocking traffic while the city several weeks ago moved to clear makeshift barriers that were erected around it.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stands during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Sept. 24, 2020. (The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick)

Racism Accusations May Not Reflect Reality

News Analysis

Prominent national politicians have accused their fellow politicians of racism or sexism in recent weeks, but the justification for those labels is often unclear.

One example occurred in late May, when several Conservative MPs raised questions in the House of Commons related to scientists at the National Microbiology Laboratory in Winnipeg collaborating with researchers tied to the Chinese military.

When Conservative Deputy Leader Candice Bergen pressed Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about whether he would commit to ending research co-operation with the Chinese communist military, he asked that Tory MPs, in their zeal to make personal attacks, not start to push too far into intolerance towards Canadians of diverse origins.

He made similar comments about anti-Asian racism when questioned on the issue by Conservative MPs Pierre Paul-Hus and Michael Barrett.

On June 25, a Twitter missive from Independent MP Jody Wilson-Raybould told Trudeau: Stop your selfish jockeying for an electionwhich no one really wantsand do what you promised in 2018. The closing of the tweet referred to Trudeaus 2018 promise to create new legislation that would require federal officials to recognize indigenous rights, which are guaranteed under the Constitution, as a starting point for any government action, decision, or negotiations.

In response, Crown-Indigenous Relations Minister Carolyn Bennett sent a text message to Wilson-Raybould that included the word Pension? Wilson-Raybould would need to remain in office until Oct. 19, 2021, to qualify for an MP pension.

Wilson-Raybould posted a screenshot of the text message on Twitter and called Bennetts comment racist and misogynist, even though Bennett is also female. Wilson-Raybould suggested the text Reflects notion that Indigenous peoples are lazy & only want $  Conveys a strong Indigenous woman, is a bad Indig woman.

Soon after, Bennett tweeted an apology. I let interpersonal dynamics get the better of me and sent an insensitive and inappropriate comment, which I deeply regret and shouldnt have done, she wrote.

Frances Widdowson, an associate professor of political science and policy studies at Mount Royal University in Calgary, says she doesnt see anything racist about Bennetts text, noting that if the minister had said this to a non-indigenous person, it would have been seen as typical political sparring.

There is nothing on its face that would make the comment racist. How does it imply that indigenous peoples are inferior because of their race, and should have fewer political rights on this basis? Widdowson said in an interview.

It is automatically assumed to be racist because any criticism of an indigenous person is now declared to be racist. This is what Thomas Sowell calls race hustling, she said, referring to the black American economist and senior fellow at Stanford Universitys Hoover Institution.

On June 16, Green party Leader Annamie Paul levelled racism accusations after a three-hour meeting during which the partys federal council pondered calling a confidence vote on her leadership.

At a press conference following the meeting, Paul said a small group of councillors produced allegations that were so racist, so sexist that they were immediately disavowed by both of our MPs as offensive and inflammatory.

The charge of sexism was called into question because the challenge to Pauls leadership was prompted by a scathing letter written by two women: Kate Storey, who is the fund representative of the Green Party of Canada Fund, and Beverley Eert, the federal councils Manitoba representative.

Paul has acted with an autocratic attitude of hostility, superiority, and rejection, failing to assume her duty to be an active, contributing, respectful, attentive member of Federal Council, they wrote. She has attended few council meetings, and when in attendance, has displayed anger in long, repetitive, aggressive monologues and has failed to recognize the value of any ideas except her own.

Nelson Wiseman, a political science professor at the University of Toronto, doesnt see what Paul sees.

I dont see anything racist or sexist in the quotes of the two women.  However, we dont know what was said at the council meeting or of other interactions Paul has had with councilmembers, Wiseman said in an interview.

Her charge about racism and sexism will have little traction unless she offers more compelling evidence. The letter by the two women is quite damning.

Christopher Dummitt, professor of Canadian studies at Trent University in Ontario, says Pauls accusations should prompt questions.

In what situation would it be possible to criticize Paul? In what situation would the race card not be used to defend her? How would we know if criticisms of her leadership werent racist? Is it even possible to criticize her without being labelled racist? he said.

Back in March, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan referred to white men when testifying before the Commons defence committee on his handling of a 2018 complaint of sexual misconduct against then-defence chief Gen. Jonathan Vance.

NDP MP Randall Garrison questioned Sajjan as to why he refused to look at the evidence presented to him by then-military ombudsman Gary Walbourne. Garrison said that since no investigation was taking place at the time, he was puzzled by Sajjans explanation that his becoming involved as the minister would have been political interference.

Garrison then said he thought Sajjans reaction could have been either because of his long personal and career relationship with Vance, or because knowledge of the allegations was widespread among senior leadership.

In his response, Sajjan said he took issue with efforts to define my experience from my service in the Canadian Armed Forces.

Ive had many people, many white men, trying to tell me what my experience is.  You said I was hiding something because of service. Please dont do that, because dont define my experience in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Rep. Lauren Boebert Can Block People on Personal Twitter Account, Judge Rules

A federal judge has sided with Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-Colo.) in a First Amendment lawsuit, allowing the first-time Congresswoman to continue blocking a critic on her personal Twitter account.

Boebert, a vocal supporter of former President Donald Trump, blocked former state Rep. Brianna Buentello, a Democrat, after Buentello criticized Boeberts remarks in the days leading up to the Jan. 6 breach of the U.S. Capitol, calling her a seditionist and demanding that she resign.

Buentello sued on the basis of First Amendment rights, arguing that Boeberts Twitter block was not an act of a private individual, but an act on behalf of the state, because Boebert uses her personal Twitter account for announcements related to her works in Congress. She also cited previous cases in which courts ruled that elected officials, including Trump, cannot block constituents. Buentello is a Boebert constituent in Colorados Congressional District 3.

Judge Daniel Domenico, a Trump-appointee, rejected Buentellos request for a preliminary injunction that would have forced Boebert to unblock her. In his June 24 ruling, Domenico said that Buentello failed to prove that Boeberts blocking her on Twitter was a state action, and therefore didnt have standing to pursue a First Amendment claim.

Congress, not its individual members, commands the federal government, and it is that body that the First Amendment sought to constrain, Domenico wrote. Individual legislators do not have the constitutional power to either make law or abridge speech, and thus their individual actions are not within the First Amendments coverage.

Domenico also noted that Boeberts account that blocked Buentello is not operated by any government staff, and that Boebert could block Buentello before she was in office and do so after she leaves office. It is hard to see how the action could be deemed to be one taken under authority created by the state or on its behalf, he wrote.

The dispute over whether elected officials should be able to block critics on their social media pages gained popularity in 2017, when Trump was sued for blocking people from his personal @realDonaldTrump Twitter account after they criticized his policies. While the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld a ruling that Trump cannot block people based on their political views, the U.S. Supreme Court in April dismissed the case against Trump, who is no longer in the White House or on Twitter.

In another widely watched case in 2019, Rep. Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) was sued by former state Assemblyman Dov Hikind, a Democrat, who said he criticized the Congresswoman on Twitter and was then blocked from her account. The two ended up reaching a settlement, with Ocasio-Cortez publicly apologizing to Hikind, saying that blocking him was wrong and improper and does not reflect the values I cherish.
Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami President Mary Simon shakes hands with Prime Minister Stephen Harper, as Assembly of First Nations Chief Phil Fontaine watches, after the government's official apology for residential schools, in the House of Commons on June 11, 2008. (The Canadian Press/Fred Chartrand)

Residential Schools: Canada Confronted With Difficult Past

The difficult past and present of Canadas indigenous peoples are once again in the spotlight after First Nations groups took it upon themselves to locate unmarked graves at two former residential school sites.

The issue of missing children and unrecorded burials was the subject of Volume 4 of the 3,500-page Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) report that was released in 2015. The Liberal government allocated $33.8 million in the 2019 budget to establish a residential school death registry, but funding for the program was only recently made available.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks about residential schools in the House of Commons in Ottawa on June 1, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

Ken Coates, a professor in the Graduate School of Public Policy at the University of Saskatchewan, says finding the gravesites is important for the First Nations community. He says the discovery acknowledges in a more public way what the community has been saying for years, and provides an opportunity to grieve the past.

Its a chance for some closure, he said in an interview.

Dustin Twin Sr., an elder with the Swan River First Nation in northern Alberta, agrees.

The nations and the families can grieve, and put some closure and know what happened to the children, Twin told The Epoch Times.

Twin, 74, attended the Joussard residential school in northwest Alberta from age 8 until he was 17, from 1955 to 1964.

He says his grandparents cared for him before he was sent to the school, and he missed them very much while at the school. He has very bad memories from his experience at the school, which he says led him down a path of alcoholism and a troubled life. The school was very militaristic and authoritative, he said, and the nuns running it didnt treat the children with kindness, making him feel he was inferior. He recalls that some would sometimes even call him and his peers le sauvage, which can be translated from French as completely wild.

Twin says he only had a chance to see his grandparents during Christmas and summer holidays at first. Then when he was older, he was able to travel back on the weekends if he could arrange his own transportation for the 50-kilometre trek home.

Twin says he didnt see any fellow peers pass away during his time at the school. But he notes that in his community, like others, he heard stories of children going to the residential schools and never coming back.

It was common knowledge that there were parents that didnt know what happened to their children, he said.

J.R. Miller, professor emeritus of history at the University of Saskatchewan, says the whole issue is very sad.

I feel for the families in the communities. Ive worked with some of them and I know that it just tears them apart when these sorts of stories surface, but theyre facing up to it, Miller told The Epoch Times.

TRC Report

The TRC was organized as one of the requirements of the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement (IRSSA) of 2006. The agreement established a $1.9 billion compensation package for all former residential school students. Then-prime minister Stephen Harper offered an apology to Canadas indigenous peoples for the schools in 2008.

TRC chair Murray Sinclair in a file photo. (The Canadian Press/Fred Chartrand)

The TRC received $72 million from Ottawa from 2007 to 2015 for its work. It was mandated to create a complete historical record of the residential school system and to capture the experience of those impacted, by talking with witnesses and consulting documents, while supporting commemoration for former residential school students.

In an article in the British Columbian Quarterly, Miller notes that the TRCs work in some areas, including the investigation into the children who died at the schools, was not conducted thoroughly, as key researchers left the TRC before their work could be completed.

He also says the final TRC report contains some errors. As an example, the History volume mentions that officials in the late 19th century considered making it mandatory for First Nations children to attend some type of school, but he says it wrongly concludes that the question being debated was whennot ifparents would be compelled to send their children to residential schools.

Attending schools was made mandatory for indigenous children as part of an amendment to the Indian Act in 1920, decades after it was made compulsory for non-indigenous children. Article 10 of the act requires that every Indian child between the ages of seven and fifteen years who is physically able shall attend such day, industrial or boarding school as may be designated by the Superintendent General for the full periods during which such school is open each year.

The issue becomes more complicated when considering that even though day schools were cited as an option, for reserves that didnt have day schools available or couldnt bus the children to public schoolswhich became possible for some in later yearsthe only choice was residential schools.

Miller told The Epoch Times that one way the state failed the children in its care at the residential schools was by not ensuring the adequate provision of necessities such as food and health care.

According to the TRC, it was able to confirm 3,201 deaths of children in residential schools during the history of the operation of the schools from the late 19th century to the late 20th century. Commission chair Justice Murray Sinclair has said the number could be as high as 6,000.

The TRC says in its report that the failure to establish and enforce adequate standards, coupled with the failure to adequately fund the schools, resulted in unnecessarily high death rates at residential schools.

It is estimated that more than 150,000 indigenous children attended the schools over the years, with enrolment peaking in the 1950s.

Of the 3,201 deaths, 2,434 occurred prior to 1940, and 691 in the following 60 years (the date for 76 cases of the deaths are unknown), the TRC says. Its report notes that the major cause of death was tuberculosis, accounting for 47 percent of the deaths for which there is a known cause.

The report says the death rate among the indigenous children in residential schools was much higher than the death rate among children in the general population.

It is also known that the death rate on reserves from diseases such as tuberculosis was higher than the general population. The situation gradually improved in the 1950s as the federal government started to take more health-care initiatives. Miller says a limitation of records makes it hard to know if the death rate in residential schools was higher compared to the death rate among children on reserves. But he says the rate was likely higher in the schools.

The TRC report says that most typically, the remains of children who died were not returned to the families, and many families were left with unanswered questions about what happened to their children or relatives who passed away.

Miller says the lack of information added significantly to the anxiety and anguish felt by the families of the missing children.

In general, there was little consideration given by officials for families of residential school childrenor for First Nations people in general. Officials attitudes were just a microcosm of the general populations indifference about indigenous peoples, he said.

Besides the issue of death, there have also been cases of abuse in residential schools. The IRSSA set up an independent assessment process to provide compensation for cases of sexual abuse or serious physical abuse.

Burial Sites

Miller says as efforts get underway to uncover unmarked burial sites, theres a chance the number of deaths will go up. He wants those communities who want the remains exhumed be provided that chance, and be supplied with resources to identify the remains and cause of death. He notes, however, that its a big undertaking.

A plaque is seen outside the former Kamloops Indian Residential School on the Tkemlups te Secwepemc First Nation in Kamloops, B.C., on May 27, 2021. (The Canadian Press/Andrew Snucins)

Its going to take, Im afraid, a fair number of years and a lot of money, he said.

The Tkemlups te Secwepemc First Nation said on May 27 that by using ground-penetrating radar, it found the remains of 215 children on the grounds of the former Kamloops Indian Residential School.

The Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan said on June 24 that it found 751 unmarked graves at a cemetery near the former Marieval Indian Residential School using ground-penetrating radar. Chief Cadmus Delorme said that the graves may have had markers at one point, but that if they did, those markers have since been removed. He added that its not clear if all the graves belong to children.

Rod Clifton, professor emeritus of sociology of education at the University of Manitoba and co-author of a recent book on the TRC, From Truth Comes Reconciliation, says there are a great many challenges and steps needed to identify any bodies discovered at the gravesites and determine if they belong to children, students at the school, or others.

Ground-penetrating images are not easy to interpret, and forensic anthropologists are needed to examine the remains, he said in an interview.

Adding to the complexity is that other members of the community could have been buried on the school grounds, as usually the schools had a chapel along with a nearby cemetery, Clifton says.

A spokesperson with the BC Coroners Service said the office has offered help to the Tkemlups te Secwepemc and is currently awaiting further information about the report compiled by the First Nations consultant who conducted the radar scanning.

A Saskatchewan government representative said the provinces coroners office is not currently involved in the Cowessess First Nations discovery.

Several provinces, including Saskatchewan, B.C., Ontario, Alberta, and Manitoba, have announced funding to help find more burial sites, and the federal government has made $27 million of its earmarked $33.8 million fund available immediately.

Comprehensive Conversation

Clifton himself was an educator at a residential school in the Northwest Territories in the late 1960s for 16 months, as part of a cross-cultural education program he was enrolled in at his university. Over the years he has become more familiar with the culture, and his spouse is a member of the Blackfoot Nation.

He says that of the final TRC report, which contains six main volumes, the Summary and Legacy volumes received the most media attention but they dont fairly represent the evidence collected in the other parts of the report.

The book he co-authored says testimony that is favourable to the IRS [Indian Residential School] system, collected from school administrators, employees, and non-indigenous IRS students, is provided in many volumes, but these testimonies and their significance are absent from the crucial Summary and Legacy volumes.

He also notes that before the TRCs final report was published, TRC chair Sinclair told the Calgary Herald in 2010: While the TRC has heard many experiences of unspeakable abuse, we have been heartened by testimonies which affirm the dedication and compassion of committed educators who sought to nurture the children in their care.

Clifton adds that the schools were established at the outset amid a changing Canada to provide education to the indigenous population, whose members were facing hardships such as a dwindling bison population in the West, leading to dire food shortages.

Its easy to second-guess that now, but back then it was difficult to know the best way, Clifton said.

I think Canadians really want to know what the truth is in all of its subtlety.

Coates says the issue of residential schools has become so politicized that its hard to have a comprehensive conversation.

Lets take two things that we know to be true, he said. One is that there were brutal pedophiles and violent racists in residential schools who did unthinkably bad things to the children. And some of them have been arrested and put in jail, and some of them have never been charged.

Meanwhile, We also know it to be true that there were teachers and principals who were kind and gentle, some of whom actually took time to learn the language of the children and who were very sympathetic to indigenous cultures, Coates noted.

But they still had a system that was designed to teach children to learn English or French and to participate in the mainstream economy, and not share the value system and lifeways of their parents and grandparents.

No Single Solution

For Clifton, an important part of reconciliation is to avoid further polarization in society. Referring to church burnings in B.C. and Alberta in the wake of the recent developments, he says people should be careful not to create an environment leading to further separation of the community.

A woman takes children to school on a four-wheel vehicle following their lunch break in Attawapiskat First Nation in Northern Ontario on Nov. 29, 2011. (The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld)

I hope we can come out of this without doing more damage, he said.

For Coates, there is no single, immediate solution for the path forward.

Were not going to have something thats going to miraculously turn things around in a minute, he says.

Coates thinks what is needed is to have effective governments run by indigenous people, and for them to decide their economic future, and to avoid paternalism.

I think solutions are actually in front of us. We just need to look at communities that are becoming more confident and celebrating their own success, and let other First Nations find their own path for those outcomes, he says.

Overwhelmingly, [First Nations] are in support of carefully done resource development and economic development. They are sick and tired of being poor and being dependent on government welfare payments with no future.

Editors note: This article was updated to add a reference to the Indian Act with respect to the issue of mandatory school attendance.
Shark Bites Hand of Person Kayaking Near Catalina Island

CATALINA ISLAND, Calif.A kayaker was airlifted to a hospital for surgery June 30 after being bitten on one hand by a shark near Parsons Landing at Catalina Island.

The encounter was reported at 7:15 a.m., according to lifeguards with the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

The patient and their father were kayaking near Parsons Landing when their boat was bumped by what is believed to be a shark of unknown size and type, lifeguards tweeted. During the encounter, the patient reached their hand into the water and was bit by the animal.

The victim had stable vital signs, lifeguards said. But due to the nature of the injury and remote location, the person was taken by helicopter to a hospital to undergo surgery.

The age and gender of the patient were not available.

Lifeguards cleared and closed the ocean one mile in each direction of the incident for at least 24 hours, per LACFD policy.

Lifeguards also requested the assistance of a shark expert from the Scripps Institute of Oceanography to identify the size and type of the shark, according to the tweet.
Supreme Court Reverses 9th Circuit, Orders Courts to Hear Landlord Rights Case From San Francisco

A unanimous Supreme Court held that the courts must hear a challenge to a San Francisco ordinance forcing landowners to provide lifetime leases to tenants, overturning a ruling by the often-reversed U.S. Court of Appeals for the 9th Circuit.

The case, Pakdel v. City and County of San Francisco, court file 20-1212, was disposed of without oral arguments on June 28 in an unsigned opinion.

A businessman had been suing San Francisco over a local rule his lawyers say punishes him for trying to convert his residential rental property into a condominium. The man and his wife had purchased the property in 2009 as an investment, intending to move in when they retired. The ordinance required him, in order to move forward with the conversion, to allow his tenant to remain in the property for life, in what is probably the tightest real estate market in the country.

Along the way, the landlord offered to buy out the tenants lease. The tenant didnt accept the offer and countered with an offer to purchase the property for several hundred thousand dollars below market value. The landlord rejected the counteroffer.

The city approved the conversion. But a few months later, the couple asked the city to either excuse them from executing the lifetime lease or compensate them for the lease. The city denied both requests, informing the couple that failure to execute the lifetime lease  could result in an enforcement action, the opinion stated.

In whats known as an inverse condemnation action, asserting that their property had been unconstitutionally taken without compensation, the couple argued that the lifetime-lease requirement was a regulatory taking.

The takings clause of the Fifth Amendment, which has been applied to the states through the 14th Amendment by way of what lawyers call the doctrine of incorporation, provides: Nor shall private property be taken for public use, without just compensation.

Plaintiff Peyman Pakdels lawsuit was rejected in 2017 by U.S. District Judge Richard Seeborg, an Obama appointee. Seeborg sided with San Francisco, finding, consistent with the Supreme Courts 1985 ruling in Williamson County Regional Planning Commission v. Hamilton Bank of Johnson City that Pakdel should have brought the suit in state courts first before filing in federal court.

A divided 9th Circuit panel affirmed the ruling in 2020, even though in 2019 the Supreme Court had overruled its own 1985 precedent in a case called Knick v. Township of Scott, which made it easier for property owners to seek redress in federal courts without first having to file suit in state courts after their property is taken.

Williamson County was not just wrong, Chief Justice John Roberts wrote at that time for the majority. Its reasoning was exceptionally ill-founded and conflicted with much of our takings jurisprudence.

The problem with the overturned precedent is that adjudicating a takings claim at the state level generally prevents action at the federal level, he wrote.

The takings plaintiff thus finds himself in a Catch-22: He cannot go to federal court without going to state court first; but if he goes to state court and loses, his claim will be barred in federal court. The federal claim dies aborning.

In the Pakdel ruling, the Supreme Court cited the Knick precedent, stating, Given that the Fifth Amendment enjoys full-fledged constitutional status, the Ninth Circuit had no basis to relegate petitioners claim to the status of a poor relation among the provisions of the Bill of Rights.

The high court remanded the Pakdel case to the 9th Circuit, directing it to give further consideration to these claims in light of our recent decision in Cedar Point Nursery v. Hassid.

The Cedar Point Nursery ruling, a ringing endorsement of the sanctity of property rights, was decided June 23, as The Epoch Times previously reported. That decision cited earlier precedent when it stated the right to exclude is one of the most treasured rights of property ownership.

The Pacific Legal Foundation, a Sacramento-based public interest law firm that represents the family, was pleased with the decision.

The Pakdels will finally have their day in court, as they deserve, Jeffrey McCoy, an attorney at Pacific Legal Foundation, a Sacramento-based public interest law firm that represents the family, said in a statement.

As the Supreme Court previously admonished in Knick, property owners should not have to jump through nonsensical hoops to get their day in court.

Kristen Jensen, counsel of record for San Francisco, couldnt be reached for comment.
The Economics and Politics of the Pro-Union Protecting the Right to Organize Act

Commentary

For many decades now, the percentage of private-sector American workers who belong to a labor union has been declining.

According to a Hoover Institution study by Richard A. Epstein, the percentage of unionized workers in the private sector has fallen from nearly 20 percent in 1983 to 6.2 percent in 2019. Attempts by union organizers to persuade employees to unionize have failed in such high-profile cases as the Tennessee Volkswagen plant in 2019, the Nissan plant in Canton, Ohio, in 2017, and the Alabama Amazon warehouse earlier this year.

In the hope of reversing the long-term decline in union membership, President Joe Biden, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), and Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) are pushing strongly for passage of legislation labeled Protecting the Right to Organize (PRO) Act.

The intent of the PRO Act would be to radically change existing labor law to favor union organizers. Among its sweeping changes, the act would overturn the right-to-work laws (laws that protect workers from having to join a union as a condition of employment) in 27 states; take away workers right to secret ballots when voting for or against adopting a union; stripping away workers privacy by compelling employers to share their employees personal contact information with union organizers, and a host of other provisions. (Details are available in analyses by The Heritage Foundation and the Competitive Enterprise Institute.)

To understand this proposed legislation better, we need to view it from two different perspectives: economic and political.

The Economics of Labor Unions

The central myth of unionism is the assertion that wages are as high as they are only because of successful collective bargaining of labor unions. Actually, this is partially true: Unions exercising the power and privileges conferred on them by their exemption from the anti-monopoly provisions in the Clayton Antitrust Act of 1914 and the Wagner (National Labor Relations) Act of 1935 can indeed extract above-market wages from employers who face the grim choice between economic ruin and making concessions to labor unions. The downside of procuring above-market wages in this way is a decrease in the number of jobs. Thats why the cities with the highest unemployment rates decades ago were union strongholds.

Its true that wages were minuscule during the rapid industrialization of the U.S. economy in the 19th century. Wages were low for two reasons: the relatively low productivity of labor then and the merciless economic law of supply and demand. As I have written before, the greatest factor working against the interests of labor in the late 1800s wasnt the presence of greedy employers, but too small a number of greedy employers. As the economy grew, more entrepreneurs started businesses and had to bid for workers. Also, increased capital accumulation and investment increased labor productivity. Unions did nothing to promote either of those pro-worker advances. (See details in the late F. A. Harpers Why Wages Rise, available for free via the Mises Institute.)

[Personal note: 50 years ago, I worked as a janitor for Chrysler. The union rep told me to rest on my broom. I politely declined, because keeping busy at the tedious work was the only way for me to keep my sanity. The union also protected workers who showed up so drunk or stoned that they slept through their shifts. I knew that this would cost many of the salt-of-the-earth, hard-working American workers in UAW their jobs, because Japanese autoworkers did not share the corrupt UAW ethic of demanding more money for less work. And so it came to pass: tens of thousands of UAW jobs evaporated in subsequent decadessome to foreign competition and others due to high UAW wages acting as a stimulus for more rapid adoption of automation.]

Todays workers, benefiting from an abundance of employers and massive capital formation over the past two centuries, are doing quite well without the assistance of labor unionsthats why workers so often vote against joining unions.

Look at our recent past: In 2019 alone, the unemployment rate fell to a half-century low, accompanied by strong increases in median household income, including impressive gains of 8.5 percent among black households and 7.1 percent in Hispanic households. Entrepreneurs and businesses in America created an impressive 2.1 million new jobs, even as the number of unionized workers dropped some 170,000. Basically, private-sector labor unions have become largely irrelevant to workers.

The strongest economic argument that union sympathizers can come up with is the statistic that wages in right-to-work (RTW) states are 3.1 percent lower than those in compulsory union membership states.

In the first place, we should recall that nothing is stopping workers from voting to unionize, so the fact that theyre choosing not to indicates that they perceive more value in being independent than in belonging to a union. Another point to consider is that 3.1 percent difference is largely illusory. Historically, most RTW states (many in the south) were poorer. The fact is that they have been closing the gap in recent years. Also, the pro-union states tend to be Democratic, and Democratic states tend to be high-tax and high cost-of-living jurisdictions, and so the economic benefit of a 3.1 percent income advantage turns out to be chimerical.

The following statistics (pdf) for the 20012016 period show that RTW states have been enjoying superior economic performance to forced-unionism states:

Employment in the private sector increased 27 percent in RTW states, more than 10 percentage points greater than non-RTW states.

Private-sector GDP growth has risen 38 percent in RTW states compared to 29 percent in non-RTW states.

Manufacturing GDP increased by over 30 percent in RTW states, compared to 21 percent in non-RTW states.

Personal income in RTW states rose 39 percent in RTW states versus 26 percent in non-RTW states.

The overwhelming evidence is that workers in RTW states are prospering more than the people in union-stronghold states. What, then, explains the desperate efforts of Democrats to boost unions through the PRO Act? In a word: politics.

The Politics of Unionism

In trying to convince workers of their value, unions tout the alleged benefits of collective bargaining. The fact, though, is that many of todays unions spend far less than half the dues they collect from their members on collective bargaining. For example, in 2018 the Michigan Education Association, the states largest teachers union (disclosure: I am a former dues-payer to MEA), devoted a meager 9 percent (pdf) of its expenditures to collective bargaining.

Most union dues go to political lobbying. Labor unions are a major financial pillar of the Democratic Party. Data gathered by the Center for Responsive Politics shows that the vast majority of unions political contributions go to support the election of Democratic candidates. No wonder the Democratic Party is so eager to strengthen unions. This is a tried and true way for them to force workers to contribute to their campaigns even if the workers oppose Democratic candidates and policies.

Indeed, Democrats are not above trampling on the democratic rights of workers in ways other than capturing their financial support against their will. Indeed, pro-union government bureaucrats are not above defying the democratically expressed will of workers. For example, in a case reported by the National Right to Work Committee, a nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting workers from union abuses, bureaucrats at Region 13 of the governments National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) refused to honor the unanimous request of workers who wanted to decertify their union. Yes, every single member of the Indiana/Kentucky/Ohio Regional Council of Carpenters union at Neises Construction Company in Crown Point, Indiana, agreed essentially to dissolve their union. The NLRB bureaucrats rejected the decertification petition, and instead commanded that the employer bargain with the unionthe very union that the employees explicitly requested not to represent them.

I agree with Democrats that U.S. labor law needs a major fix. What is needed, though, is not a reduction of employee freedom, but an expansion of it. Its time to repeal the major labor union laws of the 20th centurythe Norris-LaGuardia Act of 1932, the Wagner Act of 1935, the Taft-Hartley Act of 1947, and the Landrum-Griffin Act of 1959. What we need is a simple law that embodies this principle: To join or not to join a labor union is an inalienable right of each worker. Any American who wants to exercise his constitutional right of association and join a labor union is free to do so, and any worker who does not wish to join a union cannot be compelled to do so.

Furthermore, the labor union exemption from the anti-monopoly provision of the Clayton Antitrust Act should be repealed. That way, more than one union could be formed in a workplacea union for Democratic employees if they wish to have part of their union dues go to Democratic politicians, a union for Republican workers if they wish to support Republican politicians, and unions dedicated to any other commonly shared goal of employees. Some stiff competition between unions to see which one can best serve the desires of its members would increase each unions value to workers, just as competition between car, computer, and cellphone manufacturers works to the benefit of consumers.

Individual free choice and healthy competitionwhat could be more American?

Mark Hendrickson, an economist, recently retired from the faculty of Grove City College, where he remains a fellow for economic and social policy at the Institute for Faith and Freedom.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The Purists of the Campus

Commentary

A couple of years ago, while doing a week of lectures in Australia, I was told by my hosts of an initiative to start a small Western Civilization degree program at the University of Sydney and other colleges in the nation. The program would be but one portion of the giant slate of offerings to undergraduates each term, a fledgling initiative that surely wouldnt draw more than a handful of students in the first few years of its existence.

Traditional programs such as English and history would barely notice the program as it moved forward. Also, money to support the program would come from an outside source, so no loss of funding would be suffered by other campus units. (People off-campus should not underestimate the degree to which humanities departments see one another as competitors for scarce resources, not as colleagues in a mutual enterprise.)

But, my hosts told me, the proposal had been shot down. Activist faculty members mobilized against it, sending dire messages across the campus and forewarning administrators that this plan would become an irritating controversy if it proceeded. The basis for the protest was all too predictable. The profs decried the focus on Western Civilization, which by 2018 was routinely characterized as white supremacy. They objected as well to the private funding, which they treated as a cheap bribe aimed at inserting conservative content into the curriculum without undergoing faculty oversight. Worse, the professors might find some conservative teachers hired behind their backs. It had to be killed.

We neednt go into more detail, only remark on the disproportions. (You can find more faculty responses to the proposal with a quick internet search.) On one side we had a modest effort to add a traditionalist element to the vast array of humanities courses available at the schools every term, a good portion of them taking a progressivist angle on the materials. The slice of the pie that Western Civ would take amounted to barely a sliver of the whole. And on the other side, we had a faculty reaction that treated this effort as if it were a Fifth Column, the first step in an insidious indoctrination, the machinations of dark forces out to undermine the very integrity of higher education. The advocates of the program were modest and conciliatory; the professors were fearful and indignant. Why the outsized response?

Ive seen it before, this strange impulse to keep the conservatives and traditionalists out, to keep them away, expel them all and for good. The Western Civ faction at Sydney would never be more than a tiny piece of ground on the campus, and it would have virtually no institutional power at all. If the program did manage to hire a few traditionalist teachers, in a college-wide faculty meeting they would be outnumbered 50-to-1. Their votes on curriculum and other matters wouldnt change anything. Ideological control by the left would not be jeopardized.

Clearly, though, control wasnt enough, nor was domination. This was more extreme, and it was wholly familiar. Ive observed it again and again in four decades on campus. At academic conferences and within many institutions Ive seen people with advanced degrees and in secure positions bristle at the bare presence of a conservative voice in the proceedings, though it be one voice out of 20, powerless and solitary. Theyve sat in uncomfortable silence in contemplation of that disagreeable figure on the other side of the table, and theyve risen to speak in righteous tones if the conservative himself took an opportunity to give an opinion.

The dynamic makes you think less of politics and more of purification. Better to interpret it with the eyes of an anthropologist than those of a political scientist. Thats what it looks like as it unfolds, a group psychology in action. The professors act as if conservatism is just that, a contaminant, an impurity, a bad apple that will, indeed, spoil the whole bunch. The invasive vine must be weeded out; the hallways must be cleansed.

What do calls for intellectual diversity mean in this climate? Absolutely nothing; or, no, they mean something much worse: the allowance of a toxin into the system. Conservatives typically understand leftist anti-conservatism as a form of political arrogance, but the attitude runs deeper than that. Its visceral. Conservatives arent just wrong, confused, misguided. No, theyre noxious. The logic is elementary: Why should a deliberative group admit morally repugnant members? No, they cant be introduced to the polity, not a single one of them. They cant be fixed or cured. Theyre irredeemable, as Hillary Clinton stated quite bluntly.

Everyone recalls the deplorables part of her infamous remarks, but not so much that follow-up verdict: Now, some of those folks, they are irredeemable, but thankfully they are not America. In concluding that they are not America, Mrs. Clinton frames them as a foreign element, a virus within the body politic. The language is unmistakable. It says, You conservativesnot all of you, I grant, but a lot of youyou may live in this country, you may pay taxes and own property, but you dont really belong here, youre not really American.

The irony in this is, of course, that conservatives are the ones accused of a nativist attitude, who are said to be anti-pluralist and xenophobic. If I had a dollar for all the times I have heard leftist academics say that conservatives are threatened by the advance of women and minorities in the professions, that theyre afraid of postcolonialism and other innovations, Id be in a much higher tax bracket. I recall a faculty dinner long ago when a professor at the table said that very thing (relative to Queer Theory), and I replied, No, I think they just disagree with it. That brought a pause to the conversation, with no follow-up, and we moved on to other subjects. We had to. If liberal professors accepted conservative responses to left-wing developments as having intellectual grounds, the norms of academia would demand an intellectual rejoinder. That in itself would grant conservatism a seat at the table, a legitimacy it doesnt deserve. If conservative opinion is emotional, however, if it has a neurotic basis, then it doesnt merit any substantive consideration at all. It must be cancelled.

Yes, cancellation was the process. Conservatives were not beaten in debate, defeated in the marketplace of ideas, or persuaded of the superiority of liberal aims. No, they were simply removed, displaced, not hired and not encouraged to try. Campus liberals and leftists had to get rid of all the old-fashioned ones, because the continuance of a single one of them suggested that the position was, perhaps, a viable one, if a minority preference. It would jeopardize the categorical dismissal of conservatism.

Hence, the overreaction of the professors at Sydney and a thousand other campuses. As with so many other innovations of the Age of Woke, the campus was a testing ground for social transformation. It proved that pluralism was not a binding ideal. Leftist professors could ramp up the tensions to dire threat levels, frame conservatism as a poison, and act in wholly illiberal ways with full justificationand moderate center-left professors wouldnt object. This is why the conservative/libertarian calls for free speech and intellectual diversity accomplished nothing. They assumed a First Amendment-based culture that no longer exists.

Conservatives are never going to out-argue and out-debate their academic adversaries. They must develop other methods, all of which begin with this premise: they despise usthey abhor usthey dont want us around  and they guard the gates, the portals, and the pipeline with ever greater vigilance.

Mark Bauerlein is an emeritus professor of English at Emory University. His work has been featured in The Wall Street Journal, The Weekly Standard, The Washington Post, the TLS, and the Chronicle of Higher Education.

Views expressed in this article are the opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Epoch Times.
The Internal Revenue Service building is seen in Washington on Feb. 19, 2014. (Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images)

Top House Republicans Seek Treasury IG Probe of IRS Denial of Faith Groups Exempt Application

A trio of key House Republicans are asking the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) to investigate the IRS recent denial of a Texas Christian groups tax-exemption application.

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) appears to be engaging again in viewpoint discrimination. According to a recent report, the IRS improperly denied tax-exempt status to a religious group on the basis that bible teachings are typically affiliated with the [Republican] party and candidates, the trio told TIGTA J. Russell Moore in a June 30 letter obtained by The Epoch Times.

Over 10 years after the IRS began targeting Tea Party groups, it seems the IRS could be up to its old tricks. We ask that the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration (TIGTA) immediately review this matter.

The signers of the letter include Rep. Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), the ranking minority member of the House Judiciary Committee; Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), the top GOP member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform; and Rep. Mike Johnson (R-La.), of the oversight panels subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties.

Inspectors General like TIGTA are oversight units created by Congress in 1978 with deep investigative and auditing authority and resources to assess the operations of federal departments and agencies.

The IRS denial of the tax-exemption application of the Texas-based Christians Engaged was first reported by The Epoch Times. The group encourages Christians from all denominations to pray for all American civic leaders, regardless of party; to be informed on political issues and biblical values; and to vote.

Christians Engaged is represented by the First Liberty Institute, a Plano, Texas-based public interest law firm that specializes in religious liberty litigation.

The IRS denial was communicated in a May 18 letter from Stephen Martin, who heads the federal tax agencys Exempt Organizations Division.

Christians Engaged was denied because Bible teachings are typically affiliated with the [Republican] party and candidates. This disqualifies you from exemption under [Internal Revenue Code] 501(c)(3), Martin wrote.

But in doing so, Martin committed multiple constitutional wrongs, according to the three Republicans.

The IRSs denial of tax-exempt status to Christians Engaged on the assumption that Bible teaching is an activity typically associated with Republicans is wrong and outrageous, the signers wrote.

Federal law allows a religious group to obtain tax-exempt status. IRS regulations permit a tax-exempt organization to take positions on public policy issues, including issues that divide candidates in an election for public office.

Christians Engaged is not affiliated with a specific political party or candidate. The groups religious teachings and educational material do not amount to support for a specific political party or candidate.

In addition, the signers pointed out an example of what they describe as viewpoint discrimination.

The IRSs ruling violates fundamental First Amendment rights of citizens affiliated with Christians Engaged. The IRS granted former First Lady Michelle Obamas When We All Vote organization 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. This group encourages its supporters and volunteers to take action through voting, advocating for their rights, and holding their elected officials accountable,' the letter reads.

The IRSs denial of tax-exempt status to Christians Engaged while granting exempt status to another organization that encourage[s] civic engagement from different viewpoints demonstrates the IRSs impermissible viewpoint discrimination.

The signers asked Moore to investigate the IRS decision and report his findings to Congress.

We must ensure the IRS is not reverting back to its targeting of conservative tax-exempt groups. Government agencies that work for the American public should not be in the business of violating citizens constitutional rights, the letter reads.

The IRS under Lois Lerner, Martins predecessor, became embroiled in a national scandal that prompted multiple congressional and media investigations when it targeted Tea Party, evangelical, and conservative tax-exemption applicants during the 2010 and 2012 elections.

The targeted groups were subjected to long delays and repeated requests for detailed information about the beliefs and activities of officials associated with the groups.

Multiple lawsuits were filed against the IRS by such groups, and the Department of Justice (DOJ) agreed in two separate settlements to compensate them for undisclosed amounts.

The DOJ also acknowledged that the IRS had targeted the groups on the basis of their political and religious activities and beliefs for heightened scrutiny and inordinate delays.

But Martins explicit denial of the Christians Engaged application because biblical principles allegedly only benefit Republicans and that praying by Christians on behalf of civic leaders represents partisan political activity represents an overt attack on constitutional principles, according to Rep. Ted Budd (R-N.C.).

The act of praying for our country and our leaders is about the most nonpartisan and patriotic thing that Americans can do. Millions of citizens do it every day, Budd told The Epoch Times on June 16.

The IRS was wrong to deny tax-exempt status based on the false belief that the Bible somehow only belongs to one political party. The IRS still has a long way to go to ensure religious liberty for all.

Congressional correspondent Mark Tapscott may be contacted at mark.tapscott@epochtimes.nyc.
People listen to former President Donald Trump's address during a tour to an unfinished section of the border wall in Pharr, Texas, on June 30, 2021. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Trump Visits USMexico Border, Claims Democrats Are Running a Disinformation Campaign

Former President Donald Trump on June 30 visited the U.S.Mexico border for the first time since leaving office and accused Democrats of running a disinformation campaign around their border policies.

Since leaving office in January, Trump has repeatedly criticized the Biden administrations policies and messaging, saying they have led to a surge in illegal crossings. But while visiting with Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, the former commander-in-chief appeared to deploy a new narrative.

Theyre getting killed by the border, so now theyre saying, Oh, weve got a problem, so lets blame the sheriffs, lets blame the governors, lets blame everybody else but them, Trump said, describing Democrats messaging of late as a disinformation campaign.

Former President Donald Trump speaks during a tour to an unfinished section of the border wall in Pharr, Texas, on June 30, 2021. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images)

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) looks on as former President Donald Trump speaks during a visit to the border wall near Pharr, Texas on June 30, 2021. (Sergio Flores/AFP via Getty Images)

The former presidents visit to the Texas side of the border comes as Republicans continue to criticize Democrats and President Joe Bidens administration on border security and the increase in Border Patrol apprehensions in recent months. According to the most recent data provided by Customs and Border Protection, more than 180,000 people were arrested after illegally crossing the border in May 2020.

Since January, Biden has issued dozens of executive orders and memos that rescinded a number of Trump-era policies, while describing them as wasteful, ineffective, and unhumanitarian. The president also sent back billions of dollars that were authorized for border wall construction to the Department of Defense.

The real question is, do [Democratic officals] really want open borders, or are they incompetent? Trump said during the event. Trump had made the construction of a border wall a key campaign promise in 2016. Theres only two things: youre either incompetent or for some reason you have a screw loose and you want to have open borders.

Several Democrat lawmakers who represent areas along the border panned Trumps visit on June 30 and took the opportunity to chide Abbott.

Instead of prioritizing Texans and making sure we grow our economy and get people back to work, Governor Abbott is creating a distracting media circus with a failed former president, Rep. Filemon Vela (D-Texas) said in a statement.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott speaks during a visit to the border wall near Pharr, Texas on June 30, 2021. (Sergio Flores/AFP via Getty Images)

The narrative of a violent and insecure border region is blatantly false. The border is not a war zone, and the wall Abbott and Trump are trying to get Texans to pay for is not only a waste of their hard-earned money but also an un-American symbol of hatred.

Last week, Vice President Kamala Harris visited the area for the first time to see a processing center in El Paso, Texas, following weeks of criticism that she hadnt yet visited the border amid surging numbers of border-crossers.

They are without their parents. They are also full of hope. They were asking me questions. How do you become the first woman vice president?' Harris said of children at one processing center. But it also reminds me of the fact that this issue cannot be reduced to a political issue. Were talking about children. Were talking about families. Were talking about suffering. And our approach has to be thoughtful and effective.

Abbott and Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, both Republicans, recently asked 48 other states to send additional law enforcement to deal with the surge along the border. So far, a handful of GOP-led states have responded to their request, with South Dakota being the most recent state to do so.

In one of Trumps final trips as president in January, he visited the wall near the MexicanTexas border, urging for the completion of the project. More than 450 miles of the wall were constructed during his administration, according to data released earlier this year by Customs and Border Protection.

The Epoch Times has contacted the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees Border Patrol, for comment.
A for-sale sign is seen in front of a home in Miami, Fla., on Sept. 30, 2020. (Joe Raedle/Getty Images)

US Pending Home Sales Increase to Highest Reading for May Since 2005

Contracts to purchase previously owned U.S. homes rose strongly in May to the highest level for that month since 2005.

The National Association of Realtors (NAR) said on Wednesday its Pending Home Sales Index, based on contracts signed last month, rose 8.0 percent to 114.7. Economists polled by Reuters had forecast pending home sales would decline 0.8 percent.

Pending home contracts are seen as a forward-looking indicator of the health of the housing market because they become sales one to two months later.

Compared to one year ago, pending sales were up 13.1 percent.

New and existing home sales have fallen sharply this year because of a shortage of houses on the market. A separate report on Tuesday showed the S&P/Case Shiller composite index of 20 metropolitan areas accelerated 14.9 percent on a year-on-year basis in April, the largest gain in more than 15 years.

By Evan Sully
Watchdog: Schools Critical Race Theory Initiatives May Violate Constitution, State Laws

A watchdog group recently obtained documents that show training based on the quasi-Marxist critical race theory in K-12 public schools appears to violate the U.S. Constitutions 14th Amendment and related state laws.

Judicial Watch obtained 111 pages of records from Wellesley Public Schools in Massachusetts confirming that they use affinity spaces, which divide students and staff based on race as a priority and objective of the school districts diversity, equity and inclusion plan. They also admitted that they created five distinct segregated spaces.

The Wellesley School Districts superintendent did not immediately return a request for comment about the report.

The Wellesley School Districts webpage public notice about one of its equity events lists some of the affinity groups (African, Latinx, Asian, and Native American) and through the event calls on the community to dismantle white supremacy culture and breathe life into liberation.

The districts records include a document detailing the school districts Equity Strategic Plan 2020-2025, which includes a District Equity by Design plan that aims to have students feel heard and seen and the district says affinity spaces give those with a shared identity that opportunity.

The same district encourages students to report incidents of discrimination or any concerning pattern of biased behavior to any district staff member or a trusted adult. Reports may be also be made anonymously online, according to the policy, although it notes that anonymous reports are more difficult to investigate and respond to.

The equity protocols training slides give examples of microaggressions, including telling a colleague, Youre so articulate, saying The way youve overcome your disability is so inspiring!, mispronouncing someones name, or referring to the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, which causes the COVID-19 disease, as the China virus.

On a broader level, the U.S. Military is said to be conducting training based on critical race theory. U.S. Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) said a whistleblower alleges that military history training was replaced with training about police brutality, systemic racism, and white privilege. Another said that his unit had to read White Fragility by feminist author and critical theory proponent Robin DiAngelo, according to the senator.

In May, the Space Force confirmed it relieved Lt. Col. Matthew Lohmeier, a former instructor and fighter pilot, as commander of the 11th Space Warning Squadron. While it didnt specifically name the reason why Lohmeier was terminated, the Space Force cited comments made by Lohmeier during a podcast in which he denounced critical race theory and warned about the spread of Marxism within the Space Forces ranks.

Critical race theory, which draws heavily upon Marxist critical theory, denounces U.S. and Western culture as oppressive, and often claims American culture and institutions are promoting systemic racism or white supremacy. Critics have pointed out the ideologys use of the Marxist tactic of class struggle to drive division along the lines of gender, race, and ethnicity, rather than between classes.

GQ Pan and Jack Phillips contributed to this report.
Carl Goodwin, manager of Seattle Sausage, takes a water break while selling bottles of water to baseball fans leaving the Mariners game on June 23, 2021. (Amanda Snyder/The Seattle Times/TNS)

We Arent Weather Wimps. Seattle Just Isnt Prepared for Deep Heat. Why Would It Be?

SEATTLESir Mix-a-Lot has a couple of choice words for the folks out there in social media land calling Seattleites weather wimps.

Many here dont have AC  dumb (expletive), said the Seattle native whos best known for his rap hit Baby Got Back.

Justin Shaw is a little more diplomatic. The citizen forecaster behind the Seattle Weather Blog said he would politely invite the name-callers to spend a night or two in a Seattle house with no air conditioning.

Let them try to sleep in a 92 degree bedroom, he said. Then they can come talk to us and tell us how they feel.

Our buildings, our roads and our attitudes are not geared for severe heat. Why would they be?

While more people in Seattle have air conditioners now than ever before, it remains the least air-conditioned metro in the nation with only 44 percent of homes with air conditioning.

Humans adapt to weather like they adapt to altitude, University of Washington biologist Ray Huey explained during a stretch of hot days in 2004.

Rushing straight from sea level to the top of Mount Rainier would leave most people dizzy and sick. A similar thing happens when a region accustomed to moderate temperature is suddenly swamped with sweltering weather, he said.

If we had spent a few weeks in Phoenix and came to Seattle during this heat wave, we wouldnt be impressed by it at all, Huey said. But if youre unused to the heat, he said, you suffer the first couple days then after that you pretty much get used to it.

Bodies that arent used to high heat need a little time before sweat glands and other systems work efficiently and effectively, according to Dr. John OKane, sports-medicine professor and head physician for the UW Husky teams.

As people acclimate, their blood becomes thinner and their sweat more diluted so fewer precious electrolytes are lost, he has explained.

Theres also a mental component to it as well, he said.

When you see the same weather day after day, youre dressed for it, youre expecting it, it may not feel as hot.

Granted, there was a time when perhaps the word wimp applied.

It was 2001 and Seattle was in the midst of a heat wave that, at the time seemed wretched with highs in the low to mid-80s.

When it gets above 75, I complain often and loudly, one resident said then.

This is insufferable, another said.

Our moaning drew the condemnation of columnists in Texas and the Midwest where 100-degree heat had left 10 dead.

Yall probably are a little bit of weather wimps, Jacquielynn Floyd, a retired columnist for The Dallas Morning News, said at the time. Why, if it was 80 degrees here right now we would build a campfire, put on buffalo robes and start dancing in the street.

But that was back when 80 degree weather was unimaginable. Now, for the first time in the 125 years of recorded weather history, Seattle is experiencing three days in a row with triple-digit temperatures. Before this, we had clocked in at 100 only three other times  total.

2021 The Seattle Times. Visit seattletimes.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
Clark County Election Department worker puts mail-in ballots collected from vehicles in a ballot box at the Clark County Election Department in North Las Vegas, Nev., on Oct. 13, 2020. (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

Wisconsin Supreme Court Rejects Lawsuit to Ban Absentee Ballot Drop Boxes

The Wisconsin Supreme Court recently rejected a lawsuit that sought to ban the states usage of absentee ballot drop-boxes, although another legal challenge on their use is still being considered in a lower court.

Conservative businessman and GOP donor Jere Fabick in March petitioned (pdf) the state Supreme Court in March to consider a ban of the drop-boxes, arguing that they violate state election laws. He also sought to ban election officials from filling in missing addresses of witnesses on ballot envelopes, and his suit attempted to limit who can return absentee ballots to election clerks.

In a 43 ruling (pdf) on June 25, the court threw out the case but noted that the lawsuit raised important questions. The majority claimed that arguments contained within the lawsuit were not clearly presented.

While this court must not shrink back from deciding challenging or politically fraught questions properly before us, neither should we be eager to insert ourselves at the expense of time-tested judicial norms, said the majority in an unsigned opinion, adding that Fabick went straight to the state Supreme Court rather than following the usual procedure of filing a suit in a circuit court of with the Wisconsin Elections Commission.

The courts justices are not on call to answer questions from citizens, legislators or executive branch officials whenever the answer to a statutory question is unclear, the majority wrote.

In a dissenting opinion, Justice Pat Roggensack wrote that the courts majority was avoiding urgent lawsuits.

They are issues that cry for judicial resolution by the Wisconsin Supreme Court before the 2022 elections begin, she wrote, adding that questions about ballot drop-boxes and other election rules implemented last year during the COVID-19 pandemic should be answered.

Furthermore, Roggensack suggested that such measures could imperil the publics trust in the states election system.

We need elections whose results the public will accept because citizens believe that the elections were conducted fairly, her opinion read, further arguing that Fabick brought the lawsuit in a timely manner. Several other elections lawsuits were dismissed in recent months by the majority who used the rationale that they werent filed in a timely manner.

Fridays ruling isnt the first time the state Supreme Court avoided hearing an election-related lawsuit. After the Nov. 3 election, the court issued a series of 43 rulings that declined to hear suits filed on behalf of former President Donald Trumpwith the majority arguing that these legal challenges should have been submitted before the 2020 election.

Earlier this week, a conservative legal defense group filed a similar lawsuit in a county court, arguing that drop-boxes violate state election laws.

According to the latest legal challenge, the Wisconsin Elections Commission sent memos to elections clerks in March and August of 2020 that encouraged the use of drop boxes. The memos further said that absentee ballots do not need to be mailed by the voter or delivered in-person to the clerkbut they can instead be placed in drop boxes.
SURFSIDE, Fla. (AP)  Nicolette Daniel pulled a wheeled cart packed with takeout boxes of chicken tenders, French fries and deep-fried Oreos to the intersection where police officers stood by their cars Tuesday, directing traffic a block from the collapsed condominium tower in Surfside, Florida.

They cant leave their spot, said Daniel, so determined to offer first responders a hot meal that she and her husband hired a food truck to cook 350 meals that are being distributed in a parking lot of a nearby church.

One of the officers Daniel approached, Sgt. Patricia Vazquez, thanked her for the offered meal, but graciously declined.

So many people have been coming by with food, Vazquez said, patting her stomach. Somebody just came by here with 50 Big Macs.

Since a huge section of the Champlain Towers South building fell to the ground early Thursday, an ever-growing virtual army of volunteers has been offering everything from water and energy drinks to pizza and deep-fried Oreos to firefighters, police officers and other rescue workers working 12-hour shifts at the site.

At Casa Church near the disaster site, Pastor Ezequiel Fattore got to work handing out refreshments to first responders within hours of the building collapse Thursday, beginning with a few bottles of water and Gatorade.

We had them in the fridge and we started with those, said Fattore, whose congregation soon started pitching in to help. A couple of hours later, I was at Costco spending $600. Those were the first donations.

In a side room at Fattores church on Tuesday, cases of water were stacked four high, along with a large assortment of energy drinks, bottled iced coffees and bags of chips and other snacks. As volunteers packed coolers to distribute among police and emergency crews in the area, a van pulled up to offload more refreshments.

Theyre coming from another church, Fattore said. I have no idea what theyre bringing.

In the churchs parking lot, Robert Martinez and his crew of three busied themselves frying chicken tenders and Oreos in Martinezs circus-themed food truck.

Martinez said theyd brought enough to feed 350 people.

Once we got the call to come help out and do whatever we can, there was no decision to make, Martinez said. It was like, `Lets go!

The call came from Daniel and her husband, Patrick Daniel, who have a law firm in Houston. Nicolette Daniel said they traveled from Texas to Florida to offer whatever assistance they could to victims families and emergency workers.

Daniel said she felt compelled to give back after the outpouring of support she received when her mother died suddenly a year ago.

It was the doorbell that kept ringing and the people who kept calling that kept me going, she said.

Fattore, the church pastor, said hes had heartbreaking conversations with loved ones of those dead and missing. Some members of his church have friends still unaccounted for.

But he said the outpouring from volunteers has reaffirmed his faith.

It gives hope for humanity, he said.
With COVID infections and hospitalizations remaining low, Connecticut health officials on Tuesday announced the state is shuttering its phone assistance line for people looking to get vaccinated.

Residents looking for help getting a vaccine appointment can now call 211, the states confidential helpline for health and human services, officials said. The helpline is run by United Way, which helped create the vaccine hotline earlier this year.

In a statement that acknowledged the vaccine hotline helped fill 185,000 appointments, Gov. Ned Lamont called the service one example of the agencys incredible work during the pandemic.

They have built new programs, hired large numbers of staff, and worked to train each and every one of them to have up-to-date information in a world where the right answer changes every hour, the governors statement said.

The appointment line represented one way for families struggling with the federal Vaccine Administration Management System to get a shot, after the much-maligned portal went public. Among early complaints were the portals lack of options for non-English speakers, and the requirement that users have a computer or other internet device.

The decision to shutter the dedicated line comes as walk-up appointments for the vaccines are widely available, but also as new vaccinations have sharply declined.

For the week ending June 19, Connecticut administered less than 62,000 shots  the lowest week since early January when doses were still tightly restricted to older adults, health care workers and first responders.

Just under 67 percent of Connecticuts total population have received at least one dose of a vaccine as of this week, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A little less than 61 percent are now considered fully vaccinated.

The state has fallen behind Vermont and Massachusetts, both of which have vaccinated over 70 percent of their residents, the CDC data shows. And in some parts of Connecticut, particularly rural communities along the eastern border and underserved neighborhoods in the states cities, vaccinations are still lagging compared with the state average.

But overall infections, hospitalizations and deaths have remained consistently low since the state began rolling back its pandemic restrictions in May.

Statewide, 40 new infections were reported Tuesday out of 7,099 tests for a daily positivity rate of 0.56 percent. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 dropped by seven, for a statewide census of 34. The official death toll remained flat at 8,276.

Acting DPH Commissioner Deidre Gifford said the appointment line has met its goal of providing access to those who due to lack of access to technology, disability, language, or other barriers couldnt schedule a vaccine appointment. She said about 26 percent of appointments scheduled through the service were in the states most vulnerable communities.

This extraordinary partnership has helped hundreds of thousands of people overcome barriers to getting vaccinated, Lisa Tepper Bates, president and CEO of United Way of Connecticut, said in a statement. We have helped older adults who could not access online scheduling platforms, people who speak a language other than English, members of the deaf and hard-of-hearing community, individuals facing a transportation barrier and residents who are homebound.

More research also continues to show the protection of the vaccines. A study published Monday in Nature suggested the two mRNA vaccines approved for use in the U.S., Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna, seemed to provide an immune response at least 12 weeks after a second dose. The study looked at samples drawn from the lymph nodes of 14 participants, which seemed to show a persistent antibody response, the studys authors wrote.

The study seems to suggest more evidence the mRNA vaccines provide lasting protection against the virus, as regulators and vaccine makers weigh whether booster shots will be required.
GREENWICH  Another possible Democratic candidate from Greenwich has passed on running to fill the empty seat in the state Senate.

Dita Bhargava, a former vice chair of the state Democratic Party, announced she will not seek the seat vacated last week by state Sen. Alex Kasser. Bhargava, who has previously run for state representative and state treasurer, had been considering a run but now says she will not move forward with a candidacy.

Although Im grateful to the many people who have encouraged me to jump into this race, Ive decided not to be a candidate for the state Senate, Bhargava said in a statement Tuesday. In 2018, close to 90,000 voters cast their ballots for me as a non-party-endorsed candidate for state treasurer. That support empowered me to forge partnerships across the state and work on issues surrounding mental health and the opioid addiction crisis.

Despite not mounting a run for this special election, Bhargava said, I will continue to fight for our communities on all fronts and will consider the right opportunity to run a campaign to serve a broad base of constituents at the statewide level.

Trevor Crow and Matt DesChamps also weighed candidacies but decided not to move forward in the race for the 36th District, which covers all of Greenwich as well as portions of Stamford and New Canaan. All of the declared candidates in the race are Greenwich residents.

Alexis Gevanter and John Blankley are both seeking the Democratic nomination, which will be decided in an upcoming party convention.

Support began to coalesce around Gevanter this week after she received endorsements from Kasser and state Rep. Stephen Meskers, D-150.

But on Tuesday, Blankley said he would absolutely remain in the race and continued to point to his business background as an asset.

I have the right credentials to tackle the issues facing our state, he said. The economic impact of COVID and the potential inflow of federal infrastructure dollars are giving us a temporary respite. We must not lose sight of the fact that our longer-term problems remain  underfunded pension plans, debt overhang and anemic job creation.

Gevanter, an attorney, is running for political office for the first time but served as a legislative aide to former U.S. Rep. Steven Rothman of New Jersey. Until entering the race last week, she was the Connecticut chapter leader of Moms Demand Action for Gun Sense in America.

Our district is fortunate to have a deep bench of strong candidates, any one of whom would serve our community with distinction, Gevanter said. I am someone who doesnt take anything for granted. Nothing is decided until the last delegate vote is counted (at the convention). Until then, I will continue to work to earn the confidence and support of the delegates to the 36th State Senate District Nominating Convention.

Bhargava said Kasser and Meskers endorsements of Gevanter did not have an impact on her decision. She said she would not be making an endorsement in the race.

A Democrat, Kasser resigned unexpectedly on June 22, issuing a statement that cited her ongoing divorce as her reason for leaving the state Senate after she was reelected to a second term last fall.

On the Republican side, state Rep. Harry Arora and Representative Town Meeting member Ryan Fazio have said they are running for the GOP nomination. Republican National Committee member Leora Levy of Greenwich said she is considering a run but has not made an official announcement.

Gov. Ned Lamont must call a special election to fill the remainder of Kassers term, which runs through fall 2022.

Lamont faces a deadline of 10 days after Kassers announcement to declare the special election, and it must be held 46 days after. The Democratic and Republican parties must hold conventions to pick candidates 36 days before the election date.

Lamont is likely to issue the writ of special election this week, to schedule a special election on Aug. 17.

kborsuk@greenwichtime.com
Its no secret that the real estate market in Connecticut is competitive  first-time homebuyers are struggling to keep up, renters are facing rising rates and median home sales prices have set records throughout the first half of 2021.

Driving up these high home sale prices are those homes that sell for well over the listing price. According to data provided by Redfin, a national real estate brokerage, all eight Connecticut counties all report peak percentages of homes selling above the asking price. While the full data reports back to 2012, some of the biggest jumps in growth take place between 2020 and 2021.

In Fairfield County, for example, the percentage of homes selling above asking price jumped from 15.4 percent in May 2020 to 49.2 percent the following year.

Other counties in Connecticut show a similar trend. In Hartford County, the percentage of homes selling above asking price was reported at 32.7 percent in May 2020; that number reached 50.9 percent by October. Hartford County showed a slight decline in the trend in February 2021, recording 43.4 percent of homes in the area selling above asking, but by May 2021, that percentage increased to 66 percent. In one year, Hartford County alone experienced a 33 percent rise in homes selling over asking price.

In Middlesex County, the percentage of homes selling above asking in May 2020 was 19.7 percent, and by the following May, it rose to 53.6 percent. New Haven County recorded 30.3 percent of homes selling above asking price in May 2020, and a year later, it increased just under 59 percent. And in Litchfield County, 16.1 percent of homes in the area were selling over asking price in May 2020, but by May 2021, that number more than doubled to 41.3 percent.

Connecticut realtors and agencies are seeing this data play out in real time. According to Jody Peters, vice president of brand strategy and business development at The Riverside Realty Group in Westport, the boutique agency has seen steady growth in the percentage of list price received, or what percentage of the listing price a buyer paid.

In 2020, 97 percent of the list price was received in Fairfield County, Peters stated in an email; this means that buyers paid almost the full listing price for houses in 2020. In 2021, buyers paid 100.4 percent of the list price, which means that buyers are paying over asking prices for houses this year. Additionally, the number of available houses on the market has decreased year over year, according to Peters. In May 2020, Fairfield County had 4,332 single-family homes listed on the MLS, or multiple listings service, while May 2021 only had 2,847 homes listed on the platform.

According to Redfin, the sale-to-list ratio  or the final sale price divided by the last list price expressed as a percentage  across all counties in the state was reported at 97 percent or higher for the first five months of 2021. This means that homes in all counties are selling for almost the full listing price or higher (if expressed as a percent over 100); Hartford County has consistently sold over asking price since March 2021. By May 2021, only Litchfield County displayed a sale-to-list ratio of less than 100 percent  it was 99.9 percent.

The factors that motivate high-cost homes sales, according to Peters, are the competition for houses combined with lack of available homes for sale.

With multiple bids coming in on properties (due to lack of inventory), buyers need to go in at or over ask price and oftentimes without mortgage restraints, she said. Cash offers, above list price with inspection for informational purposes only seem[s] to be consistently the winning combination in today's market.

Amy Rio, owner and broker for Executive Real Estate in Glastonbury, said she has seen 90 percent of homes sell for over asking price, as long as the home is listed within the median pricing average. Shes also seen a particular kind of home sell for over the listing price.

Flipped renovated homes especially are selling for approximately 10 percent over asking price, she said in an email, noting that the sale is often accompanied by waiving an inspection or taking the home as is and paying for an appraisal gap even if the home is appraised below the purchase price.

The potential for an appraisal gap to exist in paying over the asking price for a home is present in the current market, as Rio noted. According to Realtor.com, an appraisal gap is the disparity between the offer you put on a property and what the property is deemed to be worth by a lender. If a buyer is willing to pay this difference in purchasing a house, Realtor.com says it can be written into the contract to show how much a buyer is prepared to pay  no matter how much above the asking price it is.

According to president-elect of the Connecticut Association of Realtors Tammy Felenstein, whether or not buyers will continue to offer and pay over asking price for homes is dependent on how much competition there will be in the market.

"There are other things to choose from," she said in reference to tactics used to make the most appealing offer on a house. "Cash offers are always considered to be the best option. But a lot of times when people make cash offers, they think they should get a discount because it's cash  but that isn't always the case now because it is so competitive out there."

And with some slight increases in inventory, Felenstein said sellers may need to start reconsidering their pricing.

"Sellers now are getting very aggressive on the pricing  they have very high expectations," she said. "The higher they go past what would have been fair market value a year ago, the less of a risk they will have in getting multiple offers. Buyers are starting to push back a little bit, saying 'Wait a second, these prices are going very high'...Couple that with inventory levels going up, and it all goes back to basic supply and demand."
EDWARDSVILLE  A Granite City man charged with felony domestic battery was among charges filed Friday by the Madison County States Attorneys Office.

Eric D. Hurlbut, 25, of Granite City, was charged June 25 with aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony.

The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department.

According to court documents, on June 24 Hurlbut allegedly used a pool cue to strike a family or household member in the face, causing them to require stitches.

Bail was set at $50,000.

Other felony charges filed June 25 include:

 Michael S. Evans, 63, of Hamel, was charged with unlawful failure to register as a sex offender, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. On June 24 Evans allegedly failed to register with the Sheriffs Department in a timely manner. Bail was set at $30,000.

 Kay Sanders, 63, of Alton, was charged with retail theft under $300 (second subsequent offense), a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. On June 24 Sanders allegedly took rugs, pillows, liquor and clothing from the Godfrey Walmart, 6660 Godfrey Road. She has a 2020 Madison County conviction for retail theft. Bail was set at $20,000.

 Ralph Smith II, 50, of Belleville, was charged with retail theft under $300 (second subsequent offense, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. On June 25 Smith allegedly took a carton of Newport cigarettes valued at less than $300 from the Godfrey Motomart, 5311 Godfrey Road. He has a 2018 Madison County conviction for retail theft. Bail was set at $20,000.

 Todd A. Letson, 40, of Ellisville, Missouri, was charged with retail theft under $300 (second subsequent offense), a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. On June 23 Letson allegedly took five video games valued at less than $300 from the Godfrey Walmart, 6660 Godfrey Road. Bail was set at $20,000.

 Bradley A. Norman, 41, of Collinsville, was charged with criminal damage to property over $500, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Madison County Sheriffs Department. On June 24 Norman allegedly did in excess of $500 damage to a 2005 Chevrolet Impala owned by another person. Bail was set at $20,000.
SPRINGFIELD  Gov. J.B. Pritzker Friday extended his COVID-19 executive orders and emergency declarations that were set to expire Saturday.

Since the beginning of the pandemic in March 2020, Pritzker has now issued 16 months of consecutive 30-day disaster proclamations. Hes also issued several dozen executive orders pertaining to COVID-19, ranging from prohibiting indoor dining to limiting gatherings and more. His orders have evolved over time.

Last month, he issued Executive Order 2021-11, which his office said reissues several executive orders, extending a majority of the provisions through June 26, 2021.

Fridays disaster declaration and the reissued executive orders are set to expire on July 24, 2021. That includes a moratorium on residential evictions.

Other orders include a variety of provisions for public and nonpublic schools to follow, such as physical distancing of no less than 3 feet between students and vaccinated staff or 6 feet for unvaccinated staff. The renewed order also requires the use of masks in schools.

Other provisions of the executive orders include waivers for certain provisions to be followed like what applicants have to provide to access public benefits, to the furlough of Illinois Department of Corrections inmates, and more.

Pritzkers office didnt immediately reply when asked Friday if the orders will be extended and did not issue a statement about the reissued orders before the governors landing page for executive orders was updated early Friday evening.

Some at the Illinois statehouse filed legislation requiring any governors consecutive disaster declarations to be approved by the General Assembly.

During the session last month, state Rep. Dan Ugaste, R-St. Charles, argued for his House Bill 843.

We are operating and moving down a dangerous path if we allow governors either today or in the future to declare emergency declarations as long as they want without input from the General Assembly, Ugaste said.
Salida, CO (81201)

Today

Sunny early. Scattered thunderstorms developing later in the day. High 86F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 50%..

Tonight

Isolated thunderstorms during the evening, then skies turning partly cloudy overnight. Low 56F. Winds W at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%.
Drunken police officer denies Bangla shooting charges

PHUKET: Pornthep Channarong, the corporal with the Phuket Provincial Police who was drunk off-duty when he shot 25-year-old noodle vendor Aroon Thongplab in the stomach on Bangla Rd in Patong in February, has entered a plea of not guilty and will fight the charges against him in court.

patongpoliticsalcoholviolencecrime

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 30 June 2021, 04:32PM

Medical workers make a house call to provide Mr Aroon his COVID vaccination injection at his rented home in Patong on monday (june 28). Photo: PR Patong

Bangkok-based lawyer Kerdphol Kaewkerd (2nd from left) with fellow lawyer assisting with the caes Phakin Jantira (left) and Mr Aroons wife, Kulthida Chananan (right). Photo: Kerdphol Kaewkerd / Facebook

Cpl Pornthep Channarong of the Phuket Provincial Police is caught on CCTV firing at close range at Mr Aroon on Bangla Rd, Patong. Image: CCTV / Eakkapop Thongtub

Mr Aroon was shot in the stomach by Pornthep just before 6am on Feb 23 while he was walking along the Bangla Rd after collecting a noodle bowl from a customer.

In less than 24 hours Pornthep was quickly stripped of his rank and discharged from the Royal Thai Police, and now faces charges of attempted murder, carring a firearm in a public area without necessary reason, and firing a weapon in a public area.

A CCTV video showing Pornthep shooting Mr Aroon and then taunting him, including playfully kicking Mr Aroon on the backside while Mr Aroon lay writhing on the ground in agony pleading for mercy, sparked outrage among the local community.

However, Pornthep has now entered a plea of not guilty to the charges against him, explained Kerdphol Kaewkerd, a Bangkok-based lawyer who is providing free legal assistance to Mr Aroon and his wife, Kulthida Chananan.

During the first time he was being questioned, on May 19, he entered a plea of guilty to all charges, Mr Kerdphol explained to The Phuket News yesterday (June 29).

At that time he did not have a lawyer, so the court appointed him a lawyer because the penalty of the charges is high, he added.

The lawyer may have told him to confess and enter a plea of guilty for whatever reason I do not know, he said.

Then yesterday [Monday, June 28], the court had heard witness testimonies and examined the defendants confession, and he had a new lawyer, Mr Kerdphol explained.

He refused all charges and told the court he would fight the case. He explained that he had never had an argument with Mr Aroon and did not have any intention to kill him, he said.

He explained that he shot Mr Aroon as he was trying to stop foreigners from arguing. He said he fired the gun into the air three times.

He said that naturally people would run away when they hear the sound of gunfire, but Mr Aroon walked close to the area, which is not practical. Then he shot him because he thought Aroon was a bad man, Mr Kerdphol said.

As he has denied the charges against and wants the fight the case, we need to restart the court process. We need to try our best to collect evidence and present it to the court, he added.

The court will hear witness testimonies and examine evidence again on August 23, he said.

Asked about Mr Aroons condition, Mr Kedphol noted, He has already been discharged from hospital, and his wife is taking close care of him.

Mr Aroon was left paralysed by the bullet, which entered through the stomach and became lodged in his spine. After Mr Aroon woke from a coma, doctors at Vachira Phuket Hospital managed to safely remove the bullet, but were unable to help Mr Aroon recover the use of his legs.

After months in recovery, Mr Aroon was only recently discharged from Vachira Hospital to return to stay with his family at their rented house in Patong.

While the criminal case continues, in terms of a civil case, I have asked for B15 million. in compensation for his paralysis, to cover the cost for living in the future, and the cost of losing opportunity and income, Mr Kerdphol said.

I do not know whether the police can pay that big amount, he added.

However, it is his right to fight the case. From the CCTV footage, I would like him to repeatedly think of the quote by Mr Chuwit Kamolvisit, Su tid nae, Pae tid nan, Mr Kerdphol noted.

The quote translates to mean, If you fight the case, you will surely be imprisoned. If you lose the fight, you will be imprisoned for a long time.

Of note, Mr Kerdphol on Monday posted a notice of gratitude to fellow lawyer Phakin Jantira, based in Phuket Town, who has been assisting Mr Kerdphol and Mr Aroons family.

Thank you to my handsome brother, Attorney Phakin Phkin Jantira of Phuket Town. who come together to make merit to help those who have been bullied, he wrote.
Explorar Hotels & Resorts launches in Thailand

PHUKET: Leading international boutique hotel group, The Pavilions Hotels & Resorts proudly announces the launch of its new and highly anticipated hotel brand, Explorar Hotels & Resorts, headquartered from Phuket, Thailand, with its first resort - Explorar Pawapi Koh Mook, opening on October 1, 2021.

Wednesday 30 June 2021, 02:50PM

Explorar Pawapi Koh Mook is an incredible 24 key resort located on an unspoilt stretch of private sandy beach on the peninsula of Koh Mook Island in Southern Thailands secluded province of Trang.

The brand name, Explorar meaning explore in Spanish, was inspired by the heritage of one of the worlds first great explorers, Christopher Colombus, who first started traversing and uncovering new lands in the 15th century.

Explorar will offer the hotels and resorts industry a new vibrant energy; The Exchange, a social space where the lobby or reception used to be is now a place to exchange information, to grab something to eat, a local snack or something more, to talk about tales of adventures over a cocktail or local brew with other guests or one of Explorars crew members.

Focused on engaging socially with guests and the world through the Explorar website and social media platforms, Explorar hotels online exchange will allow guests to interact and gather information or ask questions about other Explorar hotels locations or find a restaurant recommendation; an organic forum.

The crew at each hotel or resort are a small and dynamic team of local experts who will work across multiple areas. Building relationships with guests and providing insight into the destination, and assisting guests where needed in a hotel experience that is easy and uncomplicated, where everything is within reach for guests to help themselves.

Explorar Hotels & Resorts offers travellers the opportunity to explore and experience each destination from a vibrant, comfortable and fun base, with a crew that makes traversing and enjoying the destination easy, utilising their local knowledge of the area with everything being available at the guests fingertips. The experience is tailored towards the millennial traveller who seeks a space to socialise, connect with local experiences, enjoy easy and fun living whilst being a truly memorable experience that provides value to the community.

Exploring new lands and bringing home great stories invigorates our brand to give our guests authentic and local experiences to create their own stories and tell others of their incredible adventures. It is wonderful to bring our first location to this new brand, with Koh Mook offering so much for the traveller to discover, Managing Director Scot Toon said.

Explorar Pawapi Koh Mook will provide guests with a genuinely untouched, pure island paradise experience. With bungalows and villas located right on the white sandy beach, an open-air restaurant offering authentic Thai cuisine alongside creative culinary experiences. Guests will be spoilt for activities in the resort and adventures within the surrounding areas. Spa Salas dotted through the island landscape to imbibe in traditional Thai spa treatments, with the sound of the ocean lapping on the beach and tall palm trees swaying in the tropical breeze eases the days exploring away.

The lobby and social spaces will become an exchange of local knowledge with its Walls of Discovery, a place for guests to share their stories and experiences, to pass on to the next traveller looking to explore Koh Mook and create their own memories.

Koh Mook Island is one of Thailands hidden gems. It lies between Trang and Krabi on the west coast of southern Thailand, providing panoramic views of the Andaman sea, with Koh Lanta to its North and Koh Lipe to its South. Renowned for its Emerald Cave - where the only way to enter is to swim under a dark limestone cave to finally reach a magical hidden and secret beach - it also allows visitors to participate in natural activities such as dugong observation or scuba diving in some of the clearest waters of the Kingdom.

Explorar Hotels & Resorts is looking to develop within Asia and Europe both into urban and resorts locations and offers four innovative themes depending on the hotels location and unique experiences. Beach, Eco, Cultural and Urban themes unite the brand and offer the traveller clear choices for their individual experience.

Explorar Pawapi Koh Mook will open its doors to guests after an extensive upgrade on October 1, 2021.

Explorar Hotels & Resorts are the base for exploring the destination. The crew are the concierge or local guides, and they discern the best places to go, when and where, and how to make the most of the location.

Exploring new lands and bringing back great stories inspires the Explorar brand to give guests authentic and local experiences to create their own stories and tell others of their incredible adventures.

Food and culture is part of Explorars DNA, and its called Foodies. Its locally inspired, accessible and not service heavy, includes nice touches that incorporate the local culture and in line with the whimsical feel of the Explorar Brand.

About Explorar Hotels & Resorts

A hotel brand that makes travel authentic and social for the intrepid explorer. Explorar Hotels & Resorts offers travellers the opportunity to explore and experience each destination from a vibrant, comfortable and fun base, with a team that makes traversing and enjoying the destination easy whilst utilising their local knowledge of the area with everything being available at the guests fingertips.

Headquartered in Phuket, Thailand the Explorar Hotels & Resorts brand launched in Q2 2021 with Explorar Pawapi Koh Mook becoming the first property to join the highly anticipated hotel group.

For more information about Explorar Hotels & Resorts, please visit www.explorarhotels.com and connect with us on Facebook, Instagram & Tik Tok.
Phuket records five new COVID infections, seventh death confirmed 72-year-old man

PHUKET: Dr Kusak Kukiattikoon, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO), has confirmed that Phuket recorded five new COVID infections on the island yesterday (June 29), and confirmed that Phukets seventh COVID death in the current outbreak was that of a 72-year-old man.

COVID-19healthVaccinedeath

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 30 June 2021, 01:22PM

Dr Kusak Kukiattikoon, Chief of the Phuket Provincial Public Health Office (PPHO) speaking during the live broadcast this morning (June 30). Photo: PPHO

Speaking during a live broadcast joined by Phuket Governor Narong Woonciew this morning (June 30), Dr Kusak explained, Yesterday, we had five new infected cases. Two of them came from Nonthaburi, which is classified as a dark-red zone. They had been in Phuket for about 10 days, and they also presented negative test results when entering Phuket.

They are now receiving treatment in hospital, and about 30 high-risk people are staying in Local Quarantine [LQ] venues, Dr Kusak said.

The other three cases tested positive while they were staying in the LQ venue, he added.

This morning, I received a report that we have another five new cases for today [June 30], Dr Kusak continued.

Three of them came from Bangkok, and more details are to come about the other two, he said.

In this past week, we have had one death [from COVID-19]. The case was a 72-year-old man who had been in hospital for two months, since Songkhran. He died from severe infection in his lungs and pneumonitis, Dr Kusak explained.

However, Dr Kusak did not indicate that the man was suffering any other pre-existing medical conditions that may have contributed to his death.

The PPHO daily report for yesterday (June 29) marked that the five new COVID infections on the island brought the total number of people infected in Phuket since Apr 3 to 728.

Of note, a provincial order has instituted a Phuket Sandbox contingency plan, in case COVID infections start spiralling upward after the reopening of the province to foreign visitors tomorrow (July 1).

Among the key criteria for reviewing the Sandbox policy, which include cancelling the project altogether, is if there are more than 90 infections across the island within seven days.

As such, Phuket has recorded in total 16 new infections past seven days, as follows:

June 29 - 5 new cases, total 728

June 28 - 3 new cases, total 723

June 27 - 0 new cases, total 720

June 26 - 1 new case, total 720

June 25 - 3 new cases, 1 death, total 719

June 24 - 2 new cases, total 716

June 23 - 2 new caess, total 714

According to the PPHO daily report for yesterday (June 29), the 728 cases do not include six people infected in other provinces and two people infected abroad.

Of the cases recognised since Apr 3, 687 have been released from hospital care while 42 patients remain under medical care and supervision.

The PPHO report for yesterday included an updated map showing the locations of infections on Phuket, as follows:

Wichit - 86 infections

Phuket Town - 81 (+1)

Patong - 77

Rassada - 67 (+2)

Kathu - 57 (+2)

Chalong - 46

Rawai - 46

Cherng Talay - 45

Srisoonthorn - 37

Thepkrasattri - 36

Kamala - 33

Koh Kaew - 27

Karon - 31

Pa Khlok - 10

Mai Khao - 9

Sakhu - 9

MASS VACCINATIONS

According to a report issued this morning by the Phuket office of the Public Relations Department, 383,158 people in Phuket have received at least one state-provided COVID-19 vaccination injection as of yesterday (June 29).

The increase marks 8,527 first vaccination injections administered across the island yesterday.

The new total represents 82% of the 466,587 target population on the island to be vaccinated, said the report.

According to the report, just 24 people received their second vaccination injection yesterday, with the total for second injections now marked as 298,344 people  up from 298,320 on Monday.

The report also marked 1,988 more people registering to receive a state-provided vaccination, now with a total of 428,882 people registered as of yesterday  up from 426,894 on Monday.
THAI extends leave without pay, deeper cuts needed

THAILAND: Thai Airways International (THAI) is extending its leave-without-pay (LWOP) scheme for another 12 months, as the ailing flag carrier continues to struggle to meet its financial obligations.

CoronavirusCOVID-19

By Bangkok Post

Wednesday 30 June 2021, 08:43AM

The scheme, which will be in effect for 12 months, begins tomorrow (July 1). Photo: Bangkok Post

A source said THAIs acting CEO and chief of human resources, Suvadhana Sibunruang, had issued an internal memo announcing the latest extension of the LWOP scheme yesterday (June 29).

The scheme, which will be in effect for 12 months, begins tomorrow. According to the source, the scheme complies with the resolutions reached by the airlines rehabilitation plan administrators on June 9.

The carrier had introduced a similar scheme earlier in the year to cope with its heavy losses. THAI reasoned the scheme was needed to cut back on human resource expenses and allow some employees with health problems to undergo treatment.

The scheme also presents an opportunity for other employees to further their studies or accompany their spouses on overseas working assignments, THAI had said.

The airline is currently seeking to restructure B245 billion of debt.

The source said that it was apparent that the airline needed deeper cost reductions to survive.

Those eligible to join the scheme must have signed a new employment contract on May 1 and is a permanent employee. The scheme is reserved for employees based in Thailand.

Once the leave is granted, it cannot be retracted unless the company calls the employees back to work before the leave expires.

However, the LWOP period is counted as work days. Participating employees will temporarily not be required to contribute to the provident fund. Although they do not receive salaries and other pay during LWOP, they are still entitled to the companys full welfare and benefits.

The airline will pay the pre-tax amount of social security contribution worth B1,650 a month for each employee taking LWOP exceeding three months in a row.

Throughout the period, participating employees may not operate or engage in commercial business or organisation which damages the airlines interest. They also may not assume positions in any state agency or public office unless a prior permission is obtained from the company.
Tourists welcome but COVID rules must be respected, say local businesses

PHUKET: Local businesses in Phuket are looking forward to welcoming foreign tourists once again as the island opens its borders under the Phuket Sandbox initiative tomorrow (July 1) although some have reiterated the importance for robust COVID-19 safety measures to be in place and adhered to.

CoronavirusCOVID-19tourism

By The Phuket News

Wednesday 30 June 2021, 12:46PM

The COVID-19 pandemic has decimated local business and left areas like Thalang Rd in Phuket Town resembling ghost towns at times. Photo: PR Phuket.

Several businesses in the Thalang Rd area of Old Phuket Town were questioned by PR Phuket yesterday (June 29) and the overwhelming consensus was that tourists desperately need to return in order to reinvigorate businesses left reeling after the past 15 months of lockdowns, island-wide restrictions and travel bans.

I agree with opening up to tourists in line with the Phuket Sand Box model, commented one vendor who owns a clothes shop on Thalang Rd.

Nowadays, the shops in Thalang Road are very quiet with barely any customers at all, mainly due to the absence of overseas tourists, the vendor added.

There days when I do not sell anything at all so to see tourists returning wil be very welcome. I have seen other local businesses such as shops, massage parlors and restaurants also preparing for the return of tourists which is a good sign.

Hopefully returning foreign tourists can help stimulate the economy and encourage entrepreneurs to the province.

Whereas most local business owners generally agreed with this sentiment, several did express a need for caution, requesting the government and related health agencies ensure the measures in place to combat any potential spread of COVID-19 are enforced rigidly.

In particular, there were several requests to ensure strict implementation of screening inbound tourists on arrival and to ensure robust health guidleines are respected and followed during the tourists stay on the island. Additionally any violations of the health safety guidelines should be dealt with seriously.

All inbound tourists will need to meet strict criteria as outlined in the Royal Gazette this morning.

This includes proof of being fully vaccinated, possession of a Certificate of Entry (COE), a COVID-19 test certificate issued within 72 hours prior to travel, insurance covering US$100,000, a booking with a SHA+ hotel in Phuket for 14 days, and be willing to pay for RT-PCR tests.
Toxic workplaces raise the risk of depression in workers by 30 percent.

Researchers from Australia found that employees of organizations who didnt prioritize the mental health of their workers had an increased risk of being diagnosed with depression.

We found that poor work context or climate was more important than long working hours. Working in poor PSC (psychosocial safety climate) contexts, where there is a lack of regard for workers mental health is associated with future depression symptoms, Professor Maureen Dollard, co-author of the study and ARC Laureate told Theravive.

In the year-long study, the researchers found that poor choices by management had a greater influence on depressions rates in employees than long working hours. Such management decisions fall under the concept of psychosocial safety climate (PSC).

PSC refers to the organisations policies, practices and procedures to protect worker psychological health. When worker psychological health is not prioritised in organisations, when there is no communication or participation systems to report, discuss or resolve risk factors to psychological health, workers are likely to develop depressive symptoms, cardiovascular disease symptoms, MSDs, emotional exhaustion, less engagement, sickness absence. Low PSC affects the worker and the organisations bottom line, Dollard said.

Poor PSC is largely driven by management values and priorities. When managers value worker psychological health and set in place communication and participation systems to report, discuss or resolve risk factors to psychological health, we expect high levels of PSC.

The researchers say that companies who fail to give their workers autonomy, dont reward and acknowledge their employees for their hard work, and are unreasonably demanding of their workers set their employees up for a higher risk of depression.

With more than 300 million people around the world living with depression, attention is being drawn to the role workplaces may have in this problem.

Mental health problems endemic globally may well be prevented and treated by improving the corporate climate for worker psychological health rather than resorting to medications, Dollard said.

The researchers found men were more likely to experience depression if their workplace didnt pay enough attention to their psychological health. They also found that a company failure to address the mental health needs of their workers is also associated with workplace bullying and high levels of burnout and emotional exhaustion.

In the case of workplace bullying, the researchers argue, such behaviour doesnt just negatively impact the person being bullied, but also the person doing the bullying and those who witness the bullying. Everyone involved can as a result experience burnout.

Both workplace bullying and burnout in employees can take a significant toll on the workplace as well. Absenteeism, poor engagement with work tasks, low productivity and workers needing to take stress leave are just some of the consequences.

The researchers say consultation with employees and unions on matters relating to workplace health and safety is one way employers can improve the psychosocial safety climate in their workplaces, and protect the mental health of their employees.

In recognition of the problem, in 2019 the International Labour Organization established the Global Commission on the Future of work and called for a human centred approach to the workplace, that puts people and their work at the center of business practices and policies.

Dollard says it is important employers do their part in ensuring their workplaces arent toxic.

First and foremost employers should ensure that the workplace climate is one that respects worker psychological health and offers work that is not too demanding, is adequately resourced and free from harassment, violence and bullying, she said.

In the case where stressors are unavoidable adequate resources to handle the stress should be provided. Where workers are distressed, the workplace should be monitored for risks (i.e., assess PSC levels), and access to services to help workers recover is indicated.
The Wyoming State Parks, Historic Sites and Trails (SPHST) is seeking Requests for Information (RFI) for development of concession management opportunities at Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis. According to wyoparks.wyo.gov, the RFI release date was June 22 and site visits may be conducted th...
While the Canada-U.S. land border is still officially closed until at least July 21, the federal government announced that some travel restrictions by land or air will be lifted for fully vaccinated Canadians and permanent residents as of noon July 5.

Full vaccination means two weeks after a second dose of a Canada-approved vaccine.

According to media reports, those eligible to enter Canada and who are fully vaccinated and are COVID-19-negative will not have to stay in a hotel, self-isolate for two weeks or take a test on the eighth day of their return.

Those coming to Canada do have to provide proof of vaccination via paper or digitally, and they have to submit their COVID-19 information into the federal governments ArriveCAN app before arriving in Canada. Travellers are asked to download the most recent version of that app on July 5, and entering fraudulent information can lead to fines of up to $750,000 or six months in prison.

Fully vaccinated travellers will still have to take a COVID test within 72 hours before arriving at the Canadian border, be tested again on arrival and prepare a quarantine plan if they have to self-isolate. They also have to be asymptomatic to travel.

Final determination regarding exemptions is made by a government representative at the border based on the information presented at the time of entry into Canada, which is why a quarantine plan is still required, said a federal government statement.

As well, according to reports, those fully vaccinated adults travelling with unvaccinated children will not have to stay in a hotel, and while the children will have to isolate, fuly vaccinated parents can leave the house.
News

Coping with crisis

Photos by Sara Greene Dr. Cheryl May, Director of the Criminal Justice Institute at the University of Arkansas, speaks abut the driving issues and possible solutions to opioid overdoses in Independence County. By Sara Greene Jamal Williams with the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Aging Adult and Behavioral Health Sciences issues a call to action during a community discussion about opioid overdose prevention in Independence County.

On the 50th anniversary of President Richard M. Nixons War on Drugs, Dr. Cheryl May, director of the Criminal Justice Institute at the University of Arkansas led a passionate community roundtable about opioid overdose prevention.

Mays message to the group gathered at the Batesville Community and Aquatics Center was clear.

If communities want to get control of this extremely broad phenomenon of opioid overdoses, they need to de-stigmatize it, and start talking about it. Tracking the opioid-overdose epidemic in rural Arkansas is difficult because opioid overdose death data may not be accurately recorded in rural areas, for example, an overdose death might be filed as cardiac arrest by a county coroner. According to the Arkansas Foundation for Medical Care, between 2018 to 2020, there were 27 reported overdoses in Independence County.

People need to get rid of the notion that opioid abuse is something that just happens to homeless people living under an overpass in the inner-city. There are no socio-economic boundaries. Addiction starts with people seeking a cure for pain. Its the star athlete who gets injured, the blue-collar factory worker who has to stand all day, the senior with the bad hip, the store clerk who has to lift boxes, the office worker getting dental work done.

Pain medication is necessary. Doctors prescribing pain medication are necessary. South American drug cartels realized there was money to be made selling illicit pain medication and Chinese manufacturers were more than happy to oblige.

The problem is most of the cheap opioids are now tainted with fentanyl.

In its fine-powder form, the drug is so potent, a sweetener-packet sized amount could kill more than 100 people. Pharmaceutical fentanyl is a synthetic opioid, approved for treating severe pain, typically advanced cancer pain. It is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine. The painkiller is typically compounded and dispensed by pharmacists in a diluted manner in sprays, patches, dissolving tablets, or lozenges, for cancer patients.

The Arkansas Naloxone Project has helped save the lives of 1,020 Arkansans so far.

One of the most recent examples May cited was a 2-year-old who got into moms Percocet and a West Memphis police officer who became ill after accidentally touching something contaminated with fentanyl powder.

Naloxone or Narcan, is available for purchase at most pharmacies and you have to ask for it.

The 4 mg nasal spray is easy to administer. May explained it knocks the opioid off the brain receptors for 60-90 minutes, which may help someone start breathing again, but follow-up medical care is needed. Each dose of Naloxone/Narcam comes with PPE and instructions (including an app) to walk someone through the process.

Arkansas is one of the 40 states exercising the Joshua Ashley-Pauley Act Good Samaritan law, which encourages people to seek out medical attention for an overdosing person and for follow-up medical care after has been administered. These laws provide immunity from arrest, charge or prosecution for certain controlled substance possession and paraphernalia offenses when a person who is either experiencing an opiate-related overdose or observing calls 911 for assistance or seeks medical attention.

Josh Ramsey is the peer recovery support specialist for the 16th Judicial District Task Force. He connects with people and their friends and families during overdose events.

Ramsey overdosed ten times during his time abusing opioids.

Recovery programs want participants to be detoxed, but substance abuse disorder isnt something people can just quit. It changes the bodys chemistry.

Detoxing is a physically painful process that can include vomiting and diarrhea. Medically assisted treatment (MAT) is becoming more accepted to help people with the process. White River Medical Center just opened a four-bed unit for medical detox.

Then theres the mental and emotional rebuilding. Ramsey said after he quit using, he had about a year of drug-induced psychosis for nearly a year. As a peer recovery support specialist, he helps users make a recovery plan, acts as a liaison for court proceedings, helps them rebuild life skills, get their drivers license back, get their children back, and, perhaps most important, advocates for their treatment. The recovery plans arent simple and it takes several years for most people.

Just having a peer recovery specialist is remarkable.

Ramsey received a standing ovation for his work.

Thats groundbreaking to be able to hand them a card of someone to talk to, said Geoffrey Watts, Commander of the 16th Judicial District Task Force.

Community members can expect to see more Narcan training being offered to groups throughout the county, as healthcare workers and law enforcement work to get their arms around this growing epidemic, because its going to take more than just arresting people.
JERSEYVILLE  Its not every day you get a blessing from the Pope.

County among the lucky Saint Francis Xavier Church at 506 S. State St. in Jerseyville, which marks its 150th year on Sunday, July 4.

According to Father Marty Smith of the church, a papal blessing is reserved for when a church or parish celebrates a significant event or achievement.

It offers congratulations to the people of the parish on celebrating this milestone and joyous occasion, Smith said.

Pope Francis has deemed Saint Francis Xaviers sesquicentennial as worthy of the honor.

Its really flattering to receive such a blessing from the Holy Father, said Alex Foster, Director of Music for the church.

This is the second papal blessing the church has received. Fifty-five years ago, in 1966, the church received a blessing to commemorate Father John Clancys 75 years of ordination. Clancy died a year later, at the age of

The Saint Francis Xavier Parish will celebrate its anniversary with a large Mass at 10:15 a.m. on Sunday. Following the mass, parish members will gather in the gymnasium of St. Francis Xavier Catholic School next door for a social hour with coffee and doughnuts.

This is the second papal blessing the church has received. Fifty-five years ago, in 1966, the church received a blessing to commemorate Father John Clancys 75 years of ordination. Clancy died a year later, at the age of

Foster, a convert to Roman Catholicism, has been with the church since 2001. He said its members are very hospitable and very devoted.

Its great being part of a community that is so committed to the Roman Catholic faith, he said. They welcome you; they support you. It feels like going home.

Smith has been been a priest since 2015; he joined Saint Francis Xavier in 2017. He said his favorite part of his responsibilities is being with parishs families and the community.

They work together and they help one another out, Smith said. For me, its a great example of the love of God  seeing the families, the students and everybody thats a part of it.

John Thurston has been with the church all of his life, outside of four years with the Navy.

This is probably one of the most friendliest churches youll ever go to, Thurston said. The people work together and the Altar Society will bend over backwards to help somebody.

The Saint Francis Xavier Parish was consecrated July 4, 1871. It was officially established four years later, on July 5, 1875. Before then there was only one Catholic family  the Carroll family  living in Elsah Township.

Church records indicate that, by 1839, there were two more families  a Thomas Carroll family and a Mary Cummings family. That year the families of William Shepherd, Fred Bertman and William Kelly also came to reside in Jersey County.

There was no church. But Father George Hamilton would come to the area and minister to the Catholic families. Father George Hamilton performed the first marriage, for Mr. and Mrs. William Kelly. And there was a circuit rider in the area, Father Michael Carroll.

The parish held its first service in the William Shepherd home in the fall of 1841. Carroll and Hamilton were both part of the Alton diocese, which included Jersey county. They occasionally visited Jerseyville and held services in private homes and the courthouse.

In 1848, the parish decided they needed a church. William Shepherd, Fred Bertman and William Kelly purchased a plot of ground from J.A. and C.J. Barr. But it was not until July 1857 that a small frame church was erected and dedicated in July by the Right Rev. Henry Damian Junker, Bishop of Alton.

Father Thomas F. Mangan became the first resident priest of Saint Francis Xavier church, remaining until April 1860. He was succeeded by Father Marrill until February 1861 and Father Laurent until February 1865, the latter who directed the construction of a rectory built which later became the home for the Dominican Sisters who staffed the school for mpore than 100 years. Father Laurent also oversaw the purchased of ground for a parish cemetery.

Father Hovin served 1865-66 before Father John Sullivan  who had overseen construction of Saint Malachy Church in St. Louis  was sent to build a new church in Jerseyville. The cornerstone was laid in May 1868. But shortly after this, money ran out and Sullivan requested to be transferred to Springfield.

He was replaced by Father James J. Harty who served until 1899. Harty took over the building project. The main body of the church was designed as 55-by-100 feet with a tower of more than 150 feet. The inside height of the ceiling in the center of the nave is 43 feet, and side aisles are 25 feet.

William Embly and Sons were the architects of the Gothic style church. The body was built using bricks made in Jerseyville and stone trimmings from Grafton quarries. Masons from Alton did the brick work, Nichol T. Smith Jr. did the carpenter work and Coddington & Irwin did the plastering.

The roof was covered with slate shingles. This was done at a cost of $25,000 and took three years to complete, designed by architect William Embly.

On July 4, 1871, the Total Abstinence Society of Alton were met at the depot by the Hibernian Society of Jerseyville and, with the juvenile band of the Annunciation School of Saint Louis, marched through the main streets to the church.

Saint Francis Xavier Church was dedicated by Rev. P.J. Baltes, Bishop of Alton. The celebrant of the day was Rev. P. Cline of Kaskaskia, assisted by Deacon Rev. John Moher of Alton and Subdeacon Rev. P. Brady of Springfield. Master of ceremonies was Rev. J. J. Johnson, Vicar General of the Diocese, with a dedication sermon by Rev. David Daley of St. Louis.
The 2021 legislative maps, despite community participation throughout the process, result in an inequitable redistricting plan for our state.

The Illinois Legislature met the basic requirement to draw and pass maps by June 30, 2021. However, the Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition and its partners and allies urge the governor and the legislature to reconsider the maps as they continue to work on Congressional districts and as Census data is released.

All legislative successes are a result of collaboration between community residents and elected officials. Redistricting plans should be based on multiple data sources and in strong partnership with communities. It is a flaw in the process that no Census information was used in redistricting, and that little actual community input from hearings was accepted.

Illinois is one of the most diverse states in the nation. It has some of the largest communities of Americans who identify as Latino, African American, Asian, South Asian, Polish, German, Irish, Rohingya, Nigerian, Arab, African Immigrant, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist, and many others.

This rich diversity is not equitably represented in the newly adopted legislative maps.

Illinois has the largest per capita and diverse American Muslim population in the nation. Illinois Muslims are over 3% of the states total population and are of every race, ethnicity, and background. Illinois Muslims are business owners, healthcare professionals, educators, union members, factory workers, philanthropists, and tax payers.

We strongly support and engage with our public officials, but we also unapologetically call out inequity. It is unacceptable that the 2021 legislative maps provide our diverse communities with zero representation.

Partners and allies from counties across the state worked on Census and redistricting over the last three years. A Unity Map was submitted by a coalition of diverse communities including UCCRO, IL Muslim Civic Coalition, Latino Policy Forum, Illinois African Americans for Equitable Redistricitng, and other Asian, African American, Muslim and Latino organizations. In addition to the Unity Map, the IL Muslim Civic Coalition submitted six additional Community of Interest maps for six counties.

All maps took into account data from ACS, 2010 Census, maps of community centers and businesses, and other critical data.

The Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition will continue its important work towards civic justice for often invisible and marginalized communities  regardless of race, faith, or background. We will strive to keep the focus on just policies and inclusive laws. The coalition is committed to collaborating on these shared goals with our community members, partner and ally organizations, as well as our elected officials.

Deena Habbal is Operations Director at the Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition. Contact her at Info@ILMuslimCivicCoalition.org.
ALTON  An Alton Municipal Band brass ensemble returns for the 131st season.

The ensemble will perform at 8 p.m. Thursday, July 1, at Riverview Parks gazebo to kick off the fourth week of the Alton Muny Bands Concerts in the Park series, appropriately themed patriotic. David Drillinger will conduct and play trumpet in the ensemble.

The ensemble also will include area professional musicians Adam Rodgers on French horn, Kelley Kesterson on trombone, Dennis Meyer on trumpet and Dick Rogers on trombone. The quintet promises a memorable evening of unquestionable patriotism, love and devotion to country for all who attend.

Bring lawn chairs and come for an evening of music while overlooking the Mississippi River from the bluffs nestled in the historic Christian Hill neighborhood.

The full Alton Municipal Band will then return at 7 p.m. Sunday on the Fourth of July to Haskell Park near the Lucy Playhouse to perform a selection of patriotic music under the direction of David Drillinger. This

Independence Day celebration will feature one of the bands trumpeters, Charlie Prager, performing an arrangement by Drillinger, With Malice Toward None, by composer John Williams, from the critically acclaimed film Lincoln, produced by Steven Spielberg and Kathleen Kennedy.

Vocalist Dave Guebert also will be featured in several numbers including Irving Berlins God Bless America, Douglas E. Wagners Written on a Star, arranged by Drillinger, and Where the Stars and Stripes and the Eagle Fly, a composition by Drillinger, Aaron Tippin, Casey Beathard, Kenny Beard and Peter Hussey.

Other music being performed include Let Freedom Ring, Patriotic Sing-a-Long, America, the Beautiful, Always United, Forever Strong, National Emblem, Parade of the Tall Ships, Semper Fidelis, God Bless the U.S.A. and Stars and Stripes Forever.

A big Thank you to everyone who came out for both concerts last week, said Alton Muny board member Julie McPike, especially to Mayor David Goins, who was planning a surprise guest appearance assisting the band on a Strauss polka playing the anvil solo. This will definitely have to be rescheduled.

A sudden downpour quickly ended the outdoor concert at Haskell Park as band members scurried to pack up music, stands, instruments and cases.

The band also thanked the Alton Park and Recreation staff who were quick to move risers and chairs back into the Haskell house.

Clarinet soloist Sophie Browning plans to return to perform with the band later this summer.

A muny band ensemble also will be featured July 8, themed as gospel choir, at Riverview Park. The full band will perform through Aug. 8 at Haskell Park where players and audience can spread out and social distance. Audience members are encouraged to bring their own seating and follow the state and city health and safety guidelines for social distancing and mask wearing, particularly for those who are not vaccinated.

The full band is returning to Riverview Park starting July 15 for week six, themed Lets Go, under the direction of Drillinger, with guest vocalist Sue Parton Stanard.

Week seven is An Evening with Erin Bode as guest vocalist.

Week eight is themed for kids with the bands Childrens Concert, featuring St. Louis television and radio personality Heidi Glaus narrating a playful story, Peter and the Wolf, to music.

Week nine is themed So Long, Farewell, with vocalist Robyn Brandon.

We welcome and encourage the community to visit the parks for some quality outdoor time together with family and friends, and come listen to some of the best music around, McPike said.

The citys continuing support for these free outdoor concerts is a wonderful Alton tradition dating back to 1891.

Anyone interested in making a donation to support expanded ensemble performances and concert activities can send a check to Alton City Hall, payable to the Alton Municipal Band Special Fund, or make donations online through at www.cityofaltonil.com.

Join the Friends of Alton Municipal Band group at Facebook to stay up to date on the latest happenings, and feel free to share memories, photos and best band moments.

Send questions to info@altonmunyband.org.
WASHINGTON (AP)  President Joe Biden came up well short on his goal of delivering 80 million doses of coronavirus vaccine to the rest of the world by the end of June as a host of logistical and regulatory hurdles slowed the pace of U.S. vaccine diplomacy.

Although the Biden administration has announced that about 50 countries and entities will receive a share of the excess COVID-19 vaccine doses, the U.S. has shipped fewer than 24 million doses to 10 recipient countries, according to an Associated Press tally. The White House says more will be sent in the coming days and stresses that Biden has done everything in his power to meet the commitment.

It's not for lack of doses. All the American shots are ready to ship, the White House said. Rather, it's taking more time than anticipated to sort through a complex web of legal requirements, health codes, customs clearances, cold-storage chains, language barriers and delivery programs. Complicating matters even further is that no two shipments are alike.

One country requires an act of its Cabinet to approve the vaccine donation, others require inspectors to conduct their own safety checks on the U.S. doses, and still others have yet to develop critical aspects of their vaccine distribution plans to ensure the doses can reach people's arms before they spoil.

A U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity to share internal arrangements, said that as of Wednesday, all intended recipient countries had received formal U.S. offers of a specific number and type of vaccine, and all legal and logistical hurdles on the U.S. side had been cleared.

The White House declined to specify which nations were grappling with which local hurdles, saying it is working with recipient nations on an individual basis to remove obstacles to delivery.

What weve found to be the biggest challenge is not actually the supply  we have plenty of doses to share with the world  but this is a Herculean logistical challenge, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said last week.

It took months for the U.S. to get its domestic vaccination program running at full throttle, and officials noted that Biden only shifted the focus of the nation's COVID-19 response toward the global vaccination campaign less than two months ago.

Biden announced the 80 million target on May 17, saying, This will be more vaccines than any country has actually shared to date  five times more than any other country  more than Russia and China. Even while missing his goal, Biden has made the U.S. the largest global vaccine donor, delivering more doses than either Russia or China, who have at times sought to leverage their vaccines for geopolitical gain.

The 80 million doses are meant as a down payment on a far larger plan to purchase and donate 500 million vaccine doses for the world over the next year. That plan, relying on a purchase contract from Pfizer that will begin delivering doses in August, remains on track, officials said.

Last week the White House broadly outlined its plans for all 80 million doses, but it is not publicly releasing a list of how many and of what type of vaccines each recipient will get until the doses are on the way.

The U.S. recipients to date are Colombia (2.5 million Johnson & Johnson doses), Bangladesh (2.5 million Moderna), Peru (2 million Pfizer), Pakistan (2.5 million Moderna), Honduras (1.5 million Moderna), Brazil (3 million J&J), South Korea (1 million J&J), Taiwan (2.5 million Moderna), Canada (1 million Moderna, 1.5 million AstraZeneca) and Mexico (1.35 million J&J, 2.5 million AstraZeneca). All told, it's enough vaccine to fully protect 15.9 million people.

Biden initially committed to providing other nations with all 60 million U.S.-produced doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, which has yet to be authorized for use in the U.S. but is widely approved around the world. The AstraZeneca doses have been held up for export by a two-month safety review by the Food and Drug Administration.

Given declining domestic demand for vaccine doses, the Biden administration expects to be able to meet the full 80 million commitment without the AstraZeneca doses, but rather from existing federal stockpiles of Pfizer, Moderna and J&J vaccines.

The U.S.-approved shots  particularly the mRNA vaccines produced by Pfizer and Moderna  appear to be more effective than other available vaccines against the virus, especially emerging strains of the virus that are more contagious and harmful, like the delta variant first identified in India.
ST. LOUIS  BMC Enterprises, Inc., the largest producer of aggregates and concrete in the St. Louis region, has acquired Stewart Concrete Products headquartered in Halfway, Missouri, and created a strategic partnership with Stewart-Morrison Redi-Mix, Inc. based in West Plains, Missouri, bringing the companys recent acquisitions to five in the last 13 months.

Stewart Concrete Products and Stewart-Morrison Redi-Mix, Inc. will operate as new portfolio companies under BMC. Acquired assets from both transactions include five concrete products locations, eight ready-mix concrete plants and two sand and gravel mines throughout southwest Missouri and central Arkansas.
THURSDAY, JULY 1

VIP Cross Cuts Grand Opening: Noon, VIP Cross Cuts, 2809 Homer M Adams Pkwy., Alton.

Alton Municipal Band Free Concerts in the Park: 8-9 p.m., Riverview Park Gazebo, Park Avenue, Alton. Reminder there is no parking on Riverview Drive. Concerts occur weekly through Aug. 5.

Farmers Market at Grafton Market: 2-6 p.m., Grafton Market, 1415 W. Main St., Grafton. Every Thursday from June 10-Oct. 28.

The National Alliance on Mental Illness Southwestern Illinois Zoom Meetings: 7-8:30 p.m., NAMI SWI announces virtual support meetings via Zoom for family members and other caregivers of individuals with mental illness. Registration is required in order to receive the link to these meetings. Email Pat Rudloff, silverlining6@charter.net to register.

A Course in Miracles: 1 p.m., New Bethel UMC, 131 N. Main St., Glen Carbon. For more information, call Phill at 618-288-7910 or Nancy at 618-698-5088.

For information about Al-Anon Meetings, call 618-463-2429. To find more helpful meeting, visit SIAFG.org and District-18.org.

FRIDAY, JULY 2

Fireworks on the Mississippi River: 9-11 p.m., Lighthouse Park, Grafton. As the sun goes down, fireworks will light up the night sky in the middle of town at Lighthouse Park. For more information, call (618) 786-7000.

Grafton Fireworks on the Hakuna Matata: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Grafton Harbor Boat Rentals, 215 W. Water St., Grafton. Be sure to bring your picnic baskets. The Tiki Bar will remain open until after the fireworks. (Outside beverages are prohibited).

Carlinville Fireworks: Fireworks begn at 9:15 p.m., Macoupin County Fairgrounds, 21149 State Rte 4, Carlinville. Limited to the first 100 vehicles. Parking spaces cannot be reserved in advance. Outside food and drinks are allowed but alcoholic beverages are prohibited. A rain date is scheduled for Monday, July 5

St. Andrews Book Fair Summer Outdoor Clearance Sale: 4-8 p.m., St. Andrews Episcopal Church, 406 Hillsboro, Edwardsville. In case of rain, it will be held in the Pearson Hall, the churchs parish hall. All books, DVDs, CDs, vinyl records, and games at the clearance sale are priced at 50 each. Payment is by cash or check.

Wade Trent -Live Music: 3-7 p.m., The Winery at Aeries Resort, 600 Timber Ridge Dr., Grafton.

Scott & Karl -Live Music: 6-10 p.m., The Loading Dock, 401 Front St., Grafton.

Fireworks Cruise: 6:30-8:30 p.m., Grafton Harbor, 215 West Water St., Grafton.

Music in the Park with The Owlz: 7-9 p.m., Grove Memorial Park, Grafton.

Roaming Home -Live Music: 7-10 p.m., Grafton Oyster Bar, 215 Water St., Grafton.

Sonic Tonic -Live Music: 7-11 p.m., Grafton Pub, 225 W Main St., Grafton.

For information about Al-Anon Meetings, call 618-463-2429. To find more helpful meeting, visit SIAFG.org and District-18.org.
WASHINGTON (AP)  A program that has allowed wealthy foreign investors to obtain U.S. residency, and has long been the subject of complaints that it amounts to the wholesale selling of American citizenship, may be coming to a sputtering end.

Congressional authorization for a key part of the immigrant investor program was set to expire Wednesday with dim prospects for renewal following the failure of a Senate bill that would have addressed long-standing concerns about inadequate regulation.

The bipartisan bill would have created new regulations on a part of the program that makes up the bulk of visa applications and allows money from overseas investors to be pooled into funds to finance large projects around the U.S., often high-end real estate.

That effort failed last week when GOP Sen. Lindsey Graham objected to the bill and prevented it from moving through the Senate by unanimous consent, angering the two senior Republican and Democratic lawmakers who authored the legislation.

A narrow subset of big money and corrupt interests has now shown that they would rather kill the program altogether than have to accept integrity programs designed to clamp down on their bad behavior, Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley, who authored the bill with Vermont Sen. Patrick Leahy, said on the Senate floor after the objection from Graham.

Graham spokesman Kevin Bishop said the South Carolina Republican needed more time despite the looming deadline. He would like to negotiate a long-term compromise with all parties that allows for the program to be successful while improving program integrity.

Despite the bipartisan sponsorship of the bill, the prospects for it being revived, or restoring the authorization without the changes, are uncertain. Lawmakers are wary of the overall program and Republicans in general have become increasingly anti-immigration.

U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, a component of the Department of Homeland Security that administers the investment visa program, said in a statement that it was evaluating the effects of the lapse in authorization.

The agency also said it is considering administrative actions to modernize and ensure the integrity of what's formally known as the EB-5 program.

Our agency fully supports the EB-5 program and the many benefits it provides in boosting jobs, the economy, and particularly in providing assistance to distressed communities with foreign capital investment in the United States, it said.

Congress created the program to encourage investment from overseas and spur job growth in 1990, when the economy was in recession.

The program required an investment of $1 million or just $500,000 in areas of high poverty and the creation of at least 10 jobs. In exchange, overseas investors got temporary residency along with their immediate family and could apply later for citizenship.

Congress also allowed money from visa applicants to be pooled into regional centers" that would fund large investments and could comprise several different businesses. The idea was to promote growth in poor or rural areas.

But the EB-5 program has enabled the drawing of regional maps that include only pockets of poverty. The result is that funds are often used to create large investment pools to finance luxury real estate projects in New York City, Miami, the San Francisco Bay area and other parts of the country in a way that critics say was not the intent of the program.

The program provides 10,000 visas to wealthy foreigners per year, primarily from China and other parts of Asia. Relatively few people start a standalone EB-5 enterprise, so the pooled funds make up the bulk, said David North, a senior fellow at Center for Immigration Studies who has testified to the Senate about the issue.

Aside from the optics of essentially selling citizenship, the program has been repeatedly tainted by scandal and authorities have sought to increase oversight of the foreign investors, their sources of income and the proposed investment projects. A Trump administration directive to raise the required investment was recently struck down by a federal court.

Every conceivable scam by every conceivable player is sort of available in this program and I think it well deserves its death, North said.

It has defenders, though. Steve Yale-Loehr, a professor of immigration law at Cornell Law School, said EB-5 provides valuable benefits to the U.S. Given our efforts to jump start the economy after the pandemic, it is particularly unfortunate that the Senate failed to extend the program, he said.
Before the pandemic hit, Jacqueline Bartley, a mother of two girls and a boy, had a comfortable life. Then the 41-year-old lost her job at American Airlines, quickly spent her savings and found herself months behind on the $1,350-a-month home she rented. Until then she had never missed a rent payment.

Bartley, of Durham, North Carolina, turned to the states rental assistance program and was relieved in January to be awarded $8,100. But she says her landlord refused the money after she rejected his request to amend her two-year lease to a shorter period. The program required landlords to honor leases, among other conditions, to get the money.

She turned to a second program launched this month by the state and again was approved. Last week, she learned her landlord had accepted nearly $20,000 for back rent and three months of future payments, and agreed to dismiss his eviction lawsuit.

The news means she wont be forced from her home after the federal eviction moratorium ends July 31. But the waiting and uncertainty meant months of stress.

Its been crazy especially when you have children in school, Bartley said. Its pretty much been going by a whim. OK, am I going to have somewhere to go each month?

Millions have found themselves in situations similar to Bartleys, facing possible eviction despite bold promises by governors to help renters after Congress passed the sweeping CARES Act in March 2020.

Nationwide, state leaders set aside at least $2.6 billion from the CARES Acts Coronavirus Relief Fund to prop up struggling renters, but a year later more than $425 million of that  or 16%  hadnt made it into the pockets of tenants or their landlords, according to an investigation by the Center for Public Integrity and The Associated Press.

Its mind-boggling, said Anne Kat Alexander, a project manager with Princeton Universitys Eviction Lab. I knew there were problems but thats a huge amount of money not to be disbursed in a timely manner.

Tens of billions of dollars more in rental assistance have been delivered to states from the federal government in 2021, but that has been slow to be disbursed, too.

With the first round of funds in 2020, bureaucracy was not the only problem. Politics also played a role, with a handful of states, many led by Republicans and with a history of weak tenant protections, offering little to no assistance.

Then, there was the often onerous application process and an end-of-the-year federal deadline for spending the money, extended so late that some states had already pulled funding to use on other expenses. Some landlords refused to participate over restrictions that meant they could not evict a tenant who fell behind again after the assistance.

Congress sweeping 2020 CARES Act sent billions of dollars to states and some local governments. But it didnt mandate that any money be spent on rental assistance, leaving it to states to create their own programs and set the rules.

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalitions database of rent relief programs in 2020, Georgia, West Virginia and Tennessee, all run by Republican governors, chose not to set up statewide programs in 2020, despite having higher than average historic eviction rates. South Carolina allocated less than $14 per renter-occupied household that year.

Still, many states did scramble into action, creating massive programs to keep families in their homes  the safest place to shelter during the coronavirus pandemic. By the summer of 2020, state and local government officials launched about 530 rental assistance programs, setting aside at least $4.3 billion from various sources.

Several states were praised for programs that ran well. Illinois, Indiana, Oregon and Washington state were among more than a dozen that reported distributing every dollar of the rental assistance set aside from the Coronavirus Relief Fund by March 31.

The Center for Public Integrity surveyed about 70 state and local agencies that the National Low Income Housing Coalition identified as having set aside Coronavirus Relief Fund money for rent help in 2020. About $1 out of every $6 of that $2.6 billion wound up getting spent on other COVID-19-related expenses, such as protective equipment, police officers salaries and small-business loans.

Some states also spent millions of dollars setting up their programs, including North Carolina, which allocated around $20 million on administrative costs, and Hawaii, which spent $8 million. In the case of Hawaii, much of that went to help nonprofits scale up and rent space. The state also spent money on a software system in an effort to prevent fraud.

Diane Yentel, executive director of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, said last years funding challenges led Congress to earmark nearly $47 billion specifically for emergency rental assistance in December and March.

Some states and cities carved out some of those funds for eviction prevention and to create emergency rental assistance programs, said Yentel, whose group has been tracking the programs. But many didnt or many didnt set aside enough.

Among the biggest challenges was states failure to spend what they had allocated.

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency received $150 million to help renters, but returned about $96 million to the state treasury, which plugged holes in the states public safety budget. The Florida Housing Finance Corporation earmarked $250 million but returned about $99 million to the state treasury to be spent on other programs. Eighty-three percent of Montanas $50 million set aside for rental assistance went back to the state. New York ended up spending only $47.5 million of the $100 million promised for rental assistance.

In Athens, Georgia, Dylyn Price said she got about $5,800 in rental assistance but that ended earlier this year and she fears losing her home when her lease expires Wednesday.

She worries about living, once again, in a homeless shelter with her 14-year-old son.

Its a very nauseating and uncomfortable situation to be in, Price said.

___

Casey reported from Boston, Kleiner reported from Washington, D.C., and Johnston reported from Brook Park, Ohio. Casey can be reached at mcasey@ap.org. Follow him on Twitter at @mcasey1. Kleiner can be reached at skleiner@publicintegrity.org. Follow her on Twitter at @bysarahkleiner.

___

This story is a collaboration between The Associated Press and The Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit investigative newsroom in Washington.
EDWARDSVILLE  An Edwardsville man is among six Illinois and Missouri men now facing federal charges for attempting to engage in sexual activity with minors.

The cases are the result of an FBI-led operation involving multiple federal and state law enforcement agencies aimed at rooting out internet users trying to meet children for sex. All six men have been charged by federal complaint.

In separate cases, Justin Schneider, 33, of Edwardsville, and Godfrey C. Hubbard, 52, of Sorento, have been charged with attempted enticement of a minor. Michael James Smith, 39, of Barnhart, and James Tiroch, 37, of Florissant, also were charged with attempted enticement of a minor.

Eric E. Hamilton, II, 22, of Maryland Heights, with attempted enticement of a minor and traveling across state lines with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

Christopher M. Simmons, 30, of St. Louis, with attempted commercial sex trafficking of a child, attempted enticement of a minor and traveling across state lines with the intent to engage in illicit sexual conduct.

All six defendants are accused of using the internet to entice someone under 17 years old to engage in unlawful sexual activity and traveling to a specific location to engage in sexual acts with a minor. Some of the defendants allegedly traveled across state lines and/or offered to pay for sex, leading to additional charges. Several of them allegedly had items with them when they were arrested, including alcohol, sex toys, condoms and candy.

No actual minors were harmed during the two-day operation in the Southern District of Illinois. U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft and FBI-Springfield Special Agent in Charge Sean M. Cox made the announcement.

Children are vulnerable to sexual exploitation across the internet, said Weinhoeft. Thats why we are continually updating our investigative techniques and casting a wide net over a variety of online applications and other internet platforms where children are at risk.

To anyone who would prey on our kids, know this: law enforcement is watching, and you will be caught, he said.

Cox said the FBI is working with federal, state, and local law enforcement partners to shut down child predators in hopes of preventing what could be a lifetime of trauma for victims.

Children tend to be trusting online and will befriend strangers of any age or gender, said Cox. Offenders take advantage of this naivety and target children who openly engage others online or who have a strong social networking presence.

Parents and guardians are the first line of defense in preventing access to their children, Cox said. Talk to your children, know what theyre doing online, and if you suspect suspicious activity, dont hesitate to report it to the FBI.

If convicted, the defendants each face at least 10 years and as much as life in prison. Traveling across state lines to have sex with a minor is punishable by up to 30 years in prison. All of the offenses also carry a possible lifetime term of supervised release and fines of up to $250,000.

Pending trial, all six defendants will be held without bond or released on electronic monitoring and other strict conditions, as required by federal law for these offenses.

The investigation was led by FBI-Springfield, with help from Edwardsville Police, Collinsville Police, Alton Police, the Southern Illinois University-Edwardsville Police Department, the Madison County States Attorneys Office, the Macoupin County Sheriffs Office, FBI-St. Louis, U.S. Air Force Office of Special Investigations, the Illinois State Police, the St. Clair County Sheriffs Office, the Monroe County Sheriffs Office, the Marion County Sheriffs Office and the Carlyle Police Department.

The cases will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Karelia Rajagopal and Ali Burns.
EDWARDSVILLE  A South Roxana man has been charged with being an armed habitual criminal.

Shane D. Hart, 34, of South Roxana, was charged June 29 with armed habitual criminal, a Class X felony; unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, a Class 2 felony; and aggravated fleeing or attempting to elude a police officer, a Class 4 felony. In a separate filing he also was charged with criminal damage to government supported property, a Class 4 felony.

Both cases were presented by the Alton Police Department.

According to court documents, on June 27 Hart allegedly was found to be in possession of an Excam Mod GT 27 .25 caliber semi-automatic handgun. He has Madison County felony convictions for residential burglary in 2010 and 2016, making him ineligible to possess weapons.

The charges indicate Hart also tried to flee from an Alton police officer, reaching speeds of more than 21 miles above the posted speed limit.

On June 28 Hart also allegedly damaged the glass on a jail cell door at the Alton Police Department.

Bail on the weapons and fleeing charges is $200,000, and $25,000 for the criminal damage charge.

Other felony charges filed June 29 include:

 Benjamin McDonald, 35, of Collinsville, was charged with aggravated domestic battery, a Class 2 felony. The case was presented by the Troy Police Department. On June 26 McDonald allegedly strangled a household or family member. Bail was set at $40,000.

 George D. Stevenson, 42, of Granite City, was charged with unlawful possession of weapons by a felon and offenses relating to motor vehicles, both Class 2 felonies. The case was presented by the Pontoon Beach Police Department. On Dec. 14 Stevenson allegedly was found to be in possession of a stolen Ford Ranger and a number of rounds of different types of ammunition. It was noted that he was on parole or supervised release and ineligible to possess weapons or ammunition. Bail was set at $40,000.

 Odie D. Quillin, 53, of Granite City, was charged with unlawful possession of weapons by a felon, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Granite City Police Department. On June 28 Quillin allegedly was found to be in possession of an FIE .22 caliber revolver. He has a 2015 Madison County conviction for unlawful delivery of cannabis. Bail was set at $30,000.

 Joseph V. Cretton, 31, of Maryville, was charged with aggravated battery, a Class 3 felony. The case was presented by the Maryville Police Department. On June 28 Cretton allegedly attacked a child under 13 and squeezed the childs face with his hand causing scratches and abrasions. Bail was set at $50,000.

 Diontre R. Jones, 23, of OFallon, Illinois, was charged with aggravated unlawful use of weapons, a Class 4 felony. The case was presented by the Pontoon Beach Police Department. On Jan. 22 Jones allegedly was found to be carrying a loaded and accessible Glock .40 caliber handgun in a 2011 Audi, without a valid concealed carry license. Bail was set at $20,000.
For 17 days, Reshma Begum survived under heaps of rubble after an eight-story garment factory collapsed in Bangladesh eight years ago. A few years earlier, Darlene Etienne held on for 15 days before rescuers in Haiti found her, thirsty and near death, in a house crumpled by an earthquake.

Stories of endurance and survival under the direst circumstances continue to kindle hopes that rescuers may find more people alive within the tons of debris that was once the 12-story Champlain Towers South condo tower near Miami.

The search stretched into a seventh day Wednesday, with more than 900 workers from 50 federal, state and local agencies working on the effort. At least 18 people are confirmed dead and more than 140 still unaccounted for.

No one is giving up hope here, Surfside Mayor Charles Burkett proclaimed.

He cited the case of Begum, who subsisted on dried food and a scant supply of water while trapped in the ruins of the fallen factory. Rescuers had already abandoned hope of finding more survivors when they heard banging noises  the 19-year-old seamstress was clanging sticks against the fallen structure. Questions later arose whether the incident was a hoax, but the government insisted there truly was a miracle.

No one has been pulled out alive from Champlain Towers South since shortly after the collapse. Finding survivors is especially critical in the early days of a disaster, experts say.

"After that the survivability drops off pretty quickly  but it doesnt go to zero, said Dr. Hernando Garzon, an emergency room physician in Sacramento, California, who has been deployed to disasters around the globe as part of humanitarian missions and search-and-rescue operations. Its too early to call it a body-recovery phase at this point."

Garzon, who rushed to Haiti in 2010 to aid rescue efforts, recalled the cheers when Etienne, a Port-au-Prince teenager, emerged from the mangled house after being trapped for 16 days by shattered concrete and twisted metal. She was dehydrated, and her left leg was broken, but she was alive. Rescuers said she would not have lasted much longer had they not heard her faint cries for help.

Over the years there have been a number of similar, seemingly impossible rescues:

Evans Monsignac said he survived by sipping sewage while awaiting to be rescued from a collapsed flea market nearly a month after the 2010 Haiti earthquake.

Park Sung-hyun, a 19-year-old salesclerk in South Korea, credited luck  and rainwater seeping through the ruins  for allowing her to survive 16 days in a collapsed shopping mall in 1995.

Pedrito Dy was rescued after 14 days in 1990 from the basement of a quake-devastated Hyatt Hotel in the Philippines resort of Baguio, surviving on drips of rain, he said, and his own urine.

And Jesus Antonio Castillo was among the last of the miracle babies  more than a dozen of them  rescued from a Mexico City hospital nine days after a 1985 earthquake. Bulldozers were being sent to clear the rubble when he was discovered.

Theres hope. I really believe miracles do happen, said Martin Langesfeld, whose sister Nicole is believed to be among the missing in Florida. Things like this have happened around the world.

Many factors determine how long people can live through extremely fraught conditions, such as the availability of water, the severity of injuries and the degree to which their movement is impaired.

Experts say the key to finding survivors will depend on so-called voids within the rubble  sizeable pockets of space that allow for life. A rightly positioned column, for example, even if collapsed, could have created a kind of structural tent where someone could await rescue.

However, the pancake collapse of the Champlain Towers South left layer upon layer of dense and intertwined debris that structural engineers say could frustrate efforts to reach anyone in such a pocket of space.

Long-term survivors have endured entrapment in considerably smaller buildings, or were trapped in structures that contained sizeable voids.

Many were young, and most had access to water or some other form of sustenance  so the downpours that have sometimes hampered the search in Surfside might be a blessing to someone trapped inside the wreckage.

South Florida's warm climate could also help, as they're not exposed to overnight cold.

There are those who have survived despite all the odds, and I have no doubt that part of it is just that will to survive" that even science cannot explain, said Dr. David Shatz, a trauma surgeon who for 12 years was assistant medical director of the Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Department.

Now a professor of medicine at the University of California, Davis, Shatz has been closely monitoring the rescue effort from afar. For years he worked shoulder-to-shoulder with some of the rescuers now toiling at the fallen condo tower.

He also recalled being part of the bucket brigade at the federal building in Oklahoma City, which was brought down by a truck filled with explosives. And he was at the World Trade Center digging through concrete, glass and metal after the 9/11 terror attacks.

With every bit of debris he cleared away, he hoped that underneath would be a person to rescue. But for all its efforts, his team never found anyone alive.

Still, the search must go on, he said. If nothing else, to recover bodies and bring closure to grieving families  and just maybe, for that singular, miraculous rescue.

I wish it could all be the 150 or so people still missing," Shatz said. Even if theres just one, that would be wonderful.

_____

AP investigative researcher Randy Herschaft in New York contributed to this report.
A beloved festival brings sweet music back to the Pavilion at Montage Mountain.

Peach Music Festival returns to the venue, 1000 Montage Mountain Road, Scranton, from Thursday, July 1, to Sunday, July 4 after COVID-19 forced organizers to cancel the event last year.

This weekend, Oysterhead, a trio featuring Phishs Trey Anastasio, the Polices Stewart Copeland, and Primus Les Claypool, will headline the event, which also features bands and artists of various genres such as The String Cheese Incident, The Allman Betts Band, Pigeons Playing Ping Pong, Dark Star Orchestra and more.

Peach Fest fans can grab food and drink at dozens of concession and vendor stands across the festival grounds. Audience members also can catch a fireworks display every night of the event.

The music festival, which was started in 2012 by the Allman Brothers Band, celebrates its 10th year this summer. It also touches on a special day in the history of the band as its album, Live at Fillmore East, was released 50 years ago on July 1, which will be commemorated at the festival. The Allman Brothers Bands deep roots can be found throughout the weekend as members Jai Johanny Jaimoe Johanson, Warren Haynes and Oteil Burbridge are set to take the stage. Allman Betts Band, which includes Duane Betts, Devon Allman and Berry Duane Oakley  the sons of Allman Brothers Band members Dickey Betts, the late Gregg Allman and the late Berry Oakley, respectively  also will perform.

The Peach festival is more than just music, Allman said in a statement. It transcends the sonic spectrum  its a family reunion. We cant wait to get back to our brothers and sisters.  For me personally, Peach Festival will always be special because its where my Dad played his last official show. It was a perfect ending with the perfect fans. Looking forward to being back on stage there this summer.

Keyboard player Kyle Hollingsworth of Boulder, Colorado-based The String Cheese Incident, wrote in an email that hes also excited to get back to playing live in front of an audience.

What better place than Peach Fest? Its a beautiful location and the fans are always so amazing, he added. The collaborations between bands makes this event so special.
Lackawanna County school districts will share $7.7 million in new state education funding  with more than a third of that in the form of one-time supplements going to three of the most underfunded districts, according to Senate estimates.

The 2021-22 budget agreement by the Legislature, expected to be signed by Gov. Tom Wolf this week, includes more than $400 million in new education funding but falls short in providing the fair funding the governor had proposed.

Wolf and some legislators sought to put all state basic education funding through the fair funding formula, created by the state six years ago to distribute money in a way that reflects a districts needs, factoring in student enrollment, the needs of the student population and district wealth and capacity to raise local revenues. Putting all funding through the formula would cause more than half of the states 500 districts to receive a lower allotment, so Wolf sought another $1.15 billion so no school would receive less next year. The proposal was funded through an increase in the personal income tax rate, which did not garner enough support.

As a compromise, the state directed $100 million for Level Up, a new initiative providing more equitable funding to the 100 most underfunded districts. Three county districts  Carbondale Area, Mid Valley and Scranton  are among the 100 least wealthy in the state and will receive equity supplements.

Fair funding advocates call the initiative  based on a proposal from a coalition of groups called Level Up  a small, but meaningful step in the right direction.

But despite new state investments to basic education funding, including $200 million in this budget, the school funding remains unfair to districts, according to the governors office. The states fair funding formula only applies to new investments since 2016, meaning about 85% of basic education funding is still distributed using student enrollment from 1992, without considering shifts in student population or school districts costs.

Wolf and advocates have called the states education funding system one of the worst in the country. Pennsylvania has the widest funding gap between wealthy and poor school districts of any state, with the wealthiest school districts spending 33% more on each student than the poorest districts. The states share of total district spending is 38%, which ranks the state 44th in the country. As a result of the lower state contribution, Pennsylvania school districts rely more on local property taxes to fund budgets.

While Mid Valley appreciates a $612,887 increase  about a third of that as an equity supplement  the amount is far less than what the district hoped for, Superintendent Patrick Sheehan said. The governors proposal would have provided the district with an additional $3.1 million per year.

As the districts population and its needs changed over the last decade, funding didnt reflect those needs, Sheehan said. The 13.5% total increase, the largest in the county, can be attributed to the funding finally starting to reflect the needs, he said.

Riverside will receive a 10% increase in basic education funding, $533,497  the largest percentage increase of basic education funding in the county. The district does not qualify for an equity supplement.

Superintendent Paul Brennan said the district has worked to ensure its student data is accurate and reflects the needs of students.

We made a concerted effort to clean up our child accounting practices, he said. We feel with clean data and budgets laced with fairness and equity in mind, Riverside will always be in a favorable position.

If the state had put all money through the fair funding formula, Scranton would have received about $4,000 more per student each year  or about $39 million. Instead, the district will receive $5.2 million, which includes a $2.3 million equity supplement.

This budget continues to provide much needed investments in public education, according to a statement from Scranton School District Superintendent Melissa McTiernan.

We will continue to analyze the impact of this additional funding on the Scranton School District budget, five-year projections and how it could be best utilized to support and address the growing needs of the Scranton School District community, students and staff, she wrote.
High notes

Pennsylvania Paper and Supply Co. recognized Ronald Merrigan with an appreciation bench for years of service.

Merrigan retired this year after 48 years of service to the company. He was presented with the bench for his commitment and dedication for over four decades. The bench is located in Connell Dog Park in Scranton.

Mayor of Scranton Paige Gebhardt Cognetti and Pennsylvania Paper and Supply Co. President Douglas Fink were present for the brief ceremony. Merrigan also received a proclamation for his years of service from Cognetti.

Super students

Clarks Summit resident Conal Richards, 18, published an article in the June issue of Reflector magazine, the monthly publication of the Astronomical League.

Composed of more than 300 local amateur astronomical societies across the United States, the Astronomical Leagues mission encourages an interest in astronomy.

For generations, amateur astronomy has been a valuable hobby to many people, and its essential that we continue this with the younger generation, sharing the knowledge weve gained in our exploration of the hobby, Richards said.

Richards has been an amateur astronomer for the past five years and has earned five certificates in astronomical observation and outreach from the Astronomical League.

Last April, Richards delivered a presentation to the groups members. During the event, he shared the stage with internationally known astronomy scholars, including Dr. David Levy, Howard Eskildsen, Carroll Iorg, Chuck Allen and Terry Mann.

He is scheduled to speak at the Astronomical Leagues international conference in August, where he will address an audience of more than 20,000 people.

Id like the Astronomical League members to know that many youth have a vibrant interest in astronomy, said Richards. The hobby is making a resurgence, and its our job to spread our knowledge of science and astronomy to engage up-and-coming astronomers.

Richards is a 2021 graduate of Abington Heights High School.

Scouts honor

Members of Girl Scout Troop 50070, Clarks Summit, including Olivia Nelson, Alexia Stravinskas, Riya Novak, Zoey Kinney, Madeline Beckwith, Hailey Jayne, Ivy Novak, Karina Stravinskas, Piper Full and Alexa Davis, donated 250 boxes of Girl Scout cookies and 47 cat scratchers to the Griffin Pond Animal Shelter.

The girls asked the shelter staff to distribute the cookies as presents to people adopting pets. They also upcycled the cardboard boxes used to ship the cookies into cat scratchers for the shelter cats to enjoy.

To adopt a pet or for more details, visit www.griffinpondani

malshelter.com.
State legislators have fled muggy Harrisburg for the summer, but they cant outrun the heat that Republican legislative leaders have generated through sleight-of-hand budgeting.

Lawmakers skipped town early after passing a $40.8 billion budget Friday well before the end of the fiscal year, today.

Part of the reason for the rapid passage appears to be that Republican leaders included a major hot-button item without identifying it or even telling Democrats about it.

The budget includes a $5.7 million increase for the Office of Auditor General, from $35.7 million to $41.4 million. According to Republican House and Senate leaders, $3.1 million of the increase is for the creation of an Office of Election Audits.

Democratic leaders said there was no discussion of such a plan during negotiations. Auditor General Timothy DeFoor, a Republican, said he believes the increase is for general operations.

Fraudulent creation of a state office would be in keeping with the fraudulent notion that there were irregularities in Pennsylvanias 2020 presidential election. All 67 Pennsylvania counties, headed mostly by Republicans, certified their election results after painstaking counts and the county-by-county audits that are required by existing state law.

While amplifying that lie and seeking to create an office to resolve a nonexistent problem, some Republican lawmakers want to subject Pennsylvanians to a fraudit akin to the circus that has unfolded in Phoenix-based Maricopa County, Arizona.

There, the county commissioners  with a 4-1 Republican majority  recently voted to replace the countys voting machines at a cost of millions of dollars because the system was tainted by the alleged auditors, not by the countys legitimate election processes.

Gov. Tom Wolf should veto the auditor generals increase. As he put it recently:

Pennsylvania already has secure elections, but bad faith actors are spreading lies and disinformation. And now those same people who spread those lies and encouraged the mob that attacked the Capitol are attacking the freedom to vote. I will not be lectured on the importance of election integrity by the same people who wrote a letter begging Congress to throw out Pennsylvanians lawfully cast votes only a few months ago.
Brenda Darlene (Burnett, Witt, Bollmer) Curtin, 52, of Cincinnati, Ohio passed away June 21, 2021. She was born November 13, 1968, in Cincinnati, Ohio to the late Gladys (Jones) Napier and the late Wilburn Burnett. Brenda was preceded in death by a daughter, Jennifer Witt and sisters Alta Ru
Stonington High School Principal Mark Friese encourages students to stop and put on their masks at the start of the 2020-21 school year. Sun file photo
Westerly, RI (02891)

Today

Showers early, then partly cloudy for the afternoon. High 72F. Winds SE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 30%..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low 66F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph.
Some motorists have been left angered by Sainsburys and Tesco after discovering a number of locations now take a 99 deposit from bank accounts when paying for fuel at the pump.

Both supermarkets upped the pre-authorisation checks from its previous 1 this month, Sainsbury's at a small percentage of forecourts and one at Tesco. It is likely to be rolled out nationwide later in the year.

The charge is in place to help prevent drivers budget, Tesco said, but also to stop those with not enough money in their bank accounts from filling up their cars.

Currently many drivers are using pay at the pump services to avoid face-to-face interaction due to the pandemic and lengthy queues as more motorists return to the road as lockdown measures are eased.

Drivers are not happy with the new charging system at the supermarkets pay at pump stations

However, this news may make them decide to pay at the kiosk instead with others threatening to buy their fuel elsewhere.

But card providers and supermarkets insist the change is beneficial for drivers.

This is Money takes a look at the changes and how they could affect you.

How does it work?

A customer will insert their card at the pay at pump service where the pump will send a funds-check to their bank to reserve 99.

This is to check they have sufficient funds in their account to cover the cost of their fuel.

The bank will get this check and, depending on the funds available in the account, will either accept the full amount or propose a lower amount.

If a customer does not have 99 available in their account, the pump will tell them how much they have available and allow them to refuel up to this amount.

Once a customer has finished filling up, the fuel pump will immediately notify their bank of the actual value of the petrol they purchased with the unused amount released back to their account within the hour.

Previously, 1 was pre-authorised, with the full amount debited later on. Tesco says this risked customers spending more money than they had available.

It also meant that if they do not have enough in their account, they could potentially drive off without paying the full amount.

Tesco is trialling the new scheme at its Stevenage Broadwater store and, if successful, will roll it out UK wide later this year.

Sainsbury's added the charge is currently in a small percentage of its petrol filling stations and, again, will likely roll it out all stores at a later date.

Tesco said that it has decided to make the decision after discussions with Visa and Mastercard

Why is it changing?

Tesco said that it has decided to make the decision after discussions with Visa and Mastercard.

It said many customers card issuer declines the 1 pre-authorisation transaction but with the changes, those customers should be able to use this service.

It added it was also making these changes to help customers keep an eye on their finances.

In the past, when a customer used a self-service pump to buy fuel, the exact cost would only show up against their account balance one or two days later which could make it hard for customers to track their daily spend.

Now, when the money is withheld, it should be returned near instantly or at least within the hour.

If, however, this doesn't happen, customers are urged to speak to their bank.

It is also worth pointing out that these high pre-authorisation limits have been around in the past, and it is not a new concept for fuel retailers.

The pre-authorisation charge is to check drivers have enough in their accounts before paying

Are other stores following suit?

This is Money has contacted Morrisons and Asda to see if they will be following Tesco and Sainsburys in changing the way it charges.

Neither had provided comment by the time of publication.

However, it is likely that if Tesco and Sainsburys are changing their policy, Morrisons and Asda will as well.

What has the reaction been?

Some frustrated customers said they are unhappy with the changes with several saying they will be going elsewhere to get their fuel.

One Twitter user said they will be going elsewhere to get their fuel due to the changes

This customer said people 'will be in for a shock' after seeing the charges at the station

Unhappy drivers: Another Sainsbury's customer said the new policy was 'shameful'
Many of us will have paid little attention to NS&I's announcement last year that its savers would no longer receive cheques in the post for its prize draw winnings.

But then again, many of us are adept at using the internet and have no qualms using a website to submit our bank details.

And, on paper, it seemed like a smart idea  streamline the prize payments system and save lots of paper and money in the process.

Convenient: But receiving a cheque in the post was part of the charm and the attraction of Premium Bonds and many older savers are not comfortable using apps or the internet

But in its drive to become super-efficient, NS&I forgot to consider those the move would leave behind: those who are not comfortable using the internet, and those who enjoy the simple pleasure of receiving a prize cheque in the post.

That, after all, was part of the charm and the attraction of Premium Bonds  the nation's favourite savings product  for more than 60 years.

What's more, the announcement came as National Savings was in the throes of a customer service crisis, struggling to handle calls from savers when lockdown restrictions blighted its call centre operation.

NS&I chief executive Ian Ackerley readily admits it was bad timing. The mostly elderly savers who loved getting prizes in the post found their fears of technology were justified  the system wouldn't work, and they couldn't get any help when they desperately needed it.

Money Mail heard from readers who were left confused and lost by the change. They felt forced online and simply didn't like it.

NS&I made the decision without considering older savers and those who didn't use the internet. It was a cold-hearted boardroom move that overlooked the fact that many savers are excited to receive a letter and a prize when they win.

So we at Money Mail are delighted that NS&I has now abandoned its plans to scrap prizes in the post.

The bank has managed to get a significant number of savers to register to receive their prizes straight into their bank account or savings pot (thus, saving some money), and those unhappy with the change can keep their postal prizes. It's a victory for common sense.

One day, everything will be handled online and we will almost all be computer-literate. But that change should come gradually and naturally.

The hope now must be that other financial firms  who seem obsessed with driving customers online  pay heed to this dignified revolution.

Telephone torture

Money Mail has repeatedly called for customer service operations to up their game in the pandemic.

For too long now, the virus has been used as an excuse to keep us waiting or to ignore us all together.

And, as our story today shows, the situation is now beyond a joke.

Just because call centre staff find it easier to work from home, it doesn't mean they should  especially if customers are the ones paying the price.

Crypto carats

I was baffled to see Sotheby's announce that it would accept cryptocurrency when bids open for a rare diamond expected to fetch more than 10 million.

The auction house in Hong Kong said: 'The most ancient and emblematic denominator of value can now... be purchased using humanity's newest universal currency.'

The problem here is that most economists do not accept that Bitcoin is a proper currency.

It has no backing and, therefore, no intrinsic value. It is only considered valuable by those dazzled by the buying craze. That's why its price can plunge if a powerful voice suddenly decries the crypto religion.

I wonder if Sotheby's has considered what might happen if the diamond is bought with Bitcoin - only for a remark by tech entrepreneur Elon Musk on Twitter to send the value of the digital currency plummeting?

Sotheby's may as well accept chocolate coins.
My kitchen was ruined when water gushed through the ceiling from the flat above in October 2017.

The repairs ended up costing 15,000 and Allianz - the buildings insurer for the freeholder - covered this in full.

However, the leaseholder of the flat above refused to pay the excess, so I have had to foot the 3,042 bill.

He rents out the property, which was being renovated at the time of the leak.

Washout: An elderly widow renter was lefty to pay the 3,000 excess fee on an insurance claim for a flood in her flat after her landlord refused to foot the bill

As an elderly widow I feel like I have been subjected to monstrous treatment and the stress of it all is affecting my health.

D. S., North London.

Tony Hazell replies: While water leaks can be devastating, they are very common and insurers pay out around 1.8million on these claims every single day.

For this reason, firms will often impose large excesses on them.

Unfortunately, while the water appears to have come from the flat above you, the leaseholder disputes liability and I'm afraid you will find it very difficult - and expensive - to prove him wrong.

Roger Flaxman, a chartered insurance practitioner, says suing him would end up costing far more than the 3,042 sum.

But after I made contact with it, Allianz has paid you back the excess. It is going to pursue this, along with the other costs, in a claim against the builders who were carrying out the work at the time.

Lost out on mortgage: Lloyds marked one customers debt, that had been paid off, as unpaid

Lloyds credit card error lost me a mortgage

I applied for a mortgage with the lender Platform, and although I passed the affordability checks and was offered an agreement in principle, it later rejected me.

This meant I missed out on the 1,000 cashback Platform was offering to borrowers at the time.

As someone with no bad debt to my name, I was surprised, so decided to check my credit file.

As it turned out, a 3,703 debt on my Lloyds credit card  which I had paid off  had been marked as unpaid.

When I contacted Lloyds it corrected the error and the debt was taken off my file.

The bank has offered me 100 in compensation, but says it will only pay me the 1,000 I missed out on if I can prove the erroneous debt was the reason my application was rejected.

Platform won't give me a specific reason, so I don't know what else I can do.

A.P., Wallsend, Tyne and Wear.

Tony Hazell replies: Your mortgage adviser warned you that Platform was unlikely to go into much detail about why it rejected your application.

They are right; lenders are often quite vague about this.

And when I first contacted Lloyds, it reiterated it needed this 'confirmation' from you.

I called Platform and stressed that you were stuck in a stalemate with both firms.

Fortunately, its staff listened and I received an email confirming that it would have given you a mortgage, were it not for the debt flag.

At long last Lloyds decided this was 'sufficient evidence' and agreed to pay you the 1,000 you were denied as a result of its mistake.

It says it is 'very sorry' your credit file was not updated. But it did not exactly make life easy for you in the aftermath.

One consumer was left without a boiler for weeks after a firm failed to turn up and replace it

Boiler delays left my mum steaming

My mum's boiler went pop in mid-November and she wasn't able to get it repaired.

Her husband searched online for a replacement and bought one from Glow Green for 3,500.

The boiler was meant to be installed on November 27 but no one turned up and the boiler was not delivered.

The same thing happened when we rebooked the appointment for a week later.

By this point, my mum, who's in her 80s, was at her wits' end.

The following week, a plumber turned up, but the merchant had sent some of the installation parts to the wrong address.

My stepfather begged him to send out a new boiler which they happened to have in their warehouse. Eventually, the merchant sent a separate van out with a boiler, which the fitter managed to install.

But the whole saga has been very distressing.

D. N., via email.

Tony Hazell replies: This catalogue of errors would have been unacceptable at the best of times.

Worse still, your mother and stepfather are both elderly and were let down three times during the winter months.

During this time, you say Glow Green was impossible to contact.

Emails and calls went unanswered and you had to get involved as your mum was unable to cope.

For three weeks this debacle went on and who knows how much longer it would have taken if the merchant, which had nothing to do with Glow Green, had not happened to have a boiler to spare.

Your mum was offered a 150 discount by Glow Green. But you say most of this was used to cover the extra heaters she had to buy and the extra electricity she used during this period.

After I got in touch, the firm increased this offer to 600.

A spokesman has apologised for the poor experience which it says has fallen short of its usual customer service. It is investigating what happened to avoid the same mistakes happening in the future.
Zinnwald Lithium got a big thumbs-up from the market for its move to take total ownership of Deutsche Lithium.

The shares rose by a third to 16p after it shelled out 8.8million to buy the 50 per cent of Deutsche Lithium that it does not already own. Deutsche Lithium is developing the Zinnwald Lithium Project in Germany.

The company is paying 1.5million in cash for the stake with the rest to be satisfied in Zinnwald shares.

On the up: Zinnwald Lithium got a big thumbs-up from the market for its move to take total ownership of Deutsche Lithium

Helium One was another stock flying high after it identified evidence of helium in drilling mud while drilling its maiden exploration well, at the Rukwa project in Tanzania.

The company said it identified the helium shows in a shallow section of the Tai-1 well, from 70.5 metres, and added that the micro-gas chromatograph showed helium concentrations up to 2.2 per cent (22,084 parts per million).

The shares ended the week 38 per cent to the good.

Engineering company MS International, whose diverse activities range from building petrol stations to providing services to the defence sector, reported a return to profit in the past year, sending its shares gushing 28 per cent higher this week.

The company moved from a full-year loss of 3.25million to a profit of 1.59million and lifted its final dividend from 1.75p to 6.5p.

The outlook was said to be ;much brighter than we could have imagined twelve months ago.'

Hurricane Energy regularly features in the small caps round-up, usually, it must be said, on the debit side but this week it jumped 49 per cent to 1.8p after a bit of progress on the legal side of its restructuring plan.

The sanction hearing of the High Court of Justice of England and Wales concerning the restructuring plan proposed by the company concluded on Wednesday, with judgement reserved.

Sector peer 88 Energy was 18 per cent firmer on the week after it said that the latest analysis of samples from the Merlin-1 well, drilled earlier this year on the North Slope of Alaska, 'definitively demonstrates the presence of hydrocarbons.'

Focus: Alaska-focused 88 Energy was 18% firmer on the week after it said that the latest analysis of samples from the Merlin-1 well

Specifically, the company noted that the analysis comes from five of 18 selected trims from side-wall core samples obtained from prospective zones in Merlin-1 which could not be tested by a downhole fluid extraction tool. They also correspond with depths where good oil shows were noted during drilling, it added.

Mercantile Ports & Logistics surged 19 per cent to 0.695p on the back of a contract win.

The company has won a contract with Esquire Shipping and Trading, a cargo logistics solutions provider based in Mumbai; and Sai Om Petro Specialties, a Mumbai-based company engaged in the business of bulk cargo handling. The contract is for an initial period of ten years, extendable by a further five years and with revenue of about 7million over the next three-year period.

Robinson, the custom manufacturer of plastic and paperboard packaging, was the weeks big loser, shedding around one-fifth of its value after it warned of margin pressure.

Since the beginning of the year, the market price of resins used by the group has increased by 60 per cent on average and the company warned that raw material shortages and price increases will continue to have a short-term impact on earnings in the first half of 2021.

Verditex, the solar panels maker, retreated 18 per cent to 2.5p after it reported a theft from its facility at Lainate, near Milan.

The company, whose chairman is former Conservative minister Lord David 'two brains' Willetts, has conducted a physical stock check which indicates a shortfall against book stock of around 300,000.

Given that the company has minimal revenues at present and had a cash pile of just 1.7million at the end of 2020, the loss is quite significant. Lets hope 'two brains' remembered to renew the insurance.

In the meantime, the local rozzers have been informed.
A satellite broadband company bailed out by British taxpayers is preparing for blast-off after an Indian tycoon ramped up his investment.

Sunil Bharti Mittal, through his firm Bharti Global, yesterday exercised an option to increase his stake in Oneweb to 38.6 per cent.

In exchange, he will pump an extra 360million into the business  taking its fundraising since early last year to 1.7billion as it seeks to finance proposals to put hundreds of satellites into orbit.

Funding: Oneweb has raised 1.7bn since early last year as it seeks to finance proposals to put hundreds of satellites into orbit

The deal will reduce the Governments stake in the company to 19.3 per cent, and it follows another recent investment by the state-backed French firm Eutelsat.

Japans Softbank, which is another backer, and Eutelsat will also control stakes of 19.3 per cent after the latest fundraising completes.

The British investment followed personal backing from Boris Johnsons former top adviser, Dominic Cummings, despite reported opposition from civil servants.

And yesterday Kwasi Kwarteng, the Business Secretary, said the deal showed Oneweb was fast becoming an asset to the British taxpayer.

Its clear that investors see a strong future for this incredible, cutting-edge company and a robust commercial case for investment, he added.

The Governments equity stake in Oneweb not only allows the UK to deploy low-Earth orbit technology, but will put our country at the forefront of the small satellite market which is set to rapidly expand over the years ahead.

Shravin Mittal, managing director of Bharti Global, said: Bharti is delighted to show our confidence in Onewebs rapid progress.

It represents a remarkable turnaround for the London firm, which just a year ago was facing collapse.

It is among several competitors that are plotting to launch hundreds of satellites into low-Earth orbit, so they can beam down broadband internet to paying customers.

Each satellite is about the size of a fridge and would sit 750 miles up. Oneweb wants to operate more than 600 of them.

But after Softbank indicated it was not prepared to put any more cash down for the expensive endeavour, the companys future was plunged into doubt and it filed for bankruptcy protection in the US last March.

Bosses at Oneweb at first sought to tap into the UKs coronavirus loan programmes and went knocking on doors in Whitehall, speaking to officials at the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport, the UK Space Agency and the Treasury.

They argued that the company could massively boost the UKs ambitions to be the biggest player in the space satellite sector  and that otherwise the firm risked falling into the hands of other countries such as China.

And a key breakthrough suddenly came when the company managed to turn the head of Cummings.

Bosses never met with the influential adviser, who repeatedly called for the Government to plough money into innovative technologies, but communicated with him by text and email, before being put in touch with the Treasury.

Chris McLaughlin, Onewebs head of government relations, said this intervention proved crucial.

We reached out to a number of departments in the UK government  and it was only when we caught briefly the eye of Dominic Cummings that we got a hearing.

He very swiftly disappeared, we then dealt with the Treasury.

The matter was taken out of the hands of the business department, which is usually responsible for space projects, and a 400million investment was soon directly approved by Chancellor Rishi Sunak.

Personal backing: Oneweb got a hearing after it caught the eye of then Government advisor Dominic Cummings

This was reportedly against the advice of civil servants, who had warned it was a high-risk project and could turn into a waste of taxpayers money.

But Oneweb also needed more than what the UK alone was preparing to put up, so Johnsons administration invited Mittal  an early backer who had withdrawn  to Downing Street and convinced him to jump on board.

The tycoon behind Airtel, who is one of Indias richest men, was personally wooed by the Prime Minister, who persuaded him to enter a partnership and put money into the company.

According to Mittal, the partnership then took shape at rocket speed.

Since then, Eutelsat has also joined the list of backers and Oneweb has resumed blasting off satellites into space.

It is due to fire another 36 of them into orbit tomorrow, meaning its overall constellation will soon number more than 200.

Ministers have argued the unusual investment by taxpayers, the likes of which hasnt been seen since engineering giant Rolls-Royce was in state ownership, will make it easier to connect rural parts of Britain to the internet, and catapult our industry to the front of a new space race.

There were signs of that beginning to come to fruition earlier this week when telecoms firm BT signed a deal with it to use its network.

But tremendous obstacles still remain and Oneweb is competing with some of the most deep-pocketed entrepreneurs in the world, including Elon Musk, the chief of electric car manufacturer Tesla, and Amazon founder Jeff Bezos.

Musks Space X company is launching a constellation of satellites known as Starlink which are already providing internet services to users.

The company already has the jump on Oneweb, having launched almost 1,500 satellites into orbit.

And Amazon, whose founder Bezos is the worlds richest person, is reportedly planning to fire another 3,000 into space to offer its own rival service. Despite this, Oneweb does have an ace up its sleeve.

The firm has retained preferential rights over certain bands of airwaves which are known as spectrum.

It is in front of Musks Space X in the pecking order, giving it potential advantages.

Yesterday, Oneweb chief executive Neil Masterson said the company was in a powerful position following its funding deal and had ten more launches to go.

With the forthcoming launch we will have completed 40 per cent of our network, he said.

Investors have backed the extraordinary efforts of the Oneweb team.
A top Morrisons shareholder has said a bid near 6.5billion for the supermarket chain should be considered by the board.

Morrisons stock has soared this month after the grocer rebuffed a 230p-per-share offer from Clayton Dubilier & Rice (CDR), saying it 'significantly undervalued' the business and its prospects.

Now JO Hambro Capital, the tenth biggest shareholder with 3 per cent, said offers approaching 270p a share 'merit engagement and consideration'.

Morrisons stock has soared this month after the grocer rebuffed a 230p-per-share offer from Clayton Dubilier & Rice, saying it 'significantly undervalued' the business and its prospects

It said CDR should pay 'a fair price' to access the benefits of combining Morrisons's petrol station business with its Motor Fuels Group, a tie-up that would create a forecourt giant.

But this price could rise to 280p or above, if the private equity predator pursued a sale and leaseback of Morrisons stores to pay dividends or fund aggressive expansion.

'This would create a more volatile asset,' Hambro analysts said, describing this as a 'high-octane' approach.

CDR has until July 17 to make an improved bid, or it will be required to step away for six months.

Yesterday, Morrisons shares climbed 0.6 per cent, or 1.5p, to 236p.

The supermarket is attractive to private equity because it owns 85 per centof its 497 stores, and has one of the UK's largest food manufacturing businesses.

But Legal & General, the UK's largest asset manager and Morrisons' 11th largest shareholder, slammed the bid, saying CDR would not add 'any genuine value'.
The company behind Currys PC World is in talks to deliver its products via Uber drivers as it looks to expand its home delivery services.

Dixons Carphone chief executive Alex Baldock said he would reveal more details in the coming weeks but said the plan would enable customers could receive goods quickly.

He added: 'One of the big advantages of having stores as well as online is an increasing number of consumers are impatient and what their amazing technology right now, and we can get it faster than anyone else through order and collect, so we're going to keep driving that time down.'

Online surge: The company behind Currys PC World saw sales of electrical goods more than double last year

Mr Baldock said he aimed to cut order to collect times to just 15 minutes from one hour currently.

On the Uber trial, he said: 'We'll say a bit more about that in weeks to come but we're flagging that it's coming.

'It is a means of getting our technology to customers fast.

'One way of doing that is using our network of stores as local distribution hubs where we can partner with people like Uber to get the tech to customers right now.'

Dixons Carphone saw sales of electrical goods more than double last year, as shoppers stuck at home snapped up tech for their homes.

Its online sales of electric items like laptops and televisions, soared by 103 per cent to 4.7billion in the year to May, new results show.

Adjusted pre-tax profit jumped by 34 per cent, and the group's statutory profit came in at 33million, against a loss of 140million the year before.

Dixons Carphone ended up paying back 73million of furlough cash back to the Government, as well as 144million in VAT deferrals.

The group has also reinstated a full year dividend of 3p a share, worth around 34.7million in total.

Shares in FTSE 250-listed Dixons Carphone are currently up 5.05 per cent or 6.21p to 129.11p, having risen around 40 per cent in the past year.

Bosses said the strong rise in sales during the pandemic stemmed from its online live chat functions with staff in stores, allowing customers to get real-time advice via video services.

The Euro 2020 championship is also seeing a strong boost in TV sales, as footfall fans snap up big screens to watch the action, it added.

Mr Baldock said: 'You can see the effect of the Euros on TV sales, particularly on nations that are still in.

'Right at the moment we're seeing 55 inch plus large screen TVs fly off the shelves.

Quicker delivery: The company behind Currys PC World is in talks to deliver its products via Uber drivers

'All of that said, this is less of an event driven business now.'

The newly formed work-from-home crowd also led to strong demand for new computer products, alongside coffee machines and home baking products, the company said.

The company's total share of the online electricals market grew six percentage points over its rivals.

But, its phone arm, Carphone Warehouse, was hit hard by enforced store closures last year. Revenues from mobiles dropped 55 per cent, with a 117million loss. Sales in electricals rose 14 per cent, but the total fell back due to the falling sales in the mobile division.

The group's key markets in the UK, Ireland, Norway, Greece and Denmark were al hit by enforced store closures at various points during the pandemic.

Tech matters: Alex Baldock, chief executive of Dixons Carphone, said: 'Technology has become even more central to peoples lives'

Tough time: The group's mobile arm, Carphone Warehouse, saw revenue drop sharply

Alex Baldock, chief executive of Dixons Carphone, said: 'Technology has become even more central to peoples lives.'

He added: 'As the market leader, with the winning omnichannel business model, we can make the most of that.

'The past year has seen us do so, growing a big online business and adding it to our in-store strengths.

'Were now financially stronger too, allowing us to pay back over 200m to governments and to recommence our dividend.

'But were most excited about what lies ahead. New technology platforms will add more fuel to our growth and to innovation that customers love and no-one else can get close to, whether getting them their amazing technology ever-faster, or helping them 24/7 with live video shopping.'

Mr Baldock said the start of the current financial year had been 'strong', adding that he remained 'more confident than ever' in the group's prospects.

The company is due to change its name from Dixons Carphone to Currys Plc in September.

Richard Hunter, head of markets at Interactive Investor, said: 'Dixons Carphones agility in negotiating a rapidly changing trading environment has paid dividends, with the company well positioned for further growth.'

He added: 'With the company outlook also being optimistic, Dixons has reintroduced the dividend. An implied yield of around 2.5% is not especially punchy, but nonetheless both prudent and a sign of management confidence for prospects.

'To be spinning so many plates involves some execution risk, and the resilience of the UK economic recovery may test Dixons Carphones mettle over the coming months.'
Living in London as a 30-something renter isn't without its drawbacks  about 120,000 of them, if I add up what I've shelled out for digs over the past 14 years.

That's why I was thrilled when the Government brought in the Tenant Fees Act (TFA), which came into force a year ago.

Banning charges including viewing, check-out and inventory fees, meant renters like myself would no longer be stung every time we moved house  or so I thought.

Crackdown: The Tenant Fees Act, which came into force one year ago this month, bans charges including viewing fees, check-out fees, and inventory fees

But then in a run-in with lettings firm LudlowThompson, once named the UK's best-rated rental agent, I was offered the refund of a large fee I considered unreasonable  if I would sign a non-disclosure agreement.

This would have prevented me from telling anyone about their business practices.

Last June, my partner moved out of the two-bedroom flat in Tooting, South London, she shared with a friend. She was part-way through her contract, so needed to 'novate' her tenancy  find someone to take over the remaining term in her place  which she did.

But then a large bill for 411 arrived from her letting agent LudlowThompson. This included a charge of 229, before VAT, for the creation of a new tenancy agreement, as well as inspection and deposit registration fees.

Confused, I checked the Tenant Fees Act, which stated that fees for a 'novation' must be capped at 50 or cover 'reasonable costs'.

And government guidance adds that if the outgoing tenant has found a replacement 'it is unlikely that a landlord or agent could justify charging a fee above 50'.

We went to LudlowThompson to clear things up  surely it had just forgotten to update its policy?

But the agent simply pointed out the tricky words: 'Reasonable costs'. And as far as it was concerned, 411 was reasonable.

Five minutes on Google revealed that before the fees crackdown, the firm charged 432 for a 'novation'. Surely the landmark legislation should have achieved more than a 20 reduction?

Robin Stewart, senior associate at Anthony Gold Solicitors, says: 'It's clear from the government guidance that ministers were hoping all letting agents would set fees for novating a tenancy at 50.

But by including the word 'reasonable' in the legislation, the door has been left open for firms to make an argument for charging a higher amount.'

And it's not just me. Since the law changed a year ago, the Property Ombudsman has registered 207 complaints over 'unlawful fees'  and supported 85 pc of those that it decided on.

But Portia Msimang, of campaign group Renters' Rights London, says: 'That number will be the tip of the iceberg, as most people never complain.'

Faced with no other choice, my partner paid up and moved out. But I was so angry I complained to the Property Ombudsman.

Suddenly, LudlowThompson offered a partial refund of 229 plus VAT as a goodwill gesture.

Loophole: Agents are still charging large fees for inspections, deposit registrations and tenancy contracts as the TFA states they can charge 'reasonable costs'

I rejected this, which led to an improved 333 offer. But again said no. Then came the best offer  all our money back. There was just one catch. Both my partner and I were to sign a non-disclosure agreement, saying we'd never tell a soul about the deal.

We must also inform the Property Ombudsman that 'we have resolved our complaint amicably and ask them to close their file'.

What kind of murky world had I stumbled into?

Portia Msimang says: 'It is scandalous  I've never heard of letting agents doing this. It would dissuade tenants from raising issues with the redress schemes that monitor the sector.

'I'm wondering if this might be why I haven't heard many complaints about this firm.'

It seemed wrong to take the hush money, if it helped prevent others from being hit with the same fees. So I left the matter with the Ombudsman.

But were LudlowThompson breaking the rules? Or is this a huge grey area in the legislation? Property law expert Robin Stewart says: 'It's hard to predict what a judge would decide was a reasonable fee to charge in this case, but recent similar cases have seen rulings in favour of tenants.'

Part of the problem is that the complaints system is so opaque.

If you want to complain you can go to the Property Ombudsman  a government-approved scheme providing redress in disputes between clients and property agents. Some firms are members of the Property Redress Scheme, so complaints should be directed there instead.

There is also the First-tier Tribunal which makes binding legal rulings in property cases. But if you want to seek a punitive fine, it's Trading Standards.

All of these are free services, there's no requirement to use one avenue before 'escalating' to another. And there's no reason why you couldn't pursue several avenues at the same time. It's enough to make your head spin.

Portia Msimang adds: 'We always say to people  if the fees look wrong, ask for a breakdown. If they're not permitted under the TFA, challenge it in writing and go to a redress scheme.'

Polly Neate, chief executive of housing charity Shelter, says: 'Banning ridiculous fees was a step towards making renting fairer, but we know people are still falling victim to rogue agents and landlords who flout the law.

'Any renter being asked to pay an illegal fee should know the law is firmly on their side if they want to challenge it.'

A LudlowThompson spokesman says: 'LudlowThompson only passes on reasonable termination costs to outgoing tenants. These are to cover losses that the landlord would incur as a result of the tenant vacating the property earlier than stipulated in their lease.

'These costs cannot be passed on to the incoming tenant as this would constitute a breach of the Tenant Fees Act.'

Of my complaint, he says: 'We are waiting for the Ombudsman to come back to us. However, we are very confident the fees we have charged, on behalf of the landlord, are fair and fully compliant with the relevant legislation.'

With a three-month wait for the Ombudsman's decision, it will be a long time before we see any of that money again.
It is 464 days since the first lockdown was announced by Boris Johnson in March last year.

This is longer than it took for the Empire State Building to be built and Robin Knox-Johnston to sail single-handedly around the world.

Yet many of Britain's biggest organisations are still blaming Covid for diabolical customer service.

'Due to coronavirus you may have to wait longer for your call to be answered,' the dreaded recorded message on the HMRC telephone line says.

On hold: Many of Britain's organisations are still blaming Covid for diabolical customer service

Banks, utility companies, government agencies: all keep customers on hold or, increasingly, insist they speak to a 'chat-bot' rather than a human.

'Customer service teams have had more than a year to adjust,' says Adam French, consumer rights expert at Which?. 'So continuing to blame coronavirus for long waiting times is a poor excuse for bad service.'

And standards have slipped. According to a Which? survey at the end of last year, British Gas took on average more than 23 minutes to answer a call, compared to just over four minutes before Covid.

Ofcom says that the average time for a broadband company to answer their helplines nearly doubled, as did the time to get through to mobile phone operators.

British Gas said it faced challenges with staff at overseas call centres working from home, such as broadband, connectivity issues, and power cuts.

But how much of the poor customer service is because companies are encouraging their staff to work from home, in a bid to slash costs?

HSBC, for instance, announced in April that it was in discussions with its 1,800 call centre staff about working from home permanently, after Unite, the union, had negotiated for the bank to offer home-working staff 300 per year to cover their home heating and electricity bills.

And the Government is consulting over the summer whether to allow workers to insist they can work from home.

Office for National Statistics figures released last week show home workers spend only six-and-a-half hours a day on work.

Easing up: ONS figures show home workers only spend six-and-a-half hours a day on work

'Customer service has never been worse,' says Martyn James at Resolver, a company that helps thousands of customers every week seek redress from companies and organisations.

'Companies just don't want to talk to their customers any more. They've actively gone out of their way to make it difficult for customers to get in touch.

'And lockdown was used as an excuse to make it worse.'

To find out how bad the situation is, Money Mail spent the last week on the phone to some of Britain's biggest utilities, banks and public sector organisations to see how quick they were to answer their phones and how working from home is affecting the staff.

In each case, the organisation was called twice at different times of the day, and the average call time was used.

Trainline

28 min 31 sec

If you want to buy a rail ticket with Greater Anglia over the phone, your call is diverted to Trainline, the third-party booking service.

Trainline says on its website: 'To ensure the ongoing safety of our team, we've had to temporarily reduce the number of staff available to take calls.

'As a result, wait times will be longer and our priority is to support those who are travelling imminently or have an urgent query.'

It's unclear why it has had to reduce staff numbers, as its call centre is in Delhi and the staff are working from home.

Worse, if you want to buy a ticket over the phone, you can't: it has to be online.

And if you don't have access to the internet, another department will call me back 24 hours later to make the booking on my behalf, the man in Delhi tells me.

'Working from home has been great!' he says. 'I've been able to give time to work and personal life.'

A spokesman for Trainline says: 'To ensure the ongoing safety of our customer service team in India, the majority are working from home which means while they can support customers, they are not able to take payment over the phone.'

HSBC

9 min 9 sec

I want to open a new account. 'All the applications for new accounts are being done online.'

Why can't I do it over the phone, I ask the man on the phone, who is working from home in Hyderabad, India.

'Because the department that does new applications, during the pandemic, is not doing them over the phone. That department is working from home.'

Some accounts still have to be opened in person, in a branch. But in truly surreal fashion.

Pamela Hall, a retired dental surgeon from Northamptonshire, has been an HSBC customer for over 50 years.

She was appointed executor for a friend who died a couple of months ago and who was also an HSBC customer. Pamela needed to open an executor's account.

After a series of frustrations, including being told the bank had minimal staff 'due to Covid', Pamela finally got an appointment at a branch 12 miles away.

'I arrived and was shown to a windowless room with a desk and a telephone and told to answer the phone when it rang,' she says. 'The whole process of opening the account was conducted down a telephone with someone in a different room.

'It was a charade, a complete waste of time: they already had all the documentation. With good security questions it would have been possible either by telephone or online.' As she says: 'How long can they use Covid for such appalling customer service?'

A spokesman for HSBC said: 'We are sorry if the customer found this new arrangement strange or inconvenient.

'To help protect customers and colleagues throughout the pandemic, where a service interaction warrants a meeting of greater than 15 minutes, the customer is placed in one room and called by a colleague who is in a different room at the same branch.'

Lloyds bank

Doesn't answer phone

Despite calling multiple times throughout the week, I received the following message after being promised I was being put through to an adviser: 'With the challenging times we are all experiencing, we are getting lots more calls than usual and have fewer colleagues to answer our phone lines.

'We are sorry but this means we can't answer your call today. You can still use our online and mobile banking services to bank from home.' It then cut me off.

If you want to open a new account, it's almost impossible, say customers. Simon Carter helps run a Scouts group in Hertfordshire.

Already a Lloyds customer, he wanted to set up a charity account for the group. After failing to get through to anyone last year, he says: 'We noticed the message on its website changed about three weeks ago to say it would take calls.

'But the chap we spoke to wasn't able to go through the application process, as they didn't have enough staff because of Covid.'

He says trying to book a slot to speak to a human is a nightmare.

'You can't complete an online form or email any details, you have to give them everything over the phone. We have asked them to phone back, so far they haven't done so.'

He adds: 'I'm hacked off. It feels as if Lloyds has shut down its charity banking arm.'

Lloyds did not want to comment directly, but insists its average call wait time is four minutes, and adds opening accounts is taking longer than usual because of increased demand.

The Passport Office

5 min 39 sec

It used to take three weeks to apply for and receive a passport. Now it's ten.

'That was before the current exceptional circumstances,' says the call centre worker from Northern Ireland, who won't tell me if he's in the office or working from home.

'We don't let customers know the source of our location.

'Thanks for calling, have a great day,' he says, before putting the phone down.

The Passport Office is currently using a mix of home workers and those back in the office, trying to work through a backlog of applications  despite last year being far quieter than normal.

Only about 4million people applied for a passport in 2020 amid a collapse in overseas travel, compared with 7million during a typical year.

A Home Office spokesman says: 'Our guidance for passport applicants to allow up to ten weeks to get their passport is in no way related to staff working from home.

'Approximately 4.5million people have chosen to delay their passport application since March 2020 and it is right that we pre-emptively advise applicants that their applications could take longer should such unprecedented demand arise.'

British Gas

26 min 20 sec

In 2019, British Gas answered the phone on average in four minutes and 19 seconds.

In October last year, that rose to a shocking 23 minutes 32 seconds.

'Being on the phone while driving can put you and others at risk,' it nannies me at one point, while I am on hold. I finally get through in 26 minutes 20 seconds.

'We're all working from home permanently. I enjoy it, to be honest,' the woman tells me from Manchester.

On my second call, another worker tells me: 'I love not having to sit in traffic. In bad traffic it could take me more than an hour to get into the office.

That's certainly a perk of working from home. And I get to pick my children up from school. I'm in no rush to go back.'

A spokesman for British Gas said: 'It's not correct to say working from home is to blame', and insisted average call wait times are 100 seconds, but that Mondays 'tend to be busier'.

Transport for London

Doesn't answer phone

Under London Mayor Sadiq Khan, TfL is experiencing a significant drop in passengers.

Last week, the Tube had just 41 per cent of passengers compared with pre-Covid levels.

But this doesn't seem to have freed up staff to deal with customers, despite all call centre workers working from home.

Kate Hare, a mother-of-four in North London, tried to register a lost smartphone her 12-year-old daughter had left on the Underground.

If you call the number for lost property, you receive the message: 'Please be aware that our services may be disrupted due to the current guidance regarding coronavirus.

'It will take us significantly longer to search for your lost item. We are unable to take your inquiry by phone at the present time.'

It then hangs up on you. She filled in an online form, but received no reply. After a few weeks, she was forced to buy a replacement for her daughter.

Finally, she received a letter last week - more than five weeks after filling in the form - saying they'd found the phone, which would have to be posted to her at swingeing rates: a 20 'admin fee' and a 9 delivery fee.

'This is lunacy,' says Ms Hare. 'I was told it was because three-quarters of the lost property staff were not back in the office.'

A TFL spokesman said lost property was being delivered to customers 'via a courier service to reduce the need for personal contact'.

HMRC

19 min 21 sec

HMRC's answer-time has almost tripled since the start of the year, to 14 minutes 41 seconds, according to the latest figures published by the Revenue itself  despite it handling fewer calls per month. It took me even longer to get through.

'We are all working from home,' says the call handler in Scotland. 'It's actually really good to be in the comfort of your own home.

'There's no commute to the office, so it's ideal, you get a longer lie-in.

'We haven't been told when we'll be returning to the office.'

DVLA

Doesn't answer phone

'When you are doing worse than the Passport Office, then you know you are in serious trouble,' says Martyn James at Resolver.

Throughout the week, the DVLA number registered as 'user busy'. There was not even a recorded message fobbing you off with a 'because of Covid' excuse.

Mr James says that when people are (miraculously) able to get through, they can wait well over an hour.

'A particular issue that people are mentioning is 'document hostages' where people have submitted key identity documents to the DVLA only to hear nothing back.

'This is particularly acute for people who are foreign nationals who may have submitted passports and other vital documents that they now can't get back home.'

One person I spoke to had his licence and passport stuck at DVLA from February until last week, saying it took DVLA weeks to acknowledge they had ever received his passport.

'It's a fiasco,' he said.

To make matters worse, DVLA workers at its Swansea headquarters have been on strike for 18 days this year.

The Public and Commercial Services union is still calling for a reduction in the number of staff expected to work from the office, claiming it is not a safe environment because of previous Covid outbreaks.

A spokesman for the DVLA says: 'Our contact centre is open during business hours but there are significant delays in contacting us due to ongoing industrial action and social distancing requirements which means that we have fewer staff than usual on site at any one time.

'We understand this is causing frustration for our customers and we are sorry for the inconvenience.'
Savings giant NS&I has backed down on its drive to axe Premium Bond prize cheques after a Money Mail campaign.

The Treasury-backed bank was in the process of forcing millions of savers to hand over their bank details so that prizes could be paid directly into their accounts.

Money Mail wrote a series of articles exposing how National Savings and Investments (NS&I) had failed to properly consider older savers who do not have access to the internet in its push to save cash and paper.

And, after nearly nine months, NS&I last week confirmed it will continue to allow savers to receive the treasured prize cheques in the post.

Chequing back: NS&I last week confirmed it will continue to allow savers to receive the treasured prize cheques in the post

Last night campaigners, charities and politicians praised Money Mail for the victory  fought on behalf of the bank's loyal investors.

Premium Bonds are the nation's favourite savings product. More than 21million of us have money invested, with every 1 bond giving us entry into a monthly draw for prizes that range from 25 up to 1million.

Premium Bonds Winners Prize Area Value of bond 1,000,000 County Durham 20,000 1,000,000 East Riding of Yorkshire 22,000 100,000 Havering 10,000 100,000 North East Scotland 35,000 100,000 Leeds 1,000 100,000 Kent 10,000 100,000 Overseas 4,000 50,000 Lincolnshire 48,797 More July 2021 winners View list of July 2021 winners

And for more than 60 years, millions have hoped for a letter through the door containing a prize warrant for a cash prize.

But, in September last year, NS&I told Premium Bond holders that, from December, it would start exclusively paying winnings directly into bank accounts instead.

Yet, as Money Mail revealed, some were unable to register their bank details with NS&I online, while others had no desire to share these with the organisation at all.

A combination of the new plans and NS&I's decision to slash savings rates to as little as 0.01 per cent on income bonds caused complaints to escalate as the bank struggled to cope with the volume of customer calls.

Jamess Bond: 007 Roger Moore handing out Premium Bonds

Around four in ten customers gave up after trying to call NS&I during its busiest weeks, while those who persevered waited up to 40 minutes to get through.

And it wasn't long before Money Mail was inundated with furious letters from Premium Bond holders who felt abandoned by the Government's savings arm.

Amid the rising backlash and chaos, NS&I postponed the cheque phase out from December to 'Spring 2021'.

But when worried readers continued to contact us in their droves, Money Mail sent NS&I's chief executive Ian Ackerley a dossier of more than 200 letters detailing your opposition.

We also went on to publish a series of damning revelations about the bank and its plans.

Shortly before Christmas, we told how NS&I had failed to carry out an equality impact assessment to check that the new policy would not discriminate on the grounds of age, sex, disability or race.

The news confirmed fears already voice by campaigners and charities as more than 820,000 Premium Bond holders in their 80s and 90s have around 14.2billion invested.

And, in January, Money Mail used the Freedom of Information Act to reveal that when consulting savers on the plans, NS&I had only surveyed customers with the internet.

In January, we used the Freedom of Information Act to reveal that when consulting savers on the plans, NS&I had only surveyed customers with the internet

But, in March, Mr Ackerley told the Treasury Committee that he did not need to conduct an impact assessment because it was changing a product rather than a policy.

He also claimed the bank had interviewed thousands of people before it decided to phase out the cheques  some of which were conducted face-to-face or over the phone.

However, last week NS&I announced it was abandoning plans to scrap postal prizes.

A Premium Bonds advert from 1956. For more than 60 years millions have hoped for a prize letter through the door

Mr Ackerley says: 'We have responded to feedback from some of our customers and we have decided to retain the option for them to receive Premium Bonds prizes through the post.'

He told Money Mail it was bad timing to have announced the change around the time rates cuts were also announced.

He says: 'If I have my time again, I would not have chosen to do it last September. This led to pressure on our call centres and poor customer service.'

But while the bank will still encourage customers to opt out of receiving cheques  to save money and reduce the amount of paper printed  several have praised it for finally giving customers a choice.

Caroline Abrahams, charity director at Age UK, says: 'This U-turn is extremely welcome on the part of NS&I.

Our thanks and congratulations to Money Mail for highlighting this issue and for helping NS&I to do the right thing.'

Barbara Keeley, co-chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ageing and Older People, says: 'NS&I's decision should set an example for other companies and I hope it reminds everyone of the importance of putting the personal choices of their customers first.'

Meanwhile, former pensions minister Ros Altmann, says: 'I'm so delighted to see NS&I has decided not to scrap prize warrants.

'Congratulations to Money Mail for its campaign to ensure Premium Bond prizes will still be sent in the post.'

Bridget Phillipson, shadow chief secretary to the Treasury, adds: 'Tireless campaigning by the Mail on this means some good news for savers across our country.

'But the U-turn has come far too late: the Government should have thought much more carefully about introducing this change in the first place.'

Campaign: We wrote a series of articles exposing how National Savings and Investments (NS&I) had failed to properly consider older savers

NS&I savers Linda and Joe McCauley say there are now considering keeping their money with the bank after the U-turn.

The couple tried to call the bank in October last year to ask if they could keep receiving their prizes in the post.

But Linda, a retired nurse, gave up after waiting 45 minutes on hold. The couple, from Lincoln, had been buying Premium Bonds since 1963 and had invested 27,500 in total.

But while they won around half a dozen cash prices each year, they had no desire to give the bank their bank details.

And even when paper forms allowed them to do this by post they were still unsure  and planned to cash in their entire investment.

Linda, 77, says: 'It should not have taken the Daily Mail to get NS&I to change its mind. The bank should have known to respect its customers' choices to begin with.'

f.parker@dailymail.co.uk
TIFTON [mdash] Everette Allen Ivey, 80, of Tifton passed away Sunday, June 27, 2021, at his residence. A graveside funeral service will be held for Mr. Ivey at 4:00 p.m. Thursday, July 1, 2021, at Oak Ridge Cemetery, where he will be laid to rest. The Rev. Rickey Wells will officiate. The fa
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Tillamook, OR (97141)

Today

Some clouds in the morning will give way to mainly sunny skies for the afternoon. High around 70F. Winds NW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Partly cloudy. Low around 50F. Winds NNW at 10 to 15 mph.
HAGERSTOWN  Lois E. Harpold, 75, of Hagerstown, died Thursday, June 24, 2021, at her daughter's house in Philadelphia. Lois was born Dec. 26, 1945, the youngest of eight children born to the Rev. William C. and Drewry E. Harpold. Besides her parents, Lois was preceded in death by sister, Fl
Local

Judge denies Judd's recount request

MONTPELIER  A superior court judge has effectively ended a Barre mans bid to be hand-counted out of a city council race he lost by 38 votes on Town Meeting Day.

Barring a Supreme Court appeal, Brian Judd will have to live with the loss in a man versus machine lawsuit that sought to put Barres vote tabulating machines on trial and secure a hand recount of ballots cast in a race he lost to Teddy Waszazak, 247-209, four months ago.

The race for Waszazaks Ward 2 seat on the City Council was close, but not close enough to entitle Judd to a recount  either by hand or by machine  and he filed the lawsuit after City Clerk Carol Dawes denied his request to pay for one himself.

City Attorney Oliver Twombly promptly moved to dismiss the lawsuit and, after some scheduling delays  at least one at his request  Judd got his day in court on Tuesday.

During a virtual hearing that ironically featured its share of technical difficulties, Judge Robert Bent ruled Judd provided scant evidence he too was a victim of a glitch.

In fact, Bent noted Judds most compelling witness  Will Senning, the states veteran director of elections  undercut key aspects of his argument.

Though Judd and two other Barre voters, Aletha Kelly and John Santorello, testified one of the voting machines used during the citys March elections initially rejected their ballots before accepting them, Senning explained under oath that wasnt unusual.

Its a fairly common occurrence every election at almost every polling place for a number of ballots to be rejected by the tabulators, he said, suggesting that isnt an indication the optical scanning machines arent functioning properly, or that there is something defective with the ballot.

Pressed by Judd to explain why his, and others ballots, were initially rejected and why the reason, which would have displayed on the tabulators LED screen wasnt shared by poll workers, Senning said his strong assumption was because it didnt need to be. He said the most likely message  ballot not read, please re-insert  didnt need to be communicated with voters who are routinely asked to try again because sometimes the machines are skittish.

The explanation preferred by Judd was that the ballots were kicked out because they reflected over votes  in the case of his race votes for both he and Waszazak  that might have been miscounted by the machine.

Not according to Senning, who testified that simply isnt how they work unless they are manually overridden by election officials.

Under no circumstance  will it (automatically) accept a ballot with an over-voted race, he said, noting that none of the witnesses, including Judd, testified that poll workers did anything other than instruct them to try again.

Absent manual intervention, Senning said, the tabulators used in Vermont would not accept a ballot with an over-voted race on the second, third, or any subsequent attempt.

Its a basic functionality of those machines, he said.

Judds only other witness, Colleen Harrington, didnt do much to bolster his case and his attempt to introduce a news account of an audit and recount of a New Hampshire election last year drew an objection from Twombly and Bent said problems with a similar machine in New Hampshire wasnt particularly helpful absent context that wasnt provided.

I cant use the New Hampshire experience in a meaningful way here, he said.

Bent said Sennings testimony was persuasive, Judd provided no actual evidence of error  much less one that might have affected the outcome of the race  and wasnt entitled to a recount.

If I were to follow Mr. Judds logic and argument essentially  we could have a  hand count in virtually every case when this machine is used because in every voting situation there are going to be cases when the machine kicks the ballot back, Bent said.

Thats just not feasible, thats not the law, he added. We only have recounts for very specific purposes.

Bent said skeptics could be comforted that the state regularly and randomly audits vote tabulating machines and, according to Sennings testimony, those audits have never turned up a significant discrepancy since they were started 15 years ago.

It isnt clear when Barres tabulators were last audited by the state, but they were tested two years ago after a Ward 1 City Council race that was narrowly won by John Steinman.

Steinman defeated incumbent councilor Sue Higby, 170-161. Higby was within the 5% threshold and requested a recount and the ballots were counted by hand. The result didnt change and the hand recount confirmed Steinman won, 170-161, in a race where there were 10 blank ballots and one over vote. The over vote was located during the recount and showed someone had voted for both Steinman and Higby. That ballot, which wasnt tabulated by the machine, was excluded.

david.delcore @timesargus.com
Barre, VT (05641)

Today

A mix of clouds and sun. High around 80F. Winds SSW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

Rain showers in the evening with thunderstorms developing overnight. Low 67F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%.


remaining of

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Services for John Mark Rountree, 60, were held at Allen & Allen Celebration of Life Chapel on Friday, July 2, 2021 with burial following at Salem Cemetery. Mr. Rountree, was born on July 16, 1960, and died of injuries sustained in a single-car automobile accident on June 29, 2021. He was
LIVING

Get your grub on

Get your grub on: July is the month for foodies
The annual Farm Fest program at Exchange Place scheduled for July 18 has been canceled. But in some good news, the folks there have announced the return of the Fall Folk Arts Festival on Sept 25 and 26.
John Carl D'Annibale

ALBANY  In a move that is largely a formality, the State University of New York will sign an official lease for the 97,621 square feet of office, lab and clean room space that SUNY Polytechnic Institute uses at the state's Albany Nanotech complex on Fuller Road.

The SUNY Research Foundation had leased the space in the past on behalf of the school, which also operates a campus outside of Utica. The cost of the Albany Nanotech lease varies from $19.53 per square-foot for office space, to $65.70 per square-foot for clean room space, which is below market rates paid by commercial tenants. Albany Nanotech is owned by NY CREATES, a quasi-government nonprofit.
Health and government officials are encouraged by the prognosis of a vaccinated Ulster County resident who became the first known case of the delta variant of COVID-19 in the county, saying the persons health response suggests vaccinations are an effective tool in minimizing the potential deadly effects of the fast-spreading strain that is now seen in at least 85 countries around the world.

Ulster County as a whole has some of the highest vaccinated rates in the area, with several municipalities at or approaching the 100 percent vaccinated benchmark, including Esopus, Glasco, Willow and Bearsville.

According to Ulster County Health Commissioner Dr. Carol Smith, the individual was vaccinated in March but had recently traveled to Florida before contracting the virus. The question remains of where the variant was contracted, said Smith. It may have very well been in Florida where the person traveled and maybe not here. Its a possible explanation for it, Smith said.

The New York State Department of Health has found approximately 172 total delta variant cases statewide to date, according to the Wadsworth Center, which is the public health laboratory that is sequencing the virus specimens.

Commercial labs also monitor variants, one of which informed Ulster County about their case. While its the first reported case here, Smith warns that there could have been others that werent reported. Not every rapid or PCR COVID-19 test going through genomic sequencing testing, which is where the variant is uncovered.

The state is still considering that part as an epidemiologist surveillance measure, said Smith. She said it wouldnt necessarily change treatment but would allow the state to monitor variants more closely. Right now, the state closely monitors the cases they know about.

Smith said that although someone contracted the delta variant, the take-home message is that the vaccine still works. It seems to be effective for more severe disease, she said. Vaccines are protective, there is no question about that.

But what remains a concern is children under 12 who are not vaccinated because there has still not been a vaccine authorized for this age group. As soon as it becomes authorized, I certainly encourage parents to get kids vaccinated, especially if were looking ahead to the fall school year, said Smith.

This incident is a critical reminder that while we have made great strides in fighting this virus, we are not out of the woods yet, Ulster County Executive Pat Ryan said in a press release. I ask that all residents remain vigilant and proactive to blunt any further spread of the virus.

Across the nation, concerns have risen regarding the variant, with the World Health Organization [WHO] recommending that individuals return to wearing masks indoors.

WHOs director-general Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said the COVID-19 delta variant, first seen in India, is the most transmissible of the variants so far, and warned it is now spreading in at least 85 countries. Experts say the variant spreads more easily because of mutations that make it better at latching onto cells in our bodies.

In the United Kingdom, the variant is now responsible for 90 percent of all new infections, according to WHO. As of last week, the variant represented 20 percent of the United States new infections, but health officials say it could become the countrys dominant type as well.

While WHO warns about the easing of precautions, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have not suggested withdrawing recent guidance yet.

If someone is more comfortable having the added measure of protection from a mask, even if theyre fully vaccinated, I would say absolutely, there is no harm in wearing it, said Smith. If theyve recently traveled, it would be wise to continue to wear it to protect unvaccinated folks.

In Israel, considered a world leader for reaching a nearly 60 percent full vaccination rate, is also seeing a spike in delta variant cases, but it is not causing a lot of hospitalizations. The Washington Post reported that one week into their rise in delta variant cases, their coronavirus hospital wards remained empty, and they attribute the low case count to the majority of their population receiving both shots of either the Pfizer-BioNTech or the Moderna vaccines.

FDA-approved vaccines used in the U.S. have proven effective at preventing serious illness and hospitalization against mutated strains of COVID-19 like the delta variant. Meanwhile, a United Kingdom analysis found the vaccine 96 percent effective against hospitalization after two doses of Pfizer.

Currently, there are 20 active COVID-19 cases in Ulster, with six of them in the City of Kingston. Smith, along with the New York State Department of Health, encourages those who are not yet vaccinated to go get vaccinated.
ALBANY - A contractor whose sentencing on an attempted larceny charge was delayed during the coronavirus pandemic allegedly continued to bilk homeowners out of thousands of dollars in cash, according to Attorney General Letitia James.

James said Dwight Fiero, aka David Fiero, 44, allegedly stole more than $50,000 from homeowners who were seeking repairs to their homes last year. He was arraigned on Wednesday.

Fiero went before Albany County Court Judge Andra Ackerman to face 10 counts of fraud after he allegedly took advantage of at least nine homeowners. Many of the homeowners in Albany and Saratoga counties hired Fiero after he gained their trust with stories of serving as a U.S. Marine in the Iraq War. However, he was never deployed. He was assigned food service duty at the Marine Corps base at Quantico, Va.

As New Yorkers struggled with the devastation of the COVID-19 pandemic, it is appalling that Dwight Fiero cheated hardworking homeowners to line his own pockets, James said. Not only did this individual violate the publics trust, he also undermined our nations integrity by making a mockery of the brave men and women who actually serve our country.

These are new charges for Fiero who has been in trouble with the law on multiple occasions for the same crime. Wednesday's appearance alleges he committed this round of fraud between April 24, 2020, and Nov. 22, 2020, while he was released and awaiting sentencing on an attempted larceny charge after he altered a check he received from a customer. In that case, he added a zero to a $1,000 check and then tried and failed to deposit the resulting $10,000 in a Citizens Bank ATM.

Fiero is currently serving 18 months to three years for his prior conviction.

Fiero also racked up seven arrests between 2006 and 2019 on similar charges of larceny and issuing bad checks.

According to prosecutors, Fiero advertised himself as a military combat veteran who could build and install backyard decks. Fiero advertised his services under the businesses War Cry Contracting, Veterans Contracting and Battle-Scarred Contracting.

Fiero is also charged with soliciting large upfront deposits for work, and then failing to perform the work or doing it poorly. In one instance, Fiero allegedly enclosed a porch for a homeowner that needed to be replaced. The enclosure could not bear weight and the roof couldnt support any anticipated snow load. In addition, the windows were not properly flashed, which could cause leaks and rot over time. Lastly, the homeowner had a porch with gray siding, but instead Fiero installed tan siding, which left the homeowner with mismatched siding.

This contractor acted in bad faith by taking tens of thousands of dollars from homeowners with absolutely no intention on following through on agreed upon construction projects, said State Police Superintendent Kevin Bruen. I commend the members of our Financial Crimes Unit and the Attorney Generals Office for seeking justice for these homeowners.
DOVER, Del. (AP)  The state House on Tuesday gave final approval to legislation revising the standard under which the use of force, whether lethal or nonlethal, is justified under Delaware law.

Under current law, the use of deadly force by a police officer, or anyone else, is justified if the person believes it is necessary to protect himself or others from death, serious physical injury, rape or kidnapping.

The bill approved Tuesday requires that such a belief must be reasonable.

Supporters of the bill have said Delaware is one of only three states, along with Tennessee and Arizona, in which the law allows police officers to use deadly force whenever they believe it to be justified, regardless of whether such a belief is reasonable.

Today Delaware is ready to fix one of Americas weakest use-of-force laws, period, Democratic Attorney General Kathy Jennings said in a statement issued after Tuesdays vote.

If anything should be objective and reasonable, it should be the line that allows one person to take anothers life. The words I thought should not be an automatic get-out-of-jail-free card for any defendant, Jennings added.

The bill establishes reasonableness standards for both civilians and police officers. It defines reasonable belief as a belief that is reasonable from the viewpoint of a reasonable person or a reasonable law enforcement officer in the defendants situation under the circumstances.

The Democrat-controlled House approved the measure mostly along party lines after overwhelmingly rejecting an amendment stating that reasonableness should take into account a defendants situation under the totality of facts and circumstances of the case.

Supporters of the amendment said the additional language was necessary to ensure that factors such as a defendants mental health, intellectual functioning, and prior victimization, as in the case of a battered spouse, could be admitted into evidence.

Kevin OConnell, who leads Delawares Office of Defense Services, which includes public defenders, said many states have adopted the objective standard for use of force, and that case law states that testimony regarding personal characteristics is not admissible.

It only looks at the defendant as a reasonable person, not a reasonable domestically abused person, not a reasonable cognitively disabled person, not a reasonable person who has suffered post-traumatic stress disorder, he said.

Mark Denney, a former homicide prosecutor who now leads the Division of Civil Rights and Public Trust in the state attorney generals office, said the bill does not preclude such factors from being taken into evidence in court.

Denney said the amendment, proposed by Democratic Rep. Sean Lynn, a Dover attorney, could create loopholes that are ripe for exploitation, such as psychiatric evidence being presented in cases where its not appropriate.

Denney also noted that prosecutors will still have the burden of proving that a defendants use of force in self-defense is not justified.

In addition to the use-of-force bill, House members voted along party lines to give final approval to a companion bill that authorizes the attorney generals office to review police use-of-force incidents that result in serious physical injury. Under current law, the attorney generals office is authorized to review only deadly force incidents.

The legislation also requires that any public report on use-of-force incidents reviewed by the attorney generals office must include the race of the police officer, the race of the person on whom force was used, and a statement on whether race was found to be a relevant or a motivating factor in the use of force.
BRASILIA, Brazil (AP)  Accusations that Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro turned a blind eye to possible corruption in a deal to purchase coronavirus vaccines have heightened threats to his presidency, including a move to recommend slapping him with a criminal charge.

The claims have added impetus to the opposition's impeachment drive and left the Brazilian leader's allies in Congress evaluating the costs of their support.

Bolsonaro, who has been targeted by nationwide street protests in recent weeks, has called the Senate committee investigating the governments COVID-19 response a national shame aimed at undermining his administration. For two months, the nationally televised hearings have largely focused on why his Health Ministry ignored opportunities to buy vaccines while Bolsonaro relentlessly pushed hydroxychloroquine, the malaria drug that rigorous studies have shown to be ineffective in treating COVID-19.

Testimony before the Senate committee last week from Luis Ricardo Miranda, the chief of the Health Ministrys import division, and his brother Luis Miranda, a lawmaker until recently allied with Bolsonaro, has turned up the heat even more.

The Health Ministry official said he faced pressure to greenlight the import of Indian pharmaceutical Bharat Biotechs Covaxin vaccine and that there were irregularities in the invoices  particularly a $45 million upfront payment to a Singapore-based company.

In March, the brothers brought their concerns to Bolsonaro, who they said promised to send the case to the Federal Police and mentioned the government's leader in Congress's lower house, a top Bolsonaro ally, as being involved.

However, the Federal Police never received any request to investigate, neither from Bolsonaro nor his Health Ministry, according to a Federal Police source with knowledge of investigations who wasnt authorized to speak publicly and declined to be named.

The secretary-general of the presidency, Onyx Lorenzoni, told reporters last week that Bolsonaro did meet with the Mirandas but claimed they presented fraudulent documents. Bolsonaro ordered the brothers investigated, he said.

Bharat Biotech has denied any allegation of wrongdoing with respect to vaccine supply, saying in an emailed statement that it adheres to the highest standards of compliance. The companys press representative didnt respond when asked why a payment would be routed through a Singapore-based company.

The case has galvanized Bolsonaros opponents and prompted protest organizers to move up their next nationwide demonstration to Saturday. The percentage of people rating Bolsonaros government bad or terrible has reached an all-time high, according to pollster Datafolha.

Seven of the 11 members of the Senate committee investigating Bolsonaro's COVID-19 response told The Associated Press that, once their inquest concludes, in August at earliest, they will vote to approve recommending Bolsonaro be indicted on the charge of prevarication. The crime entails delaying or refraining from action required as part of a public officials duty for reasons of personal interest.

Sen. Randolfe Rodrigues and Sen. Humberto Costa spoke on record with AP. Five senators spoke on condition of anonymity due to concerns that detailing plans will expose the committee to attacks from the government and its allies.

Bolsonaro on Saturday said the committee has seven scoundrels among its members. He has denied all wrongdoing and knowledge of possible corruption.

Any committee recommendation for indictment would need to be accepted by the prosecutor-general, a Bolsonaro appointee, then approved by Congress before an investigation could begin.

The committee is a big threat to Bolsonaro, but one step at a time, said Thiago de Aragao, director of strategy at political risk consultancy Arko Advice, who added the accusations have increased the pressure.

But its only a gamechanger if you have an important portion of congressmen ... shifting sides and endorsing this kind of action against him.

Last year, Bolsonaro began drawing close to the large Centrao bloc in Congress to shore up his legislative agenda and stave off risks of impeachment. In the wake of the allegations against Bolsonaro, its lawmakers have begun reevaluating the risks of backing him, according to Claudio Couto, a political scientist at the Getulio Vargas Foundation, a university.

Its still in their interest to follow the government at this moment, Couto said. But, he added, Defending a president who is very compromised is difficult for anyone. Politicians and parties wont want to associate their image with a president like that. Theres a limit to everything.

The opposition has filed more than 100 impeachment requests, but House Speaker Arthur Lira, a Centrao member, reiterated in an interview Friday with local media Jota that there aren't sufficient reasons for him to greenlight proceedings.

The Miranda brothers' Senate committee testimony fundamentally changes the debate, because at that moment the president had the duty to take some sort of measure" or explain why their claims were baseless, said Davi Tangerino, a professor of criminal law at the Getulio Vargas Foundation.

The Health Ministry signed a contract for 20 million Covaxin doses in February. However, the government hadn't yet made any payments nor were any vaccines provided due to obstacles in the health regulators approval process.

On Tuesday, the health ministry announced that the government is temporarily suspending the Covaxin contract. Comptroller-general Wagner Rosario said his office will evaluate the process by which it was signed.

Even before the Miranda brothers' testimony last week, federal prosecutors were already investigating possible irregularities in the contract, which committed the Health Ministry to pay $320 million  at a cost of $15 per vaccine dose, the most expensive of all vaccines Brazil purchased  to Bharat Biotechs representative in Brazil, according to a document sent to the AP by the prosecutor-generals press office.

The political dust has yet to settle, but the case is a sign that Bolsonaro will face additional headwinds with his reelection bid next year.

The extent of the political damage remains uncertain, newspaper O Globo wrote in an editorial published Tuesday. Concretely, the only thing one can say is the government is cornered and ever more hostage to allies.

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This story has been corrected to show that the health ministry is suspending the Covaxin contract rather than canceling it.
ALBANY  Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo signed a bill late Tuesday night that will create a dedicated fund for future settlement money New York receives as a result of ongoing litigation against companies accused of fueling the opioid epidemic.

The legislation requires that all future settlement money be deposited directly into the so-called Opioid Settlement Fund, which will be overseen by an advisory board that will decide exactly how it can be spent. Approved uses will include programs and services that support addiction treatment, recovery and abatement efforts statewide.

Advocates and lawmakers say the need for such a fund became apparent this past spring when they learned the Cuomo administration had swept at least $21 million from an initial settlement with McKinsey & Company into the states general fund rather than using it to fund new and sorely needed addiction services.

Ensuring funds recovered from opioid settlements and litigation go where theyre needed  to fund prevention, education, and treatment programs  is a massive step in our efforts to end the opioid epidemic and provide justice to its victims, state Attorney General Letitia James said Wednesday.

James, whose office just negotiated a $230 million settlement with opioid manufacturer Johnson & Johnson, helped lawmakers craft the legislation. It passed both chambers in the state Legislature earlier this month, and in an effort to get the governor on board the attorney general included a stipulation in the Johnson & Johnson settlement that would enable New York to receive more than half of the nine-year payout by February 2022 should the bill become law.

While no amount of money will ever compensate for the thousands who lost their lives or became addicted to opioids across our state, or provide solace to the countless families torn apart by this crisis, this law ensures funds are used to prevent any future devastation, James said. I thank Gov. Cuomo, Sen. (Gustavo) Rivera, and Assembly member (Carrie) Woerner, as well as the county and local governments, advocates, service providers, and families for working with our office over the last six months to get this law passed.

Cuomos signature came with several caveats.

In an approval memorandum attached to the bill, he announced he had reached an agreement with legislators to make several technical changes to the bill that would ensure fund monies are utilized in the prevention, treatment, education and abatement of opioid addiction, and to preserve the ability of the Department of Financial Services to pursue administrative proceedings to protect consumers.

Changes that made it into the final bill include:

An amendment that allows DFS to bring claims against opioid-related entities other than Johnson & Johnson. The original bill would have barred government entities from bringing claims against opioid-related entities if they had already been released by a statewide opioid settlement.

An amendment that applies the law to settlements reached after June 1, 2021. The original bill would have applied to the McKinsey settlement, which was negotiated in February 2021. The governors office argued this would have reopened the already finalized 2021-22 budget.

An amendment tightening approved uses of the funds.

An amendment expanding the number of voting members on the advisory board from 16 to 21, nine of which would be appointed by the governor (as opposed to two under the original bill).

According to a source familiar with the negotiations, the governors office had initially sought to make much larger changes to the bill, including a provision that would have required that the state budget director approve future opioid settlements entered into by the attorney general. The governors office also sought to remove language requiring settlement money enhance existing state funding on addiction services rather than replace it.

None of the proposed changes made it into the final bill.

I agree with my colleagues in the Legislature on the importance of holding those who contributed to the opioid epidemic accountable and obtaining long overdue justice for New Yorkers, Cuomo wrote in his approval memo.

The legislation has been cheered by advocates and providers around the state, who note that New York's addiction problem only got worse as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many counties statewide, including those in the Capital Region, reported a dramatic spike in fatal overdoses last year and some are on track to see even higher numbers this year.

"This is great news and a real shoutout to the advocates as well as Attorney General James, Sen. Rivera and Assembly member Woerner for their leadership in ensuring that the opioid settlement moneys will be directed to addiction prevention and recovery services and not to the states general fund," said Glenn Liebman, CEO of the Mental Health Association in New York State.
HADLEY  The remains of a Hadley resident who was killed during the Korean War, nearly 71 years ago, have finally been identified.

Army Cpl. Walter A. Smead, 24, was killed on the sixth day of a disastrous retreat at the Chosin Reservoir on Dec. 6, 1950.

In January 1951, his family received the dreaded notice that he was missing in action.

On March 16, 2021, his remains were identified as being among those in 55 boxes turned over by the North Korean government in 2018. Scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA analysis to identify him, along with other evidence.

He has a living younger brother, Doug Smead of Corinth, and other family members. He will be buried in the Gerald B.H. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery in Schuylerville on Sept. 20.

Smead was among a huge group trying to cover the retreat of U.S. forces after they were surprised by an overwhelming force of Chinese soldiers. It was the middle of one of the coldest winters on record, with temperatures 20 to 30 degrees below zero. Many who survived lost limbs to frostbite.

They became essentially trapped and surrounded by the Chinese forces, said Frank McClement, director of the Saratoga County Veterans Service Agency. They had to fight their way out of there. Many of them walked across the frozen reservoir.

The conditions were harsh and the Chinese had surrounded the troops on all sides, making it just as hard to retreat as to continue forward.

Many of them had to abandon those that were killed, McClement said. I will say that I do know at one point this whole thing was looked at, with these particular units, that it was a blunder, but upon further review, it was really, truly looked at as a heroic and massive undertaking. They actually destroyed and fought off a significant number of Chinese. They decimated entire units but they (Chinese forces) just kept coming, the numbers were stacked so deeply against them. And of course the conditions  the freezing conditions, the mud. Its scary to think what they went through.

Smead was part of Battery A, 57th Field Artillery Battalion, 7th Infantry Division. The division deployed near the Chosin Reservoir on Nov. 27, preparing to attack the next day, but the Chinese launched a surprise attack that night. The division expected reinforcements and its commander believed there were few Chinese left to attack, so they dug in. But the Chinese blocked the reinforcements and attacked again the next night. At the same time, it began to snow heavily and the temperature reached -30 degrees, with several men freezing to death in their foxholes. By the last day of November, half the division had been killed or wounded.

The division began a fighting retreat on Dec. 1, which went poorly, and by nightfall almost every officer was dead or seriously wounded. Leaderless and under overwhelming fire, soldiers reached the edge of the reservoir and began to cross the ice alone, trying to get to the Marines who held the other side of the reservoir. More than 90 percent of the division was killed or wounded by Dec. 2, according to accounts at the National Museum of the United States Army.

Smead survived all of this, and was among the few able to help the Marines continue the retreat on Dec. 6. Thats when he fell, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

He was reported missing in action on Dec. 6, 1950, after his unit was attacked by enemy forces as they attempted to withdraw near the Chosin Reservoir, North Korea. Following the battle, his remains could not be recovered, the agency said in a press release.

Smead is the second Korean War military person from Saratoga County to be identified in recent years after being reported as missing. Army Pfc. John Martin's remains were identified in 2018. He was also killed in the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir. Earlier this year, remains of another Capital Region resident who fought in the Korean War, 20-year-old Clifford Johnson of Valatie, were laid to rest in Schuylerville after being recently identified.

It is believed two more Saratoga County residents are still missing in action from the Korean War, said Saratoga County Historian Lauren Roberts. They are Master Sgt. Stanley Harmor and First Lt. Norman Melander, according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.

A total of 16 Saratoga County residents were killed in the Korean War.
Uncredited/AP

BEIRUT (AP)  The top leaders of the militant groups Hezbollah and Hamas held talks in Beirut on Tuesday about last months 11-day war with Israel in the Gaza Strip.

Ismail Haniyeh, the leader of the Palestinian Hamas, arrived in Lebanon on Sunday and met several top officials, including President Michel Aoun and Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri.
HONG KONG (AP)  Hong Kong says it will ban all passenger flights from the U.K. starting Thursday as it seeks to curb the spread of new variants of the coronavirus.

It said in a statement Monday that the U.K. has been classified as extremely high risk because of the recent rebound of the epidemic situation in the U.K. and the widespread delta variant virus strain there.

More than 95% of COVID-19 cases in the U.K. are of the delta variant, which was first identified in India. Cases have spiked in recent weeks as British authorities have relaxed coronavirus restrictions, allowing indoor gatherings and businesses including restaurants, cinemas and gyms to reopen. Scientists say the delta variant is much more transmissible than previous versions of the coronavirus, although it is uncertain if it is more deadly.

Under the classification, people who have stayed in the U.K. for more than two hours will be restricted from boarding passenger flights to Hong Kong.

It is the second time that the Hong Kong government has banned flights from the U.K., following a restriction imposed last December.

Although flights from the U.K. are banned from July 1, passengers can still book one-way flights from Hong Kong to London on airlines such as Cathay Pacific and British Airways.

Dr. Julian Tang, a virologist at the University of Leicester who previously worked in Hong Kong, said the ban makes sense from a scientific point of view.

The U.K. has never been good at controlling the virus and overconfidence in the vaccine is likely now spurring this (latest) wave," he said, adding it makes perfect sense for Hong Kong to ban travel from Britain.

He said previous surges of COVID-19 in Hong Kong have been tiny and that exported cases in a largely unvaccinated population would be worrying.

They want to keep that Chinese territory as pristine as possible until they can persuade people to get vaccinated, Tang said. And that's going to take a long time. He estimated that countries need to have at least 80% of their populations immunized to stop the spread of the delta variant.

The ban comes amid heightened tensions between the U.K. and China over semi-autonomous Hong Kong, which was a British colony until it was handed over to China in 1997.

The U.K. has criticized China for imposing a national security law on Hong Kong and tightening control over its media, saying Beijing is undermining the citys autonomy.

The flight ban was triggered by a policy put in place by the government to prevent coronavirus variants from spreading in Hong Kong.

A suspension of passenger flights is imposed if five or more passengers arriving from one place test positive on arrival for a particular coronavirus variant, or a relevant virus mutation within a seven-day period.

A ban is is also triggered if 10 or more passengers from one place are confirmed to be infected with the coronavirus via any tests, including tests conducted during quarantine, within a seven-day period.

The U.K. reported more than 22,000 new cases of the coronavirus on Monday, while more than 66% of the population has received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine.

Hong Kong, which for months imposed a 21-day quarantine for arrivals from most countries and implemented strict social-distancing regulations, reported three new cases of the coronavirus on Monday. It has confirmed a total of 11,921 cases since the pandemic began.

The U.K. flight ban comes as Hong Kong is looking to relax quarantine measures for most other countries, including the U.S. and Canada.

Several other countries, including the Philippines and Indonesia, also face flight bans to Hong Kong.

Last week, the World Health Organization said the delta variant is the most transmissible variant identified to date and said it is spreading in at least 85 countries.
ALBANY  New Yorks ethics commission voted against seeking a criminal investigation into whether someone from within its own ranks leaked confidential information to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo, even as new details emerged about the 2019 incident.

At a Tuesday meeting of the Joint Commission on Public Ethics, six members of the body voted in favor of seeking an investigation by Attorney General Letitia James office  two votes short of the number necessary to formally pursue such an inquiry.

Four commissioners, all appointed by Cuomo, voted against making the criminal referral, which James office would need in order to pursue the matter. None of the Cuomo-appointed commissioners explained their votes opposing the probe, which would have directly touched a governor already facing multiple, unrelated investigations.

The fifth Cuomo commissioner present, Colleen DiPirro, abstained from voting. DiPirro, who has been a JCOPE commissioner for two-and-a-half years, said she didnt feel qualified or educated enough on the issue to cast a vote.

Still, the motion could have passed if all eight legislatively appointed commissioners on the panel voted in favor. But two appointees of Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie  James Yates and Richard Braun  likewise abstained from voting.

In explaining his decision, Yates offered previously undisclosed details of events immediately following the apparent 2019 leak. Yates said he was abstaining because he was in fact a witness whod reported the apparent leak to the state inspector generals office.

The alleged leak stems from a JCOPE meeting held on Jan. 29, 2019. Commissioners  forced by a court order  held a closed-door vote on whether to investigate complaints filed by Republicans that former top Cuomo aide Joseph Percoco may have violated state law by using state resources while he was managing Cuomo's 2014 re-election campaign, and that Cuomo knew about it.

Soon after the 2019 JCOPE meeting, Heastie's top counsel, Howard Vargas, called then-JCOPE commissioner Julie Garcia. She said Vargas told her that Cuomo had complained to Heastie about how the speaker's appointees to JCOPE had voted that day.

Garcia, a Heastie appointee, immediately reported the apparent breach of confidentiality, launching the investigation by the inspector general's office. The probe was kept secret until it was disclosed in late 2019 by the Times Union.

At Tuesdays meeting, Yates, another Heastie appointee, disclosed that hed also reported the leak to the inspector general soon after the January 2019 meeting.

Yates said that Cuomo somehow became aware of Yates vote within an hour of the meetings end.

It came to my attention that the governor was complaining about my vote at that meeting, Yates said. I reported that, because obviously, if the governor right after the meeting knew about the vote, that means that the vote and the executive session had somehow or other been leaked to the governor.

It's a misdemeanor crime to leak information about JCOPE's confidential deliberations.

Watch Yates' statement at Tuesday's meeting:

In December 2019, the Times Union reported that Heastie called Yates shortly after the Assembly speaker had a heated conversation with Cuomo about the ethics panel's actions that day.

In his remarks on Tuesday, Yates did not specify whether it was Heastie whod informed him that Cuomo was complaining about Yates' confidential vote.

In December 2019, Heastie told the Times Union that, I have never spoken to Jim Yates or any other appointee about any matter or matters before JCOPE.

When asked in 2019 if his conversation with Cuomo that day prompted him to call Yates, Heastie declined to answer the question.

At Tuesdays meeting, Yates detailed his interactions with the inspector generals office after reporting the leak. Yates said he answered every question in an hour-long interview with the office, and relayed to investigators how hed learned about someone having leaked to the governor.

In October 2019, the inspector generals office issued a letter to JCOPE stating it could not substantiate the allegations that a leak to Cuomo had occurred. Yet neither Cuomo nor Heastie were interviewed by the inspector generals office about how the governor apparently learned of the Heastie appointees votes.

I dont know whether the inspector general ever interviewed the governor and asked him the very, simple basic question: Hey, governor, who leaked to you? Yates said Tuesday.

I do think its a little preposterous that under the rules and the law, the inspector general is to investigate and write a report to the governor, Yates said. So when you think about it, its a little 'Alice in Wonderland.' The inspector general investigates who leaked to the governor, by not interviewing the governor, maybe ... and then reports to the governor  on who leaked to the governor.

The inspector generals office also did not interview Vargas, who placed the call to Garcia that set off the investigation.

State Inspector General Letizia Tagliafierro, a former Cuomo aide, was appointed by Cuomo. Tagliafierro is a former top staffer at JCOPE and had recused herself from the leak investigation. It was handled by deputy Inspector General Spencer Freedman, who also once worked under Cuomo.

In March, according to his LinkedIn profile, Freedman took a job working as a special counselor and senior advisor to State University of New York Chancellor Jim Malatras, another close Cuomo confidant.

The inspector general's office has asserted that it conducted a thorough inquiry, including requiring JCOPE officials to sign sworn affirmations stating they did not leak confidential information. The office also subpoenaed phone and text message records.

Cuomo's office has maintained that while Cuomo and Heastie "have talked about ethics over the years," they "have not had any conversations that were inappropriate."

The conversation on Tuesday was sparked by a motion put forth by JCOPE Commissioner Gary Lavine. Along with other Senate Republican appointees to the panel, Lavine has for months been seeking a criminal investigation of the alleged leak and the inspector general's handling of the case.

Late last year, the Republican-appointed commissioners sought an investigation by Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance, Jr., and later, by Albany County District Attorney David Soares. Both offices declined to pursue the matter.

Soares office suggested the JCOPE commissioners make a referral to the attorney generals office, and the Republican commissioners wrote James a letter earlier this year.

But James office needed a referral from the executive director of JCOPE to potentially pursue an investigation. Lavine's motion Tuesday seeking that referral failed by two votes.

Braun, the second Heastie commissioner who abstained, said he didnt have enough information on the two-and-a-half year old matter to make a decision. Heastie's third appointee, Marvin Jacob, voted in favor of making the referral.
HALFMOON  Small business landlords are vital to providing affordable housing, Sen. James Tedisco said Wednesday, but they can't make a living when tenants don't pay rent, and a state bailout fund meant to help both tenants and landlords is ineffective.

Tedisco, R-Glenville, and Sen. Daphne Jordan, R-Halfmoon, held a press conference in Halfmoon with four local landlords, who each described the hardships they've endured since the COVID-19 pandemic began and some of their tenants stopped paying rent  either because they lost income or because they refused, knowing there were both federal and state eviction moratoriums in place that would prevent the landlord from evicting them.

Rosie Karame, a mortgage tax supervisor for the Rensselaer County clerk's office and the owner of a rental property in Troy, said she had a tenant who paid rent consistently for six years until the pandemic hit, then she stopped paying. In September, she moved out and Karame said she can't find the woman in order to take her to court for the unpaid rent. Karame, who mentioned she has three children  two in private school  said she's taking money out of her children's college fund to pay the taxes and water bill on the property.

The state Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance has a program with $2.7 billion in it to help people pay rent. They started taking applications June 1, but the requirements are too complicated and the eligibility too narrow for it to be useful, said Chris Morris, the founder and executive director of Schenectady Landlords Influencing Change. The application is not complete unless both the tenant and landlord fill out their portion. Tenants cannot make more than 80 percent of the area median income, listed as $55,500 for a family of four in Saratoga County.

Michelle Arthur, executive director of United Tenants of Albany, said approval from ERAP takes six to eight weeks once the application is complete.

"We have not had any approvals yet as not enough time has elapsed and all of our tenants who applied did not fall in the specific approval criteria open at this time," she said.

The Emergency Rental Assistance Program will cover up to 12 months of back rent dating to March 13, 2020, and up to 12 months of unpaid electric or gas utility payments. Landlords may not evict the tenants for up to a year after they receive money from ERAP or raise the tenants' rent.

Anthony Farmer issued a statement on behalf of the OTDA late Wednesday:

Under the law passed by the Legislature, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program has a 30-day period where applications are received and prioritized based on need, which [ended Wednesday]. Accordingly, the more than 100,000 applications already received will be reviewed and prioritized, with the first payments expected to go out in the coming weeks. Moreover, under federal law, a landlord may not complete an entire application on behalf of a tenant; at a minimum, the tenant must sign and attest that the information contained in the application is accurate.

In a letter to Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo dated June 17, Jordan called for changes to ERAP, noting when "rent scofflaws" leave their apartments without a forwarding address, the landlord is stuck.

Tedisco has introduced a bill offering a different solution to help landlords, calling for a program similar to the federal Paycheck Protection Program offered earlier in the pandemic. The loan-to-grant program would issue loans to landlords who own properties that contain six or fewer units. If a tenant pays back rent, the landlord would return money to the state; if not, the loan becomes a grant. Tedisco proposes taking money from ERAP to pay for the loans.
GREEN ISLAND  A 49-year-old man is charged with sexually assaulting a young girl at the unlicensed day care business of his girlfriend, who was subsequently charged with child endangerment for failing to report the attacks to authorities, Albany County Sheriff Craig Apple said Wednesday

John J. Ferrara is accused of committing crimes against the child "over a course of time" while the child was being cared for by Anna M. Pratt, 50, Apple said. Pratt, he said, ran a private day care in her Green Island apartment where the child stayed. Pratt was charged with child endangerment for allegedly failing to disclose the situation to authorities.
ATLANTA (AP)  A grand jury has declined to indict a former Georgia state trooper who shot and killed a Black man last year after trying to pull him over for a broken tail light.

Jacob Thompson, who worked for the Georgia State Patrol, had been arrested on charges of felony murder and aggravated assault in the Aug. 7 death of 60-year-old Julian Lewis. After the case was presented to a Screven County grand jury Monday, the grand jurors did not indict Thompson on any of the charges.

Francys Johnson, an attorney for Lewis' family said they want to see video from the shooting. He also called on District Attorney Daphne Totten to empanel another grand jury to try again to get an indictment.

A woman who answered the phone in Totten's office on Tuesday said the district attorney was in court in another county. Totten did not immediately respond to phone and email messages seeking comment.

Keith Barber, an attorney for Thompson, released a statement thanking the grand jury for listening diligently to the evidence in this case and coming to this just and fair determination.

We trust this will be the end of this long ordeal that the Thompson family has had to wrongfully experience because of Trooper Jake Thompson only doing his job to protect the Citizens of the State of Georgia, Barber said.

Lawyers for Lewis' family had applauded Thompson's arrest a week after the shooting and subsequent firing by the Georgia State Patrol. They were further heartened when Screven County Judge F. Gates Peed initially denied bond for Thompson in September, saying it would be inappropriate to allow bond at that moment given the facts in the case. Peed granted a $100,000 bond in November after seven people, including four law enforcement officers, testified on Thompson's behalf.

Lawyers for Lewis' family expressed disappointment Tuesday with the grand jury's decision, saying the system too often fails to provide justice for Black people.

Make no mistake about it, we believe that this was a very strong case," Johnson said during a livestreamed news conference in Savannah. "The evidence was there. It still is.

Barber said Thompson, his family and his defense team offer their condolences to Lewis's family, but he defended Thompson's actions.

Jake Thompson has committed no crime in relation to his interaction with Julian Lewis," Barber said. "He has clearly shown he only acted in self defense in this situation.

Thompson, who is white, tried to pull Lewis over for a broken tail light in rural Screven County, near Georgia's border with South Carolina. When Lewis didn't immediately stop, the trooper pursued him and forced his car into a ditch, then shot Lewis in the head.

Thompson wrote in his incident report that he shot Lewis as Lewis was revving his engine and turning his steering wheel, as if he was trying to ram the trooper. But Georgia Bureau of Investigation Agent Dustin Peak testified in September that was impossible, because Lewis car battery disconnected when it hit the ditch, leaving the vehicle inoperable.

Peak testified that dash camera video shows one second elapsed between the time the trooper got out of his patrol vehicle and when he fired the shot that killed Lewis.

Johnson noted that district attorneys have great power in the indictment process and essentially can present what they want to present how they want to present it. The evidentiary standard of probable cause required for an indictment is much lower than the "beyond a reasonable doubt" required to convict someone at trial.

While grand jury proceedings are secret and people accused of crimes do not generally get the opportunity to appear before grand jurors to present their side, Georgia law does have an exception that allows police officers accused of crimes to testify before a grand jury.

Johnson said he wants to see the transcript of the grand jury proceedings: If the presentation went like the prosecution has gone thus far, we will not be surprised by what we see if there is underzealous prosecution.
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP)  Children as young as 6 can be prosecuted in North Carolina juvenile court  the lowest age set by law in the country  but a bipartisan effort would raise the minimum age of delinquency to 10 and move the state out of its status at the bottom.

More than 2,100 complaints were filed against nearly 1,150 youth under 10 during the three fiscal years from 2016 to 2019, according to the North Carolina Department of Public Safety, with Black children disproportionately accused of wrongdoing. The data shows 211 children ages 6 to 9 appeared before a judge, including 54 ultimately found responsible for the complaints.

While state prison officials say no child under 10 was put behind bars during that period, attorneys, racial justice advocates and lawmakers worry that a court appearance itself can create lasting harm.

The likelihood of them lacking legal capacity is so high and the potential for real identity development damage is also really high, said Barbara Fedders, director of the Youth Justice Clinic at the University of North Carolina School of Law. It just feels like we are doing them all a disservice if we cant find a better way to deal with these issues than prosecution.

In 2014, Fedders clinic represented a 6-year-old boy in the Raleigh area who threw a rock at a vacant apartment window. Scared and away from his mother, the child, who is Black, confessed to a police officer at the scene. The property owner wanted money for the broken window, so over the next few months, the boy and his mother went to court twice, causing him to miss school. The clinic got the case dismissed by arguing that children under 7 are incapable of forming criminal intention.

State Rep. Marcia Morey, a Durham County Democrat and former judge, remembers kids in her courtroom sitting at an oversized desk in swivel chairs  some of the youngest with feet dangling  drawing in coloring books and crying. Most alarming to her was a case she dismissed around 2010 involving a 7-year-old, an 8-year-old and an 11-year-old throwing dice against a building in a public housing complex.

I was just dumbstruck. They brought these kids into court for throwing dice, Morey said.

Lawmakers set 6 as North Carolinas minimum age of delinquency jurisdiction in 1979 during a period when tough-on-crime legislation was common and some viewed the juvenile justice system as an avenue for getting kids and their parents the resources they needed.

Twenty-eight states and Washington, D.C., have no age specification, according to a March report from the North Carolina Department of Public Safety. Connecticut, Maryland and New York set the minimum age at 7, while Massachusetts and California have the highest thresholds for juveniles at 12 years old. Twelve states allow 10-year-olds to be prosecuted in juvenile court, three states have a minimum age of 8 and one state sets its minimum at 11 years old.

About 600 juvenile court counselors are tasked with deciding how a complaint should proceed.

Most complaints come from school settings, and more than 43% were dismissed from the outset. Nearly two in five complaints were diverted to other agencies, though one-tenth of referrals ultimately got resolved in court because a child or parent didn't meet their obligations, such as mandatory counseling. In about one-sixth of cases, a court counselor sent a complaint straight to a judge.

Law enforcement officers can temporarily hold a child for up to 12 hours, though the state doesn't track how often this happens. In the past five years, one 9 year-old and two 8 year-olds were admitted to Juvenile Crisis and Assessment Centers after their cases were adjudicated in court. The centers are short-term, unsecured residential settings.

Theres insufficient data to determine whether states with minimum age laws are likelier to see higher prosecution rates among youngsters than states without such specifications. Amy Borror, justice systems analyst for the National Juvenile Defender Center, said one commonality across the country is racial disparities where Black boys are often overrepresented in the juvenile justice system.

North Carolina Department of Public Safety figures show Black kids age 6 to 9, for example, were disproportionately accused of wrongdoing, representing 47% of complaints but just 24% of the population. White kids in that age group represent 53% of the population but 39% of complaints.

Dawn Blagrove, executive director of Emancipate NC, a racial justice advocacy group, said Black children under 10 who misbehave are likelier to be viewed as a threat despite the fact that they commit crimes at similar levels as white kids.

North Carolina lawmakers warn that the bill to raise the age of delinquency may not cross the finish line this year. Sen. Danny Britt's proposal is in limbo as intense budget negotiations take greater priority. Still up for debate is whether parents should continue to face the risk of being held in contempt of juvenile court.

Bill author Britt, a Robeson County Republican, and some law enforcement members believe the threat of fines and prison time keeps parents invested throughout the process, though only four parents were held in contempt between fiscal years 2016 and 2019. One mother spent two days in jail, according to DPS.

Blagrove supports Britt's bill but said it does not go far enough in rooting out systemic racism.

What we are seeing is Republicans finding the easiest, the most innocuous, the least impactful ways to create change to a system that needs massive overhaul without actually disrupting the system, Blagrove said.

Britt noted that Democrats failed to take action on the issue despite controlling the General Assembly for years before Republicans gained power in 2010.

In the meantime, lawmakers and activists on both sides of the aisle are finding common ground: dissatisfaction with North Carolina remaining dead last in something.

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Follow Anderson on Twitter at https://twitter.com/BryanRAnderson.

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Anderson is a corps member for the Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
GREENSBURG, Ky. (AP)  U.S. Sen. Rand Paul complained bitterly Tuesday about the government's COVID-19 response but did not single out former President Donald Trump for blame, instead accusing Kentucky's governor and Dr. Anthony Fauci of encroaching on personal freedom.

In a home state appearance in Greensburg, Kentucky, the libertarian-leaning Republican said Americans should make their own decisions on whether to be vaccinated.

We dont really need people who believe in some sort of elitism to tell us what to do," said Paul, who is an eye surgeon, speaking before a luncheon audience. I think weve got pretty good sense.

Paul noted that most people age 65 and older have receive their vaccinations, saying they figured out it was in their best interest to do so.

In a free society, we make these decisions individually, he said.

Paul acknowledged Trump as one of the big leaders" of the national Republican Party but said the GOP has a lot of leaders. Paul deflected a question about whether he might seek the presidency again, saying he is focused on his 2022 Senate reelection bid.

Paul's talk of individuality comes as the Biden administration tries to reach its COVID-19 vaccination goal by sending A-list officials across the country, devising ads for niche markets and enlisting community organizers to persuade unvaccinated people to get a shot.

Paul opened his wide-ranging remarks by taking aim at Fauci, the nations top government infectious-diseases expert, and Kentucky's Democratic governor, Andy Beshear.

Paul has sparred with Fauci over the need to wear masks once coronavirus vaccines were available and over how COVID-19 originated. The senator told the rural GOP crowd Tuesday that Fauci was busy being political and elitist, adding: Were smart enough to make our own decisions.

The senator lambasted Beshear over his virus-related restrictions on businesses that have since been lifted, saying: In our state, the governor decided that he was king. Beshear has said his actions saved lives.

The Kentucky Supreme Court is currently reviewing a separation-of-powers case stemming from measures passed by the state's GOP-dominated legislature to limit the governors executive powers. Beshear filed a lawsuit after lawmakers overrode his vetoes of bills reining in his executive authority. Paul called it the most important case before the states high court in decades.

Because if the court rules that the legislature cannot limit a governors powers, then you have a governor with unlimited powers," the senator said Tuesday. "And it is incredibly dangerous.

After his speech, Paul defended his focus on the past virus-related actions. He said he gets more questions about his clashes with Fauci than any other topic when meeting with Kentuckians.

I think its still very present on peoples minds," the senator told reporters. "I think it also was the greatest restrictions of our freedom in a long, long time. Its hard to look for a precedent of where government got so involved in our daily lives over the past many decades.

Paul also criticized a push by liberal advocates to change or eliminate the Senates filibuster rules, saying he also opposed such efforts when Republicans led the chamber.

We have a danger zone until the election of 2022, he said, adding that removing the filibuster would lead to all kinds of michief by Democrats  including widespread voting by mail and confiscatory tax policies.

He said that having things go at a slower pace can be a good thing.

Paul is seeking a third Senate term in next year's election. Charles Booker, a Black former state lawmaker who touts a progressive agenda, has emerged as a leading potential Democratic challenger. Paul made no reference to Booker during his appearance in Greensburg.

Paul did downplay prospects for a repeat run for the presidency in 2024. The Kentucky senator ran for the White House in 2016 but his campaign fizzled as Trump overshadowed the GOP field.

Paul said Tuesday that he's focused on his reelection campaign, and said the national GOP political scene will be upended until President Trump decides what he's going to do."

And so I think we wait and see," Paul said when asked about a 2024 presidential bid. "But its not something that Im actively thinking, oh, this is my next step. Im not really thinking toward that. It would have to be some extraordinary set of events to come together probably for me to consider it.

Asked if Trump remains the leader of the national GOP, Paul said: The Republican Party is a big party, so I think there are many leaders. And former President Trump is one of the big leaders in the party. But its not monolithic.
Before the pandemic hit, Jacqueline Bartley, a mother of two girls and a boy, had a comfortable life. Then the 41-year-old lost her job at American Airlines, quickly spent her savings and found herself months behind on the $1,350-a-month home she rented. Until then she had never missed a rent payment.

Bartley, of Durham, North Carolina, turned to the state's rental assistance program and was relieved in January to be awarded $8,100. But she says her landlord refused the money after she rejected his request to amend her two-year lease to a shorter period. The program required landlords to honor leases, among other conditions, to get the money.

She turned to a second program launched this month by the state and again was approved. Last week, she learned her landlord had accepted nearly $20,000 for back rent and three months of future payments, and agreed to dismiss his eviction lawsuit.

The news means she won't be forced from her home after the federal eviction moratorium ends July 31. But the waiting and uncertainty meant months of stress.

Its been crazy especially when you have children in school, Bartley said. Its pretty much been going by a whim. OK, am I going to have somewhere to go each month?

Millions have found themselves in situations similar to Bartley's, facing possible eviction despite bold promises by governors to help renters after Congress passed the sweeping CARES Act in March 2020.

Nationwide, state leaders set aside at least $2.6 billion from the CARES Acts Coronavirus Relief Fund to prop up struggling renters, but a year later more than $425 million of that  or 16%  hadn't made it into the pockets of tenants or their landlords, according to an investigation by the Center for Public Integrity and The Associated Press.

Its mind-boggling, said Anne Kat Alexander, a project manager with Princeton Universitys Eviction Lab. I knew there were problems but thats a huge amount of money not to be disbursed in a timely manner.

Like many state leaders, North Carolina's Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper pledged to roll out an ambitious program last year offering tens of millions of dollars in federal aid that would help cover unpaid rent.

But it took months to get up and running and stopped accepting applications just weeks after it finally opened in October due to overwhelming demand. The 20 nonprofits designated to distribute the money often lacked the capacity to get it out quickly.

Then, faced with the Republican-controlled Legislature's takeover of CARES Act spending in January, the state had less money to award applicants. It eventually spent $133 million of a promised $167 million  far short of what some housing advocates say is needed.

We knew the money would not be enough. There were too many people who needed rental assistance, said Pamela Atwood, director of housing policy at the North Carolina Housing Coalition. There was a lot of poor execution in rolling out that first program and it caused a lot of inefficiency.

Tens of billions of dollars more in rental assistance have been delivered to states from the federal government in 2021, but that has been slow to be disbursed, too.

With the first round of funds in 2020, bureaucracy was not the only problem. Politics also played a role, with a handful of states, many led by Republicans and with a history of weak tenant protections, offering little to no assistance.

Then, there was the often onerous application process and an end-of-the-year federal deadline for spending the money, extended so late that some states had already pulled funding to use on other expenses. Some landlords refused to participate over restrictions that meant they could not evict a tenant who fell behind again after the assistance. Tenants sometimes short-changed themselves by filing incomplete applications.

Congress' sweeping 2020 CARES Act sent billions of dollars to states and some local governments. But it didnt mandate that any money be spent on rental assistance, leaving it to states to create their own programs and set the rules.

According to the National Low Income Housing Coalitions database of rent relief programs in 2020, Georgia, West Virginia and Tennessee, all run by Republican governors, chose not to set up statewide rent-relief programs that year, despite having higher than average historic eviction rates. South Carolina allocated less than $14 per renter-occupied household.

Georgias Department of Community Affairs tried to set up a rental assistance program with funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development in the fall of 2020, but when it became clear that a separate, larger amount of money would be coming from the U.S. Department of Treasury in 2021, the program stalled, said Susan Reif, housing unit director for Georgia Legal Services Program and director of the Eviction Prevention Project.

Still, many states did scramble into action, creating massive programs to keep families in their homes  the safest place to shelter during the coronavirus pandemic. By the summer of 2020, state and local government officials launched about 530 rental assistance programs, setting aside at least $4.3 billion from various sources.

Several states were praised for programs that ran well. Illinois, Indiana, Oregon and Washington state were among more than a dozen that reported distributing every dollar of the rental assistance set aside from the Coronavirus Relief Fund by March 31.

The Center for Public Integrity surveyed about 70 state and local agencies that the National Low Income Housing Coalition identified as having set aside Coronavirus Relief Fund money for rent help in 2020. About $1 out of every $6 of that $2.6 billion wound up getting spent on other COVID-19-related expenses, such as protective equipment, police officers' salaries and small-business loans.

Some states also spent millions of dollars setting up their programs, including North Carolina, which allocated around $20 million on administrative costs, and Hawaii, which spent $8 million. In the case of Hawaii, much of that went to help nonprofits scale up and rent space. The state also spent money on a software system in an effort to prevent fraud.

Diane Yentel, executive director of the National Low Income Housing Coalition, said last years funding challenges led Congress to earmark nearly $47 billion specifically for emergency rental assistance in December and March.

The previous funds, the vast majority of them, were very flexible and had a broad set of allowable uses," of which eviction prevention was just one, said Yentel, whose group has been tracking rental assistance programs.

Some states and cities carved out some of those funds for eviction prevention and to create emergency rental assistance programs," she said. "But many didnt or many didnt set aside enough.

Among the biggest challenges was states' failure to spend what they had allocated.

The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency received $150 million to help renters, but returned about $96 million to the state treasury, which plugged holes in the states public safety budget. The Florida Housing Finance Corporation earmarked $250 million for rental assistance but returned about $99 million to the state treasury to be spent on other programs. Eighty-three percent of Montanas $50 million set aside for rental assistance went back to the state. New York ended up spending only $47.5 million of the $100 million promised for rental assistance.

New York's 2020 rent-relief program was set up to fail, said Ellen Davidson, a staff attorney at Legal Aid Society in New York. It was a program that really punished people. There was a real intention to make sure people didnt do better in being hurt by COVID, so if they were struggling before, they should be struggling after.

Tenants had to prove they were rent-burdened before the pandemic to qualify for rent relief in 2020, though eventually that stipulation was removed.

Hawaii spent around $71 million of the $100 million initially promised, though an analysis by the Hawaii Appleseed Center for Law and Economic Justice found the state spent the most per capita, at $44.50. Still, the Legislature set a late December deadline for the spending, which meant the remaining $29 million had to be redirected to the states unemployment insurance trust fund.

It would have been better to base the ending of the program on the CARES Act spending deadline with whatever extensions were enacted, because ultimately the deadline was extended, said Gavin Thornton, the centers executive director. If that had been done, the program would have continued, and landlords and tenants would have been able to continue to access those funds, which were certainly needed.

Smaller cities and counties were affected too. In Marion County, Florida, none of the $1 million set aside for renters from the Coronavirus Relief Fund ever made it to people who needed it because the United Way of Marion County, which administered the funds, didnt have enough workers to process applications, said Scot Quintel, the organizations president. The United Way was able to distribute rent assistance from another source, but the Coronavirus Relief Fund money went back to the city for other COVID-19-related expenses.

Its just horrifying how ill-prepared some states were, said Alexander, of the Eviction Lab. Some places made it work and some places didnt, which demonstrates that the places that didnt probably could have.

In Athens, Georgia, Dylyn Price said she got about $5,800 in rental assistance but that may not prevent her from losing her home. After her pay and hours at a fast food restaurant were cut, eviction notices started arriving in early 2020. They havent let up.

Price received rental assistance from the Ark, a nonprofit administering funds from the CARES Act on behalf of the city of Athens, but the assistance ended earlier this year. Prices landlord has refused to renew her lease after it expires Wednesday.

She fears having to live, once again, in a homeless shelter with her 14-year-old son.

Its a very nauseating and uncomfortable situation to be in, Price said.

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Casey reported from Boston, Kleiner reported from Washington, D.C., and Johnston reported from Brook Park, Ohio. Casey can be reached at mcasey@ap.org. Follow him on Twitter at @mcasey1. Kleiner can be reached at skleiner@publicintegrity.org. Follow her on Twitter at @bysarahkleiner.



This story is a collaboration between The Associated Press and The Center for Public Integrity, a nonprofit investigative newsroom in Washington.
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP)  The South Carolina Senate voted Tuesday that they have no confidence in embattled Department of Juvenile Justice Director Freddie Pough.

Pough is unable to fix problems at the agency that operates the state's juvenile prisons, senators decided in a 34-4 vote. The action follows a hearing earlier this year where department employees testified to worsening conditions at the states main juvenile prison in Columbia as Pough sat behind the podium where they spoke.

Lawmakers called the hearings after a scathing report released in April by the Legislative Audit Council. The report found a significant increase in violence, problems getting timely medical care and excessive use of isolation as punishment, with some students even missing testing to get high school diplomas because they were locked up by themselves.

The unchecked violence has led to students and correctional staff being hurt on a regular basis, said Sen. Katrina Shealy on Tuesday. She added that last week, two youths were seriously injured and one correctional officer had four of her fingers broken.

I know this because the boots on the ground tell me so, said Shealy, a Republican from Lexington and longtime agency volunteer.

Shealy has led a panel of lawmakers who cast a similar no-confidence vote earlier this month. She said several senators have recently met with Gov. Henry McMaster and his staff about Pough, but it's been to no avail.

McMaster chose Pough to run the agency and is the only person who can fire him. Pough, who has led the department since 2017, has repeatedly told senators that he won't quit the job.

The governors going to continue doing the hard work of making sure the changes that need to be made at the agency are being made, said McMaster spokesman Brian Symmes. "Director Pough has already implemented important recruitment and retention policies by providing bonuses to existing employees and signing bonuses for new ones. Improvements still need to be made, and they will be.

In recent weeks, the agency has also contracted extra security officers at the Columbia prison.

A few senators objected to the vote itself, arguing it was purely symbolic and would do nothing to fix the structural issues plaguing the agency.

What needs to happen, said Sen. Gerald Malloy, a Democrat from Darlington, are juvenile justice reforms that the state failed to implement years ago. The juvenile system currently faces a bottleneck, Malloy added, noting a law that went into effect in 2019 to raise the minimum age that teenagers could be tried as adults. Malloy still voted in favor of the motion.

Of the four senators who didnt vote against Pough, all were Democrats and African Americans.

Tuesdays action was the first time a no-confidence vote has been even broached by the full Senate since June 2014, when Department of Social Services Director Lillian Koller quit a day before lawmakers planned a similar vote.

Pough himself had no comment on the Tuesday vote, according to agency spokesman Jarid Munsch: Director Pough and DJJ are focused on rehabilitating young people and supporting families throughout the state."

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Associated Press writer Jeffrey Collins contributed to this report.
ALBANY  The law firm retained by the state Assembly to conduct an impeachment investigation of Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has declined to interview numerous current and former state troopers who have worked on the detail that protects the governor and may have information about the culture and practices in the administration dating back years.

The troopers who have not been interviewed include high-ranking former members who worked for the State Police's Protective Services Unit and were close to the governor through their work, which included protecting him and his staff at the Capitol, the Executive Mansion in Albany, and residences where Cuomo has lived during his three terms in office.

The Times Union first reported June 11 that current and former troopers assigned to the elite unit were being interviewed by the state attorney general's office, which is probing sexual harassment and groping allegations that multiple women have been made against Cuomo. Those troopers said the attorney general's office contacted them several months ago, and some of the interviews led the investigators to contact additional State Police members.

But some of the same troopers interviewed for that story this week confirmed that the Assembly's investigative team, headed by the law firm Davis Polk & Wardwell, had declined to interview them despite being contacted about three months ago. At least one of those former troopers said he provided leads to the Assembly's investigators about members who were in the protective unit and might have information about the women's allegations or other purported misconduct.

It's unclear whether the law firm has been restrained in its investigation by the Assembly Judiciary Committee, which is steering the probe. A member of the Judiciary Committee, speaking on the condition of anonymity, also questioned whether the law firm might be unwilling to interview the troopers without issuing subpoenas to compel their testimony.

The Judiciary Committee is scheduled to meet Wednesday morning. Officials familiar with the matter said the subject of whether to authorize subpoena authority to Davis Polk in its investigation may be a topic of discussion at the meeting.

Assemblyman Charles D. Lavine, chair of the Judiciary Committee, on Tuesday afternoon declined to comment for this story.

The firm's decision not to interview the current and former troopers, according to some observers, may raise questions about the thoroughness of the Assembly's impeachment investigation. In March, when the Assembly's Democratic Majority leaders announced they had selected Davis Polk, there were concerns raised then about the independence of the law firm because of its tacit connections to Cuomo: New York's chief judge of the Court of Appeals, Janet DiFiore, who was appointed by Cuomo, is married to Dennis E. Glazer, a retired attorney who had worked at Davis Polk for 31 years; he was the head of litigation practice for the firm.

Glazer is chairman of the College Council at the state University of New York's Purchase College. He was appointed to the council by Cuomo. There is no compensation for the role but members are reimbursed for expenses.

Debra Katz, an attorney for Charlotte Bennett  a former Cuomo aide who is among multiple women to accuse the governor of sexual harassment  had in March characterized the Assembly's selection of Davis Polk as alarming due to the potential conflicts between Glazer, Cuomo and DiFiore, who as a Court of Appeals judge would also preside over any impeachment trial.

"This is an unacceptable conflict of interest," Katz said on March 17 in a statement. "The impeachment investigation must operate free of political influence and must be transparent, detailing for the public the steps being taken to protect the integrity of their impeachment investigation. We already know the extent to which Gov. Cuomo has surrounded himself with people in the Executive Chamber who enabled his behavior and swept evidence of sexual harassment under the rug."

Katz could not be reached for comment on Tuesday.

The heads of two labor unions representing state troopers and State Police investigators  the Police Benevolent Association of the New York State Troopers and the New York State Police Investigators Association  both confirmed Tuesday they were aware of members being interviewed by the attorney general's investigators, but not by the Assembly's investigative team.

"I have no knowledge of any of my people being interviewed by anyone in the Legislature or anyone working for them," said Timothy M. Dymond, a State Police senior investigator and president of NYSPIA.

Trooper Thomas Mungeer, president of the troopers PBA, said the union has provided access to legal counsel for any members who requested it as a result of being interviewed in any investigation of Cuomo.

"I do not know of any troopers that have reached out to the PBA for representation because they were contacted by the Assembly investigators," Mungeer said.

The law firm was also assigned to examine the governor's handling of nursing homes during the height of the pandemic, as well as the state's investigation into a cover-up by the construction firm that built the new Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge.

Assembly Minority Leader William Barclay said his members on the Judiciary Committee have not indicated they have any issues with the thoroughness of the Davis Polk investigation.

Still, "I hope all investigations (of Cuomo) proceed in a complete manner, but I hope also that they move with expediency, because I do feel that there has been wrongdoing and there needs to be accountability, and I hope thats where this all ends up," Barclay said.

The attorney general's interviews with current and former members of the governor's Protective Services Unit have taken place over the past three months. As noted in the Times Union report earlier this month, the troopers and investigators on the protective detail have also been required to sign non-disclosure agreements that describe their role with the governor as a "special trust," according to language in the agreement.

"During your work you become aware of information concerning the personal and professional behavior of the governor, his family, or members of his staff as well as other officials," states the agreement, which predates Cuomo's time as governor. "You are ordered to treat all such information as strictly confidential and (it) must not be disclosed to any person except as necessary in the performance of your official duties."

The pace of the Assembly's investigation, which is intended to be a precursor to any potential impeachment proceeding, has been moving much slower than the attorney general's investigation, which is being led by attorneys Joon H. Kim and Anne L. Clark.

Kim has a deep background in criminal investigations as a former acting U.S. attorney for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan; Clark has extensive experience in sexual harassment cases.

blyons@timesunion.com
If unofficial election results hold up, the Working Families Party nominees to fill two Saratoga County supervisor seats will be candidates with dubious ties to the party.

Newcomers Bruce Altimar and Gabriel OBrien easily defeated incumbent Saratoga Springs Supervisor Tara Gaston, a Democrat who was the minor partys endorsed candidate. That puts them on the fall ballot.

And with that, we have the latest round of frequent ballot shenanigans affecting minor parties in New York. If youre confused, dont fret  voter confusion is part of the point.

Heres what apparently happened: A few dozen conservative activists in Saratoga County enrolled in the WFP to effect a hostile takeover. Their aim was to deny Ms. Gaston progressive votes in the Board of Supervisors general election, perhaps costing her the race.

They hijacked the line, Joe Seeman, a WFP volunteer, told Times Union reporter Wendy Liberatore.

It sure seems so. And the victims will be voters tricked into believing that Mr. Altimar and Mr. OBrien, who both recently registered in the party, hold the WFPs progressive views.

Weve seen this game before. You may remember, for example, that Carmella Mantello, a longtime Republican in Troy whos now City Council president, somehow ended up representing the liberal Green Party two years ago.

Well, you might say, politics isnt bean bag. Plus, if minor parties cant get a preferred candidate over the top  Ms. Gaston received just two WFP primary votes, according to early results  dont they share in the blame?

Certainly. But at the root of these shenanigans is New Yorks fusion system that allows third parties to cross-endorse candidates.

We have long argued that allowing candidates to have multiple ballot lines invites corruption. Some third parties have even turned their endorsements into bribes, trading their ballot lines for patronage jobs.

We understand the argument for fusion elections  that minor parties can use the extra ballot line to move candidates to embrace some of their priorities. And, arguably, tough new standards Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Legislature imposed on parties to qualify for a place on the ballot  standards so high that only the WFP and Conservative parties qualified  make these lines even more desirable.

But the infiltration the WFP has witnessed is likely to only get worse, making a mockery of these parties principles. Imagine a socialist on the Conservative line and you get the idea.

Parties should put up their own candidates who believe in the values and causes of the ballot line they represent. That isnt too much to ask.

The goal should be a broader range of ideological choices, not two major parties picks scattered across the ballot. Thats how well get elections that are contests of ideas from different points on the spectrum.

Ending cross endorsements may not end hostile takeovers like the one in Saratoga County. But ending the practice would make such takeovers less fruitful and consequently less common. And it would be a step toward greater honesty on New Yorks ballots.

In the meantime, voters in Saratoga County  and elsewhere  should be aware that candidates may not be what they seem.
Nureva/LogiTech Collaboration Brings Enhanced Audio Quality To Conferencing Products

By Luke Bellos , Editor, Business VoIP

Audio-tech solution developer Nureva has announced the company has officially joined the LogiTech Collaboration Program, allowing Nureva developers to bring high quality audio capabilities to LogiTech products.

Nureva developers have recognized the recent shift to hybrid working conditions as a result of last year's events, and have focused their attention on creating audio solutions that bring more clarity and less distributions to large virtual gathers. As part of this new partnership, Nurevas HDL300 audio conferencing systems will work in unison with products like LogicTech Rally Camera, LogiTech Tap, and LogiTech Roomate, providing business customers with crisp, reliable audio for virtual conferencing.

"We are thrilled to join the Logitech Collaboration Program and offer a unique solution to address the audio requirements of large meeting and learning spaces," said Nureva CEO Nancy Knowlton. "As both companies' products are certified for Microsoft Teams Rooms, the combination of Nureva and Logitech makes it easy for customers to enjoy the quality, hassle-free conferencing experience they demand."

Nureva has made a name for itself over the last few years, and has maintained a reputation in the tech space as a respected producer of effective, yet simplistic, audio systems that drastically improve video conferencing. Just two years ago, Nurevas HDL300 audio system was recommended by teleconferencing giant Zoom as the preferred audio system for Zoom Rooms, and the companys patented Microphone Mist technology was the first microphone and speaker certified for Microsoft Teams Rooms.

"We appreciate Nureva's unique approach to audio conferencing and are pleased to have them as part of our LCP," added Sudeep Trivedi, Head of Alliances and Go-To-Market at Logitech Video Collaboration. "By collaborating with Nureva, we are giving organizations more flexibility and choices in deploying well-designed, high-quality meeting experiences."

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Edited by Luke Bellos
[June 30, 2021] Benchmark, Inc. Acquires Donby Packaging

COLUMBUS, Ohio, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Benchmark Industrial Inc. is pleased to announce that they have acquired Donby Packaging, a full-service packaging supply and equipment distributor in the Cleveland area. With this acquisition, Benchmark will expand its Ohio delivery area and tap into Donby's purchasing power and supply chains. The move will bring an expanded catalog of packaging and warehouse supplies and enhanced service for customers of both companies. Jim Reid, the President of Benchmark Industrial, said, "We're very excited to welcome Donby into the Benchmark family. They have long been known for offering good service and competitive prices for their manufacturing and distribution customers. We are committed to maintaining those relationships and taking our combined service offerings from good to great." Benchmark and Donby both sell a wide range of packaging, warehouse, janitorial and safety supplies. Combining both product offerings under the Benchmark brand will offer customers greater choice. The moe expands Benchmark's purchasing power, so they can negotiate competitive prices and ensure a stable supply chain for their customers.



Benchmark provides next-day local delivery to customers in their Ohio delivery range and ships to U.S. customers nationwide. Eric Blumenthal, the President of Donby, says, "Benchmark is a company that shares our values and our commitment to customer service. We know our long-time customers will be in good hands during and after this transition."

Mr. Reid says, "We welcome Donby's current customers to the Benchmark family. We want to assure you that you'll continue to receive the service and value you expect. We look forward to continuing to grow in Ohio and across North America." About Benchmark Industrial

Benchmark Industrial, Inc. is an Ohio-based, privately held company offering a broad range of packaging, warehouse, safety and janitorial products. Since 1963, customers in distribution, food service and manufacturing have counted on Benchmark for excellent service, expert advice and high-quality products. Headquartered in Columbus, Ohio, they provide personalized service and next-day delivery for customers throughout central Ohio and ship to customers across the U.S. About Donby Packaging

Donby is a full-service packaging and warehouse supply company located in Brooklyn Heights, Ohio. Founded in 1960, Donby provides packaging, paper and warehouse supplies and packaging equipment for manufacturers and distribution centers. Their purchasing power allows them to negotiate competitive rates on packaging supplies for their customers. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/benchmark-inc-acquires-donby-packaging-301322702.html SOURCE Benchmark Industrial Supply

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[June 30, 2021] Best's Special Report: Cannabis Insurance Market Growth Expected, But Federal Laws Remain a Roadblock

While potential demand for insurance products covering the cannabis industry is poised to follow this market's favorable revenue growth projections, conflicting state and federal laws continue to pose a hurdle for insurers looking to enter the segment, according to a new AM Best report. A new Best's Special Report, "Cannabis Insurance Market Growth Expected, but Federal Laws Remain a Roadblock," discusses the federal legislation that could remove major obstacles that have left large insurers on the outside of this nascent market. The report details the key impediments that remain for insurers, which include, but are not limited to: Despite state-level legalization efforts, marijuana remains classified as a banned controlled substance under federal law. This potentially exposes related assets, financial transactions and insurance premiums to civil forfeiture proceedings.

Most existing professional liability and directors & officers (D&O) coverage could be technically invalid under federal law, which makes it difficult for accountants and other professional firms to deal with cannabis businesses.

The cannabis market contends with limited insurance capacity, which is mainly through excess & surplus carriers. Until admitted carriers enter, unmet insurance demand will persist across various stages of production and distribution. A key measure in opening this market could be The SAFE Banking Act of 2021, whih has already passed in the U.S. House of Representatives. It provides that proceeds of transactions with cannabis-related legitimate businesses (CLB) and their service providers would no longer be considered as arising from an unlawful transaction. Additionally, the bill would allow financial institutions to facilitate payments for a CLB or service provider using a depository institution, and authorize insurance companies to underwrite for CLBs and their service providers.



Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas recently weighed in on this legal jurisdictional conflict in regard to a Colorado medical marijuana dispensary that appealed the denial of a federal tax break. Thomas stated that the federal government's current approach could be characterized as a "half-in, half-out regime that simultaneously tolerates and forbids local use of marijuana." The report also notes that surplus lines carriers have been answering the call for coverage options in this area of business. Some industry experts argue that much of the coverage offered is modestly to egregiously overpriced and overly restrictive, with some forms regarded as offering illusory coverage. There is currently limited capacity in the market, with the only choice being excess & surplus carriers.

To access the full copy of this special report, please visit http://www3.ambest.com/bestweek/purchase.asp?record_code=310196 . AM Best is a global credit rating agency, news publisher and data analytics provider specializing in the insurance industry. Headquartered in the United States, the company does business in over 100 countries with regional offices in London, Amsterdam, Dubai, Hong Kong, Singapore and Mexico City. For more information, visit www.ambest.com. Copyright  2021 by A.M. Best Rating Services, Inc. and/or its affiliates. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005565/en/

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[June 30, 2021] Bright Machines Welcomes McMillin Automation Concepts as a Manufacturers' Representative

Today, Bright Machines, an industry leader in intelligent, software-defined manufacturing, announced a new partnership with McMillin Automation Concepts, a CNC equipment distributor specializing in sheet metal fabrication and structural steel fabrication. McMillin Automation Concepts will now offer Bright Machines Microfactories -- the integration of intelligent software with adaptive robotics to automate assembly and inspection tasks -- to their customers in Missouri and Iowa. "Bright Machines Microfactories help our customers achieve predictable output, increased capacity, and improved overall equipment effectiveness," said Steve Heinzen, Business Development Director, Bright Machines. "We're excited to have McMillin Automation Concepts join our growing roster, extending the reach of manufacturers who can realize the benefits of smart automation in their factories." "With over 13 years in the CNC Equipment industry as well as an additional six years in the steel plate and tube industry, we strive to find the correct solution at the right price to increase our customers' productivity as well as profitability. Bright Machines will be a great addition to our portfolio," said Chris McMillin, President of McMillin Automation Concepts. About Bright Machines Headquartered in San Francisco, Bright Machines is an industry-leading technology company that offers a revolutionary approach to intelligent, software-defined manufacturing. It leverages computer vision, machine learning, 3D simulation, and adaptive robotics to fundamentally change the flexibility, scalability, and economics of production. With more than 500 employees worldwide, they operate R&D centers in the U.S. and Israel, with additional field operations in the U.S., Mexico, China, and Poland. The company recently entered into a definitive merger agreement with SCVX (NYSE: SCVX), a special purpose acquisition company, with the intent of becoming a publicly listed company in the second half of 2021. Bright Machines is reimagining how products can be designed and produced to address the realities of today and the future ahead. Rethink everything you ever knew about manufacturing. Visit www.brightmachines.com. Additional Information and Where to Find It In connection with the proposed business combination, SCVX intends to file a Registration Statement on Form S-4, including a preliminary proxy statement/prospectus and a definitive proxy statement/prospectus with the SEC (News - Alert) . SCVX's stockholders and other interested persons are advised to read, when available, the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus and the amendments thereto and the definitive proxy statement/prospectus and documents incorporated by reference therein filed in connection with the proposed business combination, as these materials will contain important information about Bright Machines, SCVX, and the proposed business combination. When available, the definitive proxy staement/prospectus and other relevant materials for the proposed business combination will be mailed to stockholders of SCVX as of a record date to be established for voting on the proposed business combination. Stockholders will also be able to obtain copies of the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus, the definitive proxy statement/prospectus, and other documents filed with the SEC that will be incorporated by reference therein, without charge, once available, at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to: c/o Strategic Cyber Ventures, 1220 L St. NW, Suite 100-397, Washington, DC 20005.



Participants in the Solicitation SCVX and Bright Machines and their respective directors and executive officers may be considered participants in the solicitation of proxies with respect to the potential transaction described in this press release under the rules of the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of SCVX is set forth in SCVX's Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, on April 6, 2021, and is available free of charge at the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov, or by directing a request to: c/o Strategic Cyber Ventures, 1220 L St. NW, Suite 100-397, Washington, DC 20005. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of the SCVX shareholders in connection with the potential transaction will be set forth in the registration statement containing the preliminary proxy statement/prospectus when it is filed with the SEC. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.

No Offer or Solicitation This press release shall not constitute a solicitation of a proxy, consent, or authorization with respect to any securities or in respect of the proposed business combination. This press release shall also not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any states or jurisdictions in which such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offering of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or an exemption therefrom. Forward Looking Statements Certain statements herein may be considered forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements generally relate to future events or SCVX's or Bright Machines' future financial or operating performance. For example, statements about the expected timing of the completion of the proposed business combination, the benefits of the proposed business combination, the competitive environment, and the expected future performance and market opportunities of Bright Machines are forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may", "should", "expect", "intend", "will", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "predict", "potential" or "continue", or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar terminology. Such forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by SCVX and its management, and Bright Machines and its management, as the case may be, are inherently uncertain. Factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations include, but are not limited to: (1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the merger agreement; (2) the outcome of any legal proceedings that may be instituted against SCVX, Bright Machines, the combined company or others following the announcement of the proposed business combination; (3) the inability to complete the proposed business combination due to the failure to obtain approval of the shareholders of SCVX or to satisfy other conditions to closing; (4) changes to the proposed structure of the proposed business combination that may be required or appropriate as a result of applicable laws or regulations or as a condition to obtaining regulatory approval of the proposed business combination; (5) the ability to meet stock exchange listing standards at or following the consummation of the proposed business combination; (6) the risk that the proposed business combination disrupts current plans and operations of Bright Machines as a result of the announcement and consummation of the proposed business combination; (7) the ability to recognize the anticipated benefits of the proposed business combination, which may be affected by, among other things, competition, the ability of the combined company to grow and manage growth profitably, maintain relationships with customers and suppliers and retain its management and key employees; (8) costs related to the proposed business combination; (9) changes in applicable laws or regulations; (10) the possibility that Bright Machines or the combined company may be adversely affected by other economic, business and/or competitive factors; and (11) other risks and uncertainties set forth in the section entitled "Risk Factors" and "Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" in SCVX's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, and which will be set forth in the registration statement to be filed by SCVX with the SEC in connection with the proposed business combination. Nothing herein should be regarded as a representation by any person that the forward-looking statements set forth herein will be achieved or that any of the contemplated results of such forward-looking statements will be achieved. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date they are made. Neither SCVX nor Bright Machines undertakes any duty to update these forward-looking statements. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005013/en/

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[June 30, 2021] Brooklinen Announces New Investment from Freeman Spogli & Co.

BROOKLYN, N.Y., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Brooklinen, Inc., a leading direct-to-consumer brand in the home essentials category, today announced that it has secured an investment from Freeman Spogli & Co. The partnership will help support Brooklinen's continued growth of its direct-to-consumer ecommerce business and accelerate the expansion of its retail and wholesale branches. Existing investor Summit Partners will continue to support the company's growth. Specific terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Founded in 2014 and headquartered in Brooklyn, New York, Brooklinen has successfully disrupted the overpriced and overcomplicated bedding industry by offering luxury sheets and home goods at a reasonable price. In 2018, Brooklinen expanded its product line beyond the bedroom to include bath, loungewear, accessories and Spaces, its home goods marketplace. "We are excited to partner with Freeman Spogli and to continue our partnership with Summit as Brooklinen rapidly grows," said Rich Fulop, co-founder and CEO of Brooklinen. "This year we've doubled down on our commitment to provide comfort to our customers, and this investment will help us continue to reach them both online and in-person through our expanding retail fleet." "Rich and the rest of the team have done a remarkable job building Brooklinen into a leading direct-to-consumer brand focused on providing accessible luxury bed and bath products to a diverse set of customers," said Ben Geiger, a Partner at Freeman Spogli. "Brooklinen's unique value proposition has resulted in strong growth, impressive profitability and brand loyalty. We are thrilled to partner with the Brooklinen team and look forward to leveraging our extensive experience with consumer growth concepts to help the business successfully execute upon its future growth and operating initiatives." ummit Partners, which invested in Brooklinen in early 2020, will retain an equity stake in the company. "The Summit team has worked closely with Brooklinen to build the team and infrastructure and has helped position the company for continued growth. Summit Partners is an experienced, like-minded investor, and we are excited to be partnering with Chris Dean and the team at Summit on this investment going forward," added Jordan Hathaway, a Partner at Freeman Spogli.



Moelis & Company LLC acted as exclusive financial advisor and exclusive placement agent to Brooklinen. Lowenstein Sandler LLP provided legal counsel to the company, Kirkland & Ellis LLP provided legal counsel to Summit Partners, and Morgan, Lewis & Bockius LLP provided legal counsel to Freeman Spogli. About Brooklinen

Launched in 2014, Brooklinen has established itself as the leading e-commerce disrupter of the overpriced and overcomplicated home essentials industry, offering global customers a curated collection of stylish, luxury-grade linens at an accessible price point. Based in Brooklyn, New York, the brand was founded on the philosophy that people deserve simple, beautiful home essentials without the luxury markup. By cutting out the middleman, Brooklinen manufactures responsibly and efficiently to offer exquisite design and exceptional savings, bringing effortless, affordable luxury to any home. Expanding beyond the bedroom in 2018, Brooklinen introduced bath goods and loungewear to bring its signature soft goods experience into more rooms throughout the home and beyond. In 2020, Brooklinen opened its first retail location in Brooklyn, NY. For additional information, visit www.brooklinen.com .

About Freeman Spogli

Freeman Spogli & Co. is a private equity firm dedicated exclusively to investing in and partnering with management in consumer and distribution companies in the United States. Since its founding in 1983, Freeman Spogli has invested over $5.1 billion in 66 portfolio companies with an aggregate transaction value of over $25 billion, and is currently making investments from FS Equity Partners VIII, L.P. Freeman Spogli has offices in Los Angeles and New York. For additional information, visit www.freemanspogli.com . About Summit Partners

Founded in 1984, Summit Partners is a global alternative investment firm that is currently managing more than $28 billion in capital dedicated to growth equity, fixed income and public equity opportunities. Summit invests across growth sectors of the economy and has invested in more than 500 companies in technology, healthcare, consumer and other growth industries. Summit has partnered with more than two dozen companies across the e-commerce and consumer landscape, including a.k.a. Brands, Club Champion, Quay Eyewear, Reverb.com, Sezane, Solo Stove and onXmaps. Summit maintains offices in North America and Europe and invests in companies around the world. For more information, visit www.summitpartners.com or follow on LinkedIn . In the United States of America, Summit Partners operates as an SEC-registered investment advisor. In the United Kingdom, this document is issued by Summit Partners LLP, a firm authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Summit Partners LLP is a limited liability partnership registered in England and Wales with registered number OC388179 and its registered office is at 11-12 Hanover Square, London, W1S 1JJ, UK. This document is intended solely to provide information regarding Summit Partners' potential financing capabilities for prospective portfolio companies. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/brooklinen-announces-new-investment-from-freeman-spogli--co-301323544.html SOURCE Brooklinen

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[June 30, 2021] Built on VeChainThor, VeTrust Is Now Adopted By Local Chinese Government, Helping 300k+ Citizens Return To Normalcy

SHANGHAI, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- On the 9th of September 2020 during the on-going impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, VeChain, in conjunction with DNV, introduced the blockchain-based risk self-assessment application, VeTrust . Built on the VeChainThor public blockchain, it combines DNV's infection risk management methodology and track record of providing globally recognised compliance standards to help entities manage COVID-19 risk factors. Following adoption by hotels such as InterContinental Shanghai Hongqiao NECC, VeTrust has been steadily expanding its presence, developing new usage scenarios across various industries in China. Currently, over 200 public areas are onboarded into the VeTrust platform. On the 22nd of June 2021, during an event held by the People's Government of Suzhou New District, VeTrust was showcased as one of the Top 10 blockchain applications and was formally acknowledged by officials. In the pursuit of more effective top-down COVID-19 risk management, the local government has been using the VeTrust platform to visualize the process of infection risk management for all administrative areas in the district. It covers a total of 95 residential communities and over 300,000 residents (as of 2021), with immutable, trustless proof of hygiene compliance being securely shared with the government daily. VeTrust provides a standardised framework for self-assessment in infection risk management, assisting community officials in their management duties. The level of readiness of a certain community will e assessed by a weighted calculation, displayed visually as QR codes (Green  Conformity, Yellow  Readiness, Red  Nonconformity). Through the VeTrust dashboard, other public officers such as administrative teams can also easily access data related to the implementation of infection risk management standards in a seamless, instantaneous nature and verify that the health and safety of community residents are being maintained.



Utilizing the secure and scalable VeChainThor public blockchain, VeTrust's application model of combining blockchain and administrative governance is able to guarantee a higher level of health and safety, as well as a better and more safe living environment for community residents, enhancing the sense of security, mitigating epidemiological risk and improving quality of life. A Bright Future

As the world continues to develop 'smart cities', applications such as VeTrust create a receptive environment for the technology and open up further possibilities for blockchain adoption and usage. As a critical trust layer for data, blockchain has the power to fundamentally change how society operates, removing intermediaries and falsities from the vast volumes of data created daily. The potential of immutable, decentralised data is unprecedented, promising to deliver disruption and innovation on a scale not seen since the birth of the internet. VeTrust is further proof that blockchain is far more than just a speculative, theoretical and abstract technology. The adoption and real world usage of VeTrust by the local government in Suzhou showcases the potential of blockchain as a powerful technological asset and by proxy, signals to the world that the VeChainThor blockchain is secure, scalable and ready for deployment as a commercial application layer. With years of development in a variety of key industries, VeChain continues to demonstrate why it will help lead the public blockchain revolution and unleash mass adoption of the technology around the globe. About VeChain

Launched in 2015, VeChain Technology is a global leading enterprise-friendly blockchain company which aims to connect blockchain technology to the real world by providing enterprises with blockchain-enabled solutions suited to their business needs. It offers VeChain ToolChain, a low-code blockchain-based SaaS platform that allows enterprise clients to rapidly build and drive digital transformation on a global scale, enabling the evolution of a trust-free and a distributed ecosystem. VeChain Technology is a pioneer of real-world blockchain applications, with international offices in China, Singapore, Luxembourg, Japan, France, Italy and the United States. With strong independent development capabilities, combined with the professional compliance guidance of our strategic partners, PwC and DNV, VeChain has established partnerships with many leading enterprises in various industries, including Walmart China, Bayer China, BMW Group, BYD Auto, PICC, Shanghai Gas, LVMH, D.I.G, ASI Group etc. Website: www.vechain.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/built-on-vechainthor-vetrust-is-now-adopted-by-local-chinese-government-helping-300k-citizens-return-to-normalcy-301322780.html SOURCE VeChain

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[June 30, 2021] DDN Selected by Bytesnet to Provide Differentiated and Customizable 'Pay-Per-Use' Storage Services for Data-Intensive Organizations

CHATSWORTH, Calif., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- DDN , the global leader in artificial intelligence (AI) and multi-cloud data management solutions, today announced Bytesnet, a 100% Dutch service provider, has selected DDN to address the diverse storage needs of government, public and private organizations in the Netherlands. In addition to providing networking and co-location data centers that meet the performance, security and data sovereignty requirements of these entities, Bytesnet is rapidly evolving and expanding its value-added services to deliver a compute and storage one-stop-shop designed to facilitate complex, data-intensive projects and faster time to results for its customers. Government and research organizations in need of data-intensive computing capabilities are often connected to university data centers that can be inflexible, expensive and do not provide on-demand access to required resources. Bytesnet now offers a more cost-effective pay-per-use alternative with a centralized infrastructure with the ability to scale as needed to meet researchers' needs. "We saw an opportunity to provide researchers with a new way to access resources, and began proactively developing solutions to meet these complex needs with innovative technology as well as our expertise to create greater cost and operational efficiencies," said Leo de Vries, Businessline Manager HPC & Data Analytics, Bytesnet. "DDN is known for develping and delivering the most high-performance solutions, and their commitment to helping us create a strategic environment for customers is invaluable. With DDN, we can not only expand our own business, but enable customers to tackle the most data-intensive applications today and in the future."



DDN's broad solution portfolio ensures that Bytesnet can meet the requirements of the most demanding projects. DDN DataFlow all-inclusive software allows Bytesnet to design, deploy and operate high-performance data workflows at-scale from a single platform. Utilizing EXAScaler, DDN's parallel file system that accelerates processing, Bytesnet can leverage greater capacity in combination with a large GPU, creating an ideal fit for research departments. "Bytesnet is offering researchers a service where they can focus on solving problems rather than managing infrastructure and systems, and DDN is committed to providing solutions that deliver the performance and throughput needed to scale and meet these rigorous demands," said Kurt Kuckein, senior vice president of marketing, DDN. "As Bytesnet continues to expand its business and grow its data center footprint, DDN is committed to working together to cost-effectively support data-intensive research and to continuously improve how its customers' data is stored and distributed."

For more information about the Bytesnet infrastructure and how it is changing the business model for research organizations in The Netherlands, read the Success Story and discover the power of the parallel file system's single platform. Learn more about other DDN customer successes here. About DDN

DDN is the world's largest private data storage company and the leading provider of intelligent technology and infrastructure solutions for Enterprise At Scale, AI and analytics, HPC, government and academia customers. Through its DDN and Tintri divisions the company delivers AI, Data Management software and hardware solutions, and unified analytics frameworks to solve complex business challenges for data-intensive, global organizations. DDN provides its enterprise customers with the most flexible, efficient and reliable data storage solutions for on-premises and multi-cloud environments at any scale. Over the last two decades, DDN has established itself as the data management provider of choice for over 11,000 enterprises, government, and public-sector customers, including many of the world's leading financial services firms, life science organizations, manufacturing and energy companies, research facilities, and web and cloud service providers. Contact:

Press Relations at DDN

pr@ddn.com Walt & Company, on behalf of DDN

Sharon Sumrit, 408.369.7200 x2981

ddn@walt.com 2021 All rights reserved. DataFlow, DDN and EXAScaler are trademarks or registered trademarks owned by DataDirect Networks. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ddn-selected-by-bytesnet-to-provide-differentiated-and-customizable-pay-per-use-storage-services-for-data-intensive-organizations-301323306.html SOURCE DataDirect Networks (DDN)

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[June 30, 2021] Destaco Expands Press Shop Solutions with New Universal Sheet Metal Grippers

DOWNERS GROVE, Ill., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Destaco , part of Dover (NYSE: DOV), is pleased to announce the launch of the 84N5 lightweight, high-speed sheet metal gripper for automotive press-shop applications. This new, patented gripper is designed to boost productivity in automotive stamping operations with actuation speed, versatility and flexibility. The 84N5 sheet metal gripper is part of Destaco's Accelerate Collection of lightweight tooling solutions. Durable and lightweight press shop solutions are in demand for automotive applications to support shorter production runs at a faster rate and to adapt to changing market requirements. The 84N5 is a cost-effective combination of strength, speed, durability and lightweight materials that delivers smooth, high-velocity gripping operation. "Uptime, faster throughput and reduced maintenance costs are critical for our automotive clients to stay competitive," said Gary Labadie, Global Product Director at Destaco. "The 84N5 gripper excels across these key metrics, while adjustability and high configurability deliver the added benefit of reducing on-site inventory needs." The 84N5 pneumatic gripper differs from traditional fixed-function sheet metal grippers by allowing users to adjust to any opening angle, reconfigure jaw styles from straight to 90 degrees to an open double jaw, and add multipoint sensing options. The compact size esults in a 30% weight reduction, and its extensive mounting options support most current and new press shop applications.



Destaco's 84N5 increases return on investment with 100% in-field re-configurability to meet new application requirements as press shops re-tool for their dye sets. Press shops can use the color-coded tips to change from single to double tip grip operation for materials ranging from 0.4 millimeter to 3.4 millimeters thick while performing a simple one-step precision opening angle adjustment to optimize speed. The 84N5 operation is also designed to maintain a solid part grip in the event of air pressure loss. To learn more about any of Destaco's high-performance automation, workholding or remote-handling solutions, please visit destaco.com or call (888) DESTACO (888-337-8226).

About Destaco:

Destaco, a Dover Corporation company, is a global leader in the design and manufacture of high-performance automation, workholding and remote-handling solutions. The company serves customers in a variety of end-markets, including the automotive, life sciences, consumer packaged goods, aerospace, industrial and nuclear sectors. Built on a legacy of more than 100 years, Destaco offers a comprehensive portfolio of products designed to engineer precise movement, placement and control solutions that drive productivity and uptime for manufacturers around the world. The Destaco family of products consists of industry-leading brands such as Destaco Manual Clamps, Power Clamps, and End Effectors; Camco and Ferguson Indexers; Robohand Grippers; and CRL Manipulators and Transfer Ports. Destaco is based in Auburn Hills, Michigan, U.S.A. The company has more than 800 employees with 13 locations, in 9 countries, across the Americas, Europe and Asia. About Dover:

Dover is a diversified global manufacturer and solutions provider with annual revenue of approximately $7 billion. We deliver innovative equipment and components, consumable supplies, aftermarket parts, software and digital solutions, and support services through five operating segments: Engineered Products, Fueling Solutions, Imaging & Identification, Pumps & Process Solutions and Refrigeration & Food Equipment. Dover combines global scale, operational agility, world-class engineering capability and customer intimacy to lead the markets we serve. Recognized for our entrepreneurial approach for over 60 years, our team of approximately 24,000 employees takes an ownership mindset, collaborating with customers to redefine what's possible. Headquartered in Downers Grove, Illinois, Dover trades on the New York Stock Exchange under "DOV." Additional information is available at?dovercorporation.com.??? Destaco Contact:

Kristen Fairbrother

(248) 836-6674

kfairbrother@destaco.com Dover?Media?Contact:

Adrian?Sakowicz, VP, Communications????

(630) 743-5039????

asakowicz@dovercorp.com ???? Dover Investor Contact:

Andrey?Galiuk, VP, Corporate Development and Investor Relations???

(630) 743-5131???

agaliuk@dovercorp.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/destaco-expands-press-shop-solutions-with-new-universal-sheet-metal-grippers-301323254.html SOURCE Dover

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[June 30, 2021] Dtonic Wins Top Prize at SelectUSA Tech Asia-Pacific Finals

SEOUL, South Korea, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Dtonic, a member of Born2Global Centre, specializing in spatio-temporal big data processing, became the first Korean company to win SelectUSA Tech's Asia-Pacific pitch competition final. The SelectUSA Tech pitch contest, part of the SelectUSA Investment Summit 2021, was held online from June 7-11, and was attended by 1,400 participants from 80 countries. The Summit was divided into 13 sessions, featuring startups that had won their local preliminaries. Dtonic earned eligibility to participate as the Korean representative in the global pitching contest by winning the Korean pitching contest hosted by the U.S. Embassy in Seoul on April 16, where Dtonic's pitch gained attention even amidst those of local winning teams from Japan, Thailand, Indonesia, Singapore, Cambodia and the Philippines. The results of the Korea pitching contest were as follows: Dtonic won first plae, while second and third place were won by Cambodia (Singapore) and Dealogikal (Philippines), respectively.



Dtonic was not only featured in the SelectUSA Investment Summit's pitch competition and an online booth at the event's virtual platform, but engaged in online networking with American companies and had business meetings with representatives of the Department of Commerce of Arizona, Maryland and Michigan. The SelectUSA Investment Summit, which is in its eighth year, is operated by the US Department of Commerce.

Yong-Joo Jun, CEO of Dtonic, said, "It was an immense honor for Dtonic to win after competing with many excellent companies. We learned a great deal from the many talented, idea-rich companies from diverse countries and industrial sectors that were present that daythanks to which we gained a new business opportunity. We acquired information from the SelectUSA Investment Summit that was very, very useful in breaking into the American marketfor which we are grateful to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. Embassy & Consulate in South Korea. We also appreciate all the help provided by the Born2Global Center, the Korea Institute of Startup & Entrepreneurship Development, and the Gyeonggi Provincial Office." Dtonic is a big data company that deals with spatio-temporal big data. The company started as an in-house venture by Hyundai Motor Company and was spun off in 2014. It has successfully developed technology necessary to process spatio-temporal big data and is currently expanding into the field of smart cities and etc. Dtonic's technology Geo-Hiker resembles a boosting engine that helps speed up processing and analysis of spatio-temporal big data. It utilizes a top-notch indexing algorithm based on the spatio-temporal characteristics of big data. In addition, advanced data distribution technology is applied for optimal channel load between nodes to maximize data processing performance. This technology was introduced to Hyundai Motor Company and the Korean Road Traffic Authority and will be used in the Busan Eco-Delta Smart City and Smart Campus projects as well as projects for autonomous vehicles and future mobility, smart factories, and smart farms. Spatio-temporal big data technology developed by Dtonic is regarded as the core of Korea's COVID-19 Epidemiological Investigation Support System (EISS), which played a pivotal role in the success of Korean quarantine. Today, EISS is being exported worldwide. This contribution by Dtonic proved excellence of Korea's quarantine system to the world. Dtonic is also preparing to enter Europe and the Middle East through and arrange technology transfer with local companies. For more detailed information on Dtonic, visit https://www.dtonic.io/. Media contact Dtonic: noora90@dtonic.io

Born2Global Centre: jlee@born2global.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/dtonic-wins-top-prize-at-selectusa-tech-asia-pacific-finals-301321487.html SOURCE Born2Global Centre

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[June 30, 2021] Firmenich Marks 3 Years of its Flagship ALIBABA E-shop with Broadest Ingredients Portfolio & Enhanced Digital Experience

SHANGHAI, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Firmenich, the world's largest privately-owned perfume and taste company, marks third anniversary of its flagship ALIBABA e-shop, with an enhanced range of fragrance and flavor ingredients and a best-in-class digital customer experience. Offering a quadrupled selection of signature products, the pioneering Firmenich ALIBABA e-shop includes a brand new series of flavor ingredients aimed at SMEs (small and medium-sized enterprises) in China. Marking a new digital milestone for direct customer engagement, the e-platform offers an improved payment system, one-click access to marketing kits, and immediate access to customer service online. "Firmenich is advancing digitalization within the industry and focusing on improving the experience for our customers via digital touchpoints. We are well placed to remain at the leading edge of digital transformation with such a strong partner as ALIBABA," said Paul Andersson, President of Firmenich China. "We have multiple collaborations with the ALIBABA group across much of its ecosystem and we look forward to deepening our partnership even further to serve our customers in China." "As a key step in our digital transformation, we were the first fragrance and flavor house to implement an e-shop with ALIBABA three years ago," said Eric Saracchi, Chief Digital and Information Officer. "Collaborating with China's recognized digital leader allowed us to better understand Chinese consumers by leveraging TMALL data to activate sales across this robust digital platform. We now have uique knowhow in building digital experiences that deliver tangible success with ALIBABA for our customers."



"We are proud to partner with Firmenich, a leading global fragrance and flavor house, to bring an enhanced digital purchasing experience to customers in China," said Wang Hai, Vice President of ALIBABA Group and General Manager, China Domestic Trading Division. "Consumer behavior is driving a new wave of industrial progress. It requires the construction of a flexible digital supply chain, from upstream industrial raw materials to downstream consumer experience. The trend for C2M (consumer to manufacturer) strategies to meet branding and personalized needs is inevitable." Firmenich was the first in the industry to set up a dedicated flagship ALIBABA e-shop in March 2018 on 1688.com. The Group has been at the forefront of perfecting the customer purchasing experience on this unique platform. Two years later, in 2020, Firmenich signed a C2M partnership with ALIBABA in Hangzhou to support consumer brands and speed up their commercialization in the e-commerce space. Within the first three months of the partnership, Firmenich successfully enabled the launch of several customers' products on ALIBABA's marketplace. These included customized fragrances for Guokai's air fresheners and flavors for KuShi's sugarless sparkling water.

In 2021, Firmenich joined with ALIBABA Group's TMALL Baby and TMALL Household Cleansing departments to host the Air Care and Laundry customer salons in China, bringing together Firmenich's expertise on fragrances and TMALL's huge consumer database to support downstream manufacturers who wish to innovate in the market. About Firmenich Firmenich is the world's largest privately-owned perfume and taste company, founded in Geneva, Switzerland, in 1895 and has bee n family-owned for 125 years. Firmenich is a leading business-to-business company operating primarily in the fragrance and taste market, specialized in the research, creation, manufacture and sale of perfumes, flavors and ingredients. Renowned for its world-class research and creativity, as well as its leadership in sustainability, Firmenich offers its customers superior innovation in formulation, a broad and high-quality palette of ingredients, and proprietary technologies including biotechnology, encapsulation, olfactory science and taste modulation. Firmenich had an annual turnover of 3.9 billion Swiss Francs at end June 2020. More information about Firmenich is available at www.firmenich.com Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/798187/Firmenich_Logo.jpg View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/firmenich-marks-3-years-of-its-flagship-alibaba-e-shop-with-broadest-ingredients-portfolio--enhanced-digital-experience-301323025.html SOURCE Firmenich

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[June 30, 2021] Genstar Capital and TA Associates Announce Agreement to Merge Compusoft and 2020

Genstar Capital and TA Associates today announced that they have signed a definitive agreement to merge their portfolio companies, Compusoft, a leading international provider of specialized visual Configure, Price, Quote ("vCPQ") software to key retail and manufacturing industries, and 2020 Technologies ("2020"), a leading provider of specialized computer-aided design ("CAD"), configure, price, quote ("CPQ") and enterprise solutions dedicated to interior design, space planning and furniture manufacturing industries. The transaction is expected to be completed in the second half of 2021. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005446/en/ Compusoft and 2020 will be combined in a merger of equals to create a leading provider of space planning and manufacturing solutions for the residential and commercial segments. The group will offer an end-to-end suite of planning, design, visualization, configuration, pricing, quoting, ERP and manufacturing solutions to consumers, retailers and suppliers across the kitchen, bathroom, office and residential furniture and commercial and residential windows & doors segments. The expansive global network will be enhanced by local expertise and deep customer relationships developed over decades. An impressive combined workforce will benefit from 65+ years of experience in customer service, catalog content, innovation and technology to bring a best-in-class offering to customers and create a platform for future growth. Compusoft is a portfolio company of TA Associates, a leading global growth private equity firm that invested in Compusoft in 2018. 2020 is a portfolio company of Genstar Capital, a leading private equity firm focused on investments in targeted segments of the financial services, healthcare, industrials and software industries that recently acquired 2020. The newly-combined company will be majority owned by Genstar and TA. Mark Stoever, Chief Executive Officer of 2020, said, "The merger of Compusoft and 2020 positions the combined company as a trusted provider whose suite of solutions supports designers, manufacturers and retailers. This is a transformative transaction and the support from Genstar and TA will enable us to invest in the business, new technologies and our people. We look forward to completing the transaction so we can continue to build on our companies' unwavering commitment to innovation and customer service." David Tombre, Chief Executive Officer of Compusoft, said, "We are excited by the opportunity this combination presents to create a leading provider of vCPQ solutions for home and commercial spaces. Given Compusoft's presence in Europe and 2020's presence in North and South America, the two businesses are truly complementary. Our priority remains our customer's success and together we will provide an enhanced offering across support, content, innovation and techology."



Naveen Wadhera, Managing Director at TA, said, "Since TA's investment, Compusoft has completed five acquisitions while also realizing sustained and meaningful organic growth. This growth has helped further position Compusoft as a leader, well-suited for what we believe will be a value-enhancing combination with 2020. It has been a privilege to partner with Compusoft during this expansion, and we look forward to working with the combined teams on the next phase of growth." Eli Weiss, Managing Director at Genstar Capital, said, "The combination of Compusoft and 2020 is a merger of equals by which there will be a number of benefits. Compusoft and 2020 are leading companies in their respective geographies, and we are confident that this merger will provide opportunities for continued organic and inorganic growth. The company is now better positioned to pursue new global opportunities that will enhance customer service and build on their strong momentum."

The transaction is subject to customary regulatory approvals and closing conditions. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed. Goodwin Procter LLP is serving as legal counsel and Alvarez & Marsal as financial and tax advisor to TA. Kirkland & Ellis LLP is serving as legal counsel, Alvarez & Marsal is serving as financial and tax advisor and William Blair is serving as financial advisor to Genstar. About Compusoft Compusoft provides visual CPQ solutions that simplify planning, configuration and visualization to power sales processes for the kitchen, bathroom, furniture and window & door industries. Compusoft's solutions assist customers throughout the sales value-chain from end-customers through to manufacturers and are underpinned by a rich content database. Founded in 1989, Compusoft is headquartered in Sarpsborg, Norway, and serves customers in more than 100 countries with over 600 people in 18 countries across Europe, Asia-Pacific and North America. For more information, please visit www.compusoftgroup.com. About 2020 Technologies Inc. 2020 helps professional designers, retailers and manufacturers in the interior design and furniture industries capture ideas, inspire innovation and streamline processes. By providing end-to-end solutions and a large collection of manufacturers' catalogs, 2020's applications enable professional designers and retailers to create kitchens, bathrooms, furniture and commercial offices that look as stunning on the screen as they do in reality. 2020 solutions for furniture and cabinet manufacturers deliver a complete manufacturing operations management capability to run their factories at maximum efficiency. Founded in 1987 and headquartered in Westford, Massachusetts, 2020 employs more than 850 people with direct operations in 11 countries and supports customers in many more locations around the world through a network of value-added resellers. For more information, please visit www.2020spaces.com. About TA Associates TA Associates 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 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. More information about Genstar Capital can be found at www.gencap.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005446/en/

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[June 30, 2021] Global Data Center Cooling (Room, Row, Rack) Market Report 2021-2026

DUBLIN, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The "Data Center Cooling Market: Global Industry Trends, Share, Size, Growth, Opportunity and Forecast 2021-2026" report has been added to ResearchAndMarkets.com's offering. The global data center cooling market exhibited moderate growth during 2015-2020. Looking forward, the global data center cooling market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7% during 2021-2026. As it is cost-effective, energy-efficient and environment-friendly, data center operators across the globe are adopting these cooling systems. Some of the technologies employed for data center cooling include evaporative cooling, immersion systems, free cooling, calibrated vector cooling (CVC), chilled water systems, direct-to-chip cooling and liquid cooling.



With the rising data center density, numerous organizations are introducing innovative ways for cooling computer systems to improve efficiency and maximize uptime. For instance, Google is employing seawater to maintain the temperature in one of its data centers in Hamina, Finland. This system does not create carbon emissions as it uses cold water for cooling the devices and equipment. Similarly, Facebook is using captured rainwater for cooling data centers. Moreover, AdeptDC, a smart assistant, depends on machine learning to read CPU and GPU temperatures and aids data center managers in knowing when and how much cooling is needed. Furthermore, governments in variouscountries are mandating environmental regulations concerning the emission and power consumption efficiency of data center operations. This, in turn, is resulting in the rising demand for eco-friendly data center cooling solutions around the world.







The report provides an analysis of the key trends in each sub-segment of the global data center cooling market report, along with forecasts for growth at the global, regional and country level from 2021-2026. Our report has categorized the market based on region, solution, services, type of cooling, cooling technology, type of data center and vertical.



The competitive landscape of the industry has also been examined with some of the key players being

Airedale International Air Conditioning

Asetek

Black Box Corporation

Climaveneta Climate Technologies

Coolcentric

Emerson Electric

Fujitsu

Hitachi

Netmagic

Nortek Air Solutions

Rittal

Schneider Electric

STULZ GmbH

Vertiv Key Topics Covered:



1 Preface



2 Scope and Methodology



3 Executive Summary



4 Introduction

4.1 Overview

4.2 Key Industry Trends



5 Global Data Center Cooling Market

5.1 Market Overview

5.2 Market Performance

5.3 Impact of COVID-19

5.4 Market Forecast



6 Market Breakup by Solution

6.1 Air Conditioning

6.2 Chilling Units

6.3 Cooling Towers

6.4 Economizer Systems

6.5 Liquid Cooling Systems

6.6 Control Systems



7 Market Breakup by Services

7.1 Consulting

7.2 Installation and Deployment

7.3 Maintenance and Support



8 Market Breakup by Type of Cooling

8.1 Room-Based Cooling

8.2 Row-Based Cooling

8.3 Rack-Based Cooling 9 Market Breakup by Cooling Technology

9.1 Liquid-Based Cooling

9.2 Air-Based Cooling



10 Market Breakup by Type of Data Center

10.1 Mid-Sized Data Centers

10.2 Enterprise Data Centers

10.3 Large Data Centers



11 Market Breakup by Vertical

11.1 BFSI

11.2 IT and Telecom

11.3 Research and Educational Institutes

11.4 Government and Defense

11.5 Retail

11.6 Energy

11.7 Healthcare



12 Market Breakup by Region



13 SWOT Analysis



14 Value Chain Analysis



15 Porters Five Forces Analysis



16 Competitive Landscape

16.1 Market Structure

16.2 Key Players

16.3 Profiles of Key Players For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/r/at5wcx Media Contact: Research and Markets

Laura Wood, Senior Manager

press@researchandmarkets.com



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

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

For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900



U.S. Fax: 646-607-1904

Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-data-center-cooling-room-row-rack-market-report-2021-2026-301323330.html SOURCE Research and Markets

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[June 30, 2021] Graphite One Announces Up to $12 Million Private Placement

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/ GPH: TSX-V GPHOF: OTCQX VANCOUVER, BC, June 30, 2021 /CNW/ - Graphite One Inc. (TSXV: GPH) (OTCQX: GPHOF) ("Graphite One" or the "Company") announce that it has entered into an agreement with Canaccord Genuity Corp. as lead agent (the "Lead Agent" and with the syndicate of agents, the "Agents"), in connection with a commercially reasonable efforts brokered private placement of up to 12,000,000 units of the Company (collectively, the "Units") at a price of C$1.00 per Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of up to C$12,000,000 (the "Offering"). Each Unit will consist of one common share of the Company (each, a "Common Share") and one common share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a "Warrant"). Each Warrant will entitle the holder thereof to acquire, on payment of C$1.50 to the Company, one common share of the Company, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances, for a period of 12 months from the first closing date of the Offering. The Lead Agent will have an option (the "Agent's Option") to offer for sale up to an additional 1,800,000 Units 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 securities to be issued under the Offering will be offered by way of private placement in each of the provinces of Canada, except Quebec, 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 will be conducted pursuant to the terms of an agency agreement to be entered into between the Company and the Agents on or prior to the first closing date. The Company has agreed to pay the Agents a cash fee equal to 7.0% (3.5% for President's List) of the gross proceeds of the Offering, to issue that number of compensation warrants equal to 7.0% (3.5% for President's List) of the number of Units sold under the Offering (each a "Compensation Warrant"), to pay a cash corporate finance fee of $100,000 and to issue 100,000 Common Shares at a value of $1.00. Each Compensation Warrant will be exercisable to purchase one Common Share for a period of 12 months from the first closing date at an exercise price of C$1.00. The net proceeds from the Offering will be used for exploration and development on the Company's Graphite Creek Property and general working capital and corporate purposes. The first closing is expected to occur around on or aboutJuly 29, 2021, subject to receipt of final applicable regulatory approvals including approval of the TSX Venture Exchange. All securities issued in connection with the Offering will be subject to a restricted period that expires four months and one day following the first closing date.



This media release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available. About Graphite One Inc.

GRAPHITE ONE INC. (GPH: TSX-V; GPHOF: OTCQB) (the "Company") is a developing advanced graphite materials company. Planning continues on its Graphite One Project (the "Project"), whereby it could become an American producer of high grade Coated Spherical Graphite ("CSG") integrated with a domestic graphite resource. The Project is proposed as a vertically integrated enterprise to mine, process and manufacture high grade CSG primarily for the lithium-ion electric vehicle battery market and energy storage systems as well as other value-added products. As set forth in its Preliminary Economic Assessment, graphite mineralization, mined from the Company's Graphite Creek Property, would be processed into concentrate at a plant to be located on the Graphite Creek Property situated on the Seward Peninsula about 60 kilometers north of Nome, Alaska. CSG and other value-added graphite products would be manufactured from the concentrate at the Company's proposed advanced graphite materials manufacturing facility whose location is being investigated. The Company is progressing the Project's Pre Feasibility Study and intends to make a production decision once a Feasibility Study is completed. On Behalf of the Board of Directors "Anthony Huston" (signed) For more information on Graphite One Inc., please visit the Company's website, www.GraphiteOneInc.com or contact: Anthony Huston

CEO, President & Director

Tel: (604) 889-4251

Email: AHuston@GraphiteOneInc.com Investor Relations Contact

Tel: (604) 684-6730

GPH@kincommunications.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. 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 timing of closing the Offering, the terms of the Offering, final amount raised under the Offering, the participation of insiders in the Offering, the use of proceeds from the Offering, receipt of regulatory approvals, exploration drilling, exploitation activities and events or developments that the Company expects, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are no guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals, market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continuity of mineralization, uncertainties related to the ability to obtain necessary permits, licenses and title and delays due to third party opposition, changes in government policies regarding mining and natural resource exploration and exploitation, and continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on this forward-looking information, which is given as of the date it is expressed in this press release, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable securities laws. For more information on the Company, investors should review the Company's continuous disclosure filings that are available at www.sedar.com. SOURCE Graphite One Inc.

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[June 30, 2021] IRD Awarded $1.8 Million E-Screening Upgrade Contract in Nebraska

Upgrades to Nebraska City's weigh station preclearance system follows recent upgrades at two other Nebraska State Patrol operations

New technology expands advanced e-screening and tire safety screening coverage on one of Nebraska's busiest highways SASKATOON, SK, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ - International Road Dynamics Inc. (IRD), a Quarterhill Inc. ("Quarterhill") company (TSX: QTRH) (OTCQX: QTRHF), announced today that the Nebraska State Patrol has awarded the Company a contract valued at up to $1.8 million for upgrades to the Nebraska City weigh station preclearance system. This follows two similar projects recently completed by IRD at the State's Waverly and North Platte weigh station locations. All financial information in this press release is reported in Canadian dollars, unless otherwise indicated. Under the upgrade contract, IRD will supply and install e-screening technology including automatic number plate reader (ANPR) systems, USDOT reader systems and IRD's Intelligent Roadside Operations Computer (iROC) credential and safety screening system. Weigh in Motion (WIM) systems at the site will be upgraded with new Single Load Cell (SLC) WIM scales. Continued use of the SLC technology demonstrates the value the State places on WIM accuracy and obtaining the optimal cost of ownership. In addition, Nebraska City will be the third site in the state to deploy IRD's Tire Anomaly and Classification System (TACS) for identification of commercial vehicles with unsafe tire conditions such as flat, missing, mismatched or underinflated tires. The Nebraska State Patrol has seen a dramatic increase in out-of-service citations for unsafe tires since the implementation of IRD's TACS. "During the product evaluation, its capabilities seemed to be almost science fiction like. We were able to see for ourselves the accuracy of TACS and the role it can help play in enforcement and we were immediately convinced that we needed to install the product as part of our upgrades in Nebraska," said Lt. Mike Maytum of the Nebraska State Patrol. "We're excited to expand our relationship with the Nebraska State Patrol as they deploy an additional upgrade to their commercial vehicle operations, which improves their safety and enforcement capabilities," said Rish Malhotra, IRD President and CEO. "This project will resultin safer roads in the State, and it demonstrates the value behind an investment in IRD's modular WIM platform. Many of the new technologies being implemented at Nebraska City are easier and more economical to integrate at the site because of an earlier decision to base Nebraska's systems on IRD's commercial vehicle enforcement platform. IRD has been providing services in Nebraska since 1997 and we continue to explore opportunities to further expand our relationship with the State's law enforcement and transportation agencies in the future."



The Nebraska State Patrol will use iMMS, IRD's web-based maintenance management software, to monitor system health and operational status of equipment, systems and subsystems at the preclearance site. The Vehicle Information in Motion (VI2M) cloud-based data collection and reporting software will help the agency to analyze rates of overweight vehicles and tire anomalies detected by the SLC WIM scales and TACS. About IRD

IRD is a dynamic technology company engaged in developing key components and advanced systems for the next generation of transportation networks. Together with subsidiaries PAT Traffic and ICOMS Detections, IRD supplies Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) to private corporations, transportation agencies, and highway authorities around the world. IRD's systems make highways safer, greener, and more efficient. Known globally as a trusted partner providing sales, service, and installation support on major ITS projects for over 40 years, IRD contributes to creating smarter cities by empowering engineering and urban planning professionals to access reliable traffic data. For more information: www.irdinc.com

About Quarterhill

Quarterhill is a growth-oriented company in the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) industry as well as a leader in Intellectual Property licensing. Our goal is to execute an investment strategy that capitalizes on attractive growth opportunities within ITS  and its adjacent markets  to become a global leader in that industry. Quarterhill is listed on the TSX under the symbol QTRH and on the OTCQX Best Market under the symbol QTRHF. For more information: www.quarterhill.com Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward-looking statements regarding IRD, Quarterhill and their businesses. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by IRD and/or Quarterhill in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and the expected effects of new business strategies, as well as other factors that IRD and/or Quarterhill believe are appropriate in the circumstances. The forward-looking events and circumstances discussed herein may not occur and could differ materially as a result of known and unknown risk factors and uncertainties affecting IRD and/or Quarterhill, including: potential risks and uncertainties relating to the ultimate geographic spread of the novel coronavirus ("COVID-19"); the severity of the disease; the duration of the COVID-19 outbreak; actions that may be taken by governmental authorities to contain the COVID-19 outbreak or to treat its impact; the potential negative impacts of COVID-19 on the global economy and financial markets and any resulting impact on IRD and/or Quarterhill and/or their businesses. Other factors include, without limitation, the risks described in Quarterhill's March 11, 2021 annual information form for the year ended December 31, 2020 (the "AIF"). Copies of the AIF may be obtained at www.sedar.com. IRD and Quarterhill recommend that readers review and consider all of these risk factors and notes that readers should not place undue reliance on any of IRD's forward-looking statements. IRD has no intention, and undertakes no obligation, to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ird-awarded-1-8-million-e-screening-upgrade-contract-in-nebraska-301322870.html SOURCE International Road Dynamics

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[June 30, 2021] Jenzabar SONIS Update Introduces Enhanced Admissions and Financial Aid Capabilities to Drive Student Enrollment

Jenzabar, Inc., a leading technology innovator in higher education serving the new student, today announced that the latest version of Jenzabar SONIS, a student information system (SIS) designed for smaller and specialized higher education institutions, incorporates robust self-service and online application functionality to improve student experiences during the admissions process and makes it easier for institutions to recruit and retain students. The latest release is also integrated with Jenzabar Financial Aid, a powerful financial aid solution that enables institutions to automate the financial aid process, deliver accurate and personalized financial aid offers to students faster, and further drive enrollment. Despite the challenges facing the higher education industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the latest Jenzabar SONIS release follows a successful year for the solution, as 17 colleges around the world have selected the student information system since 2020. These institutions include the American University of Armenia, Antioch College, Beulah Heights University, Cleary University, College of the Marshall Islands, Culinary Academy of Las Vegas, Design Institute of San Diego, Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, Mount Tamalpais College, Phillips Theological Semnary, Reformed Theological Seminary, San Juan Bautista School of Medicine, The King's University, Union Theological Seminary, University of the Potomac, and more.



Jenzabar SONIS Helps Institutions Tackle the Enrollment Crisis The enhanced Jenzabar SONIS platform introduces significant capabilities that help institutions recruit and retain students, deliver more personalized experiences, and simplify the traditionally complex admissions processes. Specifically, the new release supports a unique applicant portal that gives prospective students more agency over ranking, accepting, or prioritizing applications.

The Jenzabar SONIS update also introduces robust online application functionality that can be used to apply discounts or, through an administrative portal, empower staff to nurture and help students progress through the application process. Institutions can offer multiple active online applications to prospective students and tailor the application offerings by program, department, or in a multitude of other ways. "As specialty institutions continue to navigate the increasingly competitive higher education landscape, they need a powerful solution that gives them the tools to attract, retain, and engage with students to the same degree as their larger counterparts," said Ling Chai Maginn, Founder, President, and CEO of Jenzabar. "Jenzabar SONIS was built with these objectives in mind and gives our clients the means to drive institutional and student success regardless of external market circumstances." Resources To learn more about Jenzabar SONIS, visit https://jenzabar.com/product/jenzabar-sonis.

To learn more about Jenzabar Financial Aid, visit https://jenzabar.com/product/financial-aid. About Jenzabar Created out of a passion for education and a vision for technology, Jenzabar offers disruptive, innovative software solutions and services that empower students' success and help higher education institutions meet the demands of the modern student. Over 1,350 higher educational campuses harness Jenzabar solutions for improved performance across campus and a more personalized and connected experience for the student. For further information, please visit www.jenzabar.com or on Twitter (News - Alert) @Jenzabar or on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005284/en/

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[June 30, 2021] MOVii achieves 1.5 million customer milestone powered by Comviva's digital wallet platform

NEW DELHI, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Digital payments company, MOVii announced that it has crossed 1.5 million customer milestone on its digital wallet platform in May 2021. MOVii is ranked fifth amongst all financial institutions in Colombia in terms of transaction volume and has reached this milestone faster than any other financial institution in the country. MOVii is Colombia's first 100% digital money platform, where everything from customer registration to payments happens using the mobile application. MOVii's vision is to revolutionize financial inclusion by making it easier for everyone to pay and use their money digitally without paperwork. MOVii is powered by Comviva's mobiquity platform, which enables over 70 digital financial services in more than 50 countries. The next generation money platform enables consumers to transfer money, get loans, receive financial aid, pay bills, make merchant payments, recharge mobile connection, and buy digital content, instantly, easily, and securely, anywhere, anytime using a mobile phone. MOVii's digital wallet platform has been used extensively during COVID pandemic by all sections of the society with its customer base and transactions increasing exponentially. The MOVii digital wallet platform has enabled people to pay essential utility bills and invoices, shop online and transfer money to family and friends in need during the lockdown from the safety of their home. More than 240,000 economically vulnerable people have received solidarity income rom the Government of Colombia via MOVii, helping them sustain during the pandemic.



Hernando Rubio, Co-founder and CEO of MOVii said, "MOVii and Comviva share the vision of leveraging digital technology to provide financial services to everyone without any discrimination. We are passionate about democratizing financial services and financially including even the economically vulnerable section. This vision and passion has resulted in MOVii achieving more than 1.5 million mobile wallet users. We will further accelerate this growth by delivering new digital financial services that are relevant and contextual for people of Colombia." Manoranjan (Mao) Mohapatra, Chief Executive Officer at Comviva said, "We congratulate our partner MOVii for crossing the 1.5 million customer milestone. MOVii has democratized the financial access in Colombia as well as created path for growth of a digital economy. The rapid growth in use of MOVii during the pandemic, from solidarity income disbursement to remote payments from home during lockdown, stresses on the importance of digital financial services in today's time as well as in future. We will continue to support MOVii in launching new innovative customer-centric use cases and delivering enhanced user experience."

MOVii has been continuously investing in innovation and launching new products focused on the user needs. It is working on the launch of five new products: PSE payments, interbank transfers, international remittance, insurance and buy and sell crypto assets that shall drive its future growth. Forbes has adjudged MOVii amongst 30 most promising Colombian businesses. Comviva mobiquity Pay is one of the world's largest digital financial services platforms. It serves the financial needs of over 130 million consumers and processes over 7 billion transactions valuing $ 130 billion annually. About MOVii OVii is the most amazing challenger bank in Colombia, focused on changing the banking category, by improving the financial inclusion of those who have never been on the system and giving them the opportunity to manage their money as they wish to through an app and card. MOVii is moving forward with a disruptive, hassle-free value proposal that connects with people, with their financial needs and responds to their lack of access to banking. With this model, MOVii is projected to grow up to 3.2MM users during 2021 and to become the leading digital bank in Colombia. About Comviva Technologies Limited Comviva is the global leader of mobility solutions and a part of the $21 billion Mahindra Group. With customer centricity, innovation and ethical corporate governance at its core, the company's offerings are broadly divided into three categories-Financial Solutions, Digital Systems and Growth Marketing. Its extensive portfolio of solutions spans digital financial services, customer value management, messaging and broadband solution and digital lifestyle services. The company strives to enable service providers to enhance customer experience, resolve real, onground challenges and leverage technology to transform the lives of customers. Comviva's solutions are deployed by over 130 mobile service providers and financial institutions in over 95 countries and enrich the lives of over two billion people to deliver a better future. For more information, please visit www.comviva.com Media Contact:

Sundeep Mehta

sundeep.mehta@comviva.com

Sr. Manager, PR & Corporate Communications

Comviva Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/995982/Comviva_Logo.jpg

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[June 30, 2021] New-Generation Intelligent Pickup Truck, GWM POER Wins Praise from Media

BAODING, China, June 30, 2021 /CNW/ -- Recently, the test drive event for several GWM models was held in Australia, New Zealand and other places of the world, which attracted many off-road enthusiasts to show on the spot. GWM POER has a good reputation among the many professionals and authoritative media due to its stunning exterior design, excellent and smooth powertrain system and outstanding intelligent technology. After this test drive, Carsales, an authoritative Australian media, praised GWM POER on the aspects of modern appearance, versatile Driver Assistance System and industry-leading remote airbag, adding that this model was given a five-star safety rating from ANCAP, an independent safety agency, according to the new standards in 2021. Wheels appraised GWM POER as a perfect choice for pickup truck fans with its outstanding off-road performance, luxurious and exquisite interior design, and high cost performance. According to Motoring, the GWM POER pickup truck developed and designed based on GWM's latest platform has overturned the traditional image paradigm of double-row multifunctional pickup trucks and excels in appearance, safety, comfort and performance, offering an irresistible appeal to Australian consumers.



The reason why GWM POER has been recognized so many times is that there is precise research on user experience. GWM POER, as a world-class product built by integrating GWM's top resources around the globe, not only has a high loading capacity, but also features a new intelligent design. This model has a perfect configuration to meet whatever demand owners have. The vehicle body size is so desirable that owners can bring their tents, motorboats and bicycles while going out for fun. The super-large cabin allows owners to stretch out at will during the long journey, whereas the soft leather seats offer extreme comfort. The SUV-grade NVH, comparable to luxury brands, gives owners a chance to enjoy the music or talk freely, without the need to worry about the noise outside the cabin when driving in busy cities. Equipped with the 2.0T+8AT golden powertrain combination and four all-terrain driving modes (standard/commerce/sports/4L), GWM POER is competent enough for owners to drive on muddy gravel roads for camping, or gallop through deserts for adventure. Additionally, the use of voice control, L2 level automatic driving, 360 Around View Monitor and other intelligent technologies enables owners to experience a new way of intelligent travel, unlocking more scenarios for driving pickup trucks in daily life.

The outstanding product strength has laid a solid foundation for GWM POER's globalization. In the future, increased investment will be put into the research and development of GWM POER. With an aim to be a pickup truck satisfying customers, GWM POER will continue to bring global consumers a higher-quality travel experience, making Chinese pickup trucks popular around the world. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-generation-intelligent-pickup-truck-gwm-poer-wins-praise-from-media-301323251.html SOURCE GWM

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[June 30, 2021] NMD Pharma Doses the First Myasthenia Gravis Patient in a Combined Phase I/IIa Clinical Trial of NMD670

NMD Pharma Doses the First Myasthenia Gravis Patient in a Combined Phase I/IIa Clinical Trial of NMD670 Aarhus, Denmark, 30 June 2021  NMD Pharma A/S, a biotech company leading in the development of novel therapeutics for neuromuscular disorders, today announces that it has dosed the first myasthenia gravis (MG) patient in a combined Phase I/IIa clinical trial of NMD670, NMD Pharmas lead program. Thomas Holm Pedersen, Chief Executive Officer of NMD Pharma, said: We are pleased to announce the dosing of the first myasthenia gravis patient today with our lead development candidate, NMD670. This represents a significant milestone in this study and for NMD Pharma. Dr. Geert Jan Groeneveld, Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Medical Officer at the Centre for Human Drug Research (CHDR) and the Principal Investigator of the trial added: Myasthenia gravis is a debilitating autoimmune disease which can lead to life-threatening symptoms. There is a real unmet need for a therapy to help relieve these symptoms and so it is particularly exciting that this trial has now moved into patients. The pre-clinical data generated by NMD Pharma demonstrates the potential of CIC-1 inhibition in strengthening neuromuscular transmission in myasthenia gravis and I am hopeful that we can replicate those promising pre-clinical results in patients. NMD670 is in development to treat the symptoms of MG and is also being evaluated for the treatment of other neuromuscular diseases. It is a first-in-class small molecule inhibitor of the muscle specific chloride ion channel, the ClC-1 ion channel. NMD Pharma has already demonstrated that ClC-1 inhibition can strengthen neuromuscular transmission and ultimately skeletal muscle function and this novel treatment approach has demonstrated compelling preclinical data for MG. The combined Phase I/IIa clinical trial is a randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled, single and multiple dose escalation study designed to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of NMD670. Healthy male and female subjects have receivd single doses of NMD670 and safety, tolerability and pharmacokinetic parameters have been assessed. The Phase I program now continues with the administration of NMD670 dosed daily for 10 days, and with single doses given to patients with MG. The primary outcome of the study includes a number of safety and tolerability endpoints and the secondary outcomes are a number of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic endpoints.







Further information on the study can be found on the Netherlands Trial Register: https://www.trialregister.nl/trial/8692 -END-

Contacts NMD Pharma A/S

Thomas Holm Pedersen, CEO

E-mail: contact@nmdpharma.com Consilium Strategic Communications

Mary-Jane Elliott / Ashley Tapp / Lindsey Neville

E-mail: NMDPharma@consilium-comms.com

Tel: +44 (0)20 3709 5700 About NMD Pharma

NMD Pharma A/S, is a private biotech company leading in the development of novel first-in-class therapies for severe neuromuscular disorders. The Company was incorporated as a spin-off from Aarhus University, Denmark in 2015 and was founded on more than 15 years of muscle physiology research with a focus on regulation of skeletal muscle excitability under physical activity. NMD Pharma has built a world-leading muscle electrophysiology platform leveraging the in-depth know-how of muscle physiology and muscular disorders, small molecule modulators, enabling technologies and tools as well as in-vivo pharmacology models for discovering and developing proprietary modulators of neuromuscular function. NMD Pharma received seed financing from Novo Seeds, Lundbeckfonden Emerge and Capnova in 2016, and in 2018 raised a 38 million Series A financing, led by new investor INKEF Capital, together with new investor Roche Venture Fund and existing investors Novo Seeds and Lundbeckfonden Emerge. Find out more about us online at http://www.nmdpharma.com/. About NMD670

NMD670 is NMD Pharmas lead development program. It is a first-in-class small molecule inhibitor of the muscle specific chloride ion channel, the ClC-1 ion channel. NMD Pharma has demonstrated that ClC-1 inhibition can strengthen neuromuscular transmission and ultimately skeletal muscle function and this novel treatment approach has demonstrated compelling preclinical efficacy data for MG. About Myasthenia Gravis (MG)

MG is a rare and chronic autoimmune disease where IgG antibodies disrupt communication between nerves and muscles causing debilitating and potentially life-threatening muscle weakness. It most commonly affects the muscles that control the eyes and eyelids, facial expressions, chewing, swallowing and speaking but it can affect most parts of the body. More than 85% of people with MG progress to generalized MG (gMG) within 18 months and in more life-threatening cases, MG can affect the muscles responsible for breathing. Patients with confirmed acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibodies account for 80-90% of the total gMG population. There are approximately 100,000 people in the European Union, 65,000 people in the United States and 20,000 people in Japan living with the disease. About the Centre for Human Drug Research

The Centre for Human Drug Research (CHDR) is an independent institute that specialises in cutting-edge early-stage clinical drug research. Combining innovative methods and technologies, state-of-the-art facilities, and talented, motivated researchers helps CHDR maximise their clients success. CHDRs overall mission is to improve the drug development process by collecting as much information as possible regarding a candidate drug in the early phases of development. This information helps clients make informed decisions regarding the course of clinical development for their product. CHDR places the highest priority on their subjects comfort and safety, and they play an active role in helping to educate the medical and clinical research communities. Find out more about the CHDR online at https://chdr.nl/.



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[June 30, 2021] Online Tech Stores Announces E-commerce Guru Tony Bazan as CEO

RENO, Nev., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Online Tech Stores (OTS), a distributor of aftermarket imaging supplies, including laser printer toner cartridges, ink cartridges, toner, copier toner, ribbon and thermal fax consumables, today announced the appointment of e-commerce veteran Tony Bazan as chief executive officer. Bazan succeeds Dave Mathews, who has left the company for personal reasons. Founded in 2009 and representing over 100 years of combined management industry experience, Reno, Nevada-based OTS is the largest importer of toner products in the United States. Bazan, who has successfully developed and executed strategic plans at several companies that have supercharged sales through e-commerce growth, brings this expertise and vast industry experience to OTS. Bazan will also maintain oversight for all aspects of OTS's two business units, SuppliesOutlet.com (SO) and SuppliesWholesalers (SW). "Tony brings a wealth of experience to the business, including having previously worked in the industry with Nu-kote, one of the world's leading suppliers of imaging products," Martin Stein, managing director of Blackford Capital and chairman of the board for OTS said. "Blackford Capital has had a lot of success in the aftermarket imaging supplies space, and we have a great amount of faith in what OTS and its employees are capable of achieving." Bazan has driven growth through strategic e-commerce, traditional sales, marketing, channel management plans at companies like TM International, where he grew revenu 36% and boosted earnings by 25% in three years; MegaBrands, where he led a restructuring plan that drove growth by $200 million and helped company's share price rise from 47 cents per share to $9.75 per share; and



Picketts Health, where he grew revenue by $41 million over four years with $7 million in earnings. "I have led many organizations through restructuring and periods of expansion and growth. There are enormous opportunities to achieve a similar trajectory at OTS," Bazan said. "I am looking forward to working with the entire team at OTS and with the Board of Directors at Blackford Capital as we develop and execute a new strategic plan with the goal of delivering value to all of our stakeholders. The extensive knowledge I gained from my time at Nu-kote and other companies allows me to bring a level of insight to OTS that it has been lacking."

Blackford Capital, which holds high standards for its executive talent, selected Bazan after an extensive search for the right leader. "It is our priority alongside Tony to ensure that our customers and employees have the most positive experience possible," Stein said. "We are continuing our goal of becoming the largest supplier of new build compatible imaging products in North America. With the knowledge that the nation has begun to rebound post-COVID, we look to make a series of exciting announcements for Online Tech Stores." Blackford Capital operating partner Rob Leonard, a well-known business veteran in the imaging supplies industry, who helped Nu-kote execute several acquisitions and eventually go public in 1999, said, "After meeting with Tony, it became clear to us that he brings a unique blend of decisive and disciplined leadership skills and operational talent to OTS. We are confident that the company has a bright future with Tony leading the way." About Online Tech Stores

Founded in 2009, Online Tech Stores is headquartered in Reno, Nevada. OTS is a wholesale distributor of compatible imaging supplies and accessories, including laser printer toner cartridges, ink cartridges, toner, copier toner, ribbon and thermal fax consumables. OTS goes to market Supplies Wholesalers. For more information, visit www.supplieswholesalers.com. About Blackford Capital

Founded in 2010, Blackford Capital is a private equity investment firm headquartered in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Blackford Capital makes majority control investments in founder and family-owned, lower middle-market manufacturing, distribution, and services companies. Currently, Blackford Capital has eleven portfolio companies. Blackford and their team members have received a number of recognitions over the past several years, including M&A Adviser Private Equity Firm of the year, Corp. Magazine Small Company of the Year (Michigan), GR Chamber of Commerce Small Business of the Year (West Michigan), numerous recognitions on the Inc. 5000 fastest growing private companies list and M&A Adviser Private Equity Professional of the Year (Martin Stein). For more information, visit www.blackfordcapital.com. Contact:

Tyler Deur

Lambert & Co.

(616) 233-0500

tdeur@lambert.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/online-tech-stores-announces-e-commerce-guru-tony-bazan-as-ceo-301322506.html SOURCE Online Tech Stores

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[June 30, 2021] Payment Fintech Zeepay Selects Paygilant to Prevent Fraud and Enhance Customer Experience

TEL AVIV, Israel, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Zeepay, the fastest growing Fintech in Ghana, announced today that it has chosen Paygilant to secure its global operation across Africa and UK. Paygilant will safeguard Zeepay's digital payment infrastructure from digital fraud and ensure a frictionless experience for its customers. Zeepay connects digital assets such as Mobile Money Wallets, Cards, ATMs, Bank Account and Digital Tokens to International Money Transfer Operators, Payments, Subscriptions, International Airtime and Refugee payments. Zeepay searched for a robust mobile fraud prevention solution that did not adversely impact the customer payment experience. "Paygilant is an ideal fit for our needs, as its solution is versatile and designed with superb fraud prevention capabilities" said Andrew Takyi-Appiah, the Managing Director of Zeepay. "We wanted to safeguard and provide our customers the highest-level transaction experience." Paygilant's solution is designed for Fintech companies that are required to distinguih between legitimate and fraudulent transactions, throughout the entire user journey. Paygilant enables FinTech organizations to gain customers' trust and accelerate growth, while safeguarding from money loss. "We are honored to be working with forward-thinking organization like Zeepay" stated Ziv Cohen, Paygilant's CEO. Ziv added "It is great to see Israeli high-tech and African Fintech joining forces."



About Zeepay Zeepay is the fastest growing mobile financial services company across Africa with operations in Ghana and the United Kingdom and terminating to 20 countries across Africa with termination agreements in over 90 jurisdictions globally. We specialize in remittance termination into mobile wallets and are completely network and partner agnostic. We are a wholly owned Ghanaian company and regulated in the UK by Financial Conduct Authority-FCA #592538 and in Ghana by Bank of Ghana- PSD/ZGL/20/03 under the Payment Systems and Services Act, 2019 (Act 987). Zeepay supports Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 3 and is considered a Financial Inclusion Company positioned to improve last mile access. Visit myzeepay.com.

About Paygilant Paygilant is a payments anti-fraud company, designed to eliminate the trade-off between strong fraud prevention, frictionless authentication, and user privacy. Paygilant enables financial organizations to boost their revenue, by enhancing the user experience and stopping fraud before the transaction occurs. It is easy-to-integrated patented technology utilizes six proprietary intelligence sets, which work in harmony to deliver value from day-one. Paygilant simply triggers a real-time "risky" alert when fraud is detected and as "safe" one when the legitimate customer is identified. Contact:

Yossi Geller

VP Marketing, Paygilant

yossig@paygilant.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/payment-fintech-zeepay-selects-paygilant-to-prevent-fraud-and-enhance-customer-experience-301323018.html SOURCE Paygilant

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[June 30, 2021] Ponterra Business Advisors Grows Latin American Advisory Team and Sees Significant Opportunity in Latin American Tech Market

SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Ponterra Business Advisors (Ponterra), a cross-border-focused B2B software, data, and services industry, middle-market investment bank, built by operators for operators, announced its strategic initiative regarding focused efforts in Latin America. "Latin America's emerging technology solutions, very attractive high-quality talent, plethora of innovative companies, and close proximity to the US time zones are very appealing to investors and buyers," said John Rovani, managing partner of Ponterra. "Because of this, we are expanding our current focus with a targeted emphasis to provide Latin American entrepreneurs and business owners advisory solutions. Our solutions are specifically tailored to help them maximize value, as well as attract high value professional investors and strategic buyers in the US, Europe, and Asia Pacific." With headquarters in Puerto Rico and presence in North America and Europe, Ponterra recently expanded its on-the-ground team in Colombia to support this targeted effort and provide Latin American clients with direct access to a local, knowledgeable, native-speaking team. With its extensive deal eperience with tech / ERP leaders and qualified global private equity groups, Ponterra is well-positioned to provide unique value to Central and South American companies seeking visibility, access, international recognition and liquidity events.



For more information about Ponterra Business Advisors visit http://ponterra.com/. About Ponterra Business Advisors

Ponterra Business Advisors is a global M&A advisory firm headquartered in San Juan, PR, with presence in Washington, DC, Bogota, Colombia, Seattle, WA, and Berlin, Germany that strives to help small to mid-sized software, data, and services companies ace their value-maximized exits. Ponterra offers a variety of merger and acquisition, value enhancement and business advisory services. The firm provides clients with software, data, and services expertise, a global focus, deal making experience and a vast international network of relationships with key decision makers that, when combined, help bridge the gap between industry and the financial services world. Certain members of Ponterra Business Advisors are Registered Representatives of, and conduct securities transactions through StillPoint Capital LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Ponterra Business Advisors and StillPoint Capital LLC are not affiliated entities.

Contact:

Camille Rovani, Ponterra Business Advisors Marketing Coordinator

313329@email4pr.com

US Toll Free +1 (855) 205-2500 Extension: 520

International +1 (703) 565-2177 Extension: 520 View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/ponterra-business-advisors-grows-latin-american-advisory-team-and-sees-significant-opportunity-in-latin-american-tech-market-301322922.html SOURCE Ponterra Business Advisors

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[June 30, 2021] PulteGroup Breaks Ground on New Mortgage-Free Home for Wounded Veteran at Del Webb Nocatee

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Ellis "Jerry" Majetich had already received the life-changing news that PulteGroup is building him a new mortgage-free home through its Built to Honor program. Now, Staff Sergeant Majetich and his family have officially broken ground on their future home at Del Webb Nocatee in Ponte Vedra, Florida. This is the first Built to Honor home donated in a Del Webb community which is designed for active adults ages 55 and older. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005126/en/ "Del Webb Nocatee is the perfect place for the Majetich family to call home," said Dan Reynolds, Vice President of Construction at PulteGroup's North Florida Division. "They will be part of a strong community, including fellow veterans, who have already extended a warm welcome to them - before construction has even begun on their new home. We are so excited for the wonderful new memories the family will create together when they move in later this year." Receiving a special introduction to Del Webb Nocatee, a crowd of residents and soon-to-be neighbors lined the community streets to warmly welcome Staff Sergeant Majetich and his wife Mary Ella as they saw their future homesite for the first time. Being built specifically for them, the single-story home is designed to meet all of Staff Sergeant Majetich's needs. "It is truly an honor for our team to build this home for Staff Sergeant Majetich and thank him for his dedication and service to our country," said Tony Nason, Vice President of Operations at PulteGroup's North Florida Division. "We are so excited to be working with Jerry to build a home that is fully accessible and that will vastly improve his quality of life." "Nothing has ever been given to us; everything we have we've worked for," said Staff Sergeant Majetich. "We are both still overwhelmed with emotions - so thankful for everyone who is a part of this. To try to put our feelings into words is impossible, but we're going to strive to pay it forward for the rest of our lives." This will be the second home dedicated in the greater Jacksonville area through PulteGroup's Built to Honor program. The home is being awarded in partnership with Building Homes for Heroes, a national non-profit organization strongly committed to rebuilding lives and supporting the brave men and women who were injured while serving the country during the time of the wars in Iraq o Afghanistan.



U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Ellis "Jerry" Majetich Army Staff Sergeant Ellis "Jerry" Majetich joined the military out of Kennewick, Washington in 1988 because he wanted to better his life while serving and protecting his country. He served for nearly 20 years, including a stint in the Marine Corps, before being honorably discharged in 2007.

While riding in a vehicle convoy as part of a large battalion, Staff Sergeant Majetich's vehicle was struck by an IED, causing severe injuries. In the firefight that ensued, he was shot four times before being airlifted out for emergency care. He suffered burns on more than one-third of his body, including his face and scalp, the loss of his ears and nose, right hand and fingers on his left hand to amputation, the removal of part of his intestines and stomach, a fractured spine, fractured left foot, and bullet wounds in his right shoulder and right leg. He also suffers from PTSD and a TBI. Since his initial injuries occurred, he has undergone more than 80 surgeries to date. For his service to his country, Staff Sergeant Majetich is the recipient of the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal (5th Award), Army Achievement Medal (3rd Award), Navy Marine Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Unit Commendation, Army Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award), Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal (3rd Award), Southwest Asia Service Medal with 2 Bronze Service Stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Non Commissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device (2nd Award), Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (3rd Award), KU-LIB-MDL (Saudi Arabia), KU-LIB-MDL (Kuwait), Combat Action Badge, and the Expert Badge (Rifle, Pistol, Grenade). About Built to Honor PulteGroup's Built to Honor program recognizes and thanks returning military personnel who have been injured during their term of service by providing mortgage-free homes to veterans and their families. Launched in 2013, the program has built and donated more than 60 homes across the country. Built to Honor works in partnership with nonprofit organizations to identify veteran candidates. For more information about Built to Honor, go to http://builttohonor.org. Follow Built to Honor on Twitter (News - Alert) : @BuiltToHonor and Facebook.com/BuiltToHonor. About Del Webb Del Webb is a national brand of PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM). Del Webb is the pioneer in active adult communities and America's leading builder of new homes designed for pre-retirement and retirees. Del Webb builds consumer inspired homes and communities for active adults ages 55+ who want to continue to explore, grow and learn, socially, physically and intellectually as they look forward to retirement. For more information on Del Webb, visit www.delwebb.com. About PulteGroup PulteGroup, Inc. (NYSE: PHM), based in Atlanta, Georgia, is one of America's largest homebuilding companies with operations in more than 40 markets throughout the country. Through its brand portfolio that includes Centex (News - Alert) , Pulte Homes, Del Webb, DiVosta Homes, American West and John Wieland Homes and Neighborhoods, the company is one of the industry's most versatile homebuilders able to meet the needs of multiple buyer groups and respond to changing consumer demand. PulteGroup's purpose is building incredible places where people can live their dreams. For more information about PulteGroup, Inc. and PulteGroup brands, go to pultegroup.com; www.pulte.com; www.centex.com; www.delwebb.com; www.divosta.com; www.jwhomes.com; and www.americanwesthomes.com. Follow PulteGroup, Inc. on Twitter: @PulteGroupNews. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005126/en/

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[June 30, 2021] QMC Telecom closes R$ 500 million debt financing for new investments in Brazil

SAO PAULO, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- QMC Telecom International ("QMC"), a leader in wireless infrastructure, indoor systems, and special cellular network projects, increased its credit facilities for new infrastructure investments in Brazil with a R$500 million public Debentures issuance led by Itau BBA ("Itau") as underwriter. This new facility refinances a prior transaction with ING for R$150MM in 2018 and solidifies QMC's position as a long-term player for its customers and business partners. "Throughout its years operating in Brazil, QMC has grown at a continuously rapid pace and has differentiated itself in the market for the quality of its services and solutions. This new milestone reflects the great work done by our entire team who remain laser focused on improving connectivity for our customers," said Jose Stella, QMC's co-CEO and co-Founder. "Our strong market position coupled with our growth trajectory within a dynamic telecom sector, allowed us to more than triple the size of our credit facilities. This represents a vote of onfidence for QMC from the Brazilian market and will enable us to accelerate our growth in the country", added Rafael Somoza, also co-CEO and co-Founder of QMC.



With the R$ 500 million, QMC expects to help further strengthen the cellular networks of Brazilian operators by investing in infrastructure focused on wireless solutions. QMC's solutions include build-to-suit towers, DAS (Distributed Antenna Systems), and small cells, in addition to several special projects for neutral-host infrastructure which are increasingly gaining prominence in the telecom world. Ricardo Zubieta, QMC's CFO, celebrated the announcement saying: "We are delighted to add Itau BBA to our lender group in addition to continuing our partnership with ING. We remain committed to increasingly investing more in the Americas, especially Brazil, where we see a market with enormous potential and in which we are uniquely positioned to serve our clients with our full suite of 5G-ready infrastructure solutions."

"At a time when wireless connectivity has become essential in our everyday lives and work, this financing is yet another demonstration of our commitment to providing the best solutions to our customers," said Caio Viggiano, Itau BBA's Managing Director of Fixed Income. About QMC Telecom International

Founded in San Juan, Puerto Rico in 2008, QMC Telecom International ("QMC") is a multinational independent owner and operator of wireless infrastructure. The company develops, owns, acquires, and manages rooftops, macro sites, indoor DAS, and street level solutions in Brazil, Colombia, Mexico, Peru, United States, and Puerto Rico. QMC is backed by a group of renowned investors including Accel, Housatonic Partners, and Grupo Santo Domingo. About Itau BBA

Itau BBA is Latin America's largest corporate investment bank and it is part of the Itau Unibanco group, one of the largest financial conglomerates in the world. Itau BBA provides service to institutional investors and the group's highest-revenue clients. The portfolio includes products and services such as asset management, mergers and acquisitions consultancy, share offerings, securitization, derivatives, structured operations, cash management, financing, and guarantees, among others. Contact: Eduardo Miki, emiki@qmctelecom.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/qmc-telecom-closes-r-500-million-debt-financing-for-new-investments-in-brazil-301322759.html SOURCE QMC Telecom

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[June 30, 2021] Rasmussen University to Open Brand-New Twin Cities Campus

Rasmussen University, a regionally accredited private university, today announced the relocation of its Eagan, Minn., campus to a brand-new, enhanced space-opening in fall 2021. The new Rasmussen University Eagan campus, located at 1305 Corporate Center Drive, is just three miles from the current campus. Construction is underway with classes beginning this October. The Eagan campus will continue to serve students at the current location until the new campus opens. The new 32,000-square-foot campus will include large, high-tech classrooms in addition to updated labs and simulation equipment for Nursing and Health Sciences programs. The campus will also feature expanded office space, modern lounge and study spaces, and a beautiful outdoor common area for the staff and students to enjoy. "Our new Eagan campus location is a great opportunity for us to deliver the best student experience as well as elevate community partnerships in a strong, growing community that we have been a part of for more than 30 years," said Erica O'Gorman, campus director, Rasmussen University-Eagan. "We're excited to be closer to some of our healthcare employer partners as well as to have new enhanced labs and simulation equipment for our health sciences and nursing students." The area around the Eagandale Corporate Center has seen tremendous growth over the past decade, including new business development and road construction. Students and staff will have access to restaurants, shopping and even a local park within walking distance. The location is convenient for commuting as it is located right off Interstate 494. /p>



Rasmussen's History in Eagan

Rasmussen University, having served students at its current Eagan campus for more than 30 years, is a mainstay in the community. The University has served students in Minnesota for more than 120 years. The Eagan campus is one of eight Rasmussen campuses in the state. In 1989, Rasmussen relocated its original St. Paul campus to the current Eagan location on Federal Drive. At that time Eagan was, as it remains, one of the fastest-growing communities in the Twin (News - Alert) Cities metro. Rasmussen University offers more than 50 degree programs, including its suite of the lowest-cost Master's degree programs in America*. To learn more, visit https://www.rasmussen.edu/degrees/. To learn more about the Rasmussen University Eagan campus and its degree offerings, please visit https://www.rasmussen.edu/locations/minnesota/eagan/. *Low-cost claim based on list of comparable programs at regionally accredited institutions at OnlineU. Most Affordable Online Master's Programs, April 2021. ABOUT RASMUSSEN UNIVERSITY: Rasmussen University is a regionally accredited private university dedicated to changing lives and the communities it serves through high-demand and flexible educational programs. As a pioneer in career-focused education since 1900, the University is defining a new generation of higher education that focuses on competency-based education, technology and transferrable skills. Rasmussen offers undergraduate and graduate programs online and in person at 23 campuses around the country. The University is designed to lift and support its students every step of the way, from each student's first credential to their last. Rasmussen is dedicated to global enrichment, serving the underserved and meeting the evolving needs of diverse students, communities and economies. Rasmussen encourages its students, faculty and staff to strive for academic excellence, community enrichment and service to the public good. For more information about Rasmussen University, please visit www.rasmussen.edu. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005210/en/

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[June 30, 2021] Shoreline Equity Partners Forms Pavement Partners and Recapitalizes Finley Asphalt & Concrete

Shoreline Equity Partners, LLC ("Shoreline" or the "Firm"), a purpose-driven lower middle market private equity firm, has announced the formation of Pavement Partners Holding, LLC ("Pavement Partners") and has partnered with Finley Asphalt & Concrete, LLC ("Finley" or together with Pavement Partners, the "Company"). Pavement Partners was formed by Shoreline and Tom York, former CEO of Fire & Life Safety America, to create a platform to acquire pavement repair and maintenance providers across the broader United States. Headquartered in Manassas, Virginia, Finley is a leading provider of asphalt and concrete solutions including maintenance, repair, new paving, milling, and sealcoating services to customers in Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina. For the last 25 years, Finley has been run by Erick and Lewis Finley who will both maintain active leadership roles going forward. Tom York will be joining as the CEO of Pavement Partners and will lead the Company's efforts to expand nationally through acquisitions and organic growth initiatives. Mike Hand, Managing Partner at Shoreline, said, "Erick and Lewis have done a tremendous job positioning the company to be the go-to pavement service provider for their customers. They have built a reputable brand in the space due to their focus on high-quality service and ability to meet all of their customers' pavement repair and maintenance needs. We are thrilled about our partnership with the Finley's and Tom York to build a platform across the Southeast and Texas with the capability to service customers nationally." Tom York, CEO of Pavement Partners and a member of Shoreline's Executive Advisory Board, said "Our partnership with the Finley's is the culmination of a year-long search in the pavement repair and maintenance sector. From our first meeting with the Finley's, we immediately knew that they would be great partners in building this platform due to their extensive expertise, integrity, and reputation. After spending 25+ years inthe facility services' space, I am excited to execute on our growth plans to build a national pavement repair and maintenance provider delivering exceptional service and high-quality work to our customers."



Erick Finley, CEO of Finley, said, "We are thrilled about our partnership with Shoreline and Tom to continue to grow Finley in our core geographies and accelerate expansion into new markets across the country. From the beginning, Shoreline was transparent and delivered on their word throughout every step of the process. Our partnership with Shoreline will allow us to make strategic acquisitions in new geographies to service our customers throughout the country." Lewis Finley, President of Finley, said, "We are very excited about our new partnership with Shoreline and Tom as they share our vision for the future of Finley and the broader platform. As we grow, we will continue to remain committed to holding ourselves to the highest standards on job quality, service, and customer satisfaction."

The transaction for Shoreline was led by Mike Hand, Managing Partner; Ian Garland, Vice President; and Pete Bouret, Associate. Harvey & Company served as an advisor to Shoreline and co-invested in the Company along with Erick and Lewis Finley. Senior financing for the transaction was provided by M&T Bank and South State Bank. About Finley Asphalt & Concrete Headquartered in Manassas, VA, Finley is a leading provider of asphalt and concrete solutions including maintenance, repair, new paving, milling, and sealcoating services. With over 200 employees, Finley serves a diversified customer base across Washington D.C., Virginia, Maryland, and North Carolina including HOA properties, regional retailers, commercial customers, and municipalities. For more information, please visit www.finleyasphalt.com. About Shoreline Shoreline is a lower middle market private equity firm focused on actively partnering with leading management teams. Shoreline follows a total stakeholder model, meaning success should be a "win-win" proposition for shareholders, employees, customers, vendors, and the communities within which the Firm's companies operate. Shoreline professionals believe in honesty, incentive alignment, and creating bigger, better businesses without relying on financial engineering or cost cutting to generate returns. Investing out of the Firm's inaugural $300 million fund, Shoreline seeks to lead equity investments of up to $100 million per transaction in support of buyouts, recapitalizations, and corporate divestitures. Targeted businesses have enterprise values ranging from $25 million to $250 million and EBITDA of $5 million to $25 million. The Firm strives to partner with management teams of businesses primarily within the specialized manufacturing, value-added distribution, and business and facility services sectors, among others. For more information, please visit www.shorelineequitypartners.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005112/en/

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[June 30, 2021] SmartHealth PayCard partners with Cage Free Care to give patients freedom and financial flexibility to take control of their daily healthcare needs

PLANO and CEDAR PARK, Texas, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SmartHealth PayCard, LLC (SHPC), a healthtech payment solutions leader, and Cage Free Care (CFC), which offers a fixed-cost healthcare membership program, are teaming up to give patients the freedom to access and save on quality healthcare services beyond the constraints and costs of traditional health insurance. Through the partnership, CFC members who qualify for a SmartHealth PayCard MasterCard can tap a revolving credit line that can be used for any healthcare or veterinary expense for no additional annual fee. CFC is a direct healthcare membership program that connects patients to a menu of services that meet a variety everyday healthcare needs. With a three-tiered membership fee structure starting at $60 a month, CFC members are charged no deductibles or co-pays and can access primary and emergency care, as well as diagnostic labs and imaging, joint injections, addiction recovery and surgery services available through its provider network, Family Hospital Systems, which operates in Central Texas and Nebraska. With CFC network providers, members can also qualify for lower, "self-pay" rates on services not covered in heir membership fee. This, says CFC Founder and CEO Isaac Higgins, empowers patients to take better control of their healthcare decisions -- especially when they use the SmartHealth PayCard.



"We feel we have cracked the code on making healthcare truly affordable by giving patients the flexibility to pay only for the routine care they need without being subject to exorbitant premiums, deductibles and co-pays," said Higgins. "SmartHealth PayCard is the perfect complement for our members because it further expands the range of care options and the flexibility to pay for any out-of-pockets over time. We are very proud to be partnering with them." SHPC was launched in 2019 to give consumers a flexible, hassle-free option to deal with healthcare expenses while enabling providers to receive payment in full, up front with no added fees, focus more resources on patient outcomes, and reduce administrative costs related to billing and collections.

Patients can apply quickly and conveniently for the SHPC PayCard Mastercard right from their phone and, after a quick approval process that takes only a few minutes, receive a card number to immediately access a revolving credit line of up to $30,000 to pay for services. At no additional charge, card membership also includes $5,000 in accident medical expense coverage and a $5,000 accidental death benefit. In addition, cardholders can save up to 85 percent on prescriptions through SmartHealthRx. With a maximum 18% APR, the SHPC Mastercard offers favorable financing terms compared to other healthcare lending options, which can exceed 25% APR or more. "Cage Free Care is flipping the script in healthcare by liberating patients from the cost structures, red tape and inefficiencies of the health insurance market and helping them access the care they actually need day to day," said Jeff Blankinship, co-founder of SmartHealth PayCard. "We are very pleased to be bringing even more value to CFC members through the many features and benefits of the SmartHealth PayCard Mastercard." About SmartHealth PayCard, LLC

Based in Plano, Texas, SmartHealth PayCard is committed to providing financial solutions to simplify and make healthcare affordable. We seek to introduce transformative change to healthcare that benefits patients, healthcare providers and society at large. For more information, please visit SmartHealthPayCard.com and also watch this brief video overview. About Cage Free Care

Made by patients for patients, Cage Free Care (CFC) is the first-ever Healthcare Membership Program that fully covers emergency room visits, unlimited bloodwork and unlimited direct primary care for one low monthly price. Founded in 2017 by Isaac Higgins and based in Cedar Park, Texas, CFC currently serves members in the Austin, Texas, and Omaha, Neb., markets through a provider network of free-standing hospitals and emergency rooms operated by Family Hospital Systems, which offers primary and emergency care as well as surgical services. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/smarthealth-paycard-partners-with-cage-free-care-to-give-patients-freedom-and-financial-flexibility-to-take-control-of-their-daily-healthcare-needs-301322768.html SOURCE SmartHealth PayCard

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[June 30, 2021] Sofinnova Partners Announces Three New Investments From Its Fund Dedicated to Italian Scientific Research

Sofinnova Partners, a leading European life sciences venture capital firm based in Paris, London and Milan, announced today three new investments from the Sofinnova Telethon Fund, its early-stage fund dedicated to investments in rare, genetic diseases. The startups, AAVantgarde Bio, Alia Therapeutics, and Borea Therapeutics, are developing promising new therapies for rare, genetic diseases. Graziano Seghezzi, Managing Partner at Sofinnova Partners, commented: "These investments mark an important step in our mission to support the excellent scientific research coming out of Italian academic and research centers. They also highlight the exceptional flow of new investment opportunities in Italian biotech, and the important role that venture capital plays in enabling ground-breaking treatments to reach patients suffering from rare, genetic diseases who today have very few therapeutic options." The Sofinnova Telethon Fund is the largest fund entirely dedicated to biotechnology in Italy. The team is led by technology transfer specialists Lucia Faccio and Paola Pozzi, Partners at Sofinnova Partners, who are based in the firm's Milan office. The three new seed investments, totaling 6M, align with the fund's investment strategy to seek out and support the best Italian science and the most promising entrepreneurs to develop world-class companies in the field of rare, genetic diseases. AAVantarde Bio, based in Milan, is developing gene therapies for inherited retinal disorders. The founder, Professor Alberto Auricchio, is a highly recognized scientist and a pioneer in the field of gene therapy. The company's technology builds on existing AAV, or adeno-associated virus-based platforms, which are the main viral vector technology used in gene therapy applications. Existing AAV-based platforms have been limited by capacity, and AAVantgarde Bio responds to this challenge by enabling delivery of large genes to tissue and cells in vivo. The company is a spin-off of TIGEM, an international research institute based in Naples that is owned and managed by the Telethon Foundation.



Alia Therapeutics, based in Trento, is developing next generation CRISPR-based medicine for safer on-target in vivo gene editing approaches to the treatment of retinal degeneration. Alia is a spin-off of the University of Trento and was accelerated at BiovelocITA, Italy's first biotechnology accelerator co-founded in 2015 by Sofinnova Partners and two serial entrepreneurs, Silvano Spinelli and Gabriella Camboni. It is the second company to emerge from the accelerator, following the success of Enthera Pharmaceuticals, another Italian startup that is part of Sofinnova Partners' portfolio. This round of financing also included participation from BiovelocITA, Indaco Venture Partners, and a group of Italian investors brought together by Banor SIM and Banca Profilo. Ms. Pozzi, Partner at Sofinnova Partners, board member of AAVantgarde Bio and an investment partner in Alia Therapeutics, commented: "We are delighted to support these innovative biotech startups as they advance promising programs towards preclinical and clinical development. Both companies have highly qualified scientific teams with globally recognized expertise in the field of gene therapy and gene editing. We are confident in the potential of these companies to tackle the limitations of existing therapies and develop treatments to diseases that do not have adequate solutions today."

Borea Therapeutics, based in Milan, is advancing a new generation of gene therapies that would enable targeting of specific tissues and cells. The company's innovative technology could enable viral vectors to reach areas like the central nervous system (CNS) and peripheral nervous system (PNS), thus opening the door to new therapeutic options. Borea Therapeutics was co-founded by Professor Paul Heppenstall and the European Molecular Biology Lab (EMBL), an intergovernmental research organization with six research sites throughout Europe, including one in Rome. The company's research activities are performed in collaboration with Scuola Internazionale Superiore di Studi Avanzati (SISSA), a scientific center of excellence in Trieste. Ms. Faccio, Partner at Sofinnova Partners and a board member of Borea Therapeutics, commented: "One of the major limitations of gene therapy is the difficulty of selectively targeting specific cells or tissues. Borea Therapeutics' technology has the potential to pinpoint specific tissues and cells, which would enable the use of lower doses, making treatment safer and more effective for patients. This could be the next breakthrough in gene therapy." About Sofinnova Partners Sofinnova Partners is a leading European venture capital firm in life sciences, specializing in healthcare and sustainability. Based in Paris, London and Milan, the firm brings together a team of professionals from all over the world with strong scientific, medical and business expertise. Sofinnova Partners is a hands-on company builder across the entire value chain of life sciences investments, from seed to later-stage. The firm actively partners with ambitious entrepreneurs as a lead or cornerstone investor to develop transformative innovations that have the potential to positively impact our collective future. Founded in 1972, Sofinnova Partners is a deeply-established venture capital firm in Europe, with 50 years of experience backing over 500 companies and creating market leaders around the globe. Today, Sofinnova Partners has over 2 billion under management. For more information, please visit: www.sofinnovapartners.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005320/en/

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[June 30, 2021] TekSavvy files court challenge against CRTC's rate-reversal as it awaits decision from Cabinet

ISP urges Liberal Government to quickly intervene: "The solution to this fiasco rests with Cabinet." CHATHAM, ON, June 30, 2021 /CNW/ - TekSavvy Solutions Inc. ("TekSavvy") on Monday, June 28th, filed a notice of motion with the Federal Court of Appeal, indicating it will seek leave to appeal the CRTC's recent wholesale rates decision (Decision 2021-181). That decision stunned observers by reversing the CRTC's own 2019 Final Rates Order, which had already been upheld by the Federal Court of Appeal and which the Federal Cabinet and the Supreme Court of Canada declined to review. June 28th was the deadline for parties to challenge the CRTC's reversal in court. TekSavvy's court filings refer to evidence filed in support of its Petition to the Liberal Government, a separate appeal where the company has asked Cabinet to quickly reinstate the CRTC's evidence-based 2019 Final Rates Order and to remove CRTC Chair Ian Scott for bias. TekSavvy's Petition notes that Mr. Scott held numerous ex parte meetings with big telecom lobbyists during the case and met one-on-one with Mirko Bibic, then Chief Operating Officer of Bell (and now CEO) at D'Arcy McGee's, an Ottawa bar on December 19, 2019. The meeting occurred just one week after the CRTC opened an active file to hear Bell's application to reverse the 2019 Final Rates Order, which the regulator recently arbitrarily approved. TekSavvy told Cabinet that Mr. Scott's private meeting with Bell, in the middle of a contentious proceeding with hundreds of millions of dollars at stake, is offside the standards of conduct required by government for its appointees to the CRTC. This was confirmed by Cabinet's termination of one Commissioner's appointment for far less egregious conduct in 2017.1 Both the Federal Court and Cabinet have explicitly recognized the concern of bias raised by ex parte meetings between Commissioners and stakeholders with open files before the CRTC - with the Federal Court describing such conduct as "very troubling." In Monday's court filing, TekSavvy argues the CRTC violated its right to procedural fairness and committed an error of law or jurisdiction when it scrapped its 2019 Final Rates Order by arbitrarily reverting to the much higher rates set in 2016  the same rates the CRTC itself already determined to be grossly inflated. A spokesperson for TekSavvy said the company hopes the Liberal Government will intervene quickly and render the court proceeding moot. "After years of litigation and delay, it is now clear that the solution to this fiasco rests with Cabinet. Cabinet must reinstate the CRTC's pro-consumer 2019 Final Rates Order, which was based on years of process, mountains of evidence and withstood three challenges," said Andy Kaplan-Myrth, TekSavvy's VP of Regulatory and Carrier Affairs. "We also believe Cabinet must apply the same standards of conduct to Mr. Scott as it has to another Commissioner it terminated in the past. While we await Cabinet's ruling, we will continue to use every legal means available to us to overturn the CRTC's arbitrary, anti-consumer decision."







_____________________ 1 Order in Council PC Number, May 5, 2017, available online at: <https://orders-in-council.canada.ca/attachment.php?attach=34358&lang=en>.

About TekSavvy Based in Chatham, Ontario, TekSavvy is Canada's largest independent telecom service company, serving over 300,000 customers from coast to coast. TekSavvy has been proudly delivering award-winning services and fighting for consumers' rights for more than 20 years. TekSavvy is committed to providing quality competitive choice and closing Canada's digital divide. SOURCE TekSavvy Solutions Inc.

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[June 30, 2021] Volatus Aerospace Acquires ConnexiCore to Expand Drone Services Business into the US

MILFORD, Pa., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Volatus Aerospace Corp. has agreed to acquire Pennsylvania-based drone service and solutions provider, ConnexiCore LLC. The transaction will close on July 30th, subject to due diligence. Volatus Aerospace will leverage ConnexiCore's proven drone data platform and extensive drone pilot network to expand into the US market, and also develop their Canadian drone business further. In addition to accessing ConnexiCore's fleet of over 1,100 FAA-certified UAV drone pilots, software mapping consultants, and industry-specific subject matter experts, they will also make strategic use of ConnexiCore's unique drone data capabilities, including 3D modeling, building envelope and facade inspection, photogrammetry, aerial mapping, thermal imaging, GIS, and ConnexiCore Cloud, a comprehensive cloud-based asset management system. Pilots in the ConnexiCore fleet are provided with regular upskill training, mentoring, and outreach initiatives. The company prides itself on a military-grade methodology and best practices approach,which emphasizes risk mitigation and operational excellence.



"Joining Volatus is about accelerating growth and expanding our service offering across this great nation," said Frank Segarra, CEO of ConnexiCore. "Having the strength of Volatus resources allows us to proactively scale both the number of clients and the depth of services we offer." "Frank and his team have built a formidable footprint across America," said Glen Lynch, CEO of Volatus Aerospace. "Their presence, brand, and pilot network provide immediate access to the U.S. market. In addition, their Facade Inspection program and the ConnexiCore Cloud platform for infrastructure inspections add value to the capabilities of our Canadian network."

About ConnexiCore

ConnexiCore is an on-demand nationwide commercial drone services and solutions provider that specializes in aerial data collection, image and video analysis, aerial mapping, and 3D photogrammetry for industrial clients. Their nationwide fleet of over 1100 FAA-certified pilots provides UAS drone services anywhere in the US. ConnexiCore manages the entire process for their clients, including piloting the drones, analyzing the data, extracting insights, and delivering actionable tasks to support better decision making. About Volatus Aerospace

Volatus Aerospace is a leading provider of integrated drone solutions. Operating a vast pilot network with offices throughout Canada, the United States, and South America, Volatus provides enterprise and industrial solutions, including training, equipment sales & support, imaging & inspection services, design & manufacture, and research & development. With a rapidly expanding network of strategic partnerships and acquisitions, Volatus is driving the full potential of UAV technologies worldwide and shaping tomorrow's industry. Press contacts: ConnexiCore

Martin Weinberg

313231@email4pr.com

800-874-9640 x701

connexicore.com Volatus Aerospace Corp.

Rob Walker, Vice President, Business Development

313231@email4pr.com

514-447-7986

volatusaerospace.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/volatus-aerospace-acquires-connexicore-to-expand-drone-services-business-into-the-us-301323043.html SOURCE ConnexiCore

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[June 29, 2021] Chatsworth Products Celebrates 30 Years of Employee Ownership and Sustained Global Growth

AGOURA HILLS, Calif., June 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- This year, Chatsworth Products (CPI) celebrates its 30th anniversary as a 100% employee-owned company committed to delivering innovative infrastructure solutions serving the dynamic and complex information and communications technology (ICT) industry worldwide. Chatsworth Products (CPI) celebrates its 3rd decade as a 100% employee-owned company serving the dynamic ICT industry. Founded in 1991 when 90 employees bought out a portion of the Dracon Division of Harris Corp. using an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), CPI's presence during the rapid increase of internet usage in the dot-com era propelled the company to develop an impressive portfolio of racks, runways and cable management products that improved the way ICT professionals stored and protected equipment. Since then, the portfolio has grown to include thousands of products, ranging from CPI's intelligent eConnect power distribution units (PDUs) and the highly customizable ZetaFrame Cabinet, to RMR industrial edge enclosures, the pioneering thermal innovations of CPI Passive Cooling Solutions and practical benefits of its popular Clik-Nut cage nut accessoryeach design inspired by solving everyday customer challenges and then meetingand exceedingcustomers' needs. Today, after steady global expansion into six continents, CPI has honed its agile manufacturing capabilities to efficiently provide engineered, customer-specified solutions to help organizations of all sizes quickly and confidently adapt to digital transformation across platforms such as the Internet of Things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI) and 5G wireless networks. "CPI is proud to have built a 30-year history with a strong, enduring presence in industries that enable a more connected life. Strengthened by the passion of employees with ownership in the business, CPI strives to deliver quality in everything we do. Our experience responding rapidly with tailored standard and custom solutions gives CPI customers a higher return on their digital transformation investment," says Michael Custer, CPI President and CEO. "There's no short-term thinking here, and we see long lasting distributor and customer relationships as our most important investment," he adds. CPI's commitment and expertise in scalable customization is unequalled in the data center industry, and it's a maor reason why CPI products have become sought-after mainstays of modern data centers and edge locations around the world, including the Regents Emirates Pearl Hotel in Abu Dhabi, Anthem Inc. and AmerisourceBergen in the United States, iLink in Hong Kong, Telefonica Vivo in South America, and Telecity Group in Europe. In these facilities and countless others, CPI has provided complete solutions that not only power and protect technology equipment, but also help companies meet green IT requirements.



In the past several years, CPI has taken innovation to new levels with the development of several patented and award-winning solutions that allow for on-site customization and easier user experience, while continuing to grow with important acquisitions of Oberon Inc., a leading provider of mounting solutions for wireless access points and antennas, and R.F. Mote, a Canadian-based manufacturer. In 2019, the company also invested in a new Electronics & Software Technology Center in Round Rock, Texas, and the expansion of its New Bern, N.C. facility. And slated for later this year, CPI plans to cap off its milestone 30th anniversary by opening a new global headquarters and state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Simi Valley, Calif., more than doubling its physical footprint not far from the original Chatsworth, Calif. facility that gave CPI its start and name. To learn more about the benefits of using customization in your digital transformation, watch the video.

About Chatsworth Products

Chatsworth Products (CPI) is a global manufacturer of products and solutions that protect your ever-growing investment in information and communications technology for IT and industrial automation applications. We act as your business partner and are uniquely prepared to respond to your requirements with global availability and rapid product customization, giving you a competitive advantage. With decades of experience engineering thermal, power and cable management solutions for the data center, enterprise networking and industrial enclosure markets, CPI is well positioned to provide you with unequaled application expertise, customer service and technical support, and a global network of industry-leading distributors. CPI is listed with the General Services Administration (GSA) under Federal Supply Schedule IT 70. Products are also available through GSA Advantage and through Government Wide Acquisition Contracts (GWACs), including GSA Connections and NITAAC-ECS III (chatsworth.com/gov). CONTACT Raissa Carey, Public Relations

rcarey@chatsworth.com While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of all information, CPI does not accept liability for any errors or omissions and reserves the right to change information and descriptions of listed services and products. 2021 Chatsworth Products, Inc. All rights reserved. Chatsworth Products, Clik-Nut, CPI, CPI Passive Cooling, CUBE-iT, eConnect, Evolution, GlobalFrame, MegaFrame, Motive, QuadraRack, RMR, Saf-T-Grip, SeismicFrame, SlimFrame, Secure Array, TeraFrame and Velocity are federally registered trademarks of Chatsworth Products. EuroFrame, Simply Efficient and ZetaFrame are trademarks of Chatsworth Products. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/chatsworth-products-celebrates-30-years-of-employee-ownership-and-sustained-global-growth-301322580.html SOURCE Chatsworth Products

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[June 29, 2021] JEMTEC Third Fiscal Quarter & Financial Update

JEMTEC INC. TSX-V: JTC VANCOUVER, BC, June 29, 2021 /CNW/ - JEMTEC Inc. (TSXV: JTC) (the "Company") is pleased to provide an update on its Third Quarter performance for the period ended April 30, 2021 and the Companies improving financial situation, with no debt, strong liquidity and net worth. Q3 Revenues

Revenues have increased by 8% during the quarter ended April 30, 2021 compared to the quarter ended April 30, 2020 primarily due to increased revenues from CSC. The Company earned revenues on its agreements with the Provinces of Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia as well as the CSC and SOLGEN. The Company also earned revenues from private bail clients by presenting the release plans for court cases. Q3 Expenses

During the quarter ended April 30, 2021, expenses increased by 9% compared to the quarter ended April 30, 2020 primarily due to the fluctuations in depreciation, directors' fees, foreign exchange, monitoring and activation fees, office and travel Q3 Income Tax

For the quarter ended April 30, 2021, the Company recognized a provision for income tax expense of $31,000 (2020 - $5,000). The current income tax expense was related to income tax in Canada.



Q3 Net Income

For the quarter ended April 30, 2021, the Company recorded a net income of $95,450, compared to a net income of $86,847 during the quarter ended April 30, 2020. This increase in net income is primarily due to increase in monitoring and activation revenues. Q3 Liquidity

At April 30, 2021, the Company had cash and cash equivalents of $1,615,920 and working capital of $1,632,351. All cash and cash equivalents are on deposit with a Schedule I bank in Canada in current or interest accruing accounts.

Eric Caton, President and CEO said, "We are very pleased with the Q 3 results and we continue to see a profitable and stable path ahead with the Company well positioned to grow its core business and increase market share." Jemtec has provided a full spectrum of monitoring technologies and serv ices to provincial and federal correctional and border services across Canada since 1987 and in doing so has built a reputation for offering the best technological solutions and support for use in this demanding environment. 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. Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. SOURCE Jemtec Inc.

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[June 29, 2021] SOR Powers Bluetooth Sensor Device with Moisture

PERTH, Australia, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Strategic Elements Ltd (ASX:SOR) has achieved a critical development milestone with its moisture powered battery successfully powering an IoT device equipped with both temperature and humidity sensors and onboard Bluetooth communication. The advanced graphene oxide based battery ink technology enables extremely small, thin and light weight battery cells to be printed onto surfaces such as glass and flexible plastic. The battery cells are designed to be powered and self-charged solely by humidity in the air or from the skin. Graphene oxide and moisture from humidity in the air are a readily available, environmentally friendly source of energy compared to alternatives based on lithium and coin cells. Bluetooth Communication and Sensor Demonstration A demonstrator battery harvested energy from moisture in the air and converted this to power a Cypress Semiconductor IoT sensor kit with fully integrated: Electronic control board

Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) communication module

Temperature sensor

Humidity sensor Battery ink cells successfully enabled real time temperature and humidity data to be captured and transmitted wirelessly to a laptop via sensors and a BLE communication module over the 5 hour testing period with a sampling rate of 7 seconds. Significantly, for the first time battery ink cells were integrated with a commercial supercapacitor. This is a significant advancement as higher performance applications require a supercapacitor/battery for greater energy storage. The Cypress Semiconductor IoT sensor kit is a development platform for IoT devices with BLE wireless connectivity. The fully integrated module is designed to demonstrate development potential of various components (including power sources) for a wide range of IoT devices. This includes, for example, smart buildings and homes where temperature and humidity are core sensors in a large multi-billion dollar market. BLE wireless connectivity is also set to expand with increasing use of building energy management systems to collect data via a network of wireless sensors.





Screen Printing Development The battery ink is being designed to produce a battery pack with a large number of miniature battery cells. Scaling down cell size means more batteries can be assembled in the same area leading to increased power output. This is similar to computer chips where greater performance has been achieved by scaling down memory cell size and increasing density. Global electronics companies have adopted traditional screen printing methods to enable miniature electronic components (down to micrometre size) to be printed onto sheets of plastic. - Scaling down cell size through screen printing can potentially significantly increase power output from the same area. - Battery ink cells fabricated by the Company to date are approximately 0.25cm2 in size. Screen printing equipment at UNSW has technical capability to print components hundreds of times smaller than the current battery ink cell size. Significant materials engineering to customise the battery ink for screen printing has been conducted. Taking COVID restrictions into account, the Company will aim to finalise development and testing of a prototype battery ink formulated for screen printing over the next few weeks. Milliamp Battery Pack The Company is intending to develop a prototype battery pack producing over a milliamp of electrical current mid Q3 2021.This will be recognised as a significant milestone as it dramatically expands the range of electronic devices the battery can potentially power. If the screen printing battery ink, scaling and milliamp work is successful the Company will proceed to investigate pathways to generating a significantly larger amount of energy than has been contemplated to date. Highly Skilled Team and Collaboration Development is under an Australian Research Council part-funded collaboration between the Company and the University of New South Wales (announced 30/7/20). The group at UNSW have developed deep experience in electronic inks, energy harvesting and storage over the past 10 years and are applying that in development of the Battery Ink technology. UNSW School of Materials Science and Engineering is ranked #1 in Australia for material science and have a number of partnerships with leading companies such as Boral, Hitachi Chemical, One Steel and many more. UNSW has world-class infrastructure and equipment geared towards advanced materials engineering and fabrication. About the Company The Australian Federal Government has registered Strategic Elements as a Pooled Development Fund with a mandate to back Australian innovation. The Company operates as a venture builder where it generates high risk-high reward ventures and projects from combining teams of leading scientists or innovators. Investors in SOR potentially pay no tax on capital gains from selling their SOR shares as the Company operates under the Pooled Development program setup to encourage investment into innovation. Through its 100% owned subsidiaries the Company is: Collaborating with giant US Fortune 100 Company Honeywell to build autonomous robotic security vehicles for the correctional justice sector.

Working with CSIRO and has licensed world leading CSIRO technology that enables robots to work together in teams.

Developing printable electronic inks for batteries, neuromorphic computing and RRAM memory applications with the University of New South Wales . More information on the Pooled Development Program is available on the Company's website. The Company is listed on the ASX under the code "SOR".

www.strategicelements.com.au This announcement was authorised for release by Strategic Elements' Board of Directors. SOURCE Strategic Elements Ltd

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[June 29, 2021] SIMCom, together with Infineon and Kigen, has innovated with the smallest eSIM-enabled module bringing new possibilities for space-constrained cellular IoT

Highlights The SIM7070 series from SIMCom is an NB-IoT module in a compact footprint (24 mm x 24 mm) combining GSMA-compliant eSIM remote management from Kigen with a best-in-class eSIM security controller from Infineon optimized for space-constrained and industrial applications.

SIMCom, Kigen and Infineon have announced the module's immediate availability, even as a first in Europe .

. The single certified eSIM-enabled product allows OEMs and MVNOs to ease manufacture and logistics for the acceleration of massive IoT so as to quickly scale to millions of devices in the field, regardless of location. SHANGHAI, June 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SIMCom, the leading designer and manufacturer of Machine-to-Machine (M2M) wireless modules and solutions, announced that the SIMCom NB-IoT SIM7070 module measuring only 24 mm x 24 mm can now be equipped with a compact eSIM security controller from Infineon powered by GSMA-compliant remote SIM management software provided by Kigen (UK) Ltd. The security controller comes in the smallest SMD package, significantly smaller than the standard currently established. eSIM and Remote SIM Provisioning (RSP) technology are huge breakthroughs, relieving a major bottleneck in at-scale device deployment for massive IoT. A growing ecosystem is discovering eSIM benefits for more use cases. Instead of using a physical SIM to send the data required to connect to the network, eSIM enables remote SIM provisioning of any cellular connected device. This specification is used in various applications within the sectors of consumer electronics, home IoT applications, industrial (IIoT) applications such as smart metering, and logistics (asset tracking). "IoT equipment is getting smaller but has more functions, which presents a big challenge to the module supplier. Thanks to the cooperative effort with Infineon and Kigen, SIMCom's NB-IoT module SIM7070 family now supports the option of embedding a miniaturized eSIM and facilitate integration, and logistics while reducing costs of manufacturing secure by design goods at scale," says Yang Tao, Chairman of SIMCom. NB-IoT will thus become an integral part of IMT-2020 or 5G, addressing the burgeoning demand for low-speed, low-bandwidth connections in utilities, households and industries. SIMCom SIM7070 series is an NB-IoT module which supports wireless communication modes of Cat-M/Cat-NB/GPRS/EDGE. It employs an LCC form factor and has a compact size of 24 mm x 24 mm, so it's ideal for compact product design. Meanwhile, it has abundant interfaces including UART, GPIO, PCM, SPI, I2C, etc. The SIM7070 series has been used in metering tracker and other various scenes which need low latency, low-throughput data communication in a variety of radio-propagation conditions. In addition to providing its OPTIGA Connect IoT eSIM turnkey solution, Infineon supports diverse IoT solutions from its partners with its security controller hardware expertise. The SLM17 32-bit eSIM security controller, embedded in a miniaturized SMD package measuring 2mmx2mm in a SIMcom SIM7070 module is optimized for the demands of cellular IoT applications, providing an extended temperature range from -40 to 105C. Thanks to highly robust NVM technology and resistance to harsh environmental conditions such as vibrations and humidity, SLM17 supports a lifetime in excess of 10 years, retains data for more than 10 years and boasts extremely low failure rates.



"The deployment of 5G and the move towards the cloud and virtualization are reshaping operations and practices in the industry. We support this transformation through collaborations like this, eliminating the SIM integration effort for SIMCom customers and MNOs. At the same time, we are meeting pressing industry demands for scalability, easy deployment and widescale coverage," says Juergen Rebel, Senior Vice President and General Manager Embedded Security at Infineon. Under this partnership, Kigen will provide it's GSMA-compliant eSIM OS and M2M Remote SIM Provisioning services for SIM7070 eSIM modules, enabling over the air switching of SIM profiles from different mobile operators or IoT connectivity providers, thus allowing for continuous local connectivity. Kigen's leading remote SIM provisioning service is certified via audit as an SAS-SM provider for SM-DP and SM-SR capability.

Kigen's eSIM services also support MNOs and device makers who wish to streamline their logistics as they scale their secure device roll-outs. Device makers choosing cellular connectivity can distribute their devices to customers worldwide, with a single certified eSIM-enabled product. Devices and customers can be onboarded and managed easily from a unified RSP management scheme. Product upgrades and new services can be provided remotely, supporting innovation and service differentiation. Through this integration, device makers can retain their network of choice and flexibility through Kigen's bundled eSIM enablement services. "One barrier to scaling IoT is the complexity device makers face in accessing readily available hardware, and especially so with low-power cellular IoT. Thus, the collaboration with SIMCom and Infineon brings together all elements in a way that allows even the smallest devices to get connected with ease and at scale. With Kigen's GSMA-certified eSIM OS and remote SIM provisioning services, device makers can manufacture a single product to win new customers in new geographies and work with their preferred connectivity networks." says Vincent Korstanje, CEO of Kigen. In 5G era, the coming challenge for enterprises, MNOs and IoT service operators will be activating millions more devices quickly and securely. MNOs can offer unique M2M and IoT services without adding human intensive processes, choosing instead to use proven M2M RSP solutions. RSP enabled solutions expand their customer base and allow to capitalize on massive IoT and 5G growth. Device makers choosing cellular connectivity can distribute their devices to customers worldwide, with a single certified eSIM-enabled product. Costs are reduced as the need to stock and manage variants of SIM form factors are eliminated. Enterprises can use RSP to virtually manage a secure array of devices deployed across geographic regions. Devices and customers can be onboarded and managed easily from a unified RSP management scheme. Product upgrades and new services can be provided remotely, supporting innovation and service differentiation. Together with Infineon and Kigen, SIMCom SIM7070 eSIM solution will have a potential market and help to achieve the dream of a connected world. For further enquiries, please contact simcom@simcom.com, Tel +86 (021) 31575137. About SIMCom SIMCom Wireless Solutions Limited (SIMCom) is a global leading designer and manufacturer of Machine-to-Machine (M2M) wireless modules and solutions. As a key player in IoT ecosystem, SIMCom has established long-term partnership with hundreds of Strategic Partners?customers and agents. It can provide highest cost performance and innovative wireless solutions to global customers in order to save cost and expedite the time to market by virtue of its remarkable R&D, superior product and perfect channels. SIMCom's products have been widely recognized worldwide with more than 200 million annual shipments. More info, please visit www.simcom.com. About Infineon Infineon Technologies AG is a world leader in semiconductor solutions that make life easier, safer and greener. Microelectronics from Infineon are the key to a better future. In the 2020 fiscal year (ending 30 September), Infineon reported revenue of more than 8.5 billion with a workforce of some 46,700 people worldwide. Following the acquisition of the US company Cypress Semiconductor Corporation in April 2020, Infineon is now a global top 10 semiconductor company. Infineon is listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (ticker symbol: IFX) and in the USA on the over-the-counter market OTCQX International Premier (ticker symbol: IFNNY). Further information is available at www.infineon.com. About Kigen At Kigen, we're making the future of securing connectivity simple. As simple as can be. Together with our partners and customers, we're unlocking new opportunities as (integrated) eSIM becomes the cornerstone of connected devices security. Our industry-leading SIM OS products enable more than 2 billion SIMs. Our remote SIM provisioning and eSIM services drive this momentum further placing us amongst top 5 SIM vendors globally. Our 135 employees globally are guided by the vision of a world where every device can connect securely and reliably. For more information, go to https://kigen.com or speak to us on @Kigen_Ltd on Twitter and LinkedIn about #futureofSIM. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/simcom-together-with-infineon-and-kigen-has-innovated-with-the-smallest-esim-enabled-module-bringing-new-possibilities-for-space-constrained-cellular-iot-301322668.html SOURCE SIMCom

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[June 29, 2021] JobKred, Singapore-Based AI-Powered Skills Intelligence Company, Launches First-of-its-Kind HR Tech Platform in Japan to Accelerate Workforce Transformation

TOKYO, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- JobKred, a Singapore-based AI-powered Skills Intelligence Startup, is proud to announce today their expansion into Tokyo, Japan, which aims to support Japanese organisations with accelerated workforce transformation. Funded by Japanese venture capital Accord Ventures, JobKred will be the first HR Tech AI platform in Japan, with the analytical tools and capabilities to address the country's current workforce crisis, aggravated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Established in 2014, JobKred is the 2021 award winner for the Singapore Business Review Technology Excellence Awards, whose HR Tech platform has accelerated workforce transformation for companies all over the world. JobKred is capable of identifying a clear direction in workforce development and enables organisations to increase efficiency in recruitment processes through talent development within the company. As Japan's Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare reported over 80,000 jobs lost in 2021 due to COVID-19, this suggests an urgent need for the Japanese workforce to move away from their legacy "Membership-Type" employment. By expanding into Japan, JobKred aims to provide the proper framework and metrics for Japanese organisations, which will allow them to smoothly transition from "Membership-Type" employment into "Job-Type" employment. "Since COVID-19, we've been approached by many large Japanese companies who have expressed the need for a workforce solution that enables ease of job transition and progression. Japan has always been one of our target markets, and this organic demad for a solution like ours has accelerated our decision to focus on growth in Japan and solving the needs of the market. From skills development, to reskilling, upskilling, and retraining, we have spoken to a handful of Japanese companies who have agreed with our value in skills intelligence and career development for both their local teams and international teams," said CEO and Co-Founder of JobKred, Gary Gan.



Dedicated to enterprise businesses, JobKred's global human resources platform provides skills intelligence data and analytical tools allow management teams to make decision-based on data and insights. This enables companies to navigate through changes in their industry and maintain their competitive advantage across markets. To further increase organisational efficiency, JobKred also offers a personalised career development platform. This function allows employees to evaluate their job performance, identify their skill gaps, and access recommended personalised training courses that are readily available online or in-person. Upon completing their self-assessment, employees will find themselves motivated to take responsibility for their personal career development, without the need for close contact supervision from higher management.

JobKred's solutions have attained success repeatedly for multiple organisations in Singapore, achieving an above average improvement in employee engagement, and reducing attrition rate up to 37% for award-winning government tech solutions companies, such as CrimsonLogic. Throughout 2020-2021, JobKred has seen over 400% growth in companies utilising their platform, and over 100,000 employee users. To date, JobKred has supported workforce transformation in Fortune 500 enterprises, government agencies and global organisations, such as World Bank, UNESCO, Asian Development Bank, and more. Moving forward in 2021, JobKred intends to expand their team in Japan and announce their upcoming partnerships with established learning and development providers, Small Medium Enterprise and Multinational Corporation partnerships in the market. With a goal to become a global tech company, JobKred is also aiming to expand their offerings to companies in Australia, Vietnam and Malaysia. For more information about JobKred, please visit www.jobkred.com. About JobKred Established in 2014, JobKred is an AI-powered skills intelligence company that specialises in employee retention. With a tech platform dedicated to enterprise businesses, JobKred has transformed recruitment practices and empowered crucial HR decisions for organisations all over the world, by embracing a data-driven and predictive-trend analytics approach. With a business proposition that is highly relevant across markets, JobKred aims to expand into developing countries to help with the country's workforce transformation. To date, JobKred has been doubling in revenue on an annual basis without any third-party funding and are the recent Computer Software Category award winners of the Singapore Business Review Technology Excellence Awards 2021. SOURCE JobKred

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[June 29, 2021]

Online Education Market In India with Dexler Education Pvt. Ltd. and Info Edge (India) Ltd., Emerging as Key Market Vendors | Technavio

NEW YORK, June 29, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Technavio has been monitoring the online education market in India, operating under the consumer discretionary industry. The latest report on the online education market in India, 2021-2025, estimates it to register an incremental growth by USD 2.28 bn, at a CAGR of almost 20% during the forecast period. The report offers an up-to-date analysis regarding the current market scenario, the latest trends and drivers, and the overall market environment.

Technavio's in-depth research has all your needs covered as our research reports include all foreseeable market scenarios, including pre- & post-COVID-19 analysis.

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The market is fragmented, and the degree of fragmentation will accelerate during the forecast period. Competitors have to focus on differentiating their product offerings with unique value propositions to strengthen their foothold in the market. Market vendors also have to leverage the existing growth prospects in the fast-growing segments, while maintaining their positions in the slow-growing segments. Dexler Education Pvt. Ltd., Educomp Solutions Ltd., Indiavidual Learning Pvt. Ltd., Indira Gandhi National Open University, Info Edge (India) Ltd., MPS Interactive Systems Ltd., Next Education India Pvt. Ltd., NIIT Ltd., SMU-DE, and Think & Learn Pvt. Ltd. are among some of the major market participants.

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Increased penetration of the internet and smartphones in India has been instrumental in driving the growth of the market. Furthermore, digital initiatives taken by the government of India are one of the factors fueling the growth of online education. However, a lack of infrastructure and an essential learning environment might hamper the market growth.

Technavio's custom research reports offer detailed insights on the impact of COVID-19 at an industry level, a regional level, and subsequent supply chain operations. This customized report will also help clients keep up with new product launches in direct & indirect COVID-19 related markets, upcoming vaccines and pipeline analysis, and significant developments in vendor operations and government regulations.

Download a Free Sample Report on COVID-19 Impacts

Online Education Market in India 2021-2025: Segmentation

Online Education Market in India is segmented as below:

The content segment held the largest product segment share in the online education market in India. In addition, the higher education segment will continue to lead the online education market growth in India. This report provides an accurate prediction of the contribution of all the segments to the growth of the online education market size in India.

Product

Content



Services

End-user

Higher Education



K-12

Online Education Market in India 2021-2025: Scope

Technavio presents a detailed pictureof the market by the way of study, synthesis, and summation of data from multiple sources. The online education market in India report covers the following areas:







Online Education Market in India Size

Online Education Market in India Trends

Trends Online Education Market in India Industry Analysis

This study identifies the emergence of cloud computing as one of the prime trends anticipated to drive the online education market in India positively during the next few years.

Technavio suggests three forecast scenarios (optimistic, probable, and pessimistic) considering the impact of COVID-19. Technavio's in-depth research has direct and indirect COVID-19 impacted market research reports.

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Online Education Market in India 2021-2025: Key Highlights

CAGR of the market during the forecast period 2021-2025

Detailed information on factors that will assist the online education market growth in India during the next five years

Estimation of the online education market size in India and its contribution to the parent market

Predictions on upcoming trends and changes in consumer behavior

The growth of the online education market in India

Analysis of the market's competitive landscape and detailed information on vendors

Comprehensive details of factors that will challenge the growth of the online education market vendors in India

Related Reports on Consumer Discretionary Include:

Academic E-Learning Market by End-user and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025

Online Tutoring Market by Courses and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025

Corporate Online Language Learning Market in Europe by Deployment and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025

E-learning Market by End-users and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025

Online Tutoring Services Market in US by Product and End-user - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025

Table of Contents:

Executive Summary

Market Landscape

Market ecosystem

Value chain analysis

Market Sizing

Market definition

Market segment analysis

Market size 2020

Market outlook: Forecast for 2020 - 2025

Five Forces Analysis

Five Forces Summary

Bargaining power of buyers

Bargaining power of suppliers

Threat of new entrants

Threat of substitutes

Threat of rivalry

Market condition

Market Segmentation by Product

Market segments

Comparison by Product

Content - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Services - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Market opportunity by Product

Market Segmentation by End-user

Market segments

Comparison by End-user

Higher education - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

K-12 - Market size and forecast 2020-2025

Market opportunity by End-user

Customer landscape

Overview

Market drivers

Market challenges

Market trends

Vendor Landscape

Overview

Landscape disruption

Vendor Analysis

Vendors covered

Market positioning of vendors

Dexler Education Pvt. Ltd.

Educomp Solutions Ltd.

Indiavidual Learning Pvt. Ltd.

Indira Gandhi National Open University

Info Edge ( India ) Ltd.

) Ltd. MPS Interactive Systems Ltd.

Next Education India Pvt. Ltd.

NIIT Ltd.

SMU-DE

Think & Learn Pvt. Ltd.

Appendix

Scope of the report

Currency conversion rates for US $

Research methodology

List of abbreviations

About Us

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focus on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions. With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavio's report library consists of more than 17,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavio's comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

Contact

Technavio Research

Jesse Maida

Media & Marketing Executive

US: +1 844 364 1100

UK: +44 203 893 3200

Email: media@technavio.com

Website: www.technavio.com/

Report: www.technavio.com/report/online-education-market-in-india-market-industry-analysis

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SOURCE Technavio
[June 29, 2021] ADDING MULTIMEDIA XINSURANCE Offers Space Insurance to Jeff Bezos and Blue Origin Passengers

XINSURANCE - a leading nationwide specialty lines liability insurance company - today offered to insure Jeff Bezos and his five Blue Origin passengers during the upcoming high-profile rocket flight in July. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210629005911/en/ XINSURANCE offers to insure Jeff Bezos and Blue Origin passengers. (Photo: Business Wire) "Like Bezos, we are calculated risk takers, and XINSURANCE strives to find formulated solutions for the uninsurable," said J. Parker Lindsey, senior vice president of XINSURANCE. "We are confident we can accurately evaluate this new risk of space flight and prvide quotes to and insure not only Bezos, but all future passengers of space flights."



Bezos, the wealthiest person in the world, is the biggest name to take to space, and until now, could not find an insurance agency to cover the 11-minute trip for him and his space crew. While NASA's astronauts are effectively insured through U.S. taxpayers, Blue Origin is not legally required to offer insurance to its passengers. Until today, no firm was ready to offer liability coverage for space travelers. In addition to offering to cover the space flight with Bezos, XINSURANCE will look to offer insurance for the budding space tourism industry in general. XINSURANCE specializes in helping individuals and businesses who live a lifestyle or participate in activities that make them difficult for traditional carriers to insure.

"It's a risk category where there's a need," says Lindsey. "And we're the right company to fill it." XINSURANCE is a specialty lines liability insurance company that provides insurance solutions for difficult risk individuals, homeowners and businesses when other insurance companies will not or cannot provide. The insurance company has more than 40 years of expertise in offering high-risk specialty insurance across the U.S. For more information about XINSURANCE, visit www.xinsurance.com. About XINSURANCE XINSURANCE is a dba of Evolution Insurance Brokers, LC, Salt Lake City, Utah. With more than 40 years of experience, XINSURANCE offers specialty lines, property and casualty, professional and personal liability Insurance coverage in all 50 states. By providing clients with access to customized liability insurance policies that cover gaps in their traditional insurance coverage, XINSURANCE helps minimize exposures and maximize peace of mind. For more information, visit XINSURANCE.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210629005911/en/

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[June 30, 2021] OTC Markets Group Welcomes Adcore Inc. to OTCQX

NEW YORK, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM), operator of financial markets for 11,000 U.S. and global securities, today announced Adcore Inc. ("Adcore" or the "Company") (TSX: ADCO; OTCQX: ADCOF), a leading e-commerce advertising management and automation platform to leverage digital marketing in an effortless and accessible way ("Effortless Advertising"), has qualified to trade on the OTCQX Best Market. Adcore begins trading on OTCQX under the symbol "ADCOF." U.S. investors can find current financial disclosure and Real-Time Level 2 quotes for the Company on www.otcmarkets.com. The Company's shares will also continue to trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "ADCO". Upgrading to the OTCQX Market is an important step for companies seeking to provide transparent trading for their U.S. investors. For companies listed on a qualified international exchange, streamlined market standards enable them to utilize their home market reporting to make their information available in the U.S. To qualify for OTCQX, companies must meet high financial standards, follow best practice corporate governance and demonstrate compliance with applicable securities laws. "Congratulations to Adcore Inc on upgrading to our OTCQX Best Market. Adcore joins the growing number of Israeli headquartered issuers that have seen success on our OTCQX and OTCQB markets. And, we encourage more internationally based companies to utilize this efficient alternative to build North American visibility and gain secondary access to U.S. investors," Jason Paltrowitz, OTC Markets Group EVP  Corporate Services. "We are excited to begin trading on the OTCQX as a next step to building long term shareholder value both in the US and Canada," commented Omri Brill, Chief Executive Officer of Adcore Inc. "A portion of our investor base is currently in the U.S. and we believe this will complement our Toronto Stock Exchange listing by further broadening our visibility to a large investor audience as we continue to create unique solutions and drive growth as a marketing innovator in the e-commerce sector." Securities Law USA, PLLC acted as the Company's OTCQX sponsor. 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/ About OTC Markets Group Inc. OTC Markets Group Inc. (OTCQX: OTCM) operates the OTCQX Best Market, the OTCQB Venture Market and the Pink Open Market for 11,000 U.S. and global securities. Through OTC Link ATS and OTC Link ECN, we connect a diverse network of broker-dealers that provide liquidity and execution services. We enable investors to easily trade through the broker of their choice and empower companies to improve the quality of information available for investors. To learn more about how we create better informed and more efficient markets, visit www.otcmarkets.com. OTC Link ATS and OTC Link ECN are SEC regulated ATSs, operated by OTC Link LLC, member FINRA/SIPC. Subscribe to the OTC Markets RSS Feed Media Contact: OTC Markets Group Inc., +1 (212) 896-4428, media@otcmarkets.com Adcore IR contacts: 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

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[June 30, 2021] Luvme Hair Launches Their APP To Create A More Comfortable Shopping Experience

NEW YORK, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Luvme Hair, a famous human hair wig brand in North America, has recently launched its APP, LUVME HAIR, which is now available on Google Play and Apple Store for both IOS and Android. News and information about the brand, as well as exclusive promotional deals will be accessible for women from anywhere. The Luvme hair app was launched based on feedback from a customer survey, in which some customers wrote down their desires to a more smooth and convenient purchase process. "Having understood the wishes of our customers, Luvme Hair is willing to take advantage of these opportunities to create a seamless and enjoyable shopping experience online, on your mobile device," said Michael Li, Luvme Hair's product manager. The app has also received a lot of positive feedback from customers. One of the reviewers, Astevia Agnew said: "I never hesitat to purchase from Luvme Hair cause I know it will be worth every penny. Quality to the max. The app is quick and efficient! "



Luvme Hair app has the following advantages over a website. With an exclusive app discount, customers can buy dream wigs at a more preferential price. Timely notification of new products, latest activities, and customers desired product replenishment notice will reach app users for the first time, which can largely save customers' time to obtain new information.

The logistics section in app can quickly update the logistics information to their users. When there are some problems with the delivery, exclusive customer services will help users solve the related problems in time. Last but not least, the unique feature in the app is the hairstylist search section. Not only is it convenient for users to find the nearest salons or hairstylists according to their location, but also it can allow them to have more flexibility when it comes to doing wig installation with the perfect piece. Luvme hair is constantly pushing the envelope and striving to create a new situation for brand development. Few wig brands have designed their brand app, as one of them, Luvme Hair will further optimize the contents in the app and launch more exclusive app activities and discounts for the users. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/luvme-hair-launches-their-app-to-create-a-more-comfortable-shopping-experience-301322743.html SOURCE LUVME HAIR

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[June 30, 2021] HUAWEI Ads welcomes Philippines advertising partners to explore joint business growth

MANILA, Philippines, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Huawei's mobile advertising division, HUAWEI Ads, is expanding its business in Philippines by introducing more partner support and diverse ad solutions, aiming to encourage local advertisers to onboard the platform and amplify their brand messages across the Huawei ecosystem. Launched in 2020 in the Asia-acific region, HUAWEI Ads is a one-stop, programmatic advertising marketplace tailored for Huawei devices. The service integrates with the underlying algorithms and architecture of Huawei devices, making it the most effective platform to reach Huawei's over 730 million global users across devices such as smartphones, PCs and tablets.



Through HUAWEI Ads, advertisers can choose from diverse ad options for placements within Huawei's native and third-party apps, according to their campaign objectives. Currently, HUAWEI Ads is integrated into more than 10,000 high-traffic third-party apps in APAC. Besides standard display ads, HUAWEI Ads also comes with innovative formats such as custom placements on AppGallery, Huawei's official app store, and new search ads on Petal Search. The HUAWEI Ads platform supports real-time and programmatic biddings, and precise targeting features such as lookalike audiences and retargeting. This ensures that the advertiser's messages and placements are directed to the ideal users who fit their consumer demographics. Additionally, HUAWEI Ads provides tools such as Smart Bidding and Smart Banners, along with one-click installation links, to give advertisers more control over the ad settings.



In addition, all HUAWEI Ads inventories have integrated with the international standard Open Measure Software Development Kit (OM SDK). This is a set of software tools designed by IAB Tech Lab for facilitating third-party viewability of measurement data. OM SKD-enabled media helps generate uniform ad viewability reports for each ad placed in the app environment, providing HUAWEI Ads advertisers with accurate and consistent third-party independent data to better evaluate their ad performance and ensure fairness and transparency in the programmatic ad marketplace. All-round support to nurture business growth HUAWEI Ads also provides end-to-end support from the onboarding process to ad optimisation for Philippines advertisers in a commitment to build a sustainable digital ad environment. Qualified advertisers and certified agencies in Philippines will be able to enjoy the following benefits: Free advertising credit for direct advertisers that qualify for the trial programme

Rebates on media spend for eligible and certified agencies

certified agencies Dedicated support from the local team to guide through the onboarding process

Expert training on ad campaign setup and optimisation

New product beta testing opportunities for certified partners Advertisers interested in the HUAWEI Ads service can visit https://bit.ly/HuaweiAdsAPACE to download the HUAWEI Ads media kit and book a demo session to learn more about the platform. SOURCE Huawei Mobile Services

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[June 30, 2021] IDnow and French Identity Technology Provider ARIADNEXT Combine to Create Leading Pan-European Identity Verification Platform

Combined product portfolio will offer one of the broadest sets of identity verification solutions to the European market. MUNICH and RENNES, France, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- IDnow, a German-based leader in identity verification-as-a-service solutions, today announced that it has agreed to acquire ARIADNEXT, a French company specializing in remote identity verification and digital identity creation. With IDnow and ARIADNEXT joining forces, the companies can provide one comprehensive identity verification platform, ranging from AI driven to human-assisted technology and from online to point-of-sale verification options. The combination further increases the services IDnow offers to the UK, French and German markets, as well as to international customers with identity verification needs across several jurisdictions and use cases. On the back of strong adoption of digital identity products, IDnow expects to increase revenue 3x in 2021 versus 2019 and is on track to continue accelerating this growth momentum. Since the beginning of the pandemic, IDnow has seen an extraordinary increase in demand for their solutions. IDnow's products have been used 200% more compared to last year and many companies have decided to switch to fully digital application processes. The integration of ARIADNEXT, whose service usage has increased more than 130% per year over the last 5 years, will help to meet this rising demand by providing an outstanding, frictionless user experience. "This combination with ARIADNEXT is an important step towards our vision of building the pan-European leader for identity verification-as-a-service solutions," said Andreas Bodczek, CEO of IDnow. "Identity vrification saw a major turn towards digitalization over the past decade and this trend has been further accelerated by the pandemic. It is now critical for banks, insurers, mobility companies and others to shift towards safe, automated solutions. With ARIADNEXT, in addition to our recent acquisition of identity Trust Management AG, IDnow can provide our customers with an even broader suite of products through a single platform with a seamless user experience."



"We are looking forward to joining a team of IDnow's caliber, combining our experience and skills to work towards our shared vison of providing a pan-European secure and future-proof solution to customers," said Guillaume Despagne, President of ARIADNEXT. "With a strong presence in Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Spain, Poland and Romania, our combined product portfolios create an unmatched platform for customers across the European market." IDnow will retain ARIADNEXT's locations in Rennes, Paris, Madrid, Bucharest, Iasi and Warsaw, as well as its over 125 employees. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals.

About IDnow IDnow is a leading identity verification platform in Europe with a vision to make the connected world a safer place. The IDnow platform provides a broad portfolio of identity verification solutions, ranging from automated to human-assisted from purely online to point-of-sale, each of them optimized for user conversion rates and security. The company has offices in Germany, United Kingdom and France and is backed by renowned institutional investors, including Corsair and Seventure Partners. Its portfolio of over 670 international clients, spans a wide range of industries, and includes leading international players such as, Western Union, UBS, Commerzbank, Sixt and Munich Re, as well as digital champions like N26, Solarisbank, wefox and Tier mobility. About ARIADNEXT ARIADNEXT is a European leader in the digital identification industry. By providing fully automated solutions based on Artificial Intelligence, ARIADNEXT offers companies and governments the ability to instantly build trusting relationships with their consumers and citizens. These solutions enable them to meet regulatory challenges and anti-fraud requirements while focusing on customer experience and digital transformation. The company has offices in France, Spain, Poland and Romania. ARIADNEXT's solutions have already attracted more than 300 customers in Europe such as Societe Generale, Credit Mutuel, Lydia, Younited Credit, Francaise des Jeux, Unibet, SFR and Bouygues Telecom. Press contact IDnow:

Christina Schwinning

press@idnow.io

+49 89 41324 6054 Press contact ARIADNEXT

Elodie Poulain

press@ariadnext.com

+33 230 960 570 Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1554696/Andreas_Bodczek_IDnow.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1342896/IDnow_Logo.jpg

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[June 30, 2021] Innoviti launches G.E.N.I.E, India's first smart marketing app for local mobile retailers to help them revive business impacted by pandemic, in Tamil Nadu

BENGALURU, India, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading provider of Intelligent payment solutions, Innoviti, today announced the launch of G.E.N.I.E, India's first smart marketing app for local mobile dealers in Tamil Nadu. Keeping the interests of mobile dealer community who has been facing the onslaught of online, especially during the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic - G.E.N.I.E is designed to bring online customers back to retail shops. The Covid-19 pandemic has triggered a significant move from offline to online, affecting the businesses of local mobile and consumer durable dealers. Consumers have also been impacted with salary cuts, job losses and need affordable EMI plans to buy productivity tools. With G.E.N.I.E, Innoviti aims to revive sales for merchants & fuel growth by attracting more walk-ins for them, more conversions, and more profits, while helping consumers access affordable EMI plans. G.E.N.I.E. provides three benefits to local mobile dealers to help them fight this impact: 1) Extra margin of 0.5% to 1% on every sale of branded mobile phones. This helps them increase profits. 2) Provides them with a G.E.N.I.E EMI Wallet that they can use to provide zero cost EMI on any product to the customer. This helps them convert more sales, increasing sales, and 3) Provides instant G.E.N.I.E discount coupons on 110+ bank credit/debit cards that they can use to attract more customers, increasing walk-ins. In Feb 201 using GENIE, the local mobile merchants in Bengaluru and Mysuru have increased their average monthly sales by over 23%. The product has already amassed an impressive market share of over 55% of high-value mainline mobile merchants in these markets, which is pegged to significantly increase as the markets open after the Covid-19 lockdowns. Last week, GENIE was launched in the states of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, where 12% of mainline mobile retailers in both states have pre-registered for GENIE terminals until the day of launch.



Over 6% of top mainline mobile retailers from Tamil Nadu have also pre-registered for GENIE terminals and Innoviti expects to gain a leading market share in Tamil Nadu markets by September 2021. Innoviti is committed to rapidly scaling up G.E.N.I.E. across Tamil Nadu and then across India. Innoviti's aim is to reach 100,000 local mobile dealers pan-India by Sep 2021. Ms. Amrita Malik, Co-Founder & CBO - New Business Initiatives, Innoviti Payment Solutions, said, "Local mobile dealers provide the touch, feel and trust to consumers when they are selecting their electronic products. They educate them, guide them. However, at the end they lose the consumer to Online just because they don't have the digital tools required to create and provide better offers. We have collaborated with banks and brands to empower local mobile dealers in Tamil Nadu with superior offers than available anywhere. We believe GENIE will help SMBs revive their fortunes through use of better technology."

Innoviti processes over US$ 10 Billion payments with over 76% market share in the Enterprise merchant categories. We now want to bring the benefits of digital technology provided to Enterprises to SMBs, providing them a level playing field for competing better and growing faster and easier than possible otherwise. Innoviti is backed by marquee investors including Bessemer Venture Partners, USA, FMO, Netherlands and Catamaran, India. About Innoviti Payment Solutions Pvt. Ltd., Bangalore, India. https://www.innoviti.com Innoviti Payment Solutions Pvt. Ltd. is India's largest provider of payment solutions to Enterprise merchants with a 76% market share of all payments happening in this segment. It has been a pioneer in using technology to help businesses extract better value from retail transactions than anyone else. The company processes over 10B$ of merchant payments from over 1000+ cities with a volume throughput per installation that is 2X of the country's average. Bessemer Venture Partners, USA, FMO, Netherlands and Catamaran Ventures, India are investors in the company. The company has several patents filed for with two awarded. Innoviti is the winner of Mastercard's Innovation Wizards Award, Reliance's Most Promising Growth Consumer Finance Award and Deloitte Fastest Growing Companies in Asia award in 2020. Innoviti is the only Indian payments SaaS company to be awarded the coveted SOC3 seal of excellence for adherence to principles of trust in privacy, security, confidentiality, availability, and processing of transactions. Logo: https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1041869/Innoviti_Logo.jpg

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[June 30, 2021] Microsoft, SES and GRC Showcase Azure Cloud for Remote Missions via Secure GovSat Connectivity Service

Microsoft and SES (News - Alert) , in partnership with GovSat and UK-based solutions provider GRC, came together to demonstrate how Microsoft Azure Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities can be brought directly to end-users deployed globally in a highly secure, reliable way while maintaining network sovereignty - allowing users to exploit key Azure workloads regardless of location and drastically boosting the efficiency of critical missions. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210629006127/en/ Microsoft (News - Alert) , SES and GRC Showcase Azure Cloud for Remote Missions via Secure GovSat Connectivity Service (Photo: Business Wire) In these demonstrations the Azure Stack Mini R device was connected to a quick deployable tactical satcom terminal from GRC through the secure SATCOM connection on GovSat-1 satellite, and sent directly to Azure UK via the SES Cloud Direct service, giving connected and disconnected access to Azure services. The first demonstrations of its kind highlighted how this technology could be used in a number of scenarios such as a remote disaster relief operation, collecting information for analysis, at any given classification, allowing AI and ML models to be used to categorise and assess the information locally before using the available SATCOM to update the overall situational awareness picture and, if required, updating the AI and ML models via hyperscale Azure DevOps processes. "SES's high-performance satellite network enables an important demonstration of secure cloud computing at the edge," said Tom Keane (News - Alert) , Corporate Vice President, Azure Global, Microsoft. "Together with our technology partners, Microsoft is bringing mission-driven customers the latest services they require in a secure and reliable way, regardless of the infrastructure available. This approach empowers mission owners and operators in both connected and disconnected environments, while giving governments total flexibility and control over their data." "Governments are looking to accelerate cloud adoption and extend it to the edge bringing its advantages to the end-users anywhere. We are proud that through our partnerships with Microsoft and GovSat, we have managed to demonstrate the security and performance of the network, alongside the required high degree of flexibility for the government customers," said JP Hemingway, CEO of SES Networks. "Similarly, the same secure high-performance cloud communications services can be achieved on our MEO satellites, independent of the internet and other publicly accessible networks." "Utilising single-hop secure cloud communication between the headquarters and deployed teams, which is closed to publicly accessible ground stations and internet touchpoints, opens multiple opportunities for governments. The GRC's solution togeher with the Microsoft Azure cloud service and SES's secure resilient satellite networked connectivity makes the future of cloud-enabled government communications a reality already today," said Steve Slater, Managing Director at GRC.



The demo is highly scalable thanks to the Azure Edge capability, as well as the wide array of SES's satellite communications capabilities, including next-generation O3b mPOWER system that is capable of providing from Mbps to multiple Gbps connectivity for land, air and maritime government missions. Further Information

The first demonstration showcased one-hop connectivity that enables cloud workloads to run at the edge and seamlessly connect back to hyperscale Azure in both connected and disconnected modes via the Azure Stack Edge Mini R.

For this demonstration, the companies leveraged multiple satellite terminals from GRC's 6-SAT solution, GovSat's dedicated Military Ka-band beam onboard its satellite and GovSat's secure Mission Operations Centre in Luxembourg. The second demonstration was performed with GRC's deployable Satellite Ground Station (SGS), showcasing in-theatre connectivity as well as backhaul of data from in-theatre headquarters to the home country with no public internet touchpoints. The first satellite link was securely connecting a deployed terminal with the in-theatre headquarters terminal, and anchored directly to the deployable, private SGS hub. The second satellite link connecting the deployable SGS hub was anchored in the GovSat Mission Operations Centre, demonstrating backhauling to a home country. The SES Cloud Direct service was delivered via a dedicated Microsoft ExpressRoute connection directly from the end-users to Azure data centres, enabling the cloud agility and performance via a dedicated MilSatCom GEO capability. For low-latency applications, SES can also bring the data from the edge to the cloud in a safe, secure and efficient way through its high-throughput low-latency O3b satellite network and its upcoming next-generation cloud-scale O3b mPOWER system, both operating in medium earth orbit (MEO). Follow us on: Twitter, Facebook, YouTube, LinkedIn, Instagram Read our Blogs >

Visit the Media Gallery > About SES

SES has a bold vision to deliver amazing experiences everywhere on earth by distributing the highest quality video content and providing seamless connectivity around the world. As the leader in global content connectivity solutions, SES operates the world's only multi-orbit constellation of satellites with the unique combination of global coverage and high performance, including the commercially-proven, low-latency Medium Earth Orbit O3b system. By leveraging a vast and intelligent, cloud-enabled network, SES is able to deliver high-quality connectivity solutions anywhere on land, at sea or in the air, and is a trusted partner to the world's leading telecommunications companies, mobile network operators, governments, connectivity and cloud service providers, broadcasters, video platform operators and content owners. SES's video network carries over 8,200 channels and has an unparalleled reach of 361 million households, delivering managed media services for both linear and non-linear content. The company is listed on Paris and Luxembourg stock exchanges (Ticker: SESG). Further information is available at: www.ses.com. About GRC

GRC is a Hereford (UK) based company delivering fully managed, Satcom as a Service (6-SAT), RF, cloud and IP connectivity solutions to Defence, Government, Emergency Response and Commercial sectors. Its partnerships and Tier-1 VAR (Value-Added Reseller) status with leading hardware and airtime providers ensure cost-effective, intelligently integrated solutions, backed up by through life support and training. About GovSat

GovSat is a public private partnership between the Government of Luxembourg and the world-leading satellite operator SES. GovSat's mission is to provide secure, reliable and accessible governmental satellite communication services to address the demand resulting from defence and institutional security applications. The company's first satellite GovSat-1 is a multi-mission satellite that will use X-band and Military Ka-band frequencies on high-power and fully steerable mission beams to support multiple operations. For more information visit: www.govsat.lu View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210629006127/en/

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[June 30, 2021] MAG Interactive AB (publ) publishes Interim Report September - May 2020/2021

STOCKHOLM, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MAG reached its highest quarterly revenue in company history with 81.4 MSEK, thanks to improved ARPDAU across its portfolio of games. Net sales are up by 26% and ARPDAU increased by 84% compared to the same period last year. Summary of the period March 2020  May 2021: The Group's net sales for the period were 81,381 KSEK (64,838 KSEK), an increase of 26% compared to the same period the previous year

EBITDA for the period was 15,252 KSEK (3,404 KSEK)

Adjusted EBITDA for the period was 15,926 KSEK (3,611 KSEK) (adjustments for EBITDA relate to effects from acquisition costs and social contribution costs from revaluation of option programs)

The Group's game contribution for the period was 48,912 KSEK (30,710 KSEK), an increase of 59% compared to the same period the previous year

Average revenue per daily active user (ARPDAU) for the period was 5.5 US cents (3.0 US cents), an increase of 84% compared to the same period the previous year

The result per share during the quarter was 0.05 SEK /share ( -0.25 SEK /share)

/share ( /share) The costs of user acquisition for the period were 23,323 KSEK (26,271 KSEK)

Daily and monthly active users (DAU and MAU) were 1.9 million and 6.2 million respectively during the quarter, a decrease of 20% and 25% compared to the same period the previous year. The decrease can be largely attributed to extraordinary download numbers caused by lockdowns during the spring of 2020 Comment from the CEO in summary "Today we can proudly announce the highest quarterly revenues in MAG's history. While achieving a record 81.4 MSEK in revenues and investing at a good pace in user acquisition, we generated a 15.3 MSEK EBITDA. "This quarter's positive EBIT combined with a 19% EBITDA-margin are good steps in the right direction towards our long-term goal of an EBIT-margin of at least 20%. Revenue is up 26% relative to last year's Q3 (47% measured in USD), and the overall ARPDAU is up by 84% reaching 5.5 cents. "I would like to give huge thanks to everyone at MAG for contributing to this record quarter for the company. It is a proud moment for us to achieve this together during such extraordinarily challenging times", says Daniel Hasselberg, CEO of MAG Interactive. Summary of the period September 2020  May 2021 (9 months): The Group's net sales for the period were 216,937 KSEK (162,467 KSEK), an increase of 34% compared to the same period the previous year

EBITDA for the period was 34,874 KSEK (13,493 KSEK)

Adjusted EBITDA for the period was 37,115 KSEK (13,682 KSEK) (adjustments relate to effects from acquisition costs and social contribution costs from revaluation of option programs)

The Group's game contribution for the period was 129,427 KSEK (94,073 KSEK), an increase of 38% compared to the same period the previous year

The result per share during the period was -0.03 SEK /share ( -0.52 SEK /share)m Presentation & Report



On June 30, 2021 at 10:00 CET, CEO Daniel Hasselberg and CFO Magnus Wiklander will present the Interim Report live on Twitch. The presentation will be held in English. Link to the Twitch feed is here www.twitch.com/maginteractive. Daniel Hasselberg will also take questions on Twitter during the course of the day, write to @d_hasselberg or @maginteractive. For more information and to read the full report please visit https://www.maginteractive.com/investors/investor-relations/reports/.



This is information that MAG Interactive AB (publ) is obliged to make public pursuant to the EU Market Abuse Regulation. The information was submitted for publication, through the agency of the contact persons set out below, at 08:00 on June 30, 2021. For additional information, please contact:



Daniel Hasselberg / CEO / +46 (0)8 644 35 40 / daniel@maginteractive.se

Magnus Wiklander / CFO / +46 (0)8 644 35 40 / magnus.wiklander@maginteractive.se This information was brought to you by Cision http://news.cision.com https://news.cision.com/mag-interactive/r/mag-interactive-ab--publ--publishes-interim-report-september---may-2020-2021,c3375752 The following files are available for download:







https://mb.cision.com/Main/16579/3375752/1438362.pdf MAG Interim Report Q3 - 2020-21



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[June 30, 2021] VoIP-Pal Files Petition for Writ of Certiorari With The Supreme Court Of The United States

WACO, Texas, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- VoIP-Pal.com Inc. (VoIP-Pal, Company) (OTCQB: VPLM) announces that on June 25, 2021 the Company filed a petition for writ of certiorari with the Supreme Court of the United States. The petition asks the Court to review the judgment of the Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit (CAFC) entered in VoIP-Pals cases against Apple and Amazon, Case Nos. 20-1241, 20-1244. The Petition raises the same issues as those pending before the Supreme Court in Am. Axle & Mfg. v. Neapco Holdings LLC (No. 20-891), including whether it is improper to apply 35 U.S.C. 112 considerations to determine whether a patent claims eligible subject matter under 35 U.S.C. 101. The Petition requests the Supreme Court hold the Petition pending the outcome of American Axle and, upon a decision in American Axle, that the Petition be granted, the judgment of the Federal Circuit vacated, and the case remanded to the Federal Circuit in light of any decision in American Axle.

The petition has been docketed by the Supreme Court as No. 20-1809 and it can be found here:

https://www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?filename=/docket/DocketFiles/html/Public/20-1809.html



About Vo IP -Pal.com Inc.

VoIP-Pal.Com, Inc. (VoIP-Pal) is a publicly traded corporation (OTCQB: VPLM) headquartered in Waco, Texas. The Company owns a portfolio of patents relating to Voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) technology that it is currently looking to monetize. Any forecast of future financial performance is a forward looking statement under securities laws. Such statements are included to allow potential investors the opportunity to understand managements beliefs and opinions with respect to the future so that they may use such beliefs and opinions as one factor among many in evaluating an investment. While the Company believes in the circumstances that legal action is needed to monetize its patents, patent litigation involves various risks and uncertainties that could affect its ability to monetize the patents. We recognize that it is impossible to predict the specific outcomes of litigation.

Corporate Website: www.voip-pal.com IR inquiries: IR@voip-pal.com IR Contact: Rich Inza (954) 495-4600



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[June 30, 2021]

The Linux Foundation Announces Registration is Open for Open Source Summit and More Fall Events

SAN FRANCISCO, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Linux Foundation , the nonprofit organization enabling mass innovation through open source, today announced that registration is open for many of its Fall 2021 events , for both in-person and virtual attendance. The Linux Foundation hosts the premier open source events around the world that empower technologists and other leaders to come together, share ideas, learn and collaborate to drive innovation.

In 2021, Linux Foundation Events will see over 90,000 open source community members from around the globe participate in-person and/or virtually. Discussions will center around the latest open source trends, emerging technology developments and best practices surrounding 5G, IoT, cloud computing, open networking, security, embedded Linux, OS databases, AI, software architecture, edge computing, open source program office management, fintech, and much more. New events hosted by The Linux Foundation this year include OSPOCon and OSPOCon Europe .

"We are ecstatic to return to in-person events, as we believe these face to face gatherings are so important to accelerating collaboration and progress," said Angela Brown, SVP & GM, Events, The Linux Foundation. "Additionally, we will continue to offer a virtual component for our events as well, allowing anyone, anywhere to participate online. We look forward to welcoming everyone and hope you will join us."

Registration is now open for the following Linux Foundation events. Please visit each event's website for information on early bird pricing, venues and more.

These events join KVM Forum , KubeCon + CloudNativeCon North America , Open Source Summit Japan + Automotive Linux Summit and many more that have already opened registration. Please see the full list of Linux Foundation Events here .

Discounts, Scholarships and Travel Funding

Members of The Linux Foundation receive a 20 percent discount off registration. Members can contact events@linuxfoundation.org to request a member discount code.

The Linux Foundation provides diversity and need-based registration scholarships for each event listed above. For more information on eligibility and how to apply, please visit the event's website, click the "Attend" tab and select the "Scholarships" option.

The Linux Foundation's Travel Fund is intended to enable open source developers and community members to attend events that they would otherwise be unable to attend due to a lack of funding. Please click here for more information.

Health and Safety

After careful consideration, we have decided that the safest course of action for returning to in-person events this fall is to take a "COVID-19 vaccine required" approach to participating in-person. To learn more, please read our blog post and visit the Health & Safety page, under the "Attend" tab on any of our event websites.

Speak

Linux Foundation events are an excellent way to get to know the community and share your ideas and the exciting work that you are doing. We strongly encourage first-time speakers and members of underrepresented communities to submit. If you aren't sure about your abstract or have any questions, please reach out to us and we will be more than happy to work with you on your proposal.

The call for speaking proposals for the following events is still open. Individuals are invited to speak in person or virtually. Please visit each event's website (linked below) to view suggested topics, timelines and more.

Linux Security Summit (Deadline: July 11)

Open Source Strategy Summit London (Deadline: July 11)

Open Source Strategy Summit NYC (Deadline: July 11)

OSPOCon Europe (Deadline: July 18)

The Linux Foundation Member Summit (Deadline: August 1. In-person only)

Open Source Summit Japan + Automotive Linux Summit (Deadline: August 29. Virtual only)

Sponsor

LF event sponsorship packages offer speaking sessions & keynotes, lead generation programs, prominent branding opportunities and more; enabling you to make an important impact on the ecosystem, showcase your technologies and deliver your message. Click here to learn more about how you can share your thought leadership and support the entire global open source community. Email us for more information or to speak to our team.

Press

Members of the press who would like to attend and/or request a media pass should contact Kristin O'Connell at koconnell@linuxfoundation.org .

About the Linux Foundation

Founded in 2000, the Linux Foundation is supported by more than 1,000 members and is the world's leading home for collaboration on open source software, open standards, open data, and open hardware. Linux Foundation's projects are critical to the world's infrastructure including Linux, Kubernetes, Node.js, and more. The Linux Foundation's methodology focuses on leveraging best practices and addressing the needs of contributors, users and solution providers to create sustainable models for open collaboration. For more information, please visit linuxfoundation.org .

The Linux Foundation Events are where the world's leading technologists meet, collaborate, learn and network in order to advance innovations that support the world's largest shared technologies.



Visit our website and follow us on Twitter , Linkedin , and Facebook for all the latest event updates and announcements.



The Linux Foundation has registered trademarks and uses trademarks. For a list of trademarks of The Linux Foundation, please see its trademark usage page: www.linuxfoundation.org/trademark-usage . Linux is a registered trademark of Linus Torvalds.

Media Contact

Kristin O'Connell

The Linux Foundation

koconnell@linuxfoundation.org

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/the-linux-foundation-announces-registration-is-open-for-open-source-summit-and-more-fall-events-301322760.html

SOURCE The Linux Foundation
Jesse Shade Promoted to Chief Technology Officer of Tower MSA Partners

Jesse Shade has been promoted to Chief Technology Officer of Tower MSA Partners. A member of the company's senior executive team, Shade's responsibilities encompass strategic planning and the development and management of Tower's complex technologies. These include systems architecture, cybersecurity, data transfer, and business continuity.

Shade is also instrumental in the software development associated with Tower's state-of-the-art Medicare Secondary Payer compliance, Section 111 Reporting and Medicare Set-Aside software systems.

"We designed and built automation technologies around MSP and MSA best practices with metrics that support continuous improvement. Jesse has been a strategic part of the development process and continues to innovate at the next level," said CEO Rita Wilson, citing Tower's S111 Dashboard as an example.

Shade also writes and speaks on IT and cybersecurity issues in industry forums. He is a member of the Forbes Technology Council, an invitation-only community of world-class CIOs, CTOs, and technology executive with track records of successfully impacting business growth metrics. Shade recently worked closely with Wilson on Tower's SOC 2 Type II audit; the company received its attestation in April 2021.







Shade joined the company in 2017 as director of information technology and was promoted to senior vice president of information technology in 2019. He had previously worked for 35 years in the design and development of technology solutions in the insurance, aviation, healthcare, hospitality, defense, energy, and banking industries.

About Tower MSA Partners

Based in Delray Beach, Florida, Tower MSA Partners provides MSP compliance and MSA services nationally. The company leverages the latest technology to seamlessly integrate, automate, and manage everything from Section 111 reporting, conditional payment resolution and MSA optimization through claim closure and settlement. It is a certified Women's Business Enterprise (WBENC) that has completed its SOC2 Type 2 audit. For more information, visit https://towermsa.com/ and https://towermsa.com/blog/.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005127/en/
[June 30, 2021] Thailand BOI Approves Enhanced Incentives to Promote R&D and HRD, and to Attract Semiconductor Manufacturing, Digital Activities and Smart Packaging

BANGKOK, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The Thailand Board of Investment (BOI) at a meeting today approved a series of measures to encourage more investment in research and development (R&D) and engage the industry more actively in human resource development (HRD). Enhanced incentives are also offered to attract investment in the growing semiconductor, digital and packaging industries. As Thailand is aspired to become more innovation-driven, private sector R&D plays a very significant role. In order to encourage companies to step up their R&D, the BOI has proposed to the board that projects that invest or spend at least 200 million baht or 1% of their total sales of the first 3 years be entitled to a longer tax breaks (maximum 13 years) with no corporate income tax exemption ceiling. The number of additional years of tax holidays depends on the amount of R&D spending/investment. Moreover, companies that participate in apprenticeship programs or spend on advanced technology training can also enjoy greater tax incentives. "We see R&D and HRD being the most critical factors in strengthening the country's competitiveness", Ms Duangjai Asawachintachit, Secretary General of the BOI, said after the meeting chaired by Prime Minister Gen Prayut Chan-ocha. The Covid-19 crisis has further highlighted the importance of high technology and the digital economy, from the rising demand for electronics products of all sorts, to the increased usage of digital services and platforms. Amid the pandemic, the semiconductor industry has experienced demand hike and companies are looking for more resilience in the global supply chain. Thailand, with electronic products as the country's top export products, aims to attract more semiconductor manufacturing. Front-end capital and technology-intensive manufacturing such as wafer fabrication will be given 10-year tax holidayswhile advanced integrated circuits, IC substrate and printed circuit board projects with machinery investment of at least 1.5 billion baht will be offered 8-year tax break.



The BOI also approved a revamp of its promotion policy for businesses operating on the supply side of the digital economy by focusing on hiring and developing IT workforce as well as upgrading companies to relevant international standards. Companies applying for BOI privileges under the single reorganized category called "Development of Software, Digital Services Platform or Digital Content" will be eligible for 8-year tax holidays, with the yearly ceiling reflecting additional hiring of Thai IT personnel, training expenses and costs of international standard certifications, such as ISO 29110 and CMMI Level 2 and above. "On the digital business side, the improved investment promotion aims to encourage the development of a broader pool of qualified Thai IT specialists, and to allow the creation of more competitive local platforms and IT operations," Ms Duangjai said.

Thailand, which has already made significant investment in its digital ecosystem, including by taking the lead in ASEAN in building a 5G infrastructure, has long attracted investment from around the world in the electronics sector, with a promotion policy that covers the entire supply chain. Thailand is currently the 13th largest exporter in the world for electronic products and parts. To ensure that Thailand's packaging industry stays on top of the global trends in the sector and to encourage investment in technology and environmental sustainability, as emphasized in the Government's Bio-Circular-Green (BCG) model, the BOI today approved enhanced investment incentives for the production of so-called smart packaging and environmentally friendly packaging, including recycled materials. The BOI also approved a revised scope for the International Business Center (IBC) and Trade and Investment Support Office (TISO) categories with the aim to allow for more flexible operations by foreign multinationals operating regional and international offices in Thailand. The revised scope of both categories will allow companies that do not operate a treasury center to provide lending to affiliated companies in and outside Thailand under the relevant exchange control regulations. The board also approved five investment applications, with a combined investment value of 49.9 billion baht, as per the following details: 1. Hin Kong Power Company Limited received approval for a power generation project, with an investment value of 32.5 billion baht. The natural gas-fired plant, located in Ratchaburi Province, will have a production capacity 1,540 megawatts. 2. B.Grimm Power (Angthong) 2 Limited received approval for a power generation, and steam production project, with an investment value of 5.3 billion baht. The project, located at World Food Valley Thailand Industrial Estate in Angthong Province, will have a capacity of 145 megawatts of electricity, and 30 tons / hour of steam. 3. B.Grimm Power (Angthong) 3 Limited received approval for a power generation and steam production project and natural gas pipeline project, with an investment value of 5.2 billion baht. The project, located at World Food Valley Thailand Industrial Estate in Angthong Province, will have a capacity of 145 megawatts of electricity, and 30 tons / hour of steam, while the natural gas pipeline will have a capacity of 13,914 million standard cubic feet / year. 4. Top SPP Company Limited received approval for a power generation and steam production project, with an investment value of 4.35 billion baht. Located in Chonburi Province, the project will have a capacity of 120 megawatts of electricity and 294.2 tons / hour of steam. 5. Toyobo Indorama Advanced Fibers Company Limited received approval for a high tenacity synthetic filament yarn project, with an investment value of 2.6 billion baht. The project, located at Map Ta Phut Industrial Estate in Rayong Province, will have an annual production capacity of 9,300 tons. This special type of fabric is commonly used as a raw material for airbags. For more information, please contact: Thailand Board of Investment

Tel. +66 (0) 2553 8111

Website: www.boi.go.th

YouTube: Think Asia, Invest Thailand View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/thailand-boi-approves-enhanced-incentives-to-promote-rd-and-hrd-and-to-attract-semiconductor-manufacturing-digital-activities-and-smart-packaging-301323004.html SOURCE Thailand Board of Investment (BOI)

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[June 30, 2021] With API Exploits on the Rise, Noname Security Lands $60M Series B

PALO ALTO, Calif., June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Hard on the heels of its emergence from stealth, enterprise API security company Noname Security announced a $60M Series B today led by Insight Partners, with Next47, Forgepoint, and The Syndicate Group (TSG) joining the round and existing investors Cyberstarts and Lightspeed Venture Partners participating as well. The round brings Nonames total funding to $85M since emerging from stealth in December 2020.

The latest funding comes amid fast growth for the Silicon Valley-based startup. In the six months since launch, Noname has amassed forty technology, reseller, and channel partners and hundreds of enterprise customers either in production or evaluating the platform. The demand is urgent as APIs  the connectors that clouds and software applications use to communicate with one another  have become the cyberattackers target of choice, according to analyst firm Gartner. The surging volume of APIs and the growing complexity of modern applications has led to an increase in cybersecurity obstacles, said Thomas Krane, Principal at Insight Partners. Noname came to market at just the right time with a fully realized, next-gen technology thats making a big impact with global customers. API vulnerabilities can take many forms. A developers forgotten side-project. A software interface improperly set up. An obsolete block of code that was never removed. Some of these security flaws are documented. Most are not. The great majority go unnoticedoften for yearsgiving anyone who can find them unfettered access to an organizations most sensitive operations. And all too often, attackers find them first. When we show potential customers all the vulnerabilities Noname has discovered in their APIs, its a real light-bulb moment for them, said Oz Golan, CEO and co-founder of Noname Security. Even seasoned security professionals often have no idea how exposed teir systems are.



The Noname API Security Platform covers every aspect of API security, from discovery to analysis to remediation and testing. It creates a complete inventory of an organizations APIs and uses AI and machine learning to detect attackers, suspicious behavior, and misconfigurations. It remediates API vulnerabilities by integrating with existing security infrastructure and blocking attacks in real-time, all without deploying agents or requiring network modifications. Customers can also use Noname to test APIs before deployment, preventing vulnerabilities from ever going into production. Nonames approach has won widespread praise  and rapid customer adoption.

Theres a lot more to API security than just protecting against external attacks, Golan said. Noname is the only solution that addresses the full range of API vulnerabilities, including protecting APIs in real-time from adversaries, scanning the environment for misconfigurations and compliance issues, and becoming part of the software development lifecycle by finding issues during the development process. Noname monitors the relationships and flows of information between all internal and external APIs. By discovering and analyzing everything in real-time, it protects the entire environment throughout the API lifecycle before something goes wrong, whether its a threat from the outside or an internal error. Another part of Nonames appeal is its turnkey design. Unlike competing products, Noname doesnt rely on an army of software agents to monitor applications and processes. Where agents decrease network performance and need to be installed, configured, and updated, Noname integrates seamlessly with clouds, on-premises environments, and other security and IT management tools. It isnt deployed but simply connected  one of the many qualities that have quickly made Noname a favorite with IT security chiefs.



APIs are a centerpiece of digital transformation and cloud-centric technology adoption, and API security has risen to the top of the CISO priority list, said veteran banking CISO Karl Mattson. Nonames team and technology are hitting this challenge head-on. Its no coincidence that since entering general availability, Noname has won every competitive head-to-head evaluation weve been involved in, Golan said. Based on our traction and the feedback weve received from customers, its clear were serving a real need with a product that surpasses everything else on the market. To learn more about Noname visit: www.nonamesecurity.com About Noname Security Noname Security creates the most powerful, complete, and easy-to-use API security platform that helps enterprises discover, analyze, remediate, and test all legacy and modern APIs. Fortune 500 companies trust the Noname API Security Platform to protect their environments from API attacks, vulnerabilities, and misconfigurations. Noname is a privately held company headquartered in Palo Alto, California, with an office in Tel Aviv. www.nonamesecurity.com Media Contact

Chris Ulbrich

Firebrand Communications for Noname Security

415-848-9175

noname@firebrand.marketing



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[June 30, 2021] Haivision to Acquire CineMassive to Deliver Real-Time Mission-Critical Visual Collaboration for Defense, Government, and Enterprise

Combining real-time video with intelligent data visualization allows Haivision to provide a critical visual collaboration platform for Global Security Operations Centers (GSOC), cybersecurity, joint and tactical operations, and control rooms MONTREAL, June 30, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ - Haivision Systems Inc. ("Haivision") (TSX: HAI), a leading global provider of mission-critical, real-time video streaming and networking solutions, today announced a definitive agreement to acquire CineMassive Displays, LLC ("CineMassive"). With the addition of the CineMassive technology, Haivision will combine low latency live video with real-time secure data sources and communication elements to provide customers with a single-vendor solution for situational awareness. CineMassive, based in Atlanta, GA, has 62 employees and had approximate revenues of US$20 million (approximately C$25 million) in 2020. It develops mission-critical visual collaboration technology including CineNet, a solution that aggregates content from multiple real-time sources for display and interaction within control room operations centers. It also enables secure sharing for situational response across multi-site organizations and with remote collaborators. CineMassive has an exceptional installed base including Akamai, McKesson, Cox Communications, CBS, Stanford University, many US police/emergency response centers, and tactical operations centers across every branch of the US Armed Forces. "Cybersecurity, network, and physical threats are today's reality that governments and large enterprises are now addressing with global multi-disciplinary teams," said Mirko Wicha, Haivision President and CEO. "With the combination of Haivision and CineMassive technologies, customers can create a secure global common operating picture from a single vendor leveraging both cloud connectivity and intelligent edge capabilities." Bringing together real-time secure video networking and data visualization creates a unique offering in the market to assist with the challenge of immediate and coordinated response to complex situations. Haivision will offer end-to-end solutions tailored for mission critical collaboration in Global Security Operations Centers, joint and tactical operations centers, public safety operations centers, and control rooms. "We have worked with Haivision for over ten years and our companies share many common themes," said David Minnix, Co-founder and CEO of CineMassive. "Our approach to real-time performance, security, and IT compliance in solving mission-critical challenges of the highest order is echoed by Haivision and reflected in the longstanding relationships that we both have with our customers." "Haivision and CineMassive are very complementary in the government and defense markets,'' said Brian Henry, Haivision's Senior Vice President of Global Sales. "Fortune 500 enterprises, public safety, and emergency response teams are looking towards proven defense-style approaches to situational response, and towards companies like Haivision and CineMassive which are built upon years of engagement, reputation, and trust in the most challenging markets." Key Transaction Highlights: Haivision is acquiring CineMassive to bring together real-time video network technology and mission-critical visual collaboration solutions to better serve and expand its customer base This acquisition will allow Haivision to:



Increase our respective footprints within defense, government, and enterprise customers. Haivision and CineMassive already share accounts in these segments with integrated solutions.

Expand into new markets by extending CineMassive's footprint globally and increasing Haivision's reach to state, local, and public security.

Differentiate ourselves through strengths in IT compliance, security, industry standards, and government certifications.

Extend our leadership in secure live video networks by including real-time data visualization in support of mission-critical decision making. The CineMassive Atlanta operations will become the Company's showcase visualization collaboration center with all employees and management remaining post transaction. Transaction Details:

The definitive purchase agreement provides that Haivision will indirectly acquire, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, 100% of the membership interests of CineMassive on a cash-free and debt-free basis for a total purchase price of US$30 million, subject to customary adjustments, of which US$15 million is payable by the issuance of 2,145,326 common shares of Haivision and US$15 million is payable in cash. The cash component of the transaction will be financed with Haivision's cash on hand. The shares issued under the transaction will be subject to a four month hold period from the closing date under applicable Canadian securities laws. The closing is contingent upon the receipt of certain approvals, including of the Toronto Stock Exchange, and satisfaction or waiver of all closing conditions, which are expected to be received within 30 days. The acquisition is expected to be immediately accretive. About Haivision Haivision is a leading global provider of mission-critical, real-time video streaming and networking solutions. Our connected cloud and intelligent edge technologies enable organizations globally to engage audiences, enhance collaboration, and support decision making. We provide high quality, low latency, secure, and reliable live video at a global scale. Haivision open sourced its award-winning SRT low latency video streaming protocol and founded the SRT Alliance to support its adoption. Awarded an Emmy for Technology and Engineering from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, Haivision continues to fuel the future of IP video transformation. Founded in 2004, Haivision is headquartered in Montreal and Chicago with offices, sales, and support located throughout the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Learn more at haivision.com. About CineMassive Founded in 2005 with headquarters in Atlanta, GA, CineMassive is an industry leader in delivering high-performance visual collaboration solutions for mission-critical environments. Backed by world-class innovation, technology development, and a forward-thinking design approach, CineMassive solutions meet even the most complex project requirements. Tested and proven in the world's most demanding environments, CineMassive technology is trusted by every branch of the US Armed Services, leading research universities, and Fortune 500 companies. Learn more at cinemassive.com. Forward-Looking Statements This release includes "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including, without limitation, statements regarding the timing and outcome of the acquisition transaction with CineMassive and the anticipated benefits of the transaction. In some cases, but not necessarily in all cases, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "plans", "targets", "expects" or "does not expect", "is expected", "an opportunity exists", "is positioned", "estimates", "intends", "assumes", "anticipates" or "does not anticipate" or "believes", or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". In addition, any statements that refer to expectations, projections or other characterizations of future events or circumstances contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are not historical facts, nor guarantees or assurances of future performance but instead represent management's current beliefs, expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events and operating performance. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based on a number of opinions, assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by Haivision as of the date of this release, are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ, possibly materially, from those indicated by the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the risk factors identified under "Risk Factors" in Haivision's latest annual information form, and in other periodic filings that Haivision has made and may make in the future with the securities commissions or similar regulatory authorities in Canada, all of which are available under Haivision's SEDAR profile at www.sedar.com. There can be no assurance that the transaction will occur, or that it will occur on the terms and conditions contemplated in this news release. The transaction could be modified or terminated. These factors are not intended to represent a complete list of the factors that could affect Haivision. However, such risk factors should be considered carefully. There can be no assurance that such estimates and assumptions will prove to be correct. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this release. Haivision undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, except as required by applicable securities laws. SOURCE Haivision Systems Inc.

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[June 30, 2021] Guidewire and Hexaware Expand Partnership to the AMER Region

MUMBAI, India, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Hexaware Technologies, a fast-growing global IT consulting and digital solutions provider, announced that it is expanding its alliance with Guidewire to the Americas (AMER) region. Hexaware becomes a great choice for successful implementation, considering its customer-centric approach and domain expertise. Hexaware has been working with multiple clients in the AMER region to help them implement Guidewire to enable their digital transformations. Hexaware is a Guidewire PartnerConnect Consulting partner at the Select level and works with Guidewire in EMEA and APAC. With over 20 years of experience working with P&C insurers, Hexaware has developed value-add solutions and technology offerings that enable insurers to accelerate the adoption of Guidewire InsuranceSuite, including digital capabilities, by increasing speed to implementation, mitigating execution risk, and lowering costs. Hexaware helps insurers migrate to Guidewire Cloud and build true digital capabilities. p> Leroy Llamas , IT Applications Manager, New Mexico Mutual Casualty Company, says, "Hexaware assisted us in implementing the customer portal for our ClaimCenter implementation. This has helped our claimants to seamlessly submit claims, retrieve past claims details, and manage documentation related to their claims. The Hexaware team provided excellent support and guidance for this project throughout the engagement. Hexaware is a great team to work with."



Hexaware has supported Guidewire's customer success in APAC and EMEA. By expanding this partnership to the AMER region, Hexaware seeks to grow its Guidewire-led transformation capabilities to serve insurers with outcome-driven digital solutions. Hexaware's Guidewire practice has been evolving to deliver state-of-the-art solutions and accelerators to boost the digital capabilities of insurers. The company offers accessible, accurate, empathetic, intuitive, quick, and reliable services that exceed user expectations at all touchpoints.

Milan Bhatt, EVP & Global Head, Healthcare & Insurance, Hexaware said, "We have effectively collaborated with Guidewire and helped insurance customers on their digital transformation journeys in Europe and APAC. The North American insurance market is going through a consolidation and product innovation phase and it needs a partner that understands the need for digitization, integration, and straight-through processing. Hexaware is excited to bring the automation and cloud-first approach to our customers in North America through a partnership with Guidewire, aligned to a joint vision of the continued transformation of P&C insurance in North America." Find more information about the partnership here . About Hexaware Learn more at ? http://www.hexaware.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/guidewire-and-hexaware-expand-partnership-to-the-amer-region-301322993.html SOURCE Hexaware Technologies Ltd.

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[June 30, 2021] Shogun Raises $67.5 Million in Series C Funding

PALO ALTO, Calif., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Shogun , a leading e-commerce experience platform, today announced that it has raised a $67.5 million Series C round of funding led by new investor Insight Partners, with participation from existing investors Initialized Capital, Accel and VMG Partners. This brings the company's total funding to $114.5 million. Shogun empowers brands to create unique e-commerce experiences by making it easy to build and optimize online storefronts with two products: Page Builder , a drag-and-drop page builder for Shopify merchants, and Shogun Frontend , an end-to-end headless commerce solution. Shogun will use this latest funding to continue accelerating product development for Shogun Frontend with a mission to enable more brands to realize the benefits of headless commerce. In addition, the funding will be used to rapidly scale go-to-market efforts across sales and marketing to meet growing demand. Trusted by over 18,000 customers including K-Swiss, Leesa, Rumpl, BeardBrand, MVMT and Fila, Shogun recently launched headless commerce storefronts for brands including Groove Life, OneBlade, Nomad, The Feed and Undersun Fitness using Shogun Frontend. "We're continuing to see tremendous interest in headless commerce. In 2020, 61% of online retailers said they are leveraging it or intend to leverage it, and that number is rising," said Finbarr Taylor, co-founder and CEO of Shogun. "Great shopping experiences define great brands, and having access to packaged headless commerce software is crucial. Historically, headless has been restricted to brands with the biggest budgets, or has been considered developer-centric, but we're on a mission to democratize headless, empowering any brand to deliver exceptional experiences easily." In a two-year period, gross merchandise value (GMV) generated by brands through the Shogun platform increased by 255. Company headcount has grown 90% in the past six months to 160 team members, and the company plans to make significant hires this year across its global remote workforce. In particular, Shogun has introduced several key executives in recent months, including:



Kristen Habacht , chief sales officer

, chief sales officer Former global head of EDR sales at Atlassian

Tapan Bhatt , chief marketing officer

, chief marketing officer Former vice president of marketing at Splunk and PagerDuty

Steve Won , VP of product

, VP of product Former head of authentication products at Duo Security

Mattie Isaac , VP of people

, VP of people Former senior vice president of human resources at EatStreet "Our investment in Shogun underscores the market's desire to see headless commerce become merchant-focused," said Matt Gatto, managing director at Insight Ventures. "More brands want to be able to build headless progressive web apps in a low-code environment. Those on the forefront of e-commerce want to enable web teams to build truly unique, memorable shopping experiences. Shogun is well positioned to make flexible frontends accessible to brands in a whole new way, and we're excited to be a partner in this journey." "Our traditional e-commerce platform was limiting our growth, so we made the decision to take our existing Shopify store headless with Shogun Frontend, and it's been a game changer," says Josh Nash, CMO at OneBlade. "After implementing Shogun Frontend, the results were dramatic  we saw a 579% increase in active product refill subscriptions, a 30.1% increase in average order value year over year, and an 83% decrease in page-to-page load time. No other changes we've made to our business have even come close to that kind of an impact in such a short period of time."

Read more about the funding announcement on Shogun's blog here , and register for Shogun's upcoming Xperience Commerce virtual event happening on September 14, 2021 here . About Shogun

Shogun is a leading e-commerce experience platform empowering brands to drive higher conversions and revenue. Shogun Page Builder and Shogun Frontend help teams build and optimize their online stores to deliver exceptional experiences. With Shogun Frontend, teams can realize the benefits of headless commerce in a low-code environment. Shogun seamlessly integrates with leading e-commerce platforms, and is trusted by over 18,000 customers including Leesa, MVMT, OneBlade, Nomad, Fila, Timbuk2, K-Swiss and Chubbies. Visit www.getshogun.com for more. About Insight Partners

Insight Partners is a leading global venture capital and private equity firm investing in high-growth technology and software ScaleUp companies that are driving transformative change in their industries. Founded in 1995, Insight Partners has invested in more than 400 companies worldwide and has raised through a series of funds more than $30 billion in capital commitments. Insight's mission is to find, fund, and work successfully with visionary executives, providing them with practical, hands-on software expertise to foster long-term success. Across its people and its portfolio, Insight encourages a culture around a belief that ScaleUp companies and growth create opportunity for all. For more information on Insight and all its investments, visit insightpartners.com or follow us on Twitter @insightpartners . View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/shogun-raises-67-5-million-in-series-c-funding-301322852.html SOURCE Shogun

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[June 30, 2021] Turntide Technologies Acquires Electric Vehicle Component Developer AVID Technology

SUNNYVALE, Calif. and GATESHEAD, England, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Turntide Technologies ("Turntide"), the company responsible for the Smart Motor SystemTM, today announced the acquisition of UK-based AVID Technology Limited ("AVID"), a cleantech engineering firm that designs and manufactures electrified powertrain components and systems for heavy-duty and high-performance electric (EV) and hybrid vehicles (HEV). The addition of AVID comes only one month after the company launched its transport division with the acquisitions of Hyperdrive Innovation Ltd. and the engineering technical center of BorgWarner Gateshead Limited - all based in the North East of England. Turntide now offers full electrification capabilities that deliver one-stop powertrain, intelligence, efficiency, and control to the most critical industrial and commercial vehicles to help meet global net-zero goals. "While automakers are making strides to reduce carbon with electric passenger cars, the most difficult sectors to decarbonize, such as commercial and industrial vehicles in rail, marine and aerospace, are far behind," said Ryan Morris, Turntide's Chairman and CEO. "The AVID acquisition completes our end-to-end offering for the electrification of commercial and industrial vehicles. This puts us on a path to eliminate the need for rare earth magnets in EVs as we further develop our motor technology for the transport market." Turntide's patented Smart Motor System runs efficiently at all speeds. It is free of the environmentally damaging rare earth minerals tht most higher-efficiency permanent magnet motors require. Demand for these materials, which are common in EV motors, has been increasing the environmental impact of EVs and driving potential shortages .



AVID designs power electronics and motors used in electric and hybrid vehicle powertrain systems - such as pumps, fans, and propulsion - for vehicles such as construction machinery, heavy-duty buses, trucks, off-highway machinery, and propulsion robotics. By combining the Smart Motor System with acquired electric vehicle technology, Turntide has deepened its technology stack around the motor that includes the inverter, electronics, vehicle control unit, and battery management system. "This deal is part of Turntide's multi-year investment in the North East of England known for its decades of innovation in the electrification industry," said Matt Boyle, OBE, Managing Director of Turntide Transport. "Combining AVID's technology with the Smart Motor System will allow Turntide to simplify and smooth a path to sustainable transport."

Turntide announced today the completion of $225 million in convertible note financing from investors including the Canadian Pension Plan Investment Board (CPP), Monashee Capital Inc., JLL Spark Breakthrough Energy Ventures , Captain Planet LP, and Suvretta Capital Management LLC. This investment brings Turntide's total funding to over $400 million. To learn more about Turntide and the Smart Motor System, please visit turntide.com . About Turntide

Turntide Technologies develops breakthrough sustainability technologies that drive down energy consumption and operating costs in buildings, agriculture, and electric transport, creating a path to 100% renewable energy and business sustainability. The Turntide Smart Motor System is driven by a patented Turntide Optimal Efficiency Motor with intelligent automation and cloud connectivity. The Turntide technology advances sustainability goals, saves money, and improves sustainability throughout the enterprise. For more information, visit https://turntide.com/ or follow the company on YouTube, Twitter, and LinkedIn. MEDIA CONTACT

Jocelyn Johnson, Turntide, jocelyn@turntide.com, 917-406-5886

Caroline Beckmann, Trident DMG, cbeckmann@tridentdmg.com , 202-440-1783 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/turntide-technologies-acquires-electric-vehicle-component-developer-avid-technology-301322861.html SOURCE Turntide Technologies

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[June 30, 2021] Carvana Launches in Wichita With As-Soon-As-Next Day Vehicle Delivery

Carvana (NYSE: CVNA), the leading e-commerce platform for buying and selling used cars, announced today it is now offering as-soon-as next-day touchless home delivery to Wichita area residents. Customers can shop more than 30,000 used cars for sale, secure auto financing or use the car loan calculator, purchase, trade-in, and schedule as-soon-as next-day vehicle delivery in as little as five minutes. Customers can also sell their current vehicle to Carvana and receive a real offer just as quickly, without even purchasing a vehicle. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005143/en/



Carvana expands presence in Kansas offering as-soon-as-next day vehicle delivery to Wichita area residents. (Photo: Business Wire)

Carvana pioneered online car buying, including its patented 360-degree virtual vehicle tour, where customers can view vehicles in high-definition, 360-degree photography, inside and out. Carvana vehicles have passed a rigorous 150-point inspection, have never been in a reported accident and have no frame damage. Features, imperfections and updated information about open safety recalls are listed on every car's vehicle description page. Carvana can save customers valuable time and money, allowing them to skip the dealership and shop from the comfort of home or on the go via their mobile device. Vehicles come with a seven-day return policy, giving customers the time to ensure their vehicle fits their life, whether testing out a truck for all your outdoor trail adventures or assessing how easy it is to get in and out of the car running everyday errands. Customers looking to trade in their vehicle, or sell a vehicle, can also skip the dealership by simply entering their VIN or license plate number on Carvana.com, answering a few questions, then Carvana can pick up the vehicle and bring them a check, as soon as the next day. "Launching in Wichita brings as-soon-as next day vehicle delivery to even more Kansas residents, while introducing new customers to the ease and transparency of our online car buying experience," said Ernie Garcia, Carvana founder and CEO. "We look forward to growing our presence in the area and offering a great selection at great prices, with the great customer service we've become known for." Carvana now offers as-soon-as next-day vehicle delivery to customers in 299 cities across the U.S. About Carvana (NYSE: CVNA) Founded in 2012 and based in Phoenix, Carvana's (NYSE: CVNA) mission is to change the way people buy cars. By removing the traditional dealership infrastructure and replacing it with technology and exceptional customer service, Carvana offers consumers an intuitive and convenient online car buying and financing platform. Carvana.com enables consumers to quickly and easily shop more than 30,000 vehicles, finance, trade-in or sell their current vehicle to Carvana, sign contracts, and schedule as-soon-as-next-day delivery or pickup at one of Carvana's patented, automated Car Vending Machines. For further information on Carvana, please visit www.carvana.com, or connect with us on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005143/en/

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[June 30, 2021] Techstars Partners With Alphabit Fund and Launchpool to Launch New Blockchain-Focused Accelerator in London

Techstars, the worldwide network that helps entrepreneurs succeed, today announced an exciting new accelerator program. The Launchpool Web3 Techstars Accelerator focuses on working with entrepreneurs to build blockchain technology and tokenisation protocols to drive towards the decentralised future of finance. The program runs in partnership with Alphabit Fund, the first regulated cryptocurrency and digital asset investment fund, and Launchpool, a regulatory compliant investment platform that offers private seed guaranteed investment opportunities to 35,000 members in its community. Techstars maintains notable experience and expertise in the blockchain space, with a number of strong blockchain companies in the Techstars portfolio including Chainalysis, recently valued at $2 billion, Arweave, TradingView, and more. "Blockchain technology has the potential to shift the control of monetary value and information and disrupt global business processes, as the Internet did in the early 2000s," said Techstars General Manager Gagan Bhatia. "Working with Alphabit and the Launchpool community to support leading companies in this space is an incredible opportunity and an investment in the decentralized economy of the future." Located in London, the Launchpool Web3 Techstars Accelerator will work with ten startups each year over an intensive, three-month acceleration period. Thy will receive funding, hands-on mentorship, exposure to a minimum viable community, access to curated workshops and resources, and join the Techstars global network for life. Applications open from September 13 to December 1, 2021 and the first year of the accelerator will operate from March to June 2022.



"Alphabit is thrilled Techstars is partnering with Launchpool and us to bring the first Techstars accelerator to the crypto world. As firm believers in a multichain future, and being passionate about mainstream adoption, this first of its kind accelerator is proud to be chain agnostic," said Shane McQuillan, VP Strategy of Alphabit. Learn about Launchpool Web3 Techstars Accelerator here. For partnership opportunities with Techstars, contact Will Robinson or visit techstars.com/corporations.

About Techstars

The Techstars worldwide network helps entrepreneurs succeed. Founded in 2006, Techstars began with three simple ideas - entrepreneurs create a better future for everyone, collaboration drives innovation, and great ideas can come from anywhere. Now we are on a mission to enable every person on the planet to contribute to, and benefit from, the success of entrepreneurs. In addition to operating accelerator programs and venture capital funds, we do this by connecting startups, investors, corporations, and cities to help build thriving startup communities. Techstars has invested in more than 2,500 companies with a combined market cap of more than $200B. www.techstars.com About Alphabit

One of the first regulated crypto asset funds, Alphabit has forged a reputation for investing in companies at the cutting edge of the blockchain revolution. Alphabit believes, supports, and invests in the decentralised economy of the future, with a generous portfolio of startups, protocols, and DeFi solutions that address an alternative to traditional financial systems. www.alphabit.fund About Launchpool

Launchpool is a regulatory compliant initiative started in 2020 by Alphabit Digital Currency Fund with the aim of providing fair guaranteed access to early stages of project raises to the retail community. With the ethos of 'Egalitarian Investment', Launchpool's global community of 35,000 investors believe in the idea of being your own VC, while supporting the startups ecosystem with a minimum viable community, resources, access to funding opportunities, and enabling partnerships across the blockchain ecosystem. www.launchpool.xyz View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005495/en/

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[June 30, 2021] Easterly Government Properties Increases Earnings Guidance

Easterly Government Properties, Inc. (NYSE: DEA) (the "Company" or "Easterly"), a fully integrated real estate investment trust focused primarily on the acquisition, development and management of Class A commercial properties leased to the U.S. Government, announced today that it is increasing its guidance for 2021 FFO per share on a fully diluted basis to a range of $1.30 - $1.32, representing an increase of $0.02 from the Company's previously stated guidance. This guidance is forward-looking and reflects management's view of current and future market conditions. The Company's actual results may differ materially from this guidance. The Company's 2020 net income (loss) per share on a fully diluted basis was $0.15 and the Company is projecting 2021 net income (loss) per share in a range of $0.30 to $0.32 per share on a fully diluted basis. At the new midpoint of $1.31, the Company's increased guidance for 2021 FFO per share on a fully diluted basis, represents projected year-over-year growth of approximately 4%. Easterly's revised guidance is based on an increase in its 2021 targeted acquisition volume to $300 million, from $200 million previously, and up to $25 million of gross development-related investment during the year. "With an increasingly strong pipeline of actionable acquisition opportunities, we are raising the assumed acquisition volume underlying our guidance for 2021 by $100 million," said William C. Trimble (News - Alert) , III, Easterly's Chief Executive Officer. "With enhanced visibility and the outsized pace of accretive transactions we have completed year-to-date, we see the opportunity for accelerated growth and are therefore raising our 2021 earnings guidance expectations." About Easterly Government Properties, Inc. Easterly Government Properties, Inc. (NYSE:DEA) is based in Washington, D.C., and focuses primarily on the acquisition, development and management of Class A commercial properties that are leased to the U.S. Government. Easterly's experienced management team brings specialized insight into the strategy and needs of mission-critical U.S. Government agencies for properties leased through the U.S. General Services Administration ( GSA (News - Alert) ). For further information on the company and its properties, please visit www.easterlyreit.com. This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of federal securities laws and regulations. These forward-looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as "believe," "expect," "intend," "project," "anticipate," "position," and other similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions and forecasts of future results. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results to differ materially from those anticipated at the time the forward-looking statements are made. These risks include, but are not limited to, those risks and uncertainties associated with our business described from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 24, 2021. Although we believe the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are based upon reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that the expectations will be attained or that any deviation will not be material. All information in this release is as of the date of this release, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to conform the statement to actual results or changes in our expectations. Non-GAAP Supplemental Financial Measures Definitions Funds From Operations (FFO) is defined, in accordance with the Nareit FFO White Paper (News - Alert) - 2018 Restatement, as net income (loss), calculated in accordance with GAAP, excluding depreciation and amortization related to real estate, gains and losses from the sale of certain real estate assets, gains and losses from change in control and impairment write-downs of certain real estate assets and investments in entities when the impairment is directly attributable to decreases in the value of depreciable real estate held by the entity. FFO is a widely recognized measure of REIT performance. Although FFO is a non-GAAP financial measure, the Company believes that information regarding FFO is helpful to shareholders and potential investors. Fully diluted basis assumes the exchange of all outstanding common units representing limited partnership interests in the Company's operating partnership, the full vesting of all shares of restricted stock, and the exchange of all earned and vested LTIP units in the Company's operating partnership for shares of common stock on a one-for-one basis, which is not the same as the meaning of "fully diluted" under GAAP. Reconciliations 2021 Revised Outlook for FFO Per Share on a Fully Diluted Basis







Low High Net income (loss) per share - fully diluted basis $ 0.30 0.32 Plus: real estate depreciation and amortization $ 1.00 1.00 FFO per share - fully diluted basis $ 1.30 1.32

2020 Actual FFO Per Share on a Fully Diluted Basis Year Ended December 31, 2020 Net income (loss) per share - fully diluted basis $ 0.15 Plus: real estate depreciation and amortization $ 1.06 Plus: (gain) loss on the sale of operating property $ 0.05 FFO per share - fully diluted basis $ 1.26 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005289/en/

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Prudential Financial completes sale of Taiwan business to Taishin Financial

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU) announced today the completion of its sale of Prudential of Taiwan to Taishin Financial Holding Co., Ltd., following a successful regulatory review.

Under the terms of the agreement, announced on August 11, 2020, Prudential Financial sells 100% of its life insurance business in Taiwan.

About Prudential Financial, Inc.

Prudential Financial, Inc. (NYSE: PRU), a financial wellness leader and premier active global investment manager with more than $1.5 trillion in assets under management as of March 31, 2021, has operations in the United States, Asia, Europe, and Latin America. Prudential's diverse and talented employees help to make lives better by creating financial opportunity for more people. Prudential's iconic Rock symbol has stood for strength, stability, expertise and innovation for more than a century. For more information, please visit news.prudential.com.







About Taishin Financial Holding Co., Ltd.

Taishin Financial Holding Co., Ltd. is a Taiwan-based financial holding company principally engaged in the investment and management of its subsidiaries. The company operates through three business segments: the Banking Businesses segment, the Securities Businesses segment, and the Others segment. The company is also involved in futures trading, venture capital, insurance brokerage and other finance-related businesses. For more information, please visit taishinholdings.com.tw.

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[June 30, 2021] Rafael Pharmaceuticals to Present Pancreatic & Biliary Tract Cancer Data on CPI-613 (Devimistat) from its Multicenter, Randomized Phase 1b/2 Trials at the 2021 European Society of Medical Oncology World Gastrointestinal (GI) Congress

CRANBURY, N.J., June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Rafael Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Rafael or the Company), a leader in the growing field of cancer metabolism-based therapeutics, today announced that data on its lead compound, devimistat, has been selected for an oral presentation at the 2021 European Society of Medical Oncology World Gastrointestinal Congress (ESMO), taking place June 30 through July 3, 2021. We are proud to have our primary clinical investigators present at EMSO to share updates from our ongoing trials for devimistat in pancreatic and biliary tract cancer, two hard-to-treat diseases with few treatment options, said Sanjeev Luther, President and CEO of Rafael Pharmaceuticals. Dr. Philip A. Philip and Dr. Vaibhav Sahai will share important perspectives on new treatment options from their frontline experience treating cancer and evaluating devimistat in clinical trials. Presentation Details:

Session Title: Gastrointestinal Cancer: Cancer of the Pancreas and Biliary Tract

Poster Title: A multicenter, randomized phase 1b/2 study of gemcitabine and cisplatin with or without CPI-613 as first-line therapy for patients with advanced unresectable biliary tract cancer (BilT-04)

Date: June 30, 2021

Abstract ID: 390

Authors: Vaibhav Sahai, Amy E. Chang, Oxana V. Crysler, David B. Zhen, Muhammad S. Beg, Kent A. Griffith, Mark M. Zalupski Session Title: Session I: Cancer of the Pancreas and Biliary Tract, Q&A

Date: July 1, 2021

Time: 4:34 PM (CEST)

Speaker: Philip A. Philip



Devimistats mechanism of action aims to stunt the growth of cancer cells, creating an opportunity to increase survival rates for cancers like pancreatic and biliary tract, which have historically produced grim outlooks for patients. According to the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, biliary tract cancer has a 5-year relative survival rate of just 9% across all combined SEER stages (localized, regional and distant). Pancreatic cancer has a similar profile, with a 5-year relative survival rate of 10.8%. Patients battling both cancers urgently need therapeutic options that can improve survival rates.



Our team is thrilled to have the opportunity to share updates from our clinical study currently in-progress for the treatment of biliary cancer, especially at the ESMO GI Congress, said Vaibhav Sahai, MBBS, M.S., primary investigator and medical oncologist at the University of Michigan Rogel Cancer Center in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Im pleased to share updates on the treatment of pancreatic cancer. I believe that with each milestone met, were a step closer to discovering potential new treatment options, said Dr. Philip, M.D., Ph.D., F.R.C.P, primary investigator and medical oncologist at the Karmanos Cancer Center in Detroit, Michigan.

About CPI-613 (devimistat)

CPI-613 (devimistat) is a first-in-class clinical lead compound of Rafael, which targets enzymes that are involved in cancer cell energy metabolism and are located in the mitochondria of cancer cells. Devimistat is designed to target the mitochondrial tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, a process essential to tumor cell multiplication and survival, selectively in cancer cells. Devimistat substantially increases the sensitivity of cancer cells to a diverse range of chemotherapeutic agents. This synergy allows for potential combinations of devimistat with lower doses of these generally toxic drugs to be more effective with lower patients side effects. Combination with devimistat represent a diverse range of opportunities to substantially improve patients benefit in many different cancers. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given Rafael approval to initiate pivotal Phase 3 clinical trials in pancreatic cancer (AVENGER 500) and acute myeloid leukemia (ARMADA 2000) and has designated devimistat as an orphan drug for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, acute myeloid leukemia, myelodysplastic syndrome, peripheral T-cell lymphoma, Soft Tissue Sarcoma, Burkitts lymphoma and biliary cancer. The EMA has granted orphan drug designation to devimistat for pancreatic cancer and acute myeloid leukemia. About Rafael Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Rafael Pharmaceuticals is a leader in the growing field of cancer metabolism. The company is developing a new, first-in-class category of metabolic oncology therapeutics that attack hard-to-treat cancers by targeting the metabolic processes the disease needs to survive, grow and proliferate. Rafael Pharmaceuticals lead compound, CPI-613 (devimistat), is a highly selective, well-tolerated and effective anti-cancer agent that is being evaluated in ongoing and completed Phase 1, 2 and 3 clinical trials. Devimistat has been granted orphan drug status by the FDA for the treatment of pancreatic cancer, acute myeloid leukemia (AML), myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) and Burkitts, peripheral T-cell lymphomas and soft tissue sarcoma and biliary tract cancer. The Company's investors include Rafael Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: RFL). On June 21, 2021, we announced that we have entered into a merger agreement with Rafael Holdings, Inc., to create a publicly traded late-stage clinical oncology company focused on cancer metabolism-based therapeutics. For more information, please visit www.rafaelpharma.com. Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements. These statements relate to future events or the companys future financial performance. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as "may", "will", "should", "expect", "plan", "anticipate", "believe", "estimate", "predict", "potential" or "continue", the negative of such terms, or other comparable terminology. These statements are only predictions. Actual events or results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements should not be regarded as a representation by the company, or any other person, that such forward-looking statements will be achieved. The business and operations of the company are subject to substantial risks which increase the uncertainty inherent in forward-looking statements. We undertake no duty to update any of the forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. In light of the foregoing, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. ### Rafael Media Contact:

Diana Cleinmark

rafael@antennagroup.com

(408) 713-1216



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[June 30, 2021] Ceridian World Tour 2021: Experience the Future of Work

MINNEAPOLIS and TORONTO, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ceridian (NYSE: CDAY; TSX: CDAY), a global leader in human capital management (HCM) technology, today announced Ceridian World Tour, a new, transformative event series bringing leaders and experts from around the world together to connect, learn, and share innovative thinking through in-person and virtual experiences.

With live events scheduled in Las Vegas, New York, London, Singapore, and Melbourne, Ceridian World Tour will feature experiences customized to each locale. The series will kick off in Las Vegas from October 4-7 at the MGM Grand Hotel, with dates for other participating cities to be announced soon. Ceridian World Tour will bring leaders together from around the world share innovative strategies and perspectives to succeed in a more fluid, borderless, skills-based, and always-on workplace of the future, said Brendan Reid, Chief Marketing Officer, Ceridian. This global tour will redefine what business events can be  and in turn, enables us to execute the most globally accessible event weve ever delivered. Ceridian World Tour will provide meaningful value to our customers, prospects, and partners through: Networking with peers in similar roles, regions, and industries

Inspirational content from notable experts and thought leaders

Opportunities to develop new skills and playbooks to win in the future of work

Hands-on experience with the latest Dayforce innovations

Access to Ceridian leaders, domain experts, and partners

Ceridian World Tour will eature in-person and virtual programming to make it accessible for everyone. With the health and safety of customers, prospects, and partners the highest priority, all in-person events will comply with the latest local public health protocols.



Learn more about Ceridian World Tour here: ceridian.com/worldtour. About Ceridian

Ceridian. Makes Work Life Better Ceridian is a global human capital management software company. Dayforce, our flagship cloud HCM platform, provides human resources, payroll, benefits, workforce management, and talent management functionality. Our platform is used to optimize management of the entire employee lifecycle, including attracting, engaging, paying, deploying, and developing people. Ceridian has solutions for organizations of all sizes. Visit Ceridian.com or follow us @Ceridian. Forward-Looking Statement and Risk Factors This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements regarding the acquisition discussed in the press release and our expectations, hopes, intentions or strategies regarding the future are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on management's beliefs, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, management. Because such statements are based on expectations as to the future and are not statements of fact, actual results may differ materially from those projected. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. This press release should be read in conjunction with the risks detailed in the Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information, Forward-Looking Statement, Risk Factors and other sections of Ceridians Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Annual Reports on Form 10-K and other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Media contact:

Rachel Kreuter

Rachel.kreuter@ceridian.com

647-707-7835



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[June 30, 2021] An Inclusive Hospitality Program Tailored to Reveal the Authenticity of Luxury

MIAMI, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Breakthrough Service was founded by Stephanie Leger, Luis Gallotti, and Lisa Miller with years of experience at Forbes Travel Guide, AAA, Ritz-Carlton, and Four Seasons. They came together to create a disruptive hospitality program revealing the authenticity of the modern luxe traveler. The expertise of Breakthrough Service is helping guide all luxury properties from the ordinary to the extraordinary with world-class audits and personalized training programs. As the hospitality industry celebrates the coming out of a year that has accelerated a diverse trend in the hospitality industry, personalization is still a driving force. Breakthrough Service dedication helps leaders and front-line team members provide a different approach tailored to the modern luxury traveler. The hospitality horizon has changed, and the partners at Breakthrough Service navigate through the changes. They look at the guests' journey and how other areas such as the property story, ambiance, and safety culture engage with the guests. Breakthrough Service knows each property in the luxury market has an eceptional offering and crafted a list of unique property style categories that fit the modern luxe market. With over 100 well-thought-out touchpoints characterized by nine different concepts that authenticate luxe desires. Breakthrough Service aims to work together with General Managers and Owners to highlight their value proposition, revealing their property's authenticity to what is relevant for today's luxe traveler.



It is a hand-in-hand approach. We are taking personalized service to the next level. More intimate, no scripted, more Human. The training is based on non-scripted, teaching the employees to react based on the current interaction enabling them to be more authentic. We use inspectors and consultants who will collaborate with General Managers and Property Owners to look deeply into how things are happening to create a perfect balance between the property key attributes, sense of place, craftsmanship, and service deliverables. Media contact:

Breakthrough Hospitality Service, LLC

info@breakthroughservice.com

LinkedIn Profile About Breakthrough Service

Breakthrough Service is an inclusive hospitality program tailor to all luxury lodging businesses. The program drives to Reveal the Authenticity from each property based on today's luxe travelers' priorities while maintaining personalized and unique service. We Audit  we Train  we Assess  we put your operations on the best path for success. For more information, visit https://www.breakthroughservice.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/an-inclusive-hospitality-program-tailored-to-reveal-the-authenticity-of-luxury-301322683.html SOURCE Breakthrough Hospitality Service

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[June 30, 2021] J.T. Cacciabaudo Joins SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. as Head of the Equity Execution Services Group

SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., a member of SMBC Group, announced that J.T. Cacciabaudo has joined the firm as head of the Equity Execution Services Group. In this new role, J.T. will be responsible for combining and coordinating the marketing of the firm's Japanese and U.S. equity trading expertise to help further maximize equity commission revenues. The establishment of the Equity Execution Services Group and hiring of J.T. reflects SMBC Group's efforts to make strategic investments in its institutional equity business within SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., with a keen focus on expanding its capabilities and presence in the U.S. equities market. In addition to J.T., the firm hired two senior U.S. equity traders earlier this year, Dominick Tarantino, Executive Director, and John Twomey, Executive Director. Along with the current team, SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. has created a strong and experienced platform for continued growth in the U.S. equities business. The group will target both high- and low-touch electronic trading relationships for continued growth of the firm's Japanese equity liquidity pool with North American clients, as well as the build-out of U.S. liquidity with global clients. The team will also work closely with Equity Capital Markets to expand the existing U.S. equity share re-purchase programs and current At-the-Market (ATM) offerings with their corporate client base. "Our senior leadership teams in the Americas and Tokyo Head Office welcome J.T. to the team and are excited to have him join the firm. We are confident this group, and the team he helps put together, will provide additional value to our clients and to SMBC Group shareholders," said Masahito Nonka, Deputy President of SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc.



"J.T. brings extensive experience in cultivating a broad base of client relationships that goes well beyond the traditional long-only asset manager and hedge fund communities. The formation of the Equity Execution Services Group, and the addition of J.T., demonstrates our commitment to execute on the firm's strategic expansion plans and provide high-quality service to our growing mix of institutional and corporate clients," said Trevor Hill, Global Head of Equity for SMBC Nikko Securities, Inc. J.T. started his career at Citigroup, where he spent 15 years. At Citigroup, J.T. garnered experience with both risk and distribution, having served as the Co-Head of U.S. Cash Equity Trading followed by his role as Managing Director of Global Equity Sales Trading. Over the last decade, J.T. was the Head of Equity Trading and Sales Trading at Sterne, Agee and most recently Head of Execution and Sales for U.S. Equities at Macquarie Capital.

J.T. earned a Bachelor of Arts in international economics from the University of Richmond. About SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. is a member of SMBC Group, one of the world's largest global financial institutions. Based in New York City, SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. provides investment securities and other financial services to corporate and institutional clients, focusing on North America and Latin America. SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc. caters to institutional investors such as mutual funds, hedge funds, and other investment advisors. About SMBC Group SMBC Group is a top-tier global financial group. Headquartered in Tokyo and with a 400-year history, SMBC Group offers a diverse range of financial services, including banking, leasing, securities, credit cards, and consumer finance. The Group has more than 140 offices and 86,000 employees worldwide in nearly 40 countries. Sumitomo Mitsui Financial Group, Inc. (SMFG) is the holding company of SMBC Group, which is one of the three largest banking groups in Japan. SMFG's shares trade on the Tokyo, Nagoya, and New York (NYSE: SMFG) stock exchanges. As of March 31, 2021, its total assets were $2.10 trillion. In the Americas, SMBC Group has a presence in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, and Peru. Backed by the capital strength of SMBC Group and the value of its relationships in Asia, the Group offers a range of commercial and investment banking services to its corporate, institutional, and municipal clients. It connects a diverse client base to local markets and the organization's extensive global network. The Group's operating companies in the Americas include Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation (SMBC), SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., SMBC Capital Markets, Inc., SMBC Rail Services LLC, Manufacturers Bank, JRI America, Inc., SMBC Leasing and Finance, Inc., Banco Sumitomo Mitsui Brasileiro S.A., and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Co., Ltd. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005318/en/

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[June 30, 2021] XPeng Inc. Announces Pricing of Global Offering

XPeng Inc. ("XPeng" or the "Company") (NYSE: XPEV, HKEX:9868.HK), a leading Chinese smart electric vehicle ("Smart EV") company, today announced the pricing of the global offering (the "Global Offering") of 85,000,000 shares (the "Offer Shares") which comprises an international offering (the "International Offering") and a Hong Kong public offering (the "Hong Kong Public Offering"). This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005570/en/ The XPeng P7 fleet (Photo: Business Wire) The final offer price for both the International Offering and the Hong Kong Public Offering (the "Offer Price") has been set at HK$165.00 per Class A ordinary share. Based on the ratio of two Class A ordinary shares per NYSE-listed American depositary share (the "ADS"), the Offer Price translates to approximately US$42.52 per ADS based on an exchange rate of HK$7.7604 to US$1.00. Subject to approval from The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited (the "Hong Kong Stock Exchange"), the Class A ordinary shares are expected to begin trading on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on Wednesday, July 7, 2021, under the stock code "9868". The gross proceeds to the Company from the Global Offering, before deducting underwriting fees and the offering expenses, are expected to be approximately HK$14,025.0 million (assuming the Over-allotment Option is not exercised). In addition, the Company has granted the Over-allotment Option to the International Underwriters, exercisable by the Joint Representatives (and on behalf of the International Underwriters), at any time on or before Friday, July 30, 2021, being the 30th day after the last day for lodging applications under the Hong Kong Public Offering, pursuant to which the Company may be required to issue up to an aggregate of 12,750,000 Class A ordinary shares at the Offer Price. The Company plans to use the net proceeds from the Global Offering for expansion of its product portfolio and development of more advanced technology; acceleration of its business expansion, by enhancing brand recognition, acquiring customers through omni-channel marketing strategies and expanding its sales and service touch points both domestically and internationally; enhancement of production capability, including expansion of capacity, upgrade of manufacturing facilities and development of manufacturing technologies; and general corporate purposes, including working capital needs. J.P. Morgan Securities (Far East) Limited and Merrill Lynch (Asia Pacific) Limited are the Joint Sponsors of the listing of the Offer Shares on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange. J.P. Morgan Securities (Asia Pacific) Limited, Merrill Lynch (Asia Pacific) Limited and Citigroup Global Markets Asia Limited are the Joint Representatives. J.P. Morgan Securities (Asia Pacific) Limited, Merrill Lynch (Asia Pacific) Limited, Citigroup Global Markets Asia Limited and CLSA Limited are the Joint Global Coordinators of the Global Offering. The Company's registration statement on Form F-1 relating to the International Offering has been filed with, and declared effective by, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the " SEC (News - Alert) "). The International Offering is being made only by means of a prospectus forming part of the effective registration statement. The registration statement on Form F-1, which cntains a preliminary prospectus dated June 24, 2021, is available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. The final prospectus will be filed with the SEC and will be available on the SEC's website at: http://www.sec.gov. When available, copies of the final prospectus relating to the offering may also be obtained from J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, by telephone at +1 (866) 803-9204 or by email at prospectus-eq_fi@jpmchase.com; and BofA Securities, Inc., by telephone at +1 (800) 294-1322, or by email at dg.prospectus_requests@bofa.com.



The price of the Offer Shares of the Company may be stabilized in accordance with the Securities and Futures (Price Stabilizing) Rules (Chapter 571W of the Laws of Hong Kong). The details of the intended stabilization and how it will be regulated under the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Chapter 571 of the Laws of Hong Kong) have been contained in the prospectus of the Company dated June 25, 2021. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, the websites referenced in this press release is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this press release.

About XPeng Inc. XPeng is a leading Chinese smart electric vehicle company that designs, develops, manufactures, and markets Smart EVs that appeal to the large and growing base of technology-savvy middle-class consumers in China. Its mission is to drive Smart EV transformation with technology and data, shaping the mobility experience of the future. In order to optimize its customers' mobility experience, XPeng develops in-house its full-stack autonomous driving technology and in-car intelligent operating system, as well as core vehicle systems including powertrain and the electrification/electronic architecture. XPeng is headquartered in Guangzhou, China, with offices in Beijing, Shanghai, Silicon Valley and San Diego. The Company's Smart EVs are manufactured at plants in Zhaoqing and Zhengzhou, located in Guangdong and Henan provinces, respectively. For more information, please visit https://en.xiaopeng.com. Safe Harbor Statement This announcement contains forward-looking statements. These statements are made under the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements can be identified by terminology such as "will," "expects," "anticipates," "future," "intends," "plans," "believes," "estimates" and similar statements. Statements that are not historical facts, including statements about XPeng's beliefs 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: XPeng's goals and strategies; XPeng's expansion plans; XPeng's future business development, financial condition and results of operations; the trends in, and size of, China's EV market; XPeng's expectations regarding demand for, and market acceptance of, its products and services; XPeng's expectations regarding its relationships with customers, contract manufacturers, suppliers, third-party service providers, strategic partners and other stakeholders; general economic and business conditions; and assumptions underlying or related to any of the foregoing. Further information regarding these and other risks is included in XPeng's filings with the SEC. All information provided in this press release is as of the date of this press release, and XPeng does not undertake any obligation to update any forward-looking statement, except as required under applicable law. Important Disclaimers 1. The proposed Global Offering is subject to market and other conditions, and there can be no assurance as to whether or when the Global Offering may be completed, or as to the actual size or terms of the Global Offering. 2. This press release is for information purposes only and does not constitute or include any recommendation or invitation or offer (nor is calculated to invite such a recommendation, offer or invitation) by any person for acquisition, purchase or subscription of the securities of the Company nor does it intend to act as a recommendation of the sale of securities or any invitation, solicitation or offer for acquisition, purchase or subscription of securities in any jurisdiction. This press release should accordingly not amount to an advertisement or invitation within the meaning of section 103(1) of the Securities and Futures Ordinance (Chapter 571 of the laws of Hong Kong) or a prospectus or an extract from or abridged version of a prospectus (including within the meaning of sections 2 and 38B, respectively of the Companies (Winding Up and Miscellaneous Provisions) Ordinance). Investors should read the prospectus of the Company for detailed information about the Company and the proposed offering before deciding whether or not to purchase any securities of the Company. This press release has not been reviewed or approved by The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited or the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong. An application to subscribe for the shares for the Hong Kong Public Offering referred to in this press release by any persons shall be made solely based on the prospectus and the application forms issued by the Company on June 25, 2021. 3. No application for the shares of the Company should be made by any person nor would such application be accepted without the completion of a formal application form or other application procedure that is issued with or in respect of the prospectus. 4. The directors of the Company collectively and individually accept full responsibility for the accuracy of the information contained in this press release and confirm, having made all reasonable enquiries, that to the best of their knowledge and belief, there are no other facts the omission of which would make any statement herein misleading. This press release is issued by Wonderful Sky Financial Group Ltd. on behalf of XPeng Inc. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005570/en/

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[June 30, 2021] LEXEO Therapeutics Receives Rare Pediatric Disease Designation and Orphan Drug Designation for LX2006 for the Treatment of Friedreich's Ataxia

NEW YORK, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- LEXEO Therapeutics, a clinical-stage gene therapy company, today announced that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted Rare Pediatric Disease designation and Orphan Drug designation to LX2006 for the treatment of Friedreichs ataxia (FA). LX2006 is an IV-administered, adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene therapy encoding the human frataxin gene. The designations granted to LX2006 cover cardiac disease and broader symptoms associated with FA.

The FDA grants Rare Pediatric Disease designation for serious and life-threatening diseases that primarily affect children ages 18 years or younger and fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. If a biologics license application (BLA) for LX2006 is approved, LEXEO may be eligible to receive a priority review voucher that may be sold or transferred. The Orphan Drug designation is granted by the FDA to drugs or biologics intended to treat a rare disease that affects fewer than 200,000 people in the U.S. Programs with Orphan Drug status are eligible for various development incentives. Being granted both Rare Pediatric Disease and Orphan Drug designation shows the tremendous urgency for new, impactful therapeutic approaches such as LX2006 for people diagnosed with Friedreichs ataxia, said R. Nolan Townsend, Chief Executive Officer of LEXEO Therapeutics. It is critical that we advance new disease-modifying therapies with the potential to transform the lives of FA patients, and we look foward to continuing our collaboration with the FDA as we advance LX2006 through clinical development.



FA is a rare, degenerative, multi-system disorder affecting approximately one in 50,000 people in the United States. It is an inherited condition caused by a gene mutation that disrupts the normal production of the protein frataxin, which functions in the mitochondria of the cell. It is inherited in an autosomal recessive manner, usually beginning in childhood and leads to impaired muscle coordination (ataxia) that worsens over time, typically progressing to serious heart conditions that can lead to heart failure, which is the most common cause of death in FA patients. LEXEO plans to initiate a Phase I/II clinical trial of LX2006 in patients with cardiomyopathy associated with FA in 2021.

About LEXEO Therapeutics, Inc. LEXEO Therapeutics is a New York City-based, fully integrated biotechnology company currently headquartered at the Alexandria Center for Life Science that aims to apply the transformational science of gene therapy to address some of the worlds most devastating genetic and acquired diseases. LEXEO Therapeutics pipeline consists of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated therapies primarily developed at Weill Cornell Medicines Department of Genetic Medicine. Beyond LEXEO Therapeutics lead programs  which are focused on both rare and non-rare monogenic (single gene mutation) diseases  the companys preclinical pipeline spans monogenic diseases, as well as hereditary and acquired diseases across a spectrum of patient population sizes and a range of unmet medical needs. Importantly, LEXEO Therapeutics will focus on advancing clinical programs through to commercialization, with the goal of maintaining an ongoing research collaboration with Weill Cornell Medicines Department of Genetic Medicine to help advance the companys pre-clinical pipeline. For more information, please visit http://www.lexeotx.com/ or LinkedIn. Investor Contact

LEXEO Therapeutics, Inc.

investors@lexeotx.com Media Contact

Sheryl Seapy, Real Chemistry

(949) 903-4750

sseapy@realchemistry.com



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[June 30, 2021] STEP CG and Elisity Announce Strategic Partnership to Resell Zero Trust Edge and IoT/OT Security

STEPcg (www.STEPcg.com), an award winning, managed IT, Security, and Cloud Services provider has added Cognitive Trust pioneer Elisity (www.elisity.com) to its solution set for resale and as part of its managed offerings. Elisity, recently named one of the "Top 5 most innovative security companies" by IoT Practitioner, provides a cloud-delivered cybersecurity platform that can analyze the unique identity and context of people, apps, and devices-including IoT and OT-wherever they're operating. "We are constantly looking at emerging technologies that are disrupting the market and are very excited to begin offering Elisity to our customers. They have taken a unique approach to ZTNA, enabling organizations to quickly begin their Zero Trust journey by securing their remote and hybrid workforce, all while providing the ability to scale to tens of thousands of users and devices on prem and remote," said Ed Walton, CEO of STEPcg. Elisity recently closed $26M in Series A funding with two new strategic investors Two Bear Capital and AllegisCyber Capital, as well as existing investor Atlantic Bridge. The funding will help scale Elisity to meet enterprise demand for its Cognitive Trust platform, which learns behavior to assess risk, and automatically and continuously optimize security for enterprise and critical infrastructure organizations. Elisity's identity and AI-powered behavioral intelligence delivers better visibility and a single security enforcement policy for people and devices accessing applications and data across SaaS (News - Alert) and cloud services.



"We're proud to be partnering with such a well-respected and fast-growing company as STEPcg. Our Cognitive Trust Platform brings an innovative and unique approach which they can now offer their customers. With Elisity, customers can understand, empower and dynamically adapt security for every user, app and asset from the edge to the cloud," said James Winebrenner, CEO of Elisity. "Our customers are continuously evolving as they are looking for simple and secure managed services around our networking and security solutions. Elisity fits perfectly into our solution set, and provides our customers an easy way to implement a Zero Trust approach within minutes, while starting on the journey to a comprehensive ZTNA strategy," added Rob Huff, STEPcg Founder and President.

Elisity and STEPcg are planning joint events showcasing Zero Trust Security at the RiverCenter Innovation Center in Covington, KY throughout the summer and fall. To request a demo or learn more about Zero Trust, please contact the STEPcg team. About STEPcg STEPcg was founded in 2014 and has become one of the fastest growing technology firms in the Midwest. Their portfolio enables enterprises with solutions for wireline, wireless, cellular, cloud, security, collaboration and managed services. STEPcg is a privately held company headquartered in Covington, Kentucky. STEPcg is Where Innovation Meets Execution. About Elisity Elisity understands identity and behavior to simplify asset and user access, connectivity and security from the enterprise edge to the cloud. Elisity invented the AI-powered Cognitive Trust platform to dynamically learn behavior, assess risk and instantly adapt explicit access policies for devices, people, data and applications. Organizations can move in minutes from visibility to implicit trust and secure connectivity that safeguards their people and assets and accelerates business transformation. Based in San Jose, Elisity is backed by Two Bear Capital, AllegisCyber Capital, and Atlantic Bridge. Follow on Twitter and LinkedIn or go to www.elisity.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005153/en/

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[June 30, 2021] Janus Henderson Foundation Contributes more than $260,000 to Employee-Nominated Charities Around the Globe

The Janus Henderson Foundation, the charitable giving arm of Janus Henderson Investors, this week announced the winners of its sixth annual Janus Henderson Investors Charity Challenge. The Charity Challenge is a competition where Janus Henderson employees pitch nonprofit organizations to their colleagues and a panel of finalist judges to win donations. Top prize winners are in the United States, United Kingdom and India, with a total of nine charities designated to receive more than $263,800. The first-place prize of $75,000 will go to Cruse Bereavement. The Janus Henderson Foundation typically supports education initiatives, with a history of giving that started in 1994, but the annual event broadens the scope of the foundation's impact by enabling employees to influence where donations go. "This is an event we look forward to every year because it allows us to harness the giving spirit of our employees and make positive contributions to the communities we operate in across the globe," said Tiphani Krueger, president of the Janus Henderson Foundation. "The donations we make to these charities will help them provide vital services to underserved communities and people in need - like mental health support for the bereaved and access to education, medical care and food for people experiencing poverty. It's a friendly competition that allows us to support causes we're passionate about." Top prize winner, Cruse Bereavement, has been providing life-changing support to bereaved people in the UK for 62 years. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it expects to see a 50% increase in demand for services. It plans to use the donation to expand services through a new program called "Understanding your Bereavement," which offers live, online group sessions led by bereavement specialists who can also provide one-on-one support. Steven Wibberley, CEO at Cruse Bereavement Care, said, "We are absolutely delighted to be the winners of the Janus Henderson Foundation's 2021 Charity Challenge. It's been an incredible experience being involved in such a fantastic initiative. The grant of $75,000 USD will enable us to support thousands of bereaved people at a time when the need for bereavement support has never been greater." Runners-up include second place Hunger Free Colorado in the United States and third place Project Help India. Hunger Free Colorado leads efforts to connect families and individuals to food resources, and fuels change in systems, policies and social views so no Coloradan goes hungry. Project Help India offers education services to impoverished women and children, combats human trafficking and provides counselling to rescued individuals. Both organizations are seeing more demand in the wake of the pandemic. Additional prizes will be awarded to all finalists and regional vte winners. This year's challenge also included a special COVID-19 Relief Prize for an organization that is directly providing relief services to communities impacted by the global pandemic.



Prize winners include: Cruse Bereavement, Grand Prize Winner

Hunger Free Colorado, 1st Runner Up

Project Help India, 2nd Runner Up and APAC Regional Winner

St. Luke's Hospice, EMEA Regional Winner

Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, North America Regional Winner

Ruils Independent Living, COVID-19 Relief Prize Winner

Medical Detection Dogs, Finalist

The Vertile Foundation, Finalist

WeeCycle, Finalist More than 920 employees participated in the initial voting round of the challenge. Since launching the annual challenge, the Janus Henderson Foundation has donated a total of $655,566 to more than 140 organizations across the globe.

Notes to editors Janus Henderson Group (JHG) is a leading global active asset manager dedicated to helping investors achieve long-term financial goals through a broad range of investment solutions, including equities, fixed income, quantitative equities, multi-asset and alternative asset class strategies. At 31 March 2021, Janus Henderson had approximately US$405 billion in assets under management, more than 2,000 employees, and offices in 25 cities worldwide. Headquartered in London, the company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). This press release is solely for the use of members of the media and should not be relied upon by personal investors, financial advisers or institutional investors. We may record telephone calls for our mutual protection, to improve customer service and for regulatory record keeping purposes. Issued by Janus Henderson Investors. Janus Henderson Investors is the name under which investment products and services are provided by Janus Capital International Limited (reg no. 3594615), Henderson Global Investors Limited (reg. no. 906355), Henderson Investment Funds Limited (reg. no. 2678531), Henderson Equity Partners Limited (reg. no.2606646), (each registered in England and Wales at 201 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3AE and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority) and Henderson Management S.A. (reg no. B22848 at 2 Rue de Bitbourg, L-1273, Luxembourg and regulated by the Commission de Surveillance du Secteur Financier). Henderson Secretarial Services Limited (incorporated and registered in England and Wales, registered no. 1471624, registered office 201 Bishopsgate, London EC2M 3AE) is the name under which company secretarial services are provided. All these companies are wholly owned subsidiaries of Janus Henderson Group plc. (incorporated and registered in Jersey, registered no. 101484, with registered office at 47 Esplanade, St Helier, Jersey JE1 0BD). [Janus Henderson, Janus, Henderson, Perkins, Intech, VelocityShares, Knowledge Shared, Knowledge. Shared and Knowledge Labs] are trademarks of Janus Henderson Group plc or one of its subsidiaries.  Janus Henderson Group plc. C-0621-388335 6-15-2022 View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005092/en/

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[June 30, 2021] Document Security For Master Spies: How Locklizard Redefined Secure Document Sharing

LONDON, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Amidst the digital renaissance, document security has never been more vital; and while remote file destruction, device and location locking, remote screen grabber protection, and remote revocation of files might sound like document security technology used by master spies, they're all standard practice for Locklizard's document DRM solutions. As the industry leader in document security solutions, Locklizard has developed cutting edge technology to ensure that documents remain fully protected while society navigates a new landscape of secure document sharing and remote working. Locklizard's flagship product, Safeguard Enterprise PDF DRM, locks documents to devices and optionally locks documents to locations to provide maximum security without sacrificing user experience. It ensures no unauthorized person has access to documents and that authorized users are restricted in their use. One of the most common concerns for document owners is document sharing, screen-recording, and unauthorized access and use. Locklizard has created a multi-pronged approach to deliver document security. Using encrypted licensing controls with transparent and secure key exchanges (that unlike password-protected PDFs cannot be easily cracked), Locklizard stops document sharing in its tracks - unauthorized users cannot gain access to valuable, confidential, or sensitive information and authorized users cannot share them with others. Additionally, Locklizard prevents users from taking screenshots of documents by blanking or masking screen content and eables document owners to both destroy and revoke files remotely, from any location.



After the past year, the last thing any business needs is someone stealing valuable documents or sensitive information that can prove detrimental to their company and revenue streams. Locklizard is single-handedly paving the way for a more secure document sharing environment, ensuring only authorized users can view documents in a controlled manner. Steve Mathews, Locklizard CEO said "Publishers selling information such as ebooks, reports, training courses, etc.; and companies needing to share documents with their employees and third parties; must protect their IPR from theft and misuse. Locklizard's document DRM provides simple to use solutions that work across multiple environments and can be easily integrated into existing systems."

Locklizard is used by small, medium, and large publishers, corporations, and government agencies worldwide to protect their IPR and confidential and sensitive information from theft and misuse. To learn more about Locklizard, visit: https://www.locklizard.com/ About Locklizard Locklizard is the industry-leading document security and DRM copy-protection software provider that helps companies protect what matters most  their digital IPR. Founded in 2004 by information and document security specialists who have more than 70 years of experience in the industry, Locklizard is the premier DRM supplier for publishers, enterprises, and governments; meeting and exceeding requirements for the finance, auditing, semiconductor, training, publishing and analyst communities. Locklizard implements cutting-edge encryption technology with licensing and DRM controls to ensure unparalleled document security for their clients. Website: https://www.locklizard.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/locklizardsoftware/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/locklizarddrm For more information contact sales@locklizard.com Contact:

Alice Pierce

+44 (0) 1292 430290

313339@email4pr.com View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/document-security-for-master-spies-how-locklizard-redefined-secure-document-sharing-301322945.html SOURCE Locklizard

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[June 30, 2021] Azoya Releases New Whitepaper to Help Global Retailers and Brands Boost E-Commerce Profitability Using Private Traffic in China

NEW YORK and SHENZHEN, China, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning China retail experts Azoya Group today announced the release of the Private Traffic for China Retail in 2021 Whitepaper to help global retailers and brands sell more in China's booming retail market. This year, private traffic has emerged as an e-commerce essential, as it reduces acquisition costs and sparks sales among targeted social media users. Azoya's whitepaper shares global e-commerce and digital marketing best practices to help companies earn loyalty among increasingly affluent Chinese shoppers, especially as beauty and fashion sales soar. Private traffic works similar to owned media like blog and email lists to communicate directly with consumers. Retail companies can apply the whitepaper's private traffic tips to differentiate their offerings, deliver superior service and earn engagement, trust and sales among Chinese consumers. The whitepaper outlines specific private traffic tactics that can boost e-commerce profitability by enhancing loyalty to maximize lifetime value per customer. The piece includes recent case studies of how private traffic improved performance results for companies like Amala Beauty and FragranceNet. As global e-commerce surges, adapting to Chinese online shoppers' service expectations gives retailers and brands new growth opportunities. "We created the complete guide to Private Traffic for China retail to save companies time and effort, so they can start selling to Chinese consumers faster," said Franklin Chu, Managing Director, Azoya USA. "It also helps companies solve the issue of rising acquisition costs that erode profits." Frequently sharing informative, entertaining content helps retailers and brands inspire consumer confidence and drive sales. A recent survey found Chinese shoppers appreciate private traffic programs for their exclusive deals, variety of products and content, and timely information. Private traffic is particularly powerful on WeChat, China's most popular social media platform, which has attracted 1.2 billion monthly active users. Using private traffic within WeChat can shorten the customer journey, making e-commerce efforts more efficient. For instance, WeChat Work allows targeted, direct communications among up to 500 consumers. WeChat Moments amplifies word-of-mouth marketing among consumers and their networks. Also, WeChat Official Account lets companies share their brand story, promotions and coupons. To improve e-commerce profitability, the Private Traffic for China Retail in 2021 Whitepaper gives retailers and brands specific tips on how to personalize communications to strengthen their connections with consumers. It also reveals how companies can use private traffic to gain a competitive advantage as e-commerce grows increasingly crowded. For more information, download the Private Traffic for China Retail in 2021. About Azoya Group

Azoya Group is full-service solution provider dedicated to helping international brands and retailers enter the China market. Azoya provides technical and service solution to help clients manage challenges from various aspects of selling to China. Azoya is a leading China e-commerce enabler, which endeavors to help overseas brands and retailers break into China via cross-border e-commerce. The company prides itself as being the e-commerce leader that has signed exclusive agreements with the largest number of overseas retailers in China. With its all-encompassing services and dedicated specialist team, the company has won trust from more than 50 overseas retailers in 12 countries. Learn more: https://azoyagroup.com







Press Contacts:







U.S China

Dan Dyer Queenie Yao

513-478-7818 +86 188 2026 3929

313347@email4pr.com 313347@email4pr.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/azoya-releases-new-whitepaper-to-help-global-retailers-and-brands-boost-e-commerce-profitability-using-private-traffic-in-china-301322953.html SOURCE Azoya

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[June 30, 2021] Applied Business Software Announces SOC 2 Compliance

LONG BEACH, Calif., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Applied Business Software, Inc., ("ABS"), leader in loan servicing and origination software in the lending industry, announced today the receipt of the Service Organization Control (SOC) 2 audit certification. This rigorous certification process, conducted by one of the nation's top accounting firms, Armanino LLP, ensures the integrity of Applied Business Software's procedures, policies, practices, infrastructure, security, confidentiality, and privacy in the handling of their customers' data. The comprehensive and complex endeavor attests Applied Business Software's current operational protocols meet the highest of security standards. Jasen Portero, COO, who spearheaded the process said: "We underwent this extensive and intensive process as the security of our customers' data is of the utmost importance to us. Transparency and trust are at the forefront of our continued commitment to our customers in delivering world-class loan servicing and origination software." Applied Business Software contiues to be the leader in the private lending software market, with customers across the globe. This certification is just one of many initiatives that ABS has earmarked for 2021 and will play a critical role as they expand their list of enterprise lenders. Last year ABS reported their best year ever in annual recurring revenue and gross profit margins in their 42-year trajectory.



About Applied Business Software, Inc.

Applied Business Software is a market leader and global provider of software systems and solutions to the lending industry. ABS offers a complete suite of software products designed from the ground up to specifically address the needs of those who originate and service loans. All our products are consistently rated superior in design, system interface, expandability, and ease of use. ABS is based in Long Beach, California. For additional information about ABS's products and services, visit www.themortgageoffice.com or call (800) 833-3343. Press Contacts:

For Applied Business Software, Inc.:

Elizabeth Morales

Chief Marketing Officer

(800) 833-3343

313422@email4pr.com

www.themortgageoffice.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/applied-business-software-announces-soc-2-compliance-301322962.html SOURCE Applied Business Software

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[June 30, 2021] PKT Enables Anyone To Monetize Unused Internet Bandwidth

Paris, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- (via Blockchain Wire) - PKT (https://pkt.cash/), the worlds first blockchain that pays people for contributing unused internet bandwidth, has released its technology roadmap. Notable technologies include a VPN marketplace with a minimum cost of free, the ability to issue NFTs without gas fees, and access to the internet without needing to pay a traditional Internet Service Provider (ISP). Typically internet users pay an ISP to access the internet, which is often expensive and sometimes has a data cap. Instead, PKT pays users PKT Cash ($PKT) every 60 seconds to connect bandwidth to the PKT Network. PKT will enable people to share their internet with their neighbors in a privacy-friendly mesh network.

PKT is a decentralized, open-source blockchain project with no company, no investors, no shareholders, and no coin premine. PKT was launched to mainnet in August 2019 and is based on the Bitcoin protocol. As of June 2021, there are more than 10,000 wallets and over 200,000 CPU cores of processing power generating 25 Gbps of sustained bandwidth, with peaks over 60 Gbps.

The PKT roadmap includes its own token issuance protocol called Token Strike, which will enable anyone to create tokens and NFTs at near-zero cost and without gas fees. TokenStrike will enable bandwidth to be tokenized and transacted in micro-transactions, serving to connect underserved communities and reduce the cost of internet access.

PKT is an extension of the cjdns mesh networking protocol, created by PKT lead developer Caleb James DeLisle in 2011. Cjdns grants anyone an IPv6 address without a centralized issuer and creates an end-to-end encrypted mesh network. PKT continus the cjdns vision by incentivizing people to scale the network infrastructure.





I am proud that we are now able to formally release the PKT roadmap. PKT is the next evolution of the cjdns project, which I have worked on for the past ten years, said Caleb James DeLisle, Lead Developer of PKT. While cjdns established the protocol for building mesh networks with minimal technical knowledge, PKT adds the financial component to pay for the build-out of hard infrastructure through a decentralized bandwidth marketplace. The vision is that PKT will help get the next billion people online through a faster, lower cost, more participatory internet.

PKT is currently in Phase 2 of its 4 stage roadmap. Phase 2 focuses on use cases including a VPN marketplace, zero cost token issuance using the Token Strike protocol, and enabling microtransactions and a decentralized bandwidth trading marketplace using the Lightning Network.



PKT focuses on decentralizing the role of the internet service provider (ISP). The result is empowering millions of people worldwide to monetize their internet resources and provide the fastest and lowest price internet access to all. PKT is an internet built by the people, for the people.

For more information, please visit the official PKT Website and Telegram group.



ABOUT PKT PKT (https://pkt.cash/) is a decentralized high-speed data network that enables anyone to monetize their unused internet bandwidth. Powered by PacketCrypt, the worlds first bandwidth-hard proof-of-work, people who connect to the PKT Network are paid in PKT Cash ($PKT) every 60 seconds. PKT provides an economic incentive for people to grow internet connectivity and infrastructure with minimal technical knowledge. As the network grows, PKT drives bandwidth demand, which in turn drives down the cost of bandwidth, increases the speed of the PKT Network, and improves internet connectivity in both urban and rural areas worldwide. PKT is an extension of the cjdns mesh networking protocol, created by PKT Lead Developer Caleb James DeLisle in 2011. PKT continues the cjdns vision by allowing anyone to share their internet and become an internet service provider (ISP).



ABOUT cjdns Created by Caleb James DeLisle, cjdns (https://github.com/cjdelisle/cjdns) is an open-source mesh routing protocol designed to create easily configured decentralized networks while enabling an always-on end-to-end encryption and cryptographically generated IPv6 addressing without requiring a centralized issuer like a traditional ISP.

Media Contact: Transform Group, pkt@transformgroup.com

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[June 30, 2021] Canada and Nova Scotia invest in renewable energy infrastructure for the Cogswell Redevelopment Area

HALIFAX, NS, June 30, 2021 /CNW/ -The health and safety of Canadians are top priorities for the governments of Canada and Nova Scotia. Communities across Canada are on the frontline of the COVID-19 pandemic, and need immediate assistance to ensure their public infrastructure is safe and reliable. That is why governments have been taking decisive action to support families, businesses and communities, and continue to look ahead to see what more can be done in these unprecedented times. Today, Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of the Honourable Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities; the Honourable Labi Kousoulis, Minister of Inclusive Economic Growth, on behalf of Energy and Mines Minister Chuck Porter; and Cathie O'Toole, General Manager of Halifax Water, announced funding for an ambient temperature district energy system (DES) in the Cogswell District of downtown Halifax. Rafah DiCostanzo, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Clayton Park West, was also in attendance. The project, which is part of the Cogswell Redevelopment area, will support a district energy system that supplies renewable energy from the nearby Halifax Wastewater Treatment Facility's wastewater effluent to six mixed-use buildings within the district. Once completed, customers will benefit from an energy efficient system that provides a rate-stable and clean energy source for years to come. The Government of Canada is investing more than $5.5 million in this project through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan. The Government of Nova Scotia is contributing more than $4.6 million, while the Halifax Regional Water Commission is contributing more than $3.7 million. Quotes "Green projects like the Cogswell Redevelopment Area will help reduce greenhouse gas emissions while creating important jobs and economic opportunities for Halifax residents. As we build back better, important investments like these will help in our fight against climate change while building healthier communities for all Canadians." Andy Fillmore, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Communities and Member of Parliament for Halifax, on behalf of the Honourable atherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities



"This is a prime example of how innovative technologies can help communities meet their energy needs in more efficient and environmentally friendly ways. It is the first system of its kind in eastern Canada and will help Nova Scotia achieve its bold climate change targets." The Honourable Labi Kousoulis, Minister of Inclusive Economic Growth, on behalf of Energy and Mines Minister Chuck Porter

"The Cogswell district is a statement about the Halifax we are quickly becoming, a city that is connected, designed for people and ready to meet a sustainable energy future." His Worship Mike Savage, Mayor of the Halifax Regional Municipality "We are excited to be partnering with all three levels of government in the funding of this sustainable new development. By harnessing the energy resources of our existing wastewater infrastructure, it allows the Cogswell District Energy System to become an innovative and sustainable cornerstone of the areas redevelopment. Once Halifax Regional Council HRM council approves a construction tender for the Cogswell Redevelopment, Halifax Water will move forward and seek final approvals to proceed with this project." Cathie O'Toole, General Manager of Halifax Water "Today's funding announcement is an exciting step forward for the Cogswell District project. The district energy system aligns with our commitment to our long-term climate change plan to reduce emissions and harness sustainable energy in our communities. It will create many energy efficiencies for the new Cogswell District and will help us build for the future." Jacques Dube, Chief Administrative Officer, Halifax Regional Municipality Quick facts Through the Investing in Canada infrastructure plan, the Government of Canada is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.

infrastructure plan, the Government of is investing more than over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and rural and northern communities. $26.9 billion of this funding is supporting green infrastructure in Canadian communities.

of this funding is supporting green infrastructure in Canadian communities. The Government of Canada has invested over $914 million in 279 infrastructure projects across Nova Scotia under the Investing in Canada plan.

has invested over in 279 infrastructure projects across under the Investing in plan. Across Canada , since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic the Government of Canada has contributed $9.7 billion to 3,500 infrastructure projects. Associated links Investing in Canada Plan Project Map:

http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map Federal infrastructure investments in Nova Scotia:

https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-ns-eng.html Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan:

http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

Web: Infrastructure Canada SOURCE Infrastructure Canada

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[June 30, 2021] Study.com and University of Phoenix Collaborate to Help Students Save Time and Money

More than 750 University of Phoenix graduates have participated in a seamless affordable transfer program designed to help students save money and graduate faster. The graduates accelerated their degree path using Study.com's College Accelerator solution, which gives access to more than 220 courses through Study.com that can be transferred towards a college degree. "Study.com and University of Phoenix share a commitment to offering students an economical and efficient path for their educational journey as well as helping them maintain their focus on reaching their career goals," said Chris Mancini, Chief Growth Officer at Study.com. "These graduates are part of our incredible program with University of Phoenix, which has helped students save significant cost and time to graduation." Thomas Shelton is one of those students. He recently earned his Bachelor of Science degree in management while working full-time at Comcast (News - Alert) Corporation. He chose University of Phoenix because it had an established online college platform and offered classes that fit in his schedule. Shortly after starting his bachelor's degree program, his academic adviser suggested that he consider using Study.com to save time and money toward his degree. Shelton found the Study.com platform easy to use, and he completed roughly 30 credits that he applied towards his degree. "I wanted an online format that allowed me to take just one class at a time and University of Phoenix offered that," Shelton explains. "Including Study.om in my educational experience kept me motivated with its user-friendly platform and I was able to fast-track my education. Most importantly, I was able to apply what I learned by improving my leadership skills and enhancing my critical thinking skills."



The relationship between University of Phoenix and Study.com means the courses students take on Study.com transfer seamlessly and help fulfill their degree requirements at the University of Phoenix. Study.com offers more than 220 college credit recommended courses, over 50 of which are upper-division, that can be applied toward a University of Phoenix associate's or bachelor's degree and students can transfer up to 87 credits from Study.com to University of Phoenix lowering the total degree cost. "Many of our students are working adults juggling school and other responsibilities and are looking for ways to save time and money," said University of Phoenix Provost John Woods. "Study.com's flexible on-demand platform has helped University of Phoenix students pursue their educational and career goals by providing a resource to save on tuition and classroom time."

Study.com provides a flexible learning experience with short micro-video lessons allowing students to learn at their own pace and accelerate their course completion. Study.com's College Accelerator courses meet equivalent academic standards to traditional higher education programs and have been evaluated and recommended credit by the American Council on Education (ACE) and the National College Credit Recommendation Service (NCCRS). For more information visit: www.phoenix.edu/ccstudent About University of Phoenix University of Phoenix is continually innovating to help working adults enhance their careers in a rapidly changing world. Flexible schedules, relevant courses and interactive learning help students more effectively pursue career and personal aspirations while balancing their busy lives. We serve a diverse student population, offering degree programs from associate through the doctoral level, as well as certificate programs, professional development and individual courses. For more information, visit phoenix.edu About Study.com Study.com is a leading online education platform helping learners excel academically and close skills gaps. Study.com's online courses, short, animated video lessons, and study tools make learning simple for over 30 million learners and educators. Study.com was founded in 2002 and is a privately held company located in Mountain View, Calif. Learn more at http://www.study.com or download the mobile app from the iOS app store or Google (News - Alert) Play. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005266/en/

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[June 30, 2021] Union Home Mortgage Foundation Announces Second Quarter Grant Recipients

The Union Home Mortgage Foundation, a charitable organization whose mission is to equip families with the tools and resources to achieve economic self-sufficiency, has announced its grant recipients for the second quarter of 2021. The list includes five recipients across three states and includes a new nonprofit partner. Through this cycle, the Foundation is providing support to organizations making critical contributions to communities in the areas of financial literacy, community development and education in Ohio, Pennsylvania and South Carolina. The grants total $25,000 and will help these organizations develop permanent solutions to improve the lives of those families and individuals with access to these services. The UHM Foundation is pleased to partner with Soteria for the first time in 2021. "We are so proud to partner with these incredible organizations that help support the social, emotional and financial wellbeing of the families in their respected communities," said Bill Cosgrove, President & CEO of Union Home Mortgage and Chairman of the Foundation. "At UHM, we believe in the power of community and we look forward to continuing those commitments through these donations and providing support whenever and wherever possible." The second quarter 2021 grant recipients are: Cleveland, OH Greater Cleveland Reach Out and Read - $5,000 in support of its core programming to train doctors and nurses to integrate literacy promotion as a standard component of primary care with participating clinics in the area. Children receive free books at their well-child checkups from infancy through five years of age.

- $5,000 in support of its core programming to train doctors and nurses to integrate literacy promotion as a standard component of primary care with participating clinics in the area. Children receive free books at their well-child checkups from infancy through five years of age. Empowering and Strengthening Ohio's People (ESOP) - $5,000 towards its Financial Wellness and Housing Stability Services for low-to-moderae income residents.



Youngstown, OH Youngstown Neighborhood Development Corporation (YNDC) - $5,000 towards its Community Financial Empowerment Initiative, a program that provides on-on-one financial counseling to help identify barriers to obtaining and sustaining affordable housing, including inadequate saving, credit history, and knowledge of the homeownership/leasing process. Exton, PA

Home of the Sparrow - $5,000 in support of eviction prevention services for over 1,000 women and mothers annually in Chester County through financial literacy, access to trauma services, emergency funds, employment resources and more. Greenville, SC Soteria Community Development Corporation - $5,000 towards the operational costs to run Soteria House, a supportive housing program for those exiting the criminal justice system while providing holistic services ranging from medical care, job training, family reunification, financial literacy and legal services. "We're so proud to partner with these organizations that are strategically working to improve the financial health of families in our communities," said Christina Fagan, Executive Director of the Foundation. "By doing so, we're creating stronger communities, a healthier economy and a better world for us all." Since its inception, the Foundation has distributed more than $1,000,000 in financial support to nonprofits in 14 states. For more information on the Union Home Mortgage Foundation, visit www.uhmfoundation.org, call 440.536.3496 or email cfagan@uhm.com. About the Union Home Mortgage Foundation The Union Home Mortgage Foundation was established in 2015 as the charitable arm of independent mortgage banking company Union Home Mortgage Corp (UHM). The Foundation's mission is to equip individuals and families with the tools and resources to achieve economic self-sufficiency, specifically through education, career readiness, financial literacy and housing. The Foundation has awarded over $1M since its inception towards these programs to help guide families on a pathway towards responsible homeownership. Union Home Mortgage Corp is a high-growth, full-service retail, wholesale and consumer direct lender with over 150 branches across the U.S. and over $13 billion in responsible lending per year. To learn more about Union Home Mortgage and their efforts in the community, please visit https://www.uhm.com/. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005057/en/

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[June 30, 2021] ADM Endeavors, Inc. (OTCQB:ADMQ): Gamer/YouTuber Brianna @RoyallyB Launches New Back to School Bundle

ADM Endeavors, Inc. (OTCQB: ADMQ), announced today that the world famous Gamer/YouTuber Brianna @RoyallyB will introduce her new Back to School Bundle on 7/1/21. If your child is needing back to school supplies this is a great option at a reasonable price. Brianna is a strong YouTube (News - Alert) personality that is kid safe and demonstrates unimpeachable moral values. Start your child's 2021-'22 school year with confidence and joy by purchasing Brianna's awesome Back to School bundle at https://royallyb.com/. Only 750 of these exclusive bundles were produced so don't miss out by waiting to purchase. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005069/en/ Brianna @RoyallyB New Back to School Bundle (Photo: Business Wire) FW Promo, the wholly owned subsidiary of ADMQ, designed and produced these bundles. These bundles have already been delivered and now are just waiting to be launched. ADM Endeavors CEO Marc Johnson said, "Brianna is one of the fastest growing YouTubers in the world. It is wonderful to see a successful YouTuber deliver such positive messages that young kids can relate to. Brianna is one of the select few YouTubers I allow my own children to watch." https://twitter.com/BriArsement https://www.instagram.com/briarsement/ https://www.tiktok.com/@brianna https://www.facebook.com/mybrimerch



About ADMQ: Since 2010, our wholly owned subsidiary, Just Right Products, Inc., has been consistently increasing sales, with sales topping $5.1 million in 2020. The Company sells "Anything With A Logo" on its website, www.JustRightProducts.com, developing products ranging from unique business cards to coffee cups, T-shirts to boots, with tens of thousands of other unique products from which to select. Just Right Products, Inc. operates a diverse vertical integrated business in the Dallas/Fort Worth area, consisting of a retail sales division, screen print production, embroidery production, digital production, import wholesale sourcing, and uniforms. www.admendeavors.com

www.fwpromo.com

www.justrightproducts.com

www.uscbdlogo.com

www.facebook.com/groups/admqshareholders

https://fortworth.academicoutfitters.com/ Forward Looking Statement:

This press release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. Any statements that are not historical facts contained in this press release are "forward-looking statements" that involve a number of risks and uncertainties and are made pursuant to the Safe Harbor Provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "strategy," "expects," "continues," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "would," "will," "estimates," "intends," "projects," "goals," "targets" and other words of similar meaning are intended to identify forward-looking statements but are not the exclusive means of identifying these statements. Such forward-looking statements are based on current expectations, involve known and unknown risks, a reliance on third parties for information, transactions that may be cancelled, and other factors that may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in our industry, to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from anticipated results include risks and uncertainties related to the fluctuation of global economic conditions or economic conditions with respect to the retail industry, the COVID-19 pandemic, the performance of management, actions of government regulators, vendors, and suppliers, our cash flows and ability to obtain financing, competition, general economic conditions and other factors that are detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We intend that all forward-looking statements be subject to the safe-harbor provisions. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005069/en/

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[June 30, 2021] Medical Device and Technology Company Lazurite to Introduce its ArthroFree Wireless Arthroscopic Camera System at AOSSM-AANA Combined Annual Meeting in Nashville, July 7-11

Medical device and technology company Lazurite (formerly Indago) will unveil its transformative ArthroFree wireless arthroscopic camera system at the combined annual meeting of the American Orthopedic Society for Sport Medicine (AOSSM) and the Arthroscopy Association of North America (AANA) at Music City Center in Nashville, Tenn., July 7-11, 2021. Surgeons, physicians and other attendees will be able to directly experience the ArthroFree system in Booth 320. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005643/en/ The novel ArthroFree platform, when approved, is expected to be the world's first FDA approved fully wireless, minimally invasive modular camera system for the operating room, featuring the patented Meridiem light engine. (Photo: Business Wire) There will be pre-production demo models of the ArthroFree wireless system available for surgeons and physicians to try out for themselves. Lazurite's leadership and development teams, as well as several physician champions who are well-acquainted with the system, also will be onsite to discuss the new system and address questions. "We are excited to introduce our ArthroFree wireless camera system at the upcoming AOSSM-AANA event in Nashville," said Eugene Malinskiy, Chief Executive Officer and founder of Lazurite. "This is an ideal venue for the first public exhibition of our device, which we believe orthopedic surgeons, along with the facilities where they practice, will find compelling." "The ArthroFree system incorporates our proprietary low heat, high intensity Meridiem light engine technology with advanced camera, battery and wireless transmission technologies to create the world's first fully wireless, minimally invasive camera system for the operating room," Malinskiy said. "The system is designed to deliver improved OR productivity, patient safety, and economic value through cost-savings, energy efficiency and reduced setup/breakdown times. And, the ArthroFree system is designed to be fully drop-in compatible with current operating room technology.'' The upcoming AOSSM-AANA event is expected to attract morethan 1,000 surgeon attendees.



Mark Froimson, MD, Chair of the Board of Managers of Lazurite, said, "We are looking forward to introducing ArthroFree to hundreds of orthopedic surgeons at this important conference. It's always exciting to see the reaction when surgeons first experience this game-changing, innovative technology. They routinely tell us that ArthroFree's wireless, user friendly design is long overdue, and that they look forward to utilizing it in their ORs." The ArthroFree wireless arthroscopic camera system has not yet received FDA clearance and is not currently approved for human use. It is not intended for commercial distribution; orders cannot be accepted at this time. The company plans to submit its 510(k) premarket notification in late 2021 and expects to receive FDA approval to launch the product in the first half of 2022.

Lazurite Further Expands its Team of Experienced Professionals Lazurite also announces that Scott Leube has joined the staff as Director of Business Development. He has over 20 years of leadership experience selling capital equipment, implantables, biologics, and disposables in highly competitive markets. His industry knowledge was gained while working for industry leaders such as Zeiss Surgical, Nuvasive, United States Surgical Corporation, and recently as the Distributor Principle of MedAction Inc. In addition, the company once again welcomes aboard James Williams, MD, Chief Medical Advisor. He joined officially in early 2021. Williams is retired chief of orthopedic surgery at Cleveland Clinic (Euclid). During his career, he served as assistant team physician for the Cleveland Indians and the Cleveland Cavaliers, and as head team physician at John Carroll University and many Cleveland high schools. "Jim is one of our original and most enthusiastic advisors, and he offers key insights from a customer's perspective," Malinskiy said. "His acuity and steady presence add tremendous value to our endeavor." About Lazurite Lazurite (formerly Indago) is a pre-revenue medical device startup company backed by private capital. The company has raised approximately $18 million to date from institutional investors, high-net worth individuals, and more than 50 physician champions. Founded in Cleveland in 2015, Lazurite has developed novel technology that will enable it to create the operating room of the future. The company's product pipeline features the ArthroFree wireless camera system, the world's first fully wireless minimally invasive camera system platform designed for the operating room; ORFree, the world's first fully wireless mobile minimally invasive surgical camera platform; and others based on the company's novel and patented Meridiem light engine technology. For more information, see: http://lazurite.co Forward Looking Statements This press release includes "forward-looking statements." Forward-looking statements can be identified by words such as: "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "project," "estimate," "expect," "may," "should," "will," "designed," "milestone," and similar references to future periods. Examples of forward-looking statements include, among others, statements we make regarding our regulatory submission timeline for ArthroFree. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy, and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks, and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of our control. Our actual results may differ materially from those indicated in the forward-looking statements. Therefore, you should not rely on any of these forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement made by us in this press release is based only on information currently available to us and speaks only as of the date on which it is made. We undertake no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise. Lazurite, ArthroFree, ORFree and Meridiem are trademarks of Lazurite Holdings LLC. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005643/en/

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[June 30, 2021] Defense Information Systems Agency Awards Comcast Business $102M, 10-Year Contract for Ethernet Services

Comcast (News - Alert) Business today announced it has been awarded a 10-year, $102.8M contract by the United States' Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) to provide Ethernet that will enhance connectivity, improve network performance and manage overall telecommunications costs throughout the Agency's Defense Information Systems Network (DISN), which includes Maryland, Washington, D.C, Virginia, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky. DISA selected Comcast Business after reviewing proposals from four other bidders. DISA provides enterprise network and IT infrastructure to support the requirements of the Department of Defense's more than 40 military services, combatant commands and support organizations worldwide, including the President, Vice President and Secretary of Defense. The Agency is currently undergoing a multi-phase process of replacing 17,000 legacy, point-to-point public switched telephone network (PSTN) circuits with Ethernet-based services across seven regions in the 48 contiguous states and the District of Columbia. CEG Region 3 provides DISA with the underlying network infrastructure to enable voice, video, and data services for their mission partners. "We are honored that DISA has once again selected - and more importantly entrusted - Comcast Business for its important initiative of modernizing its communications infrastructure and enhaning connectivity with its partners across the military's information network," said Ken Folderauer, Vice President, Government Sales, Comcast Business. "This contract solidifies Comcast Business' position as a premier provider of communications solutions to government agencies."



Comcast Business will help DISA establish CEGs by delivering its Ethernet Virtual Private Line (EVPL) service, which offers a flexible Ethernet solution to meet the Agency's current and future demands. Comcast Business' EVPL service helps improve application performance across a network with a private, point-to-multipoint network design between multiple locations. Compared to certain legacy Wide Area Network (WAN) technologies, EVPL offers a strong potential for performance improvements and managed costs. About Comcast Business

Comcast Business offers a suite of Connectivity, Communications, Networking, Cybersecurity, Wireless, and Managed Solutions to help organizations of different sizes prepare for what's next. Powered by the nation's largest Gig-speed broadband network, and backed by 24/7 customer support, Comcast Business is the nation's largest cable provider to small and mid-size businesses and one of the leading service providers to the Enterprise market. Comcast Business has been consistently recognized by industry analysts and associations as a leader and innovator, and one of the fastest growing providers of Ethernet services. For more information, call 866-429-3085. Follow on Twitter (News - Alert) @ComcastBusiness and on other social media networks at http://business.comcast.com/social. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005209/en/

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[June 30, 2021] Fair Launches First-Ever Halal-Certified Neobank and Wealth Building Platform in U.S.

HOUSTON, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Fair, the first-ever halal-certified neobank and wealth building digital platform in the U.S., launches mobile banking services with lending, investments and retirement and multilingual service to rollout soon. Fair offers two transparent membership models that eliminate hidden fees and account minimums. No-interest loans, socially responsible investing (SRI) and environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) investments, to be released early fall, are among the membership benefits created to empower wealth opportunities for more people in the U.S. than ever before. The average American spends about $329 in bank fees every year, and the average U.S. worker loses up to $40,000 in their lifetime without a low-cost savings account. Fair members pay a transparent cost, either $99 for a lifetime membership or $9.99 for a monthly membership. With business values that promise to always put people over profit, Fair membership includes unlimited access to every platform feature. Its features include: FDIC-insured spending accounts, through partner bank, Coastal Community Bank, Member FDIC

MasterCard?Debit Card for you and your kids

International money transfers without additional fees

Up to two-day early direct deposit

Access to over 55,000 Allpoint ATMs

Supplemental life insurance

High-yield wealth building account with up to 2% dividend earnings (coming summer 2021)

No-interest home, auto and buy now, pay later loans (coming fall 2021)

Investments and retirement planning (coming fall 2021) "Fair was created to provide an equitable option for any individual to take control of their finances and have wealth building opportunities within their reach," Fair CEO and Founder Khalid Parekh said. "Hidden fees and loan interest are business models for traditional banks. As an immigrant to the U.S., the challenge of understanding bank fee structures was further complicated by the inability for any bank to provide information in my native language. Every feature, from our transparent membership to upcoming language releases, is designed to provide an ethical solution to the chalenges to financial freedom."



Fair is the first halal-certified neobank in the U.S., certified by the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI). Halal banking is rooted in shared equity and restricts charging or profiting from interest. Its ethical requirements offer a solution to some of the inequities in traditional banking, such as Black and Hispanic consumers paying twice the amount in fees than their white counterparts. Multiple traditional banks in the U.S. are halal-certified, though they are mostly well-known to immigrant communities familiar with its unique value system and ethical practices. "We've watched banks limit our financial freedom by charging excessive fees and interest, and we've accepted it because until now, there haven't been better options," Fair CMO Toni Harrison said. "Halal financial practices provide an ethical and equitable alternative to traditional banking. Any individual regardless of culture or income stands to benefit from more transparency and control of their day-to-day finances. The wealth building opportunities that are within reach on the same platform also offer promise for chipping away at the wealth gap that continues to limit financial advancement in communities of color."

Supplemental life insurance included at no additional cost through Avibra is also included with Fair membership. Equity-based lending will be released on the platform early fall 2021. Halal lending not only prohibits charging loan interest, but it also provides shared equity lending and reduces credit threats like foreclosures. Fair investments will adhere to SRI and ESG guidelines. SRI and ESG investments exclude companies known to cause environmental devastation and social harm, such as poor labor standards. Equally committed to extending its people over profit values into diverse communities, Fair will donate 2.5% of its profits to racial equality initiatives and refugee causes. Fair has an alliance with World Relief and United Nations Refugee Agency to develop financial literacy programs. "We are proud to partner with Fair to create financial literacy programs for the thousands of refugee families from various parts of the world who must learn to navigate the U.S. banking landscape," said Jennifer Foy, VP of U.S. Programs at World Relief. Membership enrollment is available at bankwithfair.com, and the Fair mobile app is available for download in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Fair membership can be completed with a social security number or a government-issued ID, such as a valid passport or driver's license. ABOUT FAIR

Fair is an ethical, socially responsible neobank and digital financial services platform. Fair offers halal-certified, membership-based services to eliminate surprise fees that can prevent financial freedom and savings opportunities. Dedicated to values that place people over profit, Fair practices socially responsible investing (SRI), environmental, social, and corporate governance (ESG) investing and is halal-certified. Fair donates 2.5% of its profits to global refugee causes and racial economic empowerment initiatives. Fair banking services are provided by Coastal Community Bank, member FDIC. Investment and retirement services will be provided by Fair Invest, LLC. Lending Services will be provided by Fair Lending, LLC. Fair is available in the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. Terms and conditions apply and can be found at bankwithfair.com. Connect with @bankwithfair on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/fair-launches-first-ever-halal-certified-neobank-and-wealth-building-platform-in-us-301323219.html SOURCE Fair

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[June 30, 2021] Cyclomedia Awarded RFP for City of Alexandria

SAN RAFAEL, Calif., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Cyclomedia , the leading provider of accurate geospatial imagery data and data analytics is proud to announce that it has recently been selected by City of Alexandria, LA as the vendor for their Request For Proposal (RFP) for a citywide asset management project. This extends a long-term relationship dating back to 2017 when Cyclomedia was selected as the vendor of choice for the asset inventory and management of all fire hydrants in the city. Cyclomedia extends its leadership postion in providing street level imagery to US local governments.



This new project will be used to accurately review and inspect right of way assets and provide a means to update records within their GIS and CAD systems from the comfort of the office. Cyclomedia will deliver fresh, updated street level imagery, advanced terrestrial mobile LiDAR, it's best in class Street Smart cloud-based viewer and seamless integration into the city's workflow through GIS and CAD. "At the end of the day, it was clear in our evaluation process that only Cyclomedia was up to the task of meeting and exceeding our requirements for this project", said Curtis Fogleman, GIS Manager for the City of Alexandria. "Their experience with the city, efficiency in data collection and speed of delivery were true differentiators. Additionally, as we go forward, we now have a common, accurate historical database where it will be easy to compare the past as we go forward into the future."

"It is gratifying that the City of Alexandria is positive in continuing to partner with us", said Joe Astroth, Cyclomedia CEO-USA. "We are proud to be aligned with such a forward-thinking government organization that embraces cutting edge technology for the sole purpose of better serving their constituents and community." About Cyclomedia Founded in 1980, Cyclomedia is the leading international provider of data and software solutions virtualizing the outside world accurately on-screen. Cyclomedia customers derive actionable insights from the geodata platform to power day-to-day decisions remotely and with more accuracy, delivering exceptional ROI. Cyclomedia focuses its solutions on tax assessment, asset management, public safety, construction & engineering, utility & transportation, and insurance & real estate. Cyclomedia employs 270 people with US headquarters in San Rafael, CA, US operations in Madison, Wisconsin, global headquarters in The Netherlands, and global operations in Germany and Scandinavia. For more information, please visit www.cyclomedia.com. View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cyclomedia-awarded-rfp-for-city-of-alexandria-301322001.html SOURCE Cyclomedia

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[June 30, 2021] Global Flow Batteries Market to Reach $961.9 Million by 2026

SAN FRANCISCO, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A new market study published by Global Industry Analysts Inc., (GIA) the premier market research company, today released its report titled "Flow Batteries - Global Market Trajectory & Analytics" . The report presents fresh perspectives on opportunities and challenges in a significantly transformed post COVID-19 marketplace.

FACTS AT A GLANCE

Edition: 7; Released: January 2021

Executive Engagements: 2718

Companies: 45 - Players covered include Elestor BV; ESS, Inc; H2; Invinity Energy Systems; JenaBatteries GmbH; Kemwatt SAS; Largo Clean Energy; Lockheed Martin Corporation; nanoFlowcell Holdings Ltd; Primus Power; Redflow Ltd; SCHMID Group; Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd; UniEnergy Technologies LLC (UET); ViZn Energy Systems, Inc; Volterion GmbH; VoltStorage GmbH; VRBA Energy and Others.

Coverage: All major geographies and key segments

Segments: Material (Vanadium, Zinc-Bromine, Other Materials); Application (Utilities, Commercial & Industrial, Military, EV Charging Stations, Other Applications)

Geographies: World; USA; Canada; Japan; China; Europe; France; Germany; Italy; UK; Rest of Europe; Asia-Pacific; Rest of World.

Complimentary Project Preview - This is an ongoing global program. Preview our research program before you make a purchase decision. We are offering a complimentary access to qualified executives driving strategy, business development, sales & marketing, and product management roles at featured companies. Previews provide deep insider access to business trends; competitive brands; domain expert profiles; and market data templates and much more. You may also build your own bespoke report using our MarketGlass Platform which offers thousands of data bytes without an obligation to purchase our report. Preview Registry

ABSTRACT-

Global Flow Batteries Market to Reach $961.9 Million by 2026

A flow battery is an electrochemical cell where two chemical components provide chemical energy through dissolution in liquids pumped by a system on different membranous sides. Advantages such as instant recharging capability, a longer lifecycle, as also more discharge hours are propelling growth in the global market. Such batteries are suited best for addressing the intermittent nature of renewable energy sources and also for addressing the needs of micro-grid applications. The growing investments into renewable energy projects thus represents a key factor fueling growth in the market. With flow batteries becoming cheaper than other assorted storage alternatives, their deployment rate will increase further for catering to the newer solar panels and wind turbines for maintaining grid reliability. The market is also witnessing growth led by the growing use of flow batteries in electric vehicle applications. The growing installations of telecommunications towers that have a flow battery as an alternative source of energy are also fueling market growth. mid the COVID-19 crisis, the global market for Flow Batteries estimated at US$290.5 Million in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$961.9 Million by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 22.7% over the analysis period. Vanadium, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 22.4% CAGR to reach US$819.7 Million by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the ZINC-BROMINE segment is readjusted to a revised 24.1% CAGR for the next 7-year period. This segment currently accounts for a 23.1% share of the global Flow Batteries market. Vanadium-based flow batteries segment is expected to grow significantly due to the distinct advantages offered by the battery, particularly for large stationary applications. Vanadium redox flow batteries are the frontrunners in energy storage and their demand is high in the markets for off-grid, utility, and mini-grids. Zincbromine is expected to record strong growth as most manufacturers opt for zincbromine over vanadium owing to the latter's high cost and limited availability. Additionally, zinc-bromine flow batteries have been used more in the past in applications like grid, residential, industrial, commercial, and microgrid.



The U.S. Market is Estimated at $63.4 Million in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $162.5 Million by 2026

The Flow Batteries market in the U.S. is estimated at US$63.4 Million in the year 2021. The country currently accounts for a 20.6% share in the global market. China, the world's second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of US$162.5 Million in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 27.5% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 19.6% and 21.3% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 21.4% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach US$213.8 Million by the end of the analysis period. The Asia-Pacific region has numerous flow battery-based installations having larger power ratings. Australia operates the largest number of flow battery-based projects for its residential, utilities, commercial, and industrial applications, whereas, China has the largest capacity of flow batteries installations until date. The need to store renewable energy is a major driving factors for flow batteries market in the region. By Application, Utilities Segment to Reach $383.7 Million by 2026

Due to their large and heavy features, flow batteries are considered to be suitable for utilities as well as commercial and industrial customers seeking long-term and long hours of energy storage. The presence of vanadium electrolyte in most flow batteries is capable of ensuring reliable charging and discharging for several cycles without degradation. This is made possible due to vanadium's electrochemical attributes that make it easy for removal of electrons from the element and subsequently placing them back. In the global Utilities (Application) segment, USA, Canada, Japan, China and Europe will drive the 23.4% CAGR estimated for this segment. These regional markets accounted for a combined market size of US$90.8 Million in the year 2020. China will remain among the fastest growing in this cluster of regional markets. Led by countries such as Australia, India, and South Korea, the market in Asia-Pacific is forecast to reach US$40 Million by the year 2026. More



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Info411@strategyr.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-flow-batteries-market-to-reach-961-9-million-by-2026--301322838.html SOURCE Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

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[June 30, 2021] Insurity Summit 2021 Draws 800+ Attendees and Announces New Digital Claims Payments, Insurity Analytics, and Regulatory Competency Center

Insurity, a leading provider of cloud-based software for insurance carriers, brokers, and MGAs, held its annual user event, the Insurity Summit, on June 15, 17, and 22. The three-day event featured dozens of sessions that included executive keynotes, informative product updates, and thought-provoking roundtable discussions for hundreds of attendees from nearly 200 leading insurance carriers, MGAs, and brokers. Insurity Summit's keynotes paved the way for industry-leading change, with the launch of several new products including Digital Claims Payments, end-to-end MGA solutions, and Insurity Analytics. Insurity Analytics draws from the broadest and deepest data repositories in the industry based upon non-proprietary ACORD standards to deliver insights beyond what is available from any other data solution in the property and casualty (P&C) marketplace. Insurity also introduced Sure by Insurity, the new line of highly configurable products that allows for fast and easy integration and quickly enables insurers and MGAs to bring new products to the market. These new products not oly enhance the customer experience, but serve to provide a better user experience for policyholders.



Other key highlights from the event included the announcement of the Regulatory Competency Center. Insurity customers shared success stories and insights into how they are leveraging Insurity products and partnerships to solve business challenges, strengthen their underwriting capabilities, and deliver a more seamless policyholder experience. The closing keynote was given by Jeff Goldberg, EVP, Research and Consulting, at Novarica. He addressed the key trending topic of cloud technology and how the P&C insurance industry needs to adopt the cloud for its core systems to compete in a rapidly changing marketplace.

"We would like to thank all those who attended Insurity Summit 2021," said Sylvester Mathis, Insurity Chief Insurance Officer. "We were delighted to connect with over 800 attendees about new product updates, customer support features, and emerging insurance and technology trends that can drive profitable business growth for their organizations. We look forward to connecting in person at our next user event in 2022." To learn more, please reach out to Laura Krause at Laura.Krause@Insurity.com. About Insurity Insurity is a leading provider of cloud-based software and analytics for insurance carriers, brokers, and MGAs. Insurity is trusted by 15 of the top 25 P&C Carriers in the US and has over 200 cloud-based deployments. Through its best-in-class digital platform and with unrivaled industry experience and thought leadership, Insurity is uniquely positioned to deliver exceptional value, empowering customers to focus on their core businesses, optimize their operations, and provide superior policyholder experiences. Insurity is a portfolio company of GI Partners. For more information, visit www.insurity.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005668/en/

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[June 30, 2021] Tekla Healthcare Investors Paid Distribution

On June 30, 2021, Tekla Healthcare Investors paid a distribution of $0.50 per share. It is currently estimated that this distribution is derived from net realized long-term capital gains. The composition of this and subsequent distributions may vary from quarter to quarter because it may be materially impacted by future realized gains and losses on securities. The aggregate of the net unrealized appreciation of portfolio securities and net realized gains on sale of securities is $379,411,594, of which $302,115,866 represents net unrealized appreciation of portfolio securities. The following table sets forth the estimated amounts of the current distribution, paid on June 30, 2021, and the cumulative distributions paid this fiscal year-to-date from the following sources: net investment income, net realized short-term capital gains, net realized long-term capital gains and return of capital or other capital source. All amounts are expressed per common share.







Current Distribution Percentage Breakdown of Current Distribution Total Cumulative Distributions for the Fiscal Year to Date1 Percentage Breakdown of the Total Cumulative Distributions for the Fiscal Year to Date1 Net Investment Income $0.0000 0 % $0.0293 2 % Net Realized ST Cap Gains $0.0000 0 % $0.4380 28 % Net Realized LT Cap Gains $0.5000 100 % $1.0727 70 % Return of Capital or Other Capital Source (News - Alert) $0.0000 0 % $0.0000 0 % TOTAL (per common share): $0.5000 100 % $1.5400 100 %

The table below includes information relating to the Fund's performance based on its NAV for certain periods. Average annual return at NAV for the period from April 30, 2016 through April 30, 2021 10.30 % Annualized current distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of April 30, 2021 7.74 % Cumulative total return at NAV for the fiscal year, through April 30, 20212 12.19 % Cumulative fiscal year-to-date distribution rate expressed as a percentage of NAV as of April 30, 20211 5.96 % You should not draw any conclusions about the Fund's investment performance from the amount of this distribution or from the terms of the Fund's managed distribution policy. The amounts and sources of distributions reported in this press release are only estimates and are not being provided for tax reporting purposes. The actual amounts and sources of the amounts for tax reporting purposes will depend upon the Fund's investment experience during the remainder of its fiscal year and may be subject to changes based on tax regulations. The Fund will send you a Form 1099-DIV for the calendar year that will tell you how to report these distributions for federal income tax purposes. Tekla Healthcare Investors (NYSE: HQH) is a closed-end fund that invests in companies in the healthcare industry. Tekla Capital Management LLC, the Fund's investment adviser, is a Boston, MA based healthcare-focused investment manager with approximately $3.3 billion of assets under management as of March 31, 2021. Tekla also serves as investment adviser to Tekla Life Sciences Investors (NYSE: HQL), Tekla Healthcare Opportunities Fund (NYSE: THQ) and Tekla World Healthcare Fund (NYSE: THW), closed-end funds that invest in companies in the healthcare and life sciences industries. Information regarding the Funds and Tekla Capital Management LLC can be found at www.teklacap.com. Please contact Destra Capital Advisors, the Fund's marketing and investor support services agent, at HQH@destracapital.com or call (877) 855-3434 if you have any questions regarding HQH. 1 The Fund's current fiscal year began on October 1, 2020. 2 Cumulative total return at NAV is the percentage change in the Fund's NAV and includes all distributions and assumes the reinvestment of those distributions for the period of September 30, 2020 through April 30, 2021. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005680/en/

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[June 30, 2021] Harris Williams Advises ArchKey Solutions on its Significant Investment from One Rock Capital Partners

Harris Williams, a global investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services, announces it advised ArchKey Solutions (ArchKey), a portfolio company of funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. (Oaktree), on its significant investment from an affiliate of One Rock Capital Partners, LLC (One Rock). ArchKey is a premier electrical and technologies contracting and services provider. The transaction was led by Drew Spitzer, Matt White, Neha Shah, Marshall Wills and Ken Black of the Harris Williams Energy, Power & Infrastructure (EPI) Group. "ArchKey is a national leader in electrical and technology contracting solutions, known for its comprehensive offering and technical capabilities," said Drew Spitzer, a managing director at Harris Williams. "Te company thrived under the ownership of Oaktree and we are excited to see what it achieves in its next chapter."



"ArchKey is one of the few platforms with the scale and expertise to serve the growing demand for increasingly complex electrical and technologies systems," added Matt White, a managing director at Harris Williams. "We believe ArchKey's new partnership with One Rock will enable the company to continue to scale and maximize its potential." ArchKey is an industry-leading specialty services contractor providing scalable electrical and technologies solutions nationally. The company operates across a broad set of end markets including data center, commercial, industrial, renewables and healthcare, providing services to general contractors and owner-operators of new and existing facilities. ArchKey employs more than 3,000 team members across 13 office locations nationwide and has performed work in over 3,100 cities.

Oaktree is a leader among global investment managers specializing in alternative investments, with $153 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2021. The firm emphasizes an opportunistic, value-oriented and risk-controlled approach to investments in credit, private equity, real assets and listed equities. The firm has over 1,000 employees and offices in 19 cities worldwide. One Rock makes controlling investments in companies with potential for growth and operational improvement using a rigorous approach that utilizes highly experienced Operating Partners to identify, acquire and enhance businesses in select industries. The involvement of these Operating Partners affords One Rock the ability to conduct due diligence and consummate acquisitions and investments in all types of situations, regardless of complexity. One Rock works collaboratively with company management and its Operating Partners to develop a comprehensive business plan focused on growing the enterprise and its profitability to enhance long-term value. Harris Williams, an investment bank specializing in M&A advisory services, advocates for sellers and buyers of companies worldwide through critical milestones and provides thoughtful advice during the lives of their businesses. By collaborating as one firm across Industry Groups and geographies, the firm helps its clients achieve outcomes that support their objectives and strategically create value. Harris Williams is committed to execution excellence and to building enduring, valued relationships that are based on mutual trust. Harris Williams is a subsidiary of the PNC (News - Alert) Financial Services Group, Inc. (NYSE: PNC). The Harris Williams EPI Group has significant experience advising market leading providers of technology, services and products across a broad range of sectors. These sectors include energy management; infrastructure services; utility services; testing, inspection, and certification services; environmental services; engineering and construction; power products and technology; and energy technology. For more information on the Group's experience, please visit the EPI Group's section of the Harris Williams website. Harris Williams LLC is a registered broker-dealer and member of FINRA and SIPC. Harris Williams & Co. Ltd is a private limited company incorporated under English law with its registered office at 8th Floor, 20 Farringdon Street, London EC4A 4AB, UK, registered with the Registrar of Companies for England and Wales (registration number 07078852). Harris Williams & Co. Ltd is authorized and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Harris Williams & Co. Corporate Finance Advisors GmbH is registered in the commercial register of the local court of Frankfurt am Main, Germany, under HRB 107540. The registered address is Bockenheimer Landstrasse 33-35, 60325 Frankfurt am Main, Germany (email address: hwgermany@harriswilliams.com). Geschaftsfuhrer/Directors: Jeffery H. Perkins, Paul Poggi. (VAT No. DE321666994). Harris Williams is a trade name under which Harris Williams LLC, Harris Williams & Co. Ltd and Harris Williams & Co. Corporate Finance Advisors GmbH conduct business. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005691/en/

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[June 30, 2021] MSI becomes the 1st laptop brand to launch 11th Gen Intel Core H series with NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 graphics processors in India

Introduces GE and GS series that are available across MSI brand stores and authorized sellers NEW DELHI, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- MSI, a world leading gaming brand announced the launch and availability of its new lineup of gaming laptops equipped with 11th Gen Intel H series processors up to NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU, which will enhance the overall performance with up to 30%. MSI introduces exclusive features like 'Discrete Graphics Mode' to improve graphics performance and ultrafast panels with up to FHD 360Hz and QHD 240Hz refresh rate. The new laptops continue MSI's trend of producing top-tier, powerful machines with aesthetic touches that enhance user experience and unleash the inner gamer spirits. Starting from INR 2,07,990/- and going up to INR 3,91,990/-, the GE and GS series respectively is available in India on MSI brand stores and authorized sellers.







Model CPU + GPU Price GE76 Raider 11UH Intel 11th Gen Core i9 + (RTX3080, GDDR6 16GB) INR 3,91,990.00 GE76 Raider 11UH Intel 11th Gen Core i7 (RTX3080, GDDR6 16GB) INR 3,30,990.00 GE76 Raider 11UG Intel 11th Gen Core i7 (RTX3070, GDDR6 8GB) INR 2,35,990.00 GE66 Raider 11UH Intel 11th Gen Core i7 (RTX3080, GDDR6 16GB) INR 3,24,990.00 GE66 Raider 11UG Intel 11th Gen Core i7 (RTX3070, GDDR6 8GB) INR 2,23,990.00 GS66 Stealth 11UH Intel 11th Gen Core i7 (RTX3080 Max-Q, GDDR6 16GB) INR 3,13,990.00 GS66 Stealth 11UG Intel 11th Gen Core i7 (RTX3070 Max-Q, GDDR6 8GB) INR 2,35,990.00 GS66 Stealth 11UE Intel 11th Gen Core i7 (RTX3060, GDDR6 6GB) INR 2,07,990.00

Commenting on the announcement, Mr. Green Lin, Regional Marketing Manager, MSI, said, "MSI has always showcased innovative features and cutting-edge technology when it comes to their laptops. Time and again, MSI has launched products that are packed with powerful features empowering gamers to have the best user experience. With the steady rise in gaming in the past few months, we are extremely excited to announce the launch and availability of GE and GS series in India. With a host of features like RTX30 for most realistic ray-traced graphics and cutting-edge AI features along with 360Hz ultra high refresh rate for world's fastest gaming display, we are hopeful our consumers will have an amazing experience." Ultimate Powerhouse - GE76/66 Raider MSI's new line up of gaming laptops begins with upgrades to the powerful GE Raider series of laptops. Equipped with the latest 11th Gen Intel Core i9 Processor, with 8-core and up to 5.0GHZ dual core turbo frequency, the GE76 and GE66 Raider maximizes efficiency in gameplay, multi-task work and productivity. With state-of-the-art Intel turbo boost max technology 3.0, it brings massive frequency boost on your fastest cores for more flexibility to get the best from your processor. It also features MSI's new mystic light with 16.8 million colors which creates the alluring sci-fi ambience. Sleek & Sophisticated - GS66 Stealth The GS66 is equipped with the largest battery of 99.9 WHR, taking the performance up by manifolds. Dynaudio speakers enhance the music listening experience. The GS Stealth series is the ideal portable gaming and working partner. It also supports triple fans with worlds thinnest 0.1MM fan blade with 7 heat pipes.

GE76 Raider GE66 Raider Processor Up to latest 11th Gen. Intel Core i9 Processors Up to latest 11th Gen. Intel Core i7 Processors Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU 16GB GDDR6 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU 8GB GDDR6 Display 17.3" FHD (1920*1080), 360Hz, close to 100%sRGB 17.3" QHD (2560*1440), 165Hz DCI-P3 100% typical 15.6" QHD (2560*1440), 240Hz DCI-P3 100% typical 15.6" QHD (2560*1440), 165Hz DCI-P3 100% typical Memory DDR4-3200, 2 slots, up to 64GB Storage Slot 1 x NVMe M.2 SSD by PCIe Gen4 x4 1 x NVMe M.2 SSD by PCIe Gen3 x4 Webcam FHD type (30fps@1080p) Communication Killer E3100G Ethernet (up to 2.5 GbE) Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675, Bluetooth v5.2 USB Ports 1 x Thunderbolt 4 / DP/ USB4 Type-C, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-C, 1 x USB 3.2 Gen 2 Type-A, 2 x USB 3.2 Gen 1 Type-A 1 x Thunderbolt 4 / DP/ USB4 Type-C, 1 x USB3.2 Gen2 Type-C, 1 x USB3.2 Gen2 Type-A, 2 x USB3.2 Gen1 Type-A Keyboard Per-Key RGB gaming keyboard by SteelSeries Audio The Duo Wave Woofers + Speakers designed by Dynaudio system Nahimic 3 Audio Enhance High-Resolution Audio ready The Duo Wave speakers design by Dynaudio system Nahimic 3 Audio Enhancer High-Resolution Audio ready Battery 4-Cell, Li-Polymer, 99.9Whr Video Output 1 x Thunderbolt 4 / DP/ USB4 Type-C 1 x Mini DisplayPort 1 x HDMI (8K@ 60Hz / 4K@ 120Hz) Dimension 397 (W) x 284 (D) x 25.9 (H) mm 358 (W) x 267 (D) x 23.4 (H) mm Weight 2.9 Kg 2.38 Kg GS66 Stealth Processor Up to latest 11th Gen. Intel Core i7 Processors Graphics NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 Laptop GPU 16GB GDDR6 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3070 Laptop GPU 8GB GDDR6 NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 Laptop GPU 6GB GDDR6 Display 15.6" QHD (2560x1440), 165 Hz Refresh Rate, 100% DCI-P3(Typical), IPS-Level panel (Optional) Memory DDR4-3200, 2 slots, up to 64GB Storage Slot 1 x NVMe M.2 SSD by PCIe Gen4 x4 1 x NVMe M.2 SSD by PCIe Gen3 x4 Webcam IR HD type (30fps@720p) Communication Killer E3100G Ethernet (up to 2.5 GbE) Killer Wi-Fi 6E AX1675, Bluetooth v5.2 USB Ports 1 x Thunderbolt 4 / DP/ USB4 Type-C (w/ PD Charging), 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C / DP, 3 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-A Keyboard Per-Key RGB gaming keyboard by SteelSeries Audio The Duo Wave Speakers designed by Dynaudio system Nahimic 3 Audio Enhancer High-Resolution Audio ready Battery 4-Cell, Li-Polymer, 99.9Whr Video Output 1 x Thunderbolt 4 / DP/ USB4 Type-C (w/ PD Charging), 1 x USB 3.2 Gen2 Type-C / DP, 1 x HDMI (8K@ 60Hz / 4K@ 120Hz) Dimension 358.3 (W) x 248 (D) x 18.3-19.8 (H) mm Weight 2.1 Kg For high-res images, please visit: https://msi.gm/2PLcVd0 MSI GAMING: https://in.msi.com/

https://in.msi.com/ MSI Content Creation: https://www.msi.com/Content-Creation

https://www.msi.com/Content-Creation MSI Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MSIIndia

https://www.facebook.com/MSIIndia MSI Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/msigaming_india/

https://www.instagram.com/msigaming_india/ https://www.instagram.com/msi_creation/

MSI YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/c/MSIIndiaNB About MSI MSI is a world leader in gaming, content creation and AIoT solutions. Bolstered by its cutting-edge R&D capabilities and customer-driven innovation, MSI has a wide-ranging global presence spanning over 120 countries. Its comprehensive lineup of laptops, graphics cards, monitors, motherboards, desktops, peripherals, servers, IPCs, robotic appliances, and vehicle infotainment and telematics systems are globally acclaimed. Committed to advancing user experiences through the finest product quality, intuitive user interface and design aesthetics, MSI is a leading brand that shapes the future of technology. For more product information, please go to https://www.msi.com. - All rights of the technical, pictures, text and other content published in this press release are reserved. Contents are subject to changes without prior notice.

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[June 30, 2021] FINRA Launches Educational Initiative Aimed at Newer Investors

FINRA today announced it has launched a multi-year, multi-faceted $30 million initiative to explore innovative ways to reach and educate investors, especially new, self-directed retail investors who conduct transactions through online accounts or using mobile apps. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005697/en/ As phase one of the initiative, FINRA and the FINRA Investor Education Foundation (FINRA Foundation) today issued a Special Notice soliciting input from firms, investors, investor advocates, academics and other stakeholders concerning effective ways to reach these new investors. Comments are requested by August 30, 2021. During phase two, FINRA and the FINRA Foundation will launch a comprehensive program aimed at educating this rapidly-growing segment of novice retail investors who are leveraging advancements in technology to enter U.S. securities markets. "Greater retail investor participation in our securities markets creates greater opportunity for these investors to accumulate wealth and achieve their long-term financial goals," said Robert Cook, President and Chief Executive Officer of FINRA and Chair of the FINRA Foundation. "It is critical that newer investors understand both the benefits and the risks of participating in the financial markets. I am pleased that FINRA's Board of Governors approved an initial investment of $30 million dedicated to help educate this segment of our investor population." Earlier this year, the FINRA Foundation published a study, Investing 2020: New Accounts and the People Who Opened Them, which found that newer investors had lower levels of financial knowledge relative to experienced investors. The data also showed that market dips that made stocks cheaper to buy and the ability to invest with small amounts were among the top reasons new investors reported entering the stock market. And, for respondents who opened new accounts in 2020, investing for retirement was the most frequently cited reason for opening the account.



In response, FINRA and the FINRA Foundation request comments on effective ways to educate investors, including which methods of reaching investors have worked best to increase investor knowledge among self-directed retail investors. According to the FINRA Foundation's latest investor survey, investor knowledge in the U.S. is low among all investors and many are confused about the various fees they pay for investing.

"It is imperative that we effectively reach all investors, and especially the newest generation of investors who are more comfortable trading on smartphones and more likely to seek input on investment decisions from friends, family and online sources," said Gerri Walsh, President of the FINRA Foundation. "We know that engaging people in educational experiences, whether face-to-face or mediated by technology, can be challenging-and that is why we welcome feedback from a diverse array of stakeholders on how best to reach those who opt not to work with registered financial professionals." About FINRA FINRA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to investor protection and market integrity. It regulates one critical part of the securities industry-brokerage firms doing business with the public in the United States. FINRA, overseen by the SEC (News - Alert) , writes rules, examines for and enforces compliance with FINRA rules and federal securities laws, registers broker-dealer personnel and offers them education and training, and informs the investing public. In addition, FINRA provides surveillance and other regulatory services for equities and options markets, as well as trade reporting and other industry utilities. FINRA also administers a dispute resolution forum for investors and brokerage firms and their registered employees. For more information, visit www.finra.org. About FINRA Investor Education Foundation The FINRA Investor Education Foundation supports innovative research and educational projects that give underserved Americans the knowledge, skills and tools to make sound financial decisions throughout life. For more information about FINRA Foundation initiatives, visit www.finrafoundation.org. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005697/en/

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[June 30, 2021] FINRA Orders Record Financial Penalties Against Robinhood Financial LLC

FINRA announced today that it has fined Robinhood Financial LLC $57 million and ordered the firm to pay approximately $12.6 million in restitution, plus interest, to thousands of harmed customers. The sanctions represent the largest financial penalty ever ordered by FINRA and reflect the scope and seriousness of the violations. In determining the appropriate sanctions, FINRA considered the widespread and significant harm suffered by customers, including millions of customers who received false or misleading information from the firm, millions of customers affected by the firm's systems outages in March 2020, and thousands of customers the firm approved to trade options even when it was not appropriate for the customers to do so. "This action sends a clear message-all FINRA member firms, regardless of their size or business model, must comply with the rules that govern the brokerage industry, rules which are designed to protect investors and the integrity of our markets. Compliance with these rules is not optional and cannot be sacrificed for the sake of innovation or a willingness to 'break things' and fix them later," said Jessica Hopper, Executive Vice President and Head of FINRA's Department of Enforcement. "The fine imposed in this matter, the highest ever levied by FINRA, reflects the scope and seriousness of Robinhood's violations, including FINRA's finding that Robinhood communicated false and misleading information to millions of its customers." First, FINRA found in its investigation that, despite Robinhood's self-described mission to "de-mystify finance for all," during certain periods since September 2016, the firm has negligently communicated false and misleading information to its customers. The false and misleading information concerned a variety of critical issues, including whether customers could place trades on margin, how much cash was in customers' accounts, how much buying power or "negative buying power" customers had, the risk of loss customers faced in certain options transactions, and whether customers faced margin calls. For instance, one Robinhood customer who had turned margin "off," tragically took his own life in June 2020. In a note found after his death, he expressed confusion as to how he could have used margin to purchase securities because, he believed, he had not "turned on" margin in his account. As noted in the settlement, Robinhood also displayed to this individual (and certain other customers) inaccurate negative cash balances. Additionally, due to Robinhood's misstatements, thousands of other customers suffered more than $7 million in total losses. As part of this settlement, Robinhood is required to pay more than $7 million in restitution to these customers. Secod, FINRA found that since Robinhood began offering options trading to customers in December 2017, the firm has failed to exercise due diligence before approving customers to place options trades. The firm relied on algorithms-known at Robinhood as "option account approval bots"-to approve customers for options trading, with only limited oversight by firm principals. Those bots often approved customers to trade options based on inconsistent or illogical information. As a result, Robinhood approved thousands of customers for options trading who either did not satisfy the firm's eligibility criteria or whose accounts contained red flags indicating that options trading may not have been appropriate for them.



Third, FINRA found that, from January 2018 to February 2021, Robinhood failed to reasonably supervise the technology that it relied upon to provide core broker-dealer services, such as accepting and executing customer orders. Between 2018 and late 2020, Robinhood experienced a series of outages and critical systems failures. The most serious outage occurred on March 2 and 3, 2020, when Robinhood's website and mobile applications shut down, preventing Robinhood's customers from accessing their accounts during a time of historic market volatility. Although the firm had a business continuity plan at the time of the March 2-3 outage, it did not apply it because the plan was unreasonably limited to events that impacted the firm's physical location. Robinhood's inability to accept or execute customer orders during these outages resulted in individual customers losing tens of thousands of dollars, and FINRA is requiring that the firm pay more than $5 million in restitution to affected customers. Additionally, between January 2018 and December 2020, Robinhood failed to report to FINRA tens of thousands of written customer complaints that it was required to report. Robinhood's reporting failures included complaints that Robinhood provided customers with false and misleading information, and that customers suffered losses as a result of the firm's outages and systems failures. Robinhood's reporting failures were primarily the result of a firm-wide policy that exempted certain broad categories of complaints from reporting, even though those categories fell within the scope of FINRA's reporting requirements. The settlement resolves numerous other charges against Robinhood, including the firm's failure to have a reasonably designed customer identification program and its failure to display complete market data information.

In settling this matter, Robinhood neither admitted nor denied the charges, but consented to the entry of FINRA's findings. About FINRA FINRA is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to investor protection and market integrity. It regulates one critical part of the securities industry-brokerage firms doing business with the public in the United States. FINRA, overseen by the SEC (News - Alert) , writes rules, examines for and enforces compliance with FINRA rules and federal securities laws, registers broker-dealer personnel and offers them education and training, and informs the investing public. In addition, FINRA provides surveillance and other regulatory services for equities and options markets, as well as trade reporting and other industry utilities. FINRA also administers a dispute resolution forum for investors and brokerage firms and their registered employees. For more information, visit www.finra.org. Investors can obtain more information about, and the disciplinary record of, any FINRA-registered broker or brokerage firm by using FINRA's BrokerCheck. FINRA makes BrokerCheck available at no charge. Investors can access BrokerCheck at www.finra.org/brokercheck or by calling (800) 289-9999. Investors may access copies of this disciplinary action as well as other disciplinary documents in FINRA's Disciplinary Actions Online database. Investors can also call FINRA's Securities Helpline for Seniors at (844) 57-HELPS for assistance or to raise concerns about issues they have with their brokerage accounts and investments. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005704/en/

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[June 30, 2021] Global Rehabilitation Robots Market to Reach $1.8 Billion by 2026

SAN FRANCISCO, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A new market study published by Global Industry Analysts Inc., (GIA) the premier market research company, today released its report titled "Rehabilitation Robots - Global Market Trajectory & Analytics" . The report presents fresh perspectives on opportunities and challenges in a significantly transformed post COVID-19 marketplace. FACTS AT A GLANCE

Edition: 9; Released: January 2021

Executive Engagements: 397

Companies: 100 - Players covered include Bionik Laboratories Corp.; BioXtreme; Corindus, Inc.; CYBERDYNE Inc.; Ekso Bionics Holdings Inc.; Hocoma AG; Parker Hannifin Corp.; Rehab-Robotics Company Limited; ReWalk Robotics Ltd.; Rex Bionics Ltd.; Siemens AG; Tyromotion GmbH and Others.

Coverage: All major geographies and key segments

Segments: Product (Upper Extremity, Lower Extremity, Full-Body Exoskeletons, Therapeutic); End-Use (Rehabilitation Centers, Hospitals, Other End-Uses)

Geographies: World; USA; Canada; Japan; China; Europe; France; Germany; Italy; UK; Rest of Europe; Asia-Pacific; Rest of World. Complimentary Project Preview - This is an ongoing global program. Preview our research program before you make a purchase decision. We are offering a complimentary access to qualified executives driving strategy, business development, sales & marketing, and product management roles at featured companies. Previews provide deep insider access to business trends; competitive brands; domain expert profiles; and market data templates and much more. You may also build your own bespoke report using our MarketGlass Platform which offers thousands of data bytes without an obligation to purchase our report. Preview Registry ABSTRACT- Global Rehabilitation Robots Market to Reach $1.8 Billion by 2026

Rehabilitation robotics involves use of robotic devices to improve rehabilitative efforts as well as taking care of the disabled, elderly, infirm and paralyzed patients. The use of robots allows patients with limited mobility to move around, thereby providing autonomy and independence. Ever-increasing demand from vulnerable population (disabled, elderly, infirm, paralyzed) as well as acute shortage of healthcare workers is driving growth in the market. Constantly upping demand for active lifestyle and mobility in aging people, stroke survivors and people with disabilities is rendering rehabilitative assistance critical to the path of recovery. Rapid surge in physiotherapy volumes, coupled with advancement in robotic and prosthetic technologies have paved ways for deployment of robots to handhold patients for novel pain management therapy, gait training and physical rehabilitation assistance. Major technological companies and universities are tapping into this ever-increasing demand and developing newer and advanced assistive robots, exoskeletons, robotic prosthetics as well as orthotics. Amid the COVID-19crisis, the global market for Rehabilitation Robots estimated at US$566.5 Million in the year 2020, is projected to reach a revised size of US$1.8 Billion by 2026, growing at a CAGR of 21.7% over the analysis period. Upper Extremity, one of the segments analyzed in the report, is projected to grow at a 19.4% CAGR to reach US$754.2 Million by the end of the analysis period. After a thorough analysis of the business implications of the pandemic and its induced economic crisis, growth in the Lower Extremity segment is readjusted to a revised 21.9% CAGR for the next 7-year period. This segment currently accounts for a 24.7% share of the global Rehabilitation Robots market. Upper extremity rehabilitation robots are broadly of two types, namely portable assistive devices or orthoses for the hand or arm, and in-clinic devices used in occupational or physical therapy. Rehabilitation robotic devices for lower extremity include exoskeleton devices, foot orthoses, in-clinic body weight support systems (treadmill gait trainers, stationary gait trainers, foot plate gait trainers, and overground gait trainers).



The U.S. Market is Estimated at $253.1 Million in 2021, While China is Forecast to Reach $268.7 Million by 2026

The Rehabilitation Robots market in the U.S. is estimated at US$253.1 Million in the year 2021. The country currently accounts for a 38.78% share in the global market. China, the world's second largest economy, is forecast to reach an estimated market size of US$268.7 Million in the year 2026 trailing a CAGR of 23.2% through the analysis period. Among the other noteworthy geographic markets are Japan and Canada, each forecast to grow at 17.5% and 19.2% respectively over the analysis period. Within Europe, Germany is forecast to grow at approximately 19.7% CAGR while Rest of European market (as defined in the study) will reach US$331.1 Million by the end of the analysis period. Growth in developed regions is being spurred by prevalence of chronic and infectious diseases, growing number of patients visiting hospitals, and increased need to scale up healthcare operations. Other major factors favoring the market prospects include higher awareness about various disease conditions among population, consumer affluence supporting the compulsion for care services, and encouraging reimbursement schemes. Among the developed nations, Japan is showing the way in overcoming healthcare workers shortfall with federal government spending nearly one-third of the national budget on developing robots which can take care of elderly. A host of factors are contributing to rapid uptake of medical robots in developing regions, including an aging population in Asian countries and rising instances of disabilities among adults. Along with the elderly population, rising incidences of physical debilitation induced by traumatic spinal, nerve and orthopedic injuries, arthritis and brain trauma hold key to the growth of assistive robotics in this region. Full-Body Exoskeletons Segment to Reach $448.2 Million by 2026

In the global Full-Body Exoskeletons segment, USA, Canada, Japan, China and Europe will drive the 25.2% CAGR estimated for this segment. These regional markets accounted for a combined market size of US$94.7 Million in the year 2020. China will remain among the fastest growing in this cluster of regional markets. Led by countries such as Australia, India, and South Korea, the market in Asia-Pacific is forecast to reach US$45.9 Million by the year 2026. More

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Email: ZA@StrategyR.com LINKS

Join Our Expert Panel https://www.strategyr.com/Panelist.asp Connect With Us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/global-industry-analysts-inc./ Follow Us on Twitter https://twitter.com/marketbytes Journalists & Media Info411@strategyr.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-rehabilitation-robots-market-to-reach-1-8-billion-by-2026--301323224.html SOURCE Global Industry Analysts, Inc.

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[June 30, 2021] Outreach and Sales Hacker Launch New Podcast Focused on Revenue Innovation

SEATTLE, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Outreach, the fastest-growing sales intelligence and engagement platform provider, and Sales Hacker, the largest community for sales professionals, launched a new podcast today aimed at revenue innovators across the go-to-market organization. Hosted by Mary Shea, Outreach's global innovation evangelist, and Harish Mohan, Outreach senior vice president of revenue excellence and operations, " Revenue Innovators " is a podcast dedicated to revenue operation leaders. In every episode, they will discuss how leaders from different industries are disrupting and innovating the go-to-market motion. In each episode, Shea and Mohan will take an honest look at the most important considerations for those bringing revenue operations to the forefront and breaking free from the status quo. "Revenue innovators are a new cohort of revenue leaders who put buyers at the center of their strategies, arm their sellers with the most innovative sales technologies, and over-index on data rather than intuition to inform their business decisions," said Shea. "There is no question the past 18 months has been a challenging time. But as parts of the world reopen, I am hopeful that this difficult time will be followed by immense transformation and innovation." Though candid interviews with the most outside-the-box revenue leaders, the podcast covers everything from capitalizing on the market forces impacting revenue to perfecting the tech stack and data strategy.



The first episode is now available, featuring an interview with Scott Sutton, vice president of revenue operations at ZoomInfo. Future episodes include Hang Black at Juniper Networks and Seth Marrs at Forrester. "Revenue Innovators" is now available on Spotify or Apple Podcasts.

About Outreach

Outreach is the largest and fastest-growing sales engagement and intelligence platform provider that helps companies dramatically increase productivity and drive smarter, more insightful engagement with their customers. Outreach is the only solution provider to integrate sales engagement, conversation intelligence, and revenue intelligence into one platform. The only sales engagement and intelligence platform to make the Forbes Cloud 100, Outreach was also the fastest-growing vendor in the category on the Deloitte Technology Fast 500. More than 4,800 companies such as Adobe, Tableau, Okta, Splunk, DocuSign, and SAP depend on Outreach's enterprise-scale, unparalleled customer adoption, and robust AI-powered innovation. Outreach is a privately held company based in Seattle, Washington. To learn more, please visit www.outreach.io . PR Contact:

Amanda Woolley

pr@outreach.io View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/outreach-and-sales-hacker-launch-new-podcast-focused-on-revenue-innovation-301323295.html SOURCE Outreach

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[June 30, 2021] Onset Financial Funds $400M in the First Six Months of 2021

Nearly doubling its total annual fundings from 2020 - Onset (News - Alert) Financial shatters its previous record, funding an astounding $400M within the first six months of the year! In the last 12 months, Onset Financial funded nearly $600M and funded more during the second quarter of 2021 than the entire year of 2020. Onset Financial had a record-breaking 2020, funding a total of $240M in lease transactions. Now, at the halfway point of 2021, Onset Financial has exceeded that number by 67% with a year-to-date funding total of $400M. These fundings cover a vast array of companies, industries, and equipment spread across the United States and around the world. Onset continues to master the art of helping customers meet their financing needs by offering them the most comprehensive selection of funding options possible, a fact well-illustrated by this record-breaking growth. "We are thilled to accomplish the milestone of financing $400M in such a short amount of time," said President Melinda Haynes. "Onset is successful because of our team's accuracy, speed, and exemplary work ethic. We are looking forward to seeing what we will accomplish during the second half of the year."



"2021 has proven to be a truly special year at Onset Financial and we are grateful for our key relationships and our magnificent team that have allowed us to achieve such spectacular results thus far," said CEO & Founder Justin Nielsen. Onset was recently recognized as the nation's 8th largest Independent Equipment Leasing Company by Monitor Magazine.

About Onset Financial, Inc. - Founded in 2008, Onset Financial, Inc. is an industry leader in equipment leasing and financing. Onset's seasoned Management Team has decades of equipment leasing experience and key industry relationships that enable Onset to offer additional flexibility in lease structuring. For more information, please call 801-878-0600 or visit www.onsetfinancial.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005731/en/

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[June 30, 2021] Creator Commerce Pioneer rewardStyle and its High-Growth LIKEtoKNOW.it Shopping App Rebrand as LTK

rewardStyle, the industry's dominant monetization platform for influencers and parent company of the popular LIKEtoKNOW.it shopping app, announces today a strategic rebrand to LTK. The company is unifying its two brands for consistency and simplicity and will now operate its entire platform under one brand name. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005144/en/ Shop looks and videos created by thousands of global influencers, stylists and tastemakers. Everything in LTK is 100% shoppable, so you can instantly purchase products from over 5,000 retailers across fashion, home, beauty, and more. (Photo: Business Wire) A pioneer of creator commerce, LTK created the technology that influencers use to drive commerce across all of their distribution points on the web. Today, influencers use LTK's proprietary technology platform to create, manage and grow their own ecommerce shops. To date, global brands have invested more than $1 billion in creator content through LTK campaigns, collaborations and commissions-on-sales. In addition to releasing significant enhancements to its LTK shopping app, the company is rolling out a new self-service portal that gives brands of all sizes and budgets access to LTK's more than 00,000 influencers and enables them to build, manage and scale their influencer marketing plans first-hand, across all publishing platforms, including the LTK shopping app.



"As a B2B2C platform that uniquely serves all sides of the creator commerce experience, it was important that we unify our business under a singular brand to further expand our clients' opportunities," said Amber Venz Box (News - Alert) , co-founder and president of LTK. "We've spent the last six months investing in world-class talent, adding more than 100 new employees in 2021 alone. Our focus now is on innovation and speed. We're developing new technology and features that propel our clients, and we are scaling the most dynamic and efficient online shopping experience powered by influencers." The company rebrand will take effect immediately and roll out to international markets, including the UK, Germany, France, Australia, China, South Korea, and Brazil imminently, where LTK services and the app will be localized for regional brands and influencers later this year.

LTK Creator LTK is a one-stop destination that puts creators in business. More than 100,000 fashion, beauty, fitness, home and lifestyle influencers use LTK to monetize their content across the entire social ecosystem, and to manage their bespoke storefront - their LTK Shop. LTK Creators will now find new tools and technology that make it even more efficient to manage their LTK Shop and market their content across the web. LTK Brand More than 5,000 global retailers choose LTK to deliver their influencer marketing programs at scale. With 10 years' of proprietary sales insights and cross-channel performance data, LTK is unparalleled in its ability to not only build influencer marketing campaigns for brands with proven ROI, but also measure full-funnel brand performance from discovery to transaction. With LTK, brands can leverage historical, cross-channel retail performance data to cast, price and execute creator campaigns. LTK Shoppers The LTK shopping app, launched in 2017, is a world-class ecommerce app where you can shop in the context of real, influential people's lives. Creators, tastemakers, celebrities, stylists and social influencers from around the world host their ecommerce shops on LTK, publishing instantly shoppable content for their followers and millions of LTK app users. The LTK shopping app is now the company's dominant source of influencer-driven retail sales, globally. About LTK (rewardStyle & LIKEtoKNOW.it) LTK is a global technology platform founded in 2011 to empower the world's premium lifestyle creators to be as economically successful as possible. Today, the LTK platform connects brands, creators and shoppers with a world-class shopping app and trusted tools and technology that makes content instantly shoppable across the web. More than 5,000 brands partner with LTK to gain access to its global influencer network for original content that converts against performance-driven, cross-channel KPIs. A two-time honoree on Fast Company's list of Most Innovative Companies, LTK is the leading influencer technology platform, driving more than $2.8 billion in annual brand purchases from over 100,000 talented creators in 100+ countries. LTK is headquartered in Dallas, TX and currently operates offices in eight cities across five continents. To download the app, search LTK in the app stores. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005144/en/

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[June 30, 2021] ServiceTitan Expands Into Landscaping With Plans To Acquire Aspire; Reaches $9.5B Valuation

LOS ANGELES, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- ServiceTitan , the world's leading provider of software for the trades, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Aspire Software, the leading software provider for commercial landscaping businesses, based in St. Louis, Missouri. The deal would represent ServiceTitan's second acquisition in the last twelve months, following the company's acquisition of ServicePro, the software solution for the pest, lawn, and arbor industries. ServiceTitan also announced that it has closed $200 million in Series G financing, led by new investor Thoma Bravo, a leading software investment firm, that values the company at $9.5 billion. "Both Aspire and ServiceTitan were born out of a desire to improve the lives of contractors who work tirelessly to serve their communities, but who have historically been underserved by technology," said Ara Mahdessian, CEO and co-founder of ServiceTitan. "Mark and his team at Aspire have more than 500 years of combined experience in the commercial landscaping industry. Just like we built ServiceTitan to solve the problems our fathers faced, it's that first-hand industry knowledge that has enabled Aspire to build the most powerful software in the industry with the highest customer satisfaction." Founded in 2013 by Mark Tipton and Kevin Kehoe, Aspire helps landscaping contractors grow twice as fast as the industry average while increasing margin. The company powers hundreds of commercial landscapers that collectively count more than 50,000 users and perform roughly $4B in annualized transactions across landscaping, snow and ice, and construction. As a part of the acquisition, Aspire will continue to build its business in St. Louis with the support and investment of ServiceTitan. "As the fastest-growing software solution for the trades with an unrelenting focus on customer success, ServiceTitan is poised to extend its leadership and capture increased market sare as the industry exceeds $1 trillion globally," said Robert (Tre) Sayle, a partner at Thoma Bravo. "ServiceTitan's expansion into landscaping, a more than $100 billion market in the US alone, is an important step on its path to provide all home and commercial tradesmen with the tools they need to grow and manage a successful business. We are excited to partner with ServiceTitan and to leverage our software and operational expertise to accelerate the company's growth and build upon its strong momentum."



Founded on a mission to help hardworking contractors reach the level of success they deserve, ServiceTitan announced it surpassed $250 million in annual recurring revenue in March, having grown more than 50% over the previous twelve months. With more than 1,600 employees worldwide, ServiceTitan has been named one of the best places to work by Inc. and the Los Angeles Business Journal for three straight years. With the additional capital, ServiceTitan will continue to invest in research and development, growth, and customer service, following the launch of the company's customer support center in Salt Lake City in May. ServiceTitan is hiring top talent across the board, particularly in customer support, sales, product, and engineering.

About ServiceTitan

ServiceTitan is a software company built to accelerate the home and commercial service industries. The company's end-to-end software suite includes CRM, intelligent dispatch, custom reporting, marketing automation, a mobile solution for field techs, and accounting, payments and financing integrations. By bringing a fully operational modern SaaS infrastructure to an industry traditionally underserved by technology, ServiceTitan makes a direct and positive impact on the lives of thousands of entrepreneurs and their extended teams. ServiceTitan is backed by world-class investors including Thoma Bravo, Tiger Global Management, Bessemer Venture Partners and ICONIQ Growth. About Aspire Software

Aspire Software offers business management software for landscape, snow & ice, and construction companies. Aspire's cloud-based SaaS solution helps landscapers manage, create, and execute against their business opportunities and challenges. Aspire helps landscapers change the way they manage their business to enable them to provide better service, improve margins, and increase productivity. Backed by top growth equity investor Mainsail Partners, Aspire is based in Chesterfield, MO. For more information, please visit http://www.youraspire.com . About Thoma Bravo

Thoma Bravo is one of the largest private equity firms in the world, with more than $78 billion in assets under management as of March 31, 2021. The firm invests in growth-oriented, innovative companies operating in the software and technology sectors. Leveraging the firm's deep sector expertise and proven strategic and operational capabilities, Thoma Bravo collaborates with its portfolio companies to implement operating best practices, drive growth initiatives and make accretive acquisitions intended to accelerate revenue and earnings. Over the past 20 years, the firm has acquired more than 300 companies representing over $85 billion in enterprise value. The firm has offices in Chicago, Miami and San Francisco. For more information, visit thomabravo.com . MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

(865) 977-1973

hripley@ripleypr.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/servicetitan-expands-into-landscaping-with-plans-to-acquire-aspire-reaches-9-5b-valuation-301323346.html SOURCE ServiceTitan

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[June 30, 2021] Aspire Software Announces Plans To Be Acquired By ServiceTitan

CHESTERFIELD, Mo., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Aspire Software , a landscaping business management software provider, today announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by ServiceTitan, the world's leading provider of software for the trades. The deal would represent ServiceTitan's largest acquisition to date and its second acquisition in the last twelve months, following the company's acquisition of ServicePro, the software provider for the pest, lawn and arbor industries. ServiceTitan, most recently valued at $9.5 billion, powers more than 7,500 trade businesses across various home and commercial service verticals, including plumbing, air conditioning, electrical, and more. "Both Aspire and ServiceTitan were born out of a desire to improve the lives of contractors who work tirelessly to serve their communities, but who have historically been underserved by technology," said Ara Mahdessian, CEO and co-founder of ServiceTitan. "Mark and his team at Aspire have more than 500 years of combined experience in the commercial landscaping industry. Just like we built ServiceTitan to solve the problems our fathers faced, it's that first-hand industry knowledge that has enabled Aspire to build the most powerful software in the industry with the highest customer satisfaction." Founded in 2014 by Mark Tipton and Kevin Kehoe, Aspire helps landscaping contractors grow their businesses nearly two times the industry average while increasing margin. The company powers hundreds of commercial landscapers that collectively count more than 50,000 and perform just under $4 billion in annual transactions across landscaping, snow ad ice, and construction.



ServiceTitan will acquire Aspire from the founders and growth equity investor Mainsail Partners. As a part of the acquisition, Aspire will continue to build its business in St. Louis with the support and investment of ServiceTitan. Aspire customers can expect some immediate product enhancements, and over time, access to ServiceTitan's suite of Pro Products to fuel growth and enable contractors to deliver an even better customer experience. "We're thrilled to join forces with the ServiceTitan team to revolutionize the landscaping industry with best-in-class software," says Mark Tipton, CEO and co-founder of Aspire. "ServiceTitan has an amazing track record building the most successful software business in the trades. With their support, we'll be able to invest more than ever before into product development, customer support, and growth. As a result, we'll dramatically accelerate our mission of making contractors successful."

Aspire was recently named one of America's Fastest Growing Companies by the Financial Times and one of the top 10 fastest growing companies in St. Louis by the St. Louis Business Journal. With more than 100 employees today, Aspire will grow its team with top talent in St. Louis, particularly in product and engineering. About ServiceTitan

ServiceTitan is a software company built to accelerate the home and commercial service industries. The company's end-to-end software suite includes CRM, intelligent dispatch, custom reporting, marketing automation, a mobile solution for field techs, and accounting, payments and financing integrations. By bringing a fully operational modern SaaS infrastructure to an industry traditionally underserved by technology, ServiceTitan makes a direct and positive impact on the lives of thousands of entrepreneurs and their extended teams. ServiceTitan is backed by world-class investors including Thoma Bravo, Tiger Global Management, Bessemer Venture Partners and ICONIQ Growth. About Aspire Software

Aspire Software offers business management software for landscape, snow & ice, and construction companies. Aspire's cloud-based SaaS solution helps landscapers manage, create, and execute against their business opportunities and challenges. Aspire helps landscapers change the way they manage their business to enable them to provide better service, improve margins, and increase productivity. Backed by top growth equity investor Mainsail Partners, Aspire is based in Chesterfield, MO. For more information, please visit http://www.youraspire.com . MEDIA CONTACT:

Heather Ripley

Ripley PR

(865) 977-1973

hripley@ripleypr.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/aspire-software-announces-plans-to-be-acquired-by-servicetitan-301323356.html SOURCE Aspire Software

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[June 30, 2021] Airbyte Commoditizes Database Replication by Open-Sourcing Log-Based Change Data Capture

Airbyte, creators of the fastest-growing open source data integration platform, today announced the release of the Airbyte log-based Change Data Capture (CDC) open source software. This enables data stored in MySQL and Postgres databases to be replicated quickly and efficiently anywhere. In July, Airbyte plans to add support for Microsoft (News - Alert) SQL Server, Oracle Database, MongoDB and DynamoDB. Now, any authorized database user or administrator is able to perform database replication without requiring additional work from their IT (information technology) team. Change Data Capture allows recording events of all the data and metadata changes that the source database has registered. These events can then be propagated to a downstream system thus enabling data replication in the destination data repository. The benefits of CDC include the following. Support incremental updates by design. It is only recording changes. Reliable detection of data deletion. Minimizes disruption on databases as it doesn't need to scan and read full tables. Reduces data transfer costs by only transferring data by sending only incremental changes. Many common databases support CDC, writing all record changes to log files. Airbyte now supports CDC to replicate data from Postgres and MySQL to data warehouses, lakes and databases. And Airbyte's CDC is open source, so it's possible to replicate databases while maintaining conrol of the data without having to go through a third-party service and risk additional privacy and security concerns.



"Some open-source solutions for CDC exist, but all of them are very hard to implement," said Michel Tricot, co-founder and CEO of Airbyte. "Until now, there was no easy, no-code way of doing database replication with log-based change data capture technology. With Airbyte, any authorized user is able to start replicating databases within minutes without writing a line of code -- not days later after significant work by engineering teams." By commoditizing data integration, Airbyte is establishing the new standard of moving and consolidating data from different sources to data warehouses, data lakes, or databases in a process referred to as extract, load, and, when desired, transform (ELT). Businesses can create data pipelines from sources such as PostgreSQL, MySQL, Facebook (News - Alert) Ads, Salesforce, and Stripe, and connect to destinations that include Redshift, Snowflake, and BigQuery.

Airbyte is already fostering a community of more than 2,500 users to build and maintain open source connectors that are available to anyone. To date, there are 75 connectors that Airbyte is certifying to ensure they are production ready. By the end of this year, the company anticipates it will reach 200 connectors, which would be the most pre-built connectors in the market. It recently introduced its Connector Development Kit (CDK) in order to enable its user community to accelerate development and quickly address the long tail of connectors. The Airbyte connectors run in Docker containers, which means they can be deployed in minutes on any cloud platform. It also enables connectors to be built in any programming language. To learn more, go here to view documentation for the Airbyte CDC and corresponding connectors. Also, this video demonstrates CDC for Postgres. About Airbyte Airbyte is the open-source data integration alternative running in the safety of your cloud and syncing data from applications, APIs, and databases to data warehouses, lakes, and other destinations. Airbyte was co-founded by Michel Tricot (former director of engineering and head of integrations at Liveramp and RideOS) and John Lafleur (serial entrepreneur of dev tools and B2B). The company is based in San Francisco. To learn more, visit airbyte.io. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005217/en/

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[June 30, 2021] Greening Australia and WWF-Australia announce new Climate-ready Restoration partnership[1] in response to increasing natural disasters

SYDNEY, July 1, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Two of the country's leading environmental organisations, Greening Australia and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)Australia, today announced a strategic partnership galvanised during the 2019-20 Australian bushfire season, with the primary goal to mainstream innovative, nature-based and scalable solutions that will build nature's resilience in a changing climate. The partnership will experimentally test, validate and scale practical climate-ready restoration approaches nationally, designed by eminent scientists across Australia. In an example of just one of the series of innovative projects within the partnership, Greening Australia and WWF-Australia will employ eco-evolutionary approaches to identify 'super seed' that has enhanced climatic and fire-tolerant traits to replant trees in bushfire-affected areas. Climate-ready restoration activity will be experimental in nature, informed by existing scientific and Indigenous ecological knowledge, and delivered using scientific methodology that sets and tests hypotheses through data collection, modelling and on-ground experimentation. Importantly, these science-led projects will be tested for their feasibility and ability to mainstream on-ground delivery across the restoration sector. The two organisations have committed a total of $20 million in initial climate-ready restoration projects and are calling for an additional $30 million in funding from the Australian public and private sectors to enable deliveryof the total proposed program of work.



Brendan Foran, CEO, Greening Australia said, "We are now living with recurring natural disasters across Australia that are affecting people and nature in ways and at scales that we have not previously witnessed  including the devastating bushfires of 2019-2020. Our partnership for Climate-ready Restoration is designed to improve the long-term resilience of the Australian environment in the face of climate change. It is focused on biodiversity and ecosystem restoration, with an emphasis on supporting communities and strengthening the economy. To help us prepare for and adjust to both the current effects of climate change and the predicted future impacts, we urgently need to mainstream new, practical, nature-based solutions. This is the driving mission of our partnership." Dermot O'Gorman, CEO, WWF-Australia said, "This program is not business as usual. We are already witnessing the impacts of a changing climate and need to urgently think and act differently. Science and innovation that translates into on-ground delivery are at the heart of our climate-ready approach. Many of the projects that will be funded by this program will trial innovative technology or science-led approaches that aim to accelerate delivery, amplify data collection and fast-track outcomes."

"This partnership is an example of how the environmental sector can lead collaboration between other strategic partners, universities, business, government and the community and find new ways to work together to ensure the Australian environment is climate-ready and our flora, fauna and communities are resilient to the changing climate," O'Gorman continued. Adrian Turner, CEO Fire and Flood Resilience initiative, Minderoo Foundation and one of the first partners to come onboard said, "We are pleased to be part of this program, to pilot new ways to regenerate landscapes in Australia's most vulnerable regions so that they can be more resilient against fires. It is essential that we work together across sectors to optimise our environments so that we can reduce the devastating impact of these climate induced extreme weather events in the future. The Climate-ready Restoration program is directly aligned with the Healthy Landscapes Mission, which is part of a national blueprint to reduce the harm caused by fires and floods and lift resilience by 2025. Visit www.wwf.org.au/climate-ready. See here for media assets. [1] The Climate-ready Restoration partnership takes a science-led approach to developing large-scale, practical action to help nature adapt to a changing climate. Climate-ready Restoration solutions include (but are not limited to): Practical, nature-based solutions such as 'climate-ready seed'

Planting designs that measurably reduce climate-induced risk for plants, animals and people

Exploring new technologies, partnerships and funding models to deliver restoration at the scales required to build nature's resilience in a changing climate SOURCE World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)-Australia

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[June 30, 2021] Epik Prime Partners With Gameloft for Brands to Launch Exclusive, In-Game NFT Tournament

Epik Prime, connecting brands and digital platforms to offer immersive digital experiences, announces today an exclusive partnership whereby Gameloft will launch its first ever NFT activation powered by Epik Prime for an in-game tournament on Asphalt 9: Legends, the latest game in the Asphalt racing franchise, which recently crossed the 1 billion download mark across the series. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005827/en/ Gameloft will launch its first ever NFT activation powered by Epik Prime for an in-game tournament on Asphalt 9: Legends (Graphic: Business Wire) Beginning July 5th, gamers will compete for exclusive trophies and an array of limited-edition digital collectibles (NFTs). Users will be able to store and explore their NFTs inside of their Epik account. Epik's blockchain-powered capabilities present a low-risk opportunity for brands to explore the NFT space by licensing their IP and creating unique digital assets for purchase. Epik has created a unique NFT solution whereby any brand can be featured in games. Epik and Gameloft for brands worked together to create this branded in-game experience. As their first foray into this tecnological partnership, Epik has opted to feature its own brand as the in-game advertising. This collaboration is an exciting event for the entire mainstream gaming and collectibles industry and a historic leap forward for the mass adoption of blockchain technologies.



"Epik is excited to partner with the legendary Asphalt franchise through its latest game, Asphalt 9: Legends for the first Gameloft NFT activation," says Epik CEO Victor David. "Together we will clearly demonstrate how NFTs could be incorporated natively in-game to create new immersive digital experiences for players." Epik will be making something possible which has never been done before -- opening up entirely new doors for, not just the blockchain industry, but for the gaming industry as well, allowing for major gaming companies to engage with their audience in an entirely new way. Sharing limited edition collectibles with its loyal fans and communities so that they can have something to take to their virtual homes, and hold onto, or trade, for years to come.

Epik's NFT platform optimizes the user experience by removing unnecessary latency associated with public blockchain transaction confirmations. By utilizing a hybrid on-and-off chain solution, whereby transactions (purchases, transfer of items) are conducted off-chain in real-time, Epik minimizes the frequency of on-chain transactions, thus incurring less gas and less energy usage for every transaction that occurs on the Epik system. The only time an on-chain transaction occurs is when a user transfers an NFT item out of the Epik system, such as onto a cold wallet or another marketplace. Additionally, Epik utilizes Huobi's ECO Chain (HECO) HPoS consensus mechanism to ensure low transaction cost, low transaction delay, and high transaction concurrency to provide additional eco-friendly benefits. HECO Chain is an EVM-compatible public chain with an efficient and low-cost on-chain environment for DApps, smart contracts, and digital assets like NFTs. About Gameloft for brands

With a monthly audience of 250 million active players, 300 million impressions, and an average playtime of 27 minutes per day per user, Gameloft for brands offers advertisers a unique level of visibility and engagement with their audiences. To date, Gameloft for brands has delivered more than 10,000 campaigns for prestigious brands such as Air France, Coca-Cola, Ford (News - Alert) , FOX, Ferrari, ING, Netflix, Procter & Gamble, Samsung and LEGO, in over 40 countries around the world (North America, Latin America, Middle East, Africa, Europe, Asia, etc.) and our work has been honored with over 50 awards from marketing organizations. All trademarks referenced above are owned by their respective trademark owners. About Epik Prime

Epik Prime brings together the world's leading brands and most popular digital platforms to offer truly unique and immersive digital experiences to millions of fans worldwide. The company works with thousands of brands to broaden their reach, increase fan engagement, and generate new monetization opportunities with unique and highly desirable digital collectibles, including NFTs. This includes Viacom (News - Alert) , Warner Music, Garena, Tencent and Universal. Epik's proprietary platform and partner ecosystem is expanding rapidly and has quickly become the premier location for global brands to enter new avenues for revenue growth. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005827/en/

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[June 30, 2021]

Lleida.net agrees to buy electronic signature company inDenova for 7.1 million euros

BARCELONA, Spain, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Technology services company Lleida.net (BME: LLN) (OTCQX: LLEIF) (EPA: ALLLN) has reached an agreement to acquire 100% of the electronic signature solutions company inDenova for 7.1 million euros.

Both companies are Spanish.

The deal (which was agreed upon yesterday during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, by Lleida.net CEO Sisco Sapena and inDenova COO Jordi Gisbert) is the first acquisition by the Spanish listed company as part of its new inorganic growth strategy.

"The acquisition of inDenova represents a step forward in the company's growth but, more than that, it means having once again fulfilled the promise we have made time and again to our shareholders to protect their interests and generate profitability for them," explained Sapena.

Last February, Lleida.net announced its intention to enter the capital of companies that could add value to its growth plans, and that were complementary to its service offer.

As a result o this purchase, Lleida.net's aggregate EBITDA would grow over 3.95 million euros, taking 2020 data as a reference.







With the investment, Lleida.net staff would grow by 70 percent, over 170 employees, with new teams in Valencia, Bogota and Lima.

inDenova has specialised for the last decade and a half in providing electronic signature, electronic invoicing and process automation services.

It has clients in Spain, Morocco, Colombia, Peru, Chile and Paraguay.

Lleida.net, which is listed in New York, Paris and Madrid, is the European leader in the certified electronic signature, notification and contracting industry.

It holds more than 205 patents in electronic contracting and notification, granted by more than 60 countries on five continents, and its intellectual property portfolio is one of the largest in the industry worldwide.

Currently, more than 75 countries recognise the legal validity of its electronic methods as a means of certifying legal notices in procurement processes.

Bondo Advisors has advised on the transaction, which is pending due diligence.

Contact:

The Paloma Project,

Media, rpl@thepalomaproject.com,

+356 7946 7486

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/lleidanet-agrees-to-buy-electronic-signature-company-indenova-for-7-1-million-euros-301323424.html

SOURCE Lleida.net
[June 30, 2021] RYAH Group, Inc. Announces Investor and Public Relations Arrangements

TORONTO, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- via InvestorWire  RYAH Group, Inc. (CSE:RYAH) (RYAH or the Company) today announces that it has entered into the following public relations, investor relations and/or marketing arrangements: A service agreement with KCSA Strategic Communications ("KCSA"), through RYAH Medtech, Inc. (RYAH Medtech) under which KCSA will provide certain public relations and corporate communications services to the Company for a period of six months, for a cash consideration of US$64,000. A service agreement with EastWest Asset Management LLC ("EastWest"), an affiliate of CFN Media Group , through RYAH Medtech, under which EastWest will provide certain investor relations, marketing and corporate communication services to the Company for a period of six (6) months. In consideration for EastWest's services, the Company has agreed to pay EastWest a fee of US$175,000, satisfied by the issuance of an aggregate 2,893,333 restricted Class A subordinated voting shares (the "Consideration Shares") to EastWest, at a deemed price of C$0.075 per share. The Consideration Shares are subject to certain contractual leak-out provisions in respect of the disposition or transfer such shares. In each case, the Company and the counterparties maintain an arm's-length relationship, and to the knowledge of the Company, none of the noted entities has any interest, directly or indirectly, in the securities of the Company other than as set forth above. "We continue to remain focused and disciplined in ensuring our clients, investors and our partners remain informed of our vision, mission and progress as we accelerate our growth strategy. These two additional partnerships will enable RYAH to amplify its messaging in achieving our goals of global expansion in both IoT hardware, software and data analytics services; and delivering significant value to our shareholders, said Gregory Wagner , the Chief Executive Officer of the Company. About Group, Inc. RYAH Group, Inc. is a connected device and big data and technology company focused on valuable predictive analysis in the global medical plant and nutraceutical intake industry. Its robust artificial intelligence platform aggregates and correlates HIPAA-compliant patient data, which is intended to help doctors and patients personalize plant-based treatments to better predict treatment outcomes. The data collection is relevant for clinics, doctors, dispensaries and pharmaceutical companies and licensed processors (LPs) to monitor and manage formulation effect on patients and demographics. With a strong IP portfolio, RYAH gathers deep and insightful data on the complete patient session and formulation life cycle.



Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities legislation (collectively "forward-looking statements"). All statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact should be considered forward-looking statements. Forward looking statements are often identified by terms such as "may," "should," "anticipate," "expect," "potential," "believe," "intend" or the negative of these terms and similar expressions. Specifically, forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements related to (i) the Company's intention to accelerate its growth strategy, (ii) the anticipated benefits associated with the Company's engagement of EastWest and/or KCSA, and (iii) the Company's goal of global expansion in both IoT hardware, software and data analytics services. Forward-looking statements reflect the Companys current views and intentions with respect to future events based on current information available to the Company and are necessarily subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, risks and uncertainties associated with or inherent in (i) the general business and economic conditions in the regions in which the Company operates; (ii) the expected benefits of the Company's product offerings and the anticipated results and experience of users thereof; (iii) the Company's ability to execute on key priorities, implement business strategies and/or pursue business opportunities; and (iv) such other factors set out in the Company's public disclosure documents available under the Company's profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com . Readers are further cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such forward-looking statements (including, but not limited to, the assumption that (i) the Company will be able to execute on its business plan and will obtain and maintain all necessary permits and authorizations to execute on its business plan; and (ii) the Company's financial condition and development plans do not change as a result of unforeseen events), although considered reasonable by management of the Company at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and result in actual results differing materially from those anticipated, and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements. Should any such risk 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. Accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, as there can be no assurance that the plans, intentions or expectations upon which they are placed will occur.

The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and the Company does not undertake an obligation to publicly update such forward-looking statements to reflect new information, subsequent events or otherwise unless required by applicable securities laws. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Neither the Canadian Securities Exchange ("CSE") 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. For additional information, please contact:



Sofiya Kleshchuk

Client Relations

+1 917 210 0543

Invest@ryahgroup.com



Gregory Wagner, CEO

+1 917 210 0543

Info@ryah.com Corporate Communications:

InvestorBrandNetwork (IBN)

Los Angeles, California

www.InvestorBrandNetwork.com

310.299.1717 Office

Editor@InvestorBrandNetwork.com



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[June 30, 2021] Cooley Adds Elite Litigation and Privacy/Security Capabilities

Cooley has expanded its Chicago presence, along with its national roster of talented litigators, with the addition of three partners in the firm's growing business litigation, white collar defense & investigations, and cyber/data/privacy practices. Matthew Kutcher, Bobby Earles and Lei Shen join the prestigious 10-partner team that launched the firm's Chicago office in May. The trio brings wide-ranging capabilities as a former high-level prosecutor, a cyber/privacy/security authority and a seasoned litigator. The addition of their extensive experience, including serving at the highest levels of government and industry, reflects the firm's ongoing dedication to the development of an elite, diverse, next-generation litigation partnership, and builds on the firm's mission to offer dynamic and disruptive solutions from a cross-functional team of lawyers to innovative clients driving the new economy. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005866/en/ From left: Partners Matthew Kutcher, Bobby Earles and Lei Shen join Cooley's Chicago office, expanding the firm's national roster of talented litigators. The tri brings wide-ranging capabilities as a former high-level prosecutor, a seasoned litigator and a cyber/privacy/security authority. (Photo: Business Wire)



"This group of litigation and privacy/security partners heralds a new era that brings together unique advocacy and advisory expertise in Chicago, while continuing our extraordinary growth and expanding our ability to serve clients with the most complex challenges to surmount worldwide," said Michael Attanasio, chair of Cooley's global litigation department. "Matt, Bobby and Lei are stars of today and leaders of tomorrow, drawn to Cooley as a diverse and elite firm that is the go-to choice for the most innovative companies in the world."

Kutcher joins the firm's litigation practice from the US Attorney's Office for the Northern District of Illinois, where he served as an assistant US attorney since 2015 and was deputy chief in the General Crimes Section. In addition to his significant prosecutorial experience as an AUSA, Kutcher previously chaired Latham & Watkins' litigation group in Chicago. At Cooley, he focuses on broad white collar defense and investigations, while also handling securities and general commercial litigation. "Cooley's distinctive platform and entrepreneurial spirit set the firm apart," said Kutcher. "The litigation group offers the opportunity to work with a national team of all-stars to support the most dynamic and disruptive companies and leaders. I am eager to join this talented and collaborative team." Earles arrives from Kirkland & Ellis, where he was a partner. He joins Cooley's business litigation practice with broad commercial litigation experience on matters ranging from white collar to bankruptcy litigation. Entrenched in the Chicago legal community, his practice particularly focuses on private equity, venture capital and M&A-related disputes. "Cooley is an amazing law firm, and I'm thrilled to join its burgeoning global litigation practice," Earles said. "I am looking forward to working closely with a renowned and diverse team of lawyers across multiple industries and geographies." Shen arrives from Mayer Brown, where she was a partner. As a member of Cooley's cyber/data/privacy practice that serves clients in litigation matters and corporate transactions, she counsels clients on a range of global data privacy and security issues. She balances her practice between transactional advocacy and privacy compliance and counseling related to regulatory regimes such as the General Data Protection Regulation and the California Consumer Privacy Act. "I chose Cooley because clients view the firm as the go-to in the new economy," Shen said. "Cooley has built a truly elite global c/d/p practice that spans all aspects of cybersecurity, data use, privacy, and related high-profile litigation and regulatory engagements. I am excited to be a part of this powerful global group and contribute to further successes." In and out of the courtroom, Cooley's litigation team is uniquely positioned to handle sensitive and high-stakes matters, with a proven track record of aggressively advocating for its industry-leading clients at trial. The firm is well known for counseling clients in white collar matters and investigations, and remains the go-to firm for the world's most dynamic companies as they navigate the ever-increasing complexities of the legal and regulatory landscape. The firm's cyber/data/privacy practice is a cross-functional, integrated team of lawyers in the US, Europe and Asia spanning the spectrum of advisory, transactional, regulatory and litigation matters involving privacy, cybersecurity and data governance. Cooley's growing litigation team, which continues to add elite talent across key markets, has been recognized by The American Lawyer and other leading industry publications as a preeminent global litigation department. About Cooley LLP Clients partner with Cooley on transformative deals, complex IP and regulatory matters, and high-stakes litigation, where innovation meets the law. Cooley has 1,200 lawyers across 17 offices in the United States, Asia and Europe. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005866/en/

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[June 30, 2021] Eric Prydz Confirms Series of Exclusive Shows on Sensorium Galaxy Metaverse

LOS ANGELES, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Award-winning producer Eric Prydz is joining the Sensorium Galaxy Metaverse to host a series of exclusive performances in PRISM  the world's most anticipated virtual destination for extraordinary music events. Commenting on the new collaboration, Eric Prydz said: "I believe metaverses are taking digital events to the next stage, which is one of the main elements that has drawn me to this project. Working with cutting edge technology to deliver special performances has always been mine and my team's goal, but to now take what we do in a physical space into a digital environment, creating endless possibilities, is so exciting!" Prydz has been at the forefront of electronic music for more than a decade, thanks to his visceral productions and exhilarating live shows. His bold and ambitious concerts are known for pushing the limits of music and technology to create experiences that get the entire dance world talking, something that aligns perfectly with Sensorium Galaxy's vision for music experiences. This hugely influential artist is the first DJ to join Sensorium Galaxy in 2021. Last year, a series of world-acclaimed DJs confirmed their performances on PRISM, including the legendary David Guetta, Armin van Buuren, Carl Cox, Black Coffee, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike. Aside from his upcoming virtual shows in PRISM, Eric Prydz is also taking part in Sensorium Galaxy's international brand reveal campaign 'The Chosen Ones'. He is the first artist to be featured on a series of short videos conceptualized by Academy-Award winning creative production studio The Mill, and renowned creative agencies The Night League and High Scream. These agencies have a record for deliveing outstanding productions, visual effects, and virtual experiences for clients such as Ford, Disney, Nike, Coca-Cola, Burberry, and many other top-grade brands.





This campaign is directed by Rogier Schalken, an award-winning Dutch film director responsible for bringing to life global advertising projects for KLM Music, Samsung DiscoVR, and Adidas' Leo Messi Road to FIFA. 'The Chosen Ones' introduces people to the music-dedicated virtual world by featuring the confirmed artists and incorporating PRISM's brutalist and futurist vibes and signature design elements. Sasha Tityanko, Deputy CEO for Sensorium Galaxy:"PRISM is a unique destination for artists. Our virtual setup is constantly mutating based on music. And that's exactly why this collaboration with Eric is so great. His distinctive progressive style matches perfectly with our goal to create out-of-this-world immersive experiences for users." Sensorium Galaxy incorporates advanced social features to enhance user experience in virtual setups. With their eye-catching, AI-powered avatars, users can watch performances from multiple angles, heights, and even see through the DJ's eyes. Multi-channel communication also enables them to connect and communicate with other users and artists in a surprisingly natural manner. Yann Pissenem: "I've been working together with Eric for many years. All of his shows have delivered high-tech experiences and helped to raise the bar in the entire industry. I am excited to see how he can leverage the endless possibilities provided by virtual reality to deliver fully immersive DJ performances." Sensorium Galaxy is expected for public launch in H2 2021. Global coverage and cross-platform compatibility ensure that all fans of Prydz have the opportunity to enjoy the progressive vibes of his best shows regardless of their physical location. Press Kit Photos and videos are available in the Sensorium Press Kit About Sensorium Galaxy Sensorium Galaxy is a metaverse that revolutionizes the way people interact with each other and experience the arts. In the alternate universe of Sensorium Galaxy, users immerse themselves in exciting new worlds to get together with their loved ones, meet new people, and take part in unique virtual activities. In essence, Sensorium Galaxy is the evolution of social networking taking users far beyond today's one-dimensional digital experiences. Website: https://sensoriumgalaxy.com/ About Sensorium Corporation Founded in 2018 with the sole support of Forbes-listed billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov, Sensorium Corporation oversees the technological and business development of the Sensorium Galaxy platform and supplies it with a wide range of events and experiences through top-tier global content partnerships. Since its foundation, Sensorium Corporation has raised over $100 million in private investments, making it one of the world's best-funded startups in the VR space. Website: https://sensoriumxr.com/ Photo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1555239/Sensorium_Eric_Prydz.jpg

Video - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q31Y0ag67uQ

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/eric-prydz-confirms-series-of-exclusive-shows-on-sensorium-galaxy-metaverse-301323492.html SOURCE Sensorium Corporation

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[June 30, 2021] Entera Announces $32M Series A Fundraise Led by Goldman Sachs Asset Management

Entera, the leading platform for single-family real estate investors, announced today that it raised $32 million in Series A funding led by Goldman Sachs Asset Management with participation from existing investors including Bullpen Capital, Craft Ventures and Valuestream Ventures. The funding will support Entera's rapid growth as the premier full service SaaS (News - Alert) + Services platform for professional single family home investors. Entera is the trusted partner to many of the largest single family rental, new construction & fix + flip investors in the world. Nearly $1 billion of homes have been transacted on Entera's platform across 24 markets since its launch in 2018. The fundraise reflects Entera's strong momentum, with transaction volume growing 5x year-over-year. "Investing in single family residential has historically been complex and difficult to scale, resulting in unreliable returns compared to other types of real estate asset classes," says Martin Kay, CEO and co-founder of Entera. "Our mission is to change this dynamic. With our AI-driven ideation, decisioning and transaction technology, coupled with our team of local real estate professionals, we empower investors to understand consumer demand, seize buying opportunities and deliver predictable returns. We think we have cracked the code on how to intelligently find, buy and operate single family homes using a centralized full-service platform." With Entera, existing owners can intelligently scale their acquisitions and operational footprint while maximizing returns. For new investors entering the single family space, Entera enables an "asset-light'' direct investment approach that uses real-time data to select markets, simulate scenarios, deploy capital and quickly develop their perations with full visibility - minimizing high upfront costs and risk.



"Single family residential is one of the last frontiers for institutionalization," said Paul Pate, a Vice President in the Growth Equity business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management. "Entera is building the infrastructure to significantly reduce barriers to entry for new real estate investors and improve the operations of the most experienced owners. They are a true game-changer for groups looking to enter the space or accelerate their market share." About Entera

Entera is a leading real estate technology company operating a full service SaaS platform coupled with a team of local real estate experts and a network of services providers for single family investors to make intelligent decisions, scale their operations, and maximize returns with 100% control. Many of the largest real estate investors in the world use Entera daily to find, buy and operate single family homes across 24 markets. The company is headquartered in New York City, New York and Houston, Texas. For more information visit us at www.entera.ai About Goldman Sachs Asset Management Growth Equity Bringing together traditional and alternative investments, Goldman Sachs Asset Management provides clients around the world with a dedicated partnership and focus on long-term performance. As the primary investing area within Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS), we deliver investment and advisory services for the world's leading institutions, financial advisors and individuals, drawing from our deeply connected global network and tailored expert insights, across every region and market-overseeing more than $2 trillion in assets under supervision worldwide as of March 31, 2021. Driven by a passion for our clients' performance, we seek to build long-term relationships based on conviction, sustainable outcomes, and shared success over time. Goldman Sachs Asset Management invests in the full spectrum of alternatives, including private equity, growth equity, private credit, real estate and infrastructure. Since 2003 the Growth Equity business within Goldman Sachs Asset Management comprising more than 75 individuals has invested over $13 billion in companies led by visionary founders and CEOs. We focus exclusively on investments in growth stage and technology-driven companies spanning multiple industries, including enterprise technology, financial technology, consumer and healthcare. Follow us on LinkedIn. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005807/en/

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[June 30, 2021] Student Team Publishes On First Use Of CRISPR/CAS9 Gene Editing Technology In Space

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- The student winners of the 2018 Genes in Space competition have published the results of their pioneering research investigation in the open-access journal PLOS ONE. Designed by Minnesota's David Li (20), Michelle Sung (19), Aarthi Vijayakumar (20), and Rebecca Li (20), when they were high school students, the study was the first to successfully implement CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing technology in space. In this investigation, CRISPR was used to inflict DNA lesions that would mimic genetic damage caused by cosmic radiation. DNA damage puts spacfarers at increased risk of negative health consequences including cancer. Understanding how innate DNA repair mechanisms respond to space conditions is a first step toward designing safeguards for future space travelers.



This study also set a precedent for carrying out complex molecular biology workflows in microgravity. In addition to CRISPR, it involved genetically transforming microbes, amplifying microbial DNA via polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and sequencing DNA. The work was carried out aboard the International Space Station (ISS) by astronauts Christina Koch and Nick Hague in 2019. "The ability to perform this all-encompassing, end-to-end investigation is a huge step forward for space biology," said NASA's Sarah Castro-Wallace, Ph.D. "This caliber of work speaks to both the exceptional students and the Genes in Space program." Castro-Wallace and her colleague, Sarah Stahl-Rommel, contributed to the study.

This research builds on groundbreaking space biology spearheaded by previous Genes in Space winners. The contest, founded in 2015 by Boeing and miniPCR bio, challenges U.S. students in grades 7-12 to design DNA analysis experiments for space. Winning experiments are carried out aboard the ISS. "Over the past 3 years, we've worked and watched as an idea we discussed at midnight one day became a fully-fledged experiment conducted on the ISS, and now finally shared with the scientific community," said Vijayakumar. "This project and process has taught us so much." For more information about the Genes in Space contest, visit: www.genesinspace.org . Media contacts:

miniPCR bio: Katy Martin, genesinspace@minipcr.com, 781-990-8727 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/student-team-publishes-on-first-use-of-crisprcas9-gene-editing-technology-in-space-301323483.html SOURCE Genes in Space

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[June 30, 2021] Transportation and Mobility Executive Richard Alexander Joins Perrone Robotics Advisory Board

CROZET, Va., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Perrone Robotics, Inc. , a leading provider of fully autonomous vehicle technology and turnkey vehicle solutions for the mobility of people and things, today announced the appointment of Richard "Dick" Alexander to its advisory board. Alexander will help advise Perrone's autonomous vehicle (AV) solutions offerings for transit applications across municipalities, commercial, and governmental sectors. In addition to Alexander's appointment, Janet Bourland joins the company as vice president of talent, and Danny Vinson will serve as the new vice president of assurance. "Dick's experience and perspective will be a critical asset for us as we continue to develop autonomous vehicle solutions to extend value across the transit space," said Paul Perrone, founder and CEO of Perrone Robotics, Inc. "With Janet, Dick and Danny on board, Perrone will advance our position in the market, onboard world-class talent and provide a robust program for product assurance to help revolutionize the mobility of people and things." Richard "Dick" Alexander, Advisory Board Member Alexander, a forty-year veteran in the mobility space focused primarily on the movement of people, is a distinguished industry leader who will work closely with Perrone's leadership team to advise and help guide the company's transit space strategy and partnerships. As CEO of Mobility360, Alexander assists companies and transit organizations in developing new service and business models designed to meet the emerging trends in the movement of people and goods. Alexander spent over twenty years with Transdev, an international passenger mobility service operator. Alexander served as EO of Transdev US and president of Transdev Alternative Services, where he provided autonomous vehicle operational services to Waymo and led business growth and innovation activities for Transdev, expanding the company's annual revenues from $40 million to over $1.4 billion annually. Alexander's understanding of transit organizations, mobility start-up companies and investors focused on innovating within the mobility space represents a valuable addition to the existing advisory board. Alexander has a bachelor's degree in Urban Planning and Design from the University of Cincinnati and a master's degree in Business Administration from Xavier University.



Janet Bourland, Vice President of Talent Bourland is a seasoned HR professional with over 25 years of experience building organizations in the technology space. In her role as vice president of talent, Bourland will be responsible for leading the company's global talent acquisition. Bourland has worked with executives across many different companies to build and shape their organizations to reflect and support their dynamic needs and ensure a global impact, with a focus on talent pipelines and employer branding.

Prior to Perrone Robotics, Bourland's track record includes seeded startups and Fortune 500 companies in a broad set of industries and with extensive experience in autonomous vehicle talent acquisition, including Spire Global Inc, Toyota Research Institute, vArmor, Xactly Corporation, BeVocal, Metanautix, CV Therapeutics and Fibrogen. Danny Vinson, Vice President of Assurance Vinson is a leading expert in the areas of quality and systems assurance, testing and product delivery. He has spent more than 25 years building and leading software quality assurance teams in a variety of industries. In his role as vice president of assurance, Vinson will be responsible for monitoring and guiding the company's safety, reliability, security and maintainability programs across all engineering disciplines  ensuring the highest level of service to customers and clients. Vinson has been a key part of projects ranging from proofs-of-concept to large production deployments supporting thousands of users in multiple countries. Before joining Perrone Robotics, Vinson led quality assurance practices at mLINQS, S&P Global, Kronos Federal, Xperts, Inc., and Picture Network International. Vinson has worked in the federal space with both time and attendance tracking and relocation accounting and was part of the DMLSS project at EDS which established an equipment management system for military medical facilities worldwide. Vinson holds a bachelor of arts degree in English from Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University. About Perrone Robotics, Inc.

Perrone is a leading provider of fully autonomous vehicle systems. The company delivers mobility excellence via TONY (short for "TO Navigate You"), a vehicle independent retrofit kit for use in the autonomous transit of people and goods in geo-fenced and localized operations. TONY embeds inside any vehicle type for any job application to provide a complete "artificial driver" solution that brings full autonomy in a safety certifiable framework. Proven, piloted and in commercial production, Perrone autonomous systems help commercial, municipal, and governmental customers increase transportation efficiencies, enhance safety, and accelerate zero-emission electric vehicle deployment. The company also offers a portfolio of existing turnkey autonomous shuttles and vehicles pre-integrated with the TONY retrofit kit. Learn more @ www.perronerobotics.com or follow us @perronerobotics. Media Inquiries:

Eric Becker

104 West Partners for Perrone Robotics, Inc.

eric.becker@104west.com View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/transportation-and-mobility-executive-richard-alexander-joins-perrone-robotics-advisory-board-301323539.html SOURCE Perrone Robotics, Inc.

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[June 30, 2021] U.S. International Trade Commission Judge Rules in Favor of Knowles in Trade Secret Theft Case Against Bellsing

Knowles Corporation (NYSE: KN), a market leader and global provider of advanced micro-acoustic microphones and speakers, audio processing, and precision device solutions, today announced that ITC Chief Administrative Law Judge Charles E. Bullock issued an Initial Determination (ID) in ITC Investigation No. 337-TA-1186 finding that the Chinese electro-acoustic transducer manufacturer Shenzhen Bellsing Acoustic Technology Co., Ltd, its affiliated companies and its founder, Liang (Ryan) Li, misappropriated Knowles' trade secrets in violation of Section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930. In a 129-page decision, the Chief Judge found that Bellsing's and Li's "use of Knowles' trade secrets is extensive" and that Bellsing relies on misappropriated Knowles trade secrets to design and manufacture balanced armature (BA) devices. "We are pleased with Chief Judge Bullock's ID acknowledging that Bellsing balanced armature devices utilize technology stolen from Knowles. Knowles has a long history of significant investment in R&D and new innovative products and we will vigorously protect our intellectual property," said Jeffrey Niew, president and chief executive officer of Knowles. Chief Judge Bullock's ID recommended two significant remedies in favor of Knowles, including imposing a 26-year long general exclusion order barring the importation into the United States of Bellsing balanced armature devices that are made with, use, or benefit from Knowles trade secrets, as well as any downstream products, regardless of source, containing the offending Bellsing devices, such as hearing aids and wireless headsets. This would include BA devices made by or made for companies owned by, controlled by, or affiliated with Ryan Li. The Chief Judge also recommended a complementary cease and desist order barring Bellsing and Mr. Li from, among other things, making further sales of the offending Bellsing devices for importation into or within the United States.



"Given Bellsing's blatant disregard for our intellectual property and history of unfair acts in connection with the use of our balanced armature technology, we believe the remedies recommended by the Chief Judge are appropriate," said Robert Perna, senior vice president and general counsel for Knowles. Chief Judge Bullock's ID and recommendation on remedies are subject to review by the ITC, and a final determination by the ITC is expected in the next several months.

About Knowles Knowles Corporation (NYSE: KN) is a market leader and global provider of advanced micro-acoustic microphones and speakers, audio processing, and precision device solutions, serving the consumer electronics, communications, medtech, defense, electric vehicle, and industrial markets. Knowles uses its leading position in SiSonic MEMS (micro-electro-mechanical systems) microphones and strong capabilities in audio processing technologies to optimize audio systems and improve the user experience in mobile, ear, and IoT applications. Knowles is also the leader in acoustic components, high-end capacitors and mmWave RF solutions for a diverse set of markets. Knowles' focus on the customer, combined with unique technology, proprietary manufacturing techniques, rigorous testing, and global scale, enables it to deliver innovative solutions that optimize the user experience. Founded in 1946 and headquartered in Itasca, Illinois, Knowles is a global organization with employees in over a dozen countries. The company continues to invest in high value solutions to diversify its revenue and increase exposure to high growth markets. For more information, visit knowles.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005906/en/

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[June 30, 2021]

Daniel Childress Joins Braun Intertec Environmental Consulting Team in Atlanta

MINNEAPOLIS, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Braun Intertec, a 100% employee-owned geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, and testing firm with more than 35 offices and over 1,000 employees located in twelve states, is pleased to announce Daniel Childress has joined the environmental consulting team as a senior scientist based in Atlanta. Childress brings more than 10 years of experience in remediation; vapor intrusion; in-situ bioremediation; system operation and maintenance; state and federal environmental regulations; as well as environmental site assessments.

"We are pleased to welcome Dan to Braun Intertec," said CEO Jon Carlson. "As a highly skilled environmental consultant with experience in soil and groundwater remediation in the eastern United States, he is great addition to our team of employee-owners as we continue to service clients around the country."







As an Atlanta-based employee-owner and senior scientist, Childress will focus on environmental consulting projects, investigation and remediation services and provide project management for clients across the United States.

Braun Intertec environmental consultants specialize in environmental site investigations, soil and groundwater assessments, contaminated site remediation and closure, real estate due diligence, industrial health, safety and compliance, and natural resources services. The company utilizes experienced scientists and engineers to manage projects with a focus on quality, budget, and schedule.

About Braun Intertec

Based in Minneapolis, employee-owned Braun Intertec (www.braunintertec.com) is a premier engineering, environmental consulting and testing firm with more than 1,000 employees located in Arkansas, Colorado, Missouri, Montana, Georgia, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, North Dakota, Texas and Wisconsin.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/daniel-childress-joins-braun-intertec-environmental-consulting-team-in-atlanta-301323564.html

SOURCE Braun Intertec
[June 30, 2021] Harpak-ULMA Announces New Global Headquarters

Harpak-ULMA today announced the relocation of its global headquarters to a new, significantly expanded facility that will feature an advanced state-of-the-art customer experience center. The need for the new facility is driven by Harpak-ULMA's dramatic growth over the last several years, primarily attributed to its innovative multi-year, four-phase strategy to deliver on the promise of digital transformation in packaging operations. COVID-19 accelerated producer interest and adoption of digital and automation technologies, as evidenced by the company's record-setting year that produced double-digit year-over-year revenue gains. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005921/en/ Harpak-ULMA announces its new global headquarters in Taunton, Mass. The significantly expanded facility features an advanced state-of-the-art customer experience center. (Photo: Business Wire) While maintaining its headquarters location in Taunton, Mass., the new facility is significantly larger than its previous location, providing much-needed space and introducing enhancements for expanding organizational initiatives and improving employee quality of work life. The new facility also has land available for future expansion. A notable addition to the new headquarters is the new dedicated Customer Experience Center (CEC). The CEC will support increased U.S.-based Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) and onsite and virtual demonstrations of innovative Harpak-ULMA technologies such as Augmented Reality. Other improvements made possible through the expansion include such production-related enhancements as an expanded warehouse, an advanced staging and production area, and sample production capabilties. An Innovation Lab will augment Research and Development efforts such as 3D Printing, package conceptualization, and the development of Augmented Reality experiences. The recently launched Harpak-ULMA Academy will occupy a dedicated space for operator and maintenance training for customers. Additionally, the new headquarters features modern, expanded meeting and collaboration areas throughout and a digital studio to support a broader range of marketing asset development efforts.



Harpak-ULMA CEO Kevin Roach indicated that even while COVID has driven changes in remote working paradigms, he expects the newly commissioned headquarters to be fully utilized. "The packaging industry is grappling with more change than we've seen in decades. We believe that forward-thinking OEMs who can help drive producer digital transformation will have a distinct market advantage. Our new facility reflects that philosophy - such as providing our customers with easier access to Factory Acceptance Testing, live or remote demonstration options, and the ability to experience and benefit from the work we are doing in our Innovation Labs - such as AR development," he noted. "Furthermore, we've seized an opportunity to rethink the collaborative work environment and embrace new thinking to improve the quality and efficiencies of our employee work life and environment. "We've been able to build remarkable partnerships with major customers across North America to deliver ground-breaking solutions that address long-standing challenges such as labor productivity and uptime optimization. It is our goal that our new expanded facilities will strengthen our ability to deliver first-class customer service, recruit excellent new employees, and advance the technologies that will fuel the next great chapter of Harpak-ULMA's smart, connected strategy for packaging," Roach said.

The new global headquarters of Harpak-ULMA is located at 85 Independence Drive Taunton, MA 02780. For more information about Harpak-ULMA, visit https://harpak-ulma.com or call 800-813-6644. About Harpak-ULMA Harpak-ULMA is the North American arm of ULMA, a $1B industry leader in complete packaging line solutions for Food, Medical, Bakery, and Industrial products. Harpak-ULMA provides smart, connected packaging systems utilizing Rockwell Automation's controls and information platforms to deliver greater efficiency, uptime, and throughput, as well as better package quality and reduced waste. Well-designed, reliable solutions reduce customers' total cost of ownership, help them overcome the challenges of an aging and evolving workforce, and improve control of maintenance expenses with competitive parts sourcing. In addition to offering ULMA primary packaging system and comprehensive automation solutions, Harpak-ULMA is the exclusive North American distributor of G. Mondini tray sealers, and RAMA secondary packaging machinery. Harpak-ULMA joined the Rockwell Automation (News - Alert) Partner Network in 2018 as part of its initiative to build and deploy smart, connected packaging solutions. Photos and Captions: For more information: Contact Mary Ahlfeld at maryahlfeld@harpak-ulma.com View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005921/en/

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[June 30, 2021] LeanTaaS Launches Enhanced iQueue Product Suites to Maximize Efficiency for Infusion Centers, Operating Rooms and Hospital Beds

LeanTaaS, Inc., a leading Silicon Valley based software innovator that increases patient access and transforms operational performance for healthcare providers, today announced new modules for its existing suite of iQueue for Operating Rooms, Infusion Centers, and Inpatient Beds products. The announcement was made at LeanTaaS' inaugural hospital operations virtual summit, Transform, hosted in partnership with Becker's Healthcare. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005832/en/ LeanTaaS' inaugural hospital operations virtual summit, Transform, connected over 1,000 attendees with health system executives, technology leaders and industry experts to discuss optimizing capacity management now and in the future. (Photo: Business Wire) While managing the COVID-19 pandemic and its effects, hospitals had to rapidly increase their use of technology and digital tools. Surgery centers had to reschedule elective procedures as quickly as possible, infusion centers had to continue safely administering life-saving treatments, and managing hospital bed capacity effectively was crucial. With this in mind, LeanTaaS launched enhancements to its existing line of iQueue product suites that combine lean principles and predictive analytics to increase patient access, decrease wait times, and deliver better care at a lower cost, while addressing the specific challenges that had arisen. The enhanced iQueue capabilities include: The new Case Scheduling module in iQueue for Operating Rooms makes it much easier for clinics to schedule OR cases, especially if they are still using manual processes (fax/phone/paper), into both block and open time. This saves clinic and OR scheduling time; alleviates frustration for surgeons, clinics and OR schedulers; reduces errors; and increases OR utilization during staffed hours. The module supports end-to-end, paperless completion of the surgical scheduling process by automatically transmitting complete, accurate case information and providing full visibility into surgeon schedules.



This newly launched module has already reduced abandoned calls by 46% and added an additional four cases scheduled aily, on average, per hospital, across a three-hospital system. Case Scheduling is a powerful extension to the solution's existing capabilities, which include significantly improved block management, a user-friendly platform and actionable perioperative analytics. Currently, iQueue for Operating Rooms is used in 2,100 ORs at 200 hospitals and 40 health systems.









This newly launched module has already reduced abandoned calls by 46% and added an additional four cases scheduled aily, on average, per hospital, across a three-hospital system. Case Scheduling is a powerful extension to the solution's existing capabilities, which include significantly improved block management, a user-friendly platform and actionable perioperative analytics. Currently, iQueue for Operating Rooms is used in 2,100 ORs at 200 hospitals and 40 health systems. Nurse Planning and Executive Summary are new capabilities in iQueue for Infusion Centers that further enable infusion center executives and managers to make data-driven decisions to set and achieve operational goals. The nurse planning capability allows nurses to make staffing decisions for the next day and week ahead with high confidence levels. The new executive reporting capabilities allow reports to be generated in minutes instead of hours. Clear recommendations are provided for adjustments in daily staffing plans (nurse planning), as well as trend insights and goal guidance for operational metrics (executive summary), leveraging a combination of data science and learnings from iQueue's hundreds-strong network of infusion centers. Cancer care executives and managers can use these tools to quickly identify root causes of poor operational outcomes and make decisions to mitigate them, thus improving operating costs as well as patient and nurse satisfaction. iQueue for Infusion Centers is used in 8,500 infusion chairs at 400 infusion centers in 85 health systems.





iQueue for Inpatient Beds' new Discharge Toolkit decreases delays for inpatient discharge in inpatient bed units and promotes patient flow. It functions as a real-time progress report for staff by showing current discharge status, in addition to future discharge predictions in all units throughout the day. The toolkit surfaces actionable next best steps as recommendations so that staff know exactly where to focus their efforts to decrease discharge delays and open up additional beds for patients. Recently launched, iQueue for Inpatient Beds has completed Beta trials across 2,000 beds spanning 13 hospitals and two health systems. "The COVID-19 pandemic has emphasized the importance of resource utilization more than ever for hospitals and health systems across the U.S.," said Mohan Giridharadas, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, LeanTaaS. "It is innovations like these that allow us to partner deeply with customers and achieve annual topline growth of over 50% each year for the last two years. We are proud of our ability to continuously adapt our product suites to our customers' evolving needs and provide innovative capabilities that allow them to optimize processes to deliver the care patients deserve."

LeanTaaS' solutions have now been deployed in more than 400 hospitals and 110+ health systems across 38 states in the U.S., including 12 of the top 20 hospitals in the U.S according to U.S. News & World Report. These hospitals use the iQueue platform to optimize capacity utilization in infusion centers, operating rooms, and inpatient beds. "What's critical with our relationship with iQueue is the ability to find innovative solutions by collaborating with the iQueue support system, which has formed a true partnership," said Dio Sumagaysay, MSN, RN, Associate CNO, Perioperative Services and Multispecialty Procedure Unit, Oregon Health and Science University. "We're able to discuss important ideas and questions with the iQueue team such as looking at the flow of inpatient bed capacity and how to tie it into OR capacity - by partnering with LeanTaaS, we are able to determine the best solutions for our team." LeanTaaS' inaugural hospital operations virtual summit, Transform, connected over 1,000 attendees with health system executives, technology leaders and industry experts to discuss optimizing capacity management now and in the future. To take a closer look at the summit, please visit the official agenda. About LeanTaaS LeanTaaS provides software solutions that combine lean principles, predictive analytics, and machine learning to transform hospital and infusion center operations. The company's software is being used by over 110 health systems across the nation which all rely on the iQueue cloud-based solutions to increase patient access, decrease wait times, reduce healthcare delivery costs, and improve revenue. LeanTaaS is based in Santa Clara, California, and Charlotte, North Carolina. For more information about LeanTaaS, please visit https://leantaas.com/, and connect on Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn. LeanTaaS and iQueue are trademarks of LeanTaaS. All other brand names and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005832/en/

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[June 30, 2021] Wells Fargo Announces Artist-in-Residence to Join Efforts to Support Diverse- and Women-Owned Small Businesses

Wells Fargo (News - Alert) is expanding its existing efforts to support diverse- and women-owned small businesses by welcoming graphic designer and illustrator Sophia Yeshi as the bank's first-ever artist-in-residence. For her first project as the Wells Fargo Artist in Residence, Yeshi reimagined the "Open" sign as a bold statement to symbolize the perseverance of millions of small business owners through the unprecedented challenges of the pandemic - as well as the long road ahead to full recovery. The new "Open" sign is available for download at wellsfargo.com/together and later this summer, small business owners can pick up a sign at any Wells Fargo branch while supplies last. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005935/en/ Open Sign (Photo: Wells Fargo) The Artist-in-Residence initiative is part of Wells Fargo's commitment to offer small business owners access and assistance to tools, guidance and resources - including financial grants and loans available from nonprofits via the Open for Business Fund. The fund is a roughly $420 million small business recovery effort for those hardest hit by the pandemic. A list of Open for Business Fund grant recipients is available here to help business owners connect to CDFIs and non-profits so they can explore new avenues to capital and support. "I'm honored to continue working with Wells Fargo in their pursuit of sharing the stories of resilient small business owners, and making criticalresources available to all small businesses as they recover from the pandemic," said Yeshi. "It was very rewarding to shine a light on the stories of individual diverse small businesses as part of my recent collaboration with the bank. With the new "Open" sign I created for my first project as Artist in Residence, I'm excited to celebrate the passion and dedication of all small business owners as they begin a new chapter."



The Artist-in-Residence initiative follows the bank's recent collaboration with three artists including Yeshi, Deborah Lee and Gabriela Aleman - who created custom "Open" signs bringing to life the unique stories of diverse- and women-owned small businesses. These business owners, from traditionally marginalized and historically underrepresented communities, were disproportionately impacted by COVID-19 and their stories are part of the inspiration behind Yeshi's new "Open" sign. Yeshi is Wells Fargo's first artist-in-residence, and her residency runs through December 2021. In addition to the creation of the new "Open" sign, Wells Fargo will tap into Yeshi's unique style to influence the look and feel of internal campaigns and design assignments. Yeshi will also provide Wells Fargo small business customers with branding consultations as they reimagine their businesses in the months ahead. The Artist-in-Residence program is part of the company's "We made a way. Together." campaign, focused on helping entrepreneurs connect to resources and learn from peers about new ways to evolve their businesses.

About Wells Fargo Wells Fargo & Company (NYSE: WFC) is a leading financial services company that has approximately $1.9 trillion in assets and proudly serves one in three U.S. households and more than 10% of all middle market companies and small businesses in the U.S. We provide a diversified set of banking, investment and mortgage products and services, as well as consumer and commercial finance, through our four reportable operating segments: Consumer Banking and Lending, Commercial Banking, Corporate and Investment Banking, and Wealth & Investment Management. Wells Fargo ranked No. 30 on Fortune's 2020 rankings of America's largest corporations. In the communities we serve, the company focuses its social impact on building a sustainable, inclusive future for all by supporting housing affordability, small business growth, financial health and a low-carbon economy. News, insights and perspectives from Wells Fargo are also available at Wells Fargo Stories. Additional information may be found at www.wellsfargo.com | Twitter (News - Alert) : @WellsFargo. About Sophia Yeshi Sophia Yeshi is a queer Black and South Asian illustrator and graphic designer based in Brooklyn, New York. She is a digital native that discovered Photoshop at 12 years old while growing up in Baltimore, Maryland. She created Yeshi Designs to shine a light on Black women, women of color, and folks in the LGBTQ+ community of all shapes and sizes that are bold, dynamic, and demand attention. Now, she creates culturally relevant work centered around topics she is passionate about like climate change, mental health, body positivity, and self-confidence. News Release Category: WF-SB View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005935/en/

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[June 30, 2021] Volvo Cars sets out future technology roadmap

RICHMOND HILL, ON, June 30, 2021 /CNW/ - Volvo Cars will lay out its future technology roadmap today during the Volvo Cars Tech Moment, an online technology event that illustrates how it will transition towards becoming a fully electric premium car company and a world leader in the fast-growing premium electric segment by 2030. During the live event from Gothenburg, Sweden, the company will give audiences a first glimpse of the technologies that underpin Volvo Cars' future, in which all next generation cars will be purely electric. Representatives from Google, Luminar, Northvolt and NVIDIA will also join and contribute at the event. The Volvo Cars Tech Moment will include an array of keynotes and interactive Q&A sessions that will provide exciting new details in areas such as the company's path to full electrification, its ambition to take software development increasingly in-house, its centralization of computing, its plans for the next level of safety technology and the plan for introduction of safe autonomous driving. As part of the event, the company will also unveil its future approach to infotainment and a concept car that visualises its technology roadmap and that shows an insight into the future of design in the pure-electric era. "As we transition to becoming a pure electric premium car company by 2030, we are committed to creating the best cars in our 94-year history," said Hakan Samuelsson, chief executive. "This is an exciting time in our development and we will deliver on growing customer demand for pure electric cars that offer seamless connectivity, industry-leading safety standards and advanced autonomous drive." Volvo Cars is committed to all-out electrification and has ambitious plans for its next generation of fully electric cars. It aims for cars that more than double the real world driving range compared to its current electric cars, allow for much faster battery charging and offer lower costs for owning and charging alike. By the middle of this decade it aims to sell 1.2 million cars globally, with at least half being fully electric cars. Financially, Volvo Cars targets an annual operating margin of 8-10 per cent by mid-decade, driven by increased sales and revenues across all three global sales regions, more effective sales and distribution channels, synergies with its affiliates and a broader range of fully electric cars. Profitability is expected to be further boosted by achieving gross margin parity between electrified and combustion engine-powered cars by mid-decade. Together with a switch to core computing inside its cars through cutting edge NVIDIA technology, Volvo Cars will also move its software development in-house and focus on shorter development cycles, reflecting the growing role of software as a differentiator for the car of the future and a driver of profitable growth. A clear departure from the static approach to development that has dominated the automotive industry for so long, this will allow Volvo Cars to improve flexibility, boost development speeds and quickly roll out new services, technologies and software over the air. Reflecting Volvo Cars' position as an industry leader in safety, the next generation of Volvo models will set new standards in safety. It will make its future cars hardware-ready for autonomous drive by including LiDAR sensors from Luminar as standard, while it is looking into harnessing the power of real-time data to constantly improve safety levels in its future cars. Volvo Cars will also continue its collaboration with Google, taking their industry-leading approach to infotainment and connectivity to the next level. A new infotainment system will focus on offering a simple, serene and safe experience, as well as a seamless integration between Volvo Cars and Google ecosystems. To learn more about these and other initiatives, tune in to the Volvo Cars Tech Moment via this link. Please note that only pre-registered guests will have the opportunity to ask questions during the event. To register your attendance now, please contact your local Volvo PR contact. ------------------------------- Volvo Car Group in 2020

For the 2020 financial year, Volvo Car Group recorded an operating profit of 8.5 BSEK (14.3 BSEK in 2019). Revenue over the period amounted to 262.8 BSEK (274.1 BSEK). For the full year of 2020, global sales reached 661,713 cars (705,452), a decline of 6.2 per cent compared to 2019. About Volvo Car Group

Volvo Cars was founded in 1927. Today, it is one of the most well-known and respected car brands in the world with sales of 661,713 cars in 2020 in about 100 countries. Volvo Cars has been under the ownership of the Zhejiang Geely Holding since 2010. As of December 2020, Volvo Cars employed approximately 40,000 (41,500) full-time employees. Volvo Cars head office, product development, marketing and administration functions are mainly located in Gothenburg, Sweden. Volvo Cars head office for APAC is located in Shanghai. The company's main car production plants are located in Gothenburg (Sweden), Ghent (Belgium), South Carolina (US), Chengdu and Daqing (China), while engines are manufactured in Skovde (Sweden) and Zhangjiakou (China) and body components in Olofstrom (Sweden). Under its new company purpose, Volvo Cars aims to provide customers with the Freedom to Move in a personal, sustainable and safe way. This purpose is reflected into a number of business ambitions: for example, by the middle of this decade it aims for half of its global sales to be fully electric cars and to establish five million direct consumer relationships. Volvo Cars is also committed to an ongoing reduction of its carbon footprint, with the ambition to be a climate-neutral company by 2040.







Descriptions and facts in this press material relate to Volvo Cars's international car range. Described features might be optional. Vehicle specifications may vary from one country to another and may be altered without prior notification.



media.volvocars.com > volvocars.com >

Copyright  2020 Volvo Car Corporation (or its affiliates or licensors).

SOURCE Volvo Car Canada Ltd.

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[June 30, 2021] CBIZ Reaches Settlement Agreement With UPMC

CLEVELAND, June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- CBIZ, Inc. (NYSE: CBZ) ("the Company"), a leading provider of financial, insurance and advisory services, today announced an agreement to settle the previously disclosed University of Pittsburgh Medical Center ("UPMC") and UPMC Altoona v. CBIZ, Inc., CBIZ Benefits & Insurance Services, Inc. ("CBIZ Benefits"), and Jon S. Ketzner lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. The case was brought in connection with actuarial services provided by a former employee and relates to a transaction that occurred eight years ago. Plaintiffs sought compensatory damages of between $124 million and $266 million, plus interest and punitive damages. Under the terms of the settlement, CBIZ will pay a one-time total settlement amount of $41.5 million, the impact of which will be mitigated by available errors and omissions insurance proceeds and applicable reserves of approximately $11.1 million. After taking into account insurance and reserves, the Company expects to record a one-time after-tax charge to earnings of approximately $22.8 million that will impact 2021 second-quarter and full-year diluted earnings per share by approximately $0.42. The Company will provide more detail in its upcoming second-quarter and first-half 2021 earnings release and conference call, which are expected to occur July 29, 2021. The settlement does not constitute an admission of liability, culpability, negligence, or wrongdoing on the part of CBIZ. CBIZ believes the settlement is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. The settlement reflects the Company's desire to forgo further litigation uncertainty, risk, expense, and potential damages, and to eliminate further distracion from business focus associated with continuing lengthy and complex litigation and appeals.



Jerry Grisko, President and Chief Executive Officer of CBIZ, commented, "We are pleased to have the risk and uncertainty of this lawsuit behind us and to focus our time, attention and resources on opportunities to continue to build and support our team, serve our clients and invest in initiatives to accelerate the growth of our business. As of the end of May, our business continues to perform very well with earnings in line with expectations (aside from the impact of this settlement), strong cash flows, and a healthy balance sheet. After payment of this settlement, the unused capacity on our $400 million credit facility will be approximately $200 million. Our strong and steady cash flow and access to borrowing provide us with more than sufficient capital to support ongoing operations, fund foreseeable acquisitions and continue with planned share repurchases. We look forward to providing further details and updates on our upcoming second-quarter earnings release and conference call." Forward-Looking Statements

Forward-looking statements in this release are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, the impact of COVID-19 on the Company's business and operations and those of our clients; the Company's ability to adequately manage and sustain its growth; the Company's dependence on the current trend of outsourcing business services; the Company's dependence on the services of its CEO and other key employees; competitive pricing pressures; general business and economic conditions; and changes in governmental regulation and tax laws affecting the Company's insurance business or its business services operations. A more detailed description of such risks and uncertainties may be found in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission at www.sec.gov.

About CBIZ

CBIZ, Inc. is a leading provider of financial, insurance and advisory services to businesses throughout the United States. Financial services include accounting, tax, government health care consulting, transaction advisory, risk advisory, and valuation services. Insurance services include employee benefits consulting, retirement plan consulting, property and casualty insurance, payroll, and human capital consulting. With more than 100 Company offices in 31 states, CBIZ is one of the largest accounting and insurance brokerage providers in the U.S. For more information, visit www.cbiz.com. View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cbiz-reaches-settlement-agreement-with-upmc-301323606.html SOURCE CBIZ, Inc.

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[June 30, 2021] Jacksam Coporation dba Convectium Announces Commitment For Up To $1.5 Million Equity Investment From Triton Funds

NEWPORT BEACH, Calif., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Jacksam Corporation dba Convectium (OTCQB: JKSM) (the "Company", "Jacksam", or "Convectium"), a workflow automation company focused on developing machinery and equipment solutions for the cannabis and CBD industry, today announced it has received a commitment for the purchase of up to $1,500,000 in common stock and warrants from Triton Funds LP ("Triton"), pursuant to a Common Stock Purchase Agreement and a Common Stock Purchase Warrant between the Company and Triton. The investment will help accelerate the market penetration of the Company's market leading workflow automation solutions in the cannabis and CBD industry. Triton Funds LP was founded by and is currently managed by students from the University of California, San Diego ("UC San Diego"), and is backed by scientific and academic advisory boards. Triton is the largest student-run investment fund in the United States and focuses on "millennial growth ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance)" investment themes. Convectium achieved operating profit for the first time in its history. Commenting on the news, Mark Adams, CEO of Convectium stated: "We are excited to receive funding from Triton Funds LP as we accelerate our extraordinary business opportunity within the hypergrowth cannabis and CBD industry. The capital is targeted to help Convectium both expand our sales and engineering capabilities into newly legalized states. The funds will also help the Company continue the development of next generation automation solutions." Adams continued: "We are also thrilled to be involved with Triton which represents some of the top intellectual and investing talent produced from the California State education system." Ashkan Mapar, Principal of Triton commented: "Finding and investing in a revenue-generating local company that develops crcial equipment solutions for the rapidly growing cannabis and CBD industry is a no-brainer for us. We are excited to see our investment assist the Company's growth plans as de-regulation for cannabis continues on the federal level and the market continues to grow."



About Jacksam/Convectium

Jacksam Corporation dba Convectium designs and markets automated vape, POD and cartridge filling & capping equipment for the cannabis and CBD industry. Convectium is also a distributor of other CBD and Cannabis automation solutions including the "PreRoll-ER" automated pre-roll machine. Its automated equipment is designed and built in the U.S. and carries full UL certification in the U.S. Using its automated equipment, Convectium's customers can increase their output by up to 60 times over hand filling. Convectium is focused on helping its customers automate their workflow and quickly get custom branded products onto dispensary shelves. Over 250 companies, including many dominant brands and multi state operators (MSOs) in the space, rely on Convectium for automation of their production and back-office operations. About Triton Funds LP

Triton Funds LP is the nation's largest student venture investment fund, managed entirely by students from UC San Diego located in Southern California. Triton has taken an active part in both the San Diego ecosystem and nationwide, focusing on investments that will have a lasting positive impact on the Millennial generation with a portfolio of both private and public companies. The aim of Triton is to create a student learning platform that will provide real-world experience and help bridge the gap between a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) dominated university and Wall Street, helping students jumpstart their careers in finance, while providing strategic capitalization, business development support, and engineered exits to organizations with a viable future in the modern economy. Follow the Triton story by visiting its website, Instagram, Twitter, or reach out directly via email. More information can be found at http://www.tritonfunds.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/jacksam-coporation-dba-convectium-announces-commitment-for-up-to-1-5-million-equity-investment-from-triton-funds-301323556.html SOURCE Convectium

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Victory for Animal Law Litigation Clinic and Students

A ruling from the U.S. District Court for the Western District New York on June 28, 2021 held that animal and environmental protection organizations (Plaintiffs) adequately pled that they have standing to sue in two lawsuits against the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) regarding regulations at pig slaughterhouses.

The ruling is a first litigation victory for the Animal Law Litigation Clinic (ALLC)-a law school clinic launched by the Center for Animal Law Studies at Lewis & Clark Law School in 2019 to train law students in litigation skills while advancing legal protections for farmed animals.

The ALLC filed the separate lawsuits on behalf of a coalition of animal and environmental protection non-profit organizations. The first lawsuit (Farm Sanctuary v. USDA, 6:19-CV-06910) filed December 2019, seeks to stop the USDA from allowing increased linespeeds at the slaughterhouses with less oversight. The second lawsuit (Farm Sanctuary v. Perdue, 6:20-CV-06081), filed in February 2020, challenges the agency's failure to ban the slaughter of all non-ambulatory, or "downed" pigs. The USDA filed motions to dismiss both lawsuits, alleging a lack of standing to sue.







Law students, Brittany Rowe '21 and Ellie Nicoletta '21, argued against the USDA's motions to dismiss in separate oral arguments before the federal court earlier this year. Additional Clinic students worked on the cases behind the scenes.

Pamela Hart, Executive Director of the Center for Animal Law Studies, said, "When we launched the Animal Law Litigation Clinic, our goal was to provide critical litigation skills to students, while challenging the lack of legal protections for farmed animals. This victory shows that we can accomplish both. We're grateful these cases will now proceed to the merits."

The 2019 lawsuit against the USDA challenges the agency's decision to reduce oversight at pig slaughterhouses and eliminate limits on the slaughter speeds, exposing pigs to greater suffering and flouting federal humane slaughter, meat inspection, and environmental protection laws.

In the 2020 lawsuit, the ALLC sued Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue and the USDA for failing to protect pigs who are too sick or injured to walk at slaughterhouses, posing serious risks to animals and food safety.

Every year, well over half a million pigs arrive at U.S. slaughterhouses too sick or injured to stand or walk. Downed pigs are at a heightened risk of carrying a host of human-transmissible pathogens, including Listeria, Campylobacter, Salmonella, swine flu, and Yersinia. They are also at a heightened risk of inhumane handling, including being excessively electro-shocked, prodded, kicked, shoved, and dragged by workers attempting to force them to move.

The ruling was issued by a U.S. District Court judge for the Western District of New York.

The Center for Animal Law Studies (CALS) was founded in 2008 with a mission to educate the next generation of animal law attorneys and advance animal protection through the law. With vision and bold risk-taking, CALS has since developed into a world-renowned animal law epicenter, with the most comprehensive animal law curriculum offered anywhere. CALS offers the world's first and only advanced legal degree in Animal Law, now available both in person or online. In addition, CALS is the only program that offers three specialty Animal Law Clinics, including the Animal Law Litigation Clinic-the world's only legal clinic devoted to advancing protections for farmed animals.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005981/en/
[June 30, 2021] Astound Broadband to Acquire Select Assets of WOW! Internet, Cable & Phone, Adding Chicago and Key Indiana, Maryland Markets to Nationwide Fiber Network

Astound Broadband, the sixth largest cable operator in the United States (doing business as RCN, Grande Communications, and Wave Broadband), today announced that it has reached an agreement to acquire the Chicago, IL, Evansville, IN, and Anne Arundel, MD assets of WOW! Internet, Cable & Phone (News - Alert) for $661 million. In total, these assets comprise approximately 128,000 residential and business customers, more than 700,000 homes passed and 5,700 miles of plant. The company expects the transaction to close later this year. Astound's acquisition of WOW!'s Illinois, Indiana and Maryland markets provides a strong strategic fit with its existing network footprint. WOW!'s Chicago footprint is adjacent to RCN's (News - Alert) existing service area and once integrated, will allow RCN to substantially expand its presence in the Chicago market. In addition, the company will be able to create efficiencies with its existing Chicago-based operational oversight, product offerings, and marketing resources. Likewise, the Anne Arundel, MD footprint, adjacent to RCN's Washington, DC service area, allows RCN to expand its presence in the mid-Atlantic, while taking advantage of marketing and operating efficiencies once integrated into its existing infrastructure and operations. This footprint lies largely south of Baltimore and close to the Baltimore-Washington Airport, which offer considerable commercial and residential opportunities for growth.



Evansville, IN is a separate property, not adjacent to Astound's existing footprint, but one that provides consistent growth in an attractive market. "Our acquisition of WOW!'s Illinois, Indiana and Maryland markets provides a very attractive opportunity to broaden our footprint in areas largely adjacent to the company's existing operations. This will allow Astound to leverage our incumbent fiber-rich network assets, nearby operations talent, award-winning customer service, and strong product set to serve more customers in these markets," said Jim Holanda, CEO of Astound Broadband. "We welcome the local Chicago, Evansville and Anne Arundel WOW! employees and are thrilled to have them join the Astound family. We look forward to working with both the WOW! management team and the current local employees on a smooth transition, and continuing the great customer experience they have successfully delivered over the years as we integrate these markets into our high-speed communications platform."

"With Astound Broadband, WOW! has found a good steward for our operations across these service areas and shares our employee - and customer-centric culture and values," said Teresa Elder, WOW! CEO. "They also have the resources and steadfast commitment to providing customers with the same great quality of service our customers in Illinois, Indiana and Maryland have come to expect from WOW!." All existing WOW! services and customer support will continue without interruption. Upon completion of the asset acquisition, WOW! will operate within the Astound Broadband ecosystem, including a robust fiber-rich network to allow delivery of more communication services to these WOW! areas, offering both residential and business customers new products and services to enhance the suite of products WOW already provides. JP Morgan (News - Alert) and Morgan Stanley are acting as financial advisors to Astound, Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP is serving as legal advisor; Kelley Drye & Warren LLP as regularity advisor, with Deloitte (News - Alert) & Touche LLP serving as tax and accounting advisor. About Astound Broadband RCN Telecom Services, LLC (www.rcn.com) Grande Communications (News - Alert) (www.mygrande.com), Wave Broadband (www.wavebroadband.com) and enTouch Systems (www.entouch.net) form the sixth largest US cable operator and provide award-winning high-speed internet, broadband communications solutions, digital TV, phone services and fiber optic solutions for residential and business customers across the United States. Together, RCN, Grande and Wave serves areas of Massachusetts, Chicago, Pennsylvania, New York City, and Washington, DC. (RCN); Texas (Grande Communications and enTouch Systems) and Washington, Oregon and California (Wave Broadband). View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005989/en/

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[June 30, 2021] Dollar General Announces New Commitments to Address Food Insecurity

Dollar General (NYSE: DG) today announced an operational partnership with Feeding America, as well as a $1 million donation to the organization, to provide access to food resources in rural and otherwise underserved communities and to proactively address food insecurity across the country. The Company also plans to offer produce in up to 10,000 communities over the next several years, with a meaningful number of those stores in current United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) defined food deserts. "Food insecurity impacts communities across the country, and given that Feeding America projects that 42 million people may face hunger as a result of the pandemic, we want to be part of the solution for those facing this issue," said Todd Vasos, Dollar General's CEO. "With our extensive store footprint, often in communities others have chosen not to serve, Dollar General is uniquely positioned to help combat hunger by offering convenient access to a variety of nutritious foods at affordable prices. Our work with Feeding America builds on these efforts by providing in-kind donations of perishable foods to help nourish and feed those in need. Together with Feeding America and local community food banks, we look forward to making a measurable impact in the fight against food insecurity." Produce and Healthier Foods Goals With approximately 75 percent of the U.S. population living within five miles of one of its general merchandise stores, millions of Americans rely on Dollar General to provide convenient, affordable access to the everyday products they need and want, including the components of a nutritious meal such as milk and dairy products, bread, frozen and canned vegetables, canned fruits, grains and more. Dollar General also has partnered with a registered nutritionist to create DG Better For You meals, which provide healthier recipes for each meal of the day with items sourced from DG stores, and created the Good & Smart private brand to provide yet another healthier option to customers. The Company currently offers fresh produce in more than 1,300 stores, providing the top 20 items typically sold in grocery stores and approximately 80 percent of produce categories carried by most grocers. Dollar General plans to expand this offering in up to 10,000 stores, including a meaningful number of stores located in food deserts. Feeding America Partnership In partnering with Feeding America, Dollar General is excited to bring together the nation's largest domesic hunger-relief organization and the nation's largest retailer by store count to positively impact food insecurity concerns, especially in rural America.



Dollar General's work with Feeding America will be highlighted by a $1 million donation, as well as in-kind donations of perishable and nutritious food to community food banks. At full operational capacity, Dollar General seeks to provide up to 20 million meals each year*. This will not only help alleviate hunger in the communities it calls home, but also nearly double the number of stores in which Feeding America services. The partnership further aims to enhance Feeding America's rural hunger initiatives and provide more food donations to 95 percent of member food banks across the country. Additionally, it aims to support otherwise underserved communities with valuable food resources through Dollar General's unique real estate footprint with approximately 75 percent of its stores serving communities of 20,000 or fewer individuals.

"Each year, billons of pounds of food go to waste, while millions of Americans face hunger. Feeding America is grateful to Dollar General for ensuring that good, wholesome unsold food gets to people who need it most. We are also grateful for their generous donation of $1 million, which will help provide meals to children and families in rural communities," said Claire Babineauz-Fontenot, CEO of Feeding America. Dollar General and Feeding America initially began testing food donations in summer 2020 in several Indianapolis and Atlanta-area stores, and Dollar General recently expanded its donation footprint to its DG Fresh cold storage facilities. In 2020, Dollar General's donations provided more than two million meals to those in need. In addition to weekly collections, the partnership will provide opportunities for Feeding America and local food banks to collect food items during times of crisis. For example, when Hurricane Zeta impacted an Atlanta-area DG store in October 2020, Feeding America and its partners at the Atlanta Community Food Bank quickly collected food items and distributed them within the community. *According to the USDA, 1.2 pounds is equivalent to one meal. For additional information, photographs or items to supplement a story, please visit the DG Newsroom, contact the Media Relations Department at 1-877-944-DGPR (3477) or via email at dgpr@dg.com. About Feeding America Feeding America is the largest hunger-relief organization in the United States. Through a network of 200 food banks and 60,000 food pantries and meal programs, we provide meals to more than 40 million people each year. Feeding America also supports programs that prevent food waste and improve food security among the people we serve; educates the public about the problem of hunger; and advocates for legislation that protects people from going hungry. Visit www.feedingamerica.org, find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter. About Dollar General Corporation Dollar General Corporation has been delivering value to shoppers for more than 80 years. Dollar General helps shoppers Save time. Save money. Every day. by offering products that are frequently used and replenished, such as food, snacks, health and beauty aids, cleaning supplies, basic apparel, housewares and seasonal items at everyday low prices in convenient neighborhood locations. Dollar General operated 17,426 stores in 46 states as of April 30, 2021. In addition to high-quality private brands, Dollar General sells products from America's most-trusted manufacturers such as Clorox, Energizer (News - Alert) , Procter & Gamble, Hanes, Coca-Cola, Mars, Unilever, Nestle, Kimberly-Clark, Kellogg's, General Mills, and PepsiCo. Learn more about Dollar General at www.dollargeneral.com. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005904/en/

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[June 30, 2021] DigitalBridge Prices $300 Million New Securitized Financing Facility

DigitalBridge Group, Inc. (NYSE: DBRG) (the "Company") today announced two of its subsidiaries, DigitalBridge Issuer, LLC and DigitalBridge Co-Issuer, LLC (together, the "Co-Issuers") have priced an offering of $300 million aggregate principal amount of Series 2021-1 3.95% Secured Fund Fee Revenue Notes, Class A-2 (the "Class A-2 Notes"). Interest payments on the Class A-2 Notes are payable on a quarterly basis. The anticipated repayment date of the Class A-2 Notes is September 2026. The Class A-2 Notes are expected to be issued by the Co-Issuers in a privately placed securitization transaction. The proceeds from the sale of the Class A-2 Notes, net of the payment of certain offering expenses and the deposits into certain reserve accounts, will be used for general corporate purposes. Additionally, and concurrent with the issuance of the Class A-2 Notes, the Co-Issuers expect to issue Series 2021-1 Secured Fund Fee Revenue Variable Funding Notes, Class A-1 Notes (the "VFN Notes" and, together with the Class A-2 Notes, the "Series 2021-1 Notes"), which will allow the Co-Issuers to borrow up to $150 million on a revolving basis. The Co-Issuers may increase the principal amount of the VFN Notes to $200 million upon the satisfaction of certain conditions over the course of the twelve months following the closing of the sale of the Series 2021-1 Notes. The closing of the sale of the Series 2021-1 Notes is expected to occur on July 9, 2021, subject to satisfaction of various closing conditions. There can be no assurance regarding the timing of the closing or that the sale of the Series 2021-1 Notes will be completed. This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the Series 2021-1 Notes or any other security, nor will there be any sale of any securities in any state orjurisdiction in which such an offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. The Series 2021-1 Notes have not been, and will not be, registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws.



About DigitalBridge DigitalBridge (NYSE: DBRG) is a leading global digital infrastructure REIT. With a heritage of over 25 years investing in and operating businesses across the digital ecosystem including towers, data centers, fiber, small cells, and edge infrastructure, the DigitalBridge team manages a $32 billion portfolio of digital infrastructure assets on behalf of its limited partners and shareholders. DigitalBridge, 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, whether the Co-Issuers will consummate the sale of the Series 2021-1 Notes and expected use of proceeds from the sale of the Class A-2 Notes, whether the issuance size of the VFN Notes will increase and other risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in the Company'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. The Company 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. The Company 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 the Company does not intend to do so. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630005994/en/

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[June 30, 2021] KBRA Assigns Ratings to PNMAC GMSR ISSUER TRUST, Series 2016-MSRVF1 and Series 2020-SPIADVF1 Variable Funding Notes

Kroll Bond Rating Agency (KBRA) assigns a final rating of 'BBB (sf)' to the Series 2016-MSRVF1 and the Series 2020-SPIADF1 Variable Funding Notes issued by PNMAC GMSR ISSUER TRUST, a master trust issuer of PennyMac Loan Services, LLC (PLS). These notes are backed by participation certificates evidencing participation interest in mortgage servicing rights (MSR) and servicer advance receivables on loans underlying Ginnie Mae guaranteed mortgage-backed securities. KBRA's rating on the notes is primarily dependent upon the rating of Private National Mortgage Acceptance Company, LLC (PNMAC) (KBRA Rating: BBB-/Stable), the repurchase guarantor under a repo facility in support of the MSRs and advance receivables. Downward revisions to PNMAC's issuer rating will likely result in a commensurate rating movement to the rated notes. This report does not constitute a recommendation to buy, hold, or sell securities.







Outstanding and Newly Rated Notes (Non-Offered) Notes Series Maximum VFN

Balance Note

Type Note Rate

Description(1) Step

Up

Rate Stated

Maturity

Date Advance

Rate KBRA

Rating 2016-MSRVF1 $1,000,000,000 VF Notes 1m LIBOR + 4.250% N/A (2) 72.00% BBB (sf) 2020-SPIADVF1 $1,000,000,000 VF Notes 1m LIBOR + 4.250% N/A (2) (3) BBB (sf) Total $2,000,000,000

(1) Per annum rate. LIBOR Rate refers to 1-month LIBOR or a successor index rate as further described and determined in the transaction operative documents. (2) One year following the end of the revolving period. (3) Variable depending on servicer advance type as described herein. In addition to the currently offered notes, the following series of notes were previously issued by the master trust. Previously-Offered and Outstanding Term Notes and MBSADV1 Notes Notes Series Initial Note

Balance Note

Type Note Rate

Description(1) Step

Up

Rate(2) Stated

Maturity

Date(3) Advance

Rate KBRA

Rating 2018-GT1 $650,000,000 Term Notes 1m LIBOR + 2.85% 1.00% Feb. 25, 2023 60.00% BBB (sf) 2018-GT2 $650,000,000 Term Notes 1m LIBOR + 2.65% 0.75% Aug. 25, 2023 60.00% BBB (sf) 2016-MBSADV1 $0(6) VF Notes 1m LIBOR + 8.000% N/A (7) 100.00% N/A Total $1,300,000,000 Transaction Overview KBRA's original Series 2018-GT1 term note rating report and Series 2018-GT2 term note rating report and comprehensive surveillance report for the previously-rated Series 2018-GT1 and Series 2018-GT2 describe the rating rationale which is also applicable to the rating for the currently outstanding variable funding notes (VFNs) for a which a rating is now provided, with some distinctions as described herein. As with the previously-assigned Term Note ratings, the ratings on the VFNs are primarily dependent on the credit rating of PNMAC as repurchase guarantor under a repo facility in support of the Issuer's rights to MSRs and advance receivables granted by Ginnie Mae to PLS and advance receivables due to PLS, with certain transaction features providing one notch uplift on the rating of the notes. It is noted that an upgrade of the issuer rating for PNMAC from 'BB+/Stable' to 'BBB-/Stable' on August 18, 2020, was the primary consideration for the upgrade of the previously rated term notes from 'BBB-' to 'BBB'. Credit Considerations for Variable Funding Notes and Distinguishing Features Series 2016-MSRVF1

These notes are backed by the same participation interests created in the underlying MSRs that support the previously rated term notes. They are also subject to the same risks, including extinguishment, presented to the term note holders subject to the priority claims of Ginnie Mae (GNMA). From a credit perspective the MSRVF1 notes stand in a somewhat preferential position relative to the term note holders, as the MSRVF1 notes are paid down by the issuer to cure periodic borrowing base deficiencies, while the term notes are not paid prior to maturity unless certain events occur. These events include early amortization of the term notes when the MSRVFN balance falls below $50.0 million. As described in our previous reports, this creates an alignment of interest between the VFN holder(s) once the holder reaches a minimum amount of lending exposure. Furthermore, in the event of default, the VFN holders share payments pro rata with the term noteholders. The advance rate for the 2016-MSRVF1 is 72.0%, which from an effective leverage perspective is approximately the same effective advance rate as the 60.0% advance rate provided to the term notes. This is because the underlying repurchase agreement with the VFN holder is already subject to a 10% advance market value haircut prior to inclusion in the master trust. As described in the underlying term note reports, any holder of the 2016-MBSADV1 Notes may only be transferred to a party that has a direct or beneficial interest in the Series 2016-MSRVF1 Notes. The unrated 2016-MBSADV1 Notes are available to allow the MSRVFN holder fund advances in the event that PLS fails to do so, allowing the Indenture Trustee to preserve its rights under the Acknowledgement Agreement with GNMA. As is expected, absent an event of default, the 2016-MBSADV1 notes have never been drawn upon to fund such advances as PLS has performed its advancing obligations. Series 2020-SPIADVF1

The Series SPIADVF1 Note were added in April 2020 to finance servicer advance receivables ("servicer advances"), which are separate and distinct from the MSR rights being financed by the term notes and the Series 2016-MSRVF1. The participation interests for the 2020-SPIADVF1 Notes are backed by servicer advances which have been made and are due for principal and interest advances (MBS Advances), advances for taxes and insurance (Escrow Advances) and property preservation and disposition expenses (Corporate Expenses). Servicer advances are generally recoverable at the top of the payment waterfall to a servicer from proceeds either from general collections on all GNMA mortgage loans serviced by a servicer (typical for MBS Advances) or from loan specific recovery proceeds prior to any recovery to the related mortgage lien holder (typical for Escrow Advances and Corporate Advances). MBS Advances and Escrow Advances are generally recovered at close to par value, subject to some debenture interest reimbursements amounts short of the applicable note rate, while Corporate Advances benefit from more limited reimbursement rates according to agency specific practices and applicable reimbursement rates. Advance rates are correspondingly higher for certain servicer advances than have been provided for notes backed by MSRs, with average advance rates of approximately 91.0% based on recent collateral compositions in the servicer advance pool backing the Series 2020-SPIADVF1. Note that periodic valuations, which influence borrowing base calculations, do not apply to the SPIADVF1 collateral which is assigned a par collateral value which is then discounted at the above advance rates to measure borrowing base sufficiency. Prior to full amortization, only advance recoveries are applied to pay down the SPIADVF1 notes. There is only limited cross-collateralization to the extent there is an event of default, following which the SPIADVF1 notes would be paid from all available trust proceeds, including those from MSR value realization as well as servicer advance receivable recoveries. This is a moderate negative for the SPIADVF1 VFN holders relative to MSRVF1 note holders and MSR term note holders, given the expected higher recovery amounts associated with the servicer advance receivables. Conversely, it may be an expected gain relative to expected recoveries for MSR-backed VFN and term note holders in such a scenario, given the pro rata disbursement of proceeds in a full amortization/default scenario. Given the generally predictable recovery expectations, servicer advances are largely spared the volatility associated with MSR valuation. It is commonly recognized in servicer advance-backed transactions which take a structured finance-style cash flow recovery approach that the timing of recoveries is a critical liquidity consideration. Outstanding servicer advances do not accrue interest and the negative carry associated with such advances, as well as state-specific recovery timelines and servicer expertise will impact present value calculations. By contrast, this master trust is subject to monthly borrowing base calculations such that PLS is obligated to continually maintain advance rate minimums and serves as a buffer to noteholder losses. Consistent with the approach taken to rating MSR-backed transactions, relying primarily on the issuer rating of the related servicer or applicable guarantor to back scheduled interest and ultimate principal payments, KBRA is providing a one notch uplift off of the issuer rating of PNMAC as repo guarantor by taking a holistic view of the collateral available in the event of guarantor non-performance. Rating Sensitivities The rating incorporates a degree of resiliency at the current level. Rating pressure, however, would most likely emanate from either 1) deterioration in liquidity, especially connected to the need to fund servicing advances, which could be substantial in the current environment or 2) MSR hedging performance that was not as effective as it has been historically, such that accounting earnings were to become highly volatile as a result, leading to episodes of net losses on a consolidated basis. ESG Considerations KBRA's ratings incorporate all material credit factors including those that relate to Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) factors. While ESG factors may influence ratings, it is important to underscore that KBRA's ratings do not incorporate value-based judgments. Throughout our analysis, KBRA captures the impact of ESG factors in the same manner as all other credit-relevant factors. More information on ESG Considerations for the Financial Institutions sector can be found here. Among the ESG factors that have impact on this rating analysis are the company's strong risk management practices KBRA analyzed the transaction using its Finance Company Rating Methodology (November 28, 2017), Corporate Instrument Notching Global Methodology (September 9, 2020), and ESG Global Rating Methodology (June 16, 2021), to the extent applicable. To access ratings and relevant documents, click here. Related Publications KBRA Upgrades Rating for Private National Mortgage Acceptance Company, LLC

Private National Mortgage Acceptance Company, LLC

Global Finance Company Rating Methodology

Corporate Instrument Notching Global Methodology

ESG Global Rating Methodology Disclosures Further information on key credit considerations, sensitivity analyses that consider what factors can affect these credit ratings and how they could lead to an upgrade or a downgrade, and ESG factors (where they are a key driver behind the change to the credit rating or rating outlook) can be found in the full rating report referenced above. A description of all substantially material sources that were used to prepare the credit rating and information on the methodology(ies) (inclusive of any material models and sensitivity analyses of the relevant key rating assumptions, as applicable) used in determining the credit rating is available in the Information Disclosure Form(s) located here. Information on the meaning of each rating category can be located here. Further disclosures relating to this rating action are available in the Information Disclosure Form(s) referenced above. Additional information regarding KBRA policies, methodologies, rating scales and disclosures are available at www.kbra.com. About KBRA Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC (KBRA) is a full-service credit rating agency registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an NRSRO. Kroll Bond Rating Agency Europe Limited is registered as a CRA with the European Securities and Markets Authority. Kroll Bond Rating Agency UK Limited is registered as a CRA with the UK Financial Conduct Authority pursuant to the Temporary Registration Regime. In addition, KBRA is designated as a designated rating organization by the Ontario Securities Commission for issuers of asset-backed securities to file a short form prospectus or shelf prospectus. KBRA is also recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as a Credit Rating Provider. View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210630006000/en/

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[June 30, 2021] SIMPAC America Rebrands With New Company Website

TROY, Mich., June 30, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- SIMPAC America, the North American subsidiary of South Korea's leading press manufacturer, SIMPAC Inc., launched its brand-new company website to kick off its rebranding strategy. The new website exemplifies SIMPAC's commitment towards its digital presence and interconnective offerings. The launch occurred immediately after SIMPAC America's webinar, "3 Ways Extended Reality (XR) Will Drastically Reconstruct Metal Forming Practices," as a means to further exemplify SIMPAC's commitment towards its digital presence and interconnective offerings. "COVID-19 definitely provided us with a unique opportunity to find innovative ways of supporting our customers and the economy," explains Stephan Robertson, General Manager/VP of Sales & Operations at SIMPAC America. "We knew that the first step was to find new ways of introducing remote interaction throughout sales and buy-off practices, which is where our XR Tool with Elm Park Labs comes into play. That was a project managed 'behind the scenes,' so to speak. Externally, we knew the next priority was becoming an informational resource for the market. As such, we provided pertinent data to EV ramp-ups with our EV Webinar Series. The Series was reated even before the old or new Administration began making public announcements about the EV movement. We are now moving forward with a complete rebranding towards a digital focus."



The new website highlights SIMPAC's product portfolio that is specific to the North American market, while also incorporating user-friendly technical specifications that can easily be switched from metric to imperial measurements. The site provides a greater understanding of SIMPAC America's turn-key automation, service, and support solutions that will help the metal forming industry uphold on-time production at scale. Other features include an interactive globe for viewers to see SIMPAC locations at a glance and customer testimonial and installation videos from leading Tier 1 suppliers. SIMPAC America's rebranding will continue with other proactive internal changes including, but not limited to, its million-dollar acquisition strategy and new service division, sales and marketing office expansion, inbound marketing strategies that will soon be unveiled, and outbound marketing materials reflecting new corporate identity (CI). The outcome of such will be made apparent during FABTECH Chicago 2021, September 13th-16th, at SIMPAC's booth: Hall D, Booth #D46931  for which the massive design concept will represent one of SIMPAC's latest machines and technological advancements. The company will also present at the show's Call for Speakers symposium to discuss its latest XR Tool. The presentation, "Revolutionizing the Manufacturing Industry with XR Technology," will take place at the McCormick Place, 10:30 am, on September 15th.

About SIMPAC:

Founded in 1973, SIMPAC holds 70% of the market share in its home market of South Korea. Since 2004, over 10 sales and service branches were established in Asia, Europe, the United States and Mexico  marking the company's footprint as a global leader of metal forming technology. SIMPAC ensures time and cost-efficient production of high-quality, sophisticated products with its extensive production capabilities and state-of-the-art machine park. Competitive advantages of SIMPAC's press systems, manufactured exclusively at the company's South Korean plants, include continuous improvements derived from insights of global markets and value-added manufacturing concepts pertaining to SIMPAC Group.

www.simpac.com About SIMPAC America:

SIMPAC America is the North American subsidiary of South Korea's leading press manufacturer, SIMPAC, Inc. The company's product portfolio comprises mechanical, servo, and hydraulic presses along with tandem lines and automation solutions. Customers are acquired from various branches of the metal forming industry (i.e., automotive manufacturers and tier suppliers, home appliances and household goods, furniture and electronics industries, and the military & aerospace industry).

www.simpac-america.com For Media Inquiries:

SIMPAC America Co. Ltd.

Jaime Bartholomai

Inside Sales & Marketing Manager

E: jaime@simpac.com

O: 248.629.7148

C: 215.850.3764 View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/simpac-america-rebrands-with-new-company-website-301323704.html SOURCE SIMPAC America Co. Ltd.

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NASHVILLE, Tenn.  Today, Tennessee Governor Bill Lee and the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) Commissioner Clarence H. Carter recognized the passage of the TANF Opportunity Act (HB142 / SB751) by the Tennessee General Assembly. This legislation is the result of more than a year of collaboration with the Tennessee General Assembly TANF Working Group to modernize Tennessees Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program.

The TANF program is a federal workforce development and employment program emphasizing work, training, and personal responsibility. It is a temporary benefit focused on gaining self-sufficiency through employment.

By modernizing these vital funds, we are providing a pathway to prosperity for Tennessee families, said Gov. Lee. I am especially proud that we are increasing educational opportunities that can bridge the gap to self-sufficiency for Tennesseans. I applaud the General Assembly for innovating and strengthening program integrity.

Key components of the legislation include:

 Increasing the monthly average cash assistance families receive under Tennessees TANF funded Families First Program from $277 to $387.

 Creating a two-year Educational Opportunity Pilot Program for qualifying families seeking a degree, certification, or other educational advancement.

 Establishing the Tennessee Opportunity Pilot Program to invest $180 million in providing comprehensive support to families as they move from crisis to career pathways.

 Providing $50 million in Families First Community Grants to smaller non-profits across the state.

 Establishing a 21-member TANF Advisory Board to provide input on the direction of the TANF program and select partners to conduct program research.

 Implementing a $191 million TANF reserve cap so that beginning in Federal Fiscal Year 2022, unspent funds beyond that cap will be used to fund Families First Community Grants.

 Protecting the integrity of the TANF program by increasing civil penalties for individuals who try to secure benefits with a false identity.

From the beginning, we have been focused on creating a conservative thoughtful way to put those dollars into play to help the Tennesseans who need them, said TDHS Commissioner Clarence H. Carter. The TANF Opportunity Act is a comprehensive plan that modernizes our policies, partnerships, and programs to grow the capacity of families we serve to reduce dependency.

Gov. Lee will be recognizing this legislation with a ceremonial bill signing at the Martha OBryan Center in Nashville today, June 30 at 10:30 am.

For more information on TANF, visit: https://www.tn.gov/humanservices/tanf-opportunity-act.html.

###
NASHVILLE, Tenn.  Nearly 3,000 Soldiers from the Tennessee Army National Guard are headed to Fort Hood, Texas, this summer for a training exercise as part of their Annual Training.

Soldiers from the 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, 230th Sustainment Brigade, and 30th Troop Command will spend roughly three weeks in July enhancing their war-fighter skills while being evaluated on their performance during high-stress conditions. The exercise, known as the eXportable Combat Training Capability, is designed to test units with realistic deployment scenarios while operating in an austere desert environment.

"We are excited about conducting this collective training event, said Col. Steven Turner, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment Commander. Even though we had a large portion of the Regiment deployed between 2018 and 2020, this is the largest training event that we've conducted since our National Training Center rotation in the summer of 2018.

The 278th is headquartered in Knoxville, the 230th is headquartered in Chattanooga and the 30th is headquartered in Tullahoma. All the units are comprised of citizen-Soldiers from across the state, most of which have been a part of Tennessees ongoing COVID-19 operation.

Im putting on a different hat now for this training. Before, I was fighting against a virus and helping in the community; now Ill be using those skills Ive gained and applying them at XCTC, helping my brothers and sisters around me, said Pfc. William Orton, a cavalry scout with 4th Squadron, 278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, based in Newport. I feel very confident about transitioning from the COVID-19 mission to my original duty as a scout.

XCTC provides an environment for units to hone in on their combat skills while simultaneously working together, enhancing their lethality as a unified fighting force.

I am excited to get out there and watch our Soldiers, who continued to train and prepare for this event despite the challenges of COVID-19, continue to build readiness and improve their Soldier skills," said Turner.
The Jackson County Prosecutor faces one of the toughest decisions of her career.



At the outset of this month ministers claimed that video footage offered evidence of an "execution" by Kansas City police. That claim was widely disputed via social media and most local journalists rejected the assertion that wasn't shown by the video offered.



Nevertheless . . . The media blast sparked a wave of news coverage and ultimately Jackson County Prosecutor "Mean Jean" Peters Baker offered a statement on her approach to the controversy . . .



A part of our review will be an evaluation of any discrepancies between the original accounting of this event and the actual evidence, including any video evidence. Our job requires us to gather as many facts as we can and to use those facts to determine if charges are appropriate under Missouri law. In order to do that, a full and neutral investigation is necessary. Our duty requires we hold all accountable, no matter their position or power.

Accordingly . . .

NOW THAT THE FATE OF THE CASE IS UNDER HER CONTROL: WHAT SHOULD SHE DO?!?

Investigation into KC police shooting of Malcolm Johnson sent to prosecutors, MSHP says KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Missouri State Highway Patrol says it has handed over its investigation into the deadly police shooting of Malcolm Johnson to prosecutors for review. Johnson was shot and killed by Kansas City police on March 25 inside a BP gas station at 63rd Street and Prospect Avenue.

Missouri State Highway Patrol sends Malcolm Johnson case to Jackson County prosecutor KANSAS CITY, Mo. - The Missouri State Highway Patrol has sent its investigation into the fatal police shooting of Malcolm Johnson to the Jackson County Prosecutor's Office for review of any possible criminal charges. The case file for the death of the 31-year-old Kansas City, Missouri, man was sent last week, according to an MSHP spokesperson.

You decide . . .
Actually, we wanted to share a really thoughtful provocative insight into diehard vs. bandwagon fans.



It's a worthwhile debate and more interesting than anything on the field right now.



Premise . . .

"Ultimately, if watching your baseball team is entertaining and making you happy, do it. If it isnt, then dont. Sadly, the often toxic culture around sports fandom preaches exactly one approach: support your team always, or leave your fan card at the door."

Read more . . .
In this latest Kansas City homicide there's already a confession, video documentation, drugs and firearms confiscated near the scene of the crime and witnesses; Yet the motive and situation leading up to the murder seems nearly indecipherable.



What reports right now confirm is that a youngster was caught up in drama that involved family & friends and a man who the suspect knew was shot dead in the elevator of this otherwise upscale Kansas City luxury hotel.



Here's the best description of the sitch . . .



In custody, Derell Thompson told police voluntarily that hed shot someone.



After being read his Miranda Rights and confirming he understood them, Thompson told officers he blacked out and the whole incident was a blur.



He said he shot Darron Mitchem, who was a friend of his, because he thought hed killed his son in the room.



Thompson said he was also fearful for his own life.



He didnt know how many times he shot the victim, he told police.



Police obtained a search warrant for Thompsons room.



Inside the found three handguns with extended magazines, ammunition, three cellphones, narcotics and a scale.

A few more details worth considering . . .

"Police were told on scene that Thompson was seen running with a gun and alongside a (12-year-old) younger male who was later identified as Thompsons son."

Scary description of the prelude to the murder . . .

A witness who was working as the desk clerk at the Sheraton Suites Country Club Plaza said Thompson approached her about getting a keycard to a room in the hotel because his child was dead in the room.



The clerk said the system was moving slowly, which prompted him to become agitated and she handed him a fake key card to deescalate.



Moments later, she heard him yell, You think you are going to get away with killing my son? and several gunshots followed.

From the courthouse . . .

KC man, 35, charged in shooting in Plaza hotel elevator on Tuesday

A 35-year-old A Kansas City man has been charged in the fatal shooting Tuesday of Darron Mitchem inside the Sheraton Suites County Club Plaza, Jackson County Prosecutor Jean Peters Baker announced today.



Derell E. Thompson, dob: 3/15/1986, faces Murder 2nd Degree, Armed Criminal Action, Endangering The Welfare of a Child and Unlawful Possession of a Weapon charges.*



According to court records filed today, Kansas City police responded to the Sheraton Suites Country Club Plaza in the 700 block of W. 47th Street on a weapon disturbance. Officers found the vicitim, Darron Mitchem, who later died of several gunshot wounds. Officers found the suspect across the street from the Courtyard Inn with a 12-year-old boy. Police found a handgun in the landscaped area nearby. The suspect spontaneously uttered to police he had shot someone and later he told police he shot the victim as hey were getting onto the hotel elevator. Much of the shooting was captured on video.



Prosecutors requested a bond of $250,000 cash.

Local MSM coverage . . .

Kansas City man faces several charges in Plaza hotel shooting KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A Kansas City man has been charged with several felonies following a deadly shooting inside the Sheraton Suites hotel on the Country Club Plaza Tuesday morning. Derell Thompson, 35, is charged with second-degree murder, armed criminal action, child endangerment and unlawful possession of a firearm in the incident.

35-year-old man charged in Sheraton Suites Country Club Plaza shooting KANSAS CITY, Mo. - A man has been charged in the fatal shooting at the Sheraton Suites Country Club Plaza Tuesday morning. Derell E. Thompson, 35, is charged with one count of second degree murder, armed criminal action, endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Kansas City man charged in deadly shooting in Plaza hotel elevator KANSAS CITY, MO (KCTV) -- A 35-year-old A Kansas City man has been charged in the fatal shooting Tuesday of Darron Mitchem inside the Sheraton Suites County Club Plaza. Derell E. Thompson faces second-degree murder, armed criminal action, endangering the welfare of a child and unlawful possession of a weapon charges.

Developing . . .
An IMPORTANT fact was overlooked amid the Tuesday news cycle and our blog community feels that a recent statement from law enforcement needs to be highlighted.

At the risk of repeating ourselves, here's the basics of a troubling trend . . .

KANSAS CITY POLICE UNION OFFICIALS WARN: DEPARTURES DOUBLED OVER PAST YEAR!!!

As the pandemic comes to a conclusion, we can't just blame this stat on plague . . . Especially given that that the departures continue as COVID numbers improve.

Instead, we take police at their word when they lament the lack of support from 12th & Oak.

From a public post, here's the word for those who haven't seen it already . . .

"Another sworn signed retirement paperwork today. 64 Sworn have turned in their paperwork to leave so far this year. Over double any precious year on record. Intentional defunding of 54 million dollars by the council, combined with associated morale issues, helped create a crisis that will take at least a decade to fix."

Developing . . .
Tonight the social media success of hottie Demi inspires us to double check pop culture, community news and top headlines.



Take a peek . . .



Dont Delay Burning Money

Kansas City-area fireworks stand owners encourage early shopping amid shortage KANSAS CITY, Mo. - People are excited to shoot off their own fireworks, according to firework stand owners, since many of the big city displays were cancelled for the second straight year. "It's wild. Fireworks were wild last year and they're even more wild this year," Amy Ritter, owner of Honest John's Fireworks in Riverside, said.

Todays Cash Back Life Lesson

Shawnee Mission School District offering $600 retention payments to staff SHAWNEE, Kan. - The Shawnee Mission School District is giving staff members a reason to come back to work. District leaders say they are giving a $600 retention payment to 3,400 employees who worked during the pandemic. Math high school teacher Jill Johnson is one of the recipients.

Show-Me Money Fight Future

Missouri Republicans face heat over Planned Parenthood money COLUMBIA, Mo. (AP) - Missouri anti-abortion advocates on Tuesday continued to push Republican lawmakers to use a special legislative session on a Medicaid funding tax to also block Planned Parenthood funding. But with only days left before GOP Gov.

Kansas Health Survey Shut Down

Kansas Knows What Hospitals Get Paid, But Says It Can't Tell A Group That Compares Prices Nationally Kansas remains among a shrinking number of states that store detailed information about health care prices, but that won't share it with a prominent think tank trying to compare the cost of hospital care nationally . The RAND Corp.

Kansas City Soaked

Floodwaters receding but leaving mess behind amid days of rain in Kansas City area DEARBORN, Mo. - Despite Tuesday's rain and more rain on the way, floodwaters in parts of Platte and Clay counties are finally receding, but still leaving a big mess behind. Gutters have been working overtime in Dearborn, protecting Armando Dominguez from the rain on his forced vacation.

Hottie Stays Winning Fans

Demi Rose 'feels empowered' by OnlyFans account as it gives her control over her content Demi Rose has been posting seductive and drool-worthy pictures of herself on her Instagram for years, but only recently decided to join the subscription-based service OnlyFans -- which has shot to fame for its collection of adult content -- as she wanted an increased control over the content she wanted to create.

Fashion Favors New Administration

Jill Biden makes cover of Vogue after Melania Trump was snubbed In an interview accompanying her appearance on the cover of Vogue as first lady, Dr Jill Biden said her husband was proving "a calmer president" than Donald Trump. Biden appears on the cover of the August edition - an honour which was denied Melania Trump, to her anger and that of her husband.

More Pushback Awaits Prez Trump

Indicting the Trump Organization Could Be Just the Start All signs point to prosecutors with confidence in their case-and miles to go before they stop. Prosecutors appear to be poised to indict the Trump Organization. And that could mean significant pain ahead for the former president, his family, and their business associates.

History Erased Inside The Beltway

The House Votes To Remove Confederate Statues In The U.S. Capitol subscribe to The NPR Politics Podcast podcast The House of Representatives on Wednesday voted to remove all Confederate statues from public display in the U.S. Capitol, along with replacing the bust of former Supreme Court Chief Justice Roger Taney, author of the 1857 Dred Scott decision that declared that people of African descent were not United States citizens.

SUPREME HOUSING RULES!!!

Supreme Court allows coronavirus eviction moratorium to remain in place A divided Supreme Court on Tuesday denied a request to block a US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention order that prohibits landlords nationwide from evicting certain tenants who fail to pay rent amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Talker Shares Conspiracy

Tucker Carlson Claims the NSA is Monitoring His Communications 'In an Attempt to Take This Show Off the Air' Tucker Carlson claimed on Monday night that his communications are being monitored by the NSA "in an attempt to take this show off the air." Carlson told viewers a whistleblower from the U.S.

MEXICAN WEED RULES!!!

Mexico top court decriminalizes recreational marijuana use Mexico's Supreme Court on Monday decriminalized recreational marijuana use for adults, drawing a cautious welcome from activists who said users face a "legal vacuum" until lawmakers pass a stalled legalization bill. "Today is a historic day for liberties," court president Arturo Zaldivar said, after eight of the 11 judges backed the decision declaring the drug's prohibition under the health law to be unconstitutional.

Divas Stand Together

Christina Aguilera: 'I Promise You' Britney Spears 'Deserves' Freedom From one icon to another. Days after Britney Spears ' bombshell testimony in court, Christina Aguilera is making it clear she is on team #FreeBritney. "These past few days I've been thinking about Britney and everything she is going through," the 40-year-old "Beautiful" songstress began alongside a throwback photo of her and Spears, 39, as kids.

Vaxx Push In The Dotte Contd

Wyandotte County, KCKPS partner to boost COVID-19 vaccination rate KANSAS CITY, KS (KCTV) -- The Unified Government of Wyandotte County and Kansas City, Kansas health officials are working on ways to boost COVID-19 vaccination rates in the area. On Monday, the county partnered with Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools to host a vaccination clinic for families across the Kansas City metro.

Diverse Biz Earns Hand Up

'Give Black' campaign hits nearly $100K in donations for Black-run businesses, orgs Editor's note: Give Black and Kansas City GIFT are non-financial partners of Startland, the parent organization of Startland News. This story was produced independently by Startland News' non-profit newsroom. A campaign to boost eight Black-owned businesses and organizations in Kansas City during the week of Juneteenth surpassed its goal this month, but the work is far from complete, said Brandon Calloway.

Check The New Plan

Kansas City hosting first public session for KC Spirit Playbook plan by: Travis Meier Posted: / Updated: KANSAS CITY, Mo. - Kansas City officials want advice from the public on how to best move the city forward, and residents can get involved today. The first of three public strategy sessions begins at 3 p.m., June 29.

Local Artsy Legacy Endures

Brookside's Leopold Gallery celebrates 30 years building unforgettable visual experiences Interior of the Leopold Gallery. // courtesy of the Leopold Gallery The Leopold Gallery is an expansive, bi-level studio, tucked away in the Brookside neighborhood. But what many might not realize is this neighborhood gallery is responsible for bringing national attention to local Kansas City artists, inspiring the culture of the region, and helping shape the lives of young...

Biz Savors Kansas City Clickbait

Kansas City ranked best barbecue city in America, lawn care company says by: Travis Meier Posted: / Updated: KANSAS CITY, Mo. - In case Kansas Citians needed more proof, a lawn care company released a study ranking KC as the best city in the country for barbecue. In addition to No. 1 overall, LawnStarter also said Kansas City had the best quality out of all other cities.

Hipsters Craft Local Market

Maker Village KC's Nick Ward-Bopp talks sustainability and inclusionary spaces in The Pitch Questionnaire Maker Village KC is located in a lofty industrial building on Kansas City's 31st St., an area with small businesses, art, and bars that's often referred to as Martini Corner. Owner Nick Ward-Bopp says he created Maker Village for the community: folks can use the space and equipment to collaborate on projects.

Kansas City Downpour Contd

More rain on the way for Wednesday in Kansas City Hide Transcript Show Transcript THIS THIS IS FIRST ALERT WEATHER. SOHE T RAIN BOY,T I JUST IT'S LIKE IT PARKED OVER US AND WON'T GO AWAY REALLY THAT'S ETH CASE BECAUSE YOU KNOW A WEEK AGO.

And this is the OPEN THREAD for right now.
More than most other Republicans, the elite education of Missouri Senator Josh Hawley gives him an advantage in challenging progressive scholarship and "Critical Race Theory" . . . To be fair CRT is mostly a useless topic that occupies the minds of grad students working as urban coffee shop baristas but thanks to a nationwide push, this impractical lesson plan is now disseminated amongst younger scholars.

Accordingly, here's a quick peek at the Missouri MAGA leader pushing back against people who aren't nearly as educated . . . Read more from both sides of the debate:



Josh Hawley Takes On CRT in a Fight for the Nation's 'Soul' | RealClearPolitics Josh Hawley was just explaining how much he agreed with Barack Obama when Kamala Harris arrived. For weeks, the junior senator from Missouri had raised hell over who should head the federal agency that is the equivalent of the federal government's human resources department.

Ibram X. Kendi explains his real anti-racism ideas after GOP Sen. Josh Hawley slams his writings Sen. Josh Hawley has slammed the writings of Ibram X. Kendi, a prominent anti-racism scholar. Ibram X. Kendi explains how he is not a scholar of Critical Race Theory, and that in his book 'How to Be an Antiracist,' 'I make the case that we shouldn't believe that anyone is inherently racist, or that we should identify anyone as a racist.'

Developing . . .
A set of measures to speed up the transition to fossil-free transport, is about to be put into action at the Port of Gothenburg, Sweden. The initial step: the first open-access facility in the Nordic region for electric charging and hydrogen gas for heavy goods vehicles, will become operational in 2022.

In February the Tranzero Initiative was presented, a collaborative venture between the Volvo Group, Scania, Stena Line AB, and the Gothenburg Port Authority. The aim is to speed up the transition to fossil-free transport to and from the port. An extensive study of land transport flows to and from the port was launched  now, a plan of measures is being executed that will put theory into practice.

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The port aims to reduce carbon emissions from transport to and from the port by 70% through to 2030. On the land side, carbon emissions in the Gothenburg area will need to be cut by 23,000 tonnes if this goal is to be achieved.

Ten charging points for heavy goods vehicles will be available from 2022, with a maximum power capacity of 350 kW-1 MW, when fully developed. While a hydrogen gas pump for heavy goods vehicles will be ready 2023-24, with a capacity of 720 kg  capable of fueling approximately 15 trucks in 24 hours when fully developed.

Overall, the transition is not moving quickly enough for us to meet our target. Despite an abundance of ambitions and laudable strategies in the transport sector, what is required is greater cooperation if we are to put into effect the across-the-board approach that will be required to accelerate the transition. We embarked on the Tranzero Initiative to do just that, says Elvir Dzanic, Gothenburg Port Authority chief executive.

Analysis of port data from one million truck movements at the port, 1,000 completed questionnaires by drivers, and numerous in-depth interviews with forwarders and hauliers, has produced new knowledge, resulting in a strategy with concrete measures designed to reduce emissions from transport flows more quickly.

Electrified flows during the first half of 2022

We have highlighted flows that are particularly suited to the transition process. These are mainly flows that are highly repetitive, involve short distances, and include overnight parking at a depot. By the first half of 2022 we will see electrically powered transport flows in the port area, says Dzanic.

Within the Tranzero Initiative a whole series of measures have been employed to transform the transport system. These will be put into effect in the next 1-2 years, followed by further measures farther down the line. These measures will be presented in detail as and when they are ready to be rolled out.

In the immediate future there will be a series of incentives at the terminals to promote fossil-free transport, and also measures where hauliers, forwarders, goods owners, as well as the government and the region are important partners. We have established a fruitful dialogue with all parties concerned regarding their roles, says Dzanic.

First open-access facility in the Nordic region for charging and hydrogen gas for heavy goods vehicles

The measures to be introduced will begin with the very first open-access facility in the Nordic region for electric charging and hydrogen gas for heavy goods vehicles. The fuel company Circle K will run the station, which will offer charging points, hydrogen gas pumps, and bio-based liquefied fuels.

We are pleased that as early as next year we will be able to introduce the first measures as part of the Tranzero Initiative. We have been working for a number of years to bring about the transition to fossil-free fuels for passenger cars with the aid of liquefied fuel alternatives and charging points. We are now moving to the next stage with charging points and hydrogen gas for heavy goods vehicles. This is a significant step in the move towards a world that is independent of fossil fuels, says Johan Soderberg, fuel director at Circle K.


Search News Archive : Fast Travel News Promotion Via Search, Social Media + Email Follow Us On : CURTIS PLUMSTONE ASSOCIATES CAN HELP YOU CLAIM CAPITAL ALLOWANCES FOR YOUR FURNISHED HOLIDAY LETS Industry: Holiday Rentals

Curtis Plumstone Associates is home to experienced and qualified tax surveyors that can help you claim these allowances  and, ultimately, beef up your bottom line.



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CONTACT INFORMATION Name: Capital Allowances Company: Curtis Plumstone Associates Phone: 02393074515 Email: capilalwnces@reliable-mail.com Web: PRESS RELEASE TAGS
Adelaide da Silva Cicero (left), a volunteer for The Watershed Institute and Kendra Mckoy, the organizations Delaware River advocate, talked water, nature and outdoor adventure during Trenton Juneteenth celebration.
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Isaac Avilucea is The Trentonians main municipal scribe. A two-time prior restraint winner and testicular cancer survivor, he relishes his reputation as the "Mean Girls" reporter that followed his 18-day stay at the now-defunct North Adams Transcript.
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Illinois lawmakers approved 665 bills this legislative session. While most await Gov. J.B. Pritzker's signature, here are some that have been signed that you should know.

TownNews.com Content Exchange

665 bills School funding Election reform Vote by mail State legislative redistricting Illinois Supreme Court redistricting Police reform Payday loans Vaccine lottery College athletes' compensation COVID-19 emergency housing Pretrial interest Casino labor Crime victims compensation Electronic signature
Reading between the lines a bit, and this is only my interpretation as to 1 possible explanation on why that could possibly be:

* SpTH state the antigen tests need to be on the approved EU commission list (the list is fairly huge)

* UK Gov state antigen tests are not currently accepted for entry to Spain (in context of from UK travellers)

So, it could be plausible that the UKs none EU status has lead to a lot non-EU approved antigen tests in circulation within the UK that would not meet the criteria thus the UK Gov advice is for a PCR.

Now the wording of "not currently accepted" COULD mean there is some wriggle room if the 2 parties can settle on a set of requirements and the private testing companies meet the EU standards, or something along them lines.

Like I say, this is just my thinking behind this. You could also argue it is down to the sheer number of positive tests in the UK at the moment so they want a more sensitive test to be complete. There could be a number of reasons but there must be some logic behind the discrepancy.

Trouble is, even if you did get your hands on an antigen test from the EU list - your airline isn't likely to deviate from what their policy is, which is more aligned to what the FCDO are publishing.
We are flying out of Rome on the 19th of July to Greece and our son will need a negative test report since he is not fully vaccinated.

I understand that there is a testing site at the Terminal 3 Arrivals area. Has anyone used this site - does one have to wait / do they issue a certificate in English / any watchouts?

In a separate note, I tried to pre-register for the test but it doesn't allow that for minors. Will we still be able to get the test?
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Technavio has announced its latest market research report titled Alternative Finance Market by Type and Geography - Forecast and Analysis 2021-2025
For years, Purdue Pharma operated largely under the radar. Then, OxyContin vaulted it into the spotlight.

In December 1995, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the firms new treatment for moderate-to-severe pain lasting more than a few days. A month later, that prescription opioid went on the market.

During the next 25 years, OxyContin would make the company many billions of dollars  and also become one of the most controversial prescription drugs in the U.S.

Today, several thousand lawsuits consolidated in bankruptcy court allege that Stamford-based Purdue embarked on an unprecedented marketing blitz for OxyContin that was fueled by relentless deception  stoking a national epidemic in which hundreds of thousands of Americans have died from opioids.

Hearst Connecticut Media file photo

The repercussions have extended far beyond the courtroom, as the country grapples with one of the deadliest and most-complex public health crises in its history. Amid the torrent of litigation in recent years against Purdue and other opioid makers and distributors, many medical and elected officials have lambasted regulators, with the FDA bearing the brunt of much of their criticism for its alleged failure to effectively regulate opioids like OxyContin. Dismayed by the FDAs track record, they are demanding greater accountability from the agency  and even the president.

If you or someone you know needs help with substance abuse or addiction, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations 24-hour treatment referral hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit Findtreatment.samhsa.gov for free and confidential help. In the case of a medical emergency, call 911.

For most of these 25 years, the FDA has been essentially a toothless paper tiger without any real appearance of restraining the marketing and labeling of OxyContin to protect the public, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, who sued Purdue and the FDA when he was state attorney general, said in an interview. Repeatedly, the agency has refused to act to impose restraints on Purdue that would literally save lives.

>>Interactive: A Timeline of Opioids in America

In response to an inquiry from Hearst Connecticut Media, the FDA did not make any officials available for an interview. But it provided Hearst a statement on its response to the opioid crisis.

The FDA is committed to addressing the national crisis of opioid addiction on all fronts, with a significant focus on decreasing exposure to opioids and preventing new addiction; supporting the treatment of those with opioid-use disorder; fostering the development of novel pain-treatment therapies and opioids more resistant to abuse and misuse; and taking action against those involved in the illegal importation and sale of unapproved and misbranded opioids, the statement said.

Hearst Connecticut Media file photo

Purdue denies the lawsuits allegations that it deceptively marketed OxyContin. In response to an inquiry from Hearst asking for its assessment of the FDAs regulation of OxyContin, the company said in a statement that we dont believe it is appropriate for us to speak for (the) FDA and refer you to the agency.

Marketing a new opioid

The paths of the FDA and pharmaceutical companies are intertwined  particularly when potent drugs such as OxyContin are developed.

FDA officials had regulated prescription opioids for many years before the launch of OxyContin, whose name refers to its continuous release of its active ingredient, oxycodone. Purdues morphine-based MS Contin was approved in 1984 for a similar intensity and duration of pain and during its early years of marketing was promoted for the treatment of cancer pain, the U.S. Government Accountability Office noted in a 2003 report on OxyContin.

In court filings, Purdue officials have consistently cited their confidence in federal regulation of the drug. OxyContin is classified as a Schedule II drug, which the Drug Enforcement Administration defines as having a high potential for abuse, with use potentially leading to severe psychological or physical dependence.

Matthew Brown / Hearst Connecticut Media

OxyContin is an effective pain medicine, the company said in a September 2019 bankruptcy filing. Like all opioid medications, however, it carries with it associated risks of misuse, abuse and addiction. The FDA, striking a balance between the need for such medications and their risks, approved OxyContin in December 1995 and approved the abuse-deterrent formulation in 2010.

But after OxyContins launch, Purdue pursued a deceptive strategy, according to the approximately 3,000 lawsuits filed against the firm in recent years. They accuse Purdue of violating state and federal laws by deliberately making fraudulent claims about the benefits and risks of the drug.

For most of these 25 years, the FDA has been essentially a toothless paper tiger without any real appearance of restraining the marketing and labeling of OxyContin to protect the public.

Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut

In particular, the complaints allege that the company disseminated false information through legions of sales representatives who descended on doctors offices across the country, mass distributed deceptive marketing materials, took advantage of sponsored content in a number of publications and cultivated influential medical professionals to promote OxyContin.

With those actions, the company fueled widespread addiction to OxyContin  with many of those patients subsequently dying from opioid overdoses, according to the lawsuits.

For the FDA and the DEA to look the other way, when they are supposed to prevent big pharmaceutical companies, distributors and pharmacies from deceptively marketing and selling drugs, is unconscionable, said Norwalk resident Dede Yoder, who has filed a wrongful-death claim through Purdues bankruptcy. Her 21-year-old son died in 2017 from an overdose of fentanyl and carfentanil. Several years earlier, Yoder said he had been prescribed OxyContin, which she believes led to his later addiction to heroin.

Erik McGregor / TNS

Much of the alleged misconduct might have been avoided had the FDA imposed more stringent conditions on the drugs marketing, according to a number of experts.

Dr. Andrew Kolodny, the medical director of opioid policy research at Brandeis Universitys Heller School for Social Policy and Management, asserts that the agency should have only let Purdue market OxyContin to oncologists and palliative-care specialists who were treating patients with severe pain stemming from terminal or life-threatening conditions.

Kolodny said the FDA should have prohibited the promotion of OxyContin to primary-care physicians and dentists to treat common pain such as discomfort after dental procedures, back pain and headaches. In that group, the risk of addiction to the drug outweighs its benefits, he said.

If the FDA had properly enforced the law, Purdue never would have been allowed to promote OxyContin for these common, moderately painful conditions, said Kolodny, who is also vice president of federal affairs for the Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing group.

(Kolodny has been a paid expert for some of the plaintiffs who have sued Purdue, but he said that his views on opioids are consistent with the positions he held before the pending lawsuits were filed.)

Multiple violations, light penalties

By the early 2000s, public officials had become increasingly worried about the link between the proliferation of prescription opioids such as OxyContin and the fast-rising number of Americans dying from opioid overdoses. The GAO study was commissioned in response to Congress members concerns about the marketing of OxyContin and the drugs abuse, including diversion for non-medical purposes.

The report highlighted Purdues aggressive promotion of OxyContin. Advertising spending for the drug jumped from about $700,000 in 1996 to approximately $4.6 million in 2001, according to the GAO. Driven by those expenditures, OxyContins annual sales had surpassed $1 billion by 2001, making it at that point the most-prescribed brand-name narcotic of its kind in the U.S., the GAO said.

Matthew Brown / Hearst Connecticut Media

The promotional surge occurred despite the companys allegedly early discovery of OxyContins risks. Federal prosecutors found that Purdue officials were aware of significant abuse of OxyContin in the first few years after its launch, yet concealed that information, according to a copy of a confidential 2006 Department of Justice report that The New York Times reported on in 2018.

We cannot comment on this memo, as we have not seen it, Purdue said in its statement.

As the drugs sales surged, FDA officials grew more concerned about Purdues marketing tactics.

In response to an ad that Purdue ran in 2000 in the New England Journal of Medicine, the FDA sent Purdue an untitled letter, a type of correspondence that focuses on lower-level violations of the Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act.

FDA noted that among other problems, the advertisement implied that OxyContin had been studied for all types of arthritis pain when it had been studied only in patients with moderate-to-severe osteoarthritis pain, the GAO report said.

In 2003, the FDA sent Purdue a warning letter, which focuses on more serious offenses. The correspondence cited two OxyContin ads in the Journal of the American Medical Association that the agency said minimized the risks of the drug and promoted it for uses beyond those proven safe and effective.

The FDA requested that Purdue stop disseminating those ads and provide a plan of corrective action. Purdue responded by issuing a corrected ad.

No fine accompanied the 2003 letter. The FDA does not have the authority to impose civil monetary penalties when it issues a warning letter, according to FDA officials.

Purdue has not received any warning letters since 2003  a lack of punishment that has angered many elected officials.

There have been numerous instances where the FDA could and should have acted to change the companys practices including its public representations and warnings about the addictive effects of its drugs, Blumenthal said. It failed to do so.

As Connecticuts then-attorney general in 2008, Blumenthal sued the FDA  in order to get a response to a 2004 request for additional warnings in OxyContins package labeling.

Susan Walsh / Associated Press

Eventually, it would be the Justice Department that reacted much more forcefully to the marketing violations. In 2007, Purdue, as a company, and three former and then-executives pleaded guilty to charges of misbranding OxyContin. In total, the company and the executives incurred a total of about $635 million in penalties. The executives did not serve any prison time. None of them works today at Purdue.

The company and the executives admitted that Purdue fraudulently marketed OxyContin by falsely claiming that OxyContin was less addictive, less subject to abuse and less likely to cause withdrawal symptoms than other pain medications when there was no medical research to support these claims and without Food and Drug Administration approval of these claims, according to a press release issued at the time by the U.S. Attorneys Office for the Western District of Virginia.

(It) is clear the FDA missed clear signs about the risks and benefits of opioids, which allowed this crisis to take hold.

A letter from seven senators to President Joe Biden

Also in 2007, Purdue reached a $19.5 million settlement with Connecticut, 25 other states and the District of Columbia to resolve lawsuits alleging it did not adequately disclose the risks of abuse and addiction to OxyContin. Purdue did not admit any wrongdoing in that settlement.

After Purdues guilty plea, the FDA tightened its opioid regulations. But the marketing fraud continued, according to the lawsuits. They assert, for instance, that Purdue has misrepresented the impact of the FDAs approval of the 2010 reformulation of OxyContin  a change intended to combat misuses of the drug such as injecting or snorting. Purdue denies that it misrepresented the reformulation.

As the FDA, other federal departments and state-level agencies across the country have struggled to contain the opioid crisis, the epidemic has inflicted a massive toll. Nearly 500,000 people in the U.S. died from overdoses involving prescription and illicit opioids between 1999 and 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Opioid-involved overdoses killed nearly 50,000 people in the U.S. in 2019, accounting for about 70 percent of drug-overdose deaths that year.

We need stronger enforcement  whether from the FDA alone or in conjunction with the Department of Justice, said Connecticut Attorney General William Tong. It needs to be stronger, and it hasnt been.

Some experts have argued that the FDA did not necessarily fail in its enforcement duties  because the agency does not function as a prosecuting force like the Justice Department.

As of last November, about 5,300 people worked in the FDAs Center for Drug Evaluation and Research.

Cathy Zuraw / Hearst Connecticut Media

The FDA is not a big agency. They have limited resources, and they can only stretch them so far, said Lars Noah, a professor of law at the University of Florida, who has extensively researched and written about the FDA. They have to rely, in part, on their sister agency, the Drug Enforcement Administration, to do their job effectively. And the FDA, at some level, has to trust the physician community to do a careful job.

Debate about FDAs future

As the opioid crisis has persisted, the pressure on Purdue and the FDA to make major changes has further intensified.

In February 2018, Purdue announced that it would stop marketing OxyContin and other opioids to prescribers. Soon after, it disbanded its sales force, which resulted in several hundred layoffs.

We eliminated the entire opioid sales force and focused instead on diversifying beyond the companys historic focus on pain medicines, while continuing to make opioids for patients who have a legitimate medical need for them, the company said in its statement.

By that time, OxyContins sales had been declining for years amid competition from pain drugs such as generic oxycodone and prescribers growing wariness of opioids. But it remains the companys top seller, bringing in about $1 billion in revenues in 2020, according to health care data firm Iqvia.

Jessica Hill / Associated Press

During the past few years, other shifts at Purdue have included the arrival of an independent board chairman; the resignation from the board of all the Sackler family members who own the company; the implementation of a voluntary injunction to further restrict its opioid promotion; and the appointment of an independent monitor to review its compliance with the injunction.

But those moves have hardly quelled the debate about the regulation of OxyContin and other prescription opioids.

In a March letter to President Joe Biden, seven senators  Maggie Hassan, D-New Hampshire; Angus King, I-Maine; Ben Ray Lujan, D-New Mexico; Joe Manchin, D-West Virginia; Edward Markey, D-Massachusetts; Catherine Cortez Masto, D-Nevada; and Jeanne Shaheen, D-New Hampshire  outlined their concerns about the toll of the opioid crisis and the FDAs management in the years since OxyContins approval.

Although some courts are holding manufacturers and distributors accountable for their actions that caused this epidemic, it is clear the FDA missed clear signs about the risks and benefits of opioids, which allowed this crisis to take hold, the senators wrote in the letter.

Other groups have also spoken out. In January, Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing and about 30 other organizations sent a letter to the FDAs parent department, the Department of Health and Human Services, opposing the potential nomination of Dr. Janet Woodcock for the permanent FDA commissioner post. Woodcock is now the FDAs acting commissioner and served as the director of the agencys Center for Drug Evaluation and Research for more than 20 years.

Among their concerns, the letters signatories expressed their unhappiness about Woodcocks defensive posture and refusing to acknowledge past mistakes related to decisions including the 1995 approval of OxyContin and the drugs labeling changes in 2001.

An FDA spokesperson referred back to the agencys statement for this article when asked for comment on the letter.

The seven senators who sent the letter to Biden did not mention Woodcock in their correspondence, but they signaled their desire for reforms at the FDA. So have other lawmakers such as Blumenthal.

One of the arguments for an outsider to be appointed commissioner is to spur that kind of initiative, but it could be provided by someone inside the agency as well, Blumenthal said. I think it generally needs to be much more vigorous and aggressive in its oversight of opioids given the past history.
BRIDGEPORT  While the federal government has made millions of dollars available to help with recovery from the pandemic, local business owners complained to U.S. Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Conn., on Tuesday that they havent seen any of the money.

Im listening to all this talk about all this money being around but it didnt trickle down to us, complained Debbie Sims, of the East End NRZ Market and Cafe, during a meeting of small business owners with the senator at the Burroughs Community Center.

I think the government forgot that us small businesses were in crisis, Sims said. She explained that her business is on Stratford Avenue and during the pandemic it became a resource for that community.

We applied for the grant because we wanted heaters outside because we had to continue the market in the cold and we are now in June and I still havent gotten my heaters yet. The process at the top has to change, Sims said.

We have to figure out that failure, Murphy agreed. We set this program up really fast and we werent able to build all the support structure we would like into the PPP (Paycheck Protection Program) program.

Murphy said a lot of the initial problems with the program comes from the fact that small business owners seeking money had to go to the bank to apply for the federal grants.

Banks were giving them out, it was federal money but banks were giving them out, but early on banks were calling up their big clients and that was where the money was going, he said.

Murphy said the legislation was changed to ensure the money went to minority and women-run businesses but then right-wing groups filed lawsuits claiming the process was discriminatory.

The American Rescue Plan, which was signed into law in March, provides $60 billion in small business relief, including a $25 billion Restaurant Revitalization Fund, $7.25 billion for the Paycheck Protection Program, and $15 billion for the Targeted Economic Injury Disaster Loan Advance program to help the hardest-hit small businesses.

Fred Gee Jr., of the citys Small Minority Business Enterprise, told Murphy that the rules should be relaxed so that more small businesses can access funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for COVID-19 relief.

Ive become the bearer of bad news for really good business owners who have not been able to access the COVID relief dollars because they have not been able to meet the criteria set by HUD, Gee said.

He said only 22 of the 155 business owners in the community seeking relief from HUD have qualified for the funds.

We have to provide relief to business owners at a much quicker pace than we have done, Gee said.

Catherine Marx, district director of the Small Business Administration, who attended the meeting conceded that many people who are running their own businesses are finding it difficult to fill out the applications for the relief funding.

They (the applications) are not easy but we do need to have very secure applications with a lot of documentation because it is a taxpayer funded program so we have to do everything we can to make sure we mitigate waste, fraud and abuse, she said.
Chris Yoder was born on Oct. 12, 1995. Two months after the New York boys birth, a pharmaceutical company based in neighboring Connecticut gained the federal governments approval to start selling its latest prescription pain drug: OxyContin.

After knee surgeries as a teenager, Chris would be prescribed painkillers, his mother said, and a couple of years later, he started experimenting with an illicit opioid: heroin. In April 2017, an overdose of synthetic opioids tragically ended his life at the age of 21.

Today, Purdue Pharma, the Stamford-based company that makes OxyContin, is facing a reckoning for its purported role in the deaths of Chris and many other Americans. Chris mother, Norwalk resident Dede Yoder, is one of several-hundred thousand individuals, private-sector groups and government bodies that have filed claims against Purdue. Through its bankruptcy, Purdue is trying to reach a comprehensive settlement of the litigation  which is underpinned by allegations that the company fueled the national opioid crisis with deceptive and reckless marketing of its signature drug.

If you or someone you know needs help with substance abuse or addiction, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations 24-hour treatment referral hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit Findtreatment.samhsa.gov for free and confidential help. In the case of a medical emergency, call 911.

The gateway drug was OxyContin, Yoder told Hearst Connecticut Media. Chris had never taken opioids before, so it was OxyContin that introduced opioids to his brain.

Purdue has denied the lawsuits accusations that it engaged in misconduct that contributed to the opioid epidemic. But it said in a statement provided to Hearst Connecticut Media that we express our deepest sympathies to the families of any individual who died from a drug overdose after previously taking OxyContin at some point.

Seeking a high

Chris grew up in Irvington, N.Y. His mother told Hearst that he was an energetic teenager who loved snowboarding, skateboarding and mountain biking. He was also a musician who played guitar and listened to The Rolling Stones, Jimi Hendrix, Bob Dylan and Nirvana.

After injuring his knee snowboarding, 14-year-old Chris underwent surgery in April 2010. In November 2010, he underwent a second surgery after re-injuring the knee. After both operations, he was prescribed a number of opioids, according to Yoder. She is not certain about the number of times that Chris was prescribed OxyContin, but she said that a wrongful-death claim she filed through Purdues bankruptcy is based on her recollection of him being prescribed OxyContin at least once.

He was given a death sentence at the age of 14, which was handed down by doctors scripts for OxyContin, Purdue Pharmas blockbuster drug, Yoder wrote in the claim.

Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media

By 2010, OxyContin had become one of the countrys most widely prescribed opioids, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define as substances that work in the nervous system of the body or in specific receptors in the brain to reduce the intensity of pain.

>>Interactive: A Timeline of Opioids in America

Oxycodone is the active ingredient in OxyContin. The drugs extended release delivers pain relief that can last up to about 12 hours, enabling it to be taken less often than shorter-lasting forms of oxycodone such as Endos Percocet.

Several factors may have contributed to the abuse and diversion of OxyContin, the U.S. Government Accountability Office said in a 2003 report on the drug. The active ingredient in OxyContin is twice as potent as morphine, which may have made it an attractive target for misuse.

The GAO also noted the drugs susceptibility to being misappropriated for non-medical purposes.

Rapid growth of OxyContin sales, which increased the drugs availability in the marketplace, may have made it easier for abusers to obtain the drug for illicit purposes, the report said.

Yoder believes that Chris experience with OxyContin set off the addictive part of his brain and contributed to his heroin use, which she said started in his senior year of high school. Most people who have a substance-use disorder started using before age 18 and developed their disorder by age 20, according to the National Institute on Drug Abuse.

From then on, he was seeking different types of drugs to help get the same high, she said.

For several years, Chris struggled with heroin addiction despite many attempts to quit using the drug. He attended eight in-patient rehabilitation centers across Colorado; Connecticut; Florida; New York; Pennsylvania; Utah; and Cancun, Mexico. Even with insurance, Yoder said she ended up incurring more than $100,000 in out-of-pocket costs.

Chris died on April 19, 2017, at age 21, from an overdose of two synthetic opioids: fentanyl and carfentanil. The latter, which is used as a tranquilizer for elephants and other large mammals, is 10,000 times more potent than morphine and 100 times more potent than fentanyl, which itself is 50 times more powerful than heroin, according to the Drug Enforcement Administration.

At the time of his death, Chris was working as a restaurant server in Bradenton Beach, Fla.

Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media

Yoder said her son wanted to live and overcome his addiction to heroin.

She cited an appointment Chris had scheduled for April 20, 2017 to receive an injection of Vivitrol, whose indications include prevention of relapse to opioid dependence following opioid detoxification.

A massive toll

Nearly 500,000 people in the U.S. died from overdoses involving prescription and illicit opioids between 1999 and 2019, according to the CDC. Opioid-involved overdoses killed nearly 50,000 people in 2019, accounting for about 70 percent of drug-overdose deaths that year.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the epidemic has not abated. In 2020, 1,273 people in Connecticut died from opioid-involved overdoses, a 13 percent increase from 2019, according to the state Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. In comparison, 298 people in the state died from opioid-related overdoses in 2012, the earliest data that Connecticut currently makes publicly available.

Theres no amount of money that can bring back my only child.

Dede Yoder, whose son died of a drug overdose

The approximately 3,000 local and state lawsuits against Purdue that have been consolidated in its bankruptcy case generally share the same allegations. They accuse Purdue of fueling the opioid crisis with years of false and misleading marketing about the benefits and risks of treating pain with its opioids, namely OxyContin.

By the numbers Since its approval by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in December 1995, the deceptive marketing of Purdue Pharma's OxyContin has fueled the U.S. opioid crisis, according to lawsuits and opioid victims' families. Purdue denies the allegations. From 1999 to 2019, nearly 500,000 people died from an overdose involving any opioid, including prescription and illicit opioids. Opioid-involved overdoses killed nearly 50,000 people in 2019, accounting for about 70 percent of drug-overdose deaths that year. In 2020, 1,273 people in Connecticut died from overdoses involving opioids, up 13 percent from 2019, according to the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner. In comparison, 298 people in the state died from opioid-related overdoses in 2012. Hundreds of people have died or overdosed after obtaining prescriptions for Purdue opioids, according to the state's lawsuit. When Purdue filed for bankruptcy in September 2019, nearly 3,000 state and local governments had filed lawsuits against the company. More than 600,000 claims have been submitted against the company through its bankruptcy case. Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Connecticut Attorney General's Office; U.S. bankruptcy court records See More Collapse

Hundreds of people in Connecticut have died or overdosed after obtaining prescriptions for Purdue opioids, according to the states lawsuit, which was filed in December 2018.

By getting patients addicted, the defendants greatly increased the patients risk of harm from many drugs in the opioid class  including heroin, fentanyl and generic oxycodone  which share the same addictive chemistry as Purdue opioids, Connecticuts lawsuit said.

Taking into account health care and law enforcement costs and economic disruption, the epidemic cost Connecticut more than $10 billion in 2016, according to the lawsuit. Across the country, state-led claims against Purdue add up to more than $2.2 trillion.

Purdue officials deny the lawsuits allegations. They also said OxyContin comprises a small share of the market for pain drugs. Citing statistics from health care data firm Iqvia, they said OxyContin accounts for less than 2 percent of opioids dispensed from retail pharmacies in the U.S., based on both the number of pills and number of prescriptions.

They created the playbook that other opioid manufacturers followed in pushing these drugs, countered Edward Neiger, a New York-based attorney who represents the Ad Hoc Group of Personal Injury Victims of Purdue in the companys bankruptcy, with Yoder among his clients. They helped create the market for it, even though ultimately they werent the biggest supplier.

Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media

In recent years, many other opioid makers and distributors such as Allergan, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, Endo, Johnson & Johnson, Mallinckrodt, McKesson and Teva have also been sued by government bodies across the country for their alleged roles in stoking the opioid epidemic.

Some defenders of the pharmaceutical industry have compared deaths from prescription opioids with the number of fatalities for heroin and illegally manufactured fentanyl and fentanyl analogs.

Drugs containing oxycodone were involved last year in 95 fatal overdoses in Connecticut, compared with 71 in 2012. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner does not break out data for the brands of prescription opioids involved in fatalities.

In comparison, fentanyl was involved in 1,159 deaths and heroin was involved in 262 deaths last year in the state.

We express our deepest sympathies to the families of any individual who died from a drug overdose after previously taking OxyContin at some point.

Purdue Pharma, the Stamford-based company that makes the prescription pain drug

Addiction to multiple opioids, however, is widespread. Connecticuts lawsuit cites CDC statistics showing that people addicted to prescription opioids are 40 times more likely than the general population to be addicted to heroin. Forty-five percent of peoplewho used heroin also were addicted to prescription opioids, according to the CDC.

The specific opioid that you find in the toxicology report is not that important, said Dr. Andrew Kolodny, the medical director of opioid policy research at Brandeis Universitys Heller School for Social Policy and Management. Whats killing people is the disease of opioid addiction. Many of them got this disease taking prescription opioids.

(Kolodny has been a paid expert for some of the plaintiffs who have sued Purdue, but he said that his views on opioids are consistent with the positions he held before the pending lawsuits were filed.)

Eyes on a settlement

Last November, Purdue pleaded guilty to three criminal charges of conspiring to defraud the government and violate anti-kickback law as part of an approximately $8 billion settlement with the Department of Justice. With the exception of a $225 million direct payment to the Justice Department, the payouts outlined in that agreement are being processed through the companys bankruptcy.

As part of the plea, Purdue admitted that from May 2007 through at least March 2017 that it conspired to defraud the United States by impeding the lawful function of the DEA by representing to the DEA that Purdue maintained an effective anti-diversion program when, in fact, Purdue continued to market its opioid products to more than 100 health care providers whom the company had good reason to believe were diverting opioids and by reporting misleading information to the DEA to boost Purdues manufacturing quotas, according to a Justice Department release on the settlement.

In its statement to Hearst, the company said it deeply regrets, and has accepted responsibility for, specified misconduct that took place before June 2017.

The Sackler family members who own Purdue reached their own $225 million civil settlement with the Justice Department to resolve allegations of financial and marketing misconduct. The Sacklers, however, did not admit any wrongdoing as part of that deal.

Through the bankruptcy, Purdue is trying to reach a comprehensive settlement of the lawsuits, which cumulatively cover a broader range of allegations and a longer time span than the Justice Department settlement.

Our goal is to achieve a global settlement that would deliver more than $10 billion in value, including 100 percent of Purdues assets, to address the opioid crisis, Purdue said in its statement. Our proposed settlement structure would provide needed funds, as well as millions of doses of life-saving opioid-addiction treatment and overdose-reversal medicines, to states, local communities and tribes to help abate the opioid crisis.

Connecticut and 23 other non-consenting states have rejected that offer because they see it as an inadequate response to the opioid epidemic. They have vowed to keep fighting for settlement terms that are acceptable to them  even if the judge overseeing Purdues bankruptcy approves its settlement plan.

Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media

To support a prospective settlement, Purdue conducted last year a national ad campaign telling Americans how they could file claims against the company if they believed they or family members had been hurt by its opioids. Informing those with potential claims is a regular feature of corporate bankruptcies.

Nearly 624,000 claims had been filed by June 24. The total includes more than 130,000 claims filed on personal-injury forms, as well as the lawsuits filed by local and state governments. There are 550 submissions from Connecticut.

Connecticut and other states have committed to using any funds they receive for programs to tackle the opioid crisis  in contrast with the lack of restrictions on the funds generated from states 1998 settlement of their lawsuits against major tobacco companies. In the 2021 fiscal year, the states will collect about $27 billion from that settlement and tobacco taxes, according to the nonprofit Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids. But they will spend only about 2 percent on programs to prevent kids from smoking and help smokers quit, the nonprofit said.

States need to establish a dedicated fund for the opioid settlement dollars and ensure that they are spent on evidence-based programs that will save lives, said Courtney Gallo Hunter, vice president of state policy at the Norwalk-based nonprofit Shatterproof, which is working to end the addiction crisis in the U.S. This should include treatment quality and anti-stigma initiatives. We advise states to not supplant current funding, but supplement existing resources. We also advise that states have diverse stakeholders at the table to decide where the funding goes and report back to the public on how it is being spent.

Before attorneys fees and costs are deducted, individual claimants such as Yoder would each receive a settlement amount between approximately $3,000 and $48,000, according to Purdue officials.

Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media

Assuming she receives a settlement payment, Yoder said she would donate a portion to Shatterproof.

Settlement funds would also alleviate the fiscal pressure for victims family members. Yoder, who is in her mid-60s and formerly worked as an executive in the cosmetics industry, is concerned about her financial future. She said she spent most of her retirement savings on rehabilitation expenses and other medical costs to help Chris in his efforts to recover from addiction.

Several of Chris rehabs were not covered at all by insurance, so I do hope to get some monetary compensation, Yoder said. But theres no amount of money that can bring back my only child.
OxyContin is a known quantity to Dr. Jeff Gordon.

The hematologist-oncologist from Woodstock has been prescribing Purdue Pharmas signature pain drug for more than 20 years. He said he limits its use to patients with cancer-related pain, while always explaining to them that the medication carries a risk of addiction.

Back in the 1990s and 2000s, Gordon was troubled by what he saw: an escalation in prescribing painkillers such as OxyContin to patients who were uninformed about their dangers  or never should have received those drugs at all. Purdue fueled a disastrous spike in the use of OxyContin through deceptive marketing, according to several thousand local and state lawsuits filed against the Stamford-based company that have been consolidated in its bankruptcy case.

If you or someone you know needs help with substance abuse or addiction, call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations 24-hour treatment referral hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) or visit Findtreatment.samhsa.gov for free and confidential help. In the case of a medical emergency, call 911.

Pain management has undergone major shifts in response to an opioid crisis that has taken the lives of hundreds of thousands of Americans in the past 20 years. Prescribing rates and OxyContin sales have dropped sharply in recent years as the medical community has become more cautious and states such as Connecticut have improved their monitoring of opioids.

Matthew Brown / Hearst Connecticut Media

But OxyContin still ranks as Purdues top-selling drug with hundreds of millions of dollars in annual revenues  and the debate among medical professionals and public officials about its use is far from over. While many have called for further restrictions on prescription opioids, others have expressed concerns that doing so could impede treatment of patients in severe pain.

Unfortunately, it took a lot of harm and people dying for society to realize that an over-reliance on opioids in pain management is not the way to do things, Gordon, who works at Harrington Hospital in Southbridge, Mass., said in an interview. We need to go back to the fundamentals of pain management  and were doing that.

Allegations of relentless opioid promotion

During Purdues promotion of OxyContin in the 1990s and 2000s, medical professionals faced growing pressure to reduce or eradicate patients chronic pain, as the notion of pain constituting a fifth vital sign became widely accepted.

In that environment, OxyContin quickly emerged as an attractive option. It delivers pain relief through the extended release of its active ingredient, oxycodone  which a 2003 U.S. Government Accountability Office report described as twice as potent as morphine.

>>Interactive: A Timeline of Opioids in America

Drug companies were marketing these medicines as if they were the magic bullet and would take care of your pain, bring it down to zero, and youd be great, said Gordon, who is a former president of the Connecticut State Medical Society. That actually isnt the case, but a lot of people got into that thinking. There were also a lot of patients demanding drugs like OxyContin.

Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media

As Purdues top seller, OxyContin produced sales totaling about $24 billion between 2010 and 2020, according to health care data firm Iqvia.

Between 2007 and 2018, Purdue sales representatives made more than 100,000 sales calls to prescribers, pharmacies, hospitals and other medical centers in the state, according to Connecticuts lawsuit. It allegedly rewarded high-prescribing doctors with meals, gifts and money.

Purdue denies the accusations in Connecticuts lawsuit and other complaints that it boosted its revenues through marketing misconduct.

The company further amplified its influence through an unbranded campaign that extolled opioids purported benefits through professional medical societies, medical journals and key opinion leaders in the medical community, according to Dr. Andrew Kolodny, medical director of opioid policy research at Brandeis Universitys Heller School for Social Policy and Management.

Doctors were hearing from every direction that patients were suffering needlessly because of an overblown fear of addiction to opioids, said Kolodny, who is also vice president of federal affairs for the Physicians for Responsible Opioid Prescribing group. They were also being told that opioids were rarely addictive when prescribed to people who have legitimate pain.

Erik McGregor / TNS

(Kolodny has been a paid expert for some of the plaintiffs who have sued Purdue, but he said his views on opioids are consistent with the positions he held before the lawsuits were filed.)

In response to a Hearst Connecticut Media inquiry asking for Purdues response to Kolodnys description of the unbranded campaign, a company spokesperson referred to a statement outlining the firms proposed settlement of the lawsuits.

Our goal is to achieve a global settlement that would deliver more than $10 billion in value, including 100 percent of Purdues assets, to address the opioid crisis, the statement said. Our proposed settlement structure would provide needed funds, as well as millions of doses of life-saving opioid-addiction treatment and overdose-reversal medicines, to states, local communities and tribes to help abate the opioid crisis.

The $8 billion settlement that Purdue reached last year with the Department of Justice also highlighted its fraught relationship with prescribers.

As part of that agreement, Purdue pleaded guilty to conspiring to violate anti-kickback law and defraud the U.S. government. The company admitted that between June 2009 and March 2017 it paid two doctors through its doctor-speaker program to prompt them to write more prescriptions for its opioids. It also acknowledged paying a health-records company from approximately April 2016 through December 2016 in exchange for the firm referring, recommending and arranging for orders of Purdues extended-release opioids  OxyContin, Butrans and Hysingla.

Chip Somodevilla / TNS

In recent years, many other opioid makers and distributors such as Allergan, AmerisourceBergen, Cardinal Health, Endo, Johnson & Johnson, Mallinckrodt, McKesson and Teva have also been sued by government bodies across the country for their alleged roles in fueling the opioid epidemic.

There is no question the actions of Purdue Pharma and other opioid manufacturers contributed to the over-prescribing of opioids and the misinformation about them that proliferated, said Sen. Chris Murphy, D-Connecticut, who is a member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions. These manufacturers promoted false narratives that led the public to believe these products werent addictive and should be used over other medical interventions, which is why they have a responsibility to address this crisis they helped create.

Sales and prescribing declines

Demand for prescription opioids has waned in recent years. After the national opioid dispensing rate started to steadily increase in 2006, it peaked at about 81 prescriptions per 100 persons in 2012, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The dispensing rate then decreased from 2012 to 2019, when it fell to about 47 prescriptions per 100 persons  the lowest level in 14 years.

At the same time, OxyContin faces major competition from generic opioids, which now account for the vast majority of oxycodone prescriptions, according to Iqvia.

Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media

Citing other statistics from Iqvia, Purdue officials said that OxyContin comprises less than 2 percent of the opioids dispensed from retail pharmacies in the U.S., based on both the number of pills and number of prescriptions.

OxyContins sales have decreased every year in the past decade, dropping from $3.1 billion in 2010 to slightly more than $1 billion in 2020, according to Iqvia. U.S. sales of all oxycodone-based drugs plunged from $3.9 billion in 2010 to $1.6 billion in 2020.

A significant number of factors likely contributed to this decline, Purdue said in its statement. Certainly concerns about risks of dependence have played a part, and the prescribing of opioids in general has been significantly decreasing.

Despite the plummeting sales, OxyContin still ranks as the top-selling oxycodone product in the U.S., on a dollar basis  reflecting the significantly higher pricing for branded drugs compared with generic equivalents. Iqvias data does not include any financial adjustments like rebates, coupons, drug care discounts or promotions, a company spokesperson said.

OxyContins future sales would support Purdues plan for settling the same lawsuits that condemn the drugs marketing.

Declining prescriptions While thousands of lawsuits against Purdue Pharma allege that deceptive marketing of OxyContin fueled the opioid crisis, the drug's sales have steadily dropped in recent years as opioid prescribing has declined. OxyContin's sales decreased every year in the past decade, from $3.1 billion in 2010 to $1 billion in 2020. After the national opioid dispensing rate started to steadily increase in 2006, it peaked at about 81 prescriptions per 100 persons in 2012. The dispensing rate then decreased from 2012 to 2019, when it fell to about 47 prescriptions per 100 persons - the lowest level in 14 years. Annual opioid prescriptions in Connecticut decreased 17 percent between 2017 and 2020, to about 1.8 million. SOURCE: Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Iqvia See More Collapse

The reality is that, as of now, a substantial amount of value and revenues come from OxyContin, Marshall Huebner, an attorney representing Purdue in its bankruptcy proceedings, said last November in a court hearing. Just like tobacco companies get their cash from tobacco, we get a lot of our cash from OxyContin. ... You cant regress that out of the equation.

Purdues reorganization proposal calls for dissolving the company and transferring its operating assets into a new firm that will ultimately be owned by a new National Opioid Abatement Trust established for the benefit of the American people.

Local and state governments would neither own nor operate the new firm, according to Purdue. The Sackler family members who own Purdue said they would have no involvement in the new company.

The reorganization plan is being voted on by claimants, and it will then be reviewed during one or more bankruptcy court hearings in August. To be enacted, it needs to secure the approval of the judge overseeing Purdues bankruptcy.

Cathy Zuraw / Hearst Connecticut Media

Purdues prospective reorganization is opposed by 24 non-consenting states, including Connecticut, that have not agreed to settle. Despite Purdues statements about the new firms ownership structure, those states have expressed concerns about a potential conflict of interests and called for Purdues assets to be sold to a private buyer.

Preserving Purdues ability to continue selling opioids as a public-benefit corporation is simply unacceptable, said Connecticut Attorney General William Tong. They need to be out of the opioid business entirely.

Improved oversight

When OxyContin is used now, it is administered in tightly controlled amounts, according to many prescribers.

OxyContin is something that we do have in our arsenal to treat patients with chronic or terminal pain, said Dr. Jennifer Foster, clinical director of the neuroblastoma program at Texas Childrens Cancer Center. Using acetaminophen, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, ice, heat or physical therapy can reduce the amount of opioids that you need to control the pain. We typically do not use OxyContin as a single agent, but as part of a multimodal approach.

Monitoring programs instituted in the past 15 years have also rooted out much of the excessive prescribing that plagued pain management in the 1990s and 2000s.

Since 2008, Connecticut has tracked opioid prescribing through the Department of Consumer Protections Prescription Monitoring Program. Between 2017 and 2020, annual opioid prescriptions statewide fell 17 percent to about 1.8 million, according to DCP data.

In 2015, the state enacted a law requiring practitioners to check patient records in the programs database when prescribing supplies of controlled substances, including opioids, lasting more than 72 hours. The following year, the state implemented a law that generally limited opioid prescriptions to seven days.

Calls for more action

Despite the progress made in supporting responsible prescribing and effective monitoring, critics of Purdue still have misgivings.

Agencies across federal and state government need to reform their structures in the wake of this epidemic, Murphy said. Even still, we have government and private-insurer payment models that allow for prescription drug coverage of opioids but do not cover other therapies that can improve quality of life to manage chronic pain. And government regulators and payers dont account for effectiveness and outcomes when they approve new products or decide what to cover.

Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media

Other concerns persist. In court filings, the non-consenting states have asked whether a ban would be appropriate for some of the highest-strength opioids such as the 80-milligram version of OxyContin.

We defer to (the Food and Drug Administration), which is currently considering a petition requesting that certain high-dose opioid pain medications be removed from the market, Purdues statement said in reference to regulation of 80-milligram OxyContin. We take no position as to whether the petition should be granted and will abide by the agencys decision.

Some prescribers are wary of adding requirements. Gordon said he has patients with chronic cancer pain for whom it is easier to take an 80-milligram pill instead of four 20-milligram tablets at a time. On average, he prescribes 80-milligram OxyContin to a couple of patients per year.

My prescribing of OxyContin is purely for people who have cancer pain and where its been shown to be appropriate for them to receive a long-acting narcotic medication, Gordon said.

Tyler Sizemore / Hearst Connecticut Media

Other doctors argue that 80-milligram OxyContin should be banned because of the risk of those pills falling into the wrong hands.

Big deal if you have to swallow three pills instead of one, if its picked up by a child or teenager whos never had an opioid before and it results in death, Kolodny said. Is the convenience of swallowing fewer pills worth the risks to society?

Gordon said he understood Kolodnys position, but he said that lower-strength pills also pose a risk.

If we respect the fact that these medicines do have potential side effects, and if weve educated people about the potential side effects, then were doing all we can to treat the pain while trying to do it as safely as possible, Gordon said. No treatment is side-effect free in medicine. You always weigh the risks and the benefits.
Tucson, AZ (85741)

Today

Sunshine and clouds mixed. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 98F. Winds NW at 5 to 10 mph..

Tonight

A few clouds. Low near 80F. Winds SW at 5 to 10 mph.


Mercury Productions Presents A Whole New Dimension To Shakespeare. By Margaret Regan GARY DOOLEY SPEAKS the Queen's English in one of those refined British accents that, for better or worse, suggest good breeding, high tea and, above all else, tradition. He's a Cambridge man, with a Ph.D. in psychology, and though he's now spent about 10 years in the colonies, first in Australia, then in the United States, he still uses such expressions as "really keen" to describe his own enthusiasms. Those enthusiasms right now center on the theatre. Though he's working part time in the UA pharmacy department (his expertise is in deafness and cochlear implants), Dooley says he's been involved in theatre in one way or another for 20 years. Given his pedigree, one is not in the least surprised to hear that Mercury Productions, the brand-new company he co-founded with a group of five other theatre lovers, is kicking off its first season with the Bard. "My interest is the classics," he says briskly, speaking always in those dulcet tones. "We thought we'd start off with Shakespeare. Every theatre company has to scale Shakespeare sooner or later." The fledgling company, many of whose members met last summer during a Parks and Recreation production of Twelfth Night, opens Thursday, June 12, at the Tucson Center for the Performing Arts, with The Merry Wives of Windsor. The very next week, on Wednesday, June 18, Mercury opens Measure for Measure. The two works, making up what the company calls the Tucson Shakespeare Festival, will then play alternately though June 28. The Merry Wives of Windsor, Shakespeare's only domestic comedy, is probably also the closest the playwright ever got to a sex farce. It's the comical story of Falstaff in love, or at least in lust, with a couple of sturdy English matrons who don't hesitate to play tricks on him for his knavery. Measure for Measure, set in ducal Vienna, is a much darker meditation on power, lust and moral probity. A young nun is given an evil choice: submit to a rape by the duke, or see her brother put to death. It's ambitious for a new company to take on these two plays at once, lining up casts of Tucson veterans and newcomers, but it's not extraordinary. The surprise comes when Dooley explains his wildly inventive take on these two classics. Merry Wives, instead of being set in the Queen's own town of Windsor, will take place in suburban America in the late 1950s. What's more, Dooley boasts, "It's the only Elvis-karaoke production ever. There are lots of Elvis songs." The audience will have the opportunity to sing along on such tunes as "Hound Dog," "Love Me Tender" and "Suspicion." A cast of eight will do "frenetic doubling" to pull off the some 20 characters in the play. And, oh yes, a full-scale Martian invasion has been added to the sacred text. Measure for Measure, Dooley continues, will get an "expressive, postmodernist, cyberpunk" interpretation by a cast of 16 or 17 players. "It will be hyper-contemporary or almost futuristic." Whatever would his Cambridge dons have said? "Our mission is to produce relevant productions of classical plays," an unabashed Dooley explains. And relevant, to Mercury, means "innovative and exciting." After all, the company takes its name from Orson Welles' old Mercury Theater, and it was Welles who declared that in theatre, "The essential is to excite the spectators. If that means playing Hamlet on a flying trapeze or in an aquarium, you do it." The aquarium, Dooley says dryly, was not possible. "The Tucson Center for the Performing Arts wouldn't let us do the aquarium thing, but we did have some other ideas. We're aiming to entertain, confront and excite our audiences--exactly what I think Shakespeare was aiming at." Even if the Queen would disagree. Mercury Productions opens The Merry Wives of Windsor at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 12, at the Tucson Center for the Performing Arts, 408 S. Sixth Ave. Shows continue this weekend at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. Measure for Measure opens at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 18. After that, the two productions will alternate at various times through Saturday, June 28. Tickets are $10, $8 for students and seniors. If you buy a ticket at the same time for both productions, the costs are $17 or $13. For information and reservations, call 620-2110.


Arizonans have two choices to stop legislative tampering with successful initiatives. By Dave Devine THE ARIZONA Legislature is infamous for failing to implement successful propositions it doesn't like. Take the case of the "Healthy Arizona" initiative. Adopted two years ago by a wide margin, the act was intended to provide health care to more poor people and to fund six specific programs. But the Legislature simply decided not to implement it. Then there's the medical marijuana initiative, which would have allowed doctors to prescribe pot to relieve the suffering of people stricken with AIDS, cancer and other illnesses. The Legislature forced numerous changes in that law as fast as it could. It was those changes, in fact, that sent supporters of the medical marijuana initiative back to the street to gather nearly a quarter-million signatures for Prop 105, which sets tougher requirements to protect adopted propositions. Unhappy with the language of Prop 105, another group of citizens worked with the Legislature to put an alternative, Prop 104, on the ballot. Both sides are now trading blows. Supporters of the citizen's initiative call Prop 104 "a tool of deception," "watered down," and "The Politician Protection Act." Meanwhile, backers of the Legislature's alternative say 105 includes language that's "a lawyer's dream and the public's nightmare" and a financing mechanism which is "horribly defective." Both of these ballot measures proclaim the same goal: to ensure that the will of the voters as expressed through adopted ballot propositions is carried out. But the differences between the two are substantial. Proposition 105 would prohibit the governor from vetoing a voter-approved proposition, like former Gov. J. Fife Whiteguy III threatened to do before he was convicted out of office. The Legislature would also not be permitted to repeal these propositions. To amend an approved proposition, three-fourths of each house of the state Legislature would have to support the change. These amendments could only "further the purposes of such measure." For propositions which contain funding appropriations, Prop 105 denies the Legislature the power to appropriate or divert this money unless "at least three-fourths of the members of each house of the legislature...vote to appropriate or divert such funds." Adopted ballot propositions covered by this measure would be those approved this year or later. It does not retroactively apply to ballot issues adopted before 1998. Opponents of 105, who instead support 104, point to several potential problems with its language. For starters, what does "furthers the purposes of such measure" mean when it comes to possible amendments? They say such vague language will lead to court cases to decide legislative intent. Opponents also complain that, under the terms of Prop 105, 45 out of 60 members of the state House and 23 of 30 state Senators have to authorize the appropriation of funds contained in approved propositions. For example, if this proposition applied to the annual $20 million for Heritage Funds taken from lottery proceeds every year, that funding could face an authorization hurdle annually. Dennis Burke, Arizona Director of Common Cause, thinks this three-fourths requirement will empower a fringe element in the Legislature. He believes there would be "horrendous battles over annual appropriations" and that the proposition's language in this regard is "horribly defective." To correct these deficiencies, Common Cause and other groups worked with the Legislature to place Proposition 104 on the ballot. Burke says this action "wasn't the typical end run by the Legislature" to try to confuse the voters. Instead, he says, the language of 104 makes it preferable to 105. Proposition 104 applies to all existing and future approved ballot measures. Like 105, it prohibits the governor from vetoing these propositions. But this measure does allow the Legislature to "amend or substantially modify" adopted propositions. It also permits the diversion or withholding of money authorized by these measures. A two-thirds vote of each house of the Legislature would be required to accomplish either of these steps. In addition, this ballot question puts in place a mechanism for the Legislature to repeal an entire proposition after five years. It also allows the Legislature at any time to send back to the voters a proposed repeal or amendment to an approved proposition. Those who favor 105 and oppose 104 call it a "bait and switch" trick by the Legislature, the very people it is supposed to restrict. They think it is intended to confuse voters and that the stricter requirements of 105 are needed to protect approved propositions. Why should you trust the Legislature, they ask, when that is the very institution which has caused the problems?
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The government plans to eventually liberalise the cost of fuel at the pumps, which has been on the cards for some-time now.

It has stated that a zero-tolerance approach to market monopolisation would be taken.
Over the past day, four ceasefire violations by the armed formations of the Russian Federation were recorded in the Joint Forces Operation area in eastern Ukraine.

"In particular, the enemy opened fire from 120mm mortars near Krasnohorivka (21km west of Donetsk) and Nevelske (18km north-west of Donetsk); grenade machine guns and heavy machine guns  outside Luhanske (59km north-east of Donetsk)," the press center of the JFO Headquarters informs.

In Luhansk region, the enemy Orlan-10-class UAV overflew the line of contact. The drone was timely suppressed with radio-electronic warfare equipment.

Ukrainian soldiers opened fire in response to the enemy shelling.

As of 7 a.m. on June 30, three ceasefire violations were recorded. Invaders used hand-held antitank grenade launchers near Zolote-4 (59km west of Luhansk); tripod-mounted man-portable antitank guns  outside Novoselivka (16km west of Luhansk); 82mm mortars  in the area of Novhorodske (35km north of Donetsk).

No combat casualties among Joint Forces personnel were reported.

The Ukrainian side of the JCCC promptly responded to violations through the OSCE SMM, using the coordination mechanism.

The situation in the Joint Forces Operation area is completely controlled by the Ukrainian military, the JFO Headquarters reports.

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UkraineChina partnership is based on mutual recognition of independence and sovereignty, security, and economic growth of each country and is not directed against any third party.

"UkraineChina partnership is based on mutual recognition of independence and sovereignty, security and economic growth of each party. And, what is extremely important and in the interests of the two peoples, it is not directed against any third party," Professor Oleksandr Lytvynenko, Director of the National Institute for Strategic Studies, Doctor of Political Science, said at the round table discussion on "Ten years of UkraineChina strategic partnership: results and prospects" on June 29, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

The expert noted that the existing legal framework of bilateral relations between Ukraine and China ensured their positive development and created a rather big potential for the future.

"At the same time, we must be very clear that the opportunities created by the international situation, the objective and national interests of the parties have certain rather serious limitations. Awareness of these limitations and understanding of their nature and significance should be a very important basis for our bilateral cooperation in order to avoid annoying situations possible in the past and to assess the possibility (occurrence) of other negative situations in the future," said the Director of the National Institute for Strategic Studies.

He noted that further deepening of the strategic partnership between the two countries provided for strengthening UkraineChina dialogue and cooperation within the UN and other multilateral dimensions, cooperation on regional issues, active trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation.

Finally, Lytvynenko noted that China had been Ukraine's largest trading partner in recent years, and the growth potential remains rather big.

The Joint Declaration on Establishment and Development of Strategic Partnership between Ukraine and China was signed during the state visit of the then President of the People's Republic of China Hu Jintao to Ukraine on June 20, 2011.

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The National Bank of Ukraine (NBU) and representatives of the UKs All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ukraine discussed the stabilization of the Ukrainian economy after the coronavirus crisis, the initiative to create a specialized financial court, the development of green finance, and the digitalization of the Ukrainian economy.

NBU Governor Kyrylo Shevchenko wrote about this on his Facebook page.

"Yesterday I met with representatives of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Ukraine led by Mark Pritchard. We discussed the stabilization of the Ukrainian economy after the coronavirus crisis, the initiative to create a specialized financial court, the development of green finance, and the digitalization of the Ukrainian economy. We also paid attention to expanding cooperation with London Stock Exchange," Shevchenko wrote.

He stressed that international partners had assured of Ukraine's support and expressed hope for close cooperation with the Government, the Verkhovna Rada, and the National Bank of Ukraine in the coming years.

"I thank Mark Pritchard and his colleagues for the meeting. For thirty years since our independence, the United Kingdom has been a respected partner of Ukraine. The National Bank also maintains close cooperation with British government agencies and business institutions," he said.

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Over the first six months of 2021, eleven export markets opened for Ukrainian producers, almost as many as in 2020 when 12 export markets opened.

As the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection informs, the markets of Lebanon, Japan, Argentina, Libya, and Kuwait opened for Ukrainian producers of milk and dairy products this year. The Serbian market opened for producers of processed animal protein, and the Ethiopian market opened for producers of eating eggs. Lithuania opened a market for the export of arachnids for plant protection purposes. A health certificate for the import of live snails for breeding from Ukraine was agreed with Slovakia, and certificates for the export of small cattle were agreed with Jordan and Kuwait.

In addition, the State Service for Food Safety and Consumer Protection noted that 63 forms of certificates for products of animal origin had been renegotiated with the CIS member states in connection with Ukraines withdrawal from the agreement on veterinary cooperation.

An agreement on cooperation in the field of plant quarantine and protection was signed between the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy of the Republic of North Macedonia.

In March 2021, the EU recognized Ukraine's zoning on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza and resumed the export of poultry products to the EU. On May 28, in accordance with the provisions of the World Organization for Animal Health, Ukraine was recognized as an avian flu-free country.

Over the past six months, two audits were carried out - assessment of official control over the production and certification of milk and dairy products and audit of the system of state control over microbiological contamination of non-animal products intended for export to the European Union.

Each new market is a new opportunity for Ukrainian business. Today we are actively working with EU countries, with very promising countries in Asia and Africa. There are about a hundred more export markets which are planned to be opened for Ukrainian producers, said Vladyslava Mahaletska, Head of the State Service of Ukraine for Food Safety and Consumer Protection.

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Today, Apple has opened its official office in Ukraine, intending to deliver devices independently and control the stores of official dealers.

"Today, Apple has opened its official office in Ukraine. Yesterday, the company launched customer support service in Ukrainian. Such news shows a high level of trust in Ukraine, which strengthens our image and attracts new investments," Deputy Prime Minister  Minister of Digital Transformation of Ukraine Mykhailo Fedorov posted on Facebook.

Apple plans to deliver devices to Ukraine independently and control the stores of official dealers that provide the company's services in Ukraine, the minister added.

According to him, "we have been working closely with Apple, both European and American offices, for more than a year. Together we plan to launch new Apple services for Ukrainian customers. We are working to adapt Siri assistant to the Ukrainian language, improve Apple Music recommendations for our users, create separate lists with Ukrainian performers."

Over the past year, Fedorov noted, "Ukraine has made a breakthrough in the digital sphere and I am glad that international partners understand this. I am grateful to Apple for paying special attention to our market."

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Five member states of the MH17 Joint Investigation Team insist on bringing to justice not only the perpetrators but also the Russian Federation as a state.

Since 2014, five countries have been most active in the investigation  Ukraine, the Netherlands, Belgium, Australia, and Malaysia. These countries set up a joint group. They worked out various options on how to bring to justice those who shot down Boeing. The first option was to establish a special tribunal under the auspices of the UN Security Council. A resolution was drafted and received general approval. The Russian Federation was the only country that vetoed this resolution, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Ukraine to the Netherlands Vsevolod Chentsov said on the air of Dom TV channel.

He said that the countries then had focused on two options: The establishment of a hybrid tribunal by these five countries (there were such precedents) or the transfer of the case to national jurisdiction. Finally, it was determined that the national jurisdiction of the Netherlands would be applied during these negotiations.

As noted, the topic of the downed Flight MH17 appears in several lawsuits. For example, the case is being heard by the District Court of The Hague, and its purpose is to identify the individuals responsible for the tragedy.

Besides, Ukraine prosecutes the Russian Federation as a state at the UN International Court of Justice on the basis of the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism, Chentsov added.

"In addition, there is a trial in Strasbourg. There are two lawsuits that were initiated by Ukraine and the Netherlands, they are now merged into one," the Ambassador noted, emphasizing that both the Dutch government and society pay great attention to this investigation.

Undoubtedly, this is one of the most important issues on the agenda in the Netherlands This issue is constantly on the agenda of both the parliament and the government, and international cooperation is very intensive," the diplomat said.

"Apart from these five countries, which I have already mentioned, all the countries whose citizens were killed in the crash are actively involved. In particular, financial support for the investigation is also provided by these countries. These are global measures to bring individuals and the Russian Federation as a state to justice, Chentsov summed up.

Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, en route from Amsterdam to Kuala Lumpur, was shot down over occupied area of Donetsk region on July 17, 2014. There were 283 passengers and 15 crew members on board. All of them died. The international Joint Investigation Team reported that the plane had been shot down from a Buk missile system that belonged to the 53rd Anti-Aircraft Missile Brigade of the Russian Armed Forces stationed in Kursk.

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Yang Chen, professor at the Shanghai Academy of Global Governance and Area Studies, predicts that the coronavirus pandemic will affect bilateral relations between Ukraine and China for at least another ten years.

He said this at a round table discussion on "Ten years of Ukraine-China strategic partnership: results and prospects" on June 29, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

In the next ten years, bilateral relations between the countries, in particular between China and Ukraine, will be affected by the coronavirus. A very important task for China and Ukraine is to adjust the structure and strengthen bilateral cooperation in order to effectively combat the effects of the coronavirus and its impact, the professor said.

He noted that according to some academic studies, we should not rush to talk about ending the coronavirus pandemic. Therefore, speaking more carefully, we need to prepare for the fact that the coronavirus will continue to affect our economies and bilateral relations. We should develop those sectors of the economy that are most flexible in the face of the pandemic, for example, e-commerce, Yang Chen said.

According to the professor, despite the pandemic, China is confident that the country's sustainable development will not stop, and its desire and ability to share the results of its development with other countries will also not disappear.

He assured that China will in no way stop the development of the Belt and Road Initiative due to the pandemic.

As reported, a joint declaration on the establishment and development of strategic partnership relations between Ukraine and the PRC was signed during a state visit to Ukraine by the then President of the People's Republic of China Hu Jintao on June 20, 2011.

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The payment of compensation to individual families does not relieve Iran of international legal responsibility for the downing of the Ukrainian Flight PS752 over Tehran on January 8, 2020.

"Addressing the Iranian side, I can say that payments to individual families do not relieve Iran of its international legal responsibility. Iran will not manage to avoid paying compensations. There is no precedent in the world practice when victims did not receive compensations after a plane crash," Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Yevhenii Yenin said in an interview with Radio Liberty, Ukrinform reports.

According to Yenin, the Government is confident that the amount of compensation that will be agreed during the government talks will be higher than the amount offered unilaterally or as its starting negotiating position by the Iranian side.

"Unfortunately, I cannot name the exact date when this will happen in this situation, it depends on many factors. But I can say with confidence that no one will be left without compensation. We will use all our resources and the help of our partners to protect the interests of all those affected by this tragedy," the Deputy Minister stressed.

As reported, on June 7, the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Ukraine announced the start of payment of compensation to families of those killed in the downing of the UIA plane near Tehran in 2020.

On January 8, 2020, Ukraine International Airlines plane (Flight PS752) heading from Tehran to Kyiv crashed shortly after taking off from the Imam Khomeini International Airport. There were 176 people on board  nine crew members (all Ukrainians) and 167 passengers (citizens of Ukraine, Iran, Canada, Sweden, Afghanistan, Germany, and the UK). All of them died.

On January 11, the Iranian authorities, after several days of denials, admitted that the Ukrainian plane had been mistakenly shot down by surface-to-air missiles.

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Ukraine is ready to help Belarusian civil society maintain access to Eastern Partnership activities and projects, as well as to promote further dialogue and contacts between Belarusian civil society and the European Union.

The decision to suspend participation in the EUs Eastern Partnership initiative demonstrates disrespect for the values of democracy, the rule of law, and human rights on which the Eastern Partnership is based. Most importantly, it contradicts the interests of the Belarusian people and their historical belonging to the family of European nations, reads the statement by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine on the decision of Belarus to suspend participation in the EU's Eastern Partnership initiative.

Ukraines Ministry underscores that this unilateral step in no way deprives the Belarusian people of their right to rapprochement with the European Union and cooperation within the Eastern Partnership on the basis of European values and with a view to strengthen the European idea in the region.

At the same time, the current situation in the Eastern Partnership on the eve of its forthcoming summit shows the urgent need to rethink the strategic goal of this important EU initiative, strengthen its geopolitical significance, and open up European prospects for those member states that seek them. This will promote the development of cooperation of all states in the region on the basis of European values, strengthen their resistance to external challenges, says the statement.

It is noted that for this purpose Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova launched a format of enhanced cooperation  the Associated Trio. It aims, among other things, to develop the principle of differentiation within the framework of the Eastern Partnership, to define new far-reaching goals for the integration of Eastern partners into the EU, to strengthen their security and resilience to hybrid threats.

The Associated Trio is set to be at the forefront of the Eastern Partnerships development in order to fulfill the European aspirations of its member states and ensure further rapprochement with the EU, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine stressed.

On June 28, the Foreign Ministry of Belarus announced the suspension of participation in the European Union's Eastern Partnership initiative. The reason for this position is "the inadmissibility of sanctions as an instrument of pressure on a sovereign and independent state."

Belarus also starts a procedure to terminate the readmission agreement with the EU. The Permanent Representative of Belarus to the EU is recalled to Minsk for consultations.

The European Union expressed regret over the Lukashenko regime's decision to withdraw from the Eastern Partnership program, noting that the move contradicts the interests of the Belarusians and is aimed at further isolating the country.

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Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal has called a land reform one of the most important and long-awaited reforms in the history of independent Ukraine.

He said this at a regular government meeting on June 30, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"One of the most important and long-awaited reforms in the entire history of independent Ukraine will start tomorrow. Ukrainians will become the real owners of their land, because they will be able not only to own it, but also to use it freely. This is enshrined in the Constitution, but in fact it was impossible due to the moratorium," Shmyhal said.

According to him, there is not a single successful country with a moratorium on the introduction of a civilized land market. "From tomorrow it will not be in Ukraine as well. We are grateful to President Volodymyr Zelensky for his political will on this issue, since his programs started this important path for our country, the prime minister added.

As reported, on March 31, 2020, the Verkhovna Rada passed the Law "On Amendments to Certain Legislative Acts of Ukraine Concerning the Circulation of Agricultural Land." On April 28, it was signed by President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The document lifts the moratorium on the sale of agricultural land, except for state-owned land, from July 1, 2021. Citizens of Ukraine, territorial communities, and the state may acquire the right of ownership of agricultural land plots.

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Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal hopes that the Common Aviation Area agreement with Ukraine will be signed this autumn.

"I hope that we will be able to sign the agreement on Common Aviation Area with the EU this autumn. Such an agreement means that Ukrainian carriers will get expanded access to the EU market and European companies will enter Ukraine instead. The competition will help reduce prices," Shmyhal said at the Cabinets meeting on June 30, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

He added that the Council of the European Union had previously agreed to conclude the aviation agreement with Ukraine. This is one of the five visa-free regimes that Ukraine plans to sign with the EU in the coming years.

"Aviation visa-free regime goes along with our industrial, customs, digital, and energy visa-free regimes," he said.

Shmyhal stressed that the Government had a clear roadmap for European integration and was systematically implementing it not only to join the EU one day but also to change the country for the better.

On June 28, the Council of EU greenlighted signing the Common Aviation Area agreements with Ukraine, Armenia, Tunisia, and Qatar.

The European Common Aviation Area is a bilateral agreement between the EU and third countries that establishes common safety standards and liberalizes market relations in the field of aviation, allowing for more efficient and safer use of airspace.

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Germany and the United Kingdom continue to support Ukraine in achieving peace in its territory and carrying out internal reforms.

This is stated in the Joint Declaration by the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany.

Standing fully behind Ukraines sovereignty and territorial integrity, we strongly support the Normandy format and the continuation of the Minsk process discussions in order to achieve peace and stability in the region. We underline the need for implementing ambitious reforms in order to strengthen Ukraines institutions. Together, we support Ukraines challenging reform agenda, reads the declaration.

The officials also reaffirmed their shared commitment to security, stability, prosperity, democracy, and the rule of law in Eastern Europe and the Southern Caucasus.

As for Russia, the ministers stressed that it was continuing to pose a challenge to European security we will strengthen our and our partners resilience against Russias destabilising behaviour. We will show firmness in our principles to uphold international law or international commitments and the principles of the rules-based security order in Europe against any violations. We will address malign behaviour by Russia, working closely with other Euro-Atlantic partners to protect national security interests, reads the document. At the same time, the diplomats expressed their commitment to conducting constructive dialogue with Russia through appropriate channels in order to make clear expectations and to discuss ideas for concrete solutions on issues of common interest.

The declaration was signed by German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas and UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab in online mode.

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Permanent Representative of the President of Ukraine to the Autonomous Republic of Crimea Anton Korynevych considers the adoption of the Strategy for De-occupation and Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Crimea and Sevastopol to be one of the main achievements of his team.

Korynevych said this during a briefing dedicated to the results of two-year work of the new team of the Representative Office of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"It is very important that Ukraine has finally got this document  the Strategy for De-occupation and Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territory of Crimea and Sevastopol, which is a fundamental document for all state bodies," he stressed.

According to Korynevych, the strategy clearly spelled out all the main provisions related to the de-occupation of Crimea and Sevastopol, and any state body should work on Crimea as written in this strategy.

He noted that an action plan for the implementation of the strategy is being worked out, which should be approved in the near future.

In addition, the permanent representative stressed that Ukraine has a key instrument for the de-occupation and reintegration of Crimea and Sevastopol at the international political level  the Crimean Platform.

In preparation for the Crimean Platform summit, the Representative Offices team took part in about 70 international events. Some 16 delegations of Ukraine's partner countries have already visited the checkpoint located on the border with the temporarily occupied Crimea.

Korynevych called it very important that in 2020 the Day of Resistance to Russias Occupation of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and the City of Sevastopol appeared in the Ukrainian political calendar, which, according to the decree of the President of Ukraine, is marked in Ukraine on February 26 and which supports the narrative of the Ukrainian Crimea.

Anton Korynevych is the 19th representative of the President of Ukraine in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea and Sevastopol. His team started work on June 25, 2019.

As a reminder, the Crimean Platform is a new consultative and coordination format initiated by Ukraine to improve the efficiency of the international response to the occupation of Crimea, respond to growing security challenges, step up international pressure on Russia, prevent further human rights violations, protect victims of the occupation regime, and achieve the de-occupation of Crimea.

The first Crimean Platform summit is scheduled for August 23, 2021.

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The Egyptian Tourism Promotion Board (ETPB) is working to create a Ukrainian-language hotline for tourists, according to Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of Egypt Khaled El-Anany.

He said this at a press conference with Ukrainian journalists in Cairo, according to the Novoye Vremya online news site.

"I was in Ukraine last summer - this was my first visit after the resumption of tourism (after the first wave of COVID-19). I had a very warm welcome. I liked the visit," the minister said.

According to him, at the request of the Ukrainian authorities, his agency appealed to the Chamber of Hotel Establishments in Egypt to make sure that "the Ukrainian language appears everywhere in hotels that Ukrainians visit."

The minister added that ETPB is now introducing a Ukrainian-language hotline.

"I hope it will work very soon. Tourists will have a person who speaks Ukrainian. [] You are a very important source of outbound tourism, this is a request of all your tourists, so we will do it," he said.

El-Anany also said that all new and renovated museums in Egypt would have Ukrainian audio guides.

In 2018 and 2019, Ukraine was in second place by the number of tourists who came to Egypt. About 1.5 million Ukrainian tourists visited Egypt in 2019, and since the resumption of tourism in 2020, Ukraine has been the first source country for outbound tourism in Egypt.

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First Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Chairperson of the National Commission of Ukraine for UNESCO Emine Dzheppar has met with Chairperson of the National Commission of Iceland for UNESCO Ms Saeunn Stefansdottir.

The meeting was also attended by the ambassador of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Iceland for UNESCO, the ministry's press service reported.

Dzheppar informed the interlocutor about the peculiarities of the organization of the National Commission of Ukraine for UNESCO and the process of its reform in accordance with the priorities of the organization. Among the priorities reflected in the draft strategy of the National Commission for UNESCO, she named digitalization and gender equality. Dzheppar noted a positive example of the Foreign Ministry's campaigns to support women's leadership, as well as efforts to create favorable conditions for women's career growth.

In turn, Ms Saeunn Stefansdottir stressed that the issue of gender equality was an integral part of her countrys public policy, including in the context of supporting relevant initiatives within the framework of UNESCOs activities. She also noted the negative impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the situation of women in the world, in particular, the increase in domestic violence.

In the context of cooperation between the two countries in UNESCO, the parties agreed on the need to support initiatives of both countries aimed at protecting human rights.

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Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal says Ukraine is looking forward to the completion of an audit of its digital COVID certificates by the European Commission.

He said this at a government meeting on Wednesday, June 30, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"We are in a constant negotiation process with the Europeans and are looking forward to the completion of the audit of our electronic certificate by the European Commission. Our goal is to return the Ukrainians the opportunity to travel freely around the world. I instruct Vice Prime Minister for European Integration Olha Stefanishyna to step up work on completing the audit of electronic certificates and signing the relevant agreement with the European Commission," Shmyhal said.

The prime minister reminded that the government had already approved a decree defining the procedure for the use of such certificates. Beta testing of digital COVID certificates in the Diia mobile application will begin on July 1. "Everything is ready for the launch of documents," the head of government stressed.

Shmyhal also said that 130 COVID-19 vaccination centers are already operating in Ukraine, and noted the role of local authorities in opening such centers.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Atlantic Integration of Ukraine Olha Stefanishyna announced that Ukraine would complete work on vaccination certificates by the end of June. She assured that the document will comply with EU standards and will allow resuming travel of Ukrainians to EU countries.

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Published June 30, 2021

Dr. John W. Sutherlin is the University of Louisiana Monroe Chief Innovation and Research Officer. Sutherlin is a ULM Professor of Political Science, author, patented inventor, and film producer. Siddharth Gaulee/ULM Photo Services

We want to do the things that matter, that will have an impact.

What are attributes shared by visionary tech billionaire Bill Gates, civil rights leader Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and rock legend David Bowie?

Fearlessness is what John W. Sutherlin, Ph.D.,  the University of Louisiana Monroes first Chief Innovation and Research Officer  puts at the top of the list.

Whether tech wizards or social justice activists or pop music boundary-breakers, they all take significant risks and force a different way of looking at things, according to Sutherlin, providing examples for how to approach entrepreneurial innovation at the university.

Our fear of failure holds us back, Sutherlin said. It takes dedication to remain open to change and to stay relevant and innovative.

Our fear of failure holds us back. It takes dedication to remain open to change and to stay relevant and innovative. Dr. John Sutherlin Chief Innovation and Research Officer

This very willingness to take risks is what young university students often have in droves, Sutherlin said, which is why he strives to reach first-generation students and those from diverse backgrounds to stoke their interest in research and innovation.

People of different backgrounds can bring good ideas and need to be encouraged to pursue their interests without fear, he said.

Sutherlin said his role is to act as a facilitator, searching for innovative work-study opportunities and internships through partnerships with the public/private sector. At the same time, he identifies internal opportunities with the assistance of faculty and staff across all disciplines.

We do not want to exclude any decent ideas, he said. We want to do the things that matter, that will have an impact.

Some of these ideas may lead to commercial developments, while others will be more academic. Much of Sutherlins role is based on research into similar innovation hubs at universities across the state and the nation.

These hubs have emerged in response to the nations pivot toward a project-based economy. The need for agile solutions to real-world problems is pressing, and having idea-fostering environments is essential to creating change.

As Chief Innovation and Research Officer, Sutherlin is exploring several possibilities, including stackable micro-credentials  short courses that will develop specific, relevant skillsets within a student  which may be paired with a more traditional degree.

For example, according to Sutherlin, there could be opportunities for a student to earn a certificate in computer coding paired with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology.

Sutherlin said the best synergy occurs when everyone, whether a member of the ULM community or a member of the business community, comes together to identify challenges and workable solutions that will benefit the region.

Theres a give-and-take that occurs, a free flow of information from the community to the university and back. This give-and-take is essential to doing research and innovation with impact, he said.

Sutherlin is not entirely new to the innovation mindset.

A professor of Political Science in the College of Business and Social Sciences, Sutherlin served as director of ULMs Office of Sponsored Programs and Research for three years. He developed the first licensing agreement for a ULM invention that continues to pay royalties to the university.

Sutherlin also co-founded the Social Science Research Lab at ULM and recently participated in the development of King Springs, a bottled water company in Ouachita Parish. He joined the university in 2005 and is an author, film producer, and patented inventor.

In 2021, Sutherlin and co-author Daniel Elliot Gonzales wrote Playing with Fire  The Strange Case of Marine Shale Processors, published by Hamilton Books. The true story chronicles a group of Louisiana women taking on the largest hazardous waste company in the world in a fight for their families' health and well-being and the environment.
Mihret, 25, will never forget that day in November 2020 when her entire world was upended after violence erupted in her hometown in Tigray.

It was like watching a documentary on television, except it happened in real life, she says.

Her slight frame belies her confident personality and steely resolve to make it in the harsh environment that she now calls home  Tunaydbah refugee settlement in eastern Sudan.

I thought I wouldnt get out alive. I was really scared, says the former lecturer and civil engineer who was on campus when commotion and confusion ensued as sounds of gunfire and bombs rent the air.

When I left the office, I saw crowds everywhere. Everyone was running to save themselves and their children. The roads were filled with people pushing each other, she adds.

I thought I wouldnt get out alive. I was really scared.

She ran to her aunts house and waited for nightfall before making their escape. Together with her aunt and cousins, they hid in the bush for days without food or water as it was too dangerous to be out on the open road. They eventually made it across the border into Sudan after walking long distances over harsh terrain.

Ethiopian refugee Mihret, 25, takes details of a child at the clinic where she volunteers in Tunaydbah settlement, Sudan.  UNHCR/Ahmed Kwarte

Mihret, an Ethiopian refugee and engineer, checks the water level in a tank set up at the mobile office base in Tunaydbah settlement, Sudan.  UNHCR/Ahmed Kwarte

Mihret, 25, an Ethiopian refugee and engineer, oversees construction at a site in Tunaydbah settlement, Sudan.  UNHCR/Ahmed Kwarte

Mihret, 25, chats with her aunt as she makes traditional Ethiopian coffee in her shelter in Tunaydbah settlement, Sudan.  UNHCR/Ahmed Kwarte

Like the tens of thousands of Ethiopians who have fled to Sudan, Mihret barely carried anything with her. But she counts herself lucky as she managed to escape with her life and has her younger brother, aunt and cousins with her in Tunaydbah.

We are the lucky ones, she says. So many people, our friends and our families died back there and on the way. Their bodies werent even buried. I am happy we survived.

Since she arrived in the settlement, she has been struggling with the memories of the atrocities she says she saw and are still fresh in her mind.

Children and mothers were raped. Pregnant mothers gave birth and on the same day, they had to run away on foot, she recalls, her tears finally giving way. She clasps her hands firmly together to steady them.

Her pain is tangible, but she seems determined to overcome her trauma and rebuild her life. She adds that she finds some solace through work and she is using her skills to volunteer as a site supervisor in the camp, working with UNHCR, the UN Refugee Agency and other agencies like the International Humanitarian Partnership (IHP) to oversee the setting up of a mobile office base in the settlement and the construction of various facilities like latrines.

UNHCR and partners are providing basic services like food, shelter, healthcare, water and sanitation to refugees in the settlement, while also identifying ways to assist them set up businesses and earn some income.

Majority of refugees here are children and youth, like Mihret, who have some skills and academic qualifications.

Back home, Mihret studied construction and graduated with a diploma and then went on to study for a degree in Construction Management. She plans to get a masters eventually.

I love engineering, she says. Since I was a child, I loved making things and my dream was to be a doctor, an engineer or a pilot.

On most days, Mihret is up by 6 am and works until 2 pm, checking the generators at the mobile office, the water tanks and general construction in the settlement. Later in the afternoons, she volunteers at the health clinic, assisting refugee mothers to get medical services for themselves and their children.

I do it because many in my community, especially the mothers, dont understand the language here. They need help and I want to help them, explains Mihret who speaks Arabic, the official language spoken in Sudan.

Now we know how important [peace] is because we have lost it.

When she is not at work, she spends time with her aunt and newly acquired friends in the settlement, making traditional Ethiopian coffee and reminiscing about home.

We were living a good life back home. I miss hanging out with my friends, the freedom to move around and to communicate, she says.

Despite everything she has been through, she is hopeful that things will get better.

God tells us not to lose hope, she says, squinting at the midday sun.

She adds that she will continue working and helping her community until the day she can return home when there is peace.

Before, we didnt know the value of peace but now, we know how important it is because we have lost it.
Fardowsa Gedi with books donated by the European Union to support refugee children in the Dadaab refugee camps in Kenya.  UNHCR/Mohamed Maalim

Seated in the middle of her class, 17-year-old Fardowsa Gedi tries to catch up with an on-going lesson of her favourite subject mathematics.

In 2012, Fardowsas family fled drought in Somalia and now live in the Ifo camp, which is the oldest of the three refugee camps in the Dadaab Refugee Complex located in Garissa County in north-eastern Kenya.

I was only nine when we arrived in Kenya. We left our hometown Buale in Somalia because there was no food left for my family, says Fardowsa. The family came from the southern part of the country where people were starving.

All the cattle died. Our country only had staple food supplies such as cornmeal or millet. What little was left was sold for high prices. Even the food reserves from food aid programs were running out and armed groups werent allowing food aid to be delivered for a long time, says Gedi, Fardowsas father.

Between mid-2011 and mid-2012, drought caused a severe food crisis in Somalia and other countries in the region, which threatened the livelihood of some 9.5 million people. Many people from southern Somalia fled to neighbouring Kenya and Ethiopia.

Despite over 30 years of conflict and displacement, many Somalis have been able to rebuild their lives and thrive in their new homes.

Learning from her own experiences and challenges and foreseeing the developing role of women, my mother often talked to me about becoming a good person, a good partner, a good mother, but also about the importance of personal growth and accomplishment, Fardowsa adds.

My mother told me that if I really want it, I can become a doctor. She also told me that even the biggest dreams can come true.

She wants me to help people in our poor, remote community back home as a doctor, she remarks.

On 15 March 2020, the Kenyan Government closed all schools and colleges nationwide as prevention against the spread of COVID-19. The closure of institutions not only affected learners and teachers, but it also brought numerous economic and social issues, including education exclusion, child protection, increase in teenage pregnancy, and sexual exploitation among other issues.

The year 2020 was terrible for refugee children in Dadaab, as schools were closed almost the whole year. We anxiously waited for schools to reopen for children to continue with their studies, says Mr. Aden Hassan, the head teacher of Friends Primary School in Ifo refugee camp.

We revised our notes as we waited for new instructions from the Ministry of Education. In the beginning, I thought the schools would open again quickly, as I found math difficult to study at home alone. Most topics were difficult to understand without the help of a teacher, says Fardowsa.

With the support from our donors and partners such as the European Union, UNHCR and education partners in Kenya adopted a remote and digital learning environment including live radio lessons and e-learning for refugees to continue to access education during the COVID-19 pandemic. The European Union is supporting refugee children in both Dadaab and Kakuma refugee camps and Kalobeyei Settlement with learning materials like textbooks and solar-powered lamps for them to study at home.

In 2020, UNHCR, education partners and schoolteachers ensured that students did not miss lessons despite the school closure. We joined WhatsApp groups where teachers were able to share learning materials and teach us virtually. We also got self-study revision textbooks, says Fardowsa.

According to Dakane Ahmed Bare, UNHCRs Education Officer in Dadaab, digital learning platforms such as Google Classrooms, social media platforms and Community Learning Boards became efficient alternative teaching methods during the closure.

Teachers prepared tailor-made teaching and digital learning materials for the different grades and ages. This was a success considering there were no physical classes during most of the year, he adds.

Pursuing education remains a challenge for Fardowsa but she is not giving up her hopes and dreams.

Im going to focus on biology and chemistry when I start high school. I really want to become a doctor.

Despite the current circumstances, she is well aware of how important education is and she is determined to do her best to make her dreams come true.

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The Al-Masri family from Damascus in Syria, who were among the first group of asylum seekers relocated to Slovenia from Greece.  UNHCR/Spela Majcen

Brussels  As Slovenia takes the helm of the Presidency of the European Union (EU) on 1 July, it has an important opportunity to lead and seize the moment to better protect refugees both in Europe and globally. Building on the progress made under its predecessor Portugal, including advancing work to establish a European Union Asylum Agency, we at UNHCR are hopeful that the incoming Slovenian EU Presidency will continue to build bridges and explore avenues to broker agreement on the proposed EU Pact on Migration and Asylum.

This is of vital importance to break years of deadlock on EU asylum matters and finally put in place a truly common and sustainable system. A humane one that swiftly provides protection to refugees  people fleeing horrific war, violence and persecution. And a fair one that also works for all countries across the EU equally as they share responsibility for refugees, in the spirit of the Union and its values.

UNHCR supports the direction of the proposed EU Pact, including its much-needed commitment to enhance search and rescue to save lives at sea, and to ensure predictable disembarkation for those rescued. Crucially, it is clear on the need to uphold the right to seek and access asylum in the EU  there can be no compromise when it comes to guaranteeing this fundamental right.

There is no single solution to preventing and responding to forced displacement. It requires a comprehensive approach in Europe and beyond. But with a range of actors pulling together, in keeping with the Global Compact on Refugees (GCR), sharing responsibility to effectively support refugees and host countries is possible.

We hope that the EU will continue on its good path in supporting the GCR, as it has done to date in many countries where refugees reside. With 86 per cent of refugees in developing countries, not in Europe, continued and increased EU financial (humanitarian and development) and political support is essential for regions and countries outside the EU hosting large numbers of people forced to flee. In addition, predictable, flexible and unearmarked EU funding would enable UNHCR to respond faster to the many ongoing crises and emergency situations around the world and save more lives. Increased resettlement of refugees from outside Europe and other legal pathways will also provide safe ways for refugees to come to Europe and avoid them going through dangerous routes.

With numbers of new arrivals to Europe manageable, the EU can well afford to play its part in better protecting refugees. This starts with leading by example on its own soil and never wavering when it comes to upholding the 1951 Refugee Convention to which all EU Member States are signatories  a life-saving tool that is as relevant today as it was 70 years ago when it granted safety and protection to Europeans in need.

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For many, 26 is a time of extreme transition with minimal societal support. (Dreamstime/TNS)
Darlene LeBlanc, 63, grooms her horse, Pepsi, on Wednesday at her home in Spring Hill. LeBlanc suffers from chronic migraines. (Douglas R. Clifford/Tampa Bay Times/TNS)
Jacob Parr stands with an anchor and other items he's retrieved from water while magnet fishing Thursday, June 24, 2021. (Jonathon Gruenke/Newport News Daily Press/TNS)
THE OTHER DAY I mentioned to a guy I know that some Buddhist monks in Nepal are fans of my song Slow Days of Summer, according to their ESL teacher Jennifer who stopped me on the street to tell me, and I said (which is the truth) that I felt enormously honored, whereupon the guy said that 
Some New Hampshire Republicans (and not a few Democrats) are already suffering angst at the possibility that Gov. Chris Sununu may set his sights on a U.S. Senate seat next year. What will become of New Hampshire if the young man opts to save Washington from the clutches of Maggie Hassan and
IN THE aftermath of the New Hampshire budget debate, there will be a lot of energy spent tallying the winners and losers of the process, with a lot of focus on how this two-year spending blueprint reflects on political leaders and on the political parties. The time spent on the most contro
Catherine H. Lewis, 93, peacefully went to be with her Lord June 28, 2021, at Southern Pines in Thomasville, GA. She was born August 22, 1927, in Milledgeville, GA as an only child to the late Oscar P. Hodges and Annabelle Leveritte Hodges. She was married 75 years to the late James M. Lewis
Union Springs, AL (36089)

Today

Partly cloudy early followed by scattered thunderstorms this afternoon. High 87F. Winds ESE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 60%..

Tonight

Cloudy. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 71F. Winds light and variable.
The University of Nebraska KUDOS award recognizes the accomplishments of outstanding employees and is presented six times a year during NU Board of Regents meetings.

Is there an employee you feel is deserving of the KUDOS award? Nominate them today through the new People Are Everything software.







The Nebraska Board of Regents presented a KUDOS Award to Sarah Weil, UNO Title IX Coordinator, as part of its June Meeting.

Sarah has been with the university since 2019, when she joined as the Deputy Title IX Coordinator, but moved into her current role on an interim basis in 2020 and formally in 2021. As part of her roles and responsibilities, Sarah oversees compliance, education, and campus leadership for statutes, regulations, and investigations related to Title IX and sexual misconduct policies at UNO.

In her nomination, Sarah was applauded for going above and beyond by leading several important updates to campus policies including the development of a unifying policy and procedure document for the University of Nebraska system. This included development of new Sexual Misconduct Policy, new sexual misconduct procedures for employees and sexual misconduct procedures for students.

Sarah is also responsible for spearheading efforts to understand and respond to new guidelines developed and released by the U.S. Department of Education, which the university would need to be in compliance with. In partnership with campus stakeholders Sarah identified and ensured necessary updates to important documents used regularly as part of the compliance process.

Additionally to the necessary updates, Sarah was noted for her dedication to inclusion, making sure that any new forms and documents used appropriate language for impacted individuals. This also included a new training program that was updated and used inclusive language and terminology.

Beyond these major campus initiatives, Sarah is lauded for her integrity and calm under pressure, navigating difficult discussions and decisions that bring with them high levels of emotion. However, this focus has not impacted Sarahs welcoming presence and commitment to making everyone is not only informed but supported.

All of these attributes make Sarah a valuable member of both the Maverick family and the larger University of Nebraska community.
(UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 30th Jun, 2021) Abu Dhabi, 29th June 2021 (WAM) - H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, received the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs, Yair Lapid, who is in the UAE on his first official visit to the country.

H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed held an official reception ceremony to Yair Lapid upon his arrival to the Ministry's headquarters in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of ministers and senior officials from both sides.

Sheikh Abdullah welcomed the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs and his accompanying delegation and discussed with him ways to enhance Emirati-Israeli relations in the light of the Abraham Peace Accord, signed between the two countries.

The two sides also reviewed the situation in the middle East and the importance of building on the Abraham Accords to achieve peace and to strengthen regional security and stability.

Sheikh Abdullah highlighted the importance of this visit, saying it will open wider horizons for the development of relations between the two countries in all fields, in a way that will serve their common interests and benefit their peoples.

He said that in less than 100 days, the UAE will host Expo 2020 Dubai, a major global event which will be attended by over 195 countries. He added that he looks forward to seeing a remarkable Israeli participation in this global platform to shape a post-COVID-19 future and to continue heading on the path for sustainable development.

Sheikh Abdullah and Lapid signed an agreement for economic and commercial cooperation between the two countries.

Afterwards, Sheikh Abdullah hosted an official reception in honour of the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs and his accompanying delegation.

Present were Ali Saeed Matar Al Neyadi, Chairman of the Federal Customs Authority; Khalid Abdullah Balhoul, Under-secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mohammed Mahmoud Al Khaja, UAE Ambassador to Israel, and a number of Emirati and Israeli officials.
(@FahadShabbir)

DUBAI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News / WAM - 30th Jun, 2021) The Emirates Mars Mission (EMM), the first interplanetary exploration undertaken by an Arab nation, today released the first global images of Mars in the far-ultraviolet, providing new insights into the discrete aurora phenomenon in Mars nightside atmosphere. The images have revolutionary implications for our understanding of the interactions between solar radiation, Mars magnetic fields and the planetary atmosphere.

"These unique global snapshots of the discrete aurora of Mars are the first time such detailed and clear observations have been made globally, as well as across previously unobservable wavelengths. The implications for our understanding of Mars atmospheric and magnetospheric science are tremendous and provide new support to the theory that solar storms are not necessary to drive Mars aurora, commented EMM Science Lead, Hessa Al Matroushi.

The images, taken by the Hope Probes EMUS (Emirates Mars Ultraviolet Spectrometer) instrument, show a ghostly glow known as the discrete aurora. Its intricate patterns trace out the regions where Mars enigmatic crustal magnetic fields act like a funnel to guide fast electrons from space down into the atmosphere, causing it to shimmer in a manner similar to Earths aurora. This influence of localised magnetic fields is a unique feature of the Red Planet as Mars, unlike Earth, does not have a global magnetic field generated by the planets core. The most sensitive ultraviolet instrument yet to orbit Mars, EMUS is able to image these dynamic auroral events globally at high resolution and across a wide range of wavelengths, providing an unprecedented window upon the interaction of the atmosphere with solar particles.

While previous studies had theorised the discrete aurora is tied to Mars magnetic fields and existing observations had been consistent with that theory, prior images of this phenomenon at this quality had only been available as artists impressions.

"We have totally blown out ten years of study of Mars auroras with ten minutes of observations," said EMM Deputy Science Lead Justin Deighan. "The data we are capturing confirms the tremendous potential we now have of exploring Mars aurora and the interactions between Mars magnetic fields, atmosphere and solar particles with a coverage and sensitivity we could only previously dream of. These exciting observations go above and beyond the original science goals of the Emirates Mars Mission."

One of three instruments on board the Mars Hope Probe, EMUS principal science goal is the measurement of oxygen and carbon monoxide in Mars thermosphere and the variability of hydrogen and oxygen in the exosphere. Members of the science team who had previously worked on the MAVEN Mission had recognised the potential for the more sensitive EMUS instrument to capture new aspects of Mars auroral phenomena, but the results of early observations have exceeded their wildest expectations.

Three types of aurora have been observed around Mars to date: the diffuse aurora are observed only during intense solar storms, when interactions with the highest energy particles cause the atmosphere around the entire planet to light up. In contrast, the discrete aurora is highly localised and observations made to date have appeared to bear out the theory that it is directly linked to the patchy magnetic fields produced by magnetized minerals embedded in Mars surface. Both of these aurorae are observed on Mars nightside, while a third class, the proton aurora, has been measured on Mars dayside and is driven by interactions between the solar wind and Hydrogen in Mars exosphere. These three types of aurora had previously been identified by ultraviolet instruments aboard the Mars Express and MAVEN missions orbiting Mars, but clear global images of the discrete aurora were elusive until the new observations by EMM.

"Mars aurorae are an area of intense interest to the global scientific community and their study has tremendous potential to challenge, expand and deepen our understanding of Mars atmosphere and its interaction with the planet and with solar energies," said Matroushi. "We were hopeful that EMUS could make a contribution in this area but we now know with absolute certainty that contribution is going to be ground breaking."

Hope is following its planned 20,000  43,000 km elliptical science orbit, with an inclination to Mars of 25 degrees. The probe will complete one orbit of the planet every 55 hours and will capture a full planetary data sample every nine days in a two-year mission to map Mars atmospheric dynamics.

EMM and the Hope probe are the culmination of a knowledge transfer and development effort started in 2006, which has seen Emirati engineers working with partners around the world to develop the UAEs spacecraft design, engineering and manufacturing capabilities. Hope is a fully autonomous spacecraft, carrying three instruments to measure Mars atmosphere. Weighing some 1,350 kg, and approximately the size of a small SUV, the spacecraft was designed and developed by Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Centre (MBRSC) engineers working with academic partners, including LASP at the University of Colorado, Boulder; Arizona State University and the University of California, Berkeley.

The EMM will study the Martian atmosphere, the relationship between the upper layer and lower regions and, for the first time, the international science community will have full access to a holistic view of the Martian atmosphere at different times of the day, through different seasons. In addition, it will now aim to make significant contributions to our understand of Mars aurorae.

The Hope Probes historic journey to the Red Planet coincides with a year of celebrations to mark the UAEs Golden Jubilee.
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ISTANBUL, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Jun, 2021 ) :Secretary-General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Nayef al-Hajraf, met on Wednesday in Riyadh with commander of the US Navy, Lieutenant-General Char-less Cooper, to discuss ways of strengthening the security and safety of waterways and marine navigation in the region.

A statement issued by the Gulf bloc said the discussions focused on "the importance of enhancing cooperation in marine security within the framework of the partnership strategy between the GCC and the United States.

" The two sides also discussed fields of joint cooperation to ensure safety and freedom of navigation movement in the Arabian Gulf, the statement said.

The Gulf countries host a number of US navy, air and ground military bases, including the command of the fifth fleet in Bahrain.

The region witnesses a high level of tension between Iran and some Gulf states, including Saudi Arabia. Both Riyadh and Washington accuse Tehran of threatening marine navigation by targeting oil ships, an accusation denied by Iran.
Rome, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Jun, 2021 ) :Graphic video images surfaced Wednesday of dozens of Italian prison guards beating unarmed inmates with truncheons and fists in the aftermath of a coronavirus-related protest last year.

The April 6, 2020 incident at the Santa Maria Capua Vetere prison north of Naples was captured on surveillance footage and published by Italian daily Domani on Wednesday, prompting outrage but also calls of solidarity with the guards.

Prosecutors launched an investigation last year following complaints by prisoners of retaliatory beatings carried out over four hours the day after an inmate protest prompted by news that an inmate had tested positive for Covid-19.

Fifty-two people working in the prison network faced arrest or legal action in the case this week, accused variously of torture, violence and abuse of office, with a total of over 110 people under investigation.

They include eight guards arrested and another 18 placed under house arrest on Monday, including the local penitentiary police commander, two commissioners and three inspectors.

The regional director of prisons has been suspended.

In the more than six minutes of footage compiled by Domani, filmed in various corridors and stairwells inside one of the prison wings, dozens of prison guards, many of them in helmets and carrying shields, can be seen setting upon inmates.

Prisoners are seen covering their heads as they hurry through a human corridor of guards, receiving slaps on the head, kicks and beatings with truncheons as they pass.

In other images, prisoners -- some of them limping and in visible pain -- can be seen climbing a stairway where guards on a landing slap them or beat them with their batons.

The images also show an inmate in a wheelchair being hit on the back, and at least three men who have fallen to the ground being beaten and kicked.

- 'Cull them like calves' - At least 150 inmates barricaded themselves inside their cells during the Santa Maria Capua Vetere protest last year, according to news reports, nearly a month after a wave of riots in Italian prisons spurred by demands for Covid-19 tests and anger at the banning of family visits during the coronavirus lockdown.

During the April 6 violence in the medium and high-security prison that holds more than 900 people, some inmates were made to strip before being beaten, while others were arbitrarily placed into solitary confinement, according to witness testimony cited by prosecutors.

Text messages between guards revealed that the operation, which involved over 280 penitentiary police, was planned and retaliatory in nature, prosecutors said.

"Tomorrow with wrench and pickaxe in hand, we'll cull them like calves," wrote one guard in a chat, according to prosecutors, who determined that a follow-up prison report that blamed inmates for resisting guards was false.

Publication of the video images prompted diverging reaction, with the head of Italy's left-leaning Democratic Party, Enrico Letta, denouncing the guards' actions as "intolerable" and calling on the justice minister to address parliament on the matter.

After initially expressing their solidarity with the prison guards after news of the arrests Monday, Italy's far-right parties Wednesday pointed a finger at the newspaper Domani for disseminating photos of accused guards.

Matteo Salvini, leader of the far-right League party, told Radio CRC he planned to visit the prison on Thursday.
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VIENTIANE, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Jun, 2021 ) :Lao Ministry of Health on Wednesday confirmed the first three cases of Delta variant of COVID-19.

Deputy Director General of the Department of Communicable Diseases Control under the Ministry of Health, Sisavath Soutthaniraxay, told a press conference in Lao capital Vientiane on Wednesday that 20 new cases of COVID-19 have been recorded over the past 24 hours, including 16 imported cases and four local transmissions.

Sisavath said the three cases of Delta variant of COVID-19 were detected in southern Laos' Champasak province, who were migrant laborers returning home from Thailand.

As Laos had detected the Delta variant within its borders for the first time, all residents must redouble efforts to take proper precautions against the spread of the virus, as the variant is known to spread faster and is deadlier than other strains of COVID-19, he said.

As of Wednesday, the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Laos stood at 2,121 with three deaths.

A total of 1,981 COVID-19 patients have recovered and been discharged from hospitals.

Laos reported its first two confirmed cases of COVID-19 on March 24 last year.
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London, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Jun, 2021 ) :Serena Williams's innocuous slip that ended her Wimbledon campaign at the first hurdle symbolised the manner in which her powers have been steadily sliding away.

The question is whether the "heartbroken" 39-year-old American legend wants her fans' last memory of her on a stage where she has won seven singles titles to be that of her eyes-filled with tears as she limped off.

"I feel sad for Serena," said 2013 Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli on the BBC after Williams was forced to quit her match with Aliaksandra Sasnovich after just six games.

"I sincerely hope it is not the last time we see her at Wimbledon.

"The way she waved at the crowd, and put her hand on the heart to show her appreciation, I hope it is not a farewell." The problem for Williams is the target of equalling Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles looks more remote than ever.

Back in 2017, when she won the Australian Open to move to within one of the controversial Court's tally, she looked odds on to achieve that and more.

Even after taking time out that year to have her baby daughter Olympia she was expected to return as dominant as before with few likely rivals on the horizon.

However, since then it has been a tale of regression by degrees from reaching four finals -- two at Wimbledon (2018/19) and two at the US Open (2018/19) -- and falling short every time.

Last year, albeit one in which Wimbledon did not take place due to the coronavirus pandemic, her fortunes dipped even lower as for the first time since 2006 she failed to reach a Grand Slam final.

Despite the hits Williams remained outwardly confident at least that she was still capable of equalling Court's mark even after withdrawing from her second round match at the 2020 French Open.

"I'm pretty good at it still and I'm so close to some things, so I feel like I'm almost there," she said.

"I think that's what keeps me going."
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Brussels, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Jun, 2021 ) :United States is urgently requesting the EU delay a bloc-wide digital tax, warning it could torpedo international talks to overhaul global taxation, according to a US diplomatic document seen by AFP on Wednesday.

The argument has been made over recent days in a discreet but strongly argued diplomatic outreach by Washington to a handful of EU capitals, diplomats said on condition of anonymity.

The EU levy, due to be announced by the European Commission on July 14, "threatens the work being undertaken via the OECD/G20 process," said the US document.

"We urge you to work with the European Council and the European Commission" to delay its release, the document added, referring to the European institutions that will carry through the EU's plan.

Its timing "would risk entirely derailing the negotiations at a sensitive juncture," the US added.

Negotiations involving 139 countries are currently under way at the OECD in Paris to strike an important preliminary deal on global taxation in time for a meeting of G20 finance ministers in Venice on July 9.

Talks would then continue with hopes for a final deal later in the year.

Diplomatic sources told AFP the request by the US was delivered to ministries in several EU countries, including Germany, the Netherlands and Nordic countries, although authorities refused to confirm the lobbying effort on the record.

Along with Ireland, the countries approached by Washington were behind the demise of a previous plan for an EU digital tax that would have seen taxation increase for US tech giants.

Subsequent national digital taxes by France, Spain and others had drawn a fierce response from then-US president Donald Trump, who slapped trade tariffs on wine and other iconic EU products in response.

- 'Unilateral' - Countries are now negotiating a US-backed global minimum corporate tax of at least 15 percent along with a second provision that would allow nations to tax a share of the profits of the world's most profitable companies, regardless of where they are headquartered.

While not yet public, the European Commission insists its new levy plan would conform with whatever is agreed at the OECD and would hit thousands of companies, including European ones.

Money raised from the digital tax is intended to help pay for the bloc's 750-billion-euro ($890-billion) post-pandemic recovery plan.

The US said that, "while we appreciate the repeated public statements" on the matter, it viewed a delay as necessary to satisfy "important stakeholders" who would bristle at any "unilateral measure" by Europe.

In Washington, the US State Department and US Treasury Department declined to comment to AFP when asked about the request for a delay.

"The United States is focused on finding a multilateral solution to a range of key issues related to international taxation, including our concerns with digital services taxes," a State Department spokesperson said.

The US request comes just weeks after an EU-US summit in which US President Joe Biden and EU chiefs announced a reset of relations after four difficult years during the Trump presidency.

Both sides announced a five-year truce in a two-decade-old fight over Airbus and Boeing subsidies. But other tricky issues remain, including a refusal by the Biden administration to drop import tariffs on European steel and aluminium.
China on Wednesday handed over 200 mobile oxygen concentrators to Pakistan in an effort to help the country's battle against COVID-19 pandemic

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 30th Jun, 2021 ) :China on Wednesday handed over 200 mobile oxygen concentrators to Pakistan in an effort to help the country's battle against COVID-19 pandemic.

In a ceremony held here, Chinese Ambassador, Nong Rong handed over the oxygen concentrators to National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) Chairman Lieutenant General Akhter Nawaz Satti, said media release.

The ceremony was attended by officials from Chinese embassy, health and foreign affairs ministries and NDMA.

The NDMA chairman on behalf of people and the government of Pakistan thanked the Chinese side for donation of oxygen concentrators.

Speaking on the occasion Ambassador Nong Rong said China Pakistan relations were growing stronger with the passage of time.
Pakistan's High Commissioner Moazzam Ahmad Khan is currently visiting Birmingham and Wales as part of his efforts to reach out to the community and explore avenues of multifaceted cooperation between Pakistan and the United Kingdom

ISLAMABAD, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 26th Jun, 2021 ) :Pakistan's High Commissioner Moazzam Ahmad Khan is currently visiting Birmingham and Wales as part of his efforts to reach out to the community and explore avenues of multifaceted cooperation between Pakistan and the United Kingdom.

On the second day of his visit, the High Commissioner held detailed meetings with Mayor of West Midland Combined Authority, the Lord Mayor of Birmingham, MP from Birmingham, local councillors, officer bearers of Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, leading businessmen, Chief Executive Officer of Edgbaston Stadium, Senior Management of Birmingham City University and media persons.

In his virtual meeting with the Mayor of West Midland Combined Authority Andy Street, the high commissioner discussed issues of mutual interest including those relating to Pakistani diaspora, said a news release received here on Saturday.

While appreciating the close association of the mayor with Pakistani diaspora in the West Midlands, the high commissioner underscored the importance of further strengthening the bond through more avenues in the post COVID-19 period. He also extended an invitation to the mayor for a visit to Pakistan. In his talk with MP Khalid Mehmood and Mike Olley, Executive Director of Westside Business Improvement District (BID), the envoy discussed possibilities of further fortifying the strong multifaceted relations between the two countries.

He noted that the presence of a large Pakistani diaspora provided a strong base for special and strong bilateral relations. He also spoke on matters of business improvement with the executive director.

In his interaction with Lord Mayor of Birmingham Muhammad Afzal, local councillors and Chief Executive Officer of Edgbaston stadium Stuart Cain, the high commissioner discussed matters pertaining to youth, tourism and trade.

Meeting with business community and the office bearers of Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce including Mandy Hayes, Anjum Khan, Nasir Awan and Stefanie Bowes remained very productive in terms of identifying tangible steps for enhancing bilateral commercial relations.

While highlighting Pakistan's improved ranking in terms of ease of doing business, the existence of a huge market of 222 million people with large middle class, availability of English speaking economical skilled labour and business friendly legislative framework, the high commissioner called upon the interlocutors to invest in and trade with Pakistan.He also visited Birmingham City University and discussed with Professor Dr. Hanifa Shah, Pro Vice Chancellor, Julian Bear, Deputy Vice Chancellor, and other senior faculty members, avenues and possibilities of enhancing cooperation in higher education and research.\932
RAWALPINDI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 29th Jun, 2021 ) :Chief of Army Staff (COAS) General Qamar Javed Bajwa Tuesday said Pakistan valued its relations with European Union (EU) and is earnestly looking forward to enhance mutually beneficial multi-domain relations based on common interests.

The Army Chief had a Video Call with Chairman European Union Military Committee (EUMC) General Claudio Graziano, said an Inter Services Public Relations (ISPR) news release.

During the call, matters of mutual interests, regional security situation including recent developments in Afghan Peace Process and enhanced bilateral cooperation with European Union (EU) came under discussion.

The dignitary also appreciated Pakistan's role in regional peace and stability especially the Afghan Peace Process.

Both the dignitaries pledged to play their role for further improvement in cooperation at all levels.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th June, 2021) The leader of the Nigeria's Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) separatist group, Nnamdi Kanu, has been arrested and put on trial in the capital of Abuja, local newspaper Punch reported on Tuesday.

According to the newspaper, the country's justice minister and attorney general, Abubakar Malami, confirmed that Kanu was detained on June 27. However, no further details have been disclosed.

"Self-acclaimed leader of the proscribed secessionist Indigenous People of Biafra, Nnamdi Kanu, has been arrested through the collaborative efforts of Nigerian intelligence and security services," Malami was cited as saying by the Punch.

Kanu has been charged, among others, with "instigating violence especially in the South Eastern Nigeria," the statement read.

The next court hearing is scheduled for July 26.

Kanu was previously detained in 2015 for terrorism and management of an illegal organization, but was let go on bail and fled the country. In 2017, the Nigerian government banned the IPOB.
MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th June, 2021) The Malian government should step up efforts in protecting the human rights in the country and holding those responsible for their abuses accountable, Michelle Bachelet, the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, said on Tuesday.

"I again urge the Malian authorities to break the cycle of impunity and establish prompt, thorough, impartial and effective investigations into all allegations of human rights violations and abuses, including those committed by the military. Accountability must prevail to ensure peace," the commissioner said.

According to the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), since the beginning of 2021, there have been reported 617 human rights abuses in Mali, including 165 killings and 328 abductions, marking a steep 37% increase from the previous half a year.

The UN human rights mission in Mali has also registered an increase in violations by state actors  213 in the first half of 2021 as opposed to 53 in the last half of 2020. Majority of those, some 155 violations, were committed by the Malian Defence and Security Forces and consisted mostly of extrajudicial executions of civilians.

The rest of the human rights abuses were perpetrated by such groups, as the Jama'at Nusrat al-Islam wal Muslimin (affiliated with Al-Qaeda, banned in Russia) and the Islamic State in the Greater Sahara (ISIS, banned in Russia), the OHCHR added.

Mali has been roiled by Islamist insurgency since militants linked to the al-Qaeda terror group (banned in Russia) highjacked a Tuareg rebellion in 2012.
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UNITED NATIONS (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 30th June, 2021) The UN Security Council unanimously adopted four resolutions, including a document renewing the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) sanctions regime for one year.

The document, adopted on Tuesday and prepared by France, "decides to renew until July 1, 2022, the measures set out paragraphs 1 to 6 of resolution 2293 (2016) [arms embargo, travel ban, assets freeze]."

The UN Security Council introduced sanctions concerning the DRC in 2003 in response to acts of violence perpetrated by armed groups against civilians.

In another resolution, the UN Security Council renewed the mandate of the UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA) for one year.

The council also unanimously agreed to renew until December 31, 2021 the mandate of the UN Disengagement Observer Force in the Golan Heights (UNDOF).

In addition, following up on the death of International Court of Justice Judge James Richard Crawford in May this year, the UN Security Council, in another resolution, decided to hold an election on November 5 to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the term of office.
EES staff member helps honor Veteran through congressional fellowship

Vaughn T. Cooper is an instructional designer and project manager within the eLearning Division of the Employee Education System (EES). In this role, he uses analytical skills to enhance providers knowledge, skills and abilities to empower Veterans to live fulfilling lives. However, during 2020, he had the opportunity to work full-time on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. as part of the third class of VA staff to be Congressional Fellows. VA Congressional Fellows work as subject matter resources in the Capitol Hill office of a member of Congress or with a congressional committee. Cooper worked in the office of U.S. Senator Todd Young (R-Indiana), as a legislative assistant on his national security team, and in doing so, he not only gained experience helping Congress develop policies for the benefit of Veterans, he was also pivotal in helping preserve the legacy of Americas first female Marine.

Cooper said the Fellowships purpose is to provide members of Congress a resource, in the form of a VA Fellow, who can assist with VA issues. Providing this resource is an opportunity to better inform members and their staff about the full scope and limitations of what VA does as an enterprise. His work with the senator included foreign relations, national security, armed services and Veterans.

I led project management of legislative actions (bills), provided analysis of legislative co-sponsoring opportunities, attended briefings with stakeholders, including Hoosier (Indiana) Veterans and families to better inform the office of issues of importance to constituents, said Cooper. Importantly, I kept the senators team apprised of changes in VA policies and served as a resource for inquiries initiated by Senator Youngs office.

A VA employee since 2007, he explained that Senator Young was interested in commemorating a significant historical act among Hoosiers. As part of the centennial celebration of womens suffrage and winning the right to vote Aug. 26, 1920 with the certification of the 19th Amendment, Cooper researched Indianas history of patriotic women. Among them was Opha May Johnson.

On Aug. 13, 1918, during World War I, Johnson was a Kokomo, Indiana native who enlisted as a Marine at age 40. She is known to be the first of 305 women to do so. Having a woman in the ranks was so new that default male pronouns needed to be crossed out on Johnsons enlistment papers. Her education and experience made her a qualified candidate, and the Marine Corps recognized her skills and maturity to assist younger women. Newspapers proclaimed Johnson, the first woman in the Marines, would look after the interests of the young women who are to be enrolled in the Marine Corps Reserve and detailed as clerks.

Her first assignment was in the office of the Quartermaster General of the Marine Corps under Brigadier General Charles L. McCawley in Arlington, Virginia. She managed the records of other new women Marine reservists. On Sept. 18, 1918, Johnson was promoted to Sergeant and was a senior enlisted woman in the Marine Corps by the end of WWI. After the war, the Marine Corps began discharging women from active duty, but Johnson continued serving as a civil servant in the War Department until she retired in 1943.

It was February 2020 when Cooper led the writing process for the Opha May Johnson bill, and he explained that there were a number of options for commemorative legislation including Federal buildings, postage stamps, coins and more. For this bill, the goal would be to name one of two U.S. Post Offices in Kokomo after the Marine Veteran.

Then you wait for the big day when the committee markup session includes your bill. Yes, this is where humming the School House Rock song, Im Just A Bill happens, explained Cooper. For him, July 23, 2020 was the big day as the Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs released the bill for a floor vote. The bill was then assigned to the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders; Calendar No. 496. Then you wait for the Senate Majority Leader to bring your bill to the floor for a vote. Yes, this is where humming the School House Rock song happens again.

On Nov. 18, the bill passed the Senate without amendment by unanimous consent. As of Nov. 19, the bill was sent to the House for consideration.

During his year in the Senate, Cooper, like everyone else, also had to contend with the COVID-19 pandemic which modified work practices for the Senate. They followed social distancing guidelines and maintained a light footprint in the workplace. Some Fellows, including Cooper, had to be creative working virtually without a senate issued laptop and had to stay on top of things with a smart phone while teleworking.

However, he was able to continue to work for Veterans diligently on a variety of initiatives including leading the writing of S.5083, Volunteers Improving Social Isolation and Loneliness Together Act of 2020. This bill, introduced in December 2020, establishes a two-tiered pay-for-results pilot program incentivizing volunteers to mitigate adverse health impact of social isolation and loneliness on Veterans, members of the Armed Forces on active duty, members of the National Guard, and their family members. He also led the project management of S.1881, Veterans Expedited TSA Screening (VETS) Safe Travel Act to expand the TSA pre-check program to include Veterans who are amputees, paralyzed or blind if they meet the programs background check and security requirements. This bill is being reintroduced in the new Congress.

Cooper is thankful to his EES coworkers for absorbing his work while he was away, and he feels strongly about the fellowship. It took him two applications to be accepted into it, but in the end, it gave him a sense for not only helping Veterans and families, but also VA in another capacity, and he would love to do it again if he could.

There is a communication gap between the legislative and executive branches, said Cooper. Fellowship programs like this help to bridge the divide and reduce incorrect assumptions that stem from communication delays. For example, I was able to relay VAs status of the MISSION Act during the early stages of the COVID pandemic to the staff, which enabled them to respond more efficiently to constituents reacting to, at times, incorrect media reports. Without a Fellow in the office, a Senate request for information could take weeks to go through formal channels.

He added that for anyone interested, past announcements for applications came out early in the summer of 2020. VAs Office of Congressional and Legislative Affairs (OCLA) has an email group setup for questions at CongressionalFellows@va.gov.

By Gerald Sonnenberg, USAF retired, EES Senior Marketing and Communication Specialist
As Colombia enters its second month of a general strike and anti-government protesters continue to clash with the police, eleven Catholic Bishops organizations from across Europe have joined in a call for dialogue, peace and national reconciliation in the South American nation.

By Lisa Zengarini

Social unrest and violence broke out in Colombia on 28 April when people took the streets to protest, for the most part peacefully, against the governments proposed tax reforms.

Protesters have reportedly faced police brutality, enforced disappearance, sexual violence and torture. Dozens have been killed.

Despite the withdrawal of the controversial tax reform bill, Colombians have continued to protest to highlight widespread poverty and inequality, as well as a lack of access to basic services, such as healthcare and education.

Early in June, President Ivan Duque Marquez allowed a delegation from the Inter-American Commission for Human Rights (IACHR) to visit the country to investigate alleged human violations by police and army forces against the protesters. However, negotiations between Colombian government and protesters are at a standstill as violence continues.

Colombian bishops calling for dialogue and reconciliation

Over the past two months Colombian Bishops have repeatedly urged all sides to refrain from violence and to find a peaceful solution to the crisis.

They were joined on Sunday, 23 May by Pope Francis, who called for a "serious dialogue" to overcome differences.

The Bishops' calls were reiterated on Monday, 28 June, in a joint statement published by CIDSE (Cooperation Internationale pour le Developpement et la Solidarite), an international family of Catholic social justice organisations working for transformational change to end poverty and inequality.

Violence does not resolve problems

Reaffirming that peaceful protest is a right, the signatories reject acts of violence, wherever they may come from, human rights violations, attacks on physical safety and life, disappearances, and the abuse of force.

The organization recalled that, as stated on 4 May by the Bishops of Colombia, violence does not resolve anything; it produces suffering and death.

They echoed the new appeal issued on 23 May by the Colombian Bishops Conference (CEC), which reiterated that dialogue is the most appropriate way to recognise what should always be affirmed and respected in society; to listen, understand and respond effectively to the demands of those who have resorted to the right of peaceful protest, and to build together the reconciliation and peace that we long for.

The European faith leaders also recognise the pain and poverty being experienced in Colombia and express our solidarity with all victims of violence.

Pope Francis' call for dialogue

Finally, the Bishops join Pope Francis prayer of 23 May that the Colombian people may receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit, so that through serious dialogue just solutions may be found to the many problems they are suffering from, especially those who living in greatest poverty due to the pandemic.

Signatories of the statement

The joint statement was signed by bishops from Austria Germany, England, Wales, Scotland, and Switzerland, some of who head national Catholic aid agencies and charitable organizations.

Amongst the signatories Bishop Declan Lang, Chair of the International Affairs Department of the Catholic Bishops Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW), and Bishop John Arnold, Chair of CAFOD, the Catholic international development charity of England and Wales.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un says a "grave incident" has threatened his country's coronavirus prevention efforts  a rare admission by Pyongyang, which claims to be free of COVID-19.

During a Politburo meeting of the ruling Workers' Party, Kim chastised senior officials for unspecified carelessness related to the coronavirus pandemic, the state-run Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said Wednesday.

The officials "have caused a grave incident that poses a huge crisis to the safety of the nation and its people," KCNA said.

The report provided no details about the "grave incident" or how it posed a threat.

North Korea continues to insist it has found zero cases of COVID-19, a nearly impossible claim that is widely disputed by global health experts.

It is not clear whether Wednesday's admission of failure reflects any wider change in North Korea's approach to the virus or if it was a pretext for other domestic plans.

The KCNA report said that several senior officials were replaced during the Politburo meeting, though it did not say if the moves were related to the coronavirus incident.

"The regime may  be using the incident as a way to engage in a small purge, getting rid of unwanted elements and underscoring Kim's rule by fear," said Mason Richey, a professor at South Korea's Hankuk University of Foreign Studies. "The public statement also provides a built-in excuse for future economic downturns."

Since January 2020, North Korea has closed its borders, restricted domestic travel and even cut off nearly all trade with its economic lifeline, China.

Kim has repeatedly warned of a "prolonged" lockdown amid what he says is a worsening global pandemic. State media have warned vaccines produced overseas are no "panacea."

COVAX, the global vaccine-sharing program, had expected to send nearly 2 million doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine to North Korea by the first half of this year. But that has been delayed in part because of ongoing negotiations between COVAX and Pyongyang.

An outbreak in North Korea could be extremely dangerous because many parts of the country are impoverished and lack an adequate health care system.

In a report last week, the World Health Organization said North Korea claimed it had conducted over 31,000 COVID-19 tests, all of which came back negative.

Last July, North Korea seemed to briefly admit that COVID-19 might have entered its borders. State media blamed a North Korean "runaway" who had fled for South Korea but returned to the North.

North Korea said the man was "suspected to have been infected with the vicious virus" but later said his COVID-19 test results were "uncertain."


July 1st marks the 24th anniversary of the moment when Hong Kong reverted from a British colony back to Chinese rule. While changes to the financial hub were gradual at first, China has been quickly reshaping Hong Kong in the past year. VOAs Elizabeth Lee has more. VOA Khmer's Sisovann Pin narrates the story in Khmer.
Zimbabwe Journalist Challenges Arrest, Payment of $500 for Violating Curfew Regulations

Harare Magistrate Barbra Mateko has ordered the Officer In Charge of Marimba Police Station to investigate and provide her with information in relation to how freelance journalist Edgar Gweshe was compelled to pay RTGS$500 fine for allegedly contravening curfew regulations and yet he was arrested before a scheduled curfew.

According to the Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights (ZLHR), Gweshe was arrested on 12 June, 2021, and detained overnight at Marimba Police Station and was released the following day after paying a RTGS$500 fine.

Through his ZLHR lawyer, Tinashe Chinopfukutwa, Gweshe wrote a letter to the provincial magistrate at Harare Magistrates Court protesting and arguing that he was arrested at 8:00pm, way before 10:00pm, which was the scheduled curfew in June.

The freelance journalist says he had refused to pay the fine after explaining his circumstances before his arrest to some ZRP officers but he ended up paying the RTGS$500 fine under protest and desperation to regain his freedom and dignity which had been violated for several hours by ZRP officers who did not allow him access to food and water and to call his lawyers while in detention.

Gweshe was only allowed access to water around 3:00pm on 13 June.

Mateko said judicial officers at Harare Magistrate Court are conducting investigations into Gweshes complaint for them to assess whether they can proceed in terms of section 356 of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, which provides for the setting aside of Gweshes conviction and to be refunded once a judicial officer is satisfied that the freelance journalist should not have been convicted.
This June 13, 2021 photo provided by the Forest Preserve District of Will County in Naperville, Ill., shows a tree at Whalon Lake Dog Park in Naperville that dog owner Asher Thomas sprayed, along with over a dozen other trees, with a pruning sealer that he thought would prevent further damage after another dog owner's German shepherd had gnawed away the bark. Thomas is accused of "altering flora" and was ticketed by Forest Preserve police with a $225 fine.
Rep. Jordan Rasmusson, R-Fergus Falls, revived legislation he authored to reopen the driver testing location in Fergus Falls and it received House approval on Wednesday.

Rasmusson said the closure of the Fergus Falls exam center amid COVID-19 has left many area residents having to travel 100 miles round trip to get to the nearest site. He also noted this has had major impacts on workers who require CDL and school bus licenses to access job opportunities, creating barriers to employment.

Rasmusson previously sought to reopen the Fergus Falls testing location by amending an omnibus transportation package in April. The House majority declined to accept his motion at the time but House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee Chair Rep. Frank Hornstein, D-Minneapolis, pledged to continue working with his Fergus Falls colleague on the issue.

"I also want to commend (Rasmusson) for being very responsive to your constituents and this is exactly the kind of information that we need to make good decisions , Hornstein said on the House floor in April. I'm committed to continuing to work with you, and I really want to get up to Otter Tail County. I want to commend you for your efforts."

That omnibus bill from the regular session never was enacted and an opportunity to revisit Rasmussons proposal arose during a special session which started June 14 to finish assembling a new state budget. Rasmusson said he continued working with Hornstein to ensure his proposal would be included in the second go-round and it was. A provision providing $3 million to reopen the Fergus Falls exam center and 92 others around Minnesota was included in SSHF 10, which was approved 112-21 on Wednesday.

The Senate was expected to follow suit and send the bill to Gov. Tim Walz for enactment.

I am grateful to see the provision included in the final transportation package and thank Chair Hornstein for his willingness to hear me out on this proposal, Rasmusson said. It just shows that good things can happen when we put politics aside and focus on doing whats best for Minnesotans. We kept working on this issue and, in the end, found a solution that will benefit people in Otter Tail County.

Otter Tail County Board of Commissioners Chair Leland Rogness expressed his gratitude for the provision in a letter to the House and Senate transportation chairs. It reads, in part:

In my capacity as Chair of the Otter Tail Board of Commissioners, I want to express my sincere appreciation for your dedication and commitment to ensuring the reopening of the Fergus Falls Drivers Exam Center due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As you know, the closure resulted in significant impacts to our residents and area businesses. In visiting with employees from community education and human services, the closure disproportionately impacted our most vulnerable residents. The Transportation Budget Bill was welcome news to many people in our community and across Minnesota.
According to a document from the British Ministry of Defense which reached the BBC, the mission of "HMS Defender" was to provoke a hostile reaction from Russia.

The large aeronaval maneuver Sea Breeze, officially "co-hosted by the United States and Ukraine" in the Black Sea, began yesterday. The United States planned and command it, it is, therefore, the host in this sea close to Russian territory. Sea Breeze takes place from June 28 to July 10. It is led by US Naval Forces Europe-Africa / Sixth Fleet with headquarters in Naples. It includes naval, submarine, amphibious, land, and air warfare exercises.

Since this series of annual maneuvers in the Black Sea began in 1997, the 2021 edition sees the largest number of participants: 32 countries from six continents with 5,000 soldiers, 18 special forces teams, 32 ships, and 40 war airplanes. Not only NATO member countries - Italy, Great Britain, France, Spain, Greece, Norway, Denmark, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Albania, the three Baltic republics, Turkey and Canada  participate in it, but partner countries like Georgia, Moldova, Sweden, Israel, and above all Ukraine. Other nations sent their military forces to the Black Sea: Australia, Japan, South Korea and Pakistan, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco and Senegal, and Brazil. The fact that military forces are deployed in the Black Sea, even from Australia and Brazil for this great maneuver under US command directed against Russia, is in line with what Joe Biden promised: "As president I will immediately take steps to renew the alliances of the United States, and make America, once again, lead the world. The war maneuver in the Black Sea, the largest to date, demonstrates that President Bidens steps go in the direction of a growing escalation against Russia and at the same time against China.

Sea Breeze 2021 actually began on June 23, when the British warship HMS Defender sailing from Ukraine to Georgia entered Crimeas territorial waters. A deliberate provocative act [1] claimed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who declared that Great Britain can again send its warships to those waters since it does not recognize the "annexation of Ukrainian Crimea by Russia" [2]. This hostile action, certainly concerted with the United States, was implemented just a week after the Biden-Putin Summit, defined by the US president "good, positive"; a week after Russian President Putin warned in the press conference in Geneva: "We conduct military exercises within our territory, we do not bring our equipment and personnel close to the borders of the United States of America, as the US and its partners are doing now near our borders. This hostile action was implemented by Great Britain just two weeks after the signing of the New Atlantic Charter with the United States, in which their Allies are assured that they will always be able to rely on "our nuclear deterrents" and that "NATO will remain a nuclear alliance.

The deliberate violation of Crimean territorial waters made the war maneuver in the Black Sea even more dangerous. This act, if repeated, may have the aim of provoking a Russian military response possibly with some dead or wounded, to accuse Moscow of aggression. It is not a coincidence that some architects of the Maidan Square putsch in 2014 hold important posts in the Biden administration, such as the current Undersecretary of State for political affairs Victoria Nuland. The putsch set in motion a sequence of events, the bloody offensive against the Russians of Ukraine pushed the inhabitants of Crimea - Russian territory passed to Ukraine in Soviet times in 1954 - to decide the secession from Kyiv and the reannexation to Russia with 97% of votes in a popular referendum. NATO and the EU accused Russia of having illegally annexed Crimea and subjected it to sanctions. Now, they want to move from political to military confrontation. They play with fire, even with the nuclear one.
Javaid Rehman, United Nations Special Rapporteur on the situation of human rights in the Islamic Republic of Iran, formally called for an investigation into the massacre of thousands of political prisoners in 1988 in Iran and the role allegedly played by the new president, Ebrahim. Raisi.

At the end of the war that Iraq  instigated by Western powers  had launched against Iran, Ayatollah Rouhollah Khomeini issued a fatwa (or religious decree) ordering the execution of those Iranians who had voluntarily fought in the service of the Iraqi aggressor. 

An emergency court interpreted this order as a blank check to execute all members of the Peoples Mujahedin organization as well as left-wing party activists.

Ayatola Hossein Ali Montazeri, designated at the time to succeed the Suprese Leader, tried unsuccessfully to go against the court, arguing that Ayatollah Khomeini was arbitrarily widening the true scope of the fatwa.

Over a period of two weeks, the emergency court summarily convicted several thousand people who were immediately hanged or killed by a firing squad. The number of victims is estimated to be between 2,500 and 30,000.

By definition, Iranian collaborators who had joined the Iraqi army were no longer be on Iranian territory. Therefore, Imam Khomeinis fatwa was actually directed against those who had been taken prisoner on the battlefield.

President Ebrahim Raissi served as Tehran deputy prosecutor.

A few months later, Ayatollah Montazeri was deposed, Ayatollah Khomeini died, and Ayatollah Khamenei succeeded him. The foundations of the new regime were laid.
The Russian delegation that has been in Lebanon for a week, has offered to tackle the problems plaguing the country in terms of food, drinking water and electricity supply.

Russia has expressed its intention of building grain silos (destroyed by the explosion in the port of Beirut), water purification and power generation plants. Initially, the facilities created through Russian investments would be owned by Russian state companies. Once fully absorbed, after some 30 years, they would pass into the hands of the Lebanese state.

Less than 3 weeks ago, Hezbollah announced its intention to turn to Iran if the Lebanese state proved incapable of resoving the severe food shortage, lack of drinking water distribution and power generation.

Taking note of the decisions adopted at the US-Russia summit in Geneva (aka Yalta II), which place Lebanon under Syro-Russian tutelage, on 26 June Walid Jumblat, Druze leader of the Progressive Socialist Party allied to the United States, set the seal on his reconciliation with pro-Russian Druze leader Prince Talal Arslan. Meanwhile, militiamen from both parties guilty of murdering members of the other party over the past three years were immediately brought to justice.

France, which harbors the hope of recovering its place as a mandatory power, rejected the conclusions of the Geneva summit regarding Lebanon.

On 25 June, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken stopped over in Paris to appease his French counterpart, Jean-Yves Le Drian, and left Paris assuring that he can now speak about Lebanon on behalf of France and Saudi Arabia.

He then turned up at the Vatican to prepare for the special meeting on July 1st, when Pope Francis will host all the Christian religious leaders of Lebanon, including representatives of the Orthodox and Protestant Churches. Pope Francis is expected to advocate in favor of declaring Lebanons neutrality and placing this country under joint US-Russian tutelage.

Since the French mandate, Lebanon has been constitutionally divided ingo 17 religious communities, mainly composed of Christians, Sunnis and Shiites.
Huntsville's local economy is recovering at a faster rate than the rest of the country.

The Huntsville Madison County Chamber of Commerce says employment in the area has already recovered and the GDP is expected to be back to how it was before the pandemic by the end of this year.

File File

About 170 businesses across the county completed a survey earlier this year to give the Chamber of Commerce a glimpse at how they're getting back to normal.

"Every employer at this point has implemented their own version of COVID recovery, and it's very very unique to each employer at this point," Jeff Gronberg said.

He is the board chair of the Huntsville Madison County Chamber of Commerce. He's also the CEO of deciBel Research. He says he's doing everything he can to get back to normal.

"I am going out to my individual employees on a company basis to try to figure out what kind of policies and things we need to put in place to make sure our employees and our business are successful as we come out of COVID," Gronberg explained.

The chamber's survey found 37% of area businesses have returned to in-person working. Eight percent are still working remotely and 17% adopted a hybrid model. However, nearly 30% of all businesses are unsure on when they might return to normal.

"It's hard to prepare for something like this," Joe Francica said.

Francica created the survey and says the results show the city was not only resilient, but responsive during the pandemic.

"We looped in people from the beginning to share information. We had everyone posting to our websites and our social media channels because there was such an influx of information every day. Things changed and developed," Claire Aiello with the Huntsville Madison County Chamber of Commerce said.

Aiello says even the CDC reached out to them to try to bring their model of sharing information to businesses and the community to other parts of the country.

"We as a community. We as a state managed it very well," Lucia Cape said. "It's almost like it didn't happen now."

However, they warn that while it may seem like things are back to normal they're not.

"This is not over. There are communities in the us and countries that are still just completely wrecked by this disease. The new variant is worrisome, especially in communities with low vaccination rates. We are not really done, so the message would be to stay on course and to keep doing things that keep us safe," Cape explained.

It's important to note that your employer can require you to get a coronavirus vaccine because Alabama is an at will state. However, the survey found that most businesses in the area are not planning to require a vaccine to return to work. Only 10% said they are making it mandatory while another 24% were undecided.
A big part is fear of another housing bubble -- and a disastrous bust. Home prices have surged sixfold over the past 15 years, making new cities such as Shenzhen less affordable than London. The debt binge by Chinese builders has been an important driver of rising prices, forcing them to charge more to cover a rising interest burden. Potential buyers returned en masse as the pandemic crunch eased, keeping pressure on prices despite the global economic slowdown. The worry is that China could repeat Japans mistake in the 1990s of not reining in excessive credit and shutting down insolvent borrowers quickly enough, causing long-term damage to growth in the worlds No. 2 economy. The danger was never so clear as in September 2020, when word of a possible cash crunch at China Evergrande Group, the worlds most indebted property developer, led to a brief liquidity scare. Concerns over the conglomerates financial health resurfaced in mid-2021, causing its stock and bonds to tumble.
Community Plaza, 46900 block, 11:44 p.m. June 19. Two females fought. Afterward, a male got into an altercation with one of the females. Another man jumped on and assaulted the male.
Some activists expressed concerns with adding requirements for recruits as it may disadvantage those without the time or funding to attend the required training. Several residents expressed support for increasing the use of body cameras but called for more civilian access to footage and specifications on how the footage would be reviewed by the department.
Just one major change  a higher minimum wage  is coming to the District on July 1, which is the start of a new fiscal year in its two neighboring states and the day most of their laws begin. The Districts laws generally take effect with the advent of its fiscal year, on Oct. 1. But the citys minimum wage, which is tied to inflation, is set to rise Thursday from $15 an hour to $15.20.
Moreover, Mr. Rumsfeld took issue with warnings that the conflict in Iraq could become a protracted guerrilla war, dismissing enemy fighters as little more than dead-enders from the Hussein era. Eventually, Mr. Rumsfeld recognized that a tenacious insurgency had taken root, but as the violence worsened through 2004, 2005 and 2006, he  along with his top military commanders  resisted arguments that the U.S. troop level in Iraq should be raised. He argued that Iraq needed to avoid developing a long-term dependence on the United States. But in the process, he underestimated the pace at which Iraqs new security and political structures could establish themselves.
One of his most high-profile roles came in 1989, when he defended Wright (D-Tex.), then House speaker, against accusations that he accepted illegal gifts and profited from book sales in violation of House rules. Mr. Oldaker argued that the charges against Wright, highlighted by a special counsel investigation instigated by the House Ethics Committee, were based on a mischaracterization of facts and a retroactive writing of the rules.
These were among reports received by the Calvert County Sheriffs Office and the Maryland State Police for this edition of Local Living. Anyone with information about these crimes is asked to call 410-535-2800 or 301-855-1194 or use the Submit a Tip feature on the mobile app. Call the Crime Solvers line at 410-535-2880 or the state police Prince Frederick Barrack at 410-535-1400.
Khanna discussed the almost 300-page legislation, its complexity and some of the unanswered questions and uncertainty about how this is going to play out, like what exactly constitutes as an open container in a vehicle. People should try to keep marijuana out of their cars, or put it in the trunk if necessary, Khanna said, until theres a better idea of what open-container enforcement looks like.
Photos of the Gansu construction project were supplied to Lewis and Eveleth by the commercial satellite company Planet, which provided a continuous stream of updated images showing progress at each of the construction sites over time. Based on his analysis, Lewis said, there was a very good chance that China is planning a shell game in which it hides a relatively small number of warheads across a network of silos. Still, he said, the sudden appearance of so many new launch sites could increase pressure on U.S. officials to speed up efforts to modernize the U.S. arsenal.
Republicans had complaints about nearly each of those measures. Comer said empowering inspectors general to subpoena former officials lacks necessary safeguards and could end up being used in a politically abusive manner. He warned that if only professionals may fill vacancies, a lesser accomplice of a rogue inspector general could easily be promoted. And he argued that the limited list of fireable offenses would have the effect of preventing a president from removing an IG who is acting in bad faith.
The inquiries include federal, local and privately led efforts, and each involves extraordinary complexity, with an array of factors such as the design of the building and the oceans tides on the night of the disaster under review. The most critical evidence, meanwhile, is embedded in an avalanche of pulverized debris. Experts say it will take months for the rubble to be cleared so the site and materials can be properly studied, and it may be years before investigators can offer definitive conclusions.
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But the obstacles Biden must overcome to get his plan across the finish line  some of which he acknowledged in his speech  were in plain sight. Questions emerged in Washington about exactly how the bill will be financed and whether the ideas that negotiators have offered are sufficient.
After a congressional moratorium on evictions expired last summer, President Donald Trump ordered the CDC to step in. It issued an order in September, citing its power to take emergency actions to stop the infections spread. It said it applied to tenants who, if evicted, would likely become homeless or be forced to live in close quarters in a congregate or shared-living setting.
Alito said Congress had good reason to be more restrictive with those who came back into the country after being deported. Aliens who reentered the country illegally after removal have demonstrated a willingness to violate the terms of a removal order, and they therefore may be less likely to comply with the reinstated order that they leave, he said.
This administration does not take their cues from Republican criticism, nor from the former president of the United States of America, Symone Sanders, a senior adviser to Harris, said on a call with reporters last week. We have said, over a number of different occasions  and the vice president has said, over the course, over the last three months  that she would go to the border. She has been before. She would go again. She would go when it was appropriate, when it made sense.
Lately, shes been back in church  but this time, at Lutheran Church of the Reformation in Washington, D.C., where she has joined clergy and others in a three-week fast to pressure Congress to include a pathway to citizenship for essential workers and undocumented immigrants as part of the infrastructure bill and budget reconciliation process.
This may sound esoteric, but one of the main objectives of Chabad Hasidism is to bring the world to a state of being able to live a messianic life, which is peacefulness, kindness, gentleness and everything that comes with it. A prerequisite of that is bringing forth the wellspring of Hasidic thought. It is concentrated on spirituality, on God, on the soul, on an inner being. To recognize that aspect is a solace in this situation. Many in our community have been exposed to the spirituality of Judaism in such a vital manner that it has been extremely beneficial in creating a bedrock or foundation, where theres some sustenance, theres life thats able to move amid challenges and difficulties. When the physical is challenged to such a degree, theres still that spirituality we can hold onto.
Putin was then asked whether he had actually been vaccinated, because there were no photos or video of him getting a shot. He disclosed that he had opted for the Sputnik V vaccine, saying there wasnt a single serious side effect. He added that his daughter was also vaccinated with Sputnik V.
The two international financial institutions said in a joint statement Tuesday that Sudan has taken the necessary steps to begin receiving debt relief, which amounts to over 90% of the nations total external debt. They said Sudan will benefit from the relief if it continues on its current path of reform for another three years.
The flare-up in Jerusalem on the final days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan presented the first major test of rapidly developing relations between Israel and the UAE. The U.S.-brokered agreement, which was signed by then-Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was the first of its kind by an Arab state with Israel in over two decades, and it paved the path for similar announcements by Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco.
Charles L. Riney, 86, of Washington, went home to be with our Lord and Savior on Sunday, June 27, 2021, at 7:25 a.m. He was born in Washington on Nov. 3, 1934, to Thomas and Ann Marie (Smith) Riney. He loved gardening and spending time with his beloved dog. He is survived by one sister, Paul
Trusted local news has never been more important, but providing the information you need, information that can change sometimes minute-by-minute, requires a partnership with you, our readers. Please consider making a contribution today to support this vital resource that you and countless others depend on.
Macquarie Group is branching into UK rental housing with the creation of a new business thats planning to invest more than one billion pounds ($1.9 billion).

The banks asset management arm will buy, develop and operate multi-family housing complexes in London and other UK cities, according to a statement. The platform, called Goodstone Living, initially plans to raise about 1 billion of debt and equity, said a person familiar with the matter, who asked not to be named because the funding details arent public.

The banks asset management arm will buy, develop and operate multi-family housing complexes in London and other UK cities. Credit:Bloomberg

Macquarie is joining some of the worlds biggest investors by seeking a slice of a property class thats proved resilient during the pandemic. A lack of supply and growing demand across Europe has made purpose-built rental housing an attractive bet for money managers seeking stable returns. They bought more apartments in the first quarter than any other property, with deal volumes surging 36 per cent from a year earlier, according to Real Capital Analytics.

This sector has emerged as a global mega-trend in real estate over the last 10 years, driven by secular trends including urbanisation, digitalisation and demographic shifts, said Dana Gibson, chief investment officer and co-head of Macquarie Asset Managements real estate team in Europe.
AGL Energy has signed off on the demerger it had to have. AGLs strategy is purely defensive and recognises that having misjudged the pace of the environmental movement, doing nothing was not an option.

Splitting the company in two - a cleanco (which will sport the AGL Australia moniker) and a coal based energy provider carbonco (to be named Accel Energy) - may not generate shareholder value and will certainly load up the new AGL with a lot of debt.

And separating the companies will be expensive with estimates it could cost north of $200 million. Shareholders will now no longer receive a dividend bonus promised for financial year 2021 and 2022 under AGLs special dividend program - the equivalent of an extra 25 per cent of profit. It will also introduce an underwritten dividend reinvestment plan as an additional means to conserve capital.

AGL recognises it was late to the environmental push.

The dividend disappointment, combined with a quasi earnings downgrade, explains why the companys share price was battered on Wednesday - down more than 9 per cent.
NSW Healths sewage surveillance program has detected fragments of COVID-19 in the sewerage systems at Hornsby Heights, Dulwich Hill, Canterbury, Homebush, Cronulla and West Camden.

NSW Health says its aware of recently diagnosed cases of COVID-19 in all of these areas except Hornsby Heights.

Hornsby Heights sewage treatment plant serves about 25,600 people in suburbs including Hornsby, Asquith, Mount Kuring-Gai, Mount Colah, Hornsby Heights, Berowra Heights, Cowan and Berowra.

Dulwich Hill sewage network serves about 143,800 people; Canterbury sewage network serves about 104,900 people; Homebush sewage pumping station serves about 40,500 people; Cronulla sewage treatment plant serves about 233,000 people; and West Camden sewage treatment plant serves about 71,000 people.

Anyone who lives or works in any of these areas is asked to be particularly vigilant for the onset of even the mildest of cold-like symptoms, and if they appear, to immediately get tested and isolate until a negative result is received, NSW Health said.
Singapore: A couple of needles in the arm may not be everyones idea of an ideal getaway but Indonesia has unveiled a vaccination holiday scheme that it hopes will draw more tourists back to Bali.

While Indonesia has just endured its worst week of the pandemic in terms of new and active cases of the virus, Bali has been pressing ahead with plans for the province to begin welcoming foreigners again by the end of July.

The beaches of Bali have been emptied by the pandemic. Credit:Getty

President Joko Widodo, known as Jokowi, must still sign off on Balis re-opening and there are indications it may be delayed, with Tourism Minister Sandiaga Uno telling Reuters that Indonesia will be waiting for the situation to be more conducive.

But after prioritising vaccination on the island in a bid to re-boot its tourism-reliant economy, Jokos government is now set to use the lure of a jab as another reason for people to return there.
Miami: Weeks before a Florida apartment building collapsed, the president of its board wrote that structural problems identified in a 2018 inspection had gotten significantly worse and owners needed to pay a hefty price to get them fixed.

The April 9 Dear Neighbours letter from Champlain Towers South Condominium President Jean Wodnicki hinted at an ongoing debate over the repairs and a reluctance by some apartment owners to pay for major work that would cost at least $US15.5 million ($20 million).

People stand near a makeshift memorial outside St Joseph Catholic Church near the Champlain Towers on Tuesday. Credit:AP

A lot of this work could have been done or planned for in years gone by. But this is where we are now, she wrote in the letter, which was confirmed to The Associated Press by a spokesman for the board.

Wodnicki noted costs had increased since an October 2018 report by engineering firm Morabito Consultants first identified key issues with weakening concrete, and she predicted they would only grow more if put off any longer.
GLI launches program to help workers move up in the workforce
Reporter

I cover a range of stories for WDRB, but really enjoy tracking what's going on at our State Capitol. I grew up on military bases all over the world, but am a Kentuckian at heart. I'm an EKU alum, and have lived in Louisville for 30 years.
FILE - In this Aug. 16, 2019 file photo, abortion protesters attempt to handout literature as they stand in the driveway of a Planned Parenthood clinic in Indianapolis. A federal judge has blocked a new Indiana law that would require doctors to tell women undergoing drug-induced abortions about a disputed treatment for potentially stopping the abortion process. The ruling Wednesday, June 30, 2021, came just before the so-called abortion reversal law adopted by Indianas Republican-dominated Legislature was to take effect Thursday. (AP Photo/Michael Conroy)
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Watertown making moves with new development

Ed Zagorski / Ed Zagorski LEFT: It looks as if The Spot will be demolished and KFC is making its way back to Watertown. RIGHT: The former Shopko building will become personal storage Ed Zagorski / Ed Zagorski The former Shopko building will become personal storage with room for other types of development.

It looks as if The Spot will be demolished and KFC is making its way back to Watertown.

And while Pizza Hut will relocate to a new place on Church Street, the former Shopko building will be transformed into an indoor private storage facility with room for retail or other planned development.

Watertown Plan Commission members Monday granted a conditional use permit to EYM Realty of Wisconsin for a group development request at 605 S. Church St. where a new building will be constructed with Pizza Hut and KFC as tenants.

Watertown Zoning and Floodplain Administrator Jacob Maas said Pizza Hut and KFC will each occupy 2,175 square feet of the building with 1,573 square feet left for a third tenant, which could be retail. He said KFC will have a drive-thru, but Pizza Hut will keep its delivery and pickup options for its customers.

But what becomes of the old KFC building at 1212 Utah St.?

Watertown Mayor Emily McFarland said it is for sale.

Even before this project, weve been working with the Realtor on trying to site a new business there, McFarland said. We will continue to attempt to bring the right business there.

She said when the current space for Pizza Hut at 1504 Church St. nears vacancy the city will work with the owner if they want to get a new business in that location.

Maas said there is no timeline on the demolition of The Spot or construction of the new building at 605 Church St.

Watertown Plan Commission members Monday also granted a conditional use permit to allow Secure Storage to create a personal storage facility at 701 S. Church St.

He said the footprint of the former Shopko building will remain 90,000 square feet. Maas said the proposed land use is a personal storage facility, which is proposed to be converted into a climate-controlled facility with indoor access storage units, similar to the Secure Storage conversion of the former Pick N Save located across the parking lot to the north.

When asked if a storage facility should be placed where a retail store once stood, McFarland said big box stores are not heavily relocating anywhere.

The concept of a large retail store going there again is not likely for any city, not just Watertown. Were really pleased with the open communication and idea sharing weve been able to have with the new owners and will continue to work with them finding the right combination of businesses for the space, she said. Weve been able to facilitate some prospective meetings so some good progress is happening already.

Watertown Strategic Initiatives and Development Coordinator Alex Allon agreed.

Big box stores have been experiencing a steep decline over the last seven to 10 years. In the wake of the pandemic and the greater push to online shopping, many of those large, empty buildings have been snapped up and repurposed as e-commerce warehouses for order fulfillment, Allon said. As mentioned at plan commission, the group that purchased the Shopko building is planning for a storage facility in roughly a third of the building and is looking to lease the remaining two-thirds. They seem to be open to a wide mix of uses and Im hopeful that they can find a good fit for the community.

Maas said the conversion inside the former Shopko building may include retail space and outdoor storage. He said the proposed project will require a very limited amount of site work to install fencing for the outdoor storage area on existing pavement including bollards and keypads for a vehicle entrance into the existing building.

He said most of the remodeling will take place inside the building.

The exterior building signs, colors and materials will match the exterior features of the current Secure Storage facility, according to the General Engineering Company in Portage.

It wont be just a personal storage facility, Maas said. They want to make room for additional retail, too.

He said Dollar Tree and Sherwin Williams are in a building separate from Shopko, and under separate ownership.

I havent heard anything from that property owner, Maas said.

He said this new development does not have a timeline. Maas said commercial building plans are required to go to the state for review, which will also be reviewed by the city.

These are two big developments, which are good for the City of Watertown, Maas said.


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42nd Lindquist Pops Concert Set for July 18 at WSU

June 29, 2021

OGDEN, Utah  The annual Lindquist Family Symphony Pops and Fireworks will attract thousands of people to Weber State University, July 18 from 9-11 p.m.

Now in its 42nd year, the celebrations are a welcome return to normal after last years event was cancelled due to the pandemic. Initiated by John A. and Telitha E. Lindquist in 1978, the Lindquist Pops is a longstanding tradition in northern Utah that brings the community together each year. John E. Lindquist, President of Lindquist Mortuaries and Cemeteries in Ogden, proudly continues this tradition.

"We are so grateful to the Lindquist family for continuing the tradition of the Lindquist Pops Concert, said President Brad Mortensen. After all that we have endured as individuals and a community during the pandemic, coming together to celebrate provides real evidence of turning the pandemic corner. We are happy to bring a wonderful community together again on our beautiful campus for a joyous celebration."

The New American Philharmonic, directed by Shannon Roberts, will provide a free 60-minute concert beginning at 9 p.m. at the Ada Lindquist Plaza. The performance will include a selection of patriotic music, featuring Tchaikovskys 1812 Overture with a battery of 16 cannons provided by Cannoneers of the Wasatch to accompany. The group has provided the cannons each year for the concert since it started in 1978.

At approximately 10 p.m., attendees will enjoy one of the largest fireworks displays in Utah, accompanied by the symphony. Due to drought conditions, extra precautions are being exercised with this years fireworks display, including the possibility of canceling the show if wind and weather conditions pose threats.

Several food trucks will be on hand to sell drinks and refreshments.

On-campus parking and seating will be available, but may be limited due to ongoing construction of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system through campus. The roundabouts off Harrison Boulevard and Dixon Drive will be closed to traffic. Access to campus will be through Edvalson Street, Skyline Drive, and Birch and Taylor avenues.

Guests traveling in motor homes or larger vehicles are encouraged to park on the east side of campus near Stewart Stadium. The Dee Events Center also offers additional parking.

To minimize damage to the grounds, attendees may not leave blankets or chairs to save spaces before July 17 at 6 p.m. Items placed on the lawn prior to that time will be removed. Tarps, stakes and tent pegs are not allowed due to safety concerns and will be removed. No personal fireworks or pets will be allowed on campus, with the exception of service animals. Spectators are asked to clean up their area and drive with courtesy and caution following the event.

For photos of the 2019 event, visit this link.

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
BRIDGEPORT  Four months after moving into his new apartment, David Reyes recalled the joy he felt when he first glimpsed the unit late last winter.

It was a bit emotional to see the apartment I was about to get blessed with, Reyes said in an interview Monday. Its been a blessing.

Reyes was the first tenant of West Liberty Commons, the latest housing development constructed by Building Neighborhoods Together, formerly Bridgeport Neighborhood Trust.

Located at 273 West Ave. on the edge of downtown, 14 of the brand new buildings 18 units are affordably priced, meaning individual tenants like Reyes pay no more than 30 percent of the areas median income of $68,600 for rent and utilities. And four of those lower-income apartments are for the formerly homeless, Reyes included.

Its like the car smell but instead its the new apartment smell, Reyes gushed Monday.

He was a guest at a formal ribbon cutting which included local and state officials, including Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz. But despite the celebratory atmosphere, Noah Gotbaum, who became BNTs executive director in 2019 shortly before ground was broken on West Liberty Commons, emphasized how desperate the affordable housing situation is in Connecticuts largest city.

It is a crisis, Gotbaum told Hearst Connecticut Media afterward. Theres a deficit of over 9,000 affordable units in Bridgeport.

Gotbaum recently shared similar sentiments at a June 15 public hearing hosted by the City Council seeking suggestions on how to spend $110 million worth of federal coronavirus relief. He would like some of that money to go to BNT and other nonprofits with similar missions to put roofs over the heads of the areas less fortunate residents.

Housing is the most important type of infrastructure you can find, Gotbaum said. Because its the basis for everything else. Its the basis for people being able to work and get a good job. Its the basis for good health care. And having a quality standard of living, especially in a pandemic. Its the basis for educational outcomes, for strong families, for public safety. We invest in it and so much else blooms from it.

While Bridgeport for years was considered one of the more affordably-priced sections of well-off Fairfield County, Gotbaum on Monday said that has changed. He said the COVID-19 pandemic left so many people jobless or with lessened incomes  you got a lot of folks who have been moved down the ladder  while at the same time boosting the local housing market.

As previously reported in mid-May, prices are soaring and homes are being snapped up. While a boon to the local economy and the tax base, one side effect of all that activity is increased rents or rentals being converted into owner-occupied housing.

And although crediting the state with funding $3.5 million of West Liberty Commons $5 million construction costs, Gotbaum said government subsidies are not keeping up with the demand.

We had almost a dozen different funders. Its crazy, Gotbaum said. Some people call it lasagna funding. You need so many different layers because you cant get full funding from the federal or state governments. ... So our projects take a real long time, because we have to find so many means.

BNT operates about 250 units citywide, spread out in over 20 buildings. Gotbaum said the organization, which normally focuses on rentals, is working on a new home ownership effort involving a handful of buildings, and hopes to soon partner with the Christophs, the father/son development team who are building up the East Side/East End sections of the harbor, to erect a 40-unit project on East Main Street just below Interstate 95.

Some members of the City Council were present at Mondays ribbon cutting. One of those, Scott Burns, co-chairs the budget committee, which hosted that June 15 teleconference on coronavirus aid.

Burns could not say afterward if BNT might be a beneficiary.

I dont know. I think its still a little early, Burns said, adding: Theres definitely some concerns about homelessness and whether those agencies or types of agencies can address that.

But Councilman Jorge Cruz, who represents the district where West Liberty Commons and BNTs nearby offices are located, said he will fight to get the agency some funds.

Even though Im very happy to see that building being opened and some of the homeless people being taken out, we still got a serious problem, Cruz said. We got a lady sleeping on John Street, (someone) behind the courthouse, behind the bus station, and on and on. ... Absolutely some of that money should go  whatever BNT needs to get another building or two more buildings going.

Back at West Liberty, Reyes said he has been calling himself and his new neighbors pioneers living there for the first time.

We should feel privileged and honored to be pioneers, he said. I got to thank BNT, thank the state and the assistance being used for individuals like myself. I pray in the future others can get help, too.
BRIDGEPORT  A Hartford man has been charged with raping a 12-year-old local girl police said he met on social media.

Wilfredo Morales, 20, of Sumner Street, Hartford, was charged with first-degree sexual assault, first-degree reckless endangerment, and risk of injury to a child.

During Morales arraignment Tuesday Superior Court Judge Tracy Lee Dayton ordered him held in lieu of $250,000 bond and continued the case to July 13.

According to police, on April 18, officers were dispatched to a local home after a woman complained that her foster daughter had been sexually assaulted.

During a subsequent interview at the Center for Family Justice, the 12-year-old girl related that she had met a man on Snapchat who went by the name, Savage. Police said the girl told the man she was 14 and he responded, You are young but its okay.

After several contacts the girl agreed to meet the man outside her home, police said.

Police said the man picked the girl up in a car outside her home and drove her to the end of a dead-end street where he began kissing her. He then ordered her to get into the back seat or he would hurt her, police said. The man then raped her, police said.

Police said they were able to trace the mans Snapchat count to Morales and the girl identified him as her assailant from a photograph on the account.

Police said they contacted Hartford police who located Morales in Hartford.

In the meantime, police said the girls foster mother told them the girl continued to be in contact with Morales through text messages.

On May 13, police said they interviewed Morales at the Hartford Police Department. They said Morales denied ever having any contact with the victim. However, police said he agreed to provide a DNA sample which they said was consistent with DNA material taken from the victim.
Hearst Connecticut Media file photo

WESTPORT  The driver of a scooter was hospitalized with apparent serious injuries after a crash on Tuesday night, according to police.

Lt. David Wolf said police, fire units and medics responded to the corner of Post Road East at Bulkley Avenue South for a report of a serious motor vehicle accident around 9:45 p.m.
MOSCOW (AP)  Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday that an incident involving a British destroyer in the Black Sea couldn't have triggered a global conflict even if Russia had sunk the warship because the West knows it can't win such a war.

The tough statement appeared to indicate his resolve to raise the stakes should a similar incident happen again.

Speaking in a marathon call-in show, Putin also revealed that he received the domestically produced Sputnik V coronavirus vaccine and urged Russians to get vaccinated as the country battles a devastating surge of cases and deaths amid widespread hesitancy to get the shot.

Putin was asked about the June 23 incident in the Black Sea, in which Russia said one of its warships fired warning shots and a warplane dropped bombs in the path of Britain's HMS Defender to force it from an area near Crimea that Moscow claims as its territorial waters. He said a U.S. reconnaissance aircraft had joined what he described as a provocation" to test Russia's response.

Britain, which like most other nations didn't recognize Russia's 2014 annexation of Crimea, insisted the Defender wasnt fired upon and said it was sailing in Ukrainian waters. HMS Defender was conducting innocent passage through Ukrainian territorial waters in accordance with international law, Britains Defense Ministry said Wednesday.

Asked if the events could have triggered a global war, Putin responded that the West wouldn't risk a full-scale conflict.

Even if we had sunk that ship, it would be hard to imagine that it would put the world on the brink of World War III because those who do it know that they cant emerge as winners in that war, and its very important, Putin said. The statement followed Russian officials warning that if a Western warship enters the waters again, the military could fire on it.

Putin charged that the U.S. reconnaissance aircraft that took off from the Greek island of Crete was operating in concert with the British ship on an apparent mission to monitor the Russian militarys response to the British destroyer.

It was clearly a provocation, a complex one involving not only the British but also the Americans, he said, adding that Moscow was aware of the U.S. intentions and responded accordingly to avoid revealing sensitive data.

Asked about Putins claim, Navy Capt. Wendy Snyder, the chief of public affairs for the U.S. European Command, said that yes, we did have aircraft in operations, but reaffirmed the Pentagons earlier dismissal of the Russian description of the incident as false.

We are operating in and watching everything in the Black Sea region, as we always do, Snyder said.

The Russian leader specifically lamented that the incident closely followed his summit with U.S. President Joe Biden in Geneva this month.

The world is undergoing a radical change, he said. Our U.S. partners realize that, and that's why the Geneva meeting took place. But on the other hand, they are trying to secure their monopolist stance, resulting in threats and destructive action such as drills, provocations and sanctions.

Even though the West doesn't recognize Crimea as part of Russia, Putin said the naval incident took the controversy to a new level.

They don't recognize something  OK, they can keep refusing to recognize it, he said. But why conduct such provocations?

Putin insisted Russia would firmly defend its interests.

We are fighting for ourselves and our future on our own territory, he said. It's not us who traveled thousands of kilometers (miles) to come to them; it's them who have come to our borders and violated our territorial waters.

Dmitri Trenin, the director of the Carnegie Moscow Center, warned that last week's Black Sea incident presages a new, riskier level of confrontation.

Fresh attempts to expose Russian red line deterrence as hollow -- whether on the ground, in the air, or at sea -- would push Moscow to defend what it cannot give up without losing its self-respect, Trenin said in a commentary. This would almost inevitably lead to clashes and casualties, which would carry the risk of further escalation. Should this happen, Russia-NATO confrontation would deteriorate literally to the point of brinkmanship, a truly bleak scenario.

Putin on Wednesday also reaffirmed his claim of a close kinship between the Russian and Ukrainian people, but accused Kyiv of hostility toward Russia and voiced doubt about the value of a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, calling him a Western pawn.

Why meet Zelenskyy if he has put his country under full foreign control and key issues for Ukraine are decided not in Kyiv but in Washington, and, to a certain extent, Paris and Berlin? Putin asked.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba retorted by tweeting that Putin wishes Ukraine's issues were decided in Moscow. This is our country and its only up to us to decide our fate, he added.

Earlier this year, Russia bolstered its forces near Ukraine and warned that Moscow could intervene if Kyiv used force to reclaim areas in the east controlled by Russia-backed separatists since a conflict there erupted in 2014. Moscow later pulled back some troops, but Ukrainian authorities said the bulk of them remain close to the border.

Putin spent most of the four-hour Direct Line show discussing domestic issues  typical for the tightly choreographed annual rite that helps him polish his image as a strong leader caring for people's needs. It didn't feature any questions about Russia's beleaguered opposition and Putin's most prominent political foe, Alexei Navalny, who is in prison.

He voiced hope the country could avoid a nationwide coronavirus lockdown amid a surge of new infections. Reported deaths in Russia hit a daily record Wednesday, with authorities reporting 669, but Putin said decisions by regional officials to make vaccinations mandatory for some workers should help.

Russia has been registering over 20,000 new coronavirus cases and about 600 deaths every day since June 24. On Wednesday, 21,042 new infections were recorded.

Russian officials blame the June surge on Russians lax attitude toward taking precautions, more infectious variants, and a low rate of vaccinations, which experts attribute to widespread hesitancy to get the shot and limited vaccine production. Although Russia was among the first countries to deploy a vaccine, just over 15% of the population has received at least one shot.

Amid this hesitancy, Putin revealed he received the Sputnik V vaccine. Putin got his first shot in late March out of the public eye and has remained tight-lipped about which vaccine he chose.

On other issues, Putin said Russia has no intention of banning Western social media platforms but emphasized that the government merely wants them to abide by the law, promptly remove inappropriate content and open offices in Russia.

We tell them: Youre spreading child pornography, or instructions on (how to commit) suicide, or how to create Molotov cocktails. ... You must take it down, and they simply dont listen, dont want to listen to what we tell them, Putin said. But this is wrong."

___

Associated Press National Security Writer Robert Burns in Washington and Sylvia Hui in London contributed.
Today

Warmer and turning more humid later in the day with intervals of clouds and sunshine. Some early morning patchy fog is possible.

Tonight

Partly cloudy.

Tomorrow

Partly sunny, hot, and humid. There might be a stray PM shower or t-storm in spots, mainly north.
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HARTFORD, CT (WFSB) - Wednesday is the last day to get a COVID-19 vaccine at some of the states mass vaccination sites.

Hartford HealthCare said it is doing away with big vaccine sites and focusing on community efforts.

It held a news conference on Wednesday morning.

By the end of Wednesday, itll pack up the huge site at the Connecticut Convention Center and start focusing on its mobile clinics.

This comes after six months and 500,000 vaccines at the Convention Center.

The move comes nine days after it closed its mass vaccination sites in New Britain and Torrington.

The closure doesnt mean vaccine availability is decreasing.

Hartford HealthCare said it will be ramping up mobile efforts and working to bring the vaccine to where its needed.

The vaccine site changes came as Gov. Ned Lamont announced that he wanted to improve the vaccination rate.

A new COVID variant continues to spread nationwide.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said the Delta variant now accounts for about 1 in every 5 new COVID cases.

ANSWER DESK: Will the Delta COVID variant mean a return of restrictions, masks? The Answer Desk is looking at the Delta COVID variant and what health officials are doing about it.

With the Delta variant on the rise, many wondered if people could be seeing pandemic restrictions make a comeback in Connecticut.

Thats my answer to do I have to wear a mask, what are the contingency plans about this, Lamont explained. If we can get another 10 percent of our people vaccinated, Im not worried.

Community Health Center said it is also closing its mass clinics on Wednesday, including ones in Middletown and East Hartford.
Griff Rhys Jones and Janie Dee will star in An Hour and a Half Late, a comedic drama that sees a couple unravel their relationship after a swift five-minute conversation.

Penned by Gerald Sibleyras with Jean Dell and adapted and directed by Belinda Lang, the piece is set in Maida Vale in north London.

Rhys Jones returns to Bath after appearing in The Miser, while Dee appeared in Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike at the venue back in 2019. Further tour dates and creative team for the piece are to be revealed, with the show running in Bath from 16 to 26 February 2022.

Dee is currently appearing in a staging of A Little Night Music at Buxton Opera House.
The Idaho Supreme Court heard arguments Tuesday in a case pitting the rights of voters to enact laws against the power of the state Legislature to shape how ballot initiative efforts are carried out
Willmar, MN (56201)

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Sunny to partly cloudy. High 96F. Winds light and variable..

Tonight

Partly to mostly cloudy with scattered showers and thunderstorms developing overnight. Low near 70F. Winds NE at 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50%.
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First Baptist Church Lebanon celebrates 200 years

Xavier Smith / XAVIER SMITH Lebanon Mayor Rick Bell presents a City of Lebanon proclamation to Sherrie Green during the First Baptist Church Lebanon 200th anniversary service last Sunday. The churchs 200th celebration included a celebration service, dinner and community event. Xavier Smith / XAVIER SMITH Bill Choate of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board presents First Baptist Church with a plaque and praises the churchs impact during its 200th anniversary service. Xavier Smith / XAVIER SMITH Former First Baptist Church Lebanon minister Ray Cleek delivers a sermon during the churchs 200th celebration service last Sunday. Cleek served a minister from 1979 to 1993 and was one of several former members and staff to return to the church for its 200th anniversary celebration.

One of Lebanons oldest religious institutions is celebrating its 200th anniversary this week with several events that reunited generations of churchgoers.

First Baptist Church Lebanon held a celebratory service and dinner last Sunday, and is scheduled to host a Light Up Lebanon event at the East Main Street church on Wednesday, June 30 that will feature food, fireworks and live music at 6 p.m.

The celebration service included a homecoming choir, which performed songs that were sung at the churchs 100th celebration.

First Baptist Church Lebanon formed June 30, 1821, with nine members as a branch of Spring Creek Church. The church struggled for its first decade of existence, but eventually grew and expanded.

By 1849, the church built a building on East Main Street for $7,000 that went unchanged for 62 years until it was remodeled in 1911. The churchs most recent major renovation was completed in 1968.

At the celebration service, Lebanon Mayor Rick Bell discussed the worlds happenings 200 years ago, which included James Monroe beginning his second term as president, the United States gaining control of the Florida territory and Mexico gaining its independence.

Two hundred years ago is a long time, but for the past 200 years, this church has been leading people to Christ. It has shepherded families through both good and bad, said Bell, whose family has been longtime members of the church.

This is special day for me as a mayor, but this is also a special day for me as a member of this church. Everybody in here has stories just like that. Im just the one lucky enough to be up here to tell my story. The amazing thing is for the past 200 years, countless families in this community have told those same stories. When I say 200 years is a long time, its not only a long time, its a great time.

Bell presented a proclamation to the church leaders and said the church is a vital part of the city because its members have assisted the community in numerous ways.

Bill Choate of the Tennessee Baptist Mission Board presented the church with a plaque and praised the churchs impact on the state and nation.

Your impact is beyond this place. For 200 years, this congregation has impacted around the state, he said. This church has been a part of work across the state building hospitals, building universities, taking care of children in childrens homes and starting other churches. This church has done that year in and year out and continue to do that. I commend you for your work in your ministry and your leadership.

State Rep. Clark Boyd and State Sen. Mark Pody presented a proclamation to the church on behalf of the Tennessee General Assembly.

Ray Cleek, assistant director and administrator of the Babb Center, a Christian counseling center in Hendersonville, delivered a message to the congregation about Gods warnings and solutions for the church.

Cleek served as minister at First Baptist Church Lebanon from 1979 to 1993.

Ive tried to live up to the example Dr. Cleek set here and his wife, said First Baptist minister David Freeman, who said he is reminded of Cleeks impact constantly.
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TOPEKA, Kan. (AP)  Gov. Laura Kelly and her top welfare official moved Tuesday to keep thousands of families from losing extra food aid because Kansas is no longer under a state of emergency for the coronavirus pandemic.

The announcement that Kelly plans to continue the extra $14.5 million a month in aid came two weeks after top Republicans in the GOP-controlled Legislature ended the state of emergency.


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While the pandemic has kept Qaumajuqs doors shut, a travelling collection of the Winnipeg Art Gallerys Inuit works is shifting into gear for a summer tour of Manitoba communities.

While the pandemic has kept Qaumajuqs doors shut, a travelling collection of the Winnipeg Art Gallerys Inuit works is shifting into gear for a summer tour of Manitoba communities.

A Ford panel van has been retrofitted to transport and display 50 pieces from the Winnipeg Art Gallerys vast collection of Inuit art in a project called Tour 150, which is part of the Manitoba 150 celebrations that have been extended into 2021.

The van, which is called Nakatamaakewin, a Michif word that means "to leave something behind," will travel to 26 Manitoba communities, with the tour beginning Monday in Dauphin and ending Sept. 1 in Thompson. It received its grand unveiling at the Manitoba legislature Tuesday morning.

The project is a collaboration among the gallery, the Manitoba 150 Host Committee and Manitobas credit unions, and Birchwood Automotive Group, which supplied the van.

The tour vehicle will park at credit unions on its tour, and once visitors climb a few steps into the back of the van, they will see prints and textiles hanging on its interior walls and carvings and felt dolls placed in display cases.

Admission is free.

ALEX LUPUL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS The retrofitted tour vehicle named Nakatamaakewin will take Inuit art to the four corners of the province.

The artworks were chosen for their artistic quality but also for their durability to withstand the twists and turns of Manitoba roads.

"Although we wanted to represent every type of material as much as possible, we did have to make considerations for the more vulnerable materials," says Riva Symko, the gallerys head of collections and exhibitions and curator of Canadian art. "Our museum staff completely renod the interior, created all-new shelving and drawers that are custom-made pieces."

Tour 150 and Nakatamaakewin will be flexible enough to adjust to COVID-19 health protocols, Symko says. The tour will start out allowing only two people at a time to view the displays, and will close if provincial regulations require it.

While Tour 150 and Nakatamaakewin (pronounced na-kah-tak-MAA-kay-win) are made to mark the 150th anniversary of Manitoba joining Confederation, the project has staying power, says Stuart Murray, a Manitoba 150 co-chair.

"As this takes Inuit art to all corners of the province of Manitoba, it lives long after 150 wraps up, because it is a legacy item," he says. "This vehicle will be travelling to Manitoba communities, First Nations, schools for as long as that vehicle is able to hit the road."

Cathy Cox, Manitobas minister of sport, culture and heritage, said shes been keen on an Inuit art show on wheels after a meeting with Stephen Borys, the gallerys director and chief executive officer.

"It was about three years ago, Stephen and I were at the WAG for Nuit Blanche and we both had this vision for a travelling art show," Cox says. "Its so great to be here today to actually see it come to fruition and all Manitobans are going to have an opportunity to see this beautiful Inuit art.

alan.small@freepress.mb.ca

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The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations says he understands the rage, frustration and pain brought on by the discovery of unmarked graves at former residential schools, but funnelling that anguish into burning down churches will not bring justice.

St. John Baptiste Parish Catholic church is shown in Morinville Alta, on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 as firefighters put out hot spots. RCMP are calling the fire suspicious. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jason Franson

The national chief of the Assembly of First Nations says he understands the rage, frustration and pain brought on by the discovery of unmarked graves at former residential schools, but funnelling that anguish into burning down churches will not bring justice.

"To burn things down is not our way," Perry Bellegarde said Wednesday. "Our way is to build relationships and come together."

Several Catholic churches have recently been vandalized or damaged in fires following the discovery of unmarked graves at former residential school sites in British Columbia and Saskatchewan.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau joined the national chief and other Indigenous leaders in echoing the call for an end to the fires.

This is not the way to go. The destruction of places of worship is unacceptable and it must stop, Trudeau said.

We must work together to right past wrongs."

Early Wednesday morning, a historic Catholic church in Alberta was destroyed by fire and a Catholic church at a First Nation in Nova Scotia was damaged by flames.

Alberta Premier Jason Kenney took to Twitter to condemn the blaze at St. Jean Baptiste Parish in Morinville, about 40 kilometres north of Edmonton, calling it a "violent hate crime targeting the Catholic community."

Audrey Poitras, president of the Metis Nation of Alberta, said the town and church have close relationships with the Metis community.

"Some of our citizens were married there. Some left shoes on the steps to commemorate the children whose lives were lost at residential schools," Poitras said in a statement.

"Violence and destruction are not the way forward during these difficult times."

Four small Catholic churches on Indigenous lands in rural southern British Columbia were also destroyed by suspicious fires and a vacant former Anglican church in northwestern B.C. was recently damaged in what RCMP said could be arson.

The fires occurred less than a month after the discovery of what's believed to be the remains of 215 children in unmarked graves at a former residential school site in Kamloops, B.C.

The Cowessess First Nation in southeastern Saskatchewan announced last week that ground-penetrating radar detected a potential 751 unmarked graves at the site of the former Marieval Indian Residential School.

And on Wednesday, the Lower Kootenay Band in B.C. said the same technology had located the remains of 182 people in unmarked graves near a former residential school site.

Some 150,000 Indigenous children were forced to attend residential schools, which operated for more than 120 years in Canada. More than 60 per cent of the schools were run by the Catholic Church.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has detailed mistreatment at the schools, including emotional, physical and sexual abuse of children. It also found crowded living conditions, poor nutrition and substandard medical care made the children more likely to die of disease and infection.

David Chartrand, vice-president of the Metis National Council, said many Indigenous people are Catholic and the destruction of churches can confound trauma they are already experiencing.

Chartrand, who is to be part of an Indigenous delegation visiting the Pope later this year, said earlier this week that while an apology is needed, the church continues to play an important role in the lives of some Indigenous people.

There are customary processes that we've built into our culture around the churches."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 30, 2021.

 With files from Maan Alhmidi and Stephanie Taylor in Ottawa

Note to readers: This is a corrected story. A previous version said a fire took place at St. John Baptiste Parish near Morinville, Alta. The church is, in fact, called St. Jean Baptiste Parish
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP)  The man who killed five people at a Maryland newspaper was delusional and believed the state's judicial system was conspiring with the Capital Gazette to persecute him and ruin his life, his attorney told a jury Tuesday, trying to make the case that Jarrod Ramos is not criminally responsible for the crimes due to mental illness.

FILE - In this Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019, file photo, Katy O'Donnell, a defense attorney representing Jarrod Ramos, the suspect in the Capital Gazette shooting, leaves Anne Arundel County Circuit Court in Annapolis, Md. Opening statements are scheduled for Tuesday, June 29, 2021, in the second phase of a trial to determine whether Ramos, who killed five people at the newspaper, was legally sane at the time of the mass shooting. (AP Photo/Brian Witte, File)

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP)  The man who killed five people at a Maryland newspaper was delusional and believed the state's judicial system was conspiring with the Capital Gazette to persecute him and ruin his life, his attorney told a jury Tuesday, trying to make the case that Jarrod Ramos is not criminally responsible for the crimes due to mental illness.

Hours after hearing that, jurors saw photographs of the dead from shotgun blasts in their own newsroom. They saw Wendi Winters collapsed in a hallway after she had just charged at Ramos with a trash can. They saw Gerald Fischman crumpled under his desk. They saw Rob Hiaasen dead in his cubicle. They also saw John McNamara dead at the back of the newsroom. Rebecca Smith died later at a hospital.

Jurors also saw a security video of the attack, as well as an officer's body camera video, showing Ramos emerging from under a desk in the newsroom and police officers later leading him out.

Three years and a day after the attack on the newspaper, the second phase of a trial started for Ramos, who pleaded guilty  but not criminally responsible  to the June 28, 2018 slayings. The plea is Maryland's version of an insanity defense.

Katy O'Donnell, Ramos' lawyer, told jurors her client "is guilty of having committed these offenses, and his act was willful, deliberate and premeditated. But, she said, mental health experts for the defense will tell them he is not criminally responsible under the law due to mental illness.

Mr. Ramos is guilty, and he is also not criminally responsible, ODonnell said.

This photograph of an image in court evidence made public on Tuesday, June 29, 2021 from surveillance video shows what authorities say is Jarrod Ramos shooting open the door of the Capital Gazette office on June 28, 2018 in Annapolis, Md. Ramos has pleaded guilty to killing five people in the newsroom. The second phase of his trial began Tuesday for a jury to consider his insanity defense. (AP Photo)

Ramos believed that he was being intentionally persecuted, ODonnell said, after the newspaper wrote about a case in which he pleaded guilty to harassing a former high school classmate. Ramos also thought the courts were unfairly rejecting his defamation case against the newspaper, she said.

O'Donnell told the jury it will hear testimony about Ramos' own description of the events as they unfolded on the day of the shooting, as well as an eight-year backstory that led up to the attack.

We want you to understand the years leading up to this day, ODonnell said. Its chilling because Mr. Ramos does not believe what he did was wrong."

O'Donnell said jurors also will hear from mental health experts who have evaluated Ramos and determined he is mentally ill, and doctors who will testify that Ramos is autistic. He also has obsessive compulsive disorder, delusional disorder and narcissistic personality disorder, she said.

O'Donnell explained Maryland's insanity defense law to the jury: The state says a defendant is not criminally responsible for criminal conduct if  because of a mental disorder or developmental disabilities  he lacked substantial capacity to appreciate the criminality of his conduct.

Under the law, a defendant has the burden to show by a preponderance of the evidence that he is not criminally responsible for his actions.

Anne Colt Leitess, the Anne Arundel County state's attorney, deferred her opening statement until after the defense presents its case.

In the afternoon, while cross-examining a county detective who investigated the case, Leitess started delving into the depth of planning that Ramos put into planning the attack.

She asked the detective to show jurors a device known as a barracuda that Ramos used to barricade a back door so that the victims could not escape from the newsroom.

Leitess also asked Anne Arundel County Det. Jason DiPietro about a CD that Ramos sent to the author of the article about him in the newspaper that angered him. It included his plans to attack the newsroom on a day when he believed a community meeting including people from outside the newsroom would be present and his plans to make orphans of a woman's children. The meeting had been canceled that day.

Leitess asked about Ramos' purchase of a lifetime membership to the U.S. Chess Federation, four days before the shooting, in preparation for long incarceration. Police intercepted a letter he wrote to the federation in hopes of having chess materials sent to the detention center where he was confined.

The prosecution also has mental health witnesses who will be testifying.

Dr. Sameer Patel, a psychiatrist with the state Health Department who evaluated Ramos, determined that Ramos was legally sane. Prosecutors also plan to call Dr. Gregory Saathoff, a forensic psychiatrist and a chief consultant for the FBI who also has found Ramos to be legally sane.

Opening statements began one day after the third anniversary of the killings. This trial phase has been postponed repeatedly, in part due to the coronavirus pandemic.

If Ramos is found not criminally responsible, he will be committed to a maximum-security psychiatric hospital instead of prison. Prosecutors are seeking life in prison without possibility of parole.

Ramos, 41, had a well-documented history of harassing the newspapers journalists. His 2012 lawsuit, which alleged that the paper defamed him by writing about his conviction in the harassment case, was dismissed as groundless.
WASHINGTON (AP)  Amazon is asking that the new head of the Federal Trade Commission step aside from antitrust investigations into the e-commerce giant, contending that her past public criticism of the companys market power makes it impossible for her to be impartial.

FILE - In this April 21, 2021 file photo, Lina Khan, nominee for Commissioner of the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), speaks during a Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation confirmation hearing on Capitol Hill in Washington. Amazon is asking for Khan, the new head of the Federal Trade Commission to step aside from antitrust investigations into the e-commerce giant. The company contends, Wednesday, June 30, that Khan's public criticism of Amazon's market power makes it impossible for her to be impartial. (Saul Loeb/Pool via AP)

WASHINGTON (AP)  Amazon is asking that the new head of the Federal Trade Commission step aside from antitrust investigations into the e-commerce giant, contending that her past public criticism of the companys market power makes it impossible for her to be impartial.

Amazon petitioned the agency Wednesday to remove Chair Lina Khan from taking part in current probes of the companys market conduct. Khan has been a fierce critic of tech giants Facebook, Google and Apple, as well as Amazon. She arrived on the antitrust scene in 2017, writing an influential study titled Amazons Antitrust Paradox when she was a Yale law student.

FTC officials declined comment on Amazons motion. The agency could be expected to respond formally at some point.

As counsel to a House Judiciary antitrust panel in 2019 and 2020, Khan played a key role in a sweeping bipartisan investigation of the market power of the four tech giants.

President Joe Biden recently installed Khan as one of five commissioners and head of the FTC, signaling a tough stance toward Big Tech and its market dominance. At 32, she is the youngest chair in the history of the agency, which polices competition and consumer protection in industry generally, as well as digital privacy.

Due process entitles all individuals and companies to fair consideration of the merits of any investigation or adjudication by impartial commissioners who have not  and, equally importantly, who do not appear to have  prejudged the issues against them," Seattle-based Amazon said in the motion.

The FTC has been investigating the tech giants. On Monday, a federal judge dismissed antitrust lawsuits brought against Facebook by the FTC and a coalition of states, saying they didn't provide enough evidence to prove that Facebook is a monopoly in the social networking market. The judge, however, allowed the FTC to revise its complaint and try again.

Amazon, the world's biggest online retailer, is said by regulators to control 50% to 70% of online market sales. Founded by Jeff Bezos, the world's richest individual, Amazon runs an e-commerce empire and ventures in cloud computing, personal smart" tech and beyond.

Some independent merchants who sell products on Amazon.com have complained about the company's practices, such as contract provisions said to prevent sellers from offering their products at lower prices or on better terms on any other online platform, including their own websites.

New legislative proposals approved last week by the House Judiciary Committee raised the issue of a possible forced spinoff of Amazon's private-label products that compete with vendors on the platform.

In its defense, Amazon has said that sellers set their own prices for the products they offer on its platform.

Amazon takes pride in the fact that we offer low prices across the broadest selection, and like any store we reserve the right not to highlight offers to customers that are not priced competitively," the company has said.
BEIJING (AP)  For China's Communist Party, celebrating its 100th birthday on Thursday is not just about glorifying its past. It's also about cementing its future and that of its leader, Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Performers form the number 100 at a gala show ahead of the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Communist Party in Beijing on Monday, June 28, 2021. For China's Communist Party, celebrating its 100th birthday on Thursday, July 1 is not just about glorifying its past. It's also about cementing its future and that of its leader, Chinese President Xi Jinping. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

BEIJING (AP)  For China's Communist Party, celebrating its 100th birthday on Thursday is not just about glorifying its past. It's also about cementing its future and that of its leader, Chinese President Xi Jinping.

In the build-up to the July 1 anniversary, Xi and the party have exhorted its members and the nation to remember the early days of struggle in the hills of the inland city of Yan'an, where Mao Zedong established himself as party leader in the 1930s.

Dug into earthen cliffs, the primitive homes where Mao and his followers lived are now tourist sites for the party faithful and schoolteachers encouraged to spread the word. The cave-like rooms feel far removed from Beijing, the modern capital where national festivities are being held, and the skyscrapers of Shenzhen and other high-tech centers on the coast that are more readily associated with today's China.

Yet in marking its centenary, the Communist Party is using this past  selectively  to try to ensure its future and that of Xi, who may be eyeing, as Mao did, ruling for life.

By linking the party to all of Chinas accomplishments of the past century, and none of its failures, Xi is trying to bolster support for his vision, his right to lead the party and the partys right to govern the country, said Elizabeth Economy, a senior fellow at Stanford Universitys Hoover Institution.

This week's celebrations focus on two distinct eras  the early struggles and recent achievements  glossing over the nearly three decades under Mao from the 1950s to 1970s, when mostly disastrous social and economic policies left millions dead and the country impoverished.

To that end, a spectacular outdoor gala attended by Xi in Beijing on Monday night relived the Long March of the 1930s  a retreat to Yan'an that has become of party lore  before moving on to singing men holding giant wrenches and women with bushels of wheat. But it also focused on the present, with representations of special forces climbing a mountain and medical workers battling COVID-19 in protective gear.

The party has long invoked its history to justify its right to rule, said Joseph Fewsmith, a professor of Chinese politics at Boston University.

Shoring up its legitimacy is critical since the party has run China single-handedly for more than 70 years  through the chaotic years under Mao, through the collapse of the Soviet Union and through the unexpected adoption of market-style reforms that over time have built an economic powerhouse, though millions remain in poverty.

Many Western policymakers and analysts believed that capitalism would transform China into a democracy as its people prospered, following the pattern of former dictatorships such as South Korea and Taiwan.

The Communist Party has confounded that thinking, taking a decisive turn against democracy when it cracked down on large-scale protests in Beijings Tiananmen Square in 1989 and quashing any challenges to single-party rule in the ensuing decades  most recently all but extinguishing dissent in Hong Kong after anti-government protests shook the city in 2019.

Its leaders have learned the lesson of the Soviet Union, where the communists lost power after opening the door to pluralism, said Zhang Shiyi of the Institute of Party History and Literature.

Instead, China's newfound wealth gave the party the means to build a high-speed rail network and other infrastructure to modernize at home and project power abroad with a strong military and a space program that has landed on the moon and Mars. China is still a middle-income country, but its very size makes it the world's second-largest economy and puts it on a trajectory to rival the U.S. as a superpower.

In the meantime, it has doubled down on its repressive tactics, stamping out dissent from critics of its policies and pushing the assimilation of ethnic minorities seeking to preserve their customs and language in areas such as Tibet and the heavily Muslim Xinjiang region. While it is difficult to gauge public support for the party, it has likely been boosted at least in some quarters by Chinas relative success at controlling the COVID-19 pandemic and its standing up to criticism from the United States and others.

We have never been so confident about our future, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying told journalists on a recent trip to the party's historic sites in Yan'an.

Tiananmen Square, where Mao proclaimed the founding of communist China in 1949, is no longer a home for student protesters with democratic dreams. On Thursday, the plaza in the center of Beijing will host the nation's major celebration of party rule. While most details remain under wraps, authorities have said that Xi will give an important speech.

The anniversary marks a meeting of about a dozen people in Shanghai in 1921 that is considered the first congress of the Chinese Communist Party  though it actually started in late July. The festivities will likely convey the message that the party has brought China this far, and that it alone can lift the nation to greatness  arguing in essence that it must remain in power.

Xi also appears to be considering a third five-year term that would start in 2022, after the party scrapped term limits.

The centennial is at once a benchmark to measure how far the country has come and a moment for Xi and the party to move toward their goals for 2049, which would mark the 100th year of communist rule, said Alexander Huang, a professor at Tamkang University in Taiwan. By then, Xi has said, the aim is basic prosperity for the entire population and for China to be a global leader with national strength and international influence.

Whether they can achieve that goal is the biggest challenge for the Chinese leadership today, he said, noting growing tensions with other countries, an aging population and a young generation that, as elsewhere, is rejecting the grueling rat race for the traditional markers of success.

Still, the party's ability to evolve and rule for so long, albeit in part by suppressing dissent, suggests it may remain in control well into its second century. The party insists it has no intention of exporting its model to other countries, but if China continues to rise, it could well challenge the western democratic model that won the Cold War and has dominated the post-World War II era.

In the United States, you only talk, talk, talk, said Hua of the Foreign Ministry. You try to win votes. But after four years, the other people can overthrow your policies. How can you ensure the peoples living standards, that their demands can be satisfied?

Associated Press video journalists Sam McNeil in Beijing and Johnson Lai in Taipei, Taiwan, contributed.
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro has fired a Health Ministry official after a newspaper reported his alleged participation in a graft scheme to secure COVID-19 vaccines, further straining the government's defense of its pandemic response.

Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro speaks during a ceremony to launch the new registration system for Professional Fishermen and Fishing Network, at the Planalto presidential palace in Brasilia, Brazil, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

RIO DE JANEIRO (AP)  Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro has fired a Health Ministry official after a newspaper reported his alleged participation in a graft scheme to secure COVID-19 vaccines, further straining the government's defense of its pandemic response.

The order firing Roberto Dias, head of the Health Ministrys logistics department, was signed on Tuesday night by Bolsonaro's chief of staff, Luiz Eduardo Ramos, and published in Wednesdays official gazette.

Newspaper Folha de S.Paulo reported shortly before the decision that Dias allegedly asked a vaccine provider to inflate the prices of its doses by $1 each in order for the mark-up to be siphoned off.

The publication quoted Luiz Paulo Dominguetti as saying he approached Dias this year on behalf of his company, Davati Medical Supply, to negotiate the sale of 400 million AstraZeneca doses. Dominguetti told Folha that Dias said the Health Ministry would only purchase the vaccines if Davati agreed to the price-raising scheme, and he declined the proposal.

The Associated Press wasn't immediately able to reach Dias for comment. He did not respond to a request for comments sent to his Health Ministry email address.

The Health Ministry didn't immediately respond to a request for comment about the reason for Dias's dismissal.

A spokesperson for AstraZeneca, who asked not to be named due to company policy, denied that the firm had worked, or been in talks with Davati Medical Supply. Our vaccine is not available to the private market and we dont work with intermediaries, the spokesperson said over the phone.

The allegation puts additional pressure on Bolsonaro, whose handling of the COVID-19 crisis is already being investigated by a Senate committee. Members said on Wednesday that they will look into the newspaper's reporting, which included some transcripts of Dias's emails.

The Brazilian leader in the past week was also accused of turning a blind eye to possible corruption in another deal to purchase vaccines, just weeks after the country surpassed the milestone of 500,000 COVID-19 deaths.

Luis Ricardo Miranda, another Health Ministry official overseeing its import division, told the Senate committee earlier this year he faced pressure to greenlight the import of 20 million Covaxin vaccines from Indian pharmaceutical Bharat Biotech, and pointed to seeming irregularities in the invoices  particularly a $45 million upfront payment to a Singapore-based company.

Bharat has denied any allegation of wrongdoing with respect to vaccine supply. Bolsonaro has denied any wrongdoing or knowledge of corruption, and told reporters earlier this week he can't know what transpires within his ministries. On Wednesday, he told supporters he doesn't fear the investigation.

Late Tuesday, the Health Ministry announced that it was temporarily suspending the Covaxin contract. Comptroller-general Wagner Rosario said his office will evaluate the process by which it was signed.
TORONTO - Cogeco Communications Inc.'s main U.S. subsidiary has signed a deal to buy a broadband system in Ohio from WideOpenWest Inc. for US$1.125 billion, the companies said Wednesday.

The French version of the COGECO website is seen in Montreal on Wednesday, September 2, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

TORONTO - Cogeco Communications Inc.'s main U.S. subsidiary has signed a deal to buy a broadband system in Ohio from WideOpenWest Inc. for US$1.125 billion, the companies said Wednesday.

Cogeco, which offers internet, television and telephone services in both Canada and the United States, said the deal will be a complementary addition to Atlantic Broadband's operations in 11 eastern states.

The WOW Ohio system serves about 196,000 internet, 61,000 video and 35,000 telephone customers in Cleveland and Columbus, Ohio.

Atlantic Broadband president Frank van der Post said he expects WOW Ohio will be able to grow its customer base with help from Cogeco's expertise and investment.

"I think that with the investments we will be making in the network  we will be able to increase our penetration," van der Post told analysts on a conference call Wednesday.

He said the WOW Ohio system is very close to Atlantic Broadband's system in Pennsylvania. The two systems would be integrated and then the Ohio system's capacity would be upgraded.

"So, over a two-year period, we're looking to invest about US$82 million to upgrade and integrate the network," van der Post said.

The deal will be financed through US$900 million in secured debt as well as available cash on hand.

Desjardins Capital Markets analyst Jerome Dubreuil wrote in a note to clients that the price for WOW Ohio is high relative to other acquisitions that Cogeco has made  such as the 2017 purchase of MetroCast by Atlantic Broadband.

"However, we note that U.S. cable multiples have generally increased in the last few years due to the strong demand for broadband products and the increased interest from private equity funds in the sector," Dubreuil wrote.

He added that the higher price for WOW Ohio was reasonable, given market conditions but Cogeco may need time to reap the value of its investment.

Analyst Drew McReynolds of RBC Capital Markets wrote the transaction is "fully consistent with Cogeco's long-standing objective to continue to grow by acquisition in the U.S. cable market."

Montreal-based Cogeco, which also owns broadband internet and television systems in Ontario and Quebec, was itself the target of a hostile takeover attempt last year.

U.S. cable company Altice USA Inc. unsuccessfully tried to buy all of Cogeco in partnership with Toronto-based Rogers Communications Inc., which would have bought the Canadian operations.

Altice's offer, eventually worth about C$11.1 billion, expired in November after it was rejected by Cogeco's founding family, which has voting control of Cogeco Inc., the parent of Cogeco Communications Inc.

Cogeco Communications shares increased $4.83 or 4.2 per cent at $119.94 in late morning trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 30, 2021.

Companies in this story: (TSX:CCA, TSX:CGO, TSX:RCI.B)
OTTAWA - The country's beleaguered workers and businesses should be able to stand on their own by the fall and no longer need a slew of financial supports come if the economic recovery moves along as expected, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says.

OTTAWA - The country's beleaguered workers and businesses should be able to stand on their own by the fall and no longer need a slew of financial supports come if the economic recovery moves along as expected, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says.

The key, though, is the word "should."

Canada's Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, is shown ahead of the G7 finance ministers meeting at Lancaster House in London, Friday June 4, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Steve Reigate/Pool via AP

As is, the measures to extend business and unemployment benefits will be in place until the end of September after the government's budget bill became law late Tuesday.

An economic rebound is widely expected to take place starting this month, as provinces roll back restrictions and cooped-up Canadians are able to spend more freely on goods and services.

But there are still a number of risks that could pop up between now and then, Freeland says, including the possibility of a fourth wave of COVID-19 that could require a new round of restrictions or lockdowns.

It's why the government still has the right to extend supports until the end of November if necessary. Freeland said nothing is 100-per-cent predictable while the pandemic persists.

Speaking at a news conference Wednesday, Freeland said that uncertainty makes this economic recovery far different than any previous one.

"It's not like turning the lights back on," she said in French. "It might take a while."

In the near term, the winding down of individual benefits shouldn't put a dent in consumer spending because interest rates remain low and costs manageable, while households are sitting on more than $200 billion in savings built up during the pandemic, said Deloitte Canada chief economist Craig Alexander.

However, the drop in income support should push up ratios of household debt relative to incomes, he said, which the Bank of Canada has previously warned could limit Canadians' flexibility to deal with an unforeseen financial shock like the loss of a job.

"The accumulated savings, in a sense, trumps the future rise in debt service costs in the near-term," he said. "That's why despite, increased leverage, consumers are still going to be spending."

The budgetary measures that gained parliamentary approval this week include expanding a Conservative-era income benefit to the working poor that the Liberals expect to lift over 100,000 people out of poverty, a new hiring program to offset payroll costs for companies, and spending to start development of a national child-care system.

A group of child-care advocates and academics called on the Liberals on Wednesday to only send federal funding to non-profit and public daycares, which some provinces have balked at in funding talks.

"It is not going to be a cakewalk. It is going to be complicated to get deals done across the country," Freeland said. "But I am very optimistic and confident we are going to get it done."

All that spending will send the deficit to $154.7 billion this fiscal year, one year after a record-smashing $354.2 billion deficit induced by the pandemic that sent the national debt above $1 trillion.

The parliamentary budget officer said in a report Wednesday that federal finances are sustainable over the coming decades, with room to add spending or reduce taxes by about $18 billion and keeping the debt at 37.7 per cent of overall economy.

The same couldn't be said of provincial and territorial governments. For they most part, they would combined have to find $18 billion to stabilize their collective debt-to-GDP ratio at 28.7 per cent.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 30, 2021.
NEW YORK (AP)  A former CIA operative known for his exploits everywhere from Miami to Nicaragua to Afghanistan has a book deal. Enrique Ric Prado's Black Ops: The Life of a CIA Shadow Warrior will come out next March.

NEW YORK (AP)  A former CIA operative known for his exploits everywhere from Miami to Nicaragua to Afghanistan has a book deal. Enrique Ric Prado's Black Ops: The Life of a CIA Shadow Warrior will come out next March.

A lot has been said about the CIA over the years," Prado said in a statement Wednesday. "And a lot of it has been (expletive). I wrote Black Ops to clear the name of my agency. I know the untold sacrifices that have been made for this country by devoted men and women who have served anonymously, as quiet heroes. Im eager to share those stories now.

This cover image released by St. Martin's Press shows "Black Ops: The Life of a CIA Shadow Warrior" by Ric Prado. The former CIA operative known for his exploits everywhere from Miami to Nicaragua to Afghanistan will release his book next March. (St. Martin's Press via AP)

His book, subject to government review, was announced by St. Martin's Press, a division of Macmillan.

Prado spent 24 years in the CIA before retiring in 2004. His assignments ranged from fighting with the Contras in Nicaragua in the 1980s  even after Congress had cut off U.S. support for the Contras  as they tried to overthrow the Sandinista government, to helping lead the hunt for Osama bin Laden, to overseeing SEAL Team Six missions into Afghanistan.

Investigative reports in The Nation and a book by reporter Evan Wright have alleged that Prado has ties to organized crime and drug traffickers in Miami and to shell companies for the private contractor Blackwater. According to St. Martin's, he is writing the book to set the record straight about himself, his career and the men and women of his agency.

In Black Ops,' Prado shares a harrowing true story of life in the deadly world of assassins, terrorists, spies and revolutionaries and reveals how he and his fellow CIA officers devoted their lives to operating in the shadows to fight a little-seen and virtually unknown war to keep the United States safe from those who would do it harm," the publisher announced.
REGINA - Saskatchewans year-end financial report says the province's deficit has shrunk to $1.13 billion.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe speaks in Regina on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. Saskatchewans deficit has shrunk to $1.13 billion, according to the provinces year-end financial report. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Michael Bell

REGINA - Saskatchewans year-end financial report says the province's deficit has shrunk to $1.13 billion.

The deficit had originally been forecast to be about $2.4 billion.

Finance Minister Donna Harpauer says Saskatchewan is in a much better fiscal situation than anticipated as the province prepares to emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.

The province says that all revenue categories except taxation brought in more money than expected.

Transfers from the federal government to help fight COVID-19 also helped.

And despite significant health expenses, the province says it spent less overall than it had expected, particularly since agriculture insurance claims were low.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 30, 2021.
HONG KONG (AP)  Hong Kong is still Chinas wealthiest, most capitalist city. Its vistas of skyscrapers and sea framed by dragon-backed emerald peaks are as stunning as ever. But a year after Beijing imposed a harsh national security law on the former British colony, the civil liberties that raised hopes for more democracy among many of its 7 million people are fading.

FILE - In this Friday, July 1, 2011, file photo, participants hold red balloons during a ceremony at a downtown Hong Kong street to celebrate the 14th anniversary of Hong Kong's handover to China. Just two years ago, hundreds of thousands of Hong Kongers took to the streets protesting against proposed extradition legislation that might have resulted in some residents facing trial in mainland Chinese courts. Now, protesting or publishing anything that might be construed as a violation of the security law can land them in jail in Hong Kong. (AP Photo/Vincent Yu, File)

HONG KONG (AP)  Hong Kong is still Chinas wealthiest, most capitalist city. Its vistas of skyscrapers and sea framed by dragon-backed emerald peaks are as stunning as ever. But a year after Beijing imposed a harsh national security law on the former British colony, the civil liberties that raised hopes for more democracy among many of its 7 million people are fading.

The June 30, 2020, introduction of the law accelerated a rolling back of freedoms promised to Hong Kong when China took over in 1997.

Already, authorities have banned an annual June 4 candlelight vigil commemorating the bloody 1989 crackdown on pro-democracy demonstrators in Beijing's Tiananmen Square, and a yearly July 1 pro-democracy protest, citing pandemic social distancing restrictions.

On Wednesday, police rearrested pro-democracy activist Chow Hang-tung on suspicion of inciting others to participate in an unauthorized assembly. Chow, a key organizer of the June 4 Tiananmen candlelight vigils, is one of many pro-democracy figures who have been detained over the past year.

Most of the city's outspoken pro-democracy activists are currently behind bars or have fled overseas.

The rollback of freedoms was punctuated earlier this month with the shutdown of the city's last pro-democracy newspaper, Apple Daily.

The authorities first came for Apple Daily's outspoken billionaire founder Jimmy Lai. He's in jail serving a 20-month sentence and facing charges of foreign collusion to endanger national security.

Last week, some 500 police officers raided the newspaper's headquarters. At least seven of its journalists and executives have been arrested and $2.3 million worth of assets linked to the paper frozen, preventing it from paying salaries and other costs. For its final edition, Apple Daily printed a million copies  more than 12 times its usual print run. It sold out to crowds who lined up at newsstands for hours.

Apple Dailys coverage was often sensationalist, but it also uncovered corruption and won awards for its investigative reporting, Yuen Chan, a journalism lecturer at the City University of London, said in a commentary republished by Hong Kong online news portal Citizen News.

It also was a barometer of Hong Kongs press freedom and freedom of expression, she wrote.

FILE - In this Thursday, April 15, 2021, file photo, a red marking sign for police march is seen in front of a Chinese national flag and a Hong King flag on the National Security Education Day at a police school in Hong Kong. A year after Beijing imposed a harsh national security law on Hong Kong, the civil liberties that raised hopes for more democracy are fading.(AP Photo/Vincent Yu, File)

The newspapers closure comes as the Chinese Communist Party celebrates the 100th anniversary of its founding in Shanghai in 1921 by Mao Zedong and others. Over the last year the Chinese government has tightened its grip over semi-autonomous Hong Kong following months of anti-government protests that brought hundreds of thousands of people into the streets.

The demonstrations against proposed extradition legislation that would have allowed suspects to face trial in mainland Chinese courts sometimes turned violent, and encompassed other demands, including calls for greater democracy and investigation into police tactics. Now, protesting or publishing anything that might be construed as a violation of the security law can land them in jail in Hong Kong.

Traditionally, the city has been considered one of the most attractive places for expatriates, thanks to its low tax rates and ease of doing business. It's still a major business and financial hub. But some multinational companies have begun relocating their operations and staff. The American Chamber of Commerce says 2 out of 5 expats it surveyed in May were considering leaving the city. The top concern was the national security law.

In private conversations, many in Hong Kong lament the loss of their freedoms, but life goes on. On the weekends, shopping malls are still crowded. People still line up for hours to get seats in popular dim sum and noodle restaurants or take weekend strolls on scenic Victoria Peak. On the surface, daily life hasnt changed much.

What has changed are the special privileges that Hong Kong was promised for a half-century after control of the territory was handed to Beijing on July 1, 1997  the autonomy of its courts and legal system, civil liberties that included a free press, freedom of speech and the leeway to take to the streets and other public spaces in protest.

With the space for dissent shrinking, the online news platform Stand News said it would remove commentaries published on its site before June, stop its fundraising efforts and stop accepting new subscribers.

With the handover 24 years ago, Hong Kong became a semi-autonomous territory, promised independent economic and legal status under a one country, two systems arrangement that led many in the city to expect more, not less democracy despite the Communist Partys lack of tolerance for dissent across the border in the Chinese mainland.

Like millions of others who left the mainland seeking more opportunity in Hong Kong in past decades, 40-something Wang Wai says she migrated there because wages were in the thousands but in China still in the hundreds.

The health care system, education and work to be found in Hong Kong is much better than in China, said Wang, who is married with two children.

Ever since its days as a hub in Britains trading of opium from India for silk, tea and porcelain from China, Hong Kong has mainly been about moneymaking. The city flourished in the years after the 1949 Communist Revolution, as industrialists from Shanghai relocated to the colony, bringing what they could of their salvaged fortunes.

After the citys garment and electronics manufacturing moved across the border, back into China, Hong Kongs colonial legacy left it well placed to thrive as a financial center for what has become the worlds No. 2 economy. For many in the city, the handover to Beijing was just a welcome switch of flags.

Hong Kong was meant to help lead Chinas ascent as an economic power, enjoying the best of both East and West, as its first chief executive, shipping tycoon Tung Chee-hwa, often would say. It remains home for scores of billionaire business people and many other wealthy Chinese who have invested in choice property after prospering on the mainland.

Despite the massive pro-democracy protests that paralyzed parts of the city in 2019 and the blows to tourism and trade from the pandemic, the citys stratospheric property market has surged still higher.

Even modest apartments under 100 square meters (1,100 square feet) have more than doubled in price since 1997, said Derek Chan, head of research at real estate firm Ricacorp Properties.

Even though prices have soared, the wealthy in Hong Kong are still willing to buy property at these prices, making it increasingly inaccessible for regular residents to buy homes, Chan said.

Such costs have made the city unaffordable for many: the share of Hong Kongers living in poverty has doubled to 1 in 5 since the handover.

Such pressures have added to frustrations as Beijing has tightened the screws.

Even before the handover, China and Britain quarreled over how much democracy Hong Kong should have. When election results made it clear that the public preferred more, Beijing moved to ensure it would stay in control, mandating less.

Hong Kong's last colonial governor, Chris Patten, left the territory declaring that, "Now Hong Kong people are to run Hong Kong.

"That is the promise  and that is the unshakeable destiny, he said as he boarded the Royal Yacht Britannia and sailed away after the handover.

A city of Chinese people accustomed to a free press, rule of law, freedom of assembly had hoped in time to gain more say over how they were governed. Instead, one distant ruler has replaced another.

The weakening of the citys civil liberties is not a good thing, said Wang, who moved to Hong Kong from her hometown in southeastern China's Fujian province. I came to Hong Kong also because it had freedom, and there is rule of law and more democracy. Now it is looking more and more like a city in China."

This story corrects Chan's job description.

Kurtenbach, who has lived and worked in Hong Kong and China at times since 1981, contributed to this report from Bangkok.
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Israeli's foreign minister acknowledged Wednesday during his first state visit to the United Arab Emirates that when tensions flare in Jerusalem, it reverberates across the region.

In this photo made available by the Israeli Government Press Office, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid speaks during the inauguration of the Israeli Embassy in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. Israels new foreign minister is in the UAE on the first high-level trip by an Israeli official to the Gulf Arab state since the two countries normalized relations last year. (Shlomi Amsalem/Government Press Office via AP)

DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP)  Israeli's foreign minister acknowledged Wednesday during his first state visit to the United Arab Emirates that when tensions flare in Jerusalem, it reverberates across the region.

Nobody is denying the fact that tensions in Jerusalem endanger the entire area, Yair Lapid told reporters in Dubai.

He spoke to select foreign media on the final stretch of a historic two-day visit to the Gulf Arab state. It was the first official visit by an Israeli minister to the UAE since the two countries agreed to establish full ties nine months ago.

The visit, however, garnered little fanfare across Emirati media and Lapid did not have an audience with the country's de-facto leader, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

Rather, he met with his Emirati counterpart, Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who hosted an official reception for the Israeli delegation Tuesday.

Lapid also inaugurated the Israeli diplomatic missions in Abu Dhabi and Dubai during his trip. No senior Emirati Cabinet officials have traveled to Israel, though the UAE has established a diplomatic presence in Tel Aviv.

In this photo made available by the Israeli Government Press Office, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid shakes hands with United Arab Emirates Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed al-Nahyan in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday, June 29, 2021. Lapid kicked off the highest-level visit by an Israeli official to the UAE on Tuesday, nine months after the two established relations in a deal brokered by the United States. (Shlomi Amsalem/Government Press Office via AP)

The visit comes on the heels of last month's devastating 11-day war in the Gaza Strip in May, which killed more than 250 Palestinians, including 66 children. In Israel, 13 people died as a result of the war with Gaza, including two children.

Emotions ran high during the conflict among the Arab public, and continue to simmer with the Gaza cease-fire on shaky ground and tensions still tense in Jerusalem.

The war was sparked when Hamas militants in Gaza fired rockets at Israel in response to violence in Jerusalem between Israeli forces and Palestinian protesters and worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque, a site holy to Muslims and Jews. Efforts by Jewish settlers to evict Palestinians from their homes in east Jerusalem further aggravated tensions in the city.

Nobody wants riots in Jerusalem," Lapid said. "Its in everybodys best interest to make sure Jerusalem is as quiet as possible.

The flare-up in Jerusalem on the final days of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan presented the first major test of rapidly developing relations between Israel and the UAE. The U.S.-brokered agreement, which was signed by then-Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, was the first of its kind by an Arab state with Israel in over two decades, and it paved the path for similar announcements by Bahrain, Sudan and Morocco.

When tensions boiled-over in Jerusalem last month, the UAE issued a rare public rebuke of Israel and called on authorities to de-escalate the situation and show maximum self-restraint to prevent further regional instability. The Emirati government's tone reflected the sensitivities that persist among Muslims worldwide around the sovereignty of Al-Aqsa and the Palestinian struggle against occupation.

The conflict appears to have also set back U.S. efforts to promote more Israeli normalization accords with other Arab states. It may have also slowed down the pace of progress with Sudan.

I wish we have with Sudan what we just had here, Lapid said, referring to the UAE.

The minister said Israel's goal is to have so-called Abraham Accords with all Arab states. If we will be able to push forward with the Saudis, well be happy to do so," he said.

Lapid, a former Israeli anchorman who heads a centrist Israeli party, was newly sworn in as foreign minister weeks ago upon the formation of a new Israeli government led by right-wing politician, Naftali Bennett.

He said the new coalition government's intention is to have better dialogue with people on the ground, though he made no mention of the Palestinians nor prospects for reviving the moribund peace talks.

When asked about the blockaded Gaza Strip, Lapid said Israel has no interest in fighting Gaza, but stressed Israel will never accept rocket fire from Hamas.

Lapid declined to discuss any details of his conversation with his Emirati counterpart. The two countries share strong objections about Iran's nuclear accord with world powers, which the Biden administration is seeking to revive and expand.

He did, however, say that he spent time connecting Emirati ministers with their counterparts in the new Israeli government, including the minsters of energy. He described the UAE as Israel's new friends.

While he did not give a number on size of bilateral investments, he was quoted in the UAE state-run news agency saying bilateral trade had reached more than $675 million. Included in that is $272 million of trade with Dubai. The two sides are also discussing putting in place a free trade agreement.
WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Wednesday that investment and developing infrastructure facilitated by low tax are the main goals for his government as it takes the annual rotating leadership of the Visegrad Group in central Europe.

WARSAW, Poland (AP)  Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban said Wednesday that investment and developing infrastructure facilitated by low tax are the main goals for his government as it takes the annual rotating leadership of the Visegrad Group in central Europe.

Orban also spoke out against any European plans for relocating migrants and said Hungary was expecting respect rather than lessons from other members of the 27-nation European Union for its contribution to the clubs growth.

Orban was speaking in Katowice, southern Poland, at a meeting concluding Poland's presidency of the Visegrad Group, or V4. Hungary will take it over on Thursday. The prime ministers of the two other members, the Czech Republic and Slovakia, also attended the meeting.

Orban said Hungary's priority for V4 was a quick restart through investment, especially in roads and railways that should run through the region linking Europe's north and south.

There will be investment only when taxes are low, Orban said.

For that reason we will not back any international initiatives that would lead to the increase of taxes, Orban said.

Orban linked security to migration and repeated the group's firm stand against any form of obligatory relocation of migrants.

He also commented on recent statements by some EU leaders condemning a new law in Hungary that prohibits sharing content on homosexuality or sex reassignment to people under 18 in school sex education programs, films or advertisements.

We are expecting respect. We cannot agree to other EU member countries telling us how we are supposed to raise our Hungarian children. Its a mistake, Orban said.

Talking about the EU's future, Polish Prime Minister Mateusz Morawiecki said the V4 supported a quick inclusion of West Balkan nations that are best prepared for EU membership.

He argued their presence would facilitate the EU's security policy related to illegal migration.

Prime Ministers Andrej Babis of the Czech Republic and Eduard Heger of Slovakia stressed the importance of vaccination in fighting the pandemic, especially now that highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus is spreading in some countries. They agreed on the need for a joint plan, for the V4 and for the EU, for giving the European economy a boost following the pandemic-era downturn.

The four countries want to have an active role in discussions about the future of the EU, their government leaders said.

Initiated in 1991, the group is a forum for developing political and economic ties between the four countries and for strengthening their position in Europe.
NEW YORK (AP)  On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress formally endorsed the Declaration of Independence. Celebrations began within days: parades and public readings, bonfires and candles and the firing of 13 musket rounds, one for each of the original states.

This image shows an 1876 engraving titled "Declaration of Independence, July 4th, 1776" made available by the Library of Congress. On that day, the Continental Congress formally endorsed the Declaration of Independence. Celebrations began within days: parades and public readings, bonfires and candles and the firing of 13 musket rounds, one for each of the original states. Nearly a century passed before the country officially named its founding a holiday. ( J. Trumbull, W.L. Ormsby via AP)

NEW YORK (AP)  On July 4, 1776, the Continental Congress formally endorsed the Declaration of Independence. Celebrations began within days: parades and public readings, bonfires and candles and the firing of 13 musket rounds, one for each of the original states.

Nearly a century passed before the country officially named its founding a holiday.

With the recent passage of the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act, commemorating the end of slavery in the United States, the country now has 12 federal holidays. Many are fixtures in the American calendar, but their presence isn't only a story of continuity. They reflect how the U.S. has evolved  from an affiliation of states with a relatively small federal government to a more centralized nation.

Statewide and local gatherings for Independence Day and other holidays are as old as the country itself. But the first round of federal holidays, identified as such because federal employees (initially only federal employees in Washington, D.C.) were given the day off, was only signed into law in 1870, by President Ulysses S. Grant, five years after the Civil War ended.

The Civil War consolidated national power in all sorts of ways, and national holidays are an illustration of that, says the Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Eric Foner. There were many, many firsts after the Civil War.

Juneteenth and other federal holidays have passed with substantial majorities in Congress, suggesting broad, bipartisan consensus. The first holidays, notes Grant biographer Ron Chernow, were the safest ones at the time  New Years Day, Independence Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas and George Washington's birthday (enacted in 1879).

FILE - In this July 4, 1966 file photo, the moon shines above the United States Marine Corps War Memorial, which depicts a scene from Iwo Jima, as fireworks burst over Washington, seen from the Virginia side of the Potomac River. The Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial are seen in the background. (AP Photo/Charles Tasnadi, File)

They followed the Civil War, but, by no accident, they had nothing to do with the Civil War. The war wounds were still deep and irrevocable, and any commemoration of the war itself would have been seen as divisive," Chernow says. He notes that Memorial Day, the honoring of those who died in war, did not become a federal holiday until 1888.

The first five federal holidays ... attempted to restore common ground between North and South, Chernow says. Both sides in the Civil War claimed to have fought in the spirit of the American Revolution. It was therefore easy for both sides to honor Washingtons birthday and Independence Day.

Whether statements of patriotism or social justice, federal holidays mirror a part of the country's sense of itself and how it changes.

Public support to make the Rev. Martin Luther King's birthday a holiday was so strong that it was signed into law in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan, who had opposed the Civil Rights Act and Voting Rights Act in the 1960s and privately believed the late civil rights leaders standing was based on an image, not reality. Even then, Arizona, New Hampshire and South Carolina resisted making it a state holiday, with South Carolina waiting until 2000. Alabama and Mississippi still pair King's birthday with the birthday of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.

Columbus Day became a national holiday in 1968, endorsed by Congress and President Lyndon Johnson as a tribute to immigrants and as a declaration of willingness to face with confidence the imponderables of unknown tomorrows, according to a Senate report at the time. But over the past 40 years, as Columbus' image has shifted from the discoverer of America to that of a racist and imperialist, cities and states have either changed the holiday's name (Hawaii calls it Discovery Day) or used the day to honor others; since 1989, South Dakoka has called it Native American Day.

You can think of federal holidays as being like monuments erected in parks, says Matthew Dennis, author of Red, White, and Blue Letter Days, a 2002 book on American holidays. With a monument, you try to set the meaning of the past in stone. But that can change, and people might say, Wait, who is this guy?

Among national holidays, July 4 stands as the most complex and debated, a reflection of the questions and contradictions about the country's origins and about the Declaration of Independence itself.

Independence Day has been caught up in the country's divisions almost from the start. In the 1780s and 1790s, supporters of a stronger central government (Federalists) and those who worried about a return to British-style monarchy (sometimes called Jeffersonian Republicans), argued over the authorship of the Declaration of Independence, with Republicans giving sole credit to their own Thomas Jefferson and Federalists countering (correctly) that many others had worked on it.

In the decades before the Civil War, Black Americans were often excluded from official July 4 events and instead would celebrate on July 5, both acknowledging July 4 and their distance from it. Frederick Douglass delivered his famed 1852 speech, What to the Slave Is the Fourth of July, on July 5.

The Civil War itself was a time for competing interpretations. Southerners embraced the Declaration of Independence's message of defiance against tyranny. The North looked to it as a blueprint. In a letter to Congress sent on July 4, 1861, just months after the Civil War began, President Abraham Lincoln spoke of Independence Day as inspiration for a new and more humane society.

Our adversaries have adopted some declarations of independence in which, unlike the good old one penned by Jefferson, they omit the words `all men are created equal, Lincoln wrote, adding that the Union was upholding "government whose leading object is to elevate the condition of men; to lift artificial weights from all shoulders; to clear the paths of laudable pursuit for all; to afford all an unfettered start and a fair chance in the race of life.

The meaning of July 4 has continued to evolve, from president to president. Franklin D. Roosevelt and George W. Bush are among those who dedicated Independence Day speeches to the military, whether during World War II or in the aftermath of the Sept. 11 attacks. John F. Kennedy's 1962 address, in the midst of the Cold War, called independence the single issue that divides the world today and invoked the longing for independence behind the Iron Curtain. In 2014, President Barack Obama cited the promise of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as a reason immigrants from around the world dream of coming to our shores.

For Independence Day in 2020, less than two months after the murder of George Floyd, President Donald Trump denounced Black Lives Matters protesters and what he called a merciless campaign to wipe out our history, defame our heroes, erase our values and indoctrinate our children. His eventual successor, Joe Biden, issued a brief video saying the country had yet to live up to its promise of equality, noting that even Jefferson was a slaveholder.

But once proposed, it (equality) was an idea that couldn't be constrained, he said. It survived the rages of the Civil War, the dogs of Bull Connor, the assassination of Martin Luther King and more 200 years of systematic racism.

America is no fairy tale," Biden added. "It's been a constant push and pull between two parts of our character: the idea that all men and women  all people  are created equal and the racism that has torn us apart.

Hillel Italie, the books and publishing writer for The Associated Press, writes frequently about culture and history.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP)  A Florida man on Tuesday pleaded guilty to stealing $24 million in COVID-19 relief money by using fake identities and shell companies to fraudulently apply for financial assistance, federal prosecutors said.

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP)  A Florida man on Tuesday pleaded guilty to stealing $24 million in COVID-19 relief money by using fake identities and shell companies to fraudulently apply for financial assistance, federal prosecutors said.

Hasan Hakim Brown, 45, pleaded guilty to a count of conspiring to commit bank fraud. He is facing up to 30 years in prison when he is sentenced in September.

According to federal prosecutors in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, Brown and his co-conspirators used fake identities and shell companies to fraudulently apply for financial assistance from the federal Paycheck Protection Program.

The money was paid to companies registered to Brown and his co-conspirators, as well as to companies registered to fake identities that Brown and his co-conspirators controlled, federal prosecutors said.

Federal prosecutor said Brown and his colleagues had previously used the fake and stolen identities, and associated bank accounts and shell companies, to steal money from a bank in Texas.
SEATTLE (AP)  Money is on the way to help save the only grocery store in an isolated Washington state community that's been especially strained by the pandemic-related closure of the U.S.-Canada border.

SEATTLE (AP)  Money is on the way to help save the only grocery store in an isolated Washington state community that's been especially strained by the pandemic-related closure of the U.S.-Canada border.

About 1,300 people live on Point Roberts, on the tip of a peninsula south of Vancouver, British Columbia, that juts into U.S. territory. It's part of Washington, but separated from the rest of the state.

Before the pandemic residents often traveled into Canada to shop, work or drive the 25 miles (40 km) through southern British Columbia to reach the U.S. mainland. Canadian shoppers and tourists, meanwhile, have been a big source of revenue for the point's businesses.

But the border has been closed to nonessential travel since March 2020. The Point Roberts International Marketplace, the community's only grocery store, has lost many of its customers.

Gov. Jay Inslee announced Tuesday that Washington would give $100,000 from its strategic reserves to support the market, which faced closure on July 15.

The money will help keep the market afloat until the border reopens, preserving its 10 jobs and avoiding a food security crisis, Inslee said. The market might even be able to add three employees once business picks up.

"While all Washington communities have been impacted, the situation up there is unique, Inslee said in a news release. This action is a small bridge to support the entire community and retain a critical employer. I urge the U.S. and Canadian governments to take rapid and meaningful steps to reopen travel across the U.S.-Canada land border, consistent with public health guidelines.

The market's owner, Ali Hayton, said she remains frustrated by the border closure but is thankful for the governor's support, which she said would help stop the hemorrhaging at her store. Other businesses and residents in Point Roberts continue to need help, she said.

As a business owner, I have never wanted a hand-out; I just want my customers back, Hayton said.

The market has been losing $30,000 a month without its Canadian customers and owners of second homes who haven't returned to Point Roberts, she told Oregon Public Broadcasting last week. The most recent extension of the border closure  through July 21  had pushed her to the brink, Hayton said.

Point Roberts leaders have been calling for a border reopening exemption for their community, going so far as coming up with a plan to offer surplus vaccine to Canadian visitors. They insist they don't pose a public health threat to Canadians because about 85% of the community's residents are fully vaccinated.

Inslee has repeatedly asked Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, without luck, that Point Roberts residents be allowed to travel directly through southern British Columbia to re-enter the U.S. mainland at Blaine. Trudeau has acknowledged the difficulty the border closures have caused some communities, but he has cautioned against reopening too hastily.
SALEM, Ore. (AP)  The grim toll of the historic heat wave in the Pacific Northwest became more apparent as authorities in Canada, Oregon and Washington state said Wednesday they were investigating hundreds of deaths likely caused by scorching temperatures that shattered all-time records in the normally temperate region.

A worker stands near a lift, Tuesday, June 29, 2021, as he works on a future Sound Transit light rail station near Federal Way, Wash., south of Seattle. The unprecedented Northwest U.S. heat wave that slammed Seattle and other cities moved inland Tuesday after consecutive days of record high temperatures far exceeding 100 degrees (37.7 degrees Celcius). (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

SALEM, Ore. (AP)  The grim toll of the historic heat wave in the Pacific Northwest became more apparent as authorities in Canada, Oregon and Washington state said Wednesday they were investigating hundreds of deaths likely caused by scorching temperatures that shattered all-time records in the normally temperate region.

British Columbias chief coroner, Lisa Lapointe, said her office received reports of at least 486 sudden and unexpected deaths between Friday and Wednesday. Normally, she said about 165 people would die in the Canadian province over a five-day period.

While it is too early to say with certainty how many of these deaths are heat related, it is believed likely that the significant increase in deaths reported is attributable to the extreme weather, LaPointe said in a statement.

Many homes in Vancouver, much like Seattle, dont have air conditioning, leaving people ill-prepared for soaring temperatures.

"Vancouver has never experienced heat like this, and sadly dozens of people are dying because of it, Vancouver police Sgt. Steve Addison said in a statement.

A person works near a window on a multi-unit building being constructed Tuesday, June 29, 2021, in Federal Way, Wash., south of Seattle. The unprecedented Northwest U.S. heat wave that slammed Seattle and other cities moved inland Tuesday after consecutive days of record high temperatures far exceeding 100 degrees (37.7 degrees Celcius). (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

Oregon health officials said more than 60 deaths have been tied to the heat, with the states largest county, Multnomah, blaming the weather for 45 deaths since temperatures spiked Friday. At least 20 deaths in Washington state have been linked to the heat, a number that was expected to rise.

The heat wave was caused by what meteorologists described as a dome of high pressure over the Northwest and worsened by human-caused climate change, which is making such extreme weather events more likely and more intense. Seattle, Portland and many other cities broke all-time heat records, with temperatures in some places reaching above 115 degrees Fahrenheit (46 Celsius).

While the temperatures had cooled considerably in western Washington, Oregon and British Columbia by Wednesday, interior regions were still sweating through triple-digit temperatures as the weather system moved east into the intermountain West and the Plains.

Two people jump from a pedestrian bridge at Lake Union Park into the water during a heat wave hitting the Pacific Northwest, Sunday, June 27, 2021, in Seattle. A day earlier, a record high was set for the day with more record highs expected today and Monday. (AP Photo/John Froschauer)

Amid the dangerous heat and drought gripping the American West, crews were closely monitoring wildfires that can explode in the extreme weather.

Heat warnings were in place for parts of Washington, Oregon, Idaho and Montana as well as Saskatchewan and southern Alberta, where a prolonged, dangerous, and historic heat wave will persist through this week, Environment Canada said.

The temperatures recorded this week are unprecedented  lives have been lost and the risk of wildfires is at a dangerously high level, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said.

Avery Williams, right, 20, who was visiting Spokane from Brentwood, TN, wipes his face down and drinks water with his sister Camille, 16, lower left, as they escape the heat with their mother Heather Brentwood, not pictured, on Tuesday, June 29, 2021, at a downtown cooling center in the same building as the Looff Carrousel in Spokane, Wash. (Tyler Tjomsland/The Spokesman-Review via AP)

In Oregon, the Multnomah County medical examiner blamed 45 heat deaths on hyperthermia, an abnormally high body temperature caused by a failure of the body to deal with heat. The victims ranged in age from 44 to 97.

The county that includes Portland said that between 2017 and 2019, there were only 12 hyperthermia deaths in all of Oregon.

This was a true health crisis that has underscored how deadly an extreme heat wave can be, especially to otherwise vulnerable people, Dr. Jennifer Vines, the county's health officer, said in a statement.

People walk near Pike Place Market, Tuesday, June 29, 2021, in Seattle. The unprecedented Northwest U.S. heat wave that slammed Seattle and Portland, Oregon, moved inland Tuesday  prompting an electrical utility in Spokane, Washington, to resume rolling blackouts amid heavy power demand. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

The King County medical examiner's office, which covers an area including Seattle, said on Wednesday that a total of 13 people had died from heat-related causes. In neighboring Snohomish County, three men  ages 51, 75 and 77  died after experiencing heatstroke in their homes, the medical examiners office told the Daily Herald in Everett, Washington, on Tuesday. Four deaths have also been linked to heat in Kitsap County, west of Seattle.

In western Washington, the Spokane Fire Department found two people dead in an apartment building Wednesday who had been suffering symptoms of heat-related stress, TV station KREM reported.

The heat led a power company in Spokane to impose rolling blackouts because of the strain on the electrical grid. Avista Utilities says it's trying to limit outages to one hour per customer.

Jenny Rol, right, holds her 14-month-old daughter Safi in a water feature to cool off at a park in Missoula, Montana, as temperatures approached 100 degrees on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. A heat wave has gripped the Pacific Northwest and is moving east. (AP Photo/Tommy Martino)

Heather Rosentrater, an Avista vice president for energy delivery, said the outages were a distribution problem and did not stem from a lack of electricity in the system.

Renee Swecker, 66, of Clayton, Washington, visited a splashpad fountain in downtown Spokanes Riverfront Park with her grandchildren Wednesday, saying they are going everywhere where there is water.

Im praying for rain every day, Swecker said.

Morris reported from Vancouver, British Columbia. Associated Press writer Nicholas K. Geranios contributed from Spokane, Washington.
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP)  New Jersey's yearlong coronavirus-inspired ban on smoking in Atlantic City casinos will end Sunday, just in time for the Fourth of July holiday.

Casino dealer Nicole Vitola speaks at a rally Wednesday, June 30, 2021 on the Atlantic City N.J., Boardwalk calling for a permanent ban on smoking in Atlantic City's nine casinos. The coronavirus-inspired temporary ban will expire on Sunday July 4. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP)  New Jersey's yearlong coronavirus-inspired ban on smoking in Atlantic City casinos will end Sunday, just in time for the Fourth of July holiday.

Gov. Phil Murphy said Wednesday that an order he signed ending a public health emergency contained a sunset provision winding down the smoking ban within 30 days, which is Sunday.

While acknowledging gamblers will be free to light up again starting Sunday, the Democratic governor indicated he would look favorably on a measure lawmakers are considering to permanently end smoking in New Jersey's casinos.

I would be very constructive on that, he said at a coronavirus briefing, stopping short of saying he would sign the legislation.

The governor's remarks came two hours after dozens of casino workers and anti-smoking advocates rallied on the Atlantic City boardwalk to call for a permanent smoking ban.

Casinos are exempted from a state law banning most indoor smoking, while an Atlantic City law limits smoking to no more than 25% of the casino floor.

Casino workers and smoking opponents march on the Atlantic City N.J., Boardwalk on Wednesday, June 30, 2021 calling for a permanent ban on smoking in Atlantic City's nine casinos. The coronavirus-inspired temporary ban will expire on Sunday July 4. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)

New Jersey has even prohibited smoking on beaches and public parks, which was not lost on many of the rallying casino workers.

How is it that you're not allowed to smoke on our beaches or our boardwalk, but you're allowed to smoke at my table where I can't walk away? asked Nicole Vitola, a table games dealer at the Borgata. All I want is the same right that every other worker in New Jersey receives.

Janice Green, a dealer at the Tropicana, has worked in Atlantic City casinos for 40 years.

Being in the business so long, I have lung disease, she said. I have asthma because of it. It's under control now, but if you bring smoking back, I'm going to be back on inhalers, and I don't want that.

Murphy ordered Atlantic City's casinos to close in March 2020 during the pandemic, and when they reopened 3 1/2 months later, smoking was banned as a public health measure.

Why is this the only place in New Jersey you can smoke?" said Alvaro Dente, a casino floor supervisor at the Tropicana. Bars and restaurants don't allow it. And the casinos are not losing money.

Las Vegas casinos also closed in March 2020, and some groups called for a smoking ban when they could reopen less than three months later. But Nevada regulators declined to address the issue.

Onjewel Smith of the group Americans for Nonsmokers Rights said the casino workers at greatest risk from smoking are the mostly Black and brown women, front-line workers. They are the ones putting their lives at risk every day.

The Casino Association of New Jersey, a trade group, opposes a permanent smoking ban, saying it could cause long-term financial implications.

Going completely nonsmoking would place Atlantic City casinos at a competitive disadvantage with other nearby casinos that allow smoking, the group said in a statement.

Such a ban would lead to fewer customers, fewer casino jobs and lower tax revenue, it said.

The casinos say they have spent considerable sums on cleaning and air filtration systems to protect customers.

And a considerable amount of gamblers say that smoking is an integral part of their gambling experience.

But nonsmoker Tom Cushion, who visits casinos once or twice a week, has loved the smoke-free atmosphere for the past year.

You can feel the difference, said Cushion, who lives in Galloway, just outside Atlantic City. That stale, smoky smell  you don't have that anymore. It's time to go smoke-free.

Follow Wayne Parry at http://twitter.com/WayneParryAC.
WEED, Calif. (AP)  Officers shot and killed a man who pulled a gun as they tried to keep him out of a complex of marijuana farms in an area of far Northern California where thousands of people were ordered to evacuate as a wildfire raged during a heat wave enveloping part of the U.S. West, authorities said.

A member of the U.S. Forest Service's Trinity Hotshots firefighting crew carries a chain saw while hiking out of the burn zone Monday, June 28, 2021, at the Lava Fire north of Weed, Calif. (Scott Stoddard/Grants Pass Daily Courier via AP)

WEED, Calif. (AP)  Officers shot and killed a man who pulled a gun as they tried to keep him out of a complex of marijuana farms in an area of far Northern California where thousands of people were ordered to evacuate as a wildfire raged during a heat wave enveloping part of the U.S. West, authorities said.

Siskiyou County Sheriff Jeremiah LaRue told The Sacramento Bee that the man was trying to drive into the Mount Shasta Vista subdivision on Monday and pointed a handgun at a group of officers that included a sheriffs deputy and local police.

Based upon preliminary information, it appears that there might have been a couple rounds fired from the suspects firearm, LaRue said.

The officers killed the man, who was not immediately identified.

The subdivision has been converted into a huge network of marijuana farms mostly run by Hmong and Chinese families. The county has banned large-scale marijuana cultivation but thousands of pot greenhouses have sprung up. Police efforts to shut them down have been countered with claims of racial discrimination, and the families are pursuing a federal civil rights lawsuit.

Hmong people fought for the U.S. during the Vietnam War after being recruited by the CIA in Laos to fend off communist forces. After the war, many Hmong refugees moved to Minnesota, Wisconsin and California, where they settled in the Central Valley, given their agricultural background.

In recent years, some Hmong farmers moved north from central California to work in marijuana growing operations.

The violence Monday erupted as the Lava Fire grew rapidly and the sheriff's office issued evacuation orders for the communities of Lake Shastina, Juniper Valley and Mount Shasta Vista. The flames spanned nearly 21 square miles (54 square kilometers) Tuesday.

The total number of people forced to flee the area was unclear. The Sacramento Bee reported that nearly 3,000 people live in Lake Shastina and as many as 8,000 others live in the area to tend to the thousands of marijuana grows.

All evacuation orders are still in place at this time. We do not know what structures have burned down and the status of many areas, the Sheriffs Office said on social media Tuesday.

Ignited by lightning on June 24, the fire is burning brush and timber in the Shasta-Trinity National Forest north of the town of Weed, about 250 miles (402 kilometers) north of San Francisco.

At a town hall meeting on Monday, Todd Mack, fire management officer for Shasta Trinity National Forest, apologized for fire crews leaving a tiny blaze Friday that reignited an hour later and became the Lava Fire.

The expertise on the ground called it contained, Mack said of the quarter-acre blaze. There was no smoke. We patrolled it a couple of times, drove off and we were going to have resources come back."

Shasta Trinity National Forest spokeswoman Adrienne Freeman said crews had dumped thousands of gallons of water on the blaze to drown it and get into all the nooks and crannies" and used their hands to check for heat, the San Francisco Chronicle reported.

Some 800 firefighters were battling the flames in rough and rocky terrain.

They faced a tougher fight because the region was under excessive-heat warnings, with high temperatures expected to range from 100 degrees (38 Celsius) to 110 degrees (43 Celsius).

It comes as an unprecedented heat wave in the Pacific Northwest broke temperature records in Seattle and Portland, Oregon, this week and moved inland Tuesday. Climate change is making such extreme weather events more likely and more intense.
MOSCOW (AP)  President Vladimir Putin revealed Wednesday that he had received the domestically developed Sputnik V vaccine earlier this year, stressing the importance of getting vaccinated amid a surge of new coronavirus infections and deaths in Russia.

A group of people some of them wearing face masks to protect against coronavirus stand in line to get a coronavirus vaccine at a vaccination point in Gorky Park in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, June 30, 2021. Russia was among the first in the world to announce and deploy a coronavirus vaccine last year, but so far only about 23 million, just over 15% of the population have received at least one vaccine shot. Hampered by widespread vaccine hesitancy and limited production capacity, Russia's vaccination rates have picked up in recent weeks, after authorities in many regions made shots mandatory for employees in certain sectors. (AP Photo/Alexander Zemlianichenko)

MOSCOW (AP)  President Vladimir Putin revealed Wednesday that he had received the domestically developed Sputnik V vaccine earlier this year, stressing the importance of getting vaccinated amid a surge of new coronavirus infections and deaths in Russia.

During an annual call-in show taking pore-screened question s, Putin voiced hope the immunization drive could help avoid a nationwide lockdown.

Russia on Wednesday reported 21,042 new infections and 669 deaths  similar to numbers it has been reporting daily since June 24. The number of reported deaths was a record for a single day for the country.

While reaffirming his position that vaccinations should be voluntary, Putin emphasized that decisions by local authorities in regions across Russia that made shots mandatory for some workers should help contain the surge.

Those decisions were based on the law and aimed at avoiding the need for a lockdown, when entire enterprises shut down and people are left without their jobs, without their salaries, Putin said.

Russian officials have blamed the rise in cases on Russians lax attitude toward taking precautions, the growing prevalence of more infectious variants and vaccination hesitancy. Although Russia was among the first countries to announce and deploy a coronavirus vaccine, just over 23 million people  or 15% of its 146 million population  have received at least one shot.

Experts have blamed this on wariness of the rushed approval of the Russian-made vaccines and limited production capacity.

Putin said that he initially didn't identify the vaccine he received to avoid offering a competitive advantage to its maker.

But I see that there are lots of questions, the president said.

Putin got his first shot in late March and his second in mid-April, both out of the public eye.

On Wednesday, Putin said he hadn't consulted with his doctors as much about which vaccine to take but rather looked at what choices his acquaintances made. He said he went for Sputnik V because it provided the longest protection out of the two jabs available to Russians at the time.

Especially since our armed forces are being vaccinated with Sputnik V, and I'm the commander in chief, after all, he said, chuckling.

Russia gave Spuntik V regulatory approval in August 2020, and it faced criticism at home and abroad because it had only been tested on a few dozen people at the time. However, the criticism was blunted by a report in the British medical journal The Lancet this year that said large-scale testing showed it to be safe, with an efficacy rate of 91%.

Its one-dose version, Sputnik Light, received approval last month and was released into circulation earlier this month.

Two other Russian vaccines  EpiVacCorona and CoviVac  have also received regulatory approval before completing late-stage trials. No data on the efficacy of those two vaccines has been released, and Spuntik V remains the most widely used coronavirus vaccine in the country.

Putin on Wednesday said all four Russian vaccines are cutting-edge, safe and rather effective.

Whether Russia will have enough vaccines to cope with a spike in demand remains unclear. Several regions have already reported shortages, but the Kremlin assured that those were merely temporary logistical difficulties.

Industry and Trade Minister Denis Manturov said Tuesday that, to date, 36.7 million sets of all four domestically developed coronavirus vaccines have been released in Russia.

Amid the latest surge of cases, about 20 Russian regions  from Moscow and St. Petersburg to the remote far-eastern region of Sakhalin  have made vaccinations mandatory this month for employees in certain sectors. The move seemingly helped ramp up the immunization drive in recent weeks but also elicited some pushback.

As of Monday, restaurants, bars and cafes in Moscow can only admit customers who have been vaccinated, have recovered from COVID-19 in the past six months or can provide a negative test in the previous 72 hours. Customers must visit a government website and get a QR code, a digital pattern designed to be read by a scanner.

In one concession, city officials agreed that the QR codes arent needed for customers using outdoor terraces. Underage customers wont have to provide documentation if they are with their parents.

Small protests against mandatory vaccinations erupted in Moscow and the Sakhalin region this week.
MONTREAL - Public sector workers will begin gradually returning to their offices in September, the Quebec government said Wednesday, as health officials reported 126 new cases of COVID-19.

Quebec Treasury Board Chair Sonia Lebel unveils the government's offer to union workers of public services, Wednesday, March 31, 2021 at the legislature in Quebec City. The Quebec government says public sector workers will begin a "progressive" return to their offices in September, as 126 new cases of COVID-19 were reported in the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

MONTREAL - Public sector workers will begin gradually returning to their offices in September, the Quebec government said Wednesday, as health officials reported 126 new cases of COVID-19.

The goal is to have about 50 per cent of employees working in person three or four days a week in government offices by Oct. 7, Treasury Board Chair Sonia LeBel told reporters.

"Even if the situation is better than it was and we are very optimistic for the future, we still have to deal with the fact that the virus is still present in our communities, so we are privileging a progressive return to work starting in mid-September," LeBel said.

All government employees should be back in offices by Nov. 15, working under a hybrid model that would allow them to spend one or two days a week working remotely, she added.

The merits of the hybrid model, LeBel said, have been proven during the pandemic. "We think that this is something that has both advantages for the government and for the employees."

LeBel, however, said the plan could change if the public health situation does not continue to improve.

A union representing 29,100 government workers welcomed the announcement but said employees, not the government, should determine when and how often workers return to the office.

"It's a step in the right direction," Line Lamarre, president of Syndicat de professionnelles et professionnels du gouvernement du Quebec, said in a news release. "However, we believe our members are sufficiently professional to determine for themselves when their presence at the office is required."

The union said the government's back-to-work plan "lacks flexibility."

Speaking at the same news conference, Labour Minister Jean Boulet said the government is recommending that private sector employers develop similar plans to return to offices this fall.

Boulet said while employers have the right to require their employees return to offices, he said he hopes they discuss the issue with their workers to ensure a "harmonious back to work for all the people in Quebec, in compliance with the hybrid formula that we strongly recommend."

He suggested that employers should assume their employees who have been working from home want to continue working remotely some of the time. With the entire province at the lowest pandemic-alert level, Boulet said remote work is not obligatory in Quebec but remains strongly recommended.

Meanwhile, the 126 new COVID-19 infections reported Wednesday represent the highest daily case count since June 19. Health officials also reported three more deaths attributed to the novel coronavirus. Officials said hospitalizations dropped by five, to 117, and 35 people were in intensive care, a rise of four.

They said 102,799 doses of vaccine were administered Tuesday, and Quebecs public health institute said 81.2 per cent of residents 12 and over have received at least one dose of vaccine and 28.6 per cent of all residents are adequately vaccinated.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 30, 2021.

This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship.
Janet Smith likes to think shes an optimistic person. But running an independent clothing store, from one wave of the pandemic to the next, has only made things for her increasingly baleful.

Janet Smith likes to think shes an optimistic person. But running an independent clothing store, from one wave of the pandemic to the next, has only made things for her increasingly baleful.

She knows Manitobans mean well and that theres been a big push to shop locally and support smaller shops during COVID-19. "Has that translated to income though? To be quite honest, not really," she said.

"Theres days and days where not a single soul walks into the concourse," the co-owner of Appareo Fashion Boutique in downtown Winnipeg told the Free Press. "Even now, after restrictions have eased, its skeleton crews working here and there. Foot traffic seems like a thing of the past."

The data show Smiths boutique is not alone.

At least 60 per cent of consumers say theyve been spending less at small businesses during the pandemic and more at big-box stores or online giants, according to a new public opinion poll conducted on behalf of the Canadian Federation of Independent Business.

Across Manitoba, small businesses remain in a precarious position, with only 35 per cent making normal sales and 41 per cent fully staffed  among the lowest numbers nationwide, as of late June.

In Winnipeg, things are much more dire. Around 80 per cent of people say theyve spent relatively less at local shops in the last year, while 60 per cent said theyve spent a whole lot less, suggest new figures from Downtown Winnipeg BIZ.

Of all the spending Winnipeggers did over the last year, only between 10 and 20 per cent of it was done at downtown businesses. And while one-half of people in the city did visit a retail store downtown, only about 10 per cent of their overall retail spending was done at a downtown shop.

Still, according to the CFIB, shopping locally remains important to people from coast to coast. About nine in 10 Canadians say they wish they could do more to support small businesses in their community.

"Its such a challenge for businesses because I think we all have great intentions," said Kate Fenske, chief executive officer of Downtown Winnipeg BIZ, in an interview Tuesday.

"I mean, weve all seen the lineups outside big-box stores," said Fenske. "Theres hundreds and hundreds of people that go there  which, one could argue, is definitely not as safe as going to a local shop that inherently can have fewer people inside."

John Graham, director of government relations at the Retail Council of Canada, said he "doesnt think its a matter of confidence in safety" or other precautionary measures being taken.

"The reality is, people can do multiple things at the same location with just one stop at a bigger store. And to them, that makes their life easier," he said.

Thats why national retailers like Walmart and Costco, Graham believes, have been "actively using their utility to relocate inventory to their locations in areas that are less restrictive in terms of public-health protocols."

Smith says thats a problem shes had to contend with, every step of the way during COVID-19.

"Right now, we should have our fall and winter items bought to be sold to customers already," she said. "We dont have any of that because we couldnt go to any markets for our unique items."

Smiths boutique is now preparing for a fourth wave of the pandemic because of supply-chain concerns. At least four other retailers in the city said the same, adding big-box stores are beating them out even when it comes to clothing.

Loren Remillard, president and CEO of the Winnipeg Chamber of Commerce, said its also a matter of competing with the giants online.

"Businesses are preparing for every contingency right now," he said. "Many of them transitioned online because they learned how important that was. But yes, not every sector can do well with e-commerce. And of course, they cant compete with Amazon."

A couple weeks ago, Fenske held a roundtable with small retailers to discuss just that  how theyre navigating business virtually. "What we learnt was, even if they cant necessarily compete with the giants, business owners efforts are still actually much more crucial and time-consuming online," she said.

"Its moms and dads and sisters and uncles that are the ones helping and working on a business social media channels, round the clock and on the off hours."

Smith says she couldnt agree more. "At the end of the day, boutiques like mine just cannot work through the SkipTheDishes model," she said.

"So, the next time youre supporting a local restaurant, I really want everyone to also think of the local clothing shops, too. Were really, truly struggling  so many of us have closed  and no one knows what comes ahead."

temur.durrani@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @temurdur
TUBINGEN, Germany  German vaccine maker CureVac says younger people could benefit from its coronavirus shot, following disappointing results two weeks ago in a broader age group.

A child is handed over to board a ferry as people crowd a ferry terminal to leave the city ahead of a lockdown set to start on July 1, in Munshiganj, on the outskirts of Dhaka, Bangladesh, Wednesday, June 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Mahmud Hossain Opu)

TUBINGEN, Germany  German vaccine maker CureVac says younger people could benefit from its coronavirus shot, following disappointing results two weeks ago in a broader age group.

The company said Wednesday that its vaccine is 53% effective against COVID-19 of any severity in 18- to 60-year-olds. Overall, though, CurveVac says the shot is 48% effective, based on 83 cases in the vaccine group and 145 in the placebo group.

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 says it has sent the data to the European Medicines Agency, which is conducting a rolling review of the vaccine.

CureVac CEO Franz-Werner Haas says the vaccine fully protects 18- to 60-year-olds against hospitalization. He calls it an important contribution to help manage the COVID-19 pandemic and the dynamic variant spread.

Elderly Sri Lankans wait to receive their second dose of Covishield, Serum Institute of India's version of the AstraZeneca vaccine during a public vaccination drive in Colombo, Sri Lanka, Wednesday, June 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Eranga Jayawardena)

The company says it sequenced 204 case samples to identify the variant causing the infection, but did not provide complete details on the variants found.

MORE ON THE PANDEMIC

 Amid virus surge, Putin urges citizens to get vaccinated

 Leader berates North Korean officials for crucial virus lapse

 As COVID recedes in prisons, will any lessons learned stick?

 Youth of the pandemic revisited: Hopeful, resilient, nervous

People wearing face masks as a precaution against the coronavirus line up to receive free food distributed by a volunteer in Mumbai, India, Wednesday, June 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Rafiq Maqbool)

Follow more of APs pandemic coverage at https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-pandemic and https://apnews.com/hub/coronavirus-vaccine

HERES WHAT ELSE IS HAPPENING:

BILLINGS, Mont.  Montanas governor is lifting the state of emergency for the coronavirus pandemic more than 15 months after it was imposed under his predecessor.

Wednesdays move by Gov. Greg Gianforte comes as COVID-19 case rates continue to slowly drop in Montana. Almost half the states eligible residents are now fully vaccinated.

Broad public health mandates such as face mask requirements and occupancy limits for businesses were previously rescinded.

Other states also have lifted emergency declarations in recent days as the public health crisis eases.

People wearing face masks to help protect against the spread of the coronavirus walk under the banner of Tokyo Olympics along a walkway in Tokyo, Wednesday, June 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Koji Sasahara)

The respiratory disease has caused at least 1,665 deaths in Montana.

ROME  Fifty-two Italian prison officers have been suspended for their alleged involvement in an assault on inmates who had protested the lack of face masks and virus tests during the peak of Italys pandemic last year.

Surveillance video of the club-wielding officers beating, kicking and punching prisoners in a holding room and as they came up and down a staircase were published online Tuesday and Wednesday by the newspaper Il Domani.

Some of the prisoners at the Santa Maria Capua Vetere prison in Naples were struck repeatedly while on the floor, bleeding, or as they walked with their hands behind their bowed heads. None was seen resisting or trying to fight back.

Italys justice ministry said Wednesday that 52 officers and supervisors are on suspension pending a criminal investigation into the events of April 6, 2020.

HOUSTON  A grand jury on Wednesday declined to indict a former Houston-area health department doctor who was accused of stealing nine doses of coronavirus vaccine from a damaged vial and administering them to family and friends.

FILE - In this May 19, 2021 file photo, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky testifies during a Senate Appropriations Subcommittee hearing to examine the FY 2022 budget request for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Washington. Walensky said Wednesday, June 30 the CDC is leaving it up to local officials to set guidelines for mask-wearing as the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus surges in areas with low vaccination rates. (Greg Nash/Pool via AP, File)

Prosecutors had alleged that Hasan Gokal, who worked for Harris County Public Health, stole a vial of the Moderna coronavirus vaccine while working at a vaccination site at a suburban Houston park on Dec. 29.

But grand jurors in Harris County, where Houston is located, decided no criminal charges were warranted. The grand jurys decision comes after a judge in January dismissed a theft charge prosecutors had filed against Gokal.

ANCHORAGE, Alaska  A nonprofit advocacy group for African Americans will use a roughly $1.2 million federal grant to conduct the first statewide report on the health status of Black Alaskans.

Celeste Hodge Growden, president of the Alaska Black Caucus, tells Alaska Public Media that with the report, they will be able to make recommendations to local and state entities regarding best practices and health-related data collection and reporting by race,

Existing data shows Black Alaskans are less likely to be vaccinated against COVID-19.

The group will also use the money for roundtable discussions, a summit for Black Alaskans and a health fair for people of color.

In this June 13, 2021 photo provided by Melissa Burns, Islesboro Central School seniors prepare to toss their mortarboards to celebrate their graduation. The Class of 2021  all 13 of them  were eyeing a trip to Greece, or maybe South Korea, but they wound up going nowhere. The seniors decided to donate $5,000 to help out struggling neighbors after the coronavirus pandemic changed everything. (Melissa Burns via AP)

MADRID  The coronavirus infection rate is climbing in Spain, spurred by outbreaks among young and unvaccinated groups, according to Health Ministry data.

The two-week rate of infection reached 117 new cases per 100,000 residents nationwide, up from Tuesdays 106 infections. Infections increased from 251 to 293 cases per 100,000 in the past 24 hours among ages 20 to 29.

The rise in cases is not leading to a rise in hospital admissions or deaths, but authorities are concerned the virus could spread to more vulnerable groups.

Officials were discussing how to speed up vaccination among those groups. Spain has fully vaccinated 37% of its 47 million residents.

LISBON, Portugal  Portugal recorded the biggest daily increase in coronavirus infections since mid-February.

Official data Wednesday showed 2,362 new infections in the country of 10 million residents. More than half of the infections have been tied to the delta variant. However, the surge is not leading to more hospital admissions or a significant strain in the public health system.

A cobbler awaits customers at his roadside stall where face masks are displayed for sale in Bengaluru, India, Wednesday, June 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Aijaz Rahi)

Portugals 14-day infection rate increased from 158 to 172 cases per 100,000 residents on Wednesday.

The county put Britain on its red list for travel and cancelled school classes in the southern Algarve region, its main tourist destination. Authorities have sped up vaccinations in several areas, including Lisbon, which has become an infection hot spot.

Portugal has fully vaccinated nearly one-third of its 10 million residents.

ISTANBUL  Turkeys health minister announced a third dose of vaccine would be available for health care workers and people above age 50.

Fahrettin Koca says these groups, who were mostly vaccinated with two doses of the Chinas CoronaVac, can choose any available vaccine for their third dose. Turkey is also administering the Pfizer vaccine and will begin use of Russias Sputnik V shots.

Turkey is allowing a third dose for health care workers and people over 50 because two doses of CoronaVac may not be providing enough antibodies after several months. There is little data about CoronaVacs efficacy against the more infectious delta variant.

People enjoy a summer's day, in Benidorm, south-east Spain, Saturday, June 26, 2021. Almost a year after face masks became mandatory indoors and outdoors in Spain, people from Saturday are no longer required to wear them outside as long as they can stay at least 1.5 meters (5 feet) apart. (AP Photo/Alvaro Barrientos)

Koca also announced the current six-week gap between two doses of Pfizer shots will be reduced to four. This will speed Turkeys vaccination plan where more than 34.6 million people have gotten their first shot but only about 18% of the population have been fully vaccinated.

MOSCOW  President Vladimir Putin says he was vaccinated this year with Russias Sputnik V shot, and hes encouraging citizens to get vaccinated amid a surge of coronavirus infections and deaths.

During an annual call-in show, Putin expressed hope the immunization drive could help avoid a nationwide lockdown. Russia on Wednesday reported 21,042 new infections and 669 deaths, a daily record. Similar numbers have been reported daily since June 24.

While reaffirming vaccinations should be voluntary, Putin says decisions by local authorities across Russia that made shots mandatory for some workers should help contain the surge.

Russia was among the first countries to announce and deploy a coronavirus vaccine, but about 23 million people  or 15% of the 146 million population  have received at least one shot. Health experts blame the wariness on rushed approval of the Russian-made vaccines and limited production capacity.

RIO DE JANEIRO  Brazils President Jair Bolsonaro has fired a Health Ministry official after a newspaper reported his alleged participation in a graft scheme to secure COVID-19 vaccines, further straining the governments defense of its pandemic response.

People sit in a waiting room after receiving their COVID-19 vaccine at the Vaccine Village in Antwerp, Belgium on Wednesday, June 30, 2021. (AP Photo/Virginia Mayo)

The order firing Roberto Dias, head of the Health Ministrys logistics department, was signed on Tuesday night by Bolsonaros chief of staff, Luiz Eduardo Ramos, and published in Wednesdays official gazette.

The Health Ministry didnt immediately respond to a request for comment about the reason for Diass dismissal.

The allegation puts additional pressure on Bolsonaro, whose handling of the COVID-19 crisis is being investigated by a Senate committee. Members said Wednesday theyll look into the newspapers reporting, which included some transcripts of Diass emails.

Bolsonaro in the past week was accused of turning a blind eye to possible corruption in another deal to purchase vaccines, just weeks after the country surpassed the milestone of 500,000 coronavirus deaths.

SEOUL, South Korea  North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has berated top officials for failures in coronavirus prevention that caused a great crisis.

The countrys official media didnt say what crucial lapses warranted Kim to call an important political meeting where he criticized his top officials. But his strong words raise the specter of a mass outbreak occurring in a country that would be scarcely able to handle it.

Demonstrators holding copies of U.S. dollars super imposed with the image of Brazil's President Jair Bolsonaro, marked with red paint to symbolize the blood of COVID-19 victims, take part in a protest outside Congress to demand the president resign, in Brasilia, Brazil, Wednesday, June 30, 2021. A new filing for impeachment charges against Bolsonaro for corruption related to the purchase of COVID-19 vaccines was presented Wednesday to the lower house of Congress, adding to the pressure the leader faces as Senate hearings over his handling of the pandemic continue. (AP Photo/Eraldo Peres)

Cheong Seong-Chang, an analyst at South Koreas private Sejong Institute, says North Korea is potentially dealing with huge virus-related problems in border towns near China.

So far, North Korea has claimed to have had no coronavirus infections. Experts are concerned about any potential outbreak, given the countrys poor health infrastructure

THE HAGUE, Netherlands  The Dutch government says it is extending the coronavirus vaccination program to cover children ages 12 to 17 to help deal with the delta variant.

The decision follows a recommendation by an independent advisory body on Tuesday to offer the Pfizer shot to that age group.

Health Minister Hugo de Jonge says a vaccination offers freedom to young people and helps prevent a resurgence of the virus in the fall.

After a slow start to its vaccination campaign, the Netherlands has gathered pace in recent weeks. The public health institute says 64% of all adults have received their first shot and at least 35% are fully vaccinated.

WASHINGTON  More than 1,500 Head Start programs for children around the country will get a funding boost through President Joe Bidens coronavirus relief bill.

The Department of Health and Human Services announced Wednesday it is awarding $1 billion approved by Congress under Bidens American Rescue Plan.

The money also can be used to help Head Start staffers and their families get vaccinated, although the vaccines are free. For some programs starting this summer, the federal funds will arrive just in time.

Head Start provides preschool and early learning services to more than 1 million children from low-income families through locally operated centers. The program has longstanding bipartisan political support.

GLASGOW, Scotland  Scottish authorities have reported nearly 2,000 coronavirus cases linked to watching European Championship games in stadiums, public gatherings, pubs or private homes.

The data focuses on the first two weeks of Euro 2020 when the national team played two games at Hampden Park in Glasgow and one against England in London. The 1,991 coronavirus cases are only Scottish residents.

Public Health Scotland says 1,294 of the people infected had traveled to London for the England game on June 18. But it says only 397 of them were at Wembley Stadium for the match.

The PHS report found 55 cases connected to the fan zone in Glasgow. There were 38 positive tests linked to Scotlands game against Croatia and 37 from the match against the Czech Republic.

Cases were tagged as related to Euro 2020 even if the person attended an informal gathering. About three quarters of the cases were people between ages 20 to 39. Nine out of 10 infections involved men.

Public Health Scotland didnt immediately respond to a question about how many of the people infected had been vaccinated.

WASHINGTON  Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, says the CDC is leaving it up to local officials to set guidelines for mask-wearing as the highly contagious delta variant of the coronavirus surges in areas with low vaccination rates.

Walensky said Wednesday on NBCs Today show that weve always said that local policymakers need to make policies for their local environment, but added CDC guidelines broadly indicate those who are vaccinated dont need to wear masks.

Health officials in Los Angeles County are recommending people wear masks indoors in public places regardless of their vaccination status.

Separately, the World Health Organization has reiterated its longstanding recommendation that everyone wear masks to lessen the spread of the coronavirus.

Walensky told ABCs Good Morning America on Wednesday the context in which the WHO is making recommendations is very different than us here in the United States since less than 15% of the world is vaccinated.

As for the recommendation by officials in Los Angeles County, Walensky said we are still seeing an uptick in cases in areas of low vaccination and in that situation, we are suggesting that policies be made at the local level.
THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  A United Nations court on Wednesday convicted two former allies of late Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic of aiding and abetting crimes committed by Serb paramilitaries in a Bosnian town in 1992.

Former head of Serbia's state security service Jovica Stanisic, centre, and his subordinate Franko "Frenki" Simatovic, right, appear in court at the UN International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday June 30, 2021. A UN court is delivering judgments in the retrial of Jovica Stanisic and Franko Simatovic, accused of organizing, arming and supporting Serb paramilitaries that committed atrocities in Croatia and Bosnia as Yugoslavia crumbled in the early 1990s. (Piroschka van de Wouw/Pool via AP)

THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP)  A United Nations court on Wednesday convicted two former allies of late Serbian President Slobodan Milosevic of aiding and abetting crimes committed by Serb paramilitaries in a Bosnian town in 1992.

It is the first time that Serbian officials have been convicted by a U.N. court of involvement in crimes in Bosnia.

However, the court said there was not sufficient evidence to convict them of similar crimes committed in other towns and villages in Bosnia and Croatia as the former Yugoslavia violently disintegrated in the early 1990s.

Jovica Stanisic and Franko Simatovic were convicted of aiding and abetting the crimes of murder, deportation, forcible transfer and persecution in the town of Bosanski Samac, and each was sentenced to 12 years' imprisonment. The judgment can be appealed.

Stanisic is a former head of Serbias State Security Service, and Simatovic was a senior intelligence operative with the service.

The trial chamber is satisfied that the accused provided practical assistance which had a substantial effect on the commission of the crimes of murder, forcible displacement and persecution committed in Bosanski Samac and were aware that their acts assisted in their commission, Presiding Judge Burton Hall said.

Hall said that Serb forces and paramilitaries took over the town in northern Bosnia in April 1992.

Former head of Serbia's state security service Jovica Stanisic appears in court at the UN International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals (IRMCT) in The Hague, Netherlands, Wednesday June 30, 2021. A UN court is delivering judgments in the retrial of Jovica Stanisic and Franko Simatovic, accused of organizing, arming and supporting Serb paramilitaries that committed atrocities in Croatia and Bosnia as Yugoslavia crumbled in the early 1990s. (Piroschka van de Wouw/Pool via AP)

Numerous crimes were committed against the non-Serb population ... including looting, rape and the destruction of religious buildings and cultural monuments, Hall said. Local Bosnian Croats and Muslims were forced into detention centers where they were held in inhumane conditions, tortured and killed, he added.

Stanisic and Simatovic were originally acquitted in 2013 by judges who said prosecutors had failed to prove important elements of their links to the crimes. Appeals judges quashed the not-guilty verdicts in 2015 and ordered the retrial that took place at the U.N. International Residual Mechanism for Criminal Tribunals.

The verdicts Wednesday are the final U.N. prosecution in The Hague for crimes committed during the bloody breakup of Yugoslavia.

The court's chief prosecutor, Serge Brammertz, said in a statement that his office would study the judgment and decide whether there are grounds to appeal.

As senior officials in the State Security Service of the Republic of Serbia, Stanisic and Simatovic contributed to the commission of crimes by paramilitary forces and other armed groups in furtherance of ethnic cleansing campaigns against non-Serbs, Brammertz said.

Stanisic's lawyer, Wayne Jordash, said he would appeal.

They found one incident in a municipality, and the evidence of that was weak, he said. And to me it looks like a cynical compromise that we have to find some way to convict him to justify putting a man on trial for 18 years.

Prosecutors had alleged that both defendants were part of a joint criminal enterprise among top Serbian officials to force non-Serbs out of parts of Croatia and Bosnia.

Judges said they were convinced the enterprise existed, and that Stanisic and Simatovic knew about it, but said prosecutors had not proven beyond reasonable doubt that they actually participated.

Munira Subasic, leader of a Bosnian survivors' group called the Mothers of Srebrenica, welcomed the ruling that there was a Serbian plan to drive non-Serbs out of Bosnia.

Serbia is responsible for the war in Bosnia ..., there is no way Serbia can find to absolve itself of that, she said.

Earlier this month, appeals judges at the same court confirmed former Bosnian Serb military chief Ratko Mladic's convictions for his role in atrocities throughout the Bosnian war, and upheld his life sentence.

Natasa Kandic, a prominent Serbian rights activist and the former head of the Humanitarian Law Fund group, described the verdict as very important because it is the last Hague trial and because the accused and sentenced individuals belong to the most important institution in Serbia.

Iva Vukusic, a historian at Utrecht University, said ahead of Wednesday's hearing that the prosecution of Stanisic and Simatovic, who were originally sent to The Hague to face trial in 2003, has taken too long.

I think this case is really showing us that if international justice wants to be a viable solution, this is not the way to run it," she said in a telephone interview. "Its been too long in the making.

Even so, it offered an opportunity to pass the first judgment at an international court on Serbia's role in the wars.

Milosevic was charged in a broader indictment with fomenting crimes in the Balkan wars but he died in his cell in The Hague in 2006 before judges could deliver verdicts.

____

Associated Press writer Jovana Gec in Belgrade, Serbia, contributed.
KAIROUAN, Tunisia (AP)  A man wearing a protective suit quickly yet carefully places a black sheet over a COVID-19 victim laid out in a coffin in a courtyard at Ibn Jazzar Hospital in the Tunisian town of Kairouan. He then folds a white sheet on top and sprinkles the body with disinfectant from a small bottle, while loved ones and other hospital visitors cry out Allahu Akbar, or God is great, in Arabic.

A woman infected with the COVID-19 virus lays on a bed in the Iben El Jazzar hospital in Kairouan, Tunisia, Monday, June 28, 2021.Confirmed virus infections in Tunisia have grown sharply over the last month to the highest daily levels since the pandemic began, while the vaccination rate remains low, according to data from John's Hopkins University. The data indicate that Tunisia has reported Africa's highest per-capita death toll from the pandemic, and is currently recording one of the highest per-capita infection rates in Africa. (Photo/Aimen Othmani)

KAIROUAN, Tunisia (AP)  A man wearing a protective suit quickly yet carefully places a black sheet over a COVID-19 victim laid out in a coffin in a courtyard at Ibn Jazzar Hospital in the Tunisian town of Kairouan. He then folds a white sheet on top and sprinkles the body with disinfectant from a small bottle, while loved ones and other hospital visitors cry out Allahu Akbar, or God is great, in Arabic.

Patients in the hospitals overfilled COVID-19 ward are dying daily amid a spike in coronavirus infections in the North African country, with Kairouan and three other regions especially hard hit. At the regional hospital, tensions mount as personnel try to cope with scarce means.

Im shocked, said Sana Kraiem, whose mother was put in a wheelchair in a roomful of COVID-19 patients, like a dog", she described.

They told me they cant free up a bed occupied by a dead person, a distressed Kraiem said in an interview with The Associated Press during a visit this week to the hospital.

The half-dozen rooms devoted to COVID-19 patients each packs in five or six beds. A patient who recently died was seen still occupying one of the beds in each room visited. A special service eventually removes the body.

Over the past month, confirmed virus infections in Tunisia have reached the highest daily levels since the pandemic began, but the vaccination rate remains low, according to data from Johns Hopkins University. Tunisia has reported Africas highest per-capita death toll from the pandemic, and is currently recording one of the highest per-capita infection rates in Africa, the data indicates.

The Kairouan region is living through a real horror movie, Mohamed Rouis, the regional health director in Kairouan, was quoted saying in Tunisian media earlier this month.

A temporary hospital has been set up on the outskirts of the city. The army has also bolstered that with a military care facility under a green tent which houses a line of beds with monitoring equipment and respirators. Despite the dire situation, there is no widespread testing for COVID-19 in the poor, rural region.

The Ibn Jazzar hospitals supervisor, Zohra Hedwej, explained that goodwill gestures by officials end up as frustrating half-measures, such as opening a section for coronavirus patients, without making provisions for medical staff.

We resort to recruiting workers from other departments in the hospital, Hedwej told the AP. Its very difficult to find volunteers because some dont know the level of their (own) physical immunity, others fear for their relatives who have weak immunity. We want a stable workforce that is able to work.

Hedwej said there is such a dearth of trained personnel that sophisticated equipment cant be used at times.

We need labor more than we need new equipment, she said, adding that while equipment comes from donors  who are still needed  there is still a greater need for trained professionals "who can use it and take care of it.

Facing an alarming growth in infections, the Tunisian government on Tuesday extended an overnight curfew and ordered stepped-up vaccination efforts in rural areas. But it resisted calls for a national lockdown because of public frustration at the economic impact on a population that's already struggling with unemployment and economic decline.

Tunisia has reported more than 14,000 virus-related deaths amid its population of 12 million since the pandemic began, with more than 400 infections per 100,000 people in four regions, including Kairouan, where hospitals are over capacity.

Bouazza ben Bouazza in Tunis, and Elaine Ganley, in Paris, contributed to this report.
A portion of the former Assiniboia Indian Residential School site could host a future display that acknowledges its history.

A portion of the former Assiniboia Indian Residential School site could host a future display that acknowledges its history.

A new proposal calls for Winnipeg city council to pay $1 for land at 621 Academy Rd., located just north of Centennial Street, which is currently owned by the RCMP.

The city would own and maintain the property, while the Assiniboia Residential School Legacy Group would install a meeting circle, reproduce an original school sign and add interpretive panels on the land, if council approves the plan.

Cecil Sveinson, Winnipeg manager of Indigenous relations, said the city became involved in discussions about the idea in 2018.

Sveinson said its important the project is being guided by the legacy group itself.

"This is exactly how it should be. It should be community-driven, survivor-driven, with their wishes and respecting what they want done with the space Its exciting. I hope that it could serve as a model for other municipalities to follow," said Sveinson.

He also hopes the project will help educate Winnipeggers about the former residential high school, which operated from 1958 to 1973.

Residential schools were designed to assimilate Indigenous students and have since been condemned for separating them from families and culture.

"Lots of area residents have lived in that neighbourhood their whole lives and had no clue (the school) was there," said Sveinson.

More Winnipeggers may have become aware of Assiniboia over the past few weeks, after the discoveries of hundreds of unmarked graves at other former residential school sites across Canada cast a spotlight on the system.

Andrew Woolford, a University of Manitoba sociology professor who works with the legacy group, said plans for the space include prairie grasses and a pathway leading to a main monument, as well as some smaller ones. The plans also include at least three informational panels on the sites history.

"First and foremost, the idea is to have a place for Survivors from all residential schools, and their families," said Woolford.

If possible, he said the group would like to break ground on the project later this year.

Coun. Cindy Gilroy, property and development committee chairwoman, said she will vote in favour of the plan, which she sees as an important step toward reconciliation.

"We have to work in collaboration... so that were (acknowledging) the historical wrongs of our past," said Gilroy.

The legacy group could lease the land, licence it or donate what it builds to the city, though that aspect of the proposal has not yet been worked out.

joyanne.pursaga@freepress.mb.ca

Twitter: @joyanne_pursaga
AFTER a staggering decline in court assistants who help First Nations and Metis navigate the justice system, the Pallister government is putting this service into the hands of Indigenous leaders.

AFTER a staggering decline in court assistants who help First Nations and Metis navigate the justice system, the Pallister government is putting this service into the hands of Indigenous leaders.

"When these supports are offered at the earliest point possible, it provides for the greatest potential for connection to restorative justice," Manitoba Justice Minister Cameron Friesen said Tuesday.

The Indigenous Courtwork program has Ottawa match funds for full-time staff to help Indigenous people understand the court process and their rights, including helping an accused understand the process or translate into their first language.

Yet, the Free Press revealed in February 2020 the program had been on the decline in Manitoba, despite the province having the highest incarceration rate, with a majority of Indigenous inmates.

Internal documents showed provincial spending on the program had dropped from $520,000 spent in 2018 to $389,000 the next year.

Manitoba Justice could not provide more recent data Tuesday, but Friesen suggested the provincial funding has since been roughly $375,000 a year.

Meanwhile, the number of case workers dropped from 15 in 2014 to just seven in 2020. The number of people helped by Indigenous court workers has similarly halved from more 10,000 clients in 2017 to 4,500 in 2020.

Manitoba Justice previously said it was due to staff turnover and retirements.

Yet, Friesen said Tuesday those positions were deliberately left open "to prepare them to transition them to devolution. However, now is obviously the time for us to proceed."

The Opposition NDP was unimpressed, saying the funding could have still been used to help shore up court supports.

"After five years of PC cuts, this program lacks the staff and the funding to deliver. Now the PCs are handing off a program thats starved for staff with no promise of long-term funding and additional resources," wrote justice critic MLA Nahanni Fontaine.

Friesen said Indigenous people will have control over the program for the two years left in a federal contract, with Ottawa matching provincial funds. He said Indigenous people will still be in control of the program under the next federal contract.

"When you have that greater connection to counsel and the courts, prior to that first appearance, it actually can help to reduce things like court delays, or when people dont show up for proceedings," Friesen argued.

The northern and southern chiefs, along with the Manitoba Metis Federation and the chiefs of the Island Lake region, will now oversee a combined 10 court workers.

Indigenous leaders praised the government Tuesday for giving them control of the program, which has an annual budget of $1 million, if fully tapped into.

"The legal terminology is always very difficult for Indigenous people, because its a very technical system," said Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak Grand Chief Garrison Settee.

"We need people who can break down the language into a common language, so our people can understand it better."

Southern Grand Chief Jerry Daniels said the new arrangement will help link provincially funded staff with existing Indigenous programming, to divert people from jail.

"I have family who has gone through the justice system, and they didnt necessarily come out better people, especially when they go in there at a young age," he said.

Julyda Lagimodiere, justice minister for the MMF, said the new structure will allow a focus on families and communities.

"Our approach has never been solely on the individual," she said. "Its part of healing, and being accountable to the community."

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
Nearly two dozen workers at a poultry plant in Blumenort have caught COVID-19 in the past eight weeks, marking the second cluster connected to the workplace.

Nearly two dozen workers at a poultry plant in Blumenort have caught COVID-19 in the past eight weeks, marking the second cluster connected to the workplace.

Exceldor Cooperative, which operates the food processing facility just north of Steinbach, confirmed 23 staff members have tested positive for COVID-19 since May 5.

"Currently we have 10 active cases," company spokesman Jordan Ouellet said in a statement to the Free Press. "We are here to support our employees' recovery as best as we can."

Ouellet said approximately 25 workers were also in self-isolation as of Tuesday due to various COVID-19 exposures, including direct contact with a positive case, both inside or outside of the workplace, or due to family members being identified as a close contact.

The plant employs about 600 people.

Last fall, the plant was also affected by COVID-19 when at least 61 workers caught the virus during the second wave. At the time, the virus was said to be spreading in the community, at gatherings, among household members and during activities unrelated to the work of plant employees.

Two Exceldor employees died after falling ill with the virus last fall.

Questions sent to Manitoba Public Health about the cluster at the poultry plant were not answered Tuesday, including whether the more infectious delta variant had been identified in the cluster.

According to provincial data, 62 cases of the delta (B.1617.2) variant have been confirmed in the Southern Health-Sante Sud region. By comparison, 87 such cases have been confirmed in Winnipeg.

A provincial spokesperson provided the following statement: "If a public health risk is assessed and it is deemed necessary to protect the health of others, information is released. It is important to note that in the majority of cases, the most common type of transmission is outside the workplace.

"Public health officials, alongside Workplace Safety and Health, continue to work with workplaces across the province on a case-by-case basis to help support them if a staff member tests positive, or if there is an exposure at or cluster of cases related to the workplace."

Public health officials have not declared an outbreak at the facility.

Ouellet said the Quebec-based company has confirmed there have been "many gatherings outside the workplace" that may have contributed to the spread among workers, and a limited number of staff have been considered close contacts.

"We have been working very closely with public health on all of our cases and have been transparent with them in our findings," Ouellet said, adding the company is considering a vaccine clinic at the Blumenort plant.

"However, we are finding that a lot of our employees have already received at least one dose of the vaccine," Ouellet said.

On Tuesday, a spokesperson for United Food and Commercial Workers Local 832, which represents workers at the plant, said they had no comment.

The plant is the largest employer in Blumenort, a community of about 1,700, and the largest poultry processor in the province.

danielle.dasilva@freepress.mb.ca
OTTAWA  The Pallister government says its major anti-flood project in the Interlake region will be completed around fall 2025, if it soon clears federal and Indigenous requirements.

OTTAWA  The Pallister government says its major anti-flood project in the Interlake region will be completed around fall 2025, if it soon clears federal and Indigenous requirements.

"The province of Manitoba has moved heaven to push this project forward  it is up to the federal government, and our Indigenous partners, to allow us to move earth," Infrastructure Minister Ron Schuler told reporters Wednesday.

He was giving an update on the $540-million Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin outlet channels, for which Ottawa has committed roughly half the cost.

The project has been stymied by errors in the provinces regulatory submission, and disputes over how much consultations are required with Indigenous groups.

Schuler said those issues are being worked out, and construction could start as soon as this fall, if the province secures all environmental permits by then. It will then take four years to build, he said.

Until last fall, Premier Brian Pallister was highly critical of the federal Trudeau government for designating the project as requiring significant consultations with Indigenous groups, including ones far downstream.

The province had resisted in-depth discussions with many of those communities until about a year ago.

Schuler said Ottawa has been collaborative in getting the project through its environmental review, which has involved multiple clarifications and tweaks.

"We have been very pleased with the working relationship we have with our federal government," he said.

Many Indigenous leaders have accused the province of not consulting, by telling them plans instead of negotiating issues such as how to assess the impact of construction on wildlife.

Yet, Schuler said the project is proceeding well, despite the COVID-19 pandemic drawing out the consultation process.

He noted the province changed its hydraulic structure, after local bands argued the narrow stretch of Lake St. Martin would allow water to pool and overflow in its south basin. Before that change, First Nations argued the channel would disrupt ancestral graves and fish-spawning grounds.

Manitoba is also delaying its heritage-excavation work until after the environmental permits are granted, after demands by Indigenous groups.

Some disputes persist. A court rejected a challenge by Interlake chiefs to delay the building of a construction road, which is still pending an appeal. Schuler said the province is proceeding as normal until a court orders it not to.

Meanwhile, the Pallister government and the Manitoba Metis Federation continue to accuse each other of not being in contact over Metis concerns around the outlet channels, such as whether linking bodies of water will hurt fish stocks.

NDP Indigenous affairs critic Ian Bushie argued the project would be further ahead if the province had worked earlier with Indigenous communities and Ottawa, instead of being "ineffective and mismanaged."

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
OTTAWA  The head of the Manitoba Metis Federation is headed to Rome this December to ask the Pope to come to Canada to apologize for residential and day schools  and start a renewed relationship between the Catholic Church and Metis communities.

OTTAWA  The head of the Manitoba Metis Federation is headed to Rome this December to ask the Pope to come to Canada to apologize for residential and day schools  and start a renewed relationship between the Catholic Church and Metis communities.

"Im sure it would be a great opportunity for the healing to start," federation president David Chartrand told the Free Press.

Chartrand will be part of a series of delegations of First Nations, Inuit and Metis leaders. The plan is for the three Indigenous groups to separately visit Pope Francis at the Holy See between Dec. 17 and 20, and conclude with a papal audience together.

All three groups will be seeking an official apology in Canada for the Roman Catholic Church's role in residential schools, as well as other institutions Indigenous children were forced to attend, such as day schools.

MIKAELA MACKENZIE / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS FILES MMF president David Chartrand.

The Catholic Church operated more than half of all residential schools in Canada and, unlike other denominations, has held back on providing records, funding survivor programs and making a formal apology.

Canadian bishops have been planning a Vatican visit for the three main Indigenous organizations  the Assembly of First Nations, the Metis National Council and Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami  since before the pandemic.

In a statement, the bishops said residential school survivors and knowledge keepers will meet with the Pope, who will "address the impact of colonization and the implication of the Church in the residential schools."

Chartrand said the dates were coming into focus just before the revelation of 215 unmarked graves at a former residential school in Kamloops, B.C., set off a national discussion, which he hopes will nudge the Pope to come to Canada.

"Maybe it was meant to be," he said.

Im sure it would be a great opportunity for the healing to start.  MMF president David Chartrand

Metis communities tend to have strong ties with the Catholic Church, despite its role in colonization.

Before its dissolution, the Red River Colony in what is now Winnipeg formed a distinct Metis culture, whose language, religion and culture stem from local Cree and Anishinaabe traditions as well as French-speaking settlers, which for many included adopting the Catholic faith.

Chartrand said the Metis National Council will take eight delegates from across the Prairies, including elders and young people; the delegation also hopes to include government officials and media.

"We need to go there to bring our message, but we also need to bring back the Pope's message," he said.

"This pilgrimage will be very important."

Chartrand said hell present the Holy Father with a gift on behalf of the Metis nation, likely involving beading, and ask for a few things, especially for him to come to Canada to apologize.

CP Pope Francis in the San Damaso Courtyard at the Vatican, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Medichini)

"Imagine him coming to the soil, to the land that we own, and knowing that this happened in these lands," he said.

"It would be such a powerful statement, coming right from the Vatican and right from the Pope himself."

Chartrand went to a Catholic day school run by nuns in the 1960s, where he recalled them mocking his long hair. They once used a stick and elastics to tie his hair straight up in a ponytail, leaving it for a few hours before chopping it off.

Metis get carbon-tax cash to retrofit headquarters OTTAWA  The Manitoba Metis Federation is getting $3.5 million in carbon-tax payments to improve the environmental footprint of its Henry Avenue headquarters. MMF president David Chartrand said the organization is putting up $1.5 million of its own cash to retrofit its 100,000-square-foot headquarters, including such improvements as less drafty windows, solar panels, new furnaces and air conditioning. Winnipeg South Liberal MP Terry Duguid announced Ottawas contribution Tuesday, alongside $1.5 million in federal funds for Metis youth environmental initiatives. click to read more OTTAWA  The Manitoba Metis Federation is getting $3.5 million in carbon-tax payments to improve the environmental footprint of its Henry Avenue headquarters. MMF president David Chartrand said the organization is putting up $1.5 million of its own cash to retrofit its 100,000-square-foot headquarters, including such improvements as less drafty windows, solar panels, new furnaces and air conditioning. Winnipeg South Liberal MP Terry Duguid announced Ottawas contribution Tuesday, alongside $1.5 million in federal funds for Metis youth environmental initiatives. Chartrand said youth can help future generations better protect the environment, such as by going out on the land with elders. How many times have I thrown an empty water bottle to the side? said Chartrand, 61. Now we recycle everything we have, but it's the next generation that's going to be carrying this heavy load for us. Most of us in our age group could have done better; let's be honest as Canadians and as politicians. Ottawa collects its carbon levy at the gas pump, and returns revenues in full to each province, mostly through income-tax rebates but also through retrofit grants.  Dylan Robertson Close

"They are vicious; they used to whip us in our wrists, because your wrists are soft. Every time I spoke Saulteaux they'd whip me right there," said Chartrand, who said hes still Catholic and prays daily.

As for residential schools, Ottawa intended to specifically exclude Metis children, as they tended to fall under provincial jurisdiction.

Yet the Truth and Reconciliation Commission has documented that Metis children went to these schools and faced abuse, sometimes being ostracized by nuns and not provided with supplies or food, leading other Indigenous students to ostracize them.

Ottawa also encouraged provinces and churches to send Metis children to residential schools that were ultimately excluded from the federal settlement for survivors  despite documented abuse that was similar to what happened in federally funded schools.

In addition to an apology, Chartrand wants the Vaticans support for efforts to get Catholic entities to turn over records, such as birth certificates, to help reunite families.

Metis families often lost documentation as they were pushed out of settlements across the Prairies, and when their children were adopted into non-Indigenous families for dubious reasons, in what is now called the '60s Scoop.

Chartrands third main request will be for Catholic churches to boost their presence in Metis communities.

"We are worried that the churches are closing down," he said, adding that the four churches that recently burned down in British Columbia add to his fear of similar acts elsewhere.

Chartrand said many Metis leaders feel the Catholic faith can help their communities heal from colonization, and steer people away from suicide and drug issues.

His home community of Duck Bay, 325 kilometres northwest of Winnipeg, numbers just a few hundred residents, but recently had four funerals in a week.

"What happens when somebody dies in our village and we don't have a priest?" he asked.

"We're still strong believers, and we can't just abandon all of that."

dylan.robertson@freepress.mb.ca
The provincial government will not only reach its goal of fully immunizing 50 per cent of Manitobans by Aug. 2, it will likely hit that benchmark almost a month early.

The provincial government will not only reach its goal of fully immunizing 50 per cent of Manitobans by Aug. 2, it will likely hit that benchmark almost a month early.

With hundreds of thousands of doses of COVID-19 vaccine now pouring into the province, Manitoba could see 60 per cent of people fully immunized by late next week. Thats good news in the race between vaccines and more contagious variants, especially the delta strain, which has become the dominant variant in many parts of the world (its still contained in Manitoba) and has stalled reopening plans in some countries.

Manitobas vaccine task force administered over 35,000 doses Monday, by far the highest in a single day. About 27,000 doses were scheduled for Tuesday at super sites, pop-up clinics and mobile units. The projection for this week is close to 220,000 doses.

The more people realize they may not be able to enter bars, restaurants, amusement centres, sporting facilities, museums, art galleries and concert halls without being fully vaccinated, the more likely they are to get immunized. (Jonathan Hayward / Canadian Press files)

Second shots make up the vast majority of doses administered. Only a few thousand a day are for initial doses. The percentage of people with at least one shot has been growing at a snails pace in June. There's been a small uptick over the past week, but it's only growing around a percentage point every four days. As of Tuesday, 73.2 per cent of Manitobans aged 12 and over had at least one dose. It will likely reach 75 per cent by the middle of next week (well ahead of the provinces Aug. 2 target for first doses).

Second doses are growing much faster. Nearly 40 per cent of Manitobans over 12 are now fully immunized. That number is growing almost two percentage points a day. It could hit 60 per cent by July 9 or 10.

Vaccine supply is not expected to be a factor in the coming weeks. The disruption in Pfizer deliveries announced earlier this month appears to be resolved. According to Ottawas vaccine schedule updated Tuesday, Manitoba will receive 113,490 doses of Pfizer the third week of July and 133,490 doses the week after. That makes up for reduced shipments earlier in the month. Its particularly good news for youth aged 12-17, who are only eligible for the Pfizer vaccine.

The biggest challenge now is how to push immunization rates over 80 per cent, the level most experts say should be reached before eliminating public health orders.

Meanwhile, Manitoba is set to receive 141,680 doses of Moderna this weekend and 51,240 next week. All told, the province is expected to receive at least 525,000 doses of combined Pfizer and Moderna in July, not including whatever Moderna ships during the second half of the month. As of Tuesday, the province had over 200,000 doses on hand for super sites, pop-up clinics and focused immunization teams.

Getting above that level will be a challenge. It likely wont happen without more vaccine incentives, including tougher rules around accessing public places.

The biggest challenge now is how to push immunization rates over 80 per cent, the level most experts say should be reached before eliminating public health orders.

Further details about community outreach programs unveiled by the Pallister government Tuesday will undoubtedly help encourage more vaccine-hesitant people to get their first shot, especially among those with language and cultural barriers. If uptake for first doses continues at the current rate, Manitoba could see 80 per cent of people with at least one shot by the end of July.

Getting above that level will be a challenge. It likely wont happen without more vaccine incentives, including tougher rules around accessing public places.

The more people realize they may not be able to enter bars, restaurants, amusement centres, sporting facilities, museums, art galleries and concert halls without being fully vaccinated, the more likely they are to get immunized. It's the kind of tough love Manitoba will likely need to return to normal.

So far, only indoor dining at restaurants (for mixed households) and visits to nursing homes are restricted to those who are fully vaccinated. The province has said it plans to extend that to large-scale sporting and arts events, but few details have been released. Other than being exempt from self-isolating when travelling interprovincially, or as a close contact to a COVID-19 case, there are few additional benefits.

The sooner that list is expanded, the faster Manitoba will get its vaccination rates above 80 per cent. If it does, the province could reach 85 per cent by the fall.

tom.brodbeck@freepress.mb.ca
A Steinbach pastor who was part of a provincial government ad campaign to promote COVID-19 vaccinations is taking the high road after a barrage of criticism from anti-vaxxers.

A Steinbach pastor who was part of a provincial government ad campaign to promote COVID-19 vaccinations is taking the high road after a barrage of criticism from anti-vaxxers.

"Im trying to understand what is making them so angry, then practice compassion and grace," said Kyle Penner, associate pastor of Grace Mennonite Church in the southeastern Manitoba community.

Associate pastor of Grace Mennonite Church Kyle Penner

"Im hearing a lot of fear in their voices."

Penner, 37, was part of the recent "Miss these seats?" campaign, in which local community leaders promoted vaccinations as a way to get back to concerts, sporting events, restaurants and worship services.

"Weve missed hearing your voices raised in song together," Penner said in his video, shot in his church. It ends with him saying if people want to take a seat in a pew again, they should get the vaccine.

He has received some positive responses, which he has appreciated. But they were overwhelmed by dozens of angry and hateful phone calls, e-mails and social media posts calling him a traitor to Christianity, being against freedom of religion, and accusing him of being part of a conspiracy to wipe out the human race.

"I think some of the response is based on misinformation," he said, noting some people think the government wants to tell people they cant go to church unless they are vaccinated  not the message he was trying to communicate.

"I think some people heard it as an ultimatum," he said.

Many of the responses seem to be coming from social media groups or websites repeating the idea that getting vaccinated will lead to the deaths of everyone who got the vaccine in a few years.

"If I sincerely believed we are all going to die because of the vaccine, I guess I would be a bit hysterical, too," Penner said, adding it "doesnt excuse the boorish e-mails."

Others are coming from people who identify as Christians, believing he is against the church, a threat to religious freedom, and questioning the quality of his commitment to his faith.

None of the responses appear to be coming from Steinbach, something that makes Penner wonder if Facebooks algorithms might be pushing controversial content to anti-vaxxers.

"Facebook knows that anger generates clicks," he said. "I wonder if thats how the ads are getting to anti-vaccination groups."

"Facebook knows that anger generates clicks. I wonder if thats how the ads are getting to antivaccination groups."  Kyle Penner, associate pastor of Grace Mennonite Church

One thing that makes him laugh is an accusation he was paid $20,000 to participate in the campaign.

"I got a gas card for $50 for my drive into the city," Penner said of those who say he was bribed by the government.

In trying to understand and be empathetic towards his critics, Penner keeps in mind times he let his own emotions get the better of him online.

"Ive had my own meltdowns," he said, noting its also easy for people who support vaccinations and public health restrictions to join a social media "mob" of their own.

"I try to remember to treat others the way I want to be treated, even in my worst moments," he said.

To keep calm and find a sense of peace, Penner walks the prayer labyrinth at his church. Support from his congregation also helps, and so does blocking people online. He locked down his Facebook page and changed his online identity to prevent more people from leaving angry messages.

Hes also looking forward to a month of vacation, during which he will unplug from social media and e-mail.

Despite the online vitriol, Penner has no regrets about participating in the campaign and would do it again.

Despite the online vitriol, Penner has no regrets about participating in the campaign and would do it again.

"I did it to be helpful, to encourage people who want to go back to church to do their bit," he said.

As for people who send him angry messages, "Its been a bad couple of weeks for those who oppose vaccinations and restrictions," he said, noting cases are coming down and more people are getting the vaccine.

"Everything they staked on this is turning out not to be true. They are lashing out, and I just happen to be their target. I just pray for them and ask God to bless them."

faith@freepress.mb.ca
Young people in long lines waited outside the Leila Avenue COVID-19 vaccination site before sunrise Wednesday to get a Pfizer dose.

Young people in long lines waited outside the Leila Avenue COVID-19 vaccination site before sunrise Wednesday to get a Pfizer dose.

The province opened the site to walk-ins for Manitobans aged 12-17. The clinic runs until Sunday, but only about 330 doses will be available daily.

Only the Pfizer vaccine is currently approved for people under 18. As of June 25, all Manitobans became eligible to receive their second dose of vaccine. The provincial government says first and second shots should be at least 28 days apart.

In anticipation of significant demand, youth waiting in line were given colour-coded tickets, which identified a time slot later in the day (the province's vaccine task operations lead Johanu Botha confirmed some who lined up Wednesday were given appointments later in the week).

"We hope (the ticket system) will help improve the experience at the site... so that folks aren't waiting in the heat," Botha said at a news conference, adding the goal is a walk-in system rather than a de facto appointment system.

Tatyanna Hill, 14, her older sister, and friend Mikaela, were leaving the vaccination site at about 10 a.m.

Hill and her sister woke up at 4 a.m. to get in line.

They picked up Mikaela so the younger two could get their second doses. They had been unable to secure appointments, so they took their shot at getting a walk-in jab.

"We drove here and... the sun was still coming up. We were just lying on a blanket on the grass and waiting, anticipating," Tatyanna said.

Dozens were already there waiting.

"It was boring," Mikaela said of waiting until they got their spot in Wednesday's queue. "Other than that, it was worth it... so we can get back to normal."

The teen girls are looking forward to shopping in Grand Forks, N.D., once they're fully immunized and the Canadian-American border reopens to the public.

Parents, caregivers or other adults who have a Pfizer appointment booked can continue to transfer them to teens through the provincial call centre, the province said earlier this week.

That was the case for a Winnipeg nurse, whose teenager is an essential worker under 18. Her cousin gave up her spot for a Pfizer shot, so the younger family member could book an appointment for her second dose at the Leila site Wednesday.

"I'm glad she's getting it," said the nurse, who requested her name not be used.

Manitoba will receive 246,900 doses of Pfizer vaccine through the final two weeks of July, after a shortfall in deliveries for the month resulted in a temporary slowdown.

The provinces COVID-19 vaccine task force confirmed additional shipments of Pfizer shots will arrive during the weeks of July 19 and 26.

Botha said the task force is looking at keeping a portion of those doses for youth walk-in clinics.

 with files from Danielle Da Silva

erik.pindera@freepress.mb.ca
Lately, whenever I encounter the words difficult or complicated in political discourse, I replace them with incompatible with my political agenda or requiring an investment Im unwilling to make.

Opinion

Lately, whenever I encounter the words "difficult" or "complicated" in political discourse, I replace them with "incompatible with my political agenda" or "requiring an investment Im unwilling to make."

Providing safe drinking water for First Nations? Its not difficult. It simply requires investment.

Reducing phosphorus loading to control algal blooms on Lake Winnipeg? Its not complicated. It just requires enforcement of environmental regulations within phosphorus hotspots.

Meeting phosphorus licence limits at Winnipegs North End sewage treatment plant? Neither difficult nor complicated. Just a simple problem that has become so mired in competing agendas and so obscured by decades of political showmanship that its now hard to sort out evidence from ideology.

Ive buried the lede here. This month marks the 10th anniversary of the Save Lake Winnipeg Act, enacted by Manitobas previous NDP government in 2011 "to reduce the excessive amounts of phosphorus and other nutrients coming into Lake Winnipeg that affect the ecological health of the lake."

Ten years later, based on the provinces own data, we have not succeeded at reducing phosphorus concentrations in the Red River  the largest source of phosphorus to Lake Winnipeg.

Clearly, the Save Lake Winnipeg Act is failing.

The role of phosphorus in feeding algal blooms has been demonstrated over five decades of research at the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) Experimental Lakes Area in northwestern Ontario. These studies have also shown that the complete removal of "other nutrients"  namely, nitrogen  does not reduce algal biomass. Thats because blue-green algae  the stuff that blooms on Lake Winnipeg  can draw nitrogen directly from the atmosphere, literally out of thin air.

Based on IISD-ELA research, algal blooms in lakes Geneva, Washington, Constance, Erie and many others across the globe have been successfully reduced by controlling phosphorus alone.

Nevertheless, Manitobas provincial government insists that nitrogen reduction via biological nutrient removal at Winnipegs North End sewage treatment plant is necessary for the protection of Lake Winnipeg. Its not. On top of this, biological nitrogen reduction is expensive, astronomically increasing the cost of sewage treatment upgrades.

The consequence? Stalled action on critical phosphorus-reduction upgrades that would actually improve Lake Winnipegs water quality.

Manitobas current Progressive Conservative government has repeatedly committed to "red tape reduction" in order to minimize undue regulatory burdens and save money. However, when it comes to the North End plant, the PCs still cling to the unnecessary nitrogen limits and cost-prohibitive biological removal methods the NDP wrote into the Save Lake Winnipeg Act  despite the lack of evidence and the enormous price tag.

Faced with these unreasonable requirements for so long, the citys public service now balks at any request to tackle phosphorus.

Last year, Winnipegs water and waste department was asked to assess interim phosphorus-reduction options. Rather than study what was possible, however, the citys public service spent $381,702 to produce a report that confirmed its own predetermined conclusion that phosphorus compliance is not achievable.

Provincial bureaucrats seem content to take the citys word for it. Manitoba Conservation and Climate keeps relying on the city to "assess options" and "propose completion dates," instead of clearly stating, as the environmental regulator, what needs to happen by when to protect Lake Winnipeg from Winnipegs sewage effluent.

Over the past year and a half, as a member of the now-disbanded advisory committee on treatment plant upgrades, Ive watched as disingenuous excuses and toothless enforcement generated reams of paperwork, lots of contracts for consultants  and no action for the lake.

Back in October 2020, the Lake Winnipeg Foundation, the Lake Winnipeg Indigenous Collective and the International Institute for Sustainable Development released a joint statement identifying tangible opportunities to accelerate phosphorus compliance at the North End plant. The solutions we propose have been effectively implemented in sewage-treatment plants around Canadas other great lakes to reduce phosphorus levels well below Manitobas licence limits.

If these solutions are not put in place in Winnipeg, it will not be because the technology didnt exist or wasnt feasible. It will not be because scientific evidence or engineering experience were lacking. Rather, it will be because our elected leaders and public servants decided not to prioritize solutions, preferring to fall back on "difficult" and "complicated."

It will be because they are more than happy to consider failure inevitable and pass the mess theyve created on to the next generation.

I do not accept their failure. Im done with "difficult" and "complicated." Ten years after Manitoba declared its intention to "save" Lake Winnipeg, its time to hold our governments to account for ignoring evidence at our very great expense.

Alexis Kanu is executive director of the Lake Winnipeg Foundation.
If all goes well in a post-pandemic world order, Canada could be back negotiating a slew of bilateral trade liberalization agreements with such countries as England, India or even Taiwan. This raises an interesting and tricky question: is there a need to formalize an institutional role for provincial governments in free trade negotiations?

Opinion

If all goes well in a post-pandemic world order, Canada could be back negotiating a slew of bilateral trade liberalization agreements with such countries as England, India or even Taiwan. This raises an interesting and tricky question: is there a need to formalize an institutional role for provincial governments in free trade negotiations?

As a federal state, and a former colonial appendage of Great Britain, the Canadian government had little appreciable control over the conduct of its foreign policy until the early 1930s. That created an opening for sub-federal entities such as provinces to carve out a role for themselves in external relations  especially in the field of foreign trade policy.

Where their constitutional jurisdictions are involved (e.g., energy and natural resources, labour and government procurement, etc.), provincial premiers have invariably demanded a larger role in world trade matters. Courts in Canada, including the initial highest court, the Judicial Committee of the Privy Council (JCPC), have ruled that provinces should be consulted on international/bilateral trade negotiations that encroach upon provincial responsibilities.

Since the 1980s, and probably earlier, provincial governments in Canada have sought a seat at the international trade and investment table. Nowhere was that more evident than during Canadas high-stakes free trade negotiations with the United States in the mid-1980s. Indeed, premiers from Quebec and Alberta were anxious to make their presence felt in the tense bargaining phases  and then-prime minister Brian Mulroney went some way, however small, in trying to accommodate all provincial governments in a formalized consultative process.

Former prime minister Stephen Harper, eager to showcase his idea of "open federalism," went even farther than Mulroneys provincial inclusion efforts. Ever-firmly committed to respecting provincial constitutional competencies, Harper was prepared to allow provinces to have more of a formalized role in crafting Canadas foreign trade policy.

When talks began with the European Union (EU) in 2009, and ended with a Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) in 2017, Harper had agreed to direct provincial participation in the trade negotiations. (Some of the push for provincial engagement, interestingly enough, actually came from Canadas European partners, who were worried about overall compliance and sufficient provincial buy-in of the final pact.) They were, however, limited to specific provincial jurisdictional tables such as services, labour and environmental issues, state-owned enterprises and monopolies and procurement.

While federal trade negotiators did most of the talking during these meetings with the Europeans, provincial representatives were able to impress upon their federal counterparts the nature and scope of their respective offensive and defensive interests. At one point, there were bargaining sessions where the two or three EU trade negotiators would be facing some 20 or 30 so-called "Team Canada" participants.

And if there was a need to secure a truly "pan-Canadian" position, federal officials would simply walk down the hall to a conference room to confer directly with provincial trade representatives.

Although provincial governments may not have been driving Canadas international trade policy, it was difficult for Ottawa to say no when a provincial consensus crystallized around a particular set of concerns or demands. There was even the highly unusual development of the Quebec trade delegations top official meeting in a one-on-one session with the EUs chief trade negotiator.

Naturally, stresses and strains did develop  particularly when you greatly expand the numbers around the table  between federal and provincial trade representatives. Most of this tension was a function of excessive and unhelpful provincial demands, which only complicated Canadas overall trade posture.

Furthermore, it became obvious that as the negotiations with the EU progressed, these persistent dictates of provincial governments reflected a lack of both knowledge and basic experience at how the international trade game is conducted at higher levels.

Moreover, carving out a larger space for provinces at the international trade table needlessly hobbles Canadas negotiating position. Not only does it confuse and confound our foreign trade allies by having to witness federal officials constantly consulting with provincial representatives, but it also nullifies a much-needed Canada-wide list (and not one from each province) of trade priorities.

In addition, having all these provincial voices in the negotiating room makes it difficult for Ottawa to make the necessary tradeoffs to conclude a bilateral pact, as well as opening up the possibility of Canadas trade competitors dividing the provinces and squeezing federal negotiators for more concessions.

For my money, it would be best if there was no formalized institutional mechanism for involving provinces directly in international trade negotiations. They should be left in the capable hands of Canadas federal trade officials, as we saw during the critically important NAFTA 2.0 negotiations (where the provinces were effectively marginalized) with the U.S. and Mexico.

Including provincial representatives in anything more than enhanced economic communication and transparency will only weaken Canadas overall bargaining position, and thus undermine our vital global trade and investment interests.

Peter McKenna is professor of political science at the University of Prince Edward Island in Charlottetown.
In April of this year, U.S. News & World Report announced its annual ranking of best countries, a ranking that measures global performance using a variety of metrics, including quality of life, heritage, cultural influence, racial equity and a given countrys commitments to climate goals and social justice, among other attributes.

Opinion

In April of this year, U.S. News & World Report announced its annual ranking of best countries, a ranking that measures global performance using a variety of metrics, including quality of life, heritage, cultural influence, racial equity and a given countrys commitments to climate goals and social justice, among other attributes.

And for the first time in this particular organizations list, Canada ranked first out of 78 countries, surpassing other industrialized countries such as Japan, Germany, Switzerland and Australia, which rounded out the top five.

THE BRANDON SUN The June 30 front page of The Brandon Sun.

The report described Canada in highly flattering terms, stating that the country welcomed immigrants, and prided itself in encouraging citizens to honour their own cultures and celebrate its diversity. It noted that this country has a long list of accomplished writers and artists, and that Canada "is a high-tech industrial society with a high standard of living."

And while all of these things are true  and give us cause to celebrate the fact that we live in one of the best countries in the modern world  there is a need this Canada Day to recognize that not everyone can enjoy the best that Canada has to offer. And further, that a great many people in our country, Indigenous and non- Indigenous alike, are in no mood to celebrate given the recent discoveries of hundreds of unmarked graves of Indigenous school children, borne out of this countrys misguided attempt to eliminate Indigenous culture.

There is a need for reflection this Canada Day instead of the usual show of patriotism. We cannot ignore the mood of the nation, and the realities that too many of our citizens face every day.

Canadas Indigenous peoples experience the highest levels of poverty in this country. The Canadian Poverty Institute estimates that about one in four Indigenous people and four in 10 of Canadas Indigenous children live in poverty.

A scathing report by Canadas Public Accounts committee earlier this year noted that Indigenous Services Canada has not provided the support needed to ensure that First Nations communities have ongoing access to safe drinking water  a basic human right that most Canadians take for granted.

"We found that some long-term advisories were lifted only as a result of interim measures that did not fully address the underlying deficiencies," noted Auditor General Karen Hogan in April. "For some of these water systems, long-term solutions were not expected to be completed until 2025."

Indigenous peoples are more likely than any other group in Canada to suffer from violence, homicide and incarceration.

And we cannot ignore the fact that it has taken the physical discovery of unmarked graves of Indigenous children who died while under the care of religious leaders and the Canadian government at Canadas many residential and industrial schools before our countrys politicians have seen fit to make good on our governments promise of reconciliation.

We are 13 years past the grand apologies that came from the government of Stephen Harper and opposition leaders in our House of Commons, and nearly six years past the issuance of the final report by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and yet so much has been left undone and unsaid by those who have had the power to do more.

And there is clearly more to do. Thousands of gravesites still need to be excavated, and there is a need to give the families and friends of the dead some peace of mind. The news that 751 unmarked graves were identified on Cowessess First Nation in Saskatchewan was made worse by the realization that a priest with the Roman Catholic Church had removed the headstones via bulldozer that previously marked their locations back in the 1960s.

This is difficult news for any Canadian to process, and yet we must. That anyone could be so callous toward a persons place of eternal rest is maddening. And that the bodies of so many children across the nation  whether they died of disease, suicide or of other more criminal means  were never returned to their families due to the cost that would be incurred or the realities of transporting dead bodies at the time, still feels heartless. This reality is at odds with how we Canadians view ourselves, and how we want the world to see us.

As Cowessess First Nation Chief Cadmus Delorme told CBCs The National in a recent interview, nobody living today created Canadas residential schools, drew up the Indian Act or masterminded the Sixties Scoop.

"But we all inherited this," Delorme said. "And if we want to say were proud Canadians, then we will accept the beautiful country we have today, and we will accept what we all inherited."

As a multicultural nation, Canada has many accomplishments to be proud of, and there is much good in the people who call themselves Canadians today. We should not dismiss those better aspects of our nature, nor forget them in times of national distress. Nor should we ignore those sentiments on what is, and should remain, an annual day of celebration of this country.

But going forward, let us ensure that all of our citizens have just cause to feel pride in those accomplishments, too.

 Matt Goerzen is the managing editor of The Brandon Sun
I really like what he said is this: From the bottom out and the middle out. And that is so important, lets make sure that we include everyone in our economy, said state Sen. Brad Pfaff, D-Onalaska.

It connects the dots. It demonstrates that whats happening in Washington D.C. has a real world impact here at the local level. And it also demonstrates the fact that in order for us to make sure we can control to grow our economy we need to make sure that we include all different facets of it, Pfaff said. Its all interconnected.

The impact the pending infrastructure plan will have on La Crosse and other local communities will depend on working between state and local governments, officials emphasized, another plug for a unified effort.

La Crosse Mayor Mitch Reynolds said that hes confident the work the city is already doing on rebuilding roads and improving other infrastructure will be supplemented by the plan, and will aid local governments juggling the different aspects of supporting a community.
A Baraboo woman, who allegedly stabbed another woman while arguing over a spilled drink, recently made her initial appearance in Sauk County Circuit Court.

Adrienne H. Littlebear, 36, was charged with first-degree recklessly endangering the safety of another June 23. Circuit Court Judge Michael Screnock set a $25,000 cash bond for Littlebear, with the conditions that she maintain absolute sobriety and not possess any alcohol. The court appointed a public defender for her Thursday.

According to the criminal complaint, a woman went into the St. Clare Hospital emergency room around 9 p.m. June 22 with multiple stab wounds on both arms and her hands.

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The woman told police that she had been driving Littlebear around while she drank earlier that night. The woman said she knows Littlebear doesnt drink a lot because she doesnt handle alcohol well and will get mean.

They had parked in a driveway in Baraboo when the woman said she accidentally kicked over a cup of Fireball whiskey sitting on the floor of the vehicle, which upset Littlebear and the pair started arguing.
On June 30, the Wisconsin State Assembly convened to debate and pass the AB 68, the 2021-23 Biennial Budget bill.

I opened my floor speech singing these lyrics, Que sera, sera. Whatever will be, will be. The futures not ours to see. 

I began this way because this budget is about the future and not about this legislative bodys desires. However, before Gov. Tony Evers presented his budget, my colleagues in the majority started dictating what he could and could not introduce in the budget. Thankfully, Gov. Evers held his public listening sessions, listened to what the state needed and made investments for the future wellbeing of Wisconsinites.

Then the Joint Committee on Finance unfortunately threw out that entire budget. They did this despite hearing resounding applause from stakeholders in agriculture, education, environmental advocacy, and public health. I thought that the Joint Committee on Finance might listen to the people of our state, but that was unfounded hope.
A Beaver Dam business lost its license to sell alcohol for ten days following an agreement.

Exxon Mobil, 1516 N. Spring St., previously faced possible demerit point action following allegations that the business was selling alcohol to minors. According to an internal memo from Police Chief John Kreuziger, the convenience store was not allowed to sell alcohol for 10 days starting June 22. Kreuziger picked up the liquor license from the business and asked the business to remove some alcohol-related signage from the building.

An agreement was reached with the owners, owners attorney, municipal judge and the city attorney to suspend the owners liquor license for ten days because of recent sales of alcohol to minors, the memo said. Please provide extra patrol and stop in and make sure that they are not selling alcohol to anyone during this ten-day period. The alcohol coolers are currently taped off with caution tape so no one should open them.

Steve Mays, attorney for license holder Ashok Patel, said it is what it is.

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Its an agreed upon disposition. He accepts that, Mays said. Everyone is going to move forward and be law-abiding citizens.
PHARR, Texas (AP)  Republican lawmakers traveled to Texas to cheer former President Donald Trump as he paid a visit to the southern border Wednesday and hammered the Biden administration for its immigration policies amid a decades-high spike in border crossings.

Trump, who was joined by more than two dozen House members, also continued to spread lies about the 2020 election as he participated in a border briefing and visited the wall he championed in a trip that was strikingly similar to the many he'd taken here while president.

Biden is destroying our country. And it all started with a fake election," Trump railed as he stood at the border, an American flag hoisted by a crane waving above him. Trump has persisted in falsely claiming he won in November, even though state and federal election officials, his own attorney general and numerous judges have said there is no evidence of the mass voter fraud he alleges.

Coming fresh off his first rally since leaving the White House, the visit underscored the extent to which Republicans, both nationally and in the states, continue to embrace Trump as the leader of their party. And it demonstrated anew how much the GOP has taken up Trumps signature issue of immigration as the party looks to recapture control of Congress in next years midterm elections.
Gov. Tony Evers on Wednesday vetoed a Republican-authored bill that would have banned local and state governments from accepting election grants in most cases, dealing a blow to the GOP effort to overhaul Wisconsins election laws following former President Donald Trumps loss in November.

Assembly Bill 173, one of several election bills the Republican-controlled Assembly and Senate recently approved, would generally prohibit municipal and county governments from accepting private grants for election administration.

It would allow the Wisconsin Elections Commission to accept private election grants if it distributes the money on a per capita basis to each Wisconsin municipality, with approval from the Republican-controlled legislative budget committee, but only if the grant does not specify specific purposes for use or require repayment.

The bill would also create new restrictions for who can serve as a tabulator or poll worker. Under the bill, a tabulator would need to sign an oath, be a Wisconsin resident and be adequately trained.

It would prohibit poll workers from being employees of candidate, recall, political or campaign committees, political parties or advocacy groups.
People can park in the surrounding city lots or off street parking around Wisconsin Dells, she said. The rain date is July 5. Should inclement weather be an issue an announcement will be made on the Downtown Wisconsin Dells Facebook page, Dobbs said.

The same celebration was held last year, but was modified due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Attendance was also down last year due to the pandemic.

I think its going to be fantastic to get people together this year for Independence Day, Dobbs said. 2020 was an odd year, we werent able to move forward with a lot of the events that we wanted to.

Were hoping a lot of people get out and enjoy the holiday with their family and friends, Dobbs said.

Handwashing and hand sanitizing stations will be available for people to use as a precaution against COVID-19. Picnic tables in lot 7 will be spaced out and spectators are encouraged to be respectful of others space, she said.
Care for students drives success

An empath and social justice agent for students, Thembelihle Dlamini is among many unsung Covid-19 heroes at Wits.

A selfless, caring and resilient spirit was required in the University when South Africa went into its very first lockdown in 2020 amidst the growing number of Covid-19 cases and panic in the country.

The University was forced to go into early recess, halting academic and social activities on campus. The abrupt disruption meant that students were vulnerable, and especially those with limited resources who suddenly had to make their way home. The responsibility of ensuring that all students residing on campus were sent home safely in a short period of time, landed on the desk of Covid-19 Hero Thembelihle Dlamini.

Dlamini, a Project Manager in the Office of the Dean of Student Affairs, became the main point of contact for local students in need of assistance as well as international students, who were on the backfoot as all domestic and international travel had been banned. Those who could not make it home in time were housed in Yale Village, the Universitys residence with appropriate support and food supplies.

I witnessed students going through the most difficult times. Students at the university come from all parts of the country - some very rural - and with different socioeconomic statuses, says Dlamini.

When it became evident that the national lockdown would be extended and contact classes would be suspended indefinitely, Dlamini soon found herself serving as the nerve center of facilitating access to devices required for online learning. The entire laptop allocation programme was coordinated remotely and after wading through thousands of queries, and enduring many sleepless nights, it was successful.

As the lockdown eased and students were slowly allowed back to campus, Dlamini played a crucial role in promoting the academic success and wellbeing of students by meticulously managing the applications of students requesting to return to residence on compassionate grounds based on their socioeconomic circumstances.

One of the anonymous grateful students wrote: Ms Thembelihle is the embodiment of a Hero, in my own interpretation, she is a Helpful, Effective, Reliable and Outstanding individual; her work ethic speaks for itself. Dlamini was similarly lauded by a staff member for helping to facilitate the transition to online learning.

Dlamini has spent her life at Wits as a very resourceful student development practitioner in various units and has always been passionate about young people. She says that her office is a trusting space to help students at all times.

Although her job is emotionally taxing and sometimes difficult, making a difference, even in a small way keeps her inspired. It is always satisfying knowing that my efforts are not in vain and that they make a difference in the lives of our many students. What keeps me at Wits is knowing that I work for a university that cares for its students and that the economic and societal challenges will be overcome if we all  students and management - work in a cohesive manner, concludes Dlamini.
Moosa Kharodia prioritises the homeless

Initiatives such as the pharmacy set up in the Holy Trinity Chuch ensured that the homeless and elderly receive healthcare and essentials during lockdown.

The Covid-19 pandemic continues to peak around the world and South Africa is not spared. Many people continue to be vulnerable to the current socio-economic conditions that are exacerbated by the pandemic, such as limited access to healthcare and necessities. The Wits Senior Executive Team set out to recognise individuals and teams whose selfless contributions made an impacts on the lives of people during the 2020 national Covid-19 lockdown.

Moosa Kharodia, an Associate Lecturer in the Wits Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology is an individual who has led various community outreach programmes, even prior to the pandemic. He says that the consequences of the pandemic opened his eyes to the heart-breaking reality of the gaps that community-centred initiatives bridge.

He says that his initial reaction after the announcement of the level 5 lockdown was that of shock. I had been working with the homeless, disabled and elderly, and my mind raced at the havoc and destruction that the hard lockdown would have on already marginalised communities.

Through his role as the departmental Work-Integrated Learning (WIL) programme coordinator, Kharodia became the responsible pharmacist of the Trinity Health Services Pharmacy at the Holy trinity Church in Braamfontein, where he supervises students who provide healthcare services and medication to the homeless.

Due to the lockdown, the basic healthcare that the pharmacy was providing to the homeless was halted, which had a great impact on their access to the essential services. A large proportion of our patients have no basic rights as they lack identification. Without NGOs, outreach programmes and departments like ours, they are left to fend for themselves, he explains.

To provide holistic support to marginalised communities such as the homeless and those in care centres and old age homes throughout the City of Johannesburg, Kharodia has played an active role in setting up coordinated programmes that provide hand sanitisers, flu vaccinations, blankets and food parcels, amongst other items. In the low-resourced context of the 2020 lockdown, he sought assistance from corporate partners to ensure that necessities to safeguard against the spread of Covid-19 in such communities were equally prioritised.

Fundraising was a difficult task and the reduced economic activities in the country at the time meant that companies that would have ordinarily supported such work were reluctant to give financial support due to uncertainty.

At the time we had forged great working relationships with a pharmaceutical company as well as the transformation directorate at the office of the Premier, and we immediately started to spearhead and activate various Covid-19 centred community initiatives with the assistance of these players as well as community elders, business and religious groups.

He says that this support came at a critical time as various organisations started to request assistance when the lockdown came to effect. Together with his fellow nominee and the Head of the Wits Department of Pharmacy and Pharmacology, Professor Yahya Choonara, they became proactive in searching for funds for the initiatives. They also became involved in the provision of PPE packs to members of the community.

Kharodia joined other initiatives including a programme to educate communities about Covid-19 and to protect themselves from exposure. His work, and that of the many Wits Health Sciences student volunteers who assisted in these programmes and in hospital pharmacies to bolster capacity is an exceptional reflection of a community at work for the good of all, which is applauded.

I plan to continue all the initiatives we have started and have activated further community outreach programmes together with foundations that already exist and that need a lending hand, he concludes.
A new class-action lawsuit has been filed against the Champlain Towers South condominium association in connection to last week's deadly collapse in Surfside, Florida.

The lawsuit, filed Monday on behalf of Raysa Rodriguez, a resident who lives on the ninth floor of the Champlain Towers South building, as well as other residents similarly situated, states the condominium association had the duty to maintain the building in a safe condition and good working order.

"Despite the obvious duties required by Florida law, and this admitted duty of care by the Association's Declaration and other governing documents, Defendant, through their own reckless and negligent conduct, caused a catastrophic deadly collapse of Champlain Towers South in Surfside," the complaint alleges.

In filing the complaint, Rodriguez is seeking class action status to represent all of the people who were affected by the tragedy, and is asking the court to help preserve any materials so everyone who is to blame can be held responsible.

The plaintiff is seeking unspecified monetary damages and a jury trial, according to the complaint. This is the third lawsuit to be filed against the condo association.

CNN's calls to the Champlain Towers South condominium association seeking comment have not been returned.

On Monday night, the attorney representing the condo association appeared live on CNN's "Cuomo Prime Time."

"The board is already in the process of hiring an engineer to also try to figure out what happened, and they will be evaluating who's responsible," said attorney Donna DiMaggio Berger.

Resident recounts 'the devastation'

In the complaint, Rodriguez, who was asleep at the time of the collapse, recounts the shear devastation and the frantic race against time to evacuate once she realized part of the building was gone.

"I looked left to the North end of the building. A concrete column had pierced the hallway from floor to ceiling. I looked at the elevators. The elevator shafts were exposed, the doors were gone. I knocked on several neighbors' doors, no answer. I run to the exit, open the doors that lead to the outside stairwell and saw the devastation. The beachside of Champlain had collapsed, pancaked. I screamed in horror," Rodriguez stated in the complaint.

The complaint alleges that the defendant failed to address "major structural damages" outlined in a structural field survey report submitted to the defendant in 2018 by Morabito Consultants.

The suit further alleges that a variety of factors may have played a role in the collapse, which killed 11 people and left scores unaccounted for.

The complaint says "unfit material used during the construction of the building," could have resulted in the collapse, along with the weight of materials and construction equipment being used to re-roof the building.

"Had Defendant and/or its contractors properly tested, inspected and evaluated the structural integrity of the building prior to commencing this work, it likely would not have occurred and become a contributing cause to the collapse," states the complaint.

In an interview with CNN, one of Rodriguez's attorney's, Adam Schwartzbaum, argued the association has known that the building was in "critical" condition for years and that warning signs have been apparent for more than a decade.

Schwartzbaum said his grandparents lived at Champlain for 30 years until they moved out about 10 years ago. He said his grandmother used to complain that she would get water spots on her car in the garage, as if there was a leak. "She didn't understand why there would be water on her car even though it was underground," he said.

Referring to the 2018 report that identified cracked concrete and other damage, Schwartzbaum said, "Certainly for at least three years, there was a major red flag...sirens flashing, alerting the condo association of this danger."

He said Rodriguez "recently" took a photograph that is included in the complaint that depicts a crack in the concrete above her parking space in the condo's garage. He said Rodriguez shared the photo with the association "after a giant piece of concrete landed behind her car... to try to put them on notice of this."

"Based on our investigation there were many warning signs more than 10 years ago, maybe even longer. These are not things that were just a few years ago," he said.

The lawsuit accuses the condo association of negligence and breach of contract for failing to "exercise reasonable care in performing its management, maintenance and repair" of the Champlain Towers South condominium building. The "Defendant knew or should have known there was a significant and foreseeable risk of unreasonable harm to Plaintiff and class members and their property," the complaint stated.

First civil action was filed last week

The first civil action after the building's collapse was a lawsuit filed Thursday on behalf of Manuel Drezner, who lived in Unit 1009 of the tower.

Lawyers representing the resident have begun the process of subpoenaing documents from the engineering firm that completed the 2018 field survey.

The lawyers said they intend to request documents from the condominium association pertaining to the building's integrity and other matters, according to Brad Sohn, an attorney on the case.

Both requests for discovery -- a routine step in a civil lawsuit like this -- were detailed in filings before the Florida court where the class-action case is being heard. They were not yet available via a public docket. Sohn provided the filing related to the engineering firm to CNN.

Sohn said his firm has talked to a number of other residents of the tower who have expressed interest in joining that suit. Morabito Consultants, the engineering firm, is not a defendant in the suit, which was levied against the condominium association.

A copy of the subpoena included in the filing requests from the engineering firm "a complete copy of your entire file from cover to cover" including "all documents, electronic records, and communications that refer, relate to, or concern Champlain Towers South and Champlain Towers South Condominium Association, Inc."

The lawyers say in the filing that they intend to subpoena similar documents from the town of Surfside as well as other companies in the area connected to the building, including contractors who studied moisture levels on the building's roof.
The dead and unaccounted for residents of the Champlain Towers South in Surfside, Florida, reflected the area's rich cultural diversity, an international tragedy that has touched members of a tight-knit Jewish community and families from as far away as Argentina, Paraguay and Colombia.

Dozens of people remained unaccounted for after the collapse of part of the 13-story residential building. Search and rescue teams have been feverishly scouring the site since shortly after 55 of the building's 136 units fell on Thursday.

Twelve deaths had been confirmed as of Wednesday, officials said. They have been identified as Hilda Noriega, 92; Michael David Altman, 50; Marcus Joseph Guara, 52; Frank Kleiman, 55; Leon Oliwkowicz, 80; Luis Bermudez, 26; Anna Ortiz, 46; Christina Beatriz Elvira, 74; Antonio Lozano, 82; Gladys Lozano, 80; Manuel LaFont, 54; and Stacie Fang, 54.

Fang's teenage son was pulled injured but alive from the rubble, according to family members. The Lozanos were the uncle and godmother of Phil Ferro, the chief meteorologist for CNN affiliate WSVN.

Here's what we know about those confirmed dead and those still unaccounted for.

Those who died

Antonio Lozano, 82, and Gladys Lozano, 80

At a time when Gladys and Antonio Lozano's family would have been planning for their 59th wedding anniversary celebration next month, their son Sergio prepared for their funeral.

The Lozanos lived on the ninth floor of Champlain Towers South. Antonio had been living out his dream of life on a beach.

Sergio Lozano had dinner with his parents hours before the collapse of part of their building, he told CNN's Randi Kaye. After dinner, he hugged and kissed his parents.

"That was it," he said.

The son said he returned to his condo in another tower, just two blocks away, at the same complex.

He woke up at 1:30 a.m. when he heard what sounded like a tornado.

Sergio Lozano recalled that he could once see his parents' kitchen from his apartment. Now it was gone.

"I could see my mom cooking ... when night would fall," he said. "Their kitchen, where my dad would sit and watch TV, it wasn't there."

Sergio Lozano said he held onto hope they would be found alive in the hours after the collapse. But the couple died in bed, where their bodies were found, authorities would tell their son.

"That's the end of the romantic story," he said. "They were together."

Their love story spanned nearly 60 years. They met in Cuba when they were just 12. Antonio migrated to the US first. He then sent for Gladys. They married on Miami Beach.

The Lozanos leave two children, seven grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

Gladys was godmother to Phil Ferro, chief meteorologist for CNN affiliate WSVN. Antonio was Ferro's uncle.

"They were such beautiful people," Ferro wrote on social media. "May they Rest in Peace."

Sergio Lozano said his parents often joked about who might die first.

"My dad would say to my mom, 'If you die, I don't even know how to fry an egg. I'm going to die,'" he recalled. "And my mom would say that if my dad would die, 'I don't even know how to pay the bills,' and I always told my mom, 'Don't worry, I'll go and do it.'"

"But they died together," Sergio Lozano added. "It's not fair -- being crushed, being destroyed. It's not fair."

The couple perished in the collapse, along with all their possessions.

Sergio Lozano bought a new dress and suit to bury his parents.

Manuel LaFont, 54

Adriana LaFont says the memories of their time together between walls that no longer stand will be forever engraved in her heart.

Her former husband, Manuel LaFont, died in the collapse of the south tower, where Adriana LaFont said they lived together for nearly 10 years, CNN affiliate KTRK reported.

Manny LaFont, as he was known to family and friends, was a Houston native and a graduate of Sharpstown High School, family members told the station.

"My kids were born there," Adriana LaFont said of the condo she shared with her former husband. "They learned how to swim in that pool. We had birthday parties, first communions, baptisms. So many memories."

Days after the collapse, Adriana LaFont wrote an emotional post on Facebook, along with photos of the many special moments the family shared at the condo complex.

"So many memories within the walls that are no longer there will forever be engraved in the heart!," she wrote. "My Manny, who was my partner for so many years, father of my children, who scolds me and loves me at the same time. Adriana be on time!! Adriana don't change the plans!! Adriana, Adriana..."

She added, "Manny, Daddy, we want to hug you again and tell you how much we love you!"

Ana Ortiz, 46; Luis Bermudez Jr., 26; Frank Kleiman, 55

Luis Bermudez and his mother, Ana Ortiz, were confirmed as victims of the collapse on Sunday.

Ortiz's sister Nicole said the agony of waiting for news of their fate is indescribable.

"I screamed," she told CNN's Ryan Young. "I've almost fainted. I've cried."

Nicole Ortiz said she turned to her faith for help. She said she asked God for a miracle on the third day after the collapse.

"You always have the hope that a miracle could happen," Nicole Ortiz said. "For me, a miracle happened. I asked God that it happen on the third day ... On the third day my sister and my nephew were found and the agony of the waiting stopped."

She asked for prayers that the agonizing wait also ends for other families. If she could, Nicole Ortiz said, she would climb in rubble herself to help with the search.

She described her big sister as her "protector" and "a great mom" who gave her son -- who had muscular dystrophy -- "the best days of his life."

"They were all happy," she said of Ana Ortiz, Bermudez and Kleiman.

Bermudez studied graphic design and created a t-shirt line called Saucy Boyz Clothing.

A tag on one of his shirts reads: "Despite the poor mobility of my hands and fingers because of my muscular dystrophy -- I have achieved my dream because of my attitude."

"There are no limits," the tag says. "The perspective with which you look at things, at life and at the world, can be the key to you success."

His father and Ana Ortiz's former partner, Luis Bermudez, remembered his son on a Facebook post.

"Luiyo of my life, I miss you with every beat of my heart. I know you are with your mom in heaven, resting in peace and without any obstacles, you are free," Luis Bermudez wrote of his son.

Frank Kleiman, who Luis Bermudez identified as Ortiz's current partner, was also identified by authorities as a victim of the collapse. His brother, Jay Kleiman, and their mother are unaccounted for.

Stacie Fang, 54

The first victim of the Surfside building collapse was identified Friday as 54-year-old Stacie Fang.

She is the mother of Jonah Handler, the boy who was pulled from the rubble alive, her family said in a statement.

"There are no words to describe the tragic loss of our beloved Stacie," the Fang and Handler family statement said. "The members of the Fang and Handler family would like to express our deepest appreciation for the outpouring of sympathy, compassion and support we have received. The many heartfelt words of encouragement and love have served as a much needed source of strength during this devastating time."

Hilda Noriega, 92

Michael Noriega said his 92-year-old grandmother had been living in the building for 20 years.

"She's just so vibrant, full of energy, extremely independent. She's probably the most popular person that I know, just tons of friends," he said. "And she lives her life with her faith first, her family, second, and her friends, third."

The North Bay Village Government, on behalf of the Noriega family, tweeted that Hilda Noriega perished in the collapse.

"It is with great sadness that we announce the tragic passing of Hilda Noriega, the mother of Police Chief Carlos Noriega."

The family expressed their gratitude to first responders and local and state leaders.

"The Noriegas have lost their 'heart and soul' and 'matriarch' of their family, but we will get through this time by embracing the unconditional love Hilda was known for."

Michael Noriega said his father rushed to the site on Thursday as soon as they heard about the collapse.

Standing among debris, Michael Noriega's father found a birthday card given to Hilda by friends, and another family member found two photos of her. One of the photos, taken years ago, showed Hilda and her husband posing with Michael's father as a boy.

Those still unaccounted for

Estelle Hedaya

Estelle Hedaya loves to dance. She even calls herself Cha Cha Cha on social media.

Her Miami friends described the Brooklyn native, who lived in unit 604, as a free spirit who loves traveling and new experiences and documented them all on her blog, Follow the Toes.

"She's so vibrant, so social," said Luc Davidson, a friend who's kept vigil at the Surfside hotel where authorities are updating loved ones on those still missing. "She loved spas, dancing and working out. She was so adventurous. She tried a new restaurant every Sunday."

Hedaya works in the jewelry industry and shares details about her life and travels on Instagram.

Days before the building crumbled, she was in Las Vegas, a trip she documented with photos of her lounging poolside at Caesar's Palace. Davidson said the last time they talked Hedaya was excited about her new car, a red Lexus she purchased a week before the condo collapsed.

"Now I really am the lady in red," Hedaya posted on Instagram, alongside an image of the car.

In the comments, friends implored her to let them know that she's OK.

"A lot of people love her," Davidson said. "She's so full of good energy. We are worried about her. We're hoping for a miracle."

Hedaya's friends said she was living her best life as a single woman. On her blog, she calls herself a "New Yorker taking Miami by storm in the most fabulous fashion."

In it she shared details of some of her dating misadventures and urged women to shower themselves with the same love they give others.

Her last blog entry was a love letter to single women everywhere.

"I am here to tell you, children and a husband do not define who you are. DO NOT allow anyone to tell you anything different!," she wrote. "The circle of single friends that I left in NY, are all beautiful, smart, strong, successful and self sufficient women ... They, like myself have chosen to be single rather than settling for an unfulfilling, unhappy relationship."

Ilan Naibryf and Deborah Berezdivin

Ilan Naibryf and his girlfriend, Deborah Berezdivin, were staying in her family's condo in the building, according to Naibryf's parents, Ronit Felszer and Carlos Naibryf.

On Monday afternoon, more than four days after the collapse, his family said they haven't given up hope of seeing their son alive again, but they realize chances are slim.

"We want to believe in a miracle, because we still don't have the physical presence, in part or in whole, of our son," Felszer told CNN's Alisyn Camerota.

"A miracle can come, yes, but we have to be very realistic," Carlos Naibryf said.

Ilan and his girlfriend were in town for a funeral, Naibryf's parents said.

Ilan's siblings and his parents are there supporting each other, they said.

"We have three amazing, amazing children. They have their significant others here supporting them, too," Felszer said. "I'm embarrassed almost to even admit it: We thought we had the perfect family."

Ilan "was a 21-year-old young adult. Bright. Everywhere he went, he made an impact," his father said, adding that his son is a physics major at University of Chicago.

Sophia Lopez Moreira, husband Luis Pettengill and other relatives of Paraguay's first lady

The sister and brother-in-law of Paraguay's first lady, Silvan Lopez Moreira, were staying with their three children at the building, and Paraguay's ministry of external relations has not been able to locate the family, the ministry told CNN en Espanol.

That family -- including Sophia Lopez Moreira and her husband Luis Pettengill -- was in the US to receive Covid-19 vaccinations, Paraguay's foreign minister said.

The Paraguayan first lady, along with her parents and her brother-in-law's parents, arrived in Florida on Thursday after the collapse, the Paraguayan President's office said.

Six Paraguayans in all are unaccounted for, the ministry tweeted.

Andres Galfrascoli, Fabian Nunez and their daughter among 9 missing Argentines

Argentines Andres Galfrascoli, 45, his partner Fabian Nunez, 55, and their daughter, Sofia Galfrascoli Nunez, 6, are among the missing, according to a friend.

The three were on vacation in Florida, staying at the condo of a friend, Nicolas Fernandez.

Fernandez told CNN en Espanol he spent time with the couple Wednesday night and made plans to meet up Thursday morning.

"We don't know anything, we don't have any closure and that's what hurts," Fernandez told CNN.

Fernandez has looked for his friends in local hospitals with no luck.

Nine Argentines were missing as of Thursday afternoon, the country's consulate in Miami said on Twitter.

Pascale Bonnefoy, the first cousin of Chile's ex-president

The first cousin of former Chilean President and UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet's father is among those missing, his daughter told CNN Chile.

Since the collapse, Pascale Bonnefoy has not been able to communicate with her father, who lived in the part of the building that fell, she said.

"We haven't been able to have specific information," Bonnefoy said, adding the whereabouts of her father's wife also aren't known. She did not specify his wife's nationality.

The Chilean consulate in Miami has offered to support the family in the search, Bonnefoy said. "I contacted the consul, and he offered his help, but since there is no information either, there is not much that can be done."

So far, Chilean authorities have not reported missing nationals after the collapse. CNN is trying to contact the Chilean consulate in Miami.

6 Colombian citizens

Six Colombian citizens are unaccounted for following the collapse, Colombian foreign ministry spokesperson Maria Camila Mugno told CNN on Friday.

It wasn't immediately clear whether they were inside the building at the moment of the collapse. Records indicated that the six had been staying there, the foreign ministry's office said.

The six Colombian citizens include a family of three from Medellin, and other travelers, Mugno told CNN.

Venezuelans also missing

"At the moment we are handling information from six Venezuelans not located in the collapse of the building in Surfside," Brian Fincheltub, Venezuela's consular affairs director, tweeted.

Nancy Kress Levin, Jay Kleinman and other Jewish community members

Some members from The Shul of Bal Harbour synagogue are among the people unaccounted for, Rabbi Sholom Lipskar told CNN's Wolf Blitzer.

"This is something that transcends our capacity for understanding," Lipskar said about the collapse. "It's a reality, we accept it and we have to learn as we do in our culture of resilience to move forward."

"The only thing that helps in these times is kindness and empathy and togetherness, because you can't take away the reality," Lipskar said.

Members of the synagogue believed to be missing are Nancy Kress Levin, Jay Kleinman, Frankie Kleinman, Arie Leib, Yisroel Tzvi Yosef and Tzvi Doniel, according to Lipskar.

Rabbi Zalman Lipskar told CNN's Randi Kaye he believes at least 20 people associated with the Shul of Bal Harbour are missing. Their ages range from 20 to 60 years old.

He said he spoke with one woman who believes that she is missing seven or eight of her family members. He told CNN he also knows of a couple, both 26 years old, and a doctor who is a member of his synagogue, who are missing as well.

The rabbi said an older couple -- the parents of his childhood friend -- are also missing.

"It's just been heart-wrenching ... not knowing, and not being able to really deal with this magnitude of the tragedy that's unfolding," the rabbi said.

Rabbi Eliot Pearlson, who leads Temple Menorah, told CNN's Chris Cuomo, "It's hard to explain. This doesn't happen in America. It's doesn't happen in Miami Beach. It doesn't happen in our homes. And it's very difficult to comprehend how it's possible."

Pearlson said that he saw people come together in compassion following the collapse, and his temple will host an emergency prayer service on Friday.

Three generations of one family from his temple are among those unaccounted for, he said.

He added, "I have to tell you, when I walked past ground zero, there was row after row after row of firefighters who are literally waiting to rush into a building that could fall at any time."

Uruguayan citizens missing

Three Uruguayan citizens are among the missing, according to the consulate in Miami.

The consulate is in contact with local authorities and with the families of the people missing, said Consul General Eduardo Bouzout.

"The relatives are very concerned, of course, because they have not been able to contact them since they have knowledge of this tragic collapse," said Bouzout in audio shared by the consulate with CNN.

Mother and grandmother unaccounted for

A woman who said creaking noises woke her up in the building the night before the collapse is missing, her son, Pablo Rodriguez, said.

Both his mother and grandmother were in the section that collapsed first, and the family hasn't heard from them, Rodriguez told CNN.

"You always hold out hope," he said. "Until we definitively know, we are trying to stay hopeful. But after seeing the video of the collapse it's increasingly difficult, because they were in that section that was pancaked in, in the first section that fell in, and then the other building fell on top of it, so it's not easy to watch."

Rodriguez said he and his mother didn't really think anything about the creaking noise.

"It was just a comment she made offhand, that's why she woke up, and then she wasn't able to go back to sleep afterward -- but now in hindsight, you always wonder," he said.

The family is still holding out hope for good news, Rodriguez said.

"We are praying for a miracle, but at the same time trying to be as realistic about it as possible," he said. "Until we definitely know, there is hope. It's just dwindling by the minute."

The Patel family

Vishal Patel, his wife Bhavna Patel, and their 1-year-old daughter Aishani Patel are believed to be among the missing, their niece Sarina Patel told CNN, adding that Bhavna Patel is four-months pregnant.

Sarina Patel told CNN's Chris Cuomo on Friday she last spoke to her family on Father's Day.

"I had actually called them to tell them I had just booked a flight to come visit because they've been asking me to come see their home and to meet their daughter. I haven't met her due to the pandemic."

They were home at the time the collapse took place, Patel told Cuomo.

"We have tried calling them countless of times and there's just been no answers, text messages, nothing," she said. "They haven't contacted anybody."

Judy Spiegel

Kevin Spiegel, who lived in Champlain Towers with his wife, Judy, said he was on a business trip in California when the building collapsed.

When he woke up in the middle of the night, he had an emergency notice on his phone, he told CNN's Anderson Cooper, and he notified the rest of his family.

"We're very hopeful that the community here will be able to find our loved ones," said Josh Spiegel, Judy's son, who lives in Orlando.

"My mom is an absolutely amazing person," Josh Spiegel said. "She's a fighter, and she fights for every single one of us, and we won't stop ... fighting until we find her," he said.

"We have a lot of hope that Judy is still alive, and still there," said Kevin Spiegel. "She's an amazing person."

Her daughter, Rachel Spiegel, last received a text from her mother around 9 p.m. Wednesday -- roughly four and a half hours before the collapse, she told CNN.

That text was about a princess dress that Judy ordered for one of Rachel's daughters. The family has been Judy's main focus, Rachel said.

Judy has a bond with her grandchildren, and "the other kids that we hang out with, they love Grandma Judy -- everybody calls her Grandma Judy," Rachel said.

Cassondra Stratton

Cassondra Stratton, the wife of Michael Stratton, senior policy advisor with the law firm Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, is among those still believed to be missing, his law firm's spokesperson Lara Day told CNN.

Garciella Cattarossi and some of her relatives

Garciella Cattarossi, her daughter Estella and Cattarossi's elderly parents are missing after the collapse, Cattarossi's friend Mariela Porras told CNN on Friday.

When Porras learned of the collapse and realized it was Cattarossi's building, she called Cattarossi but got no answer, she said.

She described Cattarossi as a talented photographer who has been working to get her real estate license and "is just a wonderful person trying to always do the right thing."

3 members of Velasquez family

Three members of the Velasquez family are also believed missing after the building collapse, according to family members.

David Velasquez posted on Facebook that his parents, Julio Cesar Velasquez, 67, and Angela Maria Velasquez, 60, live in the 12-story residential building.

His sister Theresa Velasquez, 36, had come to visit her parents and was staying with them at the time of the collapse.

David Velasquez's wife confirmed that they were missing in a text message to CNN. She said the family requests privacy at this time.

Her father is missing

Debbie Hill says her father is also missing in the building collapse.

"Not knowing is the big issue," she told CNN's Erin Burnett on Friday. "I have a relative who's down there at the center and he gets more information off the news than he does being down there."

"When they show the live views, you don't realize how massive this is until you see a person standing on the top of the pile," she said.

Hill said her father was in one of the top floors of the building.

"My dad was in air freight sales most of his life," she said. "He had a lot of friends throughout the country, throughout the world. He loved what he did, he enjoyed fishing, he liked to travel. He was just getting ready to retire."

"He was going to be training somebody that's replacing him in the fall and then we got the phone call and everything in our world changed," Hill said.

Maria and Claudio Bonnefoy

Bettina Obias also said her aunt and uncle, Maria and Claudio Bonnefoy, are missing.

She told CNN's Anderson Cooper that as soon as she heard about the collapse, she went to the site herself.

"As soon as I saw this, I fell apart," she said, referring to the rubble.

She said that while she's trying to be realistic, she also is holding on to "a sliver of hope."

"I know in my heart somebody there is still alive and if it's not my aunt or uncle, I hope it's somebody's father, or somebody's son," Obias said. "I'm hoping that there are many survivors."

She said her uncle was a retired United Nations legal counsel and her aunt was an International Monetary Fund budget official.

Gil and Betty Guerra

Gil Guerra and his wife, Betty Guerra, lived on the ninth floor of the building, his daughter said, and there has been no word from them since the tragedy.

"We're doing our best to stay hopeful," Michelle Guerra told CNN via Facebook Messenger on Saturday. "That's what they would want."

Her father and stepmother were in the process of moving out of apartment 910 and had just gotten furniture at their new apartment on Monday, she said.

The couple was renting, and the owner was in the process of selling the unit, according to Guerra, who said she said she last spoke to her dad on Father's Day

"This is all so horrific and bizarre. They are both such caring, hardworking people," Guerra said.

"They only got married late 2017 and have been living it up like two teenagers in love traveling the world and eating all they can together," she said. "They lived a full time together."

Magaly Delgado

Magaly "Maggie" Ramsey missed a phone call from her mother on Wednesday night, thinking she could just call back in the morning. But she hasn't gotten the chance.

Ramsey's mother, 80-year-old Magaly Delgado, lived on the ninth floor of the building for more than 10 years. Ramsey said her mother was trying to "live her best life" in Champlain Towers South condos by the water.

"She loved the building, she loved the community," Ramsey said of her mother.

Ramsey learned of the collapse on the news, she said.

"Never in a thousand years did I think that was her building or that her building is just not there anymore," she said. "But that's how we found out, so we quickly packed up and headed down."

Delgado, who was originally from Cuba, was a "woman of faith" who taught Ramsey to have faith as well, and while the family is "burdened with such despair," they have faith "in the miracles that God can create," Ramsey said.

"The worst thing is not to know," Ramsey said. "Knowing, whatever the outcome may be, you hope that they didn't suffer if something did occur. But knowing is a little bit healing in itself."

Ruslan and Nicole Manashirov

Recently married Ruslan Manashirov and Nicole Doran Manashirov are missing, Ruslan's sister-in-law told CNN affiliate News 12 Connecticut.

Ruslan grew up in Bergen Beach in New York City and worked as a physician, they said. Nicole grew up in Pittsburgh, CNN affiliate KDKA reported, citing friends.

Leah Caliguire told KDKA that she said stayed at the couple's Champlain Towers South condo last month. "It was a beautiful building, you would never think anything like this could possibly happen," she said.

Richard Augustine

The 77-year-old resident of Champlain Towers South planned to leave Florida and fly to Chicago, his daughter, Debbie Hill, told CNN affiliate WLS.

"He just finished up a trip with my brother out in California and he went home to repack his bags and he was coming to spend the weekend here," she said.

Hill said she's seen video of the collapse and saw her father's unit falling.

"He was right in the corner where the buildings met," she said. "Yeah, that was pretty scary to watch. And of course, immediately I tried to call him and his phone went straight to voice mail."

Correction: A previous version of this article misstated the ages of Antonio and Gladys Lozano based on initial information from police. Antonio is 82 and Gladys is 80.

The-CNN-Wire

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UTICA, N.Y.  Utica Mayor Robert Palmieri has released more details about the citys Independence Day celebration planned for Monday, July 5.

The event will be held at F.T. Proctor Park from 7  10 p.m., with a performance by Soul Injection at 7:30 p.m.

Centro will offer a shuttle service from Mohawk Valley Community Colleges Payne Hall starting at 6:30 p.m., and will bring people back after the fireworks.

Food, vendors and a bounce house will be at the event throughout the evening.

Fireworks will begin at dusk.

A vaccination clinic will be set up from 5  8 p.m., with Johnson & Johnson shots available for adults and the Pfizer vaccine for those 12 to 17 years old.

Road closures and traffic pattern changes will be announced later this week ahead of the event.
The New York State trooper who was shot while responding to a domestic dispute in Delaware County last week has been released from the hospital.

Trooper Ryan Thorp was shot in the arm at a home in Deposit around 9 p.m. on June 24, and had to undergo surgery later that night.

Thorp was met with cheers from several of his fellow troopers as he left Wilson Hospital in Johnson City Wednesday morning.

Some good news today.

Were happy to report Trooper Ryan Thorp has been released from the hospital.

Back on June 23, 2021, Trooper Thorp was shot when he responded to a domestic incident in Deposit. pic.twitter.com/LfHZ1fc9O9  NewYorkStatePolice (@nyspolice) June 30, 2021

Scott A. Mawhiney, 44, of Deposit, was arrested in the shooting and charged with attempted murder. He is being held in Broom County jail on no bail.
On Wednesday, America learned of the death of Donald Rumsfeld. Though he was one man, it's hard not to think of him as two distinct political figures: one who helped to save a presidency and was widely seen as a brilliant newcomer, the other whose later misjudgments helped to lose a presidency as well as his own reputation.

In both instances, Rumsfeld proved to be one of the most consequential figures in the second half of the 20th century.

Rumsfeld was born in Illinois, went to Princeton on a ROTC scholarship, served as a Navy pilot before landing a staff job on Capitol Hill, and then at 30, was elected to Congress, elbowing aside a Republican incumbent.

That Rumsfeld was one of the nation's rising stars, winning four straight congressional elections before deciding that life in the congressional lane was too slow. President Richard Nixon offered a faster-paced job, heading up anti-poverty programs. There Rumsfeld hired Dick Cheney as his top aide and the two forged a close partnership that shaped the rest of their lives. Strikingly, they were stalwarts in trying to lift more Americans out of poverty.

Politically, both were also on a fast track. When Republicans were sinking under the scandal of Watergate, Nixon's newly installed successor, President Gerald Ford, called Rumsfeld back from an ambassadorship to NATO in order to serve as his chief of staff. Rummy, as he was called, whipped the White House into working order and was then dispatched to the Pentagon where he was the youngest defense chief ever -- and was again effective. (I should note that I was among those Ford and Cheney recruited to the White House staff.) In the rear-view mirror, Ford looks better and better as one of our most honest presidents. Rumsfeld deserves some of that credit, too.

Had Rumsfeld continued on that track, he would likely have become president himself one day. But there were a few cracks already surfacing. For example, he persuaded Ford to bring home George H.W. Bush from a high-level post in China and assign him to run the CIA. Lots of Bush fans saw that as a cunning play by Rummy to prevent Bush from successfully running for president after Ford. CIA directors have never made it straight to the White House. Bush didn't either.

But after Democrats regained the White House under Bill Clinton in 1992, Rumsfeld went into the private sector where he made beaucoup money as a CEO of various ventures. He was apparently biding his time, eager for one more run at national leadership. Interestingly, Cheney also took time out of his political climb to serve as CEO of a big company -- and they had similar reactions to life in the corporate lane: their friends speculated that each had become more rigid, more hardline and more regal.

When George W. Bush won the presidency in 2000, fellow Republicans sensed there were once again some shenanigans in the appointments process. It appeared that in naming Cheney as his vice president and Colin Powell as his secretary of state, Powell would emerge as the strongest member of the national security team. Instead, in a surprise, Bush added Rumsfeld to his team (the oldest defense secretary ever) and Powell suddenly found that huge chunks of power fell into the hands of the Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld alliance. Those were hard days for Powell.

It is interesting to speculate whether the US after 9/11 would have launched invasions of both Afghanistan and Iraq and taken such a hard line against Iran if Bush had chosen a different secretary of defense. We will never know for sure, but historians have generally treated Rumsfeld as the father of both the Afghan and Iraqi conflicts.

Perhaps one day the Bush-Cheney-Rumsfeld triumvirate will receive more credit, but at the moment, the 'forever wars' are seen as a disaster. It has not escaped notice that this very week, just as the US is pulling out of Afghanistan, our top brass are warning of a civil war there; incredibly, it is not yet clear whether our government will evacuate the 18,000 Afghan interpreters and helpmates for the US in time, leaving them vulnerable to being slaughtered by the Taliban. That would be a moral catastrophe.

One final point should be made: the evolution of Rumsfeld over the years in a more conservative, rigid direction is not unique. Over time, I have seen an array of young players evolve in disappointing ways and I imagine there are many who believe that as years have passed, I have gone off the tracks, too. But in the case of Rumsfeld, as with Cheney, I also believe that they remained steadfast in their commitment to what they believe is in the best interests of the country. As Donald Rumsfeld heads to the grave, we should remember the blunders of recent wars, but let us also remember the Rumsfeld of those early years.

As President Bill Clinton said at the memorial service of President Richard Nixon, we should judge our leaders on the totality of their lives.

The-CNN-Wire

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ATTICA, Ind. (WLFI)-The city of Attica has applied for a grant that would help revitalize its downtown area. The program is called PreservINg Main Street. The two million dollar grant will be awarded to one pilot community.

That community will be eligible for implementation of downtown preservation projects through OCRA's Community Development Block Grant program. Attica is one of 71 communities that qualify for this program.

For a community to qualify they must have a downtown that is on the national registry, and the applicant had to be a main street organization in good standing.

Brent Bouerband with the Attica Main Street says if they don't receive this funding nine percent of the historic buildings in its downtown area could be torn down.

"This is what we call the 200 block project," said Bouerband. "It was originally 6 buildings and two of them have been torn down and four of them are really in an imminent point of being torn down."

This is the plan picture below what Attica would implement if they receive the funding.



If Attica is selected it would receive a million dollars a year for two years. After the second year, the community would have to match 10 percent. The community will find out on Friday if they are one of the finalists. For more information about the grant program click here.
CARROLL COUNTY, Ind. (WLFI)  The city of Delphi is gearing up for a big holiday weekend.

There will be a Fourth of July parade Saturday starting at 10 a.m. in downtown Delphi.

You can also head to Canal Park from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the Canal Days Festival.

Sunday at 9:45 p.m. is the Greater Delphi Chamber of Commerce Fourth of July Fireworks Show, happening near the high school.

Chamber President Randy Strasser said it should be a jam packed weekend.

"I think we're looking at a big parade and a big turn out for Canal Days, just because we're coming out of the pandemic and people are wanting to get out," he explained.

Strasser said when it comes to COVID-19 safety and prevention, people need to be respectful of others and use common sense.
LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI) -- Lafayette School Corporation is hosting a summer camp to help improve behavioral issues in students.

The week-long camp starts on Tuesday, July 6, and ends Friday, July 9. It'll be held from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. every day at Tecumseh Junior High School.

Sixty-five students and at least 13 staff members will be spending next week being trained on social and emotional learning. The goal is to teach kids how to cope with their emotions in hopes of improving overall behavior that'll last into adulthood.

Administrators in the school district are seeing how difficult learning can be for students when they are dealing with adversities at home. These issues can manifest into students disrupting the classroom or falling behind on school work. That's why LSC leaders decided to create this camp.

Students will be learning how to work through their feelings using art therapy, music, and even dance. Several community organizations including IUPUI Herron School of Art and Design, Children's TherAplay, Studio b, Bongo Boy Drumming, SY-Your Stillness, Day Dreams Theatre, White Heron Society will be leading these workshops. Kathryn Parthun, Lafayette School Corporation's Director of Social and Emotional Learning is hoping this will be a solution to the problems they're seeing.

"We're seeing a lot of adults in the classroom saying our kids are just having a hard time dealing with the stuff they're bringing into the classroom, soo we're trying to do this fun activity where we can provide kids with lots of opportunities to see, what can I do," said Parthun. "Maybe we work with the sensory tool, maybe I need some time to talk with an adult that I trust, maybe some rhythm would be really good for me if I could listen to some music and showing also our teachers that social and emotional learning isn't just talking about feelings but also it's engaging in some play, engaging in some validations of how kids are feeling during the day."

She said not addressing these issues can create a negative ripple effect.

"Our hope is that we're providing more opportunities for kids to talk about their feelings, to talk about what they're dealing with because if you don't address that at the beginning if you don't have those positive relationships within the classroom, you're really just kind of going on an uphill battle in the learning," said Parthun.

This camp is funded through a Social and Emotional Learning grant. Kids from several of the eight Lafayette School Corp. elementary schools will be attending plus students from Sunnyside Intermediate and Tecumseh Junior High.

The school corporation has already included this kind of social and emotional curriculum for students during the school year. This summer camp is designed to give a little extra help to some students who may need a little more attention.
LAFAYETTE, Ind. (WLFI)  The Lafayette School Corporation has unveiled its back to school plan for fall.

Masks will only be required on buses, but they are optional on school grounds and in buildings.

However, students and staff will still follow social distancing rules.

There will be a virtual option for students with medical conditions, but a doctor's note will need to be provided.

Superintendent Les Huddle said the corporation reviewed the federal and state COVID-19 guidelines before making a decision.

"We just feel that it's time that we can go back to making the mask optional," Huddle said. "We know there will still be concern for some adults and some students, but, again, we're leaving that option up to them."

Huddle said the COVID-19 vaccine will not be required for eligible students and staff.

He said the optional mask rule could change depending on the current state and federal guidelines.
87 year old, Woodward resident passed away December 28, 2020. A memorial service will be held Wednesday, July 7, 2021 in the Elmwood Cemetery at 10:00 a.m. Remembrances may be shared online at www.billingsfuneralhomewoodward.com
District 58 State Rep. Carl Newton questions Department of Corrections officials on their decision to close William S. Key Correctional Center in Fort Supply during a special Senate Appropriations Committee hearing on the matter Tuesday at the Oklahoma State Capitol. (Photo a screen capture from Zoom broadcast)
The elusive dhole (Cuon alpinus) is perhaps one of the most misunderstood species of all time and currently among the most threatened carnivores on the planet. The global wild population of this endangered canid is estimated to be <2500 mature adults. Almost forgotten by the world of conservation for decades, unknown to the public at large, and often mistreated by the humans with whom they share their habitat, the dholes of the world have had it rough.

A male dhole scans the forest to look for prey, even as it sniffs the air to pick up the scent of its adversary and the top predator, the tiger, in the tropical moist deciduous forest of Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, India. Image credit: Anish Andheria

Luckily, however, there is now a small but growing group of scientists and conservationists who are determined to put up a fight for the dholes. The species currently survives in fragments of the Indian subcontinent, Central, and Southeast Asia. This article explores the current conservation status of dholes across their range, the reasons behind the dhole's threatened status, and the ways to bring the species back from the brink with the help of inputs from experts.

Experts Interviewed

Dholes: Status And Threats Across Their Range

The Dhole. Image credit: Kuriousketupa/WorldAtlas

Dholes In The Indian Subcontinent

India, the country with the world's largest population of wild tigers, is perhaps the dhole's safest bet. India purportedly hosts the largest number of dholes in the world. Yet, the species has disappeared from ~60% of its historic range in the country in the past 100 years. And research work on the species is sparse.

"When we look at the conversion rate of hunting attempts to kills, the dhole is by far the most successful hunter in the Indian jungle. It has a much higher conversion rate compared to a tiger. However, its highly evolved hunting abilities are not enough to save its populations from a steady decline. Anthropogenic reasons leading to forest degradation, fragmentation and persecution have decimated dhole populations in several historical dhole habitats of India. Transfer of disease from feral and domestic dogs is also a huge threat" said Dr. Anish Andheria, one of India's leading wildlife conservationists. He is also the President of Wildlife Conservation Trust (WCT), India, an NGO that works across several states to help preserve and protect India's wildlife.

Being highly social, dholes show high levels of intraspecific interactions, and hence there is never a dull moment while observing a dhole pack, whether it constitutes three or 20 animals. Yet, they have been relatively less studied than tigers and leopards. The familiarity of humans with dogs and hence them taking dholes for granted could be one reason. Also, they are small-sized animals - an adult male dhole is just under 20 kg and an adult female under 15 kg. In general, small-sized mammals have not been studied enough, the same is true about small cats, jackals, badgers, and civets - not much research on these species," he continued.

A dhole sub-adult and pups in Navegaon-Nagzira Tiger Reserve, India. Image credit: Anish Andheria

Realizing the urgent need to protect dholes and other wild canids in the country, and given the fact that they are grossly understudied, the Wild CanidsIndia Project was launched in 2018 by researchers affiliated with various organizations/universities. The project aimed to conduct research work to better understand wild canids and formulate science-based strategies including citizen science projects to conserve them. Some breakthroughs were soon made.

"We recently mapped dhole distribution across India as part of our Wild CanidsIndia Project," said Dr. Arjun Srivathsa, Research Associate, Dhole Project, Wildlife Conservation Society-India. He is also a member of the Wild Canids-India Project, IUCN SSC Canid Specialist Group, and IUCN Dhole Working Group.

"Dholes currently occur across 249,606 sq. km area in the country, which is ~49% of their potential habitat. Most populations are found in the Western Ghats, Central India, and Northeast Indian landscapes. We do not have a countrywide estimate of their population size. But our research from Kerala in 2019 showed that Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary has a population of around 50 dholes (a density of ~14 dholes per 100 sq. km)," he mentioned.

Dr. Srivathsas research also found that people's perception of dholes (a major factor influencing the survival of dholes outside protected areas) varies by region.

" In south and central India, and in southeast Asia, people are rather indifferent to dholes. There's not much conflict as there are only occasional events of dholes attacking and killing domestic animals. The situation is starkly different in Nepal, Bhutan, and Northeast India, where people view dholes with a lot more animosity and negative interactions are commonplace," informed Dr. Srivathsa.

Dholes with a chital kill. Image credit: Anish Andheria

Priya Singh, an independent wildlife researcher, and a member of the Wild CanidsIndia Project, threw some light on the human-dhole interactions in Northeast India.

"Mithun (a form of cattle) and pigs are commonly reared by local people in the hill states of northeast India such as Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Mizoram. While pigs may be kept in captivity, mithun are free-ranging. And with low natural prey availability in the region due to a cultural prevalence of hunting, livestock becomes easy prey for carnivores such as the dhole who are known to frequently hunt mithun, and sometimes domesticated pigs. Hence, retributive killing of dhole is commonly reported from northeast India," she said.

Such killings are also common in neighboring Bhutan. Mass poisoning campaigns led to the near extinction of dholes in the country in the 1970s and 80s as they were held responsible for persistent livestock depredation. However, their elimination was followed by an increase in the number of wild pigs (Sus scrofa) that intensified crop damage caused by the pigs. It was believed that as wild pig populations were kept in check by dholes, the latter's near absence increased wild pig numbers in the country. Fortunately, since the late 1990s, the dhole population in Bhutan started recovering and re-establishing itself. Today, dholes are found in most protected areas in the country. Yet, their numbers are reportedly low, and the species is not even listed as a protected species in Schedule I of Bhutan's Forests and Nature Conservation Act.

A dhole marking its territory through urination. Image credit: Anish Andheria

In Bangladesh, dholes are known to occur in parts of Chittagong Hill Tracts in the southeast and a recent study noted their occurrence in mixed evergreen mid-hill forests in the northeast.

In Nepal, dhole populations have been recorded in several protected areas as well as outside them. The Department of National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act, 1973, ensures the species' protection in Nepal. But their numbers remain low and their populations highly threatened.

"Dholes are distributed from lowland protected areas to high altitude protected areas in Nepal. In high altitudes, communities practice rotational herding as a means of livelihood. Being a pack hunter, dholes kill livestock (yak, sheep, cow) in the pastureland of these communities. In retaliation, herders poison the carcasses of dhole's prey to eliminate dholes from their area. Few cases of poisoning were also observed in buffer zone areas of lowland protected areas," informed Ambika Pd. Khatiwada, Conservation Officer at National Trust for Nature Conservation, Nepal.

"Other threats to the species in Nepal include loss of prey due to illegal hunting, habitat loss, fragmentation, and competition with large predators like leopards and wolves in high altitude protected areas, and tigers in low altitude protected areas. A low level of awareness among local communities about the ecological significance of dholes also contributes to their demise. There is also the possibility of disease transmission by domestic dogs," he added.

Dholes Outside The Subcontinent

Dholes in Thailand's Khao Yai National Park feed on a deer kill with water monitors competing for the meal.

Like the tiger, the dholes have also suffered a worse fate outside the Indian subcontinent. In Southeast Asia, some populations of the species are known to exist in Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar. The species is possibly extinct in Vietnam.

"In Southeast Asia, dholes are restricted to small isolated populations, mostly concentrated in and around protected areas that are scattered throughout the region. The major threats to the species are depletion of their prey due to poaching, habitat loss, and disease transmission from free-ranging dogs," said Dr. Jan F. Kamler, researcher at Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), University of Oxford, UK.

"Local people in Southeast Asia tend to not think very highly of dholes. In general, dholes are just considered to be a type of forest dog, so not much thought is given to them. In places where dholes might attack livestock, they can be persecuted and poisoned by the local people," he said.

In China, dholes are on the verge of extinction. However, on February 5, 2021, the Chinese government upgraded the status of dholes from Class II to Class I on the National Key Protected Species List making the species eligible to receive the highest level of protection.

Little is known about dhole distribution in Central Asian countries. As per a 2015 report by the IUCN, the species is regionally extinct in most countries of the region.

Dholes And Infectious Disease

Among the many threats to the endangered dhole is the threat of disease transmitted to the species from domestic animals. With forest cover reducing and natural prey getting depleted, these wild dogs are forced to feed on livestock and enter human-dominated landscapes. Such circumstances make dholes susceptible to a number of infectious diseases carried by domestic animals, particularly domestic dogs, but there is little information about how these pathogens affect dholes in the wild. Dr. Martin Gilbert, Senior Research Associate at the Department of Population Medicine and Diagnostic Sciences at Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine, USA, provided some expert insights into the issue.

"Considering the threats faced by other endangered social canid species, particularly African wild dogs and Ethiopian wolves, it is likely that infectious disease does represent an important threat for dhole populations. Such diseases could even be capable of causing local extinctions," said Dr. Gilbert.

"Anecdotally, there have been reports of sick dholes in the wild, but these are rarely investigated. Based on outbreaks in zoos, we know that dholes are highly susceptible to canine distemper virus, with outbreaks causing high levels of mortality. They are also vulnerable to the rabies virus, which is also common in many countries where dholes live. As in other species, the death of dholes infected with the rabies virus is likely to be inevitable. The skin mite that causes sarcoptic mange has also been devastating to some wild canid populations. Reports of hair loss in some wild dhole populations could relate to this infection and deserves further study. Most of the pathogens of greatest concern to dholes require close contact with an infected host, which pass on the infection either through a bite (as in the case of rabies) or via respiratory droplets (as in the case of distemper). It is believed that some of these infections (particularly distemper) may be passed on when carnivores feed on infected prey, but the evidence for this is mostly circumstantial," he further stated.

Dr. Gilbert also voiced his concern over how such infections can lead to the local extinction of the species given that dholes are social animals.

"Once an individual dhole is infected it is likely to pass on the pathogen to other members of its pack during normal social interactions. In this way, pathogens like rabies could be responsible for the loss of whole packs. Distemper outbreaks have also been responsible for local extinctions of other threatened carnivores, but more usually wed expect a few infected animals to survive and could potentially repopulate an area. Of course for a pack-living species that work as a group to bring down prey and defend a territory life becomes much more difficult when numbers are depleted by disease. In these cases packs might disband and become incorporated into neighboring dhole packs, bringing with it the chance of further disease transmission if these interlopers are still infectious," he commented.

Saving Dholes While There Is Still Time: Mitigation Measures

A dhole on a hunt. Image credit: Anish Andheria

From the above discussion, it becomes clear that dholes are racing towards extinction across their range. And with the species being restricted to small populations, catastrophic events like the spread of an infectious disease could eliminate entire populations in the blink of an eye.

So, what could be the possible strategies to save the species before it is too late? Could India's Project Tiger implemented to protect the country's national animal, the Bengal Tiger, be beneficial to dholes as well since protected tiger habitats often overlap with that of dholes?

Dr. Andheria answered the question: "Tiger conservation, depending on the context, has both helped and depleted dhole populations. The protection awarded in the name of the tiger by the declaration of tiger reserves is definitely beneficial to dholes, especially in woodland habitats. But the urge to increase tiger densities in all kinds of habitats by adding more waterholes and modifying habitat has increased tiger numbers but affected dhole numbers negatively because of interspecific competition between tigers and dholes. A large dhole pack of over 10 individuals can hold its ground against an adult tiger that can be between 7 to 12 times heavier than an adult dhole. However, smaller packs can easily be decimated by tigers through predation of adults and more so of pups. More studies on interspecific interactions of dhole and other predators inside Protected Areas and the interaction of dhole with people and their livestock outside PAs will definitely shed more light on how important dhole-specific conservation strategies will be. My guess is that such dhole-specific strategies may be required in several locations," he said.

Image credit: Anish Andheria.

According to Dr. Srivathsa, more research on dholes is the need of the hour but procuring funds for the same is the difficult part.

"Although the dhole is in the same threat level category ("Endangered") as the tiger as per the IUCN, there's very little we know about dholes from large parts of their distribution range. There has been some increase in scientific focus on the species in the past 5-8 years or so but we are just scratching the surface at this point. India has still produced the highest number of peer-reviewed papers on dholes compared to other dhole-range countries. Across most parts of their range, dholes are not prone to conflict with people, nor are they poached for meat or fur. Since there is nothing seemingly "sensational" about them, we have found it very hard to raise funds to study and conserve the species," he commented.

"Recently we have been trying our best to synthesize conservation research work on dholes at different levels across India in our attempts at creating a countrywide conservation plan. The purpose of the plan should not just be to direct conservation action, but also to highlight research and knowledge gaps and appeal for explicating these gaps," he continued.

Khatiwada suggested the implementation of community awareness programs and a community-based livestock insurance scheme for dholes in parts of their range where persecution by humans is a persistent threat. The introduction of such an insurance scheme in the Kangchenjunga Conservation Area of eastern Nepal has been beneficial to the region's herders and dholes.

"There are very few dhole conservation projects on the ground in Nepal. We need to understand more about their specific habitat requirements, population, food, and diseases. Research on these topics may help for better management interventions in the future. As dholes are wide-ranging species, corridors and bottlenecks should be maintained and conserved. Community engagement outside the protected area network is also necessary for their conservation. There is no dhole conservation action plan for Nepal. This plan should be prepared and government authorities, conservation organizations should also invest in dhole conservation. Up to now, conservation is focused more on charismatic and large-bodied species which is important but also should consider dhole-like species to address the pressing issues of their conservation," stated Khatiwada.

Dholes drinking water in Thailand's Khao Yai National Park.

According to Dr. Kamler, the threat of poaching needs to be urgently addressed to save dholes in Southeast Asia.

"Dholes definitely need some better publicity, especially given their endangered status and their importance in Asian ecosystems as one of the few apex carnivores. So I think education campaigns are needed to educate people in the region about dholes and raise their profile. Southeast Asia is in the midst of a poaching epidemic, which is devastating not only dholes but also the prey on which they depend. Most of the poaching is the result of increased demand for wild meat and other animal products by people at all levels of society. So if dholes are to have any future in Southeast Asia, then poaching levels need to be reduced, however, this wont be easy and there is no single solution. I think a three-pronged strategy is needed to address the poaching problem. It should involve increased law enforcement in protected areas, engagement with local people to stop snaring and other forms of poaching, and education campaigns to reduce demand for wild meat and other animal products by the public," he suggested.

With infectious diseases being a major potential threat to dhole populations across their range, Dr. Gilbert mentioned several measures that can be adopted to keep such infections in check.

"It is important to realize that domestic animals are only one potential source of infection for dholes, as all of these pathogens can also be found in other wildlife species (particularly other carnivores). Therefore it is important to understand how these pathogens are being maintained locally, identifying which species (or group of species - domestic or wild) are acting as reservoirs and sources of infection for dholes. In situations where domestic dogs are the most important source of infection, it is possible to reduce the risk through vaccination programs. Good vaccines exist for both distemper and rabies, with the added benefit that this helps protect local people from infections of the latter. In areas where wildlife plays a role as a disease reservoir, the options are more limited. The most effective approach would be to vaccinate the dholes themselves, but captive trials would be required to be sure that this is a safe and effective method of protecting them. Oral vaccines for rabies are widely used in other wildlife species and so could potentially be used to protect dholes, but at least at present we dont have an equivalent oral vaccine for distemper and so developing such a vaccine could be a game-changer for protecting dholes or other threatened carnivores from this serious disease," he said.

The expert opinions above make it evident that region-specific strategies are needed to protect dholes across their range. Also, more in-depth research on the species is necessary to design such conservation strategies. But time is running out for these endangered wild dogs and they are yet to grab the much-needed spotlight in the world of conservation.

A dhole pack in Nagarhole National Park, India. Image credit: Anish Andheria.

The dog is considered as our best friend since eons. While this camaraderie between dogs and us has resulted in them being our most favored pets, the same affection is seldom extended to wild canids. Wolves, jackals, coyotes, and dholes have all suffered at the hands of rapid urbanization and persecution. Being an efficient predator, the dhole occupies an important niche in tropical forests. Intuitively speaking, the gradual disappearance of dhole from their historic range would have definitely impacted the composition of wild herbivores, and thus the way these herbivores interact with plants. Unfortunately, in the absence of any long-term study, we are unlikely to realize the true value of these master hunters in stabilizing hundreds of thousands of square kilometers of tropical ecosystems. While I have spent decades studying tigers and leopards, my respect for these whistling hunters has grown with every observation. I only hope that in the coming times, these indefatigable red dogs will fill the hearts of countless global citizens with the perkiness that they so beautifully epitomize, said Dr. Andheria.
The House will vote on a resolution to expel Confederate statues and replace the Capitol's bust of Roger B. Taney, pictured here on March 2020, with one honoring Thurgood Marshall, the first African American Supreme Court Justice.
US days from completing formal Afghanistan withdrawal but up to 1,000 troops could remain
Education minister outlines plans to introduce contact groups in universities and colleges

Wales education minister has today outlined further plans to introduce contact groups for adult learners in Higher and Further Education.

The measures, part of the new framework approach, would be applied in Higher and Further Education, work-based and community learning settings.

Many university students received little to no face-to-face teaching in university since the start of the pandemic.

Since Easter universities in Wales have been allowed to offer a blended approach of learning, with a mixture of online and in person.

The plans aim to align adult education contact groups with the most current social restrictions set by Welsh Government. Based on the current restrictions in place, contact groups would be modelled on more than one group of up to 6, or single groups of up to 30, depending on the setting and room capacity.

The education institution will also need to conduct risk assessments and meet the requirement to take reasonable measures to stop the transmission of the virus.

Education Minister Jeremy Miles also unveiled plans to move away from the 2 metre social distancing model for university students, adult and part-time learners in the learning environment.

The plans aim to allow more in-person learning, provided there is low or moderate risk.

If restrictions in wider society continue to be eased, the same restrictions would apply for adult education in universities, colleges and community learning.

The announcement comes days after the minister announced plans to introduce a localised approach to introducing coronavirus measures in schools rather than a blanket approach as Wales moves towards the next stage of the pandemic.

Jeremy Miles said: Our guiding principle has to be a move towards education being enabled to operate as normally as possible in the autumn, so we are planning on the basis that adult education will operate in step with what adults can do in wider society.

Contact groups for adult learners will mean we can have more in-person learning and this must be our priority to rebalance the harms to education. We may still see close contacts asked to self-isolate if Test, Trace, Protect contact tracers deem they should. We will work with our partners in the coming weeks to develop the framework and provide further detailed guidance on how these groups will work.

I am very grateful to all our our education staff who have worked tirelessly to support learners throughout the pandemic and who have helped ensure their settings are as Covid-safe as possible.

We must all remember that although we are able to do more things, it is important we continue to keep Wales safe by self-isolating when unwell, accessing regular testing, supporting Test Trace Protect, wearing face coverings in indoor public areas, remembering to wash our hands and thinking about good ventilation.
Further pandemic business support announced  with hope this will be the final package

Businesses in Wales that continue to be affected by Covid restrictions will receive up to 25,000 of additional support from the Welsh Government, Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething, announced today.

The emergency package of support will cover the operating costs for July and August 2021 of businesses required to remain closed and who remain severely impacted as a result of the continuation of the restrictions.

Eligible businesses in the hospitality, leisure and tourism sectors and their supply chains who continue to be severely impacted by restrictions, such as travel agents, attractions limited by social distancing and venues for school visits, will also be eligible to apply for support.

Economy Minister, Vaughan Gething said: Since the start of the pandemic, we have pulled every lever we can to back Welsh businesses.

Weve provided in excess of 2.5bn funding to Welsh businesses, in a package that has been designed to complement and build on the support provided by the UK Government. Weve also extended our 100% business rate relief package until the end of this financial year. This targeted approach, focussed particularly on backing small businesses and Welsh communities, has helped protect in excess of 160,000 Welsh jobs which might otherwise have been lost.

To support businesses further, I am today announcing additional support to help cover the costs of those business in Wales that need to remain closed, or remain significantly impacted by Wales staged transition to Alert Level One, which was made necessary by the risks posed by the delta variant.

This Welsh Government is determined to do all we can to support Welsh businesses during these incredibly difficult times.

Eligible businesses will be entitled to an additional payment of between 1,000 and 25,000, depending on their size, structure and circumstance, to cover the period up to the end of August.

To qualify for support, businesses must show their turnover has reduced by more than 60% compared to the corresponding timeline in 2019 or equivalent. All eligible businesses will need to apply for the funding.

An eligibility checker will open on the Business Wales website on the 5th of July, which will allow businesses to check their eligibility for the support and the amount of support they are eligible to apply for, which will help them to start preparing their applications.

The fund will open to applications from Tuesday 13th July 2021, and will remain open for a 2 week period, closing on Friday 23rd July 2021.

The Welsh Government say they envisage this will be the final package of emergency support for those business that are able to trade, based on the current level of Covid restrictions. Should new restrictions be required in response to a new variant or other emerging developments, Ministers say they will review the need for additional support.

Beyond the emergency phase, should the situation allow, the Welsh Government also intends to deliver a Business Development and Recovery Fund, designed to support businesses with match funding to relaunch, develop and grow following the potential further relaxation of Covid restrictions, adding This will be fully aligned with the priorities set out in the Welsh Governments Programme for Government.
Volunteers to offer Maelor staff free refreshments as part of NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers Day

A national celebration of our NHS and frontline staff is being marked by volunteers in Wrexham.

Next Monday (5 July) is the first NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers Day and members of the Maelor Voluntary Service (MVS) are offering all NHS workers at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital a free drink and snack as a small token of their appreciation.

The date is significant as the NHS was created on 5 July 1948. People have treasured our publicly funded health service ever since, but never more so since March 2020 when the coronavirus pandemic took hold and transformed all our lives.

Organisers hope NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers Day can become an annual nationwide celebration, granting people the chance to show their gratitude to NHS staff and all key workers.

To mark this special event in Wrexham, the Maelor Voluntary Service is offering each member of the NHS a free coffee or tea, plus a scone or packet of biscuits to show how much they value their hard work and dedication during this extremely challenging period.

Wrexhams Member of the Senedd has joined forces with the Maelor Voluntary Service to encourage NHS workers in Wrexham to make sure they visit the cafe on 5 July to claim their free drink and snack.

Lesley Griffiths MS said: This day provides us with the ideal opportunity to show our gratitude to all the NHS and frontline staff who have worked tirelessly during this extraordinary period. The entire nation is grateful for everything they have done, many risking their own lives to help save others.

Im delighted this inaugural event is being recognised locally and I am sure the Maelor Voluntary Services gesture will be welcomed by staff. I would also like to thank the MVS. The volunteers are an integral part of the Maelor and the support they have offered over the years to patients and visitors is invaluable.

For more than 25 years, the Maelor Voluntary Service has provided support for patients, visitors and staff at the Wrexham Maelor Hospital. The team of volunteers operate the five cafes situated across the site. All the profits raised are donated back the Wrexham Maelor Hospital, enabling them to purchase new medical equipment.

Jenny Griffiths, Chairwoman of MVS said: The Maelor Voluntary Service is proud to give something back to the staff who are truly inspirational. Please can staff come to the cafe at the main Maelor Hospital entrance on Monday to receive your free refreshments.

Events are taking place across the UK to mark NHS, Social Care and Frontline Workers Day, with some raising money for valuable NHS charities and causes. There are also a number of national commemorations planned, for example, at 11am, people will be asked to observe a 2-minute silence and at 8pm, people are being encouraged to clap our frontline heroes once again.
NASHVILLE, TN (WSMV) - An investigation by multiple agencies led to the arrest of a Nashville man who is accused of trafficking a large amount of illegal drugs in Nashville.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Metropolitan Nashville Police Department and the United States Drug Enforcement Agency worked together to develop information about the potential transport of multiple kilograms of methamphetamine into the Midstate.

According to authorities the suspect, 42-year-old Garrett Willis, was identified and arrested on Tuesday and charged with two counts of Delivery of a Controlled Substance.

Authorities say they seized 26.5 kilograms of meth and 23 kilograms of cocaine that were in Willis' possession.

Willis is being held in the Davidson County jail on a $250,000 bond,
A Florence, Alabama mother is facing felony charges after having a prescription for painkillers refilled while pregnant. Kim Blalock, a 36-year-old stay-at-home mother of six, suffers from myriad medical issues: degenerative disc disease, arthritis, post-surgical complications and a car accident which occurred a year prior to her pregnancy.

Blalock was able to mitigate the pain while under the care of a local orthopedist, who subsequently prescribed her the pain-relieving medication hydrocodonea common medication prescribed for those experiencing chronic pain. According to AddictionCenter.com, doctors wrote 120 million hydrocodone prescriptions in 2014.

Kim Blalock (family photo)

There are days that I cant get up, said Blalock. There are days where Im [okay], and there are days that are just horrible. It is debilitating. I have a lot of pain and limited mobility, and Ive got two little kids (and older ones) who need me all day.

Four years after she started taking hydrocodone, Blalock became pregnant with her youngest son and stopped her medication in early 2020. It was a very rough, painful, long pregnancy, Blalock said.

Over a period of 20 years, from 1999 to 2019, nearly 247,000 people in the United States died from overdoses involving prescription opioids, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Overdose deaths involving prescription opioids have nearly quintupled over the 20-year period.

In the final six weeks before her due date, and unable to bear the pain from so many injuries, Blalock had her prescription refilled. Upon Blalocks delivery, she informed her obstetrician about the prescription of hydrocodone, according to a letter from her lawyers to Lauderdale County authorities. Her newborn, located at North Alabama Medical Center, was tested for opiatesthe test results yielded positive.

A brief investigation was initiated by the Department of Human Resources, which closed the case after Blalock presented the department with the prescription bottle, agreeing to allow a case worker to count the pills. However, this failed to satisfy the Florence Police Department and Lauderdale County district attorneys office, which carried out an investigation, leading the prosecutor to charge Blalock with prescription fraud for failing to inform her orthopedist she was pregnant.

Newborns exposed to opioids during pregnancy may experience withdrawal symptoms after birth, which can be treated with medication in neonatal intensive care units. While not life-threatening, the condition can cause irritability, poor feeding, and tremors. Due to an increase in hydrocodone prescriptions, the number of babies treated for Neonatal Abstinence Syndrome has soared in Alabama and across the country. Blalocks newborn son exhibited no signs of drug withdrawal after birth and was discharged after four days of treatment for jaundicea common condition which usually subsides after treatment with ultraviolet lights.

In the state of Alabama, when newborns test positive for drugs, legal or illicit, authorities prosecute the mother for chemical endangerment, which can be a Class C felony if the child is not injured, a Class B felony if the child suffers injury, and a Class A felony if the child dies. A clause in the statement specifically exempts women from prosecution if they are taking drugs based on a lawful prescription from a doctor.

The Alabama Supreme Court has upheld felony chemical endangerment convictions against two mothers who used drugs during pregnancy.

Alabama authorities prosecuted hundreds of working class women for drug use during pregnancy in the last decade. Blalock appears to be the first case where charges of fraud are involved, due to Blalocks alleged failure to tell her orthopedist of her pregnancy. Prescription fraud cases generally involve the forging of prescriptions, consulting myriad doctors to obtain prescriptions (known as doctor shopping), obtaining prescribed drugs illegally through the internet, acquisition of legally prescribed drugs through family members and friends or altering prescriptions to increase the quantity.

Emma Roth, an attorney for National Advocates for Pregnant Women representing Blalock, said Lauderdale County officials are using charges of prescription fraud as a means to circumvent the exemption clause in the chemical endangerment law. It seems to us that this is a way that the state and the prosecution want to circumvent the acts of the legislature, said Roth. Legislators excluded women with lawful prescriptions from the chemical endangerment law. This is a way for the prosecution to work around that.

Attorneys at National Advocates for Pregnant Women, who regularly handle criminal cases nationally involving pregnant women, said that if Blalock is convicted, it would provide a pretext to arrest any pregnant woman in Alabama if she fails to inform her doctor she is pregnant prior to a prescription being refilled or receiving a prescription, regardless of whether or not she is asked.

Lauderdale County District Attorney Chris Connolly said his office is not trying to get around the states ban on bringing chemical endangerment charges against women with lawful prescriptions.

A member of the Democratic Party until 2015, he has petitioned a juvenile court judge to terminate the parental rights of a female prisoner, listed in court filings as Jane Doe, who wanted to have an abortion. Connolly claims that if the judge grants the petition, the woman would not have the right to ask for an abortion.

Blalocks case meets the criteria of his previous prosecutions for prescription fraud concerning doctor shopping, Connolly said. It is alleged that the defendant obtained hydrocodone from a medical doctor while she was pregnant without disclosing to the doctor that she was pregnant, he claimed. Had the defendant disclosed her pregnancy, she would have been weaned off of the hydrocodone by the medical doctor.

Blalock says her orthopedist and nurses throughout the years never asked about pregnancy. Moreover, Blalock did not have an appointment in the office due to the coronavirus pandemic, but obtained the legally prescribed medication through the window of her car.

Connolly said Blalock had a responsibility to inform her doctors of her pregnancy, notwithstanding Blalock informing her obstetrician.

Less than two months after the birth, police officers swarmed Blalocks house while she and her husband were out of town. Her two teenaged children were at the home and said at least seven armed officers entered the Blalock residence asking questions pertaining to her whereabouts. The incident with the police left Ms. Blalock and her sons feeling terrified, confused, and unsafe, Roth said. The two teenagers went to live with their grandparents after the encounter.

If I had known what I know now, I would rather lay in bed my entire pregnancy in pain than take a pill, said Blalock. I thought it was ok[ay]. I didnt think it was a big deal. My son is perfectly fine. I thought if a doctor wrote you a prescription, you can take it. If not, there needs to be posters everywhere in the doctors office that says, if youre pregnant, and the doctor prescribes you something, you still may not be able to take it.
Since Saturday, four state and territory governments have initiated limited lockdown measures, covering up to 12 million people, or almost half Australias population, as outbreaks of the highly-contagious Delta variant of COVID-19 spread across the country.

Infection numbers remain relatively low, in the dozens each day in Sydney, where the current swell began, and single figures in several other cities. The governments have been compelled to impose restrictions, however, because Labor and Liberal-National administrations at the state and federal levels have created what some epidemiologists have termed a perfect storm for a major surge of the disease.

A COVID testing site in Sydney (Credit: St Vincent's Sydney, Twitter)

Prior to the current outbreaks, almost all safety measures, including caps on mass events, had been lifted. Australia has the slowest vaccination rate of an advanced OECD country, with only around 7 percent of the adult population fully-inoculated. Governments have, throughout the pandemic, failed to develop an effective quarantine program, instead relying on private hotels that are incapable of stemming airborne transmission and have been the source of up to 30 COVID leaks.

The high transmissibility of the Delta variant, which is twice as contagious as the original version of the disease, and widespread public anger over the government failures, have prompted the current lockdowns.

Governments fear the public backlash, under conditions in which their political survival over the past year has largely depended on false claims to have protected the population from the coronavirus disasters witnessed internationally. Over recent days, demands for the resignation of Prime Minister Scott Morrison and denunciations of state leaders, particularly New South Wales (NSW) Premier Gladys Berejiklian, have developed on Australian social media platforms.

NSW authorities this morning reported 22 infections in the 24 hours to 8 p.m. last night. This takes the total number of locally-acquired cases since June 16 to 171. They are all of the Delta variant and are in or near Sydney, the countrys most-populous city.

For over a week, the Berejiklian government, with the full support of the state Labor opposition, rejected demands from epidemiologists for a lockdown. This allowed Delta to circulate, extending from the citys eastern suburbs to every corner of the city. On Friday, the NSW government announced stay-at-home restrictions for four local government areas, but infections were already being detected elsewhere.

Epidemiologists denounced the shambolic measure and correctly noted that it was dictated by the demands of large businesses that their operations not be hindered by a city-wide lockdown. Amid mounting cases, Berejiklian announced a lockdown covering all of Sydney on Saturday. Since then, daily infections have continued to approach or exceed 20.

With hundreds of potential exposure sites across Sydney, health experts have warned that the limited lockdown now in place may be insufficient to stem infections. On Twitter yesterday, Professor Bill Bowtell noted: Whats happening in Sydney is not a hard lockdown. Many non-essential businesses open. Mask compliance sporadic. Roads busy. Without JobKeeper support, some workers have to work despite risks. Beyond that, clarity urgently required about lockdown rules.

Many retail outlets are continuing their operations, while factory workers remain on the job, as they have throughout the pandemic. The federal JobKeeper wage subsidy was ended in March. Casual workers who have been thrown out of work are eligible for far lower federal payments, which are tied to stringent eligibility requirements. Affected small businesses may be provided with grants of between $5,000 and $10,000 by the state authorities.

Lockdowns in other states are also limited, and are set to intensify a social crisis confronting working people.

Yesterday, the Labor government in the northeastern state of Queensland announced a four-day lockdown, effective until at least Friday. It covers the state capital, Brisbane, along with the regional city of Townsville and much of southeastern Queensland.

The outbreak there has highlighted the dangerous implications of the vaccine shambles. A 19-year-old unvaccinated receptionist working outside a COVID ward at Prince Charles Hospital in Brisbane contracted the virus, before visiting parts of north Queensland. Four cases of the Delta variant have been detected. The Labor government immediately sought to scapegoat the young worker.

In Western Australia, the state Labor government announced a four-day lockdown of the capital Perth and the surrounding Peel region, following three confirmed cases of the Delta variant. The outbreak began after a woman returned from Sydney, unknowingly infectious. At least one of the subsequent cases stemmed from transmission in a Perth gym.

The Northern Territory government has lengthened a lockdown of Darwin and extended it to the regional centre of Alice Springs. The territory has recorded at least nine COVID cases, all thought to be of the Delta variant, the first community transmission registered there since the pandemic began.

The outbreak is thought to have begun at the Tanami gold mine in central Australia. It has been staffed by fly-in fly-out workers. One of the staff members contracted the disease in a Brisbane hotel quarantine, before returning to the mine, prompting a lockdown of 640 workers at the site. Such fly-in fly-out operations have been permitted by governments throughout the pandemic, despite the clear risk of a COVID spread, so that nothing disrupts the multi-billion dollar mining sector.

The Northern Territory has some of the highest rates of poverty and social deprivation in the country, and is home to a large Aboriginal population. Despite being classed as a vulnerable demographic eligible for fast-tracked vaccination, rates of inoculation in Northern Territory communities, including those near the Tanami mine, are at 20 percent or lower.

An infected worker from the mine also visited South Australia while contagious, prompting limited restrictions there.

The state, territory and federal governments have responded to the crisis with mutual recriminations and attempts to downplay their responsibility. Throughout the pandemic, all of them have collaborated in an extra-constitutional national cabinet, which has overseen the disastrous vaccine rollout, the failed hotel quarantine and the premature lifting of safety measures.

Federal Labor leader Anthony Albanese has bemoaned the impact of the outbreaks on big business, telling the Australian Financial Review that billions of dollars are being lost. State and federal Labor representatives have advocated lowering the intake of Australian citizens who remain stranded abroad. Fully-implicated in the official refusal to develop purpose-build quarantines, they are seeking to blame international arrivals and promote nationalist isolationism.

For its part, the federal Liberal-National government is increasingly mired in crisis. Prime Minister Morrison announced on Monday that all Australians could receive AstraZeneca vaccines, contradicting official health advice that the product is safe only for those aged over 60, due to rare bloodclotting complications. The Australian Medical Association and other doctors groups have refused to endorse the new policy, with some openly implying that it is a political manoeuvre.

The AstraZeneca announcement again demonstrates the failure of the federal government to develop a diversified vaccination program. Instead it settled on the cheapest option available.

Amid widespread public concern over the outbreaks, the corporate and financial elite is clamouring for a rapid end to the limited lockdowns that have been put in place, and condemning governments for capitulating to popular pressure. Editorials in the Australian and the Australian Financial Review this morning accused governments of overkill and insisted that the population had to learn to live with the virus, while other corporate outlets condemned the insanity of the current restrictions.
On Tuesday, the United Auto Workers union announced it would be ending mask requirements for vaccinated autoworkers beginning July 12. The announcement came after a meeting of the COVID-19 Joint Task Force, composed of representatives from the UAW, General Motors, Ford and Stellantis (formerly Fiat Chrysler Automobiles).

The move will almost certainly increase infections both in the plants and in surrounding communities in the coming weeks and months. In the state of Michigan, factories and construction sites have consistently ranked among the top sources of outbreaks over the course of the pandemic, behind schools and day care facilities. As recently as March and April, massive outbreaks took place at Stellantis Sterling Heights Assembly Plant (SHAP) and Sterling Stamping Plant. At one point, more than 10 percent of SHAPs workforce of 7,000 was out at the same due to exposure, and at least one Sterling Stamping worker, Mark Bruce, died of COVID-19.

Autoworkers at the Stellantis Warren Truck Plant in Warren, Michigan (WSWS Media)

The move to end mask requirements comes amid disturbing signs of the spread of the new Delta variant of the disease, which is far more infectious than previous variants, with some infections occurring after only seconds of exposure. The World Health Organization is now recommending that people who have already been vaccinated continue to wear masks because of the potential for the spread of the Delta variant. It is already fueling a rapid rise of cases in the United Kingdom, even though that country has among the highest vaccination rates in the world.

The task forces decision is in line with US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines issued last month. However, these guidelines are being exposed by the new variant as a politically-motivated distortion of the science aimed at both eliminating all remaining restrictions on economic activity and fueling a false propaganda narrative that the pandemic is over. It served as a signal for state after state, controlled by both Democratic and Republican governors, to end social distancing measures.

Earlier this month, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer held a press conference at Belle Isle State Park in Detroit to announce an end to the states restrictions. Effective today, there are no more capacity limits, indoors or outdoors. Effective today, our pure Michigan summer is back, Whitmer said.

The announcement comes only eight days after the auto companies and the UAW ended a raft of COVID-19-related safety measures in the plants, including temperature checks, staggered shift times and 10-minute cleaning periods. When the UAW-company task force had announced the previous measures, it said that it would maintain mandatory masks out of an abundance of caution.

This abundance apparently ran out after only a few days. It is likely that the task force had always intended to eliminate mask requirements as well but feared that ending too many restrictions at once would be too provocative.

In a statement released Tuesday, the UAW said, While the UAW and the companies continue following the protocols that have kept our workplaces safe, we know that one of the best ways to fight this virus is by getting vaccinated. The Task Force continues to encourage everyone to roll up their sleeves and get vaccinated against COVID-19 so that we can protect our sisters and brothers and their families. In plain English, the UAW will do nothing to protect workers against the spread of the virus in factories where workers say 50 percent or more of their co-workers remain unvaccinated.

The announcement also came only one day after the unions International Executive Board announced it would appoint Ray Curry, currently secretary-treasurer and head of the unions Heavy Trucks Department, to succeed Rory Gamble, who is retiring. Curry has been the point man for the UAWs isolation of the struggle by Volvo Trucks workers in Dublin, Virginia, who have been on strike since June 7. Curry negotiated two sellout deals and intervened personally in an unsuccessful bid to bully workers into accepting them. The workers voted down the deals by more than a 9-1 margin.

The winding up of remaining safety measures in the auto plants, as inadequate as they always were, is being dictated by the profit motive of the auto companies, who are under intense pressure due to the global chip shortage and the impact the pandemic has had on sales. One autoworker calculated that the elimination of staggered shifts and cleaning breaks alone will give the companies an additional two hours of production time each day.

The Detroit automakers are also attempting to keep pace with international competitors, who have already dropped mask requirements in their plants in the American South. Toyota, Nissan, BMW, Volvo Cars and Hyundai already allow vaccinated workers to forgo masks, according to Reuters.

The COVID-19 Joint Task Force is a further demonstration of the corporatist, anti-worker character of the UAW. Formed in March 2020, its first act was to cobble together a framework to keep production going throughout the initial surge of the virus that spring. Workers revolted against this agreement by carrying out wildcat strikes throughout the country, staggering the UAW and the companies and forcing them to retreat and shut production for two months. By acting outside the control of the labor-management partnership of the UAW, autoworkers saved countless lives in the critical early days and weeks of the pandemic.

However, the task force bided its time and eventually reopened the plants that May. Since then, the UAW and the auto companies have been carrying out a massive coverup of the extent of infections and deaths in the auto plants. While even low-wage employer Amazon admitted last October that 20,000 of its workers had been infected (it has released no figures since then, however), no similar nationwide figures have been published for the auto industry. The number of deaths, however, almost certainly numbers in the dozens at least. Many individual plants have seen multiple deaths, including six at Stellantis Warren Truck Assembly Plant alone.

Autoworkers who spoke to the World Socialist Web Site responded with anger to the announcement. The plant is a covid laboratory, one Warren Truck worker said. Cleaning is all contracted out, and they only clean the pressroom and change the garbage. They dont even clean any workstations unless there is an outbreak. But they are so secretive about it that you never even hear about it.

Many have not yet even been vaccinated inside of the plant, he said, It seems like the purpose of this move is to sow division within the workforce. And people who arent vaccinated yet may decide to simply stop wearing masks. Infections will rise because of this. Even people who are already vaccinated can still carry the virus and spread it.

They dont care about public health, its crazy, said a worker at General Motors Wentzville, Missouri, plant, near St. Louis. She said that most of the plant has been idled since the end of May, but would begin returning around the middle of July, when the mask requirements are lifted.

Im wearing my mask. I dont give a hell. I know there will be some people who wont get vaccinated and wont wear a mask. Theyre saying that the variant is down here in Missouri, its coming from southwest and moving towards St. Louis. You think the cases are blowing up now in the state, well, theyre really going to blow up.

A worker at Fords Kansas City Assembly Plant said, Its twisted. I read yesterday about the Delta variant spreading in Missouri. But the governor is really pushing people to go to work. He doesnt want anyone to get federal unemployment funding. They already ended it, even though the prices of everything are going up, like gas and food.

A worker from Fords Chicago Assembly Plant said, I dont think its a good idea. People think that this virus is over, but its not. My wife and I are fully vaccinated. But how will Ford know that people are? Unless you show the card they give you after the shot, thats the only way that I would trust anyone. We still wear our masks. Ford doesnt do anything to anyone who doesnt wear one now, so whats the point? I stay away from anyone who doesnt wear one now.

The UAWs announcement underscores the need for autoworkers to organize themselves independently of both the companies and their paid agents in the union, by expanding the network of rank-and-file safety committees that was formed last summer. These committees insist that safety, not profits, must be the overriding priority, and that all measures related to the pandemic, including the shutdown of plants when necessary, be controlled by workers themselves, with the advice of trusted medical health experts.
On Tuesday, President Joe Biden gave a speech in La Crosse, Wisconsin, to promote the stripped-down, bipartisan infrastructure plan negotiated last week by a group of five Republican senators and five of the most right-wing members of the Democratic Senate caucus.

The proposal, said by the White House to be worth $1.2 trillion over eight years, actually calls for only $579 billion in new funding beyond monies previously penciled in to address the disastrous decay of basic physical infrastructure in the US. The plan, which Biden endorsed at a White House event last Thursday, flanked by the 10 Senate negotiators, is less than half the size of the infrastructure proposal he unveiled in March.

President Joe Biden speaks about infrastructure spending at the La Crosse Municipal Transit Authority, on June 29, 2021, in La Crosse, Wisconsin. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

Moreover, it excludes a series of human infrastructure measures and promised tax increases on corporations and the rich that are opposed by the Republicans and sections of Democratic lawmakers.

The announced BidenDemocratic strategy is to obtain Senate passage of the narrow infrastructure bill, to which 11 Republican senators have signed on, through the normal legislative process in the Senate, which will require 10 Republican votes to overcome a filibuster.

A separate bill on social programs to be paid for in part by tax hikes on the wealthy is, according to the White House and congressional Democrats, to be passed using the budget reconciliation process, which will require only a majority vote in the evenly divided Senate, with Vice President Kamala Harris casting the deciding vote.

Neither the infrastructure plan, which Biden has dubbed the American Jobs Plan, nor the collection of social measures, titled the American Families Plan, has actually been drawn up in the form of legislation, and there is no certainty of either being passed by Congress.

Clearly, both Biden and Wall Street are far more interested in enacting the bill on bridges, roads, broadband, electrical transmission, rail and mass transit, water, electric vehicle support and other aspects of infrastructure than legislating even the most modest social improvements, especially if the latter entail a tax increase, no matter how slight, on the corporate elite.

In endorsing the bipartisan infrastructure plan last Thursday, which was based on an acceptance of the demands of the Republicans and right-wing Democrats such as Joe Manchin, Kyrsten Sinema and Mark Warner, Biden and the pro-Democratic media hailed it as breakthrough in the struggle against China for dominance in the 21st century. It proved, the White House declared, that democracies can function and compete with autocracies such as China.

Senator Mark Warner of Virginia, a multimillionaire former telecommunications CEO who chairs the Senate Intelligence Committee and has led the charge for Internet censorship, put the matter bluntly following the announcement of the infrastructure deal: The message it sends to the American people, and also to our friends and adversaries around the world, is so important. In a post-January 6 world, it shows that people who come from different political views can still come together on national priorities.

Beginning to address the decades of malign neglect of basic infrastructure is seen as critical in strengthening the home front in order to conduct economic warfare and prepare for potential military conflict against China.

At the same time, the plan represents a massive windfall for corporate contractors, who will be given lucrative contracts in the name of a publicprivate partnership.

That said, the plan is a drop in the bucket compared to the scale of investment required to reverse decades in which the US government has singled-mindedly pursued ever-greater enrichment of the corporatefinancial oligarchy. It has done so by conducting war against the working class, slashing taxes for the rich, dismantling large sections of industry, gutting business regulations and worker safety rules, slashing funding for research and development, and pumping up the stock market as the mechanism for a vast redistribution of wealth from the bottom to the top.

Bidens speech unfolded against tragic evidence of the human cost of this process: the collapse of the Surfside, Florida, condominium, alongside the mass flooding in Detroit, a record breaking heatwave in the Pacific Northwest and the ongoing toll in needless deathofficially at more than 600,000 in the US and climbingfrom the COVID-19 pandemic and the homicidal herd immunity response of first the Trump and now the Biden administration. The coronavirus crisis immediately revealed the consequences of the criminal starving of the health care system and other basic social infrastructure.

In his Wisconsin speech, Biden called his program a blue collar blueprint to rebuild America. He said this while supporting the early cutoff of federal unemployment benefits, for the most part in Republican-controlled states to date, that is aimed at forcing workers back into unsafe jobs, even as the more virulent Delta variant spreads across the country. In fact, $25 billion in funding for the infrastructure plan is to come from unused pandemic-related federal jobless benefits.

A major purpose of Tuesdays speech was to reassure the ruling class that Biden had no intention of vetoing the infrastructure bill should it pass the Senate and the American Families Plan fails to be passed as well. Speaking to reporters last Thursday some two hours after the announcement of the infrastructure deal, Biden indicated that he would only sign the two bills in tandem. That immediately produced denunciations not only by Republican lawmakers, but also by moderate Democrats and Democratic-aligned newspapers such as the New York Times and the Washington Post .

On Saturday, Biden issued an abject statement profusely apologizing for implying any hesitancy in signing a bill based on the bipartisan infrastructure deal, regardless of the fate of the other legislation. It was widely reported that the statement was drafted by his chief counselor, long-time Democratic operative and corporate lobbyist Steven Ricchetti.

The statement directly called out Democrats who were threatening to torpedo the infrastructure measure if the plan for corporate and capital gains tax increases, an extension of the child tax credit and earned income tax credit, expanded Medicare coverage, free community college tuition, and other social measures failed to pass the Senate.

Tuesdays appearance was meant to clear up any remaining confusion. It was dominated by the economic nationalist and corporatist framework of the Biden administration. The dais featured the slogans A Future Made in America and American Jobs Plan.

Biden began by reiterating his inauguration day pledge to bring America together. He placed the improvement in physical infrastructure within the context of the struggle against China, warning that China is way out in front in terms of infrastructure.

He then gave examples of the disastrous decay of US infrastructure, without providing any explanation of why this was so or who was responsible. Nor did he mention the pandemic or the Surfside condo disaster.

Among the issues he cited:

 One in every five miles of US roads is in poor condition.

 Fifty percent of bridges are over 50 years old. The 10 most traveled bridges in the country are in need of repair.

 More than 1 million homes are served water through lead pipes.

 Energy grids are aging, some are over a century old. (He noted the collapse of the entire energy system in Texas last winter.)

 The US has fallen to eighth in the world in research and development investment. China has climbed to second place.

Even Bidens very partial description of the deterioration of US infrastructure made clear the hopeless inadequacy of the plan he was promoting, leaving aside his omission of the decay of health care, schools and housing.

The total investment of $1.2 trillion over eight years comes to an annual allotment of $144.8 billion. That is less than the combined wealth increaseover $150 billionenjoyed by the worlds two richest peopleJeff Bezos and Elon Muskin the pandemic year of 2020.

Furthermore, the figure of $1.2 trillion over eight years precisely equals the estimated increase in the wealth of US billionaires during the pandemic, as of the end of April 2021.

Biden is proposing a record military budget of $753 billion for the fiscal year beginning October 1. That is more than five times the annual investment in infrastructure proposed in the bipartisan plan.

Toward the end of his 30-minute speech, Biden pivoted to his American Families Plan proposal. In doing so, he went out of his way to reassure the financial oligarchs that they had nothing to fear from his call for them to pay their fair share.

In defense of his proposal to partially reverse the Trump tax windfall for the rich passed in 2017 by hiking the corporate tax rate from 21 percent to 28 percent (still well below the previous rate of 35 percent), he noted that 30 Forbes 500 corporations paid zero taxes in 2020.

This was immediately followed by: Im not trying to punish anybody.  I think you should be able to be a billionaire.
Further information emerged on Tuesday that warnings had been made about the condition of the Champlain Towers South condominium in Surfside, Florida before the 12-story building collapsed to the ground in the early morning of June 24.

Thirty-six hours before the collapse of the structure, a contractor, who had been asked to provide a bid for cosmetic restoration of the pool and for new pool equipment at the complex, said he had seen water all over the parking garage.

Crews work in the rubble of Champlain Towers South residential condo, June 29, 2021, in Surfside, Florida. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Speaking to the Miami Herald, the contractor, who asked not to be named, said he had worked in the commercial pool industry for decades. The amount of water appeared so unusual to him that he asked about it as a building staff person showed him around the facility.

The contractor said, I thought to myself, thats not normal, when the building employee told him, it was waterproofing issues. Additionally, the building employee told the contractor that water was pumped out of the pool equipment room so frequently that the pump motors were replaced every two years. There was no discussion of the structural issues or cracks in the concrete evident in photos taken by the contractor in the pool equipment room.

The photos show the pool equipment room on the south side of the underground garage where exposed and corroding rebar in the concrete slab can be seen clearly overhead. The Miami Herald reported the contractor snapped some pictures and sent them to his supervisor along with a note expressing concern that the job might be a bit more complicated than expected. He worried they would have to remove pool pipes to allow concrete restoration experts access to repair the slabs.

The contractor noticed a puddle of standing water in the garage around parking spot 78, an area that building plans indicate is directly under the pool deck. This area was flagged in the 2018 inspection report provided by building engineer Frank Morabito as a major error in the original building design that allowed water intrusion into the concrete and caused significant erosion and weakening of the structural concrete slabs below.

The number of confirmed dead increased to 12 on Tuesday as rescue workers continued their urgent task of digging through the mound of rubble. At the time of this writing, the count of individuals unaccounted for stood at 149, with hopes of finding any survivors fading after six days of effort.

More than 60 agencies and 800 respondersalong with dogs specially trained to find victimsare assisting around the clock to complete the task of finding those who are still missing. Rescue and recovery workers can be seen on video footage picking through the wreckage by hand, looking for remains of the victims among the millions of pounds of crumbled concrete, rebar, furniture and personal items from the horrific event.

Retired postal worker Raysa Rodriguez, who lived in the Champlain South Towers for 17 years and survived the disaster, gave a first-person account of the event as part of a newly filed lawsuit. Rodriguez lived in Unit 907 and said that initially the building swayed like a piece of paper. She tried to turn on a light and discovered the power was out and then ran to the balcony of her apartment and a wall of dust hit me.

After calls to her neighbor and brother went unanswered, she ran into the hallway. She wrote in her description, I looked left to the north end of the building. A concrete column had pierced the hallway from floor to ceiling. I looked at the elevators. The elevator shafts were exposed, the doors were gone.

Rodriguez sprinted to the stairwell exit, opened the door and saw a terrifying scene, The beach side of Champlain had collapsed, pancaked, she wrote. I screamed in horror.

A report in the Miami Herald says, Like the other lawsuits, Rodriguezs lawyers contend that the condo association engaged in reckless and negligent conduct by ignoring long-needed repairs to the building. The class-action suit asks that similar lawsuits be consolidated, and that evidence be preserved to determine everyone who is to blame for this tragedy and all of them be held responsible.

There are as many as 30 theories being considered by experts for the cause of the structural failure, but none are definitive. National Public Radio interviewed independent investigator John Pistorino on Tuesday morning. Pistorino, a longtime structural engineering consultant retained by an attorney to investigate the building collapse, said that a group of experts will be assembled after the site is cleared and take the material to a site and try to reconstruct the building and look at the critical pieces to see if they can figure out how each piece failed and what the significance was.

Pistorino was involved in developing the 40-year recertification requirement in Dade County that was apparently underway at the condominium that was built in 1981. He came up with the program after the collapse in 1974 of the Drug Enforcement Agency building in Miami that killed seven people and injured 16 others.

He explained that normally during an investigation of a failure like this, samples would be taken to a lab to determine if steel was corroded and geotech engineering experts would do borings under the former building into the foundation areas in the piles and see what the condition of the soil in the foundation is at that time as well.

Pointing the finger at building officials, Pistorino said that he has been involved with other buildings in the area where repairs are significant... if theres any kind of a potential life safety issue, the fact that repairs are necessary isnt really the issue. The building official has to be informed.

With demands for answers from family members of the victims and the public in general rising, both the Democrats and Republicans have stepped up in an effort to deflect anger and blame from being focused on the political and economic roots of the collapse.

When Republican Governor DeSantis was standing in a large room at the Grand Beach Hotel Surfside last Saturday with family members, he was denounced by a relative who told him he was not doing enough. After a search and rescue team representative told the group that human remains had been found, the family member said, Imagine if your children were in there. You are going to leave here, and you are going to take a nice picture. I know you are doing everything you can, but its not enough.

The White House announced on Tuesday that President Biden and First Lady Jill Biden will travel to Surfside on Thursday to visit the site. Press Secretary Jen Psaki said, They want to thank the heroic first responders, search-and-rescue teams and everyone whos been working tirelessly around the clock. Psaki also said the two will meet with families forced to endure this terrible tragedy and offer them comfort as search-and-rescue efforts continue.

As with every previous disaster in recent decades in which a large number of people were killed by the indifference and negligence of the government and financial oligarchysuch as Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Mariathe appearance of the US president at the site is the surest sign that a cover-up is underway.

Biden will make his appearance, give a few perfunctory remarks and maybe even shed a tear for the families of the victims, but in the end, his administration will do nothing to uncover the true cause of the collapse or prevent similar disasters or worse from happening again in the future.
The Pacific island nation of Fiji has, for the second week in a row, recorded spiralling daily cases of COVID-19 as the outbreak that began in April continues to spread unabated. Infection and death rates have been rising rapidly since the first registered daily total of 100 on June 13.

Fiji recorded 312 new COVID-19 cases and four deaths in 24-hours to Tuesday, June 29. This followed 241 cases and two deaths reported Monday, 266 cases and one death on Saturday, 215 cases and three deaths Friday, a previous record of 308 cases and one death Thursday and another 279 cases and four deaths last Wednesday.

A family sells produce in front of their home in Suva, Fiji on June 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Aileen Torres-Bennett)

Fijis count in the current outbreak stands at 3,306 active cases in just eight weeks. A total of 4,074 cases have been recorded since March 2020, with just over 800 people recovered.

The death count is shrouded in confusion. While the official toll stands at 21 deaths, New Zealand correspondent Barbara Dreaver told Radio NZ at least nine more people had actually died but authorities were not counting them, claiming they died from other conditions.

Dreaver added, Officials are saying its going to get worse, and the reason that they know that is because people who are turning up positive come from really crowded settlements. And so there is this huge fear, and rightly so, that theres just so many more people who are infected.

The Fiji Times speculated on June 24 that the looming COVID-19 disaster could be the largest public health crisis in the Pacific since a New Zealand ship introduced influenza into Samoa in 1918, resulting in 9,000 deaths, or six percent of the population.

Fijis Medical Services Head of Health Protection, Aalisha Sahukhan, expressed alarm that government leaders knew what was coming but warnings were not listened to. What we are most concerned about is the next wave, the wave of people with severe illness requiring hospitalisation and the deaths that will come with it, she said.

Fijis test positivity ratio is running at 7.4 percent. This figure, which is also rising every day, measures the number of positive results for every 100 tests and gives an indication of community spread. According to the World Health Organisation, a threshold of 5 percent indicates widespread community transmission. Some medical authorities are warning of 600 deaths and over 50,000 active cases by early August.

The countrys vaccination program is insufficient to contain the outbreak. On Friday one centre had less than 200 vaccine shots to administer. While 28.8 percent of the population has received their first dose of the AstraZeneca vaccine but only about 2 percent are fully vaccinated.

New Zealand epidemiologist Michael Baker has made repeated warnings about the grim situation in Fiji and advised a full lockdown. If you dont do this you are left with basic measures focusing on cases of testing, contact tracing. That capacity looks like its completely overwhelmed already in Fiji so that really isnt effective anymore, so you are really running out of choices at the moment, Baker said.

Despite the increasingly disastrous surge, Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama continues to resist calls for the government to impose a full lockdown of either the main island Viti Levu, where the outbreak is centred, or across the entire country. Bainimarama said a complete shutdown would cripple the economy.

Radio NZ reported last Friday that Bainimarama appears to be missing in action, and is leaving Health Secretary James Fong to front the crisis. Bainimarama has only given one public address since April. He used that speech, given nearly two weeks ago, to reiterate that going into a full lockdown would be too drastic and lead to higher unemployment.

Targeted containment areas have been put in place in lieu of strict lockdown measures, with curfews for a limited number of areas on Viti Levu. The government has restricted movement to essential purposes onlyto obtain food and medicine, and for authorised work.

However, the list of workplaces that can operate increases. Minister for Employment Parveen Bala has said being vaccinated will become mandatory for those wanting to travel between regions, including for work. Bala said once the countrys population of 889,953 had been vaccinated, steps such as containment areas and potential lockdowns would not be needed.

Fongs statements are a dangerous mix of complacency, wilful denial and finger-pointing. Last Thursday he told the media: If I believed there was a medical case to be made for a 24-hour curfew for 28 days for all of Viti Levu, Id advise the prime minister directly. I have not done that because, medically, we do not believe a 24-hour curfew for 28 straight days would work.

Fong blamed ordinary people for the situation, declaring that compliance, not lockdowns was the way out of the alarming outbreak. He claimed that given the track record of poor public compliance there was no guarantee there would be compliance with further restrictions and the government simply does not have the capacity to enforce such a strict lockdown everywhere.

The UN resident coordinator for Fiji and the Pacific, Sanaka Samarasinha, repeated the same line, telling the pro-government Fiji Sun not enough Fijians are taking the risks of Covid-19 seriously enough.

The government, which came to power in a coup led by Bainimarama in 2006, is a brutal authoritarian regime with a long history of suppressing the working class and rural poor. It is pursuing the same strategy as governments elsewhere of herd immunity, i.e. letting the disease run rampant on the basis that ordinary people have to learn to live with it.

Fong has declared that the governments strategy has moved from containment to mitigation, particularly in hard-hit areas. He falsely claimed the global expert consensus was that COVID-19 is likely to become an endemic disease, which continues to circulate indefinitely internationally. Fong said it was too early to say if that would be the case in Fiji, but regardless, the government's strategy would remain the same.

The response of the local imperialist powers to the crisis erupting in their own backyard remains extremely limited. Last week, the New Zealand government announced an extra $NZ10 million to help with Fijis response to the pandemic. Small teams of medical specialists from New Zealand and Australia have also been sent to assist, a totally inadequate contribution to the impoverished country facing the collapse of its health infrastructure.
Unite has called off strikes and overtime bans by nearly 300 Jacobs Douwe Egberts (JDE) coffee workers at Banbury in Oxfordshire as the union moves to betray their eight-week fight against fire and rehire.

In a statement published Friday Unite announced a de-escalation process, with Joe Clarke, Unite national officer for the food industry, explaining, This will mean Unite suspending the current planned industrial action for the next fortnight and JDE agreeing to push back the implementation date for the fire and rehire proposals until 13 September. Our members will be working normally during this period.

Clarke continued, This jointly agreed de-escalation process presents a corridor of opportunity for meaningful talks to overcome the impasse in the difficult discussions we have previously had on the future terms and conditions for our members.

Unite is refusing to reveal the content of their planned talks with JDE, stating, Unite wont be commenting again until these talks have concluded.

The unions refusal to inform JDE workers about their negotiating position on future terms and conditions is clear warning that a sellout agreement is imminent.

JDE workers on the picket line on the first day of the strike (credit WSWS Media)

JDE issued termination notices on June 2 to workers who have refused to sign replacement contracts that will see them lose up to 12,000 a year, with unsocial shift patterns, slashed overtime rates and unpaid breaks.

As with previous strikes against fire and rehire, including at British Airways and Go North West, Unite is offering its services as the best means to enforce company demands for the slashing of jobs, terms and conditions. Any deal short of fire and rehire will be proclaimed a victory by Unite, so long as it preserves the unions corporatist partnership with JDE.

Unites pro-company agenda was apparent in Clarkes statement Friday that, This dispute has caused serious strains between the workforce and management, souring the previous good employment relations that we enjoyed with the company for many decades.

Earlier this month, Unite officials held out the prospect of a possible breakthrough via the return of a former manager to sponsor talks. The WSWS warned on June 13 that the JDE workers fight was in peril and urged workers to elect a rank-and-file strike committee independent of Unite to take over the running of the dispute.

Unites claim that workers and JDE management have a common interest has been used throughout the dispute to oppose the need for an independent strategy against the dictates of a ruthless multi-billion-pound company and its shareholders. It has been supported in these efforts by pseudo-left groups, including the Socialist Party (SP) and Socialist Workers Party (SWP), who have visited pickets to bolster the unions authority, conceal its pro-capitalist programme and block the development of a socialist strategy to fight JDEs offensive.

On June 9, an article in The Socialist by Katie Simpson of the SP claimed, Unite the Union has stood firm against the company's fire and rehire tactics, adding, For many years, Unite has negotiated good wages and conditions for the factory workers.

This is a whitewash of Unites presiding over a steady erosion of terms and conditions. During the current dispute Unite has agreed the gutting of JDE workers pensions with a defined contribution scheme that will slash retirement dividends. The SP is silent on this because it flatly contradicts the portrayal of Unite as the defender of good wages and conditions.

For many workers, their first encounter with groups like the SP is during a strike, when members arrive with messages of solidarity. But it is necessary to understand the history and programme of such parties and to study the real content of the formulations they employ in articles and leaflets.

In the case of the Socialist Party, its origins lie in founder Ted Grants break from Trotskyism in the post-World War II period, rejecting any possibility of constructing an international revolutionary party in the working class independent of the Labour Party and the trade union bureaucracy. Over many decades, including as the Militant Tendency, Grants organisation upheld this national orientation to the Labour and trade union bureaucracy.

Today, SP members are embedded as reps and officials in key trade unions. Current SP leader Peter Taafe was a key ally of Unites Len McCluskey for the best part of a decade and the SP is currently promoting Sharon Graham, who has presided over the repeated suppression and betrayal of strikes against fire and rehire, to take over as Unite general secretary.

The SPs intervention in the dispute has exposed the extent to which it and similar groups have embraced the corporatist and nationalist programme of the trade unions. Simpson writes, JDE spokespeople have claimed that the Banbury factory needs to modernise and is uncompetitive. When factory workers spoke with other factories in Germany, France and the Netherlands, they were all being sold the same mantra. Yet the bosses have refused to open the books and have any meaningful dialogue with the factory workers.

It was not factory workers from JDE who spoke with other factories in Europe. All contact with JDE plants in Germany, France and the Netherlands has been via Unites participation in the European Works Council, a joint union-management body set up under EU law to block the development of continent-wide industrial action by workers.

While noting that JDE workers in Europe face the same attacks, the SP proposes no strategy to unite them in a common fight across national borders to defeat JDEs plans. Any such fight would mean breaking Unites control over the dispute, a prospect that fills the SP with horror. Unites Recovery and Rebuild programme for manufacturing published in June 2020, calls for protectionism and trade war measures against low-cost rivals, pitting British workers against their class brothers and sisters worldwide. The SP lines up with this via its opposition to free movement of labour, seeking to blame foreign workers for unemployment and the social crisis. Its support for Brexit in 2016 was argued on the explicit basis of a national reformist and protectionist strategy.

The SP notes that JDE has declined to open the books, i.e., it has refused to divulge its financial standing. Most workers will agree that JDE should be forced to reveal who has benefited from the massive profits realised by JDE during the pandemic, but how is such a demand to be realised and to what end?

The call to open the books was among a series of transitional demands developed in the early years of the Third International and later by the Fourth International as a means of mobilising the working classraising its political consciousness and fighting capacitiesin the struggle for state power and socialism.

As Leon Trotsky explained in the Transitional Programme, the founding document of the Fourth International written in 1938, It is necessary to help the masses in the process of the daily struggle to find the bridge between present demands and the socialist programme of the revolution. This bridge should include a system of transitional demands, stemming from todays conditions and from todays consciousness of wide layers of the working class and unalterably leading to one final conclusion: the conquest of power by the proletariat.

Trotsky contrasted the FIs concept of transitional demands to that of the parties of the Second International. Classical Social Democracy, functioning in an epoch of progressive capitalism, divided its programme into two parts independent of each other: the minimum programme which limited itself to reforms within the framework of bourgeois society, and the maximum programme which promised substitution of socialism for capitalism in the indefinite future. Between the minimum and the maximum programme no bridge existed. And indeed Social Democracy has no need of such a bridge, since the word socialism is used only for holiday speechifying. Trotsky explained that in the imperialist epoch of decaying capitalism which opened in 1914, every serious demand of the proletariat and even every serious demand of the petty-bourgeoisie inevitably reaches beyond the limits of capitalist property relations and of the bourgeois state.

The fight to expose the business secrets of the banks and major companies was part of the fight for workers control of industry, The immediate tasks of workers control should be to explain the debits and credits of society, beginning with individual business undertakings; to determine the actual share of the national income appropriated by individual capitalists and by the exploiters as a whole; to expose the behind-the-scenes deals and swindles of banks and trusts; finally, to reveal to all members of society that unconscionable squandering of human labour which is the result of capitalist anarchy and the naked pursuit of profits.

The SP guts transitional demands of their revolutionary content. It believes in the permanence of capitalism and therefore politely suggests that the company books be opened to facilitate the resumption of Unites corporatist partnership with JDE, which the SP refers to as meaningful dialogue!

For its part, the SWP offers various caveats to its support for Unite, but always from the standpoint of better corralling workers behind the unions pro-capitalist strategy.

A case in point is Ian Mckendricks June 22 article in Socialist Worker. He notes that Unite, organised a demonstration at the factory gates on Monday of last week with Barry Gardiner MP to launch his parliamentary bill to outlaw fire and rehire. The SWP responds, A law against fire and rehire would be welcome.

Barry Gardiner at the People's Assembly demonstration in London on June 26, 2021 (credit: WSWS Media)

Mckendrick offers the following criticism, Gardiners bill isnt due for a second reading until Octobertoo late for the JDE strikers. It is also a huge gamble to hope that 86 Tory MPs will back Gardiners bill.

In other words, Gardiners bill is a transparent fraud that depends on securing Tory backing and offers nothing more than a cover for collaboration of Unite and other unions, as well as the Labour Party with the employers.

Labours Employment and Trade Union Rights (Dismissal and Re-engagement) Bill is aimed at suppressing the struggle of the working class against fire and rehire. If by some miracle the Bill were passed tomorrow, it would merely enshrine in law that brutal workplace restructuring must proceed via corporatist agreements with the trade unions.

The issue is not as the SWP presents it, one of tactical efficacy and timing. The SWPs support in principle for the Bill is a call for class collaboration and state suppression of the class struggle.

Both Unite and Labours Barry Gardiner are explicit on this score.

It is worth quoting Gardiners June 17 statement published on LabourList: I want our companies to thrive, and I want us to have a flexible workforce. My bill is about bringing in consultation rather than threats, representation, and negotiation rather than dictatorship, and cooperation to create sustainable companies that reward workers with a fair and living wage for their skills and loyalty whilst making a fair return to investors. [] This is not workplace revolution. It is workplace reasonableness. In the Commons we spend a lot of time disagreeing, but there are times when we can all share a common goal. This should be one of those times. My bill will improve cooperation, reduce industrial strife, and promote best practice. Its wonderful that so many good employers and business leaders condemn fire and rehire. My bill is not only morally right but in the best interests of sustainable business.

As Gardiner told a demonstration in London last Saturday, todays trade unions are supported by such luminaries as New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, US President Joe Biden and the Pope. Unites press release promoting the Bill is framed as an appeal to the Tories, declaring, Jacob Rees-Mogg MP, leader of the House of Commons, called fire and rehire threats wrong and a bad practice, adding companies should know better than behave in this way.

More than 80 years ago, Trotsky poured scorn on the cowardly experiments in regulation by Social Democrats, professors and technocrats who proposed, in the midst of the Great Depression, to drain the ocean of anarchy with spoonfuls of bureaucratic planning, only to run head-on into the invincible sabotage of big capital.

Today Britains Labourites make no such grand pretences: Not a New Deal but a Private Members Bill against fire and rehire. A Bill whose text has yet to be drafted, which is unlikely to ever pass, and which will further enshrine the trade unions alliance with the banks, corporations and the state.

To break the resistance of the exploiters, the mass pressure of the proletariat is needed. So wrote Trotsky. The parties of the pseudo-left are bitter opponents of this perspective. Fearful of the masses, hostile to the inherently revolutionary demands of the working class for social equality, the SP, SWP and other parties of the affluent middle class regard the trade unions as a vital force for the suppression of the class struggle and socialism.
For months, the Biden administration, the media and major US corporations have promoted the fiction that the COVID-19 pandemic is all but over.

Last month, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reversed its guidance on mask-wearing, urging vaccinated people to stop wearing masks and socially distancing in crowded areas. Biden claimed vaccinated Americans had reached the finish line in the pandemic, encouraging the public to take your mask off, youve earned the right.

US President Joe Biden takes questions from reporters on May 13 after the CDC recommended that vaccinated people should not wear masks. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

America is headed into a summer dramatically different from last year, the White House wrote earlier this month. A summer of freedom. A summer of joy. A summer of reunions and celebrations.

But the absurd pretext that the pandemic is over, even as over 300 people continue to die every day in the United States and as the disease continues to surge throughout the globe, was exploded Monday when Los Angeles Countythe most populous county in the USissued a recommendation that residents disregard the CDC order on mask-wearing and social distancing and take health measures recommended by scientists.

Until we better understand how and to who[m] the Delta variant is spreading, everyone should focus on maximum protection, the county health department said.

The move by Los Angeles County came after the World Health Organization (WHO) repeated its calls that vaccinated people should continue to wear masks in public, openly clashing with the Biden administration.

Vaccines alone will not stop the community transmission, and we need to ensure that people follow public health measures, WHO Assistant Director-General Mariangela Simao said at a press briefing Friday.

Last year, the Trump administration justified its promotion of herd immunity policies, including the premature reopening of businesses and schools, by falsely claiming that the pandemic was over. Trumps priorities were to get workers back into the factories and students back into the schools in order to pump up the stock market.

Biden has continued to enact the same set of priorities, for the same reasons. He has demanded the resumption of 100 percent in-person instruction and denied OSHA pandemic protections to nearly all workplaces, while falsely claiming that children are not vulnerable to COVID-19 and that schools are not major centers of the disease.

Over the past week, it has become clear that the world is in the grips of a third wave of COVID-19, caused by a new Delta variant of the disease first discovered in India.

In individual countries, the new variant has caused surges in new cases and deaths. In the UK, the variant is behind an eightfold increase in cases in just the past six weeks. In Russia, the number of daily deaths has surged to the highest level ever, while in South Africa, the number of daily new cases is approaching a record.

These outbreaks in individual countries are producing a global resurgence of the disease, with the seven-day average of new cases around the world increasing 4 percent over the past week.

Scientists and public health experts are sounding the alarm, demanding that governments reverse their efforts to dismantle remaining safety protocols to stop the spread of the disease.

It is the most hypertransmissible, contagious version of the virus weve seen to date, for sureits a superspreader strain if there ever was one, Eric Topol, a professor of molecular medicine at the Scripps Research Institution, told Scientific American. Weve been warned three times by the UK, Topol added, referring to previous surges in early 2020 and last winter. This time is the third warning.

Studies have shown that the Delta variant is twice as infectious as the original version of COVID-19 and 40 to 60 percent more transmissible than the Alpha variant first identified in the UK.

In response to the latest warnings by the WHO, the Biden administration is doubling down on its anti-scientific position on masking. In the words of the New York Times, A CDC spokesman pointed to the existing guidance and gave no indication it would change.

On Tuesday, US automakers and the United Auto Workers announced an agreement to end the wearing of masks at US factories, turning these crowded indoor spaces into hotbeds for the transmission of COVID-19 and endangering the lives of workers and their families.

The same brutal intransigence prevails around the world. On Monday, Sajid Javid, the new UK health secretary, declared the public must learn to live with COVID-19, announcing that the country would fully abandon health restrictions within three weeks.

Over 600,000 people are dead in the United States, and nearly 1.1 million have died in Europe as a result of the policy outlined by Javid. While an initial round of lockdowns suppressed transmission of the virus in the fall of last year, the ending of restrictions and reopening of productioncombined with the emergence of the so-called Alpha variantled to a new global surge.

The roll-out of vaccinations has contributed to a reduction of global cases but only to levels seen during the worst part of the first wave of the pandemic in the fall of 2020. Epidemiologists are now warning that the worlds population, which is still largely unvaccinated, must prepare for a new global resurgence of the pandemic.

Scientific American concluded that, despite the warnings of scientists: It is unrealistic to expect that US leaders will reimpose a lockdown or other restrictions. But what US leaders are willing to do cannot be the starting point when millions of lives are in danger.

The pseudo-scientific policy of herd immunity that guided the response of the US, UK, Swedish and other governments has proven to be a monumental crime. Its proponents claimed that the more the disease spread, the better the populations natural immunity would be at suppressing the disease. The exact opposite has happened: the more the disease has spread, the better it has become at evading not only natural immunity, but the immunity offered by vaccinations.

By abandoning public health measures, keeping vaccines out of the hands of poor countries and allowing the virus to spread unchecked, politicians in the US and around the world have not only allowed millions of people to die, but they have undermined the efficacy of vaccinations, one of the best tools for the eradication of the disease.

This insanity must stop! Humanity cannot stand by as the deaths pile up! Emergency action is necessary, regardless of the economic cost to the capitalist class, to eradicate COVID-19 once and for all!

As the pandemic surges throughout the globe, workers will enter into struggle to demand the implementation of vital public safety measures at workplaces and the closure of nonessential production. To coordinate these struggles, the International Committee of the Fourth International calls for workers to form rank-and-file safety committees as part of the struggle to build the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees.

The necessary measures to stop the pandemic must be paid for through a frontal assault on the wealth of the capitalist oligarchy. In 2020, the number of ultrahigh net worth individuals (UHNWI), those with a net worth above $50 million, surged by nearly 25 percent, while hundreds of thousands of people died and millions were thrown out of work.

The struggle to stop the pandemic is inseparable from the struggle to break the stranglehold of this financial oligarchy over social and economic life by replacing capitalism with socialism.
Six youth between the ages of 12 and 14 from the impoverished African nation of Mali were taken from their homes and enslaved on Ivory Coast cocoa plantations. For years they were whipped and beaten, forced to work over 12 hours a day, six days a week, fed scraps, sleeping on dirt floors in shacks stuffed with other child slaves.

After years of enslavement, each youth escaped and returned to Mali. After their stories became known, in 2005 international human rights lawyers sued the corporations, Nestle USA, Inc., and Cargill, Inc., that profited from the forced labor.

Nestle Tower in Croydon, UK (Photo: pafcool2)

The former slaves claimed that the Alien Tort Statute (ATS), a provision of the Judiciary Act of 1789, the first law passed by Congress following the ratification of the Constitution, allowed them as foreign nationals to sue for injuries inflicted in violation of the law of nations or a treaty of the United States.

While the suit was moving slowly through the federal judiciary, in 2013 the Supreme Court issued a reactionary decision, Kiobel v. Royal Dutch Petroleum Company, that severely undercuts the ATS. It created a presumption against the extraterritorial reach of the statute, that is, the law could not be applied to conduct outside the boundaries of the United States, even if it was by an American corporation, unless it could be proven that the companys American operations were directly involved in the overseas activities.

The former slaves amended their lawsuit to allege more details concerning the corporate activities in the United States to overcome the presumption against extraterritorial application of the ATS. On June 17, however, the Supreme Court issued a complex decision vacating a lower court decision that would have allowed the case to proceed on the theory that major operational decisions aiding and abetting child slavery took place on US soil.

A fractured Supreme Court, with a lead opinion by Justice Clarence Thomas that did not garner a majority, ruled that allegations US corporations were buying cocoa knowing it was the product of child slave labor did not overcome the presumption of extraterritoriality, and therefore could not support claims of the former child slaves for compensation under the ATS.

All three of the remaining moderate-liberal, Democratic-appointed justices sided with the corporations against the former child-slaves, citing various technical grounds.

The WSWS spoke to Paul L. Hoffman, who argued the case in the Supreme Court. Hoffman believes there are grounds for the case to go forward based on additional allegations of direct corporate involvement in the human rights abuses.

The Courts have held that the Alien Tort Statute can be used to vindicate human rights violations, Hoffman said. While there may be some disagreement over the sources and scope of international human rights law, according to Hoffman there is no question that child slavery is prohibited based on the development of international standards following the Nuremberg tribunals after the allied victory in the Second World War and the adjudication of Nazi crimes against humanity.

Hoffman criticized the Supreme Court for taking a very narrow view of aiding and abetting, illustrating his argument with the prosecution of Bruno Tesch and others who sold Zyklon-B, a substance which has a legitimate use as an insecticide, knowing that it was being used to execute Jews and others in the concentration camps. They actually taught Nazi guards how to use it without exposing themselves, and were found liable for war crimes. Tesch was hanged.

Three years ago, in Jesner v. Arab Bank, the Supreme Court ruled that foreign companies cannot be sued under the ATS. Whats left is policing what US corporations do, Hoffman explained. The US has a responsibility to hold its own corporations accountable when they aid and abet human rights violations outside the United States.

Nestle USA is a subsidiary of the Swiss parent corporation, which had to be dismissed from the suit after the Jesner ruling. Cargill, Inc., a global food corporation founded in Minnesota over 150 years ago, is the largest privately held corporation in the United States, and is a major purchaser of slave-harvested cocoa beans.

Hoffman explained, What the Supreme Court said in Section II of the opinion, the part that was joined by eight justices, is that allegations about purchasing cocoa beans, knowing about child slave labor, exercising at least general corporate oversight, having training programs and financing on the ground in the Ivory Coast, those allegations are not enough to get around the presumption against extra-territoriality that they created in Kiobel and applied to this case.

They didnt say what in addition to those facts would get us past the presumption against extraterritoriality. They didnt say whether we were entitled to discovery to get that kind of information. All of that is up for grabs now, according to Hoffman.

Hoffman still believes that the decision leaves open the possibility that more direct allegations of aiding and abetting from the United States might satisfy the test.

When the case goes back to the lower courts, according to Hoffman, We can allege that these corporations in a sense were out-sourcing child slavery. They know they cant develop cocoa beans in the United States using these practices, so what theyve done is set up a cocoa production supply chain through their economic power, creating mechanisms on the ground, all of which is controlled by the domestic decision makers within the corporations.

We intend to amend our complaint to allege that the corporations essentially created the child slave labor systems. The slave labor system cannot exist without them. They know that, and they created that situation. Whether that will satisfy the Supreme Court justices is anybodys guess. We think theres a fair shot, Hoffman concluded.

The case is already 16 years old. The former child slaves have returned to Mali and are now middle-aged, raising their own families.

The continuation of the suit is important, according to Hoffman, because The practices still go on. When my co-counsel Terry Collingsworth took a trip to the Ivory Coast three years ago with a couple of my students, they interviewed dozens of child slaves, actually while they were on plantations working in the fields. Some were as young as 10 or 11.

Some of the conditions have been ameliorated slightly, but there is still widespread forced child labor under very dangerous conditions in many parts of the Ivory Coast, and Ghana for that matter.

The reason for the child labor Hoffman explained in one word, Cheaper. Without it, companies would pay more for cocoa, and that would cut down their profits.

When asked about the future of the litigation, Hoffman, exclaimed, Were still alive, they havent been able to kill us yet.
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We encourage Volvo and other workers internationally to send a statement of support to the strikers in Dublin, Virginia using the form below.

Dear Colleagues,

Three thousand Volvo Truck workers in Dublin, Virginia, have been on strike for three weeks. The workers at the New River Valley plant are fighting for a contract that overturns the attacks on wages and workplace benefits over recent years. They urgently require your support to win their struggle against the multinational company.

If the strike remains confined to a single plant, the company will stick to its guns and use all means at its disposal to break the will and unity of the workers. It is therefore urgently necessary to break the strike out of its isolation and mobilise reinforcements: workers from other plants in the United States and internationally.

Your colleagues in the United States are not only confronted with a cut-throat company but also a trade union that does the corporations dirty work.

The United Auto Workers (UAW) twice signed contracts that were voted down by over 90 percent of the workers. They contained increases in health care costs, the retention of the hated multitier wage and benefit system, an end to the eight-hour day and further concessions.

Striking Volvo Truck workers (Source: UAW Local 2069/Facebook)

The UAW is now trying to starve the workers. Although the union has hoarded billions of dollars and its top officials earn hundreds of thousands of dollars each year, it is paying strike pay that does not even correspond to the minimum wage.

The union is also trying to isolate the strike. It has not even informed its members in the US, never mind workers at Volvo Trucks in other countries, that the strike is occurring. The union is supported in this by a pro-corporate media that has totally ignored the strike, as if it were not taking place.

The company, the union, the politicians and the media are terrified that the workers struggle in Virginia could spread like wildfire if other workers follow its example. After all, the problems faced by your American colleagues are the same faced by you and the international working class.

For years, the global auto industry has been dominated by a handful of players, who ruthlessly play off individual locations against each other to cut real wages, eliminate social benefits and increase workloads. In truck production, the largest companies are Daimler, followed by two Chinese firms, and Volvo Trucks.

These companies view the coronavirus pandemic as a welcome opportunity to intensify the assault on the working class. Despite a decline in sales, the Volvo Group paid out $3.7 billion in dividends this year, and a one-off payment of $2.3 billion for the sale of its Japanese subsidiary UD Trucks (formerly Nissan Diesel). This was paid for through the stepped up exploitation of the workforce.

This onslaught would not be possible if workers from all plants united. Volvo operates plants in 18 countries, with another 10 run by independent companies. The globalisation of production has given workers tremendous power and strength. They must become conscious of this strength and fight for their rights.

But the trade unions do everything in their power to prevent this. This applies not only to the UAW in the United States, but also to Germanys IG Metall, Belgiums auto trade unions and trade unions throughout Europe.

In this globally competitive struggle, the highly paid functionaries in the unions and works councils represent the interests of their companies and not those of the working class, which is an international class. They divide the workers and play off one location against another.

Many workers in Ghent will recall the closure of the Ford plant in 2014, which claimed 4,600 jobs and another 5,000 among parts suppliers, or the 2010 closure of the Opel plant in Antwerp. In both cases, the closure was supported by Germanys IG Metall. However, the union did not succeed in saving jobs in Germany. Opel, which now belongs to Stellantis, barely continues to exist.

The defence of jobs and wages requires a break from the corrupt and nationalist unions, and the building of independent action committees directly controlled by the workers themselves. In Virginia, the Volvo Workers Rank-and-File Committee played a decisive role in organising the opposition to the UAWs sellouts.

In an open letter to the leadership of the UAW, it stressed that the workers will not accept a contract reached behind closed doors. It demanded that a representative of the workers attend and monitor each negotiating session and presented a series of minimum demands that a contract must fill. It demanded strike pay equivalent to a strikers full wages, paid for by the UAWs $700 million strike fund, which was built up with workers dues.

The Volvo workers strike is emerging as a symbol of the mounting rebellion by workers against corporate management and the trade unions. In Alabama, over 1,000 miners have been striking against the Warrior Met Coal company since April 1. On April 9, they voted down a five-year contract agreed to by the United Mine Workers of America (UMWA) by a huge majority.

It is critical to unite these struggles internationally and provide them with a unified perspective. The International Committee of the Fourth International, to which my party belongs, therefore launched the initiative on May 1 of the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees.

I appeal to the Volvo workers in Ghent and workers throughout Europe:

Support the New River Valley strikers and make their struggle your own.

Follow the coverage of the strike on the World Socialist Web Site and make contact with the International Workers Alliance of Rank-and-File Committees and the Volvo Workers Rank-and-File Committee.

Form your own rank-and-file committee to organise protests, production slowdowns, and other solidarity measures, including the shutdown of Volvo and the entire truck and auto manufacturing industry.

In solidarity,

Ulrich Rippert, chairman of the Sozialistische Gleichheitspartei (Socialist Equality Party) and candidate in the German federal election
Todays by-election in Batley and Spen has caused panic in the Labour Party over what a potential defeat could mean for its leader Sir Keir Starmer.

It was in the West Yorkshire constituency that local MP Jo Cox was brutally murdered in June 2016, just before the referendum on British membership of the European Union. Her killer, neo-Nazi Thomas Mair, shouted, Britain First as he shot and stabbed the Labour MPa Remain supporter.

The resulting by-election in October that year saw all the major parties agree to let Labours Tracy Brabin run practically uncontested. This show of unity was to conceal that the referendum had been a means for diverting social tensions, especially following the 2008 financial crash, behind two equally right-wing factions of the ruling elite that had bailed-out the super-rich while imposing austerity against the working class.

The then Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn (left) and Sir Keir Starmer at an event during the 2019 General Election (Credit: AP Photo/Matt Dunham, File)

Five years on, official politics has become even more putrid as the COVID-19 pandemic has deepened the gulf between working people and the official parties. More than 150,000 people in the UK have died because of the governments herd immunity policies. The bailout of the financial oligarchy this time round has far surpassed that of 2008, while workers have been forced back into unsafe workplaces, and their wages and conditions smashed.

Prime Minister Boris Johnsons Conservative government is hated by millions for its criminal indifference to public health and the pandemic profiteering it has encouraged, and benefited from, at the cost of workers lives. On June 17, a by-election in Chesham and Amersham saw a Tory 15,000-plus majority overturned on a 20 percent swing to the Liberal Democrats. The Batley and Spen by-election also takes place less than a week after Health Secretary Matt Hancock was forced to resign amid evidence of corruption and cronyism.

However, Labour is equally loathed. In Mays by-election in the north east of England constituency of Hartlepool, it lost thousands of votes, enabling the Tories to take the seat for the first time. In Chesham and Amersham, Labour recorded its worst ever by-election result, and was pushed into fourth place, losing its deposit.

Despite the party selecting Jo Coxs sister Kim Leadbeater to contest Batley, her plea for consensus politics appears to have failed to revive Labour's fortunes, with some forecasting its third electoral drubbing in a row.

Deservedly so. Starmer owes his position to a filthy, McCarthyite campaign by Labours Blairites to oust Jeremy Corbyn as leader on bogus allegations of anti-Semitism. Their task was made easier by Corbyn's refusal to mount a struggle to drive the right-wing out of the party.

Starmer took over leadership at the start of the pandemic in April 2020. His pledge for constructive opposition to the Tories has seen Labour in a de facto coalition with the government. It has supported the policy of herd immunity, especially the reopening of schools to force parents into unsafe workplaces. Together with the unions, it has enabled a round of fire and rehire attacks through its corporatist relations with government and management.

The political problem in Batley, as everywhere, is that there is no candidate fighting for the independent class interests of workers against all the parties of big business.

As in Hartlepool, Batley is an area of social deprivation, with more than 40 percent of the population dependent on Universal Credit. Yet out of the 16 candidates contesting the by-election, almost half are avowedly right-wing. This includes Jayda Fransen, the former leader of Britain Firstthe slogan shouted by Mair as he killed Coxwho is running as an Independent, the United Kingdom Independence Party (UKIP) and the For Britain Movement.

In a constituency with a 20 percent Muslim population, these organisations are whipping up racism and Islamophobia. They assert that the main issue in the election is the events at Batley Grammar school in April, where a teacher was suspended for showing a cartoon of the Prophet Mohammed in a lesson on blasphemy. Although the teacher was exonerated of ill-intent, he remains in hiding.

Despite not contesting the election, actor turned right-wing political provocateur Laurence Fox, for the Reclaim Party, held a rally of several hundred claiming the central issue was one of free speech against woke politics. Fransen, who has been jailed for religiously aggravated crimes, styles herself as representing the forgotten people of British [sic]. Christian, Batley and Spen! For God and Britannia!

Right-wing elements are thought to be behind the circulation of fake Labour Party leaflets showing Starmer taking the knee to Black Lives Matter and purportedly stating, whiteness is the biggest threat to our precious multicultural society.

Labour has also been condemned by Muslim organisations in the area for ignoring Islamophobia, and for Starmers refusal to condemn Israels recent bombing of Gaza. An open letter to Labour from five Muslim groups warned Starmer that, after decades of supporting this party, knocking on doors, organising voter turnout drives and so much more, we are now in serious doubt over whether we can continue with our support.

A column in the Mail on Sunday cited an anonymous Labour official said the party was haemorrhaging votes among Muslim voters because of a backlash against Starmers challenge to anti-Semitism. Muslim Council of Britain spokesman Miqdaad Versi described the comment as a false racist stereotype.

Significantly, Labour and the media have little to say on right-wing political activity in an area where one of the partys own sitting MPs was murdered by a white supremacist. Their indignation is directly almost entirely against the candidacy of George Galloway and his recently founded Workers Party of Britain, who is presenting himself as the anti-Starmer candidate. With posters proclaiming Starmer Out, Galloway argues that if, for whatever reason, you think that the current leader of the Labour party needs to be replaced, Im your man.

Galloway is an inveterate political opportunist and a life-long admirer of Joseph Stalin and the counter-revolutionary perspective of socialism in one country. He combines anti-war rhetoric with support for British nationalism, which he presents as part of traditional working class values. In the Brexit referendum, he allied with the right-wing former stockbroker and UKIP leader, Nigel Farage, with the rallying cry Left, right, left, right, forward march together. In Batley and Spen, he espouses supposedly Muslim issuesPalestine, Islamophobiawhile solidarising with Fox against cancel culture, reportedly telling the free speech rally that he did not want his children to be taught how to masturbate in school and that there were 99 genders.

Labour has blamed supporters of Galloway for an attack on their campaign team that saw one person physically assaulted, with shadow minister Holly Lynch saying he had created a toxic environment that is suffocating democracy and drowning out the voices of local people. Galloway denies any involvement by his campaign. He was, however, forced to distance himself from a supporter that described the holocaust as a hoax in a 2019 social media post.

In truth, Galloways campaign is only a variant on the reactionary and divisive identity politics promoted by all the parties. Labour stands accused of dog-whistle racism by one of its own MPs, Navendu Mishra, for circulating what he described as an anti-Hindu leaflet. Showing Johnson with Indias Hindu supremacist Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the message reads, Don't risk a Tory MP who is not on your side: This after Starmer has allied Labour with Modis unilateral revoking of Kashmirs autonomy in 2019 and has reached out to the Hindu Forum of Britain, which is closely aligned with the Indian Prime Ministers anti-Muslim Bharatiya Janatha Party.

At any rate, Galloways intervention is aimed at politically rescuing the crisis-ridden Labour Party, with his message that a vote for him will force a leadership challenge and a change in its course.

Whatever the outcome of the Batley and Spen by-election, the campaign has revealed that the deep alienation of the working class from the Labour Party does not solve its political tasksit raises them to a higher level. The carnival of reaction which has been unleashed on the constituency identifies every hostile and bankrupt political force workers confront and points to the necessity to build an opposed socialist, internationalist leadership.

As the Socialist Equality Party explained on the shipwreck of the Corbyn project, political tendencies and figures like Corbyn, must be judged not on stated intentions, but on the essential criterion of the class interests served by the party and the programme he defends. Labour is a right-wing bourgeois party. It is complicit in all the crimes of British imperialism and has functioned as the principal political opponent of socialism for more than a century ... 

The essential political task today is the building of the revolutionary partythe Socialist Equality Party, British section of the International Committee of the Fourth International.
This statement was written by the Volvo Workers Rank-and-File Committee at the New River Valley plant in Dublin, Virginia, where workers are currently in their fourth week of a strike against Volvo Trucks. It is written to workers at Mack Trucks, which is a subsidiary of Volvo.

Volvo and Mack workers can contact the VWRFC at volvowrfc@gmail.com or text (540) 307-0509.

Dear Brothers and Sisters:

We, the workers at the New River Valley Assembly Plant in Virginia, are now in the fourth week of our strike against Volvo to demand decent wages, full health care for workers and retirees, an end to the multitier wage and benefits system and the maintenance of the eight-hour day.

We are determined to continue this fight, but our strike is at a critical turning point. If it remains isolated, it will be defeated.

We know that there is immense sympathy for our struggle at Mack. You know that what happens at New River Valley will set the tone for a whole series of struggles at Volvo and throughout the auto industry.

Volvo Trucks workers on strike in Dublin, Virginia, June 26, 2020 (photo: UAW Local 2069 facebook)

We have heard from workers that you do not want to handle parts being produced by scabs here at NRV but that you are concerned that workers cannot take individual action out of fear of retribution.

The UAW is doing nothing to mobilize opposition and fight back against the companys strikebreaking operations. UAW Local 677 posted a notice stating: As the NRV strike continues, our brothers and sisters at Local 2069 need our support.

However, it proposed nothing to stop production using scab parts, let alone organize a united struggle. Instead, it only said it was taking up a collection for Local 2069. We know that you are willing to donate and sacrifice, but the real issue is that the UAW is sitting on a $780 million strike fund that it has built up with our dues money, and its only giving us $275 a week.

As for the International, it is deliberately enforcing a news blackout of our struggle. It has not even posted a notice of the strike on its Facebook page. We have spoken to autoworkers in Detroit and elsewhere who tell us that they did not know that we were on strike.

This is why we are making a direct appeal to you, the workers at Mack Truck in the Allentown area and Hagerstown, to form your own rank-and-file solidarity strike committee to take the following measures:

1. Refuse to handle all parts produced at NRV. The cabs coming to Macungie now are the products of scab labor. All production using these parts is assisting Volvo in keeping profits flowing, undermining our struggle.

2. Build up support for joint strike action. If we are on strike but the company continues to make money at Macungie and Hagerstown, this weakens all of us. During your strike in 2019, the UAW kept us working. When an engine shortage from Hagerstown forced a shutdown in Dublin, many of us were laid off without SUB pay, without the UAW lifting a finger.

We cant let this happen again! The power of workers is in our unity, not our division!

3. Raise our demand that the UAW provide full strike pay for all workers, not a poverty level $275 a week. This must be combined with ensuring full income for all workers at the Mack plants who are affected by the strike.

The UAW is a massive institution with immense resources. The International is staffed by a gigantic bureaucracy with an annual payroll of $80 million. There are 17 UAW officialsincluding the new President Ray Curry, who wants us to take a cut in real wageswho make more than $200,000 a year, and more than 450 who make more than $100,000. It has plenty of resources to demonstrate to the company that we are engaged in a serious struggle.

To fight for our interests, we require organizations that are accountable to us. It is high time to end the one-way street, where the company tells the UAW what it wants, and the UAW forces us to accept it.

We founded the Volvo Workers Rank-and-File Committee because we recognized in the course of this contract struggle that we were fighting a two-front war. On one front we faced the ruthless international corporation driven to extract more profit from our labor at any cost. On the other front, we faced our union which has worked systematically to impose the demands of the company on us.

Mack workers: Join us and help break the isolation of the strike at NRV! We ask you to take the following immediate measures:

First, contact us by email at volvowrfc@gmail.com or text (540) 307-0509 for assistance in developing a rank-and-file committee at the Mack plants.

Second, distribute this letter to as many workers as you can to inform them of our struggle and popularize the demands listed above.

Yours sincerely,

The Volvo Workers Rank-and-File Committee
South Africas Constitutional Court has sentenced former African National Congress (ANC) President Jacob Zuma to 15 months imprisonment for contempt of court. He was convicted for defying its order to appear at an inquiry into corruption during his presidency.

Should Zuma fail to hand himself in to police within five days, the police minister must order his arrest.

The pending imprisonment of the former president some 30 years after the end of the hated apartheid system and the rise to power of the ANC expresses the protracted crisis gripping the entire South African bourgeoisie. It takes place as public anger mounts over the ANCs handling of the public health crisis and vaccine rollout, systemic corruption within the ruling party and the escalating economic crisis.

Jacob Zuma in 2017 (Credit: Kremlin.ru)

The 79-year-old Zuma has denied any wrongdoing. Apart from one brief appearance when he left before being questioned, he not only refused to attend the inquiry led by Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo examining corruption allegations relating to his period in office, but also failed to mount a defence. Instead, he wrote a 21-page letter to the chief justice, accusing the court of bias and Zondo of conducting a personal vendetta against him. This prompted the inquiry's lawyers to seek an order from the constitutional court for his imprisonment.

In an hour-long speech setting out the courts decision, Justice Sisi Khampepe criticised Zuma, saying that his attacks on the court were unprecedented and that Never before has the judicial process been so threatened. She added, If his conduct is met with impunity, he will do significant damage to the lost rule of law.

It was Zuma who had set up the inquiry into allegations of state capture, corruption, fraud that focused on the Gupta family and its associates who won lucrative government contracts and were allegedly even able to choose cabinet ministers.

A longstanding member of both the Stalinist South African Communist Party (SACP) until 1990 and the ANC that has ruled South Africa since the end of apartheid in 1994, Zuma has for years being mired in scandals and corruption. He served as Deputy President of South Africa under President Thabo Mbeki from 1999 to 2005, when he was fired after his financial adviser was convicted of bribery. This was amid a bitter struggle within the ANC between the factions around Mbeki and Zuma, who was backed by the SACP and the trade union federation COSATU.

Elected president of the ruling ANC in 2007, Zuma became President of South Africa after winning the 2009 elections. His government was characterized by corruption and nepotism with some $32 billion reportedly stolen during his period in office. At the same time, Zuma presided over a sharp decline in the nations economy, conditions that made international capitalists nervous about investing in South Africa, as unrest grew over rising unemployment and poverty and a strike wave spread across the country.

This flowed inexorably from the ANCs agreement with the white South African elite to preserve capitalism while empowering a wealthy black elite, under the mantle of programmes like Black Economic Empowerment, a political arrangement that significantly benefitted both Zuma and current President Cyril Ramaphosa, and the rest of the ANCs leaders at the expense of the working class. South Africa became one of the most socially polarized countries in the world, worse even than under apartheid.

Cyril Ramaphosa [Credit: Tasnim News Agency]

In December 2017, amid mounting corruption scandals and bitter in-fighting, he lost the ANC presidency to former trade union leader and multi-billionaire businessman Ramaphosa. Two months later, the ANC forced Zuma to resign as State President, fearing it would lose support in the 2019 elections. While Ramaphosa made pro-forma statements about rooting out corruption, he has largely targeted his political rivals.

Last November, Ramaphosas main rival, ANC secretary general Ace Magashule, appeared in court charged with corruption, money laundering and fraud in relation to the looting of public funds under Zuma. Last month, Health Minister Zweli Mkhize was forced to resign as an investigation into his alleged impropriety in the awarding of Covid-19 contracts gets under way.

Zuma faces another trial, which has been repeatedly postponed, on 16 charges of fraud, corruption and racketeering relating to a 1999 $5 billion purchase of fighter jets, patrol boats and military gear from five European arms firms, brokered when he was Mbekis deputy. The charges, that he accepted $34,000 annually from the French arms company Thales in return for protecting the company from an investigation into the deal, were reinstated after the ANC forced him out of office. The alleged bribe was part of a broader corrupt relationship between Zuma and one of the consortium members that won a major bid to provide combat suites for new navy frigates.

These exposures are just the tip of the iceberg of the corrupt operations of the ANC government, which has used programmes like Black Economic Empowerment to turn party officials and their business cronies into multi-millionaires.

While the Zuma ruling is expected to strengthen Ramaphosas faction, it will not end the corruption or lessen the crisis within the ANC which is haemorrhaging support. The Ramaphosa governments handling of the pandemic has only intensified the bitter class divisions, as, like its counterparts around the world, the ANC has sought to place the full burden of the global recession that has hammered the mining and manufacturing sectors of the working class.

The economy contracted 7 percent last year amid the impact of the global recession, the fall in demand for minerals and raw materialsSouth Africas main exportsand lockdown restrictions. It follows a years-long decline in GDP per capita as growth failed to keep pace with the increasing population. The governments budget deficit for 2020-21 reached 11 percent of GDP, with more than a fifth of the budget going to servicing debt that has reached nearly 65 percent of GDP. According to official statistics that are a vast underestimate of the real situation, around one third of South African workers are now unemployed, trapping millions in poverty and contributing to the obscene levels of inequality that persist nearly three decades after the end of apartheid in 1994.

The ANCs inglorious record is no different from any of the other national liberation movements in the Middle East and Africa, all of whom pursued similar policies, making their peace with imperialism and pursuing wealth and privilege for a narrow layer. It confirms that the national bourgeoisie, dependent upon imperialism and fearful of revolution from below, is incapable of resolving the fundamental democratic and social tasks facing the masses. There is no way forward for the working class in South Africa, or elsewhere, outside the class struggle, with the working class taking power into its own hands and overthrowing capitalism, as part of the international struggle to put an end to imperialism and establish world socialism.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. (WTHI) - We are following a developing story involving a murder that happened more than five decades ago.

The Terre Haute Police Department is re-examining the mystery surrounding Jo Ann Fox's death.

The key points Jo Ann Fox was murdered and sexually assaulted at her Terre Haute apartment in 1967

Police have not made an arrest in her death investigation

On Wednesday, June 30 her body was exhumed and taken to Regional Hospital for a new autopsy, and put back into final resting place at Highland Lawn Cemetery

Investigators have a person of interest in Sarasota, Florida

Were you interview during the original 1967 investigation? Call police at 812-244-2667 or 812-244-2218

On Wednesday morning, Fox's body was exhumed in hopes of getting more answers for investigators.

Fifty-four years ago, she was discovered murdered. This 32-year-old woman was found dead inside of her Terre Haute apartment on June 24, 1967.

Now, the findings of her initial autopsy are being questioned by police.

Authorities returned Jo Ann Fox's body to her final resting place at Highland Lawn Cemetery on Wednesday afternoon on Terre Haute's east side.

Terre Haute police are leading the charge with the mystery surrounding her death.

A 1967 murder investigation

Jo Ann Fox was found dead inside of home referred to as Manor Apartments at 512 North 6 and 1/2 Street. The building, and the street, no longer exist.

It would have been where the ISU Recreation Center parking lot sits now.

Investigators hope findings from Wednesday's autopsy will give them a clearer picture of how she died and then lead them to her killer.

According to a 1967 newspaper article, the coroner that performed the initial autopsy did not reveal the cause of death to the public. He said he wouldn't until an arrest was made.

That's because the coroner said there was evidence recovered that only the murderer would know about - he did go on record though and say Fox was sexually assaulted.

"Yeah, I think you know with all of the cold cases that we work, we try to do everything possible for the families involved because they are still the ones that suffer in these cases," Terre Haute Police Chief Shawn Keen told us.

Exhumations are rare, but they do happen. In this case, detectives question how Fox died and the original autopsy results. Tests are available now that weren't in 1967.

On Wednesday morning, Fox was exhumed from Highland Lawn Cemetery. News 10 was invited, but out of respect for the family, we kept our distance.

Fox's body was taken from the burial site. From there, she was taken by hearse to the morgue at Terre Haute Regional Hospital.

Forensic Pathologist Dr. Roland Kohr performed the autopsy. Once it was complete, Fox was taken back to Highland Lawn Cemetery, where her family watched as she was returned to her final resting site.

Jo Ann Fox's Family

Family members have been part of this process. Just like the police, they want answers and closure.

We talked with Fox's son, Jeff. He says even though it's been decades, he carries this case with him everywhere he goes.

"It's been 54 years. I'm 67-years-old, and it happened when I was 13, and I still think about it," Jeff said.

Person of interest

Police told us there is a male person of interest in this case. They said the person was 22-years-old when Fox was murdered.

Detectives tracked him down in Sarasota, Florida. Besides interviewing him, investigators were able to collect a DNA sample.

Police told us evidence collection from the exhumation of Fox's body could move this case forward.

How can you help?

Detectives want to talk with everyone who was interviewed by police about this case.

If you were one of those people, you're being asked to call one of two detectives working on this case with the Terre Haute Police Department.

You can call Detective Brad Rumsey at 812-244-2667 or the Sergeant of Violent Crimes, Troy Davis. His number is 812-244-2218.

The last criminal exhumations in the Wabash Valley

Local officials say the last criminal exhumations were in 1995. They were tied to the cases involving Orville Lynn Majors.

He was a nurse at the former Vermillion County Hospital.

Majors was convicted of killing six patients under his care.

Investigators said he gave lethal injections to those patients.

Majors died in 2017 in prison.
WEST CENTRAL INDIANA  Ivy Tech Community College Terre Haute and WorkOne Western Indiana will host the Community Cares Career Fair on Tuesday, July 20 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Ivy Tech Community College, 8000 S. Education Drive, Terre Haute.

Career seekers can meet employers to learn about open positions and about Ivy Tech educational options.

Attendees can also participate in career guidance sessions, and tour Ivy Tech facilities to see labs and equipment used in real-world career training. Ivy Tech faculty will be available to discuss educational programs that lead to in-demand careers.

Information about financial aid, and WorkOne and community resources will be available. Attendees can also learn about Indianas Next Level Jobs program, which offers Ivy Tech tuition-free certificate training to prepare eligible individuals for careers quickly.

RSVP is not required, but those who RSVP and attend will receive a free t-shirt while supplies last. RSVP at ivytech.edu/terrehaute.

West Central Indiana employers interested in participating can contact Jaime Frey at jfrey@ivytech.edu.
JASPER COUNTY, Ill. (WTHI) - The trend started on Monday. For three days straight there have been no new reported cases of COVID-19. There are also no current covid-19 cases in the county. That means no one is hospitalized or quarantined from the virus.

Deborah Riddle with the Jasper County Health Department says "We have maintained no cases all week so far. We're just going to knock on wood, keeping hoping that it continues this way."

Earlier this year, hundreds of folks lined up to get vaccinated on Thursday nights. About 30 percent of the community is vaccinated right now.

Riddle explains, "We've been seeing a steady decline. So when we get to the point of zero, which is what we've hoped for a very long time, it's very exciting."

Officials say the work isn't over just yet. The health department has been busy giving out vaccines to the community. But there is a new change that you will need to know before getting the vaccine. Starting Wednesday you'll have to call to make an appointment.

Riddle says, "There's such a plentiful amount of vaccine. It bothers me as a nurse to waste vaccine. But if two people or three people schedule for the day and they need to get the vaccine we will just have to waste the rest of the bottle."

To register for the vaccine in Jasper County, call the health department at 1-618-783-4436
STARKVILLE, Miss. (WTVA) - Starting Thursday, college athletes in Mississippi will be able to receive money outside of scholarships from the University.

Six states, including Mississippi, signed a new law enacting compensation for student-athletes for use of their name, image, and likeness.

Parker- McGill looks to become one of the first businesses to offer paying student-athletes. Parker- McGill looks to become one of the first businesses to offer paying student-athletes.

Parker-McGill Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram is prepared to be one of the first businesses to pay college athletes for promotional purposes.

Kristi Snyder is the general manager of the car dealership.

She feels this a great opportunity to promote their brand in a Starkville-friendly way.

We want to be able to offer them the opportunity to earn some money," she explained, "but at the same time have a chance to get our brand out there and you know more recognizable than where we are right now.

Snyder and her team at the dealership searched athletes' social media outlets to see who has a large following.

The company hopes to use the athletes' online presence as a way to market the dealership to fans across Mississippi come July 1st.

Mississippi State fans are very loyal and keep up with these kids even throughout their college career and beyond," said Snyder. "Forging a partnership with somebody thats got a good following, you know that people really have embraced and embrace around here, I think would be mutually beneficial.

Along with impacting her business, Snyder sees this as a way to get young college students a better opportunity for their future.

She mentioned she sees this as a chance for student-athletes to see a side of the business and work with people they may not otherwise have time for as a student-athlete.

She said they don't know how many athletes they're planning to offer on Thursday yet but hope to help as many as they can.

If you want to learn more about the NIL situation, click here.
JACKSON, Miss. (WTVA) - Acting transportation executive director Jeffrey Altman said his "goodbyes" on Wednesday in preparation for the ascension of new director Brad White.

In early June, the Mississippi Transportation Commission voted to appoint Brad White as the executive director of the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) beginning July 1.



MDOT executive director Brad White, Source: Office of Gov. Tate Reeves. MDOT executive director Brad White, Source: Office of Gov. Tate Reeves.

Read More - Brad White named MDOT executive director

Altman has been serving on an interim basis since the spring.

Read More - Altman named acting MDOT director

Altman shared the following statement on Twitter.

"It has been my privilege to serve as the Acting Executive Director of @MississippiDOT these past three months.

I am honored by the trust of the commissioners to run the department and I appreciate the support of the staff in my time as leader.

Now it is time for Brad White to take up the mantle and I will be here supporting him as Chief of Staff. Brad has experience that I know will serve MDOT and the people of Mississippi well in his new role.

Please follow the Mississippi Department of Transportation for the latest info as I will be shutting down my account effective July 1.

Thank you and God bless Mississippi."
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Stuffed animals and toys hang as part of a memorial for 2-year-old Athian Rivera Tuesday, Feb. 23, 2021, at the Lexington Hills apartment complex in south Cheyenne. Riveras body was found in the dumpster Friday during a search for the then-missing toddler.
The sister of the last American hostage being held by the Taliban made a desperate plea this week to President Joe Biden as the U.S. military completes its withdrawal from Afghanistan, telling ABC News in an exclusive interview, "I don't think anybody can come home with their head held high until every stone has been turned."

U.S. Navy veteran Mark Frerichs, 58, was abducted in Kabul in January 2020 after being lured to what he thought was a new business meeting -- but which turned out to be a horrific ruse, family members and officials have said.

Frerichs' sister, Charlene Cakora, said in an emotional interview that "it is almost too late now" to hope for either a negotiation or hostage rescue mission to secure her brother's freedom from his Taliban captors, given the military's hasty move to exit Afghanistan by July Fourth.

But she urged the commander-in-chief to pull out all the stops.

"President Biden," she addressed the president during the ABC News interview at her home outside Chicago, "oh, please do everything you can to bring my brother home."

MORE: Hope dims for American hostage as US hastily exits Afghanistan

"You have the power to bring my brother home, please get my brother home safely. We are relying on you," Cakora pleaded, her voice cracking with emotion as she dabbed at tears on her cheeks. "He's a good man. He deserves better. He does not deserve to be left behind. He's an American citizen. And I know that you would not leave an American citizen behind, so please, I beg you, do everything you can to get my brother home."

Cakora has not been given the opportunity to speak directly with either the former or current president.

Asked on Friday about Frerichs' family's concerns that their loved one will be left behind, the White House -- without specifically naming Mark Frerichs -- said they are working to free Americans in captivity.

Story continues

"The president's message is that he will continue to fight every day of his presidency to bring Americans home who are detained overseas, whether it's in Afghanistan or any other country around the world," said White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki. "Again, we will have a diplomatic presence on the ground. We will continue to work closely with the government, with security support, humanitarian support, and there needs to be continued, a continued political process, ongoing negotiations."

As the U.S. military completes its withdrawal from Afghanistan after two decades of warfare following the 9/11 attacks, Cakora said she and her husband Chris feel like "our leverage is pretty much gone right now."

PHOTO: U.S. Navy veteran Mark Frerichs is seen in this undated photo provided by his family. (Courtesy Charlene Frerichs)

Each week has brought the closing of another American base -- Jalalabad and Kandahar, and this week Bagram Airfield -- as the Taliban have waged an offensive against government forces, capturing dozens of districts countrywide.

"We can't lose hope and we have to be strong for Mark, but it's hard," said Cakora, who said she's been passing the time in her garden.

"I do a lot of weed pulling and I take all the frustration out with that," she said. "And I try not to watch the news too much, as far as that. But it's been really tough the past month due to the fact that our troops are coming home."

U.S. officials and sources close to Frerichs' family confirm that he is being held by a faction of the Taliban, the Haqqani network, known for abducting and holding Westerners captive inside Pakistan's tribal areas. American diplomats have focused in recent weeks on engaging the government of Pakistan, whose intelligence services have a decades-long relationship with the Haqqani network.

MORE: Family of American kidnapped in Afghanistan fears US leaving him behind; with Taliban deal stalled, violence surging

In a statement to ABC News last week, the Pakistani government said there is "no evidence" that Frerichs is being held captive in their country, but pledged to assist in efforts to return him to his family.

Frerichs' family, frustrated by the lack of progress, say they're aggravated that it took almost a year and a half for U.S. officials to turn to Pakistan for help.

"They're not using right methods," Cakora said. "There's capabilities, there are stones unturned I firmly believe, and I don't think anybody can come home with their head held high until every stone has been turned."

U.S. Special Envoy Zalmay Khalilzad cut an initial armistice deal with Taliban leadership in Doha, Qatar, last year -- a month after Frerichs was kidnapped -- but Khalilzad did not mention Frerichs publicly for several more months.

PHOTO: Afghan Taliban militants and villagers attend a gathering as they celebrate the peace deal and their victory in Afghanistan, in March 2, 2020. (Noorullah Shirzada/AFP via Getty Images, FILE)

Cakora told ABC News that last fall, Taliban leaders in Doha said they were holding Frerichs hostage and had provided him with medical treatment -- a startling admission she said Khalilzad shared with her.

"He [Khalilzad] said that he is healthy and well," Cakora said of her brother. "And that's pretty much it -- he's healthy and well and he has had some high blood pressure issues, and so he's seeing the doctor for that, he's taken medication for that."

As ABC News has previously reported, Khalilzad has insisted in recent months that he has raised Frerichs' captivity directly with his counterpart in Doha, Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar. He has not disclosed what response he has received, but sources say the Taliban chief has not denied that the group's Haqqani faction has held the American.

"In my meetings with the Taliban, I have demanded his release," Khalilzad told the House Foreign Affairs Committee on May 18.

MORE: American hostage mom says abusive husband's Taliban sympathies led to 5-year ordeal

It remains unclear why the Taliban kidnapped and continue to hold Frerichs. In the past, hostages such as American Caitlan Coleman and U.S. Army Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl were used as political bargaining chips for the Taliban to demand prisoner releases.

No Taliban were released in exchange for Coleman, who was freed with her three children in 2017 after pressure was put on Pakistan by the Trump administration. Bergdahl, however, was traded for five Taliban who were being held at the Guantanamo prison, in a controversial decision by President Barack Obama.

Taliban negotiators in Doha have been seeking the release from a U.S. federal penitentiary of convicted heroin trafficker Hajji Bashir Noorzai, who was an early bankroller of the extremist group -- but the Taliban has never specifically promised Frerichs' freedom in exchange for Noorzai.

U.S. Department of Justice officials under the Obama, Trump and Biden presidencies have resisted freeing Noorzai from his two life sentences, officials have told ABC News.

MORE: Afghan who worked for US denied visa after co-worker kidnapped, unable to reverify support

Cakora is imploring all involved to free a man who has had no involvement in the "forever war."

"I just want to tell anybody, the people who are holding Mark, I just want to let you know that Mark's my brother and I want him home safe," she said. "And wouldn't you want your brother home if you were in the same situation?"

Barring the mercy of the Taliban, Cakora said that Biden should do whatever it takes to get the former Navy diver back to his hometown of Lombard, Illinois.

"I think I feel that if they leave a man behind that served this country for six years, I would think that, how could they sleep at night, you know? I mean, how are they sleeping at night knowing that they left a U.S. citizen behind -- a U.S. veteran?" Cakora said. "They're pretty cold if they're not doing their job, because that's their job."

Sister of last American hostage held by Taliban begs Biden: 'Get my brother home' originally appeared on abcnews.go.com
Donald Rumsfeld  Republican power broker, controversial defense secretary and architect of the Iraq War  died Tuesday, days before his 89th birthday, his family said Wednesday.

"It is with deep sadness that we share the news of the passing of Donald Rumsfeld, an American statesman and devoted husband, father, grandfather and great grandfather. At 88, he was surrounded by family in his beloved Taos, New Mexico," the family said in a statement released Wednesday. "History may remember him for his extraordinary accomplishments over six decades of public service, but for those who knew him best and whose lives were forever changed as a result, we will remember his unwavering love for his wife Joyce, his family and friends and the integrity he brought to a life dedicated to country."

The cause of Rumsfeld's death was multiple myeloma, according to his spokesman, Keith Urbahn.

President George W. Bush selected Rumsfeld for his second stint as Pentagon chief in 2001. Rumsfeld vowed to shake up the military bureaucracy, seeking to make it leaner and more agile.

The Sept. 11 terror attacks changed everything.

Rumsfeld oversaw the Pentagons response and its initial attack on al-Qaida bases in Afghanistan. With stunning speed, U.S. commandos and airstrikes toppled the Taliban from power, and a democratically elected government was established.

By early 2002, Rumsfeld and Vice President Dick Cheney turned the Pentagons attention to Iraqi dictator Saddam Hussein. Al-Qaida chief Osama bin Laden, nearly captured in the mountains of eastern Afghanistan, slipped away into Pakistan, where he was killed in 2011.

In 2003, U.S. forces invaded Iraq to prevent Saddam from launching attacks with weapons of mass destruction. No such weapons were found, and the mismanaged American occupation led to a guerrilla war and sectarian violence.

Famous words: Donald Rumsfeld's most famous  and infamous  quotes

Bush fired Rumsfeld in 2006 as the United States was mired in grinding insurgencies that killed and maimed thousands of U.S. troops and thousands more combatants and civilians in Iraq and Afghanistan. About 2,000 troops remain in Iraq supporting a fragile government fighting Islamic insurgents, and the last U.S. combat troops prepare to leave Afghanistan, where the top commander warns of a brewing civil war.

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There were a series of high-profile controversies during his tenure, including the abuse of Iraqi prisoners at the Abu Ghraib prison. The detention at the military prison at Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, of combatants and others scooped up on battlefields in the Middle East continues to vex the United States. Most of the detainees have been released to host countries, but others await military trials.

From Princeton to Pentagon

Born in Chicago in 1932, Rumsfeld graduated from Princeton University, where he was a collegiate wrestler and commissioned as a U.S. Navy aviator and flight instructor. He served on active duty from 1954-57.

He became a staffer on Capitol Hill and worked as an investment banker. In 1960, he won his first term as a Republican congressman from Illinois. He resigned in 1969 and took a post in the Nixon administration, according to his congressional biography.

President Ford meets with chief of staff Donald Rumsfeld and Dick Cheney in the Oval Office on April 22, 1975.

In 1975, Rumsfeld was selected to serve as the 13th defense secretary  the youngest person to hold that position in the country's history, according to the Department of Defense's historical website. He was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Gerald Ford.

After working in the private sector for 23 years, Rumsfeld returned to his formerly held position, assuming the role of the 21st secretary of defense in Bush's administration in January 2001.

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld briefs reporters with U.S. Joint Chief of Staff Gen. Hugh Shelton, left, and Sen. John Warner, R-Va., on Sept. 11, 2001, in Washington after terrorist attacks on New York and the Pentagon.

War in Iraq

In the spring of 2003, U.S. forces moved quickly to seize Baghdad. Iraqi troops faded away, but there were soon signs of civil unrest. Looting was rampant, and Rumsfeld dismissed news reports, predicting wonderful things for Iraqis.

And does that mean you couldn't go in there and take a television camera or get a still photographer and take a picture of something that was imperfect, untidy? Rumsfeld said at the Pentagon. I could do that in any city in America. Think what's happened in our cities when we've had riots and problems and looting. Stuff happens!

He upbraided reporters for inferring that Iraq teetered toward chaos.

But in terms of what's going on in that country, it is a fundamental misunderstanding to see those images over and over and over again of some boy walking out with a vase and say, Oh, my goodness, you didn't have a plan. That's nonsense, Rumsfeld said. They know what they're doing. And they're doing a terrific job. And it's untidy. And freedom's untidy. And free people are free to make mistakes and commit crimes and do bad things. They're also free to live their lives and do wonderful things. And that's what's going to happen here.

The provisional government in Iraq, led by a U.S. diplomat, disbanded the Iraqi army. Many of those disaffected troops joined the insurgency. Rumsfelds plan to withdraw most U.S. troops was abandoned. Instead, more troops were deployed in a wearying, bloody succession of skirmishes and battles.

By 2004, the insurgents weapon of choice was the roadside bomb, known in the military as the improvised explosive device. It tore through poorly protected Humvees and became the No. 1 killer of U.S. troops.

Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld speaks to USA TODAY editorial board in a meeting at the Pentagon Wednesday, Nov. 24, 2001

Rumsfeld dismissed complaints from troops in combat that they were ill-prepared for the fight.

As you know, you go to war with the army you have, not the army you might want or wish to have at a later time, Rumsfeld said in 2004. You can have all the armor in the world on a tank, and a tank can be blown up. And you can have an up-armored Humvee, and it can be blown up.

Rumsfelds Pentagon received urgent requests from commanders in the field for armored trucks known as Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicles, or MRAPs. Those requests were shelved or delayed. Rumfelds successor, Robert Gates, made MRAPs the Pentagons top priority after reading a report in USA TODAY about their effectiveness.

By 2006, the wars and Rumsfelds handling of them had become a political liability for Bush. He fired Rumsfeld shortly after the midterm elections and replaced him with Gates.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Donald Rumsfeld dies, ex-Pentagon chief in Iraq, Afghanistan wars
Rebel fighters in the Tigray region of Ethiopia are continuing to gain ground after recapturing the regional capital Mekelle from government forces.

The rebels have now entered the town of Shire, about 140km (90 miles) to the north-west, according to UN officials.

Eritrean troops backing the Ethiopian army had earlier abandoned the city.

The government has declared a ceasefire in the eight-month conflict, but the rebels have vowed to drive their "enemies" from Tigray.

The fighting between the Tigray People's Liberation Front (TPLF) and government forces has left thousands of people dead.

More than two million have been displaced and 350,000 pushed towards famine.

The fighting began in November, when rebels rejected political reforms and captured army bases. Government forces captured Mekelle later that month.

There were scenes of jubilation in the streets of the capital on Tuesday, a day after the rebels retook the city following a rapid offensive. The central government has called a "humanitarian ceasefire" in the region.

Fighting between government troops and Tigrayan rebels has intensified in recent weeks

Rebel spokesman Getachew Reda told Reuters news agency that Tigrayan fighters would "destroy the enemy" by entering Eritrea and the Ethiopian region of Amhara - whose militias have also supported government forces.

"We have to ensure that the enemy... doesn't have the capability to threaten the security of our people anymore," he said.

The status of Eritrean troops remains unclear, although one resident in Shire told Reuters the Eritreans appeared to be moving north, towards the border.

The rebels are now in control of most of the region, the research organisation International Crisis Group said.

It is difficult to verify information in Tigray as communications have been cut.

A turning point?

Vivienne Nunis, BBC News, Nairobi

With rebels seizing back control of Mekelle, Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed appears to have had few options left when he unilaterally declared a ceasefire.

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But by framing the decision as a "humanitarian" one, the government in Addis Ababa is attempting to save face.

So what now? The rebels have so far ignored the ceasefire saying they are intent on driving out all so-called "invading enemies".

The international community will be watching to see whether the ceasefire is a turning point, and in particular, whether humanitarian groups can now travel freely in the region to deliver supplies to the millions of people in desperate need of food.

Tigray - the basics

Ethiopia is divided into 10 regional states defined on ethnic grounds and described as largely autonomous, but with central institutions

In 2018, following anti-government protests, Abiy Ahmed took over as PM and introduced reforms

Powerful politicians from Tigray, Ethiopia's northernmost state, accused Mr Abiy of trying to increase federal power

Relations worsened and, after the government accused Tigrayan rebels of attacking military bases, the Ethiopian army moved in in November

Mr Abiy declared the conflict over in late November, but fighting continued and increased ahead of national elections on 21 June

All sides in the conflict have been accused of mass killings and human rights violations.

On Tuesday, senior US state department official Robert Godec said Washington would not stand by in the face of the "horrifying atrocities" being committed in Tigray.

State department spokesperson Ned Price said the truce declaration could be positive if it led to steps to "end the conflict, stop the atrocities, and allow unhindered humanitarian assistance".

The UN has said there was a situation of famine in northern Ethiopia - a claim Ethiopia's government denies.
A police car is parked in front of debris from a partially collapsed building in Surfside north of Miami Beach, on 24 June 2021 (AFP via Getty Images)

Seismic experts have rejected theories that tie the collapse of a condo in Surfside to the shock test of a new aircraft carrier conducted by the US Navy off the coast of Florida.

The US Navy had set off a massive explosion in the Atlantic Ocean on 18 June to test the war readiness of its newest aircraft carrier, USS Gerald Ford. The shock trials were conducted to ensure the capability of the nuclear-powered aircraft carrier to withstand battle conditions.

During the trial, the crew detonated almost 40,000 lbs of explosives about 100 miles off Palm Coast, Florida, following which, the coastline registered a 3.9 magnitude earthquake.

Almost a week after the explosion, a 12-storey beachfront condo in Surfside, Floride, collapsed, leaving at least 12 people dead. At least 149 residents are still missing in the wreckage following the 24 June incident, reported AP.

Paul Earle, a Colorado-based seismologist with the US Geological Surveys National Earthquake Information Centre (NEIC), told the Miami Herald that he does not believe the shock test by US Navy is related to the condo collapse.

Given the size of the explosion, the distance from the building, and the time between the explosion and the collapse, we do not see any reasonable mechanism for the Navy explosion on June 18 to have triggered the collapse of the Miami Beach-area condo on June 24, he was quoted as saying. There are about 300 earthquakes of similar size to the Navy explosion in the contiguous US every year, none of which have triggered a major building collapse.

Search and Rescue teams look for possible survivors in the partially collapsed 12-story Champlain Towers South condo building on 29 June 2021 in Surfside, Florida (AFP via Getty Images)

Lieutenant Commander Desiree Frame, public officer for the USS Gerald R Ford, also rejected the premise on Monday.

We have seen nothing that will correlate the shock trial test with the terrible event last week in South Florida, she was quoted as saying by the Miami Herald. Certainly, our thoughts and prayers go out to everybody affected by that.

She further told the paper that they consider a lot of factors before choosing the testing site, to ensure that they are as safe as possible.

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We know we need to do this kind of testing for the hull of our major ships like aircraft carriers, that its an important opportunity to evaluate the structural integrity of the hull, and its ability to handle a blast of that size, but in choosing the location, the depth of the water, the time of day, marine life migration patterns, etc. There are a lot of factors that are considered to make sure that its as safe as it can possibly be, she said.

Meanwhile, a 2018 engineering report documented major structural damage to the building and noted abundant cracking in concrete beams and walls.

Rubble hangs from a partially collapsed building in Surfside north of Miami Beach, on 24 June 2021 (AFP via Getty Images)

The New York Times reported that the building was about to undergo extensive repair for the corrosion as a part of the structural recertification requirement 40 years after its construction.

However, experts believe that there are more factors at play that led to the collapse of the building. Using space-based radar to examine the flooding potential in the Miami Beach area, researchers found that the condo was on land that was sinking in ways that other surrounding properties were not, reported the NYT.

Read More

AP News Digest 3:25 a.m.

Widower seeking new start in Florida is missing in collapse

Condo searchers eye tropical forecast as effort stretches on
Russian forces could sink a British warship without triggering a world war, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who predicted Moscow would prevail if shooting broke out.

"You said the world teetered on the brink of a world war. No, of course not, Putin said during an annual question-and-answer session moderated by state media. Even if we had sunk that ship, it would still be difficult to imagine that this would have put the world on the brink of WWIII, since those who are doing this, they know that they cannot emerge victorious from this war.

Putin adopted that tone in an apparent effort to downplay fears of a conflict while maintaining an aggressive posture in a controversy over the United Kingdoms deployment of a destroyer to the Black Sea. Russian officials claimed to have fired warning shots and even dropped bombs near the vessel, but the U.K. countered that Moscow was lying about an uneventful encounter.

I dont think that we would have been happy, either, with this development, but at least we would know what we were fighting for  our territory and our future, Putin said, acknowledging the Kremlin also doesnt want a real war. "We were not the ones who came to them from thousands of kilometers away. They came to our borders.

RUSSIA WARNS OF 'A REAL CONFLICT' WITH NATO OVER BLACK SEA NAVAL EXERCISES

British officials sent the HMS Defender to the waters off the coast of Crimea as a show of support for Ukraine, which lost control of the Crimean peninsula in 2014 when Russian special forces invaded and annexed the territory. Putin touts a subsequent referendum as proof that the Crimean people voted to leave Ukraine, but U.S. and European officials reject that vote as an illegal fig leaf for an unprovoked war of conquest.

We believe the Russians were undertaking a gunnery exercise in the Black Sea and provided the maritime community with prior warning of their activity, British Defense Secretary Ben Wallace said in a report to British lawmakers. "No shots were directed at HMS Defender, and we do not recognize the claim that bombs were dropped in her path.

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Putins government is trying to strike a tough pose as the United States and Ukraine co-host a major annual naval drill in the Black Sea. Though dramatic this Russian sparring is par of the course, British lawmaker Tobias Ellwood, who chairs the defense committee, wrote on social media. But this intimidation is as much about fueling a dis-information campaign  & getting us to talk about Putin than a genuine escalation in hostilities.

Russian officials published updates on submarine combat training in the Black Sea in response to the U.S. and European exercises. Putin, for his part, claimed that the HMS Defender was working in conjunction with the U.S. on a surveillance mission to test Russian responses.

It was comprehensive and was staged not only by the British but also by the Americans because the British warship ventured into our territorial waters in the afternoon while early in the morning, at 07:30, a U.S. strategic reconnaissance plane took off from a NATO airfield in Greece, from Crete, I believe, he said. It was obvious that the destroyer intruded in pursuit of military aims, trying to find out with the help of a reconnaissance plane what our armed forces' countermeasures to this sort of provocations might be. ... Possibly, I've blabbed out a secret, my apologies to the military.

The Western naval drills come on the heels of a major Russian military buildup that raised the specter of a new major invasion into Ukraine, which has been embroiled in a Russian-led conflict in eastern Ukraine since 2014.

Ukraine already has an eastern border they have to defend, and Russia has recently sent over 100,000 troops to that region, including equipment, which would indicate that they have designs to come back since they left the equipment there, and now they have to worry about their northern border as well, Sen. Rob Portman, an Ohio Republican, said during a Foreign Relations Committee hearing on June 9.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

Putin, however, protested that Western officials should have been gratified by Russias drawdown. But instead of reacting to this positively and saying: 'Good, we have seen your response to our anger,' what did they do? They showed up on our borders, he complained.

Washington Examiner Videos

Tags: News, Foreign Policy, National Security, Russia, Crimea, United Kingdom

Original Author: Joel Gehrke

Original Location: Putin: Russia could sink United Kingdom warship without triggering 'world war'
Travelers hoping to explore Bali this summer will have to wait a little longer as the Indonesian government just delayed the island's reopening amid a rise in COVID-19 cases.

In an interview with Reuters on Monday, Indonesia's tourism minister said the country will wait until cases fall significantly before welcoming international visitors again. Bali's economy, which heavily depends on tourism, has been deeply impacted by the pandemic, but the government is still taking a cautious approach to reopening.

Passengers arrives as Bali's tourism reopen for domestic visitors at I Gusti Ngurah Rai International Airport in Kuta, Bali, Indonesia on July 31 2020

Johanes Christo/NurPhoto via Getty Images

"We were targeting end of July, beginning of August, but we just have to be mindful of where we are in this recent spike [in coronavirus cases]," Indonesia's Minister for Tourism and the Cultural Economy, Sandiaga Uno, told Reuters. "We will be waiting for the situation to be more conducive."

In recent weeks, the number of COVID-19 infections has steadily risen across all of Indonesia, including in Bali, where case numbers have quadrupled from about 50 per day to about 200 daily, according to official data, Reuters reported.

Uno said he wanted to hold off on reopening Bali until the COVID-19 caseload was about 30 or 40 per day. However, there are some lingering questions about the true number of COVID-19 infections in Bali, where testing rates are well below recommendations from the World Health Organization.

In order to help kickstart tourism in Bali and isolate the island from the pandemic, Indonesia now requires domestic travelers to present a negative PCR test before entering. The government has also focused its vaccination efforts on Bali.

Approximately 71% of Balinese people have already received their first vaccine dose, while Uno says the island could reach its goal of full vaccination for 70% of the population by the end of July.

In recent years, Bali has become a hot spot for digital nomads. While Indonesia intends to attract more temporary visitors, it also plans to offer a new visa specifically for remote workers. Under the new proposal, people who own or work for companies outside of Indonesia will be able to stay in the country on a five-year visa, according to Reuters.

"If they earn income within Indonesia they will be taxed, but if it's solely from overseas there will be zero tax," Uno said.

Jessica Poitevien is a Travel + Leisure contributor currently based in South Florida, but she's always on the lookout for her next adventure. Besides traveling, she loves baking, talking to strangers, and taking long walks on the beach. Follow her adventures on Instagram.
England look set to be represented by expatriate fans only for their Euro 2020 quarter-final against Ukraine in Rome on Saturday due to travel restrictions amid the pandemic.

Gareth Southgates team booked their place in the last eight with a 2-0 victory over Germany at Wembley on Tuesday, and will now play outside the UK for the first time in the tournament.

The Football Association has already written to members of the England Supporters Travel Club (ESTC) to say that the governing body will not be selling tickets to them for this match, because of the restrictions in place in the UK and Italy to limit the spread of coronavirus.

The FA was entitled to 16 per cent of the Stadio Olimpicos agreed 16,000 capacity for the match, but these tickets will now be placed on general sale.

The Stadio Olimpico in Rome will host Englands Euro 2020 quarter-final (Marco Iacobucci/PA)

It will be up to tournament organisers UEFA to sell and distribute tickets, but it is hoped the British Embassy in Rome may be able to identify and support expatriates and point them in the right direction to buy tickets if they express an interest.

The letter to ESTC members from the FA read: Please be aware that, unfortunately, the FA will not be selling any tickets via the England Supporters Travel Club for this fixture given the travel restrictions in place across both countries, and as such are working with UEFA and the British embassy in Italy to facilitate as many ticket sales to English residents in Italy as possible.

The FA promised a full update on Wednesday.

Travellers from the UK must self-isolate for five days on arrival in Italy and then take a rapid antigenic or molecular swab test for Covid-19 and test negative for release, meaning someone would need to have arrived on Monday in order to be cleared for Saturday.

Italy is on the UK Governments amber list too, meaning anyone travelling to Rome from the UK would need to isolate for at least five days upon their return.

Restrictions are even tighter for fans from Ukraine. They will not be able to travel to the match, with non-essential travel from Ukraine to Italy not currently permitted.

The Association for British Ex-Pats In Italy told the PA news agency on Wednesday that it had already been in touch with the British ambassador and that an association member of staff was seeking clarification from the FA.
ABC News

The Views Meghan McCain has seamlessly shifted from relentlessly invoking her late father to referencing her well-known mother, lamenting on Wednesday that Cindy McCain is the only example of the Biden administrations efforts at bipartisanship.

Having been mocked online for consistently reminding viewers that shes the daughter of late Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), the View co-host once again went down that route on Tuesday, invoking her dad in order to bash U.S. Olympian Gwen Berrys flag protest.

I know its very triggering for people and people get very upset when I talk about my dad, for whatever reason, which is why I really stopped doing it on the show unless its really meaningful to me, she warned the audience before mentioning her fathers time as a prisoner of war in Vietnam.

During a Wednesday morning interview with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, the conservative co-host turned to invoking her mother.

Secretary Pete, we have spoken previously on this show about your willingness to go on Fox News, and reach across the aisle and why you thought it was so important, which was something I always admired about you, she noted.

This administration has promised an emphasis on bipartisanship but so far the only real example has been my mother, who has just been named a U.S. Representative to the U.N. Agencies for Food and Agriculture, McCain continued, highlighting her moms recent nomination by the White House. Shes honored and very excited for her job.

McCain applauded Buttigieg for personally trying to reach across the aisle before asking the former South Bend mayor if he was disappointed with the supposed lack of bipartisanship from the White House and whether he expected more Republicans to join the administration.

After saying he was honored to serve with Cindy McCain, who he called a great American, Buttigieg then brought up the recent infrastructure deal as one example of President Joe Biden working with Republicans.

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I also want to say though, you want to see bipartisanship, look no further than the moment a few days ago when the president walked out of the Oval Office with Republicans and Democrats at his side, and announced that they had come to terms on a $1.2 trillion vision for the future of American transportation infrastructure, he declared. That is not something that happens every day under an administration of either party.

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Growth Gap finale

This is the final edition of the Yakima Herald-Republics ongoing series on child care access in Central Washington, The Growth Gap. You can read more, watch videos from the project and find archives of articles and newsletters by visiting yakimaherald.com/special_projects/growth_gap. This series was funded through a Education Writers Association fellowship.
Yankton, SD (57078)

Today

Sunny to partly cloudy. High 98F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph..

Tonight

Mostly cloudy skies early, then partly cloudy after midnight. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. Low 72F. Winds S at 5 to 10 mph.
Ian McDowell is the author of two published novels, numerous anthologized short stories, and a whole lot of nonfiction and journalism, some of which hes proud of and none of which hes ashamed of.
Today

Sun and a few passing clouds. A stray shower or thunderstorm is possible. High 109F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.

Tonight

Clear. Low around 80F. Winds S at 10 to 15 mph.

Tomorrow

Mainly sunny. High 111F. Winds SSW at 10 to 15 mph.
The delta coronavirus variant first detected in India has been identified in nine cases in Hungary, the Coronavirus Press Centre said in reply to HVG.

The press centre warned that those who have not had any inoculations yet are more exposed to the threat of infection, so they are asked to register for vaccination.



The delta variant is spreading rapidly in the UK, but British tourists are not present in Hungary in large numbers, the press centre said, as arrivals from that country must go into official home quarantine for ten days unless they are in possession of two negative PCR test results.




FICTION: An insightful, impeccably written historical novel about an influential New Yorker's stunning demise.

"The Great Mistake" by: Jonathan Lee; Alfred A. Knopf (304 pages, $25.95)



Jonathan Lee writes engrossing novels about public tragedies and private dilemmas, fusing vivid character studies with understated humor and aphoristic turns of phrase. The 40-year-old Brit's latest, a meticulous portrait of a real-life New York power broker, is further confirmation that he's among the best writers working today.

"The Great Mistake" isn't a paragraph old when Lee kills off his protagonist. It's 1903, and Andrew Haswell Green, an 83-year-old lawyer who developed famed parks and museums, has been shot to death in Manhattan. The mistaken-identity murder of the "Father of Greater New York," as one newspaper calls him, is the talk of the city.

It's the stuff of a riveting whodunit, but Lee has crafted something a bit more measured. "So much of a life happens offstage, in silence," he writes. Accordingly, this is a rich, unhurried depiction of a man whose success appears to have masked sorrow and alienation.
Quentin Bowen believes the COVID-19 vaccine is safe and he believes it works. But because of a lack of time and some other circumstances, he didn't get it when it became available.

The 41-year-old farmer from Richardson County was busy on the farm  planting soybeans and tending to his hogs. He had also dodged the virus back in November when his wife and daughter had it and figured he was less at risk now with cases waning.

"I guess I thought I had time," he said.

But time wasn't on his side.

On May 15, right in the middle of planting season for his several thousand acres of soybeans, Bowen started feeling ill.

He said it started as chills in the afternoon. He went to bed early and woke up around 11 p.m. with a fever of almost 103.

At that point, Bowen figured he might have COVID-19.

He isolated himself, rested, took Tylenol and drank plenty of fluids, but after a couple of days, he didn't feel any better, so he called a local health clinic.

The staff at the clinic told him he should get tested for COVID-19, but they also told him there wasn't anything they could do for him if he did have it. So he stayed home.
New Delhi: As Delhi has been witnessing severe heatwave, the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) on Wednesday said the conditions for monsoons are not favourable adding that the temperature will stay above 42 degrees Celsius.

Senior IMD official Kuldeep Srivastava said the heatwave in the national capital is likely to continue though it is likely to experience light rainfall on July 2 and 3.

"Today`s temperature in Delhi is likely to stay above 42 degrees Celsius. The heatwave is likely to continue. Light rain is predicted on July 2 and 3 and the temperature might drop. Conditions for monsoons are not favorable and are delayed," he told ANI.

On Tuesday, the mercury rose to 43 degrees Celsius, which was the highest this year, the weather agency classified it as the first day of a heatwave this season.

This is the first heatwave in Delhi this summer season, according to the India Meteorological Department.

For the plains, a "heatwave" is declared when the maximum temperature is more than 40 degrees Celsius, and at least 4.5 notches above normal.

According to the IMD, the southwest monsoon has reached Barmer in west Rajasthan, one of its last outposts, two weeks before its normal schedule but is yet to arrive in the north Indian plains including Delhi.

The meteorological office had earlier predicted that the wind system may reach Delhi by June 15, which would have been 12 days early. However, westerly winds have been blocking its advance into Delhi, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana, PTI reported.

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New Delhi: US Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen spoke with Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Tuesday and discussed that the US and India have a shared interest in implementing a robust global minimum tax. "Earlier today, Secretary of the Treasury Janet L. Yellen spoke with Finance Minister of India Nirmala Sitharaman. Secretary Yellen discussed that the United States and India have a shared interest in implementing a robust global minimum tax," the US Department of the Treasury said in a release.

The treasury department statement said that Yellen stressed the importance of partnership with India in the G20 and OECD to seize a once-in-a-generation opportunity to remake the international tax system to help the global economy thrive.

Earlier this month, the Group of Seven (G7) advanced economies announced that they have come to a preliminary agreement to set a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15 per cent.

The proposal will next go to the OCED (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development) and G20 countries for further discussion. Also Read: Two drones sighted in Jammu and Kashmir, security forces on alert

According to the experts, the major economies have been aiming to prevent multinational companies from shifting profits to low-tax territories regardless of where their sales are made. Back in March, Finance Minister Sitharaman held a discussion on the global economic outlook with Yellen, wherein the latter appreciated India`s contribution to the world`s vaccine efforts. Also Read: Petrol, Diesel Prices Today, June 30, 2021: Rates remain unchanged, check prices in your city

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#mute
New Delhi: The Union Cabinet on Wednesday approved the Rs 6.29-lakh crore relief package announced by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to support the pandemic-hit economy.

This was informed by Information and Broadcasting Minister Prakash Javadekar after the Cabinet meeting.

As part of the package to support the COVID-19 pandemic-hit economy, Sitharaman had on Monday announced Rs 1.5 lakh crore of additional credit for small and medium businesses, more funds for the healthcare sector, loans to tourism agencies and guides, and waiver of visa fee for foreign tourists.

Together with previously announced Rs 93,869-crore spending on providing free foodgrains to the poor till November and additional Rs 14,775 crore fertiliser subsidy, the stimulus package, which is mostly made up of government guarantee to banks and microfinance institutions for loans they extend to COVID-19-hit sectors, totalled up to Rs 6.29 lakh crore.

The finance minister provided Rs 23,220 crore of additional funding to set up children and paediatric care at hospitals to prepare healthcare infrastructure to deal with any emergency arising due to COVID-19 wave hitting children.

Further, to incentivise job creation, the government committed to paying the employer and employee's share to provident fund (PF) for all new recruitments done till March 2022. Previously, the government paid Rs 902 crore for 21.42 lakh beneficiaries of 79,577 establishments.

With the tourism sector being hit hard by the pandemic, the minister had announced a financial support to over 11,000 registered tourists, guides, travel and tourism stakeholders, in addition to free one-month tourist visa to first five lakh tourists.

Other announcements included an additional Rs 19,041 crore to provide broadband internet cover to all village panchayats, an extension of tenure of a production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme for large-scale electronics manufacturing by a year and Rs 88,000 crore of insurance cover for goods exporters.

The central government has announced the support measures as states start lifting restrictions after new coronavirus infections showed a decline. Also Read: Zero tolerance for sexual abuse of children, says Twitter, NCW asks it to remove 'all pornographic' content

Two announcements made by Sitharaman regarding the additional subsidy of Rs 14,775 crore for DAP & P&K fertilizers, and extension of Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) free food grains from May to November 2021, were previously approved by the Cabinet. Also Read: MWC 2021: From Samsungs One UI to Snapdragon 888, check 5 biggest launches from day 1
New Delhi: Just hours after his meeting with Congress general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Congress leader and former Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu arrived at Rahul Gandhi's residence in New Delhi for a meeting on Wednesday.

These developments come in the wake of bitter war of words between Navjot Singh Sidhu and Punjab Chief Minister Captain Amarinder Singh.

Delhi: Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu arrives at the residence of party leader Rahul Gandhi. pic.twitter.com/UGdwdSrsb1  ANI (@ANI) June 30, 2021

Earlier on Wednesday morning, Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu met party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra in which he reportedly discussed his role in the revamp in the party's state unit ahead of assembly polls.

Sidhu had said on Tuesday said that he was slated to meet Rahul Gandhi but the latter denied that there was any scheduled meeting with him. Sidhu had resigned from the Punjab Cabinet after he was divested of the local bodies portfolio in 2019.

Sources said the party leadership is trying to work out a position for Sidhu in the revamped party or state government, but the East Amritsar MLA is adamant on not working with CM Singh.

Meanwhile, Rahul Gandhi has been meeting party leaders from Punjab for their views on the political situation and steps needed to strengthen the party ahead of the 2022 assembly polls.

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New Delhi: As the European Union relaxes travel restrictions under its 'Green Passport' scheme, India has requested the members of the 27-nation grouping to individually consider allowing Indians who have taken Covishield and Covaxin vaccines to travel to Europe, sources said.

The sources said India has requested the EU member nations to accept the vaccination certificate issued through the CoWIN portal. The European Union's Digital COVID certificate framework to facilitate free movement during the COVID-19 pandemic is to come into effect on Thursday.

Under this framework, persons who have taken vaccines authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) will be exempted from travel restrictions within the EU. The individual member states have the flexibility to also accept vaccines that have been authorised at the national level or by the World Health Organisation.

"We have requested EU member states to individually consider extending similar exemption to those persons who have taken COVID-19 vaccines in India, that is Covishield and Covaxin, and accept the vaccination certificate issued through the CoWIN portal," said a source.

The sources said the genuineness of such vaccination certification can be authenticated on the CoWIN portal.

"We have also conveyed to EU member states that India will institute a reciprocal policy for recognition of the EU Digital Covid Certificate," the source said.

"Upon notification of Covishield and Covaxin for inclusion in the EU Digital Covid Certificate and recognition of Indian CoWIN vaccination certificates, Indian health authorities would reciprocally exempt the EU member state concerned for exemption from the mandatory quarantine of all those persons carrying EU digital COVID certificate," the source said.

There have been apprehensions in India that people who took Covishield and Covaxin jabs are unlikely to be eligible to travel to the European Union member states under its 'Green Pass' scheme.

The EU Digital COVID certificate or 'Green Pass' will be mandatory to travel to European countries and the document will serve as proof that a person is vaccinated against COVID-19.

An EU official on Tuesday said individual member states of the European Union will have the option to accept vaccines authorised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) like Covishield for obtaining the bloc's digital COVID certificate.

External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar on Tuesday took up the issue of inclusion of Covishield in the EU digital Covid certificate scheme during a meeting with Josep Borrell Fontelles, the High Representative of the European Union.

The meeting took place on the sidelines of a G20 meeting in Italy.

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New Delhi: Punjab Congress leader Navjot Singh Sidhu met party general secretary Priyanka Gandhi Vadra on Wednesday morning during which he reportedly discussed his role in the revamp in the party's state unit ahead of assembly polls.

Sidhu had said on Tuesday said that he was slated to meet Rahul Gandhi but the latter denied that there was any scheduled meeting with him. The former Punjab minister is at loggerheads with Chief Minister Amarinder Singh and has gone public against him.

According to sources, Sidhu said had a long meeting with Vadra. "Had a long meeting with @priyankagandhi Ji," Sidhu tweeted, along with a picture with Vadra.

Had a long meeting with @priyankagandhi Ji pic.twitter.com/Wd4FYXFrhr  Navjot Singh Sidhu (@sherryontopp) June 30, 2021

The Congress leadership is trying to revamp the party's Punjab unit and present a united face ahead of assembly elections in the state early next year. Sources said the party leadership is trying to work out a position for Sidhu in the revamped party or state government, but he is adamant about not working with CM Singh.

Rahul Gandhi has been meeting party leaders from Punjab for their views on the political situation and steps needed to strengthen the party ahead of the 2022 assembly polls.

Sidhu, who had resigned from the Punjab Cabinet after he was divested of the local bodies portfolio in 2019, has been at loggerheads with the Chief Minister.

He has attacked the chief minister over the alleged delay in justice in the 2015 incidents of sacrilege and subsequent police firing. The chief minister had slammed Sidhu for continuously attacking him over the sacrilege issue and termed the former's outbursts "total indiscipline".

Earlier this month, Sidhu had appeared before a three-member panel set up by Congress to resolve the infighting within the party's state unit. On June 22, Singh appeared before the panel, headed by the Leader of Opposition in Rajya Sabha Mallikarjun Kharge, in Delhi. However, he returned to Chandigarh without an audience with party president Sonia Gandhi or Rahul Gandhi.

AICC general secretary in charge of Punjab affairs Harish Rawat and former MP J P Aggarwal are members of the panel.

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Chennai: In a six-hour-long surgical procedure, doctors in Chennai performed a thigh bone replacement and a left kidney removal procedure simultaneously, to revive a cancer patient.

The 54-year-old patient, a lady from Assam had been bedridden for three months, owing to a fracture and a subsequent injury on the left thigh bone.

The doctors who examined her at the Apollo Proton Cancer Center in Chennai diagnosed her with metastatic left renal cell carcinoma. This is a type of cancer where the cancer cells from the originally affected site travel to other parts of the body and cause tumors.

As planned, the doctors removed the knee joint tumor and replaced it with a mega-prosthesis, while also conducting a laparoscopic left kidney removal via three 5mm holes in the abdomen. The hospital said that the patient could walk with support, barely a day after undergoing both procedures.

Dr Vijay Kishore Reddy, Senior Consultant Orthopedic surgeon, Apollo hospitals, said that undue delay in cancer diagnosis and treatment owing to COVID-19 fear leads to worsening of cancer and its further spread. He added that early detection and multi-disciplinary treatment were key to battling cancer.

According to Ms Preetha Reddy, Executive Vice Chairperson, Apollo Hospitals Group, both procedures being done in a single sitting reduces costs, results in earlier mobilization of the patient, less duration of hospitalization and post-operative complications.

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New Delhi: A recent study has suggested a connection between the formation of the tiny particles, the size of a cloud droplet on which water vapor condenses leading to the formation of clouds and forest fires, the Union Ministry of Science & Technology said on Tuesday (June 29, 2021).

They added that the number of such particles called the cloud condensation nuclei (CCNs) were found to have peaks associated with forest fire events.

The Union Ministry of Science & Technology informed that the scientists from Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna (HNB) Garhwal University and IIT Kanpur jointly measured the activation of cloud condensation nuclei and studied its impact on high altitude cloud formation and complexity of local weather phenomenon under the influence of different weather condition in the ecologically sensitive regions of Central Himalayas for the first time.

Cloud condensation nuclei (CCN), which can activate and grow into fog or cloud droplets in the presence of supersaturation (SS) was measured by a droplet measurement technology's (DMT) CCN Counter in the pristine Himalayan region at Himalayan Clouds Observatory (HCO), Swami Ram Tirtha (SRT) Campus of Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna (HNB) Garhwal University, Badshahithaul, Tehri Garhwal, Uttarakhand.

This observation was carried out under a Climate Change Programme Division, Department of Science & Technology (DST) funded project in collaboration with Hemvati Nandan Bahuguna (HNB) Garhwal University and IIT Kanpur, where the variation of CCN was reported on diurnal, seasonal, and monthly scale.

This first-time study was published in the 'Atmospheric Environment' journal and showed that the highest concentration of CCN was found to be associated with excessive fire forest activities of the Indian subcontinent.

There were other peaks also associated with a variety of events, such as long-range transportation and local residential emission.

The study can help improve the understanding of the complex mechanism of cloud burst, weather prediction and climate change conditions over this region of the Himalayas.

"This research will be helpful in source allocation of pollutants reaching the high-altitude regions of Garhwal Himalaya. Also, it will provide the better understanding for the cloud formation mechanism and weather extremities over this region," the Ministry of Science & Technology said.


New Delhi: Shortly after Brazil announced suspending a USD 324 million Covaxin contract that has mired President Jair Bolsonaro in accusations of irregularities, Hyderabad-based COVID vaccine maker Bharat Biotech has said that it has not received any advance payment nor supplied any vaccines.

"During the past few weeks, there have been reports in the media at large misrepresenting the procurement process of COVAXIN, in Brazil and other countries," Bharat Biotech said.

The firm said that in the specific case of procurement of Covaxin by the Ministry of Health, Brazil, since the first meetings with MOH Brazil during November 2020, until June 29, 2021, a step by step approach has been followed towards contracts, and regulatory approvals, during this 8 long month long process.

In the case of procurement of COVAXIN by Brazil, step-by-step approach followed towards contracts, ulatory approvals, during 8-month-long process. EUA received on 4June'21. As of Jun 29, we haven't received any advance payments nor supplied vaccines to Brazil: Bharat Biotech  ANI (@ANI) June 30, 2021

Bharat Biotech said, "EUA was received on June 4, 2021. As of 29th June 2021, Bharat Biotech has not received any advance payments nor supplied any vaccines to MOH Brazil".

The vaccine maker said that it has followed a similar approach towards contracts, regulatory approvals and supplies in several countries worldwide, where Covaxin is being supplied successfully.

"The pricing of COVAXIN has been clearly established between $15-20 per dose for supplies to Governments outside India. The pricing for Brazil has also been indicated at $ 15 per dose. Bharat Biotech has received advance payments from several other countries at the above price points, with supplies in process, pending approvals," it added.

Precisa Medicamentos is Bharat Biotech`s partner in Brazil, providing assistance, guidance and support with regulatory submissions, licensure, distribution, insurance, conduct of phase III clinical trials, etc. Bharat Biotech follows a similar partnership model in all countries, where its vaccines are supplied, as it does not have its own offices in these countries.

Bharat Biotech and Precisa Medicamentos are conducting a 5,000 subject phase III clinical trial in Brazil, which was recently approved by ANVISA. The trial will be conducted by the Albert Einstein Institute.

"According to the preliminary analysis of the CGU, there are no irregularities in the contract but, for compliance, the Health Ministry chose to suspend the contract for a more in-depth analysis," the Brazil Ministry said in a statement. Earlier on Thursday, a global news wire reported a CNN Brasil report that the ministry had decided to cancel the contract.

Brazilian federal prosecutors have opened an investigation into the Covaxin deal, citing comparatively high prices, quick talks and pending regulatory approvals as red flags for the contract signed in February.

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New Delhi: Have you ever felt that your mobile phone listens to your conversations? Do you feel that whatever you say, hear or search gets recorded? Has it happened that one moment you are searching for some product on the web and the next moment you get advertisements of that product on all your devices and apps? It could be because Google hears you.

Zee News Editor-in-Chief Sudhir Chaudhary on Wednesday (June 30) explained how the privacy of individuals is at risk as Google listens to their conversations and what one can do to reduce that risk.

On June 29, the parliamentary committee of IT called a meeting on the misuse of social media platforms, in which representatives of technology companies Google and Facebook appeared. During this, the parliamentary panel said that they doubt some of Google's services and it seems that its apps listen to Indian users speak.

In this meeting, Google agreed that the company listens to some things of its users, but sensitive things are not heard.

Hearing this, the members of the parliamentary panel were surprised and the committee asked how Google decides what is sensitive and what is not. Google did not have a concrete answer to this question, after which the panel expressed concern over this whole matter and asked the IT Ministry to be present in the next meeting.

India's Information Technology Act, 2000 doesnt allow technology companies to listen to their users.

Google has many apps and services. Which of these listens to you?

Based on various reports, it is understood that the Google Assistant listens to what people say. Google Assistant is such a feature, with the help of which you can open any website and content on Google Search Engine by just speaking, without typing anything. Google even has a policy regarding this.

This policy says that the conversations that happen between Google users and the Google Assistant are recorded by the company. But nowhere in this policy is it written that whether the company listens to the things that are recorded or not.

The company has now admitted that it even listens to these things. Whats even more shocking is that the company said that Google may record things even without the user having used the Google Assistant willingly.

This puts the privacy of people at risk. Heres an example: Recently in the US, a woman wanted to give a surprise to her husband that she is pregnant. She started reading about pregnancy-related products on the web. And after this, the advertisements of what she had searched started appearing on all the devices of their house and the woman's husband came to know that his wife is pregnant. What the woman kept a secret was sold by the company to other companies.

There are many similar cases and on many occasions, governments have acted against Google for privacy concerns.

The feature of Google Assistant is present in all android mobile phones sold around the world. It does not even have to be downloaded and people who buy these phones are automatically put at risk of losing their privacy.

There are some ways to protect your privacy from such apps:

1. Before using any app, make sure to read its terms and conditions.

2. You can auto-delete your data by going to Settings.

3. You can turn off the microphone through Settings on your smartphone.

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The Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) has hit out at BJP after its MLA Atishi was served a notice by the Income Tax department over her 2020 election affidavit declaration. While she attacked the BJP and the central government for issuing "such hollow threats", the party itself came in support of her. Terming the notice "ridiculous", AAP said it exposes the "sexist and chauvinist" face of the BJP. Atishi claimed the notice was sent to scare her, but "we have come from difficult fields to change politics of this country and we will not get intimidated by these hollow threats of the BJP".

"I want to tell the Modi government - we are not afraid of your threats! The Modi government has used every agency to harass AAP leaders but could not sustain a single case against the AAP. The income tax notice was sent to scare, intimidate us," Atishi said at a press conference.

"I don't have anything to hide. Wherever the Income Tax department calls me, I will go with all the details of my bank accounts. I want to challenge the BJP if they are ready to make their bank accounts and property details public," she said.

AAP spokesperson Saurabh Bhardwaj, who also addressed the media, said the notice was served based on Atishi's election affidavit from 2020 in which she had declared Rs 59 lakh worth moveable assets in the form of FD and mutual funds, which she said were earned before 2012. "This shows the sexist and chauvinist face of BJP. The AAP thinks this move is shameful and we strongly condemn it," he said.

Quoting Bharadwaj, the party tweeted, "MODI GOVT SENDS INCOME TAX NOTICE TO @AtishiAAP! Notice is based on her own declaration from 2020 election affidavit. She had declared 60 lakh worth FD+Mutual Fund. This is ridiculous. She's one of the most educated professional in politics."

"After 8 to 10 years with high quality education she possessed, it is very easy to make enough money that, if kept in a bank for seven-right years, can become Rs 50-60 lakh. The most interesting fact is that all the money in her FDs and mutual funds have been deposited before 2012. AAP's first government was formed in December 2013, and in 2015, Atishi got a chance to work with the Delhi Government wherein she used to work at the salary of Re 1 only," Bhardwaj further added.

(With Agency inputs)
New Delhi: Four jawans of the Indian army were killed after the truck in which they were travelling fell into a gorge at New Jawahar Lal Nehru Road in East Sikkim on Wednesday (June 30).

Two other jawans, who were injured, were taken to a hospital in Gangtok for treatment. They are being shifted to a hospital in Siliguri.

One of the jawans who was critically injured in the accident succumbed during treatment.

The six jawans of the Kumaon Regiment were travelling towards Gangtok when the driver lost control over the truck and it plunged 600 feet into a gorge, killing the driver and two other soldiers on the spot, an officer was quoted as saying by PTI.

The six jawans of the Kumaon Regiment were travelling towards Gangtok when the driver lost control over the truck and it plunged 600 feet into a gorge, killing the driver and two other soldiers on the spot, he said.

The rescue operation was conducted by the Army, BRO, police and locals in the inhospitable terrain amid bad weather and the three survivors were admitted to an Army hospital in Gangtok, from where they were shifted to a medical establishment in West Bengal's Siliguri, the officer added.

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It is often mentioned that a lack of social and physical interaction can lower the cognitive development in an individual. This is completely blamed on online education and is perceived to be negatively affecting the actual potential and development of a child.

We see articles flourishing media stating online education has not lived up to its potential and has not supported the purpose of education.

So does this mean that the standard of education is declining due to online mode?

A big No from where we stand. Educational facilitators focusing on the well-being of children with an ardent determination for holistic development is the key determinant for quality in online education and growth.

We live in a world that is completely surrounded by technology. A world of apps, augmented reality and artificial intelligence. Though existing in cyber space during onsite school, it was not the primary mode of education. In todays world it is something without which we cannot function.

Online education has made people travel and yet be a part of education in a comfortable semi-formal atmosphere. As we say, we learn from our travels . But now travelling is no longer restricted to the autumn, winter, spring or summer breaks, because digital platforms have literally made international education possible. We are catering to the needs of children in Dubai, Japan , USA and China. These are the international travellers who despite being the youngest section of primary school have built it into their system that learning must go on. The students are not missing out on education even when they are travelling to different countries.

Suddenly, the cyber world of teaching facilities that were hidden or under-explored, though always available, lay waiting to be discovered and explored.

Teachers started exploring multiple websites like Prezi, Nearpod, Weebly, Live Binders, Wiki spaces, Edutopia, Keepvid and many more. The list is endless. Their curious inquiring young minds made learners explore the same with excellence.

How could ICT apps stay far behind?

iMovie, Garage Band, Flip Grid, Kahoot, Quizlet, Math Duel, Sketchpad, Toontastic, Shapego and other wonders awaited young all in all a treasure island.

Learners created their own system for presentation and the physical pen and paper took shape digitally. A crayon and colour pencil was replaced by pain.net and a digital paint brush.

Learning centres in the classroom took the shape of bitmoji virtual classrooms (where there are learning centres which are accessible by a click; bitmojis being a part of the classroom setting) where every child could explore and revisit the understanding.

Physical surveys conducted by students leading to higher order questioning skills were earlier restricted to people in the vicinity with adult supervision. Todays advanced mode of digital learning has made virtual surveys possible with the support of survey tools like google forms, mentimeter, polleverywhere, etc. The biggest advantage of digital surveys - They reach across borders beyond imagination.

Therefore, this 360-degree transformation in the teaching and learning process did not create a barrier for students to investigate, create, communicate, collaborate, organise and be responsible for their learning and action keeping digital citizenship in mind.

All this and much more was made possible and achievable through the virtual classrooms starting from google meet and transitioning to zoom.

These video conferencing apps made the learner feel the presence of others and create a world for himself and herself.

Change  is the only thing which is inevitable and constant. The faster we adapt and the more we are open to suggestions, the better we are attuned to change. This leads us to a growth mindset.

Earlier, travelling abroad for an inter-school collaboration was a feasible idea only for the older age group of students. This is now possible sitting in the comforts of their home for the younger age group. Making IB as an extended joint family has become possible only due to online teaching and learning experiences.

Game based learning using sensory organs created a whirl of a difference for resources in teaching and learning. Websites focusing on multiple developmental areas are used to give a holistic development to the young inquirer.

We learn faster when we learn in a mixed ability classroom. Have we realised that due to online teaching, enthusiastic parents sat close to their child to understand this new method and unknowingly played a very important role in the education of their child. This is what the school wanted for years, that the parents play an equal role in the education of their child and work in partnership with the school.

Reflecting on the purpose of education, whether it is for knowledge retention, understanding of a concept , analysing and synthesising data, evaluating achievements or applying the acquired understanding, everything is possible today in the new normal.

Then how can we say that the standard of education is declining due to online education? It is we adults who have not spent our growing years in this type of a world filled with artificial intelligence which makes us filter the thoughts into a young mind on impossibility. Have we pondered and given an open choice to a young learner? Or is it our thoughts and experiences which are creating a barrier in communication for them?

We often hear people say that Todays generation kids have a computer chip in their mind and are so quick to adapt to technology. So where is the problem in this new world education system, which has made us go online and has catered to the needs of one and all in every aspect of life?

By Ms Bushra Khan

(The author is the PYP Coordinator and Head of Primary at Mount Litera School International)

(Disclaimer: Brand desk content)
New Delhi: As the decline in COVID-19 cases remains unsatisfactory, the Kerala government on Tuesday (June 29) announced the extension of lockdown by another week. The areas will now be classified according to the spread of the disease, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan said after chairing a COVID review meeting. The LSG bodies have been recategorised on the basis of the average Test Positivity Rate (TPR) for the last seven days, PTI reported.

As per the new classification, there are 165 local bodies in the A category (TPR less than 6 percent), 473 in the B category (6 -12 per cent TPR), 316 in the C category (12-18 per cent TPR) and 80 in the D category (TPR more than 18 per cent).

"The average TPR is still above 10 per cent, but down from a high of 29.75 cent. The expected progress in TPR decline is not visible. The lockdown cannot continue all the time. That's why the relaxations were allowed but there is concern that TPR is not falling below 10 per cent," Vijayan told the reporters.

The new restrictions will come into effect from Thursday (July 1), the CM added.

Vijayan said that statistics from the past week indicate that there was no considerable decline in the number of patients. "The TPR is expected to decrease gradually. There are many non-infected people in Kerala as the speed of transmission was well controlled in the first wave, he assured.

As per the new guidelines, a change in the funeral protocol of COVID victims has been announced. The close relatives are now allowed to pay their respects and perform limited religious rites, all within an hour.

Banks have been directed to halt the revenue recovery proceedings of those COVID-19 victims who have defaulted on bank loans, the CM informed.

Meanwhile, around 1,07,05,024 persons have so far received the first dose, while 31,57,435 have received both doses. Forty per cent of the state's population has been administered the first COVID vaccine while 12 per cent have been fully vaccinated with both shots.

"Once the vaccine is available, it can be delivered quickly and systematically. If we get the required amount of vaccine from the central government, we will be able to achieve herd immunity within three to four months," Vijayan was quoted as saying by the news agency.

On the day the state government decided to extend the coronavirus-induced lockdown, Kerala witnessed 13,550 new cases, pushing the cumulative cases to 29,10,507. The death toll mounted to 13,093 with 104 more fatalities, as per official data.

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi: As the monsoon continued to play truant, a severe heatwave scorched parts of Delhi on Tuesday with the maximum temperature at Safdarjung Observatory, considered the official marker for the city, rising to 43 degrees Celsius, the highest this year so far.

This is the first heatwave in Delhi this summer season, according to the India Meteorological Department.

A severe heatwave seared Lodhi Road, Ridge and Pusa areas, where the mercury soared to 42.6 degrees Celsius, 43.4 degrees Celsius and 44.3 degrees Celsius, respectively, seven notches above the average temperature.

Najafgarh (44.4 degrees Celsius), Pitampura (44.3 degrees Celsius) and Mungeshpur (44.3 degrees Celsius) also reeled under a severe heatwave.

For the plains, a "heatwave" is declared when the maximum temperature is more than 40 degrees Celsius, and at least 4.5 notches above normal.

A "severe" heatwave is declared if departure from normal temperature is more than 6.5 degrees Celsius, according to the IMD.

"Usually, the capital witnesses heat waves till June 20. The increase in the maximum temperature this time can be attributed to the delay in the arrival of the monsoon,? Kuldeep Srivastava, the head of the IMD's regional forecasting centre, said.

There has been no rainfall in the last three days and warm westerly winds are blowing across a major part of northwest India, which has not been covered by the monsoon yet, he said.

A heatwave is predicted in the capital on Wednesday, too.

According to the IMD, the southwest monsoon has reached Barmer in west Rajasthan, one of its last outposts, two weeks before its normal schedule but is yet to arrive in the north Indian plains including Delhi.

The northern limit of the southwest monsoon (NLM) continues to pass through Barmer, Bhilwara, Dholpur, Aligarh, Meerut, Ambala and Amritsar, it said.

After arriving two days late in Kerala, the monsoon had raced across the country, covering eastern, central and adjoining northwest India seven to 10 days earlier than normal.

The meteorological office had earlier predicted that the wind system may reach Delhi by June 15, which would have been 12 days early.

However, westerly winds have been blocking its advance into Delhi, parts of Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Punjab and Haryana.

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.

However, this year, the wait for Delhi, Haryana, parts of west Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and west Rajasthan has been overdue even as the mercury and humidity have continued to soar, the IMD said, adding immediate relief was unlikely.

"Prevailing meteorological conditions, large scale atmospheric features and the forecast wind pattern by dynamical models suggest that no favourable conditions are likely to develop for further advance of southwest monsoon into remaining parts of Rajasthan, west Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi and Punjab during the next six to seven days," the IMD said.
Chennai: Narcotic tablets worth Rs 5.25 lakh were seized at Chennai airport on Wednesday (June 30).

The Air Customs officials seized two parcels, one from the Netherlands and the other from France, which arrived at the citys foreign post office.

The first parcel, which was from the Netherlands was bound for a person based in Guntur, Andhra Pradesh. It contained a greeting card with the Dutch phrase HOERA! JIJ BENT JARIG, which meant HURRAY! IT'S YOUR BIRTHDAY. However, the card had an opaque pouch that contained 50 blue-colour tablets marked Jurassis.

Upon checking MDMA was found in the cover. The pills were worth Rs 2.5 lakh.

The second parcel had arrived from France and was addressed to a Nagercoil-based person. On opening, a ziplock packet containing 55 skull-shaped pink coloured MDMA tablets of MB MYBRAND valued at Rs 2.75 lakh was found.

A total of 105 MDMA tablets worth Rs 5.25 lakh were recovered and seized under the NDPS Act.

Commonly known as Molly or Ecstasy, MDMA (3-4 methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is a synthetic, psychoactive drug with a chemical structure similar to the stimulant methamphetamine and the hallucinogen mescaline.

MDMA is an illegal drug that produces an energizing effect, as well as distortions in perception and enhances enjoyment from tactile experiences.

Also Read: Chennai: 10kg heroin worth Rs 70cr seized from international passengers arrived for treatment

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July 1, the birth and death anniversary of noted doctor and former West Bengal chief minister Bidhan Chandra Roy, is celebrated as National Doctors' Day. Officials have informed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the medical fraternity on the occasion of the National Doctors' Day. The event is being organised by the Indian Medical Association (IMA).

Taking to the Twitter ahead of his address on the d-day, PM Modi said, "India is proud of the efforts of all doctors in fighting Covid-19. 1st July is marked as National Doctors Day. At 3 PM tomorrow, will address the doctors community at a programme organised by @IMAIndiaOrg."

India is proud of the efforts of all doctors in fighting COVID-19. 1st July is marked as National Doctors Day. At 3 PM tomorrow, will address the doctors community at a programme organised by @IMAIndiaOrg.  Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 30, 2021

Amid the pandemic, the prime minister has often praised the doctors and other frontline workers who are fighting the battle everyday to keep people around them safe and healthy.

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New Delhi: The National Investigation Agency arrested two Lashkar-e-Taiba terrorists on Wednesday (June 30) in connection with the Darbhanga railway station blast.

The accused, identified as Imran Malik and Nasir Khan originally hailing from Shamli district of Uttar Pradesh, were arrested in Hyderabad.

NIA said that the two were involved in the explosion in a parcel on Platform 1 of Darbhanga Railway station on June 17.

Preliminary investigation and examination of the accused persons has revealed a transnational conspiracy hatched by top operatives of proscribed terrorist organisation Laskar-e-Taiba ( LeT) to execute terror acts across India and cause large scale damage to life and property, NIA said in a statement.

Acting under the directions of Pakistan-based handlers of LeT, arrested accused Mohd Nasir Khan and his brother Imran Malik fabricated an incendiary IED and packed it in a parcel of cloth and booked the same in a long-distance train from Secunderabad to Darbhanga. This was aimed at causing explosion and fire in a running passenger train resulting in huge loss of lives and property, it added.

The two will be produced before the Special NIA Court in Patna after obtaining transit permission from the competent court.

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New Delhi: The Centre on Wednesday reiterated that there is no scientific evidence suggesting COVID-19 vaccination can cause infertility in men and women and asserted the vaccines have been found to be safe and effective.

The Health Ministry said that the National Expert Group on Vaccine Administration for COVID-19 (NEGVAC) has also recommended COVID vaccination for all lactating women, terming it as safe with no need to stop or pause breastfeeding before or after the inoculation.

The latest statement from the Health Ministry comes in the wake of media reports expressing concerns regarding infertility due to COVID-19 vaccination among populations of reproductive age and whether the vaccination is safe for lactating women.

The ministry has earlier clarified in the FAQs posted on the website that none of the available vaccines affects the fertility of either men or women, as all vaccines and their constituents are tested first on animals and later in humans to assess if they have any such side effects, the statement said.

Vaccines are authorized for use only after their safety and efficacy are assured, it stressed. "Furthermore, in order to curb the prevalent myth regarding infertility due to COVID-19 vaccination, the government of India has clarified that there is no scientific evidence suggesting COVID-19 vaccination can cause infertility in men and women. The vaccines have been found to be safe and effective," the Ministry said.

It may be recalled that in a recent interview, Dr N K Arora, chairperson of COVID-19 Working Group of National Technical Advisory Group on Immunization (NTAGI), had countered these fears and allegations.

He said that misinformation was also created during the administering of the polio vaccine in India and abroad that children who are getting the vaccine may face infertility in the future. He assured that all vaccines go through intense scientific researches and none of the vaccines have this sort of side-effect, the statement stated.

NEGVAC has also recommended COVID-19 vaccination for all lactating women, terming it as safe with no need to stop or pause breastfeeding before or after the vaccination, it said.

(With Agency Inputs)

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Chandigarh: Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Wednesday said the protesting farmer unions should not remain adamant on repeal of the new central farm laws, adding that making it a precondition for talks with the government does not serve any purpose.

He also claimed that only a "handful of people" were opposing the farm laws and that "common farmers are happy".

"Those spearheading the agitation are in reality not farmers. Real farmers have no objection with the farm laws, they are happy," he said.

The chief minister further alleged that those opposing the farm laws are only doing so due to political reasons.

"Their Punjab team is doing so because polls are approaching there. But there are no polls due in our state. Here the agenda is to defame the government using political angle. And the Congress is also supporting them in this," he said.

Khattar said the word "kisan" (farmer) is a sacred one, but some incidents like the alleged sexual exploitation of a woman from West Bengal at the Tikri border last month have "prompted people to raise questions".

On Union Agriculture Minister Narendra Singh Tomar's appeal to the protesting farmers to end their agitation and his invitation for talks, Khattar said, "The farmer unions are adamant on only one thing -- repeal of the farm laws -- without being able to pinpoint at any shortcomings of the laws."

"It does not serve any purpose if they remain adamant on just one thing and making it a precondition for talks with the government," he said at a press conference here.

"What I feel is that Kisan word is a very pious word. Everyone, including me, the government, common people, believe those leading this agitation have faith and respect towards farmers. But the sad part which has come out of this agitation is that some incidents have happened prompting people to raise questions," he said in an apparent reference to the sexual exploitation incident at Tikri border.

The Haryana Police had last month launched a probe into allegations by the father of the victim woman, who died after showing COVID-like symptoms, at a hospital in Bahadurgarh in Jhajjar district, that she had been raped by two men she had accompanied to the farmers protest site at Tikri border.

The CM also referred to the death of a 42-year-old man whose family members alleged that he was set on fire by four people in Bahadurgarh.

According to the complaint lodged by the victim's brother, the four men were part of the ongoing farmers agitation at the Tikri border near Delhi.

"There has been sexual assault, murder, and also disputes with local people about roads being blocked for which even panchayats have been held," Khattar said.

He also referred to the alleged targeting of BJP-JJP leaders in the state over the farm laws.

"I condemn their undemocratic way of work. We are exercising restraint. And what are they (those spearheading the stir) saying that the ministers, MLAs, chief minister, deputy CM cannot go to attend public functions. After all those running the government, it is their responsibility to go among the people and listen to them," he said.

"We have always exercised restraint as they (protesters) are our own people" we do not want confrontation. When they say some things, we tolerate it as they are our own people. But exceeding it beyond limit is not in anyone's interest," he added.
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will chair a meeting on Wednesday (June 30) of the Union council of ministers where he is likely to discuss the COVID-19 situation in the country. Citing sources, PTI reported the PM will also review the functioning of a few ministries. The meeting which will be held virtually on Wednesday evening is expected to review the work done by the Road and Transport Ministry and Civil Aviation and Telecom ministries.

The council meeting comes at a time when speculations about a possible cabinet expansion and reshuffle are abuzz. The meeting also becomes significant as several states have identified Delta Plus variant cases and as the threat of a possible third coronavirus wave looms large.

Last week, Modi convened a meeting with ministers of Cabinet and Minister of State rank in different groups to review the performance of their respective ministries.

On Tuesday, PM Modi held discussions with Union Home Minister Amit Shah, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and NSA Ajit Doval. His meeting with the top ministers and NSA Doval came in the backdrop of a drone attack on the Indian Air Force station in Jammu.

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi: Two unidentified flying objects, suspected to be drones, were sighted over Kaluchak on the outskirts of Jammu city and the Air Force Signal at Kunjwani in Ratnuchak area on early Wednesday (June 30).

As per army sources, one unidentified flying object/drone was sighted over Near Goswami enclave Kaluchak at 0440 hours and another flying object/drone was seen near at Air Force Signal Kunjwani area at the height of 800 meters around 0452 hrs.

The security forces are on alert and searching the areas. Further details are awaited.

The sighting comes after twin blasts occurred inside a defence installation in Jammu, which are believed to have been carried out using drones on the intervening night of June 26-27.

The National Investigation Agency (NIA) was on Tuesday given the charge of investigation into the attack at the Indian Air Force station at Jammu airport.

Meanwhile, amid a possible drone attack threat, security has been strengthened around vital installations across Kashmir, the valley's top cop Vijay Kumar said on Tuesday.

"Yesterday (Monday), the general officer commanding (of Chinar Corps) chaired a meeting which I attended. The security has been strengthened around vital installations and along the Line of Control," he was quoted as saying by PTI.

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Srinagar: Two terrorists were killed on Wednesday (June 30) in an encounter by security forces in Chimmer area of Kulgam in south Kashmir. The operation was underway when the report last came in.

In a tweet, Kashmir zone police said, Two unidentified terrorists killed. Operation in progress. Further details shall follow.

A police official said that the identity of the slain terrorists is being ascertained.

Earlier a joint team of police and army launched a cordon and search operation in Chimmer after the specific input of presence of terrorists in the village.

A police official said that the searching party came under fire when the suspected spot was cordoned after which the police retaliated and the encounter ensued.

Kashmir police zone had earlier tweeted, Encounter started at Chimmer area of Kulgam. Police and security forces are on the job. Further details shall follow.

This is the second encounter in Kashmir in last 72 hours. Earlier in an encounter in Srinagars Maloora area, security forces claimed killing two Lashkar terrorists including top commander Nadeem Abrar.

Also Read: Two drones sighted in Jammu and Kashmir, security forces on alert

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New Delhi: In a bizarre case, a man from Uttar Pradesh's Jaunpur was arrested on Tuesday for issuing threats to blow up two police stations as he was irritated with the bad road conditions in his area.

As per officials, the man identified as Lakshmi Kant Dubey threatened to blow up two police stations if roads between Rampur and Kathvatia were not repaired by October.

"The accused put up notices on the boards of Rampur and Sureri police stations," Superintendent of Police (SP) Ajay Kumar Sahni told PTI.

Initially, a case was registered against unidentified person(s). later the police recognised Dubey as the man behind the threat.
New Delhi: The outgoing Commissioner SN Shrivastava on Wednesday (June 30, 2021) expressed that the people who serve as the chief are temporary but the Delhi Police is permanent.

"I was the 22nd Police Commissioner of Delhi. We all are temporary, we come and go after our contribution but Delhi Police is permanent, providing security and law and order to the people of Delhi," Shrivastava said on his last day as Delhi Police chief.

He also talked about the COVID-19 pandemic and said how he had the responsibility of keeping Delhi and his police personnel safe.

Shrivastava also talked about social media and said that the Delhi Police has increased their presence on the platforms

The 1985-batch IPS officer also commented on the farmers' protests and said, "What we did gave good results. I told my policemen to exercise restrain despite facing provocation. They (policemen) had to jump from 15 feet at Red Fort but they never left the path of restraining."

He also inspected the parade at Kingsway Camp on the last day at the office.









(Photos: ANI)

SN Shrivastava had initially taken the additional charge of the CP, Delhi, in February 2020 in the wake of the communal riots in the national capital following protests over the Citizenship Amendment Act, 2019. He was regularised as the CP of the Delhi Police in May.

Meanwhile, Senior IPS officer Balaji Srivastav will now hold the additional charge of the Commissioner of Delhi Police.

Balaji Srivastav, a 1988-batch IPS officer of the AGMTU cadre, will discharge duties as the Commissioner of the Delhi Police in addition to his present responsibility till a full-fledged head of the national capital's police force is appointed. He is currently posted as Special Commissioner (Vigilance) of the Delhi Police.

He has previously worked as the DGP of Puducherry and Mizoram and Special Commissioner, Intelligence, Economic Offence Wing and Special Cell, Delhi. Srivastav has also served in the Cabinet Secretariat for nine years and handled sensitive assignments.

(With agency inputs)



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New Delhi: The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) team on Wednesday (June 30, 2021) submitted a report of the post-poll violence in West Bengal to the Calcutta High Court.

The five-judge bench of the Calcutta High Court has now deferred the matter for July 2.

This comes a day after vice-chairman of the National Commission for Minorities Ateef Rasheed, a member of the NHRC-formed panel, claimed that he and other members of a team were attacked by hooligans in Kolkata.

"Some hooligans attacked us and the police. They tried to beat us and force us to leave. If this is our situation, what will be the plight of the general public," he told reporters.

He also alleged that the local police did not come to the rescue of the visiting team.

A senior Kolkata Police official said that some people had raised slogans at Jadavpur but they were removed from the spot.

While the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) condemned the incident claiming that 'democracy is going to the ruins in Bengal', the Trinamool Congress (TMC) asserted that none of the ruling party was involved in it.

This is to be noted that the committee was set up by the chairperson of the NHRC on the direction of the Calcutta High Court to look into allegations of human rights violations during post-poll violence in the state.

(With inputs from agencies)



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Gandhinagar: The Gujarat Secondary and Higher Secondary Education Board, GSHSEB will conclude the application process for GUJCET 2021 on June 30, 2021. Interested and eligible candidates who have not applied for Gujarat Common Entrance Test yet visit the official website: gujcet.gseb.org for the registration.

Eligibility criteria: The candidates should be a citizen of India to apply for the exam and must have a domicile of Gujarat which means either they should be born in Gujarat or must have completed their 10th ad 12th board exams from Gujarat Schools.

DIRECT LINK FOR APPLICATION

Application procedure:

Step 1: Visit the official site of GSEB: gujcet.gseb.org.

Step 2: Enter the registration details or login details.

Step 3: Fill in the application form available.

Step 4: Make the payment of the application fees.

Step 5: Submit your application by clicking the submit icon.

Step 6: Download the confirmation page and keep a hard copy of the same for further need.

For all the candidates the examination fee is Rs 300/-. The application fee can be paid through the SBIePay System using a credit card, Debit Card, or Net Banking. Fee can also be paid using the online SBIePay SBI Branch Payment Option in any SBI Branch of the Country.

ALSO READ: Gujarat Board Class 10th Exams 2021: GSEB SSC results declared, know how to check

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New Delhi: Karnataka is likely to further ease COVID-19 curbs and allow malls to reopen soon. Hinting at the possibility, Chief Minister BS Yediyurappa said on Tuesday (June 29) that the government is considering opening malls with some conditions and a decision on the same will be taken soon.

"Malls (Shopping Centres) association members have met me. I will discuss with my cabinet colleagues. We are discussing giving certain concessions with some conditions. No decision has been taken yet," Yediyurappa was quoted as saying by PTI.

Earlier in the day, the Shopping Centres Association of India members had met Yediyurappa and urged the CM to allow malls to be opened from next week.

As per PTI, malls may be allowed to operate with riders after July 5 when the current unlock guidelines will be reviewed. On June 24, the state government had further relaxed the lockdown curbs and allowed buses to resume services to Maharashtra with a seating capacity of 50 percent. Issuing fresh guidelines, the government also allowed marriage functions in choultries, hotels, resorts and function halls involving not more than 40 guests.

Under its Unlock norms, the Yediyurappa government has permitted several sectors to operate however air-conditioned shops, shopping complexes, malls, are still not allowed to function.

Meanwhile, amid Delta Plus variant cases being found in Maharashtra, the Karnataka government has made negative RT-PCR test report or a vaccination certificate mandatory for the travellers coming from Maharashtra.

"Negative RT-PCR certificate not older than 72 hours or vaccination certificate of at least one dose of COVID-19 vaccine shall be compulsorily produced by the passengers coming to Karnataka by flight, bus, train, taxi, personal transport, etc. This will also be applicable for all the flights originating from Maharashtra to Karnataka," Chief Secretary P Ravi Kumar said in the new order.

Karnataka reported 3,222 new COVID-19 cases, and 93 deaths taking the death toll to 34,929 on Tuesday. The active cases have dropped to 85,997, while the recoveries stood at 27,19,479 recoveries, as per the state health bulletin.

(With agency inputs)

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New Delhi: Karnataka will vaccinate all college students within 10 days, Deputy Chief Minister Dr CN Ashwatha Narayana said on Tuesday (June 29). Those who will be benefited under the priority COVID-19 vaccination include students of polytechnic, ITI, degree, engineering, medical, paramedical, diploma, medical diploma, students registered under Chief Minister's skill development scheme and studying in university campuses, the minister added.

"The vaccination drive for the higher education students has been initiated on June 28 and 94,000 students have been jabbed on the first day, Narayana said addressing the media after convening a meeting with the officials of the departments of Health and Medical Education.

Meanwhile, apprising of ways the government plans to tackle the possible third COVID-19 wave, Narayana said that oxygen generation capacity will be enhanced by 400 MT. This comprises 250 MT in hospitals coming under the department of health and the remaining in medical college hospitals and private hospitals and also arrangements made by District commissioners under the Disaster Management Act.

"Similarly, oxygen storage capacity will be increased by about 2500-2800 MT. This comprises 1806 MT in hospitals working under the department of health, 500 MT in medical college hospitals. Each district hospital will have a minimum of 20 MT oxygen storage capacity and taluk hospital will have a minimum of 6 MT capacity. Global tenders will be floated to procure tankers which are essential to store liquid oxygen", he was quoted as saying by ANI.

To ramp up the COVID-19 vaccination drive in the state, the government will ask Centre for more vaccines. "We will urge the Centre to allot more vaccines to the state for inoculating a maximum number of people, including senior citizens, above 45 years and those in the 18-44 age group, state Health Minister K. Sudhakar told reporters on Tuesday.

As per the official release, Karnataka has been allotted only 60 lakh doses for July, which will limit its vaccination drive to 2-lakh per day. Sudhakar will fly to New Delhi early next week to meet Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan and officials for allotting more vaccines to the southern state, IANS reported.

(With agency inputs)
New Delhi: Equity benchmark Sensex surrendered early gains to end 67 points lower on Wednesday (June 30) as investors booked profits at higher levels amid a largely negative trend in global markets. After rallying nearly 400 points during the day, the 30-share BSE index made a U-turn to settle 66.95 points or 0.13 per cent lower at 52,482.71. Similarly, the broader NSE Nifty slipped 26.95 points or 0.17 per cent to close at 15,721.50.

PowerGrid was the top loser in the Sensex pack, shedding over 1 per cent, followed by Bajaj Finserv, ICICI Bank, HDFC, NTPC, HUL and L&T.

On the other hand, Infosys, Reliance Industries, Nestle India and Martui were among the gainers.

"Domestic benchmark indices gave up gains towards the final session as continued profit-booking in financials dragged markets," said Binod Modi, Head- Strategy at Reliance Securities.

However, buying was visible in IT, metals and auto companies, while pharma broadly remained resilient. Further, RIL also aided market to arrest the fall.

Notably, midcap and smallcap stocks continued to outperform broader indices, he said, adding that volatility index corrected marginally.

Elsewhere in Asia, bourses in Hong Kong and Tokyo ended in the red, while Shanghai and Seoul closed with gains.

Equities in Europe were trading with losses in mid-session deals. Also Read: PM Kisan Yojana: Get Rs 3000 monthly pension along with Rs 6000 annually, heres how

Meanwhile, international oil benchmark Brent crude was trading 0.79 per cent higher at USD 74.87 per barrel. Also Read: IIT Hyderabad, WiSig announce 'Koala', India's first 5G SoC to drive NB-IoT applications

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Whether people have become slothful to hit the shops or Covid restrictions lack shopping freedom, Beauty audiences are now shifting towards E-commerce. 2020 has indeed witnessed the biggest rise in online sales in the pandemic era. While many beauty start-ups established, they have not been able to accommodate many audiences. While the virus prevailed, so did the counterfeits.

Despite almost falling into a depressed economy, Makeup and skincare are reigning in the market segment even today. Global presence has been imminent in the beauty community. Beauty has now emerged as a medium for cultural exchanges. Beauty challenges have become excellent catalysts for bloggers to create and innovate like no other. Creators and our very own B-audience have amplified their quarantine time to explore brands at the local and global level respectfully.

In this scenario, they are subjected to heavy-duty fines or if being shipped from abroad, they reach the shipping address after forever. Transparency and timeless logistics is the need of the hour. BeautyKart, an E-commerce retailer has stepped up the beauty game just right. Not only do they hold authentic retailers certificate but also redefined transparency through their website and services. Their website involves sections that cater to unique beauty needs and preferences namely for audiences who seek products from local, international and niche brands from all realms of personal care and hygiene. Best of all, you can now access products from any part of the country and undoubtedly any part of the world. Further, They have partnered up with leading courier services to ensure hassle-free delivery to every customer irrespective of their locality or area. To accentuate their retail experience, they are also in talks to launch an information hub that informs everyone about the usage and efficacy of featured products on the website. Need we Say Personalized shopping is much needed this season?

(Disclaimer: This is a brand desk content)
New Delhi: Actress Mandira Bedi's husband and director-producer Raj Kaushal succumbed to a heart attack this morning, as per initial reports. Fans and industry colleagues expressed shock over the unfortunate incident. He was 49.

Filmmaker Onir took to Twitter and confirmed the news. He wrote: Gone too soon. We lost Film maker and Producer @rajkaushal1 this morning. Very Sad. He was one of the producers of my first film #MyBrotherNikhil. One of those few who believed in our vision and supported us. Prayers for his soul.

Gone too soon. We lost Film maker and Producer @rajkaushal1 this morning. Very Sad. He was one of the producers of my first film #MyBrotherNikhil. One of those few who believed in our vision and supported us. Prayers for his soul. pic.twitter.com/zAitFfYrS7   Onir   he/him (@IamOnir) June 30, 2021

The family, however, is yet to confirm the news or release an official statement. "He passed away today morning, at around 4.30 am at his home. He had a heart attack," family friend and actor Rohit Roy told PTI.

Raj Kaushal and Mandira Bedi got married on February 14, 1999. The couple has a son named Vir, who was born in 2011 and in October 2020, they adopted a girl child of 4 years, naming her Tara Bedi Kaushal.

Raj was the producer of films such as Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi (1999), Shaadi Ka Laddoo (2004), My Brother Nikhil (2005) among others. He turned director for Pyaar Mein Kabhi Kabhi, Shaadi Ka Laddoo and Anthony Kaun Hai.

May his soul rest in peace!
New Delhi: Veteran actor Anupam Kher on Wednesday expressed his happiness over the improvement in the health of his beloved wife Kirron Kher.

Kirron, who diagnosed with cancer a year ago, is doing much better now and is being treated by the team of the best doctors.

Sharing more details about her health, Hindustan Times quoted Anupam Kher as saying, It is a very natural phenomena to support people near you, and that is what I have been doing. Aur baaki toh kuch nahi kar sakte hum. Doctors are doing their best job. We have got the best doctors around and I can only be positive and optimistic and believe in the brilliance of doctors and pray.

Being optimistic and positive about the current scenario, he said that his brother is also a cancer survivor and so he believes that being positive and choosing happiness over everything else can bring a change.

The BJP MP Kirron Kher is suffering from multiple myeloma (blood cancer) and is currently undergoing treatment for it.

For the unversed, after reports surfaced about Kirron Kher's cancer, husband Anupam Kher took to social media and confirmed the news.

He took to social media and in a note wrote that 'Kirron has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer '. Husband Anupam Kher and son Sikander's undersigned note reassured fans that Kirron Kher will bounce back soon.

Kirron Kher and Anupam Kher got married in 1985. She has a son named Sikander Kher from her previous marriage.
New Delhi: Actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas is making the most of her time after completing work commitments in London and returning to the US. The actress recently visited Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland, Ohio with mother Madhu Chopra and some other family members.

Priyanka can be seen dressed in a lovely short floral dress, while her mother is wearing a lace top with black shorts.

Sharing photos of her visit on Instagram, the actress wrote, Thank you @rockhall for giving me and the family such a wonderful time. So amazing to be amongst the greatest ever in Music. Thank you Greg, Shelby, Nwaka and everyone else who made it so smooth.

Earlier, the actress was seen visiting her restaurant Sona in New York City for the first time. Sharing the experience of the same on her Instagram the 38 years old wrote, I cannot believe Im finally at @sonanewyork and seeing our labour of love after 3 years of planning. My heart is so full to go into the kitchen and meet the team that makes @sonanewyork such a wholesome experience. From my namesake private dining room, Mimis, to the gorgeous interiors, the stunning art by Indian artists (for sale) and the yummy food and drinks, the Sona experience is so unique and a part of my heart in the heart of New York City.

Priyanka was earlier stationed for a long time in London where she was shooting back to back for her upcoming projects. The global star will be seen in spy thriller series Citadel, rom com Text For You and Matrix 4. Priyanka will also feature in an Indian wedding comedy, which she co-produces with Mindy Kaling.
New Delhi: The Central government will be rolling out the next instalment under the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM Kisan) scheme in August 2021. This will be the ninth instalment under the scheme aimed at providing a financial cushion to poor and marginalised farmers in every nook and cranny of the country. However, did you know that besides getting Rs 6000 annually, farmers can also receive a Rs 3000 monthly pension under the PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana by making a small one-time investment?

What is PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana?

PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana is a retirement investment scheme aimed at the welfare of the farmers linked with PM Kisan Yojana. Farmers within the age of 18 to 40 years can invest in the scheme to receive a monthly pension of up to Rs 5000.

A farmer registered under the PM Kisan Yojana doesnt need to do much paperwork to invest in the PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana.

How much money a farmer can invest in the PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana?

A farmer can start investing as little as Rs 55 per month and a maximum of Rs 200 per month under the scheme. A farmer can start investing Rs 55 at the age of 18 years to receive a Rs 3000 monthly pension at the age of 60.

Similarly, a famer aged above 30 to 40 years need to contribute Rs 110 per month to the scheme to avail of retirement benefits. Farmers above the age of 55 need to invest Rs 200 every month to receive benefits after retirement. Also Read: Bharat Biotech denies allegations of irregularities, says not received any advance payment from Brazil

Widow pension in PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana

In case of the death of an investor, his/her widow will receive 50% of the pension. Only a spouse can receive a pension under the PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana. Also Read: GST report card: Over 66 crore returns filed in 4 years, tax rates reduced and more

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Beijing: Scientists have discovered a gigantic human skull that was hidden in a well in China for nearly 90 years. According to the researchers, the skull was originally found in 1933 by some Chinese laborers while building a bridge in Harbin, a northern Chinese city, during the Japanese occupation.

To prevent the skull from reaching the hands of the Japanese, it was wrapped and hidden in an abandoned well. It was rediscovered in 2018 when the old man who originally hid it told his grandson, shortly before his death.

Articles published in the research journal 'The Innovation' reveals that the skull was of a man who was around 50-years of age. He would have had a wide nose to allow him to breathe uninhibited during heavy activity and probably would have been built sturdily to withstand the frigid regional winters, researchers wrote.

The new fossil has been labeled a new human species, Homo longi, by Chinese researchers. The species has been dubbed "Dragon man," for the northern Chinese province where the skull was found, Heilongjiang or in English, the "Black Dragon River" region.

The massive size is one of the most exceptional aspects of the fossilised skull. It measures 9 inches in length and more than 6 inches in width, which is significantly larger than the modern human skull. The Harbin cranium has a cranial capacity of approximately 1,420 milliliters or 48 fluid ounces which makes it fall under the cranial capacity range of modern humans, but the skull also has many primitive features that make it a unique link between modern humans and Neanderthals.

According to researchers, it differs from all the other named Homo species, it has a mix of primitive and modern features like a "gently curved" but "massively developed" brow ridge and low, flat cheekbones with "shallow" depressions beneath them. And compared to today's more evolved, round skull, researchers said the Harbin cranium was long and low.

Using the geochemical techniques, Professor Qiang Ji of Hebei Geo University in China with his international research team dated the skull to at least 146,000 years old. When the fossil was compared with 95 other skulls using a software program, it was found that the Harbin cranium and a few other Chinese skulls seemed to form a new branch that was closer to modern humans than Neanderthals.

According to the Chinese research team, the Harbin cranium is sufficiently unique that it qualifies as a new species. However, others are not convinced. Professor Chris Stringer, a research leader at the Natural History Museum in London who also worked on the project, told the Guardian that the skull may be similar to another skull found in China in 1978. He said, "The important thing is the third lineage of later humans that are separate from Neanderthals and separate from Homo sapiens."

Although there is a lot to study about the skull before drawing any conclusion if it stands out as a new species of the human race then it may be a connecting link between Neanderthals and modern-day humans.

ALSO READ: Cloud bursts linked to forest fires? Check what new study suggests

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Washington: The American space agency National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) took on Instagram to share astonishing images of the first air-to-air supersonic shock wave interaction. Supersonic shock waves are formed when aircraft fly faster than the speed of sound, shockwaves travel away from them and are heard on the ground as a sonic boom.

These pictures captured by NASA Aero in 2019 demonstrate the flow of shock waves from supersonic aircraft and for the first time, the interaction of the shocks in flight.

Originally the images are monochromatic, captured by an updated camera system on one of NASA's research planes. Researchers use this imagery to study shockwaves as part of our effort to make sonic booms quieter, which may open the future to possible supersonic flight over land.

The images were shared on NASA's official Instagram page with a long descriptive caption eliciting the imagining technique and equipment used. When aircraft fly faster than the speed of sound, shockwaves travel away from them and are heard on the ground as a sonic boom. With exceptional clarity, @NASAAero captured the flow of these shock waves from supersonic aircraft in 2019, and for the first time, the interaction of the shocks in flight, wrote NASA.

The post gained more than 7 lakh likes and thousands of comments expressing the amusement of users.

ALSO READ: NASA's Hubble telescope on halt after trouble with payload computer

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Dehradun: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) high command has summoned Uttarakhand Chief Minister Tirath Singh Rawat to Delhi for crucial discussions ahead of the upcoming assembly polls.

All the programs scheduled by the state Chief Minister`s Office (CMO) for Wednesday have been postponed. He will leave for the national capital at 10:30 AM, the sources said. The significance of the call by the BJP high command could be gauged by the fact that the state is slated to go to Assembly polls next year.

Uttarakhand has 70 Assembly seats. It is to mention that the party unit in the state held `Chintan Baithak` to chalk out a strategy for upcoming elections in the state.

The three-day meeting took place in Ramnagar from June 27 to June 29, party leaders were scheduled to deliberate and finalise programs that will be held every month in the run-up to the polls.

Sources in the party said that the Gangotri Assembly seat is being considered for the Chief Minister to contest. On March 10, the Lok Sabha MP from Garhwal Tirath Singh Rawat took oath as the CM, a day after former CM Trivendra Singh Rawat stepped down from the top post.

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New Delhi: In an unusal sighting, a large sea snail known as the Syrinx Aruanus' was found washed up ashore the banks of the Godavari river in Uppada village of Andhra Pradesh on Sunday. This rare, carnivourous marine creature was auctioned for a whopping Rs 18,000 on Sunday, ANI reported.

The snail has been identified as Syrinx Aruanus - it is one of the world's largest across both land and water. The shell is shaped like a trumpet which is spiral with a pointed tip upwards in the likeness of a cone, and a large broader base with an opening downwards earning the name Australian trumpet or false trumpet.

Andhra Pradesh | A large sea snail found on the shores of river in Uppada village, East Godavari district has been reportedly auctioned for Rs 18,000. Scientifically, the snail is referred to as 'Syrinx Aruanus', suggesting snails with extremely large appearance. pic.twitter.com/70QFM6xwaX  ANI (@ANI) June 27, 2021

The species have a large shell encase or a gorgonian coral enclosing its body that can measure up to 15 cm. It can grow up to 70 cm in length and weigh up to 18 kg. These snails are vulnerable to local extinction as their shells are popular ornaments.

This rare species is mostly found in the northern part of Australia, including eastern Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Though, not much is known about the behaviour or ecology of these species.
Indians looking to travel to Maldives can do so again, soon. "#Maldives will restart issuing of on-arrival tourist visas starting 15th July to tourists travelling from South Asia. Tourists need a negative #PCR result to enter the Maldives. Further details will follow accordingly," the Ministry of Tourism, Maldives had tweeted.

Come second week of July, and the Maldives - a popular tourist destinations for Indians and a favourite will Bollywood - will resume visa-on-arrival for South Asian countries, including India. In a press conference held in the President's Office, President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih announced that Maldives is all set to reopen for South Asian travellers. More details are awaited.

Those who have work visa can re-enter the Maldives from July 1 onwards. However, they will be required to quarantine in the Maldives after crossing the border.

Solih, in a public statement on Tuesday, said that the primary objective of his government is to restart the country`s economy after the extended lockdown restrictions necessitated by the third wave of the pandemic that peaked in May, reports Xinhua news agency.

In May, the country issued the ban in order to contain surging COVID-19 infections. Apart from India, visitors from other countries in the region like Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka were also banned. However, after reviewing the current situation and the drop in the number of cases, the ministry took this decision to allow tourists.

(With Agency inputs)

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New Delhi: Singapore and Bhutan have signed a new pact for the establishment of Model Technical Training Centres (MTTC) in the Technical Training Institute (TTI) of Thimphu and TTI of Khuruthang for skilling and training Bhutanese youth. The two MTTCs will offer training to Bhutan's next generation in Automotive Technology (AT) and Facility Technology - Mechanical and Electrical (FT-ME).

The pact was signed by Director of Bilateral Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bhutan Sonam Tobgay and Singapore's envoy to Bhutan Simon Wong. The pact was signed virtually and also aimed at supporting post-Covid economic recovery.

Pointing to the "shared understanding that human capital is a key resource", Simon Wong said, It is timely for us to launch this collaboration now, as we look to emerge from the global pandemic. It will complement Bhutans broad efforts in enabling the youth of the nation to fulfill their potential.

The Automotive programme (AT) will be implemented at MTTC Thimphu and the Facility Technology - Mechanical & Electrical programme FT-ME) will be implemented at MTTC Khuruthang. All in all, both the centres can together train a total of 160 students each year. Envoy Simon Wong said, His Majesty the Kings clear and forward-looking vision for Bhutan, and his support for the Singapore-Bhutan relationship, have made this initiative possible.

Important to know, Bhutan's King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck visited the Institute of Technical Education (ITE), Singapore, in 2015 which resulted in increased exchanges between Bhutan and Singapore on Technical and Vocational Education and Training.
Washington: The US House of Representatives has expressed solidarity with India in its fight against the second wave of the coronavirus pandemic and in a resolution urged the Biden administration to urgently facilitate Covid assistance to India.

The bipartisan resolution, co-authored by Congressmen Brad Sherman and Steve Chabot that had 41 co-sponsors, recognised that when the US was in the midst of a devastating spike in Covid cases, India lifted its export ban on certain therapeutics in response to a request by the US government.

Sherman and Chabot are co-chairs of the House India Caucus. Among 41 co-sponsors, 32 lawmakers were from the ruling Democratic party and another nine from the Republican.

The resolution recognised that India's pharmaceutical industry is a vital part of the global solution to the pandemic, especially for much of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, and is the world's biggest producer of Covid vaccines having exported 66.36 million doses to 93 countries and accounting for over half of global vaccine manufacturing.

"The resolution stands with the people of India as they collectively work to stem the spread of COVID-19," said Sherman. "The US must work with our partners around the world to quell the virus everywhere it persists," he added.

Chabot said the second wave of Covid has caused immense suffering. "Our close ties to India and India's support for us early in the pandemic call for our support. As case rates continue to decline, we must help them finish the battle against the second wave and win the war against COVID-19 altogether," he added.

Prior to this resolution, more than 150 members of US Congress across the political aisle have issued statements, letters and tweets in support of India.

In recent months, the Indian Ambassador to the US Taranjit Singh Sandhu has had an intense and methodical engagement with US Congress. Besides India's traditional contacts the outreach was expanded to cover a cross section of US Congress, including senior members of the House and Senate.

The resolution recognises the efforts of the Biden administration to deliver urgently needed medical supplies to India and urges the delivery of additional, much-needed medical supplies and in-kind medical supply donations to help India quell the devastating second wave of COVID-19.

It also recognises the efforts of Indian-Americans and American firms to support India's health care system during this time of need, including the delivery of 1,000 ventilators and 25,000 oxygen concentrators to health care facilities across India.

In April, Chabot, Sherman, and a few others formally requested the White House to increase its assistance for India's battle against COVID-19.

By early May, the US had provided more than USD 100 million worth of medical supplies to India, including oxygen support, personal protective equipment (PPE), rapid diagnostic tests, and therapeutics. The USAID also facilitated the delivery of 440 oxygen cylinders and regulators to India, donated by the State of California.

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